cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Archeological optics: the very first known mirrors and lenses

The primary objective of the paper is to review histories of early known mirrors and lenses. Squinting/pinholes/slit apertures provided initial visual enhancements; quiet pools of water served as early mirrors. Manufactured mirrors appeared during the Stone Age 8000 years ago in Catal Hoyuk in Anatolia within modern Turkey. The next generation mirrors were Mesopotamian and Egyptian. Oldest lenses, extraordinary in quality and complexity with built-in illusion, were in use in Egypt 4575 years ago. Simpler lens forms appeared between 3932(?)–3500 years ago, probably in the Levant/Eastern Mediterranean basin. The main outcomes are: (1) civilized societies had mirrors by about 4000 years ago, including China, India (e.g. Lothal) and New World societies. (2) Siberia and China had different mirror designs than Western areas. (3) Only crystalline materials were used in New World mirrors. (4) The author located an Egyptian lens in Boston having original lens design, this extended this lens' utilization by ca. 800...
On the solution of equations with non-differential and Ptak error estimates

In this note we approximate solutions of equations with nondifferentiable operators and improve recent error estimates.
Measurement of propulsive power and evaluation of propulsive performance from the wake of a self-propelled vehicle

Propulsive efficiency is a key indicator of propulsive performance, but it can be difficult to measure when the propulsion system is integrated into the vehicle body because the average rate of useful work done propelling the vehicle and/or the average mechanical power expended propelling the vehicle is not known directly. A general approach would be to determine either or both of and from the vehicle wake. The present discussion demonstrates that only can be determined from the flow crossing a plane a fixed (average) distance downstream of the vehicle. A method for measuring is presented using the observation that the power required to tow a permeable obstruction behind the vehicle depends on . Several methods for evaluating propulsive performance using are proposed, including the definition of an equivalent jet velocity and corresponding Froude efficiency if the time-averaged mass flow rate through the propulsion system is known. If only is known, the recommended measure of propulsive performance is a power coefficient defined analogous to a drag coefficient.
On the Indentation Testing of Articular Cartilage: Determination of the Effective Poisson’s Ratio Using Two Different-Sized Punches

Effective Poisson’s ratio (EPR) of articular cartilage in compression is an important parameter, which is inversely correlated with stiffness of the collagen fibers [1]; and thus, if known, could provide valuable information about integrity of the collagen network in the tissue. Unfortunately, direct determination of the EPR by measuring lateral expansion during unconfined compression tests [2], while being effective, due to it’s destructive nature many times is not desired and/or hard to apply in practice. Optically-determined values of equilibrium EPR for bovine humeral articular cartilage using this method are reported to be in range 0.185±0.0065.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The theoretical and experimental investigations on multiple pure tone noise.

An investigation on multiple pure tone (MPT) noise is described. The model fan is operated, in Freon 12, in a closed loop acoustical facility. It has been found experimentally that the rotor relative Mach number and incidence angle are parameters important to the evolution of the MPT sound and the inlet duct length has a significant influence on the MPT sound emission. The experimental results are compared with a previous analysis. From the known blade nonuniformities of the model fan, the MPT distributions are computed. The analysis correctly predicts the frequency of the dominant multiple pure tone and sound pressures of the blade passing frequency noise and the dominant MPT that are in the same range as the experimental values.
Modulation of endochondral bone formation: roles of growth hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and hyperparathyroidism

Impairment of linear growth occurs invariably in children with chronic renal failure. Recombinant human growth hormone and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) are widely utilized to improve linear growth in children. Large doses of calcitriol, however, have been shown to suppress chondrocyte proliferation and may lead to the development of adynamic bone. Substantial reductions of growth have been shown in children with chronic renal failure treated with intermittent calcitriol therapy. These findings suggest that calcitriol can modify chondrocyte proliferation and/or differentiation in epiphyseal growth plate cartilage and may counteract the effects of growth hormone therapy in increasing linear growth in children with chronic renal failure. Parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrP) and its receptor (PTH/PTHrP receptor) play critical roles in regulating chondrocyte differentiation in the growth plate. The expression of PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA is downregulated in animals with chronic renal failure and advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism; calcitriol and growth hormone therapy may modify the expression of PTH/PTHrP receptor. This article summarizes the separate and combined effects of growth hormone and calcitriol on endochondral bone formation in chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Reproduction and development in rats chronologically exposed to 60-Hz electric fields.

Previous studies have raised the possibility of reproductive and developmental changes in miniature swine chronically exposed to a strong 60-Hz electric field. Two replicate experiments on rats were performed to determine if similar changes could be detected in animals exposed under a comparable regime, which was based on average, induced-current densities and on the chronology of reproductive development, as dosimetrically and biologically scaled. Beginning at three months of age, female rats of the F0 generation and their subsequent offspring were chronically exposed to a 60-Hz electric field (100 kV/m unperturbed) for 19 h/day for the duration of experimentation. After four weeks of exposure, F0 female rats were mated to unexposed male rats during the field-off period. No significant developmental effects were detected in their litters, confirming our previous results with swine and rats. The F0 females were mated for a second time at 7.2 months of age, and the fetuses were evaluated shortly before term. In the first experiments, the incidence of intrauterine mortality was significantly less in exposed than in sham-exposed litters, and there was a tendency (P = .12) for an increased incidence of malformed fetuses in exposed litters. Neither end point was significantly affected in the secondmore » experiment. Copulatory behavior of the female F1 offspring, which were bred at three months of age, was not affected in either experiment. There was a statistically significant decrease in the fertility of F1 exposed females and a significant increase in the fraction of exposed litters with malformed fetuses in the first experiment; both end points were essentially the same in the sham and exposed groups of the second experiment. That the significant effects detected in the first experiment were not seen in the second may be attributed to random or biological variation.« less
Prenatal morphine exposure differentially alters expression of opioid peptides in striatum of newborns

The biochemical and cellular mechanisms involved in the development and/or maintenance of morphine tolerance remain unclear. In the adult central nervous system (CNS) results are contradictory. For the neonate, a variety of drug induced deficits have been observed following prenatal addiction to opioids, although very little work on the biochemical and molecular level has been done. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the effects of prenatal morphine treatment on the levels and expression of endogenous opioid peptides in brain regions of newborns. Dams were implanted with one morphine pellet (75 mg each) 1 week prior to the birth of pups. Changes in mRNA levels for the opioid peptides were determined by Northern blot analysis. Alterations in opioid peptide levels were determined by radioimmunoassays. Prenatal morphine treatment significantly increased proenkephalin mRNA levels and decreased met-enkephalin levels in striatum of newborns. These data are in contrast to what is observed in the adult CNS. These data indicate that prenatal morphine treatment may increase met-enkephalin release and/or cause inhibition at the level of translation. In addition, increased transcription may be necessary to maintain equilibrium in the system when there is an increase in met-enkephalin release.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Action in the Pituitary: A Three Step Mechanism*

CALCIUM fulfills the requirements of an intracellular mediator for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH; pyro-Glu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-GIU-NH2)-stimulated gonadotropin release from the pituitary (1). Evidence from our laboratory and others now suggests that GnRH action may be divided into three sequential steps: 1) interaction of GnRH with a specific plasma membrane receptor; 2) mobilization of ionic calcium (Ca2+); and 3) expulsion of the contents of the gonadotropin secretory granule to the extracellular space. At present, considerable work remains to be done regarding the mechanism of Ca2+ mobilization in response to GnRH and its precise locus of action. This review describes experiments that led to the development of this model and summarizes recent progress. A. Introduction Early studies with hemipituitaries and pituitary slices (2) suggested that the ionic makeup of the incubation medium, especially with regard to Ca2+, influenced the release of pituitary hormones. These studies relied up...
Carbon nanotubes by electrospinning with a polyelectrolyte and vapor deposition polymerization.

Electrospinning of a polyelectrolyte and vapor deposition polymerization were combined to fabricate nanotubes of oxidatively stabilized poly(acrylonitrile) (PANΔ) with an outer diameter of 100 nm, a wall thickness of 14 nm, and centimeter-scale length. Poly(styrene sulfonate) sodium (PSSNa) nanofibers serves as sacrificial cores while vapor deposition polymerization was used to form smooth PAN sheaths of even thickness. After the PAN sheaths had been oxidatively stabilized, the PSSNa cores were etched away with water to form nanotubes of PANΔ. High-temperature carbonization of these nanotubes at 900 °C under Ar flow yielded carbon nanotubes with an outer diameter of 80 nm and wall thickness of 10 nm. Raman spectroscopy confirms that the carbon nanotubes were composed of highly disordered graphene sheets, consistent with the carbonization of PAN under similar conditions. These carbon nanotubes have many promising applications as catalyst supports, gas absorbents, and as encapsulants for controlled release ...
Individual Differences in Music Listening Responses of Kindergarten Children

In this project, we examined a phenomenon observed in two previous studies: When children were given the opportunity to listen to four pieces of music for as long as they chose in individual listen...
Linear and nonlinear contributions to step responses in cat retinal ganglion cells

We measured excitatory and inhibitory step responses of cat retinal ganglion cells to square wave contrast reversal of stationary sinusoidal gratings. In most Y-cells the initial increase in firing rate (early peak) of the excitatory responses was followed by a distinct second increase in firing rate (late peak). Analysis of the spatial frequency and spatial phase dependence of the two peaks indicated that the early peak appears to be produced by the spatially linear center mechanism, while the late peak appears to be produced by the rectifying subunits described by Hochstein and Shapley (1976) Journal of Physiology, London, 262, 237-264, 265-284. These results indicate that the presence of two peaks in ganglion cell step responses is the result of two excitatory inputs with different time courses, and that inhibitory inputs are not required to explain the appearance of these responses.
Interdependence in the life of the professional engineer

I AM DEEPLY MOVED to be appearing before you at this Great Lakes District Meeting not only as a member of the Iowa Section of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers but also as President of the great professional engineering organization that we are representing. However, mingled with that feeling is one of pride that our Iowa Section is privileged to serve as host again to a District Meeting of the Institute, for it portrays the kind of vigorous sponsorship that permeates our total membership. It represents an opportunity to bring a segment of the Institute to Iowa for the second time in recent years and the responsibility to invest some time and energy in our chosen profession. It represents an opportunity to keep AIEE members and others abreast of new developments in technology and the responsibility for bringing encouragement to younger engineers into whose hands new techniques begin to reside more universally by reason of their more rigorous and advanced technical training. In short it represents complete interdependence.
Gene expression response of mice after a single dose of 137CS as an internal emitter

Cesium-137 is a radionuclide of concern in fallout from reactor accidents or nuclear detonations. When ingested or inhaled, it can expose the entire body for an extended period of time, potentially contributing to serious health consequences ranging from acute radiation syndrome to increased cancer risks. To identify changes in gene expression that may be informative for detecting such exposure, and to begin examining the molecular responses involved, we have profiled global gene expression in blood of male C57BL/6 mice injected with 137CsCl. We extracted RNA from the blood of control or 137CsCl-injected mice at 2, 3, 5, 20 or 30 days after exposure. Gene expression was measured using Agilent Whole Mouse Genome Microarrays, and the data was analyzed using BRB-ArrayTools. Between 466–6,213 genes were differentially expressed, depending on the time after 137Cs administration. At early times (2–3 days), the majority of responsive genes were expressed above control levels, while at later times (20–30 days) mo...
Seasonal, diel, and ontogenetic patterns of within-den behavior in beavers (Castor canadensis)

Despite the ubiquity of denning as a natural history strategy among terrestrial vertebrates, little is known regarding basic patterns of within-den behavior, how such patterns are influenced by demographic and environmental parameters, or how within-den behavioral repertoires relate to activities performed in external environments. Den usage is believed to facilitate increased expression of behaviors that compromise fitness in external environments, though empirical data validating these assumptions are generally lacking. Relative isolation from external light cues within dens has been linked to temporal patterns of den use, yet few studies examine associations between photoperiod and rhythmicity strictly for within-den behavior. Also, for denning species with relatively equivalent parental investment, conclusions regarding sex-specific behavior have been equivocal, and no studies have examined potential segregation of parental activity within dens. We videorecorded 1506 h of within-den activity from 23 beaver (Castor canadensis) colonies and characterized behavioral patterns based on sex and age over daily and monthly intervals. Within-den time-activity budgets were equivalent among male and female adult beavers, with feeding, sleeping, allogrooming, and individual grooming accounting for more than 95% of all recorded behaviors. Behavioral repertoires within dens exhibited distinct seasonality and were influenced by temporal variation in external conditions associated with food availability, indicating linkages between activities within and outside of dens. Lastly, beaver age classes varied considerably in their associations between diel activity patterns and photoperiod, with adults and kits exhibiting single and multiple sleep–wake cycles, respectively.
Phase identifications and monotropic transition behaviors in a thermotropic main-chain liquid crystalline polyether

Abstract A thermotropic liquid crystalline (LC) polyether was synthesized by condensation polymerization of 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl-2-(2-methyl-4-hydroxypheyl)ethane) and α,ω-dibromononane, and abbreviated as MBPE-9. Multiple phase transitions were found via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) upon heating and cooling. Based on wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) and polarized light microscopy (PLM) experiments, two monotropic LC nematic (N) and smectic phases and three crystalline (orthorhombic K1, triclinic K2 and triclinic K3) phases were identified. A study on kinetics showed that only when the N phase formation rate was faster than the crystallization rate of K1 phase which directly grew from the melt, the presence of the N phase could accelerate both the overall crystallization and the linear crystal growth rates of K1 phase. In a narrow temperature region, two distinct crystal growth rates could be observed: one was directly from the isotropic melt, and another was from the N phase.
The Presidency and the Political Order: In Context

George C. Edwards. The Strategic Presidency: Persuasion and Opportunity inPresidential Leadership. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2009.Stephen Skowronek. Presidential Leadership in Political Time: Reprisal andReappraisal, 2nd ed. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2011.Walter Dean Burnham. Voting in American Elections: The Shaping of the PoliticalUniverse Since 1788, ed. Thomas Ferguson and Louis Ferleger. Palo Alto, CA:Academica Press, 2010.Curt Nichols,
In-situ gamma radiation induced attenuation in silica optical fibers heated up to 600 °C

Abstract In this work, the performance of silica fibers was experimentally studied under continuous gamma irradiation and periodic heating in steps to temperatures up to 600 °C. The broadband optical attenuation in 10-meter lengths of three different types (one high-OH, two low-OH types) of multimode silica fibers was continuously monitored in-situ throughout the experiment. All three fiber types survived the experiment both optically and mechanically. Results showed that for the gamma dose rate tested in this experiment (476 Gy per hour), gamma radiation primarily affects wavelengths below ~ 1000 nm. For the low-OH silica optical fibers, gamma radiation has little effect on transmission in the infrared, particularly at 1300 nm and 1550 nm. These two wavelengths are commonly used in existing commercial optical sensing equipment. Thermal effects primarily contributed to the increase in absorption in the infrared region for low-OH silica optical fibers. The large OH concentration in the high-OH fiber results in large intrinsic absorption in the near-infrared, making the high-OH fiber unsuitable for transmission at 1300 nm and 1550 nm. However, the high-OH fiber had lower radiation-induced attenuation in the UV and visible ranges including 850 nm, which is another wavelength that is commonly used for sensing applications. The steady state value for the gamma radiation-induced attenuation in the high-OH fiber at 600 nm (the peak wavelength for the absorption due to non-bridging oxygen hole centers) and the time constant for reaching this steady state value both decreased as temperature was increased in the range of 100–400 °C, with almost full annihilation of the radiation-induced defects achieved at 400 °C. Time constants were on the order of minutes to hours for the gamma dose rate in this experiment and the high-OH fiber that was tested. In general, radiation-induced attenuation was observed to decrease significantly with increasing temperature, particularly at lower wavelengths where most of the defect centers are located. The conditions under which the measurements were made (in-situ as the temperature was varied) also gives insight into the dynamics of the optical attenuation, which may help provide a better understanding of the fundamental physics of radiation-induced optical attenuation. All of the results generated in this work were processed into movies that are available for download.
On the Semantics of Arbitration

Revision and update operators add new information to some old information represented by a logical theory. Katsuno and Mendelzon show that both revision and update operators can be characterized as accomplishing a minimal change in the old information to accommodate the new information. Arbitration operators add two or more weighted informations together where the weights indicate the relative importance of the informations rather than a strict priority. This paper shows that arbitration operators can be also characterized as accomplishing a minimal change. The operator of model-fitting is also defined and analyzed in the paper.
An algorithm for incorporation of frictional sliding conditions within a steady state rolling framework

A formulation for hyperelastic steady state rolling calculations is presented, focusing on the inclusion of frictional sliding conditions between a rolling tyre and a flat roadway. Algorithmically, it is seen that traditional return mapping algorithmic strategies for treatment of the friction are often ineffective for this problem even when well-posed frictional solutions exist; accordingly, an algorithmic approach utilizing a global stick predictor is proposed to recover solutions to the sliding contact problem. Numerical examples for adherent and sliding contact cases are presented, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach advocated. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protein and glycoprotein metabolism in brains of operantly conditioned pigeons

Abstract Pigeons were operantly conditioned to peck a lighted disc for food. Some were taught a red-green color discrimination, while others were overtrained to peck a white light only. The effect of training on metabolism in 35 subcellular fractions and nine chemical fractions from each brain was measured by uptake of [14C]glucosamine and [3H]valine injected 30 min prior to the final 30 min training session. Evidence for an effect of training upon uptake into discrete subcellular fractions was negligible. However, training decreased [3H]valine incorporation into one protein fraction significantly, and [14C]glucosamine incorporation into another fraction marginally. Furthermore, in the fraction which incorporated the greatest amount of [14C]glucosamine, naive and discrimination-trained birds took up more label than overtrained birds. These results confirm previous reports of metabolic changes correlated with training in selected protein and glycoprotein fractions from pigeon brain, but fail to localize the changes to specific anatomical sites or subcellular components. These findings support the view that the metabolites involved in the processing of behavioral information are chemically specific but broadly dispersed morphologically.
VEHICLE STATE ESTIMATION USING VISION AND INERTIAL MEASUREMENTS

Abstract A novel method for estimating vehicle roll, pitch and yaw using machine vision and inertial sensors is presented that is based on matching images captured from an on-vehicle camera to a rendered representation of the surrounding terrain obtained from an on-board map database. United States Geographical Survey Digital Elevation Maps (DEMs) were used to create a 3D topology map of the geography surrounding the vehicle, and it is assumed in this work that large segments of the surrounding terrain are visible, particularly the horizon lines. The horizon lines seen in the captured video from the vehicle are compared to the horizon lines obtained from a rendered geography, allowing absolute comparisons between rendered and actual scene in roll, pitch and yaw. A kinematic Kalman filter modeling an inertial navigation system then uses the scene matching to generate filtered estimates of orientation. Experiments using an instrumented vehicle operating at the test track of the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute were performed to check the validity of the method, and the results reveal a very close match between the vision-based estimates of orientation versus those from a high-quality GPS/INS system.
New method of feeding coal - Continuous extrusion of fully plastic coal

Continuous feeding of coal in a compressing screw extruder is described as a method of introducing coal into pressurized systems. The method utilizes the property of many bituminous coals of softening at temperatures from 350 to 400 C. Coal is then fed much in the manner of common thermoplastics, using screw extruders. Preliminary results show that coals can be extruded at rates of about 3.3 kg/MJ, similar to those for plastics.
ACTH- and noncontingent footshock-induced recovery of an extinguished passive avoidance response.

Abstract The effectiveness of both exogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone and noncontingent footshock as agents for the recovery of an extinguished passive avoidance response was assessed. Six groups of male Holtzman rats were administered either adrenocorticotropic hormone (4IU), or a single noncontingent footshock, either 15 minutes, 24 hours, or 7 days prior to retention testing. Two control groups received an injection of the inactive gel vehicle either 15 minutes or 7 days prior to test. Adrenocorticotropic hormone administered either 15 minutes or 24 hours prior to test, as well as noncontingent footshock delivered 24 hours (but not 15 minutes) prior to test, served as effective reinstatement agents. Substantial “spontaneous recovery” of responding precluded evaluation of reinstatement effects at the 7 day retention interval. The persistence of the recovery for at least 24 hours is consistent with the notion that both adrenocorticotropic hormone and noncontingent footshock not only enhance memory retrieval of the original fear conditioning, but also cause the training memory to be further processed.
Formation and isomerization of polycyclic 1,5-enynes ☆

A 1,5-enyne with the alkyne flanked by a cyclopropane and a cyclobutane, formed by intramolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of a pyridone with an enyne, undergoes gold catalyzed ring closure to give a cyclopentene, without isomerization of either small ring. The ring closure can also be effected by thiol radical conditions. The chemistry of the resulting tetracycle with its five stereogenic centers, has been studied.
Combined Radiation and Convection in Absorbing, Emitting, Nongray Gas-Particulate Tube Flow

The interaction of thermal radiation with conduction and convection in thermally developing absorbing, emitting, nongray gas-particulate turbulent suspension flow through a circular tube is investigated. The contribution of thermal radiation is obtained through evaluation of the total hemispherical emittance of the particulate cloud and through evaluation of single band absorptances for molecular gases, modified to account for the interaction with the particles. The governing differential equation is derived as a (nonlinear) energy equation, coupled with integral equations to find the thermal radiation contributions. The energy equation is solved numerically by an implicit finite difference method with an iterative procedure. Qualitative results for Nusselt numbers are shown for a variety and range of parameters, such as optical thickness of particulates and single molecular gas bands, relative gas band position and band width, and temperature ratios (heated as well as cooled suspension flows).
Growth and nut production of black walnut in relation to site, tree type and stand conditions in south-central United States

Black walnut (Juglans nigra) is a prime tree species for agroforestry practices in the United States providing highly prized wood and nuts for human consumption and wildlife. In 54 black walnut stands in south central United States, the site index (i.e., mean dominant height [DH], at age 25 years) ranged between 5.2 and 21.4 m, and was independent of stand density. There were no differences in height and stem diameter (DBH) growth rates between stands with improved varieties and native stock. Most stands were in a “free growth” stage because of either early age or wide spacing. Mean annual increments in DBH and height were positively related both for improved varieties and native stock. Understory competition had a substantial detrimental effect on DH. In a 26 year-old stand, trees growing within Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis) had a site index 5 m greater than trees growing within tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea). Predicted nut yields in 2002 varied between 0 and 1370 kg of hulled nuts per ha. Improved varieties had, in general, higher nut yields than predicted from a nut yield-DBH equation developed for individual trees. Nut yields were highly variable both within and among stands, and were related to DBH in native stock but not in improved varieties.
Regulation of the G1 to S transition by the ubiquitin pathway.

This year the most prestigious prize in medical sciences, the Lasker Award, has been presented to the three scientists who discovered the ubiquitin pathway: Aaron Ciechanover, Avram Hershko, and Alexander Varshavsky [Nature Med. 6 (2000) 1073–1081]. During a time when the scientific community was focused on understanding how proteins were synthesized, they intently pursued the novel idea that cells were programmed to selectively destroy proteins. Their work led to the identification of an elaborate system of protein degradation targeting a myriad of cellular substrates. A small protein called ubiquitin is at the center of this process. Although the ubiquitin pathway was first described in the early 1980s, it has only more recently advanced to the forefront of basic research as a significant regulatory network within the cell. The field continues to grow as new ubiquitination enzymes and novel functions of this system are identified. Scientists are focused on elucidating the mechanisms by which cells deploy the ubiquitin pathway to control levels of selected proteins, such as cell cycle regulatory proteins, transcription factors and signaling molecules. Accelerated or decelerated rates of degradation of particular substrates participate in the genesis of many human diseases. Thus, understanding the mechanisms that confer specificity to the ubiquitin system will allow the development of novel therapeutic approaches to target aberrations in this pathway underlying tumorigenesis and other human pathologies.
Cover Selection for Steganographic Embedding

The primary goal of image steganography techniques has been to maximize embedding rate while minimizing the detectability of the resulting stego images against steganalysis techniques. However, one particular advantage of steganography, as opposed to other information hiding techniques, is that the embedder has the freedom to choose a cover image that results in the least detectable stego image. This resource has largely remained unexploited in the proposed embedding techniques. In this paper, we study the problem of cover selection by investigating three scenarios in which the embedder has either no knowledge, partial knowledge, or full knowledge of the steganalysis technique. For example, we illustrate through experiments how simple statistical measures could help embedder minimize detectability, at times by 65%, in the partial knowledge case.
Electrogenerative chemical reactors

Abstract Electrogenerative processes are electrochemical ones in which the exothermic energy of chemical reaction is converted to direct electric current while a desired chemical product is produced. Fuel cells processes actually are related but differ in that they normally involve complete fuel combustion. Conventional electrochemical processes differ from electrogenerative processes in that they consume power although they may give similar desired products. Furthermore, electrogenerative electrodes may operate in different potential regions determined by potentials produced by the chemical reactions taking place. For example, the electrogenerative reduction of benzene takes place with energy production in acid solution and can be represented by Anode(−) 3 H 2 → 6 H + + 6 e , (1) Cathode (+) C 6 H 6 + 6 H + + 6 e → C 6 H 12 . (2) In contrast, the electrochemical reduction of benzene by conventional means requires the supply of a negative potential of several volts and special solvents. Here, several electrogenerative processes are reviewed as well as the design and operation of electrogenerative reactors. The importance of electrocatalysis is illustrated. Possibilities for incorporating electrogenerative and related processes into existing chemical processing technology are discussed from the standpoint of conserving and recovering energy that is presently lost as heat.
Women, Abuse, and the Welfare Bureaucracy

Using critical and feminist theoretical frameworks, this report of a qualitative study describes women’s perspectives of the welfare bureaucracy. An analysis of interviews with 38 women revealed emotional and economic abuse both in the welfare system and their personal lives. Interactions with frontline workers who implement the rules and regulations of welfare reform disempower recipients and mimic the conditions of abuse that these women have already experienced. Genograms provide a context for the women’s personal histories. Recommendations include removing sanctions as a form of economic abuse, screening every applicant for interpersonal violence, and referring women to mental health services if necessary.
A nonunitary version of massless quantum electrodynamics possessing a critical point

Recently, it has been observed that a quantum field theory need not be hermitian to have a real, positive spectrum. What seems to be required is symmetry under combined parity and time-reversal transformations. This idea is extended to massless electrodynamics, in which the photon couples to the axial-vector current with an imaginary coupling constant. The eigenvalue condition necessary for the finiteness of the theory can now be solved; the value for the charge appears to be stable order-by-order. Similarly, the semiclassical Casimir model for the fine-structure constant yields a positive value.
Metallothionein isoform 3 and proximal tubule vectorial active transport.

Metallothionein isoform 3 and proximal tubule vectorial active transport. Background Metallothionein isoform 3 (MT-3) is expressed in the proximal tubule cells of the human kidney. The goal of the present study was to further characterize the basal expression of MT-3 in the proximal tubule and to determine if MT-3 participates in the maintenance of proximal tubule cell function. Methods Expression of MT-3 mRNA was determined in the intact proximal tubule using microdissection and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Basal expression of MT-3 mRNA and protein was determined in cultured human proximal tubule (HPT) cells and an immortalized proximal tubular cell line, HK-2 cells, using RT-PCR and immunoblotting. The MT-3 gene was stably transfected into the HK-2 cell line using the pcDNA3.1/Hygro (+) vector. Results MT-3 mRNA was detected in the proximal tubule of the in situ kidney with relative expression in excess to that of the β-actin housekeeping gene. The mortal HPT cells were shown to express both MT-3 mRNA and protein and to form domes, while immortal HK-2 cells were shown to have no expression of MT-3 mRNA and protein nor to form domes. The stable transfection of MT-3 in HK-2 restored MT-3 expression and dome formation to the HK-2 cells. Conclusions MT-3 mRNA is present in the human proximal tubule, and MT-3 expression is involved in the transport function of a human renal cell line that retains properties of the proximal tubule.
Enhanced prediction accuracy of protein secondary structure using hydrogen exchange Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Abstract A novel equilibrium hydrogen exchange Fourier transform IR (HX-FTIR) spectroscopy method for predicting secondary structure content was employed using spectra obtained for a training set of 23 globular proteins. The IR bandshape and frequency changes resulting from controlled levels of H–D exchange were observed to be protein-dependent. Their analysis revealed these variations to be partly correlated to secondary structure. For each protein, a set of 6 spectra was measured with a systematic variation of the solvent H–D ratio and was subjected to factor analysis. The most significant component spectra for each protein, representing independent aspects of the spectral response to deuteration, were each subjected to a second factor analysis over the entire training set. Restricted multiple regression (RMR) analysis using the loadings of the principal components from 19 of these H–D analyses revealed an improvement in prediction accuracy compared with conventional bandshape-based analyses of FTIR data. Nearly a factor of 2 reduction in error for prediction of helix fractions was found using s 1 , the average spectral response for the H–D set. In some cases, significant error reduction for prediction of minor components was found using higher factors. Using the same analytical methods, prediction errors with this new deuteration–response–FTIR method were shown to be even better than those obtained by use of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data for helix predictions and to be significantly lower for ECD-based sheet prediction, making these the best secondary structure predictions obtained with the RMR method. Tests of a limited variable selection scheme showed further improvements, consistent with previous results of this approach using ECD data.
Fibronectin fragmentation is a feature of periodontal disease sites and diabetic foot and leg wounds and modifies cell behavior.

Background: Fibronectin (FN) undergoes fragmentation in periodontal disease sites and in poorly healing diabetic wounds. The biologic effects of FN fragments on wound healing remain unresolved. This study characterized the pattern of FN fragmentation and its effects on cellular behavior compared to intact FN. Methods: Polyclonal antibodies were raised against FN and three defined recombinant segments of FN and used to analyze gingival crevicular fluid from periodontal disease sites in systemically healthy subjects and in subjects with diabetes, as well as chronic leg and foot wound exudates from subjects with diabetes. Subsequently, the behavior of human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) and HT1080 reference cells were analyzed by measuring cell attachment, migration, and chemotaxis in the presence of intact FN or recombinant FN fragments. Results: FN fragmentation was evident in fluids from periodontal disease sites and diabetic leg and foot wounds. However, no fragmentation pattern distinguished systemically healthy subjects from subjects with diabetes. hGFs and HT1080 cells required significantly higher concentrations of FN fragments to achieve attachment comparable to intact FN. Cells cultured on FN fragments also were morphologically different from cells cultured on full-length FN. Migration was reduced for hGFs cultured on FN fragments relative to fulllength FN. In contrast, FN fragments increased HT1080 fibrosarcoma cell migration over intact FN. Conclusions: FN fragmentation is a prominent feature of periodontal and chronic leg and foot wounds in diabetes. Furthermore, cell culture assays confirmed the hypothesis that exposure to defined FN fragments significantly alters cell behavior. J Periodontol 2008;79:861-875.
6-Hydroxy- and 6-methoxyflavonoids from Neurolaena lobata and N. macrocephala

Abstract Twelve flavonoids including one new sulfate were isolated from Neurolaena lobata , and six known flavonoids were obtained from N. macrocephala . The new compound isolated from N. lobata is 6-hydroxykaempferol 3-methyl ether 7-sulfate, and the known flavonoids are 6-hydroxykaempferol 3,7-di-dimethyl ether, 6-hydroxykaempferol, 3-methyl ether 7-glucoside, 6-hydroxykaempferol 7-glucoside, quercetagetin and its 7-glucoside, quercetagetin 3,6- and 3,7-dimethyl ethers, quercetagetin 3-methyl ether 7-glucoside and 7-sulfate, 6-hydroxyluteolin 3′-methyl ether and 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-glucoside. The known flavonoids identified from N. macrocephala are quercetagetin 3,6- and 3, 7-dimethyl ethers, quercetagetin 6-methyl ether 7-glucoside, quercetagetin 3,6-dimethyl ether 7-glucoside, quercetagetin 7-glucoside and quercetagetin 3-methyl ether 7-sulfate.
Electrophilic metabolites of 3-methylindole as toxic intermediates in pulmonary oedema

[methyl-14C]-3-Methylindole (3MI) was incubated with goat-lung microsomes, an NADPH-generating system and glutathione. An adduct between an oxidative metabolite of 3MI and glutathione was formed only when the complete system was employed. The adduct, which was detected by u.v. absorbance and scintillation counting of h.p.l.c. fractions, was purified to homogeneity by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. The ability of 3MI to bind to microsomal protein was reduced to 52% and 46% of controls when 2 mM and 4 mM glutathione, respectively, were included in the incubations. These results suggest the involvement of an electrophilic metabolite as the toxic intermediate in 3MI-mediated pulmonary oedema.
Landing a Definition of Fishing Dependent Communities: Potential Social Science Contributions to Meeting National Standard 8

Abstract Under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act National Standard 8, federal policy now mandates that fishery management plans identify and consider the social and economic consequences of fisheries management actions on fishing communities (MSFCMA Section 301\[a]\[81). This mandate is based on the recognition that conservation and management efforts have expansive social and economic impacts. The act's definition of a fishing-dependent community is “a community which is substantially dependent on or substantially engaged in the harvest or processing of fishery resources to meet social and economic needs, and includes fishing vessel owners, operators, and crew and United States fish processors that are based in such a community” (PL94-265). The definition of fishing community in the act is workable only if the meaning of the phrase, “substantially dependent on or substantially engaged” is defined. Yet the law is not specific as to what constitutes fishing dependence. Consequent...
Healing boundaries in south Kalimantan.

Abstract In the Meratus Mountains of South Kalimantan, Indonesia, a number of intersecting discourses on the body compete to clarify and legitimize health practices and curing techniques. Meratus Dayak shamans cure through chants that metaphorically open and expand social and somatic boundaries; they open up the pores to let in healthy cosmic flows and to remove intrusive foreign objects caused by a patient's narrow-focused definition of self-interest and personal space. In contrast, neighboring Banjar Muslims fortify their boundaries against debilitating intrusions—like poisoned winds and poisoned foods—and messy extrusions—like the spilled blood of vampire's mouths and women's vaginas. In the ensuing ethnic dialog, Meratus shamans are cast as perpetrators as well as curers of the kind of illness-causing sorcery that makes Banjar most vulnerable. The contrasts, and the combinations, of these two curing systems highlight the internal logic of each as well as the social conditions of their continuing practice.
The angular dependence of energy loss of channeled 2 MeV helium ions along Si 〈100〉 axis

Abstract Experimental results on the angular dependence of energy loss for 2 MeV channeled He + ions along the Si〈100〉 axis by use of transmission channeling are presented. The measured angular width of this dependence is significantly smaller than the corresponding experimental value for the nuclear encounter probability. A modified two component assumption for the energy loss gives an excellent agreement to the experimental results. Based on this two component assumption, and separating the contributions from valence electrons and core electrons, a simple empirical expression for the energy loss channeled ions is proposed. A method is developed to extract the average L shell electron density distribution in the channel from the measured angular dependence. The peak of the distribution is at 0.18 A.
Inhibition of dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity by phenoxybenzamine

Abstract Phenoxybenzamine at a concentration of 2 × 10 −6 M produce half-maximal inhibition of dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates of rat striatum. Inhibition was sharply dependent on time and temperature of preincubation with the inhibitor. When included in the preincubation medium, dopamine was nearly 8 times more effective than norepinephrine at protecting against this inhibition, whereas neither isoproterenol nor methoxamine appeared to protect at all. These results suggest a direct, and possibly irreversible, interaction of phenoxybenzamine with the dopamine-binding component of the adenylate cyclase.
Measurement of tumor vascular volume and mean microvascular random flow velocity magnitude by dynamic GD-DTPA-Albumin enhanced and diffusion-weighted MRI

Tumor vascular volume fraction and the magnitude of the mean microvascular random flow velocity were measured in an animal tumor model by combining dynamic Gd-DTPA-albumin enhanced MRI and diffusion-weighted MRI in conjunction with a compartmental modeling analysis. The vascular volume fraction maps were obtained from the dynamic Gd-DTPA-albumin enhanced MRI measurement. It was found that the vascular volume fraction for Walker 256 tumor was higher within the outgrowing rim and decreased towards the central region. The average value obtained from five animals was 0.062 +/- 0.009 ml/g. By using the vascular volume fraction from the Gd-DTPA-albumin enhanced MRI measurement, maps of the magnitude of the mean microvascular random flow velocity were obtained from the diffusion-weighted MRI measurements with the compartmental modeling analysis. The relative extravascular and intravascular contributions to the diffusion-weighted MRI signal were determined for three tissue groups with different Gd-DTPA-albumin enhancement characteristics, and the flow and molecular diffusion-induced attenuation factors for the intravascular compartment were also compared. The mean microvascular random flow velocity magnitude maps were obtained with an average value of 0.67 +/- 0.06 mm/s.
Linewidth broadening of a quantum dot coupled to an off-resonant cavity

We study the coupling between a photonic crystal cavity and an off-resonant quantum dot under resonant excitation of the cavity or the quantum dot. Linewidths of the quantum dot and the cavity as a function of the excitation laser power are measured. We show that the linewidth of the quantum dot, measured by observing the cavity emission, is significantly broadened compared to the theoretical estimate. This indicates additional incoherent coupling between the quantum dot and the cavity.