cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social interactions and aggression among male Madagascar hissing cockroaches ( Gromphadorhina portentosa ) in groups (Dictyoptera: Blaberidae)

We studied agonistic interactions among male Madagascar hissing cockroaches,Gromphadorhina portentosa, in groups of five (low-density) or 10 (high-density) males. Consistent with previous studies of male pairs, we observed aggression (Abdomen Flick, Abdomen Push, Butt, Lunge), submission (Crouch, Retreat), and noncontact behavior (Abdominal Extension, Abdomen Thrash, Agonistic Hiss, Stilt). Males at both densities performed all acts. However, males in the high-density group performed Abdomen Push significantly more often than males at a low density. The rate of each remaining act was unaffected by density. Regardless of density, males within social groups varied in aggression. More aggressive males utilized frontal assaults (Butt and Lunge) during interactions, while males displaying lower levels of aggression preferentially used the abdomen during interactions. More aggressive males performed Abdomen Flick more frequently, while males displaying lower levels of aggression performed Abdomen Push. We also investigated the relationship between male aggression and the four noncontact behaviors. We found that Abdominal Extension, Abdomen Thrash, and Agonistic Hiss were positively correlated with our aggregate measure of male aggression suggesting these are aggressive displays. Stilt was positively correlated with measures of both aggression and submission, leaving its function unclear. None of the behavioral acts examined in this study were highly correlated with male weight. Our results are discussed in light of possible hypotheses addressing the function of specific behavior during male-male competition.
Current US remote sensing policies: opportunities and challenges

Abstract This article examines recent progress in US land remote sensing policies by reviewing the evolution of policy on commercial imaging satellites from 1992 to the present and charting developments in the Landsat programme. Key features of the new (2003) commercial remote sensing policy are described, which go far in addressing the ambiguities of the earlier (PDD-23) framework that, in practice, hampered development of a commercial industry. In the case of Landsat, problems, particularly those of assured data provision, remain. The key to solving them lies in integrating civil, military and commercial elements more coherently, rather than considering them in isolation.
Pressure drop effects in packed capillary column supercritical fluid chromatography

Abstract The subject of column pressure drop has generated much controversy when using packed columns in supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), since packed columns usually exhibit a ssignificant pressure drop along the column. In this paper, the effect of pressure drop on the chromatographic behavior of capillary columns packed with small spherical silica particles in SFC was studied using neat carbon dioxide as mobile phase. The relationship between column pressure drop, column length, particle size, column diameter, column efficiency and resolution were experimentally measured and examined using a fixed linear restrictor. The influence of column pressure drop on resolution was obvious; however, the effect on column efficiency was insignificant.
The pressure dependence of CO2 sorption and permeation in poly(acrylonitrile)

Abstract Sorption isotherms for carbon dioxide in glassy poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) microspheres and films were measured at temperatures between 25°C and 65°C and pressures up to 30 atmospheres. The transient and steady-state permeation of carbon dioxide through glassy PAN films was measured at 35, 45 and 55°C using upstream pressures between 5 and 20 atmospheres. p]Sorption isotherms for films and microspheres were nonlinear and indicative of the dual modes of sorption characteristic of gas/glassy polymer systems. Annealing the microspheres resulted in a decreased level of sorption; microsphere sorption capacities after annealing remained consistently higher, however, than sorption determined for film samples. The difference in sorption capacities may be associated with surface adsorption on the high specific surface area microspheres. p]Steady-state CO 2 permeability coefficients for the PAN films decreased with increasing upstream pressure. The permeability coefficients were in the range of 10 −13 cm 3 (STP)cm/cm 2 -sec-cmHg, which is nearly four orders of magnitude smaller than CO 2 permeability coefficients found for polycarbonate and two orders of magnitude smaller than permeabilities of poly(ethylene terephthalate) to CO 2 . p]The steady-state measurements were analyzed according to the Paul—Koros partial immobilization transport model. Diffusion coefficients for both the Henry's law and Langmuir CO 2 populations were in the range of 10 −11 cm 2 /sec. Over the temperature range studied, the Langmuir population had a relative mobility of about 0.6 of the mobility of the Henry's law population. p]Permeation time-lags were 15—20 times larger than would be expected from the independently-determined sorption and steady-state permeation measurements assuming Fick's law applies. A possible explanation for the anomalously long time-lags invokes a very slow relaxation in PAN during the transport process which results in a protracted approach to steady-state permeation.
Variations in film exposure, effective kVp, and HVL among thirty-five dental x-ray units

Abstract Speed group “E” dental films were exposed in thirty-five dental x-ray units and processed under rigidly controlled conditions. The exposure, in milliroentgens required to produce an overall film density between 0.85 and 1.05 density units at the 9 mm. step of an aluminum step-wedge, ranged from 94 to 186 mR. The wide range in normalized exposure required to produce a standard density of 1.0 was associated with half-value layer and effective operating kilovoltage in only a general way. The half-value layer of thirty-five dental x-ray units ranged from 1.9 to 2.9 mm. Al, and their effective operating kilovoltages ranged from 62 to 77 kVp when units were set at 70 kVp. The exposure required to produce a specific radiographic density depended largely on the individual characteristics of the x-ray unit used.
Stress-induced changes in the rate of sodium excretion in healthy black and white men

The effects of exposure to competitive mental stressors on rates of excretion of sodium (Na), potassium (K) and fluid, together with cardiovascular responses, were evaluated in 14 black and 14 white normotensive men after 3 days of controlled diet (200 mEq Na, 100 mEq K daily). In the first hour of a 5-hr protocol, subjects ingested a standard dinner and drank 1 liter of water. In hours 2-5, they voided to provide urine collections every 30 min, and drank 200 ml additional water after each collection. Hours 1-2 were for stabilization of excretion, hour 3 was baseline, hour 4 was stress and hour 5 was post-stress rest. During stress, 20 men showed faster natriuresis and 8 showed slower natriuresis than at baseline. These subgroups did not differ in any excretion measure at baseline. During stress, the slow stress natriuresis group showed slower excretion of potassium and fluid as well as sodium; slow natriuresis and kaliuresis persisted 30 min after stress. Creatinine clearance rate was also decreased, but only during the first 30 min of stress. Slow stress natriuresis subjects were found to have higher blood pressures during baseline and stress, greater heart rate and cardiac output increases during stress, and a larger percentage had hypertensive parents (63 vs 37%) compared to fast stress natriuresis subjects. Slow stress natriuresis was observed in 50 vs 17% of men with resting diastolic levels above vs below 80 mmHg, and in 43% of blacks vs 18% of whites tested. Overall, black subjects tended to excrete sodium more slowly than whites at baseline, and showed significantly lesser increases in sodium excretion rate when pressures rose during stress.
Piezoceramic Actuator Placement for Acoustic Control of Panels

Optimum placement of multiple traditional piezoceramic actuators is determined for active structural acoustic control of flat panels. The structural acoustic response is determined using acoustic radiation filters and structural surface vibration characteristics. Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) control is utilized to determine the optimum state feedback gain for active structural acoustic control. The optimum actuator location is determined by minimizing the structural acoustic radiated noise using a modified genetic algorithm. Experimental tests are conducted and compared to analytical results. Anisotropic piezoceramic actuators exhibits enhanced performance when compared to traditional isotropic piezoceramic actuators. As a result of the inherent isotropy, these advanced actuators develop strain along the principal material axis. The orientation of anisotropic actuators is investigated on the effect of structural vibration and acoustic control of curved and flat panels. A fully coupled shallow shell finite element formulation is developed to include anisotropic piezoceramic actuators for shell structures.
Compartment syndrome caused by a properly functioning infusion pump

Compartment syndrome caused by an infiltrated intravenous catheter has been previously reported, but there are no reports of compartment syndrome caused by fluids and/or medications dispensed by a properly functioning drug infusion pump. A case in which a commonly used drug infusion pump delivered propofol and remifentanil under high pressure, leading to compartment syndrome, is presented.
Multivariate Two-Sample Tests Based on Nearest Neighbors

Abstract A new class of simple tests is proposed for the general multivariate two-sample problem based on the (possibly weighted) proportion of all k nearest neighbor comparisons in which observations and their neighbors belong to the same sample. Large values of the test statistics give evidence against the hypothesis H of equality of the two underlying distributions. Asymptotic null distributions are explicitly determined and shown to involve certain nearest neighbor interaction probabilities. Simple infinite-dimensional approximations are supplied. The unweighted version yields a distribution-free test that is consistent against all alternatives; optimally weighted statistics are also obtained and asymptotic efficiencies are calculated. Each of the tests considered is easily adapted to a permutation procedure that conditions on the pooled sample. Power performance for finite sample sizes is assessed in simulations.
Accommodating Emerging Giants

This paper studies how the world accommodates emerging giants. That is, as a large country embarks on a transition path that potentially takes it from being a relatively poor country to joining the ranks of the rich, how does the rest of the world adjust in reallocating its scarce resources? Recent examples of emerging giants include China towards the end of the 21st century and Japan in the middle of the 21st century; indeed, one can perhaps view the catch-up of many western European countries to the United States during the mid 21st century in this light. Surely (hopefully) we will witness even more emerging giants in the future, perhaps even in our lifetime. Finding some answers to such a question would seem to be relevant to not only the many policy debates that focus on this issue, but also to the core question of international economics regarding the nature of production and trade. This paper begins by taking a close look at how the recent emergence of China affected aspects of the economies of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, and how the earlier emergence of Japan and estern Europe affected the United States. Regarding the emergence of Japan and Europe, I chose to examine the United States because it was the leading economy during that time. Regarding the emergence of China, I chose to examine Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan because of their geographic closeness to China and because China is rather early in its phase of emergence so that its effect on other economies in the world may not yet be as evident. Surely, if there is any noticeable effect of an emerging giant, it should be evident in these economies during those time periods. The central finding of this paper is that the emergence of giant economies leads to a classic terms of trade shock that sets in motion a structural transformation and perhaps a growth slowdown in economies that are close to the emerging giant. The terms of trade--the price of a country's export goods relative to its import goods--falls sharply for a prolonged period of time following the onset of relatively high growth rates in the emerging giant. The structural transformation involves a reallocation of resources from the production of manufacture goods to the production of service goods. Despite the relative rise of the service sector, I will present evidence that the countries affected by an emerging giant tend to suffer an overall growth slowdown that lasts for some time. The growth slowdown in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan following the onset of China's emergence seems quite evident in the data. Contrary to this experience, the United States did not suffer a growth slowdown following the emergence of Japan and Europe, but I will present evidence that perhaps other extenuating circumstances (e.g., the dramatic rise in educational attainment in the United States during the 1950s and 60s) prevented such a growth slowdown from occurring
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin Suppresses Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Anti-CD40–Induced Activation of NF-κB/Rel in Dendritic Cells: p50 Homodimer Activation Is Not Affected

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) suppresses many immune responses, both innate and adaptive. Suppression is mediated by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor. The AhR mediates TCDD toxicity presumably through the alteration of transcriptional events, either by promoting gene expression or potentially by physically interacting with other transcription factors. Another transcription factor, NF-kappaB/Rel, is involved in several signaling pathways in immune cells and is crucial for generating effective immune responses. Dendritic cells (DCs), considered to be the "pacemakers" of the immune system, were recently recognized as targets of TCDD and are also dependent on NF-kappaB/Rel for activation and survival. In these studies, we investigated whether TCDD would alter the activation of NF-kappaB/Rel in DCs. The dendritic cell line DC2.4 was exposed to TCDD before treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) or anti-CD40, and NF-kappaB/Rel activation was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and immunoblotting. TCDD suppressed the binding of NF-kappaB/Rel to its cognate response element in TNF-alpha- and anti-CD40-treated cells and blocked translocation to the nucleus. The AhR was shown to associate with RelA, after coimmunoprecipitation, and seemed to block its binding to DNA. It is noteworthy that p50 homodimers freely bound to DNA. These results suggest that TCDD may alter the balance between NF-kappaB/Rel heterodimers and transcriptional inhibitory p50 homodimers in DCs, leading to defects in the DCs and suppression of the immune response.
Are economic liberties basic rights

In this essay I discuss a powerful challenge to high-liberalism: the challenge presented by neoclassical liberals that the high-liberal assumptions and values imply that the full range of economic liberties are basic rights. If the claim is true, then the high-liberal road from ideals of democracy and democratic citizenship to left-liberal institutions is blocked. Indeed, in that case the high-liberal is committed to an institutional scheme more along the lines of laissez-faire capitalism than property-owning democracy. To present and dis- cuss this challenge, I let John Rawls represent the high-liberal argument that only a nar- row range of economic liberties are basic rights and John Tomasi represent the neoclassical liberal argument that the full range of economic liberties are basic rights. I show that Rawls's argument is inadequate, but also that Tomasi's argument fails. I thus conclude that high-liberalism is in a precarious situation, but is not yet undone by the neoclassical liberal challenge.
Effects of weight loss after bariatric surgery on epicardial fat measured using echocardiography.

Epicardial fat assessed using echocardiography is associated with abdominal visceral adipose tissue and cardiovascular risk factors. Because of its location, epicardial fat may directly affect the coronary vasculature and myocardium through local secretion of bioactive molecules. This study examines the effects of weight loss after bariatric surgery on epicardial adipose tissue in patients with severe obesity. Clinical data and echocardiograms of 23 patients with severe obesity who had echocardiograms recorded before and 8.3 ± 3.7 months after undergoing bariatric surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Epicardial fat thickness was measured as the hypoechoic space anterior to the right ventricle in both the parasternal long- and short-axis views, and an average was obtained. At baseline, patients had increased epicardial fat compared with normal-weight controls matched for age, gender, and ethnicity (5.3 ± 2.4 vs 3.0 ± 1.1 mm, p
Wafer scale fabrication of carbon nanotube FETs with embedded poly-gates

One critical factor that determines the feasibility of employing carbon nanotubes as channel materials for post-silicon logic devices is the process compatibility to the current CMOS process flow. We show a wafer-scale integration scheme of carbon nanotube field-effect transistor (CNFET) that is performed by 8″ production tools. High density CNT arrays were transferred on the processed wafer, and high performance CNFET with an excellent subthreshold slope (88 mV /decade) is demonstrated. We further show that the work-function tuning enabled by the conventional gate doping can be achieved in our novel embedded poly-Si gate structure. Approximate V t change of 0.6V, from n-gate to p-gate, is observed. The V t shift being smaller than the gate work function difference can be attributed to the Fermi level pinning between poly-Si and high-k interface.
Mass‐independent fractionation of sulfur isotopes in sulfides from the pre‐3770 Ma Isua Supracrustal Belt, West Greenland

Redox chemistry of the coupled atmosphere‐hydrosphere system has coevolved with the biosphere, from global anoxia in the Archean to an oxygenated Proterozoic surface environment. However, to trace these changes to the very beginning of the rock record presents special challenges. All known Eoarchean ( c . 3850‐3600 Ma) volcanosedimentary successions (i.e. supracrustal rocks) are restricted to high-grade gneissic terranes that seldom preserve original sedimentary structures and lack primary organic biomarkers. Although complicated by metamorphic overprinting, sulfur isotopes from Archean supracrustal rocks have the potential to preserve signatures of both atmospheric chemistry and metabolic fractionation from the original sediments. We present a synthesis of multiple sulfur isotope measurements ( 32 S, 33 S and 34 S) performed on sulfides from amphibolite facies banded iron-formations (BIFs) and ferruginous garnet-biotite (metapelitic) schists from the pre-3770 Ma Isua Supracrustal Belt (ISB) in West Greenland. Because these data come from some of the oldest rocks of interpretable marine sedimentary origin, they provide the opportunity to (i) explore for possible biosignatures of sulfur metabolisms in early life; (ii) assess changes in atmospheric redox chemistry from ∼ 3.8 Ga; and (iii) lay the groundwork to elucidate sulfur biogeochemical cycles on the early Earth. We find that sulfur isotope results from Isua do not unambiguously indicate microbially induced sulfur isotopic fractionation at that time. A significantly expanded data set of ∆ 33 S analyses for Isua dictates that the atmosphere was devoid of free oxygen at time of deposition and also shows that the effects of post-depositional metamorphic remobilization and/or dilution can be traced
Decreased NO signaling leads to enhanced vasoconstrictor responsiveness in skeletal muscle arterioles of the ZDF rat prior to overt diabetes and hypertension

Approximately 40% of patients with type 2 diabetes present with concurrent hypertension at the time of diabetes diagnosis. Increases in peripheral vascular resistance and correspondingly enhanced vasoconstrictor capacity could have profound implications for the development of hypertension and the progression of insulin resistance to overt diabetes. The purpose of this study was to determine whether skeletal muscle arteriolar vasoconstrictor dysfunction precedes or occurs concurrently with the onset of diabetes and hypertension. Male Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats were studied at 7, 13, and 20 wk of age to represent prediabetic and short-term and long-term diabetic states, respectively. Conscious mean arterial pressure (MAP), fasted plasma insulin and glucose, vasoconstrictor responses, and passive mechanical properties of isolated skeletal muscle arterioles were measured in prediabetic, diabetic, and age-matched control rats. Elevated MAP was manifest in short-term diabetes (control 117 ± 1, diabetic 135 ± 3 mmHg) and persisted with long-term diabetes (control 113 ± 2, diabetic 135 ± 3 mmHg). This higher MAP was preceded by augmented arteriolar vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine and endothelin-1 and followed by diminished β-adrenergic vasodilation and enhanced myogenic constriction in long-term diabetes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that diminished nitric oxide (NO) signaling underlies the increases in vasoconstrictor responsiveness in arterioles from prediabetic and diabetic rats. Arteriolar stiffness was not different between control and prediabetic or diabetic rats at any time point studied. Collectively, these results indicate that increases in vasoconstrictor responsiveness resulting from diminished NO signaling in skeletal muscle arterioles precede the development of diabetes and hypertension in ZDF rats.
Motor activity in the isolated spinal cord of the chick embryo: synaptic drive and firing pattern of single motoneurons

The cellular mechanisms underlying embryonic motility were investigated using intracellular recording from motoneurons and electrotonic recording from muscle nerves during motor activity generated by an isolated spinal cord preparation of 12- to 15-d-old chick embryos. DC- coupled recordings from sartorius (a flexor) and femorotibialis (an extensor) muscle nerves revealed that both sets of motoneurons were depolarized at the same time in each cycle even when the motoneurons fired out of phase. Sartorius motoneurons fired briefly on the rising phase of the depolarization and then stopped firing before discharging a second burst of spikes as the depolarization decayed. By contrast, femorotibialis motoneurons fired at the peak of their depolarization, which was coincident with the interruption in sartorius activity. Intracellular recordings from antidromically identified motoneurons confirmed that flexor and extensor motoneurons were depolarized at the same time during each cycle of activity. The discharge of femorotibialis motoneurons, and others presumed to be extensors, followed changes in membrane potential so that maximal firing occurred during peak depolarization. The relationship between discharge and membrane potential was different in sartorius motoneurons (and in others presumed to be flexors) because they fired briefly on the rising phase of the depolarization and then stopped firing during peak depolarization. In some of these cells firing resumed as the membrane potential decayed back to rest. Intracellular injection of depolarizing current into sartorius motoneurons during motor activity reversed the direction of the membrane potential change from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing during the pause in sartorius discharge. In addition, the discharge evoked by the depolarizing current was blocked during the reversed part of the synaptic potential revealing its inhibitory nature. The occurrence of the IPSP was accompanied by a large reduction in motoneuronal input impedance. Injection of depolarizing current steps into motoneurons produced steady firing with no evidence of a pause in discharge, indicating that the depolarization accompanying synaptic activity was not responsible for the pause in firing of flexor motoneurons. These results suggest that flexor and extensor motoneurons receive a similar depolarizing drive from a common set of excitatory premotor interneurons. The alternating pattern of flexor and extensor discharge is produced, in part, by the timing of a depolarizing IPSP coincident with extensor activity that silences flexor discharge.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
London as Delaware

Regulatory competition has long driven the path of corporate law in the federal system of the United States. Now, jurisdictional competition has spread to exchange listings. New York took an early lead in that competition in the 1990s, but has now been overtaken by London. Can London prevail in the competition for stock listings in the long term? This essay explores that question through the insights offered by Delaware's dominance in the market for corporate listings. Delaware has prevailed by offering corporate directors a predictable body of that credibly shields directors from the vagaries of political backlash in times of financial crisis. London's performance during the recent financial crisis suggests that it - like New York - lacks the capacity to shield players in the financial system from the populist forces that seek retribution in the wake of economic reversals. In the long run, neither London nor New York is likely to enjoy a comparative advantage in the market for stock exchange listings.
Improvement of hyperemic myocardial oxygen extraction fraction estimation by a diffusion-prepared sequence.

Myocardial oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) during hyperemia can be estimated using a double-inversion-recovery (DIR) prepared T2-weighted black-blood sequence. Severe irregular ECG-triggering due to elevated heart rate and/or arrhythmias may render it difficult to adequately suppress the flowing left ventricle blood signal and thus potentially cause errors in the estimates of myocardial OEF. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate another black-blood technique, a diffusion-weighted (DW)-prepared TSE sequence for its ability to determine regional myocardial OEF during hyperemia. Control dogs and dogs with acute coronary artery stenosis were imaged with both the DIR- and DW-prepared TSE sequences at rest and during either dipyridamole or dobutamine hyperemia. Validation of MRI OEF estimates was performed using blood sampling from the artery and coronary sinus in control dogs. The two methods showed comparable correlations with blood sampling results (R2 = 0.9). Similar OEF estimations for all dogs were observed except for the group of dogs with severe coronary stenosis during dobutamine stress. In these dogs, the DW method provided more physiologically reasonable OEF (hyperemic OEF = 0.75 ± 0.08 vs resting OEF of 0.6) than the DIR method (hyperemic OEF = 0.56 ± 0.10). DW-preparation may be a valuable alternative for more accurate oxygenation measurements during irregular ECG-triggering.
The Durra Application Debugger/Monitor

Abstract : Durra is a language designed to support the construction of distributed applications using concurrent, coarse-grained tasks running on networks of heterogeneous processors. An application written in Durra describes the tasks to be instantiated and executed as concurrent processes, the types of data to be exchanged by the processes, and the intermediate queues required to store the data as they move from producer to consumer processes. This report describes the Durra application debugger/monitor, a program that works in conjunction with the Durra runtime software to help the developer locate errors and/or performance bottlenecks in a Durra application.
CHANGES IN SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN CANOPY TREE GAPS SAMPLED THRICE

Species responses to disturbance (mortality of dominant individuals within a community) influence many aspects of that ecological community. To trace the responses of vegetation to one particular type of disturbance, I sampled vegetation in 250 canopy gaps in 1976/1977, 1983, and 1990/1991. These gaps were located in three sites in the southern Appalachians of eastern North America: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Walker Cove Research Natural Area, and Joyce Kilmer Wilderness Area. Each gap was sampled thrice for sapling composition (stems ≥1 cm in diameter at breast height). Additional measurements included the extension growth of border trees into the gap, recent mortality rates of border trees, deterioration rates of gap makers that had been standing dead in earlier samples, and the composition of understory plots. The mean extension (branch) growth of border trees was 12 cm/yr, with slower growth by longer branches. Gap makers that had been tall stumps tended to deteriorate, although 35% stayed intact over the 14 yr of the study. Border-tree mortality averaged 0.60%/yr, with higher rates for larger stems and with much interspecific variation. Stem density of saplings in gaps increased during the first sampling interval and decreased during the second as self-thinning counteracted increased establishment. Basal area increased during both sampling intervals. The death of border trees increased basal area per unit gap area. The four main species (Acer saccharum, Tsuga canadensis, Fagus grandifolia, and Halesia carolina) showed different patterns of correlation to gap size and age. Species in general showed more correlations with gap age for the first sample than afterwards; gap size was more consistently related to species importance. Species patterns also were affected by the presence or absence of border-tree mortality. The stands studied seem nearly at equilibrium. Some small changes are likely to occur, but the species present dominated all size classes: gap saplings, border trees, other canopy trees not related to gaps, and understory saplings. Species differed in their relative growth rates in the understory and in gaps of different sizes. Species also differed in their survival rates in the understory and in the canopy.
CheckerCore: enhancing an FPGA soft core to capture worst-case execution times

Embedded processors have become increasingly complex, resulting in variable execution behavior and reduced timing predictability. On such processors, safe timing specifications expressed as bounds on the worst-case execution time (WCET) are generally too loose due to conservative assumptions about complex architectural features, timing anomalies and programmatic complexities. Hence, exploiting the latest architectures may not be an option for embedded systems with hard real-time constraints where deadline misses cannot be tolerated.This work addresses these shortcomings by contributing CheckerCore. CheckerCore is a mode-enhanced SPARC v8 soft core processor synthesized on an FPGA. During regular execution the core adheres to its original specifications. But when operating in a special time-checking configuration, CheckerCore executes programs irrespective of inputs and steers execution intentionally along selected control flow paths. Such execution allows systematic derivation of worst-case execution time (WCET) bounds. This paper presents the overall design and implementation of CheckerCore and also illustrates its use in deriving accurate WCET bounds for a set of embedded benchmarks. Overall, CheckerCore proposes a realistic processor core enhancement that encapsulate processor details without revealing them to users while supporting safe bounding of WCETs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first contribution of a WCET-enhancing microarchitectural feature besides full processor encapsulations.
Truth, Fear, and Lies: Exile Politics and Arrested Histories of the Tibetan Resistance

Narratives of the Tibetan resistance army are not a part of national history in the Tibetan exile community. Drawing on stories by veterans of the resistance to the Chinese invasion and the explanations they give of its absence in Tibetan national history, I argue that this history has been “arrested” because of the challenges it poses to normative versions of history and community and, in turn, to internal and external representations of Tibet. This practice signifies the postponing of narrating certain histories until a time in the future when the dangers they pose to sustaining a unified Tibetan community in exile has receded. This practice of historical (un)production offers insight into temporality and subjectivity, plural identities in the face of national hegemony, and why history might be considered a combination of truth, fear, and lies.
Introduction and oxidation of catechols during the formation of the skate ( Raja erinacea ) egg capsule

Tanning of the Raja erinacea egg capsule occurs after secretion of capsule precursors from the nidamental gland and involves the introduction of catechols and their subsequent oxidation to quinones by catechol oxidase. At the time of secretion and assembly of capsular precursors in the nidamental gland, the capsule is white, contains no catechols and lacks chemical and mechanical stability. Following formation in the nidamental gland, catechols accumulate in utero in parallel with colour development. An inactive form of catechol oxidase is incorporated in the capsular matrix at the time of secretion. Catechol oxidase activity increases concomitantly with increasing catechol content and colour development.
The Effects of Small Classes on Academic Achievement: The Results of the Tennessee Class Size Experiment

The effects of class size on academic achievement have been studied for decades. Although the results of small scale randomized experiments and large-scale econometric studies point to positive effects of small classes, some scholar have seen the evidence as ambiguous. This paper reports analyses of a 4-year, large-scale randomized experiment on the effects of class size, project STAR in Tennessee. Although implementation was not perfect, these analyses suggest that shortcomings in implementation probably led to underestimates of the effects of class size. The analyses reported here suggest class size effects that are large enough to be important for educational policy and that are quite consistent across schools. Thus, small classes appear to benefit all kinds of students in all kinds of schools.
A porcine model for fixed drug eruptions in humans: the case of antipyrine in the Yucatan micropig

To date, there is no acceptable animal model to investigate fixed drug eruptions (FDEs) in humans. We briefly report here observations suggesting that the Yucatan micropig may be a useful animal model for that purpose. During an investigation of antipyrine absorption and disposition, we observed the development of FDEs after intravenous administration of a 1 g dose. Our observations were consistent with those reported in several investigations of humans taking a single dose of antipyrine. To confirm these results, a naive micropig was challenged. A male uncastrated Yucatan micropig (27.2 kg) was given a 1 g dose of antipyrine intravenously. After 30 days, this pig was rechallenged with the same intravenous dose of antipyrine (1 g). Blood samples were obtained to examine immunological endpoints. During the initial challenge, a fluid plaque (ca. 1-1.5 cm) appeared on the left hip of the pig ca. 6 h after dosing. After the rechallenge, inflamed pink patches were observed at the same sites where the blisters formed initially; however, no blisters re-formed. Changes of neutrophil, lymphocyte and eosinophil levels from baseline were noted 8 h after challenge. The micropig did not seem otherwise affected by the FDEs. These observations suggest that the Yucatan micropig, or swine in general, may be a useful animal model for detecting drugs that may cause FDEs in humans.
Experience with Single-Sideband Mobile Equipment

An experimental vhf single-sideband equipment used for performance comparison with narrow-band fm equipment is described. Problems associated with transmitter design, transmitter power, speech compression, pilot carrier recovery, sideband detection, agc response time, and ignition noise suppression are discussed. A laboratory comparison and a field comparison of the SSB equipment and the fm equipment indicates that for comparable size equipment utilizing the same final amplifier tube, an equal service range can be obtained.
Characteristics of CALIOP attenuated backscatter noise: implication for cloud/aerosol detection

Abstract. A research algorithm is developed for noise evaluation and feature detection of the CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) Level 1 (L1) backscatter data with an emphasis on cloud/aerosol features in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UT/LS). CALIOP measurement noise of the version v2.01 and v2.02 L1 backscatter data aggregated to (5 km) horizontal resolution is analyzed with two approaches in this study. One is to compare the observed and modeled molecular scatter profiles by scaling the modeled profile (with a fitted scaling factor α) to the observed clear-sky backscatter profiles. This scaling α value is sensitive to errors in the calibrated backscatter and the atmospheric model used. Most of the nighttime 532-nm α values are close to unity, as expected, but an abrupt drop occurred in October 2008 in the daytime 532-nm α, which is likely indicative of a problem in the v2.02 daytime calibrated data. The 1064-nm night α is generally close to 2 while its day α is ~3. The other approach to evaluate the lidar measurement noise is to use the calibrated lidar backscatter data at altitudes above 19 km. With this method, the 532-nm and 1064-nm measurement noises are analyzed and characterized individually for each profile in terms of the mean (μ) and standard deviation (σ), showing larger σ values in general over landmasses or bright surfaces during day and in radiation-hard regions during night. A significant increasing trend is evident in the nighttime 1064-nm σ, which is likely responsible for the increasing difference between the feature occurrence frequencies (532-nm vs. 1064-nm) derived from this study. For feature detection with the research algorithm, we apply a σ–based method to the aggregated L1 data. The derived morphology of feature occurrence frequency is in general agreement with that obtained from the Level 2 (L2) 05 km_CLAY+05 km_ALAY products at 5 km horizontal resolution. Finally, a normalized probability density function (PDF) method is employed to evaluate the day-night backscatter data in which noise levels are largely different. CALIOP observations reveal a higher probability of daytime cloud/aerosol occurrence than nighttime in the tropical UT/LS region for 532-nm total backscatters >0.01 km−1 sr−1.
Optical Single Sideband Modulation Using Strong Optical Injection-Locked Semiconductor Lasers

We report on the experimental demonstration of optical single sideband (SSB) modulation using a directly modulated semiconductor laser under strong optical injection-locking. Modulation sidebands with 15-dB power ratio between the lower and upper sidebands have been achieved. The longer wavelength sideband is resonantly amplified by the injection-locked laser cavity mode. The radio-frequency performance of the optical SSB after 80-km fiber transmission is significantly improved compared with a typical symmetric sideband modulation of a free-running laser. A 622-Mb/s data transmission on a 20-GHz subcarrier is demonstrated over an 80-km fiber link.
Book review: Human-Computer Interaction, by Jenny Preece, Yvonne Rogers, Helen Sharp, David Benyon, Simon Holland, and Tom Carey (Addison-Wesley, 1994)

One of the most significant events at CHI '94 in Boston did not appear in the program, and although it was conspicuous to some, it probably went unnoticed by most of the attendees. Given the venue, perhaps its name made it blend into the background. At the Addison-Wesley booth in the commercial exhibits room, a textbook made its debut: Human-Computer Interaction, by Jenny Preece and five others: Yvonne Rogers, Helen Sharp, David Benyon, Simon Holland, and Tom Carey.
Brouwer’s Theorem and Sierpinski’s Theorem

In this chapter we apply the theory of orders from Chap. 8, especially Cantor’s theorem on countable dense orders, to prove two classical theorems: Brouwer’s topological characterization of the Cantor set, and Sierpinski, W.Sierpinski’s topological characterization of the rationals.
Quantification of MSH receptors on mouse melanoma tissue by receptor autoradiography.

AbstractMSH receptors on mouse melanoma tissue sections were quantified by receptor autoradiography, yielding results which were very similar to those obtained by a conventional receptor binding assay with isolated cells. In order to minimize nonspecific binding, it proved to be crucial to use a radioactive monoiodinated MSH radioligand retaining full biological activity and to apply the binding conditions developed for isolated cells to the incubation of whole tissue sections. The displacement curves obtained after quantitative analysis of autoradiograms from tissue sections yielded a KD-value of the same order of magnitude (0.58 nM; average of n=7 experiments) as those obtained in the normal binding assay with isolated cells (1.2 nM; average of n=10 experiments). Similarly, receptor numbers per cell on tissue sections (14,700; n=7) did not differ markedly from those determined with isolated cells (10,500; n=10). These results demonstrate that receptor autoradiography can be applied to the quantification...
Optical enhancements and applications of rapid atomic emission spectrometry acousto-optic deflector background correction

A glass acousto-optic deflector (AOD) is mounted in a 0.5 m spectrometer for atomic emission background correction. The system allows sequential and rapid observation of adjacent wavelengths for 'on' and 'off' atomic line background correction. Particular attention is directed to optical masking and data acquisition. While AOD components slightly degrade spectroscopic resolution, proper optical masking minimizes this problem and enhances AOD diffraction efficiency. Conversely, reduction of light throughput by masking forces a compromise in minimal useful aperture diameters. Representative atomic spectra with a neon hollow cathode lamp are presented. Utilizing appropriate AOD masking arrangements produced an increase in observed neon line widths to 0.14 nm from the 0.09 nm widths observed in the absence of the AOD. While the acousto-optic has the capability to alternate observed wavelengths in the 100 kHz range, the 3000 Hz upper frequency limit is a function of the current computer manipulation software. The best signal-to-noise ratios were obtained at higher sampling rates. Background correction was performed with a microwave-induced plasma atomic emission source. Spectral characterizations were obtained with the 425 nm scandium emission line, the sodium doublet near 589 nm and the chromium triplet in the 427 nm region. Calibration plots were obtained with solution nebulization and electrothermal vaporization. Time–detector response profiles are illustrated for electrothermally vaporized analytes.
LATE CAMBRIAN CONULARIIDS FROM WISCONSIN AND MINNESOTA

Abstract Several localities within the heterolithic facies of the St. Lawrence Formation (Upper Cambrian) of Wisconsin and Minnesota yield specimens with phosphatic exoskeletons, quadrate cross sections composed of four equidimensional faces each bearing a midline, and possible holdfast attachment during life. These specimens are here referred to the order Conulariida, class Scyphozoa. Their fine, tuberculate surface ornament and serially invaginated midline structure serve to define a new genus, Baccaconularia, to which two new species, B. robinsoni and B. meyeri, are assigned. Conularia cambria Walcott 1890, also from the Cambrian of the northern Mississippi Valley and long dismissed as a misidentified trilobite fragment, is illustrated photographically for the first time. This species occurs in rocks stratigraphically beneath the St. Lawrence Formation. Specimens assigned to this species by Walcott are conulariids, but lack features now considered diagnostic of either Conularia or Baccaconularia. Walco...
Impact of Off-Road Vehicle Use on Dune Endemic Coleoptera

Scarab diversity in the Algodones Dunes (Imperial Co., CA) was assessed using a series of light-bucket transects to ascertain the impact of off-road vehicle (ORV) use. We compared dune endemic scarab species on the dunes south of Hwy. 78 that receive intense ORV use and the populations on the protected dunes north of Hwy. 78. We also compared the total numbers of Coleoptera collected. Our data indicate that unprotected dunes experienced a significant decline in Coleoptera populations, diversity, and species evenness. These results demonstrate that ORV use has a severe negative impact on Coleoptera that inhabit sand dunes.
Future Directions for the Boston Keratoprosthesis

This chapter will review current strategies to solve the complications of Boston KPro with the aim of further improving patient outcomes in future years.
Dany Laferrière ou comment réaliser le fantasme d'écriture par les lieux communs

In his first published novel, Comment faire l'amour avec un negre sans se fatiguer (1985), Dany Laferriere fights against history and writer's block by revisiting, using, and abusing the common places of the relationship between the white woman and the black man. The writing is blatantly presented via a sexual act - the encounter of the black male with the white female - and is of jouissance, which, through multiple voices, makes the female a bearer of history. Thus, along with the story, history writes itself on the blank page, this being possible only because, as Balzac once wrote to Madame Hanska, woman and paper are both white matter that can bear anything. The woman's whiteness is restrictive; she has to be as white as the paper, and as enduring. Everything is possible with paper, and woman, just like paper, becomes the place of all promises. The question is however not about the domination of the white woman, but rather about defeating inhibition through her. As such she is the way to vanquish the page blanche, at once the blank page (writer's block) and the inhibiting white literature of the Western world. The Negre, the ghostwriter, now gets to write in his own name.
Why are they commenting on his page

This study examines what the living discuss on the Facebook profile pages of deceased loved ones and how these messages change over time. A content analysis of 2533 messages posted on ten deceased individuals' Facebook profile pages reveals that messages to the deceased reflect three themes: Processing the Death, Remembering the Deceased, and Continuing the Connection. An analysis of messages over time indicates that posts pertaining to processing the death and remembering the deceased peak immediately after loss and then decrease in frequency, while messages signaling continued connections increase with time. In discussing the results, this study seeks to expand upon Continuing Bonds theory and existing literature on grief communication online. People communicate a wide variety of messages to the deceased through Facebook.Nearly half of the posts reflect efforts to continue connections with the deceased.Messages of processing the death and remembering the deceased decrease over time.Messages of sustaining a connection with the deceased increase over time.Facebook can be used as a facilitator for maintaining bonds with the deceased.