cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internet-scale malware mitigation: combining intelligence of the control and data plane

Security on the Internet today is treated mostly as a data plane problem. IDS's, firewalls, and spam filters all operate on the simple principle of detecting malicious data plane behavior and erecting data plane filters. In this paper we explore how breaking down the barrier between the control and data plane can significantly enhance our understanding of how to detect and filter Internet threats like worms and botnets. Our investigation is guided by two specific goals: using information and anomalies detected on the data plane to inform control plane decision support and using anomalies detected on the control plane to inform data plane filtering. We begin by analyzing the source of persistent worms and other persistent malicious and misconfigured data plane traffic to understand the scope of this behavior on the control plane. We then analyze how anomalies on the control plane associated with poorly managed networks and are correlated with the sources of malicious and misconfigured traffic detected on the data plane. Our results show that malicious and misconfigured data plane behavior is widely spread across the control plane suggesting that constructing a few control plane filters to block the most infected organizations will not have a significant impact. We demonstrate that networks with data plane anomalies tend to exhibit more routing misconfigurations. Finally, we discuss how these correlations could be used to reject or filter routes and help stop recurring threats like persistent worms.
Stabilizing and destabilizing effects on plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase activity

We have examined the temperature-dependent effects of several organic compounds on the activity of the purified Ca2+-ATPase of erythrocytes. The monomeric enzyme was activated either by interaction with calmodulin or by oligomerization in the absence of calmodulin. Of the four homologous solute series studied including polyols, alkanols, aprotic solvents, and N-methyl derivatives of formamide and acetamide only polyols stabilized the enzyme over a broad range of concentration and temperature. Similarity of Ca2+-ATPase activity patterns at 25 and 37°C and in the presence of glycerol is in agreement with indirect, stabilizing interactions. Glycerol also protected the Ca2+-ATPase from thermal denaturation at 45°C. Within each homologous series, inhibitory effects increased with increasing solute concentration and with increasing structural similarity to detergents, indicating that direct destabilizing interactions are responsible for the observed inhibition. These were comparable to the destabilizing effect of urea. Oligomers were more resistant to all inhibitory solutes as compared to calmodulin-activated monomers suggesting that the nonpolar patches of the oligomerized enzyme are less accessible to solutes.
Culture, Gender, and GMAT Scores: Implications for Corporate Ethics

Business leadership increasingly requires a master’s degree in business and graduate management admission test (GMAT) scores continue to be an important component of applications for admission to such programs. Given the ubiquitous use of GMAT scores as gatekeepers for business leadership, GMAT scores are likely to influence organizational ethical behavior through gender, cultural, and other biases in the GMAT. There is little prior literature in this area and we contribute by empirically documenting that GMAT scores are negatively related to the cultural dimensions of masculinity and power distance and are positively related to math literacy, uncertainty avoidance, and individualism. We estimate that cultural factors may account for as much as an 80-point difference in cross-national mean GMAT scores which are also related negatively to local language literacy, national educational spending, wealth per capita, wealth inequality, and gender development. Most interestingly, we also find a significant negative association of GMAT scores with ethical orientation. These findings have important implications for business schools and corporate ethics and leadership.
On unified optical flow field

Abstract A new approach to motion analysis from a sequence of stereo images has been developed recently (C. Q. Shu and Y. Q. Shi, A new approach to motion analysis from a sequence of stereo images, Technical Report No. 18, Electronic Imaging Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, 1990) in which the optical flow determined by B. K. P. Horn and B. G. Schunck (Determining optical flow, Artif. Intell . 17 , 185–203, 1981) is extended to a spatial image sequence resulting in a unified optical flow field (UOFF). A set of equations is established to characterize the UOFF. Another set of equations is derived from which 3D motion can be recovered based on the UOFF. There is no need for feature correspondence in the approach. The recovered 3D motion is for a whole continuous field. It is therefore a purely optical flow approach. In this paper, the new concept of the UOFF is presented in a more general and compact manner. This paper discusses two main aspects about the UOFF. Firstly, the brightness function of an image is considered as not only a function of time but also a function of sensor's spatial position. The concept of imaging space is presented as an accurate description of the set of all possible brightness functions. Secondly, the brightness invariance is recognized not only for the time variation but also for the space variation so that the brightness invariance equations for both time and space domains are established. It is noted that the optical flow discussed in Horn and Schunck (1981) and the optical flow for a spatial image sequence developed in Shu and Shi (1990) are both special cases within the framework of the UOFF.
Experimental study on fabrication and evaluation of a micro-scale shaft grinding tool

This paper presents a micro-grinding experiment on AISI 1020 steel and Ti-6Al-4V to study micro-grinding principle and the change rule of the force and surface with different grinding parameters. A novel micro shaft grinding tool is fabricated by cold sprayed with CBN grains, the manufacturing is carried out on a desktop micro machine developed by NEU. Influences caused by particle size on surface quality has been discussed, it has been tested that low surface roughness could be achieved on 3000 particle size of micro shaft grinding tool, the roughness of AISI 1020 steel accomplished in the experiment is about 0.086 μm. Measured micro-grinding force of Ti-6Al-4V decreases with the increasing spindle speed and the decreasing cutting depth. The surface roughness decreases with the increasing spindle speed and the decreasing feed rate. The minimum surface roughness is 325 nm with the spindle speed of 48000 r/min and the feed rate of 20 μm/s.
Microstructure of two‐phase random media. IV. Expected surface area of a dispersion of penetrable spheres and its characteristic function

A new expression is derived for the expected surface area of a dispersion of spheres distributed with arbitrary degree of penetrability. A convenient representation of the characteristic function of the interfacial surface is also introduced.
Control of morphology for energy dissipation in carbon nanotube forests

This study focuses on the effect of carbon precursor on the carbon nanotube (CNT) morphology and energy dissipation. Benzene, toluene, and m-xylene were used as carbon precursors for the synthesis of CNT forests following a chemical vapor deposition process. The results indicate that substituents on the benzene ring increase entanglement in the CNT forests. The absorbed energy was slightly greater for CNT forests synthesized using m-xylene than for toluene, but was much smaller for benzene. When compressed to a strain of 0.67, the toluene CNTs absorbed more energy than the m-xylene CNTs. The restitution was much higher for the forests synthesized with m-xylene than toluene while it further decreased for the forests made with benzene. A strong correlation is also observed between the average diameter of the CNTs and the number of methyl substituents on the benzene ring. The control of the entanglement of the CNT forests can potentially be used to design high energy absorbing composites for blast energy dissipation.
Looking back on the leeds conference: Reflections from three US delegates in King Arthur's court

This non-refereed contribution to Human Resource Development International represents the reflections of three US delegates who attended the 6th International Conference on HRD Research and Practice across Europe in Leeds, England, in May 2005. We begin by providing an overview of the conference programme, examine the conference theme as reflected in the scholarship presented at the conference and share our impressions of the conference atmosphere. We conclude with some final thoughts.
Oral narrative performance of african american prekindergartners who speak nonmainstream American English.

Purpose This study had 4 primary purposes: (a) to describe the oral narrative performance of typically developing African American prekindergarten children with commonly used macro- and microstruct...
Signaling to myosin regulatory light chain in sarcomeres.

Myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) phosphorylation in skeletal and cardiac muscles modulates Ca2+-dependent troponin regulation of contraction. RLC is phosphorylated by a dedicated Ca2+-dependent myosin light chain kinase in fast skeletal muscle, where biochemical properties of RLC kinase and phosphatase converge to provide a biochemical memory for RLC phosphorylation and post-activation potentiation of force development. The recent identification of cardiac-specific myosin light chain kinase necessary for basal RLC phosphorylation and another potential RLC kinase (zipper-interacting protein kinase) provides opportunities for new approaches to study signaling pathways related to the physiological function of RLC phosphorylation and its importance in cardiac muscle disease.
The Search for Meaningful Ways to Express the Effects of Interventions

Researchers often describe the quantitative effects of interventions using terms related to their magnitude (e.g., large, small) and practical impact (e.g., promising, significant). This article describes some of these efforts. It suggests that providing such descriptors for effect sizes must be done with great caution and much additional context. The article also illustrates some translations of effect sizes that should be meaningful to audiences with limited statistical expertise and hopefully make it unnecessary for researchers to apply qualitative descriptors to them.
Breast Cancer in Elderly Women: Outcome as Affected by Age, Tumor Features, Comorbidities, and Treatment Approach

Abstract Purpose The current work assessed the independent contributions of age, comorbidities, tumor features, and treatment approach to the outcome of elderly patients with breast cancer. Patients and Methods Records of consecutive women aged ≥ 70 years with a histologic diagnosis of first invasive breast cancer between 1971 and 2001 and available medical information were reviewed. Restaging to the 2002 TNM system and comorbidity data abstraction were performed. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and breast cancer—specific survival (BCSS). Results There were 992 patients with a median diagnosis age of 76 years, of whom 840 were approached with a curative intent. Significant comorbidities were recorded as none and ≥ 3 in 13% and 44% of patients, respectively. The 5- and 10-year OS rates were 59% and 34%; corresponding BCSS rates were 74% and 62%, respectively. Of 693 patients who died during the study period, only 298 (43%) died from their tumors. Stage emerged as the strongest predictor determining OS and BCSS ( P = 0.001). In curatively approached patients, age was the next dominant factor affecting survival length ( P = 0.001). The comorbidities with significant effect on OS differed by stage and included heart failure, diabetes, and other common comorbidities in early tumors but only extremely debilitating ones in advanced-stage disease ( P Conclusion This study confirms tumor stage as the strongest predictor of survival in elderly patients with breast cancer. It also indicates a significant role for age and comorbidities that varies by stage. Treatment effect should be interpreted with caution because of the retrospective study nature.
The ovarian hormone deficiency-induced hypercholesterolemia is reversed by soy protein and the synthetic isoflavone, ipriflavone

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of soy protein isolate with normal isoflavone content (soy) and with reduced isoflavone content (soy-), ipriflavone (IP), a synthetic isoflavone; and 17β-estradiol (E2) on lipid metabolism in ovariectomized (ovx) rats. Seventy-two 95-day old Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to six groups: sham operated (sham), ovx, ovx+soy, ovx+soy-, ovx+IP, and ovx+E2. Rats in the sham, ovx, ovx+IP, and ovx+E2 groups were fed a casein-based diet, whereas the soy and soy- groups were fed diets in which casein was replaced with soy or soy-. Animals were pair-fed to the mean food intake of ovx+E2 for 35 days. At the end of the study, animals were sacrificed in a nonfasted state and blood was collected via abdominal aorta. The ovx-induced increase in serum total cholesterol was reversed by all the treatments including ipriflavone and soy. Serum triglyceride levels were not significantly affected by any of the treatments. Liver cholesterol (μmol/g) in animals receiving IP or fed soy were significantly (p<0.01) lower than the ovx, ovx+soy-, and ovx+E2 groups. Liver lipids (mg/g) were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the animals that received E2 or fed soy, but not those which were fed soy- or given IP. The ovx-induced increase in abdominal fat was completely reversed by soy and E2 treatments but not by soy- or ipriflavone treatments. Soy, soy-, and IP had no uterotrophic activity as compared to E2. Ovariectomy significantly increased body weight gains which were not suppressed by any of the treatments except E2. These data indicate that ipriflavone is effective in preventing the unfavorable changes in serum and liver cholesterol associated with ovarian hormone deficiency in this animal model. Moreover, the consumption of synthetic or natural isoflavones may offer a potential alternative therapy in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in ovarian hormone-deficient women.
Laue diffraction from biological samples

Abstract Various aspects of the Laue technique, largely as applied to protein crystals, are considered: the principles of static and time-resolved experiments, and their advantages and disadvantages; its experimental application to strongly diffracting crystals to yield exposures as low as 4ms, and to time-resolved studies of thermal unfolding; and quantitation of diffraction using monochromatic or polychromatic X-rays from tiny or weakly diffracting crystals.
Narrow-band signature propagation through obscuring atmospheres

Methods are examined for modeling ultra narrow band signature propagation through both natural and optically dense or obscured atmospheres. The impetus for the study comes from the recent exploitation of (ultra)narrow band atomic line filters which have become practical for remote sensing applications and real battlefield sensors. Aside from the obvious advantage of being able to "squeeze" the narrow-band signal through (near) equally narrow-band "windows" of the natural (gaseous) atmoshpere; there are a number of other issues that come into play that are either negligible or irrelevant in the more usual broadband applications but may be important here. For example, another way the technology can be exploited is by selecting the filter wavelength so as to take advantage of the Fraunhofer absorption lines in the solar spectrum, thsu producing an effective "solar blind" sensor and the attendant advantages thereof. In this paper we address both practical issues such as line broadening by various known atmosphere processes, including extinction and scattering by suspended aerosols and adverse weather, as well as some more subtle issues such as the effect of the wavelength shift due to atmospheric refraction and Doppler shifting due to the relative motion of the Earth with respect to the Sun; both of which though admitted small and thus negligible in broadband applications could be important here. Our main technical approach is through simulation using conventional models such as MODTRAN and EOSAEL (battlefield atmospheres), augmented as necessary for the task at hand. Preliminary results based on side-by-side comparisons with conventional broadband technologies (e.g., interference filters, Δλ≈10nm, FWHM) are discussed and shows both advantages and disadvantages of the narrow-band technology.
An Accomplished Simulator for Discrete Event Systems

In this paper, we accomplished a simulator, which can be used to model the discrete event systems. This accomplished simulator is implemented based on the Petri net theory, and the transaction of Petri net is done by fuzzy inference. To verify this implemented simulation tool is a feasible, and use it to simulate a washing machine. The simulator is developed by Virus Basic 7.0, and executed in Windows platforms. The contribution of this paper has friendly user interface and graphical icon to create model. Now, this simulator is implemented with the traditional Chinese version and it graphic user interface (GUI), too.
Towards a secure fair MAC in wireless ad hoc networks using trusted computing technology

There are many protocols for MAC-layer rate control and scheduling of wireless ad hoc networks. Yet, network nodes are often compromised, and thus cannot trust one another to be running a given protocol correctly. This paper proposes a secure protocol for fair rate allocation and rate-stable scheduling at the MAC layer for wireless ad hoc networks. We assume the physical hardware is secure, and design our protocol to be secure against software attacks, i.e., hacking. Software vulnerabilities are divided into three parts: (1) the inputs to the program; (2) the program itself; (3) the output of the program. Our proposed secure fair MAC protocol leverages trusted computing technology. A typical (insecure) fair MAC protocol is first described, and simulations show that our proposed secure fair MAC protocol achieves comparable performance even while under attack.
Isolation and Genetic Characterization of Toxoplasma gondii from Raccoons (Procyon lotor), Cats (Felis domesticus), Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis), Black Bear (Ursus americanus), And Cougar (Puma concolor) from Canada

Viable Toxoplasma gondii was isolated by bioassay in mice from tissues of 2 feral cats (Felis domesticus), 2 raccoons (Procyon lotor), a skunk (Mephitis mephitis) trapped in remote locations in Manitoba, Canada, and a black bear (Ursus americanus) from Kuujjuaq, northern Quebec, Canada. Genotyping of these T. gondii isolates using polymorphisms at 10 nuclear markers including SAG1, SAG2, SAG3, BTUB, GRA6, c22-8, c29-2, L358, PK1, and an apicoplast marker Apico revealed 4 genotypes. None of the isolates was clonal archetypal Types I, II, and III found in the United States. These results are in contrast with the Type II genotype that is widespread in domestic animals and humans throughout the United States and Europe. This is the first genotyping of T. gondii isolates from this part of North America.
College students' barriers and enablers for healthful weight management: a qualitative study.

Abstract Objective To identify barriers and enablers for healthful weight management among college students. Design Sixteen on-line focus groups, homogeneous by sex and university. Setting Eight universities in 8 states. Participants College students (N = 115; 55% female; mean age 19.7 ± 1.6). Analysis Qualitative software, Nvivo version 2 (QSR International, Victoria, Australia, 2002), was used; similar codes were grouped together and categorized using an ecological model. Results Males and females cited the same barriers to weight management: intrapersonal (eg, temptation and lack of discipline); interpersonal (social situations); and environmental (eg, time constraints, ready access to unhealthful food). Similar enablers were identified by sex: intrapersonal (eg, regulating food intake, being physically active); interpersonal (social support); and environmental (eg, university's environment supports physical activity). More barriers than enablers were given, indicating that these college students were more sensitive to barriers than the enablers for weight management. Factors viewed by some students as barriers to weight management were viewed as enablers by others. Conclusions and Implications When designing weight management interventions for college students, sex specificity may not be as important as considering that a barrier for one student may be an enabler for another. From an ecological perspective, individually focused interventions must be implemented in conjunction with environmental-level interventions to facilitate behavior change.
IDDX-based test methods: A survey

Supply current measurement-based test is a valuable defect-based test method for semiconductor chips. Both static leakage current (IDDQ) and transient current (IDDT) based tests have the capability of detecting unique defects that improve the fault detection capacity of a test suite. Collectively these test methods are known as IDDX tests. However, due to advances in the semiconductor manufacturing process, the future of these test methods is uncertain. This paper presents a survey of the research reported in the literature to extend the use of IDDX tests to deep sub-micron (DSM) technologies.
Nanomaterial-mediated Biosensors for Monitoring Glucose

Real-time monitoring of physiological glucose transport is crucial for gaining new understanding of diabetes. Many techniques and equipment currently exist for measuring glucose, but these techniques are limited by complexity of the measurement, requirement of bulky equipment, and low temporal/spatial resolution. The development of various types of biosensors (eg, electrochemical, optical sensors) for laboratory and/or clinical applications will provide new insights into the cause(s) and possible treatments of diabetes. State-of-the-art biosensors are improved by incorporating catalytic nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, electrospun nanofibers, and quantum dots. These nanomaterials greatly enhance biosensor performance, namely sensitivity, response time, and limit of detection. A wide range of new biosensors that incorporate nanomaterials such as lab-on-chip and nanosensor devices are currently being developed for in vivo and in vitro glucose sensing. These real-time monitoring tools represent a powerful diagnostic and monitoring tool for measuring glucose in diabetes research and point of care diagnostics. However, concerns over the possible toxicity of some nanomaterials limit the application of these devices for in vivo sensing. This review provides a general overview of the state of the art in nanomaterial-mediated biosensors for in vivo and in vitro glucose sensing, and discusses some of the challenges associated with nanomaterial toxicity.
Possible Use of Foresight, Understanding, and Planning by Wolves Hunting Muskoxen

On Ellesmere Island in 2006, arctic wolves ( Canis lupus arctos ) were observed making a two-pronged approach to a herd of muskoxen ( Ovibos moschatus ) and, on another occasion, ambushing muskoxen. Both observations seemed to provide evidence that the wolves were using foresight, understanding, and planning. Although the possible use of insight and purposiveness has been documented in captive wolves, the present report is one of the few to document the possibility that freeranging wolves use these other three mental processes.
Nonlinear Optical Studies of Polymer Interfaces

Second-order nonlinear optical processes can be used as effective surface probes. They can provide some unique opportunities for studies of polymer interfaces. Here we describe two examples to illustrate the potential of the techniques. One is on the formation of metal/polymer interfaces. The other is on the alignment of liquid crystal films by mechanically rubbed polymer surfaces.
Asymptotic approximation of an ionic model for cardiac restitution

Cardiac restitution has been described both in terms of ionic models – systems of ODE's – and in terms of mapping models. While the former provide a more fundamental description, the latter are more flexible in trying to fit experimental data. Recently, we proposed a two-dimensional mapping that accurately reproduces restitution behavior of a paced cardiac patch, including rate dependence and accommodation. By contrast, with previous models only a qualitative, not a quantitative, fit had been possible. In this paper, a theoretical foundation for the new mapping is established by deriving it as an asymptotic limit of an idealized ionic model.
Performance analysis of GYRO: a tool evaluation

The performance of the Eulerian gyrokinetic-Maxwell solver code GYRO is analyzed on five high performance computing systems. First, a manual approach is taken, using custom scripts to analyze the output of embedded wallclock timers, floating point operation counts collected using hardware performance counters, and traces of user and communication events collected using the profiling interface to Message Passing Interface (MPI) libraries. Parts of the analysis are then repeated or extended using a number of sophisticated performance analysis tools: IPM, KOJAK, SvPablo, TAU, and the PMaC modeling tool suite. The paper briefly discusses what has been discovered via this manual analysis process, what performance analyses are inconvenient or infeasible to attempt manually, and to what extent the tools show promise in accelerating or significantly extending the manual performance analyses.
Copper toxicosis in veal calves

Copper toxicosis was diagnosed in 7 veal calves, 10-16 weeks old, from 5 separate farms. All calves died without specific clinical signs, although 4 of the calves were icteric. The calves' dietary rations had been supplemented with various copper-containing hematinics. Peritoneal hemorrhage was reported at post-mortem in 2 calves. Microscopic evidence of hepatopathy consisted of hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis, hemorrhage, and fibrosis. Concentrations of copper in livers from intoxicated calves ranged from 277 to 684 ppm and in kidneys from 1.1 to 82.0 ppm. The extent and severity of lesions in livers appeared to correlate with concentrations of copper. Nephrosis was minimal, without evidence of hemoglobinuria.
Leadership and Emotional Intelligence: A Study of University Library Directors and Their Senior Management Teams

Drawing on the results of a survey sent to library directors and senior management team members working in Association of Research Libraries member libraries in the Western United States, this study explores the ideal emotional intelligence traits of both academic library directors and the members of their senior management teams. Respondents were asked to identify the top ten ideal traits needed by directors and senior management team members. The study explores the extent to which each respondent agreed on the most important emotional intelligence traits for each organizational role. Results include lists of the top ten ideal traits for each organizational role and the top ten ideal shared traits for library leaders.
CROSS-REACTIONS AMONG GROUP A STREPTOCOCCI I. PRECIPITIN AND BACTERICIDAL CROSS-REACTIONS AMONG TYPES 33, 41, 43, 52, AND ROSS

Strains of four streptococcal types, 33, 41, 43, 52, and a nontypable strain, Ross, cross-reacted in precipitin and bactericidal tests. The homologous reactions, which determined the type, afforded the major protection and developed promptly and regularly in the serum of rabbits during immunization. The associated cross-reactions, on the other hand, appeared in the serum of certain rabbits only, were often not as strong as the associated homologous reactions, and required for their presence a longer period of immunization than the homologous reactions. Agar gel analysis of the homologous precipitin reactions revealed, as would be expected, reactions of serological identity, while those cross-reactions which were strong enough to test in this way formed bands of precipitate which joined with spur formation on the side of the homologous reaction. These experiments and others referred to in the text suggest that cross-protection, as demonstrated in bactericidal tests, is sufficiently widespread to be a factor in streptococcal immunity, if a corresponding protection occurs in vivo. Thus, streptococcal infection with one of the cross-reacting strains might confer, in addition to strong homologous protection, a certain amount of cross-protection.
Modified progressive phasing for endfire arrays

The general problem of modifying antenna array patterns by adjusting only the phase of the elements is discussed. It is shown that, in the case of endfire arrays, considerable reduction of the sidelobe levels can be obtained by using small departures from progressive phasing. Simple formulas for the required phasing are derived. An alternative method, using only a single pair of "sidelobe-reducing" elements, is also given.
PREDICTING STUDENT SUCCESS VIA ONLINE HOMEWORK USAGE

With the amount of data available through an online homework system about students’ study habits, it stands to reason that such systems can be used to identify likely student outcomes. A study was conducted to see how student usage of an online chemistry homework system (OWL) correlated with student success in a general chemistry course. Online chemistry homework activity was examined for first-year students taking general chemistry at a midsize, private university. The six different chemistry question sets examined were: bond properties; standard molar enthalpy; electronegativity; Lewis dot structures; calorimetry; and stoichiometry. Students’ OWL activity was then correlated with their exam grades and their final course grades. Results showed that higher average time spent per question correlated positively with student success as measured by final grades. However, multiple attempts per question correlated negatively with student success. A multiple linear regression model and other guidelines are presented for instructors’ use to identify chemistry topics where students may need additional instruction to improve their understanding.
TOPOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF ABOVE- AND BELOWGROUND PRODUCTION AND NITROGEN CYCLING IN ALPINE TUNDRA

Topography controls snowpack accumulation and hence growing-season length, soil water availability, and the distribution of plant communities in the Colorado Front Range alpine. Nutrient cycles in such an environment are likely to be regulated by interactions between topographically determined climate and plant species composition. We investigated variation in plant and soil components of internal N cycling across topographic gradients of dry, moist, and wet alpine tundra meadows at Niwot Ridge, Colorado. We expected that plant production and N cycling would increase from dry to wet alpine tundra meadows, but we hypothesized that variation in N turnover would span a proportionately greater range than productivity, because of feedbacks between plants and soil microbial processes that determine N availability. Plant production of foliage and roots increased over topographic sequences from 280 g·m−2·yr−1 in dry meadows to 600 g·m−2·yr−1 in wet meadows and was significantly correlated to soil moisture. Contra...
A Patient with Persistent Lactation and Recurrent Hypercalcemia

An 18-year-old woman presented with persistent bilateral lactation, excess body weight, and recurrent hypercalcemia. At age 13 years, before menarche, she developed bilateral milk discharge from her breasts. The lactation continued and, at age 16 years, she experienced increasingly frequent headaches and visual field changes; her prolactin concentration was noted to be >2400 ng/mL. A year later, she underwent transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary macroadenoma. After the surgery, she developed panhypopituitarism and central diabetes insipidus (DI).2 She was treated with levothyroxine (T4) for secondary hypothyroidism and received other hormone replacement therapy, including desmopressin acetate [a synthetic analog of antidiuretic hormone (ADH)], conjugated estrogen (Premarin), growth hormone (Humatrope), and bromocriptine. A year later, she developed recurrent kidney stones and was diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism. She was also found to have multiple thyroid nodules. She underwent a 4-gland parathyroidectomy with left forearm autograft and total thyroidectomy. She had had transient hypoparathyroidism following parathyroidectomy, soon afterward she experienced recurrent primary hyperparathyroidism with nephrocalcinosis and pyelonephritis. She came to our hospital to seek further evaluation and treatment. She had continued to gain weight and had developed depression and anxiety. She also reported joint pain, fatigue, blurry vision, loss of appetite, dyspnea, polyuria, and insomnia. She reported occasional diarrhea but no significant flatulence. There was no pertinent family history of endocrine disorders. Physical examination revealed an obese young woman in distress, with leg swelling and unbalanced gait. Her pulse was 91 beats per minute and blood pressure was 113/67 mmHg. Findings of the cardiovascular and respiratory examination were unremarkable. Multiple skin tags and nodules were noted over the trunk and abdomen and around her vaginal and groin region. The evaluation at our institution included laboratory investigations (Table 1), imaging, and histologic studies. An adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test (1 μg cosyntropin) showed a …
Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 and Its Association With Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes in the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 (PRavastatin Or atorVastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) Trial

Background— Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is associated with the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events in population-based studies. The prognostic value of Lp-PLA2 in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) has not been established. Methods and Results— Plasma levels of Lp-PLA2 activity were measured at baseline (n=3648) and 30 days (n=3265) in patients randomized to atorvastatin 80 mg/d or pravastatin 40 mg/d after ACS in the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 (PRavastatin Or atorVastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy–Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction) trial. The primary end point was death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, revascularization, or stroke (mean follow-up 24 months). At baseline after ACS, the risk of recurrent CV events was similar across all quintiles of Lp-PLA2 activity (Ptrend=0.88). Overall, mean levels of Lp-PLA2 were lower at 30 days of follow-up than at baseline (35.7 versus 40.9 nmol · min−1 · mL−1, P<0.001). In particular, treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg/d was a...
Choline concentrations in human maternal and cord blood and intelligence at 5 y of age

Background Animal studies indicate that maternal prenatal choline supplementation leads to permanent enhancement of attention and spatial memory abilities in offspring, whereas dietary choline restriction during pregnancy impairs cognitive function in offspring. The association between gestational choline concentrations and neurodevelopmental outcome in humans has not been studied. Objective Our objective was to assess the relation between maternal and cord blood choline concentrations and child intelligence quotient (IQ) scores at 5 y of age. Design With data and samples from a prospective study (n = 404 maternal-child pairs), serum concentrations of free and total choline were measured in maternal serum at 4 gestational age intervals (16-18 wk, 24-26 wk, 30-32 wk, and 36-38 wk) and in cord blood. Child IQ at 5 y of age was assessed with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised. Multiple regression techniques were used to estimate the relation between choline concentrations and Full Scale IQ, Verbal and Performance IQ, and subscales that assess spatial relation and memory ability while adjusting for other factors that affect IQ. Results There was no effect at gestational ages 16-18 wk, 24-26 wk, 30-32 wk, and 36-38 wk or in cord blood of serum concentrations of free or total choline on Full Scale child IQ or on selected scales related to visuospatial processing and memory. Conclusion Gestational and newborn choline concentrations in the physiologic range showed no correlation with childhood intelligence.
Measurement of the Frequency of Ultra-Radio Waves

An analysis of a particular Lecher wire system whose characteristic impedance matches its input impedance and whose output end is short circuited, has led to an equation permitting the measurement of ultra-radio frequencies to three significant figures. The method is independent of end effects and has been applied to a determination of the velocity of propagation along iron wires.
Determination of Tin in Pure Copper by Flow‐Injection Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Abstract A reliable method was established for the determination of tin in pure copper by flow‐injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. The determination of tin in pure copper often suffers from interference from the copper matrix. In this work, cupferron was used as a chelating reagent to separate the copper from the tin. At pH 3.0, copper ion could form stable cupferron complex and could be removed from sample solution by chloroform extraction without loss of tin. After most of the chloroform dissolved in the aqueous solution had been removed, tin could be determined at 224.6 nm with the optimized conditions of 1.0% HCl as carrier solution and 0.8% m/v NaBH4 as reductant. A pure copper standard reference material, SRM 396 unalloyed copper, was analyzed with the proposed method. A calibration curve was obtained with a linear range of 1∼13 µg L−1 and a detection limit of 0.25 µg L−1. The experimental results obtained for certified values were 0.76 ± 0.3 and 0.8 ± 0.03 µg g−1, respectiv...
Self-rated and informant-rated everyday function in comparison to objective markers of Alzheimer's disease

Abstract It is recognized that individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) already demonstrate difficulty in aspects of daily functioning, which predicts disease progression. This study examined the relationship between self- versus informant-report of functional ability, and how those reports relate to objective disease measures across the disease spectrum (i.e. cognitively normal, MCI, Alzheimer's disease). A total of 1080 subjects with self- and/or informant-rated Everyday Cognition questionnaires were included. Objective measures included cognitive functioning, structural brain atrophy, cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities, and a marker of amyloid deposition using positron emission tomography with [ 18 F]AV45 (florbetapir). Overall, informant-report was consistently more associated with objective markers of disease than self-report although self-reported functional status may still have some utility in early disease.
A new otarionine trilobite from the Henryhouse Formation (Silurian, Ludlow) of Oklahoma

AMITROV, . V. 1994. Gastropody Cheganskoy svity (Eotsen Zakaspiya). Statiya 1. Izuchennost'y voprosy nomenklatury. (Gastropods of the Chegan Formation [Eocene of Transcaspia]. Paperl. State of knowledge of nomenclatural problems). Bull. Mosk. o-va Ispyt. Prirod. Otd. Geol. 69:96-110. ARNOLD, J.M., LANDMAN, N.H., AND MUTVEI, H. 1987. Development of the embryonic shell of Nautilus. p. 373-400, In W. B. Saunders and N. H. Landman (eds.), Nautilus the Biology and Paleobiology of a Living Fossil. Plenum Press, New York. LUKovIc, M. T. 1926. The Eocene molluscan fauna from the area between the Aral Sea and Lake Chalkar and its importance. Annales Geologique de la Peninsula Balkanique, 8(2):2-82. SAUNDERS, W. B. 1987. The species of Nautilus, p. 35-52. In W. B. Saunders and N. H. Landman (eds.), Nautilus the Biology and Paleobiology of a Living Fossil. Plenum Press, New York. AND P. D. WARD. 1987. The occurrence of living Nautilus (N. pompilius and N. stenomphalus) on the Great Barrier Reef. The Nautilus, 101:188-193. SHIMANSKY, V. N. 1957. Noviy predstaveli otryada Nautilida v SSSR (New members of the order Nautilida in the USSR). Paleontologicheski Institut Materialy k Osnovam Paleontologii, 1:35-41. TEICHERT, C. AND T. MATSUMOTO. 1987. The ancestry of the genus Nautilus, p. 25-32. In W. B. Saunders and N. H. Landman (eds.), Nautilus the Biology and Paleobiology of a Living Fossil. Plenum Press, New York. WARD, P. D. 1987. The Natural History of Nautilus. Allen and Unwin, London, 267 p.
Peripheral and Cranial Nerve Injury

The peripheral nervous system is an integral component of the neural connection between the CNS and the end organs. Injuries involving this system are often complex and require a thorough understanding of the management strategies of these injuries to help optimize recovery. Recent advances in MRI may lead to its becoming a useful tool in managing peripheral nerve injuries; however, good clinical acumen and the understanding of the anatomy and classification of nerve injuries remain the most important aspects. This chapter will therefore address the anatomy of a peripheral nerve, the classification of nerve injuries and the utility of MRI in diagnoses of peripheral nerve injuries and discuss the evaluation and treatment of injuries to peripheral and cranial nerves.
Integrity Based Intrusion Detection System for Enterprise and Cloud Environments

Virtualization enables the disconnect between software and hardware allowing multiple operating systems to safely execute simultaneously on a single machine. This creates many benefits including server consolidation, fault tolerance, and intrusion isolation. Although each virtual machine (VM) is isolated, an intrusion may give attackers access to sensitive information located on shared storage. A kernel-level root kit may be used to obtain continuous privileged access to the compromised VM due to its escalated privilege level and the detection difficulty. This paper presents the design and evaluation of the virtual system-level lightweight integrity monitor (vSLIM). vSLIM is an intrusion detection system (IDS) capable of detecting kernel-level root kits and adapting to updating kernels. Our evaluation shows that vSLIM detects many known root kits with minimal overhead.
Abstract 140: Characteristics and risk factors in patients completing and not completing a cardiac rehabilitation program at the University of Utah during its first year of participation with the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation’s (AACVPR) Cardiac Rehabilitation Registry

Introduction: Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a multi-disciplinary secondary prevention program associated with decreased rates of re-infarction, cardiac and overall mortality in post myocardial infarction (MI) patients. Despite clear benefits, only 14-35% of MI survivors participate nationwide. Aim of this study was to describe the characteristics in CR eligible patients post MI, post percutaneous or surgical revascularization, post valvular, transplant or left ventricular assist device (LVAD) surgery who completed and did not complete CR. METHODS: Using reporting functions of the AACVPR, Society of Thoracic Surgery, and National Cardiovascular Data Registry, data was extracted for patients who attended at least one CR session from January to November 2013. Paired t-tests and multivariate regression were run to compare patients who did and did not complete CR. Additionally, data was compared to the registry’s nation-wide cohort of 20,671 patients from 607 CR programs. RESULTS: In 2013, 1550 patients (67% male, 33% female) were discharged from our institution with one of the above diagnoses, 700 (45%) were eligible for and referred to CR, of those referred 302 (43%) lived within a 40-mile radius of our program, only 128 (42%) enrolled in CR and 44 (15%) of those eligible completed CR. Of those enrolled in CR, mean age was 62 years; 76% male and 24% female. Travel distance to CR was the most significant predictor of enrollment and completion of CR. Characteristics of those completing and not completing CR are outlined in the table below. In addition to travel distance, independent predictors of program completion are age (65 v 59, p 0.02, OR 1.05) and metabolic syndrome (36% v 17%, p 0.03, OR 3.08). There was minimal difference between genders (data not shown), after completion of CR both had significant improvement in lipid profiles and exercise tolerance. When compared to national AACVPR registry, our data is overall similar except for lower smoking rates. CONCLUSION: Although our enrollment is higher than reported averages, less than half of eligible patients enroll in and completed CR. Distance to CR is a significant limiting factor. For our secondary prevention program to be affective, further investigation on increasing accessibility to CR and alternate ways of delivering CR will need to be piloted. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Calculation of Optical Rotatory Dispersion and Electronic Circular Dichroism for Tris-bidentate Groups 8 and 9 Metal Complexes, With Emphasis on Exciton Coupling

The optical rotatory dispersion (ORD, both non-resonant and resonant) and the electronic circular dichroism (CD) of tris-bidentate transition metal complexes of the form [M(L)3]n+ (M = Fe, Ru, Os, Co, Rh, Ir; n = 2, 3; L = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2′-bipyridine) are calculated using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The exciton CD band resulting from the coupling of ligand π-to-π* transitions is investigated in detail and analyzed in terms of exciton coupling of long-axis transitions using a dipole coupling model that takes TDDFT data for a single ligand as input. Results of the coupling model agree well with the full TDDFT CD spectra. The usefulness and reliability of this model is discussed. The resonant ORDs calculated directly from analytical damped linear TDDFT response compare well with Kramers−Kronig transformations of the calculated CD spectra. For comparisons of resonant ORD with experiment, one needs to consider wavelength shifts.
Interaction of influenza virus with leukocytes and its effect on phagocytosis.

Influenza complicated by bacterial pneumonia is probably the best known example of a viral infection that increases the susceptibility of the host to bacterial disease, an example for which there is both clinical [1] and experimental documentation [2-5]. Two mechanisms are recognized as important in the heightened susceptibility. First, viral lesions of the respiratory epithelium [1] may impair clearance of bacteria by the mucociliary apparatus and facilitate direct invasion by the bacteria; results of experiments in mice, however, led Harford and Hamlin [6] to question the nature and the significance of lesions of the bronchial epithelium. Second, edema of the lung may develop. Edema may promote bacterial multiplication and indirectly impair phagocytosis by diluting the exudate that forms as an antibacterial defense [2, 3, 7]. In vitro studies with guinea pig polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) [8-10] suggest that a third factor may be important, namely, a direct antiphagocytic action of the virus on the leukocytes. The present studies deal with the role of the direct antiphagocytic effect of influenza virus in the enhanced susceptibility to bacterial infection that is associated with influenza. In addition, earlier investigations of PMN interaction with virus [11-14] and of the direct antiphagocytic action of influenza virus on PMN [8-10] have been extended to other types of leukocytes and to cells from other species.