cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
With Allee effects, life for the social carnivore is complicated

Anthropogenic modification of the landscape, resultant habitat loss, and decades of persecution have resulted in severe decline and fragmentation of large carnivore populations worldwide. Infectious disease is also identified as a primary threat to many carnivores. In wildlife species, population demography and group persistence are strongly influenced by group or population size. This is referred to as the Allee effect, in which a population or group is at an increased risk of extinction when the number or density of individuals falls below some threshold due to ecological and/or genetic factors. However, in social mammalian species, the relationship between the number of individuals and the risk of extinction is complicated because aggregation may enhance pathogen exposure and transmission. Although theoretical studies of the interaction between infectious disease transmission and Allee effects reveal important implications for carnivore management and population extinction risk, information about the interaction has yet to be synthesized. In this paper, we assess life history strategies of medium to large carnivore species (≥2.4 kg) and their influence on population dynamics, with a special focus on infectious disease. While declining population trends are observed in 73 % of all carnivores (both social and solitary species), infectious disease is identified as a significant cause of population decline in 45 % of social carnivores and 3 % of solitary carnivores. Furthermore, where carnivores suffer a combination of rapid population decline and infectious disease, Allee effects may be more likely to impact social as compared to solitary carnivore populations. These potentially additive interactions may strongly influence disease transmission dynamics and population persistence potential. Understanding the mechanisms that can result in Allee effects in endangered carnivore populations and the manner in which infectious disease interfaces at this nexus may define the outcome of developed conservation strategies.
Activating PER Repressor through a DBT-Directed Phosphorylation Switch

Protein phosphorylation plays an essential role in the generation of circadian rhythms, regulating the stability, activity, and subcellular localization of certain proteins that constitute the biological clock. This study examines the role of the protein kinase Doubletime (DBT), a Drosophila ortholog of human casein kinase I (CKI)epsilon/delta. An enzymatically active DBT protein is shown to directly phosphorylate the Drosophila clock protein Period (PER). DBT-dependent phosphorylation sites are identified within PER, and their functional significance is assessed in a cultured cell system and in vivo. The per(S) mutation, which is associated with short-period (19-h) circadian rhythms, alters a key phosphorylation target within PER. Inspection of this and neighboring sequence variants indicates that several DBT-directed phosphorylations regulate PER activity in an integrated fashion: Alternative phosphorylations of two adjoining sequence motifs appear to be associated with switch-like changes in PER stability and repressor function.
Interhemispheric transport of relativistic electron beams

Relativistic electron beam injection simulation results are presented from a new interhemispheric transport model, with a spatial domain reaching from 90 km to 90 km in the conjugate ionospheres. A single beam pulse is injected upward at 700 km during the first time step (10 -4 s) and allowed to scatter and decay through collisional interactions with neu- tral particles and the core plasma. The maximum pulse dura- tion for collisional processes to prevail over the wave-beam instabilities is estimated, and the assumed pulse length is well within this limit. For an L=2 field line, the e-folding time of a 5 MeV beam is 265 s, which is much bigger than the bounce period (0.19 s) and comparable to drift period around the Earth.
Real-time intraoperative spectral domain optical coherence tomography for vitreoretinal surgery

Vitreoretinal surgery visualization is inherently limited by the ability to distinguish between tissues with subtle contrast, and to judge the location of an object relative to other retinal substructures. Inherent issues in visualizing thin translucent tissues, in contrast to underlying semitransparent ones, require the use of stains such as indocyanine green, which is toxic to retinal tissue. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT) has demonstrated strong clinical success in retinal imaging, enabling high-resolution, motion-artifact-free cross-sectional imaging and rapid accumulation of volumetric macular datasets. Current generation SDOCT systems achieve <5 μm axial resolutions in tissue, and have been used to obtain high resolution datasets from patients with various retinopathies. While OCT imaging has been considered for various non-ophthalmic intrasurgical applications, it is uniquely suited for vitreoretinal surgery where multiple layers of the retinal structure are readily accessible, and where high resolution cross-sectional viewing can have an impact on surgery as it is performed today. Real-time cross-sectional OCT imaging would also provide critical information relevant to the location and deformation of structures that may shift during surgery. Here, we demonstrate an opto-mechanical design for an intraoperative microscope-mounted OCT system (MMOCT) and preliminary in vivo human retinal imaging using this system in a test subject. By adapting an Oculus Binocular Indirect Ophthalmo-Microscope (BIOM3) suspended from a Leica microscope with SDOCT scanning and relay optics, we have demonstrated real-time cross-sectional imaging of multiple layers of the retinal structure, allowing for SDOCT augmented intrasurgical microscopy for intraocular visualization.
Alternative splicing in the human, mouse and rat genomes is associated with an increased frequency of exon creation and/or loss

One of the most interesting opportunities in comparative genomics is to compare not only genome sequences but additional phenomena, such as alternative splicing, using orthologous genes in different genomes to find similarities and differences between organisms. Recently, genomics studies have suggested that 40-60% of human genes are alternatively spliced and have catalogued up to 30,000 alternative splice relationships in human genes. Here we report an analysis of 9,434 orthologous genes in human and mouse, which indicates that alternative splicing is associated with a large increase in frequency of recent exon creation and/or loss. Whereas most exons in the mouse and human genomes are strongly conserved in both genomes, exons that are only included in alternative splice forms (as opposed to the constitutive or major transcript form) are mostly not conserved and thus are the product of recent exon creation or loss events. A similar comparison of orthologous exons in rat and human validates this pattern. Although this says nothing about the complex question of adaptive benefit, it does indicate that alternative splicing in these genomes has been associated with increased evolutionary change.
Probabilistic approach to manipulator kinematics and dynamics

Abstract A high performance, high speed robotic arm must be able to manipulate objects with a high degree of accuracy and repeatability. As with any other physical system, there are a number of factors causing uncertainties in the behavior of a robotic manipulator. These factors include manufacturing and assembling tolerances, and errors in the joint actuators and controllers. In order to study the effect of these uncertainties on the robotic end-effector and to obtain a better insight into the manipulator behavior, the manipulator kinematics and dynamics are modeled using a probabilistic approach. Based on the probabilistic model, kinematic and dynamic performance criteria are defined to provide measures of the behavior of the robotic end-effector. Techniques are presented to compute the kinematic and dynamic reliabilities of the manipulator. The effects of tolerances associated with the various manipulator parameters on the reliabilities are studied. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the procedures.
The information dissemination policy of the United States patent and trademark office

Abstract This paper discusses in detail the reasoning behind the patent information dissemination policy of the USPTO and briefly contrasts this with the policies followed by the EPO and JPO. The relationship between the USPTO and the commercial sector is outlined and aspects of the pricing structure are given. The legal framework under which the USPTO operates is also given to explain their pricing policy. The paper then discusses the alternative methods available for disseminating patent information and goes into the advantages and disadvantages of using CD-ROM. The conclusion drawn is that the most-cost effective use of CD-ROM in the Office today is at the desktop, providing search assistance and document delivery. The future for CD-ROM, including high-density products, is discussed.
Exploiting unicast vs. multicast delivery tradeoffs to improve the latency performance for IPTV channel change

In IPTV networks, channel change latency represents a major obstacle in achieving broadcast-level quality video delivery. Since the content for channels, other than the one currently viewed, is not readily available at the client side, to receive the content corresponding to these channels, each request needs to go through the network, leading to significant, and oftentimes unacceptable, delays. To minimize this latency, various approaches have been proposed. These approaches typically require the use of dedicated servers near the access network to speed up the delivery of channel change packets. In this paper, we use such server-driven framework to develop a joint unicast- and multicast-based channel change protocol that relies on the use of (i) session-dependent multicast channel change streams to deliver the key-frame content to the zapping clients, and (ii) a dedicated unicast streaming server, which is referred to as the Channel Switch Coordinator (CSC), to deliver the channel change packets corresponding to the non-key-frames. In our framework, CSC server is also responsible for coordinating the received channel change requests and optimally allocating system resources for each received request.
Initialization and Restart in Stochastic Local Search: Computing a Most Probable Explanation in Bayesian Networks

For hard computational problems, stochastic local search has proven to be a competitive approach to finding optimal or approximately optimal problem solutions. Two key research questions for stochastic local search algorithms are: Which algorithms are effective for initialization? When should the search process be restarted? In the present work, we investigate these research questions in the context of approximate computation of most probable explanations (MPEs) in Bayesian networks (BNs). We introduce a novel approach, based on the Viterbi algorithm, to explanation initialization in BNs. While the Viterbi algorithm works on sequences and trees, our approach works on BNs with arbitrary topologies. We also give a novel formalization of stochastic local search, with focus on initialization and restart, using probability theory and mixture models. Experimentally, we apply our methods to the problem of MPE computation, using a stochastic local search algorithm known as Stochastic Greedy Search. By carefully optimizing both initialization and restart, we reduce the MPE search time for application BNs by several orders of magnitude compared to using uniform at random initialization without restart. On several BNs from applications, the performance of Stochastic Greedy Search is competitive with clique tree clustering, a state-of-the-art exact algorithm used for MPE computation in BNs.
Robust and consistent estimation of nonlinear errors-in-variables models

This paper considers the consistent estimation of nonlinear errors-in-variables models. It adopts the functional modeling approach by assuming that the true but unobserved regressors are random variables but making no parametric assumption on the distribution from which the latent variables are drawn. This paper shows how the information extracted from the replicate measurements can be used to identify and consistently estimate a general nonlinear errors-in-variables model. The identification is established through characteristic functions. The estimation procedure involves nonparametric estimation of the conditional density of the latent variables given the measurements using the identification results at the first stage, and at the second stage, a semiparametric nonlinear least-squares estimator is proposed. The consistency of the proposed estimator is also established. Finite sample performance of the estimator is investigated through a Monte Carlo study.
Conservation of functional traits leads to shrub expansion across a chronosequence of shrub thicket development

Robust physiology of Myrica cerifera across a chronosequence (i.e., space for time substitution) of shrub thicket age classes contributes to rapid cover expansion observed in the last 50 years. Many studies have documented the causes of woody expansion into grasslands, but few address unique morphological and physiological traits that facilitate expansion. Myrica cerifera, an evergreen N-fixer, is the dominant shrub on many barrier islands of the southeastern United States. Cover of Myrica cerifera has expanded by ~400 % on Hog Island, Virginia, in the past 50 years. Accretion of the northern end of the island has resulted in a chronosequence (i.e., space for time substitution) of both soil age and shrub thicket development. We investigated functional traits and physiological parameters related to light capture, processing and water balance of M. cerifera across shrub thickets of four age classes from ~10 to ~50 years. We hypothesized that light processing capabilities and hydraulic capacity would be reduced with thicket age. Spatial variation in morphology (i.e., leaf thickness, leaf area) and structure (i.e., leaf angle) related to light capture was observed. Yet, little or no differences were detected in stomatal density, photosynthetic pigments, electron transport rate (ETR) and hydraulic conductivity across sites. Previous research has shown declines in leaf N content, productivity and leaf litter production across the chronosequence. In contrast, we observed that physiology remains consistent despite considerable differences in thicket age and development. Myrica cerifera maintains high photosynthetic and hydraulic efficiency, factors which enable expansion and maintenance of shrub thickets in mesic coastal environments.
DIFFICULTIES WITH THERMAL PROTONS IN THE VENUSIAN TOPSIDE IONOSPHERE.

An analysis of recent findings and studies is presented which shows that thermal protons of planetary origin are rapidly destroyed in the Venusian ionosphere, and thus cannot be the principal topside ions. He(+) is conjectural, whereas there might be a possibility that O(+) is present in significant density.
User-friendly access control for public network ports

We are facing a growing user demand for ubiquitous Internet access. As result, network ports and wireless LANs are becoming common in public spaces inside buildings such as lounges, conference rooms and lecture halls. This introduces the problem of protecting networks accessible through these public ports from unauthorized use. In this paper, we study the problem of access control through public network ports. We view this problem as a special case of the more general problem of access control for a service on a network. We present an access control model on which we base our solution. This model has three components: authentication, authorization, and access verification. We describe the design and implementation of a system that allows secure network access through public network ports and wireless LANs. The design requires no special hardware or custom client software, resulting in minimal deployment cost and maintenance overhead. The system has a user-friendly, Web-based interface, offers good security, and scales to a campus-sized community.
Small City Industrialists in the Age of Organization: Case Study of the Manufacturers' Association of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 1908–1958

The movement for nation-wide association among businessmen was echoed at the local level as well. This study of why and how a “grass roots” association developed suggests that the causative forces included not only material benefits but also a desire for status.
High School and Women's Life Course: Curriculum Tracking, Race/Ethnicity, and Welfare Receipt

Life course scholarship considers how institutional contexts, such as schools, influence adolescent development. Likewise, educational scholars examine how high school experiences influence nonacademic life course outcomes. This study connects these disparate research areas to determine how high school curricular tracks relate to racial/ethnic differences in welfare dynamics. Using National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1979) data, the author finds that college preparatory coursework provides greater benefits to White women than to Black and Latina women in helping them avoid early welfare receipt. This benefit accrues largely through lowering their chances of dropping out of high school. Theoretical implications and relevance to the current policy environment are discussed.
Reframing Views of Terminally Ill Patients and the Radiation Therapists' Role in Their Care through Engaged Scholarship.

Abstract Introduction The purpose of this study is to explore innovative teaching methodologies to reframe radiation therapy students' perceptions of who a terminally ill patient is. This will allow students to better meet their patients' needs in their future work with this unique demographic. Methods This qualitative case study explores the experiential and transformational learning that took place when a hospice-based engaged scholarship project was incorporated into a radiation therapy course. Data presented consists of students' individual guided reflection answers and individual student interviews reflecting on their experience working with hospice patients. Results Through this project, students recognized companionship as one of the greatest needs of their hospice patients and planned to use that information in their future clinical practice. Students also gained a better understanding of the difference between curative and palliative treatment and reframed their preconceived notions of the palliative patients they were seeing in the clinic.
Scleredema and Diabetes Mellitus

: A case of the uncommon association of scleredema and diabetes mellitus is presented. Such patients usually are obese, and the scleredema quite extensive and longlasting. The difference between this entity and scleredema adultorum is discussed. Attempts at treatment during a two-week period were unsuccessful.
MCSCF optimization through combined use of natural orbitals and the brillouin–levy–berthier theorem

A novel approach is developed for optimizing molecular orbitals within the context of a multiconfiguration self-consistent-field problem. The MCSCF wave function is determined through a sequence of eigenvalue problems in the multiconfiguration space and the single-excitation space. They are used iteratively to improve the natural orbitals, which in turn are related, by successively improved transformations, to the MCSCF orbitals. The mathematical problems arising out of this general concept are solved and the computational implementation is discussed. In many applications the method has proven itself as a powerful approach in forcing rapid convergence. Adaptation to spin and spatial symmetry is maintained throughout, and the procedure is applicable to excited states as well as to ground states. 3 figures, 2 tables.
Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of amorphous silicon-selenium alloy films

Abstract Amorphous silicon-selenium alloys were prepared by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. It was found that the SiSe alloy is a wide band-gap semiconductor. The optical band-gap of the alloy changed from 1.7 to 2.0 eV, as a function of the selenium concentration in the film. The light to dark conductivity ratio was of the order of 1.5 × 10 3 . The dangling bond density was estimated from electron spin resonance measurements, and the elemental content and distribution were analyzed by the secondary ion mass spectrometry, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron microp analysis techniques. The results show that the amorphous silicon selenium alloy is a promising materials for multi-band-gap photovoltaic devices.
Analysis on Teaching Reform of Electric Automation Major on Higher Vocational Education

Automation science and technology is characterized by its practicality, epochal character, systematicness and intercrossing. It involves in all aspects of national economic construction. Except to train technical talents in engineering control field, automation education still should develop non-engineering technical talents who have thought control and automation technology. This requires higher vocational education to the electric automatization to develop with efforts and keep pace with the times on the basis of the traditional training system. This paper analyzes the teaching reform of electric automation on higher vocational education from three aspects, that is, making reasonable teaching plans, determining the effective training modes, designing the optimized curriculum system.
The mechanism of colicin E 1 action

Uncouplers of oxidative phosphorylation such as cyanide carbonyl m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) foster proton (H(+)) permeability of bacterial and other membranes; counter cation movement is required for the effect of the uncoupler on proton permeability to be manifested maximally. Treatment ofEscherichia coli with colicin E 1 had little effect on the proton impermeability of the bacteria after challenge with an acid load; however, the subsequent addition of CCCP revealed that colicin E 1-treated cells became much more permeable to protons than control cells. Thus the colicin caused specific rather than generalized alterations in the membrane permeability properties, allowing the movement of some cations but not H(+). This cation permeability was confirmed directly with studies of(42)K leakage on treatment with colicin E 1. N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide blocked the fall in ATP levels usually associated with colicin E 1 action, but did not block the K(+) leakage, the inhibition of protein and nucleic acid synthesis, or the lethal effect of the colicin, suggesting that reduced availability of ATP is not the cause of these colicin E 1-induced effects. The possible primary action of the colicin E 1 molecule is discussed in relation to these data.
Total, scattering, and gamma production cross sections for few-MeV neutrons on elemental copper

Abstract Cross sections are measured for the dominant neutron interactions with elemental copper in the few-MeV energy range with resolutions of 50 to 100 keV. The processes considered are total interaction from 1.2 to 4.5 MeV, elastic scattering from 1.5 to 4.0 MeV, inelastic scattering from 2.0 to 4.0 MeV for excitation energies 3 2 proton coupled to an even-even nickel core.
Logical problems and misunderstandings in “problems with dimensionless measurement models of synchrony in biological systems”

A model for the standardized measurement of synchrony in behavioral or biological states was proposed for use in comparative analyses of synchrony's adaptive significance. A recent critique attempts to discredit dimensionless (unitless) or standardized measures of synchrony in general and the proposed model in particular. Although the critique helps define and sharpen thinking about the measurement of synchrony and makes some well-taken points, it also arrives at questionable conclusions based upon dubious assumptions. The critique proceeds from a fictional example in which all biological states being considered always have exactly the same durations for all individuals and always start or end for all individuals at exactly the same instants in time. These unreal, biologically meaningless premises, together with other questionable assumptions, are the basis of inappropriate analyses of standardized measures. The critique's arguments reveal a failure to understand the basic underlying principle of the standardized method and are dependent upon faulty logic. A statistical discussion contains both worthy points and arguable comments based not on data or actual probabilities of real events but on irrelevant chance outcomes derived from the biologically meaningless assumptions. The critique's conclusions are not credible, and its basic question probably is not scientifically answerable.
On the determination of the number of water molecules, q, coordinated to europium(III) ions in solution from luminescence decay lifetimes

Abstract A refined equation (in its simplest form: q=1.11[τ−1H2O−τ−1D2O−0.31]) which allows the prediction of the number of water molecules in the first coordination sphere of a europium(III) (Eu3+) complex, q, in aqueous solution is presented. It is recognized that in the long history of the determination of the q-values of Eu3+ complexes from luminescent data of the excited metal ions in H2O and D2O solutions, certain inconsistencies are present. In some cases the q-values determined have either been non-integral when they should be integral, or have been in conflict with q-values predicted by other means. The original q-value equation put forth by this laboratory correlated the luminescence lifetime data of crystalline Eu3+ complexes to the known q-values based on XRD data from single crystals. In the current report, the difference in the decay rate of the Eu3+ luminescence of metal complexes in H2O and D2O solution is linearly correlated to q-values predicted using the original equation as a guide. Our current interpretation of the luminescence data of 25 Eu3+ complexes taken from the literature, along with the extensive research of many labs involving the effect of oscillators other than water molecules in the first coordination sphere of the Eu3+ ion, has yielded the following equation: q=1.11[τ−1H2O−τ−1D2O−0.31+0.45nOH+0.99nNH+0.075nOCNH] where nOH is the number of alcoholic OH oscillators in the first coordination sphere of Eu3+, nNH is the number of amine NH oscillators in the first coordination sphere of Eu3+, and nOCNH is the number of amide NH oscillators in which the amide carboxylic oxygen is in the first coordination sphere of Eu3+. The coefficient of determination parameter of the linear least-squares fit to the data is 0.998 and the standard error of the fit is ±0.1 in q. The equation is used to account for the effect of water molecules in the second coordination sphere of the Eu3+ ion as well as to cast light on aqueous Eu3+ complexes that have known labile coordination spheres.
Female-female competition or male mate choice? Patterns of courtship and breeding behavior among feral horses (Equus caballus) on Assateague Island.

Previous research on the Assateague horses found that high-ranking females had more surviving offspring than low-ranking females. Variance in reproductive success may be the result of a variety of proximate processes that affect sexual behavior such as mate choice and mate competition. A study was done to determine whether patterns of courtship, social, and sexual behavior could be identified that would suggest mate choice and/or mate competition. Behavioral data were collected from approximately 40 sexually mature mares living in harem bands. Stallions showed more interest in the eliminations of dominant mares than subordinate mares. Males also engaged in significantly more high-intensity (e.g., mounts and copulations) sexual behavior with dominant mares than subordinate mares, and there was a trend for males to engage in more low-intensity (e.g., flehmen and ano-genital sniffing) sexual behavior with dominant mares than subordinate mares. There was no effect of mare rank on spatial relationships with the stallion; however, dominant mares did attempt to restrict reproductive access to the stallion by harassing and disrupting copulations. Higher foaling rates among dominant mares on Assateague Island could therefore be the result of rank-related mate choice by stallions and direct female competition for mating opportunities.
Respiratory Isolation of Patients with Suspected Pulmonary Tuberculosis in an Inner-city Hospital

Objective: To identify clinical factors that predict which patients presenting to the ED with pneumonia will require respiratory isolation for suspected tuberculosis and to evaluate a protocol for rapid identification of patients at risk for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods: To identify potential clinical indicators of PTB, a case-control study was performed using patients admitted to an urban teaching hospital with the ED diagnosis of pneumonia (derivation sample). These predictors were then evaluated in a separate prospective observational study of 103 patients admitted to the same institution from July 1994 to February 1995. Adult patients with the admitting diagnosis of pneumonia were admitted to a respiratory isolation bed if they met 1 of the following criteria: 1) HIV-positive or unknown HIV status with a history of injection drug use; 2) chest x-ray consistent with PTB; or 3) pneumonia with 1 of the following: PPD conversion within 2 years, recent exposure to PTB, previous PTB, or hemoptysis. Patients who did not meet isolation criteria were admitted to the medical ward and had a PPD and anergy panel placed. Those who were anergic or PPD-positive were transferred to respiratory isolation. Results: Predictor variables identified during the first study phase were incorporated into the isolation guidelines noted above. Only 36 of 50 (72%) PTB patients were admitted to an isolation bed during this phase. During the second phase, 103 patients were admitted with the ED diagnosis of pneumonia-rule out PTB; 22 patients (22%) were culture-confirmed positive for PTB. The guidelines predicted PTB as follows: sensitivity, 0.96 (95% CI, 0.88–1.0); specificity, 0.14 (95% CI, 0.08–0.24); positive predictive value, 0.23 (95% CI, 0.17–0.35); and negative predictive value, 0.92 (95% CI, 0.77–1.0). The 1 patient who was not isolated was found to be anergic after 48 hours and subsequently isolated. Conclusion: Respiratory isolation guidelines for patients admitted from the ED with pneumonia were developed and validated. These guidelines provide satisfactory guidance for isolation of patients at risk for PTB in a high-PTB-prevalence population.
SILT: a memory-efficient, high-performance key-value store

SILT (Small Index Large Table) is a memory-efficient, high-performance key-value store system based on flash storage that scales to serve billions of key-value items on a single node. It requires only 0.7 bytes of DRAM per entry and retrieves key/value pairs using on average 1.01 flash reads each. SILT combines new algorithmic and systems techniques to balance the use of memory, storage, and computation. Our contributions include: (1) the design of three basic key-value stores each with a different emphasis on memory-efficiency and write-friendliness; (2) synthesis of the basic key-value stores to build a SILT key-value store system; and (3) an analytical model for tuning system parameters carefully to meet the needs of different workloads. SILT requires one to two orders of magnitude less memory to provide comparable throughput to current high-performance key-value systems on a commodity desktop system with flash storage.
The role of the convert in eclipse of reason and the silent scream

The secular convert has played a significant role in many political controversies and in the documentary films produced by those engaged in them. The Silent Scream (1985) and its sequel, Eclipse of Reason (1987) are two central documents in the effort to limit abortion rights. Much of the testimony and the dramatic structure of the films is drawn from conversion experiences that suggest a model for the conversion of an implied audience and offer reinforcement for those already committed to the movement. In their uses of the convert tale, these films are self‐referential, combative, and, in their portrayal of women, demeaning.
Rib stabilization: lessons learned

Introduction The management of rib fractures and flail chest has changed considerably over the past century, and recently there has been a renewed interest in operative rib stabilization for these injuries. Despite numerous reports suggesting improved outcomes with rib stabilization, there are not well-defined indications and the approach remains somewhat controversial.
Case studies of mixed-signal DFT

Significant growth in demand for mixed signal parts, and an increased level of integration of such parts into SOCs have created or exacerbated several test related challenges. Techniques like design-for-testability (DFT) have been applied to overcome some of these challenges. In this paper, we present case studies of one of the most common DFT techniques for mixed-signal devices, namely, analog loopback testing of data converters. Theoretical analysis of loopback testing is presented, along with silicon test results for stand-alone, internal loopback and external loopback testing of data converter in an industrial chip. These results are used to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of these two variants of mixed-signal DFT, i.e., internal and external loopback testing of data converters.
Tooth Induction in Chick Epithelium: Expression of Quiescent Genes for Enamel Synthesis

Intraocular grafts of chick epithelium combined with mouse molar mesenchyme produced a variety of dental structures including perfectly formed crowns with differentiated ameloblasts depositing enamel matrix. The results suggest that the loss of teeth in Aves did not result from a loss of genetic coding for enamel synthesis in the oral epithelium but from an alteration in the tissue interactions requisite for odontogenesis.
Mapping an empire: Tourist cartographies of the Caribbean in the early twentieth century

Maps played a vital role in the development of US mass tourism in the Caribbean between 1898 and the 1930s. While conveying practical information, tourist maps widely distributed in the United States involved potential and actual tourists in imperial power dynamics at the heart of US hegemony after the Spanish‐American War of 1898. Clothed in the language of leisure lay different, and at times competing, imperialist fantasies. The widespread use of this representational illustrates the nexus between leisure and imperial enterprise in the early twentieth century.
Studies of rabbit brain, intestine and liver guanine aminohydrolase.

Abstract 1. 1. Guanine aminohydrolase (EC 3.5.4.3) from rabbit brain, intestine, and liver has been purified to homogeneity by affinity chromatography at room temperature and 0–4°C. 2. 2. In all cases the recovery and fold purification was greatest for purification at room temperature. 3. 3. Each enzyme has a subunit mol. wt of 49,500 and crosslinking studies revealed the native form to be a dimer. 4. 4. The amino acid analysis showed a high content of asx, glx, ser, gly and leu; the pI was 5.0 for each prep. 5. 5. The Michaelis constants at pH 8.0 were 6.1, 6.1 and 5.8 × 10 −6 M for brain, intestine and liver GAH respectively. 6. 6. The enzymes had a broad pH activity profile with an optimum of pH 8.0–8.5.
Speaking as Jeremiah: Henry McNeal Turner's “I Claim the Rights of a Man”

In 1868, recently elected African American legislators faced imminent expulsion from the Georgia state legislature because of race. Speaking last, 34-year-old Bishop Henry McNeal Turner delivered a scathing denunciation of his opponents. His speech, entitled “I Claim the Rights of a Man,” is analyzed as an example of a jeremiad that did not fully use the rhetorical forms typical of the genre. Extending on the work of W. J. Moses (1982) and D. Howard-Pitney (1990), the author argues that Turner used many jeremiadic elements, including the categorical denunciation of the audience for morally abandoning God and the speaker's use of the prophetic voice. Other elements of the jeremiad were strategically omitted, including an explicit identification of the audience as a chosen people and an expression of optimism for a better future. The author concludes that Turner used the jeremiadic form effectively to convey his moral outrage and condemnation, while avoiding those generic elements that ran counter to his rh...
Application of an optically addressed spatial light modulator to real-time speckle photography

Abstract The application of a bistable, binary, amorphous silicon ferroelectric liquid crystal optically addressed spatial light modulator to speckle photography is described. The system presented has a higher space-bandwidth product than a television system and can operate at greater than 500 Hz frame rates. The output is also amenable to further optical processing. The spatial light modulator is characterised for sensitivity, contrast ratio and resolution and speckle correlation fringes from a moving object are successfully obtained. Measurement of displacements in the range 20 μm to 70 μm with an rms error of 3 μm is demonstrated and the suitability of these devices to practical optical metrology is discussed.
Microbiology and management of myositis

This review summarizes the microbiology, management, and prevention of myositis. Muscular infections frequently occur in areas of the body that have been compromised or injured by a foreign body, trauma, ischemia, injection of illicit drug, malignancy, or surgery. These infections can develop very rapidly to life-threatening systemic illness. The predominant pathogens are Staphylococcus aureus, Group A streptococci (GAS), gram-negative aerobic and facultative bacilli, and the indigenous aerobic and anaerobic cutaneous and mucous membranes local microflora. Pyogenic myositis can be classified into either GAS necrotizing myositis, clostridial myonecrosis (gas gangrene), or nonclostridial (crepitant) myositis. Intensive surgical and medical therapy that includes the administration of intravenous fluids and antimicrobial therapy is an essential element in management of muscle infection.
Use of high-dose ibuprofen in a pediatric cystic fibrosis center

Despite its apparent benefits, high-dose ibuprofen has been infrequently applied to children with cystic fibrosis. We have noted a decrease in the use of high-dose ibuprofen at our pediatric cystic fibrosis center during the past decade. In this retrospective study, we examined our clinical experience with high-dose ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatory drugs in cystic fibrosis patients. The medical records of all patients, ages 5 to 18 years, followed at the cystic fibrosis center from 1995 to 2002, were reviewed and children were classified into two cohorts: ibuprofen-treated and untreated groups. Patterns of ibuprofen use and pharmacokinetics in treated patients, and for patients who discontinued ibuprofen, the reasons for stopping the medication, including adverse effects, were assessed. Pulmonary function decline and hospitalization rates for each group were compared, examining both intent to treat and patients who continued therapy for at least 4 years. Nearly half of the patients in our pediatric cystic fibrosis center who were prescribed with high-dose ibuprofen discontinued therapy due to adverse events, not because of poor adherence or patient choice. Neither use of high-dose ibuprofen nor its cessation resulted in a significant change in the rate of decline in pulmonary function or influenced hospitalization rates.
Colocalization and redistribution of dishevelled and actin during Wnt-induced mesenchymal morphogenesis.

Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is important for induction of gene expression and cell morphogenesis throughout embryonic development. We examined the subcellular localization of dishevelled, the immediate downstream component from the Wnt receptor, in the embryonic mouse kidney. Using immunofluorescence staining, confocal microscopy, and coimmunoprecipitation experiments, we show that dishevelled associates with actin fibers and focal adhesion plaques in metanephric mesenchymal cells. Stimulation of Wnt signaling leads to profound changes in metanephric mesenchymal cell morphology, including disruption of the actin cytoskeleton, increased cell spreading, and increased karyokinesis. Upon activation of Wnt signaling, dishevelled also accumulates in and around the nucleus. Casein kinase Ie colocalizes with dishevelled along actin fibers and in the perinuclear region, whereas axin and GSK-3 are only present around the nucleus. These data indicate a branched Wnt signaling pathway comprising a canonical signal that targets the nucleus and gene expression, and another signal that targets the cytoskeleton and regulates cell morphogenesis.
Elastic graphical interfaces to precise data manipulation

We propose an interaction technique for manipulating precise data or selecting one element from a large number of items. Although conventional graphical interaction tools like sliders cannot be used for selecting more items than the pixel size of the slider, we can specify more precise data by using the elastic slider based on the rubber-band metaphor, where a control object can be moved by pulling the object with a rubber-band between the object and the mouse cursor. The same technique can be applied to many graphical interface tools like scroll bars and drawing editors.
Bottom-up visual image processing probed with weighted Hermite polynomials

Abstract This paper explores the use of Gaussian-weighted Hermite Polynomials (WHPs) in studies of human spatial vision. WHPs form an orthonormal basis set. They have several useful properties as visual stimuli, e.g., having a single origin which can be assigned to the fovea. Contrast-reversing WHP-modulated gratings of many levels of contrast, order, and scale were used to elicit steady-state visual evoked potentials (VEPs) from human visual cortex. Pairs of WHP gratings were also superimposed and contrast-reversed, or presented separately and alternated, to obtain sum and difference VEPs. We developed a model which related WHP descriptors to VEP power with just three, model-based, parameters. The model avoids the use of numerous free parameters to describe essentially arbitrary modulation and phase transfer functions, and does not assume the visual system is spatially homogeneous. The model provides a useful “black ☐” account of gross cortical visual responses to patterned stimuli.
Meningovascular Syphilis With Fatal Vertebrobasilar Occlusion

We report the case of a young patient with meningovascular syphilis who suffered fatal vertebrobasilar occlusion despite thrombolytic treatment and endovascular interventions. A 35-year-old man without any known medical history presented with an acute ischemic stroke and was initially treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator. He was then transferred to the stroke center, where he underwent endovascular recanalization of his occluded vertebrobasilar system. Despite initial successful recanalization, he suffered recurrent vertebrobasilar occlusion, and a second endovascular treatment attempt was unsuccessful. He subsequently developed a pontine hemorrhage and acute hydrocephalus and died secondary to transtentorial herniation. Laboratory findings were suggestive of prior spirochetal infection, and autopsy revealed necrotizing vasculitis and extensive adventitial inflammation involving the basilar and vertebral arteries, supporting the diagnosis of meningovascular syphilis.
Replacement arthroplasty for glenohumeral osteoarthritis.

Forty-eight shoulders with glenohumeral osteoarthritis were treated by hemireplacement arthroplasty with a Vitallium humeral-head prosthesis in forty-seven patients, twenty-nine of whom were women. The results in an average follow-up of six years (range, one to twenty years) showed relief of pain and restoration of good function in nearly all patients. Recovery of adequate strength was slow, and continued fatigability was noted by some. Total shoulder-joint surface replacement was performed in one patient in this series with good early results.
The effect of prey composition and abundance on the predation rate and selectivity of Mysis relicta

The predation rate and selection of specific prey byMysis relicta in Lake Tahoe depends on both the total and the relative densities of prey classes. Functional responses of mysids to changes in the density of two species of calanoid copepod prey were curvilinear in laboratory experiments. In the field and in 2-prey treatments, preference was usually positive forEpischura and negative forDiaptomus. However, the preference forEpischura was greatest at the lowest combined densities of prey in the laboratory and decreased at densities >100Epischura / m3 in the field. Several hypotheses to explain the inverse relationship between selectivity and prey density are discussed. Field assemblages of prey vary vertically, horizontally and seasonally. Potential effects of this hetrogeneity on both predator and prey populations are examined.
Hospital conversions from for-profit to nonprofit status: the other side of the story.

The authors examined, on a case-by-case basis, the community impact of 15 for-profit hospitals that converted to nonprofit status. These for-profit conversions have been occurring in numbers compar...
Hydrodynamic Damping of Tooth Movement

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUAAMORTIMENTO HYDRODYNAMIC DEL MOBILITATE DE DENTES.—Numeros de Reynold calculate ab le velocitate de intrusion del incisores maxillar del ratto esseva bassissime, lo que indica le predominantia de fortias viscose. Le constantes de resorto calculate ab le periodo de oscillation del dentes monstrava differentias significative, permittente concluder al presentia de un mechanismo amortitori actuate per fortias inertial durante le fluxo de liquido extracellular. Viste que le intrusion monstrava un systema biphasic, le interpretation es hasardate que liquido interstitial, agente como un pellicula resiliente, es le prime factor amortitori active durante le intrusion de un dente ad in su alveolo e que, quando iste pellicula es exhaurite e non replenate, un secunde mechanismo amortitori entra in action resultante ab un stenose de minor vasos sanguinee per fibras periodontal con le accompaniamento de exogene aneurysmas cirsoide que es lentemente deplete a transverso le parietes vascular.
Image processing system using a programmable transform imager

We propose an image processing system using an analog transform imager chip. The transform imager is a CMOS imager which is capable of block transforms using floating-gates. Because the transform imager is highly programmable, it can perform various block transforms such as the Walsh-Hadamard transform, discrete sine transform (DST), and discrete cosine transform (DCT). We investigate the reduction of computations and power by a baseline JPEG compression system as an application. The 48/spl times/40 transform imager provides 144 MOPS/s using an area of 1.03 mm/sup 2/ in 0.5 /spl mu/m CMOS technology, and it has a much higher fill factor, 46%, compared with other focal plane imagers. The measured transformed images and the reconstructed images are presented to demonstrate the operations.