cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating linear response statistics using orthogonal polynomials: An RKHS formulation

We study the problem of estimating linear response statistics under external perturbations using time series of unperturbed dynamics. Based on the fluctuation-dissipation theory, this problem is reformulated as an unsupervised learning task of estimating a density function. We consider a nonparametric density estimator formulated by the kernel embedding of distributions with "Mercer-type" kernels, constructed based on the classical orthogonal polynomials defined on non-compact domains. While the resulting representation is analogous to Polynomial Chaos Expansion (PCE), the connection to the reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) theory allows one to establish the uniform convergence of the estimator and to systematically address a practical question of identifying the PCE basis for a consistent estimation. We also provide practical conditions for the well-posedness of not only the estimator but also of the underlying response statistics. Finally, we provide a statistical error bound for the density estimation that accounts for the Monte-Carlo averaging over non-i.i.d time series and the biases due to a finite basis truncation. This error bound provides a means to understand the feasibility as well as limitation of the kernel embedding with Mercer-type kernels. Numerically, we verify the effectiveness of the estimator on two stochastic dynamics with known, yet, non-trivial equilibrium densities.
A large scale multi criteria suitability analysis for identifying solar development potential: A decision support approach for the state of Illinois, USA

Abstract The State of Illinois is examining prospects to increase the development of in-state renewable energy resources on public lands. In response, this research develops a scalable decision-support tool for identifying suitable areas for solar energy generation in the state. This paper provides guidance for state agency-driven solar development by evaluating the suitability of potential generation areas in terms of environmental impact, socioeconomic costs, and energy productivity, and providing a forum for critical decision-making. More specifically, geospatial technologies are combined with a suitability analysis to reveal the potential for solar energy generation on public lands. This study demonstrates the usefulness of the resulting information for supporting both regional and local decision-making as a Planning Support System (PSS). Our analysis suggests that the large-scale analysis using fine resolution data is useful for comparison and site-specific decision making - with site verification protocols in terms of physical implementation. We find that planning decisions for solar development should use a fine-grained suitability approach at a large scale and a feasibility analysis at a specific scale. We present our findings in statewide application along with a scalable PSS tool to optimize and support solar decision-making process and democratize the information for engaging a broader audience.
Auto-differentiable Ensemble Kalman Filters.

Data assimilation is concerned with sequentially estimating a temporally-evolving state. This task, which arises in a wide range of scientific and engineering applications, is particularly challenging when the state is high-dimensional and the state-space dynamics are unknown. This paper introduces a machine learning framework for learning dynamical systems in data assimilation. Our auto-differentiable ensemble Kalman filters (AD-EnKFs) blend ensemble Kalman filters for state recovery with machine learning tools for learning the dynamics. In doing so, AD-EnKFs leverage the ability of ensemble Kalman filters to scale to high-dimensional states and the power of automatic differentiation to train high-dimensional surrogate models for the dynamics. Numerical results using the Lorenz-96 model show that AD-EnKFs outperform existing methods that use expectation-maximization or particle filters to merge data assimilation and machine learning. In addition, AD-EnKFs are easy to implement and require minimal tuning.
Systems for the study of nuclear assembly, DNA replication, and nuclear breakdown in Xenopus laevis egg extracts.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the conditions for preparing cell-free extracts from Xenopus eggs, which allows the study of nuclear dynamics and has proved fruitful in elucidating the structural and functional requirements for nuclear reassembly, DNA replication, and nuclear disassembly. In the amphibian Xenopus laevis , egg fertilization is followed by a period of rapid and synchronous cell division, which occurs in the complete absence of transcription or of any increase in total mass of the egg. During oogenesis, the egg must synthesize and store a large reservoir of nuclear components for use during the rapid proliferation that occurs during early development. The existence of such a reservoir of nuclear components permits the development of systems for the study of nuclear dynamics in vitro . Xenopus sperm provides an abundant source of chromatin, which after removal of plasma and nuclear membranes, may be easily purified. The chapter diagrammatically presents the preparation of the S phase extract and membrane and cytosol fractions for nuclear assembly. The inhibition of DNA replication by aphidicolin prevents the subsequent activation of maturation promoting factor (MPF) and entry into mitosis, indicating the presence of a control system that monitors the replication state of DNA and regulates the activation of MPF.
Corporate investment in Japan: How important are the financial factors?

This paper tries to answer the question: how important are the financial factors in two declines of corporate investment in the 1990’s in Japan? We find (1) in 1992-1994 the financial factor, specifically an increase in call rate during 1989-91, partly contributed to the decline of investment especially indirectly through the real factor, but it was not a dominant factor; and (2) in 1998-1999 credit crunch which is induced by the so-called banking crisis played a significant role in the decline of investment directly and indirectly. Eliminating this shock leads the corporate investment to positive growth from negative 7-8% growth, and (3) incorporating interaction between financial factors and real factors (financial accelerator effect) greatly increases the estimate of financial factor effect. In other words, considering only direct effect may lead to a significant underestimate of financial factor effect.
Advances in interactive display technologies

How we interface and interact with computing, communications, and entertainment devices is going through revolutionary changes, with natural user inputs based on touch, gesture, and voice replacing or augmenting the use of traditional user interfaces based on the keyboard, mouse, trackballs, joysticks, and so forth. In particular, mobile devices have rapidly transitioned to adopt touch screen technologies as the primary means of user interface during recent years, enabling fun new interactive applications and experiences for the users. We have dedicated this special section of the Journal of the Society for Information Display to present an overview of recent developments and trends in the emerging field of interactive display technologies.
Sperm Bind but Do not Unbind from the Fixed Sea Urchin Egg. (sperm binding kinetics/fixed eggs)

In S. purpuratus sperm remained bound to aldehyde-fixed eggs and did not exhibit a detachment phase. Sperm bound in high numbers and the binding curve was similar to that for unfixed homologous gametes. Binding kinetics were analyzed using sequential still photographs of slightly flattened, fixed eggs under supported coverslips. In this way, a single egg could be observed. Alternatively, sperm remaining in the supernatant over settled eggs were counted at successive time points postmixing using spectrophotometry (340 nm) and hemocytometry. Additionally, aliquots of mixed gametes were fixed at successive time points and the numbers of bound sperm determined microscopically on egg perimeters. The maximum number of sperm bound by 2 min; this number remained at or near maximum for as long as 10 min when the experiments were terminated. When sperm were jelly-reacted before addition to eggs, fewer sperm bound, although binding curves were similar to the above experiments. It appears that the binding efficiency of sperm decreases with time after initiation of the acrosome reaction: (1) fewer prereacted sperm bound; and, (2) sperm did not continue to bind after 2 min even though the egg surface was not saturated. Whether these effects are related to motility or other factors is unclear. Furthermore, the above results indicate the importance of the cortical reaction to sperm unbinding. Such studies enable one to observe sperm behavior while precluding the effects of egg secretion during the initial stages of fertilization.
Local and Global Poverty: Insights Using a Rights-based Approach

Social workers have proposed various conceptual models to explain the relationship between structural oppressions and poverty. These models are grounded in critical social work and each provides an understanding of how systemic issues impact the sustenance and reinforcement of poverty. With rapid economic globalization and further social and economic exclusion faced by people, poverty has become even more deep and complex. This paper argues for the adoption of a rights-based framework in social work to address issues of endemic structural poverty. Grounded on the principle of the inalienability of basic human rights, the rights-based approach changes the discourse on poverty by creating accountability, equality, transparency and participation from welfare states and civil society. The paper also provides a critique against traditional human rights perspectives in poverty alleviation. The paper provides a context in which the rights-based approach could be pursued in global as well as local contexts.
Magnetic storage technology-the 1990s-evolution or revolution?

Summary form only given. The rate of progress in disk drive technology, as measured by the increase in areal density, has been advancing at somewhat better than a 60-percent compound growth rate (CGR), starting with this decade, in comparison with the historic CGR of nearly 32 percent over the previous 40 years. If we look at the CGR of areal density over relatively shorter time periods, we find that in the 1950s and early 1960s, a CGR of as high as 90 percent was reached. This CGR is not surprising for the introductory phase of a technology being exploited for data storage for the first time. Based on the extrapolation of the historic rate, we would have anticipated products with densities of 1 to 2 gigabits per square inch shipping in 1998. However, if the current 60-percent growth rate is sustained, we should see the availability of drives in the 10-gigabits-per-square-inch range by the year 2000. This dramatic difference in projected storage densities carries profound implications on the use of storage devices, the applications that will be developed, and the form that the devices take. This tutorial covers the current status of magnetic storage technology and future trends, highlighting the as yet untapped potential for further advances. >
ADAMTS13 and Angiogenesis

ADAMTS13 has been identified as the von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease and is deficient in the disorder thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. The identification of vascular endothelium as a site of synthesis and secretion of ADAMTS13 has led to studies of the role of ADAMTS13 in angiogenesis. This chapter summarizes recent data demonstrating both pro- and antiangiogenesis roles for ADAMTS13 using cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells and the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model. In vitro, ADAMTS13 increases endothelial cell proliferation, cell-tube formation, and migration. In the CAM model, ADAMTS13 stimulated an eightfold increase in new blood vessel formation, similar to that seen with VEGF. ADAMTS13 also neutralizes VEGF-induced angiogenesis. The TSP-1 domains of ADAMTS13 appear primarily responsible for the proangiogenic activities. Lastly, preliminary data with cultured human brain-tumor cell lines indicate that ADAMTS13 may also promote tumor angiogenesis.
GPCRs Signaling Directly Through Src-Family Kinases

A wide range of extracellular signals are transduced by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). When activated by ligands, GPCRs can activate associated heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), which in turn act on various effectors. Increasing evidence indicates that GPCRs also signal independently of heterotrimeric G proteins. Several GPCRs directly interact with Src-family kinases. Here, we discuss the evidence for direct interaction and activation of Src-family kinases by GPCRs and data that suggest that agonist dosage provides a mechanism by which GPCRs can switch between G protein-dependent and G protein-independent signaling.
The role of special agents in today's world: simulating agent intelligence as local network dynamics and emergent organizational outcomes

We build upon our previous work (Hazy and Tivnan 2003) to represent organizations as a network of agents, tasks, resources and knowledge (Krackhardt and Carley 1998) to explore the emergent effects of agent interactions on organizational outcomes. To do this, we define agents in the context of their position in the network, describe the agent's symbolic representation of its position in the network, and develop a probabilistic function associated with each agent that acts locally to change the network. We conclude with a brief overview of our research in this area to date and the usefulness of this network representation.
Environmental health resilience.

Global Human PopulationsThe capacity of the Earth's environment to support increasing and expanding human populations has been questioned at least for hundreds of years, but never more than in the mid to late 20th Century and early 21st Century. Global human population now exceeds seven billion and continues to increase at an unprecedented rate. Estimates of future (2050) human populations on Earth range from a low of about 7.4 billion to a high of 10.6 billion (“United Nations World Population to 2300”, 2004 accessed at http://www.un.org/esa/population/publications/longrange2/WorldPop2300final.pdf). Current human populations already place an extreme burden on global environmental resources, including air, water and food quality as well as increasing challenges related to human waste management and disease prevention, control and treatment. In fact, some have proposed that humans have entered the “anthropocene”, an age in which the global environment is dominated by human activities (http://www.sciencedai...
Different perspectives: A comparison of newspaper articles to medical examiner data in the reporting of violent deaths ☆

This study compared violent death information reported in state-wide newspaper articles to the medical examiner reports collected for a state public health surveillance system-the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). While suicides accounted for 83% of deaths in the NVDRS database, more than three-quarters (79%) of violent deaths reported in newspaper articles were homicides. The majority of the suicide incidents were reported in 1-2 newspaper articles whereas the majority of homicide incidents were reported in 11-34 articles. For suicide incidents, the NVDRS reported more circumstances related to mental health problems while newspaper articles reported recent crisis more often. Results show that there is a mismatch in both frequency and type of information reported between a public health surveillance system (NVDRS) and newspaper reporting of violent deaths. As a result of these findings, scientists and other public health professionals may want to engage in media advocacy to provide newspaper reporters with timely and important health information related to the prevention and intervention of violent deaths in their community. Language: en
Ribozymes: The hammerhead swings into action

A new crystal structure of a modified hammerhead ribozyme reveals an intermediate conformation that may explain discrepancies between previous structures and the required orientation of the labile bond in the ribozyme's active site.
MeCP2: only 100% will do

A knock-in mouse mimicking a MeCP2 mutation found in human Rett syndrome recapitulates disease features, including progressive motor and cognitive impairments—and correlations emerge between MeCP2 dosage in mice and phenotype.
Calibration of a mass spectrometer experiment for ozone

A system to calibrate a stratospheric mass spectrometer experiment for ozone has been developed and evaluated. The stability of ozone and the formation of impurities within the calibration volume were measured. The half‐life of ozone is about 12 hours, its purity ranges from 95% to 99% and is known to within 1%. The total calibration accuracy of the mass spectrometer experiment for ozone is about ±2%.
Acceptability and Student Outcomes of a Violence Prevention Curriculum

Violence in schools and its prevention have become focal points for research, practice, and policy. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Second Step violence prevention curriculum on all fourth and fifth grade students (N = 455) in one small urban school district. Scores on tests measuring knowledge of the curriculum increased significantly. Significant positive changes were also found for Behavior Assessment System for Children items reflecting student use of problem solving as well as report card items indicating respectful and cooperative behavior. Qualitative data from interviews with students provided in depth information about treatment acceptability and types of behavioral changes observed. Student interviews support the conclusion that the quantitative pre-post changes were directly connected to key components of the violence prevention curriculum. Implications for future research and practice are considered. Editors’ Strategic Implications: The authors present quantitative and qualitative data to suggest that a cognitive problem solving model represents a promising practice for school violence prevention efforts with urban, elementary school children. Longitudinal, experimental research will be necessary to draw any stronger conclusions.
Radiative transition probabilities and recombination coefficients of the ion C IV

Bound-bound and bound-free radiative transition probabilities, as well as radiative recombination coefficients of the ion C IV, are computed with a semi-empirical polarization potential method. The nonhydrogenic probabilities and coefficients are given for all bound states of the ion up to the principal quantum number n = 7.
Exploring potential strategic impacts of XML‐related technologies

Extensible Markup Language (XML) made its entry in the late 1990s, but will it deliver real strategic value to businesses? Applying Norman’s and Christensen’s technology s‐curve, XML‐related technologies are currently crossing the transition point, moving from an originally technology‐driven product to predominately customer‐driven, characterized by a more human‐centered product and/or service. A few application areas are developed based on XML technology to satisfy the changing business needs. Companies and organizations will continue to benefit in an ever‐increasing fashion from adopting these technologies as these XML‐related technologies grow and develop in response to the ever‐changing demands of businesses.
Ethical Issues in the Provision of Online Mental Health Services (Etherapy)

ABSTRACT A number of ethical issues involved in face-to-face therapy are examined in relation to online therapy (etherapy). Etherapy is defined and its strengths and weaknesses discussed. Specific ethical issues addressed include boundaries of competence, basis in science, avoidance of harm, confidentiality, avoidance of false or deceptive statements, forums, testimonials, solicitation of clients, fees, and informed consent. A concluding section briefly addresses legal issues, particularly interstate etherapy. It is recommended that federal licensing legislation be enacted, informed by the NASW, the APA, and similar groups.
An Improved Procedure for the Synthesis of 4-Oxopimelate-Derived Materials.1

Abstract In the course of one of our synthetic projects we required efficient access to 4-ethylenedioxy-2-carbomethoxycyclohexanone 6.2,4,5 Synthesis of this material has been traditionally accomplished by conversion of 2-furaldehyde 1 to furylacrylic acid 2 via an Organic Synthesis procedure (90%),3 followed by treatment of 2 with methanolic HCI to afford dimethyl 4-oxopimelate 3 in reported yields of 60%4 and 80%.5 This latter step requires an especially arduous procedure involving removal of the highly corrosive HCl-saturated methanol by distillation; adding benzene, an additional solvent distillation; retreatment of the residue with methanolic sulfuric acid (apparently to reesterify some monoacid produced from the initial HCl treatment4), and ultimately a vacuum distillation.
Unit-Cell Dimensions of Natural and Synthetic Scapolites

In natural scapolites the cell dimension a shows a regular increase from marialite to meionite composition, while c remains constant. Both a and c of synthetic meionite are larger than the corresponding dimensions of synthetic marialite. The cell volume of both natural and synthetic scapolites is a nearly linear function of composition. Variations in cell dimensions of scapolites may be caused by differences in structural state similar to those in plagioclase feldspars.
Future trends in chiropractic education: conference on clinical assessment.

Quality clinical education and assessment are essential to producing excellent chiropractic graduates and maintaining excellent practice skills for the private practitioner. With that in mind, a conference was developed specifically to address key issues in these areas. On August 26 and 27, 2006 in Pasadena, Texas, participants attended a landmark conference in chiropractic education: Current Concepts in Clinical Assessment, hosted by Texas Chiropractic College (TCC). First envisioned in 2005, Drs. Alan Adams and Steve Foster, both from TCC, organized an educational conference focusing on methods to educate and assess clinical skills of chiropractic students and practitioners. Representatives from various institutions participated, including Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, NCMIC Inc., National University of Health Sciences, Northwestern Health Sciences University, Palmer College of Chiropractic (Davenport), Palmer College of Chiropractic–Florida, Southern California University of Health Sciences, and TCC. The presenters were selected from world-renowned faculty and researchers from health sciences education programs. These multidisciplinary experts participated as speakers and workshop leaders, providing participants with a wide variety of clinical assessment strategies. Plenary presentations included the following topics and speakers (for suggested reading from the plenary presenters, see Table ​Table11): Historical Evolution of Clinical Performance Assessment Within the Health Professions—John Littlefield, PhD Using Standardized Patients in Health Professions Education: Current Trends—Karen Szauter, MD Threats to Validity of Performance Exams: What Can Go Wrong and How to Fix It—Steven Downing, PhD Clinical Skills Assessments: External Drivers and Internal Benefits—Delia Anderson, MS Table 1 A Sampling of Articles Authored by Conference Presenters Workshop presentations included: Defensible Standard Setting Methods for Performance Exams—Steven Downing, PhD Developing Cases for Objectively Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)—Karen Szauter, MD Technical and Software Considerations for Assessment Centers—Balazs Moldovanyi, MS Determining Competence to Practice: The Role of Assessment Centers—Alan Adams, DC and Steve Foster, DC Creating and Maintaining a Standardized Patient Program: Nuts and Bolts—Delia Anderson, MS Throughout the conference, attendees engaged in conversations and discussed the possibility of collaborative efforts in order to fortify the future of chiropractic education. A tour of the campus, including the newly established student assessment center, provided a demonstration and a source of ideas for practical applications that attendees could bring home to their own institutions. Connections were established in which attendees will continue to work independently and collaboratively from a distance. Both Drs. Adams and Foster stated that they hoped future meetings, such as this one, will continue to strengthen the quality of clinical assessment and training in chiropractic education.
Phase I Dose-escalation Study of (SBRT) for Localizes Prostate Cancer

Conclusions: We previously reported a decrease in toxicity associated with the use of intraoperative treatment planning in PPI. With longer follow-up, our results show that this improvement in toxicity was obtained without any detrimental effect on biochemical control. There was a trend toward an improved bDFS with intraoperative technology that did not reach statistical significance. Our experience therefore suggests an improvement in the therapeutic ratio in PPI when using intraoperative treatment planning, although it remains difficult to dissociate the impact of new technology from the improvement of technical skills of the brachytherapy team with time. Author Disclosure: W. Foster: None. P. Despres: None. A. Martin: None. S. Aubin: None. N. Varfalvy: None. L. Beaulieu: None. E. Vigneault: None.
Comparison of reciprocity and discussion-type counseling for marital problems

Abstract Reciprocity counseling had previously been found to increase reported marital happiness in a study using a within-subject design. Fifty-five couples served in the present study using a between-subjects design, additional response measures, and additional positive communication training. The reciprocity counseling provided behavioral contracting, communication training and instruction in mutual reinforcement, whereas the control procedure encouraged discussion of the problems. The reciprocity counseling produced significantly more improvement than the discussion-type counseling for the three marital adjustment measures after four sessions. The improvement was maintained during the 24 months of follow-up.
Anti-Fibrosis Therapy and Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetes mellitus is rapidly becoming a global health issue that may overtake cancer during the next two decades as it covertly affects multiple organ systems that goes undiagnosed long after the onset. A number of complications are associated with poorly controlled hyperglycemia. Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus. Other than angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) there is not much in the armamentarium with which to treat patients with overt diabetic nephropathy. Research points towards a multifactorial etiology and complex interplay of several pathogenic pathways that can contribute to the declining kidney function in diabetes. Patients with diabetic nephropathy (and with any chronic kidney disease) eventually develop kidney fibrosis. Despite the financial and labor investment spent on determining the basic mechanism of fibrosis, not much progress has been made in terms of therapeutic targets available to us today. This may be in part due to paucity in the experimental animal models available. However, there now seems to be a concerted effort from several pharmaceutical companies to develop a drug that would halt/delay the process of fibrosis, if not reverse it. This review discusses the current state of research in the field while staying within the context of diabetic nephropathy.
The paragraph as a semantic unit: Theory into practice

Abstract There are four concerns regarding the paragraph addressed in this article. The authors begin by reviewing the literature and developing the premise that the paragraph does indeed represent a semantic unit as opposed to merely a grammatical convention. Original research analyzing current science and social studies textbooks is then presented to establish the types and frequencies that certain paragraph formats are found in expository material. Next, a discussion is featured which focuses upon the most appropriate time and setting for students to receive specific instruction in recognizing and interpreting ideational relationships within paragraphs. Finally, a specific method of paragraph processing, which has supporting empirical data, is described. The method is presented with enough specificity that any content teacher who so wishes could gain the information to begin utilization or adaptation of this strategy in his/her classroom.
Magnon-photon coupling in thin-film antiferromagnets in the presence of an external static magnetic field

The transmission spectra of a thin film of antiferromagnetic Mn${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ in the presence of an applied static magnetic field along the body $c$ axis is investigated. It is found that exponential damping of either right- or left-circularly-polarized radiation occurs within the the characteristic frequency band gaps. It is shown that a thin-film antiferromagnetic crystal in an applied static magnetic field may be used as an optical device to obtain pure circularly polarized radiation by transmission.
Sustained Growth of Ultralong Carbon Nanotube Arrays for Fiber Spinning

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the strongest materials ever discovered by mankind. With measured tensile strengths as high as 150 GPa and a high modulus of 1 TPa, CNTs are very promising for many high-strength, lightweight applications. Several approaches have been reported to process micrometer-long CNTs into fibers, including dispersing CNTs into polymer or acid solutions and then spinning them into composite or pure CNT fibers. Unfortunately, difficulties in CNT dispersion and alignment have hindered the full utilization of CNT strength. Recently, CNT yarns have been directly spun from CNT arrays. This new approach has the advantage of good CNT alignment and high CNT volume fraction, and therefore is very promising for producing higher strength CNTyarns and fibers. So far, CNT fibers can only be spun from CNTarrays that are less than 300 lm long, and this has limited their tensile strengths to only a few hundred MPa. Therefore, it is critical to synthesize spinnable long CNT arrays so that higher strength can be obtained in the spun CNT fibers. Long active growth is the key to growing long CNT arrays. However, during CVD processes using thin Fe catalyst films, the catalysts usually become inactive within several minutes due to either interdiffusion with the substrate or the accumulation of amorphous carbon. In order to achieve sustained growth for long CNT arrays, catalysts like ferrocene have been added continuously or intermittently into the system to nucleate new catalyst particles during the growth. This makes individual CNTs much shorter than the array height. In addition, CNTs synthesized in this way are often thick and dirty with undesirable excessive catalytic particles and amorphous carbon. Alternatively, sustained growth was realized by introducing a thin buffer layer, either Al2O3 [18,19]
Substrate based CdTe solar cells fabricated on metallic foils: Device, material, and processing issues

Substrate CdTe cells are uncommon due to the difficulty in forming effective contacts to p-type CdTe. The development of such solar cells could further increase the applications and enhance the product characteristics of the lowest cost thin film PV technology, by making lightweight and flexible products possible. This paper reviews the current status of the development of substrate CdTe solar cells on flexible metallic substrates. The influence of substrate impurities, the effect of impurity barrier layers, the effect of heat treatments, and the use of various compounds as back contacts are among the topics to be discussed. Presently the efficiency of foil/CdTe-type solar cells is in the 6.5% range. The performance is limited by low V OC 's (<700 mV) and the fact that the p-type contact to CdTe is rectifying leading to poor FFs.
Contribution of Higher Education to Economic Development: A Survey of International Evidence

While developing countries have prioritised primary education, higher education seems to have been neglected. The paper suggests that the low emphasis placed on higher education is because there has been a general under-appreciation of the contribution of higher education to development. The paper starts by proposing a functional definition that considers ‘higher education’ as a dynamic concept which changes over time and with levels of development. The paper also emphasises the importance of quality of education in development and suggests that most policy focus in Africa has focused on the quantity of education and largely ignored the equally important quality dimension. The paper reviews a wide range of literature that has sought to investigate the link between higher education and development. The studies reviewed focus on returns to higher education and the impact on higher education on economic growth. One of the evidence of the importance of higher education on development is revealed by the fact although there has been convergence across countries in primary school enrolments, the incomes of African countries have diverged from those of Asian and Latin American counterparts. On the other hand, just as incomes have diverged so have enrollments in tertiary education. Overall, the empirical evidence available shows that higher education is crucial to the development of today's societies. The paper concludes with confidence that while primary and secondary education is necessary for development and economic growth, it is clearly not sufficient. The paper provides suggestions for research.
On the optimality of equal class sizes

Abstract Coupling the Glass and Smith (1979) meta-analysis of class size studies with a well-known result on stochastic dominance produces a theorem which suggests that, holding the average number of students per class constant, student achievement increases as the variation in class size decreases. Thus, when class size is the only variable considered which has an impact upon student achievement, equalization of class size is the optimal allocation of students to classrooms and, in addition, entails equity in the application of teacher resources.
The ”Final” model of granular computing

Granular computing(GrC) is a recent label, roughly speaking, jointly coined by Lin and Zadeh in 1996 to denote an emgering technolgy that is based on the computing/mathematical theory of an ancient concept of granulation. In this paper, we present the ”final” GrC model that simplify the earlier version.
Price regulating a monopolist—A note on one thing it will not do

It is common in elementary and intermediate microeconomics texts to see an analysis of the effect government price ceilings have on a monopolist's equilibrium level of output [see, for example, R. McKenzie and G. Tullock, Modem Political Economy, 1978 and E. Mansfield, Microeconomics, 1975]. These analyses all note that as long as the price ceiling is within a certain price range, the monopolist's equilibrium level of output is higher than without the price ceiling. Within an even narrower price range, moreover, the ceiling need not result in a shortage in the market for the monopolist's product. The reason for this increase in output is that with regulation the monopolist's perceived demand schedule becomes perfectly elastic at the regulated price up to the limit posed by the market demand. Many economists no doubt have concluded on the basis of this now standard analysis that price regulation of monopolists in the context of general wage and price controls can have the same beneficial impact. That is, if controls are implemented with attention to the price range in which shortages do not occur for monopolists, the only shortages that will result from the controls will be in competitive industries. In what follows we argue that such a conclusion is faulty. Wage-price controls are invariably instituted during periods of little idle economic capacity in general. Thus, as far as the regulated monopolists' additional outputs are concerned, questions should arise as to the availability of resources to produce the additional goods and services. Of course, one can always argue that monopolists can bid resources away from other industries, thereby producing the additional output at the regulated price. But in a strictly enforced system of wage-price controls, the ability of monopolists to effect such a bidding away would be severely hampered. In such a case, shortages would characterize monopolists' markets. Note, however, that even if monopolists were granted dispensation from the controls in order to bid for additional resources, the price regulation on monopolists would not be costless in terms of new or worsened shortages. The bidding would result in an exit of resources from competitive industries, meaning further tightening of supply in these latter industries. New or worsened shortages will still occur with the monopoly regulation, albeit not in the monopoly industries. Thus, in a wage-price control context, the benefits of price controlling monopolists cannot be viewed in terms of the opportunity to reduce price without attendant shortages.
Learning affine transformations

Under the assumption of weak perspective, two views of the same planar object are related through an affine transformation. In this paper, we consider the problem of training a simple neural network to learn to predict the parameters of the affine transformation. Although the proposed scheme has similarities with other neural network schemes, its practical advantages are more profound. First of all, the views used to train the neural network are not obtained by taking pictures of the object from different viewpoints. Instead, the training views are obtained by sampling the space of affine transformed views of the object. This space is constructed using a single view of the object. Fundamental to this procedure is a methodology, based on singular-value decomposition (SVD) and interval arithmetic (IA), for estimating the ranges of values that the parameters of affine transformation can assume. Second, the accuracy of the proposed scheme is very close to that of a traditional least squares approach with slightly better space and time requirements. A front-end stage to the neural network, based on principal components analysis (PCA), shows to increase its noise tolerance dramatically and also to guides us in deciding how many training views are necessary in order for the network to learn a good, noise tolerant, mapping. The proposed approach has been tested using both artificial and real data.
Evaluation of Fiber Reinforced Aircraft Composites via Nondestructive Testing Techniques

Nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques, such as ultrasonic C-scan and A-scan, time delay tap hammer and visual inspection were employed for advanced aircraft composite panels using standard procedures to achieve maximum possible error free data of voids, fiber volume, fiber wash, inter laminar and trans laminar cracks, miss-oriented fibers, lay-up orders and latent (or hidden) defects. The composite panels with different porosity levels (e.g., 0–2%, 3–6% and greater than 7%) were selected and examined in detail. Data obtained from C-scan images, attenuation (dB loss), time delay, fiber volume and void content was compared each other to determine the accuracy of the experimental results. Optimization of the parameters was conducted using design of experiments. Each technique was also used on a standard reference composite panel to establish the system parameters. We determined that each technique has some degree of variations on porosity and defects of the composites, which may be because of the operating skill, composite types, initial preparation, lack of standardized testing pattern and testing time. This also brings reliability and uncertainty issues for the NDT techniques on the composite panels.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
THE QUAPAW LANGUAGE AND CULTURE SERVICE-LEARNING PROJECT

About half the world's known languages have died out in the last 500 years (Nettle & Romaine 2000), and specialists argue that from fifty to ninety percent of the world's remaining 6,000 languages will die out by the end of this century (Krauss 1992). Of an estimated 300 languages spoken in the area of present-day U.S. when Columbus arrived in the New World, only 175 are still spoken today; and most of those still spoken are only a generation away from extinction, since they are not being learned by children (Nettle and Romaine 2000).
Some Remarks on Vagueness and a Dynamic Conception of Language

L'A. souligne l'interet de la conception epistemique du vague de Williamson et montre que les manieres habituelles de traiter de ce debat representent effectivement le langage trop statiquement, de sorte qu'on comprend mal ce que peut etre reellement une logique du vague
The effect of pH on the dimensionality of coordination polymers.

Hydrothermal reactions of simple alkaline salts or their hydroxides with 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid (H 3pdc) yielded seven new compounds. At a lower pH level three one-dimeinsional structures [Ca(Hpdc)(H2O)4]‚2H2O (1), [Ca(Hpdc)(H2O)4]‚H2 O( 2), and [Ba(H2pdc)2(H2O)4]‚2H2 O( 6) were obtained by evaporation of the solutions resulting from hydro(solvo)thermal reactions of MCl2 (M ) Ca, Ba) with H3pdc in water (1, 6) or in water/Et3N (2 )a t 150°C for 3 days. Crystal structures of 1 and 2 contain zigzag chains of metal centers bridged by a single Hpdc 2- ligand, whereas structure 6 consists of linear chains of metal centers bridged by two H2pdc - ligands. A dimer molecule [Sr(H3pdc)(H2pdc)2(H2O)3]2‚2(H3pdc)‚4H2 O( 4) was obtained from a similar hydrothermal reaction using Sr(ClO4)2‚6H2O instead of MCl2. This compound contains [2+2] metallomacrocycles. At higher pH levels (pH ) 4-6), the three-dimensional polymers [M(Hpdc)(H2O)] (Ca 3 ,S r5 ,B a7 ) were isolated by reactions of MCl2 (M ) Ca, Sr, Ba) with H3pdc in water/Et3N or in M(OH)2 (M ) Ca, Sr, Ba) with H3pdc in water under hydro(solvo)thermal conditions (150 °C, 3 days). Calcium and strontium are seven- and nine-coordinated in 3 and 5, respectively; barium is nine- and ten-coordinated in 7. It was observed that the increase in pH resulted in a higher connectivity level of ligands, which in turn leads to a higher dimensionality of the crystal structures. The correlation between the structures and pH values will be discussed. Crystal data: for 1, monoclinic, space group P21/n (No. 14), with a ) 8.382(2), b ) 12.621(3), c ) 11.767(2) A,‚ ) 98.91(3)°, Z ) 4; for 2, 3, and 5, monoclinic, space group P21/c (No. 14), Z ) 4, a ) 7.711(2), b ) 15.574(3), c ) 9.341(2) A,‚ ) 96.73(3)°, Z ) 4( 2), a ) 6.616(1), b ) 12.654(3), c ) 8.782(2) A,‚ ) 103.65(3)°, Z ) 4( 3), a ) 9.213(2), b ) 12.088(3), c ) 6.196(2) A,‚ ) 98.96(3)° (5); for 4 and 7, triclinic, space group P 1 h (No. 2), with a ) 11.263(2), b ) 11.460(3), c ) 12.904(2) A, R) 71.54(3), ‚ ) 98.96(3), A ) 89.03(3)°, Z ) 1( 4), a ) 7.107(1), b ) 9.780(2), c ) 11.431(2) A, R) 74.69(3), ‚ ) 73.39(3), A ) 85.29(3)°, Z ) 2( 7); for 6, monoclinic, space group C2/c (No. 15), with a ) 20.493(4), b ) 6.708(1), c ) 15.939(3) A,‚ ) 123.56(3)°, Z ) 4.
Macromolecular conformations in solutions. I. Model for chains with partial flexibility

Less-than fully flexible polymer chains in solution are considered. Each chain is represented by relatively rigid and with relatively low pervaded volume groupings of monomeric units called compact bundles, intercalated with extended bundles. A partition function for the system is constructed in terms of numbers of possible kinds of pairs of neighboring bundles, and of configurational energies. Results of the extremization of the partition function show an interplay of the interaction forces as decisive for the behavior of the system. The parameters characterizing the system are related to those in the Elory freevolume theory of liquids and solutions. The resulting equations enable evaluation of the relative concentration of compact bundles and of the numbers of pairs of neighboring bundles of different kinds. The model is related to some experimental evidence. Possible connections to structures of polymer-containing phases other than solutions are pointed out.
Regulation of Nox and Duox Enzymatic Activity and Expression

In recent years, it has become clear that reactive oxygen species (ROS, which include superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and other metabolites) are produced in biological systems. Rather than being simply a by-product of aerobic metabolism, it is now recognized that specific enzymes--the Nox (NADPH oxidase) and Duox (Dual oxidase) enzymes--seem to have the sole function of generating ROS in a carefully regulated manner, and key roles in signal transduction, immune function, hormone biosynthesis, and other normal biological functions are being uncovered. The prototypical Nox is the respiratory burst oxidase or phagocyte oxidase, which generates large amounts of superoxide and other reactive species in the phagosomes of neutrophils and macrophages, playing a central role in innate immunity by killing microbes. This enzyme system has been extensively studied over the past two decades, and provides a basis for comparison with the more recently described Nox and Duox enzymes, which generate ROS in a variety of cells and tissues. This review first considers the structure and regulation of the respiratory burst oxidase, and then reviews recent studies relating to the regulation of the activity of the novel Nox/Duox enzymes. The regulation of Nox and Duox expression in tissues and by specific stimuli is also considered here. An accompanying review considers biological and pathological roles of the Nox family of enzymes.
Patient satisfaction data as a quality indicator: a tale of two emergency departments

Objective: Patient satisfaction is a commonly measured indicator of quality emergency care. However, the existing empirical literature on emergency department (ED) patient satisfaction provides little guidance on how to analyze, interpret, and use data obtained in the clinical setting. Using two EDs as examples, the authors describe practical strategies designed to identify priority areas for potential improvement. Methods: The authors used a cross-sectional, observational design. All patients who presented for emergency care during the designated time periods were eligible. Patients were randomly selected, contacted by telephone, and surveyed using three measures of global satisfaction, 23 perceived quality-of-care indicators, and six perceived wait times. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Comparisons were made of each of the perceived care and wait time indicators against explicitly defined acceptability criteria to determine satisfiers/dissatisfiers. Each indicator was correlated with the three global satisfaction indices. The authors integrated results obtained from applying the acceptability criteria with those obtained from the correlations to yield priority indicators for remediation and maintenance strategies. Results: For hospitals A and B, respectively, 15 (52%) and 16 (55%) of perceived care and wait time indicators failed to meet acceptability criteria. Using the correlations with overall satisfaction, the authors further narrowed the priority areas for remediation to six indicators for hospital A and three indicators for hospital B. One maintenance indicator was revealed for hospital A and four for hospital B. Conclusions: A combination of applying explicit acceptability criteria to descriptive statistics and using correlation coefficients with overall satisfaction can help to maximize the usefulness of patient satisfaction data by uncovering priority areas. These priority areas were broken down into maintenance and remediation indicators and were found to vary considerably depending on the hospital in question. Such strategies can help to refine performance improvement efforts by targeting those domains with the greatest impact on overall satisfaction.