cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Left-ventricular boundary detection from spatiotemporal volumetric CT images

This paper presents a new technique for LV boundary detection from 3-D volumetric cardiac images. The proposed method consists of boundary detection and boundary refinement stages. In the boundary detection stage, a spatio-temporal (4-D) gradient operator is used to capture the temporal gradients of dynamic LV boundaries and to smooth time uncorrelated noise. Spatio-temporal edge detection is performed outward from an approximate center of the left ventricle. In the boundary refinement stage, spherical harmonic model is fitted to the detected boundaries. Based on this model, false boundaries are removed; LV boundaries are recovered. A left ventricle is a bright, smooth region, varying in size over the heart cycle. This a priori knowledge is incorporated in detection and refinement of LV boundaries to reduce the effect of noise. The intensity of the inner (close to the center) neighbors of the LV boundary is brighter than the outer. The size of the left ventricle is used in boundary refinement to select proper boundaries to be fitted by the spherical harmonic mode. We demonstrate the advantages of 4-D edge detection over 3-D and the use of spherical harmonics to refine LV boundaries. Our experimental data is supplied by Dr. Eric Hoffman at University of Pennsylvania medical school and consists of 16 volumetric (128 by 128 by 118) CT images taken through a heart cycle.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Farey tree embodied - In bimodal maps of the interval

Abstract We show that the Farey tree (the nodes and the lines) and an extension of the tree, are realized as a structure in the parameter-plane of bimodal maps of the interval. A graphical construction of the U-sequence is also presented.
Gender Differences in Students' Attitudes toward Rape

Abstract Two of the major concerns in a burgeoning rape literature have been: (1) to determine whether people believe the myths about rape and (2) investigating the observers' attributions of responsibility for rape. In this paper, these issues are studied by developing an acceptance of the rape myths scale which is administered to a college student sample. The findings suggest that: (1) most students reject the more obvious of the rape myths, while evidencing problems with “subtle” ones, (2) gender differences do exist, with women being significantly more likely to reject many of the rape myths, and (3) interpersonal factors, rather than structural ones, are believed to be the causes of rape.
Plasma Membrane Estrogen Receptors

It is now firmly established that estrogen and all sex steroid receptors exist in discrete cellular pools outside the nucleus. Estrogen receptors (ER) have been localized to the plasma membrane where both ERα and ERβ function in a wide variety of cells and organs. ERs have also been found in discrete cytoplasmic organelles including mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. In ligand-dependent fashion, each ER pool contributes to the overall, integrated effects of estrogens producing biological outcomes. This review highlights the recent work establishing new roles and targets of membrane ER signaling. Such actions include prevention of vascular injury or cardiac hypertrophy, sexual behavior and pain perception mediated through the central nervous system, osteoblast survival, and fluid resorption in the colon.
Private Maintenance for Moscow's Municipal Housing Stock: Does it Work?

[© Journal of Housing Economics] Since the housing stock in Russia is still predominantly State-owned, reform of the State rental sector is fundamental to the transformation of the housing sector in general. Officials in the city of Moscow recognized this and signed an agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development for a demonstration project for the private maintenance of municipal units as part of a larger reform program. This paper presents the results of the evaluation of the effectiveness of this program.
The Native in the Garden: Floral Politics and Cultural Entrepreneurs

Although sociological research has examined how state symbolism binds citizens together and creates allegiance, little attention has been paid to how such symbols are selected. We investigate the adoption of state flowers in the United States. Seemingly unproblematic processes surrounding the selection of floral emblems can, under certain circumstances, involve heated symbolic politics. The default option of selecting a native flower, naturalizing the state, can be overcome by materialist or cultural interests that invest cultivated flowers with symbolic potency. In-depth case studies of three states where battles were waged over the state flower reveal that the battle lines were material and symbolic, demonstrating that apparently “authentic” representations of nature can be trumped by factional and subcultural interests.
Monochromatic verification of high-contrast imaging with an occulter

One of the most promising concepts of starlight suppression for direct imaging of exoplanets is flying a specially-shaped external occulter in formation with a space telescope. Here we present contrast performance verification of an occulter design scaled to laboratory-size using Fresnel numbers corresponding to the space design. Experimental design innovations include usage of an expanding beam to minimize phase aberrations, and an outer ring to minimize hard-edge diffraction effects. The apodizing performance of the optimized occulter edge is compared with a baseline case of a circular occulter and shown to result in contrast improvements. Experimental results in red monochromatic light show that the achieved laboratory contrast exceeds ten orders of magnitude, but with differences from the theoretical diffraction analysis limited by specular reflection from the mask edges.
Late-Holocene advance of the Collins Ice Cap, King George Island, South Shetland Islands

Radiocarbon dates of incorporated moss indicate advance of the Collins Ice Cap on Fildes Peninsula (King George Island) after ~650 cal. yr BP (~AD 1300), broadly contemporaneous with the `Little Ic...
The Use of Technology for Second Language Distance Learning

This article describes distance learning (DL) for languages within the context of recent advances and research findings in computer-assisted language learning (CALL). In addition to reviewing the different DL modalities, theoretical underpinnings, and the most appropriate technological applications to second language learning, the issues of conducting DL research and training faculty to work with this new learning environment will be examined. Garrett's (1991) overview of an earlier state of the CALL field serves as the background for judging how far the field has come, especially with respect to the pedagogical challenges, which have not changed drastically since the 1990s. A key consideration is the notion of interactivity, which is analyzed in depth with relation to both tutorial CALL and social computing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Hollow gold nanorectangles: The roles of polarization and substrate

Dimers of hollow gold nanorectangles ((197 ± 4) × (134 ± 6) nm outside and (109 ± 5) × (53 ± 3) nm inside) were fabricated via electron beam lithography with interparticle separations ranging from 27 ± 2 nm to 596 ± 8 nm. Spectroscopic investigation of these arrays showed multiple peaks under illumination polarized both parallel and perpendicular to the interparticle axis. Discrete dipole approximation theoretical calculations were used to investigate the nature of these multiple peaks. These calculations demonstrate that the multiple peaks arise due to a combination of multiple plasmon modes and interactions with the substrate. The substrate effects are more pronounced for the parallel polarization because parallel polarization (along the long axis) of the nanorectangles results in a much stronger dipole mode than for the perpendicular polarization (along the short axis). Next, we show how these peaks change, as the hollow nanorectangles are brought within coupling range of one another. In this endeavor, we make use of our previously reported method to directly convert scanning electron microscope images of the nanoparticles into the shape files for the theoretical calculations.
Minimaxity and admissibility of the product limit estimator

In this article we examine the minimaxity and admissibility of the product limit (PL) estimator under the loss function
Molecular epidemiology of the global and temporal diversity of Candida parapsilosis

We examined the global epidemiology of C. parapsilosis and assessed the discriminatory capabilities of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and RAPD typing methods. We used EcoRI digestion of cellular DNA to generate RFLP; RAPD analysis on genomic DNA. Band profiles were used to distinguish and group isolates. From 7 diverse geographic areas, 536 isolates obtained over 35 y were placed into 23 RFLP subgroups. Subtype VII-1 was dominant worldwide (82.4% of isolates). Dividing the isolates into VII-1 versus non-VII-1 showed temporal variation for the USA pre-1995 versus post-1995 (p<0.0001) and versus Europe pre-1995 (p<0.0001). Genotype distribution differed among localities (p<0.0001); Mexico was unique (p<0.05) due to the high proportion of non-VII-1. The prevalence of C. parapsilosis RFLP type VII-1 apparently has risen in the USA and current isolates show some variation in distribution of types in some non-USA localities. There were no differences in distribution of types comparing babies versus adults, or bloodstream isolates versus colonizing or environmental isolates. RAPD typing showed 3 major profiles, but was less discriminatory.
The Pleasure of Not Knowing

Seventy-five contemporary artists offer their visual interpretations of current thinking on unanswered questions in science.
COMPARATIVE IN VITRO EFFECTS OF IMIPRAMINE, OXYBUTYNIN, AND FLAVOXATE ON RABBIT DETRUSOR*

Abstract The ability of imiprainine, oxybutynin, and favoxate to antagonize carbainttlcholinc and barium chloride (BaCl2)-induced contractions of rabbit detrusor, and to block impulse conduction in desheathed frog sciatic nerves has been assessed in vitro. Imipramine exerts noncompetitivc carbainyleholine and BaCl2 blockade by 10-5 M and a local anesthetic effect equipotent with that of tetracaine. Oxybutynin exerts a strong competitive antagonism of carbainylcholinc by 10-R M, a noncompetitive antagonism of BaCl2 equivalent to that of inniprainine, and moderate local anesthetic activity. Flavoxate, under these experimental conditions, exerts little antieholinergic, antispasmodic, or local anesthetic activity. Imipramine and oxybutynin thus demonstrate a munber of smooth muscle effects by which their therapeutic actions ina y be exerted. The mechanisms o f action o f flaroxate remain obscure.
Low-Energy, Low-Yield Photoionization, and Production of 8-Oxo-2‘-deoxyguanosine and Guanine from 2‘-Deoxyguanosine

Experiments employing electron scavenging methods and high performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection indicate that electrons, formed via one-photon ionization, guanine (G) and small amounts of 8-oxo-2‘-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dG) are formed during 254 nm irradiation of deaerated alkaline 2‘-deoxyguanosine (dG) solutions containing N2O. The G, 8-oxo-dG and electron yields vary in a similar way when the pH changes. At a dG concentration of 1.2 × 10-4 M, the 254 nm photoionization quantum yield is in the range 0.01 to 0.02 at pH 11.4. The low sensitivity with which photoionization can be monitored in electron scavenging experiments does not permit the direct measurement of dG photoionization at near neutral pH. At pH 6.3, the 254 nm photoionization quantum yield for dG is no larger than 0.003. At pH 11.4, the yields of G and 8-oxo-dG formed from 254 nm irradiation of 1.2 × 10-4 M dG for 40 min are more than 5× larger than that at pH 6.3. The similar pH dependence of the G, 8-oxo-dG and...
Uncertainty and bias in contrast concentration measurements using spoiled gradient echo pulse sequences

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a widely used technique for assessing tissue physiology. Spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) pulse sequences are one of the most common methods for acquisition of DCE-MRI data, providing high temporal and spatial resolution with strong T(1)-weighting. Conversion of SPGR signal to concentration is briefly reviewed, and a new closed-form expression for concentration measurement uncertainty for finite signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and baseline scan time is derived. This result is applicable to arbitrary concentration-dependent relaxation rate and is valid over the same domain as the theoretical SPGR signal equation. Expressions for the lower and upper bounds on measurable concentration are also derived. The existence of a concentration- and tissue-dependent optimal flip angle that minimizes concentration uncertainty is demonstrated and it is shown that, for clinically relevant pulse sequence parameters, this optimal flip angle is significantly larger than the corresponding Ernst angle. Analysis of three pulse sequences from the DCE-MRI literature shows that optimization of flip angle using the methods discussed here leads to potential improvements of 10-1166% in effective SNR over the 0.5-5.0 mM concentration range with minimal or no loss of measurement accuracy down to 0.1 mM. In vivo data from three study patients provide further support for our theoretical expression for concentration measurement uncertainty, with predicted and experimental estimates agreeing to within +/- 30%. Equations for concentration bias resulting from biases in flip angle and from pre-contrast relaxation time and contrast relaxivity (both longitudinal and transverse) are also derived in closed-form. The resulting equations show the potential for significant contributions to bias in concentration measurement arising from even relatively small mis-specification of flip angle and/or pre-contrast longitudinal relaxation time, particularly at high contrast concentrations.
Promises and problems of biological atomic force microscopy

Summary Recent developments in the biological applications of atomic force microscopy are reviewed, and the great potential of this novel, high-resolution imaging technique, including its limitations and possible future directions for biological research, are discussed.
Work in progress — Understanding the role of graduate teaching assistants in contributing to student motivation

Answering calls to make engineering courses more engaging and interactive has increased instructional resource needs and contributed to the reliance on graduate teaching assistants (GTAs). Little research has focused on how GTAs influence students' motivation or in comparison to faculty influences on student motivation. In this study, we begin addressing this gap by using a mixed-methods approach to examine students' perceptions of faculty vs. GTAs with regard to relationships with students, teaching practices, and classroom climates. Preliminary survey data analyses show statistically significant differences in perceptions of faculty and workshop leaders with regard to teaching practices. Data also show a belief that some men students treat women students differently in different teaching environments. Further analysis of the survey data and qualitative analysis of the interview data are needed to fully describe student perceptions of GTAs and faculty and associated relationships with self-efficacy, motivation for learning, and intentions to persist in engineering.
The North American drought monitor: A continental approach

Presents a collection of slides covering the following topics: North American drought monitor, US drought monitor, ArcGIS, climate monitoring, average precipitation, precipitation index, Palmer Drought Index, soil moisture ranking percentile, remote sensing, vegetation drought response index.
Complications of distal first metatarsal osteotomies

Many surgical procedures have been described for the correction of hallux valgus and hallux limitus deformities. Distal first metatarsal osteotomies have been advocated since the turn of the century, and have been modified and improved since that time. Various complications have been associated with distal osteotomies, but there is infrequent reference to the normal changes in joint function, foot biomechanics, and forefoot pressures after surgery. The following literature review addresses the postoperative effects of decreased first metatarsophalangeal joint motion, shortening of the first metatarsal, dorsal displacement of the capital fragment, and transfer metatarsalgia on foot function.
The Impact of High Diastase Malted Barley Flour on Weight and Height of Malnourished Children in Panama

ABSTRACT Enzymatic malted products reduce dietary bulk while maintaining nutrient density of cooked cereals. This study examined whether height/weight changes of malnourished Panamanian children fed oatmeal supplemented with high diastase malted barley flour were greater than for those fed unenhanced oatmeal. A pre-test/post-test control-group design was used, with random assignment to treatment/control groups. Treatment-group subjects gained more weight than did control-group subjects, both per day (t = 2.48, p = 0.016) and overall (t = 2.47, p = 0.016). Findings provide evidence that supplementation of oatmeal with malted barley improves nutritional status of malnourished children, as evidenced by weight gain.
Parental Involvement in Education: Attitudes and Activities of Spanish-Speakers as Affected by Training

Abstract This study compared school-related attitudes and activities of Spanish-speaking parents who participated in the Parent Resource Person Group (experimental group N = 47) with those who did not (control group N = 84). Low response by culturally and linguistically diverse parents to surveys is often misinterpreted as a lack of interest in their children's education. The author maintains that parents' lack familiarity with schools and resources and schools' lack culturally appropriate research methodology and cross-cultural sensitivity. Study subjects received surveys, calls, and postcards in Spanish. A small sample (N = 8) participated in telephone interviews. Findings revealed that the group receiving parent liaison training participated in a wider variety of school-related activities more frequently. Language and cultural issues impact the type and frequency of parental involvement. Non response does not equate with not caring.
Reliability of electrocardiographic diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy.

This is an electrocardiographic-pathologic study in which presence and degree of left ventricular hypertrophy found at necropsy were correlated with electrocardiographic abnormalities suggesting the diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy. The nonspecificity of some electrocardiographic findings is emphasized by the occasional erroneous diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy.
Metronidazole and fractionated radiotherapy of a murine tumor

Abstract The TCD 50 (radiation dose to control 5096 of the tumors) of the C3H mouse mammary carcinoma MDAH-MCa-4 was 6840 rad (6640–7040, 95% confidence limits) when irradiation was given in 5 equal fractions with a 1 day interval between fractions. In those animals which were given 2.5 mg of the hypoxic cell sensitizer metronidazole ("Flagyl") per mouse (∼ 0.1 mg/g) intraperitoneally (ip) 10 min before each radiation exposure, the TCD 50 was 6040 rad (5780–6310), a reduction by a factor of 1.13. In those which were given 1.0 mg/g ip 15 min before exposure, the TCD 50 was 5290 rad (4940–5660) a reduction by a factor of 1.29. A slight protective effect was observed in the irradiation response of murine jejunal epithelium when animals were given 0.1 mg/g ip 15 min before each of 5 equal radiation doses administered with a 3 hr interfraction interval. Tumor growth was not affected by 5 daily injections of either 0.1 mg metronidazole/g or 1.0 mg/g.
The E-box Binding Factors Max/Mnt, MITF, and USF1 Act Coordinately with FoxO to Regulate Expression of Proapoptotic and Cell Cycle Control Genes by Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt/Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 Signaling

Phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase/Akt signaling plays a critical role in cell proliferation and survival, partly by regulation of FoxO transcription factors. Previous work using global expression profiling indicated that inhibition of PI 3-kinase in proliferating cells led to induction of genes that promote cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The upstream regulatory regions of these genes had binding sites not only for FoxO, but also for Myc/Max transcription factors. In the present study, we have addressed the role of Myc family members and related E-box-binding proteins in the regulation of these genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitations and RNA interference indicated that transcription was repressed by Max-Mnt-Sin3a-histone deacetylase complexes in proliferating cells. Inhibition of PI 3-kinase led to a loss of Max/Mnt binding and transcriptional induction by MITF and USF1, as well as FoxO. Both MITF and USF1 were activated by glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3, with GSK3 phosphorylation sites on USF1 identified as the previously described activating site threonine 153 as well as serine 186. siRNA against MITF as well as against FoxO3a protected cells from apoptosis following PI 3-kinase inhibition. These results define a novel E-box-regulated network that functions coordinately with FoxO to regulate transcription of apoptotic and cell cycle regulatory genes downstream of PI 3-kinase/Akt/GSK3 signaling.
Evolution of pleiotropic costs in experimental populations.

The fitness of populations adapting to new environments is expected to decline in different environments, but empirical studies often do not lend support for such adaptation costs. We test the idea that the initial fitness of the selected populations in the environment where the cost is estimated is key for interpreting tests of ecological trade-offs. We isolated single clones of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae every ~250 generations from replicate experimental lineages that had been selected during 5000 generations in a glucose-limited environment. We then selected these clones in a galactoselimited environment for ~120 generations. Finally, we estimated singleclone fitness in both environments, before and after selection on galactose. The pleiotropic effects on glucose of selection on galactose evolved from positive to negative as fitness in glucose increased, providing strong support for the importance of initial fitness for determining the sign and magnitude of pleiotropic effects. This demonstrates that the sign of pleiotropic effects for fitness following adaptation to a new environment can change during long-term adaptation to an original environment. We also found no relationship between the size of the fitness changes in galactose and glucose, such that pleiotropic effects in glucose became relatively smaller as the sizes of direct effects on galactose increased.
The Drosophila gap gene giant regulates ecdysone production through specification of the PTTH-producing neurons.

Abstract In Drosophila melanogaster, hypomorphic mutations in the gap gene giant (gt) have long been known to affect ecdysone titers resulting in developmental delay and the production of large (giant) larvae, pupae and adults. However, the mechanism by which gt regulates ecdysone production has remained elusive. Here we show that hypomorphic gt mutations lead to ecdysone deficiency and developmental delay by affecting the specification of the PG neurons that produce prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH). The gt1 hypomorphic mutation leads to random loss of PTTH production in one or more of the 4 PG neurons in the larval brain. In cases where PTTH production is lost in all four PG neurons, delayed development and giant larvae are produced. Since immunostaining shows no evidence for Gt expression in the PG neurons once PTTH production is detectable, it is unlikely that Gt directly regulates PTTH expression. Instead, we find that innervation of the prothoracic gland by the PG neurons is absent in gt hypomorphic larvae that do not express PTTH. In addition, PG neuron axon fasciculation is abnormal in many gt hypomorphic larvae. Since several other anteriorly expressed gap genes such as tailless and orthodenticle have previously been found to affect the fate of the cerebral labrum, a region of the brain that gives rise to the neuroendocrine cells that innervate the ring gland, we conclude that gt likely controls ecdysone production indirectly by contributing the peptidergic phenotype of the PTTH-producing neurons in the embryo.
Determination of platelet monoamine oxidase activity by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection.

A procedure for determining human platelet monoamine oxidase (MAO) with dopamine (DA) as substrate is described. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection (ED) was used to separate and detect components of the reaction mixture. The method for platelet preparation was also improved and only 2 ml of blood were required. Following a 10-min incubation of the platelet preparation with DA in 0.1 M Tris buffer (pH 9.0), excess DA substrate was removed by adsorption on a cation-exchange resin. The reaction product, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde, was adsorbed on acid-washed alumina, eluted with 0.1 M perchloric acid and analyzed by HPLC. Simple, clean chromatograms were obtained with good reproducibility using 3,4-dihydroxybenzylamine as an internal standard. The within-sample, between-samples and between-day relative standard deviations were 0.9, 3.7 and 6.1%, respectively. The apparent Michaelis constant and maximum velocity were 0.10 mM and 0.37 nmol/min.mg protein, respectively. This HPLC-ED method offers a good alternative to methods using radioactivity.
Comparison of prostaglandin H synthase isoform structures using limited proteolytic digestion.

Abstract Prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) catalyzes a key step in the biosynthesis of a variety of bioactive lipid mediators. The two known isoforms (PGHS-1 and -2) share about 60% amino acid identity, but exhibit distinct interactions with substrates, activators, and inhibitors. Ovine PGHS-1 has previously been shown to have a distinctive protease-sensitive site near Arg277; cleavage by trypsin, chymotrypsin, or proteinase K produces fragments of 33 and 38 kDa and loss of activity. The ovine PGHS-1 crystal structure shows Arg277 located in an exposed loop structure; homology modeling predicts similar loop structures for both human isoforms (hPGHS-1 and -2). We have used limited proteolytic digestion of recombinant hPGHS-1 and hPGHS-2 to probe their structures. Incubation of hPGHS-1 with either trypsin or proteinase K produced 33- and 38-kDa fragments and loss of activity. In contrast, incubation of hPGHS-2 with the same proteases led to cleavage of only a 2- to 3-kDa fragment, with no decrease in activity. Immunoblotting with site-specific antibodies demonstrated that the cleaved fragment originated from the hPGHS-2 C-terminus. Similar immunoblotting experiments indicated that trypsin did not attack the ovine PGHS-1 C-terminus. Mutagenesis was used to replace Pro263 of hPGHS-2 (corresponds to Arg277 of ovine PGHS-1) with arginine, inserting a potential trypsin site. Incubation of this P263R hPGHS-2 mutant with either trypsin or proteinase K resulted in cleavage near the C-terminus and retention of activity, just as with wild-type hPGHS-2. A peptide containing residues 259–268 of the P263R mutant was cleaved by trypsin at the same rate as a peptide corresponding to hPGHS-1 residues 272–281, demonstrating that the sequence differences were not responsible for the lack of tryptic cleavage at residue 263 in the hPGHS-2 mutant. Preincubation of hPGHS-2 with graded levels of guanidinium HCl before incubation with proteinase K did not produce large proteolytic fragments, indicating that the hPGHS-2 loop region was not selectively unfolding. The results point to two regions of significant structural difference between PGHS-1 and -2: the Arg277 loop, which is protease-sensitive in PGHS-1 but protease-resistant in PGHS-2, and the C-terminus, which is protease-sensitive in PGHS-2 but not in PGHS-1.
An Empirical Assessment of Technology Adoption as a Choice between Alternatives

Technology adoption by individuals has traditionally been regarded by information systems researchers as a choice between adoption and non-adoption of a single technology. With the current diversity of technology alternatives, the adoption decision may be more accurately specified as a choice between competing alternative technologies. The research question may no longer be simply whether technology is adopted, but rather which technology is adopted. The authors illustrate this with a simplified model of choice between two competing technologies, where the second technology is an enhanced version of the first. Their theoretical model is based on Expectancy Theory ET. Results indicate that system characteristics can be successfully captured in the Valence Model of ET, and effort expectancy in the Force Model. Future research can expand on these results by including more factors in the Valence Model, and by comparing more than two alternative technologies.
Strengthening information provision in Nigerian university libraries through information communication technologies

Purpose – To review the current state of information communication technologies (ICT) application for information provision in Nigerian university libraries and make suggestions to enable them take fuller advantage of ICT facilities to provide information more effectively to users.Design/methodology/approach – Recent library and information science literature on university libraries and ICT application in Nigeria is reviewed to expose the state‐of‐the‐art and hence the problems which beset the university libraries in Nigeria as regards ICT application.Findings – Identified obstacles militating against effective application of ICT in university libraries to include inadequate funding, inadequate electricity supply, shortage of competent manpower for operation and maintenance of ICT facilities, lukewarm attitude of the Nigerian government towards the provision of ICT facilities and low level of computer literacy among Nigerians.Research limitations/implications – Physical visits were not paid to the univers...
Treatment of burns

Abstract 1. 1. The severe burn case carries a responsibility not only for the attending surgeon, but for all individuals participating in the treatment. Close attention to details of therapy is essential. 2. 2. The burn must be treated as a surgical wound preliminary to the application of the therapeutic agent. 3. 3. Shock is an early complication and must be dealt with by the early administration of sedatives, heat to the body, and parenteral fluids, in addition to blood transfusions. 4. 4. The local agent used may depend upon the type of burn and the experience of the attending surgeon. 5. 5. Sulfapyridine has proved of value in a limited number of cases with sepsis and upper respiratory complications. 6. 6. The acid or alkali burn should be thoroughly washed with water before applying the neutralizing agent. 7. 7. Attention to the position of the patient is important to prevent contractures and deformities, and to obtain the best functional result. 8. 8. It should be emphasized that attention to the nutrition of the patient is important and may be supplemented by frequent small blood transfusions to combat the secondary anemia, which is associated with exhaustion. 9. 9. Early skin grafting minimizes loss of fluid from the burned area. The effects of infection are also reduced, thereby limiting scarring and contractures. 10. 10. Physiotherapy may assist in the rehabilitation of the patient and restoration of function. 11. 11. The results of treatment in the severe burn case show a favorable lowering of mortality by the use of modern therapy.
Cestode systematics: Any progress?

In this short review, I summarize the recent advances, the present state and future for research in the field of cestode systematics. First, within an historical context, I briefly outline why our understanding of relationships within the Eucestoda has been problematic and contentious. On this foundation, I then summarize and discuss recent progress at various supraspecific levels, and at the specific level. Of particular interest in this respect is the discrepancy between the methods applied to understand the evolution of a few well-studied taxa, for instance the complex of Echinococcus species, contrasted with our relative ignorance about the systematic status of the vast majority of species. This leads to a review of the diversity of classical and new methodologies currently applied in the field of cestode systematics. Applications of morphoanatomical investigations as well as more recent molecular tools are examined, and some less common approaches are also reviewed. Finally, several practical and theoretical difficulties that are specific to the domain are discussed. These include problems in accessibility of material and adequate consideration of host-specificity. Our current state of knowledge represents an apparent paradox in that significant progress has indeed been achieved during the last 15 years, but appears limited to very specific cases, principally among medically important taxa. Conversely, more general works whose utility has been long recognized have not been addressed despite their conceptual simplicity. Consequently the development of new techniques, especially molecular ones, to allow access to new classes of characters is encouraged. However the need for continuous effort using more traditional approaches, including continued field collection, excellent and detailed descriptions and redescriptions, as well as critical revisions of classical monographs is also emphasized. A synergism linking morphological and molecular characters and phylogenetic approaches to analysis provides a firm foundation for rapid and seminal advances in the elucidation of relationships among the Eucestoda.
Writing an interactive psychiatric information system

We report on our experiences in the use of C.P.S. PL/1 for writing a medical information system. This system involves the use of I.B.M. 2741 terminals in a clinical psychiatric setting. A collection of programs is described which is used to set goals for patients and which stores this set of goals for subsequent ratings of progress for the patient. A global "T" scorer, similar to the one used by Kiresuk, is employed. The use of linked file organization is discussed as it pertains to the flexibility of the system. Upward and downward compatibility of programs and files is assured by the use of the rules presented. Problems of confidentiality are solved by the use of a scrambler routine using the C.P.S. pseudo-random number generator. Measures to prevent the deterioration of data base integrity due to teleprocessing disconnects and other interruptions are discussed. The use of a message level parameter with all of the programs and other techniques which make the programs easier to use are also presented.
Solid-State Discrete-Frequency Synthesizer

This article describes the effective utilization of nonprecise tuning components in unique techniques for precise frequency synthesis. Frequency synthesis is the generation of sinusoidal RF signals of precisely controlled and accurately known arbitrary frequencies. Nonprecise components which are examined in detail under the several limiting conditions of operation are solid-state devices, such as variable-capacitance diodes, ferroelectric capacitors, and controllable inductors. The significance of combining a discrete-frequency reference and and an electronically-tuned phase-lock oscillator in the generation of precise frequencies is that it is possible to construct a unit whose output frequency can have certain discrete values. This unit, called a discrete-frequency generator, has an output frequency which is precisely one of the harmonics of the discrete-frequency reference. By using several discrete-frequency generators, each with different incremental steps, combining and taking the mixed output, it is possible to cover a wide over-all range in small incremental steps. The design and construction of a discrete-frequency synthesizer which tunes over a 1-Mc range in 10-kc steps (two significant figures) is carried out to demonstrate the practicability of the proposed technique. The discrete-frequency reference is provided by a five-stage shift-register generator. The shift-register generator is synchronized by a crystal clock which has a long-term frequency stability of one part in 105. The spurious output of the synthesizer is at least 50 db below the desired output. The significant consequences of this investigation result from the extreme flexibility afforded by completely electronic tuning methods.
Credit rationing in a disequilibrium macroeconomic model

Abstract This paper develops a four-market disequilibrium macroeconomic model. The model includes the labor, output, bond, and money markets. A number of papers have considered the interactions between the labor and output markets. Fewer papers have considered the financial sectors. This paper is an exploration into the role of financial market disequilibrium (e.g., credit rationing) within a disequilibrium macroeconomic model.
Vector excitation coding technique for image data

We present a VQ based technique for coding image data that, like closed loop VXC, adopts a analysis by synthesis approach. We define a new type of spatial interaction model for image data, called prediction pattern, which we use along with a quantized excitation (residuals) vector, to generate an approximation of an input block of pixels. A prediction pattern is simply a k X k array with each element representing a prediction scheme from a given set of predictors. A prediction pattern captures the spatial dependencies present in an image block. Given an image, a set of prediction schemes and a codebook of prediction patterns, we encode an image by partitioning it into blocks and for each block identifying the prediction pattern from within the codebook that best models the spatial dependencies that are present in the block. Having identified this prediction pattern we then search the residual codebook for a code vector that in combination with the already chosen prediction pattern results in the synthesis of the closest approximation to the current image block. The problem is to design an optimal set of prediction schemes and an optimal codebook of prediction patterns, given an image (or class of images). We present algorithms for codebook design and give implementation results on a few standard images. Preliminary results give substantial (between 2 or 3 db) improvements over a simple implementation of full search VQ.
A soybean lectin having 4-O-Methyl-D-Glucuronic acid specificity

Evidence is presented for the presence of a new lectin activity in soybean seeds [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] that has specificity towards the 4-O-methyl-D-glucurono-L-rhamnan exopolysaccharide produced by certain strains of Rhizobium japonicum. Bacterial agglutination and precipitin reactions revealed the lectin activity in phosphate-buffered saline extracts of seeds of all cultivars tested, including the "lectinless" varieties. Reaction of such extracts with carbohydrate haptens demonstrated that the specificity of the binding was towards 4-O-methyl-D-glucuronic acid, D-glucuronic acid and their methyl glycosides.
Environmental citizenship in multinational corporations: social responsibility and sustainable development

Abstract Over the past decade the concept of sustainable development has expanded to include the simultaneous consideration of economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity in business planning and decision-making. Many multinational enterprises based in the United States and Europe engage in corporate citizenship programs to promote sustainable development. Corporate citizenship programs are often defined narrowly, however, as philanthropy or external relationships with stakeholders to address social problems. As important as these activities are, they do not adequately define the broad range of substantive internal environmental management practices that MNCs also use to pursue sustainable development objectives. A content analysis of 38 MNCs' environmental performance reports identifies and classifies their practices in the field of environmental citizenship and their contributions to sustainable development, assesses the means by which MNCs collaborate with stakeholders in solving environmental problems, and examines the factors that contribute to the success of corporate environmental citizenship for sustainable development.
A quadruply-bonded dirhenium complex bridged by two N1/N6 adenate ligands

Abstract The first structurally characterized example of a metal-metal bonded complex bridged by the DNA nucleobase adenine through the N1, N6 positions is reported. The new dirhenium compound, Re2(O2CCH2CH3)2(9-EtA)2Cl2 · CH3CH2O · C6H14, binds to adenine at the sites where thymine normally engages in Watson-Crick base-pairing. Such chemistry, if it occurs in vivo, could play a role in the carcinostatic activity of tetrapropionatodirhenium complexes that are known to inhibit DNA replication.
Strangeness production in relativistic nuclear collisions

A review of strange particle production in heavy ion collisions from AGS to SPS energies is presented. Implications of the newest developments in understanding the collision dynamics and the role of strange particle production in the search for a new phase of matter, in both experimental and theoretical sectors, are discussed.
Radiography of low-energy ion beams: hydrogen coloration of flint glasses

Abstract Optical flint glasses (i.e., lead containing) develop an intense coloration when subjected to bombardment with protons or deuterons. The coloration is sufficient for the detection and measurement of ion beams penetrating less than a micron. The optical absorption is given as a function of wavelength and appears to be the tail of bands centered in the near ultraviolet. The optical density at 0.436 μm is given as a function of incident ion charge for 140 keV protons and deuterons and for 80 keV protons. Initially, the rate of coloration appears to be the same for two different flint glasses and for all the ions, hence proportional to the number of implanted ions.
Colorectal infarction following resection of abdominal aortic aneurysms

Infarctions of the colon and rectum (incidences approximately 1 and 0.5 per cent, respectively) are caused by compromised collateral circulation to the colon and rectum, usually as a result of arteriosclerotic disease of the superior and inferior mesenteric arterial systems, as well as the hypogastric arteries Patients who have colorectal ischemia after operations for abdominal aortic aneurysms have diarrhea (sometimes bloody), abdominal pain, and distention. The diagnosis may be established by sigmoidoscopic examination. Treatment includes surgical removal of the compromised bowel and creation of a temporary or permanent end colostomy. Prevention of this complication is aided by preservation of primary and collateral circulation, avoidance of hypotension, and preoperative bowel preparation.
Thyroid hormone production rates in rat liver and intestine in vivo: a novel graph theory and experimental solution.

We develop a novel method for finding sufficient experimental conditions for discriminating and quantifying individual biomolecule production sources in distributed, inhomogeneous multisource syste...
A Neural Theory of Preattentive Visual Information Processing: Emergent Segmentation, Cooperative-Competitive Computation, and Parallel Memory Storage

A real-time neural theory of preattentive visual information processing is described. The theory employs specialized neural networks expressed by systems of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. These dynamical systems describe hierarchies of nonlinear filters and cooperative-competitive feedback processes which generate coherent emergent segmentations that are sensitive to a scene’s global statistical properties. The emergent segmentations are controlled automatically by internal feedback loops rather than by external parameters. The theory shows how these circuits contextually resolve several basic uncertainties of local visual information processing. Historical antecedents of this theory within the recent decades of work on neural modelling are described, including the role of Liapunov functions in the analysis of memory storage.
Western History: What's Gender Got to Do With It?

in a recent essay, Susan Lee Johnson takes western historians to task for neglecting western women’s and gender history in their work. When Western Historical Quarterly asked me to write this essay on the impact of western women’s and gender history on our field, I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to test Johnson’s bold assertions. But how do you measure such impact? I could have highlighted some of the outstanding works that western women’s and gender historians have produced in the last thirty years, but I thought it might be more useful and telling to analyze general western history works. I decided to look at the winners since 2000 of the Western History Association’s annual Caughey Western History Association Prize for the best book in western history and to examine the extent to which these books have incorporated analyses of women and gender. Five of the last eleven winners of the Caughey Prize concentrate on individual men (Charles M. Russell, John Sutter, Buffalo Bill Cody, John Wesley Powell, and Brigham Young). Four focus on groups of American Indians (Sioux, Comanches, Nez Perce, and American Indians in the West prior to 1800). Two synthetic textbooks of western history round out the field. After reading all eleven books in quick succession, my initial
Information and social system interaction

Ever increasing participation has made the interaction between information and social systems not only interesting to observe but essential to quantify and analyze. This dissertation presents methods for understanding such interaction through combined analysis of metadata, networks, text and log data. ArXiv, an open and highly influential scholarly communication system, served as the testbed for these methods. In the first part of this dissertation we examine in depth interesting phenomena such as self-promotion, procrastination, visibility and geographic differences. We have confirmed the predictive power of early readership through regression and discussed undesirable effects of recommendation and possibilities of new impact metrics. In the second part we demonstrate extraction of subtopical concepts, characterized by phrases, through a statistical method for vocabulary selection and a network based ranking. Validation via search query and click logs is advocated as relevant and scalable. A clustering scheme to summarize temporal patterns of topic clicks is also presented. In the last part of this dissertation we present a name disambiguation algorithm and a novel evaluation method using node role based sampling in the context of network analysis. Finally we provide guidelines on performing large scale graph computation using the Map-Reduce framework.
Nuclear Medicine Technology: Procedures and Quick Reference

P. Shackett Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2009, 576 pages, $92.95 This is the second edition of a book intended for physicians, residents, nuclear medicine supervisors, technologists, and students interested in developing, modifying, and using imaging and therapy protocols.