cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Threat Data Generation for Space Systems

Concerns about cyber threats to space systems are increasing. Researchers are developing intrusion detection and protection systems to mitigate these threats, but sparsity of cyber threat data poses a significant challenge to these efforts. Development of credible threat data sets are needed to overcome this challenge. This paper describes the extension/development of three data generation algorithms (generative adversarial networks, variational auto-encoders, and generative algorithm for multi-variate timeseries) to generate cyber threat data for space systems. The algorithms are applied to a use case that leverages the NASA Operational Simulation for Small Satellites (NOS$^{3})$ platform. Qualitative and quantitative measures are applied to evaluate the generated data. Strengths and weaknesses of each algorithm are presented, and suggested improvements are provided. For this use case, generative algorithm for multi-variate timeseries performed best according to both qualitative and quantitative measures.
Surface modified graphene/single-phase polyurethane elastomers with improved thermo-mechanical and dielectric properties

Abstract We report an efficient, simple and fast method for graphene surface modification and its novel use for the fabrication of very soft, single-phase polyurethane (PU) nanocomposite elastomers. Content of the surface modified graphene (SMG) in PU was between 0.2 and 5 wt%. FT-IR and thermogravimetric analysis indicated successful surface modification of graphene by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane while a large increase in the viscosity of the polyol blend with SMG content suggested its exfoliation down to six graphene layers, as observed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The scanning electron microscopy and AFM of elastomers revealed strong SMG–PU interactions and good dispersion of SMG within the matrix, respectively. Consequently, we measured more than a two-fold increase in the tensile strength and storage modulus of SMG/PU elastomer at addition of 5 wt% of SMG, compared with unfilled PU. An initial degradation temperature and the maximum rate of weight loss of PU with 5 wt% SMG was upshifted by 10 °C and 8 °C, respectively, showing improved thermal stability of the matrix. Finally, an increased dielectric permittivity at 1 Hz from 3.6 for unfilled PU up to 34.2 for PU elastomer with 5 wt% SMG, in the glassy state, was observed by dielectric spectroscopy indicating energy storage capabilities of these nanocomposites.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are a collection of clonal stem cell hematopoietic disorders that are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis, multilineage dysplasia, peripheral cytopenias, and susceptibility to leukemic transformation. The complexity of the biologic, clinical, morphologic, and genetic features of MDSs has led to evolving classification systems, including the French–American–British (FAB) classification, which was introduced in 1982, and the subsequent World Health Organization (WHO) classification (1999), which was most recently updated in 2008. Although some of the revisions to the FAB classification remain controversial, the WHO recommendations for MDS classification continue to gain increasing acceptance. Table 33.1 presents the current 2008 WHO classification and criteria for MDSs along with the corresponding FAB designations. Common presenting symptoms include fatigue, infection, pallor, bruising, and/or bleeding; however, patients may also be asymptomatic at diagnosis. Adverse outcomes arising from MDSs include bleeding, anemia, infection, and progression to acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which is often refractory to standard treatments.
Wagner, Rudolf G., A Chinese Reading of the Daodejing: WangBi’s Commentary on the Laozi, with Critical Text and Translation

It has taken as many years as WANG Bi 王弼 (226–249) lived for Rudolf Wagner to finish his trilogy on WANG Bi. The book under review is the second volume, even though it was published last; the first and third volumes were also published by State University of New York Press: The Craft of a Chinese Commentator: WANG Bi on the Laozi (2000) and Language, Ontology, and Political Philosophy in China: WANG Bi’s Scholarly Exploration of the Dark (Xuanxue) (2003). In this over 500-page monumental work, Wagner provides his reconstruction and critical edition, extrapolative reading and translation of a particular Laozi version, the original Laozi text that was actually used by WANG Bi. The book has four chapters. Chapter 1 is an examination of the WANG Bi recension of the Laozi. Wagner argues that the Laozi text transmitted over WANG Bi’s commentary is not the Laozi text that WANG Bi actually used; therefore, it cannot be used as a base text for a critical edition of the original Laozi text known to WANG Bi. According to Wagner, only a conflated version of the two “Old Manuscripts” of FU Yi 傅奕 (554–639) and FAN Yingyuan 范應元 (thirteenth century), supplemented by the two Mawangdui 馬王堆 silk manuscripts, can be the basis for the reconstruction of WANG Bi’s recension of the Laozi. Chapter 2 deals with the patronage and the transmission of the WANG Bi commentary. Chapter 3 consists of a philological study and translation of WANG Bi’s essay, “The Structure of the Laozi’s Subtle Pointers (老子微指例略).” The last chapter, Chapter 4, provides a reconstruction and critical edition of the Laozi text used by WANG Bi, a reconstruction and critical edition of WANG Bi’s Commentary on the Laozi, an extrapolative translation of the Laozi through WANG Bi’s Commentary, and a translation of WANG Bi’s Commentary on the Laozi. The last chapter is the main body of this impressive volume. It will be helpful if we clarify some confusing names Wagner uses to refer to different Laozi versions before we look into his arguments in detail. Wagner defines Dao (2008) 7:467–471 DOI 10.1007/s11712-008-9083-8
Ubiquitin-proteasome profiling for enhanced detection of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic liver disease.

Background and Aim: A reliable test for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) could improve disease management. Recent reports suggested a link between abnormalities in the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and HCC. We investigated the potential of using UPS markers, along with HCC markers, to differentiate HCC from chronic liver disease (CLD). Methods: Sera from 135 HCC and 262 CLD patients were retrospectively analyzed for levels of UPS markers (proteasome, ubiquitin, and proteasome enzymatic activities) and the conventional HCC markers alpha fetoprotein (AFP), AFP-L3, and des-gamma-carboxyprothrombin (DCP). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop a model for differentiating HCC from CLD. The model was developed using a subset of 98 HCC patients and 104 CLD patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis (Metavir F3-4) and then validated using an independent set (37 HCC and 44 CLD (F3-4)). Results: A UPS signature model incorporating six markers (trypsin-like, caspase-like, chymotrypsin-like, and normalized chymotrypsin-like activities of proteasomes; AFP; and DCP) accurately differentiated HCC from CLD (area under the curve = 0.938 [95% confidence interval, 0.884–0.991]). When analysis was restricted to patients with tumors ≤ 3 cm, the UPS model exhibited higher sensitivity (83.1% vs 51.8%) and specificity (90.2% vs 83.7%) than the three conventional markers, with good positive predictive values (34.2% vs 15.1%). These results were confirmed in the independent validation set. Conclusion: The UPS signature in combination with AFP and DCP provides sensitive and specific differentiation of HCC in patients with CLD. The importance of the UPS in HCC suggests that therapeutic approaches targeting the UPS should be explored.
Representing Control Knowledge as Abstract Task and Metarules

A poorly designed knowledge base can be as cryptic as an arbitrary program and just as difficult to maintain. Representing inference procedures abstractly, separately from domain facts and relations, makes the design more transparent and explainable. The combination of abstract procedures and a relational language for organizing domain knowledge provides a generic framework for constructing knowledge bases for related problems in other domains and also provides a useful starting point for studying the nature of strategies. In HERACLES, inference procedures are represented as abstract metarules, expressed in a form of the predicate calculus, organized and controlled as rule sets. A compiler converts the rules into Lisp code and allows domain relations to be encoded as arbitrary data structures for efficiency. Examples are given of the explanation and teaching capabilities afforded by this representation. Different perspectives for understanding HERACLES'' inference procedure and how it defines knowledge bases are discussed in some detail.
Nanomaterials for Medical Applications

Nanomaterials are anticipated to revolutionize disease detection and treatment leading to the realization of a potential world market of medical nanotechnology estimated to be > $3 billion within the next 5 years. This article provides an up to date summary of the current research investigations on Nanomaterials for medical applications. Nanomaterials have been categorized based on their shape, and within each shape they have been further categorized based on their chemical composition. Similarly, the medical applications have been categorized into four main sections:medical diagnosis, medical treatment, medical devices, and tissue engineering. Prior to the discussion of medical applications, approaches to biofunctionalization of nanomaterials are also presented as it is very important that the nanomaterials are compatible in biological environment for their application in medicine. Keywords: nanoparticles; anisoptropic nanomaterials; biofunctionalization; medical diagnosis; medical treatment; tissue engineering
Adaptive profiling framework and system for service provisioning in e-business solutions

Abstract Effective profiling of consumer and service information is critical to today's e-business solutions. Typically, each service has its individual profiling requirements in addition to the basic profiling requirements common to all services. The challenge is to build a flexible profiling system to dynamically collect relevant consumer data and accommodate a variety of profiling requirements of different services. To address this challenge, this paper introduces a two-phase profiling framework based on a service hub that provides the infrastructure for service hosting, aggregation, and provisioning. The profiling framework supports two profiling mechanisms, namely Delegated Profiling and Punchout Profiling. Using the proposed Data Driven Dynamic Form, the Delegated Profiling enables a cost-effective way to collect service specific information from a consumer beyond the basic profiling requirements. Punchout Profiling enables seamless integration between an individual service's profiling system and the service hub through the use of the Profiling Punchout Protocol.
Orotate in milk and urine of dairy cows with a partial deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase.

Abstract Cows with a partial deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase have elevated orotate in their milk and urine. Variability of orotate was assessed in two such cows monitored biweekly for two complete lactations. Concentrations of milk and urinary orotate showed extensive variation during lactation, but coefficients of variation were similar for deficient and normal cows. Orotate averaged 500 μ g/ml milk for deficient cows (versus a normal of 80 μ g/ml), and a threshold of 200 μ g/ml distinguished normal from deficient cows. Deficient cows had low milk orotate upon initiation of lactation and exhibited a latency of 1 to 7 wk to attain that threshold. The deficiency also resulted in a lactation-induced orotic aciduria. Orotate averaged 32.2 μ g/ml urine for deficient cows (versus a normal of 7.3 μ g/ml), and a threshold of 15 μ g/ml urine differentiated the animals. Latency was 3 to 18 wk for deficient cows to exceed that threshold. Total orotate output and orotate concentration were elevated in milk and urine of lactating cows deficient for uridine monophosphate synthase. The output of orotate was predominantly in milk rather than urine for both deficient and normal cows. Additionally, orotate was elevated in blood of deficient cows when they were lactating.
Mechanical Properties and Degradation of Chain and Step Polymerized Photodegradable Hydrogels.

The relationship between polymeric hydrogel microstructure and macroscopic properties is of specific interest to the materials science and polymer science communities for the rational design of materials for targeted applications. Specifically, research has focused on elucidating the role of network formation and connectivity on mechanical integrity and degradation behavior. Here, we compared the mechanical properties of chain- and step-polymerized, photodegradable hydrogels. Increased ductility, tensile toughness, and shear strain to yield were observed in step-polymerized hydrogels, as compared to the chain-polymerized gels, indicating that increased homogeneity and network cooperativity in the gel backbone improves mechanical integrity. Furthermore, the ability to degrade the hydrogels in a controlled fashion with light was exploited to explore how hydrogel microstructure influences photodegradation and erosion. Here, the decreased network connectivity at the junction points in the step-polymerized gel...
ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE CHILDREN'S RIGHTS MOVEMENT FOR PROFESSIONALS

Mental health professionals should be special protectors of children's rights. However, at times they have not seemed to fulfill this responsibility very well, perhaps contributing to the need for the children's rights movement. Role perceptions, theoretical orientation, external pressures, paucity of services, conflict with parents, and complexity of the task are considered as reasons. The need for the professional to take a strong ethical position, going beyond traditional guidelines, is presented.
Product integration in reflexive Banach spaces

LetX denote a reflexive Banach space and {A(t)|t∈[0,T]} a time dependent family of accretive operators defined onX. Conditions are placed on {A(t)|t∈[0,T]} which are sufficient to guarantee the existence of solutions to the Cauchy initial value problem:u′(t,x)+A(t)u(t,x)=0; u(0,x)=x. These solutions are obtained via the method of product integration; however limits for the infinite product are taken with respect to the weak topology.
Experiments in Obtaining Consumer Expenditures by Diary Methods

Abstract This article reports the results of a series of experiments to determine optimum forms and procedures for collecting information on frequent nondurable expenditures. A diary arranged by product groups resulted in higher cooperation and better reporting of expenditures than did either journal or outlet type diaries. Both cooperation and reported level of expenditures dropped as the length of the reporting period increased, but the drop was lowest on the product diaries. Use of a gift increased cooperation and level of reporting. An experiment with tape recorders also produced promising results and seemed to offer a means of collecting such data from people not receptive to diary methods.
Decomposing Gender Beliefs: Cross-National Differences in Attitudes Toward Maternal Employment and Gender Equality at Home

Few cross-national studies distinguish between different aspects of gender egalitarianism and compare them systematically. In this study, we examine cross-national differences in attitudes toward mothers' participation in the labor market and toward gender equality within the household, using a multilevel analysis of individual data from 33 nations. The results indicate greater support for employed mothers, but a lower level of approval of gender equality at home, among residents of countries that offer women more educational and economic opportunities. We argue that macrolevel gender equality increases individuals', particularly women's, incentives to support female labor force participation. Because of a persistent belief in gender differentiation, however, macrolevel gender equality has the opposite relationship with attitudes toward altering gendered practices beyond enabling women's public sphere participation. The fewer explicit barriers to women's achievement in society, the more likely individuals will feel a need to defend gendered roles in the private sphere. That the potential harm of advocating gendered practices in the private sphere is smaller in societies with fewer impediments for women is also likely to account for the negative association between macrolevel gender equality and support for egalitarian gender roles at home.
Structural characterization of Ni-based refractory glassy metals

Abstract X-ray scattering patterns of several Ni-based refractory alloy glasses indicated short range atomic order to at least four nearest neighbor shells. Comparisons between diffraction results from a synchrotron source vs. a standard laboratory source showed the necessity for low divergence and high intensity incident radiation in order to distinguish a low concentration of crystallites as small as ≈15 nm, which were present within an amorphous matrix. The divergence of both sources was examined by comparing the diffraction patterns of the same LaB 6 standard sample and using this as a reference standard to measure relative grain sizes. The crystallites in these glasses comprised between 0.0% and 7.5% by volume, and were relatively consistent amongst samples of the same composition. These crystalline peaks had potential matches with several metallic elements, compounds and oxides. It is seen that a very small composition range exists for near-perfect bulk metallic glass formers (as defined by a ≈0% crystallinity). Scattering electron microscopy was also performed to understand aspects of individual second phase particles such as size and distribution. Departure of radial distribution results from those predicted by hard sphere models indicated intermediate range order.
Theorizing Intercultural Accommodation in Consumer E-Commerce

Consumer e-commerce extends the marketplace of traditional business and brings in business opportunities in online retailing and service. As a consequence of intensive competition among online vendors, the need to capture more customers has become crucial. The consumer group is under a huge change due to demographic shift and immigration laws. Population of minorities has dramatically increased suggesting a growing buying power of ethnic groups. To effectively attract ethnic consumers into consumer e-commerce Web sites, we propose the Web-based intercultural accommodation model. Drawing upon literature in linguistic, sociology, and Web information system success, this model offers a theoretical explanation of online ethnic consumersâ€™ behavioral intention to use e-commerce Web site. The conceptual model recognizes the potential roles of ethnicity attributes of individual consumers as well as the use of ethnic pertaining Web site designs in accommodating ethnic consumers. The theoretical model is subject to empirical validation.
Diagnosability analysis of analogue circuits

If a circuit has been found to be faulty during design characterization before it is in high volume production, it may be useful to diagnose the cause of the failure. If faults are identified and located, a circuit can then be redesigned to be less sensitive to common failure mechanisms. Fault diagnosability analysis is an approach to enhancing the diagnosability of a circuit. Whereas the design for diagnosability ensures that the test points are properly selected and the generation of tests is considerably simplified, diagnosability analysis is used to locate sections of a circuit having poor diagnosability. The information allows estimation of a circuit's diagnosability before the fault diagnosis is attempted. Hence any potential problem can be located early on the design phase, allowing modifications to be introduced to improve the final diagnosability of the circuit. This paper presents a simple diagnosability analysis process in which the diagnosability of a circuit is measured from a graph that describes the circuit topology and a given set of test points, and no circuit simulation is needed. Since the graphical description of a circuit topology is not unique, the developed diagnosability analysis will find a graph with the maximum diagnosability that the circuit can possibly achieve, and identify the components/sub-circuits with poor diagnosability. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The “Battle of Seattle” revisited: Or, seven views of a protest-zoning state

Abstract Increasingly, the expression of dissent at major events is controlled with a territorial strategy – it is banned from some areas and confined to others. One of the more notable uses of this strategy was in Seattle in 1999 during the ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization. After widespread unrest forced the cancellation of the conference's first day of events, the City of Seattle erected what it termed a “restricted access” zone, and what its critics termed a “no protest” zone. I use the Seattle events to consider what it means for the state to zone the expression of dissent in such a fashion. I extend and complicate Mitchell's notion of a “dialectic of public space” by outlining seven different perspectives from which one can view the protest-zoning state. This multiplicative nature of the state, I suggest, provides yet more reason to be skeptical of state efforts to confine dissent. Because the state is inherently a contested object, it must remain susceptible to robust discussion of its practices.
Field emission characteristics of diamond edge-shaped emitters fabricated using nitrogen-methane plasma

Abstract We have previously reported electron field emission characteristics of edge-shaped diamond micropatterned field emission cathodes fabricated from methane–hydrogen plasma deposition having a turn-on field of 6 V/μm. Recent work has shown that nitrogen-incorporated diamond films are highly conductive and exhibit low turn-on field. In this paper, we report the improved field emission characteristics of edge-shaped diamond micropatterned devices fabricated using nitrogen–methane plasma. The edge arrays were fabricated via a mold transfer technique on a silicon substrate utilizing silicon micropatterning and etching, followed by the plasma chemical vapor deposition of diamond. Arrays of micropatterned edge-shaped diamond emitters were formed and tested for field emission. The deposited diamond film was characterized by energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy and SEM. Edge emitter diodes fabricated from the nitrogen–methane plasma displayed a low turn-on field of 2 V/μm and a high emission current of 5.3 mA at 8 V/μm.
Molecular analysis of the glutamate decarboxylase locus in Streptococcus thermophilus ST110.

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is generated from glutamate by the action of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and characterized by hypotensive, diuretic, and tranquilizing effects in humans and animals. The production of GABA by lactic acid starter bacteria would enhance the functionality of fermented dairy foods including cheeses and yogurt. The survey of 42 strains of the yogurt starter culture Streptococcus thermophilus by PCR techniques indicated the presence of a glutamate decarboxylase gene (gadB) in 16 strains. DNA sequencing data indicated that the GAD/GABA antiporter locus (gadB/gadC) in GAD+ S. thermophilus strains is flanked by transposase elements (5′ and 3′) and positioned between the luxS (5′) and the HD-superfamily hydrolase genes (3′). The PCR amplification product of a ca. 2-kb genomic fragment that included the gadB and its putative promoter region was inserted into a shuttle vector, which was used to transform Escherichia coli DH5α. Subsequently, the recombinant plasmid pMEU5a-1/gadB (7.24 kb) was electrotransformed into the GAD-negative strain S. thermophilus ST128. The ST128 transformants carrying the plasmid-encoded gadB produced functional GAD enzyme as evidenced by the conversion of glutamate to GABA at a rate similar to strains with the gadB/gadC operon located on the chromosome. The results demonstrated the potential to impart to non-GABA-producing strains of S. thermophilus and other lactic acid bacteria the GAD+ phenotype that improves their appeal in possible applications in the development of health-promoting functional foods.
Influence of an educational program and mechanical opening needle disposal boxes on occupational needlestick injuries.

Objectives: To determine whether an educational program had a beneficial impact on healthcare worker needlestick injuries, particularly those caused by recapping. Secondary goals were to evaluate the efficacy of in-room needle-boxes and to determine whether surveillance data were useful when evaluating new products. Design: Survey of employee health department reports. Setting: Tertiary care teaching hospital. Participants: Healthcare workers who reported needlestick injuries and other blood and body fluid exposures to the employee health department. Interventions: Exposure data from the 10 months prior to institution of the educational program and installation of disposal boxes were compared with data from the following 27 months. Additionally, the type of disposal box was changed for the last 9 months of the survey. Results: Needlestick injuries caused by recapping fell significantly following the educational program (p=.005). However, injuries caused by previously disposed needles protruding into the mechanical opening of the needle-boxes increased significantly (p=.002). Following a change of needleboxes to a nonmechanical opening design, the latter type of injury declined (p=.052). Total needlestick injuries, most other categories of needlestick injury, and other exposures did not change significantly during the 37 months of the study. Conclusions: The educational programs appeared to have positive impact on reducing recapping injuries, but many other needlestick categories did not change significantly. Mechanical opening needle disposal boxes appear to present a hazard when compared with fixed opening boxes. Surveillance data appear to be useful in monitoring injuries as well as evaluating products.
Return to work outcomes after work-related hand trauma: the role of causal attributions.

Abstract Purpose: This study examined the relationship between workers' judgments of responsibility for their accidents (causal attributions) and work-site avoidance after work-related injuries. Methods: Ninety-two hand-injured workers referred for psychologic treatment of posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms were assessed for their beliefs about the cause(s) of their accidents. Causal attributions were obtained before and after psychologic intervention. Results: Workers who blamed coworkers or equipment for their injuries were more likely to resist returning to former work activities than workers who judged themselves responsible for their accidents. In addition those with relatively minor injuries were as much at risk for work-site avoidance as those with more severe injuries. Age, gender, and length of employment with current employer were unrelated to avoidance. Conclusions: These results suggest the importance of causal attributions as potential predictors of work-site avoidance after traumatic work-related hand injuries, and support the risk for psychologic symptom development after less-severe injuries.
DIVERSITY OF CYTOPLASMIC FUNCTIONS FOR THE 3' UNTRANSLATED REGION OF EUKARYOTIC TRANSCRIPTS

The 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) can control gene expression by affecting the localization, stability and translation of mRNAs. The recent finding that 3' UTRs can control the decapping rate of mRNAs, in combination with their ability to influence the initiation of translation, suggests that 3' UTRs act through a direct or indirect interaction between the 3' and 5' ends of mRNAs.
Herpesvirus diseases of veterinary importance.

Abstract There is not a single country in the world capable of escaping economic losses from animal viral diseases. The economic losses are estimated at billions of dollars, especially in countries where veterinary care is poorly developed. In developing countries, the bulk of loss in livestock productivity due to virus infections is directly related to economic growth. The effect of nutrition worldwide is obvious. Animal and avian herpesviruses have been responsible for an appreciable number of illnesses, causing sizable financial loss. Pseudorabies, for instance, has caused an economic loss of at least $100 million each year.
INDUSTRY STUDIES AND AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL PERFORMANCE

A nationwide research program on the performance of American industry, sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, now involves scores of faculty researchers and more than 100 graduate students at several American universities. Ten research centers have been established, and each one is dedicated to the study of a particular industry. An eleventh center is carrying out research on problems that cut across these industries. It is expected that the Sloan Industry Studies program will make useful contributions to the performance of the industries themselves, to policymaking at all levels of government, and to the development of interdisciplinary research communities within the universities.
Highly aligned scalable platinum-decorated single-wall carbon nanotube arrays for nanoscale electrical interconnects.

We present the fabrication and characterization of nanoscale electrical interconnect test structures constructed from aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes using a template-based fluidic assembly process. This CMOS-friendly process enables the formation of highly aligned parallel nanotube interconnect structures on SiO2/Si substrates of widths and lengths that are limited only by lithographical limits and, hence, can be easily integrated onto existing Si-based platforms. These structures can withstand current densities of ∼107 A·cm−2, comparable or better than copper at similar dimensions. Both the nanotube alignment and failure current density improve with decreasing structure width. In addition, we present a novel Pt nanocluster decoration method that drastically decreases the resistivity of the test structures. Ab initio density functional theory calculations indicate that the increase in conductivity of the nanotubes is caused by an increase in conduction channels close to their Fermi levels due to the...
Pediatric Disk Disease

Intervertebral disk herniation in pediatric patients is a rare but potentially disabling entity that is frequently difficult to diagnose. This article reviews the fundamentals of pediatric intervertebral disk herniation with the intention of presenting a rational and simple strategy for the evaluation and treatment of disk herniation in children, with specific emphasis on how it differs from adult disk disease in presentation, pathologic findings, and treatment options.
Azithromycin Treatment Alters Gene Expression in Inflammatory, Lipid Metabolism, and Cell Cycle Pathways in Well-Differentiated Human Airway Epithelia

Prolonged macrolide antibiotic therapy at low doses improves clinical outcome in patients affected with diffuse panbronchiolitis and cystic fibrosis. Consensus is building that the therapeutic effects are due to anti-inflammatory, rather than anti-microbial activities, but the mode of action is likely complex. To gain insights into how the macrolide azithromycin (AZT) modulates inflammatory responses in airways, well-differentiated primary cultures of human airway epithelia were exposed to AZT alone, an inflammatory stimulus consisting of soluble factors from cystic fibrosis airways, or AZT followed by the inflammatory stimulus. RNA microarrays were conducted to identify global and specific gene expression changes. Analysis of gene expression changes revealed that the AZT treatment alone altered the gene profile of the cells, primarily by significantly increasing the expression of lipid/cholesterol genes and decreasing the expression of cell cycle/mitosis genes. The increase in cholesterol biosynthetic genes was confirmed by increased filipin staining, an index of free cholesterol, after AZT treatment. AZT also affected genes with inflammatory annotations, but the effect was variable (both up- and down-regulation) and gene specific. AZT pretreatment prevented the up-regulation of some genes, such as MUC5AC and MMP9, triggered by the inflammatory stimulus, but the up-regulation of other inflammatory genes, e.g., cytokines and chemokines, such as interleukin-8, was not affected. On the other hand, HLA genes were increased by AZT. Notably, secreted IL-8 protein levels did not reflect mRNA levels, and were, in fact, higher after AZT pretreatment in cultures exposed to the inflammatory stimulus, suggesting that AZT can affect inflammatory pathways other than by altering gene expression. These findings suggest that the specific effects of AZT on inflamed and non-inflamed airway epithelia are likely relevant to its clinical activity, and their apparent complexity may help explain the diverse immunomodulatory roles of macrolides.
Malondialdehyde-protein adducts in the spleens of aniline-treated rats: immunochemical detection and localization.

Previously it was reported that aniline exposure in rats induces increased lipid peroxidation and formation of malondialdehyde (MDA)-protein adducts in the spleen. In order to further elucidate the role of MDA-protein adducts in the splenic toxicity of aniline, studies were conducted to detect and localize these adducts in the spleen. Rabbit polyclonal antisera to MDA-keyhole limpet hemocyanin were employed for immunohistochemical localization and Western blot analyses of MDA-protein adducts in the spleens of aniline-treated (65 mg/kg/d aniline in the drinking water for 30 d) and control rats. For immunohistochemical localization of MDA-protein adducts in the spleen, a new approach using alkaline phosphatase-fast red (red color) to demonstrate bound primary antibodies was adopted, providing a sharper and increased contrast compared to horseradish peroxidase-diaminobenzidine (brown color) methodology. This new approach allowed us to differentiate the changes in aniline-treated spleens, which had extensive ...
Dynamics of removal of organosulfur compounds from diesel by adsorption on carbon aerogels for fuel cell applications

Carbon aerogels (CAs) were investigated as adsorbents for the desulfurization of liquid hydrocarbon fuels for fuel cell applications. Synthetic mixtures of dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) in n-hexadecane (n-HD) were used as models for sulfur contaminated diesel fuel. Carbon aerogels were found to have good adsorption capacity for both DBT and 4,6-DMDBT. Both the thermodynamics and dynamics of adsorption were investigated by the measurement of adsorption isotherms and concentration decay curves in batch mode. A theoretical model was developed to describe the dynamics of adsorption of both DBT and 4,6-DMDBT on CAs from model diesel and it was found to represent the experimental data fairly well. The model takes into account pore diffusion and assumes local equilibrium within the pores. The tortuosities of 22 nm pore diameter CA and 4 nm pore diameter CA were found to be 3.5 and 4.0, respectively. For the latter, a restrictiveness factor had to be included due to the closeness of the size of the solute, DBT, to the pore size. The simulations indicated that the particle diameter and the pore size of the carbon aerogel adsorbent were critical parameters in design of large-scale fixed-bed adsorbers for sulfur removal.
Surgical repair of a median cleft of the upper lip.

articular cause in children. J Cranio Maxillofac Surg 19:289, using three popular stretching techniques. Am J Phys Med 1991 65:189, 1986 20. Ellis III E: Fractures of the zygomatic complex and arch, in 22. Dijkstra PU, Kropmans TJEI, Tamminga RYJ: Modified use of Fonseca RJ, Walker RV (eds): Oral and Maxillofacial a dynamic bite opener-Treatment and prevention of trismus Trauma. Philadelphia, PA, Saunders, 1991, pp 504-505 in a child with head and neck cancer: A case report. J Cranio2 1. Etnyer BR, Abraham LD: Gains in range of ankle dorsiflexion mandib Pratt 10:327, 1992
210Pb balance in Long Island Sound

Abstract A material balance is constructed for excess 210Pb (relative to 226Ra) as a test of the retentivity of Long Island Sound for a reactive heavy metal. Excess 210Pb is supplied to Long Island Sound chiefly by direct atmospheric deposition [1 ± 0.2(dis·min−1)cm−2·yr−1]. Rivers supply less than 20% of the atmospheric flux, and other inputs, from open ocean waters, 226Ra decay, groundwater seepage, and sewage discharge, appear to be negligible. The total input of excess 210Pb represents approximately the flux required to maintain the inventory of excess 210Pb measured in sediment cores from central Long Island Sound; that is, excess 210Pb is lost from Long Island Sound chiefly by radioactive decay. The retention of excess 210Pb within Long Island Sound is achieved in two steps: a rapid removal of soluble 210Pb onto suspended particles and the ongoing entrapment of particles in the basin by the residual bottom-water influx from the east.
CDMA Enabled Wireless Network-on-Chip

Multihop communication links in conventional Networks-on-Chips (NoCs) results in lower rates of data transfer and higher energy dissipation. Long-range millimeter-wave wireless interconnects were envisioned to alleviate this problem. However, the available bandwidth of the wireless channels is limited and hence an efficient media access control (MAC) scheme is required to enhance the utilization of the available bandwidth. In this article we show that with multiple simultaneous access of the shared wireless medium using a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) scheme the peak performance can be improved significantly while lowering energy dissipation in data transfer compared to the conventional wireline counterparts as well as state-of-the-art Wireless NoCs using similar technologies. We present a thorough analysis of the reliability in data transfer using the CDMA based wireless links and show that a reliability-aware architecture design with CDMA based wireless links can lower the energy dissipation in NoC fabrics without compromising the achievable robustness.
Effect of Involute Tip Relief on Dynamic Response of Spur Gear Pairs

The influence of gear tooth flank modifications in the form of linear involute tip relief on the torsional vibration behavior of a spur gear pair is investigated by using an experimental test stand. Measured dynamic transmission error (DTE) values are compared and a family of forced response curves is presented. Guidelines for the design of quiet spur gear sets are also given.
Through the stomach of a predator: Regional patterns of forage in the diet of albacore tuna in the California Current System and metrics needed for ecosystem-based management

Abstract Foraging habits of predators can reveal patterns in prey ecology and guide ecosystem-based management by informing species interactions. This study describes the diet habits of albacore tuna in three regions (north, central, south) of the California Current System (CCS) and estimates the total predation mortality imposed on twenty prey taxa. The northern CCS was defined by predation on decapods, euphausiids, anchovy and hake. The central CCS was defined by predation on squid, hake and Pacific saury. The southern CCS was defined by predation on anchovy. We estimate North Pacific albacore consumed each year, on average, 54,000 mt of decapods and euphausiids, 43,000 mt of cephalopods, 84,000 mt of juvenile hake, 1600 mt of myctophids, 21,000 mt of juvenile sardine, 10,000 mt of juvenile rockfishes, almost 43,000 mt of Pacific saury, and over 107,000 mt of juvenile anchovy. While variability in predation certainly exists, this and prior studies show that diet habits of albacore are fairly stable through time. The northern CCS appears to be a more significant source of energy for albacore. When designing ecosystem-based approaches to the management of CCS-based fisheries, we recommend that the forage contribution of saury, hake and anchovy to the albacore population be considered.
On some new sequences generalizing the Catalan and Motzkin numbers

Some new sequences are introduced which satisfy quadratic recurrence rules similar to those satisfied by the classical Catalan numbers and the less well-known Motzkin numbers. For each sequence the general term is expressed as a sum of products of Catalan numbers and generalized Fibonacci numbers. In addition, first-order asymptotic formulae are given for the most interesting cases.
Semitransparent poly(styrene-r-maleic anhydride)/ alumina nanocomposites for optical applications

This article presents the development and characterization of transparent poly(styrene-r-maleic anhydride) (SMA)/alumina nanocomposites for potential use in optical applications. Chemically treated spherical alumina nanoparticles were dispersed in an SMA matrix polymer via the solution and melt-compounding methods to produce 2 wt % nanocomposites. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the nanoparticle dispersion. When the solution method was used, nanoparticle reagglomeration occurred, despite the fairly good polymer wetting. However, through the coating of the alumina nanoparticles with a thin layer (ca. 20 nm) of low-molecular-weight SMA, reagglomeration was absent in the melt-compounded samples, and this resulted in excellent nanoparticle dispersion. The resultant nanocomposites were semitransparent to visible light at a 2-mm thickness with improved UV-barrier properties. Their impact strengths, tensile strengths, and strains at break were slightly reduced compared with those of their neat resin counterpart, whereas a small enhancement in their moduli was achieved. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007
Cost-effective analysis of surgical palliation versus endoscopic stenting in the management of unresectable pancreatic cancer

Background: Ductal carcinoma of the pancreas is unresectable for cure in the majority of patients. We reviewed our results and cost effectiveness of surgical and endoscopic biliary bypass for unresectable pancreatic cancer to evaluate the comparable outcomes.
Remote sensing of terrestrial tropospheric aerosols from aircraft and satellites

This review paper outlines the rationale for long-term monitoring of the global distribution of natural and anthropogenic aerosols and clouds with specificity, accuracy, and coverage necessary for a reliable quantification of the direct and indirect aerosol effects on climate. We discuss the hierarchy of passive instruments suitable for aerosol remote sensing and give examples of aerosol retrievals obtained with instruments representing the low and the high end of this hierarchy.
Biosynthesis of fatty alcohols, alkane-1,2-diols and wax esters in particulate preparations from the uropygial glands of white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys)

Abstract Biosynthesis of sebaceous gland waxes was studied with the uropygial gland of the white-crowned sparrow as the experimental tissue. A 27,000 g particulate preparation from this gland catalyzed reduction of palmitoyl-CoA to hexadecanol at an optimum pH near 5.0 with NADPH as the preferred reductant. At low protein concentrations, palmitoyl-CoA inhibited the reductase and bovine serum albumin prevented this inhibition. An apparent K m of 0.3 m m was calculated for palmitoyl-CoA from linear double-reciprocal plots ignoring the inhibitory concentration of the substrate. An apparent K m of 3 m m was calculated for NADPH from linear double-reciprocal plots. Palmitoyl-CoA reduction was inhibited by thiol directed reagents such as p -chloromercuribenzoate, N -ethylmaleimide, and iodoacetamide. The particulate fraction also catalyzed esterification of hexadecanol with endogenous C 16 and C 18 acyl moieties with an optimum pH of 7.5. Stimulation of esterification of hexadecanol by ATP and CoA as well as by low concentrations of palmitoyl-CoA suggests that the CoA esters of fatty acids are involved in esterification. Tween-20 stimulated esterification of hexadecanol and hexadecyl dodecanoate was the major wax ester formed in the presence of Tween-20 suggesting that the C 12 acid of Tween-20 participated in esterification. Ignoring the inhibitory concentrations of hexadecanol (>0.2 m m ), an apparent K m of 0.1 m m was calculated from linear double-reciprocal plots. α-Hydroxylation of palmitic acid was demonstrated in cell-free extracts of the uropygial gland. A 27,000 g particulate preparation from the gland catalyzed the reduction of α-hydroxypalmitic acid to hexadecane-1,2-diol with NADPH as the preferred reductant at an optimum pH near 6.5. This reduction required both ATP and CoA, suggesting that α-hydroxyacyl-CoA was the true substrate for the reductase. With stereospecifically labeled NADP 3 H, it was shown that both acyl-CoA reduction and α-hydroxy acid reduction involved transfer of the hydride specifically from the B-side of the nicotinamide ring of NADPH. Subcellular fractionation using sucrose density gradient centrifugation strongly suggested that the enzymes which catalyzed reduction of palmitoyl-CoA and α-hydroxypalmitic acid as well as the esterification of hexadecanol are localized in the microsomal membranes of the gland.
Ethical frameworks and ethical behavior: A survey of business students

This study investigated the efficacy of collegiate attempts to help students cope with ethical dilemmas. Data were collected from 674 business students on their ethical frameworks and ethical behaviors. Modest support was found for the relationship between the frameworks used for decision making and the choices made when confronted with an ethical dilemma. Furthermore, it was found that ethical frameworks were generally resistant to change over time while behavioral choices did change over time.
Polyunsaturated fatty acid patterns in lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues of zinc deficient and pair-fed rats

Abstract The influences of zinc-deficiency and reduced food intake on levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of phospholipids (PL) of lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues were studied. Weanling male Long-Evans rats were fed ad libitum either a zinc-deficient (ZD) or a zinc-adequate (ZA) diet for 21 days. A pair-fed (PF) group was given the ZA diet in an amount equal to that consumed on the previous day by the ZD group. Linoleic acid (18:2ω6), 18:3ω6 and 20:3ω6 were either equivalent or significantly higher, but arachidonic acid (20:4ω6) and 22:5ω6 were either equivalent or significantly lower in tissues of ZD and PF rats compared to ZA rats. Total ω6 acids and metabolites were either equivalent or significantly lower in tissues of ZD and PF rats compared to ZA rats. In contrast, total ω3 acids and metabolites, and total ω9 acids and emtabolites were either equivalent or significantly higher in ZD and PF rats compared to ZA rats. Changes in PUFA patterns of lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues of ZD rats were influenced by reduced food intake.