cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Timing analysis of TCP servers for surviving denial-of-service attacks

Denial-of-service attacks are becoming more frequent and sophisticated. Researchers have proposed a variety of defenses, including better system configurations, infrastructures, protocols, firewalls, and monitoring tools. Can we validate a server implementation in a systematic manner? In this paper we focus on a particular attack, SYN flooding, where an attacker sends many TCP-connection requests to a victim's machine. We study the issue of whether a TCP server can keep up with the packets from an attacker, or whether the server exhausts its buffer space. We present a tool for statically validating a TCP server's ability to survive SYN flooding attacks. Our tool automatically transforms a TCP-server implementation into a timed automaton, and it transforms an attacker model, given by the output of a packet generator, into another timed automaton. Together the two timed automata form a system for which the model checker UPPAAL can decide whether a bad state, in which the buffer overruns, can be reached. Our tool has two advantages over simply testing the server implementation with a packet generator. First, our tool is an order of magnitude faster because of aggressive abstraction of the server code. Second, our tool can be applied to a variety of server software without having to install each one in the kernel of an operating system. Thus, a programmer of defensive measures against SYN flooding attacks can get rapid feedback during development.
Are Reporting Incentives and Accounting Standards Substitutes or Complements in Achieving Accounting Comparability

We find that they are complements. We subject our sample of 15 European Union (EU) countries to two regulatory changes: (i) the adoption of the common euro currency in 1999 that resulted in a convergence in reporting incentives and (ii) the subsequent adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in 2005 that resulted in a convergence in accounting standards. We first document that the convergence in reporting incentives brought about by euro adoption increased financial reporting convergence, and that this convergence is driven by capital market integration rather than product market integration. To examine the interaction between reporting incentives and accounting standards, we condition the effect of IFRS adoption in 2005 on euro membership. We find greater financial reporting convergence after IFRS adoption but only in euro countries, suggesting that the convergence in reporting incentives and the convergence in accounting standards act as complements. We also find that both capital market and product market integration contribute to the complementarity between incentives and standards at the adoption of IFRS. Our findings are relevant to academics as well as regulators evaluating the implications of convergence in accounting standards around the world.
Conditional Deletion of Indian Hedgehog in Limb Mesenchyme Results in Complete Loss of Growth Plate Formation but Allows Mature Osteoblast Differentiation

Indian hedgehog (Ihh) is widely recognized as an essential factor for proper skeletal development. Previous in vivo studies using mutant Ihh mouse models were limited by perinatal lethality or carried out after a growth plate formed. Thus the important role of Ihh in mesenchymal cell differentiation has not been investigated. In this study, we established Prx1-Cre;Ihh(fl/fl) mice to ablate Ihh specifically in limb mesenchyme to allow us to observe the phenotype continuously from prenatal development to 3 weeks of age. Mutant mice displayed severe limb abnormalities characterized by complete lack of secondary ossification center and growth plate, indicating an essential role for Ihh in the development of these structures. Interestingly, we discovered that osteoblast differentiation and bone formation could occur in conditions of deficient Ihh. This is a novel finding that has not been observed because of the early lethality of previous Ihh mutants. Mature osteoblasts expressing osteocalcin could be detected in the center of mutant bones at postnatal day 10 (P10). Osteoclasts and blood vessel formation were also present, suggesting active bone remodeling. Histomorphometric analyses show a significant increase in osteoclast number with no major changes in bone formation rate at 3 weeks of age. Mutant long bones in the limbs were deformed, with cortices comprised of irregular woven bone. Also, there was a marked decrease in gene expression of osteoblastic and osteocytic markers. Moreover, mutant long bones displayed bone dysplasia in which we observed increased osteoclast activity and partially reduced osteoblastic and osteocytic differentiation that lead ultimately to loss of bone structures at 3 weeks of age. In summary, our data show for the first time, the presence of mature osteoblasts in long bones of the limbs despite the complete loss of growth plate formation due to Ihh deficiency. These data indicate an important function for Ihh in regulating limb mesenchymal cell differentiation.
Snake‐directed Behavior by Snake Naive and Experienced California Ground Squirrels in a Simulated Burrow

Snake naive and experienced California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) were video taped while interacting with either a gopher snake or rattlesnake in a simulated burrow dimly illuminated with red light. Using nonvisually guided behavior, naive and experienced squirrels reacted to snakes in qualitatively similar ways, and behaved more defensively toward snakes than toward a control stimulus (white rat). The squirrels alternately interacted with the snake and attempted to escape from the burrow, which had a sealed entrance. Interaction with the snake included cautious approach in elongate postures, prolonged investigation of adjacent alleys before entering them, kicking sand at the snake, frequent tooth chattering, occasional calling, and building burrow plugs out of sand. These they packed by butting with their heads. When permitted to escape from the burrow, they turned just outside the entrance to tail flag, kick sand, scent mark, and finally plug the burrow. Since visual cues were not available, olfactory and auditory stimuli from the snake appeared to mediate snake-directed behavior in the burrow.
Characterization of Escherichia coli mutants completely defective in synthesis of cyclopropane fatty acids

The synthesis of cyclopropane fatty acids (CFA) in bacteria represents a biochemically and physiologically unique membrane modification whose importance for the cell remains unknown, despite extensive study of a Cfa- mutant of Escherichia coli and of the cloned cfa gene. Recently we reported the isolation of new Cfa- mutants (D. W. Grogan and J. E. Cronan, Jr., Mol. Gen. Genet. 196:367-372, 1984). Molecular-genetic and biochemical analysis indicated that these were null mutants of the E. coli cfa locus which were formed by inversions of a chromosomal segment. Isogenic Cfa+ and Cfa- strains were constructed from one such mutant and subjected to various stress conditions. In nearly all cases, both strains responded equally, but certain treatments, such as repeated freezing and thawing, favored the survival of Cfa+ strains over Cfa- strains. Though not essential, CFA thus appeared to play some beneficial role (or roles) in the bacterial cell. Images
Asymptotically reachable states and related symmetry in systems theory

In executing state-to-state maneuvers, end states which are stabilizable states provide for robust maneuver control. In the normal circumstance that a maneuver only takes the system to a neighborhood of a stabilizable state, feedback control can be used to regulate to a neighborhood of the desired end state. In contrast, if the end state is not a stabilizable state, large try-again maneuvers which cannot be bounded by the terminal tracking error of the prior maneuver are often required in the event of a near miss. In this paper it is shown that the subspace of stabilizable states for a linear stabilizable system is the intersection of the reachable subspace and a particular controlled invariant subspace we call the constant state subspace. The stabilizable states are also the states which can be approached asymptotically with appropriate choice of control, and we use this characterization as our definition of stabilizable states.
Hybrid force/motion control of two arms carrying an object

In this work we develop a hybrid force/motion controller for coordination of two robot arms carrying an object. A closed chain dynamic model is developed which helps in designing the motion controller independent of the force controller. A stable adaptive motion controller and a parameter adaptation law is designed to estimate the unknown parameters. A feedforward plus PI type force controller is developed. Stability analysis is done for both motion and force controller. It is shown that the motion controller is robust to bounded disturbances and the force controller is robust to small delay in force feedback. The theoretical results have been validated by simulations.
A NEW WTO PARADIGM FOR TRADE AND THE ENVIRONMENT

This article provides an overview of the “trade and environment” interface in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and proposes new paradigm for making progress. In doing so, the article reviews recent developments in WTO adjudication and negotiations and examines the institutional interplay of international trade and biosafety with particular reference to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. 1 The article also points to several pro-environmental initiatives that could be taken by the WTO. The article is divided into five parts. Part I provides a brief review of the history of environment linkage in trade policy, beginning in 1923. Part II offers a Tour d’Horizon of WTO rules and policies with implications for the environment. Part III looks at the environmental components of the WTO’s Doha Round negotiations. Part IV uses the example of biosafety to show why the traditional paradigm of the WTO as a trade-only agency needs to be replaced by a new paradigm. Part V concludes.
Investigating Changes in Willingness to Pay for Managed-Lane Systems: Quasi-Panel Approach

This paper investigates the hypothesis that willingness to pay for managed lanes (MLs) changes through time in the aftermath of the opening and operation of a facility. Using a quasi-panel of stated preference surveys, the authors found that the estimates of the value of travel time reliability were almost as high as the value of travel time savings in regular travel situations and were almost twice as high in urgent situations 2 years after the opening and operation of MLs. These results indicate that the presentation of reliability information affects the valuation of travel time savings estimated from stated preference surveys.
QUANTITATIVE DETERMINATION OF DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID IN EMBRYOS AND UNFERTILIZED EGGS OF RANA PIPIENS.

The applications of a colorimetric test and two sensitive fluorometric methods to the estimation of DNA equivalents in unfertilized eggs of R. pipiens are described. The synthesis of DNA during development was studied with the two fluorometric methods, by determinations of single dried eggs or embryos and of DNase extracts of similar material. Identical results were obtained by the two methods only when the specificity of the reactions were increased with DNase pretreatments. The results demonstrate the presence of 0.2 μg of DNA equivalents per egg and an increase during development to approximately 2.3 μg per embryo at stage 14+. The total, acid-insoluble, and “DNase-sensitive” DNA equivalents per germinal vesicle were estimated by the DABA fluorometric method. The results in relation to the degree of specificity of the methods used are compared with similar studies described in the literature.
Social phobia and perfectionism

Abstract Clinical evidence suggests that components of perfectionism may have special relevance to social phobia. This study examines this relationship by comparing 61 patients with social phobia and 39 community volunteers with no anxiety disorder on Frost, Marten, Lahart and Rosenblate's (1990) Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS). Social phobia patients scored higher on subscales assessing concern over mistakes, doubts about actions, and perceived parental criticism. Community volunteers scored higher on the organization subscale. It was further hypothesized that, for the social phobia patients, perfectionism would be associated with greater symptom severity. Correlational analysis confirmed that the Concern over Mistakes and Doubts about Actions subscales of the MPS were consistently associated with greater social anxiety, trait anxiety, and general psychopathology. Implications for the treatment of social phobia patients are considered.
Genetic dissociation of multiple morphine effects among C57BL/6J, DBA/2J and C3H/HeJ inbred mouse strains

The pattern of sensitivity of mice from three inbred strains were compared on measures of morphine-induced analgesia (hot plate), locomotor activity, hypothermia, Straub tail (muscular rigidity), antidiuresis and constipation. The DBA/2J strain emerged as the most sensitive strain for analgesia, retention of a water load (antidiuresis) and hypothermia. In addition, the DBA/2J mice had lower concentrations of morphine in the brain 30 min after injection and had the lowest Kd and the highest Bmax for naloxone as measured by in vitro receptor binding. In contrast, mice of the C57BL/6J strain were most sensitive when locomotor activity, Straub tail and constipation were measured. The C3H/HeJ mice were generally intermediate in their sensitivity to morphine. The observed strain differences indicate a rather high degree of genetic control for most of the effects studied, however, the low consistency of rank order among the three strains across these measures suggests that the genetically determined mechanisms are largely different between these measures of morphine sensitivity.
Characterization and crystal structure of a high-affinity pentavalent receptor-binding inhibitor for cholera toxin and E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin.

Multivalent ligand design constitutes an attractive avenue to the inhibition of receptor recognition and other biological events mediated by oligomeric proteins with multiple binding sites. One example is the design of multivalent receptor blockers targeting members of the AB5 bacterial toxin family. We report here the synthesis and characterization of a pentavalent inhibitor for cholera toxin and Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin. This inhibitor is an advance over the symmetric pentacyclen-derived inhibitor described in our earlier work in that it presents five copies of m-nitrophenyl-α-d-galactoside (MNPG) rather than five copies of β-d-galactose. The approximately 100-fold higher single-site affinity of MNPG for the toxin receptor binding site relative to galactose is found to yield a proportionate increase in the affinity and IC50 measured for the respective pentavalent constructs. We show by dynamic light scattering that inhibition of receptor binding by the pentavalent inhibitor is due to 1:1...
Growth Empirics: A Panel Data Approach

A panel data approach is advocated and implemented for studying growth convergence. The familiar equation for testing convergence is reformulated as a dynamic panel data model, and different panel data estimators are used to estimate it. The main usefulness of the panel approach lies in its ability to allow for differences in the aggregate production function across economies. This leads to results that are significantly different from those obtained from single cross-country regressions. In the process of identifying the individual "country effect," we can also see the point where neoclassical growth empirics meets development economics.
Patient cost associated with filling a prescription for extended-duration venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis following surgery for gynecologic cancer.

Abstract Objective The primary purpose of this study was to determine the average patient cost for filling a prescription for extended-duration enoxaparin prophylaxis. Methods Women who underwent major abdominal/pelvic surgery for histologically confirmed gynecologic malignancy were included. Patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery, had benign disease or were on treatment for existing VTE were excluded. Pharmacy resource specialists electronically submitted test prescriptions to verify enoxaparin coverage in the outpatient setting prior to hospital discharge. Patient co-pay information collected included: the number of patients requiring prescription insurance prior authorization, those qualifying for the Lovenox Patient Assistance Program® (PAP) and insurance status. Results Three hundred and sixty-four patients were discharged with extended-duration enoxaparin prophylaxis for 28days between October 2009 and May 2011. The average patient cost to complete 28days of enoxaparin prophylaxis was $62 (median $21, range $0–1210). Prior authorization was required for 32 patients (10%). Two patients (0.6%) qualified for the Lovenox Patient Assistance Program®. A decrease in the average patient cost from $71 to $52 (median $30 to $10) was observed after generic enoxaparin approval in July 2011. Conclusion Our results show that at least 90% of patients filled their prescription of extended-duration enoxaparin prophylaxis after major abdominal surgery for cancer regardless of cost.
Radiation therapy for retinoblastoma: comparison of results with lens-sparing versus lateral beam techniques.

Abstract From 1979 through 1986, 170 children were seen at our institution diagnosed with retinoblastoma. Sixty-six of the children with involvement of 121 eyes, were referred for definitive external beam radiation to one or both eyes. During the study period, two distinct radiation techniques were used. From 1980 through mid-1984, a lens-sparing technique included an anterior electron beam with a contact lens mounted lead shield, combined with a lateral field, was used. Since mid-1984, a modified lateral beam technique has been used, mixing lateral electrons and superior and inferior lateral oblique split beam wedged photons. Doses prescribed were similar for both techniques, ranging from 3850 to 5000 cGy in 4 to 5 weeks. The lens-sparing and the modified lateral techniques are compared for local control. For eyes with Group I through III disease, the lens-sparing technique resulted in local control in 33% of the eyes treated, where the modified lateral technique controlled 83% of the eyes treated ( p =.006). Mean time to relapse was identical in both groups, that is 24 and 26 months respectively. Most relapses were successfully treated with further local therapy, including laser or cryosurgery, or 60 Co plaques. Five eyes required enucleation following initial treatment with the lens-sparing technique, but none thus far with the lateral beam technique. For eyes with Group IV and V disease, no significant differences were found between the two techniques in terms of local control or eventual need for enucleation. With a mean follow-up time of 33 months for the entire group, the 4-year survival is 93%. Two of the 4 deaths are due to second primary tumor, and all 4 have occurred in the lens-sparing group. Because follow-up time is more limited in the lateral beam group, this is not statistically significant and direct survival comparisons are premature.
Altitudinal gradients in tropical forest composition, structure, and diversity in the Sierra de Manantlán

1 Data on the composition, structure and diversity of plant communities were gathered along a 1000-m altitudinal transect from tropical seasonal dry forest to cloud forest on calcareous Cerro Grande in Jalisco, Mexico. 2 A total of 470 species, 292 genera and 103 families of vascular plants occurred in 43 samples of 0.1 ha, stratified at 100-m elevational intervals between 1500 and 2500 m a.s.1. There were 97 tree species, 76 shrubs, 70 vines, 181 terrestrial herbs, 39 epiphytes, 3 hemiparasites, 3 succulent rosette shrubs and 1 saprophyte. 3 Forest composition varied continuously with altitude, based on the Shipley & Keddy (1987) test, ordination via reciprocal averaging, and elevational trends in the Sorenson similarities of samples at adjacent altitudes. supporting the individualistic hypothesis of plant community organization. 4 Understorey herbs, shrubs and vines showed the greatest decline in species number with increasing altitude. This pattern is hypothesized to result from the more open, more frequently disturbed, and more completely deciduous canopies at lower, drier elevations. The proportion of evergreen woody plants was greater at higher altitudes, reflecting less seasonal aridity and greater soil leaching. The proportion of endozoochorous species increased with altitude, while the proportion of pterochorous and ectozoochorous species decreased, reflecting trends in the hypothesized efficacy of these mechanisms of seed dispersal. 5 Total basal area of woody plants > 2.5 cm d.b.h. and basal area per tree both increased roughly fourfold between 1500 and 2500 m. 6 Species richness decreased sharply with altitude, due mainly to decreases in terrestrial herbs, and (to a lesser extent) shrubs and vines. The average number of species per 0.1 ha declined from 134 at 1500 m to 43 at 2500 m. The numbers of species, genera and families per sample declined linearly with elevation. Species composition of samples within an altitudinal band showed greater horizontal turnover (β diversity) at lower elevations, showing that low-elevation forests are not only locally more diverse, but spatially more patchy. Community composition varies roughly six times as rapidly with elevation as with the same distance horizontally. 7 A cascading series of effects of elevation on soil fertility, anti-herbivore defences, and the level of density-dependent mortality may account for the observed drop in diversity with elevation, and would be consistent with lower β diversity and greater basal area at higher elevations.
Autonomic surface potential analysis: Assessment of reproducibility and sensitivity

There has been recent interest in measuring sympathetic sudomotor function by autonomic surface potential analysis. The purpose of the present study was to assess factors affecting the reproducibility of the test. We determined the within-day and between-day reproducibility in 24 healthy vclunteers. We used an increasing rather than a constant electrical stimulus to minimize habituation. The amplitudes were still highly variable (an average within-day coefficient of variation in the soles of 35%). Habituation did not, however, affect the latencies of the responses, which were much more reproducible (an average within-day coefficient of variation in the soles of 8%). Studies of between-day reproducibility revealed that the mean amplitudes were lower on day 2 vs. day 1 (0.706 ± 0.10 vs. 0.85 ± 0.10 mV in the soles, P < 0.01) but the mean latencies were similar on the different testing days (2.09 ±.04 seconds for the soles on day 1 vs. 2.16 ±.05 seconds on day 2). We also assessed the sensitivity of surface potential analysis and report the results of testing 35 patients with far advanced autonomic neuropathy. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Godel's Incompleteness Theorems

1. The general idea behind Godel's proof 2. Tarski's theorem for arithmetic 3. The incompleteness of peano arithmetic with exponentation 4. Arithmetic without the exponential 5. Godel's proof based on consistency 6. Rosser systems 7. Shepherdson's Representation theorems 8. Definability and diagonalization 9. The unprovability of consistency 10. Some general remarks on provability and truth 11. Self-referential systems
Serials Resource Sharing and Public Services

Collection development activities have always had a significant impact on public services operations, but the impact is much more apparent today due to the fiscal constraints we face. No longer do we have sufficient resources at our disposal to purchase all the materials needed by our users; nor do we have the funds available to hire enough staff to service our users as we might like. In addition, we are running out of space to house our resources. Any decision made to address these problems has implications for public service. This became all the more apparent to us at Michigan State University while we were involved in an Office of Management Studies Public Services Study. The study team was charged only with reviewing our public services operations, yet they found it increasingly difficult to separate issues concerning services from those relating to the collection. Assisting library users with serials comprises a significant portion of the work of public services librarians and other staff members. The public services units at Michigan State provide bibliographic and physical access to the serials the library owns by providing instruction in the use of the card catalog, the serial holdings list, and periodical indexes; by creating serial records for the database we have loaded into our CLSI system (which is no easy chore); by staffing and servicing a current periodicals room; by providing faculty members with photocopies of journal articles from our collection; and by retrieving serials from our remote storage facility upon request. We also provide bibliographic and physical access to serials not in our collection by instruction in the use of indexes and in the use of OCLC and union listings (both online and printed), and by
Is Dynamics the Content of a Generalized Motor Program for Rhythmic Interlimb Coordination

Abstract In 3 experiments, the author tested the hypothesis that coordination dynamics is the content of a generalized motor program (GMP) for rhythmic interlimb coordination. In Experiment 1, learners (N = 14) practiced a −90° movement with either identically timed or differently timed limbs. Both acquisition and transfer to novel (effector and pattern) timings were unaffected by the learning condition and were suggestive of the intrinsic dynamics for in-phase and antiphase. In Experiment 2, learners' (N = 13) acquisition of 2 different phase relations (−90° and −45°) was qualitatively identical. Attractor reconstruction revealed an increase in the predictability of individual movement trajectories and a decrease in attractor dimensionality over learning. Transfer for both −90° and −45° was again suggestive of the intrinsic dynamics. In Experiment 3, learning altered participants' (N = 8) performance of in-phase and antiphase relations. Together, the results suggested a single continuum of phase relation...
Abyssal characteristics of the World Ocean waters

Abstract The abyssal characteristics of the World Ocean, including not only temperature but salinity, density, oxygen, and silica, are displayed on both maps and vertical sections to examine the origins of the waters of some of the major basins. Although the coldest waters that appear at the bottom in each of the oceans have long been known to have come from the Southern Ocean, the characteristics indicate that the major component of the abyssal waters of the World Ocean does not derive directly from the abyssal Antarctic but from the shallower Circumpolar Water (CPW). The CPW is a mixture of Antarctic waters with the warm, saline, oxygen-rich, and nutrient-poor deep waters from the North Atlantic. As the CPW extends northward it is modified by mixing with the overlying waters, which in the North Atlantic and North Indian oceans are more saline and in the North Pacific less saline. Except for the Antarctic area, the northern North Atlantic Ocean is the major source of oxygen to the deep-ocean waters. The abyssal waters of the Northeast Pacific are farthest from regions of ventilation and are the most nearly uniform and may be the oldest of the abyssal waters.
Prescription Stimulant Abuse on University Campuses

Prescription stimulant drug abuse among college students has increasingly become a concern over the last decade for college and university officials in the United States. Students use stimulant medications for nonmedical reasons including staying awake to study, staying awake to socialize, increasing energy, and losing weight. Substance abuse literature ranks stimulants first among the drugs commonly abused on college campuses. In response, we examine the current literature to determine who is abusing the drugs, the reasons for use, and suggestions that may be implemented on college campuses to educate students about the dangers associated with prescription stimulant abuse.
The use of topical antibiotics in the prevention of experimental wound infection.

Abstract 1. 1. Experimental wound infections were produced in all instances with a standard number of organisms, without generalized toxicity. 2. 2. The incidence of infection in S. aureus -contaminated wounds was decreased following antibiotic irrigation but was not statistically significant. Further work with larger groups of animals must be done. 3. 3. In E. coli -contaminated wounds antibiotic irrigation produced a statistically significant decrease in the incidence of infection. 4. 4. No attempt was made to evaluate the relative merits of the two antibiotics used in this study.
Acoustic signals of two toadfishes from Belize: Sanopus astrifer and Batrachoides gilberti (Batrachoididae)

The “boatwhistle” calls of Sanopus astrifer and Batrachoides gilberti, two toadfish species from Belize, are described for the first time. These descriptions add to the small number of toadfish species sounds known to date (6 out of 79 species). Both Belize toadfishes produced multiple notes per call, unlike most other toadfish species which produce a single-note call (with the exception of Opsanus beta). S. astrifer produced significantly more notes per call than B. gilberti (p < .05), and was recorded producing up to 7 notes, the highest number of notes per call of any toadfish species reported. Differences in the boatwhistle call between all species with available data are reviewed and it is hypothesized that phylogenetic relationships, morphology of the swimbladder, and evolutionary processes are factors that potentially influenced these differences.
Amyloid fiber formation in human γD-Crystallin induced by UV-B photodamage.

γD-Crystallin is an abundant structural protein of the lens that is found in native and modified forms in cataractous aggregates. We establish that UV–B irradiation of γD-Crystallin leads to structurally specific modifications and precipitation via two mechanisms: amorphous aggregates and amyloid fibers. UV–B radiation causes cleavage of the backbone, in large measure near the interdomain interface, where side chain oxidations are also concentrated. 2D IR spectroscopy and expressed protein ligation localize fiber formation exclusively to the C-terminal domain of γD-Crystallin. The native β-sandwich domains are not retained upon precipitation by either mechanism. The similarities between the amyloid forming pathways when induced by either UV–B radiation or low pH suggest that the propensity for the C-terminal β-sandwich domain to form amyloid β-sheets determines the misfolding pathway independent of the mechanism of denaturation.
COLLABORATIVE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES THAT SUPPORT TEACHING AND LEARNING

After reviewing the literature on the power of collaborative community in schools, the authors describe interview data collected from educators involved in collaborative change projects related to literacy. First, the authors interviewed a teacher from a middle school team that had changed their literacy instruction toward a more inclusive and authentic pedagogy. Second, the authors interviewed participants from a similar one-year collaborative change program in one elementary school. The data describe experiences of teacher decision-making within communities that are characterized by respect for differences, mutual caring and support, and inclusive decision-making processes. The subsequent loss of a sense of collaborative community in the school study is partially explained by factors that intervened in the ensuing years and was accompanied by a shift away from authentic literacy experiences and back to the use of worksheets and standardized programs.
Integrated cloud computing environment with IT resources and sensor devices

This paper proposes the sensor-cloud infrastructure which supports sensor management on cloud computing. It can also map the physical sensor to the virtualised sensor. Since the resource and capacity of physical sensors are limited, IT management on cloud computing can be on behalf of the sensor management. Both dynamic provisioning and automated management of the cloud computing can be leveraged for sensor services. IT resources with those virtualised sensors can be provided on the sensor-cloud infrastructure. The significance of the proposed infrastructure is that virtualised sensors can be used as part of IT resource such as CPU, disk and memory. In addition, the dynamic sensor group can be automatically provisioned with those virtual sensors. The evaluation of the proposed infrastructure proves the scalability that can support a large number of physical sensors on cloud computing.
Dynamic Automated Graphics and Dynamic Interactive Graphics: Tools for Training on Tablet Devices

Tablet computers are becoming ubiquitous and enable new ways to provide information. Specifically, the tablet’s touchscreen offers a novel way for an individual to interact with 3D graphics. Curren...
High-resolution 3D imaging laser radar flight test experiments

Situation awareness and accurate Target Identification (TID) are critical requirements for successful battle management. Ground vehicles can be detected, tracked, and in some cases imaged using airborne or space-borne microwave radar. Obscurants such as camouflage net and/or tree canopy foliage can degrade the performance of such radars. Foliage can be penetrated with long wavelength microwave radar, but generally at the expense of imaging resolution. The goals of the DARPA Jigsaw program include the development and demonstration of high-resolution 3-D imaging laser radar (ladar) ensor technology and systems that can be used from airborne platforms to image and identify military ground vehicles that may be hiding under camouflage or foliage such as tree canopy. With DARPA support, MIT Lincoln Laboratory has developed a rugged and compact 3-D imaging ladar system that has successfully demonstrated the feasibility and utility of this application. The sensor system has been integrated into a UH-1 helicopter for winter and summer flight campaigns. The sensor operates day or night and produces high-resolution 3-D spatial images using short laser pulses and a focal plane array of Geiger-mode avalanche photo-diode (APD) detectors with independent digital time-of-flight counting circuits at each pixel. The sensor technology includes Lincoln Laboratory developments of the microchip laser and novel focal plane arrays. The microchip laser is a passively Q-switched solid-state frequency-doubled Nd:YAG laser transmitting short laser pulses (300 ps FWHM) at 16 kilohertz pulse rate and at 532 nm wavelength. The single photon detection efficiency has been measured to be > 20 % using these 32x32 Silicon Geiger-mode APDs at room temperature. The APD saturates while providing a gain of typically > 106. The pulse out of the detector is used to stop a 500 MHz digital clock register integrated within the focal-plane array at each pixel. Using the detector in this binary response mode simplifies the signal processing by eliminating the need for analog-to-digital converters and non-linearity corrections. With appropriate optics, the 32x32 array of digital time values represents a 3-D spatial image frame of the scene. Successive image frames illuminated with the multi-kilohertz pulse repetition rate laser are accumulated into range histograms to provide 3-D volume and intensity information. In this article, we describe the Jigsaw program goals, our demonstration sensor system, the data collection campaigns, and show examples of 3-D imaging with foliage and camouflage penetration. Other applications for this 3-D imaging direct-detection ladar technology include robotic vision, avigation of autonomous vehicles, manufacturing quality control, industrial security, and topography.
An Approach to Automate and Optimize Concept Generation of Sheet Metal Parts by Topological and Parametric Decoupling

This paper describes an approach to automate the design for sheet metal parts that satisfy multiple objective functions such as material cost and manufacturability. Unlike commercial software tools such as PRO/SHEETMETAL, which aids the user in finalizing and determining the sequence of manufacturing operations for a specified component, our approach starts with spatial constraints in order to create the component geometries and helps the designer design. While there is an infinite set of parts that can feasibly be generated with sheet metal, it is difficult to define this space systematically. To solve this problem, we have created 108 design rules that have been developed for five basic sheet metal operations: slitting, notching, shearing, bending, and punching. A recipe of the operations for a final optimal design is then presented to the manufacturing engineers thus saving them time and cost. The technique revealed in this paper represents candidate solutions as a graph of nodes and arcs where each node is a rectangular patch of sheet metal, and modifications are progressively made to the sheet to maintain the parts manufacturability. This paper also discusses a new topological optimization technique to solve graph-based engineering design problems by decoupling parameters and topology changes. This paper presents topological and parametric tune and prune ((TP) 2 ) as a topology optimization method that has been developed specifically for domains representable by a graph grammar schema. The method is stochastic and incorporates distinct phases for modifying the topologies and modifying parameters stored within topologies. Thus far, with abovementioned sheet metal problem, (TP) 2 had proven better than genetic algorithm in terms of the quality of solutions and time taken to acquire them.
Classical solutions in two-dimensional string theory and gravitational collapse.

A general solution to the $D=2$ one-loop $\ensuremath{\beta}$-function equations including tachyonic back reaction on the metric is presented. Dynamical black hole (classical) solutions representing gravitational collapse of tachyons are constructed. A discussion on the correspondence with the matrix-model approach is given.
Effective Preassessment Team Procedures: Making the Process Work for Teachers and Students

Preassessment procedures were mandated in the majority of states nearly two decades ago as a gatekeeping system for special education. These building teams were given the charge of providing technical assistance to general educators who had children in their classrooms who were not meeting learning and behavioral expectations. When implemented effectively, these building teams provide consultation and collaboration to teachers to meet the needs of children with learning and behavioral problems in both general and special education classrooms. In this article, suggestions are made for making preassessment teams an effective support system for all teachers.
Micromorphological study of surface seals developed under simulated rainfall

Abstract Soil surface seals were formed on microplots of homogeneous soil in the laboratory using simulated rainfall. The soil horizons studied varied in texture and organic matter content. The surface sealing was quantified by monitoring changes in infiltration rate, splash detachment and near-surface shear strength with time. The porosity of the resulting surface seals and unsealed soil material was studied in the laboratory using image analysis of thin sections. Various sealing indices demonstrated that the A horizons of the soil sealed to a greater extent than the corresponding Bt horizons. In general, as sealing increased, soil loss decreased from the microplots. Total porosity of the soil surface seal did not explain differences in infiltration rate, splash detachment or strength well; however, the percentage of planar pores was more related to the final infiltration rate. Different morphological types of surface seals could be found in the soils that were representative of various sealing processes. Even though some soils had a considerable amount of water-dispersible clay, the downward translocation of clay was a minor process. A more important process was the physical breakdown of aggregates and the accompanied compaction of the surface resulting in a zone with a lower percentage of planar pores. The primary particle size of the soil was a poor indicator of the soils' susceptibility to surface sealing, whereas, the water dispersible particle size, particularly the silt size distribution, was a good indicator of its sealing behavior.
Integrated circuit model development for EMP

The response of Integrated Circuits (IC) to pulsed snd gated sine-wave stimuli can be used to develop reasonably accurate device models for EMP assessment. These IC models can then be used in conjunction with circuit and transfer function models to determine the failure threshold (upset and burnout) to postulated EMP distrubance.
Manganese silicate minerals from broken hill, New South Wales

Abstract Sixteen unpublished analyses of Broken Hill manganese silicates (two pyrox‐mangite, one rhodonite, four hedenbergite, and nine bustamite) from the papers of the late Dr W. T. Schaller are presented. They have been complemented with additional analyses by the electron microprobe to define the compositional fields of these minerals. Data are provided on the relationship of these minerals with tephroite and garnet. The occurrence of roepperite (zincian tephroite) at Broken Hill is discredited, and its validity is doubtful. Dannemorite from Broken Hill has a composition close to Mn2(Fe,Mg)5Si8O22(OH)2, and can be considered a valid amphibole subspecies.
Tumor antigen presentation by dermal antigen-presenting cells.

Several phenotypes of antigen-presenting cells are present in the dermis, where they presumably function to present encountered antigens for immune responses. This study examined the ability of dermal antigen-presenting cells to present tumor-associated antigens for the induction of in vivo antitumor immunity. Total murine dermal cells were exposed either to medium alone or to medium containing tumor-associated antigens from S1509a tumor cells. Subsequently, dermal cells were injected subcutaneously at weekly intervals into naive mice for a total of three immunizations. One week following the final immunization, mice were challenged with living tumor cells. In these experiments, dermal cells pulsed with tumor-associated antigens induced protective immunity to tumor growth. Dermal cells exposed to tumor-associated antigens were also able to elicit delayed-type hypersensitivity after footpad injection into mice previously immunized against S1509a tumor cells. The ability to present tumor-associated antigens for both induction of antitumor immunity and elicitation of delayed-type hypersensitivity was dependent on I-A+ cells and was genetically restricted. Finally, dermal cells tended towards eliciting a greater antitumor delayed-type hypersensitivity response than epidermal cells. These results show that the murine dermis contains antigen-presenting cells capable of processing S1509a tumor antigens for the generation of protective antitumor immunity in vivo.
Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Size Using Two-dimensional and Volumetric Analysis : Effect on Liver Transplantation Eligibility

Rationale and Objectives Milan criteria recommends selection of candidates with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for liver transplantation based on strict tumor size thresholds. The purpose of this study is to compare the effect of two-dimensional and three-dimensional tumor measurements on the selection of candidates for liver transplantation using Milan criteria. Materials and Methods This retrospective Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant study was approved by our institutional review board. Patient-informed consent was waived. Forty-five HCCs in 19 patients, evaluated with triphasic multidetector row computed tomography scans, were included in the analysis. The largest diameters in each two-dimensional orthogonal plane (Max2D) and within three-dimensional tumor boundaries (Max3D) were calculated for each lesion. Diameters were compared and the eligibility based on lesion size for liver transplantation was assessed. Results The mean Max2D diameter of HCC was 3.2 ± 0.9 cm and the mean Max3D diameter was 3.5 ± 1.2 cm. There was a significant difference between the mean Max2D and Max3D diameters ( P P Conclusion HCC diameter based on 3D measurements is significantly different than the conventional 2D measurements and may affect eligibility for liver transplantation.
Shipment composition enhancement at a consolidation center

Abstract When items of different shapes, sizes and weights are transported, some item combinations make most effective use of a vehicle's capacity. A consolidation center, receiving shipments of various items from different origins, can act as a point where those combinations can be formed. While sending shipments through the center invariably increases the total item-miles traveled, judicious shipping can reduce the vehicle-miles traveled. This paper examines ways in which loads should be made up to achieve as large a reduction in vehicle-miles as possible. The paper first considers a building block in which items are sent directly from one origin to one destination, and then analyzes a terminal serving many origins and one destination. The understanding developed from the building block leads to a linear programming formulation of the load make-up/routing problem that arises with many origins. The paper also presents a decomposition principle, and a matching algorithm that can be used to solve the problem in the important special case when vehicles can carry many items. The algorithm has a simple physical interpretation and does not require much data. It can be implemented by hand, or on an inexpensive computer.
Ultrastructure of highly purified sympathetic nerve vesicles: correlation between matrix density and norepinephrine content.

Initial glutaraldehyde fixation followed by OsO4 or combined with potassium dichromate or picric acid preserves essentially all 3H-1-norepinephrine (NE) label in isolated sympathetic nerve vesicles (750 ) throughout preparation for electron microscopy. Cacodylate and s-collidine buffers increase the tendency to form contracted dense cores surrounded by a more translucid zone in vesicles, when compared to potassium phosphate buffer which maintains a homogeneous, dense, fine granular vesicle matrix. The typical contracted dense core appearance in nerve vesicles is considered to be an artifact. The loss of sedimentable NE content from vesicles under depleting conditions is roughly paralleled by a concurrent loss of dense staining matrix material. This process is at least partly reversible. The matrix density in vesicles is judged to approximate semi-quantitatively the NE content under the conditions tested, but all staining reactions appear to be indicative of the amount of complexing substance present, rather than of NE per se.