cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of multi-decadal land use, irrigation practices and climate on riparian corridors across the Upper Missouri River headwaters basin, Montana

Abstract. The Upper Missouri River headwaters (UMH) basin (36 400 km 2 ) depends on its river corridors to support irrigated agriculture and world-class trout fisheries. We evaluated trends (1984–2016) in riparian wetness, an indicator of the riparian condition, in peak irrigation months (June, July and August) for 158 km 2 of riparian area across the basin using the Landsat normalized difference wetness index (NDWI). We found that 8 of the 19 riparian reaches across the basin showed a significant drying trend over this period, including all three basin outlet reaches along the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers. The influence of upstream climate was quantified using per reach random forest regressions. Much of the interannual variability in the NDWI was explained by climate, especially by drought indices and annual precipitation, but the significant temporal drying trends persisted in the NDWI–climate model residuals, indicating that trends were not entirely attributable to climate. Over the same period we documented a basin-wide shift from 9 % of agriculture irrigated with center-pivot irrigation to 50 % irrigated with center-pivot irrigation. Riparian reaches with a drying trend had a greater increase in the total area with center-pivot irrigation (within reach and upstream from the reach) relative to riparian reaches without such a trend ( p ). The drying trend, however, did not extend to river discharge. Over the same period, stream gages ( n=7 ) showed a positive correlation with riparian wetness ( p ) but no trend in summer river discharge, suggesting that riparian areas may be more sensitive to changes in irrigation return flows relative to river discharge. Identifying trends in riparian vegetation is a critical precursor for enhancing the resiliency of river systems and associated riparian corridors.
Real-Time FPGA Simulation of Electric Ship Power System Using High-Level Synthesis

In this paper, we present an approach to model simulation systems at the Register-Transistor Level RTL for an efficient implementation on Field Programmable Gate Arrays FPGAs. The process uses a hybrid technique utilizing two commercially available tools, Simulink Coder and Xilinx Vivado HLD, as well as a middleware procedure to produce an accurate implementation of a model system in HDL, e.g. Verilog and VHDL. The implementation technique does not require expertise knowledge in Digital Design or Hardware Description Language HDL, yet it produces a complete description of the simulator in HDL. Using an example model of electric ship power system, we evaluate the effectiveness of the approach in developing a precise model in RTL for Real-Time simulation while accelerating the overall execution time.
Information technology: a degree in computing

Three years ago, our department developed a new computing degree, a degree in Information Technology conceptually distinct from the standard Computer Science, Information Systems or Computer Engineering degrees. The focus of this degree is on current computing technology, its implementation and application. This paper presents a description of our program, the motivation and justification for its development, the curriculum design goals, current curriculum implementation, problems yet to be resolved and future plans.
Multiscale hydrological drought analysis: Role of climate, catchment and morphological variables and associated thresholds

Abstract Identification of thresholds associated with key climate, catchment and morphological variables for hydrological droughts can further improve our understanding of evolution and propagation of droughts in a complex water resource system. These thresholds are associated with complex interaction between climate and catchment variables and they are often connected through hierarchical as well as non-linear relationships. The advantage of selecting a multi-factor predictor domain can detect multiple thresholds that may not be observed by analyses limited to single predictors. In the present study, we developed a conceptual modeling framework by integrating a hydrological model developed based on the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and statistical models to quantify the potential influence of climate, catchment, and morphological variables and their thresholds on hydrological drought duration and severity for the watersheds located in Savannah River Basin (SRB). The concept of standardized runoff index (SRI) was used to derive the multiscale hydrological drought time series (i.e., SRI 1, SRI 6, and SRI 12) to investigate short term, medium term, and long term drought events based on their duration and severity. It was observed that the linear models developed based on the climate variables may not be capable for predicting the duration of multiscale hydrological droughts, whereas, the performance of statistical models can be significantly improved by the addition of catchment and morphological variables. In addition, among the morphological variables stream order seems to have a significant control over short, medium and long term drought duration across the study area. In the second phase of our analysis, we employed classification and regression tree (CART) algorithm for quantifying the thresholds associated with climate, catchment, and morphological variables that have potential influence on the hydrological drought. The result indicates that the variables and its associated threshold vary for short, medium, and long term drought. The proposed modeling framework can be extended for ungauged basins to improve the drought management.
Exploitation of the COVID-19 pandemic by e-cigarette marketers.

Over the last decade, a wide variety of e-cigarette advertisements have claimed superior healthfulness compared with cigarettes.1 Recently, we recognised a novel form of health reassurance advertising, promotion of e-cigarettes via COVID-19 pandemic themes. This led us to systematically explore COVID-19 marketing of e-cigarette brands and vape stores on their websites and Instagram accounts. We have collected over 300 COVID-19 themed e-cigarette promotional images and posted them to our online repository (tobacco.stanford.edu/COVID-19).2 These images represent 21 e-cigarette brands and 41 online vaping stores that vend multiple brands. The COVID-19 messaging in these advertisements took several forms. As essential supplies became scarce in stores, e-cigarette brands offered these much-needed supplies, including masks, toilet paper rolls and hand sanitisers, as gifts contingent on the purchase of vaping products (figure 1). Some brands (eg, Podsalt, BLVK and One Drop Vape) offered free hand sanitiser with the purchase of any of its products. Podsalt described its sanitiser as ‘WHO recommended’ and claimed that it ‘kills 99.9% of bacteria’.3 VaporDNA offered two strengths of CBD-enriched hand sanitisers (50 mg and 200 mg), while Vape Craft offered the option of sanitiser with or without CBD.4 5 The British nicotine liquid manufacturer MyVapery/Xyfil claimed that it has transformed 80% of its production capacity to produce 50 000 alcohol-based hand sanitisers per day.6 The brand created a website (https://www.handsanitising.com/) and Instagram page (@handsanitising) to market its brand of hand sanitiser.7 Figure 1 Examples of essential pandemic supplies (eg, hand sanitisers, masks and toilet paper) offered by e-cigarette companies as a bonus to spur sales. In the case of Vintage Vapor, they appear to have added these essential supplies to their product line offered for sale. Note that some of the hand sanitisers come in the company’s e-liquid bottles, raising concern over potential accidental use …
In-the-Wild Learning from Demonstration for Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Current studies have demonstrated that Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) delivering Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) based interventions can teach individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) valuable social, emotional, communication and academic skills. These robot-mediated interventions (RMIs) are typically delivered via teleoperation, which places additional or similar workloads on therapists as administering interventions directly. The autonomous delivery of ABA therapies to individuals with ASD by a robot could significantly reduce workload and improve the usability as well as acceptance of this technology. However, pre-programming the autonomy of a SAR with a limited set of interventions is not sufficient for clinical practice due to the rapidly changing and different learning needs of individuals with ASD. In order to be applicable in clinical settings, therapists must be capable of customizing and personalizing interventions to the needs of each individual. Towards this goal, in this paper we present the initial development and deployment of a proof-of-concept Learning from Demonstration (LfD) system in-the-wild to learn the verbal behavior of therapists during the delivery of an ABA-based intervention to children with ASD. We also present preliminary data on the results of a policy trained on data collected from demonstrations provided during this in-the-wild deployment of our LfD system.
Characterization of concept generation for engineering design through temporal brain network analysis

This research explores the effect of the structuredness of design concept generation techniques on temporal network neurocognition. Engineering graduate students (n = 30) completed three concept generation tasks using techniques with different levels of structuredness: brainstorming, morphological analysis, and TRIZ. Students’ brain activation in their prefrontal cortex (PFC) was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The temporal dynamic of central regions in brain networks were compared between tasks. Central regions facilitate functional interaction and imply information flow through the brain. A consistent central region appears in the medial PFC. Consistent network connections occurred across both hemispheres suggesting a concurrent dual processing of divergent and convergent thinking. This study offers novel insights into the underlying neurophysiological mechanism when using these concept generation techniques.
Multi-parameter optical imaging of immune cell activity in chimeric antigen receptor T-cell and checkpoint blockade therapies

Longitudinal multimodal imaging presents unique opportunities for noninvasive surveillance and prediction of treatment response to cancer immunotherapy. In this work we first designed a novel granzyme B activated self-assembly small molecule, G-SNAT, for quantitative assessment of cytotoxic T lymphocyte mediated cancer cell killing in vivo. In lymphoma tumor bearing mice, the retention of cyanine 5 labeled G-SNAT-Cy5 was shown to be highly correlated to CAR T-cell mediated granzyme B release and tumor eradication. In colorectal tumor-bearing transgenic mice, expressing firefly luciferase in hematopoietic cells, and which received combination treatment of anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4, longitudinal bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging revealed the dynamics of immune cell expansion, trafficking, tumor infiltration, and cytotoxic activity which predicted therapeutic outcome before tumor shrinkage was evident. These results support further development of G-SNAT for imaging early immune response to checkpoint blockade and CAR T-cell therapy in patients and highlight the utility of multimodality imaging for improved mechanistic insights into cancer immunotherapy.
Impact of Horizontal Spatial Clustering in Two-Dimensional Fracture Networks on Solute Transport

Abstract This study explores the prevalence of fracture clustering in natural networks and its influence on fluid flow and advective transport. Fracture networks from a compilation of previously published maps that encompass igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rock types, various geological and tectonic settings, and a broad distribution of length scales are analyzed using a two-point correlation technique to characterize the spatial scaling between fracture barycenters. The correlation dimension (Dc) ranges from 1.47 to 1.89 with a median of 1.8. These results suggest that fracture networks often exhibit spatial clustering and are rarely Poissonian as commonly assumed. Synthetic Discrete Fracture Networks (DFNs) with constant and variable transmissivity applied to all fractures are generated for three clustering (Dc = 1.6, Dc = 1.8, and Poissonian) and power law length exponent (α = 1.4, α = 1.8, and α = 2.2) scenarios. Median particle breakthrough times are shown to increase by 10–70% as spatial clustering transitions from Poissonian to highly clustered (Dc = 1.6). Median particle breakthrough times also increase, by a factor of 1.2–3.4 (20–240%), when the power law length exponent increases from α = 1.4 to α = 2.2. As clustering increases (i.e., Dc reduces), breakthrough curves become highly variable and exhibit features indicative of enhanced solute retention. The increase in median breakthrough times with clustering persists with different network size and transmissivity distribution. These results indicate that spatial clustering and length exponent both significantly influence transport. The use of power-law length distributions in generating fracture networks is relatively common, whereas the spatial organization of fractures is rarely included in transport studies of fractured rock. Structural heterogeneity introduced by spatially clustered organization of fractures leads to substantial complexity in flow paths which is not captured by Poissonian DFNs.
Ornithine decarboxylase activity and the growth of neuroblastoma cells. The effects of bromoacetylcholine, bromoacetate and 1,3-diaminopropane.

Abstract The activity of ornithine decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.17; l -ornithine carboxylase) of C1300 neuroblastoma cells was decreased significantly in the presence of cytolytic concentrations of bromoacetylcholine and bromoacetate. The inhibition of neuroblastoma cell replication by the ornithine decarboxylase inhibitor, 1,3-diaminopropane, lends credence to the suggestion that the mechanism of the potent cytolytic action of bromoacetylcholine and of bromoacetate may be related to the inhibition of this enzyme.
An inequality between Dirichlet and Neumann eigenvalues in a centrally symmetric domain

We prove an inequality between Dirichlet and Neumann eigenvalues of the Laplacian in a centrally symmetric Euclidean domain. David Jerison and Nikolai Nadirashvili conjectured in [1] (Conjecture 8.6) that, for a centrally symmetric convex domain, A2, the lowest nonzero Neumann eigenvalue of the Laplacian for an eigenfunction that is even with respect to the central symmetry x H-* -x is smaller than AL2, the lowest Dirichlet eigenvalue for an eigenfunction that is odd with respect this symmetry. Notice that this inequality does not follow from the general inequalities between the Dirichlet and the Neumann eigenvalues: it may happen that ,u2 is the second eigenvalue of the Dirichlet Laplacian, and A2 is, say, 100th eigenvalue of the Neumann Laplacian. It turned out that this conjecture, even in somewhat stronger form, has a rather simple proof. In this short paper, I present the proof. The technique is very similar to the one used in [2]. Theorem. Let Q be a centrally symmetric domain in TRn with C2-boundary F Q Secondary 58G25. 0)2000 American Mathematical Society 2057 This content downloaded from 207.46.13.118 on Sun, 11 Sep 2016 06:14:55 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 2058 LEONID FRIEDLANDER The function v, (x) satisfies the equation AV, (x) + pu2vw (x) = O. so (2) ] Vv,12 dx = A2 ]v 12 dx?+ ]vW)(x) dA where 0/0v is differentiation in the outward normal direction, and dA is the surface element on F. Our goal is to show that (3) j dw jvw(x) v (x)dA < 0. Here dw is the standard measure on S`1 normalized in such a way that the total area of the sphere equals 1. Clearly, (3) implies that iVw(x)v< (x)dA <0 for some value of w, and then (1) would follow from (2). To prove (3), we will explicitly compute the integral on the left. First, on F, Vu = (0u/v so (4) VW (X)= 09U(X)(V a ), X Gr. a!, Here v(x) is the outward normal unit vector to F at x. In a neighborhood of F, we introduce local coordinates x = (Y', Yn), Y' (Y1i... , Yn-i), in such a way that Yn is the distance from a point x to F taken with the positive sign if the point lies outside Q, and taken with the negative sign otherwise; y' are the local coordinates on F of the point that is the closest to x. In this coordinate system, the Euclidean metric tensor equals g 9 /(Y' vYn) ?) where g' is a metric tensor on F that depends on Yn. In the y-coordinates, the Laplacian has the form 02 1&09log g' & ayn 2 9yn 0Yn where A' is the "tangent" Laplacian, and g' is the determinant of the covariant tensor g'(y', Yn). The function u(x) is an eigenfunction of the Dirichlet Laplacian, so one has Q2U 1 l V'u is a vector field in R' perpendicular to v. Then vw(y) = V'u(y' vy) W + a v W,
The Role of Complete Overdentures in Esthetic Rehabilitation of the Adolescent Oligodontia Patient. A Case Report

Statement of the Problem: Dental agenesis is a common developmental anomaly among human populations. It presents with varying degrees of severity. Oligodontia present in the permanent dentition may have significant esthetic, psychosocial, as well as functional implications. Case Presentation: A case of oligodontia in an adolescent patient treated with conventional overdentures is presented in this article. A thorough medical and dental history were taken. Comprehensive clinical and radiographic examinations were made. Diagnostic casts were mounted. The prosthetic denture teeth were set and followed by esthetic and phonetic evaluation. Following approval by the patient, the overdentures were processed in heat cure resin using the conventional techniques. Results: Good esthetic results were achieved. Patient was satisfied with the final prostheses. Conclusion: Simple prosthodontic solutions can be utilized to aid patients with dental agenesis. These have great implications for the patient's self image. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Oligodontias are common. The literature frequently addresses esthetic rehabilitation using fixed prostheses and dental implants. This case report illustrates the value of removable prosthodontic procedures as one approach to fulfilling the requirements of esthetic rehabilitation of a young oligodontia patient. (J Esthet Restor Dent 22:213–222, 2010)
Beyond the Standard Model Neutral Higgs Searches at the Tevatron

We present an overview of the full range of Higgs searches in models beyond the Standard Model at the Tevatron. This includes both searches for Fermiophobic Higgs and for SUSY Higgs at high tan beta. No excess is seen in the data, so model dependent limits are set.
INDICATIONS FOR EXCHANGE TRANSFUSION BASED UPON THE ROLE OF ALBUMIN IN THE TREATMENT OF HEMOLYTIC DISEASE OF THE NEWBORN.

Maternal titer, history of previously treated sibling, positive Coombs, prematurity, cord serum bilirubin, and hemoglobin concentration do not by themselves indicate the need for immediate exchange transfusion in an infant who shows no signs of disease. The measurement of the reserve albumin binding capacity is a useful aid in determining the need for exchange transfusion in preventing bilirubin encephalopathy. A delay in treatment of infants who have an adequate reserve binding capacity does not increase the need for re-exchange and avoids unnecessary procedures. The rate of re-exchange among infants receiving added albumin and managed according to the criteria outlined was lower than in the conventionally treated series.
Neutron Activation Analysis

The principles of neutron activation analysis are reviewed. Applications in biological and medical research using 24 elements are summarized. (103 references.) (C.H.)
Comfort and Burden: The Changing Meaning of Home for Owners At-Risk of Foreclosure

The home is a meaningful site of security, control, and comfort. On the basis of ethnographic data, this paper examines how the meaning of home changes for people at-risk of foreclosure and how their subsequent actions are shaped by these meanings. I explore shifts in the meaning of home, with particular attention to the interaction of race, family structure, and immigrant status in these constructions. As owners respond to foreclosure threat, interactions with lenders further leave owners with a sense that the process is beyond their control, threatening ontological security and a sense of being at home in the world.
Impact of Biodiesel-Based Na on the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NOx by NH3 Over Cu–Zeolite Catalysts

A single-cylinder diesel engine was used to investigate the impact of Na on Cu–zeolite SCR catalysts using 20 % bio- and petrol-diesel fuel blend (B20) with elevated levels of Na. The Na exposure was performed on light-duty (DOC–SCR–DPF) and heavy-duty (DOC–DPF–SCR) configurations of the diesel emissions control devices. The accelerated Na aging is achieved by exposing the system to elevated levels of Na that represent full useful life exposure (700,000 km) and periodically increasing the exhaust temperature to replicate DPF regeneration. After aging, the NOx performance and relevant chemistry of the SCR catalysts were evaluated in a bench flow reactor. The SCR in the DOC–SCR–DPF configuration was found to be severely affected by Na contamination, especially when NO was the only NOx species in the simulated exhaust gases. In the DOC–DPF–SCR configuration, no impact is observed in the SCR NOx reduction activity. Electron microprobe analysis (EPMA) reveals that Na contamination on the SCR samples in the DOC–SCR–DPF configuration is present throughout the length of the catalysts.
Vector-boson production in supersymmetric QCD

Production in hadronic collisions of ordinary and possible new heavy charged or neutral vector bosons decaying to final states containing an e/sup +/ or e/sup -/ is studied in supersymmetric QCD. Parton distributions are computed for a number of assumptions about scalar-quark and gluino masses. For foreseeable energies, the scalar-quark--anti-scalar-quark annihilation contribution is at most a few percent of the quark-antiquark annihilation contribution. However, increased vector-boson decay widths and faster evolution of quark distributions in the supersymmetric case decrease cross sections by a factor of as much as 2--3 relative to the ordinary case. Other, more detailed observables are only marginally affected.
Mathematical structure of voting paradoxes

A theory is developed to identify, characterize, and explain all possible positional and pairwise voting outcomes that can occur for any number of alternatives and any profile. This paper describes pairwise voting where new results include explanations for all paradoxes, cycles, conflict between Borda and Condorcet rankings, differences among procedures using pairwise votes (such as the Borda Count, Kemeny's method, and the Arrow-Raynaud rule), and discrepancies among the societal rankings as candidates are dropped or added. Other new results include new relationships among the Borda and Condorcet “winners” and “losers.” The theory also shows how to construct all supporting profiles. The following companion paper does the same for positional methods.
Edgewise growth of Widmanstätten alpha precipitates in brass

Abstract The lengthening rates of needle and plate precipitates of alpha phase from beta brass are examined. Measured kinetics are compared with rates expected from volume diffusion considerations. Needle lengthening in ordered beta brass is found to be compatible with the volume diffusion model when the interfacial structure is considered to be incoherent. However, at temperatures above the order-disorder transition, the kinetics are consistent with the volume-diffusion model only if the precipitate has a zinc concentration slightly in excess of its equilibrium value. Furthermore, the analysis of the growth kinetics of plate precipitates agrees with experimental results for a semicoherent interfacial structure at the tip of the plate when a small deviation from equilibrium composition is considered in the precipitate. The departure from equilibrium in the plate precipitates is predicted to increase with decreasing transformation temperature. The above conclusions are shown to be compatible with precipitate composition measurements reported in literature, and with the known interfacial structures of plate and needle precipitates in various other alloy systems.
The Relevance of Iron Overload and the Appropriateness of Iron Chelation Therapy for Patients with Myelodysplastic Syndromes: A Dialogue and Debate

Accumulation of excessive amounts of iron in vulnerable organs and tissues, together with elevated plasma and intracellular concentrations of reactive iron molecules, are likely to be harmful to some patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) who have received numerous red blood cell transfusions. But what is the real magnitude of risks related to iron overload in MDS, and how strong is the evidence that reducing total body iron and labile plasma iron through treatment with chelating drugs is beneficial to patients? Available data can be interpreted in different ways, and as a result, these topics continue to be areas of heated debate among physicians who care for patients with MDS. Using the traditional but rarely employed format of a classical dialogue, I explore here the potential dangers of iron overload and the risks and benefits of iron chelation therapy for patients with MDS.
Rapidity and centrality dependence of azimuthal correlations in Deuteron-Gold collisions at RHIC

Abstract We calculate azimuthal correlations in d Au collisions at different rapidities and centralities and argue that experimentally observed depletion of the back-to-back pick can be quantitatively explained by gluon saturation in the Color Glass Condensate of the Gold nucleus.
Trophoblast pseudo-vasculogenesis: faking it with endothelial adhesion receptors

During early development, a subset of fetal (placental) cytotrophoblasts exhibits tumor-like behavior and invades the uterus. To access a supply of maternal blood, they invade arterioles and form heterotypic interactions with, and replace, resident maternal endothelium, creating a hybrid uterine vasculature. Recently, it has become clear that invading cytotrophoblasts transform their adhesion receptor phenotype to resemble the endothelial cells they replace. Furthermore, they express vasculogenic factors and receptors. Is this a form of vasculogenesis?
Multiaxis vibration isolation, suppression, and steering system for space observational applications

THe paper describes an actively controlled six-axis orthogonal hexapod mount that provides vibration isolation, suppression and steering capabilities for space observational systems. Experimental results for vibration isolation is presented. The results show that though the passive-only isolation reduces disturbance propagation significantly, the combination of active and passive isolation provides the best option. The active stage reduces the propagation over the passive-only case by additional 35 dB in the mid frequency range of 10-100Hz.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
DNA Polymerase β Fidelity: Halomethylene-Modified Leaving Groups in Pre-Steady-State Kinetic Analysis Reveal Differences at the Chemical Transition State†

The mechanism of DNA polymerase β-catalyzed nucleotidyl transfer consists of chemical steps involving primer 3‘ OH deprotonation, nucleophilic attack, and pyrophosphate leaving-group elimination, preceded by dNTP binding which induces a large-amplitude conformational change for Watson−Crick nascent base pairs. Ambiguity in the nature of the rate-limiting step and active-site structural differences between correct and incorrect base-paired transition states remain obstacles to understanding DNA replication fidelity. Analogues of dGTP where the β-γ bridging oxygen is replaced with fluorine-substituted methylene groups have been shown to probe the contribution of leaving-group elimination to the overall catalytic rate (Biochemistry 46, 461−471). Here, the analysis is expanded substantially to include a broad range of halogen substituents with disparate steric and electronic properties. Evaluation of linear free energy relationships for incorporation of dGTP analogues opposite either template base C or T reve...
Similarity indexing: algorithms and performance

Efficient indexing support is essential to allow content-based image and video databases using similarity-based retrieval to scale to large databases (tens of thousands up to millions of images). In this paper, we take an in depth look at this problem. One of the major difficulties in solving this problem is the high dimension (6-100) of the feature vectors that are used to represent objects. We provide an overview of the work in computational geometry on this problem and highlight the results we found are most useful in practice, including the use of approximate nearest neighbor algorithms. We also present a variant of the optimized k-d tree we call the VAM k-d tree, and provide algorithms to create an optimized R-tree we call the VAMSplit R-tree. We found that the VAMSplit R-tree provided better overall performance than all competing structures we tested for main memory and secondary memory applications. We observed large improvements in performance relative to the R*-tree and SS-tree in secondary memory applications, and modest improvements relative to optimized k-d tree variants.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Maximum likelihood estimation of length of secret message embedded using ±k steganography in spatial domain

In this paper, we propose a new method for estimating the number of embedding changes for non-adaptive ±K embedding in images. The method uses a high-pass FIR filter and then recovers an approximate message length using a Maximum Likelihood Estimator on those stego image segments where the filtered samples can be modeled using a stationary Generalized Gaussian random process. It is shown that for images with a low noise level, such as decompressed JPEG images, this method can accurately estimate the number of embedding changes even for K=1 and for embedding rates as low as 0.2 bits per pixel. Although for raw, never compressed images the message length estimate is less accurate, when used as a scalar parameter for a classifier detecting the presence of ±K steganography, the proposed method gave us relatively reliable results for embedding rates as low as 0.5 bits per pixel.
K+-induced ion-exchanges trigger trypsin activation in pancreas acinar zymogen granules.

Abstract Trypsin premature activation has been thought to be a key event in the initiation phase of acute pancreatitis. Here we test a hypothesis that a sustained increase of cytosolic Ca 2+ concentration ([Ca 2+ ] C ) can trigger K + influx into pancreas acinar zymogen granules (ZGs) via a Ca 2+ -activated K + channel (K Ca ), and this influx of K + then mobilizes bound-Ca 2+ by K + /Ca 2+ ion-exchange to increase free Ca 2+ concentration in the ZGs ([Ca 2+ ] G ) and release bound-H + by K + /H + ion-exchange to decrease the pH in ZGs (pH G ). Both the increase of [Ca 2+ ] G and the decrease of pH G will facilitate trypsinogen autoactivation and stabilize active trypsin inside ZGs that could lead to acute pancreatitis. The experimental results are consistent with our hypothesis, suggesting that K + induced ion-exchanges play a critical role in the initiation of trypsin premature activation in ZGs.
Placing the Fornax and Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Globular Clusters in the Horizontal-Branch Type versus Metallicity Diagram

We plot the globular clusters of the Fornax galaxy and those associated with the Sagittarius dwarf spheroidal galaxy in the horizontal-branch type versus metallicity diagram. The horizontal-branch types for the Fornax clusters include corrections for red horizontal-branch stars from the field and are based on our recent work and new results in the literature. Fornax globular clusters continue to stand out as having red horizontal branches for their low ([Fe/H] ~ -2) metallicities, with no counterparts in either the outer Galactic halo or the Magellanic Clouds. The clusters associated with Sagittarius lie to the blue of the Fornax clusters, except for the metal-rich cluster Ter 7. Although the metallicities of the three metal-poor Sagittarius globular clusters are similar to those of the Fornax clusters, their horizontal branches are bluer and they lie in a region also populated by the old LMC and old halo clusters. Neither cluster system resembles the younger Galactic halo globular clusters, often suggested to have been accreted from disrupted dwarf spheroidal galaxies. Except for Ter 7, both the Fornax and Sagittarius globular clusters are metal-poor compared with their Galactic counterparts of the same horizontal-branch type. We find no correlation between HB type and other cluster properties such as central concentration, luminosity, central surface brightness, and estimated collision rate.
Endoscopic treatment with stabilized nonanimal hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel is effective in vesicoureteral reflux associated with bladder dysfunction.

Purpose: Endoscopic injection of stabilized nonanimal hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel is an established treatment for vesicoureteral reflux in children. We performed a subgroup analysis to assess this treatment in reflux associated with bladder dysfunction.Materials and Methods: Of 308 consecutive children treated endoscopically with stabilized nonanimal hyaluronic acid/dextranomer gel for dilating vesicoureteral reflux 54 were observed retrospectively to have bladder dysfunction. Initial followup consisted of voiding cystourethrogram at 3 and 12 months after injection, with positive response defined as reflux grade 0 or I. At 7 to 12 years following treatment patient charts were checked for urinary tract infections and bladder dysfunction, and a followup survey (postal questionnaire) was administered.Results: A positive response to therapy (cure) was observed in 45 children (83%) after 1 to 3 endoscopic treatments. Concurrently, bladder dysfunction had resolved in 32 patients (59%). After the last stabil...
LIF-and IL-1β-mediated increases in substance P receptor mRNA in axotomized, explanted or dissociated sympathetic ganglia

Abstract Regulation of substance P receptor (SPR) mRNA examined in the rat sympathetic superior cervical ganglion (SCG) in vitro and in vivo after axotomy. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) treatment of explanted ganglia elevated levels of SPR mRNA. By contrast, dissociated cultures of purified sympathetic neurons, purified Schwann cells each expressed only low levels of SPR mRNA, and treatment with the cytokine did not alter levels of the receptor mRNA. Treatment of Schwann cell or fibroblast cultures with leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) also did not alter SPR mRNA. However, treatment of pure neuronal cultures with LIF significantly elevated levels of the receptor mRNA. Further, SPR mRNA increased in pure sympathetic neurons cultured in the presence of conditioned medium from IL-1β treated fibroblasts or Schwann cells; this effect was blocked in the presence of LIF antibody. This suggests that the stimulatory effects of IL-1β on SPR mRNA in explants is mediated by LIF release. Axotomy of the SCG in vivo resulted in a significant increase in LIF mRNA. Further, axotomy resulted in a significant increase in SPR mRNA, suggesting that LIF may mediate the increase in SPR mRNA. In view of the known effects of substance P (SP) on inflammatory responses, these observations suggest that coordinated expression of SP and SPR mRNA in neurons after nerve injury may participate in inflammatory and repair processes in the ganglion.
Energetic spanwise modes in the logarithmic layer of a turbulent boundary layer

The influence of large-scale outer-region motions on the properties and processes of the inner layer remains an open issue in wall turbulence research. In the present work, two-dimensional power spectra of the streamwise component are measured in streamwise-spanwise planes throughout the logarithmic region of smooth flat-plate turbulent boundary layers at decreases with increasing distance from the wall, suggesting that the most streaky structures remain buried near the wall.
Teaching knowledge as conversation: A philosophical hermeneutical approach to education

This article argues that educational thinking and practices based on knowledge as conversation understood from the perspective of philosophical hermeneutics will make schools more democratic institutions and education generally more sensitive to variously constructed social realities.
The Rorschach Inkblot Test: A Case of Overstatement?:

In the 1940s, inflated claims were often made regarding the Rorschach Inkblot Test. Over half a century later, overstatements regarding the test are still common. The present article identifies problems with the Rorschach regarding norms, cultural sensitivity, interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, validity, factor structure, and accessibility of supporting studies. Contrary to overstated claims made on behalf of the Rorschach, the test continues to be a highly problematic instrument from a psychometric standpoint.
Experimental Force Characterization and Numerical Modeling of a Taut-Moored Dual-Body Wave Energy Conversion System

This paper presents an innovative modeling technique that combines experimental force measurements from a full scale linear generator with a coupled model of a two body, moored floating system to investigate the performance of a wave energy conversion system. An experiment was conducted using the Oregon State University’s wave energy linear test bed to characterize the frictional and electromagnetic forces generated by the SeaBeavI linear generator. These force characteristics have been incorporated into a coupled model using a numerical fluid-structure interaction model, OrcaFlex, to predict the energy extraction potential of the system.
Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases II and IV both promote survival but differ in their effects on axon growth in spiral ganglion neurons.

Spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) survival in vitro can be maintained by neurotrophins, permeant cAMP analogs, and depolarization in an additive manner, with depolarization being the most efficacious. Therefore, we used cultured SGNs to determine the mechanism by which depolarization promotes neuronal survival. Our data implicate Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CaMK) activity by showing that it is induced by depolarization, that CaMK activity is necessary for at least part of the survival-promoting effect of depolarization, and that CaMKII or CamKIV activity suffices to support neuronal survival in the absence of other trophic stimuli. First, that depolarization of SGNs activates CaMKs is evidenced by observation of increased CaMKII phosphorylation and of CaMK-dependent CREB phosphorylation. Second, the requirement for CaMKs is shown by a reduction of SGN survival under depolarizing conditions in the presence of CaMK inhibitors. Third, transfection of COOH-terminal-truncated (lacking regulatory domain), constitutively active CaMKII or CaMKIV, but not of normal, full-length CAMKs, promotes SGN survival in the absence of other trophic stimuli, indicating that CaMK activity is sufficient to promote survival. The survival-promoting effect of truncated CaMKs is additive with that of depolarization, neurotrophins, or cyclic AMP. Although both CaMKII and CaMKIV activities converge in promoting survival, their actions on axon growth are markedly different: Transfection of truncated CaMKII, but not of truncated CaMKIV, into SGNs prevents axon outgrowth.
Designing and implementing packages of essential health services

Since the publication of The 1993 World Development Report (WDR), a substantial amount of interest has been generated in the package of essential health services (PEHS) proposed within the Report. This study reviewed 18 package building exercises to answer key questions on feasibility, methods and short-term benefits of such packaging. It was found possible to design a PEHS in the developing world with methods consuming fewer resources, yet still remain within WDR recommended guidelines. Designing the PEHS produces significant benefits to policy dialogue through the introduction of cost and effectiveness considerations in priority setting, but it is still too early to judge its effect on reallocation of resources and on health status.
Purification and physicochemical properties of the pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG).

A highly purified preparation of PMSG has been obtained from fresh serum and from a commercial preparation. Carbohydrate and amino acid compositions have been determined. The carbohydrate content of PMSG is 46.7% and the molecule is rich in Sialic Acid (13.5%). The apparent molecular weight of PMSG has been determined by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A molecular weight of 53,000 has been found for the unreduced and unalkylated molecule. After reduction and alkylation, the molecular weight fell to 23,000. From these values it has been concluded that PMSG is an oligomeric molecule composed of two subunits. (Endocrinology 91: 101, 1972)
Stochastic Model of Insect Phenology: Estimation and Testing

A biologically based phenology model is described for use in integrated pest management. The model predicts the proportion of insects in a population in various stages of development as a stochastic function of accumulated degree-days. The model is based on a logistic probability distribution with mean and variance changing through time. Maximum likelihood parameters of the estimates are easily computed with nonlinear regression packages. Appropriate statistical tests are presented for comparing models. Results should be useful to researchers and biological modelers who describe insect or plant phenology.
Magnetic Remanence in Cu(Mn) Alloys

An experimental investigation of the saturated magnetic remanence in dilute Cu(Mn) alloys ranging from 0.47 to 10.0 at.% Mn has been carried out in the temperature range 0.6\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 40\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. At low temperatures the remanence has a temperature dependence resembling that of a paramagnetic material in a constant magnetic field ${\mathrm{H}}_{0}$. Domain sizes derived from the estimated remanence at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K are larger than expected from the assumption that domain boundaries coincide with nearest neighbor Mn pairs. At higher temperatures the effective magnetic field ${H}_{T}$ is defined on the basis of the deviation of the remanence from the constant-field curve. For the smaller concentrations the temperature dependence of $\frac{{H}_{T}}{{H}_{0}}$ appears intermediate between ${[1\ensuremath{-}{(\frac{T}{{T}_{c}})}^{2}]}^{\frac{1}{2}}$ and [$1\ensuremath{-}{(\frac{T}{{T}_{c}})}^{2}$]. The ratio $\frac{{H}_{0}}{{T}_{c}}$ is approximately the same for all concentrations.
The Prebiotic Synthesis of Ethylenediamine Monoacetic Acid, The Repeating Unit of Peptide Nucleic Acids

The polymerization of ribonucleic acids or their precursors constitutes an important event in prebiotic chemistry. The various problems using ribonucleotides to make RNA suggest that there may have been a precursor. An attractive possibility are the peptide nucleic acids (PNA). PNAs are nucleotide analogs that make use of a polymer of ethylenediamine monoacetic acid (EDMA or 2-amninoethyl glycine) with the bases attached by an acetic acid. EDMA is an especially attractive alternative to the ribose phosphate or deoxyribose phosphate backbone because it contains no chiral centers and is potentially prebiotic, but there is no reported prebiotic synthesis. We have synthesized both EDMA and ethylenediamine diacetic acid (EDDA) from the prebiotic compounds ethylenediamine, formaldehyde, and hydrogen cyanide. The yields of EDMA range from 11 to 79% along with some sEDDA and uEDDA. These reactions work with concentrations of 10(exp -1)M and as low as 10(exp -4)M, and the reaction is likely to be effective at even lower concentrations. Ethylenediamine is a likely prebiotic compound, but it has not yet been demonstrated, although compounds such as ethanolamine and cysteamine have been proven to be prebiotic. Under neutral pH and heating at l00 C, EDMA is converted to the lactam, monoketopiperazine (MKP). The cyclization occurs and has an approximate ratio of MKP/EDMA = 3 at equilibrium. We have measured the solubilities of EDMA center dot H20 as 6.4 m, EDMA center dot HCl center dot H20 as 13.7 m, and EDMA center dot 2HCl center dot H20 as 3.4 m. These syntheses together with the high solubility of EDMA suggest that EDMA would concentrate in drying lagoons and might efficiently form polymers. Given the instability of ribose and the poor polymerizability of nucleotides, the prebiotic presence of EDMA and the possibility of its polymerization raises the possibility that PNAs are the progenitors of present day nucleic acids. A pre-RNA world may have existed in which PNAs or polymers with related peptide backbones were the dominant information macromolecules.
The molecular weight of polyaniline by light scattering and gel permeation chromatography

Abstract Polyaniline base in the emeraldine oxidation state displays strong absorption between 450 and 800 nm which precludes its use at these wavelengths for light scattering (LS) measurements. Therefore, as-synthesized polyaniline in the emeraldine base form was first reduced with hydrazine to polyaniline in the almost colorless leucoemeraldine oxidation state. Absolute weight average and number average molecular weights and polydispersity of the leucoemeraldine base by LS measurements were found to be 25 200, 11 560 and 2.18, respectively. However, the relative weight average molecular weight obtained by gel permeation chromatography of the emeraldine base, used to synthesize the leucoemeraldine base, was found to be ≈52 000 and that of emeraldine base obtained by the air oxidation of the above leucoemeraldine base was ≈36 800. Thus, subjecting emeraldine base to a cycle consisting of reduction with hydrazine followed by air oxidation results in significant chain scission and, hence, in a reduction of molecular weight. It is concluded that a lower limit of the number of ring-nitrogen units per polymer chain in the as-synthesized emeraldine base is 128.
Studies on the role of bacteriophage T7 lysozyme during phage infection

Abstract Bacteriophage T7 lysozyme is not required for lysis of the host but instead is involved in DNA metabolism after infection. The lysozyme apparently causes release of host DNA from its membrane complex, but this release is not needed for efficient degradation of host DNA. Therefore, the effects of lysozyme deficiency on DNA synthesis cannot be explained as a reduction in the availability of precursors. T7 lysozyme also causes release of newly made T7 DNA (or phage particles) from the membrane and this may be its primary role in T7 infection
Balakrishnan's white noise model versus the Wiener process model

The problem of how to model a physical system which is subject to random disturbance has been the subject of much debate. In the continuous-time case, attempts to construct models which employ the formal concept of white noise as inputs or forcing terms have encountered difficulties. One formalism which has been advocated for dealing with this situation is the Ito stochastic calculus. In this paper, an example is considered in which the Ito formalism appears to be lacking in merit when the issue of performing actual numerical computation is introduced. There is described an alternative formalism, called the Balakrishnan white noise model, which is claimed to exhibit more merit in the given example.