340 research outputs found
Comparison of SFAS 159 : Fair Value Option Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities Adopters and Non-adopters
This study compared and contrasted financial metrics of entities that adopted SFAS No. 159 and those that did not over the first quarters of 2007 and 2008. The option to apply fair value to select securities came under much scrutiny during the deep recession of 2008 which prompted more study of SFAS No. 159 application. To better understand the financial characteristics of adopters and non-adopters, commercial banks were identified and their financial statements examined. Financial data was gathered for the first quarter filings of2007 and 2008 using COMPUSTAT, and was then analyzed by statistically comparing groups. Results showed that there were marginally significant differences between the groups.B.S. (Bachelor of Science
The effects of contract teaching on skill and knowledge acquisition in badminton
The purpose of this study was to determine if any differences occurred in badminton skill acquisition and knowledge of the game between classes using contract teaching or classes receiving traditional instruction.
[This is an excerpt from the abstract. For the complete abstract, please see the document.
Temperatures of Fragment Kinetic Energy Spectra
Multifragmentation reactions without large compression in the initial state
(proton-induced reactions, reverse-kinematics, projectile fragmentation) are
examined, and it is verified quantitatively that the high temperatures obtained
from fragment kinetic energy spectra and lower temperatures obtained from
observables such as level population or isotope ratios can be understood in a
common framework.Comment: LaTeX, 7 pages, 2 figures available from autho
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Scaling, Microstructure and Dynamic Fracture
The relationship between pullback velocity and impact velocity is studied for different microstructures in Cu. A size distribution of potential nucleation sites is derived under the conditions of an applied stochastic stress field. The size distribution depends on flow stress leading to a connection between the plastic flow appropriate to a given microstructure and nucleation rate. The pullback velocity in turn depends on the nucleation rate resulting in a prediction for the relationship between pullback velocity and flow stress. The theory is compared to observations of Cu on Cu gas-gun experiments (10-50 GPa) for a diverse set of microstructures. The scaling law is incorporated into a 1D finite difference code and is shown to reproduce the experimental data with one adjustable parameter that depends only on a nucleation exponent, {Lambda}
An investigation of standard thermodynamic quantities as determined via models of nuclear multifragmentation
Both simple and sophisticated models are frequently used in an attempt to
understand how real nuclei breakup when subjected to large excitation energies,
a process known as nuclear multifragmentation. Many of these models assume
equilibriumthermodynamics and produce results often interpreted as evidence of
a phase transition. This work examines one class of models and employs standard
thermodynamical procedure to explore the possible existence and nature of a
phase transition. The role of various terms, e.g. Coulomb and surface energy,
is discussed.Comment: 19 two-column format pages with 24 figure
A novel approach to Isoscaling: the role of the order parameter m = (N-Z)/A
Isoscaling is derived within a recently proposed modified Fisher model where
the free energy near the critical point is described by the Landau O(m^6)
theory. In this model m = (N-Z)/A is the order parameter, a consequence of (one
of) the symmetries of the nuclear Hamiltonian. Within this framework we show
that isoscaling depends mainly on this order parameter through the 'external
(conjugate) field' H. The external field is just given by the difference in
chemical potentials of the neutrons and protons of the two sources. To
distinguish from previously employed isoscaling relationships, this approach is
dubbed: m - scaling. We discuss the relationship between this framework and the
standard isoscaling formalism and point out some substantial differences in
interpretation of experimental results which might result. These should be
investigated further both theoretically and experimentally.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure
The Multifragmentation Freeze--Out Volume in Heavy Ion Collisions
The reduced velocity correlation function for fragments from the reaction Fe
+ Au at 100 A~MeV bombarding energy is investigated using the
dynamical--statistical approach QMD+SMM and compared to experimental data to
extract the Freeze--Out volume assuming simultaneous multifragmentation.Comment: 8 pages; 3 uuencoded figures available with figures command, LateX,
UCRL-J-1157
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New experimental capabilities and theoretical insights of high pressure compression waves
Currently there are three platforms that offer quasi-isentropic compression or ramp-wave compression (RWC): light-gas gun, magnetic flux (Z-pinch), and laser. We focus here on the light-gas gun technique and on some current theoretical insights from experimental data. A gradient impedance through the length of the impactor provides the pressure pulse upon impactor to the subject material. Applications and results are given concerning high-pressure strength and liquid to solid, phase transition of water plus its associated phase fraction history. We also introduce the Korteweg-deVries-Burgers equation as a means to understand the evolution these RWC waves that propagate through the thickness of the subject material. This equation has the necessary competition between non-linear, dispersion, and dissipation processes, which is shown through observed structures that are manifested in the experimental particle velocity histories. Such methodology points towards a possible quantifiable dissipation, through which RWC experiments may be analyzed
Sex-specific and inter-individual differences in biomarkers of selenium status identified by a calibrated ELISA for selenoprotein P
Selenoprotein P (SELENOP) is a liver-derived transporter of selenium (Se) in
blood, and a meaningful biomarker of Se status. Se is an essential trace
element for the biosynthesis of enzymatically-active selenoproteins,
protecting the organism from oxidative damage. The usage of uncalibrated
assays hinders the comparability of SELENOP concentrations and their
pathophysiological interpretation across different clinical studies. On this
account, we established a new sandwich SELENOP-ELISA and calibrated against a
standard reference material (SRM1950). The ELISA displays a wide working range
(11.6–538.4 µg/L), high accuracy (2.9%) and good precision (9.3%). To verify
whether SELENOP correlates to total Se and to SELENOP-bound Se, serum samples
from healthy subjects and age-selected participants from the Berlin Aging
Study II were analyzed by SELENOP-ELISA and Se quantification. SELENOP was
affinity-purified and its Se content was determined from a subset of samples.
There was a high correlation of total Se and SELENOP concentrations in young
and elderly men, and in elderly women, but not in young women, indicating a
specific sexual dimorphism in these biomarkers of Se status in young subjects.
The Se content of isolated SELENOP was independent of sex and age (mean±SD:
5.4±0.5). By using this calibrated SELENOP-ELISA, prior reports on
pathological SELENOP concentrations in diabetes and obesity are challenged as
the reported values are outside reasonable limits. Biomarkers of Se status in
clinical research need to be measured by validated assays in order to avoid
erroneous data and incorrect interpretations, especially when analyzing young
women. The Se content of circulating SELENOP differs between individuals and
may provide some important diagnostic information on Se metabolism and status
Sex-specific and inter-individual differences in biomarkers of selenium status identified by a calibrated ELISA for selenoprotein P
Selenoprotein P (SELENOP) is a liver-derived transporter of selenium (Se) in
blood, and a meaningful biomarker of Se status. Se is an essential trace
element for the biosynthesis of enzymatically-active selenoproteins,
protecting the organism from oxidative damage. The usage of uncalibrated
assays hinders the comparability of SELENOP concentrations and their
pathophysiological interpretation across different clinical studies. On this
account, we established a new sandwich SELENOP-ELISA and calibrated against a
standard reference material (SRM1950). The ELISA displays a wide working range
(11.6–538.4 µg/L), high accuracy (2.9%) and good precision (9.3%). To verify
whether SELENOP correlates to total Se and to SELENOP-bound Se, serum samples
from healthy subjects and age-selected participants from the Berlin Aging
Study II were analyzed by SELENOP-ELISA and Se quantification. SELENOP was
affinity-purified and its Se content was determined from a subset of samples.
There was a high correlation of total Se and SELENOP concentrations in young
and elderly men, and in elderly women, but not in young women, indicating a
specific sexual dimorphism in these biomarkers of Se status in young subjects.
The Se content of isolated SELENOP was independent of sex and age (mean±SD:
5.4±0.5). By using this calibrated SELENOP-ELISA, prior reports on
pathological SELENOP concentrations in diabetes and obesity are challenged as
the reported values are outside reasonable limits. Biomarkers of Se status in
clinical research need to be measured by validated assays in order to avoid
erroneous data and incorrect interpretations, especially when analyzing young
women. The Se content of circulating SELENOP differs between individuals and
may provide some important diagnostic information on Se metabolism and status
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