cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the Gender Gap in CEO Compensation: Replication and Extension of Hill, Upadhyay, and Beekun (2015)'s Work on CEO Gender Pay Gap

The increasing number of women chief executives motivates considerable interest in examining possible gender differences in CEO compensation. Recently, Hill, Upadhyay and Beekun (2015) reported that female CEOs receive greater compensation than male CEOs, which runs counter to common wisdom that the gender pay gap in the labor market favors men over women. With the goal of contributing to cumulative knowledge development in this area, we seek to reexamine Hill et al’s finding about gender differences in CEO compensation by extending the analyses further in time, using a larger sample of firms and more rigorous empirical analyses. Our findings, which are robust to different statistical procedures and econometric specifications, do not reveal reliable evidence for differences in compensation paid to male and female CEOs.
Casting Position for Distal Radius Fractures Changes Radiocarpal Joint Forces: A Cadaveric Study.

Purpose Nonsurgical distal radius fracture treatment requires immobilization and classical teaching suggests varying cast positions. We investigated the effect of cast position on the force and pressure experienced by the articular cartilage in the scaphoid and lunate fossae. Methods Ten fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were used. A standardized extra-articular distal radius fracture was made. Force sensors were affixed to the articular cartilage of the scaphoid and lunate fossae. Baseline data were obtained. Specimens were then placed into a short arm cast with the wrist either neutrally aligned or flexed and ulnarly deviated (FUD). Specimens had a standard load applied, and a force profile was obtained. The cast was removed and the other cast type was placed and measurements were repeated. Overall force and pressure values were compared between baseline data and the 2 cast types. Additionally, differences in volar and dorsal scaphoid and lunate fossa forces and pressures were compared pairwise within the 2 cast types. The relative force and pressure values across cast types were also compared. Results Both cast types significantly reduced the median force and pressure experienced by the radiocarpal joint compared with no cast. In the FUD cast, the volar and dorsal lunate fossa experienced significantly greater force, and the dorsal lunate fossa experienced significantly greater pressure compared with the dorsal scaphoid fossa. There were no differences for any fossae in the neutral cast. When comparing between casts, the volar lunate fossa experienced a significantly greater relative force in the FUD cast compared with the neutral cast. Conclusions Casting a distal radius fracture decreases the forces and pressures in the radiocarpal joint. Placing the wrist in a FUD position results in greater forces and pressures on the lunate fossa compared with the scaphoid fossa. Clinical relevance When immobilization is needed, we advocate for the placement of patients in a relatively neutral short-arm cast with minimal FUD to avoid this increased pressure.
Service-Driven Modeling Approach to Managing Water Allocation in Priority Doctrine Regions

AbstractThis work focuses on developing methods to better manage significant imbalances between water supply and demand during droughts. A service-driven approach (Model as a Service, or MaaS) is u...
Neural crest, sensory neuron, and muscle cultures.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses culture techniques that are commonly used and introduces methods that extrapolate them to include recent techniques involving isolation of pure cells, transgenesis, and immunocytochemistry. It describes cultures for three different cell types from embryonic avian embryos—namely, neural crest, sensory neurons from the trigeminal ganglia, and muscle cells. Sensory neurons from the trigeminal ganglia originate from two distinct embryonic cell populations—namely, the neural crest and ectodermal placodes. In the trigeminal ganglion, neural crest gives rise to neurons and supports cells whereas placode cells give rise to only neurons. The chapter describes the way neural crest-derived versus placodal-derived neurons can be isolated and enriched from the trigeminal ganglia by a combination of dissection based on their locations as well as their differential needs for neurotrophins . Methods by which neural crest- and placode-derived neurons can be distinguished using molecular markers are discussed. The chapter provides a protocol for generating striated muscle cultures. Because of the relative ease of these cultures, they are often used in neuron-muscle cocultures; thereby, providing opportunities to study relationship between neurons and their interacting tissues such as synapse formation and neuronal activities.
What Makes a Problem GP-Hard?

This chapter summarizes theoretical work at The University of Michigan concerning the question: “What makes a problem difficult for genetic programming to solve?” It specifically describes linkages between content, tree structures, and problem difficulty in genetic programming. It focuses on the significance of structure in influencing problem difficulty.
Ceramic Processing and Sintering

Ceramic fabrication processes - an introductory overview synthesis of powders powder characterization science of colloidal processing sol-gel processing powder consolidation and forming of ceramics sintering of ceramics - fundamentals theory of viscous sintering grain growth and microstructural control liquid-phase sintering problems of sintering densification process variables and densification practice.
Review of Wastewater Collection System Modeling and Design by T. M. Walski, T. E. Barnard, E. Harold, L. B. Merrit, N. Walker, and B. E. Whitman

This is a comprehensive text of 605 pages on the modeling and the design of wastewater collection systems by a team of seven authors who have extensive experience on the subject. It is intended for designers, managers, and students. The presentation is didactic and well organized and attempts to link theory and practice. Each chapter has a number of solved and proposed problems. The latter problems are intended to reinforce student knowledge. The proposed problems can also be completed by professionals for continuing education credit. The illustrations are excellent, and 27 cartoons taken from The New Yorker magazine add a touch of humor. Chapter 1, the introduction, in addition to providing a general background and laying the groundwork for the book, also includes an excellent historical perspective. Chapters 2, 3, and 4 are concerned with the traditional hydraulics of wastewater collection systems. Chapter 2 emphasizes steady flow, Chapter 3 gives a good summary of unsteady flow, and Chapter 4 focuses on force main and pumps. Hydraulic fundamentals are very well treated. An attempt is made to promote the tractive force as an alternative approach to the traditional minimum velocity as a design method for self-cleansing sanitary sewers. This is a welcome initiative, which is based on a more physical process. As the British methodology Butler et al. 1993, and references therein is exceedingly cumbersome, the authors attempt to provide a simplified method. Unfortunately there are very few verified experimental data available, and the authors only rely on one data set. Chapter 5 presents an overview of the development and application of computer models for sewer systems. The sequence of tasks in the modeling process is presented: the definition of objectives; the development of alternatives; the definition of scale; the selection of software; the acquisition of physical, operational, and loading data; the building and calibration of the model, its sensitivity and validation; the running of the model; and the development of a problem solution. The following three chapters are concerned with obtaining some of the inputs for the models. Chapters 6 and 7 deal with the loadings, namely, the dry and wet weather flows. Chapter 6, on dry weather wastewater flows, provides important input data for the hydraulic design of new sanitary sewers. Perhaps more could have been said about the composition of dry weather flows
Cross-Ontological analytics: combining associative and hierarchical relations in the gene ontologies to assess gene product similarity

Gene and gene product similarity is a fundamental diagnostic measure in analyzing biological data and constructing predictive models for functional genomics. With the rising influence of the gene ontologies, two complementary approaches have emerged where the similarity between two genes/gene products is obtained by comparing gene ontology (GO) annotations associated with the gene/gene products. One approach captures GO-based similarity in terms of hierarchical relations within each gene ontology. The other approach identifies GO-based similarity in terms of associative relations across the three gene ontologies. We propose a novel methodology where the two approaches can be merged with ensuing benefits in coverage and accuracy.
Focus Groups, Program Evaluation, and the Poor

Focus groups are a qualitative research technique which can be apllied to program evaluation with low income clients. Focus group are relatively easy to organize and operate, can be less expensive than other research techniques, can provide quick feedback, and possess the potential to empower low income clients. This paper discusses the development of focus groups, their strengths and weaknesses, and their utility in program evaluation. An example of their use in the evaluation of a state low income energy program is provided along with some guidelines for their use with low income respondents.
GPS Monitoring Device Leads the Supreme Court to the Crossroads in Privacy Law

The case of United States v. Jones led the United States Supreme Court to a crossroads in its Fourth Amendment jurisprudence. The Jones Court had to decide whether law enforcement’s use of a GPS device to monitor a suspect’s vehicle around the clock for a month constituted a “search” within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment. The case presented a potential collision between two different approaches to identifying Fourth Amendment searches.The first is a “location-driven” approach in which government intrusions into private locations constitute Fourth Amendment searches, while government observations from outside private locations do not. In Katz v. United States, the Court rejected a strictly “location-driven” approach and instead reasoned that the Fourth Amendment protects “people, not places.” Although the Court has nominally applied the Katz “reasonable expectations” test for the last four decades, the Court’s post-Katz surveillance cases have largely returned to the location-driven approach.Had the Court continued this location-driven approach, it would have held that GPS monitoring in public spaces was not a Fourth Amendment search, on the theory that people have no expectation of privacy while in a public space. However, one can read the Court’s post-Katz decisions to support a second approach, a “situation-based” approach, that is better suited to deal with changing technologies and is more faithful to the “reasonable expectations” test that the Court purports to apply. In a fractured decision, a majority in Jones adopted the situation-based approach and held that the government’s long-term use of GPS monitoring violated the defendant’s reasonable expectation of privacy in his movements over time along public roads.
A comparison of suture retention strengths for three biomaterials.

Background The suture holding capacity, suture retention strength, and burst strength of three biomaterials (Marlex), SIS, and PeriGuard) were evaluated to compare their performance characteristics in an ex vivo setting representing the immediate postoperative period. Material/methods A circular defect was created in the fascial tissue of the abdominal aponeurosis collected from normal dogs. Defects were repaired with either Marlex (polypropylene mesh), Periguard (bovine pericardium) or small intestinal submucosa (SIS) using 2-0 prolene and a 1.0-cm suture bite. The force required to induce failure at the repair site was recorded as the suture-holding capacity. Suture retention strength was calculated as the load distribution over the specimen cross-section in contact with the suture at the time of rupture. Burst strength of the raw materials was also measured. Results The suture-holding capacity was 370.9+/-56.2 N for Marlex; 214.3+/-36.1 N for Periguard, and 287.9+/-34.3 N for SIS. The suture retention strengths were: Marlex, 413.4+/-59.7 N/mm2; Periguard, 97.0+/-20.1 N/mm2; and SIS, 106.9+/-12.7 N/mm2. The burst strength of Marlex, Periguard and SIS were 476.7+/-50.8 N, 432.12+/-82.1 N, and 433.6+/-79.5 N respectively. Conclusions All three materials provide adequate strength and suture-holding capacities to be of use in the repair of soft tissue defects.
The Encyclopedia Of Colonial And Revolutionary America

}This encyclopedia, based on the latest research, unfolds in 1500 entries the entire colonial period, from the earliest settlements in 1600 through the American Revolution to nationhood under the Articles of Confederation in 1781. Its comprehensive scope includes standard topics like discoveries and battles; biographical entries on all the major colonial and revolutionary figures as well as lesser-known people from French and Spanish America, Russian explorers, colonial women, and important Indian leaders; every major conflict, from the French and Indian Wars through Pontiac's Rebellion to the American victory at Yorktown; lengthy articles on each of the original thirteen colonies; separate entries for all of the major Indian tribes as well as for subjects like abortion and contraception, crime and punishment, disease, education, free blacks, Loyalists, medicine, piracy, race and racism, science, slavery, witchcraft, and much more. Special attention has been paid to new fields of study, such as the ethno-history of American Indians, womens history, and demography. Extensively cross-referenced, with over 100 illustrations and maps, this outstanding work also features sixteen Topic Guides that enable the readers to follow a trail from the general to the specific on subjects like Afro-Americans, the British Empire, Colonial Government, Exploration, the Frontier, Religion, and Women. Faraghers encyclopedia provides readers with a rich, accessible source of information and insight as engrossing as it is enlightening. }
Screaming into the Wind: Examining the Volume and Content of Tweets Associated with Hurricane Sandy

Social media have gained increased use as sources of information, including information related to risks and crises. The current study explores Twitter use in the days leading up to the landfall of Hurricane Sandy in October, 2012. It provides an overview of the type of content tweeted, along with an assessment of the utility of this content in mitigating similar emergencies in the future. Tweets were collected at multiple time points. Tweet rate increased during the storm, and specific keywords were not used extensively. Government and organizational responses were largely absent. Finally, Twitter was used more for emotional release than to provide information.
Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Progression: Prognostic Factors and Basic Mechanisms

In this review, we will examine various molecular biomarkers for their potential to serve as independent prognostic factors for predicting survival outcome in postoperative patients with progressive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Specific rodent models of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma that mimic relevant cellular, molecular, and clinical features of the human disease are also described, not only in terms of their usefulness in identifying molecular pathways and mechanisms linked to cholangiocarcinoma development and progression, but also for their potential value as preclinical platforms for suggesting and testing novel molecular strategies for cholangiocarcinoma therapy. Last, recent studies aimed at addressing the role of desmoplastic stroma in promoting intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression are highlighted in an effort to underline the potential value of targeting tumor stromal components together with that of cholangiocarcinoma cells as a novel therapeutic option for this devastating cancer.
Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR)

Two-thirds of the oil ever found is still in the ground even after primary and secondary production. Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is one of the tertiary methods purported to increase oil recovery. Since 1946 more than 400 patents on MEOR have been issued, but none has gained acceptance by the oil industry. Most of the literature on MEOR is from laboratory experiments or from field trials of insufficient duration or that lack convincing proof of the process. Several authors have made recommendations required to establish MEOR as a viable method to enhance oil recovery, and until these tests are performed, MEOR will remain an unproven concept rather than a highly desirable reality.
Stimulation by glucocorticoids of myoblast growth at low cell densities.

Proliferation of rat myoblasts was stimulated by addition of 10−7 M dexamethasone to cells plated at 25 cells/cm2. In the presence of fetal calf serum and chick embryo extract, physiological levels of glucocorticoids caused a 3- to 7-fold increase in colony formation. In mass cultures, proliferation of myoblasts was also stimulated by dexamethasone, but fibroblast growth was inhibited. These opposite effects of glucocorticoids on myoblast and fibroblast growth suggest their use in cloning muscle cells from mixed cell populations.
Perceptions of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and hand hygiene provider training and patient education: results of a mixed method study of health care providers in Department of Veterans Affairs spinal cord injury and disorder units.

Background The goal of this study was to assess current practices for training of spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI/D) health care workers and education of veterans with SCI/D in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) spinal cord injury (SCI) centers on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) prevention. Methods Mixed methods. A Web-based survey was distributed to 673 VA SCI/D providers across 24 SCI centers; 21 acute care and 1 long-term care facility participated. There were 295 that responded, 228 had complete data and were included in this analysis. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 30 SCI/D providers across 9 SCI centers. Results Nurses, physicians, and therapists represent most respondents (92.1%, n = 210); over half (56.6%, n = 129) were nurses. Of providers, 75.9% (n = 173) reported receiving excellent or good training on how to educate patients about MRSA. However, nurses were more likely to report having excellent or good training for how to educate patients about MRSA (P = .005). Despite this, only 63.6% (n = 82) of nurses perceived the education they provide patients on how MRSA is transmitted as excellent or good. Conclusion Despite health care workers reporting receiving excellent or good training on MRSA-related topics, this did not translate to excellent or good education for patients, suggesting that health care workers need additional training for educating patients. Population-specific MRSA prevention educational materials may also assist providers in educating patients about MRSA prevention for individuals with SCI/D.
Regulation of AMPA Receptor Trafficking and Synaptic Plasticity

AMPA receptors (AMPARs) mediate the majority of fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain. Dynamic changes in neuronal synaptic efficacy, termed synaptic plasticity, are thought to underlie information coding and storage in learning and memory. One major mechanism that regulates synaptic strength involves the tightly regulated trafficking of AMPARs into and out of synapses. The life cycle of AMPARs from their biosynthesis, membrane trafficking, and synaptic targeting to their degradation are controlled by a series of orchestrated interactions with numerous intracellular regulatory proteins. Here we review recent progress made toward the understanding the regulation of AMPAR trafficking, focusing on the roles of several key intracellular AMPAR interacting proteins.
The effect of chitosan on transcellular and paracellular mechanisms in the intestinal epithelial barrier.

Abstract Chitosan is employed as an absorption enhancer for drug delivery strategies. Aim of this study was to investigate the rapid effects on barrier properties of the intestinal epithelial cell model HT-29/B6. Chitosan (0.005%) induced a fast decrease in transepithelial resistance (Rt) which was completely reversible after wash-out. Two-path impedance spectroscopy revealed that chitosan affects both, the paracellular (Rpara) and the transcellular (Rtrans) resistance. pH-dependence and inhibition of both effects by negatively charged heparin indicated a chitosan action only in the protonated form. The decrease in Rtrans was mediated by activation of a chloride-bicarbonate exchanger involved in intracellular pH regulation. This activation was coupled to the decrease in Rpara which was associated with an increase in ion permeability and permeability for paracellular flux markers up to 10 kDa. No effects on expression and subcellular distribution of tight junction (TJ) proteins or the actin cytoskeleton were observed. Accordingly, inhibition of actin–myosin interaction, Ca2+-dependent intracellular signaling, PKC, PI3K/Akt, MAP kinase p38, and endocytosis pathways did not impair the chitosan effect. These results suggest that the rapid and reversible absorption-enhancing chitosan effect is due to changes in intracellular pH caused by the activation of a chloride-bicarbonate exchanger resulting in the opening of the TJ.
ECOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF HYPOXIS SESSILIS AND H. WRIGHTII (HYPOXIDACEAE) IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA

Etude de la reproduction et des variations morphologiques de l'inflorescence. Implications systematiques
Sensitivity analysis of periodic errors in heterodyne interferometry

Periodic errors in heterodyne displacement measuring interferometry occur due to frequency mixing in the interferometer. These nonlinearities are typically characterized as first- and second-order periodic errors which cause a cyclical (non-cumulative) variation in the reported displacement about the true value. This study implements an existing analytical periodic error model in order to identify sensitivities of the first- and second-order periodic errors to the input parameters, including rotational misalignments of the polarizing beam splitter and mixing polarizer, non-orthogonality of the two laser frequencies, ellipticity in the polarizations of the two laser beams, and different transmission coefficients in the polarizing beam splitter. A local sensitivity analysis is first conducted to examine the sensitivities of the periodic errors with respect to each input parameter about the nominal input values. Next, a variance-based approach is used to study the global sensitivities of the periodic errors by calculating the Sobol' sensitivity indices using Monte Carlo simulation. The effect of variation in the input uncertainty on the computed sensitivity indices is examined. It is seen that the first-order periodic error is highly sensitive to non-orthogonality of the two linearly polarized laser frequencies, while the second-order error is most sensitive to the rotational misalignment between the laser beams and the polarizing beam splitter. A particle swarm optimization technique is finally used to predict the possible setup imperfections based on experimentally generated values for periodic errors.
Theory of Polarized Particles and Gamma Rays in Nuclear Reactions

The complete specification of the spin states of a particle of spin $i$ resulting from a nuclear reaction requires a knowledge of all irreducible spin tensor moments ${{T}_{\ensuremath{\kappa}}}^{q}(|\ensuremath{\kappa}|\ensuremath{\le}q\ensuremath{\le}2i)$. A general calculation is made of the spin tensor moments arising from a nuclear reaction initiated by an arbitrarily polarized initial beam. All sums over magnetic quantum numbers are performed by the use of the $S$ matrix and Racah formalisms. The results are expressed in terms of the $G$ function which is related to the Fano $X$ function. All selection rules follow from the properties of the $G$ function. In particular, a generalization of the Eisner-Sachs selection rules are given. The problem of the detection of polarized particles is considered.The $S$-matrix formalism is extended to include the possibility of gamma-rays in nuclear reactions. Analogous formulas to those of Blatt and Biedenharn are given for the angular distribution of gamma-rays. A simple recipe yields a general result for the polarization and angular distribution of radiation from aligned nuclei. Finally, the theory is extended to include the possibility of an arbitrarily polarized target nucleus as well.
The Role of CSF-1 in Normal and Neoplastic Breast Physiology

Colony stimulating factor (CSF-1) and its receptor (CSF-1R, product of c-fms proto-oncogene) were initially implicated as essential for normal monocyte development as well as for trophoblastic implantation. However, recent findings have suggested that CSF-1 and CSF-1R might have additional roles in mammary gland development during pregnancy and lactation. Studies with osteopetrotic (op-/op-) mice, which bear a specific mutation that inactivates the CSF-1 gene, demonstrated that op-/op- mothers are incapable of normal milk production due to the incomplete development of their mammary glands during pregnancy. Also, significant increases in the levels of CSF-1 and CSF-1R proteins are observed in the epithelial cells of mammary gland during pregnancy and lactation. In vitro studies investigating the effect of the three major lactogenic hormones (prolactin, insulin, and glucocorticoids) on the expression of CSF-1 and CSF-1R have demonstrated that expression of CSF-1 can be regulated by prolactin and insulin whereas CSF-1R expression is regulated by glucocorticoids. This apparent role for CSF-1/CSF-1R in normal mammary gland development is very intriguing because this receptor/ligand pair has also been found to be important in the biology of breast cancer, where they regulate tumor cell invasion by a urokinase-dependent mechanism. This review aims to summarize recent findings on the role of CSF-1 and its receptor in normal and neoplastic mammary development which may elucidate potential relationships of growth factor-induced biological changes in the breast during pregnancy and tumor progression.
Can gap junctions deliver

In vivo delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to target cells via the extracellular space has been hampered by dilution effects and immune responses. Gap junction-mediated transfer between cells avoids the extracellular space and its associated limitations. Because of these advantages cell based delivery via gap junctions has emerged as a viable alternative for siRNA or miRNA delivery. Here we discuss the advantages and disadvantages of extracellular delivery and cell to cell delivery via gap junction channels composed of connexins. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: The Communicating junctions, composition, structure and characteristics.
Morphology and dynamic sedimentology of the eastern Nile delta shelf

Coleman, J.M., Roberts, H.H., Murray, S.P. and Salama, M., 1981. Morphology and dynamic sedimentology of the eastern Nile delta shelf. Mar. Geol., 42: 301-326 Some 13,000 km of bathymetry and overlapping side-scan sonar data were collected over a 4450-km2 area of the eastern Nile River shelf. These data, coupled with more detailed surveys of selected areas, including bottom sampling and current measurements, contribute to the understanding of shelf morphology, lithofacies relationships, and sediment transport processes. Four morphologic zones were defined: Zone 1. Smooth-bottomed, flocculated clays and silty clays extending from the shore-line 40 km seaward to the 25-m contour. Zone 2. A sand belt (5-20 km wide) extending eastward from the Damietta mouth and curving toward the coast at the boundary of the study area. Dominant bottom features were migratory bedforms of various dimensions superimposed on linear sand ridges. Zone 3. Smooth clay to silty-clay bottom topography punctuated with distinct algal mounds. The mounds (up to 10 m relief) are composed of living coralline algae, which contribute coarse debris to the surrounding sediments. Zone 4. Mud diapirs and shelf-edge slumps characterize this distal part of the shelf and the upper slope. Sand on the inner shelf is actively migrating and probably does not represent a relict deposit. The Damietta distributary causes a large-scale perturbation in the mean easterly drift along the Egyptian coast. Unusually strong currents, capable of transporting and reworking large volumes of sand, are associated with an eddy trapped behind this feature. The directionality of these currents and the curvature of the eddy axis correspond well to the distribution pattern of sand on the inner shelf.
Performance of Silicon Carbide Avalanche Photodiode Arrays and Photomultipliers

We present recent results on 4H-SiC avalanche photodiode arrays and SiC-based solid-state photomultiplier arrays suitable for ultraviolet and solar-blind light detection. A novel SiC-based photomultiplier array was demonstrated. An additional solar-blind filter enabled a solar photon rejection ratio of more than 106 in combination with 40% quantum efficiency at 280 nm.
Multitext Grammars and synchronous parsers

Multitext Grammars (MTGs) generate arbitrarily many parallel texts via production rules of arbitrary length. Both ordinary MTGs and their bilexical subclass admit relatively efficient parsers. Yet, MTGs are more expressive than other synchronous formalisms for which parsers have been described in the literature. The combination of greater expressive power and relatively low cost of inference makes MTGs an attractive foundation for practical models of translational equivalence.
Using adaptive lossless compression to characterize network traffic

Detecting anomalies in network traffic is a challenging task, not only because of the inherent difficulty of identifying anomalies such as intrusions [1] but also because of the sheer volume of data. In this paper, we attempt to extend existing work in the field of steganalysis to the problem of detecting anomalies in network traffic. By losslessly compressing network traffic using an adaptive compression algorithm, we postulate that it is possible to characterize normal network traffic. Once typical traffic has been defined, it is possible to identify anomalous traffic as the traffic that does not compress well.
Explaining the Appeal of Sales Careers: A Comparison of Black and White College Students

As firms attempt to broaden the racial diversity of their corporate sales force through recruiting activities, the perceptions of sales careers held by college recruits is an important issue. Although both black and white college students rate sales careers as being less appealing, previous research suggests that students differ in how they reach this conclusion. The purpose of this investigation, therefore, is to examine the basis for the low appeal ratings normally ascribed to sales careers by black and white college students. The findings of this study suggest that black and white students attach a similar importance to the job attributes of starting salary, autonomy, and education when rating sales career options. These findings imply that educational efforts aimed at improving the perceptions of the salary and autonomy levels offered by a career in sales can be equally effective for both racial minority and majority students.
Solid Fabry-Perot etalons for X-rays

Abstract Solid Fabry-Perot etalons for X-rays have been constructed using sputter deposition techniques, each etalon consisting of two Layered Synthetic Microstructures (LSM) Bragg diffraction structures separated by a carbon spacer. The individual LS mirrors contain fifteen tungsten layers ( t w = 8.5 A) separated by carbon layers ( t c = 19.1 A. The thick carbon spacers act as resonant cavities; for the structures reported on here the spacer thicknesses, t sp , are 496.6 A and 981 A. The structures were characterized at grazing incidence in reflection using Cu Kα (λ = 1.5418 A) radiation. The measured response of the etalons agrees well with calculation. Observed reflection efficiencies for Cu K α were approximately 50 percent of that calculated. This discrepancy is believed to be the result of the interfacial roughness (∼3.25 A) between component layers and the sensitivity of the etalon response to the divergence of the incident X-ray beam.
Adhesive slip process between a carbon nanotube and a substrate

Since their discovery in 1991, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been attractive components for nanoelectromechanical (NEM) devices because of their excellent mechanical and electrical properties. Several CNT-based NEM devices have been reported. Experimental investigations have discovered that the force required for a CNT to slip on a SiO2 substrate is almost constant in the range of contact lengths from 140 to 246?nm and increases with the contact length for greater lengths. This study develops a theory based on the continuum mechanics to explain this observed phenomenon. The critical force needed to cause the CNT to slip over the whole substrate is determined by applying a beam theory which includes the bending, shear, and axial deformations of the CNT. At the stick?slip transition, the work of adhesion contributes a concentrated force and a concentrated moment to produce discontinuities in the internal forces and moments of the CNT. The modelling results obtained here provide the external force required for complete slip versus a dimensionless parameter related to the shear stress and the contact length. A comparison of the modelling result and the experimental data from the literature shows good agreement.
Solving PDEs in modern multiphysics simulation software

Needs and expectations of nowadays science require not only precise description of certain natural and physics phenomena, but also a capability to model and predict their future state. There are many physics and mathematical models already created and described, some of them are developed many years ago; however, solving the models remains a challenge till date. Due to research advances in computer science field, the challenge can be faced using modern software tools, called multiphysics simulators. In this paper, three systems using finite element method are presented. Structure, concept of solving problems, capacity, performance, and weak and strong sides of these systems are described and discussed. Goal of the analysis is to find bottlenecks in the systems. These bottlenecks are caused by limitations of hardware used, which can be overcome using other technologies. We propose Graphic Processing Units (GPUs) and Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) as the solutions significantly increasing performance of multiphysics simulators.
Modification of heat resistance in Drosophila by selection

WHAT functional component of an animal is most sensitive to heat? We discuss here two reasonable possibilities which have quite different implications. If heat injury is mediated primarily by enzyme inactivation, then natural selection may well have brought a large number of enzymes to the point where a given duration at a high temperature should cause a comparably critical loss in the activity of each. If this is the case, then selection for increased heat resistance would require simultaneous responses at many enzyme loci, as one sensitive enzyme would make the increased stability of the others worthless. In genetic terms, the sensitive enzyme would be epistatic to the rest. On the other hand, if cell or tissue damage is the first effect of excessive heat, then heat resistance is likely to be a quantitative characteristic, with a considerable additive genetic component. Selection for increased thermostability should be possible. In either case, selection for reduced heat resistance should be relatively rapid, as temperature-sensitive mutants would, as a class, probably be frequent enough to dominate the situation.
Sediment-water exchange of methylmercury determined from shipboard benthic flux chambers

Abstract Benthic mobilization is an important pathway by which organisms in aquatic systems may be exposed to monomethylmercury (MMHg) produced in sediments. We have developed a shipboard method for measuring MMHg effluxes from undisturbed sediment cores. This approach was used at multiple locations in a temperate coastal system, New York/New Jersey Harbor, during summer (August 2003) and winter conditions (February 2004). MMHg fluxes at the sediment–water interface were determined with shipboard benthic flux chambers (SBFCs), an intact core of sediment and overlying water that is stirred inductively and incubated under in situ conditions. For all locations and each period, sediments were a net source of MMHg; levels in water overlying sediments increased as a linear function of incubation time, and associated fluxes varied less than 10% relative standard error among replicate chambers with sediment from the same sampling location and period. Seasonality was evident with measured MMHg fluxes (pmol m − 2 d − 1 ) ranging from 39 to 55 among locations in February and 71–92 in August. Fluxes determined with the SBFCs were compared with diffusional effluxes estimated from gradients of MMHg in pore water of the same sediments (SBFC:diffusional flux ratio). SBFC:diffusional flux ratios ranged from 0.9 to 1.4 in August and 2.3–4.3 in February. SBFC:diffusional flux ratios, which correlate positively with dissolved oxygen (DO) in bottom waters, suggest that MMHg mobilization is largely diffusional when DO is less than about 80% saturation and enhanced at greater levels. Further, increased MMHg fluxes are likely due to increased bioirrigation. This is consistent with the observed positive relationship between macrofauna abundance and DO. Thus, benthic MMHg fluxes, which are enhanced relative to diffusion when DO in bottom waters is near saturation, may be linked to increased abundance and/or activity of infauna that irrigate sediment. Improving oxygen conditions, therefore, could increase sediment–water effluxes of MMHg in NY/NJ Harbor and comparable coastal marine systems.
Modulation of intense relativistic electron beams by an external microwave source.

A novel mechanism capable of efficiently modulating intense relativistic electron beams is reported. This mechanism uses unique properties of slow and fast charge-density waves on an intense beam of a finite transverse dimension. The mechanism was investigated with use of an external microwave energy to excite these waves on a beam. Large-amplitude coherent and monochromatic current oscillations were detected on the electron beam at the same frequency as the external source. With use of this mechanism it becomes possible to construct efficient microwave amplifiers suitable for large rf accelerators.
Cell adhesion to proteins separated by lithium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and blotted onto a polyvinylidene difluoride membrane: a new cell-blotting technique.

Cell blotting, although conceptually simple, has failed to achieve wide practical application. Described here is a new cell-blotting technique which involves cell adhesion to protein bands after separation by lithium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (LDS-PAGE) and blotting onto polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membrane at 4 degrees C. Cell bands adherent on PVDF are detected using hematoxylin, or propidium iodide (PI) staining followed by viewing under ultraviolet (UV) light. The technique allows quick microscopic visualization of adherent cells composing the bands, without requiring clearing of the membrane. Representative cell adhesion proteins from different sources, i.e., plant lectins (e.g., phytohemagglutinin, PHA; concanavalin A, ConA; and wheat germ agglutinin, WGA); extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins; and integral membrane proteins (e.g., recombinant soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, rs VCAM-1) were tested for cell binding by the new cell-blotting technique using human lymphoid progenitor (NALM-6) and myeloid progenitor (KG1a) cell lines. Cell adhesion proteins retained their adhesion function in all cases tested. Specificity of cell binding on PVDF blot was demonstrated by inhibition of cell adhesion to WGA protein bands using an appropriate sugar, i.e., N-acetyl D-glucosamine. The cell blotting assay was comparable in sensitivity to Coomassie blue staining of protein bands. The ability to conduct protein extraction, separation and blotting at low temperature avoids thermal denaturation, thereby preserving the adhesion properties of the proteins. The electrophoretic/blotting system has unique detergent removal/protein renaturation properties and the ability to preserve functionally active adhesion protein complexes. The cell-blotting technique described is sufficiently robust for routine application in the investigation of novel cell adhesion proteins.
Low-temperature hydrocarbon conversion over rare-earth-exchanged zeolite X catalyst

Abstract n-Alkanes and other petroleum fractions were converted in the liquid phase below 345°C over a rare earth exchanged catalyst. Compared to vapor phase cracking above 450°C, an increase in liquid product with reduced light gas production was observed. However, catalyst productivity, gram product per gram of catalyst, was found to be dependent on the chemical composition of the feed. Results suggest that the yield of premium gasoline and distillate products could be increased significantly if the crude oils were refined by first separating the oil into chemical fractions, rather than the current practice of boiling point fractionation. It is also noted that when the cracking reaction was carried out at geological temperatures, i.e. below 200°C, olefinic products were absent, reminiscent of the non-aromatic portion of crude oils found in nature. If one accepts the premise that the reaction time needed to achieve a given conversion is inversely proportional to the activity of a catalyst, then superactive zeolite catalysts may be suitable for mimicking the catalytic action of native clay minerals in the reservoir. By doing so, one could compress the geological time scale of millions of years to hours without raising the reaction temperature in studying geocatalysis in the laboratory.
The Effect of Resolution on the Depiction of Central Pressure for an Intense Oceanic Extratropical Cyclone

Abstract The effect of resolution on the depiction of central sea level pressure for an intense oceanic extratropical cyclone is examined through a one-dimensional Fourier analysis. Profiles of sea level pressure were manually interpolated along the latitude passing through the storm center from two subjective analyses and the 00-, 24-, and 48-h NMC Nested-Grid Model (NGM) forecasts, all valid at 0000 UTC 5 January 1989. At this time, the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA) intensive observing period 4 (IOP 4) cyclone attained its maximum intensity, with a central pressure of 936 mb at 41°N, 58°W in an analysis prepared by Frederick Sanders. After the Fourier coefficients were determined for each pressure profile they were used to recompute a series of pressure profiles truncated at various maximum wavenumbers λmax. The central sea level pressures obtained from these truncated profiles asymptotically approach the central pressure of the original profile as λmax increases....
A new frontier in pharmacology: the endoplasmic reticulum as a regulated export pathway in health and disease

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER), the first secretory compartment of eukaryotic cells, co-ordinates the biogenesis and export of all membrane-bound and soluble cargo molecules to the cell surface. ER function is now recognised to have unprecedented links with signalling pathways regulating cell growth and differentiation and host physiology. Misfolding and aggregation of newly synthesised proteins in the ER or alterations in ER processing of cargo mediated by pathogens is responsible for a broad range of diseases including cystic fibrosis, emphysema and neuropathies such as Alzheimer’s disease. The central, integrative role of the ER in determining cell physiology in health and disease represents an untapped area for pharmacological intervention. This review focuses on the potential use of pharmacological agents to modulate cargo selection, folding and degradation in the ER with the goal of alleviating ER export disease. In addition, implementation of novel technologies that utilise normal ER function to st...
Thermal degradation of 3-deoxy-D-erythro-hexosulose

Abstract 3-Deoxy- D - erythro -hexosulose is less stable than normal carbohydrates and polymerizes within the range 100–200°. The polymerization is accompanied by dehydration, fission, and rearrangement reactions which produce water, furan derivatives, carbonyl compounds of low molecular weight, saccharinic acid, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. Heating at higher temperatures results in charring of the polymeric material and further dehydration, fission, and disproportionation reactions which provide a variety of secondary pyrolysis products. The dehydration reactions are catalyzed by the addition of zinc chloride, and the fission reactions by the addition of sodium carbonate.
Subsurface Damage Characterization with Nonlinear High Numerical Microscopy

Sub-surface damage characterization occurs in semiconductor device fabrication, like diamond turning and milling. Third harmonic generation (THG) microscopy can help to characterize subsurface damage, because nanometer sized asperities caused by defects amplify the THG signal.
Represented Communities: Fiji and World Decolonization

Represented Communities: Fiji and World Decolonization. John D. Kelly and Martha Kaplan. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2001. vii. 243 pp., photographs, notes, bibliography, index.
Inter-α inhibitor proteins in infants and decreased levels in neonatal sepsis

Objective Adjunctive tests are needed to predict sepsis in the newborn and to lower the rate or duration of unnecessary antibiotic use. We evaluated the normal Inter-α inhibitor protein (IaIp) values in infants and the association of plasma levels of IaIp with sepsis in term and preterm newborns. Methods Plasma IaIp levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in samples from 135 newborn infants at a wide range of gestational ages (24–42 weeks). IaIp levels were also determined in 19 infants undergoing prospective evaluation for sepsis. ResultsIaIp levels in umbilical cord blood and circulating peripheral blood of healthy newborn infants (525±66 mg/L) were not significantly different from the level in healthy adults (691±80 mg/L). IaIp levels were similar in infants between 24 and 42 weeks gestational age. There was a significant reduction in IaIp levels in infants with sepsis compared with nonseptic controls (169±126 mg/L vs 613±286 mg/L, P<.0001). ConclusionsIaIp levels in the blood of newborns are independent of gestational age and similar to adults. IaIp levels are significantly reduced in infants with bacterial sepsis and might serve as an adjunctive diagnostic marker to allow prospective reduction of antibiotic use.
A simple solution method for the first boundary value problem of the polyharmonic equation

Integral representation formulas are derived for the solution of the polyharmonic equation in an n-dimensional hypersphere and in an n-dimensional half-space when the normal derivatives are given on the boundaries of these domains. The solution method utilizes the Goursat-Almansi formula to represent an m-polyharmonic function in terms of m harmonic functions for the given domain. The harmonic functions are then determined from an iteratively denned system of m Dirichlet problems.