cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Period doubling gained, period doubling lost

Pulsating solutions to a model of gasless condensed phase combustion are studied numerically as a function of a parameter $\mu $, which is proportional to the nondimensional activation energy. Due to the exothermic reaction, a combustion wave propagates into the fresh fuel mixture. Below a critical value $\mu _1 $ the wave propagates at a uniform velocity. For $\mu > \mu _1 $, periodic pulsations occur of period $T = T( \mu )$. That is, the velocity of the combustion wave increases and decreases periodically. The pu rations are sinusoidal for $\mu $ near $\mu _1 $, and then develop into relaxation oscillations as $\mu $ is increased. A transition to a doublyperiodic (period $2T$) solution branch is found at a value $\mu _2 > \mu _1 $. Stable doubly periodic solutions can no longer be computed beyond a third critical point $\mu _3 > \mu _2 $. For $\mu > \mu _3 $, there is a return to the T periodic solution branch, with an interval of bistability ($ \mu^* < \mu < \mu _3 $, with $\mu _2 < \mu ^ * < \mu _3 $...
Incidental Durotomy in Cervical Spinal Surgery

Incidental durotomy complicating cervical spinal surgery is not an uncommon occurrence. While most often these unintentional breeches of the thecal sac do not lead to significant sequelae, there is evidence that they cannot be considered entirely benign events. Meticulous, watertight closure of the dural tear intraoperatively remains the best prevention of continued cerebrospinal fluid egress postoperatively. If complications of dural-cutaneous cerebrospinal fluid fistulas and/or pseudomeningoceles do develop postoperatively, several conservative maneuvers are available. However, a reoperation may still be required as the definitive treatment.
Increased adrenal responsiveness related to social stress in rhesus monkeys

Abstract Two mixed-sex groups of subadult M. mulatta, maintained under chronic crowding stress, were characterized re adrenal responsiveness to ACTH (via urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids) and intragroup social behavior over a 2-year period which included a series of changes in social environment. Under conditions of unchanging dominance structure, ACTH-response levels of individual cagemates remained relatively constant, with 3- to 10-fold differences between the lowest (dominant male) and the highest (most subordinate female cagemate). Elevated response levels of subordinate cagemates were lowered by changes which reduced social stress, such as transfer to individual caging, removal of the dominant male, or consort pair formation involving the dominant male. Conversely, removal of the most subordinate cagemate resulted in elevation of ACTH-response levels of some remaining subordinates. Covariance was demonstrated between ACTH-response levels, aggressive stimulation received, and fear-anxiety behavior for two female subordinate cagemates. The data suggest that the prime determinant of ACTH-response levels is the fear- or anxiety-evoking aspects of group interaction. Elevated adrenal responsiveness is assumed to be a function of chronically elevated ACTH output reflecting the characteristic level of fear-evoking or “stressful” stimulation sustained by each member of the social group.
Litterfall and nutrient returns in red alder stands in western Washington

Litterfall was collected over 1 year from eight natural stands of red alder growing on different sites in western Washington. The stands occurred at various elevations and on different soils, and differed in age, basal area, and site index. Most litterfall was leaf litter (average 86 percent). Amounts of litterfall and leaf litter varied significantly (P<0.05) among the sites. Average weights of litterfall and leaf litter in kg ha−1 yr−1, were 5150 and 4440, respectively. Weight of leaf litter was not significantly (P<0.05) related to site index, stand age, or basal area. The sites varied significantly (P<0.05) in concentrations of all elements determined in the leaf litter, except Zn. Average chemical concentrations were: N, 1.98 percent; P, 0.09 percent; K, 0.44 percent; Ca, 1.01 percent; Mg, 0.21 percent; S, 0.17 percent; SO4−S, nil; Fe, 324 ppm; Mn, 311 ppm; Zn, 53 ppm; Cu, 13 ppm; and Al, 281 ppm. There were significant correlations between some stand characteristics and concentrations of some elements, and among the different chemical components of the leaf litter. Important correlations were found between stand age and P concentration (r=−0.84,P<0.01); weight of leaf litter and P concentration (r=0.74,P<0.05); weight of leaf litter and K concentration (r=0.71,P<0.05); concentrations of N and S (r=0.81,P<0.05); and concentrations of Fe and Al (r=0.98,P<0.01). Returns of the different elements to the soil by leaf litter varied among the different sites. Average nutrient and Al returns, in kg ha−1 yr−1, were: N, 82; Ca, 41; K, 19; Mg, 8; S, 7; P, 4; Fe, 1; Mn, 1; Al, 1; Zn, 0.2, and Cu, <0.1.
TU‐E‐L100E‐01: Image Quality Measurement Workshop

Achieving a high level of image quality is a notable goal of any medical imaging system. Over decades, there has been much research about the techniques for the assessment of image quality and the clinical relevance of its quantitative values. This workshop aims to define the common metrics of image quality, delineate practical techniques for their assessment, explore their utility in routine clinical practice, and suggest their importance in terms of overall patient care. The workshop further discusses some of the common pitfalls in the experimental assessment of image quality, define the limitations of the current metrics, and suggest new methods that can address some of the current limitations. Educational Objectives: 1. To define the common metrics of image quality in terms of resolution, noise, accuracy, and efficiency. 2. To describe the methods used to measure the MTF, NPS, and DQE of imaging systems. 3. To describe the common experimental challenges for the assessment of image quality. 4. To delineate the clinical relevance of the quantitative metrics of image quality. 5. To discuss the limitations of conventional metrics and define possible solutions.
Baseline Susceptibility of European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) to Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins

Susceptibility to CrylAb and CrylAc toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis was deter- mined for 11 populations of neonate European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis (Hiibner), from the United States and 1 from northern Italy. Corn borer larvae were exposed to artificial diet treated with increasing B. thuringiensis concentrations, and mortality and growth inhibition were evaluated after 7 d. The range of variation in B. thuringiensis susceptibility indicated by growth inhibition was very similar to that indicated by mortality. Although interpopulation variation in susceptibility to both proteins was observed, the magnitude of the differences was small (54-fold) and comparable to the variability observed among generations within aparticular population (53-fold). Additionally, there was no indication that B. thuringiensis susceptibility was influenced by pheromone race, voltine ecotype, or geographic location. These results suggest that the observed susceptibility differences reflect natural variation in B. thuringiemis susceptibility among corn borer populations rather than variation caused by prior exposure to selection pressures. Therefore, European corn borers appar- ently are susceptible to B. thuringiensis toxins among populations across most of their geographic range.
Video residual coding using SPIHT and dependent optimization

We introduce a video residual coding technique based on wavelet transforms and set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT). In this scheme, wavelet coefficients that correspond to the same spatial location in the image domain are grouped together to form wavelet blocks. Each wavelet block is then converted to a SPIHT-compatible bit stream by an optimized SPIHT encoder minimizing the Lagrangian cost J=D+/spl lambda/R. We also extend the rate-distortion method to include future dependency and propose an iterative algorithm to solve the dependent coding problem. The result is a coding system which achieves better rate-distortion performance than baseline H.263 with a very fast integer-only decoding procedure.
Designing a Self-Healing Approach to Radio Link Failures in Mobile Handsets

In all radio access technologies, starting with GSM to UMTS and others there exist an event of radio link failure. A radio link failure occurs due to degradation of air interface during an ongoing voice or a data application. The action that has to be taken is defined by their respective specification of 3GPP. Normally, the physical layer (II) detects a radio link failure. When such a failure is found the normal action performed by the mobile is to do a local release of dedicated and signaling links between the mobile and the network which leads to discontinuation of voice or data application. The higher layers are informed. However, this discontinuation can be avoided, if the mobile uses the facilities of multiple radio access technologies (RAT), available to it. The mobile can employ a self-healing approach to continue with application using the services provided by all other RATs. This paper describes such a self-healing system approach.
A 512-KB level-2 cache design in 45-nm for low power IA processor silverthorne

A self-timed, phase based 512KB L2 cache design in 45 nm CMOS process for a low power IA core is presented. The design supports back to back access every core clock by performing sense amplifier (SA) evaluation and SA precharge (SAPCH) in one phase. Dynamic latch is used in the data-out path to enable the use of narrowest SA and latch pulse (LATCK) width during high volume manufacturing (HVM). Power gated (PG) WL driver, sleep and deep sleep for the SRAM array along with floating the bit lines and tri-state write driver schemes are implemented to reduce cache leakage power. The design meets the performance requirement of 2.0 GHz and 1.0 GHz at 1.0 V and 0.75 V respectively at 90C.
Teaching Computational Materials Science for Nanoscale Science and Engineering

We describe the development of a graduate level course designed to teach computational materials science and its application to nanoscale science and engineering. We discuss the use of MatDL, a web-based digital library and materials science resource, as a collaborative learning tool within the context of the course.
Amino Acids in Health and Disease

The proteins of the human body are in a constant state of flux with some proteins being synthesized and catabolized continually. Dietary proteins and tissue protein breakdown products provide a pool of amino acids which provide the building blocks for formation of new protein for growth and for rebuilding tissue protein. Essential amino acids are those not synthesized by man or not produced sufficiently rapidly enough to support this activity. Therefore, man requires a source of nitrogen and essential amino acids to support growth, protein synthesis and biosynthesis of important nitrogenous metabolites. The differences in value of food proteins are due to variations in amino acid pattern of each protein. Since the body can form only some of the amino acids, nine “essential” ones must be supplied in the diet (Table I) (McLaughlan et al., 1963, Schelling, 1975). Protein normally is not absorbed by the human intestine, but its hydrolysis products peptides and free amino acids are readily absorbed by the small intestine and transported via the portal blood. A diet low in protein or food protein which is deficient in one or more essential amino acids will restrict protein synthesis. Nonessential amino acids are generally metabolized to pyruvate which leads to gluconeogensis. Therefore, in times of great need (starvation) body proteins can provide energy via glucose. The problem here is that the conversion of protein to glucose is only about 50% efficient (Bessman, 1975) so that 100 g of glucose will require 200 g of protein or the equivalent of 1 kg of lean body weight. Most of the essential amino acids are converted to acetyl CoA and their nitrogen as well as that of the amino acids converted to glucose is lost to the body primarily as ammonia.
Cytologic grade independently predicts survival of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Our objectives were to devise a cytologic grading system and determine whether it would predict survival of patients with solid-type pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We evaluated 116 consecutive patients from July 2000 to November 2002; they were followed up until September 2003. We scored the following features on rapid Romanowsky-stained endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration smears: cell group architecture, single cells, nuclear grade, mucus, bizarre cells, and necrosis. A cytologic grade (low vs high) was assigned. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of 6-month survival was 76% (SE, 7%) for patients with low-grade tumors vs 50% (SE, 6%) for patients with high-grade carcinoma. The median survival for patients with low-grade vs high-grade tumors was 1 year vs 6 months, respectively (chi2 = 4.45; P = .035). Cox proportional hazards regression showed tumor stage, cancer-specific treatment, and cytologic grade to be independent predictors of survival (P = .001). No other factors (age, mass location, placement of stent, presence of concomitant chronic pancreatitis, race, sex) predicted survival. We devised a grading system that independently predicted survival in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
From Chemotaxis to the Cognitive Map: The Function of Olfaction

A paradox of vertebrate brain evolution is the unexplained variability in the size of the olfactory bulb (OB), in contrast to other brain regions, which scale predictably with brain size. Such variability appears to be the result of selection for olfactory function, yet there is no obvious concordance that would predict the causal relationship between OB size and behavior. This discordance may derive from assuming the primary function of olfaction is odorant discrimination and acuity. If instead the primary function of olfaction is navigation, i.e., predicting odorant distributions in time and space, variability in absolute OB size could be ascribed and explained by variability in navigational demand. This olfactory spatial hypothesis offers a single functional explanation to account for patterns of olfactory system scaling in vertebrates, the primacy of olfaction in spatial navigation, even in visual specialists, and proposes an evolutionary scenario to account for the convergence in olfactory structure and function across protostomes and deuterostomes. In addition, the unique percepts of olfaction may organize odorant information in a parallel map structure. This could have served as a scaffold for the evolution of the parallel map structure of the mammalian hippocampus, and possibly the arthropod mushroom body, and offers an explanation for similar flexible spatial navigation strategies in arthropods and vertebrates.
Labyrinthectomy to correct vertigo

Labyrinthectomy is one of the oldest procedures for the control of intractable vertigo and remains perhaps the most definitive way to destroy vestibular function in a diseased ear. The high rates of control for vertigo are achieved at the expense of the sacrifice of any residual hearing in the operated ear. As a result, the procedure is reserved for patients with nonserviceable hearing in the operated ear. Unfortunately, there is no uniformly accepted definition of nonserviceable hearing. Hence, the procedure is not frequently used today, because there is a trend to preserve hearing during treatment. It remains the gold standard by which cure rates for vertigo should be compared with initial success in more than 90% of cases. If the hearing is poor, it remains a viable option in the treatment of vertigo, particularly in patients who have failed other treatments, and in the elderly patient, who may not be a candidate for an intracranial procedure.
Noninvasive imaging of embryonic stem cell cultures by multiphoton microscopy reveals the significance of collagen hydrogel preparation parameters

In situ multiphoton microscopy (MPM) imaging method combining two-photon fluorescence (TPF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) optical signals helped to discover localized disaggregation and restructuring of collagen fibers within 3D hydrogels as a result of stem cell culture. We prepared hydrogels at different solid contents (2 g l−1 or 4 g l−1) and self-assembly temperatures (27 °C or 37 °C). In a separate experiment, we stabilized 2 g l−1 37 °C hydrogels with the nontoxic cross-linkers carbodiimide (EDC), EDC/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) or genipin. We characterized all collagen hydrogels nondestructively with MPM with and without culturing embryonic stem cells on/within them. We used rheology measurements to assess the flow behavior of the materials we prepared. All cross-linkers reduced the viscous part G′′ of the modulus, implying that cross-linked materials are more rigid and non-flowing compared to non-cross-linked hydrogels. We evaluated nine possible scenarios of how embryonic stem cells could be set up to interact with collagen scaffolds when used in tissue engineering or regenerative medicine applications. The cells encapsulated or placed on top of 4 g l−1 self-assembled hydrogels extended significantly slower than cells interfaced with 2 g l−1 materials. Cultured cells modified the structure within non-cross-linked materials while the structure within cross-linked hydrogels was less affected. The non-invasive in situ MPM imaging analysis in this study is valuable because it enables longitudinal, 3D analysis of the structural and functional status of thick, opaque scaffolds as they interact with stem cells and are being degraded.
Toward a Theory-Driven Model of Acculturation in Public Health Research

Interest in studying the impact of acculturation on immigrant health has increased in tandem with the growth of the Latino population in the United States. Linear assimilation models continue to dominate public health research despite the availability of more complex acculturation theories that propose multidimensional frameworks, reciprocal interactions between the individual and the environment, and other acculturative processes among various Latino groups. Because linear and unidimensional assessments (e.g., nativity, length of stay in the United States, and language use) provide constricted measures of acculturation, the rare use of multidimensional acculturation measures and models has inhibited a more comprehensive understanding of the association between specific components of acculturation and particular health outcomes. A public health perspective that incorporates the roles of structural and cultural forces in acculturation may help identify mechanisms underlying links between acculturation and health among Latinos.
AnkB, a periplasmic ankyrin-like protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is required for optimal catalase B (KatB) activity and resistance to hydrogen peroxide.

In this study, we have cloned the ankB gene, encoding an ankyrin-like protein in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The ankB gene is composed of 549 bp encoding a protein of 183 amino acids that possesses four 33-amino-acid ankyrin repeats that are a hallmark of erythrocyte and brain ankyrins. The location of ankB is 57 bp downstream of katB, encoding a hydrogen peroxide-inducible catalase, KatB. Monomeric AnkB is a 19.4-kDa protein with a pI of 5.5 that possesses 22 primarily hydrophobic amino acids at residues 3 to 25, predicting an inner-membrane-spanning motif with the N terminus in the cytoplasm and the C terminus in the periplasm. Such an orientation in the cytoplasmic membrane and, ultimately, periplasmic space was confirmed using AnkB-BlaM and AnkB-PhoA protein fusions. Circular dichroism analysis of recombinant AnkB minus its signal peptide revealed a secondary structure that is ;65% a-helical. RNase protection and KatB- and AnkB-LacZ translational fusion analyses indicated that katB and ankB are part of a small operon whose transcription is induced dramatically by H2O2, and controlled by the global transactivator OxyR. Interestingly, unlike the spherical nature of ankyrin-deficient erythrocytes, the cellular morphology of an ankB mutant was identical to that of wild-type bacteria, yet the mutant produced more membrane vesicles. The mutant also exhibited a fourfold reduction in KatB activity and increased sensitivity to H2O2, phenotypes that could be complemented in trans by a plasmid constitutively expressing ankB. Our results suggest that AnkB may form an antioxidant scaffolding with KatB in the periplasm at the cytoplasmic membrane, thus providing a protective lattice work for optimal H2O2 detoxification.
Postchemotherapy Surgery for Germ Cell Tumors—What Have We Learned in 35 Years?

Postchemotherapy surgery for advanced testicular cancer has evolved over the last couple of decades. Patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumors and residual retroperitoneal mass ≥1 cm should undergo postchemotherapy retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND). For seminoma, RPLND is considered in those patients with masses ≥3 cm that are also positron emission tomography positive. Masses that occur outside of the retroperitoneum should be completely resected with the possible exception of bilateral lung masses when resection of the first mass shows necrosis. The role of surgery in patients with extragonadal germ cell tumors is most vital in those with primary mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumors. Importantly, patient selection, surgical planning, and consideration of referral to centers with this expertise are important to optimize success.
System automation for a bacterial colony detection and identification instrument via forward scattering

A system design and automation of a microbiological instrument that locates bacterial colonies and captures the forward-scattering signatures are presented. The proposed instrument integrates three major components: a colony locator, a forward scatterometer and a motion controller. The colony locator utilizes an off-axis light source to illuminate a Petri dish and an IEEE1394 camera to capture the diffusively scattered light to provide the number of bacterial colonies and two-dimensional coordinate information of the bacterial colonies with the help of a segmentation algorithm with region-growing. Then the Petri dish is automatically aligned with the respective centroid coordinate with a trajectory optimization method, such as the Traveling Salesman Algorithm. The forward scatterometer automatically computes the scattered laser beam from a monochromatic image sensor via quadrant intensity balancing and quantitatively determines the centeredness of the forward-scattering pattern. The final scattering signatures are stored to be analyzed to provide rapid identification and classification of the bacterial samples.
Myocardial Infarction in Young Adults With Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels < 100 mg/dL* Clinical Profile and 1-Year Outcomes

Study objectives: To define the clinical profile of young adults with optimal low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels who present with acute myocardial infarctions (MIs); to compare and contrast differences in the clinical profiles of young adults admitted to the hospital with MIs who have LDL cholesterol levels 160 mg/dL; and to evaluate the clinical outcomes for the two groups at 1 year. Design: A retrospective chart review was conducted on all young men (55 years) and women (65 years) admitted to the hospital for MIs within a 2-year period (n 232). A history of cardiovascular risk factors and 1-year outcomes were obtained. Setting: Rural community medical center serving a tri-state area in the midwestern United States. Patients: Patients were included in this analysis if (1) a lipid profile was drawn within 24 h of hospital admission and (2) the patient was not receiving a statin medication on hospital admission. Measurements and results: Of the 183 patients who met the inclusion criteria, as many as 68% (124 patients) had LDL cholesterol levels of 160 mg/dL. Patients were categorized into group 1 if their LDL cholesterol level was 160 mg/dL. In group 2, 92% of patients were placed on a statin medication. By 1 year, the mean LDL cholesterol level had decreased from 188 to 106 mg/dL. The rate of coronary artery bypass graft and percutaneous coronary intervention procedures was similar between groups. Hospital readmission rates (43.4% vs 50%, respectively) and 1-year mortality rates (9% vs 8%, respectively) were not different between groups group 1 and 2. Conclusions: Young adults experiencing acute MIs typically have acceptable cholesterol levels (ie, < 130 mg/dL) or optimal values (ie, < 100 mg/dL). In those patients with abnormal cholesterol levels, a combined strategy of aggressive intervention and adherence to secondary prevention protocols including lipid control is successful in improving outcomes. (CHEST 2001; 120:1953–1958)
Excretion of Hydrogen Peroxide in Human Urine

The excretion of hydrogen peroxide in human urine has been demonstrated for the first time. This was accomplished by a new radioactive method developed on the basis of decarboxylation of alpha-ketoglutaric acid by H2O2. Urine samples were incubated with alpha ketoglutarate pulsed with iwts 1-14C-analogue, and CO2 formed by decarboxylation was determined by radioactivity measurements. Blanks were prepared by pre-incubation of the samples with catalase. Both male and female subjects were studied. On an average the concentration of H2O2 in urine was approximately 100 +/- 60 microM (10(-4) M). Peroxide excretion was found to be unexpectedly high and might thus be useful for clinical diagnosis and therapy in diseases purported to be related to oxidative stress.
Theory and Design of Conjoint Studies (Ratings Based Methods)

The basic principles of designing a marketing research study will apply to any study that uses conjoint analysis. Differences arise in the conceptual foundations. The conceptual model of conjoint analysis is quite straightforward; it postulates that the utility of a multi-attributed item can be decomposed into specific contributions of each attribute and possibly their interactions. The approach is easy to implement if the number of attributes is small. But, problems arise in most practical problems because of the large number of possible hypothetical alternatives for a given problem. In general, only a subset of possible alternatives is chosen for the study. Experimental design methods exist for selecting such subsets.
Praktische Untersuchung von Schwingungen

Es soll an dieser Stelle keine ausfuhrliche Darstellung gebracht werden uber alle jene Bauwerke und Falle, wo wir Schwingungen direkt beobachten konnen, da der Nutzen, der sich daraus fur den Leser ergibt, nur gering sein durfte. Wir wollen uns daher begnugen, einige besonders kennzeichnende bzw. wichtige Falle zu beschreiben.
Male Scarcity is Differentially Related to Male Marital Likelihood across the Life Course

If marriage markets were only subject to the influences of numerical supply and demand, one would expect that the scarcer sex in a population would have a greater proportion married. Previous research has demonstrated that when males are scarce, they are actually less likely to be married, presumably because their market scarcity enhances their short term mating success and decreases incentives for commitment. However, males in modern societies appear to shift from mating effort to parental investment across the life course. Also, women preferentially value indicators of phenotypic quality for short term relationships, and these signals may be increasingly difficult to display with progressive physiological senescence. We predicted that men in low sex ratio populations would use market scarcity to their advantage for mating effort when young, but would shift towards commitment strategies when older. Data from the 50 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas in the USA confirmed that a female biased sex ratio was associated with a lower proportion of men married between ages 20 and 29, but a higher proportion of men married between ages 35 and 74.
Which Passenger Emotions Mediate the Relationship Between Type of Pilot Configuration and Willingness to Fly in Commercial Aviation

Abstract. There have been a few studies that have examined how different pilot configurations affect aviation consumer perceptions about trust, comfort, and willingness to fly (e.g., Rice et al., 2014, Int J Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace, 1, 1–12; Winter et al., in press, J Air Transp Management); however, to date, no study was found that has examined how the relationship between pilot configuration and willingness to fly might be mediated by different emotions. The purpose of this study was to fill this gap by examining how affect (emotion) mediates this relationship, and more specifically, which emotion(s) mediate. In two studies, participants were presented with different pilot configurations and asked to rate how they felt about them and how willing they would be to fly under those circumstances. Both studies revealed strong evidence that affect was a mediator in this relationship, and that anger, fear, and happiness were the significant emotions in play. The findings from this study provide in...
Pulmonic Cusp Ablation: Novel Mechanism or a New Approach to an Old Problem?

Unbridled enthusiasm for catheter ablation of idiopathic outflow tract ventricular arrhythmias (VA) is tempered by suboptimal long-term procedural success. A recent multicenter report of outcomes after ablation of idiopathic premature ventricular contractions found 71% success (defined as a >80%
Can a Realistically Constrained Fund Manager Beat the Benchmark Index Using Anomaly-Based Strategies?

This paper examines whether a realistically constrained fund manager can outperform the benchmark index using trading strategies based on asset pricing anomalies. I consider a fund manager who faces the following realistic constraints on his investment activity: abnormal performance and tracking error are measured relative to a benchmark index, and short positions are prohibited. The manager implements size, book-to-market and momentum strategies by over-weighting small, value or winner stocks and under-weighting large, growth or loser stocks relative to the benchmark index. When the fund manager uses the Fama-French SMB, HML and UMD portfolio weights as the guide for implementing these size, book-to-market and momentum strategies the investment portfolio does not outperform the benchmark. However, alternative size, book-to-market and momentum strategies do outperform the benchmark in some circumstances. However, the performance is far less impressive than the performance of investment portfolios based on long-short anomaly portfolios. When the Russell 3000, a common real-world benchmark for fund managers, is used as the benchmark index, size and book-to-market strategies are unable to provide excess performance, while momentum strategies do. I conclude that long-only constraints and tracking error are significant real-world impediments to successfully implementing profitable strategies from the academic literature.
Arachidonate Derivatives as Endogenous Cannabinoid Substances

Until 1992, most researchers working on the metabolism of arachidonic acid in the central nervous system were convinced that the brain mobilized and transformed this fatty acid basically as did all other tissues, producing the more or less expected array of bioactive eicosanoids which we have encountered in the preceding chapter. This simple view was radically challenged, however, by a report appeared in the December 18, 1992 issue of Science magazine. The report, originating in the laboratory of Raphael Mechoulam at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, described the isolation and chemical identification of a bioactive substance present in brain, whose pharmacological properties are basically un-distinguishable from those of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol—the psychoactive principle of cannabis.1
Wages, Work, Privilege, and Legal Education

Gene Nichol, "Wages, Work, Privilege and Legal Education", published as the Foreword to the Harvard Law & Policy Review’s symposium on jobs and the American worker, examines economic polarization and privilege in the emerging, post-recession era. Nichol explores barriers to opportunity and dignity that mock our purported commitments to equality and 'justice for all.' Beyond a possible agenda aimed at a fairer shake for low income Americans, Nichol also asks, closer to home, whether the claims of economic bias and privilege cast so accurately at our politics might be directed at our own efforts in the legal academy as well. He concludes that it is impossible to be satisfied with an honest answer to the inquiry.
Every Silver Lining has a Cloud: The Lost Federal Claim in Campaign for Fiscal Equity, Inc. v. New York

Right along with the Campaign for Fiscal Equity's overwhelming victory on their state constitutional claims in this most recent New York state public school finance litigation, came a tremendous, and frightening loss of federal rights. This paper discusses both what was won and what has been lost. First, I talk about the CFE case and how the Court of Appeals decision promises to make the distribution of state aid for public education to New York City more equitable. Then I talk about the CFE plaintiffs' federal civil rights claim - that was brought under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - and that was rejected by the Court of Appeals. I end by explaining why the loss of that claim is bad for the children of New York state and is ominous for urban equity in general.
Optimization models to integrate production and transportation planning for biomass co-firing in coal-fired power plants

ABSTRACTCo-firing biomass is a strategy that leads to reduced greenhouse gas emissions in coal-fired power plants. Incentives such as the Production Tax Credit (PTC) are designed to help power plants overcome the financial challenges faced during the implementation phase. Decision makers at power plants face two big challenges. The first challenge is identifying whether the benefits from incentives such as PTC can overcome the costs associated with co-firing. The second challenge is identifying the extent to which a plant should co-fire in order to maximize profits. We present a novel mathematical model that integrates production and transportation decisions at power plants. Such a model enables decision makers to evaluate the impacts of co-firing on the system performance and the cost of generating renewable electricity. The model presented is a nonlinear mixed integer program that captures the loss in process efficiencies due to using biomass, a product that has lower heating value as compared with coal...
Resilience and vulnerability in individuals with chronic pain and physical disability.

Objective To examine the independent contributions of vulnerability and resilience factors to pain interference, self-efficacy for managing pain, global mental health, and global physical health. Research method/design Secondary analysis of baseline data from individuals with a spinal cord injury (n = 73), amputation (n = 33), or multiple sclerosis (n = 82) and chronic pain who participated in a randomized controlled trial comparing 2 chronic pain interventions. Participants completed a comprehensive battery of pain-related outcomes that assessed for both psychosocial assets and maladaptive cognitions and behaviors. Results Results suggested that vulnerability and resilience factors together account for a considerable amount of variance in the physical outcomes, but that neither set of factors was able to make a substantial contribution above and beyond the other. In contrast, for mental health related outcomes, results indicated that resilience factors did make a meaningful contribution above and beyond vulnerability factors, suggesting the important contribution of resilience factors to the psychological experience of chronic pain. Conclusions The present study suggested a valuable contribution of both resilience and vulnerability factors to pain outcomes, with the additional caveat that resilience factors uniquely impact specific outcomes-particularly those that are more psychosocially focused-above and beyond vulnerability factors. Taken together, this highlights the importance of considering resilience factors in addition to vulnerability factors for individuals with chronic pain. Additional research is needed to explore other factors that could be considered representative of the resilience construct and more attention should be focused on evaluating the effects of interventions that seek to build an individual's assets.
Vapor-Phase Transport as A Novel Route to Hyperbranched Polyamine-Oxide Hybrid Materials

A new method to prepare hyperbranched polyamine-oxide hybrid materials by means of a vapor-phase transport is developed. In this method, hybrid materials having hyperbranched amine polymers covalently bound to an oxide support are formed by exposing the oxide support to the vapor of small nitrogen-containing heterocyclic monomers, in contrast to the conventional liquid-phase method, in which the support is dispersed in an organic solution containing monomer species. The aziridine and azetidine monomers are polymerized on the surface of the oxide supports (i.e., silica and alumina), resulting in poly(ethylenimine) or poly(propylenimine) chains attached to the porous solid support. The results suggest that the hybrid materials can be prepared over a wide range of preparation conditions with organic contents comparable to or even higher than those obtained from the standard liquid-phase method. It is demonstrated that supports with more acidity result in the hybrid materials with higher organic content. Inte...
Augmenting saturated LTP by broadly spaced episodes of theta-burst stimulation in hippocampal area CA1 of adult rats and mice.

Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) is a model system for studying cellular mechanisms of learning and memory. Recent interest in mechanisms underlying the advantage of spaced over massed lear...
Real Property Law Important to the Purchase of a Farm

To get closer to an understanding of the legal right-duty relationships which. arise when a farm is purchased or leased, we turn from our brief look at contract law to some fundamentals of real estate law. Lawyers make a strong distinction between “real property law” and “personal property law.” With certain fairly important exceptions real property law deals with immovables like land and permanent buildings, while personal property law deals with movables like cattle, farm machinery, bank accounts, stock in a corporation, grain in the bin.
Use of Transcranial Doppler in Patients with Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

Abstract Severe traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are associated with a high rate of mortality and disability. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography permits a noninvasive measurement of cerebral blood flow. The purpose of this study is to determine the usefulness of TCD in patients with severe TBI. TCD was performed, from April 2008 to April 2013, on 255 patients with severe TBI, defined as a Glasgow Coma Scale score of ≤8 on admission. TCD was performed on hospital days 1, 2, 3, and 7. Hypoperfusion was defined by having two out of three of the following: 1) mean velocity (Vm) of the middle cerebral artery 1.4. Vasospasm was defined by the following: Vm of the middle cerebral artery >120 cm/sec and/or a Lindegaard index (LI) >3. One hundred fourteen (45%) had normal measurements. Of these, 92 (80.7%) had a good outcome, 6 (5.3%) had moderate disability, and 16 (14%) died, 4 from brain death. Sev...
The Personality of the Student Nurse

Results of several research projects show that entering nursing students are characterized by a distinctive set of personality needs; that several nursing student groups considered together show similar patterns for the years while in school; and that the effects of training show a consistent pattern of producing change in certain personality needs in directions opposite to or greater than those which would be expected from maturational effects. Further, training also operates to suppress changes in some personality needs and to enhance changes in others.
Advanced Data Encryption

In this chapter we will explore advanced data encryption algorithms. Every engineered system has a flaw, and it is only a matter of time before someone compromises it, thus demanding new innovations by exploring applications from algebraic structures such as groups and rings, elliptic curves, hyperelliptic curves, lattice-based and quantum physics. Over the last 20 years we have witnessed the evolution of classical cryptography into quantum cryptography, a branch of quantum information theory. Quantum cryptography is based on the framework of quantum physics, and it is meant to solve the problem of key distribution, which is an essential component of cryptography that enables securing the data. The key allows the data to be so coded that to decode the data one would need to know the key that was used to code the data. This coding of the given data using the key is known as the encryption, and decoding of the encryption data, which is the reverse stepby-step process, is known as the decryption. Data encryption prevents data from being exposed to unauthorized access and makes it unusable.
Sensitivity of modeled estuarine circulation to spatial and temporal resolution of input meteorological forcing of a cold frontal passage

Abstract In this study, a four member ensemble of meteorological forcing is generated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model in order to simulate a frontal passage event that impacted the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) during March 2015. The WRF model is run to provide high and low, spatial (0.005° and 0.1°) and temporal (30 min and 6 h) input wind and pressure fields. The four member ensemble is used to force the Advanced Circulation model (ADCIRC) coupled with Simulating Waves Nearshore (SWAN) and compute the hydrodynamic and wave response. Results indicate that increasing the spatial resolution of the meteorological forcing has a greater impact on the results than increasing the temporal resolution in coastal systems like the IRL where the length scales are smaller than the resolution of the operational meteorological model being used to generate the forecast. Changes in predicted water elevations are due in part to the upwind and downwind behavior of the input wind forcing. The significant wave height is more sensitive to the meteorological forcing, exhibited by greater ensemble spread throughout the simulation. It is important that the land mask, seen by the meteorological model, is representative of the geography of the coastal estuary as resolved by the hydrodynamic model. As long as the temporal resolution of the wind field captures the bulk characteristics of the frontal passage, computational resources should be focused so as to ensure that the meteorological model resolves the spatial complexities, such as the land-water interface, that drive the land use responsible for dynamic downscaling of the winds.
Context-aware signal processing in medical embedded systems: A dynamic feature selection approach

Medical embedded systems hold the promise to improve health outcomes, decrease isolation, reduce health disparities, and substantially reduce costs. In spite of their revolutionary potentials, these systems face a number of challenges in design and architecture that form stumbling blocks in their path to success. On one hand, as the sensor units continue to become more miniaturized, the underlying processing architectures demand for further miniaturization and power-efficiency to allow unobtrusive and long-term operation of the system. On the other hand, the data-intensive nature of continuous health monitoring requires efficient signal processing and data analytics techniques for real-time, scalable, reliable, accurate, and secure extraction of relevant information from an overwhelmingly large amount of data. In this paper, we present a data-processing-driven optimization and information extraction approach to address the problem of dynamic and power-aware feature selection for event classification applications using wearable sensors. Our results show that utilizing contextual information about users can reduce energy consumption of feature extraction module by 72.5% on average, compared to a static feature selection approach.
Remnants of Hierarchy: The Limits on New Modes of Biodiversity Governance in the Dominican Republic

How does former state involvement impact the adoption of new modes of governance in contexts of limited statehood? New modes of governance (market-based, participatory, or multilevel) are not created on institutional blank slates but occur in contexts where the legacies of institutional contestation matters. These contexts help to understand the adoption and impact of new modes of governance. This chapter explores this in a case study of the adoption of new modes of biodiversity governance in the Dominican Republic. Strong hierarchical control by the state had created a significant protected area system but by the 2000s this control had weakened significantly. The resulting new modes of governance were limited largely by networks fostered under the system of hierarchical control.
PIAAC: a new design for a new era

As the largest and most innovative international assessment of adults, PIAAC marks an inflection point in the evolution of large-scale comparative assessments. PIAAC grew from the foundation laid by surveys that preceded it, and introduced innovations that have shifted the way we conceive and implement large-scale assessments. As the first fully computer-delivered survey of adults, those innovations included: a comprehensive assessment design involving multistage adaptive testing; development of an open-source platform capable of delivering both cognitive measures and nationally-specific background questionnaires; automated scoring of open-ended items across more than 50 languages; enhanced cognitive measures that included electronic texts and interactive stimuli; the inclusion of new item types and response modes; and the use of log file and process data to interpret results. This paper discusses each of these innovations along with the development of data products and dissemination activities that have extended the utility of the survey, providing today’s policy makers with information about the extent to which adults possess the critical skills required for both their own success and the health and vibrancy of societies around the world. As this paper suggests, the innovations introduced via PIAAC broadened the relevance and utility of the survey along with the accuracy and validity of the data, strengthening the foundation upon which future surveys can continue to build.
Immunotherapy in Multiple Sclerosis: Arguments for Early Treatment

Immunotherapies in multiple sclerosis (MS) are frequently discussed. A recent review by Mertin [1] indicates that in some instances these therapies have obvious effects, but that unequivocal proof is still required. Most treatment trials are inconclusive.
A call for future nurses: School counselors' perceptions of the nursing role: A preliminary study

• Nursing as seen as an optimistic career that many counselors recommend to their students