cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
U-Th-Pb and Rb-Sr systematics of Allende and U-Th-Pb systematics of Orgueil

U-Th-Pb systematics study of Allende inclusions showed that U, Th and Sr concentrations in Ca, Al (pyroxene)-rich chondrules and white and pinkish-white aggregate separates of Allende are five to ten times higher than those of the matrix, whereas Mg (olivine)-rich chondrules have U and Th concentrations about twice as high as the matrix. Th concentrations are extremely high in white aggregates and in pinkish-white (spinel-rich) aggregates while U and Sr concentrations in white aggregates are more than twice as high as those in pinkish-white aggregates. Large enrichment of these refractory elements in the white aggregates indicates that they contain high-temperature condensates from the solar nebula. The Pb concentrations in the inclusions are less than half of those in the whole rock and matrix, indicating that the matrix is a lower-temperature condensate. The isotopic composition of lead in the matrix is less radiogenic than that of the whole meteorite, whereas lead in Ca- and Al-rich chondrules and aggregates is extremely radiogenic. The 206Pb/204Pb ratio reaches as high as 55.9 in a white aggregate separate. The lead of Mg-rich chondrules is moderately radiogenic and the 206Pb/204Pb ratio ranges from 18 to 26. A striking linear relationship exists among leads in the chondrules, aggregates and matrix on the 207Pb/204Pb vs 204Pb/204Pb plot. The slope of the best fit line is 0.6188 ± 0.0016, yielding an isochron age of 4553 ± 4 m.y. The regression line passes through primordial lead values obtained from Canyon Diablo troilite. The data, when corrected for Canyon Diablo troilite Pb and plotted on a U-Pb concordia diagram, show that the pink and white aggregates and the Ca-Al-rich and Mg-rich inclusions have excess Pb and define a chord which intersects the concordia curve at 4548 ± 25 m.y. and 107 ± 70 m.y. The intercepts might correspond to the agglomeration age of the meteorite and a time of probably later disturbance, respectively. The matrix and some chondrules which contain less radiogenic lead did, however, not fit on the chord. The Rb-Sr data of Allende did not define an isochron suggesting that the Rb-Sr system was also disturbed by a later event, as suggested by the U-Pb concordia data. The lowest observed 87Sr/86Sr ratio in Allende inclusions is similar to the initial ratio of the Angra dos Reis achondrite (Papanastassiou, Thesis, 1970). The initial Pb isotopic composition of Orgueil calculated by a single-stage evolution model is more radiogenic than that of Canyon Diablo troilite. To reconcile the U-Pb data of Orgueil and Allende, we propose that the initial lead isotopic composition of the carbonaceous chondrites was slightly different from that of Canyon Diablo troilite Pb.
Does phytoestrogen supplementation affect cognition differentially in males and females

Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds found mainly in soy with known estrogenic properties and a potential for benefits to human health. Increased intake in phytoestrogens stemmed from the search for safe alternatives to hormone replacement therapies. Based on epidemiologic evidence comparing Western and Asian populations and clinical studies, phytoestrogens show promise to improve health and brain function. This review is focused on the effects of phytoestrogens on cognition by examining clinical and animal studies, with special attention placed on (1) a window of therapeutic opportunity which may explain the discrepancy among studies, and (2) whether a sex/gender difference exists in response to phytoestrogen intake and what the possible underlying mechanisms may be.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Two-Component Bilayers: DMPC/DSPC Mixtures

In this paper, we describe a relatively simple lattice model of a two-component, two-state phospholipid bilayer. Application of Monte Carlo methods to this model permits simulation of the observed excess heat capacity versus temperature curves of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC)/distearoylphosphatidylcholine (DSPC) mixtures as well as the lateral distributions of the components and properties related to these distributions. The analysis of the bilayer energy distribution functions reveals that the gel-fluid transition is a continuous transition for DMPC, DSPC, and all DMPC/DSPC mixtures. A comparison of the thermodynamic properties of DMPC/DSPC mixtures with the configurational properties shows that the temperatures characteristics of the configurational properties correlate well with the maxima in the excess heat capacity curves rather than with the onset and completion temperatures of the gel-fluid transition. In the gel-fluid coexistence region, we also found excellent agreement between the threshold temperatures at different system compositions detected in fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments and the temperatures at which the percolation probability of the gel clusters is 0.36. At every composition, the calculated mole fraction of gel state molecules at the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching threshold is 0.34 and, at the percolation threshold of gel clusters, it is 0.24. The percolation threshold mole fraction of gel or fluid lipid depends on the packing geometry of the molecules and the interchain interactions. However, it is independent of temperature, system composition, and state of the percolating cluster.
Methodology for Delay-Based Passenger Car Equivalencies for Urban Transit Buses

A delay-based passenger car equivalent (D-PCE) methodology for stopping transit buses is presented in this paper. It is based on a D-PCE approach developed in 2000. Field data collected at a near-side bus stop in Chicago, Illinois, were used to determine the total additional delay experienced by bus queues and to illustrate the D-PCE methodology. The relationships between total additional delay, D-PCE, and the factors contributing to delay such as bus dwell time, the number of vehicles queued behind the bus, the bus position within the queue, and the bus arrival-departure time within the cycle were evaluated. The approach is illustrated for cases when the stopping bus was in the first position in the queue. It was found that a bus in first position replaces 5.9 passenger cars. It was also observed that the total additional delay and D-PCE values increased with the factors contributing to additional delay.
Synthesis of the AviMeCys-containing D-ring of mersacidin.

A chemical synthesis of the D-ring of mersacidin is reported. The synthetic route relied upon development of a method for late-stage introduction of an unusual S-[(Z)-2-aminovinyl]-(3S)-3-methyl-d-cysteine (AviMeCys) functional group via an oxidative decarbonylation/decarboxylation reaction.
The effect of recoil on single-nucleon transfer in heavy-ion reactions

Abstract An approximate treatment of the effect of recoil in single-nucleon transfer in heavy-ion reactions is outlined. It is shown that the effect of recoil is to remove the restrictions on the orbital angular-momentum transfer. The effect of recoil is shown to depend upon the energy of the projectile, becoming more significant at higher projectile energies, and for the case where the neutron binding to the residual nucleus is small, it is more important for smaller final binding energies. A simple expression is obtained for the recoil amplitude and cross section for p-wave projectiles.
Incorporating Student-Designed Research Projects in the Chemistry Curriculum.

Although many chemistry students at small liberal arts colleges participate in undergraduate research projects with faculty members, they do not get much experience framing their own research questions and designing their own projects, which is an important part of science. We have implemented a developmental process to help students design and execute their own research projects in a two-course sequence: seminar in the fall and an integrated laboratory in the January term as a capstone experience in the chemistry curriculum. In seminar, students read scientific literature to generate an unanswered question that becomes the basis for a project proposal. Students then compare and contrast various methods to answer the question and propose a project. In the integrated laboratory, students execute the project where they troubleshoot experiments, collect and interpret data, and draw conclusions. Assessment of final papers and student course evaluations indicated that the students met the above goals. Overall, this educational experience can be implemented at other small liberal arts colleges and elements of this project could be adapted at a larger college or university.
Structure and significance of human luteinizing hormone-beta core fragment purified from human pituitary extracts.

A fragment of the hCG beta-subunit is present in high concentrations in the urine of pregnant women and the urine from individuals with ovarian or other cancers. The utility of immunoreactive measurement of this fragment to monitor therapy of such cancers is compromised, however, because high concentrations of the molecule are also detected in the urine of healthy postmenopausal women. It has been suggested that the latter observations may be due to a cross-reacting human (h) LH beta core fragment, presumably of pituitary origin, but no such fragment had ever been isolated. We have now isolated a hLH beta core fragment from a pituitary tissue extract. Its structure is exactly analogous to that of the hCG beta core fragment. The finding of a discrete hLH beta core fragment in a tissue extract suggests that it may be produced within pituitary tissue, rather than by a peripheral degradation process. We have also found that the same immunoaffinity method used to extract the hLH beta core fragment from the pit...
Climatic influences on sediment deposition and turbidite frequency in the Nitinat Fan, British Columbia

Abstract Continental margins in regions influenced by temperate ice sheets experience climate-dependent changes in sedimentary processes. A new stratigraphy is presented for Ocean Drilling Program Hole 888B, from the Nitinat Fan, on the Vancouver Margin, in which we examine the relationship between fluctuations in glacial-sourced sediment delivered to the continental shelf and turbidite character and frequency. Glacial/interglacial episodes are determined based on: (1) core lithology, where sandy/coarse-grained sediment and fine-grained clay/silty clay represents glacial and interglacial intervals, respectively; (2) δ 18 O of planktonic foraminifera G . bulloides , in which higher values indicate warmer sea surface temperatures and lower global ice volume; (3) magnetic susceptibility, in which higher values indicate coarser grain sizes deposited during glacials; and (4) ratios of sinistral N . pachyderma to dextral N . incompta, in which higher proportions of N . pachyderma are a sign of cooler sea surface temperatures. Finally, using radiocarbon 14 C dates, specific Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) within the top 240 m of core are assigned: MIS 2–4 (2–118 mbsf), MIS 5 (118–157 mbsf), and MIS 6 (213–240 mbsf). Using this chronology, sedimentation rates for the Nitinat Fan were greater (187 cm/kyr) during glacial MIS 2–4 than interglacial MIS 5 (69 cm/kyr). Additionally, during glacial MIS 2–4 thicker turbidites (upwards of ~ 150 cm) were deposited relatively frequently (~ 75 year periodicity) compared with those from MIS 5, which are relatively thin (up to 27 cm) and deposited more rarely (~ 130 year periodicity). These results indicate that turbidite frequency and thickness are linked to climate through ice sheet extent, since transport of glacimarine sediment to the continental slope promotes turbidity currents that are responsible for the most significant amount of offshore sedimentation. This study shows that geological processes influencing turbidite deposition can fluctuate over time and may not necessarily be represented by ongoing processes within the modern depositional setting.
Generalization of the Larmor radiation formula

The Larmor radiation formula relates the momentum radiated toward infinity along a light cone from a single point charge to the velocity and acceleration of the particle. The formula applies only to a light cone whose apex is on the world line of the particle. This paper generalizes the Larmor formula to an arbitrary light cone. An example involving circular motion is worked.
Revealing obstacles to the consumer imagination

The research proposes that the consumer imagination combines information about a current sensory stimulus (product) with triggered episodic memories to use as inputs in making product evaluations. Two studies reveal that the consumer imagination can be suppressed when preferred haptic sensory information is missing and when a situation is unambiguous, reducing the need for relying on episodic memory. The research findings support the general notion that the consumer imagination enhances purchase intentions compared to considering product attributes because the imagination enables consumers to integrate the information in a more efficient way. In both studies, perceived ownership mediates the effect. Contributions to theory and practical implications are provided.
Ultrafast slaving dynamics at the protein-water interface studied with 2D-IR spectroscopy

The dynamics of hen egg white lysozyme in D2O/glycerol mixtures is studied using two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy. The hydration dynamics and the protein dynamics are studied simultaneously through vibrational probes attached to the protein surface.
Economic evaluation of topsoil loss in spring wheat production in the northern Great Plains, USA

Abstract Relationships among topsoil removal treatments and additions of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer on dryland spring wheat yields in a wheat-fallow rotation were used to determine the on-site effects of topsoil loss and fertilizer applications on net returns and to estimate the value of soil. Yields estimated from a production function and corresponding net returns for spring wheat under alternative soil loss levels and fertilization rates were examined. A numerical optimization routine was used to determine the most efficient levels of fertilizer applications for farm managers at various levels of soil loss. The value of soil in spring wheat production was derived by estimating the accumulated discounted values of production from land without soil loss versus land with soil loss over various planning horizons. Production function estimates indicated that, when all variables were at their mean values and soil loss was varied, the first centimeter of soil loss reduced wheat yeild from 1719 kg ha −1 to 1709 kg ha −1 , whereas the last centimeter of loss reduced yield from 1362 kg ha −1 to 1331 kg ha −1 . Each additional centimeter of soil loss increased the yield loss. The economic analysis indicates that the optimum amount of N and P that should be applied increases with each increment of soil loss. Fertilizer reduces yield loss to some extent, but net returns continue to decline as soil loss increases. This result confirms that N and P fertilizers are imperfect economic substitutes for soil. Estimated soil values are a function of the farm manager's planning horizon and the natural soil erosion rate. If erosion is occurring at a rate of 44.8 Mg ha −1 year −1 , the value of soil ranges from $59.33 ha −1 for a planning horizon of 20 years to $305.48 ha −1 for a planning horizon of 68 years. The equivalent level annuity values of these estimates are $3.99 ha −1 year −1 and $10.58 ha −1 year −1 , respectively.
Thermal reactivities of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and alkyl derivatives

Abstract The HMO free valence, the PMO Dewar reactivity number, and the structure count ratio are correlated with thermal reactivities of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons and derivatives. The compounds are classified as thermally reactive if carbonaceous residues are observed upon heating to 750° (Experimental, Ref. 13). Radical intermediates are assumed to mediate the pyrolytic reactivities. The structure count ratio which is the ratio SC (radical intermediate) ÷ SC (reactant) is recommended as a simple working method for correlating and predicting thermal reactivity.
Singlet—singlet absorption spectra of diphenylpolyenes

Abstract Intense absorptions due to singlet-singlet transitions are observed for three all-trans α,ω-diphenyl-substituted polyenes by nanosecond laser flash photolysis (337.1 nm) The absorption spectral maxima in cyclohexene are at 430 nm for 1.4-diphenyl-1.3-butadiene, 445 nm for 1.6-diphenyl-1.3.5-hexatriene, and 465 nm for 1.8-diphenyl-1.3.5.7-octatetraene.
Nonlinear Model Reduction and Decentralized Control of Tethered Formation Flight

This paper describes a fully decentralized nonlinear control law for spinning tethered formation flight, based on exploiting geometric symmetries to reduce the original nonlinear dynamics into simpler stable dynamics. Motivated by oscillation synchronization in biological systems, we use contraction theory to prove that a control law stabilizing a single-tethered spacecraft can also stabilize arbitrary large circular arrays of spacecraft, as well as the three inline configuration. The convergence result is global and exponential. Numerical simulations and experimental results using the SPHERES testbed validate the exponential stability of the tethered formation arrays by implementing a tracking control law derived from the reduced dynamics.
Treponema pallidum Strain-Specific Differences in Neuroinvasion and Clinical Phenotype in a Rabbit Model

Background The relationship between neuroinvasion and other manifestations of syphilis and the infecting strain of Treponema pallidum is not known. Methods Six groups of 8 rabbits were intravenously infected with 1 x 108 organisms from 1 of 6 strains of T. pallidum. Rabbits were examined 2-3 times/week; blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected weekly and every 2 weeks, respectively, for 10-12 weeks. Degree of CSF pleocytosis and skin-lesion severity were estimated by the area under the white blood cell-versus-time and lesion-versus-time curves. Results Maximum serum Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test titers, time to maximum titer, degree of CSF pleocytosis, and severity of skin lesions differed significantly among infecting strains. Overall, T. pallidum was identified, by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, in CSF from 13 (27.7%) of 47 rabbits and was never identified in CSF from rabbits infected with 1 of the strains. The time course of detection varied by infecting strain. Severity of skin lesions and of CSF pleocytosis were inversely correlated (P=.005). Conclusions There are particularly neuroinvasive T. pallidum strains, and the clinical phenotype of infection varies with infecting strain. This information could ultimately be used to identify patients at increased risk for neuroinvasion and, thus, at risk for neurosyphilis.
Study of time delay distribution in IP protocol family for IP-network based control applications

Internet protocol (IP) networks are gaining popularity in network-based control applications because IP is a common denominator protocol in non-proprietary networks and because of mass production of devices that support IP. Even though IP being a best effort protocol was originally not designed for demand of this kind of application. However, recent advancements in bandwidth and reliability allow successful attempts of IP-based control. This paper examines the relationship between the media type, network architecture, protocol type and the packet round trip time for various case studies.
Perspective in Spatial Descriptions

Abstract In order to describe a spatial environment, people must take a perspective on it. Previous researchers had claimed that in describing space, speakers take listeners on mental tours, using a consistent perspective. In contrast, we find that people use survey and mixed perspectives as well as route perspectives, and that the configuration of an environment affects perspective choice. We show that gaze, route, and survey perspectives use language differently and argue that they correspond to prototypic relative, intrinsic, and extrinsic frames of reference, respectively. We speculate that the correlation of viewpoint, referent, and terms of referent in the three perspectives occurs because each reflects a natural way of interacting with an environment.
Blue-Fi: enhancing Wi-Fi performance using bluetooth signals

Mobile devices are increasingly equipped with multiple network interfaces with complementary characteristics. In particular, the Wi-Fi interface has high throughput and transfer power efficiency, but its idle power consumption is prohibitive. In this paper we present, Blue-Fi, a sytem that predicts the availability of the Wi-Fi connectivity by using a combination of bluetooth contact-patterns and cell-tower information. This allows the device to intelligently switch the Wi-Fi interface on only when there is Wi-Fi connectivity available, thus avoiding the long periods in idle state and significantly reducing the the number of scans for discovery.Our prediction results on traces collected from real users show an average coverage of 94% and an average accuracy of 84%, a 47% accuracy improvement over pure cell-tower based prediction, and a 57% coverage improvement over the pure bluetooth based prediction. For our workload, Blue-Fi is up to 62% more energy efficient, which results in increasing our mobile device's lifetime by more than a day.
Polyploidy associated with altered and broader ecological niches in the Claytonia perfoliata (Portulacaceae) species complex.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY Polyploids are often hypothesized to have distinct and broader niches than their diploid progenitors. Differences in geographic distributions between diploid and polyploids are frequently used to infer niche differentiation and increased breadth, but they are seldom used to test these hypotheses explicitly. METHODS Niche overlap and breadth were compared for diploids, tetraploids, and hexaploids of three taxa in the Claytonia perfoliata complex (C. parviflora, C. perfoliata, and C. rubra) with the use of species distribution models. Resampling and randomization approaches were used to test hypotheses of niche differentiation, breadth, and conservatism. KEY RESULTS Niche differentiation was detected between polyploid and diploid cytotypes assigned to the same taxon (e.g., C. parviflora 2× vs. 4×) but not between hexaploids and tetraploids within a taxon (e.g., C. parviflora 4× vs. 6×). Individual hexaploid cytotypes had broader ecological niches than individual diploid cytotypes. However, as a group the three hexaploid taxa did not exceed the combined niche breadth of the three diploids, suggesting that polyploidy does not result in transgressive niche breadth for this group. Niche overlap was lowest among diploids and was highest among the three hexaploid cytotypes, consistent with introgression associated with polyploidy resulting in greater ecological similarity. Although cytotypes possessed nonidentical niches, after accounting for environmental differences among ranges, cytotypes were more similar than expected, suggesting niche conservatism and similar responses to environmental characteristics. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that polyploids occupy distinct and broader niches relative to diploids but that cytotypes also share fundamentally similar responses to environmental variation across ploidy levels.
ARROGANT: an application to manipulate large gene collections

ARROGANT (ARRay OrGANizing Tool) is a software tool developed to facilitate the identification, annotation and comparison of large collections of genes or clones. The objective is to enable users to compile gene/clone collections from different databases, allowing them to design experiments and analyze the collections as well as associated experimental data efficiently. ARROGANT can relate different sequence identifiers to their common reference sequence using the UniGene database, allowing for the comparison of data from two different microarray experiments. ARROGANT has been successfully used to analyze microarray expression data for colon cancer, to compile genes potentially related to cardiac diseases for subsequent resequencing (to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms, SNPs), to design a new comprehensive human cDNA microarray for cancer, to combine and compare expression data generated by different microarrays and to provide annotation for genes on custom and Affymetrix chips.
Evaluation of a pediatric palliative care educational workshop for oncology fellows

Background Recent efforts have focused on improving pediatric palliative care to relieve physical and psychological suffering throughout the course of illness, as well as to improve care at the end-of-life (EOL). One area of attention has been medical training, as healthcare providers have often reported feeling ill-equipped to manage EOL issues. As a pilot study, we developed and evaluated a daylong educational workshop on pediatric palliative care for oncology fellows. Procedure Fellows (N = 32) from 20 hospitals participated in one of two workshops covering palliative care topics, such as pain/symptom management, communication, ethics, and bereavement. Training, knowledge, behavior, and attitudes regarding pediatric palliative care were assessed before the workshop, and knowledge was re-assessed immediately afterwards. Results Fellows reported a general lack of training in EOL care, and only 41% rated their education as at least “somewhat” adequate. Colleagues and personal experience were more often sources on EOL care, rather than formal classes or textbooks. Although fellows reported open attitudes toward palliative care, such as involving adolescents in decision-making, only half felt comfortable in the presence of a dying person. Fewer than half felt comfortable providing EOL care, managing families' expectations, or knowledgeable enough to discuss hospice with patients/families. Following the workshop, knowledge of palliative care increased significantly from 75 to 85% correct. Conclusions Fellows reported open beliefs about palliative care, but acknowledged weaknesses in their training and level of competence. The workshop showed efficacy in improving knowledge, but additional research is needed to evaluate larger educational initiatives and their long-term impact on clinical services and family satisfaction. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:154–159. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
CAN WE GET A GOOD RADIOCARBON AGE FROM "BAD BONE"? DETERMINING THE RELIABILITY OF RADIOCARBON AGE FROM BIOAPATITE

The study of the radiocarbon age of bone bioapatite was initiated by necessity to date archaeological artifacts, which often contain little or no collagen as a result of poor preservation. Contamination of the organic fraction in the process of the burial or during museum preservation treatment generally prohibits the use of the collagen fraction for dating. Our investigation has shown that the pretreatment of bone with diluted acetic acid following a proscribed technique allows the separation of the bioapatite fraction from diagenetic carbonates. We have successfully used this technique to prepare and date samples of bone and of tooth enamel and dentin, with varying degrees of preservation condition, and from time intervals ranging from a few hundred 14C yr to greater than 40,000 14C yr.
GAMETES: a fast, direct algorithm for generating pure, strict, epistatic models with random architectures

Geneticists who look beyond single locus disease associations require additional strategies for the detection of complex multi-locus effects. Epistasis, a multi-locus masking effect, presents a particular challenge, and has been the target of bioinformatic development. Thorough evaluation of new algorithms calls for simulation studies in which known disease models are sought. To date, the best methods for generating simulated multi-locus epistatic models rely on genetic algorithms. However, such methods are computationally expensive, difficult to adapt to multiple objectives, and unlikely to yield models with a precise form of epistasis which we refer to as pure and strict. Purely and strictly epistatic models constitute the worst-case in terms of detecting disease associations, since such associations may only be observed if all n-loci are included in the disease model. This makes them an attractive gold standard for simulation studies considering complex multi-locus effects. We introduce GAMETES, a user-friendly software package and algorithm which generates complex biallelic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) disease models for simulation studies. GAMETES rapidly and precisely generates random, pure, strict n-locus models with specified genetic constraints. These constraints include heritability, minor allele frequencies of the SNPs, and population prevalence. GAMETES also includes a simple dataset simulation strategy which may be utilized to rapidly generate an archive of simulated datasets for given genetic models. We highlight the utility and limitations of GAMETES with an example simulation study using MDR, an algorithm designed to detect epistasis. GAMETES is a fast, flexible, and precise tool for generating complex n-locus models with random architectures. While GAMETES has a limited ability to generate models with higher heritabilities, it is proficient at generating the lower heritability models typically used in simulation studies evaluating new algorithms. In addition, the GAMETES modeling strategy may be flexibly combined with any dataset simulation strategy. Beyond dataset simulation, GAMETES could be employed to pursue theoretical characterization of genetic models and epistasis.
An Open-Source XML Framework for Authoring Curricular Material

The Open Source Physics (OSP) project is a synergy of curriculum development, computational physics, computer science, and physics education for scientists and students wishing to author interactive computer-based curricular material. This article illustrates how the OSP project combines physical data and XML tags (data and metadata, respectively) with the Launcher authoring tool to give users an easy-to-use and consistent paradigm for creating, modifying, and distributing Java-based curricular material
Integrated optical inverter using light amplifying optical switch (LAOS)

An integrated optical inverter is demonstrated. Experimental results show good static input/output characteristics and an on/off ratio suitable for integrated optical logic. The simplicity of this circuit allows compact integration.
Measuring the Degree of Financial Market Efficiency: An Essay

This essay discusses first two competing hypotheses of market efficiency: the classical Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) of Samuelson and Fama, and the Fractal Market Hypothesis (FMH) of Mandelbrot and Peters and their weaknesses. The EMH depends on the empirically uncorroborated i.i.d. (= independence & stationarity) assumption of market innovations. The time - invariant FMH risk depends on the lengths of time horizons, as measured by the Hurst exponent. By way of empirical examples in the cash, bond and options an futures markets, it is demonstrated that scientifically a much broader concept of financial market risk is needed. This new risk concept should allow for the measurement of the degree of market efficiency, which is time and horizon dependent. The proposed definition of financial market risk is a time - frequency distribution function P, where the shape of the function is determined not only by the second-order moments sigma(omega), differentiated by the investment asset return categorizations omega, but also of the length investment horizons, or maturities of the investment securities tau, and of the time period t. In other words, the new concept of financial risk P(omega,tau,t) should be able to account for both LT and ST nonlinear time dependence and for strict non-stationarity to be empirically compatible and thus scientifically acceptable. Such a time - frequency distribution P(omega,tau,t) can be measured and identified by modern forms of time - frequency signal processing analysis, like windowed Fourier and wavelet multiresolution analysis.
Nonlinear Manifold Clustering By Dimensionality

Because of variable dependence, high dimensional data typically have much lower intrinsic dimensionality than the number of its variables. Hence high dimensional data can be expected to lie in (nonlinear) lower dimensional manifold. In this paper, we describe a nonlinear manifold clustering algorithm. By connecting data vectors with their neighbors in feature space, we construct a neighborhood graph from given set data vectors. Furthermore, geometrical invariance, namely dimensionality, are extracted from the neighborhood of vectors, and used to facilitate the clustering procedure. In addition, we discuss a latent model for data cluster descriptions and an EM algorithm to find such descriptions. Preliminary experiments illustrate that this new algorithm can be used to explore the nonlinear structure of data.
Rational Expectations Estimation of Georgia Soybean Acreage Response

The general method of moments procedure is used for estimating a soybean acreage response function assuming that producers hold rational expectations. Results indicate that soybean, corn, and wheat futures prices, lagged acreage, and government programs are significant factors for determining soybean plantings. Implications of the results are that crop acreage selection by Georgia producers is not very responsive to demand shocks. Thus, producers in other regions are more likely to absorb impacts from these shocks on crop acreage selection.
Significance of Phosphorus-Nitrogen Ratio in U.S.P. Thyroid

Biologically defective U.S.P. thyroid tablets which have appeared recently on the American market have been prepared from triple strength U.S.P. desiccated thyroid powder supplied by a European distributor. This material, with an unnaturally high iodotyrosine and low iodothyronine content, also has a phosphorus-nitrogen ratio greater than that found in genuine U.S.P. thyroid. Chemical evidence suggests that suboptimally iodinated casein was added to thyroid powder to increase the organic iodine content of the blend. Artificial mixtures have been prepared which closely resemble the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of known defective U.S.P. thyroid.
The morphologic substrates for pediatric arrhythmias

Recent studies on the development of the heart6 have increased markedly our appreciation of the disposition of the specialized conduction tissues, showing how some rests of tissues in unexpected locations are remnants of a well organized system found throughout avian and mammalian species. These studies also help us to account more logically for the distribution of the conduction tissues in congenitally malformed hearts. On the basis of our overall studies, therefore, combined with these recent advances, we are able to understand the normal and abnormal disposition of the conduction tissues. These understandings then permit us to offer explanations for those arrhythmias which have a “natural” basis, such as the grossly abnormal patterns found in hearts with isomerism of the atrial appendages or univentricular atrioventricular connection, and the accessory pathways found in the setting of ventricular preexcitation. We are also able to understand the changes affecting these tissues as part of acquired disease, such as the fibrosis of the long atrioventricular bundles found in atrioventricular septal defect and corrected transposition and the immunologic damage underscoring congenitally complete heart block in infants of mothers with collagen disease. We are only beginning to explore the possibility that abnormalities of the myocardiutn itself, or the fibrous tissue matrix, can also underscore the existence of abnormal rhythms. With all this knowledge, it is to be hoped that, in the future, we will see far fewer of those arrhythmias which have an “unnatural” basis, such as those related to direct surgical damage to the conduction tissues and their arterial supply, or those produced by abnormal loading conditions which are themselves the consequence of congenital malformations. Although we have learned, and applied, a great deal, there is still much to be done before we unravel all the secrets of the causes of arrhythmias in childhood.
Who's got the floor?

This study into the nature of “the floor” actually began as an open-ended inquiry into sex differences that might occur beyond the sentence level in the multi-party interaction of five informal committee meetings. Technical difficulties prompted the trying out of several different transcription displays, most of which failed to capture the “feel” of the interaction and each of which biased (in its own way) the perception of what had actually gone on. The type of unconventional display eventually used was intended to show the floor holder in the center of the page, flanked by co-occurring talk. Because there were many episodes for which a single floor holder could not be identified, the primary focus of the study shifted to the nature of the floor itself. Questions about sex differences became a secondary and succeeding focus.In the analysis, “floor” and “turn” were distinguished on the basis of “participant-sense” rather than technical criteria. Two kinds of floors were subjectively identified: F1, a singly developed floor; and F2, a collaborative venture where several people seemed to be either operating on the same wavelength or engaging in a free-for-all. The two kinds of floors were differentiated objectively by such features as quantity and frequency participation, language functions, number of nonturn utterances, overlaps, and pauses. There were indeed sex/language differences, but these were related to the type of floor being developed. Men took more and longer turns and did more of the joking, arguing, directing, and soliciting of responses F1 's. Turn length and frequency differences were neutralized in F2's, and certain language functions were used by women to a greater extent in F2's than in F1 's. (Conversational analysis, gender and language, qualitative research methodology.)
An evaluation of communication among high school faculty using network analysis

This chapter focuses on the use of social network analysis in the evaluation of K–12 educational programs.
Heuristically Important Mood-Altering Drugs

Increasingly, efforts to understand the pathophysiology of depressive illness have come to rely on studying the mechanism of action of the variety of available antidepressants. Meaningful interpretations of the pharmacologic data depend on demonstrating that the drugs are in fact active antidepressants. This paper critically reviews the efficacy data for mianserin, iprindole, deprenyl, and clorgyline. The subtyping of depression into atypical and endogenous and the relation of these subtypes to drug responsivity is discussed.
DNA typing of the human MN and Ss blood group antigens in amniotic fluid and following massive transfusion

Although red blood cell (RBC) antigen typing by agglutination is generally useful, several situations exist where this approach is difficult or impossible. For example, following a massive transfusion, a patient's residual RBCs are mixed with transfused normal donor RBCs. In this case, typing by hemagglutination primarily detects the antigens on the heterogeneous population of transfused RBCs. Agglutination testing is also of limited use for determining the phenotype of a fetus at risk for hemolytic disease of the newborn because fetal RBCs must be obtained by periumbilical blood sampling. Determining the genotype of an individual by analyzing genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood nucleated cells or amniocytes is an alternative approach for determining the RBC antigen type. In this report, the allele specific polymerase chain reaction (AS-PCR) was used to identify the alleles at the MN and Ss loci that encode the corresponding antigens on glycophorin A (GPA) and glycophorin B (GPB), respectively. This method was used to type these alleles in peripheral blood samples obtained from normal individuals and from patients following massive transfusion. Of 23 peripheral blood specimens analyzed, all were correctly typed by this method. The allele specific polymerase chain reaction was also used to determine these alleles using amniotic fluid samples. Of 11 amniotic fluid specimens analyzed, 8 were correctly typed at both loci. Mistyping of three amniotic fluid specimens was explained by possible maternal blood contamination.
Schrödinger Operators with Distributional Matrix Potentials

We study 1D Schrodinger operators L(q) with distributional matrix potentials from the negative space H unif − 1 (ℝ, ℂ m × m ). In particular, the class H unif − 1 (ℝ, ℂ m × m ) contains periodic and almost periodic generalized functions. We establish the equivalence of different definitions of the operators L(q), investigate their approximation by operators with smooth potentials q ∈ L unif 1 (ℝ, ℂ m × m ), and also prove that the spectra of operators L(q) belong to the interior of a certain parabola.
Immune adherence by the alternate complement pathway.

SummaryThe ability of the alternate complement pathway to generate the immune adherence reaction was studied in C4D guinea pig sera. It was found that IA via the alternate pathway could be generated by endotoxins and immune complexes, but that this phenomenon could not be produced by optimally sensitized intact mammalian cell membranes.
Control of Liquid-Bubble Interface to Create a Two-Phase, Dielectrophoretic Mesopump

A system was developed to study electrostatic force control in mesoscale and microscale fluidic phenomena. Utilizing the polarization (dielectrophoretic) force in a simple planar electrode configuration, control of a liquid-bubble interface is achieved. By applying a +dc voltage a 1Hz switching frequency to an array of four electrode pairs, pumping was produced with four fluids covering a wide range of electrical properties; the range of dielectric constant and electric conductivity was over 1 order of magnitude and 5 orders of magnitude, respectively. Simple analysis and initial experimentation provide evidence that the normal polarization stress at the liquid-bubble interface and surface tension are the primary driving force and retarding force, respectively that affect bubble motion.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
DETERMINANTS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVENUE FORECASTING PRACTICE: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM FLORIDA

Two decades of research on municipal forecasting practice suggest that it is less advanced than other sectors. Moreover, local forecasters have a greater error tolerance than peers. Survey results of Florida’s finance directors provide evidence of why this is the case. Unlike other levels of government, local finance officials receive limited political or bureaucratic scrutiny that might induce more accurate forecasts. The judgmental approaches deployed facilitate the downside bias typically found in municipal forecast practice which fosters surplus building, per Wildavsky’s (1986) description of municipal budgeting. Absent greater senior management participation, it is unlikely municipal forecast practice will change. Findings also confirm that survey-based forecast research should account for respondents’ stated levels of accuracy and their “risk adjusted” perceptions that account for a preferred downside bias of one to seven percent.
Developing a systems-based understanding of hematopoietic stem cell cycle control

To maintain hematologic homeostasis, hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) undergo multiple rounds of cell division throughout their lives. Under steady-state conditions, adult HSCs are relatively quiescent and reside primarily in hypoxic bone marrow niches. In response to physiologic stimuli, normal HSCs either reenter the cell division cycle or remain in quiescence. A large body of work has focused on understanding the mechanistic underpinnings balancing differentiation against self-renewal programs in cycling HSCs. Numerous reports from genetically engineered mouse models harboring mutations in key pathways governing proliferation control, DNA damage responses, and metabolic regulation indicate the critical roles these processes play in determining HSC self-renewing versus blood-lineage-reconstituting divisions. In this chapter, we integrate these findings and highlight the cellular networks that control HSC function and fitness by regulating HSC cycling.
The Application of Criminal Law to Disasters and Tragedies in Asia and the Pacific Islands

The New Millennium has witnessed a substantial increase in criminal prosecutions in disasters and tragedies. Common examples include structural failures, maritime accidents, and mining disasters. They may or may not entail substantial environmental damage. Loss of life is a common denominator. Even "natural disasters" usually have a major human component in causing the resulting magnitude of the catastrophe.The Asian and Pacific Island countries are leading the way in these prosecutions, which often include officials for dereliction in office, often corruption. China and India have by far the most prosecutions. Public attention are focused on these failures through social media and the omnipresence of smart phones and tablets with digital photo and video capabilities. Incidents quickly go viral on the internet.The two parts of this posting substantially overlap. Part I is a descriptive account of all the cases. Part II focuses on the experiences of five countries, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, and South Korea, illustrating changes in enforcement activity and changes in government and society through tragic accidents. For example, Bangladesh has to confront the horrific working condition and dangers in its large garment factories because of the Rana Plaza Collapse. South Korea had major government changes due to the tragic sinking of the Sewol Ferry.
Illicit Production of Cocaine.

The predominant methods currently used for illicit production of cocaine are described. For illicit natural cocaine (i.e., from coca leaf), this includes production of coca paste from coca leaf via both the solvent and acid extraction techniques, purification of coca paste to cocaine base, and conversion of cocaine base to cocaine hydrochloride. For illicit synthetic cocaine (i.e., synthesized from precursor chemicals), the classic five-step synthetic route used in all clandestine laboratories seized to date is summarized. The origins of the most common alkaloidal impurities and processing/synthetic by-products typically identified in illicit natural, illicit synthetic, and pharmaceutical cocaine are discussed. Forensic differentiation of exhibits arising from the various production methods are addressed both in terms of overall product purity and the presence/absence of these impurities and by-products.
"How can we know the dancer from the dance?" The analysis of a five-year-old girl.

How the analyst and the patient shape the analysis is a complex matter varying with the stage of the analysis and the individual characteristics of each patient and analyst. Examining analytic hours from the beginning, middle, and end of a five-through-seven-year-old girl's treatment suggests an intricate pattern evolving from observing and learning toward elaborating a free-ranging, creative, multilevel interplay of internal dialogues and affects.
In situ Observation of Electrodeposition

The development of the scanning probe microscope (SPM) with its associated variants, the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) have significantly transformed the understanding of the electrodeposition process, allowing an in situ observation of the processes at the atomic level. This chapter focuses on these instruments, their underlying principle and applications in electrodeposition RD they can also tunnel through such potential energy barriers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) or scanning force microscopy (SFM) uses a sharply tipped probe in direct contact with the surface. As this stylus is tracked across the surface, its vertical movement is recorded, having first been greatly magnified. The AFM can be used equally well in air, in vacuum, or in an aqueous environment. The latter is of special importance in a study of electrodeposition nucleation and growth processes.