cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating scale dependence of ecosystem service valuation: a comparison of NOAA-AVHRR and Landsat TM datasets

Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine how the spatial scale of measurement influences ecosystem service valuation. Two land cover datasets were compared: one classified from 1-km imagery and one classified from 30-m imagery. The coarse resolution biome dataset used in this study (called the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP) Dataset) was classified from 1-km NOAA-AVHRR imagery and includes 17 biome types. The finer resolution National Land Cover Dataset (NLCD) used in this study was classified from 30-m Landsat Thematic Mapper imagery and has 21 land-cover classes. A common land-cover classification scheme containing eight land-cover types was developed in order to compare the two datasets. The areal extent of these land-cover types in each dataset was determined and then multiplied by the value of the ecosystem services to arrive at a total value for ecosystem services. Generally, the areal extent of Lakes/Rivers, barren areas, urban areas, and wetlands in the NLCD showed the largest increases when compared to their extents in the IGBP dataset. The total value of ecosystem services for every state except New Mexico increased using the NLCD. The total value of ecosystem services for the conterminous US increased by almost 200%. The total value according to the 1 km resolution IGBP data was 259 billion/yr whereas the total value according to the finer resolution (30 m) NLCD data was over $773 billion/yr. Most of the increase in ecosystem service value can be attributed to the increased extent of wetlands in the NLCD. It is also interesting to note that the total value of ecosystem services in the conterminous US is only 8% of gross domestic product of those states ($8.6 trillion). These methods use landcover as a proxy measure of ecosystem service. Some of the pitfalls and promise of this assumption are discussed in the context of spatially explicit remotely sensed image data.
The syndrome associated with mid-systolic click and-or late systolic murmur. Analysis of 32 cases.

We have collected 32 patients with the syndrome associated with mid-systolic click and/or late systolic murmur attesting to its prevalence. Ballooning of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve was visualized in the 11 patients who underwent left ventriculography. Chest pain occurred in 20 of our 32 patients, dyspnea in 16, fatigue in 15, palpitations in 13, and lightheadedness in 9. The clinical pattern was often atypical. A midsystolic click followed by a late systolic murmur was recorded in 18 patients and in eight only a click was observed. In one patient with neither click nor murmur, mitral ballooning associated with chest pain and T wave changes was silent In five patients with proved ballooning only a pansystolic murmur was heard. In 22 patients we noted T wave inversion in lead aVF. Cardiac catheterization showed a “constrictive pattern” in five patients. Selective cine coronary arteriography performed in five patients was normal.
Common reflection angle volumes for subsalt seismic imaging

Summary This paper explains why common reflection angle migration (CRAM) is a practical way of producing superior images in subsalt seismic data. Multipathing is an essentially universal feature of imaging near salt boundaries. Common reflection angle images separate signal and noise better than common offset images. CRAM is able to combine both of these features in a cost-effective way. CRAM images can be QC'd using illumination plots as a function of dip angle.
Framework for Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis of Aortic Coarctation Resulting From Proximal Protusion of Thoracic Aortic Stent Graft Into the Arch

Thoracic aortic stent grafts (TASG) are commonly used to repair aortic anomalies or diseases in a minimally-invasive fashion. One complication of TASG is collapse, whereby blood is unable to completely flow through the graft as intended. Most TASG collapses occur in the setting of endovascular repair of traumatic thoracic aortic transection, where a typically smaller diameter aorta of pediatric patients is repaired with a relatively larger diameter endograft designed to treat aneurysmal disease [1]. It is hypothesized that the poor apposition of the leading edge of the proximal stent graft to the lesser curvature of the aortic arch can result increased hemodynamic force at the leading side of the graft can reach sufficient magnitude to cause collapse and gradual occlusion of the tubular graft. The incidence rates of stent graft collapse in endovascular aortic transection repairs have been reported to range from 0.03% to 10% [2].Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The Northern Colossus of Memnon: New Slants

Chemical and petrographic studies of the two 720-ton ‘Colossi of Memnon’ located near Luxor, and of Egyptian quartzite quarries indicate that the rear pedestal blocks of the northern statue were quarried at Aswan, while the other, main components of the monuments were quarried near Cairo. Our studies suggest that the rear pedestal blocks of the northern statue were part of the reconstruction project undertaken by Roman emperor Septimius Severus. Our studies of the tilting of the statues further suggest that the rear part of the lower torso of the northern statue was moved when the statue was reconstructed. Part of the present-day tilting of the northern statue probably occurred prior to the reconstruction.
Planning for Successful Inservice Education for Local Early Childhood Programs

This article is for leadership personnel who design inservice education for people serving the needs of young children (birth to 6 years of age) with disabilities and their families. Following a definition and description of assumptions and guidelines, an approach for developing an inservice plan is detailed. In the final section, attention is given to special circumstances planners may face as they design meaningful learning opportunities for their local early childhood program personnel.
Proximity versus allostery: the role of regulated protein dimerization in biology

Regulated dimerization of proteins is increasingly understood to be important in many cellular processes, including signaling, transciption and protein degradation. Organic molecules that induce dimerization may offer as much potential to regulate biological processes as those that allosterically induce conformational change.
Quantitative proteomics of intracellular Porphyromonas gingivalis

Whole-cell quantitative proteomic analyses were conducted to investigate the change from an extracellular to intracellular lifestyle for Porphyromonas gingivalis, a Gram-negative intracellular pathogen associated with periodontal disease. Global protein abundance data for P. gingivalis strain ATCC 33277 internalized for 18 h within human gingival epithelial cells and controls exposed to gingival cell culture medium were obtained at sufficient coverage to provide strong evidence that these changes are profound. A total of 385 proteins were overexpressed in internalized P. gingivalis relative to controls; 240 proteins were shown to be underexpressed. This represented in total about 28% of the protein encoding ORFs annotated for this organism, and slightly less than half of the proteins that were observed experimentally. Production of several proteases, including the classical virulence factors RgpA, RgpB, and Kgp, was decreased. A separate validation study was carried out in which a 16-fold dilution of the P. gingivalis proteome was compared to the undiluted sample in order to assess the quantitative false negative rate (all ratios truly alternative). Truly null (no change) abundance ratios from technical replicates were used to assess the rate of quantitative false positives over the entire proteome. A global comparison between the direction of abundance change observed and previously published bioinformatic gene pair predictions for P. gingivalis will assist with future studies of P. gingivalis gene regulation and operon prediction.
Epidemiology of Asthma

The epidemiology of asthma is complex but essential in enhancing the understanding of a disease that affects millions of patients. Asthma is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Asthma prevalence rates in the United States reached a plateau after 1998 with an estimated overall prevalence of 3.8% in 2003. Racial disparities exist and there are staggering differences in morbidity and mortality. The analysis of data collected from epidemiologic studies continues to be a critical part of enhancing the understanding of the pathophysiology of asthma, which will lead to improved patient outcomes.
Is the solar cycle still a puzzle

The solar magnetic cycle affects all levels of the Sun including the convection zone, photosphere, chromosphere and corona. Recent advances in solar space missions (Yohkoh, SOHO and others) and, also, ground-based observations provide us an excellent opportunity to investigate solar magnetic activity in detail, and to draw a new picture of the solar magnetic cycle. Magnetic field appears on the solar surface as a result dynamo processes in the convection zone, and forms bipolar complexes of solar activity. These complexes can be seen in the photosphere as dark sunspots surrounded by the bright plages extended into chromosphere, with arcades of coronal loops best observed in EUV and soft X-rays. The coronal loops reflect the large-scale magnetic structure of complexes of activity. The new data reveal fundamental changes in the magnetic topology during the solar cycle, and details of the polar magnetic field reversals occurring near the sunspot maximum. The solar synoptic maps obtained from the photospheric and coronal data display a close correlation between the erupted magnetic flux and coronal emissions and show large-scale magnetic connectivities. The brief review of solar cycle studies is presented.
Marine productivity estimates from continuous O2/Ar ratio measurements by membrane inlet mass spectrometry

[1] Dissolved oxygen/argon (O2/Ar) ratios in the oceanic mixed layer are indicative of net community production (NCP) because O2 and Ar share similar physical solubility properties, but only O2 is biologically produced and consumed. We describe a membrane inlet mass spectrometer (MIMS) that allows continuous high-precision shipboard analysis of O2/Ar ratios and eventually other gases, calibrated with discrete samples analyzed in the laboratory. We also present O2/Ar data from the eastern equatorial Pacific. Short-term reproducibilities of 0.05% were achieved. Meridional gradients and small-scale phenomena were clearly resolved. O2/Ar undersaturations around the equator reflect the interaction of biological and physical forcings. Mixed-layer NCP estimated from wind speed-gas exchange parameterizations was near zero north of 2.75°N, and about 12 mmol m−2 d−1 south of 6.75°S. Ar supersaturations, calculated from MIMS O2/Ar measurements and accompanying O2 concentration measurements, ranged from −0.8 to +3.0%.
American ginseng leaf: ginsenoside analysis and hypoglycemic activity

Previous studies showed that both American ginseng root and American ginseng berry extracts possess hypoglycemic properties. In this study, we investigated whether American ginseng leaves also have similar capabilities. We first analyzed the chemical constituents of American ginseng leaf and determined the content of six major ginsenosides, i.e., Rb(1), Rb(2), Rc, Rd, Re, and Rg(1), by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subsequently, we evaluated the hypoglycemic effect of American ginseng leaf extract (AGLE) in diabetic ob/ob adult mice. Animals received daily intraperitoneal injections of AGLE 50, 150 mg/kg or vehicle for 12 consecutive days. Fasting blood glucose levels, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), body weight and temperature were measured. On day 5, the 150 mg/kg AGLE group had significantly lower fasting blood glucose levels compared to vehicle-treated mice (223.0+/-13.9 mg/dl versus 258.0+/-14.0 mg/dl, P<0.05), while the blood glucose levels in 50 mg/kg group did not decrease significantly. On day 12, the glucose levels in both AGLE-treated groups were reduced significantly compared to vehicle group (180.0+/-10.0 mg/dl and 220.2+/-19.3 versus 268.0+/-10.0 mg/dl, P<0.01 and <0.05, respectively). IPGTT data showed that both AGLE 150 and 50 mg/kg groups significantly increased the glucose disposal on day 12 compared to the vehicle group. In addition, body weight decreased in ob/ob mice after AGLE treatment, and these body weight changes were accompanied by significant increases in body temperature (P<0.05). Our results suggest that AGLE possesses a significant anti-hyperglycemic and thermogenic activity and may prove to be beneficial in improving the management of type 2 diabetes.
Straightforward solid-phase extraction method for the determination of verapamil and its metabolite in plasma in a 96-well extraction plate

Straightforward solid-phase extraction (SPE) methods were developed for the determination of verapamil and its metabolite in a plasma matrix. The spiked plasma sample was pretreated with 2% phosphoric acid followed by two different SPE methods using a Waters Oasis HLB 96-well extraction plate. Recoveries greater than 90% were obtained using both a generic and a selective SPE methods. The generic method is a good starting protocol, and it is applicable to a wide range of compounds. This generic method consists of using 5% methanol as the wash solvent, and 100% methanol for the elution. The limitation of the non-specific method is that it does not remove all plasma constituents that interfere with the quantitation of the metabolite, norverapamil. A second, more specific method was developed using the same Oasis HLB sorbent which removes more plasma interferences and provides cleaner extracts for the HPLC-UV analysis. This selective method uses both the methanol concentration and the pH advantageously to preferentially isolate the analytes of interest from a complex sample matrix. Recoveries of greater than 90% with R.S.D.s less than 3.8% were obtained with this selective method.
Uncooled infrared thermal imaging systems for law enforcement

For over 18 years, Texas Instruments (TI) has been developing low cost uncooled thermal imaging technology for night vision applications. Using technology developed with support from several government agencies, TI is offering this dual-use technology in a low cost system for police cruisers and other surveillance applications. TI has teamed with Highes Aircraft to provide NIGHTSIGHTTM, now being marketed jointly. Because NIGHSIGHT is a passive thermal image, it gives law enforcement officers the ability to see in total darkness. This capability gives the uncooled system distinct advantages over image intensifiers which require some degree of visible light. It also differs from typical cryogenic or cooled IR systems because it does not contain a cryogenic cooler mechanism or a scanner which lowers the complexity, costs, size, weight, and power consumption. Police across the US have tested prototype sensors with positive results. Police officers often praise the ability to see in total darkness and report the many advantages of the system and how it changes their perspective on law enforcement. Systems have also been provided to the Drug Enforcement Agency, INS border patrol, prison security staff, Baltimore-Washington International Airport security, Texas Parks and Wildlife Service and the Los Angeles Harbor Patrol and have been used in a variety of security and surveillance situations. The paper will address the implementation of the technology; discuss barriers to use such as cost, awareness, and system understanding, and examine the impact of the technology on the effectiveness of law enforcement at night.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Complete Genome Sequences of a Cytopathic/Noncytopathic Pair of Border Disease Viruses

ABSTRACT The complete genome sequences of a cytopathic/noncytopathic pair of border disease viruses (BDV) that were isolated from a sheep with mucosal disease-like lesions were determined. The cytopathic virus possessed an insert of 288 nucleotides that was derived from the Jiv cellular transcript and had 37 nucleotide differences from the noncytopathic virus.
Ophthalmology and Art: Simulation of Monet's Cataracts and Degas' Retinal Disease

Much has been written about the failing vision of Edgar Degas and Claude Monet, and theoretical arguments have been made about the extent to which it was or was not a factor in their late style. 1-7 Contemporaries of both Degas and Monet noted that their late works were strangely coarse or garish and seemed out of character or even unfitting relative to the finer works that these artists had produced over the years. 8,9 To better understand what Degas and Monet were facing in these late years, it would be helpful to know how they actually saw their world and saw their canvases. This article uses medical knowledge and computer simulation to demonstrate their perceptions and show the relevance of their different diseases and styles of painting.
Collective Bargaining and Cost Accounting: The Case of the US Men's Clothing Industry

Abstract The attributes and rationales of modern cost accounting procedures are not unequivocal. Some scholars underscore the adversarial relationship between accounting and labour (Bougen, 1989; Owen and Lloyd, 1985; Ogden and Bougen, 1985) while others contend that accounting data were used as much for social, political and ideological purposes as for efficiency concerns (Hopper and Armstrong, 1991; Ezzamel et al., 1990; Hoskin and Macve, 1988a and 1988b; Stewart, 1992). Alternatively, several researchers have re-examined the origins of cost accounting and more recent costing developments (Fleischman and Parker, 1991; Fleischman and Tyson, 1993; and Tyson, 1990 and 1992). The present paper further explores the development of modern cost accounting practice. It presents a detailed analysis of the US men's clothing industry between 1919 and 1926 and assesses over 1,200 arbitration decisions to determine how piece rates, production standards and standard costs were developed, implemented and carried out in...
Return path inductance in measurements of package inductance matrixes

Circuit theory is applied to derive a transformation to move the reference in a partial inductance matrix from one lead to another. A package is experimentally characterized with three very different return paths to produce radically different partial inductance matrixes. These matrixes are re-normalized and shown to be equal except for the initial measurement return path. Additional measurements show that repeatability is not affected by the choice of measurement return path. Bandwidth can be affected by the measurement return path.
Specificity of the direct solid-phase radioimmunoassay for detection of hepatitis-B antigen.

Abstract The 'Ausria' (Abbott Laboratories) direct solid-phase radioimmunoassay (R.I.A.) test detected ten times as many positive reactions as did counterelectrophoresis in 5089 volunteer donor bloods screened by both methods. The specificity of these reactions was investigated by preincubating sera with either hepatitis-B antibody (HBAb), normal guineapig serum, or normal human serum, to attempt neutralisation. In 21% of 81 sera which had been negative on counterelectrophoresis was the R.I.A. positivity specific for the hepatitis-B antigen (HBAg), as indicated by clearcut neutralisation by HBAb. However, in 42% of these sera the R.I.A. positivity was found probably to be due to cross-reacting antiguineapig globulin antibodies, since the reaction was neutralised by normal guineapig serum. The R.I.A. positivity of remaining sera could not be clearly neutralised by HBAb or by guineapig serum, and hence was probably also not HBAg specific. These results were supported by post-transfusion follow-up studies: transfusion of HBAg-specific R.I.A.-positive blood resulted in serological evidence of hepatitis-B infection in 13 of 15 recipients, whereas transfusion of non-HBAg-specific R.I.A.-positive blood resulted in infection in only 1 of 18 recipients (P
Proteolytic Digestion of the β and γ Subunits of the Receptor for Immunoglobulin E at the Cytoplasmic Face of the Plasma Membrane

AbstractCytoplasmically exposed portions of the high affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E were investigated with controlled proteolytic digestion of plasma membrane vesicles from rat basophilic leukemia cells. Hypotonic shock treatment results in vesicle inversion, thereby exposing the cytoplasmic portions of the ∼32 kDa β and ∼8 kDa γ subunits to surface labeling by lactoperoxidase-catalyzed 125I-iodination. These 125I-labeled protein segments disappeared after treating inverted vesicles with trypsin, and labeled components also disappeared when chloramine T mediated 125I-iodination was used to label receptors after inverted vesicles had been trypsin digested and solubilized. Biosynthetic labeling of receptors with 35-methionine showed that a 17-19 kDa labeled fragment, designated β', remains associated with α after trypsin digestion of inverted vesicles. This β' fragment was confirmed to be the intramembranous portion of the β subunit in experiments where receptors were labeled with the hydrophobic ph...
Discrete abstractions for robot motion planning and control in polygonal environments

In this paper, we present a computational framework for automatic generation of provably correct control laws for planar robots in polygonal environments. Using polygon triangulation and discrete abstractions, we map continuous motion planning and control problems, specified in terms of triangles, to computationally inexpensive problems on finite-state-transition systems. In this framework, discrete planning algorithms in complex environments can be seamlessly linked to automatic generation of feedback control laws for robots with underactuation constraints and control bounds. We focus on fully actuated kinematic robots with velocity bounds and (underactuated) unicycles with forward and turning speed bounds.
Another look at North Sea pole tide dynamics

The mechanism proposed by Wunsch (1974) to explain pole tide observations in the North Sea is evaluated. Wunsch's equations governing pole tide in the North Sea are presented, and solutions for correcting the depth, stream function, and deviation of the tidal height from the equilibrium values are described. The similarity between the Stokes paradox and the tidal equations of the North Sea, and the need for inclusion of inertial terms in the tidal equations are discussed.
Biologic Imaging of Head and Neck Cancer: The Present and the Future

While anatomic imaging (CT and MR imaging) of HNC is focused on diagnosing and/or characterizing the disease, defining its local extent, and evaluating distant spread, accurate assessment of the biologic status of the cancer (cellularity, growth rate, response to nonsurgical chemoradiation therapy, and so forth) can be invaluable for prognostication, planning therapy, and follow-up of lesions after therapy. The combination of anatomic and biologic imaging techniques can thus provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the patient. The purpose of this work was to review the present and future clinical applications of advanced biologic imaging techniques in HNC evaluation and management. As part of the biologic imaging array, we discuss MR spectroscopy, diffusion and perfusion MR imaging, CTP, and FDG-PET scanning and conclude with exciting developments that hold promise in assessment of tumor hypoxia and neoangiogenesis.
Motion of a relativistic electron with an anomalous magnetic moment in a constant magnetic field

Abstract The anomalous magnetic moment of the electron is accounted for by adding a phenomenonological Pauli term to the Dirac equation. The resultant eigenvalues are applied to (a) the non-linear Lagrangian of the E-M field and (b) spontaneous pair production.
Maximum projections of don't care conditions in a Boolean network

The maximum flexibility of a function at a node in a Boolean network is described by the incompletely specified function formed using the union of the satisfiability don't-care set (SDC) and observability don't-care set (ODC) of the node. The normal representation of these sets depends on every variable in the network, can be quite large and may be hard to compute. Usually, we are only interested in the don't care set when restricted to a certain set of variables. We give a formulation for the don't care set of a node in terms of a pre-specified set of variables and prove that this formulation is the maximum projection of the entire don't care set onto the chosen set of variables. This formulation allows computation to start at the target node and proceed by traversing the network outwards. The computation may be stopped at any time yielding a valid subset of the don't care set.
Software process modeling: theory, results and commentary

As an emerging technology, the effectiveness and potential impact of process improvement efforts have been debated, but not fully tested or validated. At the very core of this technological evolution is the idea that the quality of a software product is highly dependent on the quality of the process used for its development. Branching from this central idea are three categories of innovations: process models; modeling techniques; and the novel concept of process maturity assessment. The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state-of-the-practice regarding software process models, modeling techniques and assessments. Particular attention is directed at a process improvement initiative, Humphrey's (1997) Personal Software Process.
Design of modular digital circuits for testability

Modular products and reconfigurable testing processes are crucial in modern manufacturing. This paper discusses the concept of product modularity, test modules of increased reusability and exchangeability, and some aspects of design for testability. A methodology for design of modular products for testability in the presence of testing modules is developed. An integrated approach to design of modular products and test processes is discussed. The relationship between product modularity and design for testability is explored. This paper focuses on digital circuits which may be difficult to decompose into modules. The impact of testability on module sizes is considered. The testability points are identified at the circuit level while modular testing is considered at the board and system level. The main contribution of this paper is in the development of a formal approach to modularize products, and to assess the impact of modularity on the design process and testability.
A Marxist Archaeology, by Randall H. McGuire, Academic Press, San Diego, 1992

McGuire, an archaeologist working primarily in the desert Southwest, presents a critical overview of major theoretical approaches in contemporary archaeology, comparing them to a Marxist perspective he derives principally from Bertell Oldman. (In a footnote, McGuire describes his parent's divorce catapulting him from middle-to-working-class status as a significant factor in his own search for a view of history compatible with his personal experiences.) Intended to clarify and argue for his particular Marxist approach, McGuire's discussions on various archaeological views of his and society are more or less cursory as history of archaeology. The book does give a synopsis and is valuable for its inclusion of the usually neglected Latin American theorists. McGuire is more radical a Marxist than Trigger, so his critiques tend to be sharper and are well worth the consideration of serious students of theory in archaeology.
Modeling and analysis of hierarchical cellular networks with bidirectional overflow and take-back strategies under generally distributed cell residence times

The rapid growth of wireless services and mobile users drives a great interest in cellular networks with a hierarchical structure. Hierarchical cellular networks (HCNs) can provide high system capacity, efficient channel utilization and inherent load-balancing capability. In this paper, we develop an analytical model and a performance analysis method for a two-layer HCN with bidirectional overflow and take-back strategies. Mobile users are divided into two classes. The call requests (including new and handoff calls) of fast and slow users are preferably assigned to the macrolayer and microlayer, respectively. A call from a fast user or slow user can overflow to its non-preferable layer if there is no channel available. The successful overflow call can be taken back to its preferable layer if a channel becomes available. Since the commonly used exponentially distributed assumption for cell residence time and then the channel occupancy time does not hold for emerging mobile networks, we model various cell residence times by general distributions to adapt to more flexible mobility environments. The channel occupancy times are derived in terms of the Laplace transforms of various cell residence times. The handoff rates, overflow rates and take-back rates of each layer are also derived in terms of the new call arrival rates and related probabilities. The stationary probabilities (and then the performance measures) are determined on the basis of the theory of multi-dimensional loss systems.
Task effects and individual differences in on‐line processing of the topic structure of a text

Do experienced readers alter their processing of topics in a text according to task demands? Subjects read a text in preparation for a task that either emphasized topic information (outlining) or did not emphasize topic information (verification). Reading times were recorded for sentences which introduced either major or minor shifts of text topics. Subjects read topic sentences more slowly if they introduced major topic shifts, but the magnitude of the effect depended upon the task and the subjects’ text recall ability. The effect was greater for better recallers than for poorer recallers. Also, the effect was greater in the outline task than in the verification task, but only for better recallers. The results indicate that: (a) Readers determine topic interrelations as they encounter new topics during reading; (b) better recallers are more consistent about inferring topic interrelations; and (c) better recallers are more flexible in their processing of topic information.
The Effect of Regulatory Uncertainty on Investment: Evidence from Renewable Energy Generation

How are firms' investment decisions influenced by potential instability in the regulatory environment? Firms that anticipate regulatory change may alter their responses to current policies, potentially rendering those policies less effective. This article explores the pattern of investments in renewable generation assets in the US electricity industry following the implementation of Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) policies. Viewing these investments through the lens of transaction cost economics, the article investigates whether the likelihood of future regulatory change in a state dampened (or spurred) firm responses to RPS policies in that state. I find that firms invested less in new assets in states that had previously passed and repealed legislation to restructure the electricity industry, indicating that perceived regulatory instability reduces new investment and undermines policy goals. (JEL D02, D81, D23, D21, K2) The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Yale University. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com, Oxford University Press.
Hedge Funds and Hope

The long bull market left many with significant assets to invest, not to mention higher return expectations. Hedge funds have had explosive growth because they offer to satisfy these expectations. Return data from hedge funds of funds, across various hedge fund investment styles, suggest that this perception is not based on anecdotes. A closer examination of the return data and its distributional properties reveals a less sanguine picture. The author argues that a prototypical hedge fund has properties that are attractive and should be part of a sensible portfolio. He then describes adjustments to returns and portfolio construction techniques to account for the special features of hedge funds. It is shown that the proportion of a prudent portfolio invested in hedge funds is much lower than naive analysis would suggest.
Investigating enhanced thorium ionization in TIMS using Re/Pt porous ion emitters

Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) is a widely used, benchmark method in actinide isotopic analyses efforts relevant to various nuclear and geological fields. Despite significant previous use and inherent advantages, however, poor sample ionization continues to hamper the use of TIMS in the measurement of trace species; actinide ionization efficiencies frequently fall below 0.1 % using traditional instrument sources. These low efficiencies seriously limit the ability to measure several highly refractory metals (e.g. U and Th) that may provide key signatures data in non-proliferation, safeguards and forensics efforts. Herein, a relatively new TIMS ion source strategy, employing porous ion emitters (PIEs) atop traditional filament assemblies, is investigated for the first time as a straightforward means of enhancing the ionization of Th, arguably a worst case scenario for TIMS-based actinide measurements. These sources yielded up to 410 % greater Th sample utilization, relative to previously published values and in-house measurements collected using traditional methods. Accompanying scanning electron microscopy investigations provide preliminary insight into the mechanisms of PIE functioning and explore the impacts of extended heating on the constructed source’s structure and composition.
Nepheline Syenite‐Talc Mixtures as a Flux in Low‐Ternperature Vitrified Bodies

A study was made of the use of nepheline syenite-talc combinations as a flux for producing vitrified bodies at low temperatures. It was found that a mixture of 85% nepheline syenite and 15% talc had a lower deformation temperature than either of these materials alone, indicating a eutectic in the system. Bodies were compounded by adding nepheline syenite and talc, in the ratio found to be the most fusible, to clays and flint. Bodies were developed that had less than 0.3% absorption in the firing range cone 02 to cone 2. These bodies had good color. Their modulus of rupture values ranged from 7000 to 10,000 lb. per sq. in.
Geologic Mapping of the Chaac-Camaxtli Region of Io from Galileo Imaging Data

We produced a geologic/geomorphologic map of the Chaac-Camaxtli region of Io's leading anti-Jovian hemisphere using regional resolution (186 m/pixel) Galileo imaging data collected during orbit I27 (February 2000) integrated with lower resolution (1.4 km/pixel) color data, along with other Galileo imaging and spectral data. This is the first regional map of Io made from Galileo data. Nine color and geomorphologic units have been mapped, and the close proximity of dark and various colored bright materials suggests that there is an intimate interaction between (presumably) silicate magmas and sulfur-bearing volatile materials that produced a variety of explosive and effusive deposits in the recent geologic past. This region of Io is dominated by 11 volcanic centers, most of which are paterae that are analogous in morphology to terrestrial calderas but larger in size. Mapping of structural features indicates that most of the active regions occur in topographic lows, and less active or inactive paterae are associated with topographic highs. This indicates that crustal thickness variations influence magma access to the surface. Surface changes in this region since the Voyager flybys (1979) are relatively minor (additional bright and dark flows, color changes), although several active vents have migrated within paterae. This observation, along with the identification of the relatively regular spacing of paterae (approx. 100- 150 km) along a line, may indicate there are multiple interlacing fractures in the crust that serve as magma conduits from the interior. This connection between volcanism and tectonism may have implications for tidal heating mechanisms and their effect on Io's lithosphere. Some inactive patera floors may be evolving into bright plains material, which, if composed of silicates, might explain the strength of Io's crust to support steep patera walls and tall mountains.
Overcoming dropout while segmenting cardiac ultrasound images

Cardiac ultrasound images often contain significant dropout. Image segmentation in the presence of dropout has been previously attempted with a shape prior. However, just by themselves, shape priors fail when the dropout gaps are large. This paper suggests that the dual strategy of modelling the dropout and using shape priors is able to overcome this limitation. In cardiac imaging, dropout tends to occur in predictable regions of the image. The segmentation strategy proposed in this paper learns the dropout function from a training set and uses it as a prior in a maximum a posteriori (MAP) active contour level set formulation. Experimental evidence is provided to show that shape priors can fail in large gaps while the combined strategy is able to overcome this limitation. Comparison of the algorithm segmentation with manual segmentation is also provided.
Aboveground Vegetation, Seed Bank and Soil Analysis of a 31-year-old Forest Restoration on Coal Mine Spoil in Southeastern Ohio

Abstract A 31-y-old forest restoration on coal mine spoil was studied to assess soil chemical composition, percent change in tree density and percent similarity of the seed bank and ground-story vegetation. Seed bank and soil chemistry results were compared to an adjacent unvegetated spoil bank. Of fifteen tree species planted on a barren, coal, spoil bank in 1966, four increased in density (indicating recruitment since 1966), seven decreased in density to 50% and four decreased in density >50% after 31 y. Nine volunteer tree species were recorded on the reforested site since the plantings in 1966. March and July soil collections in 1997 contained seeds of 18 species each, 13 in both collections. Most of the species found in the seed bank were shade-intolerant. No significant difference was found for total seed density between the March (4257 ± 490 seeds/m2) and July (3589 ± 365 seeds/m2) seed banks. Percent similarity between the seed bank and ground-story vegetation from the March and July seed collecti...
The Relationship between Income and Net Worth in the United States: A Virtuous Cycle for High- but Not Low-Income Households

ABSTRACTIs there a reciprocal relationship between household income and net worth and does that relationship depend on initial income? Using cross-lagged panel models of household income and net worth data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, the authors compare the income-wealth relationships of high- and low-income households from 1989 to 2011. Adjusting for demographic differences, the authors find a reciprocal relationship between income and wealth for high-, but not low-, income households. Results suggest intragenerational mobility works differently by initial income, which could partially explain the difficulty of escaping poverty and low U.S. support for liberal social welfare policy.
In vitro initial stability of a stemless humeral implant

Abstract Background Stemless humeral prostheses have been recently introduced. We measured for the first time their in vitro primary stability and analyzed the influence of three clinically important parameters (bone quality, implant size and post-operative loading) on micromotion. We also assessed if displacement sensors are appropriate to measure implant micromotion. Methods A stemless humeral implant (Sidus® Stem-Free Shoulder, Zimmer GmbH, Winterthur, Switzerland) was implanted in 18 cadaveric humeri. Three-dimensional motion of the implant was measured under dynamic loading at three load magnitudes with displacement sensors. Additionally, the relative motion at the bone–implant interface was measured with an optical system in four specimens. Results Micromotion values derived from the displacement sensors were significantly higher than those measured by the optical system (P Interpretation Micromotion of this stemless design was shown to be significantly dependent on cancellous bone density. Patients must therefore have adequate bone quality for this procedure. The influence of load magnitude on micromotion emphasizes the need for controlled post-operative rehabilitation. Measurements with displacement sensors overestimate true interface micromotion by up to 50% and correction by an optical system is strongly recommended.
Sperm-Agglutinating Antibodies in Infertile Women

This paper explored the experience with sperm-agglutininating antibodies in 168 infertile couples. 2 of the 46 subjects with organic causes for infertility had positive sperm agglutination tests and neither became pregnant in the 6-18 month followup period. Of the remaining 122 subjects with no organic cause for infertility 24 (20%) had positive tests (including 13 women with primary infertility and 11 with secondary infertility). 9 of the 24 women (38%) with positive tests became pregnant following condom therapy. There was no correlation between the sperm antibody test and postcoital test nor between sperm agglutinins and ABO incompatibility. These results suggest that a small number of women have specific reactions against sperm or seminal fluid that inhibit fertility. It is concluded that screening of serum for sperm agglutinins should be continued to provide an estimate of immunologic reactions against semen in cases of infertility.
A new genus and species (Cornucollis gen. n. masoalensis sp. n.) of praying mantis from northern Madagascar (Mantodea, Iridopterygidae, Tropidomantinae)

An examination of Malagasy specimens accessed within the Museum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France, produced a praying mantis (Insecta: Mantodea) of an undescribed genus and species. An investigation of the internal and external morphology, in addition to its collection locality, revealed that this specimen belongs to the Iridopterygidae subfamily Tropidomantinae. Furthermore, the specimen’s unique combination of characters justified the creation of a new genus. Geographic distributional records and external morphological character evidence are presented for Cornucollis gen. n. masoalensis sp. n. We provide a dichotomous key of the Tropidomantinae and Nilomantinae genera distributed within Madagascar. High-resolution images, illustrations of morphological characters, natural history information, and measurement data are presented.
Abstract P5-03-03: Antitumor Activity and Cancer Stem Cells Effect of Cetuximab in Combination with Ixabepilone in Triple Negative Breast Cancers (TNBC)

Purpose: The ErbB family, including EGFR, has been demonstrated to play key roles in metastasis, tumorigenesis, cell proliferation, and drug resistance. Recently, these characteristics have been linked to a small subpopulation of cells classified as cancer stem cells (CSCs) which are believed to be responsible for tumor initiation and maintenance. Ixabepilone is the microtubule-stabilizing agent has been expected to be more sensitive than the conventional taxanes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the EGFR monoclonocal antibody cetuximab, in combination with ixabepilone is a more effective treatment, and kill cancer stem cells more effectively as compared to chemotherapy alone in TNBC. Experimental Design and Results: Breast CSC populations were evaluated with FACS analysis (CD44+ and CD24−/low, or Aldefluor+) and mammosphere formation efficiency (MSFE). In vitro, we demonstrated that in triple negative cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and SUM159), cancer stem cell populations were decreased after treatment of cetuximab, or cetuximab plus ixabepilone. In vivo, cetuximab in combination with ixabepilone treatment caused significant tumor regression (cetuximab vs. cetuximab+ ixabepilone; tumor volume fold change P P Conclusions: These studies demonstrate that cetuximab in combination with ixabepilone is more effective than chemotherapy alone in TNBC by affecting CSCs, as well as bulk tumor. These data support a neoadjuvant phase II study comparing ixabepilone vs. ixabepilone +cetuximab in TNBC patients. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-03-03.
Effect of Temperature and Nutrition Upon Macroconidial Formation of Microsporum Audouini

Investigations (1-5, 7, 8, 12, 14-17) of the effect of nutrition on growth and morphology of the dermatophytes have been conducted for some time in this department. Of chief interest to this author has been the study of the factors involved in macroconidial formation by Micro? sporum audouini. The definitive identification of this species alone of the genus Microsporum is a problem in the diagnostic laboratory be? cause of the dirficulty of inducing the formation of macroconidia that are essential for species differentiation. In an earlier study (7) it was found that additions of yeast extract (5 mg per milliliter) to honey agar caused a marked increase in vegeta? tive growth and macroconidial formation. Furthermore, it was ob? served that moderate mycelial growth was supported by the honey agar alone, but few macroconidia were produced, and in many cultures none could be found. Additions of pyridoxine (0.5 to 1 /xg per milliliter) caused no increase in vegetative growth but did induce some increase in numbers of macroconidia. Additions of thiamine (0.5 to 1 /xg per milliliter of medium) or thiamine and pyridoxine caused no increase in macrospore formation. In a subsequent study (8) in which a variety of nutrients were incorporated in rice infusion agar and a chemically defined agar medium, it appeared that a source of nitrogen suitable for the particular strain was necessary for macrospore formation. No fac? tor was found which induced abundant macrospore formation in all strains of M. audouini, the abundance of the spores apparently depending not only upon the medium used but also upon some property of the strain itself.
The International Commercial Loan Rate

Studies of world debt lending over the period 1976-1982 suggest that interest rates might have been inadequate for the risk assumed. This paper asserts that banks actually adjust a variety of risk factors, including interest rate, maturity, loan size, and grace period before amortization begins. We suggest that when all factors are considered, the "rate" charged during this debt buildup period might not have been inadequate. Thus, combining all of these risk adjusters could be thought of as the "real" "international commercial loan rate." A method is demonstrated where loan size in dollars, or years of maturity and grace period, can be converted into an interest rate equivalent. The final international loan rate is then expressed as comprehensive interest rate, including all risk-adjusting factors.
Clinical, Biochemical, and Molecular Studies and Treatment of Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy

Researchers at Autonomous University of Madrid, and other centers in Spain studied the clinical, biochemical, and genetic spectrum of pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) in 12 patients with the clinically proven diagnosis.