cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utility-aware scheduling of stochastic real-time systems

Time utility functions offer a reasonably general way to describe the complex timing constraints of real-time and cyber-physical systems. However, utility-aware scheduling policy design is an open research problem. In particular, scheduling policies that optimize expected utility accrual are needed for real-time and cyber-physical domains. This dissertation addresses the problem of utility-aware scheduling for systems with periodic real-time task sets and stochastic non-preemptive execution intervals. We model these systems as Markov Decision Processes. This model provides an evaluation framework by which different scheduling policies can be compared. By solving the Markov Decision Process we can derive value-optimal scheduling policies for moderate sized problems. However, the time and memory complexity of computing and storing value-optimal scheduling policies also necessitates the exploration of other more scalable solutions. We consider heuristic schedulers, including a generalization we have developed for the existing Utility Accrual Packet Scheduling Algorithm. We compare several heuristics under soft and hard real-time conditions, different load conditions, and different classes of time utility functions. Based on these evaluations we present guidelines for which heuristics are best suited to particular scheduling criteria. Finally, we address the memory complexity of value-optimal scheduling, and examine trade-offs between optimality and memory complexity. We show that it is possible to derive good low complexity scheduling decision functions based on a synthesis of heuristics and reduced-memory approximations of the value-optimal scheduling policy.
Lenient array operations for practical secure information flow

Our goal in this paper is to make secure information flow typing more practical. We propose simple and permissive typing rules for array operations in a simple sequential imperative language. Arrays are given types of the form /spl tau//sub 1/ arr /spl tau//sub 2/, where /spl tau//sub 1/ is the security class of the array's contents and /spl tau//sub 2/ is the security class of the array's length. To keep the typing rules permissive, we propose a novel, lenient semantics for out-of-bounds array indices. We show that our type system ensures a noninterference property, and we present an example that suggests that it will not be too difficult in practice to write programs that satisfy the typing rules.
Data-driven robotic sampling for marine ecosystem monitoring

Robotic sampling is attractive in many field robotics applications that require persistent collection of physical samples for ex-situ analysis. Examples abound in the earth sciences in studies involving the collection of rock, soil, and water samples for laboratory analysis. In our test domain, marine ecosystem monitoring, detailed understanding of plankton ecology requires laboratory analysis of water samples, but predictions using physical and chemical properties measured in real-time by sensors aboard an autonomous underwater vehicle AUV can guide sample collection decisions. In this paper, we present a data-driven and opportunistic sampling strategy to minimize cumulative regret for batches of plankton samples acquired by an AUV over multiple surveys. Samples are labeled at the end of each survey, and used to update a probabilistic model that guides sampling during subsequent surveys. During a survey, the AUV makes irrevocable sample collection decisions online for a sequential stream of candidates, with no knowledge of the quality of future samples. In addition to extensive simulations using historical field data, we present results from a one-day field trial where beginning with a prior model learned from data collected and labeled in an earlier campaign, the AUV collected water samples with a high abundance of a pre-specified planktonic target. This is the first time such a field experiment has been carried out in its entirety in a data-driven fashion, in effect ?closing the loop? on a significant and relevant ecosystem monitoring problem while allowing domain experts marine ecologists to specify the mission at a relatively high level.
Dynamics of excretion of urinary chemosignals in the house mouse (Mus musclus) during the natural estrous cycle

The volatile fraction of urinary metabolites was investigated chromatographically at five different stages of the natural estrous cycle. A very substantial endocrine dependency has been noted for 11 compounds: 4 ketones, 2 acetate esters, 3 dihydrofuran isomers, dehydro-exo-brevicomin, and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine. The compounds were structurally verified through combined gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
Maximizing the Use of a Web-Based Teaching Skills Curriculum for Community-based Volunteer Faculty.

Background: The University of Kansas School of Medicine in Wichita created an Internet-based faculty development curriculum for community-based faculty. Because relatively few physicians use Internet-based continuing medical education (CME), the most cost-effective methods of encouraging use need to be identified. Method: Five interventions intended to increase use of the curriculum were assessed. The number of times the CME curriculum Webpages were accessed was correlated with the interventions. Results: Demonstrating the Website to faculty at a semiannual meeting elicited the most Website “hits.” Electronic mail and flyers also appeared to be effective in stimulating interest in the Website. Only four community-based faculty applied for CME credit for completing the curricular modules. Findings: Multiple modalities should be used in advertising and stimulating interest in an Internet-based faculty development curriculum. Demonstrating the Website to faculty at a meeting appeared to achieve the greatest return. Offering CME credit was not helpful in stimulating interest.
Ethanol effects on dentate granule cell LTP.

In previous studies we identified a lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) sensitive to ethanol, 30 mM and <50mM; and that at higher doses ethanol can have a direct effect on the LHA; and possibly toxic due to increasing ethanol in the blood circulatory system.
High-repetition-rate femtosecond optical parametric oscillator based on RbTiOAsO 4

A high-repetition-rate Ti:sapphire-pumped femtosecond optical parametric oscillator based on the new nonlinear-optical crystal RbTiOAsO(4) is described. Tuning from 1.03 to 1.3 microm in the signal branch and from 2.15 to 3.65 microm in the idler branch with powers as high as 250 mW in the signal and 200 mW in the idler is presented. The possibility of extending the tuning range beyond 3.65 microm is discussed.
Revisiting [Mn(CO)3(η5-nido-7,8-C2B9H11)]-, the Dicarbollide Analogue of [(η5-C5H5)Mn(CO)3]: Reactivity Studies Leading to Boron Atom Functionalization†

Treatment of Na2[7,8-R2-nido-7,8-C2B9H9] (R = H, Me) with the reagent [Mn(NCMe)3(CO)3][PF6] affords the anions [3,3,3-(CO)3-1,2-R2-closo-3,1,2-MnC2B9H9]-, typically isolated as Cs+ or [N(PPh3)2]+ s...
The 'squeaky wheel' and health care policy.

ESTABLISHING public policy for health care is difficult at best. But when policy decisions result primarily from the application of the "squeaky wheel" principle, the difficulty is compounded. Decisions are then more likely to deal with the concerns of a small group of individuals rather than the broader interests of society, with private patient care rather than public health needs, and with short-term expenditures rather than long-term savings. A story on the front page of the New York Times on November 12, 1990, focused my attention clearly on an issue that exemplifies this problem. The story reported, "The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has agreed to pay a share of the costs of a clinical study of an experimental treatment for advanced breast cancer." The association would expend at least $10 million during the 3-to 4-year study of 1200 women who will undergo autologous bone marrow transplantation in conjunction
Current fluctuations in mesoscopic systems with Andreev scattering.

Using a scattering theory approach we study the zero-frequency current fluctuations of the normal terminals of a phase-coherent mesoscopic structure with a superconducting region. We find that for devices where the potential of the superconducting region is externally fixed (Fig. 1), the expression for current fluctuations is a simple generalization of the corresponding expression obtained in Buttiker [Phys Rev. B 46, 12 485 (1992)] for purely normal mesoscopic systems. In contrast to purely normal mesoscopic systems, we find that the current fluctuations between two different contacts can be positive in these devices. We apply this formula to derive a simple expression for the shot noise in a normal superconducting (NS) junction and study the noise to current ratio both as a function of the applied bias and a potential barrier at the NS interface. For devices with a floating superconductor (Fig. 2), a self-consistent calculation of the current fluctuations is necessary, and here we derive an approximate formula valid in the small bias limit. We show that two similar devices with identical average currents can exhibit very different fluctuations depending on whether the superconductor is held at a fixed potential or is left floating. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Sex disparities in melanoma outcomes: The role of biology

Melanoma outcomes differ between men and women even when adjusted for prognostic factors such as age, Breslow thickness, body site, ulceration, lymph node dissection, and for treatment, with men having poorer outcomes compared to women. The mechanisms underlying this disparity are not well understood. Behavioral differences between the sexes such as ultraviolet light exposure and health care services utilization have been suggested as contributing, and differences in endogenous biological processes such as immune function, hormonal regulation, oxidative stress response, vitamin D metabolism and sex chromosome gene expression have also been proposed as mechanisms. This review examines the cumulative evidence for biologically based processes that lead to differences in melanoma biology, including inherent sex-based differences in immune function, oxidative stress response and vitamin D metabolism; the complex interplay between sex hormones, the immune system and oxidative stress response; the effect of non-random X chromosome inactivation on tumorigenesis; and the potential contribution of recently identified oncogenes on the Y chromosome.
Nanowires: size evolution, reversibility, and one-atom contacts

Size-evolutionary patterns of mechanical and electronic transport properties in junctions are discussed, showing formation of nanowires upon narrowing, regard- less of the initial dimensions of the junctions. Mechanical and conductance reversibility of such nanowires in elon- gation and compression cycles is studied. Ab-initio local- spin-density functional based molecular dynamics simula- tions show formation of a stable "one-atom" contact in a sodium wire at 189 K, with the atomic structure near the apex of the nanowire correlated to that of two pentagonal pyramidal Na7 clusters joined by the apex atom. The aver- age electronic conductance through the one-atom contact, at 189 K, is estimated to be 4.5 (2e 2 =h).
Intrinsic Point Defects in Silicon: a Unified View from Crystal Growth, Wafer Processing and Metal Diffusion

There are several phenomena where the properties of vacancies and self-interstitials in silicon are manifested in straightforward ways. These include the formation of grown-in microdefects, the diffusion of metals (such as Au, Zn), self-diffusion and the installation of vacancy depth profiles in wafers by Rapid Thermal Annealing. Combining features extracted from the analysis of these phenomena, it is possible to define the diffusivities and equilibrium concentrations of the intrinsic point defects. Their diffusivities are remarkably high, and have weak temperature dependence. Their equilibrium concentrations are very low, and have strong temperature dependence.
Treatment of Lupus Nephritis

The treatment of lupus nephritis has evolved over the past few decades. Standard practice is to define the first 6 months of therapy as an induction phase, during which the goal of therapy is to achieve renal remission, usually with bolus intravenous infusions of the cytotoxic cyclophosphamide or the immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Following induction, therapy is continued, with some decrease in aggressive dosing for a more prolonged period of time—typically 24 months—that is aimed at preventing renal flares and smoldering disease, which could lead to continuous deterioration of renal function. During maintenance, the usual therapeutic option is immunosuppression with MMF or azathioprine. In recent years, MMF has been increasingly replacing intravenous cyclophosphamide as an initial standard of care. The current paper reviews data on these treatment strategies and suggests a possible treatment algorithm for clinical care.
Compromised Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Induces Adaptive Immune Compensation that Protects from Colitis

Summary Mice lacking junctional adhesion molecule A (JAM-A, encoded by F11r ) exhibit enhanced intestinal epithelial permeability, bacterial translocation, and elevated colonic lymphocyte numbers, yet do not develop colitis. To investigate the contribution of adaptive immune compensation in response to increased intestinal epithelial permeability, we examined the susceptibility of F11r −/− Rag1 −/− mice to acute colitis. Although negligible contributions of adaptive immunity in F11r +/+ Rag1 −/− mice were observed, F11r −/− Rag1 −/− mice exhibited increased microflora-dependent colitis. Elimination of T cell subsets and cytokine analyses revealed a protective role for TGF-β-producing CD4 + T cells in F11r −/− mice. Additionally, loss of JAM-A resulted in elevated mucosal and serum IgA that was dependent upon CD4 + T cells and TGF-β. Absence of IgA in F11r +/+ Igha −/− mice did not affect disease, whereas F11r −/− Igha −/− mice displayed markedly increased susceptibility to acute injury-induced colitis. These data establish a role for adaptive immune-mediated protection from acute colitis under conditions of intestinal epithelial barrier compromise.
Site-directed mutations in motif VI of Escherichia coli DNA helicase II result in multiple biochemical defects: evidence for the involvement of motif VI in the coupling of ATPase and DNA binding activities via conformational changes.

Abstract Two site-directed mutants of Escherichia coli DNA helicase II (UvrD) were constructed to examine the functional significance of motif VI in a superfamily I helicase. Threonine 604 and arginine 605, representing two of the most highly conserved residues in motif VI, were replaced with alanine, generating the mutant alleles uvrD-T604A and uvrD-R605A. Genetic complementation studies indicated that UvrD-T604A, but not UvrD-R605A, functioned in methyl-directed mismatch repair and UvrABC-mediated nucleotide excision repair. Both mutant enzymes were purified and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-stimulated ATP hydrolysis, duplex DNA unwinding, and ssDNA binding were studied in the steady-state and compared to wild-type UvrD. UvrD-T604A exhibited a serious defect in ssDNA binding in the absence of nucleotide. However, in the presence of a non-hydrolyzable ATP analog, DNA binding was only slightly compromised. Limited proteolysis experiments suggested that UvrD-T604A had a “looser” conformation and could not undergo conformational changes normally associated with ATP binding/hydrolysis and DNA binding. UvrD-R605A, on the other hand, exhibited nearly normal DNA binding but had a severe defect in ATP hydrolysis (kcat = 0.063 s−1 compared to 162 s−1 for UvrD). UvrD-T604A exhibited a much less severe decrease in ATPase activity (kcat = 8.8 s−1). The Km for ATP for both mutants was not significantly changed. The results suggest that residues within motif VI of helicase II are essential for multiple biochemical properties associated with the enzyme and that motif VI is potentially involved in conformational changes related to the coupling of ATPase and DNA binding activities.
Macular translocation with chorioscleral outfolding: an experimental study

Abstract PURPOSE: Macular translocation by chorioscleral infolding has been proposed as a surgical intervention for exudative age-related macular degeneration, but the surgery is unpredictable and can be associated with severe complications. We tested a new surgical technique, macular translocation with chorioscleral outfolding secured by neurosurgical clips. METHODS: This was a prospective interventional study in two parts; the first in human cadaver eyes and the second in pigs. Chorioscleral infolding was performed on six human donor eyes, and chorioscleral outfolding was performed on an additional six. The inner surface of the eye wall was measured, and then the fold was unfolded and the distance was measured again. In the second half of the study, macular translocation surgery was performed on 33 pig eyes with one of three sclera shortening methods: 1) a circumferential chorioscleral infolding using 5-0 nylon sutures, 2) a circumferential chorioscleral outfolding using scleral clips, or 3) a radial chorioscleral outfolding using scleral clips. Foveal translocation was measured. RESULTS: The inner wall of the human cadaver eye was shortened in the chorioscleral infolding group by a mean of 1.6 mm, and in the chorioscleral outfolding group by 3.0 mm. In the pig eyes, the fovea was translocated a mean 2377 μm by circumferential suturing, 2582 μm by circumferential clipping, and 3386 μm by radial clipping. Irregular deformation of the globe was more apparent in the circumferential suture group. Undesirable retinal folds often formed after circumferential infolding but not after radial clipping. CONCLUSION: Radial chorioscleral outfolding with clips is more predictable and effective than infolding. It produces more translocation and prevents folds across the fovea, one of the most undesirable complications in macular translocation surgery.
Abstract 3415: Diverse roles for Snail transcription factor in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in human prostate cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Snail transcription factor induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via decreased cell adhesion-associated molecules like E-cadherin, and increased mesenchymal markers like vimentin. We previously established Snail-mediated EMT model utilizing androgen-dependent LNCaP cells. These cells express increased vimentin protein and relocalization of E-cadherin from the cell membrane to the cytosol. Interestingly, Snail transfection in LNCaP cells resulted in cells acquiring a neuroendocrine-like morphology with long neurite-like processes. We tested for expression of neuroendocrine markers neuron specific enolase (NSE) and chromogranin A (CgA) by Western blot analysis, and performed proliferation assays to test for paracrine cell proliferation. LNCaP cells transfected with Snail displayed increase in the neuroendocrine markers, NSE and CgA as well as translocation of androgen receptor to the nucleus. We found that LNCaP C-33 cells that have been previously published as a Neuroendocrine Differentiation (NED) model exhibited increased expression levels of Snail protein as compared to LNCaP parental cells. Functionally, conditioned medium from the LNCaP-Snail transfected cells increased proliferation of parental LNCaP and PC-3 cells. In addition, NED in LNCaP-C33 cells or that induced in parental LNCaP cells by serum starvation could be inhibited by knockdown of Snail with siRNA. Knockdown of NSE and CgA with siRNA abrogated Snail induced paracrine cell proliferation in parental LNCaP and PC3 cells. Immunohistochemical staining of prostate cancer patient tissue revealed increased expression of Snail with prostate cancer progression and bone metastasis. Higher Snail staining was observed in primary prostate cancer tissue containing a neuroendocrine component (identified by CgA staining) as compared to primary cancer with no neuroendocrine differentiation. However, in metastatic tissue, Snail was highly expressed in both neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine cancer tissue. Overall our data provide evidence that Snail transcription factor may promote tumor aggressiveness in the prostate cancer cells through multiple processes; induction of EMT may be required to promote migration, while NED may promote tumor proliferation by a paracrine mechanism. Therefore, therapeutic targeting of Snail may prove beneficial in not only abrogating EMT but also NED. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3415. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3415
Habitat choice in the Drosophila affinis subgroup

We investigated habitat choice in three species of Drosophila in seven mark-release-recapture experiments. We captured and recaptured flies in two floristically distinct habitats, and released them on the ecotone between the two. We recovered a total of 3800 marked flies. D. affinis males consistently showed a slight, significant tendency to return to the habitat of capture. D. athabasca, algonquin, and D. affinis females showed no significant habitat fidelity, but did not choose differently from affinis males. Our data suggests that the choice observed is not due to differences in the physiological condition of the flies. The level of choice observed is probably too small to have an appreciable impact on gene frequencies.
Factors influencing dairy cattle longevity.

Summary Analysis of disposal records on 505 Holstein-Friesian and 489 Jersey cattle in the USDA herds at Beltsville, Maryland, showed that 41.3% of the Holsteins and 21.3% of the Jerseys were removed from the herd as nonbreeders. Udder troubles constituted the second largest group of reasons for disposal, the percentages being 10.5 and 9.6 for the two breeds, respectively. No cattle were culled for low production or poor type in these herds during the 40-yr. period covered by the data. Longevity of individual cows was measured in terms of age at last calving prior to disposal. The automatic selection differential for this trait averaged approximately 1½ yr. per generation for both breeds. Heritability estimates based on intra-sire daughter-dam regressions and paternal half-sib correlations did not differ significantly from zero. The correlations between longevity and first-lactation milk yield were .18 in the Holstein and .19 in the Jersey data. Similar values were obtained regarding butterfat yield. The results indicate that differences in longevity between individual cows are determined largely by nongenetic influences. Efforts to improve this trait genetically through direct selection or by improving dairy type probably would be ineffective. Also, the study indicates that no deleterious effects on longevity need be expected by concentrating selection of progeny-tested sires on the basis of first-lactation production records of their daughters.
Superparamagnetism and reduction diagenesis in pelagic sediments: enhancement or depletion?

Superparamagnetic grains, ultra-fine (d < 0.05µm) particles unable to retain a remanence at room temperature, have come under increased scrutiny as indicators of the diagenetic and authigenic history of sedimentary rocks. In marine sediments, fine-grained magnetite with large surface area to volume is thought to be preferentially removed during magnetic mineral reduction. On the basis of new magnetic hysteresis, low-temperature, and geochemical studies of pelagic sediments from the western equatorial Pacific Ocean, it is proposed that reduction processes increase rather than deplete the ultra-fine magnetic grain population. At the modern Fe-redox boundary enhanced superparamagnetism coincides with a coarsening of remanence-carrying grains. Superparamagnetism also tracks proposed temporal changes in magnetite reduction caused by climatically-driven fluctuations in organic carbon (Corg) supply. Together with hysteresis characteristics, changes in superparamagnetism may help the identification of paleointensity artifacts resulting from non steady-state magnetic mineral reduction.
Evaluating regional patterns in nitrate sources to watersheds in National Parks of the Rocky Mountains using nitrate isotopes.

In the Rocky Mountains, there is uncertainty about the source areas and emission types that contribute to nitrate (NO3) deposition, which can adversely affect sensitive aquatic habitats of high-elevation watersheds. Regional patterns in NO3 deposition sources were evaluated using NO3 isotopes in five National Parks, including 37 lakes and 7 precipitation sites. Results indicate that lake NO3 ranged from detection limit to 38 μeq/L, δ18O (NO3) ranged from −5.7 to +21.3‰, and δ15N (NO3) ranged from −6.6 to +4.6‰. δ18O (NO3) in precipitation ranged from +71 to +78‰. δ15N (NO3) in precipitation and lakes overlap; however, δ15N (NO3) in precipitation is more depleted than δ15N (NO3) in lakes, ranging from −5.5 to −2.0‰. δ15N (NO3) values are significantly related (p < 0.05) to wet deposition of inorganic N, sulfate, and acidity, suggesting that spatial variability of δ15N (NO3) over the Rocky Mountains may be related to source areas of these solutes. Regional patterns show that NO3 and δ15N (NO3) are more enri...
Analysis of Intensity and Range Image Sequences Using Adaptive-Size Meshes

Abstract This paper presents a new technique for reconstructing and analyzing sequential images using adaptive-size physically based models. In this method, the mesh size increases or decreases dynamically during reconstruction to locate nodes near surface areas of interest (such as high curvature points) and to optimize the fitting error. Image sequences of range and intensity data are used to demonstrate the power of the technique for shape estimation. Since the consecutive frames are often similar, the sequential image can be efficiently reconstructed by the adaptive-size meshes. In addition, a priori information about nonrigidity can be included so that surface model deforms to fit moving data points while preserving some basic nonrigid constraints (e.g., isometry or conformality). Several intensity and range image sequences are reconstructed efficiently using the adaptive-size meshes. The accuracy of the model is estimated in order to demonstrate the performance of this algorithm. Implementation of the proposed algorithm with and without isometric/conformal constraints is presented. The tracking of corresponding nodes using adaptive-size meshes on the face image sequences is also presented. Performance and accuracy of derived algorithms are demonstrated on simulated data of deforming ellipsoidal and bending planar shapes. Then the algorithm is applied to real range data for bending paper and to volumetric temporal left ventricular data.
A Streptococcus mutans immunogen that reacts equally with S. mutans antibody of all serotypes.

We have studied a possible immunogen fromS. mutans that has the capability of producing antibody toS. mutans which reacts equally well with all serotypes. This immunogen, a ribosomal preparation, is immunogenic in mice, is antigenic with rabbit anti-S. mutans, and is antigenic with the human antibody that also reacts withS. mutans. The human antibody is of the IgG class and S-IgA class.
Acute coronary artery injury in dogs following administration of CI-1034, an endothelin A receptor antagonist

The objective of this study was to characterize acute coronary artery injury evoked by the endothelin A receptor (ETAR) antagonist, CI-1034. Male dogs (n=5) were intravenously administered CI-1034 at 120 mg/kg for 4 d. Control animals (n=3) received vehicle. Macroscopically, drug-related hemorrhage was observed in the right coronary groove and atrium. Histologically, drug-related coronary changes were characterized as medial hemorrhage and necrosis, with mixed inflammatory-cell infiltrates in the adventitia and media. Immunohistochemistry staining indicated increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cleaved caspase-3, and S100A8/A9 (within in monocytes and neutrophils) proteins in coronary arteries of CI-1034-treated animals. However, there were similar expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) among control and CI-1034-treated animals. Significant drug-related nitric oxide (NO) accumulation occurred on days 1 through 4 in serum. Increased interleukin (IL)-6 and fibrinogen in plasma and serum amyloid A (SAA) occurred on days 2 through 5 in CI-1034-treated animals. Increased levels of NO accumulation in serum; increased IL-6 and fibrinogen levels in plasma; increased SAA levels; and increased expressions of iNOS, cleaved caspase-3, and S100A8/A9 complex appear to be characteristic of CI-1034-induced acute vascular injury in dogs.
The tortoise and the hare: ecology of angiosperm dominance and gymnosperm persistence

Gymnosperms, and conifers in particular, are sometimes very productive trees yet angiosperms dominate most temperate and tropical vegetation. Current explanations for angiosperm success emphasize the advantages of insect pollination and seed dispersal by animals for the colonization of isolated habitats. Differences between gymnosperm and angiosperm reproductive and vegetative growth rates have been largely ignored. Gymnosperms are all woody, perennial and usually have long reproductive cycles. Their leaves are not as fully vascularized as those of angiosperms and are more stereotyped in shape and size. Gymnosperm tracheids are generally more resistant to solute flow than angiosperm vessels. A consequence of the less efficient transport system is that maximum growth rates of gymnosperms are lower than maximum growth rates of angiosperms in well lit, well watered habitats. Gymnosperm seedlings may be particularly uncompetitive since their growth depends on a single cohort of relatively inefficient leaves. Later, some gymnosperms attain a higher productivity than co-occurring angiosperm trees by accumulating several cohorts of leaves with a higher total leaf area. These functional constraints on gymnosperm growth rates suggest that gymnosperms will be restricted to areas where growth of angiosperm competitors is reduced, for example, by cold or nutrient shortages. Biogeographic evidence supports this prediction since conifers are largely confined to high latitudes and elevations or nutrient-poor soils. Experimental studies show that competition in the regeneration niche (between conifer seedlings and angiosperm herbs and shrubs) is common and significantly affects conifer growth and survival, Fast-growing angiosperms, especially herbs and shrubs, may also change the frequency of disturbance regimes thereby excluding slower-growing gymnosperms. Shade-tolerant and early successional conifers share similar characteristics of slow initial growth and low plasticity to a change in resources. Shade-tolerant gymnosperms would be expected to occur only where forest openings are small or otherwise unsuitable for rapid filling by fast-growing angiosperm trees, lianas or shrubs. The limited evidence available suggests that shade-tolerant conifers are confined to forests with small gap sizes where large disturbances are very rare. The regeneration hypothesis for gymnosperm exclusion by angiosperms is consistent with several aspects of the fossil record such as the early disappearance of gymnosperms from early successional environments where competition with angiosperms would have been most severe. However there are unresolved difficulties in interpreting process from paleoecological pattern which prevent the testing of alternative hypotheses.
Two roads to Belgrade: the United States, Great Britain, and the first nonaligned conference

In 1961, at the height of the Berlin crisis, the United States and Great Britain simultaneously struggled to adopt effective policies toward the first meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Belgrade. While the John F. Kennedy administration initially adopted a policy of standoffishness toward the conference, the government of Harold Macmillan engaged in a campaign of quietly encouraging moderate attendance. Moderate British expectations led to sound policy, whereas the Kennedy administration's inability to develop a coherent outlook and response cost it a priceless opportunity to understand the emerging phenomenon of nonalignment.
The Versatile V-Y Flap for Facial Reconstruction

Background. There are many acceptable treatments for facial skin cancer, but some form of surgical excision is by far the most widely accepted. After surgical excision, there will necessarily be a defect that has to be managed. The V-Y flap is a very useful modality for repair of such defects in all zones of the face. Objective. This article reviews the indications for V-Y flaps and the surgical technique that should result in a successful reconstruction. Each zone of the face is independently discussed, along with the appropriate variations in technique for each area. Methods. An evaluation of the literature as well as the extensive experience of the senior author in performing this procedure provides the basis for this review. Conclusion. V-Y flaps are extremely versatile and relatively easy to perform. All areas of the face can be successfully reconstructed after skin cancer removal with V-Y flaps if they are properly designed and executed.
Optimal sharing of bags of tasks in heterogeneous clusters

We prove that "FIFO" worksharing protocols provide asymptotically optimal solutions to a problem related to sharing a bag of identically complex tasks in a heterogeneous network of workstations (HNOW) n. In the HNOW-Exploitation Problem, one seeks to accomplish as much work as possible on n during a prespecified fixed period of L time units. The worksharing protocols we study are crafted within an architectural model that characterizes n via parameters that measure workstations' computational and communicational powers. The protocols are self-scheduling, in that they determine completely both an amount of work to allocate to each of n's workstations and a schedule for all related interworkstation communications. A protocol observes a FIFO regimen if it has n's workstations finish their assigned work, and return their results, in the same order in which they are supplied with their workloads. The optimality of FIFO protocols resides in the fact that they accomplish at least as much work as any other protocol during all sufficiently long worksharing episodes. Simulation experiments indicate that the superiority of FIFO protocols is often observed during worksharing episodes of only a few minutes' duration.
Ellipsometric investigation of the adsorption of acetylenic alcohols on iron

Abstract The adsorption kinetics of nine alkynols and four other related compounds on iron in H 2 SO 4 were examined by in situ time-resolved automatic ellipsometry. The time, concentration and potential dependences of the adsorption, the subsequent orientation transition and polymer growth of the adsorbed layers formed by these compounds were determined. A new method based upon the Lorentz-Lorenz equation is deduced for the calculation of surface packing density of an adsorbed organic compound with a certain orientation on an electrode surface from ellipsometric data. Using this method, useful correlation between the molecular structure and the saturated surface packing density is obtained. In addition, the polarizabilities of an organic compound with different orientations on the surface are also obtained.
A Class of Mann—Whitney—Wilcoxon Type Statistics

Abstract A class of statistics is introduced for testing stochastic ordering between two independent distributions. This class includes as a special case the celebrated Mann—Whitney—Wilcoxon statistic. The new class is shown to be asymptotically normal both under the null and nonnull hypotheses. It is distribution-free. Using Pitman's asymptotic efficacy it is shown that for some alternatives the Mann—Whitney—Wilcoxon statistic is the member with the highest efficacy, although for others it is not, and the member with the highest efficacy is identified.
Modelling of thermal cracking effects in a two-phase concrete-like solid — a parametric investigation

Abstract Incompatibility of the physical properties of concrete constituents — the aggregate and the cement paste — gives rise to microcracking when the material is cooled to very low temperatures. The phenomenon is complex and affected by a large number of factors. An analytical model of the cracking process could be instrumental in identifying parameters for experimental investigation. A preliminary study is presented, which models concrete as a two-phase medium consisting of the coarse aggregate as inclusions in the mortar matrix. A simplified finite element procedure is employed to evaluate the effects of four parameters on crack initiating temperature and on crack volume. The parameters include two physical properties — thermal expansion coefficient and elastic modulus — and two mix factors — inclusion/matrix volume fraction and inclusion particle size. Thermal coefficient and inclusion volume fraction emerge as the major parameters affecting the fracture process, but the relationship of the two mix factors is complex.
ONE-SIDED INCOMPRESSIBLE SURFACES IN SEIFERT FIBERED SPACES

Abstract The author proves a structure theorem for one-sided incompressible surfaces in Seifert fibered spaces, and studies the isotopy problem for a class of surfaces (called pseudovertical surfaces) that are supplied by the structure theorem. He then uses the structure theorem to solve the existence and homeomorphism problem for one-sided incompressible surfaces in circle bundles over a closed orientable surface.
Nanostructured biosensing platform—shadow edge lithography for high-throughput nanofabrication

One of the critical challenges in nanostructured biosensors is to manufacture an addressable array of nanopatterns at low cost. The addressable array (1) provides multiplexing for biomolecule detection and (2) enables direct detection of biomolecules without labeling and amplification. To fabricate such an array of nanostructures, current nanolithography methods are limited by the lack of either high throughput or high resolution. This paper presents a high-resolution and high-throughput nanolithography method using the compensated shadow effect in high-vacuum evaporation. The approach enables the fabrication of uniform nanogaps down to 20 nm in width across a 100 mm silicon wafer. The nanogap pattern is used as a template for the routine fabrication of zero-, one-, and two-dimensional nanostructures with a high yield. The method can facilitate the fabrication of nanostructured biosensors on a wafer scale at a low manufacturing cost.
Segregated Regulatory Elements Direct β-Myosin Heavy Chain Expression in Response to Altered Muscle Activity

Abstract Our previous transgenic analyses revealed that a 600-base pair β-myosin heavy chain (βMyHC) promoter conferred mechanical overload (MOV) and non-weight-bearing (NWB) responsiveness to a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. Whether the same DNA regulatory element(s) direct βMyHC expression following MOV or NWB activity in vivo remains unknown. We now show that a 293-base pair βMyHC promoter fused to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (β293) responds to MOV, but not NWB activity, indicating a segregation of these two diverse elements. Inclusion of the βMyHC negative regulatory element (−332 to −300; βNRE) within transgene β350 repressed expression in all transgenic lines. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed highly enriched binding activity only in NWB soleus nuclear extracts that was specific to thedistal region of the βNRE sense strand (dβNRE-S; −332 to −311). Supershift electrophoretic mobility shift assay revealed that the binding at the distal region of the βNRE sense strand was antigenically distinct from cellular nucleic acid-binding protein and Y-box-binding factor 1, two proteins shown to bind this element. Two-dimensional UV cross-linking and shift Southwestern blotting analyses detected two proteins (50 and 52 kDa) that bind to this element. These in vivo results demonstrate that segregated βMyHC promoter elements transcriptionally regulate βMyHC transgene expression in response to two diverse modes of neuromuscular activity.
Factors influencing women's decision to seek antenatal care in the Andes of Peru.

This qualitative study aimed to assess factors influencing pregnant women’s decision to seek or avoid antenatal care (ANC) in the Andes of Peru. Open-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 women utilizing ANC (+) and 10 women avoiding ANC (−). Interviews were translated to English from Quechua and Spanish, transcribed, and analyzed using grounded theory. Factors influencing ANC− women included: expecting criticism for having additional children; long ANC wait time and inconvenient hours of operation; and masculine gender of health workers. For ANC+ women, motivating factors included: maximizing positive health outcomes; past negative maternity experiences; pressure from family members; and avoidance of rumored fines or fees associated with ANC non-attendance and in-hospital deliveries, respectively. Both ANC+ and ANC− women were fearful and embarrassed about possible criticism for having additional children and the gender of the health workers, yet they weighed these factors differently. To better understand how rural women make decisions about ANC attendance, it is important to consider the value they place on the factors influencing their decision, and their emotional assessment of such issues.
Entamoeba histolytica: membrane fractions.

Abstract A cell fractionation study was made of Entamoeba histolytica, a parasitic amoeba which lacks many typical subcellular organelles. Two membrane fractions were isolated from amoebal homogenates. Fraction V was pelleted at 5 ×104g min and purified by density centrifugation at the interphase between sucrose layers of densities 1.13 and 1.23. It consists of homogeneous empty vesicles of 1.2 μm. Fraction M, isolated by centrifugation of the 5 × 104g min supernatant at 3 × 106g min, is mainly composed of small vesicles and cisternae (0.1–0.5 μm), glycogen, and electron-dense bodies. Fraction V contains the plasma membrane since sugar transport with properties similar to that of intact cells was demonstrated, and 5′-nucleotidase (EC 3.1.3.5) was exclusively in fraction V. The presence of digestive vacuoles is suggested by the localization of acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2) in this fraction. Both enzymes, distributed identically during differential and density centrifugation, and the acid phosphatase could not be solubilized by osmotic shock and/or repeated freezing and thawing. Fraction V and M contain, respectively, 0.57 and 0.54 mg of phospholipid/mg of protein, 0.04 and 0.11 mg of RNA/mg of protein, and 0.39 and 0.22 mole of cholesterol/mole of phospholipid. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate revealed both specific and common polypeptides between both fractions. These data show that in E. histolytica there are two functional types of membranes sharing some similarities of composition. Fraction V would be common to the plasma membrane and to the digestive vacuoles (structures that are probably in continuous interchange through endocytosis and ameboid movement), and would contain hydrolases which, in typical cells, are in the lumen of the lysosomes. Fraction M would form cytoplasmic structures of the smooth ER type.
Dual isotope scintiscan New method for evaluating bladder function

Abstract 99m-Technitium radioactive colloid particles were suspended in an iodine-131 Hippuran radioactive fluid medium and placed into the bladders of 6 patients. Two normal patients and one with only one urinary tract infection voided the fluid and particles synchronously, while three with recurrent urinary tract infections eliminated the particles at a much slower rate than the fluid. A change in either the physical contour or secretory activity of the bladder urothelium is postulated as the cause of particle retention in these patients with chronic infections.
The role of endothelial and hepatic progenitor cell interactions in organogenesis

RESULTS: Tumors formed 3-4 weeks after subcutaneous injection of serially passaged -catenin cells. -catenincells did not form tumors. By hematoxylin and eosin the tumors appeared to be highly undifferentiated sarcomas that aggressively spread by local extension. The sarcomas were characterized by positive staining for smooth muscle actin, vimentin, and nuclear -catenin. They were negative for s100, keratin, and collagen deposition by trichrome stain. Tumor cell isolates remained multipotent as demonstrated by their capacity for both osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation in vitro.
Are open fractures necessarily aligned with maximum horizontal stress

Abstract Fluid flow in fractured rock is an increasingly central issue in recovering water and hydrocarbon supplies and geothermal energy, in predicting flow of pollutants underground, in engineering structures, and in understanding large-scale crustal behaviour. Conventional wisdom assumes that fluids prefer to flow along fractures oriented parallel or nearly parallel to modern-day maximum horizontal compressive stress, or S Hmax . The reasoning is that these fractures have the lowest normal stresses across them and therefore provide the least resistance to flow. For example, this view governs how geophysicists design and interpret seismic experiments to probe fracture fluid pathways in the deep subsurface. Contrary to these widely held views, here we use core, stress measurement, and fluid flow data to show that S Hmax does not necessarily coincide with the direction of open natural fractures in the subsurface (>3 km depth). Consequently, in situ stress direction cannot be considered to predict or control the direction of maximum permeability in rock. Where effective stress is compressive and fractures are expected to be closed, chemical alteration dictates location of open conduits, either preserving or destroying fracture flow pathways no matter their orientation.
Effects of frequency on fatigue behavior of CVI C/SiC at elevated temperature

Abstract Effects of frequency on fatigue behavior of a chemical vapor infiltrated carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide composite (C/SiC) were investigated at an elevated temperature of 550 °C. Tension–tension fatigue tests were conducted at three frequencies: 0.1, 10 and 375 Hz to establish stress versus cycles to failure ( S–N ) relationships. There was an increase in cycles to failure at a given stress level as frequency increased from 0.1 to 375 Hz at elevated temperature. This trend was different at room temperature where cycles to failure decreased when frequency changed from 40 to 375 Hz but remained almost same below 40 Hz. There was a reduction in cycles to failure at frequencies less than 40 Hz but cycles to failure remained same at a higher frequency of 375 Hz when test environment changed from room temperature to 550 °C. Analysis of damage mechanisms showed that the oxidation of carbon fibers was the major difference between the room and elevated temperatures, which caused a reduction in cycles to failure with lower frequencies at elevated temperature in comparison to that at room temperature. However, oxidation of carbon fibers was almost absent or negligible at higher frequency at elevated temperature, which caused practically no reduction in cycles to failure at elevated temperature in comparison to their counterparts at room temperature.