cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Immediate Impact of New Product Introductions on Stock Price: The Role of Firm Resources and Size*

New product development and introduction is an ongoing important issue to facilitate a firm's success. To demonstrate the financial impact of new product introductions and the supporting role of firm resources and organizational structure, the authors collected 409 new product announcements from 1990 to 1998 and used event methodology and regression models in this research. Building on resources and capabilities perspectives, the present study argues that firm resources with emphases on research and development (R&D) are imperative to materialize new product concepts. However, the research revealed that R&D resources have dual effects on immediate shareholder value (i.e., abnormal stock returns). On one hand, when the firm commits only lower to moderate levels of R&D, investors would have perceived such R&D as expenditures reducing the firm's profit margin and thereby negatively evaluate R&D resources. Nevertheless, when the firm has dedicated its resources to R&D significant enough to signal investors its potential benefits can outweigh its costs, it generates positive shareholder value. Further, the study found that investors honor positive marketing resources that are critical to promote and launch new products to customers. Apart from resources perspectives, according to the organizational structure literature, firm size reflects the layers of bureaucracy within an organization. The research found a negative effect on shareholder value, indicating that investors evaluate more optimistically smaller firms that are likely to be more innovative and entrepreneurial resulted in more breakthrough products. In conclusion, this study provides value to practitioners in understanding the impact of firm size and, more importantly, to what extent they dedicate their resources in R&D and marketing to generate different performance outcomes.
Combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implant, and trabeculectomy with intraoperative mitomycin-C: comparison between 3.2- and 6.0-mm incisions.

PURPOSE To compare surgical results between 3.2- and 6.0-mm incisions in combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implant, and trabeculectomy with intraoperative mitomycin-C. METHODS Fifty-seven consecutive eyes of 45 patients in a referral practice underwent combined phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implant, and trabeculectomy with intraoperative mitomycin-C. The first 24 eyes had a 6.0-mm incision and the next 33 eyes had a 3.2-mm incision; the procedures were otherwise identical. The postoperative intraocular pressures, number of antiglaucoma medications, presence of filtration blebs, visual acuity, and complications at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 1 year were subjected to multivariate analysis. RESULTS There were no statistical differences in the intraocular pressure control, number of antiglaucoma medications, or presence of filtration bleb between the two groups at any of the postoperative visits. Visual acuity was significantly better (p = 0.02) for the 3.2-mm incision group throughout the evaluation period. CONCLUSIONS Both large- and small-incision phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implant, and trabeculectomy with intraoperative Mitomycin-C provide good intermediate range (1 year) postoperative IOP in eyes with coexisting cataract and glaucoma. In addition, small-incision surgery results in earlier and better visual rehabilitation than large-incision surgery.
Solving complex problems in human genetics using GP: challenges and opportunities

The development of rapid data-collection technologies is changing the biomedical and biological sciences. In human genetics chip-based methods facilitate the measurement of thousands of DNA sequence variations from across the human genome. The collection of genetic data is no longer a major rate limiting step. Instead the new challenges are the analysis and interpretation of these high dimensional and frequently noisy datasets. The specific challenge we are interested in is the identification of combinations of interacting DNA sequence variations predictive of common human diseases. Specifically, we wish to detect epistasis or gene-gene interactions. Here we focus solely on the situation where there is an epistatic effect but no detectable main effect. The challenge for applying search algorithms to this problem is that the accuracy of a model is not indicative of the quality of the attributes within the model. Instead we use pre-processing of the dataset to provide building blocks which enable our evolutionary computation strategy to discover an optimal model.
Natural regeneration and liberation of timber species in logging gaps in two Bolivian tropical forests

One-year-old logging gaps were sampled in dry and humid selectively-logged Bolivian tropical forests to determine the density of commercial tree regeneration. The efficacy of liberation treatments designed to enhance the growth and survival of sapling regeneration was evaluated over a period of 2 years. Liberation treatments included manual cleaning of competing vegetation around commercial tree saplings occurring in logging gaps, or spraying competing vegetation near these saplings with one of two herbicides (2,4-D or glyphosate). Of the nine species harvested in each forest type, only two species in each type had relatively abundant regeneration in logging gaps (Hura crepitans L. and Schizolobium parahyba (Vell. Conc.) S.F. Blake in the humid forest and Centrolobium microchaete C. Martius ex. Benth. and Caesalpinia pluviosa DC. in the dry forest). After 1 year, liberation treatments significantly increased the diameter growth of saplings in the humid forest, but not during the second year (P=0.09). In the dry forest, liberation treatments did not affect the diameter of liberated plants. Liberation treatments did not significantly affect sapling survival or height growth in either forest. Treatment costs were relatively low (US$ 1–2.3 per gap), but time until return on investment is long (20–30-year cutting cycles). Adjustments to liberation treatments, such as season and intensity of application may increase effectiveness of treatments. Problems observed in this study with the recruitment of commercial tree regeneration in logging gaps suggests the need for site preparation treatments and more judicious seed tree retention.
How accurate are the U.S. Bureau of the Census projections of total live births.

The accuracy of total live birth forecasts issued by the U.S. Bureau of the Census was analysed. Forecast accuracy has not improved significantly since 1950. Further the forecasts are not more accurate than several naive alternatives. Moving from a period methodology to a cohort methodology improved forecast accuracy for certain forecasts. [It is demonstrated that] the Bureau of the Census systematically underestimated total births in the upswing and overestimated in the downswing. (EXCERPT)
Feature Selection for Multiclass Problems Based on Information Weights

Abstract Before a pattern classifier can be properly designed, it is necessary to consider the feature extraction and data reduction problems. It is evident that the number of features needed to successfully perform a given recognition task depends on the discriminatory qualities of the chosen feature. We propose a new hybrid approach addressing feature selection based on information weights which allows feature categorization on the basis of specified classification task. The purpose is to efficiently achieve high degree of dimensionality reduction and enhance or maintain predictive accuracy with selected features. The novelty is to combine the competitiveness of the filter approach which makes it undependable from the nature of the pattern classifier and embed the algorithm within the pattern classifier structure in order to increase the accuracy of the learning phase as wrapper algorithms do. The algorithm is generalized for multiclass implementation.
Mibefradil, an ICa,T blocker, effectively blocks ICa,L in rabbit sinus node cells

To test the hypothesis that the Ca(2+) channel blocker mibefradil slows heart rate due to inhibition of T-type Ca(2+) current in pacemaker cells, we studied effects of mibefradil on action potentials and ionic currents of isolated rabbit sinus node cells using the patch clamp technique. Mibefradil (100 nM and 1 microM) reduced spontaneous rate, decreased action potential amplitude and finally stopped impulse initiation. This action was not due to the drug effect on hyperpolarization-activated pacemaker current, but can be explained by attenuation of both T- and L-type Ca(2+) currents, which were inhibited by mibefradil almost equally (55% and 64% inhibition with 1 microM for T- and L-types, respectively).
Geochemical and mineralogical controls on trace element release from the Penn Mine base-metal slag dump, California

Base-metal slag deposits at the Penn Mine in Calaveras County, California, are a source of environmental contamination through leaching of potentially toxic elements. Historical Cu smelting at Penn Mine (1865–1919) generated approximately 200,000 m3 of slag. The slag deposits, which are flooded annually by a reservoir used for drinking water and irrigation, also may be in contact with acidic ground waters (pH<4) from the adjacent mine area. Slags vary from grey to black, are glassy to crystalline, and range in size from coarse sand to large (0.6×0.7×1.5 m), tub-shaped casts. Metals are hosted by a variety of minerals and two glass phases. On the basis of mineralogy, slags are characterized by 4 main types: fayalite-rich, glassy, willemite-rich, and sulfide-rich. The ranges in metal and metalloid concentrations of 17 slag samples are: As, 0.0004–0.92; Ba, 0.13–2.9; Cd, 0.0014–1.4; Cu, 0.18–6.4; Pb, 0.02–11; and Zn, 3.2–28 wt.%. Leachates from Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure tests (acetic acid buffered at pH 4.93) on two willemite-rich slags contained Cd and Pb concentrations (up to 2.5 and 30 mg/l, respectively) in excess of US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulatory limits. Analyses of filtered (0.45 μm) water, collected within the flooded slag dump during reservoir drawdown, reveal concentrations of Cd (1.7 μg/l), Cu (35 μg/l), and Zn (250 μg/l) that exceed USEPA chronic toxicity guidelines for the protection of aquatic life. Data from field and laboratory studies were used to develop geochemical models with the program EQ3/6 that simulate irreversible mass-transfer between slag deposits and reservoir waters. These models include kinetic rate laws for abiotic sulfide oxidation and surface-controlled dissolution of silicates, oxides, and glass. Calculations demonstrate that the main processes controlling dissolved metal concentrations are (1) dissolution of fayalite, willemite, and glass; (2) sulfide oxidation; and (3) secondary phase precipitation. Close agreement between model results and measured concentrations of Al, Ba, Cu, Fe, SiO2, and SO4 in the slag dump pore waters suggests that the dissolved concentrations of these elements are controlled by solubility equilibrium with secondary phases. Differences between predicted and measured Cd and Pb concentrations imply that field weathering rates of glass and sulfides are approximately two orders of magnitude lower than laboratory rates. Overprediction of Pb release may also reflect other attenuation processes in the natural system, such as sorption or coprecipitation.
A brushless DC generator & synchronous rectifier for isolated telecommunication stations

Generally, telecom power systems are connected to grid and diesel generator with batteries providing short/long term back-up power. This paper represents a new telecom power system using local micro-sources, i.e., a wind turbine driven brushless dc (BLDC) generator and a battery pack. Some benefits of this system are effectively eliminating the diesel generator, grid connection, and automatic transfer switch. The design, modeling, and control issues of a wind turbine driven brushless dc generator for telecom power systems are main focus of this paper.
Stability of the inversion of 3D fixed-frequency scattering data

Abstract Numerical methods for solving 3D inverse scattering problems with fixed-energy data are described. Exact inversion formulas are given. Stability of the inversion methods based on these formulas is investigated. An explicit formula is given for construction of the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map from the scattering amplitude. This formula is used as a basis for another numerical approach to the inverse scattering problem. Several open problems are formulated.
1310 KING SYNDROME WITH FOCAL MYOPATHIC INVOLVEMENT DEMONSTRATED BY C-T SCAN

Patients with King syndrome are known to suffer from a non-specific myopathy. By using C-T scan in one case we have found focal myopathy involving only a certain group of muscles. The proband was a nine year old Mexican boy referred for evaluation of a neuromuscular disease. He tired easily while walking and had much difficulty climbing stairs. At six years of age, while undergoing an operation for undescended testes, he developed muscular rigidity, tachycardia, and acidosis during induction of anesthesia. His other physical features consisting of short stature, micrognathia, pectus carinatum, dorsal kyphoscoliosis, and lumbar lordosis were compatible with the diagnosis of King syndrome. Neurological examination showed mild facial weakness, lordotic gait, equivocal Gower's sign, and proximally diminished DTRs. A needle EMG of selected proximal and distal muscles, and a muscle biopsy of vastus lateralis showed a chronic, morphologically non-specific, but severe myopathy. Fiber type differentiation was indefinite. A C-T scan at various levels through the extremities revealed a patchy involvement of certain muscle groups (e.g. vastus medialis, intermedius, and lateralis) with muscle degeneration and fatty infiltration, while others (e.g. rectus femoris and muscles of the posterior compartment) appeared well preserved. We conclude that myopathy in King syndrome is focal and can be demonstrated by a relatively non-invasive procedure.
Sunfish foraging among patches: the patch-departure decision

Abstract Patch-use behaviour of small bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus , foraging for chironomid larvae, Chironomus riparius , was investigated in artificial macrophyte patches to examine search pattern within a patch and to determine the decision rule used by fish when leaving a patch. Fish were exposed to a sequence of habitats which differed in quality (i.e. total prey density); however, within a habitat all patches were of equal quality. When foraging in a single patch, fish encountered prey randomly, as evidenced by agreement between the distribution of intercapture intervals and the exponential distribution. Agreement between fish behaviour and predictions of a rate decision rule indicated that the decision to leave a patch was based on some estimate of capture rate in the patch. Predictions of how long fish should stay in a patch and how many prey they should capture during a patch visit were generated, using a giving-up time model based on an exponential distribution of intercapture intervals. Fish generally stayed longer and captured more prey than predicted by the model, using giving-up times that were longer than optimal. The relationship between rate of prey capture for the habitat and giving-up times was shaped such that fish minimized the cost, in terms of a decrease in capture rate, by overestimating rather than underestimating the optimal giving-up time.
An Overview of Non-Traditional Nuclear Threats

In view of the terrorist threats to the United States, the country needs to consider new vectors and weapons related to nuclear and radiological threats against our homeland. The traditional threat vectors, missiles and bombers, have expanded to include threats arriving through the flow of commerce. The new commerce-related vectors include: sea cargo, truck cargo, rail cargo, air cargo, and passenger transport. The types of weapons have also expanded beyond nuclear warheads to include radiation dispersal devices (RDD) or “dirty' bombs. The consequences of these nuclear and radiological threats are both economic and life threatening. The defense against undesirable materials entering our borders involves extensive radiation monitoring at ports of entry. The radiation and other signatures of potential nuclear and radiological threats are examined along with potential sensors to discover undesirable items in the flow of commerce. Techniques to improve radiation detection are considered. A strategy of primary and secondary screening is proposed to rapidly clear most cargo and carefully examine suspect cargo.
Comparison of first refill rates among users of sertraline, paroxetine, and citalopram

Abstract Background: Research suggests high rates of discontinuation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the rates of first refill for sertraline, paroxetine, and citalopram, the 3 most commonly used SSRIs that were under patent protection at the time of the study. SSRIs that were available in generic formulations in this period were not included in the analysis because prescribing patterns and compliance rates for generic products may differ from those of branded products. Methods: This analysis was conducted using claims data from an administrative database. Claims from January 1, 1999, through June 30, 2002, were analyzed. Adults aged 18 to 64 years with a diagnosis of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, or social anxiety disorder who had initiated one of the SSRIs of interest during this period were included in the analysis. Refill status was determined based on a refill of the SSRI prescription within 1.5 times the days' supply dispensed or 15 days after the dispensing date of the index SSRI. To adjust for the effects of confounding factors, we conducted a multivariate logistic regression on the status of the first refill. The covariates included age (continuous variable), sex, index durgs (with sertraline as the reference group), and a dummy variable for copayment >$15. Results: Recipients of sertraline (n=5590) or citalopram (n=4124) were more likely than recipients of paroxetine (n=5201) to refill their original prescriptions (refill rate, 54.70%, 54.49%, and 50.99%, respectively; both comparisons, P Conclusions: This study found that the likelihood of refilling the first prescription varied by SSRI. In the population studied, patients were significantly more likely to refill the first prescription for sertraline or citalopram than the first prescription for paroxetine.
Understanding the Mechanism of Superoxide Reductase Promoted Reduction of Superoxide (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 1/2007)

The cover picture shows the role played by synthetic metalloenzyme analogues in uncovering the relationship between metalloenzyme active site structure, properties, and function at the molecular level. Details are presented in the Microreview by L. M. Brines and J. A. Kovacs on p. 29 ff.
Method for calculating the imaginary part of the Hadamard elementary function G ( 1 ) in static, spherically symmetric spacetimes

Whenever real particle production occurs in quantum field theory, the imaginary part of the Hadamard elementary function ${G}^{(1)}$ is non-vanishing. A method is presented whereby the imaginary part of ${G}^{(1)}$ may be calculated for a charged scalar field in a static spherically symmetric spacetime with arbitrary curvature coupling and a classical electromagnetic field ${A}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}.$ The calculations are performed in Euclidean space where the Hadamard elementary function and the Euclidean Green function are related by $\frac{1}{2}{G}^{(1)}{=G}_{E}.$ This method uses a ${4}^{\mathrm{th}}$ order WKB approximation for the Euclideanized mode functions for the quantum field. The mode sums and integrals that appear in the vacuum expectation values may be evaluated analytically by taking the large mass limit of the quantum field. This results in an asymptotic expansion for ${G}^{(1)}$ in inverse powers of the mass $m$ of the quantum field. Renormalization is achieved by subtracting off the terms in the expansion proportional to non-negative powers of $m,$ leaving a finite remainder known as the ``DeWitt-Schwinger approximation.'' The DeWitt-Schwinger approximation for ${G}^{(1)}$ presented here has terms proportional to both ${m}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ and ${m}^{\ensuremath{-}2}.$ The term proportional to ${m}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ will be shown to be identical to the expression obtained from the ${m}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ term in the generalized DeWitt-Schwinger point-splitting expansion for ${G}^{(1)}.$ The new information obtained with this method is the DeWitt-Schwinger approximation for the imaginary part of ${G}^{(1)},$ which is proportional to ${m}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ in the DeWitt-Schwinger approximation for ${G}^{(1)}$ derived in this paper.
Cancer prevention trials and primary care physicians: factors associated with recommending trial enrollment.

Abstract Background: To explore the willingness of primary care providers (PCPs) to encourage enrollment of patients into cancer prevention trials. Methods: A self-administered survey was mailed to a random sample of PCPs in three geographic regions. Physicians were asked questions about their knowledge and attitudes towards cancer prevention trials. We presented a clinical vignette of a woman at high risk for breast cancer and asked if they would encourage her enrollment into a breast cancer chemoprevention trial (yes/no). Each survey included one of 16 possible clinical vignettes where patient characteristics (age, race socioeconomic status, physical mobility and co-morbidity) varied dichotomously. Bivariate analyses and logistic models were used to examine the independent effects of patient and physician characteristics on physician decisions. Results: Two hundred and sixty-six surveys (50% response) were analyzed. The mean age of respondents was 48; 54% were White, 35% Asian and 5% Black. By design physicians were evenly distributed by gender, specialty and geographic location. Overall, 53% would encourage enrollment into a breast cancer chemoprevention trial. Significant predictors of a recommendation to enroll were: geographic location in California or Georgia, younger vignette patient and anticipating an increase in patient trust after recommending enrollment. Conclusion: PCPs are less likely to encourage elderly patients to enroll into cancer chemoprevention trials. Decisions differ based on geographic location and perceived trust in the patient–provider relationship. To achieve successful enrollment, trial investigators must continue to educate PCPs and ensure a strong PCP–patient relationship is maintained.
Obligatory role of a Tris/choline allosteric site in guanine nucleotide regulation of [3H]-L-QNB binding to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Tris and choline reduce the maximal binding capacity (RT) of the muscarinic cholinergic antagonist [3H]-L-quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]-L-QNB) to atrial membranes, when compared to control values in physiological salt solution (PBS) or NaPi buffer. Addition of guanine nucleotides (GN) to incubations containing choline or Tris reverses the effect of choline and Tris on RT and restores it to levels determined in NaPi or PBS alone. GN addition fails to alter RT or KD values determined in NaPi or PBS in the absence of choline and Tris. This GN effect follows a nucleotide specificity similar to that of the GN regulatory proteins coupled to adenylate cyclase. Tris or choline are required for the expression of GN regulation of [3H]-L-QNB binding to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR). An allosteric site recognizing choline and Tris appears involved in the interaction between the guanine nucleotide regulatory protein and antagonist binding to mAChR.
Cohabitation before marriage: a comparison of married couples who did and did not cohabit

"This study compares 159 [U.S.] married couples who had or had not lived together previous to marriage with respect to a number of demographic and personality variables."
Notes On the Behavior of Some North American Gulls. Iii. Pairing Behavior

This paper includes descriptions of the pair-formation and later pairing behavior of Franklin's Gull and the Ring-billed Gull ; and some notes on the pair-formation of the Laughing Gull, Bonaparte's Gull, and the american Herring Gull. The pairing of all these species is similar in many fundamental characters. Pair-formation begins with a selective response by unmated females to a series of hostile displays by unmated males. It is continued by a series of repeated mutual hostile performances between the sexes, gradually diminishing in strength. There are considerable differences in the form, frequency, and orientation of some of the homologous hostile displays used by different species during this phase. Sexual behavior, with its associated patterns, (many of which are still partly or completely hostile, but relatively weak), appears after the initial strong hostile reaction between the sexes has begun to decline. These sexual patterns and associated activities are almost identical in all gulls. The observed forms of pairing in the Laughing Gull and the Herring Gull were rather different from previously published descriptions of the process in these species; which would seem to indicate that some aspects of pairing (the social situation in which it occurs) may vary considerably within the same species.
Josef Kavalier’s Odyssey : Homeric Echoes in Michael Chabon’s The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

This paper shows that the numerous parallels between Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer-Prize winning novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (2000) and the Odyssey portray the novel’s hero as a Jewish Odysseus. It illustrates how Chabon’s work contains episodes, structures and character typologies that correspond to numerous exemplars in the Odyssey, including the Telemachia (Od. 1-4), Kyklopeia (Od. 9), Nekuia (Od. 11), Anagnorismos (Od. 16), Toxou Thesis / Mnesterophonia (Od. 21-22), and the “Wrath of Poseidon.” In addition, the novel’s main female character shares similar characteristics with Penelope. A preoccupation with “escape” is central to the novel, reflecting one of the essential themes of the epic and the specialty of its hero. Chabon himself invites a study of this sort, having recently written that the Odyssey and its hero form the original paradigm for the “Adventure Story” — especially where Jewish characters are concerned (2007.201-203).
Calcium antagonists inhibit contractions to norepinephrine in the rat aorta, in the absence, but not in the presence of the endothelium.

Abstract 1. 1. To compare the effect of diltiazem and verapamil on the responsiveness of vascular smooth muscle to norepinephrine in the presence and absence of the endothelium, rings of rat aorta were studied in organ chambers. 2. 2. The removal of the endothelium decreased the ED 50 to norepinephrine and augmented the maximal response to the catecholamine. 3. 3. The contraction to norepinephrine consisted of a rapid initial (phasic) and a (tonic) part. The tonic part was reduced in the presence of the endothelium. 4. 4. Diltiazem shifted the concentration-response curve to norepinephrine to the right only in rings without endothelium and reduced the difference in maximal response between rings with and without endothelium. 5. 5. Verapamil abolished the difference in sensitivity (ED 50 ) between rings with and without endothelium. 6. 6. Oxyhemoglobin prevented the inhibitory effect of the endothelium on the response to norepinephrine, and unmasked a shift of the ED 50 to the catecholamine to the right by diltiazem in rings with endothelium. 7. 7. These experiments suggest that spontaneously released endothelium-derived relaxing factor(s) is a functional antagonist of norepinephrine-induced contractions, presumably by reducing the stimulated influx of extracellular Ca 2+ .
Monoenergetic neutrons in the energy range from 100 eV to 200 MeV from two-body reactions with hydrogen nuclei

Accelerator based monoenergetic neutron sources are reviewed with special emphasis on the requirements for BNCT, on sources in the gap region, on neutron production up to 200 MeV, and on neutron radiography. In particular, the following neutron producing reactions are considered: 3 H(p,n) 3 He, 6 Li(p,n) 6 Be, 7 Li(p,n) 7 Be, 9 Be(p,n) 9 B, 10 Be(p,n) 10 B, 10 B(p,n) 10 C, 11 B(p,n) 11 C, 12 C(p,n) 12 N, 13 C(p,n) 13 N, 14 C(p,n) 14 N, 15 N(p,n) 15 O, 36 Cl(p,n) 36 Ar, 39 Ar(p,n) 39 K, 2 H(d,n) 3 He, 3 H(d,n) 4 He, 7 Li(d,n) 8 Be, 9 Be(d,n) 10 B, 13 C(d,n) 14 N, 15 N(d,n) 16 O, 18 O(d,n) 19 F, 1 H(t,n) 3 He, 1 H( 7 Li,n) 7 Be, 1 H( 10 Be,n) 10 B, 1 H( 11 B,n) 11 C, 1 H( 13 C,n) 13 N, 1 H( 14 C,n) 14 N, 1 H( 15 N,n) 15 O, 1 H( 36 Cl,n) 36 Ar, 1 H( 39 Ar,n) 39 K, 2 H(t,n) 4 He, 2 H( 15 N,n) 16 O.
Index formulas for higher order Loewner vector fields

Abstract Let ∂ z ¯ be the Cauchy–Riemann operator and f be a C n real-valued function in a neighborhood of 0 in R 2 in which ∂ z ¯ n f ≠ 0 for all z ≠ 0 . In such cases, ∂ z ¯ n f is known as a Loewner vector field due to its connection with Loewner's conjecture that the index of such a vector field is bounded above by n. The n = 2 case of Loewner's conjecture implies Caratheodory's conjecture that any C 2 -immersion of S 2 into R 3 must have at least two umbilics. Recent work of F. Xavier produced a formula for computing the index of Loewner vector fields when n = 2 using data about the Hessian of f. In this paper, we extend this result and establish an index formula for ∂ z ¯ n f for all n ⩾ 2 . Structurally, our index formula provides a defect term, which contains geometric data extracted from Hessian-like objects associated with higher order derivatives of f.
Automatic syllabus classification

Syllabi are important educational resources. However, searching for a syllabus on the Web using a generic search engine is an error-prone process and often yields too many non-relevant links. In this paper, we present a syllabus classifier to filter noise out from search results. We discuss various steps in the classification process, including class definition, training data preparation, feature selection, and classifier building using SVM and Naive Bayes. Empirical results indicate that the best version of our method achieves a high classification accuracy, i.e., an F1 value of 83% on average.
Miscibility of polybenzimidazole/polyimidesulfone and related copolymers blends.

A series of blends of the aromatic polybenzimidazole, poly(2,2(m-phenylene)-5,5′-benzimidazole) (PBI), and the aromatic polyimide-sulfone from 3,3′,4,4′-benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 3,3′-diaminodiphenylsulfone (3,3′DDS) (PISO) has been prepared by film casting from N,N′-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solution mixture. The differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy were adapted to clarify the miscibility of PBI/PISO blends. The blends showed the single but very broad glass transition and this transition range was up to 110°C especially for PBI/PISO 50/50 wt% blend by DSC measurement. The DSC thermograms were spread and shifted gradually to higher temperature with increasing times of run cycle which included annealing at 400 or 420°C without showing the phase separated transition even at last. The dynamic mechanical behavior showed the similar result with that of DSC and the evidence that the blends reacted more vigorously at above 420°C than the pure components due to catalytic activity of benzimidazole. From FT-IR spectra, the gradual linear shift of N-H stretching band maxima as much as about 50 cm−1 was shown. But the phthalimide carbonyl and sulfone stretching band maxima showed little shift.
Modeling the influence of differential sectoriality on the photosynthetic responses of understory saplings to patchy light and water availability

Exploitation of patchy light is a key determinant of plant performance in the forest understory. While many adaptive traits are known, the role of stem vasculature in understory photosynthesis is not established. Sectoriality—the degree of vascular constraint to long distance transport—has been hypothesized to limit growth in heterogeneous light. We simulated the photosynthetic potential of sectored and integrated plants in patchy light, as a function of soil water potential (patchy or uniform). We used hydraulic parameters typical of temperate woody species in an Ohm’s law model including a tangential resistance parameter, and simulated cavitation by varying axial resistance of leaves, leaves and roots, or the whole plant. Our results suggest that differential sectoriality will not affect photosynthesis when water is plentiful, but can constrain stomatal conductance at more negative soil water potentials, especially when only a small portion of the crown receives light. This effect is strongest just below the turgor loss point, and depends on axial resistance and soil water heterogeneity. Increased resistance in high light leaves decreases photosynthesis regardless of sectoriality. However, when resistance is increased for leaves and roots or the whole plant, photosynthesis decreases more for sectored than for integrated plants. Moreover, the simulations suggest that sectoriality can further depress photosynthesis when water availability is asymmetrical. These results might explain why integrated species, such as Betula lenta, B. alleghaniensis, and Acer saccharum thrive in the forest understory and grow rapidly into canopy gaps, while sectored species, such as Quercus rubra, do not.
Carcinogenesis tests on alkylbenzenes and alkylbenzene sulfonates.

Abstract Alkylbenzenes, alkylbenzene sulfonates, and petroleum ether extracts of alkylbenzene sulfonates have been tested for carcinogenic action on the skin and subcutaneous tissues of mice and on the skin of rabbits. All materials, except for a noncommercial sample of alkylbenzene, were found to be without carcinogenic activity. The alkylbenzenes, consisting largely of dodecylbenzene, produced a small number of tumors in the skin of mice previously treated with a subcarcinogenic dose of a carcinogen.
The transport and deposition of uranium, ionium and radium in rivers, oceans and ocean sediments☆

Abstract The important factors controlling the concentration of the radioelements in the oceans are the influx, the rate of radioactive decay and the rate at which the radioelements are removed by sedimentation. With such data as are available for the concentration of uranium and radium in ocean water, their rates of influx and their rates of deposition, it is possible to estimate the concentration of ionium in sea water (3.1 ± 1 × 10−15) gm/cc and the amount of ionium annually transported into the oceans. It may be further concluded that in the geochemistry of uranium, influx and deposition in shallow water are of major importance while in the case of ionium, influx and deep water deposition seem most important and in the case of radium; the production by radioactive decay of ionium, the disintegration of radium itself, and deep water deposition are important factors. Ionium is not in equilibrium with uranium in ocean water.
Decreased transpiration in poplar trees exposed to 2,4,6‐trinitrotoluene

This article discusses the effects of various concentrations of the explosive 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) on the transpiration of hybrid poplar trees growing in hydroponic media. Transpiration was measured daily by gravimetric means. The rapid removal of TNT from hydroponic solutions was a result of plant uptake and required a daily dosage of TNT to ensure a relatively constant exposure over time. Transpiration decreased with increasing TNT concentrations ≥5 mg/L. Decreases in transpiration were accompanied by leaf chlorosis and abscission. A comparison between a laboratory study and a pilot-scale experiment showed good scale-up potential.
The Structure and Measurement of Social Identity

Drawing on the work of the Survey Research Center of the University of Michigan on party identification and the Likert approach to attitude measurement, this paper develops a procedure for measuring the concept of social identity. Suggestions are made for using the procedure to analyze the behavior of respondents and to understand the groups that are the objects of identification. The paper closes with the suggestion that further factor analyses be done to determine whether there are general social identities that are present across all samples of respondents or whether the clustering of social identities is particular to each sample of respondents. Michael Hooper is Assistant Professor of Political Science, Temple University. POQ 40 (1976)154-164 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.123 on Mon, 18 Jul 2016 05:44:01 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
Electromagnetic Generation of Ultrasonic Shear Waves in Potassium

Measurements have been made of the field dependence of both the electromagnetic generation and the attenuation of ultrasonic shear waves along the [110] direction in potassium in the non-local limit. In this limit in the configuration where the Lorentz force is responsible for the generation, the sound amplitude is nonlinear in the magnetic field strength through the region of the Kjeldaas absorption edge. We also observe an electromagnetically generated shear sound wave which is present at zero field and polarized at right angles to the direction of the rf magnetic field axis, and whose efficiency of generation drops nearly to zero at the Kjeldaas edge. The existing free-electron theory has been extended to the anisotropic case, and the experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions for both free-electron and charge-density-wave models of the Fermi surface using an experimental determination of the electron mean free path.
SKIN AND HAIR COSMETIC ISSUES IN WOMEN OF COLOR

Women of color comprise many phenotypically heterogeneous groups. Despite the general heterogeneity, however, there are unique skin and hair care issues and needs. These issues often present therapeutically challenging problems for the dermatologist and the skin and hair care industry.
Asymmetric processing of coding ends and the effect of coding end nucleotide composition on V(D)J recombination

The products of V(D)J recombination are coding and signal joints. We show that the nucleotide composition of the coding ends affects V(D)J recombination. The presence of Ts at the 5' end of either the 12 mer or the 23 mer recombination signal sequence (RSS) greatly decreases coding and signal joint formation, and Ts at the 5' ends of both RSSs eliminate recombination, suggesting that a step during the initiation phase of the recombination is affected. A 5' T coding end can be rescued it the other end contains 5' G, C, or A, implying that synapsis may be required. Furthermore, the presence of As at the 5' end of the 12 mer, but not the 23 mer, RSS affects coding but not signal joint formation. This observation of asymmetric processing of coding ends suggests that different protein complexes are bound to the two RSSs, and become transferred to the aligned coding ends during processing.
The Origin, Spread and Persistence of Glutinous Rice as a Staple Crop in Mainland Southeast Asia

Various students of Southeast Asian agriculture have been at a loss to explain the peculiar distribution of glutinous rice as a staple crop throughout northern and northeastern Thailand, Laos, and neighbouring regions of Yunnan, Burma, Vietnam and Cambodia (see map).1 Moerman has observed that, “Although this crop … helps to define and isolate a continuous culture area of about 200,000 square miles, it is given scant and inaccurate mention in the literature on rice.”2 He goes on to suggest that certain “environmental factors” have probably played an important role in establishing glutinous rice in this area.3 This environmental explanation of origins is echoed with equally little elaboration by Watabe,4 but the latter denies that physical geography alone can account for the continuing preference for glutinous rice over modern non-glutinous varieties of comparable suitability. He contends that the persistent cultivation of glutinous rice, “is primarily due to an acquired preference of traditional use in the local diet.” Moerman5 and others have recognized the inadequacy of dietary preference as a sole explanation for persistence, but have so far refused to proceed beyond environmental speculations, even though they have provided a wealth of relevant ethnographic data.
The Effect of Internal Auditing on External Audit Work

(1986). The Effect of Internal Auditing on External Audit Work. The Journal of Cost Analysis: Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 33-38.
To Play or Not to Play: Diverse Motives for Latino and Euro‐American Parent–Child Play in a Children's Museum

A popular social discourse in the United States is that play is important for children's learning and that parental involvement maximizes play's learning potential. Past research has concluded that parents who hold this view of play are more likely to play with their children than those who do not. This study investigated the prevalence of this view among Euro-American and immigrant Latino parents of young children in order to illuminate the extent to which it uniquely and uniformly motivates parent–child play. Parents' models of play were assessed through interviews and naturalistic observations in a children's museum. Analysis revealed ethnic group differences in parent–child play that corresponded with parental beliefs about play. Within-group analysis, however, revealed diversity in the ways that these play behaviours and beliefs came together to comprise parents' models of play. Discussion focuses on the social nature of play, the dynamic nature of culture, and the issue of individual subject validity. Implications for the interpretation of parent–child play in early childhood settings are considered. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of unfolded state heterogeneity and en-route ruggedness in protein folding kinetics.

In order to improve our understanding of the physical bases of protein folding, there is a compelling need for better connections between experimental and computational approaches. This work addresses the role of unfolded state conformational heterogeneity and en-route intermediates, as an aid for planning and interpreting protein folding experiments. The expected kinetics were modeled for different types of energy landscapes, including multiple parallel folding routes, preferential paths dominated by one primary folding route, and distributed paths with a wide spectrum of microscopic folding rate constants. In the presence of one or more preferential routes, conformational exchange among unfolded state populations slows down the observed rates for native protein formation. We find this to be a general phenomenon, taking place even when unfolded conformations interconvert much faster than the “escape” rate constants to folding. Dramatic kinetic deceleration is expected in the presence of an increasing number of folding-incompetent unfolded conformations. This argues for the existence of parallel folding paths involving several folding-competent unfolded conformations, during the early stages of protein folding. Deviations from single-exponential behavior are observed for unfolded conformations exchanging at comparable rates or more slowly than folding events. Analysis of the effect of en-route (on-path) intermediate formation and landscape ruggedness on folding kinetics leads to the following unexpected conclusions: (1) intermediates, which often retard native state formation, may in some cases accelerate folding, and (2) rugged landscapes, usually associated with stretched exponentials, display single-exponential behavior in the presence of late high-friction paths.
Direct measurement of DNA bending by type IIA topoisomerases: implications for non-equilibrium topology simplification

Type IIA topoisomerases modify DNA topology by passing one segment of duplex DNA (transfer or T–segment) through a transient double-strand break in a second segment of DNA (gate or G–segment) in an ATP-dependent reaction. Type IIA topoisomerases decatenate, unknot and relax supercoiled DNA to levels below equilibrium, resulting in global topology simplification. The mechanism underlying this non-equilibrium topology simplification remains speculative. The bend angle model postulates that non-equilibrium topology simplification scales with the bend angle imposed on the G–segment DNA by the binding of a type IIA topoisomerase. To test this bend angle model, we used atomic force microscopy and single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer to measure the extent of bending imposed on DNA by three type IIA topoisomerases that span the range of topology simplification activity. We found that Escherichia coli topoisomerase IV, yeast topoisomerase II and human topoisomerase IIα each bend DNA to a similar degree. These data suggest that DNA bending is not the sole determinant of non-equilibrium topology simplification. Rather, they suggest a fundamental and conserved role for DNA bending in the enzymatic cycle of type IIA topoisomerases.
Net-section-collapse analysis of circumferentially cracked cylinders—Part II: idealized cracks and closed-form solutions

Abstract This paper (Part II), which is the second in a series of two papers, presents new closed-form solutions for net-section-collapse (NSC) analysis of circumferentially cracked pipes for several idealized crack shapes subjected to combined bending and tension (pressure-induced) loads. They are based on further simplifications of generalized NSC equations developed in a parallel study. Analytical solutions were developed for cracks with constant-depth, parabolic, and elliptical shapes. For all three crack shapes, separate equations were developed when the entire crack is subjected to tension and when part of the crack is subjected to compression. For part of the crack subjected to compression, the proposed equations can handle both tight (with crack-closure) and blunt (without crack-closure) cracks. Currently, of the three crack shapes examined in this paper, previous analytical solutions exist only for the constant-depth crack. Hence, they should be useful for pipe fracture analysis involving other crack shapes, such as the elliptical and parabolic cracks. The analytical solutions were validated by numerical analysis based on the generalized NSC equations.
Occurrence of Stem Rot of Basil, Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, in Coastal California.

In January and February 1999, extensive dieback was observed on commercial basil (Ocimum basilicum) being grown in shadecloth greenhouses in coastal California's Salinas Valley. Symptoms were associated with stems that were high in the plant canopy and had cut ends resulting from multiple harvests of the foliage. Stems had brown discoloration extending from the cut ends toward the crown of the plant. Attached petioles and leaves turned brown and wilted. Profuse white mycelia were generally present externally on symptomatic stems, and occasionally large (>5 mm long) black sclerotia were found inside affected stems. In some shade houses approximately 20 to 25% of the plants were diseased. Isolations from mycelia, sclerotia, and symptomatic stems produced colonies of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Inocula for pathogenicity tests were produced by growing isolates on potato-dextrose agar, removing the resulting sclerotia, air drying them for 12 h, and placing them onto sterilized sand saturated with sterile distill...