cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changes in sensorimotor inhibition across the menstrual cycle: Implications for neuropsychiatric disorders

The startle reflex is inhibited when the startling noise is preceded 30–500 msec by a weak prepulse. “Prepulse inhibition” (PPI) is reduced in specific neuropsychiatric disorders characterized clinically by impaired inhibition of sensory, motor, or cognitive information. PPI is sexually dimorphic, with men exhibiting significantly more PPI than women. We examined possible neuroendocrine substrates for this sex difference in PPI. The startle reflex, and a measure of visuospatial priming, were measured in 10 men, and in 46 normal women at different points in their menstrual cycle. In women, PPI was significantly reduced in the luteal vs follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. This reduction in PPI was most notable during the period corresponding to midluteal elevations of both estrogen and progesterone. In a task of visuospatial priming, follicular-phase women demonstrated a predominance of inhibition over facilitation, but this pattern reversed across the menstrual cycle.
Phonological awareness intervention: beyond the basics

Purpose The purpose of this article is to advance practitioners' knowledge base of best practices in phonological awareness intervention to facilitate the implementation of evidence- or research-based practices in everyday clinical practice. Although most speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have a basic knowledge of phonological awareness, this article provides additional information on the variables to consider in the design and implementation of phonological awareness intervention; access to this information has a clear impact on practitioners' efforts to move research to practice. Method We reviewed the relevant literature on the nature and development of phonological awareness and phonological awareness intervention to identify evidence-based intervention practices. We draw on clinical experience to supplement the research literature, particularly where the research literature provides limited direction. Implications SLPs have a unique contribution to make in school-based teams' efforts to facilitate ...
Approximately Optimum Confidence Bounds for System Reliability Based on Component Test Data

A unified treatment of three different models concerning the problem of obtaining suitably accurate confidence bounds on series or parallel system reliability from subsystem test data is explored and developed. The component or subsystem test data are assumed to be (1) exponentially distributed with censoring or truncation for a fixed number of failures, (2) exponentially distributed with truncation of tests at fixed times, and (3) binomially distributed (pass-fail) with fixed but different sample sizes and random numbers of failures for subsystem tests. Rather unique relations between the three models are found and discussed based on the binomial reliability study of hlann (1973). In fact, the approximate theory developed herein applies to “mixed” data systems, i.e. the case where some subsystem data are binomial and the others exponential in character. The extension of results to complex systems is also treated. The methodology developed for combining component failure data should perhaps be useful in p...
Effects of chronic amphetamine or reserpine on self-stimulation responding: Animal model of depression?

The mood-altering properties of amphetamine (AMPH) in humans (euphoria and depression) have been postulated to be related to the increases and decreases respectively which this drug produces in the sensitivity of the reward system of the brain. The present study further evaluated this relationship by testing the effects of chronic reserpine (RES), another treatment that produces depression in humans, on self-stimulation responding. Separate groups of animals implanted with stimulating electrodes in the medial forebrain bundle were administered daily injections of saline, d-AMPH (5 mg/kg×7days followed by 10 mg/kg×7 days), or RES (0.05 mg/kg×18 days). At treatment termination, both drug groups showed a significant elevation of the reinforcement threshold, with no recovery occurring during 18 subsequent days. Thus, drug-induced depression of self-stimulation responding may serve as an animal model for studying the underlying physiological basis for clinical depression, or at the very least, for drug-induced depression.
Toxic hazard from fires: A simple assessment method☆

Detailed mathematical methods have recently become available for performing a complete fire hazard analysis. Because of their complexity, they are used primarily for research purposes. For many design and evaluation uses, however, a need is seen for simpler analysis techniques. One such need is for the assessment of the toxic hazard component of fire hazard. Such a technique must be able to place in correct context at least the toxic potency and the burning rate variables. A simple method is developed for demonstrating the capability for performing toxic fire hazard analysis using available test data and not requiring the use of a computer. The method is illustrated with test data on a number of products obtained from the National Bureau of Standards Combustion Toxicity Test and from the cone calorimeter.
The cystathionase-rhodanese system.

Abstract Cystathionase ( l -homoserine hydrolase (deaminating), EC 4.2.1.15) and rhodanese ∗∗ (thiosulfate: cyanide sulfurtransferase, EC 2.8.1.1) have been combined to form a coupled enzyme system which is capable of utilizing cysteine sulfur for transsulfuration. The initial product of the action of Cystathionase on cystine, thiocysteine, is, at least in part, converted to bis-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl) trisulfide, “thiocystine”. Rhodanese accepts the products of the action of cystathionase, thiocystine, and possibly thiocysteine, and transfers sulfur to cyanide, sulfite, or other acceptors. In an isolated system, rhodanese utilizes thiocystine as a substrate more efficiently than it does thiosulfate.
Comparative transcriptional profiling of 3 murine models of SLE nephritis reveals both unique and shared regulatory networks.

Objective To define shared and unique features of SLE nephritis in mouse models of proliferative and glomerulosclerotic renal disease. Methods Perfused kidneys from NZB/W F1, NZW/BXSB and NZM2410 mice were harvested before and after nephritis onset. Affymetrix based gene expression profiles of kidney RNA were analyzed using Genomatix Pathway Systems and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Gene expression patterns were confirmed using real-time PCR. Results 955, 1168 and 755 genes were regulated in the kidneys of nephritic NZB/W F1, NZM2410 and NZW/BXSB mice respectively. 263 genes were regulated concordantly in all three strains reflecting immune cell infiltration, endothelial cell activation, complement activation, cytokine signaling, tissue remodeling and hypoxia. STAT3 was the top associated transcription factor, having a binding site in the gene promoter of 60/263 regulated genes. The two strains with proliferative nephritis shared a macrophage/DC infiltration and activation signature. NZB/W and NZM2410 mice shared a mitochondrial dysfunction signature. Dominant T cell and plasma cell signatures in NZB/W mice reflected lymphoid aggregates; this was the only strain with regulatory T cell infiltrates. NZW/BXSB mice manifested tubular regeneration and NZM2410 mice had the most metabolic stress and manifested loss of nephrin, indicating podocyte loss. Conclusions These findings identify shared inflammatory mechanisms of SLE nephritis that can be therapeutically targeted. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of effector mechanisms suggests that individualized therapy might need to be based on biopsy findings. Some common mechanisms are shared with non-immune–mediated renal diseases, suggesting that strategies to prevent tissue hypoxia and remodeling may be useful in SLE nephritis.
Spin effects of charged exciton states in electric field tunable quantum dot molecules

Tuning the relative energy levels in coupled quantum dots with an applied electric field results in controllable spin interactions of bound carriers. These interactions may provide new directions in engineering these systems for optical and spintronic applications. Using polarization resolved photoluminescence experiments we observe spin dependent effects in the spectra which vary as a function of applied field. As we tune the exciton emission we observe variations in circular polarization memory in the neutral exciton and in the singly charged exciton states. We propose possible mechanisms for externally manipulating the spin coupling.
Processing high-Tc superconductors with GeV heavy ions

Irradiation of high-Tc superconducting crystals with low doses (1010–1011 ions/cm2) of GeV heavy ions produces a unique microstructure consisting of discrete amorphous columns which are only a few nm in diameter but tens of μm long. It has been found recently that this columnar microstructure causes larger increases in magnetization and critical current at high temperature and high magnetic field than other types of defects in these materials. This can be understood as a consequence of the effective pinning of magnetic vortex lines provided by the columnar defects. Measurements confirm that the pinning is strongest when the magnetic field is aligned with the ion tracks. Differences in the pinning in different materials can be related to differences in their anisotropy, which affects the structure of the vortices and their pinning at columnar defects.
Teacher Effectiveness Research in Physical Education: The Future Isn't What It Used to Be

This commentary was written in response to the Rink (2013), McKenzie and Lounsbery (2013), and Ward (2013) articles published earlier on teacher effectiveness in physical education (PE). The historical analyses of teacher effectiveness research in PE (TER-PE) presented in those 3 articles are briefly described, particularly as they represent a collective agenda in the first 3 decades in this line of inquiry. That collective agenda was primarily driven by physical education researchers and P–12 teachers, who developed and explored empirically based best practices for effective teaching and learning in physical education, which informed much of the content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge learned in physical education teacher education programs. Based on 2 recent policy developments in many states, external threats to the previous agenda for TER-PE are presented by the author, who concedes that the lead for the future agenda for TER-PE will soon be taken out of the hands of researchers, teachers,...
Interactively verifying absence of explicit information flows in Android apps

App stores are increasingly the preferred mechanism for distributing software, including mobile apps (Google Play), desktop apps (Mac App Store and Ubuntu Software Center), computer games (the Steam Store), and browser extensions (Chrome Web Store). The centralized nature of these stores has important implications for security. While app stores have unprecedented ability to audit apps, users now trust hosted apps, making them more vulnerable to malware that evades detection and finds its way onto the app store. Sound static explicit information flow analysis has the potential to significantly aid human auditors, but it is handicapped by high false positive rates. Instead, auditors currently rely on a combination of dynamic analysis (which is unsound) and lightweight static analysis (which cannot identify information flows) to help detect malicious behaviors. We propose a process for producing apps certified to be free of malicious explicit information flows. In practice, imprecision in the reachability analysis is a major source of false positive information flows that are difficult to understand and discharge. In our approach, the developer provides tests that specify what code is reachable, allowing the static analysis to restrict its search to tested code. The app hosted on the store is instrumented to enforce the provided specification (i.e., executing untested code terminates the app). We use abductive inference to minimize the necessary instrumentation, and then interact with the developer to ensure that the instrumentation only cuts unreachable code. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in verifying a corpus of 77 Android apps—our interactive verification process successfully discharges 11 out of the 12 false positives.
High rate data systems

The characteristics of the high resolution imaging spectrometer (HIRIS) and the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) are described with consideration given to the source of their high data rates. A functional-level description of the end-to-end data flow for HIRIS and SAR is provided. Attention is also given to major technological challenges that must be met in achieving an implementation of the system. Management issues associated with high rate, high volume data are also discussed.
Character Education: Removing the Barriers to Health Education Participation

Development of values, moral principles, and ethical standards has long been a part of American education, although the approach and goals have varied during different time periods. Currently there is a great deal of interest in a type of such education, termed “character education,” which is different from the values clarification approach that recently has dominated the field. Although the essence of character education is as old as education itself, its current “reincarnation” has aroused a great deal of interest, controversy, and attention. Health education, however, has been conspicuously absent from any dialogue about this emerging trend. The intent of this article is to stimulate health educator interest in character education, address barriers to participation, and support the need for professional involvement.
A rainfall-runoff probabilistic simulation program: 2. Synthetic data analysis

Abstract The development of a best-fit unit hydrograph to rainfall-runoff data is an important problem in flood control hydrology. In this paper, a computer program is described that is useful in determining an optimum unit hydrograph to rainfall-runoff data, and the sensitivity of the unit hydrograph to various hydrologic effects. By such an analysis, priority can be placed on fine-tuning data collection where sensitivity is greatest.
Modeling of three beach fill projects

This paper details a preliminary modeling study of three beach fill projects in Florida, based on planform modeling using a one line numerical model and analytical modeling techniques. The study provides two different approaches to modeling (shoreline response and volumetric response per linear measure of beach length) to compare beach performance prediction with actual measurement data. The analytical modeling theory and the one line numerical model comparison includes one hypothetical case and differences between the two types of model results are noted. A discussion of performance prediction results with actual project measured performance for the three beach fill projects is provided.
Writing on Fading Paper, Dirty Tape With Little Ink: Wideband Limits for Causal Transmitter CSI

A wideband Rayleigh fading channel is considered with causal channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter and no receiver CSI. A simple orthogonal code with energy detection rule at the receiver (similar to pulse position modulation in IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory, vol. 46, no. 4, Apr. 2000 and IEEE Trans. Inf. Theory, vol. 52 no. 5, May 2006) is shown to achieve the capacity of this channel in the wideband limit. This strategy transmits energy only when the channel gain exceeds a threshold, hence only needs causal transmitter CSI. In the wideband limit, this capacity without any receiver CSI is the same as the capacity with full receiver CSI, which is proportional to the logarithm of the bandwidth. Similar threshold-based pulse position modulation is shown to achieve the capacity per unit cost of the dirty-tape channel (dirty paper channel with causal transmitter CSI and no receiver CSI), which equals its capacity per unit cost with full receiver CSI. Then, a general discrete channel with i.i.d. states is considered. Each input has an associated cost and a zero cost input “0” exists. The channel state is assumed to be known at the transmitter in a causal manner. Capacity per unit cost is found for this channel and a simple orthogonal code is shown to achieve this capacity. Later, a novel orthogonal coding scheme is proposed for the case of causal transmitter CSI and a condition for equivalence of capacity per unit cost for causal and noncausal transmitter CSI is derived.
Future Trends in Management of Hazardous Envhionments - Panel Summary

Coming decades almost certainly will see a continuing process of change in the nature and distribution of workplace and environmental safety hazards and risks. This session discusses future trends in the management of hazardous environments, particularly in terms of how such management can benefit from the application of macroergonomic principles and methods, Thomas Albin points out that although the application of ergonomics will remain a key strategy for abating musculoskeletal problems in the workplace, there is need for a broader systems approach to ergonomics program design. Michael Smith deals with new types and patterns of hazards and risks related to the emergence of new technologies. Markku Mattila addresses future trends in management of workplace hazards from a Scandinavian and European perspective, including the integration of ergonomics and quality management. Victor Koscheyev and Gloria Leon discuss future needs and trends in systems management of large-scale disasters and in the psychologic...
Neuroenhancement in Reflective Equilibrium: A Qualified Kantian Defense of Enhancing in Scholarship and Science

Cognitive neuroenhancement (CNE) involves the use of medical interventions to improve normal cognitive functioning such as memory, focus, concentration, or willpower. In this paper I give a Kantian argument defending the use of CNE in science, scholarly research, and creative fields. Kant’s universal law formulation of the categorical imperative shows why enhancement is morally wrong in the familiar contexts of sports or competitive games. This argument, however, does not apply to the use of CNE in higher education, scholarly or scientific research, or creative endeavors such as visual art, fiction or poetry, or musical composition. This is because performance in these areas is embedded within practices that differ in morally significant ways from competitive practices. This important difference provides good reason to think that there is nothing morally wrong with the use of CNE in these areas. My approach is not simply to assume a full-fledged Kantian ethical theory and apply it straight away to the enhancement issue but to establish a reflective equilibrium between our moral intuitions, (Kantian) moral principles that support those intuitions, and the nature of the practices involved.
Initiating Moist Convection in an Inhomogeneous Layer by Uniform Ascent

AbstractUsing aircraft data from the recent Dominica Experiment (DOMEX) project in Dominica, the authors evaluate a modified version of Woodcock’s theory of moist convective initiation. Upstream of Dominica, anticorrelated fluctuations in temperature and specific humidity are found in the subcloud layer related to ambient trade wind convection. The associated variances in virtual temperature and air density are surprisingly small due to buoyancy adjustment. When this air is quickly lifted by terrain, the moist patches, having a lower lifting condensation level, become “seeds” for convection. The authors model this process by uniformly lifting an observed layer of air moist adiabatically from 300 to 1300 m. The resulting variations of buoyancy within the layer are converted to vertical accelerations accounting for strong “added mass” effects that include an estimate of layer depth. These estimated fluctuations in vertical acceleration agree with aircraft measurements of updraft speed and length scale over ...
Origin of subaerial Holocene calcareous crusts: role of algae, fungi and sparmicritisation

The Pleistocene Miami Limestone that crops out on the lower Florida Keys is overlain by thin (16 cm or less), discontinuous, Holocene calcareous crusts (caliche) that are usually laminated, composed dominantly of calcite micrite and may or may not incorporate part of the underlying limestone. Both allochems and sparry calcite cement in the former unit contain endolithic algae and fungi, borings and unicellular algae. Biogenic structures identical to those in the Miami Limestone also occur in the calcareous crusts but are somewhat less abundant in the latter unit versus the former unit. The calcareous crusts were formed in the vadose diagenetic environment. Some of the CaCO3 necessary for the micrite that comprises the bulk of the crusts was probably derived from solution of carbonate from a soil cover and some from wind blown salt spray. Most of the micrite, however, was formed by replacement of the uppermost portions of the Miami Limestone. Replacement involved micritisation of allochems and a previously unreported process, sparmicritisation, the degrading recrystallization of sparry calcite to micrite. Minor sparmicritisation was caused by micrite calcification of endolithic fungi or algae within sparry calcite cement or by micrite precipitation in empty borings within such cement. Most sparmicritisation took place by dissolution of sparry calcite and concomitant precipitation of micrite in the space occupied previously by the dissolved spar. Such sparmicritisation is interpreted to be caused by chemical reactions involving the crystals, pore water which is moving slowly but steadily and organic compounds released during bacterial decomposition of fungi, algae or both. It is recognized that sparmicritisation occurs in the marine diagenetic environment and is not, therefore, necessarily indicative of vadose diagenesis. Incomplete sparmicritisation is responsible for some of the clotted textures typically found within calcareous crusts and may explain such textures in many other carbonate rock types. A combination of sparmicritisation and micritisation has probably greatly influenced the porosity of many reefs and, in some cases, led to the formation of ‘micritic reefs’.
Occupational attainment influences survival in autopsy-confirmed frontotemporal degeneration

Objective: To examine the influence of occupational attainment and education on survival in autopsy-confirmed cases of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of 83 demographically matched, autopsy-confirmed FTLD (n = 34) and AD (n = 49) cases. Each patient9s primary occupation was classified and ranked. Level of education was recorded in years. Survival was defined as time from symptom onset until death. Linear regression was used to test for associations among occupational attainment, education, and patient survival. Results: Median survival was 81 months for FTLD and 95 months for AD. Years of education and occupational attainment were similar for both groups. We found that higher occupational attainment was associated with longer survival in FTLD but not AD. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that higher occupational attainment is associated with longer survival in autopsy-confirmed FTLD. The identification of protective factors associated with FTLD survival has important implications for estimates of prognosis and longitudinal studies such as treatment trials.
The long and winding regulatory road for laboratory-developed tests.

“High complexity” clinical laboratories are approved under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments to develop, validate, and offer a laboratory-developed test (LDT) for clinical use. The Food and Drug Administration considers LDTs to be medical devices under their regulatory jurisdiction, and that at least certain LDTs should be subject to greater regulatory scrutiny. This review describes the current regulatory framework for LDTs and suggests ways in which to appropriately enhance this framework.
A comparative study of performances of various base isolation systems, part II: Sensitivity analysis

A series of numerical experiments on the performance of different base isolation systems for a non-uniform shear beam structure is carried out. The results show that performances of the base isolation systems are not sensitive to small variations in their natural period, damping or friction coefficient. The presence of a frictional element in the isolators reduces their sensitivity to severe variations. In particular, the resilient-friction base isolators with or without sliding upper plate perform reasonably well. The rubber bearing type, howewer, leads to the lowest peak transmitted accelerations for moderate intensity earthquakes
Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma: An unusual cause of an abdominal mass in a child

Abstract Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenomas are uncommon tumors whose incidence in the pediatric population is very low. We present the case report of a 17-year-old female with a primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma, borderline type, and describe the successful laparoscopic resection of the mass.
The Group Attitude Scale: A Measure of Attraction to Group

This article reports the development of an instrument to measure attraction to group and discusses several studies designed to assess its reliability and validity. The Group Attitude Scale is a 20-item self-report measure constructed following an extensive survey of the literature in the area of attraction to group. Final selection of items was based on data obtained from 178 members in 26 groups. In three studies, coefficient alpha has ranged from .90 to .97 at various points in the life of the participating groups. GAS scores are significantly related to interpersonal attraction among group members, group attendance, and termination anxiety. Scores on the GAS alsocorrelate significantly with process consultants' assessments of members' levels ofattraction to group and to scores on the cohesion subscale of the Group Environment Scale (Moos et al., 1974). Implications for research and practice are discussed.
When is instantaneous frequency the average frequency at each time

The interpretation of instantaneous frequency has been a subject of interest for many years. One interpretation is that it is the average frequency at each time in the signal. We prove that instantaneous frequency equals the average frequency at each time only when there is symmetry in the instantaneous spectrum, as previous empirical evidence has suggested. Also, when there is such symmetry, the average frequency at each time equals the median frequency at each time.
Examination of the Test-Retest Reliability of a Computerized Neurocognitive Test Battery

Background:Test-retest reliability is a critical issue in the utility of computer-based neurocognitive assessment paradigms employing baseline and postconcussion tests. Researchers have reported low test-retest reliability for the Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) across an interval of 45 and 50 days.Purpose:To re-examine the test-retest reliability of the ImPACT between baseline, 45 days, and 50 days.Study Design:Descriptive laboratory study.Methods:Eighty-five physically active college students (51 male, 34 female) volunteered for this study. Participants completed the ImPACT as well as a 15-item memory test at baseline, 45 days, and 50 days. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for ImPACT composite scores, and change scores were calculated using reliable change indices (RCIs) and regression-based methods (RBMs) at 80% and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results:The respective ICCs for baseline to day 45, day 45 to day 50, baseline to day 50, and ov...
Influence of interfacial surface conduction on the DC electrical conductivity of particle reinforced composites

We describe new effects associated with electrical conduction along phase interfaces for particle reinforced conductors. For particles of general shape we introduce a new quantity 1 called the surf...
American Depository Receipts: A Case Study Of The Performance Of Foreign Manufacturing Firm Equities Listed On The New York Stock Exchange

With the growth of free-trade agreements and the development of a global economy, foreign equities may seem to provide a lucrative and diversified alternative for portfolio managers and individual investors. During the study period, all 35 newly issued foreign manufacturing firm equities from 18 countries listed on the New York Stock Exchange traded as American Depository Receipts (ADRs) are examined to determine short term investment performance relative to the market. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index serves as a proxy for the performance of the market. Data are tested for significant differences in returns during the period of January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2002 during the first 21 days of trading after their initial listing. In addition, the equities are examined to determine whether differences exist in those from emerging and developed countries and whether the timing of issue (in the U.S. bull and bear market) affects returns. Findings suggest no significant difference in the overall short-term performance of the manufacturing firm ADRs relative to the S&P500 Index during the first 21 days of trading. Further examination indicates that initial public offerings significantly out-perform the market by 5.0 percent and seasoned equity offerings performance is not significantly different from the S&P 500. Manufacturing firm ADR returns from developed markets and their counterparts from emerging markets show no significant difference from the performance of the market index. However, timing of the issue shows the most dramatic contrast in performance. ADRs issued before 1/1/98, primarily in a bull market, significantly underperformed the market by 26.51 percent. Those issued in the bear market after 1/1/98 show 9 months of returns that are positive and significant during the 36-month holding period. Evidence suggests that initial public offerings and timing of issue may affect manufacturing firm ADR portfolio performance to achieve returns greater than the market.
Individual species–area relationships and spatial patterns of species diversity in a Great Basin, semi‐arid shrubland

Traditional biodiversity metrics operate at the level of a plant community but do not capture spatial variation in diversity from a ‘plant's-eye view’ of a community. Recently-developed statistics consider the spatial patterns of plants as well as the number and distribution of species in local plant neighborhoods to quantitatively assess multispecies spatial patterns from a ‘plant's-eye view’. We used one such statistic, the individual species area relationship (ISAR), to assess spatial patterns of species diversity in a Great Basin (USA) semi-arid shrubland through an analysis of a spatial dataset on shrub species and locations. In conjunction with appropriate null models, the ISAR blends species area relationships with second-order spatial statistics to measure the expected species richness in local neighborhoods of variable size around the individuals of a focal species within a community. We found that, contrary to a previous analysis using more traditional methods, the community was well-mixed with a typical shrub surrounded on average by 4.9 shrub neighbors of 2.1 species at a neighborhood scale of 1.0 m. We also found statistically significant fine-scale variation in diversity patterns, such that neighborhoods of two species were more diverse than expected by a heterogeneous Poisson null model that accounted for larger-scale habitat heterogeneity. However, this effect was caused by intraspecific aggregation of these species and was not due to positive interspecific association. Contrary to previous findings in other semi-arid shrublands, our analysis suggests that the spatial pattern of the shrub community was not significantly structured by interspecific facilitation. This result supports growing evidence for balanced species patterns of adult plants in multispecies communities. Our approach may be used in other communities to describe complex multispecies spatial patterns, quantify species-specific associations with diversity patterns, and to generate hypotheses regarding relationships between patterns and community-structuring processes.
QoS-Aware service management for component-based distributed applications

Component-based software development has evolved from a tightly coupled style to a loosely coupled style in the recent few years. The paradigm shift will eventually allow heterogeneous systems to interoperate in open networks such as the Internet and will make software development more of a management task than a development task. Envisioning that future applications may comprise dynamically aggregated component services possibly distributed widely, we develop a Quality of Service (QoS)-aware service management framework in the middleware layer to make the component services infrastructure transparent to the applications. Specifically, we manage services not only as individuals, but more importantly as meaningful aggregated entities based on the logical compositional needs coming from the applications, by composing services properly according to QoS requirements at application setup time, and performing continuous maintenance at application runtime seamlessly. Our service management framework is scalable in two dimensions: network size and application's client population size. Specifically, the framework employs a decentralized management solution that scales to large network size, and explores resource sharing in one-to-many group-based applications by means of multicasting mechanisms. Moreover, it incorporates local adaptation operations and distributed failure detection, reporting, and recovery mechanisms to deal with runtime resource fluctuations and failures.
Savonarola, Florence, and the Millenarian Tradition

From the end of 1494 to the spring of 1498 Girolamo Savonarola of Ferrara was a prophet with honor in his adopted country. The Florentines believed in his divine mandate and in his message that the French invader, Charles VIII, was the instrument of God, come to punish the corrupt Church and the sinful Italians and to institute a universal reform. Believing, as he told them, that Florence was divinely chosen to lead the way, the Florentines gave Savonarola the opportunity—rare for prophets— of translating his vision into a practical program. From the pulpit Savonarola taught the first city of the Renaissance how to become the first city of the New Age. Florence, reformed by the friar and his followers, was to be the center from which the spiritual light would illuminate the world.
3D direct vertical interconnect microprocessors test vehicle

The current trends in high performance integrated circuits are towards faster and more powerful circuits in the giga-hertz range and even further. As the more complex Integrated Circuits (IC) such as microprocessors have been entering the giga-hertz operating frequency range, various speed related roadblocks have become increasingly difficult to overcome. The migration to smaller devices has raised serious challenges. The major impediment to fulfill Moore's Law effectively in the years to come is increasingly becoming the interconnect. ICs are using a greater fraction of their clock cycles charging interconnect wires. IC interconnect related speed degradation has stimulated much research effort in the area of low dielectric constant materials. A relatively novel approach, wafer scale 3-dimensional (3D) integration attempts to by-pass the large wire parasitics by shortening wires. This paper is going to elaborate on a 3D microprocessor test vehicle. We intend to demonstrate the speed advantages, which may be derived from 3D integration, through a combination of fabrication, testing and simulation.
The use of crustal higher modes to constrain crustal structure across Central Asia

SUMMARY We investigate the feasibility of observing crustal higher mode surface wave dispersion and applying these observations to improve estimates of crustal structure. Because crustal overtones propagate most efficiently and are excited best in regions with thick crust and deep crustal seismicity, the study concentrates on Central and Southern Asia and parts of the Middle East. We develop a new data set of observations of the group velocities of Rayleigh and Love wave first crustal overtones between a 7- and 18-s period across this region, and present dispersion maps for the first crustal overtone between periods of 10 and 17 s. A Monte Carlo inversion of the first higher mode together with fundamental mode dispersion at several locations demonstrates that the higher modes significantly reduce the range of acceptable crustal models and improve the resolution of the crust from the mantle. General application of the method across continents worldwide is probably not feasible, as a result of the low likelihood of observing large numbers of first overtones in regions of normal continental crustal thickness devoid of deep crustal seismicity.
Perinatal, not adult, hypothyroidism suppresses dopaminergic axon sprouting in the deafferented olfactory tubercle of adult rat

We reported recently that chronic thyroid deficiency in rat, beginning in utero and terminating after maturity, suppresses lesion-induced central catecholaminergic axon sprouting in the adult brain [Gottesfeld et al, 1985]. The present work was undertaken to define the critical period of hypothyroidism on subsequent neuronal sprouting. Thyroid hormones deficiency was induced in rats by methimazole during (a) gestational days 8-21 (20 mg/kg/day in the drinking water); (b) postnatal days 1-15 (0.2 or 0.4 mg/pup/day; i.p.), or (c) in the mature animal for 4 weeks (20 mg/kg/day in the drinking water). The olfactory tubercles (OTs) were used as a model to study sprouting of dopaminergic (DA) nerve terminals, elicited by olfactory bulbectomy. Animals in each group received lesions or sham operations as adults, and sacrificed 3 weeks after the operation. Thus, for each of the above treatments four subgroups were formed: (a) euthyroid/sham-operation, (b) euthyroid/lesion, (c) hypothyroid/sham-operation, and (d) hypothyroid/lesion. Sprouting of DA axon terminals in the OTs was identified by biochemical assays and quantitative immunofluorescent microscopy, using tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) as a marker. Serum thyroxine levels served as an index of the thyroid status. The results demonstrate that lesion-induced sprouting of DA axon terminals in OTs of adult rats is suppressed by hypothyroidism induced prenatally or during the early postnatal period, but not after maturity. Thus, there is a perinatal critical period during which altered thyroid function exerts long-term effects on neuronal plasticity.
CIRCULATING ECDYSTEROID CONCENTRATIONS IN ALASKAN DUNGENESS CRAB (CANCER MAGISTER)

Abstract The currently accepted reproductive cycle of Alaskan female Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) is that females molt and mate during summer and fall, extrude eggs in the fall, and incubate eggs through the winter until larval hatching in May and June. In this cycle, molting and mating are coincident with ovarian maturation. In this study, we quantified circulating concentrations of hemolymph ecdysteroids (molting hormones) in laboratory and field sampled crabs using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for molt status assessment of individuals. Captive female crabs from southeastern Alaska (mean CW = 134.8 mm; n = 48) had a typical crustacean molt cycle profile of circulating ecdysteroids. Concentrations of ecdysteroids were low during intermolt (20.3 ± 0.7 ng/ml), maximal during premolt (1886.5 ± 186.2 ng/ml) 15 days before ecdysis and precipitously declined to low levels (< 90 ng/ml) 5 days prior to ecdysis. The duration of premolt was 150 days. Crabs held in captivity either molted (67%)...
Fluid–Structure Interaction

Almost all problems solved in the previous chapters dealt with static fluid–structure scenarios where just the configuration of a solid structure at rest (or moving in the flow direction) determined the fluid flow field. Examples included internal flow through a conduit or external flow past submerged bodies. Still, not only the static structure via the boundary conditions determined the flow field; but, in turn fluid stresses and forces on the structure walls could be evaluated as well.
The Causes of Voting and Turnout for the 2002 Aboriginal Treaty Negotiations Referendum in British Columbia, Canada

Although indigenous peoples constitute one of the most socially, economically, and politically marginalized groups in the world, few quantitative social scientists have studied public attitudes toward this ethnicity in Canada or the world. We are not sure, for example, whether mass-level views toward First Nations are caused by the same factors that determine Canadians’ opinions toward immigrants or Visible Minorities in general. To help answer this question, the paper investigates why ordinary British Columbians decided 1. to vote in; and 2. to vote “yes” on the controversial 2002 Aboriginal Treaty Negotiations Referendum. I first set the Referendum in the electoral and negotiation dynamics of the time by relying on archival research and personal interviews with such key figures as Premier Gordon Campbell, Attorney General Geoff Plant, and leading First Nations Treaty Negotiators. The essay next examines the theoretical literature on attitudes toward ethnic minorities in the abstract, which suggests that support for the measure might have been rooted in economic self-interest (e.g., income, occupation, employment status, and region), identity politics (e.g., ethnic, religious, or gender identification), education, partisanship, or age. To evaluate these hypotheses, the paper examines data from the April 2002 BC Reid Express Poll as well as official census and voting results. Cross-tabulations of the Reid Poll and Gary King-method, R x C ecological analysis of the election statistics indicate that identity politics, regional self-interest, and education primarily motivated British Columbians’ responses to the 2002 Aboriginal Treaty Negotiations Referendum. Purely individual economic circumstances, on the other hand, do not seem to have played a role. More broadly, these findings suggest that the roots of non-indigenous Canadians’ views on First Nations are similar to the determinants of attitudes toward minorities in general.
Light-Assisted Assembly of Nanoparticle Arrays Using Resonant Modes of Photonic-Crystal Slabs

We demonstrate for the first time the trapping of arrays of particles using guided resonance modes in photonic-crystal slabs. The resonantly-enhanced evanescent field attracts particles toward the slab, resulting in the formation of periodic nanoparticle arrays.
Effect of Structure on the Anomalous Mechanical Properties of Metallic Superlattices

The mechanical properties of metallic superlattices have been shown to exhibit anomalous properties. Several of the elastic constants are found to exhibit anomalies which are correlated with structural anomalies in lattice mismatched systems which do not form solid solutions. Lattice matched systems which form solid solutions in their thermodynamics phase diagram, show much smaller elastic anomalies and no structural anomalies. Anomalous plastic behavior, on the other hand, seems to be present in both types of superlattices, indicating that the plastic behavior is possibly defect induced. Detailed quantitative structural measurements combined with comprehensive mechanical properties hold the promise of determining the physical origins of the anomalous properties of metallic superlattices.
Influence of Saturation on Properties of Antigen in the Wassermann Test

The peculiar phenomenon which is exhibited by the alcohol-soluble and acetone-insoluble lipoid obtained from various animal organs, in that it can play the role of antigen in the Wassermann test for syphilis, has been the subject of many investigations. The term antigen cannot be strictly applied to this lipoid substance since it has been conclusively shown by Fitzgerald and Leathes1 that repeated injections of this substance into rabbits do not lead to the appearance of antibodies in the blood stream. No adequate theory has been advanced which satisfactorily explains the mechanism of the reaction. It is unnecessary that the antigen be derived from the organs of syphilitic persons since the lipoid may be, and is ordinarily, prepared from certain organs of normal animals. In fact, investigators have suggested the use of such substances as sodium oleate,2 lecithin,3 and the bile salts,4 instead of the alcoholic extract of certain organs, but with the exception of cholesterol,5 which is at times added to the antigen, these have not come into general use. The technic for the preparation of the antigen used in the Wassermann reaction has been standardized by Noguchi.6 It consists in the extraction of the macerated liver, heart or kidney of certain animals with absolute alcohol, evaporation of the extract, subsequent solution in ether and precipitation of the lipoid by the addition of acetone. While this method usually yields potent preparations of antigen, it has nevertheless been noted that individual lots may at times exhibit marked antialexic [anticomplementary] properties. The antigenic value is, however, not materially affected. Although the antigen appears to be quite universally distributed in the tissues, it occurs in the largest amount in the heart, liver and
Impurity-Induced Plasmon Damping in Individual Cobalt-Doped Hollow Au Nanoshells

The optical properties of plasmonic nanoparticles in the size range corresponding to the electrostatic, or dipole, limit have the potential to reveal effects otherwise masked by phase retardation. Here we examine the optical properties of individual, sub-50 nm hollow Au nanoshells (Co-HGNS), where Co is the initial sacrificial core nanoparticle, using single particle total internal reflection scattering (TIRS) spectroscopy. The residual Co present in the metallic shell induces a substantial broadening of the homogeneous plasmon resonance line width of the Co-HGNS, where the full width at half-maximum (fwhm) broadens proportionately with increasing Co content. This doping-induced line broadening provides a strategy for controlling plasmon line width independent of nanoparticle size, and has the potential to substantially modify the relative decay channels for localized nanoparticle surface plasmons.