cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributed Matrix-Free Solution of Large Sparse Linear Systems over Finite Fields

We describe a coarse-grain parallel approach for the homogeneous solution of linear systems. Our solutions are symbolic, i.e., exact rather than numerical approximations. We have performed an outer loop parallelization that works well in conjunction with a black box abstraction for the coefficient matrix. Our implementation can be run on a network cluster of UNIX workstations as well as on an SP-2 multiprocessor. Task distribution and management are effected through MPI and other packages. Fault tolerance, checkpointing, and recovery are incorporated. Detailed timings are presented for experiments with systems that arise in RSA challenge integer factoring efforts. For example, we can solve a 252,222 × 252,222 system with about 11.04 million nonzero entries over the Galois field with two elements using four processors of an SP-2 multiprocessor, in about 26.5 hours CPU time.
TAKING SCIENCE SERIOUSLY WITHOUT SCIENTISM: A RESPONSE TO TAEDE SMEDES

. In responding to Taede Smedes, I first examine his thesis that the recent dialogue between science and religion has been dominated by scientism and does not take theology seriously. I then consider his views on divine action, free will and determinism, and process philosophy. Finally I use the fourfold typology of Conflict, Independence, Dialogue, and Integration to discuss his proposal for the future of science and religion.
Osteogenic effects of traumatic brain injury on experimental fracture-healing.

Background: Heterotopic bone formation has been observed in patients with traumatic brain injury; however, an association between such an injury and enhanced fracture-healing remains unclear. To test the hypothesis that traumatic brain injury causes a systemic response that enhances fracture-healing, we established a reproducible model of traumatic brain injury in association with a standard closed fracture and measured the osteogenic response with an in vitro cell assay and assessed bone-healing with biomechanical testing. Methods: A standard closed femoral fracture was produced in forty-three Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty-three of the rats were subjected to additional closed head trauma that produced diffuse axonal injury similar to that observed in patients with a traumatic brain injury. Twenty-one days after the procedure, all animals were killed and fracture-healing was assessed by measuring callus size and by mechanical testing. Sera from the animals were used in subsequent in vitro experiments to measure mitogenic effects on established cell lines of committed osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and mesenchymal stem cells. Results: Biomechanical assessment demonstrated that the brain-injury group had increased stiffness (p = 0.02) compared with the fracture-only group. There was no significant difference in torsional strength between the two groups. Cell culture studies showed a significant increase in the proliferative response of mesenchymal stem cells after exposure to sera from the brain-injury group compared with the response after exposure to sera from the fracture-only group (p = 0.0002). This effect was not observed in fibroblasts or committed osteoblasts. Conclusions: These results support data from previous studies that have suggested an increased osteogenic potential and an enhancement of fracture-healing secondary to traumatic brain injury. Our results further suggest that the mechanism for this enhancement is related to the presence of factors in the serum that have a mitogenic effect on undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells. Clinical Relevance: Fracture-healing may be enhanced by an associated traumatic brain injury. Further understanding of this systemic response could lead to important insights about systemic therapeutic strategies for the enhancement of skeletal repair.
Superconducting and magnetic phase boundaries for the heavy fermion system (Y, Pr)Ba2Cu3O7−y

Abstract A series of measurements of the structural, electrical, magnetic, and thermal properties are presented for the (Y 1−x Pr x )Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7−y system. Orthorhombic samples for 0⩽ x ⩽1.0 were prepared for all the experiments performed. Unlike nearly all other systems where rare earth (R) are substituted for the Y cation in superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−y the substitution of Pr depresses T c , with the critical concentration, x cr = 0.56, for complete suppression of superconductivity. Evidence for magnetic correlations in the superconducting state is presented for x near x cr . Heat capacity and magnetic susceptibility anomalies indicate that it is the Pr ions that order, in agreement with neutron elastic scattering studies. The results suggest that the Pr ions may be almost tetravalent.
Crossing the Rubicon: Understanding Cyber Terrorism in the European Context

AbstractThe first decade of the twenty-first century introduced a cultural shift where terrorism is concerned by making new technologies such as computers and networks available as both tools and targets for exploitation. The current rise in the number of attempts at launching a cyber attack may represent a new generation of “terrorists” and their discontent with governments, private companies, or with other non-governmental groups. Using cyber technologies has many benefits for the user and the potential of causing more damage by a keystroke than a bomb is increasing daily. Despite much recent scholarship on cyber terrorism, however, there continue to be problems not only in defining what cyber terrorism means but in identifying both who are the actors and the panoply of choices actors confront. In this essay, I attempt to clarify these problems by defining key terms and by analyzing the recent escalation in cyber use in the European context.
Analysis of explosion for nonlinear Volterra equations

This survey paper presents some analytical tools for determining the existence of a blow-up solution for a wide class of nonlinear Volterra integral equations. The related phenomenon of quenching has also been investigated using similar techniques. In both cases, lower and upper bound estimates for the critical time, as well as asymptotic solution behavior in the key limit are established. This paper surveys recent results in the analysis of such problems and proposes problems for future study.
Anti-inflammatory pyrazolo-steroids: potent glucocorticoids containing bulky A-ring substituents and no C3-carbonyl.

Abstract Certain pyrazolo-steroids are extremely potent anti-inflammatory agents but are predicted to be inactive glucocorticoids on the basis of their structure. However, one representative compound is found to possess a high affinity for cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors. The biological activity of this steroid is greater than that predicted from its affinity for receptors. This may be due to an exceptionally slow rate of dissociation of the receptorsteroid complex, which would prevent an accurate determination of the equilibrium affinity constant.
Effect of service supplier performance on satisfaction and loyalty of store managers in the fast food industry

Abstract The paper presents research that examines the complex relationship between service quality and profitability in service operations. Specifically, the effects of operational performance and relational performance on customer satisfaction and loyalty in the unique context of industrial services are examined. A model of service performance effects on customer satisfaction and loyalty is introduced and tested in the fast food service industry using customer perceptions of provider performance rather than relying on providers' self-reported performance indicators. The research revealed that the benefit of establishing customer relationships emerges from the enhanced insight the supplier is able to gain regarding customer needs and wants. Upon learning of these needs and wants, the service provider can focus on operational means of meeting the needs and wants, and doing so in the lowest cost manner.
The potential of soils as a sink of chlorofluorocarbons and other man-made chlorocarbons

Based on our field experiments, we considered whether CCl4, CH3CCl3, CCl3F (F-11), CCl2F2 (F-12) and C2Cl3F3 (F-113) are removed by soils at the earth's surface. We found that the rate of removal is greatest for CCl4, moderate for CH3CCl3 and F-11, slight for F-12 and not significant for F-113. By removing these gases from the atmosphere, before they can reach the stratosphere, such processes may prevent some depletion of the ozone layer from the continued releases of these man-made chlorocarbons. Because of the enormous variability, credible estimates of the global magnitude of the soil sink cannot be obtained from the present data.
Value of capacity flexibility in manufacturing systems with seasonal demands

In this article, we analyze a manufacturing system subject to seasonal demands. The system is modeled as a single-stage production facility with flexible production rate, and seasonal demands are modeled using a Markov-modulated Poisson process. Using dynamic programming, we develop optimal policies under the infinite-horizon discounted expected cost and the infinite-horizon average expected cost criteria. We prove that the optimal policy is a season-dependent base-stock policy with state-dependent production rates. Furthermore, we identify the monotonic structure of the optimal policy with respect to the net inventory, the demand in a season, and the overall workload on the system. We, then, illustrate the value of joint flexibility in capacity and inventory levels under the seasonal demand settings. Numerical comparisons with the policies used in practice demonstrate the value of capacity flexibility.
IN‐HOME ELECTRONIC SHOPPING: DISAPPOINTING PAST, UNCERTAIN FUTURE

This article provides an in‐depth chronology of the development of in‐home electronics shopping, beginning with optimistic predictions of revolutionary growth and possible displacement of traditional retailers, through the acknowledged marketplace failures of two U.S. pioneers of videotex. Included are findings of various research studies and controlled market test results that highlight practical problems associated with this technological innovation in consumer marketing. In addressing the reasons contributing to its disappointing past, the article focuses on the impact of system, organization, product, and demand variables on in‐home electronic shopping. Prestel, the British videotex system, and Minitel, the French videotex system, are described and compared with the commercial efforts of major U.S. corporations. In addition, the article high‐lights the advantages and disadvantages of two leading technologies (television shopping shows and laser videodisc retailing) that currently compete with in‐home electronic shopping for the nonstore retailing market. The article concludes with some cautionary comments and pragmatic suggestions for increasing the probability of commercial success of in‐home electronic shopping.
Socio-economic and ecological prospects for multiple use of protected areas in Africa

Largely triggered by the Bali debate, conservation literature over the last decade has seen increasing realization of man's responsibility in ensuring survival of the world's protected areas. In African terms, there has been an overwhelming number of pilot projects which have the ‘people’ label. Whereas this trend has been ecouraging, the overall conservation picture has not been very bright as the wildlife resources have continued to dwindle under surmounting human pressure. The problem does not seem to be awareness of the necessity for protected areas any more but rather whether it is feasible under the present prevailing circumstances.
Novel structure of static multisoliton solutions in the Skyrme model

Abstract An economical discretization of the Skyrme model on a cubic lattice is used to calculate static multisoliton solutions. Previously known solutions corresponding to baryon numbers B=1 and 2 are reproduced and new solutions corresponding to B=3, 4, 5 and 6 are found. Surfaces of constant baryon number density are presented and reveal the rich internal structure of the new solutions. In particular, the pion fields describing the solitons with B=3 and 4 are found to possess tetrahedral ( 4 3>m) and octahedral (m3m) symmetry, respectively.
Aftershock Sequence of the Mw 7.9 Denali Fault, Alaska, Earthquake of 3 November 2002 from Regional Seismic Network Data

The largest inland earthquake in North America in almost 150 years struck Alaska on 3 November 2002. It ruptured three different faults, with a total rupture length of ∼330 km. It started on the previously unrecognized Susitna Glacier Thrust Fault, a splay fault south of the McKinley strand of the Denali Fault system (DFS). Then the rupture transferred onto the main strand of the DFS and continued as a right-lateral strike-slip event for ∼220 km until it reached the Totschunda Fault, near 143°W longitude. At that point, it right-stepped onto the more southeasterly trending Totschunda Fault and stopped after rupturing nearly 70 km of it. A team of geologists surveyed the total length of the ruptured faults and reported maximum vertical offsets on the Susitna Glacier Thrust of 4 m and maximum horizontal offsets of 8.8 m west of the Denali and Totschunda Fault junction (Eberhart-Phillips et al., 2003). The estimated magnitude of this earthquake ranges from mb 7.0 to MW 7.9 to MS 8.5. While the fault rupture lasted for approximately 100 sec from its initiation to the arrest, its distal effects were felt for many days. The hardest hit population centers were the villages of Mentasta and Northway, at the eastern end of the rupture zone. This event caused significant damage to the transportation systems in central Alaska. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline suffered some damage, but no oil spills occurred. Multiple landslides and rock avalanches occurred in the Alaska Range, with the largest slide on the Black Rapids Glacier (Truffer et al., 2002). The Denali Fault event was felt as far away as Washington state (Barberopoulou et al., 2003) and caused seiches in pools and lakes as far away as Texas and Louisiana (Farrel et al., 2002). There were reports of triggered seismicity in volcanic and …
Infrared study of adsorption in situ at the liquid/solid interface. IV. The utility of internal reflection techniques☆

Abstract Experiments were carried out to explore the feasibility of using internal reflection spectroscopy to study adsorption phenomena in situ at the liquid/solid interface. To test the methods, stearic acid was adsorbed from CCl4 solution directly onto the surfaces of Ge and Al2O3 internal reflection prisms which acted as adsorbents. Infrared spectra of the adsorbed layer were measured with a Beckman IR-12 and also a Digilab FTS-14 Fourier transform spectrometer. It was possible to follow the build-up of the adsorbed layer as function of time and, with solutions of various concentrations, to note changes in the total adsorption as function of concentration. The maximum amount adsorbed was about 0.3 monolayer with solutions in the 10−4–10−2M range. The lowest coverage observed was about 0.03 monolayer. Some information about the orientation of the adsorbed species could be obtained through the use of polarized radiation. Although the method is restricted to adsorbates which can be fashioned into internal reflection elements, the techniques are suitable for obtaining information about kinetics of adsorption and desorption, adsorption isotherms, adsorbate-adsorbent perturbations, the orientation and structure of the absorded layer, and chemisorption.
Managing the exchange of information in product development

In the present paper, we develop a dynamic programming (DP) model of the product development (PD) process. We conceptualize product development as a sequence of decisions: whether to incorporate a piece of information that just arrived (i.e. became available) or wait longer. We utilize this formulation to analyze different situations that depend on the type, and nature of information that is exchanged: stationary versus dynamic information. We derive optimal decision rules to determine whether (and when) to incorporate for each case. An analysis of the model results in several important findings. First, we must not necessarily incorporate all available information that is related to the design activity. Specifically, once the information collection exceeds certain value, the design team should stop collecting further information. Second, only when past design work accumulates to a certain threshold value should the team include the latest information and perform rework. Large uncertainty of the information and large sensitivity of the design activity makes the incorporation of new information less likely. Finally, managerial implications are discussed with several numerical examples.
Interglacial Extension of the Boreal Forest Limit in the Noatak Valley, Northwest Alaska: Evidence from an Exhumed River-Cut Bluff and Debris Apron

Numerous exposures of Pleistocene sediments occur in the Noatak basin, which extends for 130 km along the Noatak River in northwestern Alaska. Nk-37, an extensive bluff exposure near the west end of the basin, contains a record of at least three glacial advances separated by interglacial and interstadial deposits. An ancient river-cut bluff and associated debris apron is exposed in profile through the central part of Nk-37. The debris apron contains a rich biotic record and represents part of an interglaciation that is probably assignable to marine-isotope stage 5. Pollen spectra from the lower part of the debris apron closely resemble modern samples taken from the Noatak floodplain in spruce gallery forest, and macrofossils of spruce are also present at this level. Fossil bark beetles and carpenter ants occur higher in the debris apron. Mutual Climatic Range (MCR) estimates from the fossil beetles suggest temperatures similar to or warmer than today. Together, these fossils indicate the presence of an interglacial spruce forest in the western part of the Noatak Basin, which lies about 80 km upstream of the modern limit of spruce forest.
Endoscopic submucosal resection of rectal carcinoid tumors with a ligation device

Background : Local endoscopic mucosal resection of rectal carcinoid tumors is often associated with margin involvement that requires further intervention. The efficacy of resection of these tumors with endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device (ESMR-L) was evaluated. Methods : Fourteen rectal carcinoid tumors were treated by ESMR-L between 1999 and 2002. ESMR-L was performed with a conventional colonoscope with an attached band-ligator device. For comparison, 14 rectal carcinoid tumors, treated by either endoscopic mucosal resection or polypectomy between 1990 and 1997, were evaluated as historical controls. All tumors were estimated to be 1 cm or less in diameter. Observations : There were no differences between the 2 groups in terms of age, gender, or tumor size. For 6 (43%) patients in the control group, there was tumor involvement at the margin of the resection specimen, whereas all tumors removed by ESMR-L had histopathologically proven negative margins ( p p Conclusions : ESMR-L is technically simple, minimally invasive, and safe for treatment of small rectal carcinoid tumors contained within the submucosa. ESMR-L provides a deeper resection margin compared with that obtained with conventional endoscopic mucosal resection or polypectomy.
REDUCED HAIR SULPHUR IN A RECESSIVE SYNDROME OF “BRITTLE” HAIR, SHORT STATURE, INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT AND DECREASED FERTILITY

REDUCED HAIR SULPHUR IN A RECESSIVE SYNDROME OF “BRITTLE” HAIR, SHORT STATURE, INTELLECTUAL IMPAIRMENT AND DECREASED FERTILITY
Dual crystal gas density sensor

Abstract A method of sensing gas density is described which uses vibrating crystals responding to acoustic properties of th gas. Analysis shows that the crystal resonant frequency shift is proportional to gas density and geometric factors. In the actual sensor two crystals of different geometries are used so that effects of temperature and ageing can be effectively eliminated from the difference frequency. A variety of tests on the crystals indicates that a sensor with 1% accuracy can easily be made.
Charge localization in CMR manganites: Renormalization of polaron energy by stress field

Polaron stability and charge localization in colossal magnetoresistive manganites are known to be critically influenced by the atomic structure through the ionic size effect. We propose that this effect does not arise from changes in the electronic bandwidth, as is commonly believed, but from the renormalization of the polaron formation energy due to the long-range elastic field around a polaron, which changes the effective coupling constant by nearly a factor of 2. Results of a pulsed neutron atomic pair density function analysis, that support this proposal, are presented. We also discuss the application of this model to the question of the stability of spin-charge stripes in superconducting cuprates.
Magnetic velocity sensors

There are two types of low-cost velocity sensors based on magnetic principles, variable-reluctance sensors, and galvanomagnetic semiconductor (Hall effect or magnetoresistive) sensors. Variable-reluctance devices sense variations in flux linkage while semiconductors read variations in local flux density. The paper shows how recognizing this fundamental difference leads to markedly different sensor design approaches, and proposes new configurations with improved performance. The analysis of the sensors is based on a general theory specifically developed for these sensors. The magnetic field computations use the finite-element method, which is particularly well suited to this problem involving complex airgap configurations and a need for the calculation of local flux densities and flux linkages. Experiments were carried out to validate the models and confirm the predicted sensitivity improvements of the new sensor structures.
Mutations in the Prokaryotic Pathway Rescue the fatty acid biosynthesis1 Mutant in the Cold.

The Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) fatty acid biosynthesis1 (fab1) mutant has increased levels of the saturated fatty acid 16:0 due to decreased activity of 3-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein (ACP) synthase II. In fab1 leaves, phosphatidylglycerol, the major chloroplast phospholipid, contains up to 45% high-melting-point molecular species (molecules that contain only 16:0, 16:1-trans, and 18:0), a trait associated with chilling-sensitive plants, compared with less than 10% in wild-type Arabidopsis. Although they do not exhibit typical chilling sensitivity, when exposed to low temperatures (2°C–6°C) for long periods, fab1 plants do suffer collapse of photosynthesis, degradation of chloroplasts, and eventually death. A screen for suppressors of this low-temperature phenotype has identified 11 lines, some of which contain additional alterations in leaf-lipid composition relative to fab1. Here, we report the identification of two suppressor mutations, one in act1, which encodes the chloroplast acyl-ACP:glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, and one in lpat1, which encodes the chloroplast acyl-ACP:lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase. These enzymes catalyze the first two steps of the prokaryotic pathway for glycerolipid synthesis, so we investigated whether other mutations in this pathway would rescue the fab1 phenotype. Both the gly1 mutation, which reduces glycerol-3-phosphate supply to the prokaryotic pathway, and fad6, which is deficient in the chloroplast 16:1/18:1 fatty acyl desaturase, were discovered to be suppressors. Analyses of leaf-lipid compositions revealed that mutations at all four of the suppressor loci result in reductions in the proportion of high-melting-point molecular species of phosphatidylglycerol relative to fab1. We conclude that these reductions are likely the basis for the suppressor phenotypes.
Airway management after maxillectomy with free flap reconstruction

Background Maxillectomy defects require complex 3-dimensional reconstructions often best suited to microvascular free tissue transfer. Postoperative airway management during this procedure has little discussion in the literature and is often dictated by surgical dogma. The purpose of this article was to review our experience in order to evaluate the effect of airway management on perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing maxillectomy with free flap reconstruction. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed on patients receiving maxillectomy with microvascular reconstruction at 2 institutions between 1999 and 2011. Patient's airways were managed with or without elective tracheotomy at the surgical team's discretion and different perioperative outcomes were measured. The primary outcome was incidence of airway complication including pneumonia and need for further airway intervention. Secondary outcome was measured as factors leading to perioperative performance of the tracheotomy. Results Seventy-nine of 143 patients received elective tracheotomy perioperatively. The incidence of airway complication was equivalent between groups (10.1% vs 9.4%; p = .89). Patients with cardiopulmonary comorbidities were more likely to receive perioperative tracheotomy (74.1% vs 50.9%; p = .03) without a difference in airway complications. Other patient cofactors did not have an impact on perioperative tracheotomy or airway complication rate. Conclusions Elective tracheotomy may safely be avoided in a subset of patients undergoing maxillectomy with microvascular reconstruction. Elective tracheotomy should be considered in patients with cardiopulmonary risk factors. Head Neck, 2013
Altered states of consciousness.

1. Jeffrey R. Avner, MD* 1. *Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Chief, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. List the common causes of altered level of consciousness. 2. Discuss how to differentiate medical and structural causes of altered level of consciousness. 3. Develop a plan for the initial phase of evaluation for an altered level of consciousness. 4. Recognize the importance of radiologic imaging in a child who has an altered level of consciousness. 5. Know which ingestions are likely to cause neurologic adverse effects. During the course of normal interaction with one another, we observe each other’s mannerisms, responses, movements, and communications. In a sense, a person’s behavior is determined by how he or she acts or reacts to internal and external stimuli. What is considered normal behavior is often age-specific and person-specific. For example, the response of a teenager to the early morning “buzz” of an alarm clock is usually a purposeful attempt to shut the alarm off; an infant may cry as a response to the same stimulus. Similarly, children who have certain chronic illnesses, such as static encephalopathy, may have blunted responses as a baseline behavior. Although major changes in behavior are readily apparent to any clinician, subtle changes often are appreciated best by parents and caretakers. Essential to the evaluation of abnormalities in a child’s behavior is an understanding of levels of consciousness. Various terms that define specific conditions or alterations of normal levels of consciousness often are used interchangeably and incorrectly by clinicians and parents alike. Consciousness is a state of awareness of both one’s self and the environment. A child who has a normal level of consciousness can be awakened and is aware of what is happening to and around him- or herself. Alteration of the level of consciousness usually begins with reduced awareness of one’s self, followed by reduced awareness of the environment, and finally …
Enhanced Adhesion of Copper Films to SiO 2 , PSG and BPSG by Refractory Metal Additions

Copper films generally exhibit poor adhesion on dielectrics. It has been shown that the addition of refractory metals promotes adhesion via an interfacial reaction or better wetting to the dielectric. We investigate the adhesion of Cu-refractory metal (Cr, Ti) alloy films and bilayers on various silicon oxide substrates (SiO2, PSG, BPSG) after annealing in the temperature range 400-600°C by conventional furnace using N2/H2 forming gas. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) was used to determine the interfacial reaction characteristics. The efficacy of a variation of the standard Scotch™ tape testing was evaluated. We found that the combined Scotch™ tape/scribe adhesion test revealed excellent qualitative bonding information and could be correlated well to RBS characterization. We were able to optimize the sample configurations and chemical compositions to achieve the best adhering film.
Invited Commentary: Immunization and Bell’s Palsy in Children

Based on case reports, it has been speculated that certain vaccines may increase the risk of Bell's palsy. In a study using a novel approach (case-centered analysis) among children aged 18 years or less, results of which appear in this issue of the Journal, Rowhani-Rahbar et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2012;175(9):878-885) found no association between immunization with trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine, or any vaccine (all vaccines combined) and Bell's palsy (definite and probable cases combined). In this commentary, the author evaluates the validity of the case-centered approach. In the study by Rowhani-Rahbar et al., the study population was not representative of the population of children at risk. The analytical approach resulted in the loss of information for 72% of the cases. There were insufficient data to assess TIV and HBV. Only the risk for all vaccines could be assessed, and only if it was assumed that the findings could be generalized. Possible effect modification by antecedent vaccination could not be assessed. The author concludes that a nested case-control study would have been more statistically robust and more informative.
CONTEXT-DEPENDENT POLLINATOR BEHAVIOR: AN EXPLANATION FOR PATTERNS OF HYBRIDIZATION AMONG THREE SPECIES OF INDIAN PAINTBRUSH

In some areas of sympatry, reproductively compatible plant species hybridize, but in other areas of sympatry, they do not and they remain reproductively isolated from one another. Explanations offered to explain patterns of hybridization that vary by population have usually focused on genetic or environmental factors. Instead, we examined whether different community contexts might change pollinator preference and constancy and thus influence the likelihood of hybridization among three Indian paintbrush species (Castilleja miniata, C. rhexifolia, and C. sulphurea). To determine whether visitation was context-dependent, we observed pollinator behavior in experimental arrays (constructed using flowering stems of the three Indian paintbrush species) in different contexts. Contexts were defined by which Castilleja species occurred in the immediate neighborhood of the arrays. Specifically, we asked, does visitation to particular species in the arrays depend on context? In general, each Castilleja species was preferred when it matched the surrounding community context, as is predicted by optimal foraging theory. More interestingly, pollinator constancy was weakened in the hybrid context (an area where the three species co-occurred with morphologically intermediate plants), which is likely to increase pollen flow among the species. Reduced pollinator constancy in hybrid zones could set up a positive feedback loop in which more flower diversity is created through hybridization, decreasing pollinator constancy, and leading to more hybridization. This self-reinforcing mechanism could lead to "hybridization hot spots" and to a patchy distribution of hybrid populations. We expect that this mechanism may be important in other animal-pollinated plant hybrid zones.
Virtual TCP offload: optimizing ethernet overlay performance on advanced interconnects

Ethernet overlay networks are a powerful tool for virtualizing networked applications. Their performance suffers on advanced interconnects such as Infiniband, however, because of differences between the semantics of Ethernet and the underlying network. In this paper, we demonstrate that providing a virtual TCP offload Ethernet device to the guest operating system dramatically improves overlay network performance on advanced interconnects like Infiniband. The virtual offload device enables the overlay system to leverage the semantics and performance characteristics of the underlying network to maximize overlay performance. Our evaluation shows that this approach allows applications to achieve near-native microbenchmark bandwidth and dramatically improved application performance compared to alternative overlay approaches when running on an Ethernet virtual overlay on a QDR Infiniband fabric.
Protein Kinase C Inhibits ROMK1 Channel Activity via a Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Bisphosphate-dependent Mechanism

The activity of apical K(+) channels in cortical collecting duct (CCD) is stimulated and inhibited by protein kinase A (PKA) and C (PKC), respectively. Direct interaction between phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP(2)) and the cloned CCD K(+) channel, ROMK1, is critical for channel opening. We have found previously that phosphorylation of ROMK1 by PKA increases affinity of the channel for PIP(2) and mutation of PKA sites reduces the affinity of ROMK1 for PIP(2). In this study we investigate the molecular mechanism for PKC regulation of ROMK and report that mutants of ROMK1 with reduced PIP(2) affinity exhibit an increased sensitivity to inhibition by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). The effect of PMA can be prevented by pretreatment with calphostin-C. Activation of PKC by carbachol in Xenopus oocytes co-expressing M1 muscarinic receptors also causes inhibition of the channels. Calphostin-C prevents carbachol-induced inhibition, suggesting that activation of PKC is necessary for inhibition of the channels. PMA reduces open probability of the channel in cell-attached patch clamp recordings. After inhibition by PMA in cell-attached recordings, application of PIP(2) to the cytoplasmic face of excised inside-out membranes restores channel activity. PMA reduces PIP(2) content in oocyte membrane and calphostin-C prevents the reduction. These results suggest that reduction of membrane PIP(2) content contributes to the inhibition of ROMK1 channels by PKC. This mechanism may underscore the inhibition of K(+) secretion in CCD by hormones that activate PKC.
BLACK‐CONTROLLED CREDIT UNIONS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

This paper is a comparative study of black- and nonblack-controlled credit unions. The results indicate operational differences that distinguish black credit unions from previous results for black banks and black savings and loan associations. Many of these differences can be attributed to institutional characteristics resulting from the three distinct types of credit unions. The major contribution of the paper is that the striking similarities between black banks and black savings and loan associations do not in general apply to black credit unions.
Electrostatically Induced Voltages and Currents on Conducting Objects under EHV Transmission Lines

A study is made of the steady-state short circuit current Is.c., and open circuit voltage, Vo.c., to ground for conducting objects under E.H.V. transmission lines. This is carried out in a computer program and on a scaled down laboratory model of a transmission line. In addition, tests are conducted at the American Electric Power Service Corporation and Westinghouse Electric Corporation E.H.V. test site at Apple Grove, West Virginia[1]. The Apple Grove results are used for comparison with the other two approaches. Values of Is.c. within a few percent of the field data and of Vo.c. within about 30 percent are predicted by the computer program. For the transmission line model, the measured values of Is.c. are within a few percent of the Apple Grove measurements and the values of Vo.c. are within approximately 15 percent.
A Post-Intentional Phenomenological Case Study of Pedagogical Awareness of Technology Integration into Secondary Science Teaching

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. August 2010. Major: Education, Curriculum and Instruction. Advisor: Gillian Roehrig, Ph.D. 1 computer file (PDF); x, 225 pages, appendices A-B.
Mixed-Signal Organic Integrated Circuits in a Fully Photolithographic Dual Threshold Voltage Technology

Analog & digital circuits implemented in a dual threshold voltage (VT) p-channel organic technology are presented. The dual VT organic technology is compatible with large-area and mechanically flexible substrates due to its low processing temperature (≤ 95°C) and scalable patterning techniques. We demonstrate the first analog & digital organic integrated circuits produced by a dual-gate metal process. The analog circuits are powered by a 5-V supply and include a differential amplifier and a two-stage uncompensated operational amplifier (op-amp). A dynamic comparator is measured to have an input offset voltage of 200 mV and latching time of 119 ms. Both the comparator and the op-amp dissipate 5 nW or less. Area-minimized digital logic is presented. Inverters powered by a 3-V supply were measured to have positive noise margins and consumed picowatts of power. An 11-stage ring oscillator, also powered by a 3-V supply, swings near rail to rail at 1.7 Hz. These results demonstrate dual threshold voltage process feasibility for large-area flexible mixed-signal organic integrated circuits.
The Development of Global Probabilistic Propagation Look-Up Tables for Infrasound Celerity and Back-Azimuth Deviation

Determining the source location, or associating detections of infrasound signals, is made complicated by the need for time‐dependent information about the characteristics of the atmospheric medium through which the signal travels. The wind and temperature have a strong influence on the propagation of the wave, and these physical properties can vary significantly spatially and temporally (Garces et al. , 1998; Drob et al. , 2003, 2010). Of particular importance for association and location is to have some constraints on the celerity (horizontal distance from source to receiver divided by travel time of sound wave) and the back‐azimuth deviation (bias in the recorded back azimuth at an array due to wind). If one could model the celerity and back‐azimuth deviation for a given observation, one could in principle determine the precise source location and origin time using the observed arrival time and celerity to obtain the range and the back‐azimuth deviation to obtain the azimuth. A major challenge in infrasound monitoring is to model the celerity and back‐azimuth deviation in such a way that the uncertainty in the atmospheric specification at any given instance in time is accounted for. This is particularly pertinent to detecting, associating, and locating global infrasound sources using the International Monitoring System (IMS) infrasound network; a global network including infrasound arrays for verification of the Comprehensive Nuclear‐Test‐Ban Treaty with 60 total (47 currently installed) infrasound stations (e.g., Christie and Campus, 2010; Nippress et al. , 2014). Having a set of prior information for a given area can aid in determining if one can expect detections at a certain azimuth and distance from a source and provide constraints on the characteristics of those detections. In addition, having information corresponding to previous atmospheric conditions can be used to improve source locations. For example, the use of physics‐based modeled priors …
Point-of-care concerns in developing countries: Integration of infrastructure-appropriate technologies for global healthcare solutions

For a number of reasons, medical standards often taken for granted in developed countries are difficult to implement in developing areas of the world. In particular, our team investigated the needs of community clinics in rural Ghana and identified reliable sterilization of everyday medical supplies as a critical need. Our resultant goal was to design an economically and technologically sustainable device capable of sterilizing commonly used medical supplies at the point of care without regular resupply or extensive maintenance.
Unexpected Atypical Findings on CT after Radiofrequency Ablation for Small Renal-cell Carcinoma and the Role of Percutaneous Biopsy

Radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective treatment for small renal-cell carcinoma (RCC) in selected patients. After ablation, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is used to confirm complete eradication or the presence of residual unablated tumor. The characteristic findings associated with these imaging techniques have been described previously. When the appearance of the ablated tumor deviates from expected findings, percutaneous biopsy is necessary to further evaluate the ablation zone. The present report describes three patients whose atypical findings after ablation of small RCC prompted percutaneous biopsy.
ECOLOGY OF WHALE FALLS AT THE DEEP-SEA FLOOR

The falls of large whales (30-160 t adult body weight) yield massive pulses of labile organic matter to the deep-sea floor. While scientists have long speculated on the ecological roles of such concentrated food inputs, observations have accumulated since the 1850s to suggest that deep-sea whale falls support a widespread, characteristic fauna. Interest in whale- fall ecology heightened with the discovery in 1989 of a chemoautotrophic assemblage on a whale skeleton in the northeast Pacific; related communities were soon reported from whale falls in other bathyal and abyssal Pacific and Atlantic sites, and from 30 mya (million years ago) in the northeast Pacific fossil record. Recent time-series studies of natural and implanted deep- sea whale falls off California, USA indicate that bathyal carcasses pass through at least three successional stages:
Multiple terminal uridylyltransferases of trypanosomes

The transferase activities that add uridylyl residues to RNA have been reported in several unicellular and metazoan organisms. Thus far, the two terminal uridylyltransferases (TUTases) involved in uridine insertion/deletion mRNA editing in mitochondria of trypanosomes were the only known enzymes with confirmed UTP specificity. Here, we demonstrate that protein sequences of editing TUTases may be used to predict novel UTP-specific enzymes by data mining. The highest-scoring open reading frame from Trypanosoma brucei was expressed and recombinant protein purified. This enzyme catalyzes a processive UMP incorporation and is not localized to the mitochondria suggesting a non-editing biological function.
An Economic Evaluation of the Food Security Act of 1985: The Dairy Title

Abstract This article examines the impact of the Food Security Act of 1985 on the nation's milk market. Market equilibrium variables for the duration of the Bill, 1986 through 1990, are simulated based on a previously estimated econometric model of the national dairy sector. Forecasts of cow numbers, production per cow, milk production, milk prices, commercial disappearance, and government removals and costs of the dairy price support program are presented and analyzed. The results provide quantitative evidence of the market impact of the Farm Bill, which should be useful to policy makers and industry leaders in shaping future dairy policies.
Understanding Age-Related Differences in the Perception and Comprehension of Symbolic Warning Information

The older segment of the population is living longer and remaining active after retirement. Consequently, many older adults are continuing to use common household products that may be associated with potentially serious hazards. Warning information accompanying these products, particularly those warnings in symbolic format, may not effectively convey their intended messages if they are difficult to interpret. In this study, survey data regarding symbol recognition, perception, and comprehension were collected from 865 individuals ranging in age from 17 to 91. The data indicate that older adults poorly comprehend a number of different warning symbols, despite believing symbols to be very helpful when interpreting warning information on products. Furthermore, symbol comprehension was not related to symbol recognition in older adults, suggesting that poor comprehension by this age group cannot be explained simply by low recognition levels. This paper discusses symbol perception, recognition, and comprehensio...
Economic Insecurity and Access to the Social Safety Net among Latino Farmworker Families

Farmworkers experience pervasive economic insecurity in part because of the seasonal nature of agricultural work and limited employment protections. Yet little is known about the adequacy of the social safety net in responding to farmworker needs. Using data from the 2005-2009 National Agricultural Workers Survey (N = 10,469), the current study analyzed predictors of social welfare participation among Latinos, who represent approximately 80 percent of all farmworkers. Nearly 95 percent are immigrants, although almost half of them have lived in the United States for more than 10 years. Descriptive analyses showed that, even among farmworker households whose income fell below the poverty line or that were headed by legally documented individuals, social services use was very low. Logistic regression analyses revealed that degree of social integration influenced social welfare participation, controlling for education, poverty status, family composition, and employment characteristics. Latino farmworkers who were recent immigrants (that is, in the United States for less than five years) had significantly lower odds of access to social insurance and public assistance programs relative to their U.S.-born counterparts. Low self-reported English ability significantly decreased access to most social insurance programs but not public assistance receipt. The findings indicate the need for social workers to engage in outreach efforts and policy advocacy to improve farmworkers access to social welfare.
Thin film magnetic recording media lubrication system

Surface chemical analysis of in-contact tested regions detects lubricant removal by desorption and fragments with carboxyl end groups on the overcoat. Formation of a carboxylic acid-amine complex and metal carboxylates is proposed to explain the observed changes in the water adsorption isotherm on the tested regions.
GEOTROPIC ORIENTATION IN ARTHROPODS : III. THE FIDDLER CRAB UCA.

On an inclined surface the fiddler crab Uca pugnax, during sidewise progression, orients upward through an angle θ on the surface. The extent of negatively geotropic orientation (θ) is a rectilinear function of sin α, where α is the inclination of the surface to the horizontal. This equation differs from that describing the geotropic orientation of various other animals. The difference is traced to the fact that from an initial position with the transverse axis of the body horizontal the crab is required to turn upward to an extent such that the vertical line from its center of gravity pierces the inclined surface within the base of support provided by the legs. This leads to the equation sec θ/tan α = const., which is obeyed within the limits of precision of the measurements. This type of control of geotropic orientation represents an extension of the "muscle tension theory," and is in no sense in conflict with this view. The assumptions underlying the analytical expression connecting θ and α are verified by the asymmetry in the orientation of male fiddlers, which is shown to be due to the presence of the enlarged chela and which disappears when the claws are removed.