cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimating the fundamental niche: accounting for the uneven1availability of existing climates

In the last years, studies that question important conceptual and methodological aspects in the field of ecological niche modeling (and species distribution modeling) have cast doubts on the validity of the existing methodologies. Particularly, it has been broadly discussed whether it is possible to estimate the fundamental niche of a species using presence data. Although it has being identified that the main limitation is that presence data come from the realized niche, which is a subset of the fundamental niche, most of the existing methods lack the ability to overcome it, and then, they fit objects that are more similar to the realized niche. To overcome this limitation, we propose to use the region that is accessible to the species (based on its dispersal abilities) to determine a sampling distribution in environmental space that allow us to quantify the likelihood of observing a particular environmental combination in a sample of presence points. We incorporate this sampling distribution into a multivariate normal model (Mahalanobis model) by creating a weight function that modifies the probabilities of observing an environmental combination in a sample of presences as a way to account for the uneven availability of environmental conditions. We show that the parameters of the modified, weighted-normal model can be approximated by a maximum likelihood estimation approach, and used to draw ellipsoids (confidence regions) that represent the shape of the fundamental niche of the species. We illustrate the application of our model with two worked examples: (i) using presence points of an invasive species and an accessible area that includes only its native range, to evaluate whether the fitted model predicts confirmed establishments of the species outside its native range, and (ii) using presence data of closely related species with known accessible areas to exhibit how the different dispersal abilities of the species constraint a classic Mahalanobis model. Taking into account the distribution of environmental conditions that are accessible to the species indeed affected the estimation of the ellipsoids used to model their fundamental niches.
Symposium: Religion and the Public Schools After Lee v. Weisman - Introduction

Introduction to the Case Western Reserve Law Review symposium "Religion and the Public Schools After Lee v. Weisman" 1993, Cleveland, OH
A Rainbow For Reading: A Mixed-Methods Exploratory Study On Drag Queen Reading Programs

This exploratory mixed-methods study sought to understand some of the potential psychoeducational benefits of drag queen reading programs. A short mixed-methods survey was employed that asked careg...
Information Processing: Contracts versus Communication

We consider the trade-off between imperfect control and communication in organizations. A principal anticipates receiving private information and hires an agent to take an action for her. She has the ability to contractually tie the agent's action to the state, but this control is incomplete. States not covered by a contract induce a communication game. Close alignment of interests favors communicating and, thus, ceding authority to the agent, and vice versa. Contracting increases the number of actions that can be induced through communication. Optimal contracts that do not cover all states both substitute for and facilitate communication.
The Relationship between Foot and Knee Angle and Cardiovascular Health

Joint misalignment and reduced range of motion can lead to discomfort during physical activity, thus creating a barrier to exercise. Lack of physical activity is related to cardiovascular (CV) dise...
Introductory finite elements: Theory to implementation

The Finite Element Analysis FEA method has been in practical use in industry for the last 25 or so years. Training seminars to teach FEA concept to practicing engineers using the various codes have existed for nearly the same time period. A particular drawback to the general methods used by the commercial FEA industry presupposes that an experienced engineer is looking for a design analysis tool. On the other hand, FEA now reaches a universal audience and its techniques are beginning to be taught in undergraduate engineering curricula. The problem in the academic setting is closing the loop between theory and practical use of FEA codes. For starters, schools may not have access to commercial codes, and if they do, faculty may not be well versed in the use of a particular code. Schools not having commercial codes are limited to using software that often come with textbooks. Even when commercial codes are available, there is a distinct lack of appropriate training aids that integrate the theory and practice for inexperienced practitioners. This article discusses how FEA is being taught at The University of Alabama UA in the undergraduate Mechanical Engineering department to circumvent this problem. A simple example will demonstrate the theory-to-practice connection using a commercially available code.
International Marketing (9th edition), by Michael R. Czinkota and Ilkka A. Ronkainen

International Marketing is the one organizational function that exists around the world. While global business has been in economic and financial chaos, we cannot ignore the fact that marketing is ...
Curiosities on Free Fock Spaces

We consider some curious aspects of single-species free Fock spaces, such as novel bosonization and fermionization formulae and relations to various physical properties of bosonic particles. We comment on generalizations of these properties to physically more interesting many-species free Fock spaces.
Creativity in George Herbert Mead, Edited by Pete A.Y. Gunter

George Herbert Mead was undoubtedly one of America’s most creative social theorists, and his emphasis on temporality, emergence, process, and novelty place creativity at the core of his perspective. Thus, the 1969 symposium that this volume resulted from adopted a fitting standpoint from which to address Mead’s social philosophy. The introduction by Gunter, the featured essay by Miller, and the subsequent responses to Miller’s discussion which constitute nearly one-half o f the volume ambitiously attempt to explicate the place of creativity in the work of Mead. Due to the complexity and density of Mead’s legacy, it is often difficult for the novice to apprehend concepts and positions that are fundamental to an adequate understanding of Mead’s work. Segments of this volume provide succinct discussions of some difficult concepts and as a consequence could aid the comprehension of more intricate primary material and its interpretations. Gunter’s introductory statement provides a clear summary of the social nature of symbols, the relational and processual nature of mind and self, and the importance of role taking. The discussion of social behaviorism, as Mead used it, also has merit. A point in favor of that particular discussion is that it distinguishes Mead’s behavioristic standpoint from the “Off with their heads” behaviorism advocated by Watson. This is commendable in that the two positions are often equated, despite the fact that Mead explicitly rejected Watson’s psychological reductionism. Miller’s essay, which is the nucleus of the volume, also provides a compact and succinct discussion of central but intricate and complicated features of Mead’s work. In the beginning of his essay, he addresses the centrality of the social act. His discussion of the principle of sociality, which is an essential part of Mead’s theory, is particularly well stated and could serve as a foundation for grasping more elaborated and complete discussions of this focal concept.
An Introduction to Multi-trapdoor Hash Functions and It's Applications

Abstract Trapdoor hash function is a highly useful cryptographic primitive for building a wide variety of novel signature schemes, like chameleon, online-offline, threshold, proxy, sanitizable and amortized signatures. These signature schemes form an essential part of the collection of mechanisms used for securing today's computing systems. With the advent of large-scale computing systems, like clouds, the need for building signature schemes that are both efficient and scalable has become increasingly important. This talk will discuss a cryptographic primitive, called a multi-trapdoor hash function, that is designed to address this need. The proposed hash function allows multiple entities to compute a collision with a given hash value. Using this unique property of multi-trapdoor hash functions, this talk will also present a preliminary design of aggregate signature and its application in securing clouds.
The Molecular Evolution of the Small Heat-Shock Proteins in Plants

The small heat-shock proteins have undergone a tremendous diversification in plants; whereas only a single small heat-shock protein is found in fungi and many animals, over 20 different small heat-shock proteins are found in higher plants. The small heat-shock proteins in plants have diversified in both sequence and cellular localization and are encoded by at least five gene families. In the study, 44 small heat-shock protein DNA and amino acid sequences were examined, using both phylogenetic analysis and analysis of nucleotide substitution patterns to elucidate the evolutionary history of the small heat-shock proteins. The phylogenetic relationships of the small heat-shock proteins, estimated using parsimony and distance methods, reveal the gene duplication, sequence divergence and gene conversion have all played a role in the evolution of the small heat-shock proteins. Analysis of nonsynonymous substitutions and conservative and radical replacement substitutions )in relation to hydrophobicity) indicates that the small heat-shock protein gene families are evolving at different rates. This suggests that the small heat-shock proteins may have diversified in function as well as in sequence and cellular localization.
The common α subunit of bovine glycoprotein hormones: Limited formation of native structure by the totally nonglycosylated polypeptide chain

The folding of the bovine glycoprotein hormone alpha subunit, synthesized in bacteria following insertion of the nucleotide sequence coding for this polypeptide, has been studied to determine the effect that a complete lack of carbohydrate has on this process. The bacterially derived alpha polypeptide (bac-alpha), extracted from E. coli in the presence of reductant and denaturant, had an estimated 0.2% native structure as determined by a conformationally sensitive radioimmunoassay. Upon reduction of disulfide bonds and reoxidation in air, the amount of native structure increased about 18-fold. Approximately 2% of the refolded bac-alpha preparation combines with the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG beta) to form a complex that binds to the gonadotropin receptor and elicits a biological response. Since the correct folding (by immunological criteria) of bac-alpha (ca 3%) is significantly greater than expected from a random formation of disulfide bonds (0.1%), it appears that correct folding of alpha subunit can occur in the complete absence of carbohydrate, though in very low yield. Native bovine lutropin alpha subunit (LH alpha) and chemically deglycosylated LH alpha (which retains two asparagine-linked N-acetyl glucosamine residues per alpha oligosaccharide) were subjected to the same reduction/reoxidation regimen as the bacterially produced alpha subunit. As has been reported previously [Giudice LC, Pierce, JG, J Biol Chem 251: 6392, 1976] intact LH alpha fully regained its native structure. The partially deglycosylated LH alpha also refolds to a native-like structure in high yield as assessed by immunological assays and by its ability to combine with HCG beta to form a biologically active complex. The data show that carbohydrate, while not obligatory for correct folding, greatly facilitates the formation of functional alpha subunit.
Roles of putative neurotransmitters in the regulation of gastric and intestinal slow waves in conscious dogs

Background and Aims: Slow waves play an important role in controlling the frequency and propagation of gastrointestinal contractions. However, mechanisms involved in the modulation of slow wave activity in vivo are still unclear. In this study, the roles of different neurotransmitters in the regulation of gastrointestinal slow waves were investigated in conscious dogs. Methods: Female dogs implanted with electrodes in the stomach and the small bowel were used in a seven-session study. Gastrointestinal myoelectrical activity was recorded at baseline and after i.v. saline, atropine, atropine methyl nitrate, guanethidine, Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), ondansetron or naloxone. Results: Both atropine and atropine methyl nitrate induced tachygastria, bradygastria and arrhythmia. No difference was noted in the effects between atropine and atropine methyl nitrate. L-NNA increased the dominant frequency of small-intestinal slow waves but had no effect on gastric slow waves. Guanethidine, ondansetron and naloxone did not affect the dominant frequency, power or percentage of normal gastrointestinal slow waves. Conclusion: Acetylcholine acting at muscarinic receptors seems to play an important role in the regulation of gastric slow waves. Nitric oxide may play a role in modulating intestinal slow waves but not gastric slow waves. Sympathetic pathways, 5-HT3 receptors and opioid receptors (especially μ-opioid receptors) do not play a role in the regulation of gastric or intestinal slow waves under normal physiological conditions.
Some Features of the language of the Saddharmapuarīkasūtra

L'A. reexamine les correspondances lexicales et grammaticales en mesure d'expliciter de maniere satisfaisante les elements phonetiques et morphologiques de la langue des fragments sanskrits du Saddharmapundarīkasūtra, conserves au Lushun Museum. Lors de la transmission de ce sutra, au cours des siecles, certains items lexicaux et proprietes syntaxiques du moyen indien ont ete modifies sous l'influence du sanskrit et de la creativite des auteurs bouddhistes. Pour etayer son discours, l'A. prend pour exemple l'analyse des verbes prārth- et prasthā
Persea schiedeana: A High Oil “Cinderella Species” Fruit with Potential for Tropical Agroforestry Systems

Persea schiedeana, a close relative of avocado (Persea americana), is an important part of agroforestry systems and diets in parts of Mesoamerica, particularly in the coffee growing areas of southeastern Mexico and Guatemala, where it is known as chinene, coyo, and yas. Little research attention has been given to this species, other than as a rootstock for avocado. Research carried out in six villages composing the Comite de Recursos Naturales de la Chinantla Alta (CORENCHI) in Oaxaca, Mexico shows that Persea schiedeana has potential as a supplement to avocado production in subsistence systems and as a potential oil crop in more market oriented agroforestry systems. This survey of Persea schiedeana in the Chinantla area reports on the ethnoecology and management of chinene, as well as on the morphological diversity of the fruit in the area. High morphological diversity for fruit characters was noted and it is suggested that artificial selection has occurred and been modestly successful for desired fruit characters. Superior fruiting trees, identified during village level “chinene fairs” were targeted for vegetative propagation as part of a participatory domestication project. Such superior genotypes hold potential for addressing food security and creating marketable products in tropical areas around the globe.
Field theory of the e+-H three-body system

A field-theoretic (FT) formalism is developed that describes the dynamics of the fundamental e/sup +/-H three-body system. The S-matrix elements for elastic, inelastic, and rearrangement processes are related to suitable FT Green's functions, and closed equations are obtained for these. Key quantities of the theory are three ''effective potentials,'' ..sigma.., ..xi.., and GAMMA, the fully preside over the elastic, inelastic, and rearrangement processes, respectively, and contain complete information on interchannel couplings as well. Closed equations are obtained for these, along with convenient approximation schemes, that are interpreted diagrammatically. A comparison with more conventional quantum mechanical approaches suggests that the present formalism is most suited for numerical applications, both in the subreactive and rearrangements regimes. The theory can be generalized to more complex systems, of interest to atomic physics.
Time-Dependent Solution of Multi-Segment Mass Balance Models of Contaminants in the Great Lakes

Abstract Time-dependent solutions of multi-segment mass balance models, such as Chopra's (1977) model of total phosphorus in the Great Lakes, can be found using similarity transformations, based, in most cases, on the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the model coefficient matrix. The time-dependent solution may be used to evaluate year-to-year variations in the system response to time-variable forcing, or to determine model uncertainty due to temporal variation in the model coefficients.
The isolation of a soluble type III collagen precursor from rat skin.

A soluble form of type III collagen has been isolated from the 1.0 M NaCl neutral salt soluble extract of rat skin. This component has a molecular weight of 350,000 and is converted by reduction and alkylation to three identical α-chains with molecular weight 118,000. Segment-long-spacing precipitates produced from the renatured disulfide-linked component are about 300 A longer than collagen with extensions at both the amino and carboxyl terminal ends. Pepsin treatment removes both amino and carboxyl terminal extensions. These and radioisotope incorporation data lead to the conclusion that this component is a precursor of the [αl(III)3] collagen.
Experimental Assessment of the Accuracy of an Advanced Photonic-Bandgap-Fiber Model

From scanning-electron microscope images of the cross section of a photonic-bandgap fiber (NKT Photonics' HC-1550-02) we developed a realistic model for its permittivity profile that includes all observable structural deformations in the core and in the first two rows of cladding holes. Using this more accurate index profile in our C++ full-vectorial finite-difference mode solver, we numerically studied this fiber's modal dispersion, along with the intensity profile, group index spectrum, and group-velocity dispersion spectrum of its fundamental mode. Comparisons between these predictions and their experimental counterparts measured in the fiber show good quantitative agreement for all these characteristics. On the other hand, when these structural deformations are purposely not included in the permittivity profile, the predicted and measured characteristics generally poorly match. The study demonstrates that first, accurate simultaneous predictions of several key modal characteristics of hollow-core fibers can be obtained numerically, and that although small, the aforementioned index-profile perturbations must be included in order to obtain sufficient accuracy.
Theory for the Measurement of the Earth's Velocity through the 3°K Cosmic Radiation

The intensity of radiation for an observer moving through thermal radiation is described by an anisotropic temperature $T(\ensuremath{\theta})=T{(1+\ensuremath{\beta}cos\ensuremath{\theta})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ or $(\frac{h{\ensuremath{\nu}}^{3}}{{c}^{2}})d\ensuremath{\Omega}d\ensuremath{\nu}{[\mathrm{exp}\frac{h\ensuremath{\nu}}{kT(\ensuremath{\theta})}\ensuremath{-}1]}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, where $\ensuremath{\beta}=\frac{v}{c}$. Temperature-measuring antennas measure $T(\ensuremath{\theta})$. Intensity measurements give an anisotropy between radiation along $\ensuremath{\pi}+\ensuremath{\theta}$ and $\ensuremath{\theta}$ of $\ensuremath{\beta}cos\ensuremath{\theta}$ for $(\frac{h\ensuremath{\nu}}{\mathrm{kT}})\ensuremath{\ll}1$ (the same as the temperature anisotropy), and $(\frac{h\ensuremath{\nu}}{\mathrm{kT}})\ensuremath{\beta}cos\ensuremath{\theta}$ for $(\frac{h\ensuremath{\nu}}{\mathrm{kT}})\ensuremath{\gg}1$. Examples of moving detectors and surfaces in the laboratory and in space are discussed.
Control of Contamination in Cryogenically Cooled Satellite Telescopes

I a cooled high-sensitivity infrared telescope is to be used in manned space flight, the undesirable effects of contamination on such an instrument must be understood. First, absorption and scattering can be caused by deposition of condensible gas molecules on cooled surfaces; second, radiation emission and absorption can come from solid particles and molecules surrounding the satellite. This paper is concerned with the former effect on a large infrared (IR) telescope (about 1 m in diameter) cooled to about 20 K. The primary purpose of this investigation is to estimate the effectiveness of the purge gas method of contamination control. This method attempts to drive condensible molecules from the telescope tube by venting coolant gas (helium) out the telescope tube. Numerical results are presented for the Shuttle Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) orbiting at an altitude of 350-400 km for 7-28 days, which offers sensitivities over the IjLtm to 1mm spectrum at least 1000 times greater than can be achieved from the ground.
Selectivity of coal minerals using cyclohexene as a probe reactant

The activity of several minerals, representative of those indigenous to coal, liquefaction residue ash and metal oxides, has been examined using a probe reaction, the hydrogenation of cyclohexene. The selectivity of the various minerals for isomerization and hydrogenation was determined from the cyclohexene products distribution. A complementary i.r. study using adsorbed pyridine to examine the surface acidity of the minerals was also performed and the results compared with those of the cyclohexene reaction. Finally, an attractive mechanism for the isomerization of cyclohexene to methylcyclopentenes is proposed. The activity and selectivity of the various minerals studied have implications for various types of reactions occurring in coal liquefaction, which may be catalysed by coal minerals.
Art, Identity, and the Construction of the Church of Santo Domingo in Quito

The recent rediscovery of an early seventeenth-century mural painting hidden beneath an eighteenth-century painting on canvas on the nave crossing arch of the Church of Santo Domingo provides striking visual evidence of individual and corporate identities and shifting devotional contexts at the Dominican monastery. Complementing and clarifying the visual evidence in the paintings, recently recovered archival documents confirm the identities, roles, and activities of the major protagonists in the Dominican artistic and building campaigns of the early seventeenth century.
Carbon Dynamics of Aggregate-Associated Organic Matter Estimated by Carbon-13 Natural Abundance

A major factor controlling soil organic matter dynamics is believed to be the differing degrees of protection from decomposition afforded by the spatially hierarchical organization of soil aggregate structure. Changes in the natural 13 C content and in the concentration of soil organic C resulting from the growth of C3 pasture grasses (low δ 13 C PDB ) on former C4 cropland (high δ 13 C PDB ) were used to investigate the turnover and inputs of organic C in water-stable aggregates of different sizes. After removal of free and released particulate organic matter (POM) in aggregate size separates (POM with a density ≤1.85 g cm -3 that was either exterior to aggregates in situ or released from unstable aggregates by slaking), organic C concentrations were greater in macroaggregates (>212 μm) than in microaggregates (53-212 μm). The turnover time (1/k) for C4-derived C was 412 yr for microaggregates, compared with an average turnover of 140 yr for macroaggregates, indicating that old C associated with microaggregates may be both biochemically recalcitrant and physically protected. Net input rates of C3-derived C increased with aggregate size (0.73-1.13 g kg -1 yr -1 ), supporting the concept of an aggregate hierarchy created by the binding of microaggregates into increasingly larger macroaggregates. The net input rate for microaggregates, however, was equal to the rates for small macroaggregates, suggesting that the formation and degradation of microaggregates may be more dynamic than is predicted by their stability in cultivated soils or by the observed turnover times for old C.
Time-Domain Spectral Element Method for Built-In Piezoelectric-Actuator-Induced Lamb Wave Propagation Analysis

An investigation was performed to develop a computational model based on a spectral element method to simulate piezoelectric-actuator-induced acousto-ultrasonic wave propagation in a metallic structure. The model solves the coupled electromechanical field equations simultaneously in both three-dimensional and two-dimensional plane strain conditions, and so it can accept any arbitrary waveform of electrical voltage as input to any piezoelectric transducer and produce piezoelectric sensor output in voltage as a result of the excitation generated by the transducer. Basically, the model inputs electrical voltage to actuators and outputs electrical signals of sensors. To visualize the transient dynamic wave motions in the structure generated by the transducer, the code is integrated with commercial pre/postprocessing software to provide graphical outputs of the dynamic deformations of the structure. The code was verified by comparison with experimental results. Performance of the model was examined in terms of solution convergence compared with the finite element method.
Assessment of the Reliability of Radiographic Diagnosis in a Clinical Caries Trial

A method of repeated assessment of radiographic study material was used in an attempt to develop indices of consistency and reliability. The interpretation of the coefficient of reliability was complicated by the large intersubject variability relative to examiner error. Of the various indices generated, the F tests for replications and for treatment by replication interaction are suggested as useful immediately.
Intra-aortic balloon experiments in a lumped-element hydraulic model of the circulation.

Abstract A lumped-element hydraulic model of the arterial system was designed consistent with physiologic measurements of input impedance as seen from the heart. Experiments simulated trials of intra-aortic balloons in both humans and dogs, for both liquid and gas inflation. Both the conventional ‘limp’ intra-aortic balloon and a balloon design including longitudinal mechanical constraints were tested. The ‘beamed balloon’ was found in every case to overcome a serious problem of limp balloon operation, the ‘bubble-blowing phenomenon’.
Minimally invasive partial fasciectomy for Dupuytren’s contractures

Background Numerous options exist for the treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture. This study describes the technique and early results of partial fasciectomy through a mini-incision approach as an additional treatment option for Dupuytren’s disease.
Scope and limitations of a rapid radiobromination technique

A series of model compounds has been labeled with bromine-77 using a recently described method for rapid radiobromination. Characterization of the 77 Br-labeled products has shown the technique to be unsuitable for labeling fragile molecules, such as proteins. Thus, the technique should not be considered a generally applicable radiobromination method; however, it may be a useful means of attaching radiobromine to some simple molecules which are not sensitive to oxidative conditions and do not possess multiple sites for halogenation.
Renal shielding and dosimetry for patients with severe systemic sclerosis receiving immunoablation with total body irradiation in the scleroderma: cyclophosphamide or transplantation trial

Purpose To describe renal shielding techniques and dosimetry in delivering total body irradiation (TBI) to patients with severe systemic sclerosis (SSc) enrolled in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant protocol. Methods and Materials The Scleroderma: Cyclophosphamide or Transplantation (SCOT) protocol uses a lymphoablative preparative regimen including 800 cGy TBI delivered in two 200-cGy fractions twice a day before CD34 + selected autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Lung and kidney doses are limited to 200 cGy to protect organs damaged by SSc. Kidney block proximity to the spinal cord was investigated, and guidelines were developed for acceptable lumbar area TBI dosing. Information about kidney size and the organ shifts from supine to standing positions were recorded using diagnostic ultrasound (US). Minimum distance between the kidney blocks (dkB) and the lumbar spine region dose was recorded, and in vivo dosimetry was performed at several locations to determine the radiation doses delivered. Results Eleven patients were treated at our center with an anteroposterior (AP)/posteroanterior (PA) TBI technique. A 10% to 20% dose inhomogeneity in the lumbar spine region was achieved with a minimum kidney block separation of 4 to 5 cm. The average lumbar spine dose was 179.6 ± 18.1 cGy, with an average dkB of 5.0 ± 1.0 cm. Kidney block shield design was accomplished using a combination of US and noncontrast computerized tomography (CT) or CT imaging alone. The renal US revealed a wide range of kidney displacement from upright to supine positions. Overall, the average in vivo dose for the kidney prescription point was 193.4 ± 5.1 cGy. Conclusions The dose to the kidneys can be attenuated while maintaining a 10% to 20% dose inhomogeneity in the lumbar spine area. Kidneys were localized more accurately using both US and CT imaging. With this technique, renal function has been preserved, and the study continues to enroll patients.
ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT AND THE NICHE GESTALT OF THE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER IN LONGLEAF PINE FORESTS

We use the term “optimal niche gestalt” to refer to the concept that there are structural features of the environment that allow a species to thrive over and above those that allow it to persist. Analyses of the covariation between demographic and habitat features can reveal a trajectory toward this optimal state. To help identify new criteria for foraging-habitat guidelines for the Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) in the Apalachicola National Forest, we examine seven years of demographic data for the woodpecker population and habitat in core stands, the naturally regenerated prime habitat in the centers of their territories. For both districts of the forest, two compound habitat variables are highly related to the average number of adult birds per social group, the average number of young fledged per group, and the density of groups. These variables are, first, the difference between the density of trees >35 cm dbh and that of trees 15–25 cm dbh and, second, the difference, in the ground cover...
Influence of P, Zn and Fe fertilization upon yield and protein quality of Sanilac Navy bean seed

Abstract Treatments of P, Zn and Fe fertilizers were added to a Zn deficient Wisner silty clay loam soil. Sanilac bean plants were grown as the Zn responsive test crop and tissue samples were taken 5 weeks after planting for early growth and Zn uptake responses. At maturity, yield data were obtained and composite samples of beans were taken for determination of protein quality as evaluated by percentage of N, percentage of crude protein and relative contents of essential amino acids. A growth and Zn uptake response was obtained to ZnSO4, ZnNTA and FeNTA fertilization at both P levels, while a yield response to the same treatments was obtained only at high soil P (448 kg/ha) levels. The percentage N, percentage crude protein and relative contents of essential amino acids did not change as a result of P, Zn or Fe fertilization even when yields were tripled due to Zn fertilization.
Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is required for sustained TRPM4 activity in cerebral artery smooth muscle cells.

The melastatin transient receptor potential (TRP) channel TRPM4 is a critical regulator of vascular smooth muscle cell membrane potential and contractility. Activation of the channel is Ca2+-depend...
Terminal Model Of Newtonian Dynamics

Paper presents study of theory of Newtonian dynamics of terminal attractors and repellers, focusing on issues of reversibility vs. irreversibility and deterministic evolution vs. probabilistic or chaotic evolution of dynamic systems. Theory developed called "terminal dynamics" emphasizes difference between it and classical Newtonian dynamics. Also holds promise for explaining irreversibility, unpredictability, probabilistic behavior, and chaos in turbulent flows, in thermodynamic phenomena, and in other dynamic phenomena and systems.
Effect of interferents on the performance of direct-reading organic vapor monitors

Direct-reading organic vapor monitors are often used to measure volatile organic compound concentrations in complex chemical gas mixtures. However, there is a paucity of data on the impact of multiple gases on monitor performance, even though it is known that monitor sensitivity may vary by chemical. This study investigated the effects of interferents on the performance of the MIRAN SapphIRe Portable Ambient Air Analyzer (SAP) and Century Portable Toxic Vapor Analyzer (TVA-1000) when sampling a specific agent of interest (cyclohexane). The TVA-1000 contained a dual detector: a photoionization detector (PID) and a flame ionization detector (FID). Three devices of each monitor were challenged with different combinations of cyclohexane and potential interferent vapors (hexane, methyl ethyl ketone, trichloroethylene, and toluene) at 21°C and 90% relative humidity (RH), an extreme environmental condition. Five replicates at four target concentrations were tested: 30, 150, 300, and 475 ppm. Multiple proportions...
Analysis of influences from exchange rate to pricing of China steel industry

With the implementation of open policy in China, the international trade of steel industry is highly increased between China and the global market. The exchange rate is playing a more important role in the pricing of Chinese steel industry. We aim to find out the influence of exchange rate to the pricing of China steel product. There could be different influences of exchange rates between U.S. and Chinese Yuan, Euros and Chinese Yuan, and Japanese and Chinese Yuan to the pricing of Chinese steel industry. And the exchange rates could also influence the pricing of steel products in the global market. With the findings from the research, the policies for the future export of China steel industry could be developed and the implications could also be helpful to producers, exporters and government policy makers with in the future decisions.
A Quality Assurance Initiative Targeting Radiation Exposure to Neuroscience Patients in the Intensive Care Unit

Background:Patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with a primary neurologic disorder often receive multiple radiation-based diagnostic studies of the head and neck. Although radiation ex...
Elective Surgery for Diverticulitis is Associated with High Risk of Intestinal Diversion and Hospital Readmission in Older Adults

This study seeks to compare outcomes (in-hospital mortality, colostomy rates, and 30-day readmission rates) in older adult patients undergoing emergency/urgent versus elective surgery for diverticulitis. Data were derived from the 100% Medicare Provider Analysis and Review (MEDPAR) inpatient file from 2004–2007. All patients 65 years of age and above with a primary diagnosis of diverticulitis that underwent left colon resection, colostomy, or ileostomy were included. The primary outcome variable was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcome variables included intestinal diversion, 30-day post-discharge readmission rates, discharge destination, length of stay, and total charges. Patients were grouped in two categories for comparison: emergent/urgent (EU) versus elective surgery, as defined by admission type. Multivariate analysis was performed adjusting for age (categorized by five groups), gender, race, and medical comorbidity as measured by Charlson Index. Fifty-three thousand three hundred sixteen individuals were eligible for inclusion, with 23,764 (44.6%) in the elective group. On average, EU patients were older (76.8 vs. 73.9 years of age, p < 0.001) and less likely to be female (65.4% vs. 71.1%, p < 0.001). EU patients had higher in-hospital mortality (8.0% vs. 1.4%, p < 0.001), higher intestinal diversion rates (64.2% vs. 12.7%, p < 0.001), and higher 30-day readmission rates (21.4% vs. 11.9%, p < 0.001) and the worse outcomes persisted even after adjustment for risk factors. Unadjusted and adjusted mortality rates dramatically increased by age, although the affect of age on mortality was more pronounced in the elective group where mortality rates ranged from 0.56% in patients 65–69 years old to 6.5% in patients 85+ years old. The rates of ostomy and 30-day readmission generally increased with age, with worse outcomes noted particularly in the elective group. As expected, older adults undergoing emergent/urgent surgical treatment for diverticulitis have significantly increased risks of poor outcomes compared with elective patients. While advancing age is associated with a substantial increase in mortality, intestinal diversion and 30-day readmission after surgery for diverticulitis, this affect is especially evident among patients undergoing elective colectomy. Our data suggest that given the considerable risk of prophylactic colon resection in elderly patients with sigmoid diverticulitis, a reappraisal of the proper role of elective colectomy in this population may be warranted.
Synchronization in complex oscillator networks and smart grids

The emergence of synchronization in a network of coupled oscillators is a fascinating topic in various scientific disciplines. A widely adopted model of a coupled oscillator network is characterized by a population of heterogeneous phase oscillators, a graph describing the interaction among them, and diffusive and sinusoidal coupling. It is known that a strongly coupled and sufficiently homogeneous network synchronizes, but the exact threshold from incoherence to synchrony is unknown. Here, we present a unique, concise, and closed-form condition for synchronization of the fully nonlinear, nonequilibrium, and dynamic network. Our synchronization condition can be stated elegantly in terms of the network topology and parameters or equivalently in terms of an intuitive, linear, and static auxiliary system. Our results significantly improve upon the existing conditions advocated thus far, they are provably exact for various interesting network topologies and parameters; they are statistically correct for almost all networks; and they can be applied equally to synchronization phenomena arising in physics and biology as well as in engineered oscillator networks, such as electrical power networks. We illustrate the validity, the accuracy, and the practical applicability of our results in complex network scenarios and in smart grid applications.
Dreaming and habitual sleep duration.

Summary.-By demonstrating that habitual short-sleeping university students were less likely to report dreaming but were more likely to experience unpleasant dreams than their long-sleeping peers, we replicated Hartmann's 1973 results. In discussing his research on the relationships between personality and habitual sleep duration in adults, Hartmann (1973) observed that longer-sleepers exhibited greater amounts of more intense D-(REM) sleep, reported a significantly higher frequency of home dreams per week, and made longer dream reports, with significantly more primary process content, after laboratory awakenings than their short-sleeping peers. To our knowledge the differences that Hartmann reported between the quantity and the quality of the dreams of long- and short-sleeping adults have not been replicated and that was the purpose of this study. First, we asked a large group of college undergraduates to respond to a questionnaire which contained critical items on sleep habits and dreams. From this group, we identified 252 long-sleepers, i.e., students who habitudy slept 18 hours per night and 336 short-sleepers, i.e., students who habitually slept 16 hours per might. All of these students reported that, in general, they were satisfied with their sleep and that their current sleep duration had been established for at least the preceding six-month period. We tabulated these students' responses to a set of questions related to dreaming. To the question "Did you dream last night?", the frequencies of the yes-no responses for the long- and short-sleeping groups were 170 yes and 82 no and 191 yes and 145 no, respectively. The difference between these yes-no distributions is significant (X,Z = 6.84, p< .01). TO the question "Was your dream experience last night pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant?", for the 170 long-sleepers and 191 short-sleepers who reported dreaming during this period 84 long- and 81 short-sleepers reported pleasant dreams, 39 long- and 44-short sleepers reported unpleasant dreams, and the remainder of this group classified this experience as neutral. The difference between these distributions is not significant (X22 = .62). In addition to these questions, we asked three questions that measured aspects of these individuals' typical dream experiences. The frequencies of the yes-no responses to the question "DO you usually dream?" were 239 and 13 for the long-sleepers and 296 and
DNA Solution of the Maximal Clique Problem

The maximal clique problem has been solved by means of molecular biology techniques. A pool of DNA molecules corresponding to the total ensemble of six-vertex cliques was built, followed by a series of selection processes. The algorithm is highly parallel and has satisfactory fidelity. This work represents further evidence for the ability of DNA computing to solve NP-complete search problems.
Gender-fair psychotherapy in the United States: A possible dream?

Since Freud's era, women have been counseling and psychotherapy's largest consumers. White Freud talked and wrote almost exclusively about men, his patients were primarily women. This practice of treating women as patients, while perceiving men as the prevailing standard for percept and practice has resulted in the largely androcentric or mate-determined psychology of human behavior which we have today (Denmark, 1980; Hare-Mustin, 1983). A number of studies commencing with the Broverman's work in the 1970(s) has demonstrated that psychotherapists, for the most part, share the same sex role biases toward women as the rest of society (Broverman et al., 1970; Fabrikant, 1973, 1974; Nickerson, 1978; Orlinsky & Howard, 1980). Most disconcerting, however, is a recent extensive replication of the Brovermans' study (O'Malley & Richardson, 1985), using 249 counselors, which found that they still described males and females in stereotypic ways, though they did attribute some female designated traits to healthy adults. The evidence regarding the measured effects of therapists' attitudes, whether reportedly biased or gender-fair, however, is mixed in nature and replete with methodological problems (Maffeo, 1979; Marachek & Johnson, 1980; Orlinsky & Howard, 1980; Smith, 1980; Whiteley, 1979); as is the evidence for effectiveness of therapy generally (Garfield, 1981). Some have argued that a counselor's values and expectations do not matter, as long as she or he is aware and does not impose them (Smith, 1980; Whiteley, 1979). It would seem equally probable, based on other evidence that choice of therapeutic goals and processes can be influenced by the therapist's expectations (Brovermans et al., 1970; Nickerson, 1978; O'Malley & Richardson, 1985). The crucial point is that in a sexist society (Such as the United States), it is improbable that anyone without special non-sexist, gender-fair training can adequately aid women in exercising their independence and selecting their goals. Hence, a format is presented for insuring the dream of gender-fair counseling through the inclusion of appropriate training experiences and materials.
Facilitating the Adoption of Unstructured High-Order Methods Amongst a Wider Community of Fluid Dynamicists

Theoretical studies and numerical experiments suggest that unstructured high-order methods can provide solutions to otherwise intractable fluid flow problems within complex ge- ometries. However, it remains the case that existing high-order schemes are generally less robust and more complex to implement than their low-order counterparts. These issues, in conjunction with difficulties generating high-order meshes, have limited the adoption of high-order techniques in both academia (where the use of low-order schemes remains widespread) and industry (where the use of low-order schemes is ubiquitous). In this short review, issues that have hitherto pre- vented the use of high-order methods amongst a non-specialist community are identified, and cur- rent efforts to overcome these issues are discussed. Attention is focused on four areas, namely the generation of unstructured high-order meshes, the development of simple and efficient time integration schemes, the development of robust and accurate shock capturing algorithms, and fi- nally the development of high-order methods that are intuitive and simple to implement. With regards to this final area, particular attention is focused on the recently proposed flux reconstruc- tion approach, which allows various well known high-order schemes (such as nodal discontinuous Galerkin methods and spectral difference methods) to be cast within a single unifying framework. It should be noted that due to the experience of the authors the review is directed somewhat to- wards aerodynamic applications and compressible flow. However, many of the discussions have a wider applicability. Moreover, the tone of the review is intended to be generally accessible, such that an extended scientific community can gain insight into factors currently pacing the adoption of unstructured high-order methods.
Attitudes Toward Premarital Sex in Contemporary Vietnam: Findings from a National Survey

ABSTRACT Despite growing concerns over increasingly relaxed sexual culture in Vietnam, population-based research that investigates the openness to premarital sex in contemporary Vietnam remains scarce. Using data from the Vietnam Population and AIDS Indicator Survey 2005, this study examined the acceptance toward premarital sex and documented significant differences in attitudes by gender, age, and marital status. Attitudes of Vietnamese toward premarital sex generally remained conservative. Men were more permissive than women. Among both male and female respondents, higher acceptance levels were reported to men's practice of premarital sex than to women's same practice. Unmarried respondents were more open than those who were married. A growing openness toward premarital sex among the younger age was found only among the married. Results suggest the coexistence of traditional values and a growing permissiveness toward premarital sex in Vietnam.
The distribution of zinc in selected soils in Louisiana 1

Abstract The zinc (Zn) content of ten selected soils in Louisiana was partitioned into the following fractions: water‐soluble, exchangeable, chelated, organic and residual. In seven of the soils, water‐soluble > exchangeable < chelated < organic < residual Zn. In three of the soils, water‐soluble < exchangeable < chelated < organic < residual Zn. The ten soils contained an average of 1.7, 0.9, 2.6, 4.4 and 86.4 per cent of the total in the water‐soluble, exchangeable, chelated, organic and residual mineral Zn fractions respectively.