cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DRETA: distributed routing evidence tracing and authentication intrusion detection model for MANET

A Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) is a group of mobile wireless nodes that can communicate with each other without pre-established base stations. Their communication relies on cooperative forwarding behavior, and therefore, routing service is critical for MANET. Most routing protocols depend on forwarded routing messages. If a malicious node propagates forged routing information through forwarded routing messages, all other nodes' routing tables will be damaged. We first propose Distributed Routing Evidence Tracing and Authentication intrusion prevention model (DRETA) for MANET routing protocols. DRETA provides low computation authentication service by adopting one-way key chain with delayed key disclosure. DRETA proposes Previous Forwarder (PF), which is a scalable technique for tracing and protecting the routing evidence of forwarded routing messages. Second, we implement DRETA in two representative routing protocols in MANET, Ad-hoc On-demand Distance Vector routing protocol (AODV) and Optimized Link State Routing protocol (OLSR). Experimental results show that DRETA is accurate, scalable, and requires low message overhead, and offers small delays under high mobility conditions.
Computational prediction and identification of HLA-A2.1-specific Ebola virus CTL epitopes.

Ebola virus (EBOV) is known to cause a severe hemorrhagic fever resulting in high mortality. Although the precise host defense mechanism(s) that afford protection against EBOV is not completely understood, T cell-mediated immune responses is believed to play a pivotal role in controlling virus replication and EBOV infection. There have been no reports on mapping of MHC Class I-binding CTL epitopes for EBOV till to date. In this study, we identified five HLA-A2-binding 9-mer peptides of EBOV nucleoprotein (NP) using computer-assisted algorithm. The peptides were synthesized and examined for their ability to bind to MHC class I molecules using a flow cytometry based MHC stabilization assay. Three of the EBOV-NP peptides tested (FLSFASLFL, RLMRTNFLI and KLTEAITAA) stabilized HLA-A2. The ability of the HLA-A2-binding EBOV-NP peptides to generate peptide-specific CTLs was evaluated in HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice. Epitope-specific CTL responses were confirmed by cytotoxic assays against peptide-pulsed target cells and interferon-γ ELISPOT assay. Each of the EBOV-NP peptides induced CTL responses in HLA-A2-transgenic mice. Interestingly, all the three peptides were conserved in three different strains of Ebola (Zaire and Reston and Sudan). Taken together, these findings provide direct evidence for the existence of EBOV-derived NP epitopes that may be useful in the development of protective immunogens for this hemorrhagic virus.
The Use of the Battelle Developmental Inventory in the Prediction of Later Development

This study was designed to assess the ability of the Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI) to predict later achievement involving a sample of children with or at-risk for developmental delays. The investigation utilized BDI scores administered annually for one to three years involving children who were one to four years of age. Results were compared to those obtained on the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement-Revised, standard battery (WJR-ACH: Woodcock & Johnson, 1989), which was administered one, two, and three years following the last administration of the BDI. Correlations between earlier BDI and later WJR-ACH scores for three combinations of scales tested generally increased from approximately r = .05 for BDI scores at age 1 to a mean of .72 for BDIs administered at age 3. For ages 3 years and greater, mean correlations remained relatively stable across ages and were also substantial in magnitude (ages 3 to 12 years = .74; range = .40 to .94). Thus, BDI scores from children at or above age 2 years ...
Numerical investigation of the performance and hydrodynamics of a rotating tubular membrane used for liquid-liquid separation

The performance of a liquid–liquid separation process based on an axially rotating tubular ceramic membrane operated in a crossflow regime is studied numerically with oil–water dispersions used as a model mixture. Internal hydrodynamics are explored using computational fluid dynamics simulations to obtain the velocity field in the continuous phase (water) and predict the separation efficiency with respect to the dispersed phase (oil). A discrete phase model is used to estimate trajectories of dispersed oil droplets within the membrane channel. The separation performance of the process is evaluated in terms of the droplet cutoff size. Effects of the Reynolds and Swirl numbers on velocity and pressure fields, shear stress, droplet cutoff size, and separation efficiency are investigated. The increased shear stress on the membrane surface due to the angular and the crossflow velocities decreased the accumulation of droplets on the membrane while increasing the separation efficiency. The droplet cutoff size is observed to decrease with an increase in the Reynolds and Swirl numbers. The separation efficiency strongly depends on the Swirl and Stokes numbers but only weekly on the Reynolds number. By increasing the Swirl number of the flow, it may be possible to remove very fine droplets by centrifugal force only and avoid membrane fouling.
Tumor necrosis factor-α is involved in thrombolytic-induced hemorrhage following embolic strokes in rabbits

The present study assessed whether tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) is involved in hemorrhage following large clot embolism-induced ischemia in New Zealand white rabbits by intracisternally administering either TNFalpha or a goat-anti-rabbit-TNFalpha antibody following a stroke. The first aim of the study showed that TNFalpha administration increased stroke-induced hemorrhage incidence to 53.3% from 18.5% (an increase of 188%) in the control group and also increased hemorrhage volume by 87% (p<0.05). The second aim showed that administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) using a standard dose of 3.3 mg/kg increased hemorrhage incidence in rabbits to 76.5% from 18.5% (an increase of 314%) and this effect was reversed by administration of an anti-TNFalpha antibody. In the tPA-anti-TNFalpha antibody group, the absolute hemorrhage rate was 38.8% and the hemorrhage volume was 98% of control. In conclusion, following an embolic stroke, TNFalpha administration increased the incidence and volume of hemorrhage and an anti-TNFalpha antibody counteracted tPA-induced hemorrhage. The results suggest that TNFalpha may either be directly or indirectly involved in vascular damage following an embolic stroke. Moreover, TNFalpha may mediate some of the detrimental effects of tPA on the vascular compartment. Based upon our studies, TNFalpha receptor antagonists or TNFalpha processing inhibitors should be further pursued as targets for the treatment of hemorrhagic stroke as adjuvant treatment for stroke patients receiving thrombolytic treatment.
Seafloor hydrothermal systems driven by the serpentinization of peridotite

[1] Heat balance models predict that heat released upon serpentinization of peridotites can result in a wide range of hydrothermal venting temperatures. Temperatures ranging from a few to a few tens of °C are likely. Temperatures ∼300°C may be possible in conjunction with significant heat input from below, low fluid flow rate (≤10 kg/s), a high rate of serpentinization (≥100 kg/s), or some combination of these factors. The volume of fresh lithosphere accessible to serpentinization may limit the duration of an episode of hydrothermal venting when the serpentinization rate exceeds 10 kg/s. Hydrothermal venting driven by high rates of serpentinization may occur episodically as new reaction surfaces are made available by tectonic activity or crack propagation. Given the uncertainty of several parameters, the current episode of venting at the Lost City vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge may range from ∼102 to 104 years.
Coordinated School Health and the Contribution of a District Wellness Coordinator.

Background A San Francisco Bay Area school health initiative was established in fall 2010 to improve wellness programs in 4 local school districts using the Coordinated School Health (CSH) model. This study examines the role of district-wide wellness coordinators and the ways in which they contribute to intentional coordination of health and wellness programs and activities in their school districts. Methods This study included 8 schools across 4 school districts. Researchers conducted semistructured interviews and focus groups with district and school staff, students, parents, wellness committee members, and wellness coordinators in 2012 to examine a range of perspectives about the coordination of school health and wellness. Results District wellness coordinators' efforts were linked to an increase in (1) awareness of health and wellness, (2) integration of wellness activities within and across schools and districts, and (3) leveraged resources. Conclusions Wellness coordinators are critical to successful CSH efforts. Through intentional and strategic collaboration with key stakeholders, wellness coordinators advance CSH goals of integrating health and wellness programs within and across school districts, reaching more students equitably and leveraging resources.
Mean-field theory of random close packings of axisymmetric particles

Finding the densest random packing of particles with a non-spherical shape is a long standing mathematical problem. Here, the authors develop a method based on a mean-field estimation of the Voronoi volume which can predict densest random packings in good agreement with empirical results.
Rice cultivar differences in suppression of barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crus-galli) and economics of reduced propanil rates

Abstract Field studies were conducted to compare the barnyardgrass suppression by four U.S. (‘Starbonnet’, ‘Kaybonnet’, ‘Lemont’, and ‘Cypress’) and three highly competitive, high-yielding Asian cultivars (‘PI 312777′, ‘Guichao’, and ‘Teqing’). The economic consequence of applying less than the recommended propanil rates to these cultivars was also evaluated. Grain yields increased, and barnyardgrass biomass decreased with increasing propanil rates. With or without propanil, the Asian rice cultivars consistently suppressed barnyardgrass more and consequently produced higher grain yields than did U.S. cultivars. The economic benefit derived from propanil application was less for Asian than for U.S. cultivars. Asian cultivars produced higher rough rice yields, resulting in higher net returns (not adjusted for milling) than did the commercial cultivars, but this advantage was usually reduced when adjusting for their lower milling yields. These results suggest that growing weed-suppressive Asian rice cultivar...
Progressive Suppleness Pursil Catheter: a new tool for superselective angiography and embolization.

Over the past few years , major advances in the develop­ ment of new microcatheter systems have greatly improved the safety and efficacy of therapeutic endovascular tech­ niques (1 -4). The ideal embolization catheter should have the following characteristics: simplicity of use, ability to negotiate tortuous curves with a minimum of manipulations and without trauma to the artery or induction of spasm, outer diameter small enough that the physical presence of the catheter in the vessel is not occlusive, and inner diameter large enough to permit a choice of embolic agents of various types and sizes. We present our experience with the Progressive Suppleness Pursil Catheter,* which helps fulfill these criteria. With the 3-French/1 .8-French microcatheter, tortuous ves­ sels can be catheterized and good quality superselective angiograms can be obtained (Fig . 2). Bench experiments showed that attempting wire manipulation can result in sep­ aration of the Pursil catheter from the proximal 3-French shaft because of friction between wire and catheter; therefore, this maneuver should be attempted only with extreme caution or should not be attempted at all. Two or three separate injec­ tions per catheter may be performed providing the following steps are followed: a homogeneous mixture of tantalum pow­ der (1 g) and iophendylate (0 .3-1 ml , depending on the polymerization time desired) should be obtained by gentle swirling before addition of 1 ml of isobutyl 2-cyanoacrylate (bucrylate) (IBCA); a 25cgauge needle should be used to aspirate the supernatant portion of the IBCA-iophendylate­ tantalum mixture in order to prevent loading of clumps (which can block the microcatheter) into the embolization syringe (1- ml Luer lock); with the microcatheter loaded with 5% dextrose in water solution (D 5W) , no more than 0.3-ml IBCA-iophen­ dylate-tantalum mixture should be initially loaded via a three­ way stopcock; then the mixture should be pushed through using either a 1- or 3-ml syringe containing D5W; after remov­ ing the stopcock and syringes, at least 5 ml of DsW should be flushed through the catheter. Despite these precautions, deposition of small amounts of tantalum powder on the inner wall will cause progressive narrowing of the catheter lumen; this increases the force required for injection and can even­ tually result in occlusion or even rupture of the catheter near its junction with the 3-French segment. Hence, the total number of IBCA injections should not exceed three per cath­ eter if the descri bed steps for IBCA preparation are followed (if they are not followed, only one injection of IBCA should be performed per catheter).
Total normal emittances of some real surfaces at cryogenic temperatures

Thermal radiation even at low temperatures is important when conduction and convection heat transfer are minimized, as under certain vacuum situations found in space simulators and cryogenic storage vessels. But in such cases, the radiative heat transfer cannot be estimated with a high degree of accuracy. The uncertainty depends on the available information about the radiation properties.
SCMFS: A File System for Storage Class Memory and its Extensions

Modern computer systems have been built around the assumption that persistent storage is accessed via a slow, block-based interface. However, emerging nonvolatile memory technologies (sometimes referred to as storage class memory (SCM)), are poised to revolutionize storage systems. The SCM devices can be attached directly to the memory bus and offer fast, fine-grained access to persistent storage.In this article, we propose a new file system---SCMFS, which is specially designed for Storage Class Memory. SCMFS is implemented on the virtual address space and utilizes the existing memory management module of the operating system to help mange the file system space. As a result, we largely simplified the file system operations of SCMFS, which allowed us a better exploration of performance gain from SCM. We have implemented a prototype in Linux and evaluated its performance through multiple benchmarks. The experimental results show that SCMFS outperforms other memory resident file systems, tmpfs, ramfs and ext2 on ramdisk, and achieves about 70p of memory bandwidth for file read/write operations.
Sex workers in agricultural areas: Their drugs, their children

Most research on female sex workers is urban-based, emphasizing economic necessity and risk-taking. Few authors discuss sex workers and their children. The objective of the present study was to ethnographically explore the influence of street life on childrearing by women involved in sex work in agricultural areas of the southeastern USA. Interviews took place with 38 women. Findings suggest that the sampled women followed the usual paths into substance use. Most began using substances before they began sex work, at which time use escalated to crack-cocaine. Children of 32 of the 34 women who were mothers were living separately from their mothers. None the less, mothers took an interest in children's wellbeing, and many visited them whenever possible. Their principal concern was assuring that children were raised in the best way available. One daughter followed her mother into sex work, and a few older children drank moderately. Several children had experienced abuse from persons other than parents, but the long-term effects of this abuse are unknown.
THE JAHN-TELLER EFFECT IN A TRIGONAL BIPYRAMIDAL Ni(III) COMPLEX; SYNTHESIS AND X-RAY CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF trans-NiI3 (PMe3)2

Abstract Reaction of [Ni(μ-t-Bu2As)(PMe3)2]2, with I2(Ni:I = 1:2) in toluene yields the black, crystalline Ni(III) complex trans-Nil3(PMe3)2, (1), (38%). The coordination geometry about Ni is a distorted trigonal bipyramid with a distortion which can be attributed to a Jahn-Teller effect. One Ni-I bond (2.530(1)A) is shorter than the other two (both 2.551(1)A). Crystal data.(1). C6H18I3NiP2, M = 591.6, orthorhombic, space group Pnma. a = 10.197(3), b = 11.155(8) c = 14.213(3)A, U = 1616.7(5)A3, Dc = 2.43 g cm−3, Z = 4. λ(MoK α) = 0.71073 A (graphite monochromator). μ(MoK α) = 70.4 cm−1. Refinement of 1168 reflection I > 3 ·(I)σ out of 1667 unique observed reflections (2.0° < 2° < 50.0°) gave R and Rw values of 0.046 and 0.066, respectively. The Ni-P distances are 2.246(2) A and 2.253(2) A.
Effect of set size, age, and mode of stimulus presentation on information-processing speed.

First, second, and third grade pupils served as subjects in an experiment designed to show the effect of age, mode of stimulus presentation, and information value on recognition time. Stimuli were presented in picture and printed word form and in groups of 2, 4, and 8. The results of the study indicate that first graders are slower than second and third graders who are nearly equal. There is a gross shift in reaction time as a function of mode of stimulus presentation with increase in age. The first graders take much longer to identify words than pictures, while the reverse is true of the older groups. With regard to set size, a slope appears in the pictures condition in the older groups, while for first graders, a large slope occurs in the words condition and only a much smaller one for pictures.
Mental Health Issues in Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes Prevalence and Impact on Glycemic Control

Mental health comorbidities can negatively affect disease management in adolescents with chronic illnesses. This study sought to determine the prevalence and impact of mental health issues in a population of adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes. A cross-sectional study of 150 patients aged 11 to 25 years with type 1 diabetes from an urban, academic diabetes center was conducted. Participants completed 3 validated mental health disorder screening instruments: Beck’s Depression Inventory, the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders-41 anxiety screen, and the Eating Disorder Screen for Primary Care. More than a third screened positive: 11.3% for depression, 21.3% for anxiety, and 20.7% for disordered eating (14.7% had ≥2 positive screens). Patients with a positive screen had twice the odds of having poor glycemic control as those without, as measured by HgbA1c. This study supports screening for mental health issues in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes.
Infiltrating T lymphocytes in the kidney increase oxidative stress and participate in the development of hypertension and renal disease

The present studies examined the role and mechanism of action of infiltrating T lymphocytes in the kidney during salt-sensitive hypertension. Infiltrating T lymphocytes in the Dahl salt-sensitive (...
Tracking Performance of Costas Loops with Hard-Limited In-Phase Channel

It is becoming increasingly popular in the design of suppressed carrier receivers, which employ Costas loops for earrier reconstruction, to hard-limit the output of the in-phase channel. Doing so allows replacement of the analog multiplier, which forms the loop error signal, with a chopper-type device which typically exhibits much less dc offset. The false lock behavior of such a hard-limited loop was recently investigated and shown to be quite different from that of the conventional Costas loop without the hard limiter. This paper presents the companion, analysis of the tracking performance of the hard-limited loop and assesses the penalty, if indeed it is a penalty rather than an improvement, in this performance relative to the conventional Costas loop with an analog third multiplier. In particular, for the case of RC arm filters and NRZ data, the squaring loss (or equivalently the linear loop tracking jitter) is evaluated and illustrated as a function of the ratio of arm filter bandwidth to data rate and data signal-to-noise ratio. Superimposed on these numerical results will be the corresponding ones for the conventional Costas loop. As a finale, the equivalence in operation of the Costas loop with hard-limited in-phase channel and a baseband modulation carrier reconstruction loop referred to as a demod/ remod loop is discussed.
Pharmacokinetics and Effects of 17β-Estradiol and Progesterone Implants in Ovariectomized Rats

For the pharmacokinetic evaluation of Silastic capsules, ovariectomized (OVX) rats were implanted subcutaneously with this dosage form containing 17β-estradiol (5, 10, 15, or 20% in cholesterol, where 5% 17β-estradiol equals 0.4 mg) or progesterone (20, 40, 110, or 220 mg of crystalline progesterone). The time-course of serum 17β-estradiol and progesterone released from these capsules in the OVX rat is characterized by an initial increase in serum hormone levels followed by a decline and then an apparent steady-state that persists from 7 to 24 days postimplant. Both hormones have large clearance values (total clearance is 97.7 L/day for 17β-estradiol and 20.9 L/day for progesterone). For 17β-estradiol and progesterone only, 11% of the dose was released from the implant after 24 days. Thus, the Silastic membrane represents the rate controlling barrier for these hormones. The relationship between graded doses of 17β-estradiol or progesterone and serum concentration was linear. Neither tail flick latencies measured at 48, 52.5, and 55°C nor the antinociceptive potency of morphine (ED50 values) were altered by continuous administration to steady-state of graded doses of 17β-estradiol or progesterone. We demonstrate how a dose-dependent analysis of some of the behavioral effects of 17β-estradiol or progesterone can be conducted at steady-state serum hormone concentrations.
Characterization of fluorinated ethylchloroformate derivatives of protein amino acids using positive and negative chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A solution of ethyl chloroformate + trifluoroethanol (or ethanol) + pyridine reacts rapidly with carboxylic and amino groups of amino acids to form n-ethoxycarbonyl amino acid trifluoroethyl (or ethyl) esters, which produce strong peaks representative of molecular ions in both positive and negative chemical ionization gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Sensitivity of detection of the trifluoroethyl ester derivatives versus ethyl ester derivatives in the positive and negative chemical ionization modes is also discussed.
George Mason University (GMU) Fairfax campus transportation system

Continuous increases in GMU population have severely strained the parking facilities. Currently, users are upset and frustrated with the lack of convenient parking at GMU. Our objective is to provide ideas to help alleviate the stress on the parking system. After conducting research and evaluation of the current parking system, the following base and advanced alternatives were selected. Base alternatives consist of increasing parking enforcement, providing carpooling incentives, encouraging the use of the CUE bus, and revising the distribution of the schedule of classes' student load. The advanced alternatives are differential pricing and an online auction for purchasing parking decals. For differential pricing, linear regressions were used to find the relationship between the number of decals sold and multiple independent variables. To simulate auctioning, an online auction game was conducted. Using multiattribute utility theory, it was determined that the base alternatives combined with differential pricing has the highest overall utility.
Combined tangential-normal vector elements for computing electric and magnetic fields

A direct method for computing electric and magnetic fields in two dimensions is developed. This method determines both the fields and fluxes directly from Maxwell's curl and divergence equations without introducing potential functions. This allows both the curl and the divergence of the field to be set independently in all elements. The technique is based on a novel type of vector finite element that simultaneously interpolates to the tangential component of the electric or magnetic flux. Continuity conditions are imposed across element edges. This guarantees the continuity of the field and flux at the mid-point of each edge, and its also guarantees that for all edges the average values of the tangential component of the field and of the normal component of the flux are identical. >
Laser Polarimetric Imaging of Surface Defects of Semiconductor Wafers, Microelectronics, and Spacecraft Structures

The purpose of this paper is to present novel optical imaging techniques, based on all active optical polarimetric principles, for efficient detection, inspection, and monitoring of semiconductor components, microelectronic components, and spacecraft structures. The experimental results of this paper indicate that the polarimetric imaging techniques are highly efficient in detecting defects on the semiconductor structures when compared to nonpolarimetric techniques
Sexual, relationship, contraceptive and personal factors influencing emergency contraception use: a qualitative study.

Abstract Background Emergency contraception (EC) has not achieved its abortion reduction potential in the United States in part due to nonuse. Understanding use behaviors may increase EC promotion. Study Design Interviews were conducted with 30 EC users aged 18–35 years. Interviews were analyzed for salient themes using ATLAS/ti. We used an analytical framework including personal context (life circumstances motivating pregnancy prevention), contraceptive context (knowledge, attitudes and experience), sexual context (planned/unplanned intercourse) and relationship context. Results Our sample was primarily college-educated, nulliparous, single women. EC users were motivated to prevent pregnancy, but unwilling or unable to use contraceptive methods due to ambivalence, fear, limited access or difficulty with use. Favorable attitudes toward EC, desire to defer pregnancy, infrequent intercourse, partner support of EC and relationship instability facilitated EC use. Conclusions EC fills an important gap in preventing pregnancy for motivated women who struggle with contraceptive use. Contextual factors informed women's EC behaviors.
Learning visual saliency

Inspired by the primate visual system, computational saliency models decompose the visual input into a set of feature maps across spatial scales. In the standard approach, the feature maps of the pre-specified channels are summed to yield the final saliency map. We study the feature integration problem and propose two improved strategies: first, we learn a weighted linear combination of features using the constraint linear regression algorithm. We further propose an AdaBoost based algorithm to approach the feature selection, thresholding, weight assignment, and nonlinear integration in a single principled framework. Extensive quantitative evaluations of the new models are conducted using four public datasets, and improvements on model predictability power are shown.
Photocathode performance measurements for the SLC polarized electron gun

A low-voltage test system is used to qualify various III-V semiconductor materials as photocathodes for the SLC. The system features a load lock to introduce samples, high pumping speed, a sensitive residual gas analyzer, and an infrared temperature detector. Heat cleaning, cesiation, and oxidation procedures have been studied to optimize cathode activation for achieving an optimum NEA surface. VGF GaAs, MBE-grown AlGaAs, MBE GaAs layered on AlGaAs, and MOCVD GaAsP cathodes with different active layer thicknesses and doping concentrations have been tested for quantum efficiency and lifetime. New higher-polarization strained-layer GaAs and GaAsP photocathodes have also been tested. Results and operational experience are discussed. >
Workforce: Goals for Research and Innovation

Abstract Across the United States, there is growing demand for a competent and stable workforce able to effectively support the health and community lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout the lifespan. This article describes national goals for research and innovation to advance the IDD workforce. The research goals outlined address important workforce topics that include increasing capacity and sustainability, competency development and quality support, the use of technology, family support, and the vital role of direct support professionals in helping people with IDD to become fully included and valued members of their communities.
Effect of Home-Based Complementary Food Fortification on Prevalence of Anemia Among Infants and Young Children Aged 6 to 23 Months in Poor Rural Regions of China

Following the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake, the Chinese government instituted an infant and young and child nutrition program that included promotion of in-home fortification of complementary food with ying yang bao (YYB), a soy-based powder containing iron, 2.5 mg as iron-EDTA and 5 mg as ferrous fumarate, and other micronutrients. Ying yang bao was provided to participating families in 8 poor rural counties in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces by the Ministry of Health. We assessed hemoglobin levels among infants and young children (IYC) aged 6 to 23 months at baseline in May 2010 (n = 1290) and during follow-up in November 2010 (n = 1142), May 2011 (n = 1118), and November 2011 (n = 1040), using the Hemocue method. Interviewers collected basic demographic information and child feeding practices from the children's caretakers. Altitude-adjusted hemoglobin level averaged 10.8 g/dL, and total anemia prevalence was 49.5% at baseline. Average hemoglobin was 11.3 g/dL at 6 months, 11.6 g/dL at 12 months, and 11.7 g/dL at 18 months after introduction of YYB. Moderate anemia (hemoglobin: 70-99 g/dL) decreased from 20.3% at baseline to 7.5%, 5.8%, and 7.3% after 6, 12, and 18 months of home fortification, respectively (P < .001), whereas mild anemia (hemoglobin: 100-110 g/dL) decreased from 29.0% to 16.7%, 18.1%, and 15.4%, respectively (P < .001). Among infants aged 6 to 23 months, 95% had regularly been fed YYB during the observation period. Regression analysis showed that the duration of YYB consumption and number of sachets consumed per week correlated positively with hemoglobin levels and negatively with anemia rates. Home food fortification with YYB is feasible and effective for nutrition promotion among IYC in high-risk regions of China.
Stool consistency as a major confounding factor affecting microbiota composition: an ignored variable?

In this age of the microbiome, the one request most oft heard is ‘so what is the biomarker for this disease?’ In a world of ‘one-size-fits-all’ solutions, and a one pathogen-one disease framework of investigation, most doctors, clinical healthcare professionals, and healthcare industrialists just want the punchline—what is the bacterium that is causing that disease? The problem with this approach is that it remains a challenge to fully understand whether a given microbiome has any causative influence on a given condition, or whether identified associations have any relevance outside of a given case study. Unlike monomicrobial diseases where Koch's postulates can be applied, the interaction between the microbial ecology of the body, and health and disease is extremely complex, leading to fuzzy concepts of organismal ratios and phylogenetic groups of organisms being associated with a specific condition. In their recent paper, Vandeputte et al 1 seek to determine whether gut-transit time has an influence on microbial community profiles in stool, and by what mechanism this occurs, as well as considering whether this influence could have an impact on clinical studies. Clinicians and microbiome researchers continue to struggle with the delicate balance that exists between elucidating the pathogenesis of a disease and defining the role of a particular organism, or group of organisms in this process. This can be a slippery slope; on the one hand, we want a microbiome-based diagnosis and a discriminative biomarker. …
What 4,500+źPeople Can Tell You ---źEmployees' Attitudes Toward Organizational Password Policy Do Matter

Organizations establish policies on how employees should generate, maintain, and use passwords to authenticate and gain access to the organization's information systems. This paper focuses on employees' attitudes towards organizational password policies and examines the impacts on their work-related password activities that have security implications. We conducted a large-scale survey 4,573 respondents to investigate the relationships between the organizational password policies and employees' password behaviors. The key finding of this study is that employees' attitudes toward the rationale behind cybersecurity policies are statistically significant with their password behaviors and experiences. Positive attitudes are related to more secure behaviors such as choosing stronger passwords and writing down passwords less often, less frustration with authentication procedures, and better understanding and respecting the significance to protect passwords and system security. We propose future research to promote positive employees' attitudes toward organizational security policy that could facilitate the balance between security and usability.
A Tale of Two Outcomes: Justice Found and Lost for Colorado's Schoolchildren

This article tells the story of one case, Lobato v. State, in which dozens of school districts, schoolchildren, and their parents challenged the constitutionality of Colorado’s state-wide public-school-funding system — and analyzes the impact of the stories told in that case to both the trial court and the Colorado Supreme Court through the lens of narrative theory. The article’s goals are two-fold. First, it applies three story types — a “Story of the Parties,” a “Story of the Process,” and a “Story of the Law” — to analyze how judges are influenced by story. It concludes that trial courts can be influenced through the use of a powerful justice narrative told through a Story of the Parties frame. Analysis of judges’ acceptance or rejection of stories through a school-finance case study adds to scholars’ and practitioners’ understanding of the role of stories and “narrative reasoning” in both litigating and judging. Second, the article posits that when compelling Plaintiff Stories are told in such cases, and when courts choose to hear those Plaintiff Stories and to elevate those stories over the Story of the Process and the Story of the Law, students and school districts will prevail. However, where, as in Lobato, courts’ choice to minimize — in fact, ignore — the call of those Plaintiff Stories and instead choose to elevate the call of “law” stories or “process” stories, the loss of Plaintiff Stories can mean the loss of justice or, at minimum, the delay or deferral of justice. These three story types often intersect in cases. This article does not contend that every time a court rejects a plaintiff’s story that the outcome is unjust. Rather, it contends that in school-finance cases, such may be the result when the constitutional standard wielded by the court relies more on the stories of process or law than those told by the plaintiffs. An Afterword to this story about story proposes future projects and reflects on how the Plaintiffs’ ultimate loss in Lobato might nonetheless engender meaningful reform for school finance in Colorado, as well as how the stories told in Lobato can further scholars’ and practitioners’ understanding of the power of storytelling.
Perspectives on Death and Dying: Reflections in Music and the Arts

(2001). Perspectives on Death and Dying: Reflections in Music and the Arts. American Journal of Health Education: Vol. 32, No. 6, pp. 371-373.
Evaluation of Surface Sorption Processes Using Spectral Induced Polarization and a (22)Na Tracer.

We investigate mechanisms controlling the complex electrical conductivity of a porous media using noninvasive spectral induced polarization (SIP) measurements of a silica gel during a pH dependent surface adsorption experiment. Sorption of sodium on silica gel surfaces was monitored as the pH of a column was equilibrated at 5.0 and then successively raised to 6.5 and 8.0, but the composition of the 0.01 M NaCl solution was otherwise unchanged. SIP measurements show an increase in the imaginary conductivity of the sample (17.82 ± 0.07 μS/cm) in response to the pH change, interpreted as deprotonation of silanol groups on the silica gel surface followed by sorption of sodium cations. Independent measurements of Na+ accumulation on grain surfaces performed using a radioactive 22Na tracer support the interpretation of pH-dependent sorption as a dominant process controlling the electrical properties of the silica gel (R2 = 0.99) and confirms the importance of grain polarization (versus membrane polarization) in...
FRC Based Fusion Neutron Source for Materials Evaluation

AbstractAn intense neutron source capable of generating the characteristic flux of a fusion reactor (1-4 MW/m2) is an essential element for adequate reactor materials assessment. Based on recent experimental results involving the magneto-kinetic compression of the Field Reversed Configuration (FRC), it is believed that such a fusion based neutron source can be rapidly developed at low cost. The ability to provide a fusion plasma with the necessary radiation intensity is afforded by the considerable increase in fusion neutron yield that occurs concurrently with the large reduction in reacting plasma volume from the straightforward magnetic flux compression of an FRC plasmoid. Pulsed formation and flux compression of FRCs in a prototype device operating at 4 Hz would yield a neutron power fluence at the wall of 1 MW/m2 from a fusion plasma volume of a half liter. This is roughly a factor 106 smaller than a reactor-scale fusion plasma such as ITER, thereby dramatically reducing the cost and time for the eval...
Method for perturbing multiblock patched grids in aeroelastic and design optimization applications

A highly automated method is presented for rapidly adjusting multiblock patched grids over complex configurations during aerodynamic shape optimization or aeroelastic analyses. A very low level of user-intervention is achieved by making the block boundaries transparent. This is accomplished by employing data structures as they are commonly found in unstructured computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods, and by basing the relation between a "master" (or solid surface) node and its "slave" nodes solely on minimum distance. The "slave" nodes form the vertices of subgrids (typical size: 5x5 grid points) on grid block faces. These subgrids ensure maintenance of point-matched block interfaces. The "slave" nodes follow the movement of their "master" nodes, scaled by a Gaussian distribution function to preserve the integrity of grids in the presence of multiple body surfaces. Transfinite interpolation is used to transfer the displacement of the slave nodes throughout the entire computational domain. An automated surface regridding capability enhances the robustness of the methodology and improves the grid quality. Effectiveness and efficiency of the grid perturbation method are demonstrated for several applications to High-Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) wing/body (W/B) and wing/body/nacelle/diverter (W/B/N/D) configurations.
Rapid identification and quantitative validation of a caffeine-degrading pathway in Pseudomonas sp. CES

Understanding the genes and enzymes involved in caffeine metabolism can lead to applications such as production of methylxanthines and environmental waste remediation. Pseudomonas sp. CES may provide insights into these applications, since this bacterium degrades caffeine and thrives in concentrations of caffeine that are three times higher (9.0 g L–1) than the maximum tolerable levels of other reported bacteria. We took a novel approach toward identifying the enzymatic pathways in Pseudomonas sp. CES that metabolize caffeine, which largely circumvented the need for exhaustive isolation of enzymes and the stepwise reconstitution of their activities. Here we describe an optimized, rapid alternative strategy based on multiplexed LC-MS/MS assays and show its application by discovering caffeine-degrading enzymes in the CES strain based on quantitative comparison of proteomes from bacteria grown in the absence and presence of caffeine, the latter condition of which was found to have a highly induced capacity f...
Polymorphisms in the Urea Cycle Enzyme Genes Are Associated with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of Newborn

Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) is characterized by elevated pulmonary vascular resistance with extrapulmonary right to left shunting causing life threatening hypoxemia. Endogenous Nitric Oxide is critical for regulation of pulmonary vascular resistance and the transition of pulmonary circulation at birth. Endothelial cells generate Nitric Oxide from the precursor L …
Padovan, D. 2010. Zoonotic Infections in North American Rodents. Corvus Publishing Company Anacortes, Washington, 141 pp. price (paper), $12.50, ISBN 978-0-9760885-0-9.

D. Padovan 2010.Zoonotic Infections in North American Rodents.Corvus Publishing Company Anacortes, Washington, 141 pp. price (paper), $12.50, ISBN 978-0-9760885-0-9. Dennis Padovan previously published a reference book with Corvus Publishing, Infectious Diseases of Wild Rodents (2006), which was global in scope and received positive reviews for its comprehensive and systematic coverage of bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens known from rodents worldwide. This little book (6 × 9-inch format, 141 pp.) is a distillation from his previous work, that provides “Cliff Notes” on the bacterial and viral organisms found in North American rodents that can pose potential health problems for humans (i.e., are true zoonoses). The book is divided into 4 sections: Zoonotic Bacterial Diseases (14 examples in 9 genera), Zoonotic Viral Diseases (18 examples), a list of 25 genera of Rodent Hosts of Zoonotic Infections , and an Appendix (10 tables). There is much redundancy, which is acknowledged as intentional, because the author wanted to help the reader “reduce the need to …
Hispanic Immigrant Mothers of Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: How Do They Understand and Cope With Autism?

Purpose This study aimed to understand the experiences of raising a child with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in a group of Hispanic immigrant mothers. The following 3 aspects were explored: (a) t...
Mother still knows best: cancer-related gene mutations, familial privacy, and a physician's duty to warn.

The vows of the Hippocratic Oath which include a vow to abstain from sharing a patient’s personal information remains an important tenet of medical care today. Physician-patient confidentiality even abstains sharing information with patients’ families. However, when medical information affects the health of the patient’s relatives, many medical professionals assert that they have a duty to share the information, with or without the patient’s consent, particularly in the context of children of patients with genetic diseases and disorders, where forewarning may significantly decrease the risks or increase prevention of the effects of the disease or disorder. Currently, while physicians respect for patients’ privacy compels them to refrain from sharing medical information with anyone, physicians must notify health officials when innocent third parties are at risk of certain diseases, most notably this conflict appears recently with HIV-positive individuals, but it may, in the near future, create a similar dilemma with the advent of better genetic testing methods. While physicians currently have no duty to warn children of genetic of, for example, BRCA gene mutations that pose a higher risk of breast cancer, it examines legislation, regulations, and court decisions regarding a physician’s duty to warn family members of genetic disease. The article concludes that a balancing test is needed to govern the release of genetic data, specifically with regard to the BRCA mutation.
Intrathoracic transfer of flaps for fistulas, exposed prosthetic devices, and reinforcement of suture lines.

Intrathoracic infection associated with leakage of the airway, esophagus, heart, and great vessels is a life-threatening situation. Failure to control infection often can be attributed to the presence of a persistent pleural space and continuing empyema. Intrathoracic transposition of extrathoracic skeletal muscle offers an effective method of management.
Osteoblast-derived paracrine factors regulate angiogenesis in response to mechanical stimulation

Angiogenesis is a process by which new blood vessels emerge from existing vessels through endothelial cell sprouting, migration, proliferation, and tubule formation. Angiogenesis during skeletal growth, homeostasis and repair is a complex and incompletely understood process. As the skeleton adapts to mechanical loading, we hypothesized that mechanical stimulation regulates "osteo-angio" crosstalk in the context of angiogenesis. We showed that conditioned media (CM) from osteoblasts exposed to fluid shear stress enhanced endothelial cell proliferation and migration, but not tubule formation, relative to CM from static cultures. Endothelial cell sprouting was studied using a dual-channel collagen gel-based microfluidic device that mimics vessel geometry. Static CM enhanced endothelial cell sprouting frequency, whereas loaded CM significantly enhanced both frequency and length. Both sprouting frequency and length were significantly enhanced in response to factors released from osteoblasts exposed to fluid shear stress in an adjacent channel. Osteoblasts released angiogenic factors, of which osteopontin, PDGF-AA, IGBP-2, MCP-1, and Pentraxin-3 were upregulated in response to mechanical loading. These data suggest that in vivo mechanical forces regulate angiogenesis in bone by modulating "osteo-angio" crosstalk through release of paracrine factors, which we term "osteokines".
Broadly tunable oscillator-amplifier system using lithium ( F 2 + ) A centers in potassium chloride

( F 2 + ) A centers in alkali-halide crystals have been used recently for producing efficient, stable, and broadly tunable cw lasers. To extend the usefulness of these materials to applications requiring a pulsed laser with high peak powers, e.g., chemical dynamics and nonlinear spectroscopy, we have constructed an oscillator-amplifier system, each stage consisting of an additively colored KCI:Li crystal pumped transversely by a 1.41-μm laser.
„Lapsus Imaginis“. Obraz w ruinie

Polish translation of "Lapsus Imaginis": The Image in Ruins , first published in "October" 96 (2001): pp. 35-60.
The role of the Exon 13 G571S JAK2 mutation in myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Abstract The exon 14 JAK2 V617F mutation has been well established as a driver mutation in polycythemia vera (PV) and other myeloproliferative neoplasms. JAK2 exon 12 mutations have also been implicated in PV, although patients with these mutations may show isolated erythrocytosis. Recently additional JAK2point mutations have been described―all in regions encoding the pseudokinase domain that regulates the tyrosine kinase activity of JAK2. We present a case of a patient with erythrocytosis and an exon 13 G571S mutation, and discuss the putative role of this mutation in myeloproliferative neoplasms.