cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can we use software bug reports to identify vulnerability discovery strategies

Daily horror stories related to software vulnerabilities necessitates the understanding of how vulnerabilities are discovered. Identification of data sources that can be leveraged to understand how vulnerabilities are discovered could aid cybersecurity researchers to characterize exploitation of vulnerabilities. The goal of the paper is to help cybersecurity researchers in characterizing vulnerabilities by conducting an empirical study of software bug reports. We apply qualitative analysis on 729, 908, and 5336 open source software (OSS) bug reports respectively, collected from Gentoo, LibreOffice, and Mozilla to investigate if bug reports include vulnerability discovery strategies i.e. sequences of computation and/or cognitive activities that an attacker performs to discover vulnerabilities, where the vulnerability is indexed by a credible source, such as the National Vulnerability Database (NVD). We evaluate two approaches namely, text feature-based approach and regular expression-based approach to automatically identify bug reports that include vulnerability discovery strategies. We observe the Gentoo, LibreOffice, and Mozilla bug reports to include vulnerability discovery strategies. Using text feature-based prediction models, we observe the highest prediction performance for the Mozilla dataset with a recall of 0.78. Using the regular expression-based approach we observe recall to be 0.83 for the same dataset. Findings from our paper provide the groundwork for cybersecurity researchers to use OSS bug reports as a data source for advancing the science of vulnerabilities.
Head Computed tomography during emergency department treat-and-release visit for headache is associated with increased risk of subsequent cerebrovascular disease hospitalization

Objectives The occurrence of head computed tomography (HCT) at emergency department (ED) visit for non-specific neurological symptoms has been associated with increased subsequent stroke risk and may be a marker of diagnostic error. We evaluate whether HCT occurrence among ED headache patients is associated with increased subsequent cerebrovascular disease risk. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult patients with headache who were discharged home from the ED (ED treat-and-release visit) at one multicenter institution. Patients with headache were defined as those with primary ICD-9/10-CM discharge diagnoses codes for benign headache from 9/1/2013-9/1/2018. The primary outcome of cerebrovascular disease hospitalization was identified using ICD-9/10-CM codes and confirmed via chart review. We matched headache patients who had a HCT (exposed) to those who did not have a HCT (unexposed) in the ED in a one-to-one fashion using propensity score methods. Results Among the 28,121 adult patients with ED treat-and-release headache visit, 45.6% (n=12,811) underwent HCT. A total of 0.4% (n=111) had a cerebrovascular hospitalization within 365 days of index visit. Using propensity score matching, 80.4% (n=10,296) of exposed patients were matched to unexposed. Exposed patients had increased risk of cerebrovascular hospitalization at 365 days (RR: 1.65: 95% CI: 1.18-2.31) and 180 days (RR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.06-2.49); risk of cerebrovascular hospitalization was not increased at 90 or 30 days. Conclusions Having a HCT performed at ED treat-and-release headache visit is associated with increased risk of subsequent cerebrovascular disease. Future work to improve cerebrovascular disease prevention strategies in this subset of headache patients is warranted.
Choroidal granuloma resolution with tuberculosis treatment.

Abstract Purpose To report a case of presumed ocular tuberculosis, successfully treated with anti-tubercular therapy alone. Observations Resolution of a presumed tubercular choroidal granuloma occurred after initiation of 4-drug anti-tubercular therapy, without any adjunct corticosteroid treatment. Conclusions Though corticosteroids are commonly used as adjunctive treatment for ocular tuberculosis, treatment with anti-tubercular therapy alone is possible in select patients with close follow-up.
A case report of an unusual left atrial mass

Background Cardiac foreign bodies (FBs) are rare findings that may present as cardiac masses initially. Here, we present an exceptional and rare case of a hypodermic needle FB that transmigrated to the left atrium and presented as a left atrial mass. Case summary A 28-year-old woman with multiple psychiatric disorders including intentional FB ingestion and self-inflicting injuries presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and chest pain that radiated to the left arm and face for 2 weeks. An echocardiogram was performed revealing a left atrial mass concerning for myxoma. During the surgical removal of the mass, a hypodermic needle was found attached to the roof of the left atrium surrounded by thrombotic and fibrotic tissue, which was confirmed by pathology. Discussion Cardiac FBs are caused generally by penetrating wounds from direct trauma. Fewer cases have been reported regarding cardiac FB caused by ingestion from migration of the object to the heart. Signs and symptoms for cardiac FB may mimic those of cardiac masses. Cardiac FBs often require surgical intervention to avoid complications.
Mixed-Integer Fractional Programming: Models, Algorithms, and Applications in Process Operations, Energy Systems, and Sustainability

Abstract A wide range of optimization problems arising in practical applications can be formulated as mixed-integer fractional programming (MIFP) problems, which combine the combinatorial difficulty of optimizing over discrete variable sets with the challenges of handling the nonconvex fractional objective function. This paper reviews recent developments of tailored global optimization algorithms for large-scale MIFP problems. These MIFP methods are illustrated through three applications: (1) function-unit-based life cycle optimization of sustainable supply chains, (2) integrated optimization of production scheduling and process dynamics of multi-product continuous processes, and (3) optimal design of algae processes for fuel and chemical production.
Cell cycle proteins and hTERT telomerase mRNA expression are independent targets of rapamycin in ovarian cancer cell lines

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 3733 Introduction: Rapamycin and its derivatives are being investigated in phase I and II clinical trials with some success and limited toxicity. Rapamycin exerts its anti-tumor effects by inhibition of the serine/threonine kinase termed mTOR, resulting in G1 cell cycle arrest. Although mTOR is found in almost all mammalian cells, both normal and cancer cells exhibit varying sensitivities to rapamycin. Thus, our goal was to examine the effects of rapamycin on downstream targets of the mTOR pathway involved in cell cycle control and on telomerase activity in rapamycin-sensitive and resistant ovarian cancer cell lines. Methods: Rapamycin-sensitive (OVCAR8) and rapamycin-resistant (HEY) ovarian cancer cell lines were used. All experiments were performed in the presence and absence of rapamycin. Cell cycle progression was assessed by flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate expression of cell cycle proteins. hTERT mRNA levels were quantified by real-time RT-PCR. Results: Rapamycin induced G1 cell cycle arrest in the rapamycin-sensitive OVCAR8 cells, both in the presence and absence of serum. This effect was not seen in the rapamycin-resistant HEY cells. Exposure to rapamycin resulted in inhibition of CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1 and p21 in the OVCAR8 cells by 24 hr, but not in the HEY cells. No changes were found in p15 or cyclin D3 expression in either of these cell lines. Treament with rapamycin resulted in decreased phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma (RB) protein in the OVCAR8 cells but not in the HEY cells. A small concordant decrease in total RB was also seen. In both of these cell lines, rapamycin reduced hTERT mRNA expression within 24 hr and this persisted for up to 72 hr. Conclusions: Rapamycin induced G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibited expression of CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1 and p21, resulting in decreased RB phosphorylation in rapamycin-sensitive ovarian cancer cells. Rapamycin decreased hTERT mRNA levels in ovarian cells that were both sensitive and resistant to its anti-proliferative effects. This suggests that rapamycin may regulate telomerase activity through an alternative pathway, unrelated to cell cycle control. Further work focused on the interplay between the mTOR signaling pathway and telomerase activity should be helpful in delineating those women for whom rapamycin derivatives may be the most beneficial.
The mammary gland iodide transporter is expressed during lactation and in breast cancer

The sodium/iodide symporter mediates active iodide transport in both healthy and cancerous thyroid tissue. By exploiting this activity, radioiodide has been used for decades with considerable success in the detection and treatment of thyroid cancer. Here we show that a specialized form of the sodium/iodide symporter in the mammary gland mediates active iodide transport in healthy lactating (but not in nonlactating) mammary gland and in mammary tumors. In addition to characterizing the hormonal regulation of the mammary gland sodium/iodide symporter, we demonstrate by scintigraphy that mammary adenocarcinomas in transgenic mice bearing Ras or Neu oncogenes actively accumulate iodide by this symporter in vivo. Moreover, more than 80% of the human breast cancer samples we analyzed by immunohistochemistry expressed the symporter, compared with none of the normal (nonlactating) samples from reductive mammoplasties. These results indicate that the mammary gland sodium/iodide symporter may be an essential breast cancer marker and that radioiodide should be studied as a possible option in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
Distributed traceroute approach to geographically locating IP devices

We explore the problem of geographically locating IP addresses. Identifying the location of Web content on the Internet has several applications in the field of homeland security. A solution is proposed that uses the traceroute utility as a tool for collecting network information surrounding the target IP address, and the WHOIS database and hostname analysis are used to extract geographical information from the trace information. The approach is first evaluated as a single solution, traced from one computer, then again as a distributed solution, running multiple geographically and network-diverse traceroutes. The distributed approach reveals an increased certainty in the results
Molecular Characterization of Three Small Isometric-Headed Bacteriophages Which Vary in Their Sensitivity to the Lactococcal Phage Resistance Plasmid pTR2030.

Lactococcus lactis LMA12-4 is a pTR2030 transconjugant that has been used as an industrial starter culture because of its resistance to phages predominant in cheese plants. Plasmid pTR2030 interferes with susceptible phages in this host strain via two mechanisms, restriction and modification (R/M) and abortive infection (Hsp). After prolonged use of LMA12-4 transconjugants in the industry, two different bacteriophages, designated nck202.phi48 (phi48) and nck202.phi50 (phi50), were isolated which could produce plaques on LMA12-4 containing pTR2030. In this study, these two phages were characterized and compared with a third phage, nck202.phi31 (phi31), which is susceptible to both the R/M and Hsp activities encoded by pTR2030. Phage phi48 was not susceptible to inhibition by Hsp, whereas phi50 was unaffected by either the R/M or Hsp mechanisms. All three were small isometric-headed phages, but small differences were noted between the phages in the structural details of the tail base plate, susceptibility to chloroform treatment, and requirements for calcium infectivity. The phage genomes were all between 29.9 and 31.9 kb in length. Phages phi31 and phi48 harbored cohesive ends, whereas the phage phi50 genome was circularly permuted, terminally redundant, and carried a putative packaging initiation site. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments conducted between the phages revealed a common region in phi48 and phi50 that may correlate with the resistance of the two phages to the Hsp-abortive infection induced by pTR2030. Phage phi50 also harbored DNA sequences that shared homology to pTR2030 in the region where R/M activities have been localized on the plasmid. Molecular characterization of the three phages localized regions within the genomes of the pTR2030-resistant phages that may be responsible for circumventing plasmid-encoded Hsp and R/M defense mechanisms in lactococci.
Statics of Transversely Isotropic Beams

is increased. As expected, due to slip, Aroesty's result shows a slight decrease in pressure from the strong interaction value. In Fig. 4, skin-friction coefficient is plotted against the rarefaction parameter M^ (c/Rex). It is seen again that slip reduces the skin friction. Also, increase in semiwedge angle increases skin friction. Sufficiently far downstream, both pressure and skin friction tend to their strong interaction value, respectively.
Speech synthesis by concatenating sub-syllabic sound units

An alternative approach for synthesizing Arabic from unrestricted text is given in this paper. The method uses a set of sub-syllabic phonetic segments as the synthesis units from which unlimited vocabulary synthetic speech is generated. A prototype unrestricted text-to-speech system that uses the method has been implemented on a personal computer (PC). The resulting synthetic Speech is of good quality.
Security and Liberty: Critiques of the Tradeoff Thesis

Terror in the Balance: Security, Liberty, and the Courts (2007) advances a “tradeoff thesis”: there exists a security-liberty frontier, such that policies below the frontier can be changed so as to improve both security and liberty, while if policy is already at some point on the frontier, neither security nor liberty can be increased without decreasing the other (the tradeoff curve). The tradeoff thesis should be considered banal. Surprisingly, however, many commentators have launched critiques of the thesis. These critiques make a number of excellent points about security policy, but none of them undermine the tradeoff thesis. Some redefine liberty as a component of security, or security as a component of liberty, but this leaves the substantive tradeoff untouched, albeit with different labels. Some misunderstand the logic of the security-liberty frontier, which itself supposes that there may be cases in which policy lies below the frontier, so that governments can and should adopt policies that improve welfare without requiring the sacrifice of either good. The critics have several plausible points: for example, that not all policies are currently at the security-liberty frontier, and that different points on the frontier have different distributive consequences. But these points are entirely consistent with the tradeoff thesis; the critics err to the extent that they take these points as grounds for rejecting the thesis itself. No one has yet advanced an alternative framework that is both well-specified and analytically distinct from the tradeoff thesis. Although the thesis is widely controverted, it should be common ground.
Nucleotide-amino acid interactions and their relation to the genetic code

The apparent dissociation constants of the complexes of AMP with the methyl esters of amino acids in aqueous solution exhibit good correlations with features of the genetic code and with the frequencies of occurrence of amino acid residues in proteins. Thus it is likely that chemically selective nucleotide-amino acid interactions were involved in the processes of chemical evolution that have led to the emergence of the genetic code. Based on these correlations a storage device for the information regarding nucleotide-amino acid interactions is proposed. It involves processes of simultaneous polymerization to polynucleotides and polypeptides.
Using Narrative Analysis to Identify Patterns of Internet Influence on the Identity Development of Same-Sex Attracted Youth:

For same-sex attracted youth (SSAY), the Internet affords a unique combination of opportunity, risk, and benefit. The present study provides a narrative analysis of four diverse SSAY’s experiences (ages 18-20 years), selected from a larger sample (N = 32) to highlight variation in (a) frequency of Internet use (extensive, incidental) and (b) impact of Internet use (pivotal, missed opportunity) during identity development. Presenting narratives individually, we depict how variations in frequency and impact of Internet use interact with the content, tone, and overall form of these youths’ identity development narratives. We also explore the individual and contextual factors (e.g., family relationships, peer norms) and characteristics of the Internet (e.g., increased anonymity) that appear to relate to these SSAY’s Internet use.
Utility of a finite element solution algorithm for initial-value problems

The Galerkin criterion within a finite element Weighted Residuals formulation is employed to establish an implicit solution algorithm for an initial-value partial differential equation. Numerical solutions of a transient parabolic and a hyperbolic equation, obtained using linear, quadratic and two cubic finite element basis functions, are employed to quantize accuracy and confirm and refine theoretical convergence rate estimates. The linear basis algorithm for the hyperbolic equation displays excellent accuracy on a coarse computational grid and a high-order convergence rate with discretization refinement. Good accuracy and a strong convergence rate in surface flux are determined for a nonhomogeneous Neumann boundary constraint applied to a parabolic equation. The results amply demonstrate the impact of the nondiagonal finite element initial-value matrix structure on solution accuracy and/or convergence rate.
Alkalinization of local anesthesia withsodium bicarbonate—Preferred method of local anesthesia

Effective anesthetic techniques include local anesthetic infiltration with or without sedation and general anesthesia. Local anesthesia is a safe and effective anesthetic technique, that when performed properly is applicable to many outpatient urologic procedures. We have found that the pain usually associated with intradermal injection of lidocaine is attenuated by the addition of sodium bicarbonate.
Antitumor Agents From Jatropha Macrorhiza (euphorbiaceae) I: Isolation and Characterization of Jatropham

A new lactam has been isolated from Jatropha macrorhiza (Euphorbiaceae) and has shown tumor-inhibitory properties against the P-388 lymphocytic leukemia test system. The compound was identified by means of NMR, UV, IR, rotary dispersion, mass spectrometry, and classical chemical procedures. It has the structure 5-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-pyrrolin-2-one and has been named jatropham.
Runs tests for group control charts

When a process consists of several identical streams that are not highly correlated, an alternative to using separate control charts for each stream is to use a group control chart. Rather than plotting sample means from each stream at any time point, one could plot only the largest and/or smallest sample mean from among all the streams. Using the theory of stochastic processes and majorization together with numerical methods, the properties of a test that signals if r consecutive extreme values come from the same stream are examined. Both one and two-sided cases are considered. Average run lengths (ARL's), the least favorable configuration of the stream (population) means, and sample sizes necessary to have specified in-control and out-of-control ARL's are obtained. A test that signals if r-1 out of r consecutive extreme values come from the same stream is also considered
The nymphs of two rare western stonefly (Plecoptera) species, representing little-known genera

Abstract The nymphs of two uncommon stonefly species Calileuctra dobryi Shepard & Baumann and Haploperla chilnualna (Ricker) are described and illustrated from correlated and reared specimens collected from California streams from 2004 to 2006. The diagnostic characters of these nymphs of both species affirm the nymphal generic characters for Calileuctra (Leuctridae) and Haploperla (Chloroperlidae) proposed by Stewart & Stark (2002). Absence of Calileuctra dobryi in interrupted and intermittent streams in drought years suggest that it is capable of having extended egg diapause and flexible univoltine to semivoltine life cycles similar to some species of Zealeuctra.
Psychotropic Medication Use Among Medicaid-Enrolled Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to provide national estimates of psychotropic medication use among Medicaid-enrolled children with autism spectrum disorders and to examine child and health system characteristics associated with psychotropic medication use. METHODS. This cross-sectional study used Medicaid claims for calendar year 2001 from all 50 states and Washington, DC, to examine 60641 children with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis. Logistic regression with random effects was used to examine the child, county, and state factors associated with psychotropic medication use. RESULTS. Of the sample, 56% used at least 1 psychotropic medication, 20% of whom were prescribed ≥3 medications concurrently. Use was common even in children aged 0 to 2 years (18%) and 3 to 5 years (32%). Neuroleptic drugs were the most common psychotropic class (31%), followed by antidepressants (25%) and stimulants (22%). In adjusted analyses, male, older, and white children; those who were in foster care or in the Medicaid disability category; those who received additional psychiatric diagnoses; and those who used more autism spectrum disorder services were more likely to have used psychotropic drugs. Children who had a diagnosis of autistic disorder or who lived in counties with a lower percentage of white residents or greater urban density were less likely to use such medications. CONCLUSIONS. Psychotropic medication use is common among even very young children with autism spectrum disorders. Factors unrelated to clinical presentation seem highly associated with prescribing practices. Given the limited evidence base, there is an urgent need to assess the risks, benefits, and costs of medication use and understand the local and national policies that affect medication use.
Dynamic Hydrostatic Pressurization Differentially Regulates Extracellular Matrix Elaboration by Bovine Inner and Outer Annulus Fibrosus Cells Seeded on 3-D Polymer Scaffolds

Current surgical treatments for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration result in decreased mobility of the spine [1]. A tissue engineering approach may provide an alternative that restores both IVD structure and function. The IVD is comprised of three distinct regions: the outer annulus fibrosus (OA), inner annulus fibrosus (IA), and the nucleus pulposus (NP). Each of the cell populations within these regions possess unique phenotypic properties that are greatly influenced by environmental factors, such as the surrounding 3-D extracellular matrix (ECM) and mechanical loading (i.e., hydrostatic pressurization) [2]. As such, both the 3-D scaffold and in vitro culture conditions may have marked effects on the development of tissue-engineered IVD constructs. Although the influence of mechanical loading on IVD cells and explants has been investigated, no prior studies have examined the impact of hydrostatic pressurization on OA and IA cells in 3-D culture. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effects of dynamic hydrostatic pressurization on OA and IA cells seeded on 3-D fibrous poly(glycolic acid)-poly(L-lactic acid) (PGA-PLLA) scaffolds. We hypothesized that the application of hydrostatic pressure would promote increased production of type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan in both OA- and IA-seeded constructs.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Primary mucosal melanoma

Primary mucosal melanomas are rare, biologically aggressive neoplasms. The distribution of head and neck, female genital tract, anal/rectal, and urinary tract sites is 55.4%, 18.0%, 23.8%, and 2.8%, respectively. The median age at presentation is the seventh decade, and women are given the diagnosis more frequently than men. Unfortunately, most afflicted individuals harbor micrometastatic disease and experience a course characterized by multiple local recurrences before the clinical development of distant disease. Approximately a third of patients have nodal involvement at presentation, and the overall 5-year survival is only 25%. Despite aggressive surgical resection and a multitude of adjuvant treatments, the prognosis remains grave. Early detection, which is difficult because of the occult anatomic locations in which these tumors occur, allows the best hope for cure.
Splitting homotopy idempotents II

Let A be an abelian category with enough projectives and let ℋ be the quotient category of A obtained by identifying with zero all maps which factor through projectives. ℋ is the Eckmann-Hilton homotopy category.) Do idempotents split in ℋ? That is, given \( A\,\xrightarrow{e}\,A\, \in \,\mathcal{H} \), e2 ≡ e does there exist B ∈ ℋ and maps A → B, B → A such that A → B → A ≡ e, B → A → B ≡1?
Intelligent Optimization via Learnable Evolution Model

A new method for optimizing complex functions and systems is described that employs Learnable Evolution Model (LEM), a form of non-Darwinian evolutionary computation guided by machine learning. LEM?s main novelties are operators for creating new individuals that include hypothesis generation, which learns rules indicating subareas in the search space likely containing the optimum, and hypothesis instantiation, which populates these subareas with new candidate solutions. LEM3, the newest and most advanced implementation of learnable evolution, is briefly described and experimentally compared with other evolutionary computation programs on selected function optimization problems. We also describe two specialized LEM-based systems for heat exchanger optimization.
Consensus and knowledge production in an academic field

Abstract Scholars have long been interested in the relationship between the amount of consensus in an academic field and the amount of scholarly production. In this paper, I describe previous theory and research that suggest four possible relationships between the amount of scholarly production and the degree of consensus. These relationships are tested with data on the content of 50 sub-debates in the field of bioethics from 1973 to 1995. I find support for the conclusion that increased consensus leads to increased scholarly production. I conclude by discussing the implications of these findings for the humanities in general and bioethics in particular.
Using abstractions to make concepts concrete

As instructors we work hard at teaching our students why and how to create appropriate abstractions in order to simplify program design and implementation. Interestingly, we sometimes neglect to take advantage of the fact that we can also use abstractions to benefit teaching and learning. In this talk I'll present some examples of useful abstractions that can make computer science concepts more concrete for novices. I'll also discuss the importance of understanding and using languages that provide support for creating abstractions in developing software.
Chromatography of proteins. III. Human, horse and dog hemoglobins on cation-exchange cellulose

Abstract Normal adult human and horse carbon monoxide hemoglobins were distinctly heterogeneous when chromatographed on cation-exchange cellulose. Under similar chromatographic conditions, normal adult dog carbon monoxide hemoglobin was essentially homogeneous. Chromatography of human or horse hemoglobin at room temperature resulted in elution at lower pH values than at 5 °. Also, increased chromatographic heterogeneity of the latter was observed. As determined by both chromatographic and sedimentation techniques, human and dog hemoglobins are relatively resistant to dissociation by 4 M urea, whereas horse hemoglobin is extensively dissociated under the same conditions.
The effect of goitrogens on the oxidation of trimethylamine in the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus)

Abstract o 1. The effects of dietary 5-vinyl-2-oxazolidinethione (a rapeseed goitrogen) and 6-propyl-2-thiouracil on trimethylamine oxidation in laying hens were investigated. 2. Both substances produced a severe impairment of TMA oxidation in those hens whose eggs were tainted with trimethylamine and thereby reproduced the egg tainting abnormality that occurred when rapeseed meal was fed. 3. The possibility that this disturbance resulted from the antithyroid behaviour of these substances is discussed and it is suggested that trimethylamine oxidase is a genetically-controlled, thyroid-responsive enzyme. 4. It is concluded that 5-vinyl-2-oxazolidinethione plays an important part in the production of egg taint by rapeseed meal.
Percutaneous aspiration of retropharyngeal space in neonates

A retropharyngeal mass is an unusual but potentially lethal cause of respiratory distress in neonates. Because of the large number of vital structures bordering the retropharyngeal space, surgery in this area is extremely difficult, especially in young infants. Therefore, procedures that define precise anatomic boundaries, make a precise preoperative histologic diagnosis, and relieve mass effect are of great value to the patient. We describe the sonographically guided percutaneous aspiration of retropharyngeal masses in two neonates. In one the aspiration provided anatomic localization and histologic diagnosis. In the other, in addition to yielding diagnostic information, repeated aspirations were also used for palliation until other medical problems could be controlled.
On the nature of the neurohumor released on stimulation of the hypothalamus.

Dibenamine (10 to 20 mg/kg.) and dehydrogenated ergocostrine (0,5 mg/kg.) reverse the pressor effect of adrenalin but only reduce the blood pressure rise induced by nor-adrenalin or by mild hypothalamic stimuli. These observations seem to indicate that mild excitation of the hypothalamus leads to the liberation of noradrenalin.
Determinants of treatment regret in low-income, uninsured men with prostate cancer

Objectives The regret of a prostate cancer treatment choice, a significant dimension of health-related quality of life, has not been well-characterized. Little is known about its association with the fear of cancer recurrence or spirituality. Methods We drew subjects from a men's health study composed of a clinically heterogeneous sample of subjects enrolled from a statewide, publicly funded assistance program that provided free prostate cancer treatment for uninsured, low-income men in California. We included men who completed a telephone interviews and self-administered questionnaires at study enrollment and at 6 months of follow-up. Using validated instruments, we measured regret, health-related quality of life, fear of cancer recurrence, and spirituality through telephone interviews and self-administered questionnaires. Results Of the 195 men, 90 underwent radical prostatectomy (46%), 50 underwent external beam radiotherapy (28%), and 51 underwent hormonal therapy (26%). Of these 195 men, 36 (18%) regretted their treatment choice. Multivariate analyses revealed that nonwhite men were more likely than white men to experience decisional regret (odds ratio [OR] range 7.27 to 12.26). Conversely, men confident of cancer cure (OR 0.19, 95% confident interval 0.04 to 0.86), men with greater spirituality (OR 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.87 to 0.96), and men with acute treatment effects (OR 0.34, 95% confidence interval 0.12 to 0.93) were less likely to regret their treatment decisions. Conclusions In our study, a fear of cancer recurrence, less spirituality, a longer interval since treatment, and nonwhite race were associated with treatment regret in low-income, underserved men with prostate cancer. Attempts to decrease anxiety and enhance spirituality in men treated for prostate cancer might diminish treatment regret. Additional studies in racially diverse cohorts are needed to examine the association of regret with race.
Prostaglandin E2 inhibits in vitro and in vivo lymphocyte responses in allogeneic transplantation.

Abstract Prostaglandin E, (PGE 2 ) has been shown to have a clear role in the suppression of immune responses after burn and trauma injury. This probably results from inhibition of interleukin-2 production. This study examined the effects of PGE 2 in vivo on the survival of solid-organ allografts and in vitro on the rat allogeneic mixed lymphocyte response. Administration of 16,16-dimethyl prostaglandin E 2 (DMPGE 2 ), a stable analogue of PGE 2 , significantly prolonged the survival of heterotopic cardiac allografts from ACI to LBN rats: 10.4 ± 1.7 days versus 5.7 ± 1.1 days (mean ± standard error of the mean) ( p 2 apparently ied to the induction of long-term tolerance. Mixed lymphocyte cultures using splenocytes from naive LBN and ACI rats to which DMPGE 2 was added showed a dose-dependend suppression of the mixed lymphocyte response with concentrations as low as 1 × 10 −7 mol/L. Splenocytes harvested from treated animals with functioning but histologically rejecting hearts demonstrated a marked decrease in mixed lymphocyte response to donor (ACI) stimulators compared with naive LBN controls (3,804 ± 603 versus 27,395 ± 2,668 cpm, n=4), but maintained a normal response to (third-party (Wistar Furth) stimulators. We conclude that DMPGE 2 suppressed solid-organ allograft rejection, inhibited the allogeneic mixed lymphocyte response, and induced donor-specific in vitro hyporesponsiveness.
A Stage-Specific Enhancer of Immunoglobulin J Chain Gene Is Induced by Interleukin-2 in a Presecretor B Cell Stage

Interleukin-2 (IL-2)-induced transcription of the J chain gene was used as a model for analyzing cytokine regulation during B cell development. To determine whether IL-2 signals are targeted to a J chain gene enhancer as well as to its promoter, the sequences flanking the J chain gene were first examined for DNase I hypersensitivity. Of six sites identified, two strong ones, 7.5 kb upstream of the J chain gene, were found to be associated with an enhancer that is active only during the antigen-driven stages of B cell development. Further analyses of the enhancer in the IL-2-responsive presecretor BCL1 cells showed that the enhancer is activated at this stage by an IL-2 signal that functions by opening the enhancer chromatin and stimulating STAT5 to bind to a STAT5 element critical for the enhancer induction. Moreover, after this early induction stage, the enhancer was shown to be constitutively open and active in terminally differentiated plasma cells.
Ash from huge Australian bushfires in 2009 circled the globe

[1] On 7 February 2009, record high temperatures, low rainfall and humidity, and fast blowing winds caused sparks in the bush near the Australian city of Melbourne to ignite much of the southeastern region of the state of Victoria. In just a few days, more than 4500 square kilometers had burned and 173 people had died in what has been called the worst natural disaster in Australian history. The fires released so much smoke that daytime on 7 February was plunged into darkness in Melbourne. Indeed, soot particles and other aerosols are known to scatter and absorb solar radiation. However, airborne particles released by fires are typically thought to remain in the atmosphere close to their sources. In fact, climate models pay little attention to the scattering and absorbing effects of fire-borne aerosols because they are not believed to reach altitudes above 10 kilometers, in the stratosphere, where circulation patterns would distribute a plume of pollution around the globe, possibly leading to global cooling effects. Ash from volcanic plumes has long been considered the sole method by which aerosols and gases could be injected into the stratosphere from the Earth's surface. However, Australia's bushfires of 2009 showed otherwise. (Journal of Geophysical Research-Atmospheres, doi:10.1029/2010JD015162, 2011)
Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy - New Insights into Disease Mechanisms and Drug Discovery

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is a primary myocardial disorder characterized by the early appearance of ventricular arrhythmias often out of proportion to the degree of ventricular remodeling and dysfunction. ACM typically presents in adolescence or early adulthood. It accounts for 10% of sudden cardiac deaths in individuals under the age of 18 years. Although there has been significant progress in recognizing the genetic determinants of ACM, how specific gene mutations cause the disease remains poorly understood. Here, we review insights gained from studying the human disease as well as in vivo and in vitro experimental models. These observations have advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ACM and may lead to development of new mechanism-based therapies.
Energetic intermetallic materials formed by cold spray

Abstract Cold spray was used to synthesize three intermetallic energetic materials from powders composed of mixed Ni/Al, mixed Ni/Al/MoO3, and Ni-clad Al. After bulk samples were produced, characterization was performed to determine their composition and reactivity. Ignition was achieved with a 30 W CO2 laser and propagation rates were measured using a high speed digital video camera. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to obtain energetic properties of the composites at slow heating rates. The energetic properties of cold sprayed samples were compared with lower density axially pressed pellets of identical composition. Samples composed of a mechanical blend of Ni and Al powders had higher reaction propagation rates at lower densities; with the near fully-dense cold spray samples having the lowest propagation rates. The opposite was found in samples composed of Ni-clad Al powders, with propagation rate increasing with increasing density for pellets, and reaching a maximum in the cold sprayed samples. The samples containing MoO3 had mixed results, with pellets experiencing higher propagation rates for all MoO3 contents' with increasing density, but cold sprayed samples having lower propagation rates as the MoO3 content increased.
A Substantial Population of Low-Mass Stars in Luminous Elliptical Galaxies

The bulk of the stellar population is comprised of dwarf stars. This fact is reflected in the stellar initial mass function (IMF), which describes the mass distribution of stars at the time of their formation. The IMF is reasonably well constrained in the disk of the Milky Way, but we have little direct information on the IMF in other galaxies and at earlier cosmic epochs. Pieter van Dokkum and Charlie Conroy have now spectroscopically detected the signature of the many 'invisible' stars in the light of nearby elliptical galaxies by observing the Na I doublet and the Wing–Ford molecular FeH band, lines which are strong in stars with masses of less than a third that of the Sun. The data imply that these smaller stars account for more than 80% of the total number of stars and contribute more than 60% of total stellar mass in elliptical galaxies. The stellar initial mass function describes the mass distribution of stars at the time of their formation. This study reports observations of the Na I doublet and the Wing-Ford molecular FeH band in the spectra of elliptical galaxies. These lines are strong in stars with masses 80% of the total number of stars and contributing >60% of the total stellar mass. The stellar initial mass function (IMF) describes the mass distribution of stars at the time of their formation and is of fundamental importance for many areas of astrophysics. The IMF is reasonably well constrained in the disk of the Milky Way1 but we have very little direct information on the form of the IMF in other galaxies and at earlier cosmic epochs. Here we report observations of the Na i doublet2,3 and the Wing–Ford molecular FeH band4,5 in the spectra of elliptical galaxies. These lines are strong in stars with masses less than 0.3M⊙ (where M⊙ is the mass of the Sun) and are weak or absent in all other types of stars5,6,7. We unambiguously detect both signatures, consistent with previous studies8 that were based on data of lower signal-to-noise ratio. The direct detection of the light of low-mass stars implies that they are very abundant in elliptical galaxies, making up over 80% of the total number of stars and contributing more than 60% of the total stellar mass. We infer that the IMF in massive star-forming galaxies in the early Universe produced many more low-mass stars than the IMF in the Milky Way disk, and was probably slightly steeper than the Salpeter form9 in the mass range 0.1M⊙ to 1M⊙.
Toward a Discourse Approach to Polling

This article presents a discourse model of polling that investigates what poll discourse is, how it is structured and how it functions. In contrast to most polling research, which presupposes polli...
The global health system: strengthening national health systems as the next step for global progress.

The author has declared that no competing interests exist. This work was supported by a grant to the Institutional Innovations in Global Health project by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States under its “Acting in Time” program. Additional support was received from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Research Triangle, North Carolina, United States. The funders had no role the decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript. Provenance: Commissioned; externally peer reviewed. This paper is based on two keynote presentations delivered at the following meetings: (a) Meeting on “Global Health and the United Nations,” Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia, May 8–9, 2008; (b) Workshop on “Institutions for Closing the Knowledge-Action Gap in Global Health,” John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, June 11–13, 2008.
Tourist mental-imagery processing: Attention and arousal

Abstract This study aimed to delineate how individuals process two types of advertising communications (i.e., video versus high-imagery audio advertisements) in terms of mental imagery processing. Participant’s heart rate for attention and skin conductance for arousal were measured during exposure to both types of ads. Self-report responses were also obtained after exposure to each ad. There was no difference between the two types of ads in the resulting heart rates, while arousal measured using skin conductance was higher while watching videos ads than arousal while hearing high-imagery audio ads. This study also found self-report responses were greater or more favorable after video ads than after high-imagery audio ads.
Chromium oxide-catalyzed disproportionation of chlorodifluoromethane : a mechanism study

The facile dispropartionation of CHF2Cl over chrome(III) oxide-based catalysts has allowed the study of catalyst activation and disproportionation as separate processes. Using both a conventional plug-flow microreactor and a TAP reactor, we have found evidence that chrome oxides, in the presence ofCHF2Cl, undergo at least two separate surface transformations before becoming catalytically active toward disproportionation. The first transformation involves a reductive deoxygenation of high-valent surface-Cr species resulting in the formation of CO2 and other oxidized products. This reduced surface then reacts with CHF2Cl to form CO and a halogenated, catalytically active surface. It is proposed that catalysis occurs on coordinatively unsaturated halogenated Cr3+ active sites. An increase in Lewis acidity of the catalyst surface was shown to accompany each transformation step. A brief kinetic study of the disproportionation gave evidence that the reaction does not proceed by a Rideal-Eley mechanism. Examination of initial product distributions, arising from a CHF3-activated catalyst, gave evidence that is consistent with a monomolecular halogen-exchange mechanism.
Defect-Induced Mechanical Mode Splitting in Carbon Nanotube Resonators

This work examines the impact of defects on the resonant response of single-wall carbon nanotube (CNT) resonators using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The work demonstrates that the presence of defects in CNTs leads to appreciable resonant mode splitting. A dimensionless parameter has been introduced to quantify this phenomenon. It is observed that increasing the degree of asymmetry in the system generally increases the magnitude of splitting. Given the centrality of single-peak Lorentzian frequency responses in the current device design paradigm, which is utilized in applications such as resonant mass sensing, the nonLorentzian response characteristics of imperfect devices could present both opportunities and challenges in the future design and development of resonant nanosystems. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4023057]
Analysis of vortex populations in turbulent wall-bounded flows

Vortical structures were identified and characterized using velocity fields of turbulent wall-bounded flows. Two direct numerical simulation data sets of fully developed channel flow at Reτ = 934 obtained by del Alamo et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 500, 2004, p. 135) and Reτ = 590 obtained by Moser, Kim & Mansour (Phys. Fluids, vol. 11, 1999, p. 943) as well as dual-plane particle image velocimetry data at z+ = 110 in a zero-pressure-gradient turbulent boundary layer at Reτ = 1160 obtained by Ganapathisubramani, Longmire & Marusic (Phys. Fluids, vol. 18, 2006, 055105) were employed. The three-dimensional swirling strength based on the local velocity gradient tensor was employed to identify vortex core locations. The real eigenvector of the tensor was used both to refine the identification algorithm and to determine the orientation of each vortex core. The identification method allowed cores of nearly all orientations to be analysed. Circulation of each vortical structure was calculated using the vorticity vector projected onto the real eigenvector direction. Various population distributions were then computed at different wall-normal locations including core size, orientation, circulation and propagation velocity. The mean radius of the cores identified was found to increase with increasing wall-normal distance, and the mean circulation increases approximately quadratically with eddy radius. Orientations of cores with stronger circulation were distributed over a much narrower range than those for vortices with weaker circulation and were consistent with legs, necks and heads of forward-leaning hairpin structures.