cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Examining the practicality and accuracy of Unmanned Aerial System Topographic Mapping (Drones) Compared to Traditional Topographic Mapping

This paper examines the accuracy of the limitations of using drone to generate contour maps. Contour mapping involves the location of elevation datum referenced in the x, y and z planes to accurately depict the contours of an area and for generating topographic maps. Traditionally, this was conducted by using Total Station and other surveying tools which is based on manually locating points on the site using the angle and distance method often referred to as trigonometric leveling. This method is usually labor intensive and relatively time consuming. Several “Drone surveying systems” were introduced to the market. These systems were advertised to replace the traditional surveying method. This case study examines practicality and accuracy of creating topographic maps using unmanned aerial systems (drones). As a case study a 5.522 acres site was surveyed by traditional methods and by Kespry© 2 drone to collect the surface data required to generate a topographic map. The results showed the drone readings are within an average accuracy of 0.0075 ft and 0.0175 for the northing and easting distances respectively with a standard deviation of 0.022ft. and 0.029 ft. and a range of 0.02 ft. The Elevation accuracy average was 0.332 ft with a standard deviation of 0.278 ft. and a range of 0.77 ft. The difference in the calculated cut and fill volume between the drone system and the traditional system was 8.2% The results indicated that topographic mapping using drones can generate topographic maps with acceptable accuracy for general site grading. The Drone system also saves time and reduce human error. However, it usually requires subcontracting the work to a company with special training personnel who have access to special analytical software and relatively expensive equipment. Special Drone flight permissions is also required for some sites.
The interpretive potential of glass trade beads in historic archæology

Glass trade beads, because of their frequency of occurrence at historic sites, and because of the culturally prescribed manner in which they were utilized by Indian groups, should be an artifact type with considerable temporal and cultural interpretive potential in historic archaeology. Two approaches, ethnohistoric and archaeological, are advocated here as means of maximizing the interpretive potential of beads. Both approaches can contribute to the formalization of descriptive methods as an initial step in the analysis of beads, rendering bead samples from different sites comparable. In the following pages an exploration of both the ethnohistoric and archaeological approaches is presented in an effort to demonstrate the potential of trade beads in historic sites archaeology and to stimulate more intensive and extensive trade bead research.
La fábula histórica en Alfonso Reyes

Propongo en este ensayo una reflexion sobre los modos en los que opera la Historia en la escritura alfonsina, resumidos en la nocion de “fabula historica”, la cual alude a los procedimientos de lectura que de la tradicion realiza Alfonso Reyes a manera de intermediario subjetivizado, los caminos de escritura que elige para representar fragmentos del pasado historico, mitico, literario, y que constituyen el particular posicionamiento de Reyes en torno al realismo, y la conjuncion cooperativa que realizo el escritor mexicanode la lectura y la escritura para suscribir el presente a una experiencia de constante recreacion critica de la historia.
Slope seeking and application to compressor instability control

This work introduces slope seeking, a new idea for non-model based adaptive control. It involves driving the output of a plant to a value corresponding to a commanded slope of its reference-to-output map. To achieve this objective, we introduce a slope reference input into a sinusoidal perturbation-based extremum seeking scheme; derive a stability test for single parameter slope seeking, and then develop a systematic design algorithm based on standard linear SISO control methods to satisfy the stability test. We then extend the results to the multi variable case of gradient seeking. Finally, we illustrate near-optimal compressor operation under slope seeking feedback through a simulation study upon the well-known Moore-Greitzer model of compressor instability.
Energy-dependent effects of scattering atmospheres on X-ray pulsar pulse profiles

We propose that radiation-supported scattering atmospheres near accreting X-ray pulsars (XRPs) can explain energy-dependent features observed in the pulse profiles of 4U 1626-67, 4U 1538-52, 4U 1907+09 and Vela X-1. These atmospheres provide a physical model for the phenomenological annular emitting regions employed by Leahy to fit X-ray pulsar pulse profiles. We examine the effects of the scattering atmospheres under the assumptions that stable, optically thick atmospheres exist in a region where the optically thin resonant radiation force exceeds the force of gravity on ionized hydrogen. We predict that less complex pulse profiles will be observed at higher photon energies because the scattering atmospheres, which are supported by resonant Compton radiation pressure, become transparent to photons with energies greater than the cyclotron energy at the neutron star surface.
Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies on glutamine-binding protein from Escherichia coli. Formation of intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds upon ligand binding.

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies have revealed several structural and dynamic properties of the glutamine-binding protein of Escherichia coli. When this protein binds l-glutamine, six low-field, exchangeable proton resonances appear in the region from +5·5 to +10 parts per million downfield from water (or +10·2 to +14·7 parts per million downfield from the methyl proton resonance of 2,2-dimethyl-2-silapentane-5-sulfonate). This suggests that the binding of l-glutamine induces specific conformational changes in the protein molecule, involving the formation of intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the glutamine-binding protein and l-glutamine, and within the protein molecule. The oxygen atom of the γ-carbonyl group of l-glutamine is likely to be involved in the formation of an intermolecular hydrogen bond between the ligand and the binding protein. We have shown that at least one phenylalanine and one methyl-containing residue are spatially close to this intermolecular hydrogen-bonded proton. The intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen-bonded protons of the ligand-protein complex undergo solvent exchange. The local conformations around these intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds are quite stable when subjected to pH and temperature variations. From these results, the utility of proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for investigating such binding proteins has been shown, and a picture of the ligand-binding process can be drawn.
Mental Illness and Culture

Culture plays a strong role in mental illness, recognized by many mental health practitioners given increasingly multicultural client groups in most nations. Mental illness may be diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), created by psychiatrists. Western medical care separates the body and the mind, in contrast to many members of minority, cultural communities, who may have a more integrated, holistic view of health. In addition to different understandings of mental illness, group members may demonstrate culturally endorsed symptoms, reactions, and curing ideas, among other features. In fact, some types of mental illness are only found in certain cultural groups, and in 1994 the DSM recognized these illnesses, using the term “culture-bound syndromes,” also identified by social scientists as “ethnic psychoses.” Contemporary treatment of mental illness typically involves greater awareness of the effects of culture, and more use of complementary treatment strategies. Keywords: cross-cultural; indigenous peoples; ethnicity; minorities; folk practices
The Pediatric Airway: Anatomy, Challenges, and Solutions

Sedation may alter laryngeal anatomy, function, and respiratory mechanics; therefore, it is essential that the practitioner has a thorough understanding of the pediatric airway. Physical examination reveals the general condition of a patient and the degree of the airway compromise. During sedation, adequate oxygenation and ventilation must be maintained despite a relative decrease in rate and depth of respiration. Conditions that interfere with the integrity of the laryngeal inlet or upper larynx may impair effective ventilation as a result of partial or complete airway obstruction. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is a spectrum of disorders ranging from primary snoring to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). When sedation without a secured airway is planned it is imperative that the level of consciousness, adequacy of ventilation, and oxygenation be continuously monitored and the risk of apnea be evaluated. When a child is sedated, the best prevention is to insure that the position provides the best anatomic orientation for airway patency.
Observed Temporal Variations in the Earth’s Gravity Field from 16-year Starlette Orbit Analysis

Satellite laser ranging data to Starlette, collected during the period from 1975 to 1990, have been analyzed to determine yearly values of the second degree annual (S a ) and semiannual (S sa ) tides, simultaneously with average values of other low degree and order tide parameters. The yearly fluctuations in the values for S a and S sa are associated with changes in the Earth’s second degree zonal harmonic caused by meteorological excitation. The Starlette-determined mean values for the amplitude of the annual and semiannual variations in J 2 are 32.3 × lO−11 and 19.5 × lO−11, respectively; while the rms about the mean values are 4.1 × lO−11 and 6.3 × lO−11, respectively. The annual δJ 2 is in good agreement with the value obtained from the combined effects of air mass redistribution without the oceanic inverted-barometer effects (non-IB) and hydrological change. Approximately 90% of the observed annual variation from Starlette is attributed to the meteorological mass redistribution occurring on the Earth’s surface.
Trust and Investment Management: The Effects of Manager Trustworthiness on Hedge Fund Investments

This paper studies the effect of perceived manager trustworthiness on hedge fund investment. Controlling for past-performance, we ﬁnd that hedge fund managers whose photographs are rated as more trustworthy are able to attract greater fund ﬂows, in the medium performance range, and have a less convex ﬂow-performance relationship compared to the managers rated as less trustworthy. We also ﬁnd that "trustworthy" managers are more likely to survive given poor past-performance and generate lower risk-adjusted returns when compared to managers who are perceived as less trustworthy. We attribute this phenomenon to over-investment with "trustworthy" managers caused by an investor bias.
Input band-pass limiting in a PLL: its influence on interference-induced bifurcation

The sum of a desired tone and an interfering, offset in frequency by v radians/second, tone is considered as the input reference signal for a system comprised of an ideal band-pass limiter and first-order PLL combination. Parameter y denotes the ratio of interfering signal to desired signal amplitudes. In the first of two cases, this two-tone reference signal is supplied directly to the PLL. In the second case, the two-tone reference is band-pass limited before application to the loop. In both cases, if ratio y is sufficiently small (i.e., the interference is relatively weak), the PLL can phase lock to the desired tone, and the interfering tone causes a closed-loop, (2/spl pi//v)-periodic phase error (i.e., a periodic beat note within the loop). However, as y increases, a point y = y/sub b/ is reached where the periodic phase error bifurcates (y/sub b/ is the bifurcation point), and the PLL breaks phase lock. A metric of interference rejection ability, the value y/sub b/, is a function of tone frequency spacing v, PLL closed loop bandwidth G, loop detuning w/spl Delta/ and whether or not input band-pass limiting is employed. Two different algorithms are described for calculating the bifurcation point y/sub b/. The first is based on a numerical solution of the equation that describes the PLL; the second is based on harmonic balance methods. These two algorithms are used to show that, depending on the value of v relative to the PLL closed-loop bandwidth G, input band-pass limiting may, or may not, increase the bifurcation point y/sub b/. Specifically, for detuning w/spl Delta/ = 0, input band-pass limiting decreases the bifurcation point y/sub b/ for a range of v within the PLL closed-loop bandwidth.
ECOLOGICAL NICHE CONSERVATISM AND PLEISTOCENE REFUGIA IN THE THRUSH‐LIKE MOURNER, SCHIFFORNIS SP., IN THE NEOTROPICS

Recent studies have increasingly implicated deep (pre-Pleistocene) events as key in the vertebrate speciation, downplaying the importance of more recent (Pleistocene) climatic shifts. This work, however, has been based almost exclusively on evidence from molecular clock inferences of splitting dates. We present an independent perspective on this question, using ecological niche model reconstructions of Pleistocene Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) potential distributions for the Thrush-like Mourner (Schiffornis turdina) complex in the neotropics. LGM distributional patterns reconstructed from the niche models relate significantly to phylogroups identified in previous molecular systematic analyses. As such, patterns of differentiation and speciation in this complex are consistent with Pleistocene climate and geography, although further testing will be necessary to establish dates of origin firmly and unambiguously.
PAPULOSPORA ATRA N. SP.

The form-genus Pcpulospora is characterized by the formation of certain peculiar reproductive bodies called bulbils. These structures are of more or less definite form, composed of a compact mass of homogeneous or heterogeneous cells which may be few or many in number, but are usually developed from primordia of more than one cell, the additional cells being formed by a process of gemmation or budding. They seem to occupy an intermediate position between the compound spore which is derived from a single cell by internal division, and a sclerotium, composed of intertwining hyphae without any differentiated primordium. At maturity some of them resemble spore balls of Tuburcinic and Urocystis among the smuts. Prior to I9I2 less than a dozen species producing bulbils had been described, some of which were placed in the genus Papulospora and the others in Helicosporangium. The distinction between these two genera was so poorly defined that in I9I2 the writer I redescribed the genus Papulospora into which were placed all those fungi that produce bulbils but whose perfect stage had not been determined. In that paper and a subsequent one in I9I7 2 about 30 species were described or renamed. Some of these were found to be imperfect conditions of Ascomycetes belonging to such genera as Ascobolus, Cubonia, Lchclnea, Peziza, Melanospora, Sphaeroderma, etc., while others were found to belong to Grandinias and Corticium among the Basidiomycetes, but the large majority are still retained in the form-genus Pctpulospora. This report adds another. The fungus under consideration was found growing as a saprophyte on the diseased roots of grapes at the United States Experiment Station at Arlington, Va. It was isolated in pure culture by B. 0. Dodge and sent to the writer for identification. This has proved to be a new species and is here described under the name of Papulospora atra. The mycelium of this fungus is much branched, septate and at first hyaline in color, but as it matures it becomes a light grayish-olive or almost black. It grows rather slowly on most media, the hyphae preferring to grow within the medium rather than on it. On no medium tried did the mvcelium assume an aerial habit. The primordium of the bulbil consists
Famotidine adjunctive pharmacotherapy of schizophrenia: A case report

Recent reports suggest some utility for famotidine, a histamine type 2 (H2) antagonist, in the treatment of schizophrenia. The current report describes a treatment-resistant patient with chronic undifferentiated schizophrenia whose most dramatic symptomatic improvements were temporarily related to the open-label addition of famotidine (40-100 mg/day) to conventional neuroleptic treatment (molindone 150-200 mg/day) over the course of approximately 10 months. During one 2-week interval, his symptoms were controlled with famotidine (40 mg/day) alone. The case suggests that some adjuvant efficacy exists for famotidine in at least some patients with schizophrenia. Placebo-controlled trials are needed to more fully evaluate the utility of famotidine in the treatment of schizophrenia.
Asthma and Cigarette Smoking: A Review of the Empirical Literature

The purpose of this review paper is to present and evaluate the empirical literature on the association between asthma and cigarette smoking. The authors conducted a literature search utilizing electronic search engines (i.e., PsycINFO and MEDLINE) to examine databases using the following key word algorithms: smoking OR nicotine OR tobacco AND asthma. Only articles that focused on active tobacco smoking and analyzed groups with asthma patients only were examined in the present review. Overall, empirical evidence suggests that (1) smoking is more prevalent among individuals with asthma than those without; (2) smoking is a risk candidate for the development of asthma; (3) smoking is associated with decreased asthma control and increased risk of mortality and asthma attacks and exacerbations; (4) smokers with and without asthma may have different risk factors for smoking onset as well as different smoking motives and outcome expectancies; and (5) smoking cessation is associated with improvements in lung functioning and asthma symptoms. Future work in this domain of study will lead to clinically relevant health care advances as well as the development of theoretically driven, methodologically diverse lines of research exploring asthma-smoking comorbidity issues.
Flame wrinkle destruction processes in harmonically forced, turbulent premixed flames

This paper describes analyses of the nonlinear dynamics of harmonically forced, turbulent premixed flames. A key objective of this work is to analyse the ensemble-averaged dynamics of the flame front position, , excited by harmonic forcing of amplitude , in the presence of stochastic flow fluctuations of amplitude . Low-amplitude and/or near-field effects are quantified by a third-order perturbation analysis, while the more general case is analysed computationally by solving the three-dimensional level-set equation, extracting the instantaneous flame position, and ensemble averaging the results. We show that different mechanisms contribute to smoothing of flame wrinkles, manifested as progressive decay in the magnitude of . Near the flame holder, random phase jitter, associated with stochastic velocity fluctuations tangential to the flame, is dominant. Farther downstream, propagation of the ensemble-averaged front normal to itself at the time-averaged turbulent burning velocity, , leads to destruction of wrinkles, analogous to the laminar case, an effect that scales with . A second, new result is the demonstration that the ensemble-averaged turbulent burning velocity, , is modulated by the harmonic forcing, i.e. , where has an inverse dependence upon the instantaneous, ensemble averaged-flame curvature, an effect that scales with and . We show that this curvature dependence follows from basic application of Huygens propagation to flames with stochastic wrinkling superimposed upon base curvature. This effect also leads to smoothing of flame wrinkles and is analogous to stretch processes in positive-Markstein-length, laminar flames.
Some caveats for bioengineering terpenoid metabolism in plants

The engineering of terpenoid formation in plants, although highly appealing from a biotechnological viewpoint, is particularly challenging because of the myriad of terpenoids produced from a single intermediate (isopentenyl diphosphate) and the complex organization and subtle regulatory features of the biosynthetic pathways. This article surveys many of the biochemical issues that must be appreciated before attempting to develop rational strategies for the bioengineering of terpenoid biosynthesis.
Isolation and purification of cell wall polysaccharide of Bacillus anthracis (Δ Sterne)

A polysaccharide fraction was isolated form sodium-dodecyl-sulfate (SDS) treated cell walls of Bacillus anthracis (delta Sterne) by hydrofluoric acid (HF) hydrolysis and ethanolic precipitation. The polysaccharide fraction was subsequently purified by several washings with absolute ethanol. Purity of the isolated polysaccharide was tested using the anthrone assay and amino acid analyzer. The molecular mass of the polysaccharide fraction as determined by gel filtration chromatography was about 12000 Da. Preliminary analyses of the polysaccharide was done using thin layer chromatography and amino acid analyzer, and results obtained from these analyses were further confirmed by gas liquid chromatography and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. Results showed that the polysaccharide moiety contained galactose, N-acetylglucosamine, and N-acetylmannosamine in an approximate molar ratio of 3:2:1. This moiety was devoid of muramic acid, alanine, diaminopimelic acid, glutamic acid, and lipid, thus indicating that the isolated polysaccharide was of pure quality.
Does jesus have a say in the kerygma? A critical remembrance of Bultmann

This article is an examination of the theological conception of the ‘kerygma’ and its relation to the Synoptics presentation of the preaching and deeds of Jesus, as posited by New Testament theologian Rudolf Bultmann. At issue is a query into whether, according to Bultmann, the historical words or sayings of Jesus of Nazareth occupy a place in the theological formulation of the kerygma by the early Church. As Bultmannian interpretation continues to figure in New Testament studies, the purpose of the paper is to weigh the full implications of Bultmann's theological category of ‘kerygma’ and the consequence of the person of Jesus to this category, and the question of theological warrant.
Soil invertebrates and the degradation of vanillin, cinnamic acid, and lignins

Abstract A range of 8–25% of fed cinnamic 2-[ 14 C] acid and 9–14% of injected vanillin 5-[ 14 C] were oxidised to 14 CO 2 at 15 C over 7 and 6 days respectively in an isopod, Oiuscus asellus ; a millipede, Pseudopolydesmus serratus ; a slug, Deroceras reticulatum ; a snail, Oxychilus draparnaldi ; and an earthworm, Eisenia foetida . Approximately 2–10% of nonmetabolised and 13–48%, of metabolised vanillin were present in the animal tissues after 6 days. Correspondingly. 1–4% and 22–66% of these materials were found in egesta. A millipede ( Oxidus gracilis ), O. asellus. D. reticuluttum. O. draparnaldi , and E. foetida were found unable to degrade ring [ 14 C]-, methoxy [ 14 C]- and side chain [ 14 C]-lignin to 14 CO 2 over 10 days, thus providing very strong evidence that these invertebrates are incapable of degrading liginin.
A Dynamic Pool of Calcium in Catecholamine Storage Vesicles EXPLORATION IN LIVING CELLS BY A NOVEL VESICLE-TARGETED CHROMOGRANIN A-AEQUORIN CHIMERIC PHOTOPROTEIN

Abstract Chromaffin vesicles contain very high concentration of Ca2+ (∼20–40 mm total), compared with ∼100 nm in the cytosol. Aequorin, a jellyfish photoprotein with Ca2+-dependent luminescence, measures [Ca2+] in specific subcellular compartments wherein proteins with organelle-specific trafficking domains are fused in-frame to aequorin. Because of the presence of vesicular trafficking domain within CgA we engineered sorting of an expressed human CgA-Aequorin fusion protein (hCgA-Aeq) into the vesicle compartment as confirmed by sucrose density gradients and confocal immunofluorescent co-localization studies. hCgA-Aeq and cytoplasmic aequorin (Cyto-Aeq) luminescence displayed linear functions of [Ca2+] in vitro, over >5 log10 orders of magnitude (r > 0.99), and down to at least 10–7 m sensitivity. Calibrating the pH dependence of hCgA-Aeq luminescence allowed estimation of [Ca2+]ves at granule interior pH (∼5.5). In the cytoplasm, Cyto-Aeq accurately determined [Ca2+]cyto under both basal ([Ca2+]cyto = 130 ± 35 nm) and exocytosis-stimulated conditions, confirmed by an independent reference technique (Indo-1 fluorescence). The hCgA-Aeq chimera determined vesicular free [Ca2+]ves = 1.4 ± 0.3 μm under basal conditions indicating that >99% of granule total Ca2+ is in a “bound” state. The basal free [Ca2+]ves/[Ca2+]cyto ratio was thus ∼10.8-fold, indicating active, dynamic Ca2+ uptake from cytosol into the granules. Stimulation of exocytotic secretion revealed prompt, dynamic increases in both [Ca2+]ves and [Ca2+]cyto, and an exponential relation between the two (y = 0.99 × e(1.53x), r = 0.99), reflecting a persistent [Ca2+]ves/[Ca2+]cyto gradient, even during sharp increments of both values. Studies with inhibitors of Ca2+ translocation (Ca2+-ATPase), Na+/Ca+-exchange, Na+/H+-exchange, and vesicle acidification (H+-translocating ATPase), documented a role for these four ion transporter classes in accumulation of Ca2+ inside the vesicles.
Prior exposure to a behaviorally sensitizing regimen of d-methamphetamine does not alter the striatal dopaminergic damage induced by a neurotoxic regimen.

Abstract Repeated exposure to psychostimulant drugs such as d-methamphetamine (d-METH) and cocaine can be associated with extremely long-lived changes in dopamine systems at the behavioral, cellular and molecular level. Sensitization or an enhanced response to drug exposure is one such change. Investigations of these phenomena at the cellular and molecular levels are being conducted in the hope that this will aid in understanding how such adaptations might contribute to drug addition. Repeated exposure to certain amphetamines can also result in damage to dopaminergic pathways. Although some of the same molecular adaptations and mechanisms are suspected to occur or play a role in the neurotoxic sequelae associated with psychostimulant exposure, there has been little attempt to examine the relationship among these phenomena. Here we utilized C57BL/6J female mice to examine whether exposure to a sensitizing regimen of d-METH would impact the degree of neural injury induced by a subsequent exposure to a neurotoxic regimen of the same psychostimulant. Every other day exposure to d-METH (1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg) for 11 days produced a behavioral sensitization, as evidenced by a significant increase in the degree of locomotor activity induced by each subsequent exposure to d-METH. Following a 5-day period of no drug exposure sensitized mice were given a neurotoxic regiment of d-METH (a total of four injections of 10.0 mg/kg, one every 2 hours) and striatal tissue examined 72 hours later. All groups, whether drug-naive or sensitized previously to d-METH, showed exactly the same degree of dopaminergic striatal damage induced by a neurotoxic regimen. This was evidenced by equivalent reductions in dopamine and elevations in GFAP protein, a marker of astrocytic response to injury, GFAP. The inability of a sensitizing regimen to either exacerbate or lessen the neurotoxic actions of the same compound suggests that the molecular and cellular control of these two aspects of psychostimulant exposure may differ.
Multilevel Stigma as a Barrier to HIV Testing in Central Asia: A Context Quantified

Central Asia is experiencing one of the fastest growing HIV epidemics in the world, with some areas’ infection rates doubling yearly since 2000. This study examines the impact of multilevel stigma (individual, family, and community) on uptake of HIV testing and receipt of HIV testing results among women in Central Asia. The sample consists of 38,884 ever-married, Central Asian women between the ages of 15 and 49. Using multilevel modeling (MLM), HIV stigma variables at the individual, family, and community levels were used to assess the significance of differences in HIV testing and receipt of HIV test results among participants while adjusting for possible confounding factors, such as age, wealth, and education. MLM results indicate that HIV stigma is significantly associated with decreased HIV testing uptake at the individual, family, and community levels and with a decrease in receipt at the community level. A one standard deviation increase in individual, family, and community level composite stigma score was associated with a respective 49 %, 59 %, and 94 % (p < 0.001) decrease in the odds of having been tested for HIV. A one standard deviation increase in community composite stigma score was associated with a 99 % (p < 0.001) decrease in the odds of test receipt. HIV stigma operates on the individual, family, and community levels to hinder HIV testing uptake and at the community level to hinder receipt. These findings have important interventions implications to improve uptake of HIV testing and receipt of HIV test results.
Image quality metrics based on scale

This paper presents a method to evaluate image quality using the continuous wavelet transform. The method utilizes a bank of filters tuned to different scales and orientations to extract the image details. The filters are designed according to the criterion suggested by Antoine and Murenzi. The wavelet transform of a given image and the reconstructed images at various quality levels are represented in the form of energy density plots. These density plots highlight image features such as edges, object boundaries and texture. Thus, they represent the details contained in the image. A quality metric is proposed based on the absolute difference between the energy densities corresponding to the original and reconstructed images. The proposed metric is used to measure the relative quality of the image. In addition, the metric is also used to study the performance of a specific ATR algorithm as a function of image quality.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Promotion of hyphal growth in Ustilago violacea by host factors from Silene alba

Ustilago violacea specifically parasitizes susceptible members of the Caryophyllaceae. We isolated water-soluble compounds from leaves of Silene alba which promoted hyphal development in the dimorphic pathogen. We also isolated hyphal growth promoting α-tocopherol from S. alba. The water-soluble activity, which we term “hyphal growth factor”, or HGF, separated into four bands with gel filtration chromatography and represented over 40% of the total hyphal growth promoting activity isolated from S. alba. The water-soluble HGF activity may be host-specific and may function as a determinant of the host-parasite specificity between U. violacea and caryophyllaceous host plants.
Synthesis, structural and larvicidal studies of some triorganotin 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrates

Abstract A series of triorganotin 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrates, (R3SnO2CCH(CH(CH3)2)C6H4Cl-4), where R = methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, phenyl and cyclo-hexyl, have been synthesized. Elemental analyses, Mossbauer, Infrared and NMR spectroscopies have been used to characterize their structures. Based on the spectroscopic results, all the complexes with the exception of the tricyclohexyl compound were found to be five-coordinated in the solid state while the tricyclohexyltin derivative was determined to be four-coordinated. Structural assignments based on spectroscopic data are supported by the crystallographic results of four of the triorganotin butyrates (trimethyl-, tri-n-propyl-, tri-n-butyl- and tricyclohexyltin 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-3-methylbutyrate). Multinuclear NMR spectroscopy studies indicated that all the complexes were tetrahedral in solution. Larvicidal activities of the complexes were evaluated against the 2nd instar stage of the Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. The toxicity data indicate that there does not appear to be any significant differences of the compounds towards the different mosquito species based on their averaged toxicity values. In addition, the toxicity of the triorganotin compounds towards the mosquito larvae was concluded to be dependent on both the compound and the species of mosquito larvae.
Rhododendrons, mountain laurel, and mad honey.

One of the earliest reports of poisoning was the mass intoxication that resulted from the ingestion of honey produced from the nectar of Rhododendron ponticum , which was described by Xenophon in the anabasis during the expedition of Cyrus in 401BC near Trebizond (today's Trabzon): The number of bee hives was extraordinary, and all of the soldiers that ate of the honey combs lost their senses, vomited, and were affected with purging, and none of them was able to stand upright; such as had eaten only a little were like men greatly intoxicated, and such as had eaten much were like mad men and some like persons at the point of death. They lay upon the ground, in consequence, in great numbers, as if there had been a defeat; and there was general dejection. The next day, no one of them was found dead; and they recovered their senses about the
Theoretical Aspects of the Simplified Pn Equations

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the simplified Pn equations (SPn), this work reviews the theory underpinning the SPnequations for neutral particle transport. We recount the derivation of these equations by Gelbard’s formal procedure and by more recent asymptotic and variational analyses. The relation between the SPn equations and several other low order approximations is discussed. Also, the conditions under which the SPn equations are equivalent to the full Pn equations of the same order are discussed as well as the accuracy of the SPnequations. Several open problems in the theory of the SPn equations are posed.
A hybrid numerical method to calculate the sag of composite conductors

Abstract A modification to the numerical sag method (NSM) for predicting conductor sag is presented that accurately predicts the observed bilinear sag behavior of composite conductors. The modified method, called the hybrid sag method (HSM), uses the stress–strain curves of conductors to calculate the initial load distribution between the components of the composite conductors. In this study, the HSM is used to predict sag of conductors with conventional designs. The HSM predictions are compared with those obtained using a conventional graphical sag method as well as NSM. The HSM shows superior accuracy over NSM and virtually the same accuracy as the graphical method for predicting sag for composite conductors operated under specific conditions. The HSM predictions of sag are validated by comparisons with experimental measurements.
THE METAMORPHOSIS OF A POET: RECENT WORK ON OVID*

It is by now obvious that Ovidian studies have ‘arrived’, apologies are no longer issued, nor are defences launched at the beginning of books. The nineties alone have seen so far the appearance of over fifty new books on Ovid in English, French, Italian, and German, and not just on the Metamorphoses, but on the Fasti, the Amores and Ars Amatoria, and the exile poetry, including the little known Ibis. Most importantly, there is a flourishing growth industry in commentaries on all of Ovid's works, with a greatly anticipated forthcoming commentary from Italy on the Metamorphoses authored by an international team, new Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics commentaries, including a recent excellent edition on Fasti 4 by Elaine Fantham (with an extremely useful and much-needed section on Ovid's style), the vastly learned commentaries of J. McKeown on the Amores, among others (all seemingly getting longer and longer). The appearance of a series of excellent English translations has made Ovid’s works more widely available for teaching. A number of companion volumes on Ovid are also forthcoming. N. Holzberg's recent impressive German introduction to Ovid evidently made the author, for a while at least, a sort of celebrity in Germany, and the book has already been reissued in a second edition. The rehabilitation of later Latin epic of the first century has more than anything served to place Ovid's work within a vigorous post-Vergilian literary tradition.
Cranial Neural Crest Cells on the Move: Their Roles in Craniofacial Development

The craniofacial region is assembled through the active migration of cells and the rearrangement and sculpting of facial prominences and pharyngeal arches, which consequently make it particularly susceptible to a large number of birth defects. Genetic, molecular, and cellular processes must be temporally and spatially regulated to culminate in the three-dimension structures of the face. The starting constituent for the majority of skeletal and connective tissues in the face is a pluripotent population of cells, the cranial neural crest cells (NCCs). In this review we discuss the newest scientific findings in the development of the craniofacial complex as related to NCCs. Furthermore, we present recent findings on NCC diseases called neurocristopathies and, in doing so, provide clinicians with new tools for understanding a growing number of craniofacial genetic disorders.
Resistance to Infection of Five Different Materials in a Rat Body Wall Model

Background Infection occurs after approximately 1% of hernia repair procedures. The resistance to infection of the repair materials is therefore an important consideration. We evaluated the infection resistance of five different materials in a rat model of body wall repair, two of which, urinary bladder matrix (UBM-ECM) and Revive, were not previously evaluated in a controlled model of infection. Materials and Methods An inoculum of 1 × 10 8 colony forming units of Staphylococcus aureus was delivered to the wound site following implantation of an autograft, UBM-ECM, Proceed, Prolene, or Revive. Infection was monitored by white blood cell counts, body temperature, bacterial culture, and histomorphologic analysis of the implant site. Results Infection was shown in all groups through increased white blood cell count and body temperature. Animals with UBM-ECM returned to pre-surgery body temperature before all other groups. Substantial bacterial clearance was found in the autograft, UBM-ECM, and Prolene. Histomorphologic analysis showed evidence for persistent bacterial infection in Prolene, Proceed, and Revive 28 d after implantation, whereas the autograft and UBM-ECM appeared free of infection. The autograft showed a pyogranulomatous inflammatory reaction at 28 d while UBM-ECM was similar to uninfected controls. Conclusions Superior infection resistance was shown by UBM-ECM compared with the other materials, which were substantially equivalent. Histomorphologic analysis clearly showed an increased ability to resist persistent bacterial infection for UBM-ECM. Our results suggest UBM-ECM may be useful as a repair material in areas of high risk for infection.
Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation: II. Interactions between catalytic hydrodeoxygenation of m-cresol and hydrodesulfurization of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene

Interactions during simultaneous catalytic hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) are studied with (benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene)/(m-cresol) conversions over CoMo HDS catalysts. The mutual inhibition of cresol on HDS and of the benzothiophenes on HDO is shown. The reaction patterns observed are rationalized by competition between oxygenate and sulfur heterocycle for the catalyst sites. A Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic form provides a useful rate equation for simultaneous HDO/HDS operation. The relative reactivity in equimolar feed experiments is benzothiophene dibenzothiophene m-cresol. The modest reactivity of m-cresol, coupled with its inhibitory influence of HDS of benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene, has clear implications for HDS in coal liquids processing and HDN in shale oil conversions. In the mixed feeds of the present paper (II), as for the pure oxygenate feeds studied previously (I), no evidence is obtained that ring saturation of cresol is required prior to HDO.
Crystal Structure of a Phosphorylated Light Chain Domain of Scallop Smooth-Muscle Myosin

We have determined the crystal structure of a phosphorylated smooth-muscle myosin light chain domain (LCD). This reconstituted LCD is of a sea scallop catch muscle myosin with its phosphorylatable regulatory light chain (RLC SmoA). In the crystal structure, Arg16, an arginine residue that is present in this isoform but not in vertebrate smooth-muscle RLC, stabilizes the phosphorylation site. This arginine interacts with the carbonyl group of the phosphorylation-site serine in the unphosphorylated LCD (determined previously), and with the phosphate group when the serine is phosphorylated. However, the overall conformation of the LCD is essentially unchanged upon phosphorylation. This result provides additional evidence that phosphorylation of the RLC is unlikely to act as an on-switch in regulation of scallop catch muscle myosin.
A system for visual analysis of radio signal data

Analysis of radio transmissions is vital for military defense as it provides valuable information about enemy communication and infrastructure. One challenge to the data analysis task is that there are far too many signals for analysts to go through by hand. Even typical signal meta data (such as frequency band, duration, and geographic location) can be overwhelming. In this paper, we present a system for exploring and analyzing such radio signal meta-data. Our system incorporates several visual representations for signal data, designed for readability and ease of comparison, as well as novel algorithms for extracting and classifying consistent signal patterns. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our system using data collected from real missions with an airborne sensor platform.
Dynamic RF power control for DIII-D ICH/fast wave operation

Thanks to the broadcast industry, high power transmitters between 10 MHz and 100 MHz in megawatts power range can be obtained at a reasonable price. Thus, we could take advantage of such development to use this frequency range for ion cyclotron and harmonics fast wave heating in the magnetic fusion energy research. Usually, antenna loading conditions can be fine tuned to meet the fusion plasma heating needs. However, the edge localized mode (ELM) during the plasma operation can cause up to 90% of RF power reflections when it appears at the antenna straps. In order to protect the transmitters, the whole transmitter system would shut down completely via crowbar under these conditions. This forceful shutdown can lead to unwanted wear and tear on the high voltage DC power supply system and impact the plasma operation due to the RF power interruption. In order to enable the transmitter to “ride” through the ELM induced high power reflections and avoid unwanted crowbar conditions, we can modify the transmitter power control and protective circuitry to accommodate the ELM's perturbations.
Characteristic impedance of the proximal aorta determined in the time and frequency domain: a comparison

Pressure and flow were measured in the ascending aorta of eight anaesthetised dogs under control conditions, after volume expansion and after haemorrhage. For each case the characteristic impedance of the proximal aorta Zc was determined by means of two different methods. Zc was calculated in the time domain as the slope of the pressure-flow relationship in early ejection. For each case, six different values were also obtained in the frequency domain by averaging the impedance moduli in six different frequency ranges. Time- and frequency-domain values agreed well. Statistical analysis showed that both methods can be used to study changes in Zc. However, the time-domain method is easier to apply and does not require steady-state conditions.
Probe diffusion in polyacrylic acid: water—effect of polymer molecular weight

Abstract Quasi-elastic light scattering spectroscopy was used to measure the mutual diffusion coefficient D of car☐ylate-modified polystyrene latex spheres (of radii 204A˚, 800A˚, 0.62 μm, and 1.5 μm) dissolved in water: polyacrylic acid. Polymer molecular weights were 5 × 10 4 and 1 × 10 6 . In solutions of the 5 × 10 4 amu polymer, D followed the Stokes-Einstein equation. The Stokes-Einstein equation fails badly (by up to 10 4 ) for spheres in high-molecular-weight polymer solutions. Comparison with previous data by T.-H. Lin and G. D. J. Phillies shows that D is not independent of the polymer molecular weight, even at very high polymer concentrations.
Modulation of the intrinsic viscosity of hyaluronic acid formed by human “fibroblasts” in vitro: The effects of hydrocortisone and colchicine

Data are presented to show that the intrinsic viscosity of hyaluronic acid elaborated into the culture medium supportinf human connective-tissue cells in vitro is modulated in a systematic manner by the cells. Intrinsic viscosity is reduced during rapid cell division and by hydrocortisone treatment. Conversely, the initial lag phase of culture growth and colchicine treatment are attended by formation of hyaluronic acid with a high intrinsic viscosity.
Fibronectin adsorption detected by interfacial fluorescence

An interface optical technique, total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF), permits the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of adsorbed proteins to be monitored continuously, in situ . The protein fluorescence emission spectrum provides information on the local tryptophan microenvironment, which can be related to the orientation and conformation of the adsorbed macromolecule. This technique has been applied to the adsorption of human plasma fibronectin on hydrophilic and hydrophobic amorphous silica surfaces. Our experiments using the TIRF technique have shown increased fibronectin binding and more rapid adsorption kinetics on hydrophobic silanized-silica in contrast to hydrophilic silica. Adsorption was essentially irreversible on both the hydrophilic and the hydrophobic surface. A 5-nm red shift in the fluorescence emission maximum occurred on the hydrophobic surface suggesting a change in protein conformation and/or microenvironment. Such behavior may correlate with changes in biological function noted by other workers. We have demonstrated that the in situ TIRF technique, utilizing intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence, is useful for probing microenvironmental effects and possibly orientation or conformational changes in adsorbed proteins. This is the first report of intrinsic TIRF fluorescence spectral changes upon adsorption.
Comparisons of Soluble Reactive Phosphorus and Orthophosphorus Concentrations at an Offshore Station in Southern Lake Michigan

Soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), measured by Harvey's method and the Chamberlain-Shapiro extraction technique from May to October 1976 in the epilimnion at an offshore station in southeastern Lake Michigan, was higher and more variable than previously published measurements, suggesting that phosphorus loaded into the nearshore zone is being transported into offshore water. Pronounced vertical variations in SRP occurred periodically in the water column and near the sediments, but accumulation in the hypolimnion over the period did not occur. Both molybdenum blue methods overestimated maximum possible PO4–P concentrations (MPPC) (as measured by Rigler's radiobioassay method) in water from 4 m by up to two orders of magnitude, but MPPC concentrations averaged 22.5% and 25.6% of the mean value measured by Harvey's method and by the extraction technique, respectively. Comparisons with radioassay estimates from other lakes suggest that MPPC concentrations may be lower in eutrophic than in mesotrophic or oligotrophic lakes.