cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serological Tests for Diagnosis and Staging of Hand–Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

The current gold standard for the diagnosis and staging of hand–arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is the Stockholm workshop scale, which is subjective and relies on the patient’s recalling ability and honesty. Therefore, great potentials exist for diagnostic and staging errors. The purpose of this study is to determine if objective serum tests, such as levels of soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), may be used in the diagnosis and staging of HAVS. Twenty two nonsmokers were divided into a control group (n = 11) and a vibration group (n = 11). The control group included subjects without history of frequent vibrating tool use. The vibration group included construction workers with average vibrating tool use of 12.2 years. All were classified according to the Stockholm workshop scale (SN, sensorineural symptoms; V, vascular symptoms. SN0, no numbness; SN1, intermittent numbness; SN2, reduced sensory perception; SN3, reduced tactile discrimination; V0, no vasospasmic attacks; V1, intermittent vasospasm involving distal phalanges; V2, intermittent vasospasm extending to middle phalanges; V3, intermittent vasospasm extending to proximal phalanges; V4, skin atrophy/necrosis). All control subjects were SN0 V0. Seven out of 11 vibration subjects were SN1 V1, and 4 out of 11 were SN1 V2. A 10-cm3 sample of venous blood was collected from each subject. The sTM and sICAM-1 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mean plasma sTM levels were as follows: control group = 2.93 ± 0.47 ng/ml, and vibration group = 3.61 ± 0.24 ng/ml. The mean plasma sICAM-1 levels were as follows: control group = 218.8 ± 54.1 ng/ml, and vibration group = 300.3 ± 53.2 ng/ml. The sTM and sICAM-1 differences between control and vibration groups were statistically significant (p < 0.0002 and p < 0.001, respectively). When reference ranges provided by Hemostasis Reference Lab were used as cut-off values, all sTM and sICAM-1 levels were within range, except three vibration individuals (27%) who had sICAM-1 levels greater than the reference range. This was not statistically significant (p = 0.08). When subjects were compared based on the Stockholm workshop scale, mean plasma sTM levels were SN0 V0 group = 2.93 ± 0.47 ng/ml, SN1 V1 group = 3.59 ± 0.25 ng/ml, and SN1 V2 group = 3.65 ± 0.27 ng/ml, and mean plasma sICAM-1 levels were SN0 V0 = 219 ± 54.1 ng/ml, SN1 V1 = 275 ± 33.5 ng/ml, and SN1 V2 = 345 ± 54.6 ng/ml. The difference in sTM level among the three groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The difference in sICAM-1 level among the three groups was also statistically significant (p < 0.002). The sTM and sICAM-1 levels are statistically higher in subjects with HAVS, with levels proportional to the disease severity. However, large population studies are needed to determine the “real-life” standard reference ranges for sTM and sICAM-1.
Wafer-scale fabrication of silicon nanowire arrays with controllable dimensions

Abstract A novel and facile method was successfully developed to fabricate wafer-scale Si nanowire arrays with well-controlled sizes through the in-situ porous anodic alumina (PAA) template-assisted wet-etching process. The diameter and filling ratio (inter-wire spacing) of the as-prepared Si nanowires are determined by the size and density of pores in the in-situ PAA templates, which can be tailored independently by adjusting the anodization voltages and the immersion time of PAA templates in phosphoric acid. The length of Si nanowires can be more than one hundred micrometers long, which is controlled by adjusting the wet-etching time. Moreover, this method is compatible with complex Si surface topology for creating desirable 3-dimensional hybrid micro/nano-structures. Such Si nanowire arrays exhibit ultralow reflectance and interesting wettability that are of great importance to photovoltaics and thermal management applications.
Wake periodicity in subsonic bluff-body flows

Etude experimentale de l'influence de l'epaisseur de la couche limite et du transfert de masse au culot sur la pression du sillage proche dependante du temps et sur les champs de vitesse d'un cylindre axisymetrique emousse en ecoulement subsonique
Bioluminescence regenerative cycle (BRC) system: theoretical considerations for nucleic acid quantification assays.

A new label-free methodology for nucleic acid quantification has been developed where the number of pyrophosphate molecules (PPi) released during polymerization of the target nucleic acid is counted and correlated to DNA copy number. The technique uses the enzymatic complex of ATP-sulfurylase and firefly luciferase to generate photons from PPi. An enzymatic unity gain positive feedback is also implemented to regenerate the photon generation process and compensate any decay in light intensity by self regulation. Due to this positive feedback, the total number of photons generated by the bioluminescence regenerative cycle (BRC) can potentially be orders of magnitude higher than typical chemiluminescent processes. A system level kinetic model that incorporates the effects of contaminations and detector noise was used to show that the photon generation process is in fact steady and also proportional to the nucleic acid quantity. Here we show that BRC is capable of detecting quantities of DNA as low as 1 amol (10 -18 mole) in 40 µlit aqueous solutions, and this enzymatic assay has a controllable dynamic range of 5 orders of magnitude. The sensitivity of this technology, due to the excess number of photons generated by the regenerative cycle, is not constrained by detector performance, but rather by possible PPi or ATP (adenosine triphosphate) contamination, or background bioluminescence of the enzymatic complex.
Party policy equilibrium for alternative spatial voting models: An application to the Norwegian storting

In recent years a lively debate has emerged concerning the empirical status of the traditional proximity spatial model versus a directional model of voter choice. The central reason for this scholarly interest concerns these models' contrasting implications for parties' policy positioning, with the directional model motivating parties to present extreme policies, but the proximity model promoting centrist positions. To this point, however, there exist no studies that compute parties' optimal strategies in historical elections, for these competing models. This article addresses this issue, by examining party policy strategies in a multiparty electorate for three different vote models: (a) the proximity model, (b) a directional model (c) a mixed model which combines proximity and directional components. Each model incorporates past voting history and the random effects of unmeasured variables. Using parameter estimates derived from analyses of survey data from the 1989 Norwegian Election Study we compute – for each of these vote models – the configuration of party policy positions that maximize each party's vote share in relation to those of the other parties. We find that for each model, such a vote-maximizing configuration exists, but – for the proximity model – represents an unrealistic, tightly clustered array. A mixed proximity-directional model, however, provides by far the most convincing account of parties' actual policy strategies with regard to dispersion and vote share.
A closer look at co-rumination: Gender, coping, peer functioning and internalizing/externalizing problems

Co-rumination, defined as repetitive, problem-focused talk explains higher levels of friendship quality in youth (Rose, 2002) and increased levels of anxiety/depression in females. Middle adolescents (N = 146) participated in a study of co-rumination, individual coping, externalizing/internalizing problems, and peer functioning. Consistent with past research, girls reported higher levels of co-rumination and internalizing symptoms. Co-rumination was also positively correlated with self-reports, but not teacher reports, of anxiety/depression and aggressive behavior. Both self-reported number of friends and teacher-rated social acceptance were negatively associated with co-rumination. Co-rumination partially accounted for the significant indirect effect of gender on internalizing symptoms. Additionally, co-rumination was associated with internalizing and externalizing symptoms but not individual coping efforts. Finally, co-rumination accounted for a unique amount of variance in internalizing symptoms, controlling for externalizing problems and secondary control coping. Theoretical implications and the importance of including broad domains of adjustment and peer functioning in future investigations of co-rumination are discussed.
A Glutamate Bridge Is Essential for Dimer Stability and Metal Selectivity in Manganese Superoxide Dismutase

In Escherichia coli manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), the absolutely conserved Glu170 of one monomer is hydrogen-bonded to the Mn ligand His171 of the other monomer, forming a double bridge at the dimer interface. Point mutation of Glu170 → Ala destabilizes the dimer structure, and the mutant protein occurs as a mixture of dimer and monomer species. The purified E170A MnSOD contains exclusively Fe and is devoid of superoxide dismutase activity. E170A Fe2-MnSOD closely resembles authentic FeSOD in terms of spectroscopic properties, anion interactions and pH titration behavior. Reconstitution of E170A Fe2-MnSOD with Mn(II) salts does not restore superoxide dismutase activity despite the spectroscopic similarity between E170A Mn2-MnSOD and wild type Mn2-MnSOD. Growth of sodA+ and sodA− E. coli containing the mutant plasmid pDT1–5(E170A) is impaired, suggesting that expression of mutant protein is toxic to the host cells.
Enhanced postglucose hypophosphatemia during starvation therapy of obesity.

Abstract In obese persons without and with glucose intolerance, the hyperglycemic response to an oral glucose load was increased and prolonged by 10 to 14 days of total fasting. The insulin and growth hormone responses of these individuals to oral glucose were not altered by the fast, but the associated hypophosphatemia was markedly accentuated. The accentuated hypophosphatemic response to glucose observed during starvation raises the possibility that fasting is associated with shunting of the disposal of the carbohydrate load from liver to muscle. Fasting did not modify the blood sugar, serum inorganic phosphate, insulin or growth hormone responses to tolbutamide, arginine, or glucagon infusion.
A survey of android programming courses

The proliferation of smartphones and other mobile devices has led to the introduction of mobile programming courses in some universities and colleges. This paper presents a survey of undergraduate and graduate courses that teach programming of smartphones that run on the Android mobile operating system. The survey presents the course objectives and course outlines, software development platforms that are used in the courses, examples of some projects, and information on project ideas. This survey is a valuable resource for those who are currently teaching or thinking of teaching a mobile programming course.
Estimation of percentiles in discrete event simulation

Percentiles are convenient measures of the entire range of values of simulation outputs. Analysts find percentiles partic ularly useful in establishing reasonable capacities for facil ities, comparing the overall performance of alternative de signs, or establishing minimum standards. Unfortunately, per centiles are not easy to estimate in most discrete simulations, since the observations are not independent or normally distrib uted.Several methods are available for estimating percentiles in re generative simulations. Moore's method, which uses a com plex assignment of observations to subsamples, has the best statistical properties but requires a relatively large amount of computer time and storage. Methods that use grids or divide the observations into batches do not perform as well statisti cally but are more efficient computationally. For nonregener ative simulations, an approach is recommended which dis cards the transient period and divides the remaining observa tions into batches.
Electroweak results from e+e− colliders

Abstract The status of Electroweak measurements made at LEP and SLC are reviwed. This includes almost the full LEP1 sample of Z events and data through the 1996 SLC run. Results from LEP operating at 130, 161 and 172 GeV are also presented. Preliminary estimates of the W mass are given. The results of various Standard Model fits to all the data are presented.
Pad Deflection-Based Model of Chemical–Mechanical Polishing for Use in CAD IC Layout

The use of chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) during the integrated circuit (IC) fabrication process has allowed for the aggressive interconnect patterning that is necessary for modern microprocessor technology. However, as IC technology has moved into the deep submicron realm, nonidealities during polishing have begun to play a significant role in device yield and circuit performance. In order to accurately predict circuit performance, designers must consider the effects of CMP prior to fabrication. A physics-based model to predict feature-scale wear of devices during polishing is presented and integrated into a CAD framework to test the model on various IC layouts. The model is benchmarked against experimental data and shown to be qualitatively accurate in predicting surface topography evolution.
Local Control Wasting Away

Municipal solid waste management and planning traditionally have been regarded as the responsibility of local government. However, the legal climate surrounding solid waste management has become more constrained, placing local government at the mercy of the private waste management industry, and eroding the effectiveness of local waste planning efforts. This article provides an overview of recent court decisions impacting local government solid waste management. It also discusses current congressional activity relating to interstate waste transport and flow control, and assesses the potential effects of such legislation on public solid waste management and on privatization issues raised by critics of local control.
Magnetic tunnel junctions using LaSrMnO ferromagnetic electrodes and PbZrTiO 3 piezoelectric barrier

We report on the fabrication and tunneling characteristics of pulsed-laser deposited LaSrMnO (LSMO)/PbZrTiO(PZT)/LSMO/SrTiO3 magnetic tunnel junctions. The trilayer films show magnetic onset at about 360 K with ferromagnetic hysteresis and uniaxial magnetic behavior at room temperature. The microscopic studies show that the effective barrier thickness is reduced due to the presence of defects in the barrier region. Tunneling magnetoresistance measurements were performed on several samples. Our results suggest that the asymmetric deformation of the barrier potential profile induced by the ferroelectric polarization of PZT influences the tunneling characteristics and can be used for electrically controlled readout in quantum computing schemes.
Bayesian Classification of Events for Task Labeling Using Workflow Models

We investigate a method designed to improve accuracy of workflow mining in the case that the identification of task labels for log events are uncertain. Here we consider how the accuracy of an independent task identifier, such as a classification or clustering engine, can be improved by examining workflow. After briefly introducing the notion of iterative workflow mining, where the mined workflow is used to help improve the true task labelings which, when re-mined, will produce a more accurate workflow model, we demonstrate a Bayesian updating approach to determining posterior probabilities for each label for a given event, by considering the probabilities from the previous step as well as information as to the beliefs of the labels that can be gained by examining the workflow model. Experiments show that labeling accuracy can be increased significantly, resulting in more accurate workflow models.
Apolipoprotein E polymorphism and plasma cholesterol response to probucol

Probucol has been shown to be an effective and well-tolerated cholesterol-lowering drug. However, response in terms of cholesterol reduction has been shown to vary significantly among individuals. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of apolipoprotein E polymorphism in determining this variation. A retrospective study of 89 hypercholesterolemic type II patients who had been treated with probucol (1 g/d) and for whom the apolipoprotein E phenotype was known was carried out. The patients were first grouped into those with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and those considered to have other forms of hypercholesterolemia (non-FH). Further subclassification of the individuals in both groups as Ila or Ilb, allowed the definition of four diagnostic classes, FH Ila or Ilb and non-FH Ila or Ilb. Among these classes there was no significant heterogeneity for the relat%nship between response and age or sex. After correction for between-class heterogeneity in duration of probucol treatment, comparison of individuals with the apo E3/3 phenotype with those carrying the ~4 allele showed significant differences in cholesterol reduction both absolute change and percent change. Further contrasts between diagnostic and apo E genotype stratifications of these data showed that the FH patients carrying the d allele had the greatest reduction in cholesterol level.
Design of organic–inorganic solid polymer electrolytes: synthesis, structure, and properties

This paper reports the synthesis, structure, and properties of novel hybrid solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) consisting of organically modified aluminosilica (OM-AlSi), formed within a poly(ethylene oxide)-in-salt (Li triflate) phase. To alter the structure and properties of these polymer electrolytes, we used functionalized silanes containing poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) tails or CN groups. The SPEs described here were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and AC impedance spectroscopy. The size of the OM-AlSi domains was estimated using transmission electron microscopy and comparing the sizes of AlSi nanoparticles, obtained via calcination of the hybrid SPE. The conductivity enhancement, caused by incorporation of PEO tails or CN groups in the hybrid materials based on 600 Da poly(ethylene glycol), can be ascribed to a decrease of OM-AlSi domain size accompanied by an increase of the OM-AlSi/PEO + LiTf interface. For the CN modifier, increase of this interface increases the amount of CN groups exposed to PEO + LiTf phase, thus increasing the effective dielectric constants of the materials and their conductivity, although this dependence is not linear. In the case of the PEO modifier, different effects are observed for 600 Da PEG and 100 kDa PEO. For 100 kDa PEO, incorporation of the silane with a PEO tail caused a decrease of conductivity. Here, AlSi particle size remains basically unchanged with addition of silane-modifier, and the decrease of conductivity can be attributed to formation of a crystalline phase at the OM-AlSi/PEO + LiTf interface.
BCMA Is Essential for the Survival of Long-lived Bone Marrow Plasma Cells

Long-lived humoral immunity is manifested by the ability of bone marrow plasma cells (PCs) to survive for extended periods of time. Recent studies have underscored the importance of BLyS and APRIL as factors that can support the survival of B lineage lymphocytes. We show that BLyS can sustain PC survival in vitro, and this survival can be further enhanced by interleukin 6. Selective up-regulation of Mcl-1 in PCs by BLyS suggests that this α-apoptotic gene product may play an important role in PC survival. Blockade of BLyS, via transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor–immunoglobulin treatment, inhibited PC survival in vitro and in vivo. Heightened expression of B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), and lowered expression of transmembrane activator and cyclophilin ligand interactor and BAFF receptor in PCs relative to resting B cells suggests a vital role of BCMA in PC survival. Affirmation of the importance of BCMA in PC survival was provided by studies in BCMA−/− mice in which the survival of long-lived bone marrow PCs was impaired compared with wild-type controls. These findings offer new insights into the molecular basis for the long-term survival of PCs.
Analog fault diagnosis based on ramping power supply current signature clusters

Measurement of power supply currents was found to be very useful for testing CMOS IC's because of its potential to detect a large class of manufacturing defects. However, this technique was used mainly for fault detection and was confined to digital circuits. In this paper, we present a suited methodology for fault diagnosis of analog circuits based on the observation of power supply currents. In the proposed technique, fault signature dictionaries are generated from the currents in the power supply bus. To obtain signatures rich in information for efficient diagnosis, the transistors in the circuit are forced to operate in all possible regions of operation by using a ramp signal at the supply instead of the conventional constant DC signal or ground voltage. The signatures are then clustered into different groups using a Kohonen neural network classifier. This technique has the potential to detect and diagnose single and multiple shorts as well as open circuits. The theoretical and experimental results of the proposed technique are verified using a CMOS Operational Transconductance Amplifier (OTA) circuit.
Modeling the Effects of the NMDA Receptor Antagonist MK-801 on Timing in Rats

The NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 produces different effects on timing tasks. In particular, MK-801 produces an underestimation of duration when animals are tested with the differential reinforcement of low rate of responding (DRL) schedule and an overestimation of duration when animals are tested with the peak-interval (PI) procedure. The goal of this study was to develop a model-based explanation for this discrepancy. Two computer simulations were conducted via an implementation of scalar expectancy theory (SET). In Simulation 1, SET was used to provide a quantitative account of PI timing data. Simulation 2 used parameter estimates from Simulation 1 to predict effects of MK-801 on the DRL task. DRL predictions provided a close match to previous empirical data. Results of the simulations suggest that differences in the literature are likely due to inherent differences between PI and DRL tasks, rather than fundamental differences in timing. Overall, the role of NMDA receptors in timing appears to be multifaceted, impacting perception, memory, and decision processes.
Video-game for speech perception testing and training of young hearing-impaired children

This video game is designed for the testing and training of auditory perception in children with hearing losses and/or auditory processing disorders. The child pursues an animated character through a series of scenes, using hearing to identify the character's hiding place. Attention and compliance are encouraged by an interesting event in each scene (contingent on a correct response) and by the emergence of the character as a real toy (at the end of a run) that can be taken home. The test can be used to estimate the capacity for the perception of phonologically significant speech pattern contrasts such as voicing and place of articulation. The principal cognitive requirement is that of object permanence. The game is suitable for children with a developmental age of approximately 3 years. Stimuli are pre-recorded on video laserdisc and presentation and scoring are under computer control. >
Cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection: A stepwise approach to diagnosis and management

Infection related to cardiovascular implantable electronic devices is a serious complication, necessitating removal of the device and prolonged parenteral antibiotic therapy. Accurate diagnosis and optimal management of these infections are challenging. This review highlights the critical management decisions.
Amygdalo-cortical sprouting continues into early adulthood: implications for the development of normal and abnormal function during adolescence.

Adolescence is a critical stage for the development of emotional maturity and diverse forms of psychopathology. The posterior basolateral nucleus of the amygdala is known to mediate fear and anxiety and is important in assigning emotional valence to cognitive processes. The medial prefrontal cortex, a homologue of the human anterior cingulate cortex, mediates emotional, attentional, and motivational behaviors at the cortical level. We postulate that the development of connectivity between these two corticolimbic regions contributes to an enhanced integration of emotion and cognition during the postnatal period. In order to characterize the development of this relay, injections of the anterograde tracer biocytin were stereotaxically placed within the posterior basolateral nucleus of the amygdala of rats at successive postnatal time points (postnatal days 6-120). Labeled fibers in the medial prefrontal cortex were evaluated using a combination of brightfield, confocal, and electron microscopy. We found that the density of labeled fibers originating from the posterior basolateral nucleus shows a sharp curvilinear increase within layers II and V of the anterior cingulate cortex and the infralimbic subdivisions of medial prefrontal cortex during the late postweanling period. This increase was paralleled by a linear rise in the number of axospinous and axodendritic synapses present in the neuropil. Based on these results, we propose that late maturation of amygdalo-cortical connectivity may provide an anatomical basis for the development and integration of normal and possibly abnormal emotional behavior during adolescence and early adulthood.
Low-Frequency Vibrations of Some Organotrichlorosilanes

The far infrared (33–500 cm−1) spectra of a series of organotrichlorosilanes have been recorded. The Raman spectra (0–600 cm−1) have also been measured and the relative intensity and depolarization values of lines are tabulated. The spectra have been interpreted in detail and some low-frequency “group frequencies” are proposed for the SiCl3 moiety. The infrared (3200–33 cm−1) and Raman (0–3200 cm−1) spectra of α-chlorovinyltrichlorosilane have been recorded and a complete vibrational assignment is presented. Torsional oscillations of the SiCl3 group were observed for two of the molecules; barriers of 1.7 kcal/mole and 2.7 kcal/mole were calculated for the motion around the C—Si bonds of the vinyltrichlorosilane and the ethyltrichlorosilane molecules, respectively. The results are briefly discussed. Thermodynamic properties have been calculated for the latter two molecules.
The mode of peroxide‐catalyzed polymerization of vinyltriethoxysilane

It has been qualitatively demonstrated the vinyltriethoxysilane is polymerized by a free radical process to clear, colorless, viscous liquid polymer of low molecular weight. The low molecular weight is the result of chain transfer with polymer and monomer. This chain transfer involves the abstraction of the alpha-hydrogen of an ethoxysilyl group (CH3CH2OSi) of either the polymer or the monomer. The ratio of chain transfer with polymer to that with monomer for high conversions is at least 4.5.
Methylprednisolone for the prophylaxis of pain flare: commentary on Yousef and El-mashad.

The study by Yousef and El-mashad 1 describes a randomized trial demonstrating effectiveness of intravenous methylprednisolone for the prophylaxis of pain flare after standard-course radiation therapy (RT) for the treatment of painful spinal metastases. Pain flares have been described after the administration of both radiopharmaceuticals 2 and external beam radiation therapy for the treatment of bone metastases and may be more common after single-fraction palliative radiation treatment. 3 Interestingly, in the present study, pain relief in the treatment arm persisted for the entire month of follow-up, not just during the few days immediately after RT, when pain flares usually occur. In current oncology practice in the U.S., dexamethasone is generally the corticosteroid of choice for cancer pain given its mineralocorticoid-sparing effects and availability by the oral route. It is unclear if practitioners and patients would be willing to substitute a two-hour intravenous infusion for a once-daily oral medication. Furthermore, it is important to note that the dose of methylprednisolone in this study was quite high (a 5 mg/kg dose in a 70 kg patient converts to a dexamethasone dose of 60 mg/day). This is much higher than typical doses for pain management and is significantly higher than the dose used in a previous phase II study of prophylactic dexamethasone for pain flares. 4 on completing a randomized trial in palliative radiation oncologythatraisesimportantclinicalissues.Theresults of this study also illustrate the importance of adequate pain control in enhancing important quality-of-life aspects such as ambulation and mood. Future research could build on this work by investigating whether dexamethasone is comparable with methylprednisolone for pain flare prophylaxis and working to establish the optimal steroid dose for the prevention of pain flares in patients receiving palliative radiation for bone metastases.
The Hazards of Comparative Effectiveness When We Cannot Effectively Compare

According to the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality, “comparative effectiveness research is designed to inform health-care decisions by providing evidence on the effectiveness, benefits, and harms of different treatment options” ([1][1]). The data derived from clinical registries play
Toward Software Diversity in Heterogeneous Networked Systems

When there are either design or implementation flaws, a homogeneous architecture is likely to be disrupted entirely by a single attack e.g., a worm that exploits its vulnerability. Following the survivability through heterogeneity philosophy, we present a novel approach to improving survivability of networked systems by adopting the technique of software diversity. Specifically, we design an efficient algorithm to select and deploy a set of off-the-shelf software to hosts in a networked system, such that the number and types of vulnerabilities presented on one host would be different from that on its neighboring nodes. In this way, we are able to contain a worm in an isolated "island". This algorithm addresses software assignment problem in more complex scenarios by taking into consideration practical constraints, e.g., hosts may have diverse requirements based on different system prerequisites. We evaluate the performance of our algorithm through simulations on both simple and complex system models. The results confirm the effectiveness and scalability of our algorithm.
Selected Behavioral and Psychiatric Problems

The diverse psychiatric disorders discussed in this chapter are unified by the fact that patients will generally not present to their family physician self-reporting their disorder, as many lack insight into the cause of their symptoms. With eating disorders, the family physician may be tipped off to the diagnosis by concerned family members or by physical signs and symptoms of the condition. Patients with personality disorders may elicit strong reactions from the physician and staff and may behave in ways that seem to contradict the achievement of good health. Within each group of disorders, there are specific diagnostic criteria described by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition [1, 2]. In either case, the specific psychiatric diagnosis may not be as important as is gaining general insights into the psychopathology and developing strategies to manage the patient medically.
Making Memories That Last.

Although we have countless experiences daily, relatively few are retained in memory. Great efforts have been devoted to understanding the neural processes and mechanisms that contribute to making memories that last. Much of this research has focused on delineating encoding-related patterns of neural
Documentation and Instructions for Running Two Python Scripts that Aid in Setting up 3D Measurements using the Polytec 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer.

Sandia National Laboratories has recently purchased a Polytec 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer for vibration measurement. This device has proven to be a very nice tool for making vibration measurements, and has a number of advantages over traditional sensors such as accelerometers. The non-contact nature of the laser vibrometer means there is no mass loading due to measuring the response. Additionally, the laser scanning heads can position the laser spot much more quickly and accurately than placing an accelerometer or performing a roving hammer impact. The disadvantage of the system is that a significant amount of time must be invested to align the lasers with each other and the part so that the laser spots can be accurately positioned. The Polytec software includes a number of nice tools to aid in this procedure; however, certain portions are still tedious. Luckily, the Polytec software is readily extensible by programming macros for the system, so tedious portions of the procedure can be made easier by automating the process. The Polytec Software includes a WinWrap (similar to Visual Basic) editor and interface to run macros written in that programming language. The author, however, is much more proficient in Python, and the latter alsomore » has a much larger set of libraries that can be used to create very complex macros, while taking advantage of Python’s inherent readability and maintainability.« less
A novel approach to vibration isolation in small, unmanned aerial vehicles

Small accelerometers currently used in ground, robotic platforms measure inclination of vehicles and positions of actuators. However, the vibration of aerial vehicles due to rotors makes them it impracticable. The sensor cannot provide the precision necessary to control an aerial platform and distinguish between vibration and inclination. An isolator that is configurable, lightweight and axis-independent would be advantageous. Tempurpedicreg foam provides these capabilities and initial tests have resulted in over a 50% reduction in measurement error. This can lead to improved aerial control and performance, making the impracticable, practicable again. Furthermore, improved autonomous flight that is less dependent on human interaction and skill becomes more plausible. Small unmanned aerial vehicles, especially helicopter-type, can provide some significant advantages and capabilities where an unmanned ground vehicle is unsuitable, impracticable or limited.
Proof that ∂ E ∂ n i = ε in density-functional theory

It is shown that the variation of the total energy, as constructed in density-functional theory, with respect to an orbital occupation is equal to the eigenvalue of that orbital, independent of the detailed form of the exchange-correlation functional. This leads to a rigorous connection between the ground-state energies of $N$- and ($N+1$)-particle systems, which is useful in the calculation of certain excitation energies.
The influence of properties of the test and their interactions with reader characteristics on reading comprehension: An explanatory item response study.

Component skills and discourse frameworks of reading have identified characteristics of readers and texts that influence comprehension. However, these 2 frameworks have not previously been integrated in a comprehensive and systematic way to explain performance on any standardized assessment of reading comprehension that is in widespread use across a broad developmental spectrum. The current study undertook such an integration using the reading comprehension subtest of the Gates-McGinitie Reading Tests, investigating characteristics of the test’s reading passages and comprehension questions and the component reading skills of students in middle and high school (n = 1,190) in order to determine the extent to which each of these dimensions affect test performance, both on average and through interaction with one another. The component skills of reading included word reading, reading fluency, vocabulary, background knowledge, and working memory. Test questions were coded for their processing demands, specifically the need to recall information from test and to form text-based inferences, while text passages were measured on word frequency, sentence length, text cohesion, and genre. We found that better vocabulary and background knowledge were the most important reader characteristics in accounting for reading comprehension. The processing demands of test questions were not highly predictive of item difficulty. Rather, genre was the most important passage feature in explaining item difficulty. Reader-test interactions were present, but were not pronounced. We discuss the importance of these findings as they relate to the measurement of comprehension and the integration of component skills and text-discourse models of reading. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Production as translation: the merchant of Venice on the “foreign” stage

In recent years, seventeenth-century classical drama has increasingly traversed national borders and become accessible to “foreign” audiences through modern productions based on translations and / or new versions that interrogate the original textual author-ity. The very act of translation, of denying a classical author such as Shakespeare his language, presents a challenge to the universalizing tendency of traditional stage history with its essentialist assumptions that classical texts “are stable and authoritative, that meaning is immanent in them, and that actors and directors are therefore interpreters rather than makers of meaning” (Bulman “Introd.” 1). In any reading of performance, whether past of present, the critic’s task is, as Cary Mazer reminds us, “an act of contextualizing, of historicizing, the performance in its cultural moment” (149).1 The performance text2 is itself historically contingent, the outcome of a process Patrice Pavis terms its “concretization,” wherein “signifier (literary work as thing), signified (aesthetic object), and Social Context.
The transplacental toxicity of methyl mercury to fetal rat liver mitochondria. Morphometric and biochemical studies.

Ultrastructural morphometric and biochemical changes in liver mitochondria of fetal rats whose mothers were exposed to methyl mercury hydroxide in their drinking water at concentrations of 0, 3, 5, or 10 p.p.m. for 4 weeks prior to mating and through day 19 of pregnancy are described. A dose-related decrease in the volume density of mitochondria was observed in fetal hepatocytes of dams given the 5- and 10-p.p.m. dose levels. This finding was associated with decreased mitochondrial protein synthesis, which appeared to result primarily from decreased synthesis of mitochondrial structural proteins. Loss of respiratory control was observed in mitochondria from animals in the 3-p.p.m. dose group whereas state 3 respiration was abolished in animals exposed to the 5- and 10-p.p.m. dose levels. The specific activities of monoamine oxidase and cytochrome oxidase, outer and inner mitochondrial membrane marker enzymes respectively, showed dose-related decreases of up to 62 and 78 per cent of control, respectively. delta-Aminolevulinic acid synthetase, which is loosely bound to the inner mitochondrial membrane, also showed dose-related decreases of up to 68 per cent of control. Malate dehydrogenase, a mitochondrial matrix marker enzyme, showed no change in activity at any dose level tested. These observations were correlated with dose-related tissue concentrations of methyl and inormpaired mitochondrial biogenesis and functional development is one basis for explaining the sensitivity of fetal animals to methyl mercury toxicity.
The relationship of neuropsychological impairment to conduct disorder in adolescence: A conceptual review

This review is an attempt to expand the understanding of the neuropsychological mechanisms that may influence the expression of violent or aggressive behavior in adolescents. Although a relative large literature of adult studies examining the relation of neuropsychological impairment and aggression exists, the research literature investigating this relationship in adolescents is much smaller. With a few exceptions, the delinquent literature suffers from methodological problems, including biased sampling methods, small numbers of subjects, failing to objectively diagnose conduct disorder, incorrect use of specific statistical procedures, and lacking of appropriate control groups. In general, a mixed pattern of neuropsychological deficits are displayed across studies, depending on the sampling method, methodological design, statistics employed, control groups, and assessment tools that were utilized. Verbal deficits have been frequently displayed across the literature, while evidence for executive dysfunction varies, depending on the specific construct being evaluated (e.g., attention, cognitive flexibility, concept formation, planning abilities) and the specific population. Relatively inconsistent findings have been observed for visuospatial, sensory, and motor deficits. This article provides a critical review of this literature and discusses the varying impact that any neurological insult will have, depending on premorbid personality and cognitive functioning, location of the lesion, age at which the injury occurred, child's pre- and postinjury environment, and ability of the brain to adapt to acquired deficits as the result of the insult. On the basis of this review and neuropsychological theory, four subgroups within this population are proposed (i.e., adolescents with subcortical injuries, dominant hemisphere temporal-parietal injuries, nondominant hemisphere temporal-parietal injuries, and injuries to the prefrontal regions), which may better explain the neuropsychological and behavioral outcomes exhibited by this heterogeneous population. Recommendations for future research are offered.
Data And Informatics Working Group On Virtual Data Integration Workshop Report

This report is the outcome of a workshop that was commissioned by the Department of Energy’s Climate and Environmental Sciences Division (CESD) to examine current and future data infrastructure requirements that would be foundational to achieving CESD’s scientific mission goals. Over the past several years, data volumes in CESD disciplines have risen sharply to unprecedented levels (tens of petabytes). So too has the complexity and diversity of the research data (simulation, observation, and reanalysis) needing to be captured, stored, verified, analyzed, and integrated. With the trends of increased data volume (in the hundreds of petabytes), more complex analysis processes, and growing crossdisciplinary collaborations, it is timely to investigate whether the CESD community has the right computational and data support to realize the full scientific potential from its data collections. In recognition of the challenges, a partnership is forming across CESD and with national and international agencies to investigate the viability of creating an integrated, collaborative data infrastructure: a virtual laboratory. The overarching goal of this report is to identify the community’s key data technology requirements and high-priority development needs for sustaining and growing their scientific discovery potential. The report also aims to map these requirements to existing solutions and tomore » identify gaps in current services, tools, and infrastructure that will need to be addressed in the short, medium, and long term so as not to impede scientific progress« less
Dynamic Simulation in Business Process Redesign

In today’s competitive global business environment, pressures for reducing costs, improving profits, increasing customer satisfaction, and decreasing cycle time confront many managers. Simulation models can play an important role in increasing a business’s ability to get the right product or service to the right location at the right time. Simulation models can also help in designing and developing streamlined software applications.
Summation of harmonic numbers

The problem of finding closed forms for a summation involving harmonic numbers is considered. Solutions for ∑ i n =1P(i)H i (k) , where p(i) is a polynomial, and ∑ i n =1 Hi/(i+m), where m is an integer, are given. A method to automate these results is presented. This is achieved by using Moenck’s algorithm and by exploiting the relationship between polygamma functions and harmonic numbers.
Pectoralis major tendon tears: functional outcomes and return to sport in a consecutive series of 40 athletes.

Background There are limited data on the outcomes of surgically repaired pectoralis major tendon (PMT) tears. The purpose of this study was to report the functional outcomes, return to sport, and second surgery rates in a consecutive series of PMT tears. Methods Forty patients with acutely repaired PMT tears were retrospectively identified. Follow-up was conducted with functional outcome scores and adduction strength testing at final follow-up. Return to sport and incidence of subsequent surgery were also recorded. Results The average age of the patients was 34.4 years (range, 23-59 years). Average follow-up was 2.5 years (range, 2-7.0 years). Twenty-three injuries (58%) occurred in the nondominant extremity. Bench press (n = 26) and contact sport participation (n = 14) were the most common mechanisms. Postoperative Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores averaged 93.6 (range, 62-100), with patient satisfaction of 9.6 of 10 (range, 6-10). All athletes returned to preinjury level of function approximately 5.5 months postoperatively (range, 4.5-6.5 months); 23.1% and 2.6% described mild or moderate difficulties with sport participation. Isokinetic strength evaluation revealed an average decrease of 9.9% (range, −18% to 41%). Application of the Bak criteria revealed 37% excellent, 26% good, and 37% fair outcomes, with most in the fair group reporting cosmetic concerns. Removing cosmesis, 46% scored excellent, 37% good, and only 17% fair. Three athletes required a second surgical procedure (7.5%). Conclusions Surgical repair of PMT tears resulted in high patient satisfaction, with excellent restoration of function and adduction strength, early return to sport, and few reoperations, albeit with the potential for mild cosmetic concerns.