cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural basis for bacteriophage ΦX174 assembly and eclipse as defined by temperature-sensitive mutations

We present a screening procedure for classifying bacteriophage phi X174 mutants as defective in either "early" (genome delivery and RF DNA replication) or "late" (progeny ssDNA replication and morphogenesis) functions. When applied to 108 ts mutants, only five were classified as "early" mutants. Quantitative one-step growth curves confirmed the classification for 22 "late" mutants, while only one "early" mutant was correctly classified by the procedure. The other four "early" mutants gave burst sizes that required a third, or "intermediate," class of functional defects. The mutation in the "early" mutant mapped in gene A, which encodes an endonuclease required for RF replication. However, most of the mutations in the "late" and "intermediate" mutants mapped in genes for F, G, and H, three structural proteins found in mature virions. The amino acid substitutions for each mutation in F capsid and G "spike" genes were located in the atomic structure of wt virions. All but two replacements are on the outer surface of the virion or at interfaces between neighboring polypeptide chains, suggesting defects in protein-protein interactions involved in quaternary rearrangements during maturation. The kinetics of viral eclipse are also altered in most gene F "late" mutants, but only in one gene G "intermediate" mutant. Thus, the F capsid protein appears to have a central role in DNA ejection from the capsid.
Stage adjustment in the Lower Mississippi River, USA

This study documents the stage adjustments in the Lower Mississippi River during the pre-cut-off (1880s–1930s), and post-cut-off (1943–1994) periods. The study reach extends from Columbus, Kentucky, just downstream of Cairo, Illinois, to Natchez, Mississippi, a distance of about 970 km. The analysis shows that the majority of the pre-cut-off study reach was not undergoing any significant system instability such as channel aggradation or degradation, and, therefore can be considered to have been in a state of dynamic equilibrium during this period. However, the analysis did show that the upper portion of the study reach in the vicinity of Columbus was undergoing a significant aggradational trend during this period. Specific gauge records and peak stage–peak discharge plots for the time period 1950–1994 were analysed to document stage adjustments and to divide the river into the following seven reaches based on observed stability: Columbus to New Madrid (dynamic equilibrium); New Madrid to Fulton (transitional/dynamic equilibrium); Fulton to Sunflower (degradational); Sunflower to Rosedale (transitional); Rosedale to Lake Providence (dynamic equilibrium); Lake Providence to Vicksburg (transitional); and Vicksburg to Natchez (aggradational). Thus, the entire Mississippi River, between Natchez and Columbus is responding in a manner similar to the response of a stream to a single cut-off as described by Lane (1947). Recognition of this evolutionary trend is a first step in developing a comprehensive understanding of this complex system, and will help the engineers and scientists of the US Army Corps of Engineers to develop management strategies for the Mississippi River in the long and short term. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antigenic specificity of t cell receptors for cytochromec on guinea pig lymphocytes

Abstract Guinea pigs immunized with horse cytochromec exhibit delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions and possess lymphocytes which undergo antigen dependent tritiated thymidine incorporation. No antibody can be demonstrated in the serum of such animals and they seem to represent a purely thymic derived cell response to this antigen. The specificity of this response has been studied by determining the pattern of reactivity of peripheral blood lymphocytes to cytochromesc of known structure. Antigenic differences are demonstrable in this cellular system which are greater than those exhibited by rabbit antibodies to this antigen in quantitative immunochemical tests.
Factors contributing to virtual work adjustment

We explore factors associated with employee adjustment to virtual work. In particular, we explore structural factors (i.e., work independence and evaluation criteria) and relational factors (i.e., trust and organizational connectedness) as predictors of adjustment to virtual work. Additionally, we explore age, virtual work experience and gender as moderators of the relationships. We find that structural and relational factors are important predictors of adjustment and that the strength of the relationship is contingent upon individual differences. We explore the implications of these findings for future research and for practice.
Disruptive processes in the shear crystallization of poly(ethylene oxide)

The crystallization behavior of samples of poly(ethylene oxide) of varying molecular weights and molecular weight distributions has been studied under varying conditions of shear rate and temperature. These experiments have been carried out in two devices. One is a shearing parallel-plate instrument that allows direct observation of the crystallizing medium. The other is a shearing concentric-cylinder dilatometer. In general, shear enhanced the rates of crystallization and nucleation. However, conditions were encountered under which shear retarded crystallization and/or nucleation. Combination of the data from these two devices suggests that, under certain shearing and sample conditions, chain slippage and particle fracture lead to decreased apparent rates of nucleation and/or crystallization.
Intracavity-tripled optically-pumped semiconductor laser at 355 nm

Optically-pumped semiconductor lasers provide efficient laser sources in the ultraviolet by intra-cavity nonlinear frequency tripling. A laser combining InGaAs gain media with LBO nonlinear crystals produces hundreds of mW CW at 355 nm. A compact package that combines thermal and opto-mechanical stability is the key to making this laser robust and manufacturable. A temperature controlled, monolithic aluminum base supports opto-mechanical mounts made from low expansion alloys and ceramics to create a resonator that can withstand substantial environmental excursions.
Undocumented alcoholism and its correlation with tobacco and illegal drug use in advanced cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this retrospective study were to determine the frequency of undiagnosed alcoholism among patients with advanced cancer who were referred to palliative care and to explore its correlation with alcoholism, tobacco abuse, and use of illegal drugs. METHODS: The authors reviewed 665 consecutive charts and identified 598 patients (90%) who completed a screening survey that was designed to identify alcoholism, the Cut Down, Annoyed, Guilty, Eye Opener (CAGE) questionnaire, including 100 consecutive patients who had CAGE-positive and CAGE-negative results. Data on tobacco and illegal drug use, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, and the morphine equivalent daily dose were collected. RESULTS: The frequency of CAGE-positive results in this palliative care population was 100 of 598 patients (17%). Only 13 of 100 patients (13%) in that CAGE-positive group had been identified as alcoholics before their palliative care consultation. Compared with CAGE-negative patients, CAGE-positive patients were younger (aged 58.6 years vs 61.3 years; P = .07), predominantly men (68 of 100 patients vs 51 of 100 patients; P = .021), more likely to have a history of tobacco use (86 of 100 patients vs 48 of 100 patients; P < .001), more likely to be actively using nicotine (33 of 100 patients vs 9 of 100 patients; P = .02), and more likely to have a history of illegal recreational drug use (17 of 100 patients vs 1 of 100 patients; P < .001). Pain and dyspnea were worse in patients who had a history of nicotine use. Both CAGE-positive patients and patients who had a history of tobacco use more frequently were receiving strong opioids at the time of their palliative care consultation. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings suggested that alcoholism is highly prevalent and frequently under diagnosed in patients with advanced cancer. CAGE-positive patients were more likely to have a history of, or to actively engage in, smoking and illegal recreational drug use, placing them at risk for inappropriate opioid escalation and abuse. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Topology inference from BGP routing dynamics

This paper describes a method of inferring logical relationships between network prefixes within an Autonomous System (AS) using only passive monitoring of BGP messages. By clustering these prefixes based upon similarities between their update times, we create a hierarchy linking the prefixes within the larger AS. We can frequently identify groups of prefixes routed to the same ISP Point of Presence (POP), despite the lack of identifying information in the BGP messages. Similarly, we observe disparate prefixes under common organizational control, or with long shared network paths. In addition to discovering interesting network characteristics, our passive method facilitates topology discovery by potentially reducing the number of active probes required in traditional traceroute-based Internet mapping mechanisms.
DuP 996 (3,3-bis(4-pyrindinylmethyl)-1-phenylindolin-2-one) enhances the stimulus-induced release of acetylcholine from rat brain in vitro and in vivo

DuP 996, in micromolar concentrations, enhances the K+ -stimulated release of acetylcholine (ACh) in rat cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and caudate nucleus slices in vitro, without effect on basal release. DuP 996 has very weak affinity for rat brain muscarinic or nicotinic receptors and does not inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity of rat brain. Upon subcutaneous administration, DuP 996, in doses of 0.1 to 1 mg/kg, increase the output of ACh from the cerebral cortex of awake, freely moving rats. In the mouse, scopolamine-induced hyperactivity is reduced by DuP 996 in doses of 0.3–0.5 mg/kg (s.c.). In addition, pancuronium HBr-induced neuromuscular blockade is reversed by DuP 996 (ED50 = 1.7 mg/kg s.c.). The enhancement by DuP 996 of K+ -stimulated transmitter release is not limited to the cholinergic system but is also observed in the dopaminergic system in the rat caudate nucleus and in serotonergic systems. K+ -stimulated release of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamic acid in rat cerebral cortex, however, is only slightly enchanced by DuP 996, whereas no effects are observed on K+ -stimulated release of cortical norepinephrine. DuP 996 may have therapeutic value in the treatment of diseases involving chlinergic and minoaminergic deterioration, like Alzheimer's Disease.
Combination of Fenofibrate Plus Low-Dose Nicotinic Acid Added to Statin Treatment in Type 2 Diabetes: An Open-Label, Crossover Study

Background: Plasma lipid abnormalities commonly persist in patients with diabetic dyslipidemia in spite of statin monotherapy.
Lithium treatment in ovo: effects on embryonic heart rate, natural death of ciliary ganglion neurons, and brain expression of a highly conserved chicken homolog of human MTG8/ETO.

Abstract Understanding the action of the mood stabilizer lithium is dependent on availability of experimental models where lithium treatment at clinically relevant concentrations induces marked phenotypic and genotypic changes. Here we report on such changes in the chicken embryo. Lithium chloride (0.6 mM), applied in ovo 60 h after incubation, markedly delayed the heart rate increase observed from ED2.5 to ED5, and induced the brain expression of a new chicken gene cETO from ED7 to ED15. At the same time the overall developmental dynamics and embryo survival, or the expression of chicken gephyrin were not significantly affected. Furthermore, lithium treatment (0.3 mM, 48 h after incubation) abolished the difference in neuronal number between ED12 ciliary ganglia developing in the presence or absence of postganglionic target muscles. We show that cETO is a close homologue of the human transcription factor MTG8/ETO; named after its location on chromosome 8, and participation in chromosomal translocation 8;21 in myeloid leukemia. The mRNA and protein levels of ETO and gephyrin had a parallel course in chicken brain development suggesting that the expression of both genes is regulated mainly at the level of gene transcription. However, the patterns of expression were markedly different. ETO peaked at ED7 and decreased five-fold at ED15. In contrast, gephyrin levels increased five-fold from ED7 to ED15. We propose that the induction of ETO expression, in concert with lithium-induced upregulation of other genes, such as PEBP2β and bcl-2, is participating in the neuroprotective effect of chronic lithium treatment.
Assessing Treatment-Resistant Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: The Emory Treatment Resistance Interview for PTSD (E-TRIP).

Patients with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who fail to respond to established treatments are at risk for chronic disability and distress. Although treatment-resistant PTSD (TR-PTSD) is a common clinical problem, there is currently no standard method for evaluating previous treatment outcomes. Development of a tool that could quantify the degree of resistance to previously provided treatments would inform research in patients with PTSD. We conducted a systematic review of PTSD treatment trials to identify medication and psychotherapy interventions proven to be efficacious for PTSD. We then developed a semi-structured clinician interview called the Emory Treatment Resistance Interview for PTSD (E-TRIP). The E-TRIP includes clinician-administered questions to assess the adequacy and benefit derived from past treatment trials. For each adequately delivered treatment to which the patient failed to respond, a score is assigned depending on the strength of evidence supporting the treatment’s efficacy. The E-TRIP provides a comprehensive assessment of prior PTSD treatments that should prove valuable for researchers studying TR-PTSD and evaluating the efficacy of new treatments for patients with PTSD. The E-TRIP is not intended to guide treatment; rather, the tool quantifies the level of treatment resistance in patients with PTSD in order to standardize TR-PTSD in the research domain.
The modulation of immunity by dendritic cells

Abstract T cell immunity is initiated by specialized antigen presenting cells known as dendritic cells (DCs). Antigen-pulsed DCs have been used to induce anti-tumor T cell and clinical responses in humans, apparently without significant toxicity. Under certain conditions, DCs even silence T cell immune responses in vivo. Therefore, DCs may be valuable tools for modulating immunity in the setting of autoimmunity, cancer, and chronic viral infections.
Vasovagal reactions in high school students: findings relative to race, risk factor synergism, female sex, and non‐high school particpants

BACKGROUND : High school (HS) students have a high incidence of vasovagal reactions and are a good population for the study of vasovagal reactions. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS : Data from 1076 Caucasian students, 226 African-American students, and 157 nonstudents from HS blood drives in 2001 were entered into a database. Race, high-risk-factor synergism, the phenomenon of “survivorship,” and female sex were evaluated. In addition, non-HS student participants were described. RESULTS : Vasovagal reactions were 84 percent lower in African-American HS students than in Caucasian HS students (3 of 226 vs. 88 of 1076; 1.3 vs. 8.2 percent; p = 0.0001; relative risk, 6.2). In Caucasian HS students, first-time donor status increased the vasovagal reaction rate to 9.4 percent (vs. 3.6% in repeat donors, p 81.2 kg, p < 0.001). Together they increased the reaction rate to 16.0 percent (vs. 3.2%, p < 0.0001). Females had more reactions than males (11.3 vs. 4.8%, p < 0.001), but the reaction rates equalized when donors under 150 lb were excluded (5.7 vs. 4.6%, p = 0.66). CONCLUSION : African-American HS students had a significantly lower vasovagal reaction rate than Caucasian HS students. There was synergy among high-risk factors in Caucasian HS students. Female and male vasovagal reaction rates were similar when low-weight donors were excluded.
Eugenol and carvacrol induce temporally desensitizing patterns of oral irritation and enhance innocuous warmth and noxious heat sensation on the tongue

Eugenol and carvacrol, from the spices clove and oregano, respectively, are agonists of TRPV3, which is implicated in transduction of warmth and possibly heat pain. We investigated the temporal dynamics of lingual irritation elicited by these agents, and their effects on innocuous warmth and heat pain, using a half-tongue method in human subjects. The irritant sensation elicited by both eugenol and carvacrol decreased across repeated applications at a 1-minute interstimulus interval (self-desensitization) which persisted for at least 10 minutes. Both agents also cross-desensitized capsaicin-evoked irritation. Eugenol and carvacrol significantly increased the magnitude of perceived innocuous warmth (44 °C) for >10 minutes, and briefly (<5 minutes) enhanced heat pain elicited by a 49 °C stimulus. Similar albeit weaker effects were observed when thermal stimuli were applied after the tongue had been desensitized by repeated application of eugenol or carvacrol, indicating that the effect is not due solely to summation of chemoirritant and thermal sensations. Neither chemical affected sensations of innocuous cool or cold pain. A separate group of subjects was asked to subdivide eugenol and carvacrol irritancy into subqualities, the most frequently reported being numbing and warmth, with brief burning, stinging/pricking, and tingle, confirming an earlier study. Eugenol, but not carvacrol, reduced detection of low-threshold mechanical stimuli. Eugenol and carvacrol enhancement of innocuous warmth may involve sensitization of thermal gating of TRPV3 expressed in peripheral warm fibers. The brief heat hyperalgesia following eugenol may involve a TRPV3-mediated enhancement of thermal gating of TRPV1 expressed in lingual polymodal nociceptors.
Functionalization of polyanhydride microparticles with di-mannose influences uptake by and intracellular fate within dendritic cells

Innovative vaccine delivery platforms can facilitate the development of effective single-dose treatment regimens to control emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. Polyanhydride microparticles are promising vaccine delivery vehicles due to their ability to stably maintain antigens, provide tailored release kinetics and function as adjuvants. A major obstacle for the use of microparticle-based vaccines, however, is their limited uptake by dendritic cells (DCs). In this study, we functionalized the microparticle surface with di-mannose in order to target C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) on DCs. Polyanhydride particles based on sebacic acid (SA), 1,6-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)hexane (CPH) and 1,8-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)-3,6-dioxaoctane (CPTEG) were evaluated. Co-incubation of di-mannose-functionalized microparticles up-regulated the expression of CLRs on DCs. More importantly, di-mannose functionalization increased the uptake, as measured by the percentage of cells internalizing particles. The uptake of CPH:SA microparticles increased ∼20-fold, from 0.82% (non-functionalized) to 20.2%, and internalization of CPTEG:CPH microparticles increased ∼7-fold from 1.35% (non-functionalized) to 9.3% upon di-mannose functionalization. Both di-mannose-functionalized and non-functionalized particles trafficked to lysosomes. Together, these studies demonstrate that employing rational vaccine design principles, such as the targeting of CLRs on antigen-presenting cells, can enhance delivery of encapsulated antigens and potentially induce a more robust adaptive immune response.
Grain size distribution in two dimensions in the long time limit

Abstract It is shown that the inclusion of a “noise” term in the growth rate of individual grains leads to a stochastic model that provides a more realistic description of grain growth phenomenon. The resulting Fokker–Planck equation for the grain size distribution is solved numerically due to the difficulties in obtaining an analytical solution. The analysis is limited to two dimensions and assumes quasi-stationary distributions in the long time limit. The resulting grain size distribution is shown to be in agreement with that obtained from computer simulations, indicating the validity of the stochastic approach.
Chromophoric self-assembled NLO multilayer materials: real time observation of monolayer growth and microstructural evolution by in situ second harmonic generation techniques

The self-assembling adsorption/quaternization of a (dialkylamino)stilbazole nonlinear optical chromophorc precursor onto benzyl chloride-prefunctionalized surfaces is studied in situ by polarized second harmonic generation techniques. The measurements reveal that the self-assembly kinetics are approximately biexponential (I 2ω 1/2 ∼(1-α 1 e -k1t -α 2 -k2t )) with a rapid initial phase, followed by a slower second phase. The in situ measurements also indicate that the average tilt angle of the chromophore dipole moment direction with respect to the surface normal increases significantly (∼20°→42°) in the initial phases of chromophore adsorption and then remains nearly constant
All-dielectric front-surface non-polarizing beam splitter operating between 500 and 600 nm

Design and experimental realization of all-dielectric front-surface non-polarizing beam splitters is described. The challenge was to find designs with good performance in this configuration that were practical enough to be made with current technology.
Knowledge-based approaches for the creative synthesis of mechanisms

Abstract Two methods for mechanism synthesis using AI techniques are described, one consisting of forward design reasoning and one of backward design reasoning. Results are given for various examples. Assessment of the effects of errors (joint clearances and link length inaccuracies) is also discussed. Calculations on a Schmidt coupling and a Freudenstein parallel-jaw, straight-line plier-wrench mechanism are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the expert system.
Consumption in the 1990s: A review of tuberculosis

Summary The resurgence of tuberculosis in the United States presents a challenge for physicians. The disease remains concentrated in the growing population of socioeconomically disadvantaged persons, immigrants from areas where drug resistance is common, certain racial groups, persons in extended-care facilities, alcohol and drug abusers, and persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Because people in these groups are much less likely than others to seek regular medical care, it is difficult to identify and treat active tuberculosis in these populations. Contacts of patients with tuberculosis are equally difficult to identify. Active intervention by physicians—including tuberculin screening, prophylactic therapy, treatment of active disease, and follow-up—is needed to help achieve the goal of eradicating tuberculosis.
Active Machine Learning for Consideration Heuristics

We develop and test an active-machine-learning method to select questions adaptively when consumers use heuristic decision rules. The method tailors priors to each consumer based on a “configurator.” Subsequent questions maximize information about the decision heuristics (minimize expected posterior entropy). To update posteriors after each question, we approximate the posterior with a variational distribution and use belief propagation (iterative loops of Bayes updating). The method runs sufficiently fast to select new queries in under a second and provides significantly and substantially more information per question than existing methods based on random, market-based, or orthogonal-design questions. Synthetic data experiments demonstrate that adaptive questions provide close-to-optimal information and outperform existing methods even when there are response errors or “bad” priors. The basic algorithm focuses on conjunctive or disjunctive rules, but we demonstrate generalizations to more complex heuristics and to the use of previous-respondent data to improve consumer-specific priors. We illustrate the algorithm empirically in a Web-based survey conducted by an American automotive manufacturer to study vehicle consideration (872 respondents, 53 feature levels). Adaptive questions outperform market-based questions when estimating heuristic decision rules. Heuristic decision rules predict validation decisions better than compensatory rules.
The Scramble for the Arctic: The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and Extending National Seabed Claims

This paper reviews the codification of the international standard for the exploitation of the continental shelf, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The “Law of the Sea” convention or treaty, this agreement entered into force in 1994 yet still has not been ratified by the United States, despite mounting pressure to do so. Because of shifting climate conditions in the Arctic, new technologies for oil extraction, and increasing international demand that makes expensive extraction more viable, there has recently emerged a new “Scramble for the Arctic” as a USGS survey suggests that up to 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of its gas remain beneath the seabed. We examine the current state of the Treaty in the United States, as well as the international challenges to US territorial interests in the context of seabed claims made by Russia, Canada, Denmark, and Norway. As early adopters of UNCLOS have until May 2009 to submit claims and the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf rules on claims for extended territorial waters, the dispute is only likely to heat up. The resolution of the Arctic Scramble also holds a precedent setting promise, as there is a similar pending crisis in Antarctica. Will the involved nations observe the rule of international law, or will this be a 21st century neo-imperial echo to the Scramble for Africa?
Two-phase flow in GDL and reactant channels of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Understanding the effect of two-phase flow in the components of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is crucial to water management and subsequently to their performance. The local water saturation in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and reactant channels influences the hydration of the membrane which has a direct effect on the PEMFC performance. Mass transport resistance includes contributions from both the GDL and reactant channels, as well as the interface between the aforementioned components. Dropletechannel wall interaction, water area coverage ratio on the GDL, oxygen transport resistance at the GDLechannel interface, and two-phase pressure drop in the channels are interlinked. This study explores each factor individually and presents a comprehensive perspective on our current understanding of the two-phase transport characteristics in the PEMFC reactant channels.
Signal processing applications of oblique projection operators

Oblique projection operators are used to project measurements onto a low-rank subspace along a direction that is oblique to the subspace. They may be used to enhance signals while nulling interferences. In the paper, the authors give several basic results for oblique projections, including formulas for constructing oblique projections with desired range and null space. They analyze the algebra and geometry of oblique projections in order to understand their properties. They then show how oblique projections can be used to separate signals from structured noise (such as impulse noise), damped or undamped interfering sinusoids (such as power line interference), and narrow-band noise. In some of the problems addressed, the oblique projection provides an alternative way to implement an already known solution. Expressing these solutions as oblique projections brings geometrical insight to the study of the solution. The geometry of oblique projections enables one to compute performance in terms of angles between signal and noise subspaces. As a special case of removing impulse noise, the authors can use oblique projections to interpolate missing data samples. In array processing, oblique projections can be used to simultaneously steer beams and nulls. In communications, oblique projections can be used to remove intersymbol interference. >
Regulation of Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor Concentration in Cloned Neuroblastoma Cells

: The concentration of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the neuroblastoma cell line NIE-115 is regulated by receptor activation. Muscarinic agonists cause a time and dose-dependent loss of [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding sites from cultured cells. Muscarinic antagonists have no effect on receptor concentration and block agonist-induced regulation. The maximum decrease in steady state receptor levels is 80% and occurs within 9 h. The altered steady state concentration persists as long as agonist remains present. Upon withdrawal of agonist, the concentration of receptors returns to control levels. This increase requires protein synthesis. Kinetically, the increase in receptors following withdrawal of agonist is slower than the decrease caused by addition of agonist, suggesting that bursts of receptor activation could lower receptor levels. In harmony with this prediction, cycles in which receptors are active for 15 min and then inactive for 15 min cause a 50% decrease in receptor concentration in a 6-h period.
Active Protection in Wireless Networking

Adversaries can easily launch an attack, by taking advantage of the free wireless networking available to the public at many conferences, airports or cafes. Meanwhile in these environments, it is very difficult to identify the adversaries. In this paper, we present a scheme that is designed to defend against potential attacks at a very early stage, in order to minimize the damage to the victims and the entire network. Instead of taking actions only after the attacks arrive at the host, our scheme makes the access point the one who monitors, identifies and prevents potential attacks. In this active protection way, the system can respond more quickly and can also prevent much of the malicious network traffic.
Stackelberg games and macroeconomic planning

A review is presented of the dynamic input-output model of macroeconomic systems. By using the input-output approach, a dynamic input-output model with two control variables is presented. With the appropriate performance objective (such as the consumption-tracking control criterion), a dynamic game model of the macroeconomic system is constructed. The Stackelberg strategy concept is introduced to the dynamic game. By using the standard variational techniques, the necessary conditions for the existence of the open-loop Stackelberg strategy is derived, and the open-loop Stackelberg strategy is given. An illustrative example is provided. >
Protozoan feeding and bacterial wall growth

Monod's model is often assumed to describe the kinetics of feeding of a protozoan population on a bacterial population in a chemostat. An earlier study (J. L. Jost et al., J. Bacteriol, 113, 84 (1973)) of the feeding of Tetrahymena pyriformis on either Escherichia coli or Azotobacter vinelandii found that this model correctly predicted the occurrence of sustained oscillations of population densities but made predictions of minimum bacterial population densities that were much smaller than those observed. The earlier study removed the discrepancy between the model and data by replacing Monod's model with a different model. It is shown in the present study that the discrepancy can be explained equally as well if Monod's model for the feeding relation is retained and if, in addition, growth of bacteria on the chemostat walls is allowed for in the model equations.
Who you calling old? Measuring "elderly" and what it means for homicide research

Although Americans are less likely to experience violent crime as they age, research interest in elderly victims of violence is growing. An initial question that has been overlooked concerns how best to measure "elderly." In the homicide literature, the most common definition is a single category of age 65 and older. With U.S. adults living longer, healthier, and more active lives, use of a single category may no longer adequately capture this heterogeneous population. The present study explores how a multiple-category definition of elderly might inform the study of homicide by identifying patterns that could promote more tailored explanations. Language: en
Ethical and Professional Issues in Career Assessment with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Persons.

This article proposes a framework for the consideration of ethical and professional issues in career assessment with lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. Themes are identified and structured based on an integration of the Division 44?Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns Joint Task Force's "Guidelines for Psychotherapy With Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients"; the American Psychological Association's Guidelines for Multicultural Counseling Proficiency for Psychologists; and conceptual work by Prince and by Croteau, Anderson, DiStefano, and Kampa-Kokesch. The themes are organized under three domains: practice, research, and education. The first two domains are further divided into three categories: attitudes?awareness, knowledge, and skills. Applications of each theme to career assessment with lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons are discussed, drawing on relevant literature in vocational psychology.
Pulmonary tuberculosis masquerading as bronchogenic carcinoma with lymphangitic spread of tumor

Pulmonary tuberculosis may present as a mass like lesion, which may mimic neoplasm. We report the case of a middle-aged lady presenting with cough, intermittent fever, hemoptysis and weight loss. A large non-cavitating mass lesion with thickening of the surrounding interlobular septa and adjacent right major fissure was demonstrated on CT scan. A diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma with lymphangitic spread of tumor was made on imaging appearance. Image guided biopsy confirmed tuberculosis. We reviewed the existing literature.
Modeling a controlled conveyor network with merging configuration

Simulation with Arena is used to analyze a controlled conveyor network with merging configuration (CNMC). We use simulation to realize the logic in a queueing-theoretic model (QTM), and to analyze the behavior of CNMCs under various conditions. We also examine the performance of QTM while keeping or violating the QTM assumptions and constraints. Simulation experiments are designed for the special features of CNMC operations. Various situations are investigated to identify the behavior of CNMCs as well as the robustness of QTM. A case study is reported where mainline and induction-line speeds change proportionally.
AccuGlide 100: Precision Airdrop Guidance and Control via Glide Slope Control

The Natick Soldier Research, Development, and Engineering Center has been leading an effort to develop precision guided airdrop systems with a CEP under 25-meters. This paper describes the initial work completed using new guidance and control software based on systems and methods similar to those employed by precision accuracy parachutists who routinely land on a 2 cm target. A key component of the Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) methodology is the ability to accurately command toggle inputs to control system glide slope. The AccuGlide 100 system consists of an Airborne Guidance Unit (AGU) built by STARA Technologies, a 100 ft 2 ram-air canopy made by Strong Enterprises, and flight software developed by Draper Laboratory.
A faster iterative scaling algorithm for conditional exponential model

Conditional exponential model has been one of the widely used conditional models in machine learning field and improved iterative scaling (IIS) has been one of the major algorithms for finding the optimal parameters for the conditional exponential model. In this paper, we proposed a faster iterative algorithm named FIS that is able to find the optimal parameters faster than the IIS algorithm. The theoretical analysis shows that the proposed algorithm yields a tighter bound than the traditional IIS algorithm. Empirical studies on the text classification over three different datasets showed that the new iterative scaling algorithm converges substantially faster than both the IIS algorithm and the conjugate gradient algorithm (CG). Furthermore, we examine the quality of the optimal parameters found by each learning algorithm in the case of incomplete training. Experiments have shown that, when only a limited amount of computation is allowed (e.g. no convergence is achieved), the new algorithm FIS is able to obtain lower testing errors than both the IIS method and the CG method.
Verifiable Offers and the Relationship Between Auctions and Multilateral Negotiations

We use the experimental method to compare second-price auctions with verifiable multilateral negotiations in which the sole buyer can credibly reveal to sellers the best price offer he currently holds. Despite the two institutions seeming equivalence, we find that prices are lower in verifiable multilateral negotiations than in second-price auctions. The difference occurs because low-cost sellers in negotiations often submit initial offers below the second-lowest cost. We also compare the two institutions to previously studied first-price auctions and multilateral negotiations with non-verifiable offers. Second-price auctions yield the highest prices, followed in order by verifiable negotiations, non-verifiable negotiations and first-price auctions. One of the more interesting facets of voluntary exchange is how changes in the strategic environment lead to differences in transaction outcomes. For example, the pioneering experimental work in Chamberlin (1948) and Smith (1962) illustrates that changing the nature of the information available to participants can dramatically influence the price and efficiency of an exchange process. With this insight in mind, in this article we use the experimental method to examine and compare four exchange mechanisms in a procurement setting in which a buyer faces several sellers that have privately known production costs. The first two institutions are the first-price auction and the second-price auction. These well-known auction formats and their outcome-equivalent variants, the Dutch auction and the English auction, are used extensively to allocate products as varied as flowers, art, produce, fish, government securities, and mineral rights. 1 Several governments have recently used auctions to allocate such valuable resources as radio spectra, electric power, and pollution rights. 2 The second two institutions are variants of the multilateral negotiations introduced in Thomas and Wilson (2002). In this common exchange mechanism, a buyer solicits price offers from multiple sellers and then he elicits more favourable offers by playing the sellers off one another until he accepts one of the offers or breaks off the negotiations. Among other settings, multilateral negotiations are
Regulation of serum phosphate

The regulation of serum phosphate, an acknowledged risk factor for chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular mortality, is poorly understood. The discovery of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) as a key regulator of renal phosphate handling and activation of vitamin D has revolutionized our comprehension of phosphate homeostasis. Through as yet undetermined mechanisms, circulating and dietary phosphate appear to have a direct effect on FGF23 release by bone cells that, in turn, causes renal phosphate excretion and decreases intestinal phosphate absorption through a decrease in vitamin D production. Thus, the two major phosphaturic hormones, PTH and FGF23, have opposing effects on vitamin D production, placing vitamin D at the nexus of phosphate homeostasis. While our understanding of phosphate homeostasis has advanced, the factors determining regulation of serum phosphate level remain enigmatic. Diet, time of day, season, gender, age and genetics have all been identified as significant contributors to serum phosphate level. The effects of these factors on serum phosphate have major implications for what is understood as 'normal' and for studies of phosphate homeostasis and metabolism. Moreover, other hormonal mediators such as dopamine, insulin-like growth factor, and angiotensin II also affect renal handling of phosphate. How the major hormone effects on phosphate handling are regulated and how the effect of these other factors are integrated to yield the measurable serum phosphate are only now beginning to be studied.
Self-aligned bipolar epitaxial base n-p-n transistors by selective epitaxy emitter window (SEEW) technology

A bipolar technology which allows for very thin base formation by ultra-high vacuum/chemical vapor deposition (UHV/CVD) epitaxy and very narrow emitter width using selective epitaxial overgrowth is presented. The key step in this selective epitaxy emitter window (SEEW) process is an in situ doped epitaxial lateral overgrowth over a thin and narrow nitride/oxide pad which forms an emitter window in the sublithographic range and provides an extrinsic base contact at the same time. Advantages over conventional double-poly self-aligned technology are the very thin epitaxial base, the formation of the extrinsic base after intrinsic epitaxial base deposition resulting in a guaranteed link-up, and an emitter width in the deep submicrometer range by optical lithography. n-p-n bipolar transistors with 60-nm base width for 75 k Omega / Square Operator intrinsic base resistance and emitter widths down to 0.2 mu m with 0.07- mu m tolerance ( sigma ) have been fabricated using SEEW technology. Nearly ideal I-V characteristics have been achieved for these very narrow emitters. High-yield figures are demonstrated. The SEEW structure can provide very high current density at acceptable power level. >
Unions, government employment, and the political economy of income distribution in metropolitan areas

Abstract Long-term declines in union membership and the ascendance of neoliberal government policies may have weakened the potential for unions and government employment to reduce income inequality. Using data on 160 metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) from the 2000 census, this research examines how quintile shares of size-adjusted family income are impacted by union density and federal, state, and local government employment. Importantly, the use of quintile shares of income allows this study to reveal a more nuanced picture of how unions and government employment influence the distribution of income. The principal findings of this study are: (1) union density has a progressive effect that benefits middle and upper-middle income families, (2) federal government employment has a strong progressive effect on the entire income distribution, (3) state government employment has a progressive effect on middle and upper-middle income families, and (4) local government employment mainly impacts families in the bottom forty percent of the income distribution. Although there have been long-run declines in regulatory labor market institutions, unions and government employment are still important components of the political economy of social stratification in U.S. metropolitan areas.
Unique Pattern of Convergent Envelope Evolution in Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Rapid Progressor Macaques: Association with CD4-Independent Usage of CCR5

The rate of disease development in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of macaques varies considerably among individual macaques. While the majority of macaques inoculated with pathogenic SIV develop AIDS within a period of 1 to 2 years, a minority exhibit a rapid disease course characterized by absence or transience of humoral and cellular immune responses and high levels of virus replication with widespread dissemination of SIV in macrophages and multinucleated giant cells. The goal of this study was to examine viral evolution in three SIVsmE543-3-inoculated rapid progressors to determine the contribution of viral evolution to the development of rapid disease and the effect of the absence of immune pressure upon viral evolution. PCR was used to amplify and clone the entire SIV genome from tissues collected at necropsy, and the course of viral evolution was assessed by env sequences cloned from sequential plasma samples of one rapid progressor (RP) macaque. The majority of sequence changes in RP macaques occurred in the envelope gene. Substitutions were observed in all three animals at specific conserved residues in envelope, including loss of a glycosylation site in V1/V2, a D-to-N/V substitution in a highly conserved GDPE motif, and a P-to-V/H/T substitution in the V3 loop analog. A cell-cell fusion assay revealed that representative env clones utilized CCR5 as a coreceptor, independent of CD4. The selection of specific substitutions in envelope in RP macaques suggests novel selection pressures on virus in such animals and suggests that viral variants that evolve in these animals may play a role in disease progression.
Tentative Hazard Assessment of Industrial Facilities

Semi-quantitative risk assessment method was used for tentative evaluation of hazardous chemical waste incinerator. Data was collected using questionnaire involving five items as identification of installments, question regarding the technology, quality and quantity of hazardous substances, as well as environmental data. Site index was calculated from the information of technology and organisation. Dangerous substance index was calculated on the basis of hazardous properties and the quantity of chemicals stored or used on the facility. In the case of a chemical accident environmental components like distance to surface waters, sensitivity and vulnerability, permeability of soil number of public institutions, people living in the surroundings and economic factor were considered.
Individual variability in behavioral flexibility predicts sign-tracking tendency.

Sign-tracking rats show heightened sensitivity to food- and drug-associated cues, which serve as strong incentives for driving reward seeking. We hypothesized that this enhanced incentive drive is accompanied by an inflexibility when incentive value changes. To examine this we tested rats in Pavlovian outcome devaluation or second-order conditioning prior to the assessment of sign-tracking tendency. To assess behavioral flexibility we trained rats to associate a light with a food outcome. After the food was devalued by pairing with illness, we measured conditioned responding to the light during an outcome devaluation probe test. The level of conditioned responding during outcome devaluation probe test correlated with the rats’ subsequent tracking tendency, with sign-tracking rats failing to suppress conditioned responding to the light after outcome devaluation. To assess Pavlovian incentive learning, we trained rats on first-order (CS+, CS-) and second-order (SOCS+, SOCS-) discriminations. After second-order conditioning, we measured conditioned responding to the second-order cues during a probe test. Second-order conditioning was observed in all rats regardless of tracking tendency. The behavioral inflexibility of sign-trackers has potential relevance for understanding individual variation in vulnerability to drug addiction.