cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis: comparing effects of resource and consumer fluxes into recipient food webs using meta‐analysis

Here we synthesize empirical research using meta-analysis to compare how consumer and resource fluxes affect recipient food webs. We tested the following hypotheses: (H1) The direct effects of resource fluxes (bottom-up) should be stronger than the direct effects of consumer fluxes (top-down), because resource fluxes are permanent (do not return to the food web in which they were produced) but consumer fluxes may not be (consumers can leave). (H2) Following H1, the indirect effects should attenuate (weaken) more quickly for consumer fluxes than for resource fluxes due to their direct effects being weaker, (H3) The effects of resource fluxes should be stronger when recipient food webs are in different ecosystems than donor food webs due to differences in elevation that accompany cross-ecosystem food web interfaces, often increasing flux quantity due to gravity, while the effects of consumer fluxes should be stronger when donor and recipient food webs are in the same ecosystem as they should more easily assimilate into the recipient food web. We found no differences in the magnitude of bottom-up and top-down direct effects for resource and consumer fluxes, but top-down direct effects were 122% stronger than top-down indirect effects. Indirect effects of prey and predator fluxes quickly attenuated while indirect effects of non-prey resource and herbivore fluxes did not, as the overall direct effects of prey and predator fluxes were 123% and 163% stronger than their indirect effects, respectively. This result suggests that the magnitude of indirect effects decrease as the trophic level of resource and consumer fluxes increases, and also contrasts with results from studies showing in situ top-down indirect effects are stronger than in situ bottom-up indirect effects. We found that resource and consumer flux effect sizes were similar when they occurred between ecosystems, but when they occurred within ecosystems predator flux effects were 107% stronger than nutrient flux effects. Finally, we found that observational studies had higher effect sizes than manipulative studies. Future research should focus on how resource and consumer fluxes might interact and generate feedbacks in empirical studies of natural food webs, and what ecological factors might affect their relative strength.
Subtalar Pronation — Relationship to the Medial Longitudinal Arch Loading in the Normal Foot

A three-dimensional biomechanical model was used to calculate the mechanical response of the foot to a load of 683 Newtons with the subtalar joint in the neutral position, at five degrees of pronation, and at five degrees of supination. Pronation causes the forefoot to evert, increasing the load borne by the first metatarsal. This results in a 47% increase in the moment about the talonavicular joint and a 58% increase in the moment about the navicular-medial cuneiform joint. Subtalar joint supination causes the forefoot to invert and results in a 55% increase in the moment about the calcaneal-cuboid joint.
The role and evolution of superoxide dismutases in algae

Superoxide dismutases (SOD) catalyze the disproportionation of the potentially destructive superoxide anion radical (O 2 , a byproduct of aerobic metabolism) to molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide: 2O 2 . + 2H → H 2 O 2 + O 2 . Based on metal cofactors, four known metalloforms of SOD enzymes have been identified: they contain either Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn, or Ni. Orthologs of all metalloforms are present in oxygenic photo-autotrophs. The expression of SOD is highly regulated, with specific metalloforms playing an inducible protective role for specific cellular compartments. The various metalloforms of SOD are not distributed equally within either cyanobacteria or eukaryotic algae. Typically, cyanobacteria contain either an NiSOD alone or combinations of Mn and Ni or Fe and Mn metalloforms (CuZn is rare among the cyanobacteria). The bacillariophytes and rhodophytes retain an active MnSOD, whereas the chlorophytes, haptophytes, and embryophytes have either FeSOD or multiple combinations of Fe, Mn, and CuZnSODs. The NiSOD is a relatively novel SOD and has been generally excluded from evolutionary analyses. In both cyanobacteria and chlorophyte algae, the FeSOD metalloform appears to be associated with PSI, where its primary role is most likely to deactivate reactive oxygen produced by the Mehler reaction. The CuZnSOD also appears to be associated with the plastid but is phylogenetically more restricted in its distribution. In eukaryotic algae, SODs are all nuclear encoded and, based on nucleotide sequence, protein structures, and phylogenetic distributions, appear to have unique evolutionary histories arising from the lateral gene transfer of three distinct genes to the nucleus after the endosymbiotic acquisition of mitochondria and plastids. The varied phylogenetic histories and subcellular localizations suggest significantly different selection on these SOD metalloforms after the endosymbiont organelle-to-host gene transfer.
Model dendrons and dendrimers incorporating diphenylamino-substituted diphenylpolyene and PPV-oligomer moieties for NLO applications

Bis-(diphenylamino)diphenylpolyenes have been shown to form exceptionally stable, highly absorbing bipolaronic dications in solution and thin film. Replacement of one diphenylamino substituent with a N-(hydroxyethyl), N-ethylaminophenyl moiety yields a polyene series that also form stable bipolarons, and are intensely fluorescent. These new chromophores are also easily attached to either a PMMA backbone or to 3,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol to yield functionalized dendrons capable of attachment to various core molecules to yield functionalized dendrimers. Diphenylamino-substituted PPV oligomers can also be obtained with similar functionality. These new materials all possess large two-photon cross-sections and display optical limiting for nanosecond pulses with peak activity extending into the visible portion of the spectrum. In this presentation we will discuss the synthesis of these new materials and preliminary characterization as two-photon absorbers, photoluminescent materials suitable for organic light- emitting diodes, and as dendrimers capable of 3D charge delocalization and exceptionally large third order hyperpolarizabilities.
Preparation and analysis of oligonucleotides containing lesions resulting from C5'-oxidation.

Hydrogen atom abstraction from the C5‘-position of nucleotides in DNA results in direct strand scission. The newly formed 5‘-termini of the cleaved DNA consists of alkali-labile fragments of the oxidized nucleotide. One terminus contains a 5‘-aldehyde as part of an otherwise undamaged nucleotide (T-al). A second more structurally distinct product that is produced in lower yields results from cleavage of the C4‘−C5‘ carbon−carbon bond. The 1,4-dioxo-2-phosphorylbutane (DOB) is a precursor of the alkylating agent but-2-ene-1,4-dial. To facilitate studies on these lesions, methods for synthesizing oligodeoxynucleotides containing DOB or T-al at their 5‘-termini were developed. The effects of these lesions on the UV-melting temperatures of duplex DNA, and their cleavage labilities were determined. T-al cleaves very slowly (t1/2 = 100.7 h), whereas DOB has a half-life at 37 °C (pH 7.2) of less than 11 h. In addition, DOB forms a stable adduct very efficiently with Tris, which protects the abasic site against c...
Laboratory measurement of load-elongation relationship of high-strength geotextiles

Abstract Roller grips are frequently used in the determination of the load-elongation relationship of high-strength geotextiles. Due to some slippage of the specimen occurring at the grips, however, measurement of strains is not trivial. This paper presents a simple and inexpensive technique for measuring elongation strains. Strain gages are utilized and the reliability of their output is verified by photogrammetric measurements. Also addressed is the required minimum dimensions of the specimen, i.e. the width at which edge effects become negligible. This is particulary important with high-strength geotextiles, because physical constraints such as capacity of loading frame and grips tend to set a limit on the width of the specimen. It is shown that while a narrow strip may be adequate for one type of fabric structure, a full width of 20 cm is required for another. It appears that for both geotextiles tested an apparent elongation of 2–4% needs to develop in order to mobilize the full warp/fill yarn interaction.
Practice improves motor control in older adults by increasing the motor unit modulation from 13 to 30 Hz

Practice of a motor task decreases motor output variability in older adults and is associated with adaptations of discharge activity of single motor units. In this study we were interested in the p...
Water in the formation of biogenic minerals: peeling away the hydration layers.

Minerals of biogenic origin form and crystallize from aqueous environments at ambient temperatures and pressures. The in vivo environment either intracellular or intercellular, contains many components that modulate both the activity of the ions which associate to form the mineral, as well as the activity and structure of the crowded water. Most of the studies about the mechanism of mineralization, that is, the detailed pathways by which the mineral ions proceed from solution to crystal state, have been carried out in relatively dilute solutions and clean solutions. These studies have considered both thermodynamic and kinetic controls. Most have not considered the water itself. Is the water a passive bystander, or is it intimately a participant in the mineral ion densification reaction? A wide range of experiments show that the mineralization pathways proceed through a series of densification stages with intermediates, such as a “dense liquid” phase and the prenucleation clusters that form within it. This is in contrast to the idea of a single step phase transition, but consistent with the Gibbs concept of discontinuous phase transitions from supersaturated mother liquor to crystal. Further changes in the water structure at every surface and interface during densification guides the free energy trajectory leading to the crystalline state. In vertebrates, mineralization takes place in a hydrated collagen matrix, thus water must be considered as a direct participant. Although different in detail, the crystallization of calcium phosphates, as apatite, and calcium carbonates, as calcite, are mechanistically identical from the viewpoint of water.
A method of asymptotic expansion of fourier-type integrals

Abstract The expansion for large ν of integrals of the type G ( v ) = ∫ t 1 t 2 e ivf ( t ) g dt is discussed. The method consists of using the mapping z = f ( t ) so that the integral in question becomes G ( v ) = ∫ a b e ivz F ( z ) dz . This integral is evaluated by distorting the path of integration into the complex plane in such a way that finite segments, emanating from endpoints or paralleling branch cuts, lie along paths characterized by Im( νz ) = constant. Integration over segments involving encircled singularities z i (or endopoints) with the minimum Im( νz i ) give the major contributions to the integral. The integral over such a segment is approximated in terms of an expansion with an accuracy depending on the magnitude of ν and the distance between the encircled singularity and the nearest neighboring singularity. A modification of this procedure gives an accuracy dependent on the distance to the next nearest neighboring singularity. The first approach is applicable to widely separated singularities while the second approach is useful for two closely spaced singularities. As an illustrative example, the method is applied to an integral which arises in connection with Coulomb scattering in the preceding paper.
Microstructure-based multistage fatigue modeling of a cast AE44 magnesium alloy

The multistage fatigue model developed by McDowell et al. was modified to study the fatigue life of a magnesium alloy AE44 for automobile applications. The fractographic examination indicated three distinct stages of fatigue damage in the high cycle fatigue loading regime: crack incubation, microstructurally small crack growth, and long crack growth. Cracks incubated almost exclusively at the cast pores that were near the free surface, located near sharp geometry changes of the test specimen, or at extremely large pores inside the specimens. Microstructurally small cracks grew in the eutectic region along the weak boundaries of the grains and dendrites or at very closely packed microstructural discontinuities. Long cracks were observed to grow in a transgranular fashion. Specimens fabricated from as-cast bars and extracted from a cast engine cradle were tested at room temperature and an elevated temperature typically required for automotive powertrain applications. A large variation of fatigue life in the high cycle fatigue region was observed in specimens from both conditions due to the sensitivity from microstructural discontinuities. The microstructure-based multistage fatigue model was generalized for the AE44 magnesium alloy to capture the network of porosity and temperature dependence. The modified multistage fatigue model was also used to estimate the upper and lower bounds of the strain-life curves based on the extreme microstructural discontinuities.
Identification of Tyrosinase in Mushrooms by Isoelectric Focusing

Isoenzymes of tyrosinase were identified in mushrooms using vertical polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing in conjunction with a pH 4-7 gradient. The M2, M8, and M9 strains of Agaricus could be distinguished by differences in lower pI isoenzyme forms around pH 4. In the M8 strain, the epidermis, cap flesh, gill, and stalk tissue showed similar isoenzyme after isoelectric focusing, but the distribution of staining intensity appeared different for each type tissue. Younger developmental stages of M8 mushrooms showed a different isoenzyme profile than older ones. Mature mushrooms cut at the stipe showed a different distribution of isoenzyme staining than those not cut at the stipe, indicating possible activation of latent enzyme or new synthesis of specific tyrosinase isoenzymes.
Criteria for choosing a Linearized Least-Squares Technique for the Exponential Model exp(Al + A2X)

Abstract A user-oriented discussion of the determination of the parameters A 1 and A 2 in the exponential model exp( A I + A 2 x ) is presented in the context of four linear least-squares techniques. Among these four, the best method to use is found to be dependent on several criteria, of which the most important are: (1) the objective of the fit, (2) the range of data, and (3) the type of error contained in the data. Given the optimal method according to these criteria, the improvement in the estimated values of A 1 and A 2 , obtained by extending either the range of data or the density of data, is also determined.
Lacune-associated cerebral hypoperfusion correlates with cognitive testing.

The hypothesis was tested among 83 patients with multiple lacunar infarctions that cerebral hypoperfusion will correlate with cognitive impairments. Patients were subdivided according to Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination (CCSE) scores into a cognitively impaired group (Group D, n = 40; mean age, 68.2 years) with CCSE scores between 6 and 25 (mean, 19.9) and a cognitively intact group (Group I, n = 43; mean age, 66.0) with normal scores (mean, 29.4). Gray and white matter tissue densities were measured by plain computed tomography (CT), and their compartmental perfusions were estimated during stable xenon inhalation. Eighty infarcts in basal ganglia and white matter were detected in Group D and 62 in Group I. Cognitive impairments correlated with (a) multiplicity and bilaterality of lacunes; (b) hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and multiplicity of risk factors for stroke; (c) hypoperfusion of white and gray matter, but particularly of frontal white matter; (d) leuko-araiosis; (e) aging; and (f) lower education. The conclusion was that hypertension and diabetes mellitus are potent risk factors for cerebral small vessel disease or arteriolosclerosis ultimately resulting in lacunar infarcts, leuko-araiosis, white matter hypoperfusion, and impaired cognitive test performance.
Thin Film Electroluminescent (TFEL) Display Optimized For Cockpit Applications

Several companies have recently introduced flat panel matrix displays into data terminal equipment, desk top and portable computers and similar equipment. There is a great need for the flat panel displays in aircraft and helicopter cockpits because of the severely re-stricted space and power limitations. If one examines the history of the display industry, however, one observes a gap of from 5 to 20 years between the time a display technology is introduced into commercial and domestic usage in a room or laboratory type environment and its introduction into the aircraft cockpit. The major reasons for this are the difficult environment that must be faced by cockpit displays and the relatively small market for such equipment. In order to minimize the time lapse before introduction of matrix displays into the cockpit, Collins Avionics Divisions of Rockwell International Corporation have initiated a program to develop and build Thin Film Electroluminescent (TFEL) flat panel displays specifically for the aircraft cockpit.
New concepts in recovery after ambulatory surgery

Abstract The recovery care after ambulatory surgery is in a state of flux. There is increasing emphasis on rapid discharge home after ambulatory surgery. Discharge after surgery should be based on clinical criteria rather than based on time. Recent studies suggest that the insistence on oral intake and voiding before discharge is unnecessary and can delay discharge. This article reviews the recent developments in the recovery process after ambulatory surgery.
SECONDARY STRUCTURE OF ANTIFREEZE PROTEINS FROM OVERWINTERING LARVAE OF THE BEETLE DENDROIDES CANADENSIS

Antifreeze proteins from overwintering larvae of the beetle Dendroides canadensis are among the most active antifreeze proteins known. The Dendroides AFPs (DAFPs) consist of 6 or 7, 12- or 13-mer repeat units with a consensus sequence of -C-T-X3-S-X5-X6-C-X8-X9-A-X11-T-X13-. Nearly all of the Cys residues are in internal disulfide bridges between positions 1 and 7 within the repeats. The study presented here identified the secondary structure of the DAFPs using infrared and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. The eight disulfide bridges impose significant constraints on potential secondary structural features (i.e., a number of three-residue gamma-turns) which may lead to unusual infrared and CD spectra that require special interpretation. At 25 degreesC the DAFPs contain approximately 46% beta-sheet, 39% turn, 2% helix, and 13% random structure. In the presence of ice there is a slight increase in helix and beta-sheet structures and a decrease in both turn and especially random structures. This change in the presence of ice may reflect a certain amount of flexibility in the DAFP structure. These structural changes may permit an improved lattice match between the DAFPs and ice, a requisite for the noncolligative freezing-point-depressing activity of the DAFPs.
Global existence for some radial, low regularity nonlinear Schrödinger equations

Abstract We prove the nonlinear Schrodinger equation has a local solution for any energy – subcritical nonlinearity when u 0 is the characteristic function of a ball in R n . Additionally, we establish the existence of a global solution for n ⩾ 3 when 2 n − 1 α 4 n − 2 and α ⩽ 2 . Finally, we establish the existence of a global solution when the initial function is radial, the nonlinear Schrodinger equation has an energy subcritical nonlinearity, and the initial function lies in H ρ + ϵ ( R n ) ∩ H 1 / 2 + ϵ ( R n ) ∩ H 1 / 2 + ϵ , 1 ( R n ) .
Effect of melatonin administered during the night on reproductive function in the Syrian hamster.

Syrian hamsters were maintained on a long photoperiod (lights on 0600–2000 h) and injected daily with melatonin (10 μg per injection) for 6–7 weeks. Females injected at 2000 h or 0400 h ceased estrous cyclicity, and males treated similarly at these times had reduced testis weights by the sixth week of treatment. Daily administration of the same dosage of melatonin at 2400 and 0100 h failed to interrupt estrous cyclicity or reduce testis weight. These, observations suggest that exogenous melatonin administered at 2000 h or 0400 h may be temporally adding to endogenous circulating melatonin, inducing gonadal quiescence.
Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus in Cats and Dogs

This article describes the clinical presentation of diabetes mellitus in cats and dogs, including the types of diabetes, signalment, history, physical examination findings, and laboratory diagnosis. Newer diagnostic tests such as serum fructosamine concentrations and arginine response rate are also briefly discussed.
Structure and property changes during pyrolysis of an acetylene-terminated resin

In this study, the morphological development during pyrolysis of the acetylated terminated resin (ATR), N,N'-(1,3-phenylenedimethylidene)bis(3-ethynylaniline), is followed by weight loss, density, electrical conductivity, wide and small angle x-ray diffraction, and SEM.
Quantum Programming With Mixed States

In this paper we offer a programming approach to quantum computation using mixed states. Mixed-state quantum systems generalise standard (pure) quantum systems by allowing the state of the system to be a probabilistic distribution of pure states. We build on previous work by Aharonov et al. and generalise their results from quantum circuits to probabilistic (and quantum) programs.
Coexpression of Cux-1 and notch signaling pathway components during kidney development

Cux-1 is the murine homologue of the Drosophila gene cut, which is required for cellular differentiation in several tissues, including the wing margin and Malpighian tubule. Mammalian cut proteins function as cell cycle-dependent transcriptional repressors in proliferating cells. Targets of Cux-1 repression include the cyclin kinase inhibitors p21 and p27. However, little is known about the regulation of Cux-1. In Drosophila, multiple genetic interactions between Cut and the Notch and Wingless signaling pathways occur during wing development. To begin to determine whether Cux-1 regulation by the Notch signaling pathway is conserved in mammals, we compared the expression patterns of Cux-1, the murine Notch receptors (Notch 1-4), and the murine ligands (Jagged 1, Jagged 2, and Delta 1) during murine embryogenesis and kidney development. In this report, we demonstrate that Cux-1 expression overlaps with that of Notch signaling pathway components in multiple tissues during embryonic development. In the developing kidney, Cux-1 expression overlaps with that of Notch pathway components in the condensing mesenchyme, in pretubular aggregates (comma and S-shaped bodies), and in the presumptive podocytes of capillary loop stage glomeruli. Furthermore, Cux-1 was significantly up-regulated in the rat kidney epithelial cell line RKE expressing a constitutively active Notch 1, and this finding was associated with a reduction of p27. Moreover, Cux-1 interacts with the Groucho homolog TLE-4, a corepressor recruited by Notch effector proteins. Taken together, these results suggest that Cux-1 may function in the context of the Notch signaling pathway in multiple tissues during mammalian embryogenesis.
The preparation and in vivo applications of caged peptides and proteins

Cellular behavior, such as mitosis and motility, are controlled by both when and where specific intracellular signaling pathways are activated in response to environmental cues. Analogous temporally and spatially controlled events occur throughout the lifetime of an organism (e.g. embryogenesis). Consequently, reagents that can be switched on (or off) at any time or at any place in a cell, a tissue, or a living animal, represent the means by which the biochemical basis of spatially and temporally sensitive biological behavior can be evaluated. This review summarizes recent advances in the design and synthesis of light-activated (‘caged’) peptides and proteins as well as the application of these caged reagents to unanswered questions in biology.
Substance Use and Recovery: Charting a Course Toward Optimism

I N 2004, AN esti mated 22.5 million Am ericans 12 years or older were classified as having subst ance dependen ce or ab use (Substance Abuse & M ental Health Servi ces A dm ini st ration [SAM HSA], 2005). However, only 2.3 milli on of this group received treatment for problems related to substance use (SU), and of the 1.2 million untreated (who felt they needed treatment), approximately 440,000 reported that they made an effort but wer e unable to obtain services (SAM HSA, 2005). The puzzling aspect of these data is that effective SU treatments exist. Indeed, in some respects, the SU field has been revitalized with evidence-based treatments and reshaped with innovative perspectives ground in the neuroscience of addic ti ons (Rowe & Li ddle, 2006; World Heal th Organiza tion, 2004). What are the treatment innovations that should be creating optimism for recovery and what are the barriers to their implementation? To understand these issues, I went to an expert, Diane Snow, RN, PhD, APRN, BC, CARN, PMHNP. Diane is the past president of the International Nurses Society on Addictions (IntNSA) and is certified in addictions nursing. She is the Director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her primary focus of research and practice is patients with co-occurring disorders, namely, those with bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse disorder. We talked broadly about changes in mental and substance abuse (M/SU) treatment and about factors that block the efforts
National culture and its effects on knowledge communication in online virtual communities

Online virtual communities provide a powerful means of knowledge sharing. Despite the prevalence of online virtual communities, there is a paucity of research to investigate the effect of national culture differences on knowledge sharing in online virtual communities. Are there differences between online virtual communities from different national cultures? This research studies the differences in knowledge-sharing activities between US-based and China-based online virtual communities. Hofstede's dimensions of national culture serve as the theoretical foundation for this research.
Immunohistochemical differentiation of basal cell epithelioma from cutaneous appendages using monoclonal anti‐glycoprotein antibody TNKH1: Its application in Mohs' micrographic surgery

TNKH1, which was primarily developed to detect differentiated melanocytic tumor cells, was found to recognize basal keratinocytes of hair follicle and some basal keratinocytes of human epidermis. Thus, TNKH1 decorated the basal cells of following structures: epidermis (39 of 54, only part of each specimen [OPES]), upper hair follicle (one of 24, OPES), lower hair follicle (21 of 21, very high rate of each specimen [VHES]), sebaceous duct (14 of 15, VHES), sebaceous gland (ten of 14, germinative cells near duct), eccrine duct (three of 19, OPES). Epithelial tumors, considered to be derived from or differentiating toward hair follicle such as trichilemmoma (one of one, VHES) and basal cell epithelioma (BCE) (32 of 32, VHES) were labeled not only in the peripheral cells but in their entirety. On the other hand, epidermal tumors, such as seborrheic keratosis (ten of 11, OPES), actinic keratosis (two of three, OPES), and squamous cell carcinoma (one of two, OPES), showed an irregular peripheral basal cell staining as in normal epidermis. the apocrine sweat apparatus and eccrine secretory portion were negative. Eccrine ductal tumors such as syringoma (two tested), eccrine acrospiroma (one), and eccrine carcinoma (two) were TNKH1 negative. Taking advantage of this total labeling of BCE versus peripheral labeling of the hair follicle, the authors could distinguish BCE tissue from other structures clearly. Among confusing structures the upper hair follicle and the eccrine duct were excluded easily because of their negative staining with TNKH1. the lower hair follicle was TNKH1 positive but only in the outer basal layer, whereas the BCE was TNKH1 positive in its entire basaloid cells. the result indicated that TNKH1 will be a useful antibody in Mohs' micrographic surgery.
Flushing Distances of Ferruginous Hawks Nesting in Rural and Exurban New Mexico

ABSTRACT As natural environments become increasingly modified by humans, land managers should devise plans to protect sensitive species from human activities that disturb these species. We explored behavioral responses of nesting ferruginous hawks (Buteo regalis) to an approaching human in areas where the level of human activity on the landscaped varied. Contrary to other reports, hawks were aggressive in nest defense and female hawks defended nests more aggressively than male hawks. Adult hawks decreased nestdefense intensity as nestling age increased but increased intensity with consecutive human visits to the nest. Flushing distance was considerably higher than that documented in other studies and was negatively related to degree of urbanization. We found that a distance of 650 m prevented 95% of nest-attending ferruginous hawks from flushing in response to human intruders; thus we recommend establishing a spatial buffer of this distance or greater to minimize adverse effects of human activities on haw...
The Characterization of Lot in Genesis

This article examines the content and context of the texts in Genesis which focus on Lot to understand the narrator's use of this important character in the presentation of Israel's ancestral origins. Lot's actions and dealings with Abraham, his response to the divine messengers, and his treatment of his daughters present a powerful characterization of a man who increasingly falls away from righteous behavior. The use and placement of these accounts enable the narrator to present important themes about the role of God as merciful judge.
A constitutional choice approach to electoral district boundary delineation

Abstract The analysis of constitutional choice is applied to the selection of principles underlying the delineation of electoral district boundaries. It is argued that procedural fairness in constitutional choice demands equalization of electoral bias, because absolute minimization of such bias is not possible as a result of uncertainty. These objectives were shown to be equivalent; thus, it is suggested that bipartisan commissions charged with electoral district boundary delineation would be established during the constitutional choice process.
On developmental mental architectures

This paper presents a computational theory of developmental mental architectures for artificial and natural systems, motivated by neuroscience. The work is an attempt to approximately model biological mental architectures using mathematical tools. Six types of architecture are presented, beginning with the observation-driven Markov decision process as Type-1. From Type-1 to Type-6, the architecture progressively becomes more complete toward the necessary functions of autonomous mental development. Properties of each type are presented. Experiments are discussed with emphasis on their architectures.
When being "most likely" is not enough: examining the performance of three uses of the parametric bootstrap in phylogenetics.

I show that three parametric-bootstrap (PB) applications that have been proposed for phylo- genetic analysis, can be misleading as currently im- plemented. First, I show that simulating a topology estimated from preliminary data in order to determine the sequence length that should allow the best tree obtained from more extensive data to be correct with a desired probability, delivers an accurate estimate of this length only in topological situations in which most preliminary trees are expected to be both correct and statistically significant, i.e. when no further analysis would be needed. Otherwise, one obtains strong un- derestimates of the length or similarly biased values for incorrect trees. Second, I show that PB-based topology tests that use as null hypothesis the most likely tree congruent with a pre-specified topological relationship alternative to the unconstrained most likely tree, and simulate this tree for P value estimation, produce ex- cessive type I error (from 50% to 600% and higher) when they are applied to null data generated by star- shaped or dichotomous four-taxon topologies. Simu- lating the most likely star topology for P value esti- mation results instead in correct type-I-error production even when the null data are generated by a dichotomous topology. This is a strong indication that the star topology is the correct default null hypothesis for phylogenies. Third, I show that PB-estimated confidence intervals (CIs) for the length of a tree branch are generally accurate, although in some situ- ations they can be strongly over- or under-estimated relative to the ''true'' CI. Attempts to identify a biased CI through a further round of simulations were un- successful. Tracing the origin and propagation of pa- rameter estimate error through the CI estimation exercise, showed that the sparseness of site-patterns which are crucial to the estimation of pivotal param- eters, can allow homoplasy to bias these estimates and ultimately the PB-based CI estimation. Concluding, I stress that statistical techniques that simulate models estimated from limited data need to be carefully cali- brated, and I defend the point that pattern-sparseness assessment will be the next frontier in the statistical analysis of phylogenies, an effort that will require taking advantage of the merits of black-box maximum- likelihood approaches and of insights from intuitive, site-pattern-oriented approaches like parsimony.
Die photometrische und konduktometrische Titration von Lithium in Cyclohexanon oder Aceton

Lithiumchlorid bildet mit Losungen von Kupfer(II)-salzen in Cyclohexanon, Aceton, Tetrahydrofuran oder anderen, vorwiegend carbonylhaltigen organischen Losungsmitteln einen intensiv rotorange gefarbten Komplex mit der Zusammensetzung Li(CuCl3) · x(R)2CO, dessen Losungen den elektrischen Strom ziemlich gut leiten. Diese Reaktion wird zur photometrischen und konduktometrischen Titration von Lithium ausgenutzt, wobei als Reagens Losungen von Kupfer(II)-perchlorat in Aceton dienen. Der Anwendungsbereich der Methode erstreckt sich bei normaler analytischer Arbeitstechnik auf Lithiummengen von etwa 10−2–10−6 Mol Li. Die Bestimmungsgrenze last sich mit Hilfe mikrochemischer Methoden wahrscheinlich bis zu Gehalten von etwa 10−8–10−9 Mol herabsetzen. Natrium- und Kaliumchlorid verursachen wegen ihrer auserst geringen Loslichkeit in Aceton oder Cyclohexanon nur geringe Fehler, die sich durch geeignete Probevorbereitung ganz vermeiden lassen. Uber die Bestimmung von Lithium in technischen Produkten wird demnachst berichtet.
Effects of drip irrigation scheduling on muskmelon yield and quality

Abstract The use of drip (trickle) irrigation for muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) production has become commonplace but the impact of preharvest drip irrigation management on fruit yield and quality has not been well documented. The effects of drip irrigation regimes on the yield and quality of cv. Challenger, Mission and Vera Cruz were investigated at Davis, California in 1993 and 1994. All plots were irrigated uniformly until 10 days (1993) or 20 days (1994) before harvest; differential treatments were then imposed, ranging from a complete cutoff of irrigation to full irrigation (applied daily) through the harvest period. Fruit quality (firmness, seed cavity and mesocarp condition and soluble solids content) was evaluated at harvest, and after 7 or 14 days of refrigerated storage at 4 °C or 2 °C in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Drip irrigation management did not affect marketable yield, fruit size or % cull fruit. All irrigation treatments produced high quality fruit of equal soluble solids content. There were significant cultivar effects on both yield and quality, but no cultivar × irrigation interactions were noted. In this environment late-season irrigation was not detrimental to muskmelon quality but was not required for maximum productivity.
Liability for defective documentation

Several companies are careless about the accuracy of their user manuals and online help, leading readers to believe that a product has characteristics that it lacks. Under American law, buyers of goods have a right to expect a manufacturer to stand behind its claims. False claims in documentation might subject the manufacturer to liability for breach of warranty, fraud, or deceptive trade practices. Warranty law has been evolving recently, with the development of the Uniform Computer Information Transactions Act and revisions to the Uniform Commercial Code.
'Au-delà d’une musique informelle': Nostalgia, obsolescence and the avant-garde

This essay draws on the concepts of profane illumination and the inform to develop a model of the avant-garde in relation to obsolescence and nostalgia. The model is illustrated musically by accounts of two American works, the finale of Charles Ives’s Second Orchestral Set (1915) and John Cage’s Imaginary Landscape No. 4 for twelve radios (1951).
The Association of Factor VIII With von Willebrand Factor

Factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) are plasma glycoproteins that circulate as a tightly associated complex. Because they tend to copurify during procedures designed to isolate the biologic activities associated with them, their identity as distinct entities became unequivocally established only during the past 10 years. Improved procedures for the isolation of FVIII, the deduction of the amino acid sequences of FVIII and vWF by using molecular cloning techniques and by direct sequencing, and the use of a variety of biophysical and immunochemical techniques have enhanced the understanding of the FVIII-vWF association. Each subunit of multimeric vWF potentially can bind a single heterodimeric FVIII molecule, although in vivo most of these binding sites are empty. The binding of FVIII to vWF is primarily, if not exclusively, mediated by the light chain of FVIII to the amino-terminal region of the vWF subunit. Cleavage of a fragment from the amino-terminal region of the FVIII light chain by thrombin results in rapid dissociation of the FVIII-vWF complex, a process that apparently is necessary for development of procoagulant activity. Whether this cleavage is needed for the activation of FVIII in the absence of vWF is controversial. The extracellular association of FVIII with vWF may be necessary for efficient secretion of FVIII from its cell of origin. The thermodynamics, kinetics, and nature of the molecular contacts involved in the interaction have not been studied. The association of FVIII with vWF prolongs the lifetime of FVIII in plasma. Whether the FVIII-vWF interaction has other functional roles, such as restricting the location of procoagulant activity, remains unknown.
Optimal VLSI graph embeddings in variable aspect ratio rectangles

We generalize earlier results in VLSI layout theory by considering variable aspect ratio embeddings for VLSI graphs. By aspect ratio we mean the ratio of the length of the longer side to the length of the shorter side of the bounding rectangle of the embedding. Our results are based on separators and bifurcators. We obtain embeddings with existentially optimal area and any desired aspect ratio. Additionally, we can obtain either bounded capacitive delay or existentially optimal minimax edge length in the embeddings; both of these features reduce delays in the circuit.
Ascorbic acid is a potent inhibitor of various forms of T cell apoptosis.

This study was designed to examine the effect of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) on various death pathways of mouse T cells. Unlike humans, mice produce their own ascorbic acid and our study tested the effect of additional ascorbic acid on murine T cells. Our data show that three T cell death pathways (growth factor withdrawal-, spontaneous-, and steroid-induced death) were inhibited when T cells were incubated with ascorbic acid. The data show that both activated and resting T cells were responsive to ascorbic acid since both populations were resistant to death stimuli when treated with ascorbic acid. Additionally, effector T cells were more likely to enter S phase if treated with ascorbic acid. Our data implicate ascorbic acid as a potent inhibitor of various forms of T cell death and suggest that vitamin C may function as an immune booster through this mechanism.
Nitrogen and phosphorus release from decaying water milfoil

To evaluate the net N and P contribution to water from herbicide-killed aquatic weeds, water milfoil containing 1.5% N and 0.30% P was killed with endothal and allowed to decompose, in the dark, in water only or sediment-water systems. Changes with time in dry weight, total N and P, and organic C in the plant material, and organic and inorganic forms of N and P in the water were determined. Plant decompostion was limited by N. Inorganic N was released by the sediment, and decomposition was more rapid when sediment was present. A smaller N requirement for decomposition under conditions of low O2 was postulated as a possible explanation of the more rapid decomposition observed in the absence of aeration. The presence of plant P in excess of decomposition requirements resulted in rapid accumulation of organic P, followed by inorganic P, in the water. Organic N appeared in the water early in the experiments, but was depleted rapidly, and inorganic N was apparently immobilized as soon as it was formed. In the presence of sediment, organic N and inorganic P levels were much lower. On treating of water milfoil with herbicide, rapid P release can be expected. This P can either be utilized in further biomass production or be sorbed by the sediment. Insufficient data were available to reach definite conclusions regarding N. It would appear, however, that N release from decaying weeds is much slower than P.
Interaction of Mammalian Mitochondrial Ribosomes with the Inner Membrane

All of the products of mitochondrial protein biosynthesis in animals are hydrophobic proteins that are localized in the inner membrane. Hence, it is possible that the synthesis of these proteins could occur on ribosomes associated with the inner membrane. To examine this possibility, inner membrane and matrix fractions of bovine mitochondria were examined for the presence of ribosomes using probes for the rRNAs. Between 40 and 50% of the ribosomes were found to fractionate with the inner membrane. About half of the ribosomes associated with the inner membrane could be released by high salt treatment, indicating that they interact with the membrane largely through electrostatic forces. No release of the ribosome was observed upon treatment with puromycin, suggesting that the association observed is not due to insertion of a nascent polypeptide chain into the membrane. A fraction of the ribosomes remained with residual portions of the membranes that cannot be solubilized in the presence of Triton X-100. These ribosomes may be associated with large oligomeric complexes in the membrane.
Use of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) in a clinical setting

The aim of this study was to examine the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) as it is commonly used in clinical practice. ADOS classifications were compared to final diagnoses given by a multidisciplinary team to 584 children referred for evaluation for possible autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. A total of 177 children were evaluated with a Module 1 (87 No Words), 198 with a Module 2 (90 < 5 years) and 209 with a Module 3. Of these, 142 (26%) were diagnosed with autism, 185 (32%) with non-autism ASD, and 257 (44%) with non-spectrum disorders. Sensitivities were moderate to high on both original and revised algorithms, while specificities were substantially lower than those previously reported. This difference is likely attributable to the composition of the sample that included many children with a broad array of developmental and behavioral disorders. The clinical impression of the team member who administered the ADOS was critical to the accuracy of the overall diagnosis. Using numeric scores alone resulted in misclassification from false positive results. The study highlights the importance of the qualitative interactions of the ADOS activities as well as the score in diagnostic decision making.
Using the theory of planned behavior to explore attitudes and beliefs about dietary supplements among HIV-positive Black women

Summary Background This cross-sectional study investigated whether the theory of planned behavior (TPB) constructs: attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were related to intention of dietary supplements use among African-American women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus and/or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Methods A closed-ended questionnaire based on the TPB was utilized to explore the use of dietary supplements among a cohort of 153 HIV-positive African-American women. Results Overall, 45% of the respondents used dietary supplements to manage/control their HIV. Combined, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were significant predictors of intention toward dietary supplement use (69% of the variance explained, p p p p Conclusions Results showed that attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control are important predictors in the intention to use dietary supplements for control of HIV among African-American women. Implications from this study suggest that the TPB can be used to better identify and understand salient beliefs that surround intentions to use alternative therapies for management of disease. These beliefs can be used to develop interventions surrounding HIV treatment and care.
Health Monitoring Aircraft

A description is given of the health monitoring aircraft concept, which will incorporate innovative sensors, AI, and advanced analytical techniques to provivide real-time and continual aircraft health assessment. According to this concept, all flight-critical structures will be evaluated for integrity as part of the automated preflight checklist. The pilot will be given a visual display of the health of all systems prior to takeoff. Any in-flight change in the health of the aircraft wil be displayed along with recommended action. In order to achieve these capabilities, state-of-the-art structural integrity computer programs, together with AI/neutral network decision-making software, will be incorporated as part of the aircraft computing capability. The life history of the aircraft will be continually and automaticaly updated so that acccurate structural integrity assessments can be made.
Graphical design applied to MTBE and methyl acetate reactive distillation processes

Graphical tray-by-tray methods for reactive distillation columns we developed previously are extended to study two industrial processes: MTBE production and methyl acetate production. As both processes involve four components, projection was used to obtain ternary diagrams by ignoring the inert (n-butane) for MTBE production and by projecting onto planes of constant acetic acid concentrations for methyl acetate production. These projected methods clearly explain the placing that industry uses for the reaction zones in these processes. Further, it can be visualized why there is an optimum reflux ratio for the methyl acetate process and a value can be quantitatively predicted for it that lies within the range the literature reports.
Cycloaromatization of 1,4-pentadiynes: a viable possibility?

The effects of several mostly σ-withdrawing, π-donating substituents X on the hitherto unknown Bergman-like cyclizations of 3-substituted 1,4-pentadiynes were studied at the BLYP/6-311+G*//BLYP/6-31G* level of theory. As the cyclization with X = OH+ has the lowest barrier and is about thermoneutral, we predict that the title reaction is viable, for instance, through activation of derivatives with X = O with Lewis acids.