cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does Talk Matter After All?: Inflation Targeting and Central Bank Behavior

Interpretations of inflation targeting (IT) have ranged widely, from "inflation-only targeting" without regard for output, to cheap talk without effect, to transparency increasing flexibility without cost. We characterize five interpretations of the adoption of IT as shifts between strategies in a conventional model of monetary time-inconsistency. Their implications for central bank behavior are compared to the time-series properties of inflation, and to the response of interest rates to inflation movements, for three countries adopting IT in the early 1990s. For the U.K. and Canada, lower inflation levels and persistence post-adoption are combined with greater accommodation of real shocks and more stable private-sector inflation expectations. This is consistent with successful approximation of the optimal state-contingent rule. The results for New Zealand post adoption mix reduced inflation level and persistence with less stable inflation expectations, perhaps reflecting increased rule-like conservatism. There is no evidence, however, that IT entails a single-minded pursuit of the inflation target.
A story about learning

The author describes the experience of two children using learning programs on a computer in a public library in 1989. The author then outlines a scenario for 2003 where a laboratory conducts a global experiment in highly interactive tutorial learning, through the use of the computer, to determine if this method should be widely employed. The author then describes a future scenario for 2020 where te use of voice activated computers are used for interactive learning in an Indian town.
Contribution of the MnPO Angiotensin Receptors to Brain Stem Activity and Hypertension (LB734)

Repeated bouts of hypoxia during sleep apnea and chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) are associated with persistent blood pressure elevation. Neurological mechanisms that drive this maladaptive bloo...
Growing adaptation of computer science in Bioinfomatics

Bioinfomatics is a bright new field, and is defined as a science of developing computer databases and algorithms for the purpose of speeding up and enhancing biological research. The mapping of the human genome was officially completed in June of 2000, and DNA sequence has been completed in April 2003. The key issue of next era in Bioinfomatics is to interpret data for our purpose. Biological research uses a huge volume of data, the DNA sequence, the nature of the process's pattern searching, complex calculations and sorted data subsets. The pattern searching has been studied in data mining community to extract characteristics from databases, which may be text strings and/or primary sequence information. The text strings consists of entry, organism, or gene names, and authors. Primary sequence information includes restriction enzyme cut sites, regulatory patterns ("signal") and known functional or structural pattern's (motifs). The pattern searching covers simple one-dimensional pattern text searches, regular pattern expressions, to neural nets and genetic algorithms. A visualization technique offers visual data interpretation to the Bioinfomatics. Cluster, grid computing and/or parallel computation are introduced to share database called data banks and to speed up the searching over databases. The large distributed databases need methods of inquiry and access over the networks. The VRML, cellML, AnatML, and FiledML have been designed to access cluster GRID computing. The web-based and GRID computing offers tools for easy data access and integration to facilitate biological researches in the next era. The Computer Science has provided background technologies to Bioinfomatics in a variety of fields. We study Bioinfomatics researches and products and show growing adaptation of Computer Science in Bioinfomatics.
Identification of Graduate Level Competencies in Hospitality Management

Hospitality managers and educators were surveyed to ascertain their expectations for competencies of graduates with advanced degrees in hospitality management. The study sample of 183 managers and 296 educators were asked to classify 46 competency statements according to educational level and experience required for competency development. Five competencies were classified as requiring a master's degree, four of which were considered to require more than three years of experience to develop competency. Twenty-seven competencies were identified at the bachelor's level, and seven were found not to be related to level of education. All competencies in both groups were considered to require up to three years of experience for competency development. Results will be useful in developing curricula for graduate programs in hospitality management.
Stress distribution and stress reduction in copper/brass radiators

This paper presents quantitative information on stress in copper/brass radiators. Strain gages were used to measure the stresses in the unsupported tubes near the header, and to determine thermal stress resulting from uneven expansion of the tubes and the side support bar. Strain measurements were performed on plain and ribbed ''turbulator'' tubes. The compressive strength of various fin arrays was also measured. An analytical model was developed to predict the compressive strength of the fin array as a function of the fin geometry parameters. A finite element stress analysis model was used to predict the stress in the tubes and in the tube/header solder joint. The predicted values agree well with the measured stress.
Metal ion coordination by the AGC triad in domain 5 contributes to group II intron catalysis

Group II introns require numerous divalent metal ions for folding and catalysis. However, because little information about individual metal ions exists, elucidating their ligands, functional roles and relationships to each other remains challenging. Here we provide evidence that an essential motif at the catalytic center of the group II intron, the AGC triad within domain 5 (D5), provides a ligand for a crucial metal ion. Sulfur substitution of the pro-Sp oxygen of the adenosine strongly disrupts D5 binding to a substrate consisting of an exon and domains 1–3 of the intron (exD123). Cd2+ rescues this effect by enabling the sulfur-modified D5 to bind to exD123 with wild type affinity and catalyze 5′-splice site cleavage. This switch in metal specificity implies that a metal ion interacts with D5 to mediate packing interactions with D123. This new D5 metal ion rescues the disruption of D5 binding and catalysis with a thermodynamic signature different from that of the metal ion that stabilizes the leaving group during the first step of splicing, suggesting the existence of two distinct metal ions.
Methods for imaging and quantifying the structure of biofilms in food processing and other environments.

Abstract: This chapter, as the title indicates, is about imaging and quantifying biofilm structure. The term biofilm structure was conceived in reference to the distribution of biomass in the space occupied by a biofilm, after it became obvious that this distribution was nonuniform. This is the original definition of biofilm structure and we have adhered to this definition in most parts of this text. However, we cannot ignore the fact that the definition of biofilm structure has expanded. Since the time when the original meaning of the term was proposed, nonuniform distribution of other components of biofilm has been demonstrated, in particular the nonuniform distribution of various physiological groups of microorganisms and the nonuniform distribution of various polymeric substances, collectively called extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). The distribution of physiological groups in biofilms has become a well-studied branch of biofilm research – known as microbial community structure analysis, and quantification of the distribution of various polymers constituting EPS has made progress as well. The tools used to quantify the nonuniform distribution of various components in biofilms have much in common. The smallest dimension of the biofilm, the thickness, is conveniently expressed in microns, and it determines that the resolution of tools used to study the distribution of the components in biofilms must provide spatial resolution better than the thickness of the biofilm. This clearly includes several types of microscopy. In this chapter, we discuss these tools and where appropriate we illustrate their use with examples. Finally, the distribution of the components in biofilms needs to be quantified, and we describe software packages that can be used for this purpose. The concept of biofilm structure is dynamic and flexible, and able to accommodate the distributions of the components that have been described as well as the distribution of components that will be described in the future.
Metabolic Regulation of Histone Acetyltransferases by Endogenous Acyl-CoA Cofactors

The finding that chromatin modifications are sensitive to changes in cellular cofactor levels potentially links altered tumor cell metabolism and gene expression. However, the specific enzymes and metabolites that connect these two processes remain obscure. Characterizing these metabolic-epigenetic axes is critical to understanding how metabolism supports signaling in cancer, and developing therapeutic strategies to disrupt this process. Here, we describe a chemical approach to define the metabolic regulation of lysine acetyltransferase (KAT) enzymes. Using a novel chemoproteomic probe, we identify a previously unreported interaction between palmitoyl coenzyme A (palmitoyl-CoA) and KAT enzymes. Further analysis reveals that palmitoyl-CoA is a potent inhibitor of KAT activity and that fatty acyl-CoA precursors reduce cellular histone acetylation levels. These studies implicate fatty acyl-CoAs as endogenous regulators of histone acetylation, and suggest novel strategies for the investigation and metabolic modulation of epigenetic signaling.
E-Learning in Asia: Just as Good Is Not Good Enough

The dramatic economic and social developments underway in Asia have been fueled by traditional education, but that is rapidly changing. E-learning is essential to further develop ment in Asia and elsewhere around the world. Despite the laudable achievements described in the articles included in this special issue of the International Journal of E-Learning , many unresolved issues related to the effectiveness of online higher education in Asia remain. Three particularly interrelat ed thorny issues are: (1) access, (2) quality, and (3) accredita tion. A deplorable lack of alignment persists in Asian online higher education enterprises among the critical elements of the learning environment, viz., higher order outcomes, specific objectives, content, instructional design, learner tasks, teacher roles, technological affordances, and assessment. Continuing to use e-learning to deliver the same instructional methods as traditional higher education in Asia will ultimately fail because “just as good” as what exists is simply not acceptable in light of the goals and needs of 21 st Century learners.
Structure Analysis Using High-Resolution Imaging Techniques

According to the NIH consensus development panel in 2001 bone strength in the setting of osteoporosis is determined by bone mass and bone quality (NIH Consensus Development Panel on Osteoporosis Prevention 2001). Important components of bone quality are bone micro- and macrostructure. Currently there is substantial interest in better measuring bone quality and pharmaceutical companies are interested in using these measures as biomarkers in drug trials.
Mortality of British Jews at the Turn of the 20th Century in a Comparative Perspective

This paper presents an analysis of the mortality data of British Jews. Not much was known about mortality of British Jews until recently. Recent availability of mortality data of British Jews represents a remarkable development in Jewish demography. The study reported in this paper employs multiple comparisons of mortality schedules and places the discussion of findings within the larger analytical framework offered by the existing tradition of research into Jewish mortality across the world. This paper addresses three principle empirical questions: (1) how does the mortality of British Jews compare to the mortality of the total British population and of different subgroups within this population?; (2) how does the mortality of British Jews compare to the range of mortality schedules of developed countries?; and (3) how does the mortality of British Jews compare to those observed among Israeli Jews?. The analysis is concluded with a discussion of the results in the light of other available evidence from the literature on Jewish mortality. Specifically, the concept of Jewish pattern of mortality and its appropriateness within the context of British Jewish demography are discussed.
Cytotoxicity of single-walled carbon?nanotubes suspended in?various?surfactants

The cytotoxicity of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) suspended in various surfactants was investigated by phase contrast light microscopy characterization in combination with an absorbance spectroscopy cytotoxicity analysis. Our data indicate that individual SWCNTs suspended in the surfactants, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS), were toxic to 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells due to the toxicity of SDS and SDBS on the nanotube surfaces. This toxicity was observed when cells were exposed to an SDS or SDBS solution having a concentration as low as 0.05 mg ml−1 for 30 min. The proliferation and viability of the cells were not affected by SWCNTs alone or by conjugates of SWCNTs with various concentrations of sodium cholate (SC) or single-stranded DNA. The cells proliferated similarly to untreated cells when surrounded by SWCNTs as they grow, which indicated that the nanotubes did not affect cells adversely. The cytotoxicity of the nanotube–surfactant conjugates was controlled in these experiments by the toxicity of the surfactants. Consequently, when evaluating a surfactant to be used for the dispersion of nanoscale materials in applications such as nanoscale electronics or non-viral biomolecular transporters, the cytotoxicity needs to be evaluated. The methodology proposed in this study can be used to investigate the cytotoxicity of other nanoscale materials suspended in a variety of surfactants.
Endosperm Size Diversity in Domesticated, Wild, and Semiwild Soybean

Past literature documents that domesticated soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., has trivial to almost nonexistent galactomannan-containing endosperm in mature dormant seeds. Current preliminary observations confirm limited endosperm for many domesticated soybean accessions, but show that many others have markedly larger endosperm, as do all wild (G. soja Sieb. & Zucc.) and semiwild (G. gracilis Skvortz.) accessions. A trend toward small endosperm seems to have taken place during soybean domestication, which may be explained by some undesirable effects of galactomannans on monogastric animals. The broad diversity of genetic resources for endosperm size and associated galactomannans in available domesticated, wild, and semiwild accessions suggests use of soybean as a model plant for exploring differences, including water relations, between endospermic and non-endospermic legume seeds. It also suggests their use for breeding domesticated soybean with even smaller amounts of galactomannans for use in animal feeds, large amounts of galactomannans for commercial use, or genetic manipulation of the endosperm for other uses.
Model of hydrogen permeation behavior in palladium membranes

Abstract A model has been constructed for H2 permeation through Pd which accounts for external mass transfer, surface adsorption and desorption, transitions to and from the bulk metal, and diffusion within the metal. Reasonable values for all rate parameters have been estimated based on surface science and membrane literature. In the absence of external mass transfer resistance, nearly diffusion-limited permeation is expected for clean Pd for temperatures above approximately 573 K and membrane thicknesses down to 1 μm. Low-temperature permeation is limited by desorption while adsorption is only expected to impact permeation at very low upstream H2 partial pressures, or under conditions of substantially reduced sticking due to surface contamination. The efficiency of external gas-phase mass transfer is a critical element in permeation flux and apparent Sievert's law behavior for Pd membranes approaching 10 μm and thinner, especially at low H2 partial pressures or when a porous support is present. Comparison of the calculations with literature results for Pd membranes less than 10 μm thick reveals that permeation rates well below those expected are often observed, indicating the importance of factors related to fabrication methods, such as film microstructure, grain size, and surface or grain boundary contamination.
Type 1 Diabetes as a Model for Prediction and Diagnosis

(2004). Type 1 Diabetes as a Model for Prediction and Diagnosis. Autoimmunity: Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 341-345.
Azole chemistry. V. Synthesis and spectral properties of thiazolo[3,2-d] tetrazolium salts†

Thiazolo[3,2-d] tetrazolium salts were obtained by treatment of 5-mercapto-1-phenyl-1,2,3,4-tetrazole with α-bromo ketones followed by cyclodehydration. The spectral properties of the salts and the β-keto sulfide precursors were investigated.
FLOQUET-LIOUVILLE SUPER-MATRIX APPROACH FOR MULTIPHOTON NON-LINEAR OPTICAL PROCESSES IN INTENSE LASER FIELDS

Abstract A practical non-perturbative approach is presented for the treatment of multiphoton non-linear optical processes in intense monochromatic or polychromatic field. By extending the many-mode Floquet theory recently developed by the authors, the time-dependent Liouville equation for the density matrix of atoms or molecules undergoing radiative and/or collisional relaxations can be transformed into an equivalent time-independent Floquet-Liouville super-matrix eigenvalue problem. The method is illustrated by a study of the multiphoton resonance fluorescence spectra of two-level systems.
Psychiatric Epidemiology: Progress and Prospects in the Year 2000

In the last half century, the field of psychiatric epidemiology has been born and is rapidly coming of age. The emergence of chronic disease epidemiology in the 1940s and 1950s was conceptually joined to the revival of interest in psychiatric disorders that came about after World War II, in a publication by the Milbank Memorial Fund, in 1950, which used the term psychiatric epidemiology (1). For 25 years following, sometimes called the "second generation" of psychiatric epidemiology (2), the field was dominated by sociologists and social psychiatrists, who applied newly developed household survey techniques to the problem of estimation of the prevalence of mental problems and who studied causal factors such as socioconomic stratification (3, 4), social integration (5), and social stress (6). There were relatively few epidemiologic studies of specific mental disorders, and those that existed focused efforts on measuring the extent of disorders in the population, that is, descriptive epidemiology (7). Research directed toward understanding the etiology of disorders— analytic epidemiology—used measures of psychological distress or global impairment, precluding integration with laboratory and clinical research and hindering construction of credible etiologic hypotheses. During this second generation of psychiatric epidemiology, there were developments in related fields that were to overtake and change the field drastically. One important advance was the development of the empirical basis for psychiatric diagnosis. In the latter half of the decade of the 1960s and into the 1970s, several studies (8, 9) showed that the reliability of psychiatric diagnosis was so weak as to allow the charge that diagnoses were "myths" or "ideology" (10,11). Empirical work on
Hybrid Wing-Body (HWB) Pressurized Fuselage Modeling, Analysis, and Design for Weight Reduction

This paper describes the interim progress for an in-house study that is directed toward innovative structural analysis and design of next-generation advanced aircraft concepts, such as the Hybrid Wing-Body (HWB) and the Advanced Mobility Concept-X flight vehicles, for structural weight reduction and associated performance enhancement. Unlike the conventional, skin-stringer-frame construction for a cylindrical fuselage, the box-type pressurized fuselage panels in the HWB undergo significant deformation of the outer aerodynamic surfaces, which must be minimized without significant structural weight penalty. Simple beam and orthotropic plate theory is first considered for sizing, analytical verification, and possible equivalent-plate analysis with appropriate simplification. By designing advanced composite stiffened-shell configurations, significant weight reduction may be possible compared with the sandwich and ribbed-shell structural concepts that have been studied previously. The study involves independent analysis of the advanced composite structural concepts that are presently being developed by The Boeing Company for pressurized HWB flight vehicles. High-fidelity parametric finite-element models of test coupons, panels, and multibay fuselage sections, were developed for conducting design studies and identifying critical areas of potential failure. Interim results are discussed to assess the overall weight/strength advantages.
The Sememic Approach to Structural Semantics1

AS PART of the justification for their existence, languages have an intimate but only partially understood relationship to a vague entity which we call meaning. There is no general agreement as to just how initimate this relationship is: that is, as to whether meaning is or is not included within language, partly or wholly, in one of its aspects or levels or more than one (if indeed there are more than one). But many linguists have thought it would be very desirable, and perhaps also possible, to set up or discover some structural units which would either be units of meaning itself or in some other way would help us to systematize our treatment of that vague entity. A name for such a unit, Sememe, has been available for a long time. It was provided by Bloomfield (1926). We are not constrained, of course, to use his definition in order to use the term. Just as with the morpheme and other concepts of his and others, we may refine our understanding of the unit without adding a new name to an already formidable collection of terminology. For Bloomfield, the sememe was the meaning of a morpheme. This concept would seem to put sememes and morphemes in a one-to-one correspondence with each other-that is, a sememe for every morpheme and a morpheme for every sememe. Such a view of the relationship ought to make it unnecessary for there to be two kinds of units, and one is led to wonder why, in this case, Bloomfield bothered to have sememes in his system at all. But the reason becomes clear when we recall that for Bloomfield a morpheme was composed of phonemes. Certainly, sequences of phonemes could not themselves be units of meaning as well; so it was necessary to adopt an alternative, namely that these sequences, the morphemes, have meanings; and these meanings were the sememes. Nowadays, on the other hand, many linguists view morphemes not as composed of phonemes but as represented by phonemes and combinations of phonemes. For those of us who hold this view, morphemes are not units of expression so the notion of a one-to-one correspondence between morphemes and sememes would amount to the same thing as making the sememes quite useless, except for those who take pleasure in multiplying entities praeter necessitatem. Now, of course, the fact that a name exists, even one given by Bloomfield, does not compel us to go out and find something to use it for. Nor should we be unduly influenced by its suffix, so that we suppose we must find an "emic" type of entity in the area of content, having those same important properties as other "emes" we have come to know. Of course, there is no objection to anyone's setting out to look for such an entity, provided he maintains the proper degree of caution. On the other hand, this was not the approach that I used. It
Optical FID measurement of low temperature dephasing in Pr3+:LaF3

Abstract The temperature dependence of the dephasing rate of the 1 D 2 ↔ 3 H 4 transition in 0.05% Pr 3+ :LaF 3 has been measured between 1.8 K and 4.5 K by optical free induction decay. One-phonon absorption between the two latest crystal field components of 1 D 2 is the dominant relaxation mechanism above ≈3 K .
Endocrinology An Endangered Species

Endocrinology and metabolism, once a chosen subspecialty, has fallen on hard times. To understand the difficulties that confront this traditional subspecialty of internal medicine, its problems must also be viewed in the context of the overall problems facing internal medicine. There is considerable concern over the lack of interest among medical students for careers in internal medicine, and within internal medicine, and the lack of interest among residents for careers as subspecialists in endocrinology and metabolism and other noninvasive specialties. In the past, the best and the brightest of the senior medical students selected internal medicine for their graduate medical education. Although program directors of the most sought-after programs may not have noticed, most other program directors have observed a dramatic decline in the academic credentials of those students applying for residency positions in internal medicine.
NINE "COLOURS" OR TYPES OF ROMANTIC LOVE?

The purpose of this study was to use psychometric procedures to test the empirical validity of Lee's nine types of romantic love. To accomplish this, multi-item scales were constructed to measure e...
DESIGN OF BENEFICIAL GEOMETRIC IMPERFECTIONS FOR ELASTIC COLLAPSE OF THIN-WALLED BOX COLUMNS

Abstract This paper deals with the design of beneficial geometric imperfections for elastic collapse of thin-walled box columns of square cross-section under axial compression. From the point of view of high elastic post-collapse stiffness, it is desirable to force the column to collapse with a larger number of axial half-waves than with the preferred wave number which is approximately equal to the aspect ratio. By introducing a beneficial geometric imperfection with such a larger wave number and if the magnitude of such imperfection exceeds the transitional value, it is found that the column will collapse in the beneficial mode in the initial postbuckling (assume to be elastic) finite-deflection regime. Equilibrium paths of typical box columns are plotted and analyzed. The two-mode potential energy is found to fall into the category of a double-cusp catastrophe.
Ecologically relevant measures of the physiological tolerance of light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana, to high temperature extremes.

Abstract Invasive ectothermic species are limited in their geographic range expansion primarily by their capacity to withstand temperature extremes. Epiphyas postvittana is a highly polyphagous invasive leafroller that was discovered in California in 2006. To predict its potential range and future response to climate change, high temperature tolerance of this species was determined for all life stages and larval instars. Using the static method to estimate high temperature tolerance with response to probing as an endpoint, the mean time leading to 50% mortality (LT 50 ) ranged from 45 to 187 h at 32.3 °C, 34 to 68 h at 36 °C, 11 to 21 h at 38 °C, and 1.2 to 5.6 h at 40.4 °C. There was no clear pattern in the relative tolerance of the life stages across the range of temperatures tested. For pupae and adults, gender did not influence the LT 50 values at any of the temperatures tested. For the larval instars, LT 50 values increased with increasing larval instar at the highest three temperatures while this trend was reversed for the lowest temperature (32.3 °C). An analysis of LT 50 values obtained from acute responses to probing compared to subsequent survival to adult emergence, showed that chronic mortality severely affected all larval instars at three out of the four constant temperatures and resulted in 64–85% reduction in LT 50 values. No difference in acute and chronic mortality was found for exposure of the egg stage to high temperatures. These findings have important implications for predicting thermal limits and range expansions of insect species, since upper thermal tolerance could readily be overestimated from the use of ad hoc rather than ecologically relevant endpoint measurements such as survival to adult emergence.
Treatment of recurrent ischemia after thrombolysis and successful reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction: effect on in-hospital mortality and left ventricular function.

To determine the effect of treatment of recurrent ischemia after reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction on in-hospital mortality and left ventricular function recovery and to identify patients at highest risk of serious consequences in the event of recurrent ischemia in this setting, 405 consecutively treated patients were studied retrospectively. All patients received intravenous thrombolytic therapy within 6 h of ST segment elevation-documented infarction and had angiographic confirmation of their reperfusion status performed within 120 min of treatment. Three hundred three patients had successful reperfusion with or without rescue angioplasty and had no recurrent ischemia (group 1), 74 patients had initially successful reperfusion but subsequent recurrent ischemia (group 2) and 28 patients had failed reperfusion (group 3). The in-hospital mortality in groups 1 to 3 was 2.0%, 14.9% and 32.1%, respectively (p Thus, 1) recurrent ischemia after successful reperfusion for acute myocardial infarction was associated with decreased inhospital survival, 2) successful early treatment of ischemia in this setting was associated with improved survival compared with later successful treatment or unsuccessful treatment at any time, and 3) mortality risk with recurrent ischemia was not easily stratified with readily available clinical variables.
Chain orientation in polystyrene/poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) blends

The differential orientation of polymer chains has been measured in polystyrene (PS)/poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO) compatible blends. Density measurements are reported as a function of binary blend composition at 23°C. Drawing was performed by solid-state coextrusion. PS/PPO blend compositions of 90/10 and 75/25 were drawn within sandwiches of polyethylene at 145°C and isotactic polypropylene at 155°C, i.e. at ca. 25°C above the glass transition temperatures of the two blends. The change in Fourier-transform infrared dichroisms on drawing these blends was measured at 906 and 1190 cm−1, corresponding to predominantly PS and PPO, respectively. The orientation of PS and PPO was observed as a function of draw ratio λ in the range 1–5; orientations increased with λ for both PS and PPO in both blends but to different degrees. Both polymers decreased in orientation with increasing PPO content. Annealing with fixed ends showed that the PPO chains disorient more slowly than those of PS. All binary systems were found to be amorphous and compatible.
Blurring of retinal image and foveal contrast thresholds of separated point light sources.

Foveal contrast thresholds of the light-adapted eye were measured for two point light sources, whose separation could be varied, and for different degrees of out-of-focus imagery. The data for sharp imagery were similar to those obtained by Van den Brink for the dark-adapted eye. It appears that for separations of the point sources from zero to about 3 min of arc the contrast threshold increases linearly. Approximately 3 min of arc (depending upon pupil diameter) is a critical angle of separation, because for greater separations the threshold remains constant. This is interpreted to indicate no overlapping of blur disks, no integration of luminous energy, and no inhibition of the two images for separations greater than this critical angle. Blurring of the images of the points increased the critical angle only slightly. This implies that the distribution of illuminance within the blurred image cannot be predicted from geometrical considerations.
Large force fluctuations in a flowing granular medium.

We study fluctuations in the force at the boundary of a 2D granular flow. The forces are mainly impulsive at all flow rates. The probability distribution of impulses decays exponentially at large impulses, as do the forces in a static granular medium. At small impulses, the distribution evolves continuously with flow rate with no indication of the transition from collisional flow to intermittently jamming flows. However, the distribution of the time interval between collisions tends to a power law, $P(\ensuremath{\tau})\ensuremath{\sim}{\ensuremath{\tau}}^{\ensuremath{-}3/2}$, showing a clear dynamical signature of the approach to jamming.
Structure, Stability, and Bonding of Transition-Metal−Boryl Complexes. A Molecular Orbital Study

By using CASSCF, MR-SDCI+DC, and various DFT methods, we have studied the electronic and geometrical structures of MBH2, MBH2+ (where M = Sc, Co, Rh, and Ir), and RhB(OH)2, and RhB(OH)2+ complexes. The ground states of CoBH2+ and IrBH2+ are nearly degenerate quartet states derived from the 5F(s1d7) state of M+ and the 2A1 state of BH2, while the ground states of RhBH2+ are doublet states which are results of the interaction of Rh+ 3F(s0d8) with BH2(2A1). The ground states of ScBH2+ are doublet states from Sc+ 3D(s1d1) and BH2(2A1). For neutral species MBH2, where M = Co, Rh, and Ir, the triplet states are always the ground states, while for ScBH2, the 1A1, 3A1, and 3A2 states are clustered within a 0.5 kcal/mol energy range. The MR-SDCI+DC binding energies (BEs) are 49.3, 52.8, 64.3, and 87.5 and 37.8, 51.0, 74.1, and 84.5 kcal/mol for ScBH2+, CoBH2+, RhBH2+, and IrBH2+ and ScBH2, CoBH2, RhBH2, and IrBH2, respectively. M+−BH2 bonds are stronger than M−BH2 bonds for M = Sc, Co, and Ir, while the Rh+−BH2 bo...
Limits on Fourth Family Neutrinos from Searches for ββ Decay and Dark Mattera

While accelerator limits on fourth family neutrinos are well known, little-known nonaccelerator experiments also set useful limits on these particles, in some respects better than those yet reached by accelerators. The particular non-accelerator experiments considered here are the search for-neutrinoless double beta decay (ββ0v) and for dark matter (DM). These are both powerful means of looking for physics beyond the Standard Model, and hence they also constrain the fourth family.
Design and Preliminary Thermal Performance of the Mars Science Laboratory Rover Heat Exchangers

The challenging range of proposed landing sites for the Mars Science Laboratory Rover requires a rover thermal management system that is capable of keeping temperatures controlled across a wide variety of environmental conditions. On the Martian surface where temperatures can be as cold as -123 degrees Centigrade and as warm as 38 degrees Centigrade, the Rover relies upon a Mechanically Pumped Fluid Loop (MPFL) and external radiators to maintain the temperature of sensitive electronics and science instruments within a -40 degrees Centigrade to 50 degrees Centigrade range. The MPFL also manages significant waste heat generated from the Rover power source, known as the Multi Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG). The MMRTG produces 110 Watts of electrical power while generating waste heat equivalent to approximately 2000 Watts. Two similar Heat Exchanger (HX) assemblies were designed to both acquire the heat from the MMRTG and radiate waste heat from the onboard electronics to the surrounding Martian environment. Heat acquisition is accomplished on the interior surface of each HX while heat rejection is accomplished on the exterior surface of each HX. Since these two surfaces need to be at very different temperatures in order for the MPFL to perform efficiently, they need to be thermally isolated from one another. The HXs were therefore designed for high in-plane thermal conductivity and extremely low through-thickness thermal conductivity by using aerogel as an insulator inside composite honeycomb sandwich panels. A complex assembly of hand welded and uniquely bent aluminum tubes are bonded onto the HX panels and were specifically designed to be easily mated and demated to the rest of the Rover Heat Recovery and Rejection System (RHRS) in order to ease the integration effort. During the cruise phase to Mars, the HX assemblies serve the additional function of transferring heat from the Rover MPFL to the separate Cruise Stage MPFL so that heat generated deep inside the Rover can be dissipated via the Cruise Stage radiators. Significant fabrication challenges had to be overcome in order to make the HX design a reality. The cruise phase thermal performance of the Rover HXs was verified in the cruise phase system level thermal vacuum test that was performed at JPL in January of 2009. The Rover HXs were modeled in I-DEAS TMG and predictions are compared to actual data from the test.
Cell-specific envelope glycosylation distinguishes FIV glycoproteins produced in cytopathically and noncytopathically infected cells

Abstract Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) infection induces syncytium formation and cell death in primary feline astrocyte cultures but persistently and noncytopathically infects Crandall feline kidney cells (CrFK). Because viral envelope glycoproteins are implicated in cell fusion events we evaluated the astrocyte-produced FIV surface glycoprotein for properties that might distinguish it from that produced in CrFK cells. The surface glycoprotein from astrocytes migrated faster on SDS-PAGE and contained more Endo H-sensitive oligosaccharides than that from CrFK, although the precursor and deglycosylated envelope glycoproteins from both cells were the same size. Castanospermine treatment of infected astrocytes, which blocks glucose trimming from oligosaccharide side chains of glycoproteins, both obliterated the mobility difference between astrocyte- and CrFK-produced FIV surface glycoproteins and prevented syncytium in infected astrocyte cultures. These results demonstrate the importance of the infected cell type in viral envelope protein glycosylation and implicate cell type-specific carbohydrate structures on retroviral glycoproteins as mediators of cell fusion.
Conservative Axillary Surgery in Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Mastectomy: Long-Term Results

Background Recently, the American College of Surgeons Oncology Group Z0011 trial demonstrated that axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) could be safely avoided in selected breast cancer patients with limited nodal disease and having breast conservation therapy. However, for node positive (N+) mastectomy patients, full ALND remains the standard of care. Hypothesizing that omission of complete ALND is safe in many N+ breast cancer patients, a hybrid procedure called conservative axillary regional excision (CARE) was developed, consisting of removal of sentinel nodes and other palpable nodes (without intraoperative frozen section or reoperation for N+). Study Design A retrospective review of patients undergoing mastectomy with CARE between 2002 and 2010 was performed. Data collected included demographics; staging; number of lymph nodes removed; adjuvant, antihormonal, and radiation therapies; recurrence; lymphedema; and survival data. Recurrence-free survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using Cox proportional hazards. Results Five hundred and eighty-seven patients underwent mastectomy with CARE. Mean follow-up was 5.1 years. A median of 8 nodes were removed. There were 7 patients with local recurrence, of which 3 were axillary recurrences. Lymphedema developed in 20 (3.4%) patients, 75% of which had neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Lymphedema development was associated with the number of lymph nodes removed (p = 0.05) and radiation therapy (p = 0.004). Conclusions Conservative axillary regional excision is an excellent model for understanding the role of limited axillary surgery in mastectomy patients. The locoregional recurrence rate among N1 patients having CARE is low (3.4%). Conservative axillary regional excision is also associated with low rates of lymphedema. These data support the use of limited ALND in selected N+ mastectomy patients.
Elucidation of CYP2E1 5' regulatory RsaI/Pstl allelic variants and their role in risk for oral cancer.

Abstract The CYP2E1 gene, whose protein product plays an important role in the metabolism of various carcinogens, exhibits two polymorphisms recognized by the restriction enzymes RsaI and PstI in its transcriptional regulatory region that have been previously implicated in cancer susceptibility. In this study, we have examined these polymorphisms to elucidate CYP2E1 allelic haplotype, examining the prevalence of these CYP2E1 alleles in Caucasians and African Americans and their potential role in risk for oral cancer. In addition to the c1 (RsaI[+]/PstI[−]) and c2 (RsaI[−]/PstI[+]) alleles reported in previous studies, we have identified two new alleles, c3 (RsaI[+]/PstI[+]) and c4 (RsaI[−]/PstI[−]). The prevalence of the c2 and c3 alleles differs between racial groups, with African Americans exhibiting a lower prevalence of the c2 allele (0.003) but a higher prevalence of the c3 allele (0.049) than Caucasians (0.031 for c2 and 0.004 for c3). Of the 570 subjects screened in this study, the c4 allele was observed in one subject, a Caucasian case with the (c4/c4) genotype. A significant increase in the CYP2E1 (c1/c1) genotype was observed in oral cancer cases as compared to frequency-matched controls in subjects who smoked ⩽24 pack-years (P=0.033). No association was observed between CYP2E1 genotype and risk for oral cancer in the heavy-smoking group (i.e. > 24 pack-years). Similar trends were observed for both Caucasians and African Americans. These data suggest that the c1 allele may contribute to increased risk for oral cancer.
Power Minimization in MIMO Cognitive Networks using Beamforming Games

We consider a multi-channel multi-user cognitive radio MIMO network in which each node controls its antenna radiation directions and allocates power for each data stream by adjusting its precoding matrices. Under a noncooperative game, we optimize the set of precoding matrices (one per channel) at each node so as to minimize the total transmit power in the network. Using recession analysis and the theory of variational inequalities, we obtain sufficient conditions that guarantee the existence and uniqueness of the game's Nash Equilibrium (NE). Low-complexity distributed algorithms are also developed by exploiting the strong duality of the convex per-user optimization problem. To improve the efficiency of the NE, we introduce pricing policies that employ a novel network interference function. Existence and uniqueness of the new NE under pricing are studied. Simulations confirm the effectiveness of our joint optimization approach.
Optimal disclosure delay in multistage R&D competition

Abstract This paper analyzes the effects of a policy of disclosure with delay on the speed of discovery and incentives to invest in a multi-stage patent race. Depending on the parameters, four equilibrium configurations are obtained. In the first, a single firm acts as a monopolist. In the second, a single firm invests at the initial stages, but the second firm joins the race after the disclosure of the intermediate product. In the third, both firms invest when they have equal knowledge, but only the leader invests before the disclosure of the intermediate product. In the last configuration, firms always compete, except when the disclosure date is close. The determination of the optimal disclosure delay involves a trade-off between the incentives to invest and the expected time of discovery of the final product.
Array Processor Performance Under Directional Uncertainty

Detection performance of four candidate receiver structures for the signal known except for direction (SKED) array problem is investigated. Included are the Bayes optimal detector, two estimate and plug structures, and a fixed estimate structure. Estimators considered are the maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum a posteriori (MAP). Performance degradation from optimal for the estimate and plug structures considered is shown to be significantly more severe the larger the array size.
Educational Reform and Students With Severe Disabilities

Educational reform has had a significant impact on the structure of public education over the last decade. However, the needs of children with severe disabilities have essentially been ignored in this process. This paper explores the relationship between third-wave educational reforms and the development of public educational programs for students with severe disabilities. This examination highlights the striking similarities in focus and approach between these two initiatives. Issues which are preventing the inclusion of children with severe disabilities in reform efforts are identified and discussed.
Quantitative variation and the ecological role of vulpinic acid and atranorin in thallus of Letharia vulpina

Abstract High pressure liquid chromatography was used to determine concentrations of vulpinic acid and atranorin in the thaullus of Letharia vulpina . Vulpinic acid concentration is lowest in the old basal branches of the thallus and increases toward the young branch tips, whereas the reverse is true for atranorin. The suggested role of vulpinic acid as an anti-herbivore defense compound is supported by both this distribution of the compound and our observations that vulpinic acid acts as a feeding deterrent to certain invertebrates. No significant difference in the content of atranorin or vulpinic acid was found in lichens from microhabitats of different sunlight intensities.