cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
'Poetics of the Past': History and (the Neurobiology Of) Memory in A.C. Jordan's 'The Wrath of the Ancestors'

The academic discipline of History suffers from anti-African biases, as scholars Jacques Depelchin and Oyeronke Oyewumi have demonstrated. Scholars including Depelchin and Ranajit Guha suggested using literature as corrective means to develop more accurate African understandings and knowledge of African pasts. Because historians construct narratives akin to works of fiction, this paper develops a poetics of the past, or a study of the creative principles and methods informing an African communitys collective construction of its past, or a given literary artists reconstruction thereof. The objective is to construct and convey knowledge and meaning of African pasts using creative literary art to develop a poetics of the past that is also a poetics of anti-colonialism. It is imperative to determine how a community constructs its past, which raises the issue of the relationship between history and memory. Accordingly, this paper begins with a brief overview of the neurobiology of memory, and applies it to collective recollections of the past regarding Mpondomise King Mhlontlos murder of a British resident magistrate in 1880 found in A.C. Jordans iconis South African novel, _The Wrath of the Ancestors_ (194'7. /
Going MAD in Degrees of Unfairness

Summary This article discusses concepts of unfairness in allocations of objects (coins) to positions (students) and introduces possible measures for unfairness based on intuition.
Cardiac mechanics and function in obese normotensive persons with normal coronary arteries.

Abstract Obesity is associated with several cardiac abnormalities, but its effects on cardiac loading conditions and contractile function are controversial. The frequent coexistence of obesity with systemic hypertension and coronary artery disease further complicates evaluation of cardiac function in obese persons. Therefore, cardiac mechanics and contractile function were examined at cardiac catheterization in 14 obese persons (50 ± 5% overweight) who were free of systemic hypertension and angiographic coronary narrowing. Twelve lean subjects who underwent catheterization for chest pain, found to be free of cardiac abnormalities, served as control subjects. Preload, estimated as end-diastolic stress, was greater in obese persons (48 ± 5 kdynes/cm 2 ) than in lean persons (32 ± 3 kdynes/cm 2 ) (p 2 ) vs 95 ± 6 kdynes/cm 2 (p
Experimental validation of a finite-difference model for the prediction of transcranial ultrasound fields based on CT images

The prevalence of stroke worldwide and the paucity of effective therapies have triggered interest in the use of transcranial ultrasound as an adjuvant to thrombolytic therapy. Previous studies have shown that 120 kHz ultrasound enhanced thrombolysis and allowed efficient penetration through the temporal bone. The objective of our study was to develop an accurate finitedifference model of acoustic propagation through the skull based on computed tomography (CT) images. The computational approach, which neglected shear waves, was compared with a simple analytical model including shear waves. Acoustic pressure fields from a two-element annular array (120 and 60 kHz) were acquired in vitro in four human skulls. Simulations were performed using registered CT scans and a source term determined by acoustic holography. Mean errors below 14% were found between simulated pressure fields and corresponding measurements. Intracranial peak pressures were systematically underestimated and reflections from the contralateral bone were overestimated. Determination of the acoustic impedance of the bone from the CT images was the likely source of error. High correlation between predictions and measurements (R 2 = 0.93 and R 2 = 0.88 for transmitted and reflected waves amplitude, respectively) demonstrated that this model is suitable for a quantitative estimation of acoustic fields generated during 40–200 kHz ultrasound-enhanced ischemic stroke treatment.
Coronary revascularization in heart transplant recipients by excimer laser angioplasty.

Background and Objective Aggressive development of allograft coronary artery disease is a major cause of death in heart transplant recipients. Percutaneous balloon angioplasty is considered suboptimal for complex lesions in native coronary vessels and heart transplant recipients, alike. Excimer laser energy (308-nm wavelength) can successfully remove and vaporize atherosclerotic plaques in native coronary vessels; however, its application in heart transplant recipients has not been studied clinically yet. Study Design/Materials and Methods Six heart transplant recipients underwent percutaneous excimer laser (CVX-300, Spectranetics, Colorado Springs, CO) coronary angioplasty for treatment of a total of 10 discrete, obstructive coronary artery lesions. By using concentric or eccentric multifiber laser catheters, energy parameters were set at a fluence of 45 mJ/mm2 or 60 mJ/mm2 with a frequency of 25 Hz and 40 Hz, respectively, with a pulse duration of 135 ns and output of 200 mJ/pulse. The “saline flush” and “pulse and retreat” lasing techniques were used. In each case, adjunct balloon angioplasty was performed; in five lesions, an intracoronary stent was implanted. Angiographic evaluation was performed by visual assessment. Results Each procedure was successful as defined by laser recanalization of the target lesion (reduction of target lesion stenosis in more than 20%) and subsequent adequate final luminal patency (reduction of target lesion stenosis to less than 50%) and absence of any major in-cardiac catheterization complication (such as perforation, acute closure, dissection, emergency coronary artery bypass surgery), or in-hospital complications (such as death, myocardial infarction, cardiac enzyme elevation, major bleeding), or need for surgical revascularization. A 92 ± 5% preprocedural percent diameter stenosis was reduced by laser to 35 ± 16% and by adjunct balloon angioplasty in all lesions and stenting in five lesions, to final residual stenosis of 2 ± 6%. Angiographic follow-up between 2 and 6 months after the procedure demonstrated a target lesion restenosis rate of 22%. Conclusion Percutaneous excimer laser is safe and efficacious in the treatment of focal obstructive lesions caused by allograft coronary artery disease. These data represent an early clinical experience; thus, the long-term outcome of this revascularization method in recipients of heart transplantation will have to be determined by a large scale prospective, randomized, multicenter clinical study. Lasers Surg. Med. 26:425–431, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Demonstration that corticotropin-releasing factor binding to rat peripheral tissues is modulated by glucocorticoid treatment in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract In a recent study we reported the presence of specific binding sites for corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in peripheral tissues of the rat (Endocrinology, 116 , 2151, 1985). The objective of this study was to determine if CRF binding to peripheral tissues was modified following adrenalectomy and glucocorticoid replacement therapy. Adult male rats were adrenalectomized and CRF binding to liver, spleen and testicular membranes was determined at 5,7 or 14 days following adrenalectomy. An additional group of adrenalectomized rats received subcutaneous injections of dexamethasone (75 μg/day) for 14 days. Adrenalectomy of rats for 14 days increased CRF binding to liver, kidney, testis, spleen and ventral prostate by approximately 65%–125% above sham-control values. CRF binding to membrane preparations obtained from the pancreas of sham-operated rats was undetectable; however, adrenalectomy produced detectable CRF binding in this tissue. Adrenalectomy produced a time-related increase in CRF binding to ventral prostate, spleen and liver tissue. Administration of dexamethasone to adrenalectomized animals prevented increased CRF binding to peripheral tissues observed following adrenalectomy alone. In vitro dexamethasone treatment of prostatic or hepatic homogenates from adrenalecomized rats resulted in a dose-related decrease in CRF binding activity. However, similar in vitro treatment of prostatic or hepatic homogenate with progesterone exhibited no significant effects on CRF binding. Our results suggest that glucocorticoids may be a regulator of peripheral CRF receptors.
β1-Subunits are required for regulation of coupling between Ca2+ transients and Ca2+-activated K+ (BK) channels by protein kinase C

Colonic myocytes have spontaneous, localized, Ins (1,4,5) trisphosphate (IP3) receptor-dependent Ca2+ transients that couple to the activation of Ca2+-dependent K+ channels and spontaneous transien...
ENZYMIC REMOVAL OF GLUCOSE 6-PHOSPHATE FROM FRUCTOSE 6-PHOSPHATE PREPARATIONS.

Abstract A large-scale procedure for the removal of glucose 6-phosphate from commercial preparations of fructose 6-phosphate is presented. The method depends upon the use of the specific glucose 6-phosphatase present in rat liver microsomes to dephosphorylate glucose 6-phosphate without affecting the fructose 6-phosphate. By this method as much as 95% of the contaminating glucose 6-phosphate was removed with relative ease. Preparations of fructose 6-phosphate that contained from 5–7% of glucose 6-phosphate were purified so that they contained not more than 0.4%.
NOTCH and PI3K-AKT Pathways Intertwined

Constitutive signaling by the NOTCH1 receptor contributes to more than half of all cases of T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL). However, blocking the proteolytic activation of NOTCH1 with gamma-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) fails to alter the growth of some T-ALL cell lines carrying the mutated receptor. A recent report by Palomero et al. in Nature Medicine identifies loss of PTEN as a critical event leading to resistance to NOTCH inhibition, which causes the transfer of "oncogene addiction" from the NOTCH1 to the PI3K/AKT pathway. This novel observation suggests the need to simultaneously inhibit both pathways as a means to improve therapeutic efficacy in human T-ALL.
Interactive, Text‐Based Summarization of Multiple Documents

This paper describes a system for the summarization of multiple text-only news-like documents. We address two main issues: clustering of documents in order to find the main topics that should be mentioned in the multidocument summary and organization of the information in order to create a summary that presents the information in a logical way and is easy to read. The system is based on a single-document summarizer that uses text-extraction.
Particle drift in the Earth's plasma sheet

We generalize the derivation of the average gradient/curvature-drift for a flux tube filled with an isotropic distribution of particles at specified kinetic energy. The present treatment is restricted to a two-dimensional magnetic field with zero electric field, but it includes all chaotic and Speiser orbits, which do not correspond to the simple picture of gradient/curvature drift. We assume that particles are evenly distributed throughout the regions of phase space allowed by their energy and canonical momentum. This assumption is closely related but not exactly equivalent to the assumption of isotropic pitch-angle distribution. Our derivation assumes that the maximum Larmor radius is small compared to the scale length for equatorial variations in the flux tube volume, but it does not involve any restrictions on the curvature of the field line. The resulting expression for the drift rate is valid for situations where the particle drift velocity is comparable to the thermal speed in some regions. The apparent implication of this generalized treatment is that the existence of very complex non-adiabatic particle trajectories in the plasma sheet may not invalidate previous estimates of the average rate of particle drift out the sides of the tail, estimates that were made under the assumption of simple guiding-center drifts.
Triploid hybrids between chum salmon female×chinook salmon male have early sea-water tolerance

Abstract We assessed the osmoregulatory capacity of triploid chum×chinook salmon, a successful hybrid with potential for early sea-water tolerance. These hybrids have some genetic similarities to both parents and had early sea-water tolerance similar to chum salmon controls. The use of sterile triploids and triploid hybrids for the aquaculture of anadromous species may provide fish with valuable production characteristics as well as aid in the conservation of wild stocks by eliminating introgression that can result from hatchery and farmed-fish strays.
Interpreting tense in a second language

The question of whether adult native speakers of Chinese, a language that does not morphosyntactically represent tense, are able to acquire tense in English has been a topic of great interest in part because it allows us to examine whether there is a critical period for features that are not instantiated in the native language (Hawkins 2001; Hawkins & Liszka 2003; Lardiere 1998a, 2003).While most previous studies have focused on production data, the present study examines the semantics of tense, investigating whether or not learners’ interpretations are sensitive to temporal distinctions. Native speakers of Mandarin are compared with native speakers of Japanese and Korean, languages which both morphosyntactically encode tense. Results of an interpretation task targeting the present progressive and past progressive in English show that by advanced levels of proficiency the three groups of learners performsimilarly. The results provide evidence that tense is fully acquirable in L2 acquisition regardless of the properties of the native language.
Interaction of lead and cadmium on maize root growth and uptake of lead and cadmium by roots

Abstract Radicle elongation of soil-grown maize seedlings was depressed by concentrations of 25 μgCd/g of soil or 250 μgPb/g of soil when the metals were added singly. When Pb and Cd were added in combination inhibition of radicle elongation occurred at significantly lower concentrations. The effect of the metals when added in combination was greater than the sum of effects when the metals were added singly, thus strongly suggesting a synergistic interaction. The effect was partially attributed to elevated accumulation of the metals in combination treatments.
On the ultrastructural cytochemistry of nuclear pores in Novikoff hepatoma cells.

Abstract The ultrastructure of the Novikoff hepatoma ascites cells was studied after digestion with proteases as well as nucleases to provide more information on the cytochemistry of the fine filaments present within the nuclear pores. A great variability in the sensitivity of Novikoff hepatoma cells to the proteases as well as nucleases was noted and some cells were resistant to these enzymes even after relatively prolonged digestion. The fine filaments 12–25 A wide present within the nuclear pores were partially or completely removed by proteases in cells sensitive to these enzymes. In contrast, they were resistant to the treatment with ribonuclease or deoxyribonuclease. Thus, these filaments apparently represent protein structures. In addition, the filaments within the nuclear pores and those in the adjacent cytoplasmic and nuclear regions were more readily digested by pepsin than subtilisin or pronase.
Target Tumor Hypoxia with 2-nitroimidazole-ICG dye Conjugate

We systemically evaluated the sensitivity of the hypoxia targeted 2-nitroimidazole-ICG conjugate using piperazine linker in in-vivo tumor models, which showed hypoxia can be targeted with twice higher signal strength than that of untargeted ICG.
A facilitative role for carbonic anhydrase activity in matrix vesicle mineralization

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) which catalyzes the reversible hydrolysis of carbon dioxide is known to be important in osteoclastic bone resorption, however, suggested roles in calcium phosphate mineral formation have not been previously demonstrated. Biochemical evidence is provided for the presence of CA in growth plate matrix vesicles (MV) and the level of activity determined by enzyme assay. Inhibition of CA activity with the specific inhibitor acetazolamide resulted in reduced rates of MV mineralization. Other inhibitor studies showed that MV mineralization was also impaired by 4,4-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2-disulfonic acid (DIDS), a blocker of membrane bicarbonate channels. No evidence was found for the presence of any proton pumps or channels. When acetazolamide and DIDS were combined, their inhibitory effects on MV mineralization were additive. These findings suggest that MV possess a pH regulation system composed of carbonic anhydrase and a putative bicarbonate channel. This system may function in the MV by providing intraluminal buffering capacity. The control of intravesicular pH is important for the stabilization of the acid-labile nucleational core complex and in preventing the build-up of protons during calcium phosphate phase transformations.
‘Economic rationalism’ in Canberra and Canada: Public sector reorganisation, politics, and power

Australian public sector institutions and public sector labour relations experienced intense change during the 1980s and 1990s. Proponents of restructuring sought to insert market-like pressures into areas formerly governed by bureaucratic mechanisms. This reversed a trend towards continual growth in state provision of non-market based social protection and social welfare, and continual growth in the public sector's share of the economy. The politics and content of Australian public sector restructuring under Labor and then the Liberals substantially resembled restructuring efforts in two Canadian provinces. In all three examples, political pacts between unions in the exposed and non-exposed sectors, and between organised labour and capital, determined the direction of change. But the level of institutional robustness of these various actors determined both the pace and effectiveness of change. Weak employer organisations and unions incapable of sustaining pacts in Canada produced wider oscillations in policy content that attained less substantive success than in Australia.
American Prince, American Pauper: The Contemporary Vice Presidency in Perspective

Following a thematic approach, this study examines the nature and development of the contemporary Vice-Presidency from the end of World War II to the present. Natoli sheds new light on such areas as the vice-presidential selection process, the Vice-Presidency as a stepping-stone to the Presidency, the nature of the Vice-Presidency, the Vice-President as administration spokesperson, the impact of personality, the role of the Presidency in shaping the Vice-Presidency, disability and succession, the role of staff relations, the future of the Vice-Presidency, and more. Her research is solidly backed by personal interviews conducted with such political leaders as Gerald R. Ford, Hubert H. Humphrey, Dean Rusk, Clark Clifford, and Endicott Peabody. She gleans fresh insights from numerous other presidential and vice-presidential advisers and staff, and United States Senators.
Core reset functions in magnetic-amplifier analysis Part II ¿ Determination of amplifier performance

A critical analysis of most practical magnetic amplifiers requires a detailed knowledge of the behavior of the magnetic core. For many amplifiers the analysis may be conveniently separated into two parts: determination of the load voltage or current in terms of the extent of the previous reset of core flux from saturation, and determination of the flux reset in terms of the control or input signal. The output may often be evaluated in terms of the preset flux level with only a meager knowledge of core properties, but to determine the value of the controlling variable needed for a given flux reset or to ascertain the effects and optimum values of circuit parameters requires a more extensive understanding of core behavior. The previously published Part I1 of this paper supplied core-reset functions approximating the relationships between the variables, core flux ?, mmf (magnetomotive force) F, and rate of change of flux ??, for the process of reset from saturation under certain conditions. In this paper the core-reset functions are contrasted with some other core approximations, several examples of the use of core-reset functions to calculate amplifier performance are shown, and an example of a model theory for the design of analog computers simulating magnetic-amplifier systems is presented.
A family of skeletons for motion planning and geometric reasoning applications

The task of planning a path between two spatial configurations of an artifact moving among obstacles is an important problem in practically all geometrically intensive applications. Despite the ubiquity of the problem, the existing approaches make specific limiting assumptions about the geometry and mobility of the obstacles, or those of the environment in which the motion of the artifact takes place. We present a strategy to construct a family of paths, or roadmaps, for two-and three-dimensional solids moving in an evolving environment that can undergo drastic topological changes. Our approach is based on a potent paradigm for constructing geometric skeletons that relies on constructive representations of shapes with R-functions that operate on real-valued half-spaces as logic operations. We describe a family of skeletons that have the same homotopy as that of the environment and contains the medial axis as a special case. Of importance, our skeletons can be designed so that they are "attracted to" or "repulsed by" prescribed spatial sites of the environment. Moreover, the R-function formulation suggests the new concept of a medial zone, which can be thought of as a "thick" skeleton with significant applications for motion planning and other geometric reasoning applications. Our approach can handle problems in which the environment is not fully known a priori, and intrinsically supports local and parallel skeleton computations for domains with rigid or evolving boundaries. Furthermore, our path planning algorithm can be implemented in any commercial geometric kernel, and has attractive computational properties. The capability of the proposed technique are explored through several examples designed to simulate highly dynamic environments.
Pharmacology of furosemide in the premature newborn infant.

The pharmacokinetic parameters of furosemide were measured in 14 premature newborn infants, one to 20 days of age, and in 12 older infants, aged one to 4 months, following a single intravenous dose of 1 mg/kg of furosemide. Furosemide levels were determined by a high pressure liquid chromatographic method which required 3 μl of plasma. The volume of distribution for furosemide was calculated to be 0.24±0.03'l/kg (mean±SE) in all infants studied, regardless of postnatal age. The half-life in the first three weeks of life was found to be 19.9±3.0 hours. Thus, the half-life of furosemide in the premature infant is considerably longer than in adults or older children, but the volume of distribution is similar. The bioavailability of oral furosemide in infants appeared to be low. The findings of this study indicate that furosemide, 1 mg/kg parenterally, given with a frequency of more than twice daily to the premature infant in the immediate neonatal period, or in parenteral dosages in excess of 2 mg/kg, may lead to plasma levels associated with ototoxicity.
National Association of Medical Examiner's Pediatric Toxicology (PedTox) Registry

In 1985, the National Association of Medical Examiners (St. Louis, MO) established a Pediatric Toxicology (PedTox) Registry to collect case reports of drugs and substances detected in children. For many drugs and substances detected in children, to date, the medical and toxicology literature contain little useful information regarding toxic and lethal concentrations, and the PedTox Registry was established to provide additional information to those who must interpret observed concentrations of drugs and substances in children. This article includes a description of the development of the PedTox Registry, its management, and a brief summary of data that have been published, including information for acetaminophen, benzene, carboxyhemoglobin, codeine, desipramine, dextromethorphan, ethanol, phenobarbital, phenylpropanolamine, and pseudoephedrine.
Synthesis of multiwalled carbon nanotubes from carbon black

We describe a method to produce high-crystalline quality multiwalled carbon nanotubes from carbon black. By modifying the arc into a high-temperature oven, carbon black is converted into carbon nanotubes by a solid-state transformation without a catalyst. This process sheds new light onto the growth mechanism of carbon nanotubes and could lead to a scalable method of making multiwall nanotubes.
Nuclear lamin-A Scales With Tissue Stiffness and Enhances Matrix-Directed Differentiation

Tissues can be soft like fat, which bears little stress, or stiff like bone, which sustains high stress, but whether there is a systematic relationship between tissue mechanics and differentiation is unknown. Here, proteomics analyses revealed that levels of the nucleoskeletal protein lamin-A scaled with tissue elasticity, E, as did levels of collagens in the extracellular matrix that determine E. Stem cell differentiation into fat on soft matrix was enhanced by low lamin-A levels, whereas differentiation into bone on stiff matrix was enhanced by high lamin-A levels. Matrix stiffness directly influenced lamin-A protein levels, and, although lamin-A transcription was regulated by the vitamin A/retinoic acid (RA) pathway with broad roles in development, nuclear entry of RA receptors was modulated by lamin-A protein. Tissue stiffness and stress thus increase lamin-A levels, which stabilize the nucleus while also contributing to lineage determination.
Nursing In A Hospital‐Based Hospice Unit

The purpose of this ethnographic study was to describe and analyze the ways in which registered nurses interacted with those terminally ill and acutely ill patients typical of a hospital-based hospice unit. Participant observation and informal interviews were used to collect data. Field notes were analyzed systematically using a constant comparative method of qualitative analysis. Data analysis revealed that patients' responsiveness rather than “acute,” or “terminal” labels determined the quality of the nurses' interactions with them. Humanistic caring was found to be the unifying focus of care for both acutely ill and terminally ill patients.
Tectonic Events May Have Triggered the Cambrian Explosion

Major geological changes causing sea level rise at the start of the Cambrian period (540–490 million years ago) could have kick-started the Cambrian Explosion—a geological time period when most major phyla of life suddenly appeared in the fossil record. A paper published in the November issue of Geology (doi:10.1130/G35886.1) proposes a new geological mechanism for this event.
Structural features of Y-saturated and supersaturated grain boundaries in alumina

Abstract Grain boundary segregation of Y in α -Al 2 O 3 and evolution of the structural environment around the Y atoms have been investigated using high resolution STEM and EXAFS. The stages of incorporation of Y atoms by α -Al 2 O 3 grain boundaries, on average, are characterized by three composition regimes: (I) dilute to saturated; (II) supersaturated [where the degree of supersaturation is determined by the nucleation barrier for Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG)]; and (III) equilibrium with YAG precipitates. The average Y grain boundary concentration in equilibrium with YAG precipitates has been determined to be ∼1/4 equivalent monolayer, and the maximum supersaturation concentration has been determined to be ∼1/2 equivalent monolayer. EXAFS revealed that accompanying the supersaturation of grain boundaries with Y is an increasing Y–O nearest neighbor coordination number and, simultaneously, a significantly increased degree of ordering of Y with respect to Al ions beyond nearest neighbor O. This Y–Al distance is the same as that for Y absorbed on the free surface of α -Al 2 O 3 , and the same as that expected for the Y–Al distance when Y substitutes for Al with the Y–O distance relaxed to that in Y 2 O 3 . This compositional and structural information has led to a clearer picture of how the grain boundary segregated Y concentration influences grain boundary structure. For dilute Y concentrations, Y ions preferentially fill sites in the grain boundary core which have well defined order only within the nearest neighbor shell of oxygens. As the Y concentration increases, Y begins to occupy near-boundary sites, forming two near-boundary layers, each adjacent to a grain surface. The near-boundary layer has nearest neighbor ordering extending at least to nearest neighbor cations. Nucleation of the YAG phase leads to the depletion of Y from these partially ordered layers.
Behavioural allometry and interdemic variation in sexual behaviour of the sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna (Pisces: Poeciliidae)

Sailfin mollies, Poecilia latipinna, exhibit remarkable levels of intraspecific variation in reproductive behaviour. Larger males exhibit higher rates of courtship and lowered rates of gonoporal nibbling and gonopodial thrusting (forced copulation attempts). Larger males have relatively longer and higher dorsal fins than smaller males. The dorsal fin is a prominent component of the courtship display. Variation in fin measurements, behaviour patterns, and body size of mature males is continuous, and fin shape and behaviour patterns are allometrically related to body size. The allometric pattern is displayed by individual traits as well as by the morphological or behavioural traits in ensemble. Eight populations of mollies from markedly distinct habitats exhibited similar consistent levels of intrademic variation in the size of mature males. Detailed studies on three populations showed that dorsal fin shape could be described by the same regression relationship in all populations, and indicted that a male's shape was determined by his absolute body size. By contrast, there was some variation among populations in the relation of behaviour patterns to male body size. The pattern of this interdemic variation indicated that a male's behaviour patterns were influenced by his relative size in a population. Successful inseminations following forced copulations were rare. The average size of successful males was smaller than the average size of unsuccessful males in all three populations. These results indicated that successful insemination through forced copulation was, like behaviour patterns generally, more a function of the relative size of the male, than his absolute size.
ATMOS stratospheric deuterated water and implications for troposphere‐stratosphere transport

Measurements of the isotopic composition of stratospheric water by the ATMOS instrument are used to infer the convective history of stratospheric air. The average water vapor entering the stratosphere is found to be highly depleted of deuterium, with delta-D(sub w) of -670 +/- 80 (67% deuterium loss). Model calculations predict, however, that under conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium, dehydration to stratospheric mixing ratios should produce stronger depletion to delta-D(sub w) of -800 to 900 (80-90% deuterium loss). Deuterium enrichment of water vapor in ascending parcels can occur only in conditions of rapid convection; enrichments persisting into the stratosphere require that those conditions continue to near-tropopause altitudes. We conclude that either the predominant source of water vapor to the uppermost troposphere is enriched convective water, most likely evaporated cloud ice, or troposphere-stratosphere transport occurs closely associated with tropical deep convection.
Jewish Ethical Themes That Should Inform the National Healthcare Discussion: A Prolegomenon

Despite the passage of H.R. 3590 in the 111th Congress, the national healthcare debate in the United States continues, with repeal or modification of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act under ongoing consideration. Reference is often made to morality or ethics, but typically in general terms only. This paper elucidates themes from one system of moral theology, namely Jewish healthcare ethics, that would valuably inform this debate. Themes include “covenant,” “holiness,” “justice,” “mercy,” “for the sake of peace,” “to save a life,” “peoplehood,” “repair of the world,” “repentance,” and “jubilee.” Policy-related, economic, political, and moral challenges to acting on these principles are discussed.
Functional equations and successive approximations in linear and nonlinear programming

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the applicability of two of the fundamental tools of classical analysis, functional equations and successive approximations, to various classes of multidimensional maximization problems. The advent of the modern digital computer makes it particularly appropriate that this synthesis of new and old be made. Today we can envisage as single steps in an iterative solution the resolution of particular problems which even ten years ago would have been considered as beyond the scope of mathematical power. Since the rules of the game have changed so drastically insofar as what we accept as a feasible solution, it is essential that we revise many of our techniques with this well in mind. Suitably combining classical and modern devices, we can hope to make a start on the solution of the many complex and significant problems that challenge us.
Improved outcomes are associated with multilevel endovascular intervention involving the tibial vessels compared with isolated tibial intervention.

Objective Endovascular intervention is increasingly accepted as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of tibial vessel disease. Tibial vessel disease can occur in isolation or in conjunction with disease that involves the proximal lower extremity vasculature (multilevel disease). This study evaluated the overall efficacy of endovascular intervention for tibial vessel disease and whether the requirement for single-level compared with multilevel intervention affected outcomes. Methods This study evaluated a consecutive unselected group of patients who underwent an infrapopliteal intervention from November 2002 to February 2008. The primary end points evaluated were technical success, limb salvage, primary patency, and secondary patency. The secondary end points evaluated were 30-day access site (ie, hematoma, pseudoaneurysm, and wound infection), intervention site (ie, thrombosis), and systemic (ie, acute renal failure, myocardial infarction, and mortality) complications. Patency and limb salvage were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier life-table analyses and compared using Cox regression analysis. P Results The study comprised 85 patients, 89 limbs, and 114 procedures. Age was 72.4 ± 13.1 years, 67% were men, and follow-up was 245.8 ± 290.8 days. The technical success rate for all procedures was 91%. Limb salvage rates for patients with critical limb ischemia at 6, 12 and 18 months were 85% ± 0%, 81% ± 0%, and 69% ± 0%, respectively. For the complete patient cohort, primary patency rates at 6, 12 and 18 months were 68% ± 6%, 50% ± 8%, and 37% ± 9%, respectively, and secondary patency rates were 81% ± 5%, 71% ± 7%, and 63% ± 8%. Multilevel intervention was associated with significantly improved secondary patency compared with single-level intervention ( P = .045). Conclusions Patency and limb salvage rates for endovascular treatment of tibial vessel disease in this study are comparable with prior reports and with historical surgical controls. Patients who undergo multilevel intervention involving the tibial vessels exhibit improved secondary patency compared with those who undergo intervention for lesions isolated to the tibial vessels. This may reflect increased distal disease burden for patients who undergo isolated tibial intervention. The study data suggest that the presence of multilevel disease should not preclude an attempt at percutaneous revascularization. Further study is required before formulating definitive recommendations for the endovascular treatment of tibial vessel disease.
Impulsively Started Flow About a Rigid Parachute Canopy

The temporal evolution of the flowfield in the near wake of a parachute canopy is studied computationally with a finite element method. The canopy is assumed to be rigid and impermeable, and the flow is started impulsively. The separated shear layer surrounding the canopy creates a starting vortex ring. As time evolves, flow instabilities cause the vortex ring to become convoluted and eventually lead to the breakup of the ring. This phase of the flow lasts for approximately 16D/U, where D is the mean projected diameter of the canopy and U is the freestream velocity. After the initial phase, the flow goes through a transition phase before settling into its steady state. In the steady-state phase, the drag and base pressure coefficient become nearly constant. The computed drag coefficient matches very well against experimental data. The steady-state phase is reached after a time period of approximately 45D/U. During the steady-state phase, vortex shedding is observed in the near wake despite the nearly constant drag coefficient
Use of volatile tracers to determine the contribution of environmental tobacco smoke to concentrations of volatile organic compounds in smoking environments

Three volatile nitrogen-containing compounds, 3-ethenylpyridine (3-EP), pyridine and pyrrole, were investigated as potential tracers for determining the contribution of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) to concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor environments with smoking. The source emission rates of the three tracers and ten selected VOCs in ETS were first measured in a room-size environmental chamber for a market-weighted selection of six commercial cigarettes. The ratios of the emission rates of the tracers to the emission rates of the selected VOCs were calculated and compared among the six brands. The utility of the tracers was then evaluated in a field study conducted in five office buildings. Samples for VOCs were collected in designated smoking areas and adjoining non-smoking areas, air change rates were measured, and smoking rates were documented. Concentrations of the three tracers in the smoking areas were calculated using a mass-balance model and compared to their measured concentrations. Based on this comparison, 3-EP was selected as the most suitable tracer for the volatile components of ETS, although pyrrole is also potentially useful. Using 3-EP as the tracer, the contributions of ETS to the measured concentrations of the selected VOCs in the smoking areas were estimated by apportionment. ETS was estimated to contribute 57 to 84 percent (4.1 to 26 pg m{sup -3}) of the formaldehyde concentrations, 44 to 69 percent (0.9 to 5.8 pg m{sup -3}) of the 2-butanone concentrations, 37 to 58 percent (1.3 to 8.2 pg m{sup -3}) of the benzene concentrations, and 20 to 69 percent (0.5 to 3.0 pg m{sup -3}) of the styrene concentrations. The fractional contributions of ETS to the concentrations of acetone, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene isomers and d-limonene were all less than 50 percent.
Articulating the space exploration policy–technology feedback cycle

Abstract Political and technical concerns are tightly intertwined in the design of modern space systems. The political environment often responds harshly to the associated high costs of these endeavors. Political sustainability is therefore at least as important as the technical performance parameters of new space systems under development. This paper outlines a methodology by which a system architect may trace the recursive impacts of political choice on technical choice, and vice versa. Using the implementation of the Vision for Space Exploration as a case study, a Policy–Technology Feedback loop is outlined. This paper then demonstrates how political sustainability may be incorporated into the design process such that a politically savvy system architect may appropriately trade present costs against future costs.
Quality Criteria For Quantized Images

Conventional image quality metrics in photography evolved in the context of so called continuous tone images. In electronic imaging there is now an ever increasing need to develop metrics which apply to (output) images which are quantized, as from laser writers or digital halftone schemes. Fortunately the most robust of the conventional metrics are based on or compatible with the concept of the quantized nature of light (input), and extending these to the case where both input and output are by definition discrete is usually straightforward. A survey is given of these metrics, with examples from recent work on laser writer hardcopy.
Faint quasar candidates from Hubble Space Telescope imaging: number counts from 31 new high-latitude fields

Quasars representative of the populous faint end of the luminosity function are dim with m ∼ 24 at intermediate redshift, and traditional ground-based surveys for such faint quasars often suffer from severe contamination by compact faint galaxies. In order to limit the latter morphological contamination, we are conducting a combined multicolour and morphological survey for faint quasars, to B < 24.5 and z < 2.1, using archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images. Our previous work provided a similar survey of the Groth-Westphal Strip. Here, we extend our survey to an additional 31 high galactic latitude (pure parallel) fields that cover another 0.04 deg 2 of sky, imaged with the superb 0.1 -arcsec spatial resolution of the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 aboard HST. In our expanded survey, we identify an additional 19 high-likelihood ultraviolet-excess quasar candidates having stellar or unresolved nucleus plus host-galaxy morphology, and yielding a cumulative quasar surface density of 511 +142 -113 deg -2 to B < 24.5 and z < 2.1. Our results are in reasonable agreement both with our own earlier survey of the Groth-Westphal Strip and with other faint quasar surveys that utilize very different selection approaches.
Brassinosteroid Signaling: A Paradigm for Steroid Hormone Signaling from the Cell Surface

Plants use the coordinated action of several small-molecule hormones to grow and develop optimally in response to a changing environment. Among these hormones are the brassinosteroids (BRs), the polyhydroxylated steroid hormones of plants. BRs bind a small family of leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases at the cell surface, thereby initiating an intracellular signal transduction cascade that results in the altered expression of hundreds of genes.
Frozen Lives: Notes on the US Homeless

These field notes and commentary are part of the project that culminated in a paper titled “How does It Feel to Be a Problem? The Diasporic Identity of the Homeless.” The project was an exploratory research into the homeless identity, where besides the in-depth interviews with homeless people chosen from homeless shelters across Southern Illinois, I conducted ethnographic field research through passive and semi-participatory observation of various shelters across Southern Illinois. The research project was reviewed and approved by the Southern Illinois University, Carbondale's Human Subjects Committee.
ALCOHOL AND THE RISK OF PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMIZATION

We examine the effect of alcohol consumption on an individual's risk of victimization for physical and sexual assault. Analyses of the National Violence Against Women Survey suggest that the frequency and amount of alcohol people consume has strong effects on their risk of victimization when drinking, but is not associated with their victimization while sober. This evidence suggests that drinking has a situational causal effect on victimization, and cannot be attributed to opportunity factors associated with drinking. This effect is particularly strong for men and young adults, who may be more likely to behave provocatively when under the influence. Victims of sexual assaults and men assaulted by their female partners are also particularly likely to be drinking.
Mechanical advantage of defects healed with demineralized bone matrix over autogenous bone graft

Purpose of study: The purpose of this investigation was to compare the mechanical stiffness and strength of healed, grafted defects using either the classical method of autogenous bone graft or demineralized bone matrix. Methods used: Critical 2-cm defects were created in the ulnas of 75 6-month-old male New Zealand White Rabbits (3.5 to 4.0 kg). Defects were treated with approximately 1 cc of graft material: demineralized bone matrix (DBM) plug, DBM + bone marrow (BM), devitalized DBM (dDBM), dDBM + BM, BM, empty or autogenous bone graft (ABG). Animals were radiographed at 0, 3, 6, 9 and at sacrifice at 12 weeks. Sixty-nine rabbits completed the study. The six deaths were the result of surgical complications. Only grafts that were graded as a union were mechanically tested. The radius transected and constructs were tested in torsion to failure. The torsional stiffness and maximum failure torque for each group were compared by analysis of variance with a pairwise comparison test using a Bonferroni adjustment. of findings: The radiographic findings at 12 weeks showed complete bridging of the defect in the DBM and DBM + BM groups. In contrast, healing was not as complete in the dDBM-treated defects. Defects treated with dDBM and bone marrow did considerably better. The BM group displayed complete bridging but without the uniform surface contour seen with the DBM groups. Defects treated with ABG were bridged, although difficult to analyze radiographically because of the endogenous mineral present within the graft. There was no statistical difference between the union rates except for the dDBM and empty groups. The torsional stiffness of the DBM + BM group was twice that of ABG (p<.01). There were no differences found in the maximum torque. Relationship between findings and existing knowledge: This study has shown that treatment of defects with a structural osteoinductive/osteoconductive scaffold, such as a DBM matrix plug in the presence of bone marrow, results in mechanically stronger bone at 12 weeks than defects treated with ABG alone. Although these results were obtained in a long bone model, they are consistent with Boden's results in a rabbit spine fusion model using structural DBM scaffolds and autograft, and suggest bone marrow would be useful adjunct in enhancing spine fusion. Overall significance of findings: In a clearly definable model, we were able to show superior material properties in comparison to the classical standard, ABG. Disclosures: No disclosures. Conflict of interest: Celeste Abjornson, grant research support; Joseph Lane, grant research support, Osteotech
Does mentality entail consciousness

Il existe une litterature enorme sur la nature des stades intentionnels ainsi que sur le probleme de la conscience. Mais peu de gens ont ecrit sur les deux sujets a la fois, et le traitement non systematique de la relation qui les unit n'a pas encore eu lieu. Precisement l'A. se propose d'y remedier. Bien sur, la revendication selon laquelle l'intentionalite requiert la conscience est assez ambigue pour meriter bien des interpretations. L'A. examine ces interpretations pour trier les positives et rejeter les negatives. Toutefois, son travail ne pretend a l'exhaustivite
HMG17 protein facilitates the DNA catenation reaction catalyzed by DNA topoisomerases

HMG17 protein is shown to greatly facilitate the catention of double-stranded DNA rings catalyzed by DNA topoisomerases. Even at low DNA concentrations such that catenanes are not observable in the absence of HMG17, the addition of the protein promotes the catenation of greater than 95% of the input DNA into networks that do not enter the gel upon electrophoresis. Electron microscopy and restriction enzyme cleavage experiments indicate that these networks are large structures containing many catenated DNA rings. The HMG17-promoted DNA network formation has been observed with calf thymus type II DNA topoisomerase and the type I topoisomerases of Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, and calf thymus.