cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biogeographic patterns of forest diversity at mount Kasigau, Kenya

ABSTRACT Mount Kasigau, the most northeastern mountain in the Eastern Arc, rises steeply from arid plains to a moist summit at 1641 m. This paper examines the diversity contributions of this afromontane setting by compiling a chorological analysis of tree species richness, measuring ecological differences among forest community types, and interpreting physical-environmental and human-historical factors that influence diversity patterns. Between 2002 and 2006, stem densities and basal areas of woody plants > 10 cm dbh were measured in 55 (0.1 ha) plots placed at different elevations. The study reports 140 species, 46 were measured in only one plot, and affinities for 75 species to the Somalia-Masai (43%), Afromontane (29%), and Zanzibar-Inhambane (Coastal, 28%) floristic regions. Cluster and Indicator Species Analyses identified eight community types. Mount Kasigau uniquely conserves much forest cover and a diversity of woody plant species below evergreen forest at 1000 m. Ordination, using Nonmetric Multi...
Corneal Argon Laser Photocoagulation for Neovascularization in Penetrating Keratoplasty

Corneal argon laser photocoagulation (CALP) was used in 13 patients to treat deep stromal vascular ingrowth. Eight patients had undergone successful penetrating keratoplasty but had developed deep stromal vessels into the graft associated with signs of graft rejection, which did not improve with steroid treatment alone (group 1). After CALP, there was marked regression of the neovascularization with reversal of graft rejection in all eyes. Three additional patients with vascularized corneas, referred for penetrating keratoplasty, underwent CALP preoperatively with obliteration of the vessels (group 2). Two of these patients have since undergone keratoplasty and, in both, the grafts have remained avascular and clear over a 21-month follow-up. Two other patients with corneal injury and progressive corneal opacification and vascularization have also been treated with CALP (group 3). CALP may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of corneal neovascularization. Further clinical studies are needed to define its exact role.
Digital watermarking using two-dimensional FM waveforms

In this paper, we propose two-dimensional (2-D) frequency modulated (FM) signals for digital watermarking. The hidden information is embedded into an image using the binary phase information of a 2-D FM prototype. The original image is properly partitioned into several blocks. In each block, a 2-D FM watermark waveform is used and the watermark information is embedded using the binary phase. The parameters of the FM watermark are selected in order to achieve low bit error rate (BER) detection of the watermark. Detailed study of performance analysis and parameter optimizations is performed for 2-D chirp signals as an example of 2-D FM waveforms. Experimental results compare the proposed methods and support their effectiveness.
Basic Theory of Fuzzy Difference Equations

The notion of fuzzy difference equation is introduced. Using Lyapunov type of function a comparison theorem for the fuzzy difference equation is obtained in terms of ordinary difference equations, which is used as a tool to study the stability results of the fuzzy difference equations.
An RF instantaneous-hop frequency synthesizer based on a zero-initial-phase-error multi-modulus divider

In this paper, we propose an instantaneous-hop frequency synthesizer based on a zero-initial-phase-error multi-modulus divider that breaks the fundamental tradeoff between hopping time, spectral purity and frequency resolution. In the proposed synthesizer, initial frequency error and phase error at the instant of hop are virtually eliminated through frequency presetting in the high-resolution voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) and the proposed zero-initial-phase-error divider. This eliminates the acquisition process and enables “instantaneous hops” to within a frequency error that is only limited by the resolution of digital control. An IC prototype is implemented and fabricated in a standard 65 nm CMOS technology. The implemented frequency synthesizer operates over 4-5.84 GHz with three discrete divider ratios (80,88,96) and achieves instantaneous hops to within an average of 3.64 MHz of the desired output frequency. The prototype dissipates 16.8 mW from 1.2 V power supply.
'NOISE-TRADER RISK' AND BAYESIAN MARKET MAKING IN FX DERIVATIVES: ROLLING LOADED DICE?

This paper develops and simulates a model of a Bayesian market maker who transacts with noise and position traders in derivative markets. The impact of noise trading is examined relative to price determination in FX futures, noise transmission from futures to options, and risk-management behaviour linking the two markets. The model simulations show noise trading in futures results in wider bid–ask spreads, increased price volatility, and greater variation in hedging costs. Above all, the Bayesian market maker manages price-risk by trend chasing not for speculative purposes, but to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the market. The pecuniary effects from this risk-management strategy suggest that noise trading tends to constrain the market maker’s capacity to arbitrage; particularly when the underlying price is mean averting as opposed to a Martingale and trading sessions exhibit significant price volatility. Copyright r 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright r 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance of Three Blood Glucose Meters

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the performance of three blood glucose meters.METHODS:The One Touch II (LifeScan, Milpitas, CA), Glucometer Elite (Bayer, Elkhart, IN), and Accu-Chek Advantage (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, IN) were compared with a reference laboratory method (Technicon Chem System, Tarrytown, NY). Blood glucose meters used in this study were validated by a clinically oriented approach known as the error grid analysis (EGA), for which the performance of the meters was compared to a laboratory standard, and by the criteria of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Limits of agreement were evaluated using differences from the reference laboratory method and 95% CIs. Capillary blood was obtained from study participants in fasting state with the morning blood draw and tested on the three meters simultaneously.RESULTS:A total of 120 blood glucose meter readings were analyzed; values ranged from 62 to 396 mg/dL. For all three meters, at least 75% of the capillary blood glucose values fell into zone...
Targeted Comprehensive Induction for Urban Educators: An Exploration of Teacher Motivation and Retention.

This article calls into question recent research on induction and mentoring and illustrates the effects of comprehensive induction programs on new teacher motivation, satisfaction, and retention. This analysis contradicts recent research and suggests that comprehensive induction can positively influence the retention and development of new teachers, specifically teachers in urban, hard-to-staff schools. An understanding of the unique nature of and supports necessary to help new teachers navigate the complexity of teaching in today's urban diverse settings is offered. Implications for successful induction support for urban educators conclude the article.
Initial Extracellular Development in Vitro of Merozoites of Plasmodium falciparum1

Late schizonts from continuous cultures of P. falciparum were concentrated over Percoll, inoculated to various experimental media at the rate of about 20 X 10(6) per 0.5 ml of medium, and incubated in a candle jar at 37 degrees for 1 day. Controls in standard culture medium showed a heavy invasion with young rings in the previously uninfected red cells introduced with the inoculum of schizonts. In a medium of high potassium content containing a 33% extract of human erythrocytes, this invasion was inhibited and many free merozoites were present. If, however, this same medium was supplemented with both ATP, as the dipotassium salt at 1.6 mM, and sodium pyruvate at 3.6 mM, there appeared large numbers of extracellular forms resembling young rings. Examination of these by electron microscopy shows that they are indeed merozoites that have begun to differentiate extracellularly. This suggests that the trigger for differentiation of merozoites may not depend on the process of entry into a red cell but rather on specific factors within the red cell.
Linguistic Diversity in a Deaf Prison Population: Implications for Due Process.

The entire deaf prison population in the state of Texas formed the basis for this research. The linguistic skills of prison inmates were assessed using the following measures: (1) Kannapell's categories of bilingualism, (2) adaptation of the diagnostic criteria for Primitive Personality Disorder, (3) reading scores on the Test of Adult Basic Education, and (4) an evaluation of sign language use and skills by a certified sigh language interpreter who had worked with deaf inmates for the past 17 years. Deaf inmates with reading scores below the federal standard for literacy (grade level 2.9) were the group most likely to demonstrate linguistic incompetence to stand trial, meaning that they probably lacked the ability to understand the charges against them and/or were unable to participate in their own defenses. Based on the language abilities and reading scores of this population, up to 50% of deal state prison inmates may not have received due process throughout their arrest and adjudication. Despite their adjudicative and/or linguistic incompetence, these individtools were convicted in many casts, possible violating their constitutional rights and their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Multiple cycles of wave-dominated estuarine deposits in low-accommodation settings, Cretaceous J sandstone, northwestern Nebraska

The J sandstone comprises less than 46 m (151 ft) of sandstone-dominated strata within the mudrock-dominated lower Upper Cretaceous succession of northwestern Nebraska. The unit is a prolific hydrocarbon producer in this region (Denver-Julesburg Basin), but its lithostratigraphic and sequence-stratigraphic framework, critical for reservoir characterization and mapping, is poorly known. We have achieved an improved understanding of depositional history and sequence stratigraphy by describing and correlating cores and wireline logs from wells within Sioux, Dawes, and Box Butte counties, Nebraska, and Niobrara and Goshen counties, Wyoming. Coals, paleosols, fluvial or inner estuarine sandstones, estuarine mudstones, fluvial conglomerate, shoreface sandstone, and reworked volcanic fallout (bentonite) lithofacies were identified. Trace fossil assemblages representing stressed expressions of the Skolithos and Cruziana ichnofacies are common. These lithofacies are arranged vertically into three erosionally based cycles, each less than 28 m (92 ft) thick, and each grade upward from fluvial or inner estuarine sandstones into estuarine mudstones and in turn into shoreface sandstones. The lateral and vertical stacking patterns of the lithofacies are complex, however, and the upper cycles appear to fill space eroded into the underlying ones. Northeast-southwest–elongate isochore trends appear in all three cycles. Lithofacies transition downdip from inner estuarine sandstones in the northeast to estuarine basin mudstones and shoreface sandstones toward the southwest. Detrital mineralogy indicates an easterly (cratonic) provenance for the entire unit. Our data suggest that the J sandstone in northwestern Nebraska accumulated in wave-dominated estuarine settings, as part of a long-lived transgressive systems tract. The unit as a whole occupies a complexly incised landscape cut during a third-order lowstand ca. 98 Ma. Coeval cycles of similar magnitude throughout the Western Interior suggest that the three cycles represent eustatic fluctuations. The highest quality reservoirs occur at the base of the unit in inner estuarine lithofacies in the central and southwestern parts of the study area.
Digital Multimode Buck Converter Control With Loss-Minimizing Synchronous Rectifier Adaptation

This paper develops a multimode control strategy which allows for efficient operation of the buck converter over a wide load range. A method for control of synchronous rectifiers as a direct function of the load current is introduced . The function relating the synchronous-rectifier timing to the load current is optimized on-line with a gradient power-loss-minimizing algorithm. Only low-bandwidth measurements of the load current and a power-loss-related quantity are required, making the technique suitable for digital controller implementations. Compared to alternative loss-minimizing approaches, this method has superior adjustment speed and robustness to disturbances, and can simultaneously optimize multiple parameters. The proposed synchronous-rectifier control also accomplishes an automatic, optimal transition to discontinuous-conduction mode at light load. Further, by imposing a minimum duty-ratio, the converter automatically enters pulse-skipping mode at very light load. Thus, the same controller structure can be used in both fixed-frequency pulsewidth modulation and variable-frequency pulse-skipping modes. These techniques are demonstrated on a digitally-controlled 100-W buck converter
Further numerical studies of backscattering from time evolving non-linear sea surfaces

Previous studies have demonstrated that the West et al. (1987) model for non-linear hydrodynamic evolution of a sea surface realization produces significant features in calculated L-band backscattered Dopper spectra compared to a linear sea surface evolution model. Previous comparisons, however, were limited to a maximum wind speed of 2 m/s due to failure of the West et al. algorithm when steep short-wave features formed in the surface. In this paper, L-band Doppler spectra with the West et al. model are reported for wind speeds up to 4 m/s through the use of a suppression filter to reduce steep short-wave features. Results again show significant effects on Doppler spectra, including a strong polarization sensitivity at 80/spl deg/ observation angle.
Can Retransmissions of Superexponential Documents Cause Subexponential Delays

Consider a generic data unit of random size L that needs to be transmitted over a channel of unit capacity. The channel dynamics is modeled as an on-off process {(Ai, E/j)}iles1 with alternating independent periods when channel is available Ai and unavailable Ui, respectively. During each period of time that the channel becomes available, say Ai, we attempt to transmit the data unit. If L les Ai, the transmission was considered successful; otherwise, we wait for the next period Ai+i when the channel is available and attempt to retransmit the data from the beginning. We study the asymptotic properties of the total transmission time T and number of retransmissions N until the data is successfully transmitted. In recent studies it was proved that the waiting time T follows a power law when the distributions of L and A1 are of an exponential type, e.g., Gamma distribution. In this paper, we show that the distributions of N and T follow power laws with exponent alpha as long as logP[L > x] apalphalogP[A1 > x] for large x. Hence, it may appear surprising that we obtain power law distributions irrespective of how heavy or light the distributions of L and A1 may be. In particular, both L and A1 can decay faster than any exponential, which we term superexponential. For example, if L and A1 are Gaussian with variances sigma2 L and sigma2 A, respectively, then N and T have power law distributions with exponent alpha = sigma2 A/sigma2 L; note that, if sigma2 A<sigma2 L, the transmission time has an infinite mean and, thus, the system is unstable. The preceding model, as recognized in (Fiorini et al., 2005), describes a variety of situations where failures require jobs to restart from the beginning. Here, we identify that this model also provides a new mechanism for explaining the frequently observed power law phenomenon in data networks. Specifically, we argue that it may imply the power laws on both the application as well as the data link layer, where variable-sized documents and (IP) packets are transmitted, respectively. We discuss the engineering ramifications of our observations, especially in the context of wireless ad hoc and sensor networks where channel failures are frequent. Furthermore, our results provide an easily computable benchmark for measuring the matching between the data and channel characteristics that permits/prevents satisfactory transmission.
Spherical sliding isolation bearings with adaptive behavior: Experimental verification

This paper describes an experimental program to examine the force-displacement behavior of a class of multi-spherical sliding bearings. The primary goal of the experiments is to test the validity of the theory developed in a companion paper that describes the behavior of these devices. Experimental work consisted of testing the three primary variations of these bearings in several configurations of different friction and displacement capacities. Most tests were carried out at slow speeds; however, some testing was also conducted at high speed (up to approximately 400Â mm/s) to examine the behavior under dynamic conditions. The results of experimental testing were generally found to be in very good agreement with the analytical results. It is shown that the forces and displacements at which transitions in stiffness occur are predictable and therefore controllable in design. Furthermore, the underlying principles of operation were confirmed by the fact that starting and stopping of sliding on the different surfaces occurred as expected from theory.
The Use of Angiotensin-II Receptor Blockers in Heart Failure

Angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) have recently been evaluated in large trials to determine their role in the treatment of heart failure. It is clear that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-Is) prevent the effects of an overactive renin-angiotensin aldosterone system and therefore prevent disease progression. Despite this evidence, intolerance (eg, cough) limits the use of ACE-Is in heart failure patients. Improved tolerability makes ARBs attractive alternatives in patients intolerant to ACE-Is. ARBs are also hypothesized to have additional benefits when used in combination with ACE-Is through more complete inhibition of angiotensin-II. However, studies of ARBs in patients with heart failure have not confirmed this hypothesis. This article describes the rationale and evaluates the literature for the use of ARBs in heart failure.
Breakpoints and halting in distributed programs

Interactive debugging requires that the programmer be able to half a program at interesting points in its execution. The authors define distributed breakpoints and present an algorithm for implementing the detection points and an algorithm for halting a distributed program in a consistent state. Events that can be partially ordered are defined as detectable and form the basis for the breakpoint predicates. From the breakpoint definition, an algorithm is obtained that can be used in a distributed debugger to detect these breakpoints. The halting algorithm extends K.M. Chandy and L. Lamport's (1985) algorithm for recording global state and solves the problem of processes that are not fully connected or frequently communicating. >
Sirtuin regulation of mitochondria: energy production, apoptosis, and signaling.

Sirtuins are a highly conserved family of proteins whose activity can prolong the lifespan of model organisms such as yeast, worms and flies. Mammals contain seven sirtuins (SIRT1–7) that modulate distinct metabolic and stress response pathways. Three sirtuins, SIRT3, SIRT4 and SIRT5, are located in the mitochondria, dynamic organelles that function as the primary site of oxidative metabolism and play crucial roles in apoptosis and intracellular signaling. Recent findings have shed light on how the mitochondrial sirtuins function in the control of basic mitochondrial biology, including energy production, metabolism, apoptosis and intracellular signaling.
Axillary view of the glenoid articular surface

Abstract The glenoid articular surface is best studied radiographically on a tangential projection with both true anteroposterior and axillary views. Forty-one dry scapulas were studied under fluoroscopy to define the axillary projection that would provide a true scapular lateral view. The superior and inferior articular margins were marked with radiopaque solder wires. A true axillary view was obtained when the projection of the wires superimposed. The projection of the cortical bone of the posterolateral surface of the coracoid was noted to be continuous with the projection of the subchondral cortical bone of the glenoid articular surface when the latter was viewed tangentially. An illustrative case is shown in which a screw was mistakenly seen violating the glenohumeral joint; however, with the defined true axillary view, the actual position of the screw was demonstrated. X-ray films taken of another 8 cadaver shoulders were used to study the position of screws inserted about the glenoid articular surface. The soft tissue shadow superimposition on the inferior glenoid margin can lead to a misinterpretation of the superior margin as the whole glenoid articular surface. Because soft tissue can interfere with the appreciation of the glenohumeral joint line on an axillary view, a projection that will show a continuous line of the coracoid and glenoid articular surface should be obtained, and it will indicate a tangential view of the joint. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2000;9:115-9.)
Prognosis of Right Ventricular Failure in Patients With Left Ventricular Assist Device Based on Decision Tree With SMOTE

Right ventricular failure is a significant complication following implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), which increases morbidity and mortality. Consequently, researchers have sought predictors that may identify patients at risk. However, they have lacked sensitivity and/or specificity. This study investigated the use of a decision tree technology to explore the preoperative data space for combinatorial relationships that may be more accurate and precise. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 183 patients with initial LVAD implantation at the Artificial Heart Program, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, between May 1996 and October 2009. Among those patients, 27 later required a right ventricular assist device (RVAD+) and 156 remained on LVAD (RVAD-) until the time of transplantation or death. A synthetic minority oversampling technique (SMOTE) was applied to the RVAD+ group to compensate for the disparity of sample size. Twenty-one resampling levels were evaluated, with decision tree model built for each. Among these models, the top six predictors of the need for an RVAD were transpulmonary gradient (TPG), age, international normalized ratio (INR), heart rate (HR), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), prothrombin time, and right ventricular systolic pressure. TPG was identified to be the most predictive variable in 15 out of 21 models, and constituted the first splitting node with 7 mmHg as the breakpoint. Oversampling was shown to improve the senstivity of the models monotonically, although asymptotically, while the specificity was diminished to a lesser degree. The model built upon 5X synthetic RVAD+ oversampling was found to provide the best compromise between sensitivity and specificity, included TPG (layer 1), age (layer 2), right atrial pressure (layer 3), HR (layer 4,7), INR (layer 4, 9), alanine aminotransferase (layer 5), white blood cell count (layer 5,6, &7), the number of inotrope agents (layer 6), creatinine (layer 8), AST (layer 9, 10), and cardiac output (layer 9). It exhibited 85% sensitivity, 83% specificity, and 0.87 area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (RoC), which was found to be greatly improved compared to previously published studies.
Information retrieval on the Semantic Web: Integrating inference and retrieval

vision of the Semantic Web is that it will be much like the Web we know today, except that documents will be enriched by annotations in machine understandable markup. These annotations will provide metadata about the documents as well as machine interpretable statements capturing some of the meaning of document content. We discuss how the informa- tion retrieval paradigm might be recast in such an environ- ment. We suggest that retrieval can be tightly bound to infer- ence. Doing so makes today's Web search engines useful to Semantic Web inference engines, and causes improvements in either retrieval or inference to lead directly to improvements in the other.
Recruiting cytotoxic T cells to folate-receptor-positive cancer cells.

Herein, we describe the synthesis of a chemically defined anti-CD3 Fab-folate conjugate that targets cytotoxic T cells to folate receptor positive (FR+) tumors. The unnatural amino acid pacetylphenylalanine (pAcPhe) was site-specifically incorporated into an anti-CD3 Fab and conjugated to folate via the formation of a stable oxime linkage. The anti-CD3 Fab-folate conjugate was able to promote T cell mediated killing of FR+ cancer cells in culture. Moreover, the anti-CD3 Fab-folate conjugate potently eliminates tumor xenografts in mice. This approach can likely be generalized to other ligands that bind cancer and other pathogenic cells.
Cognitive technologies for establishing, sharing and comparing perspectives on video over computer networks

How can I tell what I think till I see what I Say? (Forster, 1927, Aspects of the novel) Abstract. The rapidly increasing presence of digital video recordings and new communication capacities on the Internet has created new possibilities for collaboration in behavioral science research. Unfortunately, digital video has so far proven to be an unnatural medium for collaborative activity due to a lack of adequate tools that support joint analysis of a shared video record. We describe seven socio-technical design challenges that face what we term computer-supported collaborative video analysis. We also describe a software environment that we have created called DIVER that was designed to address these challenges and provide a platform for the fluid exchange of video data as well as the insights that the data elicit. The affordances of DIVER for supporting collaboration around video are grounded in the descriptions of two academic contexts in which the software played a central role in the group's video-based activities. The potential of DIVER to serve as a 'cognitive technology' is discussed.
A new hybrid DWT-SVD image-coding system for color images

In this paper, we propose the HDWTSVD system to encode color images. Before encoding, the color components (RGB) are transformed into YCbCr. Cb and Cr components are downsampled by a factor of two, both horizontally and vertically, before sending them through the encoder. A criterion based on the average standard deviation of 8×8 subblocks of the Y component is used to choose DWT or SVD for all the components. Standard test images are compressed based on the proposed algorithm.
Absorption of Iron from Ferric Hydroxide Polymers Introduced into Ligated Rat Duodenal Segments

The availability of iron from 59Fe-labeled polymeric ferric hydroxides and low-molecular-weight ferric complexes (LMW iron) was compared by using ligated rat duodenal segments, in vivo. The effect of iron status was assessed by using iron-adequate (Hb 12.3-15.5 g/dl) and iron-deficient (Hb 8.1-10.6 g/dl) rats for each iron treatment. Analysis of data from the animal experiment showed: less (P less than 0.01) iron from polymers [6.8% (iron adequate) and 7.7% (iron deficient)] was transferred to the carcass than from LMW iron [29.2% (iron adequate) and 47.9% (iron deficient)] and iron-deficient animals absorbed more iron than iron-adequate rats from LMW iron but not from polymeric iron. Solubility studies showed that these data could not be attributed to solubility differences between polymers and LMW iron. The results of this experiment suggest that in the intestine factors or conditions that depolymerize iron or prevent polymer formation could enhance iron absorption.
Lessons learned from reconstructing the 1918 influenza pandemic

The "Spanish influenza" pandemic of 1918 was the most devastating influenza epidemic reported in history and killed >30 million people worldwide. The factors contributing to the severe pathogenicity of this influenza virus are of great interest, because avian influenza viruses circulating today pose the threat of a new pandemic if they develop sustained human-to-human transmissibility. Recent characterization of the 1918 virus has illuminated which determinants may be the cause of virulence. Here, we wish to shed light on what has been learned to date about the 1918 virus with regard to pathogenicity and transmissibility, to supplement our understanding of the determinants of human virulence and transmission of pandemic influenza viruses. Monitoring the sequences of avian influenza viruses for genetic changes and diversity may help us to predict the risks that these viruses pose of causing a new pandemic.
From Tasks To Processes: The Case For Changing Health Information Technology To Improve Health Care

To deliver better health care at a lower cost, health information technology (IT) should be redesigned to support improved, patient-centered care and not the isolated tasks of physicians and clinicians. This new approach has major policy implications: health IT can help mitigate the worsening shortages of physicians; it will require managers, clinicians, and patients to learn new skills and behaviors; it will increase the need for clinically astute systems analysts, business-process managers, and human-factors engineers; and it will highlight the need to pay for process improvements and improved patient well-being rather than the mere purchase of health IT.
Spenser's Magic, or Instrumental Aesthetics in the 1590 Faerie Queene

AbstractThis essay historically contextualizes and analyzes the literary aesthetic Spenser develops in the 1590 Faerie Queene to the end of fashioning his reader in virtuous discipline. Spenser is influenced by Sidney's claim that the metaphysical ideas of virtue conveyed in beautiful poetic images inspire the reader to emulation, but I argue that his epistemology is also affected by the Protestant critique of Neoplatonism and by early modern moral psychology, both of which hold that demons can place deceiving images directly into the subject's imagination. In light of this perceived danger, Spenser develops an “instrumental aesthetics of wonder,” whereby the reader is inspired at once to love the beauty of ideas of virtue and to doubt the provenance of their images in his mind's eye. The aesthetics of wonder are instrumental to the end of fashioning the reader, because the reader's wonder over his own imagination enacts the inward‐looking self‐monitoring that characterizes Spenser's disciplined subject. ...
Fiscal Materialization in the National Health Service in Wales

In this paper, I seek to examine the health care system of Wales in order to interrogate the materiality of fiscal theory, and the ways by which thought regarding fiscal issues enables the construction and enactment of practices which result in specific patterns of effects in the National Health Service in Wales. This allows for an understanding of the objectification and recursivity of theory as it materializes through institutional and political practices and the effects that result. Theory is therefore sustained despite particular realities, and this capacity confers power on both the theory and on those who deploy it in policy settings
The Impacts of Hyperlink and Browsing Time on Online Learning: A Case Study of MBA Economics Course

This paper explores the impact from one of most commonly used online instructional technologies, simulation and reference hyperlinks, on the students' grade performance. Two sessions with hyperlinks and two sessions without hyperlinks of the same MBA Economics online course serve as experimental group and control group respectively. The results show that hyperlink insertion has a significantly positive impact on student performance through the frequent assignments such as discussion board and homework. In addition, the results also confirm that the total time spent online is positively related to student performance through the discussion board; however, the browsing time over hyperlinks does not play any role in grade determination. Both the hyperlink insertion and total time spent have no significant impact on the performance in exams and term paper in which more quantitative skills and more desk-studying time are required. The overall impact on the semester grade depends on the weight distribution over assessments.
Osteoperiosteal ribbon grafts in undisplaced, ununited fractures of the tibia.

The exact mechanism by which the ribbon graft stimulates union is not known. In all cases, the fragments of the graft began to show coalescence before there was a real attachment of the graft to the tibia itself. During the preliminany stages, union began to appear between the fragments of the tibia; at three months the graft had coalesced and had begun to unite with the tibia. In Case 4 and Case 6, union had been sufficiently stimulated by this time, so that clinically there was no motion and the patient could walk without support. It would seem, therefore, that the graft initially stimulates callus formation in the fracture region locally and that the bone-forming elements there begin to assume their proper functions. After three months, coalescence of the graft occurs, at which time it may serve as a strut, allowing the rest of the fracture to unite Regardless of the mechanism, there are several highly desirable features of this type of graft. Avoidanec of the fracture site, except for creating a suitable bed in which to place the graft, means but a minimum of disturbance of the blood supply to that region. Minor operative trauma and early coalescence of the graft make this also a helpful adjunct in the treatment of delayed union. Because of the relatively short operative time and the simplicity of the procedure, it can be used in patients of all age groups. Union occurred in all of these cases except Case 5. It was necessary to repeat the procedure in this single failure, and successful union resulted. An analysis of this failure revealed that the graft did not span the fracture line sufficiently. This error in technique also ocurred in Case 4, but union occurred in that patient despite the error. From a consideration of the cases reported, the following observations seem true: 1. Osteoperiosteal grafts of the ribbon type coalisce and unite to the shaft in approximately three months' time. 2. By their presence, union is stimutlated within the fracture. In six months' time, there is a solid bar of bone across the fracture and union of the fracture has progressed sufficiently far so that weight-bearing without support is begun. 3. Infection is no contra-indication, when the graft is placed in a non-involved area. Union will occur in the same manner as in non-infected cases. 4. The smaller the chips in the ribbon graft, the quicker the graft itself unites solidly into a bar of bone. 5. Non-fixation of the graft is important, but proper placing of the graft is essential. It must lie well above and below the fracture site. One graft placed so that it extended insufficiently below the fracture site resulted first in partial union, and later in non-union.
Envisioning the Future of Christian Higher Education: Leadership for Embracing, Engaging, and Executing in a Changing Landscape.

ABSTRACTThe focus of this article centers on three specific themes of disruption that are likely to affect the future of Christian higher education. The first theme examines the juxtaposition of faith-based institutional identity and its influence on a post-modern society. The second theme explores the disaggregation of traditional faculty functions and the impact on student learning and institutional effectiveness. The last theme addresses changing student demographics and the associated expectations of this post-traditional population. The magnitude and complexity of these themes requires dynamic and flexible leadership at the board, administrative, and faculty levels. This article distinguishes between disruptive and technical change, and identifies how each approach impacts the unique social concerns facing faith-based institutions today. The article concludes by proposing new models of institutional collaboration and innovative cultures of learning that will meet the pragmatic need for institutional ...
Pediatric Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma of Follicular Cell Origin: Prognostic Significance of Histologic Subtypes

Background: Thyroid cancers are rare in the pediatric age group, and unlike in adults, few data are available regarding the clinical implication of histologic subtypes in the pediatric population. The purpose of the current study was to determine the prognostic significance of histologic subtypes of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) in a large series of children and adolescents followed at a single institution. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of all pediatric DTC patients who were treated and followed between 1988 and 2012. Sixty-two patients (median age at diagnosis 13.8 years, median age at follow-up 18 years, 77% female) were assessed. The most common subtypes included classic papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC; 48%), diffuse sclerosing PTC (16%), and follicular variant PTC (15%); 37% were considered “high-risk” histologies based on adult criteria. Results: In a multivariate model, only extensive extrathyroidal extension (ETE), defined as the presence of two or more microscopic foci of tu...
Market Valuation of Obligations to Decommission Commercial Nuclear Reactors

This research examines the stock markets' evaluation of unrecognized nuclear decommissioning costs (NDC) of investor-owned utilities. Current practice is to defer complete recognition of a liability for nuclear decommissioning until the end of the nuclear facility's life. Many in the industry maintain that it is appropriate to recognize the obligation ratably over the life of the nuclear facility. Underlying this argument is the assumption that these costs are borne by the utility's customers. Because decommissioning costs are included in the utility's rate base, funds are collected over the life of the nuclear facility that eventually will be used for decommissioning. The industry argues that it is appropriate to recognize the obligation in a similar fashion, that is, over the life of the facility. We find that unrecognized NDC is significantly negatively related to stock price. However, investors appear to evaluate NDC differently from recognized liabilities, placing a lower weight on unrecognized NDC than on liabilities that are recognized in the financial statements. We consider two potential explanations for this result. First, we examine the possibility that investors place a lower weight on unrecognized NDC because these costs will be recovered through rates. This potential explanation is not supported by the data. Second, the possibility that investors view unrecognized items as less certain and therefore less valuation useful is considered. The evidence is consistent with this explanation.
The tuberculin test in pregnancy

Abstract Of 2,357 Negro females tested for tuberculosis during the prenatal period, 9.6 per cent of them had positive reactions (a figure substantially less than that quoted for the general population of the District of Columbia). Except for two known inactive cases of reinfection type tuberculosis, no new pulmonary lesions of this type were found on subsequent x-ray. These results compare favorably with earlier investigations. In a limited study, variation in the amount of tuberculin reaction in women in the pregnant and nonpregnant states appeared to parallel the fluctuations found in nonpregnant individuals. Tuberculin testing of pregnant women is still a valid and most feasible method of case finding and should be continued as long as the incidence of positive reactors indicates a significant reservoir of preinfection. Our findings over a 6 year span suggest a decrease in the the number of pregnant women who were at some time infected by tuberculosis.
Two New Chytrids from the Appalachian Highlands

Two new species of the Chytridiales have been isolated from water samples from the impoundments on the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation in Pulaski County, Viriginia. The first is a species of Chytridiu...
Review on Online Operational Security Risk Assessment of Power Systems

With deterministic-rule based power grid operation control,it is difficult to coordinate the stability,security and economic of power grid.The development and engineering application of online security and stability defense technology is the base for online operational security risk assessment of power systems.The status quo related to online operational security risk assessment is reviewed.Base on the definition of engineering risk,the meaning of operational security risk and the characters and requirement to risk index are discussed.Besides,the distinguishing features of online operational security risk assessment of power systems is analyzed.The basic flow chart and key problems to be solved for realizing online assessment operational secure risk of power systems are studied.
The Present Situation and Developing Tendency of China Idol Films and TV Plays

This paper clearly gives definitions of some concepts on idol films and TV plays and dialectically makes analysis of the present situation and problems of China idol films and TV plays and their reasons on the basis of the criticisms of academic circles and audience on China idol films and TV plays.China idol films and TV plays should attract audience of different ages and classes and should be more native and realistic in play writing.
Efficacy of crystalloid cardioplegic solutions in patients undergoing myocardial revascularization: Effect of infusion route and regional wall motion on preservation of adenine nucleotide stores

The effect of varying the mode of cardioplegic delivery and the presence of regional wall motion abnormalities on myocardial protection by crystalloid cardioplegic solutions was assessed in 68 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Serial transmural biopsy specimens from the left ventricular apex were assayed for adenosine triphosphate. All patients had more than 75% stenosis of the left anterior descending coronary artery. They were prospectively randomized into Groups I and II to receive (I) all cardioplegic solution infused via the aortic root or (II) reinfusions of cardioplegic solution given both centrally and through the completed distal left anterior descending anastomosis. Patients were also stratified as to the presence of normal (N) or impaired (Ab) apicoanterior regional wall motion. Inadequate delivery of cardioplegia during ischemia in Group I was manifested by a 41% (p less than 0.01) depletion of adenosine triphosphate stores in abnormally contracting myocardium distal to the left anterior descending stenosis that was not repleted after restoration of coronary flow and a 27% (p less than 0.05) decline in ATP stores during reperfusion in myocardium with normal preoperative wall motion. In contrast, nucleotide stores were preserved at preischemic levels throughout ischemia and reperfusion in Group II regardless of preoperative wall motion. Preservation of ATP did not correlate with duration of ischemia, highest recorded septal temperature, or volume of cardioplegic solution infused. Two patients in each group had a new perioperative infarction. However, 38% of patients in Group IAb required transient inotropic support versus 5% in Group IIAb (p less than 0.05). These data emphasize that reinfusion of cardioplegic solutions distal to coronary obstructions is mandatory for optimal myocardial protection during coronary revascularization.
Steered Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Inner-Ear Cadherins using the Drude Polarizable Force Field

Steered molecular dynamics (SMD) simulations have provided invaluable insights into the unbinding and unfolding mechanisms of proteins with mechanical function. In the case of tip link cadherins involved in inner-ear mechanotransduction, SMD simulations have revealed possible unbinding and unfolding pathways, showed how structural elements and calcium ions are essential for rigidity and unfolding strength, and predicted unbinding and unfolding forces that are relevant at the physiological, fast time scales of sound transduction. Yet all these simulations have used classical force fields that do not take into account atomic polarizability, which is critical for the accurate description of interactions between divalent ions and charged protein side chains. Here, we present SMD simulations of the calcium-dependent cadherin-23 and protocadherin-15 interaction that test the effect of atomic polarizability on its dynamics and mechanical strength. We compared parallel simulations that used either the fixed-atomic charge additive CHARMM36 or the Drude polarizable force fields. A variety of pulling speeds and simulation protocols were tested as well. These simulations shed light on the importance of polarizability on the calcium-dependent mechanics of tip link cadherins.
MAPT haplotype H1G is associated with increased risk of dementia with Lewy bodies

Abstract Introduction The MAPT H1 haplotype has been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases. We were interested in exploring the role of MAPT haplotypic variation in risk of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Method We genotyped six MAPT haplotype tagging SNPs and screened 431 clinical DLB cases, 347 pathologically defined high-likelihood DLB cases, and 1049 controls. Result We performed haplotypic association tests and detected an association with the protective H2 haplotype in our combined series (odds ratio [OR] = 0.75). We fine-mapped the locus and identified a relatively rare haplotype, H1G, that is associated with an increased risk of DLB (OR = 3.30, P = .0017). This association was replicated in our pathologically defined series (OR = 2.26, P = .035). Discussion These results support a role for H1 and specifically H1G in susceptibility to DLB. However, the exact functional variant at the locus is still unknown, and additional studies are warranted to fully explain genetic risk of DLB at the MAPT locus.
Erythrocytes as barriers for drug elimination in the isolated rat liver. II. Propranolol.

The potential of erythrocytes (RBC) to serve as “barriers” of hepatic elimination of propranolol, a drug with rapid equilibration in blood, was studied in rats under two conditions: (I) the drug was preequilibrated in blood before infusion into the liver, and (II) the drug was directly infused into the liver. The mean fractions of dose escaping elimination during each pass under conditions I and II were 0.0561 ± 0.040 and 0.0290 ± 0.024, respectively (P < 0.02). Contrary to the early study on doxorubicin, most drug molecules in RBC were found to be available for elimination. Implications of the present findings in the prediction of hepatic first-pass effect after oral administration, on the basis of intravenous data, are discussed. Marked underestimation of oral bioavailability of propranolol in humans is consistent with the RBC “barrier” effect hypothesis.