cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Institutional Trading and Price Momentum

This paper aims to explore the effect of institutional trading on the two asymmetric phenomena found by Lee and Swaminathan: (1) asymmetric price momentum: price momentum is more pronounced among high-turnover stocks; (2) asymmetric return phenomenon: low-turnover stocks tend to outperform high-turnover stocks. Lee and Swaminathan use a ‘momentum life cycle’ to explain the asymmetric momentum effect while attributing the asymmetric return phenomenon to the analysts' overestimating (underestimating) the future profitability of high (low)-turnover firms. However, it essentially needs trading activity to induce both of the above asymmetric results. Because institutional investors exhibit a momentum trading pattern and the trading behavior of institutional investors may have a huge impact on the movement of stock prices, institutional trading may be one of the major driving forces leading to both of the above asymmetric patterns. The empirical results show that, first of all, after controlling for the turnover, the price momentum is still more pronounced among stocks with higher institutional ownership, while high-turnover stocks no longer exhibit a pronounced momentum effect after controlling for the institutional ownership. Furthermore, stocks with higher institutional ownership have better return performance in any of the turnover groups. While low-turnover stocks still outperform high-turnover stocks after controlling for the institutional ownership level, for some winner stocks this is no longer true. The results suggest that the asymmetric momentum effect is not induced by a stock's turnover, but rather it is driven by institutional trading. Turnover is only a proxy for institutional trading. That is, turnover per se has no economic significance in such a momentum phenomenon.
A wavelet-based sprite codec

The International Standards Organization (ISO) has proposed a family of standards for compression of image and video sequences, including the JPEG, MPEG-1, and MPEG-2. The latest MPEG-4 standard has many new dimensions to coding and manipulation of visual content. A video sequence usually contains a background object and many foreground objects. Portions of this background may not be visible in certain frames due to the occlusion of the foreground objects or camera motion. MPEG-4 introduces the novel concepts of video object planes (VOPs) and Sprites. A VOP is a visual representation of real world objects with shapes that need not be rectangular. Sprite is a large image composed of pixels belonging to a video object visible throughout a video segment. Since a sprite contains all parts of the background that were at least visible once, it can be used for direct reconstruction of the background VOP. Sprite reconstruction is dependent on the mode in which it is transmitted. In the static sprite mode, the entire sprite is decoded as an Intra VOP before decoding the individual VOPs. Since sprites consist of the information needed to display multiple frames of a video sequence, they are typically much larger than a single frame of video. Therefore, a static sprite can be considered as a large static image. In this paper, a novel solution to address the problem of spatial scalability has been proposed, where the sprite is encoded in discrete wavelet transform (DWT). A lifting kernel method of DWT implementation has been used for encoding and decoding sprites. Modifying the existing lifting scheme while maintaining it to be shape-adaptive results in a reduced complexity. The proposed scheme has the advantages of: 1) avoiding the need for any extensions to image or tile border pixels and is hence superior to the discrete cosine transform-based low latency scheme (used in the current MPEG-4 verification model) and 2) mapping the in place computed wavelet coefficients into a zero-tree structure without actually rearranging them, thereby saving allocation of additional memory. The proposed solutions provide efficient implementation of the sprite decoder, making possible a VLSI realization with a reduced real estate.
UVB exposure does not accelerate rates of litter decomposition in a semi-arid riparian ecosystem

Abstract Aboveground litter decomposition is controlled mainly by substrate quality and climate factors across terrestrial ecosystems, but photodegradation from exposure to high-intensity ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation may also be important in arid and semi-arid environments. We investigated the interactive effects of UVB exposure and litter quality on decomposition in a Tamarix -invaded riparian ecosystem during the establishment of an insect biological control agent in northern Nevada. Feeding by the northern tamarisk beetle ( Diorhabda carinulata ) on Tamarix spp. trees leads to altered leaf litter quality and increased exposure to solar UVB radiation from canopy opening. In addition, we examined the dynamics of litter decomposition of the invasive exotic Lepidium latifolium , because it is well-situated to invade beetle-infested Tamarix sites. Three leaf litter types (natural Tamarix , beetle-affected Tamarix , and L. latifolium ) differing in substrate quality were decomposed in litterbags for one year in the field. Litterbags were subjected to one of three treatments: (1) Ambient UVB or (2) Reduced UVB (where UVB was manipulated by using clear plastic films that transmit or block UVB), and (3) No Cover (a control used to test for the effect of using the plastic films, i.e. a cover effect). Results showed a large cover effect on rates of decomposition and nutrient release, and our findings suggested that frequent cycles of freeze–thaw, and possibly rainfall intensity, influenced decomposition at this site. Contrary to our expectations, greater UVB exposure did not result in faster rates of decomposition. Greater UVB exposure resulted in decreased rates of decomposition and P release for the lower quality litter and no change in rates of decomposition and nutrient release for the two higher quality litter types, possibly due to a negative effect of UVB on soil microbes. Among litter types, rates of decomposition and net release of N and P followed this ranking: L. latifolium > beetle-affected Tamarix > natural Tamarix . Altered nutrient dynamics with beetle introduction as well as the rapid decomposition rates exhibited by L. latifolium are consistent with vulnerability to secondary invasion. In this desert ecosystem, decomposition and nutrient release were strongly affected by litter type and much less so by UVB exposure.
Maximum induced matching problem on hhd-free graphs

We show that the maximum induced matching problem can be solved on hhd-free graphs in O(m^2) time; hhd-free graphs generalize chordal graphs and the previous best bound was O(m^3). Then, we consider a technique used by Brandstadt and Hoang (2008) [4] to solve the problem on chordal graphs. Extending this, we show that for a subclass of hhd-free graphs that is more general than chordal graphs the problem can be solved in linear time. We also present examples to demonstrate the tightness of our results.
Electrocatalytic four-electron reduction of oxygen to water by a highly flexible cofacial cobalt bisporphyrin

Dicobalt(II) cofacial bisporphyrins anchored by dibenzofuran (DPD) and xanthene (DPX) are efficient electrocatalysts for the four-electron reduction of oxygen to water despite their ca. 4 A difference in metal–metal distances, suggesting that the considerable longitudinal ‘Pac-Man’ flexibility of the pillared platforms is the origin for the similar catalytic reactivity of these structurally disparate systems.
Surgical treatment of aneurysm of the persistent sciatic artery

Abstract Persistent sciatic artery (PSA) is a rare congenital malformation that is complicated by aneurysm formation in more than 25% of the reported cases. Two cases of aneurysm of the PSA are presented. Twenty-six aneurysms of the PSA, including our two cases, have been reported in the English literature in the last three decades. Early surgical treatment is warranted to decrease the 25% amputation rate associated with thromboembolic complications. The posterior, transgluteal repair of this aneurysm affords excellent exposure and avoids a long bypass graft, multiple incisions, and staged procedures. Magnetic resonance imaging may be helpful in preoperative evaluation of the feasibility of proximal, extrapelvic vascular control. (J VASC SURG 1993;17:218-21.)
The effect of phenol on ingrown toenail excision in children.

Abstract Purpose Ingrown toenails in children are a common problem with a high recurrence rate. The objective of this retrospective data review was to compare simple excision of the nail matrix with excision plus phenol (EPP) application in the treatment of ingrown toenails. Methods The charts of 69 children who underwent surgical treatment of one or more ingrown toenails from 1994 to 2000 were reviewed. The primary procedure was noted (excision alone [EA] vs EPP) and dates of recurrences and reoperations were recorded. Parents were then surveyed by phone regarding complications, cosmetic outcome, and overall satisfaction with the procedure. Five scale categories, ranging from "strongly agree" to "strongly disagree", were used, with responses of "strongly agree" and "agree" considered as a good outcome. Either Student's t test or the χ 2 test ( P Results Thirty-one patients (45%) were in the EPP group whereas the remaining 38 had EA. Mean length of follow-up was 4.3 years for the EA group and 2.1 years for the EPP group. There was no difference in age at operation or length of follow-up between the 2 groups. Boys were predominant in both groups. The survey response rate was 50/69 (73%). The recurrence rate of ingrown toenails in the EA group was 42% vs 4% in the EPP group ( P = .003). There were no significant differences in parental response with regard to operative experience ( P = .31) and the cosmetic result ( P = .13), with most of the respondents (78%) indicating a good outcome for both questions. Conclusions The addition of phenol to the surgical excision of ingrown toenail significantly reduced the incidence of recurrence, with similar patient satisfaction and an equivalent cosmetic result.
Glucagon's yin and yang effects on hepatic glucose production.

New insights into the actions of the hormone glucagon are provided by a recent study in rodents, which shows that glucagon can suppress hepatic glucose production by acting through the mediobasal hypothalamic region of the brain. This central regulatory mechanism is impaired in rats fed a high-fat diet, suggesting that hypothalamic glucagon resistance may be relevant to the hyperglycemia observed in obesity, diabetes or both (pages 766–772).
Response of cochlear potentials to presumed alterations of ionic conductance: Endolymphatic perfusion of barium, valinomycin and nystatin

Abstract Two models (‘single-pump’ and ‘two-pump’) of transepithelial potassium movement by the marginal cells of the stria vascularis have been proposed in the literature. Their validity was considered by exposing the endolymphatic (luminal) surface to agents (barium, valinomycin and nystatin) which are known to alter specific cellular membrane conductances in other tissues. This was accomplished by the use either of injections or of a relatively satisfactory technique for perfusion of scala media, which is described. Injection of barium caused the endocochlear potential (EP) to increase in normal animals and had no effect on the EP of deaf, Waltzing guinea pigs. Perfusion of the ionophores caused a decline in the EP in both normal and Waltzing guinea pigs. Only the ‘two-pump’ model (Na/K-ATPase-mediated cation pump on the basolateral membrane and rheogenic K transporter at the luminal membrane) is consistent with the results. The cellular heterogeneity of the cochlear duct, however, introduces a measure of uncertainty into this interpretation.
Effects of elastic stress on phase equilibrium in the NiV system

To date there have been numerous theoretical studies concerning coherent phase equilibrium and the effects of elastic stress on phase equilibrium. Experimental confirmation of the predicted effects of elastic stress on a stress-free phase diagram have been as forthcoming. Using the authors' predictions of the effects of elastic stresses on the phase diagram of an alloy displaying a congruent point as a guide, they studied experimentally the effects of elastic stress on the Ni-V phase diagram in the neighborhood of the Ni-V [yields] Ni[sub 3]V congruent point. The Ni-V [yields] Ni[sub 3]V transformation has been well studied and displays a congruent point at 25 at. % V, 1,045 C.
Towards an interest‐convergence in the education of African‐American football student athletes in major college sports

The purpose of this article is to advance Derrick Bell’s (1992b) interest-convergence principle as an analytical lens for understanding the complex role of race in the educational experiences of AfricanAmerican football student athletes. Currently, there is a scarcity of educational research that employs a critical theoretical perspective on race to address the education of African-American students in general, and student athletes in particular. This article includes American law cases that attend to the educational experiences of student athletes participating in high profile intercollegiate football programs. The inclusion of the legal literature is meant to adhere to the intellectual and methodological origins of critical race theory and to demonstrate how educational differences are institutionalized through coercion and ideology. The article concludes with a discussion of the interest-convergence principle as a means of investigating and establishing alternative strategies on behalf of the student athlete in order to improve his educational experience and academic outcomes.
Sequences and expression of six new members of the tetraspanin/TM4SF family.

Abstract Tetraspanins (or TM4SF) are expressed in a wide variety of species and regulate cell adhesion, migration, proliferation and differentiation. We have identified and sequenced six new members of the tetraspanin family, called Tspan-1–6, from human cDNA. Amino acid sequence analysis of the Tspans highlights conserved residues which may be critical to tetraspanin structure and function. The Tspans are differentially expressed in human tissues.
Quantitative validation testing of magnetoelastic corrosion sensing for bridge cables

Magnetic measurements were performed on steel cables subjected to a magnetic field and the response measured without contact using Faraday's law, to estimate the effect of temperature and corrosion on magnetic properties of structural steel. Magnetic measurements were compared with electrochemical measurements to correlate corrosion quantitatively in terms of mass loss. The results obtained from the present work are helpful in bounding the achievable sensitivity for conventional magnetoelastic corrosion sensing and for suggesting the need for alternate techniques.
DNA Oxidation by Charge Transport in Mitochondria

Sites of oxidative DNA damage in functioning mitochondria have been identified using a rhodium photooxidant as a probe. Here we show that a primer extension reaction can be used to monitor oxidative DNA damage directly in functioning mitochondria after photoreaction with a rhodium intercalator that penetrates the intact mitochondrial membrane. The complex [Rh(phi)_2bpy]Cl_3 (phi = 9,10-phenanthrenequinonediimine) binds to DNA within the mitochondria and, upon irradiation, initiates DNA oxidation reactions. Significantly, piperidine treatment of the mitochondria leads to protein-dependent primer extension stops spaced every ∼20 base pairs. Hence, within the mitochondria, the DNA is well covered and packaged by proteins. Photolysis of the mitochondria containing [Rh(phi)_2bpy]^(3+) leads to oxidative DNA damage at positions 260 and 298; both are mutational hot spots associated with cancers. The latter position is the 5‘-nucleotide of conserved sequence block II and is critical to replication of the mitochondrial DNA. The oxidative damage is found to be DNA-mediated, utilizing a charge transport mechanism, as the Rh binding sites are spatially separated from the oxidation-prone regions. This long-range DNA-mediated oxidation occurs despite protein association. Indeed, the oxidation of the mitochondrial DNA leads not only to specific oxidative lesions, but also to a corresponding change in the protein-induced stops in the primer extension. Mitochondrial DNA damage promotes specific changes in protein−DNA contacts and is thus sensed by the mitochondrial protein machinery.
Pulse shaping, characterization, and phase compensation system for enhanced ultrafast laser performance

A novel device designed for pulse shaping, characterization and phase compensation in ultrafast laser systems is described. The pulse shaper exhibits low transmission loss and is widely applicable to lasers with spectral bandwidth from 10 nm to over 400 nm. Pulse characterization and phase compensation is fully computer controlled in a closed loop via MIIPS method. This system is designed to enhance performance of ultrafast oscillators and ultrafast amplifiers including terawatt lasers and cryogenically cooled amplifier systems. Seed laser spectral amplitude shaping results in increased bandwidth while preserving the output power in ultrafast regenerative amplifiers. Subsequent phase compensation enables the robust delivery of output pulses within couple of percent of transform limit. Such system could find numerous applications including MPE microscopy, CARS, and more general coherent control experiments.
Cytochrome P450 reductase, antioxidant enzymes and cellular resistance to doxorubicin

Our data suggest that DOX resistance in P388/R-84 cells may result, at least in part, from reduced free radical formation by both suppression of flavin reductase(s) and overexpression of certain antioxidant enzymes such as GSH peroxidase and catalase. In addition, our results, in conjunction with other studies, indicate that flavin reductase(s) and antioxidant enzymes are differentially altered in cancer cells with acquired or de novo resistance to DOX. Further studies are needed, however, to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which the gene expression of these enzymes is regulated in drug-sensitive and -resistant cells.
Testbed Validation of Location-Scheduled Control of a Reconfigurable Flux-Pinned Spacecraft Formation

Unique mission architectures become possible when formations of close-proximity spacecraft have the ability to reconfigure on orbit to adapt to different mission requirements. A necessary precursor to the realization of these missions, however, is the development of control architectures that accommodate the different geometries of a reconfigurable space system at different mission phases. This paper investigates the closed-loop control of a reconfigurable set of two CubeSat-scale spacecraft that are connected via noncontacting flux-pinned interfaces. A design concept known as location-scheduled control is used both to tune a Proportional-Integral-Derivative control law and to choose an optimal configuration for the spacecraft formation during a rest-to-rest reorientation maneuver. The location-scheduled control approach makes use of a genetic algorithm to search the design space of configurations and controller gains. The simulated performance of the controller is compared to experiments performed on Cor...
An application of lattice theory to knowledge representation

The goal of this paper is to show how ideas from lattice theory can be used in the implementation of a knowledge representation language. First, the semantics of a simple knowledge representation language is presented. Then we show how to use Birkhoff's Representation Theorem for finite distributive lattices to build incrementally what we call a Birkhoff implementation of a knowledge base by processing a sequence of terminological axioms. A mathematical proof of the correctness of our technique with respect to the given semantics is an integral part of the development. While the intended application is to knowledge representation, these methods can be used whenever a computationally tractable representation of a finite distributive lattice needs to be implemented.
Thermal Nanofluid Property Model With Application to Nanofluid Flow in a Parallel- Disk System—Part I: A New Thermal Conductivity Model for Nanofluid Flow

This is a two-part paper, which proposes a new theory explaining the experimentally observed enhancement of the thermal conductivity, knf, of nanofluids (Part I) and discusses simulation results of nanofluid flow in a radial parallel-plate channel using different knf-models (Part II). Specifically, Part I provides the derivation of the new model as well as comparisons with benchmark experimental data sets and other theories, focusing mainly on aluminum and copper oxide nanoparticles in water. The new thermal conductivity expression consists of a base-fluid static part, kbf, and a new “micromixing” part, kmm, i.e., knf1⁄4 kbfþ kmm. While kbf relies on Maxwell’s theory, kmm encapsulates nanoparticle characteristics and liquid properties as well as Brownian-motion induced nanoparticle fluctuations, nanoparticle volume fractions, mixture-temperature changes, particle–particle interactions, and random temperature fluctuations causing liquidparticle interactions. Thus, fundamental physics principles include the Brownian-motion effect, an extended Langevin equation with scaled interaction forces, and a turbulenceinspired heat transfer equation. The new model predicts experimental data for several types of metal-oxide nanoparticles (20< dp< 50 nm) in water with volume fractions up to 5% and mixture temperatures below 350 K. While the three competitive theories considered match selectively experimental data, their needs for curve-fitted functions and arbitrary parameters make these models not generally applicable. The new theory can be readily extended to accommodate other types of nanoparticle-liquid pairings and to include nonspherical nanomaterial. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4005632]
Studies of human carboxypeptidase A purification and properties from human pancreas

Abstract Carboxypeptidase A has been isolated and purified from human pancreas. The procedure involves ammonium sulfate precipitation, O-(diethylaminoethyl) (DEAE)-cellulose, O-(carboxymethyl) (CM)-cellulose column chromatographies and the final purification was 243-fold. Purity was confirmed by disc gel electrophoresis at pH 8.5 and 4.5. The molecular weight of the enzyme was about 35,000 as determined by gel filtration and by disc gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Amino acid analysis of the carboxypeptidase A showed a small number of half-cysteine and methionine residues. The enzyme hydrolyzed substrate hyppuryl-phenyl-lactic acid with a Km of 0.588 m m and a Vmax of 16,665 μmole per minute per milligram. It was inhibited by various metal ions and by heating at 65°C.
Mechanism of topical glucocorticoid treatment of hay fever: IL-5 and eosinophil activation during natural allergen exposure are suppressed, but IL-4, IL-6, and IgE antibody production are unaffected.

Background: Allergic rhinitis is traditionally defined as an IgE- and mast cell‐mediated hypersensitivity reaction. Allergen challenge models suggest that cytokines and eosinophil mediators may also play roles. However, the causal relationship among inflammatory cells, their products, and patients’ symptoms during natural allergen exposure has not been established. Objective: We sought to elucidate the mechanisms of seasonal allergic rhinitis and the beneficial effects of topical glucocorticoids. Methods: Thirty patients with ragweed-induced hay fever and a strongly positive serologic test response for ragweed IgE antibody received budesonide nasal spray or placebo in a randomized, parallel, double-blind study. Nasal wash fluids and sera were collected before and during the hay fever season. The levels of inflammatory mediators and allergen-specific immunoglobulins were measured by immunoassay. The activation markers on blood eosinophils were quantitated by flow cytometry. Results: Compared with placebo-treated patients, budesonidetreated patients had strikingly reduced symptoms. In the placebo group, nasal symptoms correlated with nasal lavage fluid eosinophil-derived neurotoxin and IL-5 levels. At the season peak, the budesonide-treated group had significantly lower nasal fluid eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, IL-5, and soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 levels. In the treated group eosinophil expression of CD11b was suppressed at the season peak. In contrast, levels of IL-4 and IL-6 in nasal fluid and the seasonal increases in serum ragweed-specific IgE and nasal fluid IgA antibodies did not differ between groups. Conclusion: Eosinophilic inflammation plays a critical role in seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms. One of the therapeutic effects of glucocorticoids is to suppress this inflammation. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;106:521-9.)
Backfitting and local likelihood methods for nonparametric mixed-effects models with longitudinal data

Abstract For longitudinal data analyses, it is important to estimate both population (mean) response and subject-specific individual responses. We consider a nonparametric mixed-effects model that characterizes both population effect and random effects as nonparametric functions, i.e., y i ( t ij ) = η ( t ij ) + υ i ( t ij ) + e i ( t ij ) , i = 1 , … , m , j = 1 , … , n i . Although similar models have been studied, in this paper we propose a novel approach to use the local likelihood concept and a backfitting algorithm to combine the local polynomial regression techniques and the linear mixed-effects (LME) model methods for efficiently estimating both population mean and individual curve functions. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are established for two scenarios: (i) the number of subjects ( m ) and the number of measurements per subject ( n i ) tend to infinity; and (ii) m tends to infinity while n i is finite. The simulation studies are carried out to compare the performance of our proposed estimator with that of an existing estimator, local polynomial LME (LLME) estimator proposed by Wu and Zhang [J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 97 (2002) 883–897], and we show that our approach performs better than the existing method in the sense of mean-squared errors (MSE). We illustrate our estimation method with an application to an AIDS clinical study.
The University of Wyoming Early Childhood Summer Institute: A Model for Professional Development that Leads to Changes in Practice

One of the greatest challenges we face as an early childhood professional community is providing short-term, affordable professional development that results in depth of understanding and change of practice. The University of Wyoming Early Childhood Summer Institute is a model for professional development that fosters reflection, inquiry, and change in beliefs and practice for early childhood practitioners. The 3-day Institute has an innovative structure and constructivist quality that allows for intense, authentic learning among participants. The research reported in this article supports this claim and clarifies key components of the model critical to the transfer of knowledge gained through the Institute to application in the workplace. In a 6-month follow-up study after the Institute, participants, Institute facilitators, and keynote speakers describe how the Institute has continued to influence their beliefs and practice over time. Exploring a Plum I had to do an observation of a child for a class th...
Variation in mastitis screening tests and milk composition of udder quarters under normal conditions and following omission of a milking.

Abstract The sources of normal variation in milk composition and mastitis screening tests were studied on 384 quarter samples from 48 cows. Most of the variation in milk composition could be accounted for by differences among cows and day-by-cow interaction (day×cow). The major sources of variation in mastitis screening tests were among quarters within cows (quarters/cows) and cows. With the effect of trials, days, cows, day×cow, and quarters/cows removed, significant correlations were obtained between chloride and lactose (−.453), chloride and leucocytes (.415), and catalase and leucocytes (.577). Calculated losses in milk production of quarters with California Mastitis Test (CMT) scores of 1, 2, and 3, compared to opposite negative quarters, were .41, .65, and 1.48lb per quarter per milking, respectively. Comparable decreases in SNF percentage were .10, .15, and .40. Omitting a milking resulted in an increase in CMT, catalase, leucocytes, and chloride, and a decrease in SNF, milk production, and lactose. The degree of reaction to the CMT before omitting a milking did not affect the magnitude of these changes.
Syncom event schedule networks — The best of PERT

The U. S. Army Electronics Research and Development Laboratory role in SYNCOM, the DOD/NASA Communications Satellite System is defined and the development and use of a unique program control system will be discussed. The reporting system with its 24-hour status response capability and a single denominator feature that provides three levels of detail for decision making purposes by various levels of management will be covered. The interrelationship of a cost accounting system, actual vs forecast with the second-level events schedule networks by areas of technical effort, components of equipment, cost categories will be discussed. The summary shows how the best of PERT concept has been achieved with a minimization of its normal complexity.
Predicate derivation and monotonicity detection in DB2 UDB

DB2 universal database allows database schema designers to specify generated columns. These generated columns are useful for maintaining rollup hierarchy variables in warehouses (e.g., date, month, quarter). In order for the generated columns to be useful for query processing, queries must automatically make use of such columns when applicable. In particular, query predicates on the original columns should be rewritten to make use of the generated columns. In this paper, we describe two main aspects of this predicate rewriting technique that allows usage of the generated columns for a variety of query predicate types. The first aspect, monotonicity detection, allows for rewrites in the case of range predicates. The second aspect, predicate derivation, is the technique for using generating expressions for query processing. We show the value of this technique for providing significant performance improvement when combined with indexing or multidimensional clustering in DB2.
Enforcing interdependencies and executing transactions atomically over autonomous mobile data stores using SyD link technology

System of Mobile Devices (SyD) is a middleware we developed that can he used for implementing collaborative, mobile, and distributed applications over heterogeneous devices, data stores, and computing environments. Current prototype implementation of SyD consists of five modules. These modules provide ease of programming in the areas of distributed communication, remote method invocation, service publication and discovery, directory services, distributed service invocation and aggregation, event handling, collaborative link creation and enforcement. A central module is SyDLink which allows SyD-based applications to create "coordination" links. Coordination links represent dependencies among heterogeneous devices and application components. Based on the underlying event-and-trigger mechanism, they allow automatic updates as well as real-lime enforcement of global constraints and interdependencies. SyDLink objects provide the underlying mechanism in SyD to enforce atomic execution of distributed transactions. We explain and demonstrate the use of SyDLink objects via a running example, a collaborative SyD calendar application, throughout the paper.
Progress in thermosonic crack detection

We describe progress in thermosonic crack detection. In this technique, a short single pulse of ultrasound is used to cause cracks to heat up and become visible in the infrared. A low frequency (say 10's of kHz) ultrasonic transducer infuses the sample with sound. Where cracks, disbonds, delaminations or other defects are present, the sound field causes the defect to heat locally. The technique is applicable to large and irregularly shaped objects. We present illustrative applications of this technology to aerospace, and automotive inspections.
Responsive Small Satellite Mission Operations Using An Enterprise-Class Internet-Based Command and Control Network

Rapid integration of spacecraft into low-cost mission control systems is an essential element of enabling cost-effective, responsive space missions. This paper describes a distributed satellite ground segment and control network that is developed and operated by students at Santa Clara University in order to support a wide variety of NASA and university-class small spacecraft. In addition to reviewing the technical design of the system and summarizing the missions being supported, the paper outlines several strategies for implementing a low-cost system that supports rapid integration of new spacecraft.
Color performance of an MVA-LCD using an LED backlight

Ruibo Lu (SID Member) Xiangyi Nie Shin-Tson Wu (SID Fellow) Abstract — The color performance, including color gamut, color shift, and gamma curve, of a multidomain vertical-alignment (MVA) liquid-crystal display (LCD) using an LED backlight are calculated quantitatively. Simulation results indicate that an LED backlight exhibits better angular color uniformity and smaller color shifts than a CCFL backlight. Color gamut can be further widened and color shift reduced when using a color-sequential RGB-LED backlight without color filters, while the angular-dependent gamma curves are less influenced using different backlights. The obtained quantitative results are useful for optimizing the color performance and color management of high-end LCD monitors and LCD TVs.
A Planar Array of Micro-Fabricated Electrospray Emitters for Thruster Applications

This paper reports the design, fabrication, and experimental characterization of a planar array of micro-fabricated electrospray emitters intended for space propulsion applications in micro-satellites. The engine uses the ionic liquid EMI-BF4 as propellant. Electrospray engines take advantage of the electrohydrodynamic effect known as Taylor cone to produce thrust. The array is designed with an open architecture and it is composed of a set of spikes, i.e., emitters, coming out from a propellant pool. There are two configurations for the emitters: fully sharpened slender emitters, i.e., pencils, and truncated pyramidal emitters, i.e., volcanoes. The arrays have between 4 and 1024 emitters in an active area of 0.64 cm2. The surface of the engine (tank and emitters) is covered with "black silicon" that acts as wicking material. The micro-fabrication of the engine is described. The paper reports experimental characterization of the hydraulics system including wettability tests, current/emitter-voltage characteristics, and imprints of the exit stream on a collector. Preliminary results demonstrating the feasibility of obtaining substantially larger emission currents at the same extraction voltage by controlling the temperature are also reported. The paper compares the experimental current/emitter-voltage characteristics with relevant theories of field emission of electrons
Enhancement in activity of homologous and heterologous baculoviruses infectious to beet armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) by an optical brightener.

The nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) from the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hubner) (SeMNPV), was the most active virus tested against the beet armyworm (LC50 = 4.1 PIBs/mm2), followed by nuclear polyhedrosis viruses from the alfalfa looper, Autographa californica (Speyer) (AcMNPV; LC50 = 92.6 PIBs/mm2), and the celery looper, Anagrapha falcifera (Kirby) (AfMNPV; LC50 = 195.7 PIBs/mm2). In the case of the nuclear polyhedrosis virus from the bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner), LC50s could only be obtained for five/six replicates, whereas LC50s could only be obtained for two/six replicates for the nuclear polyhedrosis virus from the wax moth, Galleria mellonella (L.) (GmMNPV). When an optical brightener Tinopal LPW was added to virus suspensions, LC50 values were reduced by 130-fold for both SeMNPV and AcMNPV and by 300-fold for AfMNPV. The addition of Tinopal LPW greatly increased the activities of HaMNPV and GmMNPV. In terms of speed of kill, Tinopal LPW reduced the LT50s for all nuclear polyhedrosis viruses by 30–40%.
Metamaterial devices for the terahertz gap

Metamaterials are engineered materials which offer superb electromagnetic performance over naturally occurring materials, and offer great potential to construct novel devices operating in the terahertz frequency regime. Here we experimentally demonstrate metamaterial narrow band filters, perfect absorbing elements for THz imaging, and ultra-fast THz switches. Experiments are supplanted with simulation and theory, thus verifying high performance.
Governing Globalization? The State, Law, and Structural Change in Corporate Governance

Current analysis of the ‘globalization’ of the activity of capitalist corporations tends to argue that the legal institutional frameworks of the nation state are of little importance in determining the governance of those corporations, and that the regulation of those corporations therefore is impossible. This view simply ignores the role that those frameworks do in fact play. In this paper, various styles of corporate governance are analysed in terms of the influence of the company law, financial market regulation, and employment law promulgated by nations or nation state groupings. Rather than the globalization of corporate governance reflecting the unimportance of the nation state, it reflects a change in the style of regulation.
Modeling active object-oriented database applications using multi-level diagrams

Active object-oriented database systems (AOODBSs) are based on the object-oriented paradigm and provide an event driven behavior for implementing time critical reactions by integrating event-condition-action (ECA) rules to the database. We focus on the modeling aspects of AOODBSs. We propose an integrated approach, called A/OODBMT (Active Object-Oriented Database Modeling Technique), which integrates and extends the Object Modeling Technique (OMT) method for conceptually designing active object-oriented database applications. A/OODBMT models database applications by defining and integrating four new types of models, namely the nested object model (NOM), the behavior model (BM), the nested rule model (NRM), and the nested event model (NEM).
Using simulated mergers to evaluate corporate diversification strategies

This study suggests that simulated mergers can be used to help evaluate the effects of diversification on corporate performance. The results, which are consistent with a risk-reduction motive for conglomerate diversification, imply that conglomerate strategies focused on fewer and larger units may be advantageous in terms of certain measures of risk and return. Forecast error is used here to measure strategic risk, and return on equity is used to measure return.
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 corrects insulin and lipid abnormalities in uremia.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 corrects insulin and lipid abnormalities in uremia. The effect of intravenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ] therapy on insulin and lipid metabolism was examined in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Eight patients (Group I, 19 ± 1 years old) were studied before and after four weeks of intravenous 1,25 (OH) 2 D 3 therapy (1.8 ± 0.3 μg), during which time the serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations did not change. Another eight patients (Group II, 18 ± 1 years old) were studied before and after four weeks of oral dihydrotachysterol (0.8 ± 0.1mg). Serum PTH also did not change in Group II. Serum glucose concentrations during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were higher in Group I before 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 compared with controls and these normalized following four weeks of intravenous 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 . Serum glucose concentrations during OGTT were also higher in Group II before DHT compared with controls and did not change following four weeks of oral DHT. Insulin sensitivity during euglycemic clamp studies in Group I before 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 (223 ± 20 mg/m 2 /min; P 2 /min) and was normalized following therapy (315 ± 25 mg/m 2 /min). Insulin sensitivity was also low in Group II at the beginning of the study and did not change at the end of the four week period. Both early-phase and late-phase insulin secretion were low in Group I before 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 compared with controls and normalized following intravenous 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 therapy. Both early-phase and late-phase insulin secretion were also low in Group II at the beginning of the study and did not change at the end of the four week period of DHT treatment. Plasma triglycerides were elevated in Group I patients before treatment (198 ± 16 mg/dl; P 2 D 3 therapy. Plasma total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were normal before treatment compared with controls and did not change following intravenous 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 therapy. Plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol did not change in Group II during the study period. Thus, intravenous 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 therapy corrected glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hypoinsulinemia as well as hypertriglyceridemia in patients on HD, in the absence of PTH suppression.
Broadband Spiral Antenna Miniaturization Limit

In this paper, the miniaturization limit of a spiral antenna is considered by using both Chu's limit theory and spiral-specific impedance analysis. This study identifies mechanisms responsible for the spiral miniaturization limit
Exposure measurement error in PM2.5 health effects studies: a pooled analysis of eight personal exposure validation studies.

Background: Exposure measurement error is a concern in long-term PM2.5 health studies using ambient concentrations as exposures. We assessed error magnitude by estimating calibration coefficients as the association between personal PM2.5 exposures from validation studies and typically available surrogate exposures. Methods: Daily personal and ambient PM2.5, and when available sulfate, measurements were compiled from nine cities, over 2 to 12 days. True exposure was defined as personal exposure to PM2.5 of ambient origin. Since PM2.5 of ambient origin could only be determined for five cities, personal exposure to total PM2.5 was also considered. Surrogate exposures were estimated as ambient PM2.5 at the nearest monitor or predicted outside subjects’ homes. We estimated calibration coefficients by regressing true on surrogate exposures in random effects models. Results: When monthly-averaged personal PM2.5 of ambient origin was used as the true exposure, calibration coefficients equaled 0.31 (95% CI:0.14, 0.47) for nearest monitor and 0.54 (95% CI:0.42, 0.65) for outdoor home predictions. Between-city heterogeneity was not found for outdoor home PM2.5 for either true exposure. Heterogeneity was significant for nearest monitor PM2.5, for both true exposures, but not after adjusting for city-average motor vehicle number for total personal PM2.5. Conclusions: Calibration coefficients were <1, consistent with previously reported chronic health risks using nearest monitor exposures being under-estimated when ambient concentrations are the exposure of interest. Calibration coefficients were closer to 1 for outdoor home predictions, likely reflecting less spatial error. Further research is needed to determine how our findings can be incorporated in future health studies.
Connecting popular culture and science: the case of biotechnology

Much is written on how modern science and technology influence popular culture, but the reciprocal process is largely ignored or even denied: how popular culture influences science and technology. Modern medicine, electronic communication, and biotechnological plant and animal breeding practices are but a few examples that deeply impact everyday life. College students have trouble imagining a world without instant messaging, labeling of genetically engineered foods is hotly debated internationally, SETI enlists private computers to analyze data, and "E.T. phone home" is a tag line understood across many cultures. It has been said that the general public gets the majority of its scientific "knowledge" from popular sources like television, magazines, and fiction. In particular, biotechnology is addressed in headlines proclaiming the dangers of "Frankenfood" - often in the same publication lauding (biotechnological) advances in pharmaceutical research. However, clues to the reciprocal influence of culture on biotechnology can be both obvious (funding trends) and more subtle (debate over the meaning of and need for "science literacy"). One clue can be found in techno-commerce - biotechnology research is extremely expensive, and the field is driven by available funding. Companies, which sell equipment to researchers, spend a great deal of money studying demographics to support sales. While many scientists deny that they are influenced by popular culture, effective and profitable ads aimed at them suggest otherwise. This panel briefly analyzes some influences of biotechnology on popular culture, as reflected in films and cartoons, and then turns the mirror around to explore how texts from popular culture appeal to biotechnologists via advertisements that use popular films, television shows, and music in the scientific marketplace.
Low cost characterization of RF transceivers through IQ data analysis

As radio frequency (RF) devices become more complex and the integration levels increase, their testing becomes more challenging. In order to guarantee successful operation and compliance to certain specifications, measurement of a large number performance parameters under the prescribed operation conditions is needed. Such detailed characterization typically necessitates long test times and expensive instrumentation, increasing the test cost. In this paper, we present a low cost test methodology that determines the RF device's vital performance parameters, such as path gain, IIP3, quadrature imbalances, noise, bit error rate (BER), and error vector magnitude (EVM) through a single test setup. The proposed test methodology is applicable for both single carrier systems and multi-carrier systems. Simulation and measurement results indicate that these performance parameters can be calculated and estimated accurately through a single test set-up and using a shorter test sequence than required by traditional techniques.
Impact of In Vitro Fermentation Techniques upon Kinetics of Fiber Digestion

Three in vitro fermentation experiments were conducted to examine the impact on kinetics of fiber digestion of microminerals and tryptone addition, media reduction, fermentation vessel, CO2 gassing regimen, and buffer type. Alfalfa and bromegrass hays were incubated for 0, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, 48, 72, and 96 h and analyzed for NDF. Kinetic measures of fiber digestion were estimated using nonlinear regression with iteratively reweighted least squares. In Experiment 1, continuous CO2 gassing increased rate and decreased lag time prior to NDF digestion compared with purging a non-CO2-saturated buffer at inoculation. Vessel type (50-ml polypropylene tube, 125-ml pyrex Erlenmeyer flask), use of additives (microminerals, tryptone), and media reduction had no effect on kinetics of NDF digestion. In Experiment 2, elimination of both media reduction and nutritive additives increased the lag time prior to NDF digestion. In Experiment 3, continuous CO2 gassing of buffer in 125-ml Erlenmeyer flasks resulted in faster rates of NDF digestion than CO2-saturated buffer in 50-ml screw-cap polypropylene tubes. The method that yielded the fastest rates and shortest lag times of NDF digestion consisted of continuous CO2 gassing, reduction, and use of additives to ensure that no nutrient limited fiber digestion.