cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Landscape hydrogeomorphic conditions determine structure and species composition of an ephemeral floodplain wetland

Abstract Wetlands are major sources of habitat heterogeneity, with certain environmental variables controlling wetland structure and composition. There is very little information on the heterogeneity of ephemeral floodplain wetland patch mosaics and how hydrogeomorphic circumstance affects composition and structure. Structure (wetland size) and composition (herbaceous species) are two attributes of an ephemeral wetland that are easily quantifiable using a moving window analysis. The moving window analysis is a statistical technique that identifies significant changes in parameters (i.e., structure and composition) along gradients. An analysis of changes in wetland structure and composition longitudinally identified two hydrogeomorphic types and laterally delineated wetland boundaries. The wide–flat type had a wide (131.2 ± 50.4 m) wetland patch and a mean lateral slope of 0.008 ± 0.003, in contrast the narrow–deep type had a significantly smaller (80 ± 40.2 m) and steeper (0.048 ± 0.06) wetland patch. Changes in hydrogeomorphology had distinct effects on the species composition of the wetland. Facultative wetland species such as Sporobolus pyrimidalis and Ischaemum afrum were associated with the wide–flat type, while, the narrow–deep type was characterized by more obligate, flood dependent species such as Phragmites australis , Mariscus congestus , and Eriochloa meyeriana. Internally, the structure and composition of ephemeral wetlands on the northern plains of Kruger National Park were spatially heterogeneous and correlated to hydrogeomorphic conditions, that are identifiable when examined at the wetland scale. Results add knowledge to wetlands as sources of landscape heterogeneity and highlight how environmental variation can result in increases in wetland heterogeneity.
SMALL MAMMAL COMMUNITIES IN THE SIERRA DE LOS CUCHUMATANES, HUEHUETENANGO, GUATEMALA

Very little is known concerning small mammal ecology and their distribution in the highlands of Guatemala. Small mammals were trapped from five different cloud forests in the Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Cloud forest elevations ranged from 2600 m to 3350 m. Most sites had evidence of human disturbance with only Cerro Bobi having a relatively pristine forest. A total of 13 species was recorded with the species density at sites ranging from six to ten. Accounts of each species are given. The most common species present was Reithrodontomys sumichrasti, except at Cerro Bobi where Peromyscus guatemalensis was most abundant. Differences between years and between seasons (wet versus dry) were minor. Only the site at Cerro Bobi, with relatively pristine cloud forest, appeared to have a species composition that resembled other cloud forests in the highlands of Guatemala. Information on reproduction is summarized. RESUMEN: Comunidades de pequenos mamiferos en la Sierra de los Cuchumata- nes, Huehuetenango, Guatemala. Se sabe muy poco sobre la ecologia y distribucion de micromamiferos en las tierras altas de Guatemala. Los micromamiferos fueron cap- turados en cinco diferentes bosques nubosos de la Sierra de los Cuchumatanes, Hue- huetenango, Guatemala. Las elevaciones de los sitios de muestreo oscilaron entre los 2600 y los 3350 m. La mayoria de los sitios tenian evidencia de perturbacion humana, excepto por Cerro Bobi que tenia un bosque relativamente pristino. Se registraron 13 especies con densidad de especies entre sitios de seis a diez. Las especies mas co- munes presentes fueron Reithrodontomys sumichrasti, excepto en el Cerro Bobi, donde Peromyscus guatemalensis fue la especie mas abundante. Las diferencias entre anos y entre estaciones (humeda versus seca) no fueron significativas. Solo el sitio en el Cerro Bobi, con bosque nuboso relativamente pristino, parece tener una composicion de es- pecies similar a otros bosques nubosos de tierras altas de Guatemala. Adicionalmente, se presentan datos sobre las especies capturadas, incluyendo informacion reproductiva.
Imperfect wetting of hydrogen in zeolite

We have considered the theoretical dependencies of the amount of supercooling of liquid hydrogen as a function of pore size for constrained geometries in order to compare the different mechanisms for supercooling that can be observed: notably the inhibition of nucleation in small geometries and the use of surfaces for which there is imperfect wetting. Analysis of the dependence of the observed supercooling reported elsewhere for molecular hydrogen and hydrogen deutende on the pore size in zeolites supports the view that imperfect wetting occurs for small pores that have rough surfaces and dimension less than approximately 10A.
Adrenalectomy Reverses the Effects of Delta-9-THC on Mouse Brain 5-Hydroxytryptamine Turnover

Acute administration of certain cannabinoids, including Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), resulted in elevated levels of plasma corticosterone in mice. The rank order potency of these cannabinoids is the same as others have reported using behavioral tests. The maximally effective dose of Δ9-THC (30 mg/kg) in this test also increased the amount of 3H-tryptophan found in the brains of mice given an intravenous injection of 3H-tryptophan 10 min prior to decapitation. This effect was associated with an increase in the amount of 3H-5-hydroxytryptamine synthesized during the pulse period. Adrenalectomy was found to inhibit these effects of Δ9-THC. The possibility that corticosterone may mediate the effects of Δ9-THC on tryptophan disposition and metabolism is discussed.
Familial occurrence of intracranial arterial occlusive disease (Moyamoya) in neurofibromatosis

Two out of six siblings with neurofibrornatosis (in a sibship of eight) had clinical and roentgenographic evidence of Moyamoya-type, intracranial arterial occlusive disease. This rare vascular complication of neurofibromatosis has not previously occurred among primary relatives. Several possible etiologies for such an association are discussed.
Gain-bandwidth enhancement of 60GHz single-layer Fabry-Pérot cavity antennas using sparse-array

Gain enhancement of a 60 GHz Fabry-Perot cavity antenna is obtained through excitation of the resonant cavity using a 4-element sparse-array. The antenna design is very simple and consists of a single-layer dielectric-based structure with thin layers of copper being printed on the top and bottom forming the ground/feed and the frequency-selective surface. Full-wave simulation results verify the desired performance of the antenna.
Determinants of establishment survival for residential trees in Sacramento County, CA

Urban forests can provide ecosystem services that motivate tree planting campaigns, and tree survival is a key element of program success and projected benefits. We studied survival in a shade tree give-away program in Sacramento, CA, monitoring a cohort of young trees for five years on single-family residential properties. We used conditional inference trees to identify the most important risk factors at different life history stages, and survival analysis to evaluate post-planting survivorship. Our analysis included socioeconomic, biophysical, and maintenance characteristics. In addition to field observations of tree planting status, survival, and maintenance, we also collected property ownership information through the Multiple Listing Service and neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics from the U.S. Census. We found that 84.9% of trees were planted, with 70.9% survivorship at five years post-planting. Overall, 58.9% of delivered trees survived to five years, which the local program calls survivability. Planting rates were higher in neighborhoods with higher educational attainment, and on owner-occupied properties with stable residential ownership. Five-year survival was also higher for properties with stable homeownership, as well as for tree species with low water use demand. When we incorporated maintenance characteristics from the first year of field observations, factors related to tree care were important to survival. Many residents did not adhere to recommended maintenance practices. Our results illustrate the critical role of tree care and consistent homeownership to young tree mortality on residential properties, and suggest that survival assumptions in urban forest ecosystem services models may be overly optimistic.
A rapid ion exchange method for quantitation of the urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine.

Abstract A simple accelerated ion exchange chromatographic method has been described for the estimation of 3-methylhistidine in urine and plasma. The system uses a column of 7% cross-linked cation exchange resin with one buffer (pH 3.98) and one temperature (30°C). A human urine sample is applied directly (pH 2.2) to the column and its 3-methylhistidine concentration is determined in less than one hour.
CD133+ cells contribute to radioresistance via altered regulation of DNA repair genes in human lung cancer cells

Background Radioresistance in human tumors has been linked in part to a subset of cells termed cancer stem cells (CSCs). The prominin 1 (CD133) cell surface protein is proposed to be a marker enriching for CSCs. We explore the importance of DNA repair in contributing to radioresistance in CD133+ lung cancer cells.
Preparation and properties of uniform colloidal particles of mixed composition 7. Aluminum and yttrium compounds

Abstract Uniform spherical colloidal particles of mixed aluminum and yttrium compounds were prepared by aging, at 90°C, solutions of salts of the two metals in the presence of urea. Different compositions and morphologies were achieved by altering the pH, aging time, and reactant concentrations. The change in the composition of the precipitates during the particle growth indicates that they are internally inhomogeneous. On calcination at 950°C, mixed oxides of defined composition, including a garnet structure, Y 3 Al 3 O 12 , were obtained.
Discovering temporal and spatial patterns and characteristics of pavement distress condition data on major corridors in New Mexico

Roadway networks, as part of transportation infrastructure, play an indispensable role in regional economies and community development. The high-quality pavement serviceability of these networks is essential to ensure safe, cost-effective daily traffic operations. In-depth analyses of network-wide pavement surface condition data are necessary inputs for optimal pavement design and maintenance, traffic safety enhancement, and sustainable traffic infrastructure system development. This study aims to investigate various pavement distress condition performance measurements and their correlations to better understand temporal–spatial characteristics of roadway distress based on pavement distress condition data collected in New Mexico from 2006 to 2009. Eight major corridors across various urban and rural areas were selected for analyzing pavement surface-distress conditions and discovering their intrinsic characteristics and patterns across both temporal and spatial domains. The results show that there are not strong correlations among different distress measurements, implying the rationality of the current pavement performance measurement protocol used by the state transportation agencies. Regression models were established and GIS-based spatial analyses were performed to extract temporal and spatial patterns of Distress Rate (DR) data. The model results illustrate significant correlations of the DR data on the same route between two consecutive years, which can be partially characterized by a Markov process. GIS-based spatial investigations also show unique features of pavement condition deterioration attributed to diverse geometric characteristics and traffic conditions, such as vehicle compositions and volumes and urban and rural areas. The research findings are helpful to understand the characteristics of pavement distress conditions more clearly and to optimize traffic infrastructure design and maintenance.
Submicroradian error sources in pencil beam interferometry

As requirements for surface slope errors in synchrotron radiation beam line optics approach the 100 nrad level on a routine basis, it becomes necessary to improve the performance of metrology instrumentation to provide reliable, repeatable, and accurate measurements at this level. We have identified a number of internal error sources in the Long Trace Profiler (LTP) that affect measurement quality at this level. The LTP is sensitive to phase shifts produced within the millimeter diameter of the pencil beam probe by optical path irregularities with scale lengths on the order of a millimeter. We examine the effects of mirror surface "macroroughness" and internal glass homogeneity on the accuracy of the LTP through experiment and theoretical modeling. By careful characterization and selection of the quality of the optical components that comprise the LTP optical system, it is possible to reduce the systematic errors in the measurement to well below the 1 microradian level.
Radical prostatectomy: osu and affiliated hospitals' experience 1985–1989

A total of 528 patients have been treated with radical prostatectomy and node dissection during the last five years. Correlation of clinical and pathologic staging will be presented. Over 85 percent of these patients had Gleason scores of 6 or less. Patients who had nerve-sparing surgery had a potency rate of over 60 percent post surgery.
Auroral ion velocity distributions using a relaxation model

Calculation of ion velocity distributions for a weakly-ionized plasma subjected to crossed electric and magnetic fields for application to the auroral ionosphere. By replacing the Boltzmann collision integral with a simple relaxation model, an exact solution to Boltzmann's equation could be obtained. This solution has the advantage over a series expansion in that all the higher-order velocity moments are inherent in it. The exact solution is particularly advantageous when studying large departures of the distribution from its Maxwellian form, because these departures are caused by the higher velocity moments. In general, however, a simple relaxation model can only be used to obtain qualitative information on the distribution function. Consequently, it is possible to determine when the higher-order velocity moments affect the ion velocity distribution and the nature of their effect, but it is not possible to obtain accurate quantitative results.
Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Targeting to Caveolae: SPECIFIC INTERACTIONS WITH CAVEOLIN ISOFORMS IN CARDIAC MYOCYTES AND ENDOTHELIAL CELLS *

The endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) modulates cardiac myocyte function and is expressed in the particulate subcellular fraction. We have previously shown that eNOS is targeted to plasmalemmal caveolae in endothelial cells. Caveolae, specialized domains of the plasma membrane, may serve to sequester signaling proteins; a family of transmembrane proteins, the caveolins, form a key structural component of these microdomains. Caveolae in cardiac tissues contain the muscle-specific isoform caveolin-3, and caveolae in endothelial cells contain the widely expressed isoform caveolin-1, which shares limited sequence identity with caveolin-3. Our immunohistochemical analyses of rat cardiac muscle used isoform-specific caveolin antibodies to reveal prominent caveolin-3 staining in myocyte sarcolemmal membranes and at intercalated discs, whereas caveolin-1 staining was prominent in the vascular endothelium. Caveolin or eNOS antibodies were utilized to immunoprecipitate cardiac myocyte or cultured aortic endothelial cell lysates, which then were analyzed in immunoblots. In endothelial cells, we found that eNOS is quantitatively immunoprecipitated by antibodies to caveolin-1. In cardiac myocyte lysates, nearly all the eNOS is immunoprecipitated instead by antibodies to caveolin-3 and, conversely, eNOS antiserum immunoprecipitated primarily caveolin-3. These studies establish expression of eNOS in cardiac myocyte caveolae and document tissue-specific and quantitative associations of eNOS with caveolin. These findings may have important implications for the regulation of eNOS by caveolin isoforms and by other signaling proteins targeted to caveolae.
In-stent stenosis after stent-assisted coiling: incidence, predictors and clinical outcomes of 435 cases.

BACKGROUND Neuroform and Enterprise are widely used self-expanding stents designed to treat wide-necked intracranial aneurysms. OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence, clinical significance, predictors, and outcomes of in-stent stenosis (ISS). METHODS Angiographic studies and hospital records were retrospectively reviewed for 435 patients treated between 2005 and 2011 in our institution. A multivariable regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictors of ISS. RESULTS The Neuroform stent was used in 264 patients (60.7%) and the Enterprise in 171 patients (39.3%). A total of 11 patients (2.5%) demonstrated some degree of ISS during the follow-up period at a mean time point of 4.2 months (range, 2-12 months). The stenosis was mild ( 75%) in 1 patient (0.2%). No patients were symptomatic or required further intervention. There was complete ISS resolution in 2 patients, partial resolution in 2 patients, and no change in 5 patients on follow-up angiography. Patients developing ISS were significantly younger than those without ISS (40.3 vs. 54.9 years; P < .001). ISS rates were 2.7% with the Neuroform and 2.3% with the Enterprise stent (P = .6). In multivariable analysis, younger patient age (odds ratio = 0.92; P = .008), carotid ophthalmic aneurysm location (odds ratio = 7.7; P =0.01), and carotid terminus aneurysm location (odds ratio = 8.1; P = .009) were strong independent predictors of ISS. The type of stent was not a predictive factor. CONCLUSION Neuroform and Enterprise ISS is an uncommon, often transient, and clinically benign complication. Younger patients and those harboring anterior circulation aneurysms located at ophthalmic and carotid terminus locations are more likely to develop ISS.
Recovery of browse-sensitive tree species following release from white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus zimmerman browsing pressure

Abstract Deer browsing encourages the development of a vegetation dominated by non-browse or browse-tolerant species at the expense of those sensitive to browsing. For restoration or management of forests, it is crucial to understand how browse-sensitive species recover following release from browsing. As these species re-establish, or achieve former levels of dominance, they must compete with a newly established vegetation. We examined recovery of eastern hemlock Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr, a shade-tolerant, browse-sensitive tree species, following release from intensive browsing. To examine patterns of recovery over time we used data collected from three forest sites in northern Wisconsin, USA. In an intensely browsed forest, eastern hemlock was the leading dominant in the tree stratum. However, it was absent from the seedling and sapling strata where sugar maple Acer saccharum Marsh. was the dominant species. Twelve years of protection from white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus browsing resulted in establishment of hemlock seedlings not present in adjacent browsed areas. In a 27-year-old exclosure, under a canopy of shade-tolerant species, there was apparent recovery of hemlock to a diameter distribution typical of an all-aged forest. In forests subjected to continuous and intensive browsing pressure from the early part of this century, periods as long as 70 years may be required for shade-tolerant trees to achieve size class distribution characteristic of all-aged forests.
Peers and the Emergence of Alcohol Use: Influence and Selection Processes in Adolescent Friendship Networks

This study addresses not only influence and selection of friends as sources of similarity in alcohol use, but also peer processes leading drinkers to be chosen as friends more often than non-drinkers, which increases the number of adolescents subject to their influence. Analyses apply a stochastic actor-based model to friendship networks assessed five times from 6th through 9th grades for 50 grade cohort networks in Iowa and Pennsylvania, which include 13,214 individuals. Results show definite influence and selection for similarity in alcohol use, as well as reciprocal influences between drinking and frequently being chosen as a friend. These findings suggest that adolescents view alcohol use as an attractive, high status activity and that friendships expose adolescents to opportunities for drinking.
MTT assays cannot be utilized to study the effects of STI571/Gleevec on the viability of solid tumor cell lines.

Purpose This study will determine whether MTT assays accurately assess the effect of STI571 (Gleevec; Abl kinase inhibitor) on the viability of cancer cells containing highly active Abl kinases.
Contextual recognition of hand-drawn diagrams with conditional random fields

Hand-drawn diagrams present a complex recognition problem. Fragments of the drawing are often individually ambiguous, and require context to be interpreted. We present a recognizer based on conditional random fields (CRFs) that jointly analyze all drawing fragments in order to incorporate contextual cues. The classification of each fragment influences the classification of its neighbors. CRFs allow flexible and correlated features, and take temporal information into account. Training is done via conditional MAP estimation that is guaranteed to reach the global optimum. During recognition we propagate information globally to find the joint MAP or maximum marginal solution for each fragment. We demonstrate the framework on a container versus connector recognition task.
Mapping of dose distribution from IMRT onto MRI-guided high dose rate brachytherapy using deformable image registration for cervical cancer treatments: preliminary study with commercially available software

Purpose: For patients undergoing external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy, recommendations for target doses and constraints are based on calculation of the equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2) from each phase. At present, the EBRT dose distribution is assumed to be uniform throughout the pelvis. We performed a preliminary study to determine whether deformable dose distribution mapping from the EBRT onto magnetic resonance (MR) images for the brachytherapy would yield differences in doses for organs at risk (OARs) and high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV). Material and methods: Nine cervical cancer patients were treated to a total dose of 45 Gy in 25 fractions using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), followed by MRI-based 3D high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy. Retrospectively, the IMRT planning CT images were fused with the MR image for each fraction of brachytherapy using deformable image registration. The deformed IMRT dose onto MR images were converted to EQD2 and compared to the uniform dose assumption. Results: For all patients, the EQD2 from the EBRT phase was significantly higher with deformable registration than with the conventional uniform dose distribution assumption. The mean EQD2 ± SD for HR-CTV D 90 was 45.7 ± 0.7 Gy vs. 44.3 Gy for deformable vs. uniform dose distribution, respectively (p < 0.001). The dose to 2 cc of the bladder, rectum, and sigmoid was 46.4 ± 1.2 Gy, 46.2 ± 1.0 Gy, and 48.0 ± 2.5 Gy, respectively with deformable dose distribution, and was significantly higher than with uniform dose distribution (43.2 Gy for all OAR, p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study reveals that deformed EBRT dose distribution to HR-CTV and OARs in MR images for brachytherapy is technically feasible, and achieves differences compared to a uniform dose distribution. Therefore, the assumption that EBRT contributes the same dose value may need to be carefully investigated further based on deformable image registration. J Contemp Brachytherapy 2014; 6, 2: 178–184 DOI: 10.5114/jcb.2014.43240
The use of genomic microarrays to study chromosomal abnormalities in mental retardation

Mental retardation affects 2 to 3% of the US population. It is defined by broad criteria, including significantly subaverage intelligence, onset by age 18, and impaired function in a group of adaptive skills. A myriad of genetic and environmental causes have been described, but for approximately half of individuals diagnosed with mental retardation the molecular basis remains unknown. Genomic microarrays, also called array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH), represent one of several novel technologies that allow the detection of chromosomal abnormalities, such as microdeletions and microduplications, in a rapid, high throughput fashion from genomic DNA samples. In one early application of this technology, genomic microarrays have been used to characterize the extent of chromosomal changes in a group of patients diagnosed with one particular type of disorder that causes mental retardation, such as deletion 1p36 syndrome. In another application, DNA samples from individuals with idiopathic mental retardation have been assayed to scan the entire genome in attempts to identify chromosomal changes. Genomic microarrays offer both a genome-wide perspective of chromosomal aberrations as well as higher resolution (to the level of approximately one megabase) compared to alternative available technologies.
Anatomy of the Pentium Bug

The Pentium computer chip's division algorithm relies on a table from which five entries were inadvertently omitted, with the result that 1738 single precision dividend-divisor pairs yield relative errors whose most significant bit is uniformly distributed from the 14th to the 23rd (least significant) bit. This corresponds to a rate of one error every 40 billion random single precision divisions. The same general pattern appears at double precision, with an error rate of one in every 9 billion divisions or 75 minutes of division time.
Collection optics for ILC positron target

We are considering the implementation of a Lithium lens and SC solenoidal lens for collection of positrons in ILC undulator-based source. Such a lens installed right after the thin target, which is illuminated by gamma quants from helical undulator.
Aquinas's Impediment Argument for the Spirituality of the Human Intellect

In several texts, Thomas Aquinas employs a controversial demonstration for the spirituality (that is, intrinsic independence from matter) of the human potential intellect—an argument deriving from a famous, though somewhat abstruse, passage in Book III of Aristotle's De Anima . Because Aquinas's development of this intriguing proof can itself be accused of insufficient rigor, rendering it susceptible to objections, it behooves us to explore this problem from the beginning. Hence, at the very outset, I reproduce two standard translations of the controverted passage from Aristotle's treatise on psychology: Therefore, since everything is a possible object of thought, mind, in order, as Anaxagoras says, to dominate, that is, to know, must be pure from all admixture; for the co-presence of what is alien to its nature is a hindrance and a block: it follows that it too, like the sensitive part, can have no nature of its own, other than that of having a certain capacity. Thus that in the soul which is called mind (by mind I mean that whereby the soul thinks and judges) is, before it thinks, not actually any real thing. For this reason it cannot reasonably be regarded as blended with the body: if so, it would acquire some quality, e.g. warmth or cold, or even have an organ like the sensitive faculty: as it is, it has none. It was a good idea to call the soul “the place of forms,” though (1) this description holds only of the intellective soul, and (2) even this is the forms only potentially, not actually. And, since the intellect [can] think every [object of thought], it must exist without being blended [with something else] in order that, as Anaxagoras says, “it may rule,” that is, in order that it may know. For, if it appears along [with some other thing], the [latter will] prevent or obstruct [the knowledge of] another kind [of thing]; hence it is necessary for [the intellect] to be of no nature other than that of [mere] potentiality. So the part of the soul which is called “intellect” (by “intellect” I mean that [part] by which the soul [can] think and believe) is actually none of the things prior to thinking. In view of this, it is not even reasonable that it should be blended with the body, for it might then acquire some quality, e.g., coldness or heat, or there might be even an organ [for it], as there is for the sentient power; but, as it is, there is no [such organ]. So those who say that the soul is a place of forms speak well, except that it is not the whole soul but only the thinking part of it, and that [that part] is not actually but potentially the forms [of things].
Improved supervision of NN's AOA determination with limited 1-D phased-array training data

A sixteen-channel linear phased array radar is calibrated by means of Artificial Neural Network (ANN). Limited data are used to train the various layers of the network, for Angle of Arrival (AOA) determinacy. This is designed to increase speed of operation and to prevent over fitting. The designed simulator generates time-series data sets representing continuous span of AOA. The generated datasets are used in multilayer feedforward NNs to find the phase, which is then used as inputs to Spiking Neural Network (SNN) o determine AOA. SNNs are used for hardware implementation feasibility. The designed simulator improved the accuracy of AOA determination, and opens the door for a wide variety of radar classification applications
Participation, metaphysics, and enlightenment: reflections on Ken Wilber’s recent work

Jorge Ferrer, Department of East-West Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, California Jorge N. Ferrer, PhD, is core faculty of the department of East-West Psychology, as well as associate core faculty of the Integral and Transpersonal Psychologies (online) PhD program at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), San Francisco. Formerly the chair of the East-West Psychology department from 2008–12, he is the award-winning author of Revisioning Transpersonal Theory: A Participatory Vision of Human Spirituality (SUNY Press, 2002) and Participation and the Mystery: Transpersonal Essays in Psychology, Education, and Religion (SUNY Press, forthcoming), as well as the coeditor (with Jacob H. Sherman) of The Participatory Turn: Spirituality, Mysticism, Religious Studies (SUNY Press, 2008). In 2009, he became an advisor to the organization Religions for Peace at the United Nations on a research project aimed at solving global interreligious conflict. He was born in Barcelona, Spain.
THE PITUITAEY-GONADAL RELATIONSHIP AND THE PROBLEM OF PRECOCIOUS SEXUAL MATURITY

An attempt is made in the following pages to present a concept of the pituitary-gonadal complex involved in the development of puberty and sexual maturity in experimental animals. The problem is discussed only in relation to the female, although data are available to warrant the conclusion that the principles are not different in the male. The superficial characters of the female, such as the rupture of the vaginal plate in rodents, with subsequent observation of the vaginal smear, make the successive stages of development more easily determined than in the male rodent. The rupture of the vaginal plate has been for some years accepted as a sign of sexual maturity. Usually, the first oestrus was considered in relation to the establishment of the vaginal orifice, and together were regarded as sexual maturity. Long and Evans (1) take as their standard the functional capacity of the animal to rear a first litter.
Using the sphericity test for source detection with narrow-band passive arrays

A new sphericity test statistic is proposed for the complex case with a distribution that approaches the asymptotic chi-squared distribution much faster than previously proposed statistics, especially for situations in which the sources are very difficult to detect, such as closely spaced or weak sources. Consequently, the probability of a correct estimate is superior to those resulting from other sphericity tests. The capability of this new sphericity test to detect closely space sources is examined and compared to the resolution capabilities of bearing estimation algorithms as well as other well-known source detection algorithms. >
Energy-efficient scheme for multiprocessor-based router linecards

In support of continuously increasing line rates and various Internet services, multiprocessor-based linecards have appeared in next-generation routers, significantly improving performance. However, this improvement has come at the expense of increased energy consumption, which tends to not only raise the operational and cooling costs, but also lower the reliability of the router. In this article, we present a simple and yet effective dynamic voltage scaling (DVS)-oriented scheme for energy-efficient operations of multiprocessor-based linecards. We prove that for a given task and a timing constraint, those processors in a linecard consume less energy when operating at the same voltage than operating at different voltages. Additionally, we derive the optimal configuration for minimal energy consumption in multiprocessor-based linecards and also show how it can be extended for general-purpose multiprocessor systems.
Rapid epidemiologic characterization of cytomegalovirus strains from pediatric bone marrow transplant patients.

Background: DNA amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) nucleotide sequences recently has been reported for differentiation of CMV strains. Design: Retrospective study. Objective and Patients: Evaluate the strain patterns of 15 CMV-positive buffy coat specimens from five pediatric bone marrow transplant patients. Setting: Pediatric bone marrow transplant unit. Methods: We performed PCR using primers corresponding to two distinct regions of the CMV genome, the major immediate-early (MIE) region and the a-sequence region, with subsequent restriction enzyme analysis of the amplified products. Results: Restriction enzyme analysis with Hae III and Hinf I of products amplified with nested PCR for the MIE region revealed distinguishable digestion patterns between patients but similar patterns for samples from each patient. All were distinct from the CMV Towne laboratory control strain. In contrast to these results, amplification of specimens with a-sequence primers, followed by restriction enzyme analysis, did not allow differentiation between all patients. Conclusion: Our results indicate that nested amplification directly from buffy coat specimens using primers for the CMV MIE gene allows rapid CMV strain characterization that is useful for laboratory quality control and epidemiological studies. Distinct CMV strains were found in each patient, suggesting horizontal transmission was not responsible for acquisition of CMV infection in these patients.
Hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate: effects on zinc, manganese, vitamin A, and riboflavin utilization.

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to evaluate effects of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS, a phyllosilicate) on Zn, Mn, vitamin A, and riboflavin utilization in young broiler chicks. In Experiment 1, addition of either .5% or 1.0% HSCAS to practical corn-soybean meal diets bad no effect (P>.05) on total tibia Mn content or total liver vitamin A concentration. Total tibia Zn decreased slightly, but linearly (P .05) by .5% or 1.0% HSCAS. The results suggest that .5% or 1.0% dietary HSCAS does not impair Mn, vitamin A, or riboflavin utilization, but that Zn utilization is reduced slightly as a result of HSCAS ingestion.
Lattice refining loop quantum cosmology, anisotropic models, and stability

A general class of loop quantizations for anisotropic models is introduced and discussed, which enhances loop quantum cosmology by relevant features seen in inhomogeneous situations. The main new effect is an underlying lattice which is being refined during dynamical changes of the volume. In general, this leads to a new feature of dynamical difference equations which may not have constant step-size, posing new mathematical problems. It is discussed how such models can be evaluated and what lattice refinements imply for semiclassical behavior. Two detailed examples illustrate that stability conditions can put strong constraints on suitable refinement models, even in the absence of a fundamental Hamiltonian which defines changes of the underlying lattice. Thus, a large class of consistency tests of loop quantum gravity becomes available. In this context, it will also be seen that quantum corrections due to inverse powers of metric components in a constraint are much larger than they appeared recently in more special treatments of isotropic, free scalar models where they were artificially suppressed.
Responses of rare plant species to fire in Florida's pyrogenic communities.

ABSTRACT: Lightning- and human-ignited fires have shaped many of Florida's natural communities. Plant persistence in these habitats requires adaptation to survive high temperatures, ability to respond to aboveground tissue loss, or avoidance of these conditions through survival in unburned patches or in the soil seed bank. Limited distribution of many rare species in increasingly fragmented habitats and uncertainty of whether rare species tolerate, require, or persist through avoidance of fire hampers fire management when it is possible and threatens long-term viability of plants. We review up to 14 years of monitoring data for 18 rare plant species from 14 families occurring on sandhill, scrub, pine rockland, and mixed deciduous hardwood communities across Florida. For a number of variables measured, including density, frequency, flowering, and recruitment, 50% of the species showed significant positive responses to burning and 50% of the species showed a neutral or no response. None of the species were ...
Degradation and Excretion of Riboflavin in the Rat

Carbon-14-labeled riboflavin was injected intraperitoneally into young adult rats to study the degradation and excretion of the vitamin. The distribution of radioactivity 24 hours after administration was found to be high in the liver and kidney but very low in the blood. Almost all the radioactivity administered was recovered from urine, feces, and carcass at the end of the experiment. The radioactivity of these samples was due mainly to intact riboflavin, and except for lumichrome and lumiflavin no other degradative product of riboflavin was found. The ribitol side chain on position 9 of riboflavin was not degraded in the tissues. However, there was low production of lumichrome, lumiflavin, and CO2 from riboflavin by the intestinal microorganisms. The turnover rate of this vitamin in the body was affected by the level of its intake, a half-life of 16 days being observed for rats under normal physiological conditions. The maintenance requirement of riboflavin for the rat was shown to be dependent mainly upon excretion rather than decomposition of the vitamin.
Estimating replicate time shifts using Gaussian process regression

Motivation: Time-course gene expression datasets provide important insights into dynamic aspects of biological processes, such as circadian rhythms, cell cycle and organ development. In a typical microarray time-course experiment, measurements are obtained at each time point from multiple replicate samples. Accurately recovering the gene expression patterns from experimental observations is made challenging by both measurement noise and variation among replicates' rates of development. Prior work on this topic has focused on inference of expression patterns assuming that the replicate times are synchronized. We develop a statistical approach that simultaneously infers both (i) the underlying (hidden) expression profile for each gene, as well as (ii) the biological time for each individual replicate. Our approach is based on Gaussian process regression (GPR) combined with a probabilistic model that accounts for uncertainty about the biological development time of each replicate. Results: We apply GPR with uncertain measurement times to a microarray dataset of mRNA expression for the hair-growth cycle in mouse back skin, predicting both profile shapes and biological times for each replicate. The predicted time shifts show high consistency with independently obtained morphological estimates of relative development. We also show that the method systematically reduces prediction error on out-of-sample data, significantly reducing the mean squared error in a cross-validation study. Availability: Matlab code for GPR with uncertain time shifts is available at http://sli.ics.uci.edu/Code/GPRTimeshift/ Contact: [email protected]
A Modular Agent/deliverable Modality for Mobile Robot Development

An agent/deliverable modality has been formulated for the purpose of enabling the development of mobile robots in an environment where the personnel consists of a large number of neophytes (undergraduate and beginning graduate students) together with a small number of dedicated but transient researchers (MS and PhD) thesis students) and a still smaller number of perananent researchers (faculty). The objective is to create a structured work environment in which projects that are implemented by neophytes can be easily and systematically integrated into an ongoing broader program of mobile robot development. In addition, the environment must provide a learning experience for the neophytes.
The Mechanism of Action of an Antifertility Vaccine in the Rhesus Monkey: Reversal of the Effects of Antisera to the β-Subunit of Ovine Luteinizing Hormone by Medroxyprogesterone Acetate *

Active immunization of female rhesus monkeys with the β -subunit of ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH β ) significantly reduced their fertility. To determine whether the major action of the vaccine was interruption of pregnancy, by suppression of "corpus luteum rescue," or inhibition of ovulation, we administered the progestational agent medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) from day 4 through day 40 after mating. In the untreated immunized group, the pregnancy rate was significantly below that of control monkeys. MPA treatment restored the fertility rate of immunized animals to that of the control group. These results strongly support the assumption that the antifertility action of antibodies of oLH β is due to prevention of corpus luteum rescue. Whether the lack of corpus luteum rescue resulted because of neutralization of rhesus monkey chorionic gonadotropin or from a defective corpus luteum, as is found in animals with short luteal phases, cannot be determined from these studies. The successful reversal of the antifertility effect, however, suggests that the circulating antibodies do not interfere with normal ovulation or with the normal development and implantation of the blastocyst.
Tongue-shaped ultrahigh frequency atmospheric pressure plasma jet

Summary form only given. Atmospheric pressure plasma jets are gaining growing interest due to their efficacy in diverse fields such as surface treatment, and biomedical applications. In treatment of vulnerable biological materials including membranes and skin, plasma sources must offer stringent provisions such as no risk of arcing and operation at near room temperature to prevent painful sensation or heating of delicate targets. For example, plasma jets generated using pulsed direct current power supplies are often operated at high voltages, raising concerns about increased risk of electrical shock during operation and treatment. We report on generation of a tongue-shaped non-thermal atmospheric pressure argon plasma jet using a magnetic loop1. The plasma jet was formed at a carrier frequency of 850 MHz for 2.5 to 100 KHz pulse modulation frequencies. The plasma was self-sustaining at power and gas flow rate of-1.5 W and 0.5 Lit/m, respectively. The effects of gap size on the resonance frequency were studied using a network analyzer. Plasma formation altered the radiated signal waveform and power from the magnetic loop. In addition, physical and chemical characteristics of the tongue-shaped plasma jet expanding up to 1 cm in the ambient air were investigated by means of mass spectrometry and optical emission spectroscopy. The effects of modulation frequency and gas flow rate on the dynamic behavior of plasma jet were investigated using fast photography.
Central Administration of Methamphetamine Synergizes with Metabolic Inhibition to Deplete Striatal Monoamines

These studies examined, in vivo, the effect of local intrastriatal perfusion of methamphetamine (MA) on dopamine (DA) and glutamate release in relation to changes in striatal DA and serotonin (5-HT) content measured 1 week after treatment. Interactions between the inhibition of energy metabolism and the direct perfusion of MA on long-term decreases in DA and 5-HT content also were investigated. MA (100 μM), the succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor malonate, or the combination of MA and malonate was reverse-dialyzed into the striatum for 8 h. The continuous local perfusion of MA alone increased DA release by 30-fold, similar to that seen after systemic administration, but did not increase glutamate or body temperature, and did not deplete neurotransmitter content. Malonate perfusion increased both DA and glutamate overflow, and dose dependently decreased DA content. 5-HT content was not as affected by malonate perfusions (200 mM malonate depleted DA by 66% and 5-HT by 40%). When MA was coperfused with 200 mM malonate, DA content was reduced by 80% and to a greater extent compared with malonate alone. Coperfusion of MA and 200 mM malonate did not enhance 5-HT loss. Overall, the present findings provide evidence that energy metabolism plays an important role in MA toxicity and that striatal dopaminergic terminals are more vulnerable than 5-HT terminals to damage after metabolic stress.
Nonparametric Learning of Phonological Constraints in Optimality Theory

We present a method to jointly learn features and weights directly from distributional data in a log-linear framework. Specifically, we propose a non-parametric Bayesian model for learning phonological markedness constraints directly from the distribution of input-output mappings in an Optimality Theory (OT) setting. The model uses an Indian Buffet Process prior to learn the feature values used in the loglinear method, and is the first algorithm for learning phonological constraints without presupposing constraint structure. The model learns a system of constraints that explains observed data as well as the phonologically-grounded constraints of a standard analysis, with a violation structure corresponding to the standard constraints. These results suggest an alternative data-driven source for constraints instead of a fully innate constraint set.
The Unprofessional Sides of Social Media and Social Networking: How Current Standards Fall Short

The Article discusses the professionalism implications of social media use and social networking. It focuses on young attorneys' conduct and examines the ways in which current rules of ethics and professionalism norms fail to address a range of social media and networking conduct that has the potential to be unprofessional. The Article proposes a four-part framework for analyzing the professionalism problems of social media use and a model rule, together with a norm-shifting strategy, as a solution.