cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dermatoses acquired by solid‐waste handlers

A clinical evaluation of the skin changes and injuries among refuse (waste) collectors in San Francisco was conducted in 1983. Almost 75% had palmar calluses—a result of repeated pressure and friction. Those workers who protected their hands with gloves had practically normal skin, with minor or absent calluses. The majority of waste collectors sustained work-related injuries each year. These consisted mainly of sprains, abrasions and lacerations, fractures, and eye injuries. Based on the injury rate, waste collection is a hazardous occupation. The skin is invariably traumatized.
On‐target and nanoparticle‐facilitated selective enrichment of peptides and proteins for analysis by MALDI‐MS

Over the course of the last decade, a number of investigators have come to appreciate that the surface of a MALDI target, after suitable modification, can be used for selective enrichment of peptides and proteins. More recently, surface-modified nanoparticles (NPs) that readily co-crystallize in MALDI matrix, are not ionized by laser desorption/ionization, and do not interfere with MS have attracted interest as alternatives to surface-modified targets for selective enrichment of peptides and proteins. Surface-modified targets and NPs facilitate parallel processing of samples, and when used in conjunction with MALDI mass spectrometers with kHz lasers enable development of high-throughput proteomics platforms. Targets and NPs for reversed phase and ion exchange retention, selective enrichment of glycopeptides, selective enrichment of phosphopeptides, and immunoaffinity MS are described in conjunction with details regarding their preparation and utility. Commercial availability of the reagents and substrates required to prepare surface-modified targets and NPs is also discussed.
Multi-Frame Data Acquisition for PET Camera Using an On-Line Microprocessor-Based System

Multi-frame studies using cameras with fine spatial sampling and many possible coincidence lines create large memory requirements. To reduce these requirements and enable the PENN-PET scanner to perform gated cardiac studies, a microprocessor-based system for on-line preprocessing of raw data into sinograms was designed, built and evaluated.
Nonradioactive Chromium Technique for Red Cell Labeling

. Following transfusion, red cells labeled with nonradioactive chromium (52Cr) can be detected in the circulation using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Both in rhesus monkeys and in human subjects, the survival of red cells labeled with 52Cr was found to be insignificantly different from that of cells labeled with 51Cr. Nonradioactive chromium can be used to label a second population of red cells, when 51Cr is used for the first population, or can be used on its own when the use of radioactivity is contraindicated.
Periodic focusing and ponderomotive stabilization of sheet electron beams

Particle simulations compare the behavior of nonrelativistic sheet electron beams in uniform static and nonuniform time-harmonic magnetic fields. The time-harmonic fields are equivalent to periodically cusped magnetic (PCM) focusing. While the sheet beam in a uniform field exhibits diocotron instability, the PCM-focused beam is stabilized by ponderomotive forces, in agreement with recent analytic predictions [J. Appl. Phys. 73, 4140 (1993)]. Mismatched Pcm-focused beams exhibit envelope oscillation and initially rapid emittance growth followed by a region of slower increase, in agreement with a recent semianalytic Fokker-Planck model.
β-blocker effects on 24-h activity in normotensive and renovascular hypertensive baboons

Abstract Spontaneous motor activity of normotensive and renovascular hypertensive baboons was measured during oral dosing with the β-adrenergic antagonists atenolol HCl (2.6 mg/kg/day) and d,l -propranolol HCl (6.8 mg/kg twice daily) in separate studies. Each study administered active drug for 21 consecutive days. Piezoelectric monitors sensitive to movement were worn continuously by the baboons. Propranolol decreased overall 24-h average activity during the third week of dosing in normotensive baboons but not in renovascular hypertensive baboons. The greatest reductions in activity averaged 20% at those times of day corresponding to the second daily drug dose both in normotensive baboons and, at this time of day only, in the majority of hypertensive baboons. Activity decreases reversed to baseline levels when propranolol was discontinued. For atenolol, most normotensive but no hypertensive baboons showed decreases in activity at the time of day corresponding to the daily drug dose.
Abnormal Transglutaminase 1 Expression Pattern in a Subset of Patients with Erythrodermic Autosomal Recessive Ichthyosis

An autosomal recessive ichthyosis characterized by collodian membrane at birth followed by generalized skin redness and fine, light-colored scales has been termed nonbullous congenital ichthyosiform erythroderma (CIE). CIE has often been classified together with the other major form of recessive ichthyosis without internal organ involvement, lamellar ichthyosis, which is characterized by minimal erythema and a coarser, darker scale pattern. Recently, autosomal recessive ichthyosis has been associated with keratinocyte transglutaminase (TGase1) defects in some patients. This group of diseases, however, is genetically heterogeneous and TGase1 abnormalities in CIE have not been clearly described. Therefore we examined TGase1 expression in five patients with CIE and three with classic lamellar ichthyosis. Although lamellar ichthyosis patients displayed no TGase1 expression, an abnormal intracellular accumulation of TGase1 was observed in four of five CIE patients. This finding was specific and was not observed in other skin disorders characterized by erythema and abnormal cornification, including erythrodermic psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, and Netherton's syndrome. CIE keratinocytes with abnormal TGase1 localization expressed full-length TGase1 mRNA and protein but demonstrated transglutaminase activity intermediate between normal and the minimal activity seen in lamellar ichthyosis patient cells. The abnormal TGase1 expression pattern and CIE clinical features were recapitulated in epidermis regenerated in vivo on immune deficient mice from CIE patient keratinocytes. These studies describe a specific abnormality in TGase1 intrinsic to keratinocytes in a subset of CIE patients and suggest that this abnormality may be involved in the disordered epidermal differentiation seen in this disorder.
Dual specificity of su+ 7 tRNA. Evidence for translational discrimination.

Abstract The su + 7 amber suppressor of Escherichia coli is a mutant tRNA Trp that translates UAG codons as glutamine. Nevertheless, the purified su + 7 tRNA can be charged with either glutamine or tryptophan. Aminoacylation kinetics in vitro suggest that the tRNA should be acylated with equal amounts of glutamine and tryptophan in vivo . The predominance of the glutamine specificity of the suppressor is therefore potentially anomalous. We can find no selective deacylation of tryptophanyl- su + 7 tRNA by glutaminyl-tRNA synthetase, tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase, or any other cellular element. Furthermore, as predicted, nearly equal amounts of glutaminyl and tryptophanyl- su + 7 tRNA are actually detected in aminoacyl-tRNA extracted from growing cells. We conclude that the translational apparatus somehow discriminates against tryptophanyl- su + 7 tRNA at a step after synthesis of the two aminoacyl-tRNAs.
Eugenics, “Degenerate Girls,” and Social Workers During the Progressive Era

The U.S. eugenics movement, which sought to encourage the “wellborn” to have children and actively discourage and even prohibit the “unfit” from having children, became increasingly popular and influential during the Progressive Era, shaping public discourse, emerging social work practice approaches, and state and federal public policy. This article details the eugenics movement; examines why young women, particularly those who were poor, non-Anglo-Saxon, and living in urban areas, were targeted as the key to preventing the unfit from propagating; and explores the relationship between eugenics and early social workers, focusing particular attention on their work with young women.
Monte Carlo simulations of the chemical potential of model benzene fluids

Abstract The chemical potential has been determined for benzene using a Monte Carlo simulation of 96 molecules over an equivalent benzene density of 0.1 to 0.7 g/cc for six- and twelve- site benzene models with Lennard-Jones (6–12) potentials using two methods: a thermodynamic integration of the pressure and a ghost particle insertion method. Results obtained for the two method and the Soave equation of state are shown to agree well at super- and sub- critical temperatures for six- and twelve- site models. Also, the chemical potentials predicted by both benzene models agree qualitatively. However, it is expected that the 12 site model would be more accurate.
Monofixation with Eso-, Exo-, or Hypertropia: Is There a Difference?

Monofixation syndrome is considered the next best thing to bifoveal fixation because it allows excellent binocular vision and long-term stability of alignment in patients with small angle strabismus. The purpose of this study was to determine if there exists an anatomic or physiologic reason for the visual system to prefer small angle esotropia over exotropia or hypertropia. Of 259 cases of strabismus ≤10(Δ), esotropia was the most common and the most stable form of microtropia. Stability was statistically associated with sensory fusion, motor fusion, and stereopsis. Micro-ET cases outperformed the exotropic and hypertropic cases in all sensory categories, but particularly in the case of motor fusion. Instability was associated with the presence of an A- or V-pattern, oblique dysfunction, a history of infantile esotropia, dense amblyopia, and a significant change in refractive error. Micro-XT and HT were more likely to display these signs. In order to ensure long-term stability through fusion and stereopsis, the visual cortex must link the fovea of the dominant eye with the nasal retina in esotropic eyes, or the temporal retina in exotropic eyes. However, temporal retinal input is at a competitive anatomic and physiologic disadvantage. Compared to the connections necessary for binocular vision in micro-ET, those required for XT or HT may be more difficult to form and easily disrupted once established.
Hydrogen assisted self-ignition of propane/air mixtures in catalytic microburners

Abstract A catalytic Pt-based microdevice is evaluated for the combustion of hydrogen and/or propane. It is found that in confined ceramic microchannels hydrogen/air mixtures self-ignite over a wide range of compositions. This discovery is capitalized to self-ignite propane/air mixtures with the assistance of hydrogen addition. It is shown that propane kinetically inhibits hydrogen catalytic combustion at low hydrogen fractions. The minimum hydrogen composition for self-ignition of propane/air mixture compositions is found to be relatively constant, irrespective of propane composition. The transient and steady state behavior of these systems is described, and the minimization of hydrogen usage and startup time are discussed.
Offshore escape response and directional orientation of the striped hermit crab clibanarius vittatus (BOSC)

The involvement of ground slope, waves and celestial cues in y‐axis orientation was studied for the striped hermit crab Clibanarius vittatus. This crab commonly lives subtidally along sheltered shorelines and displayed an escape response oriented in the offshore direction at the home beach. Laboratory studies indicated that crabs moved downslope at angles of 7° and greater. In a wave tank, they moved into approaching waves. As for celestial cues alone, crabs tested under clear skies in both the morning and afternoon displayed directional distributions significantly oriented in the same direction as crabs on the home beach. Crabs displayed random movements under cloudy skies. Thus, C. vittatus can use ground slope, waves and celestial cues for offshore orientation during its escape response.
The Podmore case.

On January 10, 1929, in Southampton, England, two men examining the interior of a long-padlocked garage that had been previously used as a storeroom by a local agent of the Wolf's Head Oil Company found the decomposing body of its missing agent, Vivian Messiter. The assistance of Scotland Yard was obtained. Sir Bernard Spilsbury's autopsy revealed that Messiter had died from several severe blunt force craniocerebral injuries, the murder weapon apparently being a blood-encrusted hammer found nearby. Suspicion immediately centered on William Podmore, alias William Thomas, who had been employed by Messiter for 3 days in late October 1928, immediately prior to Messiter's being declared missing. Podmore, who was wanted for fraud and robbery elsewhere in England, was questioned and told a self-serving story. Meanwhile, it had been suspected that he had reported to Messiter sales of oil to fictitious customers, collecting commissions on same, and this was eventually reinforced by the finding of traces of writing in a receipt book. Two fellow prisoners of Podmore stated that he had confessed in their presence. Almost 14 months after the murder, Podmore was charged with it. He was later convicted, and was hanged after some public outcry against the verdict.
Role of Proline in the Folding of Conotoxins

Evaluation of the role of disulfide bridges plays an important part in understanding the concept of protein folding. We are investigating how slight changes - the presence vs. the absence of the cyclic amino acid proline in a certain position of the peptide-chain - in the sequence of small peptides influence their folding properties. The present studies focus on the folding of a group of small peptides found in Conus snails, α-conotoxins SI, SIA (found in Conus Striatus), and GI (Conus Geographus), under two different oxidizing conditions. Each peptide has two disulfide bridges leading to three possible regioisomers, only one of which is found in nature. Our results indicate that peptides containing the cyclic amino acid proline had very high selectivity for the natural isomer, suggesting that this amino acid enforces a structural rigidity on the peptides. This research has been supported by funding through NIH R15 GM074654-01A2 and NSF DUE 0525440.
Seed-induced crystallization of amorphous silicon for the formation of large-grain poly-crystalline silicon

A new method for reducing crystallization time of hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin films and more successfully controlling grain structure has been studied through seeding of the bulk matrix with nanocrystallites during film deposition. Films were deposited by a system in which crystallites and amorphous film were synthesized in separate RF-powered plasmas. Average crystallite size was confirmed to be 20 to 50 nm via TEM imaging. Several films with various initial crystallite population densities were produced, and their crystallization kinetics were studied via Raman spectroscopy throughout a staged annealing process. Seeded films consistently displayed a characteristic crystallization time less than the incubation time of unseeded control films. Furthermore, films with larger initial seed densities exhibited earlier crystallization onset. A separate study also was performed in which the dark conductivity was compared between films re-crystallized from various initial seed densities.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Ammonia storage feedback control to improve urea usage and NOx efficiency with experimental demonstration

Diesel exhaust emissions legislation is driving acceptable NOx emissions to ever lower levels. To continually meet the challenges presented by this trend, new SCR controls technologies must be considered as well as new ways to sense and control them. Ammonia storage controls technology was developed to manage ammonia utilization within a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) sub-system and thereby facilitate the effective and efficient reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in Diesel engine exhaust streams while at the same time improving urea usage and minimizing ammonia slip from the tailpipe. This technology was tested on a medium duty diesel engine using standard test and measurement procedure for engine certification by EPA.
Antiresonant-Guiding Photonic Crystal Fibers for Refractive Index Gradients Sensing

We propose, design and experimentally demonstrate a novel, simple, distributed refractometric sensor based on unique spectral properties of antiresonant-guiding photonic crystals fibers for measuring temperature gradients. Design optimization and potential applications will be discussed.
Advances in automated noise data acquisition and noise source modeling for power reactors

Abstract A newly-expanded program, directed toward achieving a better appreciation of both the strengths and limitations of on-line, noise-based, long-term surveillance programs for nuclear reactors, is described. Initial results in the complementary experimental (acquisition and automated screening of noise signatures) and theoretical (stochastic modeling of likely noise sources) areas of investigation are given.
Technical and social bases for regional land use policy and planning

I have argued that the current thrust toward land use planning on an extensive scale is a significant movement. It appears to respond to real societal forces and has mustered a consensus, albeit one that appears to have serious internal conflicts. For planners and regional scientists, the creation of regional planning agencies offers more than the opportunity for jobs. We have argued for many years that we are developing theories and techniques that allow us to understand regional phenomena in ways that are pragmatic and useful. Some of us may have the opportunity to find out how real those claims are. Our future as organized professional groups may depend on the answer.
Strategic Considerations for Emergency Preparedness and Management: An Editorial Essay

A strategic issue is a major core issue that can rarely be resolved by any sort of fully objective approach. It is usually about the future and the alternative options that exist to "improve" the future. This article explores the critical areas of concern in strategic considerations illustrated by the topic of Emergency Preparedness and Management.
Objective Sleepiness Measures in Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OBJECTIVES Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) occurs frequently in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the incidence of EDS in children with OSA is unknown. METHODS To determine overall daytime sleepiness in pediatric OSA, 54 children with OSA, 14 children with primary snoring (PS), and 24 controls (C) underwent an overnight diagnostic polysomnogram followed the next day by a multiple sleep latency test. RESULTS The mean apnea index was 15.1 +/- 9.5 standard deviation in OSA, 1.1 +/- 0.5 in PS, and 0.1 +/- 0.3 in C. Mean sleep latencies were 23.7 +/- 3.0 minutes in C, 23.7 +/- 3.1 minute in PS, and 20.0 +/- 7.1 minute in OSA patients. However, only 7 children with OSA had mean sleep latencies <10 minutes. In addition, shorter sleep latencies were more likely to occur in more obese OSA patients and those with more severe apnea index, and oxyhemoglobin desaturation. CONCLUSIONS Shortened sleep latencies occur in children with OSA, but EDS is infrequent and tends to develop among more severe and/or obese patients.
Effects of Age and Task Characteristics on Continuous Motor Tracking Performance

Background/Study Context: Much has been written regarding age-related changes in sensory and motor functions, general slowing of the nervous system, and deficiencies in inhibition. Few studies, however, have attempted to define how each of these factors may contribute to poorer accuracy of motor performance with aging. The purpose of this study was to examine whether these changes were best explained by speed of task or stimulus-response compatibility. Methods: Twenty-four younger (M = 19.5; 18–22 years) and older (M = 72.5; 65–82 years) adults used knee movement to track a computer-generated disc along a computer-generated sinusoidal wave that either moved at 50 or 70 cm/s. Stimulus-response compatibility consisted of leg and disc movement in the same direction and stimulus-response incompatibility consisted of leg and disc movement in the opposite direction. Performance was analyzed using a mixed-design analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Younger adults performed better than older adults in all condi...
The Virgin, The Princess, and The Goddess: A Field Report and Analysis of Pagan and Christian Symbolism in a Roman Catholic Religious Celebration of Northern Chile

This article represents an early attempt to organize a communications study of a Roman Catholic religious celebration situated in the Andes Mountains of northern Chile. Although the rites and symbols of traditional religious festivals are more likely to draw the attention of anthropologists and ethnomusicologists than communication scholars, I believe such environments are fascinating and fertile sites for media ecologists to explore. The first part of this article integrates the work of several ethnographers who have studied the feast with my own observations made during a field visit there in July 2001. The second part of the article proceeds with a media ecological analysis by placing the feast within an historical context that highlights the symbolic differences between oral and literate forms of religious experience. The article concludes that the existing clash of pagan and Christian symbolism within the feast can at least partially be explained by the contrast between oral and literate forms of sym...
Photochemical separation of cerium from rare earth mixtures in aqueous solution

Abstract Cerium has been separated from lanthanide mixtures by photochemical means. Separation is accomplished by photooxidation of Ce3+ in acidic aqueous solution, followed by isolation of Ce4+ by precipitation with iodate. Separation factors exceed 100 and total product yields exceed 95%. Quantum yields are estimated to be at least 0.10.
Making sense with TRP channels: store-operated calcium entry and the ion channel Trpm5 in taste receptor cells

The sense of taste plays a critical role in the life and nutritional status of organisms. During the last decade, several molecules involved in taste detection and transduction have been identified, providing a better understanding of the molecular physiology of taste receptor cells. However, a comprehensive catalogue of the taste receptor cell signaling machinery is still unavailable. We have recently described the occurrence of calcium signaling mechanisms in taste receptor cells via apparent store-operated channels and identified Trpm5, a novel candidate taste transduction element belonging to the mammalian family of transient receptor potential channels. Trpm5 is expressed in a tissue-restricted manner, with high levels in gustatory tissue. In taste cells, Trpm5 is co-expressed with taste-signaling molecules such as alpha-gustducin, Ggamma(13), phospholipase C beta(2) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type III. Biophysical studies of Trpm5 heterologously expressed in Xenopus oocytes and mammalian CHO-K1 cells indicate that it functions as a store-operated channel that mediates capacitative calcium entry. The role of store-operated channels and Trpm5 in capacitative calcium entry in taste receptor cells in response to bitter compounds is discussed.
Effect on human serum lipids of substituting plant for animal fat in diet.

SummarySix subjects with obesity of exogenous origin showed significant reductions in serum concentrations of free and esterified cholesterol and of phospholipids when plant fats were substituted isocalorically for animal fats during a 4-month metabolic ward study. The approximate magnitude of the change was 20% decrease. Neutral fat levels showed no significant change. Body weights and caloric intakes were held constant throughout the experiment.
In pursuit of optimum welding system design for steels

AbstractWelding system design includes selection of base metal, filler metal and process parameters for a given application. Integrated modelling has always been considered as a pathway to arrive at generic welding system solutions. Based on recent publications, arguments are made that generic solutions are indeed difficult. This is due to inability of these models to consider complex and transient boundary conditions imposed by field welding conditions. In lieu of generic solutions, design of invariant microstructure is suggested as an alternative approach.
The Size of Suspended Particle Matter in Air

By means of the NASN cascade impactor the particle sizes of ambient aerosols can be measured by fractionating the particles according to their aerodynamic dimensions, and the fractions can be quantified gravimetrically. Data obtained with this instrument show that particulate matter suspended in urban air in the United States and Great Britain is remarkably uniform in distribution and that the particles are predominantly less than 1 microm in diameter. In Ankara, Turkey, the high proportion of particles larger than 1 microm in diameter are associated with the incomplete combustion of lignite; particulate concentrations in Ankara, however, are considerably higher than those measured elsewhere. The growth of particles in air during temperature inversions occurs in Cincinnati; the greater proportion of large particles found there during inversion periods can account for the reduction in visibility. Aerosols in the vicinity of highways are composed of particles larger than those found some distance away because of the reentrainment of debris by the traffic-induced turbulence. On the other hand, highway configuration and traffic volume have little effect on the size distribution of aerosols in samples collected away from the turbulence area of the roadway. Aerosols measured inside buildings are predominantly smaller in size and exhibit a narrower range of sizes than aerosols outside buildings.
Fiscal Policy Spillovers through Trade Openness

This paper studies whether trade openness reduces the domestic fiscal multiplier, but increases the impacts of foreign fiscal shocks, i.e., the spillover effect, as suggested by theory. Using annual data from the period of 1970 to 2011, for 179 developed and developing economies, we show that domestic fiscal shocks are less potent in more open economies, while foreign (rest of the world) fiscal shocks are more potent in more open economies.
The Gibbs Sampler

The proposal transition T(x,y) in a Metropolis sampler is often an arbitrary choice out of convenience. In many applications, the proposal is chosen to be a locally uniform move. In fact, the use of symmetric and locally uniform proposals is so prevailing that these are often referred to as “unbiased proposals” in the literature.
An Analysis of Cluster Headache Information Provided on Internet Websites

Objective.— To evaluate the quality of websites providing cluster headache information for patients and healthcare providers. Background.— The Internet has become an increasingly important source of healthcare information. However, limited data exist regarding the quality of websites providing headache information. Methods.— This was a cross-sectional study conducted in February 2007. Websites providing cluster headache information were determined on the search engine MetaCrawler and classified as either patient oriented or healthcare provider oriented. The overall quality of each site was evaluated using a score system. Readability was evaluated using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Readability Score (FKRS). Website quality was analyzed based on ownership, purpose, authorship, author qualifications, attribution, interactivity, and currency. The technical quality of the cluster headache information was analyzed based on content specific to cluster headache. The final ranking, based on the sum of the ranks of all 3 categories, was determined and then contrasted between the patient-oriented and healthcare professional-oriented websites using 2-sample t-tests. Results.— Of the first 40 websites found on MetaCrawler, 72.5% were advertisements, unrelated to headache, or repeated websites. Although the standard US writing averages are at a seventh to eighth grade level, the mean FKRS of all sites was at a 12th grade level of difficulty, with no significant difference between the patient-oriented or healthcare provider-oriented websites (P = .54). Of a total possible 14 points, the overall mean quality component score was 9.9 for all sites; and of a total possible 23 points, the overall mean technical component score was 13.9. There was no significant difference for either the quality or technical component scores between patient-oriented or healthcare provider-oriented websites (P = .45 and P = .80, respectively). Conclusion.— There are numerous cluster headache websites that can be found on the Internet. The quality of most of the websites dedicated to cluster headache is mediocre, and although there are some excellent cluster headache websites, these sites may be challenging for many users to locate. There was no significant difference in the overall quality of websites oriented for patients or healthcare providers providing cluster headache information evaluated in this study. In addition, websites providing high-quality cluster headache information are written at an educational level too high for a significant portion of the general population to fully utilize. Physicians should strongly consider providing lists of quality websites on cluster headache for their patients.
Anger Report Predicts Coronary Artery Vasomotor Response to Mental Stress in Atherosclerotic Segments

Abstract To determine the effects of anger on coronary artery vasoconstriction, 12 patients with symptomatic myocardlal ischemia were studied during cardiac catheterization. During catheterization, the patients were asked to recall a recent event that had produced anger. One narrowed and 2 nonnarrowed arterial segments were selected using predetermined criteria. Patients also completed various self-report measurements upon entering the catheterization laboratory before any procedures, after completion of the clinical angiogram and after the anger recall stressor. There was a significant increase in subject reports of anger (F [1,6] = 21.94, p
A framework for evaluating the data-hiding capacity of image sources

An information-theoretic model for image watermarking and data hiding is presented in this paper. Previous theoretical results are used to characterize the fundamental capacity limits of image watermarking and data-hiding systems. Capacity is determined by the statistical model used for the host image, by the distortion constraints on the data hider and the attacker, and by the information available to the data hider, to the attacker, and to the decoder. We consider autoregressive, block-DCT, and wavelet statistical models for images and compute data-hiding capacity for compressed and uncompressed host-image sources. Closed-form expressions are obtained under sparse-model approximations. Models for geometric attacks and distortion measures that are invariant to such attacks are considered.
Toward a framework for levels of robot autonomy in human-robot interaction

Autonomy is a critical construct related to human-robot interaction (HRI) and varies widely across robot platforms. Levels of robot autonomy (LORA), ranging from teleoperation to fully autonomous systems, influence the way in which humans and robots interact with one another. Thus, there is a need to understand HRI by identifying variables that influence---and are influenced by---robot autonomy. Our overarching goal is to develop a framework for LORA in HRI. To reach this goal, our framework draws links between HRI and human-automation interaction, a field with a long history of studying and understanding human-related variables. The construct of autonomy is reviewed and redefined within the context of HRI. Additionally, this framework proposes a process for determining a robot's autonomy level by categorizing autonomy along a 10-point taxonomy. The framework is intended to be treated as a guideline for determining autonomy, categorizing the LORA along a qualitative taxonomy and considering HRI variables (e.g., acceptance, situation awareness, reliability) that may be influenced by the LORA.
The impact of electronic commerce on the travel industry an analysis methodology and case study

We introduce an approach to analyzing the impact of electronic commerce on an industry, and describe how industry players can devise plans to take advantage of new business opportunities. We elaborate on this approach in the context of the travel industry. We draw on our work on classifying technologies used in electronic commerce, the business value of electronic commerce, and a current research project on the impact of electronic commerce on the travel industry. The paper includes a review of the business drivers (pull) and technological advances (push) in the industry; an analysis of the impact on the competitive structure of the industry using Michael Porter's (1980) framework in the context of electronic commerce; an analysis of the capabilities of the different actors and how electronic commerce will allow them to improve, transform or redefine them. This leads to a cross-analysis of the possible strategies for each actor in the industry, based on the available and planned technologies (focusing again on electronic commerce). From these strategies, one can derive the need for technological support (infrastructure and systems) and the organizational impact for each actor. This should be helpful in assisting industry actors to develop their electronic commerce strategies. The case study examines issues related to the management of travel distribution for leisure and corporate customers, and will especially study the reaction of travel agencies, computer reservation systems, product suppliers (e.g., airlines and hotels) and customers.
Attitudes of nursing students toward death and dying: A research note

Fear, denial, and the avoidance of death and dying appear to be products of life in modern society. While society insulates most people from contact with the death and dying of others, there are professions that come into repeated contact with dying individuals. The present study uses the Collett‐Lester Fear of Death Scale to analyze the Fear of Death and Dying for Self and Others (four subscales) among a sample of registered nurses (BA level). Over a 10‐year period, nurses’ fears concerning death and dying were measured at three points—before a course on death and dying (Pretest), after the course (Posttest), and at a point in their professional nursing practice (Retest). The results suggest that these nurses’ fears of death for self and others change at a statistically significant level over the Pretest and Posttest observations; however, the changes are temporary. The Fear of Dying for Self and Others tends to decline significantly over the Pretest and Retest observations. Age, religion, religiosity, a...
Waveguide Channels And Gratings In Polydiacetylene Films Using Photo-Induced Bleaching

Poly[5,7-dodecadiyn-1,12-diol-bis(n-butoxycarbonyl-methyl-urethane)], or poly-4BCMU, thin films permanently bleach when irradiated with light in the absorption band. The resulting decrease in refractive index has been measured and is sufficient to allow formation of waveguide channels and gratings. The optical properties of the bleached material are discussed. A waveguide grating coupler is fabricated by periodic bleaching and demonstrated.
Frameless multimodal image guidance of localized convection-enhanced delivery of therapeutics in the brain.

Introduction Convection-enhanced delivery (CED) has been shown to be an effective method of administering macromolecular compounds into the brain that are unable to cross the blood-brain barrier. Because the administration is highly localized, accurate cannula placement by minimally invasive surgery is an important requisite. This paper reports on the use of an angiographic c-arm system which enables truly frameless multimodal image guidance during CED surgery. Methods A microcannula was placed into the striatum of five sheep under real-time fluoroscopic guidance using imaging data previously acquired by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and MRI, enabling three-dimensional navigation. After introduction of the cannula, high resolution CBCT was performed and registered with MRI to confirm the position of the cannula tip and to make adjustments as necessary. Adeno-associated viral vector-10, designed to deliver small-hairpin micro RNA (shRNAmir), was mixed with 2.0 mM gadolinium (Gd) and infused at a rate of 3 μl/min for a total of 100 μl. Upon completion, the animals were transferred to an MR scanner to assess the approximate distribution by measuring the volume of spread of Gd. Results The cannula was successfully introduced under multimodal image guidance. High resolution CBCT enabled validation of the cannula position and Gd-enhanced MRI after CED confirmed localized administration of the therapy. Conclusion A microcannula for CED was introduced into the striatum of five sheep under multimodal image guidance. The non-alloy 300 μm diameter cannula tip was well visualized using CBCT, enabling confirmation of the position of the end of the tip in the area of interest.
What are exosomes and how can they be used in multiple sclerosis therapy

Current treatment options for multiple sclerosis are limited and consist of immunosuppressors or agents to prevent immune infiltration of the brain. These therapies have potentially harmful side effects and do little to promote myelin repair. Instead, we suggest using exosomes, naturally occurring small vesicles that exert influence through the delivery of mRNA, microRNA and protein. Dendritic cells can be cultured from bone marrow and stimulated to release exosomes. When administered to the brain, these exosomes significantly increase myelination and improve remyelination following injury by prompting preoligodendrocytes to differentiate into myelin producing cells. Additionally, they are non-toxic and can easily cross the blood-brain barrier and, thus, have great potential as a therapeutic.
RANDOM DISPERSAL IN A PREDATOR-PREY-PARASITE SYSTEM

We propose predator-prey-parasite models to study the effects of parasites upon the predator-prey interaction. There are two parameters that are used to model the effectiveness of the infected prey and infected predator. For the spatial homogeneous system, the asymptotic dynamics depend on the reproductive number of the parasite. The parasite can persist in the population if this reproductive number is larger than one. Numerical simulations suggest that less competitiveness of the infected predator can make the predator-prey interaction less stable. The dynamics may move from coexisting steady state to oscillations. For the spatial heterogeneous system, diffusion may destabilize the homogeneous interior steady state for a particular set of diffusion coefficients. However, both systems do not exhibit complicated dynamical behavior.
SEPARATION OF MITOCHONDRIAL MEMBRANES OF NEUROSPORA CRASSA : II. Submitochondrial Localization of the Isoleucine-Valine Biosynthetic Pathway

Separation of Neurospora mitochondrial outer membranes from the inner membrane/matrix fraction was effected by digitonin treatment and discontinuous density gradient centrifugation. The solubilization of four isoleucine-valine biosynthetic enzymes was studied as a function of digitonin concentration and time of incubation in the detergent. The kinetics of the appearance of valine biosynthetic function in fractions outside of the inner membrane/matrix fraction, coupled with enzyme solubilization patterns similar to that for the matrix marker, mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase, indicate that the four isoleucine-valine pathway enzymes are localized in the mitochondrial matrix.
CP violating anomalous top-quark couplings at the LHC

We study the $T$ odd correlations induced by $CP$ violating anomalous top-quark couplings at both production and decay level in the process $gg\ensuremath{\rightarrow}t\overline{t}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}(b{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}})(\overline{b}{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\overline{\ensuremath{\nu}}}_{\ensuremath{\mu}})$. We consider several counting asymmetries at the parton level and find the ones with the most sensitivity to each of these anomalous couplings at the LHC.
Role of C−H Bond Strength in the Rate and Selectivity of Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Alkanes

The oxidative dehydrogenation of alkanes (C2H6, C3H8, i-C4H10, and n-C4H10) was investigated on VOx supported on Al2O3. Rate constants for alkane dehydrogenation (k1), alkane combustion (k2), and alkene combustion (k3) were measured, and a model was developed to describe the effects of alkane composition on these rate constants. The proposed model accounts for the effects of the number of C−H bonds available for activation and the relative strengths of these bonds in both the reactant and the product molecules. The Bronsted−Evans−Polanyi (BEP) relationship is used to relate activation energies of secondary and tertiary C−H bonds to that of primary C−H bonds. The model gives a reasonable approximation of the relative order of alkane reactivity, expressed by k1 + k2, and the relative ranking of alkanes with respct to combustion versus oxidative dehydrogenation, expressed by k2/k1. The ratio of k2/k1 is described by the product of two components: one that depends on the nature, number, and relative strength ...
Fever in Trauma Patients: Evaluation of Risk Factors, Including Traumatic Brain Injury

BACKGROUND: The role of fever in trauma patients remains unclear. Fever occurs as a response to release of cytokines and prostaglandins by white blood cells. Many factors, including trauma, can trigger release of these factors. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether (1) fever in the first 48 hours is related to a favorable outcome in trauma patients and (2) fever is more common in patients with head trauma. METHOD: Retrospective study of trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit for at least 2 days. Data were analyzed by using multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 162 patients studied, 40% had fever during the first 48 hours. Febrile patients had higher mortality rates than did afebrile patients. When adjusted for severity of injuries, fever did not correlate with mortality. Neither the incidence of fever in the first 48 hours after admission to the intensive care unit nor the number of days febrile in the unit differed between patients with and patients without head trauma (traumatic brain injury). About 70% of febrile patients did not have a source found for their fever. Febrile patients without an identified source of infection had lower peak white blood cell counts, lower maximum body temperature, and higher minimum platelet counts than did febrile patients who had an infectious source identified. The most common infection was pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: No relationship was found between the presence of fever during the first 48 hours and mortality. Patients with traumatic brain injury did not have a higher incidence of fever than did patients without traumatic brain injury. About 30% of febrile patients had an identifiable source of infection. Further studies are needed to understand the origin and role of fever in trauma patients. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2015; 24:e1-e5). Language: en
Crystal deformation during the growth of kink bands in oriented polyethylene

When oriented polyethylene is sheared at an angle to the orientation axis, kink bands often develop and grow, with a resulting change of the crystalline orientation. Beside the crystalline reorientation, the following changes within the kink bands have been observed with wide-angle x-rays: (a) partial transformation to a monoclinic from the normal orthorhombic unit cell; (b) partial alignment of the orthorhombic b axes; (c) rotation of the orthorhombic c axes of a fraction of the crystals around the kinks by an extra 40 to 60° beyond that of the fibrils; and (d) misalignment of the orthorhombic (hk0) planes by a few degrees. These results are suggested to arise, at least in part, from crystal flattening and from crystal twinning or pseudotwinning on planes intersecting the molecular axes.
How do clinical trial participants compare to other patients with schizophrenia

Abstract Objective Patients with schizophrenia enrolled in a trial of long-acting injectable risperidone at multiple sites of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). We considered if the trial participants were representative of the targeted group of high-utilization patients with poor adherence to anti-psychotics. Methods Participants' characteristics, health services utilization, and cost in the year prior to randomization were compared to a randomly selected time-matched cohort of 10,000 other patients with schizophrenia who were not in the trial. Results There were few differences in the characteristics, utilization, or cost between trial participants and non-participants who met the key trial inclusion criterion of a history of psychiatric hospitalization in the prior 24 months. Trial participants were more likely to be African-American (45.5% vs. 35.1%, p Conclusions Trial participants appeared to be representative of the 23.3% of VHA patients with schizophrenia who met the key trial inclusion criterion, suggesting that trial findings will be relevant to the broader group of high risk patients.
Exercices de style: Developing Multiple Competencies Through a Writing Portfolio

This article presents a writing portfolio project whose primary goal is to integrate the development of projiciency skills, content knowledge, and grammatical competence through literary study. Excerpts from Queneau's (1947) Exercices de style, which tells the same story 99 times, serve as the basis for this portfolio project: These excerpts are both the input for grammar instruction and the model for student writing. Students prepare multiple drafts of their written texts according to a process-oriented approach that includes peer review, self evaluation, and instructor feedback. Following an overview of relevant research, an outline of the portfolio project and student com mentaries are presented that provide empirical evidence of the perceived value of the project.