cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Faculty Perceptions of Student Performance in the Online Classroom

With continually increasing enrollment, and colleges and universities struggling to meet the demand, leaders in education are turning to the web instruction to deliver instruction to students. In order to meet the needs of these online students, institutions of higher education need more data concerning the factors that influence students' decision to pursue online instruction. More importantly, factors that affect student performance in both traditional and online settings need to be understood in order to provide students with a more comprehensive educational experience. This study examines the factors that influence students' decision to seek online coursework over a traditional classroom setting. Additionally, this study explores faculty perceptions concerning the factors necessary to succeed in a web-enhanced environment, and similarly explores faculty perceptions as to whether online students' learning outcomes are the same as those of traditional students. This work correlates with the findings of ...
Perfluorocyclopentenyl (PFCP) Aryl Ether Polymers via Polycondensation of Octafluorocyclopentene with Bisphenols

A unique class of aromatic ether polymers containing perfluorocyclopentenyl (PFCP) enchainment was prepared from the simple step growth polycondensation of commercial bisphenols and octafluorocyclopentene (OFCP) in the presence of triethylamine. Model studies indicate that the second addition/elimination on OFCP is fast and polycondensation results in linear homopolymers and copolymers without side products. The synthesis of bis(heptafluorocyclopentenyl) aryl ether monomers and their condensation with bisphenols further led to PFCP copolymers with alternating structures. This new class of semifluorinated polymers exhibit surprisingly high crystallinity in some cases and excellent thermal stability.
Aerosol-Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (AACVD) of Binary Alloy Films: Studies of Film Composition

The chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of Cu-Ag and Cu-Pd alloys using aerosol precursor delivery over a range of preheating temperatures, 70~80 °C and substrate temperatures, 250~300 °C is described. The precursors used include Cu(hfac)2, (hfac)Ag(SEt2) and Pd(hfac)2 dissolved in toluene and 10% H2 in Ar as carrier gas. The films were characterized by SEM, EDS and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The X-ray diffraction results showed the Cu/Ag films were composed of α- and β-phases of Cu-Ag alloys, the Cu/Pd films were Cu-Pd alloy, solid solutions, under these conditions. Compositional variation studies in Cu-Pd and Pd-Ag alloy systems were also conducted by mixing Cu(hfac)2/Pd(hfac)2 and (hfac)Ag(SEt2)/Pd(hfac)2 in toluene solution in different ratios. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction and the results showed the composition of films was affected by the solution stoichiometry.
Nonlinear dynamic modeling and simulation of a passively cooled small modular reactor

Abstract A nonlinear dynamic model for a passively cooled small modular reactor (SMR) is developed. The nuclear steam supply system (NSSS) model includes representations for reactor core, steam generator, pressurizer, hot leg riser and downcomers. The reactor core is modeled with the combination of: (1) neutronics, and (2) thermal-hydraulics. For the helical-coil once-through steam generator, a single tube depiction with time-varying boundaries and three regions, i.e., subcooled, boiling, and superheated, is adopted. The pressurizer model is developed based upon the conservation of fluid mass, volume, and energy. Hot leg riser and downcomers are treated as first-order lags. Finally, the NSSS model is incorporated with a turbine model which permits observing the mechanical power. The overall nonlinear system is simulated for typical perturbations, e.g., control rod withdrawal and increase in steam demand. A detailed analysis of the results show that the steady-state values for full power are in good agreement with design data and the model is capable of predicting the dynamics of the SMR.
Cloud of Things for Sensing-as-a-Service: Architecture, Algorithms, and Use Case

We propose Cloud of Things for sensing-as-a-service: a global architecture that scales up cloud computing by exploiting the global sensing resources of the Internet of Things (IoT) to enable remote sensing. Cloud of Things enables in-network distributed processing of sensors data offered by the globally available IoT devices and provides a global platform for meaningful and responsive data analysis and decision making. We propose a distributed sensing resource discovery and virtualization algorithms that efficiently deploy virtual sensor networks on top of a subset of the selected IoT devices. We show, through analysis and simulations, the potential of the proposed solutions to realize virtual sensor networks with minimal physical resources, reduced communication overhead, and low complexity. We also design an uncoordinated, distributed algorithm that relies on the selected sensors to estimate a set of parameters without requiring synchronization among the sensors. Our simulations show that the proposed estimation algorithm, when compared to conventional alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMMs), reduces communication overhead significantly without compromising the estimation error. In addition, the convergence time, though increases slightly, is still linear as in the case of conventional ADMM.
An Error-Analysis-Based Approach for Multi-attribute Decision Making with Interval Numbers

An error-analysis-based approach is proposed to deal with multi-attribute decision making problems,where the information about the attribute values is in the form of interval numbers and the attribute weights are unknown completely.We first present the description of the multi-attribute decision making problems with interval numbers and the basic principle of error propagation,with the interval numbers decision matrix being transformed into the form of error distribution.Then,according to the information of attributes median decision matrix,we develop a method for determining the medians of attributes weights based on the absolute deviation of attributes values,and calculate the medians of comprehensive evaluation values based on linear weighting algorithm.We then obtain the error estimate values of attributes weights and comprehensive evaluation values based on the error propagation,and the intervals of attributes weights and comprehensive evaluation values.We can also determine the ranking of alternatives by using the ranking method of interval numbers based on possibility degree.An example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Preaggregation Reactions of Platelets

Whether platelet volume increases during the morphological changes preceding aggregation has been investigated. Previous research is controversial; resistive-counting techniques reveal an increase, centrifugal methods do not. Platelets were sized with a computerized, resistive-particle counter before and after incubation with adenosine diphosphate (ADP). Resistive volume increased by 14% (p less than 0.001) in the absence of EDTA, and only 7% in its presence (ADP, 10 micro M). EDTA inhibited platelet volume changes, whether these were shrinking induced by warming or swelling by ADP. Handling of platelets, such as during centrifugation, also caused particle swelling. Particle density decreased after ADP exposure, without release of serotonin, suggesting uptake of water. Platelet shape was experimentally manipulated to test the hypothesis that resistive volume changes stem from artifacts of particle shape. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that colchicine, chlorpromazine, and a temperature cycle of 0 degrees to 37 degrees all caused extensive alteration from the disc shape. Subsequent exposure to ADP increased resistive volume, and in the case of chlorpromazine, no long pseudopodia were extruded. It is concluded that preaggregation reactions of platelets can be associated with an increase in particle volume, and that earlier research based on centrifugation and the presence of ETA failed to reveal the increase because of inhibitory and apparent swelling effects.
Gas phase photodissociation of small metal cluster ions and complexes using FTMS

The photodissociation of a variety of gas phase organometaliic ions and metal dimer ions has been investigated with Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS) to obtain spectroscopic and thermodynamic information on these species.
Discordant expectations about prognosis in critically ill patients.

Nearly half of all adults in the United States are unable to make medical decisions for themselves about whether to accept life-prolonging interventions near the end of their life (1). Individuals who make medical decisions for critically ill patients unable to make decisions for themselves, termed surrogates, commonly have misperceptions about the prognoses of the patients they are serving as surrogates for. Such misperceptions have been reported to be attributed to poor comprehension or misunderstandings of medical information by patient surrogates and/or inadequate communication between surrogates and physicians (2,3).
The Kremlin Strikes Back: Russia and the West After Crimea's Annexation

America and Europe responded to Russia's annexation of Crimea on March 18, 2014 by discarding their policy of East-West partnership and reverting intermittently to a policy of cold war. The West believes that this on-again/off-again second Cold War will end with Russia's capitulation because it is not a sufficiently great power, while the Kremlin's view is just the opposite; Vladimir Putin believes that if Moscow has strategic patience, Russia can recover some of the geostrategic losses that it incurred when the Soviet Union collapsed. The Kremlin Strikes Back scrutinizes the economic prospects of both sides, including factors like military industrial prowess, warfighting capabilities, and national resolve, addressing particularly hot-button issues such as increasing military spending, decreasing domestic spending, and other policies. Stephen Rosefielde aims to objectively gauge future prospects and the wisdom of employing various strategies to address Russian developments.
AN ANALYSIS OF NORMATIVE MESSAGES IN SIGNS AT RECREATION SETTINGS

The reliance on signs as a mode ofagency communication with visitors requires an examination ofmessage presentation and content in order to evaluate message impact and effectiveness. This paper reports on a system­ atic evaluation ofsigns and messages at 42 recreation areas in California and Arizona. A number offactors, including type ofsite, managing agency, density ofmessage locales, sign attributes, and message content, were ex­ amined. Messages addressing depreciative activities, and how those mes­ sages were framed, were ofparticular interest.The vast majority ofmessages presented behavioral commands (injunctive norms) and were negatively worded (proscriptive). This striking imbalance points to concerns in visi­ tor information and education, allowing room for adjustments based on social-psychological principles ofcommunication.
Mitigating power systems variability in more electric aircraft utilizing power electronics implemented dynamic thermal storage

Increased power levels in more electric aircraft (MEA) bring opportunities to optimize energy flow in multi-physics domains to benefit the power system's stability and aircraft fuel economy. This paper introduces thermal energy inherent in the cabin air and aircraft fuel as a dynamic management solution to offset stochastic load power in the MEA power system. Focus is on power electronic controlled environmental control system (ECS) drives, which can provide dynamic thermal inertia and act as an effective electric swing bus to mitigate power variability. The generator's output power becomes substantially more constant as a result, decreasing the demand from fast generator responses or dedicated energy storage such as batteries. In practice, the motor drives operate on a suitable bandwidth in the sense of filtering unwanted frequencies in the stochastic energy band. The lower update frequency limits air temperature variations in the cabin, and the higher update frequency, combined with ramp-rate and acoustic limits, lets the ECS to respond without generating annoying noise. A high-level implementation builds upon a feedforward control loop. A more sensitive virtual synchronous machine concept added to the loop boosts desirable inertia in the MEA power system. The combination is illustrated in simulation and with experimental results based on realistic load power demand over a mission profile using Boeing 787 as a platform.
Immunosuppressive therapy of Factor VIII inhibitors

Immunosuppressive therapy was used in seven hemophiliac and three nonhemophiliac patients with factor VIII inhibiors. Permanent disappearance of the inhibitor occurred in three hemophiliac and two nonhemophiliac patients following treatment with cyclophosphamide and factor VIII. Critical factors influencing the response to therapy may include both the titer and duration of the inhibitor and the degree of intervening factor VIII exposure prior to immunosuppressive therapy. Two severe hemophiliacs with low titer inhibitors that disappeared without specific therapy are also reported.
Electrochemical behavior of AISI316L stainless steel parts produced by laser-based powder bed fusion process and the effect of post annealing process

Abstract This paper presents the investigation of the corrosion behavior of AISI316L samples prepared by laser-based powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (AM) method. Both AM and conventional stainless steel 316L samples were examined in NaCl 3.5% solution before and after the annealing process using Tafel curves, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The results indicate that the AM parts have an improved corrosion behavior than the conventional wrought samples. Besides, the heat treatment process is found to further decrease the corrosion rate of the AM parts through the relieving of the residual stress. In contrast, the post annealing induced improvement to corrosion resistance for the wrought samples is due to the elimination of martensite phase which almost always exists after the plastic deformation during their production process.
Incompressible Finite Elements: The LBB Condition and the Discrete Eigenstructure

The basic stability condition for mixed/Lagrange multiplier variational principles in incompressible media problems is the LBB condition. It plays an essential role in determining whether or not the problem is well-posed and governs the choice of finite elements in the discretization. This paper examines the discrete eigenstructure of a well-known Lagrange multiplier formulation for linear elasticity or Stokes-flow. It shows how the weak incompressibility constraint is reflected in the elementarydivisor structure of the eigenproblem whose solution determines the finite element approximation to the natural modes. In this context the discrete LBB condition can be seen to be a condition determining the limiting disposition, as the mesh parameter decreases, of a matrix pencil with infinite eigenvalues. Pure pressure modes and the load vectors required to transmit them are paired in cyclic subspaces of the infinite eigenspace. This pairing can be related to a well-known heuristic interpretation of the LBB condition. The relationship between the natural mode eigenproblem and the eigenproblems which determine the norm of the inverse of the discrete operator of a static or steady-flow problem is described. Finally, because of the equivalence between classes of mixed and penalty formulations, it is shown that these results apply to penalty/reduced integration finite element methods.
A Soft Exosuit for Flexible Upper-Extremity Rehabilitation

For stroke survivors and many other people with upper-extremity impairment, daily life can be difficult without properly functioning arms. Some modern physical therapy exercises focus on rehabilitating people with these troubles by correcting patients’ perceptions of their own body to eventually regain complete control and strength over their arms again. Augmentative wearable robots, such as the upper-extremity exoskeletons and exosuits, may be able to assist in this endeavor. A common drawback in many of these exoskeletons, however, is their inability to conform to the natural flexibility of the human body without a rigid base. We have built one such exosuit to address this challenge: Compliant Robotic Upper-extremity eXosuit (CRUX). This robot is a compliant, lightweight, multi-DoF, portable exosuit that affords its wearer the ability to augment themselves in many unconventional settings (i.e. outside of a clinic). These attributes are largely achieved by using a modified tensegrity design situated according to measured lines of minimal-extension, where a network of tension members provide a foundation to apply augmentative forces via precisely placed power-lines. In this paper, we detail the design process of CRUX, the report on CRUX’s prototypical composition, and describe the mimetic control algorithm used. We also discuss the results of three studies that illustrate the efficacy of CRUX’s mimetic controller, CRUX’s flexibility and compliance, and the metabolic cost reduction when users exercise with assistance from CRUX as opposed to without. We conclude this paper with a summary of our findings, potential use cases for this technology, and the direction of future related work.
Classification of multiple source depths in a time-varying ocean environment using a convolutional neural network (CNN)

Machine learning (ML) is the idea that there are generic algorithms that can tell us something interesting about a set of data without us having to write any custom code specific to the problem. Instead of writing code, we feed data to the generic algorithm and it builds its own logic based on the data. In this paper, ML is applied to classification of multiple (4) sources at various depths in a shallow-water waveguide where the input data are time-varying channel impulse responses (CIRs) received by a vertical array (4 hydrophones) from each of the sources over a period of 22 hours (528 examples). Specifically, the first 16 hours of CIRs are used for training a 4-layered CNN (convolutional neural net) to exploit the structure of CIRs in the two-dimensional time and depth domain, similar to image processing. Our hypothesis is that the dataset collected over a semi-diurnal tidal period (>12 hours) could capture the internal representations or feature vector needed for classification. The trained model is then tested on the next 6 hours of CIRs and achieves 98% accuracy, indicating the potential of ML in underwater applications.
Strike-induced chemosensory searching by a teiid lizard, the golden tegu (Tupinambis nigropunctatus)

Strike-induced chemosensory searching (SICS) is experimentally demonstrated in a teiid lizard,Tupinambis nigropunctatus. SICS consists of a concurrent post-strike elevation in tongue-flick rate (PETF) and searching movements after voluntary release or escape of bitten prey or removal of prey from the predator's mouth. The results are consistent with previous data showing that PETF and/or SICS occur in all families of scleroglossan lizards and snakes and all families of actively foraging lizards yet studied. The relatively short duration of SICS (2 min) in a lizard having lingual and vomeronasal structure highly specialized for chemosensory sampling and analysis suggests that phylogenetic and ecological factors may be more important than morphology in determining the duration. The greatest known durations occur only in the presumably monophyletic clade containing varanoid lizards and snakes, all of which have highly developed chemical sampling and chemoreceptor apparatus, but in addition feed on prey that has a high probability of being relocated by prolonged scent-trailing. Because only active foragers move through the habitat while tongue-flicking and exhibit lingually mediated prey chemical discrimination, only active foragers may be expected to use SICS. SICS would appear to be useless to an ambush forager and might disrupt its defensive crypticity, rendering it more detectable to predators and prey. Therefore, it may be predicted that SICS is adaptively adjusted to foraging mode.
Two-photon absorption framework for plasma transmission experiments

Abstract Two-photon absorption was recently proposed as a possible explanation for extant discrepancies between theoretical and experimental x-ray transmission of iron samples at conditions relevant to the solar interior. The theoretical framework for calculating two-photon absorption specific to the experiments performed at the Sandia National Laboratory is developed. Preliminary calculations suggest that the radiant flux attenuation by two-photon absorption does not account for the higher than predicted experimentally inferred opacities.
Antibiotics during Intrauterine Balloon Tamponade Is Associated with a Reduction in Endometritis.

Objective To evaluate whether prophylactic antibiotics at the time of placement of an intrauterine balloon tamponade (IBT) is associated with a reduction in postpartum endometritis. Study Design Retrospective cohort study of patients who received an IBT from January 1, 2012, to December 12, 2016. Patients were included if the IBT remained in place at least 2 hours and excluded if chorioamnionitis was present. Patients who received prophylactic antibiotics at the time of IBT placement were compared with those who did not. Results A total of 149 subjects received an IBT; 36 were excluded due to early removal or chorioamnionitis. Of the remaining, 59 received prophylactic antibiotics and 54 did not. Baseline characteristics were similar between the groups except mode of delivery. The majority (65%) of those who did not receive prophylactic antibiotics had a cesarean delivery (p = 0.03). The overall incidence of endometritis was 15%. The incidence of endometritis was greater among those patients who did not receive prophylactic antibiotics compared with those who did (5 vs. 26%; p Conclusion Prophylactic antibiotics were associated with a reduction in postpartum endometritis among patients receiving an IBT.
Predictive Biomarkers in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review

PURPOSEThe development and use of predictive biomarkers to guide treatment decisions are paramount not only for improving survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but also for...
Carbon-based artificial SEI layers for aqueous lithium-ion battery anodes

Replacing flammable organic electrolytes with aqueous electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries (LIB) can greatly enhance the safety of next-generation energy storage systems. With the extended electrochemical stability window of electrolytes, ‘water-in-salt’ (WIS) electrolytes containing LIB presented significant performance improvements. However, the solubility limits of lithium salts in water restrain the extent of kinetic protection offered by the high salt concentration. Here, we report design strategies of anode structure to improve the cycle life of LIB with WIS electrolytes. We introduced partially graphitic protective carbon layers on anode particles using a versatile coating method. This protective layer not only improved charge transfer kinetics but also minimized the exposure of anode surface for water electrolysis. The effectiveness of anode structure developed in this study was exemplified on TiO2 anodes, where cycle performance and coulombic efficiency improved by 11 times and 29% respectively over the base anode material.
The GF Convection Parameterization: recent developments, extensions, and applications

Abstract. We detail recent developments in the GF (Grell and Freitas, 2014, Freitas et al., 2018) convection parameterization and applications. The parameterization has been extended to a trimodal spectral size to simulate the interaction and transition from shallow, congestus and deep convection regimes. Another main new feature is the inclusion of a closure for non-equilibrium convection that resulted in a substantial gain of realism in the simulation of the diurnal cycle of convection, mainly associated with boundary layer forcing over the land. Additional changes include the transport of momentum, the use of three Probability Density Functions (PDF's) to describe the normalized vertical mass flux profiles from deep, congestus, and shallow plumes (respectively) in the grid box, and the option of using temporal and spatial correlations to stochastically perturb PDF's, momentum transport and the closures. Cloud water detrainment is proportional to mass detrainment and in-cloud hydrometeor mixing ratio, and transport of chemical constituents (including wet deposition) can be treated inside the GF scheme. Transport is handled in flux form and is mass conserving. Finally, the cloud microphysics has been extended to include the ice phase to simulate the conversion from liquid water to ice in updrafts with resulting additional heating release, and the melting from snow to rain within a user-specified melting vertical layer.
Beyond Co-location: Visual Connections of Staff Workstations and Staff Communication in Primary Care Clinics:

The importance of communication among healthcare providers has been long recognized, and many healthcare organizations are implementing team-based care, with emphasis on staff communication. While ...
Complete metabolic response following the first cycle of chemotherapy predicts disease-free interval in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma evaluated by serial PET and CT scanning

1775 Objectives: The purpose of this prospective study was to 1) evaluate the ability of serial PET-FDG scans in predicting early response to chemotherapy and 2) to determine if chemotherapy-induced cellular responses following the first cycle will induce false positive FDG scans. Methods: Twelve patients (8 males, 4 females; mean age 63 years) with intermediate (11 pts) and low (one pt) grade NHL according to the Working Formulation Classification were enrolled. Five patients had nodal disease and 7 extranodal NHL involving the breast, pleura, bone, stomach and soft tissues. PET-FDG scans were performed at baseline and then following the first, third, sixth cycle of Rituxan + CHOP based chemotherapy and then at 12, 18, 24 months post-treatment. CT scans of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis were obtained serially at baseline after the third, sixth chemotherapy cycle, 1 and 2 years, or whenever the patient relapsed. Results: Eleven patients were evaluable and completed at least 24 months of follow-up (median = 23 month, range 13-42 months). One Stage IV patient withdrew from the study after initial workup and expired two month later. After the first cycle of chemotherapy, 9/11 pts had negative PET-FDG scans and remained free of disease for a median follow-up of 23 months. Corresponding CT scans showed persistent residual (FDG-negative) masses up to 30 months follow-up. The other two patients who had residual disease by PET-FDG after the first cycle became negative after the third; however, both recurred within 18-24 months, retreated, and remained free of disease at 34 months follow-up. Compared to CT, initial PET-FDG upstaged 5 patients (one patient from Stage III to IV, 2 patients from Stage I to II, and the remaining two from Stage II to III). Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the potential value of PET-FDG obtained after the first cycle chemotherapy in predicting response to therapy and interval-free disease progression and that chemotherapy led to no false positive PET-FDG findings. Research Support (if any): Grant support from Philips/ADAC.
Physical Distancing, Violence, and Crime in US Cities during the Coronavirus Pandemic

Violent crime increased and most property crime decreased in many United States (US) cities during the coronavirus pandemic. Using negative binomial regressions, we examined the association between physical distancing (a central coronavirus containment strategy) and crime within 16 large cities (in 12 US states and the District of Columbia) through July 2020. Physical distancing was measured with aggregated smartphone data and defined as the average change in the percentage of the population staying completely at home. Outcome data were obtained from the Gun Violence Archive and city open data portals. In multivariable models, increases in the percentage of the population staying home were associated with decreases in reported incidents of aggravated assault, interpersonal firearm violence, theft, rape, and robbery, and increases in arson, burglary, and motor vehicle theft. Results suggest that changes in the frequency of interpersonal interactions affected crime during the coronavirus pandemic. More research is needed on the specificity of these assocations and their underlying mechanisms.
David T. Blackstock: Scholar, teacher, mentor, and gentleman

David T. Blackstock was born in Austin, Texas in 1930. After earning B.S. and M.S. degrees in physics at University of Texas at Austin he spent two years at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where he developed an interest in acoustics working under Henning von Gierke on hearing protection. He then joined F. V. Hunt’s group at Harvard University and earned a Ph.D. in applied physics in 1960 with a doctoral thesis in nonlinear acoustics, ultimately his lifelong passion. Following three years at General Dynamics and seven years at University of Rochester, David returned to UT in 1970 to join its Applied Research Laboratories, and in 1987 he became Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Among David’s legacies is his formulation of a convenient framework for implementing weak-shock theory. Combining analytical, computational, and experimental approaches, he proceeded to investigate acoustic saturation, finite-amplitude noise, suppression of sound by sound, parametric array in air, sonic boom, therapeutic ultrasound, and other fundamental problems in nonlinear acoustics. David was widely known as an exceptionally caring man, whether bringing Soviet scientists and their research to the attention of the West, teaching and mentoring graduate students, or through extensive service in the ASA and International Commission for Acoustics.
Observations on the rare earths—LXVIII: Partial resolution of yttrium and gadolinium acetylacetonates by means of a chromatographic technique

Abstract Adsorption of yttrium or gadolinium acetylacetonate on columns of d -lactose hydrate or d -lactose, followed by elution with benzene-petroleum ether, effects partial resolution of the chelates into optically active fractions. Racemization is slow and first order. Resolution of these ionically-bonded inner complexes suggests that the conditions employed are of controlling importance rather than the nature of the bonding.
Risk aversion and weekly money: Does the market expect the Fed to offset large increase in M1?

Abstract The risk premium hypothesis suggests that absolute changes in short-term interest rates will be larger if the unanticipated component of the Federal Reserve's weakly money supply announcement is positive. Statistical tests suggest, however, that the magnitude of interest rate changes is unrelated to the sign of monetary surprises.
Species richness facilitates ecosystem resilience in aquatic food webs

Summary 1. Many studies indicate that biodiversity in ecosystems affects stability, either by promoting temporal stability of ecosystem attributes or by enhancing ecosystem resistance and resilience to perturbation. The effects on temporal stability are reasonably well understood and documented but effects on resistance and resilience are not. 2. Here, we report results from an aquatic mesocosm experiment in which we manipulated the species richness and composition of aquatic food webs (macrophytes, macro-herbivores and invertebrate predators), imposed a pulse disturbance (acidification), and monitored the resistance (initial response) and resilience (recovery) of ecosystem productivity and respiration. 3. We found that species-rich macroinvertebrate communities had higher resilience of whole-ecosystem respiration, but were not more resistant to perturbations. We also found that resilience and resistance were unaffected by species composition, despite the strong role composition is known to play in determining mean levels of function in these communities. 4. Biodiversity’s effects on resilience were probably mediated through complex pathways affecting phytoplankton and microbial communities (e.g. via changes in nutrient regeneration, grazing or compositional changes) rather than through simpler effects (e.g. insurance effects, enhanced facilitation) although these simpler mechanisms probably played minor roles in enhancing respiration resilience. 5. Current mechanisms for understanding biodiversity’s effects on ecosystem stability have been developed primarily in the context of single-trophic level communities. These mechanisms may be overly simplistic for understanding the consequences of species richness on ecosystem stability in complex, multi-trophic food webs where additional factors such as indirect effects and highly variable life-history traits of species may also be important.
Commentary: Goals and the intentions meant to fulfill them

A s described in the first paragraph by Dismukes (chap. 19, this volume), a forgotten intention had drastic and tragic consequences for Flight 1141. Without a doubt, all of the crew members, engineers, pilots, and air traffic controllers shared a common goal: to make sure that the plane Hew safely, ensuring the health and welfare of all passengers. However, one intention in aseries of intentions meant to fulfill that goal, namely to prepare the plane for takeoff, was forgotten. Typically in the prospective memory literature,. the term goal is used very seldom and it is memory for intention that is the focus of scholarly inquiry.However, it may be useful to consider the relative obscurity of the term goal in the prospective memory literature as it may reHect that we are missing one pieceof the puzzle. Baldwin (1897; as cited in Olson, Astington & Zelazo, 1'999) defined intentional action in terms of goal-directed behavior. He described it as «the emergeIice of desire, deliberation, and effort: the conscious representation of a goal, the active considermeans accompanying the selection and execution of a plan (p. 2, Olson et al., 1999). The teqn goal is used to refer to the idea that amental representation of a desired future state is formed and in turn directs behavior to find a way to achieve that state. It may be that the airline employees in
Fractionation of coral snake venom. Preliminary studies on the separation and characterization of the protein fractions.

Abstract Lyophilized coral snake ( Micrurus f.fulvius ) venom was fractionated into six homogeneous and one heterogeneous fractions (labelled F-FVII in order of their elution) using CM-cellulose columns eluted with phosphate buffers (pH 6·0–9·0). Identification of each fraction on starch gel electrophoresis revealed that fractions I through VI migrated as homogeneous proteins. FVII was composed of four separate migrating units. All of the migrating units present in the crude venom were accounted for in the seven fractions. FIII, VI and VII each accounting for approximately 25 per cent of the recovery weight, were equally toxic, and were as toxic as the crude venom. All three possessed a strong anticoagulant activity. FIV and V present in moderate amounts, were toxic at concentrations 10 times that of the crude venom and possessed a weak anticoagulant activity. FII was toxic at concentrations 20 times that of the crude venom while FI was not toxic. All seven fractions exhibited a strong phospholipase A activity and hemolyzed red cells. None of the fractions nor the crude venom hemolyzed red cells without ovolecithin. None of the fractions or crude venom were proteolytic.
Characterization of integrin subunits, cellular adhesion and tumorgenicity of four human prostate cell lines.

Cellular adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins via integrin molecules is a major factor in the process of invasion and metastasis of human tumor cells. Four human prostate cell lines were characterized according to the presence and quantity of integrin subunits, the ability of the cells to attach to extracellular substrates and the capacity of the cells to form tumors in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. All four human prostate cell lines expressed three to five integrins on their cell surfaces. The DU145, PC3 and 431P cells expressed primarily α3, α5, and α6 integrin at similar levels. These cell lines expressed the subunits β1, β3 and β4 with β1 predominant. The DU145 cells preferred attachment to fibronectin, followed by laminin and vitronectin. Approximately 50%–60% of the binding of DU145 cells to fibronectin and laminin was dependent on the function of α5β1 and α6 respectively. The cell line LNCaP differed in its low expression of the α3 subunit, 95% of cellular adhesion to fobronectin and laminin being integrin-dependent and its inability to attach to vitronectin, in spite of surface expression of αvβ3. All the cell lines except for LNCaP readily formed tumors within SCID mice and the expression of α3, α6, β1, and β4 integrin subunits was preserved in the resulting tumor tissue. The altered adhesion properties of the LNCaP cells may explain their altered tumorigenicity.
A hybrid genetic algorithm for VLSI floorplanning

Floorplanning is the first stage of the very large scale integrated-circuit (VLSI) physical design process, the resultant quality of this stage is very important for successive design stages. From the computational point of view, VLSI floorplanning is an NP-hard problem. In this paper, a hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA) for a non-slicing and hard-module VLSI floorplanning problem is presented. This HGA uses an effective genetic search method to explore the search space and an efficient local search method to exploit information in the search region. Experimental results on MCNC benchmarks [16] show that the HGA is effective and promising in building block layout application.
Electron avalanches in oxygen: Detachment from the diatomic ion O - 2

The current transients of prebreakdown electron avalanches in uniform electric fields in oxygen are studied with a bakable drift tube and a time resolution of about 1% of the ion transit time involved. At this low time resolution, electronic-current components are discovered which are attributed to detachment from the diatomic ion ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. Detachment rates of ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ in ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ are measured over a range of pressures from 1 to 32 Torr, and over a range of field strength to pressure ratios from 35 to 130 V/cm Torr, corresponding to mean ion swarm energies for ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ between about 0.2 and 1.5 eV. The detachment rates observed depend linearly on pressure, indicating a two-body detachment reaction, and are consistent with a detachment cross section near threshold (0.44 eV) of approximately 0.7 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. Also obtained are effective electron attachment rates for ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ and ${\mathrm{O}}_{3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ in oxygen, which show a characteristic pressure dependence consistent with attributing the observed detachment to diatomic ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. These rates reflect the formation of the diatomic ion ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ by charge transfer from the primary atomic ion ${\mathrm{O}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$. The pressure dependence observed, however, is inconsistent with the trial assumptions that either the atomic ion ${\mathrm{O}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, or the triatomic ion ${\mathrm{O}}_{3}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, detach their electrons at the rates reported here. The mass-spectrometric study undertaken supports these conclusions.
Stability of non-aqueous dispersions. Paper 7. Electrostatic stabilization of concentrated colloidal dispersions

Abstract The stability of colloidal dispersions in apolar media is reviewed beginning with dilute dispersions. A criterion for the definition between dilute and concentrated dispersions is presented followed by a new interpretation of Levine's theory for concentrated colloidal dispersions in apolar media [J. Colloid Interface Sci., 54 (1976) 34]. We conclude that concentrated dispersions containing submicron particles are generally unstable leading to coagulation. Successive coagulations lead to the formation of larger secondary particles, “coagulates”, which are ultimately stable to further coagulation and exist in energetic minima.
Photoelectron–photofragment coincidence spectroscopy of NO2−(NO)1,2: solvation effects of NO on NO2−

Abstract A study of the dissociative photodetachment dynamics of N2O3− and N3O4− at 258 nm is reported. Using photoelectron–photofragment coincidence (PPC) spectroscopy, information on the energetics and dissociation dynamics is recorded for both NxOy− species. The results indicate that these anions exist as NO2−(NO)1,2 clusters, and dissociation occurs to form NO and NO2 products upon photodetachment of the extra electron. It is shown that the energy released in the solvation of NO2− with one and two NO molecules is 0.23±0.05 and 0.38±0.05 eV, respectively. The photoelectron spectra show that solvation of NO2− by one NO does not significantly affect the electronic structure of the anion. The addition of a second NO to NO2−(NO), however, leads to a suppression of photodetachment to the A 2 B 2 excited state of NO2 in the NO2(NO)2 cluster. The data also suggests that the three-body dissociation process of the larger cluster may occur via a sequential decay mechanism.
Eukaryotic origins: string analysis of 5S ribosomal RNA sequences from some relevant organisms.

Using the PHYLOGEN tree-forming programs, we evaluate the published 5S rRNA sequences in certain of the files in the Berlin DataBank in an attempt to identify the connection between archaebacteria and the eukaryotic protists. These programs are based on methods of string analysis developed by Sankoff and others. Their discriminatory power is derived from their continuous realignment of sequences through repeated assessment of insertions and deletions as well as substitutions. The programs demonstrate that even these small molecules (ca. 120 bases) retain substantial records of evolutionary events that occurred over a billion years ago. The eukaryotes seem to have been derived from ancestors near the common origins of the halobacterial and Methanococcales groups. Identifying what might have been a primordial eukaryote is more difficult because several of the species considered as early derivatives from the common root are isolated species with large genetic differences from each other and from all other extant forms that have been sequenced. The ameboid, flagellated, and ciliated protists seem to have emerged nearly simulataneously from an ancient cluster, but the sarcodinid protozoa have preference as the group of most ancient origin. The euglenozoa and the ciliates are of later derivation. Our ability to tease plausible trees from such small molecules suggests that the mode of analysis rather than the size of the molecule is often a major limitation in the reconstruction of acceptable ancient phylogenies. The residual uncertainty with respect to the conclusions of the 5S analysis may indicate a real limit on the informational content of such small molecules; the period of evolutionary time during which the primary eukaryotic radiation occurred may have been very short relative to the rate of fixation of changes in this highly conserved molecule. Much of even this limitation may be resolved, however, when a sufficiently dense sample of the problematic taxa is examined.
Sur Lul de Faltenin: Mallarmé selon Apollinaire

Critics have read Apollinaire's “Lul de Faltenin,” one of Alcools’ most obscure poems, as a veiled narrative allegory of a mythological figure such as Ulysses or Orpheus. The present article argues that one can read “Lul de Faltenin” neither as a narrative nor in terms of a given mythological figure. Instead, the style and devices of “Lul de Faltenin” suggest it should be approached in light of Mallarme's poetics of oblique evocation, which avoids narrative and privileges circumlocution and ambiguity. In “Lul de Faltenin,” Apollinaire's poet-hero of the same name appears suspended in a contradictory space, or to move unpredictably between a series of spaces: the sea, the forest, and/or the starry sky. Lul de Faltenin's virtual existence in all of these spaces demonstrates the poet's gift of ubiquity, present in other poems and stories by Apollinaire. Here, Apollinaire does not directly thematize ubiquity as in other texts; instead, he suggests it by way of fused antinomies and equivocation. But for Apolli...
Catalytic reduction of polar substrates without metals: A thermodynamic and kinetic study of heterolytic activation of hydrogen by vacancies in frustrated Lewis pairs

Abstract Time-resolved reaction calorimetry provides a measure of the turnover frequency (TOF), ca. 1.1 min−1, and enthalpic driving force, ca. −73 kJ/mol, for the metal-free catalytic reduction of an organic imine, tert-butylbenzaldimine, (tBu-IM) with a frustrated Lewis acid-base pair, [2-(dimesitylphosphino)ethyl] bis(pentafluorophenyl)borane (PBCat), at 298 K and 13.8 bar hydrogen (H2) pressure. Lowering the H2 pressure by a factor of two decreases the TOF (0.6 min−1), which is consistent with a pseudo first-order reaction in H2. In the absence of imine, the heat flux measured in the calorimeter provides a measure of the enthalpy for heterolytic splitting of H2, PBcat + H2 --> PBCatH2, ΔH ca. −43(4) kJ/mol. Solution phase 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine the rate of heterolytic splitting of H2 by PBCat, k = 0.7(.3) M−1 s−1 and the equilibrium constant for PBCat + H2(soln) ⇔ PBCatH2, Keq(295) = 2.2(.5) × 105 M, providing an estimate of the free energy for heterolytic splitting of H2, ΔG ca. −29.8(1.3) kJ/mol at 295 K in toluene. Deconvolution of the instrument time constant from the heat flux using the Tian equation shows the concentration of imine decreases linearly in time (i.e., the substrate imine is not involved in the rate limiting step, suggesting that H2 activation by the Lewis acid-base pair is rate limiting).
A piece of lost history: Max Weber and Lowell L. Bennion

This article discussesMax Weber’s Methodology, Lowell L. Bennion’s (1933) published doctoral dissertation from the University of Strasbourg, France. This book is important because it is the first systematic English language treatment of Weber’s work. It also suggests an early link between Weberian and Durkheimian scholarship and foreshadows later debates regarding Talcott Parsons’ interpretation of Weber. Additionally the book provides a unique contribution by applying Weber’s “Calvinism-Capitalism” thesis to the development of Mormonism. We explore the academic context in which the book was written and its reception by American sociologists at the time. After summarizing the text, we examine its perspective on the issues later raised about Parsons’ account of Weber. We conclude by looking at Lowell Bennion as a sociologist and a devout Mormon, and the unique connection that he forged between his religion and Max Weber’s ideas.