cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Computational modeling of nano-structured glass fibers

Abstract Computational modeling of glass (silica) fibers having micro-scale outer dimensions and nano-scale internal structures was performed to assess its mechanical behavior. Self-assembly technique was used to synthesize the individual fibers of approximately 5 μm in length with a hexagonal cross-section (2 μm between two opposite sides) and honeycomb-like internal nano-structures. These fibers have several potential applications including synthesis of multifunctional composite materials. Numerical modeling of the individual fibers was performed using continuum mechanics based approach wherein linear elastic elements were utilized within a commercial finite element (FE) analysis package. A representative volume element approach was adopted for computational efficiency. Appropriate loads and boundary conditions were used to derive stress–strain relationship (stiffness matrix) which has six independent constants for the individual fiber. Force–displacement relationships under simulated nanoindentation were obtained for the actual fiber (with six independent constants) and under transversely isotropic approximation. The contact problem was solved for the transversely isotropic case, which indicates a much stiffer fiber compared to the FE predictions. This difference is likely due to the geometric nonlinearity considered in FE analysis yielding accurate results for large displacements.
Psychopathy as a Predictor of Instrumental Violence Among Civil Psychiatric Patients

Identifying the motivation for violent behavior is important in risk assessment and risk management. This study examined previously archived data from the MacArthur Violence Risk Assessment Study to investigate the relationship between psychopathy and instrumental violence committed by civil psychiatric patients following hospital discharge. Analyses compared the traditional two-factor model of the Psychopathy Checklist: Screening Version (PCL:SV) to Cooke and Michie's revised three-factor model and Hare's revised 4-facet model. Results indicated that higher total scores on all models were associated with increased risk for instrumental membership. This remained the case after controlling for variables related to instrumental violence. When examining the individual contribution of factors/facets in all three models, those reflecting antisocial traits (Factor II, facet 4) were the only significant predictors of instrumental membership. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Lesser alkaloids of cocaine-bearing plants III. 2-carbomethoxy-3-oxo substituted tropane esters: detection and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric characterization of new minor alkaloids found in South American Erythroxylum coca var. coca

Abstract Crude alkaloid extracts from the leaves of South American Erythooxylum coca var. coca were subjected to alumina chromatography and recrystallization to isolate fractions containing eleven previously unreported 2-carbomethoxy-3-oxo substituted tropane alkaloids. Specifically, the butyroyl-, 2-methylbutyroyl-, isovaleroyl-, senecioyl-, tigloyl-, trans -4-hexenoyl-, hexanoyl-, trans -3-hexenoyl-, trans -2-hexenoyl-, trans -3-heptenoyl-, and trans -2,4,-hexadienoyl-ecgonine methyl esters were characterized via electron and chemical ionization gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analyses and comparison to synthesized standards. Three additional alkaloids similar to the aforementioned esters were also presumptively identified as heptadienoylecgonine methyl ester (geometry not determined) and cis -, trans - and trans -, cis -2,4-hexadienoylecgonine methyl ester.
A Web Services and Ontology Based Performance Visualization Framework for Grid Environments

A combination of Web services and ontology technologies has a potential to provide a consistent, seamless, and intelligent integration of heterogeneous resources. Using these technologies, we present a new visualization framework which integrates distributed and heterogeneous performance information into system-level visualizations. Most performance visualization tools often are specific to a particular resource at a certain level of the system, possibly with fixed views. Thus, they limit a user's ability to observe a performance problem associated with multiple resources across platforms and semantic levels. Addressing this issue with Web services and ontology, the new framework allows resources, at different levels, to be viewed and interacted with in a consistent and coordinated manner. This paper describes our framework, focusing on how Web services and ontology help address challenging issues in performance visualization for grid environments
The Gaussian cotype of operators from C(K)

We show that the canonical embeddingC(K) →L Φ(μ) has Gaussian cotypep, where μ is a Radon probability measure onK, and Φ is an Orlicz function equivalent tot p(logt) p/2 for larget.
Simple Marketing Techniques and Space Planning to Increase Circulation

In the academic Information Commons, the frontline staff are key library assets. This article demonstrates one example of frontline staff observing, analyzing, and modifying user behavior using simple marketing techniques and space planning. James Madison University East Campus Library personnel increased circulation of books by increasing the visibility of the book collection. Minor furniture changes in the lobby, adding rotating themed book displays and providing digital and print signage, produced a dramatic effect. Circulation numbers essentially doubled for the lobby browsing book collection and markedly increased for books highlighted in the displays.
On equating low molecular weight RNA with transfer RNA

Abstract Following the discovery of an RNA intermediate in the activation phase of protein synthesis ( Holley, 1957 ; Hoagland et al. , 1957 ), the RNA species involved (sRNA, amino acyl acceptor RNA, here termed “transfer RNA”) was purified from a variety of sources and shown to be of low molecular weight, with a sedimentation constant between 4 and 5 S ( Osawa, 1960 ; Klee and Cantoni, 1960 ; Ofengand et al. , 1961 ). Since that time, reports too numerous to cite have appeared in which it is assumed that any RNA with sedimentation characteristics like transfer RNA can be identified as transfer RNA. We present here data which show this assumption to be erroneous.
Growth Dynamic Factors Explaining Yield Improvement in New Versus Old Soybean Cultivars

Reasons for genetic yield improvement in soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) during cultivar development are not clearly understood. Since greater yield in new vs. old cultivars is largely regulated by final vegetative total dry matter (VTDM[R7]) and/or production efficiencies for node, pod, and seed yield components ([yield component no.]/ VTDM[R7] [no. g−1]), our objective was to clarify the importance of these two factors for yield improvement in 18 public southern cultivars released between 1953 and 1999. The study was done near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during 2007 and 2008, with a validation study in 2009. Yield increases were affected by increased production efficiencies for nodes, reproductive nodes (node bearing at least one viable pod), pods, and seeds (R2 = 0.42–0.47), but not VTDM(R7). Increased yield component production efficiencies resulted in greater harvest index (HI; R2 = 0.55–0.73), which in turn, resulted in greater yield (R2 = 0.42). We concluded that a major factor contributing to yield i...
The World Social Forum and the challenges of global democracy

Protests against economic globalization helped give birth to the World Social Forum (WSF) as a space for civil society groups to coordinate actions and articulate shared visions for global change. Since 2001 the WSF has brought together hundreds of thousands of activists from all parts of the world. But creating an inclusive political space that is also effective at generating unified action has proved challenging. This article explores the central tensions in the 2004 WSF and explores the possibilities for the Forum to overcome these obstacles and expand global democracy.
Multi-Objective Analysis of School District Regionalization Alternatives in Connecticut*

This paper demonstrates the utility of multi-objective programming techniques as an aid in educational planning and the limitations to the achievement of any educational objective given the spatial distribution of existing disparities. A case study of Connecticut is used to examine alternative scenarios for the implementation of interdistrict responses to a number of issues facing the state's public education system. A mixed-integer, goal programming model is formulated where the goal constraints are to minimize disparities in: (1) minority enrollments, (2) grand-list/student ratios, (3) student-teacher ratios, and (4) overall enrollment. Results show that the traditional distance-minimizing or transportation-minimizing objectives are in conflict with all other aims of equity and quality of educational opportunities. The geographic distribution of minority students and grand-list property values also limited the reduction of statewide disparities in these goals.
New Isotope of Beryllium

>Several samples of B/sub 4/C, BN. B/sub 2/O/sub 3/, and clemental boran of natural isotopic composition were irradiated with a flux of 10/sup 8/ to 10/sup 9/ 14.8-Mev neutrons/cm/sup 2/ sec. A 14.1sec activity which was not previously reported is assigned tentatively to a new isctope, Be/sup 11/, from the B/sup 11/(n,p) reaction. (M H.R.)
Modulation of Epidermal Growth Factor Stimulated ERK Phosphorylation and Cell Motility by Inositol Trisphosphate Kinase

Epidermal growth factor [EGF] mediated stimulation of its receptor in endothelial cell [EC] is accompanied by phosphorylation of the EGF-receptor [EGFR] and activation of phospholipase C-γ, resulting in the breakdown of phosphatidylinositol(4,5)-bisphosphate and generating inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate [IP3] and diacylglycerol. IP3 thus formed can be further converted to inositol (1,3,4,5)-tetrakisphosphate [IP4] by an enzyme called IP3-kinase [IP3K]. In this study we have investigated the effect of modulation of intracellular IP3K activity by the use of an inhibitor, 2-trifluoromethyl [6-(4-nitrobenzyl)-purine] [IP3KI] and siRNA against IP3KB on EGF-induced ERK-phosphorylation and cell motility. EGF stimulated ERK-phosphorylation that has been implicated in EGF-stimulated cell migration was inhibited by both IP3KI and siRNA against IP3KB. Inhibition of ERK-phosphorylation was accompanied by decreased cell migration in the presence of IP3KI.
Selective propagation of functional mitochondrial DNA during oogenesis restricts the transmission of a deleterious mitochondrial variant

Hong Xu and colleagues demonstrate reduced germline replication and selection against the transmission of mitochondria encoding a temperature-sensitive cytochrome c oxidase subunit.
In situ Raman studies on lithiated single-wall carbon nanotubes in liquid ammonia

Abstract The charge transfer induced lithiation of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was investigated by in situ monitoring by Raman spectroscopy as lithium was added incrementally to a dispersion of SWNTs in liquid ammonia. Charge transfer from liquid ammonia solvated lithium to the SWNTs led to intercalation of lithium into the SWNT ropes, as well as to the semi-covalent lithiation of the SWNTs. Raman spectra of the SWNTs recorded as lithium was added showed a ∼30 wavenumber downshift of the G band (1594 cm −1 ) with the concomitant appearance of a new peak at 1350 cm −1 that was assigned as the signature of the lithiated SWNTs. Addition of 1-iodododecane to the lithiated SWNTs resulted in the covalent attachment of dodecyl groups. The intercalation of lithium throughout the SWNT ropes led to complete dodecylation of all individual SWNTs.
Curriculum as a Resource for the Development of Social Identity.

This article describes how categories from the curriculum can play a central role in the interactional construction of students' identities. Drawing on data from one ninth-grade English and history class across an academic year, the article describes an adolescent who was assigned and came to enact the identity of a disruptive outcast from the classroom community. It then describes how this student's identity development was facilitated by discussions of a curricular theme. The article traces the student's trajectory across the year and then analyzes one classroom discussion in detail, showing the interactional construction of her alienation from school and how this construction was mediated through curricular categories.
A study of limiter damage in a magnetic field error region of the ZT-40M experiment

A study has been initiated of material plasma interactions on the ZT-40M, Reversed Field Pinch (RFP) plasma physics confinement experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Observations of the evaporation and cracking of TiC coatings, initially placed on an AXF-5Q Graphite mushroom limiter, installed in a high field error region (e.g. an experimental vacuum vessel/liner port) were investigated. A parametric study was performed of the thermal and stress behavior of the limiter and coating materials undergoing plasma material heat exchange processes, in order to infer the magnitude of heat flux necessary to explain the observed material damage. In addition the vacuum (liner) wall material behavior was studied parametrically using the same heat flux values as the limiter study. A one-dimensional conduction model was used with applied heat and radiation boundary conditions, for predicting temperature distributions in space and time, where the thermal stress was calculated using a restrained in bending only plate model. Wall loadings corresponding to first wall, limiter energy fluxes ranging between 1 × 102 W/cm2 and 1 × 105 W/cm2 were used as parameters with plasma material interaction times (τQO) between 0.5 ms and 10 ms. Short plasma energy deposition time (τQO ⩾ 10 ms) spacial and time histories of temperature and stress were calculated for SS-304, Inconel-625, TiC and AXF-5Q Graphite materials. The parametric study indicates that for τQO ∼ 6 ms a wall loading of ⋍ 1 × 104 W/cm2 results in the melting of Inconel and SS-304 first wall material and a loading of ⩽ 5 × 104 W/cm2 results in the melting of TiC and Graphite. For Inconel, stresses in excess of the tensile strength occur for QO greater 1 × 103 W/cm2. The same is true for SS-304. For Graphite AXF-5Q the tensile strength is exceeded for QO ≳ 1 × 104 W/cm2. From the observations of damage and the parametric results calculated it can be inferred that an energy flux of 1 × 104 W/cm2 ≲ QO ≲ 5 × 104 W/cm2 was observed over a time scale of 5 ms ≲ τQO ≲ 10 ms in the field error region, if the model considered is relevant to the phenomenon in question.
An approach to texture pattern analysis and recognition

A two-dimensional statistical model is proposed for the characterization of textural pattern, and a technique is introduced for textural pattern recognition by computer. The model building involves two major steps. The first step is the determination of a preliminary model from textural data. In the second step, the model is refined via parameter optimization. The refined model is used to characterize a pattern class. The measured data from an unclassified textural pattern and the estimated data from the models are used to determine similarity measures and variances which provide the key to textural pattern recognition by computer.
Callosal connections of the parabelt auditory cortex in macaque monkeys

Auditory cortex of macaque monkeys is located on the lower bank of the lateral sulcus and the adjoining superior temporal gyrus. This region of cortex contains a core of primary-like areas surrounded by a narrow belt of associated fields. Adjacent to the lateral belt on the superior temporal gyrus is a parabelt region which contains at least two subdivisions (rostral and caudal). In previous studies we defined the parabelt region as cortex with topographic cortical connections with the belt areas surrounding the core, and connections with the dorsal and magnocellular divisions of the medial geniculate complex, but minimal connections with the core region and ventral division of the medial geniculate complex. The callosal connections of the parabelt auditory cortex were determined by placing injections, of up to six distinguishable tracers, into different locations of the parabelt region in each of four macaque monkeys. The results indicated that the strongest callosal projections arise from homotopic areas in parabelt cortex, and they roughly matched the rostrocaudal levels of the medial and lateral belt cortex. Weaker callosal inputs to the parabelt originate from the corresponding levels of the superior temporal gyrus and superior temporal sulcus. The core region does not contribute significant callosal projections to the parabelt region. The results provide further support for the conclusion that the parabelt region represents a third level of auditory cortical processing beyond direct activation by primary subcortical and cortical auditory structures.
Procrastination in the workplace: Attributions for failure among individuals with similar behavioral tendencies

Abstract Working adults (n = 156) who attended college classes were categorized as procrastinators (n = 90) or nonprocrastinators (n = 66) and asked to complete a study where they evaluated the attributions for failure of a factitious employee described as either a ‘procrastinator’, a ‘perfectionist’ or unlabeled. Procrastinators attributed responsibility and blame for the employee's behavior to the target regardless of the presence or absence of the label. Across story labels nonprocrastinating men assigned less causality and a curvilinear pattern of responsibility to the target. Nonprocrastinating women assigned more causal and responsibility attributes to the target across conditions. Furthermore, procrastinators more than nonprocrastinators indicated that the target labeled a procrastinator should be fired and not allowed to continue regular job duties. Results indicate that procrastinators evaluate other procrastinators harshly, despite their similar behavioral tendencies.
Power presenting for cognitive retention and organizational longevity

We discuss much-tested, stronger techniques for engineers, instructors, trainers, and technical experts who use presentation slides as part of their work output. We draw from 1) practicing engineers who participated in interviews for a three-year NSF sponsored study on how people learn engineering (n=56); 2) practicing engineers enrolled in two online, graduate, professional engineering programs (n=60+); and 3) the work of experts including cognitive psychologists and visual rhetoric experts that has focused on the slide format in professional settings. Based on research from several fields, these techniques have worked well on several fronts for our practicing engineers; techniques include malleable methods of deploying sentence headers, rhetorical visuals, information layers, and archival organizational notes, amongst others. When practiced in a workplace setting by our graduate engineers, these methods have impressed engineering management and technical colleagues alike as new standards of “best practice” to emulate within their organizations.
Reinstatement of ethanol and sucrose seeking by the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in C57BL/6 mice

Recent work in our laboratory documented that the “sipper” method of operant ethanol self-administration produced high ethanol intake and blood ethanol concentrations as well as the typical extinction “burst” in responding under nonreinforced conditions in male C57BL/6 mice. However, the neurochemical basis for reinstatement of responding following extinction has not been examined in mice with this model. Based on findings that the GABAergic neurosteroid allopregnanolone (ALLO) significantly increased the consummatory phase of ethanol self-administration, the present study determined the effect of ALLO on the reinstatement of extinguished ethanol-seeking behavior and compared this effect to the reinstatement of responding for sucrose reward. Separate groups of male C57BL/6 mice were trained to lever press for access to a 10% ethanol (10E) or a 5% sucrose (5S) solution. A single response requirement of 16 presses (RR16) on an active lever resulted in 30 min of continuous access to the 10E or 5S solution. After the animals responded on the RR16 schedule for 14 weeks, mice were exposed to 30 min extinction sessions where responding had no scheduled consequence. Once responding stabilized below the preextinction baseline, mice received an intraperitoneal injection of ALLO (0, 3.2, 5.6, 10, or 17 mg/kg) 15 min prior to the extinction session in a within-subjects design. ALLO produced a dose-dependent increase in responding under nonreinforced conditions in both the 10E and 5S groups. Additional work documented the ability of a conditioned cue light or a compound cue (light+lever retraction) to reinstate nonreinforced responding on the previously active lever. These findings definitively show that conditioned cues and priming with ALLO are potent stimuli for reinstating both ethanol- and sucrose-seeking behavior in C57BL/6 mice.
Why do people record and post illegal material? Excessive social media use, psychological disorder, or both?

13% of young adults had posted and 28% had recorded illegal material.Excessive social media users were more likely to record and post illegal material.Recording and posting illegal material related to antisocial and borderline traits.At least two distinct routes to recording and posting illegal material. In this study, we examined the prevalence of recording and posting illegal material among 442 young adult undergraduates (aged 18-27) and the relationship between the frequency of this behavior, social media use, antisocial personality disorder (ASPD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD). Overall, 13% of the sample had posted illegal activity (underage drinking, lewd behavior, or other illegal activity) and 28% had recorded (or been present when someone else recorded) lewd or other illegal activity. Prevalence rates were higher among those who used social media excessively and those who met criteria for ASPD or BPD. However, in logistic regression analyses, only social media use and ASPD emerged as unique predictors of posting and recording illegal material. Thus, there appear to be at least two separate routes to recording and/or posting illegal material. One fairly innocuous route is the excessive use of social media, which may desensitize individuals and hinder their ability to apply appropriate filters. Another more ominous route is a pervasive psychological disorder (ASPD), which is associated with lifelong recklessness, impulsivity, and lack of empathy. For either route, education on the lifelong ramifications of digital media is imperative.
Molecular characterization of a class IV human alcohol dehydrogenase gene (ADH7)

Class IV alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) is a form preferentially expressed in stomach. We report here the isolation and sequence determination of a novel human ADH gene (ADH7). Phylogenetic analysis strongly suggests that ADH7 is a functional class IV ADH gene.
Spin dilution in a ferromagnetic chain

We have systematically introduced spinless defects in the quasi-one-dimensional ferromagnetic system decamethylferrocenium tetracyanoethanide, (FeCp{sub 2}{sup *})(TCNE). The three-dimensional ordering temperature {ital T}{sub {ital c}} decreases rapidly with the concentration of spinless sites. The rate of decrease of {ital T}{sub {ital c}} with concentration is in the order of the exchange spatial anisotropy (i.e., {ital J}{sub interchain}/{ital J}{sub intrachain}) of the parent sysem in accordance with long-standing theoretical predictions.
High Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation of the Vas Deferens in a Canine Model

Purpose: High intensity focused ultrasound is an ablative technology capable of producing thermal coagulative necrosis of sub-surface structures without injuring intervening tissues. We assessed the feasibility of using high intensity focused ultrasound to produce occlusion of the canine vas deferens.Materials and Methods: A high intensity focused ultrasound transducer was incorporated into a hand held clip specially designed to grasp the vas deferens transcutaneously. Slots within the jaws of the clip ensured that the vas deferens and high intensity focused ultrasound target zone were properly co-located. We ablated 10 vasa using a range of power and time parameters. At 2 weeks after ablation each vas, epididymis and testis was surgically harvested en bloc. Retrograde vasography was performed to assess vasal occlusion, followed by pathological analysis.Results: High intensity focused ultrasound occlusion of the vas deferens was confirmed in 4 specimens ablated with parameters at the upper end of the para...
Quantitative enzyme activity determination with zeptomole sensitivity by microfluidic gradient-gel zymography.

We describe a sensitive zymography technique that utilizes an automated microfluidic platform to report enzyme molecular weight, amount, and activity (including kcat and Km) from dilute protein mixtures. Calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase (CIP) is examined in detail as a model enzyme system, and the method is also demonstrated for horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The 40 min assay has a detection limit of 5 zmol (∼3 000 molecules) of CIP. Two-step pore-limit electrophoresis with enzyme assay (PLENZ) is conducted in a single, straight microchannel housing a polyacrylamide (PA) pore-size gradient gel. In the first step, pore limit electrophoresis (PLE) sizes and pseudoimmobilizes resolved proteins. In the second step, electrophoresis transports both charged and neutral substrates into the PLE channel to the entrapped proteins. Arrival of substrate at the resolved enzyme band generates fluorescent product that reveals enzyme molecular weight against a fluorescent protein ladder. Additionally, the PLENZ zymogra...
BUDGET ANALYSIS OF SHRIMP MATURATION FACILITY

Shrimp maturation and reproduction has long been one of the hurdles that must be surmounted to make shrimp farming commercially feasible. Nauplii are now successfully being produced and the commercial feasibility of their production is investigated in this study. The generalized budget simulation model for aquacultural facilities recently developed at Texas A&M University was used for the analysis. An annual budget was estimated to determine costs, returns and profit. Annual cash flow was generated for a 10-year planning horizon. Opportunity cost, initial investment, costs and break-even quantities and prices were also determined.
Metastasis to the penis from carcinoma of the bowel.

Metastatic carcinoma to the penis from various segments of the intestinal tract is not a common phenomenon. A total of 15 cases have been reported in the literature (rectum, 13; colon, 1; anal canal, 1). Metastatic lesions to the penis from carcinoma of the rectum are rarely observed and, owing to the existence of freely anastomosing lymph and blood vessel channels between the anal canal, the rectum and the penis, it is remarkable that this complication does not occur more frequently.
Dynamic masking of application displays using OCR technologies

Industry coalitions are developing regulations to govern information sharing and to protect sensitive business data and the privacy of individuals. In many cases, these regulations make it impossible to outsource business operations, unless the companies have effective technologies to protect sensitive information. This paper addresses scenarios in which data servers and applications are owned and maintained on the premises of a company, and the service providers remotely access the data and the applications. We present a unique solution called Masking Gateway for Enterprises (MAGEN) that masks sensitive information appearing on application displays, without any interference with the applications that generate those screens. The major novelty lies in the utilization of optical character recognition (OCR) for analyzing and understanding application screens. Together with a comprehensive rule language, this approach makes it possible to characterize fields containing sensitive information and mask them according to predefined rules. The rule language is very flexible, abstract, and intuitive and is designed to cope with a vast set of policies and security needs. We describe the major challenges in implementing MAGEN and the results of experimenting with it in situations that occur in actual business settings. We outline techniques that optimize the OCR process to minimize latency and ensure robust operation.
Pharmacokinetics and Tissue Uptake of Doxorubicin Associated With Erythroctte-nembrane:erithroctte-Ghosts vs Erythrocyte-Vesicles

AbstractThis study examined the usefuless of erythrocyte-membrane as a biodegradable carrier for intravenous injection of doxorubicin (DOX). Two different preparations of erythrocyte-membrane were used, erythrocyte-ghosts and erythrocyte-vesicles. Ghosts were prepared from red blood cells by hemolysis and repetitive washing until complete removal of hemoglobin. Erythrocyte-vesicles were prepared by ultrasonication of the ghosts suspension by a sonic dismembrator. The membrane products were then incubated with DOX before the injection. In CD rats, the disposition of DOX solution (DOX in normal saline) and erythrocyte-vesicles-DOX followed a two-compartment open model, whereas the ghosts-DOX exhibited a three-compartment characteristics. The area under the curve of the amount in the heart vs time for ghosts-DOX was approximately the same as for the solution. However, the amount of DOX in the heart after erythrocyte-vesicles-DOX injection was below the sensitivity of the detection. The fraction of DOX excret...
Simultaneous Crypsis and Conspicuousness in Color Patterns: Comparative Analysis of a Neotropical Rainforest Bird Community

Abstract: Understanding how animals achieve simultaneous conspicuousness to intended receivers and crypsis to unintended receivers requires investigating the distribution, size, and spectral characteristics of color patches. Here we characterize plumage patterns of 40 rainforest bird species living in understory or canopy. Visual signals maximizing (or minimizing) detection are expected to differ between these contrasted light habitats, making rainforests appropriate to test hypotheses of color signal evolution. Using spectrometry and comparative analyses, we show that canopy and understory act as distinct selective regimes that strongly influence bird coloration. Birds reduce detectability by displaying countershaded patterns, by matching background color and contrast, and by reducing in size the most conspicuous patches. More intense on males than on females, selection for conspicuousness acts on large patches by increasing contrast on ventral parts likely to be seen by conspecifics. It also operates on...
The Yield Function and Angular Distribution of the D+D Neutrons

The thin target yield of neutrons from the D+D reaction has been measured for deuteron energies 0.5-1.8 Mev. The neutron yield in the forward direction increases smoothly throughout the interval, but the yield at 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to the bombarding beam remains almost constant. Values of $A$ in the expression ($1+A{cos}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta}$) representing the angular distribution of the neutrons in the c.g. system are calculated from the yield data and plotted as a function of voltage. $A$ is found to increase from 1.8 at 0.5 Mev deuteron energy to 3.4 at 1.8 Mev.
ATLAS Muon data quality with 2010 LHC

ATLAS is a large multipurpose detector, presently in the full operational phase at LHC, the CERN Large Hadron Collider accelerator. The ATLAS Muon Spectrometer has been designed to provide standalone measurement of the muon momentum up to a few TeV with a relative precision better that 10% and to trigger on single muons with transverse momentum down to a few GeV, and an efficiency close to 100%, taking into account the high level background environment, the inhomogeneous magnetic field, and the large size of the apparatus (24 m diameter by 44 m length). ATLAS MS detector has being commissioned using all types of physics data available: cosmic rays and events produced during a few days of LHC single beam operations. This first year of data taking has been of great interest, not only for the physics outcome, but also for operating the system under the environment it was designed for. This paper is describing the design, the implementation as well as the data quality performance achieved during this first year of data taking. We also describe how to reduce the cosmic background contamination in early collisions data.
Measuring the effectiveness of robots in teaching computer science

We report the results of a year-long experiment in the use of robots to teach computer science. Our data set compares results from over 800 students on identical tests from both robotics and non-robotics based laboratory sessions. We also examine the effectiveness of robots in encouraging students to select computer science or computer engineering as a field of study.Our results are negative: test scores were lower in the robotics sections than in the non-robotics ones, nor did the use of robots have any measurable effect on students choice of discipline. We believe the most significant factor that accounts for this is the lack of a simulator for our robotics programming system. Students in robotics sections must run and debug their programs on robots during assigned lab times, and are therefore deprived of both reflective time and the rapid compile-run-debug cycle outside of class that is an important part of the learning process. We discuss this and other issues, and suggest directions for future work.
Ionization of Gases by Collisions of Their Own Accelerated Atoms

Neutral atom beans of noble gases of energies between 20 and 400 volts were produced by accelerating ionized atoms and then neutralizing the charges. The minimum energies which these neutral atom beams needed in order to ionize gas atoms by collision were determined. Neon, argon, krypton and xenon were found to ionize their own gases at energies about three times the actual ionization potentials. Attempts to observe ionization of one gas by neutrals of another have as yet given no results.
Characteristics of seven clones of the WiDr human colon adenocarcinoma cell line.

Seven clonal populations were derived from the WiDr human colon adenocarcinoma cell line and were characterized with respect to chromosome number, DNA content, and tumorigenicity in nude mide. There was no correlation between tumor volume and either DNA content or chromosome number; but there were wide differences among the clones regarding the size of tumors they were able to produce in nude mice.
Drugs and race-horse performance

Since 1900, stimulant drugs have been used illegally to improve the performance of racing horses. Classic performance trials with small numbers of horses have failed to detect drug effects on maximal performance. Careful characterization of the responses of horses to illegal drugs, followed by studies in large numbers of racing horses are required to demonstrate performance effects of drugs in horses. In an article which contains no TiPs tips, Thomas Tobin and his colleagues describe and analyse the various ‘dope tests’ that have been used and discuss their impact on the racing world.
The distribution of induced electrical activity in bent long bone.

Abstract An analytical model based on classical piezoelectric theory was used to related electrical effects to the stress-state in a bone cross-section for simple bending of a cylindrical bone shaft. The results demonstrate that the overall polarities of the polarization volume charge and the induced electrical potential compare favorably with available experimental findings. Both the polarization charge and the induced electrical potential are shown to be highly sensitive to the angle between the material and bone axes between 0 and 10 degrees. A reduction of the bone cross-sectional area results in a higher magnitude in the polarization charges and the induced electrical potential at all points in a cross-section. No appreciable difference in the predicted electrical effects is observed for the use of two relevant piezoelectric d -matrixes.
Education, homeostasis, and longevity

Abstract The effects of education in lengthening life expectancy and reducing disability and disease in old age are examined for neural and hormonal correlates. Hormones and local factors influencing growth, in regulating neural cell death, proliferation, and differentiation, support the view of a “brain reserve capacity” built up during early learning years and capable of affording a protective action (increased threshold to damage) against the losses of normal and abnormal aging. Observation from studies on the effects of estrogen, dexamethasone, and a number of local factors on growth and differentiation of human neuroblastoma cells and of glial cells are supportive of a role for these factors in maintenance of homeostasis at an advanced age. Continuing education and learning is proposed as an effective means to promote longevity and improve life in old age.
Surgical management of decubitus ulcers.

Abstract Decubitus ulcers are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in those populations affected 1–3 : the elderly, the neurologically impaired, and paraplegics. Health care expenditures rise because of the increased length of hospital stay for patients with pressure ulcers. Treatment modalities and staffing time are increased considerably with the management of pressure ulcers both in the United States 1,4 and abroad. 5 The magnitude of the decubitus ulcer problem has been compared to an epidemic in the British literature, 5 and it is considered a serious public health concern by authorities in the United States. 4,6 The literature abounds with reviews focusing on the epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, prevention, and treatment of decubitus ulcers. 5–12 These aspects are addressed in this article to provide a clear understanding of the populations at risk for developing decubitus ulcers and of those pathophysiologic factors responsible for their development. Subsequently, preventive measures, management, and treatment modalities are discussed.
Fluctuation-driven first-order behavior near the T = 0 two-dimensional stripe to Fermi liquid transition

The possibility is investigated that competition between fluctuations at different symmetry-related ordering wave vectors may affect the quantum phase transition between a fermi liquid and a longitudinal spin density wave state, in particular, giving rise to an intermediate ``nematic'' state with broken rotational symmetry but unbroken translational symmetry. At the marginal dimension the nematic transition is found to be preempted by a first-order transition but a weak symmetry breaking field restores a second-order magnetic transition with an intermediate regime in which correlations substantially enhance the broken rotational symmetry. Comparison to recent experiments is made.
Possible jumps of entropy for interval maps

The paper deals with the question for which piecewise monotone interval maps topological entropy can jump up under small perturbations preserving the number of pieces of monotonicity. It turns out that for continuous transitive maps jumps cannot occur if the number of pieces of monotonicity is smaller than 6, while they can occur if this number is 6 or more. Additionally, unified and simple proofs of the fact that such jumps are impossible for unimodal and Lorenz-like maps of positive entropy are presented.
The effects of postnatal alcohol exposure and galantamine on the context pre-exposure facilitation effect and acetylcholine efflux using in vivo microdialysis

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are characterized by damage to multiple brain regions, including the hippocampus, which is involved in learning and memory. The acetylcholine neurotransmitter system provides major input to the hippocampus and is a possible target of developmental alcohol exposure. Alcohol (3.0 g/kg/day) was administered via intubation to male rat pups (postnatal day [PD] 2-10; ethanol-treated [ET]). Controls received a sham intubation (IC) or no treatment (NC). Acetylcholine efflux was measured using in vivo microdialysis (PD 32-35). ET animals were not different at baseline, but had decreased K(+)/Ca(2+)-induced acetylcholine efflux compared to NC animals and an enhanced acetylcholine response to galantamine (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; 2.0 mg/kg) compared to both control groups. A separate cohort of animals was tested in the context pre-exposure facilitation effect task (CPFE; PD 30-32) following postnatal alcohol exposure and administration of galantamine (2.0 mg/kg; PD 11-30). Neither chronic galantamine nor postnatal alcohol exposure influenced performance in the CPFE task. Using immunohistochemistry, we found that neither alcohol exposure nor behavioral testing significantly altered the density of vesicular acetylcholine transporter or alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in the ventral hippocampus (CA1). In the medial septum, the average number of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT+) cells was increased in ET animals that displayed the context-shock association; there were no changes in IC and NC animals that learned the context-shock association or in any animals that were in the control task that entailed no learning. Taken together, these results indicate that the hippocampal acetylcholine system is significantly disrupted under conditions of pharmacological manipulations (e.g., galantamine) in alcohol-exposed animals. Furthermore, ChAT was up‑regulated in ET animals that learned the CPFE, which may account for their ability to perform this task. In sum, developmental alcohol exposure may disrupt learning and memory in adolescence via a cholinergic mechanism.
Control of energy sweep and transverse beam motion in induction linacs

Recent data and the advances that have made improved beam quality possible are discussed. The most important advances are: understanding of focusing magnetic field errors and improvements in alignment of the magnetic axis, a redesign of the high-voltage pulse distribution system between the magnetic compression modulators and the accelerator cells, and exploitation of a beam tuning algorithm for minimizing transverse beam motion. A brief description is also given of the prospects for increasing the pulse repetition frequency to the range of 5 kHz and a delayed feedback method of regulating beam energy over very long pulse bursts, thus making average power megawatt-level microwave sources at 140 GHz and above a possibility. >
Customer uncertainty dimensions and online information search in the context of hotel booking channel.

This research examines two types of consumer prepurchase uncertainty: knowledge and choice uncertainty, and identifies the relationship between uncertainty dimensions and the degree of consumer external information search in online hotel booking environment. The study employs a 2 (high/low knowledge uncertainty) × 2 (high/low choice uncertainty) between-subjects factorial experiment (N = 107), and the MANCOVA results partially support hypotheses that the participants with high knowledge uncertainty undertake less extensive information search online, whereas those with high choice uncertainty more commit to online information search. The study discusses the findings in light of economics of information theory and psychological aspects of information search. Managerial implications are also discussed.
Sodium Fluxes in Internally Dialyzed Squid Axons

The effects which alterations in the concentrations of internal sodium and high energy phosphate compounds had on the sodium influx and efflux of internally dialyzed squid axons were examined. Nine naturally occurring high energy phosphate compounds were ineffective in supporting significant sodium extrusion. These compounds were: AcP, PEP, G-3-P, ADP, AMP, GTP, CTP, PA, and UTP.1 the compound d-ATP supported 25–50% of the normal sodium extrusion, while ATP supported 80–100%. The relation between internal ATP and sodium efflux was nonlinear, rising most steeply in the range 1 to 10 µM and more gradually in the range 10 to 10,000 µM. There was no evidence of saturation of efflux even at internal ATP concentrations of 10,000 µM. The relation between internal sodium and sodium efflux was linear in the range 2 to 240 mM. The presence of external strophanthidin (10 µM) changed the sodium efflux to about 8–12 pmoles/cm2 sec regardless of the initial level of efflux; this changed level was not altered by subsequent dialysis with large concentrations of ATP. Sodium influx was reduced about 50 % by removal of either ATP or Na and about 70 % by removing both ATP and Na from inside the axon.
Robert Noyce and Fairchild Semiconductor, 1957–1968

Robert Noyce's career at Fairchild Semiconductor sheds light on several developments that were central to the growth of Silicon Valley and the semiconductor industry: entrepreneurship, technical leadership, and the management of growth in a high-technology company. Noyce served as Fairchild Semiconductors first head of R&D and as its general manager for the six years of the company's most dramatic growth. His technical orientation, personal interest in new technologies, and hands-off management style helped establish a culture at the firm that welcomed innovations in research, process technology, manufacturing, and marketing. As Fairchild Semiconductor grew into a multidivisional mass producer, Noyce's entrepreneurial leadership proved inadequate. Communication breakdowns between divisions, coupled with a series of poor decisions by the parent company, further contributed to the decline of Fairchild Semiconductor.
Notable Literature on Germany's Red Army Faction within the Context of Die RAF und der linke Terrorismus

Wolfgang Kraushaar (ed.), Die RAF und der linke Terrorismus (Hamburger Edition; Auflage: 1, 2006) For Germany the “war on terror” began three decades before 9/11. Throughout the 1970s, 1980s, and 1...
Community knowledge sharing: an Internet application to support communications across literacy levels

This paper presents Community Knowledge Sharing (CKS), an asynchronous discussion system designed for use in the developing world. CKS supports community development by allowing communities to interact, share and learn from each other. Recognizing that large segments of the population in rural communities have low levels of literacy, CKS implements a multi-literate design in which the system can be customized based on the abilities and preferences of the user. An evaluation of CKS, conducted in a rural agricultural community in the Dominican Republic, found that low literate users prefer fully iconic interfaces. Future systems designed for use by people with a range of literacy skills must ensure that iconic interfaces provide users with the audio and visual cues they need to work effectively.