cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steganalysis of LSB replacement using parity-aware features

Detection of LSB replacement in digital images has received quite a bit of attention in the past ten years. In particular, structural detectors together with variants of Weighted Stego-image (WS) analysis have materialized as the most accurate. In this paper, we show that further surprisingly significant improvement is possible with machine---learning based detectors utilizing co-occurrences of neighboring noise residuals as features. Such features can leverage dependencies among adjacent residual samples in contrast to the WS detector, which implicitly assumes that the residuals are mutually independent. Further improvement is achieved by adapting the features for detection of LSB replacement by making them aware of pixel parity. To this end, we introduce two key novel concepts --- calibration by parity and parity-aware residuals. It is shown that, at least for a known cover source when a binary classifier can be built, its accuracy is markedly better in comparison with the best structural and WS detectors in both uncompressed images and in decompressed JPEGs. This improvement is especially significant for very small change rates. A simple feature selection algorithm is used to obtain interesting insight that reveals potentially novel directions in structural steganalysis.
Maternal occupational exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and craniosynostosis among offspring in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study.

Background Evidence in animal models and humans suggests that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may lead to birth defects. To our knowledge, this relationship has not been evaluated for craniosynostosis, a birth defect characterized by the premature closure of sutures in the skull. We conducted a case-control study to examine associations between maternal occupational exposure to PAHs and craniosynostosis. Methods We used data from craniosynostosis cases and control infants in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) with estimated delivery dates from 1997 to 2002. Industrial hygienists reviewed occupational data from the computer-assisted telephone interview and assigned a yes/no rating of probable occupational PAH exposure for each job from 1 month before conception through delivery. We used logistic regression to assess the association between occupational exposure to PAHs and craniosynostosis. Results The prevalence of exposure was 5.3% in case mothers (16/300) and 3.7% in control mothers (107/2,886). We observed a positive association between exposure to PAHs during the 1 month before conception through the third month of pregnancy and craniosynostosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–3.05) after adjusting for maternal age and maternal education. The number of cases for each craniosynostosis subtype limited subtype analyses to sagittal craniosynostosis; the odds ratio remained similar (OR = 1.76, 95% CI, 0.82–3.75), but was not significant. Conclusion Our findings support a moderate association between maternal occupational exposure to PAHs and craniosynostosis. Additional work is needed to better characterize susceptibility and the role PAHs may play on specific craniosynostosis subtypes. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:55–60, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
System-Reservoir Interactions

The Weisskopf-Wigner theory of spontaneous emission of Chap. 13 is an example of a general class of problems involving the coupling of a small system to a large system. In that case the small system is the atom and the large system is the continuum of modes of the electromagnetic field. When computing the atomic decay rate, we were not interested in the field itself, but only on its effect on the atomic dynamics. Thus we never explicitly computed the field dynamics. Our theory lead to an irreversible decay of the upper state population. At first this should come as a surprise, since our starting equation (the Schrodinger equation) is reversible. Irreversibility results from two main approximations: 1) the assumption that the probability amplitude C α 0(t) varies little during the time interval defined by the inverse bandwidth of the continuum of modes of the electromagnetic field, and 2) the replacement of the remaining non-local time integration in Eq. (13.58) by a δ-function. These choices comprise the Weisskopf-Wigner approximation.
Sequence of action of the diaphragm and quadratus lumborium during quiet breathing

A series of 15 rabbits had multiple intercostal clip electrodes implanted in the diaphragm and quadratus lumborum at open operation. Leads from the electrodes were passed to the back of the animals and soldered to a junction band. Simultaneous recordings of electromyographic activity and spirometry were made following recovery. The study revealed that the quadratus lumborum, acting simultaneously with the diaphragm, is an effective inspiratory muscle stabilizing the twelfth rib, converting it into a fixed point from which the diaphragm act. Very possibly the action of the quadratus pulls down the lower rib helping to increase the costo-diaphragmatic recess. Like the sternal, crural and costal portions of the diaphragm, the quadratus exerts a braking action to oppose the normal elastic recoil of the lungs during expiration.
Ribozymes in the nucleolus.

Ribozymes are RNA molecules that behave like enzymes, cleaving other RNA transcripts into pieces. They have potential therapeutic value because they can be designed to chew up viral RNAs or to repair damaged mRNA transcripts. However, getting the ribozyme to the correct part of the cell where the target RNA resides is a challenge. In his Perspective, [Rossi][1] explains how small RNAs that inhabit the nucleolus can be engineered to transport and sequester ribozymes into this subcellular organelle. He goes on to discuss the many possible applications of these so-called snorbozymes. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/285/5434/1685
Documenting Residential Environmental Education Program Impact with Concept Maps

Residential environmental education centers are important providers of science curriculum, offering students learning experiences outside the traditional classroom. One major criticism of these centers and other nonformal science centers is that they often do not include student outcomes in the evaluation of their programs. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the use of concept maps as a means of documenting changes in student knowledge in order to include students in the program evaluations of residential environmental education centers. In this mixed-method study, 3rd-6th grade elementary students created concept maps before and after a field trip to a residential environmental education center. Analyses of the maps revealed a significant increase in the number of unique ideas represented on the posttest maps. Interviews with stakeholders revealed that the maps provided center stakeholders with valuable information regarding program impact. Results of the study suggest that concept maps can be used effectively to document changes in student knowledge and may contribute to improvement in program evaluations of residential environmental education centers.
Principal type schemes for modular programs

Two of the most prominent features of ML are its expressive module system and its support for Damas-Milner type inference. However, while the foundations of both these features have been studied extensively, their interaction has never received a proper type-theoretic treatment. One consequence is that both the official Definition and the alternative Harper-Stone semantics of Standard ML are difficult to implement correctly. To bolster this claim, we offer a series of short example programs on which no existing SML typechecker follows the behavior prescribed by either formal definition. It is unclear how to amend the implementations to match the definitions or vice versa. Instead, we propose a way of defining how type inference interacts with modules that is more liberal than any existing definition or implementation of SML and, moreover, admits a provably sound and complete typechecking algorithm via a straightforward generalization of Algorithm W. In addition to being conceptually simple, our solution exhibits a novel hybrid of the Definition and Harper-Stone semantics of SML, and demonstrates the broader relevance of some type-theoretic techniques developed recently in the study of recursive modules.
The Combination and Disproportionation of Ethyl, n-Propyl, and sec-Propyl Radicals: A DFT Study

Density functional theory (B3LYP) has been applied to the problem of free radical combination and disproportionation reactions. These have been examined for the ethyl, n-propyl, and sec-propyl radicals. For the combination reactions, the enthalpy of activation fell in the range of 5 to 7 kcal/mol, which is within the limits of computational error. The transition structure of disporportionation reaction each displayed a bent C...H...C angle for the transfer of the hydrogen in contrast to earlier reports done at the semiempirical level. The activation enthalpies for the hydrogen transfer process increased with the number of attached methyl groups on the donor radical.
Mycobacteriophage-repressor-mediated immunity as a selectable genetic marker: Adephagia and BPs repressor selection

Mycobacteriophages provide an abundance of systems for use in mycobacterial genetics, including manipulation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Because of the dearth of antibiotic resistance cassettes and biosafety concerns in constructing recombinant virulent M. tuberculosis strains, we developed the use of mycobacteriophage-encoded repressor genes that can be selected in the presence of lytic versions of their cognate phages. The phage Adephagia repressor gene (43) was identified through its ability to confer immunity to Adephagia superinfection, together with the mapping of mutations in gene 43 that confer a clear-phage phenotype. Plasmid transformants containing either Adephagia 43 or the previously identified BPs repressor 33 can be readily selected following electroporation using engineered lytic derivatives of Adephagia and BPs, respectively. Selection is as efficient as antibiotic selection, can be used with either single-copy integration vectors or with extrachromosomal vectors, and works similarly in both Mycobacterium smegmatis and M. tuberculosis.
Overexpression, Purification, and Biophysical Characterization of the Heterodimerization Domain of the Core-binding Factor β Subunit

Core-binding factors (CBF) are heteromeric transcription factors essential for several developmental processes, including hematopoiesis. CBFs contain a DNA-binding CBFα subunit and a non-DNA binding CBFβ subunit that increases the affinity of CBFα for DNA. We have developed a procedure for overexpressing and purifying full-length CBFβ as well as a truncated form containing the N-terminal 141 amino acids using a novel glutaredoxin fusion expression system. Substantial quantities of the CBFβ proteins can be produced in this manner allowing for their biophysical characterization. We show that the full-length and truncated forms of CBFβ bind to a CBFα·DNA complex with very similar affinities. Sedimentation equilibrium measurements show these proteins to be monomeric. Circular dichroism spectroscopy demonstrates that CBFβ is a mixed α/β protein and NMR spectroscopy shows that the truncated and full-length proteins are structurally similar and suitable for structure determination by NMR spectroscopy.
Membrane translocation and regulation of uridine diphosphate-glucuronic acid uptake in rat liver microsomal vesicles.

Abstract Background/Aims: Hepatic glucuronidation is quantitatively the most important conjugation reaction by which an array of endogenous compounds and xenobiotics undergo biotransformation and detoxification. The active site of the uridine diphosphate (UDP) glucuronosyltranferases, which catalyze glucuronidation reactions, has been postulated to reside in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum. The aim of this study was to characterize the process whereby UDP glucuronic acid (UDP-GIcUA), the cosubstrate for all glucuronidation reactions, is transported into microsomal vesicles. Methods: The uptake process was analyzed using rapid filtration techniques, radiolabeled UDP-GIcUA, and rat liver microsomes. Results: Uptake was saturable with respect to time and concentration, inhibited by 4,4′-diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid and 4-acetamido-4′-isothio-cyanatostilbene-2-2′-disulfonic acid, and was osmotically sensitive. Transport was stimulated by Mg 2+ and guanosine triphosphate (50 μmol/L) but not guanosine 5′-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) or adenosine triphosphate. Luminal UDP- N -acetylglucosamine (1 mmol/L) produced enhanced uptake of UDP-GIcUA ( trans stimulation). In contrast to nucleotide sugar transport in the Golgi apparatus, trans uridine monophosphate and UDP did not alter UDP-GIcUA transport in microsomes, indicating distinct processes. Conclusions: These data provide unambiguous evidence for the existence of a unique, substrate-specific, regulated, carrier-mediated process that transports UDP-GIcUA into the lumen of hepatocyte microsomes. This transporter may regulate glucuronidation in vivo.
The adiabatic theorem in the complex plane and the semiclassical calculation of nonadiabatic transition amplitudes

This paper is concerned with the problem of calculating amplitudes for nonadiabatic transitions induced by a time‐dependent Hamiltonian, in the semiclassical limit h/→0, with emphasis on questions relevant to semiclassical theories of electronically inelastic scattering. For this problem the semiclassical limit is mathematically equivalent to the adiabatic limit, and the adiabatic theorem says that all these transition amplitudes vanish in the limit; the question is, what is the asymptotic form of the nonadiabatic amplitudes, as they go to zero? We consider Hamiltonia that are analytic matrix functions of time. We prove a generalization of the adiabatic theorem to the complex time plane; paradoxically, the adiabatic theorem in the complex plane gives us directly the nonadiabatic amplitudes along the real time axis. We derive Dykhne’s remarkable formula for the two‐state case, which says that the limiting form of the transition amplitude depends only on the energy curves of the two states, not on the nonad...
Do you need to definitively diagnose the location of a pregnancy of unknown location? The case for “yes”

Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is a common diagnostic challenge. The primary diagnostic goal is to ensure that the PUL is nonviable prior to proceeding with any invasive procedures. In nonviable PUL, there are several diagnostic and treatment strategies, which are generally quite safe. However, the management option that provides the most definite diagnosis is uterine curettage. We advocate use of uterine curettage in all cases of nonviable PUL because it limits exposure to a chemotherapeutic agent to only those who need it and it allows for the most accurate information for counseling the patient on prognosis of future pregnancies.
An organizational approach to undoing gender: The unlikely case of offshore oil platforms

Abstract This case study of two offshore oil platforms illustrates how an organizational initiative designed to enhance safety and effectiveness created a culture that unintentionally released men from societal imperatives for “manly” behavior, prompting them to let go of masculine-image concerns and to behave instead in counter-stereotypical ways. Rather than proving how tough, proficient, and cool-headed they were, as was typical of men in other dangerous workplaces, platform workers readily acknowledged their physical limitations, publicly admitted their mistakes, and openly attended to their own and others’ feelings. Importantly, platform workers did not replace a conventional image of masculinity with an unconventional one and then set out to prove the new image—revealing mistakes strategically, for example, or competing in displays of sensitivity. Instead, the goal of proving one's masculine credentials, conventional or otherwise, appeared to no longer hold sway in men's workplace interactions. Building on West and Zimmerman's (1987: 129) now classic articulation of gender as “the product of social doings,” we describe this organizationally induced behavior as “undoing” gender. We use this case, together with secondary case data drawn from 10 published field studies of men doing dangerous work, to induce a model of how organizational cultures equip men to “do” and “undo” gender at work.
Response properties underlying selectivity for the rate of frequency modulated sweeps in the auditory cortex of the mouse

This study focused on the response properties underlying selectivity for the rate of frequency modulated (FM) sweeps in the auditory cortex of anesthetized C57bl/6 (C57) mice. Linear downward FM sweeps with rates between 0.08 and 20 kHz/ms were tested. We show that at least two different response properties predict FM rate selectivity: sideband inhibition and duration tuning. Sideband inhibition was determined using the two-tone inhibition paradigm in which excitatory and inhibitory tones were presented with different delays. Sideband inhibition was present in the majority (88%, n = 53) of neurons. The spectrotemporal properties of sideband inhibition predicted rate selectivity and exclusion of the sideband from the sweep reduced/eliminated rate tuning. The second property predictive of sweep rate selectivity was duration tuning for tones. Theoretically, if a neuron is selective for the duration that a sweep spends in the excitatory frequency tuning curve, then rate selectivity will ensue. Duration tuning for excitatory tones was present and predicted rate selectivity in ∼34% of neurons (n = 97). Both sideband inhibition and duration tuning predicted rate selectivity equally well, but sideband inhibition was present in a larger percentage of neurons suggesting that it is the dominant mechanism in the C57 mouse auditory cortex. Similar mechanisms shape sweep rate selectivity in the auditory system of bats and mice and movement-velocity selectivity in the visual system, suggesting similar solutions to analogous problems across sensory systems. This study provides baseline data on basic spectrotemporal processing in the C57 strain for elucidation of changes that occur in presbycusis.
Airy plasmon: a non-diffracting surface wave

We introduce a new class of non-diffracting surface plasmons: the Airy plasmon. The self bending and self healing behavior of these solutions is analyzed. Schemes for experimental realization and potential applications are discussed.
Circadian feeding and drinking rhythms in the rat under complete and skeleton photoperiods

Feeding and drinking rhythms were studied in rats maintained under 24-hr light-dark (LD) cycles with various photoperiods, under two-pulse (2P) and one-pulse (1P) skeleton photoperiods, and under constant dark (DD). Rhythmic waveforms were similar under complete LD cycles and corresponding skeleton photoperiods, indicating that these rhythms mainly reflect the entrainment of underlying circadian pacemakers. Little or no role was found for masking effects of light on circadian feeding and drinking waveforms. Entrainment was found to depend mainly on the timing of the dawn light signal, whether it was a 15-min light pulse or a dark-to-light transition initiating a complete photoperiod. Furthermore, the use of 1P schedules revealed that a dawn signal was sufficient for entrainment. These results closely match those obtained for motor activity measures in other nocturnal rodent species, and generally conform to the predictions of Pittendrigh's nonparametric theory of entrainment. Furthermore, the close correspondence of the two rhythms during entrainment, phase-jumps, and free-running (DD) conditions indicates that they are controlled by common circadian pacemakers.
Identification of asymmetrically winged samaras from the Western Hemisphere

A key is presented for use in identifying asymmetrically winged fruits (samaras) with either proximal or distal locules. It aids identification based on dispersed fuit morphology and can be used to identify undetermined extant herbarium specimens or fossil fruits to the correct extant family and genus. The 39 genera from 11 families (Aceraceae, Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae, Malpighiaceae, Phytolaccaceae, Polygalaceae, Polygonaceae, Rutaceae, Sapindaceae, Trigoniaceae, Ulmaceae) are distinguished on the basis of wing venation, size of fruit, presence and position of attachment surface, presence and type of subsidiary wings on the ovary wall. ornamentation, size and shape of the ovary, locule position, shape of locule cross section, style position and ornamentation, distinction between ovary wall and wing, and angle of attachment between individual samaras. The developmental origins of some of these features are discussed.
Identification of Desired Outcomes for School Nursing Practice

The Scope and Standards of Professional School Nursing Practice states that school nurses should evaluate the quality and effectiveness of their practice. School nurses have not yet identified and adopted outcomes by which this effectiveness can be measured. This study used focus groups during a national meeting of school nurse leaders to identify the desired outcomes that could be used to measure the efficacy of school nursing practice. Ten desired outcome themes were identified with numerous specific indicators as possible ways to measure the desired outcome in each theme. The student-, school-, and nurse-focused outcome themes were as follows: (a) increased student seat time, (b) receipt of first aid and acute care measures, (c) receipt of competent health-related interventions or skills, (d) meeting of the comprehensive needs of children with chronic conditions, (e) enhanced school health via wellness promotion and disease prevention measures, (f) referrals, (g) safe environment, (h) enhanced school health via community outreach, (i) cost-effective school nurse services, and (j) student, parent, and staff satisfaction. The school nurse participants were supportive of having potential outcomes identified and unanimously endorsed the findings at the conclusion of the study. They have provided a comprehensive framework from which evaluation tools can be developed to measure the efficacy of school nursing.
Effect of Strut Chordae Transection on Mitral Valve Leaflet Biomechanics

Strut chordae transection (SCT) has been recommended as a surgical treatment for mitral regurgitation (MR) arising from ischemic heart disease. However, little is known about the contribution of anterior strut chordae to leaflet tissue mechanics. In this study, experimental measurements of mitral valve deformation under quasi-static pressure loading were performed on isolated pig hearts before and after transecting both strut chordae. Biplane video images of markers placed on the anterior leaflet surface were used to reconstruct the 3D position of the markers. The 2D nonhomogeneous deformations in the anterior leaflet were calculated by least squares fit to the 3D marker coordinates in successive pressure loading states. Results show that the anterior leaflet undergoes large, anisotropic and nonhomogeneous deformation, with a significant radial stretch gradient and smaller, uniform circumferential stretch. Following chordal transection, the radial deformation decreases. A gradient in the circumferential stretch is observed as an increase from the annulus toward the coaptation line. Without the support provided by the strut chordae, the center portion of the anterior leaflet experienced a substantial change in shape in response to the systolic pressure, altering the load-bearing mechanism in the valvular structure. The shift of the deformation distribution suggests that additional strain energy is absorbed by the circumferentially oriented collagen fibers following SCT and may result in long-term tissue remodeling. This study provides detailed biomechanical data for interpreting the results of previous investigations of SCT, as well as for exploring a greater understanding of how SCT affects MR through computational modeling.
Reliability of alternate forms of the trail making test

Abstract Initial research in a limited sample of 15 closed-head-injury patients indicated reasonable reliability for alternate forms of the Trail Making Test, Parts A and B, called Form C and D, respectively. The present study examined the reliability of these alternate forms in a larger and more heterogeneous sample of 192 subjects with neurologic, psychiatric, or substance abuse diagnoses. The two forms correlated significantly, and there were no significant differences in mean scores for the two forms. The results indicate adequate reliability, although separate cut-off values for Form C may be necessary due to a nonsignificant tendency for scores on Form C to be lower than for the Trail Making Test, Part A.
Intraarticular injection of heparin‐binding insulin‐like growth factor 1 sustains delivery of insulin‐like growth factor 1 to cartilage through binding to chondroitin sulfate

Objective—IGF-1 stimulates cartilage repair but is not a practical therapy due to its short halflife. We have previously modified IGF-1 by adding a heparin-binding domain and have shown that this fusion protein (HB-IGF-1) stimulates sustained proteoglycan synthesis in cartilage. Here, we first examined the mechanism by which HB-IGF-1 is retained in cartilage. We then tested whether HB-IGF-1 provides sustained growth factor delivery to cartilage in vivo and to human cartilage explants. Methods—Retention of HB-IGF-1 and IGF-1 was analyzed by Western blotting. The requirement of heparan sulfate (HS) or chondroitin sulfate (CS) glycosaminoglycans for binding was tested using enzymatic removal and cells with genetic deficiency of HS. Binding affinities of HB-IGF-1 and IGF-1 proteins for isolated glycosaminoglycans were examined by surface plasmon resonance and ELISA. Results—In cartilage explants, chondroitinase treatment decreased binding of HB-IGF-1, whereas heparitinase had no effect. Furthermore, HS was not necessary for HB-IGF-1 retention on cell monolayers. Binding assays showed that HB-IGF-1 bound both CS and HS, whereas IGF-1 did not bind either. After intra-articular injection in rat knees, HB-IGF-1 was retained in articular and meniscal cartilages, but not in tendon, consistent with enhanced delivery to CS-rich cartilage. Finally, HB-IGF-1 but not IGF-1 was retained in human cartilage explants. Conclusions—After intra-articular injection in rats, HB-IGF-1 is specifically retained in cartilage through its high abundance of CS. Modification of growth factors with heparin-binding domains may be a new strategy for sustained and specific local delivery to cartilage.
Values in Action

The focus of the Thirty-Second Dudley Allen Sargent Lecture is the role of values in kinesiology. As the options of what we can do in our personal and professional lives increase due to such forces as advancing technologies and globalization, the more vexing and pressing question is frequently: What should we do? With deference to the impact of Dudley Allen Sargent on the shaping of our field and with reference to his values as a case study, I will consider innovative curricular approaches to values in action for tomorrow's world.
Catalysis of the retinal subpicosecond photoisomerization process in acid purple bacteriorhodopsin and some bacteriorhodopsin mutants by chloride ions

The dynamics and the spectra of the excited state of the retinal in bacteriorhodopsin (bR) and its K-intermediate at pH 0 was compared with that of bR and halorhodopsin at pH 6.5. The quantum yield of photoisomerization in acid purple bR was estimated to be at least 0.5. The change of pH from 6.5 to 2 causes a shift of the absorption maximum from 568 to 600 nm (acid blue bR) and decreases the rate of photoisomerization. A further decrease in pH from 2 to 0 shifts the absorption maximum back to 575 nm when HCl is used (acid purple bR). We found that the rate of photoisomerization increases when the pH decreases from 2 to 0. The effect of chloride anions on the dynamics of the retinal photoisomerization of acid bR (pH 2 and 0) and some mutants (D85N, D212N, and R82Q) was also studied. The addition of 1 M HCl (to make acid purple bR, pH 0) or 1 M NaCl to acid blue bR (pH 2) was found to catalyze the rate of the retinal photoisomerization process. Similarly, the addition of 1 M NaCl to the solution of some bR mutants that have a reduced rate of retinal photoisomerization (D85N, D212N, and R82Q) was found to catalyze the rate of their retinal photoisomerization process up to the value observed in wild-type bR. These results are explained by proposing that the bound Cl- compensates for the loss of the negative charges of the COO- groups of Asp85 and/or Asp212 either by neutralization at low pH or by residue replacement in D85N and D212N mutants.
Genomic surveys by methylation-sensitive SNP analysis identify sequence-dependent allele-specific DNA methylation

Allele-specific DNA methylation (ASM) is a hallmark of imprinted genes, but ASM in the larger nonimprinted fraction of the genome is less well characterized. Using methylation-sensitive SNP analysis (MSNP), we surveyed the human genome at 50K and 250K resolution, identifying ASM as recurrent genotype call conversions from heterozygosity to homozygosity when genomic DNAs were predigested with the methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme HpaII. Using independent assays, we confirmed ASM at 16 SNP-tagged loci distributed across various chromosomes. At 12 of these loci (75%), the ASM tracked strongly with the sequence of adjacent SNPs. Further analysis showed allele-specific mRNA expression at two loci from this methylation-based screen--the vanin and CYP2A6-CYP2A7 gene clusters--both implicated in traits of medical importance. This recurrent phenomenon of sequence-dependent ASM has practical implications for mapping and interpreting associations of noncoding SNPs and haplotypes with human phenotypes.
An Ecteola-cellulose chromatography assay for 3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-phosphosulfate: Phenol sulfotransferase

Abstract A new assay procedure for phenol sulfotransferase which employs [ 35 S]-3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate as a sulfate donor and a variety of phenols as sulfate acceptors was developed. The appearance of the 35 S-sulfated products or the disappearance of the [ 35 S]-3′-phosphoadenosine-5′-phosphosulfate are determined simultaneously by chromatography of the assay incubation mixtures on Ecteola-cellulose columns, eluting with an NH 4 HCO 3 step gradient. Various acidic, neutral, and basic phenols can be employed as substrates for phenol sulfotransferase using this procedure.
Privacy risks in health databases from aggregate disclosure

This paper focuses on privacy risks in health databases that arise in assistive environments, where humans interact with the environment and this information is captured, assimilated and events of interest are extracted. The stakeholders of such an environment can range from caregivers to doctors and supporting family. The environment also includes objects the person interacts with, such as, wireless devices that generate data about these interactions. The data streams generated by such an environment are massive. Such databases are usually considered hidden, i.e., are only accessible online via restrictive front-end web interfaces. Security issues specific to such hidden databases, however, have been largely overlooked by the research community, possibly due to the false sense of security provided by the restrictive access to such databases. We argue that an urgent challenge facing such databases is the disclosure of sensitive aggregates enabled by recent studies on the sampling of hidden databases through its public web interface. To protect sensitive aggregates, we enunciate the key design principles, propose a three-component design, and suggest a number of possible techniques that may protect sensitive aggregates while maintaining the service quality for normal search users. Our hope is that this paper sheds lights on a fruitful direction of future research in security issues related to hidden web databases.
Population quantile-quantile plots for monitoring assay performance in newborn screening

Immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) used in screening for cystic fibrosis is heterogeneous, poorly characterized, and displays marked matrix effects when incorporated into blood spots, making long-term control of assay calibration difficult. The cut-off required to select a fixed proportion of samples (0.5% for the UK protocol) for second-tier mutation analysis varies over time, partly owing to slight differences in calibration of individual lots of assay kit. To investigate this and possible inter-laboratory differences in analytical performance, we developed a monitoring system based on the distribution of measured IRT concentrations in the screened samples. Results were collected fortnightly from five UK screening laboratories in the form of numbers of samples in histogram 'bins' of IRT concentration. These data were converted to cumulative percentages and the IRT concentrations at fixed centiles then approximated by triangulation. The quantile-quantile plot of any subset (by laboratory or by kit lot) of these data using pooled results (all-laboratories all-kit-lots, approximately 270,000 samples) as the reference distribution is analogous to a calibration curve and gives a measure of bias in terms of sensitivity (slope) and baseline (y-intercept). This allows a revised 99.5th centile cut-off for each subset to be calculated directly. A similar approach has allowed inter-laboratory comparison of tandem-mass spectrometric assays for free carnitine (with emphasis on low values) and phenylalanine and has demonstrated that apparently trivial differences in instrumentation and procedures have resulted in marked variation in resultant assay performance.
Leadership in the Making: A Comprehensive Examination of the Impact of Leadership Development Programs on Students

Executive Summary This paper describes "action research" strategies that were employed to assess the process and outcomes of leadership development programs for college students. These methodologie...
The radiological findings in radiation-induced enteritis and colitis a review of 30 cases

Following radiotherapy to the abdomen, clinically significant radiation damage may occur to the gastrointestinal tract. The disease process when observed directly (as at surgery or at autopsy) may extend far more than that seen on the radiological examination. One radiological finding is a roundish pool of barium due to many loops of small bowel being matted together and encased in a thick, fibrous capsule. Adhesions may also cause tacking down of the mucosa. These adhesions constitute a major surgical problem. Other small bowel changes include nodular filling defects, thickening, straightening and rigidity of mucosal folds, complete absence of the mucosal fold pattern, mural thickening, rigidity of the wall, strictures and functional or mechanical obstruction. Radiation changes in the large bowel may be manifested as (1) an area of marked spasm, (2) stricture which may be short or long, slight or severe, smooth and gently tapering, or abrupt with mucosal irregularity and overhanging edges resembling a carcinoma, (3) ulceration, (4) perforation and abscess formation resembling an acute diverticulitis. Many of the changes induced in the small or large bowel by radiation therapy present radiological appearances closely resembling a recurrence of the malignancy. Laparotomy and biopsy of the abdominal lesions may well be advisable in order to distinguish changes due to metastases from those due to the radiotherapy.
Design of microwave filters using a binary-coded genetic algorithm

In this paper, we present a procedure for designing multilayered microwave filters that incorporates combinations of different dielectrics using a binary-coded genetic algorithm (GA). The GA simultaneously chooses, optimally, the material in each layer as well as its thickness. The result is a multilayer composite that provides a maximum absorption of both TE and TM waves for a prescribed range of frequencies and incident angles. This technique automatically imposes an upper bound on the total thickness of the composite, as well as on the number of layers that form it. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 26: 162–166, 2000.
A model independent ultraviolet cutoff for theories with charged massive higher spin fields

Abstract We argue that the theory of a massive higher spin field coupled to electromagnetism in flat space possesses an intrinsic, model independent, finite upper bound on its UV cutoff. By employing the Stuckelberg formalism we do a systematic study to quantify the degree of singularity of the massless limit in the cases of spin 2, 3, 3/2, and 5/2. We then generalize the results for arbitrary spin to find an expression for the maximum cutoff of the theory as a function of the particle's mass, spin, and electric charge. We also briefly explain the physical implications of the result and discuss how it could be sharpened by use of causality constraints.
Visually Guided Cooperative Robot Actions Based on Information Quality

In field environments it is not usually possible to provide robots in advance with valid geometric models of its environment and task element locations. The robot or robot teams need to create and use these models to locate critical task elements by performing appropriate sensor based actions. This paper presents a multi-agent algorithm for a manipulator guidance task based on cooperative visual feedback in an unknown environment. First, an information-based iterative algorithm to intelligently plan the robot's visual exploration strategy is used to enable it to efficiently build 3D models of its environment and task elements. The algorithm uses the measured scene information to find the next camera position based on expected new information content of that pose. This is achieved by utilizing a metric derived from Shannon's information theory to determine optimal sensing poses for the agent(s) mapping a highly unstructured environment. Second, after an appropriate environment model has been built, the quality of the information content in the model is used to determine the constraint-based optimum view for task execution. The algorithm is applicable for both an individual agent as well as multiple cooperating agents. Simulation and experimental demonstrations on a cooperative robot platform performing a two component insertion/mating task in the field show the effectiveness of this algorithm.
Application of the dynamic Wilhelmy plate to identification of slippage at a liquid-liquid-solid three-phase line of contact

The dynamic Wilhelmy plate provides force-distance records that result from the plate passing through an interface at slow constant speed. The form of these force-distance records is determined by a combination of buoyancy and capillary forces. In the present work, wetting behavior of liquid-liquid-solid systems is investigated with changes in wetting properties of silica or glass substrates induced by crude oil. Two initial plate positions are analyzed. In the first, the plate is initially suspended in air above a vessel containing brine overlain by oil. The plate is then lowered through the air-oil and oil-brine interfaces. In the second, the plate is initially immersed in brine and then raised into the oil phase. In each case, the direction of plate motion is reversed during the course of measurement. Oil-brine-solid systems commonly exhibit contact angle hysteresis. Idealized force-distance records have been calculated for which receding and advancing contact angles are constant and the three-phase line of contact remains pinned during contact angle transitions that result from reversing the direction of motion of the plate. Comparison of experimental results with the idealized behavior shows that stabilized wetting conditions are not always achieved. It was often observed that slippage of the three-phase line of contact caused the distance of plate motion over which contact angle transitions occur to be much longer than that predicted by theory.
Hispanic‐serving institutions through the eyes of students and administrators

Every year, more colleges and universities become Hispanic-serving institutions. These institutions, whether public or private, two-year or four-year, find themselves in the position of serving high numbers of Latino students. They encounter opportunities for unique learning environments, access to special funding, and the potential to be instrumental in Latino educational attainment.
2-Amino-3-picolineN-oxide complexes formed from various copper(II) Salts

Copper(II) complexes of 2-amino-3-picolineN-oxide (3 MA) have been isolated as perchlorate, tetrafluoroborate, nitrate, chloride and bromide salts, and characterized by spectral methods (i.e., i.r., u.v.-vis and e.s.r.). Variation of the ligand to copper(II) salt ratio yielded solids having the following empirical formulas: Cu(3 MA)4X2 (X = ClO4, BF4 or NO3), Cu(3 MA)2X2 (X = NO3, Cl or Br) and Cu(3 MA)X2 (X = Cl). In addition, a deprotonated ligand complex, Cu(3 MA-H)2, was prepared by treating an aqueous slurry of Cu(3 MA)4(ClO4)2 with NaOH. This complex is considered to be square planar, but does associate to form a dimer in nonpolar solvents such as CHCl3. The complexes involving coordinated anions appear to be polymeric and to contain halogen orN-oxide oxygen bridging ligands.
Ion-exchange softening of human urine to control precipitation

A major barrier to widespread implementation of urine source-separation is the uncontrolled precipitation of magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) minerals in waterless urinal plumbing, which results in clogging that increases maintenance requirements. The goal of this research was to investigate the use of ion-exchange softening of undiluted, fresh human urine to control precipitation reactions in hydrolyzed urine. The working hypothesis was that selective removal of Ca and Mg from undiluted, fresh urine by cation exchange resin would decrease the precipitation of Ca and Mg minerals in hydrolyzed urine. Ion-exchange experiments and precipitation experiments were used to investigate ion-exchange reactions in synthetic urine. Cation exchange resin (Amberlite A200C) removed both Ca and Mg from undiluted, fresh urine with a greater affinity for Ca over Mg. Precipitation experiments showed that struvite, MgNH4PO4·6H2O, and hydroxyapatite, Ca5(PO4)3(OH), were the dominant minerals in untreated and ion-exchange treated hydrolyzed urine. Overall, ion-exchange softening decreased the mass of solids that would be deposited in the urinal plumbing and increased the phosphate available for nutrient recovery. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 33: 564–571, 2014
Thermal Performance of Pin Fins at Low Reynolds Numbers in Mini-Micro-Channels

The computational study investigates different pin fin arrangements at low Reynolds numbers, which would typically be prevalent in mini-micro-channels used in enhancing heat as well as mass transfer. The effect of pin density, span-wise pitch, and stream-wise pitch is investigated on friction and heat transfer over a range 5 200 due to the formation of larger recirculating wakes. Overall it is concluded that a high density arrangement with a small span-wise pitch provides the best thermal performance.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Quantitative pathology of oral mucosal allografts in the rabbit.

Abstract Quantitative analysis of four morphological components of the rejection reaction revealed differences between skin and mucosal allografts and between allografts and autografts of these tissues. Orthotopic skin or mucosal allografts were exchanged between pairs of rabbits matched or mismatched at the RLA locus of the major histocompatibility complex. Similar autografts were placed as controls. Quantitative microscopic examination of paraffin sections of all grafts, in which a standardized microscopic field was analysed, gave mean values for: (1) percentage of vessels with damaged walls; (2) fraction of vessel lumen occupied by blood cells or thrombus; (3) extravascular lymphocyte counts; (4) extravascular granulocytes counts. Significant differences were found between mismatched mucosal and mismatched skin allografts for all variables except lymphocyte counts. Mucosal and skin autografts differed significantly only in lymphocyte and granulocyte counts. Comparisons between mismatched allografts and autografts showed significant differences in all four variables in both mucosa and skin, whereas matched allografts and autografts of both tissues differed significantly for all variables except for the granulocyte count. Differences between autografts and allografts, whether RLA matched or mismatched, are clearly attributable to histocompatibility barriers in allografts. If the RLA locus had a significant effect on the 4 pathological components analysed, differences between matched and mismatched allografts would be evident. There being no such differences it is concluded that the minor histocompatibility loci play an important role in this type of immunological reaction. Differences in the reaction in oral mucosa and skin may be due to differences in the expression of histocompatibility antigens or tissue-specific antigens in these tissues and to factors of the local environment.
Principal components of the Beck Depression Inventory and regional cerebral metabolism in unipolar and bipolar depression.

Abstract Background: We determined clustering of depressive symptoms in a combined group of unipolar and patients with bipolar disorder using Principle Components Analysis of the Beck Depression Inventory. Then, comparing unipolars and bipolars, these symptom clusters were examined for interrelationships, and for relationships to regional cerebral metabolism for glucose measured by positron emission tomography. Methods: [ 18 F]-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography scans and Beck Depression Inventory administered to 31 unipolars and 27 bipolars, all medication-free, mildly-to-severely depressed. BDI component and total scores were correlated with global cerebral metabolism for glucose, and voxel-by-voxel with cerebral metabolism for glucose corrected for multiple comparisons. Results: In both unipolars and bipolars, the psychomotor-anhedonia symptom cluster correlated with lower absolute metabolism in right insula, claustrum, anteroventral caudate/putamen, and temporal cortex, and with higher normalized metabolism in anterior cingulate. In unipolars, the negative cognitions cluster correlated with lower absolute metabolism bilaterally in frontal poles, and in right dorsolateral frontal cortex and supracallosal cingulate. Conclusions: Psychomotor-anhedonia symptoms in unipolar and bipolar depression appear to have common, largely right-sided neural substrates, and these may be fundamental to the depressive syndrome in bipolars. In unipolars, but not bipolars, negative cognitions are associated with decreased frontal metabolism. Thus, different depressive symptom clusters may have different neural substrates in unipolars, but clusters and their substrates are convergent in bipolars.