cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reliability and Utilization Evaluation of a Cloud Computing System Allowing Partial Failures

Maintaining high reliability and device utilization in a cloud computing system (CCS) is crucial to any cloud service provider who will face high penalties and lose revenues if they fail to be good at both. This study proposes that allowing device partial failure in a CCS for graceful service degrading would help to obtain higher system reliability and device utilization without purchasing extra resource for the system. A model is created to represent such a multi-state system composed of multi-state devices. The system model is evaluated with Non-sequential Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) on its reliability and device utilization. The preliminary results positively suggest that introducing and adding device multi-state increases the CCS reliability against device failures during simulation. Also, for the less reliable devices, like HDD, the results recommended a higher multi-state to compensate for their vulnerability and negative effect on system performance. A utilization index along all device dimensions is proposed in this research for a wise decision about maintaining a well-balanced and high utilized system at a lower cost.
The electrochemical aspects of some biochemical systems—VIII. The “coulokinetic” behaviour of growing E. coli

The growth behaviour of E. coli has been compared with the current obtained during their metabolism of glucose and some of its metabolic intermediates. It was found that current is not produced until the micro-organisms enter the rapid phase of their growth cycle. The results of a comparison of the maximum growth obtained, and the rate of increase of the number of organisms formed during the rapid phase of growth with the coulombic outputs for each of the various substrates, indicated that the Embden-Meyerholf pathway was essentially the route taken by these growing organisms. These findings differ quantitatively from those obtained when E. coli, harvested in the stationary phase of their growth cycle, were used for studies on glucose metabolism. Under these circumstances it was found that 77 per cent of the oxidation occurred via the Embden-Meyerhof pathway and 23 per cent via the “pentose-phosphate shunt”.
Thinking within the D box: initial identification of Cdh1-APC substrates in the nervous system.

Abstract The anaphase-promoting complex (APC) has a well-established role in cell cycle control, but recent exciting evidence has uncovered unexpected neurobiological functions for this complex E3 ubiquitin ligase. With its co-activator Cdh1, APC’s effects upon the nervous system range from regulation of axon growth and patterning to development of synapses to neuronal survival. The Cdh1–APC substrates that control these biological processes in neurons are just beginning to be identified. These findings may offer a glimpse of the wide spectrum of neural activities that are orchestrated by Cdh1–APC.
Air-to-air combat analysis - Review of differential-gaming approaches

The problem of evaluating the combat performance of fighter/attack aircraft is discussed, and the mathematical nature of the problem is examined. The following approaches to air combat analysis are reviewed: (1) differential-turning differential game and (2) coplanar differential game. Selected numerical examples of these approaches are presented. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each are analyzed, and it is concluded that air combat analysis is an extremely difficult mathematical problem and that no one method of approach is best for all purposes. The paper concludes with a discussion of how the two approaches might be used in a complementary manner.
Cementitious material models for simulating projectile impact effects

Abstract Digital simulation of structural components of brittle cementitious materials like concrete subjected to blast and/or high-velocity impact are problems of high complexity. In the current asymmetric war environment around the globe, there is significant interest to study the performance of concrete panels as armor material in resisting the ballistic impact of projectiles of different types and impact velocities. Extensive experimental solution to the problem is not realistic, because it can be very expensive and highly time consuming. To be able to predict the behavior corresponding to the myriads of possibilities, reliable numerical simulations by a discrete numerical method is the sensible alternative. Different material models have been used over the past two decades to realistically simulate the behavior of concrete under dynamic, highly localized, high-velocity impact conditions. The present study gives an overview of the mechanics of such effects, identify the most popular material models that have been tried recently to properly predict the behavior through finite element simulations, present an improved model for superior prediction of response, and validate the proposed model using example problems for which experimental results are generated by way of actual impact tests.
Detection of thermal stress in insulators by thermomechanical analysis

Abstract The expansion properties of samples of filled and unfilled, crosslinked low density polyethylene and ethylene-propylene insulation material have been studied by thermomechanical analysis. Both axial and radial expansion coefficients of the preformed insulation were evaluated. Release of the frozen in strains in the axial direction was noted. Reheating directly after cooling of a sample did not indicate rapid recovery of frozen in strains. Axial strains were found to be translated to the radial direction as would be expected. However, in crosslinked material the return of axial stress was noted in as little as a week after heating. Holding the sample at elevated temperatures (below the melting or glass point) was found to accelerate the rate of stress build up. It is postulated that this effect may be due to interaction between crosslinks and crystallizing regions.
Soil Fumigation within Monoculture and Rotations: Response of Corn and Mycorrhizae

The causative factors for corn (Zea mays L.) response to methyl bromide (CH 3 Br) fumigation, in the absence of known specific pathogens, are unknown. This study was conducted to determine if deleterious nonspecific rhizosphere microorganisms are the causative agents. Soil fumigation was postulated to increase yield of continuous corn but to have less effect on the yield of corn grown in rotation, because more deleterious rhizosphere microorganisms were suspected in monoculture than in rotation. The effects of fumigation and crop rotation on corn grain yield, plant height and P content, available soil N and P, mycorrhizal infection, and soil microbial biomass were investigated at two sites near Mead, NE, on a Sharpsburg silty clay loam soil (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudoll) [...]
Cortical projections from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of cats

Lesions were placed in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of cats (LGN) and cortical degeneration studied with a modified Nauta method. Besides local degeneration attributable to the electrode track, dense projections to Areas 17 and 18 ipsilateral to the lesion were found. Medium or dense degeneration was found on both banks of the suprasylvian fissure ipsilaterally and light degeneration widely distributed in Area 19 and on the suprasylvian and posterior ectosylvian gyri. In addition to commissural degeneration homotopic to the electrode track, degenerating fibers were found in the visual areas of the opposite hemisphere, suggesting the presence of a crossed geniculo-cortical pathway.
Overview and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The effects of the implementation of an international human-rights treaty are not readily measured. To attribute causality to a single convention or even to a series of actions triggered by the application of that convention is difficult. Despite the challenges inherent to this type of enquiry the UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre has undertaken a 3-year study on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) (panel). Our preliminary findings to be published in full at the end of this year show that a considerable process of social change has been set in motion. The study which encompasses 62 countries from all parts of the world is largely based on the reports of States Parties to the CRC Committee and the Committees concluding comments on them. It addresses the general measures of implementation of the Convention which include law reform; establishment of national independent human-rights institutions for children national plans of action and coordinating bodies; allocation of resources for children; monitoring mechanisms on implementation of the Convention; awareness raising and advocacy; and measurement of the involvement of civil society including children in the realisation of childrens rights. (excerpt)
Pneumocephalus After Resection of a Lung Cancer With Posterior Chest Wall Involvement

Pneumocephalus after resection of intrathoracic tumors is an extremely rare event. A delayed presentation of iatrogenic subarachnoid pleural fistula resulted in symptomatic pneumocephalus after resection of a locally recurrent T4N0 nonsmall cell lung cancer involving the chest wall, T2 to T4 rib heads, and intercostal vertebral foramina. Progressive neurologic decline was noted 3 weeks after discharge. Computed tomography of the head and chest confirmed the presence of an apical pleural space, thoracic subarachnoid air, and pneumocephalus. Immediate clinical improvement followed chest tube decompression of the pleural space.
Clinical evaluation of two adhesive composite cements for the suppression of dentinal cold sensitivity

Abstract Statement of Problem. Postoperative cold sensitivity after the cementation of indirect restorations with composite cements has been reported frequently but not scientifically documented. Purpose. This controlled clinical study was designed to simulate the dentin/composite cement interface immediately after cementation of a cast restoration. The desensitizing capabilities of a composite cement that contains a self-etching, dual-polymerizing resin adhesive system were compared with those of a composite cement that use phosphoric acid etching followed by a single-bottle, light-activated primer/resin-based adhesive. Material and Methods. The hypersensitive root surfaces of selected teeth were randomized to receive 1 of 3 treatments: coating with a self-etching adhesive (Linkmax) and its respective cement, coating with a conventionally etched adhesive (RelyX ARC) and its cement, or no treatment (negative control). The sample size was 22. Dentin sensitivity was ascertained with an accurate cold testing device that slowly decreased in temperature. Tooth sensitivity was measured both immediately and at 7 days after placement. Two-way analysis of variance and Fisher's least significant difference test ( P Results. Immediately after placement, the self-etching adhesive and its respective cement resulted in more suppression of cold sensitivity than no treatment (control); with Linkmax treatment, the temperature at which teeth responded was reduced by 8.4°C. The conventionally etched adhesive and its cement reduced the temperature at which teeth responded by 9.4°C. After 1 week, these temperature reductions were 7.0°C and 4.3°C, respectively. Untreated controls at the 2 intervals showed a mean decrease in sensitivity to cold of 3.6°C and 4.1°C. Statistical analysis showed type of composite cement to be a significant factor. Conclusion. Within the limitations of this study and in comparison to untreated control teeth, Linkmax treatment resulted in a significant reduction in tooth root sensitivity over 1 week ( P =.02), whereas RelyX ARC did not ( P =.066). (J Prosthet Dent 2002;88:50-3.)
Characterization of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins produced in the rat central nervous system.

Insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBP) are thought to modulate the biological actions of the insulin-like growth factors (IGF), including possible regulatory roles in the growth and differentiation of the central nervous system. Extracellular fluids usually contain a mixture of IGFBPs, three of which have been cloned, sequenced, and designated IGFBP-1, -2, and -3. We used Western ligand blotting, immunoprecipitation, and competitive binding analysis to characterize IGFBPs found in fetal and adult rat cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and IGFBPs produced by cultures of neonatal rat choroid plexus, astrocytes, and C6 glial cells. Pooled rat CSF contains primarily IGFBP-2 (a narrow band at Mr = 29,000), lesser quantities of IGFBP-3 (a multicomponent broad band at Mr = 37,500–43,000), and trace amounts of low mol wt IGFBPs. Conditioned medium from cultures of choroid plexus cells contained a single binding protein corresponding to IGFBP-2, whereas C6 cells made predominately an IGFBP corresponding to IGF...
Rubidium as a Marker and Simulated Inoculum for the Black-Faced Leafhopper, Graminella nigrifrons, the Primary Vector of Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus of Corn

Aqueous sprays of rubidium chloride (RbCl) were applied to host plants of the black-faced leafhopper Graminella nigrifrons (Forbes) for determining the feasibility of Rb tagging in monitoring the rate of maize chlorotic dwarf virus (MCDV) dispersal by its leafhopper vector. Concentrations up to 18,000 ppm RbCl had no effect on mortality or development of the vector species. The properties of plant uptake and translocation of Rb provide a new mechanism for MCDV dispersal studies since Rb can be acquired by G. nigrifrons in a manner similar to virus acquisition and detected in vectors during a time span corresponding to the inoculative period for MCDV. Detection of Rb levels in vectors was easily facilitated by X-ray fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy.
Keeping the entropy of measurement: Szilard revisited

What happens to von Neumann's entropy of measurement after we get the outcome? It becomes entropy of erasure. This is cribbed from Szilard (1929). Also, two errors in that celebrated paper are corrected.
Development and characterization of an electrochemical cell with improved high-frequency response for voltammetric applications

Abstract An electrochemical cell design is described for rapid voltammetric experiments at a hanging mercury drop electrode. The design features contact between the reference electrode and the sample solution by means of an annular ring surrounding the base of the hanging mercury drop electrode hanger. This configuration allows reliable placement with one-time alignment of the reference electrode very close to the working electrode for minimization of uncompensated resistance, in a zone of reduced iR drop due to shielding by the drop hanger assembly. Minimization of uncompensated resistance allows facile improvement of frequency response of the cell by a factor of five to sevenfold over the conventional geometry. The approach affords considerably greater convenience in hanging mercury drops than feasible with the traditional Luggin probe geometry, since the annular reference electrode placement does not block access to the electrode. Performance of the cell design is evaluated and compared to performance with a standard Luggin probe of variable geometry by means of cell transfer function measurements and cyclic voltammetric measurements at high scan rates.
Stratiform precipitation production over sub‐Saharan Africa and the tropical East Atlantic as observed by TRMM

Convective systems over sub-Saharan Africa and the tropical East Atlantic have distinct geographical and seasonal variations in convective intensity and stratiform precipitation production as observed by the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar. Over the East Atlantic, convective rain rates are lower and the percentage of total rain that is stratiform is higher compared to over West Africa. In addition, the East Atlantic has more shallow precipitating convection and less non-precipitating anvil than sub-Saharan Africa. During the monsoon season, convective rain rates and the percentage of area covered by anvil decrease while the stratiform rain fraction and number of shallow convective cells increase in both regions compared to the pre-monsoon season. These observations suggest that convective sustainability, i.e. the ability of a region to continually support convection, helps determine whether a robust stratiform rain area or non-precipitating anvil forms. In addition to convective sustainability, wind shear and the Saharan Air Layer appear to play important roles in the formation and extent of the stratiform components of convective cloud systems. Strong winds associated with the African Easterly Jet and dry intrusions from the Sahara Desert may increase sublimation and evaporation at mid levels, resulting in less stratiform rain. Strong upper-level shear associated with the African Easterly Jet may further hinder stratiform rain production by displacing hydrometeors that form in the convective cells beyond the area of mesoscale rain formation. When the upper-level Tropical Easterly Jet strengthens during the monsoon season, upper-level shear is reduced dramatically and stratiform rain areas form in preference to non-raining anvil. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Purification and properties of violaxanthin de-epoxidase from spinach

Abstract The enzyme violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE) catalyzes the conversion of violaxanthin (V) to antheraxanthin (A) and zeaxanthin (Z). It has been purified 194-fold with a yield of 1.4% from a sonicate of thylakoids of Spinacea oleracea to a specific activity of 19 μmol Z + A/min per mg protein. Purification steps included chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex, hydrophobic interaction chromatography on Butyl Sepharose, isoelectric-focusing, and gel filtration on Sephadex G-100. A single peptide band of 43.3 kDa was detected on SDS-PAGE, the apparent molecular mass of native enzyme was 45.8 kDa by gel filtration, and the pI was 4.95 on isoelectric focusing. The enzyme required ascorbate for activity, had a pH optimum of 5.2 and was stimulated three-fold by the addition of monogalactosyldi-acylglycerol (MGDG). The K m s for V and A were 5 and 5.3 μM, respectively. VDE was inhibited 50% by dithiothreitol (DTT), mercaptoethanol, cysteine and o -phenanthroline at 0.055, 0.68, 2.7 and 0.025 mM, respectively. With both DTT and o -phenanthroline, the rate of conversion of V to A was relatively unchanged whereas the conversion of A to Z was 50–80% inhibited. The enzyme also exhibited product inhibition by Z.
Interleukin-1β-induced Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression Requires Activation of Both c-Jun NH2-terminal Kinase and p38 MAPK Signal Pathways in Rat Renal Mesangial Cells

The inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) induces cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) expression with a concomitant release of prostaglandins from glomerular mesangial cells. We reported previously that IL-1β rapidly activates the c-Jun NH2-terminal/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and also induces Cox-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. The current study demonstrates that overexpression of the dominant negative form of JNK1 or p54 JNK2/SAPKβ reduces Cox-2 expression and PGE2 production stimulated by IL-1β. Similarly, overexpression of the kinase-dead form of p38 MAPK also inhibits IL-1β-induced Cox-2 expression and PGE2production. These results suggest that activation of both JNK/SAPK and p38 MAPK is required for Cox-2 expression after IL-1β activation. Furthermore, our experiments confirm that IL-1β activates MAP kinase kinase-4 (MKK4)/SEK1, MKK3, and MKK6 in renal mesangial cells. Overexpression of the dominant negative form of MKK4/SEK1 decreases IL-1β- induced Cox-2 expression with inhibition of both JNK/SAPK and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. Overexpression of the kinase-dead form of MKK3 or MKK6 demonstrated that either of these two mutant kinases inhibited IL-1β-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation and Cox-2 expression but not JNK/SAPK phosphorylation and activation. This study suggests that the activation of both JNK/SAPK and p38 MAPK signaling cascades is required for IL-1β-induced Cox-2 expression and PGE2synthesis.
Juvenile granulosa cell tumor of the testis: Report of two cases in newborns

Two juvenile granulosa cell tumors in the testes of two newborns are described. The lesion, though rare, should be considered whenever a cystic testicular mass is encountered in newborns or young infants. Orchidectomy is the only treatment required because local recurrence or metastases have never been observed. Karyotyping of the patient is essential when the external genitalia are abnormal.
Impact of obsessive-compulsive disorder on the antimanic response to olanzapine therapy in youth with bipolar disorder.

Joshi G, Mick E, Wozniak J, Geller D, Park J, Strauss S, Biederman J. Impact of obsessive-compulsive disorder on the antimanic response to olanzapine therapy in youth with bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2010: 12: 196–204. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objective: To compare antimanic response to olanzapine therapy in youth with bipolar disorder (BPD) based on the status of comorbidity with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Methods: Secondary analysis of identically designed 8-week open-label trials of olanzapine therapy in youth with BPD. Severity of mania assessed with the Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scales. Results: Of the 52 BPD subjects (mean age 8.4 ± 3.1 years) enrolled in the olanzapine trials (mean dose 8.5 ± 4.3 mg/day), 39% (n = 20) met criteria for comorbid OCD. Antimanic response in BPD subjects was significantly worse in the presence of comorbid OCD (YMRS mean reduction: −5.9 ± 13.1 versus −13.7 ± 18.8, p = 0.04; ≥ 30% reduction: 25% versus 63%, p = 0.008; CGI-Improvement score ≤ 2: 25% versus 68%, p = 0.003). There was no difference in the rate of dropouts (50% versus 29%, p = 0.2) or adverse effects in BPD subjects with or without comorbid OCD. Conclusions: Less than expected antimanic response to olanzapine therapy in the presence of comorbidity with OCD suggests that OCD is an important functionally impairing psychiatric comorbidity that may impact the efficacy of antimanic agents in youth with BPD. This study is limited by its design of secondary analysis of data from trials of an uncontrolled nature. Further prospective controlled trials are warranted.
Phenylethynyl containing imide oligomers

As part of a program to develop high performance/high temperature adhesives and composite matrices for a Mach 2.4 high speed civil transport, imide oligomers containing phenylethynyl groups were investigated. Phenylethynyl groups were placed on the ends of oligomers of different molecular weights (1250, 2500 and 5000 g/mol), pendent along the backbone of oligomers and both pendent and terminal on oligomers. Many different compositions of phenylethynyl containing imide oligomers had been previously prepared and evaluated before selecting the composition based upon 3,3'.4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxcylic dianhydride (BPDA), 3.4'-oxydianiline (3,4'-ODA) and 1,3-bis(3-aminophenoxy)benzene (APB) for extensive work. 4-Phenylethynylphthalic anhydride (PEPA) was used to place phenylethynyl groups on the ends of the oligomers and 3,5-diamino-4'-phenylethynylbenzophenone (DPEB) was used to introduce pendent phenylethynyl groups along the oligomeric backbone. Upon heating above 300 C, the phenylethynyl groups react to provide chain extension, branching and cross linking. Several of these materials exhibited excellent properties as adhesives and composite matrices. The chemistry, processability and properties of the oligomers, the cured polymers, bonded specimens and composites from phenylethynyl containing oligomers are presented.
A novel microdissection approach to recovering mycobacterium tuberculosis specific transcripts from formalin fixed paraffin embedded lung granulomas.

Microdissection has been used for the examination of tissues at DNA, RNA, and protein levels for over a decade. Laser capture microscopy (LCM) is the most common microdissection technique used today. In this technique, a laser is used to focally melt a thermoplastic membrane that overlies a dehydrated tissue section1. The tissue section composite is then lifted and separated from the membrane. Although this technique can be used successfully for tissue examination, it is time consuming and expensive. Furthermore, the successful completion of procedures using this technique requires the use of a laser, thus limiting its use. A new more affordable and practical microdissection approach called mesodissection is a possible solution to the pitfalls of LCM. This technique employs the MESO-1/MeSectr system to mill the desired tissue from a slide mounted tissue sample while concurrently dispensing and aspirating fluid to recover the desired tissue sample into a consumable mill bit. Before the dissection process begins, the user aligns the formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) slide with a hematoxylin and eosin stained (H&E) reference slide. Thereafter, the operator annotates the desired dissection area and proceeds to dissect the appropriate segment. The program generates an archived image of the dissection. The main advantage of mesodissection is the short duration needed to dissect a slide, taking an average of ten minutes from set up to sample generation in this experiment. Additionally, the system is significantly more cost effective and user friendly. A slight disadvantage is that it is not as precise as laser capture microscopy. In this article we demonstrate how mesodissection can be used to extract RNA from slides from FFPE granulomas caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb).
The influence of adenine content on the properties of Q-CdS clusters stabilized by polynucleotides

Abstract In this work the nature of the interaction between quantum-confined cadmium sulfide (Q-CdS) clusters and either single or double-stranded polynucleotide stabilizers of varying nucleic acid base composition is investigated. We specifically focus here on the influence of adenine content on cluster size, photoluminescence behavior, and the relative ability of these small particles to increase in average diameter upon conditions of mild heating. Thermolysis of Q-CdS/polynucleotide samples affects the interfacial interaction between cluster and stabilizer giving rise to a shift in the emission maximum, a change in luminescence quantum yield, and in some cases an increase in average size. For a fixed set of reactant concentrations, Q-CdS stabilized by polyadenylic acid (Poly[A]) and other adenine-rich polynucleotides are unique in stabilizing the formation of smaller clusters with an average diameter near 38 A under ambient conditions, but Poly[A]-stabilized Q-CdS clusters readily fuse to larger (about 60 A) clusters upon mild heating. In contrast, Q-CdS stabilized by other types of single-stranded hompolymers (Poly[U], [G], and [C]) as well as double-stranded calf thymus and Escherichia coli deoxyribonucleic acids form somewhat larger clusters during intitial synthesis and typically exhibit greater protection against radical changes in size upon thermolysis.
Existence and stability of strong potential double layers

An elementary integral equation technique is used to construct strong and weak stationary shock solutions from the one-dimensional Vlasov equation. It is shown that the plasma is Penrose stable in all points in space under certain conditions.
Speaking on Behalf of Others: A Qualitative Study of the Perceptions and Feelings of Adolescent Latina Language Brokers

Children of Latino immigrants are often called upon to interpret and mediate linguistic and cultural information for adults in a process termed language brokering. The present qualitative study examined the experiences of nine female first- and second-generation Latina adolescent language brokers. Results showed that mothers were the persons for whom participants translated the most. In addition, school-related issues were the most frequently reported reason for brokering activities as well as the most stressful. Age, gender, and birth order influenced the range of brokering experiences, whereas language fluency influenced the frequency of brokering experiences. Additionally, the presence of another sibling who brokered was related to fluency. Finally, participants reported several familial responsibilities, other than language brokering, as being more important contributions to their families’ well-being. The findings are discussed in terms of how language brokering affects the academic and linguistic activities as well as the family roles of young Latinas.
A Decision-Support System for Prioritizing Restoration Sites on the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain

Conversion of forested wetlands to agricultural use and the resulting fragmentation of the landscape has led to concerns for the functional integrity of the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain ecosystem. We describe an effort spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy to initiate a multi-decade partnership dedicated to creating and implementing a viable, cooperative, landscape-level restoration project in the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain. Important phases of the process during the first 5 years were (1) initiation of the development of an extensive network of partners, including state and federal agencies, private land owners, conservation groups, academicians, and other interested citizens; (2) development of a geographic information system (GIS) for the entire extent of the ecosystem; and (3) for one watershed, the Tensas basin in northeastern Louisiana, refinement of a high resolution GIS to generate more detailed land-use conversion statistics to demonstrate the feasibility of a semi-objective, landscape-scale restoration planning procedure, including methodology for prioritization of existing wetland forest patches and areas most suitable for reforestation and connection via corridors. La conversion de humedales boscosos a campos agricolas y la fragmentacion del paisaje resultante es motivo de preocupacion respecto a la integridad funcional del ecosistema Llanura Aluvial del Rio Mississippi. Describimos un esfuerzo encabezado por The Nature Conservancy para iniciar una asociacion dedicada a crear e instrumentar un proyecto de restauracion de la Planicie Aluvial del Rio Mississippi, que fuera viable, de cooperacion multiple y a nivel paisaje. Las fases importantes de este proceso durante los primeros cinco anos fueron: (1) inicio del desarrolo de una estensa red de miembros (que incluye agencias estatales y federales, propietarios de tierras, grupos conservacionistas, academicos y otros ciudadanos interesados), (2) desarrollo de un Sistema de Informacion Geografica que abarca la extension total del ecosistema y (3) el refinamiento de un Sistema de Informacion Geografica de alta resolucion para una cuenca, el vaso Tensas en el noreste de Louisiana; para generar estadisticas mas detalladas de la conversion del uso del suelo, para demostrar la factibilidad de un procedimiento semi-objetivo y a escala de paisaje de planificacion de restauracion, incluyendo la metodologia para la priorizacion de parches existentes de humedal boscoso y de areas adecuadas para reforestacion e interconexion por medio de corredores.
New Dimensions for Old Strings

A simple configuration of background fields is constructed to provide consistent string theories in arbitrary dimensions. The background solution involves a dilation field which is a linear function of the space-time coordinates. This background has a new instability apart from the presence of tachyons in the free spectrum.
The Role of Peripheral Input for Chronic Pain Syndromes like Fibromyalgia Syndrome

Objectives: Clinical symptoms of chronic muscle conditions like fibromyalgia syndrome [FMS], include pain, stiffness, subjective weakness, and muscle fatigue. Muscle pain in FMS is usually described as fluctuating and always associated with local or generalized tenderness [hyperalgesia and/or allodynia]. This tenderness related to muscle pain depends on increased peripheral and/or central nervous system responsiveness to peripheral stimuli that can be either noxious [hyperalgesia] or nonnoxious [allodynia]. For example, patients with muscle hyperalgesia will rate painful muscle stimuli higher than normal controls, whereas patients with allodynia may perceive light touch as painful, something that a “normal” individual will never describe as painful. The pathogenesis of such peripheral and/or central nervous system changes in FMS is unclear, but peripheral tissue changes, specifically in muscles have been implicated.Findings: Indirect evidence from interventions that attenuate tonic peripheral pain impulse...
Relative effect of extra-atomic relaxation on Auger and binding-energy shifts in transition metals and salts

The relation between shifts in Auger energies and shifts in electron binding energies is explored. The prediction of Auger energies in metals from one-hole and two-hole optical energies as well as from electron binding energies in metals is described, with proper accounting for final-state coupling, relaxation, and reference energies. A decrease in values of extra-atomic relaxation energies for $3d$ metals between Ni and Cu, arising from the loss of $d$-wave screening at the $3d$-shell closure, was derived for the ${L}_{3}{M}_{23}{M}_{23}$ Auger transition in which the final state is localized. A similar decrease can be derived from the data on the ${L}_{3}{M}_{45}{M}_{45}$ transition, suggesting that the $3d$ hole state may be localized. Shifts in either Auger or electron binding energies between solids have no direct significance when taken alone, but the difference between the two is shown to be equal to the difference in the corresponding extra-atomic relaxation energies. Differential shifts are reported for sodium and its salts and for zinc and its salts. The differential shift between sodium metal and NaF is 8.7 eV, while the Zn-to-Zn${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ shift is 5.2 eV, in good agreement with expectations. The $\mathrm{Zn}(3d)\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{F}(2p)$ peak in the Zn${\mathrm{F}}_{2}$ spectrum gives clear evidence for crystal-field splitting in the final state.
Technical Note-Some Comments on Linear Programming with Absolute-Value Functionals

This note gives simple and straightforward reasoning for obtaining the results of Shanno and Weil [Opns. Res. 19, 120-124 1971] for linear programming with absolute-value functionals.
Brief intervention impact on truant youth attitudes to school and school behavior problems: a longitudinal study

Truancy continues to be a major problem, affecting most school districts in the U.S. Truancy is related to school dropout, with associated adverse consequences, including unemployment and delinquency. It is important to obtain a more complete picture of truants' educational experience. First, the present study sought to examine the longitudinal growth (increasing/decreasing trend) in truant youths' attitudes toward school and misbehavior in school (disobedience, inappropriate behavior, skipping school). Second, this study focused on examining the impact of a Brief Intervention (BI) targeting the youths' substance use, as well as socio-demographic and background covariates, on their attitudes toward school and school behavior problems over time. A linear growth model was found to fit the attitudes toward school longitudinal data, suggesting the youths' attitudes toward school are related across time. An auto-regressive lag model was estimated for each of the school misbehaviors, indicating that, once initiated, youth continued to engage in them. Several socio-demographic covariates effects were found on the youths' attitudes towards school and school misbehaviors over time. However, no significant, overall BI effects were uncovered. Some statistically significant intervention effects were found at specific follow-up points for some school misbehaviors, but none were significant when applying the Holm procedure taking account of the number of follow-ups. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Indentification and Localization of the Fatty Acids in Haemophilus parainfluenzae

Haemophilus parainfluenzae was capable of synthesizing 22 fatty acids. These fatty acids were equivalent to 4% of the bacterial dry weight. These fatty acids were localized in the membrane-wall complex, which contained the respiratory pigments, the quinone, and the phospholipids. The fatty acids which could be extracted with organic solvents comprised 86% of the total fatty acids of the cell. These fatty acids were distributed as 98% in the phospholipids and 1.9% in the neutral lipids, of which 0.5% were free fatty acids. Palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic, and vaccenic acids comprised 72% of the total fatty acids and were found almost exclusively in the phospholipids. The phospholipids also contained the cyclopropane fatty acids. The neutral lipids contained significant proportions of the odd-numbered branched and straight-chain fatty acids. The principal free fatty acids were n-dodecanoic and pentadecenoic acids. The nonextractable wall complex contained 14% of the total fatty acids. These wall fatty acids were rendered soluble only after saponification. The wall fraction contained all of the β-hydroxymyristic acid and most of the myristoleic and pentadecenoic acids. The significance of the distribution of fatty acids between nonesterified, neutral lipid, phospholipid, and nonextractible wall remains to be determined.
Role of TRPV1 and intracellular Ca2+ in excitation of cardiac sensory neurons by bradykinin

Bradykinin is an important mediator produced during myocardial ischemia and infarction that can activate and/or sensitize cardiac spinal (sympathetic) sensory neurons to trigger chest pain. Because...
Acute Cigarette Smoke Exposure Alters Lung Eicosanoid and Inflammatory Cell Concentrations in Rabbits

We studied lung clearance of technetium-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid [( 99mTc]DTPA), plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha (stable metabolite of prostacyclin, prostaglandin I2, PGI2), TxB2 (stable metabolite of thromboxane A2, TxA2), and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and inflammatory cells as indices of lung injury in rabbits exposed to cigarette smoke (CSE). Thirty-one rabbits were randomly assigned to four groups: control sham exposure (SS, n = 6), sham smoke ibuprofen-pretreated (SS-I, n = 7), CSE (n = 6), and CSE ibuprofen-pretreated (CSE-I, n = 12). Ibuprofen, a cyclooxygenase eicosanoid inhibitor, was administered as a single daily intramuscular injection (25 mg/kg) for 7 d before the experiment. Cigarette or sham smoke was delivered by syringe in a series of 5, 10, 20, and 30 tidal volume breaths with a 15-min counting period between each subset of breaths to determine [99mTc]DTPA biological half-life (T1/2). The CSE-I group was retrospectively divided into rabbits who survived the 30-breath subset (CSE-IL, n = 6) and those who died during the 30-breath CSE (CSE-ID, n = 6). In the CSE, CSE-IL, and CSE-ID groups, [99mTc]DTPA T1/2 as well as BALF LTB4 levels were significantly decreased. Plasma and BALF 6-keto-PGF1 alpha increased in CSE rabbits compared to the other groups. Alveolar macrophages were lower in the CSE-ID rabbits than in the CSE-IL group. CSE and CSE-IL BALF lymphocyte levels were decreased compared to SS values. Our data indicate that acute CSE is associated with significant increases in 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and decreases in LTB4 as well as a significant reduction in lymphocytes. Furthermore, pretreatment with ibuprofen before CSE was associated with severe lung injury in half of the rabbits. The severity of lung injury may be related to a combination of a lower number of alveolar macrophages and blockade of lung PGI2.
Physical Geography and the Geographic Thought Course

Geographic thought courses are a common offering in geography graduate programs. There are many ways of constructing such a course. Invariably, however, one of the problems to be faced is how to in...
Postdoctoral recruitment in neuropsychology: a review and call for inter-organizational action.

The history of centralized matches for postgraduate selection is briefly discussed with a focus on the match instituted by the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) in 2001] Survey data, conducted both by APPCN and independently, are summarized. In general, despite incomplete participation and an estimated 30% rate of “exploding offers”, applicants are somewhat satisfied with the match according to recent surveys (although satisfaction varies depending on whether an applicant matched). Given the high rate of withdrawal, the history of other specialties with suboptimal participation, and the concerns most commonly expressed by participants about this issue in survey data, there is cause for concern. We assert that incomplete participation in the match hurts applicants and programs. We propose that focused efforts are needed involving multiple organizations to enhance the match, including the Clinical Neuropsychology Synarchy (CNS) as our specialty council and the multiple...
Dos and don'ts in diagnosing antiphospholipid syndrome

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired autoimmune thrombotic tendency that is identified by the presence of abnormal antiphospholipid laboratory tests in patients who have a history of vascular thrombosis and/or pregnancy complications including recurrent spontaneous miscarriages and a group of other complications due to placental insufficiency. Diagnostic testing for APS is often problematic because of many misconceptions regarding these empirically derived assays. This chapter is intended to provide hematology-oncology consultants with practical information about the uses and limitations of assays used to diagnose APS.
Do You Know Everything That You Know

In the ongoing attempt to provide a satisfactory analysis of knowledge numerous conditions have been proposed as necessary and sufficient — the most noteworthy being justification, truth, and belief. In addition, various epistemic principles are frequently employed. In this paper I intend to show how the seemingly innocuous justification condition, along with two relatively uncontroversial epistemic principles, can give rise to a paradoxical situation.
Physiological Responses to Divergent Selection for Phytate Phosphorus Bioavailability in a Randombred Chicken Population

ABSTRACT An investigation was conducted to study insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, insulin, glucagon, leptin, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) levels in a chicken population divergently selected for P bioavailability (PBA). There were differences in growth and feed efficiency between the 2 lines. Concentrations of IGF-I, IGF-II, and T3 were significantly greater in the high PBA line compared with the low PBA line, whereas the reverse was true for glucagon. There were no correlations between IGF-I and II and PBA in either line, suggesting that the line differences may be the result of factors other than PBA. Glucagon and IGF-I have different relationships with feed conversion ratio in the high PBA line compared with the low PBA line. There was a significant correlation between PBA and T3 in the low line and between PBA and T4 in the high PBA line. Thyroid hormone levels may be an indirect indicator of PBA in growing chickens. The genes in the thyroid hormone pathway may be key in the identification of genes associated with PBA.
Improved methods and measures for computing dynamic program slices in stochastic simulations

Stochastic simulations frequently exhibit behaviors that are difficult to recreate and analyze, owing largely to the stochastics themselves, and consequent program dependency chains that can defy human reasoning capabilities. We present a novel approach called Markov Chain Execution Traces (MCETs) for efficiently representing sampled stochastic simulation execution traces and ultimately driving semi-automated analysis methods that require accurate, efficiently generated candidate execution traces. The MCET approach is evaluated, using new and established measures, against both additional novel and existing approaches for computing dynamic program slices in stochastic simulations. MCET's superior performance is established. Finally, a description of how users can apply MCETs to their own stochastic simulations and a discussion of the new analyses MCETs can enable are presented.
The influence of different simplified sliding-block models and input parameters on regional predictions of seismic landslides triggered by the Northridge earthquake

Abstract Regional seismic landslide hazard maps are based on predictions of rigid-sliding-block displacement derived from estimates of earthquake ground shaking, topography, geology, and shear strength. The confidence in these predictions requires comparisons with field observations of landslide occurrence during previous well-documented earthquakes. This paper presents a comparison between observed landslides from the 1994 Northridge, California earthquake and predicted landslides based on sliding-block displacement estimates. Seven empirical displacement models, each of which uses a different combination of ground-motion parameters, are investigated to evaluate which models and associated ground-motion parameters best predict seismic landslides. Using best estimates of ground shaking and shear-strength properties from the Northridge earthquake, sliding displacements are calculated and compared with the locations of observed landslides. Only 20–40% of the observed landslides are captured and the total area of predicted landslides is much larger than observed. The ability to predict landslide occurrence accurately depends less on the displacement model and associated ground-motion parameters, and more on the uncertainty in the model parameters, particularly the assigned shear-strengths. Because current approaches do not take into account the spatial variability of shear strength within individual geologic units, the accuracy of the predictive models is controlled predominantly by the distribution of slope angles within a geologic unit. Assigning overly conservative (low) shear-strength values results in a higher percentage of landslides accurately identified but also results in a large over-estimation of the total landslide area. Making more accurate maps of seismic landslide hazards will require methods to define intra-formational variations in shear strength.
Formal specification of real-time dependable systems

The complex and critical nature of real-time, dependable systems (henceforth referred to as RTD systems) necessitates the use of analyzable specifications and specification analysis techniques supporting the assessment of behavioral, safety-critical, security, and fault-tolerant qualities of systems. The need to rigorously state and analyze RTD system specifications suggests the use of formal specification techniques (FSTs), that is techniques that provide a precise specification language and specification analysis mechanisms based on formal reasoning systems. Unfortunately, most current FSTs focus on specifying functionality, and neglect non-functional qualities such as fault tolerance and security. While there is much research on extending FSTs so that they can be applied to non-functional properties, little work has gone into developing integrated sets of FSTs that can be applied throughout the development of RTD systems. We discuss how FSTs can be utilized in a multilevel description of RTD systems. FST's make possible rigorous analysis at each level and rigorous consistency check across the levels.