cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Malware characterization through alert pattern discovery

We present a novel alert correlation approach based on the factor analysis statistical technique for malware characterization. Our approach involves mechanically computing a set of abstract quantities, called factors, for expressing the intrusion detection system (IDS) alerts pertaining to malware instances. These factors correspond to patterns of alerts, and can be used to succinctly characterize malware. Unlike most existing alert correlation approaches for multistep attacks, our approach does not require predefined attack models for characterizing complex multistep attacks, and discovers potentially unknown relationships among alert types. Moreover, it requires relatively little alert information. As such, this approach is suitable for analysis pertaining to large-scale, privacy-preserving alert repositories. Initial experimental results indicate that our approach is useful in facilitating automated IDS alert pattern discovery, and in characterizing malware that manifests as multiple attack steps. Also, it may be used in identifying redundant signatures, enabling IDS performance tuning. Specifically, we examined the Snort rule identifiers (SIDs) of the alerts generated by the BotHunter tool, developed in the Cyber-Threat Analytics project, considering which SIDs co-occur pertaining to the same identified bot instance. Our exploratory analysis indicates that IDS alerts corresponding to bots can be expressed in terms of a small number of factors. Also, some bot families have distinguishing factor patterns.
Principles of Non-Arbitrariness: Lawlessness in the Administration of Welfare

This article explores whether there exists a concept of non-arbitrariness that imposes limitations on the administration of welfare benefits without rules, regulations, policies or procedures. To address this question, the article examines the concept of non-arbitrariness within various jurisprudential doctrines and the potential applicability of the concept to limit arbitrary governmental action in the welfare context. In each of the areas where courts regulate arbitrary governmental action, underlying judicial concerns give rise to jurisprudential principles. Four principles stand out. First, at a minimum, there must be a rational relationship between the government’s ends and the means it chooses to reach those ends. Second, clear standards must exist so that individuals are able to conform their conduct according to a predictable system. Third, the rules and standards that do exist must be equally and fairly applied. And finally, the government must be accountable, and courts must be able to review governmental action to determine its legality. The article’s primary goal is to demonstrate that the concept of non-arbitrariness is foundational to American law and has some relevance for a welfare program that is administered without rules or standards. Specifically, the concept of non-arbitrariness and the requirement of rules and standards that are fairly and equitably applied create a necessary foundation from which other rights may flow. Courts may not move toward a broad prohibition against arbitrary action affecting welfare recipients any time soon, but they may be willing to regulate certain governmental action or inaction through concepts of non-arbitrariness. Ultimately, the article concludes that a welfare program being administered at the local level without any rules, regulations, policies or procedures is an instance where courts should be willing to regulate governmental arbitrariness. The appropriate remedy would be one that traditional constitutional procedural due process and administrative law remedies have not clearly provided - namely, a requirement that governments have rational rules and standards that are applied fairly and equitably.
Recent Progress in General Sparse Direct Solvers

During the past few years, algorithmic improvements alone have shaved almost an order of magnitude off the time required for the direct solution of general sparse systems of linear equations. Combined with a similar increase in the performance to cost ratio due to hardware advances during this period, current sparse solver technology makes it possible to solve those problems quickly and easily that might have been considered impractically large until recently. In this paper, we compare the performance of some commonly used software packages for solving general sparse systems. In particular, we demonstrate the consistently high level of performance achieved by WSMP--the most recent of such solvers. We compare the various algorithmic components of these solvers and show that the choices made in WSMP enable it to run two to three times faster than the best amongst other similar solvers. As a result, WSMP can factor some of the largest sparse matrices available from real applications in a few seconds on 4-CPU workstation.
Interactive Verification of Statecharts

In this paper, we present an approach to the interactive verification of statecharts. We use STATEMATE statecharts for the formal specification of safety critical systems and Interval Temporal Logic to formalize the proof conditions. To handle infinite data, complex functions and predicates, we use algebraic specifications.
The Effect of National Culture on Whistle-Blowing Perceptions

Society continues to be concerned about the impact of ethics on decision making. While many researchers have focused on this issue, the increased globalization of today's business suggests that more emphasis should be given to the potential impact of culture on ethical decisions. The current study is based, in part, on the work of Hofstede (1980, 1991) who identified multiple dimensions on which countries differ in terms of culture. As such, it gives consideration to the impact of national culture on ethical decision making. The study focuses on ethical decisions made by U.S. and Taiwanese accounting students and examines cross-cultural differences in business-related ethical perceptions. Results indicated significant differences between the ethical perspectives and judgments of U.S. and Taiwanese accounting students in a whistle-blowing scenario, particularly with respect to Hofstede's individualism dimension. These findings enhance our understanding of cross-cultural ethical differences. The implications of these results are discussed and suggested areas for future research are proposed.
Abstract 20298: Acquired Von Willebrand Syndrome in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Case Series

Introduction: von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a multimeric glycoprotein involved in hemostasis. Acquired von Willebrand Syndrome (AvWS) results from a disproportionate loss of high molecular weight multimers of vWF, and leads to increased risk of bleeding. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has been implicated as a cause of AvWS due to turbulent flow and shear stress due to left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and from associated mitral regurgitation. Methods: This is a retrospective study in patients with HCM and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding at a tertiary referral HCM clinic from 2000-2013. Patients were selected from a HCM database and cross referenced with medical record searches for GI bleed and vWF. All patients had echocardiographic evidence of HCM and measurement of hemoglobin. AvWS was based on measurements of vWF multimer analysis. Results: Of the eight patients who met criteria with HCM and GI bleed or anemia, four underwent assessment for AvWS prior to intervention (Table 1). Mean age at ...
Embryo Adoption: An Opportunity for Life

Yet civilization is no closer to utopia than it was 50 years ago. Instead, we debate a whole host of new ethical dilemmas. Several debates focus on the creation, storage and eventual destiny of millions of human embryos. Hundreds of thousands of lives wait in frozen limbo for parents, politicians, theologians, and scientists to decide whether they live or die. Embryo adoption provides a chance at life. Unfortunately, several ethical obstacles delay acceptance of this option. This paper attempts to address these obstacles and provide justification for embryo adoption. To better understand the ethical issues, I review the history of the embryo dilemma and consider the opposing views on embryo adoption.
Drying gels. VI. Viscoelastic plate

Abstract The model of drying presented in earlier parts of this series is reviewed. In those papers, the gel network was assumed to be either purely elastic or purely viscous. The latter solution seems most appropriate for alkoxide-derived gels, which exhibit considerable irreversible shrinkage during drying, but it does not describe the rise in stress as evaporation begins. In this paper, an analysis is presented of the stresses and strains that develop during drying of a plate of gel in which the solid phase is viscoelastic. Initially the pressure in the liquid phase rises as predicted by the elastic analysis (Part V of this series), then evolves into the distribution predicted by the viscous analysis (Parts I and II of this series). The viscous solution is shown to apply at times greater than the viscoelastic relaxation time, which is small compared to the drying time of alkoxide-derived gels. Therefore, the simple equations provided by the viscous solution are suitable for prediction of the stress development and shrinkage during drying of gels.
Luteoma of pregnancy

Abstract 1. The luteoma of pregnancy is a benign tumor of lutein-like cells occurring most often in patients of high parity and usually discovered at laparotomy at or near term. 2. Twelve examples of this lesion are presented of which 6 were multinodular and 4 of these were bilateral. 3. The pregnancy luteoma has characteristic microscopic features including acidophilic granular cytoplasm with sparse lipid, and a distinctive pattern of reticulum fibers. 4. The tumors most likely are derived from theca-lutein cells of atretic follicles stimulated by chorionic gonadotropin, although some may be derived from stroma-lutein cells. In one instance, the pregnancy luteoma originated in the theca interna of a corpus luteum of pregnancy. 5. There is evidence that the lesion spontaneously regresses following the drop in chorionic gonadotropin after delivery.
Hyponatremia of cirrhosis: role of vasopressin and decreased 'effective' plasma volume.

Background: The mechanism(s) of hyponatremia of cirrhosis is not completely clarified. Although increased vasopressin activity has been proposed in some studies, there have been reports disputing its role in the pathogenesis of profound hyponatremia in patients with decompensated liver disease. Methodologic flaws and lack of correlation with indices of circulatory dysfunction may have contributed to these discrepancies. The aims of the present study were to measure levels of vasopressin both in plasma and in urine and to correlate them with the volume-dependent hormonal systems of plasma renin activity (PRA) and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). Methods: Plasma vasopressin, ANF, and PRA were measured by radioimmunoassay in 19 patients with cirrhosis, ascites, and severe hyponatremia (mean serum sodium, 121.8 mmol/1) and 11 patients with cirrhosis and normal serum sodium (mean, 137.6 mmol/1). Vasopressin levels were also assessed by radioimmunoassay in urine. Results: Patients with hyponatremia had higher p...
Thermal plasma deposition of nanophase hard coatings

Thermal plasmas offer several specific advantages for the generation of hard coatings. In particular, the high energy density of the thermal plasma allows higher precursor flow rates and a wider choice of precursors. Expansion of the plasma into a low pressure chamber offers the additional advantages that improved control over the chemistry can be achieved or that nanosize particles can be generated. In this contribution, two experiments are described and the results reviewed in which supersonic plasma jets have been used to deposit nanophase hard coatings. In one of them, hard boron carbide coatings have been deposited using a supersonic plasma jet and a secondary discharge between the nozzle and the substrate. Spectroscopic analysis has been used to determine the reaction processes responsible for the deposition. In the other experiment, a plasma-containing silicon or titanium and carbon vapor has been expanded through a supersonic nozzle to form nanosize silicon or titanium carbide particles which are subsequently deposited on a substrate. Addition of a system of aerodynamic lenses allows the formation of a beam of nanosized particles which are deposited with high spatial definition. Narrow lines of a hard coating can thus be produced. In both processes, the deposition occurs rapidly, a fact which makes the processes attractive for a variety of potential applications.
Peer relational victimization and somatic complaints during adolescence.

Purpose: To develop effective prevention and intervention efforts that optimize adolescent health, factors must be identified that affect health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between somatic symptomatology and experiences with relational victimization (RV). Methods: We prospectively tested the unique role of relational peer victimization in predicting adolescents’ somatic complaints (SC), while accounting for their previous physical symptoms and peer victimization experiences (i.e., relational and physical victimization), as well as concurrent experiences with physical victimization (PV). Questionnaires were administered to 1,595 students (52% females) from eight schools in one school district (grades, 5– 8) in the Midwestern part of the United States during the fall and spring sessions of the academic school year. Self-reported measures included demographic characteristics, victimization experiences, and assessment of SC. Results: RV was a unique predictor of increased somatic symptoms, even after controlling for adolescents’ sex, grade level, initial SC, previous victimization experiences, and concurrent experiences with PV. Notably, RV was a stronger predictor of somatic symptoms than was PV. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the need for a comprehensive approach when addressing adolescents’ physical health symptoms. Adolescents may benefit from clinicians looking beyond the obvious and using gentle probing to uncover how unique experiences with RV may be associated with overall health. 2011 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.
Reversible chemical phase separation in on-state of art ReWritable (RW) Ge2Sb2Te5 optical phase change memories

Abstract Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 is one of the chalcogenide alloy materials of choice for ReWritable (RW) optical discs that are currently in manufacturing; however, there are many issues relating to the physics and chemistry underpinning the switching mechanism that have as yet to be resolved. This is paper identifies important relationships between the chemical bonding in the non-crystalline phase of Ge 2 Sb 2 Te 5 , and in the face-centered-cubic (FCC) nano-crystalline alloy phase that account for the markedly different optical and electrical properties that are enabling for memory applications. The non-crystalline material is characterized as an intermediate phase (IP) with minimal (i) bond-strain and (ii) extended macroscopic-strain, and includes a precursor bonding arrangement crucial to optical and electronic RW memories. The FCC phase has nano-crystallites trapped in a metastable diphasic composite that is stabilized by the inclusion of non-crystalline GeTe x ( x ∼ 5) nano-clusters pinned at grain boundaries.
Should stress management be incorporated into cardiac rehabilitation

The American Heart Association has identified a number of ‘risk factors’ for patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity and cigar...
Foundation for a General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency

This paper presents a general strain theory of crime and delinquency that is capable of overcoming the criticisms of previous strain theories. In the first section, strain theory is distinguished from social control and differential association/social learning theory. In the second section, the three major types of strain are described: (1) strain as the actual or anticipated failure to achieve positively valued goals, (2) strain as the actual or anticipated removal of positively valued stimuli, and (3) strain as the actual or anticipated presentation of negatively valued stimuli. In the third section, guidelines for the measurement of strain are presented. And in the fourth section, the major adaptations to strain are described, and thcwe factors influencing the choice of delinquent versus nondelinquent adaptations are discussed. After dominating deviance research in the 196Os, strain theory came under heavy attack in the 1970s (Bernard, 1984; Cole, 1975), with several prominent researchers suggesting that the theory be abandoned (Hirschi, 1969; Kornhauser, 1978). Strain theory has survived those attacks, but its influence is much diminished (see Agnew, 1985a; Bernard, 1984; Farnworth and Leiber, 1989). In particular, variables derived from strain theory now play a very limited role in explanations of crime/delinquency. Several recent causal models of delinquency, in fact, either entirely exchde strain variables or assign them a small role (e.g., Elliott et al., 1985; Johnson, 1979; Massey and Krohn, 1986; Thornberry, 1987; Tonry et al., 1991). Causal models of crime/delinquency are dominated, instead, by variables derived from differential association/social learning theory and social control theory. This paper argues that strain theory has a central role to play in explanations of crime/delinquency, but that the theory has to be substantially revised to play this role. Most empirical studies of strain theory continue to rely on the strain models developed by Merton (1938), A. Cohen (1955), and Cloward and Ohlin (1960). In recent years, however, a wealth of research in several fields has questioned certain of the assumptions underlying those theories and pointed to new directions for the development of strain theory. Most notable in this area is the research on stress in medical sociology and psychology, on equity/justice in social psychology, and on aggression in psychology-particularly recent versions of frustration-aggression and social
CYTOKINESIS AND PLASMODESMATA IN ULOTHRIX1

SUMMARY Cytokinesis essentially similar to that of vascular plants occurs in Ulothrix, an unbranched filamentous green alga. Plasmodesmata, similar to those of vascular plants, but different from those of many other algae, are also present. Cell plate formation and plasmodesmata also occur in Stigeoclonium, a branched green alga.
Women's roles in serious offenses: A study of adult felons

To determine the extent to which women play either dominant leadership roles or secondary follower roles during criminal events, we interviewed 104 adult female felons regarding their roles during their most recent criminal offense. Using open-ended questions, we examined women offenders' perceptions of their involvement with accomplices and the degree to which men influenced their general involvement in criminal behavior. We found that a larger proportion of African-American women played primary and equal crime roles than did Anglo and Hispanic women. However, crimes such as robbery, burglary, and drug dealing were more likely to be committed with male accomplices, who provided women an opening into deviant networks.
Japan's approach to economic cooperation in Northeast Asia: The role of subnational authorities

In contrast to the state to state level of relations, economic cooperation and regionalism is showing marked progress below the central government level in Northeast Asia. Subnational authorities are linking up to form networks of bilateral and multilateral relationship of increasing scope and density in a broad range of activities, especially in the areas of trade and investment. The subnational authorities most active in promoting regional cooperation tend to be those in the NET (natural economic territories) around the rim of Japan Sea. The motivating factors behind the Japanese subnational actors participating in the Japan Sea process are the desire to escape economic backwardness and lack of faith in solutions coming from the central government. The strategic objectives of these authorities is to strengthen its export orientations, developing production and services targeting overseas markets. Becoming an intermediary for expanded trade between the developed Pacific side of Japan and the Northeast As...
Part I: Development and Eighteen Months' Statistics

The birthing room concept (BRC) at Phoenix Memorial includes personal involvement in birth plans; labor and delivery in the same bed; no separation of infant and family; discharge within 12 to 24 hours after the birth; unlimited sibling, family, and friend visitation; and the option of having family, friends, and children, in addition to the coach, attend the birth. In Part I, BRC development via medical and nursing channels, the physical remodeling, descriptive data on consumers, and morbidity and transfer statistics are detailed. In Part II, results of a consumer questionnaire are presented: why consumers chose the birthing room, overall consumer satisfaction, home births averted, impact of children's presence at birth, value of the Visiting Nurse Service, and changes consumers would make to enhance future births. Data for the two papers were collected during separate but overlapping time periods. No correlations were made as the data were initially collected for separate purposes. (See, also, separate abstract for each article.) Development of a birthing room concept and its implementation at Phoenix Memorial Hospital is described, and one-and-a-half years of birthing room experience is presented through a review of birthing room records. Descriptive data on 196 mothers and infants are summarized. A 21% maternal problem rate is reported, along with a 17% infant problem rate. Intrapartum in-hospital transfers out of the birthing room program occurred in 5% of the total birthing room families. The problems encountered and the reasons for the transfers are explorach.
Experiments on the transition of homogeneous turbulence to internal waves in a stratified fluid

The evolution of unsheared grid-generated turbulence in a stably stratified fluid was investigated in a closed-loop salt-stratified water channel. Simultaneous single-point measurements of the horizontal and vertical velocity and density fluctuations were obtained, including turbulent mass fluxes central in understanding the energetics of the fluctuating motion. When the buoyancy lengthscale was initially substantially larger than the largest turbulent scales, the initial behaviour of the velocity and density fields was similar to that in the non-stratified case. With further downstream development, the buoyancy lengthscale decreased while the turbulence scale grew. Deviations from neutral behaviour occurred when these two lengthscales became of the same order, after the initially larger inertial forces associated with the initial kinetic energy had become weaker and buoyancy forces became important.Buoyancy forces produced anisotropy in the largest scales first, preventing them from overturning, while smaller-scale isotropic turbulent motions remained embedded within the larger-scale wave motions. These small-scale motions exhibited classical turbulent behaviour and scaled universally with Kolmogorov length and velocity scales. Eventually even the smallest scales of the decaying turbulence were affected by buoyancy, all isotropic motions disappeared, and Kolmogorov scaling failed. The turbulent vertical mass flux decreased to zero for this condition, indicating that the original turbulent field had been completely converted to random internal wave motions.The transition from a fully turbulent state to one of internal waves occurred rapidly in a time less than the characteristic time of the turbulence based on the largest-scale eddies found in the flow at transition. The dissipation rate for complete transition to a wave field was found to be of the order of et = 24.5νN2, where ν is the kinematic viscosity and N the Brunt-Vaisala frequency. This is in fairly good agreement with the value 30νN2 predicted by Gibson (1980, 1981).The present experiments have determined quantitative limits on the range of active turbulent scales in homogeneous stratified turbulence, in terms of an upper limit near the buoyancy lengthscale and a lower limit determined by viscosity in the usual way. This description has been used here to help explain and assimilate the results from the earlier stratified grid-turbulence experiments of Lin & Veenhuizen (1975) and Dickey & Mellor (1980). While some of the features of the present observations may be qualitatively seen in the numerical simulations of the problem of Riley, Metcalfe & Weissman (1981), there are fundamental differences, probably due in part to large differences in initial lengthscale ratios and in the limited range of scales attainable in numerical simulations. The present experiments may serve as a useful test case for future modelling and interpretation of the behaviour of turbulence in stratified flows observed in the oceans and atmosphere.
Highly parallel architecture for optical disk database correlation with compensation for database errors

Architectural prototypes and algorithms for performing many simultaneous complex correlations between external data and data stored on optical disks are presented. External data are modulated onto an addressing light beam acoustooptically. Analog correlation outputs are obtained at low bandwidth. Data may be encoded on the disk either digitally, and correlated by using a digital multiplication by analog convolution scheme, or by analog area modulation. Bipolar correlations are shown possible without data biasing when two auxilliary diode lasers are used in a sign determination scheme. Error issues include variations in reflectances of encoded bits and raw disk errors.
Analytical investigation of aerodynamic characteristics of highly swept wings with separated flow

Many modern aircraft designed for supersonic speeds employ highly swept-back and low-aspect-ratio wings with sharp or thin edges. Flow separation occurs near the leading and tip edges of such wings at moderate to high angles of attack. Attempts have been made over the years to develop analytical methods for predicting the aerodynamic characteristics of such aircraft. Before any method can really be useful, it must be tested against a standard set of data to determine its capabilities and limitations. The present work undertakes such an investigation. Three methods are considered: the free-vortex-sheet method (Weber et al., 1975), the vortex-lattice method with suction analogy (Lamar and Gloss, 1975), and the quasi-vortex lattice method of Mehrotra (1977). Both flat and cambered wings of different configurations, for which experimental data are available, are studied and comparisons made.
An Insect Juvenile Hormone-Specific Epoxide Hydrolase Is Related to Vertebrate Microsomal Epoxide Hydrolases

Abstract We describe the first cDNA sequence encoding a juvenile hormone-specific epoxide hydrolase from an insect. A full-length cDNA clone revealed a 462-amino-acid open reading frame encoding an amino acid sequence with 44% identity and 64% similarity to human microsomal epoxide hydrolase. All residues in the catalytic triad (residues Asp 227 -His 428 -Asp 350 in the M. sexta protein) were present, as was the conserved Trp 154 corresponding to the oxyanion hole. The surprising similarity of insect juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase to vertebrate microsomal epoxide hydrolases, coupled with the ancient lineage of the epoxide hydrolases and haloalkane dehalogenases, suggests that this catabolic enzyme evolved from an original ubiquitous detoxication function to a more recent role in hormonal regulation.
Simulated and Measured MHD Generator Performance

The MHD generator performance of the high-performance demonstration experiment has been analyzed, using a quasithree-dimensional computer model. Computations performed for the operating conditions of tests 10 and 14 indicate that for both tests the trends and magnitudes of the experimental data for various electrical and gasdynamic variables are in good agreement with the analytical predictions. The variation of the channel performance as a function of the channel wall temperature, surface roughness, load factor, and magnetic field strength is examined, and numerical examples are given. Performance maps showing channel enthalpy extraction vs isentropic efficiency are generated for a range of magnetic field strengths, loading parameters, and electrode surface temperatures. A "diagnostic data analysis" (DBA) procedure has been developed for further verification of the accuracy of the predictions of the quasithree-dimensional model. In this procedure, the experimental data are used to compute the gasdynamic flow parameters and the boundary-layer voltage drop characteristics in terms of and . The results of this DBA procedure and those of the quasithreedimensional model are in good agreement.
On predicting the performance characteristics of the ns-3 distributed simulator for scale-free internet models

An inquiry is made into whether or not it is possible to learn a performance characterization which can predict the best way to configure the simulator executive when performing a simulation using the ns-3 network simulator distributed across many CPUs. In testing this inquiry, experiments are run in ns-3 using network topologies generated using BRITE and the total wallclock runtime of the simulation is measured. For each experiment, a set of features is formed which is composed of measurements made prior to the running of the simulation. For each experiment, a binary label is created indicating which simulator executive configuration produced better performance. A linear classifier is then designed which nearly separates the set of experiments by label, indicating that such a performance characterization may exist.
Alcohol, tobacco and obesity are synergistic risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/Aims Alcohol has been shown to be an important risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The role of tobacco as a risk factor for HCC is controversial. Recently, obesity has been reported to be a risk factor for HCC. We investigated whether these factors increase the risk of HCC in American patients. Methods Consecutive patients with HCC, cirrhosis without HCC and, control patients without liver disease were enrolled and exposure to risk factors was assessed. Results When HCC cases were compared to cirrhotic controls, the risk of HCC increased 6-fold for alcohol (OR 5.7; 95% CI: 2.4–13.7), 5-fold for tobacco (OR 4.9; 95% CI: 2.2–10.6), and 4-fold with obesity (OR 4.3; 95% CI: 2.1–8.4). Using spline regression, a dose-dependent relationship between alcohol and tobacco exposure with risk of HCC was noted. There was significant interaction between alcohol, tobacco and obesity, with synergistic indices greater than 1. Conclusions Alcohol, tobacco and obesity are independent risk factors for HCC in our patient population, and they interact synergistically to increase the risk of HCC. Data from this study may allow us to stratify cirrhotics into low- and high-risk groups for the development of HCC surveillance strategies.
Flavonoid composition over fruit development and maturation in American cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait.

Abstract Proanthocyanidins, flavonols and anthocyanins were quantified in fruit during fruit growth and ripening in the cranberry varieties ‘Ben Lear’ and ‘Stevens’. Concentrations of proanthocyanidins and total flavonols were highest in flower ovaries and earliest fruit development stages. Proanthocyanidins declined rapidly during ovary development and growth and then increased slightly during fruit ripening. Flavonols exhibited a less pronounced decline from levels in flowers and early fruit set stages, and also increased slightly during fruit ripening. Anthocyanin synthesis was initiated after fruit growth ceased and was greatest during fruit ripening. The flavonoid biosynthetic pathway channeled resources largely towards anthocyanins in ‘Ben Lear’ and towards both anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in ‘Stevens’ during fruit ripening. Patterns of change over the fruit development period for levels of the major flavonol glycosides, quercetin-3-galactoside and quercetin-3-arabinofuranoside, were similar for the two varieties. The varieties exhibited differential rates of accumulation of quercetin-3-arabinopyranoside, quercetin-3-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-(6″-benzoyl)-β-galactoside, methoxyquercetin pentoside, and quercetin-3-(6″-coumaroyl)-β-galactoside. Both variety and phenological stage influence the partitioning of the precursor pool in the biosynthetic pathway of flavonoids in cranberry fruit.
Vortex-Front Propagation in Rotating Couette-Taylor Flow

This Letter reports experimental measurements of the velocity $v$ of a Taylor vortex front propagating into an unstable Couette state in rotating Couette-Taylor flow and of the wavelength selected by this dynamical process. The data are consistent with a constant velocity $v\ensuremath{\propto}{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}^{\frac{1}{2}}$, as predicted from an amplitude equation, but are nearly a factor of 2 smaller than that prediction. Recent dynamic experiments on the onset of Taylor vortex flow by Park, Crawford, and Donnelly are explained in terms of vortex-front propagation.
Red blood cells: reservoirs of cis- and trans-epoxyeicosatrienoic acids.

Abstract Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) are candidate endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors that demonstrate a wide range of biological effects. The presence of both cis - and trans -EETs in rat plasma was identified with HPLC-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry in this study. The total EETs in plasma are 38.2 ng/ml with cis -EETs representing 21.4 ± 0.4 ng/ml and trans -EETs 16.8 ± 0.4 ng/ml. EETs in RBCs were estimated to be 20.2 ng/10 9 RBCs, which corresponds to 200 ng in RBCs contained in 1 ml blood. RBC incubation with 10 mM tert -butyl hydroperoxide resulted in 4.4-fold increase of total cis -EETs (from 9.2 to 40.2 ng/10 9 RBCs) and 5.5-fold increase of total trans -EETs (from 11.0 to 60.8 ng/10 9 RBCs). EETs were released (2 ng/ml) from RBCs after incubation at 37 °C for 10 min even after being washed 3 times, indicating that RBCs are reservoirs of plasma EETs. The identification of cis - and trans -EETs in RBCs and in plasma as well as their release from RBCs suggest a vasoregulatory role of RBCs in view of their potent vasoactivity.
Estimating the Functional Capabilities of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum in Cardiac Muscle

A method was developed to estimate the amount of calcium which can be bound to the sarcoplasmic reticulum of the dog heart. Incubation conditions that permitted calcium oxalate uptake (steady-state filling or uptake rate) to be used as a marker for sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles in homogenates and microsomal fractions were developed. By dividing the values for peak steady-state filling of a cardiac homogenate by those for peak steady-state filling of a sarcotubular-enriched fraction, we obtained a sarcoplasmic reticulum-homogenate ratio with units of mg sarcoplasmic reticulum x P/g wet heart, where P is the unknown fractional purity of the microsomal fraction. The mean value for the sarcoplasmic reticulum-homogenate ratio obtained from the steady-state filling studies was 6.9 mg sarcoplasmic reticulum x P/g wet heart. Similar values, 6.5 and 7.1 mg sarcoplasmic reticulum x P/g wet heart, were obtained when the rate of calcium oxalate uptake was used as the functional parameter for calculation of the sarc...
Nucleotide sequences at the cleavage sites of two restriction endonucleases from Hemophilus parainfluenzae.

Summary The nucleotide sequences at the cleavage sites of two restriction endonucleases from Hemophilus parainfluenzae , Hpa I and Hpa II, have been determined. Terminal labeling at both the 3′- and 5′- termini was used to show that the Hpa I enzyme cleaves the sequence and the sequence cleaved by the Hpa II enzyme is where the arrows indicate the points of strand scission.
Structural and redox properties of mitochondrial cytochrome c co-sorbed with phosphate on hematite (α-Fe2O3) surfaces

The interaction of metalloproteins with oxides has implications not only for bioanalytical systems and biosensors but also in the areas of biomimetic photovoltaic devices, bioremediation, and bacterial metal reduction. Here, we investigate mitochondrial ferricytochrome c (Cyt c) co-sorption with 0.01 and 0.1 M phosphate on hematite (α-Fe2O3) surfaces as a function of pH (2–11). Although Cyt c sorption to hematite in the presence of phosphate is consistent with electrostatic attraction, other forces act upon Cyt c as well. The occurrence of multilayer adsorption, and our AFM observations, suggest that Cyt c aggregates as the pH approaches the Cyt c isoelectric point. In solution, methionine coordination of heme Fe occurs only between pH 3 and 7, but in the presence of phosphate this coordination is retained up to pH 10. Electrochemical evidence for the presence of native Cyt c occurs down to pH 3 and up to pH 10 in the absence of phosphate, and this range is extended to pH 2 and 11 in the presence of phosphate. Cyt c that initially adsorbs to a hematite surface may undergo conformation change and coat the surface with unfolded protein such that subsequently adsorbing protein is more likely to retain the native conformational state. AFM provides evidence for rapid sorption kinetics for Cyt c co-sorbed with 0.01 or 0.1 M phosphate. Cyt c co-sorbed with 0.01 M phosphate appears to unfold on the surface of hematite while Cyt c co-sorbed with 0.1 M phosphate possibly retains native conformation due to aggregation.
Multivariate statistical analysis of X-ray data from cellulose: A new method to determine degree of crystallinity and predict hydrolysis rates

The enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose by cellulases is one of the major steps in the production of ethanol from lignocellulosics. However, cellulosic biomass is not particularly susceptible to enzymatic attack and crystallinity of the substrates is one of the key properties that determine the hydrolysis rates. In this work, by quantifying the respective contributions of amorphous and crystalline cellulose to the X-ray diffraction spectra of cellulose with intermediate degrees of crystallinity, a new method to obtain consistent crystallinity index values was developed. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to spectra obtained from phosphoric acid pretreated cellulose samples of various intermediate (but undetermined) crystallinity indices to reduce their dimensionality. The crystallinity indices obtained were found to be linearly related to the enzymatic hydrolysis rates. The method was validated by predicting the degree of crystallinity of samples containing various ratios of microcrystalline cellulose and amorphous cellulose, both of known crystallinity indices. Dimensionality reduction of the spectra was also used to predict the enzymatic hydrolysis rates of various cellulose samples from X-ray data. The method developed in this work could be generalized to accurately assess the degree of crystallinity for a wide range of varieties of cellulose.
Techniques for coupling mass spectrometry to thermogravimetry

Abstract Techniques combining thermogravimetry (TG) and mass spectrometry (MS) are described whereby TG provides precise heating conditions and weight loss information and MS identifies volatiles evolved during the weight losss process. In the present work the DuPont 990 thermal analysis system, a DuPont 21-104 mass spectrometer, and a Hewlett-Packard 21-MX/Digital Equipment PDP-10 computer system are combined through simple, unique interfaces. The instrumentation features flexibility in thermal treatment of the sample and good atmospheric control. Tests with model substances and practical industrial problems have shown good enrichment and recovery of eluted components and no significant delay in TG operations.
Medio-lateral motion of the center of mass during obstacle crossing distinguishes elderly individuals with imbalance.

Abstract This study was performed to investigate whether elderly patients with imbalance can be distinguished from healthy elderly subjects by comparing their whole body center of mass (COM) motion in the medio-lateral (M-L) direction during obstacle crossing. Nine healthy elderly adults and six elderly patients having complaints of ‘dizziness’ or ‘unsteadiness’ during walking (three with bilateral/unilateral vestibular weakness and three with unclear diagnosis) were recruited to perform unobstructed level walking and crossing of obstacles set to 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% of each subject's height. Kinematics of the COM was calculated using a weighted sum average of a 13-segment biomechanical model. There were no significant group differences for the temporal-distance gait parameters during all testing conditions. However, elderly patients with balance disorders demonstrated significantly greater and faster lateral motion of the COM when crossing over obstacles. These measurements distinguish elderly patients with imbalance from healthy elderly subjects. Furthermore, the increased M-L motion of the COM during obstacle crossing showed a positive correlation with an increased M-L range of motion of the swing foot trajectory. This increase in M-L motion indicates a compensatory adjustment in the swing foot trajectory to land the swing foot at an appropriate location that would establish a new base of support to counter the balance disturbance in the frontal plane.
Prophylactic colectomy or surveillance for chronic ulcerative colitis? A decision analysis

Abstract Background & Aims: The treatment of patients with long-standing ulcerative colitis involving the entire colon is controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of surveillance colonoscopy or prophylactic colectomy on colon cancer mortality in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. Methods: Using decision analysis, computer cohort simulation of patients with ulcerative colitis was performed to evaluate 17 strategies including no colonoscopic surveillance, surveillance at varying intervals, and prophylactic proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. The model examined which biopsy results (low-grade dysplasia, high-grade dysplasia, or cancer) should lead to proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Published data on the incidence of cancer with ulcerative colitis, the sensitivity and specificity of colonoscopy with biopsy, the risks of colonoscopy and surgery, and the prognosis with colon cancer were used. Results: For a 30-year-old patient with pancolitis for 10 years, the model suggests that prophylactic colectomy would increase life expectancy by 2–10 months compared with surveillance and by 1.1−1.4 years compared with no surveillance. Surveillance would improve life expectancy by 7 months to 1.2 years compared with no surveillance. In sensitivity analysis, results were most affected by the cumulative incidence of cancer in patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. Conclusions: Either surveillance or prophylactic colectomy should increase life expectancy in patients with ulcerative colitis.
Ultrathin harmonic generators

The author analyzes harmonic generation in ultrathin media to evaluate their materials requirements. It is shown that in such devices the conversion efficiency to the second harmonic is necessarily limited to about 25%, because higher harmonics are also necessarily generated with significant efficiencies. Ultrathin devices are therefore subject to large thermal loads, and perhaps optical damage arising from the generation of strong ultraviolet or soft X-ray harmonics. Whereas ultrathin media are not as efficient as conventional phase-matched crystals for second-harmonic generation, they do generate phase-coherent, multiple higher harmonics. As a consequence, they can generate optical square waves and electromagnetic shock waves, and may find application as coherent soft X-ray generators. >
Results of treatment of patients with superficial facial rhabdomyosarcomas on protocols of the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group (IRSG), 1984-1997.

Purpose We analyzed the outcome of 47 patients with superficial facial rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) treated on Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study Group (IRSG) Protocols-III, -IV-Pilot, and -IV.
Rigidity versus amphiphilicity in transmembrane nanopore formation by cholate-based macrocycles

Amphiphilic macrocycles consisting of cholates and l-tryptophan were prepared by the copper-catalysed alkyne–azide cycloaddition. The macrocycles helped glucose permeate lipid bilayer membranes. The macrocycle with two cholates was significantly more active in the glucose transport than the one with three cholates. Inclusion of 30–50% cholesterol in the bilayer accelerated the glucose transport monotonously. The unusual cholesterol effect was explained by the hydrophobically driven pore formation, in which the associative interactions of the water molecules inside the macrocycles prompted the macrocycles to stack over one another to avoid unfavourable water–lipid hydrocarbon contact. Fluorescence quenching by water- and oil-soluble quenchers provided additional evidence for the better penetration of the dicholate macrocycle into the bilayers, consistent with the stacking model. Rigidity in the macrocycle structure was hypothesised to be the main reason for the higher transport activity and deeper membrane...
Stereospecific Ziegler−Natta Model Catalysts Produced by Electron Beam-Induced Deposition of TiCl4: Deposition Kinetics, Film Structure, and Surface Structure

A multilayer film of TiClx, model Ziegler−Natta catalyst for stereospecific polymerization, was produced by electron beam-induced deposition of TiCl4 on an Au substrate at 100 K. The deposition of solid-phase TiClx took place by dissociation of TiCl4 adsorbed at the substrate surface by electronsboth primary and secondary. The deposition kinetics, surface composition, and structure were studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption. Its polymerization stereochemistry was studied by analyzing the polypropylene products with infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The deposited film was stable at temperatures lower than 450 K and had a high concentration of chemisorbed TiCl4 species. The film surface was composed of mostly a nonbasal plane (defective) structure. When activated by reactions with Al(C2H5)3, the TiClx film selectively produced isotactic polypropylene. The absence of atactic polypropylene was due to the lack of TiClx sites with the basal plane st...
Physical Properties of Extruded Products as Affected by Cheese Whey

Corn, rice and potato flour were extruded with sweet whey solids (SWS) or whey protein concentrate (WPC) using low and high shear extrusion processing conditions. WPC added at product content of 25% had minimal effect on the texture of extruded products. Expansion and breaking strength were improved in some processes through changes in extrusion shear and moisture. Whey product incorporation resulted in reduced specific mechanical energy input to the process. Increasing whey product concentration beyond 25% reduced expansion and water absorption indices significantly, affecting textural hardness. Product quality characteristics were directly related to the whey product content.
Midgap Defects in a-SiGe:H Devices from Capacitance Measurements

We have measured the capacitance of a-SiGe:H p-i-n solar cells as functions of temperature, frequency and bias. The density of states at the Fermi level g(EF) has been determined from two methods. We find that g(EF) increases from 1–2×1016 to 5–10×1017/(cm3eV) as the Ge content increases from 0 to 63%.