cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exact supersymmetric massive and massless white holes.

We study special points in the moduli space of vacua at which supersymmetric electric solutions of the heterotic string theory become massless. We concentrate on configurations for which supersymmetric non-renormalization theorem is valid. Those are ten-dimensional supersymmetric string waves and generalized fundamental strings with $SO(8)$ holonomy group. >From these we find the four dimensional spherically symmetric configurations which saturate the BPS bound, in particular near the points of the vanishing ADM mass. The non-trivial massless supersymmetric states in this class exist only in the presence of non-Abelian vector fields. We also find a new class of supersymmetric massive solutions, closely related to the massless ones. A distinctive property of all these objects, either massless or massive, is the existence of gravitational repulsion. They reflect all particles with nonvanishing mass and/or angular momentum, and therefore they can be called white holes, in contrast to black holes which tend to absorb particles of all kinds. If such objects can exist, we will have the first realization of the universal gravitational force which repels all particles with the strength proportional to their mass and therefore can be associated with antigravity.
Variation of skin surface lipid composition among mammals

Abstract 1. 1. The skin surface lipids of 46 species of mammals were extracted from fur samples with chloroform and analysed by thin layer chromatography. 2. 2. Within the families Canidae, Bovidae and Equidae, there was much similarity in composition of the surface lipids among species. In other families, including Procyonidae, Sciuridae and Mustelidae, there were considerable differences among related species. 3. 3. Between families there were profound differences in surface lipid composition, such that quite different classes of lipids were present. 4. 4. Only three species, the otter ( Lutra canadensis ), beaver ( Castor canadensis ) and kinkajou ( Potos flavus ) produce surface lipids containing squalene, one of the principal constituents of human sebum.
Numerical simulation of flow around rectangular prism

Abstract Using the large eddy simulation (LES), both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) simulations of the velocity and pressure fields surrounding a rigid rectangular prism at a Reynolds number of 10 5 are conducted. A finite difference numerical scheme based on a staggered grid is employed. The convection terms are discretized with either QUICK or central difference schemes, while the Leith method is employed for temporal marching. The computed mean velocity along the symmetry line is compared with experimental results as well as numerical results reported by other investigators. It is in closer agreement with the experimental results than other reported numerical results. The mean, the root mean square (RMS) pressure distribution on the prism surface, and the integral forces (lift and drag) are computed. The correlation coefficients of pressure at different chordwise locations around a square prism are also calculated. These simulations are found to be in very good agreement with available experimental results reported in the literature. Both QUICK and central difference schemes are used to discretize the convection terms, and the upwinding effect of the QUICK scheme is investigated. A grid refinement study is also conducted to evaluate the effects of grid size on the simulation results.
Chemical mechanical planarization process induced within lot overlay variation in 0.20-μm DRAM: solution and simulation model

This study assesses the effectiveness of applying zero and non-zero alignment strategies to backend layers of a 0.20 micrometers DRAM process using two alignment methodology (TTL, Through the Lens Alignment, and Athena, Advanced Technology using High-Order Enhancement of Alignment) to investigate alignment mark deformation resulting from a chemical- mechanical planarization (CMP) process and thus compensate the deformation-induced overlay errors. Additionally, a mathematical model is proposed to verify that the intra and inter registration errors in TTL alignment originates from non-zero mark deformation. Several parameters in the CMP process, including pad rotation direction and pad life time are also examined to reduce the deformation-induced overlay errors. Results in this study demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach for tight and correctable compensation within whole lots, thereby demonstrating the optimal combinations of the CMP process parameters, types of alignment marks, and corresponding alignment positions.
A spectral FC solver for the compressible Navier-Stokes equations in general domains I: Explicit time-stepping

We present a Fourier continuation (FC) algorithm for the solution of the fully nonlinear compressible Navier-Stokes equations in general spatial domains. The new scheme is based on the recently introduced accelerated FC method, which enables use of highly accurate Fourier expansions as the main building block of general-domain PDE solvers. Previous FC-based PDE solvers are restricted to linear scalar equations with constant coefficients. The FC methodology presented in this text thus constitutes a significant generalization of the previous FC schemes, as it yields general-domain FC solvers for nonlinear systems of PDEs. While not restricted to periodic boundary conditions and therefore applicable to general boundary value problems on arbitrary domains, the proposed algorithm inherits many of the highly desirable properties arising from rapidly convergent Fourier expansions, including high-order convergence, essentially spectrally accurate dispersion relations, and much milder CFL constraints than those imposed by polynomial-based spectral methods-since, for example, the spectral radius of the FC first derivative grows linearly with the number of spatial discretization points. We demonstrate the accuracy and optimal parallel efficiency of the algorithm in a variety of scientific and engineering contexts relevant to fluid-dynamics and nonlinear acoustics.
Comparison of distal sympathetic with vagal function in diabetic neuropathy

We measured distal sympathetic and vagal function in 73 consecutive patients with diabetic neuropathy seen at the Mayo Autonomic Reflex Laboratory. Postganglionic sympathetic failure measured proximally within the foot occurred as commonly as vagal failure (58% and 55%, respectively) and occurred much more frequently than did orthostatic hypotension (26%). Either vagal or distal sympathetic abnormalities occurred in isolation in about one in six patients with diabetic neuropathy. We conclude that distal sympathetic failure and vagal failure occur with equal frequency when sensitive and quantitative recording methods are used and that it is advantageous to test both systems, as only one may be involved in some patients.
Safety and efficacy of a novel cannabinoid chemotherapeutic, KM-233, for the treatment of high-grade glioma.

To test in vitro and in vivo the safety and efficacy of a novel chemotherapeutic agent, KM-233, for the treatment of glioma. In vitro cell cytotoxicity assays were used to measure and compare the cytotoxic effects of KM-233, Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and bis-chloroethyl-nitrosurea (BCNU) against human U87 glioma cells. An organotypic brain slice culture model was used for safety and toxicity studies. A human glioma-SCID mouse side-pocket tumor model was used to test in vivo the safety and efficacy of KM-233 with intratumoral and intra-peritoneal administration. KM-233 is a classical cannabinoid with good blood brain barrier penetration that possesses a selective affinity for the CB2 receptors relative to THC. KM-233 was as efficacious in its cytotoxicity against human U87 glioma as Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol, and superior to the commonly used anti-glioma chemotherapeutic agent, BCNU. The cytotoxic effects of KM-233 against human glioma cells in vitro occur as early as two hours after administration, and dosing of KM-233 can be cycled without compromising cytotoxic efficacy and while improving safety. Cyclical dosing of KM-233 to treat U87 glioma in a SCID mouse xenograft side pocket model was effective at reducing the tumor burden with both systemic and intratumoral administration. These studies provide both in vitro and in vivo evidence that KM-233 shows promising efficacy against human glioma cell lines in both in vitro and in vivo studies, minimal toxicity to healthy cultured brain tissue, and should be considered for definitive preclinical development in animal models of glioma.
Singlet-Triplet Interval Ratios for sp, sd, sf, p 5 s and d 9 s Configurations

A systematic comparison of the known data on the singlets and triplets arising from sp, sd, sf, and d 9 s configurations with the theory of Houston shows that the theory gives a good account of the deviations from the Lande interval rule which accompany departure from Russell-Saunders coupling. There are numerous significant discrepancies, however. Writing 1 L l and 3L l +1, 3 L l , 3 L l -1 with L = P, D, F, when l = 1, 2, 3 for the term values, we plot as abscissa (3 L l -1 - 3 L l +1)/|3 L l - 1L l | and (3 L l -1 - 3 L l )/(3 L l - 3 L l +1) as ordinate if (3 L l - 1 L l +1) is positive, otherwise the reciprocal of this quantity. Houston’s equations (12) give functional relations between these interval ratios which are compared with the experimental values.
An autoregressive jump process for common stock returns

Abstract This paper develops a new distribution theory for common stock returns. The model is composed of a calendar time diffusion process and a jump process where the magnitudes of the jumps may be autocorrelated. Empirical tests are performed on a month of transactions returns for twenty New York Stock Exchange securities. The data analysis supports the validity of the proposed theory.
A BODIPY boronium cation for the sensing of fluoride ions.

In the presence of iodide ions, the cationic p-dimethylaminopyridine adduct of 1,3,5,7,8-pentamethylpyrromethene-boron fluoride [1–DMAP]+ reacts with fluoride ions to afford the corresponding brightly fluorescent difluoride 1–F.
Oxygen permeation in SrCo0.8Fe0.2O3 − δ membranes with porous electrodes

Abstract Measurements of oxygen flux, in the temperature range, 770–870 °C on planar membranes of SrCo 0.8 Fe 0.2 O 3−δ , consisting of a dense discs ~ 0.1 cm thick modified by coating with porous layers on both sides, yielded an enhancement in the oxygen flux, η ≈ 2, compared to the uncoated membrane. When only one side of the disc was coated with the porous layer on the high pressure side of the membrane then η ≈ 1.2, while when the modified side was on the low pressure side then η ≈ 1.4. The observed values of η were explained by a model of diffusion-reaction transport in mixed ionic electronic conductor membranes with porous electrodes, extended to the case of finite thickness of the dense layer. From a fit of the model to the experimental data, values of the surface exchange coefficient, k iO , and ambipolar oxygen ion-electron hole pair diffusion coefficient, D a , were deduced. At 870 °C, k iO = 2.5 × 10 −4 cm/s and D a = 5 × 10 −6 cm 2 /s.
Bioassay of nuclear-polyhedrosis virus against larval instars of the gypsy moth.

Abstract The relative susceptibility of three larval instars of the gypsy moth, Porthetria dispar , to a nuclear-polyhedrosis virus was studied by bioassay in the laboratory. The LC 50 values for first-, second-, and third-instar larvae were 0.23, 2.3, and 2.5 polyhedral inclusion bodies per mm 2 of food surface (PIBs/mm 2 ). LT 50 values of larvae fed on serial-dilution concentrations of 69,879 to 0.06 PIBs/mm 2 were established. From measurements of the amount of feeding on surfaces treated with 69 PIBs/mm 2 , a concentration producing approximately 100% mortality, the average doses were 2,233, 11,690, and 25,197 PIBs, respectively. Ingestion of PIBs was initially benign and, with heavy doses, depended on their concentration on the food. The effects of low doses on molting, pupation, and adult emergence were observed. If the larvae survived two molts following exposure to the virus no heavy mortality occurred later. The lowest concentration preventing a second molt in the three instars was 69 PIBs/mm 2 .
Crystal Structure of Kernite, Na2B4O6(OH)2 · 3H2

Kernite, Na2B4O6(OH)2· .3H20, contains parallel infinite chains of the borate polyanion[B4O6(OH)2]n2n—. The chains are composed of six-membered rings containing one boron-oxygen triangle and two boron-oxygen tetrahedra. The rings are linked through commonly shared boron-oxygen tetrahedra.
A comparative study of the pharmacokinetics of thiopental in the rabbit, sheep and dog.

The central arterial pharmacokinetics of thiopental were studied in six rabbits, six sheep and six dogs after a short infusion at approximately 10 mg/kg min. Thiopental was infused to a defined electro-encephalographic endpoint (EEG burst suppression). The time to reach early burst suppression was longer in the dog (3.9 ± 0.5 min) compared with the sheep (3.0 ± 0.6 min) and the rabbit (2.5 ± 0.5 min). The total dose required to produce the same level of EEG activity was higher in the dog (35.9 ± 6.8 mg/kg) compared with the sheep (24.3 ± 5.3 mg/kg) and the rabbit (21.6 ± 6.8 mg/kg). The plasma concentration-time data for each animal was fitted using non-linear regression to a bior tri-exponential function. In all animals, the plasma-time profile was best described as a tri-exponential decay. The initial volume of distribution was similar in all three species (rabbit, 38.6 ± 10.0 mg/kg; sheep, 44.5 ± 9.1 ml/kg; dog, 38.1 ± 18.4 ml/kg). The maximum arterial plasma thiopental concentration achieved at EEG burst suppression was higher in the sheep (221.8 ± 27.9 μg/ml) than the dog (164.7 ± 29.9 μg/ml) or the rabbit (112.3 ± 15.1 μg/ml). Thiopental distribution clearance was slower in the sheep (43.6 ± 15.1 ml/min kg) compared with the rabbit (110.5 ± 18.7 ml/min kg) and the dog (97.2 ± 47.2 ml/min kg). Elimination half-life was extended in the sheep (251.9 ± 107.8 min) and dog (182.4 ± 57.9 min) relative to the rabbit (43.1 ± 3.4 min). The rapid half-life in the rabbit resulted from a large elimination clearance (14.6 ± 6.8 ml/min kg) and a small steady-state volume of distribution (648.1 ± 180.5 ml/kg). Relative to the rabbit, the other species had large steady-state volumes of distribution (dog, 815.8 ± 119.0 ml/kg; sheep, 947.3 ± 141.2 ml/kg), and small elimination clearances (dog, 3.4 ± 1.0 ml/min kg; sheep, 3.0 ± 0.9 ml/min kg). The initial disposition kinetics of thiopental in the sheep and dog were similar; however, the sheep tended to demonstrate a slower distribution clearance. The rapid and extended fall in arterial thiopental concentrations following administration in the rabbit may cause a short period of anesthesia and rapid recovery in that species. Additionally, the rabbit may require lower arterial concentrations to achieve EEG silence. The rabbit brain may be intrinsically more sensitive to barbiturates or thiopental may be capable of equilibrating with rabbit brain more rapidly than either dog or sheep brain.
A System Modeling Approach for Active Solar Heating and Cooling System With Phase Change Material (PCM) for Small Buildings

The paper presents a study of the performance of an active solar thermal heating and cooling system for small buildings. The work is motivated by the need for finding sustainable alternatives for building applications that are climate adaptable. The energy demand for heating and cooling needs in residential and light commercial buildings in mid-latitudes represent more than 50% of the energy consumed annually by these buildings. Solar thermal energy represents an untapped opportunity to address this challenge with sustainable solutions. Direct heating could be a source for space heating and hot water, and for heat operated cooling systems to provide space cooling. However, a key limitation in mainstreaming solar thermal for heating and cooling has been the size of thermal storage to implement related technologies. We address this issue by coupling a Phase Change Material (PCM) with an adsorption chiller and a radiant flooring system for year round solar thermal energy utilization in Northern climates. The adsorption chiller allows for chill water production driven by low temperature solar thermal energy for summer cooling, and low temperature radiant heating provides for space heating in winter conditions, while hot water demand is supplied year round. These active systems are operated by high performance solar thermal collectors. The PCM has been selected to match temperatures requirements of the adsorption chiller, and the tank was designed to provide three levels of temperatures for all applications; cooling, heating, and hot water. The material selection is paraffin sandwiched with a graphite matrix to increase the conductivity.The specific objective of the preset work is to provide a system optimization of this active system. The system is represented by a series of mathematical models for each component; PCM tank with heat exchangers, the adsorption machine, the radiant floor, and the solar thermal collectors (Evacuated tubular collectors). The PCM modeling allows for sensible heating, phase change process, and superheating. Parametric simulations are conducted for a defined small building in different locations in US with the objective of defining design parameters for; optimal solar collector array, sizing of the PCM tank, and performance of the adsorption machine and radiant heating system. The monthly and annual solar fractions of the system are also reported.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Interaction of the ribosomes of Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Escherichia coli.

Abstract Ribonucleoprotein particles with sedimentation coefficients of 38 S, 60 S, 83 S, and 120 S have been isolated from the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The 83 S particle has an RNA: protein ratio of 41:59, a partial specific volume of 0.65 ml/g, an intrinsic viscosity of 0.045 dl/g, and an estimated molecular weight of 3.8·106. The particles from S. pombe are separately identifiable from those of Escherichia coli when sedimented together in the ultracentrifuge. Mixtures of particles from these two sources aggregate in a species-specific manner when the Mg2+ concentration is raised from 10−4M to 10−2M.
Dynamic modeling and gait analysis of batoid swimming

This paper develops a dynamic model of batoid swimming for the purpose of gait analysis and feedback control design for robotic underwater vehicles. A general framework is first laid out for modeling of multi-body mechanical systems placed in an environment. The class of systems is supposed to capture dynamics of animal locomotion or mobile robots inspired by biology. The underlying mechanism of propulsion is to gain thrust from the environmental forces through periodic body movements. The framework is then applied to modeling of batoids that swim by flapping their wings. The body geometry and stiffness of the model are fixed using experimental measurements from an Atlantic ray and cownose ray. Periodic movements (gaits), that minimize the power consumption while maintaining a given swim speed, are determined from an optimal gait theory. Consistently with biological observations, it is found that an undulatory gait is optimal for the Atlantic ray with oval wings, and an oscillatory gait is optimal for the cownose ray with triangular wings.
Strength of damaged suture: an in vitro study.

Purpose: To determine the mechanical properties of damaged suture. Methods: Undamaged and damaged sutures were tested by a single pull to failure. Sutures were damaged with a razor blade incorporated into a custom-designed jig. Sutures were tested to failure by straight pull and by pulling at 180° through a suture anchor eyelet. The friction of sutures through anchors was also tested. Results: For the straight line pull test, undamaged FiberWire (Arthrex, Naples, FL) had the highest load to failure (LTF) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of all sutures tested. Undamaged Orthocord (Mitek, Somerville, NJ) ranked second in both properties. Uncut polydioxanone (PDS) suture (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ) had a higher LTF and a comparable UTS with respect to Tevdek (Deknatel, Mansfield, MA) and Ethibond (Ethicon). For cut sutures, FiberWire and Orthocord had a significantly higher LTF and UTS than the other sutures tested. Suture stiffness was not significantly affected when the suture was cut. For the suture anchor test, FiberWire and Orthocord had the highest LTF, whether undamaged or damaged. When cut, PDS had the greatest loss of LTF and UTS during both tests. Conclusions: The newer polyethylene core sutures (FiberWire and Orthocord) have superior mechanical properties compared with other sutures. Their superior properties are maintained even when cut. Although uncut PDS had equivalent or superior strength compared with Ethibond and Tevdek, once cut, PDS suture was weakened significantly more compared with all other sutures tested. Clinical Relevance: The mechanical properties of damaged suture are important to all surgeons who use suture arthroscopically.
Defect Structure and Electrical Properties of KTaO3

The electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power of KTaO3 were measured from 900° to 1300°C over a range of oxygen partial pressures. The isothermal electrical conductivity showed a minimum at an oxygen partial pressure corresponding to the transition between p-type and n-type behavior. A point defect model was developed which involved fully ionized potassium and tantalum vacancies, singly and doubly ionized oxygen vacancies, holes, and electrons. The values of all pertinent equilibrium constants were calculated from the experimental data and the nonsimplified neutrality condition was solved to give each of the defect concentrations as a function of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The calculated conductivity agreed extremely well with the experimental data over the full temperature and oxygen partial pressure range, and the band gap derived from these calculations (3.43 eV) was in excellent agreement with the reported value (3.5 eV).
New Trends and Developments in Direct Digital Manufacturing

Direct digital manufacturing (DDM), is advancing rapidly in capability and commercial potential. Directly from CAD data, parts are manufactured without traditional cutting, forming or casting methods. Some of the main developments of the recent past in DDM are discussed in this article. Microstructural and property data will be presented for each type of process, illustrating the benefits and limitations of direct digital manufacturing on various materials, and focusing on emerging and projected applications of metal and ceramic materials by direct digital manufacturing. The review is based on an extensive literature review covering academic publications, company documents and web site information.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF RECENT HIGH-EFFICIENCY CdTe SOLAR CELLS

Recent progress in CdTe solar cells is summarized through quantitative comparison of individual loss mechanisms in high-efficiency cells from nine laboratories that collectively used seven different CdTe deposition techniques. The highest value of Vα has increased, and there have been significant reductions in window absorption, diode quality factor under illumination, series resistance, and reflection. Among the manufacturers, one finds substantial variations in which losses are dominant. If the smallest individual losses were combined into a single cell, its efficiency would exceed 17%.
In what schemes can QCD perturbation series converge

We extend our earlier results and are able to prove that the PMS (principle of minimal sensitivity) and FAC (fastest apparent convergence) procedures for selecting the renormalization scheme will yield a finite limit, if and only if the perturbation series is convergent in the schemes with all scheme-dependent ..beta..-function coefficients equal to zero (''zero schemes''). In this case our modified PMS procedure (PMS) will yield the same finite limit as PMS and FAC. In the more likely and interesting case of a divergent although Borel-summable series in these ''zero schemes'', PMS serves to Borel sum the series order by order. An explicit expression for the scheme invariants rho/sub i/ is derived and some new results concerning them are discussed.
Carotenoids in the adult diet enhance egg and juvenile production in the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus

Abstract This study provides clear evidence of the important role of xanthophylls (lutein and zeaxanthin) over the hydrocarbon carotene (β-carotene) for reproduction of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Although carotenoids are found extensively in sea urchin eggs, limited knowledge is available on the effect of carotenoids, in the diet of adults, on the quality of the gametes produced. The present study investigated the effect of vitamins alone, vitamins and beta-carotene, and vitamins and a carotenoid mixture consisting of 60% trans-zeaxanthin, 25% trans-lutein and 15% other xanthophylls in a semi-purified diet of the adult sea urchins. Diet had a greater effect on the number of eggs spawned than on egg size. The largest numbers of eggs were produced by females fed the β-carotene diet (∼500 000/female) and those fed xanthophylls (∼2.6 million/female). Females fed vitamins alone spawned less than 400 000 eggs. Larvae from parents fed xanthophylls were larger throughout development, developed faster, had higher survival rates and attained metamorphic competence faster than those from the other two treatments. The numbers of juveniles originating from parents fed xanthophylls were significantly higher (>500/female) than those from parents fed β-carotene (15/female). No juveniles were produced by parents fed vitamins alone. This is important for sea urchin aquaculture, as a semi-purified diet containing xanthophylls would enable production of large numbers of juveniles with high survival rates. The data indicate that a defined semi-purified diet that will support normal sea urchin reproduction and development is available. Thus, the sea urchin model can be used to evaluate nutritional requirements for reproduction and development and the effects of potential toxic substances.
Lateral epitaxial overgrowth of GaN films on SiO 2 areas via metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

Lateral epitaxial growth and coalescence of GaN regions over SiO2 masks previously deposited on GaN/AlN/6H-SiC(0001) substrates and containing 3 µm wide rectangular windows spaced 7 µm apart have been achieved. The extent and microstructural characteristics of these regions of lateral overgrowth were a complex function of stripe orientation, growth temperature, and triethylgallium (TEG) flow rate. The most successful growths were obtained from stripes oriented along 〈1 \( \)00〉 at 1100°C and a TEG flow rate of 26 µmol/min. A density of ∼109 cm−2 threading dislocations, originating from the underlying GaN/AlN interface, were contained in the GaN grown in the window regions. The overgrowth regions, by contrast, contained a very low density of dislocations. The surfaces of the coalesced layers had a terrace structure and an average root mean square roughness of 0.26 nm.
Effects of Attenuation of Radiation on Surface Temperature for Radiative Ignition

Abstract The effects of the attenuation of the radiation by the decomposition products in the gas phase on surface temperatures of PMMA and red oak were studied by using a CO2 laser in the radiant flux range from 7 to 18 W/cm2 irradiating normally downward to the horizontally mounted sample. It was observed that the attenuation of the radiation caused by the decomposition products in the gas phase was significant enough to affect surface temperature. Maximum surface temperature of PMMA rises to about 400°C during the pre-ignition heating period and tends to be independent of the initial radiant flux. Surface temperature at ignition is in the range of 375 to 410°C and remains fairly constant from 8 to 19 W/cm2 for piloted-ignition and auto-ignition. However, the maximum surface temperature of red oak during the preignition heating period tends to increase with the decrease in the initial radiant flux. Surface temperature at ignition increases from 400°C at 16 W/cm3 to 575°C at 8 W/cm2 for auto-ignition and...
Entrepreneurial Studies in Japan: An Introduction

Where are the Rockefellers, Carnegies, and Fords of recent Japanese history? Their absence may be explained by a lack of scholarly attention to the areas of entrepreneurship, business organization, and managerial practices. Professors Rosovsky and Yamamura review the historiography of Japan's industrialization and place the five articles in this special issue within the context of recent work in business and economic history.
Wealth-Transfer Taxes in U.S. Fiscal Federalism: A Levy Still in Need of Reform

Wealth-transfer taxes are federal and state levies on the value of estates, inheritances, and gifts. Because the federal government allows a limited tax credit, repeal of the federal tax has implications for state governments. This article discusses the economicjustification of taxing wealth transfers and provides data on the importance of the tax from 1977 to 1997. We measure the degree of variation in the use of the tax among the states and pinpoint those states for which death taxation is most important. Wealthtransfer taxation needs reform but, repeal of the federal tax is inappropriate. Instead, the state levies should be abandoned. We conclude by proposing to repeal the state taxes and reduce the federal tax by an amount equivalent to the value of thefederal tax-credit. The resulting revenues, however, would not to be garnered by the federal government but returned as revenue-sharing funds to the resident state of the decedent.
Termination of Ventricular Tachycardia by Carotid Sinus Massage

The patient was a 73-year-old man admitted because of two hours of chest pain. Serial ECGs and enzyme studies confirmed the diagnosis of nontransmural myocardial infarction. For unclear reaSons, the patient had been taking digoxin 0.25 mg daily; admission serum digoxin level was 0.3 ng/ml. The arrhythmia in Figure 1 was seen upon the patient’s arrival in the emergency room. Figure LA shows a 12 lead ECG of the tachycardiawith a rate ofll5/min, QRS duration of0.12 second, and 1:1 retrograde conduction. A QS pattern is present in leads aVL, V1. ,
HOURS: achieving DoS resilience in an open service hierarchy

Hierarchical systems have been widely used to provide scalable distributed services in the Internet. Unfortunately, such a service hierarchy is vulnerable to DoS attacks. This paper presents HOURS that achieves DoS resilience in an open service hierarchy. HOURS ensures high degree of service accessibility for each surviving node by: 1) augmenting the service hierarchy with hierarchical overlay networks with rich connectivity; 2) making the connectivity of each overlay highly unpredictable; and 3) recovering the overlay when its normal operations are disrupted. We analyze an HOURS-protected open service hierarchy, and demonstrate its high degree of resilience to even large-scale, topology-aware DoS attacks.
Creativity: Performance, Profiles, and Perceptions

Summary The present study investigated the relationship between creative performance, personality profiles, and self-descriptions of 100 undergraduate students. Ss were divided by a median split on the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (Verbal Form B) into high and low creative groups, and compared with respect to personality patterns and self-perception variables. The results indicate that the high and low creative Ss differed significantly in terms of personality factors and the way in which they perceived themselves. Also, within each group significant relationships existed between personality profiles and self-perceptions.
Construction of An SI Theory of Fashion: Part 1. Ambivalence and Change

In this first part of a three-part series explaining fashion as a social process, a symbolic interactionist (SI) theory is presented to explain why appearance styles continue to emerge, be adopted and change. Unlike existing theories that tend to explain how a particular style diffuses through a social system, this theory draws on SI and extracts underlying concepts that, we propose, instigate and perpetuate changes in appearance styles: ambivalence, symbolic ambiguity, and negotiation. Five principles and associated theoretical statements are developed to explain fashion in general, followed by a more specific look at transitional cultural contexts, using the contemporary, U.S. context for the purpose of illustration.
Courtship and mating of the tailed frog (Ascaphus truei)

Frogs (Amphibia: Anura) have contributed greatly to our understanding of the functions and evolution of sexual behaviour patterns, but few studies have been conducted on ‘primitive’ taxa. Here we describe laboratory observations that characterize aspects of the courtship and mating of the tailed frog Ascaphus truei , one of the most basal of living frogs. Fertilization is internal (a rare and probably apomorphic state for anurans) and sperm transfer is via an erectile intrommitent organ, or ‘tail.’ This structure seems to be an autapomorphy. Inguinal amplexus accomplishes mating (probably a plesiomorphic state), but the combination of amplexus and copulation, previously termed copulexus, is unique (autapomorphic). Mate location is not mediated acoustically (sexual vocalizations probably are apomorphic), but may involve visual or chemical cues. In a competitive context, heavier males do not seem to enjoy an advantage in being the first to initiate mating, and rivals rarely displace males already engaged in copulexus by wrestling. The courtship and mating of the tailed frog consists of a mosaic of traits that are ancestral, derived and unique within the clade Anura. Efficient location and then (with internal fertilization) stimulation of females during copulexus may influence male reproductive success more than wrestling.
Synchronized Rearing of Mated and Unmated Diaphorina Citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae) of Known Age

Methods were developed for synchronized rearing of unmated and mated Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) ( Diaphorina citri Kuwayama; Hemiptera: Liviidae) of known age in isolation chambers for behavioral studies. Maintenance and survival of nymphs and adults in the isolation chambers was improved over previous methods because the plants had more room to grow and the relative humidity was easier to keep within acceptable limits. Se desarrollaron metodos para la cria sincronizada del psilido asiatico de los citricos (PAC) de edades conocidas, no apareados y apareados ( Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, Hemiptera: Liviidae) en camaras de aislamiento para estudios de comportamiento. El mantenimiento y la sobrevivencia de las ninfas y adultos en las camaras de aislamiento se ha mejorado con respecto a los metodos usados anteriormente, debido a que las plantas tenian mas espacio para crecer y la humedad relativa fue mas facil mantener dentro de los limites aceptables. View this article in BioOne
Medical Cyber-Physical Systems

Summary form only given. We discuss current trends in the development and use of high-confidence medical cyber-physical systems (MCPS). These trends, including increased reliance on software to deliver new functionality, wider use of network connectivity in MCPS, and demand for continuous patient monitoring, bring new challenges into the process of MCPS development and at the same time create new opportunities for research and development. We use several recent and on-going projects to illustrate the diverse challenges presented by MCPS design and highlight possible future research directions. The projects address a wide range of problems, representative of the diverse MCPS area. Design of high-confidence software for individual medical devices, such as infusion pumps and vital sign monitors, is an important pre-requisite for building larger systems. Interoperability of medical devices is another requirement. It should be based on precisely specified information exchange protocols and trusted middleware. In order to reason about safety of medical devices systems constructed using these two building blocks, we also need to specify clinical scenarios in which the system is going to be used. Evidence-based certification of safety-critical devices is critical for the regulatory approval of complex MCPS. Finally, modeling of patient physiology and decision-making based on the monitoring of multiple vital sign streams are the basis for physiological closed-loop control systems that require tying together all aspects of MCPS design described above.
Interference between femtosecond pulses observed via time-resolved spontaneous fluorescence

Abstract We study spontaneous fluorescence excited by a series of phase-controlled femtosecond pulses in an inhomogeneously broadened medium containing a frequency comb of sharp spectral holes. We show that evolution of the spontaneous fluorescence on picosecond time scale is sensitive to interference between the excitation pulses and that varying the relative phase between the excitation pulses changes the time evolution of the fluorescence.
A study of potential hepatotoxicity of etretinate used in the treatment of psoriasis

Etretinate was used to treat twenty patients who had severe, disabling psoriasis and an increased risk of liver damage. Potential hepatotoxicity was evaluated by obtaining liver biopsies prior to starting therapy and after a 6-month course on a dosage of 0.75 mg/kg/day. In comparing pretreatment biopsies to posttreatment biopsies, five of twenty patients demonstrated a morphologic change in their liver. Three showed progressive fatty metamorphosis, and two showed liver cell necrosis and progressive fibrosis. One of these was due to heavy alcohol intake. Based on our 6-month evaluation, etretinate does not produce a consistent toxic effect on the liver.
Genetic analysis of mutations at the Glued locus and interacting loci in Drosophila melanogaster.

A genetic analysis of the dominant mutation Glued that perturbs the development of the normal axonal architecture of the fly's visual system was undertaken. Ten new alleles at this locus were identified and characterized. TWO complementation groups that were identified failed to complement the original allele, suggesting that it is a double mutant or that it resides at a complex locus. Several of the new alleles display visual-system abnormalities similar to those of the original mutation. Seven of the eight members of one complementation group are embryonic/early larval lethals, like the original mutation. The other allele in this group is temperature sensitive. Homozygous mutant adults exhibit a temperature-sensitive female sterile phenotype. Unsuccessful attempts to recover genetic mosaics carrying clones of cells homozygous for some of these mutations revealed that they are either essential for the viability of individual cells or that they affect some other fundamental cellular function, such as mitosis or the ability to participate in tissue level organization, which prevents them from being recovered in adult mosaics. This also indicates that these mutations do not specifically affect neural cells. A number of X-ray- and EMS-induced partial and complete phenotypic "revertants" of the original allele have also been isolated as material for a comparative analysis of visual system development. All "revertants" that alter the abnormal eye phenotype towards the wild type have similar impact on the organization of the optic lobe.
Rickettsia-Macrophage Interactions: Host Cell Responses to Rickettsia akari and Rickettsia typhi

The existence of intracellular rickettsiae requires entry, survival, and replication in the eukaryotic host cells and exit to initiate new infection. While endothelial cells are the preferred target cells for most pathogenic rickettsiae, infection of monocytes/macrophages may also contribute to the establishment of rickettsial infection and resulting pathogenesis. We initiated studies to characterize macrophage-Rickettsia akari and -Rickettsia typhi interactions and to determine how rickettsiae survive within phagocytic cells. Flow cytometry, microscopic analysis, and LDH release demonstrated that R. akari and R. typhi caused negligible cytotoxicity in mouse peritoneal macrophages as well as in macrophage-like cell line, P388D1. Host cells responded to rickettsial infection with increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6. Furthermore, macrophage infection with R. akari and R. typhi resulted in differential synthesis and expression of IL-β and IL-6, which may correlate with the existence of biological differences among these two closely related bacteria. In contrast, levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-10, and IL-12 in supernatants of infected P388D1 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages did not change significantly during the course of infection and remained below the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay cytokine detection limits. In addition, differential expression of cytokines was observed between R. akari- and R. typhi-infected macrophages, which may correlate with the biological differences among these closely related bacteria.
Translational control analysis by translationally active RNA capture/microarray analysis (TrIP–Chip)

We have developed a new approach to systematically study post-transcriptional regulation in a small number of cells. Actively translating mRNAs are associated with polysomes and the newly synthesized peptide chains are closely associated with molecular chaperones such as hsp70s, which assist in the proper folding of nascent polypeptides into higher ordered structures. These chaperones provide an anchor with which to separate actively translating mRNAs associated with polysomes from free mRNAs. Affinity capture beads were developed to capture hsp70 chaperones associated with the polysome complexes. The isolated actively translating mRNAs were used for high-throughput expression profiling analysis. Feasibility was demonstrated using an in vitro translation system with known translationally regulated mRNA transcript thymidylate synthase (TS). We further developed the approach using HCT-116 colon cancer cells with both TS and p53 as positive controls. The steady-state levels of TS and p53 mRNAs were unaltered after 5-fluorouracil treatment as assessed by real-time qRT-PCR analysis. In contrast, the protein expression and polysome-associated mRNA levels of both genes were increased. These differences in translational rate were revealed with our new approach from 500 cells. This technology has the potential to make investigation of translational control feasible with limited quantities of clinical specimens.
On the analytical representation of trellis codes

The authors examine some of the features of an analytical representation for trellis-coded modulation (TCM), based on a single function f. They first consider the structure of the function, f, and observe that (i) it must be nonlinear, (ii) it can reflect certain phase-invariance properties of the code, and (iii) it can reflect the intrinsic parallel structure of the encoder. Then they provide a general parametric representation of f based on orthogonal Volterra series, and show some examples of code design for channels with intersymbol interference. >
Corridor Location for Infrastructure Development A Fast Bi-objective Shortest Path Method for Approximating the Pareto Frontier

Corridor location for developing new infrastructure such as transmission lines, roadways, and pipelines over terrain must consider numerous factors when determining the set of optimal route candida...
Molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that the Ixodes ricinus complex is a paraphyletic group.

The Ixodes ricinus species complex is a group of ticks distributed in almost all geographic regions of the world. Lyme borreliosis spirochetes are primarily transmitted by tick species within this complex. It has been hypothesized that the Lyme vector ticks around the world are closely related and represent a monophyletic group. This implies that vector competence in ixodid ticks for Lyme agents might have evolved only once. To test this hypothesis, we used a molecular phylogenetic approach. Two fragments of mitochondrial 16S ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid were sequenced from 11 species in the I. ricinus complex and from 16 other species of Ixodes. Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian methodology indicated that the I. ricinus complex is not a monophyletic group unless 3 additional Ixodes species are included in it. The known major vectors of Lyme disease agents in different areas of the world are not sister taxa. This suggests that acquisition of the ability to transmit borreliosis agents in species of I...
Religious Ideals and the Idea of Liberalism: Goodman's Religious Pluralism and Values in the Public Sphere

Lenn Goodman's defense of a vital role for religiously grounded considerations in the political culture of a pluralistic liberal polity is supported in important respects though aspects of his critique of secular pluralism are challenged. It is true that secular liberalism sometimes fails to acknowledge constructive ways religion can figure in pluralistic liberal political culture. Additionally, it sometimes excludes valuative considerations crucial to many persons’ deepest commitments and convictions. Also, there is merit in Goodman's critique of public reason. However, liberal theory contains resources enabling it to respond to some of the objections he elaborates. Moreover, claiming that pluralism will be stunted and inadequate to human needs and concerns without values and reasons that transcend politics is more problematic than Goodman suggests. The intelligibility of the valuative considerations figuring in politics remains challenging. Without a standard of public reason what can be an effective ba...
Aflatoxin B1-2,3-oxide: evidence for its formation in rat liver in vivo and by human liver microsomes in vitro.

Abstract Injection of [3H]aflatoxin B1 into rats yielded covalently bound derivatives in hepatic DNA, rRNA, and protein. Mild acid hydrolysis of the DNA and rRNA adducts formed a derivative indistinguishable from 2,3-dihydro-2,3-dihydroxy-aflatoxin B1. The data indicate that approximately 60% of the nucleic acid adducts were derived from reactions in vivo with aflatoxin B1-2,3-oxide. Acid hydrolysis of rRNA-[3Haflatoxin B1 adduct formed by human liver microsomes in vitro also liberated the dihydrodiol in significant amount. The 2,3-oxide of aflatoxin B1 is a probable ultimate carcinogenic metabolite.
Temperature Dependence of the Decay of Optically Excited Charge Carriers in Amorphous Silicon

We report the temperature dependence of the growth and decay of the optically induced electron spin resonance (LESR) on short and long time scales (10-3 s < t < 2500 s). This range of times spans the region between previously published photoluminescence and the LESR data. In addition, we examine the steady-state density of optically excited charge carriers as a function of temperature. These measurements lead to a better understanding of the band tail structure of amorphous silicon as well as the kinetics of the excitation and recombination processes.