cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A cannabinoid type 2 receptor agonist attenuates blood-brain barrier damage and neurodegeneration in a murine model of traumatic brain injury.

After traumatic brain injury (TBI), inflammation participates in both the secondary injury cascades and the repair of the CNS, both of which are influenced by the endocannabinoid system. This study determined the effects of repeated treatment with a cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB(2) R) agonist on blood-brain barrier integrity, neuronal degeneration, and behavioral outcome in mice with TBI. We also looked for the presence of a prolonged treatment effect on the macrophage/microglial response to injury. C57BL/6 mice underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI) and received repeated treatments with a CB(2) R agonist, 0-1966, or vehicle. After euthanasia at 6 hr or 1, 2, 3, or 7 days postinjury, brains were removed for histochemical analysis. Blood-brain barrier permeability changes were evaluated by using sodium fluorescein (NaF). Perilesional degenerating neurons, injury volumes, and macrophage/microglia cells were quantified by stereological methods. Rota-rod and open-field testing were performed to evaluate motor function and natural exploratory behavior in mice. 0-1966 Treatment resulted in a significant reduction in NaF uptake and number of degenerating neurons compared with the vehicle-treated group. 0-1966-Treated mice demonstrated improvement on rota-rod and open-field testing compared with vehicle-treated mice. These changes in CCI mice treated with 0-1966 were associated with a prolonged reduction in macrophage/microglia cell counts. In conclusion, repeated treatments with a CB(2) R agonist, 0-1966, result in attenuated blood-brain barrier disruption and neuronal degeneration. In addition, repeated treatment with 0-1966 shows prolonged treatment effects on behavior and the macrophage/microglia cell response over several days. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Identification of three novel peptides isolated from the venom of the neotropical social wasp Polistes major major.

Three novel peptides designated as PMM1, PMM2, and PMM3 were isolated and characterized from the venom of the social wasp Polistes major major, one of the most common wasps in the Dominican Republic. By Edman degradation, and MALDI-TOF and ESI-QTOF mass spectrometry, the primary sequences of these peptides were established as follows: PMM1, H-Lys-Arg-Arg-Pro-Pro-Gly-Phe-Thr-Pro-Phe-Arg-OH (1357.77 Da); PMM2, H-Ile-Asn-Trp-Lys-Lys-Ile-Ala-Ser-Ile-Gly-Lys-Glu-Val- Leu-Lys-Ala-Leu-NH2 (1909.19 Da); and PMM3, H-Phe-Leu-Ser-Ala-Leu-Leu-Gly-Met-Leu-Lys-Asn-Leu-NH2 (1317.78 Da). The suggested sequences were confirmed by MS analysis of peptide fragments obtained by enzymatic digestion. The peptide PMM1 is a lysyl-arginyl-Thr 6 -bradykinine that belongs to the wasp kinins group. The sequence of the PMM2 peptide is unique; it resembles somewhat the tetradecapeptide amides of the mastoparan group; however, the chain is extended by three additional amino acid residues. The sequence of PMM3 dodecapeptide is homologous to the peptides of the wasp chemotactic group. Copyright  2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Astrocytic processes compensate for the apparent lack of GABA transporters in the axon terminals of cerebellar Purkinje cells

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the expression of two high affinity GABA transporters (GAT-1 and GAT-3) in the rat cerebellum using immunocytochemistry and affinity purified antibodies. GAT-1 immunoreactivity was prominent in punctate structures and axons in all layers of the cerebellar cortex, and was especially prominent around the somata of Purkinje cells. In contrast, the deep cerebellar nuclei showed few if any GAT-1 immunoreactive puncta. Weak GAT-3 immunoreactive processes were present in the cerebellar cortex, whereas GAT-3 immunostaining was prominent around the somata of neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei. Electron microscopic preparations of the cerebellar cortex demonstrated that GAT-1 immunoreactive axon terminals formed symmetric synapses with somata, axon initial segments and dendrites of Purkinje cells and the dendrites of granule cells. Astrocytic processes in the cerebellar cortex were also immunolabeled for GAT-1. However, Purkinje cell axon terminals that formed symmetric synapses with neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei lacked GAT-1 immunoreactivity. Instead, weak GAT-1 and strong GAT-3 immunoreactivities were expressed by astrocytic processes that enveloped the Purkinje cell axon terminals. In addition, GAT-3-immunoreactivity appeared in astrocytic processes in the cerebellar cortex. These observations demonstrate that GAT-1 is localized to axon terminals of three of the four neuronal types that were previously established as being GABAergic, i.e. basket, stellate and Golgi cells. GAT-1 and GAT-3 are expressed by astrocytes. The failure to identify a GABA transporter in Purkinje cells is consistent with previous data that indicated that Purkinje cells lacked terminal uptake mechanisms for GABA. The individual glial envelopment of Purkinje cell axon terminals in the deep cerebellar nuclei and the dense immunostaining of GAT-3, and to a lesser extent GAT-1, expressed by astrocytic processes provide a compensatory mechanism for the removal of GABA from the synaptic cleft of synapses formed by Purkinje cell axon terminals.
Antioxidant Paradoxes of Phenolic Compounds: Peroxyl Radical Scavenger and Lipid Antioxidant, Etoposide (VP-16), Inhibits Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase via Thiol Oxidation by Its Phenoxyl Radical

The effectiveness of a phenolic antioxidant as a radical scavenger is determined by its reactivity toward peroxyl radicals and also by the reactivity of the anti-oxidant phenoxyl radical toward oxidation substrate. If the phenoxyl radical efficiently interacts with vitally important biomolecules, this interaction may result in oxidative damage rather than antioxidant protection. In the present work, we studied effects of phenoxyl radicals generated from a phenolic antitumor drug, Etoposide (VP-16), on oxidation of thiols and activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase in sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) membranes from skeletal muscles. We found that VP-16 is an effective scavenger of peroxyl radicals as judged by its ability to inhibit a water-soluble azo-initiator, 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane)dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced (i) chemiluminescence (oxidation) of luminol, (ii) fluorescence decay (oxidation) of cis-parinaric acid incorporated in SR membranes, and (iii) peroxidation of SR membrane lipids. VP-16 did not prevent AAPH-induced oxidation of sulfhydryl groups and inhibition of Ca(2+)-ATPase in SR membranes. Electron spin resonance measurements showed that AAPH-induced VP-16 phenoxyl radicals were reduced by interaction with SR thiols. By using tyrosinase to generate VP-16 phenoxyl radicals as the only source of free radicals in the model system, we found that inhibition of Ca(2+)-ATPase was accompanied by oxidation of about 5 mol of Ca(2+)-ATPase SH groups per 1 mol of oxidized VP-16. Secondary products of VP-16 oxidation (including VP-16 o-quinone) were not efficient in inhibiting SR Ca(2+)-ATPase. Reduction of VP-16 phenoxyl radicals by ascorbate protected against AAPH- and tyrosinase-induced thiol oxidation and Ca(2+)-ATPase inhibition. The results suggest that efficient phenolic scavengers of peroxyl radicals such as VP-16--which are commonly considered as potent antioxidants--may themselves produce oxidative stress due to secondary reactions of their phenoxyl radicals with thiols.
Trait Psychology and Componential Analysis

O NE of the hazards of science is the ease with which it is possible to confuse propositions about the world with propositions about language. Such a confusion appears to have occurred with respect to personality and behavior classifications in the field of psychology. In order to support this assertion this paper will attempt to show that some of the classifications used by psychologists can be derived solely from similarities in the meanings of words without considering any sample of actual behavior. The analysis presented here relies on a theory of meaning developed by linguists and used by anthropologists in ethnographic description (Goodenough 1956; Lounsbury 1956). This theory of meaning is closely related to a technique called componential analysis which is used to determine the distinctive features of a series of items. At present some skepticism exists about the possibility of generalizing componential analysis to lexical domains less obviously structured than pronouns, case endings, or kinship terminologies. A secondary aim of this paper, then, is to indicate that the theory behind componential analysis can be applied to a variety of lexical domains and also can be helpful in understanding the results obtained from other kinds of analytic techniques. While linguists and anthropologists have investigated how people classify, psychologists have focused more on how to classify people. In the early part of the twentieth century, work in taxonomy and other forms of classification received impetus from the development of statistical techniques for the analysis of multiple correlations. The general rationale of the statistical approach to classification in psychology has been the notion that the unity or "reality" of a personality or character trait can be established by demonstrating that some sets of behaviors increase together and decrease together, and thus share a common fate. If on an intelligence test two test questions are significantly correlated, then these two items are thought to test the same underlying trait of mental ability. To handle the more complex problem of determining how many traits are necessary to account for a large matrix of intercorrelations, and to determine how much each trait influences the results on each test-item, more complex statistical procedures such as factor analysis have been developed. The question raised in this paper concerns the nature or locus of the responses which form these traits. When an intelligence questionnaire is given to a number of subjects, correlations between various test items are considered to reflect the fact that similar behaviors on the part of the persons being questioned are elicited by the test items. However, if a number of psy-
Novel Approach for the Three-Dimensional Culture of Granulosa Cell–Oocyte Complexes

The in vitro culture of immature ovarian follicles is used to examine the factors that regulate follicle development and may ultimately provide options for reproductive infertility. The objective o...
Searching for Mandela: The insights of biographical research

This paper examines the challenges and rewards of doing autobiographical, biographical, and archival, research on a leader. Using examples from extensive research on Nelson Mandela, it illustrates ...
Heat transfer through a shallow, horizontal convecting fluid layer

Abstract The heat transfer through a shallow, horizontal, circular fluid layer, heated uniformly from below and cooled uniformly from above, has been measured. The lid of the silicone oil layer was a sapphire crystal which permitted visual observation of the flow during the heat-transfer measurements. A pattern of circular concentric rolls formed at the critical Rayleigh number. This pattern persisted to about 6 Rc, to be replaced by an irregular pattern at high R and an unsteady irregular pattern at very high Rayleigh number. The heat flux measurements confirmed a theoretical prediction of Schluter, Lortz and Busse concerning the initial slope of the heat-transfer curve after onset of convection. The measurements seem also to confirm recent numerical studies of Plows regarding the amount of heat transferred by convection at moderately high supercritical Rayleigh numbers. At high supercritical Rayleigh numbers the measurements did not reproduce any of the slope changes in the heat-transfer curve which have been observed by other investigators.
Ice templating of ZrB2–SiC systems

Abstract Ice templating of a binary ZrB 2 –SiC system was set to obtain porous architectures with lamellar structure. Two commercial ammonium poly-acrylates, with different molecular weights and pH range of activity, were used as dispersants. Slurries were produced by varying solid loadings (38–48 vol%) and/or the dispersant concentrations (from 0.4 to 2 wt%). It was found that an excess of dispersant is necessary to achieve a lamellar morphology. The more effective is the dispersant in optimizing electro-steric repulsions between particles, the more effective is in promoting the formation of a lamellar morphology. Preliminary compressive strength tests were carried out.
An analysis of security vulnerabilities of the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live mobile network

The growing popularity of using gaming consoles beyond entertainment purposes may increase the risk of intrusive activities and security vulnerabilities. Microsoft announced their plan to integrate internet explorer in the Xbox 360 platform in 2012, which aids their stated goal of turning the gaming console into more of an entertainment device, opposed to merely gaming. The overall goal of this paper is to determine if known internet explorer IE vulnerabilities will be introduced into the gaming platform. It will include recommendations for Xbox users particularly teen users to protect themselves and their Xbox 360 from invasive actions. The paper will also look at penetration exercises that were conducted on the Xbox 360 to determine if known IE vulnerabilities would impact the Xbox 360. This paper will also explore an online survey conducted to determine if parents of teenagers are concerned, or simply aware of security vulnerabilities associated with their Xbox 360.
Delay in gynecologic surgical treatment: a comparison of patients in managed care and fee-for-service plans.

Abstract Objective: To determine whether membership in a managed care organization is associated with a delay in receiving definitive surgical treatment for benign gynecologic or gynecologic oncologic diseases. Methods: Four hundred patients who had definitive surgery between 1994 and 1997 were divided into those with benign gynecologic ( n = 207) and gynecologic oncologic diagnoses ( n = 193). Each group was subdivided into managed care patients and fee-for-service patients. Subgroups were analyzed for delay in surgical treatment, emergency room visits, length of stay, age, clinic visits, prior evaluation, prior treatment, second opinions, operating room time, estimated blood loss, and surgical complications. Results: There were 122 managed care and 85 fee-for-service patients with benign gynecologic diagnoses. The time from initial presentation to the date of definitive surgery was significantly longer for the managed care patients (133.7 ± 21 days compared with 84.9 ± 12.8 days, P = .03). Of the 193 patients with gynecologic cancer 96 were in the managed care group and 97 were under fee-for-service arrangements. There was no significant difference in the time from initial presentation to the date of definitive surgery between these two groups (35.7 ± 7.4 days compared with 20.5 ± 2.5 days, P = .29). There were no significant differences between groups in emergency room or clinic visits, prior evaluations or treatments, or surgical complications when stratified by diagnosis. The mean age of managed care patients was significantly lower than that of fee-for-service patients for gynecologic diagnoses (46.4 ± 9.7 years compared with 56.5 ± 14.9 years, P P Conclusion: Membership in a managed care organization is associated with a delay in receiving definitive surgical care for benign gynecologic, but not gynecologic oncologic, diseases.
Real-time radio transient detection with interferometric closure quantities

Radio interferometers have great potential in the study of transients since they can survey efficiently, localize sources, and reject terrestrial interference. However, they have not traditionally been used to study fast (<;1 s) transients due to their seemingly overwhelming computational demand. We will present our work developing the Allen Telescope Array and Very Large Array in the study of the fast transient universe. In particular, we demonstrate a new technique for detecting radio transients based on the bispectrum, an interferometric closure quantity. The bispectrum is calibration independent, resistant to interference, and computationally efficient, so it can be built into correlators for real-time transient detection. We have recently proven the algorithm with the blind detection and arcsecond localization of pulses from a transient pulsar, J0628+0909. Future work will focus on implementing a real-time, all-time transient detection system at the VLA, which will open new access to extragalactic transients, pulsars, flare stars, and exoplanets.
Drug treatment of urological symptoms: estimating the magnitude of unmet need in a community-based sample

OBJECTIVE To examine, in a community-based sample, the use of prescription drugs for lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH), overactive bladder, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and painful bladder syndrome; and to determine whether the use of recommended medications varied by sociodemographics, symptom severity, access to care, and other factors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained from 5503 men and women residents participating in the Boston Area Community Health Survey of Boston, MA, urological symptoms were ascertained by in-person interviews conducted during 2002-2005, using validated symptom scales. Medication use in the past 4 weeks was captured using a combination of drug-inventory methods and self-report. RESULTS Compared to the prevalence of symptoms, the prevalence of use of medications for urological conditions was very low among men and women. The highest prevalence of use was among men with moderate-to-severe LUTS/BPH symptoms, where 9.6% used recommended drugs. Use of medications did not vary consistently by race/ethnicity or socioeconomic status, but was often associated with symptom severity. More frequent and more recent use of medical care was also associated with greater use of urological medications. CONCLUSIONS Only a small proportion of community-dwelling men and women with urological symptoms are receiving recommended effective drug treatments for urological conditions. While not all persons are candidates for drug treatment, our results suggest that there is a substantial unmet need in the general population.
NEW PATHWAYS OF NITROGEN EXCRETION IN INBORN ERRORS OF UREA SYNTHESIS

The defect in nitrogen excretion in patients with inborn errors of urea synthesis can be controlled by exploiting the biosynthetic pathways of readily excretable non-urea metabolites which contain nitrogen derived from ammonium, alanine, glutamate, and glutamine. Two classes of such metabolites are the urea-cycle intermediates--including citrulline, argininosuccinic acid, and arginine--and the aminoacid acylation products--hippuric acid (the glycine conjugate of benzoic acid) and phenylactylglutamine (the glutamine conjugate of phenylactic acid). Thus the urea cycle may serve as a model for the development of excretion pathways of toxic precursors which accumulate in inborn errors of metabolism.
Fluorine and molybdenum solubility relationships in combusted oil shale

Abstract Fluorine (F) and molybdenum (Mo) may adversely affect vegetation, grazing animals, groundwater, and surface waters that are proximate to spent oil shale disposal sites. The chemistry of F and Mo in spent oil shale leachates may be controlled by the precipitation of flu‐orite (CaF2) and powellite (CaMoO4), respectively. Thus, the fate and behavior of these elements may be predicted using equilibrium solubility methods. Recent findings and the examination of methods cast doubt on the interpretations of many spent oil shale solubility studies. Recent research shows that the formation of soluble molybdate species in spent oil shale leachates can be significant. Further, reaction times necessary for equilibrium conditions were not attained in many solubility experiments. Moreover, solubility experiments were only performed on fresh solid waste, yielding little information on element behavior in a disposal site. The objectives of this study were to reexamine spent oil shale literature data and perform ...
Cross-cultural differences in the perception of crowding and privacy regulation : American and Turkish students

Abstract This study examines cross-cultural differences in the perception of crowding and privacy regulation between American and Turkish freshmen living in similar residence hall settings. The research was conducted at Oklahoma State University (OSU) in Oklahoma, USA and at Bilkent University in Ankara, Turkey. Participants were evenly divided across culture and gender. The total sample size was 408 freshmen living in double occupancy rooms. Results showed that American students desired more privacy in their residence hall rooms than Turkish students. Regardless of culture, males reported a greater desire for privacy than females. The crowding was significantly influenced by perceived privacy regulation. Students whose achieved privacy level was less than desired felt more crowded than either students whose level of achieved privacy was greater than what they desired or for those whose privacy was optimized (i.e. desired privacy=achieved privacy).
Startle and Habituation Responses of Blue Jays (Cyanocitta Cristata) in a Laboratory Simulation of Anti-Predator Defenses of Catocala Moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

(Acc. 9-VII-1993) Summary Blue jays were used in laboratory experiments to determine what visual characteristics of Catocala hindwings are important in eliciting and maintaining startle reactions in avian predators. Hand-reared blue jays, inexperienced with warningly coloured, inedible prey, took significantly longer to touch novel colours that possessed bold, black bands than to touch novel, unbanded colours when these discs covered a food reward. Thus, being conspicuous (as opposed to simply being novel) appears to enhance startle reactions. Bold patterns are commonly found on aposematic prey and Catocala hindwings. These same hand-reared birds also tended to take longer to touch novel coloured discs of yellow and red hues as opposed to discs of blue, green, or purple hues. The colours that produced the greatest hesitation are similar to the colours found on Catocala hindwings. Red-yellow colours are also characteristic of aposematic prey. Wild-caught birds took longer to habituate to startling stimuli when presented with several different startling disc types during the habituation process. Thus, predator pressure may explain why several different Catocala species with different hindwing colours occur sympatrically.
Electropolymerization vs. electrocrystallization: Electrosynthesis of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) in the presence of 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiaxoline-6-sulfonic acid)

Abstract Investigating the effect of synthetic conditions on the properties of conducting polymers (CPs) is a prerequisite to the success of using these materials in new technologies. In this study, films of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) doped with 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiaxoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) were electrosynthesized over a range of potentials to determine the effect that polymerization potential has on the properties of PEDOT[ABTS] films. It was found that increasing the polymerization potential from 1.2 V to 1.8 V prevented electrocrystallization of the ABTS dopant, which resulted in better quality films with respect to adhesion, interconnected morphology, electroactivity and conductivity. This study demonstrates the important role that dopants and polymerization conditions have on the properties of electrosynthesized CPs, especially when dopants with added functionality (i.e., redox, biological, or catalytic activity) are used.
Introduction to Neurotherapeutics and Neuropsychopharmacology

In recent years there has been tremendous progress in advancing new treatments for neurologic and psychiatric illnesses. New agents have emerged for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, migraine, schizophrenia, bipolar illness, depression, and substance abuse disorders. Advances in understanding of basic pathophysiology and molecular biology of brain disorders have led to increasingly sophisticated target identification that guides drug development. Advances in the basic neuroscience and disease mechanisms have been particularly obvious in the neurologic disorders where there is an ever improving understanding of the underlying mechanisms of brain function and brain disease. Progress in neurotherapeutics has occurred in concert with progress in basic science methodologies, neuroimaging, clinical trial design, and trial analysis. There is an increasing enthusiasm for clinical trials that provide highly credible data with which to guide evidence-based medicine. The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) requires a close link between the clinical trial population tested and the specific indication for which the agent will be approved. This contributes to the proliferation of clinical trials, as industry sponsors of trials seek to expand the populations for which their products are indicated. An increasing number of patients and physicians are involved in clinical trials. Advancing clinical trial methodology has itself become a major endeavor.
Anti-neural antibodies in leprosy sera: further characterization of the antigens.

Abstract Sera or plasmas from 129 leprosy patients were tested by immunoblotting for antibodies that bound to proteins in a Triton-insoluble fraction enriched in neural intermediate filaments (IF fraction) from human or bovine spinal cord. Sixty samples (47%) showed positive staining of proteins at 35 kDa, 42 kDa or both. The presence of these antibodies appeared to be evenly distributed across the spectrum of disease. The frequency of these antibodies in samples from 12 healthy Ethiopians was similar to that in the leprosy group. Similar antibodies were found in only three of 28 samples from U.S. patients with neurologic diseases and in seven of 35 normal U.S. sera. Sera from U.S. tuberculosis patients stained multiple bands in the 50-30 kDa region of the blots; 11 of 16 stained bands corresponding to the 35 kDa or 42 kDa bands along with a number of other bands in this region. The 35 kDa and 42 kDa antigens do not appear to be breakdown products of neural filaments or glial fibrillary acidic protein, since antibodies to these proteins do not react with the 35 kDa or 42 kDa antigen. Further, the staining pattern with the leprosy sera is unchanged following Ca 2+ -mediated proteolysis of the IF-enriched fraction. The two antigens differ from one another in isoelectric point: the p I of the 35 kDa antigen is 5.9, and the p I of the 42 kDa antigen is 4.8. Staining of the immunoblots with antibodies against a number of known neural antigens failed to identify the 35 kDa and 42 kDa antigens. The 42 kDa antigen appears to be a component of axolemma, since 42 kDa-positive leprosy sera stained a protein with identical migration in preparations of bovine peripheral nervous system and human central nervous system axolemma. In some sera, antibodies reacting with the 35 kDa antigen were adsorbed by D-O bovine serum albumin, a synthetic analogue of the terminal disaccharide portion of the phenolic glycolipid 1 of Mycobacterium leprae . Antibodies to the 42 kDa antigen were not removed by this treatment.
Low-voltage blue phase liquid crystal displays

Polymer-stabilised blue phase liquid crystal displays (PS-BPLCD) based on Kerr effect have become an increasingly important technology for information display applications. In comparison with conventional nematic LC devices, BPLCs exhibit several attractive features, such as sub-millisecond grey-to-grey response time, reasonably wide temperature range, no need for alignment layer, optically isotropic voltage-off state and large cell gap tolerance. However, some technical challenges such as high operation voltage, hysteresis, residual birefringence and relatively low transmittance remain to be overcome before their widespread applications can be realised. Recent progress on BPLC materials and devices has shown great promise. From material aspect, the electro-optical properties of blue phase liquid crystal material system are studied. To realise the electro-optic effect of PS-BPLC, novel device configurations that can dramatically improve the display performances are designed.
Vault: A Secure Binding Service

Binding services are crucial building blocks in networks and networked applications. A binding service (e.g., the domain name system (DNS)) maps certain information, namely, binding keys (e.g., host names), to other information, i.e., binding values (e.g., IP addresses), and answers queries for such key-value bindings. Clearly, building secure binding services that ensure the integrity and authenticity of bindings are vital to the correct operations of many networks and networked applications. In this paper we present a novel approach for building generic secure binding services that allow arbitrary key-value bindings as (trusted) infrastructure services to support a variety of networks and networked applications. We combine the Identity- Based Encryption (IBE) crypto-mechanisms with distributed hash table (DHT) techniques to develop an innovative architecture for building scalable, robust and secure binding services. Using this architecture, we implement a prototype system called Vault and evaluate its performance both in a local testbed and on the PlanetLab.
Samples of Indigenous Healing: The path of good medicine

In this article, I review five articles selected for this Special Issue of the International Journal of Disability, Development and Education on indigenous healing. I have considered the various traditions of indigenous healing, and I situate my analysis within the context of disability, development, and education. Such an analysis reflects the conundrum involving professional identity politics and the elusiveness of intentionality. In response to the five articles, I offer commentary on the social constructions of health, illness, healing, and disability, as these constructs vary across cultures. I suggest that the ability of professionals to inspire trust among clients is potentially a practitioner marker of efficacy across medical paradigms, and is a dynamic that is often misunderstood. I illuminate the healing process as a dynamic of reciprocity and engagement. Finally, I discuss and emphasise the need for developing collaborative programming and integrative service delivery models.
NUCLEAR/RADIOLOGICAL TERRORISM: EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT OF RADIATION CASUALTIES

Recent world events have increased concern that hospitals must be prepared for radiological emergencies. Emergency departments (EDs) must be ready to treat patients suffering from injuries in combination with radiation exposure or contamination with radioactive material. Every hospital should have a Radiological Emergency Medical Response Plan, tested through periodic drills, which will allow effective handling of contaminated and injured patients. Treatment of life-threatening or severe traumatic injuries must take priority over radiation-related issues. The risk to ED staff from radioactive contamination is minimal if universal precautions are used. The likelihood of significant radiation exposure to staff under most circumstances is small. Educating medical staff on the magnitude of the radiological hazards allows them to promptly and confidently provide the necessary patient care. Measures must be taken to prevent the "worried well" and uninjured people with radioactive contamination from overwhelming the ED.
Dynamics of Winds and Currents Coupled to Surface Waves

We discuss the coupling processes between surface gravity waves and adjacent winds and currents in turbulent boundary layers. These processes mediate exchanges of momentum, heat, and gases between the atmosphere and ocean and thus are of global significance for climate. Surface waves grow primarily by pressure-form stress from airflow over the waveforms, and they dissipate in the open sea by wave breaking that injects and stirs momentum, energy, and bubbles into the ocean. Wave motions pump wind eddies that control fluxes across the lower atmosphere. Flow separation occurs behind steep wave crests, and at high winds the crests flatten into spume, which diminishes the drag coefficient. In the ocean the Lagrangian-mean wave velocity, Stokes drift, induces a vortex force and material transport. These generate Langmuir circulations penetrating throughout the boundary layer and enhancing entrainment at the stratified interior interface in combination with other turbulent eddies and inertial-shear instability.
An interaction meta-model for groupware theory and research

This paper reviews and integrates some of the theoretical and empirical models that have been proposed to study groups using Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS). An interaction meta-model based on contingency theory is developed to integrate different theories. The meta-model proposes that the outcomes of group interaction are contingent upon three main contextual factors (Technology, Groups and Tasks), and their interaction. This paper presents a new insight into the dynamic interplay of the factors influencing group processes and outcomes and derives the implications for researchers.
A stability theory of differential-algebraic systems such as the power system

Develops a mathematically precise and physically meaningful theory base for system stability for a general large nonlinear power system. The results are general in the sense that no specific form of parameter dependent differential-algebraic equations is assumed. Viewing the singular set as an impasse surface need not be a realistic interpretation for every differential-algebraic system. For differential-algebraic equations with a physically valid fast dynamics, trajectories may exhibit jumps or discontinuities near the singularity which can actually be calculated. In this case the regions of attractions as defined and analyzed provide conservative, and, possibly, the only reasonable estimates for the full regions of stability. >
Modern management of traumatic subclavian artery injuries: a single institution's experience in the evolution of endovascular repair

Abstract Background Subclavian artery injuries traditionally require morbid surgical procedures. Repair by way of an endovascular approach can potentially decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with these injuries. Methods A 2-year retrospective review of trauma patients with subclavian artery injuries was performed at our institution. Relevant data were extracted from patient records and analyzed. These results were then used to develop an algorithm for the management of trauma patients with subclavian artery injuries. Results Fifteen patients with subclavian artery injuries were identified. Five patients died in the emergency room. Of the 10 surviving patients, 8 had their diagnosis made at arteriogram. Six patients underwent endovascular repair, and 4 of these repairs were successful. Three patients were managed by way of open repair. Two deaths occurred in the endovascular group, and 1 death occurred in the open group. Conclusions Our findings suggest that endovascular management of subclavian artery injuries is an acceptable technique in appropriate candidates and compares favorably with open repair. However, as with open repair, the associated morbidity and mortality remains quite high. We propose an algorithm whereby hemodynamically stable patients with hard signs of vascular injury proceed directly to angiography, whereas open repair is reserved for those patients who are unstable or in whom a catheter-based approach has previously failed.
Approximate treatment of lepton distortion in charged-current neutrino scattering from nuclei

The partial-wave expansion used to treat the distortion of scattered electrons by the nuclear Coulomb field is simpler and considerably less time-consuming when applied to the production of muons and electrons by low- and intermediate-energy neutrinos. For angle-integrated cross sections, however, a modification of the {open_quotes}effective-momentum{close_quotes} approximation seems to work so well that for muons the full distorted-wave treatment is usually unnecessary, even at kinetic energies as low as 1 MeV and in nuclei as heavy as lead. The method does not work as well for electron production at low energies, but there a Fermi function often proves perfectly adequate. Scattering of electron neutrinos from muon decay on iodine and of atmospheric neutrinos on iron is discussed in light of these results. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Transmission ratio based analysis and robust design of mechanisms

This paper proposes an analytical approach to the robust design of mechanisms, to achieve motion and accuracy requirements given a desired transmission ratio and allowable geometrical variations. The focus is on four-bar and slider-crank mechanisms, which are common elements for the transmission of rotary motion, especially over distances, which are too big for the use of conventional elements such as gears, and motion along a predefined guide-curve, which often is a straight line. For many power transmission applications, a constant relation between the motions of an input and corresponding output element is required. For a four-bar linkage, a value of 1 is the only possible constant transmission ratio—achieved when the mechanism has a parallelogram configuration. In the case of a slider-crank linkage a constant transmission ratio can be achieved with a properly designed circular guide-curve, which makes the slider-crank essentially equivalent to a four-bar. In practice, however, as a result of variations in link lengths due to manufacturing tolerances and load-induced or thermal deformations, the transmission ratio for a parallelogram four-bar linkage will deviate substantially from its ideal theoretical value of 1. Even small changes in link lengths due to deformations or joint backlash can cause unacceptable instantaneous transmission ratio variations. The concepts presented are not limited to the design of four-bars and slider-cranks but can also be applied universally in the design of other mechanisms.
Beyond reinforcement: The evolution of premating isolation by direct selection on preferences and postmating, prezygotic incompatibilities

The evolution of premating isolation after secondary contact is primarily considered in the guise of reinforcement, which relies on low hybrid fitness as the driving force for mating preference divergence. Here I consider two additional forces that may play a substantial role in the adaptive evolution of premating isolation, direct selection on preferences and indirect selection against postmating, prezygotic incompatibilities. First, I argue that a combination of ecological character displacement and sensory bias can cause direct selection on preferences that results in the pattern of reproductive character displacement. Both analytical and numerical methods are then used to demonstrate that, as expected from work in single populations, such direct selection will easily overwhelm indirect selection due to low hybrid fitness as the primary determinant of preference evolution. Second, postmating, prezygotic incompatibilities are presented as a driving force in the evolution of premating isolation. Two classes of these mechanisms, those increasing female mortality after mating but before producing offspring and those reducing female fertility, are shown to be identical in their effects on preference divergence. Analytical and numerical techniques are then used to demonstrate that postmating, prezygotic factors may place strong selection on preference divergence. These selective forces are shown to be comparable if not greater than those produced by the low fitness of hybrids.
Loss of Genetic Integrity in Hatchery Steelhead Produced by Juvenile-Based Broodstock and Wild Integration: Conflicts in Production and Conservation Goals

AbstractWe examined whether a supplementation program for steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss in southwestern Washington could produce hatchery fish that contained genetic characteristics of the endemic population from which it was derived and simultaneously meet a production goal. Hatchery fish were produced for three consecutive years by using broodstock comprised of endemic juveniles that were caught in the wild and raised to maturity, and then the program transitioned to an integrated broodstock comprised of wild and hatchery adults that returned to spawn. Importantly, some auxiliary conservation-based husbandry protocols were attempted (i.e., pairwise mating between males and females) but not always completed due to insufficient broodstock and conflict between production and conservation goals. The hatchery met production goals in 6 of 9 years, but wild-type genetic integrity of hatchery fish was degraded every year. Specifically, we analyzed 10 microsatellites and observed a 60% reduction in the effective...
Electric vehicles: Holy grail or Fool's gold

Our analysis shows that there is likely to be minor short term risk or reward for electric utilities with respect to electric vehicle adoption, but also that significant long term value or risk exists, depending on how judiciously utilities manage pricing, charging and infrastructure. The margin of difference between profit and loss lies with the extent to which customer adoption is clustered, whether customers demand faster charging times, and how utilities are able to insure optimal charging times are met, relative to existing system utility peak loads. Customer car purchases are likely to cluster geographically within neighborhoods. Customers appear to want fast charging and convenience, albeit within some price tolerance. And once established, a robust PEV market may be difficult to keep up with, in terms of infrastructure additions, if ignored for too long. We share several methodological innovations and results to address these questions including Bass model market forecasting, consumer choice simulations, mapping spatial adoption and forecasting, and profitability assessment over various time and location based criteria.
Interconnections of basic science research and product development in medical device design

The relationship between basic science research and product design/development are intertwined. This paper explores the definition of basic science and design as it relates to medical device development. It is intended to serve as a reference for both researchers and device developers to assist in trans-disciplinary collaborative efforts in improving patient care as each are of equal importance. The definition of a medical device is broad and varied. This paper is aimed towards those devices which interact with tissue and are rooted in the tenets of science. Both the scientific method and the design process are compared with similarities and opposites identified. The paper concludes identifying fundamental principles of medical device development and highlights the importance of both entities.
FAST ALGORITHM FOR MATRIX - VECTOR MULTIPLY OF ASYMMETRIC MULTILEVEL BLOCK-TOEPLITZ MATRICES IN 3-D SCATTERING

A new O(N log N) FFT-based method to expedite matrix–vector multiplies involving multilevel block-Toeplitz (MBT) matrices is presented. The method is also a minimal memory method with O(N) memory requirements because only nonredundant entries of the MBT matrix are stored. The accuracy and convergence of the method are illustrated in the calculation of the scattered field and the effective permittivity of a sphere with size parameter ka up to 5 using a volume integral formulation akin to the discrete dipole approximation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 31: 28–32, 2001.
Forenscope: a framework for live forensics

Current post-mortem cyber-forensic techniques may cause significant disruption to the evidence gathering process by breaking active network connections and unmounting encrypted disks. Although newer live forensic analysis tools can preserve active state, they may taint evidence by leaving footprints in memory. To help address these concerns we present Forenscope, a framework that allows an investigator to examine the state of an active system without the effects of taint or forensic blurriness caused by analyzing a running system. We show how Forenscope can fit into accepted workflows to improve the evidence gathering process.Forenscope preserves the state of the running system and allows running processes, open files, encrypted filesystems and open network sockets to persist during the analysis process. Forenscope has been tested on live systems to show that it does not operationally disrupt critical processes and that it can perform an analysis in less than 15 seconds while using only 125 KB of memory. We show that Forenscope can detect stealth rootkits, neutralize threats and expedite the investigation process by finding evidence in memory.
Source and channel coding for remote speech recognition over error-prone channels

This paper presents source and channel coding techniques for remote automatic speech recognition (ASR) systems. As a case study, line spectral pairs (LSP) extracted from the 6th order all-pole perceptual linear prediction (PLP) spectrum are transmitted and speech recognition features are then obtained. The LSPs, quantized using first-order predictive vector quantization (VQ) at 300 bps, provide recognition accuracy comparable to that of the baseline system with no quantization. A new soft decision channel decoding scheme appropriate for remote recognition is presented. The scheme outperforms commonly-used hard decision decoding in terms of error correction and error detection. The source and channel coding system operates at 500 bps and provides good digit recognition performance over a wide range of channel conditions.
An equation, suitable for computer use, based on the ARC feeding system to determine the energy requirements of growing and fattening cattle

Based on the Agricultural Research Council's feeding system, equations were developed that allow the calculation of the metabolizable energy requirements for maintenance and weight gain by cattle, separately or combined. A general equation was developed for the straight-forward calculation of the total metabolizable energy requirements of growing and fattening cattle for any combination of body weight, rate of weight gain, age, level of muscular work, and metabolizable energy concentration of the diet. The estimates of energy requirement made by the use of this equation are in excellent agreement with those made by the Agricultural Research Council using an iterative method. In addition to avoiding the awkward iterative process, the equations proposed are readily adaptable to computer use.