cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Information-theoretic model selection and model averaging for closed-population capture-recapture studies

Specification of an appropriate model is critical to valid statistical inference. Given the true model for the data is unknown, the goal of model selection is to select a plausible approximating model that balances model bias and sampling variance. Model selection based on information criteria such as AIC or its variant AIC c , or criteria like CAIC, has proven useful in a variety of contexts including the analysis of open-population capture-recapture data. These criteria have not been intensively evaluated for closed-population capture-recapture models, which are integer parameter models used to estimate population size (N), and there is concern that they will not perform well. To address this concern, we evaluated AIC, AIC c , and CAIC model selection for closed-population capture-recapture models by empirically assessing the quality of inference for the population size parameter N. We found that AIC-, AIC c -, and CAIC-selected models had smaller relative mean squared errors than randomly selected models, but that confidence interval coverage on N was poor unless unconditional variance estimates (which incorporate model uncertainty) were used to compute confidence intervals. Overall, AIC and AIC c outperformed CAIC, and are preferred to CAIC for selection among the closed-population capture-recapture models we investigated. A model averaging approach to estimation, using AIC, AIC c , or CAIC to estimate weights, was also investigated and proved superior to estimation using AIC-, AIC c -, or CAIC-selected models. Our results suggested that, for model averaging, AIC or AIC c should be favored over CAIC for estimating weights.
The male of Trechalea trinidadensis (Araneae, Lycosoidea, Trechaleidae)

Abstract The male of the species, Trechalea trinidadensis Carico 1993, is described for the first time. The distributional range for this species is extended from Trinidad to Brazil.
Computational analysis of network survivability with application to power systems

Abstract The operability of society’s critical infrastructures depends on the availability of electric power. Adverse events (natural disasters, intelligent adversary, etc.) occur rarely, but power system failure under such conditions has typically devastating effects on the economy and lives. A key factor in the system’s ability to withstand massive sudden damage caused by adverse events is its topology: the number of system elements that generate and demand power and the connections between them. The topology factor can be quantified by analyzing the impact of all possible combinations of unrecoverable faults (fault scenarios) on the availability and connectivity of system elements. As the number of possible fault scenarios grows as 2M with increasing number M of system elements, such an analysis becomes a computational challenge for large-scale systems. The paper discusses possibilities of reducing the computational complexity of the problem.
Managing server energy and operational costs in hosting centers

The growing cost of tuning and managing computer systems is leading to out-sourcing of commercial services to hosting centers. These centers provision thousands of dense servers within a relatively small real-estate in order to host the applications/services of different customers who may have been assured by a service-level agreement (SLA). Power consumption of these servers is becoming a serious concern in the design and operation of the hosting centers. The effects of high power consumption manifest not only in the costs spent in designing effective cooling systems to ward off the generated heat, but in the cost of electricity consumption itself. It is crucial to deploy power management strategies in these hosting centers to lower these costs towards enhancing profitability. At the same time, techniques for power management that include shutting down these servers and/or modulating their operational speed, can impact the ability of the hosting center to meet SLAs. In addition, repeated on-off cycles can increase the wear-and-tear of server components, incurring costs for their procurement and replacement. This paper presents a formalism to this problem, and proposes three new online solution strategies based on steady state queuing analysis, feedback control theory, and a hybrid mechanism borrowing ideas from these two. Using real web server traces, we show that these solutions are more adaptive to workload behavior when performing server provisioning and speed control than earlier heuristics towards minimizing operational costs while meeting the SLAs.
The predictability of the magnetosphere and space weather

Yogi Berra once observed, apparently paraphrasing Niels Bohr, “Prediction is difficult, especially about the future.” Berra's and Bohr's backgrounds, respectively, in baseball and quantum mechanics, probably prejudiced them, since recent studies show that, at least in geophysics, not everything is as difficult to predict as the path of a knuckle ball or an electron through a double slit. Large-scale magnetospheric activity we believe, is quite predictable, given solar wind conditions. For example, in Figure 1 we show the long-term variation of radiation belt electrons and the Dst index for approximately the last solar cycle. The long-term variation of radiation belt electrons and the Dst index provides evidence that radiation belt electrons and geomagnetic activity on average, have a systematic response to the solar wind.
Human behavior models for agents in simulators and games: part II: gamebot engineering with PMFserv

Many producers and consumers of legacy training simulator and game environments are beginning to envision a new era where psycho-socio-physiologic models could be interoperated to enhance their environments' simulation of human agents. This paper explores whether we could embed our behavior modeling framework (described in the companion paper, Part I) behind a legacy first person shooter 3D game environment to recreate portions of the Black Hawk Down scenario. Section I amplifies the interoperability needs and challenges confronting the field, presents the questions that are examined, and describes the test scenario. Sections 2 and 3 review the software and knowledge engineering methodology, respectively, needed to create the system and populate it with bots. Results (Section 4) and discussion (Section 5) reveal that we were able to generate plausible and adaptive recreations of Somalian crowds, militia, women acting as shields, suicide bombers, and more. Also, there are specific lessons learned about ways to advance the field so that such interoperabilities will become more affordable and widespread.
The Question of the Authenticity of the Ban On Swearing (Matthew 5.33-37)

This is a critical reply to G. Dautzenberg's arguments against the authenticity of Jesus' prohibition of swearing (Mt. 5.33-37), which are: (1) widespread Jewish negative attitudes towards oaths, (2) a tension between the prohibition and Jesus' use of asseverations and 'amen', (3) James' ignorance of its dominical origin (Jas 5.12) and (4) Paul's ignorance of the prohibition. Against these, the following arguments should be put forward. (1) However fine the distinction may appear, Jesus' prohibi tion is more radical and comprehensive than other Jewish negative attitudes. (2) Although a tension can be detected, it is quite possible to harmonize it. (3) Although James does not attribute the prohibition to Jesus, he probably assumes its dominical origin. (4) Although Paul does not acknowledge the prohibition, we can detect his awareness of it. Therefore, Dautzenberg's arguments are not sufficient to disprove its authenticity.
An empirical study of the recursive input generation algorithm for memory-based collaborative filtering recommender systems

Recommender system research has gained popularity recently because many businesses are willing to pay for a way to predict future user opinions. Such knowledge could simplify decision-making, improve customer satisfaction, and increase sales. We focus on the recommendation accuracy of memory-based collaborative filtering recommender systems and propose a novel input generation algorithm that helps identify a small group of relevant ratings. Any combination algorithm can be used to generate a recommendation from such ratings. We attempt to improve the quality of these ratings through recursive sorting. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on the Netflix dataset, a popular, large, and extremely sparse collection of movie ratings.
Turbulence associated with corotating interaction regions at 1AU: Inertial range cross-helicity spectra

[1] We examine five corotating interaction regions and their surrounding slow and fast wind flows observed by the Advanced Composition Explorer spacecraft at 1 AU during solar minimum conditions in 2007 and 2008. We compute spectra of total power (magnetic + kinetic) and spectra of the cross helicity in an attempt to better understand turbulence generation within the shear flow. Consistent with previous work, we find that Sunward-propagation signatures exist at high levels compared with the surrounding flow and sometimes dominate over a broad range of spacecraft-frame frequencies. There is a suggestion that the Sunward-propagation signatures start at small scales and evolve toward larger scales, although this may simply reflect the need to inject larger amounts of energy at the large scales before significant Sunward propagation is observed. The power spectra are conspicuously lacking in any features that would normally be expected to show energy injection over a finite range of frequencies as is the often the case in kinetic instabilities.
Solution of stochastic partial differential equations using Galerkin finite element techniques

This paper presents a framework for the construction of Galerkin approximations of elliptic boundary-value problems with stochastic input data. A variational formulation is developed which allows, among others, numerical treatment by the finite element method; a theory of a posteriori error estimation and corresponding adaptive approaches based on practical experience can be utilized. The paper develops a foundation for treating stochastic partial differential equations (PDEs) which can be further developed in many directions.
Estimated occurrence rates for analysis of accidental oil spills on the US outer continental shelf

The Minerals Management Service estimates the likelihood of oil spills of 1000 barrels and greater occurring in association with the production and transportation of offshore oil on the US Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The estimation process uses a spill rate constant, based on historical accidents, expressed in terms of number of spills per 109 barrels of oil produced or transported. The mean spill occurrence estimate is obtained by multiplying the rate constant by the volume of oil projected to be handled. The probability of one or more spills occurring in a given production period is then estimated by using the mean number of spills in a Poisson process. The calculated occurrence rates of 0·60 spills per 109 barrels produced on US OCS platforms and 0·67 spills per 109 barrels transported in US OCS pipelines represent a decline of 40 and 58%, respectively, since last evaluated in 1983. Spill occurrence rates for worldwide tanker transport remained unchanged, since last evaluated in 1983, at 0·90 for ‘at-sea’ spills and 0·40 for ‘in-port’ spills.
A simple perfect foresight monetary model

This paper develops a simple model which sharpens understanding of the forces that determine the equilibrium path of the price level and money income over time. The model is basically a formalization of part of Friedman’s Optimum Quantity of Money discussion [Friedman (1969)]. We consider an economy in which individuals receive both a fixed endowment of real income and nominal transfer payments in the form of bills printed by the government during each period of life. These bills are desired for their use in easing transactions, saving labor involved in trips back and forth to the bank, for their own sake, or because there is a law in the land that states ‘this note is legal tender for all debts, public and private’. ’ Individuals seek to maximize their lifetime utility which is equal to the discounted sum of the utility which they derive in each period from consumption of commodities and consumption of the services of money balances. Since individuals live more than one period and since money balances carry over from one period to the next, individual’s decisions in any particular period are influenced by what they think that their current money balances will be worth in future periods. Thus, a model of how individuals form their expectations regarding the future behavior of prit:es is an essential part of our analysis. Many different models of expectations formation have been discussed in the literature. The particular model which we will employ is a model of ‘rational expectations’.’ This particular concept has been selected out of the many
CALORIGENIC POTENCY OF FREE THYROXINE BY MOUTH

WE HAVE previously shown that synthetic thyroxine, when admin' istered by mouth in single doses of from 10 to ioo mg., does not producea definite increase in basal metabolism in patients with myxedema. When administered into the duodenum in single doses of from 10 to 50 mg., it is likewise without demonstrable effect (1). On the other hand, thyroxine does produce a clear-cut calorigenic response when administered as the monosodium salt and a still greater effect when given in an alkaline solution (2). In the course of observations on the maintenance dose of monosodium thyroxine (3), thyroxine as the free amino acid was accidentally substituted and it appeared to possess slight activity. It,therefore, seemed desirable to determine more precisely the effect of thyroxine given orally as the fre eamino acid, by administering large daily doses for a comparativelylong period.
Future Directions in the Developmental Science of Addictions

This article addresses important future directions for the study of addictions, emphasizing the incorporation of developmental perspectives into how we think about substance use and disorder as unfolding processes over time and context for a heterogeneous group of individuals. These perspectives articulate complexities in the developmental processes that underlie change and continuity in human behavior over time. We consider two key developmental concepts, namely, “time” and “heterogeneity.” We argue that a lack of attention to time sampling creates ambiguity in the meaning of time-linked assessments, challenges in discerning which of multiple clocks may govern behavior, and the inability in some instances to distinguish which of multiple etiological processes may be driving behavior within our samples. Moreover, artificial divisions among disorders that commonly co-occur with substance use are a barrier to the further integration of the study and treatment of addictions with that of psychopathology. Simi...
An introduction to the indirect exposure assessment approach: modeling human exposure using microenvironmental measurements and the recent National Human Activity Pattern Survey.

Indirect exposure approaches offer a feasible and accurate method for estimating population exposures to indoor pollutants, including environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). In an effort to make the indirect exposure assessment approach more accessible to people in the health and risk assessment fields, this paper provides examples using real data from (italic>a(/italic>) a week-long personal carbon monoxide monitoring survey conducted by the author; and (italic>b(/italic>) the 1992 to 1994 National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS) for the United States. The indirect approach uses measurements of exposures in specific microenvironments (e.g., homes, bars, offices), validated microenvironmental models (based on the mass balance equation), and human activity pattern data obtained from questionnaires to predict frequency distributions of exposure for entire populations. This approach requires fewer resources than the direct approach to exposure assessment, for which the distribution of monitors to a representative sample of a given population is necessary. In the indirect exposure assessment approach, average microenvironmental concentrations are multiplied by the total time spent in each microenvironment to give total integrated exposure. By assuming that the concentrations encountered in each of 10 location categories are the same for different members of the U.S. population (i.e., the NHAPS respondents), the hypothetical contribution that ETS makes to the average 24-hr respirable suspended particle exposure for Americans working their main job is calculated in this paper to be 18 microg/m3. This article is an illustrative review and does not contain an actual exposure assessment or model validation.
CARS Temperature and LDA Velocity Measurements in a Turbulent, Swirling, Premixed Propane/Air Fueled Model Gas Turbine Combustor

This paper present results from a research program being conducted at the Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center (ACERC) at Brigham Young University (BYU). This study is part of a comprehensive effort supported by the Advanced Gas Turbine Systems Research (ATS) Program headquartered at the South Carolina Energy Research and Development Center, Clemson, South Carolina. The objective of this study was to characterize a turbulent premixed propane/air flame in a model combustor that simulates the characteristics of a utility gas turbine engine. The program’s long term goal is to develop and commercialize ultra-high efficiency, environmentally superior, and cost competitive gas turbine systems for base-load applications in the utility, independent power producer, and industrial markets.This paper focuses on the following four areas of the investigation: 1) a series of digitized video images to document the effect of fuel equivalence ratio and swirl number on flame structure, 2) LDA velocity measurements to quantify the flow structure, 3) CARS gas temperature measurements to determine the temperature field in the combustor, and 4) local continuity and energy release in differential elements throughout the flame zone.Copyright © 1995 by ASME
How steep are the Himalaya? Characteristics and implications of along-strike topographic variations

Differences in the topography of central Nepal and Bhutan are characterized by map and profile patterns of elevation, slope, relief, and stream gradients. Nepal exhibits a narrow hinterland zone of extreme relief, steep slopes and channels, and deep fluvial dissection and a wide foreland zone of lower relief; active shortening on the Main Frontal thrust occurs far outboard of the steep topography. In contrast, Bhutan has two high-relief zones separated by a narrow, low-relief step in the topographic and river profiles; the southern zone has the higher relief, rising abruptly from the Main Frontal thrust to a series of 4000 m peaks, whereas the northern zone consists of low-relief, high-elevation, plateau-like terrain cut by widely spaced, steep-walled valleys. Spatial relationships between these geomorphic features, and geologic contrasts, are used to examine scenarios of tectonic and surface-process interactions. The observations favor a model of along-strike segmentation in which timing differences in the varying balance of uplift and erosion produce spatial differences of topographic and geologic patterns, although other interpretations are possible.
Interaction of the α-Subunit of Escherichia coliRNA Polymerase with DNA RIGID BODY NATURE OF THE PROTEIN-DNA CONTACT

Abstract The α-subunit of Escherichia coliRNA polymerase plays an important role in the activity of many promoters by providing a direct protein-DNA contact with a specific sequence (UP element) located upstream of the core promoter sequence. To obtain insight into the nature of thermodynamic forces involved in the formation of this protein-DNA contact, the binding of the α-subunit of E. coli RNA polymerase to a fluorochrome-labeled DNA fragment containing the rrnB P1 promoter UP element sequence was quantitatively studied using fluorescence polarization. The α dimer and DNA formed a 1:1 complex in solution. Complex formation at 25 °C was enthalpy-driven, the binding was accompanied by a net release of 1–2 ions, and no significant specific ion effects were observed. The van't Hoff plot of temperature dependence of binding was linear suggesting that the heat capacity change (Δcp) was close to zero. Protein footprinting with hydroxyradicals showed that the protein did not change its conformation upon protein-DNA contact formation. No conformational changes in the DNA molecule were detected by CD spectroscopy upon protein-DNA complex formation. The thermodynamic characteristics of the binding together with the lack of significant conformational changes in the protein and in the DNA suggested that the α-subunit formed a rigid body-like contact with the DNA in which a tight complementary recognition interface between α-subunit and DNA was not formed.
Genetic Mapping of F13A to BTA23 by Sperm Typing: Difference in Recombination Rate between Bulls in the DYA-PRL Interval

Our objective was to extend the linkage and comparative maps of BTA23 by determining whether the structural gene for the A subunit of blood coagulation factor XIII (F13A) is linked to BoLA-DYA, a centromeric marker, or the distally located gene encoding prolactin (PRL). Bovine F13A was mapped relative to DYA and PRL in an experiment that examined segregation of alleles in 176 sperm. Genotyping was performed by PCR-RFLP for all loci, following amplification of the haploid genome by primer extension preamplification. F13A was found to be linked to PRL (theta = 0.314 +/- 0.038). The most likely order is DYA-PRL-F13A (odds > 10(4):1). This result demonstrates conservation of synteny between BTA23 and most of HSA6p. Surprisingly, theta DYA-PRL was 0.310 +/- 0.039, 83.4% greater (P < 0.02) than we found for another bull (Van Eijk et al., Mamm. Genome 4: 113, 1993). The difference in recombination rate in the DYA-PRL interval provides further evidence for an unusual recombination hot spot between the bovine Mhc class IIa and class IIb subregions and suggests that bull-specific maps may be necessary for marker-assisted selection.
A 3-D finite-volume method for the Navier-Stokes equations with adaptive hybrid grids

Abstract This paper describes the development and application of a numerical scheme for the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations of viscous flow using hybrid (prismatic/tetrahedral) grids. Employment of prisms is a relatively new approach towards complex geometry high Reynolds number viscous flow computations. The body surface is covered with triangles, which provides geometric flexibility, while the structure of the mesh in the direction normal to the surface provides better resolution of the viscous stresses. The irregular areas between different prismatic layers covering the surfaces of the domain are filled with tetrahedral elements. Their triangular faces match the corresponding triangular faces of the prisms. A dual adaptation scheme is developed which employs both directional and isotropic local refinement/coarsening of the prisms and tetrahedra. The structure of the prisms is preserved by avoiding interfaces with mid-edge nodes. Spatial discretization consists of a finite-volume, node-based scheme that is of the central-differencing type. The solution is marched in time using a Taylor series expansion following the Lax-Wendroff approach. The scheme employs a dual cells arrangement for evaluation of the viscous terms, which has the property of suppressing odd-even modes in the solution. A storage-efficient data structure is employed, which utilizes the structure of the prismatic grid in one of the directions.
The geometry and integrability of the Suslov problem

In this paper, we discuss the integrability of a nonholonomic mechanical system—a generalized Klebsh–Tisserand case of the Suslov problem. Using the theory of Hamiltonization and the Poincare–Hopf theorem we analyze the topology of the invariant manifolds and in particular describe their genus. We contrast the results with those for Hamiltonian systems.
The Benefits and Costs of Immunizations Revisited

Much has been written on the cost-effectiveness of immunizations used in preventive medicine. Using recent data and issues, the economic perspectives of the vaccines for pertussis, poliomyelitis, and hepatitis B are reevaluated. They are all good health investments, but benefit-cost or cost-effectiveness analysis permits better consideration of the circumstances under which and the populations for whom they can best be used.
Surgical Management of Complex Partial Seizures

CASE PRESENTATION Jocelyn Jenkins, MD A 23-YEAR-OLD, left-handed white woman with a history of uncontrollable complex partial seizures was admitted to The Johns Hopkins Epilepsy Center for further evaluation and management. The patient was the product of a normal, spontaneous vaginal delivery and achieved normal early milestones. At age 18 months, after receiving smallpox vaccine, she experienced two febrile seizures. The second seizure was associated with transient right hemiparesis. She was treated with phenobarbital and was asymptomatic until about age 6 years, when she developed complex partial seizures that were refractory to high doses of many medications, both alone and in combinations. Some of the medications used were phenytoin sodium, phenobarbital, valproic acid, carbamazepine, and ethosuximide. A computed tomographic scan of the brain was normal. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T 2 -weighted image showed an area of hyperintensity along the left periventricular white matter on both horizontal and coronal
Service Platform Development: Comparison of Two E-Services Platforms

Platform concepts have been around for about a decade now. While their focus was on the manufacturing industry in the beginnings, interest has shifted to services â€“ and Internet-based services in particular. This paper provides an overview of popular product platform concepts, a new view upon services in the light of the Internet, and links platforms to Internet-based services. Two companies with a tremendous platform potential, Google and EBay, are introduced and analyzed with respect to their usage of the product platform concept. After a brief discussion of the results, two product offerings of both Google and EBay are compared to give a practical example.
Rigorous expunction of poisson's ratio from the reissner-meissner equations☆

Abstract Solutions of the two Reissner-Meissner linear equations for the torsionless, axisymetric deformation of elastically isotropic shells of revolution of constant thickness subject to edge conditions and variable normal pressure are compared with the solutions of a simplified version of these equations obtained by neglecting terms containing Poisson's ratio. The relative pointwise differences in the predicted values for the change in the meridional angle and a stress function are shown to be of the same order of magnitude as the inherent errors in classical, first-approximation shell theory. These results do not depend on physical arguments or asymptotic integration techniques, but rather follow from the structure of the Reissner-Meissner equations themselves. The advantage of the simplified equations is that they may be combined into a single comple-valued equation containing no conjugates of the dependent variable.
The Canon of Potato Science: 43. Skin-set and Wound-healing/Suberization

What is it?The native periderm covering the surface of the potato tuber is composed of phellem,phellogen and phelloderm cell layers. Immature periderm is fragile and susceptible toexcoriation,i.e. skinning injury, at the time of harvest and handling into storage. As theperidermmatures,theskin(phellemcelllayeroftheperiderm)becomestightlyattachedto the underlying cells and thereby resistant to skinning injury. The idiom “skin-set” isusedtoindicatethatthe tuber has becomeresistant toskinninginjury. Some documentsrefertoskinningasfeatheringbecauseofthethinandlightnatureofthephellem afteritis detached from the tuber. Wound-related blemishes, defects, infections and otherquality problems resulting from skinning injury necessitate the development of newapproachesandtechnologiestohastenandenhanceskin-set.However,untilrecentlythedirection for development of new means to improve skin-set was haphazard andseverely hampered because the physiological bases for skin-set and associatedbiological processes were not known. These knowledge gaps were significant and ledto many incorrect assumptions and hypotheses concerning skin-set development andhow the problem should be addressed. For example, one popular and incorrecthypothesis was that skin/phellem thickening was responsible for skin-set development.Another incorrect hypothesis ascribed suberization as the source of skin-set develop-ment.Recentidentificationofthebroadphysiologicalprocessesinvolvedintheskin-setphase of periderm maturation not only refute these hypotheses, but also guide researchin the proper direction for development of approaches to enhance skin-set.The cell walls of the tuber phellem/skin of the native periderm possess a waxycomponent that protects against cell desiccation and a protective suberin biopolymerthat provides a barrier to pathogens and other intrusions. The suberin biopolymer iscomposed of a suberin poly(phenolic) (SPP) domain that protects against bacterialinfections,andasuberinpoly(aliphatic)(SPA)domainthatprotectsagainstinfectionby
Indoleamine and the phenethylamine hallucinogens: mechanisms of psychotomimetic action

The psychedelic hallucinogens are comprised of three different groups of compounds according to Ž . Ž . their chemical structure Fig. 1 : 1 the ergolines Ž which contain an indole moiety e.g. lysergic acid . Ž . diethylamide, LSD ; 2 simple indoleamine hallucinoŽ gens e.g. N,N-dimethyltryptamine, DMT and psilocy. bin which share an indoleamine structure with the Ž endogenous neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine 5. Ž . HT, serotonin ; and 3 the ring-substituted phenethŽ . ylamine hallucinogens e.g. mescaline . One of the outstanding features of ergoline, indoleamine, and phenethylamine hallucinogens is that they alter all cortical functions including cognition, perception, and mood. This implies that the sites mediating the psychotomimetic effects of these hallucinogens are located in the neocortex or in subcortical areas with efferent projections throughout the neocortex. This review will consider evidence suggesting that both the indoleamine and phenethylamine hallucinogens bind to a common neurotransmitter receptor in the brain, Ž . the 5-hydroxytryptamine 5-HT receptor, and 2A 2A that subsequent activation of this serotonin receptor mediates the psychotomimetic effects of these halluciŽ . nogens. We will also discuss potential site s in the brain at which the hallucinogens exert their psychotomimetic effects.
The physiology of folliculogenesis: the role of novel growth factors.

Abstract Objective: To assess major physiological events underlying folliculogenesis, including FSH-dependent dominant follicle (DF) formation, LH/hCG signaling, and the role of novel regulatory molecules in these developmental processes. Design: Review of some of the past and recent advances in ovarian biology, focusing attention on [1] two novel oocyte-derived growth factors, growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-15); and [2] a recently discovered follicular insulin-like growth factor binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) protease, pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A), that can degrade the FSH antagonist IGFBP-4. Result(s): Oocyte-derived GDF-9 and BMP-15 are obligatory for folliculogenesis and female fertility in laboratory animals through their ability to stimulate granulosa cell proliferation and modulate FSH-dependent cytodifferentiation. The expression of these growth factors in human primary oocytes supports the hypothesis that GDF-9 and BMP-15 could be involved in ovary function in women. Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A is a marker for the human dominant follicle and its product the corpus luteum, raising the possibility that this putative FSH antagonist might regulate FSH bioactivity during folliculogenesis and luteogenesis. Conclusion(s): Oocyte-derived and granulosa-derived regulatory proteins perform very important functions in FSH-dependent folliculogenesis. The current challenges are to understand the role of these novel proteins in ovary physiology and pathophysiology in women.
The Federal Concessioner System: Linking Policy to Opportunities for Local Service Providers

Every year millions of tourists hit the open road to enjoy America's public recreation lands. Upon arrival at their destinations, visitors enjoy a host of service amenities ranging from hotels and lodges to ski resorts and back country adventures, all compliments of concessioners. These public lands concessioner operations are a multibillion dollar business. This decades-long analysis finds that local service providers have generally failed to secure concessioner contracts on public lands. A focus among more politically adept participants upon other policy priorities has eclipsed local provider preferences despite periodic opportunities for change and economic need.
Some properties of turbulent convection with shear

The paper discusses an idealized experiment relevant to the flow of air over a heated surface. Two regimes are found and expressions are obtained for buoyancy and momentum fluxes q and τ, mean buoyancy and mean velocity gradients ρz and uz, rms velocity fluctuations, rms buoyancy fluctuations σρ , turbulent length and time scales and eddy viscosity and conductivity. The number determining the two regimes is U = ?u/(ν?ρ)1/3, where ?u is the speed of the heated surface (or the velocity at infinity), — ?ρ is the buoyancy at the surface and ν is the molecular coefficient of viscosity. In the low‐speed regime, U is small. In the limit, of course, this corresponds to free convection over a stationary heated plate. The results disagree with two earlier theories by Malkus and Priestley. For example, above the thermal boundary layer, ρz decreases as z‐3/2 in the present theory compared with z‐2 in the Malkus theory and z ‐4/3 in the similarity theory of Priestley. The z ‐3/2 behavior is, however, supported by expe...
Survival, site and mate fidelity in south polar skuas Catharacta maccormicki at Anvers Island, Antarctica

In 1974–1975, 34 adult South Polar Skuas Catharacta maccormicki were colour-ringed on 18 nest territories at Bonaparte Point, Anvers Island, near Palmer Station along the Antarctic Peninsula. Subsequently, the area was searched for these birds during the austral summers of 1975–1976 to 1984–1985 and in 1987–1988 and 1989–1990. Fifty-three percent were seen in 1984–1985, 32% in 1987–1988 and 21% in 1989–1990. Annual survival rate averaged 95% from 1974–1975 to 1984–1985; no sexual differences were detected (n = 28 of known sex). Strong territory and mate fidelity were apparent: 34 skuas averaged 1.1 nest territories and 1.7 mates each in 16 years. Only 4 of 34 individuals (all females) were known to change territories, and each territory change involved a change of mates. Although males showed higher territory fidelity than females (P < 0.01), most females (four of five) retained their territories when previous mates failed to return. Seventeen of 34 birds changed mates a total of 24 times; at least 20 mate changes followed the death or disappearance of the former mate. Males showed slightly higher mate fidelity than females (P < 0.04). Female South Polar and Brown Skuas Catharacta lonnbergi did not differ in territory or mate fidelity. From 1974–1975 to 1984–1985, 120 South Polar Skua chicks were ringed on 18 nest territories on Bonaparte Point: 17 were resighted in the Palmer area when they were 3–10 years old. All 15 returnecs were found within 3 km of their natal nest sites, and four of them occupied nest territories on Bonaparte Point.
Off the Shelf: Trends in the Purchase and Use of Electronic Reference Books.

What is the future direction of reference books? What types of policies are libraries implementing regarding the purchase of electronic reference books? Are libraries still buying hard copy reference items when an electronic equivalent is available? This paper discusses a national survey of libraries regarding the purchase and use of electronic reference books by information professionals and patrons.
Coupled Photochemical and Enzymatic Mn(II) Oxidation Pathways of a Planktonic Roseobacter-Like Bacterium

Bacteria belonging to the Roseobacter clade of the α-Proteobacteria occupy a wide range of environmental niches and are numerically abundant in coastal waters. Here we reveal that Roseobacter-like bacteria may play a previously unrecognized role in the oxidation and cycling of manganese (Mn) in coastal waters. A diverse array of Mn(II)-oxidizing Roseobacter-like species were isolated from Elkhorn Slough, a coastal estuary adjacent to Monterey Bay in California. One isolate (designated AzwK-3b), in particular, rapidly oxidizes Mn(II) to insoluble Mn(III, IV) oxides. Interestingly, AzwK-3b is 100% identical (at the 16S rRNA gene level) to a previously described Pfiesteria-associated Roseobacter-like bacterium, which is not able to oxidize Mn(II). The rates of manganese(II) oxidation by live cultures and cell-free filtrates are substantially higher when the preparations are incubated in the presence of light. The rates of oxidation by washed cell extracts, however, are light independent. Thus, AzwK-3b invokes two Mn(II) oxidation mechanisms when it is incubated in the presence of light, in contrast to the predominantly direct enzymatic oxidation in the dark. In the presence of light, production of photochemically active metabolites is coupled with initial direct enzymatic Mn(II) oxidation, resulting in higher Mn(II) oxidation rates. Thus, Roseobacter-like bacteria may not only play a previously unrecognized role in Mn(II) oxidation and cycling in coastal surface waters but also induce a novel photooxidation pathway that provides an alternative means of Mn(II) oxidation in the photic zone.
SOME APPROXIMATE KOHN-SHAM MOLECULAR ENERGY FORMULAS

Abstract : Density functional calculations have been carried out for twelve molecules by several different Kohn-Sham procedures in order to test the effectiveness of two approximate molecular energy formulas that have been applied earlier in the context of Hartree-Fock theory. The equation E(molecular) = 3/7( (Vne + 2Vnn), in which Vne and Vnn are the nuclear-electronic attraction and nuclear repulsion, reproduces Kohn-Sham energies with an average deviation of less than 0.70%. E(molecular) = alpha.Sigma(ni epsilonj), where ni and epsilonj are the molecular orbital occupancies and energies, gives an average deviation of 1.6%, with alpha determined empirically for each functional combination. The relationship 3E(molecule) = 1.14 Sigma(ni epsilonj) + 2Vnn + Vne, an analogue of an exact Hanree-Fock expression, predicts Becke-3 Kohn-Sham molecular energies to within an average 0.23% of the actual values.
The directional p-median problem: Definition, complexity, and algorithms

An instance of a p-median problem gives n demand points. The objective is to locate p supply points in order to minimize the total distance of the demand points to their nearest supply point. p-Median is polynomially solvable in one dimension but NP-hard in two or more dimensions, when either the Euclidean or the rectilinear distance measure is used. In this paper, we treat the p-median problem under a new distance measure, the directional rectilinear distance, which requires the assigned supply point for a given demand point to lie above and to the right of it. In a previous work, we showed that the directional p-median problem is polynomially solvable in one dimension; we give here an improved solution through reformulating the problem as a special case of the constrained shortest path problem. We have previously proven that the problem is NP-complete in two or more dimensions; we present here an efficient heuristic to solve it. Compared to the robust Teitz and Bart heuristic, our heuristic enjoys substantial speedup while sacrificing little in terms of solution quality, making it an ideal choice for real-world applications with thousands of demand points.
The Revolving Door to Gold Mountain: How Chinese Immigrants Got around U.S. Exclusion and Replenished the Chinese American Labor Pool, 1900–1910

This study provides a quantitative perspective on the Chinese American migratory system of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the magnitude of various means for evading the U.S. embargo on Chinese immigration. Three sources are explored, including federal immigration summaries, census microdata, and a sample of person-voyage records for steamship arrivals at the port of San Francisco (n = 5,707). Whereas parameter estimates vary among the sources from nearly twofold (gross migration) up to fourfold (net migration), all results are consistent with a revolving-door system in which young male workers arrived as replacements for departing older male workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Teniposide induces nuclear but not mitochondrial DNA degradation.

Teniposide [4'-demethylepipophyllotoxin-4-(4,6-O-thenylidene-beta-D- glucopyranoside) (VM-26)] is a cancer chemotherapeutic drug with a high target specificity for DNA topoisomerase II. This agent induces repairable protein-bridged double-strand DNA breaks, which have been correlated with cytotoxicity, but high concentrations of VM-26 also induce irreversible DNA degradation and apoptotic cell death. It is not known whether this degradation occurs uniformly throughout the genome or in a gene-specific manner. To answer this question, DNA was isolated from HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells exposed to 5 microM VM-26 for varying periods of up to 12 h. Nucleosomal "ladders" on 2.0% agarose gels stained with ethidium bromide were detectable after 3 h of exposure, indicative of apoptosis. Gene-specific DNA degradation was investigated by Southern blot analysis. The genes for 18S rRNA and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were representatives of constitutively expressed (i.e., "housekeeping") genes. The proto-oncogenes c-myc, c-Ha-ras, and bcl-2 were examined as examples of other transcriptionally active genes, while transcriptionally inactive genes in HL-60 cells were studied by probing for the immunoglobulin heavy chain joining region and lambda light chain constant region genes. The rates of DNA degradation, and its extent after 12 h, were similar for all nuclear genes studied. However, there was striking resistance of mitochondrial DNA to endonucleolytic degradation. These data demonstrate that VM-26 can elicit a widespread degradative process which affects nuclear but not mitochondrial DNA.
Maneuvering the Surface Plasmon Resonance of Silver Nanostructures through Shape-Controlled Synthesis

Silver nanostructures are containers for surface plasmons - the collective oscillation of conduction electrons in phase with incident light. By controlling the shape of the container, one can control the ways in which electrons oscillate, and in turn how the nanostructure scatters light, absorbs light, and enhances local electric fields. With a series of discrete dipole approximation (DDA) calculations, each of a distinctive morphology, we illustrate how shape control can tune the optical properties of silver nanostructures. Calculated predictions are validated by experimental measurements performed on nanocubes with controllable corner truncation, right bipyramids, and pentagonal nanowires. Control of nanostructure shape allows optimization of plasmon resonance for molecular detection and spectroscopy.
Law as justice

A perennial question of jurisprudence has been whether there is a relationship between law and morality. Those who believe that there is no such relationship are known as “legal positivists,” while those who hold that some such relationship exists are usually tagged with the label “natural lawyers.” Unfortunately, the latter phrase has been used in quite divergent senses. Sometimes it is used to designate any objectivist position about morality; as often, it labels the view that human nature determines what is objectively good or right; and perhaps as often, it labels the view that some natural facts other than facts about human nature determine what is objectively good or right; and sometimes the label presupposes some divine origins to both morality and human law.
Association Between Success Rate and Citation Count of Studies of Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation Possible Evidence of Citation Bias

Background—The preferential citation of studies with the highest success rates could exaggerate perceived effectiveness, particularly for treatments with widely varying published success rates such as radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. Methods and Results—We systematically identified observational studies and clinical trials of radiofrequency catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation between 1990 and 2012. Generalized Poisson regression was used to estimate association between study success rate and total citation count, adjusting for sample size, journal impact factor, time since publication, study design, and whether first or last author was a consensus-defined pre-eminent expert. We identified 174 articles meeting our inclusion criteria (36 289 subjects). After adjustment only for time since publication, a 10-point increase above the mean in pooled reported success rates was associated with a 17.8% increase in citation count at 5 years postpublication (95% confidence interval, 7.1...
Into the Abyss: What If Nothing is Risk Free?

In corporate finance and investment analysis, we assume that there is an investment with a guaranteed return that offers both firms and investors a “risk free” choice. This assumption, innocuous though it may seem, is a critical component of both risk and return models and corporate financial theory. But what if there is no risk free investment? During the banking crisis of 2008, this question came to the fore, as investors began questioning the credit worthiness of US treasuries, UK gilts and German bonds. In effect, the fear that governments can default, hitherto restricted to risky, emerging markets, had seeped into developed markets as well. In this paper, we examine why governments may default, even on local currency bonds, and the consequences. We also look at how best to estimate a risk free rate, when no default free entity exists, and the effects on both investors and firms. In particular, we argue that the absence of a risk free investment will make investors collectively more risk averse, thus reducing the prices of all risky assets, and induce firms to borrow less money and pay out lower dividends.
Are the new and old EU countries financially integrated

Abstract During the last four years, the eight Eastern European countries that joined the EU in 2004 have made significant strides toward financial integration with the EU. Several pieces of evidence support this finding. First, yields on long‐term sovereign bonds in accession countries have converged towards EU levels. This is true for both bonds denominated in local currency and bonds denominated in euro. Secondly, while the issuance of euro‐denominated corporate bonds from accession countries is limited, yields on existing corporate bonds are in line with those in the old EU countries. Thirdly, margins in the banking sector have narrowed, which is consistent with the integration of banking markets. Finally, while country effects still play a more important role in explaining stock returns than industry effects, the continuing stock market rally in the region is consistent with financial integration into the EU.