cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Becker's melanosis in a woman

Abstract Becker's melanosis is a relatively common, benign hamartoma, which is usually characterized by a hyperpigmented, hypertrichotic patch on the upper trunk or proximal upper extremities of males, with its onset during the peripubertal years. Commonly, there is an associated smooth muscle hamartoma on histology. We present a woman with a Becker's melanosis on the leg without hypertrichosis. We believe that the spectrum of Becker's nevus is greater than commonly thought and that cases similar to ours are not rare, but have been diagnosed as other conditions. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2001;45:S195-6.)
Impact of immune senescence on human aging

Understanding the clinical implications of age-related defects in the immune response is an important but inadequately studied and even controversial area of medicine. One reason for the inconsistency and controversy in the literature is the complexity of the problem. The immune response at its most minimal level involves interactions of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), T cells, and B cells. Each of these cells produce cell surface and soluble factors (cytokines) that act in both autocrine and paracrine functions. A second level of complexity to consider is the development of the macrophage/monocyte lineage as well as the production of the common lymphoid precursor that undergoes distinct maturation steps in the thymus and periphery to form mature T cells, as well as in lymphoid organs to form mature B cells. A third level of complexity involves the immune response to infectious agents, including viruses, in addition to tumor antigen response. There are also age-related changes that predispose to decreased responses (immunodeficiencies) or increased responses (autoimmunity). A fourth level of complexity involves the need to understand the differences between immune responses that occur at a very young age, in adults, and at a very old age. A fifth level of complexity involves the development of other clinical symptoms and lifelong risk factors associated with immune aging. Immune senescence is a largely unexplored territory, and its clinical complications have not been well described or defined. Consequently, caution must be exercised when implicating immune senescence as the cause of certain clinical manifestations, some of which may appear to be unrelated to immune abnormalities. As the mean lifespan of the population increases, clinical immunologists face the challenge of dealing with complications or diseases accompanied by immune
Uptake of GABA by neuronal and nonneuronal cells in dispersed cell cultures of postnatal rat cerebellum

A study was made of the time course and kinetics of [3H]GABA uptake by dispersed cell cultures of postnatal rat cerebellum with and without neuronal cells. The properties of GABA neurons were calculated from the biochemical difference between the two types of cultures. It was found that for any given concentration of [3H]GABA, or any time up to 20 min, GABA neurons in cultures 21 days in vitro had an average velocity of uptake several orders of magnitude greater than that of nonneuronal cells. In addition, the apparent Kmvalues for GABA neurons for high and low affinity uptake were 0.33 X 10(-6) M and 41.8 X 10(-4) M, respectively. For nonneuronal cells, the apparent Km for high affinity uptake was 0.29 X 10(-6) M. The apparent Vmax values for GABA neurons for high and low affinity uptake were 28.7 X 10(-6) mol/g DNA/min and 151.5 mmol/g DNA/min, respectively. For nonneuronal cells, the apparent Vmax for high affinity uptake was 0.06 X 10(-6) mol/g DNA/min. No low affinity uptake system for nonneuronal cells could be detected after correcting the data for binding and diffusion. By substituting the apparent kinetic constants in the Michaelis-Menten equation, it was determined that for GABA concentrations of 5 X 10(-9) M to 1 mM or higher over 99% of the GABA should be accumulated by GABA neurons, given equal access of all cells to the label. In addition, high affinity uptake of [3H]GABA by GABA neurons was completely blocked by treatment with 0.2 mM ouabain, whereas that by noneuronal cells was only slightly decreased. Most (75-85%) of the [3H]GABA (4.4 X 10(-6) M) uptake by both GABA neurons and nonneuronal cells was sodium and temperature dependent.
Transverse dentoalveolar changes after slow maxillary expansion

Introduction In this study, we evaluated the transverse dentoalveolar changes in the maxillary first molar region after early treatment with the quad-helix appliance. Methods Seventy-three consecutive patients (39 boys, 34 girls) who had phase 1 quad-helix treatment were evaluated with cone-beam computed tomography scans taken before phase 1 (mean age, 9.2 years) and phase 2 (mean age, 11.9 years) treatments. Buccal bone thickness, buccal cortical plate thickness, lingual bone thickness, alveolar width, palatal width, and intermolar width were measured by using standardized orientations. Results Slow palatal expansion with the quad-helix decreased buccal bone thickness (1.6 mm ± 0.8), and increased lingual bone thickness (1.6 mm ± 1.3) and alveolar width (0.5 mm ± 1.0). Intermolar widths and palatal widths increased 6.5 mm ± 2.9 and 3.9 mm ± 1.8, respectively. At the beginning of phase 2, approximately one third of the patients showed little or no buccal cortical plate on at least 1 side. Patients retained with the Hawley demonstrated some relapse tendencies; patients without retention had the greatest relapse tendencies. Conclusions Early treatment with the quad-helix appliance proved to be highly effective in increasing intermolar, palatal, and alveolar widths. The teeth moved through the alveolus, leading to substantial decreases in buccal bone thickness and increases in lingual bone thickness.
A Simple Perturbation Algorithm for Inverting the Cartesian to Geodetic Transformation

A singularity-free perturbation solution is presented for inverting the Cartesian to Geodetic transformation. Geocentric latitude is used to model the satellite ground track position vector. A natural geometric perturbation variable is identified as the ratio of the major and minor Earth ellipse radii minus one. A rapidly converging perturbation solution is developed by expanding the satellite height above the Earth and the geocentric latitude as a perturbation power series in the geometric perturbation variable. The solution avoids the classical problem encountered of having to deal with highly nonlinear solutions for quartic equations. Simulation results are presented that compare the solution accuracy and algorithm performance for applications spanning the LEO-to-GEO range of missions.
De Rham -factors

We construct a theory of de Rham epsilon factors. Given a smooth projective variety X over a field of characteristic 0 and a Open image in new window-module Open image in new window, we may consider the determinant of de Rham cohomology Open image in new window as a graded super line. Let S be the singular support of Open image in new window, U an open in X, Y=X∖U, and ν a 1-form on U⊂X such that ν(U)∩S=∅. Then we show the existence of a canonically defined graded super line Open image in new window canonically isomorphic to Open image in new window. The key property is the local nature of the epsilon factor: it only depends on the restriction of Open image in new window and ν to any open neighborhood of Y. Restricting to the case of curves gives a theory of epsilon factors for curves previously defined by Beilinson, Bloch, Deligne, and Esnault.
High frequency EPR predictions for the non-heme iron protein lipoxygenase

Soybean lipoxygenase-1 high frequency (≥70 GHz) EPR spectra at low magnetic field strengths (<2 Tesla) are predicted to have interdoublet transitions. Analysis of these transitions, if they are observed, will accurately measure all the zero field splitting (ZFS) terms for the second order spin Hamiltonian. The combination of interdoublet transitions with Kramers doublet transitions can be used as a sensitive,direct, measurement ofD. The non-heme iron protein, lipoxygenase, in its activatedS=5/2 Fe+3 state, exhibits distributions inE/D. The effect of distributions in ZFS parameters on Kramers doublet transitions and interdoublet transitions are very different. These differences can be used to separate the components of the distribution inE/D: distributions inE andD. A first estimate of the separated distributions can be obtained from the relative amplitudes of the lowest Kramers doublet to the interdoublet transitions.
Design of a Thermally Activated Energy Harvesting System

The design optimization of a thermally activated energy harvesting system is considered here. Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) components are used to transform the thermal excitation to mechanical vibrations, which harvested through electromechanical coupling into storable electrical energy. The frequency of the mechanical vibrations is subject to up-conversion through the use of bi-stable mechanical system, modeled as a buckled beam. As the SMA undergoes low-frequency thermal oscillations, the bi-stable mechanical system undergoes a snap-through response, so that the energy harvesting attachment exhibits a vibration frequency much higher than the underlying thermal vibrations, leading to an increase in the time-averaged power that can be harvested from the system. Through design optimization studies the system characteristics are chosen to maximize the average harvested power from this system.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Due Process in Dismissals: A Reflection of Our values

Due process hearings should not be a threat to principals who have performed their evaluation duties well, according to these authors, who suggest some steps to be taken before rec ommending dismissal.
Precision teaching: A tool for the school psychologist and teacher

Abstract The authors of this paper have tried to provide an introduction to the language and problem solving approach called Precision Teaching. Reasons for using a specific language and reporting techniques are listed. Definitions of the terminology and examples taken from the classroom are provided. The main point of this paper is that systematic interventions, precisely described and systematically recorded, lead to the most successful interventions.
How the Service Characteristics of News Require Media Organizations to Transition to a Marketing Orientation

Societal and industry changes, like increasing competition, lower profits, ownership concentration, inequality, and interference from stakeholder groups create a management environment where media organizations will only succeed through appropriate marketing philosophies. This article outlines how a production orientation traditionally guided media organizations. The production-orientation approach, however, seems outdated and the authors argue that by adopting a marketing orientation and treating news as a service to citizens rather than a commodity to consumers, media organizations might be more effective and efficient.
Studies of neutron–γ pulse shape discrimination in EJ-309 liquid scintillator using charge integration method

Abstract Pulse shape discrimination capability based on the charge integration has been investigated for liquid scintillator EJ-309. The effectiveness of neutron– γ discrimination in 4-in. diameter and 3-in. thick EJ-309 cells coupled with 3-in. photomultiplier tubes has been carefully studied in the laboratory environment and compared to the commonly used EJ-301 liquid scintillator formulation. Influences of distortions in pulse shape caused by 13.7-m long cables necessary for some remote operations have been examined. The parameter space for an effective neutron– γ discrimination for these assays, such as position and width of a gate used for integration of the delayed light, has been explored.
The application of the entropy measure to the analysis of part commonality in a product line

Given the objective of determining the degree of part commonality in a product line, this study discusses several methods of analysis which are possible. The use of the entropy measure, H= − σpi log pi, is investigated as a plausible alternative to current procedure. The methodology will incorporate a simulation of several types of distributions of part usage which might occur in a typical application. An analysis of the results will compare the entropy approach with existing practice.
An interface for hierarchical modeling in object-oriented simulation

Abstract A graphical interface for a new simulation development environment is presented. This interface is described in relation to information hiding and visual layers. In the simulation development environment distinct types of entities may easily be modeled. This results in simulation models which are good representations of real world systems. We introduce two nodes which facilitate discrete event simulation modeling. Sequences of tasks may be assigned to various entities in a queue/server node. A multi-queues/multi-servers node permits the modeler to formulate server selection rules and queue selection rules for each type of entity. Servers may also have a queue selection rule.
Effects of hypomagnesia on histamine H1 receptor-mediated facilitation of NMDA responses

The ability of histamine to facilitate the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) induced depolarization of cortical projection neurones was examined by use of grease-gap recording. Histamine (1 to 15 μM) reversibly facilitated the NMDA-induced depolarization yielding a bell-shaped concentration-response relationship. The peak enhancement was 167% above the control at 10 μM histamine. Desensitization was present in 4 out of 5 slices on second exposure 40 min following the first exposure. Histamine did not alter the depolarization induced by 10 μM kainate. The histamine-induced facilitation persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin, but was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner by diphenhydramine (IC50=7.6 nM). Cyproheptadine (10 nM) also reduced the facilitation, whereas ranitidine (200 nM) and thioperamide (10 nM) were ineffective in this regard. Histamine (10 μM) facilitated the NMDA (25 μM)-induced depolarization in nominally Mg2+-free medium. The magnitude of the facilitation was smaller than that observed in Mg2+-containing medium (17% above the control) and desensitization was not observed. This facilitation was not reduced by cyproheptadine (10 nM) or diphenhydramine (1 μM). We conclude that histamine facilitates the NMDA depolarization at cortical neurones via two distinct mechanisms. One mechanism involves activation of the histamine H1 receptor and is sensitive to Mg2+. The second mechanism is independent of histamine cell surface receptor activation and may reflect a direct action of histamine at the NMDA receptor. British Journal of Pharmacology (1997) 121, 199–204; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0701123
Using dynamic graphs to reveal student reasoning

Using dynamic graphs, future secondary mathematics teachers were able to represent and communicate their understanding of a brief mathematical investigation in a way that a symbolic proof of the problem could not. Four different student work samples are discussed.
Evaluation of quinidine short and long-acting in control of arrhythmias.

Twenty-one patients with arrhythmias responsive to quinidine were studied both with regard to consistency of response as determined by repeat Holter Monitoring and in half of these patients a comparison of short and long-acting quinidine was made. Holter Monitoring demonstrated greater than 60% reduc tion of ectopic activity in all but one patient and reproducibility varied by less than 10% in nineteen of twenty-one patients. Nine of eleven patients showed the same response to long-acting quinidine as compared to short-acting. Eight of nine patients having significant numbers of ectopic pairs showed a significant reduction with quinidine therapy, both short-acting and long-acting.
Counseling Adolescent Girls for Body Image Resilience: Strategies for School Counselors:

Because body image dissatisfaction is such a pervasive problem in adolescent girls, school counselors need to develop effective prevention programs in this area. In this article, a model to promote girls' body image resilience is presented. The model identifies five protective factors that contribute to girls' abilities to resist sociocultural pressures regarding thinness. Specific prevention and counseling strategies that school counselors can use to promote positive body image in adolescent girls are provided.
The synthesis of pyrano[3,2-e]indoles and pryano[2,3-f]indoles as rotationally restricted phenolic analogs of the neurotransmitter serotonin

Abstract The synthesis of two rotationally restricted phenolic analogs (1a and 1b) of the neurotransmitter serotonin have been accomplished. The syntheses of 8.9-dihydropyrano[3,2-e]indole (13a) and 7,8-dihydropyrano[2,3-f]indole (13b), which formed the template for these targets, are outlined. These novel fused-indoles represent rotationally restricted phenolic analogs of 5-hydroxyindole. The reaction sequence of Claisen rearrangement, olefin hydroxylation, and intramolecular Mitsunobu reaction was used to form the fused-dihydropyran rings.
Local Underdetermination in Historical Science

David Lewis (1979) defends the thesis of the asymmetry of overdetermination: later affairs are seldom overdetermined by earlier affairs, but earlier affairs are usually overdetermined by later affairs. Recently, Carol Cleland (2002) has argued that since the distinctive methodologies of historical science and experimental science exploit different aspects of this asymmetry, the methodology of historical science is just as good, epistemically speaking, as that of experimental science. This paper shows, first, that Cleland’s epistemological conclusion does not follow from the thesis of the asymmetry of overdetermination, because overdetermination (in Lewis’s sense) is compatible with epistemic underdetermination. The paper also shows, contra Cleland, that there is at least one interesting sense in which historical science is epistemically inferior to experimental science, after all, because local underdetermination problems are more widespread in historical than in experimental science.
Scopolamine does not disrupt spatial working memory in rats.

Abstract The importance of cholinergic systems for spatial working memory was examined by injecting scopolamine at varying times during a 5 hr-long retention interval imposed between the rat's fourth and fifth choices in an 8 arm maze. Regardless of whether or not the testing procedure required the rats to adopt a spatial solution for the task, scopolamine (1.0–5.0 mg/kg) did not impair retention in a manner that was suggestive of an effect on working memory. Modest deficits observed in some conditions appeared to result from drug effects on performance. Previous findings of impaired acquisition of accurate spatial behavior by scopolamine-treated rats evidently reflect an influence of the drug on physiological systems other than those necessary to maintain working memory for spatial information.
Femtosecond Studies Of Excited Carrier Energy Relaxation And Intervalley Scattering In GaAs and AlGaAs

We report the investigation of excited carrier scattering, energy relaxation, and intervalley scattering in GaAs and AlGaAs. Pump and continuum probe absorption saturation measurements provide evidence for femtosecond transient nonthermal carrier distributions and permit a measurement of carrier cooling processes. Measurements performed using a tunable femotsecond laser allow an investigation of intervalley scattering.
Linear multistep methods for a class of functional differential equations

A general linear multistep method is developed for obtaining an approximate solution of a class of functional differential equations containing both fixed and variable delays. Two approximation mappings are described appropriate to operators concerning the past history of the solution. Under stability and consistency conditions similar to those for ordinary differential equations and suitable conditions on the approximation mappings it is shown that the method is convergent for sufficiently small step size.
Estrogen and progesterone interactions influencing sexual and social behavior in the brown lemming, Lemmus trimucronatus.

Abstract The effects of estrogen and progesterone on the social and sexual behavior of brown lemmings, Lemmus trimucronatus , were investigated. The behavior of hormone-treated and untreated ovariectomized females and sexually vigorous males was observed in six consecutive daily 5-min dyadic encounters. Sexual receptivity, as measured by lordosis, and other social behaviors including nasonasal contact, boxing postures, allogrooming, perineal investigation, and male mounting increased following 48 hr of exposure to daily injections of 0.5 μg estradiol benzoate (EB). Lordosis in EB-primed females was not facilitated or inhibited by short-term (4 hr) exposure to 0.5 mg progesterone (P). Long-term (greater than 24 hr) exposure to P apparently inhibited lordosis and other social behaviors in EB-treated females, although males continued to attempt to mount these females. In EB-treated females a dramatic increase in threat-leaps, directed by the female toward the male, was observed within 4 hr of P injection. Threat-leaps declined when P was withdrawn. Threat-leaps were also observed in ovariectomized females after prolonged exposure to P only (0.5 mg/day). Vaginal perforation and cornification were first apparent 48 hr after EB injection. P-alone treated ovariectomized females also showed vaginal perforation but cornified cells were infrequent and these animals did not show lordosis.
Transcriptional activity of DNMT3B in pancreatic cancer cells: effects of -149 (C→T) promoter polymorphism.

Abstract Polymorphic C-to-T change in the promoter region of DNA-methyltransferase-3B (DNMT3B) gene is associated with risk of several cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DNMT3B promoter genetic variant on its transcriptional activity and to compare activity in several pancreatic cell lines. DNMT3B promoter constructs carrying either −149C allele or −149T allele were transiently transfected into pancreatic cancer cells. In promoter assaying, carriage of −149T allele showed only a slight activity (1.1-fold) in Mia cells ( p = 0.462). In contrast, significant increase (3.8-fold) in activity of −149T allele was shown in SU86.86 pancreatic cancer cells ( p = 0.0001). These preliminary findings suggest that genetic variance may influence DNMT3B expression in pancreatic cancer. Further studies are needed.
Melting in two dimensions.

New Monte Carlo computer simulations of hard-disk systems containing 16 384 particles show that a first-order phase transition occurs at a higher pressure and is more weakly first order than has long been believed. The results that led to the description of the transition as strongly first order have been reproduced in simulations of 1024 disks. A free-energy model developed using the double-histogram method of Ferrenberg and Swendsen has been used to correlate the N-A Monte Carlo data obtained at different densities. This analysis shows a tie line only half as long as the classical one and a very large compressibility for the ordered phase near the transition. Further investigation will be necessary to determine the nature of that ordered phase.
O6-(4-Nitrophenyl)inosine and -Guanosine as Chromogenic Substrates for Adenosine Deaminase

Abstract O6-(4-Nitrophenyl)inosine (la), O6 -(4-nitrophenyl)guanosine (1c) and O6 -(4-methylumbelliferonyl)inosine (2) were obtained by reaction of 6-chloro-9-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)purine (3a) or 2-amino-6-chloro-9-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)purine (3c) with sodium salts of 4-nitrophenol or 4-methylumbelliferone in N,N-dimethylformamide. Similarly, 6-chloro-9-(β-D-2,3-isopropylideneribofuranosyl)purine (3b) was transformed to 2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-O6-(4-nitrophenyl)inosine (1b). Deprotection of 1b with CF3COOH gave compound la and O6 -(4-nitrophenyl)hypoxanthine (4). Compounds 1a and 1c are substrates for adenosine deaminase releasing 4-nitrophenol which is readily detected visually or spectrophotomemcally. Rate and extent of hydrolysis of la are significantly increased in the presence of purine nucleoside phosphorylase but xanthine oxidase has no influence. A potential fluorogenic analogue 2 is not a substrate for adenosine deaminase. 1. For a preliminary report see: Zemlicka, J. in Nucleic Acid Chemistry: Improve...
Why Do Some Women Know More? An Exploration of the Association of Community Socioeconomic Characteristics, Social Capital, and HIV/AIDS Knowledge

The objective of this study was to investigate the associations of community-level socio-economic status (SES) characteristics and social capital with women's knowledge of HIV/AIDS. We used a representative national sample of 6,771 women ages 15–49 years from the Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey of 2007. We extended the findings of prior studies by providing new evidence that both community and social capital were related to having knowledge of AIDS. The significant community characteristics associated with women's greater knowledge of AIDS were: women's higher mean age at first marriage, higher mean years of education, the higher percentage of women in the community who work, and higher mean household living standard in the community. Regardless of individual-level SES, living in a community with higher community-level SES and having greater social capital were associated with having a greater likelihood of hearing about AIDS. However, we found that once women knew about AIDS, not all of the communit...
Studies on the effects of felodipine on the vascular resistance and reactivity in pentobarbital anesthetized dogs.

Bilateral perfused hindlimb preparations in pentobarbital anesthetized dogs were utilized in the present study to evaluate vasodilator effects of felodipine, in the presence and in the absence of sympathetic neurogenic tone. Vascular resistance was evaluated by establishing pressure-flow characteristics. A lower dose of this agent (0.01 μmol/kg i.v.) produced significant reductions in the systemic arterial blood pressure and vascular resistance only in the innervated but not in the denervated limb. This effect was shown to be due to interference with noradrenaline induced vasoconstriction. However, a tenfold higher dose of felodipine (0.1 μmol/kg i.v.) was indeed effective in attenuating resistance in the denervated vascular bed; this ability of the higher dose (0.1 μmol/kg) to inhibit vascular resistance may be due to an additional intracellular action of this drug affecting myogenic tone and/or due to inhibition of the vascular effects of the endogenous renin-angiotensin system. In the present experimental model, felodipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist, was equally effective in inhibiting either alpha1- or alpha2-mediated vasoconstriction. These data suggest that the ability of felodipine to interfere with sympathetic vasoconstrictor mechanisms primarily contributes to its hypotensive effects in the barbiturate-anesthetized dogs.
A model of the near magnetosphere with a dawn-dusk asymmetry 1. Mathematical structure

[1] A new empirical magnetic field model has been developed, representing the variable configuration of the inner and near magnetosphere for different interplanetary conditions and the ground disturbance levels. This paper describes the mathematical structure of the model, while the results of fitting it to a new set of spacecraft data are presented in a companion paper. The general approach remains the same as in the earlier T96 model, but the mathematical description of all major sources of the magnetospheric field now applies recently developed new methods. In particular, the field deformation technique is extensively used, making it possible to realistically and flexibly represent the fields of the cross-tail current, the ring current, and the Region 1 and 2 Birkeland currents. The new model ring current includes not only the axisymmetric component but also a partial ring current with field-aligned closure currents, a feature absent in earlier data-based models. The field of the cross-tail current includes two modules whose current densities vary along the Sun-Earth line with different rates. The cross-tail current sheet warps in two dimensions in response to the geodipole tilt, its inner edge shifts along the Sun-Earth line with growing disturbance, and its thickness varies along and across the tail. Birkeland currents of Regions 1 and 2 vary in response to interplanetary conditions, so that at ionospheric altitudes they shift in latitude and change their distribution in local time. The magnetospheric boundary is specified using a most recent empirical model [Shue et al., 1998]; its size is controlled by the solar wind ram pressure, and its shape also varies in response to changes of the Earth's dipole tilt angle. The model magnetopause ensures a full confinement of the fields of all sources inside the magnetopause, regardless of its shape and size. The model also includes an interplanetary magnetic field–controlled interconnection field, allowing a finite normal Bn at the magnetopause and hence open magnetospheric configurations.
Characteristics of Mexican and Mexican American Adolescents in Treatment for “Cheese” Heroin Use

Clinical and cultural characteristics of Hispanic adolescent heroin users are not well described. The current exploratory study was conducted to describe a sample of in-treatment Hispanic adolescents with opioid dependence, specifically, cheese heroin. Mexican and Mexican American adolescents with heroin dependence (N = 72) in three treatment programs were interviewed and completed self-report measures. Participants reported, on average, first using cheese heroin at age 13.5 years and daily use at age 14.2 years. The majority (74%) reported a previous overdose. Adolescents being raised by caregivers other than both biological parents, who used drugs with relatives, and whose immediate family members have documentation to be in the United States fared worse on several indicators of drug use severity and other risky behaviors. The self-reported brief time period from first use to daily use strongly suggests the need for early prevention efforts. Additional research is needed to add to these preliminary resu...
A Timing Channel Spyware for the CSMA/CA Protocol

This paper presents the design and implementation of spyware communication circuits built into the widely used carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) protocol. The spyware components are embedded within the sequential and combinational communication circuit structure during synthesis, rendering the distinction or dissociation of the spyware from the original circuit impossible. We take advantage of the timing channel resulting from transmission of packets to implement a new practical coding scheme that covertly transfers the spied data. Our codes are robust against the CSMA/CA's random retransmission time for collision avoidance and in fact take advantage of it to disguise the covert communication. The data snooping may be sporadically triggered, either externally or internally. The occasional trigger and the real-time traffic's variability make the spyware timing covert channel detection a challenge. The spyware is implemented and tested on a widely used open-source wireless CSMA/CA radio platform. We identify the following performance metrics and evaluate them on our architecture: 1) efficiency of implementation of the encoder; 2) robustness of the communication scheme to heterogeneous CSMA/CA effects; and 3) difficulty of covert channel detection. We evaluate criterion 1) completely theoretically. Criterion 2) is evaluated by simulating a wireless CSMA/CA architecture and testing the robustness of the decoder in different heterogeneous wireless conditions. Criterion 3) is confirmed experimentally using the state-of-the-art covert timing channel detection methods.
A Resource of Cre Driver Lines for Genetic Targeting of GABAergic Neurons in Cerebral Cortex

A key obstacle to understanding neural circuits in the cerebral cortex is that of unraveling the diversity of GABAergic interneurons. This diversity poses general questions for neural circuit analysis: how are these interneuron cell types generated and assembled into stereotyped local circuits and how do they differentially contribute to circuit operations that underlie cortical functions ranging from perception to cognition? Using genetic engineering in mice, we have generated and characterized approximately 20 Cre and inducible CreER knockin driver lines that reliably target major classes and lineages of GABAergic neurons. More select populations are captured by intersection of Cre and Flp drivers. Genetic targeting allows reliable identification, monitoring, and manipulation of cortical GABAergic neurons, thereby enabling a systematic and comprehensive analysis from cell fate specification, migration, and connectivity, to their functions in network dynamics and behavior. As such, this approach will accelerate the study of GABAergic circuits throughout the mammalian brain.
Mobile innovations, executive functions, and educational developments in conflict zones: a case study from Palestine

Prior research suggests that exposure to conflict can negatively impact the development of executive functioning, which in turn can affect academic performance. Recognizing the need to better understand the potentially widespread executive function deficiencies among Palestinian students and to help develop educational resources targeted to youth in conflict-affected areas, we utilize mobile devices to assess correlates of executive functions among Palestinian youth from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. We developed and examined two types of executive functioning tasks with a sample of 185 Palestinian youth, aged 6–16. Our findings confirm that students in schools that are more exposed to the effects of the political conflict have lower levels of executive functioning. We also found that the advantages of being in an urban environment are strong predictors of performance on executive function exercises, but that a high exposure-risk to political violence negatively detracts from planning-related executive functioning. Lastly, we found that living in urban environment is positively correlated with better mental planning performance (i.e., planning before taking actions) whereas being in a private school is a stronger predictor of mental flexibility (i.e., dynamically adapting to changing rules of the game). We also suggest a few strategies for future research.
Defining the Mars Ascent Problem for Sample Return

*Lifting geology samples off of Mars is both a daunting technical problem for propulsion experts and a cultural challenge for t he entire community that plans and implements planetary science missions. The vast majority of science spacecraft require propulsive maneuvers that are similar to what is done routinely with communication satellites, so most needs have been met by adapting hardware and methods from the satellite industry. While it is even possible to reach Earth from the surface of the moon using such traditional technology, ascending from the surface of Mars is beyond proven capability for either solid or liquid propellant rocket technology. Miniature rocket stages for a Mars ascent vehicle would need to be over 80 percent propellant by mass. It is argued that the planetary community faces a steep learning curve toward nontraditional propulsion expertise, in order to succes sfully accomplish a Mars sample return mission. A cultural shift may be needed to accommodate more technical risk acceptance during the technology development phase.
Shear-Induced Reactive Nitrogen Species Inhibit Mitochondrial Respiratory Complex Activities in Cultured Vascular Endothelial Cells

There is evidence that nitric oxide (NO), superoxide (O2•−), and their associated reactive nitrogen species (RNS) produced by vascular endothelial cells (ECs) in response to hemodynamic forces play...
The Effects of Job Involvement on Private Correctional Staff: A Preliminary Study

Much of the research on correctional officers over the past two decades has focused on job stress, job satisfaction, the job environment, and how demographic variables such as gender, race, health and family conflict influenced stress and job satisfaction. Because correctional staff is such an integral part of corrections, understanding job involvement and its impact on correctional employees is important, yet it has received little attention in the literature. Using survey data from a private correctional facility in the Midwest, the authors examined the effects of job involvement on job stress, job satisfaction, organizational commitment, absenteeism, and turnover intentions. A multivariate analysis indicated that job involvement had significant effects on all the predicted outcome variables.
Erratum to “Buy Now and Match Later: Impact of Posterior Price Matching on Profit with Strategic Consumers”

On page 37 of the article “Buy Now and Match Later: Impact of Posterior Price Matching on Profit with Strategic Consumers” by Guoming Lai, Laurens Debo, and Katia Sycara Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, Winter 2010, Vol. 12, No. 1, 33--55) , to the beginning of §3.4 Purchasing Behavior, the following sentence should be added: “Similar to Png (1991), we assume that the consumers will make no purchase if the price is higher than VH and thus the seller will not set the first-period price above VH in our model. Furthermore....” The assumption that p1 ≤ VH was made, but was not stated explicitly in the model set-up section.
Usefulness of sotalol for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias

Two trial designs have been used in evaluating sotalol in patients with sustained tachyarrhythmias: open-label dose escalation and randomized comparison with reference agents. At least 7 open-label studies (n = 16-65) have been reported from single centers in patients in whom trials of numerous other antiarrhythmic agents were unsuccessful. At the doses used, usually 320-640 mg/day, plasma concentrations were in the range associated with both beta blockade and class III antiarrhythmic activity (2-3 micrograms/mL). These concentrations produced electrophysiologic changes that were consistent across studies: 10-16% increase in right ventricular effective refractory period (ERP), 4-8% increase in corrected QT interval (QTc), and 17-30% increase in sinus cycle length (corresponding to a 15-23% decrease in heart rate). In these open-label trials, sotalol suppressed inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias in 20-72% of patients; the higher degrees of efficacy were reported when induction protocols were confined to double extrastimuli. Side effects leading to discontinuation of sotalol in patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation include fatigue (4.0%), marked bradycardia (3.0%), torsades de pointes (3.0%), and heart failure or pulmonary edema (1.0%). A multicenter randomized trial compared intravenous sotalol with intravenous procainamide in a double-blind prospective fashion. Sotalol suppressed ventricular tachyarrhythmias inducible with triple extrastimuli in 15 (30%) of 50 patients, whereas procainamide was effective in 10 (20%) of 50. In this and other series, responsiveness to sotalol was prospectively identified by a particularly fast tachycardia at baseline (e.g., cycle length of < 270 msec), but not by the extent of changes in global indices of repolarization (QTc, ERP).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fluoropolymer coatings for improved carbon nanotube transistor device and circuit performance

We report on the marked improvements in key device characteristics of single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) field-effect transistors (FETs) by coating the active semiconductor with a fluoropolymer layer such as poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE). The observed improvements include: (i) A reduction in off-current by about an order of magnitude, (ii) a significant reduction in the variation of threshold voltage, and (iii) a reduction in bias stress-related instability and hysteresis present in device characteristics. These favorable changes in device characteristics also enhance circuit performance and the oscillation amplitude, oscillation frequency, and increase the yield of printed complementary 5-stage ring oscillators. The origins of these improvements are explored by exposing SWCNT FETs to a number of vapor phase polar molecules which produce similar effects on the FET characteristics as the PVDF-TrFE. Coating of the active SWCNT semiconductor layer with a fluoropolymer will be advantageous for the adoption of SWCNT FETs in a variety of printed electronics applications.
Distribution of moderately volatile trace elements in fine-grained chondrule rims in the unequilibrated CO3 chondrite, ALH A77307.

Abstract The concentrations of Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Ge, and Se in five, fine-grained chondrule rims in the highly unequilibrated CO3 chondrite ALH A77307 (3.0) have been determined for the first time by synchrotron X-ray fluorescence (SXRF) microprobe at Brookhaven National Laboratory. These elements are especially useful for tracing the role of condensation and evaporation processes which occurred at moderate temperatures in the solar nebula. Understanding the distribution of moderately volatile elements between matrix and chondrules is extremely important for evaluating the different models for the volatile depletions in chondritic meteorites. The data show that the trace element chemistry of rims on different chondrules is remarkably similar, consistent with data obtained for the major and minor elements by electron microprobe. These results support the idea that rims are not genetically related to individual chondrules, but all sampled the same reservoir of homogeneously mixed dust. Of the trace elements analyzed, Zn and Ga show depletions relative to CI chondrite values, but in comparison with bulk CO chondrites all the elements are enriched by ∼ 1.5 to 3.5 × CO. The abundance patterns for moderately volatile elements in ALH A77307 chondrule rims closely mimic those observed in the bulk chondrite, indicating that matrix is the major reservoir for these elements. The close matching of the patterns for the volatile depleted bulk chondrite and enriched matrix is especially striking for Na, which is anomalously depleted in ALH A77307 in comparison with average CO chondrite abundances. The depletion in Na is probably attributable to the effects of leaching in Antarctica. With the exception of Na, the volatile elements show a relatively smooth decrease in abundance as a function of condensation temperature, indicating that their behavior is largely controlled by their volatility.
Complete parameter bounds and quasiidentifiability conditions for a class of unidentifiable linear systems

Abstract Lack of unique structural identifiability for parameters of dynamic system models is a very common situation with practical experimental schemes, particularly when studying biological systems. However, for well-structured (e.g., multicompartmental) models, it is often possible to localize unidentifiable parameters between finite limits (“interval identifiability”), using the same data base, and under certain conditions these limits nearly coincide. Two new results in this area are presented: (1) The smallest ranges on all unidentifiable rate constants and pool sizes of the most general n -compartment mammillary system are derived, in an easy-to-program algorithmic form, for the common case of input forcing and output measurements in the central pool only. From these results we see why elimination rate constants (“leaks”) are difficult to distinguish from zero, whereas exchange rate constants between pools, and pool sizes, may be bounded very tightly in certain circumstances. (2) The notion of quasiidentifiability, or sufficient identifiability for practical purposes, is introduced to quantify these circumstances. Each of the rate constants between central and peripheral pools, and all pool sizes, are quasiidentifiable if the magnitude of the ratio of the coefficient to the eigenvalue of the slowest mode is very much greater than the largest coefficient in the sum-of-exponentials response function. Also quasiidentifiability is a necessary condition for applicability of noncompartmental analysis to estimate pool sizes and residence times of mammillary systems with “leaky” noncentral pools.
Increased protease activity and changes in basic proteins and lipids in multiple sclerosis plaques.

Abstract Various sections of multiple sclerosis (MS) brains, including the plaques and the edge of the plaques, have been studied. The lipids were determined by quantitative thin-layer chromatography and the values for cerebroside, cholesterol, and cholesterol ester were found to be in agreement with previous workers. There was little difference between MS and normal brains in their phospholipid content. The significant finding was the demonstration that with a partial or total destruction of the encephalitogenic protein around the plaques, a 4-fold increase in acid proteinase occurred. Previous reports ( Chao and Einstein 1968; Einstein et al. 1968a; 1970) have shown that the encephalitogenic protein is converted in vivo and in vitro to an active polypeptide of smaller molecular weight. These suggest, although they do not necessarily prove, that the acid proteinase which is a lysosomal enzyme(s) plays a role in MS by releasing the encephalitogen as such a polypeptide into the circulation and in this way initiating an immunological reaction.
An examination of TIC-TAC-TOE like games

There is a class of games which resemble TIC-TAC-TOE. These are games where two players alternately put X's and O's into playing spaces, attempting to get n of their signs in a row. Well-known games of this class are TIC-TAC-TOE (3 X 3) and QUBIC (4 X 4 X 4). The boards of these games form squares, cubes and hypercubes with n playing positions on a side. We will speak of these games as nk TIC-TAC-TOE following Citrenbaum.
Simplified seismic analysis of a class of regular steel bridges

Abstract AASHTO’s (American Association State Highway and Transportation Officials) simplified method of analysis for multiple-span regular bridges requires modeling and analysis of the structures and it is not less time-consuming than performing a computer-aided response spectrum analysis. Furthermore, for single-span bridges, AASHTO specifications do not require a seismic analysis. The connections between the superstructure and substructure are designed for a minimum load calculated as the product of site coefficient, the acceleration coefficient and the tributary permanent load. This may result in underestimation of seismically induced forces in connections. To overcome such problems, analytical equations are derived to calculate the fundamental period and seismically induced forces and displacements in the structural components of a class of regular steel bridges. The equations are derived considering the effect of deck width, number and length of spans, bearing types and their stiffness, on the dynamic behavior of bridges. The results from multi-mode response spectrum analysis and those obtained from the derived equations have shown good agreement. Thus, these equations may be used in lieu of AASHTO’s simplified analysis method for the seismic analysis of regular steel bridges. It was also observed that AASHTO’s simplified analysis method for single-span bridges underestimates the seismically induced forces in fixed bearings.