cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Judicial Review of Acts of Congress, 1789-2006

Predominant empirical theories of judicial review indicate that the Supreme Court should be more likely to uphold against constitutional challenge legislation passed by its partisan and ideological allies. This paper introduces an original dataset composed of all cases in which the Court substantively reviewed the constituitonality of federal statutes from 1789 through 2006. The dataset offers a new perspective on how the Court has exercised the power of judicial review across American history. The dataset is also used to test common expectations about how the Court uses the power of judicial review. We find partial support for those expectations.
Hydroxymethyl-Functionalized PEDOT-MeOH:PSS for Perovskite Solar Cells

Poly(hydroxymethylated-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT-MeOH:PSS) conducting polymers are synthesized and incorporated in inverted structured perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) as hole transport materials. The highest occupied molecular orbital of PEDOT-MeOH is lowered by adding a hydroxymethyl (-MeOH) functional group to ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT), and thus, the work function of PEDOT-MeOH:PSS is increased. Additionally, hydrogen bonding can be formed among EDOT-MeOH monomers and between EDOT-MeOH monomers and sulfate groups on PSS, which promotes PEDOT-MeOH chain growth and enhances PSS doping. The electronic, microstructural, and surface morphological properties of PEDOT-MeOH:PSS are modified by changing the amounts of PSS and the ferric oxidizing agent used in the polymerization and by adding ethylene glycol in the postsynthesis treatment. The PVSCs based on ethylene-glycol-treated PEDOT-MeOH:PSS overperform the PVSCs based on commercial PEDOT:PSS because of the better energetic alignment and the enhancement of PEDOT-MeOH:PSS electrical conductivity. This work opens the way to develop new hole transport materials for highly efficient inverted PVSCs.
Palm Morphology and Anatomy

Palms differ greatly from broadleaf (dicot) and coniferous (Gymnosperm) trees in their overall form and external structure (morphology) and in their internal structure (anatomy). Morphology and anatomy determine how palms grow, function, and respond to external and internal stress factors. This publication provides a basic understanding of how palms are constructed. This 4-page fact sheet was written by T. K. Broschat, and published by the UF Department of Environmental Horticulture, May 2013. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ep473
Vector flow mapping, a new method of visualization of flow structures in cardiovascular

心血管系统内的流场结构与心血管的解剖结构一样,与心血管的运动和功能紧密相关.近年来.研究者们采用多种漩涡显示技术,多角度对流场结构进行研究,期望通过新的显像模式以揭示血液流场结构与心血管结构和功能的关系,例如早期通过彩色M型及超声造影M型多普勒技术从体外研究到人体研究,得出参数心室血流传播的速度Vp(propagation velocity)[1-4,6],以期证明心室内涡流的存在及其运动规律。
Endogeneity in the Environmental Kuznets Curve: An Instrumental Variables Approach

A graph of environmental degradation versus income often has an inverted-U shape. Some policy analysts hypothesize that there is a causal relationship between income and environmental degradation, yielding this shape and suggesting that the solution to environmental problems is to alleviate poverty. Others suggest that there are important omitted variables, and that political institutions responding to public demand — and not rising income — improved environmental quality. To examine the relationship between environmental quality, income, and political institutions, we use an institutional variables approach to mitigate the problems caused by simultaneity bias and omitted variable bias. We find causal evidence for an inverted-U relationship between income and environmental degradation for seven out of eleven water pollutants; as well, political institutions have a significant effect on environmental quality for five of the eleven pollutants. The results suggest that both increasing income and improving political institutions reduce water pollution.
Regulating Digital Currencies: Towards an Analytical Framework

Digital currencies have the potential to improve the speed and efficiency of payments and to broaden financial inclusion. The principal goal is to facilitate payments among consumers on a day-to-day basis as an alternative to cash, both domestically and across national borders. This Article begins by critically examining and critiquing the ongoing progress to try to develop retail digital currencies, focusing on the two most feasible approaches: central bank digital currencies (CBDC), and privately-issued currencies that are backed by assets having intrinsic value (stablecoins). The Article then analyzes how these digital currencies should be regulated and supervised, exploring their similarities and differences. Both CBDC and stablecoins raise innovative legal issues as well as the types of legal issues normally associated with payment systems, although in novel contexts. If widely used, stablecoins also could impair central banks’ ability to control monetary policy and possibly undermine confidence in the value or operational continuity of currencies, which could threaten international monetary and financial stability. Stablecoin regulation must also address that potential threat.
Cross-Sectional Survey of Graduate Clinical Nutrition Students Describing Dietary Choices and Recommendations.

Objectives: Little data exists describing the dietary habits of nutrition students, including whether students’ personal dietary choices influence their clinical recommendations. Study objectives w...
Sex influences the relationship between hamstrings-to-quadriceps strength imbalance and co-activation during walking gait

Abstract Background While traditionally viewed as a beneficial adaptation to preserve stability in the presence of knee pathology, excessive muscle co-activation may be detrimental for joint health when extrapolated to repetitive movement patterns over time. Lesser hamstrings strength relative to the quadriceps (low H:Q strength ratio) may influence neuromuscular patterns about the knee, as it is reported to increase risk for lower extremity injury among healthy females. Research question Does the relationship between H:Q strength ratio and H:Q co-activation differ between sexes during walking and jogging? Methods We used a descriptive laboratory study to assess hamstrings and quadriceps strength and muscle activity patterns during the loading response of treadmill walking gait (1.34 m/s) and jogging (2.68 m/s) in healthy males (n = 11) and females (n = 12). Concentric-concentric peak isokinetic torque (60°/s) was used to derive the H:Q strength ratio, which was treated as an explanatory variable for H:Q co-activation indices (medial, lateral, composite) and constituent EMG amplitudes. Bivariate correlations (Pearson r or Spearman ρ) were used for analysis. Results In females, lesser H:Q strength ratios were associated with greater lateral co-activation (r=−.715, P = .007) and biceps femoris EMG amplitude (ρ=−.532, P = .046) during the loading response of walking gait. When controlling for sex differences in knee flexion, the relationship between lesser H:Q strength ratios and greater lateral co-activation was preserved (partial r=−.699, P = .012); yet, biceps femoris EMG was no longer correlated (partial r=−.331, P = .175). Significant relationships were not observed among male participants during walking or in either sex during jogging (all P > .05). Significance Collectively, these data provide evidence of a sex-specific neuromuscular pattern with implications for joint health. Excessive lateral co-activation may consequently promote a greater valgus moment and ligamentous strain. Future investigations would benefit from understanding the influence of hamstrings-dominant exercise programs on the neuromuscular patterns of the knee.
The cost of grid stability with 100 % clean, renewable energy for all purposes when countries are isolated versus interconnected

Abstract This study examines the impacts on energy costs and requirements of interconnecting versus isolating the electric grids of countries in Western Europe when each country's all-purpose energy is provided by 100 % wind, water, and sunlight (WWS). A weather model is used to predict wind and solar fields and building heat and cold loads. A grid model is used to match electricity, heat, cold, and hydrogen demand with WWS supply; electricity, heat, cold, and hydrogen storage; and demand response. Stable solutions are found for all countries, including the smallest (Luxembourg and Gibraltar) and largest (France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom), and for all combinations of countries. Results indicate that interconnecting countries reduces aggregate annual energy costs, overbuilding of generators and storage, energy shedding, and land/water area requirements in most, but not all, situations. Interconnecting Western Europe may decrease aggregate annual energy costs ∼13 % relative to isolating each country. The best reductions are found by interconnecting hydropower-rich Norway with Denmark (20.6 %) and Northwestern Europe (13.7 %). Interconnecting the smallest countries, Luxembourg and Gibraltar, with larger countries benefits all countries. Whether isolated or interconnected, all countries examined, including France and Germany, can maintain a stable grid at low cost with 100 % WWS.
Temperature and concentration dependence of the ionic transport properties of poly(ethylene oxide) electrolytes

Abstract Even though batteries operate at different temperatures depending on their use and state of charge, little work has been done to understand the effects of temperature on the ionic transport properties of the electrolyte. The temperature dependence of these properties is important for predicting how the performance of the battery will change as a function of temperature, along with gaining fundamental insights into the underpinnings of ion transport in these electrolytes. In this study we provide the first investigation of the effect of temperature on ionic conductivity, salt diffusion coefficient, transference number, and the thermodynamic factor of a model polymer electrolyte: lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) salt dissolved in poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO). These properties were measured at 70, 90, and 110 °C. As expected, we see monotonic increases in conductivity and diffusion with increasing temperature. Additionally, monotonic dependencies on temperature were obtained for the transference number and the thermodynamic factor. One presumes that concentration polarization decreases with increasing temperature due to more rapid ion transport. We use concentrated solution theory to predict concentration polarization in lithium-PEO/LiTFSI‑lithium symmetric cells and thereby quantify the effect of temperature on concentration polarization.
Light and Dark

There is overwhelming evidence of cerebral asymmetry in humans and many other species. For example, the asymmetry of brain function is evident early on in the avian brain, including the lateralization of attack and copulation responses. It is commonly thought that lateralization of brain function in humans and other species is an invariant aspect of genetic expression. However, exposure to illumination appears to be instrumental in this process with developmental prospects for reversal of dominant asymmetry patterns and subsequently for the moderation of laterality effects with light.
Reading achievement in a large urban school district : an analysis of the effects of four reading programs on the reading growth of four reading ability groups.

v LIST OF TABLES vi LIST OF FIGURES vii CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1 National Adolescent Literacy Data 2 Schools and Adolescent Literacy Underachievement 2 Reading Programs and Reading Motivation Research 3 Review of Literature 5 Sociocultural Theory 6 What Constitutes Good Literacy Instruction 7 Classroom Discussion 7 Academic Press 8 Urban School District Use of Scripted Reading Programs 9 Literacy Curriculum and High-Stakes Testing 10 Direct Instruction vs. direct instruction 11 Summary 14 Rationale for Present Study 14
Controlled Release of Protein and Vaccines from Poly(Ester) Microspheres in Vitro

Biodegradable microspheres of poly(L-lactide) and copolymers of lactide and glycolide have been prepared by spray drying. Degradation studies of these microspheres using residual mass measurements, viscometry and gel permeation chromatography indicated the entire mass of polyester matrices was maintained for 10, 30 days and 6–10 months for 50:50 and 85:15 copolymers and poly(L-lactide), respectively. The continuous drop in polymer intrinsic viscosity and molecular weight during hydrolysis suggested that matrix degradation began as soon as these microspheres were placed in the buffer and that their degradation proceeded through random-chain scission. Protein release, using bovine serum albumin micro-spheres, showed that release from 50:50 copolymer was independent of polymer molecular weight over a range from 31,000 to 93,000. The release was, however, dependent on the polymer composition and BSA loading in the microspheres. A burst-effect was found in the release study for microspheres prepared from copolymers. The identity and integrity of the released protein was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis on the release products of polymeric microspheres containing BSA, FPL-R and EcoBacR-Plus vaccines. These results suggested that the release BSA (or vaccine) from polymeric microspheres could be sustained for up to one month.
Transport and metabolism of cyclosporine in isolated rat hepatocytes. The effects of lipids.

Abstract The effects of lipids on the uptake and metabolism of cyclosporine (CyA) were investigated in isolated rat hepatocytes. In the absence of lipids, CyA was rapidly taken up (reaching apparent steady state within 5 min) and highly associated with the cells (more than 80%). The CyA uptake was concentration independent over the concentration range studied (0.6 to 11.2 μg/mL). Metabolism, however, was relatively slow and saturable. Except for cholesterol (at concentrations up to 15.5 mM), all lipids tested [oleic acid; low density lipoproteins (LDL); and high density lipoproteins (HDL)] reduced CyA cell uptake as well as its metabolism in a concentration-dependent manner. The effects of LDL were much more pronounced when compared to those of HDL and oleic acid. At an LDL concentration of 1 μM, drug uptake, indicated by the cell-associated concentration at steady state, was about 49% of the control value, while CyA metabolism was inhibited completely. Drug uptake of about 82 and 91% and CyA disappearance of 75 and 68% of the relevant control values were observed with HDL and oleic acid at concentrations of 10 μM and 0.7 mM, respectively. Apparently, lipids decreased CyA metabolism by reducing the concentration of CyA available for transport into the cells. These findings further support the suggestion of an important role for plasma lipids in the disposition of CyA.
Plasma Amino Acids Profiles in Children with Autism: Potential Risk of Nutritional Deficiencies

The plasma amino acid profiles of 36 children with autism spectrum disorders were reviewed to determine the impact of diet on amino acid patterns. Ten of the children were on gluten and casein restricted diets administered by parents, while the other 26 consumed unrestricted diets. No amino acid profile specific to autism was identified. However, children with autism had more essential amino acid deficiencies consistent with poor protein nutrition than an age/gender matched control group. There was a trend for children with autism who were on restricted diets to have an increased prevalence of essential amino acid deficiencies and lower plasma levels of essential acids including the neurotransmitter precursors tyrosine and tryptophan than both controls and children with autism on unrestricted diets. These data indicate that larger, more focused studies of protein nutrition in children with autism are needed in order to determine the extent to which restricted diets might place the developing brains of children with autism at risk from protein malnutrition. The high rate of tryptophan and tyrosine deficiency in this group is also of concern given their role as neurotransmitter precursors.
A unified framework of subspace and distance metric learning for face recognition

In this paper, we propose a unified scheme of subspace and distance metric learning under the Bayesian framework for face recognition. According to the local distribution of data, we divide the k-nearest neighbors of each sample into the intra-person set and the inter-person set, and we aim to learn a distance metric in the embedding subspace, which can make the distances between the sample and its intra-person set smaller than the distances between it and its interperson set. To reach this goal, we define two variables, that is, the intra-person distance and the inter-person distance, which are from two different probabilistic distributions, and we model the goal with minimizing the overlap between two distributions. Inspired by the Bayesian classification error estimation, we formulate it by minimizing the Bhattachyrra coefficient between two distributions. The power of the proposed approach are demonstrated by a series of experiments on the CMU-PIE face database and the extended YALE face database.
Micromachined high-Q fused silica bell resonator with complex profile curvature realized using 3D micro blowtorch molding

We present a high level of control over complex profile curvature in micro fused silica shell resonators achieved through a blowtorch molding process. The graphite mold geometry is imparted on the shell without transferring the texture, preserving the 2.4 A surface roughness of the reflowed fused silica. A variety of shapes are possible using this technique, including a bell shape with a height-to-radius ratio of 1.2. The shell will gently curve around sharp corners but can also follow a curvature prescribed by a rounded or conical sidewall. We offer an explanation for the mechanism that enables this process. We also discuss simulation results on anchor loss and thermoelastic damping and measure ring-down times of 6.7 seconds at ∼12.9 kHz for both n = 2 wineglass modes of a bell resonator.
Problems in discrete optimization

This thesis consists of three sections. The first section is a survey of approximation algorithms for a variety of combinatorial problems. This survey defines each problem, and then describes what is known about its approximability. Then the survey describes several common techniques used in approximation algorithms and gives examples of their use. The second section concentrates on one such combinatorial problem--that of routing two-terminal nets in a two-dimensional N $\times$ N grid so as to minimize the channel width needed to accommodate the wires. We pay particular attention to routing problems where both the distance between terminals and the number of bends are restricted. We begin by describing a fast algorithm for producing a two-bend routing using channels of width at most k + 1, which is within one of the obvious worst-case lower bound. In addition, we show that the value $W\sb{\rm 1-LP}$ of the linear programming relaxation provides a good lower bound on the maximum channel width for a one-bend routing, and we describe a polynomial-time approximation algorithm to find routings with maximum channel width of $W\sb{\rm 1-LP}$ + O(log$\sp2$ k). Finally, we extend this to the b-bend case, giving an algorithm to find routings with maximum channel width of $W\sb{b-{\rm LP}}$ + O($b\sp2$log$\sp3$ k). The third section contains an exact algorithm which, when the dimension is fixed, solves a feasibility problem in strongly polynomial time. Specifically, given a convex set in $R\sp{d}$ and a separation subroutine which, given a point, tells whether this point is in the set, the feasibility problem is to find a point contained in the set. If d is fixed, and the separation subroutine has a certain "linear" property, then the algorithm runs in strongly polynomial time. We apply this result to extend the class of linear programs solvable in strongly polynomial time. In particular, this yields a strongly polynomial algorithm for the concurrent multi-commodity flow problem. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
P3H-1 Tunable Solidly Mounted Resonators

Solidly-mounted resonator (SMR) configurations were pioneered by Newell in the mid-1960s. In Newell's designs, a piezoelectric resonator was indirectly attached to a substrate by means of an intervening Bragg stack of plates of low and high acoustic impedance, similar to an anti-reflecting optical coating. By proper arrangement of the stack parameters, it was conjectured that high resonator quality factor (Q) values could be attained. However, devices based on this novel concept proved not to be satisfactorily realizable with fabrication techniques available at that time. More recent advances in microfabrication technologies have now produced practical commercial realizations. In the usual SMR embodiment, only the mechanical impedance transforming property of the Bragg stack is utilized. In [25] was reported initial work on a method to provide the Bragg stack with tunability by making use of piezoelectric layers. The individual strata are then represented as three-port networks, the electrical port supplying an additional degree of freedom for tuning or adjustment. Because of unavoidable manufacturing variability, a means of altering the equivalent electrical length of each layer allows SMR devices based on this modality to be optimized; alternatively, the tuning may be applied in a dynamic fashion, to change the frequency at which minimum power is lost to the mounting substrate. This paper describes some of what may be accomplished by means of piezoelectric Bragg stacks, as well as descriptive equivalent network realizations and requisite operational relations.
Mating Behavior in the Japanese Beetle, Popillia Japonica Newm

Resume On s'est servi de Popillia japonica dans une enquete pour trouver le degre de l'accouplement selectif chez un insecte type. Au moyen d'une technique etalon ou l'on a employe des dessins de contour obtenus par la micro-projection, on a obtenu huit mesures lineaires de quelques animaux accouples. On a compute de ces donnees des correlations Pearson produit-moment des mesures directes et des indices morphologiques. A l'exception d'une cas, on a trouve que la femelle a ete plus grande que le mâle; mais qu'en general, la femelle a ete moins variable en grandeur et en forme que le mâle. On a trouve une valeur moyenne d'homogamie de 0,044±0,06 pour la grandeur et une valeur moyenne de 0,034±0,06 pour la forme. Ces resultats chez Popillia montrent que le degre de l'homogamie n'est pas si uniforme chez les invertebres que les etudes anterieures semblent l'indiquer. On a trouve une variation des valeurs directes de correlation s'etendant de—0,41 a + 0,57, basee sur des mesures lineaires heterogenes. Cette gr...
Model elastic liquids with water-soluble polymers

Model liquids with nearly constant viscosity and adjustable elasticity are needed to resolve the role of elasticity in coating and other free-surface flows. Available Boger liquids are not well suited to free-surface flows, because they are solutions in organic solvents and their viscosities exceeding 1 Pa · s fall on the high side. Aqueous liquids are preferred in laboratory studies partly due to environmental hazards. Aqueous polymer solutions with constant shear viscosity and adjustable elasticity were prepared by adding small amounts of a high-molecular-weight polymer to a more concentrated aqueous solution of the same polymer but of a much lower molecular weight. Up to 0.2 wt. % of high-molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO, Mw from 400,000 to 4 million g/mol) was added to almost inelastic solutions of low-MW polyethylene glycol (PEG, Mn = 8,000 g/mol). PEG concentrations in these solutions varied between 16.7 and 42.9 wt. %. Shear viscosities of these solutions ranged from about 0.02 to 0.3 Pa · s and were constant up to shear rates of 100 s−1. The stress ratio is one measure of the elasticity of the liquid. Stress ratios up to 0.2 were estimated from small-amplitude oscillatory measurements. Terminal behavior (elastic modulus rising with the square of the frequency) was not observed even at 10−2 rad/s. Viscosity and elasticity of the liquids can be manipulated over a wide range by varying the amounts and molecular weights of PEG and PEO within the unentangled and dilute regions of the concentration–molecular weight diagram, respectively. Fits of experimental data to candidate differential and integral constitutive equations are also discussed.
Activation and Habituation in Olfaction—An fMRI Study

Abstract This study investigated human BOLD responses in primary and higher order olfactory cortices following presentation of short- and long-duration odorant stimuli using a 3-T MR scanner. The goal was to identify temporal differences in the course of the response that might underlie habituation. A short-duration stimulus (9 s) consistently activated the primary olfactory cortex (POC). After a long stimulus (60 s), the temporal form of the response differed in different parts of the olfactory network: (1) The POC (piriform, entorhinal cortex, amygdala) and, interestingly, the hippocampus and, to a certain degree, the anterior insula show a short, phasic increase in the signal, followed by a prolonged decrease below baseline. (2) In the orbitofrontal cortex a sustained increase in activation was seen. This increase lasted approximately as long as the duration of odorant presentation (∼60 s). (3) The mediodorsal nucleus of the thalamus and the caudate nucleus responded with an increase in signal which returned to baseline after approximately 15 to 30 s. The correlated biphasic hemodynamic response in the POC, hippocampus, and anterior insula during prolonged olfactory stimulation suggests that these three areas may interact closely with each other in the control of habituation. These results extend recent data which showed habituation of the rat piriform cortex and dissociation between the POC and the orbitofrontal cortex.
Patterns of action of glucoamylase isozymes from Aspergillus species on glycogen.

Abstract Glucoamylase isozymes from black Aspergillus species have been freed of all traces of alpha -amylase by chromatography on Bio-Gel P-100, as evidenced by limited hydrolysis of oxidized amylose. Glucoamylase I retains its ability to hydrolyse rabbit-liver glycogen rapidly. By contrast, glucoamylase II hydrolyses glycogen slowly, and addition of alpha -amylase to glucoamylase II does not enhance its activity toward glycogen. These results indicate that alpha -amylase is not involved in hydrolysis of glycogen by glucoamylase.
Flavopiridol Inhibits Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation In Vitro and Neointimal Formation In Vivo After Carotid Injury in the Rat

Background—Smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation is a critical component of neointimal formation in many models of vascular injury and in human lesions as well. Cell-cycle inhibition by gene transfer techniques can block SMC proliferation and lesion formation in animal models, although these methods are not yet applicable to the treatment of human disease. Flavopiridol is a recently identified, potent, orally available cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. Methods and Results—Using human aortic SMCs, we found that flavopiridol in concentrations as low as 75 nmol/L resulted in nearly complete inhibition of basic fibroblast growth factor–induced and thrombin-induced proliferation. At this dose, flavopiridol inhibited cyclin-dependent kinase activity, as measured by histone H1 phosphorylation, but had no effect on mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Induction of the cell cycle–related proteins cyclin D1, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein was also blocked by ...
Fractional calculus in bioengineering: A tool to model complex dynamics

The premise of this work is that fractional (non-integer order) calculus can provide the basis for a greater understanding of the dynamic processes that occur in biological tissues. Such an understanding is fundamental in bioengineering where engineers seek a simpler description of the underlying multi-scale processes that occur, for example, when tissues are mechanically stressed or strained. Fractional order models work well in physics, electrochemistry and rheology, particularly in describing dielectric, magnetic and viscoelastic materials over extended ranges of time and frequency. In heat transfer and electrochemistry, for example, the half-order fractional integral is the natural integral operator connecting applied gradients (thermal or material) with the resultant diffusion of ions or heat. Can fractional calculus be applied in bioengineering to uncover similar relatively simple links between stress and strain in load-bearing tissues, such as cartilage, the electrical impedance of implanted cardiac pacemaker electrodes, or in predicting changes in the shear modulus of tumors developing in breast tissue? Since the constitutive properties of tissue depend on the micro-scale architecture of the cellular and extracellular networks, the challenge for the bioengineer is to develop new modeling, visualization and assessment tools that better predict the macro-scale mechanical performance from measurements observations at the micro- and nano-scale. In this paper I describe some of the characteristics of fractional calculus that I believe make it well suited for this application, and outline three areas of bioengineering research where fractional calculus is being applied.
Enforcement frictions and optimal lending contracts

I consider an environment in which contract enforcement is a decision variable for the principal. I construct a model in which entrepreneurs cannot commit to repaying investors for the capital advanced, but investors can force repayment by spending resources. The principal uses enforcement to reduce the resources available to the agent after a default, thus providing incentives for the agent to stay in the relationship. She also ensures contract compliance by backloading the payments to the agent: expected utility rises over time, preventing a default. I consider an application of the framework developed in the paper to the area of firm dynamics. I show that enforcement and backloading are always used jointly. Firm size (measured by capital) grows with time and each firm converges to the efficient size. A second application is to the field of economic development. Costlier enforcement leads to the choice of sub-optimal technology; secondly, it leads to inefficient dispersion of capital across establishments.
Antinucleon production and its relation to the rise in the proton-proton total cross section

Arguments suggesting that the rise in the $\mathrm{pp}$ total cross section is due to antinucleon production are reviewed and questioned. While this hypothesis cannot be ruled out, the important coupling between the $N\overline{N}$ channel and meson channels complicates the dynamical picture. We consider multiperipheral cluster models generally, but include some of the effects of unitarity by discussing final-state interactions. We conclude that, either multiperipheral cluster models for $N\overline{N}$ production are inapplicable or, within the context of such models, $N\overline{N}$ production alters the production of other particles. These facts render previous model calculations of dubious applicability.
Placing prairie pothole wetlands along spatial and temporal continua to improve integration of wetland function in ecological investigations

Summary We evaluated the efficacy of using chemical characteristics to rank wetland relation to surface and groundwater along a hydrologic continuum ranging from groundwater recharge to groundwater discharge. We used 27 years (1974–2002) of water chemistry data from 15 prairie pothole wetlands and known hydrologic connections of these wetlands to groundwater to evaluate spatial and temporal patterns in chemical characteristics that correspond to the unique ecosystem functions each wetland performed. Due to the mineral content and the low permeability rate of glacial till and soils, salinity of wetland waters increased along a continuum of wetland relation to groundwater recharge, flow-through or discharge. Mean inter-annual specific conductance (a proxy for salinity) increased along this continuum from wetlands that recharge groundwater being fresh to wetlands that receive groundwater discharge being the most saline, and wetlands that both recharge and discharge to groundwater (i.e., groundwater flow-through wetlands) being of intermediate salinity. The primary axis from a principal component analysis revealed that specific conductance (and major ions affecting conductance) explained 71% of the variation in wetland chemistry over the 27 years of this investigation. We found that long-term averages from this axis were useful to identify a wetland’s long-term relation to surface and groundwater. Yearly or seasonal measurements of specific conductance can be less definitive because of highly dynamic inter- and intra-annual climate cycles that affect water volumes and the interaction of groundwater and geologic materials, and thereby influence the chemical composition of wetland waters. The influence of wetland relation to surface and groundwater on water chemistry has application in many scientific disciplines and is especially needed to improve ecological understanding in wetland investigations. We suggest ways that monitoring in situ wetland conditions could be linked with evolving remote sensing technology to improve our ability to better inform decisions affecting wetland sustainability and provide periodic inventories of wetland ecosystem services to document temporal trends in wetland function and how they respond to contemporary land-use change.
Cation-ether complexes in the gas phase: thermodynamic insight into molecular recognition

Abstract Trends in the bond dissociation energies for the binding of the alkali metal cations, Li + , Na + , K + , Rb + , and Cs + , to a series of ethers, 1–4 dimethyl ethers, 1 and 2 dimethoxy ethanes, and the crown ethers, 12c4, 15c5, and 18c6, are discussed. The bond energies have been determined in previous studies by analysis of the thresholds for collision-induced dissociation of the cation–ether complexes by xenon as measured in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. Details of the analysis of the data are reviewed and the accuracy of the results ascertained by comparison with theoretical results taken from the literature. Combined, the experimental and theoretical results provide an extensive thermochemical database for evaluation of the metal-crown complexes, a simple example of molecular recognition. These results indicate the importance of optimizing the metal–oxygen bond distances and the orientation of the local dipole on the oxygen towards the metal. Further, it is shown that excited state conformers of these complexes are probably observed in several systems as a result of interesting metal-dependent dynamics in the formation of the complexes.
Possibility of intrinsic optical (far-IR) bistability in an asymmetric double quantum well

Abstract A new type of optical bistability in a double quantum well is predicted. This is a pure intrinsic bistability which is not accompanied by any dc current in an external circuit and requires no source of electric energy. The effect is based on counterfield electron transfer and is driven and controlled by far-IR radiation resonant to an intersubband transition. Bistable switching and hysteresis can be monitored either electrically or optically. Theory shows the effect to be readily observable.
Read my lips: The politics of collection development

Politics of the non-rhetorical variety do occupy an important place in the drafting of both collection development policies and approval plan profiles. Indeed, librarians must become politically adept if they hope to successfully implement either one. The reasons are simple: if we accept a non-governmental definition of politics as “the total complex of relations between people in society,” then we can see that neither collection development policies nor approval profiles can or should be developed in isolation-especially, in a microcosm as fiercely protective of its freedom of speech and the ideal of participatory governance as is academe. As such policies serve, and have an impact upon, most if not all people who inhabit our little academic worlds, it only stands to reason that we should want to involve as many of those people as possible or, at least that we should strive to make certain everyone is represented one way or another. For example, at Kent State, we cannot afford any full-time bibliographers other than me, and so we have established a network of what we term “library liaisons.” These are library faculty members who endeavor to cover at least one subject discipline. Their counterpart in each of those disciplines is termed the “departmental representative,” and there is a one-toone interface. Thus, when we re-evaluated our approval plan a year and a half ago, using the standards developed by John Reidelbach and Gary Shirk, we involved as many people as possible: not only library administrators and collection development personnel, but also our liaison librarians, their departmental counterparts, and department chairs. That meant that whatever decision we made-right or wrong, good or bad-would at least have a broad base of support. That is one reason why collection development policies are worth the time to write: for the process as much as for the final product. The very act of getting disparate people together and then trying to build consensus on any given topic is valuable in and of itself. It is politically astute, in that it greases the skids for approval of whatever one has in mind; but, equally significant is the fact that it brings a wide variety of experiences and perspectives to bear on a common problem. It may not always be true that two heads are better than one,
In-Flight Performance of the TES Loop Heat Pipe Rejection System: Seven Years in Space

The Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) is an infrared, high spectral resolution Fourier transform spectrometer with a 3.3 to 15.4 micron wavelength coverage. TES is a scanning instrument intended for determining the chemical state of the Earth's lower atmosphere (troposphere) from the surface to 30+ km. TES produces vertical profiles of important pollutant and greenhouse gases such as carbon monoxide, ozone, methane, and water vapor on a global scale every other day. TES was launched into orbit onboard NASA's earth Observing System Aura spacecraft on July 15, 2004 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.
Intracellular siRNA delivery with novel spermine based surfactants

The design and development of safe and effective multifunctional siRNA delivery systems are critical for clinical application of RNAi therapeutics. Here we evaluated eight new spermine-based surfactant multifunctional carriers for siRNA delivery. These carriers complexed with siRNA forming stable compact nanoparticles with sizes around 100 nm. The multifunctional carriers mediated higher intracellular siRNA transfection than Lipofectamine-2000. The siRNA nanoparticles of the multifunctional carriers exhibited low cytotoxicity as shown by MTT assay. Three of the eight multifunctional carriers showed higher silencing efficiency than Lipofectamine-2000 in both U87-Luc cells and CHO-GFP cells. SKAHCO showed the highest siRNA delivery efficiency among the carriers. It resulted in 84.6±5.5% silencing of luciferase activity in U87-Luc cells, much higher than that (62.8±3.4%) from Lipofectamine-2000. In conclusion, the spermine based multifunctional carriers are promising for highly efficient intracellular siRNA delivery.
Development of a Power-Efficient, Restart-Capable Arc Ignitor for Hybrid Rockets

This paper details the development of a new ignition system concept that circumvents many of the difficulties associated with the current state of the art for hybrid rocket ignition systems. The technology is based on the unique electrical breakdown properties of additively manufactured acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. Strategic application of an electric field across the top of an additively manufactured acrylonitrile butadiene styrene fuel grain induces an electrostatic arc along the horizontally stacked manufactured surface features, and results in a small amount of pyrolyzed fuel vapor. When this event occurs simultaneous with the introduction of an oxidizing flow, the ablated hydrocarbon vapor together with residual energy from the electrical arc rapidly seeds combustion. Multiple incremental prototype systems were designed, built, and tested. Best conditions for successful operation were discovered, including minimum ignition pressure, optimal geometry, and electrical power requirements. An embedded...
Abstract LB-173: Statin use and colorectal adenoma risk: Results from the Adenoma Prevention with Celecoxib (APC) trial

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Discussant: John A. Baron, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-173.
Implementation of a highly sensitive cardiac troponin I assay: Test volumes, positivity rates and interpretation of results

Abstract Background While more sensitive cardiac troponin (cTn) assays may overcome current limitations in diagnosing acute coronary syndrome (ACS), clinicians and laboratorians are concerned about the clinical impact of higher rates of cTn positivity. Methods We collected statistics on test volume and positivity rates before and after the implementation of a more sensitive assay. We divided patients into 6 groups based on their cardiac troponin I (cTnI) results and utilized additional laboratory test results to determine the impact of the new assay. In addition, we assessed the clinical significance of low-positive cTnI results (0.05–0.10 µg/l). Results Lowering the diagnostic cutoff from 0.10 to 0.04 µg/l increased the number of positive test results by 44.2% hospital-wide and 114.4% in the emergency department without significantly changing test volume. In some patients, low-positive results were part of the typical rise and fall of cTnI consistent with myocardial damage. Diagnosis was more challenging in patients with consistently low-positive results. Patients in this group were significantly more likely to have impaired renal function than those with cTnI elevations > 0.10 µg/l. Conclusions More sensitive cTn assays will increase the number of positive results and allow for earlier detection of cardiac injury while also detecting non-ACS related pathologies.
Preventative maintenance of turbine-generator stator windings

The authors discuss stator winding deterioration mechanisms and their consequences. Inspection and test procedures which will detect these mechanisms, as well as programs to arrest them, are also discussed. The analysis is broken down into sections on the slot region of the stator winding and on the end winding region. Particular emphasis is directed to issues unique to liquid cooled stator windings. A simple test is described which can be used to detect the presence of excessive amounts of water in the insulation of a liquid cooled winding. >
The Complex History of the Fronto-Occipital Fasciculus

We investigated the history of the fronto-occipital fasciculus (FOF) and related tracts in the cerebral white matter because of their contemporary relevance for connectional neuroanatomy, magnetic resonance tractography, and clinical neurology. The term "FOF" originated with Forel and Onufrowicz who misidentified aberrant longitudinally oriented callosal fibers in patients with callosal agenesis. This error was soon recognized, and Dejerine described an actual FOF linking frontal and occipital lobes, but gross dissection and lesion-degeneration methods could not distinguish the FOF from the subcallosal fasciculus of Muratoff and neighboring white matter bundles. Subsequent descriptions of a probably nonexistent "inferior FOF" have led to the FOF being misnamed post-hoc "superior FOF," and other imprecise anatomical concepts and terminologies from the early literature are still perpetuated. Our analysis of brain fiber pathways using isotope anterograde tract tracers (Schmahmann & Pandya, 2006) resolves the earlier uncertainties and provides hypotheses regarding functions of these fiber pathways.
Comparison of soil quality and productivity at two sites differing in profile structure and topsoil properties

Abstract Improved means for assessing the impact of management on soil quality (SQ) are needed. Objectives of this study were to assess SQ of two soils with similar taxonomy but dissimilar soil profile characteristics and compare SQ ratings with crop productivity. Soils evaluated included a glacial-till derived (GTD) loam/clay loam and an alluvial-derived (AD) sandy loam in central North Dakota, USA (403 mm mean annual precipitation). Application of the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) to seven properties showed the soils had similar SQ index (SQI) values of 69 and 68 (out of 100 possible) for GTD and AD soils at 0–30 cm depth, respectively, while they had SQI values of 89 and 87 at 0–5 cm depth. The GTD soil had 17.1 g kg−1 organic C compared to 9.8 g kg−1 for AD soil, and higher SMAF scores for organic C and available water capacity (AWC), but lower scores for Olsen P and potentially mineralizable N. Soil productivity, as expressed by seed yield of dry pea (Pisum sativum L.), spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and maize (Zea mays L.), was determined from two multi-crop sequence experiments conducted under no-tillage. Seed yields of spring wheat following spring wheat in 2003 and 2005 were 35% and 14% greater on GTD soil than on AD soil, but not different in 2003. Dry pea and maize forage yields were generally equivalent between soils, but 2004 maize seed yields on GTD soil following dry pea, spring wheat, and maize were 28%, 30%, and 54% lower, respectively, than on AD soil. Lower maize yields on GTD soil compared to AD soil during 2004 were associated with low subsoil hydraulic conductivity and shallower soil water depletion and root growth on GTD soil. Although GTD soil had higher levels of more stable SQ indicators (organic C, AWC) than AD soil, their similar, relatively high SQI values indicate positive responses to soil conservation management. Our results show the need for integration of soil profile and subsoil information with near-surface SQ assessments.
Classification Codes for Soft Information Generation from Hard Flash Reads

In this paper, a tensor product-based classification code (CC) is proposed to generate coarse soft information based on the hard flash reads for use in soft information-utilizing error correction codes (ECCs), particularly low-density parity check (LDPC) codes. Analysis and simulation results have shown that with a small ECC overhead, CC helps the LDPC code decoder achieve better performance compared to a hard-input case. Furthermore, the proposed code has very simple encoding and decoding algorithms; therefore, it can be easily implemented in hardware to aid existing ECC systems.