cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Perceptron-Inspired Technique for Hardware Obfuscation

Outsourcing the manufacture of integrated circuits (IC) boosts efficiency in terms of production timeline and minimizing expenditures. However, it results in security challenges, as there is uncertainty in the reliability of the foundry that is responsible for the IC fabrication. With the primary objective to safeguard the process of outsourcing the chip, this work presents an innovative manufacturing approach that partially imitates the neural network perceptron, obfuscating the hardware design. The proposed technique not only obfuscates the design functionality but immunes the IC against Trojan insertion.
Budgeted Coupon Advertisement Problem: Algorithm and Robust Analysis

Coupon advertisement is everywhere in people's daily lives, and it is a common marketing strategy adopted by merchants. A problem, Budget Profit Maximization with Coupon Advertisement, is formulated in this article, which is a branch of classical profit maximization problem in social networks. Profit maximization has been researched intensively before, but its theoretical bound is not satisfactory usually because of NP-hardness, budget constraint and non-monotonicity. Learned from the lastest results, we proposed the B-Framework, which combines the ideas of Random Greedy and Continuous Double Greedy to obtain a more acceptable approximation ratio for this problem. For Continuous Double Greedy, it can be implemented by multilinear extension and discretized techniques. In addition, most of existing researches consider only maximizing total profit, however, in real scenarios, the diffusion probability is hard to determine due to the uncertainty. Then, we study the robustness for budgeted profit maximization, which can be used as a general strategy to analyze the robustness of non-monotone submodular function. It aims to obtain the best solution maximizing the ratio between the profit of any feasible seed set and the optimal seed set. We design LU-B-Framework first, and then we apply the method of uniform sampling to improve the robustness by reducing the uncertainty. The effectiveness and correctness of our algorithms are evaluated by heavy simulation on real-world social networks eventually.
Polydrug Use During Pregnancy and Preterm Birth in a Low-Income, Multiethnic Birth Cohort, Boston, 1998-2018.

ObjectiveThe opioid epidemic in the United States increasingly affects women of reproductive age and has resulted in a rise in concurrent polydrug use. The objective of this study was to investigat...
Solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) of volatile molecules in body fluids as a diagnostic measure for pancreatic cancer

4471 Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. More than 33,000 people nation wide will die from pancreatic cancer this year. The overall five-year survival is less than 4%. This dismal picture of pancreatic cancer is mainly due to the lack of early diagnosis and effective treatment for patients with advanced disease. The best way to increase the survival rate is early detection of the disease by screening for “markers”. Analytical methodology using solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) in combination with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS) will be described to find new prognostic and diagnostic volatile organic compounds related to pancreatic cancer. By comparing the GC/MS profiles of normal healthy SPME samples to the profiles resulting from SPME samples of pancreatic cancer cells or patients with pancreatic cancer, a quantifiable differentiation in the component profiles could become apparent. We will report some preliminary data resulting from the SPME and GC/MS analysis of pancreatic serum samples obtained on 12 samples, 6 of which were obtained from patients with pancreatic cancer and the remain 6 from healthy volunteers. The volatile compound profiles of this limited sample set of serum samples were very similar in chromatographic appearance (as to be expected for the variation in human population) and showed, quantitative subtleties, even in this well known A vs. B biological sample set. However, normalized peak area ratios of peak 2 to peak 7 and peak 6 to peak 7 suggested a differentiation between the normal vs. pancreatic cancer serum samples. Preliminary identifications for the peaks were cyclopentanone (2), m-xylene (6), and cyclohexanone (7). Data analyses for identifying target metabolic pathways and further experimental development will be reported.
Evaluation of organic carbon and microbial inoculum for bioremediation of acid mine drainage

Abstract Acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandoned mines cause environmental harm and requires cost-effective, passive remediation techniques. Mining activities expose mineral surfaces to oxidation, which accelerates the release and mobilization of acidity, sulfate, and metal ions in AMD. Sulfate-reducing bioreactors (SRBRs) are an attractive means to treat AMD by reducing sulfate, increasing pH, and precipitating metals as metal sulfides. Twelve SRBRs were constructed and operated for 12 months to evaluate AMD bioremediation performance as a function of carbon source and inoculum. Several locally-sourced waste organic materials were characterized by carbon fractionation; two mixtures with the same carbon profile but originating from different sources were used as organic substrates. Microbial communities from two different soil types were used to inoculate the bioreactors. The use of cow manure, corncob, and pinewood as the carbon source and soil from a local pond shore as the inoculum resulted in the greatest bioremediation efficiency, with a pH increase from 2.85 to 6.80 and removals of >82% for total Fe2+, >86% for Cu2+, >88% for Zn2+, and >65% for SO42-. The source of inoculum was found to impact bioremediation startup, with sulfate reduction observed 20 days earlier in high-performing inocula. The carbon source was found to impact long-term bioremediation efficiency, with 24% more SO42− and 38% more Fe2+ removed by the best performing carbon sources. Altogether, the combination of manure as a carbon source and marina soil as an inoculum resulted in the highest bioremediation efficiency. The high metal and sulfate removals combined with pH increases to near neutral, validate the use of SRBRs as an effective method for long-term AMD bioremediation.
Short-Term Effect of E-Cigarette Use on Spirometry and FENO on Young Adults

Background: There is limited research on the effects of vaping with electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS). Inflammation markers and morphological lung changes have been shown within 24 hours of vaping in cell studies (doi:10.1016/j.tox.2016.07.020). There are several factors that could possibly contribute to decreased lung function and increased inflammation regarding vaping including the flavoring compounds. The aim of this pilot study was to determine if clinical measures could detect changes in lung function soon after vaping. Methods: This IRB-approved study recruited healthy volunteers (no fever and self-reported health status, ages 21-28, 71% female). Baseline testing (prior to vaping) involved participants abstaining form vaping for 12 hours prior to measurement of forced expiratory volume in first second (kg/m2), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO). Participants then vaped for 10 minutes, waited 30 minutes, and then repeated testing. The participants were recruited based upon age and vaping at least 3 times per week. Manufacturer guidelines for FENO testing and American Thoracic Society guidelines for spirometry were followed. Results: Basic spirometry showed no significant change after vaping occurred. The peak flow had a modest decrease and FENO values increased but still remained within normal range for the seven subjects. The pre- and post FENO changes for three participants who vaped >5 times per week exhibited a 22.7% percent change increase. Conclusions: There were no significant short-term effects, but these findings cannot be extrapolated to long-term effects of ENDS use. Study limitations include small sample size, a narrow age range and excluding those with lung conditions. It is unknown if 30 minutes post-vaping is adequate to observe the maximum effect on FENO. Also, each participant used their personal e-juice and ENDS device (the same flavor/brand/ingredients were not required). Some participants used e-juice with nicotine while others did not. It would be interesting to see if a nicotine component used by the entire sample group has an independent effect. Asthmatics and those with compromised airways may be more susceptible to lung function decline with e-cigarette use. Next steps for future investigation could explore the effect of ENDS on specific chronic lung disease groups. Disclosures: Loan of NIOX device and disposable patient filters provided by Circassia Inc.
mGlu 2 and mGlu 3 Negative Allosteric Modulators Divergently Potentiate Thalamocortical Transmission and Exert Rapid Antidepressant-Like Effects

Non-selective antagonists of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes 2 (mGlu2) and 3 (mGlu3) exert rapid antidepressant-like effects by enhancing prefrontal cortex (PFC) glutamate transmission, however the receptor subtype contributions and underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we leveraged newly developed negative allosteric modulators (NAMs), transgenic mice that label NAM-activated neuronal ensembles, and viral-assisted optogenetics to test the hypothesis that selective inhibition of mGlu2 or mGlu3 potentiates PFC excitatory transmission and confers antidepressant efficacy in preclinical models. We found that systemic treatment with an mGlu2 or mGlu3 NAM rapidly activated biophysically unique PFC pyramidal cell ensembles. Mechanistic studies revealed that mGlu2 and mGlu3 NAMs enhance thalamocortical transmission and inhibit long-term depression but do so by mechanistically distinct presynaptic and postsynaptic actions. Consistent with these actions, systemic treatment with either NAM decreased passive coping and reversed anhedonia in two independent chronic stress models, suggesting that both mGlu2 and mGlu3 NAMs induce antidepressant-like effects through related but divergent mechanisms of action.
A Weakly Supervised Deep Learning Approach for Plant Center Detection and Counting

Deep learning applications are rapidly advancing in agriculture, and phenotyping in particular. Identifying the locations of plant centers and counting are critical for assessing stand quality. Yet, its precise measurement after the emergence of plants is impractical in large-scale production fields due to the labor required. In this paper, we propose a weakly supervised deep learning framework for detecting the centers and counting maize plants using high resolution georeferenced RGB data acquired from a UAV platform. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method over two dates. The obtained results show that the proposed method can efficiently identify the locations of plant centers, and thereby the plant counts, reducing both the manual field counting and human labeling required for image-based analysis.
Estimating the absolute number of axons connecting different cortical areas in humans with diffusion MRI

A simple method is derived for estimating the absolute number of axons linking cortical areas from a whole-cortex diffusion-MRI (dMRI) connectome. We estimate the conversion factor from dMRI tractography to axons using the histologically-measured callosal fiber density, then allocate axons between regions in proportion to dMRI connectivity. Median connectivity is estimated as ~2,700 axons between cortical areas within-hemisphere and ~540 axons interhemispherically, with axons connecting functionally-related areas surprisingly sparse.
A comparison of wild and captive Comal Springs riffle beetle (Heterelmis comalensis) microbiomes

The gut microbiome is affected by host intrinsic factors, diet, environment, and strongly linked to host9s health. Although fluctuations of microbiome composition are normal, some are due to changes in host environmental conditions. When species are moved into captive environments for conservation, education, or rehabilitation, these new conditions can influence a change in gut microbiome composition. Here, we compared the microbiomes of wild and captive Comal Springs riffle beetles (Heterelmis comalensis) by using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. We found that the microbiome of captive beetles was more diverse than wild beetle microbiomes. We identified 24 Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) with relative abundances significantly different between the wild and captive beetles. Many of the ASVs overrepresented in captive beetle microbiomes belong to taxa linked to nitrogen-rich environments. This is one of the first studies comparing the effects of captivity on the microbiome of an endangered insect species. Our findings provide valuable information for future applications in the management of captive populations of H. comalensis.
Elevated levels of Merkel cell polyoma virus in the anophthalmic conjunctiva.

The human ocular surface hosts a paucibacterial resident microbiome and virome. The factors contributing to homeostasis of this mucosal community are presently unknown. To determine the impact of ocular enucleation and prosthesis placement on the ocular surface microbiome, we sampled conjunctival swabs from 20 anophthalmic and 20 fellow-eye intact conjunctiva. DNA was extracted and subjected to quantitative 16S rDNA PCR, biome representational karyotyping (BRiSK), and quantitative PCR (qPCR) confirmation of specific organisms. 16S ribosomal qPCR revealed equivalent bacterial loads between conditions. Biome representational in silico karyotyping (BRiSK) demonstrated comparable bacterial fauna between anophthalmic and intact conjunctiva. Both torque teno virus and Merkel cell polyoma virus (MCPyV) were detected frequently in healthy and anophthalmic conjunctiva. By qPCR, MCPyV was detected in 19/20 anophthalmic samples compared with 5/20 fellow eyes. MCPyV copy number averaged 891 copies/ng in anophthalmic conjunctiva compared with 193 copies/ng in fellow eyes (p < 0.001). These results suggest that enucleation and prosthesis placement affect the ocular surface flora, particularly for the resident virome. As MCPyV has been shown to be the etiologic cause of Merkel cell carcinoma, understanding the mechanisms by which the ocular surface regulates this virus may have clinical importance.
The Mediating Role of Fitness Technology Enablement of Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration on the Relationship between Goals for Fitness Technology Use and Use Outcomes

The aim of fitness technologies, a combination of wearables and associated applications, is to support users’ health and fitness regimes. The market for fitness technologies continues to increase, and the technologies themselves are quickly advancing. However, it is unclear how effective fitness technologies are in generating wellness outcomes, and there is concern regarding frequent discontinuance behaviors. Accordingly, we develop a model to explain how the perception that fitness technologies satisfy or frustrate the users’ basic psychological needs (BPNs) in exercise mediates the relationships between the users’ goals for fitness technology use and psychological well-being and continuance. We find that users who start using fitness technologies for enjoyment, challenge, revitalization, affiliation, or to make positive improvements to their health or strength and endurance are more likely to report that the fitness technologies are satisfying their BPNs, whereas users who start using them for stress management, social recognition, competition, or weight management are more likely to report BPNs frustration. Notably, users who start using fitness technologies for enjoyment and to make positive improvements to their health or strength and endurance are less likely to report BPNs frustration, and use driven by social recognition goals can decrease BPNs satisfaction. BPNs satisfaction is associated with both increased psychological well-being and continuance, whereas BPNs frustration is negatively associated with both. Fitness technologies must thus be perceived by users to satisfy their BPNs (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) in exercise to ensure positive outcomes from use.
Bridging the Gap Between Neural Network and Kernel Methods: Applications to Drug Discovery

We develop a hybrid machine learning architecture, the Influence Relevance Voter (IRV), where an initial geometry-or kernel-based step is followed by a feature-based step to derive the final prediction. While other implementations of the general idea are possible, we use a k-Nearest-Neighbor approach to implement the first step, and a Neural Network approach to implement the second step for a classification problem. In this version of the IRV, the rank and similarities of the k nearest neighbors of an input are used to compute their individual relevances. Relevances are combined multiplicatively with the class membership values to produce influences. Finally the influences of all the neighbors are aggregated to produce the final probabilistic prediction. IRVs have several advantages: they can be trained fast, they are easily interpretable and modifiable, and they are not prone to overfitting since they rely on extensive weight sharing across neighbors. The IRV approach is applied to the problem of predicting whether a given compound is active or not with respect to a particular biochemical assay in drug discovery and shown to perform well in comparison to other predictors. In addition, we also introduce and demonstrate a new approach, the Concentrated ROC (CROC), for assessing prediction performance in situations ranging from drug discovery to information retrieval, where ROC curves are not adequate, because only a very small subset of the top ranked positives is practically useful. The CROC approach uses a change of coordinates to smoothly magnify the relevant portion of the ROC curve.
"EARLY CHRISTIAN BINITARIANISM": FROM RELIGIOUS PHENOMENON TO POLEMICAL INSULT TO SCHOLARLY CONCEPT

This article discusses the use of “binitarianism” and related concepts in the study of early Christian writings. A survey of past and present uses of “binitarian monotheism” reveals that there are at least two quite distinct uses of this term, developed in distinct scholarly contexts, each informed by specific theological presuppositions, and assuming specific theological agendas. A certain discrepancy becomes evident between the early Christian phenomenon termed “binitarianism” and its scholarly description. These observations make it necessary to ask whether the flaws of this concept outweigh its usefulness for scholarly reconstructions of early Christian thought.
Relation algebras over containers and surfaces: An ontological study of a room space

Recent research in geographic information systems has been concerned with the construction of algebras to make inferences about spatial relations by embedding spatial relations within a space in which decisions about compositions are derived geometrically. We pursue an alternative approach by studying spatial relations and their inferences in a concrete spatial scenario, a room space that contains such manipulable objects as a box, a ball, a table, a sheet of paper, and a pen. We derive from the observed spatial properties an algebra related to the fundamental spatial concepts of containers and surfaces and show that this container-surface algebra holds all properties of Tarski's relation algebra, except for the associativity. The crispness of the compositions can be refined by considering the relative size of the objects) and their roles (i.e., whether it is explicitly known that the objects are containers or surfaces).
Identification of Human Antigen‐Specific T Cells Using MHC Class I and Class II Tetramers

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) tetramers typically consist of a fluorophore-streptavidin complex and biotinylated soluble MHC molecules carrying a peptide of interest. Tetramers bind to T cell receptors (TCR) that recognize the MHC molecule/peptide combination with high specificity. Native MHC molecules are expressed as cell-surface glycoproteins capable of binding a variety of peptides generated from the degradation of self and non-self proteins for display to T cells. The human MHC gene locus is highly polymorphic, with >800 class I and >500 class II alleles currently identified. This heterogeneity contributes to the uniqueness of each person's immune system. This unit describes procedures for labeling CD8+ T cells with MHC class I tetramers and CD4+ T cells with MHC class II tetramers. The protocols can be used for detecting and enumerating human antigen-specific T cells. Both CD8+ and CD4+ antigen-specific T cells are rare events and require that sufficient numbers of cells be evaluated. To minimize nonspecific tetramer binding contributed by irrelevant cell populations, a cumulative gating strategy using positive selection and/or exclusion gating is described. Keywords: MHC tetramers; antigen-specific T cells; flow cytometry
Lipoprotein metabolism in baboons: Effect of feeding cholesterol-rich diet

Abstract Cholesterol-fed male baboons were selected as a model of human hyperlipidemia. Four chaired baboons fed a diet rich in cholesterol for 6 months had a 100% increase in whole plasma cholesterol, 22% increase in phospholipids with a 44% decrease in triglyceride. Total proteins of very low (VLDL) and high (HDL) density lipoproteins declined by 40% and 15% respectively. Total proteins of intermediate (LDL) and low (LDL) density lipoproteins, however, increased considerably. The cholesterol/protein and cholesterol/triglyceride ratio increased in all lipoproteins. In a separate experiment two animals were employed to study VLDL turnover. These studies were conducted once while they were on a standard diet and once after they had been on an atherogenic diet for 6 months. Radioactivity from VLDL apolipoprotein B in normolipidemic donors and recipients decayed biphasically with the immediate appearance of a large proportion of it in IDL and LDL. The first phase was much more rapid (t12, 0.53 h) than the second (t12, 20.5 h). Most of the VLDL apolipoprotein B (98.5%) decayed via the rapid first phase with a fractional catabolic rate (FCR) of 0.77 h −1 . In cross-over studies, half-life of each phase of VLDL apolipoprotein B decay and FCR depended upon the donor and recipient dietary status. Lowest fractional catabolic rate (0.22 h −1 ) was observed in case of hypercholesterolemic donor and recipient.
MACROCEPHALY, PSEUDOPAPILLEDEMA AND MULTIPLE HEMANGIOMATA: A Previously Undescribed Heredofamilial Syndrome

Observations are presented from a family of whom five members exhibited a symptom-complex or syndrome, an entity which is genetically transmitted. The main features are macrocephaly, pseudopapilledema and multiple hemangiomata. To the authors9 knowledge this syndrome has not been described previously.
Linkages to Public Land Framework: toward embedding humans in ecosystem analyses by using ''inside-out social assessment''

This article presents the ''Linkages to Public Land'' (LPL) Framework, a general but comprehensive data-gathering and analysis approach aimed at informing citizen and agency decision making about the social environment of public land. This social assessment and planning approach identifies and categorizes various types of linkages that people have to public land and guides the tasks of finding and using information on people in those linkages. Linkages are defined as the ''coupling mechanisms'' that explain how and why humans interact with ecosystems, while linkage analyses are empirical investigations contextualized both temporally and geographically. The conceptual, legal, and theoretical underpinnings of five basic linkage categories (tribal, use, interest, neighboring land, and decision making) and further refinement into subcategories are explained. These categories are based upon the complex property and decision-making regimes governing public land. Applying an ''inside-out'' analytic perspective, the LPL Framework assesses the social environment inside public land units and traces linkages out into the larger social environment, instead of assessing the outside social environment (communities or stakeholders) and assuming linkages exist between the social entities and public lands, as is generally done in social assessments. The LPL Framework can be utilized in management activities such as assessing baseline conditions and designing monitoring protocols, planning and evaluating management alternatives, analyzing impacts of decisions, structuring public involvement and conflict management efforts, and conducting collaborative learning and stewardship activities. The framework enhances understanding of human dimensions of ecosystem management by providing a conceptual map of human linkages to public land and a stepwise process for focusing and contextualizing social analyses. The framework facilitates analysis of the compatibilities, conflicts, and trade-offs between various linkages, and between cumulative human linkages and capabilities of public land to sustain them. While the LPL Framework was developed for use in planning for U.S. National Forests, it could be applied to other types of public land in the United States and adapted and extended to public lands and common property areas in other countries.
A note on Mohr's stress circles

Abstract A simple demonstration is presented, based on the use of the generalized coordinates φ and θ, of the Mohr stress circle construction for the general three dimensional state of stress. Results are plotted, and tabulated, to show the relation between the two coordinates φ, θ of points on the element chosen and the two coordinates σ, τ of the associated points in the stress plane.
Picosecond IR studies of the vibrational dynamics of CO/Pt(111)

Abstract The vibrational dynamics of chemisorbed CO on Pt(111) are investigated by picosecond IR transient saturation spectroscopy. An intense ps pump pulse excites the CO stretch vibration for CO/Pt(111) and the transient differential IR spectrum of the vibrationally excited adlayer is monitored with a second IR probe pulse. The transient spectrum exhibits a dispersive bandshape, with both bleach and absorption features. The transient spectrum appears prior to the pump pulse and decays within a few ps following the pump pulse. The results are interpreted by comparison with analogous measurements on metal carbonyl molecules, and model calculations including the effects of optical coherence.
Identifying the scaling properties of rainfall accumulation as measured by a rain gauge network.

Abstract Recent studies have revealed that rainfall has non-trivial structure on small (less than 1 km) and short (less than 5 min) spatio-temporal scales. Despite this realization, instruments with substantially poorer resolution are still often used to characterize rainfall accumulations and other rain microphysical parameters such as mean drop diameter, radar reflectivity, and drop size distribution. There are many recent investigations that have supplied evidence that rainfall may have scale-invariant properties. If this is true, instruments with course resolution should only be trusted to estimate microphysical properties in a spatio-temporal regime where they are able to resolve the scale-invariant nature of the data. Here, we use a small-scale tipping-bucket rain gauge network (an instrument with inherent temporal scale limitations) to identify the minimum and maximum time scales over which a storm's scale-invariant behavior can be resolved. This gives some insight to the minimum time scale of scientific value from this instrument and the technique utilized here can be extended to a variety of other scale-limited raindrop measurement instruments (e.g. Joss-Waldvogel disdrometers, weighing rain gauges, or radar).
A new zero-finder for Tikhonov regularization

Tikhonov regularization with the regularization parameter determined by the discrepancy principle requires the computation of a zero of a rational function. We describe a cubically convergent zero-finder for this purpose.
A sustainability toolkit for simulaiton: recent developments and future capabilities

The use of simulation to study complex systems having both productivity and sustainability related performance measures seems to be growing at a rapid pace. This paper describes the recent developments and discusses potential future capabilities of a sustainability toolkit for simulation. The intent of the toolkit is to make sustainability related performance measures as easy to model and collect as traditional productivity based performance measures. The current toolkit focuses on the environmental aspects of sustainability, however, the goal of the toolkit is to also include the social and economic aspects of sustainability in the near future.
Rent controls and homeless rates

This paper extends the earlier analysis of Tucker [1987] and Quigley [1990] regarding the relationship between a city's homeless rate and the existence of rent controls. Performing WLS estimation on the logit of the homeless rate, this paper concludes that rent controls have the effect of lowering, not increasing, the homeless rate.
Volatilization rates of intermediate and low volatility chemicals from water

Abstract This paper reports laboratory methods for measuring the gas and liquid phase mass transfer coefficients and volatilization rate constants of intermediate and low volatility compounds and proposes a method for calculating the volatilization rate constants of these types of compounds in the environment.
Non-negative Matrix Factorization for Inferring Implicit Preference of Potential Customer

An agent model that infers a person’s implicit preference is proposed. The goal is to identify potential customers interested in various products or services of companies. As suggested by the mere exposure effect, the repeated exposure to stimuli increased the subjects’ positive attitude to repeated stimuli. To express a person’s preference, therefore, the agent extracts objects that appear frequently in the images of scenes that the person likely sees. If some extracted objects are related to a company’s business, the person is assumed to be its potential customer. Sparse Non-negative Matrix Factorization (SNMF) is introduced to extract unknown objects appearing in many images. The sparseness imposed on the coefficient matrix is related to the ability of a person to recognize objects, and it is controlled by one parameter. Experiments confirmed: (1) as the number of objects recognized at one time increased, the number of extracted objects increased. On the other hand, as the number decreased, similar objects were assumed to be the same. Thus, it is possible to infer preferences of persons with different levels of abilities for object recognition; (2) the sparseness condition is suitable for detecting multiple objects in one image; and (3) according to the level of the sparseness, the optimal number of objects that should be extracted is efficiently obtained by an adaptive gain control.
Pluralism and Liberalism

Meta-ethical pluralism, as developed in the work of writers like Isaiah Berlin, is the idea that ethical values cannot be reduced to a single hierarchy or system but are irreducibly multiple. It has often been argued that simply to recognize this fact is to have a reason to favour liberal institutions. On the contrary, the plurality of values in itself gives us no reason to support liberalism, indeed no reason to prefer any particular political arrangement to any other. If pluralism is true, the liberal's best defence may lie in appealing, in the manner of writers like Walzer and Rorty, to the de facto limitations on moral commitments imposed by the existing political culture.
VA/Q relationships and lung volume in hyaline membrane disease

Disturbances in ventilation-perfusion relationships (VA/Q) and functional residual capacity (FRC) are the most important abnormalities of physiology in distressed neonates. These parameters were measured serially from birth to recovery in 14 infants with hyaline membrane disease. VA/Q relationships were studied by determining alveolar arterial gradients for oxygen, carbon dioxide and nitrogen. FRC was determined by a helium rebreathing method. AaDo2 was measured after 100% oxygen breathing, and where possible during air breathing. Venous admixture and shunts were calcultaed using standard formulae and assumptions. Three infants had nitrogen washout determinations during the recovery period. Arterial samples were obtained from the temporal or right radial artery. The data allows the following conclusion: (1) In most infants FRC decreased between the first and second day (2) Underperfusion (VA/Q > 1) increased progressively in the first 2 days (3) Venoarterial shunting varied little in the first 2 days (4) Most infants reach a normal FRC by 15 days (5) During recovery the absence of nitrogen gradient, normal nitrogen washout, and the presence of a large venous admixture with a small shunt suggests that diffusion limitation is a major problem.
A particle model for spinodal decomposition

We study a one-dimensional lattice gas where particles jump stochastically obeying an exclusion rule and having a “small” drift toward regions of higher concentration. We prove convergence in the continuum limit to a nonlinear parabolic equation whenever the initial density profile satisfies suitable conditions which depend on the strengtha of the drift. There is a critical valuea c ofa. Fora<a c, the density values are unrestricted, while fora⩾a c, they should all be to the right or to the left of a given interval ℐ(a). The diffusion coefficient of the limiting equation can be continued analytically to ℐ(a), and, in the interior of ℐ(a), it has negative values which should correspond to particle aggregation phenomena. We also show that the dynamics can be obtained as a limit of a Kawasaki evolution associated to a Kac potential. The coefficienta plays the role of the inverse temperatureβ. The critical value ofa coincides with the critical inverse temperature in the van der Waals limit and ℐ(a) with the spinodal region. It is finally seen that in a scaling intermediate between the microscopic and the hydrodynamic, the system evolves according to an integrodifferential equation. The instanton solutions of this equation, as studied by Dal Passo and De Mottoni, are then related to the phase transition region in the thermodynamic phase diagram; analogies with the Cahn-Hilliard equations are also discussed.
A spin polarized disc

We present a solution to the gravitational field equations in a Riemann-Cartan spacetime. The solution describes a disc of infinite radius and finite thickness. The solution has three forms which depend on the size of the acceleration. The matter content of the disc is a rotating spin fluid with a constant z acceleration and a spin density polarized along the axis of rotation. The fluid has zero axial and tangential pressures. There is a radial pressure. The energy density and pressure are finite within the disc.
Free software helps map and display data

When creating camera-ready figures, most scientists are familiar with the sequence of raw data → processing → final illustration and with the spending of large sums of money to finalize papers for submission to scientific journals, prepare proposals, and create overheads and slides for various presentations. This process can be tedious and is often done manually, since available commercial or in-house software usually can do only part of the job. To expedite this process, we introduce the Generic Mapping Tools (GMT), which is a free, public domain software package that can be used to manipulate columns of tabular data, time series, and gridded data sets and to display these data in a variety of forms ranging from simple x-y plots to maps and color, perspective, and shaded-relief illustrations. GMT uses the PostScript page description language, which can create arbitrarily complex images in gray tones or 24-bit true color by superimposing multiple plot files. Line drawings, bitmapped images, and text can be easily combined in one illustration. PostScript plot files are device-independent, meaning the same file can be printed at 300 dots per inch (dpi) on an ordinary laserwriter or at 2470 dpi on a phototypesetter when ultimate quality is needed. GMT software is written as a set of UNIX tools and is totally self contained and fully documented. The system is offered free of charge to federal agencies and nonprofit educational organizations worldwide and is distributed over the computer network Internet.
Nanoscale metal oxide-based heterojunctions for gas sensing: A review

Abstract Metal oxide-based resistive-type gas sensors are solid-state devices which are widely used in a number of applications from health and safety to energy efficiency and emission control. Nanomaterials such as nanowires, nanorods, and nanoparticles have dominated the research focus in this field due to their large number of surface sites facilitating surface reactions. Previous studies have shown that incorporating two or more metal oxides to form a heterojunction interface can have drastic effects on gas sensor performance, especially the selectivity. Recently, these effects have been amplified by designing heterojunctions on the nano-scale. These designs have evolved from mixed commercial powders and bi-layer films to finely-tuned core–shell and hierarchical brush-like nanocomposites. This review details the various morphological classes currently available for nanostructured metal-oxide based heterojunctions and then presents the dominant electronic and chemical mechanisms that influence the performance of these materials as resistive-type gas sensors. Mechanisms explored include p–n and n–n potential barrier manipulation, n–p–n response type inversions, spill-over effects, synergistic catalytic behavior, and microstructure enhancement. Tables are presented summarizing these works specifically for SnO2, ZnO, TiO2, In2O3, Fe2O3, MoO3, Co3O4, and CdO-based nanocomposites. Recent developments are highlighted and likely future trends are explored.
Introduction to Traditional Environmental Knowledge in Federal Natural Resource Management Agencies

The study of traditional environmental knowledge (TEK, also expressed as traditional ecological knowledge) in applied settings is an important and growing field for environmental anthropologists who seek to put the methods and findings of anthropology to work in public and environmental policy contexts. The incredible depth and insight of indigenous environmental knowledge is well known in anthropological circles, and for better or worse, has been captured in the public consciousness. A combination of public pressure, internal counsel, political realities and genuine scientific inquisitiveness has worked to create a growing interest in TEK research on the part of many natural resource agencies, providing fertile ground for this work.
Novel mechanisms of immune modulation of natalizumab in multiple sclerosis patients.

Abstract The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of natalizumab therapy on the immune cell composition and phenotype in the blood of relapsing MS patients treated over the course of 12 months. We collected peripheral blood from 26 RRMS patients before treatment onset, and then 6 and 12 months after therapy. PBMC was isolated and then analyzed for phenotypic characteristics by FACS and for cytokine production by ELISA. The results of our studies showed changes in both numbers and activation states of immune cells following therapy. These changes were observed at the 6 month timepoint and generally persisted through the 12 month timepoint. The proportions of NK cells (CD3−CD56+) and hematopoetic stem cells (CD34+lin−) were increased after natalizumab treatment. Decreases were noted in numbers of CD14+ monocytes, and possibly their migratory potential, since their expression levels of α4β1 were decreased. Relative numbers of CD20+ B cells were increased, but the proportion of CD20+ cells expressing high levels of α4β1 integrin was decreased. While proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells did not change, the percentage of cells expressing α4β1 integrin was significantly decreased for both subsets. Natalizumab therapy produces a number of phenotypic changes in the immune composition of peripheral blood. These changes may help to explain both the mechanisms of action of natalizumab and also shed light on the potential for the observed increase in PML in these patients.
Some approximate treatments of fracture statistics for polyaxial tension

A frequently used approximate treatment of fracture statistics for polyaxial stress states assumes that the probability of survival is the product of the probabilities of survival of the structure for the principal stresses applied individually. The present paper shows that this assumption is generally unconservative and therefore the approximation serves as a lower bound to the failure probability. A simple technique is given for finding an upper bound in cases of biaxial tension provided the uniaxial fracture behavior is described satisfactorily by Weibull's two-parameter formula. The upper bound is a good approximation when in high stress regions the stresses are equibiaxial, or nearly so, as in laterally loaded or spinning disks.
On the spatial correlation of international conflict initiation and other binary and dyadic dependent variables

Abstract We examine spatially correlated interregional flows measured as binary choice outcomes. Since the dependent variable is not only binary and dyadic, but also spatially correlated, we propose a spatial origin–destination probit model and a Bayesian estimation methodology that avoids inconsistent maximum likelihood estimates. We apply the model to militarized interstate dispute initiations, observations of which are clearly binary and dyadic and which may be spatially correlated due to their geographic distribution. Using a cross-section of 26 European countries drawn from the period leading up to WWII, we find empirical evidence for target-based spatial correlation and sizable network effects resulting from the correlation. In particular, we find that the effect of national military capability of the potential aggressor, which is a significant determinant of conflict in either case, is overstated in a benchmark model that ignores spatial correlation. This effect is further differentiated by the geographic location of a country.
Measurement of Thickness of Thin Water Film in Two-Phase Flow by Capacitance Method

A technique has been developed for measuring water film thickness in a two-phase annular flow system by the capacitance method. An experimental model of the flow system with two types of electrodes mounted on the inner wall of a cylindrical tube has been constructed and evaluated. The apparatus and its ability to observe fluctuations and wave motions of the water film passing over the electrodes is described in some detail.
Rewriting Classical Myths: Women's Voices in “Los motivos de Circe” and “Penélope” by Lourdes Ortiz

The purpose of this article is to explore the mythical representations in two of the six short stories that make up Lourdes Ortiz's Voces de mujer (2007), previously published under the title Los motivos de Circe . It is well known that most rewritings of the classical myths have been faithful to the “official truth” of the original versions. But recent works in search of other meanings, have explored dimensions often hidden or blurred by the “official” version. This is the case of the short stories in this collection whose protagonists are six archetypal or mythical women and their respectful references to the biblical, Homeric and pictorial world: Eve, Circe, Penelope, Betsabe, Salome and Gioconda. The perspective offered by Lourdes Ortiz about the history of these myths allows us to read the story from the point of view of her female heroines. As such, then, in this article I will focus on two female characters from the Homeric epic: Circe and Penelope.
Ethylene formation from peptides of methionine

Abstract The ability of peptides containing methionine end groups to serve as substrates for ethylene formation is demonstrated for a series of 12 such peptides. The reaction is driven by each of three enzymes: a non-enzymatic system containing FMN in light, a peroxidase system containing phenol, Mn ++ and bisulfite, and a crude enzyme system prepared from pea seedlings. The pH optima are between 3.0 and 5.0 for the FMN system and 6.5 for the peroxidase system, in contrast to the less physiological optima of pH 8.0 or above when unsubstituted methionine is the substrate. In each case where the car☐yl of methionine was the site of substitution instead of the amino group, substrate effectiveness for ethylene formation was lost. These data lead to the suggestion that peptides with methionine end groups may serve as sources of ethylene production in plants.
Near‐surface ocean temperature

[1] The first open ocean deployment of the Skin Depth Experimental Profiler (SkinDeEP) was from the R/V Melville in the Gulf of California during the Marine Optical Characterization Experiment (MOCE-5). SkinDeEP is an autonomous, vertical profiler for the upper few meters of the ocean. During MOCE-5, SkinDeEP was deployed on ten separate occasions, and profiles were made at intervals of approximately 1 min each. A total of 976 profiles was acquired during the cruise. The ocean skin temperatures were measured by the Marine Atmosphere Emitted Radiance Interferometer (M-AERI), an infrared spectroradiometer. Typical meteorological conditions were of low winds and high insolation. The data set provided captures the near-surface temperature structure that decouples the skin layer from the conventional in situ bulk sea surface temperature (SST) measurements made at a depth of a few meters. Data from SkinDeEP showed strong diurnal warming within the upper few meters, with one extreme case of 4.6 K. There were large discrepancies when computing the skin-bulk temperature difference with bulk temperatures at different depths. Results also show the strong dependency of the SST on air-sea heat flux estimates, with warm-layer errors of almost 60 Wm−2 associated with intense stratification. This indicates the importance of the inclusion of the skin temperature for accurate calculation of latent, sensible, and net longwave heat fluxes.
Using fiber optics to tap the sun`s power

This paper discusses a solar energy collection system in which optical fibers are used to transport energy from a single-stage and a double-stage, three-dimensional Compound Parabolic Concentrator (CPC). After developing a thermo-mathematical model for the assembly of CPC and fibers, numerical simulations are used to optimize the system design. The modules filled with plastic and glass are shown to perform considerably better than those filled with air. A two-stage system performs better than a single-stage module. CPC surface reflectance improves the yield but an increase in fiber length decreases the performance.