cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secure connections in Bluetooth scatternets

Bluetooth is a wireless networking technology specifically developed for personal area networking and other short range applications. Bluetooth devices can be networked together by forming piconets of up to eight devices, where a single device is the master and the rest are slaves. These piconets can further be interconnected to create a scatternet. A scatternet is formed by allowing bridge nodes to operate in multiple piconets by interleaving their membership. These bridge nodes alternate between piconets by scheduling their participation during disjoint time-slots. Scatternet formation and routing are important problems for the future of Bluetooth. Another equally important issue is security. We describe how Bluetooth security is currently implemented and discuss a number of security attacks. We then describe two scatternet scenarios that warrant secure operation, and propose solutions that meet our security goals of confidentiality, availability, and integrity. A secure scatternet is created by generating contributory link keys between interconnected piconets. We also introduce a new concept that we call Private PANs. A Private PAN is a piconet in which devices are bonded together, and generally also controlled, and. owned, by the same entity. The main purpose of this paper is to extend the scope of Bluetooth security to scatternets.
THE PPAR ACTIVATOR DOCOSAHEXAENOIC ACID PREVENTS ACETAMINOPHEN HEPATOTOXICITY IN MALE CD-1 MICE

Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatocellular necrosis can be prevented by treatment with peroxisome proliferators. This protection is associated with lowered protein arylation and glutathione depletion in mice. Peroxisome proliferators have been shown to activate nuclear receptors. These receptors, termed peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs), can also be activated by free fatty acids. This study was designed to determine if treatment with the PPAR activator docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) would also lower APAP toxicity. Male CD-1 mice received 250 mg DHA/kg or 500 mg clofibrate (CFB)/kg, i.p., for 5 d. Controls received corn oil vehicle, i.p. After overnight fasting, mice received 800 mg APAP/kg, p.o. At 24 h after APAP, hepatotoxicity was evident in control mice by elevated plasma sorbitol dehydrogenase activity (SDH) and histologic evidence of hepatic degeneration and necrosis. As expected, CFB pretreatment significantly decreased this. Similarly, DHA protected against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity at 24 h after challenge. However, treatment with DHA did not increase hepatic glutathione prior to APAP, as previously shown with CFB. Interestingly, DHA did not increase palmitoyl coenzyme A (CoA) oxidase activity or other biochemical parameters associated with peroxisome proliferation after 5 d of treatment at 250 mg/kg. No significant alterations in microsomal APAP glucuronidation or cytochrome P-450-mediated bioactivation were detected either. Collectively, these results show that DHA also prevents APAP-induced hepatotoxicity at 24 h after challenge. However, the association between resistance against APAP-induced liver injury, PPAR activation, and peroxisome proliferation is not clearly understood.
Increased levels of HIV RNA detected in samples with viral loads close to the detection limit collected in Plasma Preparation Tubes (PPT).

Abstract Background The accurate and reliable quantification of HIV RNA is an essential part of the management of HIV infected individuals, and elucidation of factors that may affect HIV RNA measurements, such as the use of Vacutainer Plasma Preparation Tubes™ (PPT), is crucial. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine if plasma samples with viral loads close to the lower limit of the dynamic range of the assay collected in PPT tubes had increased levels of HIV RNA as compared to samples collected in standard EDTA tubes. Study design HIV RNA levels were compared in 112 paired plasma samples collected in PPT and standard EDTA tubes. All samples had been frozen prior to testing. Results Discrepancies between PPT and EDTA tubes did not occur for samples with high viral loads. However, in samples with viral loads close to the lower limit of the dynamic range, levels of HIV RNA detected were higher in a large proportion of PPT as compared to the corresponding EDTA plasma samples. Forty percent of plasma pairs had no detectable HIV RNA in the EDTA aliquot, but had low levels of HIV RNA in the corresponding PPT aliquot. Conclusions This prospective study underlines the need for cautious interpretation of small transient viral load changes in samples with values close to the detection limit.
New error bounds and optimum quantization for multisensor distributed signal detection

The binary signal detection problem is considered, when a distributed system of sensors operates in a decentralized fashion. Local processing at each sensor is performed. Using Chernoff's large deviation theorems, the author considers as a criterion the rate of convergence of the error probability to zero. It is shown that the optimum quantizer of blocks of data under the above criterion is the likelihood ratio quantizer. A lower bound to the error probability is also developed. The question of how many coarsely quantized sensors can replace the infinitely quantized one is also answered. The main result given is the structure of the optimum quantizer, consisting of the calculation of the likelihood ratio concatenated by a scalar quantizer. >
Social Justice Leadership as Praxis: Developing Capacities Through Preparation Programs

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to propose a conceptual framework for social justice leadership as praxis and to explore the implications of this framework for leadership preparation progra...
REACTIONS OF RABBITS TO INTRACUTANEOUS INJECTIONS OF PNEUMOCOCCI AND THEIR PRODUCTS : VI. HYPERSENSITIVENESS TO PNEUMOCOCCI AND THEIR PRODUCTS.

1. Rabbits receiving either intracutaneous or intravenous injections of crystalline egg albumin acquire a "skin sensitivity" but not an "eye sensitivity" to the albumin. 2. Rabbits receiving either intracutaneous or intravenous injections of the "nucleoprotein" of Pneumococcus acquire a specific "skin sensitivity" to the "nucleoprotein" but not an "eye sensitivity." 3. Rabbits receiving intravenous injections of a suspension of heat-killed pneumococci acquire a "skin hypersensitiveness" but not an "eye hypersensitiveness" to the "nucleoprotein." 4. The skin hypersensitiveness to the respective proteins is associated with the presence of antibodies in the blood and is transferable by the injection of serum from an actively sensitized to a normal rabbit. 5. Rabbits receiving intracutaneous injections of a suspension of heat-killed pneumococci also acquire a "skin hypersensitiveness" to the "nucleoprotein" of the cell, but they may acquire an eye hypersensitiveness as well. 6. Rabbits injected intracutaneously with a suspension of heat-killed pneumococci show a primary and a secondary skin reaction following the first injection. The intensity of the reactions increases with subsequent injections up to the fourth to the sixth injection. With later injections these reactions change in character and decrease in intensity. These reactions bear no apparent relation to the presence of antibodies in the blood. 7. Rabbits injected intracutaneously with a suspension of heat-killed pneumococci develop "eye hypersensitiveness" which, under the experimental conditions, is not transferable from "eye reactive" to normal rabbits. 8. It appears, therefore, that following the injection of heat-killed pneumococci into the skin a special kind of "eye" and "skin hypersensitiveness" develops which is not related to the presence of circulating antibodies and which cannot be transferred from the sensitive to normal rabbits.
A cross-layer SDN control plane for optical multicast-featured datacenters

The increasing number of datacenter applications with heavy one-to-many communications has motivated the proposal of optical multicast-featured datacenter architectures. These solutions use optical power splitters to duplicate the optical signal from the input port to all the output ports on the fly, thus are promising for fast, reliable, economical, and energy-efficient group data delivery. Figure 1 illustrates how optical power splitters can be inserted into a datacenter. In case of heavy multicast communications from a particular sender to a group of receivers, an optical power splitter can be connected to these servers statically. They can also be placed to the level of Top-of-Rack (ToR) switches to aggregate traffic, so that a set of servers beneath the sender ToR switch can multicast to another set of servers across the destination ToR switches. Dynamic allocation of optical power splitters can be achieved by having a high-radix optical space switch, e.g. a 3D MEMS switch, as a connectivity substrate [5]. The key challenge of these architectures lies in fitting optical data duplication in the picture of the existing network stack. Optical power splitters can only send data unidirectionally, from input to output but not vice versa. Today’s unicast routing protocols assume bidirectional links and thus are ignorant of these additional optical paths. Since multicast routing protocols depend on unicast routing protocols for topology discovery, multicast trees will not be built over the optical splitters. Utilizing the optical multicast function requires multicast data delivery to be performed over the optical power split-
The Replication of Hertz's Cathode Ray Experiments

I reappraise in detail Hertz’s cathode ray experiments. I show that, contrary to Buchwald’s (1995) evaluation, the core experiment establishing the electrostatic properties of the rays was successfully replicated by Perrin (probably) and Thomson (certainly). Buchwald’s discussion of &current puri"cation’ is shown to be a red herring. My investigation of the origin of Buchwald’s misinterpretation of this episode reveals that he was led astray by a focus on what Hertz &could do’*his experimental resources. I argue that one should focus instead on what Hertz wanted to achieve*his experimental goals. Focusing on these goals, I "nd that his explicit and implicit requirements for a successful investigation of the rays’ properties are met by Perrin and Thomson. Thus, even by Hertz’s standards, they did indeed replicate his experiment. ( 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Using multi-criteria decision making to highlight stakeholders’ values in the corridor planning process

The processes for environmental review and public participation mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act - A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), have become overly time-consuming and costly in transportation planning. This paper focuses on the implementation of transportation policy, highlighting how its complex nature challenges the traditional policy process theories. Federal and local perspectives are used as a basis for top-down and bottom-up implementation models. In addition, the authors discuss the conflicting nature of transportation policy implementation within decision processing and suggest an implementation tool that can aid transportation and planning professionals. The authors suggest that the use and integration of existing data from geospatial technologies and economic modeling can result in a visual Multiple Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) model that can aid in streamlining and enhancing the NEPA process, agency coordination, and public participation in different administration levels.
The roles of familial alcoholism and adolescent family harmony in young adults' substance dependence disorders : Mediated and moderated relations

This study examined the prospective relations among family history density of alcoholism (FHD), adolescent family harmony, and young adults' alcohol and drug dependence. Family harmony was rated by mothers and fathers in adolescence, and young adults' substance dependence diagnoses were obtained through structured interviews. Higher FHD predicted lower adolescent family harmony, which in turn increased young adults' odds of being diagnosed with drug dependence (with and without alcohol dependence) compared to no diagnoses or to alcohol dependence only. Family harmony also interacted with FHD such that the protective effect of family harmony on young adults' drug dependence with or without alcohol dependence decreased as FHD rose, and was nonsignificant at high levels of FHD. The findings suggest the importance of distinguishing among alcohol and drug dependence disorders and examining their differential etiological pathways, and also suggest that the protective effects of harmonious family environments on substance dependence may be limited at high levels of FHD.
Statement Merge: An Inter-Statement Optimization of Array Language Programs

Array language provides an effective paradigm for developing portable parallel programs but will only be used if compilers generate efficient code for array operations this paper presents an inter-statement optimization technique which merges related array operations in different statements. A merged statement creates opportunities for previously developed inter-primitive optimizations of array operators The potential advantages of statement merge are the elimination of a program variable, demand driven evaluation, reductions of data movement and loop overhead. The combination of statement merge and inter-primitive optimizations achieves a 3 8 fold execution time speedup in a scientific application
International research and local authorities: Interplay between research and police agendas in the field of drug abuse and AIDS

International study of drug use and HIV derives much of its value from affording investigators opportunities to compare similar behaviors in contrasting cultural contexts. In these contrasting cultural contexts, people entrusted with conducting police work and minimizing crime have ways of conducting their business that may or may not interfere with research on illegal or socially disapproved behaviors. Two cases illustrate interactions between well-meaning researchers and local authorities. In both, investigations benefited from having laid groundwork for local endorsement of study activities. Research on marijuana smoking in Costa Rica enjoyed strong cooperation from the Ministry of Health, but not so strong from the Ministry of Security because of a fledgling office of Narcotics. Studies of HIV risk among injecting drug users (IDUs) in Valencia, Spain, encountered no problems with police but noted dangers of low drug enforcement. Five principles of preparing for international research may help investigators to anticipate some varieties of contextual obstructions to research outside the United States.
MIMO-Based Rate Adaptation to Enhance TCP Throughput over Wireless Fading Channels

We study the performance of TCP (transmission control protocol) over a wireless fading link using MIMO (multiple input multiple output) technology. MIMO technology using multiple transmit and receive antennas can potentially mitigate the effect of fading by providing diversity gain and/or increase the throughput by providing multiplexing gain. Given the number of transmit and receive antennas, there exists a tradeoff between the diversity and multiplexing gains. We study the effect of the so-called diversity-multiplexing tradeoff on the throughput of TCP. We demonstrate by cross-layer simulations involving the physical and transport layers that diversity gain is more useful to enhance TCP throughput when the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is low, and multiplexing gain is more useful when SNR is high. Our results indicate that there exist SNR levels at which switching from diversity-providing schemes to multiplexing schemes would provide enhanced TCP throughput. We propose a cross-layer rate-switching scheme to enhance TCP throughput over a wide range of SNR values.
PARTICLE ASPECT OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD EQUATIONS

In this paper it is shown that Maxwell's theory of the electromagnetic field in vacuum can be stated in a form closely parallel to Dirac's theory of the electron. The electromagnetic field is described by a three-by-one column matrix whose elements are linear combinations of the three independent spinor components of the field. The Maxwell equations take a form similar to the Dirac equation for a free electron but involving three-by-three matrices. In terms of a wave function normalized so that the integral-square is the number of photons, the classical expressions for the energy, momentum, and angular momentum in the field are related to expected values of the Hamiltonian, momentum, and angular momentum operators. The angular momentum operator consists of an orbital part plus a three-by-three spin-one matrix part. As in Dirac's theory, the contributions from the states of negative Hamiltonian eigenvalue must be subtracted---these are states of opposite circular polarization.
New insights into fetal atrioventricular block using fetal magnetocardiography.

Routine fetal arrhythmia assessment typically involves the use of echocardiographic modalities that demonstrate mechanical events from which electrophysiological events are inferred ([1][1]). While M-mode and Doppler-based techniques have been used successfully to diagnose third-degree
Minding Our Business: Corporate Social Responsibility Pressures and the Failure to Develop Universal Rules to Govern Investors and States

This article examines the many failures of the global community to create an international investment agreement. I argue that the failure to delineate the responsibilities of global corporations has created a governance gap, which companies fill by adopting CSR strategies.
Organic Matter and Bioactivity in Cryosols of Arctic Alaska

Soils of northern regions contain about 26% of the terrestrial C-stocks; the Arctic and boreal zones each hold about 12 to 13% (Post et al., 1982). Under the climatic conditions of the recent geological past, these regions have served as a sink for atmospheric carbon. Recent research efforts in Alaska have shown that tundra which has exhibited sink activity up to the 1970s has now, in the past decade of 1980 to the 1990s, reversed net C-flux activity and become a source of atmospheric carbon (Oechel et al., 1993).
Lessons from the Clash between Campaign Finance Laws and the Blogosphere

In this essay prepared for a Nexus Law Journal symposium on blogging and the law, Professor Hasen examines the current controversy over whether campaign finance laws should extend to election-related activities conducted over the Internet. Until recently, Federal Election Commission (FEC) regulations exempted Internet-based election communications from the reach of much campaign finance law. The status quo changed when a federal district court recently held that the FEC must impose some regulations of these communications consistent with Congress's intent in passing the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002. The FEC Internet rulemaking sparked a blogstorm of protest, and as of this writing the FEC had not yet promulgated a final rule. Whatever rule the FEC does promulgate is sure to be challenged by some aggrieved party in court, though it is possible that Congress will act first to exempt such communications, or at least attempt to do so, from the ambit of campaign finance laws.Regardless of the final outcome of this rulemaking, the clash tells us some important things both about the nature of speech in the blogosphere and about the tenability of campaign finance laws in the era of cheap speech and shifting technology. First, the line between journalism and blogging is thin indeed. Second, many bloggers view their activities as more worthy of protection than traditional political communications, but they shouldn't. Third, the convergence of journalism and blogging, and of internet and television, will put pressure on rules limiting corporate and union participation in the election process. My main conclusion is that this debate will be fruitful only if one identifies the proper goals of campaign finance regulation. If we structured our campaign finance system to prevent corruption, promote equality, and provide valuable information to voters, we would do little to limit the political activities of bloggers, but we would impose some sensible disclosure rules. In implementing rules to meet these goals, we should be aware of the danger that the new sensible exemptions for blogging today can have unintended and far-reaching consequences tomorrow.
Water for food – Possibilities and Innovative Solutions

Water, as in any other sector, is essential for agriculture and in turn for food security. The link is simple: crops and livestock need water to grow. To give a few examples, producing one kg of rice requires more than three tons of water and a kg of beef some 15 tons (Hoekstra and Chapagain, 2008). Dietary habits around the world, thus, have a significant impact on water consumption for food. A personal diet that is rich in meat can require over five tons of water per day. This is in stark contrast to the fact that around the world there are nearly 870 million people whose daily intake of calories is insufficient to live active and healthy lives (i.e. chronic undernourishment) (FAO, 2012).
Monetary vs. nonmonetary prices: differences in product evaluations due to pricing strategies within mobile applications

Despite the rapid proliferation of nonmonetary pricing models in the marketplace, no existing research examines consumer inferences derived from these prices. In two studies, we find that consumers perceive products (mobile applications) with monetary prices as being less novel than products featuring a nonmonetary price (banner advertisements). Additionally, the combination of a nonmonetary and a monetary price produces negative novelty inferences similar to those of a single monetary price. Negative inferences derived from a combination of a monetary and nonmonetary price are moderated by a belief in money as a symbol of success, such that those high in this belief form stronger negative inferences regarding product novelty. These inferences regarding product novelty are positively associated with, and fully mediate, the effects of these prices on customer purchase intent.
A hierarchical branching model of evolutionary radiations

A hierarchical branching model is presented that tracks diversity of lineages and para- clades simultaneously. It is based on three parameters: (1) lineage origination within a paraclade, (2) lineage origination that founds new paraclades, and (3) lineage extinction. The model assumes stochastic constancy of evolutionary rates and, therefore, exponential growth of diversity is the null expectation. The probabilistic model can be used to generate confidence intervals for exponential growth through Monte Carlo simulation. These confidence intervals can be compared to empirical curves to test the null hypothesis of exponential growth. The analytic solution for paraclade diversity gives the statistical expectation for the probabilistic model. It can be applied to empirical diversity curves of supraspecific taxa to estimate total speciation rate, the intrinsic rate of increase, and the proportion of speciation events that found new paraclades. Two factors were identified with the model that may cause diversity curves for higher taxa (e.g., genera, families) to deviate from simple exponential growth during initial phases of diversification: (1) stochastic fluctuation at low diversity, and (2) taxonomic structure (i.e., species/genus ratio). These sources of variability should be eval- uated before macroevolutionary explanations for specific diversity trends are invoked. Two kinds of evolutionary radiations were investigated with this model: (1) prolonged periods of low diversity (macroevolutionary lag) in cheilostome bryozoans and mammals prior to their main phases of diver- sification, and (2) rapid bursts in diversity of bivalves following the late Permian and end-Cretaceous mass extinctions. In all cases these patterns were found to deviate significantly from the null expectation of exponential growth lending support to previous macroevolutionary explanations. Finally, rates of speciation during radiations were compared to rates of speciation during background times for articulate brachiopods, cheilostome bryozoans, bivalves, and mammals. Speciation events that found new paraclades tend to make up a larger proportion of total speciation events during radiations compared to background times indicating that the opportunity for new adaptive zones to be filled at higher taxonomic levels is proportionately higher during these periods of increased evolutionary activity, and is not simply a result of an increased frequency of speciation.
Magnitudes in the Coding of Visual Multitudes: Evidence From Adaptation

Abstract Four adaptation experiments examine the relationship between texture density and perceived number. In Experiment 1 [Huk, A. C., & Durgin, F. H. (1996). Concordance of numerosity comparison and numerosity estimation: Evidence from adaptation [abstract]. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 37(3), 1341], magnitude estimation (5–1152 dots) with and without adaptation to dense textures was less affected by adaptation at low number (up to about 20, where estimation was fairly linear), but were logarithmically scaled and proportionally affected by adaptation for numbers of 40 and more. Experiments 2 through 4 show that texture density adaptation to composite texture units (sheep) seems to be based on feature numerosity/density (legs), although unitization is not utterly unsuccessful. Adaptation to dense texture does affect magnitude estimation of number, but perceived number dissociates from effective density when it comes to adaptation. The perceptual unit applied to a multitude is tailored to the specific sensory magnitude being used for the estimation of number, and the scaling of number estimation can be aided by exposure to the subitizing range.
‘Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair’: Kyoto Nihonga, Anti-Bijin Portraiture and the Psychology of the Grotesque

This chapter explores indigenous expressions of artistic modernism as closely informed by pre-modern tradition as they are by Western modernist formal precedents and ideological models. Kyoto had a rich tradition of bijin portraiture that inspired its native Nihonga artists, but many of these same painters also embraced the priorities of modernist art, as interpreted from examples of European post-Impressionist painting introduced and reproduced in contemporary Japanese art journals. One of the most dynamic results of this 'negotiated collaboration' is the anti-bijin image in which the author has so named due to its negation of some or all of the characteristics traditionally associated with mainstream bijin portraiture. The chapter examines a few of the many examples produced by Kyoto Nihonga painters in the 1910s and early 1920s. Keywords: anti-bijin image; Bijin Portraiture; Kyoto Nihonga
Quality of life outcomes following cervical decompression for coexisting Parkinson's disease and cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Abstract Background Context Coexisting Parkinson's disease (PD) and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to symptomatic similarities between the diseases. Whereas CSM patients are routinely treated with surgery, PD patients face poorer outcomes following spine surgery. No studies have investigated the quality of life (QOL) outcomes following decompression in coexisting PD and CSM. Purpose The purpose of the present study was to characterize QOL outcomes for patients with coexisting PD and CSM following cervical decompression. Study Design/Setting This is a matched cohort study at a single tertiary-care center. Patient Sample Patients with coexisting PD and CSM undergoing cervical decompression between June 2009 and December 2014 were included. These patients were matched to controls with CSM alone by age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores, and operative parameters. Outcome Measures The primary outcome measure was QOL outcomes assessed by change in the EuroQol 5-Dimensions (EQ-5D), Pain Disability Questionnaire (PDQ), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at last follow-up (LFU). Change in QOL exceeding the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) was secondary. Methods QOL data were collected using the institutional prospectively collected database of patient-reported health status measures. Simple and multivariable regressions were used to assess the impact of PD upon change in QOL. Results Eleven PD patients were matched to 44 controls. Control patients experienced QOL improvement across all three measures, whereas PD patients only improved with respect to PDQ(89.9–80.7, p=.03). Despite no significant differences in preoperative QOL, PD patients experienced poorer QOL at LFU in EQ-5D (0.526 vs. 0.707, p=.01) and PDQ (80.7 vs. 51.4, p=.03), and less frequently achieved an EQ-5D MCID (18% vs. 57%, p=.04). However, no differences in the achievement of an MCID in PDQ or PHQ-9 were observed between cohorts. Multivariable regression identified PD as a significant independent predictor of poorer improvement in EQ-5D (β=−0.09, p Conclusions This is the first study to characterize QOL outcomes following cervical decompression for patients with coexisting PD and CSM. Although myelopathy may have been less severe among PD patients, a significant reduction in pain-related disability was observed following decompression. However, PD predicted diminished improvement in overall QOL measured by the EQ-5D.
A multilevel SPH solver with unified solid boundary handling

We propose a geometric multilevel solver for efficiently solving linear systems arising from particle-based methods. To apply this method to particle systems, we construct the hierarchy, establish the correspondence between solutions at the particle and grid levels, and coarsen simulation elements taking boundary conditions into account. In addition, we propose a new solid boundary handling method to solve a pressure Poisson equation in a unified manner. We demonstrate that our method can handle general fluid simulation scenarios including two-way fluid-solid coupling, and the computational cost of this new solver scales nearly linearly with respect to the number of unknowns, unlike previous solvers for particle-based methods.
Highly focused TCR Vβ repertoire is associated with a large number of naive precursors and robust CD8 T cell responses specific for a Plasmodium antigen (IRM14P.450)

Here we describe, to our knowledge, the most TCRβ focused CD8 T cell response to date. This TCR is specific for a conserved Plasmodium-derived epitope in mice (GAP5041-48), presented by H-2Db. After various immunization regimens, >99% of epitope-specific CD8 T cells detected by tetramer staining expressed TCR Vβ8.1 (TRB). Interestingly, priming with dendritic cells coated with GAP5041-48 peptide resulted in the same TCR Vβ distribution, suggesting that the observed bias does not evolve with multiple antigen exposures. Additionally, DC-priming induced exceptionally strong responses only 4 days post-immunization (~20% of total CD8 T cells were tetramer positive), suggesting an unusually large antigen-specific naive CD8 T cell repertoire. Currently, the upper limit for the size of antigen-specific naive CD8 T cell repertoire ranges from 600-1500 cells (VacV B8R, MCMV M45). We show that GAP5041-48-specific naive CD8 T cell repertoire, with its size of ~2,200 cells, extends this upper limit by more than 40%. Finally, classical Ala-substitution screening of the peptide (SQLLNAKYL), showed that amino acids (aa) at positions 6 and 7 are critical for TCR recognition. This epitope could be used as a valuable tool for better understanding the relation between a TCR structure and thymic selection. Moreover, the unique property of GAP5041-48-specific response make it a powerful tool to study fundamental processes underlying CD8 T cell activation upon Plasmodium infection.
38 LESCH-NYHAN SYNDROME DUE TO A SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE CHANGE IN THE HYPOXANTHINE-GUANIJE PHOSPHORIBOSYL-TRANSFERASE GENE (HPRT Yale )

Complete deficiency of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl-transferase (HPRT) causes Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. We have identified the mutation in a cDNA clone encoding HPRTYale, isolated from a subject with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. This mutant enzyme is characterized by normal mRNA and protein concentrations, no residual catalytic activity and cathodal migration in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We have cloned and sequenced a full-length cDNA (1378bp) from cultured lymphoblasts derived from the subject HPRTYale. A single nucleotide change (G→C) has been identified in its coding region. This transversion predicts an amino acid substitution from glycine (GGC) to arginine (CGC) in codon 71, explaining the cathodal migration of HPRTYale. Inclusion of the bulky arginine side chain in place of glycine probably disrupts protein folding.
Temperature Spectrums of an Automotive Environment for Fatigue Reliability Analysis

The temperature spectrum of an automotive environment is a necessary input to predict thermal fatigue life, to estimate product reliability, and to specify accelerated thermal cycle testing for automotive components. This paper investigates the temperature profiles of electronic products located in the engine compartment (EC), the engine-mounted (EM) area, and the passenger/luggage (P/L) compartment, and develops the nominal temperature spectrums for these vehicle locations. The daily climatic temperatures of various geographical areas in the U.S. are analyzed. The effects of sun exposure and operational heat dissipation on the maximum temperature in three vehicle compartments are investigated. Due to the proportionality of mechanical stress/strain ranges and temperature ranges, the temperature spectrums are constructed by using the rainflow method for fatigue cycle counting.
Having it both ways: Two and a Half Men, Entourage, and televising post-feminist masculinity

This article explores representations of juvenile post-feminist masculinity across two television texts: Two and a Half Men and Entourage. These programs exhibit a contradictory continuum of mascul...
Constitutional Environmental Human Rights in India: Negating a Negating Statement

Based on the December 2011 version of the Constitution of India, this article examines 3 potential ways to “interpret” the legal strength of a broadly defined national constitutional environmental human right. Using text from Articles 43, 47, 48A, and 51A, and paying special attention to the negating statement preceding these articles, the 3 ways are summarized as follows: (1) having or not a constitutional environmental human right; (2) interpreting the constitutional environmental human right as enforceable law or directive principles; and (3) linking the language of the constitutional environmental human right to the underlying definition of an environmental human right. The article notes that although India’s constitution contains a constitutional environmental human right that is best described as a directive principle, its language does not correspond highly with that of current definitions of environmental human rights. Furthermore, its legal strength is severely limited by the presence of the negating statement which, at the very least, would need to be repealed or negated to give life to constitutional environmental human rights in India.
Serial Default and the

Lucas (1990) argued that it was a paradox that more capital does not flow from rich countries to poor countries. He rejected the standard explanation of expropriation risk and argued that paucity of capital flows to poor countries must instead be rooted in externalities in human capital formation favoring further investment in already capital rich countries. In this paper, we review the various explanations offered for this paradox.' There is no doubt that there are many reasons why capital does not flow from rich to poor nations yet the evidence we present suggests some explanations are more relevant than others. In particular, as long as the odds of non repayment are as high as 65 percent for some low income countries, credit risk seems like a far more compelling reason for the paucity of rich-poor capital flows. The true paradox may not be that too little capital flows from the wealthy to the poor nations, but that too much capital (especially debt) is channeled to debt intolerant serial defaulters.
Behavior of granular materials in microgravity environment: implication for future exploration missions

The constitutive behavior of soils such as strength, stiffness, and localization of deformations are to a large extent derived from inter-particle friction transmitted between solid particles and particle groups. Inter-particle forces are highly dependent on gravitational body forces. At very low effective confining pressures, the true nature of the Mohr–Coulomb strength envelope, which is the criterion most frequently used, is unclear both with respect to inter-particle friction and cohesion. Because of the impossibility of eliminating gravitational body forces on earth, the weight of soil grains develops inter-particle compressive stresses which mask true soil constitutive behavior even in the smallest samples of models. Therefore, the microgravity environment induced by near-earth orbits of spacecraft provides unique experimental opportunities for testing theories related to the mechanical behavior of soils. A brief summary of the results of triaxial experiments on silica sand that were tested aboard the NASA Space Shuttle are presented in this paper.
Abstract TP117: What Have We Learned From the Pre-operative Evaluation of Patients With Moyamoya Disease?

Introduction & Hypothesis: Our ability to effectively treat Moyamoya patients revolves around various preoperative imaging modalities used to assess the severity of cerebrovascular reserve compromise; however, not all are necessary for evaluation. We evaluated preoperative conventional angiography, MRI, MRA NOVA, and SPECT and their impact on management of patients with Moyamoya disease. Methods: A prospectively collected database of 36 Moyamoya patients was assessed to evaluate preoperative work-up. Patients were grouped based on MRI findings on presentation; ischemia, hemorrhage, and normal. Patients who did not have all of the pre-operative tests were excluded. Preoperative results were dichotomized as either normal or abnormal. Patients with bilateral disease were assessed individually for each side. Results: Twenty-eight patients (30 total sides) met inclusion criteria: 4 normal, 16 ischemia, and 10 hemorrhage on presentation. All patients had abnormal MR NOVA suggesting reduced CBF in the affected vascular territory. The decision on performing surgery in asymptomatic Moyamoya patients was based on abnormal finding on pre-operative MRA NOVA and/or SPECT and in symptomatic patients based on the presenting symptoms and abnormal MRA/SPECT. All patient underwent STA-MCA bypass surgery for the symptomatic or abnormal side. The two patients with bilateral disease had direct STA-MCA bypass on the symptomatic side and an indirect revascularization on the asymptomatic side. The imaging findings confirmed indication for surgery in all 28 patients. Conclusions: We assessed the impact of SPECT and MR NOVA on evaluation of Moyamoya patients. We confirm that all patients in this series, symptomatic or not, have abnormal CVR. Preoperative imaging can aid in establishing a baseline of CBF and CVR. However, testing did not modify the indication for treatment in Moyamoya patients, even in asymptomatic ones. We suggest to re-evaluate the need for extensive preoperative testing for symptomatic Moyamoya patients and limit the preoperative testing to diagnostic angiogram. Asymptomatic Moyamoya patients benefit from preoperative testing to clarify the need for treatment.
Bio-inspired navigation algorithm for GPS denial modes

The wide use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) for navigation has been persistent for a long time. However, in today's scenario when technologies are advancing the accuracy of positioning systems, there are various new threats and challenges emerging. The signal receivers for positioning systems are prone to spoofing. This external interference in the system is usually done by feeding false signals to the receiver. Though the dead reckoning method is still in use, any interference with GPS can still lead to disaster. Insects and birds are known to use solar position for guidance and it is widely accepted by researchers that some birds, such as pigeons, use solar position in their homing flight. There are similar studies performed on honeybees and monarch butterflies. The use of solar position by these insects and birds brings up the question of whether a mathematical model can be used to replicate the results for aircraft navigation, and can a bio-inspired navigation algorithm like this be implemented? Solar position algorithms are already in wide use. The solar position algorithms available calculate the azimuth and zenith/incidence angles for the solar position at any given point of time when the position of the observer is known. The objective for navigation is to find an observer's position from solar position to present an alternative to GPS for navigational use. This document proposes a method for calculating the observer's position when the azimuth and zenith/incidence angles for solar position, attitude of aircraft and time are known. The approach proposed is that the position of the observer can be calculated by reversing the ENEA algorithm where instead of calculating the solar position using an observer's position, one will be calculating the position of the observer from solar position and time. The study includes the comparison of the calculated position of a UAS using the proposed method with the onboard GPS readings for both the ideal and the mimicked sensor accuracies for the position of the sun.
Outcomes of patients (pts) with metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (mCCRCC) treated with second-line (2L) vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKI) after first-line (1L) immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI).

682Background: Little data exists on objective response rates (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and safety of 2L VEGFR-TKI after 1L ICI therapy in pts with mCCRCC. Methods: This is a retrospe...
Dr Elliot F. Ellis: Initiating personalized asthma management in children.

Abstract Elliot F. Ellis is indeed a giant in the field of allergy and immunology. From his leadership role in developing a pediatric allergy and immunology fellowship at National Jewish Health and his seminal work in theophylline pharmacokinetics, he trained many excellent clinicians and researchers. He assumed the role of Chair of Pediatrics at the Children's Hospital of Buffalo in 1974 and transformed that training program in pediatrics to a top-rated program in the country along with his own training program in allergy and immunology. He co-edited the first edition of Allergy Principles and Practice with Elliott Middleton, Jr., MD and Charles E. Reed, MD. His clinical research provided the building blocks for personalized medicine in asthma, especially as it pertains to children.
Sub Goal Oriented A* Search

Search is a well-studied paradigm of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The complexity of various search algorithms is measured in terms of space, and time to solve a problem. Blind search methods use too much space or too much time to solve a problem. Informed search algorithms such as Best First Search, A* overcomes these handicaps of blind search techniques by employing heuristics, but for hard problems heuristic search algorithms are also facing time and space problem. In the following study we present a new informed sub-goal oriented form of A* search algorithm. We call it “Sub-Goal Oriented A* Search (SGOA*)”, it uses less space and time to solve certain search problems which have well-known sub-goals. If we employ an admissible heuristic, then SGOA* is optimal. The algorithm has been applied to a group of fifteen puzzles.
Ion exchange procedures : III. Separation of uranium, neptunium and plutonium☆

Abstract An anion exhange procedure is described for separating uranium, neptunium and plutonium fro each other and from several non-adsorbed elements.
Peirce Snatching: Towards a More Pragmatic View of Evidence

The running debate between Peter Achinstein and his critics concerning the nature of scientific evidence is misguided as each side attempts to explicate a distinct notion of evidence. Achinstein's approach, however, is valuable in helping to point out a problem with Carnap's statistical relevance model. By claiming an increase in probability to be necessary for evidence, the received view is incapable of accounting for evidence which is statistically irrelevant but explanatorily relevant. A broader view of evidence which can account for pragmatic concerns such as explanation is thereby required.
Obesity-Induced Changes in T-Cell Metabolism Are Associated With Impaired Memory T-Cell Response to Influenza and Are Not Reversed With Weight Loss.

Background: Obesity is an independent risk factor for increased influenza mortality and is associated with impaired memory T-cell response, resulting in increased risk of infection. In this study, we investigated if weight loss would restore memory T-cell response to influenza. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed either low-fat or high-fat diet to induce obesity. Once obesity was established, all mice received primary infection with influenza X-31. Following a recovery period, we switched half of the obese group to a low-fat diet to induce weight loss. Fifteen weeks after diet switch, all mice were given a secondary infection with influenza PR8, and memory T-cell function and T-cell metabolism were measured. Results: Following secondary influenza infection, memory T-cell subsets in the lungs of obese mice were decreased compared to lean mice. At the same time, T cells from obese mice were found to have altered cellular metabolism, largely characterized by an increase in oxygen consumption. Neither impaired memory T-cell response nor altered T-cell metabolism was reversed with weight loss. Conclusion: Obesity-associated changes in T-cell metabolism are associated with impaired T-cell response to influenza, and are not reversed with weight loss.
Synthesis, characterization and diels-alder extension of cyclopentadiene telechelic polyisobutylene

The use of 1-chlorodicyclopentadiene (DCp-Cl) as a minifer for the polymerization of isobutylene leading to asymmetric telechelic polymers having dicyclopentadienyl head groups and t-chloro tail groups, has been investigated. BCl3 is ineffective, however, diethylaluminum chloride was found to be a suitable coinitiator for the polymerization. According to kinetic investigations chain transfer to monomer is absent and DCp-Cl is an efficient minifer. Polymer characterization indicated a DCp functionality close to 1.0. The t-chloro functionality was 0.27, probably due to side reactions of the t-chloro group with the strong Lewis acids formed during the polymerization.