cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Non-Algorithmic Forensic Approach for Hiding Data in Image Files

Digital evidence continues to be an integral component in investigative and judicial processes. In digital files, information is stored in structured containers to enable software applications to process and render it for use. In this work, we extend prior research into non-algorithmic approaches to data hiding in files whose structural and physical properties are based on Office Extensible Markup Language (OOXML) by extending and applying our approach to digital image files. The file structure and properties of digital images is inherently different from OOXML files. In this paper, we propose a technique for creating persistent, stealthy, and benign tagging data in digital files. Our approach differs from current steganographic and cryptographic methods because we use a black box approach to find patterns of candidate file locations for inserting our digital tagging data. The results in this paper demonstrate that it is possible to empirically find locations suitable for storing data without knowledge of the files' internal structure, and to essentially hide persistent and benign tagging data in JPEG files. We observed that 31% of the inserted tagging data survives when our test image files are modified and saved or when opened and saved without modifying. Additional experiments revealed that hidden data in identified locations persists when operations like opening, closing, terminating, copying are performed on the image files.
Preparation of Drosophila tissue culture cells from different stages of the cell cycle for chromatin immunoprecipitation using centrifugal counterflow elutriation and fluorescence-activated cell sorting.

Abstract Many nuclear proteins alter their localization during the cell cycle. This includes proteins which regulate and execute cell cycle events and proteins involved in transcription and DNA repair. The core components of chromatin, the histone proteins, also change their modification state through the cell cycle. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) makes it possible to localize chromatin-associated proteins to specific sequences in the genome and has revolutionized studies of transcription. Fewer studies have used ChIP to analyze protein localization or modification at specific stages in the cell cycle. This is in part because these studies require isolation of pure populations of cells at each stage of the cell cycle, which is challenging for many cell types. However, the ability to carry out ChIP from cells at specific stages in the cell cycle in some systems has revealed cell cycle regulation of chromatin localization, and cell cycle stage-specific functions and modification of chromatin proteins, providing incentive to pursue these experiments. This chapter presents protocols for isolating Drosophila S2 cells from all phases of the cell cycle using centrifugal elutriation and fluorescent-activated cell sorting. These cells are suitable for ChIP analysis.
Cross-diagnostic Prediction of Dimensional Psychiatric Phenotypes in Anorexia Nervosa and Body Dysmorphic Disorder Using Multimodal Neuroimaging and Psychometric Data

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) share several phenomenological features including distorted perception of appearance, obsessions/compulsions, and limited insight. They also show partially overlapping patterns of brain activation, white matter connectivity, and electrophysiological responses. These markers have also shown associations with symptom severity within each disorder. We aimed to determine: (a) if, cross-diagnostically, neural activity and connectivity predict dimensional clinical phenotypes, and (b) the relative contribution of multimodal markers to these predictions beyond demographics and psychometrics, in a multivariate context. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from a visual task, graph theory metrics of white matter connectivity from diffusor tensor imaging, anxiety and depression psychometric scores, and demographics to predict dimensional phenotypes of insight and obsession/compulsions across a sample of unmedicated adults with BDD (n = 29) and weight-restored AN (n = 24). The multivariate model that included fMRI and white matter connectivity data performed significantly better in predicting both insight and obsessions/compulsions than a model only including demographics and psychometrics. These results demonstrate the utility of neurobiologically-based markers to predict important clinical phenotypes. The findings also contribute to understanding potential cross-diagnostic substrates for these phenotypes in these related but nosologically discrete disorders.
Encounters With Writing: Becoming-With Posthumanist Ethics:

In this article, the authors (re)think writing as an ethical endeavor to explore and to cultivate more inclusive orientations for writing research and teaching. Situated in posthumanist scholarship...
Effect of Sociodemographics, Health‐Related Problems, and Family Structure on Chronic Absenteeism Among Children

Background From 5 to 7.5 million schoolchildren are chronically absent, defined as missing ≥15 days of school within a year. Students miss schools due to various reasons such as health, socioeconomic status, and environmental factors. We examined child's health and behavior, family structure, and sociodemographics to understand chronic absenteeism. Methods The population included children ages 6 to 17 years from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey years 2008-2013. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify the risk factors of chronic absenteeism, adjusting for the complex sampling design. Results Among sociodemographic variables, age ≥14 years, race/ethnicity, lower-income family, public health insurance, US born, and speaking English at home were associated with absenteeism. Asians, Mexican Hispanics, and blacks have lower absenteeism than whites. Among health-related variables, children using an inhaler for asthma, having behavioral problems, and less healthy than other children were more likely to be chronically absent. Among family variables, a smaller family size was a risk factor for absenteeism. Conclusions Asthma and behavioral problems were highly associated with chronic absenteeism. The identification of children at risk for chronic absenteeism will help the educational professionals identify the barriers to academic achievements and develop integrated educational interventions and policies to support disadvantaged children.
Comparison of Neonatal Mortality and Morbidity Prediction Tools for Surgical Nec Patients

Background: Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading contributor of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Few risk-prediction models exist to inform discussions with families before surgery or guide risk-adjustment for between center comparisons of surgical outcomes. Useful prediction models should be parsimonious, validated, well-calibrated, and include inputs using readily accessible pre-operative data. In addition, the performance of currently available prediction tools, including the Score for Neonatal Acute Physiology Perinatal Extension (SNAPPE-II), Vermont Oxford Risk Adjustment Tool (VON) and American College …
Preceptor Fidelity to the Creation of Precepting-Focused Continuing Professional Development Learning Plans.

Objectives To determine preceptor fidelity to the creation of continuing professional development (CPD) learning plans for improvements in clinical teaching. To determine topics of interest for preceptor development programming with a focus on clinical teaching skills. Methods An online CPD program focusing on the reflect and plan stages was launched. The online program introduced preceptors to CPD, encouraged preceptors to review student feedback, and required completion of a CPD precepting plan. Preceptors were provided four guided questions to develop their plans. Preceptor fidelity to the creation of a CPD plan to improve precepting skills was rated as: 1) having a plan for improving a precepting skill, 2) having a plan for improving precepting, but not skill-based, or 3) having a plan lacking a precepting focus. Topics of precepting improvement were identified. Results Of the 491 preceptors who completed CPD plans, 46.2% of the plans were skill-based. Of those, 59.5% of the CPD plans included specific learning items. Only 3.9% of preceptors submitted nonprecepting focused CPD plans and the remaining 49.9% of CPD plans were non skill-based, but precepting focused. Giving feedback was the most frequently listed topic with 45.8% of preceptors including it in their CPD plans. Conclusions This online precepting CPD program successfully guided preceptors in developing CPD plans that have the potential to improve student learning experiences. Future precepting CPD programs will need to provide direction on the use of skill-based objectives. Further investigation is needed to determine the effectiveness of the program in changing precepting behavior.
Gate-variants of Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) neural networks

The paper evaluates three variants of the Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) in recurrent neural networks (RNNs) by retaining the structure and systematically reducing parameters in the update and reset gates. We evaluate the three variant GRU models on MNIST and IMDB datasets and show that these GRU-RNN variant models perform as well as the original GRU RNN model while reducing the computational expense. In this comparative study, we simply refer to the three variants as, respectively, GRU1, GRU2, and GRU3 RNNs.
CDIP: Maintaining a Robust and Reliable Ocean Observing Buoy Network

The Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) is an operational wave monitoring and prediction program based at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, part of the University of California, San Diego. CDIP maintains an array of Datawell™ Waverider directional wave buoys in US and territorial waters. Primary funding is provided by the US Army Corps of Engineers, with additional funding from the State of California, the U.S. Navy, various federal agencies, and the private sector. In recent years, collaborations with NOAA's regional Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) programs have further expanded the CDIP array, which presently includes stations along the Atlantic and Pacific mainland coasts, plus Alaska, Hawaii, the South Pacific, Lake Superior, the Gulf Coast of Florida, and Puerto Rico. Collecting reliable wave buoy data begins with using high quality instruments and maintaining them properly. Working closely with the buoy manufacturer, CDIP has been expanding and improving pre-and post-deployment sensor validation capabilities. Comprehensive and well-documented quality control measures are then applied to the real-time data. Advanced diagnostics and automated messaging have been developed to provide watch keepers with real time notice of any environmental conditions, vessel interference, or technical malfunctions that invalidate the data. Newly available sensors, providing surface current and air temperature data in addition to the waves and sea surface temperature, have been beta-tested and incorporated. The current data have been applied to better understand mooring response to strong currents and effects on wave data. Lessons have been learned and applied regarding the effects of biofouling and anti-fouling measures. As a result, reliable data continue to be collected that characterize long-term wave and sea surface temperature climate, as well as wave conditions generated by major storm events such as Hurricane Florence in 2018. The growing buoy array and evolution of computing resources prompted CDIP to overhaul its data processing, metadata handling, and web hosting infrastructure in order to improve on usability, scalability, reliability, portability and security. Cloud based services are now utilized, and a variety of technologies such as the THREDDS data server, Django™ Web Framework, Django™ Rest Framework, and Docker® containers have been adopted. These forward-looking upgrades will ensure the robustness of CDIP's data management capabilities, wave model output availability, and web presence for years to come.
Unscripted economics in an industrial community

One third of US manufacturing jobs disappeared between 2001 and 2009 and the conventional explanations (low wages overseas, robots taking over) do not apply to the capital goods producers in Keene, New Hampshire, where the author teaches. Local firms compete with high wage counterparts and firms using robots hire people as well. De/reindustrialisation ascertains the cause(s) of industrial contraction – or success. Students visit plants in the local industrial base and conduct oral history interviews, analyse annual reports and apply specific concepts of economic theory. The course is interdisciplinary, involves undergraduate research and civic engagement and uses open education assignments. Unscripted learning has proved the great motivator, as students navigate their oral history interviews and the community presentation. The course succeeds in motivating students and it serves the community, conveys research skills and pushes the teacher to take economic theory in practical directions.
TEM Analysis of Corrosion Products From a Radioactive Stainless Steel-based Alloy

Argonne National Laboratory has developed an electrometallurgical treatment process for metallic spent nuclear fuel from the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II. This process stabilizes metallic sodium and separates usable uranium from fission products and transuranic elements that are contained in the fuel. The fission products and other waste constituents are placed into two waste forms: a ceramic waste form that contains the transuranic elements and active fission products such as Cs, Sr, I and the rare earth elements, and a metal alloy waste form composed primarily of stainless steel (SS), from claddings hulls and reactor hardware, and ∼15 wt.% Zr (from the U-Zr and U-Pu-Zr alloy fuels). The metal waste form (MWF) also contains noble metal fission products (Tc, Nb, Ru, Rh, Te, Ag, Pd, Mo) and minor amounts of actinides. Both waste forms are intended for eventual disposal in a geologic repository.
The global prevalence ptxP3 lineage of Bordetella pertussis was rare in young children with the co-purified aPV vaccination: a 5 years retrospective study.

The global prevalent ptxP3 strains varies from about 10% to about 50% of circulating B. pertussis population in different areas of China. To investigate the difference of vaccination status between different genotypes in the circulating B. pertussis after 10 years of acellular pertussis vaccine (aPV) used in China. The nasopharyngeal swabs and isolates of B. pertussis from these patients were used to perform genotyping of antigen genes. We use antibiotic susceptibility test against erythromycin and sequencing methods for site 2047 of 23S rRNA to determine the resistance status. The ptxP1 allele with erythromycin resistant (ER) B. pertussis infection (total of 449 subjects) consisted of 84.70 to 96.70% from 2012 to 2016 in this study. Vaccinated with co-purified aPV was found in 133(133/403,33.0%), 1(1/9,11.1%) and 2(2/21,9.5%) in ptxP1/fhaB3-ER, ptxP1/fhaB2-ES and ptxP3/fhaB2-ES B. pertussis infected children each, which showed a significant difference (χ2 = 6.87, P = 0.032). The ptxP3-ES B. pertussis was rare while the ptxP1-ER B. pertussis was steadily increased in Xi’an, China from 2012 to 2016, where co-purified aPV was prevalent used. This pose a hypothesis that the co-purified aPV might protect against ptxP3 strains more efficient, which generated a rare chance for ptxP3 strains to be under the antibiotic pressure and further developed to be erythromycin resistance. A further cohort study and the mechanisms of the additional antigen proteins of co-purified aPV protected against B. pertussis should be consideration.
Mass sum rule of hadrons in the QCD instanton vacuum

We briefly review the key aspect of the QCD instanton vacuum in relation to the quantum breaking of conformal symmetry and the trace anomaly. We use Ji's invariant mass decomposition of the energy momentum tensor together with the trace anomaly to discuss the mass budget of the nucleon and pion in the QCD instanton vacuum. A measure of the gluon condensate in the nucleon is a measure of the compressibility of the QCD instanton vacuum as a dilute topological liquid.
Interactions of human mesenchymal stromal cells with peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a Mitogenic proliferation assay.

Abstract Background Immunomodulation by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is a potentially important therapeutic modality. MSCs suppress peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation in vitro, suggesting a mechanism for suppressing inflammatory responses in vivo. This study details the interactions of PBMCs and MSCs. Methods Pooled human PBMCs and MSCs were co-cultured at different MSC:PBMC ratios and harvested from 0 to 120 h, with and without phytohaemagglutin A (PHA) stimulation. Proliferation of adherent MSCs and non-adherent PBMCs was assessed by quantitation of ATP levels. PBMC surface marker expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activity was determined by kynurenine assay and IDO mRNA by RT-PCR. Cytokine release was measured by ELISA. Immunofluorescent microscopy detected MSC, PBMC, monocyte (CD14+) and apoptotic events. Results PBMC proliferation in response to PHA gave a robust ATP signal by 72 h, which was suppressed by co-culture with densely plated MSCs. Very low level MSC seeding densities relative to PBMC number reproducibly stimulated PBMC proliferation. The CD4+/CD3+ population significantly decreased over time while the CD8+/CD3+ population significantly increased. No change in CD4+/CD8+ ratio is seen with high density MSC co-culture; very low density MSCs augment the changes seen in PHA stimulated PBMCs alone. IDO activity in MSCs co-cultured with PBMCs correlated with PBMC suppression. MSCs increased the secretion of IL-10 and IL-6 from stimulated co-cultures and decreased TNF-α secretion. In stimulated co-culture, low density MSCs decreased in number; fluorescence immunomicroscopy detected association of PBMC with MSC and phosphatidyl serine externalization in both cell populations. Conclusions A bidirectional interaction between MSCs and PBMCs occurs during co-culture. High numbers of MSCs inhibit PHA-stimulated PBMC proliferation and the PBMC response to stimulation; low numbers of MSCs augment these responses. Low density MSCs are susceptible to attrition, apparently by PBMC-induced apoptosis. These results may have direct application when considering therapeutic dosing of patients; low MSC doses may have unintended detrimental consequences.
Adolescent Plant Product Intake in Relation to Later Prostate Cancer Risk and Mortality in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study.

BACKGROUND Although fruit and vegetable intake during adolescence, a potentially sensitive time period for prostate cancer (PCa) development, has been proposed to protect against PCa risk, few studies have investigated the role of adolescent plant product intake in PCa development. METHODS Intake of various vegetables, fruit, and grains by males at ages 12-13 y was examined in relation to later PCa risk and mortality in the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate HRs and 95% CIs of nonadvanced (n = 14,238) and advanced (n = 2,170) PCa incidence and PCa mortality (n = 760) during 1,729,896 person-years of follow-up. RESULTS None of the plant products examined were associated consistently with all PCa outcomes. However, greater adolescent intakes of tomatoes (P-trend = 0.004) and nonstarch vegetables (P-trend = 0.025) were associated with reduced risk of nonadvanced PCa, and greater intakes of broccoli (P-trend = 0.050) and fruit juice (P-trend = 0.019-0.025) were associated with reduced risk of advanced PCa and/or PCa mortality. Positive trends were also observed for greater intakes of fruit juice (P-trend = 0.002), total fruit (P-trend = 0.014), and dark bread (P-trend = 0.035) with nonadvanced PCa risk and for greater intakes of legumes (P-trend < 0.001), fiber (P-trend = 0.001), and vegetable protein (P-trend = 0.013-0.040) with advanced PCa risk or PCa mortality. CONCLUSIONS Our findings do not provide strong evidence to suggest that adolescent plant product intake is associated with reduced PCa risk.
“She Took Care of Us and She Went Through a Lot”: Emotional Availability, Emotional Support, and Millennials’ Gendered Understandings of Parenting:

In the United States, parenting pressures are growing for both mothers and fathers. Thus, it is important to investigate how younger generations may make sense of parenting in ways that could eithe...
Transit Telescope Designs Optimized for Multiple Object Spectroscopy with Fibers

Instruments to study simultaneously the spectra of many objects in the field of view of a telescope can be made with the aid of fused silica fibers. The spectrograph at the 2.3m telescope of the University of Arizona has been modified for such operation, and is used routinely to investigate the dynamics of clusters of galaxies (Hill et al. 1981). The system presently in use locates up to 40 fibers in the telescope’s Cassegrain focal plane, with the aid of plates previously drilled with holes in the configuration of the objects to be studied. Each field must be set up by hand by inserting fibers into a hole plate. An obvious improvement to this method would be to mount each fiber on a mechanical actuator, so new field configurations can be set up by remote control. It is our intention to make such a system with 32 fibers for the 2.3m telescope, over the next two years.
Should Subsidized Private Transfers Replace Social Insurance

Private transfers between individuals or through organized charities are increasingly viewed as an alternative for government social insurance programs. This paper models the incentive effects of government subsidized private transfers and finds that while there is a significant welfare benefit to subsidizing private transfers, there is also a significant welfare cost to this policy. It is shown analytically, as well as through simulations, that the optimal subsidy to private transfers is positive for a wide range of parameter values. This result indicates that subsidized private transfers in net terms are welfare enhancing.
Remember the Titans: A Theoretical Analysis

This paper addresses a pivotal time in American history, when a 1971 Supreme Court mandate required southern school districts to end segregation (Daugherity, 2011). In Alexandria, Virginia, the merger of three rival high schools yielded a racially diverse football team and coaching staff. Beforehand, blacks and whites had their own schools. Many wondered how the new T.C. Williams Titans football team would fare. This paper takes an in-depth look at the film, Remember the Titans, which is based on this story. It analyzes the film using Gordon Allport’s (1954) Intergroup Contact Theory to assess how people from different backgrounds interact within group settings. It explores how communication barriers and the absence of knowledge can lead to ignorance. A 21 st century legacy is also discussed, including ideas for further research.
Deeds Not Words: The Battle Cry of Spike Lee's Miracle at St. Anna

Abstract:This essay discusses Spike Lee's 2008 World War II film Miracle at St. Anna as both a response to the myth of national unity in Frank Capra's 1942 documentary Prelude to War and a reminder of the campaign for “Double Victory” launched that same year by the Pittsburgh Courier.
Chemical Evolution of Dense Clouds

Thermal reactions largely determine the chemical evolution of interstellar molecules during various phases associated with the evolution of interstellar clouds. A similar mechanism may be the source of the array of observed polyatomic molecules. If astronomical time scales are comparable to or less than chemical time scales, thermodynamic equilibrium will not be attained. Other factors also affect the validity of thermodynamic calculations of molecular composition. An experimental investigation of thermal reactions in a simplified system is under way. Preliminary results of the HCN-H2 reaction at 1000 K indicate reaction times of several hours. These have been extrapolated to lower temperatures and fitted to models of the primordial solar nebula, proto stars and red giants. In these situations equilibrium would generally not be attained and reaction products would freeze out at temperatures near 700 K or greater.
SWI/SNF complexes are required for full activation of the DNA-damage response

// Stephanie L. Smith-Roe 1, 5 , Jun Nakamura 2 , Darcy Holley 1 , Paul D. Chastain II 3, 4 , Gary B. Rosson 1 , Dennis A. Simpson 3 , John R. Ridpath 3 , David G. Kaufman 3 , William K. Kaufmann 3 , Scott J. Bultman 1 1 Department of Genetics and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA 2 Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA 3 Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA 4 Department of Biomedical Sciences, William Carey University, Hattiesburg, MS, USA 5 Current address : Division of the National Toxicology Program, NIEHS, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA Correspondence to: Scott J. Bultman, e-mail: Scott_Bultman@med.unc.edu Keywords: BRG1, BRM, tumor suppression, DNA damage response, chemotherapeutics Received: September 29, 2014 Accepted: November 09, 2014 Published: January 07, 2015 ABSTRACT SWI/SNF complexes utilize BRG1 (also known as SMARCA4) or BRM (also known as SMARCA2) as alternative catalytic subunits with ATPase activity to remodel chromatin. These chromatin-remodeling complexes are required for mammalian development and are mutated in ~20% of all human primary tumors. Yet our knowledge of their tumor-suppressor mechanism is limited. To investigate the role of SWI/SNF complexes in the DNA-damage response (DDR), we used shRNAs to deplete BRG1 and BRM and then exposed these cells to a panel of 6 genotoxic agents. Compared to controls, the shRNA knockdown cells were hypersensitive to certain genotoxic agents that cause double-strand breaks (DSBs) associated with stalled/collapsed replication forks but not to ionizing radiation-induced DSBs that arise independently of DNA replication. These findings were supported by our analysis of DDR kinases, which demonstrated a more prominent role for SWI/SNF in the activation of the ATR-Chk1 pathway than the ATM-Chk2 pathway. Surprisingly, γH2AX induction was attenuated in shRNA knockdown cells exposed to a topoisomerase II inhibitor (etoposide) but not to other genotoxic agents including IR. However, this finding is compatible with recent studies linking SWI/SNF with TOP2A and TOP2BP1. Depletion of BRG1 and BRM did not result in genomic instability in a tumor-derived cell line but did result in nucleoplasmic bridges in normal human fibroblasts. Taken together, these results suggest that SWI/SNF tumor-suppressor activity involves a role in the DDR to attenuate replicative stress and genomic instability. These results may also help to inform the selection of chemotherapeutics for tumors deficient for SWI/SNF function.
Post-traumatic osteolysis of the distal clavicle

A 16-year-old boy with shoulder pain after trauma underwent shoulder radiographs, which were considered normal. Pain persisted with conservative treatment and follow-up. Radiograph at 3 months demonstrated periarticular bony erosion of the distal clavicle (arrow) (Fig. 1). Subsequent MRI for evaluation of the acromioclavicular joint demonstrated bone marrow and soft-tissue edema, periarticular erosion of the distal clavicle, adjacent softtissue edema and widening of the joint capsule (arrow) (Fig. 2). Based on the clinical history of trauma and imaging findings, post-traumatic osteolysis of the distal clavicle was diagnosed and confirmed during surgical resection of the distal clavicle. Post-traumatic osteolysis of the distal clavicle results from acute trauma or repetitive microtrauma, and incidence is 6% in adults with prior acromioclavicular joint separation. It is characterized by progressive bony resorption and bone marrow and softtissue edema of the distal clavicle, although exact pathophysiology is unknown [1]. Usually, good response is achieved by conservative management; surgical resection is performed in refractory cases [2].
Dual-Polarization Cylindrical Long-Slot Array (CLSA) Antenna Integrated With Compact Broadband Baluns and Slot Impedance Transformers

In this letter, a realistic method for feeding the dual-polarized cylindrical long-slot array (CLSA) antenna is presented. A compact lumped-element balun with 2.5:1 bandwidth is designed, fabricated, measured, and used for feeding the dipole-mode, while a compact microstrip coupled-line impedance transformer is used for feeding the slot mode of the antenna. Simulation results of these feeds are compared to experimental measurements, and the overall performance of the dual-polarized CLSA antenna with these feeds is also simulated. Simulation results agree with measured data, and it is shown that this antenna has the capability of achieving four polarization modes [vertical, horizontal, left-handed circular polarization (LHCP), right-handed circular polarization (RHCP)]. The gain over 225-450 MHz ranges from -1.42 to -3.15 dBi for the dipole mode, -0.44 to -2.24 dBi for the slot mode, -1.76 to -2.70 dBic for the LHCP mode, and -1.80 to -2.68 dBic for the RHCP mode.
Enterprise Applications for Supply Chain Management

Although many companies have implemented ERP systems to track and share information among cross functional business processes, they often supplement these with legacy, custom, or best of breed applications to support supply chain execution and management. This article offers a framework for understanding all types of enterprise applications that support the supply chain. In this study, the author organizes these applications, define acronyms, and describe the various types of systems that make up an information infrastructure for supply chain management.
Se,Se′-Diphenyl carbonodiselenoate: preparation and characterization of its molecular structure and thermal reactivity

Reaction of dipotassium nitroacetate with benzeneselenenyl bromide produces the title compound as a thermally unstable product, which has been characterized by X-ray crystallography.
The interaction between HIV and the classic sexually transmitted diseases

Because HIV is sexually transmitted, HIV infection is common in populations with high prevalences of other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This epidemiologic coprevalence provides an opportunity for bidirectional influences. The presence of some other STDs increases the transmissibility of HIV and may, in some circumstances, actually affect the course of HIV disease through the stimulation of susceptible cell types. The presence of HIV increases susceptibility to some STDs and modifies the presentation, course, rate of complications, and response to therapy of some of these classic infections. Recent studies and reviews have further defined these interactions but have provided no startlingly new approaches.
Unmethylated regions in the intergenic spacer of maize and teosinte ribosomal RNA genes

The restriction endonucleases Hpa II and Msp I were used to examine cytosine methylation in the ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA) of inbred lines of maize and species of teosinte. In all of the rDNAs examined, Msp I (not sensitive to mCpG) digestion yielded a distribution of lower molecular weight fragments indicative of multiple recognition sites. The majority of the rDNA arrays in an individual were inaccessible to Hpa II (sensitive to mCpG) cleavage, but a significant fraction (10–25%) was cleaved at least once by Hpa II into repeat unit length fragments (9.1 kbp). In some maize inbred lines, one or two additional fragment populations (less than 9.1 kbp in length) were also produced by Hpa II digestion. All of the unmethylated Hpa II sites mapped to the intergenic spacer (IGS), and the major unmethylated site was located approximately 800 bp 5′ to the start of the 18S RNA coding sequence. An Eco RI polymorphism, present in the 26S gene of certain inbred lines and hybrids, was utilized to investigate the organization of unmethylated repeat units in the rDNA array. In double digest experiments with Hpa II/Eco RI, the fragments from repeat units with two Eco RI sites were sensitive to Hpa II digestion, whereas, the fragments from repeat units with a single Eco RI site were almost completely resistant to Hpa II digestion. Similar digestion patterns were also observed in Eco RII (sensitive to mCNG)/Eco RI digests. These results suggest that unmethylated and Eco RI polymorphic sites occur in the same repeat units.
Use of Chemically Modified Wheat Gluten to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions During Curing of Pigment Print Pastes on Fabrics

The study demonstrated that chemically modified wheat gluten reduces formaldehyde emissions from pigment print pastes on fabrics. Gluten was chemically modified by three methods. Deamidation of gluten was performed with sodium hydroxide, and methyl acrylate and ethyl alcohol groups were grafted on gluten. Print paste formulations were prepared with each type of chemically modified gluten, a commercial ethylene urea scavenger and no formaldehyde scavenger. Two types of auxiliary resins (i.e., melamine-formaldehyde and hexamethoxymelamine-formaldehyde resins) and four types of binders (i.e., acrylic, butadiene-acrylic, butadiene-styrene, and vinyl acetate) were used in conjunction with each of the scavengers. The print paste formulations were applied to cotton polyester poplin fabric and the abilities of the gluten and ethylene urea scavengers to reduce formaldehyde emissions were evaluated. Chemically modified gluten scavengers absorbed as much formaldehyde as the ethylene urea scavengers that are presently used in industry.
Instructing Faculty To Develop and Deliver Distance Courses with Computer Network Technology.

The Center for Distance Learning (CDL) at SUNY Empire State College offers over 100 undergraduate courses each term to approximately 2200 students located in New York State and throughout the country. These courses are delivered across a range of delivery formats—from tutor telephone and e-mail interaction with students to computer conferencing on the Web. To meet the increasing need for faculty to effectively incorporate computer network technology into its courses, CDL has developed useful instructional activities and materials. These resources outline various instructional design, development, delivery, and evaluation procedures for faculty to follow in using Internet technologies appropriately for student learning. This article presents a typology of delivery techniques and discusses how CDL has trained and supported its faculty with each type of technology.
Using the web as a resource on hair loss

Summary Loss of hair (alopecia) is one of the most common symptoms of aging in men. The most common cause of hair loss in men is androgenic or androgenetic alopecia, often referred to as male-pattern baldness. Current treatments include two drugs, Rogaine and Propecia, which have been shown effective for hair regrowth and prevention of further hair loss; surgical hair transplantation; and cosmetic options. Many patients turn to the Internet for health information, and Web sites dedicated to hair loss products and clinics abound. Consumer health sites, pharmaceutical sites, and professional organizational sites dealing with hair loss are reviewed, including sites that are appropriate for physicians and health care providers, as well as consumers.
Artificial sweeteners--enhancing glycosylation to treat muscular dystrophies.

Several congenital forms of muscular dystrophy are caused by mutations of glycosyltransferase genes. A recent study shows that overexpression of a specific glycosyltransferase compensates for the d...
Analysis of the new double acting pilot control system—II. Control system and experimental verification

Abstract In part I of this study the differential equation of motion was developed through mathematical modelling for the double acting pilot pressure control system. In this work the developed mathematical model was used to predict deviation of control variable and stability of the system. The study of the existing systems were carried out to show the effectiveness of this pressure control system.
When my academic colleague went to prison on a B misdemeanor

When my university colleague, Luis Barrios, went to federal prison 5 weeks ago after being convicted for "trespassing" (a B misdemeanor usually met with a fine, community service or short-term imprisonment not in a penitentiary) during a protest at the infamous School of the Americas at Fort Benning, Georgia, I said to him, "at least you'll be in Manhattan, at least you'll be near your family and friends." "Yes," he said, "but you never know what will happen. You can go in there for a month and come out in a year." I smiled uneasily, fully aware of such cases but thinking, "He's a well known Episcopalian priest, a full professor and academic chair at the largest school of criminal justice in the country (John Jay College of Criminal Justice). He'll be held for 60 days at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in the heart of downtown Manhattan, two blocks from city hall. How risky can it be?" A lot can happen in 5 weeks. Today, April 12, his wife Minerva will get to see her husband for the first time since Monday March 9th when Luis entered the facility at 150 Park Row, escorted by a smiling member of the prison administration while 60 of his friends, family, and supporters shouted their support for his courageous stand on behalf of the international human rights. We saluted his efforts to expose the workings of an establishment founded by the U.S. Department of Defense more than a half-century ago that has turned out so many murderous members of the Central and South
Rates, timing, and mechanisms of rainfall interception loss in a coastal redwood forest

summary Rainfall, throughfall, and stemflow were monitored at 5-min intervals for 3 years in a 120-year-old forest dominated by redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) at the Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds, located in northwest California, USA. About 2.5% of annual rainfall reaches the ground as stemflow at the site, while 22.4% is stored on foliage and stems and evaporates before reaching the ground. Comparison of the timing of rainfall and throughfall indicates that about 46% of the interception loss occurs through post-storm evaporation from foliage and 54% is either evaporated during the storm or enters long-term storage in bark. Until bark storage capacity is saturated, the proportion of rainfall diverted to bark storage would be relatively constant across the range of rainfall intensities encountered, reflecting primarily the proportional incidence of rainfall on surfaces contributing to bark storage. In any case, loss rates remain high—over 15%—even during the highest-intensity storms monitored. Clearcut logging in the area would increase effective annual rainfall by 20–30% due to reduction of interception loss, and most of the increase would occur during large storms, thus potentially influencing peakflows and hillslope pore-pressures during geomorphically significant events. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Modes in s.a.w. grating resonators

It is shown that s.a.w. gratings on the surface of an isotropic medium may support modes that are confined underneath the grating. The 3-dimensional resonant-mode patterns are derived for the Rayleigh wave in a high-Q-factor resonator consisting of two gratings separated by ?/2, where ? is the grating periodicity, in the limit when the grating width is large compared with a wavelength. The resonance frequencies of the different modes are presented.
Sensitivity of rarefied gas simulations of ground tests to gas surface models

The space environment produces a number of performance challenges to satellite and spacecraft manufacturers that require measurements, including effects from hyperthermal atomic oxygen, charged particles, magnetic fields, spacecraft charging, ultraviolet radiation, micrometeoroids, and cryogenic temperatures. Ground tests involving a simulated space environment help explore these challenges, but also benefit from simulations that predict the anticipated physical phenomena, or help reconcile the measured observations to physical parameters. We present an update and application of a flexible multi-physics software simulation framework intended for predicting space environment performance and ground-test simulations of spacecraft. In this specific application we show how the energy dependent erosion yield may be applied with a rarefied gas dynamics simulation to aid comparison of terrestrial erosion rate measurements and on-orbit materials degradation. For the considered fluoropolymer material, we found that explicit consideration of the atomic oxygen energy distribution could potentially modify the expected correspondence between ground tests and space by 67%.
Amino acid synthetic media for fungal pathogens based on aminopeptidase specificities: Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermititidis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Cryptococcus neoformans

The development of simple and chemically defined liquid media for Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis and Cryptococcus neoformans according to their aminopeptidases profiles as amino acid requirement was described. When 1·5% purified agar was added, these media also supported excellent mycelial growth and sporulation of the deep mycoses. H. capsulatum was converted to and maintained in yeast phase when 0·1% L-cystine was added to the solid medium incubated at 37°C.
Effects on Reading Comprehension of Preferred Music and Frequency of Studying to Music

16 male and 16 female college students were given tests of reading comprehension in quiet surroundings and while listening to preferred music. The more frequently students reported studying to musi...
An integrated optical interference cancellation system

We present the design and simulation results for a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) that performs in-channel and broadband radio-frequency self-interference cancellation. The PIC removes interference by modeling channel effects and inverting a known interferer prior to combining it with the corrupted signal. We present key simulation results showing that the PIC can cancel extremely wideband interferers by ∼20 dB. The PIC performance can be improved by reducing signal attenuation and nonlinearities. We plan to fabricate the PIC on a hybrid silicon-on-insulator III–V evanescent photonic platform.
Ion beam processing of metal surfaces for improved corrosion resistance

Ion beam techniques such as ion implantation, ion beam mixing, and ion beam assisted deposition allow modification of metal surfaces for improved corrosion resistance. The corrosion process can be altered by modifying either the anodic or cathodic process, by modifying the passive film, or by using corrosion resistant coatings. Examples are given of each approach. These are, in turn, implantation of various ions into aluminum to improve the resistance to pitting, ion implantation or ion beam mixing of palladium into titanium to increase the corrosion resistance in acids, implantation to form amorphous surface alloys, and the use of ion beam deposition to form protective films of tantalum oxide or silicon nitride on aluminum.
IR spectrum of Co2+ Ion clusters in KZnF3

Abstract In this paper we present the results of a Fourier self-deconvolution and least-squares analysis of the MIR spectral data for KZn 1− x Co x F 3 . An interpretation is given in terms of low-lying electronic transitions within the 4 T 1g ( 4 F) ground manifold of Co 2+ ions and their vibronics. We also present some new absorption data for this material for frequencies in the FIR where the electronic transitions occur between ground-state levels (degenerate Γ + 6 levels in single ions) split by the magnetic exchange interaction between Co 2+ ions in clusters.
Identification of additional histaminergic neurons in Aplysia: improvement of single cell isolation techniques for in tandem physiological and chemical studies.

Abstract Identifiable neurons in the marine mollusc, Aplysia californica , were used to improve isolation techniques for in tandem physiological and chemical studies of the same neuron. A previous study demonstrated that the histaminergic neurons, RC-2 and LC-2, which had been subjected to intracellular recording and staining, were particularly sensitive to a freeze-substitution procedure used in isolating neurons for subsequent chemical assay. The present report describes an improvement of the freeze-substitution procedure which permits excellent recovery of histamine in physiologically manipulated C-2 neurons. The in tandem physiological and chemical procedures developed for identified neurons were used to characterize additional histamine-containing neurons which cannot be identified by visual inspection alone. These new histaminergic neurons, designated RC-3 and LC-3, are located on the ventral surface of the cerebral ganglion and are distinguishable from other adjacent histamine-containing neurons by their monosynaptic connections with some of the same follower neurons previously described for RC-2 and LC-2. The results of this study further support the role of histamine as a multiaction neurotransmitter and demonstrate the feasibility of measuring endogenous levels of various neurotransmitters in neuronal somata subsequent to intracellular recording.
Comparison of melanin-concentrating hormone and hypocretin/orexin mRNA expression patterns in a new parceling scheme of the lateral hypothalamic zone

A high-resolution spatial distribution analysis of hypothalamic neurons expressing melanin-concentrating hormone or hypocretin/orexin was performed in adult male rats with in situ hybridization cytochemistry. For the analysis, a new parcellation of the lateral zone with some two-dozen regions was used, and distributions were plotted on 15 transverse reference levels through the hypothalamus. Qualitatively the results confirm earlier, much lower resolution mapping studies, although some discrepancies are clarified. Previous work indicates that each of these cell populations is far from homogeneous, and the present results should help establish a framework for clarifying more precisely how they are differentiated and organized in terms of axonal input-output relationships and gene expression patterns, and for defining precise relationships with other hypothalamic neuron populations.
Abstract 309: RSK2 mediates NF-κB activity through the phosphorylation of IκBα in the TNF-R1 pathway

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) mediates proliferation, survival, and malignant transformation. Activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) results in the transcription of anti-apoptotic genes and is mediated by I-kappaB kinases (IKKs). IKK(α/β) phosphorylates IκBα at Ser32/Ser36 in the presence of TNF-α to induce IκBα degradation and NF-κB activation. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential role of RSK2 in mediating TNF-α-induced signaling. Notably, we found that RSK2 is activated by TNF-α and directly phosphorylates IκBα at Ser32 leading to IκBα degradation to promote the activation and translocation of the NF-κB subunits, p65 and p50, to the nucleus. This resulted in increased NF-κB activity, which served as a mechanism for RSK2 blockage of TNF-α induction of apoptosis and enhanced cell survival. Thus a new kinase that directly phosphorylates IκBα to promote its degradation is identified in TNF-R1 pathway. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 309.