cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A situational awareness framework for securing the smart grid using monitoring sensors and threat models

Security, access control and risk mitigation in the smart grid are matters of great impact for this important sector of the critical infrastructure. Situational awareness requires a means of aggregating information and presenting that information in a manner conducive to assessing risk. While major components of the electric power grid were traditionally deployed in physically isolated networks, they are now utilising IP-based, open, interconnected networks to transmit and manage the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) messages. Unfortunately, SCADA protocols used for communications and the systems that implement those protocols were not originally designed with security in mind. Therefore, in order to enhance security and detect potential malicious behaviour, smart grid operators need detailed and accurate information about the status, integrity, configuration and network topology of SCADA devices as well as information about any threats that may impact the grid. This paper describes a comprehensive framework that provides situational awareness (SA) for SCADA devices and their operations in a smart grid environment. Situational awareness is achieved by processing information collected by monitoring sensors and understanding threats that may affect operations. The proposed framework employs a threat modelling methodology to support this mission.
Public health or political health

2208 www.thelancet.com Vol 383 June 28, 2014 announcement, India had mandated that any Indian citizen travelling from a polio affected country needed to have this documentation (non-Indian citizens are exempt), a decision now supported by WHO. This new WHO recommendation is likely to have minimal eff ects on preventing the spread of polio for a number of reasons: much crossborder traffi c between listed countries (such as between Pakistan and India) is undocumented—International Certificates have no meaning for those illegally crossing the borders; certifi cates will need to be checked on entry, because qualifi ed staff are not in-place; and a cottage industry of selling fake documents is likely to develop. Pakistan has done a good job of immunising its citizens and controlling the spread of polio, especially given the political situation, and should not be punished because of factors over which it has limited control. The refusal of tribal groups in Waziristan to participate in immunisation campaigns and the opposition of the Taliban, both of which have led to the killing of more than 20 vaccinators and security personnel, have placed understandable limits on Pakistan’s programme. It is time for the public health community to move beyond country borders in the overall control of infectious diseases.
APC is a component of an organizing template for cortical microtubule networks

A microtubule network on the basal cortex of polarized epithelial cells consists of non-centrosomal microtubules of mixed polarity. Here, we investigate the proteins that are involved in organizing this network, and we show that end-binding protein 1 (EB1), adenomatous polyposis coli protein (APC) and p150Glued — although considered to be microtubule plus-end-binding proteins — are localized along the entire length of microtubules within the network, and at T-junctions between microtubules. The network shows microtubule behaviours that arise from physical interactions between microtubules, including microtubule plus-end stabilization on the sides of other microtubules, and sliding of microtubule ends along other microtubules. APC also localizes to the basal cortex. Microtubules grew over and paused at APC puncta; an in vitro reconstituted microtubule network overlaid APC puncta; and microtubule network reconstitution was inhibited by function-blocking APC antibodies. Thus, APC is a component of a cortical template that guides microtubule network formation.
Shock-Refracted Acoustic Wave Model for Screech Amplitude in Supersonic Jets

A physical model is proposed for the estimation of the screech amplitude in underexpanded supersonic jets. The model is based on the hypothesis that the interaction of a plane acoustic wave with stationary shock waves provides amplification of the transmitted acoustic wave upon traversing the shock. Powell's discrete source model for screech incorporating a stationary array of acoustic monopoles is extended to accommodate variable source strength. The proposed model reveals that the acoustic sources are of increasing strength with downstream distance. It is shown that the screech amplitude increases with the fully expanded jet Mach number. Comparisons of predicted screech amplitude with available test data show satisfactory agreement. The effect of variable source strength on the directivity of the fundamental (first harmonic, lowest frequency mode) and the second harmonic (overtone) is found to be unimportant with regard to the principal lobe (main or major lobe) of considerable relative strength, and is appreciable only in the secondary or minor lobes (of relatively weaker strength).
Cognitive strategies in the control of pain tolerance

Abstract An experiment that tested the role of cognitive strategies in the control of laboratory-induced pain is described. Each of seventy volunteers immersed one hand in ice water in order to establish a pretest pain threshold. In a second session, they were instructed to use one of the following strategies for dealing with the pain: reversal of affect, rationalization, irrelevant thinking, or no strategy. The pretest-posttest difference in amount of time the hand was immersed was the dependent variable. The reversal and rationalization strategies were the most effective. It was also found that having the subject read strategy-relevant statements while the hand was in the ice water reduced the effectiveness of the strategy. Results are discussed in terms of the usefulness of cognitive coping for psychological stress.
Phase studies of high-niobium-content NbZrO alloys☆

Abstract The mechanism of oxygen addition to the niobium-zirconium alloys from 1 to 15 at.% zirconium has been studied in the temperature range 1000°–1200°C. The oxygen solubility was found to be less than 180 p.p.m. As the solubility limit was exceeded, either oxygen-saturated α-Zr or ZrO 2 precipitated, depending on the temperature and zirconium content.
GCAR: A Group Composite Alternatives Recommender Based on Multi-criteria Optimization and Voting

This paper proposes a Group Composite Alternatives Recommender (GCAR) framework, which provides recommendations on dynamically defined composite bundles of products and services. This framework is based on: (1) defining the space of alternatives, (2) eliciting the utility function for each individual decision maker, (3) estimating the group utility function, (4) using the group utility function to find an optimal recommendation alternative, (5) constructing a set of diverse recommendations which contains the optimal recommendation alternative, and (6) applying the Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) method, from social choice theories, to refine the recommendations. A preliminary experimental study is conducted which shows that the proposed framework significantly outperforms three popular aggregation strategies normally used for group recommendations.
Developing a Test Data Set for Electric Vehicle Applications in Smart Grid Research

We analyze a detailed set of driving traces for 536 GPS-equipped taxi vehicles and combine them with the features of four different plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) brands that currently dominate the North American market in order to develop a test data set for PHEV-related research in the field of smart grid. Our developed data set is made available to public in [1]. It consists of various information, including but not limited to per-PHEV traces of state-of-charges (SoCs), per-PHEV traces of charging loads at different carefully identified charging stations, per-PHEV information on SoC and charging deadline when the PHEV is parked at a charging station, and some information about the potential of PHEVs for vehicle-to-grid applications.
Novel sources of descending input to the spinal cord of the hatchling chick

Nuclear groups contributing supraspinal input to the spinal cord of the hatchling chick (Gallus domesticus) were determined by using the enzyme tracer horseradish peroxidase processed with tetramethylbenzidine histochemistry. Five sources of projections to the spinal cord were found which have not been previously described in any species. All are probably related to autonomic function. They include ipsilateral hypothalamic projections from the lateral mamillary n., suprachiasmatic n., and n. of the lateral tubercle. There is a bilateral projection from the large interstitial cells of the mesencephalic posterior commissure, and in the myelencephalon, a mainly contralateral projection from interstitial cells of the vagus-glossopharyngeal nerve. Two other projections observed here have not been described in other avian species, one from the accessory vestibular n., the other, from the n. ambiguus. In the cerebellum, projections arise from the main and ventrolateral divisions of the fastigial n., and from “border cells” between the fastigial and interpositus n. The large-celled submedial vestibular n. projects bilaterally. Several projections previously described only in the pigeon, were confirmed here: the hypothalamic nucleus over the supramammilary decussation, the n. intercollicularis, the tangential n., and the n. alatus, a cell group between the hypoglossal and vagal nuclei. Four sources of input projected only as far as mid-cervical cord. These are n. intercollicularis, fastigial n., accessory vestibular n., and tangential n. All remaining projections reached to lower lumbosacral cord. Sources of descending input are remarkably similar in mammals and avians. Where homologous nuclei exist, virtually identical projections to the cord are present.
Candidemia in a Pediatric Population

Candidemia results in a mortality of > 50% among adults, but data on children with candidemia are limited. We reviewed 70 episodes of pediatric candidemia that occurred between January 1988 and October 1992. Of these episodes, 53% were caused by Candida albicans, 24% were caused by Candida parapsilosis, 16% were caused by Candida tropicalis, and 3% were caused by Candida krusei. Twenty-five percent of the patients were premature infants. Other underlying conditions included malignancy (15%); cardiac disease (14%); and short-gut syndrome (14%). A central venous catheter was in place during 61 (87%) of 70 episodes. Candiduria preceded candidemia in only 4 (8%) of 52 patients. The overall mortality rate was 19%; 36% of those with intravenous catheters that were not removed within 3 days died, whereas none of the patients from whom catheters were removed within 3 days died (P 2 months of age; 14 had candidemia for < or = 2 days; and 15 had an intravenous catheter removed within 2 days of the onset of candidemia. No patient stopped receiving amphotericin B because of side effects. The results of this study suggest the following: that mortality associated with candidemia is lower among children than among adults; that failure to remove the indwelling intravenous catheter usually results in a poor outcome; that candiduria rarely precedes candidemia in children; and that amphotericin B is well tolerated by children.
Respiratory sensations evoked by activation of bronchopulmonary C-fibers.

C-fibers represent the majority of vagal afferents innervating the airways and lung, and can be activated by inhaled chemical irritants and certain endogenous substances. Stimulation of bronchopulmonary C-fibers with selective chemical activators by either inhalation or intravenous injection evokes irritation, burning and choking sensations in the throat, neck and upper chest (mid-sternum region) in healthy human subjects. These irritating sensations are often accompanied by bouts of coughs either during inhalation challenge or when a higher dose of the chemical activator is administered by intravenous injection. Dyspnea and breathless sensation are not always evoked when these afferents are activated by different types of chemical stimulants. This variability probably reflects the chemical nature of the stimulants, as well as the possibility that different subtypes of C-fibers encoded by different receptor proteins are activated. These respiratory sensations and reflex responses (e.g., cough) are believed to play an important role in protecting the lung against inhaled irritants and preventing overexertion under unusual physiological stresses (e.g., during strenuous exercise) in healthy individuals. More importantly, recent studies have revealed that the sensitivity of bronchopulmonary C-fibers can be markedly elevated in acute and chronic airway inflammatory diseases, probably caused by a sensitizing effect of certain endogenously released inflammatory mediators (e.g., prostaglandin E2) that act directly or indirectly on specific ion channels expressed on the sensory terminals. Normal physiological actions such as an increase in tidal volume (e.g., during mild exercise) can then activate these C-fiber afferents, and consequently may contribute, in part, to the lingering respiratory discomforts and other debilitating symptoms in patients with lung diseases.
Molecular regulation of eating behavior: new insights and prospects for therapeutic strategies

Obesity is highly prevalent in industralized countries and is increasing worldwide. It is also a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease and certain cancers. An understanding of the regulation of eating behavior is pertinent to obesity, as the latter results from an imbalance between food consumption and energy expenditure. Leptin and other hormones regulate feeding and energy balance by modulating the expression of neuropeptides in the brain. Major efforts are underway to determine whether the peripheral and central pathways involved in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance could be targeted for the treatment of obesity.
Substance use clusters in a college sample: A multitheoretical approach

Substance use factors were examined and cross-validated in a cluster analytic approach in two independent samples of college students: N = 291 and N = 602. Reported frequency, intensity, and amount of substance use were examined for beer, hard liquor, marijuana, amphetamines, barbiturates, psychedelics, cocaine, and heroin. Variables were reduced using Principal Components Analysis (PCA) to form four substance use composites. Composite scores were entered into two different methods of cluster analysis that each identified four distinct clusters of substance use groups. External validity was obtained by showing that these four groups differed on a set of relevant variables. The four groups served as levels of the independent variable, substance use type, in four MANOVAs examining group differences on peer and family influence, psychosocial functioning, habit acquisition, and self-efficacy. Findings indicate that as frequency and intensity of substance use increased, individuals reported more problems in living, although a causal direction cannot be established. The findings are of potential value in early identification, prevention, and education regarding substance use among college populations.
Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in a Young Homosexual Male with Acquired Immunodeficiency

A case is reported of histopathologically documented CMV retinitis. It is part of a recently appreciated syndrome in young homosexual men, in which cellular immune deficiency has been documented and in which CMV infection may play a role. This case demonstrates that CMV retinitis is not excluded by negative CMV serology or cultures.
Meeting the challenges of STEM education: teaching modeling and simulation with real-world applications

There is a dire situation among American students in the public schools due to a lack of proficiency in science, technical, engineering, and mathematical (STEM) subjects. Interestingly, that lack of aptitude is now penetrating industry (research and development) and the workforce. This crisis is being addressed by many in the government and in the academic community who seek to meet STEM education challenges. This research meets the challenge via the development of a high school course that is grounded in STEM disciplines, engages real-world case studies that students can identify, and provides an introduction to an innovative field of study, Modeling and Simulation (M&S). The paper provides the framework 1) to design a 1/2-year high school level course on M&S using System Dynamics and Game Theory modeling paradigms applied to real-world case studies and 2) to develop needed materials to teach the teachers their new course.
The effects of improved glycemic control on complications in type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes is 8 to 10 times more common than type 1 diabetes, but no single large trial has established that improved glycemic control can prevent complications in type 2 diabetes. We have reviewed the results of the existing epidemiologic and clinical trial studies and have arrived at the following conclusions: (1) Strong evidence exists that improved glycemic control is effective at lessening the risks of retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy in type 2 diabetes. (2) The evidence about the effect on coronary heart disease is limited and equivocal. (3) The hypoglycemic risk from improved glycemic control is significantly less in type 2 diabetes than in type 1, and weight gain seems to be modest. In conclusion, although glycemic goals should be individualized based on several clinical factors, most patients with type 2 diabetes would probably benefit from glucose lowering to a hemoglobin A 1c level between 7% and 8%.
Perceived Quality and Predicted Price: Use of the Minimum Information Environment in Evaluating Apparel

Consumers. use many cues in forming perceptions ofprice and quality of apparel. The environment in which a cue is presented has been shown to be influential in its interpretation. The concept of the minimum information environment (MIE) is introduced and investigated. The MIE for apparel includes legally required labeling information, vendor name, and brand name. Subjects (40 female junior and senior Retail and Textiles and Clothing majors, enrolled in an apparel course at a midwestern university) evaluated quality and estimated the price for four identical sweaters on which the MIE had been manipulated. A direct, positive relationship between price and quality (p < .0001) was found with store type/prestige (p < .0280) and fiber content (p <.0001) appearing to influence predicted price primarily through effects on the perception of quality. No effects due to country of origin and care requirements could be detected on either predicted price or perception of quality.
Specifications for automated license plate reading equipment for transportation planning

Recent technological advances in computer hardware, software, and image processing have led to the development of an automated license plate reader (ALPR). This equipment was developed primarily for enforcement and security applications, such as monitoring parking garages or border crossings. Because license plate data are used in several transportation planning studies, ALPRs have the potential to increase the quality and efficiency of many typical activities of transportation planning agencies. The key performance attributes of an ALPR with respect to the specific needs of transportation planning are determined. The following general needs are investigated: (a) the specific license plate data requirements of transportation planning studies; (b) the effect of the equipment on traffic operations and safety; and (c) special equipment characteristics required because of the temporary nature of transportation planning and the constraints of transportation planning agencies. In addition, an existing ALPR was tested in situations likely to be encountered in transportation planning applications. Technical specifications for an ALPR for transportation planning are developed. These specifications can be used to provide motivation and direction for the future development of an ALPR for transportation planning. Finally, the technical challenges to developing the ALPR are discussed.
Fertility and Motility of Bovine Spermatozoa in Buffered Whole Egg Extenders

Summary By means of the split sample technique, comparisons were made between the standard 2.9 and 3.6 per cent citrate-sulfanilamide-yolk extenders and whole egg extenders composed of three parts of either a 1.9 or a 2.9 per cent citrate buffer, containing 400 mg. per cent of succinylsulfathiazole and one part of blended liquid whole egg (yolk + albumen). On the basis of approximately 11,000 first- and second-service cows inseminated artificially with each of these two types of extenders, the 60- to 90-day non-returns averaged 62.3 per cent for the citrate-sulfanilamide-yolk formulae and 61.6 per cent for the citrate-succinylsulfathiazole-whole egg formulae. Spermatozoan motility was satisfactory in both types of extenders.
734-3 The Safety of Intracoronary Ultrasound: Data from a Multicenter European Registry

The clinical use of intracoronary ultrasound (ICUS) is growing, serving as a useful adjuvant to contrast angiography, and providing additional information to assist with catheter based interventions. Despite the increasing use of this technique, it remains an invasive procedure which the safety has not been definitively established. Data was collected from multiple European centers performing intracoronary ultrasound examinations under the auspices of the Subgroup on Intravascular Ultrasound of the Working Group on Echocardiography of the European Society of Cardiology. Information was obtained about the number of exams performed, complications related to imaging, patient's age and CAD risk factors, indication for exam, concomitant procedures performed, catheter size and location, and any adverse clinical consequences related to ICUS imaging. Twelve centers (mean 59 patients, range 3–140) submitted information about their experience with ICUS. A total of eight (1.1%) complications were reported in a total of 718 examinations. All complications occurred during ICUS exams in patients with atherosclerotic coronary disease with a diagnosis of unstable or stable angina who underwent PTCA. Four cases of transient vessel spasm were seen, all of which resolved after administration of nitroglycerin. Two cases of vessel dissection were noted when imaging after PTCA, and thought to be “possibly” related to the ultrasound catheter. Two cases of guidewire entrapment after distal advancement of the transducer were reported, requiring the catheter and guidewire to be withdrawn. No adverse clinical consequences due to ICUS imaging were reported. There was no difference in frequency of complications between centers assessed by Chi square (p = 0.232). Conclusion Intracoronary ultrasound examinations can be performed safely with a very low rate of acute complications.
Botulinum toxin blocks quantal but not non-quantal release of ACh at the neuromuscular junction

Abstract Botulinum (BOT) toxin is known to block quantal acetylcholine (ACh) release at the neuromuscular junction but little is known about its effect on non-quantal ACh release. We have examined the effect of BOT on non-quantal ACh release directly using a variant of the electrophysiological technique described by Katz and Miledi6. This method is based on the observation that non-quantally released ACh results in a small, continual depolarization of the postsynaptic membrane, after inhibition of cholinesterase. This depolarization can be revealed by suddenly blocking ACh receptors with a pulse of curare, resulting in an abrupt hyperpolarization, the amplitude of which is presumed to be proportional to the rate of non-quantal ACh release. BOT treatment resulted in a marked decrease in quantal ACh release as shown by miniature endplate potential (m.e.p.p.) frequencies (control 0.65 ± 0.33m.e.p.p.s/s; BOT0.03 ± 0.03m.e.p.p.s/s). However, non-quantal ACh release measured by the curare induced hyperpolarization, was not significantly different in control and BOT treated diaphragms (control 1.01 ± 0.09mV; BOT1.03 ± 0.11mV). Our results show that BOT does not block non-quantal ACh release at a time when it has a profound effect on spontaneous quantal ACh release. This suggests that quantal and non-quantal ACh release take place through different release mechanisms.
An Embodied Approach for Evolving Robust Visual Classifiers

Despite recent demonstrations that deep learning methods can successfully recognize and categorize objects using high dimensional visual input, other recent work has shown that these methods can fail when presented with novel input. However, a robot that is free to interact with objects should be able to reduce spurious differences between objects belonging to the same class through motion and thus reduce the likelihood of overfitting. Here we demonstrate a robot that achieves more robust categorization when it evolves to use proprioceptive sensors and is then trained to rely increasingly on vision, compared to a similar robot that is trained to categorize only with visual sensors. This work thus suggests that embodied methods may help scaffold the eventual achievement of robust visual classification.
Building a genome analysis pipeline to predict disease risk and prevent disease.

Reduced costs and increased speed and accuracy of sequencing can bring the genome-based evaluation of individual disease risk to the bedside. While past efforts have identified a number of actionable mutations, the bulk of genetic risk remains hidden in sequence data. The biggest challenge facing genomic medicine today is the development of new techniques to predict the specifics of a given human phenome (set of all expressed phenotypes) encoded by each individual variome (full set of genome variants) in the context of the given environment. Numerous tools exist for the computational identification of the functional effects of a single variant. However, the pipelines taking advantage of full genomic, exomic, transcriptomic (and other) sequences have only recently become a reality. This review looks at the building of methodologies for predicting “variome”-defined disease risk. It also discusses some of the challenges for incorporating such a pipeline into everyday medical practice.
COPPER CONTENT OF HAIR AND NAILS OF NORMAL INDIVIDUALS AND OF PATIENTS WITH HEPATOLENTICULAR DEGENERATION.

Copper Content of Hair and Nails of Normal Individuals and of Patients with Hepatolenticular Degeneration
An evaluation of the self-determined probability-weighted moment method for estimating extreme wind speeds

For the estimation of probability distribution parameters, the method of self-determined probability-weighted moments (SD-PWM) has previously been introduced as a refinement on the original method of probability-weighted moments (PWM). Tables have been created summarizing the solution of the relevant equations for certain probability distributions, but application of these is awkward. In addition, certain associated algorithms are difficult to interpret and contain formulations that do not appear to properly enforce the definitions of self-determined probability-weighted moments. Therefore, new algorithms have been developed to both clarify and simplify the determination of SD-PWM parameter estimates. As an application of the SD-PWM algorithms, the estimation of extreme wind speeds is considered using the Gumbel and generalized extreme value (GEV) distributions. The estimation results are compared to similar results obtained via PWM, the method of moments and the maximum likelihood method. The analyses suggest SD-PWM may be a reasonable tool for analyzing the ability of a particular distribution to describe a sample. Relative to the method of moments and PWM estimates, the SD-PWM estimates compare well based on fits of the cumulative distributions. While the SD-PWM estimates exhibit increased variability relative to the method of moment (MOM) estimates, SD-PWM wind speed estimates are generally conservative relative to the MOM estimates.
Detection and identification of faulty sensors in dynamic processes

A novel method proposed detects and identifies faulty sensors in dynamic systems using a subspace identification model. A consistent estimate of this subspace model was obtained from noisy input and output measurements by using errors-in-variables subspace identification algorithms. A parity vector was generated, which was decoupled from the system state, leading to a model residual for fault detection. An exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) filter was applied to the residual to reduce false alarms due to noise. To identify faulty sensors, a dynamic structured residual approach with maximized sensitivity is proposed which generates a set of structured residuals, each decoupled from one subset of faults but most sensitive to others. All the structured residuals are also subject to an EWMA filtering to reduce the noise effect. Confidence limits for filtered structured residuals were determined using statistical inferential techniques. Other indices like generalized likelihood ratio and cumulative variance were compared to identify different types of faulty sensors. The fault magnitude was then estimated based on the model and faulty data. Data from a simulated 4 × 4 process and an industrial waste-water reactor were used to test the effectiveness of this method, where four types of sensor faults, including bias, precision degradation, drift, and complete failure, were tested.
Genetic variation in resistance of the preimplantation bovine embryo to heat shock

Reproduction is among the physiological functions in mammals most susceptible to disruption by hyperthermia. Many of the effects of heat stress on function of the oocyte and embryo involve direct effects of elevated temperature (i.e. heat shock) on cellular function. Mammals limit the effects of heat shock by tightly regulating body temperature. This ability is genetically controlled: lines of domestic animals have been developed with superior ability to regulate body temperature during heat stress. Through experimentation in cattle, it is also evident that there is genetic variation in the resistance of cells to the deleterious effects of elevated temperature. Several breeds that were developed in hot climates, including Bos indicus (Brahman, Gir, Nelore and Sahiwal) and Bos taurus (Romosinuano and Senepol) are more resistant to the effects of elevated temperature on cellular function than breeds that evolved in cooler climates (Angus, Holstein and Jersey). Genetic differences are expressed in the preimplantation embryo by Day 4-5 of development (after embryonic genome activation). It is not clear whether genetic differences are expressed in cells in which transcription is repressed (oocytes >100 µm in diameter or embryos at stages before embryonic genome activation). The molecular basis for cellular thermotolerance has also not been established, although there is some suggestion for involvement of heat shock protein 90 and the insulin-like growth factor 1 system. Given the availability of genomic tools for genetic selection, identification of genes controlling cellular resistance to elevated temperature could be followed by progress in selection for those genes within the populations in which they exist. It could also be possible to introduce genes from thermotolerant breeds into thermally sensitive breeds. The ability to edit the genome makes it possible to design new genes that confer protection of cells from stresses like heat shock.
Using the Dempster-Shafer reasoning model to perform pixel-level segmentation on color images

Dempster-Shafer's theory of evidence is a generalization of Bayes reasoning that allows multiple information sources with varying levels of belief to contribute to probabilistic decisions. We present an algorithm that performs pixel-level segmentation based upon the Dempster-Shafer theory of evidence. The algorithm fuses image data from the multichannels of color spectra. Dempster-Shafer reasoning is used to drive the evidence accumulation process for pixel level segmentation of color scenes. Experiments are presented that use spectral information from the RGB and HSI color models to segment a color image with Dempster-Shafer reasoning. These experiments begin to point out the utility and pitfalls of using Dempster-Shafer reasoning for segmenting color images.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The relationships among racial identity, self-esteem, sociodemographics, and health-promoting lifestyles.

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between racial identity, self-esteem, sociodemographic factors, and health-promoting lifestyles in a sample of African Americans. African American mortality rates are disproportionately high. These rates are associated with health behaviors that are driven by many factors including lifestyle practices. Other factors may be self-esteem and racial identity. Research shows gender differences in health behaviors, but no studies have explored a racial identity and gender interaction. Exploring these relationships may lead to the improved health status of African Americans. A convenience sample of 224 was recruited consisting of 48% males (n = 108). The mean age was 37.2 years (SD = 12.6). Regression analyses demonstrated that the internalization racial identity stage (beta = .12; p < .001) and self-esteem (beta = .50; p < .001) contributed to the variance in health-promoting lifestyles. Self-esteem did not mediate the relationship between immersion and health-promoting lifestyle scores (beta = -.16; p = .03). The full model Beta values show that racial identity remains significant with sociodemographics and interactions controlled, but moderators do not. Racial identity, while not a strong predictor, has some impact on health-promoting lifestyles regardless of sociodemographics.
An in vitro bioassay of cyanoacrylate cytotoxicity

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to compare the relative cytotoxic effects of methyl 2-cyanoacrylate, isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate, and n-octyl 2 cyanoacrylate. Filter paper disks were saturated with these monomers and placed on monolayers of L-929 fibroblasts. Plates containing the cells and disks were incubated and observed at various intervals. zones of cytotoxicity appeared first around the methyl-saturated disks. The cytotoxic response was greatest to the methyl-saturated disks and less severe to the isobutyl and octyl disks. This is in agreement with previous in vivo investigations.
What Matters Most in Inclusive Education: A Practical Guide for Moving Forward

Structuring learning environments to promote the inclusion of learners with disabilities is an important responsibility that educators in general and special education share. The physical placement...
Dynamical polarization in pionic atoms

Dynamical nuclear polarization occurs in pionic atoms when a nuclear excitation of appropriate multipolarity is nearly degenerate with de-excitation of a pion atomic level. This phenomenon has been studied in several nuclei, one goal being to test the pion optical potential for pion atomic states normally ''hidden'' because of pion absorption. We find that, in addition to Coulomb mixing of the atomic and nuclear levels, strong interaction mixing and nuclear excitations above the lowest collective quadrupole mode are important for understanding the experimental results. All cases except 110Pd can then be understood. For 110Pd, additional nuclear structure information is needed to determine whether or not the conventional pion optical potential will suffice again. We discuss the sensitivity of dynamical polarization measurements to the parameters of the optical potential and to various aspects of nuclear structure. In particular, we find that pionic 150Sm provides a test of the interacting boson model and that the difference in neutron and proton radii predicted by Hartree-Fock calculations affects the mixing appreciably.
Do Impalpable Stage T1c Prostate Cancers Visible on Ultrasound Differ From Those Not Visible

ABSTRACTPurpose: We assessed whether the appearance of cancer within the prostate on sonography is associated with different pathological features and/or prognoses compared with nonvisible impalpable cancers defined as stage T1c by the TNM staging system.Materials and Methods: We analyzed the clinical and pathological features, and progression rate in 323 patients with clinical stage T1cNX M0 cancer treated with radical prostatectomy between 1983 and 1998. Mean followup was 46.8 months (range 1 to 186).Results: Of 323 impalpable stage T1c cancers 170 (53%) were visible and the remainder was not visible on ultrasound. There were no significant differences in clinical or pathological features of the cancers in these 2 groups. The prostate specific antigen nonprogression rate at 5 years was also similar for patients with impalpable cancer regardless of whether the lesion was or was not revealed by ultrasound (mean ± SE 87% ± 6% and 91% ± 6%, respectively, p = 0.3767). Of the 170 visible cancers 55 patients h...
Composition of gum turpentines of pines. XXI. A report on pinus quadrifolia from Southern California, pinus lumholtzii from Durango, Mexico, and Pinus caribaea from Nicaragua

Pinus quadrifolia Pad. is called Parry pinyon. According to some botanists (6) it is one of the three varieties of P. cembroides. It grows in dry, almost desert, localities of Southern California and of the northern part of Lower California, Mexico. When it comes in contact with the other pinyon pines, apparently it crosses with these, as intermediate forms between P. cembroides and other pinyons are quite common. The oleoresin sample of this pine was obtained in August, 1952, with the assistance of officers of the San Bernardino National Forest, about four miles east of Anza, Riverside County, California, at an elevation of about 4,000 feet.
Commentary on “Study of assorted interactions of an ionic liquid in significant solvent systems using compensated equation of fuoss conductance and vibrational mode”

Several computational errors in the paper are pointed out pertaining to the calculation of Gibbs energy from the measured overall pairing association constant. The calculation of ionic limiting molar conductances is discussed based on the tetrabutylammonium tetraphenylboride reference electrolyte method.
Experiments on the Hofmeister series in heart muscle

The distinct effects which anions have on the automaticity of the heart may be used as a demonstration of the validity of theHofmeister series in living cells.
Differences between adolescents and young adults at presentation to an eating disorders program

Abstract Objective: To describe differences between adolescents and adults in clinical presentation of eating disorders. Methods: Data from the charts of 622 female patients treated for an eating disorder in a division of adolescent medicine between 1980 and 1994 were coded and computerized. General categories included demographic and family factors, weight loss and weight changes, eating-related behaviors, diagnosis and severity, and treatment issues. Differences between the 438 patients who were aged 9–19 years (adolescents) and 184 patients who were aged 20–46 years (adults) were analyzed. Results: Adolescents were more likely than adults ( p p 1 year of weight loss, greater total weight loss, history of binge eating and laxative use, history of diuretic and ipecac use, diagnosis of bulimia nervosa, and prior use of psychiatric medications. Adolescents and adults did not differ ( p > .05) in parents' occupational level; height, weight, and percent ideal body weight at presentation; original percent ideal body weight; use of diet pills, elimination of meat and use of a low-fat diet; daily calorie intake; prior eating disorder hospitalizations; and hospitalization during the course of treatment. Conclusions: The findings in this study document and confirm that there are important differences between adolescents and adults that must be taken into account in the evaluation and treatment of patients with eating disorders.
Complement and blood-brain barrier integrity.

Abstract The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is structurally unique and regulates what is transported into and out of the brain, thereby maintaining brain homeostasis. In inflammatory settings the BBB becomes leaky, regulation of transport is lost and neuronal function goes awry. It is caused by a number of mediators such as complement activation products, processes and networks going haywire, the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms of which remain an enigma. Complement activation byproduct, C5a signaling through its G-protein coupled receptor C5aR1/CD88 increased BBB permeability in neuroinflammatory disease settings in vivo . Studies in brain endothelial cells in vitro demonstrated that the C5a/C5aR1 signaling occurred through the NF-κB pathway and altered miRNA in these cells. Inhibition or deletion of C5aR1 was protective in brain, both in vivo and in vitro revealing their potential as possible effective therapeutic targets. Although, this is a field where progress has been made, yet a lot remains to be done due to a number of limitations. This review will deal with the advances in the experimental models, technology and the underlying mechanisms causing the BBB pathology, with an emphasis on the complement proteins and their downstream mechanisms.
A semigroup and Gaussian polynomials

Words are defined to be sequences @x: Z">="0 -> Z">"0 @? [~] with @x(n) = ~ for almost all n. I(@x) denotes the number of inversions in @x; i.e., the number of pairs (m, n) with m@x(n). The product, @x * @z, is defined to be a ''meshed juxtaposition'' of @x with the word @z' = @z + maximum integer in @x. (Terms of @z' are meshed into the spaces '~' in @x). With these definitions words form a unique factorization (hence cancellative) semigroup, and I(@x * @z) = I(@x) + I(@z). This is used in conjunction with Netto-MacMahon type generating functions, @?"@?"@e"A@g^I^(^@?^) to give a purely combinatorial treatment of the Gaussian polynomials. Factorization theorems and Chu-Vandermonde and Euler identities are proved.
The number of edges in a subgraph of a Hamming graph

Abstract Let G be a subgraph of the Cartesian product Hamming graph (Kp)r with n vertices. Then the number of edges of G is at most ( 1 2 )(p − 1) logp n, with equality holding if and only G is isomorphic to (Kp)s for some s ≤ r.
Permanent blindness after cyclosporine neurotoxicity in a kidney-pancreas transplant recipient

Blindness is an extremely rare complication of cyclosporine neurotoxicity. In all 10 cases in the literature, this form of blindness is completely reversible with the reduction or withdrawal of cyclosporine. We describe the first case of sudden, complete, and permanent blindness within 36 h after administration of intravenous cyclosporine in a kidney-pancreas transplant recipient.
The Mueller Matrix-Stokes Vector Representation Of Surface Scattering

A highly motivated, systematic and fundamental approach to surface scattering requires that the initial surfaces be fundamental (perfect or ideal) and that the contamination to produce surface scattering be known and controlled. Rough surfaces are considered to be perturbed perfect surfaces that have reached their final condition through some continuum contamination process. This approach permits the classification of surfaces according to the light scattering response to the surface as it is perturbed away from its initial condition. All light scattering data are reported in the context of the Stokes vector and Mueller matrices. Some comparisons to ellipsometry and bi-directional reflection distribution functions (BRDF) are made.
Pulverized coal combustion: Fuel nitrogen mechanisms in the rich post-flame

The destruction of nitrogenous species in the post-flame of a pulverized coal flame, supported in a 2 kg/h downflow combustor was investigated. The relative importance of homogeneous and heterogeneous mechanisms was quantified. Results of experiments on doped gas, where heterogeneous effects are absent, were compared to those from two different coals, namely a Utah Bituminous and a German Brown coal, each burned under a variety of conditions Additional special experiments in which hydrocarbons were added to the postflame of a coal run helped elucidate the importance of NO/hydrocarbon reactions in determining both the NO and the HCN profiles. The results were interpreted in the light of detailed kinetic mechanisms taken from the literature, simplified by partial equilibrium assumptions for nitrogenous and hydrocarbon radicals. An expression for the OH equilibrium overshoot was gleaned from the NO profiles in the gas flames. This expression then not only helped predict the HCN profile in the gas flame, but could also predict the NO profiles for all the coal runs. HCN profiles in the far post-flame zone of the coal flames are strongly influenced by the slow release of nitrogen from the coal residue, and this process is of practical importance in the slow conversion of nitrogenous species to N2. The destruction of nitrogenous species in a pulverized coal post-flame was, therefore, completely homogeneous and, for all conditions and coals tests, could be adequately described by the available gas phase mechanisms, with no adjustment of rate coefficients.
Religion and the American Experience: A Century After

Philip Schaff's America, newly translated from the German, appeared on these shores 133 years ago. Although that fact belies the title (and pushes the beginning of the American Society of Church History a third of a century into the future), I suspect that in 1888 Schaff would have concurred with much that he had thought as a younger scholar. He claimed, though, that he would not live in California “for any price,” and I have speculated about whether by 1888 he had changed his mind. The question is more than personal, for perhaps the most pungent metaphor in Schaff's America is his “Phenixgrave” figure for the land. “America,” he wrote, “is the grave of all European nationalities; but a Phenix grave, from which they shall rise to new life and new activity.” Beyond that he thought that America seemed “destined to be the Phenix grave not only of all European nationalities … but also of all European churches and sects, of Protestantism and Romanism.”