cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of the ductile to brittle temperature transition of aluminide coatings and its influence on the mechanical behavior of coated specimens

The ductility of various coatings deposited by chemical vapor deposition, pack cementation and slurry processes on Fe- and Ni-based alloys was characterized by indentation at room temperature. A hot indentation apparatus has also been developed to more rapidly determine the ductile to brittle transition temperature of coated specimens. Creep testing has been conducted on bare and coated alloy 230 (NiCrW) specimens at 800 °C with a significant decrease in creep life observed. Based on the observed failure of coated 230 specimens, the impact of coating ductility on substrate creep properties is discussed.
BEYOND THE BELL CURVE: COMMUNITY DISADVANTAGE AND THE EXPLANATION OF BLACK‐WHITE DIFFERENCES IN ADOLESCENT VIOLENCE*

Disproportionate involvement in violent behavior among African American, versus white, adolescents is a major arena of debate in the social sciences. The individual difference approach draws attention to verbal ability as an explanation of black-white differences in violence. Sociological theories stress variation in community and family socioeconomic disadvantage. We contrast these causal images of racial differences in serious violence using the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health and contextual modeling. Results indicate that verbal ability has an indirect effect on violence through school achievement, but does not account for the greater involvement in violence among black adolescents. The analysis is most consistent with a sociological model that views the race-violence link as a spurious outcome of community context.
Drug-induced mental status changes

Drug-induced mental status changes may include depression, psychosis, confusion, delirium, vivid dreams, nightmares, hallucinations, dementia, and confusion, among others. This review is devoted to a discussion of the major drug classes that may cause alterations in mental function and methods that are useful in detecting and minimizing the risk of this occurring.
Heating and acid doping thin film carbon nanotube assemblies for high transparency and low sheet resistance

Transparent electrodes made from metal oxides suffer from poor flexibility and durability. Highly transparent and electrically conductive thin films were assembled as a potential indium tin oxide (ITO) replacement using layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs), stabilized with negatively charged deoxycholate (DOC), and positively charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) [PDDA]. Ellipsometry, quartz crystal microbalance, and UV-vis were used to measure the linear growth of these films as a function of the number of bilayers deposited, while TEM and SEM were used to visualize the morphology of these films. The PDDA/(SWNT + DOC) system produced transparent (>82% visible light transmittance) and electrically conductive (∼160 S cm−1) 20-bilayer films with a 38.4 nm thickness. Moreover, a series of post-treatments, involving heating and nitric acid doping, were used to increase conductivity to 1430 S cm−1 (Rs ≈ 300 Ω sq−1), with no change in transparency, owing to the removal of PDDA and the charge transfer doping. This study demonstrates high visible light transmittance and electrical conductivity of SWNT-based thin films, which are potentially useful as flexible transparent electrodes for a variety of optoelectronic applications.
Electron Radiation Damage Effects in Silicon Surface-Barrier Detectors

Silicon surface-barrier detectors have been irradiated at room temperature with monoenergetic electrons in the energy range of 200 keV to 1 MeV. The changes of detector reverse leakage current, noise, capacitance and alpha-particle counting response were determined. In general, detector current and noise increased with electron fluence and energy for electron energies of 400 keV and above. Detector capacitances tended to decrease slightly for electron fluences up to 1013 cm-2 and increase at higher fluences. No significant degradation of detector performance was observed as a result of irradiation with 200-keV electrons for fluences up to 1016 cm-2. The effects of damage on detector performance were reduced when the rear, aluminum contact was irradiated rather than the front, gold contact.
Probabilistic evaluation of effect of column stiffness on seismic performance of steel plate shear walls

Abstract The lateral force resistance and hysteretic energy dissipation capacity of steel plate shear walls (SPSWs) are primarily provided through yielding of the infill steel plates attached to the boundary frame of the system. As such, it is desirable to achieve uniform distribution of infill plate yielding at every story of an SPSW system during an earthquake event. This paper investigates the effect of column stiffness on infill plate yielding distributions in representative two-story and six-story SPSWs. Specially considered in the investigation are the uncertainties existing in infill plate strength and lateral force distributions along the vertical direction. Three probabilistic evaluation methods including the Monte Carlo method, the Latin Hypercube Sampling method, and the Rosenblueth’s 2 K + 1 Point Estimate method, are considered. It is shown that all methods are stable and effective for this investigation; however, the Rosenblueth’s 2 K + 1 Point Estimate method requires the least computational cost. The results from the probabilistic evaluation show that increasing column stiffness and story ductility capacity can be effective to achieve infill plate yielding at each story of an SPSW. However, the minimum column stiffness required in the codes in North America does not necessarily lead to infill plate yielding at every story of a multi-story SPSW.
A Numerical Simulation of Wintertime, Orographic Precipitation: Part II. Comparison of Natural and AgI-Seeded Conditions

Abstract The multi-level, microphysical cloud model described in the accompanying article is applied in an orographic situation to simulate the development of precipitation under both natural and seeded conditions. In the case studied, a 1600 m thick cloud deck (base and top temperature of 0 and −10C) extends well west of a barrier ridge (top 3100 m MSL). Streamlines for flow over the barrier were taken as input to the model. The model predicts a natural precipitation rate of 0.06 gm sec−1 for a 1 cm path width over the barrier. This can be increased 500-fold through cloud-top seeding with AgI at 40 km upwind of the ridge crest and represents a precipitation efficiency of 19.5%. The proper distance upwind for cloud-top seeding may be determined from the streamlines using a fall velocity of 1.2—1.4 m sec−1 starting 5 min after seeding. These findings support previous observations that seeding orographic clouds to increase precipitation is likely to be more successful when the cloud-top temperatures are too...
Reconstructing the Shape of a Deformable Membrane from Image Data

In this paper, we study the problem of determining a mathematical description of the surface defined by the shape of a membrane based on an image of it and present an algorithm for reconstructing the surface when the membrane is deformed by unknown external elements. The given data are the projection on an image plane of markings on the surface of the membrane, the undeformed configuration of the membrane, and a model for the membrane mechanics. The method of re construction is based on the principle that the shape assumed by the membrane will minimize the elastic energy stored in the membrane subject to the constraints implied by the measurements. Energy minimization leads to a set of nonlinear partial differential equations. An approximate solution is found using linearization. The initial motivation, and our first application of these ideas, comes from tactile sensing. Experimental results affirm that this approach can be very effective in this context.
Dual invasion analysis: a general model of novel ecological dynamics due to Bt product and resistant pests in wild settings

Transgenic Bt crops have been integrated as a central component of the agricultural policies of many nations across the globe due to their insecticidal properties. While focus on increased yield resulting from the use of Bt crops has overshadowed the concerns of pest populations developing resistance, resistance has been recently discovered in even highly managed fields. One issue that has received less attention is the resulting set of ecological dynamics from escaped Bt products into wild settings. I present a differential equation model of the ecological interaction between a wild plant–pest community and an invading Bt toxin-producing plant and the ensuing evolution of pest resistance. Key to this model investigation is the assumption of energy costs with both the production of Bt toxin by Bt plants and the resistance to Bt toxin exhibited by resistant pest individuals. Results show that persistence of the initial invading Bt plant population is possible through an intransitive loop dynamic. Furthermore, coexistence of wild-type plants and pests as well as Bt-producing plants and resistant pests is possible through the dynamics resultant from energy trade-offs.
Potassium-argon ages of recent rhyolites of the Mono and Inyo craters, California

Abstract Twenty-two KAr ages were determined for sanidine samples from 10 rhyolite domes of the Mono and Inyo Craters to test the applicability of KAr dating to volcanic rocks of Recent age. Comparison of the results with ‘blank’ and dosed analyses shows that radiogenic 40Ar was detected and was measured to within a factor of two or better. The estimated standard deviation of precision is 12% for analyses containing 5% or more radiogenic 40Ar. A statistical analysis suggests that real differences in apparent age were detected between three of the analyzed domes. The ages, which range from 6400 to 10,200 years for experiments with 5% or more radiogenic 40Ar, are, in general, consistent with ionium ages on 5 of the same samples and with glacial and 14C evidence of age. They suggest that most of the Mono Craters volcanos are on the order of 10,000 years old or less. The results also suggest that the problem of excess 40Ar may not be severe for KAr dating of volcanic rocks.
A study of the seed bank of a salt marsh in Northern San Francisco Bay

Abondance, composition specifique et distribution des graines enfouies dans les marais sales de la Baie de San Francisco
A synoptic climatological analysis of winter visibility trends in the mideastern United States

Abstract Long-term trends in wintertime visibility are examined in eight mideastern U.S. cities in light of the underlying climatology. Using an array of meteorological elements known to be related to visibility, a synoptic climatological classification is developed, producing a baseline climate for each city. This approach allows for an analysis of long-term air quality trends which are unrelated climatic variations. Yearly mean visibility levels are closely related to climatic variations. Years with frequent occurrences of continental polar and arctic air masses and cold front passages exhibit high visibility, while low air quality is related to overrunning situations (a warm or stationary front to the south) and the advection of Atlantic maritime polar air. Winter air quality declined from the early 1950s to 1970, improved throughout the mid 1970s, and either remained steady or improved slightly thereafter.
Public affairs events at Ocean Sciences Meeting

AGU public affairs will be cohosting two special events at Ocean Sciences 2012 that offer scientists opportunities to expand their communication, policy, and media experience. Join the conversations that highlight two important topics to connect science to society.
Preoperative multidetector computed tomograpy angiography for planning of minimally invasive robotic mitral valve surgery: Impact on decision making

Background Minimally invasive mitral valve (MV) surgeries (ie, right thoracotomy and robotic approaches) are preferred for degenerative mitral regurgitation because these procedures result in reduced surgical trauma and recovery time. However, because of peripheral cardiopulmonary bypass, there is risk of embolic complications. We sought to use the strengths of 3-dimensional multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in assessing aortoiliac atherosclerosis and mitral annular calcification (MAC) and its influence on decision for approach in MV surgery. Methods We included 141 patients with isolated grade 3 or 4+ mitral regurgitation who underwent contrast-enhanced MDCT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Aortoiliac atherosclerosis was measured as circumferentiality (0 = none, 1 = less than one third, 2 = one third to two thirds, and 3 = more than two thirds) and thickness (0 = none or 5 mm). Significant atherosclerosis was defined as circumferentiality score ≥1 and/or thickness score ≥1. Circumferentiality of MAC was also measured in a similar manner. Change in surgical approach was considered if a full/partial sternotomy was performed or surgical procedure was cancelled. Results One hundred eleven (79%) patients (mean age, 54 ± 11 years; 67% men) underwent minimally invasive MV repair, whereas 30 patients (21%) had surgical approach changed (1 surgical cancellation). Of 111 patients who underwent minimally invasive repair, 4 (3.6%) patients had significant atherosclerosis/MAC, whereas 26 (87%) patients had evidence of significant atherosclerosis/MAC in the changed approach group. Conclusions In patients undergoing minimally invasive MV surgery, there is a strong association between presence of significant aortoiliac atherosclerosis, as determined by MDCT and/or MAC and change in surgical approach.
Recent advances in herpes simplex virus antiviral therapies

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections affect nearly 150 million Americans, of which 40 – 60 million are infected with HSV-2 and up to an additional 1 million new individuals are infected each year. The current treatment for HSV infections are nucleoside analogues such as acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir. Despite the safety and efficacy of these agents, many of these agents possess limited oral bioavailability, must be given early in the disease process for maximal benefit, and resistance to these agents in immunocompromised individuals is a significant clinical problem. To counteract these problems, alternative anti-HSV agents have been reported. This review will discuss new anti-HSV agents published in the patent literature from 2000 to 2003. Among these new agents, the helicase–primase inhibitors and the non-nucleoside polymerase inhibitors represent the best possibilities for the next generation of anti-HSV agents. This review will also discuss other agents that target other parts of the viral l...
Power- & area-efficiency enhancement techniques of switched-capacitor power converters for low-power applications

Switched-capacitor (SC) power converters that use capacitors as energy storage elements offer much better power density than switched-inductor counterparts and are thus attractive in low-power area-constrained applications. This paper first reviews the importance of having auto-reconfigurable conversion ratios in the SC power stage in order to enable the regulator to maintain high power efficiency under unstable input voltages. To minimize the required capacitors and power switches in SC power converters, multiple-output SC power regulators can share capacitors and power switches in the power stage for generating multiple regulated outputs and thus improving the converter area efficiency. To simultaneously illustrate above concepts, an auto-reconfigurable dual-output SC power regulator is developed to generate two outputs while saving 1 flying capacitor and 3 power switches compared with using two independent single-output doubler and tripler. The proposed regulator has minimal cross regulation between outputs and achieves a maximum power efficiency of 88% via auto-reconfiguration when the input voltage varies from 1.1V to 1.6V.
Quality of Life in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease as Reported by Patient Proxies

OBJECTIVE: To measure behaviors indicative of quality of life (QOL) in patients with Alzheimer's disease and to examine correlates of patient QOL. DESIGN: Cross-sectional investigation. SETTING: Multi-center study. PARTICIPANTS: Sample of 130 diagnosed patients. PRINCIPAL OUTCOME MEASURES: Proxy ratings of (1) the frequency, opportunity, and enjoyment of 15 non-ADL activities potentially within the capacity of a demented person, and (2) the frequency of a series of positive and negative affects, evident in clearly demarcated facial and bodily expressions. RESULTS: QOL ratings were reliably elicited. Family and institutional caregivers differed only in reports of opportunity for patient activity. Frequency of activities declined with increasing severity of dementia. The frequency of negative affects increased and positive affects declined with increasing severity of dementia, but correlations were weak. High QOL, defined by frequent activity and positive affect, was evident in a quarter of the sample. In multivariate models, functional and cognitive status independently predicted QOL among community-resident older adults; only absence of antipsychotics was related to QOL among older people in nursing homes. Patient education, a marker of premorbid state, independently predicted some activity patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Although the subjective world of the demented patient is not directly accessible, readily observable behaviors offer a basis for assessing QOL. J Am Geriatr Soc 44:1342–1347, 1996.
Nonlinear microrheology of an aging, yield stress fluid using magnetic tweezers

The large deformation mechanical response of complex fluids and soft materials provides fundamental insight into their underlying microstructure and dynamics. Additionally, associated yielding and flow processes are often central to industrial processing and end-use. By probing nonlinear rheological properties at the microscopic scale, microstructural dynamics and flow mechanisms can be more directly elucidated. In the current work, we present a simple magnetic tweezer technique for probing the nonlinear microrheology of complex fluids and soft materials. The setup is characterized in terms of the accessible stresses, the applied magnetic fields, and the measurable viscosities and shear rates. Further, we report the first use of magnetic tweezers to determine yield stresses at the microscopic scale, as well as the first comparison between bulk and micro-scale yield stress measurements. The capabilities of the technique are demonstrated on an aqueous dispersion of Laponite®: an aging, thixotropic colloidal clay of considerable scientific and practical interest. Probe trajectories in this material reflect the yield stress and strong shear-thinning behaviour observed on the bulk scale, and for sufficient clay concentrations we find good agreement for the shear yield stress obtained from bulk rheology and magnetic tweezer measurements. These unforeseeable observations illuminate the nature of the dispersion microstructure, including the characteristic size of microstructural features.
Selective attention and avoidance on a pictorial cueing task during stress in clinically anxious and depressed participants

Although it is well established that attentional biases exist in anxious populations, the specific components of visual orienting towards and away from emotional stimuli are not well delineated. The present study was designed to examine these processes. We used a modified spatial cueing task to assess the speed of engagement and disengagement from supraliminal and masked pictorial cues depicting threat, dysphoria, or neutral content in 36 clinically anxious, 41 depressed and 41 control participants. Participants were randomly assigned to a stress or neutral condition. During stress, anxious participants were slow to disengage from masked left hemifield pictures depicting threat or dysphoria, but were quick to disengage from supraliminal threat pictures. Information processing in anxious participants during stress was characterized by early selective attention of emotional stimuli, occurring prior to full conscious awareness, followed by effortful avoidance of threat. Depressed participants were distinct from the anxious group, displaying selective attention for stimuli depicting dysphoria, but not threat, during the neutral condition. In sum, attentional biases in clinical populations are associated with difficulties in the disengagement component of visual orienting. Further, a vigilant-avoidant pattern of attentional bias may represent a strategic attempt to compensate for the early activation of a fear response.
Managers' perceptions of workplace romances: An interview study

Although workplace romances occur frequently, no research has directly examined managers' perceptions of these relationships. In this study, managers (N=30) were interviewed about workplace romances. Included in these interviews were questions about organizational policies regarding these relationships, knowledge of prior or current workplace romances, and reactions to workplace romances and the participants in those relationships. Managers also responded to 12 items designed to assess the effect of different characteristics of workplace romances on perceptions of the need for management intervention. Responses to these items indicated that managers were most likely to recommend intervention when the relationship occurred between unequal organizational status participants, and it was negatively affecting the work group. The hypothesis that women managers would respond more negatively than would male managers to workplace romances was not supported. Factors that may affect managers' reactions to participants in workplace romances are discussed.
Regional heat safety thresholds for athletics in the contiguous United States

Abstract Exertional heat illnesses affect thousands of athletes each year across the United States (U.S.). Heat safety guidelines such as those developed by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) are widely used to direct activities based on environmental conditions but rely on a uniform set of heat safety categories. Due to geographic variations in heat exposure and acclimatization, however, lower heat safety thresholds may be needed in areas with cooler climates. Our study addresses this shortcoming by developing regional guidelines for athletic activity that use relative thresholds of a commonly used heat metric -- the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT). We employed a unique WBGT climatology for the contiguous U.S. to determine locally extreme WBGTs, defined as the 90th percentile warm season daily maximum value, for 217 stations. Three heat safety regions were identified based on local extremes: Category 3 (WBGTs ≥ 32.3 °C), Category 2 (30.1–32.2 °C), and Category 1 (≤30 °C). Geographically, Category 3 encompasses much of the southeastern quadrant of the U.S. along with portions of the Southwest, and the Central Valley of California; Category 2 areas extend in an arc from the interior Northwest through Nevada and portions of the Midwest, Ohio Valley, and Northeast; and Category 1 locations include the Pacific Coast, New England, and the northern tier of the country. Associated regional activity guidelines based on those developed by the ACSM and the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) were developed for each heat safety region.
Pesek lecture project Phoenix and beyond

Abstract Although there are no federally funded projects at this time, SETI (the search for extraterrestrial intelligence) is a vigorous exploratory science. There are currently eight observational programs on telescopes around the world, of which the Phoenix Project is the most comprehensive. Most of these projects are rooted in the conclusions of the pioneering studies of the early 1970's that are summarized in the Cyclops Report 1 . Technology has experienced an exponential growth over the past two and a half decades. It is reasonable to reassess the Cyclops conclusions as SETI enters the next century. Listening for radio signals is still the preferred method of searching, however new technologies are making searches at other wavelengths possible and are modifying the ways in which the radio searches can and should be conducted. It may be economically feasible to undertake the construction of very large telescopes that can simultaneously provide multiple beams on the sky for use by SETI and the radioastronomy community.
The Influence of Mood and Attribute Framing on Consumer Response Toward Persuasive Appeals

Two experiments examined the influence of mood and attribute framing on consumer response toward persuasive appeals. Subjects exhibited more favorable attitudes and purchase intent when exposed to positive attribute frames than comparable negative ones. These effects were attenuated under high-elaboration conditions. Positive moods engendered more favorable thoughts and enhanced the persuasiveness of positive attribute frames, whereas negative moods elicited the least favorable outcomes for positively framed messages. Finally, mood and frame valence did not influence the depth of processing but had a consistent influence on the style of processing—positive frames and moods induced relational processing whereas negative frames and moods engendered item-specific processing.
Scopulariopsis: An invasive nasal infection

Scopulariopsis, a sail saprophyte, rarely produces disease and has not been reported to cause invasive nasal destruction in a nonimmunocompromised host. We report the first case of Scopulariopsis in the otolaryngology literature. Prompt surgical debridement is required and usually adequate. Disagreement exists on the use of antifungals as an effective treatment A case of invasive Scopulariopsis involving the nasal septum of a 72-year-old man is detailed, and successful treatment consisted of local debridement without antifungal drugs. His diagnosis, clinical course, and outcome illustrates the expanding differential diagnosis faced by the otolaryngologist in patients with nasal disease.
Bilateral Choroidal Osteomas Associated with Fatal Systemic Illness

An 11-year-old black boy complained of intermittent occipital headaches with nausea and projectile vomiting. Previous skin and lung biopsy specimens were interpreted as histiocytosis X. Cranial computed tomographic scanning disclosed a mass lesion in the region of the choroid plexus of the left lateral ventricle. This was surgically removed but proved nondiagnostic despite extensive histologic examination. An ophthalmologic evaluation showed discrete, elevated, yellow-white choroidal tumors in both maculas. The ophthalmoscopic appearance, as well as ultrasonography and computed tomography, led to the diagnosis of choroidal osteomas.
Photoreactivation of far U.V. damage in the dinoflagellate Peridinium cinctum

Abstract The inactivating effect of far u.v. on the photosynthetic freshwater dinoflagellate Peridinium cinctum is substantially reduced by exposure to visible light immediately after u.v. irradiation. When u.v.-irradiated cells are held in the dark at 20°C before exposure to visible light, photoreversibility is progressively lost. The observation that acriflavine increases the loss of photoreversibility suggests that the decrease in photoreactivation is caused by decay of photoreactivating enzyme or by inhibition of new photoreactivating enzyme synthesis. However, when u.v.-irradiated cells are held in the dark at 4°C before exposure to visible light, photoreversibility is increased over that obtained by immediate exposure to visible light after u.v. irradiation. This suggests that photoreactivating enzyme decays less rapidly at 4°C and that excision functions may also be involved in recovery from far u.v. inactivation. These results provide the first evidence for photoreactivation in a dinoflagellate.
Begging and transfer of coati meat by white-faced capuchin monkeys,Cebus capucinus

White-faced capuchin monkeys were frequently observed to raid the nests and predate the pups of coatis at two study sites (Santa Rosa National Park and Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve) in northwestern Costa Rica. Adult monkeys of both sexes were the primary participants in nest-raiding. At Santa Rosa, the original captor of the pup tended to eat the entire carcass, whereas at Lomas Barbudal, the monkeys rapidly became satiated and allowed another monkey to have the carcass. At Lomas Barbudal, there was a tendency for adult females to share preferentially with their own offspring, but only if the offspring were less than 1 year old. Dominance rank of the owner of the carcass relative to the rank of the beggar did not significantly affect the probability of willingly transferring meat to the beggar. In one of two years, carcass theft was more likely to occur when the thief was higher ranking than the carcass owner.
Momentum distribution in benzene: A comparison of compton scattering and positron annihilation

Probabilities in momentum space for the benzene molecule are calculated for two cases: An ordinary benzene molecule, and benzene with a bound positron which is coalesced with one of the electrons. The former probability is related to the Compton scattering profile; the latter, to angular correlation measurements made in positron annihilation experiments. In this work we make two comparisons on the basis of quantum mechanical calculations; a) between Compton scattering and positron annihilation results, and b) among the several possible positron annihilation results associated with different symmetries for the positronic molecular orbital (PMO). The Compton scattering results are found to be similar to the positron annihilation results for the more symmetrical PMOs; and all these are quite different from the positron annihilation results for the less symmetrical PMOs. A suggestion for a crucial experiment is made.
Trauma symptoms: Relationship with career thoughts, vocational identity, and developmental work personality

BCnowledge of traumatic events and how trauma symptoms relate to social andpsychological well-being continues to grow. One aspect of an individual's func-tioning that may be affected by exposure to traumatic events is the ability ofthe individual to engage in career- and work-related activities (D. H. Coursol,J. Lewis, & L. Garrity, 2001). The current study examines the relationshipbetween trauma symptoms and the career development process of 131 collegestudents. Results indicate a significant relationship between higher levels of traumasymptoms and higher levels of dysfunctional career thoughts and lower levels ofwork personality. Implications for career counselors are discussed.
Radial polarization of periodically focused modes in chains of dielectric spheres

Recently we showed that light focusing and transport properties of chains of dielectric spheres with D>>10λ, where D is the diameter of the sphere and λ is the wavelength, are dominated by periodically focused modes (PFMs) which have extremely small propagation losses [12]. In this work we show that along with a special case of PFMs in chains of spheres with index n = √3 which propagates in such structures without losses, similar periodic modes exist in a broad range of indices from 1.4 to 2.0. For each n such generalized PFMs have various radial extents in the regions between the neighbouring focused beams. We show that for 10-sphere long chains with 1.68 < n < 1.80 such modes have total propagation losses smaller than 1 dB. Using numerical ray tracing, we demonstrate that such chains filter radially polarized beams. Using collimated incident beams, a polarization degree in excess of 0.9 is demonstrated for 10-sphere long chains for 1.68 < n < 1.80 range. These properties make chains of microspheres instrumental for developing novel focusing and polarization components.
On the reactive energy of an aperture

A novel expression for the reactive power of a planar antenna is given in the form of the difference of two positive integrals, depending, respectively, only on the TE and TM parts of the field with respect to the direction orthogonal to the aperture. The expressions for the inductive and capacitive powers recently given by Rhodes are then compared with the new results, and it is shown that these expressions identically contain the same positive term (which therefore must cancel).
Reassessing Regimes: The International Regime Aspects of the European Union

[From the Introduction]. The theoretical study of the European Community has traditionally been undertaken according to theories of international integration. After all, the EC is the result of the economic integration or unification of sovereign nationstates, and integration theory has been developed to explain the process and end-state of such unification. More recently, however, scholars have written that integration theory is no longer useful for studying the creature into which the EC has evolved, and into which the Community is still evolving (see, for example, Pinder, 1981; Hoffman, 1982; Wallace, 1982, 1983). This development has led to an increasing amount of scholarly work on what type of institution best describes the EC, and therefore what theoretical framework best explains the EC at its current stage of development. In this paper, I will briefly describe two basic conceptualizations of what type of institution the EC is: international organization and confederation. Then I will argue that, regardless of what type of institution the EC is, there is a regime associated with it. Finally, I will outline the regime aspects of the Community.
An awkward introduction: phylogeography of Notropis lutipinnis in its 'native' range and the Little Tennessee River

We evaluate the putative introduction of the yellowfin shiner, Notropis lutipinnis, in the Little Tennessee river basin. This species has only been noted in the Little Tennessee in the past several decades and appears to be expanding its range, even though there have been many potential historical pathways for dispersal from native drainages in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. We use a phylogeographic approach, examining sequence data from one mitochondrial and one nuclear locus, to determine the likely source of the population in the Little Tennessee. Our results suggest a complex history and cannot reject the possibility that N. lutipinnis is native to the Little Tennessee. Our data also indicate that particular drainages, including populations in the Altamaha and Flint Rivers, may be subject to local adaptation at the nuclear transferrin locus.
A Dynamic Compilation Framework for Controlling Microprocessor Energy and Performance

Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is an effective technique for controlling microprocessor energy and performance. Existing DVFS techniques are primarily based on hardware, OS time-interrupts, or static-compiler techniques. However, substantially greater gains can be realized when control opportunities are also explored in a dynamic compilation environment. There are several advantages to deploying DVFS and managing energy/performance tradeoffs through the use of a dynamic compiler. Most importantly, dynamic compiler driven DVFS is fine-grained, code-aware, and adaptive to the current microarchitecture environment. This paper presents a design framework of the run-time DVFS optimizer in a general dynamic compilation system. A prototype of the DVFS optimizer is implemented and integrated into an industrial-strength dynamic compilation system. The obtained optimization system is deployed in a real hardware platform that directly measures CPU voltage and current for accurate power and energy readings. Experimental results, based on physical measurements for over 40 SPEC or Olden benchmarks, show that significant energy savings are achieved with little performance degradation. SPEC2K FP benchmarks benefit with energy savings of up to 70% (with 0.5% performance loss). In addition, SPEC2K INT show up to 44% energy savings (with 5% performance loss), SPEC95 FP save up to 64% (with 4.9% performance loss), and Olden save up to 61% (with 4.5% performance loss). On average, the technique leads to an energy delay product (EDP) improvement that is 3times-5times better than static voltage scaling, and is more than 2times (22% vs. 9%) better than the reported DVFS results of prior static compiler work. While the proposed technique is an effective method for microprocessor voltage and frequency control, the design framework and methodology described in this paper have broader potential to address other energy and power issues such as di/dt and thermal control
A signal-decomposed and interference-annihilated approach to hyperspectral target detection

A hyperspectral imaging sensor can reveal and uncover targets with very narrow diagnostic wavelengths. However, it comes at a price that it can also extract many unknown signal sources such as background and natural signatures as well as unwanted man-made objects, which cannot be identified visually or a priori. These unknown signal sources can be referred to as interferers, which generally play a more dominant role than noise in hyperspectral image analysis. Separating such interferers from signals and annihilating them subsequently prior to detection may be a more realistic approach. In many applications, the signals of interest can be further divided into desired signals for which we want to extract and undesired signals for which we want to eliminate to enhance signal detectability. This paper presents a signal-decomposed and interference-annihilated (SDIA) approach in applications of hyperspectral target detection. It treats interferers and undesired signals as separate signal sources that can be eliminated prior to target detection. In doing so, a signal-decomposed interference/noise (SDIN) model is suggested in this paper. With the proposed SDIN model, the orthogonal subspace projection-based model and the signal/background/noise model can be included as its special cases. As shown in the experiments, the SDIN model-based SDIA approach generally can improve the performance of the commonly used generalized-likelihood ratio test and constrained energy minimization approach on target detection and classification.
Playing at Being Gods

The present article commences analyzing the origins and influences of the religious discourse on the configuration of the modern constitutional discourse and the contributions of the jus-positivism in the consolidation of this sacred-civil language. The second issue is the definition of the U.S. Constitution as a mixed and not as a democratic constitution, with regard to the influences of Plato, Aristotle, Cicero and Polybius to the Drafters of the first modern constitutional text; stability and equilibrium took preference over democracy in a wide sense. I also analyze how the Drafter’s decision has conditioned the modern constitutional system up to the present.
Tell Me the Story of How I Conquered You: “Elsewheres” and Ethnosuicide in the Colonial Mesoamerican World. By José Rabasa. (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 2011. Pp. xii, 264. $55.00.)

In this book, the author brings together a series of historical, philosophical, and literary themes derived from his reading of a single folio page in the “Codex Telleriano‐Remensis.” The codex is ...
Growth of Chicks and Turkey Poults Fed Western Barley and Corn Grain-based Rations: Effect of Autoclaving on Supplemental Enzyme Requirement and Asymmetry of Antibiotic Response Between Grains

Abstract GROWTH depressions of turkey poults (0–4 weeks) fed Western barley were overcome by the inclusion of the antibiotic, oleandomycin, and/or a B. subtilis enzyme supplement in the diet (Moran and McGinnis, 1965). Western barley in diets for the developing turkey (8–20 weeks) did not cause a growth depression; oleandomysin and/or enzyme dietary additions were without effect (Moran and McGinnis, 1966). These investigators offered an explanation of the growth depression in terms of an altered gastro-intestinal microflora during the early stages of growth (0–3 weeks). If an alteration of the intestinal microflora is the reason for the growth depression caused by feeding barley rations, then one might expect differences in response to at least some antibiotics when compared with a more “favorable” grain, e. g. corn. Studies were initiated to compare the response of both chicks and poults fed corn and Western barley grain-based rations supplemented with various antibiotics and bacteriostats. . . .
A configurable system for automation programming and control

This paper discusses an environment for configuration, programming, and control of robot workcells. The controller is intended to support research in automation programming and motion control, and to provide a vehicle for conveniently integrating new sensors and other devices into a workcell in a useful way. The system consists of an interactive Programming System connected through a shared memory to a multiple-processor Real Time System that performs time-critical operations. The Programming System executes programs written in an enhanced version of AML and transmits high level commands, called verbs, to the Real Time System for execution. Verbs may either be simple, consisting essentially of a process specification and termination conditions, or they may be compositions of other verbs. The processes themselves are specified in terms of lower level entities called real time application subroutines, state vector variables, and data flow graphs which describe computations to be performed in the Real Time System.
A new isolator for vibration control

This study presents the feasibility of a new variable stiffness and damping isolator (VSDI) in an integrated vibratory system. The integrated system comprised of two VSDIs, a connecting plate and a mass. The proposed VSDI consists of a traditional steel-rubber vibration absorber, as the passive element, and a magneto-rheological elastomer (MRE), with a controllable (or variable) stiffness and damping, as the semi-active element. MREs' stiffness and damping properties can be altered by a magnetic field. Dynamic testing on this integrated system has been performed to investigate the effectiveness of the VSDIs for vibration control. Experimental results show significant shift in natural frequency, when activating the VSDIs. Transmissibility and natural frequency of the integrated system are obtained from properties of single device. The experimental and predicted results show good agreement between the values of the natural frequency of the system at both off and on states. However, system damping predictions are different from experimental results. This might be due to unforeseen effects of pre-stressed MREs and nonlinear material properties.
Assessment of adaptive human-robot interactions

One of the overarching goals of robotics research is that robots ultimately coexist with people in human societies as an integral part of them. In order to achieve this goal, robots need to be accepted by people as natural partners within the society. It is therefore essential for robots to have adaptive learning mechanisms that can intelligently update a human model for effective human-robot interaction (HRI). This might be critical in interactions with elderly and disabled people in their daily activities. This research has developed and evaluated an intelligent HRI system that enables a mobile robot to learn adaptively about the behaviors and preferences of the people with whom it interacts. Various learning algorithms have been compared and a Bayesian learning mechanism has been implemented by estimating and updating a parameter set that models behaviors and preferences of people. Every time a user interacts with the robot, the model is updated. The robot then uses the model to predict future actions of its user. A variety of HRI modalities including speech recognition, sound source localization, simple natural language understanding, face detection, face recognition, and attention gaining/losing systems, along with a navigation system, have been integrated with the learning system. The integrated system has been successfully implemented on a Pioneer 3-AT mobile robot. The system has also been evaluated using 25 subjects who interacted with the robot using adaptive and non-adaptive interfaces. This study showed that adaptive interaction is preferred over non-adaptive interaction by the participants at a statistically significant level.
Optimal Information Location for Adaptive Routing

One strategy for addressing uncertain roadway conditions and travel times is to provide real-time travel information to drivers through variable message signs, highway advisory radio, or other means. However, providing such information is often costly, and decisions must be made about the most useful places to inform drivers about local conditions. This paper addresses this question, building on adaptive routing algorithms describing optimal traveler behavior in stochastic networks with en route information. Three specific problem contexts are formulated: routing of a single vehicle, assignment of multiple vehicles in an uncongested network, and adaptive equilibrium with congestion. A network contraction procedure is described which makes an enumerative algorithm computationally feasible for small-to-medium sized roadway networks, along with heuristics which can be applied for large-scale networks. These algorithms are demonstrated on three networks of varying size.
Penalty for Fuel Economy— System Level Perspectives on the Reliability of Hybrid Electric Vehicles During Normal and Graceful Degradation Operation

Generally people tend to think only in terms of fuel economy and additional cost premium on vehicle price while discussing about hybrid electric vehicles (HEV). This paper tries to emphasize that the overall acceptability of a vehicle also has to do with its system level reliability. It discusses the issue of system level reliability in hybrid electric vehicles from a quantitative point of view. It also introduces a quantitative meaning to the concept of graceful degradation and mode of operation under graceful degradation condition. All these are discussed in stages, starting from a regular internal combustion engine based vehicle, and later transition of those to hybrid electric vehicles. This paper intends to drive the point that in HEV, one of the penalties for fuel economy that has to be paid comes in terms of reliability.
Effect of Immunization on Acute and Latent Infections of Vaginouterine Tissue with Herpes Simplex Virus Types 1 and 2

Inoculation of mice with herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) by the vaginal route resulted in viral shedding during the acute phase of the infection and the development of a latent infection in vaginouterine tissue lasting up to one year in greater than 25% of the animals. Immunization with either serotype of HSV markedly reduced viral shedding when animals were subsequently challenged with the homologous serotype, but immunization with HSV-2 was significantly less effective in preventing the development of a latent infection in the vaginouterine tissue after challenge than was immunization with HSV-1.
Simple Entropic Derivation of a Generalized Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model

A straightforward derivation of the celebrated Black-Scholes Option Pricing model is obtained by solution of a simple constrained minimization of relative entropy. The derivation leads to a natural generalization of it, which is consistent with some evidence from stock index option markets.