cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-Level Vision: Object Recognition and Visual Cognition

Object recognition: shape-based recognition what is recognition? why object recognition is difficult. Approaches to object recognition: invariant properties and feature spaces parts and structural descriptions the alignment approach which is the correct approach?. The alignment of pictorial descriptions: using corresponding features the use of multiple models for 3-D objects aligning pictorial descriptions transforming the image or the models? before and after alignment. The alignment of smooth bounding contours: the curvate method accuracy of the curvature method empirical testing. Recognition by the combination of views: modelling objects by view combinations objects with sharp edges using two views only using a single view the use of depth values summary of the basic scheme objects with smooth boundaries recognition by image combinations extensions to the view-combination scheme psychophysical and physiological evidence interim conclusions: recognition by multiple views. Classifications: classification and identification the role of object classification class-based processing using class prototypes pictorial classification evidence from psychology and biology are classes in the world or in our head? the organization of recognition memory. Image and model correspondence: feature correspondence contour matching correspondence-less methods correspondence processes in human vision model construction compensating for illumination changes. Segmentation and saliency: is segmentation feasible? bottom-up and top-down segmentation extracting globally salient structures saliency, selection, and completion what can bottom-up segmentation achieve? Visual cognition and visual routines: perceiving "inside" and "outside" spatial analysis by visual routines conclusions and open problems the elemental operations the assembly and storage of routines routines and recognition. Sequence seeking and counter streams - a model for visual cortex: the sequence-seeking scheme biological embodiment summary. Appendices: alignment by feature the curvature method errors of the curvature method locally affine matching definitions.
Numerical study of near-wall coherent structures and their control in turbulent boundary layers

Using direct numerical simulations of turbulent channel flow, we present a new method for skin friction reduction by prevention of streamwise vortex formation near the wall. Instability of lifted, vortex-free low-speed streaks (above a critical strength ωyc) is shown to generate new streamwise vortices, which dominate near-wall turbulence phenomena. This new vortex formation mechanism consists of: (i) instability-initiated streak waviness in the horizontal plane, (ii) generation of thin horizontal sheets of streamwise vorticity and induction of positive stretching ∂u/ϖx (i.e. positive VISA), inherent to streak waviness, and finally (iii) vorticity sheet collapse via stretching (rather than roll-up) into streamwise vortices. The instability mechanism is explained and its evolutionary dynamics are documented. Significantly, the 3D features of the (instantaneous) instability-generated vortices agree well with the coherent structures educed (i.e. ensemble-averaged) from fully turbulent flow, suggesting the prevalence of this mechanism.
Incorporating Electronic Communication in the LRW Classroom

In the world of legal practice, electronic communication has overtaken hard-copy as the primary means of communicating legal analysis. Legal writing courses, however, are only just starting to include instruction in e-communication and how it might be different from more traditional forms of legal analysis. To the extent most courses address e-communication, the focus is on issues of etiquette, rather than substantive differences in format and content. This article describes the author's attempt to include a more substantive e-communication component in the first-year legal writing course, including the practical logistics of including more work in an already packed course, and the many benefits that arose from the assignment.
Differential Persistence of Extremely Negative and Positive Earnings Surprises: Implications for the Post-Earnings-Announcement Drift

Consistent with prior studies, this study shows that extremely negative and extremely positive earnings surprises in the fourth quarter have lower levels of persistence than those in the first through third fiscal quarters. Furthermore, extremely negative earnings surprises in the fourth fiscal quarter have lower levels of persistence than extremely positive earnings surprises in that quarter. Similar to the patterns of persistence, the post-earnings-announcement drift in prices is declining through the four quarters of the fiscal year, with the smallest drift occurring after the announcement of the fourth fiscal quarter. The drift after the fourth quarter is virtually nonexistent for extremely negative earnings surprises and smaller than extremely positive surprises, in line with the differential persistence of these surprises. The combined evidence in the study is consistent with investors who under-react to extreme earnings surprises because they seek further information. When the new information confirms the initial surprise, prices move in the same direction, creating a drift. The results of the study are robust to earnings surprises based on time-series properties of earnings or analyst forecasts.
Public policy and land development

Abstract Rapid growth in water-oriented recreation and ski resort development in northern Maine has had a major impact on both the region and the public agen cy that is responsible for the area's land use controls. A public policy cycle is suggested that indicates how organizations, exemplified by the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission, change to better address new trends and issues. However, public policy tends to be reactive rather than proactive, and a recent economic slowdown may contribute more to growth management than new regulations and additional agency resources. Policy makers must be able to obtain and be willing to use accurate and well organized information early in the decision-making process if productive long-term benefits are to be realized.
A new technique to prepare hard fruits and seeds for anatomical studies

Premise of the study: A novel preparation technique was developed to examine fruits and seeds of plants with exceptionally hard or brittle tissues that are very difficult to prepare using standard histological techniques. Methods and Results: The method introduced here was modified from a technique employed on fossil material and has been adapted for use on fruits and seeds of extant plants. A variety of fruits and seeds have been prepared with great success, and the technique will be useful for any excessively hard fruits or seeds that are not able to be prepared using traditional embedding or sectioning methods. Conclusions: When compared to existing techniques for obtaining anatomical features of fruits and seeds, the protocol described here has the potential to create high-quality thin sections of materials that are not able to be sectioned using traditional histological techniques, which can be produced quickly and without the need for harmful chemicals.
Multi-Dimensional Modeling of Ignition, Combustion and Nitric Oxide Formation in Direct Injection Natural Gas Engines

The heat release and pollutant formation processes in a direct injection natural gas engine are studied by coupling detailed chemistry with a multi-dimensional reactive flow code. A detailed kinetic mechanism consisting of 22 species and 104 elementary reactions is chosen by comparing ignition delay predictions with measurements in a combustion bomb. The ignition model is then coupled with a turbulent combustion model and extended Zeldovich kinetics to simulate heat release and nitric oxide production in a direct injection engine. Parametric studies are conducted to investigate the effect of engine operating conditions which include speed, load, injection timing and level of boost. It is shown that use of detailed chemistry is extremely important to predict the correct ignition delay period as engine operating conditions change. Use of both time and crank angle as the independent variable reveals interesting details of the heat release process as a function of engine speed. Nitric oxide formation is shown to depend on both local temperature and oxygen concentration and injection timing is found to be the single most important variable controlling it. A trade-off between early injection timing for higher IMEP and late timing for lower NO is required to get desirable performance from the engine while keeping the emission levels under control.
Noise propagation in region of interest measurements.

Purpose The purpose of this work was to develop and validate a technique for predicting the standard deviation (SD) associated with thermal noise propagation in region of interest measurements. Theory and Methods Standard methods for error propagation estimation were used to derive equations for the SDs of linear combinations of complex, magnitude, or phase pixel values. The equations were applied to common imaging scenarios in which the image pixels were correlated due to anisotropic pixel resolutions and parallel imaging. All SD estimates were evaluated efficiently using only vector–vector multiplications and Fourier transforms. The estimated SDs were compared to those obtained using repeated experiments and pseudo replica reconstructions. Results The proposed method was able to predict region of interest SDs in all the tested analysis scenarios. Positive and negative noise correlations caused by different parallel-imaging aliasing point spread functions were accurately predicted, and the method predicted the confidence intervals (CI) of time-intensity curves for in vivo cardiac perfusion measurements. Conclusion An intuitive technique for region of interest CIs was developed and validated using phantom experiments and in vivo data. Magn Reson Med 73:1300–1308, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interfacial phenomena in falling film evaporation of natural seawater

The fluid dynamics and heat transfer of boiling seawater in falling film evaporators have been investigated. Large interfacial disturbances have been observed, caused by surfactants in seawater. Although these disturbances enhance heat transfer, they increase entrainment and the tendency for scale formation in fluted tubes.
Mie scattering of light with orbital angular momentum by nanoparticles

We generalize Mie scattering theory to describe the scattering of light with orbital angular momentum (OAM). We apply our results to the analysis of scattering by gold nanoparticles and compare the angular distribution of the scattered light for plane waves and light with OAM. The multipole expansion for scattered OAM waves depends on the localized surface plasmon modes that can couple to incident light carrying a well-defined amount of azimuthal charge (or l-number) at a particular wavelength. We study here the properties of Mie scattering of OAM waves by nanoparticles located at the beam waist as a function of the size of the particle and of the frequency and content of azimuthal charge of the incident wave.
Reducing Structural Barriers to Improve the Social Life of Three Adults with Severe Disabilities

Social life can be diminished by barriers inadvertently associated with “support.” Social barriers were identified for three adults with severe intellectual disabilities. A multiple baseline design across subjects was used to examine the effects of removing these barriers on the social life of each participant. The dependent variables in the study were (a) the number of social activities done per week, (b) the number of different people with whom social activities were done each week, and (c) the stability of social relationships across time as indexed by the number of different weeks in which activities occurred with a companion across the 27 weeks of the study. The independent variable was a seven-component “barrier reduction” package. Support staff were taught to use each component of the package, and pre-post measurement of package use was obtained. Results indicate that the staff successfully implemented the barrier reduction package, and that implementation was associated with change in the social l...
The influence of microstructural characteristics on the failure properties of a polybutadiene system

The stress-strain characteristic of polymeric binders and solid propellants are dependent on the crosslink density, molecular weight between crosslinks, molecular weight distribution in the binder formulation, volume fraction of filler, and the interaction between the binder and filler particles. This investigation is directed toward elucidation of solid propellant microscopic response and failure mechanisms through characterization of the constitutive effects of crosslink density, molecular weight distribution and curing agent ratio in the binder formulation, and filler fraction. This was accomplished on the ERLA/PBAA propellant system through investigation of three binder formulations with the same curing agent ratio but different crosslink densities; five binder formulations with different curing agent ratios; and four formulations with up to 69.9% by volume of filler. Uniaxial stress-strain characteristics were determined on each formulation at displacement rates of 0.2 to 20.0 in/min at isothermal test conditions ranging from 75 to −90°F. The failure characteristics of a viscoelastic material represent a curve in the three-dimensional space of stress, strain, and time. The ultimate property data on each formulation are presented as projections of this failure curve on the stress-strain, stress-time, and strain-time planes, respectively. Relationships are developed for the dependence of the stress-time, strain-time, and stress-strain failure envelopes on the volume fraction of bound rubber, crosslink density, molecular weight distribution and curing agent ration in the binder component, and the volume fraction of filler.
Parity violation in electron-deuteron scattering I. Methodology and elastic scattering

Abstract In this paper, we present methodology for investigating theoretically parity violation in both the elastic and break-up channels of electron-deuteron scattering, restricting ourselves to energies in which non-relativistic expansions are allowed for nucleons. The deficiency in the standard impulse approximation related to gauge invariance is remedied by relating it to the “elementary-particle” treatment. Results for parity violation in elastic electrondeuteron scattering are presented and discussed.
The Programming and Execution of Movement Sequences in Parkinson'S Disease

Parkinsonian and neurologically normal subjects performed a finger-tapping task in which different sequence lengths had to be executed as rapidly as possible. For each response sequence, reaction time (RT), inter-tap-intervals (ITIs) and error patterns were recorded. It was found that the RT-sequence length relationship as well as the group ITI data were different for the two groups, indicative of impaired programming in the Parkinsonian subjects. This conclusion was supported by a relative dissociation of the first and subsequent taps and by a pattern of progressively increasing errors with longer tap sequences in the Parkinsonians.
New Optical Amplifier Placement Schemes for Broadcast Networks

WDM optical broadcast networks (based on the passive-star coupler) may encounter large splitting and attenuation losses that need to be compensated for using optical amplifiers, such as EDFAs. However, optical amplifiers are costly, so their total count in the network should be minimized. This study will examine three different such amplifier-placement schemes. The first approach utilize fewer amplifiers than previous schemes that do not add special hardware to avoid the near-far effect. The second study considers a bidirectionai-link network and it can use fewer amplifiers than a comparable unidirectional-link network. The third study minimizes the number of amplifiers when the amplifiers are equipped with special hardware to avoid the near-far effect, i.e., amplifiers are equipped with attenuators/filters to equalize amplifier input power on different wavelengths.
Observation of extremely long spin relaxation times in an organic nanowire spin valve

Organic semiconductors that are π-conjugated are emerging as an important platform for ‘spintronics’, which purports to harness the spin degree of freedom of a charge carrier to store, process and/or communicate information1. Here, we report the study of an organic nanowire spin valve device, 50 nm in diameter, consisting of a trilayer of ferromagnetic cobalt, an organic, Alq3, and ferromagnetic nickel. The measured spin relaxation time in the organic is found to be exceptionally long—between a few milliseconds and a second—and it is relatively temperature independent up to 100 K. Our experimental observations strongly suggest that the primary spin relaxation mechanism in the organic is the Elliott–Yafet mode, in which the spin relaxes whenever a carrier scatters and its velocity changes.
An Empirical Estimate of the Labor Response Function for Benefit-Cost Analysis

Since the seminal contribution of Haveman and Krutilla(1968), the subject of the potential drawdown from the pool of unemployed versus diversion of labor from existing employments consequent upon a public investment project has been largely neglected in the BCA literature. The advent of a new BLS series on job vacancies now permits direct estimation of the crucial unemployment-vacancies (U-V) relationship, as compared to the ad hoc sine function using the unemployment rate assumed by Haveman and Krutilla. The probability p of a worker being drawn from the pool of unemployed is recast as a function of the job vacancy rate (vacancies/labor force) and shows higher values than Haveman and Krutilla at comparable rates of unemployment. At the height of the 2008-09 Great Recession, about half of Stimulus induced jobs were drawn from the pool of unemployed.
A Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-Based Approach to Derivative Map Production and Visualizing Bedrock Topography within the Town of Rutland, Vermont, USA

Many state and national geological surveys produce map products from surficial and bedrock geologic maps as a value-added deliverable for a variety of stakeholders. Improvements in powerful geostatistical exploratory tools and robust three-dimensional capabilities within geographic information systems (GIS) can facilitate the production of derivative products. In addition to providing access to geostatistical functions, many software packages are also capable of rendering three-dimensional visualizations using spatially distributed point data. A GIS-based approach using ESRI’s® Geostatistical Analyst® was used to create derivative maps depicting surficial overburden, bedrock topography, and potentiometric surface using well data and bedrock exposures. This methodology describes the importance and relevance of creating three-dimensional visualizations in tandem with traditional two-dimensional map products. These 3D products are especially useful for town managers and planners—often unfamiliar with interpreting two-dimensional geologic map products—so they can better visualize and understand the relationships between surficial overburden and potential groundwater resources.
Piezoelectric-based broadband bistable vibration energy harvester and SCE/SSHI-based high-power extraction

This paper presents ambient mechanical vibrations as an alternative source for energy harvesting, especially beneficial where alternatives such as light, wind, biomass and thermal energy are limited, e.g., powering underground sensors. Transduction of ambient kinetic energy, e.g., the vibrations from thunder and field work, into electrical energy using piezoelectric generators has been investigated, utilizing a nonlinear bistable broadband piezoelectric harvester. A new model for the bistable piezoelectric harvester is suggested based on the standard Butterworth van Dyke model and its validity demonstrated through simulations. For efficient extraction of the transduced energy, we employ synchronous charge extraction (SCE) and parallel synchronized switch harvesting on inductor (SSHI). The switching in these circuits is implemented using a fully self-propelled, low-power electronic breaker circuit, capable of detecting extrema in the input to perform switching. The power outputs from simulation of the bistable harvester have been presented, with the SCE and parallel SSHI providing respective average outputs of 78.5µW and 125µW for a sinusoidal input of 0.326N at 10Hz applied to a 69.1 × 16.8 × 0.64 mm3 cantilever (piezoelectric dimensions 35.56 × 14.48 × 0.2 mm3). This shows significant gains over the harvested power reported in literature.
Nonlinear analyses of semi-embedded through-silicon via (TSV) interposer with stress relief gap under thermal operating and environmental conditions

In this study, 3D IC integrations with a semi-embedded TSV interposer with stress relief gap under thermal operating and environmental conditions are investigated. Emphasis is placed on the determination of the TSV interposer warpage and the nonlinear stress and creep strain in the Al/Cu-low-k pads and micro solder joints.
From the Individual to the Community: Perspectives about Substance Abuse Services

This paper argues that substance abuse interventions in distressed African-American communities must be culturally-tailored and incorporate a framework targeting changes in both individual behavior and the community. The current study employed Concept Mapping in conjunction with Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) principles to involve 100 community members, substance users, and service providers to examine the role of alcohol and other drugs in distressed African-American communities. Findings reveal the way participants understand the role of drugs and alcohol in their community and their perceptions of substance abuse services. The paper describes a collaborative approach to engage the community in addressing substance abuse.
S100A13 IS INVOLVED IN THE REGULATION OF FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR-1 AND P40 SYNAPTOTAGMIN-1 RELEASE IN VITRO

We have previously characterized the release of the signal peptide sequence-less fibroblast growth factor (FGF) prototype, FGF-1, in vitro as a stress-induced pathway in which FGF-1 is released as a latent homodimer with the p40 extravesicular domain of p65 synaptotagmin (Syn)-1. To determine the biologic relevance of the FGF-1 release pathway in vivo, we sought to resolve and characterize from ovine brain a purified fraction that contained both FGF-1 and p40 Syn-1 and report that the brain-derived FGF-1:p40 Syn-1 aggregate is associated with the calcium-binding protein, S100A13. Since S100A13 binds the anti-inflammatory compound amlexanox and FGF-1 is involved in inflammation, we examined the effects of amlexanox on the release of FGF-1 and p40 Syn-1 in response to stress in vitro. We report that while amlexanox was able to repress the heat shock-induced release of FGF-1 and p40 Syn-1 in a concentration-dependent manner, it had no effect on the constitutive release of p40 Syn-1 from p40 Syn-1 NIH 3T3 cell transfectants. These data suggest the following: (i) FGF-1 is associated with Syn-1 and S100A13 in vivo; (ii) S100A13 may be involved in the regulation of FGF-1 and p40 Syn-1 release in response to temperature stress in vitro; and (iii) the FGF-1 release pathway may be accessible to pharmacologic regulation.
Agricultural chemicals in ground water: extent and implications

The accelerated use of agricultural chemicals over the past 20–30 years has increased production and generally has been profitable, but it has also had an adverse impact on ground water quality in many major agricultural areas. The contamination of ground water, related to nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides, from widespread, routine land application, as well as from point sources has become a serious concern. Ground water contamination also impairs surface water quality. Research, world-wide, has shown increases in NO3-N in ground water concurrent with major increases in N-fertilization. Many shallow ground water supplies now exceed recommended NO3-N drinking water standards. While many sources contribute N into the environment, synthetic fertilizers have become the major component. There are clear economic incentives to improve management; harvested crops often account for less than 50 percent of the purchased fertilizer inputs. Pesticides are appearing in ground water with unanticipated frequency, and while their concentrations are generally below acute toxic levels, many are of concern for possible chronic effects. Such widespread contamination is of real concern because of the potential for long-term and widespread exposure of the public through drinking water. Surveys of farmers indicate a desire to improve management practices and reduce chemical inputs. Promoting the principles of alternative, sustainable agriculture is a necessary element in the resolution of these problems.
Heterogeneity studies of hamster calcitonin following acute exposure to cigarette smoke: evidence for monomeric secretion.

Various acute stimuli, including cigarette smoke, induce hypercalcitonemia in man and hamsters. We have shown that this occurs also in thyroidectomized subjects. In the present study we have further explored this phenomenon of secretion from the lungs by studying, simultaneously, the HPLC characteristics of pulmonary tissue and serum in control hamsters and in animals immediately following short-term exposure to cigarette smoke. In addition, we have studied the immunoheterogeneity of lung calcitonin 24 hours following the acute exposure. Control lungs contained monomeric immunoreactive calcitonin (M-iCT), high molecular mass iCT (H-iCT), and CT fragments. Immediately following smoke exposure, there was an acute decrease of lung iCT by radioimmunoassay (RIA) which consisted primarily of a decrease in M-iCT by HPLC. Simultaneously, the iCT increase in the serum by RIA was shown by HPLC to involve M-iCT. Twenty-four hours after smoke inhalation, the lung iCT by RIA and M-iCT by HPLC had returned towards control levels. These findings document the molecular characteristics of lung iCT following acute cigarette smoke stimulation, and suggest that under certain circumstances M-iCT may be actively secreted by the lung. It remains to be determined whether this type of secretion reflects hemocrine or paracrine release and what the physiological role for such a secretion may be. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Short term benthic colonization dynamics in an agricultural stream recovering from slaughterhouse effluents

: The purpose of this study was to assess short term, macroinvertebrate colonization dynamics and biofilm accumulation in two agricultural streams, one of which had been recently exposed to chronic, intermittent organic effluents from a slaughterhouse. During the winter and summer, macroinvertebrates and biofilm were collected from brick substrates from four or three sites in the streams on a geometric time schedule (1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 days of exposure). Invertebrate total densities stabilized quickly, but the mass of biofilm increased throughout the study periods. Invertebrate community indices (diversity, evenness, dominance, richness) differed between the unaffected, “agricultural reference” sites and the affected sites, below the point source. All sites were dominated by Baetis bicaudatus (mayfly), Hydrobia sp. (gastropod), and Dugesia tigrina (Turbellaria). Response of these taxa differed between seasons and exposure to organic effluents. Stream invertebrate colonization processes showed evidence of the perturbation after the inflow of organic effluents had stopped from the slaughterhouse. Chronic organic enrichment reduced the species richness in the potential pool of colonists. Three months after the organic inputs had stopped, colonization timing and community structure was not yet at levels evident in reference and upstream sites.
Microhomology-mediated End Joining and Homologous Recombination share the initial end resection step to repair DNA double-strand breaks in mammalian cells

Microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ) is a major pathway for Ku-independent alternative nonhomologous end joining, which contributes to chromosomal translocations and telomere fusions, but the underlying mechanism of MMEJ in mammalian cells is not well understood. In this study, we demonstrated that, distinct from Ku-dependent classical nonhomologous end joining, MMEJ—even with very limited end resection—requires cyclin-dependent kinase activities and increases significantly when cells enter S phase. We also showed that MMEJ shares the initial end resection step with homologous recombination (HR) by requiring meiotic recombination 11 homolog A (Mre11) nuclease activity, which is needed for subsequent recruitment of Bloom syndrome protein (BLM) and exonuclease 1 (Exo1) to DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) to promote extended end resection and HR. MMEJ does not require S139-phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX), suggesting that initial end resection likely occurs at DSB ends. Using a MMEJ and HR competition repair substrate, we demonstrated that MMEJ with short end resection is used in mammalian cells at the level of 10–20% of HR when both HR and nonhomologous end joining are available. Furthermore, MMEJ is used to repair DSBs generated at collapsed replication forks. These studies suggest that MMEJ not only is a backup repair pathway in mammalian cells, but also has important physiological roles in repairing DSBs to maintain cell viability, especially under genomic stress.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation : Current Clinical Practice, Coding, and Reimbursement

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a technique for providing life support for patients experiencing both pulmonary and cardiac failure by maintaining oxygenation and perfusion until native organ function is restored. ECMO is used routinely at many specialized hospitals for infants and less commonly for children with respiratory or cardiac failure from a variety of causes. Its usage is more controversial in adults, but select medical centers have reported favorable findings in patients with ARDS and other causes of severe pulmonary failure. ECMO is also rarely used as a rescue therapy in a small subset of adult patients with cardiac failure. This article will review the current uses and techniques of ECMO in the critical care setting as well as the evidence supporting its usage. In addition, current practice management related to coding and reimbursement for this intensive therapy will be discussed.
Manifest Destiny and the Trans‐Mississippi South: Natural Laws and the Extension of Slavery into Mexico

Les annees de guerre entre le Mexique et les Etats-Unis, ainsi que la periode immediate d'apres-guerre - au total entre 1846 et 1853 -, furent riches en evenements marquants pour la relation entre les deux pays et pour la perception des Sudistes de leur avenir. L'A. retrace les differents positionnements et les espoirs des Sudistes quant a l'avenir de l'esclavage, apres son abolition en Californie et dans les autres territoires du Sud. Apres le Compromis de 1850, le Sud ne fut plus considere comme espace d'extension de l'esclavage vers l'Ouest. Cependant, les Sudistes du Tout Mexique porterent leur attention vers le Mexique ou les veterans de la guerre avaient inventorie les ressources qu'ils esperaient exploiter, fondant leur espoir sur la croyance en la loi naturelle de l'esclavage et de son expansion vers le Sud, ainsi que sur la doctrine de la destinee manifeste. Apres l'echec des experiences du Yucatan, de la Republique de la Sierra Madre, de la Republique de Sonora et du Gadsden Purchase, ils ont maintenu la vision de la progression inevitable de l'esclavage vers les tropiques.
An Applicant's Nonverbal Behavior and Student-Evaluators' Judgments in a Structured Interview Setting:

This study examined the effects of 5–6 min. of an applicant's nonverbal videotaped behavior on 78 student-evaluators' judgments in a simulated, structured loan interview. Three objective levels of the role-playing graduate student's suitability as an applicant (high, average, or low financial resources) and two levels of nonverbal “enthusiasm” (quantified as high or low amounts of eye contact, gesturing, smiling, and appropriate tone of voice) were manipulated in a 3 × 2 factorial design. Analysis of variance indicated significant main effects for both the applicant's suitability and “enthusiasm,” i.e., “enthusiastic” applicants were given higher evaluations by the students.
Empirical observations and mechanistic insights on the first boron-containing chiral selector for lc and supercritical fluid chromatography

Boromycin is a macrodiolide that exists as a hydrophobic Boeseken complex formed from boric acid and a chiral polyhydroxy macrocyclic ligand. It was covalently bonded to silica gel through a urea linkage to an attached d-valine ester. When evaluated as a chiral stationary phase, it shows pronounced enantioselectivity toward primary amine-containing racemates, separating 98% of those tested. The selectivity is most pronounced in the presence of organic solvents and supercritical CO2 + methanol. The enantioselective binding site and mechanistic factors are examined. Analytes can be complexed as either the free base or their protonated analogues, with the free base being more strongly associated with the chiral selector.
Negative caregiver strategies and psychopathology in urban, African-American young adults.

Abstract Objective: There were three aims: (1) assess the prevalence of reported exposure to negative caregiver strategies in a community-based African-American population, (2) examine the sources of variation in caregiver parenting strategies, including demographic variables and child characteristics, (3) investigate whether mental disorders in young adulthood may differ based on reported degree of exposure to negative strategies. Method: The participants were 1197 African-Americans involved in a 1999–2001 young adult follow-up (age M =19.6, SD =.6) of an evaluation of school-based interventions in the Baltimore, MD metropolitan area. Measures included teacher-report of child aggression in first grade, parent-report of demographic variables in first and sixth grade, and young adult self-report of symptomatology, suicidal behaviors, and childhood caregiver discipline strategies. Results: Fifty-four percent of the sample reported some use of physical discipline by caregivers. Lower family income and younger caregiver age, as well as teacher reports of child aggression, were related to reports of caregiver’s high use of negative strategies. In addition, young adults who reported a high rate of negative caregiver strategies had a significantly increased risk for psychopathology and were over twice as likely to have experienced a history of suicidal ideation than those reporting low exposure. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the importance of examining variation in this population, with the poorest and the youngest using negative parenting strategies more frequently. In addition, the present study replicated previous findings of the link between negative caregiver discipline strategies and psychopathology. This association appears robust across diverse populations. The implications for preventive interventions are discussed.
El Niño effects on influenza mortality risks in the state of California.

Recent El Nino events have emphasized the need to develop modelling techniques to assess climate-related health events. Experts agree that climate changes affect the spread of infectious diseases and that the geographic range of infectious diseases may expand as a result of these changes. Nevertheless, the world health modelling community cannot yet predict, with reasonable accuracy, when or where exactly these effects will occur or how large the threat of these diseases will be to particular populations. This study compared the spatiotemporal patterns of influenza mortality risk in the state of California during El Nino vs normal weather periods. By applying a stochastic methodology to county-specific mortality data, various sources of uncertainty were accounted for, and informative influenza mortality maps and profiles were generated. This methodology enabled the detection of significant effects of climate change on the influenza risk distributions. Geographical maps of risk variation during El Nino differed from those during normal weather, the corresponding covariances exhibited distinct space-time dependence features, and the temporal mean mortality profiles were considerably higher during normal weather than during El Nino. These rather unexpected results of spatiotemporal analysis are worth further investigation that seeks substantive and biologically plausible explanations. The findings of this study can offer a methodological framework to evaluate public health management strategies.
Approach to diagnosing lower extremity edema

Edema, a sign of a localized or systemic disease process, results from a disruption in the normal physiological forces controlling extracellular fluid volume. This review utilizes an anatomical approach in discussing the various causes of edema.
Ferrite uses at millimeter wavelengths

Abstract This paper: (1) reviews past research on ferrite materials and important characteristics of wave propagation at millimeter wavelengths; (2) suggests experimental programs and new ferrite materials which complement the early works of the nineteen-fifties and sixties for the purpose of improving present commercial devices and developing new ferrite devices; (3) projected device performance (on a quantitative basis) using ferrite materials; and (4) calculates physical limitations (in terms of material parameters) of certain classes ferrites when applied in a givendevice configuration at millimeter wavelengths.
Negative cortical d.c. shifts associated with coordination and control in a prehensile force task.

Movement-related cortical d.c. shifts accompanying the execution of four different prehensile tasks were investigated using six normal adult subjects. The goal was to identify patterns of brain electrical activity that differentiated a precision grip configuration (thumb and index finger or 2f) from a full precision grip configuration (thumb and all fingers or 5f) at different total force levels. As such, this was the first study to systematically manipulate both grip configuration and force level while also measuring movement-related potentials (MRP) during the control phase of an isometric prehensile task. This investigation focused on assessing the sustained, performance-related negativity (N-P) associated with the execution of particular grip configurations at different total force levels (percentage maximum voluntary force, MVF). The results from this study demonstrated significant interactions between grip configuration, force level and amplitude of the N-P. First, an overall increase in force output does not correspond to larger N-P amplitudes under these task conditions. Second, force level and grip configuration interact significantly in determining the peak N-P, especially in low-force conditions. Overall, the findings reveal a task-specific sensitivity of movement-related potentials associated with the control phase of a prehensile force task while humans execute different grip configurations and force levels.
On the status of null expletives

Abstract Case is argued to be necessary both for PF-visibility of nominals and LF-visibility of theta-marked chains. Null and overt expletive and theta-marked subjects are analyzed in English, Galician Portuguese, and Slavic, and the following parameters are proposed: (i) Nominative Case features must be realized (English, Galician) and (ii) Nominative Case assignment cannot take place at LF (English, Russian). Finally, the existence of certain marginally overt expletive subjects in Slavic is explained in terms of the LF-visibility requirement.
RecA Dimers Serve as a Functional Unit for Assembly of Active Nucleoprotein Filaments

All RecA-like recombinase enzymes catalyze DNA strand exchange as elongated filaments on DNA. Despite numerous biochemical and structural studies of RecA and the related Rad51 and RadA proteins, the unit oligomer(s) responsible for nucleoprotein filament assembly and coordinated filament activity remains undefined. We have created a RecA fused dimer protein and show that it maintains in vivo DNA repair and LexA co-protease activities, as well as in vitro ATPase and DNA strand exchange activities. Our results support the idea that dimeric RecA is an important functional unit both for assembly of nucleoprotein filaments and for their coordinated activity during the catalysis of homologous recombination.
Paradoxical effects of metalloporphyrins on doxorubicin-induced apoptosis: scavenging of reactive oxygen species versus induction of heme oxygenase-1.

The cytoprotective effects of redox-active metalloporphyrins (e.g., FeTBAP and MnTBAP) were generally attributed to their ability to scavenge reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. In this study, we evaluated the pro- and antiapoptotic potentials of different metalloporphyrins containing iron, cobalt, zinc, and manganese in adult rat cardiomyocytes exposed to doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug that forms superoxide and hydrogen peroxide via redox-cycling of DOX semiquinone in the presence of molecular oxygen. We used electron spin resonance/spin trapping and cytochrome c reduction to assess the scavenging of superoxide anion by metalloporphyrins. Superoxide anion was effectively scavenged by FeTBAP and MnTBAP but not by CoTBAP and ZnTBAP. FeTBAP efficiently scavenged H(2)O(2). Both CoTBAP and FeTBAP inhibited DOX-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. These findings implicate that mechanisms other than oxy-radical scavenging may account for their antiapoptotic property. In addition, CoTBAP and FeTBAP induced heme oxygenase-1 more potently than did MnTBAP and ZnTBAP. Inhibition of heme oxygenase abolished the protective effect of CoTBAP and reduced the protection by FeTBAP against DOX-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. We propose that metalloporphyrins can inhibit apoptosis either by inducing heme oxygenase-1 and antiapoptotic protein signaling or by scavenging reactive oxygen species.
Are the folk agent-causationists?

: Experimental examination of how the folk conceptualize certain philosophically loaded notions can provide information useful for philosophical theorizing. In this paper, we explore issues raised in Shaun Nichols’ (2004) studies involving people’s conception of free will, focusing on his claim that this conception fits best with the philosophical theory of agent-causation. We argue that his data do not support this conclusion, highlighting along the way certain considerations that ought to be taken into account when probing the folk conception of free will.
European response to the NASA space station initiative

Abstract This article contrasts the political motivations behind the US space station initiative with those underlying the European Space Agency's Long Term Plan. Philip Chandler concludes that European cooperation in NASA's space station programme (SSP) will serve three needs: to buy time; to allow European users to undertake longer, manned experiments; and, to keep the Spacelab teams intact. However, in itself the SSP holds little value for Europe.
Flexible ureteropyeloscopy with modular, “disposable” endoscope

A flexible modular ureteropyeloscope has been utilized in 36 patients. The flexible tips of this instrument can be replaced and have been available in sizes 6.0F, 8.5F, and 11.0F. The instrument was passed successfully into the ureter in 37 of 38 patients. The most frequent indications were surveillance for fragments after lithotripsy and for diagnosis of radiographic abnormalities in the upper tracts. The high success rate in these patients supports wider application of these techniques and indicates the potential for therapeutic procedures through flexible ureteroscopes.
Elasticity theory of the maturation of viral capsids

Abstract Many viral capsids undergo a series of significant structural changes following assembly, a process known as maturation. The driving mechanisms for maturation usually are chemical reactions taking place inside the proteins that constitute the capsid (“subunits”) that produce structural changes of the subunits. The resulting alterations of the subunits may be directly visible from the capsid structures, as observed by electron microscopy, in the form of a shear shape change and/or a rotation of groups of subunits. The existing thin shell elasticity theory for viral shells does not take account of the internal structure of the subunits and hence cannot describe displacement patterns of the capsid during maturation. Recently, it was proposed for the case of a particular virus (HK97) that thin shell elasticity theory could in fact be generalized to include transformations of the constituent proteins by including such a transformations as a change of the stress-free reference state for the deformation free energy. In this study, we adopt that approach and illustrate its validity in more generality by describing shape changes occurring during maturation across different T-numbers in terms of subunit shearing. Using phase diagrams, we determine the shear directions of the subunits that are most effective to produce capsid shape changes, such as transitions from spherical to facetted capsid shape. We further propose an equivalent stretching mechanism offering a unifying view under which capsid symmetry can be analyzed. We conclude by showing that hexamer shearing not only drives the shape change of the viral capsid during maturation but also is capable of lowering the capsid elastic energy in particular for chiral capsids (e.g., T = 7 ) and give rise to pre-shear patterns. These additional mechanisms may provide a driving force and an organizational principle for virus assembly.
Multi-scale fluorescence imaging of bacterial infections in animal models

Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), currently affects roughly one-third of the world’s population. Drug resistant strains of Mtb decrease the effectiveness of current therapeutics and demand the development of new antimicrobial therapies. In addition, the current vaccine, Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG), has variable efficacy for disease prevention in different populations. Animal studies are often limited by the need to sacrifice at discrete time points for pathology and tissue homogenization, which greatly reduces spatial and temporal resolution. Optical imaging offers the potential for a minimally-invasive solution to imaging on a macroscopic and microscopic scale, allowing for high resolution study of infection. We have integrated a fluorescence microendoscope into a whole-animal optical imaging system, allowing for simultaneous microscopic and macroscopic imaging of tdTomato expressing BCG in vivo. A 535 nm LED was collimated and launched into a 10,000 element fiber bundle with an outer diameter of 0.66 mm. The fiber bundle can be inserted through an intra-tracheal catheter into the lung of a mouse. Fluorescence emission can either be (1) collected by the bundle and imaged onto the surface of a CCD camera for localized detection or (2) the fluorescence can be imaged by the whole animal imaging system providing macroscopic information. Results from internal localized excitation and external whole body detection indicate the potential for imaging bacterial infections down to 100 colony forming units. This novel imaging technique has the potential to allow for functional studies, enhancing the ability to assess new therapeutic agents.
Legionella maceachernii pneumonia in a patient with HIV infection

We report a case of fatal Legionella maceachernii pneumonia in a 49 year-old man with HIV infection and review the 3 previous reported cases, all of which occurred in individuals with underlying immune defects. Infection with L. maceachernii was attributable to the deaths of all cases. Issues related to the clinical aspects, laboratory identification of this unusual species, and detection of Legionnaires' diseases are discussed.