cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-injurious behaviour in autistic children: a neuro-developmental theory of social and environmental isolation

Self-injurious behaviour is not one of the three core symptoms that define autism. However, children on the autism spectrum appear to be particularly vulnerable. Afflicted children typically slap their faces, punch or bang their heads, and bite or pinch themselves. These behaviours can be extremely destructive, and they interfere with normal social and educational activities. However, the neurobiological mechanisms that confer vulnerability in children with autism have not been adequately described. This review explores behavioural and neurobiological characteristics of children with autism that may be relevant for an increased understanding of their vulnerability for self-injurious behaviour. Behavioural characteristics that are co-morbid for self-injurious behaviour in children with autism are examined. In addition, the contributions of social and environmental deprivation in self-injurious institutionalized orphans, isolated rhesus macaques, and additional animal models are reviewed. There is extensive evidence that social and environmental deprivation promotes self-injurious behaviour in both humans (including children with autism) and animal models. Moreover, there are multiple lines of convergent neuroanatomical, neurophysiological, and neurochemical data that draw parallels between self-injurious children with autism and environmentally deprived humans and animals. A hypothesis is presented that describes how the core symptoms of autism make these children particularly vulnerable for self-injurious behaviour. Relevant neurodevelopmental pathology is described in cortical, limbic, and basal ganglia brain regions, and additional research is suggested.
Relations of Power: Issues of Gender and Class in the Struggle for “Security” in Old Age, 1927–1933

What was it like to be old, poor, and female in the 1920s and 1930s? What kinds of struggles and negotiations did older women, including those who had once been financially comfortable and socially prominent, engage in to meet their needs during the Great Depression? These are the questions we take up in this special section of the Journal of Aging, Humanities and the Arts. Our approach is interdisciplinary, with an emphasis on close readings and narrative analysis of case files kept by social workers (called “Visitors”) on women age 60 and older who applied for pensions from a private foundation, the Luella Hannan Memorial Home (LHMH) in Detroit, Michigan between 1927 and 1933. This introduction draws on feminist theories to define “power” as a dynamic and relational process that includes both accommodation and resistance. A sociohistorical context is provided for the articles in the issue, all of which are based on LHMH archives, stored at the Walter P. Reuther Library of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne ...
Real‐time language processing in school‐age children with specific language impairment

Background: School‐age children with specific language impairment (SLI) exhibit slower real‐time (i.e. immediate) language processing relative to same‐age peers and younger, language‐matched peers. Results of the few studies that have been done seem to indicate that the slower language processing of children with SLI is due to inefficient higher‐order linguistic processing and not to difficulties with more basic acoustic–phonetic processing. However, this claim requires further experimental verification.Aims: It was investigated whether the real‐time language processing deficit of children with SLI arises from inferior acoustic–phonetic processing, inefficient linguistic processing, or both poor sensory processing and linguistic processing. If these children's impaired online language processing is due to inferior acoustic–phonetic processing, then their reaction time (RT) for recognizing words presented in list fashion should be significantly longer relative to control children's RT. If, however, their i...
Accelerated diffusion spectrum imaging via compressed sensing for the human connectome project

Diffusion Spectrum Imaging (DSI) has been developed as a model-free approach to solving the so called multiple-fibers-per- voxel problem in diffusion MRI. However, inferring heterogeneous microstructures of an imaging voxel rapidly remains a challenge in DSI because of extensive sampling requirements in a Cartesian grid of q-space. In this study, we propose compressed sensing based diffusion spectrum imaging (CS-DSI) to significantly reduce the number of diffusion measurements required for accurate estimation of fiber orientations. This method reconstructs each diffusion propagator of an MR data set from 100 variable density undersampled diffusion measurements minimizing the l1-norm of the finite-differences (i.e.,anisotropic total variation) of the diffusion propagator. The proposed method is validated against a ground truth from synthetic data mimicking the FiberCup phantom, demonstrating the robustness of CS-DSI on accurately estimating underlying fiber orientations from noisy diffusion data. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our CS-DSI method on a human brain dataset acquired from a clinical scanner without specialized pulse sequences. Estimated ODFs from CS-DSI method are qualitatively compared to those from the full dataset (DSI203). Lastly, we demonstrate that streamline tractography based on our CS-DSI method has a comparable quality to conventional DSI203. This illustrates the feasibility of CS-DSI for reconstructing whole brain white-matter fiber tractography from clinical data acquired at imaging centers, including hospitals, for human brain connectivity studies.
JHK photometry of Uranus and Neptune occultation candidate stars: 1986-1990

A report of 20 stars to be occulted by Neptune and 46 stars to be occulted by Uranus during the period 1986-1990 has been provided by Mink and Klemola (1985). This paper has the objective to present J, H, and K magnitudes for most of these stars. It is pointed out that Uranus and Neptune occultation events observed in the K band give optimal signal-to-noise ratios due to the planets' strong methane absorption at 2.2 microns. Program stars and standards were observed over six nights with the aid of the 30- and 74-in telescopes at the South African Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland. The obtained results show that several bright candidates exist for both planets. The brightest are N55 for Neptune and U37, U41, and U65 for Uranus.
Significance of respiratory isolates of Mycobacterium avium complex in HIV positive and HIV negative patients

Abstract Objective : Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is isolated with increasing frequency from respiratory specimens. This study was an attempt to determine the significance of this in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative patients. Methods : A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Bellevue Hospital, a large municipal hospital in New York City, including all patients with two or more respiratory tract specimens positive for MAC during the period January 1996 to October 1996. Results : Eighty patients met inclusion criteria. Forty-six were HIV-positive, and 34 were HIV-negative. Age, gender distribution, and race were comparable. Cough was a common complaint in all patients, whereas HIV-positive patients were significantly more likely to have fever (19 vs. 2, P 0.8), although HIV-positive patients were more likely to have diffuse abnormalities (P Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (n = 10), pneumonia (n = 10), and disseminated MAC disease (n = 12); whereas the concurrent disease in HIV-negative patients predominantly was active tuberculosis (n = 13). According to the recent American Thoracic Society-recommended criteria for the diagnosis of pulmonary disease caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria only 7 of 46 HIV-positive patients and 1 of 34 HIV-negative patients met clinical, bacteriologic, and radiographic criteria for pulmonary disease caused by MAC (P = 0.052). Conclusion : Mycobacterium avium complex often is cultured from patients with other lung diseases, and its presence in sputum infrequently signifies true disease, though it is more likely to do so in HIV-positive patients.
Identification of potent small‐molecule inhibitors of STAT3 with anti‐inflammatory properties in RAW 264.7 macrophages

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a key mediator of the inflammatory response of macrophages and other immune cell types. The naturally occurring polyphenol resveratrol is associated with anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties via mechanisms implicating inhibition of STAT3 signaling. Here, we report that the small-molecule analogs of resveratrol, RSVA314 and RSVA405, are potent inhibitors of STAT3. RSVA314 and RSVA405 inhibited both constitutive and stimulated STAT3 activity in HEK293 cells and lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, respectively. The small-molecule analogs inhibited STAT3 nearly 50 times more potently than did resveratrol (apparent IC(50) ~0.5 μM). We further show that RSVA405 interfered with the inflammatory response by RAW 264.7 cells upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation by inhibiting IκB kinase and IκBα phosphorylation and by decreasing the expression of several cytokines, including the NF-κB target genes tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6. Downstream activation of STAT1 upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation was also inhibited by RSVA405. Consequently, RSVA405 significantly interfered with the phagocytotic activity and proliferation of lipopolysaccharide-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Finally, we found that the effect of the two small-molecule analogs on STAT3 phosphorylation could be prevented by inhibitors of protein tyrosine phosphatases, indicating that the small molecules acted by promoting dephosphorylation of STAT3 by protein tyrosine phosphatases.
Cefazolin compared with cefoxitin for cesarean section prophylaxis: The use of a two-stage study design

Abstract The authors used a two-stage design to.compare the risk of endometritis in women undergoing non-elective cesarean section who received cefazolin prophylaxis ( n =481) with those who received cefoxitin prophylaxis ( n =1799). The primary data source for this study was an automated record linkage system which allowed the ascertainment of exposure(antibiotic prophylaxis) and preliminary ascertainment of outcome (post-partum endometritis) on a consecutive sample of women undergoing cesarean section between 1 April 1987 and 30 September 1989. Potentially important covariates not available in the automated data source were sampled by review of complete medical records of a random sample of each exposure-disease category of the cohort. Of the 2280 women studied, 99 (4.3%) developed postpartum endometritis. After control for age, race, anemia, presence of ruptured membranes, parity, labor, number of vaginal examinations and payor status the adjusted odds ratio for cefazolin compared to cefoxitin was 0.95 (95% C.I. 0.5–1.9). The cost of prophylaxis was significantly higher for women who received cefoxitin prophylaxis ($56/patient vs $9.55/patient). These results suggest that cefazolin prophylaxis should be favored over cefoxitin due to lower cost and similar efficacy. This study also demonstrates the efficiency of a two-stage design in the setting where exposure and outcome are available for an entire cohort but information about important covariates is more difficult to obtain.
Does geography or ecology best explain ‘cultural’ variation among chimpanzee communities?

Much attention has been paid to geographic variation in chimpanzee behavior, but few studies have applied quantitative techniques to explain this variation. Here, we apply methods typically utilized in macroecology to explain variation in the putative cultural traits of chimpanzees. We analyzed published data containing 39 behavioral traits from nine chimpanzee communities. We used a canonical correspondence analysis to examine the relative importance of environmental characteristics and geography, which may be a proxy for inter-community gene flow and/or social transmission, for explaining geographic variation in chimpanzee behavior. We found that geography, and longitude in particular, was the best predictor of behavioral variation. Chimpanzee communities in close longitudinal proximity to each other exhibit similar behavioral repertoires, independent of local ecological factors. No ecological variables were significantly related to behavioral variation. These results support the idea that inter-community dispersal patterns have played a major role in structuring behavioral variation. We cannot be certain whether behavioral variation has a genetic basis, is the result of innovation and diffusion, or a combination of the two.
Modeling radiation-induced segregation in austenitic Fe-Cr-Ni alloys

Abstract To better predict radiation-induced segregation (RIS) in austenitic Fe–Cr–Ni alloys, a model is developed which uses pair interaction energies, ordering energies and local atomic configuration to calculate diffusion parameters. The model allows a single set of input parameters to describe a range of bulk alloy compositions. Comparisons of RIS measurements in austenitic Fe–Cr–Ni alloys with calculations using an inverse Kirkendall model have shown that composition specific diffusion parameters must be used to accurately predict segregation behavior, thus limiting the model's predictive capability when no prior segregation measurements exist. This paper describes the improved model and compares model calculations to segregation data from seven alloys irradiated at temperatures between 200 and 600°C and to doses from 0.1 to 3.0 dpa. Results show that the dose, temperature and composition dependence of the measured segregation data can be modeled using a single set of input parameters with no error greater than 5 at.%, but usually less than 2 at.%.
Facile preparation of silyl azides with dipolar aprotic solvents

Abstract The reaction of sodium azide with chlorosilanes in hexamethylphosphoric triamide or dimethylformamide at room temperature affords a high yield preparation of silyl azides, e.g. Me3SiN3,Me2Si(N3)2, PhMeSi(N3)2 and Ph2Si(N3)2. For characterization, the azides may be converted to silyphosphiimies, R3Si-N=PPh3.
Molecular aspects of tumor cell invasion and metastasis.

Invasion and metastasis are the greatest obstacles to successful tumor treatment. Although advances have been made in conventional tumor therapies and surgical techniques, most cancer deaths still result from metastatic disease. Our lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in tumor cell invasion and metastasis has hindered the development of effective antimetastatic therapies; however, recent discoveries in this field are leading to potential therapeutic strategies. The process of metastasis is now believed to begin early in the growth of the primary tumor.'-3 However, the genetic changes that result in uncontrolled proliferation associated with tumorigenesis do not, by themselves, produce the metastatic phenotype. The acquisition of this trait may require additional genetic changes beyond those related to tumor growth. As in growth control, these changes may involve the addition of positive modulators (oncogenes) or the loss of negative effectors (tumor growth suppressors and invasion and metastasis suppressors). The transition from in situ tumor growth to metastatic disease is defined by the ability of the tumor cells of the primary site to invade local tissues and to cross tissue barriers. To initiate the metastatic process, carcinoma cells must first penetrate the epithelial basement membrane and then invade the interstitial stroma. Loss of epithelial basement membranes is a hallmark of invasion. Traversal of basement membranes may require active proteolysis of this dense matrix of type IV collagen, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans. For distant metastases, intravasation requires tumor cell invasion of the subendothelial basement membrane that must also be negotiated during tumor cell extravasation at the secondary site. The development of malignancy is also as-
Prospective analysis of colorectal carcinoma : determination of an age-site and stage relationship and the correlation of DNA index with clinicopathologic parameters

PURPOSE: A prospective study of colorectal cancer (1987–1991) using flow cytometry was performed to determine the relationship of age with DNA index (DNA-I), sites of disease, Dukes stage, grade, and survival. METHODS: The flow cytometry was performed on 138 fresh, unfixed, surgical specimens using 4′,6′-diamidino-2-phenylindole, a DNA fluorochrome. RESULTS: The mean age was 66.9 (42.8 percent ≥ 70; range, 22–92; median, 68) years, and 48.6 percent were female. The patients' stages were (in percent): A, 4.4; B, 53.0; C, 38.2; D, 4.4. Tumor grades of differentiation (in percent) were: well, 14.4; moderate, 68.9; poor, 16.7; and sites (in percent) were: rectum, 19.6; sigmoid/left, 50.7; transverse/right, 29.0. Aneuploidy (DNA-I ⊋1.0; CV, 3.5 percent) was found in 58.8 percent. Age (by decade of presentation) was compared with site and Dukes stage. Older patients had more transverse/rightsided lesions (P=0.003). Patients with Dukes C and D tumors had a lower age (by decade of presentation) than patients with B2 lesions (P=0.03). Age was not related to DNA-I or grade or DNA-I with sex, grade, site, stage, or survival (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective study suggests that colorectal cancer tends to present at an earlier stage and in the more proximal colon in the older population. Because right-sided lesions are beyond the reach of sigmoidoscopy, these findings have prognostic and screening implications.
A computational approach for analysis and optimal design of FRP beams

Abstract Fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) beams are thin-walled or moderately thick-walled open or closed sections consisting of assemblies of flat panels. We present a computational approach with the computer program FRPBEAM (1994) for the response evaluation of pultruded FRP beams in bending. This program combines micro/macro-mechanics analyses with the Mechanics of Laminated composite Beams (MLB) model and an explicit stability solution to analyze, design, and optimize FRP shapes. In FRPBEAM , the ply stiffnesses are predicted by micromechanics formulas, based on the fiber volume fraction of each lamina, and the panel laminate properties are computed from the ply stiffnesses and macromechanics. The MLB model is used to analyze the overall response of FRP beams in bending, and the Tsai–Hill failure criterion is adopted to predict first-ply-failure loads. An example of a laminated box beam is used to demonstrate the accuracy of the computer program for predicting beam displacements and ply stresses in relation to finite element analyses. A stability Rayleigh–Ritz method is included in the program and used to evaluate the critical buckling loads for pultruded I-beams. Through parametric studies with FRPBEAM and a multiobjective optimization scheme, the fiber architecture of an existing I-beam is optimized, and based on a recommended practical design, the I-beam section is produced by pultrusion and subsequently tested in bending. The predicted response with FRPBEAM correlates well with the experimental results. As illustrated by design analysis and optimization examples presented in this study, the experimentally and numerically verified computer program can be used to analyze existing FRP shapes and develop new optimized shapes for the civil structural market.
Steady-State Plasma and Intrapulmonary Concentrations of Levofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin in Healthy Adult Subjects

Study objective To determine the steady-state plasma, epithelial lining fluid (ELF), and alveolar macrophage (AM) concentrations of levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin. Design Multiple-dose, open-label, randomized pharmacokinetic study. Participants Thirty-six healthy, nonsmoking adult subjects were randomized either to oral levofloxacin, 500 or 750 mg once daily for five doses, or ciprofloxacin, 500 mg q12h for nine doses. Interventions: Venipuncture, bronchoscopy, and BAL were performed in each subject at 4 h, 12 h, or 24 h after the last administered dose of antibiotic. Measurement and results Mean plasma concentrations of levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were similar to those previously reported. For once-daily dosing of levofloxacin, 500 mg, the mean (± SD) steady-state concentrations at 4 h, 12 h, and 24 h in ELF were 9.9 ± 2.7μμ g/mL, 6.5 ± 2.5 μμg/mL, and 0.7 ± 0.4 μμg/mL, respectively; AM concentrations were 97.9 ± 80.0 μμg/mL, 36.7 ± 23.4 μμg/mL, and 13.8 ± 16.0 μμg/mL, respectively. For levofloxacin, 750 mg, the mean steady-state concentrations in ELF were 22.1 ± 14.9 μμg/mL, 9.2 ± 5.3 μμg/mL, and 1.5 ± 0.8 μμg/mL, respectively; AM concentrations were 105.1 ± 65.5 μμg/mL, 36.2 ± 26.1 μμg/mL, and 15.1 ± 2.0 μμg/mL, respectively. The concentrations of ciprofloxacin at 4 h and 12 h in ELF were 1.9 ± 0.9 μμg/mL and 0.4 ± 0.1 μμg/mL, respectively; AM concentrations were 34.9 ± 23.2 μμg/mL and 6.8 ± 5.9 μμg/mL, respectively. The differences in the ELF concentrations of the two levofloxacin groups vs those of the ciprofloxacin group were significant (p Conclusions Levofloxacin was more extensively distributed into intrapulmonary compartments than ciprofloxacin and achieved significantly higher steady-state concentrations in plasma and ELF during the 24 h after drug administration.
Endotoxin inhibits pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin-releasing hormone.

Immune/inflammatory challenges powerfully suppress reproductive neuroendocrine activity. This inhibition is generally considered to be centrally mediated via mechanisms that regulate GnRH secretion. The present study provides two lines of evidence that bacterial endotoxin, a commonly used model of immune/inflammatory challenge, also acts to inhibit pituitary responsiveness to GnRH. In the first experiment, pulsatile secretion of GnRH into pituitary portal blood and LH into peripheral blood were monitored in ovariectomized ewes treated with a low dose of endotoxin. Although this treatment only marginally suppressed GnRH pulsatile secretion, it markedly disrupted LH pulsatility. In extreme cases, the low dose of endotoxin blocked LH pulses without inhibiting endogenous GnRH pulses, thereby uncoupling GnRH and LH pulsatile suppression. In the second experiment, we tested the hypothesis that endotoxin inhibits pituitary responsiveness to exogenous GnRH pulses. Hourly pulses of GnRH were delivered to ovariecto...
HCMV infection of humanized mice after transplantation of G-CSF-mobilized peripheral blood stem cells from HCMV-seropositive donors.

Abstract Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection, including primary infection resulting from transmission from a seropositive donor to a seronegative recipient (D+/R−), remains a significant problem in the setting of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT). The lack of a suitable animal model for studying HCMV transmission after PBSCT is a major barrier to understanding this process and, consequently, developing novel interventions to prevent HCMV infection. Our previous work demonstrated that human CD34+ progenitor cell–engrafted NOD-scid IL2Rγcnull (NSG) mice support latent HCMV infection after direct inoculation and reactivation after treatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. To more accurately recapitulate HCMV infection in the D+/R− PBSCT setting, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–mobilized peripheral blood stem cells from seropositive donors were used to engraft NSG mice. All recipient mice demonstrated evidence of HCMV infection in liver, spleen, and bone marrow. These findings validate the NSG mouse model for studying HCMV transmission during PBSCT.
A Self-stabilizing Lens Ring for 25-Gauge Vitrectomy Surgery

Purpose To design an improved self-stabilizing lens ring for 25-gauge vitrectomy. Design Device report. Methods A lens ring was designed to be fixated to the globe using 25-gauge transconjunctival cannulas. Results This ring consists of a single plastic component with multiple concavities at the ring margin to fit 25-gauge cannulas. The ring can accommodate conventional standard and panoramic vitrectomy lenses. Conclusions A lens ring has been designed for 25-gauge vitrectomy and to hold conventional contact lenses. Stability of the lens ring is achieved without the need for sutures and instead is achieved by the three point fixation provided by the existing 25-gauge cannula system.
We, Too, Sing America.

Who is an American, what is the American experience, and what historical events are important enough to include in books for youth? These complex ideas are examined in a bolder, intellectually fresh manner in information books, biographies, and histories that have been published over the past several decades. Some examples of recent works are discussed because of the increasing curricular focus on civic or social studies education and history. من هو أمريكي وماذا تعتبر التجربة الأمريكية وما هي الأحداث التاريخية التي لا بد من التضمن في الكتب للأطفال؟ قد تم استقصاء هذه الأفكار المعقدة بشكل جريء وعقلانية مبدعة في المعلومات الموجودة في الكتب والسيرات الذاتية والتواريخ التي قد نشرت عبر العقود العديدة الماضية. وقد تم النقاش بشأن بعض الأمثلة من الأعمال الحديثة بسبب ازدياد التركيز المنهاجي على تعليم الدراسات المدنية أو الاجتماعية وتاريخها. 谁是美国人？甚么是美国经验？甚么是美国重要的历史事件而应编入给年青人看的书籍中？本文以一个较为果敢而新颖的求知态度，查考在近数十年出版的信息书籍、传记和历史中对这些复杂问题的意见。本文亦讨论最近著作中的几个例子，因为课程焦点日益重视公民或社会教育和历史教育。 Qu'est-ce qu'un Americain, qu'est-ce que la vie americaine, et quels sont les evenements historiques qui meritent de figurer dans les livres pour la jeunesse? On a examine ces notions complexes de facon audacieuse, nouvelle intellectuellement, dans des livres documentaires, des biographies, et des histoires publies au cours des dernieres decennies. On discute quelques exemples de travaux recents a cause de la place de plus en plus grande apportee recemment dans les programmes a l'instruction civique, aux aspects sociaux et a l'histoire. Кто такие американцы? В чем состоит уникальный американский опыт? Какие исторические события достойны быть включенными в книги для юных читателей? В последние десятилетия эти непростые понятия исследуются все смелее и интеллектуально неожиданнее в различных документальных, исторических и биографических изданиях. Поскольку в учебных планах все больший упор делается на обучение гражданским и социальным наукам, в статье рассматриваются некоторые из последних публикаций по этой тематике. ?Quien es un americano? ?Cual es la experiencia americana? ?Y cuales eventos historicos son lo suficientemente importantes para ser incluidos en libros para jovenes? Estas ideas complejas se examinan de formas mas audaces e intelectualmente novedosas en libros informativos, biografias e historias publicadas en las ultimas decadas. Se discuten algunos ejemplos de obras recientes debido al aumento en el enfoque curricular en la historia y la educacion civica o de estudios sociales.
On the importance of teaching PASCAL in the IS curriculum

This paper asserts that it will become increasingly necessary for persons involved in the software development process to be concerned with creating high quality programs. Furthermore, it is asserted that the presence or absence of certain features in programming languages can affect the quality of programs produced.A survey of language design features which characterize some “modern” languages - languages which have been created for the design and implementation of reliable software - is given. These features include abstraction, name protection, strong typing, structure and ease of verification. Remarks are made concerning how these features support high quality programs.Each of these features is shown to be either a part of PASCAL or to have its immediate history in PASCAL. Since PASCAL is a widely available and well designed language it is suggested that PASCAL provides a unique language environment in which these features which support high quality program construction can be learned.Finally, it is remarked that it is not yet clear which programming languages will dominate our language culture of the future. However it is reasonable to expect that reliable software will be a priority, that the connections between good programs and language features will continue to be made, and that language features will develop along the lines presented here. Information Systems graduates will be in systems development and management roles. It is important that they be articulate with the issues.
Competition in mobile telecommunications: sector growth, benefits for the incumbent and policy trends

Explores the impact of competition in mobile services using data on global systems for mobile communications (GSM) technology. States international experience shows that competition in any of the digital technologies brings substantial benefits to users. Sums up that increasing numbers of governments are taking specific steps to ensure that new cellular operators can compete with incumbent operators.
An Assessment of Herpetofaunal and Non-Volant Mammal Communities at Sites in the Piedmont of North Carolina

The southeastern United States contains a rich diversity of vertebrate spe- cies. Despite this, the Piedmont province of the southeastern US has received less attention than the more biologically diverse Coastal Plain and Mountain regions. Yet, the Piedmont region experiences the greatest anthropogenic impact and should be the focus of conservation efforts. In an attempt to obtain diversity information for this under-studied region, we surveyed amphibian, reptile, and non-volant mammal communities for one year at two sites in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Our survey methodologies included drift fences, artificial cover objects, camera traps, and visual encounter surveys. We captured or obtained evidence of a total of 49 species across both sites (mammals = 20, amphibians = 15, reptiles = 14), and over 2000 animals were captured or detected. We calculated measures of species richness, abundance, diversity, and evenness for each study site, and calculated similarity between sites. Diversity and evenness measures varied, but were generally highest for amphibians or reptiles and lowest for mammals. Measures of similarity between study sites indicated high similarity. The species we observed were comparable to those reported by past inventory projects in the Piedmont of North Carolina, although such projects have been sparse. Our results provide much-needed information on vertebrate communities in this under-studied region.
Smaller Is Better (when Sampling from the Crowd within): Low Memory-Span Individuals Benefit More from Multiple Opportunities for Estimation.

Recently, Vul and Pashler (2008) demonstrated that the average of 2 responses from a single subject to general knowledge questions was more accurate than either single estimate. Importantly, this reveals that each guess contributes unique evidence relevant to the decision, contrary to views that eschew probabilistic representations of the evidence-gathering and decision-making processes. We tested an implication of that view by evaluating this effect separately in individuals with a range of memory spans. If memory span is the buffer in which retrieved information is assembled into an evaluation, then multiple estimates in individuals with lower memory spans should exhibit greater independence from one another than in individuals with higher spans. Our results supported this theory by showing that averaging 2 guesses from lower span individuals is more beneficial than averaging 2 guesses from higher span individuals. These results demonstrate a rare circumstance in which lower memory span confers a relative advantage on a cognitive task.
The reaction of chemical probes with the erythrocyte membrane

Trinitrobenzenesulfonate (TNBS), fluorodinitrobenzene (FDNB) and suberimidate have been reacted with intact human erythrocytes. TNBS does not penetrate the cell membrane significantly at 23 °C in bicarbonate-NaCl buffer, pH 8.6, as estimated by the labeling of the N-terminal valine of hemoglobin. Hence, under these conditions it can be used as a vectorial probe. However, at 37 °C, especially in phosphate buffer, at pH 8.6, TNBS does penetrate the cell membrane. FDNB and suberimidate both penetrate the erythrocyte membrane. The time course reaction of TNBS with intact erythrocytes over a 24-hr period at 23 °C is complex and shows transition zones for both membrane phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and membrane proteins. No significant cell lysis occurs up to 10 hr. The fraction of total PE or phosphatidylserine (PS) which reacts with TNBS by this time period can be considered to be located on the outer surface of the cell membrane. Under these conditions it can be shown that 10 to 20% of the total PE and no PS is located on the outer surface of the membrane and hence these amino phospholipids are asymmetrically arranged. The pH gradient between the inside and outside of the cell in our system is 0.4 pH units. Nigericin has no effect on the extent of labeling of PE or PS by TNBS. Isotonic sucrose gives a slight enhancement of the labeling of PE by TNBS. Hence, the inability of PE and PS to react with the TNBS is considered not due to the inside of the cell having a lower pH. The extent of reaction of TNBS with PE is not influenced by changing the osmolarity of the medium or by treatment of cells with pronase, trypsin, phospholipase A or phospholipase D. However, bovine serum albumin (BSA) does protect some of the PE molecules from reacting with TNBS.
The story of schooling: critical race theory and the educational racial contract

This article is an engagement of methodology as an ideologico-racial practice through Critical Race Theory's practice of storytelling. It is a conceptual extension of this practice as explained through Charles Mills' use of the ‘racial contract (RC) as methodology’ in order to explain the Herrenvolk Education – one standard for Whites, another for students of color – that is in place in the USA. At its most general, the article introduces the full offerings of Mills' RC methodology for a study of educational research. Once deployed, the RC as methodology unveils a school system's foundation as deeply racial rather than universal or race-neutral.
Estimating snow water equivalent for a slightly tilted snow-covered prairie grass field by GPS interferometric reflectometry

Snow water equivalent (SWE) measurements are necessary for the management of water supply and flood control systems in seasonal snow-covered regions. SWE measurements quantify the amount of water stored in snowpack; it can be estimated by the product of snow depth and density. In this paper, snow depth and density are estimated by a nonlinear least squares fitting algorithm. The inputs to this algorithm are global positioning system (GPS) signals and a simple GPS interferometric reflectometry model (GPS-IR) that incorporates a slightly tilted surface (GPS-IRT). The elevation angles of interest at the GPS receiving antenna are between 5° and 30°. A 1-day experiment with a snow-covered prairie grass field using GPS satellites PRN 15 and PRN 18 shows potential for inferring snow water equivalent using GPS-IRT. For this case study, the average inferred snow depth (12.4 cm) from the two satellite tracks underestimates the in situ measurements (17.6 cm ± 1.5 cm). However, the average inferred snow density (0.085 g∙cm-3) from the two satellite tracks is within the in situ measurement range (0.08 g∙cm-3 ± 0.02 g∙cm-3). Consequently, the average inferred SWE (1.05 g∙cm-2) from the two satellite tracks is within the in situ calculation range (1.40 g∙cm-2 ± 0.36 g∙cm-2). These results are also compared with the GPS-IR model.
Effects of Strong Irregular Roughness on the Turbulent Boundary Layer

Some recent studies with irregular roughness suggest that the Nikuradse [Nikuradse, J., NACA TM 1292, National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (1933)] equivalent sand-grain roughness measure gives inconsistent results of the flow characteristics. In situations where the roughness is very strong to stifle or diminish the viscous effects the viscous scaling laws alone will not be very meaningful. The present study aims to find an alternative scaling parameter for such cases. Here, the measured mean and turbulent velocity profiles on a nonuniform roughness surface, simulating a gas turbine blade roughness, are presented. A nonzero wall normal pressure gradient is caused which is believed to contribute to the velocity deficit in the near-wall rough boundary layer velocity profile. The surface pressure variation is also directly influenced by the local roughness. The normal turbulent stresses are increased on the rough surface, the vertical component more than the longitudinal component. A pressure gradient velocity scale (similar to that proposed for adverse pressure gradient boundary layer modeling by Durbin and Belcher [Durbin, P.A. and Belcher, S.E., J. Fluid Mech. 238 (1992), 699-722] is defined to capture the pressure effects induced by such roughness on the inner layer properties.
Germinal matrix microvascular maturation correlates inversely with the risk period for neonatal intraventricular hemorrhage

The risk period for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) of the preterm neonate is the first 3–4 postnatal days. For infants of <34 weeks' gestation, this risk period is independent of gestational age. We hypothesized that this risk period is attributable to the perinatal induction of maturation of the germinal matrix microvasculature and tested this hypothesis by examining changes in the classical ultrastructural features of the blood-brain barrier over the first ten postnatal days in the newborn beagle model for neonatal IVH. Newborn beagle pups (n = 6) were anesthetized and systemically perfused and the brains were removed and prepared for electron microscopic examination. Examination of electron micrographs from the germinal matrix of animals on the first, fourth and tenth postnatal days demonstrated no difference in perimeter lengths and capillary and endothelial cell areas; in contrast, luminal areas significantly decreased across postnatal age (P = 0.04). Significant increases were found in basement membrane area between days 1 and 4 (P = 0.01) and tight junction length (day 1 vs. day 10, P = 0.02). In addition, on day 1, 19% of germinal matrix capillary perimeter was determined not to be covered by supporting cell processes, while by day 10, only 5% was bare. In contrast, the microvessels of the white matter exhibited no changes in these parameters during these three time points. These studies are consistent with the concept that basal lamina deposition and organization precede increases in endothelial cell tight junction formation and coverage by supporting cells.
Cerebellar abiotrophy in an alpaca (Lama pacos).

Cerebellar abiotrophy, a premature degeneration of cerebellar neurons, has been described in most domestic animals. Affected animals typically present with progressive neurologic signs after a variable period of postnatal normalcy. This report describes the clinical, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical (IHC) findings of cerebellar abiotrophy in an alpaca. The alpaca developed intention tremors, hypermetria, and a wide-based stance at 1.5 years of age. Histologic lesions, confined to the cerebellar vermis, included marked absence of Purkinje cells, decreased granule cells, narrowing of the molecular layer, and thinning of white matter tracts consistent with abiotrophy. Increased cell processes in the molecular layer immunolabeled for glial fibrillary acidic protein, whereas immunoreactivity for neurofilament was reduced in the molecular layer and cerebellar folia white matter. To the investigators' knowledge, this is the first report of cerebellar abiotrophy in a camelid and the first documentation of...
An open-source bmet library: results on access and value

A barrier to keeping medical equipment in service in low resource settings is access to knowledge on how to maintain and repair medical equipment. In order to address this barrier, Engineering World Heath and Robert Malkin's Developing World Healthcare Technologies Lab (DHT) at Duke University have created a digital library of open source materials. The library contains information on anatomy and physiology, basic technician skills, electronics, Healthcare Technology Management, and mathematics. The library uses Google translate to provide the material in multiple languages. To understand if the library is useful to technicians in a variety of contexts the DHTLab undertook a pilot study with technicians and engineers from Uganda, Cambodia, Kenya, France, and Honduras. The pilot aims to gather data on two main areas: the usability and utility of the library.
Spatial distribution of rare species in lotic habitats

. 1 Species rarity is a common phenomenon in the biological world. Although rare species have always interested biologists, the meaning of ‘rare’ has not always been clear with the definition of rarity often arbitrary. 2 In the current study, we investigate rarity in stream ecosystems using black flies (Diptera: Simuliidae). We defined rare species a priori as those species found ≤ 10% of stream sites examined (n = 111 streams for ‘summer collections’; n = 88 collection for ‘spring’ collections). Hence, we are exploring only one axis of rarity, restricted range. 3 We first consider the distribution of each rare species separately to determine if the mean (euclidian) distance among streams (habitats) for each rare species differs from a random model. We next took a collective approach by pooling all rare species to determine the influence of stream conditions, niche breadth, and distance among habitats on rarity. 4 Even within this biologically uniform group of flies, dispersal, range limits, and stream conditions all might play a role in rarity, and the importance of each of these factors appear to vary among species. Rather than looking for broad causes of rarity, future studies might be more fruitful if they looked at species-specific causes.
The Current Situation: Erlotinib (Tarceva®) and Gefitinib (Iressa®) in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Correspondence: Robert L. Comis, M.D., Director, Drexel University College of Medicine, Clinical Trials Research Center, 1818 Market Street, Suite 1100, Philadelphia, PA 19013, USA. Telephone: 215-789-3609; Fax: 215-789-3655; e-mail: rcomis@ecogchair.org Received July 14, 2005; accepted for publication July 21, 2005. ©AlphaMed Press 1083-7159/2005/$12.00/0 Introduction Molecular targeted therapies, such as the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), provide a different mechanism of action from chemotherapy and can be much more specific in their approach to cancer treatment. The New Drug Application (NDA) for erlotinib (Tarceva®; OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Melville, NY, http://www.osip.com; Hoffman-La Roche, Basel, Switzerland, http://www.roche.com; Genentech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA, http://www.gene.com) use for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen was approved in the United States on November 18, 2004, as well as in Switzerland on March 22, 2005. The dossier is currently undergoing review with the European Medicines Agency (EMEA). These approvals were based on data from the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC CTG) Study BR.21, a randomized, doubleblinded, placebo-controlled, phase III study of singleagent erlotinib at a dose of 150 mg daily in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen [1]. Erlotinib is the only EGFR TKI therapy shown in a randomized phase III trial to provide a survival benefit to NSCLC patients (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.73). Changes/Advances in Treatment of NSCLC Since the Approval of Erlotinib
Patent Ductus Arteriosus in an Elderly Man

An apparently healthy 62-year-old man was admitted because of a one-month history of progressive dyspnea on exertion. He reported leg edema, but no orthopnea or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea. On physical examination, his oxygen saturation was 94 percent while he was breathing room air, his lungs were clear, and there was no clubbing of the toes, but a harsh, grade 2/6 holosystolic murmur was heard in the aortic area with radiation to the back. The B-type natriuretic peptide level was elevated at 862 pg per milliliter (normal, <100). A subsequent echocardiogram showed global hypokinesis, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30 . . .
Biomass response mechanisms of understory species the first year after prescribed burning in an Arizona ponderosa-pine community

Abstract Species-specific biomass and density responses were determined for three grasses and two shrubs in a northern Arizona ponderosa-pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest one year following a prescribed burn. Sources of response were determined by monitoring changes in surviving plants as well as contributions by new seedlings and sprouts. Results are reported for four overstory types (open sawtimber sites, below-canopy sawtimber sites, and pole and sapling patches). Responses varied among species and within species by overstory type. Sitanion hystrix showed a positive biomass response to prescribed burning in the open sawtimber sites, due to increased growth of surviving plants and a large influx of seedlings. In contrast, in the pole patches, where fire severity was high, S. hystrix had a high mortality and low colonization, but maintained its pre-burn biomass levels through increased growth of surviving plants. Muhlenbergia montana decreased following burning in both the open sawtimber sites and pole patches, because of high mortality, no increased growth of surviving plants, and virtually no seedling colonization. Ceanothus fendleri experienced high mortality in the below-canopy sawtimber sites and pole patches, but often sprouted vigorously following fire.
Multimission nuclear electric propulsion system for outer planet exploration missions

The conceptual design configuration of a nuclear electric propulsion system (NEP) with a multimission capability for both earth orbital and electric propulsion missions is discussed. Two basic types of space reactor power system concepts are analyzed emphasizing conduction coupled and radiation coupled systems, and a radiation coupled thermoelectric panel concept is schematically represented and described in detail. A nuclear-powered 100-kWe surveillance spacecraft concept is presented and the developmental phases are given including cost estimates. In addition, a system is described that seems to have the capability to perform all the outer planet missions.
Saturation effects associated with sound propagation in a turbulent medium

A theoretical analysis of the acoustic wave field radiated by a time-harmonic point source in a homogeneous, isotropic turbulent medium is presented. The smoothing method is used to study the incoherent, or randomly fluctuating, component of the wave field. The analysis considers the effect on the wave of the velocity fluctuations, as well as the index-of-refraction fluctuations, of the medium. An approximate expression for the second moment of the incoherent wave is obtained for the case in which the wavelenght is much less than the minimum correlation length of the medium. This expression shows that the fluctuations of the wave increase initially in proportion to the propagation distance, but that at larger distances they tend to a limiting, or saturation, value. These results agree with observations of waves propagating in real media. It is also found that the mean square of the total (i.e., coherent plus incoherent) acoustic pressure is unaffected by the randomness of the medium.