cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Draft of an Information Systems Security and Control Course

Proficiency with information systems (IS) and their supporting information technologies has become a core competency for accounting professionals; and because of its close relationship to internal control, IS security has evolved into a critical aspect of that competency. Unfortunately, IS security is not widely included within the core body of knowledge typically offered by business curriculums. This essay is intended first, to make a case for the importance of explicitly addressing IS security as part of an accounting curriculum and second, to provide some practical guidance to accounting information systems (AIS) educators who would like to develop and offer an IS security and control course (or otherwise incorporate more comprehensive coverage of information security topics into an already existing systems course). The course draft presented here is based on the author's experiences in designing, developing, and teaching an IS security course as a core course within an AIS curriculum.
Capping and ultrastructural localization of sperm surface isoantigens during spermatogenesis

Abstract Isoantisera from female rabbits injected with rabbit whole semen have been used to study the appearance of cell surface isoantigens during spermatogenesis. Using isoantiserum IgG and adjuvant control IgG the presence of surface isoantigens on separated pachytene spermatocyte populations and populations of cells at more advanced stages of differentiation was confirmed with fluorescein-labeled goat IgG anti-rabbit IgG. The label was uniformly dispersed over the cell surface on cells labeled at 4°C but occurred in caps on cells warmed to 37°C indicating isoantigen mobility within the plane of the membrane. Residual bodies and mature spermatozoa did not show cap formation. Spermatogonia, Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells were not labeled. These observations were confirmed at the ultrastructural level with peroxidase-conjugated goat IgG anti-rabbit IgG. The percentage of the cell surface labeled was determined on cells at specific stages of spermatogenesis by stereological analysis. No significant surface labeling was observed on spermatogonia, Leydig cells, or Sertoli cells. The percentage of label bound to the surface of spermatogenic cells increased from approximately 4% in the pachytene spermatocytes to greater than 96% in the most mature testicular spermatids.
Robotic surgical and anesthesia communication tool

An original tool to promote intraoperative communication and patient safety for robot assit procedures.
Separation of low molecular weight RNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Abstract The effect of electrophoresis conditions on the separation of low molecular weight RNAs has been studied. Electrophoresis at pH 5.8 or pH 8.3, presence or absence of 7 m urea, and heating all influence the relative migration of specific Escherichia coli tRNAs. Combinations of these electrophoresis conditions were used to find an improved 2-dimensional polyacrylamide gel system for separating low molecular weight RNAs. A first dimension, 16% gel with 7 m urea at pH 8.3 followed by an identical second dimension gel without urea gave the greatest separation of E. coli and rat liver cytoplasmic tRNAs. The rat liver tRNA was separated into approximately 45 spots. Eukaryotic tRNAs gave more complex patterns than E. coli tRNAs both in this new 2-dimensional system and in the previously reported system, which used a pH 5.8 gel in the first dimension gel and a pH 8.3 gel in the second dimension. The separation of tRNAs by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis probably depends on conformational differeces and changes in the ionization of some bases. The use of this and other 2-dimensional gel systems for specific purposes is also discussed.
Assessment Accommodations on Tests of Academic Achievement for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: A Qualitative Meta-Analysis of the Research Literature.

The authors conducted a qualitative meta-analysis of the research on assessment accommodations for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. There were 16 identified studies that analyzed the impact of factors related to student performance on academic assessments across different educational settings, content areas, and types of assessment accommodations. The meta-analysis found that the results of analyses of group effects of accommodated versus unaccommodated test formats are often not significant, test-level factors exist that can affect how students perceive the assessments, and differences exist in how test items function across different conditions. Student-level factors, including educational context and academic proficiency, influence accommodations' role in assessment processes. The results of this analysis highlight the complexity of and intersections between student-level factors, test-level factors, and larger policy contexts. Findings are discussed within the context of larger changes in academic assessment, including computer-based administration and high-stakes testing.
Decoupling Policy from Routing with Software Defined Interdomain Management: Interdomain Routing for SDN-Based Networks

In this paper, we review why BGP is a poor candidate to facilitate the next generation of Software Defined Networks (SDN) and propose the Interdomain Management Layer (IML) architecture, a framework for facilitating interdomain resource sharing between these networks. IML uses a concept we call horizontal slicing, that allows SDN networks to become autonomous peers with other ASes, while maintaining centralized, operator-facing policy control and end-to- end flow control across interdomain boundaries.
Sensitivity variation in two-center holographic recording

An experimental study of variation of sensitivity with recording and sensitizing intensities in two-center recording is presented. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions. It is shown experimentally, for what is to our knowledge the first time, that the sensitivity is a function of the ratio of recording to sensitizing intensities and not the absolute intensities. Also, the ratio of recording to sensitizing intensities should be small to obtain high sensitivity values. We also report the highest sensitivity (S=0.15?cm?J) that has been achieved to date for a LiNbO3:Fe:Mn crystal.
The coelomic envelope to vitelline envelope conversion in eggs of Xenopus laevis

An amphibian egg recovered from the body cavity is enclosed by a coelomic egg envelope. Upon transport down the oviduct, the envelope is converted to the vitelline envelope. The coelomic and vitelline envelopes are distinct in terms of sperm penetrability, ultrastructural morphology, and radioiodination profiles. In this study, the macromolecular compositions of these two envelopes were determined. Isolated envelopes were compared by one- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, peptide mapping, and radiolabeling. A protein with a molecular weight of 57,000 (57K) was present in the vitelline envelope but was absent in the coelomic envelope. A glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 43K in the coelomic envelope was converted to a component with a molecular weight of 41K in the vitelline envelope. The 43K-molecular weight component of the coelomic envelopes could be radioiodinated by lactoperoxidase but no labeling of the 41K-molecular weight component occurred in the vitelline envelope. Peptide mapping using limited proteolysis established that the 43K-molecular weight component of the coelomic envelope was a precursor to the 41K-molecular weight component of the vitelline envelope. These molecular alterations may underlie the ultrastructural and physiological changes occurring in these envelopes.
Using Dynamic Infrared Imaging to Detect Melanoma: Experiments on a Tissue-Mimicking Phantom

In this paper we investigated how the surface temperature distribution reflects the properties of malignant lesions such as the metabolic activity level, the location, and size of lesions, by conducting an extensive experimental study on a skin tissue mimicking phantom developed to validate our numerical model. Experiments were conducted for different dimensions and depths of the thermistor simulating the heat generating lesion. The rate of heat generation was also varied. We found that times immediately after the removal of the cooling stress (up to 2 minutes) are critical for the identification of masses beneath the surface. Additionally, the results indicate that the surface temperature distributions are sensitive to thermistor size. These findings are consistent with the findings of our numerical model.© 2010 ASME
Methylmercuric chloride and serum cholesterol level in the bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of methyl mercuric chloride on the cholesterol level in fish. Extensive damage can be caused in fish as a result of exposure to methyl mercuric chloride. The damages imparted by methyl mercuric chloride to the different organs and tissues in fish are mainly due to the destruction of the cell membrane in the organs and tissues. A previous study by the authors has shown that there is an increase in the serum protein in fish after exposure to mercury for 48 hrs which seems to occur with the release of membrane protein into the serum as the result of its destruction. The study of the effect of this heavy metal on the cholesterol levels might give a better understanding of the mechanism which is responsible for the inverse relationship between the level of protein and the cholesterol in blood serum.
Affective Differences Between Psychopathy Variants and Genders in Adjudicated Youth

The present study used Model-Based Cluster analysis to identify primary and secondary psychopathy variants in a mixed-gender sample of 150 adjudicated adolescents (60 % male; M = 15.2 years old). Distinct primary and secondary psychopathy groups emerged and were entered into a structural equation path model for the purpose of predicting group differences in emotional experiences reported between youth assigned to each variant. Youth characterized by secondary psychopathy reported experiencing significantly more frequent and more intense negative affect than their primary psychopathy counterparts. Frequency and intensity of affect also mediated the association between psychopathy variants and symptoms of depression, in which the secondary psychopathy group endorsed significantly more symptoms of major depression than the primary psychopathy group. Overall, these results suggest that different causal processes and affective experiences may underlie distinct trajectories to primary and secondary psychopathy variants in adjudicated adolescents. As such, youths comprising the secondary subtype of psychopathy may be more aptly considered "callous and emotional," compared with the primary subtype who present as prototypically callous and unemotional.
High-resolution ultraviolet solar observations from sounding rockets and Spacelab

High spatial (∼1″) and temporal (20 s) resolution UV spectroscopy of the Sun has been carried out with a new instrument flown on sounding rockets. These observations reveal a multitude of new highly energetic phenomena in the outer solar atmosphere which may play a decisive role in the mechanical energy balance of the chromosphere, transition zone and corona.
The immunoglobulin E receptor: expression and regulation.

The interaction of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and its receptors is critical for the manifestation of allergic disease. Currently, IgE receptors include the high-affinity FceRI and the lowaffinity FceRII. FceRI is a tetrameric or trimeric complex, and each has distinct expression patterns and unique functional consequences. In general, serum levels of IgE regulate FceRI expression, and novel therapies that lower the concentration of IgE have provided insights into the contribution of this receptor in allergic disease. Newer therapies targeting FceRI-signaling elements and the lowaffinity IgE receptor, FceRII (CD23), are being developed.
Presynaptic inhibition of vascular sympathetic neurotransmission by adenosine.

Abstract Infusion of adenosine (1 mg/kg/min i.v.) to pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs resulted in a decrease in blood pressure and significant attenuation of the femoral vasoconstrictor responses to lumbar sympathetic nerve stimulation. The vasoconstrictor action of exogenous norepinephrine was unaltered during adenosine infusion. The inhibitory action of adenosine on responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation could be antagonized by theophylline (5 mg/kg i.v.), but not by indomethacin (10 mg/kg i.v.). Additional experiments were performed to study the role of this sympathoinhibitory action of adenosine in the vasodilator effect of the compound. Intraarterial administration of adenosine produced dose related femoral vasodilation. Sympathetic denervation of the femoral vascular bed did not alter the vasodilatory action of adenosine. Continous lumbar sympathetic nerve stimulation or intraarterial norepinephrine infusion also did not change the vasodilation produced by adenosine. The vasodilatory action of adenosine was antagonized by theophylline. These results suggest that adenosine causes inhibition of sympathetic neurotransmission to the femoral vasculature via an action on presynaptic purinergic receptors. However, this presynaptic inhibitory action of adenosine is not involved in the femoral vasodilation produced by the compound.
Wide-Angle Imaging Lidar for High-Resolution Near-Ground Aerosol Studies

The development of an imaging lidar system allows high resolution (sub-meter) near-ground atmospheric aerosol measurements and enables aerosol light scattering measurements all the way to the ground without requiring an overlap correction function.
Lens Aberration Correction by Holography

The correction of lens aberrations using a hologram made with a collimated reference is discussed. Two geometries in which the theoretical third-order hologram aberrations may be avoided are demonstrated. The results of experiments which demonstrate the aberration correction using the Ronchi and DeVany tests are presented.
Chemical diffusion of oxygen in dense, textured (Bi,Pb)2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox

Dense polycrystalline (Bi,Pb){sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub y} specimens were fabricated by sinter forging. The specimens exhibited excellent phase purity and strong texture of c-axes, which were preferentially aligned parallel to the forging direction. The chemical diffusion coefficient of oxygen, {tilde D}, measured in pure O{sub 2} could be represented as {tilde D}{sub ab} {approx} 1.78 x 10{sup -3} exp(-0.96 eV/kT), where the subscript ab refers to diffusion within the a-b-plane. The measurements suggested that {tilde D}{sub ab} >> {tilde D}{sub c}, where the subscript c refers to diffusion in the c-direction.
Spatial factors and muscle spindle input influence the generation of neuromuscular responses to stimulation of the human foot

Removal of the mechanical pressure gradient on the soles leads to physiological adaptations that ultimately result in neuromotor degradation during spaceflight. We propose that mechanical stimulation of the soles serves to partially restore the afference associated with bipedal loading and assists in attenuating the negative neuromotor consequences of spaceflight. A dynamic foot stimulus device was used to stimulate the soles in a variety of conditions with different stimulation locations, stimulation patterns and muscle spindle input. Surface electromyography revealed the lateral side of the sole elicited the greatest neuromuscular response in ankle musculature, followed by the medial side, then the heel. These responses were modified by preceding stimulation. Neuromuscular responses were also influenced by the level of muscle spindle input. These results provide important information that can be used to guide the development of a "passive" countermeasure that relies on sole stimulation and can supplement existing exercise protocols during spaceflight.
Transmission of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae during ERCP: time to revisit the current reprocessing guidelines.

The emergence of antimicrobial-resistant organisms continues to be a serious concern both in the United States and globally. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli have been increasingly recognized since the early 1990s. The high mortality associated with CRE infections, combined with the limited therapeutic options, makes this an issue of significant epidemiologic importance. A novel CRE subtype, New Delhi metallo-b-lactamase (NDM-1), producing K pneumoniae, was first described in 2009 in a Swedish patient who had undergone medical care in India where this strain is frequently recovered. NDM-1– producing CRE demonstrate broad antibiotic resistance that is typically susceptible only to tigecycline and colistin. Currently, NDM-1–producing CRE have been isolated and reported in 15 states in the United States. Previous reports describe the transmission of CRE during endoscopy. A systematic review from 2013 identified 6 separate outbreaks of K pneumoniae carbapenemase worldwide. To our knowledge, there are 3 reports of outbreaks of CRE in the United States associated with endoscopy, specifically ERCP. One series that was presented as an abstract described an epidemiological investigation into an observed increased prevalence of CRE in abdominal
A whole-core coarse mesh neutron transport method in 2D cylindrical (R, theta) geometry

Abstract In this paper, the hybrid stochastic deterministic coarse mesh radiation transport method COMET is extended to 2D cylindrical geometry for whole-core neutronics calculations. To facilitate the extension new functions in cylindrical geometry were developed for expanding the incident angular flux on the ( r , Θ ) surfaces. The new COMET method is tested in a set of simplified pebble bed reactor cores in 2D ( r , Θ ) geometry, consisting of an inner reflector, an annular fuel region, a controlled outer reflector. The comparisons indicate that COMET achieves an accuracy close to the Monte Carlo method (MCNP), with computational efficiency for core calculations that is at least 3 orders of magnitude faster than that of MCNP when a precomputed response library with a 4th order expansion in space and a 2nd order expansion in the polar and azimuthal angles is used.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Facilitates Induction of CD80 (B7-1) and CD54 on Human B Cells by Activated T Cells: Complex Regulation by IL-4, IL-10, and CD40L

Expression of immune accessory molecules, such as CD80 (B7-1), on antigen-presenting cells governs whether such cells can activate antigen-specific T cells. As such, the factors that regulate the expression of these accessory molecules may determine whether presentation of antigen leads to immune activation or anergy. We previously reported that anti-CD3-activated T cells (Ta) can induce expression of CD80 and CD54 (ICAM-1) on human B cells through a contact-dependent signal delivered to the CD40 molecule via the CD40 ligand. Here, we demonstrate that another molecule in the CD40-ligand family, namely tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), also plays a role in the Ta-mediated induction of CD80 or CD54 on human B cells. Neutralizing mAbs specific for TNF-alpha can inhibit B cell expression of CD80 or CD54 that is induced when B cells are cultured with Ta cells or in Ta-cell conditioned media. Moreover, soluble, recombinant TNF-alpha or TNF-beta can induce significant increases in B cell expression of CD80 and CD54. The phenotypic changes effected by TNF-alpha can be recapitulated by crosslinking CD120b (p75 TNF-receptor), but not CD120a (p55 TNF-receptor), with mAbs presented on Fc gamma RII (CD32)-expressing L cells. IL-4 augments the expression of CD80 induced by crosslinking either CD40 or CD120b. However, although IL-10 augments CD40-induced expression of CD80, this cytokine inhibits the expression of CD80 that is induced by crosslinking CD120b. Further regulation of TNF-mediated CD80 expression may occur at the level of CD120b expression itself. We find that stimulation with exogenous IL-4 or CD40-cross-linking induces B cell expression of CD120b, but not CD120a. This study identifies an ancillary, TNF-mediated pathway, whereby activated T cells can induce B cells to express enhanced levels of the important costimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD54.
Ventricular Assist Devices

Heart failure is the final common pathway for many chronic heart diseases. With the aging of the population and advances in the treatment of cardiac disease, the number of patients with heart failure continues to increase. Although the majority of patients will remain stable for several years with standard medicines and surgery, a growing number will develop symptoms of advanced heart failure and may be referred for evaluation for heart transplant. For selected patients who are too ill to wait for a heart donor or who are not eligible for a heart transplant because of age or other medical problems, ventricular assist devices (VADs) offer life-saving therapy. Initially designed as temporary support to bridge patients to heart transplant, these devices are now available and increasingly being used as lifetime support or destination therapy. Improvements in device design, along with advances in surgical and medical management, have allowed VAD patients to return home, to work, and to their communities, with excellent quality of life. At the same time, however, unique challenges have been encountered. This Cardiology Patient Page will discuss the fundamentals of VADs, including patient selection, pump design, surgical and medical treatment, expected benefits and long-term risks, and the team approach to care. Heart failure is a common cardiac condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood at a sufficient rate to meet the demands of the body. There are 2 major types of heart failure: one is associated with abnormal heart filling (sometimes called diastolic heart failure or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction), and the other is associated with abnormal heart emptying (also called systolic heart failure or heart failure with reduced ejection fraction). Most patients who develop heart failure have had a prior injury or stress on the heart that caused the heart to weaken. …
Effects of SREBF-1a and SCAP polymorphisms on plasma levels of lipids, severity, progression and regression of coronary atherosclerosis and response to therapy with fluvastatin.

Sterol regulatory elements binding factor-1a (SREBF-1a) and SREBF cleavage activating protein (SCAP) regulate lipids homeostasis. Polymorphisms in SREBF-1a and SCAP could affect plasma levels of lipids and risk of atherosclerosis. We determined association of SREBF-1a –36del/G and SCAP 2386A/G genotypes with plasma levels of lipids, severity and progression/regression of coronary atherosclerosis, and response to treatment with fluvastatin in a well-characterized Lipoprotein Coronary Atherosclerosis Study population. Plasma lipids and quantitative indices of coronary atherosclerosis were obtained at baseline and 2.5 years following randomization to fluvastatin or placebo in 372 subjects. Fluvastatin reduced plasma levels of total cholesterol by 16%, LDL-C by 25%, and ApoB by 16% and increased plasma levels of HDL-C by 9% and apoA-1 by 7%. Distributions of SREBF-1a SCAP genotypes were 60 GG, 172 del-G and 140 del-del and 88 GG, 188 GA and 96 AA, respectively. There were no significant differences in baseline plasma levels of lipids or indices of severity of atherosclerosis among the genotypes of each gene. There was a strong graded genotype-treatment interaction between SREBF-1a genotypes and change in apoA-I levels in response to fluvastatin (16.5% increase in GG, 10.5% in del/G, and 0.4% in del/del groups). Modest interactions between SREBF-1a genotypes and changes in HDL-C, and apoC-III levels in response to fluvastatin were also present. No genotype-treatment interaction for progression or regression of coronary atherosclerosis was detected. There were no significant interactions between SCAP genotypes and response to therapy. Thus we detected a strong graded interaction between SREBF-1a –36del/G genotypes and response of plasma apoA-I to treatment with fluvastatin.
Thermal characterization of prototypical ICS systems with immersed heat exchangers

Natural convection is measured in an enclosure that represents an integral collector storage solar system with an immersed heat exchanger. The enclosure has an aspect ratio of 9.3:1 and is inclined 30 deg to the horizontal. Heat transfer coefficients for bundles of 240 tubes are obtained for a range of transient operating modes and pitch-to-diameter ratios of 1.5, 2.4, and 3.3. Results for isothermal and stratified enclosures yield a correlation for the overall Nusselt number, NuD = (2.45±0.03)RaD0.188,230 ≤ RaD ≤ 9800. Nusselt numbers are three times larger than those for a similarly configured single-tube and an eight-tube bundle. This increase is attributed to stronger fluid motion within the bundle and greater overall circulation rates in the enclosure.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Modeling nonlinear distortion of ultra wideband signals at X-band

Nonlinear distortion in the adjacent channels of an X-band amplifier driven by an ultra-wideband digitally-modulated carrier is analyzed. Statistical properties of the input signal with a complex power series-based behavioral model of the amplifier are used to calculate the output power spectrum. Comparisons are made between measured and predicted adjacent channel power rejection for the X-band monolithic microwave integrated circuit.
Dissent: accountable anonymous group messaging

Users often wish to participate in online groups anonymously, but misbehaving users may abuse this anonymity to disrupt the group's communication. Existing messaging protocols such as DC-nets leave groups vulnerable to denial-of-service and Sybil attacks, Mix-nets are difficult to protect against traffic analysis, and accountable voting protocols are unsuited to general anonymous messaging.We present the first general messaging protocol that offers provable anonymity with accountability for moderate-size groups, and efficiently handles unbalanced loads where few members wish to transmit in a given round. The N group members first cooperatively shuffle an N x N matrix of pseudorandom seeds, then use these seeds in N "pre-planned" DC-nets protocol runs. Each DC-nets run transmits the variable-length bulk data comprising one member's message, using the minimum number of bits required for anonymity under our attack model. The protocol preserves message integrity and one-to-one correspondence between members and messages, makes denial-of-service attacks by members traceable to the culprit, and efficiently handles large, unbalanced message loads. A working prototype demonstrates the protocol's practicality for anonymous messaging in groups of 40+ members.
Physical activity and obesity in children with congenital cardiac disease

Background Children with congenital cardiac disease experience challenges in developing healthy patterns of physical activity due to decreased exercise capacity and parental fear and confusion about what is permissible. The purpose of this study was to describe physical activity habits in children 10-14 years of age with congenital cardiac disease and the relationship of those habits to obesity as defined by body mass index. Methods This cross-sectional study used self-report measures and clinical data to describe the association between physical activity participation and body mass index in 10- to 14-year-old children with congenital cardiac disease. Further, physical activity levels were compared between children who were overweight or obese and those who were not. Results Children (n = 84; 51 males; 33 females) reported low rates of physical activity compared to reports on healthy children. Only 9.5% were overweight (body mass index between the 85th and 94th percentile), and alarmingly 26% were obese (body mass index at or above the 95th percentile). Physical activity and body mass index were not significantly correlated (r = -0.11, p = 0.45) and there was no significant difference in mean physical activity (t = 0.67) between children who were overweight or obese and those who were not. Conclusions Children in this study reported low rates of physical activity and a higher obesity rate than was reported in previous studies. However, the two were not significantly correlated. Further research is indicated to determine the specific factors contributing to obesity and to test interventions to combat obesity in children with congenital cardiac disease.
PWB deflection vs. vibration-induced solder joint deformation

Vibration-induced solder joint failure is one of the common failure modes in microelectronics used in the automotive and the aerospace industries. In most of these applications, printed wiring boards (PWBs) with multiple surface-mount components are attached to a base frame through either sockets, clamps, or receptacles. Since the base frame is typically attached to the vehicle, the vehicle's vibration causes the PWB to vibrate. Transverse vibration of the PWB results in significant board deflection. Deflection of the PWB induces significant strain of the solder joints on the surface-mounted components.
On Coded Phase-Coherent Communications

The merits of phase-coherent communications are widely recognized for both discrete and continuous modulation systems [1]-[3]. The relative performances of phase-coherent and noncoherent transmission of binary data in the presence of additive white Gaussian noise have been analyzed and compared [1] and [2]. This paper considers the result of encoding independent equiprobable binary words or sequences of independent binary digits into sets of binary code words. These are transmitted over a channel perturbed by additive white Gaussian noise and detected by correlating them with their stored or locally generated replicas at the receiver. The word error probabilities and bit error probabilities for low cross-correlation codes are determined as a function of the ratio (received signal energy)/bit/(noise power)/(unit bandwidth) The received information rate and the potential channel capacity are also computed. It is shown that in the limit as the code word length and the bandwidth approach infinity, the received information rate approaches the channel capacity for only one value of the above ratio.
The Evolution of Positive Allometry of Weaponry in Horned Lizards ( Phrynosoma )

The allometry of weapons and other conspicuous structures has long fascinated biologists. Recently, a debate has arisen about the roles of sexual and natural selection in driving the allometry of structures, with some authors suggesting that positive allometry is exclusively the result of sexual selection. Although some studies, often focusing on weapons, support this hypothesis, others have shown that many naturally selected structures also exhibit positive allometry. We study the allometry of the cranial horns in 14 species of horned lizards (Phrynosoma). These horns are purely defensive weapons and so are under natural, as opposed to sexual, selection. In almost all cases, the length of these horns is positively allometric through ontogeny (intraspecifically) and through evolution (interspecifically). Our findings demonstrate that positive allometry can be the product of natural selection, suggesting that the function of structures may dictate allometry and not the type of selection. For example, it is possible that weapons tend to be positively allometric. Our findings also suggest that longer horns may arise through the prolongation of horn growth, and that the horns that are most effective at defense from predators attacking a lizard from above are integrated with one another. Finally, we find that species with unusual horn morphologies have diverged from other species in their horn allometries, indicating that the evolution of morphological diversity can be mediated through the evolution of allometry.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie Entamoeba histolytica pathogenesis: prospects for intervention.

The protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica is the causative agent of amoebic dysentery. It is prevalent in developing countries that cannot prevent its fecal–oral spread and ranks second in worldwide causes of morbidity by parasitic infection. Improvements in sanitation would help curb disease spread. However, a lack of significant progress in this area has resulted in the need for a better understanding of the molecular and cellular biology of pathogenesis in order to design novel methods of disease treatment and prevention. Recent insight into the cellular mechanisms regulating virulence of E. histolytica has indicated that processes such as endocytosis, secretion, host cell adhesion and encystation play major roles in the infectious process. This review focuses on components of the molecular machinery that govern these cellular processes and their role in virulence, and discusses how an understanding of this might reveal opportunities to interfere with E. histolytica infection.
Enhancement of Thermal Conductivity with CuO for Nanofluids

The enhancement of the thermal conductivity of ethylene glycol in the presence of copper oxide (CuO) is investigated. CuO nanofluids are prepared in a two-step method. No surfactant is employed as a dispersant. The volume fraction of CuO nanoparticles suspended in ethylene glycol liquid is below 5 vol.-%. The crystalline phases of the CuO powders are measured with x-ray diffraction patterns (XRD). CuO nanoparticles are examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to determine their microstructure. The thermal conductivities of the CuO suspensions are measured by a modified transient hot wire method. The viscosity was measured with a viscosity instrument. The results show that CuO nanofluids with low concentrations of nanoparticles have considerably higher thermal conductivities than the identical ethylene glycol base liquids without solid nanoparticles. The thermal conductivity ratio improvement for CuO nanofluids is approximately linear with the volume fraction of nanoparticles. For CuO nanoparticles at a volume fraction of 0.05 (5 vol-.%) thermal conductivity was enhanced by up to 22.4 %. CuO nanofluids thus have good potential for effective heat transfer applications.
Deception with honest signals: signal residuals and signal function in snapping shrimp

Animals in competitive interactions often assess the competitive ability of opponents using signals. Signals used in competitive interactions are generally predicted to be honest, but open to low levels of deceit. Such ‘‘incomplete honesty’’ in signals can be studied by using signal residuals, the residuals from the regression of a measure of signal structure on competitive ability. Specifically, individuals with positive signal residuals produce signals that exaggerate their competitive ability; deceptive use of these signals may occur if signalers for whom the signal exaggerates their apparent competitive ability use the signal more frequently. I used this framework to examine the use of the open chela display by big-clawed snapping shrimp (Alpheus heterochaelis). Competitive interactions between snapping shrimp are resolved primarily on the basis of body size, and the open chela display is used by males to assess body size. I found that the production of the open chela display by males responding to superior competitors depends on chela residuals, such that individuals for whom the display exaggerates their apparent size produce the display more often. This effect can be seen both in response to isolated chelae and in staged competitive interactions. Interactions involving shrimp with larger chela residuals are long and highly escalated, suggesting that chela residuals affect assessment of competitive ability. Thus, the increased use of the open chela display by males for which the display exaggerates apparent body size is an example of deceptive use of an otherwise honest signal. Key words: Alpheus heterochaelis, deception, honesty, reliability, signals, snapping shrimp. [Behav Ecol 11:614–623 (2000)]
Epidural block for treatment of renal colic during pregnancy

This report documents for the first time the application of continuous segmental epidural block (Tl1 to L2) to treat renal colic complicating pregnancy. The block was maintained for 16 hours and the pain did not recurr. Advantages for the mother, and possibly for the foetus, are considered. The published experience of others using this technique in nonpregnant patients is reviewed.
Gluon Corrections to the Drell-Yan Model

We calculate the O (..cap alpha../sub s/) corrections to the Drell-Yan model for pp ..-->.. ..mu../sup +/..mu../sup -/X in quantum chromodynamics. We find in agreement with previous work that the infrared and mass singularities can be consistently absorbed into the quark structure functions. The remaining finite terms are negative and rather small for the initial-gluon graphs but positive and about equal to Drell-Yan term for the final- and virtual-gluon graphs.
Injury potential in modern ice hockey

The majority of the damaging forces to the soft tissue, bone, and articular joint structures of modern hockey players during the energetic activities involved in the game are attributable to impact action during high-speed motion. In addition, non-contact musculoligamentous injuries are common because of the complex forces that are involved. The injury potential of this sport is assessed indirectly from the force and motion involved. The experimental method of measuring the kinematic motion and the impact forces inherent to the sport are presented. Although hockey is a fast and furious game with high injury potential, fortunately the number of serious injuries is not as great as one might expect. Language: en
In-Silico Effects of Mg2+ Diffusion Rates on Stochastic Event Based Simulation of the PhoPQ System

The challenge today is to develop a modeling and simulation paradigm that integrates structural, molecular and genetic data for a quantitative understanding of physiology and behavior of biological processes at multiple scales. This paradigm requires techniques that maintain a reasonable accuracy of the biological process and also reduces the computational overhead. This objective motivates the use of new methods that can transform the problem from energy and affinity based modeling to information theory based modeling. To achieve this, we transform all dynamics within the cell into a random event time, which is specified through an information domain measure like probability distribution. This allows us to use the ``in silico" stochastic event based modeling approach to find the molecular dynamics of the system. In this paper, we present the discrete event simulation concept using the example of the signal transduction cascade triggered by extra-cellular Mg2+ concentration in the two component PhoPQ regulatory system of Salmonella Typhimurium. We also present a model to compute the information domain measure of the molecular transport process by estimating the statistical parameters of inter-arrival time between molecules/ions coming to a cell receptor as external signal. This model transforms the diffusion process into the information theory measure of stochastic event completion time to get the distribution of the Mg2+ departure events. Using these molecular transport models, we next study the in-silico effects of this external trigger on the PhoPQ system.
Between the Two: Bisexual Identity Among African Americans

This paper compares “essentialist” to “social constructionist” perspectives on sexual identities among African Americans. Essentialists argue that sexual orientation and identity exist within a binary system in which people classify themselves as either straight or gay. They suggest that sexual identity is an essence that is universal and can be seen throughout history and across cultures. Social constructionists argue that sexual orientation and identity are not fixed, but rather are historically contingent, culturally specific, and shaped by social, political, economic, and cultural forces. These contrasting perspectives are examined through the lens of the case of African Americans who identify as bisexual. Using data from the Black Pride Survey 2000, this paper examines factors that are related to bisexual identity among African Americans who participated in Black Pride events. It presents the results from logistic regression models that predict bisexual identity with social, demographic, personal, religious, and behavioral characteristics. The results suggest that African American men who participated in Black Pride events are less likely to identify as bisexual when they are older, Muslim, married, attend churches that more fully accept homosexuality, and have higher percentages of male sexual partners. Men who are dating (rather than in committed relationships or same sex marriages) and those with their own biological children are more likely to identify as bisexual. African American women who participated in Black Pride events are more likely to identify as bisexual when they are younger, Protestant, attend churches that are less fully accepting of homosexuality, have higher percentages of male sexual partners, and are biological parents. These results support the social constructionist view that sexual identities are not binary nor fixed, but rather are historically contingent, culturally specific, and shaped by social, economic, and cultural forces. The implications of these findings for sexuality in the African American community are examined.
Production of isoamyl acetate in ackA-pta and/or ldh mutants of Escherichia coli with overexpression of yeast ATF2

The gene coding for alcohol acetyltransferase (ATF2), which catalyzes the esterification of isoamyl alcohol and acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), was cloned from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and expressed in Escherichia coli. This genetically engineered strain of E. coli produced the ester isoamyl acetate when isoamyl alcohol was added externally to the cell culture medium. Various competing pathways at the acetyl-CoA node were inactivated to increase the intracellular acetyl-CoA pool and divert more carbon flux to the ester synthesis pathway. Several strains with deletions in the ackA-pta and/or ldh pathways and bearing the ATF2 on a high-copy-number plasmid were constructed and studied. Compared to the wild-type, ackA-pta and nuo mutants produced higher amounts of ester and an ackA-pta-ldh-nuo mutant lower amounts. Isoamyl acetate production correlated well with intracellular coenzyme A (CoA) and acetyl-CoA levels. The ackA-pta-nuo mutant had the highest intracellular CoA/acetyl-CoA level and hence produced the highest amount of ester (1.75 mM) during the growth phase under oxic conditions and during the production phase under anoxic conditions.
Latent HIV-1 Infection of Resting CD4+ T Cells in the Humanized Rag2−/− γc −/− Mouse

Persistent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection of resting CD4⁺ T cells, unaffected by antiretroviral therapy (ART), provides a long-lived reservoir of HIV infection. Therapies that target this viral reservoir are needed to eradicate HIV-1 infection. A small-animal model that recapitulates HIV-1 latency in resting CD4⁺ T cells may accelerate drug discovery and allow the rational design of nonhuman primate (NHP) or human studies. We report that in humanized Rag2⁻/⁻ γ(c)⁻/⁻ (hu-Rag2⁻/⁻ γ(c)⁻/⁻) mice, as in humans, resting CD4⁺ T cell infection (RCI) can be quantitated in pooled samples of circulating cells and tissue reservoirs (e.g., lymph node, spleen, bone marrow) following HIV-1 infection with the CCR5-tropic JR-CSF strain and suppression of viremia by ART. Replication-competent virus was recovered from pooled resting CD4⁺ T cells in 7 of 16 mice, with a median frequency of 8 (range, 2 to 12) infected cells per million T cells, demonstrating that HIV-1 infection can persist despite ART in the resting CD4⁺ T cell reservoir of hu-Rag2⁻/⁻ γ(c)⁻/⁻ mice. This model will allow rapid preliminary assessments of novel eradication approaches and combinatorial strategies that may be challenging to perform in the NHP model or in humans, as well as a rigorous analysis of the effect of these interventions in specific anatomical compartments.
Differential Infectivity and Division of Toxoplasma gondii in Human Peripheral Blood Leukocytes

When tachyzoites were incubated with human peripheral blood leukocytes in vitro, more monocytes and dendritic cells than neutrophils or lymphocytes were infected. Although tachyzoites were able to divide in each of these cell types, monocytes and dendritic cells were more permissive to rapid tachyzoite division than neutrophils or lymphocytes.
Regulation of axial patterning of the retina and its topographic mapping in the brain.

Topographic maps are a fundamental organizational feature of axonal connections in the brain. A prominent model for studying axial polarity and topographic map development is the vertebrate retina and its projection to the optic tectum (or superior colliculus). Linked processes are controlled by molecules that are graded along the axes of the retina and its target fields. Recent studies indicate that ephrin-As control the temporal–nasal mapping of the retina in the optic tectum/superior colliculus by regulating the topographically-specific interstitial branching of retinal axons along the anterior–posterior tectal axis. This branching is mediated by relative levels of EphA receptor repellent signaling. A major recent advance is the demonstration that EphB receptor forward signaling and ephrin-B reverse signaling mediate axon attraction to control dorsal–ventral retinal mapping along the lateral–medial tectal axis. In addition, several classes of regulatory proteins have been implicated in the control of the axial patterning of the retina, and its ultimate readout of topographic mapping.