cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patch Release Behaviors of Software Vendors in Response to Vulnerabilities: An Empirical Analysis

Software vulnerabilities have become a serious concern because unpatched software runs the risk of being exploited by hackers. There is a need for software vendors to make software patches available in a timely manner for vulnerabilities in their products. We develop a survival analysis model of software vendors' patch release behavior and test it using a data set compiled from the National Vulnerability Database, United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team, and vendor Web sites. This model helps to understand how factors specific to vulnerabilities, patches, software vendors, and software affect the patch release behavior of software vendors based on their cost structure. This study also analyzes the impact of the presence of multiple vendors and type of vendor on the patch release behavior of software vendors. Our results indicate that vulnerabilities with high confidentiality impact or high integrity impact are patched faster than vulnerabilities with high availability impact. Interesting differences in the patch release behavior of software vendors based on software type new release versus update and type of vendor open source versus proprietary are found. Our results illustrate that when there are legislative pressures, vendors react faster in patching vulnerabilities. Thus, appropriate regulations can be an important policy tool to influence vendor behavior toward socially desirable security outcomes.
Factors That Predict Malignant Thyroid Lesions When Fine-Needle Aspiration Is “Suspicious for Follicular Neoplasm”

Objective To assess clinical factors that may improve the ability to predict the presence of a malignant lesion in thyroid nodules that are found to be "suspicious for follicular neoplasm" by tine-needle aspiration FNA cytology. Material and Methods We undertook a retrospective review of the medical records of all patients at the three Mayo Clinic facilities who underwent a thyroid surgical procedure between January 1992 and December 1994 and had a preoperative FNA report of "suspicious for follicular neoplasm." Patient and nodule characteristics were analyzed statistically for associations with the presence of cancer. Results The study cohort consisted of 219 patients with a mean age of 54.3 years. Eighty-four percent of resections were done for benign disease. Of the 35 malignant lesions, 9 were incidental papillary cancers separate from the primary nodule; thus, only 26 cancers were found in the index nodule, and only 19 (9% of the total group) were follicular carcinomas. Clinical findings associated with a malignant index nodule were larger diameter, fixation of the mass, and younger age of the patient. Conclusion Clinical characteristics may be used for more accurate assessment of the risk of the presence of a malignant lesion when FNA cytology of a thyroid nodule is reported as "suspicious for follicular neoplasm."
Structure of nascent replicative form DNA of coliphage M13.

Abstract Nascent replicative form type II (RFII) DNA of coliphage M13 synthesized in an Escherichia coli mutant deficient in the 5' leads to 3' exonuclease associated uith DNA polymerase I contains ribonucleotides that are retained in the covalently closed RFI DNA sealed in vitro by the joint action of T5 phage DNA polymerase and T4 phage DNA ligase. These RFI molecules are labile to alkali and RNase H, unlike the RFI produced either in vivo or from RFII with E. coli DNA polymerase I and E. coli DNA ligase. The ribonucleotides are located at one site and predominantly in one strand of the nascent RF DNA. Furthermore, these molecules contain multiple small gaps, randomly located, and one large gap in the intracistronic region.
Determination of the hold-up time and column outlet density for capillary supercritical fluid chromatography

Abstract The column hold-up time (tu) was determined for a capillary supercritical fluid chromatographic system over a range of temperatures and densities using methane as a marker and using homologous series extrapolations. At low temperatures, tu was found to pass through a maximum with increasing density. To establish that this phenomenon is not due to a retention effect, tu was also calculated from flow-rate measurements. The measured hold-up times and Darcy's law were used to calculate the outlet densities for different inlet pressures at two temperatures.
Aerosolized Leukotriene D4 converts monkeys that are negative aerosolized ascaris responders to positive airway responders

We designed studies to determine if Leukotriene D4 (LTD4) could alter airway reactivity such that rhesus monkeys with positive skin reactivity and consistently negative airway responses would respond to ascaris airway challenge. The experiments were complicated by the observation that aerosolized LTD4 would occasionally increase airway hyperreactivity in some monkeys used as controls such that an airway response occurred to saline, the diluent for ascaris antigen. In spite of this, we were able to demonstrate induction of airway responsiveness to ascaris antigen. These results demonstrate that LTD4 will induce airway hyperreactivity to a nonspecific stimulus such as aerosolized saline or to an allergen.
The Eggs and Early-Instar Larvae of Heliothis zea and Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Descriptions are presented for the eggs and first- and second-instar larvae of the corn earworm, Heliothis zea . (Boddie), and the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.). A key is provided for the early-instar larvae of both species.
Establishing the relationship between structure and mechanical function in silks

Abstract Dragline silk protein fibers from the spider Nephila clavipes have mechanical properties that make them superior to high tenacity nylon, which is also a polyamide, and far superior to other protein fibers, including silkworm silk. In examining the relationship between the mechanical properties of the fibers and their molecular structure, one should look at the secondary structural elements, including β-sheets and bends, that have been derived by solid state NMR experiments and at the crystallinity and long-range structures obtained by X-ray measurements. A major conclusion from the present data is that nature has engineered in a certain amount of randomness, and that the protein is inadequately described as being simply a repeat of a consensus sequence. This suggests that approaches to designing synthetic silk-like proteins will need to include this randomness, rather than being based on high polymers of simple repeats of the consensus sequence.
Radioimmunoguided surgery for patients with liver metastases secondary to colorectal cancer.

Background: Hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer offers a 5-year survival rate of 30%. Selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from excision is challenging. The judgment is made by radiographic techniques preoperatively and by sight and touch and the instinct of the surgeon intraoperatively. Confirmation that all tumor tissue has been excised relies on the appearance and texture of the tissue and is verified by routine histology. The authors' objective was to evaluate (1) the ability of radioimmunoguided surgery (RIGS) to improve the intraoperative detection of metastatic disease, and (2) any change in the operative plan originating from the information gained in patients with colorectal liver metastases. Methods: Charts and tumor registry data for patients who underwent planned liver resection for colorectal cancer using the RIGS method from January 1985 to December 1993 were reviewed. This group of patients was compared to a similar group that underwent traditional liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer during the same period. Patients who had the RIGS procedure during the earlier part of the period (1985–1990), were injected with tumor-associated glycoprotein (TAG) antibody B72.3; those in the later period (1990–1993) were injected with the second-generation anti-TAG monoclonal antibody CC49. Both monoclonal antibodies were labeled with sodium iodide I 125. Both traditional and RIGS exploration were used to determine the extent of the malignant process and any change in operative plan. Results: Seventy-four cases of planned liver resection were performed with the RIGS method (group I), and 215 cases were performed with the traditional method (group II). Age and sex distribution were similar in both groups, as were morbidity and mortality, with an overall perioperative mortality of 1%. The distribution and number of metastatic lesions to the liver were the same, although group I included more cases with smaller metastatic lesions and more patients with anatomic resections. No extrahepatic tumor was found in 140 patients (65%) in group II, whereas there were only 21 patients (28%) in group I in whom no extrahepatic disease was detected (P<.001). RIGS exploration identified additional tumor in 12 (16%) of 74 cases: in the gastrohepatic ligament lymph nodes (LN) in five patients, in the celiac axis LN in one patient, and in the periaortic LN in six patients. These discoveries changed the operative plan for all of these patients, avoiding excision in the latter six patients and extending the resection in the other six. Conclusions: RIGS surgery provides an immediate and more accurate intraoperative staging system of patients with colorectal liver metastases than does traditional exploration by identifying additional metastatic disease, mainly to the lymph nodes, thus changing the plan of resection in a significant number of patients. More studies are needed to evaluate any significant survival advantage of patients who undergo removal of all RIGS-positive tissue.
Managing cross‐cultural challenges: a pre‐K lesson for training in the Gaza Strip

Contends that as the race for training ventures grows increasingly global trainers may find their cultural skills are as valuable as their own particular expertise. Uses a case study from the Gaza Strip to explore the cross‐cultural challenges that emerged to shape the project design and dictate critical training solutions. Although Gaza is an atypical training context, given the current political situation, the experience provided valuable lessons that others may use in working in high‐stress training locales.
Use of monitoring extreme data for the performance prediction of structures: Bayesian updating

Abstract Sensors of modern monitoring systems used in structural engineering provide data used for reliability assessment and maintenance planning. The storage and evaluation of sensor information are space and time-consuming activities. Therefore, it is necessary to process only the monitored data indicating a violation of defined performance thresholds. However, this process should not discard the knowledge gained from past monitored data and should allow the updating of prediction functions incorporating this knowledge. The objectives of this paper are to present: (a) a procedure for the effective incorporation of monitored data for the reliability assessment of structural components, (b) an approach for the updating of prediction functions and criteria for the interruption of monitoring, and (c) an effective use of the Bayesian approach for the incorporation of historical data in the structural reliability assessment. The proposed procedures and concepts are applied to the monitoring data obtained from the I-39 Northbound Bridge over the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin, USA. A monitoring program on that bridge was performed by the ATLSS Center at Lehigh University.
Laparoscopic versus Open Posterior Adrenalectomy: Comparison of Acute-phase Response and Wound Healing in the Cushingoid Porcine Model

p > 0.05). Nitrogen balance, wound scores, and tensile strength at 24 hours and 1 week were more favorable in the LA group than in the PA group (p < 0.05). In the cushingoid porcine model, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was less catabolic and was associated with fewer wound complications than the open posterior adrenalectomy. These findings provide support for continued pursuit of laparoscopic methods for adrenalectomy in the clinical setting.
A Note on the Gelatinization of Starch

A number of explanations for the melting behavior of starch in excess and limited water have been offered, none of which appears to be totally satisfactory. Most explanations do not account for the fact that gelatinization starts at the hilum and proceeds to the exterior of the granule. In limited water, starch gives two melting peaks with the differential scanning calorimeter. This has been explained on the basis of the granule limiting water to the crystallites. However, it was found that amylopectin crystallized from soluble material also gave a two-peak melting pattern in low water very similar to that found with total starch. Thus, the granule structure is not responsible for the two-peak melting of starch. Eine Bemerkung zur Verkleisterung von Starke. Fur das Schmelzverhalten von Starke in einer uberschussigen und einer begrenzten Menge Wasser gibt es eine Anzahl von Erklarungen, von denen keine als vollig ausreichend angesehen werden kann. Die meisten Erklarungen berucksichtigen nicht die Tatsache, das die Verkleisterung vom Hilum ausgeht und zum Auseren des Kornes fortschreitet. In einer begrenzten Menge Wasser zeigt Starke zwei Schmelz-Maxima im Differentialrasterkalorimeter. Dies ist mit der fur die Kristallite begrenzten Wassermenge erklart worden. Wie jedoch gefunden wurde, zeigte auch das aus loslichem Material kristallisierte Amylopektin in einer geringen Wassermenge ein Schmelzverhalten mit zwei Maxima ahnlich wie bei der Gesamtstarke. Die Kornstruktur ist deshalb fur die zwei Schmelzmaxima der Starke nicht verantwortlich.
Prototropic equilibria in DNA containing one-electron oxidized GC: intra-duplex vs. duplex to solvent deprotonation

By use of ESR and UV-vis spectral studies, this work identifies the protonation states of one-electron oxidized G:C (viz. G˙+:C, G(N1–H)˙:C(+H+), G(N1–H)˙:C, and G(N2-H)˙:C) in a DNA oligomer d[TGCGCGCA]2. Benchmark ESR and UV-vis spectra from one electron oxidized 1-Me-dGuo are employed to analyze the spectral data obtained in one-electron oxidized d[TGCGCGCA]2 at various pHs. At pH ≥7, the initial site of deprotonation of one-electron oxidized d[TGCGCGCA]2 to the surrounding solvent is found to be at N1 forming G(N1–H)˙:C at 155 K. However, upon annealing to 175 K, the site of deprotonation to the solvent shifts to an equilibrium mixture of G(N1–H)˙:C and G(N2–H)˙:C. For the first time, the presence of G(N2–H)˙:C in a ds DNA-oligomer is shown to be easily distinguished from the other prototropic forms, owing to its readily observable nitrogen hyperfine coupling (Azz(N2) = 16 G). In addition, for the oligomer in H2O, an additional 8 G N2–H proton HFCC is found. This ESR identification is supported by a UV-vis absorption at 630 nm which is characteristic for G(N2–H)˙ in model compounds and oligomers. We find that the extent of photo-conversion to the C1′ sugar radical (C1′˙) in the one-electron oxidized d[TGCGCGCA]2 allows for a clear distinction among the various G:C protonation states which can not be easily distinguished by ESR or UV-vis spectroscopies with this order for the extent of photo-conversion: G˙+:C > G(N1–H)˙:C(+H+) ≫ G(N1–H)˙:C. We propose that it is the G˙+:C form that undergoes deprotonation at the sugar and this requires reprotonation of G within the lifetime of exited state.
Ion-Sensitive Field Effect Transistors for pH and Potassium ion concentration sensing, towards detection of Myocardial Ischemia

Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistors (ISFETs) for sensing change in ionic concentration in biological systems can be used for detecting critical conditions like Myocardial Ischemia. Having the ability to yield steady signal characteristics can be used to observe the ionic concentration gradients which mark the onset of ischemia. Two ionic concentrations, pH and [K + ], have been considered as the indicator for Myocardial Ischemia in this study. The ISFETs in this study have an organic semi-conductor film as the electronically active component. Poly-3 hexylthiophene was chosen for its compatibility to the solution processing, which is a simple and economical method of thin film fabrication. The gate electrode, which regulates the current in the active layer, has been employed as the sensor element. The devices under study here were fabricated on a flexible substrate PEN. The pH sensor was designed with the Tantalum Oxide gate dielectric as the ion selective component. The charge accumulated on the surface of the metal oxide acts as the source of the effecter electric field. The device was tested for pH values between 6.5 and 7.5, which comprises the variation observed during ischemic attack. The potassium ion sensor has got a floating gate electrode which is functionalized to be selective to potassium ion. The device was tested for potassium ion concentration between 5 and 25 mM, which constitutes the variation in extra cellular potassium ion concentration during ischemic attack. The device incorporated a monolayer of Valinomycin, a potassium specific ionophore, on top of the gate electrode.
Transition Region Response of the Symmetric Double Probe and Its Application in the Lower Ionosphere

The technique is discussed of the symmetric double-probe which readily lends itself to the in situ measurement of plasma temperature in the ionospheric D-region because it can lead to meaningful results under relatively high collision frequencies where the Langmuir probe has been observed to fail. It is shown that the modification to the original collision-free double-probe theory of Johnson and Malter for the determination of electron temperature is never greater than + or - 12%, with a value of (8 + or - 2)% nominally applicable in the case of D-region diagnostics. This technique was successfully operated on a Nike-Cajun payload flown at mid-day from White Sands, New Mexico to an apogee of 78.5 km. The associated electronics and deployed double-probe configuration are presented, and a current-voltage characteristic collected in the ascent stage at 73.7 km is briefly discussed. The values of electron temperature indicated by the sampled data are approximately 30% higher than those predicted by theory for the anticipated state of thermal equilibrium with the ambient neutrals.
Prediction of weight for height following intervention in three-year-old children with early histories of nonorganic failure to thrive

The present study assessed the weight for height outcomes of 59 3-year-old children who had been hospitalized for nonorganic failure to thrive (NOFT) as infants (average age of 5 months) and received time-limited outreach intervention. Although the majority of children attained normal weight for height, nearly one-third demonstrated at least mild wasting. Type of outreach intervention did not affect weight for height at outcome. The predictive efficacy of a variable set which included characteristics of NOFT (age of onset and duration), velocity of weight gain subsequent to diagnosis and environmental characteristics (income and home stimulation) was tested. Shorter duration of NOFT prior to diagnosis and greater initial rate of weight gain following hospitalization predicted weight for height at 36 months. The findings underscore the need for close monitoring of physical growth and nutritional status of NOFT children following hospitalization as well as comprehensive assessment and treatment for children who continue to demonstrate nutritional deficits. Additional studies of factors which affect the prognosis of NOFT children are needed.
Influences on Health Delivery System Satisfaction: A Partial Test of the Ecological Model

This study uses structural equation modeling to investigate several predictors of hospital system satisfaction. Drawing on Street's ecological perspective, the researchers explore several individual, provider-patient interaction, and system perceptions and expectations, test a model of hospital system satisfaction, and discuss the implications of the structural equation modeling analysis. Specifically, it was hypothesized that individuals who rated themselves as having high self-efficacy would report higher levels of patient satisfaction than individuals who reported lower self-efficacy scores. In addition, it was hypothesized that patient perceptions of physician affirming nonverbal behavior and patient expectations, as well as the amount of time the patient must wait, will likely affect physician credibility. Last, patient perceptions of physician credibility and patient satisfaction were hypothesized to ultimately affect overall patient satisfaction with the health system. The results indicate partial support for the model. The implications of the findings for Street's model and the limitations of this study are discussed.
Review of Basic Research in Bicycle Traffic Science, Traffic Operations, and Facility Design:

Recent emphasis on alternatives to automobile transportation has brought to light deficiencies in basic research performed in bicycle traffic science. Because of limited opportunities to fund such research, it is prudent to use past research to develop design guidelines and provide a basis for planning future research efforts. Mainly toward the latter end, a comprehensive review of published basic research in bicycle traffic science (with relevance to U.S. traffic) is presented, and suggestions are made for research priorities.
Turnover control of photosystem II : use of redox-active herbicides to form the S3 state

The O[sub 2]-evolving center of photosystem II, which contains an active-site tetramanganese-oxo cluster, catalyzes the four-electron oxidation of two water molecules to dioxygen, with the concomitant production of four H[sup +] and four electrons. During catalytic turnover, the manganese-oxo cluster steps through five intermediate oxidation states, which are known as the S[sub i] states (i = 0-4). While methods have been found to manipulate the system into S[sub 1] and S[sub 2] in high yields, efficient production of the S[sub 3] state in good yield at high concentration has not yet been achieved. Previous methods have suffered from the requirement of low protein concentration so that actinic flashes are saturating; the use of temperature to control S-state advancement under continuous illumination, which can lead to S-state scrambling; or the use of herbicides that bind to the Q[sub B] site and restrict the system to one turnover. The authors describe here a method for the high-yield production of the S[sub 3] state in highly-concentrated samples of photosystem II, through the use of electron-accepting herbicides which bind to the Q[sub B] site. Redox-active herbicides can be used, in principle, to limit S-state cycling to any desired number of turnovers, given the appropriatemore » herbicide. This work has fundamental methodological implications not only for the study of photosystem II but also for other multistate redox protein systems.« less
Surface-enhanced hyper-raman scattering from SO32− adsorbed on Ag powder

Abstract Hyper-Raman scattering from SO 3 2− molecules adsorbed on ag powder has been detected with low incident intensity Q -switched Nd:YAG laser pulses. The hyper-Raman and the surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectra from Ag ponder which has been exposed for a short duration to SO 2 gas are in agreement.
Variables affecting ratio factors for estimating 305-day production from part lactations.

Summary Complete lactations for 12,561 Holsteins, 2,262 Guernseys, 990 Jerseys, and 459 Brown Swiss recorded in Michigan DHIA-IBM from June 1954 through July 1957 were analyzed to ascertain the relative effects of breed, herd, age, parity, and season of freshening on the relationship of total to part milk production, and then were used to derive ratio factors for extending partial records to 305 days. The ratio of total milk produced on ten monthly test days to milk produced on each test day was used to measure the relationship between total and part production. Components of variance of ratios indicated that lactation number had a larger influence on the total to part relationship than did age at freshening. Season of freshening also exerted an influence, but to a slightly less degree than either lactation number or age, while the effect of herd was small and unimportant. Differences between breeds existed both in the components of variance and in the total to part relationship. Ratio factors for extending records from each of ten monthly test days and from cumulative test-day production were computed for different ages, lactation numbers, and seasons of freshening for each of the four breeds. Only small differences exist between the factors which adjust for ages and those which adjust for lactation number, indicating that either set of factors should adequately extend incomplete records. However, factors based on age are more useful in extending those records in which age at freshening and lactation number do not coincide. In practice breed, age, and season of freshening should be considered in extending partial records to 305 days.
Hemolysis by colloidal electrolytes

Abstract The hemolytic action was measured at 20°C. and at 37°C., of each of a homologous series of sodium alkyl sulfates (C 8 to C 18 ) and of each of a homologous series of benzyldimethylalkylammonium chlorides (C 8 to C 18 ) dissolved in water, and in n -propanol-water mixtures, containing 0.05 M phosphate buffer ( p H = 7.2), made isotonic with sodium chloride. The results are examined for their bearing on a recent theory of the physical chemistry of hemolysis by surface-active agents, advanced by Pethica and Schulman. The effect of colloidal association on both hemolytic and bactericidal action of surface-active agents is discussed.
Effect of porous coating geometry on interfacial stress under a shear load

Porous coated implants are loaded under both bending and shear loading. Previously, the effect of various parameters on fatigue strength under a bending load has been determined. The interfacial geometry between the porous coating and the substrate was found to increase stress concentrations leading to reduced fatigue strength. This study quantifies the effect of porous coating interfacial geometry on interfacial stress under a shear load. A two-dimensional finite element model is used to study the effect of interfacial geometry on the value of the maximum shear stress. It was found that the requirements to reduce stress concentrations are different under a shear load than under a bending load. A conventional porous coating would require a compromise to satisfy the conflicting requirements. A new geometry, can optimize the values of the geometric parameters to satisfy the conditions for both modes of loading. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of naloxone on pavlovian conditioning of eyeblink and heart rate responses in rabbits

Abstract Albino rabbits were subjected to aversive Pavlovian conditioning and extinction of eyeblink and heart rate responses. Naloxone administration had no effect on acquisition of the eyeblink response but increased responding during extinction. Naloxone also attenuated the bradycardiac heart rate CR, suggesting that endogenous opioids may be involved in mediating this response.
The Effect of Valinomycin on Potassium and Sodium Permeability of HK and LK Sheep Red Cells

A cyclic depsipeptide antibiotic, valinomycin, was found to produce increased selective permeability of the plasma membranes of HK and LK sheep red blood cells to potassium but not to sodium ions. The compound had relatively little effect on the active extrusion of sodium from HK sheep red blood cells or on the Na + K-stimulated ATPase activity of membranes derived from these cells. It is proposed that the selective cation permeability produced by this compound depends primarily on steric factors, particularly the relationship between the diameter of the ring and the effective diameter of the ion. The significance of these results for the problem of the mechanism of ionic selectivity in natural membranes is discussed.
Parameter Optimization and Reduction of Round Off Error for the Gegenbauer Reconstruction Method

The Gegenbauer reconstruction method has been successfully implemented to reconstruct piecewise smooth functions by both reducing the effects of the Gibbs phenomenon and maintaining high resolution in its approximation. However, it has been noticed in some applications that the method fails to converge. This paper shows that the lack of convergence results from both poor choices of the parameters associated with the method, as well as numerical round off error. The Gegenbauer polynomials can have very large amplitudes, particularly near the endpoints xe±1, and hence the approximation requires that the corresponding computed Gegenbauer coefficients be extremely small to obtain spectral convergence. As is demonstrated here, numerical round off error interferes with the ability of the computed coefficients to decay properly, and hence affects the method's overall convergence. This paper addresses both parameter optimization and reduction of the round off error for the Gegenbauer reconstruction method, and constructs a viable “black box” method for choosing parameters that guarantee both theoretical and numerical convergence, even at the jump discontinuities. Validation of the Gegenbauer reconstruction method through a-posteriori estimates is also provided.
Kinship Terminology and Linguistic Structure

T HIS paper is an attempt to elucidate the relationship of kinship terminology to the rest of linguistic structure. Various anthropologists have shown (e.g. in this volume) that kinship terminologies are neatly structured. They can be described in terms of certain elements and certain relationships among these elements, as can phonological and grammatical systems. But as a kinship terminology is a terminology, it must be part of a language; so these elements must be linguistic elements, and these relationships must be linguistic relationships. Thus their proper description must in some form belong in the overall description of a linguistic structure. To understand fully the nature of kinship systems it is necessary to understand what kind of linguistic elements these are, and what kind of linguistic relationships. Are the relationships found in kinship terminologies (and similar systems) different from those found in other parts of linguistic structure, or not? Where does their description fit in to the overall description of a language? Where do the elements (of various kinds) fit into the overall structure? The answers are not already available, since anthropologists have tended not to work on integrated linguistic theories, and since linguists have not yet done very much systematic work on lexological and semological structures. Moreover, there is not even any general agreement among linguists on what the elements and relationships are among those areas of linguistic structure that have been more intensively investigated, nor on how they may best be described. In this absence of agreement, a structural interpretation of kinship terminology can be valuable for general linguistic theory as well as for social anthropologists, since the data provided by kinship systems (along with various other kinds of data) can serve to "separate the men from the boys," i.e. the linguistic theories that can neatly account for them from those that cannot.
Opportunity Costs and Outside Careers in U.S. State Legislatures

Cost-benefit models of career choice predict that potential legislators choose legislative careers when they expect greater utility from legislative service than from other options. In state legislatures, the utility of legislative service includes the monetary value of outside careers. I hypothesize that legislators are more likely to pursue outside careers when financial opportunity costs are higher or when they derive less non-monetary value from legislative service. In particular, I posit that individual characteristics that predict labor market value (such as age, education, race, and sex) and legislative salary predict outside careers. I test this model employing a new dataset of individual outside-career activity derived from financial disclosure reports. The findings strongly support the hypothesis that outside-career behavior is a function of the financial opportunity costs of legislative service. In addition, I find that Republicans are more likely to hold outside careers than are Democrats. This research has important implications for the study of state legislative participation, legislative organization, and the Democratic bias hypothesis.
Endocervical hyaluronan and ultrasound-indicated cerclage.

Objective To investigate whether, at the time of ultrasound-indicated cerclage, the endocervical concentration of hyaluronan (HA), 27-kDa heat shock protein (HSP-27) and/or interleukin-8 (IL-8) would predict pregnancy outcome. Methods Endocervical samples, obtained from 40 women undergoing ultrasound-indicated cerclage at 15 + 3 to 25 + 0 weeks' gestation, were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for HA, HSP-27 and IL-8. All subjects had a cervical length of < 1.5 cm or dramatic cervical length change on serial endovaginal ultrasound, no uterine contractions or tenderness, no fever and intact membranes and underwent a modified Shirodkar cerclage. Results The median HA level was 10.0 ng/mL in the 12 women who delivered at < 37 weeks' gestation as opposed to 39.7 ng/mL in the 28 women delivering at 37–41 weeks (P = 0.017). Median HSP-27 and IL-8 concentrations were not significantly different in these groups. Conclusion A higher endocervical HA level at the time of ultrasound-indicated cerclage is associated with a longer interval before birth. Copyright © 2011 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Note on Adolescents' Time-Use and Scientific Literacy:

This study investigated the relative influence of self-reported, out-of-school experiences on 13-yr.-olds' scientific literacy, including the often studied variables of homework time and television time. Results, based on a national probability sample of 3,116 students, indicated that time spent doing homework, reading, and viewing television programs with an educational focus had significant and positive independent influences on scientific literacy net of home environment and students' background factors. Viewing television programs that emphasized entertainment negatively contributed to scientific literacy. The number of hours of television viewed was unrelated to literacy. Factors associated with the transition to adolescence, dating, and peer relations, were negatively related to scientific literacy. Findings were discussed in regard to improving students' performances in science.
Social Cognitive Development: A New Look

ABSTRACT—This article showcases exciting new work in the burgeoning area of social cognitive development, particularly work that uses the methods of cognitive development to illuminate socially relevant mental representations and mental processes. The authors focus on key aspects of children’s emerging social judgments and social representations, examining their judgments of goodness, their evaluations of similar and dissimilar others, and their representations of social relationships. The authors also show how researchers using methods from other fields, such as adult social cognition, comparative psychology, and neuroscience, are making important new contact with social cognitive development to shed light on the origins and nature of social representations and social cognitive processes.
Translocation of the temporalis muscle for treatment of facial paralysis

Our purpose was to characterize in the rhesus monkey the structure and function of vascularized temporalis muscle flaps innervated by the facial nerve after translocation into the site of the denervated zygomaticus muscle. Animals were killed at 28 to 120 days following translocation. Control data were obtained from the contralateral side. Twenty-eight days after translocation, the time to reach peak twitch tension and one-half relaxation time were 170% of control zygomaticus muscle. Contraction times decreased with time and reached control values by 100 days. Absolute isometric tetanic tension was not different between the flap (4.29 +/- 1.28 newtons; X +/- SEM) and control zygomaticus (3.95 +/- 0.80 newtons). Succinate oxidase activity of the flap decreased from 279 +/- 18 nl O2/mg protein/min to control zygomaticus values (98 +/- 18) by 110 days. The type 1 fiber cross-sectional area of the flap was 52% of control temporalis muscle and 150% of control zygomaticus muscle (P less than 0.05). The temporalis flap demonstrated viable structure and function and appeared useful in facial movements.
International Affinities in Modern Egypt: Results From a Social Distance Survey of Elite Students

The historical formation, contemporary scope, and future dynamics of national identity remain important concerns in Egyptian scholarship. While many aspects of national identity and the forces that shape it in each generation have been analyzed, a more complete understanding of the results of these often antagonistic influences suffers from the lack of descriptive information. The structure of affinity toward other national groups comprises an important component of overall identity. To examine this component, in 1987 samples of Cairo students were surveyed about feelings toward other groups. Analysis of their responses suggest the following: (1) at least among a literate student population, survey research techniques can successfully measure and describe international affinities and, by implication, that component of national identity; (2) affinities cluster in identifiable and expected dimensions-Arab, socialist West, and capitalist West; and (3) although the structure was generally similar in all student groups, the strength of affinities toward these dimensions systematically varied by school context, religion, educational background, economic status, and international migration experience. Defining national identity in terms of genealogical descent or fixed personality types is rarely tenable anywhere and clearly not applicable to modern Egypt (Gellner, 1983; Moughrabi, 1978; Riggs, 1986). A more fruitful approach focuses on the structures and dynamic forces which continually reproduce more or less perfectly a continuous, but nonetheless ever-changing, identity (Snyder, 1983; White, 1985). Such forces involve complex interactions of boundary formation processes-variously geographical, sociological, and psychological-arising in conflict, competition, and, less frequently, cooperation, with other national groups or powerful segments of such groups (Francis, 1976; Park, 1934). Egyptian boundary conflicts have largely reflected the variegated and unsettled history of the insertion and partial incorporation of international forces into Egyptian society. For example, from around 350 B.C. until the final assertion of political independence in the early 1950s, Egypt's ruling classes were composed of foreigners, classed as such in terms of both their heritage and their treatment
C/EBPα directs monocytic commitment of primary myeloid progenitors

C/EBPα is required for generation of granulocyte-monocyte progenitors, but the subsequent role of C/EBPα in myeloid lineage commitment remains uncertain. We transduced murine marrow cells with C/EBPα-estradiol receptor (ER) or empty vector and subjected these to lineage depletion just prior to culture in estradiol with myeloid cytokines. This protocol limits biases due to lineage-specific effects on developmental kinetics, proliferation, and apoptosis. Also, lowering the dose of estradiol reduced activated C/EBPα-ER to near the physiologic range. C/EBPα-ER increased Mac1+/Gr1–/MPO–/low monocytes 1.9-fold while reducing Mac1+/Gr1+/MPOhi granulocytes 2.5-fold at 48 hours, even in 0.01 μM estradiol. This pattern was confirmed morphologically and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay of lineage markers. To directly assess effects on immature progenitors, transduced cells were cultured for 1 day with and then in methylcellulose without estradiol. A 2-fold increase in monocytic compared with granulocytic colonies was observed in IL-3/IL-6/SCF or GM-CSF, but not G-CSF, even in 0.01 μM estradiol. C/EBPα-ER induced PU.1 mRNA, and PU.1-ER stimulated monocytic development, suggesting that transcriptional induction of PU.1 by C/EBPα contributes to monopoiesis. A C/EBPα variant incapable of zippering with c-Jun did not induce monopoiesis, and a variant unable to bind NF-κB p50 stimulated granulopoiesis, suggesting their cooperation with C/EBPα during monocytic commitment.
Positional cloning in maize (Zea mays subsp. mays, Poaceae).

Premise of the study: Positional (or map-based) cloning is a common approach to identify the molecular lesions causing mutant phenotypes. Despite its large and complex genome, positional cloning has been recently shown to be feasible in maize, opening up a diverse collection of mutants to molecular characterization. Methods and Results: Here we outline a general protocol for positional cloning in maize. While the general strategy is similar to that used in other plant species, we focus on the unique resources and approaches that should be considered when applied to maize mutants. Conclusions: Positional cloning approaches are appropriate for maize mutants and quantitative traits, opening up to molecular characterization the large array of genetic diversity in this agronomically important species. The cloning approach described should be broadly applicable to other species as more plant genomes become available.
Many P-Element Insertions Affect Wing Shape in Drosophila melanogaster

A screen of random, autosomal, homozygous-viable P-element insertions in D. melanogaster found small effects on wing shape in 11 of 50 lines. The effects were due to single insertions and remained stable and significant for over 5 years, in repeated, high-resolution measurements. All 11 insertions were within or near protein-coding transcription units, none of which were previously known to affect wing shape. Many sites in the genome can affect wing shape.
Route packets, not wires: on-chip interconnection networks

Using on-chip interconnection networks in place of ad-hoc glo-bal wiring structures the top level wires on a chip and facilitates modular design. With this approach, system modules (processors, memories, peripherals, etc...) communicate by sending packets to one another over the network. The structured network wiring gives well-controlled electrical parameters that eliminate timing iterations and enable the use of high-performance circuits to reduce latency and increase bandwidth. The area overhead required to implement an on-chip network is modest, we estimate 6.6%. This paper introduces the concept of on-chip networks, sketches a simple network, and discusses some challenges in the architecture and design of these networks.
A multichannel native fluorescence detection system for capillary electrophoretic analysis of neurotransmitters in single neurons.

A laser-induced native fluorescence detection system optimized for analysis of indolamines and catecholamines by capillary electrophoresis is described. A hollow-cathode metal vapor laser emitting at 224 nm is used for fluorescence excitation, and the emitted fluorescence is spectrally distributed by a series of dichroic beam-splitters into three wavelength channels: 250–310 nm, 310–400 nm, and >400 nm. A separate photomultiplier tube is used for detection of the fluorescence in each of the three wavelength ranges. The instrument provides more information than a single-channel system, without the complexity associfated with a spectrograph/charge-coupled device-based detector. With this instrument, analytes can be separated and identified not only on the basis of their electrophoretic migration time but also on the basis of their multichannel signature, which consists of the ratios of relative fluorescence intensities detected in each wavelength channel. The 224-nm excitation channel resulted in a detection limit of 40 nmol L−1 for dopamine. The utility of this instrument for single-cell analysis was demonstrated by the detection and identification of the neurotransmitters in serotonergic LPeD1 and dopaminergic RPeD1 neurons, isolated from the central nervous system of the well-established neurobiological model Lymnaea stagnalis. Not only can this system detect neurotransmitters in these individual neurons with S/N>50, but analyte identity is confirmed on the basis of spectral characteristics.
Advanced Surveillance Technologies for Used Fuel Long-Term Storage and Transportation

Utilities worldwide are using dry-cask storage systems to handle the ever-increasing number of discharged fuel assemblies from nuclear power plants. In the United States and possibly elsewhere, this trend will continue until an acceptable disposal path is established. The recent Fukushima nuclear power plant accident, specifically the events with the storage pools, may accelerate the drive to relocate more of the used fuel assemblies from pools into dry casks. Many of the newer cask systems incorporate dual-purpose (storage and transport) or multiple-purpose (storage, transport, and disposal) canister technologies. With the prospect looming for very long term storage — possibly over multiple decades — and deferred transport, condition- and performance-based aging management of cask structures and components is now a necessity that requires immediate attention. From the standpoint of consequences, one of the greatest concerns is the rupture of a substantial number of fuel rods that would affect fuel retrievability. Used fuel cladding may become susceptible to rupture due to radial-hydride-induced embrittlement caused by water-side corrosion during the reactor operation and subsequent drying/transfer process, through early stage of storage in a dry cask, especially for high burnup fuels. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an automated data capture and remote-sensing technology ideally suited for monitoring sensitive assets on a long-term, continuous basis. One such system, called ARG-US, has been developed by Argonne National Laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Packaging Certification Program for tracking and monitoring drums containing sensitive nuclear and radioactive materials. The ARG-US RFID system is versatile and can be readily adapted for dry-cask monitoring applications. The current built-in sensor suite consists of seal, temperature, humidity, shock, and radiation sensors. With the universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter interface in the tag, other sensors can be easily added as needed. The system can promptly generate alarms when any of the sensor thresholds are violated. For performance and compliance records, the ARGUS RFID tags incorporate nonvolatile memories for storing sensory data and history events. Over the very long term, to affirmatively monitor the condition of the cask interior (particularly the integrity of cover gas and fuel-rod cladding), development of enabling technologies for such monitoring would be required. These new technologies may include radiation-hardened sensors, in-canister energy harvesting, and wireless means of transmitting the sensor data out of the canister/cask.Copyright © 2011 by ASME