cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Recombination Luminescence from V K Centers in Potassium Iodide

This paper reports experiments with KI to determine whether the near-uv emission characteristic of the "pure" crystal arises from the recombination of an electron with a ${V}_{K}$ center. KI crystals containing Tl or Eu, when irradiated at 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with 1.7-MeV electrons, exhibit absorption bands due to ${V}_{K}$ and $F$ centers. Illumination of an irradiated crystal in the $F$ band or near infrared results in attenuation of ${V}_{K}$ absorption bands and in emission of the 302- and 371-m\ensuremath{\mu} bands characteristic of the pure crystal, as well as in ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{+}$ emission. Thermal or optical destruction of ${V}_{K}$ centers results in attenuation of the 302- and 371-m\ensuremath{\mu} bands, while the ${\mathrm{Tl}}^{+}$ emission remains. Preferential orientation of ${V}_{K}$ centers by bleaching with polarized light at liquid-helium temperature or at 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K results in a polarization of both these emission bands. Assuming that the orienting transition is $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ polarized, the 302-m\ensuremath{\mu} band is polarized parallel to the ${V}_{K}$ axis, and the 371-m\ensuremath{\mu} band perpendicular. It is concluded that these bands do arise from the radiative decay of a ${V}_{K}$-plus-electron center.
Computing the order of a solvablepermutation group

This paper presents a new algorithm for determining the order of a solvable permutationgroup from a set of generators. During the computation, a base and strong generating set and a polycyclic generating sequence are also obtained.
Possession of identical nonconjugative plasmids by different isolates of Pasteurella multocida does not imply clonality.

Abstract Experiments were performed to test the hypothesis that possession of the same nonconjugative R plasmid by different isolates of Pasteurella multicida implied that they were of the same clone. Seven isolates of P. multicida were studied, two possessed an identical nonconjugative R plasmid (pVM109), four possessed another (pVM110), and one isolate possessed a nonconjugative R plasmid related to pVM110. Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of the isolates were determined and compared. Isolates possessing the same nonconjugative R plasmid were shown to be different, and isolates possessing a different nonconjugative R plasmid were shown to be the same. We conclude that possession of an identical nonconjugative R plasmid by two isolates of P. multocida does not imply clonality.
Family environments of depressed outpatients.

– The present study assessed the family environments of 43 depressed patients treated in an outpatient clinic. All family members 11 + years of age were administered the Family Environment Scale. Results showed that perceptions of the family environment were not statistically different from a normative sample. Differences among unipolar, bipolar and secondary affective disorder groups also did not attain statistical significance. On the other hand, current symptomatology among patients was associated with negative perceptions of the family environment.
Specificity of anti-Rh serum inhibition by lipid extracts as determined by quantitative nitrogen assays.

Eine Reihe der Lipidfraktionen von Rh-positiv und Rh-negativ (D-positiv und D-negativ) roten Zellen menschlichen Blutes wurde der Wirkung von anti-Rho Serum (anti-D) ausgesetzt. Die dabei adsorbierte Menge von Stickstoff wurde quantitativ bestimmt. In jedem Fall adsorbierten die Lipide von Rh-positiv roten Zellen mehr Antikorperstickstoff als die aus Rh-negativ roten Zellen extrahierten Lipide. Man darf wohl daraus schliessen, dass der hohere Grad der Adsorption von Antikorperstickstoff auf Lipiden von Rh positiv roten Zellen ein spezifischer Effekt ist.
A neural network model-based open-loop optimization for the automated thermoplastic composite tow-placement system

This study demonstrates the use of on-line optimization algorithms to calculate optimum process set points for manufacturing processes such as the automated thermoplastic tow-placement (ATP) system. An in situ non-linear optimization technique based on artificial neural networks has been developed. This method is implemented in the ATP process and utilizes neural network-based process models to predict material quality as a function of process set points. The set points are computed by maximizing the throughput and maintaining a desired minimum quality. Process history can greatly affect the final part quality and, therefore, is an integral part of the optimization. The controller is validated for the highly non-linear ATP process and successfully predicts optimum processing parameters. The developed approach is applicable to many other manufacturing processes where process simulations exist and conventional control techniques are lacking.
The Old English Bede and the Construction of Anglo-Saxon Authority

The translator of Bede's Historia ecclesiastica faced a daunting task. His source text had behind it the authority of a well-known, learned English saint, and a translation of the work would inevitably be a step removed from that saint. How could the translator convince the audience that his translation possessed authority? Alfred's prefaces to his translations and Waerferth's preface to the Dialogues gain the confidence of the readers or hearers through their explicit discussion of motives and methods of translation. By contrast, the Old English Bede authorizes itself not through any overt claims in an original preface but through strategic translations of the Latin preface and of the text itself. The Alfredian prefaces thus provide valuable points of comparison and contrast for the Old English Bede. All the translations assert continuity between source text and translation while replacing the source text in different ways. Alfred and Waerferth reveal their identities as translators and make claims for their own authority while the translator of the Old English Bede relies on the authority of Bede himself; Alfred and Waerferth argue for the ability of Old English to render Latin, while the translator of the Old English Bede simply provides a text in Old English.
Supersonic Jet Screech: Half-century from Powell to the Present

Abstract Under certain conditions, shock-containing jets produce an intense tone referred to as screech. Screech was discovered about half a century ago by Alan Powell in England. Here I recount developments in supersonic jet screech — from Powell's first observation in 1951 to now. During this period more than 200 papers have been published — many offering only incremental advances. This paper provides a concise screech resource including a historical perspective, a summary of recent developments and a critical assessment of the state of the art. Topics include modulation of instability waves by shocks, shock-cell models and screech frequency prediction models, unsteady shock motions and clues about their role in shock noise generation. Also, detailed nearfield measurements and computer simulation methods now available are discussed. However, despite the advances, screech amplitude prediction remains an elusive but increasingly important goal not only due to concerns about sonic fatigue failure of aircraft structures but because knowledge gained by the study of screech can be applied to a variety of resonant flow situations, including jet impingement, cavity resonance, and closed-loop active flow control.
Human prostatic cancer cell derivedgrowth factor stimulating fibroblasts and its mechanisms

Abstract A human prostatic cell line JCA-1 has been shown to release intoculture medium an activity that promotes the proliferation of murine fibroblast 3T3 cells. The presence of additional serum free conditioned culture supernatant from JCA-1 cells accelerates the 3T3 growth rate as determined by cell counts, [ 3 H)thymidine uptake into DNA and colony formation in soft agar gel. The growth activity was determined not to derive from culture medium components. Treatment of JCA-1 cells with RNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D abrogated the activity, indicating that protein synthesis is required for the presence of this activity from JCA-1 cells. The molecular mass of this prostatic cell derived growth factor (PRGF) was larger than 10,000 KDa, and its interaction with fibroblasts resulted in an approximate 27 percent increase in replicating cell cycle phases S and G2M with a reciprocal decrease of GI cells. These data indicated a mechanism causing a more rapid entry of cells into replication. The interaction between prostatic cancer cells and related tissues and their relation to pathogenesis is reviewed.
Toward A General Theory Of Sales Tax Incidence

Introduction, 253. — I. Concept and patterns of incidence, 254. — II. Steps toward greater generality of the theory of sales tax incidence, 256. — III. Aggregate demand and factor price adjustments, 257; the Brown Case, 258; case in which aggregate factor demand is unaffected, 260. — IV. A sales tax in an inflationary period, 263. — V. Conclusion, 265.
An activity-based protein profiling probe for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) has been used extensively to characterize the physiological functions of enzymes but has not yet been extended to ion channels. We have synthesized a state-dependent photoaffinity probe for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) as a proof of concept for the development of ion channel directed ABPP probes. The candidate probe BPyneTEA comprises an nAChR binding moiety, a benzophenone moiety for photolabeling, and an alkyne moiety for biotinylation via “click chemistry”. Single-molecule current measurements show that BPyneTEA blocks both the closed and open (i.e., nondesensitized) conformations of the nAChR with similar kinetics. In living cells, BPyneTEA photolabels the closed state selectively over the inactive desensitized state. BPyneTEA thus shows promise as a probe for nondesensitized nAChRs and may be useful in studying the molecular physiology of desensitization. The structure and reactivity of ion channel pores in general suggest that they will be a br...
MODELS RELATING PAVEMENT QUALITY MEASURES

A large field-measured international roughness index (IRI) data set was collected in the summer and fall of 2001 on 650 highway kilometers with sections containing full-depth hot-mixed asphalt (HMA) and HMA over portland cement; the set was used to investigate the relationships between IRI, rutting, and pavement cracking. Parametric statistical analysis, linear regression, and neural network models were used with a large database of 65,530 observations (10-m intervals). The goal was to investigate the relationship between both rutting and cracking (estimated from photolog images obtained at the same time field data were collected) and IRI. Specifically, the objective was to determine if these relationships were consistent enough to allow IRI, the more easily measured quantity, to be used as a surrogate for the others or if the effort and resources to collect all three measures were necessary in pavement management programs. The results indicate that while statistically significant relationships exist between IRI and both cracking and rutting, these relationships are not strong enough for IRI to be used as a surrogate measure for pavement condition. The weak predictive relationships are further evidenced by the lack of success in training a neural network that could significantly outperform linear regression models. It was concluded that IRI, while appropriate for measuring rideability, was not appropriate for measuring cracking or rutting.
COSTS OF INDUCED RESPONSES AND TOLERANCE TO HERBIVORY IN MALE AND FEMALE FITNESS COMPONENTS OF WILD RADISH.

Theory predicts that plant defensive traits are costly due to trade-offs between allocation to defense and growth and reproduction. Most previous studies of costs of plant defense focused on female fitness costs of constitutively expressed defenses. Consideration of alternative plant strategies, such as induced defenses and tolerance to herbivory, and multiple types of costs, including allocation to male reproductive function, may increase our ability to detect costs of plant defense against herbivores. In this study we measured male and female reproductive costs associated with induced responses and tolerance to herbivory in annual wild radish plants (Raphanus raphanistrum). We induced resistance in the plants by subjecting them to herbivory by Pieris rapae caterpillars. We also induced resistance in plants without leaf tissue removal using a natural chemical elicitor, jasmonic acid; in addition, we removed leaf tissue without inducing plant responses using manual clipping. Induced responses included increased concentrations of indole glucosinolates, which are putative defense compounds. Induced responses, in the absence of leaf tissue removal, reduced plant fitness when five fitness components were considered together; costs of induction were individually detected for time to first flower and number of pollen grains produced per flower. In this system, induced responses appear to impose a cost, although this cost may not have been detected had we only quantified the traditionally measured fitness components, growth and seed production. In the absence of induced responses, 50% leaf tissue removal, reduced plant fitness in three out of the five fitness components measured. Induced responses to herbivory and leaf tissue removal had additive effects on plant fitness. Although plant sibships varied greatly (49-136%) in their level of tolerance to herbivory, costs of tolerance were not detected, as we did not find a negative association between the ability to compensate for damage and plant fitness in the absence of damage. We suggest that consideration of alternative plant defense strategies and multiple costs will result in a broader understanding of the evolutionary ecology of plant defense.
Comparison in Man of Adrenergic Blockade Produced by Dibenzyline, Ilidar, Priscoline, and Regitine

A method is presented for analyzing the probable effectiveness of blocking drugs in relieving vasospasm in the extremities, and comparison is given of the relative potency and side effects of 4 adrenergic blocking drugs and of their effects on heart rate, arterial pressure, and cardiac output, as estimated from a "circulatory index." Data are also given on the use of these drugs in evaluation of the circulation in patients.
Adolescents with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Adhere Poorly to Positive Airway Pressure (PAP), but PAP Users Show Improved Attention and School Performance

Background Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is associated with medical and neurobehavioral morbidity across the lifespan. Positive airway pressure (PAP) treatment has demonstrated efficacy in treating OSA and has been shown to improve daytime functioning in adults, but treatment adherence can be problematic. There are nearly no published studies examining functional outcomes such as academic functioning in adolescents treated with PAP. This study was conducted as an initial step towards determining whether PAP treatment improves daytime functioning among adolescents with OSA. Methods Self-reported academic grades, self- and parent-reported academic quality of life, and objectively-measured attention were assessed before and after PAP was clinically initiated in a sample of 13 obese adolescents with OSA, as well as 15 untreated obese Controls without OSA. Based on adherence data, the treated group was divided into PAP Users (n = 6) and Non-Adherent participants (n = 7). Results Though demographically similar, the three groups significantly differed in how their academic performance and attention scores changed from baseline to follow-up. Non-Adherent participants showed worsening functioning over time, while PAP Users showed stable or improved functioning, similar to controls. Conclusion Although many adolescents prescribed PAP for OSA are non-adherent to the treatment, those who adhere to treatment can display improved attention and academic functioning.
Free volume analysis of organic vapor diffusion in polyurethane membranes

Mutual diffusion coefficients of penetrant–polymer systems comprising two organic compounds (benzene and tetrachloroethylene) and four polyurethane membranes (spandex from E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Inc., and three Estane® polymers from B.F. Goodrich Speciality Chemicals) were measured as a function of temperature (30–60°C) and organic vapor activity by performing transient desorption experiments with a McBain quartz-spring microbalance apparatus. Diffusion coefficients increased with temperature and decreased with polymer hard segment content. Fujita’s free volume theory, corrected for the presence of hard segment domains in the polyurethanes, described well the dependence of organic penetrant diffusion on concentration and temperature. Equations correlating the free volume parameters to the polymer morphology, as quantified by the hydrogen bonding index (HBI), were generated. These equations, in combination with the Flory–Rhener equation for benzene and tetrachloroethylene vapor sorption and polymer morphology correlations for the Flory–Rhener parameters, were able to predict to within 12% the mutual diffusion coefficients as a function of concentration, temperature, and hard segment content.
Expectations and Ideas Coming to School.

As the school experience begins anew each year, parents and teachers bring with them ideas about the nature of education and their roles in the process. These expectations are developed socially and shape home-school interactions and the tenor of classroom experience. This article describes the social construction of parental expectations for kindergarten and first grade in a school community. It focuses on the ideas developed between home and school and between grade levels. These ideas include performance standards for students, expectations for parental involvement in schooling, and community evaluation of teacher effectiveness. Connections are made between these local ideas and the experiences of children as they begin their school careers.
Moving Toward Focal Therapy in Prostate Cancer: Dual-Isotope Permanent Seed Implants as a Possible Solution

Purpose To compare the ability of single- and dual-isotope prostate seed implants to escalate biologically effective dose (BED) to foci of disease while reducing prescription dose to the prostate. Methods and Materials Nine plans, using 125 I, 103 Pd, and 131 Cs alone and in combination were created retrospectively for 2 patients. Ultrasound and MRI/MRS datasets were used for treatment planning. Voxel-by-voxel BED was calculated for single- and dual-isotope plans. Equivalent uniform BED (EUBED) was used to compare plans. The MRS-positive planning target volumes (PTV i ) were delineated along with PTV (prostate + 5 mm), rectum, and urethra. Single-isotope implants, prescribed to conventional doses, were generated to achieve good PTV coverage. The PTV i were prospectively used to generate implants using mixtures of isotopes. For mixed-radioisotope implants, we also explored the impact on EUBED of lowering prescription doses by 15%. Results The EUBED of PTV i in the setting of primary 125 I implant increased 20–66% when 103 Pd and 131 Cs were used compared with 125 I boost. Decreasing prescription dose by 15% in mixed-isotope implants results in a potential 10% reduction in urethral EUBED with preservation of PTV coverage while still boosting PTV i (up to 80%). When radiobiologic parameters corresponding to more-aggressive disease are assigned to foci, faster-decaying isotopes used in mixed implants have the potential to preserve the equivalent biological effect of mono-isotope implants considering less-aggressive disease distributed in the entire prostate. Conclusions This is a hypothesis-generating study proposing a treatment paradigm that could be the middle ground between whole-gland irradiation and focal-only treatment. The use of two isotopes concurrent with decreasing the minimal peripheral dose is shown to increase EUBED of selected subvolumes while preserving the therapeutic effect at the level of the gland.
Growth factors which affect bone

Abstract The coupled processes of bone resorption and bone formation occur throughout life. New research suggests that some well-characterized growth factors affect bone and that transforming growth factors and tumor-derived growth factors may also influence bone growth and remodeling.
Advances in interventional cardiology: MitraClip

Severe mitral valve regurgitation is a serious condition with significant morbidity and mortality. It is not uncommon recently, to see patients with significant mitral valve regurgitation that are considered "non-surgical candidates" due to their comorbidities. MitraClip is a new percutaneous approach for treating mitral valve regurgitation which involves mechanical edge-to-edge coaptation of the mitral leaflets. In October of 2013, The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the MitraClip for patients with symptomatic degenerative mitral regurgitation deemed high risk for mitral-valve surgery. Several large clinical trials confirmed the safety and efficacy of MitraClip. We here discuss the growing role of MitraClip, the major clinical trials, the ongoing trials and the potential complications of the procedure.
Strategies to Improve Medication Compliance by Medicare Beneficiaries

In the article in this issue by Choudhry et al,1 the authors assess whether eliminating out-of-pocket costs would be an effective way to improve medication compliance in Medicare patients after they have experienced an acute myocardial infarction (MI). The specific questions the authors raise are whether full coverage would be cost-effective using the traditional values for such measurements and whether full coverage would actually save Medicare money by reducing health expenditures outside of the pharmacy area. For those of us who live in the policy world of Washington, this is an important issue, because if the additional coverage can be demonstrated to save Medicare money elsewhere, the change in coverage would not be regarded as an increase in spending but rather as a savings to the program. Under current Congressional rules, increased expenditures—even useful ones—need to be offset by either reduced expenditures elsewhere or by increased tax revenue. This means that being able to demonstrate the net effect of a change in coverage on overall Medicare spending (as well as on overall health spending) becomes an important budget matter as well as an important health policy issue. Article p 1261 The more general problem that the article by Choudhry et al1 addresses is how best to improve the notoriously low compliance rates regarding the use of proper medications, along with other preventive strategies in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. One such strategy is to eliminate all out-of pocket costs; however, other strategies are also available, such as chronic disease management, education, incentive programs, etc. This point is addressed in greater detail below. The study1 is a carefully done empirical analysis, particularly given the limited amount of data on Medicare Part D outpatient prescription drug spending that is currently available. The study’s authors used a Markov …
The use of non-metric multidimensional scaling as an ordination technique in resource survey and evaluation: a case study from southeast Spain

Abstract The potential contribution of non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination as a method of data reduction and hypothesis generation for resource survey was evaluated by using the amalgamated floristic and environmental data from three natural grazing areas in semi-arid lowland Murcia, southeast Spain. The results showed that the vegetation patterns were largely controlled by the effects of radiation receipt, rather than rainfall. This finding conflicts with results from a semi-arid environment in Australia (Noy-Meir 1974). Evidently, the technique is capable of revealing the latent environmental structure. As a rapid, flexible and effective tool, NMDS enhances straightforward, quantitative and objective interpretation, whereby inductive inferences on environmental structure can be readily formulated. The coordinate results also contain much important information of use in land use planning and resource management. NMDS therefore appears to be an invaluable tool in resource survey and evaluation and its use can complement other survey technologies, notably remote sensing and numeric classification.
On the value of good advice: the complexity of A* search with accurate heuristics

We study the behavior of the classical A* search algorithm when coupled with a heuristic that provides estimates, accurate to within a small multiplicative factor, of the distance to a solution. We prove general upper bounds on the complexity of A* search, for both admissible and unconstrained heuristic functions, that depend only on the distribution of solution objective values. We go on to provide nearly matching lower bounds that are attained even by non-adversarially chosen solution sets induced by a simple stochastic model.
Effect of a Pediatric Self-Care Book on Utilization of Services in a Group Model HMO

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a pediatric self-care book (SCB) with nurse telephone support on use of health services. The study was performed in a pediatric department of Kaiser Permanente in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Well patients seen at age 2 weeks to 2.5 months (infant group) or 14 to 19 months (toddler group) were enrolled. Intervention families received a copy of the book, Your Child's Health and were oriented on its use. Rates of sick visits, advice nurse calls, pharmacy prescriptions, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions were assessed. Visit and call rates were calculated, and mean rates of the SCB group and the control group were then compared. Of 1,104 enrolles, 527 received the SCB; the other 577 served as controls. The SCB group had 14.0% fewer total visits (excluding well-baby visits) than controls did (p=0.018). For infants and toddlers who were not first-borns, the intervention was associated with a statistically significant decrease in sick v...
Changing Early Intervention Providers' Home Visiting Skills Through Participation in Professional Development

A professional development activity combining group sessions with self-study assignments was used to facilitate early intervention providers' use of participation-based practices. The activity was ...
The Meanings of Black Power: A Comparison of White and Black Interpretations of a Political Slogan

Angry protests against racial discrimination were a prominent part of American public life during the 1960's. The decade opened with the sit-ins and freedom rides, continued through Birmingham, Selma, and the March on Washington, and closed with protests in hundreds of American cities, often punctuated by rioting and violence. During this troubled decade the rhetoric of protest became increasingly demanding, blanket charges of pervasive white racism and hostility were more common, and some blacks began to actively discourage whites from participating either in protest demonstrations or civil rights organizations. Nothing better symbolized the changing mood and style of black protest in America than recent changes in the movement's dominant symbols. Demonstrators who once shouted “freedom” as their rallying cry now were shouting “black power”—a much more provocative, challenging slogan.The larger and more diverse a political movement's constituency, the more vague and imprecise its unifying symbols and rallying cries are likely to be. A slogan like black power has no sharply defined meaning; it may excite many different emotions and may motivate individuals to express their loyalty or take action for almost contradictory reasons. As soon as Adam Clayton Powell and Stokely Carmichael began to use the phrase in 1966 it set off an acrimonious debate among black leaders over its true meaning. Initially it was a blunt and threatening battle cry meant to symbolize a break with the past tactics of the civil rights movement.
One-dimensional representation of a neuron in a uniform electric field

The neocortex is the most common target of sub-dural electrotherapy and non-invasive brain stimulation modalities including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and transcranial direct current simulation (tDCS). Specific neuronal elements targeted by cortical stimulation are considered to underlie therapeutic effects, but the exact cell-type(s) affected by these methods remains poorly understood. We determined if neuronal morphology predicted responses to subthreshold uniform electric fields. We characterized the effects of subthreshold electrical stimulation on identified cortical neurons in vitro. Uniform electric fields were applied to rat motor cortex brain slices, while recording from interneurons and pyramidal cells across cortical layers, using whole cell patch clamp. Neuron morphology was reconstructed following intracellular dialysis of biocytin. Based solely on volume-weighted morphology, we developed a simplified model of neuronal polarization by sub-threshold electric field: an electrotonically linear cylinder that further predicts polarization at distal dendritic tree terminations. We found that neuronal morphology correlated with somatic sub-threshold polarization. Layer V/VI pyramidal neuron somata (individually) and dendrites (averaging across neurons) were most sensitive to sub-threshold fields. This analysis was extended to predict a terminal polarization of a human cortical neuron as 1.44 mV during tDCS.
Reproductive and Genetic Consequences of Forest Fragmentation: Two Case Studies of Neotropical Canopy Trees

Large areas of continuous tropical forests are rapidly becoming fragmented as a result of human activities, prompting a growing need for information on the reproductive and genetic responses of tree species to disturbance. Here we review the literature on pollen dispersal in continuous forest stands in order to identify factors expected to enhance or to inhibit interfragment pollen flow. We then describe two empirical studies of the effects of fragmentation on pollen flow in Neotropical populations of Spondias mombin (Anacardiaceae) and five monoecious species of Ficus (Moraceae). In S. mombin, small fragment populations suffered significant reductions in germination rate and fruit production relative to large fragment and continuous forest populations. Nevertheless, 90-100% of the progeny produced in the small fragments were the product of pollen gene flow originating from forest stands located over 80-1000 m away. In contrast to S. mombin, which is relatively abundant and pollinated by a variety of small insects, the strangler fig species studied were relatively rare and pollinated by species-specific wasps that are both small and short-lived. Paternity analyses revealed these highly coevolved pollinators to be effective agents of pollen movement over very long distances, routinely dispersing 6-14 km to receptive host trees. Because of such extensive pollen flow, breeding populations of figs were estimated to consist of hundreds of intermating individuals distributed over 108-632 km2, an area substantially larger than has been documented for any other plant species. The observed patterns of dispersal in S. mombin and Ficus demonstrate the potential for ecologically and evolutionarily significant pollinator and pollen movement among populations occurring in both disturbed and continuous forest environments. Moreover, given the integral relationship of figs, as keystone plant resources, to other plant and animal species, the extensive spatial scale of fig breeding units demonstrates how the conservation of biodiversity in spatially isolated reserves may be dependent on the preservation of forest elements in a surrounding fragmented landscape.
Treatment for LMCA ostial stenosis using a bifurcation technique with a retrograde approach

A 69-year-old man who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery in February 2008. The surgery included grafting of the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) to the diagonal branch (D1) and a saphenous vein graft (SVG) to the left circumflex artery (LCX) due to ostial stenosis of the left main coronary artery (LMCA). The patient presented with recurring effort chest pain 18 months later. Coronary CT revealed that the LITA-D1 graft was patent, the SVG-LCX graft was occluded, and there was severe ostial stenosis of the LMCA. Coronary angiography was performed in August 2009, but a 5-Fr diagnostic catheter could not be engaged due to the severe ostial stenosis. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed 5 days later with an attempt to cross the lesion with a guidewire using a retrograde approach through the LITA-D1 graft. However, the guidewire could not be crossed using a conventional technique due to the extreme angulation of the LITA-D1 anastomosis. Therefore, we attempted to use a reversed guidewire technique. After crossing the LMCA ostial lesion the retrograde wire was snared through antegradely for insertion of the guiding catheter via the right brachial artery. We were able to engage the guiding catheter in the left coronary artery and implant the stent successfully using the antegrade approach.
Constructing lattice-ordered fields and division rings

Neumann's totally ordered power series fields and division rings may be tipped over to form archimedean lattice-ordered fields and division rings. This process is described and then generalised to produce non-archimedean lattice-ordered fields and division rings in which 1 > 0 and, as well, ones in which 1 ≯ 0.
Inflammation, immunoregulation, and inducible nitric oxide synthase

Nitric oxide (NO), the molecule of the year 1992, is gaining recognition as an important biological mediator. Its multitude of physiologic and pathophysiologic functions result from both a wide distribution of synthesis and diverse mechanisms of action. Besides its functions as a potent vasodilator and neurotransmitter, NO is important in inflammation and immunity. Both beneficial and detrimental consequences of induced synthesis have been discovered. Information is now accumulating on the regulation and function of induced NO. The recent cloning of human inducible NO cDNA should assist in defining the role of inducible NO in human physiology and pathophysiology.
Power-aware scheduling of virtual machines in DVFS-enabled clusters

With the advent of Cloud computing, large-scale virtualized compute and data centers are becoming common in the computing industry. These distributed systems leverage commodity server hardware in mass quantity, similar in theory to many of the fastest Supercomputers in existence today. However these systems can consume a cities worth of power just to run idle, and require equally massive cooling systems to keep the servers within normal operating temperatures. This produces CO 2 emissions and significantly contributes to the growing environmental issue of Global Warming. Green computing, a new trend for high-end computing, attempts to alleviate this problem by delivering both high performance and reduced power consumption, effectively maximizing total system efficiency. This paper focuses on scheduling virtual machines in a compute cluster to reduce power consumption via the technique of Dynamic Voltage Frequency Scaling (DVFS). Specifically, we present the design and implementation of an efficient scheduling algorithm to allocate virtual machines in a DVFS-enabled cluster by dynamically scaling the supplied voltages. The algorithm is studied via simulation and implementation in a multi-core cluster. Test results and performance discussion justify the design and implementation of the scheduling algorithm.
Greater Influence of central distribution of adipose tissue on incidence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes in women than men

Many studies have shown an increased prevalence of non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) in individuals with an unfavorable body fat distribution, but there are still relatively few prospective studies on this topic. We present data on the 8-y incidence of NIDDM in Mexican-American men and women according to their degree of central adiposity, measured by the ratio of subscapular to triceps skinfold thicknesses. Subjects were initially enrolled in the San Antonio Heart Study, a population-based study of diabetes in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites. Sixteen of 254 initially nondiabetic men and 27 of 366 initially nondiabetic women developed diabetes. Central adiposity was more strongly associated with diabetes incidence in women than in men. After adjustment for overall adiposity (measured by body mass index), women in the highest and in the middle tertile of centrality had a significantly higher risk of diabetes than did women in the lowest tertile [odds ratio (OR) = 10.70, P = 0.008, highest vs lowest tertile, and OR = 8.55, P = 0.032, middle vs lowest tertile; for men OR = 3.70 and OR = 1.38, respectively].
Unit commitment with vehicle-to-Grid using particle swarm optimization

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology has drawn great interest in the recent years. Success of the V2G research depends on efficient scheduling of gridable vehicles in limited parking lots. V2G can reduce dependencies on small expensive units in the existing power systems as energy storage that can decrease running costs. It can efficiently manage load fluctuation, peak load; however, it increases spinning reserves and reliability. As number of gridable vehicles in V2G is much higher than small units of existing systems, unit commitment (UC) with V2G is more complex than basic UC for thermal units. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is used to solve the UC with V2G, as PSO can reliably and accurately solve complex constrained optimization problems easily and quickly without any dimension limitation and physical computer memory limit. In the proposed model, binary PSO is used to optimize the on/off states of power generating units and in the same model, discrete version of PSO is used to optimize the scheduling of the gridable vehicles in the parking lots to reduce the dimension of the problem. Finally, simulation results show a considerable amount of profit for using V2G after proper UC with V2G scheduling of gridable vehicles in constrained parking lots.
Enterprise Job Scheduling for Clustered Environments

The concept of scheduling is relevant to many computer-engineering areas, such as operating systems, computer networks, enterprise platforms and applications. Scheduling at the application level (a.k.a. job scheduling) is a common process in the enterprise domain, but very few IT solutions cover all the required features. Such features include scalability, fault-tolerance and load balancing. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a modular job scheduling system, developed to work in a distributed clustered environment, which satisfies the aforementioned requirements. Its architecture and implementation is based on the Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) framework so that it inherently guarantees portability over different platforms through the use of open interfaces. A preliminary performance evaluation of the system provides indications on its behavior under various levels of workload
Phthalimide neovascular factor 1 (PNF1) modulates MT1-MMP activity in human microvascular endothelial cells

We are creating synthetic pharmaceuticals with angiogenic activity and potential to promote vascular invasion. We previously demonstrated that one of these molecules, phthalimide neovascular factor 1 (PNF1), significantly expands microvascular networks in vivo following sustained release from poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLAGA) films. In addition, to probe PNF1 mode of action, we recently applied a novel pathway-based compendium analysis to a multi-timepoint, controlled microarray data set of PNF1-treated (vs. control) human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVECs), and we identified induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and, subsequently, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) signaling networks by PNF1. Here we validate this microarray data set with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Subsequently, we probe this data set and identify three specific TGF-beta-induced genes with regulation by PNF1 conserved over multiple timepoints-amyloid beta (A4) precursor protein (APP), early growth response 1 (EGR-1), and matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14 or MT1-MMP)-that are also implicated in angiogenesis. We further focus on MMP14 given its unique role in angiogenesis, and we validate MT1-MMP modulation by PNF1 with an in vitro fluorescence assay that demonstrates the direct effects that PNF1 exerts on functional metalloproteinase activity. We also utilize endothelial cord formation in collagen gels to show that PNF1-induced stimulation of endothelial cord network formation in vitro is in some way MT1-MMP-dependent. Ultimately, this new network analysis of our transcriptional footprint characterizing PNF1 activity 1-48 h post-supplementation in HMVECs coupled with corresponding validating experiments suggests a key set of a few specific targets that are involved in PNF1 mode of action and important for successful promotion of the neovascularization that we have observed by the drug in vivo.
Reduce growth rate of light-duty vehicle travel to meet 2050 global climate goals

Strong policies to constrain increasing global use of light-duty vehicles (cars and light trucks) should complement fuel efficiency and carbon intensity improvements in order to meet international greenhouse gas emission and climate targets for the year 2050.
Double‐crested cormorant distribution on catfish aquaculture in the Yazoo River Basin of Mississippi

Estimating the catfish aquaculture production losses that can be attributed to double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) has proved problematic because knowledge of the distribution of cormor- ants on catfish aquaculture is lacking. We evaluated use versus availability of various production pond types and landscape-scale factors affecting the distribution of cormorants on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) aquaculture facilities in Mississippi, USA. Cormorant distribution on aquaculture pond types indicated selection against brood-fish ponds, neutral selection on fingerling ponds, and selection for food-fish ponds (n ¼ 29, Chesson's a ¼ 0.19, 0.36, and 0.45, respectively). Modeled and validated correct classification rate (CCR) of general linear mixed models of cormorant occupancy of clusters of catfish ponds indicated seasonality of use and roost distance from aquaculture ponds was predictive (CCR ¼ 81% and 71%, respectively). Modeled and validated ordinal models of levels of use (low, moderate, high) were less predictive (CCR ¼ 67% and 59%, respectively). However, predictability within use levels for the validation data set was mixed, ranging from 0.19 to 0.86. Odds ratios indicate both higher risk of occupancy and levels of use over the period February-April relative to October. Management efforts targeted during this time frame will have the greatest impact in reducing depredation losses. The majority of cormorants occurred on food-fish ponds. Consequently estimates of economic loss should be revisited and refined based on distributional information provided in this study. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Effects of Dissolved Transition Metals on the Electrochemical Performance and SEI Growth in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Transition metal dissolution is one of the major causes of capacity and power fade in lithium-ion batteries employing transition metal oxides in the positive electrode. Accelerated testing was accomplished by introducing transition-metal salts in the electrolyte in order to study the effects of dissolution on performance. It is shown that metal dissolution causes a reduction in capacity and cycle stability in full cells. The SEI layer resistance in the negative electrode of full cells increases with increasing concentration of transition metal salts. The growth of the SEI layer is non-uniform and is believed to be caused by the reduction of transition metal species in the negative electrode leading to an increase in inorganic component of the SEI layer. © The Author(s) 2014. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse of the work in any
Conformal K band array performance prediction based on improved element modeling

This paper addresses the prediction of conformal array far field performance with improved precision. The approach is based on the development of high accuracy radiating element models. Focusing on conformal open waveguide arrays, new high accuracy open waveguide models have been developed utilizing excellent fidelity measured data. These models are then employed to quite accurately predict overall far field pattern response. These results are compared with measured far field array data to illustrate the efficacy of the method.
Ancient Baffles and Modern Times: Teaching Ultimate Questions

A special challenge of theology courses in the private liberal arts college is the ability to maintain an institutional commitment to identifiable moral and religious values while at the same time respecting the personal and academic integrity of a pluralistic student body. The Ultimate Questions course has been constructed to introduce such students to fundamental religious questions, problems and critiques and to demonstrate that these considerations begin in a wide variety of human experiences, activities and conceptualizations. Having depended on such thinkers as Tillich and Rahner to suggest that the religious problem is ultimately the human question, the course turns to an investigation of mainline Christian doctrine, worship and praxis as distinctive responses to the ultimate questions.
Electric field effect thermoelectric transport in individual silicon and germanium/silicon nanowires

We have simultaneously measured conductance and thermoelectric power (TEP) of individual silicon and germanium/silicon core/shell nanowires in the field effect transistor device configuration. As the applied gate voltage changes, the TEP shows distinctly different behaviors while the electrical conductance exhibits the turn-off, subthreshold, and saturation regimes, respectively. At room temperature, peak TEP value of ∼300 μV/K is observed in the subthreshold regime of the Si devices. The temperature dependence of the saturated TEP values is used to estimate the carrier doping of Si nanowires.
Implications of European Disintegration for International Law

The European debt crisis that started in 2009 has revealed underlying structural problems in the European Monetary Union that threaten the viability of the common currency in its current form. An unraveling of monetary coordination in Europe would mark a significant event of disintegration in the face of a decades-long trend of integration that was commonly considered to be an inevitable and self-sustaining process. This Article argues that even a reasonable possibility of disintegration of this magnitude upsets previous theories about European integration that over-emphasized the EU’s “supranational” character. More generally, disintegration poses serious problems across the spectrum of international law scholarship, much of which has organized itself around the historically contingent trend of integration as if it were an ahistorical given. The debt crisis reveals that the European example is used by both “Skeptical” and “Cosmopolitan” international law scholars as a rhetorical strategy that conceals fundamental weaknesses of both viewpoints in their debate over the limits and promise of international legal cooperation.