cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Key Environmental Legislation for Cuba's Transition Period

There is a growing body of literature that addresses the environmental problems which Cuba faces today and which most likely will, in similar or aggravated form, be present when the country makes its transition to a free-market, democratic society.2 Likewise, the environmental legislation that has been enacted to date in Cuba has also been the subject of some analysis. Relatively little attention, however, has been given to the need that will develop during Cuba’s transition for suitable legislation to provide environmental protection and remediation of the environmental damage already sustained. There has also been little in the way of analysis of the inevitable tradeoffs between environmental needs and the political and economic realities of the transition, and between the potentially inconsistent goals of stimulating economic growth and addressing the environmental needs of the country. This paper represents a modest attempt to start addressing these issues. The task is as daunting as it is important. Like a snake biting its own tail, the health of the environment is inseparable from the prospects for Cuba’s economic growth and well-being; on the other hand, environment and development are likely to compete in the short term for governmental funds and legislative priority. The paper does not seek to resolve these fundamental issues, but only to offer suggestions as to potential compromises between conflicting sets of legitimate priorities.
An internet based algorithm visualization system

A web site for algorithm visualization is described. The site features paradigms for algorithm development, along with selected problems and algorithms. The objective is to aid students to visualize the behavior of these algorithms. The visualization employs a dynamic display of high-level pseudo code with an indicator as to the current step being executed. Execution is controlled by the user and is coordinated with a 2D graphics illustration of the effects of the individual steps.
Citations to Wikipedia in Law Reviews

Whether in court decisions or law review articles, Wikipedia is being used as a reference resource, and most likely will continue to be used as such. Only recently have commentators turned their attentions to this phenomenon. However, the main focus of these writers has been on the use of Wikipedia in the judicial process, whether by litigants relying on Wikipedia in their pleadings or judges relying on it in their decisions. No one, as of yet, has examined the use of Wikipedia in the legal scholarship context. Considering that most judges, and practically all judicial law clerks, honed their writing, researching, and editing skills while members of law reviews, we should examine this practice in that environment. The purpose of this paper is to shine a light on the citation aspect of the Wikipedia-as-authority phenomenon by providing detailed statistics on the scope of its use and critiquing or building on the arguments of other commentators.Part II provides an overview of the debate regarding the citation of Wikipedia. After discussing the purposes of citation generally, this article examines why authors choose to cite to Wikipedia and explains why such citation is nonetheless problematic despite its perceived advantages. Part III then discusses a citation analysis performed on works published by nearly 500 American law reviews between 2002 and 2008. First, the methodology for the analysis is described, from how the law reviews were selected to how the individual citations were organized and classified. Then, the results of the analysis are announced along with any trends that may be discerned from the statistics. Finally, Part IV delves into the question of the propriety of citing to Wikipedia, culminating in a call for tighter editorial standards.
Recess! - exploring the cultures of childhood

Recess! is a nationally distributed public radio program about "the dynamic cultures of childhood," which has recently recorded its 2000th episode. Aimed at an adult audience, Recess! recalls for its listeners their own early passions and inspirations while also reflecting on the cultures in which today's young people are discovering the world around them and their ever changing places within it.
Reflex-Action Position Control and Two-Arm Load-Sharing Force Control With Adaptive Load Apportioning

Control techniques for one- and two-arm systems are presented. The first, reflex-action position (RAP) control, makes the single-arm manipulator dynamics, as seen by a position controller, independent of uncertain loading. With this form of load decoupling, the position controller can be designed for good performance while maintaining robustness. The second, load-sharing force (LSF) control, is for two manipulators grasping a rigid object, and is used in conjunction with RAP control. The LSF control addresses three problems: (1) load sharing, (2) control of interactive forces, and (3) accurate position control. A diagonal matrix determines how the load is apportioned to each manipulator. An external input specifies the desired compression, tension, or torsion to be applied to the object.
Aerothermodynamic flow phenomena of the airframe-integrated supersonic combustion ramjet

The unique component flow phenomena is discussed of the airframe-integrated supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) in a format geared towards new players in the arena of hypersonic propulsion. After giving an overview of the scramjet aerothermodynamic cycle, the characteristics are then covered individually of the vehicle forebody, inlet, combustor, and vehicle afterbody/nozzle. Attention is given to phenomena such as inlet speeding, inlet starting, inlet spillage, fuel injection, thermal choking, and combustor-inlet interaction.
Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanomechanical resonators with temperature-dependent multimode operations

We present the first experimental demonstrations of ultrathin hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) circular drumhead vibrating resonators with multiple modes, operating in a wide temperature range from −7°C to 141°C, by characterizing flexural-mode resonances of the devices. We fabricate h-BN resonators with down to 10nm-thick h-BN crystalline flakes using a wet-chemistry-free, all-dry transfer technique. We observe distinct multimode resonances up to 5 modes, and resonance frequencies up to ∼70MHz. In addition to spatial mapping of multimode thermomechanical motions, we observe very large temperature coefficients of frequency (TCfs) in these h-BN resonators, up to −2850ppm/K.
Numerical simulations of density channel guiding and relattvistic optical guiding of laser pulses in a plasma

In the laser wakefield accelerator, a short (τ L 1012 W) laser pulse propagates in plasma to generate a large amplitude (E > 1 GV/m) wakefield. We present an axisymmetric nonlinear fluid model that allows simulation of laser pulse propagation through a plasma on the plasma time scale. We find that a laser pulse will propagate through a plasma for many vacuum diffraction lengths if either of two conditions are met: 1) an appropriately shaped plasma density channel can be obtained or 2) an ultra-high power tailored laser pulse can be created.
Necrotizing enterocolitis in the extremely low birth weight infant.

Improved neonatal management has resulted in an enlarging population of extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. These infants have a high incidence of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and a high mortality rate. The authors compared two groups of NEC patients: ELBW infants (< 1,000 g and/or < or = 28 weeks' gestation) and "standard" premature infants (29 to 36 weeks' gestation). NEC was classified according to the extent of bowel involvement: (1) focal, (2) diffuse, or (3) pan involvement (pan necrosis). Clinical laboratory, radiological, pathological, and bacteriologic findings, management, and mortality were analyzed. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to gender, race, delivery mode, or incidence of prenatal or perinatal problems. The most common presenting signs in both groups were abdominal distension, vomiting, and feeding intolerance. The onset of signs and the time of first feedings were significantly later in the ELBW group. Pneumatosis was the most frequent initial radiological finding (60% of the ELBW group, 75% of the premature group). Portal vein air (PVA) was present in 29% of the ELBW and premature infants. Seventy-one percent of ELBW infants with PVA had pan involvement, versus 40% of premature infants (P < .05). There were significant differences in the peritoneal cultures between the groups. The premature group had significantly more Escherichia coli (54% v 23%). The ELBW group had a wider variety of microorganisms (eg, Clostridium sp, Pseudomonas sp, and yeast). Survival was significantly higher for the premature group (84% v 55%). The mortality rate was 93% when pan involvement was present in the ELBW group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Re-evaluating Mohamed Choukri's Autobiography Al-Khubz al-Ḥāfi: The Oppression of Morocco's Amazigh Population, the Ṣaʿālīk, and Backlash

AbstractIn the 1990s, Mohamed Choukri's controversial autobiography, Al-Khubz al-ḥāfī (For Bread Alone), was re-evaluated as a social criticism of poverty. This article argues that Al-Khubz should also be re-evaluated in the context of minority politics. Choukri, an Amazigh author, was committed to redressing the oppression and linguistic discrimination by Morocco's Arabs against its Amazigh minority. There were no Amazigh models for him to emulate, so he used literary devices to create an alternative identity mediated through the dominant language of literary Arabic and the tradition of Arabic autobiography. He modeled his autobiographical self after a group of pre-Islamic brigand poets, outsiders to society known as ṣaʿālīk. His choice provides the key to understanding Choukri's intersubjective negotiation of Amazigh identity.
Cross-National Labor Organizing Strategies

The globalization of the world economy requires new cross-national labor organizing strategies to overcome the process of downward harmonization. Several organizations in Central and North America are using innovative strategies to confront this "new world order." This article critically evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of these organizations' strategic choices by presenting and comparing several case studies. These case studies indicate that a combination of strategies, including worker rights petitions, consciousness-raising, community-based organizing, and cross-border union organizing, are necessary to improving global living standards and working conditions.
Personality correlates of college students reporting sexual dysfunction.

Summary.--Using Cattell's personality factor test (16 PF) and a questionnaire on sexual function, the relationship between personality factors and sexual dysfunction was examined in college students. Fifteen males having indices of high dysfunction exhibited lack of control, high tension, and anxiety. 21 females having indices of high dysfunction displayed ego weakness, shyness, and high tension. Discriminant function analyses of personality test scores were at or over the 86% level in the assignment of subjects to groups of low and high dysfunction. Several problems occur when attempts are made to correlate personality traits with sexual dysfunction. Selective decisions must be made regarding the use of available personality tests. As the scientific study of sexuality is in an embryonic stage, equally difficult decisions must be made regarding definitions of sexual dysfunction. Both areas ire plagued by problems of subjective self-report. The paucity of normative data for sexual dysfunction further compounds problems of correlational studies of personality and dysfunction. The literature on personality and sexual dysfunction tends to focus on the extremes of psychiatric disorders and dysfunctional patients requesting sexual therapy. Small and Small (1976) reviewed the literature on personality disorders and sexual behavior, particularly among individuals with hysterical, antisocial, and passive-aggressive personalities. Problems of definition and diagnosis of both personality disorder and sexual dysfunction were apparent. Several studies describe personality factors related to various male sexual dysfunctions. Cooper (1969a) found anxiety, fear, and hostility as concomitants of psychogenic impotence. Kaplan (1974) also observed the presence of hostility in psychogenic impotence. Ovesey and Meyers (1968) reviewed the literature on retarded ejaculation and considered 10 consecutive cases, six of whom were obsessive-paranoid, and four were paranoid-depressed. Beutler and associates (1975) using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) were able to differentiate biogenic from psychogenic impotence
The design and analysis of dynamic NMOSFET/PMESFET logic using silicon nano-wire technology

A complete study including process flow, device design and circuit design issues is conducted to investigate the possibility of using surrounding gate NMOSFETs and PMESFETs for an area-efficient technology. Three-dimensional device simulations are performed to analyse the maximum current drive capacity and OFF current of vertical, metal-gated nano-wire NMOSFETs and PMESFETs as a function of wire radius and doping concentration. Two-dimensional process simulations are conducted on the optimum transistor designs and non-ideal I–V characteristics of the processed NMOSFET and PMESFET were measured and compared against the ideal characteristics. Various differential dynamic circuits including full adder, 2-input AND (OR) and XOR gates are built to measure transient performance, power dissipation and layout area based on the selected FET designs.
Use of Acellular Dermal Matrix for Complicated Ventral Hernia Repair: Does Technique Affect Outcomes?

Background The ideal technique for the use of AlloDerm (LifeCell Corp) in complicated ventral hernia repair has not been defined. The expense of these products mandates careful evaluation to justify their widespread use. We compared two techniques of fascial bridging versus fascial reinforcement repair with regard to their longterm recurrence rates using AlloDerm. Study Design We retrospectively studied patients with abdominal defects repaired with AlloDerm at our institution. Results Thirty-seven patients with abdominal wall repairs using AlloDerm were identified between January 2004 and December 2005. Eleven patients underwent bridged fascial repair; 26 patients had reinforced fascial repair. There was no statistical significance between the 2 groups in terms of average age (57 versus 52 years), body mass index (35 versus 29 kg/m2), American Society of Anesthesiologists score (2.9 versus 2.5), or number of earlier abdominal operations (3.4 versus 3.5). The average sizes of AlloDerm used were 175 cm2 for bridged and 89 cm2 for reinforced repair (p=0.005). In patients with reinforced closure, primary repair was achieved with lateral component separation in 22 of 26 patients. Mean followup was 21.4 months (range 15 to 36 months). In the bridged group, 1 patient died on postoperative day 20. Of the remaining 10 patients, 8 patients (80%) developed recurrences. Seven patients required reoperation, but one patient refused repair. In the reinforced group, four patients were lost to followup and two patients died. Four of the remaining 20 patients (20%) developed recurrences that required repair; this was significantly different from the recurrence rate in the bridged group (p=0.009). Conclusions This study demonstrated that the method in which AlloDerm is used in abdominal wall reconstruction has a significant impact on recurrence rates. Based on our findings, AlloDerm should be used only as a reinforcement after primary fascial reappoximation.
A comparison study of optimization methods for the bipartite matching problem (BMP)

A comparison study of optimization methods for the bipartite matching problem (BMP) with independent random distances between the points is presented. It is shown that the results obtained are in reasonable agreement with the theoretical prediction despite the relatively small samples considered. In the first four intervals, which include more than 80% of the valid solutions considered, the theoretical results are within one standard deviation of the results obtained by all methodologies. The average computation times per valid solution obtained using VSA (variant of simulated annealing) is superior to the average time of other methodologies. Another interesting result is the fact that the MSA (microcanonical simulated annealing) average time is as much as four times smaller than the FSA (fast simulated annealing) average time. >
American Medical Informatics Review for 2011

2011 has been a productive year for may hospitals that have gone through the conversion process to a fully integrated EMR. This is expensive and traumatic for the entire staff.We must now throttle back on the accelerator and let these systems settle and mature so that the bugs and problems can be resolved. England made serious mistakes in the pressure they placed on a central control of everything and it has cost them their investment. We need to learn from their experience and let innovation and experimentation be done on what is presently in the field so that we do not force inefficiency and error on those who follow. The companies need to spend less on connectivity and more on system improvement and physician modifications. Less regulatory control and more quality control are needed. Are these new systems really working and are they going to keep working?These questions need answers before more money is spent and perhaps wasted. Without the support of the staff and medical community, this whole investment will be wasted and the effort will be less than optimal. Let's hope sanity returns to Washington this year and we have an opportunity to study and analyze our current progress.
A generalized finite element formulation for arbitrary basis functions: From isogeometric analysis to XFEM

Many of the formulations of cm-rent research interest, including iosogeometric methods and the extended finite element method, use nontraditional basis functions. Some, such as subdivision surfaces, may not have convenient analytical representations. The concept of an element, if appropriate at all, no longer coincides with the traditional definition. Developing a new software for each new class of basis functions is a large research burden, especially, if the problems involve large deformations, non-linear materials, and contact. The objective of this paper is to present a method that separates as much as possible the generation and evaluation of the basis functions from the analysis, resulting in a formulation that can be implemented within the traditional structure of a finite clement program but that permits the use of arbitrary sets of basis functions that are defined only through the input file. Elements ranging from a traditional linear four-node tetrahedron through a higher-order element combining XFEM and isogeometric analysis may be specified entirely through an input file without any additional programming. Examples of this framework to applications with Lagrange elements, isogeometric elements, and XFEM basis functions for fracture are presented.
Nanomaterial-based electrochemical biosensors

The unique properties of nanoscale materials offer excellent prospects for interfacing biological recognition events with electronic signal transduction and for designing a new generation of bioelectronic devices exhibiting novel functions. In this Highlight I address recent research that has led to powerful nanomaterial-based electrical biosensing devices and examine future prospects and challenges. New nanoparticle-based signal amplification and coding strategies for bioaffinity assays are discussed, along with carbon-nanotube molecular wires for achieving efficient electrical communication with redox enzyme and nanowire-based label-free DNA sensors.
Precipitation and Streamflow Variability in Northwestern Oklahoma, 1894-2003

This paper utilizes time-series analysis to examine precipitation and streamflow variability in northwestern Oklahoma over the period 1894-2003. Trends and periodicities in the hydroclimatic variables were investigated using, respectively, Mann-Kendall test and continuous wavelet transform (CWT) methods. Statistically significant trends were found in annual precipitation at individual gauging stations but with no spatial coherence to suggest evidence of large-scale climatic forcing. No significant trends were found for the regionalized average annual or seasonal precipitation. Annual streamflow exhibited declining trends upstream of Woodward. The CWT analysis revealed interannual to decadal modes of variability in precipitation. Similar but less sustained cycles are also found in streamflow. Correlation of precipitation with the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) indices suggests precipitation for northwestern Oklahoma is associated with Pacific sea surface tempe...
The effect of asymmetry of posture on anticipatory postural adjustments

Abstract The study investigates the effect of body asymmetry on anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs). Subjects performed a task involving a standard load release induced by a shoulder abduction movement while standing symmetrically or in an asymmetrical stance with either their right or left leg in 45° of external rotation. EMG activities of trunk and leg muscles were recorded during the postural perturbation and were quantified within the time intervals typical of APAs. Anticipatory postural adjustments were observed in all experimental conditions. It was found that asymmetrical body positioning was associated with significant asymmetrical patterns of APAs seen in the right and left distal muscles. These APA asymmetries were dependant upon the side in which the body asymmetry was induced: reduced APAs were observed in the leg muscles on the side of leg rotation, while increased APAs were seen in the muscles on the contralateral side. These findings stress the important role that body asymmetries play in the control of upright posture.
The X-ray attenuation characteristics and density of human calcaneal marrow do not change significantly during adulthood.

Changes in the material characteristics of bone marrow with aging can be a significant source of error in measurements of bone density when using X-ray and ultrasound imaging modalities. In the context of computed tomography, dual-energy computed techniques have been used to correct for changes in marrow composition. However, dual-energy quantitative computed tomography (DE-QCT) protocols, while increasing the accuracy of the measurement, reduce the precision and increase the radiation dose to the patient in comparison to single-energy quantitative computed tomography (SE-QCT) protocols. If the attenuation properties of the marrow for a particular bone can be shown to be relatively constant with age, it should be possible to use single-energy techniques without experiencing errors caused by unknown marrow composition. Marrow was extracted by centrifugation from 10 mm thick frontal sections of 34 adult cadaver calcanei (28 males, 6 females, ages 17-65 years). The density and energy-dependent linear X-ray attenuation coefficient of each marrow sample were determined. For purposes of comparing our results, we then computed an effective CT number at two GE CT/i scan voltages (80 and 120 kVp) for each specimen. The coefficients of variation for the density, CT number at 80 kVp and CT number at 120 kVp were each less than 1%, and the parameters did not change significantly with age (p > 0.2, r2 0.8 where the minimum acceptable r2 = 0.216). We could demonstrate no significant gender-associated differences in these relationships. These data suggest that calcaneal bone marrow X-ray attenuation properties and marrow density are essentially constant from the third through sixth decades of life.
Knowledge representation and control structure based on three-dimensional symbolic skeletons for CAD/CAM integration

A formalism for symbolic representation of three-dimensional model and its use for knowledge representation and control structure are presented. A robust feature-based design (RFBD) approach has been developed to represent three dimensional objects and to provide meaningful geometric and topological properties for manufacturability evaluation. For knowledge acquisition, binary syntactic primitive pairs have been established for high level symbolic reasoning. Symbolic reasoning tables provide five stages for proper knowledge invocation. This framework enables the system to reason about geometric shape based on syntactic pattern primitives and not on features. Both production rule systems and frames are used to represent the declarative and procedural knowledge sources in the EXCAST-1.0 (the expert system). Automatic meta-rule formation is proposed as a part of knowledge refinement process and the semantic data model is also proposed to aid various CAM applications for use in RFBD. The implementation of the algorithms and examples are provided.
Unions of increasing and intersections of decreasing sequences of convex sets

We prove that a convex setC is a polytope if and only ifC is not the union of any strictly increasing sequence of convex sets. In addition, we attempt (with partial success) to characterize, in intrinsic geometric terms, those convex subsetsC of a convex setX such thatC is not the intersection of any strictly decreasing sequence of convex subsets ofX.
Transvaginal Electrical Stimulation in Female Genuine Stress Incontinence

Objective: In this study the efficacy of transvaginal electrical stimulation in female genuine stress incontinence was assessed. Methods: Female patients with urinary incontinence were examined physically following history in a multiclinically based study involving Urology, Gynaecology, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation. Urodynamics were performed for all patients, and 27 patients with genuine stress incontinence were included in this study. Transvaginal electrical stimulation were applied to the patients 30 mins once a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks. The daily number of pads, incontinence and micturition times (day-night) were obtained and all patients completed the incontinence-specific quality of life questionnaire (I-QoL) before, at the end of and at the 3rd month after therapy, and 25 patients who completed this study were evaluated. Results: In patients treated with transvaginal electrical stimulation, the times of incontinence, micturition times, and number of pads were significantly decreased (p<0.001) and the scores of I-QoL were significantly increased (p<0.001) after treatment and at the 3rd month post-treatment when compared with pretreatment levels. According to subjective assessment eighteen (72%) of patients were cured. The number of patients improved moderately and minimally were 4 (16%) and 3 (12%) respectively. No patient reported side effects during treatment. Conclusion: Transvaginal electrical stimulation could be an effective and safe treatment for women with genuine stress incontinence.
A Versatile Linker for Nontoxic Polyamine-Mediated DNA Transfection

Low levels of transfection efficacy and lipid-associated cytotoxicity have complicated the use of cationic lipids to facilitate transfer of exogenous DNA to eukaryotic cells. To address these issues, we synthesized a panel of six tetraester polyamines that were designed to minimize cytotoxicity by using pentaerythritol to link the hydrophobic and the DNA-binding domains. We conducted this study to probe the effects of structural modifications around pentaerythritol as a linker on transfection activity and cell viability. We compared polyamines against commercial lipid reagents using luciferase and green fluorescent protein transfection assays in both CHO and NIH3T3 cells. Measurement of transfection activity and cytotoxicity using flow cytometry showed that the more active polyamine analogs exhibited activities comparable to LipofectAMINE PLUS and TransFast. Flow cytometry analyses revealed that all the pentaerythritol-based polyamines were uniformly nontoxic, whereas transfection activity was dependent on headgroup and sidechain composition. These results demonstrate that pentaerythritol is a useful core material for the development of active, nontoxic transfection agents.
Association between substance use disorder status and pain-related function following 12 months of treatment in primary care patients with musculoskeletal pain.

Abstract The goal of this study was to examine relationships between substance use disorder (SUD) history and 12-month outcomes among primary care patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP). Patients were enrolled in a randomized trial of collaborative care intervention (CCI) versus treatment as usual (TAU) to improve pain-related physical and emotional function. At baseline, 72 of 362 patients (20.0%) had a history of SUD. Compared to CNCP patients without SUD, those with comorbid SUD had poorer pain-related function and were more likely to meet criteria for current major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (all P values Perspective Chronic noncancer pain patients with a history of a substance use disorder (SUD) report poorer pain-related functioning and are less likely to experience clinically significant improvements from usual pain treatment. Providers should assess for SUD status and provide more intensive interventions for these patients.
Triton X-100 enhances ion-pair-driven molecular recognition in aqueous media. Further work on a chemosensor for inositol trisphosphate.

Molecular recognition in water based on ion-pairing is hampered by competition from the solvent. We have reported that synthetic receptor 1 recognizes inositol trisphosphate (IP3) with a binding constant of 108 M-1 in methanol. In this paper, instead of working in methanol, we report that the surfactant Triton-X 100 also yields a large absorbance or fluorescence change and a binding constant on the order of 106 M-1.
Bargaining policies and social exchange: Review of a neglected concept

Abstract Social exchange is distinguished from the “economic” through restriction of inquiry to the universe of nonpecuniary counters, chief among which are inclusion, position, and exclusion—in and from enduring groups. Explicitly or implicitly, sociological exchange theorists accept Edgeworth's neoclassical model as settled social scientific knowledge that can be explained and further elaborated in terms of institutionalized norms. Blau's elaborated neoclassical model of bilateral exchange is compared to Shackle's “action” model. Shackle allows actors a choice of bargaining policies, whereas Blau, following Edgeworth, arbitrarily imposes a single policy to objectify indifference curves and enable “outside observers” to test hypotheses relating the terms of exchange to the differentiation of power in enduring groups. Were the imposition unwarranted, such “empirical” claims would vanish. The neoclassical restriction also prevents actors from conceiving “investment opportunities” in bilateral exchange, thus defeating the sociological objective of deriving power from social exchange. Three figures illustrating Edgeworthian indifference curves are provided along with an appendix to clarify the distinction between objective and subjective theory.
Modeling fish health to inform research and management: Renibacterium salmoninarum dynamics in Lake Michigan

Little is known about the interaction between fish pathogens and managed freshwater fish populations. We develop a model of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tschawytscha)-Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs) dynamics based on free-swimming Lake Michigan fish by synthesizing population and epidemiological theory. Using the model, we expose critical uncertainties about the system, identify opportunities for efficient and insightful data collection, and pose testable hypotheses. Our simulation results suggest that hatcheries potentially play an important role in Lake Michigan Rs dynamics, and understanding vertical transmission will be critical for quantifying this role. Our results also show that disease-mediated responses to chinook salmon density need to be considered when evaluating management actions. Related to this, a better understanding of the stock-recruitment relationship and natural mortality rates for wild-spawned fish and the impact of hatchery stocking on recruitment is required. Finally, to further develop models capable of assisting fishery management, fish health surveys ought to be integrated with stock assessment. This is the first time a host-pathogen modeling framework has been applied to managed, freshwater ecosystems, and we suggest that such an approach should be used more frequently to inform other emerging and chronic fish health issues.
Italian neo‐fascist terrorism: A comparative perspective

Right‐wing violence in Italy has displayed characteristics that set it apart from the violent operations of rightist groups active in the other Western democracies. In the Italian case the violence has been protracted, stretching from the immediate postwar period to our own time. For the most part, it has been aimed at Communists and other leftists rather than racial or ethnic minorities. And it has appeared in a variety of forms, ranging from street‐corner brawling to terrorist bombing campaigns to schemes designed to achieve a coup d'etat. In addition to offering a detailed account of neo‐Fascist violence in Italy over the past four decades, this study places the phenomenon in the general context of Italian politics and seeks to explain the violence by reference to the Cold War‐based objectives of various anti‐communist organizations.
Effects of Preblending, Reduced Fat and Salt Levels on Frankfurter Characteristics

Frankfurters were manufactured from preblended (PB) or nonpreblended (NPB) meats to contain traditional and reduced levels of salt (1.5, 2.0, or 2.5%) and/or fat (17%= low; 25%= high). Emulsions stability, color, Kramer shear and palatability were evaluated. Salt had a positive effect on emulsion stability (p<0.05). Low-fat frankfurters were darker, redder, less blue in color, drier and more resistant to shear than high-fat frankfurters. Low-fat franks containing 1.5% salt had a softer texture than those containing 2.0 or 2.5% salt. Preblending did not affect textural properties. With modification of the formulations, low fat-low salt franks can be manufactured.
Evidence for Success with Locking Plates for Fragility Fractures

Fixation of fragility fractures with plates and screws often results in loss of fixation and need for revision surgery. Locking plates and screw were introduced to improve fixation of fragility fractures and have been in use for a decade. This review was conducted to compile evidence that locking plates and screws improve fixation of fragility fractures. A search of PubMed was performed to identify biomechanical studies as well as clinical series of fragility fractures treated with locking plates. Biomechanics papers had to use models of osteoporotic bone and had to directly compare locking plates with traditional plates. Clinical studies included case series in which locking plates were applied to elderly patients with fractures of the proximal humerus and periprosthetic distal femur fractures. Most studies are retrospective case series. Locking plates lead to greater stability and higher loads to failure than traditional plates. When applied to proximal humerus fractures, uncomplicated healing occurs in 85% of patients. Constant and Dash scores approach normal values. For distal femoral periprosthetic fractures, union rates of 75% are reported with a malunion rate of 10%. Early evidence suggests that locking plates improve results of treatment of proximal humerus fractures and distal femoral periprosthetic fractures in the elderly. Loss of fixation is associated with failure to achieve stability at the fracture site. Principles of fracture fixation in osteoporotic bone defined prior to the introduction of locking plates should still be applied.
Indications for endovascular therapy for refractory vasospasm after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: experience at the University of Cincinnati.

BACKGROUND Transluminal balloon angioplasty (TBA) and intra-arterial papaverine (IAP) appear to be valuable alternatives for the treatment of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH)-induced vasospasm refractory to maximal medical therapy. Although widely used, guiding principles for the implementation of TBA and IAP are not yet established. Based on our retrospective analysis, we define guidelines for endovascular therapy for refractory vasospasm based on our clinical results, adverse effects, and pattern of vasospasm. METHODS Medical records of 62 patients who experienced aneurysmal SAH-induced vasospasm refractory to hypervolemic, hypertensive, hyperdynamic therapy, and who were treated with IAP or TBA were reviewed. Fifty patients met the inclusion criteria for analysis. After careful scrutiny, two types of responses to endovascular treatment were identified. On the basis of that grouping, patients were divided into two groups according to the number of arterial segments involved, that is, monoterritorial and multiterritorial vasospasm. Multiple variables were analyzed. RESULTS Patients undergoing multiple endovascular procedures exhibited the worst outcomes. Patients in the monoterritorial group experienced a higher incidence of clinical improvement and better outcomes after endovascular treatment. Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) and ICP-related deaths were more prominent in the multiterritorial group of patients. Sustained ICP elevation after administration of IAP was strongly associated with poor outcome in the multiterritorial group. CONCLUSIONS IAP is indicated as an early potential single-dose infusion in distal monoterritorial vasospasm, if angioplasty is impossible or unsafe. The use of IAP in bilateral diffuse vasospasm is discouraged because of the high susceptibility of these patients to develop elevated ICP. Multiple IAP infusions seem to have no significant impact on patient outcome. Balloon angioplasty seems to be indicated at an early juncture in patients with multiterritorial proximal vasospasm.
Automatic abstraciton for worst-case analysis of discrete systems

Recently a methodology for worst-case analysis of discrete systems has been proposed by the author. The methodology relies on a user-provided abstraction of system components. In this paper the author proposes a procedure to automatically generate such abstractions for system components with Boolean transition functions. She use a binary decision diagram (BDD) of the transition function to generate a formula in Presburger arithmetic representing the desired abstraction. The author's experiments indicate that the approach can be applied to control-dominated embedded systems.
Crystal structure and transformation behavior of Ni–Mn–Ga martensites

Abstract The crystal structure of the martensitic phase Ni–Mn–Ga ferromagnetic shape memory alloys has been found to be extremely sensitive to composition. A systematic exploration of the composition–structure relationship has been performed using X-ray diffraction on several single crystals having large composition gradients. Also, temperature-dependent magnetic measurements show the martensitic transition to orthorhombic martensite is broader than to tetragonal martensite. This distinct character can be understood by considering the relative importance of strain energy effects in the two martensite phases.
Objective sleep interruption and reproductive hormone dynamics in the menstrual cycle

Abstract Objectives Women report greater sleep disturbance during the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle and during menses. However, the putative hormonal basis of perceived menstrual cycle-related sleep disturbance has not been investigated directly. We examined associations of objective measures of sleep fragmentation with reproductive hormone levels in healthy, premenopausal women. Methods Twenty-seven women with monthly menses had hormone levels measured at two time points during a single menstrual cycle: the follicular phase and the peri-ovulatory to mid-luteal phase. A single night of home polysomnography (PSG) was recorded on the day of the peri-ovulatory/mid-luteal-phase blood draw. Serum progesterone, estradiol, and estrone levels concurrent with PSG and rate of change in progesterone (PROGslope) from the follicular blood draw to PSG were correlated with log-transformed wake after sleep onset (lnWASO%) and number of wakes/hour of sleep (lnWake-Index) using linear regression. Results Sleep was more fragmented in association with a steeper PROGslope (lnWASO% p = 0.016; lnWake-Index p = 0.08) and higher concurrent estrone level (lnWASO% p = 0.03; lnWake-Index p = 0.01), but the effect of estrone on WASO was lost after accounting for PROGslope. WASO% and Wake-Index were not associated with concomitant progesterone or estradiol levels. Conclusions A steeper rate of rise in progesterone levels from the follicular phase through the mid-luteal phase was associated with significantly greater WASO, establishing a link between reproductive hormone dynamics and sleep fragmentation in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.
Displays of Sayornis Phoebe (Aves, Tyrannidae)

(1) This report describes the behavior of communicating individuals of Sayornis phoebe (a North American tyrant flycatcher) and emphasizes the employment of the vocal repertoire. This comprises eight calls, of which only three are used commonly and in many contexts. Each of the remaining five occurs in fewer contexts, and all five may be restricted to the pair bonding and nesting phases of the annual behavioral cycle. The visible displays were studied less closely. Eight were identified, some of which were very rare. (2) Most attention was given to the vocalization commonly called "song" (herein Regularly Repeated Vocalization, RRV) which comprises two largely discrete units, the RR 1 and RR 2 . These specify the identity of the communicator, and appear to indicate the existence of association tendencies which are non-aggressive in the case of the RR 1 , but occur with aggressive tendencies in the RR 2 . Association tendencies were inferred when an individual persistently remained near another individual (or sometimes a nest site) without attempting any form of contact behaviour. This was most commonly seen when the male of a pair associated with his mate (often without displays) wherever she went in the territory. RRV, however, was usually uttered in the absence of a visible recipient; if the recipient did appear the communicator associated at a distance or ceased using RRV and employed other displays. (3) The message of song is variable and determined by the relationships of its components. That is, changing combinations of the RR 1 and RR 2 appear to provide an index of the shifting mood of the singing individual. During continuous RRV calling the degree to which each unit is represented provides a relevant context for the other unit according to a temporal pattern which I have measured by "string length", and which could also be measured by the relative frequencies of occurrence per unit time. The varying relationships between the two units seems always to be patterned; only one case of RRV could be shown even to approach a random distribution.
Evolvement of the treatment paradigm for metastatic colon cancer. From chemotherapy to targeted therapy

Colorectal Cancer is the second most common cancer in incidence and mortality in the United States. In spite of current screening strategies 1 out of 5 patients still presents with metastatic disease. During the last 10–15 years there has been significant increase in the availability of chemotherapy options for this disease. The recent introduction of molecular markers to the treatment algorithm allows oncologists to tailor treatments for each particular patient. In the following article we give an overview of the landmark publications that led to our current standards and we give our view on particular situations in which the available evidence is not so helpful in making therapeutic decisions.
Witnessing reconciliation reduces arousal of bystanders in a baboon group (Papio hamadryas hamadryas)

Reconciliation is the occurrence of friendly behaviour between opponents shortly after an aggressive conflict. In primate groups, reconciliation reduces aggression and postconflict arousal. Aggression within a group can also increase arousal of bystanders (e.g. increase bystanders’ rates of self-directed behaviour). Since reconciliation reduces aggression between opponents, we tested whether it also reduces self-directed behaviour in bystanders. Following aggression in a captive group of hamadryas baboons, one observer conducted a focal sample on one of the combatants to document reconciliation and a second observer simultaneously conducted a focal sample on a randomly selected bystander. Matched control observations were then collected on the same individuals in a nonaggressive context to obtain baseline levels of behaviour. The self-directed behaviour of bystanders was elevated after witnessing a fight compared to baseline levels. If combatants reconciled aggression, bystander rates of self-directed behaviour significantly decreased. If combatants did not reconcile aggression, bystander rates of self-directed behaviour remained at elevated levels, significantly higher than after reconciliation. If combatants affiliated with partners other than their original opponent, bystander rates of self-directed behaviour did not decrease. The rate of bystander self-directed behaviour after a combatant affiliated with its opponent was significantly lower than the rate after a combatant affiliated with other animals. Witnessing aggression increased arousal in bystanders, and reconciliation between the combatants was accompanied by reduced bystander arousal. The reduction was specific to contexts in which former opponents interacted. We suggest that bystanders recognized the functional significance of this conflict-resolution mechanism when it occurred in their group.
Prospective study of the utility of somatostatin-receptor scintigraphy in the evaluation of patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1

Abstract Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a potentially lethal component of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1). Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS) can be used to localize NETs and evaluate patients for extraduodenopancreatic disease; its utility in managing MEN 1 is undefined. Methods: All patients with MEN 1 evaluated by SRS from April 1994 to November 1997 are reported. SRS findings were correlated with other imaging studies and operative findings. Results: Thirty-seven SRS studies were performed in 29 patients with MEN 1. SRS identified occult tumor in 36% (4/11) of patients with only biochemical evidence of NET; 2 patients went on to resection. SRS showed tumor in 79% (15/19) of patients with computed tomography (CT)–demonstrated tumor; 30% (6/20) of the SRS lesions were occult on CT. Conversely, 55% (16/29) of CT-identified lesions were occult on SRS. SRS found distant disease in 21% (6/29) of patients. In patients who had previous operations, SRS found tumor in 40% (4/10) of patients, again with both new positive and false-negative results compared with other imaging. SRS also had 3 important false-positive results, including 1 patient who had laparotomy with no tumor identified. Conclusions: SRS is useful in identifying otherwise occult NETs in patients with MEN 1 and can substantially alter management. However, SRS also has significant false-positive and false-negative results that demand correlation with other studies. (Surgery 1998;124:1037-42.)