cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short Communication: Feed Bunk Utilization in Dairy Cows Housed in Pens with Either Two or Three Rows of Free Stalls

The goal of this observational study was to determine whether there were significant differences in feed bunk utilization patterns of dairy cows in free-stall pens with either 2 or 3 rows of stalls. Previously recorded 24-h videos of the high-yielding, mature cow group in 5 herds with 2-row pen designs and 5 herds with 3-row pen designs that were provided fresh TMR once a day after the morning milking were scan-sampled at 10-min intervals to record feed bunk utilization score (proportion of feed bunk spaces in the pen that were filled). Data were aligned according to peak feed bunk utilization score following fresh feed delivery (primary peaks), return from the afternoon milking (secondary peaks), and return from the night milking (tertiary peaks). Bunk utilization score was highest for primary peaks; scores were not significantly different between 2- and 3-row pens (0.65 vs. 0.71 ± 0.1, respectively), and rates of decline in bunk utilization score were similar over the ensuing 90-min period between pen designs. Differences in bunk utilization between peak type and pen row type were observed; tertiary bunk utilization with 2-row pens was significantly lower than bunk utilization with 3-row pens and significantly lower than either primary or secondary bunk utilization in 2-row pens. The feed space allowance provided by a 2-row pen design potentially allows cows to demonstrate other important feeding behaviors, such as avoidance of conflicts and maintenance of greater inter-cow distances between neighbors while feeding.
A cosmic ray density gradient perpendicular to the ecliptic plane

Abstract The B × ▽n streaming due to a cosmic ray density gradient perpendicular to the ecliptic plane introduces a component into the diurnal variation that depends on the sense and direction of the interplanetary magnetic field (ipmf). We have made a detailed study of this effect in the diurnal variation data for 1967 and 1968 from a variety of cosmic ray monitors. The results are consistent with a north-south gradient anisotropy expressed by a power law in rigidity, δI I = 2.8 × 10 −4 R 0.4 to an upper limiting rigidity of ≈ 100 GV. These results imply an effective north-south gradient of ≈ 1.3 per cent/A.U. for a high latitude neutron monitor. A cursory analysis of the effect in 1965–1966 indicates an even smaller north-south gradient for these years. These results are compared with estimates of the gradient from annual wave measurements.
Hydrography of the eastern tropical Pacific: A review

Abstract Eastern tropical Pacific Ocean waters lie at the eastern end of a basin-wide equatorial current system, between two large subtropical gyres and at the terminus of two eastern boundary currents. Descriptions and interpretations of surface, pycnocline, intermediate and deep waters in the region are reviewed. Spatial and temporal patterns are discussed using (1) maps of surface temperature, salinity, and nutrients (phosphate, silicate, nitrate and nitrite), and thermocline and mixed layer parameters, and (2) meridional and zonal sections of temperature, salinity, potential density, oxygen, and nutrients. These patterns were derived from World Ocean Database observations by an ocean interpolation algorithm: loess-weighted observations were projected onto quadratic functions of spatial coordinates while simultaneously fitting annual and semiannual harmonics and the Southern Oscillation Index to account for interannual variability. Contrasts between the equatorial cold tongue and the eastern Pacific warm pool are evident in all the hydrographic parameters. Annual cycles and ENSO (El Nino-Southern Oscillation) variability are of similar amplitude in the eastern tropical Pacific, however, there are important regional differences in relative variability at these time scales. Unique characteristics of the eastern tropical Pacific are discussed: the strong and shallow pycnocline, the pronounced oxygen minimum layer, and the Costa Rica Dome. This paper is part of a comprehensive review of the oceanography of the eastern tropical Pacific.
Development of liver tyrosine aminotransferase activity in the rabbit, guinea pig, and chicken☆☆☆

Abstract Liver tyrosine aminotransferase activity was measured at various developmental stages in the rabbit, guinea pig, and chicken. In the rabbit, tyrosine aminotransferase activity increases 2–4-fold at birth. Premature delivery by caesarian section results in a similar increase. Prolonging the gestation period delays any increase in enzymic activity until delivery by caesarian section. The increase in tyrosine aminotransferase activity after separation of the premature, full-term or postmature fetus from the uterine environment is paralleled by a marked increase in the ability of hydrocortisone to stimulate a further increase in enzymic activity. In the guinea pig, tyrosine aminotransferase activity is absent during fetal life. Enzymic activity increases to adult values within 24 hours after birth. The development of tyrosine aminotransferase activity in the newborn is stimulated by hydrocortisone, though a single injection of hydrocortisone is without effect in the fetus or adult. In the chicken, enzymic activity is relatively constant during the embryonic period (0.3–0.4 μmole p -hydroxyphenylpyruvate formed per 10 minutes per milligram liver nitrogen). After hatching a somewhat variable 2–3-fold increase is observed which persists for approximately 10 days. Administration of hydrocortisone results in increased tyrosine aminotransferase activity after, but not before, hatching. Tyrosine aminotransferase activity in homogenates of chicken liver obtained at various stages during embryonic life and after hatching is relatively specific for α-ketoglutarate. The coincidence of the rise of endogenous tyrosine aminotransferase activity with the development of the hydrocortisone response at birth and hatching is discussed.
Low-Temperature Thermodynamic Properties of Vanadium. I. Superconducting and Normal States

The specific heat of vanadium (resistivity ratio = 140) has been measured in the superconducting and normal states between 0.5 and 5.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The normal-state specific heat is given by ${C}_{n}=9.82T+0.035{T}^{3}+{C}_{\mathrm{nuc}}$ mJ ${\mathrm{mole}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ ${\mathrm{deg}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, where the term ${C}_{\mathrm{nuc}}$ arises from the interaction of the nuclear magnetic moments with the applied magnetic field. The coefficient of the cubic term corresponds to a Debye temperature ${\ensuremath{\bigominus}}_{0}$ at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K of (382\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10)\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, which is slightly less than the value 399.3\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K obtained from elastic measurements. The superconducting specific heat contains a term linear in $T$ which is 0.52% of the normal-state linear term. This indicates the presence of a very small energy gap at the Fermi surface in addition to the normal gap. At all but the lowest temperatures the specific heat is governed by the normal energy gap and is in fair agreement with the BCS prediction. The agreement becomes excellent if the normal energy gap is assumed to be anisotropic with a maximum value of $3.52k{T}_{c}$ and a minimum of $3.20k{T}_{c}$, which is consistent with ultrasonic measurements. The superconducting transition temperature for this sample is (5.379\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004) \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with a total transition width of only about 1 mdeg. The intrinsic transition temperature for vanadium is estimated to be (5.414\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.010) \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K.
Development and evaluation of a model of behavioral representation techniques

A user-centered approach to interactive system development requires a way to represent the behavior of a user interacting with an interface. While a number of behavioral representation techniques exist, not all provide the capabilities necessary to support the interaction development process. Based on observations of existing representation techniques and comments from users of the User Action Notation (UAN), a user- and task-centered behavioral representation technique, we have developed a model of behavioral representation techniques. Our model is an epistemological framework for discussing, analyzing, extending, and comparing existing behavioral representation techniques, as well as being a springboard for developing and evaluating new techniques. We present the model and results of our evaluation demonstrating the model's reusability and utility within the context of behavioral representation techniques.
Scavenged excess aluminum and its relationship to bulk titanium in biogenic sediment from the central equatorial Pacific Ocean

We present results from chemical analyses of Al and Ti in surface sediment sampled along two cross-Equator latitudinal transects at 135W and 140W in the central equatorial Pacific Ocean. Although traditionally both Al and Ti are considered to reside exclusively within terrigenous phases in marine sediment, these sediments present extremely high Al/Ti ratios that are several times that of average shale and other potential crustal sources. A sharp maximum in Al/Ti is observed slightly south of the Equator, where sedimentary bulk accumulation rate (BAR) is also highest (reflecting elevated productivity in the overlying water caused by surface water divergence). Bulk Al/Ti decreases sharply away (±2° latitude) to near crustal values at ∼4° north and south. The latitudinal profiles of Al/Ti are entirely unrelated to the concentration of the biogenic components as well as to the absolute accumulation of Al and Ti. These results indicate the presence of a significant scavenged component of Al sourced directly from seawater during particle settling. The data from the two transects analytically and oceanographically confirms our earlier work that was based on the single 135W transect. Calculations of Alexcess indicate that the highest Al/Ti ratios correspond to ∼50% of the total Al being unsupported by the small amount of terrigenous phases present. These results are consistent with previous and ongoing studies of biogenic sediment, suspended particulate matter, and sediment trap material. Quantitative use of Al as an index of terrigenous material may, therefore, lead to an overestimation, by a factor of two, of the true terrigenous load in marine sediment, sedimentary rock, and settling particles. Because bulk Al/Ti appears to respond to sedimentary BAR, which in biogenic regimes is linked to surface water productivity, downcore records of Al/Ti in biogenic sediment may track productivity changes through time. Such Al/Ti proxy records may be applicable in sediment of all ages, unlike radionuclide tracers which are limited by radioactive decay to use over the past hundreds of kyr.
The Effects of Standardizing Names for Record Linkage: Evidence from the United States and Norway

Abstract Standardizing name strings before searching for links is common practice during record linkage and is generally believed to increase the size and quality of linked data sets. In this article, the authors quantify the impact of name standardization on historical record linkage, using data from nineteenth-century censuses of the United States and Norway as test cases.
Genre, Intertextuality, and Social Power

This article addresses the relationship between discourse, textual and social order, and power by means of an examination of the concept of genre. It begins with a critical review of the way genre has been used in linguistic anthropology. A distinction is delineated between approaches that take for granted the status of genre as a tool for classifying and ordering discourse and those that contend with elements of generic ambiguity and dynamism. Proceeding to outline a new approach to genre, the discussion analyzes a wide range of intertextual relations that are deployed in constituting generic links. A series of examples contrasts strategies for minimizing gaps between texts and generic precedents with strategies for maximizing such gaps. A final section points to the ways that investigating generic intertextuality can illuminate questions of ideology, political economy, and power.
Phylogenetic inferences on the relationship of North American and European Picea species based on nuclear ribosomal 18S sequences and the internal transcribed spacer 1 region.

Abstract We have used PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to isolate nuclear ribosomal sequences from seven species of Picea (spruce). The amplified products contained ~200 base pairs from the 3′ end of the 18S rRNA gene and the entire first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1). The sequences from these two functionally distinct regions were aligned and variable positions were used to construct a character matrix for cladistic-based phylogenetic analysis. Short insertions or deletions (indels) were common in the ITS1 and distinguished some intragenus phylogenetic relationships. In the present study, evolutionary relationships, based on DNA sequence variation within the ribosomal repeat, were determined for seven North American and European species of Picea. The results support the hypothesis of Wright (1955) that P. rubens and P. mariana are more closely related to the European species P. omorika than to other North American Picea. Molecular data suggest P. pungens has a closer relationship to eastern North American and European Picea than its presumed affiliation with northwestern American species.
Effect of Viscosity on Membrane Fluxes in Cross-Flow Ultrafiltration

Abstract For practical applications of ultrafiltration (UF), an estimation of membrane fluxes under various operational conditions is very important. This study analyzed concentration polarization (CP) as a coupled transport problem with concentration-dependent solute viscosity. Besides the effects of variable viscosity, the model includes the effects of solute osmotic pressure, solute rejection at the membrane surface, and the axial pressure drop. This provides a fundamental understanding of the effects of various operating parameters on concentration polarization and transmembrane flux. A finite-difference solution of the transport equations is presented to model the concentration polarization in a thin-channel UF system. Simulation results for ultrafiltration of Dextran T-70 show that concentration-dependent solute viscosity adversely affects the transmembrane flux and needs to be carefully considered in modeling concentration polarization in membrane filtration.
Ranking of Indirectness in Professional Writing

Dix strategies de discours indirect dans la redaction de lettres professionnelles sont etudiees du point de vue de: l'indice de valeur, l'orientation auteur/destinataire, la caracterisation linguistique, la localisation dans la phrase
Book Review of "Palaeoseismology: historical and prehistorical records of earthquake ground effects for seismic hazard assessment"

PALAEOSEISMOLOGY: HISTORICAL AND PREHISTORICAL RECORDS OF EARTHQUAKE GROUND EFFECTS FOR SEISMIC HAZARD ASSESSMENT, EDITED BY: KLAUS REICHERTER, ALESSANDRO M. MICHETTI AND PABLO G. SILVA, THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY, LONDON, GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY SPECIAL PUBLICATION NO. 316, 332 PAGES, ISBN10 1-86239-276-5, ISBN-13 978-1-86239-276-2, HARDBACK, PRICE £ 90.00, 2009. The Geological Society of London (GSL) has published several volumes on geological hazards, including earthquakes. An important addition to the GSL Special Publication collection is a recent multi-authored volume on palaeoseismology, a discipline that exploits geological information and knowledge to understand past earthquakes, and to improve our understanding of present and future seismic hazards. The book, edited by Klaus Reicherter, Alessandro Michetti and Pablo Silva, contains papers that address scientific and technical problems with the compilation and analysis of historical and pre-historical records of earthquake induced ground and environmental effects, for earthquake intensity mapping and seismic hazard assessment. The articles are the result of an editorial selection from oral and poster contributions presented at two international meetings held in the spring of 2006: (i) a session entitled “3000 years of earthquake ground effects reports in Europe: geological analysis of active faults and benefits for hazard assessment”, held in Vienna, Austria, at the annual Assembly of the European Geosciences Union, and (ii) a workshop on “Seismic hazard analyses for critical facilities”, which was jointly organized in Trieste, Italy, by the International Centre for Theoretical Physics and the International Atomic Energy Agency, with the co-sponsorship of the sub-commission on Palaeoseismicity of the International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA).
Comparative planetary mineralogy: Pyroxene major- and minor-element chemistry and partitioning of vanadium between pyroxene and melt in planetary basalts

Pyroxene grains from 14 basalt suites from the Earth, Moon, Mars, and Vesta were studied by electron- and ion-microprobe techniques. The results show that several elemental trends can be related to planetary parentage and crystallization conditions including paragenetic sequence and kinetics. Ferric iron (Fe 3+ ) systematics show that terrestrial pyroxene is enriched in Fe 3+ compared with pyroxene from Mars due to higher oxygen fugacity ( f O 2 ) conditions on the Earth that produce more Fe 3+ in basaltic melts. Low f O 2 conditions on the Moon and Vesta result in very little or no Fe 3+ in pyroxene from these bodies. Terrestrial pyroxenes contain more Na than those from Mars, yet martian plagioclase contains more Na than terrestrial. This difference is because terrestrial pyroxene contains more Fe 3+ and thus the acmite component (NaFe 3+ Si 2 O 6 ) is more important on Earth than Mars. Pyroxenes from the Moon and Vesta have very little Na, which can be attributed to the overall volatile-depleted nature of these bodies. All planetary pyroxenes show that Cr decreases with increasing fractionation because it is compatible in pyroxene, and in many basalts the crystallization of chromite depletes the melt in Cr 3+ . The Mn/Fe 2+ systematics in pyroxene show distinct trends for the planetary bodies in the order Vesta > Mars > Earth > Moon. These Mn/Fe 2+ trends are most likely affected by the volatility of Mn relative to Fe, and thus there is an increase in the Mn/Fe ratio with increasing distance from the Sun, except for the Moon, which likely lost Mn during its giant impact origin. These same trends have been documented for olivine from the different planets, and this parameter as measured in basaltic silicates is a robust fingerprint of planetary parentage. Vanadium partitioning into planetary pyroxene grains is affected by oxygen fugacity, the availability of charge-balancing elements, basaltic crystallization sequences, and kinetics. Partitioning of V into pyroxene at low f O 2 conditions (i.e., Moon and Vesta) is seen to increase as the charge-balancing cation IV Al increases. Partitioning of V into pyroxene at relatively high f O 2 conditions (i.e., Earth and Mars) increases with increasing Na and IV Al, which provide charge balance for incorporation of V 4+ . Because of the above complexities, a V-valence oxybarometer as measured in planetary pyroxene grains is not likely to be robust.
Contextualism and Skepticism

In the good old days, a large part of the debate about skepticism focused on the quality of the reasons we have for believing propositions of various types. Skeptics about knowledge in a given domain argued that our reasons for believing propositions in that domain were not good enough to give us knowledge; opponents of skepticism argued that they were. The different conclusions drawn by skeptics and non-skeptics could come either from differences in their views about the standards or conditions we had to satisfy in order to have knowledge or from differences in their assessments of the quality or character of the reasons we have. In recent years, discussions of skepticism have often focused on three anti-skeptical responses that don't directly address the questions about reasons or evidence that used to be considered fundamental. These anti-skeptical responses are: 1) content externalism, as proposed by Hilary Putnam1; 2) the denial of closure, as proposed by Robert Nozick2; and 3) contextualism about knowledge attributions, as proposed by Stewart Cohen, Keith DeRose, and David Lewis3. I believe that these recent responses to skepticism characteristically avoid the central epistemological issues raised by skepticism and often concede to skeptics far more than is warranted. In this paper I will examine some contextualist responses to skepticism. In Section I I describe the general idea of contextualism and its application to skepticism. In Section II I describe and briefly discuss some particular versions of contextualism. In Section III I argue that even if it is true that sentences attributing knowledge have contextually variable truth conditions, this fact does not provide the basis for a satisfactory response to skepticism. This is because the central issue raised by skepticism is whether we satisfy the standards for knowledge in place in ordinary contexts, not whether we satisfy some allegedly higher standards which, according to contextualists, are in place in some epistemological contexts. In effect, this paper is part of an argument for a return to the good old days.
Social and photoperiod effects on reproduction in five species of Peromyscus

At temperate latitudes, mammals and birds use changes in day length to time their reproductive activities to coincide with seasonal fluctuations in the environment. Close to the equator, however, conditions permissive of breeding do not track changes in day length as well, so other cues may be more important than photoperiod. In a variety of vertebrates, social interactions regulate breeding condition. We hypothesized that individuals of different species of Peromyscus mice found closer to the equator would respond more strongly to housing with an opposite sex conspecific than they would to photoperiod. To test this hypothesis, we compared the effects of long and short day lengths versus 8 days of pair housing with a female on reproductive tissue weights and testosterone (T) concentrations in five species of Peromyscus (P. aztecus, P. eremicus, P. maniculatus, P. melanophrys, and P. polionotus). After 13 weeks of short days (8L:16D), P. maniculatus, P. melanophrys, and P. polionotus significantly reduced relative testes mass compared to long day (16L:8D) housed animals. Social housing, however, had no effect on tissue weights in any species. However, male P. polionotus paired with females for 8 days increased T concentrations compared to single-housed males, whereas paired P. maniculatus reduced T. These data suggest that mechanisms of photoperiodic and social regulation of reproductive function are mediated by different physiological mechanisms among closely-related species and that both phylogeny and environmental factors contribute to patterns of reproductive plasticity.
High Heels, Low Grades: Internalized Sexualization and Academic Orientation Among Adolescent Girls

Messages that sexually objectify girls and women are common in popular culture. In two studies, we tested the hypothesis that internalization of the notion that women should be sexually attractive to men is associated with decreased academic success and motivation among early adolescent (10- to 15-year-old) girls. In Study 1, girls (n = 91) who scored higher on a measure of internalized sexualization earned lower grades and standardized test scores than their peers. In Study 2 (n = 95), girls who completed a mock newscast prepared differently as a function of internalized sexualization; girls with higher levels of internalized sexualization spent more time applying makeup, and less time practicing the script, than girls with lower levels of internalized sexualization.
Tests of spontaneous left-right-symmetry breaking

Experimental limits on the strength of right-handed ($e{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{e}$) and ($\ensuremath{\mu}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$) current couplings are discussed in connection with a recent conjecture that parity nonconservation arises from spontaneous breaking of left-right symmetry.
Simulation of information propagation for vehicles in physical communication network models

It is important to propagate information about software update to vehicle users. We present a computer simulation of information propagation in physical communication network models to broadcast information rapidly. In this simulation we measure the rate of information propagation of vehicles per unit-time in physical communication network models. The characteristic obtained by the simulation is as follows; a) the vehicle operation rate has a large influence on the rapidity of information propagation, b) the vehicle mobility rate and c) the vehicle density rate has influence on the rapidity of information propagation of vehicle to vehicle communication network model, d) in the information environment of vehicles of urban area, the complex communication network model can propagate information rapidly. We grasped the communication network models to propagate information rapidly.
A mechanism for immediate reduction in mitral regurgitation after cardiac resynchronization therapy: insights from mechanical activation strain mapping.

Objectives We tested the hypothesis that an immediate reduction in mitral regurgitation (MR) after cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) results from improved coordinated timing of the papillary muscle insertion sites, using the novel approach of mechanical activation strain mapping. Background Heart failure patients with left bundle branch block often benefit acutely from CRT; however, the role and mechanism of reduction of MR are unclear. Methods Twenty-six consecutive patients undergoing CRT with at least mild MR were studied (ejection fraction 24 ± 6%; QRS duration 168 ± 30 ms). Echocardiographic Doppler and strain imaging was performed immediately before and the day after CRT, as well as in 10 normal control subjects. Mechanical activation sequence maps were constructed using longitudinal strain from 12 basal and mid-LV sites, with color codingof time-to-peak strain. Results Mitral regurgitation by the volumetric method consistently decreased after CRT: regurgitant volume from 40 ± 20 ml to 24 ± 17 ml and regurgitant fraction from 40 ± 12% to 25 ± 14% (both: p Conclusions Cardiac resynchronization therapy significantly and immediately reduced MR. Improved coordinated timing of mechanical activation of papillary muscle insertion sites appears to be a mechanistic contributor to immediate MR reduction by CRT.
Acute phase proteins in healthy goats Establishment of reference intervals

Acute inflammatory processes can trigger increased production of acute phase proteins (APPs) that can be useful biomarkers of inflammation. APPs are diverse and include proteins involved in coagulation, opsonization, iron regulation, and limitation of tissue injury. Haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein have been proposed as useful APPs in goats. APPs can differ markedly by species, therefore species-specific reference intervals and studies are necessary. The objective of this study was to determine species-specific reference intervals for 4 APPs in goats. Haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, lipopolysaccharide binding protein, and alpha-1 acid glycoprotein were measured in in 54 clinically normal adult goats. APPs were measured using goat-specific commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results were analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance to compare sexes and breeding status. Reference Value Advisor was used to calculate reference limits according to the IFCC-CLSI guidelines. Only 1 APP was found to vary in healthy animals; serum haptoglobin was increased in lactating animals and decreased in pregnant does in their second trimester when compared with open, nonlactating does. No sex-based differences were seen for any of the APPs measured. We report normal reference intervals for 4 serum APPs that may be useful as disease markers. Haptoglobin should be interpreted with caution in animals with unknown pregnancy status. Further studies are needed to determine whether these APPs are useful biomarkers in goat disease states.
A comparative analysis of the value of pure and hybrid electricity storage

Significant natural gas and electricity price variation and volatility, especially during the past few years, raise questions about understanding the value drivers behind electricity storage. The impact of these drivers for pure storage (such as pumped hydroelectric storage) and compressed air energy storage (CAES) are different and in this paper we explore these differences in operation and net revenue over a variety of timescales. We also consider the arbitrage value that is attainable in practice and explain why simple forecasting techniques based on historical data will generally be less successful for CAES. The breakeven cost of storage and how this can depend on regulatory treatment of storage and market structure is also considered.
Is information security an oxymoron

Although weaknesses have been demonstrated in some security techniques (encryption, protocols, mobile code such as Java, etc.), current security technology is quite strong in many areas. Despite this, information security has proved difficult to achieve in large modern software systems. Many problems have been reported in which supposedly secure systems have been penetrated and, in some cases, significant damage done. One problem considered is a buffer-overrun attack. The idea called a which is a layer of software that logically surrounds a software artifact and enhances the functionality of the artifact in some way, is then discussed. Most proposals for the use of wrappers assume that their presence is transparent to the artifact being wrapped. In other words, the artifact sees its operating environment as unchanged and the artifact does not have to be modified in i order to permit it to be wrapped. Wrappers have been proposed as an approach to dealing with deficiencies in existing systems, deficiencies in security for example. The use of shells as a feasible solution to the problem of security is also considered.
Analysis of Rumen Fluid Volatile Fatty Acids by Chromatography with Porapak QS

Abstract Porapak QS treated with 2% phosphoric acid was used as column packing for gas chromatographic analysis of volatile fatty acids in rumen fluid. With this column packing easily prepared aqueous rumen fluid samples may be analyzed without the serious problem of peak tailing, which has been encountered previously.
In Vivo Fluence Rate and Fractionation Effects on Tumor Response and Photobleaching: Photodynamic Therapy with Two Photosensitizers in an Orthotopic Rat Tumor Model

The effect of fluence rate and light fractionation on phototoxicity was investigated in vivo in an orthotopic rat bladder tumor model. Two photosensitizers, benzoporphyrin derivative monoacid ring A and 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX, were studied. For a given cumulative light dose of 30 J/cm 2 , enhanced tumor destruction was observed from both photosensitizers when using either lower fluence rates or fractionated light delivery. Photobleaching experiments in vivo demonstrated that the photobleaching rate, however, was not fluence rate dependent. The fluence rate and light fractionation effects on tumor phototoxicity lead to rapid local depletion in oxygen concentration that inhibited subsequent photochemical reactions necessary for efficient photodestruction of tumor cells. Nicotinamide did not enhance photodynamic therapy efficacy, suggesting that the added increase of oxygen within the tumor was not sufficient to enhance photodestruction of hypoxic cell fractions. The independence of the photobleaching rate with fluence rate suggests distinct mechanisms, at least in part, of photodestruction of the tumor and the photosensitizer and that the rate of photosensitizer photobleaching may not always be an appropriate monitor for singlet oxygen availability and photodynamic therapy dosimetry.
Risk Stratification of Hospitalized Patients on the Wards

Patients who suffer adverse events on the wards, such as cardiac arrest and death, often have vital sign abnormalities hours before the event. Early warning scores have been developed with the aim of identifying clinical deterioration early and have been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. In this review, we discuss recently developed and validated risk scores for use on the general inpatient wards. In addition, we compare newly developed systems with more established risk scores such as the Modified Early Warning Score and the criteria used in the Medical Early Response Intervention and Therapy (MERIT) trial in our database of > 59,000 ward admissions. In general we found the single-parameter systems, such as the MERIT criteria, to have the lowest predictive accuracy for adverse events, whereas the aggregate weighted scoring systems had the highest. The Cardiac Arrest Risk Triage (CART) score was best for predicting cardiac arrest, ICU transfer, and a composite outcome (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC], 0.83, 0.77, and 0.78, respectively), whereas the Standardized Early Warning Score, VitalPAC Early Warning Score, and CART score were similar for predicting mortality (AUC, 0.88). Selection of a risk score for a hospital or health-care system should be guided by available variables, calculation method, and system resources. Once implemented, ensuring high levels of adherence and tying them to specific levels of interventions, such as activation of a rapid response team, are necessary to allow for the greatest potential to improve patient outcomes.
REVIEW ■ : Toward a Neurobiology of Emotion and Feeling: Operational Concepts and Hypotheses

By the end of the 19th century, Charles Darwin had made incisive observations on the expression of emotions in animals and humans and had placed emotion in the perspective of biological evolution; William James had produced a scientific description of the phenomenon of emotion, thus opening the way to its experimental study; and Sigmund Freud was writing about the means by which emotion might play a role in psychopa thology. Somebody freshly arrived on earth in 1994 and interested in the topic of emotion would have good cause to wonder why such groundbreaking developments did not lead to an assault on the neurobiology of emotion. What could possibly have gone wrong in the intervening century? The Neuroscientist 1:19-25, 1995
LIFE IN THE FAST LANE: THE LIFE HISTORY OF HARBOR PORPOISES FROM THE GULF OF MAINE

We describe the life history of harbor porpoises in the Gulf of Maine by examining 239 animals killed in gill net fisheries and comparing these findings with the results of previous studies from the Bay of Fundy. Most female porpoises matured at age three and became pregnant each year thereafter. Reproduction was strictly seasonal, with ovulation, conception, and parturition occurring in the spring and early summer. The oldest specimen in the sample was 17 yr of age, but most individuals were younger than 12. The findings are similar to those of earlier studies from the Bay of Fundy and support the hypothesis that these animals form a single population. Harbor porpoises represent one end of a continuum of odontocete life histories that spans a wide diversity of strategies. In comparison with other, large odontocetes, harbor porpoises mature at an earlier age, reproduce more frequently, and live for shorter periods.
Incidence, manifestations, and predictors of brain infarcts defined by serial cranial magnetic resonance imaging in the elderly: the Cardiovascular Health Study.

Background and Purpose— MRI-defined infarcts are common in the elderly. We sought to explore incidence, manifestations, and predictors of such infarcts. Methods— The Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) is a population-based, longitudinal study of 5888 people aged ≥65 years. Participants have had extensive baseline and follow-up evaluations; 1433 participants underwent 2 MRI scans separated by 5 years and had no infarcts on initial MRI. Results— On follow-up MRI, 254 participants (17.7%) had 1 or more infarcts. Most were single (75.6%), subcortical (79.9%), and small (3 to 20 mm in 87.0%). Only 11.4% of those with infarcts experienced a documented transient ischemic attack or stroke between the scans. Although participants were similar at initial MRI, those with MRI-defined infarcts on follow-up experienced greater decline than those without infarcts on the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination and Digit-Symbol Substitution test (both P<0.01). Severity of white matter changes on initial MRI was the stronges...
Unintended Consequences of Electronic Monitoring of Instant Messaging

Legislative requirements like those in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have sharply increased the incidence of monitoring of electronic communications, but the consequences of this trend are little understood. This study examines the impact of organizational monitoring of sensitive instant message (IM) discussions with a designed experiment. When their IMs are known to be monitored, individuals are found to sharply curtail their discussion of personally incriminating information and to increase their spontaneous denials of knowledge of sensitive topics. Surprisingly, perhaps, they also increase their discussion of relayed information that may incriminate others or the organization. Qualitative analysis suggests that people are not aware they make these adjustments to their IM communication content when monitored. Given the legislative compliance motivations for some of the monitoring activity in companies, it is ironic that study findings suggest organizations may communicate less firsthand information about potentially curtailable legal liabilities and other sensitive incidents requiring corrective action when communication is monitored. Organizations enacting monitoring of IM should pay heed to the requirements as well as the discretion available to them within those requirements to enact monitoring in a way that suits their organizational goals.
Getting to know your robot

Several algorithms used for the calibration of a manipulator are presented. The calibration includes the estimation of friction coefficients, position sensor calibration, and the motor torque constants. The model used for compensation of the gearing effects is described. The results of application of these algorithms to the PUMA 560 manipulator are presented. >
Dynamic allocation of fires and sensors (DAFS): a low-resolution simulation for rapid modeling

High-resolution combat models have become so complex that the time necessary to create and analyze a scenario has become unacceptably long. A lower resolution approach to entity-level simulation can complement such models. This paper presents Dynamic Allocation of Fires and Sensors (DAFS), a low-resolution, constructive entity-level simulation framework, that can be rapidly configured and executed. Through the use of a loosely-coupled component architecture, DAFS is extremely flexible and configurable. DAFS allows an analyst to very quickly create a simulation model that captures the first-order effects of a scenario. Although the modeling of entities is done at a low-resolution, DAFS contains some sophisticated capabilities: within the model, commander entities can formulate and solve optimization problems dynamically. DAFS can be used to explore large areas of the parameter space and identify interesting regions where high-resolution models can provide more detailed information.
Determining the bottom soil sampling rate in shrimp ponds using variograms

In aquaculture, methods for collecting soil, that represent the mean concentrations of its constituents are not well established. We use the variogram technique to determine the distance between two locations where soil phosphorous is no longer correlated. Using this technique, we estimate that samples need to be taken between 15 and 20 m apart to compose a composite sample that represents the average amount of phosphorus in the soil of four Texas shrimp ponds. Broad spatial trends in phosphorus levels are observed and the trend is qualitatively common to all four ponds. The similarities among three of the four ponds suggest that the results are applicable to similarly managed shrimp ponds in Texas, and elsewhere throughout the world.
Selenium-Carbon Bifunctional Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Malignant Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive form of cancer that arises in the lining of the peritoneal, pleural or pericardial cavities. It has a long latency period, and the development of this rare cancer is typically associated with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma may also be a concern for carbon nanotubes (CNTs), which are under development for biomedical applications[1-3] but have been recently shown to produce asbestos-like pathogenic behavior in mice, suggesting their potential to induce mesothelioma upon chronic exposure.[4-6] The diffuse nature of the tumors makes their surgical removal difficult, and they are resistant to conventional chemotherapy.[7,8] As an alternative strategy, non-conventional approaches involving new chemical agents, and targeting methods minimizing side effects are needed. Recently it has been shown that selenium, in the form of selenite and selenocysteine, can selectively inhibit growth and induce apoptotic cell death in MM cells compared to normal mesothelial cells,[9] i.e. exhibits differential toxicity. Selenium is believed to play a role in cancer prevention,[10,11] and selenium deficiency has been linked with increased cancer incidence.[11-13] The fundamental mechanisms of selenium chemo-prevention are not fully understood. At doses marginally higher than the essential dose (Recommended Daily Allowance = 55 μg/day, No Adverse Effect Level = 800 μg/day), selenium can cause toxicity.[14] The combination of the administered dose and the chemical form co-determine selenium’s activity as toxic or carcinostatic.[10,11] For example, the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase can protect cells from oxidative damage[15,16] and the seleno-enzymes, glutathione S-transferases, can repair damaged DNA and prevent mutation.[16] Other forms of selenium, however, can produce reactive oxygen species[10] leading to oxidative stress and cell death. In recent years, elemental nano-selenium (nSe) has gained special attention due to its therapeutic properties.[17,18] As a major advantage over other selenium forms, elemental (zero-valent) nanoparticles are a high-Se-density formulation with the potential for local delivery of high doses into cancer cells. To achieve this in practice requires a nSe formulation that is rapidly internalized by the target cell and is sufficiently stable in the extracellular fluid to reach the target cell intact. Here we synthesize two competing formulations of nano-selenium and evaluate their relative effectiveness for high-dose intracellular delivery. We show that a novel selenium-carbon composite nanostructure (CNPnSe) is highly effective in inducing death in malignant mesothelial cells in vitro and shows promise for the development of targeted therapy for malignant mesothelioma.[12]
A Mechanism of Transposon-mediated Directed Mutation

Directed mutation is a proposed process that allows mutations to occur at higher frequencies when they are beneficial. Until now, the existence of such a process has been controversial. Here we describe a novel mechanism of directed mutation mediated by the transposon, IS5 in Escherichia coli. crp deletion mutants mutate specifically to glycerol utilization (Glp(+)) at rates that are enhanced by glycerol or the loss of the glycerol repressor (GlpR), depressed by glucose or glpR overexpression, and RecA-independent. Of the four tandem GlpR binding sites (O1-O4) upstream of the glpFK operon, O4 specifically controls glpFK expression while O1 primarily controls mutation rate in a process mediated by IS5 hopping to a specific site on the E. coli chromosome upstream of the glpFK promoter. IS5 insertion into other gene activation sites is unaffected by the presence of glycerol or the loss of GlpR. The results establish an example of transposon-mediated directed mutation, identify the protein responsible and define the mechanism involved.
Dynamics of fundamental optical transitions in group III nitrides

With the recent rapid development of GaN based optoelectronic devices, a full understanding of the dynamics of fundamental optical transitions in GaN epilayers and quantum wells becomes increasingly important. In this paper, the dynamics of fundamental optical transitions, probed by picosecond time- resolved photoluminescence (PL), in GaN and InGaN epilayers, InxGa1-xN/GaN and GaN/AlxGa1-xN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) are reviewed. For GaN epilayers, optical transitions in n- and p-type (Mg doped) and semi-insulating GaN epilayers are discussed. Time-resolved PL results on the fundamental optical transitions in these materials, including the impurity-bound excitons and free excitons transitions, are summarized. For MQWs, recombination dynamics of optical transitions in both InxGa1-xN/GaN and GaN/AlxGa1-xN MQWs grown by different methods (MOCVD vs. MBE) are compared with each other as well as with GaN and InGaN epilayers to extrapolate the mechanisms and quantum efficiencies of the optical emissions in these structures. The implications of these results on device applications, in particular on the blue LEDs and laser diodes as well on the lasing mechanisms in GaN blue lasers, are also discussed.
Sovereign Wealth Fund Asset Allocations—Some Stylized Facts on the Norway Pension Fund Global

Abstract The Markowitz portfolio theory has been used during the past six decades by various institutional investors, including sovereign wealth funds (SWFs), to determine their asset allocations. Our analysis of the strategic asset allocation of the world's largest sovereign wealth fund—The Norway Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG)—demonstrates that it is broadly consistent with that generated by the one-period Markowitz model. GPFG's investment performance critically depends on its permissible asset classes, risk tolerance and strategies mandated in attaining the set portfolio objectives, such as stability of returns over an assumed time horizon. Also, appropriate asset weight rebalancing has allowed for higher returns and achievement of long-term investment objectives. The obtained asset allocation results need to be compared with those for other SWFs so as to determine whether there is a broader conformity of SWF actual allocations with those proposed by the Markowitz model.