cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of malignant neoplasms of the lateral cranial base with the combined frontotemporal-anterolateral approach: Five-year follow-up

Abstract Technical advances in accessing the lateral cranial base have permitted disease in this area previously deemed inoperable to be resected. The procedures required to effect an oncologically adequate resection are often long and accompanied by the potential for serious, even life-threatening, complications. Although it has been demonstrated that such disease can be extirpated, the question of whether such heroic surgery improves long-term survival remains unanswered. We retrospectively reviewed the records of 25 patients who underwent a combination of frontotemporal craniotomy with other, more conventional, anterolateral procedures (eg, infratemporal fossa approach, maxillectomy, orbitectomy, mandibulopharyngectomy) to resect stage IV malignant disease of the lateral to midcranial base between 1983 and 1990. Perioperative deaths occurred in 2 patients, 1 patient died of unrelated causes free of disease, and 2 patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 20 patients with a minimum 5-year evaluation. Five (25%) of the 20 patients we monitored were free of disease. Of those patients in whom recurrent disease developed, local control was achieved in about 50%; however in 80% of those with recurrence, metastatic disease developed. Surgical treatment of selected stage IV malignant disease of the lateral to midcranial base appears to have provided long-term disease-free survival to 25% of patients in this series who would otherwise have had little hope of survival. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;120:17-24.)
Perinecrotic glioma proliferation and metabolic profile within an intracerebral tumor xenograft

Intracerebral C6 glioma xenografts spontaneously develop centrally located necrotic regions that are bordered by densely packed neoplastic cells. Proliferative and metabolic heterogeneity in these perinecrotic regions were assessed by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, by immunocytological and by histochemical analyses. The borders of necrotic regions are comprised of glioma cells that express increased levels of the type 1 glucose transporter (GLUT-1) with rare cells having incorporated BrdU. By contrast, BrdU-positive glioma cells are located immediately adjacent to GLUT-1-positive cells bordering areas of necrosis. BrdU-positive glioma cells are also scattered throughout poorly vascularized, central regions of the tumor and are present at the highly vascularized tumor periphery. GLUT-1 expression increased considerably when C6 glioma cells were grown for 48 h under either the acidotic conditions of pH 6.8 or under hypoxic conditions. The perinecrotic GLUT-1-positive glioma cells in poorly vascularized, centrally located tumor regions demonstrated a 75% reduction in glycogen content and negligible glycogenolytic capacity, when compared with normal brain white matter. Cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) maintained 50% enzymatic activity compared to controls, while succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity was 25% of control values. Based upon these findings, a metabolic model is proposed in which GLUT-1-positive perinecrotic cells are growth arrested and predominantly rely upon non-oxidative glycolysis. It is further postulated that BrdU-positive, GLUT-1-negative glioma cells within the poorly vascularized, central tumor region convert glucose-6-phosphate to nucleotide precursors for DNA replication.
Graphs, Causality, and Structural Equation Models:

Structural equation models (SEMs) have dominated causal analysis in the social and behavioral sciences since the 1960s. Currently, many SEM practitioners are having difficulty articulating the causal content of SEM and are seeking foundational answers. Recent developments in the areas of graphical models and the logic of causality show potential for alleviating such difficulties and, thus, revitalizing structural equations as the primary language of causal modeling. This article summarizes several of these developments, including the prediction of vanishing partial correlations, model testing, model equivalence, parametric and nonparametric identifiability, control of confounding, and covariate selection. These developments clarify the causal and statistical components of SEMs and the role of SEM in the empirical sciences.
Laboratory generation of free chlorine from HCl under stratospheric afterburning conditions

Experiments have been conducted using a low pressure laboratory flame apparatus to examine the chemistry of solid rocket motor (SRM) afterburning relevant for stratospheric altitudes. It was found that a significant fraction of the HCl injected into H{sub 2}-O{sub 2} and H{sub 2}-CO-O{sub 2} flames can be consumed, with observed losses of up to 40%. The extent of conversion of HCl was found to increase with increasing oxygen:fuel (O/F) ratio and decreasing pressure; the loss at a given O/F was also higher for flames with equal flows of H{sub 2} and CO compared to flames with no CO in the fuel. The major product of HCl reaction was found to be Cl{sub 2}, with no other chlorine-contained products observed via mass spectrometry. Distinct Cl{sub 2} B {yields} X emission bands were observed along with very weak CIO A {yields} C bands and a bright, white continuum emission that apparently arose from one or more chlorine-containing compounds. The general findings concerning the magnitude of HCl conversion and the formation of Cl{sub 2} are consistent with published modeling results for SRM stratospheric afterburning. This formation of free chlorine could lead to catalytic destruction of ozone in regions near the path the launchmore » vehicle follows during boost through the stratosphere.« less
Friction and Heat Transfer Measurements for Clay Suspensions With Polymer Additives

Local heat transfer and friction coefficients were measured in a circular tube for suspensions of bentonite and for a combination of bentonite and polyacrylamide in water. Both the entrance and fully-developed regions were examined in laminar and turbulent regimes. A viscosity model based on rheological measurements makes it possible to represent the results obtained for the pure suspensions with newtonian relationships. The fluid combining clay and polymer, however, exhibited characteristics typical of viscoelastic solutions and was observed to display an unexpectedly high sensitivity to mechanical degradation.
PREREQUISITES FOR A PHOTORECEPTOR STRUCTURE IN THE CRAYFISH TAIL GANGLION.

On grounds of electron microscopic appearance (Hama, '60), the side of abdominal photoreceptor organ in crayfish (Orconectes virilis [Hagen]) has been questioned. Illumination of any part of ventral nerve cord (exclusive of A6 ganglion), e.g., A2, A3, A4, A5, and afferent roots of A6, shows no physiological response. A6 alone shows phototransduction process pulses. Sectioning of cord restricts locus to A6. Spurious effects from cephalic eye response were seen. Physiological investigation has restricted the crayfish-tail photoreceptor–organ to include photosensitive elements lying only within the sixth abdominal ganglion, and two to four B-fibers carrying nerve impulse responses through the ventral nerve cord. It is therefore possible to exclude the “Hama-structures,” associated with the giant fiber system, and located diffusely in the nerve cord, from any role in the phototransduction process. Attention of anatomists is called to this primitive and interesting photoreceptor organ.
Fouling of Thin-Channel and Tubular Membrane Modules by Dilute Suspensions

Abstract In this paper, fouling of thin-channel and tubular ultrafiltration (UF) membrane modules by dilute suspensions have been studied theoretically. A hydrodynamic analysis of fluid-particle system is presented to describe the role of dilute suspensions in fouling such membrane modules. The present analysis assumes that for very dilute suspensions, only inertial effects-are-important for particulate fouling. Particle trajectory history and hence the fouling is computed from equations of motion for the particles, where the fluid-flow is given by the full solution of Navier-Stokes equation. To simulate the flux decline due to build up of foulant layer on the membrane walls, it is assumed that the deposition of particles on the membrane surface at discrete time interval is a steady state event and thus formulating the fouling problem as an infinite series of successive steady state events. Present simulation results indicate that inertial effects are important and under positive wall permeation flux cond...
Measurements of the compressibility of colloidal suspensions by radiation pressure

This paper reports an experimental study of the interparticle interactions present in a model colloid system composed of fluorescently labeled 100 nm diameter polystyrene particles in aqueous suspension. By independently measuring the fluorescence intensity as a function of particle number density, we were able to determine the relationship between the radiation pressure generated by the optical trap and the resulting number density increase, yielding the calculation of the isothermal compressibility of the colloid system. Optical trapping was made by a tightly focused and periodically blinking IR laser beam. A green laser beam, aligned co-linearly with the IR laser, was used as the fluorescence excitation light. The fluorescence signals from particles trapped by the blinking IR laser were measured by a lock-in amplifier to improve the signal to noise ratio required to detect the changes in local particle density induced by optical trapping. The use of confocal detection ensured that the fluorescent signals measured were only from the diffraction-limited focal region of the two laser beams.
Evaluating child sexual abuse in the emergency department: clinical and behavioral indicators

Child sexual abuse is an increasingly common problem. This article reviews the current clinical and behavioral indicators that will aid the emergency physician when evaluating and managing this condition. The most common differential diagnoses are described and a general approach to this diagnosis is suggested. Adopting a multidisciplinary method when evaluating this problem will lessen the anxiety facing the examining physician and provide a better outcome for the child, parents, and community.
Living history: Elsworth R. Buskirk

In 2005, the American Physiological Society (APS) initiated the Living History of Physiology Archival Program to recognize senior members who have made significant contributions during their career...
Explaining firm willingness to forfeit tax deductions under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m): The million-dollar cap

Abstract We examine firms’ willingness to forfeit tax deductions in response to Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). Using a sample of firms over the five-year period subsequent to the effective date of Section 162(m), we find firms forfeit deductions in almost 40% of firm year observations. In particular we find that firms with higher recontracting costs are more likely to forfeit deductions, while firms with higher tax benefits and political costs are more likely to fully preserve deductions. In documenting the willingness of corporations to forfeit deductions,we add to the body of evidence that suggests Section 162(m) is not totally successful in using tax policy to curb executive pay.
Preferential selection of isomer binding from chiral mixtures: alternate binding modes observed for the E and Z isomers of a series of 5-substituted 2,4-diaminofuro[2,3-d]pyrimidines as ternary complexes with NADPH and human dihydrofolate reductase.

The crystal structures of six human dihydrofolate reductase (hDHFR) ternary complexes with NADPH and a series of mixed E/Z isomers of 5-substituted 5-[2-(2-methoxyphenyl)-prop-1-en-1-yl]furo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2,4-diamines substituted at the C9 position with propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, butyl, isobutyl and sec-butyl (E2–E7, Z3) were determined and the results were compared with the resolved E and Z isomers of the C9-methyl parent compound. The configuration of all of the inhibitors, save one, was observed as the E isomer, in which the binding of the furopyrimidine ring is flipped such that the 4-­amino group binds in the 4-oxo site of folate. The Z3 isomer of the C9-isopropyl analog has the normal 2,4-diamino­pyrimidine ring binding geometry, with the furo oxygen near Glu30 and the 4-amino group interacting near the cofactor nicotinamide ring. Electron-density maps for these structures revealed the binding of only one isomer to hDHFR, despite the fact that chiral mixtures (E:Z ratios of 2:1, 3:1 and 3:2) of the inhibitors were incubated with hDHFR prior to crystallization. Superposition of the hDHFR com­plexes with E2 and Z3 shows that the 2′-methoxyphenyl ring of E2 is perpendicular to that of Z3. The most potent inhibitor in this series is the isopropyl analog Z3 and the least potent is the isobutyl analog E6, consistent with data that show that the Z isomer makes the most favorable interactions with the active-site residues. The isobutyl moiety of E6 is observed in two orientations and the resultant steric crowding of the E6 analog is consistent with its weaker activity. The alternative binding modes observed for the furopyrimidine ring in these E/Z isomers suggest that new templates can be designed to probe these binding regions of the DHFR active site.
Two‐stage model selection procedures in partially linear regression

The authors propose a two-stage estimation procedure for the partially linear model Y = fo(T) + X'βo + ψ. They show how to estimate consistently the location of the nonzero components of βo. Their approach turns out to be compatible with minimax adaptive estimation of fo over Besov balls in the case of penalized least squares. Their proofs are based on a new type of oracle inequality. Procedures en deux temps pour la selection de modeles de regression partiellement lineaires Les auteurs proposent une procedure d'estimation en deux temps pour le modele partiellement lineaire Y = fo(T) + X'βo + ψ. Ils montrent comment estimer de facon convergente la position des composantes non nulles de βo. Leur approche s'avere compatible avec l'estimation minimax adaptative de fo sur les boules de Besov dans le cas des moindres carres penalises. Leurs demonstrations s'appuient sur une inegalite d'oracle d'un nouveau genre.
Non-Gaussian response of offshore platforms: fatigue.

A fatigue analysis procedure is proposed for offshore platforms where the response is non‐Gaussian due to nonlinear wave kinematics and free‐surface fluctuations. The non‐Gaussian distribution of the stress process is considered to be a mixture of Gaussian and shifted exponential distributions. The level crossings of this process are estimated considering it a translation process, and the probability density function of the peaks is estimated numerically. Using Palmgren‐Miner's rule for fatigue damage accumulation, the total cumulative damage over the long‐term wave climate is estimated. It is shown that at higher sea states, where the effect of intermittent loading is significant, the probability density function of the peaks of the stress deviates significantly from the normally used Rayleigh density. The assumption of Rayleigh density for peaks at higher sea states is shown to be unconservative, and the unconservatism increases with an increase in significant wave height. Since field observations confi...
Ludeman's PL/I FORMAC gradient problem as handled by FORTRAN SYMBOLANG

A program is presented which produces FORTRAN statements defining the gradient of a function of several variables given by an arithmetic expression in the variables and the functions SIN, COS, and EXP. The program is coded in FORTRAN and uses the SLIP based algebraic manipulation package, SYMBOLANG, to perform the differentiations, substitutions, and input/output formatting. It is compared with Ludeman's PL/I FORMAC procedure which does the same task, and from which the SYMBOLANG program was derived. The major difference is that the SYMBOLANG program evaluates expressions against a list of definitions to achieve necessary substitutions, where the FORMAC program does one replacement at a time.
Relating Disability Policy to Broader Public Policy: Understanding the Concept of “Handicap”

While it is recognized that disability policy is a subset of broader public policy, the relationship between disability issues and other public policy issues is not well understood. Insight into this relationship can be gained through a greater understanding of the concept of “handicap,” as distinguished from the concepts of “impairment” and “disability.” In everyday conversation, these terms typically are used interchangeably and erroneously. However, when applied correctly, their important differences help us to focus on the appropriate level for analyzing disability and other policy issues. When ignored for reasons concerning the “political unacceptability” of handicap as a term or concept, we risk focusing on the wrong level and possibly holding individuals with disabilities responsible for circumstances beyond their control.
Mechanistic Model for Aging Influenced Steady State Flow Behavior of Sn3.8Ag0.7Cu Solder Alloys

Sn3.8Ag0.7 Cu solder alloys age even at ambient temperatures. This significantly affects both microstructure and behavior of these alloys. In this work, aging influences on both are addressed. In particular, we discuss (a) honey comb type microstructure patterns in unaged samples and their subsequent evolution into a coarsened random microstructure at prolonged aging durations (b) aging effects on primary, secondary creep and on a range of applied loads and test temperatures through double lap shear experiments; the results show an increased tendency of aged solders to flow (c) a modified power law creep-plasticity model to predict aging effects on behavior. Possible mechanisms that result in the above behavior are also discussed; they motivate the mechanistic basis for the developed aging-informed behavior model, (d) procedures to compare alloys in terms of aging effects. Steady state creep strains, monotonic plastic strains and unified creep-plasticity theory are also discussed. Aging temperatures of −10 °C, 25°C, 75°C and 125°C, and aging times of 15, 30, 60 and 90 days (at each aging temperature) were selected as different levels of factors in a statistically designed experiment to study aging effects. Test specimens were selected with due pre-test considerations to joint-geometry, associated stress heterogeneity and joint-microstructures.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A Bioengineered Human Skin Tissue for the Treatment of Infected Wounds

Background: Complex skin defects resulting from acute skin trauma and chronic, nonhealing wounds are life-threatening injuries. Infection is one of the most common obstacles to the healing of these types of wounds. Host defense peptides (HDPs) possessing a broad spectrum of activity against microorganisms and serving as innate immune modulators have emerged as potential treatment strategies for infected wounds. The Problem: The increase in multidrug-resistant clinical bacterial isolates highlights the need for new and innovative anti-infective therapies for the treatment of both acute and chronic skin wounds. Basic/Clinical Science: To address the critical need for new therapeutic options to reduce infection and improve wound healing, a bioengineered skin substitute (BSS) tissue has been created to act as an anti-infective living human skin tissue that provides enhanced expression of the endogenous HDP, cathelicidin. To generate a BSS exhibiting these antimicrobial properties, the clinically tested NIKS p...
Heterogeneity of Benzodiazepine Receptors in the Central Nervous System Demonstrated with Kenazepine, an Alkylating Benzodiazepine

Binding studies using the alkylating benzodiazepine kenazepine strongly suggest the existence of several populations of benzodiazepine receptors in the CNS. Kenazepine reacts noncompetitively and irreversibly with some receptors and competitively (reversibly) with others. Cerebellum contains the largest proportion (approx. 80%) of the noncompetitive type, while hippocampus and cortex contain a preponderance of competitive-type receptors (approx. 80 and 50%, respectively). The Hill coefficients for kenazepine are approx. 0.7 in cortex and cerebellum, and near unity in dorsal hippocampus. Different populations of benzodiazepine receptors may mediate different physiologic and pharmacologic effects in vivo.
Je t’aime… moi non plus: Franco-British cinematic relations

In the late 1990s I used to edit the film content for a provincial Cambridge ‘What’s On’ publication. Chary of my attempts to cultivate the local arts cinema, and challenged by the content of its a...
Clinical practice. Initial management of glycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

An asymptomatic 45-year-old Hispanic man has a fasting plasma glucose level of 142 mg per deciliter (7.9 mmol per liter) on initial evaluation and 139 mg per deciliter (7.7 mmol per liter) on reevaluation. Other than a steady gain in weight since college and borderline hypertension, his medical history is unremarkable. He is 175 cm (5 ft 9 in.) tall and weighs 95 kg (209 lb; body-mass index, 31.2), and his blood pressure is 138/88 mm Hg. Physical examination is notable only for abdominal obesity and absent ankle reflexes. How should this patient be treated?
The Field Project as a Tool for Teaching Environmental Psychology

A vital and timely social-environmental community problem was utilized to provide students with an effective learning device.
Tension-Compression Fatigue Behavior of a Silicon Carbide Calcium-Aluminosilicate Ceramic Matrix Composite

The fatigue behavior of a silicon carbide fiber reinforced glass ceramic matrix composite, SiC/CAS subjected to tension-compression cycling was investigated. Two laminate layups were studied: cross-ply, (0/90){sub 2s} and unidirectional, (0){sub 16}. At first, the fatigue limit based on one million cycles was established for a tension-tension fatigue condition. Then, compression cycling was superimposed on this measured fatigue limit. The addition of this compression loading resulted in the development of longitudinal cracks parallel to the loading direction. This increased the amount of damage and ultimately led to total specimen failure prematurely. The larger the magnitude of the compression cycle, the earlier the development of longitudinal crack occurred and, consequently, the earlier failure occurred. This behavior was due to the inherently poor interfacial bond between matrix and fiber of the tested ceramic matrix composite. 16 refs.
Immortalization of epithelial cells

The methodologies for isolating cell lines have become very powerful, particularly in terms of retaining differentiated features of the parent cells. Cell lines can be developed from primary or early passage cells as well as from transgenic animals that carry an immortalizing gene. Cell lines from epithelia have been selected for their polar orientation, tight junction formation, and expression of differentiated markers or functions. These cell lines provide useful models for studying cell biology of specific tissues, tumorigenicity, genetic abnormalities, or to help screen for effective methods of gene therapy.
Freshwater availability as the constraining factor in the Middle Paleoindian occupation of North-Central Florida

The locations of reliable surface water exposures during the Middle Paleoindian period (10,800–10,200 14C yr B.P.) in north-central Florida are reconstructed and compared to the concentrations of Middle Paleoindian projectile points. Estimates of water table levels and surface water flow in Florida's karst geology confirm prior climate reconstructions for that time indicating the area was arid and supported a xeric ecology in most upland locales. Surface water flow data from recent extreme droughts and water table estimations are used to identify the areas of highest probability for surface water availability. The distribution of the highest concentrations of Middle Paleoindian points correlates with the areas of highest probability, indicating that scarce surface water sources were the strongest constraint on occupation location during that time. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
XANES measurements of the rate of radiation damage to selenomethionine side chains.

The radiation-induced disordering of selenomethionine (SeMet) side chains represents a significant impediment to protein structure solution. Not only does the increased B-factor of these sites result in a serious drop in phasing power, but some sites decay much faster than others in the same unit cell. These radio-labile SeMet side chains decay faster than high-order diffraction spots with dose, making it difficult to detect this kind of damage by inspection of the diffraction pattern. The selenium X-ray absorbance near-edge spectrum (XANES) from samples containing SeMet was found to change significantly after application of X-ray doses of 10–100 MGy. Most notably, the sharp `white line' feature near the canonical Se edge disappears. The change was attributed to breakage of the Cγ—Se bond in SeMet. This spectral change was used as a probe to measure the decay rate of SeMet with X-ray dose in cryo-cooled samples. Two protein crystal types and 15 solutions containing free SeMet amino acid were examined. The damage rate was influenced by the chemical and physical condition of the sample, and the half-decaying dose for the selenium XANES signal ranged from 5 to 43 MGy. These decay rates were 34- to 3.8-fold higher than the rate at which the Se atoms interacted directly with X-ray photons, so the damage mechanism must be a secondary effect. Samples that cooled to a more crystalline state generally decayed faster than samples that cooled to an amorphous solid. The single exception was a protein crystal where a nanocrystalline cryoprotectant had a protective effect. Lowering the pH, especially with ascorbic or nitric acids, had a protective effect, and SeMet lifetime increased monotonically with decreasing sample temperature (down to 93 K). The SeMet lifetime in one protein crystal was the same as that of the free amino acid, and the longest SeMet lifetime measured was found in the other protein crystal type. This protection was found to arise from the folded structure of the protein molecule. A mechanism to explain observed decay rates involving the damaging species following the electric field lines around protein molecules is proposed.
Mach and Reynolds number effects on turbulent skin friction reduction by injection

The investigation reported is concerned with questions regarding a possible Mach number influence on skin friction reduction caused by injection. The investigation shows that data considered by Danberg (1967) for the no-blowing skin friction coefficient are in error. Accurate profiles and local skin friction coefficient values are obtained when the influence of low Reynolds number amplification in the outer region of the boundary layer is included in a calculation method.
Where MA first fails

If 0 is any singular cardinal of cofinality wol, we produce a forcing extension in which MA holds below 0 but fails at 0. The failure is due to a partial order which splits a gap of size 0 in ?P(w). Introduction. If D is a class of ccc partial orders and K an infinite cardinal, we let MA(K, D) denote the statement that given any ccc partial order in D and any family of K or fewer dense sets, there is a filter meeting all those dense sets. MA( No and a regular A > 0 with 2<' = A. We can now extend the universe to a model in which 2'0 = A and &(MA) = 0. There are actually many ways of doing this; roughly, we can get MA( < A, D) to hold for a class D, and MA(0) to fail for a partial order just outside of D. For example, let LT. denote the class of ccc partial orders of size less than 0; so L Tx1 is the class of countable partial orders. One way to get &(MA) = 0 is to iterate forcing 0 times with partial orders of size A so that there is a 0-scale in the extension; the scale implies that MA(0, LTX1) fails. Another way is to first add a 0-scale and then iterate forcing A times with partial orders of size less than 0. In this extension, MA( < A, L To) holds; MA(0) fails for the dominating functions order, since the scale never gets dominated in the extension (although it ceases to be a scale). Making O(MA) singular cannot be quite so easy. Many of the simpler partial orders used in MA applications (such as the dominating functions order) are in fact u-centered. However, the first cardinal for which MA for u-centered partial orders fails must be regular (Bell (see [B] or 14C of [F]) showed that this is the cardinal p and Szymantski (see 3.1 (e) of [vD] or 21 K of [F]) showed that p is regular). This fact obviously implies that we must make MA(0) fail using a non u-centered partial order. Furthermore, since MA(K) implies that any ccc partial order of size K is acentered, our model will satisfy MA(0, LT.). We also note the fact (due to Fremlin Received January 12, 1987. Research supported by NSF grant DMS-8501521. (D 1988, Association for Symbolic Logic 0022-4812/88/5302-0009/$01 .50
Developmental changes of β-galactosidase and β-glucuronidase in the rat liver and kidney

Abstract β-Galactosidase and β-glucuronidase were determined in liver and kidney of rats of different ages. In the kidney these enzyme activities exhibit a parallel increase and reach maximum values at 21 days, later they decrease. A close correlation between values of both enzymes was found ( r = 0.83). The developmental curves in the liver differ for these enzymes; the activity of β-galactosidase decreases postnatally, whereas that of β-glucuronidase increases maximally up to day 12 and then decreases.
Exploring discriminatory features for automated malware classification

The ever-growing malware threat in the cyber space calls for techniques that are more effective than widely deployed signature-based detection systems and more scalable than manual reverse engineering by forensic experts. To counter large volumes of malware variants, machine learning techniques have been applied recently for automated malware classification. Despite the successes made from these efforts, we still lack a basic understanding of some key issues, such as what features we should use and which classifiers perform well on malware data. Against this backdrop, the goal of this work is to explore discriminatory features for automated malware classification. We conduct a systematic study on the discriminative power of various types of features extracted from malware programs, and experiment with different combinations of feature selection algorithms and classifiers. Our results not only offer insights into what features most distinguish malware families, but also shed light on how to develop scalable techniques for automated malware classification in practice.
Transmission and Generation Expansion to Mitigate Seismic Risk

This paper develops a two-stage stochastic program and solution procedure to optimize the selection of capacity enhancement strategies to increase the resilience of electric power systems to earthquakes. The model explicitly considers the range of earthquake events that are possible and, for each, an approximation of the distribution of damage to be experienced. This is important because electric power systems are spatially distributed; hence their performance is driven by the distribution of damage to the components. We test this solution procedure against the nonlinear integer solver in LINGO 13 and apply the formulation and solution strategy to the Eastern Interconnect where the seismic hazard primarily stems from the New Madrid Seismic Zone. We show the feasibility of optimized capacity expansion to improve the resilience of large-scale power systems with respect to large earthquakes.
Policy evaluation and the work of legislatures

Often the subtleties of policy making elude evaluators, who misperceive what legislators do.
Frequency-dependent FDTD methods using Z transforms

The frequency-dependent finite-difference time-domain method (FD)/sup 2/TD method has been shown to be capable of correctly calculating electromagnetic propagation through media whose dielectric properties are frequency dependent. However, as researchers search for more elaborate applications, the formulation of the (FD)/sup 2/TD methods becomes more complex. In this work, the mathematics of the (FD)/sup 2/TD method is developed using Z transform theory. This has the advantages of presenting a clearer formulation, and allowing researchers to draw on the literature of systems analysis and signal processing disciplines. >
Modeling and analysis of multi-agent systems using petri nets

The development of theoretical-based methods for the assessment of multi-agent systems properties is of critical importance. This work is a preliminary investigation on methodologies for modeling, analysis and design of multi-agent systems. Multi-agent systems are regarded as discrete-event dynamic systems and Petri nets are used as a modeling tool to assess the structural properties of the multi-agent system. Our methodology consists of defining a simple multi-agent system based on the abstract architecture for intelligent agents. The abstract architecture is modeled as a discrete-event system using Petri nets and structural analysis of the net provides an assessment of the communication and coordination properties of the multi-agent system. Deadlock avoidance in the multi-agent system is considered as an initial key property, and it is evaluated using liveness and boundedness properties of the Petri net model.
Confidence weighting for sensor fingerprinting

The use of photo-response non-uniformity (PRNU) has been proposed as the basis of a sensor fingerprint for common source camera identification. We perform tests of the PRNU-based fingerprint on a set of videos chosen to represent a wide range of potential inputs. Based on the results of these tests, we propose a confidence weighting scheme to address the problem of extracting a viable fingerprint from videos where high-frequency content (e.g. edges) persist at a given image location. We further show that the extended PRNU estimation algorithm with confidence weighting has improved performance on such problematic videos.
A TDMA-based MAC protocol with cooperative diversity

Cooperative diversity is an effective technique for transmission performance improvement over fading channels. In this paper, through the use of a virtual antenna array, a time division multiple access (TDMA) based cooperative media access control (MAC) protocol, Cooperative TDMA (C-TDMA), is proposed to enable cooperative transmissions in Rayleigh fading channels to improve the probability of correct packet reception and system throughput. A C-TDMA throughput expression is derived using a Markov chain model. Numerical results show that the throughput of conventional TDMA can be improved by over 40% through the use of the cooperative MAC designs.
On steady salinity distribution and circulation in partially mixed and well mixed estuaries

Abstract Perturbation analysis based on small α = Ra0.23Fm0.9, where Ra is the Rayleigh number and Fm is the Froude number, is used to study steady-state circulation and salinity distribution in estuaries. The classical Hansen and Rattray's similarity solution is obtained for the special case of linear variation of longitudinal dispersion coefficient KH, in a channel of constant width B and depth D. It is argued that KH, B and D must vary in real estuaries in such a way that the general solution is regular throughout the length of the estuary and shows a salinity structure which resembles that observed in a real estuary. It is shown that Hansen and Rattray's theory for predicting the importance of upstream salt transport due to the vertical gravitational circulation in estuaries is valid to a good degree of approximation for arbitrary longitudinal variations in width, depth, fresh water discharge, wind stress and various dispersion and mixing coefficients. This finding is checked against available observa...
Health Disparities in Asthma

In the United States, several demographic groups have a disproportionately higher burden of asthma morbidity and mortality when compared to the general population. These demographic groups include racial and ethnic minorities, women, children, residents of inner cities, and economically disadvantaged populations. Observed disparities in asthma burden are probably explained by a complex interaction of multiple factors including; patient-related factors, provider-related factors, health care system-related factors, social, and environmental factors. The importance of studying and addressing asthma health disparities has been emphasized in recent reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There is an urgent need to understand the factors that contribute to asthma health disparities and identify strategies that would reduce asthma disparities. To inform future research and guide intervention strategies aimed at addressing asthma health disparities, conceptual models of the mechanisms that link various factors associated with asthma health disparities have been proposed. These frameworks are a good starting point for guiding future intervention studies that seek to address these disparities.
Replantation of an autoclaved, autogenous humerus in a patient who had chondrosarcoma. Report of a case with ten-year follow-up.

There is little doubt that low-grade intramedullary chondrosarcoma can be treated succesfully with segmental resection. Questions then arise regarding the best type of reconstruction after resection - whether the use of allografts, custom-made prostheses, or replantation of an autoclaved, autogenous segment is best. Recurrence of the chondrosarcoma after replantation of an autoclaved segment has not been reported, to our knowledge. The case that it reported here is unique for two reasons
The Development of Emotion Regulation: Implications for Child Adjustment

In this chapter, we consider the development of emotion regulation (ER) and its role in child adaptation broadly construed, with the goals of (1) elucidating some of the complex mechanisms and pathways that are operating in development; (2) citing challenges and controversies that have emerged through the study of ER; and (3) advocating for an integrated biopsychosocial approach to the study of ER in the next generation of theory and research in this area. We organize the chapter in five sections: (1) definitional and theoretical considerations; (2) developmental and contextual issues; (3) empirical approaches and challenges; (4) relations to child outcomes (including psychopathology, social competence, and academic achievement); and finally (5) implications and challenges for future research. Our overarching aim is to go beyond a summary of research findings to highlight the many conceptual and empirical issues that ought to be considered in studies examining the relation between ER and child outcomes related to developmental psychopathology. Keywords: emotion regulation; psychopathology; internalizing behaviors; externalizing behaviors; development; biopsychosocial perspective
Evaluation of Commercial Resin Acids as Feeding Deterrents Against Neodiprion dubiosus, N. lecontei, and N. rugifrons (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae)

Seven commercial diterpene resin acids—abietic, dehydroabietic, isopimaric, levopimaric, neoabietic, palustric, and sandaracopimaric—were bioassayed to determine if they would deter larval feeding of Neodiprion dubiosus Schedl, N. rugifrons Middleton, and N. lecontei (Fitch) on mature foliage of jack pine, Pinus banksiana Lamb. Larval response to each resin acid depended on the concentration and species involved. Palustric acid was the most effective feeding deterrent against all three species at low (1.0 mg/ml) and high (10 mg/ml) concentrations.
Research on development effect and adjustment strategy for edge-bottom water reservoirs

The MB1 reservoir is a small reservoir with narrow oil-bearing zone and edge-bottom water. In early development period, an irregular basic well pattern was used to control the main layer and wells were placed while understanding. After putting into production, oil wells generally showed problems of insufficient formation energy, rapid increasing of water cut, and rapid production decline. The geological influence factors and development response of waterflooding have been evaluated by grey comprehensive evaluation technology according to current development performance. On the basis of analysis of remaining oil and infilling adjustment potential, the reservoir development model is converted accordingly based on numerical simulation to adjust well pattern and produce remaining oil. The results indicate that this adjustment strategy has effectively slowed down water cut increasing and production decline, and has improved reservoir development effect.
ICP-OES Method for Simultaneous Determination of Several Metal Elements in Drinking Water

[Objective]To establish inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry(ICP-AES) simultaneous determination of 8 kinds of metal elements of iron, manganese, copper, zinc, lead, cadmium, aluminum, nickel in drinking water.[Methods]The axial observation mode, combined with multi-spectral fitting(MSF)correction technology were adopted for direct analysis of samples. Municipal water in pipe network and secondary water supply of Xicheng District were tested and analyzed.[Results]The detection limit, the lowest test concentration, linear range, the recovery, and precision of the above 8 elements were determined by the method. The background and other elements interfere were reduced and the related requirements were satisfied.[Conclusion]This method is simple, fast, accurate and reliable, with wide linear range, which can be used for simultaneous determination of multi-element.
Conditional probability of multiple coronary graft failure.

To assess the potential capability of using artery-specific factors to predict the success of coronary bypass grafting, we classified each graft according to the type of graft (mammary, single vein, or multiple skip vein), the degree of obstruction in the native coronary artery, and the size of the grafted artery. The mean patency rates for each category of graft were determined by performing early postoperative (mean 6.6 months) arteriograms in 354 patients. We found that mammary arteries gave the best results for every graft category. Skip vein grafts had a higher mean patency rate than single vein grafts for arteries with obstructions between 70% and 90% and lumina less than 2.0 mm in diameter. The results for vein and skip grafts were equivalent for the category with arteries greater than 2.0 mm and obstruction greater than 90%. Vein grafts produced better results than skip grafts for the remaining categories. Patients were classified into subgroups according to the number of actually observed graft failures. The probabilities that specific numbers of grafts would fail were calculated for each patient These probabilities were based upon the observed patency rates for the category appropriate for each graft and the hypothesis that individual grafts within a patient fail independently. We observed an excess number of patients with no failures or multiple failures than would be expected according to the hypothesis of independent failure and category-specific patency rates. Conversely, there were fewer patients than expected who had single failures. Therefore, we postulate that there may also be global factors which influence early graft patency.
Anticholinergic Medication Use and Risk of Fracture in Elderly Adults with Depression

Limited research exists regarding the effect of anticholinergics on falls and fractures in elderly nursing home residents in the United States. This study examined the risk of fractures associated with anticholinergic medication use in elderly nursing home residents with depression. A nested case-control design involving a cohort of elderly adults with depression from the 2007 to 2010 Minimum Data Set (MDS)–linked Medicare data was used to evaluate the risk of fractures. The study sample included Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older diagnosed with depression having at least one nursing home stay during 2007 to 2010 and no history of falls or fractures in 2007 (base period). Cases were individuals with incident fractures after the baseline period. For each case, four age- and sex-matched controls were selected using incidence density sampling. Anticholinergic exposure was defined using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS). Prescription of Level 2 or 3 anticholinergic medications within 30 days before the event date was the primary exposure. The primary outcome was an inpatient or outpatient claim for a fracture between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2010. A conditional logistic regression model stratified on matched case-control sets was used to evaluate association between anticholinergic use and fractures, controlling for other risk factors of the outcome. The study sample consisted of 40,452 individuals with fractures and 161,808 matched controls. After adjusting for other risk factors, high-level anticholinergic use was associated with 14% greater fracture risk than nonuse (odds ratio (OR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11–1.17). The high risk of fractures remained consistent across levels of anticholinergic potency (Level 2, OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.11–1.19; Level 3, OR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.07–1.15). The study findings remained consistent in multiple sensitivity analyses. Overall, use of high-level anticholinergic medications was associated with greater risk of fracture than no use in elderly adults with depression. Given safety concerns, there is a need to optimize anticholinergic use in elderly adults.
A Pool of Candidates Who Refuse to Swim: The 2016 Presidential Election and the Demise of Testing the Waters

In the 2016 presidential election, many candidates delayed announcing their candidacy until long after anyone who was paying attention realized that they were considering a run for office. In the past, these candidates may have been considered to be “testing the waters,” a special status proscribed by the Federal Election Campaign Act (“FECA”) that still requires full compliance with federal campaign finance laws but allows potential candidates to test the efficacy of a candidacy without having to publicly disclose any campaign contributions or expenditures unless they decide to run. The 2016 election, however, was special. Several eventual candidates took extreme measures to not only avoid candidacy, but also to avoid admitting they were even testing the waters of a candidacy, in order to engage in activities — like coordinating with their super PACs — that would otherwise be prohibited by FECA. This Note contends that a potential candidate cannot avoid being subject to FECA simply by denying they are considering a run for office. First, it gives a brief overview the testing the waters provision and the current state of federal campaign finance law. Then, it examines the precandidacy activity of the 2016 presidential candidates. Finally, it proposes a straightforward rule to determine whether such precandidacy activity triggers testing the waters status.