cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of phytohormones on plant regeneration from callus of Gladiolus cultivars "Jenny Lee"

Callus capable of plant regeneration was initiated at a higher frequency from the basal leaves of in vitro plants (70% explants) as compared to cormel slices (30% explants) when cultured on medium containing various concentrations of auxin. The greatest number of plants were regenerated from 4-mo.-old callus (112 plants/g fresh weight callus) cultured on medium containing 10 mg/liter (53.8µM) 1-napthaleneacetic acid. The addition of 2 mg/liter (9.3µM) kinetin to a Murashige and Skoog’s basal salts regeneration medium resulted in an average two- to three-fold increase in the number of plants regenerated compared to regeneration on medium without hormones. Ten months after callus initiation, all callus maintained on auxin-supplemented media showed a drastic reduction in its capacity to regenerate plants. Ten-month-old callus maintained on dicamba regenerated the greatest number of plants (14 to 23 plants regenerated per gram fresh weight callus) as compared to callus maintained 10 mo. on medium containing 1-napthaleneacetic acid or 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Cormel slices cultured on cytokinin-supplemented media formed small amounts of callus which regenerated up to 19 plants per cormel slice within 1 to 2 mo. after the cormel slice had been placed on either 10 mg/liter (49.2µM) N6-2-isopentenyladenosine or 1 mg/liter (4.4µM) 6-benzylaminopurine.
Ordered arrangement of orientation columns in monkeys lacking visual experience.

The main object of this study was to see whether ordered sequences of orientation columns are present in very young visually naive monkeys. Recordings were made from area 17 in two macaque monkeys three and four weeks of age, whose eyes had been closed near the time of birth. The first monkey was born normally, but one day elapsed before eye closure could be done. The second was delivered by Cesarean section and the lids sutured shut immediately. The results in these two animals were very similar; in both, highly ordered sequences of orientation shifts were present, and were in no obvious way different from those seen in the adult. For example, average values for the size of orientation shifts, for the horizontal component of the distance between shifts, and for the slopes of orientation vs. track distance curves, were all similar to adult values. This indicates that the ordered column system is innately determined and not the result of early visual experience. In these two monkeys and a third one, sutured at two days and examined at 38 days, most of the cells seemed normal by adult standards, with simple, complex or hypercomplex receptive fields, showing about the same range in orientation specificity as is found in adults. About 10–15% of cells showed abnormalities similar to those seen in monkeys binocularly deprived of vision for longer periods. Furthermore, all three deprived monkeys showed a decided lack of cells that could be influenced from both eyes, whereas a normal three-week-old control animal seemed similar to the adult, with binocular cells comprising over half of the total population. A monkey deprived by binocular closure from the third to the seventh week also showed a diminution in number of binocularly influenced cells, suggesting that the deprivation from birth resulted in a deterioration of innate connections subserving binocular convergence. To be sure that the abnormalities in the deprived animals represented a deterioration of connections, we recorded from 23 cells in a normal two-day-old monkey: here the ocular dominance distribution of cells was about the same as in the adult, and the response characteristics of the cells were normal by adult standards.
Spectroelectrochemical Sensor: Development and Applications

This paper is being submitted to the 215th ECS (Electrochemical Society) Meeting, San Francisco, California | May 24-29, 2009 The spectroelectrochemical sensor concept uses electrochemistry to modulate an optical signal to give improved selectivity. The sensor consists of an optically transparent electrode/waveguide coated with a thin film that preconcentrates the analyte. The sensor concept was first demonstrated with ferricyanide and later it was shown to work on a complex sample by detecting ferrocycanide in radioactive Hanford tank waste. Nafion, partially sulfonated polystyrene-block-polyethylene-ran-butylene)block-polystyrene (SSEBS), and quaternized poly(vinylpyridine) (QPVP) are examples of polymers used for the thin film. Detection limits achieved by the sensor are 10-5 to 10-8 M using change in absorbance as the mode of detection and about 10-10 M using fluorescence. A sensor has been developed for detection of [Re(dmpe)3]+ where dmpe = dimethylphosphinoethane, which serves as a nonradioactive analogue for complexes of radioactive 99Tc. Some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have appropriate electrochemical and spectroscopic properties for spectroelectrochemical detection as demonstrated for 1-hydroxypyrene and its conjugate 1-hydroxypyrene-glucuronide.
Experimental forms for the expression of norms in the ethnography of the contemporary

This article considers the methodological state of ethnographic projects that are situated in the context of complex global assemblages and projects, and of a tradition of critique that has defined the purpose of much anthropological research over the past two decades. How does the recent surge of concern with value as the analytic object of study mesh with the explicit normative concerns in the ways that many ethnographic projects are conceived and narrated? Value is both an object and informing frame of such projects. This article probes experiments in the weaving of longstanding theoretical orientations to value in the mesh of contemporary fieldwork itself.
Large deformation contact mechanics of long rectangular membranes. I. Adhesionless contact

In part I of this work, we study adhesionless contact of a long rectangular elastic membrane with a rigid substrate. Our model is based on finite strain theory and is valid for arbitrarily large deformations. Both frictionless and no-slip contact conditions are considered. Exact closed form solutions are obtained for frictionless contact. For small contact, the differences between these two contact conditions are small. However, significant differences occur for large contacts. For example, frictionless contact predicts a maximum pressure (and contact region) beyond which there is no solution; while the no-slip model places no restriction on both quantities. The effect of adhesion will be considered in part II of this work.
From "prehypertension" to hypertension? Additional evidence.

Purpose Recent U.S. guidelines redefining blood-pressure categories have generated a continuing controversy regarding the new “prehypertensive” category (systolic, 120–139, diastolic, 80–89), signifying heightened risk of progression to outright hypertension and a need for lifestyle changes and frequent follow-up. This study addresses an incompletely-explored empirical question: how well does prehypertension predict an early transition to hypertension? Methods Blood-pressure and other longitudinal data obtained from two British Health and Lifestyle Surveys conducted 7 years apart were used to form a subsample of 2048 men and women normotensive at baseline. Prehypertension was divided into subcategories: “normal” (systolic, 120–129; diastolic, 80–85) and “high normal” (systolic, 130–139; diastolic, 85–89), with “optimal” (systolic, Results Estimated RR for the “normal” subcategory was 2.0 (CI, 1.6, 2.6) and for “high normals,” 2.9 (CI, 2.3, 3.7). Separate regressions by age bracket showed the greatest risks for high normals aged 35 to 44 years. Conclusions The results support the hypothesized prehypertension effects, especially for younger high normals, but are more conservative than the Framingham-based estimates.
Synthetic thermally reversible gel systems. VII

Forming and conditioning thermally reversible aqueous gels of polyacrylyglycinamide (PAG) at various temperatures has little effect on either the melting point (Tm) of the gels or the heat of crosslinking (ΔHc) except at temperatures where partial hydrolysis can occur. This is added evidence that unlike with gelatin, crystallite formation does not play a role in gel formation. For unfractioned PAG, the linear relationship between the logarithm of molecular weight and 1/Tm predicted and observed for gelatin gels, does not hold. With mixed gelatin-PAG gels, a gelatin/PAG ratio of ≥4 completely inhibits the formation of a PAG gel network. At lower gelatin/PAG ratios, the PAG network forms, and if gelatin is considered as an inert diluent, normal values for the melting points and ΔHc for PAG gels are observed. At a gelatin/PAG ratio of 4, the presence of PAG reduces the ΔHc for the gelatin gel by inhibiting the formation of as large or as ordered crystallite crosslinks. To reconcile the problem of aggregation preceding gelation one can assume that Mw of an aggregate is a linear function of C2. If this is done, the same relationship which normally relates C with Tm is obtained. The equilibrium swelling of PAG films in water at 25°C is markedly molecular weight-de-pendent and can vary from below 5 to about 40 wt-% polymer at equilibrium. It has been found that long-term dark storage of dry samples of PAG under ambient temperature conditions results in pronounced decreases in the intrinsic viscosities of their aqueous solutions. It is speculated that this results from weak links, perhaps peroxy, in the polymer backbone. The possible relationship of this phenomenon to the slow stage of the viscosity deterioration of aqueous polyacrylamide solutions is pointed out. The higher viscosity of low DP PAG in 2M NaCNS compared to H2O and the larger percentage increse of [η] with increasing temperature in the latter, verify the greater solvent power of 2M aqueous thiocyanate for PAG. At a concentration level of 3%, aqueous PAG solutions are almost Newtonian whereas at higher concentrations (5%), the viscosity decreases appreciably with increasing rates of shear. The copolymerization of AG with isopropylacrylamide has been studied and the somewhat unusual results discussed. Copolymers containing an AG mole fraction greater than 0.40 do not exhibit a cloud point up to 100°C. If the isopropylacrylamide mole fraction approaches 0.60, the solutions do not gel down to 0°C. This ability to prepare copolymers over a narrow composition range that neither gel or undergo phase separation in the temperature range 0–100°C is probably related to the random distribution of monomer units in the copolymer backbone.
The influence of surface roughness of solid electrodes on electrochemical measurements

The influence of surface roughness of solid electrodes on electrochemical measurements is critically examined. A model and its mathematical consequences are presented which describe the effects in at least a semi-quantitative way. The conclusion is drawn that the neglect of surface roughness has led to apparent misinterpretations in literature, and that great caution should be exercised in this respect.
Synergy Between Viral and Bacterial Toll-Like Receptors Leads to Amplification of Inflammatory Responses and Preterm Labor in the Mouse

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize molecular constituents of pathogens and activate host innate immune responses. TLR2 responds to Gram-positive organisms and components of their cell walls. TLR3 responds to double-stranded RNA (an intermediate in viral replication). A mouse macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7) and freshly obtained mouse peritoneal macrophages were treated in tissue culture for 5 or 10 h with either peptidoglycan (PGN; a TLR2 ligand, 1 μg/ml), polyinosinic:cytidylic acid (poly(I:C); a TLR3 ligand, 10 μg/ml), both PGN and poly(I:C), or neither. Total RNA was extracted, and RT-PCR was performed. A mouse model of preterm birth induced by intrauterine injection of TLR ligands was used to test in vivo effects. Compared to stimulation with either PGN or poly(I:C) alone, stimulation of macrophages with both ligands (whether simultaneously or sequentially) resulted in synergistic expression of inflammatory mediators, including inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin 1 beta, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and the chemokine CCL5 (RANTES). Using peritoneal macrophages obtained from mutant and control mice, this synergy was determined to be dependent upon TLR2 and the TLR-related intracellular adaptor proteins MYD88 and TICAM1 (TRIF). Simultaneous administration of both PGN and poly(I:C) to pregnant mice also produced dramatic synergy in the occurrence of preterm delivery. These results support a possible role for viral infection in preterm labor. Synergy in the mechanisms of parturition suggests the existence of a “two-hit” trigger mechanism that minimizes responses to stimuli of limited biological significance while providing an efficient amplification strategy for rapid activation of labor in response to multiple or more severe insults.
Early Growth Response Transcriptional Regulators Are Dispensable for Macrophage Differentiation

Early growth response (Egr) proteins comprise a family of transcriptional regulators (Egr1-4) that modulate gene expression involved in the growth and differentiation of many cell types. In particular, Egr1 is widely believed to have an essential role in regulating monocyte/macrophage differentiation. However, Egr1-deficient mice have normal numbers of functional macrophages, an observation that has led to the hypothesis that other Egr proteins may compensate for Egr1 function in vivo. We examined whether other Egr transcription factors have a functionally redundant role in monocyte/macrophage differentiation. Egr1 and Egr3 expression was found to be induced in myeloid cells when they were differentiated into macrophages by treatment with M-CSF, whereas Egr2 was minimally induced and Egr4 was not detected. In either Egr1/Egr3 or Egr1/Egr2 double homozygous mutant mice, macrophage differentiation and function remained unimpaired. Additionally, the expression of molecules that broadly inhibit Egr function failed to block commitment to the monocytic lineage or inhibit the maturation of monocyte precursors. Finally, several hemopoietic growth factors were found to induce Egr gene expression, indicating that Egr gene expression is not cell lineage specific. Taken together, these results demonstrate that Egr transcription factors are neither essential for nor specific to monocyte/macrophage differentiation.
Assessing the readability of clinicaltrials.gov

Objective ClinicalTrials.gov serves critical functions of disseminating trial information to the public and helping the trials recruit participants. This study assessed the readability of trial descriptions at ClinicalTrials.gov using multiple quantitative measures. Materials and Methods The analysis included all 165 988 trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov as of April 30, 2014. To obtain benchmarks, the authors also analyzed 2 other medical corpora: (1) all 955 Health Topics articles from MedlinePlus and (2) a random sample of 100 000 clinician notes retrieved from an electronic health records system intended for conveying internal communication among medical professionals. The authors characterized each of the corpora using 4 surface metrics, and then applied 5 different scoring algorithms to assess their readability. The authors hypothesized that clinician notes would be most difficult to read, followed by trial descriptions and MedlinePlus Health Topics articles. Results Trial descriptions have the longest average sentence length (26.1 words) across all corpora; 65% of their words used are not covered by a basic medical English dictionary. In comparison, average sentence length of MedlinePlus Health Topics articles is 61% shorter, vocabulary size is 95% smaller, and dictionary coverage is 46% higher. All 5 scoring algorithms consistently rated CliniclTrials.gov trial descriptions the most difficult corpus to read, even harder than clinician notes. On average, it requires 18 years of education to properly understand these trial descriptions according to the results generated by the readability assessment algorithms. Discussion and Conclusion Trial descriptions at CliniclTrials.gov are extremely difficult to read. Significant work is warranted to improve their readability in order to achieve CliniclTrials.gov’s goal of facilitating information dissemination and subject recruitment.
Comparative Analysis of Genetically Modified Dendritic Cells and Tumor Cells as Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines

We have directly compared the efficacy of two immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer: “vaccination” of tumor-bearing mice with genetically modified dendritic cells (DCs), and vaccination with genetically modified tumor cells. Using several different preexisting tumor models that make use of B16F10 melanoma cells expressing a target tumor antigen (human melanoma-associated gene [MAGE]-1), we found that vaccination with bone marrow–derived DCs engineered to express MAGE-1 via adenoviral-mediated gene transfer led to a dramatic decrease in the number of metastases in a lung metastasis model, and led to prolonged survival and some long-term cures in a subcutaneous preexisting tumor model. In contrast, vaccination with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)–transduced tumor cells, previously shown to induce potent antitumor immunity in standard tumor challenge assays, led to a decreased therapeutic effect in the metastasis model and no effect in the subcutaneous tumor model. Further engineering of DCs to express either GM-CSF, tumor necrosis factor α, or CD40 ligand via retroviral-mediated gene transfer, led to a significantly increased therapeutic effect in the subcutaneous tumor model. The immunological mechanism, as shown for GM-CSF–transduced DCs, involves MAGE-1–specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Expression of GM-CSF by DCs led to enhanced cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity, potentially mediated by increased numbers of DCs in draining lymph nodes. Our results suggest that clinical studies involving the vaccination with genetically modified DCs may be warranted.
The Frequency of Postreduction Interventions After Successful Enema Reduction of Intussusception.

Objectives The objective was to determine the frequency of postreduction, hospital-level interventions among children with successful reduction of ileocolic intussusception and identify factors that predict the need for such interventions. Methods This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of children who underwent successful enema reduction for ileocolic intussusception at a single emergency department. Hospital-level interventions were included if they occurred within 24 hours of reduction and were further classified as either major (recurrence or possible perforation) or minor (imaging for suspected recurrence or administration of parenteral narcotics or antiemetics). Binary logistic regression was used to identify predictors for hospital-level interventions. Results A total of 464 children underwent enema reduction. The median age was 1.7 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 0.8 to 2.5 years), and 66% were male. A total of 435 (94%) were hospitalized with a median hospital stay of 25 hours (IQR = 19 to 34 hours). Nineteen percent (95% confidence interval [CI] = 15% to 22%) needed postreduction interventions, including 6% (95% CI = 4% to 9%) who required major interventions. The median time to any hospital intervention was 9.9 hours (IQR = 6.3 to 16.4 hours). We identified two independent predictors for hospital-level interventions: duration of symptoms > 24 hours (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.3 to 3.4) and location of the intussusception tip at (or proximal to) the hepatic flexure (adjusted OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1 to 3.3); the latter factor was also a predictor of a major intervention. None of the children (95% CI = 0 to 1.0%) had an acute decompensation after an initially successful enema reduction. Conclusions Clinical decompensation is rare and recurrence is relatively low after an uncomplicated reduction of ileocolic intussusception. However, one in five children required hospital-level interventions after reduction. Children with the intussusception tip at (or proximal to) the hepatic flexure, and those with symptoms for longer than 24 hours, are more likely to require subsequent interventions. Although outpatient management appears safe after a period of observation, caregivers should be counseled about the risk of ongoing symptoms and recurrence.
Assessment of abdominal adipose tissue and organ fat content by magnetic resonance imaging

As the prevalence of obesity continues to rise, rapid and accurate tools for assessing abdominal body and organ fat quantity and distribution are critically needed to assist researchers investigating therapeutic and preventive measures against obesity and its comorbidities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most promising modality to address such need. It is non-invasive, utilizes no ionizing radiation, provides unmatched 3D visualization, is repeatable, and is applicable to subject cohorts of all ages. This article is aimed to provide the reader with an overview of current and state-of-the-art techniques in MRI and associated image analysis methods for fat quantification. The principles underlying traditional approaches such as T1-weighted imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as more modern chemical-shift imaging techniques are discussed and compared. The benefits of contiguous 3D acquisitions over 2D multi-slice approaches are highlighted. Typical post-processing procedures for extracting adipose tissue depot volumes and percent organ fat content from abdominal MRI data sets are explained. Furthermore, the advantages and disadvantages of each MRI approach with respect to imaging parameters, spatial resolution, subject motion, scan time, and appropriate fat quantitative endpoints are also provided. Practical considerations in implementing these methods are also presented.
On algebraic differential properties of the Riemann ζ-function and the Euler Γ-function

We discuss some recent results on algebraic differential properties of the Riemann ζ-function and the Euler Γ-function and prove two results in this direction. Especially, we will define a new class of meromorphic functions in terms of zeros of the Riemann ζ-function on the critical line and prove that algebraic equations with coefficients in this class cannot be satisfied by the Riemann ζ-function and the Euler Γ-function.
A comparison of hexamethylmelamine (altretamine), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (H-CAP) vs. cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP) in advanced ovarian cancer.

Abstract We retrospectively compared the results of treatment with hexamethylmelamine (HMM), cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (H-CAP) to treatment results using cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (CAP) in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The treatments were identical in dosage and schedule with the exception of the addition of HMM to one regimen. Fifty-five patients treated with H-CAP between August 1977 and March 1980 were compared with a subsequent group of 22 patients who received CAP between October 1984 and October 1987. Following 6 months of therapy, patients were restaged either with second-look laparotomy or with clinical restaging. Fifty-three of 55 patients (96%) and 14 21 (67%) patients had objective responses to H-CAP and CAP respectively (p = 0.001). The pathologic complete response rate as determined by second-look laparotomy was higher in the patients who received H-CAP (35% vs. 19%). The median survival of patients receiving H-CAP is 47 months compared to 21 months for the CAP patients. In limited residual disease patients (maximum tumor diameter ⩽3 cm), the median survival also favored the H-CAP treatment (101 months vs. 21 months, p = 0.002). The median time to progression was greater in patients receiving H-CAP vs. those receiving CAP (67 months vs. 16 months, p = 0.045). Treatment-related toxicity was similar for the two regimens. These findings suggest that the addition of HMM to CAP chemotherapy prolongs the median survival for patients with limited residual disease advanced ovarian cancer.
A probabilistic approach for control of a stochastic system from LTL specifications

We consider the problem of controlling a continuous-time linear stochastic system from a specification given as a Linear Temporal Logic (LTL) formula over a set of linear predicates in the state of the system. We propose a three-step solution. First, we define a polyhedral partition of the state space and a finite collection of controllers, represented as symbols, and construct a Markov Decision Process (MDP). Second, by using an algorithm resembling LTL model checking, we determine a run satisfying the formula in the corresponding Kripke structure. Third, we determine a sequence of control actions in the MDP that maximizes the probability of following the satisfying run. We present illustrative simulation results.
Dimensional Change of Laser‐Welded Gold Alloy Induced by Heat Treatment

Purpose: This study examined the effects of laser welding and heat treatment on the dimensional change of cast gold alloy frameworks. Materials and Methods: Pairs of cast gold alloy plates were matched, fixed in a jig, and welded in a laser-welding machine at constant welding parameters. The specimens were welded unilaterally (on one surface) or bilaterally (on two surfaces) with five spots as follows: two ends fixed/unilaterally welded (A); two ends fixed/bilaterally welded (AA); one end fixed/unilaterally welded (B); two ends fixed/welded on one surface and then one end fixed/welded on the opposite surface (AB); or one end fixed/bilaterally welded (BB). The dimensional change was determined by measuring the gap between the jig base and one end of the specimen after each welding application. Dimensional change was also measured after two different heat treatments (softening and hardening). The results were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA and Duncan's test (p < 0.05). Results: The dimensional change of the specimens fixed at only one end on either surface (AB, B, and BB) was higher compared with the two ends-fixed specimens (A and AA) after laser welding. The heat treatments also increased the dimensional change in all groups except for the B group. The dimensional change was similar for each fixing method between the two types of heat treatment. Conclusions: The method of fixing the specimens in the jig significantly affected the amount of dimensional change of the gold alloys. The heat treatments of the laser-welded specimens increased the dimensional change by releasing the residual stress.
Neonatal behavioral toxicity in rats following prenatal exposure to methanol.

Although methanol (MEOH) may assume a significant role as a fuel, which implies wide availability, little is known of its toxicity apart from acute poisoning episodes in human adults. Even less is known about its toxicity in developing organisms. This experiment studied the early behavioral devel- opment of rats whose mothers had consumed MEOH during gestation by measuring the responses of suckling (postnatal day 1) and nest-seeking (post- natal day 10). Primigravida Long-Evans rats were divided into three groups (N = 10). Two of the groups consumed drinking solutions of 2% MEOH instead of distilled water either on gestational days 15-17 (MEOH 1) or 17-19 (MEOH 2). No maternal toxicity was apparent as measured by weight gain, gestational duration, and daily fluid intake. Daily MEOH consumption averaged 2.5 gml kg over the 3-day period in both MEOH groups. Litter size, birth weight, and infant mortality did not differ among the three groups. Postnatal growth and date of eye opening were unaffected. MEOH pups required longer than controls to begin suckling on postnatal day 1. On postnatal day 10, they required more time to locate nesting material from their home cages. These data suggest that prenatal MEOH exposure induces behavioral abnormalities early in life that are unaccompanied by overt toxicity. Several national energy programs, includ- ing that of the United States (Environmental Protection Agency, '83), are considering methanol (CH 3OH) as an alternative to gas- oline. It already is a significant fuel or fuel additive in Europe and elsewhere. Since methanol is a potent neuropoison (Aquilon- ius et al., '78), an increase in its availability and likelihood of exposure makes it impera- tive that we fully understand the health haz- ards it may pose. Reports of methanol consumption and its toxic consequences abound (Posner, '75) be- cause it is erroneously perceived by many lay persons as a substitute for ethyl alcohol. It also could be abused by inhalation. Some groups in this country, as well as others (e.g., India and Mexico), deliberately inhale gaso- line and glue products (Sharp and Carroll, '78) for their intoxicating properties and might abuse methanol in the same way. Fur- thermore, widespread distribution carries an increasing risk of inadvertent exposure, a risk that is amplified by the ease of metha- nol's absorption through intact skin (NIOSH,
Robust signatures for kernel data structures

Kernel-mode rootkits hide objects such as processes and threads using a technique known as Direct Kernel Object Manipulation (DKOM). Many forensic analysis tools attempt to detect these hidden objects by scanning kernel memory with handmade signatures; however, such signatures are brittle and rely on non-essential features of these data structures, making them easy to evade. In this paper, we present an automated mechanism for generating signatures for kernel data structures and show that these signatures are robust: attempts to evade the signature by modifying the structure contents will cause the OS to consider the object invalid. Using dynamic analysis, we profile the target data structure to determine commonly used fields, and we then fuzz those fields to determine which are essential to the correct operation of the OS. These fields form the basis of a signature for the data structure. In our experiments, our new signature matched the accuracy of existing scanners for traditional malware and found processes hidden with our prototype rootkit that all current signatures missed. Our techniques significantly increase the difficulty of hiding objects from signature scanning.
Simulation of Mechanical Compression of Breast Tissue

Comparison of uncompressed volumetric breast data to compressed projection mammographic data poses a variety of challenges to accurately localize anatomy in both data sets. This work presents a method for simulating the mechanical compression of volumetric breast data. We use an approach based on a rectilinear-grid finite-element mesh and apply the method to known objects including volumetric breast data. Overall results show good agreement with theory and reasonable qualitative agreement with clinical results. Analysis times are sufficiently short to be used in the clinical setting for data comparison. The methods presented here provide a high quality method for simulating mechanical compression of breast data.
Reversible image compression via multiresolution representation and predictive coding

In this paper a new image transformation suited for reversible (lossless) image compression is presented. It uses a simple pyramid multiresolution scheme which is enhanced via predictive coding. The new transformation is similar to the subband decomposition, but it uses only integer operations. The number of bits required to represent the transformed image is kept small through careful scaling and truncations. The lossless coding compression rates are smaller than those obtained with predictive coding of equivalent complexity. It is also shown that the new transform can be effectively used, with the same coding algorithm, for both lossless and lossy compression. When used for lossy compression, its rate-distortion function is comparable to other efficient lossy compression methods.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Supplementing introductory biology with on-line curriculum*.

We developed web-based modules addressing fundamental concepts of introductory biology delivered through the LON-CAPA course management system. These modules were designed and used to supplement large, lecture-based introductory biology classes. Incorporating educational principles and the strength of web-based instructional technology, choices were made about knowledge presentation, representation, and construction (W. A. Nelson, D. B. Palumbo (1992) J. Educ. Media Hypermedia 1, 287–299). Knowledge presentation focused on big and connecting ideas. Knowledge representation provided students the opportunity to interact with concepts in several ways using multiple representations. For knowledge construction, we facilitated students' active and meaningful interactions with content using interwoven high-level questions. Students' extended responses to a questionnaire indicated that these modules influenced the students learning in meaningful ways. (For access to demonstration modules, go to demo.lon-capa.org/cgi-bin/signon.pl?hhmi.)
Are School Social Workers Prepared for a Major School Crisis? Indicators of Individual and School Environment Preparedness

School social workers are often on the frontline of response and recovery from a major school crisis. It is imperative that they feel prepared and display crisis intervention self-efficacy as they intervene after disaster. The purpose of this study was to explore school social worker perception of individual and school environment preparedness in relation to crisis preparation activities including crisis plan development, crisis team membership, and practicing crisis plans. RESULTS indicated that school social workers feel moderately prepared to handle a crisis and feel that their school is slightly less prepared. Two crisis preparation activities emerged as crucial to both individual and overall school preparedness: (1) the presence of a well-developed and comprehensive crisis plan and (2) practicing the plan at least once a year. This study proposes that individual crisis self-efficacy is positively influenced when schools have a crisis team with a well-developed and comprehensive plan that is exercised regularly, which, in turn, increases the school social workers' positive perception of school environment preparedness. Language: en
A simple DDS architecture with highly efficient sine function lookup table

A simple architecture for direct digital frequency synthesis (DDS) is presented. The proposed architecture uses a sampling-only-algorithm (SOA) to achieve a high compression ratio of 558 in realizing the sine function look up table, which is higher than the prior arts.
Range-Doppler Imaging: Waveforms And Receiver Design

The design of imaging waveforms for a heterodyne detection range-Doppler laser radar is dependent upon the target dynamics as well as the laser radar transmitter and receiver component technology constraints. This paper deals with the receiver and signal processing issues associated with three specific coherent waveform types. The waveform types are simple unmodulated pulse trains, linear frequency modulated (LFM) chirp pulse trains and bi-phase shift keyed (BPSK) pulse trains. The pulse trains of each type are parametric and can be used to produce a variety of range-Doppler imaging, range only, or Doppler only measurement waveforms.
CEO International Assignment Experience and Corporate Social Performance

Research suggests that international assignment experience enhances awareness of societal stakeholders, influences personal values, and provides rare and valuable resources. Based on these arguments, we hypothesize that CEO international assignment experience will lead to increased corporate social performance (CSP) and will be moderated by the CEO’s functional background. Using a sample of 393 CEOs of S&P 500 companies and three independent data sources, we find that CEO international assignment experience is positively related to CSP and is significantly moderated by the CEO’s functional background. Specifically, CEOs with international assignment experience and an output functional background (e.g., marketing and sales) are positively associated with greater CSP.
Comprehension of High-Frequency Multimeaning Words by Students with Hearing Impairment

This study was concerned with the comprehension of high-frequency multimeaning words on a picture vocabulary test by hearing and hearing-impaired students. As expected, hearing students performed significantly better than hearing-impaired students in selecting primary and secondary meanings of multi-meaning words. Both groups also chose primary meanings more often than secondary ones. In addition, both groups' ability to select two meanings of words did not improve with their ages. Finally, a strong correlation between test performance and reading achievement level was found. This indicates that the better readers also have better knowledge of vocabulary words. Due to the prevalence of multimeaning words in beginning reading materials, the findings warrant consideration in teaching several common meanings of words to students within a depth-of-vocabulary-knowledge framework.
Diet, smoking, and alcohol in cancer of the larynx: A case‐control study

A case-control study among white men in western New York was conducted from 1975 through 1985 to examine diet and other risk factors for laryngeal cancer. Incident pathologically confirmed cases (250) and age- and neighborhood-matched controls (250) were interviewed to determine usual diet and lifetime use of tobacco and alcohol. Cigarettes were strongly associated with risk; pipes and cigars were not. Beer and hard liquor but not wine were associated with increased risk. Dietary fat and carotenoids were related to risk in opposite ways. The upper quartile odds ratio for dietary fat was 2.40 [95% confidence interval 1.26, 4.55], and the upper quartile odds ratio for carotenoids was 0.51 (0.26, 1.01). There was effect modification by smoking. Carotenoids were most negatively associated with risk among the lightest smokers, whereas dietary fat was most positively associated with risk among the heaviest smokers. Total calories, protein, and retinol were associated with increased risk; there was no relationship between laryngeal cancer and vitamin C, vitamin E, carbohydrate, or dietary fiber. This study again demonstrates the strong association between tobacco and alcohol and laryngeal cancer and also suggests that diets low in carotenoids and high in fat may increase risk.
Der Stoffwechsel: Konzepte und Grundmuster

Die in fruheren Kapiteln des Buches entwickelten Prinzipien von Konformation und Dynamik – besonders diejenigen, welche die Spezifitat und katalytischen Eigenschaften von Enzymen, die Regulation ihrer katalytischen Aktivitat und den Transport von Molekulen und Ionen durch Membranen betreffen – versetzen uns nun in die Lage, zwei wichtigen Fragen der Biochemie nachzugehen:
The "In-Factor": Signature Traits Of Innovation’s Leaders

This paper was inspired by the 2013 film Jobs, the docu-drama about Apple founder and longtime CEO Steve Jobs whose leadership style in some ways so contradicted contemporary leadership prototypes that he is sometimes said to depict the “anti-leader.” That film triggered this question: Are there attributes that, regardless of behavioral bent, those who lead innovation share? Through a review of academic and practitioner literature an “IN-factor” such leaders share emerges: The intention and insistence to be trailblazers. Though leaders of innovation travel different paths and are not all alike, though some are mavericks and others break through existing challenges, though some are founders and others are successors, though some are college educated and others are not, these “Imagineers” share ten signature traits which this paper establishes should it be helpful to contemporary leadership education, development, and training.
Characterization of Long Noncoding RNA-Associated Proteins by RNA-Immunoprecipitation

With the advances in sequencing technology and transcriptome analysis, it is estimated that up to 75 % of the human genome is transcribed into RNAs. This finding prompted intensive investigations on the biological functions of noncoding RNAs and led to very exciting discoveries of microRNAs as important players in disease pathogenesis and therapeutic applications. Research on long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) is in its infancy; yet a broad spectrum of biological regulations has been attributed to lncRNAs. RNA-immunoprecipitation (RNA-IP) is a technique of detecting the association of individual proteins with specific RNA molecules in vivo. It can be used to investigate lncRNA-protein interaction and identify lncRNAs that bind to a protein of interest. Here we describe the protocol of this assay with detailed materials and methods.
Cryptanalysis of a Matrix-based MOR System

We cryptanalyze a recently proposed matrix-based MOR cryptosystem. The security of the system depends on the difficulty of solving the following discrete logarithm problem: given an inner automorphism φ of SL(d, &#x1d53d; q ) and φ a (each given in terms of their images on generators of SL(d, &#x1d53d; q )), find a. We show that this problem can be reduced to a small number of similar problems in quotients of polynomial rings and solved in subexponential-time.
Arbitration as a Means of Resolving Sovereign Debt Disputes

In September 2006, a group of Italian holders of Argentine defaulted debt submitted a request for arbitration to the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), claiming that Argentina's actions in connection with debt issued by it and held by the Italian claimants breached Argentina's obligations under a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) between Argentina and Italy. Although arbitration of sovereign debt disputes is not unprecedented, it is unusual. Contracts with sovereign debtors typically provide, not for arbitration of disputes, but rather submission to the jurisdiction of courts of the creditors' choosing. This article considers several questions. The narrow question, which is implicated by the Italian bondholders' claim, is whether ICSID has jurisdiction to resolve a dispute brought by holders of defaulted sovereign debt pursuant to a BIT. The more general question, however, is why the Italian bondholders are attempting to invoke arbitration rather than litigating the dispute in New York court. This article suggests that in the sovereign debt context, arbitration is potentially a more attractive dispute resolution mechanism than litigation. The persistent absence of arbitration clauses from sovereign debt contracts may be attributable to the lock-in effects of standardized contract terms, and not to the relative merits of arbitration versus litigation.
Stochastic analysis of the relationships between saturated hydraulic conductivity variance and solute dispersion in heterogeneous soils

Abstract The effect of three‐dimensional heterogeneity of saturated hydraulic conductivity on the vertical transport of solutes in soils is examined by means of controlled numerical experiments. Saturated hydraulic conductivity, an important transport parameter that controls the dispersion of pollutants in heterogeneous soils, is assumed to be composed of a homogeneous mean value and a perturbation caused by the vertical variability of soil properties, producing a stochastic process in the mean flow direction. The spatial heterogeneity of porous soils is characterized by the variance and correlation scale of the saturated hydraulic conductivity in the transport domain. Numerical experiments are carried out to evaluate the extent of contaminant dispersion in Hawaiian Oxic soils when uncertainty exists as a result of the spatial heterogeneity of saturated hydraulic conductivity. Statistical analysis of the saturated hydraulic conductivity measurements on undisturbed soil cores from two locations in Hawaiian...
Realizability conditions and synthesis of electromagnetic gaussian schell-model sources

Constraints are derived which have to be satisfied by 14 parameters that characterize a planar, electromagnetic, Gaussian Schell-model source and a new method for synthesizing such sources is described.
The Successful Introduction and Establishment of the Ladybird, Scymnus Binaevatus Mulsant, in California

A South African ladybird, Scymnus Binaevatus , after several unsuccessful attempts, has been colonized on several mealy bugs throughout California. There is a prospect of its becoming of considerable value as a check on these pests.
Lysosomal stimulation and inhibition of the growth of cells in tissue culture.

SummaryThese experiments provide evidence for the presence of a non-dialyzable, thermolabile, protein(s) in lysosomes which inhibits the growth of Strain L and Detroit 6 cells. This protein is not bound to the lysosomal membrane but is released upon rupture of the lysosome. The study tends to confirm the conclusions of other investigators, who have used a less direct approach to the problem, that lysosomes cause cell damage and inhibit cell growth. However, it has not been previously observed that the lysosomes may also stimulate cell growth when present at low concentrations. Since practically any type of cell damage may result in the rupture of the lysosomal membrane, it is of interest that the contents of the lysosome may either stimulate or inhibit the growth of the neighboring cells depending upon the number of injured cells or ruptured lysosomes.
Isolation of Temperature Effects on the Kinetics of Light Induced Defect Generation in a-Si:H

Data are presented here that show the effects of temperature on the kinetics of metastable defect formation in undoped a-Si:H over the range 45°-110°C. CPM (Constant Photocurrent Method), photoconductivity, and dark conductivity measurements were made and provide independent checks of the defect generation behavior. A stretched exponential description of defect formation as a function of time was used to fit the CPM defect density data. The stretched exponential time constant, τSE, is thermally activated with an apparent activation energy of 1 eV, a value that agrees well with data for defect anneal and solar cell degradation. The data indicate that thermal terms are not negligible for temperatures as low as 45°C, and therefore should be included in any model of the kinetics of defect formation. The role of adistribution of anneal energies and the regimes of dominance of thermal and optical rate terms are discussed in the context of the model.