cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using co-op reviews as an assessment tool

This paper describes our work-in-process of incorporating co-op visits and reviews into program assessment to prepare us for the next ABET review. This one-page paper briefly discusses our co-op visit and review procedure, benefits of using co-op visits and reviews for assessment, our methods of doing this assessment, an example result of this assessment and a planned improvement of this assessment method.
Erectile Function After Prostate Brachytherapy

Purpose: To evaluate erectile function after permanent prostate brachytherapy using a validated patientadministered questionnaire and to determine the effect of multiple clinical, treatment, and dosimetric parameters on penile erectile function. Methods and Materials: A total of 226 patients with preimplant erectile function determined by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire underwent permanent prostate brachytherapy in two prospective randomized trials between February 2001 and January 2003 for clinical Stage T1c-T2c (2002 American Joint Committee on Cancer) prostate cancer. Of the 226 patients, 132 were potent before treatment and, of those, 128 (97%) completed and returned the IIEF questionnaire after brachytherapy. The median follow-up was 29.1 months. Potency was defined as an IIEF score of >13. The clinical, treatment, and dosimetric parameters evaluated included patient age; preimplant IIEF score; clinical T stage; pretreatment prostate-specific antigen level; Gleason score; elapsed time after implantation; preimplant nocturnal erections; body mass index; presence of hypertension or diabetes mellitus; tobacco consumption; the volume of the prostate gland receiving 100%, 150%, and 200% of the prescribed dose (V100/150/200); the dose delivered to 90% of the prostate gland (D90); androgen deprivation therapy; supplemental external beam radiotherapy (EBRT); isotope; prostate volume; planning volume; and radiation dose to the proximal penis. Results: The 3-year actuarial rate of potency preservation was 50.5%. For patients who maintained adequate posttreatment erectile function, the preimplant IIEF score was 29, and in patients with brachytherapyrelated ED, the preimplant IIEF score was 25. The median time to the onset of ED was 5.4 months. After brachytherapy, the median IIEF score was 20 in potent patients and 3 in impotent patients. On univariate analysis, the preimplant IIEF score, patient age, presence of nocturnal erections, and dose to the proximal penis predicted for postimplant erectile function. However, in multivariate analysis, only the preimplant IIEF score and the D50 to the proximal crura were statistically significant predictors of brachytherapyrelated erectile function. Conclusions: Using a patient-administered validated quality-of-life instrument, brachytherapy-induced ED occurred in 50% of patients at 3 years. On multivariate analysis, preimplant erectile function and the D50 to the proximal crura were the best predictors of brachytherapy-related erectile function. Because the proximal penis is the most significant treatment-related predictor of brachytherapy-related ED, techniques to minimize the radiation dose to the proximal penis may result in improved rates of potency preservation. © 2005 Elsevier Inc. Brachytherapy, Erectile function, Prostate, Proximal penis, Quality of life.
RETRACTED: Pneumococcal Surface Adhesin A (PsaA): A Review

Pneumococcal surface adhesin A (PsaA) is a surface-exposed common 37-kilodalton multi-functional lipoprotein detected on all known serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. This lipoprotein belongs to the ABC-type transport protein complex that transports Mn2+; it is also an adhesin that plays a major role in pneumococcal attachment to the host cell and virulence. PsaA is immunogenic and natural nasopharyngeal colonization of pneumococci elicits an increase in antibody towards PsaA. Hence, PsaA is being actively evaluated as a component of a vaccine in formulations composed of pneumococcal common proteins. PsaA has been expressed as an E. coli recombinant protein, purified, and evaluated in a phase one clinical trial. This article reviews PsaA, its structure and role in pneumococcal virulence, immunogenicity, and potential to reduce nasopharyngeal colonization (a major prerequisite for pneumococcal pathogenesis) as a component of a common pneumococcal protein vaccine.
Direct Experimental Evidence for Differing Reactivity Alterations of Minerals following Irradiation: The Case of Calcite and Quartz

Concrete, used in the construction of nuclear power plants (NPPs), may be exposed to radiation emanating from the reactor core. Until recently, concrete has been assumed immune to radiation exposure. Direct evidence acquired on Ar(+)-ion irradiated calcite and quartz indicates, on the contrary, that, such minerals, which constitute aggregates in concrete, may be significantly altered by irradiation. More specifically, while quartz undergoes disordering of its atomic structure resulting in a near complete lack of periodicity, calcite only experiences random rotations, and distortions of its carbonate groups. As a result, irradiated quartz shows a reduction in density of around 15%, and an increase in chemical reactivity, described by its dissolution rate, similar to a glassy silica. Calcite however, shows little change in dissolution rate - although its density noted to reduce by ≈9%. These differences are correlated with the nature of bonds in these minerals, i.e., being dominantly ionic or covalent, and the rigidity of the mineral's atomic network that is characterized by the number of topological constraints (nc) that are imposed on the atoms in the network. The outcomes have major implications on the durability of concrete structural elements formed with calcite or quartz bearing aggregates in nuclear power plants.
Reduced Complexity Sphere Decoding for Square QAM via a New Lattice Representation

Sphere decoding (SD) is a low complexity maximum likelihood (ML) detection algorithm, which has been adapted for different linear channels in digital communications. The complexity of SD has been shown to be exponential in some cases, and polynomial in others and under certain assumptions. The sphere radius and the number of nodes visited throughout the tree traversal search are the decisive factors for the complexity of the algorithm. The radius problem has been addressed and treated widely in the literature. In this paper, we propose a new structure for SD, which drastically reduces the overall complexity. The complexity is measured in terms of the floating point operations per second (FLOPS) and the number of nodes visited throughout the algorithm's tree search. This reduction in complexity is due to the ability of decoding the real and imaginary parts of every jointly detected symbol independently of each other, making use of the new lattice representation. We further show by simulations that the new approach achieves 80% reduction in the overall complexity compared to the conventional SD for a 2times2 system, and almost 50% reduction for the 4times4 and 6times6 cases, thus relaxing the requirements for hardware implementation.
Five ways to support interdisciplinary work before tenure

Academic institutions often claim to promote interdisciplinary teaching and research. Prescriptions for successfully engaging in interdisciplinary efforts, however, are usually directed at the individuals doing the work rather than the institutions evaluating them for the purpose of tenure and promotion. Where institutional recommendations do exist, they are often general in nature and lacking concrete guidance. Here, we draw on our experiences as students and faculty participating in three interdisciplinary water resource management programs in the USA to propose five practices that academic institutions can adopt to effectively support interdisciplinary work. We focus on reforms that will support pre-tenure faculty because we believe that an investment in interdisciplinary work early in one’s career is both particularly challenging and seldom rewarded. Recommended reforms include (1) creating metrics that reward interdisciplinary scholarship, (2) allowing faculty to “count” teaching and advising loads in interdisciplinary programs, (3) creating a “safe fail” for interdisciplinary research proposals and projects, (4) creating appropriate academic homes for interdisciplinary programs, and (5) rethinking “advancement of the discipline” as a basis for promotion and tenure.
Lunar volatile depletion due to incomplete accretion within an impact-generated disk

The Moon may have accreted from a disk of debris after a giant impact. Simulations suggest that part of the Moon derives from volatile-poor melt in the hot inner disk, with most of the volatile elements condensing later and accreting to Earth.
Tobacco Road Finland - how did an accepted pleasure turn into an avoidable risk behaviour?

Abstract Smoking was once defined as an appropriate recreational substance or life comfort, but is now understood as a serious health risk and a public health problem important enough to be controlled by society. In this article the changed social position and development of tobacco regulations in Finland are studied from a perspective of social constructionism. The emergence of recent tobacco controls can be seen as a process whereby tobacco came to be defined as a social problem. I will argue that there were three primary definitions which played a decisive role in this process. Put in historical order, these three definitions contained (1) claims about harms to smokers, (2) claims about harms to others, and (3) claims about tobacco as a highly addictive drug. These conceptions together drove a complementary and mutually reinforcing re-conception of tobacco harms. Consequently, the emergence of these definitions led to the founding of new institutions, practices, and treatments. The leading value in the claim-making process was public health, which transferred the state's interest away from fiscal revenues towards lowering the costs caused by tobacco diseases. Correspondingly, medical science and medical doctors gained a position as the leading authority in the defining the tobacco issue. The latest conceptual innovation is the idea of a tobacco-free Finland by 2040, representing a strategy of ‘de-normalising’ tobacco use. The reversal in the social and cultural position of tobacco, which in Finland went from one extreme to another, was not based on pressure created by any wider social movements or organised tobacco-specific citizens groups, as in some other countries, but rather by a state health administration supported by a relatively small network of tobacco control advocates.
Multicanonical Spin Glass Simulations

We report a Monte Carlo simulation of the 2D Edwards-Anderson spin glass model within the recently introduced multicanonical ensemble. Replica on lattices of size L2 up to L=48 are investigated. Once a true groundstate is found, we are able to give a lower bound on the number of statistically independent groundstates sampled. Temperature dependence of the energy, entropy and other quantities of interest are easily calculable. In particular we report the groundstate results. Our data indicate that the large L increase of the ergodicity time is reduced to an approximately V3 power law. Altogether the results suggest that the multicanonical ensemble improves the situation of simulations for spin glasses and other systems which have to cope with similar problems of conflicting constraints.
Modeling the Effects of Socioeconomic Factors in Highway Construction and Expansion

The increasing commuting population often fuels the need for new highways. As the demand for new highways increases, many low-income neighborhoods are often considered for placement of new highways. While this issue has long been recognized as part of environmental justice and context-sensitive solution initiatives, no quantitative comparisons of highway construction impacts on low-income families have been reported in the literature. The objective of this research is to develop a general methodology to model the effects of socioeconomic factors in highway construction and expansion, to examine impacts on low-income families. The general methodology developed can be applied to various income classes to determine the extent of impact with new highway construction. Penalty costs are chosen and used to penalize highway alignments crossing low-income areas. Multiple values for penalty costs are used to test the sensitivity of generated alignments. Tests are performed to examine the robustness of the developed methodology. The results lead to the need for developing appropriate penalty costs that are suitable for avoiding low-income areas. This research is a first step in quantifying the impacts of highway construction and expansion on low-income families.
Corrugator plant operating system

The corrugated container industry currently comprises approximately 850 plants, centered mostly in larger industrial areas. The average container plant employs 88 people and has an annual sales revenue of two million dollars. In a working day, the plant will produce upwards of 100,000 containers to meet the shipping requirements of neighboring industry.
Comparing Galaxy Morphology at Ultraviolet and Optical Wavelengths

We have undertaken an imaging survey of 34 nearby galaxies in far-ultraviolet(FUV, [sim]1500 u and optical (UBVRI) passbands to characterize galaxy morphology as a function of wavelength. This sample, which includes a range of classical Hubble types from elliptical to irregular, with emphasis on spirals at low inclination angle, provides a valuable database for comparison with images of high-z galaxies whose FUV light is redshifted into the optical and near-infrared bands.
High‐Temperature Creep of Y2O3‐Stabilized ZrO2

The compression creep behavior of Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) was studied at temperatures to 2000 ° C. The function of Y2O3 content and grain size was tested in specimens with various impurity concentrations and porosity distributions. For relatively fine-grained specimens, creep rates increased with the 1.5 power of the applied stress at low stresses and with the third power at high stresses. The results for coarse-grained specimens can, in general, be fit by the cube dependence. The 1.5 power can be reduced to a linear dependence by correcting for an apparent threshold stress, which decreases with increasing temperature. Creep activation energies for YSZ are 128 ± 10 kcal/mol, independent of Y2O3 content, impurity level, grain size, and porosity distribution. In addition, over a broad range of temperatures and stresses the absolute values of the steady-state creep rates are influenced only by grain size and O2 partial pressure.
Faster private release of marginals on small databases

We study the problem of answering k-way marginal queries on a database D ϵ ({0,1}d)n, while preserving differential privacy. The answer to a k-way marginal query is the fraction of the database's records x in {0,1}d with a given value in each of a given set of up to k columns. Marginal queries enable a rich class of statistical analyses on a dataset, and designing efficient algorithms for privately answering marginal queries has been identified as an important open problem in private data analysis. For any k, we give a differentially private online algorithm that runs in time poly (n, 2o(d)) per query and answers any sequence of poly(n) many k-way marginal queries with error at most ±0.01 on every query, provided n ≥ d0.51. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first algorithm capable of privately answering marginal queries with a non-trivial worst-case accuracy guarantee for databases containing poly(d, k) records in time exp(o(d)). Our algorithm runs the private multiplicative weights algorithm (Hardt and Rothblum, FOCS '10) on a new approximate polynomial representation of the database. We derive our representation for the database by approximating the OR function restricted to low Hamming weight inputs using low-degree polynomials with coefficients of bounded L1-norm. In doing so, we show new upper and lower bounds on the degree of such polynomials, which may be of independent approximation-theoretic interest.
Best-first minimax search

We describe a very simple selective search algorithm for two-player games, called best-first minimax. It always expands next the node at the end of the expected line of play, which determines the minimax value of the root. It uses the same information as alpha-beta minimax, and takes roughly the same time per node generation. We present an implementation of the algorithm that reduces its space complexity from exponential to linear in the search depth, but at significant time cost. Our actual implementation saves the subtree generated for one move that is still relevant after the player and opponent move, pruning subtrees below moves not chosen by either player. We also show how to efficiently generate a class of incremental random game trees. On uniform random game trees, best-first minimax outperforms alpha-beta, when both algorithms are given the same amount of computation. On random trees with random branching factors, best-first outperforms alpha-beta for shallow depths, but eventually loses at greater depths. We obtain similar results in the game of Othello. Finally, we present a hybrid best-first extension algorithm that combines alpha-beta with best-first minimax, and performs significantly better than alpha-beta in both domains, even at greater depths. In Othello, it beats alpha-beta in two out of three games.
Searching for the Next Yukawa Phase of QCD

QCD predicts that the interactions between quarks and gluons change from a confining to a screened Yukawa form above a critical temperature Tc ∼ 150 MeV. In this talk, I review some of the key observables in heavy ion reactions which are being used to search for this new partonic Yukawa phase at SPS and RHIC. These include collective observables such as dE⊥/dydp⊥, meson interferometry, jet quenching, and J/ψ suppression.
Chemistry, macromolecules, and the needs of man

Abstract Having become a mature science, chemistry is no longer at the frontier in the quest for the ultimately small entities in nature. Yet, as the science most concerned with molecules, chemistry continues to be of foremost importance. It has both an opportunity and an obligation to elucidate the familiar forms of matter and to cultivate a more widespread appreciation of the nature of the substances of common experience, and of the transformations they undergo. Additionally, chemical sciences must lend support to new technologies and to the adaptation of existing ones to the needs of the present and future. Chemistry therefore has both a cultural and a technological function. Macromolecules are singularly important in both respects. Substances comprising them are commonplace. They provide the fabric of all biological matter and perform the essential regulatory functions on which living processes depend. In the industrial domain, the rapid growth in the use of synthetic polymers witnessed in recent years seems destined to continue as they replace metals and other materials from non-renewable sources. The diversity of molecular architecture which can be incorporated in long molecular chains offers possibilities that are virtually limitless. The base of knowledge concerning polymers, on which both the life sciences and polymer technologies must depend in the future, is precariously limited. Cultivation of deeper understanding of macromolecules therefore is urgently needed.
New product development simulation

This paper describes the New Product Development (NPD) Simulation we developed and use in our Marketing and Entrepreneurship courses. The simulation teaches NPD best practice, focusing on determining potential customers needs, then matching those needs with product attribute selection. Participants simulate the building & launching of a product, then receive feedback on their NPD process.
Toward structure-function relations — A hybrid quantum/classical approach

Abstract The calculation of electronic structure of materials by first principles quantum methods is now essentially routine, thanks to development of Density Functional approaches. However, the electronic structure depends in detail upon the nuclear positions, which are not generally known in advance. The prediction and verification of atomic positions— the geometrical configuration— of a complex molecule like a protein, or of a chemically reactive surface, or of a doped solid interface, for example, begins to yield to atomistic simulations based upon classical or semiclassical force-fields. A significant remaining problem is to couple together quantum and classical methodologies on several length- and time-scales which would be capable of carrying information forward into the continuum regime of materials modelling. We describe a particular approach to the so-called multiscale modelling problem spanning the range 1–1000 _and 1–10 7 femtosec and its intended applications to predicting structure-function relationships required for materials analysis and design. Principles are illustrated by three examples: an isolated protein, a defective oxide surface, and a bioceramic analog.
Time-Delayed Positive Velocity Feedback Control Design for Active Control of Structures

In this paper we present and propose a design methodology that uses intentional time delays for the active control of structures. We use here positive velocity-feedback, time-delayed control and show that its performance is, in general, superior to the previously developed methodology of using time delayed, negative velocity-feedback control. A detailed study carried out in this paper of the nonsystem poles and their interaction with the system poles reveals the reasons for this. Analytical results related to performance and stability of the new method are presented. We apply the time delayed positive velocity feedback active control methodology to a multidegree-of-freedom system subjected to the S00E component of ground acceleration recorded during the El Centro 1940 earthquake. The excellent behavior in terms of stability, performance, and control efficiency that is demonstrated by our time-delayed control design as well as its facile implementation makes it attractive for earthquake hazard mitigation in a practical sense.
EFFICIENT MIXED CLUBS: NONLINEAR‐PRICING EQUILIBRIA WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL MANAGERS

Scotchmer and Wooders (1987) show that efficient clubs are homogeneous when consumers are divisible in Berglas’s (1976) anonymous crowding model. However, if consumers are not divisible or if clubs have multiple facilities with economies of scope, mixed clubs are efficient. In such a model, we consider clubs with multiple membership policies for different types of consumers, and show the existence and efficiency of equilibrium with nonlinear policies. We employ entrepreneurial equilibrium, an equilibrium concept with profit-seeking entrepreneurs. Our theorem can be regarded as showing the existence of a core allocation that satisfies envy-free property in the absence of nonanonymous crowding effects.
Proving regularity of the minimal probability of ruin via a game of stopping and control

We reveal an interesting convex duality relationship between two problems: (a) minimizing the probability of lifetime ruin when the rate of consumption is stochastic and the individual can invest in a Black–Scholes financial market; (b) a controller-and-stopper problem, in which the controller controls the drift and volatility of a process in order to maximize a running reward based on that process, and the stopper chooses the time to stop the running reward and pays the controller a final amount at that time. Our primary goal is to show that the minimal probability of ruin, whose stochastic representation does not have a classical form as does the utility maximization problem (i.e., the objective’s dependence on the initial values of the state variables is implicit), is the unique classical solution of its Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman (HJB) equation, which is a non-linear boundary-value problem. We establish our goal by exploiting the convex duality relationship between (a) and (b).
Synthesis, structure, and properties of LaSrCuGaO5

The new brownmillerite-related compound, LaSrCuGaO5, has been synthesized and characterized. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic non-centrosymmetric space group Ima2. The unit cell dimensions are a = 16.383(1) A, b = 5.5293(7) A, c = 5.3275(6) A. The structure is related to perovskite but contains ordered oxygen vacancies within the two-dimensional gallium oxygen layers resulting in tetrahedral coordination of the gallium cations. Other important structural features include buckled copper-oxygen planes, and disorder of the lanthanum and strontium cations over the A-site. Accurate lattice constant measurements reveal an a-axis expansion of 0.17 A when doped with strontium La1–xSr1+xCuGaO5 (xmax = 0.13). Magnetic susceptibility measurements demonstrate that the compound remains paramagnetic to 4 K. Praparation, Struktur und Eigenschaften von LaSrCuGaO5 Die neue Brownmillerit-verwandte Verbindung, LaSrCuGaO5, wird dargestellt und charakterisiert. Sie kristallisiert in der orthorhombischen nicht-zentrosymmetrischen Raumgruppe Ima2. Die Gitterparameter sind a = 16,383(1) A, b = 5,5293(7) A, c = 5,3275(6) A. Die Struktur ist der des Perowskits verwandt, enthalt aber geordnete Sauerstoffleerstellen in den zweidimensionalen Gallium–Sauerstoff-Schichten, was zur tetraedrischen Koordination der Gallium-Kationen fuhrt. Andere wichtige Strukturmerkmale sind die gewellten Kupfer–Sauerstoff-Ebenen und die statische Verteilung der Lanthan- und Strontium-Kationen uber die A-Lage. Genaue Gitterkonstanten-Bestimmungen zeigen eine Dehnung der a-Achse um 0,17 A bei Dotierung mit Strontium La1–xSr1–xCuGaO5 (xmax = 0,13). Messungen der magnetischen Suszeptibilitat zeigen, das die Verbindung bis zu 4 K paramagnetisch bleibt.
Designing Optimal Origami Structures by Computational Evolutionary Embryogeny

As the advantages of foldable or deployable structures are being discovered, research into origami engineering has attracted more focus from both artists and engineers. With the aid of modern computer techniques, some computational origami design methods have been developed. Most of these methods focus on the problem of origami crease pattern design—the problem of determining a crease pattern to realize a specified origami final shape, but do not provide computational solutions to actually developing a shape that meets some design performance criteria. This paper presents a design method that includes the computational design of the finished shape as well as the crease pattern. The origami shape will be designed to satisfy geometric, functional, and foldability requirements. This design method is named computational evolutionary embryogeny for optimal origami design (CEEFOOD), which is an extension of the genetic algorithm (GA) and an original CEE. Unlike existing origami crease pattern design methods that adopt deductive logic, CEEFOOD implements an abductive approach to progressively evolve an optimal design. This paper presents how CEEFOOD—as a member of the GA family—determines the genetic representation (genotype) of candidate solutions, the formulation of the objective function, and the design of evolutionary operators. This paper gives an origami design problem, which has requirements on the folded-state profile, position of center of mass, and number of creases. Several solutions derived by CEEFOOD are listed and compared to highlight the effectiveness of this abductive design method.
A JOINT MODEL OF THE X-RAY AND INFRARED EXTRAGALACTIC BACKGROUNDS. I. MODEL CONSTRUCTION AND FIRST RESULTS*

We present an extragalactic population model of the cosmic background light to interpret the rich high-quality survey data in the X-ray and IR bands. The model incorporates star formation and supermassive black hole (SMBH) accretion in a co-evolution scenario to fit simultaneously 617 data points of number counts, redshift distributions, and local luminosity functions (LFs) with 19 free parameters. The model has four main components, the total IR LF, the SMBH accretion energy fraction in the IR band, the star formation spectral energy distribution (SED), and the unobscured SMBH SED extinguished with a H I column density distribution. As a result of the observational uncertainties about the star formation and SMBH SEDs, we present several variants of the model. The best-fit reduced χ2 reaches as small as 2.7-2.9 of which a significant amount (>0.8) is contributed by cosmic variances or caveats associated with data. Compared to previous models, the unique result of this model is to constrain the SMBH energy fraction in the IR band that is found to increase with the IR luminosity but decrease with redshift up to z ~ 1.5; this result is separately verified using aromatic feature equivalent-width data. The joint modeling of X-ray and mid-IR data allows for improved constraints on the obscured active galactic nucleus (AGN), especially the Compton-thick AGN population. All variants of the model require that Compton-thick AGN fractions decrease with the SMBH luminosity but increase with redshift while the type 1 AGN fraction has the reverse trend.
Complexity, robustness, self-organization, swarms, and system thermodynamics☆

In this paper, we develop a thermodynamic framework for addressing consensus problems for Eulerian swarm models. Specifically, we present a distributed boundary controller architecture involving the exchange of information between uniformly distributed swarms over an n-dimensional (not necessarily Euclidian) space that guarantees that the closed-loop system is consistent with basic thermodynamic principles. In addition, we establish the existence of a unique continuously differentiable entropy functional for all equilibrium and non-equilibrium states of our thermodynamically consistent dynamical system. Information consensus and semistability are shown using the well-known Sobolev embedding theorems and the notion of generalized (or weak) solutions. Finally, since the closed-loop system is guaranteed to satisfy basic thermodynamic principles, robustness to individual agent failures and unplanned individual agent behavior is automatically guaranteed.
Ordered association of helicase loader proteins with the Bacillus subtilis origin of replication in vivo

Summary The essential proteins DnaB, DnaD and DnaI of Bacillus subtilis are required for initiation, but not elongation, of DNA replication, and for replication restart at stalled forks. The interactions and functions of these proteins have largely been determined in vitro based on their roles in replication restart. During replication initiation in vivo, it is not known if these proteins, and the replication initiator DnaA, associate with oriC independently of each other by virtue of their DNA binding activities, as a (sub)complex like other loader proteins, or in a particular dependent order. We used temperature-sensitive mutants or a conditional degradation system to inactivate each protein and test for association of the other proteins with oriC in vivo. We found that there was a clear order of stable association with oriC; DnaA, DnaD, DnaB, and finally DnaI-mediated loading of helicase. The loading of helicase via stable intermediates resembles that of eukaryotes and the established hierarchy provides several potential regulatory points. The general approach described here can be used to analyse assembly of other complexes.
The Space Shuttle Main Engine High-Pressure Fuel Turbopump rotordynamic instability problem

The SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engine) HPFTP (High-Pressure Fuel Turbopump) has been subject to a rotordynamic instability problem, characterized by large and damaging subsynchronous whirling motion. The original design of the HPFTP (from a rotordynamic viewpoint) and the evolution of the HPFTP subsynchronous whirl problem are reviewed. The models and analysis which have been developed and utilized to explain the HPFTP instability and improve its stability performance are also reviewed. Elements of the rotordynamic model which are discussed in detail include the following: (a) hydrodynamic forces due to seals, (b) internal rotor damping, (c) bearing and casing support stiffness asymmetry, and (d) casing dynamics. The stability and synchronous response characteristics of the following two design alternatives are compared: (a) a 'stiff' symmetric bearing support design and (b) a damped asymmetric stiffness design. With appropriate interstage seal designs, both designs are shown, in theory to provide substantially improved stability and synchronous response characteristics in comparison to the original design. The asymmetric design is shown to have better stability and synchronous response characteristics than the stiffly supported design.
To spray or not to spray: pesticides, banana exports, and food safety

How governments regulate food safety and environmental protection, including pesticide residue levels, has important implications for trade. The World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial held in Doha, Qatar in November 2001, included statements on standards, and their impact on market access for developing countries. These issues will continue to be important in trade policy dialogues. It is assumed - and evidence from recent analysis confirms - that food safety standards can affect the ability of agricultural producers to meet regulatory standards, set by importing countries. The authors explore a fundamental question in food safety and environmental standards: Do regulations on pesticide have an effect on trade? They examine regulatory data from 11 OECD importing countries, and trade data from 19 exporting countries. The results suggest that a 10 percent increase in regulatory stringency - tighter restrictions on the pesticide chlorpyrifos - leads to a decrease in banana imports by 14.8 percent. This represents a significant impact on trade, and affect prospects of developing countries who continue to rely on exports of agricultural commodities, such as bananas. The findings also suggest that the lack of consensus on international standards, and divergent national regulations on pesticides is costly. For example, the authors estimate that if the world were to adopt a standard at a level of regulatory stringency suggested by Codex (the body charged with setting global standards in this area), in contrast with one set at the level in place in the European Union, there would be a U$S 5.3 billion loss in world exports.
Multi-Frequency Optical-Depth Maps and the Case for Free-Free Absorption in Two Compact Symmetric Radio Sources: the CSO candidate J1324 + 4048 and the CSO J0029 + 3457

We obtained dual-polarization very long baseline interferometry observations at six frequencies of the compact symmetric object J0029 + 3457 and the compact symmetric object candidate J1324 + 4048. By comparing the three lower-frequency maps with extrapolations of the high-frequency maps, we produced maps of the optical depth as a function of frequency. The morphology of the optical-depth maps of J1324 + 4048 is strikingly smooth, suggestive of a foreground screen of absorbing gas. The spectra at the intensity peaks fit a simple free-free absorption (FFA) model, with , better than a simple synchrotron self-absorption model, in which . We conclude that the case for FFA in J1324 + 4048 is strong. The optical-depth maps of J0029 + 3457 exhibit structure, but the morphology does not correlate with that in the intensity maps. The fit of the spectra at the peaks to a simple FFA model yields , but because the turnover is gradual, the fit is relatively insensitive to the input parameters. We find that FFA by a thin amount of gas in J0029 + 3457 is likely but not definitive. One compact feature in J0029 + 3457 has an inverted spectrum even at the highest frequencies. We infer this to be the location of the core and estimate an upper limit to the magnetic field of order 3 Gauss at a radius of order 1 pc. In comparison with maps from observations at earlier epochs, no apparent growth in either J1324 + 4048 or J0029 + 3457 is apparent, with upper limits of 0.03 and 0.02 mas yr–1, corresponding to maximum linear separation speeds of 0.6c and 0.4c.
Sufficient Statistics for Welfare Analysis: A Bridge Between Structural and Reduced-Form Methods

The debate between structural and reduced-form approaches has generated substantial controversy in applied economics. This article reviews a recent literature in public economics that combines the advantages of reduced-form strategies—transparent and credible identification—with an important advantage of structural models—the ability to make predictions about counterfactual outcomes and welfare. This literature has developed formulas for the welfare consequences of various policies that are functions of reduced-form elasticities rather than structural primitives. I present a general framework that shows how many policy questions can be answered by estimating a small set of sufficient statistics using program-evaluation methods. I use this framework to synthesize the modern literature on taxation, social insurance, and behavioral welfare economics. Finally, I discuss problems in macroeconomics, labor, development, and industrial organization that could be tackled using the sufficient statistic approach.
Far-infrared spectral observations of Venus, Mars, and Jupiter

45 to 115 micron spectra of Venus, Mars and Jupiter have been obtained at a resolving power of ∿ 10, observing from the NASA Lear Jet at an altitude of 13.7 km. The results are calibrated with lunar observations, and show Mars and Venus to have relatively constant brightness temperatures over this wavelength region, with Mars appearing somewhat cooler beyond 80μ. The brightness temperature of Jupiter decreases toward longer wavelengths, in general agreement with the models of Orton (1975).
On the Origins of Comparative Advantage

This paper proposes a simple theory of international trade with en- dogenous technological dierences across countries. The core of our analysis lies in the determinants of the division of labor. We consider a world economy comprising two large countries, with a continuum of goods and one factor of production, labor. Each good is characterized by its complexity, de…ned as the number of tasks that must be per- formed to produce one unit. There are increasing returns to scale in the performance of each task, which creates gains from specialization, and uncertainty in the enforcement of each contract, which create transac- tion costs. The trade-obetween these two forces pins down the size of productive teams across sectors in each country. Under free trade, the country where teams are larger specializes in the more complex goods. In our model, it is the country where the product of institutional qual- ity and human per worker capital is larger. Hence, better institutions and more educated workers are complementary sources of comparative advantage in the more complex industries.
Morphological indicators of foot posture in mammals: a statistical and biomechanical analysis

Mammalian foot posture has previously been described through the three-tiered hierarchy of plantigrady, digitigrady and unguligrady. This broadly applicable terminology has been used to categorize both living and fossil taxa, despite the fact that these postural grades, as traditionally used, do not rely on strict mechanical, kinematic or morphologic definitions. This paper redefines these terms: hind foot posture can be more accurately categorized if these definitions are based on the primary joint of flexure in the standing position. Once postures are so defined, a number of morphological features in taxa can be correlated with the use of particular postures. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses of morphological measurements from a large (n=61) group of plantigrade and digitigrade eutherian mammals indicate that foot posture can be reliably detected from a relatively small number of morphological measurements on a few limb and tarsal bones (femur, astragalus, calcaneum and metatarsals). The features important in distinguishing postural grades fit expectations from biomechanical theory, and should prove useful for the prediction of foot posture in fossil taxa, particularly when complete specimens are not known.
New Orders and Asset Prices

This paper investigates the behavior of the ratio of new orders to shipments of durable goods (NO/S). High levels of NO/S are associated with a business cycle peak. They predict a short-run increase in employment and fixed and inventory investment but a dramatic long-run decline in employment, fixed investment, inventories, and GDP as a whole. We also find that NO/S captures time-varying risk premia. Higher levels of NO/S forecast lower excess returns on a broad set of assets, including equities, longand intermediate-term Treasury bonds, and high- and low-grade corporate bonds, at horizons from one month to one year. These effects are robust to the inclusion of all common return predictors. We then construct an equilibrium model of investment with time to plan and a countercyclical price of risk which implies that the ratio of new orders to shipments is procyclical and predicts lower excess returns.
Hamiltonian quantum simulation with bounded-strength controls

We propose dynamical control schemes for Hamiltonian simulation in manybody quantum systems that avoid instantaneous control operations and rely solely on realistic bounded-strength control Hamiltonians. Each simulation protocol consists of periodic repetitions of a basic control block, constructed as a modification of an ‘Eulerian decoupling cycle,’ that would otherwise implement a trivial (zero) target Hamiltonian. For an open quantum system coupled to an uncontrollable environment, our approach may be employed to engineer an effective evolution that simulates a target Hamiltonian on the system while suppressing unwanted decoherence to the leading order, thereby allowing for dynamically corrected simulation. We present illustrative applications to both closed- and open-system simulation settings, with emphasis on simulation of non-local (two-body) Hamiltonians using only local (one-body) controls .I n particular, we provide simulation schemes applicable to Heisenberg-coupled spin chains exposed to general linear decoherence, and show how to simulate Kitaevʼs honeycomb lattice Hamiltonian starting from Ising-coupled qubits, as potentially relevant to the dynamical generation of a topologically protected quantum memory. Additional implications for quantum information processing are discussed.
Analysis of Albumin-Associated Peptides and Proteins from Ovarian Cancer Patients

Background: Albumin binds low–molecular-weight molecules, including proteins and peptides, which then acquire its longer half-life, thereby protecting the bound species from kidney clearance. We developed an experimental method to isolate albumin in its native state and to then identify [mass spectrometry (MS) sequencing] the corresponding bound low–molecular-weight molecules. We used this method to analyze pooled sera from a human disease study set (high-risk persons without cancer, n= 40; stage I ovarian cancer, n = 30; stage III ovarian cancer, n = 40) to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach as a discovery method. Methods: Albumin was isolated by solid-phase affinity capture under native binding and washing conditions. Captured albumin-associated proteins and peptides were separated by gel electrophoresis and subjected to iterative MS sequencing by microcapillary reversed-phase tandem MS. Selected albumin-bound protein fragments were confirmed in human sera by Western blotting and immunocompetition. Results: In total, 1208 individual protein sequences were predicted from all 3 pools. The predicted sequences were largely fragments derived from proteins with diverse biological functions. More than one third of these fragments were identified by multiple peptide sequences, and more than one half of the identified species were in vivo cleavage products of parent proteins. An estimated 700 serum peptides or proteins were predicted that had not been reported in previous serum databases. Several proteolytic fragments of larger molecules that may be cancer-related were confirmed immunologically in blood by Western blotting and peptide immunocompetition. BRCA2, a 390-kDa low-abundance nuclear protein linked to cancer susceptibility, was represented in sera as a series of specific fragments bound to albumin. Conclusion: Carrier-protein harvesting provides a rich source of candidate peptides and proteins with potential diverse tissue and cellular origins that may reflect important disease-related information.
Corporate Governance Propagation through Overlapping Directors

How are governance practices propagated across firms? This article proposes, and empirically verifies, that observed governance practices are partly the outcome of network effects among firms with common directors. While firms attempt to select directors whose other directorships are at firms with similar governance practices ("familiarity effect"), this matching of governance practices is imperfect because other factors also affect the director choice. This generates an "influence effect" as directors acquainted with different practices at other firms influence the firm's governance to move toward the practices of those other firms. These network effects cause governance practices to converge. The Author 2011. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com., Oxford University Press.
Bismuth triflate catalyzed allylation of acetals: a simple and mild method for synthesis of homoallyl ethers

Abstract The allylation of acetals using allyltrimethylsilane is efficiently catalyzed by bismuth triflate (1.0 mol%). The reaction proceeds smoothly at room temperature to afford the corresponding homoallyl ether in good yield. The mild reaction conditions, the low toxicity of bismuth salts, and the high catalytic efficiency of the system make this procedure particularly attractive for large-scale synthesis.
How complete is the ISC-GEM Global Earthquake Catalog?

Abstract The International Seismological Centre, in collaboration with the Global Earthquake Model effort, has released a new global earthquake catalog, covering the time period from 1900 through the end of 2009. In order to use this catalog for global earthquake studies, I determined the magnitude of completeness ( M c ) as a function of time by dividing the earthquakes shallower than 60 km into seven time periods based on major changes in catalog processing and data availability and applying four objective methods to determine M c , with uncertainties determined by nonparametric bootstrapping. Deeper events were divided into two time periods. Because of differences between the four methods, the final M c was determined subjectively by examining the main features of each method in both the cumulative and binned magnitude–frequency distributions. The time periods and M c values for shallow events are 1900–1917, M c =7.7; 1918–1939, M c =7.0; 1940–1954, M c =6.8; 1955–1963, M c =6.5; 1964–1975, M c =6.0; 1976–2003, M c =5.8; and 2004–2009, M c =5.7. Using these M c values for the longest time periods for which they are valid (e.g., 1918–2009, 1940–2009, …), the shallow data fits a Gutenberg–Richter distribution with b =1.05 and a =8.3, within 1 standard deviation and with no declustering. The exception is for time periods that include 1900–1917, during which there are only 33 events with M ≥ M c and, for those few data, b =2.15±0.46. That result calls for further investigations for this time period, ideally having a larger number of earthquakes. For deep events, the results are M c =7.1 for 1900–1963 (although the early data are problematic) and M c =5.7 for 1964–2009. For the later time period, b =0.99 and a =7.3.