cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limitations and requirements of content-based multimedia authentication systems

Recently, a number of authentication schemes have been proposed for multimedia data such as images and sound data. They include both label based systems and semifragile watermarks. The main requirement for such authentication systems is that minor modifications such as lossy compression which do not alter the content of the data preserve the authenticity of the data, whereas modifications which do modify the content render the data not authentic. These schemes can be classified into two main classes depending on the model of image authentication they are based on. One of the purposes of this paper is to look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of these image authentication schemes and their relationship with fundamental limitations of the underlying model of image authentication. In particular, we study feature-based algorithms which generate an authentication tag based on some inherent features in the image such as the location of edges. The main disadvantage of most proposed feature-based algorithms is that similar images generate similar features, and therefore it is possible for a forger to generate dissimilar images that have the same features. On the other hand, the class of hash-based algorithms utilizes a cryptographic hash function or a digital signature scheme to reduce the data and generate an authentication tag. It inherits the security of digital signatures to thwart forgery attacks. The main disadvantage of hash-based algorithms is that the image needs to be modified in order to be made authenticatable. The amount of modification is on the order of the noise the image can tolerate before it is rendered inauthentic. The other purpose of this paper is to propose a multimedia authentication scheme which combines some of the best features of both classes of algorithms. The proposed scheme utilizes cryptographic hash functions and digital signature schemes and the data does not need to be modified in order to be made authenticatable. Several applications including the authentication of images on CD-ROM and handwritten documents will be discussed.
The relationship between information-processing ability and notetaking

Abstract This study examined the relationship between lecture notetaking behaviors and academic ability and the relationship among lecture notetaking behaviors, information-processing ability, and more global measures of ability (i.e., GPA and ACT scores). Previous research had not investigated working-memory ability and specific notetaking behaviors. Four types of information were gathered from the 32 undergraduate students participating in this experiment: (a) score on a test of information-processing ability, (b) analyses of notes taken during a designated lecture, (c) score on a test pertaining to that lecture, and (d) score on a course exam covering several other lectures. In addition, GPA and ACT scores were drawn from each student's records. Results confirmed that amount of notetaking is related to academic achievement and established that ability to hold and manipulate prepositional knowledge in working memory is related to the number of words, complex propositions, and main ideas recorded in notes. In fact, stepwise multiple regression analyses indicated that this information-processing ability was a more significant predictor of complex propositions and words recorded in notes than were global measures of ability such as GPA or ACT scores. This research is of practical importance because pedagogical activities may reduce cognitive strain associated with notetaking and because information-processing ability is, in part, controllable.
Evaluation of hepatobiliary function in the rat by the segmented retrograde intrabiliary injection technique

Abstract The mode of transfer of solutes across the biliary tree epithelium in the reabsorptive direction was studied by the segmented retrograde intrabiliary injection (SRII) technique. The principle of the SRII is to deliver an initial “segment” of solution containing a radioactive marker compound into the biliary system through the bile duct cannula and to wash this marker in with 0.9% saline solution in excess of the biliary capacity. Immediately following the SRII, bile flow is restarted and bile is collected to determine the quantity of the marker recovered. The marker compound which was recovered in bile represented that fraction of the solute which was trapped by the biliary epithelium (canaliculus), thus leading to recovery of the compound in bile with the peak concentration located at a position corresponding to the distended biliary tree capacity. With the compounds used, little re-excretion of the systemically absorbed fraction occurred. The filtration process was found to be dependent on the molecular weight of the marker compound, with larger compounds being recovered in bile (retained in the biliary tree) to a greater extent than smaller ones. The equivalent pore radius for this process appeared to be the same as that reported by others for biliary excretion in the orthograde direction. Additional factors such as the volume of the saline wash and the SRII rate were also shown to influence the retention of the marker compound in the biliary system. Another mode of transfer of solutes also took place in the SRII, because even for large molecular weight compounds over 50 per cent was lost from the biliary tree. There was no evidence of any process for excluding this fraction by the biliary tree epithelium. A further study of glucose transport in the biliary tree was suggested.
Emergency demand response for distribution system contingencies

The use of demand side resources to respond to contingencies on electric power systems is typically limited to interruptible service contracts for large commercial or industrial customers and bulk load shedding schemes. There are a few programs that allow bidding of emergency response capability at the transmission level, but are primarily for response to reserve margin shortages. This paper proposes a demand response program that enables the use of residential load resources to respond to contingencies down to the distribution level. This contingency response program enables targeted, selective demand response that expands the range of contingencies that can be mitigated by demand and substitutes the shedding of non-critical loads for bulk load shedding programs. The program is targeted, in that it allows for implementation at any node in the system, and selective in that it chooses the least amount and lowest impact/cost loads to shed to alleviate a given contingency.
HOPEFUL THINKING IN OLDER ADULTS: BACK TO THE FUTURE

In a sample of 100 community-dwelling older adults (mean age of 76), higher hope related to greater life satisfaction and better perceived physical health, but hope did not relate to number of illnesses or functional disability. The high-relative to low-hope participants were more confident of reaching their goals, and felt that they were further along in their goal pursuits. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Molecular details of the structure of a psorospermin - DNA covalent/intercalation complex and associated DNA sequence selectivity

Psorospermin is a DNA-reactive natural product isolated from the roots of the tropical African plant Psorospermum febrifugum that shows significant promise as an antileukemic agent. Incubation of t...
Fabrication of Gold Microtubes and Microwires in High Aspect Ratio Capillary Arrays

In this communication, we describe the sequential deposition of materials in capillaries as a means to produce self-assembled three-dimensional gold microtubes, hollow gold microwires, and microtube and microwire arrays with unprecedented aspect ratios. The initial application of this technique is the fabrication of an array of microwires within a silica capillary array. The physical characteristics of these microwires are characterized via SEM, electrochemistry, and electrogenerated chemiluminescence emission.
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on a precipitated iron catalyst

Abstract The Fischer-Tropsch synthesis was carried out at various experimental conditions on an unpoisoned and sulfur-poisoned precipitated, alkali-promoted iron-copper catalyst. The sulfur, present in the fixed catalyst bed as a longitudinal concentration gradient, had little effect on conversion or product selectivity. However, for both poisoned and unpoisoned catalysts, there was a significant change in the CO conversion to CO2 on going from a reaction temperature of 240 to 250 °C. This suggests that there is a rapid change of our catalyst surface after 240 °C: the surface changes from one that is effective for CO2 formation to one that is not as effective. Finally, analysis of the condensed products led us to suggest that there are at least two types of sites for hydrocarbon chain formation, each with a slightly different value of the chain growth probability.
Database performance evaluation in an indexed file environment

The use of database systems for managerial decision making often incorporates information-retrieval capabilities with numeric report generation. Of great concern to the user of such a system is the response time associated with issuing a query to the database. This study presents a procedure for estimating response time for one of the most frequently encountered physical storage mechanisms, the indexed file. The model provides a fairly high degree of accuracy, but is simple enough so that the cost of applying the model is not exorbitant. The model incorporates the knowledge that the distribution of access key occurrences is known to follow Zipf's law. It first estimates the access time required to complete the query, which includes the time needed for all input and output transactions, and CPU time used in performing the search. The effects of multiple users on an individual's response time are then assessed using a simple regression estimation technique. The two-step procedure allows for the separation of access time from multiuser influences.
Neuromyotonia and type I myofiber predominance in amyloidosis.

A case of amyloidosis presented with neuromyotonia and marked predominance of type I myofibers as documented by biopsy of an enlarged anterior tibialis muscle. This likely represents conversion of type II fibers to type I from continuous neuromyotonic stimulation. This transformation is well described to occur in animal models and this case represents a unique human example. Enlarged muscles likely reflected pseudohypertrophy. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Epidemiology of Chronic Venous Diseases

Objective:To review the prevalence of and risk factors for varicose veins, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and venous leg ulcers.Data sources:MEDLINE was searched for the terms prevalence and va...
Solitaire flow-restoration device for treatment of acute ischemic stroke: safety and recanalization efficacy study in a swine vessel occlusion model.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The extended time window and theoretic reduction in hemorrhage make mechanical strategies an attractive approach in the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke. My purpose was to evaluate the recanalization efficacy and safety of the Solitaire FR Revascularization Device in a swine vessel occlusion model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For recanalization efficacy, radio-opaque clots were used in 6 ascending pharyngeal arteries of the swine. Safety was assessed in 8 renal arteries with 3 passes of the device. Four vessels were harvested at 30 days, and 4, at 90 days, with microscopic examination to assess vessel damage. RESULTS: On deployment, immediate flow was seen in 3/6 vessels; and on retrieval, TIMI-3 recanalization was seen in 6/6. Vasospasm, which resolved on follow-up angiography with no distal emboli or vessel damage, was noted. In the renal vessels, safety evaluation findings were unremarkable, with the exception of 2 vessels harvested from a kidney at 90 days. These 2 vessels appeared without damage on microscopy; however, angiography showed shrinkage of the entire kidney, which was attributed to damage and stenosis of the main renal artery at the site of the guide-catheter insertion, likely leading to a chronic low-flow state and resultant atrophy of the entire kidney. CONCLUSIONS: The Solitaire Device showed good recanalization efficacy with acceptable safety. The unique stent-like design allows immediate flow restoration, a distinct advantage of the device. On the basis of this study, the device has good potential as a tool in the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke.
Paleolimnological diatom studies of acidification of lakes by acid rain: An application of quaternary science

Abstract The methods of Quaternary paleoecology have proven useful for understanding the effects of anthropogenic acid deposition on lakes. The pH history of lakes has been inferred from diatom remains in 210Pb dated cores of sediment. In several of these studies, the cores have also been analysed for chrysophyte scales, trace metals (Pb, Zn, V, Cu), soot, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Combined with historical studies of watershed vegetation and disturbance, these approaches have produced important insights relating to the effects on lakes of acid deposition: (1) certain clear water lakes with present pH 4.3–5.0 have rapidly acidified in recent decades; (2) these lakes were acidic (pH 5.0–6.4) prior to the acidification; (3) the most likely cause of the acidification is acid deposition; (4) the acidification began decades after high levels of acid deposition had been reached; and (5) in certain lakes acidification may have caused a marked decrease in humics, reducing the availability of organic ligands for ‘detoxification’ of metal ions (e.g. Al) mobilized by acidification. Diatom analyses have also revealed long term lake acidification in Late-glacial and Holocene time before the Industrial Revolution. This acidification is much slower than the modern acidification. The present pHs in anthropogenically acidified lakes are unprecedentedly low.
Differences in glycosaminoglycans derived from chick embryo chondrocytes grown in vitro and in vivo

Vertebral chondrocytes from 10-day-old chick embryos were examined after growth for five days in vitro and in vivo. The chondrocytes, including the hyaline matrix, from both methods of growth were extracted for glycosaminoglycuronoglycans and the partially purified polymers were analyzed for hexosamines. It was found that the chondrocytes, when removed from their cartilage matrix and grown in vitro, synthesized sulfated glycosaminoglycans which migrated in electrophoresis as chondroitin sulfates. The partially purified glycosaminoglycans were not, however, chondroitin sulfates since glucosamine was characterized as the major hexosamine. Neither galactose nor glucuronic acid were demonstrated as part of the glucosamine-containing polymer. The polymer was produced by the cells grown in vitro regardless of age or original location, dorsal or ventral, in the vertebral column. In contrast, chondrocytes which were grown in vivo for 10 or 15 days synthesized predominately a polymer which had characteristics of chondroitin 4- or 6-sulfate.
OPTIMAL INVESTMENT MODELS WITH MINIMUM CONSUMPTION CRITERIA

This paper considers a max-min formulation of multistage optimal investment and consumption problems, with uncertainties in the form of variable productivities of capital and interest rates. The criterion of control performance is minimum consumption over time, weighted by a coefficient which indicates the likelihood of possible disturbance sequences. A dynamic programming method is used. Explicit results for a max-min formulation of the Merton portfolio optimisation problem are obtained. A production-consumption-debt model arising in international finance is also considered.
Linking the University Campus with the Global Village in the 21st Century

Abstract Through the synergy of teaching, research, and service, University of Alabama, like many other colleges and universities around the world, plans to enhance its outreach by carefully employing the latest technology in order to link its many academic programs to learners around the world—anyplace, anytime. Electronically-delivered degree programs, certificate programs, and just-in-time short courses are all expected to meet three criteria: (1) quality assurance, (2) faculty security, and (3) financial support that facilitates competitiveness in the global marketplace. The 21st century student, the new learner, will have lived his/her entire life in the world of sophisticated educational technology and will seek out the best learning opportunities available via virtual universities in the global community. Although there will always be traditional students who wish to learn on campus, the demand for higher education will shift substantially toward the global marketplace over the next several years. ...
The role of serpentine in preferential craton formation in the late Archean by lithosphere underthrusting

Abstract Cratons form the cores of continents and were formed within a narrow window of time (2.5–3.2 Gy ago), the majority having remained stable ever since. Petrologic evidence suggests that the thick mantle roots underlying cratons were built by underthrusting of oceanic and arc lithosphere, but paradoxically this requires that the building blocks of cratons are weak even though cratons must have been strong subsequent to formation. Here, we propose that one form of thickening could be facilitated by thrusting of oceanic lithospheres along weak shear zones, generated in the serpentinized upper part of the oceanic lithosphere (crust + mantle) due to hydrothermal interaction with seawater. Conductive heating of the shear zones eventually causes serpentine breakdown at ~ 600 °C, shutting down the shear zone and culminating in craton formation. However, if shear zones are too thin, serpentine breakdown and healing of the shear zone occurs too soon and underthrusting does not occur. If shear zones are too thick, serpentine breakdown takes too long so healing and lithospheric thickening is not favored. Shear zone thicknesses of ~ 18 km are found to be favorable for craton formation. Because the maximal depth of seawater-induced serpentinization into the lithosphere is limited by the depth of the isotherm for serpentine breakdown, shear zone thicknesses should have increased with time as the Earth's heat flux and depth to the serpentine breakdown isotherm decreased and increased, respectively, with time. We thus suggest that the greater representation of cratons in the late Archean might not necessarily be explained by preferential recycling in the early Archean but may simply reflect preferential craton formation in the late Archean. That is, our model predicts that the early Archean was too hot, the Phanerozoic too cold, and the late Archean just right for making cratons.
Soft X-Ray Fluorescence (UFIV Compatible) Proportional Counters for NEXAFS and SEXAFS Above the C,N,O, and S K Edges

We describe the first ultra-high-vacuum-compatible soft x-ray detector for fluorescence yield (FY) detection of the near edge (NEXAFS) and extended (EXAFS) x-ray absorption fine structures above the C,N,O, and S K edges. This soft x-ray proportional counter is shown to offer more than a factor of twenty increase in surface sensitivity for chemisorbed sub-monolayer (ML) coverage with comparable signal-to-noise as compared with any conventional electron yield detector. The FY detector allows one to record SEXAFS spectra for =5/100 ML for both sulfur and carbon. The high sensitivity of the FY technique is due to the small amount of elastically and inelastically scattered background from the sample. In addition, the characteristic fluorescence radiation from the bulk or other contaminants can easily be eliminated using standard pulse height analysis techniques. Recently, experiments were performed at the NSLS VUV storage ring demonstrating that carbon edge FY NEXAFS measure-ments can be performed under 1 Torr of hydrogen gas. These prototype experiments coupled a soft x-ray proportional counter, reaction cell, and suitable soft x-ray entrance window to form a system allowing the experimenter to bridge the gap between UHV surface science and real reaction conditions encountered in catalysis.© (1986) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Mn(II) complexes of monoanionic bidentate chelators: X-ray crystal structures of Mn(dha)2(CH3OH)2 (Hdha = dehydroacetic acid) and [Mn(ema)2(H2O)]2 · 2H2O (Hema = 2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyrone)

Abstract This report describes synthesis and characterization of bis-ligand Mn(II) complexes of bidentate chelators: maltol (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone), ethylmaltol (2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyrone), 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone (DMHP) and dehydroacetic acid. All four Mn(II) complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV/Vis, EPR, cyclic voltammetry, and X-ray crystallography in cases of Mn(dha)2(CH3OH)2 and [Mn(ema)2(H2O)]2 · 2H2O. The bidentate chelator plays a significant role in the solid state structure of its Mn(II) complex. For example, dha forms the monomeric complex Mn(dha)2(CH3OH)2 while ethylmaltol forms the dimeric complex [Mn(ema)2(H2O)]2. Because of smaller size, maltol ligands in Mn(ma)2 are able to bridge adjacent Mn(II) centers to give a polymeric structure in solid state. Despite of the difference in their solid state structures, both Mn(ema)2 and Mn(ma)2 exist in solution as monomeric Mn(II) species, Mn(ema)2(H2O)2 and Mn(ma)2(H2O)2. This assumption is supported by the similarity in their UV/Vis spectra, EPR data and electrochemical properties. Replacing maltol with DMHP results in a decrease (by ∼100 mV) in the redox potential for the Mn(II)/Mn(III) couple, suggesting that DMHP stabilizes Mn(III) better than maltol. Since Mn(DMHP)2(H2O)2 is readily oxidized to form the more stable Mn(III) complex Mn(DMHP)3, DMHP has the potential as a chelator for removal of excess Mn(II) from patients with chronic Mn toxicity.
A low leakage pull-down network for PLL with 6.7 dB improvement in reference spur

A leakage current reduction technique is proposed for the pull-down network (PDN), which is used to hibernate the Phase-locked loop (PLL). Due to low leakage current, the PDN results in a PLL with lower reference spur. The switch leakage is minimized by biasing the MOSFET with VGS <; 0. Proposed method reduces the leakage current by at least an order of magnitude. A prototype PLL was built in TSMC 0.18 μm CMOS technology. An improvement of 6.7 dB in reference spur is measured compared to the conventional PLL.
Step Signal Detection Via Clustering Analysis With Gaussian Contamination

An algorithm for filtering noisy step-like signals is proposed. This algorithm is based on the assumption of Gaussian contamination. In this procedure data within a moving window is divided into two almost equal clusters and a hypothesis tests (F-test) for differences in the means between two such clusters. Histogram analysis and/or our a priori knowledge about the number of discrete amplitudes in the ideal noise free signal provide information that is used to filter the signal further and produce a clean signal with the desired number of discrete amplitudes (levels). As an illustration the method is tested by simulation.
The Committee on National Statistics: 10 Years Later

Abstract The activities of the Committee on National Statistics during the first 10 years of its existence are described. Individual major projects are noted and the reports published since 1976 are briefly summarized. Work in progress and plans for future activities are also included. A list of panel reports and one of staff papers are appended.
Neural Substrates for the Effects of Rehabilitative Training on Motor Recovery After Ischemic Infarct

Substantial functional reorganization takes place in the motor cortex of adult primates after a focal ischemic infarct, as might occur in stroke. A subtotal lesion confined to a small portion of the representation of one hand was previously shown to result in a further loss of hand territory in the adjacent, undamaged cortex of adult squirrel monkeys. In the present study, retraining of skilled hand use after similar infarcts resulted in prevention of the loss of hand territory adjacent to the infarct. In some instances, the hand representations expanded into regions formerly occupied by representations of the elbow and shoulder. Functional reorganization in the undamaged motor cortex was accompanied by behavioral recovery of skilled hand function. These results suggest that, after local damage to the motor cortex, rehabilitative training can shape subsequent reorganization in the adjacent intact cortex, and that the undamaged motor cortex may play an important role in motor recovery.
Decay in wood and wood fiber products by Sporotrichum pruinosum

Sporotrichum pruinosum was isolated from fiberboard in a roof deck and it is assumed that this fungus was responsible for the deterioration of the wood fiber. S. pruinosum grew at temperatures from...
Suggested Improvements of Determine your Nutritional Health Checklist as Suggested by Regression Analyses of Risk Scores

Abstract The Nutrition Screening Initiative's "Determine Your Nutritional Health" checklist was designed to promote awareness of the various factors which affect nutritional status. In its development, weights were assigned to the ten risk indicators based on their association with limited nutrient intake and self-perception of health status. In this study, 89 seniors (61 females, 28 males; 88 white, 1 black; average age 73.8 years, range 58 to 89 years) from two rural communities responded to a survey including the questions from the Determine checklist. Questions were altered to identify singular factors (i.e., lost ten pounds vs. gained ten pounds) and to include "yes/no" options. For the 14 resulting questions used in calculation of scores, stepwise regression showed limited food buying ability had the greatest effect on variability (R 2 =0.3223) although response rate was low (7 of 89, 7.9%). Use of alcoholic beverages was not reported by any subject, and thus had no effect in analyses. A second regression using the ten original questions confirmed that variability in the Determine score was affected by the descending weights of risk factors. In this regression, tooth and mouth problems had the most effect of all factors weighted with "2". A third regression used the 14 differentiated questions without assigned weights. In this analysis, mouth problems contributed the most to variability in Determine score (R 2 =0.2640) although only 6.7% (6 of 89) indicated presence of this risk factor. Mouth problems were reported by those subjects with the highest scores Responses to the non-weighted questions accounted for 96% of the variability in Determine score (R 2 =0.9566). Variability in Determine score was shown to follow response rate in the fourth regression of the original ten questions, non-weighted. High response rates to daily medication use, eating alone, and limited fruit, vegetable, and milk product use also affected variability the most. As 96% of the variability in Determine scores can be attributed to non-weighted responses to the risk factors, the Determine checklist may be as useful for risk identification and public education without the weights. Investigation in other geographical and racial areas with this concept would contribute to die refinement of the Determine checklist.
A randomized trial of copper supplementation effects on blood copper enzyme activities and parameters related to cardiovascular health

Abstract Marginal copper deficiency, which may affect cardiovascular disease risk, is proposed to occur in many adults in Western industrialized countries. The present study tested the hypothesis that in a group of USA adults, increased copper intake would alter readings for blood copper enzymes and markers relevant to cardiovascular disease risk. Healthy middle aged adults with moderately high cholesterol, were given either placebo or copper supplementation (2 mg copper/day as copper glycinate) for 8 weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after the 8 weeks. Copper, but not placebo, raised activities for two copper enzymes, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase 1 and plasma ceruloplasmin. In contrast, five cardiovascular health related plasma parameters were not changed significantly by copper: C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and cholesterol (total, LDL and HDL). However, changes in erythrocyte superoxide dismutase 1 correlated positively with changes in plasma HDL and negatively with plasma homocysteine. Also, copper lowered mean oxidized LDL values, a result that was statistically significant, but inconsistent. In this test population, increased copper intake raised copper enzyme activities, but did not consistently improve the cardiovascular health measures studied.
Increase of wound tumor virus in leafhoppers as assayed on vector cell monolayers.

Abstract Measurements of wound tumor virus (WTV) concentration in extracts from insect vectors ( Agallia constricta ) were made by counting the foci of infection in monolayer cultures of the vector. Optimum conditions for performing such an assay procedure were determined. Brief exposure of insects to 50% ethanol and to certain antibiotics was necessary to avoid fungal and bacterial contamination in extracts prepared from the insects. The optimum pH value for the extraction of virus was 7.00 and for inoculation it was around 5.30 when a solution of 0.1 M histidine and 0.01 M MgCl 2 (His-MgCl 2 ) was used. When an incubation period of 40–46 hr at 30° was allowed, the optimal period of inoculation at 30° was 3 hr for insect extracts diluted to 10 −3.0 or higher. The focus counts of infected cells obtained by employing the optimal conditions for inoculation could be converted to absolute concentrations of virions by comparing the number of foci with those obtained from tumor extracts of known absolute virus concentration. After a 1-day acquisition period, virion concentrations in leafhoppers were determined for various days, starting from day 8, when the virus could be first assayed, to day 49. The virus concentration increased 50,000- to 100,000-fold between day 8 and day 25 after acquisition. Between day 23 and 28 the concentration reached a plateau level. After that the apparent concentration of virions was markedly affected by the extracting solution. The growth curve determined by focus assay on monolayers was similar to that determined previously by other methods except that the increase in virus concentration was followed over 1 to 1.5 additional log units. Extraction with His-MgCl 2 solution showed that the decline in virion concentration after the peak concentration, which was noticed in previous experiments, was almost entirely an artifact of extraction.
All Flourishing? Student Experience and Gender in a Protestant Seminary

Existing research suggests that men and women have similar reasons for attending North American seminaries and are influenced strongly by faculty while in school. To increase understanding of the experiences of women and men in seminary, this study used interactive qualitative analysis to discover and compare the main themes of seminary experience for men and women at one Protestant seminary. Study results show men and women differed in their perception of how seminary influenced their sense of calling. One third of women interviewed reported experiences of resistance to their pursuit of ministry as a vocation. Further research is needed to explore the mechanisms that continue to reproduce sexism. The author argues that seminaries need to increase the proportion of women faculty members to promote the flourishing of all students.
Energy routing on the future grid: A stochastic network optimization approach

Population expansion and broad deployment of wind and solar renewable power generation has highlighted concerns over the long-standing strategy for grid deployment, expansion and upgrade. Due to their stochastic and often volatile nature, these renewable sources are difficult to integrate into the grid in its current power-on-demand paradigm. In this work, we propose a novel stochastic framework, leveraging distributed storage, that alleviates many of the problems of the current grid. Our proposed energy routing algorithm is distributed, agile to failures, and provably maximizes the carrying capacity of the existing power-line resources. We evaluate the performance of our proposed solution using analytical performance guarantees and sample simulation results. We hope the the result of our work provides a strong motivation for further development and application of large scale distributed storage.
Error Detection And Correction Systems For Optical Disk: Issues Of Media Defect Distribution, Defect Growth, Error Management, And Disk Longevity

We examine the principal systems of Error Detection and Correction (EDAC) which have been recently proposed as U.S. standards for optical disks and discuss the the two principal methodologies employed: Reed-Solomon Codes and Product Codes, and describe the variations in their operating characteristics and their overhead in disk space. We then present current knowledge of the nature of defect distributions on optical media including bit error rates, the incidence and extents of clustered errors and burst errors, and the controversial aspects of correlation between these forms of error. We show that if such forms are correlated then stronger EDAC systems are needed than if they are not. We discuss the nature of defect growth over time and its likely causes, and present the differing views on the growth of burst errors including nucleation and incubation effects which are not detectable in new media. We exhibit a mathematical model of a currently proposed end-of-life defect distribution for write once media and discuss its implications in EDAC selection. We show that standardization of an EDAC system unifies the data recording process and is permissive to data interchange, but that enhancements in EDAC computation during reading can achieve higher than normal EDAC performance, though sometimes at the expense of decoding time. Finally we examine vendor estimates of disk longevity and possible means of life extension where archival recording is desired.
Energy‐Dependence Measurement of the CH4++CH4=CH3+CH5+ Reaction Cross Section

From measurements of primary and secondary ions produced by electron bombardment of methane gas in a special mass‐spectrometer ion source, analysis yields values of the cross sections for the ion—molecule reaction CH4++CH4=CH3+CH5+. The source is designed to be free of magnetic discrimination, between primary and secondary ion intensities, which has been shown to be prevalent in conventional machines. The cross section is found to be essentially independent of collision energy over the range 3–18 eV, the value being (5.0±0.2)×10−16 cm2. The present result is not in accord with the slow‐ion theory of Gioumousis and Stevenson, but suggests the influence of the repulsive as well as attractive part of the potential in the reaction mechanism.
Effects of Minocycline and Valproic Acid Coadministration on Atazanavir Plasma Concentrations in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Adults Receiving Atazanavir-Ritonavir

Cognitive impairment is a common complication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, affecting one in five patients, and HIV infection is currently the most common cause of cognitive dysfunction in young people worldwide (2). Although the incidence of HIV-associated cognitive impairment has declined with the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, the prevalence of this disorder will most likely increase due to the increased life span of HIV-infected individuals. Therefore, there is considerable interest in discovering adjuvant medications to treat HIV-associated cognitive impairment (6, 15). Minocycline and valproic acid are both candidates for adjunctive therapy. Valproic acid may delay cognitive and behavioral changes associated with HIV infection through a number of mechanisms, including the modulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3-beta (8, 16). Minocycline is a tetracycline antimicrobial agent that has been shown in vitro and in animal models to mitigate a number of pathways that may lead to cognitive impairment, including microglia activation, glutamate toxicity, and caspase-independent and -dependent mitochondrion-mediated cell death (21). In addition, minocycline has been shown to delay the course of disease in mouse models of Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (19). Minocycline has also been shown to provide neuroprotection as well as reduce viral load in cerebral spinal fluid and brain homogenates in simian immunodeficiency virus-infected macaques that develop encephalitis, an animal model that recapitulates significant pathological features associated with HIV dementia (23). The above data have led to the implementation of a minocycline clinical trial in HIV-infected individuals with cognitive impairment (AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol A5235). In light of numerous reported protease inhibitor drug interactions and evidence supporting a correlation between protease inhibitor plasma concentrations and virologic response, it is important to consider the potential for protease inhibitor drug interactions before performing clinical trials (1, 4, 9, 10). This study was designed in response to interest in developing combination adjunctive therapy for the treatment of HIV-associated cognitive impairment. Having previously published results that failed to show a negative influence of valproic acid on lopinavir plasma concentrations, we decided to focus this study on the potential effects of minocycline with and without valproic acid (7). Since study of the entire class of protease inhibitors is cost prohibitive, we selected atazanavir based on its frequent use as a part of highly active antiretroviral therapy at our clinic. The purpose of this study was to determine whether minocycline alone or in combination with valproic acid would alter the atazanavir disposition when boosted by ritonavir in HIV-infected adults.
Genetic transformation of mycobacteria

Recent advances in methods for introducing DNA into both fast- and slow-growing species of mycobacteria have stimulated the construction of a variety of cloning vectors and the development of a versatile genetic system. These tools will facilitate studies of mycobacterial pathogenicity, antibiotic action and drug resistance, and lead to more effective methods for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of mycobacterial diseases.
Kinetics of chlorination of zirconia in mixture with petroleum coke by chlorine gas

Studies on the kinetics of carbothermic chlorination of zirconium dioxide in gaseous chlorine were carried out with petroleum coke fines in powder form. The amounts of ZrO2 chlorinated were found to be directly proportional to the time of chlorination in the temperature range studied (973 to 1273 K). The activation energy values for chlorination of ZrO2, in mixture with petroleum coke, was found to be 18.3 kJ/mole. The influence of particle size of petroleum coke on the chlorination of ZrO2 (−38 + 25 µm) was studied, and it was found that the rate of chlorination increased up to the size range of −75 to +53 µm, and the size finer than this produced negligible increase. The amount of petroleum coke in the mixture above 17.41 pct in excess of the stoichiometry resulted in very little increase in the rate. The effect of the partial pressure of chlorine (pCl2) on the rate of chlorination was found to obey the following relationship, derived from the Langmuir adsorption isotherm: $$v = \frac{{k \cdot K \cdot pCl_2 }}{{l + K \cdot pCl_2 }}$$ where v is the amount of ZrO2 (g/min) reacted, k is the rate constant, and K is the equilibrium constant for adsorption of two chlorine atoms (obtained from the dissociation of a molecule of Cl2 at the carbon surface) on the surface of ZrO2. By plotting 1/v vs 1/pCl2, a straight-line relationship with an intercept in x-axis is obtained, further supporting the preceding equation. The dissociation of the adsorbed complex, Cl … ZrO2 … Cl to ZrCl2 and O2 is suggested to be the rate-controlling step. Subsequently, the less stable ZrCl2 combines with Cl2 to form ZrCl4 and the oxygen combines with C to form CO and CO2.
Chlorine dioxide reactivity with nucleic acids

Abstract Studies were conducted with the bacterial virus f2 to determine the reactivity of chlorine dioxide with viral nucleic acid, and to evaluate the role of these reactions in the inactivation of virus with chloride dioxide. The effect of chlorine dioxide on naked infectious RNA was compared to the inactivation of intact virus and to infectious f2 RNA extracted from virus which was treated with chlorine dioxide. At pH 7.2 and 5°C, greater than 4 log units of virus inactivation were observed within 2 min of contact time. Almost no inactivation of infectious RNA extracted from chlorine dioxide treated virus was observed. Treatment of naked infectious RNA with chlorine dioxide yielded less than 1 log unit of inactivation after 5 min of contact time. The rate of inactivation both f2 virus and infectious RNA by chlorine dioxide increased with increasing pH. Inactivation of f2 infectious RNA was attributed to chlorine dioxide reactions with nucleotides. The reaction of chlorine dioxide within yeast RNA was uniquely associated with guanosine monophosphate (GMP). The reaction between chlorine dioxide and GMP may account for inactivation of naked f2 RNA. However, this reaction does not explain the inactivation of intact f2 virus, as the RNA within the treated virion remains infectious despite several log units of virus inactivation.
Ocular drug delivery: A comparison of transcorneal iontophoresis to corneal collagen shields

Topical administration of drugs to treat ocular disease is accomplished primarily by means of solutions, ointments, and suspensions. These are relatively inefficient as drug delivery systems; often only 1% of the available drug is absorbed by the eye. Two ocular drug delivery systems currently being studied are transcorneal iontophoresis and collagen shields. Transcorneal iontophoresis is intended to drive charged drugs by an electric current into the cornea. In a Pseudomonas model of bacterial keratitis, as well as in pharmacokinetic studies, ocular iontophoresis of gentamicin, tobramycin, or ciprofloxacin was superior to topical ocular drops for reducing Pseudomonas in the cornea. Both iontophoretic methods were shown to be safe and nontoxic to the rabbit corneal epithelium. The collagen shield, designed to prolong drug contact with the eye, is made from porcine scleral tissue that has been extracted and molded into a contact lens configuration. The shields can absorb the equivalent of drug present in 1–2 drops of a topical aqueous solution. Chemotherapeutic studies in an experimental Pseudomonas keratitis model showed that collagen shields containing gentamicin, tobramycin, or ciprofloxacin were equal to or better than frequent applications of fortified antibiotic drops for significantly reducing the bacteria in the cornea. The results gained from these experimental studies on corneal iontophoresis suggest the need for clinical trials.
The ranschburg effect: Tests of the guessing-bias and proactive interference hypotheses

Two recent hypotheses concerning the Ranschburg Effect were investigated. In Experiment I, the guessing-bias hypothesis of Hinrichs, Mewaldt, and Redding ( Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior , 1973, 12, 64–75) was tested by giving three groups different instructions as to guessing during recall. Contrary to predictions based on the hypothesis, the Ranschburg Effect did not vary significantly as a function of amount of guessing. In Experiment II, a test of Jahnke's ( Journal of Verbal Learning and Verbal Behavior , 1972, 11, 706–716) PI hypothesis used groups which either switched word categories every 12 trials or retained the same category across all trials. Results failed to support the critical prediction that the effect should be reduced or eliminated on the shift trials. Although some evidence consistent with each hypothesis was found, the results, on balance, provided little support for either.
Variance in intrinsic rates of growth among free-ranging rhesus monkey groups

Differential rates of intrinsic growth for the population of Macaca mulatta on Cayo Santiago partitioned by social group and dominance rank of genealogies indicate that the potential for increase is not uniformly distributed throughout the population. In the period from 1973 to 1974, high-ranking genealogies were growing at a faster rate than low-ranking genealogies. Large differences in r among the social groups indicate the possible existence of demographic, genetic, or social differences between groups. A random resampling procedure was employed to assess the statistical significance of differences in the intrinsic rate of growth among the 5 natural social groups and the 3 partitions formed by, respectively, lumping members of high-, middle-, and low-ranking genealogies across several social groups. Comparisons among social groups shows that there are significant differences in the rate of growth between Group J and Group M, and between Group J and Group F for the period from 1973 to 1974. Among dominance ranks of genealogies, significant differences in r were found between the partitions of the high- and middle-ranking genealogies. These findings suggest that differential reproductive success is influenced and maintained by underlying variations in the distribution of behavioral traits in the population.
Relationship of cocaine-induced c-Fos expression to behaviors and the role of serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in cocaine-induced c-Fos expression

Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor antagonists have been shown to attenuate the locomotor stimulant effects of cocaine in rats. The present study used the expression of c-Fos protein as a marker to identify brain areas through which 5-HT2A receptors may modulate cocaine-induced behaviors. Significant correlations were observed between cocaine-induced hyperactivity and c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens core (NAcC), caudate-putamen (CPu), and subthalamic nucleus. In a separate experiment, a low, behaviorally relevant dose of cocaine was found to increase c-Fos immunoreactivity in the medial CPu, NAcC, and nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh). The selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist M100907 significantly attenuated cocaine-induced c-Fos expression in the medial CPu and in the NAcSh. These data suggest that 5-HT2A receptors in the NAcSh and CPu or in afferents to these regions may contribute to genomic responses to cocaine in the brain as well as to cocaine-induced locomotor activity.
Nonlinear wave propagation in reacting systems

A “two-phase” continuum model of a developing tissue is formulated and some limiting cases are analyzed. In this “raisin-pudding” model, exchange occurs between cytoplasm and the immobilized cell organelles, and transport within the cytoplasm is via an active or directed mechanism as well as by diffusion. The limit of rapid interphase exchange leads to several distinct cases depending on the rate of reaction in the organelles and the storage capacity of the organelles. For a certain class of systems, marginally stable states are always oscillatory and small amplitude chemical waves can be propagated. Analysis of a one-component system shows that several distinct types of finite-amplitude waves can propagate unattenuated, each at a characteristic velocity. Thus a very simple reaction-transport system can lead to a very flexible chemical transmission line.
Optical cooling in Er3+:KPb2Cl5.

For the first time, optical cooling has been observed in the 4I13/2 excited state of erbium(III), using the low phonon energy host materal, potassium lead chloride (KPb2Cl5). Cooling was observed when samples were pumped at wavelengths longer than 1557 nm, 17 nm longer than the mean fluorescence wavelength of 1540 nm, which implies a nonradiative heat load of 1.1% for the 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition. When pumped at 1568 nm, the total cooling efficiency was 0.38% of the absorbed power. These results highlight the potential of Er3+:KPb2Cl5 as a material for lasers operating in an eye safe spectral region.