cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
U.S. multiculturalism and the concept of culture

U.S. multiculturalism often relies upon a hegemonic and essentializing conception of culture. This culture concept separates the study of the familiar from the study of the exotic; represents diversity as a set of discrete and homogeneous units ("cultures"); divides and allots history to living persons on the basis of contemporary identities; conflates culture and race; and obscures the mutual shaping of racial distinctions and class relations. As a result, it limits both criticism of established social institutions and the imagination of alternative social orders. Finding related arguments in Lani Guinier's critique of recent efforts to expand minority electoral enfranchisement, we conclude that this essentializing culture concept is not adequate for the task of contesting the majority tyranny that continues to plague U.S. society.
An economical, deployable and secure vehicular ad hoc network

With the significant development of wireless technologies, vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET) has gradually become the killing application for automobile industry. Many VANET systems have been developed in recent years. However, the majority of them have the assumption that all or most vehicles have wireless communication devices installed along with an elaborate road side infrastructure. This assumption is not true for the critical and long transition period when only a small portion of vehicles will be equipped with wireless communication devices (we refer them as smart vehicles) and limited roadside infrastructure will exist. In this paper, we present an economical, scalable and deployable VANET system design that could facilitate the gradual deployment of wireless communication among vehicles. Economical roadside service units (RSSU) that do not need expensive Internet access (especially in rural areas) can be incrementally deployed along critical road sections. They behave as traffic information storage and relay points to serve any passing by smart vehicles, while smart vehicles report/receive traffic information to/from RSSUs and relay information between RSSUs. In addition, RSSUs provide strong but economical information assurance to VANET similar to the public-key base Internet Web service-RSSUs behave like Web servers with certificates and vehicles behave like client computers. In this way, the mature Internet-like public-key infrastructure can be directly deployed in VANET without requiring digital certificate for every smart vehicle, which is complicated to manage and very expensive considering the huge vehicular population. We show that we can achieve connectivity with a high degree of confidence with a small number of smart vehicles and few RSSUs.
Effects of combined cold and hyperbaric oxygen storage on free flap survival.

We have previously reported that hyberbaric oxygen (HBO) improved the survival rate of experimental free flaps. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of combined hypothermia and HBO administered during storage on free flaps and on the xanthine oxidase system in rats. Epigastric skin flaps were stored cold for 48 and 72 hours either in room air or under HBO (2.9 atmospheres absolute, 100% oxygen) before free flap transfer. The success rates of free flaps were 80% (8/10) after 48 hours and 20% (2/10) after 72 hours of cold storage in room air. HBO produced no effect after 48 hours but significantly increased the success rate to 70% (7/10) after 72 hours of cold storage. Tissue hypoxanthine (plus xanthine) levels increased to 210% of normal after 48 hours of cold storage in room air and to 176% in HBO. Elevated hypoxanthine levels returned toward normal by 72 hours of cold storage in room air, while the increased levels remained under HBO. Xanthine oxidase activities significantly increased by 60 to 80% during 72 hours of room air storage. HBO treatment inhibited xanthine oxidase activity to 48% of normal by 72 hours of storage. Free flaps exhibited no significant alterations in GR and G6PDH activity after 48 hours of cold storage in room air or HBO. After 72 hours of cold storage, the room air control displayed a trend of decreasing GR activity and a significant 20% decrease in G6PDH activity, while HBO groups showed no significant alterations in both GR and G6PDH activity compared to normal. Protection of the antioxidative enzymes by hypothermia and inhibition of the xanthine oxidase activity by HBO appear to be one of the mechanisms of improved skin flap survival in free flaps. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Populations at risk for developing respiratory syncytial virus and risk factors for respiratory syncytial virus severity: infants with predisposing conditions.

According to National Vital Statistics Reports, premature infants (< 36 weeks gestation) account for approximately 7.4% of all births. During the 8 years from 1989 to 1997, multiple births steadily increased across all categories from twin to quintuplet and higher orders. During that same period low birth weight (< 2500 g) births increased almost 12%, and very low birth weight (< 1500 g) births increased approximately 20%.Attendant to these national trends in multiple and preterm births, overall gestation-specific survival rates have improved substantially. This improved outcome can be attributed in large measure to advances in neonatal care and technology. Despite the encouraging statistics on survival, infants born prematurely, at low or very low birth weights and/or with chronic conditions that predispose to lower respiratory tract illness, continue to incur serious risk of long term morbidity and the consumption of inpatient hospital services. In a recent 2-year study of US children, low and very low birth weights were found to be independent risk factors for bronchiolitis-associated mortality. In the past 14 years what defines bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD)/chronic lung disease (CLD) has shifted away from clinical, radiographic and pathologic findings in the preterm infant toward the pathophysiology of arrested lung development and the need for supportive care beyond 36 weeks corrected gestational age. The incidence of BPD/CLD ranges from 14 to 43%, with higher rates observed among infants of lower gestational age and birth weight. The health care team approach to the management of BPD directs its efforts toward minimizing pulmonary vascular resistance, alleviating airway obstruction and improving short term lung mechanics. Measures to prevent BPD/CLD attempt to forestall both acute and chronic lung function abnormalities. To that end researchers have investigated the early use of continuous positive airway pressure, vitamin supplementation and recombinant human copper/zinc superoxide dismutase. Despite significant gains in the survival of infants born at lower gestational ages, prematurity, low birth weight and/or underlying chronic pulmonary disease put the pediatric patient at risk for increased frequency and severity of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract illness and the potential for its long term sequelae.
Initial investigation of a scheme to use instantaneous CPU power consumption for energy savings format

The drive to extract peak performance from the modern computing platforms has lead to drastic increase in their energy and power consumption and thereby affecting the operating costs and failure rates. Modern processors provide techniques, such as dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) and CPU clock modulation (called throttling), to improve energy efficiency on-the-fly. Without careful application, however, DVFS and throttling may cause a significant performance loss due to the system overhead. Much research attempts to use these techniques by choosing a performance loss for the application, under which the energy savings are to be obtained. This paper discusses potential pitfalls of the performance-loss approach and proposes a frequency scaling scheme that is based on instantaneous CPU power consumption, and thus, avoids the need for the user to predefine performance tolerance. Preliminary experiments, performed on NAS benchmarks, show that the proposed scheme saves more energy than the approach based on the predefined performance loss.
Age does not impact risk for urethroplasty complications after tubularized incised plate repair of hypospadias in prepubertal boys

Abstract Objective Patients often present before or after the recommended age of 6–18 months for hypospadias repair. Reports indicate complications may increase when repair is delayed past 6–12 months of age. We questioned if age was an independent risk for urethroplasty complications (UC). Methods A prospectively maintained database of consecutive patients undergoing tubularized incised plate (TIP) repair was queried for age at surgery, primary or reoperative TIP, meatal location, glansplasty suture, and learning curve. The presence of UC (fistula, dehiscence, stricture, meatal stenosis) was analyzed with logistic regression. Results TIP repairs were performed for 669 consecutive prepubertal patients aged 3–144 months (mean 17.1, SD 22.5). Original meatal location was distal in 540 (80.7%), midshaft in 50 (7.5%), and proximal in 79 (11.8%). Reoperative TIP occurred in 73 (10.9%). UC occurred in 77 (11.5%). Reoperative TIP (OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.54–6.13) and meatal location (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.34–2.40) were the only independent risk factors for UC. Neither younger nor older age increased risk for UC. Conclusions Our data from consecutive TIP repairs in prepubertal children indicate age at surgery does not increase odds of UC. Surgery can be performed any time after 3 months (in full-term, healthy boys) without raising the rate of UC.
Rocky Jones: Case study of a high‐achieving black male's motivation to participate in gifted classes

An increased body of research on the recruitment and retention of Black students in gifted programs provides guidance for educators to understand factors that impact Black male under representation in gifted programs. A common concern among high school educators is that schools cannot keep Black males interested in gifted programs. Even in culturally diverse high schools, gifted Black males often do not want to take advanced level classes because they are accused by peers of “acting White”. This case study reveals that while rare, it is not impossible. This article uses a Participation Motivation Expectancy‐Value Model (PMEVM) to explain the motivation of Rocky Jones, a gifted Black male, and his choice to participate in his school's gifted program. Findings from interview and archival data are reported that inform Rocky's participation choice, and implications are drawn to enhance teachers’ efforts to increase Black males’ motivation and representation in gifted education.
Treatment of isolated pancreatic islets to reverse pancreatectomy-induced and insulin-dependent type I diabetes in humans : A 6-year experience

THE SUCCESSFUL isolation and subsequent auto.1 transplantation of islets into pancreatectomized patients has promulgated the possible use of this procedure for the treatment of insulin-dependent type I diabetes (IDOM).1.2 However, our inability to diagnose and promptly treat islet allograft rejection combined with the deleterious effects of currently used immunosuppressive agents have severely limited the clinical utility of this approach. In an attempt to evolve a universally applicable strategy for the surgical treatment of 100M, we at the Thomas E. Starzl Transplantation Institute have performed, between January 1990 and May 1996. 42 pancreatic islet cell transplantations. We report herein, the results of our 6-year experience with this procedure in humans and discuss some of the approaches that we have evolved that may assist in the successful engraftment of allotransplanted islets.
Political Culture and Political Symbolism: Toward a Theoretical Synthesis

The concept of political culture embraces some of the most basic, perennially fascinating concerns in behavioral political science; because of certain ambiguities in its theoretical formulation, however, there has been a tendency for the term to grow fuzzy with continued use. Its connection with related concepts, such as political psychology, political structure, and political language, has remained unclear, with the result that political culture has been difficult to isolate as an independent variable. Thus it has come to occupy a position on the periphery of politics, and is usually presumed to reinforce the status quo.This paper re-examines previous formulations of the concept and proposes a theoretical synthesis. The analytical framework is derived from semiological theory, a branch of science specifically designed for the analysis of meanings. The central variable is the political symbol. By analyzing the interactions of political symbols within a comprehensive semiological framework, the traditional concerns of political culture can be accommodated in a more precise and systematic way.
Constipation-related symptoms and bowel program concerning individuals with spinal cord injury

Purpose. To determine the prevalence of constipation-related symptoms in individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI), to describe the bowel program as reported by patients and including use of bowel medications and evacuation techniques, and to examine the clinical, functional and pharmacological risks of difficulty with evacuation. Patients and Methods. This is a cross-sectional study of all in-patients at least 3 months beyond acute injury, on the West Roxbury/Brockton VAMC SCI Service, during a 10 month period (n=197). Clinical, functional, and medication data were abstracted from medical and nursing records. Individual interviews were conducted with all available participants (n=161, 82%) regarding bowel-related symptoms and treatment over the previous 1 month period. The study definition of difficulty with evacuation was spending more than 1 h per episode of bowel evacuation. Results. Forty-one percent of the 161 interview responders spent more than 1 h on bowel evacuation, 50% reported abdominal distension and 38% reported abdominal pain, 27% reported headaches or sweats relieved by having a bowel movement, and 33% reported fecal incontinence at least once a month. The bisacodyl suppository was the most commonly used laxative agent, while docusate was the most popular oral agent. Subjects with difficulty with evacuation (n=66) were compared with those who spent less than 1 h on evacuation (n=95). Factors associated with difficulty with evacuation were tetraplegia, Frankel grade A/B, laxative use, polypharmacy, previous urinary outlet surgery, and symptoms of abdominal pain and distension. Conclusion. Constipation-related symptoms are highly prevalent in individuals with spinal cord injury, despite considerable laxative use. Our findings suggest that difficulty with evacuation can be predicted on the basis of a patient's clinical profile.
Studies of the Effectiveness of Graphic Materials

IN THE LAST twenty-five years, at least ten studies concerned with the relative effectiveness of various types of graphic materials have been reported. A number of the studies were conducted throughout a range of grades and include suggestions for the grade placement of graphs. Several of the studies involve pictorial types of graphs. All of them include one or more types of conventional graphs (bar, line and circle). The purpose of this article is to abstract several general conclusions from those reached in the individual studies.
Regularity of Solutions to Bilinear Stochastic Wave Equations

Abstract The paper is concerned with strong solutions of bilinear stochastic wave equations in ℛ d , of which the coefficients contain semimartingale white noises with spatial parameters. For the Cauchy problems, the existence and spatial regularity of solutions in Sobolev spaces are proved under appropriate conditions. The dependence of solution regularity on the smoothness of the random coefficients is ascertained. The proofs are based on stochastic energy inequalities, the semigroup method and certain submartingale inequalities. Regularity results are also obtained for the special case of Wiener semimartingales.
The Total Source Error of Adjustment model: A methodology for the elimination of setup and process adjustment

The Total Source Error of Adjustment (TSEA) model identifies and describes the sources of error that create the need for setup and process adjustment. Adjustment is the result of uncontrolled sources of variation or error. To control error, it must first be systematically identified and described. The TSEA model is a systematic means of identifying and classifying the error sources contributing to setup adjustment and process adjustment for machining processes. Once error sources are properly classified, touch-trigger probing can then be effectively used to eliminate variability. When implementing the TSEA model, probing is applied to control error sources of adjustment. A case study examines the utility of the TSEA methodology in identifying the sources of variation causing adjustment. The analysis and control of error sources that occur in machining will reduce setup time, increase consistency in manufacturing, and improve the quality of the final product.
Determining Group Structure From the Sets of Character Degrees

Let cd(G) be the set of all irreducible complex characters of a finite group G. In [4], Lewis proved that if p, q, r, and s are distinct primes and cd(G)={1,p,q,r,pq,pr} or cd(G)={1,p,q,r,s,pr,ps,qr,qs}, then G is the direct product of two normal non-abelian subgroups of G. We generalize Lewis' results by loosening the primeness hypothesis of cd(G).
Responsibility of the general practitioner to the cleft palate patient

The general practitioner of dentistry should not hesitate to assume responsibility for maintaining in optimum health the teeth and supporting structures of the patient with a cleft palate. Lack of adequate dental care jeopardizes the balance of the treatment program. Special problems which may be encountered in treatment of the patient with a cleft palate include tautness of the obicularis oris muscle, nasal congestion, malalignment of teeth, supernumerary teeth and soft tissue disturbances. An understanding of growth and development is important. Each child must be considered as an individual.
The Embryonic Origin of Neurosensory Cells and the Role of Nerve Cells in Metamorphosis in Phialidium gregarium (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa)

Summary The embryonic origin of the nervous system in Phialidium gregarium was investigated. Entoderm-free planulae, surgically produced by bisection at mid-gastrulation, and normal planulae were examined by light and electron microscopy to determine their cellular composition. The cell types that occur in the epidermis of the normal planula were described. The entoderm-free planulae were found to be devoid of interstitial cells and their derivatives, the nematocytes and ganglion cells. Neurosensory cells were present, however, indicating that they are derivatives of the ectodermal epithelium. The role of nerve elements in the initiation of metamorphosis was also examined. Normal and entoderm-free planulae treated for four hours with 0.4% colchicine at two, three, or four days of development fail to undergo cesium-induced metamorphosis. Since such treatment in other hydrozoans eliminates interstitial cells and their derivatives [1-3], it might be argued that ganglion cells are necessary to initiate metamo...
Mode of antiviral action of 5-iodouracil deoxyriboside

The effect of 5-iodouraoil deoxyriboside on the infective process in rabbit kidney cells infected with pseudorabies virus was investigated. Under the experimental conditions used, viral DNA is formed in which approximately 90% of the thymidine is replaced by 5-iodouracil deoxyriboside. Viral proteins are also synthesized by the virus-infected, drug-treated cells; however, the formation of viral particles does not occur in these cells. The lack of formation of viral particles is not due to a distortion of the DNA molecule (resulting from the presence of the drug) which prevents the enclosure of this DNA into viral coat proteins. This was concluded from the fact that viral DNA containing 5-iodouracil in both strands can be assembled into viral particles, if thymidine is supplied to the infected cells at some time during the infective process. The presence of thymidine during the early stages of infection also increases the yield of infectious virus. Evidence that these infectious viral particles contain 5-iodouracil in their DNA was provided by the fact that they are more sensitive to irradiation with 60 Co than normal, infectious viral particles. It is concluded that viral DNA containing 5-iodouracil causes the synthesis of non-functional proteins involved in virus assembly. This DNA can, however, initiate the infective process and upon replication give rise to normal thymine-containing DNA.
Large Eddy Simulation of a thermal mixing tee in order to assess the thermal fatigue

The present paper deals with thermal fatigue phenomenon, and more particularly with the numerical simulation using Large Eddy Simulation technique of a mixing tee, for which experimental thermal statistics are available. The sensitivity to the sub-grid scale closure is first evaluated by comparing the experimental statistics with the numerical results obtained via both the Smagorinsky and the structure-function models. Because of a difference of temporal resolution between the experiment and the simulation, the direct comparison of the fluctuations is not possible. Therefore, a methodology based on filtering the numerical results is proposed in order to achieve a proper comparison. The comparison of the numerical results with the experiment suggests that slight better predictions are obtained with the structure-function model even if the dependency of the results to the sub-grid scale model is low. Then, the possibility to reduce the fluid computational domain by prescribing synthetic turbulence at the inlet is tested. First results are encouraging and underline the advantage of considering this technique instead of a standard noise at the entrance of the domain. All the simulations are conducted with the commercial CFD code STAR-CD.
The performance of CCD array detectors for application in high-resolution tomography

Charge coupled device arrays (CCDs) with low noise, small pixel size and high charge storage capacity are available at relatively low cost. Because of this, CCDs are finding increasing use in imaging applications. In this paper we will discuss the performance of a TI-4849 CCD array in an x-ray camera to be used for high-resolution synchrotron radiation tomography. The x-ray image is converted to visible light on a phosphor coated optical face plate which is imaged by a thermoelectrically cooled CCD. The measured modulation transfer function (high-contrast MTF) will be presented for this system. We will describe procedures for choosing and preparing the optimal phosphors for x-ray imaging. Advantages and limitations of CCD arrays over other detectors for tomographic applications will also be discussed.
Performances of CYTOPTM low-k dielectric layer bridged GaAs-based enhancement mode pHEMT for wireless power application

Abstract Cyclized-perfluoropolymer, which is commercialized under the trade name CYTOPTM, possesses the desirable properties of low dielectric constant (er = 2.1) and low dissipation factor (tan δ = 0.0007). We have developed a method to integrate CYTOPTM dielectric interlayer with state-of-the-art power GaAs-based enhancement mode pseudomorphic high electron mobility transistor. CYTOPTM thin films with approximately 3.5 μm in thickness was spin-coated and patterned on wafers with completed transistor and nitride passivation processes. Au-based interconnect metal was then fabricated using sputtering and plating processes over the CYTOPTM dielectric layer. The whole integrated structure was found to be stable at annealing temperatures up to 200 °C. Moreover, output power, gain, and power added efficiency of the CYTOPTM-integrated 0.5 μm gate transistor was measured and compared with standard air-bridged devices. The studies show that the CYTOPTM low-k dielectric layer has negligible effect on the device performances as compared with the air-bridged devices.
A review of the theories of corporate social responsibility: Its evolutionary path and the road ahead

This study aims to trace the conceptual evolutionary path of theories on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and to reflect on the implications of the development. The retrospection has revealed that the trend has been a progressive rationalization of the concept with a particular focus on tighter coupling with organizations’ financial goals. Rationalization involves two broad shifts in the conceptualization of CSR. First, in terms of the level of analysis, researchers have moved from the discussion of the macro-social effects of CSR to organizational-level analysis of CSR's effect on profit. Next, in terms of theoretical orientation, researchers have moved from explicitly normative and ethics-oriented arguments to implicitly normative and performance-oriented managerial studies. Based on the retrospection, the limitations of the current state of CSR research that places excessive emphasis on the business case for CSR are outlined, and it is suggested that future research needs to refocus on basic research in order to develop conceptual tools and theoretical mechanisms that explain changing organizational behavior from a broader societal perspective.
The Wnt co-receptor Lrp6 is required for normal mouse mammary gland development.

Canonical Wnt signals are transduced through a Frizzled receptor and either the LRP5 or LRP6 co-receptor; such signals play central roles during development and in disease. We have previously shown that Lrp5 is required for ductal stem cell activity and that loss of Lrp5 delays normal mammary development and Wnt1-induced tumorigenesis. Here we show that canonical Wnt signals through the Lrp6 co-receptor are also required for normal mouse mammary gland development. Loss of Lrp6 compromises Wnt/β-catenin signaling and interferes with mammary placode, fat pad, and branching development during embryogenesis. Heterozygosity for an inactivating mutation in Lrp6 is associated with a reduced number of terminal end buds and branches during postnatal development. While Lrp6 is expressed in both the basal and luminal mammary epithelium during embryogenesis, Lrp6 expression later becomes restricted to cells residing in the basal epithelial layer. Interestingly, these cells also express mammary stem cell markers. In humans, increased Lrp6 expression is associated with basal-like breast cancer. Taken together, our results suggest both overlapping and specific functions for Lrp5 and Lrp6 in the mammary gland.
Masticatory Loading, Function, and Plasticity: A Microanatomical Analysis of Mammalian Circumorbital Soft-Tissue Structures

In contrast to experimental evidence regarding the postorbital bar, postorbital septum, and browridge, there is exceedingly little evidence regarding the load-bearing nature of soft-tissue structures of the mammalian circumorbital region. This hinders our understanding of pronounced transformations during primate origins, in which euprimates evolved a postorbital bar from an ancestor with the primitive mammalian condition where only soft tissues spanned the lateral orbital margin between frontal bone and zygomatic arch. To address this significant gap, we investigated the postorbital microanatomy of rabbits subjected to long-term variation in diet-induced masticatory stresses. Rabbits exhibit a masticatory complex and feeding behaviors similar to primates, yet retain a more primitive mammalian circumorbital region. Three cohorts were obtained as weanlings and raised on different diets until adult. Following euthanasia, postorbital soft tissues were dissected away, fixed, and decalcified. These soft tissues were divided into inferior, intermediate, and superior units and then dehydrated, embedded, and sectioned. H&E staining was used to characterize overall architecture. Collagen orientation and complexity were evaluated via picrosirius-red staining. Safranin-O identified proteoglycan content with additional immunostaining performed to assess Type-II collagen expression. Surprisingly, the ligament along the lateral orbital wall was composed of elastic fibrocartilage. A more degraded organization of collagen fibers in this postorbital fibrocartilage is correlated with increased masticatory forces due to a more fracture-resistant diet. Furthermore, the lack of marked changes in the extracellular composition of the lateral orbital wall related to tissue viscoelasticity suggests it is unlikely that long-term exposure to elevated masticatory stresses underlies the development of a bony postorbital bar.
Fish do not lie about their age…but they might lose count

times and the worst of times. We in the developed world are particularly fortunate. Life expectancy has increased, and never have we spent such a small proportion of our income on food. The environmental cost of our success as a species is that we have sequestered between a quarter and a half of terrestrial net primary productivity for our own consumption, and extinction rates are approaching the same ball park as resulted from the five mass extinctions recorded in the fossil record. The travesty is that, in some parts of the developing world, food insecurity and malnutrition persist. The reasons for this are varied and complex. Modern crop biotechnology is not the only answer to solving the food supply problem of the world, but we have a responsibility to examine the contribution that it can make. Even in the UK, we face the challenge of how to reverse the current trends of declining biodiversity. Thus, the situation is a dynamic one, and we should be aware of the distinct risks that exist from not exploring all of the possible solutions.
Ultramontanism and Dupanloup: The Compromise of 1865

Le long pontificat (32 ans) de Pie IX, elu en 1846, voit le triomphe de l'absolutisme papal, fruit de 1789: en effet, apres la Revolution, pretres et eveques ne jouissent plus du pouvoir et de l'autorite qu'ils exercaient dans la societe. Ils voient dans le pape une garantie et un secours, alors qu'auparavant, ils avaient tendance a se defendre de ses interventions au sein des eglises nationales. Ils regardent donc ultra montana: l'ultramontanisme a le vent en poupe. L'A. evoque l'affaire du Syllabus (1864): promulgation des LXXX praecipui nostrae aetatis Errores, sous forme d'appendice a l'encyclique Quanta cura, et l'interpretation moderee que Mgr Dupanloup fit de ce catalogue d'erreurs dans son pamphlet La convention du 15 septembre et l'encyclique du 8 decembre (1865), compromis entre ultramontains et liberaux que Pie IX accepta.
Numerical methods for coupled systems of nonlinear parabolic boundary value problems

Abstract A system of nonlinear finite difference equations corresponding to a class of coupled parabolic equations in a bounded domain is investigated. Using the method of upper-lower solutions we construct two monotone sequences for the finite difference equations. It is shown that when the reaction function is quasimonotone nondecreasing, nonincreasing or mixed quasimonotone, these two sequences converge monotonically to a unique solution of the finite difference system. This monotone convergence leads to an existence-comparison theorem as well as iterative numerical algorithms for the computation of the solution. It also gives error estimates for the finite difference solution in each iteration without explicit knowledge of the solution. Moreover, the monotone convergence property is used to prove the convergence of the finite difference solution to the corresponding solution of the differential system as the mesh size decreases to zero.
Effect of atmospheric conditions on remote sensing of vegetation parameters

Abstract The effect of atmospheric conditions on remote sensing of vegetation parameters is examined by studying variations of the ratio of the simulated radiance in the 0.76–0.90 μm [TM4 band of the multispectral scanner system (thematic mapper) of the Landsat-D satellite] to that in 0.52–0.60 μm (TM2 band), as a function of the leaf water content of blue grama grass plots. Information on the spectral flux reflectance, and on the leaf water content for 35 different blue grama grass plots is taken from Tucker and Maxwell (1976). This ratio is computed, after taking into account all orders of scattering, for several observational parameters, and for three different atmospheric models with common absorbing gases and with nil, moderate, and very large amount of aerosols (haze particles). The Lambert's law of reflection is assumed for the vegetation canopies. The slope and the ratio-axis intercept of the least-square-fit straight line through the ratio versus leaf water content data points are found to exhibit a very significant dependence on the atmospheric aerosol content, solar zenith angle, position of the observer, and on the direction of observation when the observer is not located at the ground level.
The Future of Leadership Development: The Importance of Identity, Multi-Level Approaches, Self-Leadership, Physical Fitness, Shared Leadership, Networking, Creativity, Emotions, Spirituality and On-Boarding Processes

Leadership and, consequently, leadership development have taken on far greater import in recent times. As organizations have steadily progressed into the knowledge economy we can no longer rely on simple notions of top–down, command-and-control leadership, based on the idea that workers are merely interchangeable drones. Accordingly, in this special issue you will find seven articles that provide a glimpse over the horizon, so to speak, of leadership development: Together the authors provide a rich research roadmap and a practical set of options for leadership development professionals regarding the next important steps for leadership development, which will carry us well into the 21st Century.
Circadian Mutant Overtime Reveals F-box Protein FBXL3 Regulation of Cryptochrome and Period Gene Expression

Summary Using a forward genetics ENU mutagenesis screen for recessive mutations that affect circadian rhythmicity in the mouse, we isolated a long period (∼26 hr) circadian mutant named Overtime ( Ovtm ). Positional cloning and genetic complementation reveal that Ovtm is encoded by the F-box protein FBXL3, a component of the SKP1-CUL1-F-box-protein (SCF) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex. The Ovtm mutation causes an isoleucine to threonine (I364T) substitution leading to a loss of function in FBXL3, which interacts specifically with the CRYPTOCHROME (CRY) proteins. In Ovtm mice, expression of the PERIOD proteins PER1 and PER2 is reduced; however, the CRY proteins CRY1 and CRY2 are unchanged. The loss of FBXL3 function leads to a stabilization of the CRY proteins, which in turn leads to a global transcriptional repression of the Per and Cry genes. Thus, Fbxl3 Ovtm defines a molecular link between CRY turnover and CLOCK/BMAL1-dependent circadian transcription to modulate circadian period.
Gene Therapy Strategy for Long-Term Myocardial Protection Using Adeno-Associated Virus-Mediated Delivery of Heme Oxygenase Gene

Background— Ischemia and oxidative stress are the leading mechanisms for tissue injury. An ideal strategy for preventive/protective therapy would be to develop an approach that could confer long-te...
A Systematic and Quantitative Review of Interventions to Facilitate School Reentry for Children With Chronic Health Conditions

Objective To conduct as systematic and quantitative review of research on the effects of school reentry interventions for children with chronic health conditions. Methods This analysis examined 2 primary outcomes: increasing illness- or injury-specific knowledge among teachers or healthy peers and enhancing positive attitudinal change toward an ill or injured child. A secondary analysis examined any change in the ill or injured child’s global self-worth following the intervention. A random-effects model was used in all analyses, and effect sizes were analyzed using heterogeneity tests. Results Larger effect sizes were found for increases in knowledge than for enhancing positive attitudinal changes (i.e., mean ES for knowledge: 0.84–0.88; mean ES for positive attitudinal change: 0.68), and larger effect sizes were found for teachers than for healthy peers in both analyses. Significant heterogeneity was found between groups (i.e., teachers vs. healthy peers) and within groups in both analyses. Results of the secondary analysis indicated a medium effect for improvements in global self-worth (i.e., mean ES ¼ 0.24). Conclusions This analysis provides support for the effectiveness of school reentry interventions and highlights the critical need for more empirical work in this area.
Voltage transients elicited by sudden step‐up of auxin

It is hypothesized (i) that the molecular mechanism for the reception of friction and flexure and the mechanism by which auxin enhances ethylene production have in common a release of free calcium into the cytosol, (ii) that elevated cytosolic calcium initiates vesicle exocytosis, and (iii) that the vesicles release a factor or set of factors which depolarizes the plasmalemma and promotes ethylene synthesis. One consequence of such exocytosis should be small, extracellularly observable voltage transients. Transients, ranging in size up to 600 microvolts and possessing risetimes (10-90%) of approximately 200 ms, are known to be elicited in etiolated stems of Pisum sativum L. by friction and are here shown to be elicited by sudden increase of auxin concentration and also by a Ca2+ ionophore.
Vascular anatomy of the brachioradialis rotational musculocutaneous flap

Abstract The purpose of this 2-part vascular injection study was to (1) determine the sources of blood supply to the brachioradialis muscle and the distance around which the brachioradialis muscle flap may be rotated for local soft tissue reconstruction and (2) determine the fasciocutaneous vascular perfusion territory associated with the vascular pedicle of the brachioradialis muscle flap. Lead oxide injections were administered in 16 fresh frozen human upper extremity amputation specimens to determine the contribution of the isolated radial recurrent artery (RRA) and subsequent 3- and 6-cm segments of radial artery (RA) to a rotational brachioradialis muscle flap. The RRA perfused an average of 41% (range, 20% to 60%) of the brachioradialis muscle length. Selective injection of the RRA and the proximal 3-cm segment of the RA perfused 80% (range, 59% to 100%) of the muscle length, corresponding to more than 90% of muscle volume. Flap rotation consistently provided adequate tissue coverage to the antecubital fossa, the lateral elbow, and the proximal one-third volar forearm. Based on these findings, the fasciocutaneous perfusion territory of the isolated vascular pedicle was quantified by selective India ink injection studies in 10 fresh frozen cadaveric specimens. Consistent fasciocutaneous perfusion occurred directly over the muscle belly. No specimen, however, was perfused greater than approximately 1 cm distal to the musculocutaneous junction. This 2-part study defines the vascular anatomy and local utility of the brachioradialis rotational musculocutaneous flap. (J Hand Surg 2001;26A:711-721. Copyright © 2001 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
The lipids of an auxutrophic avirulent mutant of Coccidioides immitis

Cells of a mouse-virulent Coccidioides immitis wild type, strain RS, and a mouse-avirulent induced mutant strain of RS, strain 95, were analyzed to characterize and compare the lipid content of mycelium and arthrospores. The arthrospores of strain RS contained 18% more total lipid, 15% more free lipid and 39% more bound lipid than arthrospores of strain 95 and the free lipid fraction contained 30% C-18:1 in contrast to the arthrospores of strain 95 which contained 79% C-18:1.The only significant variation between the lipids of the mycelial growth exhibited by strains RS and 95 was 33% more anteiso C-21 in some fractions of the free lipid of strain 95. The mycelium of the wild type organism, strain RS, contained 11·6% free lipid and 0·86% bound lipid. Phosphatidyl choline 21%, phosphatidyl ethanolamine 17%, sterol 26% and cariolipin 13% together constituted 95% of the total mycelial strain RS free lipid phospholipid fraction. The major mycelial fatty acids were C-16, 26·2%; C-18, 12·2%; C-18:1, 31·7% and C...
The Hunt of Love: Gottfried Von Strassburg's Tristan as Tragedy

Unde non frustra dici potest omne peccatum essem mendacium. Non enim fit peccatum nisi ea voluntate, qua volumus ut bene sit nobis vel nolumus ut male sit nobis. Ergo mendacium est, quod cum fiat ut bene sit nobis, hinc potius male est nobis, vel cum fiat, ut melius sit nobis, hinc potius peius est nobis. Unde hoc, nisi quia de Deo potest bene esse homini, quem delinquendo deserit, non de se ipso, secundum quem vivendo delinquit?l
An optimal filter design for variable sampling rates

Digital filters in future speech communications terminals should be alterable to allow for various services, bandwidths, customer loads, and digital line rates. A filter structure which maintains a constant frequency response as the sampling rate is varied is considered for such an application. The filter structure requires several times the number of design parameters than in the cascade canonic form of the digital filter in order to maintain the constant frequency response. The filter design problem is formulated as a minimax optimization problem and solved using direct search techniques. An example is then solved using a modified version of Rosenbrocks Rotating Coordinate System Method. The example illustrates the considerable compromises needed over standard computer aided design techniques when solving this class of problems.
Chair's welcome

The Steering Committee for 2011 IEEE International Symposium on Antennas and Propagation and USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting welcomes you to Spokane, Washington for what we believe will be both a productive and pleasurable event. The technical program will cover a vast array of electromagnetic topics, including the latest breakthroughs in antenna design, wireless communications, exotic materials, biomedical applications and numerical methods, to name just a few. The technical program will be augmented by a series of short courses that are designed to teach and inform attendees about the latest advances in electromagnetic science, engineering, and applications.
SPACER: identification of cis-regulatory elements with non-contiguous critical residues.

MOTIVATION Many transcription factors bind to sites that are long and loosely related to each other. De novo identification of such motifs is computationally challenging. In this article, we propose a novel semi-greedy algorithm over the space of all IUPAC degenerate strings to identify the most over-represented highly degenerate motifs. RESULTS We present an implementation of this algorithm, named SPACER (Separated Pattern-based Algorithm for cis-Element Recognition) and demonstrate its effectiveness in identifying 'gapped' and highly degenerate motifs. We compare SPACER's performance against ten motif finders on 42 experimentally defined regulons from Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These motif finders cover a wide range of both enumerative and statistical approaches, including programs specifically designed for prokaryotic and 'gapped' motifs. AVAILABILITY A Java 1.4 implementation is freely available on the Web at http://genie.Dartmouth.edu/SPACER/
LEFT HEART BYPASS IN CARDIAC RESUSCITATION.

Abstract 1. 1. In the presence of ventricular fibrillation, left heart bypass increases systolic and diastolic blood pressures by 20 to 100 mm. Hg and thus augments the blood supply to anoxic tissues. 2. 2. After coronary artery ligation, bypass delays the onset of ventricular fibrillation. 3. 3. Defibrillation is facilitated under conditions of left heart bypass. 4. 4. This evidence supports the use of left heart bypass as an aid in resuscitation from cardiac arrest.
Species Detection and Identification in Sexual Organisms Using Population Genetic Theory and DNA Sequences

Phylogenetic trees of DNA sequences of a group of specimens may include clades of two kinds: those produced by stochastic processes (random genetic drift) within a species, and clades that represent different species. The ratio of the mean pairwise sequence difference between a pair of clades (K) to the mean pairwise sequence difference within a clade (θ) can be used to determine whether the clades are samples from different species (K/θ≥4) or the same species (K/θ<4) with probability ≥0.95. Previously I applied this criterion to delimit species of asexual organisms. Here I use data from the literature to show how it can also be applied to delimit sexual species using four groups of sexual organisms as examples: ravens, spotted leopards, sea butterflies, and liverworts. Mitochondrial or chloroplast genes are used because these segregate earlier during speciation than most nuclear genes and hence detect earlier stages of speciation. In several cases the K/θ ratio was greater than 4, confirming the original authors' intuition that the clades were sufficiently different to be assigned to different species. But the K/θ ratio split each of two liverwort species into two evolutionary species, and showed that support for the distinction between the common and Chihuahuan raven species is weak. I also discuss some possible sources of error in using the K/θ ratio; the most significant one would be cases where males migrate between different populations but females do not, making the use of maternally inherited organelle genes problematic. The K/θ ratio must be used with some caution, like all other methods for species delimitation. Nevertheless, it is a simple theory-based quantitative method for using DNA sequences to make rigorous decisions about species delimitation in sexual as well as asexual eukaryotes.
Fluid flow in micron and submicron size channels

Experiments on flow in micron- and submicron-size channels were conducted. The long-term objectives of the study were to investigate: (1) the length scales at which continuum assumptions break down; (2) whether the Navier-Stokes (N-S) equations adequately model the fluid flow in these very small scales or whether should they be modified and, if so, how; (3) whether phenomena which typically are ignored at large scales become important at small scales; and (4) whether transition to turbulence is affected by the small size of the channels. The test structure consisted of a single channel etched in silicon using planar photolithographic micromachining techniques. Tentative results are reported. It is observed that, in channels with relatively large cross-sections, the fluid roughly behaves in accordance with predictions based on the N-S equations. In smaller-size channels there are large deviations between experimental observations and N-S predictions. >
Multiplicative censoring, renewal processes, deconvolution and decreasing density: Nonparametric estimation

On donne un estimateur du maximum de vraisemblance non-parametrique pour une distribution de durees de vie. Il est base sur un modele d'observations censurees de facon multiplicative et il generalise des problemes statistiques courants tels que l'estimation d'une fonction de repartition sous une contrainte de densite decroissante, la deconvolution non-parametrique d'une variable aleatoire exponentielle ou un probleme d'estimation dans les processus de renouvellement