cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The new frontier of money laundering: how terrorist organizations use cyberlaundering to fund their activities, and how governments are trying to stop them

This note examines the relatively new crime of cyberlaundering, and explains how terrorist organizations are using the Internet and cyberlaundering to fund their activities. In addition, this paper examines the current money laundering laws of the United States, as well as the attempts taken by the United Nations, the G7, the Organization of American States, and the Council of Europe to stem the laundering of money. The basic process of money laundering is described in detail, and it is explained how terrorist organizations in particular may use the Internet to launder their funds. The paper points out loopholes with respect to cyberlaundering in the money laundering laws of the United States and the multinational organizations mentioned above, and methods are proposed to close those gaps. Although implementation of the proposed methods would be expensive and time consuming, such measures would help stem the use of the Internet by terrorists in funding their activities.
In situ measurement of ionic concentration during fabrication of ion-exchanged waveguides.

In this paper we describe a concentration cell for the measurement of Ag+ ion concentration useful for fabrication of Ag+ − Na+ exchanged waveguides in glass. The scheme is adaptable to other ion exchanges as well. High measurement accuracy (±2 mV) and assured repeatability are possible by standardizing the reference electrode and experimental conditions. Use of such a cell with appropriate analog signal processing should facilitate on-line concentration control by periodic pumping of the exchanging ion into the molten salt bath.
Temperature effects on the embryonic development of Aphthona abdominalis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a natural enemy of Euphorbia esula (Euphorbiales: Euphorbiaceae)

The flea beetle Aphthona abdominalis Duftschmid was selected as a candidate for biological control of Euphorbia esula L. (leafy spurge) in North America, where this introduced plant is a serious weed. The insect was collected and studied in Italy, where it occurs naturally. As part of the study of its life history, the effect of temperature on embryonic development was investigated at constant temperatures of 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 38, and 41°C, and variable temperatures were used as well. Survival and developmental rates were obtained. The median values used to calculate the time required for embryonic development through the thermal summation, a linear regression, and the logistic equation are discussed. The experimental data gave a developmental zero between 12 and 13°C. Embryos completed their development at constant temperatures from 15 to 38°C. Development required from 32.6 d at 15°C to only 4.5 d at 35°C constant temperatures. A. abdominalis was cleared and introduced into the United States during 1993.
Conductivity hysteresis in polymer electrolytes incorporating poly(tetrahydrofuran)

Abstract Conductivity hysteresis and room temperature ionic conductivities >10−3 S/cm were recently reported for electrolytes prepared from blends of an amphiphilic comb copolymer, poly[2,5,8,11,14-pentaoxapentadecamethylene (5-hexadecyloxy-1,3-phenylene)] (polymer I), and a linear multiblock copolymer, poly(oligotetrahydrofuran-co-dodecamethylene) (polymer II), following thermal treatment [F. Chia, Y. Zheng, J. Liu, N. Reeves, G. Ungar, P.V. Wright, Electrochim. Acta 43 (2003) 1939]. To investigate the origin of these effects, polymers I and II were synthesized in this work, and the conductivity and thermal properties of the individual polymers were investigated. AC impedance measurements were conducted on I and II doped with LiBF4 or LiClO4 during gradual heating to 110 °C and slow cooling to room temperature. Significant conductivity hysteresis was seen for polymer II, and was similarly observed for poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF) homopolymer at equivalent doping levels. From thermogravimetic analysis (TGA), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and 1H NMR spectroscopy, both polymer II and PTHF were found to partially decompose to THF during heat treatment, resulting in a self-plasticizing effect on conductivity.
Generator I22t Requirements for System Faults

The design of turbine generators is strongly influenced by their requirements for negative sequence duty. In conjunction With a current revision to the ANSI C-50 standards, a review was made of the system requirements for I22t capability in generators of directly cooled sizes, tied into high voltage transmission systems. The results of these studies, which is the subjict of this paper, indicate that maximum expected I22t duty for system faults is less than two, or roughly one-third of the lowest I22t values specified in the revised standard, indicating also that a comfortable margin will still exist between system requirements and machine capabilities.
Effect of Type of Acid and Time Between Acidification and Resin Contact on the Removal of Radiostrontium from Milk

Summary Acetic, citric, hydrochloric, and phosphoric acids were used to lower the pH of milk (in vivo labeled with strontium 85) to 5.3. The milks were then passed through cation exchange columns and the per cent strontium removal determined. The use of citric acid effected 97.5% removal from 25 resin bed volumes of milk compared to 89.4, 88.4, and 83.1% for acetic, hydrochloric, and phosphoric acids, respectively. Results of studies carried out to determine the effect of time between acidification and resin contact on strontium removal, using citric acid for acidifying, showed that there was a small increase in the percentage removal with increasing holding time.
Creep deformation in near-γ TiAl. II: Influence of carbon on creep deformation in Ti-48Al-1V-0.3C

The influence of interstitial strengthening and microstructure on creep deformation has been examined in the near-γ TiAl alloy Ti-48Al-lV-0.3C. Creep studies were conducted under constant load in air at 815 °C in the stress range of 50 to 200 MPa. Significant improvement in creep resistance was observed in this alloy compared with a similar alloy (Ti-49Al-lV) containing low levels of carbon (0.07 at. pct). The degree of strengthening resulting from the addition of carbon was found to be dependent on microstructure. At 815 °C and 150 MPa, the addition of carbon reduced the minimum creep rate by a factor of approximately 20 in the equiaxedy and duplex microstructures and by a factor of 3 in the fully lamellar microstructures. Carbide precipitation occurred in this alloy when aged in the temperature range of 700 °C to 950 °C. The addition of carbon leads to a decrease in the stress exponent from 4 to 3 in the duplex and equiaxedy microstructures and the inhibition of sub-boundary formation in the duplex microstructure. This suggests that solute/dislocation interaction mechanisms, rather than a direct effect of carbide precipitates, are responsible for the significant increase in creep resistance observed in this alloy.
Cooled exhaust-gas recirculation for fuel economy and emissions improvement in gasoline engines:

Modern gasoline engines face fuel-efficiency challenges due to inherent limitations including knock, pumping losses, and fuel enrichment. The addition of exhaust-gas recirculation (EGR) has been sh...
Syndrome comorbidity in patients diagnosed with a DSM-III-R anxiety disorder.

One hundred thirty patients presenting at an anxiety disorders research clinic were administered a structured interview (i.e., Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule-Revised). Diagnoses were made in accordance with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (rev. 3rd ed.) criteria. Seventy percent of patients received at least one additional but secondary Axis I diagnosis. The most common additional diagnoses were simple and social phobia, which were assigned to nearly one third of all patients. In addition, 33% of anxiety disorder patients received an additional diagnosis of a depressive mood disorder (i.e., dysthymia or major depression). The distribution of specific additional diagnoses are presented for each principal anxiety disorder category. The scientific and clinical implications of comorbidity are discussed while considering the relatively high patterns of syndrome comorbidity found in the present study, which is consistent with several earlier studies.
Characterization of rat meningeal cultures on materials of differing surface chemistry

Abstract To better understand the interactions of cells derived from meningeal tissues with the surfaces of devices used for the treatment of central nervous system disorders, the behavior of primary postnatal day 1 rat meningeal cultures was evaluated on biomaterials of differing surface chemistry. Meningeal cultures in serum containing media were analyzed for attachment, spread cell area, proliferation, the production of extracellular matrix (ECM), and neuronal outgrowth. In general, both cell attachment as well as cell spread area decreased with increasing substrate hydrophobicity, whereas cell division as indicated by BrdU incorporation and time to confluence, was lower on the most hydrophobic materials. We suggest that such differences immediately after cell seeding were most likely mediated by differences in surface adsorption of proteins. In longer-term experiments, most of the materials were colonized by meningeal cultures irrespective of surface chemistry, and all cultures were equally inhibitory to neuronal outgrowth suggesting that over time, cells can modify the substrate perhaps by secretion of extracellular matrix molecule proteins. Our data suggests that cell type-specific differences in response to different biomaterials may play an important role in determining the ultimate nature and composition of the CNS at the host–biomaterial interface.
Increasing time between first diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and catheter ablation adversely affects long-term outcomes

Background Many patients who develop atrial fibrillation (AF) will experience a worsening of their arrhythmia over time. The optimal time to proceed with catheter ablation during the disease course is unknown. Further, whether delays in treatment will negatively influence outcomes is unknown. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of delay in treatment after the first clinical diagnosis of AF on ablation-related outcomes. Methods A total of 4535 consecutive patients who underwent an AF ablation procedure that had long-term established care within an integrated health care system were evaluated. Recursive partitioning was used to determine categories associated with changes in risk from the time of first AF diagnosis to first AF ablation: 1: 30–180 (n = 1152), 2: 181–545 (n = 856), 3: 546–1825 (n = 1326), and 4: >1825 (n = 1201) days. Outcomes evaluated include 1-year AF recurrence, stroke, heart failure hospitalization, and death. Results With increasing time to treatment, surprisingly patients were older (1: 63.7 ± 11.1, 2: 62.6 ± 11.8, 3: 66.4 ± 10.2, 4: 67.6 ± 9.7; P 1825: OR=1.25, P = .05. No differences were observed for 1-year stroke among the groups. Death (1: 2.1%, 2: 3.9%, 3: 5.7%, 4: 4.4%: P trend=.001) and heart failure hospitalization (1: 2.6%, 2: 4.1%, 3: 5.4%, 4: 4.4%; P trend=.009) rates at 1 year were higher in the most delayed groups. Conclusion Delays in treatment with catheter ablation impact procedural success rates independent of temporal changes to the AF subtype at ablation.
Is functional upregulation of the 5-HT2B receptor in deoxycorticosterone acetate salt-treated rats blood pressure dependent?

Abstract This study tests the hypothesis that the functional upregulation of the arterial 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2B receptor in arteries of deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats depends on the development of high blood pressure. Wistar-Furth and Wistar rats were given sham or DOCA-salt treatment (200 mg/kg DOCA, SC; 1.0% NaCl and 0.2% KCl in drinking water). Systolic blood pressures (4 week; mm Hg) were: Wistar Sham (120 ± 3), Wistar DOCA (176 ± 6), Wistar-Furth Sham (112 ± 3) and Wistar-Furth DOCA (136 ± 4). Isolated mesenteric arteries from Wistar DOCA and Wistar-Furth DOCA rats displayed a three- to fivefold leftward shift in contraction to 5-HT that was insensitive to blockade by the 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist ketanserin (10 nM) and a significantly increased maximal contraction to the 5-HT 2B receptor agonist BW723C86 Wistar DOCA = 90 ± 17% phenylephrine contraction ; Wistar Sham = 1 ± 1%; Wistar-Furth DOCA = 33 ± 8%; Wistar-Furth Sham = 0% . Arteries from Sprague-Dawley rats receiving salt or DOCA alone displayed similar systolic blood pressures (151 ± 11 mm Hg and 144 ± 5 mm Hg, respectively), but only tissues from rats receiving DOCA displayed an increased contraction to BW723C86 DOCA alone = 60.7 ± 16% vs. sham = 13 ± 5.3% . These data suggest that upregulation of the arterial 5-HT 2B receptor is largely independent of an increase in blood pressure.
Recurrence of Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy After Penetrating Keratoplasty

Recurrence of a corneal dystrophy after keratoplasty can occur in multiple dystrophies, including macular, granular, and lattice dystrophies. We treated two unrelated patients who had documented posterior polymorphous dystrophy and who, in previously clear grafts, developed haziness in the zone of Descemet's membrane, which led to graft failure. Histologic examination of the keratoplasty specimen showed changes typical of posterior polymorphous dystrophy.
DOCUMENTATION OF PRENATAL BRAIN INJURY

The timing of brain injury which leads to neurologic handicap in infants is difficult to establish. However, in infants who die it is possible to estimate the duration of injury by neuropathologic assessment of the state of necrosis, gliosis, alteration of extravascular red cells and calcification. We reviewed the neuropathologic findings, birth history, and clinical course of neonates autopsied at our center during 1982. Five of the 6 term infants and 10 of the 25 premature infants who died at less than 7 days of age were shown to have brain lesions which predated their time of delivery. Two of the 5 term infants and 7 of the 10 preterm infants had Apgar scores of <3 at 1 min and <5 at 5 min of age. Fetal distress was usually unrecognized and only 1 term and 3 preterm infants were delivered by C-section. Clinical characteristics observed did not suggest a recognizable syndrome of prenatal brain injury. However, the gut and lungs had also been affected prenatally in several cases. Respiratory failure was the usual cause of death. We conclude that a number of infants dying at less than one week of age have evidence of prenatal brain injury. Birth asphyxia is frequently associated with this finding and this suggests that such infants do not tolerate labor. The probability of prenatal brain injury in surviving neurologically damaged infants with similar birth histories seems high. The medicolegal implications are important and we recommend careful neuropathological evaluation of all such infants who die.
Comparison of the cost-effectiveness of various therapies for common prostatic disorders.

Diseases of the prostate currently represent a major health problem worldwide. As the age of the male population increases in the future, so will the number of patients suffering from these disorders and the cost for treatment increase. Currently, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer are common in men over 50 years of age. In men after puberty, prostatic infections (prostatitis) are common. Each condition carries with it controversy regarding the most cost-effective treatment. Treatment for these disorders can include surgical intervention, drug therapy, or no treatment at all. In the United States, surgery is the usual treatment of BPH in men over 65 years of age, but most patients with BPH are asymptomatic and require no intervention. Aside from acute urinary retention or backpressure that compromises renal function, the indications to perform surgery are questionable. While some α-adrenergic antagonists are used to temporarily relieve symptoms, many patients with BPH will eventually require surgery. Transurethral resection of the prostate is the surgical treatment of choice in selected patients with BPH, accounting for over 90% of surgery performed in this area. The risk-to-benefit ratio for this procedure is favourable and cost-saving steps can be taken by the physician. Open prostatectomy, both suprapubic and retropubic, is performed to treat large prostates. However, both hospital stay and overall morbidity is higher for open prostatectomy than for transurethral prostatic resection. Radical prostatectomy and radiotherapy are commonly performed to treat patients with cancer of the prostate. For patients with the early stages of the disease, administering no treatment is also acceptable. Each therapeutic method has its advocates, and overall survival rates are similar for all treatments. Radiotherapy, however, is less expensive. We review the magnitude of these diseases, therapies available and relevant cost-effectiveness studies. When this sort of scientific information is not taken into account, the physician’s decision of which therapy to choose is sometimes blinded by the prejudices and fears of the patient.
The impact of duration of labor induction on cesarean rate.

Objective We sought to determine maternal factors that influence success of labor induction and whether the probability of cesarean delivery changed with time during induction. Study Design We performed a retrospective cohort study of 1650 singleton pregnancies induced at a gestation of 37 weeks or longer, with birthweights of 2500 g or greater, and without congenital anomalies. We used multivariate logistic regression to calculate odds ratios for cesarean. Results Nulliparity (odds ratio [OR] 7.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.7 to 11), hypertension (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.8), diabetes (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.6 to 3.1), maternal age 28.8 years old or older (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.4), and birthweight of 3441 g or greater (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 to 2.0) were significantly associated with cesarean. Cesarean risk increased linearly with time by an average of 3.8% per 6 hours. Conclusion Risk of cesarean increases over the duration of induction but does not reach clinical certainty. Cesarean probability is greater with nulliparity, hypertension, diabetes, older maternal age, or higher birthweight. Inductions without stated indications may not carry an increased risk of cesarean.
Emerging issues in accreditation of training programs in school psychology

Abstract Accreditation is an important concept in school psychology training and it is becoming a source of much controversy. There are definite reasons for accreditation of school psychology programs by APA, but the jurisdictional conflict still has not been fully resolved. The matter of nondoctoral program accreditation and the role of social issues in accreditation are other important issues.
On the necessity of solving the free rider problem in takeover bids

Previous analysis of the free rider problem in takeover bids has concluded that complex takeover strategies, nonprice taking behavior, taxes, or exogenous exclusion of minority shareholders are necessary for the bidder to profit from a takeover bid. In contrast, in this study, costs of disclosure and the fungible nature of the bidder's information mitigates the detrimental consequences of the free rider problem. The absence of the free rider problem in takeover bids has important implications for optimal bidding strategies, the interpretation of mechanisms posed as solutions to the free rider problem, and the analysis of regulation of takeover activity.
Cooperative Control Simulation Validation Using Applied Probability Theory

Abstract : Several research simulations have been created to support the development and refinement of teamed autonomous agents using decentralized cooperative control algorithms. Simulation is the necessary tool to evaluate the performance of decentralized cooperative control algorithms; however, these simulations lack a method to validate their output. This research presents a method to validate the performance of a decentralized cooperative control simulation environment for an autonomous Wide Area Search Munition (WASM). Rigorous analytical methods for six wide area search and engagement scenarios involving Uniform, Normal, and Poisson distributions of N real targets and M false target objects are formulated to generate expected numbers of target attacks and kills for a searching WASM. The mean value based on the number of target attack and kills from Monte Carlo simulations representative of the individual scenarios are compared to the analytically derived expected values. Emphasis is placed on WASMs operating in a multiple target environment where a percentage of the total targets are either false targets or may be misconstrued as false by varying the capability of the WASM's Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) capability. (8 tables, 18 figures, 22 refs.)
Strong Corporate Governance and Audit Firm Rotation: Effects on Judges' Independence Perceptions and Litigation Judgments

The Sarbanes‐Oxley (SOX) legislation mandated modest threshold levels of corporate board independence and expertise, as well as audit partner (not firm) rotation. One objective was to create an environment supportive of enhanced actual and perceived auditor independence. This study examines whether perceptions of auditor independence and auditor liability are incrementally influenced by further strengthening corporate governance and by rotating audit firms. Our experimental study addresses these questions by analyzing responses of 49 judges attending a continuing education course at the National Judicial College. The experiment manipulates corporate governance at two levels (minimally compliant with current corporate governance requirements versus strong) and auditor rotation at two levels (partner rotation versus audit firm rotation). We find that strengthening corporate governance (beyond minimal SOX levels) and rotating audit firms (compared to partner rotation) lead to enhanced auditor independence pe...
Allele-specific interactions between the yeast RFC1 and RFC5 genes suggest a basis for RFC subunit-subunit interactions.

Replication factor C (RFC) is an essential, multi-subunit ATPase that functions in DNA replication, DNA repair, and DNA metabolism-related checkpoints. In order to investigate how the individual RFC subunits contribute to these functions in vivo, we undertook a genetic analysis of RFC genes from budding yeast. We isolated and characterized mutations in the RFC5 gene that could suppress the cold-sensitive phenotype of rfc1-1 mutants. Analysis of the RFC5 suppressors revealed that they could not suppress the elongated telomere phenotype, the sensitivity to DNA damaging agents, or the mutator phenotype of rfc1-1 mutants. Unlike the checkpoint-defective rfc5-1 mutation, the RFC5 suppressor mutations did not interfere with the methylmethane sulfonate- or hydroxyurea-induced phosphorylation of Rad53p. The Rfc5p suppressor substitutions mapped to amino acid positions in the conserved RFC box motifs IV–VII. Comparisons of the structures of related RFC box-containing proteins suggest that these RFC motifs may function to coordinate interactions between neighboring subunits of multi-subunit ATPases.
Persistent spatial information in the fef during object-based short-term memory does not contribute to task performance

We previously reported the existence of a persistent spatial signal in the FEF during object-based STM. This persistent activity reflected the location at which the sample appeared, irrespective of the location of upcoming targets. We hypothesized that such a spatial signal could be used to maintain or enhance object-selective memory activity elsewhere in cortex, analogous to the role of a spatial signal during attention. Here, we inactivated a portion of the FEF with GABAa agonist muscimol to test whether the observed activity contributes to object memory performance. We found that, although RTs were slowed for saccades into the inactivated portion of retinotopic space, performance for samples appearing in that region was unimpaired. This contrasts with the devastating effects of the same FEF inactivation on purely spatial working memory, as assessed with the memory-guided saccade task. Thus, in a task in which a significant fraction of FEF neurons displayed persistent, sample location-based activity, disrupting this activity had no impact on task performance.
SQUID-Detected Liquid State NMR in Microtesla Fields

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments performed in magnetic fields on the order of microtesla yield line widths comparable to the lifetime limit even in grossly inhomogeneous magnets. The potential loss in sensitivity is overcome by combining prepolarization in fields on the order of millitesla and signal detection with a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID). The enhanced spectral resolution attainable in microtesla fields enables NMR studies of pure liquids and solutions without the need for strong magnets. We have investigated a variety of heteronuclear systems in both the weak and strong J-coupling regimes. Six different nuclear species have been detected with the same experimental apparatus. NMR signals of thermally polarized protons were obtained in fields as low as 554 nT.
Marangoni and Buoyancy Effects on Direct Metal Laser Sintering with a Moving Laser Beam

A three-dimensional model describing melting and resolidification of a direct metal laser sintering process under the irradiation of a moving Gaussian laser beam is developed. Effects of shrinkage and natural convection driven by the surface tension and buoyancy force are taken into account. The energy equation is formulated using a temperature-transforming model and solved by the finite-volume method. The temperature distribution and velocity field are investigated. The results show that increasing the initial porosity of the powder bed enlarges the depth of the melt–solid interface and that the laser intensity has great influence on both the depth and width of the liquid pool. The whole molten pool shifts toward the direction opposite the laser scanning as the scanning velocity increases.
Rollover Prevention of Multi-Body Ground Vehicles Extending LQR Design for Control Coupled Output Regulation

In this paper, a novel control system analysis and design technique is presented by transforming rollover index minimization as an optimal control problem in the popular Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) control design framework. This results in a ‘control coupled output regulation’ problem because of the coupled terms in state and control variables in the performance index. There are no guidelines available for the selection of state and control weightings for the coupled case. In this paper, we present considerable insight into the major differences in the optimal control problem formulation for the uncoupled and coupled cases and provide guidelines for weight selections by taking into consideration the interaction (or coupling) between state and control terms and using the property of ‘Output Zeroing’ controller. The proposed analysis and design method is illustrated with rollover prevention control for a multi-body Ground Vehicle using the active steering control and active roll control respectively.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Inhibition of muscle tropomyosin polymerization by DNAse I

Tropomyosin polymerization is inhibited by DNAse I, an endonuclease which also interacts with G-actin. A 1:4 molar ratio of DNAse I to adult chicken pectoralis muscle tropomyosin almost completely prevents the increased viscosity of tropomyosin under polymerizing ionic conditions. While G-actin binding to DNAse I inhibits the DNAse I hydrolysis of DNA, tropomyosin does not affect this enzymatic activity. G-actin-DNAse I interaction is also not altered by tropomyosin.
Extended Lyapunov stability criterion using a nonlinear algebraic relation with application to adaptive control

A new nonlinear stability criterion is developed by use of a class of Lyapunov functionals for model-reference adaptive systems (MRAS). Results are compared with traditional results, and a comparative design technique is used to illustrate its function in improving the transient response of an MRAS controller. For a particular system structure and class of input signals, the new stability criterion is shown to include traditional sufficiency stability conditions as a special case. An example is cited to illustrate the use of the nonlinear criterion and its definite advantages in helping improve the adaptive error transient response of a system. Analysis of results is effected by use of a linearization technique on the resulting adaptive equations.
Catalytic alcoholysis of tetramethylsilane via Pt-mediated C-H bond activation

Tetramethylsilane reacts with 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) in the presence of a cationic platinum(II) catalyst [(NN)PtMe(TFE)]+ (NN = 1,2-bis(3,5-dimethylphenylimino)butane). Catalytic Si−C bond heterolysis results in the formation of the trimethylsilyl ether, Me_3SiOCH_2CF_3, accompanied by liberation of one equivalent of methane. Preliminary experiments suggest that a rate-determining C−H bond activation precedes rapid attack by solvent at silicon to yield the silyl ether product and regenerate the active platinum methyl cation.
Associations among modern pollen, vegetation, and climate in western North America

Abstract A compilation of 1884 modern pollen surface samples was analyzed to explore the relationships between spatial distributions of pollen percentage data vs. climate and vegetation in western North America. Modern pollen spectra capture many of the unique traits of regional vegetation patterns and reflect regional patterns of climate diversity. Large-scale vegetation differences were identifiable by their pollen signatures. At the coarsest scale, forested regions were dominated by arboreal pollen and Pinus pollen abundances were typically >30%. In contrast, non-forested regions were dominated by shrub and herbaceous pollen types with Pinus percentages typically Picea was a good first-order indicator of boreal spruce forest vegetation with relatively high median percentages (22%), whereas Quercus was a good first-order indicator of desert vegetation with low median percentages (1%). Pollen abundance also provided climatic information. High Betula percentages occurred over a relatively narrow climatic range corresponding with their high latitudinal distribution, high Artemisia percentages were registered in winter-cold and dry climates of the interior basins. Arboreal pollen types were abundant in cool and wet climates, while non-arboreal pollen types dominate in climates that are warm and dry. Using pollen assemblages to predict local climate conditions shows that climate conditions are well predicted given knowledge of pollen spectra and climate conditions of the nearest analogues. Low accuracy was evident with pollen-based climate predictions in desert regions and temperate rainforests because of either poor sample density (in the case of the former) or extremes in temperature and/or precipitation (in the case of both). In other regions, vegetation and climate space were accurately predicted even when proximal samples, within 100 km, are excluded as the possible analogues. These results show that, within the vegetation and climate space of this region, the modern-analogue technique is useful for quantifying broad-scale vegetation and climate changes.
Case Study of a Cost-effective Small Wind Turbine

Producing energy while preserving the environment has become a critical issue in recent years. This may not be solved by only focusing on the construction of large-scale energy facility designs to utilize cleaner methods, but by also focusing on smaller-scale energy production. The design needs to be easily created from supplies that the general population would be able to acquire. This study looked at small-scale designs that are currently in the market and came to the conclusion as to which was the most cost-effective. Alternative supplies were found that may be used to attempt keeping the efficiency near the same level while cutting cost.
Photochemical generation and matrix-isolation detection of dimethylvinylidene.

We report the spectroscopic characterization of dimethylvinylidene, (CH3)2CC:, generated within an argon matrix at 14 K from a bisperoxyester precursor. The carbene was identified by comparison of the experimental IR spectrum with vibrational frequencies computed at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. Chemical trapping of the carbene within a 9% CO/Ar matrix to form dimethylpropadienone supports this analysis. Additional products produced during photolysis were identified by comparison to the appropriate computed vibrational frequencies. The potential energy surface of dimethylvinylidene and its intramolecular rearrangement products, 2-butyne and methylcyclopropene, were also investigated computationally at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level. A spin-state analysis of this carbene using a variety of computational methods (CCSD(T), B3LYP, MP2) indicates the singlet state is more stable than the triplet by ∼45 kcal mol-1. We anticipate the bisperoxyester precursor used here will be a convenient and general way for initiating fu...
Slotted photonic crystal nanobeam cavity with an ultrahigh quality factor-to-mode volume ratio

We describe the design, fabrication, and characterization of a 1-dimensional silicon photonic crystal cavity with a quality factor-to-mode volume ratio greater than 107, which exceeds the highest previous values by an order of magnitude. The maximum of the electric field is outside the silicon in a void formed by a central slot. An extremely small calculated mode volume of 0.0096 (λvac/n)3 is achieved through the abrupt change of the electric field in the slot, despite which a high quality factor of 8.2 × 105 is predicted by simulation. Quality factors up to 1.4 × 105 are measured in actual devices. The observation of pronounced thermo-optic bistability is consistent with the strong confinement of light in these cavities.
Triboelectrification Between Dissimilar Smooth Metal Surfaces With Self-Assembled Monolayers

We have simultaneously measured the friction and triboelectrification between two adhering SAM-coated molecularly smooth dissimilar metal surfaces using a modified surface forces apparatus. As the pressure is increased, triboelectrification increases drastically with large fluctuations about the mean. When the surfaces are in static contact, none of these effects is observed. Triboelectrification strongly depends on the friction type and force, sliding distance, contact area and sliding history. We also show that both SAMs and metal substrates contribute to the charge transfer mechanism.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Content Adaptive Representations of Omnidirectional Videos for Cinematic Virtual Reality

Cinematic virtual reality provides an immersive visual experience by presenting omnidirectional videos of real-world scenes. A key challenge is to develop efficient representations of omnidirectional videos in order to maximize coding efficiency under resource constraints, specifically, number of samples and bitrate. We formulate the choice of representation as a multi-dimensional, multiple-choice knapsack problem and show that the resulting representations adapt well to varying content. We also show that separation of the sampling and bit allocation constraints leads to a computationally efficient solution using Lagrangian optimization with only minor performance loss. Results across images and videos show significant coding gains over standard representations.
Muscarinic depression of synaptic transmission and blockade of norepinephrine-induced long-lasting potentiation in the dentate gyrus

Abstract Bath application of the muscarinic receptor agonist, muscarine, produced a concentration-dependent depression of synaptic activity in the dentate gyrus of hippocampal slices. A concentration of 10 μM muscarine produced a reversible depression that could be competitively antagonized by the muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine. However, other muscarinic receptor subtype (M1-M3) antagonists could also block the effects of muscarine. The rank order of antagonist potency was: 4-diphenylacetoxy- N -methyl-piperidine methiodide (M3/M1 antagonist) > pirenzepine (M1) > AFDX-116 (M2). The depression produced by 10 μM muscarine was not affected by in vivo pretreatment with pertussis toxin, and therefore was not mediated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G-protein. In addition, high concentrations of muscarine did not affect either basal or isoproterenol-stimulated accumulation of cyclic AMP from slices of dentate gyrus. Muscarine also produced a concentration-dependent blockade of the induction of norepinephrine-induced long-lasting potentiation in the dentate gyrus. Norepinephrine-induced long-lasting potentiation is a form of long-lasting plasticity induced in medial perforant path synapses by β-adrenergic agonists such as isoproterenol. The muscarinic blockade of norepinephrine-induced long-lasting potentiation was also prevented by pretreatment with pirenzepine. Based on these pharmacological data, we conclude that muscarinic depression of evoked responses, as well as blockade of norepinephrine-induced long-lasting potentiation, involves activation of either M3 or M1, but not M2, muscarinic receptors. These data also demonstrate that in addition to modulating normal synaptic transmission, muscarinic receptors may also play an important role in modulating synaptic plasticity.
Singularities, incompleteness and the Lorentzian distance function

A space–time (M, g) is singular if it is inextendible and contains an inex-tendible nonspacelike geodesic which is incomplete. In this paper nonspacelike incompleteness is studied using the Lorentzian distance d(p, q). A compact subset Kof M causally disconnects two divergent sequences {pn} and {qn} if 0 < d(pn,qn) < ∞ for all n and all nonspacelike curves from pn to qn meet K. It is shown that no space–time (M, g) can satisfy all of the following three conditions: (1) (M, g) is chronological, (2) each inextendible nonspacelike geodesic contains a pair of conjugate points and (3) there exist two divergent sequences {pn} and {qn} which are causally disconnected by a compact set K. This particular result extends a theorem of Hawking and Penrose. It also implies that if (M, g) satisfies conditions (1) and (3), then there is a Co-neigh-bourhood of g in the space of metrics conformal to g such that any metric in this neighbourhood which satisfies the generic condition and the strong energy condition is nonspacelike incomplete.
The endogenous money supply revisited in a more realistic institutional framework

Textbooks explain that the Federal Reserve's (Fed's) open market purchase results in the multiple creation of loans and deposits (i.e., "reserves make deposits"). However, post Keynesian economists have long argued that banks make loans first, create deposits in the process, and then look for reserves. Hence, "deposits make reserves." The study revisits this post Keynesian theory with a new insight into large New York banks that act as intermediaries (as primary dealers in the textbook case, and as correspondent banks in the post Keynesian case) between the Fed and the nation's banking sector. The Granger causality tests and estimated short-run adjustment dynamics provide unambiguously strong empirical evidence in favor of the post Keynesian theory and the study's new insight, that is, the deposit creation process begins at banks, and large New York banks are indeed effective intermediaries between the Fed and the nation's banking sector.
Can personalized drug therapy be achieved? A closer look at pharmaco-metabonomics

Between 1930 and 1990, several dozen high-penetrance, predominantly monogenic disorders were identified and characterized, which led some investigators to speculate that individualized drug treatment was just around the corner. Informative DNA tests were sought to determine genetic predisposition to toxicity and cancer, thereby identifying individuals in which a drug was likely to be effective and those at increased risk of drug toxicity. These assays represent the leading edge of phenotype–genotype association studies, which are a major goal of clinical pharmacology and pharmacogenomics. Because of the complexity of the genome, however, the task is more challenging than anticipated originally. In the past decade we have come to appreciate how difficult it is to determine unequivocally either an exact phenotype or genotype. In the near future it seems unlikely that, by themselves, either transcriptomics or proteomics will be particularly helpful in achieving individualized drug therapy. However, recent advances in metabonomics are exciting and show promise. In the future, and perhaps in combination with proteomics, metabonomics might complement genomics in achieving personalized drug therapy.
A new relative navigation system based on X-ray pulsar measurements

The relative position estimation problem between two spacecraft, based on utilizing signals emitted from X-ray pulsars, is introduced. The pulse delay estimation problem is formulated, and the Cramer-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB) for any unbiased estimator of the pulse delay is presented as well. Two different estimation strategies are proposed, and an asymptotically efficient estimator is chosen, which is based on the maximum-likelihood criterion. The navigation system is equipped with inertial measurement units (IMUs). The time delay estimates are used as measurements, and based on the models of spacecraft and IMU dynamics, a Kalman filter is employed to obtain the three-dimensional relative position estimate. Numerical simulations are performed to verify the theoretical results.
An individual differences analysis of memory control

Performance on a wide variety of memory tasks can be hypothesized to be influenced by processes associated with controlling the contents of memory. In this project 328 adults ranging from 18 to 93 years of age performed six tasks (e.g., multiple trial recall with an interpolated interference list, directed forgetting, proactive interference, and retrieval inhibition) postulated to yield measures of the effectiveness of memory control. Although most of the patterns from earlier studies were replicated, only a few of the measures of memory control were reliable at the level of individual differences. Furthermore, the memory control measures had very weak relations with the age of the participant. Analyses examining the relations between established cognitive abilities and variables from the experimental tasks revealed that most of the variables were related only to episodic memory ability.
False lateralization of scalp EEG seizure onset

Abstract We report a patient with lateralized right-sided ictal scalp EEG activity contralateral to left mesial temporal seizure onset as documented by depth electrodes. Subsequent left temporal lobectomy revealed mesial temporal sclerosis and resulted in a marked reduction (97%) in seizure frequency. This case illustrates the frequently discussed, but rarely documented, occurrence of false lateralization of scalp EEG seizure onset in a patient with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Identification of linear time-variant systems without using prior information

We introduce a technique for identification of systems with arbitrarily time-variant responses from samples of their input and output signals, and without using any prior information about the dynamics of the unknown system response. Our technique uses only input-output data to determine the parameters that are required in the construction of an extended RLS estimator (as described in [3]) for the unknown system response. We demonstrate the utility of our approach via a numerical example.
Efficient, long-life and Lambertian source of top-emitting white OLEDs using low-reflectivity molybdenum anode and co-doping technology

Abstract A top-emitting white organic electroluminescent device (TWOLED) established on low-reflectivity molybdenum (Mo) anode (R ∼ 58% in visible range) for alleviating the undesirable microcavity effect and achieving broad as well as similar emission spectra at different viewing angles has been demonstrated based on a dual-layer emitter composed of doped blue and yellow dopant in the same blue host. The electroluminescent (EL) efficiency and operational lifetime of TWOLED can be further enhanced by a factor of 1.2 and 3.4, respectively, when a co-doping technology of adding another blue dopant into the yellow emitter was incorporated. The enhanced efficiency is attributed to the improved energy transfer from blue host to yellow dopant by cascade process.
Redescription of Pterygoplichthys punctatus and description of a new species of Pterygoplichthys (Siluriformes: Loricariidae)

Pterygoplichthys punctatus and P. weberi, new species, are unique among hypostomines in having a medially divided buccal papilla. The two species can be separated from one another by color (small spots in P. punctatus, large in P. weberi), condition of the buccal papilla (deeply divided at all ages in P. punctatus vs. shallowly divided in adults of P. weberi), condition of the lateral keel odontodes (fairly short and directed posteriorly in P. punctatus vs. large and directed almost laterally in P. weberi), and body width (SL/cleithral width 3.6-4.0 in P. punctatus vs. 3.3-3.4 in P. weberi). Pterygoplichthys punctatus is known from the rio Madeira drainage and the rio Urubu of Brazil and has published, but unconfirmed localities in the rio Purus and rio Tocantins basin, and P. weberi is known from the Rio Maranon, Rio Ucayali, and upper Rio Amazonas drainages of Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
Case—Keeping Logistics Under Wraps

1. Company Background Stationery Demand is a national distributor of customized paper goods and office supplies located in Blawnox, Pennsylvania. The company was founded in 1963 by John Karthan, a former Westinghouse engineer who left the nuclear business to satisfy his entrepreneurial fervor. From the company’s earliest days John emphasized personal interaction with his customers, often making evening sales calls himself at the homes of other small business owners. More companies saw the value of placing their logo on stationery and other office supplies, and Stationery Demand’s business grew exponentially in the 1970s and 1980s. John hired a large sales force to serve the new customers and expand the business to geographical areas outside of western Pennsylvania. He required that these salespeople complete an extensive training program to ensure that they exemplified his personal selling philosophy. By 2005 Stationery Demand had a national presence and annual revenues exceeding $30 million. Control of the firm passed to John’s son, David Karthan, in 1992. To raise capital, David transformed the proprietorship into an S Corporation in 1996 by offering shares of stock to selected investors. Before retiring, John converted his sales force into a network of independent distributors to provide extra sales incentives and reduce his company’s benefit obligations. Stationery Demand currently has approximately 400 of these independent distributors, each serving a small portion of the United States. John Karthan clearly defined his company’s customer base early in its operations. He focused his sales efforts on small business owners like himself that larger office suppliers might ignore. The personal sales approach established trust quickly, as his customers felt that their business was valued because they were dealing directly with the owner. This provided another impetus for the decision to transform the salespeople into independent distributors. Karthan hoped, and ultimately found, that his distributors could provide a competitive advantage in landing new accounts by reflecting this same interest in the customers.