cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
XPM-induced control signal degradation for DOP and RF-power-based PMD monitors in WDM systems

We statistically investigate and compare the effect of XPM on two monitoring control signals, DOP and half bit rate frequency component power, for NRZ and RZ signals in a 10 Gb/s WDM system.
Peer Comparison of XSEDE and NCAR Publication Data

We present a framework that compares the publication impact based on a comprehensive peer analysis of papers produced by scientists using XSEDE and NCAR resources. The analysis is introducing a percentile ranking based approach of citations of the XSEDE and NCAR papers compared to peer publications in the same journal that do not use these resources. This analysis is unique in that it evaluates the impact of the two facilities by comparing the reported publications from them to their peers from within the same journal issue. From this analysis, we can see that papers that utilize XSEDE and NCAR resources are cited statistically significantly more often. Hence we find that reported publications indicate that XSEDE and NCAR resources exert a strong positive impact on scientific research.
What Is an Intellectual "Turn"? The Liber de Causis, Avicenna, and Aquinas's Turn to Phantasms

This paper seeks to elucidate Aquinas’s “turn to phantasms” by investigating what he means by “turning”. It argues that the key to the underlying conceptual framework of “intellectual turning” is found in two Islamic sources that were immensely influential on thirteenth - century Latin philosophical psychology, and that present specific technical concepts of “turning” as a kind of dependence: the anonymous Liber de causis , and the Persian philosopher Avicenna’s Liber de anima . This paper, then, aims at recovering this underlying historical paradigm, by examining how these two key sources conceive of “turning” and how Aquinas incorporates their insights into his account of the “turn to phantasms”.
Potential Ergogenic Effects of Arginine and Creatine Supplementation

The rationale for the use of nutritional supplements to enhance exercise capacity is based on the assumption that they will confer an ergogenic effect above and beyond that afforded by regular food ingestion alone. The proposed or advertised ergogenic effect of many supplements is based on a presumptive metabolic pathway and may not necessarily translate to quantifiable changes in a variable as broadly defined as exercise performance. L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid that has received considerable attention due to potential effects on growth hormone secretion and nitric oxide production. In some clinical circumstances (e.g., burn injury, sepsis) in which the demand for arginine cannot be fully met by de novo synthesis and normal dietary intake, exogenous arginine has been shown to facilitate the maintenance of lean body mass and functional capacity. However, the evidence that supplemental arginine may also confer an ergogenic effect in normal healthy individuals is less compelling. In contrast to arginine, numerous studies have reported that supplementation with the arginine metabolite creatine facilitates an increase in anaerobic work capacity and muscle mass when accompanied by resistance training programs in both normal and patient populations. Whereas improvement in the rate of phosphocreatine resynthesis is largely responsible for improvements in acute work capacity, the direct effect of creatine supplementation on skeletal muscle protein synthesis is less clear. The purpose of this review is to summarize the role of arginine and its metabolite creatine in the context of a nutrition supplement for use in conjunction with an exercise stimulus in both healthy and patient populations.
STRESS FRACTURES OF THE HUMERUS, RADIUS, AND TIBIA IN HORSES: Clinical Features and Radiographic and/or Scintigraphic Appearance

The medical records, radiographic and nuclear scintigraphic findings of 26 racing horses with 27 stress fracture episodes of the humerus, radius, or tibia were reviewed. The purposes of this study were to describe the radiographic and/or scintigraphic features of stress fractures of the humerus, radius, or tibia, and to evaluate the signalment and history of horses in which stress fracture occurred. Stress fractures of the three long bones examined were primarily seen in 2-and 3-year-old male Thoroughbred horses; commonly, the onset of lameness was immediately following training gallops or racing. There were 13 humeral stress fracture episodes in 12 horses. Ten were in the proximal caudolateral cortex, and three were in the distal craniomedial cortex. Radial stress fractures were seen in three horses, all in the midshaft radius. Tibial stress fractures were diagnosed in 11 horses. They were located in the proximal lateral tibia in six horses, the distal caudolateral tibia in three horses, and the midshaft tibia in three horses. Fifteen stress fractures were diagnosed with radiographs alone, one was diagnosed with scintigraphy alone, nine were diagnosed with radiographs and scintigraphy, and, in two horses, radiographs were negative, but the scintigraphic findings were consistent with stress fracture.
A Murine Model for Central Nervous System Leukemia and Its Possible Relevance to Human Leukemia

Treatment of a transplantable leukemia in AKR mice with both amphotericin B and 1,3-Bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea cured a significant percentage of animals with advanced disease. Some long-term survivors developed paralysis, and they invariably demonstrated central nervous system (CNS) leukemia. Some of these animals had a systemic relapse of their leukemia, and the CNS appeared to act as a focus for systemic dissemination. The occurrence patterns and histopathologic features of the CNS leukemia in the long-term survivors were strikingly similar to those observed in humans with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Redetermination of di-μ-hydrido-hexa­hydridotetra­kis(tetra­hydro­furan)dialuminium(III)magnesium(II)

The structure of the title compound, [Mg(AlH4)2(C4H8O)4], has been redetermined at 150 K. The MgII ion is hexa­coordinated to four tetra­hydro­furan (THF) ligands, and two AlH4− anions through bridging H atoms. The Al—H distances are more precise compared to those previously determined [Noth et al. (1995). Chem. Ber. 128, 999–1006; Fichtner & Fuhr (2002). J. Alloys Compd, 345, 386–396]. The mol­ecule has twofold rotation symmetry.
Determining the provenance of native copper artifacts from Northeastern North America : evidence from instrumental neutron activation analysis

Abstract The emergence of archaeological interest in native copper in the mid-1800s developed in concert with explanations that privileged the Lake Superior area over other potential sources of copper. Most scholars have thus assumed that when copper artifacts first appeared in Northeastern North America, they arrived as finished implements or were locally made from Lake Superior raw materials. Procurement models that point to Lake Superior as the sole source of native copper have been widely accepted in the absence of systematic large-scale testing. This article evaluates the dominant model for native copper procurement and presents trace element data derived from instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) to determine whether hunter-gatherers in the Northeast utilized one dominant source of copper or in fact exploited a number of geological deposits. I specifically report on the chemical characterization of copper from 13 discrete geological deposits and 18 archaeological sites dating to the Late Archaic (ca. 5000–3000 B.P.) and Early Woodland (ca. 3000–2000 B.P.) periods to suggest that the dominant model for native copper procurement is oversimplified.
The religious appeals of transworth and transtrying

The so-called world religions arose in socially heterogeneous, intellectually competitive civilizations and have always been propagated by appeals that work powerfully on individuals in a relatively open communicative marketplace. 1 One kind of appeal they all make is to hold before the individual an ideal of life better than any life that can be taken for granted in ordinary unenlightened human reckoning. This religious life ideal is discontinuous with ordinary worldly life insofar as it offers a decisively superior alternative to it; at the same time, however, no one could recognize how the ideal saves or exalts a human life if the ideal did not somehow encompass ordinary reference points of practical evaluation. It might, for example, promise a glorious victory like that of a runner in a race, or a blissful union like that of lovers. The sense of the religious ideal depends, therefore, on an ordinary practical understanding of self, world, success, and happiness that it both departs from and trades on. My purpose in this essay is to sound out the relationship between an everyday understanding of “worthy” action associated with an orientation toward exerting oneself to achieve the best results, on the one hand, and the religious appeal of a categorically superior, hence “transworthy” life associated with a religiously definitive orientation toward what I will call “transtrying,” on the other. I make no claim of a priori necessity or universality for my conceptions of worth and transworth; I contend only that the two kinds of ideal do play important and related roles in much of the moral and religious thinking that we take most seriously, and especially in classic appeals of the world religions. I begin with an account of the place of trying and worth attribution in everyday practical evaluation. Then, under the practically appealing rubric of transworth, I describe and question two ideals for surpassing trying and worth, serenity and passion. As a final illustration of the relevance of this way of interpreting religious appeals, I show how it elucidates some key Pauline Christian ideas.
The photomagneton and photon helicity

Abstract It is shown that the real and physical Pauli-Lubansky pseudo-four-vector ( V μ ) dual to the electromagnetic four-tensor in free space is proportional to photon helicity. Therefore V μ is rigorously non-zero, showing that the photomagneton B (3) is rigorously non-zero in the theory of special relativity. In the conventional approach to free space electromagnetism, the photomagneton is at best not considered (because it is not a transverse wave), and at worst asserted to be zero. Physical effects are expected from the interaction of B (3) with matter. The vector V μ contains the expectation value ( B z ) of B (3) as its space-like and time-like component, i.e. V μ = ϵ 0 c (0,0, B z ,i B z ). The imaginary pseudo-four-vector W μ = −i ϵ 0 (0,0, E z ,i E z ) is dual to V μ in free space, but its components are unphysical because they are imaginary. Therefore B z in free space is dual to an imaginary and unphysical longitudinal electric field.
Advancing Computational Science Education through Xsede

There's a great need for computational science programs that prepare the current and next generation of researchers, educators, and practitioners to effectively utilize digital services in support of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Xsede helps facilitate the founding and expansion of such programs.
Instant Access to Fund Accounting Information

ABSTRACT One of the needs of selectors has been to obtain fund accounting information on demand. Most integrated library systems with acquisitions modules make it possible for selectors to view fund information online at their convenience. Fluctuations that occur in fund balances as orders are placed, invoiced, or canceled are more noticable when funds are frequently reviewed online. To help selectors interpret these fluctuations, acquisitions departments need to better define the timeframes or schedules for activities that cause these changes. At a medium-size academic library, arrangements were made for selectors to view fund records online in the DRA (Data Research Associates) acquisitions module. The steps followed are described along with other information to help selectors interpret fund transactions. Short cuts for running and printing the DRA Fund Nesting Report are also included.
Viral IRES RNA structures and ribosome interactions

In eukaryotes, protein synthesis initiates primarily by a mechanism that requires a modified nucleotide ‘cap’ on the mRNA and also proteins that recruit and position the ribosome. Many pathogenic viruses use an alternative, cap-independent mechanism that substitutes RNA structure for the cap and many proteins. The RNAs driving this process are called internal ribosome-entry sites (IRESs) and some are able to bind the ribosome directly using a specific 3D RNA structure. Recent structures of IRES RNAs and IRES–ribosome complexes are revealing the structural basis of viral IRES’ ‘hijacking’ of the protein-making machinery. It now seems that there are fundamental differences in the 3D structures used by different IRESs, although there are some common features in how they interact with ribosomes.
CAN CULTURAL COMPETENCE BE TAUGHT? EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF THE SOAP MODEL

This article discusses the Self and Other Awareness Project (SOAP) cultural competence development model and presents the results of a study that evaluated its impact on the racial attitudes of 110 undergraduate students enrolled in an undergraduate interdisciplinary Minority Groups course at a mid-sized public university in the Southeastern United States. Findings indicate that students experienced a statistically significant change in racial attitudes (measured by the Color-Blind Racial Attitudes Scale (Neville, Lilly, Duran, Lee, & Browne, 2000) from the beginning to the end of the course. Further analysis revealed that social work majors (n=30) were significantly more aware of racial privilege and blatant racial issues at the end of the course than they were at the beginning of the course.
Pelvic revascularization by direct hypogastric artery reconstruction.

Background While pelvic arterial insufficiency, either acute or chronic, results in stereotypic clinical findings which may readily be reversed by indirect techniques of revascularization, few reports document the indications for, techniques of, and results following direct pelvic revascularization by reconstruction of the hypogastric artery. Methods Retrospective review of 8 patients with symptomatic pelvic arterial insufficiency undergoing direct hypogastric artery reconstruction during the period from 1984 to 1995. Results Eight patients underwent unilateral hypogastric artery reconstruction by bypass graft (3 patients) or endarterectomy and patch angioplasty (5 patients). One patient had immediate symptomatic relief of his symptoms, but was lost to follow-up after 1 month. One patient manifested no symptomatic improvement despite a technically successful operation. The remaining 6 patients experienced significant symptomatic relief that has persisted during follow-up from 3 months to 11 years postoperatively. Among 4 men in whom erectile impotence comprised one of the indications for intervention, 3 reported sustained restoration of sexual function. Conclusion In properly selected patients, direct pelvic revascularization by hypogastric artery reconstruction may predictably and durably relieve symptoms of pelvic arterial insufficiency.
Synthetic studies of the ionophore antibiotic zincophorin. 2. Iterative sigmatropic construction of the C1–C11 subunit

Abstract Advanced intermediates 22 and 23 , representing the C 1 –C 11 subunit of the ionophore zincophorin, have been prepared by a scheme incorporating sequential glycolate Claisen and [2,3] Wittig rearrangements to establish the key structural and stereochemical elements of the title compound.
Electrochemical and Spectroelectrochemical Study of 7,7‘-Diapo-(7E,7‘Z)-diphenylcarotene

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed by adsorption of thiols onto gold provide a flexible method to study the electrochemical reactivity of 7,7‘-diapo-(7E,7‘Z)-diphenylcarotene (DDC) on such bar...
Cavitation erosion behavior of ceramics in aqueous solutions

Significant research has been done in the cavitation behavior of metallic alloys (steel, aluminum, etc.) and to a much lesser degree engineering ceramics. Corrosion will enhance cavitation damage in metallic alloys, whereas ceramics are generally considered to be immune to most types of corrosion and should demonstrate the same cavitation behavior regardless of media. This preliminary study evaluates the cavitation performance of several engineering ceramics (Al 2 O 3 , Si 3 N 4 , Macor™ (glass-mica) and ZrO 2 ) in various media, including: simulated sea water, distilled water and dilute acid and base. Cavitation testing was accomplished using an ultrasonic vibratory apparatus per ASTM G-32-03. Results indicate that Al 2 O 3 is influenced by basic solutions and the cavitation resistance of zirconia drops in the presence of acid. The glass-mica (Macor™) ceramic had the lowest cavitation resistance but was not influenced by the media. The relationship between the media, mechanical properties and microstructure of each ceramic and cavitation behavior is discussed.
Econometric forecasting: A brief survey of current and future techniques

Amongst the techniques discussed are (a) for univariate series, generalisations of Box-Jenkins auto-regressive-moving average models include-ing intervention analysis, non-linear models, and models with time varying parameters; (b) for single output, multiple input situations, causality testing, and diagnostic testing of alternative specifications using Lagrange multiplier tests; and (c) for multivariate cases, vector autoregressive models, order-selection criteria, Bayesian priors, and factor models. Co-integration and error-correction models are also introduced.
The long term adjustment of the patient with head and neck cancer following successful treatment: I. Work, social, and heterosexual activity levels

A number of patients were interviewed a year or more after successful termination of treatment for head and neck cancer. Their levels of adaptation were assessed, and it was found that the majority of patients are able to make an excellent long term level of adaptation. However, a significant number of patients failed to assimilate the stresses produced by their malignancy, leading to various problems. A good understanding of the patient's needs and resources provides assistance in caring for them, and in promoting the best possible level of rehabilitation.
Integrated Experimental-Numerical Approach for Estimating Asphalt Mixture Induction Healing Level through Discrete Element Modeling of a Single-Edge Notched Beam Test

AbstractThe induction healing effects have been experimentally investigated through the cyclic beam fracture and healing testing of asphalt mixture samples with conductive steel wool fibers. This study aims to investigate the healing level of asphalt mixture through the integrated work of laboratory experiment and numerical simulation. Nine single-edge notched beam (SENB) samples containing steel fibers were prepared and used for the laboratory fracture test. Afterward, three divided groups of fractured samples were subjected to the induction healing at controlled temperatures of 60°C, 80°C, and 100°C, respectively. Then the reloading fracture test was conducted with three groups of samples to measure the fracture strength recovery ratio (FSRR) after induction-healing process, which is defined as the ratio of the recovered peak load to the original peak load. The discrete element method (DEM) was utilized to simulate the beam fracture process. A fracture toughness-based bond healing model was used to simu...
Pattern of secretion of immunoreactive inhibin/activin subunits by avian granulosa cells.

Abstract The messenger RNA expression for the inhibin/activin subunits in the granulosa layer of avian follicles of different developmental stages has previously been reported. In the present study, we examined the pattern of secretion of these protein subunits from cultured granulosa cells (GC) of avian follicles of defined maturity. Laying hens were euthanized and the F 1 , F 2 , F 3 , F 4 , small yellow follicles (SYF; 6–10 mm) and large white follicles (LWF; 3–5 mm) were removed. GC were isolated from the follicles, plated by size at a density of 6.25 × 10 5 cells per well (3 wells per follicle size) and cultured for 48 h in medium 199 with 5% FBS, antibiotics, and 1.0 μg/ml bovine insulin. After 48 h, the cultures were terminated and the media were saved ( n = 6 replications). Proteins were precipitated from media, reconstituted for electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE), and analyzed by Western blot. Progesterone was also measured in the medium. For detection of the inhibin α-subunit, a rabbit antibody against the chicken inhibin α-subunit (1–26 aa) was used. The β A -subunit was detected with rabbit anti-β A -subunit (81–113 aa) and the β B -subunit was detected with rabbit anti-β B -subunit (80–112 aa). Under reduced conditions, GC from the larger follicle sizes (F 1 –F 4 ) secreted the most ( p A -subunit antibody in media from GC of the F 1 –F 4 follicles, suggesting secretion of intact inhibin A. Immunoreactive α-subunit and β B -subunit were detected under reduced conditions in media from the GC of the SYF, suggesting that this follicle population may secrete intact inhibin B. In addition, under non-reduced conditions, cells from the SYF secreted the greatest amount of intact inhibin B ( p 1 follicle was greatest and was decreased in media from smaller follicles. It is suggested that the largest follicles in the hierarchy are the source of most circulating intact inhibin A while the small follicles are the source of intact inhibin B.
The intracellular calcium antagonist, TMB-8, inhibits prolactin gene expression in GH3 cells

We examined the effects of the drug, TMB-8, which promotes sequestration of intracellular Ca2+, on the ability of extracellular Ca2+ to stimulate prolactin gene expression in GH3 cells. TMB-8 inhibited prolactin mRNA levels in a dose-dependent manner in the concentration range of 2.5-10 microM. Prolactin mRNA levels were increased about 18-fold by the addition of 0.1 mM CaCl2, and about 25-fold by the addition of 0.4 mM CaCl2. Addition of 10 microM TMB-8 reduced these levels to about 4-fold and 7-fold, respectively. At 10 microM TMB-8 did not effect total protein synthesis or the Ca2+-induced aggregation of the cells, indicating a selective inhibition by the drug of prolactin gene expression. Both TMB-8 and the calmodulin inhibitor, calmidazolium, reversed the effects of Ca2+ on prolactin mRNA levels in cells that had been pretreated for 2 days with 0.4 mM CaCl2.
Derivation and study of human epithelial cell lines resistant to killing by chromium trioxide.

CrO3 is cytotoxic for human epithelial 293 kidney cells over a narrow concentration range of ∼2–8 μM (D50 ∼3.0 μM); significantly greater toxicity is observed in clonogenic assays (D50 ∼0.1–1.0 μM). Survival of a small fraction of cells (≤0.1%) at CrO3 concentrations between 10−5 to 10−3 M, and first-order kinetics of cytotoxicity, rationalized the derivation of a new panel of transformed human epithelial cell lines resistant to cytotoxic concentrations of CrO3 over the range of 5–100 μM. Wild-type and Cr-resistant 293 cell lines display similar morphology under phase microscopy, but wild-type cells grow faster and reach stationary phase sooner than Cr-resistant cells. The Cr-resistant phenotype is stable, and it is specific, since Cr-resistant cells are killed by NiSO4 or by CdCl2 at concentrations equivalent to those that kill wild-type cells. Toxicity analysis curves subjected to target theory suggest that the Crresistant cell lines have fewer Cr-sensitive “targets” and have undergone a “loss of functi...
Low levels of expression of wild type Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki cryIA (c) sequences in transgenic walnut somatic embryos

Abstract Insecticidal crystal protein fragments (ICPFs) of Bacillus thuringiensis encoded by cry IA (c) and cry IA (b) were previously shown to be lethal to key target walnut insect pests (codling moth, navel orangeworm and Indianmeal moth). One of these genes, cry IA (c), was used to transform walnut somatic embryos using a binary vector (pWB139) in which this gene was expressed as a protein fusion with the kanamycin resistance gene from bacteria. Transgenic embryos representing individual transformation events were germinated to produce shoots that were maintained as micropropagated shoot lines in the laboratory. Transgenic shoots were then grafted onto seedling rootstocks and transplanted into the field. DNA analysis (Southern blotting) demonstrated that these shoots were transformed by pWB139 or by the control construct pWB149 (which does not contain the cry IA (c) gene). Insect feeding trials of walnut embryos grown in vitro and infested with neonatal Indianmeal moth, codling moth or navel orangeworm larvae showed non-significant mortality; confirming insufficient or incomplete expression of ICPs in the transgenic embryos. Therefore, transformation of somatic walnut embryos with the vector pWB139 was ineffective in protecting the embryos from damage by lepidopteran insect larvae.
The Evolving Role of Hemodilution in Treatment of Cerebral Vasospasm: A Historical Perspective

Objective Hypertension, hypervolemia, and hemodilution [HHH] therapy is widely used for prophylactic and therapeutic means in the setting of angiographic or clinical cerebral vasospasm. Hemodilution remains the most controversial aspect of the HHH therapy. Methods We performed a literature review to identify the current state of support for hemodilution as a therapeutic modality in treatment of cerebral vasospasm. Results Over time, evidence has been accumulating against the efficacy of HHH therapy and hemodilution in particular. Although HHH therapy and consequently hemodilution has wide support, the evidence for its effectiveness remains equivocal. Conclusions At the time of this study, the burden of evidence appears to be tipped away from hemodilution as a therapeutic modality.
Light vector mesons and the dielectron continuum in PHENIX

The PHENIX experiment at RHIC has measured the dielectron continuum and the ω and ϕ light vector mesons using hadronic and dielectron decay channels in √s NN = 200 GeV p+p, d+Au, Cu+Cu and Au+Au collisions. The ω and ϕ mesons experience no strong cold nuclear matter effects but in central heavy ion collisions their yields are suppressed at high pT , extending to intermediate pT for the ϕ . The comparison of the ω and ϕ suppression to the suppression of other hadrons suggests parton energy loss for high pT mesons and favors a recombination production mechanism for intermediate pT ϕ mesons. The dielectron continuum shows a low mass excess in central Au+Au and Cu+Cu collisions while the p+p and d+Au spectra agree with their respective cocktails. The low mass excess consists of a high pT thermal virtual photon component and a much larger low pT component.
Endogenous Mycoflora of Gable‐top Carton Paperboard Used for Packaging Fruit Juice

Studies were undertaken to isolate and identify filamentous fungi from gable-top cartons used for fruit juice packaging. All containers studied were food-grade, gable-top cartons composed of paperboard with various laminants and coextruded layers. Paperboard fibers from surface sterilized pieces of blank (unfilled) cartons harbored 40 species of 14 genera and 6 Mycelia Sterilia isolates. A parallel study of juice-filled cartons revealed 10 filamentous species and 3 Mycelia Sterilia isolates from deteriorated areas of the paperboard cartons. Three of 9 juice-filled cartons contained mycelial mats of Penicillium biforme and Penicillium spinulosum within the juice. These two species were also isolated from the paperboard.
An efficient bacterial bioluminescence with reduced lumichrome.

Summary Photoreduced lumichrome reacts in vitro with oxygen in the presence of tetradecanal and a specially purified sample of bacterial luciferase selected for minimum fluorescence at 490 nm upon 350 nm excitation from Vibrio harveyi yielding a rapidly decaying bioluminescence with an emission maximum at 476 nm. This emission is spectrally similar to the fluorescence spectrum of oxidized lumichrome. Less purified luciferase samples possessing appreciable fluorescence in the 490 nm region invariably gave bioluminescence at 490 nm. These results are interpreted in terms of an energy transfer mechanism.
Origin of the dust bunny distribution in ecological community data

The distribution of sample units in multivariate species space typically departs strongly from the multivariate normal distribution. Instead of forming a hyperellipse in species space, the sample points tend to lie along high-dimensional edges of the space. This dust bunny distribution is seen in most ecological community datasets. The practical consequences of the distribution to the analysis of community data are well known and severe, but no one has demonstrated how population processes generate these problems. We evaluate potential causes of dust bunny distributions by simulating a large number of non-equilibrial communities under varying conditions, verifying that they resemble real data, then analyzing the relationship between the intensity of the dust bunny distribution in these datasets and the population and environmental parameters that gave rise to them. All community datasets, both simulated and real, departed strongly from multivariate normal and lognormal distributions. Four parameters influenced intensity of dust bunnies: time since community-replacing disturbance, number of environmental factors, dispersal limitation, and niche width. Samples measured soon after community-replacing disturbance had strong dust bunny distributions. Near-equilibrial communities sampled from a narrow range in environments lead to only weak dust bunnies. Community samples taken across multiple simultaneous strong environmental gradients are likely to show strong dust bunnies, regardless of the successional state, niche width of the component species, and degree of dispersal limitation. Dust bunny intensity depends not only on population processes and disturbance, but also on the properties of the sample, such as sample unit area or volume.
The influence of group size and neighbors on vigilance in two species of arboreal monkeys

(Acc. 5-VIII-1997) Summary In theory, one of the main benefits of group-living is the sharing of vigilance among groupmates. However, data on scanning in redtail and red colobus monkeys indicate that only one class of individuals in each species derives clear benefits from shared vigilance. Moreover, the expected negative relationship between individual scanning and social group size was not met in these monkeys. Nor was time spent scanning influenced by the sex or species composition of groups. Shared vigilance was observed only among red colobus adult males and redtail adult females and only when they had neighbors within 2 m. Red colobus adult males saved 10% of their scanning time when they had one neighbor within 2 m, while redtail adult females saved 16% of their time under the same conditions. No other age-sex class demonstrated a significant decrease. The role of near neighbors has been underemphasized in previous work on grouping and vigilance, an oversight made more serious because of the often confounded relationship between spatial cohesion and group size. In redtails, but not in red colobus, the number of neighbors within 2 m was significantly positively correlated with group size. This prompts the hypothesis that the inconsistency and poor explanatory power of group size in studies
Extraordinary diversity in vasopressin (V1a) receptor distributions among wild prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster): patterns of variation and covariation.

The vasopressin V1a receptor is a gene known to be central to species differences in social behavior, including differences between the monogamous prairie vole and its promiscuous congeners. To examine how individual differences compare with species differences, we characterize variability in the expression of the vasopressin V1a receptor (V1aR) in a large sample of wild prairie voles. We find a surprising degree of intraspecific variation in V1aR binding that does not seem attributable to experimental sources. Most brain regions exhibit differences between upper and lower quartiles that are comparable to differences between species in this genus. Regions that are less variable have been implicated previously in regulating monogamous behaviors, suggesting that the lack of variation at these sites could reflect natural selection on mating system. Many brain regions covary strongly. The overall pattern of covariation reflects the developmental origins of brain regions. This finding suggests that shared mechanisms of transcriptional regulation may limit the patterns of gene expression. Such biases may shape both the efficacy of selection and the pattern of individual and species differences. Overall, our data indicate that the prairie vole would be a useful model for exploring how individual differences in gene expression influence complex social behaviors. J. Comp. Neurol. 466:564–576, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Satellite sounder-based OLR, cloud, and atmospheric temperature climatologies for climate analyses

Global energy balance of the Earth-atmosphere system may change due to natural and man-made climate variations. For example, changes in the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) can be regarded as a crucial indicator of climate variations. Clouds play an important role -still insufficiently assessed in the global energy balance on all spatial and temporal scales, and satellites provide an ideal platform to measure cloud and large-scale atmospheric variables simultaneously. The TOVS series of satellites were the first to provide this type of information since 1979. OLR [Mehta and Susskind], cloud cover and cloud top pressure [Susskind et al] are among the key climatic parameters computed by the TOVS Pathfinder Path-A algorithm using mainly the retrieved temperature and moisture profiles. AIRS, regarded as the new and improved TOVS , has a much higher spectral resolution and greater S/N ratio, retrieving climatic parameters with higher accuracy. First we present encouraging agreements between MODIS and AIRS cloud top pressure (C(sub tp) and effective (A(sub eff), a product of infrared emissivity at 11 microns and physical cloud cover or A(sub c)) cloud fraction seasonal and interannual variabilities for selected months. Next we present validation efforts and preliminary trend analyses of TOVS-retrieved C(sub tp) and A(sub eff). For example, decadal global trends of the TOVS Path-A and ISCCP-D2 P(sub c), and A(sub eff)/A(sub c), values are similar. Furthermore, the TOVS Path-A and ISCCP-AVHRR [available since 19831 cloud fractions correlate even more strongly, including regional trends. We also present TOVS and AIRS OLR validation effort results and (for the longer-term TOVS Pathfinder Path-A dataset) trend analyses. OLR interannual spatial variabilities from the available state-of-the-art CERES measurements and both from the AIRS [Susskind et al] and TOVS OLR computations are in remarkably good agreement. Global monthly mean CERES and TOVS OLR time series show very good agreement in absolute values also. Finally, we will assess correlations among long-term trends of selected parameters, derived simultaneously from the TOVS Pathfinder Path-A datase
School transitions: beginning of the end or a new beginning?

Abstract Moving from elementary to middle/junior high school or from middle/junior high to high school is difficult for most students and especially problematic for some. This chapter explores the reasons that these transitions are difficult, the kinds of students that have the greatest difficulty with transitions, and the process of disengagement from school that too often follows unsuccessful transitions. Facilitating successful transitions requires that attention be paid to students’ preparedness for the transition and the kinds of support students need before, during, and after the transition. The chapter concludes with a series of recommendations for facilitating successful transitions.
Effects of extreme low flows on freshwater shrimps in a perennial tropical stream.

1. Long-term data on rainfall suggests that perennial rainforest streams rarely are subject to drying of riffles or pools in the wet, non-seasonal Caribbean climate of Puerto Rico. Unusually low rainfall in 1994 caused some headwater riffles to dry out completely, resulting in isolated pools, reduced pool volumes and loss of access to microhabitats by benthic invertebrates. 2. From 1992 to 1998, shrimp populations were sampled bimonthly using baited traps in six pools along 1200 m (from 305 to 480 m in altitude) of Quebrada Prieta, a second-order headwater stream in the Luquillo Experimental Forest (Caribbean National Forest). 3. Following contraction of the smaller and shallower pools in the most upstream section of the stream, mean densities of the dominant shrimp (Atya lanipes) increased from 22 to 75 shrimp m -2 of pool area during the 1994 drought year. A second common species (Xiphocaris elongata) increased from 5 to 14 shrimp m -2 . A smaller percentage of adults of both species was gravid during the drought. 4. Following the 1994 drought (1995-1998), densities of both shrimp species and reproductive activity of Atya returned to predrought (1990-1993) levels. However, the reproductive activity of Xiphocaris remained lower than in the predrought period. 5. It is suggested that prolonged droughts, even in tropical rainforest biomes, may significantly alter aquatic communities through localised crowding effects resulting from habitat contraction, and lead to prolonged decreases in reproductive output. Consequently, major alterations in aquatic populations and communities would be predicted by current climate change scenarios of decreased total rainfall and increased variability.
Understanding consumer's brand categorization across three countries: Application of fuzzy rule-based classification

Abstract In multi-brand situations, people categorize all known brands into subsets called consideration, hold, foggy and reject sets. This is the Brisoux–Laroche model. Traditional brand categorization models including this, assume that consumers can properly categorize each brand into these subsets. However, a brand with both perceived positive and negative attributes increases the difficulty for a consumer to decide about the placement into subsets. This study investigates consumers' brand categorization when a brand has both perceived positive and negative attributes. We propose that a brand may belong to more than one subset (decision fuzziness). Using fuzzy-rule-based classification, this is investigated across three cultures (Chinese, Japanese and Kazakhstan) and two product categories: Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) and beer. The findings confirm that decision fuzziness varies across cultures. Chinese consumers have less decision fuzziness for foreign brands than for local brands in the QSR market. In general, the opposite is found to be true for Japanese and Kazakh consumers.
Regulation of muscarinic ligand binding sites by nerve growth factor in PC12 phaeochromocytoma cells

The rat phaeochromocytoma cell line PC12 (ref. 1) possesses many characteristics of adrenal chromaffin cells, including the ability to synthesize, store and release catecholamines in response to acetylcholine and other depolarizing agents2–4. When exposed to 2.5S nerve growth factor (NGF), PC12 cells cease to divide, and exhibit a number of neurone-like characteristics, including the extension of neurites, development of voltage-sensitive ion channels and electrical excitability, and increased capacity to synthesize and release acetylcholine3–8. Biochemical and pharmacological evidence indicates that both adrenal chromaffin cells and sympathetic neurones contain, in addition to ganglionic-type nicotinic receptors, muscarinic cholinergic receptors proposed to modulate catecholamine release9–13. Catecholamine release from PC12 cells is directly stimulated by nicotinic, but not muscarinic, cholinergic agonists3. Although ion flux through acetylcholine-activated channels in PC12 cells is inhibited by high concentrations of the potent muscarinic antagonist quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB)14, the possibility that these cells may contain functional muscarinic receptors has been largely overlooked. We show here that PC12 cells contain saturable, high-affinity binding sites for 3H-(—)-quinuclidinyl benzilate (3H-QNB), which seem pharmacologically comparable with muscarinic receptors described in rodent brain15,16, smooth muscle17,18 and adrenal medulla12. Moreover, treatment with NGF produces a marked elevation of specific 3H-QNB binding. PC12 cells thus may provide a useful system for investigating the biochemical mechanisms, cellular distribution and regulation of muscarinic receptors by hormones and trophic signals.
Effect of acute ammonia intoxication on energy stores in the cerebral reticular activating system

Ammonia intoxication causes loss of consciousness. One postulated mechanism for this stipulates impaired energy metabolism in critical brain sites. The ascending reticular activating system in the brainstem may modulate consciousness. Accordingly, the present study, using micromethods, assessed energy stores in cells from the reticular activating system of mice acutely intoxicated with ammonia. In the early coma period (3.5 min after ammonia) phosphocreatine, adenosine triphosphate and glucose fell significantly while glycogen decreased later. Subsequently during coma, the high energy phosphates returned to normal and supranormal. The maximal fall in these metabolites was not accompanied by a rise in lactate, implying lack of local hypoxia or acidosis. The cells of the posterior colliculus in the same animals failed to show a significant fall in energy stores. These data suggest a selective effect of ammonia on energy metabolism in the cells of the reticular activating system of the brainstem.
Hamilton-decomposable graphs and digraphs of infinite valence

Abstract We show any regular graph of infinite valence that has a two-way-infinite Hamiltonian path either is ∞-connected or can be constructed in a simple way by combining two ∞-connected graphs. We also consider directed graphs: we come close to a characterization of those digraphs that can be decomposed into infinitely many two-way-infinite Hamilton paths.
A Palestinian–Israeli public assembly and the American black church: two grassroots efforts to build the foundations of a decent social order

This paper draws lessons from the role played by the black church in creating support for the US civil rights movement in relation to the struggle to involve the Palestinian and the Israeli people directly in the peacemaking efforts to resolve their tragic conflict. The civil rights struggle in both the US and South Africa eventually engaged large segments of the public in both productive debate and campaigning. The corresponding impetus now is to create a major Palestinian–Israeli public negotiating congress that can involve ordinary citizens on both sides in the peacemaking efforts. The Minds of Peace Experiment, a small-scale Palestinian–Israeli public negotiating assembly, is designed to demonstrate the peacemaking power of a subsequent major congress. The exercise, which has been conducted around the US, Canada, and the Middle East, succeeded in creating peacemaking coalitions that are based on commitment to promote the culture of peace. The question is: how can you transform this peacemaking effect ...
Numerical solution of the Fokker Planck equation using moving finite elements

Numerical solution of the Fokker Planck equation for the probability density function of a stochastic process by traditional finite difference or finite element methods produces erroneous oscillations and negative values whenever the drift is large compared to the diffusion. Upwinding schemes to eliminate the oscillations introduce false numerical diffusion because it is impossible to make the one step drift large enough to match the original equation without making the one step diffusion too large. A variation of the moving finite element method is presented that overcomes these difficulties by using basis functions that satisfy the drift part of the equation by moving along the trajectories of the deterministic dynamical system associated with the stochastic process. A Galerkin type method can then be used to find the coefficients in the remaining pure diffusion equation. Solutions of two test equations are presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the method.
Viral Mimicry of Cdc2/Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 1 Mediates Disruption of Nuclear Lamina during Human Cytomegalovirus Nuclear Egress

The nuclear lamina is a major obstacle encountered by herpesvirus nucleocapsids in their passage from the nucleus to the cytoplasm (nuclear egress). We found that the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-encoded protein kinase UL97, which is required for efficient nuclear egress, phosphorylates the nuclear lamina component lamin A/C in vitro on sites targeted by Cdc2/cyclin-dependent kinase 1, the enzyme that is responsible for breaking down the nuclear lamina during mitosis. Quantitative mass spectrometry analyses, comparing lamin A/C isolated from cells infected with viruses either expressing or lacking UL97 activity, revealed UL97-dependent phosphorylation of lamin A/C on the serine at residue 22 (Ser22). Transient treatment of HCMV-infected cells with maribavir, an inhibitor of UL97 kinase activity, reduced lamin A/C phosphorylation by approximately 50%, consistent with UL97 directly phosphorylating lamin A/C during HCMV replication. Phosphorylation of lamin A/C during viral replication was accompanied by changes in the shape of the nucleus, as well as thinning, invaginations, and discrete breaks in the nuclear lamina, all of which required UL97 activity. As Ser22 is a phosphorylation site of particularly strong relevance for lamin A/C disassembly, our data support a model wherein viral mimicry of a mitotic host cell kinase activity promotes nuclear egress while accommodating viral arrest of the cell cycle.
Design and demonstration of an optical field programmable gate array

The design, demonstration and evaluation of a general purpose, field programmable smart pixel based photonic information processing system is presented. This novel architecture incorporates photoreceiver cells into a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Implemented with a photonic VLSI technology the device is suitable for prototyping photonic information processing systems. We report here on the photoreceiver design methodology and measure device performance.
In Vitro Ceftriaxone Susceptibility in Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of invasive infections in both hospital and community settings. Beta-lactams, specifically oxacillin, nafcillin, and cefazolin, are the drugs of choice against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). At our institution, ceftriaxone is commonly