cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solar Power Prediction Using Interval Type-2 TSK Modeling

The random nature of solar energy resources is one of the obstacles to their large-scale proliferation in power systems. The most practical way to predict this renewable source of energy is to use meteorological data. However, such data are usually provided in a qualitative form that cannot be exploited using traditional quantitative methods but which can be modeled using fuzzy logic. This paper proposes type-1 and interval type-2 Takagi-Sugeno-Kang (TSK) fuzzy systems for the modeling and prediction of solar power plants. The paper considers TSK models with type-1 antecedents and crisp consequents, type-1 antecedents and consequents, and type-2 antecedents and crisp consequents. The design methodology for tuning the antecedents and consequents of each model is described. Finally, input-output data sets from a solar plant are used to obtain the three TSK models and their prediction results are compared to results from the literature. The results show that type-2 TSK models with type2 antecedents and crisp consequents provide the best performance based on the solar plant data.
Investigation of trace level binding of PtCl6 and PtCl4 to alfalfa biomass (Medicago sativa) using Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract Batch laboratory experiments were performed to investigate the effects of pH, chemical modification, time dependency, and interference studies on the binding of trace concentrations of hexachloroplatinate(IV) and tetrachloroplatinate(II) to alfalfa biomass. The pH profiles were measured between pH 2.0 and 6.0. It was found that the binding of trace concentrations of platinum(IV and II) to alfalfa biomass was dependent on pH with a maximum binding occurring at pH 3.0 and a minimum at pH 6.0. When the alfalfa biomass was chemically modified (esterified), maximum binding occurred at pH 6.0 for both oxidation states of platinum. From the batch time dependency experiments, it was found that binding took at least 20 min to level off for both platinum oxidation states. Batch experiments were performed with various concentrations of calcium, magnesium, and sodium (0.1, 1.0, 10, 100 and 1000 ppm) and it was found that calcium affected the binding of platinum(II and IV) to the alfalfa biomass. It was determined that magnesium and sodium did not interfere appreciably with the binding of platinum in either of the oxidation states studied. Finally, batch experiments were performed with Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ and Na + in solutions at various concentrations, and it was observed that the binding was affected similarly to that by calcium alone.
Comparing texture feature sets for retrieving core images in petroleum applications

In this paper, the performance of similarity retrieval from a database of earth core images by using different sets of spatial and transformed-based texture features is evaluated and compared. A benchmark consisting of 69 core images from rock samples is devised for the experiments. We show that the Gabor feature set is far superior to other feature sets in terms of precision-recall for the benchmark images. This is in contrast to an earlier report by the authors in which we have observed that the spatial-based feature set outperforms the other feature sets by a wide margin for a benchmark image set consisting of satellite images when the evaluation window has to be small (32 X 32) in order to extract homogenous regions. Consequently, we conclude that optimal texture feature set for texture feature-based similarity retrieval is highly application dependent, and has to be carefully evaluated for each individual application scenario.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A flexible multiple sequence alignment program

Abstract The 'regions' method for multisequence alignment used in the previously reported program MALIGN has been generalized to include recursive refinement so that unaligned portions between two regions at the current level of resolution can be handled with increased resolution. Additionally, there is incorporated a limiting of the number of regions to be used at any level of resolution from which to abstract an alignment. This provides a significant increase in speed over the unlimited version. The program GENALIGN uses this improved regions method to execute fast pairwise alignments in the framework of Taylor's multisequence alignment procedure using clustered pairwise alignments. Pairwise alignments by dynamic programming are also provided in the program.
Relation between blockade of H3-nor-adrenaline uptake and pharmacological actions produced by phenothiazine derivatives.

Es wurden eine Reihe von Phenothiazin-Derivaten auf ihr Vermogen die H3-Noradrenalinaufnahme in das Rattenherz zu blockieren getestet. Dabei hat sich ergeben, dass dieses Blockierungsvermogen weniger mit den antimotorischen oder Antihistamineigenschaften der Substanzen gekoppelt zu sein scheint, sondern eher mit deren antiadrenergischen Wirkungskomponenten.
Block placement with symmetry constraints based on the O-tree non-silicing representation

The ordered tree (O-tree) representation has recently gained much interest in layout design automation. Different from previous topological representations of non-slicing floorplans, the O-tree representation is simpler, needs linear computation effort to generate a corresponding layout, and exhibits a smaller upper-bound of possible configurations. This paper addresses the problem of handling symmetry constraints in the context of the O-tree representation. This problem arises in analog placements, where symmetry is often used to match layout-induced parasitics and to balance thermal couplings in differential circuits. The good performance of our placement tool dealing with several analog designs taken from industry proves the effectiveness of our technique.
Computer science in a liberal arts environment

This paper describes aspects of an experience setting up a new computer science curriculum in a small four year liberal arts college. Despite previous experience setting up such a program in an engineering environment, and the fact that in retrospect the problems seems obvious, the nature of problems encountered surprised the author. He caused himself and others both discomfort and hard work because he did not perceive fundamental causes sufficiently quickly and clearly, and hopes others working with liberal arts colleagues on curriculum development will find the ideas presented here helpful.
Lumbar radiofrequency sympatholysis

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this article is to present a modified technique for lumbar radiofrequency sympatholysis and to compare the results with chemical sympatholysis. Methods: Eight patients underwent the percutaneous procedure on an outpatient basis. Sympatholysis was produced with a radiofrequency lesion generator according to distinct anatomic criteria. Results: Six of eight patients met previously used criteria for sympatholysis 8 weeks after the procedure. Postsympatholytic neuralgia occurred transiently in 50% of patients. Conclusions: The technique produces sympatholysis comparable to that produced by phenol 6%, while it theoretically avoids the risk of neurologic deficits associated with chemical agents. The technique may be useful in patients for whom surgical sympathectomy is undesirable. (J VASC SURG 1993;17:801-6.)
Formation of Aquo Ions

IN two publications on this general topic, Bjerrum and Jorgensen1, and Jorgensen2, have reported on the absorption spectra in ethanol–water mixtures of cobaltous nitrate, among other salts. They conclude from their results that the spectral changes observed are due primarily to exchange between alcohol and water groups on the cation. They suggest in particular1,2 that the conclusions of Katzin and Gebert3, based on studies with varied solvents and experimental conditions, to the effect that the spectral changes between water solution and solutions in organic solvents are due primarily to cation–anion complex interaction are therefore in error.
Acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization: The synthesis of unsaturated polyamines

A series of α,ω-(N-phenyl)aminodienes were synthesized to test their polymerizability with Schrock's molybdenum alkylidene Mo(CHCMe 2 Ph)(N-2,6-Ph-iPr 2 )(OCMe(CF 3 ) 2 ) 2
Skin tumor responsiveness to interleukin-2 treatment and CD8 Foxp3+ T cell expansion in an immunocompetent mouse model

Recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) therapy is approved for treating patients with advanced melanoma yet significant responses are observed in only 10-15% of patients. Interleukin-2 induces Foxp3 expression in activated human CD8 T cells in vitro and expands circulating CD8 Foxp3+ T cells in melanoma patients. Employing IL-2 responsive (B16-F1, B16-BL6, JB/MS, MCA-205) and nonresponsive (JB/RH, B16-F10) subcutaneous tumor mouse models, we evaluated CD8 Foxp3+ T cell distribution and changes in response to rhIL-2 (50,000 U, i.p. or s.q., twice daily for 5 days). In tumor-free mice and subcutaneous tumor-bearing mouse models, CD8 Foxp3+ T cells were a rare but naturally occurring cell subset. Primarily located in skin-draining lymph nodes, CD8 Foxp3+ T cells expressed both activated T cell (CD28(+), CD44(+)) and Treg (CTLA4(+), PD1(lo/var), NKG2A(+/var)) markers. Following treatment with rhIL-2, a dramatic increase in CD8 Foxp3+ T cell prevalence was observed in the circulation and tumor-draining lymph nodes (TD.LNs) of animals bearing IL-2 nonresponsive tumors, while no significant changes were observed in the circulation and TD.LNs of animals bearing IL-2 responsive tumors. These findings suggest expansion of CD8 Foxp3+ T cell population in response to rhIL-2 treatment may serve as an early marker for tumor responsiveness to immunotherapy in an immune competent model. Additionally, these data may provide insight to predict response in patients with melanoma undergoing rhIL-2 treatment.
A rare case of combined type I and II first branchial sinus

The authors report a rare case of first branchial sinus with combined Work's type I and type II characteristics. Instead of a sinus opening in the neck, this sinus opened above the angle of the jaw in the face. The facial nerve was significantly more superficial to the tympanomastoid suture line than normal. Early diagnosis, ensuring complete resection, and avoidance of facial nerve injury are challenging issues discussed here.
Anatomically constrained reconstruction from noisy data

Noise is a major concern in many important imaging applications. To improve data signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), experiments often focus on collecting low-frequency k-space data. This article proposes a new scheme to enable extended k-space sampling in these contexts. It is shown that the degradation in SNR associated with extended sampling can be effectively mitigated by using statistical modeling in concert with anatomical prior information. The method represents a significant departure from most existing anatomically constrained imaging methods, which rely on anatomical information to achieve super-resolution. The method has the advantage that less accurate anatomical information is required relative to super-resolution approaches. Theoretical and experimental results are provided to characterize the performance of the proposed scheme.
A 6×6 drop plate method for simultaneous colony counting and MPN enumeration of Campylobacter jejuni, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli

A protocol was developed using 96-well plates and multichannel pipettes for serial dilutions, followed by drop plating on agar in a 6 x 6 format. This protocol permits simultaneous plating of six dilutions which greatly decreases the number of plates utilized thereby saving incubator space for organisms such as Campylobacter which require unique environmental conditions.
Latent Variable Models in the Investigation of Salary Discrimination: Theory and Practice

Statistical methods play an important role in salary discrimination litigation. Regression analysis is the most widely used method in this application. In regression analysis, group differences in salary are evaluated among employees who have been matched on measured “merit” variables (e.g., years of job experience). Difficulties often arise because important merit variables may be unmeasured, or because the available measures of merit are fallible. An alternative approach in this case lies in the use of several latent variable path models that have been proposed for the salary problem (Birnbaum, 1979; McFatter, 1987). The theoretical and practical implications of these models are discussed. The use of the models is illustrated in real data.
Preliminary evidence that regular vinegar ingestion favorably influences hemoglobin A1c values in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

This report examined whether daily acetic acid ingestion as vinegar, dill pickle, or commercial vinegar pill influenced hemoglobin A1c in diabetic patients. Hemoglobin A1c values fell 0.16% with vinegar use but rose 0.06% and 0.22% for pill and pickle use respectively (p = 0.018). Hence, regular vinegar use modestly improved glycemic control.
Doppler shift of continuum x rays from heavy-ion collisions

The continuum K x-ray spectrum from 200-MeV Kr + Zr has been found to undergo a Doppler shift with an effective Doppler velocity equal to (0.92 +- 0.03) v/sub ci/, where v/sub ci/ is equal to the center-of-mass velocity of the intermediate Kr + Zr molecule, corresponding to the incident projectile velocity. If the x rays are indeed generated by quasimolecular processes, the expected Doppler velocity is 0.90v/sub ci/, taking into account the slowing down of the projectile in the target. The anisotropy of the continuum spectrum in the c.m. system is derived. (AIP)
CONTINUUM AND DIPOLE-LATTICE MODELS OF SOLVATION

Dipole-lattice and continuum-dielectric models, which are two important “simplified” models of solvation, are analyzed and compared. The conceptual basis of each approach is briefly examined, and the relationship between the two methodologies is explored. The importance of dipole lattices in the development of dielectric theory is stressed. The Clausius−Mossotti equation, which is the result of early attempts at relating the dielectric constant to “microscopic” quantities, also applies to cubic lattices of Langevin dipoles or point polarizabilities. The presence of thermal fluctuations, rather than inter-dipolar or specific short range interactions is found to be the fundamental reason for the deviation of dipolar materials from the Clausius−Mossotti equation. The fact that the continuum dielectric is the infinite dipole density limit of a more general dipole-lattice description is shown by recovering the continuum results with dipole lattices of high number density. The linearity of a continuum model is ...
Aluminum hydroxide and magnesium trisilicate plus mucin in the treatment of 125 patients with peptic ulcer.

The clinical experiences in 125 patients, both as to immediate and late effect, with a new antacid “Mucotin” (aluminum hydroxide, magnesium trisilicate and gastric mucin mixture) are discussed in the light of recent ideas as to ulcer prevention and ulcer treatment. This substance led to rapid clinical improvement during the stage of exacerbation and also apparently prolonged the pain-free intervals, having a recurrence rate of 15 to 18% in 12 to 24 months respectively. Two case histories are presented as demonstrating the rapid healing in gastric ulcer. The possible basis for the beneficial effect of this substance is discussed.
Reheat response and accelerated cooling of a microalloyed steel with an air/water atomizer: Effect on microstructure and mechanical properties

The use of an atomizer for accelerated cooling is discussed. An atomizer is an effective tool for controlling the microstructure and properties of a microalloyed steel because of its flexibility of operation and control of cooling rate over a broad range of temperatures. Some basic issues regarding heat transfer in pool boiling and in spray cooling also are presented. Reheating response studies were conducted in addition to studies of the effect of accelerated cooling on the microstructure and properties of a low- carbon steel microalloyed with niobium and vanadium. This steel produces a tempered martensitic microstructure on quenching and a predominantly bainitic microstructure at slower cooling rates. The yield, tensile, and fracture strengths can be tailored by controlling the cooling rate, which in turn can be controlled by the air/water ratio and flow rates in the atomizer. Impact toughness is a function of cooling rate and reaches a maximum followed by a decrease,probably due to the formation of upper bainite at lower cooling rates. Fractographic studies indicated that tensile fracture occurred by microvoid coalescence, with the dimple size decreasing as the cooling rate decreased. Charpy impact fracture studies indicated that the primary mode of failure was by quasi- cleavage, with the number of secondary cracks also decreasing as the cooling rate decreased.
Photocurrent measurements of supercollision cooling in graphene

A time-dependent study of the effective temperature of carriers in impurity-free graphene now indicates that a disorder-assisted mechanism is responsible for cooling hot electrons. Observation of this so-called supercollision contradicts the idea that electron–phonon interactions dominate cooling.
Consumer engagement in health technologies special interest group

How do we keep consumers engaged in using health technologies? We welcome all researchers and practitioners who are interested in this question to join us for a spirited discussion, hosted by the CHI Health Community.
An evaluation of expressions for wave energy dissipation due to bottom friction in the presence of currents: reply to the comments of Z.J. You

Before replying to the interesting discussion of Dr. You, a general remark on the paper has to be made. In my paper, bottom friction is discussed from the point of view of the wind-wave modeler. The problem is formulated accordingly; wave height attenuation is calculated using the wave height and the wave period or frequency, the linear wave theory and available bottom friction/energy dissipation models [note that most models assume that fw=f~, because the error thus introduced is expected to be small compared to observational errors, e.g., Grant and Madsen (1979) ]. For the same reason only those observations have been used which actually consider the wave height attenuation. Because these observations are prone to contamination (e.g., You, 1993, point [2]; Tolman, 1992, pp. 171-172), the quality of the data has been discussed extensively (Tolman, 1992, p. 173), resulting in the rejection of several datasets. In the following the four points of You ( 1993 ) will be discussed separately. Figure numbers, page numbers and symbols used, relate to Tolman ( 1992 ) unless specified differently. The papers and models of Christoffersen and Jonsson (1985) and Grant and Madsen (1979) will be denoted as CJ and GM, respectively. The papers and data of Simons et al. (1988) and Kemp and Simons ( 1982, 1983) will be denoted as SGK, KS82 and KS83.
Altering the Proclivity towards Daptomycin Resistance in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Using Combinations with Other Antibiotics

Daptomycin (DAP) is increasingly used as a part of combination therapy, particularly in complex methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. While multiple studies have reported the potential for synergy between DAP and adjunctive anti-infectives, few have examined the influence of adjunctive therapy on the emergence of DAP resistance. This study examined eight adjunctive antimicrobial combinations with DAP in vitro and the emergence of DAP resistance over time (up to 4 weeks) using clinical isolates of DAP-susceptible MRSA (MIC, 0.5 μg/ml) in which DAP resistance subsequently developed during patient therapy (MIC, 3 μg/ml). In addition to DAP susceptibility testing, selected strains were examined for phenotypic changes associated with DAP resistance, including changes to cell wall thickness (CWT) and cell membrane alterations. The addition of either oxacillin or clarithromycin in medium containing DAP significantly inhibited the development of DAP resistance through the entirety of the 4-week exposure (10- to 32-fold MIC reduction from that of DAP alone). Combinations with rifampin or fosfomycin were effective in delaying the emergence of DAP resistance through the end of week one only (week one MIC, 0.5 μg/ml; week four MIC, 24 μg/ml). Cell wall thickening was observed for all antibiotic combinations regardless of their effect on the DAP MIC (14 to 70% increase in CWT), while changes in cell membrane fluidity were variable and treatment dependent. DAP showed reduced activity against strains with DAP MICs of 1 to 12 μg/ml, but cell membrane integrity was still disrupted at concentrations achieved with doses greater than 10 mg/kg of body weight. The emergence of DAP resistance in MRSA is strongly influenced by the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of adjunctive antimicrobials. These data suggest that combining DAP with oxacillin or clarithromycin may delay the development of DAP resistance in cases requiring prolonged antibiotic therapy.
INCREASING EFFECTIVENESS OF VISUAL TRAPS FOR THE CARIBBEAN FRUIT FLY, ANASTREPHA SUSPENSA (DIPTERA: TEPHRITIDAE), BY USE OF FLUORESCENT COLORS

Fluorescent orange sticky traps (15 times 20 cm) reflecting maximally at 590 nm captured significantly more Caribbean fruit flies than nonfluorescent orange traps. Fluorescent traps with reflectance peaks at 510 and 610 nm also tended to capture more flies than the plain orange traps. Fly capture rates were directly related to the proportion of total light reflected in the 580–590 nm region and to the intensity of light of this hue. The fluorescent orange paint combined these features (optimal hue and high-intensity emission). A disproportionate number of the captured flies were females (70%), as only ca. 50% of the adults reared from field-infested fruit were females. Most (80%) of the captured females were reproductively mature. These data support previous indications that responses to orange panels represent fruit-seeking rather than foliage-seeking behavior. The relevance of these findings is discussed in relation to fruit fly detection programs. RESUME RENFORCEMENT DE PIEGES ATTRACTIFS VISUELS POUR ANASTREPHA SUSPENSA (THE CARIBBEAN FRUIT FLY) PAR EMPLOI DE COULEURS FLUORESCENTES Des pieges adhesifs (15 times 20 cm) fluorescents de coloration orange, dont la reflexion maximale se situe a 590 nm, capturent significativement plus de cette mouche des fruits (Anastrepha suspensa) que des pieges oranges non fluorescents. Des pieges fluorescents avec maxima de lumiere reflechie a 510 et 610 nm tendent aussi a capturer plus de mouches que des pieges oranges simples. Les taux de capture de mouches sont en relation directe avec la proportion de lumiere totale reflechie dans la region spectrale 580–590 nm et avec l'intensite lumineuse dans cette longueur d'onde. La peinture fluorescente orange combine ces deux avantages (couleur optimale et emission de forte intensite). Un nombre disproportionne des mouches capturees sont des femelles (70%) alors que seulement 50% environ des mouches issues de fruits naturellement infestes sont des femelles. La majorite (80%) des femelles capturees etaient genitalement mures. Ces divers faits sont en accord avec les donnees anterieures etablissant que les reponses aux panneaux oranges correspondent a un comportement de recherche de fruits plutot que de recherche de feuillage. La valeur de ces observations est discutee en relation avec les programmes d'avertissements relatifs a la mouche des fruits.
Properties of n type Ge-doped epitaxial GaAs layers grown from Au-rich melts☆

Abstract Degenerate n -type GaAs epitaxial layers doped with Ge are grown from a Au-rich melt. The layers are typical of those produced via the alloy-regrowth process used to make contacts with AuGe or AuSb + 2% Ge. Traps are found in the forbidden gap with one trap induced by the AuGe complex identified at 160 meV above the valence band edge.
Gonadal dysfunction in the spontaneously diabetic BB rat

Diabetes which occurs spontaneously in the BB Wistar rat is associated with reduced fertility, predominantly in breeding males. In the first month of diabetes, there is a significant ( p
Responses to other-imposed pro-black pressure: Acceptance or backlash?

Abstract Although previous work suggests that exposure to other-imposed pressure to respond favorably toward Black people may reduce at least overt expressions of prejudice, the consequences of such pressure beyond initial compliance has not been explored. Across three studies, we examined the implications of complying with pro-Black pressure for people's affective, attitudinal, and behavioral responses as a function of their source of motivation to respond without prejudice. The findings indicate that those who are primarily externally motivated to respond without prejudice (low internal, high external motivation) feel constrained and bothered by politically correct pressure (Study 1). In addition, whether the pressure was imagined (Study 1 and 2) or real (Study 3), these participants responded with angry/threatened affect when pressured to comply with other-imposed pro-Black pressure. Finally, these affective responses resulted in backlash (both attitudinal and behavioral) among the low internal, high external participants, presumably in an attempt to reassert their personal freedom.
Hydrothermal Pretreatment of Rubber Wood for the Saccharification Process

Rubber wood (Hevea brasiliensis) was employed as a biomass raw material for the hydrothermal pretreatment process for the enzymatic hydrolysis. Pulverized rubber wood was treated at 130−280 °C using an autoclave with inner volume of 96 cm3. The glucose content of the treated liquid product was measured. The solid product was analyzed for cellulose content and further treated with cellulase. The product glucose yield indicated the effectiveness of the hydrothermal pretreatment. A reaction network model for the hydrothermal pretreatment was proposed and applied successfully. The reaction parameters were determined.
The promotion of women's cooperatives in Mexico: Is feminist technical assistance an Oxymoron?

Abstract This article examines one of the fundamental dilemmas in grass roots planning practice—how to provide planning expertise to disenfranchised clients while not creating systems of dependence among those clients on that expertise. Specifically, the article investigates attempts to provide feminist technical assistance to women in rural production cooperatives in three communities in central Mexico. The three cases provide both positive and negative insights into how to provide empowering, and feminist, technical assistance. The cases raise questions about two issues in local development planning for women: why is it that a ‘cult of expertise’ tends to develop in technical assistance agencies, and how can we develop alternative approaches that respect women's ‘local knowledge'?; and how can cooperatives construct a feminist labour process’ that integrates domestic and market relations.
Efficient Parametric Signal Estimation From Samples With Location Errors

We introduce an iterative linear estimator (ILE) for estimating a signal from samples having location errors and additive noise. We assume that the signals lie in the span of a finite basis and the location errors and noise are mutually independent and normally distributed. The parameter estimation problem is formulated as obtaining a maximum likelihood (ML) estimate given the observations and an observation model. Using a linearized observation model we derive an approximation to the likelihood function. We then adopt an iterative strategy to develop a computationally efficient estimator, which captures the first order effect of sample location errors on signal estimation. Through numerical simulations we establish the efficacy of the proposed estimator for one-dimensional and two-dimensional parametric signals, comparing the mean squared estimation error against a basic linear estimator. We develop a numerical approximation of the Cramer-Rao lower bound (CRB) and the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm, and for a one-dimensional signal compare our algorithm against them. We show that for high location error variance and small noise variance the mean squared error (MSE) with ILE is significantly lower when compared to the baseline linear estimator. When compared to EM, our algorithm provides comparable MSE with a significant reduction in computational time.
A modified Feautrier method for expanding atmospheres

Abstract Rybicki's rearrangement scheme is applied to a plane parallel expanding stellar atmosphere, as solved in the co-moving frame with the Feautrier method by Noerdlinger and Rybicki (NR). The gain in timing requirement is slight, because fewer frequencies are needed in a fluid frame code, but the gain in storage is great, because back-substitution becomes unnecessary. The formulation becomes much simpler, because the rectangular matrices of NR become square. Furthermore, the “interleaving” technique of NR, wherein the mean intensity and fluxlike variables are defined in alternate layers, can be preserved, with the bonus that the local values of the radiation force naturally alternate with those of the mean intensity in the solution vector. The scheme is readily adaptable to non-monotonically varying velocity fields, in contrast to the original formulation.
Prompting Thermostat Setting Behavior: Public Response to a Presidential Appeal for Conservation

Variations in prompting procedures have been used widely to encourage energy conservation. Findings generally show that prompts produce relatively small changes. One question of interest is the potential for change when intensive prompts to conserve energy do exist. Two surveys were conducted to assess thermostat setting during the natural gas crisis of 1977, when President Carter appealed to citizens to turn their thermostats to 65 degrees: a door-to-door survey in which thermostat settings were actually observed immediately after President Carter's appeal, and a telephone survey to obtain reports of thermostat settings. The results showed that: (1) only 27% of households had their thermostats set to 65 degrees or lower after President Carter's appeal; (2) those who heard the appeal were not significantly different from those who did not, on a variety of measures; (3) reports of thermostat settings were significantly lower than observed settings; and (4) indirect evidence suggests that citizens made only...
Brand equity in a tourism destination

Brand equity is a well-known concept within the marketing sciences. It refers to a product’s value from the return generated from a firm’s marketing strategy. The concept is not easy to apply to a destination as the destination ‘firm’ is a mix of various stakeholders including residents who offer their space to tourists without remuneration. In this article, the history of destination image studies is traced to its eventual evolution into destination branding. The concept of destination brand equity is then discussed as more than a simple return to a destination’s marketing strategy. The case is made that destination brand equity is integrally tied to sustainability. The article offers a model and corresponding equations to measure destination sustainability arguing that brand equity measurement is one and the same process. Owing to the unique characteristics of a destination the two concepts converge.
Singlet-triplet splitting, correlation and entanglement of two electrons in quantum dot molecules

Starting with an accurate pseudopotential description of the single-particle states, and following by configuration-interaction treatment of correlated electrons in vertically coupled, self-assembled $\mathrm{InAs}∕\mathrm{GaAs}$ quantum dot molecules, we show how simpler, popularly practiced approximations, depict the basic physical characteristics including the singlet-triplet splitting, degree of entanglement (DOE), and correlation. The mean-field-like single-configuration approaches such as Hartree-Fock and local spin density, lacking correlation, incorrectly identify the ground-state symmetry and give inaccurate values for the singlet-triplet splitting and the DOE. The Hubbard model gives qualitatively correct results for the ground-state symmetry and singlet-triplet splitting, but produces significant errors in the DOE because it ignores the fact that the strain is asymmetric even if the dots within a molecule are identical. Finally, the Heisenberg model gives qualitatively correct ground-state symmetry and singlet-triplet splitting only for rather large interdot separations, but it greatly overestimates the DOE as a consequence of ignoring the electron double occupancy effect.
Spinning-top dynamics of photorefractive grating

Abstract The photorefractive grating generated by two coupled waves produces a rich spatiotemporal dynamics such as those of solitons and chaos. In this paper, the dynamics of grating along with the slow-varying envelope of two coupled waves is studied where the photorefractive-coupling constant is large or more importantly the dynamics is much faster than the photorefractive response time of the material. Under this condition, new solutions of the dynamic grating equations are presented and analytically solved in the form of the Jacobi’s Elliptic functions. The spatiotemporal grating can result in a periodic space-charge field which in turn generates the space charge waves in the periodic case as a result of the spatiotemporal dynamics of the anisotropic two-wave mixing process. The theoretical work of the limiting case is in good agreement with the experimental results using a BaTiO 3 crystal.
Selective STAT Protein Degradation Induced by Paramyxoviruses Requires both STAT1 and STAT2 but Is Independent of Alpha/Beta Interferon Signal Transduction

The alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta)-induced STAT signal transduction pathway leading to activation of the ISGF3 transcription complex and subsequent antiviral responses is the target of viral pathogenesis strategies. Members of the Rubulavirus genus of the Paramyxovirus family of RNA viruses have acquired the ability to specifically target either STAT1 or STAT2 for proteolytic degradation as a countermeasure for evading IFN responses. While type II human parainfluenza virus induces STAT2 degradation, simian virus 5 induces STAT1 degradation. The components of the IFN signaling system that are required for STAT protein degradation by these paramyxoviruses have been investigated in a series of human somatic cell lines deficient in IFN signaling proteins. Results indicate that neither the IFN-alpha/beta receptor, the tyrosine kinases Jak1 or Tyk2, nor the ISGF3 DNA-binding subunit, IFN regulatory factor 9 (IRF9), is required for STAT protein degradation induced by either virus. Nonetheless, both STAT1 and STAT2 are strictly required in the host cell to establish a degradation-permissive environment enabling both viruses to target their respective STAT protein. Complementation studies reveal that STAT protein-activating tyrosine phosphorylation and functional src homology 2 (SH2) domains are dispensable for creating a permissive STAT degradation environment in degradation-incompetent cells, but the N terminus of the missing STAT protein is essential. Protein-protein interaction analysis indicates that V and STAT proteins interact physically in vitro and in vivo. These results constitute genetic and biochemical evidence supporting a virus-induced, IFN-independent STAT protein degradation complex that contains at least STAT1 and STAT2.
Pharmacokinetic Model for Nalidixic Acid in Man I: Kinetic Pathways for Hydroxynalidixic Acid

A model which includes the parameters of absorption, metabolism, and excretion of hydroxynalidixic acid (HNA) is presented. Individual rate constants for the absorption and disappearance of HNA in 5 subjects were determined. Theoretical plasma-level curves based upon these constants were calculated, and good agreement with the experimental data was obtained. Rate constants for glucuronide formation, oxidation, and excretion of HNA were calculated.
Hybrid Samplers for Ill-Posed Inverse Problems

In the Bayesian approach to ill-posed inverse problems, regularization is imposed by specifying a prior distribution on the parameters of interest and Markov chain Monte Carlo samplers are used to extract information about its posterior distribution. The aim of this paper is to investigate the convergence properties of the random-scan random-walk Metropolis (RSM) algorithm for posterior distributions in ill-posed inverse problems. We provide an accessible set of sufficient conditions, in terms of the observational model and the prior, to ensure geometric ergodicity of RSM samplers of the posterior distribution. We illustrate how these conditions can be checked in an application to the inversion of oceanographic tracer data.
A comparison of EM and GMVQ in estimating Gauss mixtures: application to probabilistic image retrieval

Expectation-maximization (EM) is the dominant algorithm for estimating the parameters of a Gauss mixture (GM). Recently, Gauss mixture vector quantization (GMVQ) based on the Lloyd algorithm has been applied successfully as an alternative for both compression and classification. We investigate the performance of the two algorithms for GMs in image retrieval. The asymptotic likelihood approximation is used as a similarity criterion to compare GMs directly. The two algorithms result in very close retrieval performance. We demonstrate that the closeness comes from the close mutual approximation of the GM estimated parameter values and that the two algorithms have similar convergence speed. Our analysis shows that GMVQ has roughly half the computational complexity of EM.
Optimal design of multi-pump Raman amplifiers

Summary form only given. There has been substantial interest in multi pump Raman amplifiers (MRA) with ultra-wide ultra-flat gain bandwidths. A few attemps have recently been made to solve the inverse amplifier design problem, but the achieved flatness proved to be far from optimal, and no attempt was made to compensate self-consistently for the signal-to-signal (STS) Raman scattering induced power tilt. In this paper we present an efficient and self-consistent design method that achieves the optimal net gain flatness.
Evaluating RF ESD protection design: An overview

ESD (electrostatic discharge) protection design for RF ICs is a challenging design problem, for which one critical aspect is to properly characterize RF ESD protection designs. This paper presents an overview of RF ESD protection structure evaluation techniques including ESD zapping test, TLP (transmission line pulse) test and S-parameter measurement. Characterization results of typical ESD protection structures are discussed, based on which suitable RF ESD protection structures are suggested.
College Students’ Revenge Goals Across Friend, Romantic Partner, and Roommate Contexts: The Role of Interpretations and Emotions

Residential college environments provide young people with distinctive relationship opportunities and challenges. A major purpose of the present study was to learn whether college students respond differently to conflict-of-interest vignettes in three different relationship contexts. Students were more likely to make negative interpretations about their romantic partner's behavior than they did about their friend's or roommate's behavior. They were also more likely to feel angry and hurt and to endorse hostile goals and strategies with romantic partners. A second major purpose was to learn about the types of interpretations and emotions associated with revenge goals in conflict-of-interest situations. Results indicated that interpreting the other person's actions as disrespectful and as rejecting was related to revenge goals and also predicted to revenge goals beyond the contributions of anger and hurt feelings.
A need for componentized transport protocols

There has been a steady stream of research over the years into componentized network protocols: protocol implementations assembled from a variety of building blocks. A promise of such frameworks has generally been flexibility: a protocol stack tailored for a particular application can be easily assembled, usually without writing any new code, by binding protocol objects together.
Hypolimnetic metabolism in Lake Washington: Relative effects of nutrient load and food web structure on lake productivity1

The general metabolism of carbon, oxygen, phosphate, nitrate, and silicate in the hypolimnion of Lake Washington is examined from 23 yr of record. Magnitudes of net consumptive and regenerative processes in the water column and sediments are identified and stoichiometries of regeneration in situ are calculated. Aerobic respiration appears to be almost equally divided between the water column and sediment surface. Net nitrification is more rapid in the water column, and silicate regeneration is confined to the sediment surface. Nutrients do not accumulate on average at the Redfield ratio. Rates of hypolimnetic oxygen consumption are compared to production rates inferred independently from 14C and oxygen bottle assays. A third of all gross primary production is respired in the hypolimnion of Lake Washington during spring and summer, but the proportion was significantly lower during an episode of cultural eutrophication in the 1960s. Rates of primary production and hypolimnetic processes decreased in response to changes in nutrient income when effluents from waste treatment plants were diverted from the lake. After a period of recovery from eutrophication, Lake Washington experienced a second basinwide perturbation involving alteration of the planktonic herbivore community. The change in food web structure failed to produce a response comparable to that of altered nutrient loading. Despite inferred changes in algal growth rates and in species composition, total primary productivity and rates of hypolimnetic metabolism did not change.
Using a Vocational Card Sort as an Assessment of Occupational Knowledge

A seven-step, 36-card, vocational card sort mapping task with concurrent verbalizations is presented which may be used in the initial stages of career exploration to assist counselors in assessing ...
Bahaism—A Study of a Contemporary Movement

More and more there is being brought to our attention the news of a great spiritual awakening in Southwestern Asia, that home of the prophets and birthplace of religions. At first it was called Babism, and centered around the brilliant youth, Mirza Ali Mohammed, the Bab, who after six years of teaching was martyred at Tabriz, Persia, in 1850. Later, most of his followers accepted the leadership of Mirza Husain Ali, generally known today as Baha'u'llah, and following his more universal teaching called themselves Bahais. Baha'u'llah after forty years of heroic teaching in exile and imprisonment closed his earthly existence at Acca, Syria, in 1892. The present leader of the movement, Abdul Baha (Abbas Effendi), under whose guidance the Bahai gospel has spread with remarkable rapidity into many countries, has recently spent more than a year in Europe and America, making its principles known, and through his great kindness, his words of wisdom, his sweet persuasiveness, has reflected its pure spiritual light. Apparently, it is not so much an organization as a spiritual attitude, not so much a new religion as religion renewed. Its followers are found in all sorts of ecclesiastical organizations. To be a Bahai a man need not sever his previous religious affiliations; he may remain a Buddhist, or Hindoo Braman, a Parsee, a Mohammedan, or a Christian. He becomes one of the Bahai Movement when he catches the Bahai spirit.
Inhibitory effect of valves on endothelium-dependent relaxations to calcium ionophore in canine saphenous vein.

The present study was designed to evaluate endothelium-dependent relaxation to the calcium ionophore A-23187 in isolated canine saphenous veins. Isometric force recordings and cGMP measurements usi...
Investigation of Surface Sputtering and Post Annealing Effects on Atomic Layer Deposited ${\rm HfO}_{2}$ and ${\rm TiO}_{2}$

Tetrakis (diethylamino) hafnium and tetrakis (diethylamino) titanium were used for the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of HfO2 and TiO2 films on silicon (100) substrates with water being the oxidant. Studies on the decomposition temperatures of both metal precursors within the reactor and on carbon impurity helped determine the optimal ALD temperature range. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that after a short Ar+ sputtering to remove surface contaminants, both HfO2 and TiO2 were carbon-free when films were deposited within the optimal ALD temperature window. However, Ar+ sputtering of the surface altered the chemical state of Ti4+ and led to the formation of lower oxidation states of titanium. Optical profiling in the phase-shifting interferometry mode and grazing incidence X-ray diffraction were applied to probe the change of surface morphology and film crystallinity upon post-deposition annealing at 600°C for 5 min. Capacitance-voltage and current-voltage measurements were performed over a metal-insulator-semiconductor structure after electron beam evaporation of 150-nm-thick Al metal contacts on the dielectric layers; the calculated dielectric constant, k, of TiO2 was found to be about three times higher than that of HfO2 and the measured leakage current densities for both metal oxides were below 2 × 10-5 A/cm2 at 1-V.
The Material Between the Stars

The space between the stars, which looks like an empty black void is filled with cold atoms of hydrogen. Stars form out of this supposed emptiness and eventually return to it.
Global Economic Justice: In Defense of Rawls

In The Law of Peoples (hereafter LP), John Rawls does not discuss justice and the global economy at great length or in great detail. What he does say has not been well-received. The prevailing view seems to be that what Rawls says in LP regarding global economic justice is both inconsistent with and a betrayal of his own liberal egalitarian commitments, an unexpected and unacceptable defense of the status quo. This view is, I think, mistaken. Rawls's position on global or international economic justice is richer, more nuanced, and generally more compelling than his critics have been willing to acknowledge. My aim in this essay is to sympathetically set out and then defend against two common families of objection Rawls's position on global or international economic justice. Objections of the first sort reject Rawls's position as inadequately attentive to the material and economic interests of individual persons worldwide. Objections of the second sort reject it as inadequately attentive to the material and economic interests of well-ordered peoples. Throughout the paper I develop several arguments implicit in LP but not well-developed there as well as offer some additional arguments of my own consistent with the spirit of LP and Rawls's work more generally. I conclude with some brief remarks expressing two worries I have about Rawls's position - one concerning global public goods, the other concerning the formation of a morally adequate and effective political will within the international context under contemporary conditions.