cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racisms, heterosexisms, and identities: a semiotic phenomenology of self-understanding.

This article examines the contributions of lesbians of color to the developmental relationship between queer theory and qualitative research methodology. Its thesis is that the contributions of lesbians of color in this context have been overlooked despite being featured. This oversight is explained through an examination of theoretical perspectives that dominate our current understanding of the relationship between queer theory and qualitative research. Postmodernism is revealed as susceptible to liberal bias and racist exclusions common in U.S. culture. Semiotic phenomenology is offered as a non-essentialist approach to queer theory and qualitative research that reduces the liberal bias and racist exclusions often perpetuated in postmodern theorizing that have led to the exclusion of contributions of lesbians of color in queer theory.
State Failure and the Use of Force in the Age of Global Terror

The expansion of U.S. counterterrorist operations throughout the world coincides with a growing sense among some U.S. policymakers that so-called "failed states" pose grave threats to international security. The governments of failed states have weakened to the point that they can no longer provide public goods, such as territorial integrity, economic infrastructure, and physical security. U.S. defense strategists suspect that the lawlessness of failed states may do more to undermine security in the United States than direct confrontation by hostile governments. Denying terrorists the sanctuary they seek in failed states may become a central feature in the war on terror, and it is likely that the United States will use preemptive force against suspected terrorists inside a state that is incapable of policing itself. This Note examines the legality of using preemptive military force against suspected terrorists located in failed states.
Combination of primitive force-generating motor elements during reflex behaviors

It is shown that vector summation of force-field primitives can occur during natural reflex behaviors in the spinal frog. This summation mechanism supports a number of ways of extending a small collection of primitives into a full repertoire of motor behaviors. >
Entering Academic Librarianship: Tips for Library School Students

L'auteur donne plusieurs conseils aux etudiants commencant des etudes de bibliotheconomie: parmi ces conseils, celui d'etablir de fortes relations avec des professionnels qui effectuent des tâches similaires a celles qu'ils envisagent d'effectuer
Effect of field view size and lighting on unique-hue selection using Natural Color System object colors.

Abstract The aim of this study was twofold, first to determine the effect of field view size and second of illumination conditions on the selection of unique hue samples (UHs: R, Y, G and B) from two rotatable trays, each containing forty highly chromatic Natural Color System (NCS) samples, on one tray corresponding to 1.4° and on the other to 5.7° field of view size. UH selections were made by 25 color-normal observers who repeated assessments three times with a gap of at least 24 h between trials. Observers separately assessed UHs under four illumination conditions simulating illuminants D65, A, F2 and F11. An apparent hue shift (statistically significant for UR) was noted for UH selections at 5.7° field of view compared to those at 1.4°. Observers’ overall variability was found to be higher for UH stimuli selections at the larger field of view. Intra-observer variability was found to be approximately 18.7% of inter-observer variability in selection of samples for both sample sizes. The highest intra-observer variability was under simulated illuminant D65, followed by A, F11, and F2.
A Multivariate Test of the Influence Model

This study explores the validity of Meyer's (2004) influence model in the cable news network environment. The influence model proposes that news media organizations' profitability is linked to their societal influence, which depends on audiences' perceptions of their credibility and news quality. The results show a good fit between a structural equation model of the influence model and data from a survey probing respondents' opinions of CNN and Fox News Channel. The study also examines audience members' attitudes toward the two cable news networks and found that their opinions of CNN are significantly more positive. ACCESS TO FULL TEXT
Wire Routing and Satisfiability Planning

Wire routing is the problem of determining the physical locations of all the wires interconnecting the circuit components on a chip. Since the wires cannot intersect with each other, they are competing for limited spaces, thus making routing a difficult combinatorial optimization problem. We present a new approach to wire routing that uses action languages and satisfiability planning. Its idea is to think of each path as the trajectory of a robot, and to understand a routing problem as the problem of planning the actions of several robots whose paths are required to be disjoint. The new method differs from the algorithms implemented in the existing routing systems in that it always correctly determines whether a given problem is solvable, and it produces a solution whenever one exists.
The Content and Context of the Work of H. A. Innis

The eccentric Innis was too complex a personality and too prolific and varied in his writings to be treated with justice in a short space. He ranks with James Mavor and Stephen Leacock as a great character in Canadian intellectual history. In the present sketch only the main lines of his contribution to economics can be drawn.
Hepatopulmonary syndrome in children – is conventional liver transplantation always needed?

Willis AD, Miloh TA, Arnon R, Iyer KR, Suchy FJ, Kerkar N. Hepatopulmonary syndrome in children – is conventional liver transplantation always needed? Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 849–855. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is the association of liver disease, hypoxemia, and intrapulmonary vascular dilatations. There are little data on the management of HPS in children other than conventional orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Aims: To describe the patient characteristics, mode of diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of children with HPS at our center. Methods: Retrospective review of patients diagnosed with HPS between 1997 and 2007 after IRB approval. Results: There were 10 patients, six females; median age at diagnosis of HPS was 12 yr. Six with cirrhosis underwent OLT and had subsequent resolution of HPS and are stable at last follow-up. Of the remaining four, two had cirrhosis. HPS resolved without conventional OLT in the following four patients: hepatitis C after antiviral treatment, biliary atresia with portal hypertension after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting, Abernethy syndrome after auxiliary partial OLT, and in a child with splenic vein thrombosis after splenectomy. Conclusions: Our series shows resolution of HPS in all patients and 100% survival after conventional OLT. Four children had resolution of HPS after surgical or medical treatments other than conventional OLT. Careful review of clinical status and underlying pathophysiology and anatomy at diagnosis of HPS should inform treatment decisions.
Macroscopic Modeling of Spatiotemporal Information Flow Propagation Wave under Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communications

The speed of the information flow propagation wave is a fundamental characteristic to analyze vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications based traffic systems. It depends on the density of vehicles equipped with a V2V communication capability, the V2V communication constraints, and the traffic flow dynamics. This study proposes an integrated model consisting of integro-differential equations to describe the information flow propagation mechanism and a partial differential equation to describe the traffic flow dynamics. It can directly incorporate the success rate of communication with distance and interference as a probability density function, and provides a closed-form solution for the speed of the information flow propagation wave. Numerical simulation experiments are used to analyze the performance of the analytical solution. The results show that the analytical solutions are consistent with the average speed of the information flow propagation wave provided by the numerical experiments.
The Importance of Prehabilitation in Liver Transplantation

Over 15,000 patients are listed for liver transplantation across the USA while only 6500 transplants are performed each year. Given the realities of this profound organ shortage, optimal patient preparation is important to assure good outcomes. In recent years, frailty and sarcopenia have emerged as important predictors of post-transplant mortality. Potentially, these risk factors may be remediable with preoperative preparation. Efforts to improve disease management and physical conditioning could not only optimize patients for liver transplantation but could also improve outcomes among those who do not undergo transplantation.
Abstract PR06: A co-clinical assessment of patterns of BRAF inhibitor resistance

The acquired resistance of melanomas to BRAF inhibitors is now well-described, indicating many mechanisms including point mutations, amplifications, and alternative splicing. Here, we present a combined assessment of patient samples at both the RNA and protein levels. In parallel, we conducted a co-clinical mouse trial using a novel BRAF-driven model. We demonstrate that the response and resistance of the mouse melanomas closely parallels that of the human patient samples on both phenotypic and molecular levels, demonstrating multiple mechanisms of resistance that mirror the patient findings. On the basis of the combined data, we suggest that BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanomas can readily be categorized using economical and rapid protein array technology. This suggests that analyzing protein patterns offers a means of categorizing tumor resistance mechanisms even in the absence of identified driving genetic or epigenetic lesion(s). In summary, our results demonstrate the utility of a co-clinical assessment system and offer a cost-efficient means of categorizing patterns of BRAF inhibitor resistance in human patient samples within a clinically-meaningful timeframe. Citation Format: Lawrence N. Kwong, Genevieve Boland, Dennie T. Frederick, Timothy Helms, John P. Miller, Shan Jiang, Zachary A. Cooper, Alexei Protopopov, Gordon B. Mills, Keith Flaherty, Jennifer A. Wargo, Lynda Chin. A co-clinical assessment of patterns of BRAF inhibitor resistance. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Drug Sensitivity and Resistance: Improving Cancer Therapy; Jun 18-21, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2015;21(4 Suppl): Abstract nr PR06.
The absolute size of a photosynthetic unit

Summary The photosynthetic unit is a complex of pigments and proteins coupled to a reaction center where the initial light-driven charge separation of photosynthetic reactions takes place. The ‘size’ of the photosynthetic unit is defined as the number of light-absorbing pigment molecules contributing excitation energy to a reaction center. It is an important parameter in the study of the structure and function of photosynthetic membranes. Several approaches used for relative and absolute measures of photosystem stoichiometry and size are evaluated, and results achieved by these methods are compared. The concept of the absolute size of a photosynthetic unit leads to a simple relation between the size of the oxygen forming unit, the total chlorophyll per O2 (the classical Emerson-Arnold unit), and the quantum requirement for O2 formation. These measurements lead to further understanding of the mechanisms of energy transfer and of the adaptive mechanisms of plants to varied environments.
Possible Seismicity of the Nacimiento Fault, California

Earthquake history and instrumentally located epicenters suggest that this fault is active at depth.
Isotropically Etched Silicon Microarrays for Rapid Breast Cancer Cell Capture

In this paper, we describe design and fabrication of 3-D silicon microarrays consisting of a wide range of isotropically-etched concave cavities for cell-capturing applications. The microarrays supported rapid and efficient capture of metastatic human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) from single-cell suspensions. Furthermore, the captured cells adhered and were retained within the etched cavities for at least 72 h. Cavity spacing of 30-50 μm was most suitable for capture of the cells within microwells. Cell capture was evident within 1 min and was essentially complete by 20-30 min. Capture of 10 μm beads proceeded with a similar time frame and efficiency. Cell capture was 80%-90% efficient and was independent of cavity diameters tested: 35, 60, 70, and 100 μm. The depth of the microwells ranged from 28 to 54 μm. For single-cell capture, the 35 μm diameter cavity was optimal. The larger cavities contained 3-10 cells and were better suited for applications sensing cell proliferation, cell-cell interactions, stem cell differentiation, and drug responsiveness. The proposed silicon microarrays did not require any chemical coating or surface modification to support micro co-cultures of normal human breast epithelial cells (MCF10A) and MDA-MB-231 after cell trapping. This paper demonstrates that the silicon microarrays efficiently capture individual human breast cancer cells from a mono-culture suspension and in a mixture of excess MCF10A. Therefore the developed silicon platform is suitable for efficient detection and sensing of individual human breast cancer cells.
Ion-beam sputter coating of tantalum tube inner walls for protection against hydrogen embrittlement

Tantalum, which is used in the chemical industry as a construction material, suffers from hydrogen embrittlement when it is corroded in contact with acids. In order to prevent tantalum tubes from embrittlement, their inner walls were sputter coated with platinum films by ion bombardment of a conical sputter target inside the tube. Electrochemical and immersion corrosion tests show that the deposited platinum films reduce the uptake of hydrogen and the embrittlement of the tantalum tubes by a factor of five.
Rol5-4513 differentially affects ethanol-induced hypnosis and hypothermia

Abstract Recent reports of in vivo antagonism of the acute anti-conflict, ataxic, and lethal effects of ethanol with the partial inverse agonist imidazobenzodiazepine Rol5-4513 implicate the GABAa/benzodiazepine receptor in mediating several acute effects of ethanol. These data raise the question as to whether all of the acute effects of ethanol can be antagonized by Rol5-4513. The present study addressed this issue by investigating the effect of Rol5-4513 on ethanol-induced loss of righting reflex and hypothermia in mice. We found that Rol5-4513 antagonized the hypnotic, but not the hypothermic, effects of ethanol when tested under identical conditions. These results suggest that the GABAa/benzodiazepine receptor may not be involved in mediating all pharmacological effects of ethanol.
Finding from Asia, Australia, Europe, and North Amercia on secular change in mean height of children, youths, and young adults.

Studies conducted during the past century in Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway and the United States indicate that the magnitude of secular increase in mean height rose with advancing age from childhood to mid-adolescence. Comparisons for a period approximating two-thirds of a century yield average increases in mean height of 12.2 cm for female youths age 12 years, and 12.5 cm for male youths age 14 years; for the same calendar span, the amount of secular increase in mean height declines from mid-adolescence to early adulthood. Comparisons of Belgian females, spanning a period approximating 130 years, yield increases in mean height of 18.1 cm at age 12 years, 11.9 cm at age 16 years, and 3.7 cm in early adulthood. For a period of 90 years, increases obtained on United States White males are 14.8 cm at age 14 years, 8.8 cm at age 17 years, and 5.3 cm in early adulthood. These and other displayed findings show clearly that the search for causes of secular change should take particular account of a phenomenon widespread among human populations, i.e., the phenomenon of childhood and early adolescent growth in body height proceeding at a faster pace in recent decades than about a century ago.
Systemic influence of intravesical chemotherapy with verapamil

The influence of the calcium blocker verapamil (VR) on systemic toxicity resulting from the intravesical instillation of Adriamycin (ADM) and thiotepa (THT) was assessed in mice. Eighty per cent of the animals receiving THT + VR developed a generalized alopecia. Data gathered at necroscopy failed to reveal any trauma to the major organs or the presence of a drug-induced myelosuppression. Combination of ADM and VR did not produce an enhancement of systemic toxicity, manifest as myelosuppression. The drug combination did not produce a cardiomyopathy as assessed by histologic examination. The use of VR in combination with antineoplastic agents posed no more of a threat to the animals than did the use of cytotoxin alone.
The C‐terminal domain of full‐length E. coli SSB is disordered even when bound to DNA

The crystal structure of full-length homotetrameric single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein from Escherichia coli (SSB) has been determined to 3.3 A resolution and reveals that the entire C-terminal domain is disordered even in the presence of ssDNA. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental evidence that the C-terminal domain of SSB may be inherently disordered. The N-terminal DNA-binding domain of the protein is well ordered and is virtually indistinguishable from the previously determined structure of the chymotryptic fragment of SSB (SSBc) in complex with ssDNA. The absence of observable interactions with the core protein and the crystal packing of SSB together suggest that the disordered C-terminal domains likely extend laterally away from the DNA- binding domains, which may facilitate interactions with components of the replication machinery in vivo. The structure also reveals the conservation of molecular contacts between successive tetramers mediated by the L45 loops as seen in two other crystal forms of SSBc, suggesting a possible functional relevance of this interaction.
Road Density and Landscape Pattern in Relation to Housing Density, and Ownership, Land Cover, and Soils

Roads are conspicuous components of landscapes and play a substantial role in defining landscape pattern. Previous studies have demonstrated the link between roads and their effects on ecological processes and landscape patterns. Less understood is the placement of roads, and hence the patterns imposed by roads on the landscape in relation to factors describing land use, land cover, and environmental heterogeneity. Our hypothesis was that variation in road density and landscape patterns created by roads can be explained in relation to variables describing land use, land cover, and environmental factors. We examined both road density and landscape patterns created by roads in relation to suitability of soil substrate as road subgrade, land cover, lake area and perimeter, land ownership, and housing density across 19 predominantly forested counties in northern Wisconsin, USA. Generalized least squares regression models showed that housing density and soils with excellent suitability for road subgrade were positively related to road density while wetland area was negatively related. These relationships were consistent across models for different road types. Landscape indices showed greater fragmentation by roads in areas with higher housing density, and agriculture, grassland, and coniferous forest area, but less fragmentation with higher deciduous forest, mixed forest, wetland, and lake area. These relationships provide insight into the complex relationships among social, institutional, and environmental factors that influence where roads occur on the landscape. Our results are important for understanding the impacts of roads on ecosystems and planning for their protection in the face of continued development.
Trichomes as sensors: Detecting activity on the leaf surface

The dramatic movements of some carnivorous plants species are triggered by sensory structures derived from trichomes. While unusual plant species such as the Venus fly trap and sundews may be expected to have elaborate sensors to capture their insect prey, more modest plant species might not be expected to have similar sensory capabilities. Our recent work, however, has revealed that glandular trichomes on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) appear to have a function similar to trigger hairs of carnivorous species, acting as "early warning" sensors. Using a combination of behavioral, molecular, and biochemical techniques, we determined that caterpillars, moths and mechanical disruption upregulate signaling molecules and defensive genes found in glandular trichomes. Importantly, we discovered that plants whose trichomes have been broken respond more vigorously when their defenses were induced. Taken together, our results suggest that glandular trichomes can act as sensors that detect activity on the leaf surface, and ready plants for herbivore attack.
The ionization of trichloroacetic acid and evidence for an unusual type of ion pairing

Osmotic and activity coefficients are reported for aqueous solutions of the lithium and potassium salts of iodic acid and trichloroacetic acid. The degree of ionization of the parent acids at various concentrations was estimated from ion exchange measurements, and these values were compared with those obtained from Raman measurements. It was concluded that one obtains comparable values of α, the degree of dissociation, of iodic acid whether these are estimated from hydrogen ion concentrations or anion concentrations. Lack of agreement between like measurements of α for trichloroacetic acid leads to the postulation of an unusual ion pair in which the proton is strongly associated with the chlorine end of the anion. A similar type of ion pairing is suggested in solutions of the aromatic sulfonic acids.
Comparative studies on the bone-marrow, blood and gastric juice culture of tubercle bacilli in children.

Summary Bone-marrow (bm), blood (b) and gastric juice (gj) cultures have been taken from 51 cases of primary complex (bm. 11, b. 3, gj. 5 pos.), 9 cases of t.b. of serous membranes (bm. 3, b. 0, gj. 0 pos.), 9 cases of miliary tuberculosis (bm. 4, b. 0, gj. 2 pos.) and 16 cases of t.b. meningitis (bm. 8, b. 2, gj. 2 pos.). The practical and theoretical importance of these findings is discussed.
Distribution of opiate receptors within visual structures of the cat brain.

The distributions of μ, δ, and χ opiate receptors within visual regions in the cat cortex, thalamus and midbrain were determined by in vitro autoradiography. The overall distribution of receptors was examined using [3H]-etorphine, a ligand that nonselectively labels all types of opiate receptors. [3H]-[D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly(ol)5]-enkephalin (DAGO) was used to selectively label μ receptors, [3H]-[D-Pen2,5]-enkephalin (DPDPE) for δ receptors, and [3H]-bremazocine for χ receptors. Each of the areas examined showed clear opiate receptor binding with [3H]-etorphine and a differential distribution of μ, δ, and χ receptors. Compared to other cortical regions, opiate binding in layers 3 and 4 of areas 17 and 18 was sparse. In the adjacent areas a more uniform distribution across layers was observed. The density of χ opiate receptors was greater in cortex than in subcortical structures, whereas the reverse was the case for μ receptors. Nevertheless, all three types of opiate receptors were found in the ventral and dorsal subdivisions of the lateral geniculate (LGN), the pulvinar complex, and the suprageniculate nucleus. In the midbrain, the superficial layers of the superior colliculus were heavily labelled with the μ, receptor ligand, and modestly with the χ ligand. Compared with other midbrain and diencephalic areas, δ binding was low in the superior colliculus. These results suggest that the diverse effects of opiates on visual perception are mediated by the unique distributions of opiate receptor types throughout the visual areas in the brain.
Coherent Excitation of Multiple Nano-opto-mechanical Modes in Silicon with Ultrafast Time-domain Spectroscopy

We present the first time-domain measurement of a guided-wave nano-opto-mechanical system, resulting in the coherent excitation of multiple mechanical modes. We deconvolved the electronic and mechanical responses to observe the evolution of the coherent superposition.
Postmastectomy Radiation Therapy and Breast Reconstruction: An Analysis of Complications and Patient Satisfaction.

Introduction: The indications for postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) have expanded over the past decade. Plastic surgeons are reluctant to perform an immediate reconstruction followed by radiation because of their perception this sequence results in worse results. This study examines the relationship between the use and sequencing of radiation therapy on complication rates and patient satisfaction following reconstrucion.Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of all women at an academic institution who underwent mastectomy and reconstruction from 1999-2006. The 769 reconstructed breasts were separated into 4 groups: PMRT prior to delayed reconstruction (n = 60); immediate reconstruction then PMRT (n = 56); reconstruction without PMRT (n = 540); and reconstruction after breast-conserving therapy with RT (BCT-RT, n = 113). The median length of follow-up was 44 months. All operative complications were categorized into early (≤90 days) or late. A questionnaire based on the Michigan Breast Reconstruction Outcomes Study assessed general and aesthetic satisfaction (response rate, 73.2%). Dichotomous variables were evaluated using the Fisher9s exact or chi-squared test; statistical significance was set at p Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 4102.
Characterization of Single-Unit Activity in the Mediodorsal Nucleus of the Thalamus during Expression of Differential Heart Rate Conditioning in the Rabbit☆

Abstract Much recent evidence has shown that the thalamic–prefrontal axis is involved in Pavlovian conditioning in rabbits. However, while single cell activity in the prefrontal cortex has been previously studied during classical conditioning in rabbits, that of its thalamic projection nucleus, the mediodorsal (MD) nucleus, has not. Consequently, in the present research we recorded neuronal activity from individual cells in MD during expression of conditioned bradycardia in rabbits that received differential Pavlovian conditioning in which tones served as conditioned stimuli and periorbital shock served as unconditioned stimuli. The pattern of firing in MD was similar to that evoked in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Of 84 cells sampled, approximately 35% showed CS-evoked activity. Ninety percent of these cells showed increases in activity, while the remainder were biphasic, showing an initial increase followed by a decrease. Also, like the mPFC, some cells showed initial increases, which declined during CS presentation, while others showed gradual increases which reached their maximum at CS offset. Also some cells were responsive to the CS + and others to the CS − . Thus, MD cells, like mPFC cells, are somewhat heterogenous with regard to responding to conditional stimuli, although, unlike the mPFC, no strictly inhibitory cells were found.
Crystal Structure Variations in Alpha Uranium at Low Temperatures

The unusual temperature dependence of the elastic moduli and other physical properties of alpha uranium near 43 deg K which have been previously reported to be correlated with changes in atomic position and with cell dimensions. The atom position parameter, y, decreases to a minimum at 43 deg K and then rapidly rises on further cooling, as shown both by x-ray and neutron data. The asub>0 and bsub>0 cell dimensions decrease to a minimum at 43 deg K and then rapidly increase, giving a large negative linear expansion coefficient in the range 43 to 18 deg K; the c0 dimension contracts on cooling to 43 deg K and decreases even more rapidly below this temperature thus giving a higher positive linear expansion coefficient in the 43 to 18 deg K range. Neutron diffraction experiments disclose the existence of additional reflections at the lower temperatures which are presumably due to a magnetic moment arrangement.
The 32S(n, d)31P and 34S(n, d)33P reactions at 14 MeV

Abstract The reactions 32 S(n, d) 31 P and 34 S(n, d) 33 P have been examined at E n = 14 MeV for E d = 2–8 MeV and θ = 9°–43° with thin, isotopically enriched targets and a two-pulse system of deuteron selection. Total and/or differential cross sections and absolute spectroscopic factors from DWBA analysis are reported for transitions to both ground states and to the excited states of 31 P at 1.27 and 2.23 MeV. No evidence was found for a state of 31 P at 0.45 MeV reported in an earlier study of the 32 S(n, d) 31 P reaction.
Effect of Number, Kind and Order of Song Elements On Playback Responses of the Golden-Winged Warbler

The Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) has a simple, stereotyped song consisting of an introductory trill (Z) followed by a variable number of similar lower-pitched trills (B). Individual variation is slight, with overlap in the seven individuals studied in syllables per trill, maximum and minimum frequency (pitch), frequency range, duration and interval. However, differences in frequency and perhaps number of syllables per trill may be sufficient for individual recognition. Species recognition probably depends on the grosser aspects of the same parameters. Playback experiments were conducted with both natural and artificial songs to test the effects of number, kind and ordering of trills. Responses were measured in terms of number of playbacks within 30 feet of the speaker. A rigid ordering is necessary for maximal responsiveness with the Z preceding any B trills. The natural song is "read" from the first Z trill to the last B trill. Responsiveness differed according to the number of B trills. Both the Z and B trills are necessary for maximal responsiveness. The minimum effective song was ZB, a naturally occurring song in conflict situations. The song of this species is particularly rich in possibilities for transmitting motivational information. We suggest that such information transfer occurs through varying the number of B trills, amplitude, rate of singing and major changes in the song (frequency, syllables per trill, interval).
Reading Instruction: A Quantitative Analysis:

Concerned with the need for documenting the effects of instructional method on reading achievement, Huey, after the turn of the century (1908), wrote "we have thus far been content with trial and error, too often allowing the publishers to be our jury, and a real rationalization of the process of inducting the children into the practice of reading has not been made. . . . We have come to the place where we need to pass in review all the methods that have been tried in all the centuries of reading and to learn any little that we can from each" (p. 9). Some 70 years later, in discussing investigations of different instructional methods, Farr and Roser (1979) concluded, "Regardless of the quantity of research, however, there are no definitive answers to the question of the best program because the results of various studies support different programs, and nothing conclusive can be shown about which programs are superior" (p. 426). That nothing conclusive has resulted from the research on instructional methods is reflected in other texts written for teachers of reading; for example, Durkin (1974), Fry (1977), Mangrum and Forgan (1979), and others concluded that few important differences between methods
Reflections on a Death

As a resident in internal medicine at a 600-bed teaching hospital, I have cared for many dying patients and their families. But nothing could have prepared me for the experience of taking care of m...
An $$\ell _{1}$$ minimization algorithm for non-smooth regularization in image processing

In this work, we consider a homotopic principle for solving large-scale $$\ell _{1}$$ minimization problems arising in non-smooth regularization for image processing. Our approach consists in solving a sequence of relaxed unconstrained minimization problems depending on a positive regularization parameter that converges to zero. The optimality conditions of each sub-problem are characterized through a fixed point equation, where a preconditioned conjugate gradient algorithm is applied to solve a sequence of resulting linear systems. A convergence analysis is presented showing the viability of our approach from a theoretical point of view. Moreover, several numerical experiments are conducted showing that the proposed algorithm performs comparable as some state of the art solvers. In particular, we present numerical evidence that our algorithm is very competitive when recovering high dynamic range signals. In addition, we present a set of image processing applications including image denoising, image deblurring, image separation, image inpainting, and total variation inversion, exhibiting good numerical properties.
Steroid hormones reverse sex in turtles.

Abstract Injection of estradiol benzoate into eggs of snapping turtles and painted turtles caused all embryos to develop as females. A similar but less consistent female-determining effect was associated with injection of testosterone proprionate. Both species of turtles have temperature-dependent sex determination in nature, whereby embryos incubated at cool temperatures (25°) develop as males and embryos incubated at warm temperatures (31°) develop as females. Exogenous estrogens have been shown to feminize embryos in a wide variety of reptiles, although feminization by estrogens as well as testosterone has been demonstrated previously in only one turtle ( Pieau, 1974 ).
Quantitative sectioning and noise analysis for structured illumination microscopy.

Structured illumination (SI) has long been regarded as a nonquantitative technique for obtaining sectioned microscopic images. Its lack of quantitative results has restricted the use of SI sectioning to qualitative imaging experiments, and has also limited researchers’ ability to compare SI against competing sectioning methods such as confocal microscopy. We show how to modify the standard SI sectioning algorithm to make the technique quantitative, and provide formulas for calculating the noise in the sectioned images. The results indicate that, for an illumination source providing the same spatially-integrated photon flux at the object plane, and for the same effective slice thicknesses, SI sectioning can provide higher SNR images than confocal microscopy for an equivalent setup when the modulation contrast exceeds about 0.09.
Accuracy of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging tractography assessed using intraoperative subcortical stimulation mapping and magnetic source imaging.

Object Resecting brain tumors involves the risk of damaging the descending motor pathway. Diffusion tensor (DT)–imaged fiber tracking is a noninvasive magnetic resonance (MR) technique that can delineate the subcortical course of the motor pathway. The goal of this study was to use intraoperative subcortical stimulation mapping of the motor tract and magnetic source imaging to validate the utility of DT-imaged fiber tracking as a tool for presurgical planning. Methods Diffusion tensor-imaged fiber tracks of the motor tract were generated preoperatively in nine patients with gliomas. A mask of the resultant fiber tracks was overlaid on high-resolution T1- and T2-weighted anatomical MR images and used for stereotactic surgical navigation. Magnetic source imaging was performed in seven of the patients to identify functional somatosensory cortices. During resection, subcortical stimulation mapping of the motor pathway was performed within the white matter using a bipolar electrode. Results A total of 16 subco...
Optimal transmission power control in the presence of a smart jammer

Jamming defense is an important yet challenging problem. In this paper, we study the jamming defense problem in the presence of a smart jammer, who can quickly learn the transmission power of the user and adaptively adjust its transmission power to maximize the damaging effect. By modeling the problem as a Stackelberg game, we compute the optimal transmission power for the user to maximize its utility, in spite of the existence of the smart jammer. We prove that the smart jammer is not more damaging than a jammer without the intelligence, provided that the user plays its strategy corresponding to a Stackelberg equilibrium. This nice property is due to the user's ability to predict the jammer's behavior.
Perceived Required Skills and Abilities in Information Systems Project Management

This article reports on results of a study on Information Systems (IS) project management skill set based on a two-round data collection from IS project managers and professionals. The first phase involved interviews with 47 project managers that resulted in identification of 12 important project management skills. In phase two, a survey was developed, based on phase 1 study results, to collect data from 41 IS project managers and professionals. Results identify rankings of the 12 skills as the 12 skills are further grouped into four categories of Communication and relationship management, Resource management, Change leadership, and Administrative.
In vivo translational inaccuracy in Escherichia coli: missense reporting using extremely low activity mutants of Vibrio harveyi luciferase.

A convenient, sensitive assay for measurement of in vivo missense translational errors is reported that uses luciferase activity generated by mistranslation of a gene encoding an inactive mutant alpha chain of the Vibrio harveyi enzyme. Mutations were introduced at alpha45 His, a position known to be highly intolerant of amino acids other than histidine. To normalize for any variations in expression level, the concentration of wild-type luciferase alphabeta dimer was determined by a novel assay using co-refolding of active/wild-type beta enzyme subunits with inactive alpha subunits in lysate with an excess of exogenously added active alpha subunits. Four His alpha45 missense mutants of luciferase encoded by leucine codons (CUC, CUU, CUG, and UUG) had histidine misincorporation rates of 2.0 x 10(-6), 1.3 x 10(-6), 9.0 x 10(-8), and 1.5 x 10(-8) respectively, a variation of over 133-fold among synonymous codons. Any substantial contribution of mutation was ruled out by a Luria-Delbruck fluctuation test. The two leucine codons with the highest rates, CUU and CUC, have a single central-mismatch to the histidyl-tRNAQUG anticodon. Aminoglycoside antibiotics known to enhance mistranslation increased the error rate of the CUC codon more than those of the CUU and CUG codons, consistent with the hypothesis that CUC codon mistranslation arises primarily from miscoding events such as the selection of noncognate histidyl-tRNAQUG at the central position of the codon.
Efficient Bias Correction for Magnetic Resonance Image Denoising

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a popular radiology technique that is used for visualizing detailed internal structure of the body. Observed MRI images are generated by the inverse Fourier transformation from received frequency signals of a magnetic resonance scanner system. Previous research has demonstrated that random noise involved in the observed MRI images can be described adequately by the so-called Rician noise model. Under that model, the observed image intensity at a given pixel is a nonlinear function of the true image intensity and of two independent zero-mean random variables with the same normal distribution. Because of such a complicated noise structure in the observed MRI images, denoised images by conventional denoising methods are usually biased, and the bias could reduce image contrast and negatively affect subsequent image analysis. Therefore, it is important to address the bias issue properly. To this end, several bias-correction procedures have been proposed in the literature. In this paper, we study the Rician noise model and the corresponding bias-correction problem systematically and propose a new and more effective bias-correction formula based on the regression analysis and Monte Carlo simulation. Numerical studies show that our proposed method works well in various applications. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The intrinsic organization of the vestibular complex: evidence for internuclear connevtivity

The HRP anterograde and retrograde labeling techniques provide evidence for extensive internuclear connectivity within the vestibular complex. Specifically: (1) the superior vestibular nucleus is topographically and reciprocally related to the spinal (spr) and medial vestibular nuclei (mv); (2) the lateral vestibular nucleus (lv) is reciprocally related to the mv, and (3) the lv receives afferent fibers from the spv but does not reciprocate this input.
Anatomical and morphological study of a new species of Taeniocrada, a Devonian tracheophyte from New York State☆

Abstract A new species of the genus Taeniocrada has been discovered in Stilesville, New York, from Upper Devonian strata. The morphology of T. stilesvillensis sp. nov. is characterized by dichotomous to pseudomonopodial axes having hari-like projections and longitudinal ridges extending from the poorly preserved outer tissues, and a central strand composed of tracheids in an exarch arrangement. The tracheids have continuous secondary wall, with small bordered pits, which appears to be laid over a template consisting of both primary and discontinuous secondary wall. This suggests a two stage depositional process for secondary wall. The genus Taeniocrada as currently defined includes species with terminal to lateral sporangia and membranaceous to thickened axes. The genus is probably not a natural group.
Preventing chemotherapy errors: updating guidelines to meet new challenges.

The full guidelines appear in the online version of this issue ([www.ajhp.org][1]). Despite the publishing of the ASHP Guidelines on Preventing Medication Errors with Antineoplastic Agents in 2002,[1][2] medication errors with chemotherapy and biotherapy have continued to occur. With evolving
Chimeric NGF-EGF Receptors Define Domains Responsible for Neuronal Differentiation

To determine the domains of the low-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor required for appropriate signal transduction, a series of hybrid receptors were constructed that consisted of the extracellular ligand-binding domain of the human epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) fused to the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the human low-affinity NGF receptor (NGFR). Transfection of these chimeric receptors into rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells resulted in appropriate cell surface expression. Biological activity mediated by the EGF-NGF chimeric receptor was assayed by the induction of neurite outgrowth in response to EGF in stably transfected cells. Furthermore, the chimeric receptor mediated nuclear signaling, as evidenced by the specific induction of transin messenger RNA, an NGF-responsive gene. Neurite outgrowth was not observed with chimeric receptors that contained the transmembrane domain from the EGFR, suggesting that the membrane-spanning region and cytoplasmic domain of the low-affinity NGFR are necessary for signal transduction.
Plant Remediation of Soil Beneath an Abandoned Animal Waste Lagoon

ABSTRACT In the 21st century, remediation of the soil beneath animal waste lagoons will become an important issue, as they are closed due to environmental regulations. Methods to remediate abandoned lagoons to prevent environmental degradation have not been developed. One remediation method might be to grow plants in the contaminated soil. They would stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. No work has been published to see if plants will grow in abandoned animal waste lagoon soil with its high level of ammonium N. Thus, the first objective of this experiment was to determine under greenhouse conditions if barley (Hordeum vulgare L. ‘Weskan’), the most salt tolerant of commercially important crops, would grow in the lagoon soil. A second objective was to determine if plant residues [oat (Avena sativa L.) straw and maize (corn) (Zea mays L.) cobs] added to the lagoon soil would tie up N, because of their high C:N ratio. The lagoon soil came from the bottom of a closed swine lagoon. The high concentration of...
THE RANGE AND STRAGGLING OF HIGH ENERGY ELECTRONS

Simple expressions are derived for the range and straggling of individual electrons. Large energy losses due to bremsstrahlung make the average range smaller than would be calculated from the average energy loss. Effects of multiple scattering are included. The results are in good agreement with numerical calculations by the Monte Carlo method.
Effect of deck and support stiffness on seismic response of slab-girder bridges

This paper investigates the effects of modeling assumptions for concrete decks of slab-girder single-span bridges subjected to earthquake forces. It is assumed that the bridges are elastically supported with elastomeric bearings in the longitudinal direction and end cross-frames in the transverse direction. The effects of varying support and deck stiffness on the translational periods of vibration and seismic responses are considered. AASHTO's (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) recommended seismic forces for single-span bridges are discussed and compared with the El Centro time history analysis. It is concluded that rigid deck assumption simplifies seismic analysis and it is safe to use. It is also indicated that AASHTO's recommended design force for elastically supported single-span bridges could be unsafe in certain cases. An increase in the design force has been recommended for such cases.
Morphology of 15-mer Duplexes Tethered to Au(111) Probed Using Scanning Probe Microscopy

The long-range film structure of 15 base pair, thiol-derivatized duplexes tethered through single 3‘ and 5‘ linkages to a Au(111) surface is measured via scanning probe microscopy. Film morphology of the 3‘ linked duplexes differs from that of its 5‘ counterpart as observed by scanning probe microscopy in contact mode under buffer solution. No structural features are distinguished in a film formed with the 5‘ linked duplexes as measured with either a bare silicon nitride or chemically modified probe. However, a distinct pattern in the film structure of the 3‘ linked duplexes is measured with a chemically modified, hydrophobic tip. Small changes in linker orientation can greatly affect DNA film structure, and a hypothesis for the self-assembly mechanism of the 3‘ linked duplexes is presented. Factors such as linker placement and composition must be considered in comparing DNA microarrays formed with different tethering methods.
A method of construction of a class of universally optimal structurally incomplete row–column designs

Abstract We present a method for the construction of universally optimal b 1 × b 2 row–column design with some empty nodes. The proposed method yields structurally balanced universally optimal designs for v treatments when v = mk +1 is an odd prime or prime power number with even k ⩾2. The construction technique utilizes previously known difference sets of balanced incomplete block designs.
Infant assessment as intervention and parent education

The importance of involving parents as active participants in the process of infant assessment is discussed. Presented are techniques for facilitating this involvement which can maximize the possibility that parents will follow through on educational plans. Use of this type of assessment is a form of intervention.