cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Common Mucosal Chemokine (Mucosae-Associated Epithelial Chemokine/CCL28) Selectively Attracts IgA Plasmablasts

IgA immunoblasts can seed both intestinal and nonintestinal mucosal sites following localized mucosal immunization, an observation that has led to the concept of a common mucosal immune system. In this study, we demonstrate that the mucosae-associated epithelial chemokine, MEC (CCL28), which is expressed by epithelia in diverse mucosal tissues, is selectively chemotactic for IgA Ab-secreting cells (ASC): MEC attracts IgA- but not IgG- or IgM-producing ASC from both intestinal and nonintestinal lymphoid and effector tissues, including the intestines, lungs, and lymph nodes draining the bronchopulmonary tree and oral cavity. In contrast, the small intestinal chemokine, TECK (CCL25), attracts an overlapping subpopulation of IgA ASC concentrated in the small intestines and its draining lymphoid tissues. Surprisingly, T cells from mucosal sites fail to respond to MEC. These findings suggest a broad and unifying role for MEC in the physiology of the mucosal IgA immune system.
Challenges in biological data integration in the post-genome sequence era

We are witnessing the emergence of the “data rich” era in biology. The myriad data in biology ranging from sequence strings to complex phenotypic and disease-relevant data pose a huge challenge to modern biology. The standard paradigm in biology that deals with “hypothesis to experimentation (low throughput data) to models” is being gradually replaced by “data to hypothesis to models and experimentation to more data and models”. And unlike data in physical sciences, that in biological sciences is almost guaranteed to be highly heterogeneous and incomplete. In order to make significant advances in this data rich era, it is essential that there be robust data repositories that allow interoperable navigation, query and analysis across diverse data, a plug-and-play tools environment that will facilitate seamless interplay of tools and data and versatile user interfaces that will allow biologists to visualize and present the results of analysis in the most intuitive and user-friendly manner. This talk will address several of the challenges posed by enormous need for scientific data integration in biology with specific exemplars and strategies. The issues addressed will include: – Architecture of Data and Knowledge Repositories – Databases:Flat, Relational and Object-Oriented; what is most appropriate? – The imminent need for Ontologies in biology – The Middle Layer:How to design it? – Applications and integration of applications into the middle layer – Reduction and Analysis of Data: the largest challenge! – How to integrate legacy knowledge with data? – User Interfaces: web browser and beyond The complex and diverse nature of biology mandates that there is no “one solution .ts all” model for the above issues. While there is a need to have similar solutions across multiple disciplines within biology, the dichotomy of having to deal with the context, which is everything in some cases, poses severe design challenges. For example, can a system that describes cellular signaling also describe developmental genetics? Can the ontologies that span di.erent areas (e.g. anatomy, gene and protein data, cellular biology) be compatible and connective? Can the detailed biological knowledge accrued painstakingly over decades be easily integrated with high throughput data? These are only few of the questions that arise in designing and building modern data and knowledge systems in biology.
Radiosynthesis of 6'-Deoxy-6'[18F]Fluorosucrose via Automated Synthesis and Its Utility to Study In Vivo Sucrose Transport in Maize (Zea mays) Leaves.

Sugars produced from photosynthesis in leaves are transported through the phloem tissues within veins and delivered to non-photosynthetic organs, such as roots, stems, flowers, and seeds, to support their growth and/or storage of carbohydrates. However, because the phloem is located internally within the veins, it is difficult to access and to study the dynamics of sugar transport. Radioactive tracers have been extensively used to study vascular transport in plants and have provided great insights into transport dynamics. To better study sucrose partitioning in vivo, a novel radioactive analog of sucrose was synthesized through a completely chemical synthesis route by substituting fluorine-18 (half-life 110 min) at the 6’ position to generate 6’-deoxy-6’[18F]fluorosucrose (18FS). This radiotracer was then used to compare sucrose transport between wild-type maize plants and mutant plants lacking the Sucrose transporter1 (Sut1) gene, which has been shown to function in sucrose phloem loading. Our results demonstrate that 18FS is transported in vivo, with the wild-type plants showing a greater rate of transport down the leaf blade than the sut1 mutant plants. A similar transport pattern was also observed for universally labeled [U-14C]sucrose ([U-14C]suc). Our findings support the proposed sucrose phloem loading function of the Sut1 gene in maize, and additionally demonstrate that the 18FS analog is a valuable, new tool that offers imaging advantages over [U-14C]suc for studying phloem transport in plants.
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not demonstrably decrease survival of patients with serendipitously treated gallbladder cancer.

Abstract Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility that laparoscopic cholecystectomy has worsened the prognosis of patients with resected gallbladder cancer; particularly for patients whose cancer was accidentally resected. Study Design: We conducted a retrospective review of Connecticut Tumor Registry data and data extracted from individual patient records at 15 of 30 hospitals in Connecticut reporting data to the Registry, at two separate time points, 1985–1988 (immediate prelaparoscopic era) and 1992–95 (laparoscopic cholecystectomy well established). There were 194 and 208 patients in each 3-year period, respectively. Additional information was extracted from hospital records in 82 and 91 patients, respectively. Twenty-five percent of patients in both data sets presented with "local" or Tis, T1, T2 disease. Results: Three-year survival for localized disease was 29% in the prelaparoscopic period and 34% once laparoscopic cholecystectomy was established. But analysis of individual patient records indicated that 36% of patients from the laparoscopic period did not actually undergo a laparoscopic procedure. Fifty-nine patients had their gallbladder cancer discovered in the specimen postoperatively (serendipitously treated). A higher proportion of cancers were discovered postoperatively in the laparoscopic era (44% versus 24%). Three-year survival for these patients was 25%. If the data from the two eras are grouped according to whether or not the cancer-bearing gallbladder was manipulated laparoscopically, 24 of 59 patients (41%) turned out to be at risk for the possibility of increased laparoscopic dissemination of tumor. Survival of these patients (11-month median survival) was not statistically different from survival of patients whose serendipitously discovered gallbladder cancer was never manipulated laparoscopically (16-month median survival); p=0.54 by log rank test. Conclusions: The widespread adoption of laparoscopic cholecystectomy did not worsen the survival of patients with gallbladder cancer, and patients with serendipitously treated gallbladder cancers did not have a worse survival after laparoscopic manipulation than after a standard open cholecystectomy. The laparoscopic aspects of operative manipulation of a gallbladder with cancer in it do not appear to be a proximate cause of the poor prognosis in this disease.
Carcinoma and the calcified gall bladder

Summary An instance of mucinous adenocarcinoma arising in a porcelain or calcified gall bladder is described. The frequency of coexistent calcification and carcinoma is such that operation should be undertaken in those individuals with roentgenographic evidence of calcification of the gall bladder who are acceptable operative risks.
An Information Geometric Perspective on Active Learning

The Fisher information matrix plays a very important role in both active learning and information geometry. In a special case of active learning (nonlinear regression with Gaussian noise), the inverse of the Fisher information matrix - the dispersion matrix of parameters - induces a variety of criteria for optimal experiment design. In information geometry, the Fisher information matrix defines the metric tensor on model manifolds. In this paper, I explore the intrinsic relations of these two fields. The conditional distributions which belong to exponential families are known to be dually flat. Moreover, the author proves for a certain type of conditional models, the embedding curvature in terms of true parameters also vanishes. The expected Riemannian distance between current parameters and the next update is proposed to be the loss function for active learning. Examples of nonlinear and logistic regressions are given in order to elucidate this active learning scheme.
Adherence to prompt fever evaluation in children with sickle cell disease and the health belief model.

Background Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk of death from invasive bacterial infections. Emergent evaluation of fever allows early treatment of potentially fatal infections. Limited data exist regarding caregiver adherence to physician recommendations of prompt medical evaluation of fever in children with SCD. Better understanding of parental behavior around fever management may inform improved models for support in families of children with SCD. Procedure Cross-sectional survey based on health belief domains, Wake Forest trust scales, and self-reported adherence among 163 caregivers of children with SCD during routine hematology visit. Results Fifty-five percent of caregivers were adherent to fever evaluation recommendations as defined by “always” seeking medical evaluation of fever in their child with SCD. Perceived susceptibility to fever/infection, benefits of prompt evaluation, and cues to action were significantly different between those who adhere to recommendations versus those who do not. Twenty-five percent believe their child does not need antibiotics with every fever whereas 17% believe their child does not need evaluation of fever after immunizations. Fifty-seven percent report their employer understands missing work whereas 25% report concern regarding cost of evaluation. Trust in their child's hematologist and medical profession was high (composite scores 23.4/25 and 21/25, respectively). Conclusion Despite a high degree of agreement in importance of fever evaluation and high levels of trust, many caregivers do not consistently seek care when their child has a fever. Future studies should address additional barriers to seeking emergency care in children with SCD and fever. Pediatr Blood Cancer © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A telemetering educational graduate program: the aerospace applications test and evaluation dimension

A Telemetering Center of Excellence, a Chair of Telemetering, and an educational program in telemetering systems engineering leading to a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering have been established at New Mexico State University in cooperation with the International Foundation for Telemetering, the supporting industry, the government ranges, and NASA. Although one of the primary goals of the program is to graduate MS students who understand the concept of "end-to-end" telemetering system design for test and evaluation, another goal is to incorporate the latest aerospace applications with the attendant test and evaluation technology used in the development stage into the educational process. This paper covers two aspects of the telemetering educational program: (1) specific technological developments which have a substantial impact in the teaching program and (2) the curriculum. >
Theatrical Performance as Unfreezing Ties That Bind at the Academy of Management

The author conceptualizes the staging of a theatrical play within the main session of the Academy of Management as an organizational intervention intended to facilitate unfreezing as a first step in bringing about change. He suggests that the theatrical performance facilitates Schein's three requirements of unfreezing: It creates disconfirming data through second-order observation and by creating a common language, it facilitates anxiety or guilt through the social sharing of emotion, and it creates psychological safety through catharsis and communal audiencing. The author illustrates this based on cast and audience responses to a play, called Ties That Bind, that was performed at the 2002 annual meetings of the Academy of Management in Denver as an all-academy symposium.
Exploring the potential for foreign-trained dentists to address workforce shortages and improve access to dental care for vulnerable populations in the United States: a case study from Washington State

Background To address dental workforce shortages in underserved areas in the United States, some States have enacted legislation to make it easier for foreign dental school graduates to become licensed dentists. However, the extent to which foreign dental school graduates will solve the problem of dental workforce shortages is poorly understood. Furthermore, the potential impact that foreign-trained dentists have on improving access to dental care for vulnerable patients living in dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and those enrolled in public insurance programs, such as Medicaid, is unknown. The objective of this paper is to provide a preliminary understanding of the practice behaviors of foreign-trained dentists. The authors used Washington State as a case study to identify the potential impact foreign dental school graduates have on improving access to dental care for vulnerable populations. The following hypotheses were tested: a) among all newly licensed dentists, foreign-trained dentists are more likely to participate in the Medicaid program than U.S.-trained dentists; and b) among newly licensed dentists who participated in the Medicaid program, foreign-trained dentists are more likely to practice in dental HPSAs than U.S.-trained dentists.
Energy allocation in juvenile sablefish: effects of temperature, ration and body size

The lipid deposition of juvenile sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria was examined, in particular, the changes in allocation over time. Growth rates of early juveniles (initial size 36-50 mm total length, LT) were manipulated using two temperatures (10 and 20° C) and two rations (ad libitum and 3-4% body mass day -1 ). Fish L T , mass and lipid content were measured every 3 weeks for 15 weeks. Irrespective of treatment, the relationship of total lipid content with body size was clearly hyperallometric; small juveniles allocated relatively more energy to growth and less to lipid storage than large juveniles. After adjusting for the influence of body size, temperature and ration significantly influenced body composition but these effects varied over the course of the experiment. In the first 3 week time period, fish on the high ration, high temperature treatment had reduced lipid storage relative to other treatments, but in all subsequent time periods their lipid concentrations were similar to or higher than those of fish on other treatments. In contrast, fish held at low rations and low temperatures initially had average levels of lipid concentration, but after 6 weeks their levels were lower than other treatments. Estimation of allocation to lipid storage over time (proportion of dry mass increase comprised of lipid) suggested that fish in all of the treatments were approaching an asymptotic level of lipid concentration (c. 50-60% of dry mass) but with different rates of lipid increase. Within a treatment, it was predicted that individual differences in allocation would result in trade-offs between somatic growth and storage. This trade-off was evident only for fish held on low rations at low temperatures. In contrast, fish held on high rations at high temperatures exhibited the opposite pattern of a positive correlation between somatic growth and storage. These results suggest that lipostatic regulation of appetite is unlikely in juvenile sablefish. When resources are unlimited, this species appears to adopt a maximizing strategy for both somatic growth and lipid accumulation.
Nasal valve malfunction resulting from resection of cancer.

• Following cancer resection of the nasal unit, nasal valve malfunction is manifested by the symptoms of nasal stuffiness or difficulty getting air into the nostril. These symptoms occur in cases in which the resection is in the alar crease at the junction with the lateral sidewall of the nose. Wound scar contracture elevates the alar margin and causes the alar and lateral cartilages to move inward forming a visible and palpable shelf on the lateral wall of the nasal vestibule. This displacement of the alar and lateral cartilages and the rigid scar formed between these cartilages render the nasal valve immobile. Since it is easier to prevent nasal valve malfunction than to repair it later, wounds that bridge the alar crease or are located in either the alae or lateral sidewall and come within 1 mm of the alar crease with a total diameter of 1.0 cm should be repaired to prevent nasal valve malfunction. In the process of repairing deep defects, the overlapping region of the lateral crus of the alar cartilage and the lateral cartilage may be stabilized by a conchal cartilage graft. This cartilage graft may be used in combination with reconstruction of the nasal skin with a forehead flap and repair of the nasal lining. In the event that the nasal lining is intact, the cartilage graft may be used with a full-thickness skin graft. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1990;116:1419-1424)
Methodological Questions in the Study of One-Trial Learning

The substitution method may lead to poorer learning than the customary repetition method when learned pairs are eliminated after each trial. This results from a procedure in which the subject is required to spell the response. Spelling leads to greater difficulty in learning the response item but repetition tends to counteract it.
Specific, reversible inactivation of yeast β-hydroxy-β-methylglutraryl-CoA reductase by CoA

Summary A partially purified preparation of β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase from baker's yeast is shown to be inactivated by incubation with low concentrations of free CoA. This inactivation is highly specific for the intact CoA molecule, is time-dependent, and is not reversed by the addition of excess substrate. Reversal is possible, however, by extensive dialysis. The apparent inactivating effect of thioesters such as acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA can be explained by the amount of free CoA liberated from the thioesters through enzymatic hydrolysis. β-Hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase thus joins a group of enzymes (α-isopropylmalate synthase, homocitrate synthase and, possibly, N-acetylglutamate synthase) which have three features in common: they are associated with the mitochondria, they control acetyl-CoA utilizing pathways, and they are inactivated by CoA.
Comparison of the incidence of de novo solid malignancies after heart transplantation to that in the general population.

An increased incidence of lymphomas and skin cancers has been shown in heart transplant recipients compared with the general population. However, the incidence of de novo solid tumors in heart transplant recipients has not been compared with the general population. Accordingly, 851 consecutive adult heart transplant recipients at a single large center were followed up from January 1, 1994, to May 31, 2007, to determine the incidence and type of de novo solid-tumor malignancies. The observed incidence of each cancer type was compared with the expected incidence from the Surveillance Epidemiology End Result database, matching for age, gender, and race. Observed counts divided by expected counts yielded a standardized incidence ratio (SIR), which was tested for significance. Of 851 patients, 73 (8.6%) developed de novo solid-tumor malignancies. Sixty men (83.3%) and 12 women (16.7%) aged 58 ± 8 years at transplantation were given a diagnosis of cancer at age 62 ± 8 years. Cancers were divided into 22 categories, and the 3 most frequent cancers were prostate (22), lung (8), and breast (6). SIRs were increased for cervical cancer (SIR 14.3, 95% confidence interval 1.7 to 51.5) and thyroid cancer (SIR 7.7, 95% confidence interval 1.6 to 22.5). Logistic regression showed that age and retransplantation were significant risk factors for cancer. In conclusion, heart transplant recipients did not have a significantly increased frequency of many common malignancies despite long-term immunosuppression.
NO EFFECT OF VALSALVA MANEUVER OR TRENDELENBURG ANGLE ON AXILLARY VEIN SIZE

Abstract Background A new technique for establishing ultrasound-guided central access involves the use of the axillary vein, the distal projection of the subclavian vein, via the lateral chest. Objective To examine the effects of Valsalva maneuver and Trendelenburg positioning on axillary vein cross-sectional area (CSA). Methods Using a group-sequential design, we enrolled stable emergency patients and measured their axillary veins sonographically. Patients were measured while supine, then after a Valsalva maneuver, and then at 5°, 10°, 15°, and 17° of Trendelenburg positioning, pausing 2 min after each change. We asked patients to score their discomfort from 0 to 10 in each position. Results We enrolled 30 adult patients with a median age of 39 years (range, 20–66 years). Treating physicians considered 11 of these patients to have hypovolemia. The Valsalva maneuver decreased CSA (Mean difference = −0.03 cm2), (95% confidence interval [CI] −0.10–0.04). Trendelenburg positioning did not statistically increase CSA. The 5° position caused the largest increase, that is, 0.04 cm2 (95% CI −0.04–0.12) in the entire group and 0.1 cm2 (95% CI −0.07–0.28) in the hypovolemic subgroup. At greater degrees of Trendelenburg positioning, patients reported higher discomfort scores or simply dropped out. Conclusion The Valsalva maneuver and Trendelenburg angles above 10° do not increase axillary vein area but do increase patient discomfort. Our data suggest optimal positioning in the supine resting position or at a 5° Trendelenburg position.
Low Coherence Optical Reflectometry of Laser Diode Waveguides

Laser diode waveguides are probed using low coherence optical reflectometry. Reflections from the launch optics, front facet, and rear facet are located with a resolution of approximately 10 micrometers . Diodes mounted in pigtailed packages and on chip carriers have been studied.
Two step mechanism of phosphate release and the mechanism of force generation in chemically skinned fibers of rabbit psoas muscle.

The elementary steps of contraction in rabbit fast twitch muscle fibers were investigated with particular emphasis on the mechanism of phosphate (Pi) binding/release, the mechanism of force generation, and the relation between them. We monitor the rate constant 2 pi b of a macroscopic exponential process (B) by imposing sinusoidal length oscillations. We find that the plot of 2 pi b vs. Pi concentration is curved. From this observation we infer that Pi released is a two step phenomenon: an isomerization followed by the actual Pi release. Our results fit well to the kinetic scheme: [formula: see text] where A=actin, M=myosin, S=MgATP (substrate), D=MgADP, P=phosphate, and Det is a composite of all the detached and weakly attached states. For our data to be consistent with this scheme, it is also necessary that step 4 (isomerization) is observed in process (B). By fitting this scheme to our data, we obtained the following kinetic constants: k4=56 s-1, k-4 = 129 s-1, and K5=0.069 mM-1, assuming that K2=4.9. Experiments were performed at pCa 4.82, pH 7.00, MgATP 5 mM, free ATP 5 mM, ionic strength 200 mM in K propionate medium, and at 20 degrees C. Based on these kinetic constants, we calculated the probability of each cross-bridge state as a function of Pi, and correlated this with the isometric tension. Our results indicate that all attached cross-bridges support equal amount of tension. From this, we infer that the force is generated at step 4. Detailed balance indicates that 50–65% of the free energy available from ATP hydrolysis is transformed to work at this step. For our data to be consistent with the above scheme, step 6 must be the slowest step of the cross-bridge cycle (the rate limiting step). Further, AM*D is a distinctly different state from the AMD state that is formed by adding D to the bathing solution. From our earlier ATP hydrolysis data, we estimated k6 to be 9 s-1.
The probability of a Condorcet winner with a small number of voters

Abstract The Condorcet winner in an election is that candidate who could defeat each of the remaining candidates in a series of pairwise elections by majority rule. This study considers the probability that a Condorcet winner exists for a small number of voters under the impartial anonymous culture condition.
A Comparison of Several Zipf-Type Distributions in Their Goodness of Fit to Language Data.

Raw language data dealing with frequency of letters, phonemes, words and categories were transformed to determine the goodness of fit of such obtained data to several Zipf-type distributions: log percentage-log rank, percentage-Whitworth, log percentage-linear rank, and linear percentage-log rank. For comparison, 9 sets of 50 three-digit random numbers and the 9 sets of intervals created by assuming those numbers to be randomly dissecting a line, were ordered by size, as in a Zipl distribution, and tested as if they were raw language data. Two distinct types of frequency distributions seem to emerge in language data with the lesser studied type applying to phonemes, letters, and conceptual data being fit by the Whitworth or loglinear (Linear percentage vs. log rank) distributions and words by the hyperbolic (Log percentage vs. log rank) distribution.
Error bounds on ultrasonic scatterer size estimates

Precision errors that occur in estimating the average scatterer size from pulse‐echo ultrasound waveforms are examined in detail. The method‐independent lower bound on estimation error is found from the Cramer–Rao inequality for comparison with the predicted error for the measurement technique currently used to estimate scatterer sizes in soft biological tissues. The probability density function for the estimate is also derived. From these statistical analyses, strategies for designing experiments that minimize the error are discussed. It is shown that compared with biological variability, measurement errors in scatterer size estimates are relatively large. Consequently, there is reason to continue searching for more efficient estimators. Although the analysis and results are derived for Gaussian correlation models that have been used to study the function and structure of kidneys, generalization to include correlation models for other tissues is straightforward.
Role of the Streptokinase α-Domain in the Interactions of Streptokinase with Plasminogen and Plasmin

The role of the streptokinase (SK) α-domain in plasminogen (Pg) and plasmin (Pm) interactions was investigated in quantitative binding studies employing active site fluorescein-labeled [Glu]Pg, [Lys]Pg, and [Lys]Pm, and the SK truncation mutants, SK-(55–414), SK-(70–414), and SK-(152–414). Lysine binding site (LBS)-dependent and -independent binding were resolved from the effects of the lysine analog, 6-aminohexanoic acid. The mutants bound indistinguishably, consistent with unfolding of the α-domain on deletion of SK-(1–54). The affinity of SK for [Glu]Pg was LBS-independent, and although [Lys]Pg affinity was enhanced 13-fold by LBS interactions, the LBS-independent free energy contributions were indistinguishable. α-Domain truncation reduced the affinity of SK for [Glu]Pg 2–7-fold and [Lys]Pg ≤2-fold, but surprisingly, rendered both interactions near totally LBS-dependent. The LBS-independent affinity of SK for [Lys]Pm, 3000-fold higher compared with [Lys]Pg, was reduced dramatically by α-domain truncation. Thermodynamic analysis demonstrates that the SK α-domain contributes substantially to affinity for all Pg/Pm species solely through LBS-independent interactions, and that the higher affinity of SK for [Lys]Pm compared with [Lys]Pg involves all three SK domains. The residual affinity of the SK βγ-fragment for all Pg/Pm species was increased by an enhanced contribution to complex stability from LBS-dependent interactions or free energy coupling between LBS-dependent and -independent interactions. Redistribution of the free energy contributions accompanying α-domain truncation demonstrates the interdependence of SK domains in stabilizing the SK-Pg/Pm complexes. The flexible segments connecting the SK α, β, and γ domains allow their rearrangement into a distinctly different bound conformation accompanying loss of the constraint imposed by interactions of the α-domain.
MR Imaging of the Brachial Plexus

Continuous improvements in magnetic resonance scanner, coil, and pulse sequence technology have resulted in the ability to perform routine, high-quality imaging of the brachial plexus. With knowledge of the anatomy of the plexus, and a familiarity with common pathologic conditions affecting this area, radiologists can provide valuable imaging evaluation of patients with brachial plexus pathologies.
Oxidant stress in kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats involves both oxidase overexpression and loss of extracellular superoxide dismutase

Oxidant stress is an important contributor to renal dysfunction and hypertension. We have previously demonstrated that regulation of renal oxygen consumption by nitric oxide (NO) is impaired in the...
A forensic approach to incident response

An incident response plan is critical for the detection and removal of information security threats. Incident response involves many aspects other than technical issues. There are management, legal, and social issues that an incident response team needs to consider. An incident response identifies, contains, and eliminates the incident. Then, the compromised system is fully recovered and restored. To hold the intruder accountable, a forensic investigation is needed. Documentation of all activities and evidence gathering is crucial when during the entire response and investigation. The paper proposes and discusses interconnected methodological frameworks for both incident response and network forensics.
Application performance and service differentiation for best effort traffic in ATM networks

Best effort services continue to be simple and cheap and one of the most widely used networking services. For this class of service the network provides no QoS guarantees and applications compete with each other to gain the network resources they need. In this environment, the Packet Dropping Policy (PDP) is the most important and influential mechanism. PDPs can improve the application performance and the network utilization, achieve fairness among the competing connections, isolate traffic, and even provide service predictability and traffic differentiation. Although there are many Selective Packet Dropping mechanisms for the ATM Unspecified Bit Rate (UBR) service category, there is no single and best policy yet. All of them have advantages and disadvantages and finding a good policy for all scenarios is not easy. In this article we present a flexible PDP called Preemptive Partial Packet Discard (pPPD) that provides better application performance and network utilization than current alternatives. In addition, we demonstrate the flexibility of pPPD proposing four pPPD variants including pPPD-DS, meant to enhance the best effort service and provide relative traffic differentiation. pPPD-DS is proposed as a mechanism to implement the Behaviour Classes recently approved by the ATM Forum in the Differentiated UBR traffic management specifications for the support of the IETF Differentiated Model over ATM networks.
Prescribed Fire Effects on Deciduous Oak Woodland Stand Structure, Northern Diablo Range, California

Despite the increasing use of fire in managing oak woodlands, little information exists on quantitative changes to stand structure from prescribed burning. Fire damage and recovery in a mixed deciduous oak woodland were recorded after a prescribed fire on the northern Diablo Range, Santa Clara County, California. Blue oak (Quercus douglasii Hook. & Arn.), valley oak (Q. lobata Nee), and black oak (Q. kelloggii Newb.) trees were monitored for 4 yr to determine the effects of a late spring burn on stand structural characteristics. Fire-caused mortality was low; 4 yr after the low intensity ground fire only four oaks died (1.9%). There were significant differences in mean percent tree crown scorch and mean trunk char height between plots that burned under different fire intensities, but not between tree size classes. Although overall tree damage was low, crown resprouts developed on 80% of the trees and were found as shortly as 2 wk after the fire. Recovery was vigorous; both valley oaks and blue oaks produced crown resprouts on trees with 100% crown scorch. Classification tree analysis identified aspect (mostly southern exposures) and tree size related to the presence of crown resprouting. Crown damage was also an important factor; trees with greater than 40% of their crown scorched resprouted. Fire-induced trunk scars occurred on a small number of trees (9.1%) but was disproportionately higher for black oak compared to blue and valley oak. Stand structural characteristics (species composition, tree density, basal area, and crown closure) were not substantially altered by the event but rather maintained. Prescribed fire might be a viable tool in reducing fuels and maintaining oak woodlands; however, further investigations that include relationships of regeneration with repeated fire are needed.
Implantable Hearing Devices

There are many barriers that prevent the use of traditional acoustic amplification including anatomic and medical conditions and patient preference. Implantable hearing devices typically avoid the use of the ear canal and can overcome many of these barriers. Current options include partially and fully implantable devices, devices that make use of bone conduction, devices that directly couple to the ossicular chain, and those that provide more direct cochlear stimulation. This article reviews the major devices that are currently available or in development providing information regarding clinical indications, device components, the general surgical procedure, and typical outcomes. This review should help the clinician understand device options to fit specific patient anatomy and amplification needs.
A comparison of three models of 1-h time lag fuel moisture in Hawaii

The U.S. National Fire Danger Rating System currently uses a moisture diffusion model developed by Fosberg to predict fine fuel moisture in woody fuels. Nelson recently developed a fuel moisture model that includes functions for both heat and moisture transfer. Fuel moisture samples were collected in Hawaii hourly for up to 96 h for three litter, one herbaceous, and eight grass fuels at sites ranging from near sea level to 2200 m. Weather data were collected every 5 min. Observed fuel moistures were compared to predictions from three models—a simplified form of Fosberg’s equation (Simple), the Nelson physical model, and a Markov model fit to the observed data. Mean difference, average deviation, and percentage of predictions closer to the observed data than the Simple model were used to evaluate model performance. Performance of the Markov model was best and of the Simple model was poorest. All models underestimated fuel moisture with the Simple model having the greatest errors and the Markov model having thesmallest. The Markovmodel and the Nelson model predictions were closer tothe observedfuel moistures than theSimple model for more than 75% of the observations. Further testing and application of the Nelson physical model is recommended. # 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Pascal: An Overview

Pascal–even with its flaws–offers significant advantages over simplistic languages such as Fortran or Basic, without requiring the enormous resources of PL/I or Algol 68.
The transient response of second order non-linear equations

Abstract A method is presented for calculating the transient response of second order non-linear differential equations. The increase in accuracy over such methods as the Kryloff-Bogoliuboff technique, physically speaking, is due to the inclusion of the phase-lag effects caused by the linear damping term in the equation. Mathematically the increase in accuracy is obtained by an appropriate choice of the zero-th order terms for the dependent variable and its first derivative. This inclusion requires little more calculation effort than that required in the Kryloff-Bogoliuoff technique. Additionally, this method may be iterated to obtain solutions of increased accuracy ; the next higher order solution being carried out in detail in the text. Examples are presented to show the increase in accuracy of the present method over the Kryloff-Bogoliuboff technique.
Monitoring adequacy of α-adrenoceptor blockade following systemic phentolamine administration

Systemic phentolamine administration has been suggested as a diagnostic tool for identifying patients with sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) (Raja et al. 1991). The dose of phentolamine to produce adequate blockade of peripheral alpha-adrenoceptor function has, however, not been previously determined. In this study, the effects of two different doses of phentolamine on peripheral sympathetic vasoconstrictor function were investigated. One-hundred and seventeen (117) patients with chronic extremity pain underwent 130 phentolamine diagnostic tests using two different doses of phentolamine (0.5 mg/kg over 20 min (n = 60) and 1 mg/kg over 10 min (n = 59)). Eleven (11) patients did not receive phentolamine during the test. Cutaneous temperature was measured in the distal extremity before and after administration of phentolamine. In a subset of patients, baseline blood flow and sympathetically mediated vasoconstrictor response (SMR) to deep inhalation were measured on glabrous skin using laser Doppler flowmetry. SMR was elicited with a 5-sec maximal inspiratory gasp. A dose-related increase in cutaneous temperature was observed. In addition, baseline blood flow increased and SMR was attenuated after both doses of phentolamine, but to a greater degree after the 1 mg/kg dose. However, SMR was not completely attenuated, even after administration of the higher phentolamine dose. These results indicate that a phentolamine dose of 1 mg/kg over 10 min more completely blocks alpha-adrenoceptor function than a dose of 0.5 mg/kg over 20 min. We therefore recommend that to ensure adequate alpha-adrenoceptor blockade the higher phentolamine dose be used in the phentolamine diagnostic test for SMP.
The role of chemotaxis in the ecology of bacterial pathogens of mucosal surfaces

ALTHOUGH the ecological role of bacterial chemotaxis has been the object of considerable speculation, little is known of its role in nature1. Moreover, chemotaxis as a factor in the interaction between the mammalian host and its indigenous or pathogenic microflora remains unexplored. Studies with Vibrio cholerae and other intestinal pathogens have shown that bacterial association with the mucosa is influenced by bacterial motility, adhesion to brush border membranes, the presence of an indigenous flora and by the inhibitory effects of local antibodies (summarised in refs 2, 3). We have shown previously that a pepsin digest of rabbit intestinal mucosa (PMS) inhibits the association of cholera vibrios and Salmonella enteritidis with rabbit intestine, and speculated that this extract was inhibitory because it neutralised the adhesion of the bacteria to a hypothetical receptor in the mucus gel3. We report here that PMS neutralises a positive chemotactic response of several bacterial species to the mucosa and in that way reduces bacterial association with intestinal tissue. Chemotaxis thus seems to be one of several mechanisms controlling interactions of bacteria with mucosal surfaces.
The behavioral economics of George Akerloff and Harvey Leibenstein

Abstract Behavioral economics is now receiving greater acceptance in the economics profession. One illustration of this acceptance is the Nobel Prize awarded to George Akerloff in 2001. Akerloff’s work included issues of rationality, work norms, and asymmetric information in both more and less developed countries. Leibenstein was one of the first economists in recent decades to explore behavioral economics. This was accomplished through his development of X-efficiency theory, but not exclusively through X-efficiency theory. This paper will show similarities in the work done by Akerloff and Leibenstein, and cite examples of how Akerloff extended some of Leibenstein’s work, leading to Akerloff’s much deserved Nobel Prize.
Mitigating America's demographic dilemma by pre-funding social security

Abstract Financing Social Security benefits at current levels implies significant increases in payroll taxes within the next 20 years under current US demographic developments. Using a general-equilibrium overlapping-generations model with realistic patterns of fertility and lifespan extension, this study shows that future generations would be harmed during the demographic transition due to rising payroll taxes, which crowd out savings and slow real wage growth below the rate of technological progress. A faster rate of technological progress would mitigate only some of the payroll tax increase and its economic consequences but could not overcome them. Addressing the financing problem by reducing Social Security benefits as needed or by raising the eligibility age for benefits imposes major welfare losses on current or near term retirees. By contrast, a pre-funding of Social Security financed with consumption taxes more evenly spreads the welfare losses across generations, and it helps future generations, especially the poor, by stimulating capital formation.
Production Activities in the Household Economies of Plantation Slaves: Barbados and Martinique, Mid-1600s to Mid-1800s

Formerly British and French colonies, the eastern Caribbean islands of Barbados and Martinique were major players in the early development of European overseas empires dependent on African slave labor and the large-scale production of sugar. Utilizing documentary and archaeological data we discuss and compare the independent production activities or household economies of plantation slaves on these two islands. The household economy was one of the more prominent aspects of plantation slave life throughout the Caribbean, and in this paper we examine the multiple adaptive production strategies slaves employed to ameliorate the poverty of their material and economic lives.
Carotid body tumor: Three-dimensional imaging

A 74-year-oldwoman presented with an asymptomatic left neck mass. An initial diagnosis of carotid body tumor (CBT) was made by duplex scan (A). Evaluation was completed with spiral computed tomography (CT) scan (B), multiplanar reformats, and three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction (C). By reconstructing separate objects based on CT density with specialized software, it is possible to clearly visualize the CBT, carotid artery, jugular vein and bone (Cover). CBTs are bilateral in 5% of sporadic cases and in 30% of familial cases. Only 5% to 10% will metastasize, 94% of those to local lymph nodes. To determine resectability and involvement of adjacent arteries and nerves, precise preoperative imaging is crucial. Imaging is directed at confirming CBT, ruling out bilateral lesions or arterial occlusive disease, and determining the extent of tumor and the degree of involvement of associated vessels. Initial imaging is typically color duplex ultrasound, displaying tumor vascularity (A). Arteriography has been the standard for imaging the adjacent vasculature and offers the capability of therapeutic embolization, but the value of embolization remains somewhat controversial, and the technique is not without risk of stroke and death. CT and magnetic resonance “angiography” have become more commonly employed with the advent of dynamic imaging, higher resolution, and 3-D reconstruction for these modalities. Conventional axial CT images demonstrate contrast enhancement within the tumor due to its vascularity, with the external and internal carotid arteries splayed apart and partially encased by the tumor (B). A 3-D reconstruction with sagittal CT reformat dropped into the 3-D model for context (C) demonstrates the relationship of the CBT to the cervical vertebrae, which is one determinant of surgical access and approach. An additional advantage of CT or magnetic resonance imaging with specialized 3-D imaging software is the ability to view the anatomy from any desired viewpoint, to include important bony structures, and to eliminate separate objects or make them transparent (C, Cover). The latter feature is only possible if a multi-object 3-D reconstruction is performed, reconstructing separate objects based on density. In this case, the tumor extended to the mandible, but ended below the top of C2, clearly indicating potential for surgical resection. We have found that 3-D CT imaging aids preoperative planning and eliminates the need for arteriography in most patients with CBT.
Na(1.515)EuGeS4, a three-dimensional crystalline assembly of empty nanotubules constructed with europium(II/III) mixed valence ions.

A new compound, Na(1.515)EuGeS(4), has been synthesized at 750 °C from a reaction of elemental europium, germanium, and sulfur and Na(2)S. The compound crystallizes in the trigonal system with Z = 18 and the R3c space group with a = 23.322(3) A, c = 6.838(1) A, and V = 3221.2(9) A(3). Na(1.515)EuGeS(4), which is isostructural with Na(2)EuSiSe(4), contains quasi-infinite nanoscale (∞)[EuGeS(4)](2-) tubules that are held together by sodium cations through electrostatic interactions. The tubules consist of a complex network of monoface-capped EuS(7) trigonal prisms and GeS(4) tetrahedra. The most striking structural feature of Na(1.515)EuGeS(4) is the absence of sodium cations inside the tubules, an absence that is balanced by the presence of mixed valence europium(II/III) ions. This mixed valence is confirmed by europium-151 Mossbauer spectroscopy, which indicates discrete mixed-valence europium ions at least up to 295 K. The stoichiometry has been determined by a fit of χ(M)T measured between 20 and 300 K with a combination of europium(II) ions, with a Curie constant of 7.877 emu K/mol, and europium(III) ions whose contribution to χ(M)T has been fit by using the Van Vleck expression for its molar susceptibility. The best fit corresponds to 51.5% of europium(II), 48.5% of europium(III), a stoichiometry of Na(1.515(5))EuGeS(4), and a splitting, E, between the J = 0 and the first excited J = 1 state of europium(III) of 360(6) cm(-1). The field dependence of the 1.8 K magnetization is in perfect agreement with a S = 7/2 Brillouin function with g = 2.00 and yields a saturation magnetization of 7 Nβ at 5 T.
Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment of Vascular Lesions in Children

background. The flashlamp-pumped pulsed dye laser (577, 585 nm) with 300 to 450 μsecond pulsewidths has been demonstrated to effectively and safely treat portwine stains, telangiectases, and superficial hemangiomas in children. objective. The objective of this manuscript is to review the indications of the pulsed dye laser in the treatment of vascular lesions in children. conclusion. Pulsed dye laser treatment of port-wine stains can remove or lighten the lesions with multiple treatment sessions. Spider telangiectases respond with complete resolution, usually within one to two treatment sessions. Superficial hemangiomas respond quite easily and effectively with the pulsed dye laser, while a more variable response is noted in deeper hemangiomas, early proliferative lesions, and ulcerated hemangiomas. This procedure is safe with a low incidence of scarring and pigmentary alteration.