cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Societal Impacts of Blizzards in the Conterminous United States, 1959–2000

Many individuals think of tornadoes and hurricanes when considering weatherrelated storms. However, severe winter storms are significant natural hazards as they cause disruptions to transportation, damage to buildings, closure of schools and businesses, loss of electricity, and hazards to human health (Rooney 1967; Helburn 1982). Geographers have a strong tradition of examining various natural hazards. Mileti (1999: 302) updated the hazards assessment in the United States pioneered by White and Haas (1975), and stated that “a blizzard map” was needed for the United States. Additionally, research regarding climate change identified a need for a reference baseline for climate model validation to identify trends in weather-related hazards frequencies and severities (Mileti 1999: 304). The wide and severe economic and societal impacts associated with blizzards demonstrate the value of studying the societal impacts by examining the spatial and temporal patterns of blizzards along with the societal impacts. This included the population in affected counties, fatalities, injuries, economic damage, and the number of federally declared disaster areas.
Exploring the FMN binding site in the mitochondrial outer membrane protein mitoNEET

Abstract MitoNEET is a mitochondrial outer membrane protein that hosts a redox active [2Fe-2S] cluster in the C-terminal cytosolic domain. Increasing evidence has shown that mitoNEET has an essential role in regulating energy metabolism in human cells. Previously, we reported that the [2Fe-2S] clusters in mitoNEET can be reduced by the reduced flavin mononucleotide (FMNH2) and oxidized by oxygen or ubiquinone-2, suggesting that mitoNEET may act as a novel redox enzyme catalyzing electron transfer from FMNH2 to oxygen or ubiquinone. Here, we explore the FMN binding site in mitoNEET by using FMN analogs and find that lumiflavin, like FMN, at nanomolar concentrations can mediate the redox transition of the mitoNEET [2Fe-2S] clusters in the presence of flavin reductase and NADH (100 μM) under aerobic conditions. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements show that both FMN and lumiflavin can dramatically change the EPR spectrum of the reduced mitoNEET [2Fe-2S] clusters and form a covalently bound complex with mitoNEET under blue light exposure, suggesting that FMN/lumiflavin has specific interactions with the [2Fe-2S] clusters in mitoNEET. In contrast, lumichrome, another FMN analog, fails to mediate the redox transition of the mitoNEET [2Fe-2S] clusters and has no effect on the EPR spectrum of the reduced mitoNEET [2Fe-2S] clusters under blue light exposure. Instead, lumichrome can effectively inhibit the FMNH2-mediated reduction of the mitoNEET [2Fe-2S] clusters, indicating that lumichrome may act as a potential inhibitor to block the electron transfer activity of mitoNEET.
Use of the VeedaMom Electronic App as a Pregnancy Treatment Companion

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of pregnant women using VeedaMom, a mobile app created to screen for and manage symptoms of perinatal depression. Participants were requir...
Differential effects of sequential, simultaneous, and single agent interleukin-3 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor on megakaryocyte maturation and platelet response in primates

Recombinant granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) following interleukin-3 (IL-3) priming has been shown to increase thrombopoiesis. To elucidate the comparative abilities of IL-3 and GM-CSF in influencing megakaryocyte development in vivo, serial bone marrow analyses were performed on rhesus monkeys treated with 5 micrograms/kg/d of IL-3 and 5 micrograms/kg/d of GM-CSF sequentially for 4 days each, simultaneously for 8 days, and as single agents for 8 days. Platelet counts maximally increased to a mean of 7.5 x 10(5)/microL (n = 3) on days 11 through 12 in monkeys treated with sequential IL-3/GM-CSF. In contrast, neither IL-3 alone nor simultaneously administered IL-3/GM-CSF elicited increases in thrombopoiesis between days 3 and 15. GM-CSF elicited a variable platelet response. Megakaryocyte ploidy distributions were significantly (P < .001) shifted between days 7 and 10 in monkeys treated sequentially and between days 3 and 15 in monkeys treated with combined IL-3/GM-CSF and with GM-CSF alone but not in monkeys treated with IL-3 alone. The changes in mean DNA content and megakaryocyte size, as determined by digital image analysis, were larger in monkeys treated with sequential IL-3/GM-CSF and with GM-CSF alone than in simultaneously treated monkeys. In addition, sequentially but not simultaneously treated monkeys showed increased numbers of megakaryocytes on bone marrow biopsy. We conclude that administration of IL-3 followed by GM-CSF treatment increases thrombopoiesis by sequentially increasing megakaryocyte numbers and maturation and that these effects are diminished by simultaneous administration of the two cytokines.
Partial Discharge Signal Propagation in Three-Phase Gas-Insulated Switchgear: CIGRE Recommendations-Based Analysis

High voltage (HV) testing of Gas-insulated switchgears (GIS) has been predominantly employed using the ultra-high frequency (UHF) detection techniques. Initiated partial discharge (PD) currents are coupled with electromagnetic (EM) waves, which are then captured by the UHF antennas. To determine the minimum detectable signal received by a UHF sensor, CIGRE sensitivity verification recommendations are utilized. In this paper, a 3-phase GIS model, which utilizes CIGRE recommendations to analyze the EM waves behavior, is built based on 3-D full-Maxwell finite element (FE) solver. This approach permits initiating a PD source using a transmitting sensor, which can then be acquired using other receiving sensors. The modeling approach introduced in this paper can be used to understand the behavior of signals propagating inside GIS systems for better utilization of UHF sensors in detecting PD inside such capital assets. The proposed three-phase GIS model investigates the EM wave propagation in time-domain and frequency-domain using step 1 of the CIGRE sensitivity verification recommendations. The impact of the relative position of the PD source and sensors, and the dielectric spacers on EM wave propagation is investigated and analyzed. The obtained results show that three-phase GIS structures act as cavity resonators when PD is created. Moreover, both low-frequency and high-frequency modes of propagation exist in such cavities.
Microelectrode-Based Sensor for Measuring Operando Active Species Concentrations in Redox Flow Cells

The assessment of candidate materials for redox flow batteries requires effective diagnostic techniques for monitoring the evolution of electrolyte state of charge and state of health to interrogat...
Chapter 4 Persistence and Multilocation in Spacetime

The chapter attempts to make the distinctions among the three modes of persistence—endurance, perdurance and exdurance—precise, starting with a limited set of notions. I begin by situating the distinctions in a generic spacetime framework. This requires, among other things, replacement of classical notions such as ‘temporal part’, ‘spatial part’, ‘moment of time’ and the like with their more appropriate spacetime counterparts. I then adapt the general definitions to Galilean and Minkowski spacetime and consider some illustrations. Finally, I respond to an objection to the way in which my generic spacetime framework is applied to the case of Minkowski spacetime.
The stability of mesna in beverages and syrup for oral administration

We evaluated the stability of the aqueous formulation of mesna during storage in syringes and after dilution in beverages and syrups. Measurements of the concentrations of mesna showed that the undiluted formulation was stable for at least 9 days in standard polypropylene syringes at 5°, 24°, and 35°C. There was no detectable oxidation of mesna to dimesna over the course of at least 1 week when mesna was diluted 1:2 and 1:5 in syrups and incubated at 24°C in capped tubes. Concentration changes were clinically negligible for 1:2, 1:10, and 1:100 dilutions of mesna in six carbonated drinks, two juices, and milk after incubation for 24 h at 5°C. Thus, the aqueous mesna formulation is stable when diluted and stored in a variety of beverages and syrups under conditions suitable for oral administration.
Cutting Edge: Stat5 Mediates the IL-7-Induced Accessibility of a Representative D-Distal VH Gene

During B cell development, discrete domains within the Igh locus are activated independently for recombination. The D-distal VH genes are uniquely dependent on IL-7R signaling, which is thought to establish local chromatin accessibility through an unknown mechanism. To dissect this mechanism, we used a murine B cell line that responds to IL-7 by specifically inducing accessibility of a representative D-distal gene (A1) but not a D-proximal gene (V11). We demonstrate that IL-7-activated Stat5 is recruited rapidly to the A1 gene, with a concomitant increase in germline transcription and H4 acetylation. Furthermore, retroviral transduction of dominant negative or constitutively active Stat5 demonstrated that Stat5 activation is both necessary and sufficient for the IL-7-induced A1 germline transcription. Lastly, as with all known Stat5 target genes, A1 germline transcription requires a deacetylase activity. These results demonstrate that in response to IL-7 signaling, Stat5 is recruited to the D-distal A1 gene and induces accessibility.
Distance Scale from Supernovae

Supernovae have been playing an ever increasing role in the determination of the key cosmological parameters. They are extremely luminous point sources whose brightness at maximum rivals that of their host galaxies and thus can be observed at cosmologically significant distances. That SNe Ia could be used as standard candles has been proposed for many years. However, most of the progress in this field has occured over the last decade. Extensive ground-based surveys have identified a large number of new supernovae and characterized their global properties in a statistically meaningful way. At the same time, using the Hubble Space Telescope, a team led by Sandage has carried out an extensive program to determine the absolute brightness of a selected sample of supernovae. This has allowed the Hubble diagram for SNe Ia to be placed on an absolute scale and the Hubble constant itself to be determined with a precision of 10% or better. We review the current work in this field and discuss the main effects that influence the determination of the absolute brightness at maximum for SNe Ia. We show that the best values are M B = −19.50 ± 0.06 and M V = −19.49 ± 0.06. The derived value for the Hubble constant is H 0 = 59 ± 6 km s −1 Mpc −1. We also review the exciting new results for the values of the cosmological constants derived using high-redshift SNe Ia. Preliminary results suggest a non-empty inflationary Universe with parameters lying along the line determined by 1.34Ω M − ΩΛ = −0.45.
Iron status, menarche, and calcium supplementation in adolescent girls

The effects of growth, menstrual status, and calcium supplementation on iron status were studied over 4 y in 354 girls in pubertal stage 2 who were premenarcheal at baseline (x+/-SD age: 10.8+/-0.8 y). Girls were randomly assigned to placebo or treatment with 1000 mg Ca/d as calcium citrate malate. Anthropometric characteristics, bone mass, and nutritional status were measured biannually; ferritin was measured annually; and red blood cell indexes were determined at 4 y. The simultaneous effects of iron intake and menstrual status on serum ferritin, after change in lean body mass (LBM) was controlled for, were evaluated in subjects in the upper and lower quartiles of cumulative iron intake. The average maximal accumulation of LBM (386 g/mo; 95% CI: 372, 399) occurred 0.5 y before the onset of menarche. Change in LBM was a significant predictor of serum ferritin (P < 0.0001), with a negative influence on iron status (t ratio=-4.12). The 2 fitted mathematical models representing ferritin concentrations of subjects in the upper and lower quartiles of cumulative iron intake were significantly different (P < 0.018). The regression line of the ferritin concentration in menstruating girls with high iron intakes had a less negative slope than the line fit to serum ferritin concentrations in girls with low iron intakes (NS). Serum ferritin concentrations at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 y were not significantly different between groups. In addition, there was no significant difference between groups in any of the red blood cell indexes. In summary, growth spurt and menstrual status had adverse effects on iron stores in adolescent girls with low iron intakes (<9 mg/d), whereas long-term supplementation with calcium (total intake: approximately 1500 mg/d) did not affect iron status.
Inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis and replicon elongation in mammalian cells-exposed to methyl methanesulfonate.

DNA synthesis in Chinese hamster V-79 cells exposed to the alkylating agent methylmethanesulfonate (MMS) was investigated by radioactively labeled thymidine incorporation, followed by Geiger counting, liquid scintillation counting, cell radioautography, and DNA fiber radioautography. Exposure of randomly dividing cells to MMS results in a rapid, dose-dependent decline in the rate of cellular DNA synthesis, followed later by an apparent recovery in the rate of DNA synthesis. The inhibition of DNA synthesis cannot be explained by effects on cell progression or thymidine transport, or by any apparent effects on thymidine metabolism. Analysis of the lengths of labeled segments in DNA fiber radioautograms indicated that MMS significantly decreases either the rate or extent of DNA chain elongation. This inhibition is only temporary, however, since by 6 or 10 hr following treatment with 1 or 3 mM MMS, respectively, the lengths of replication segments return to control values. The degree of inhibition of cellular DNA synthesis following exposure to MMS parallels the inhibition of DNA chain elongation but is quantitatively greater over the entire time course of the experiment. This suggests that exposure to MMS results in constant but protracted inhibition of replicon initiation events. These findings are discussed in terms of the lesions that MMS is known to produce in DNA and their possible relationship to two known mechanisms of inhibition of DNA synthesis.
Are pseudotachylites products of fracture or fusion

The microstructure of pseudotachylite veins, as analyzed with the transmission electron microscope, displays many features of intense brittle deformation and resembles more closely shock-deformed specimens than a rock first melted and then quenched to a glass and devitrified upon cooling. Only very minor glass or devitrification textures were observed, but there is ample evidence for recrystallization of highly strained regions. Pseudotachylites appear to form by a dominantly brittle mechanism at moderate to deep crustal levels and may be related to earthquakes.
Ethnic differences in the evaluation of newspaper image

Abstract This research examined two very different interpretations of why specific minority groups may not be loyal newspaper readers. The first, operating on many pejorative stereotypes, portrays blacks and Hispanics as very critical, disaffected people who see newspapers as racist, biased, and unfair. An alternative view suggested that factors such as product availability, demographics, and economic considerations, not negative evaluations of sources of information, were better explanations for nonreadership by different ethnic groups. Three massive data sets (N = 14,378) were used to analyze differences in newspaper image among different racial/ethnic groups in the United States. Across all analyses race is not a very meaningful predictor of newspaper evaluation. This casts doubt on the assumptions about alienated, uninvolved minorities. When race did add unique variance to the predictor models, it was because minorities were more positive about local media, an alternative not previously suggested. Results are discussed in terms of their importance to academic researchers, media managers, policy makers, and for those interested in intercultural/interracial training and education.
Psychiatric Symptoms and Brain Tumors A Brief Historical Overview

Intracranial tumors with psychiatric symptoms are relatively uncommon but clinically important events. How did we come to recognize brain tumors as clinical entities that could mimic psychiatric symptoms? During the 16th and 17th centuries, the practice of performing human autopsies for academic purposes eventually led to the link between brain tumors and mental symptoms. Giovanni Battista Morgagni 1 (1682-1771) was the first physician to describe a patient with psychiatric symptoms and what may have been a brain tumor. Recognizing this association was a slow process, mostly because of the paucity of practical ways to diagnose and treat psychiatric illness and brain tumors until the late 1800s. The movement led by the French physician Philippe Pinel (1745-1826) influenced physicians to think of psychiatric patients as sick human beings who did not deserve to be physically restrained or mistreated.2 The creation of large psychiatric hospitals that performed autopsies set the ground for the solid recognition of the association of brain tumors with psychiatric symptoms.
Special Education and the P-16 initiative: Addressing CEC Competencies Through Portfolio Development and Assessment

The Georgia P-16 Initiative provided an opportunity for Georgia Southern University to revisit the College of Education's conceptual framework. This initiative, coupled with the statewide move from a quarter to semester course delivery format, allowed development and implementation of programmatic changes focused on (a) raising standards in the preparation of teachers, (b) modeling instruction in the area of effective teaching strategies for all grades and in all education settings, and (c) placing qualified and competent teachers in P-12 classrooms. In response to this opportunity, the Special Education Program redesigned its undergraduate curriculum to more closely reflect the core competencies identified by The Council for Exceptional Children, the Georgia Professional Standards Commission, and the National Collegiate Accreditation of Teacher Education. To measure the effectiveness of programmatic changes and follow the development of its students, the program developed and implemented portfolio assess...
Application of Two-Level Fractional Factorial Designs in Development of a Soybean Whipped Topping

The feasibility of developing a whipped topping formula based on Illinois Soybean Beverage was investigated. Two-level fractional factorial designs were shown to be efficient for statistical analysis of a large number of ingredients. Foam stability was the major consideration in selecting ingredients for a formula. Rapid cooling of the homogenized mix was the processing factor controlling overrun while stability depended on composition of the mix. A hydrophilic-hydrophobic emulsifier blend was most effective. The model system thus derived contained 3% soybean solids, 30% fat, 7% sucrose, 1% emulsifier, and 59% water; it gave 270% overrun, complete stability over 2 hr and stiffness similar to commercial products.
Laser soft palate "stiffening": an alternative to uvulopalatopharyngoplasty.

Background and Objective Habitual snoring is best treated surgically, with uvulopalatophayngoplasty, but the standard “cutting” procedure poses potential morbidity. In this study, a new approach, stiffening of the soft palate with a low energy laser, was studied as a less invasive alternative. Study Design In an in vitro study, five fresh palates of canines were used to see acute thermal effect on the palatal tissue after laser treatment. The same laser irradiation was conducted in three living canines to observe a delayed response of the palate to the laser. Materials and Methods With the use of a non-contact 1.44 μm Nd:YAG laser at 0.1 J and 20 Hz, the mucosa on the marginal area of the soft palate was irradiated for 2–3 minutes. Following Outcome were Measured Acute shrinkage of the soft palate and thermal effect on the mucosa, and delayed stiffening and elevation of the palate after laser irradiation. Results There was immediate shrinkage of the palate of about 3.0 mm in the in vitro study. In the in vivo study, a delayed palatal stiffening with 6.0–7.0 mm elevated palatal arch was found at 5 weeks. There was no morbidity after the treatment. Conclusion Laser stiffening of soft palate is simple, safe and effective for reduction of length and fluttering of the soft palate in the canine model. Clinical studies are warranted to evaluate its efficacy as an office treatment for snoring. Lasers Surg. Med. 30:40–43, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Modulation of dimerization by residues distant from the interface in bovine neurophysin‐II

The crystal structure of bovine neurophysin-II in its liganded state (Chen et al. [1991] Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88, 4240-4244) indicates that the 1-6 sequence has a disordered conformation, lacks noncovalent contacts to other regions of the protein and is distant from the monomer-monomer interface. Cleavage of the 1-6 sequence by Staphylococcus protease V8 yielded a protein that, for the first time, crystallized in both liganded and unliganded states. Insights into the role of the 1-6 sequence in the unliganded state were obtained by NMR and related biophysical comparisons of the native and des-1-6 proteins. NMR spectra demonstrated that the environment and/or conformation of residues in the 1-6 sequence differed in liganded and unliganded states. Additionally, the unliganded des-1-6 protein exhibited a dimerization constant four to five times that of the native protein, potentially accounting for the observation that its peptide affinity was also increased. NMR studies further indicated that the increased dimerization constant of the des-1-6 protein correlated with the presence in the native protein of two isoenergetic forms of the monomer, in contrast to only a single form in the des-1-6 protein, as evidenced by signals from an internal dimerization-sensitive alpha-proton. Thus, the 1-6 sequence reduces the dimerization constant by stabilization of an alternative monomer conformation. A second product of Staphylococcus protease V8 digestion of the native protein was identified as the des-1-6 protein with an internal clip after binding site residue Glu-47, the clip presumably breaking the short 3,10 helix that most directly connects the interface to the interface to the binding site. This product, although unable to bind peptide, retained the dimerization constant of the des-1-6 protein, suggesting a lack of importance of the helix in dimerization and contrasting with the effects of the 1-6 sequence. A model is proposed in which the 1-6 sequence stabilizes the second conformation of the unliganded monomer via interactions affecting the loop region that separates the two neurophysin domains and which has been shown to influence neurophysin self-association.
A note on modeling internal technological externalities in linear profit programs

Abstract This paper relaxes the assumption that the production activities in a linear profit maximization model are independent. In particular, it is shown that certain types of production externalities arising in one or more activities may adversely affect the efficiency of others. The said externalities may be either of the private or collective variety.
Random walk, capital market efficiency and predicting stock returns for Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited

Purpose – This paper seeks to study capital market efficiency, because results may infer that there are predictable properties of the time series of prices of traded securities on organized markets in Hong Kong, the third largest exchange in the Pacific‐Basin of Asia.Design/methodology/approach – The weak form of the efficient markets hypothesis is examined to indicate its usefulness in terms of the results of this study. Do the data indicate that the times series of closing prices is a random walk or are their predictable properties?Findings – It will be noted from the results that the model identifies predictive short‐term properties that exist in the data of returns of Hong Kong Exchanges for the period studied.Research/limitations/implications – Conclusions are limited to those firms studied and the time period covered.Originality/value – For the securities exchanges in Hong Kong, evidence indicates that the weak form of the efficient markets hypothesis does not characterize the trading market.
Soft surface magnons and the first-order magnetic phase transitions in antiferromagnetic hematite

A theoretical study is made of the mechanism of the field-induced first-order phase transitions and the Morin transition in hematite ($\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$) at low temperatures. The field-induced transitions between the spin-flop and the antiferromagnetic phase may take place at the critical field of equal free energies, without a softening of three-dimensional magnons. Spin-flop nuclei, which are small regions of about ${10}^{2}$ to ${10}^{3}$ layers of spins turning nearly 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, can be generated at smaller fields by the softening of surface magnons. These spin-flop nuclei grow very slowly with increasing field but catastrophically expand across the three-dimensional material as the critical field is approached. Above the critical field the system is virtually in a spin-flop phase, although a few antiferromagnetic nuclei, where the spins are almost antiferromagnetically aligned, are maintained near the surfaces by the applied field (or plus strong positive surface anisotropy fields). In decreasing field, the transition from the spin-flop to the antiferromagnetic phase occurs at the same critical field, i.e., there is no hysteresis. In this case the transition is triggered by a sudden expansion of antiferromagnetic nuclei. The Morin transition, which may take place at the critical temperature of equal free energies, may also be accounted for by the magnetic transition nuclei generated by the surface effect.
Excitation localization principle for spherical microcavities

Van de Hulst's localization principle relates the principal mode number to the external beam position that maximizes energy coupling to a spherical cavity mode. Our experiments in lasing microdroplets verify localization but only for low- Q modes, when the cavity may be considered to be a nearly perfect homogeneous sphere. The principle fails in the perturbation-dominated high- Q limit. Surprisingly, near-surface resonances are still efficiently excited in these cases but require impact parameters slightly smaller than the sphere radius. Numerical modeling suggests that this new input channel depends on surface scattering.
Biological control of infection of blueberry flowers caused by Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi

Abstract Monilinia vaccinii-corymbosi , the fungus that causes mummy berry disease, infects open blueberry flowers via the stigma–style pathway, followed by internal colonization and subsequent mummification of the developing fruit. The potential for use of the commercial biocontrol products Serenade ( Bacillus subtilis QRD137) and BlightBan ( Pseudomonas fluorescens A506) to suppress floral infection in this pathosystem was investigated. B. subtilis exhibited marked antibiosis against the pathogen in vitro, reducing radial growth rates of M. vaccinii-corymbosi to less than one-half of those of the untreated control after 1 week of co-culture on potato-dextrose agar ( P =0.0029). In contrast, P. fluorescens did not reduce fungal growth compared with the untreated control ( P =0.3182). When Serenade was applied to stigmatic surfaces of detached blueberry flowers in the laboratory, population densities of B. subtilis , determined by dilution-plating, were variable 1 and 2 days after application, followed by a consistent drop in bacterial numbers after 3 and 4 days. In contrast, population densities of P. fluorescens increased exponentially 1 and 2 days after application of BlightBan and remained constant thereafter. The greatest mean population densities observed were 1.6 × 10 5 and 1.5 × 10 5 colony-forming units per stigma for B. subtilis and P. fluorescens , respectively. In a separate experiment, conidia of M. vaccinii-corymbosi were applied to detached flowers 24 h before or after application of the biocontrol products to flower stigmas. Serenade significantly reduced the number and growth rates of hyphae penetrating the stylar canal to less than one-fifth of those measured in the untreated control, whereas fungal suppression following application of BlightBan was less pronounced. Reductions in fungal growth rate in flowers treated with B. subtilis isolated from Serenade and reformulated by freeze-drying in skim milk were intermediate between the untreated control and the Serenade treatment, suggesting that part of the observed activity of Serenade was due to the formulation of that product. The results of these experiments identify Serenade as a promising candidate for further testing against mummy berry disease.
Soft multimedia content authentication using the distance-preserving hash function

A new paradigm of one-way hash function, called the distance-preserving hash function (DP hash function), is proposed and a soft multimedia content authentication scheme is developed accordingly in this work. The DP hash function has a distinct characteristic from regular hash functions. That is, when it is equipped with a correct key, the difference between two outputs reflects the distance between the corresponding inputs. However, if a wrong key value is used, the DP hash function reduces to a regular one-way hash function. We examine the theoretical aspect of the DP hash function and propose a practical way for its construction. The DP hash value of the multimedia feature vector is used as the authenticator for the corresponding content. By comparing the DP hash of received data and the received DP hash (authenticator), users can obtain the error between the received data and the original data. This error information indicates a degree of authenticity and allows users to render a soft decision rather than an "authentic or non-authentic" hard decision. Such a soft decision is helpful in applications where a small amount of distortion in the target data is acceptable, such as digital audio and video.
Behavior therapy for the elderly

Abstract The literature on behavior therapy with the elderly is sparse In this paper the possible reasons for this state of affairs are presented briefly, along with a description of some problems existing for the elderly which are amenable to behavioral intervention. The current behavioral research with populations of elderly is then presented, including treatment programs for institutionalized elderly in the areas of social interaction and participation, self-care, and environmental manipulation programs. The behavioral work with community-dwelling elderly is also discussed, focusing particularly on the modification of physical and cognitive changes associated with the aging process. Finally, the author reviews some problems involved in the conduct of gerontological research and suggests future directions for research.
Equal time: television and the civil rights movement

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr’s address at the August 1963 March on Washington, and his dream of a future America on which he ended it, is an iconic, for some even synecdochical, moment of the black ...
Effects of working memory capacity on users' search effort

We examined user behavior on information search tasks at two levels of complexity. Users were divided into two groups according to their working memory span (WM). The results show that in more demanding task conditions both user groups change behavior, but they differ in how they change it. High-WM user performed more actions to find more information, while low-WM users changed their behavior by significantly decreasing the number of documents they visited.
A computer model of neck muscle endurance and fatigue as a function of helmet loading

Abstract A series of experiments were conducted in which the neck muscles of volunteer subjects were dynamically and statistically loaded by systematic variations of twenty-four headgear configurations consisting of eight different centers-of-gravity (CGs) times three different weights. Six subjects would rotate their heads laterally (from side-to-side) for 30 min with each of the headgear loading combinations. Immediately thereafter, the subject would position his head in an isometric head dynamometer and exert a sustained right lateral neck contraction or forward neck contraction at 70% of his maximum strength, during which endurance time (to fatigue) was recorded. The results indicate that the computer model makes reasonable predictions within the boundary conditions. Input data outside the boundary conditions is rejected. The assumption of insensitivity to vertical loading is demonstrated. The assumption of bilateral symmetric response was confirmed for the 1.45 kg and 2.27 kg helmet loads. However, this assumption was not confirmed for the 4.09 kg helmet load. It is concluded from the computer model that aftward, midline loading is the optimal CG location (i.e. maximal endurance) for heavier helmets in the 3–4 km range.
Offner radial group delay compensator for ultra-broadband laser beam transport

Conventional lens-based image relays introduce radial group delay that significantly reduces focal-spot intensity of ultra-broadband short pulses. A direct compensation scheme that can be used with conventional singlet image relays is proposed. The compensation scheme is based on using two negative lenses embedded within an Offner imaging system. The setup allows a single-pass configuration and eliminates the need for polarization switching optics. The performance of this setup is calculated using ray tracing. The compensation improves the spatiotemporal Strehl ratio from 0.02 to 0.97.
Computational studies of [bmim][PF6]/n-alcohol interfaces with many-body potentials.

In this paper, we present the results from molecular dynamics simulations of the equilibrium properties of liquid/liquid interfaces of room temperature ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([bmim][PF6]) and simple alcohols (i.e., methanol, 1-butanol, and 1-hexanol) at room temperature. Polarizable potential models are employed to describe the interactions among species. Results from our simulations show stable interfaces between the ionic liquid and n-alcohols, and we found that the interfacial widths decrease from methanol to 1-butanol systems and then increase for 1-hexanol interfaces. Angular distribution analysis reveals that the interface induces a strong orientational order of [bmim] and n-alcohol molecules near the interface, with [bmim] extending its butyl group into the alcohol phase, whereas the alcohol has the OH group pointing into the ionic liquid region, which is consistent with the recent sum-frequency-generation experiments. We found the interface to have a signific...
NF-κB is involved in the survival of cerebellar granule neurons: association of Iκβ phosphorylation with cell survival

The NF-κB transcription factor consists of dimeric complexes belonging to the Rel family, which include p50, p52, p65 (RelA), RelB and c-Rel. NF-κB activity is tightly controlled by IκB proteins which bind to NF-κB preventing its translocation to the nucleus. Activation of NF-κB is most often mediated by IκB degradation, which permits NF-κB to enter the nucleus. We investigated the role of NF-κB in the survival of cerebellar granule neurons. We found that survival of these neurons in high potassium medium is blocked by three separate inhibitors of NF-κB activity: SN-50, N-tosyl-l-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone and pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, indicating that NF-κB is required for neuronal survival. Gel-shift assays reveal three complexes that bind to the NF-κB binding site in high potassium medium. Switching these cultures to low potassium medium, a stimulus that leads to apoptotic death, causes a reduction in the level of the largest complex, which contains p65. Overexpression of p65 by transfection inhibits low potassium-induced apoptosis, whereas overexpression of IκBα promotes apoptosis even in high potassium medium. Surprisingly, however, neither the level of endogenous p65 nor that of IκBα and IκBβ is altered by low potassium treatment. Similarly, no changes are seen in the nuclear or cytoplasmic levels of p50, p52, RelB and c-Rel. Phosphorylation of p65, which can lead to its activation, is unchanged. Phosphorylation of IκBβ is, however, reduced by low potassium treatment. Besides being necessary for high potassium-mediated neuronal survival, NF-κB is also involved in the survival-promoting effects of IGF-1 and cAMP as judged by the ability of SN-50 to inhibit the actions of these survival factors and the ability of these factors to inhibit the low potassium-induced alterations in the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. Taken together, our results show that NF-κB may represent a point of convergence in the signaling pathways activated by different survival factors and that uncommon mechanisms might be involved in NF-κB-mediated survival of cerebellar granule neurons.
EYEBALL: A computer program for description of style

P I • e EYEBALL information system is designed, for students of literature, with special applications to literary style, criticism, and the history of ideas. It is composed of a series of computer programs which surveys works of literature in natural (or real) language and, by two stages of intermediate processing, with the use of real-time hardware 1 when possible, "marks" many of the text's properties of syntax and vocabulary use. The major role of the intermediate processing is to indicate the ends of phrases (prepositional, infinitive, and so on) and of clauses and locations of subjects, predicates, and objects within clauses. There seems to be no way to perform these operations automatically because of the high degree of ambiguity in English ("love" can be either a noun, verb, or adjective). Such ambiguity causes continual conflict between the two goals of maximizing accuracy and minimizing the man-hours involved in the analysis. In general, we have attempted to design algorithms (computing procedures) which will function with an error frequency of the order of magnitude of some two percent. For individuals schooled in the humanities, such error tolerances may seem overwhelming, although scientists and social scientists will consider them quite acceptable. In Ross' experience in making hand counts, which involved going through a text two or more times, there were often errors up to ten percent, even after double checking. If completely accurate data are needed for certain parts of an analysis, options are available to check on all decisions made by the machine and to impose individual corrections.
Afterword: Albert and Michael's recombinant DNA

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On the scale-up of plasticating extruder screws

In the most commonly used scale-up method of plasticating extruder screws, the screw channel depth is increased by the square root of the diameter ratio while the screw RPM is decreased by the square root of the diameter ratio such that the output rate increases proportionally to the square of the diameter ratio. This scale-up method, largely based on the pumping function of the screw, often leads to a higher melt temperature, a higher screw horsepower consumption per unit output rate and an inferior melt quality from the larger diameter screw. Analysis of the common scale-up method reveals that, although the shear rate in the melt is kept constant, the average residence time and the peripheral screw speed are increased for the larger diameter screw. Our recent study on the melting mechanism also reveals that the melting capacity increases less than the pumping capacity. A detailed examination of the common scale-up method in this paper shows that the pumping capacity and the solid conveying capacity increase more than necessary while the melting capacity increases insufficiently.
Sexuality and insult behavior

Employing ethnographic data from the Human Relations Area Files and other sources, this paper sets forth a number of generalizations and tentative hypotheses concerning some possible relations between sexuality and patterns of insult behavior. Available data suggest the hypothesis that sexrelated insults, particularly those which refer to the genitals, are a cultural universal. There are, however, considerable variations between cultures in what kinds of sex-related insults are considered severe or innocuous. It is hypothesized that the perceived severity of a sex-related insult is directly related to the salience and seriousness with which different cultures view the sexual acts referred to in the insult. Cultural differences might also exist in the extent to which husbands consider adultery an insult and the ways in which they respond to insults. A significant aspect of sex-related behavior that has relatively been neglected in the social-scientific and sex research literature is the nature of the relation between sexuality and insult behavior. This paper is based upon data obtained after a thorough examination of ethnographic material from the Human Relations Area Files, together with material from other sources. The purpose of this study was aimed at uncovering general patterns of relations which might exist within and between cultures with respect to both the initiation of and the response to sex-related insults. One of the most prominent aspects of the varied patterns that emerged was the multifaceted character of the relationship between sexuality and insult. In this paper, I will describe various aspects of this relationship, with emphasis upon both cross-cultural differences in insult behavior, and the ways in which sex-related insult patterns help maintain the values and norms of their particular cultures.
Benzene- 14 C 1 from the Neutron Irradiation of the Clathrate with Ammoniacal Nickel Cyanide

THE use of in situ production of compounds containing carbon-14 by the neutron irradiation of nitrogen-containing organic compounds or mixtures of nitrogen-containing compounds with organic compounds for the synthesis of labelled organic compounds has been suggested by recent work on this subject1,2. The neutron irradiation of the clathrate of ammoniacal nickel cyanide and benzene was reported on by M. Zifferero3 in Genoa last year. We have carried out an irradiation of this compound to provide data for comparison and to test a purification method for labelled compounds produced in this way.
Detecting molecules and cells labeled with magnetic particles using an atomic magnetometer

The detection of magnetically labeled molecules and cells involves three essential parameters: sensitivity, spatial resolution, and molecular specificity. We report on the use of atomic magnetometry and its derivative techniques to achieve high performance in terms of all these parameters. With a sensitivity of 80 fT/√Hz for dc magnetic fields, we show that 7,000 streptavidin-conjugated magnetic microparticles magnetized by a permanent magnet produce a magnetic field of 650 pT; this result predicts that a single such particle can be detected during one second of signal averaging. Spatial information is obtained using a scanning magnetic imaging scheme. The spatial resolution is 20 μm with a detection distance of more than 1 cm; this distance is much longer than that in previous reports. The molecular specificity is achieved using force-induced remnant magnetization spectroscopy, which currently uses an atomic magnetometer for detection. As an example, we perform measurement of magnetically labeled human CD4+ T cells, whose count in the blood is the diagnostic criterion for human immunodeficiency virus infection. Magnetic particles that are specifically bound to the cells are resolved from nonspecifically bound particles and quantitatively correlate with the number of cells. The magnetic particles have an overall size of 2.8 μm, with a magnetic core in nanometer regime. The combination of our techniques is predicted to be useful in molecular and cellular imaging.
Purification and characterization of 16 S chitin synthetase particles from cell walls ofMucor rouxii

Isolated cell walls ofMucor rouxii contain substantial amounts of chitin synthetase activity that can be extracted 16 S particles by treatment with digitonin. We developed an efficient procedure to isolate these particles in sufficient quantity and purity to identify their polypeptide components. Growing mycelium ofM.rouxii was labelled with a high radioactive dose of l -[3H]leucine. Cell walls were isolated and packed into a column, and the 16 S chitin synthetase particles extracted with 0.7% digitonin. The 16 S particles were then separated from soluble proteins and lipids by glycerol density gradient centrifugation and purified by consecutive anion and cation exchange HPLC. This purification sequence yielded up to 80 units of chitin synthetase from 10 g dry weight (approximately 60 g wet weight) of mycelium. Specific chitin synthetase activity was as high as 500 nmol GlcNAc min−1 mg protein−1 and was essentially all present as a zymogen. Purified 16 S particles appeared by electron microscopy as a population of isodiametric particles, 80–120A˚in diameter. The 16 S sample became chromatographically homogeneous after a second purification by cation-exchange HPLC: protein and enzyme activity both eluted as a single peak. These 16 S particles are the purest form of chitin synthetase isolated so far fromM. rouxii. SDS-PAGE analysis of all peak fractions revealed up to seven polypeptide bands, four of which (Mr 21, 23, 33, and 39 kDa) were tightly correlated with chitin synthetase activity. The 21-kDa polypeptide was the main component. Since repeated efforts to dissociate 16 S particles into smaller subunits have invariably caused an irreversible loss of chitin synthetase activity, we propose that these four polypeptides form part of a macromolecular complex that synthesizes chitin inM. rouxii.
Time-dependent aspects of electron degradation—IV. Subexcitation electrons in nitrogen and carbon dioxide

Abstract We discuss here the temporal behavior of subexcitation electrons and the yields of products due to these subexcitation electrons. Our examples concern cases in which resonance scattering of electrons occurs, such as vibrational and rotational excitation in N 2 or negative-ion formation in CO 2 . One focus of the present work is a test of the continuous-slowing-down approximation (CSDA), which we compare to the recently developed full solution of the time-dependent Spencer-Fano theory.