Experimental and theoretical investigation of the regenerativecapabilities of electrooptic and all-optical interferometric wavelengthconverters

An experimental and theoretical investigation of the regenerative capabilities of electrooptic (E/O) and all-optical (A/O) interferometric wavelength converters is presented. We show that both the E/O and A/O regeneration scheme exhibit a 5-dB noise suppression capability. Furthermore, we demonstrate that by cascading two A/O-converters after an erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA), the performance is further improved resulting in a total noise suppression of 8 dB. Our detailed model, which accounts for the redistribution of a signal in the converters, shows good agreement with the experiments and predicts a significant increase in the number of EDFAs that can be cascaded with interferometric wavelength converters in the link     

The Construction and Performance of Large Flash Chambers

The constuction and performance of 12? × 12? flash chambers used in a 340 ton neutrino detector under construction at Fermilab is described. The flash chambers supply digital information with a spatial resolution of 0.2?, and are used to finely sample the shower development of the reaction products of neutrino interactions. The flash chambers are easy and inexpensive to build and are electronically read out.     

Spiritual dimensions of a mind-body group for people with severe mental illness

In a mind-body group designed to address issues of well-being for people with severe mental disorders, experiences with spiritual themes of optimal functioning and ultimate meaning emerged with surprising clarity.     

Guest Editors' Introduction MONET Special Issue on Mobile and Wireless Data Management

Mobile Networks and Applications -     

Comparison of subject-specific and population averaged models for count data from cluster-unit intervention trials

Maximum likelihood estimation techniques for subject-specific (SS) generalized linear mixed models and generalized estimating equations for marginal or population-averaged (PA) models are often used for the analysis of cluster-unit intervention trials. Although both classes of procedures account for the presence of within-cluster correlations, the interpretations of fixed effects including intervention effect parameters differ in SS and PA models. Furthermore, closed-form mathematical expressions relating SS and PA parameters from the two respective approaches are generally lacking. This paper investigates the special case of correlated Poisson responses where, for a log-linear model with normal random effects, exact relationships are available. Equivalent PA model representations of two SS models commonly used in the analysis of nested cross-sectional cluster trials with count data are derived. The mathematical results are illustrated with count data from a large non-randomized cluster trial to reduce underage drinking. Knowledge of relationships among parameters in the respective mean and covariance models is essential to understanding empirical comparisons of the two approaches.     

An essential role for ectodomain shedding in mammalian development

The ectodomains of numerous proteins are released from cells by proteolysis to yield soluble intercellular regulators. The responsible protease, tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme (TACE), has been identified only in the case when tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is released. Analyses of cells lacking this metalloproteinase-disintegrin revealed an expanded role for TACE in the processing of other cell surface proteins, including a TNF receptor, the L-selectin adhesion molecule, and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha). The phenotype of mice lacking TACE suggests an essential role for soluble TGFalpha in normal development and emphasizes the importance of protein ectodomain shedding in vivo.     

Attributions as inferences and explanations: Effects on discounting.

Observers assessing the probability of an interpretation for a behavioral event may (a) assess the probability that certain inferences can be drawn from the event (inference set) or (b) assess the probability that some explanation can cause the event (explanation set). We suggested that inference set subjects would be more likely than explanation set subjects to discount less plausible interpretations in favor of more plausible interpretations. In three studies observers either estimated the probability that some inferences can be drawn from an event or estimated the probability that some explanation can be the cause for the event. As predicted, the inference set produced a higher level of discounting. Studies 1 and 3 also showed that future-oriented observers made attributions similar to those made in the inference set. However, this effect was open to alternative interpretations in Study 1 and failed to reach statistical significance in Study 3. There was also an indication that inference set subjects were more likely to make correspondent attributions. Additional tests of the effects of time orientation and the possible relation between the inference–explanation distinction and actor–observer differences were discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Computing minimal distances on polyhedral surfaces

The authors implement an algorithm that finds minimal (geodesic) distances on a three-dimensional polyhedral surface. The algorithm is intrinsically parallel, in as much as it deals with all nodes simultaneously, and is simple to implement. Although exponential in complexity, it can be used with a companion gradient-descent surface-flattening algorithm that produces an optimal flattening of a polyhedral surface. Together, these two algorithms have made it possible to obtain accurate flattening of biological surfaces consisting of several thousand triangular faces (monkey visual cortex) by providing a characterization of the distance geometry of these surfaces. The authors propose this approach as a pragmatic solution to characterizing the surface geometry of the complex polyhedral surfaces which are encountered in the cortex of vertebrates