cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) for rapid field sampling and analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)

Modern gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods and equipment, with the sensitivity and structural information these methods provide, make GC-MS an excellent choice for field detection and identification of a range of organic chemicals. Numerous sampling techniques allow detection of GC-MS analytes in environmental matrices, although multiple sample-handling steps and use of extraction solvents increase the complexity and time needed to complete analyses. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) has been shown to be suitable for sampling environmental contaminants from air, water and soil for GC-MS analysis. We provide applied examples of environmental samples collected and analyzed in the field using SPME-GC-MS for qualitative identification of workplace air contaminants from a poorly characterized paint and of gas-phase contaminants present during forensic and clean-up operations following a large fire involving aircraft fuel. In both instances, passive SPME sampling concentrated analytes from the air following short sampling periods and was followed immediately by GC-MS analysis in the field, without further sample preparation. The SPME sampling method is attractive for field use because of its portability, simplicity, broad applications, sensitivity, and favorable attributes as a sample-introduction method for GC-MS analyses.
Competing density-wave orders in a one-dimensional hard-boson model

We describe the zero-temperature phase diagram of a model of bosons, occupying sites of a linear chain, which obey a hard-exclusion constraint: any two nearest-neighbor sites may have at most one boson. A special case of our model was recently proposed as a description of a ``tilted'' Mott insulator of atoms trapped in an optical lattice. Our quantum Hamiltonian is shown to generate the transfer matrix of Baxter's hard-square model. Aided by exact solutions of a number of special cases, and by numerical studies, we obtain a phase diagram containing states with long-range density-wave order with periods 2 and 3, and also a floating incommensurate phase. Critical theories for the various quantum phase transitions are presented. As a byproduct, we show how to compute the Luttinger parameter in integrable theories with hard-exclusion constraints.
High performance graphene-poly (o-anisidine) nanocomposite for supercapacitor applications

Abstract Our previous exciting results on graphene (G)-conducting polymer (polyaniline (PANI) and polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT)) supercapacitors have prompted the investigation of G-substituted conducting polymer nanocomposites used as electrode materials in supercapacitors. The solubility of ortho-substituted PANI derivatives in a few common solvents has allowed the fabrication of stretchable films by the casting technique. The G-poly (o-anisidine) (G-POA) nanocomposites were synthesized with different weight ratios of G to o-anisidine by chemical methods, and characterized by various techniques, such as, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and cyclic voltammetry. The electrical conductivity and specific capacitance obtained for the G-POA nanocomposites were found to be dependent on the weight ratios of G to o-anisidine. The specific capacitance and the charging–discharging behavior of the POA and G-POA supercapacitors were investigated in a 2 M H 2 SO 4 , 0.2 M LiClO 4 and 1 M 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (BMIM-PF 6 ) ionic liquid. The specific capacitance of 380 F g − 1 was calculated for the 1:1 weight ratio of G to o-anisidine based G-POA supercapacitor in 2 M H 2 SO 4 . The presence of the electron-donating group (–OCH 3 ) in the o-anisidine allows the electrons through the lone pair of nitrogen atoms to enhance the electronic charge transport inside the G-POA supercapacitor electrodes. However, the G-POA-based supercapacitors showed a 27% decrease in the specific capacitance in H 2 SO 4 and 16% decrease in the ionic liquid (BMIM-PF 6 ) after 1000 cycles of charging and discharging. The higher stability and rate capability of the G-POA based supercapacitor in an ionic liquid (BMIM-PF 6 ) as compared to an aqueous electrolytic supercapacitor opens the door for the fabrication of stable supercapacitors for practical applications.
Arterial system of the Herring gull (Larus argentatus)

Fourteen specimens of the Herring gull (Larus argentatus) were dissected and diagrams of the arterial system were prepared. Little individual variability in the larger arteries were noted; the origin, course, and number of smaller arteries, however, showed noticeable variation. In the neck and thorax region, the following arteries were relatively constant in origin and course: the common carotid, internal carotid, subclavian, sternoclavicular, ascending oesophageal, axillary, internal mammary (inner), pectoral, syringeobronchial, cervical cutaneous, comes nervi vagi, and subscapular artery. Individual variability was noted in the vertebral, accessory sternoclavicular, thyroid, and accessory oesophageal artery. In other regions of the body, as in the neck and thorax, the smaller arteries exhibited great individual variations. Additional studies are needed to clarify the phylogenetic significance of the vascular system in birds.
Closed-Form Evaluation of the MIMO Channel Spatial Covariance

The full spatial covariance matrix of the multiple-input multiple-output channel is an important quantity that is used in channel modeling, communication system signal processing, and performance analysis. This paper formulates a closed-form expression for this covariance matrix based on the average multipath propagation characteristics and the radiation patterns of the antennas in the transmit and receive arrays. Simplifications to the formulation are established for cases where the propagation can be represented using discrete plane waves or where the power angular spectrum can be modeled using clusters that satisfy uniform, truncated Gaussian, or truncated Laplacian distributions. Numerical studies demonstrate application of the formulation as well as its accuracy under different scenarios.
Diversity in Weakly Coordinating Anions. Mono- and Polynuclear Halo(perfluoroaryl)metalates as Cocatalysts for Stereospecific Olefin Polymerization: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity

A series of mononuclear and polynuclear trityl (perfluoroaryl)borate, -aluminate, and -gallate reagents, potential cocatalysts/activators for metallocene-mediated olefin polymerization, have been synthesized via fluoride abstraction from trityl fluoride (Ph3CF) by the organo Lewis acid reagents B(C6F5)3 (1), B(o-C6F5C6F4)3 (2), and Al(C6F5)3 (3), by derivatization of Ph3C+FAl(o-C6F5C6F4)3- (4), and by reaction of trityl fluoride with in situ generated Ga(C6F5)3 (5). Reaction of trityl fluoride with the tris(perfluoroaryl)boranes 1 and 2 yields the trityl tris(perfluoroaryl)fluoroborates Ph3C+FB(C6F5)3- (6) and Ph3C+FB(o-C6F5C6F4)3- (7), respectively. The three trityl tris(perfluorophenyl)fluoroaluminates (Ph3C+)xFx[Al(C6F5)3]yx- (x = 1, y = 1, 8; x = 1, y = 2, 9; x = 2, y = 3, 10) can be isolated from the reaction of trityl fluoride with the tris(perfluoroaryl)alane 3 in the appropriate molar ratios. Reaction of the trityl tris(perfluoroaryl)fluoroaluminate 4 with 3 affords the asymmetric fluoro-bridged t...
The Effects of River Impoundment and Hatchery Rearing on the Migration Behavior of Juvenile Steelhead in the Lower Snake River, Washington

Abstract We used radiotelemetry to monitor the migration behavior of juvenile hatchery and wild steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss as they migrated through Lower Granite Reservoir and Dam on the lower Snake River, Washington. From 1996 to 2001, we surgically implanted radio transmitters in 1,540 hatchery steelhead and 1,346 wild steelhead. For analysis, we used the inverse Gaussian distribution to describe travel time distributions for cohorts (>50 fish) of juvenile steelhead as they migrated downriver. Mean travel rates were significantly related to reach- and discharge-specific water velocities. Also, mean travel rates near the dam were slower for a given range of water velocities than were mean travel rates through the reservoir, indicating that the presence of the dam caused delay to juvenile steelhead over and above the effect of water velocity. Hatchery steelhead took about twice as long as wild steelhead to pass the dam as a result of the higher proportions of hatchery steelhead traveling upriver from t...
Temporal and Spatial Regulation of the Four Transcription Start Sites of hetR from Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120

The filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 forms nitrogen-fixing heterocysts in a periodic pattern in response to combined-nitrogen limitation in the environment. The master regulator of heterocyst differentiation, HetR, is necessary for both pattern formation and commitment of approximately every 10th cell of a filament to differentiation into a heterocyst. In this study, the individual contributions of four transcriptional start points (tsps) in regulation of transcription of hetR were assessed, and the effects of the regulatory genes patS, hetN, and patA on transcription from the tsps were determined. The tsp located at nucleotide −271 relative to the translational start site (−271 tsp) was the most tightly regulated tsp, and fluorescence from a −271 tsp-green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter fusion was observed initially in groups of two cells and later in single cells arranged in a spatial pattern that mimicked the pattern of heterocysts that emerged. Conversely, the fluorescence from the −184 and −728/−696 tsp-GFP reporter fusions was uniform throughout filaments. Transcription from the −271 tsp was severely downregulated in a strain in which the patA gene, which encodes a positive regulator of differentiation, was deleted, and it was not detectable in strains overexpressing the genes encoding the negative regulators of differentiation, patS and hetN. In strains lacking the −271 tsp of hetR, pattern formation, the timing of commitment to differentiation, and the number of cells that differentiated into heterocysts were affected. Taken together, these results demonstrate the role of regulation of the −271 tsp of hetR in the genetic network that governs heterocyst pattern formation and differentiation.
Premature termination during adenovirus transcription.

INITIATION of transcription, the first event in gene expression, is probably the most critical possible site for gene regulation. However, it has become clear from recent studies with bacteria and bacteriophages that a transcriptional start does not ensure the expression of a gene. For example, the phenomenon of ‘attenuation’, that is, premature termination of an mRNA chain before transcription of the structural gene region, is a key regulatory event for the synthesis of enzymes that make amino acids in bacteria1–4. We report here evidence for premature chain termination during transcription of an animal virus genome.
Genetic Analyses of Interspecific Hybrids between Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora mirabilis

Abstract Goodwin, S. B., and Fry, W. E. 1994. Genetic analyses of interspecific hybrids between Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora mirabilis. Experimental Mycology 18, 20-32. Four crosses were made between isolates of two host-specific Phytophthora species. Phytophthora infestans and Phytophthora mirabilis. In the two most successful crosses involving a common P. infestans A2 parent, allozyme analysis confirmed that 79 of 86 progeny were interspecific hybrids, 3 were presumed selfs, and 4 were either selfs or nonrecombinant parental types. Mating type, alleles at the allozyme locus glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, and the + alleles at a number of DNA fingerprinting loci segregated independently according to Mendelian expectation. Three DNA fingerprinting loci were tightly linked in P. mirabilis, but no other linkages were detected among these markers. Mitochondrial DNA was uniparentally inherited, mostly from the P. infestans parent. Growth rate segregated as a quantitative character. None of the 68 progeny tested infected Mirabilis jalapa (the host of P. mirabilis), 3 infected potato, and 4 were weakly pathogenic to tomato. Because most of the F1 hybrids could not infect any of the hosts infected by the parents, host specialization could provide a postzygotic as well as a prezygotic reproductive isolating mechanism for P. infestans and P. mirabilis in central Mexico. These results indicate that P. mirabilis probably is capable of a regular outcrossing mating system.
Visual response properties and functional organization of cells in the superior colliculus of the ground squirrel.

Abstract There are two classes of visually activated collicular cells: directionally selective (DS) and hypercomplex (HC). DS cells respond to stationary and moving stimuli; HC neurons respond only to movement. DS receptive fields have an “on-off” rectangular central area and a rectangular antagonistic surround. HC fields have a square central activating area and two square antagonistic flanks on opposite sides of the central region; all three areas are orientation-sensitive. All DS cells respond to moving slits of light and moving dark bars. Most HC cells respond only to moving slits, only to moving bars or only to moving edges. For both DS and HC units preferred motion is in a direction perpendicular to the receptive-field axis. The colliculus is organized into vertical functional columns within which both DS and HC cells have the same field position, the same preferred direction of motion and the same axis orientation. Most DS cells are above the optic layer; all HC neurons are below it. DS unit receive only retinal inputs; HC cells, only cortical. The projections of the retinal and the cortical fibers onto the superior colliculus are in topographic registration.
Increasing Egg Production in Winter-Hatched Turkeys by a Restricted Light Treatment

Abstract A SHORT daily light restriction given to fall or early-winter-hatched turkeys prior to maturity will, by virtue of disrupting hypothalamic refractoriness to seasonal increases in day light, decrease age at first egg and improve rate of lay (Marr et al., 1956; Harper and Parker, 1957). More recent investigations indicate that successful light restriction programs are dependent upon four factors: 1) length of the daily light period; 2) duration of the imposed daily light restriction; 3) age of the females at time of light restriction; and 4) total daily hours of stimulatory light and method of application. Light restriction programs involving the application of one or more of the above factors have been studied by Asmundson and Moses (1950), Marr et al. (1956), Harper and Parker (1957), Ogasawara et al. (1962), McCartney et al. (1961), Leighton et al. (1961a, b), Wilson et al. (1962), and Marsden and Lucas (1964). On the …
An Incremental Algorithm to Check Satisfiability for Bounded Model Checking

In Bounded Model Checking (BMC), the search for counterexamples of increasing lengths is translated into a sequence of satisfiability (SAT) checks. It is natural to try to exploit the similarity of these SAT instances by forwarding clauses learned during conflict analysis from one instance to the next. The methods proposed to identify clauses that remain valid fall into two categories: Those that are oblivious to the mechanism that generates the sequence of SAT instances and those that rely on it. In the case of a BMC run, it was observed by Strichman O. Shtrichman. Pruning techniques for the SAT-based bounded model checking problem. In Correct Hardware Design and Verification Methods (CHARME 2001), pages 58--70, Livingston, Scotland, Sept. 2001. Springer. LNCS 2144] that those clauses learned during one SAT check that only depend on the structure of the model remain valid when checking for longer counterexamples. Een and Sorensson N. Een and N. Sorensson. Temporal induction by incremental SAT solving. Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science, 89(4), 2003. First International Workshop on Bounded Model Checking. http://www.elsevier.nl/locate/entcs/] pointed out that all learned clauses can be forwarded if the translation into SAT obeys commonly followed rules. Many clauses that are forwarded this way, however, are of little usefulness and may degrade performance. This paper presents an extension to Strichman's approach in the form of a more general criterion to filter conflict clauses that can be profitably forwarded to successive instances. This criterion, in particular, is still syntactic and quite efficient, but accounts for the presence of both primary and auxiliary objectives in the SAT instance. This paper also introduces a technique to distill clauses to be forwarded even though they fail the syntactic check. Distillation is a semantic approach that can be applied in general to incremental SAT, and often produces clauses that are independent of the primary objective, and hence remain valid for the remainder of the sequence of instances. In addition, distillation often improves the quality of the clauses, that is, their ability to prevent the examination of large regions of the search space. Experimental results obtained with the CirCUs SAT solver confirm the efficacy of the proposed techniques, especially for large, hard problems.
Infection deflection: hosts control parasite location with behaviour to improve tolerance

Anti-parasite behaviour can reduce parasitic infections, but little is known about how such behaviours affect infection location within the host's body and whether parasite distribution ultimately affects tolerance of infection. To assess these questions, we exposed both anaesthetized (no behaviour) and non-anaesthetized Hyla femoralis tadpoles to plagiorchiid cercariae (larval trematodes), and quantified resistance, tolerance (relationship between mass change and infection intensity) and encystment location. Non-anaesthetized tadpoles had significantly more infections in their tail region than anaesthetized tadpoles, which had the majority of their infections in the head. This pattern indicates that parasites preferred to infect the head, but that hosts shunted infections to the tail when possible. Furthermore, there was a significant effect of encystment location on tolerance, with head-infected tadpoles having poorer tolerance to infection than tail-infected tadpoles. Variance partitioning suggests that, among infected tadpoles, behaviour contributed more to tolerance than resistance. These results suggest that, in addition to using behaviour to resist parasites, H. femoralis tadpoles also use behaviour to enhance infection tolerance by deflecting infections posteriorly, away from their vital sensory organs. These findings highlight the need to assess how widespread and important behaviour is to the tolerance of infections.
Memory processing of serial lists by pigeons, monkeys and people

List memory of pigeons, monkeys, and humans was tested with lists of four visual items (travel slides for animals and kaleidoscope patterns for humans). Retention interval increases for list-item memory revealed a consistent modification of the serial-position function shape: a monotonically increasing function at the shortest interval, a U-shaped function at intermediate intervals, and a monotonically decreasing function at the longest interval. The time course of these changes was fastest for pigeons, intermediate for monkeys, and slowest for humans.
Analysis and performance testing of a dynamometer for use in drilling and allied processes

Abstract In this design of dynamometer the measurement of the forces and torques is carried out by the use of strain gauges fixed to the four spokes of a wheel-type workpiece carrier which are stressed by the influence of the cutting forces. The range of measurement covers thrusts from 20 lbf to 1500 lbf and torques from 15 lbf. in to 2000 lbf. in. In addition, it is possible to record simultaneously radial forces which may occur during drilling and similar processes. The behaviour of the dynamometer under dynamic conditions of loading has been studied. From the tests which determine the dynamic magnifier over a wide range of frequencies from zero to above the lowest natural frequency, a flat response was found to exist up to 150 c/s. Cutting tests have been carried out on mild steel (B.S. 15) and the results compare well with previous work.
Intercellular junctions in the reticular lamina of the organ of Corti

Junctions between the cells in the reticular lamina of the organ of Corti were examined in thin sections and after freeze-fracturing to find a structural basis for the large ionic differences between the endolymph and perilymph. The apices of the cells in the reticular lamina are joined by a band of tight junctions spaced at 140 A intervals. Beneath this apical band the organization of the tight junctions depends on whether they join a supporting cell and a hair cell, or two supporting cells. At hair cell junctions with supporting cells, there is an extensive labyrinth of tight junctions enclosing lengthy, tortuous passages whose walls are composed of either multiple parallel or single junctions. At appositions between two supporting cells, maculae or fasciae occludentes lie immediately beneath the apical bands of closely spaced tight junctions, near the top of the zonulae adherentia which are characteristic of appositions between supporting cells. The complexes of tight junctions, or zonulae occludentes, between extralaminar supporting cells differ from those in the reticular lamina. The extralaminar cells are joined by a band of four to seven branching, anastomotic tight junctions. Thus, these junctions are like zonulae occludentes in other tissues. The novel organization of the tight junctions in the reticular lamina, different from those between the extralaminar supporting cells, suggests a special role for these junctions in the reticular lamina. Two sizes of gap junctions link, and presumably couple, supporting cells in the reticular lamina.
Toxic Side Effects of Drugs Used to Treat Chagas’ Disease (American Trypanosomiasis):

Fil: Castro, Jose Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. GP. CITEFA - Centro de Investigaciones Toxicologicas (I); Argentina
Modeling and generating TCP application workloads

In order to perform valid experiments, traffic generators used in network simulators and testbeds require contemporary models of traffic as it exists on real network links. Ideally one would like a model of the workload created by the full range of applications running on the Internet today. Unfortunately, at best, all that is available to the research community are a small number of models for single applications or application classes such as the web or peer-to-peer. We present a method for creating a model of the full TCP application workload that generates the traffic flowing on a network link. From this model, synthetic workload traffic can be generated in a simulation that is statistically similar to the traffic observed on the real link. The model is generated automatically using only a simple packet-header trace and requires no knowledge of the actual identity or mix of TCP applications on the network. We present the modeling method and a traffic generator that will enable researchers to conduct network experiments with realistic, easy-to-update TCP application workloads. An extensive validation study is performed using Abilene and university traces. The method is validated by comparing traces of synthetically generated traffic to the original traces for a set of important measures of realism. We also show how workload models can be re-sampled to generate statistically valid randomized and rescaled variations.
Damage in Short-Fiber Composites: From the Microscale to the Continuum Solid

This paper proposes a multiscale mechanistic approach to damage in short-fiber polymer composites (SFPC). At the microscale, the damage mechanisms are analyzed using micromechanical modeling, and the associated damage variables are defined. The stiffness reduction law dependent on these variables is then established. The macroscopic response is determined using thermodynamics of continuous media, continuum damage mechanics and finite element analysis. Final failure resulting from saturation of matrix microcracks, fiber/matrix debonding, fiber pull-out and breakage is modeled by a vanishing element technique. The model was validated using the experimental data and results from literature, as well as those obtained from a random glass/vinyl ester system.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Eighteen to 37 hours' preservation of major organs using a new autoperfusion multiorgan preparation.

Abstract A new autoperfusion preparation was used to preserve six major organs simultaneously. In 7 Yorkshire white swine, the heart and lungs were separated and removed with the liver, pancreas, duodenum, and both kidneys en bloc while they were self-perfused. Fresh blood, glucose, electrolytes, heparin sodium, methylprednisolone, and a fat emulsion (Soyacal) were infused through the portal vein. No inotropic drugs were necessary. The organs survived for 18 to 37 hours (average survival, 24.6 ± 2.7 hours [± standard error of the mean]). Aortic systolic pressure ranged from 78.5 ± 5.5 to 98.7 ± 11.8 mm Hg. Arterial oxygen tension ranged from 206 ± 23 to 266 ± 15 mm Hg and arterial carbon dioxide tension, from 20.1 ± 2.7 to 32.1 ± 4.9 mm Hg. Blood lactic acid levels decreased from 8.75 ± 2.06 to 5.50 ± 2.45 mmol/L at 24 hours. Urine output ranged from 25 to 82 mL/h. Blood urea nitrogen levels decreased from 9.17 ± 0.59 to 4.67 ± 1.08 mg/dL. Blood creatinine levels decreased from 1.34 ± 0.10 to 0.57 ± 0.22 mg/dL. Serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase levels increased from 73.4 ± 26.3 to 194 ± 179.5 U/L and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase levels, from 44.8 ± 5.7 to 91 ± 66.4 U/L. Red blood cell count ranged from 6.94 ± 0.58 to 13.23 ± 2.30 × 10 6 /μL. Lung wet/dry weight ratios changed from 5.79 ± 0.17 at the beginning to 6.25 ± 0.16 at 24 hours. The technique for simultaneous multiorgan preservation presented here is simple, effective, and highly reproducible. This study appears to have produced one of the longest average survival times for autoperfusion.
Advanced Standing Revisited: Current Status, Structure, and Issues.

ABSTRACT A 2004 national survey of CSWE-accredited MSW programs addresses three major questions. (1) Do advanced standing students perform as well as (or better than) traditional social work graduate students? (2) What should be the educational continuum between undergraduate and graduate programs? (3) What is the current status and structure of advanced standing programs? The results of studies which examined the performance of advanced standing versus traditional social work graduates are summarized. The word “continuum” incorrectly suggests there is one right connection between associate degree → BSW degree → MSW degree → doctorate; there are actually many models of connection. Findings from 70% (117) of MSW programs reveal the current status and structure of advanced standing programs. Given the current philosophy of the CSWE's Commission on Accreditation that emphasizes outcomes and reduced requirements, it is unlikely that any national guidelines on advanced standing will emerge.
Utilization of Pore-Size Distributions to Predict Thermophysical Properties and Performance of Biporous Wick Evaporators

A sintered copper porous medium is an extremely effective structure used to enhance the evaporative heat transfer properties of a heat pipe. It provides both capillary pressure to passively draw liquid in and increased surface area to more effectively heat the liquid. A biporous wick is particularly effective for this application as there are two distinct size distributions of pores; small pores to provide ample capillary pressure to drive flow through the wick and large pores to provide high permeability for escaping vapor. The modeling described in this work is based on the work of Kovalev who used a pore size distribution in order to determine the most probable liquid saturation at a given position. The model distinguishes phases by choosing a “cutoff” pore size, where larger pores were assumed to be filled with vapor and smaller pores were assumed to be filled with liquid. For a given thickness and thermophysical properties of the liquid, this 1-D model predicts the temperature difference across the wick for a given input power. The modeling proposed in this work yielded results that compare very well with experimental data collected on biporous evaporators by Semenic.
Mitochondrial myopathies and respiratory chain proteins

Abstract Mitochondrial myopathies and encephalomyopathies are relatively rare diseases, often resulting from a dysfunction of respiratory chain proteins. Studies of these diseases are providing new insights into the basic features of respiratory chain structure and biosynthesis.
Numerical evaluation of path-integral solutions to Fokker-Planck equations. II. Restricted stochastic processes

A path-integral solution is derived for processes described by nonlinear Fokker-Planck equations together with externally imposed boundary conditions. This path-integral solution is written in the form of a path sum for small time steps and contains, in addition to the conventional volume integral, a surface integral which incorporates the boundary conditions. A previously developed numerical method, based on a histogram representation of the probability distribution, is extended to a trapezoidal representation. This improved numerical approach is combined with the present path-integral formalism for restricted processes and is shown to give accurate results.
Plant-Based Diets

For each issue of Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, the editor selects three to five health care sites containing high quality health care information on a given subject. The topic for each issue is very much dependent on the whim of the editor and the consumer questions that have crossed her desk. Sites used within the column are chosen based on the editor's personal experience and usage of the Internet. Each select site has been subjected to rigorous evaluation criteria. Evaluation criteria include reputation of the producer/publisher of the site, bias, content and scope of information provided (including types of information provided – general overviews or specific conditions, treatments, etc.), intended audience (professionals, adults, teens, or children), currency of site updates, and viability of links. Dead links and changing URLs are a problematic reality of Internet usage. The selected sites have exhibited stability in providing long-term access to quality information. Columns begin wit...
COMMON RAVEN JUVENILE SURVIVAL IN A HUMAN-AUGMENTED LANDSCAPE

Abstract Anthropogenic resource subsidies have contributed to the dramatic increase in the abundance of Common Ravens (Corvus corax) in the western Mojave Desert, California, during the past 30 years. To better understand the effects of these subsidies on raven demography, we examined whether survival to juvenile departure from the natal territory could be predicted by a set of environmental and morphological variables, such as nest proximity to anthropogenic resources and juvenile condition. We captured 240 juvenile ravens over 2 years and marked them prior to fledging. Nest proximity to anthropogenic resources and earlier fledging dates significantly predicted raven juvenile survival to departure from the natal territory. The best-fitting mark-recapture models predicted postdeparture survival as a function of time since fledging, nest proximity to anthropogenic resources, and year hatched. The positive effect of nest proximity to anthropogenic resources influenced postdeparture survival for at least 9 m...
Accelerator mass spectrometry targets of submilligram carbonaceous samples using the high-throughput Zn reduction method.

The high-throughput Zn reduction method was developed and optimized for various biological/biomedical accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) applications of mg of C size samples. However, high levels of background carbon from the high-throughput Zn reduction method were not suitable for sub-mg of C size samples in environmental, geochronology, and biological/biomedical AMS applications. This study investigated the effect of background carbon mass (mc) and background 14C level (Fc) from the high-throughput Zn reduction method. Background mc was 0.011 mg of C and background Fc was 1.5445. Background subtraction, two-component mixing, and expanded formulas were used for background correction. All three formulas accurately corrected for backgrounds to 0.025 mg of C in the aerosol standard (NIST SRM 1648a). Only the background subtraction and the two-component mixing formulas accurately corrected for backgrounds to 0.1 mg of C in the IAEA-C6 and -C7 standards. After the background corrections, our high-throughput...
Bivariate Models of Fit in Contingency Theory: Critique and a Polynomial Regression Alternative.

The concept of fit in contingency theory has been modeled in ways that made it less conducive to detection. Each model of fit postulates a specific relationship between the structural, contingency, and outcome variables. Operationalization is then derived from this relationship. Conversely, a polynomial regression model would allow for a more generalized notion of fit while capturing the same forms of fit implied by existing models in a simpler, general, robust, and less constrained way.
The chronology of early Mesozoic arc magmatism in the Yerington district of western Nevada and its regional implications

The Yerington district, west-central Nevada, is underlain by arc volcanic, sedimentary, and plutonic rocks ranging in age from Middle(?) Triassic to Middle Jurassic. Twenty-three U-Pb radiometric dates from eight igneous units have been determined for zircon from both plutonic and volcanic rocks in the district, which establish two distinct periods of voluminous intermediate to silicic, high-K calc-alkaline magmatism. The earlier period is constrained by zircon dates of 232 and 233 Ma on a quartz porphyry and a metadiorite, respectively, which intrude and are possibly comagmatic with andesitic to rhyolitic volcanic rocks. The second period of arc magmatism is constrained by 5 concordant zircon dates that define an approximately 4-m.y. period (169-165 Ma) in the Middle Jurassic during which as much as 4 km of volcanic and volcaniclastic strata accumulated and two major batholiths were emplaced. Middle Jurassic magmatism began with eruption of the volcanics of Artesia Lake. They were intruded by the probably comagmatic 250-km 2 Yerington batholith, which was differentiated, emplaced, and crystallized within approximately 1 m.y. (169.4-168.5 Ma). Granite porphyry dikes (168.5 Ma) are the latest phase of the Yerington batholith and are synchronous with porphyry and skarn copper mineralization. Disconformably overlying the Artesia volcanics is a second volcanic suite consisting of as much as 2 km of latitic volcanics of Fulstone Spring (166.5 Ma). The volcanics of Fulstone Spring were subsequently intruded by quartz monzodiorite porphyry dikes (≥165 Ma) and the Shamrock batholith (165.8 Ma). The Triassic through Lower Jurassic stratigraphic column was contact metamorphosed and folded adjacent to, and at least in part contemporaneously with emplacement of, the Yerington and Shamrock batholiths (169.4-165.8 Ma). We interpret the early, 232-233 Ma period of magmatism to represent a minimum age for the establishment of a west-facing Triassic volcanic arc within west- facing Triassic volcanic arc within west-central Nevada following the Permian Triassic Sonoma orogeny. The timing of Middle Jurassic arc magmatism and deformation in the Yerington district and surrounding regions is strikingly similar to the timing of magmatic and tectonic events documented in the Klamath Mountains region of northwestern California. We suggest that the similar record of arc magmatism and deformation in these two regions is not fortuitous but reflects a common tectonic evolution within a single, west-facing arc constructed along the western edge of North America.
Predictive Validity Criteria for Career Development Measures

Which criteria should be used in predictive validity studies of career development measures? An answer to this question emerged from reviewing 15 predictive validity studies, revisiting the purpose for which career development measures were devised, and acknowledging the preeminence of validity for use. The most important criterion for predictive validity studies of career development measures is subsequent coping responses, especially in the short term. The coping responses selected as criteria should be operationally defined by indices of (a) the realism, independence, and purpose of vocational behavior and (b) movement toward suitable career choices and viable occupational plans.
Water use and light interception under Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) and corn competition

Abstract A study was conducted near Garden City, KS, under irrigated conditions to determine the effect of full-season Palmer amaranth infestation on corn water use efficiency and light interception in a fully developed corn canopy. Palmer amaranth at densities of 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 plants m−1 was established at corn planting in 1996 and 1997 and at two locations in 1998. Soil water was monitored 240 cm deep in 30-cm increments with a neutron probe each year and at each location every 10 d. Photosynthetic photon flux was measured in 1997 and 1998 by using a circular and a linear quantum sensor for above canopy and in four 50-cm increments for within canopy, respectively. Palmer amaranth reduced corn yield from 11 to 91% as density increased from 0.5 to 8 plants m−1. Water use efficiency of corn declined with increased Palmer amaranth density. Regardless of Palmer amaranth density, soil water extraction was greatest in the top 30 cm of the soil profile. The pattern of corn leaf area distribution was si...
A 32 nm, 3.1 Billion Transistor, 12 Wide Issue Itanium® Processor for Mission-Critical Servers

The next generation in the Intel® Itanium® processor family, code named Poulson, has eight multi-threaded 64 bit cores. Poulson is socket compatible with the current Intel® Itanium® Processor 9300 series (Tukwila). The new design integrates a ring-based system interface derived from portions of previous Xeon® and Itanium® processors, and includes 32MB of Last Level Cache (LLC). The processor is designed in Intel®'s 32nm CMOS technology utilizing high-K dielectric metal gate transistors combined with nine layers of copper interconnect. The 18.2x29.9mm2 die contains 3.1 billion transistors, with 720 million allocated to the eight cores. A total of 54MB of on die cache is distributed throughout the core and system interface. Poulson implements twice as many cores as Tukwila while lowering the thermal design power (TDP) by 15Wto 170W and increases the top frequency of the I/O and memory inter faces by 50% to 6.4GT/s.
Evidence-Based Practices in Interventions for Children and Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) are the basis on which teachers and other service providers are required to design educational programs for learners with autism spectrum disor- ders (ASD). As part of their work with the National Professional Development Center (NPDC) on ASD, researchers developed a process for reviewing the research literature and established criteria for identifying EBPs. In their review, they identified 24 focused intervention practices having sufficient evidence. In this article, the authors describe procedures for selecting specific EBPs appropriate for addressing specific IEP goals for learners with ASD. The authors emphasize the importance of systematic implementation of practices. BASING EDUCATIONAL PRACTICE on scientific evi- dence of its effectiveness has become a necessary feature of programs for infants, children, and youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This policy is based in part on the precedents set in the fields of medicine and health care (Sackett, Rosenberg, Gray, Haynes, & Richardson, 2002), and educational policy in the United States that requires teachers and school systems to implement scientifically proven practices (U.S. Department of Education, 2008). Yet, a perusal of the professional literature may lead a reader to conclude that most practices are evidence-based because their developers or purveyors describe them as such. It is the brand put on many programs and practices. To date, however, there is not a universally agreed-on standard or set of standards by which to identify a practice as evidence- based, although the field is moving in that direction. Teachers and other practitioners working with children and youth with ASD and their families are required by agen- cies and insurance companies to implement evidence-based practices, but there may be little guidance regarding where to locate those practices and what criteria to use to verify that a practice is evidence based. The aims of the present article were (a) to provide a definition of evidence-based practices (EBP) used with infants, children, and youth with ASD and their families; (b) to describe a process for identifying EBPs; (c) to identify the practices that meet the offered definition and thus have sufficient empirical support to qualify as evi- dence-based; and (d) to describe how teachers and practitio- ners might use such information to select practices to address specific goals and objectives for individual children.
Pigeon and human performance in a multi-armed bandit task in response to changes in variable interval schedules

The tension between exploitation of the best options and exploration of alternatives is a ubiquitous problem that all organisms face. To examine this trade-off across species, pigeons and people were trained on an eight-armed bandit task in which the options were rewarded on a variable interval (VI) schedule. At regular intervals, each option’s VI changed, thus encouraging dynamic increases in exploration in response to these anticipated changes. Both species showed sensitivity to the payoffs that was often well modeled by Luce’s (1963) decision rule. For pigeons, exploration of alternative options was driven by experienced changes in the payoff schedules, not the beginning of a new session, even though each session signaled a new schedule. In contrast, people quickly learned to explore in response to signaled changes in the payoffs.
Improved accuracy of mass measurement with a quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometer

Mass Measurement accuracy of better than 0.015% on protonated gramicidin S (nominal chemical average molecular weight 1141.5 Da) and its first three isotopes has been achieved using reasonant ion ejection in the quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometer operated at unit resolution. Analyte and Calibrant ions are subjected to identical injection and trapping conditions when desorbed by Cs+ ions from a split prone-tip and co-injected into the trap. When the mass analysis scan rate is slowed, enhanced resolution is achieved for all ions but the mass range accessed in a single scan of the digital-to-analog converter, which controls the mass analysis scan, is limited making calibration difficult. A peak-matching procedure is described for use at these higher resolution conditions in which the offset voltage which determines the origin of the RF amplitude ramp is adjusted in such a fashion that the analyte and calibrant ions occur at the same point in the mass analysis scan. This procedure gave an improved mass measurement accuracy of better than 0.007% for the protonated gramicidin S. ions.
Long-term cardiovascular risks associated with an elevated heart rate: the Framingham Heart Study.

Background Higher heart rate has been associated with an adverse prognosis, but most prior studies focused on individuals with known cardiovascular disease or examined a limited number of outcomes. We sought to examine the association of baseline heart rate with both fatal and nonfatal outcomes during 2 decades of follow-up. Methods and Results Our study included 4058 Framingham Heart Study participants (mean age 55 years, 56% women). Cox models were performed with multivariable adjustment for clinical risk factors and physical activity. A total of 708 participants developed incident cardiovascular disease (303 heart failure, 343 coronary heart disease, and 216 stroke events), 48 received a permanent pacemaker, and 1186 died. Baseline heart rate was associated with incident cardiovascular disease (hazard ratio [HR] 1.15 per 1 SD [11 bpm] increase in heart rate, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.24, P =0.0002), particularly heart failure (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.48, P <0.0001). Higher heart rate was also associated with higher all-cause (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.24, P <0.0001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.33, P =0.01). Spline analyses did not suggest a lower threshold beyond which the benefit of a lower heart rate abated or increased. In contrast, individuals with a higher heart rate had a lower risk of requiring permanent pacemaker placement (HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.79, P =0.001). Conclusions Individuals with a higher heart rate are at elevated long-term risk for cardiovascular events, in particular, heart failure, and all-cause death. On the other hand, a higher heart rate is associated with a lower risk of future permanent pacemaker implantation.
Electrophysiological models of neural processing

The brain is an amazing information processing system that allows organisms to adaptively monitor and control complex dynamic interactions with their environment across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Mathematical modeling andcomputer simulation techniques have becomeessential toolsinunderstanding diverseaspectsofneuralprocessingrangingfromsub-millisecondtemporalcoding in the sound localization circuity of barn owls to long-term memory storage and retrieval in humans that can span decades. The processing capabilities of individual neurons lie at the core of these models, with the emphasis shifting upward and downward across different levels of biological organization depending on the nature of the questions being addressed. This review provides an introduction to the techniques for constructing biophysically based models of individual neurons and local networks. Topics include Hodgkin-Huxley-type models of macroscopic membrane currents, Markov models of individual ionchannel currents, compartmental models of neuronal morphology, and network models involving synaptic interactions among multiple neurons.  2010 John Wiley &