cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thoracoscopic left atrial appendectomy and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in a patient with cardiogenic stroke combined with acute aortic dissection

The simultaneous occurrence of cardiogenic stroke and acute aortic dissection is rare, and its treatment remains unclear. Although anticoagulation therapy is usually chosen for cardiogenic stroke due to atrial fibrillation, it is inappropriate for acute aortic dissection. Recently, thoracoscopic left atrial appendectomy (TLAA) has been suggested as an alternative for anticoagulation. We herein report a case of a 78-year-old man with combined cardiogenic stroke and acute aortic dissection in whom thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed after TLAA. Although anticoagulants were discontinued after TLAA, there was no recurrence of stroke, and he underwent TEVAR safely. This case indicates that TLAA followed by TEVAR is an ideal treatment for combined cardiogenic stroke and acute aortic dissection and also suggests a new indication of TLAA.
A vision-based system for robotic inspection of marine vessels

This paper presents a novel intelligent system for the automatic visual inspection of vessels consisting of three processing levels: (a) data acquisition: images are collected using a magnetic climbing robot equipped with a low-cost monocular camera for hull inspection; (b) feature extraction: all the images are characterized by 12 features consisting of color moments in each channel of the HSV space; (c) classification: a novel tool, based on an ensemble of classifiers, is proposed to classify sub-images as rust or non-rust. This paper provides a helpful roadmap to guide future research on the detection of rusting of metals using image processing.
Unraveling Missing Genes and Missing Inheritance in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.

See Article by Pilichou et al Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is an enigmatic inherited cardiomyopathy characterized by fibro-fatty replacement of cardiac myocytes and ventricular arrhythmias.1–3 When affecting predominantly the right ventricle, this disease is referred as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. The prevalence of AC in the general population has been estimated in a range from 1 in 2000 to 1 in 5000 individuals. Clinically, it is characterized by palpitations, syncope, and sudden cardiac death because of ventricular arrhythmias. This cardiomyopathy is a major cause of sudden cardiac death in the young people and in athletes.1–3 To date, there is no effective pharmacological therapy for this deadly cardiac disease, which may require implantable defibrillators and heart transplantation at the advanced stage.4 AC is a hereditary autosomal dominant disease with reduced penetrance and variable clinical expression. Thus far, 5 causal genes have been identified, all coding for desmosomal proteins.5 These known causal desmosomal genes are plakoglobin ( JUP ), desmoplakin ( DSP ), plakophilin-2 ( PKP2 ), desmoglein-2 ( DSG2 ), and democollin-2 ( DSC2 ). Desmosomal proteins are structural proteins important for cell–cell attachment and communication. PKP2 is the most common causal gene for AC, accounting for up to 43% of the cases.6–8 Most of PKP2 mutations are loss-of-function mutations resulting in reduced expression of PKP2 (haploinsufficiency6,9). Atypical forms of AC are caused by mutations in nondesmosomal genes, such as transforming growth factor-β-3 ( TGFβ3 ), cardiac ryanodine receptor ( RYR2 ), transmembrane protein 43 ( TMEM43 ), and lamin A/C ( LMNA ). Current diagnostic strategies rely on next-generation DNA sequencing that has poor sensitivity for genomic deletions and identifies causative variants in only ≈50% of the AC cases, leaving half of cases with unknown genetic cause. To address …
Diclofenac, carbamazepine and triclocarban biodegradation in agricultural soils and the microorganisms and metabolic pathways affected

Abstract The incomplete elimination of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) during wastewater treatment has resulted in their detection in the environment. PPCP biodegradation is a potential removal mechanism; however, the microorganisms and pathways involved in soils are generally unknown. Here, the biodegradation of diclofenac (DCF), carbamazepine (CBZ) and triclocarban (TCC) in four agricultural soils at concentrations typically detected in soils and biosolids (50 ng g−1) was examined. Rapid DCF removal (
Cystic Lesions of the Thyroid

Thyroid cysts are common lesions that most often result from cystic degeneration in an adenomatous nodule. However, any type of thyroid nodule can undergo cystic degeneration, including follicular adenomas, follicular carcinomas, Hurthle cell neoplasms, and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). In some studies, as many as 15–25% of solitary thyroid nodules and up to 37% of all thyroid nodules are at least partially cystic. Often the cysts evolve secondary to hemorrhagic degeneration within the nodule. In addition to cystic degeneration of follicular-derived lesions, other nonfollicular cysts including thyroglossal duct cysts, branchial cleft-like cysts, and parathyroid cysts can also occur in or near the thyroid gland and are amenable to fine needle aspiration (FNA).
Quasar Radio Morphology and Environment at z~1/2

The radio morphology of thirty radio-loud quasars at z ~ 1/2 is studied as a function of cluster galaxy density using data available in the literature. While correlations between several morphological parameters of the radio emission are consistent with interactions with an intracluster medium (ICM), we do not see the correlation between galaxy density and quasar radio morphology expected from ICM interaction. Therefore, distorted radio morphology is not an indicator for the presence of a distant cluster as previously suggested. Because such correlations are found at z ~ 0, these results are suggestive that the rich clusters containing quasars at z ~ 1/2 have not yet developed a dense ICM. An inelastic collision with neighboring galaxies and intergalactic clouds can account for the morphology of several of the sources in this sample and is a viable alternative explanation.
Poly(α-ester)s

Abstract The poly(α-ester)s are perhaps the most well known biomedical polymers and include polylactides, polyglycolides, poly(lactide-co-glycolides), polycaprolactones, and bacterial and other recombinant polyesters. Interestingly, these degradable polymers are tunable and have application beyond medicine. The polylactides and polyglycolides have the most extensive breadth of use, spanning research to the clinic, the polycaprolactones the next extensive, while the bacterial and recombinant polyesters are found in research and have not yet gained clinical traction. This chapter provides background regarding formulation and processing of these unique materials. A brief look is given to current and future biomedical applications.
On the Value of the Humanities in Academic Advising: A Conversation with Peter Hagen

Janet Schulenberg and Junhow Wei, editors at The Mentor , interview Peter Hagen about the process of writing his book The Power of Story: Narrative Theory in Academic Advising (2018) and how his thoughts on academic advising have evolved over time. In particular, Hagen reflects on the relative value of humanistic versus social scientific approaches in advising scholarship and practice.
PSPICE Implementation of Block-Wise Shut-Down Technique for 8 × 8 Bit Low Power Pipelined Booth Multiplier

VLSI continues to shrink the feature size of transistors. Nowadays the technology is advancing to deep submicron level in which leakage power becomes dominant in VLSI power consumption. Traditional logic shut-down technique only eliminates dynamic power when circuit is idling, but leakage power cannot be eliminated. To eliminate leakage power, the voltage source (Vdd) should be completely shut down when circuit is idle. However, shutting down and enabling Vdd in a large circuit results in a large transient current, which may lead to error of circuit. Block-wise shut-down technique has been reported by researchers to avoid this issue. It shuts down and recovers back Vdd of blocks in a pipelined circuit sequentially when circuit is idle. This totally eliminates leakage power, while avoiding the large transient current in circuit, hence resulting in less glitches. To verify its effectiveness in power saving, we implemented block-wise logic shut-down in an 8 × 8 pipelined Booth multiplier. Whenever the multiplier is idle, supply voltage is turned off block-by-block, eliminating both dynamic and static power. The schematic of the circuit is designed using PSPICE. Simulation results verify the correct function and the expected shut-down of the designed Booth multiplier. PSPICE power simulation demonstrates effective power saving of the Booth multiplier for the given input pattern sequence.
Mean Square Stability Analysis of Stochastic Continuous-Time Linear Networked Systems

In this technical note, we study the mean square stability based analysis of stochastic continuous-time linear networked systems. The stochastic uncertainty is assumed to enter multiplicatively in system dynamics through input and output channels of the plant. Necessary and sufficient conditions for mean square exponential stability are expressed in terms of the input–output property of deterministic or nominal system dynamics captured by the mean square system norm and variance of channel uncertainty. The stability results can also be interpreted as a small-gain theorem for continuous-time stochastic systems. Linear matrix inequalities based optimization formulation is provided for the computation of mean square system norm for the stability analysis. For a special case of single-input channel uncertainty, we also prove a fundamental limitation result that arises in the mean square exponential stabilization of the continuous-time linear system. Overall, the contributions in this technical note generalize the existing results on stability analysis from discrete-time linear systems to continuous-time linear systems with multiplicative uncertainty. Simulation results are presented for Western System Coordinating Council 9-bus power system to demonstrate the application of the developed framework.
Candida Parapsilosis associated rice bodies in the extensor compartment of the wrist--an emerging finding

Candida parapsilosis has been considered an emerging pathogen with increasing incidence reported in the literature. As a normal commensal of human skin, it is likely that Candida species could gain access to soft tissues of the hand and wrist by direct inoculation, resulting in an infectious tenosynovitis. With the increased prevalence of intravenous drug use (IVDU), users are at increasing risk for musculoskeletal infections including soft tissue abscesses, cellulitis, tenosynovitis, and septic arthritis. Chronic tenosynovitis, with rice body formation in particular, is a comparatively rare musculoskeletal infection. Knowledge of this entity, the related pathogens, imaging findings, and the treatment plan is important not only to the treating clinician, but also to radiologists as the physiological and anatomic consequences can be detrimental to patient recovery.
Use of Pamidronate for Hypercalcemia of Malignancy in Renal Dysfunction

Background:Few studies have been conducted investigating the use of bisphosphonates in hypercalcemia of malignancy (HCM) in the setting of renal dysfunction.Objective:The primary objective was to c...
The Future of Online Advertising: Thoughts on Emerging Issues in Privacy, Information Bubbles, and Disinformation

Online advertising has exceeded television, to became the largest revenue advertising category in the United States [146], [147]. Some of the reasons for this success are online advertising's unique capabilities for measurement and personalized ad delivery. However, this success also presents new challenges for society. The same technology used for selling products can be employed as a tool for mass persuasion. This paper examines three aspects of this problem: data privacy, information bubbles, and false information. The paper offers some thoughts on addressing each problem.
Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound Use in Pediatric Patients With Penetrating Traumatic Brain Injuries

Abstract The purpose of this article is to increase awareness of the usefulness of transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound as a noninvasive neuromonitor and bedside ultrasound in pediatric patients who have experienced a penetrative traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a result of a firearm. To date, the use of TCD is not standard of care in pediatric TBI patients. TCD is a portable ultrasound that can be performed in any care environment. The use of TCD in pediatric TBI studies have demonstrated abnormalities in cerebral blood flow velocity, autoregulation, and embolic events; all of which have been associated with poor neurocognitive and functional outcomes. A penetrating brain injury as a result of a firearm is associated with ongoing vascular injury and thereby an increased risk for poor neurologic sequelae. We discuss two exemplars of TCD use in children who experienced a firearm-related penetrating TBI and their TCD findings. Both exemplars identified the unique insights provided by TCD that were unappreciated by clinical observation. This article provides early evidence for the use of TCD as a neuromonitor in pediatric penetrating TBI.
Refusal of cancer-directed treatment by colon cancer patients: Risk factors and survival outcomes.

Abstract Aim Surgery with or without chemotherapy represent the only curative option for patients with colon cancer. However, some patients refuse treatment despite the recommendation. This study aims to identify the incidence, risk factors and impact on survival associated with refusal. Methods A National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) analysis between 1998 and 2012 was performed. We identified 924,290 patients with potentially treatable colon cancer. Patients who underwent treatment were compared with patients that refused. Results 7152 patients refused surgery. On multivariable analysis, patients were more likely to refuse if they were older (OR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.14–1.15), female (OR = 1.20; 95% CI 1.12–1.28), African American (vs White, OR = 2.30; 95% CI 2.10–2.51) or on Medicaid (vs private, OR = 3.06; 95% CI 2.49–43.77). Overall survival was worse in patients that refused surgery [median survival 6.8 vs 24 months, Cox hazard ratio (HR) 3.41; 95%CI 3.12–3.60]. Furthermore, 11,334 patients with path. stage III disease refused adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions Refusal of treatment affects survival and is independently associated with several variables (gender, race, insurance status), therefore raising the concern that socioeconomic factors may drive decisions.
Perceptions of Beginning Public School Principals.

This study was designed to determine the level of competency that beginning principals perceived they had in their primary areas of responsibility when appointed to the position. Secondarily, the s...
Relational meaning in life as a predictor of interpersonal well-being: A prospective analysis

Abstract The present study examined personal meaning in life as a predictor of a range of interpersonal well-being outcomes (e.g., positive friendship functions, family life satisfaction, positive relationships). Furthermore, relational meaning in life was examined as a predictor of interpersonal well-being outcomes, above and beyond personal meaning in life. The study implemented a prospective design within a community adult sample. Personal meaning in life was found to account for a significant amount of variance in all of the interpersonal well-being outcomes examined for in the present study. Relational meaning in life accounted for a significant amount of unique variance above and beyond personal meaning in life for several interpersonal well-being outcomes. Findings highlight the importance of considering relational meaning in life, especially when the outcomes are interpersonal.
Mucolipidoses Overview: Past, Present, and Future

Mucolipidosis II and III (ML II/III) are caused by a deficiency of uridine-diphosphate N-acetylglucosamine: lysosomal-enzyme-N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase (GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase, EC2.7.8.17), which tags lysosomal enzymes with a mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) marker for transport to the lysosome. The process is performed by a sequential two-step process: first, GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase catalyzes the transfer of GlcNAc-1-phosphate to the selected mannose residues on lysosomal enzymes in the cis-Golgi network. The second step removes GlcNAc from lysosomal enzymes by N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphodiester α-N-acetylglucosaminidase (uncovering enzyme) and exposes the mannose 6-phosphate (M6P) residues in the trans-Golgi network, in which the enzymes are targeted to the lysosomes by M6Preceptors. A deficiency of GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase causes the hypersecretion of lysosomal enzymes out of cells, resulting in a shortage of multiple lysosomal enzymes within lysosomes. Due to a lack of GlcNAc-1-phosphotransferase, the accumulation of cholesterol, phospholipids, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and other undegraded substrates occurs in the lysosomes. Clinically, ML II and ML III exhibit quite similar manifestations to mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs), including specific skeletal deformities known as dysostosis multiplex and gingival hyperplasia. The life expectancy is less than 10 years in the severe type, and there is no definitive treatment for this disease. In this review, we have described the updated diagnosis and therapy on ML II/III.
Memories on the Trail: Families Connecting their Prior Informal Learning Experiences to the Natural World during Nature Walks:

This study examined the importance of memories of informal learning experiences as families shared their prior experiences during meaning-making talk during nature walks. The families’ memories cam...
Vitamin D sufficiency enhances differentiation of patient-derived prostate epithelial organoids

Vitamin D is an essential steroid hormone that regulates systemic calcium homeostasis and cell fate decisions. The prostate gland is hormonally regulated, requiring steroids for proliferation and differentiation of secretory luminal cells. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of lethal prostate cancer, which exhibits a dedifferentiated pathology, linking vitamin D sufficiency to epithelial differentiation. To determine vitamin D regulation of prostatic epithelial differentiation, patient-derived benign prostate epithelial organoids were grown in vitamin D-deficient or -sufficient conditions. Organoids were assessed by phenotype and single-cell RNA sequencing. Mechanistic validation demonstrated that vitamin D sufficiency promoted organoid growth and accelerated differentiation by inhibiting canonical Wnt activity and suppressing Wnt family member DKK3. Wnt and DKK3 were also reduced by vitamin D in prostate tissue explants by spatial transcriptomics. Wnt dysregulation is a known contributor to aggressive prostate cancer, thus findings further link vitamin D deficiency to lethal disease.
Evaluating an Oncology Video Curriculum Designed to Promote Asynchronous Subspecialty Learning for Internal Medicine Residents.

Internal medicine (IM) residents frequently see patients in subspecialty clinics. However, there are few published core subspecialty curricula targeted to residents’ learning and practical needs, and little guidance exists regarding delivery of core subspecialty content to residents rotating across multiple clinical sites. Our study objective was to evaluate a novel oncology video curriculum for IM residents as a model for asynchronous subspecialty resident learning. Using the cognitive theory of multimedia learning, we developed a five-part oncology video curriculum targeted specifically to the needs of IM residents. All second- and third-year residents rotating in oncology clinics from October 2018 to March 2019 at a single training program were invited to participate. We evaluated curricular demand, efficacy, and acceptability, using completion rates, knowledge tests, and a survey. Twenty-eight of 31 (90.3%) residents utilized the curriculum. Resident knowledge improved after utilizing the modules, by 36.9% from pre- to posttests (95% CI [31.3-42.5]; P<0.001) and 13.7% from pre- to delayed posttests (95% CI [7.5-20.0]; P<0.001). Twenty-four of 31 (77.4%) answered the survey. Most residents agreed or strongly agreed that the curriculum contributed to their knowledge (95.2%) and added educational value beyond the clinical rotation (93.1%). Our curriculum evaluation supports the asynchronous delivery of oncology education targeted to the learning needs of IM residents using a novel core video curriculum. These curricular methods provide a model for delivering subspecialty education to IM residents with complex and busy schedules.
Generation of glioblastoma patient-derived organoids and mouse brain orthotopic xenografts for drug screening

Summary Robust patient-derived platforms that recapitulate the cellular and molecular fingerprints of glioblastoma are crucial for developing effective therapies. Here, we describe a chemically defined protocol for 3D culture and propagation of glioblastoma in 3D gliospheres, patient-derived organoids (PDOs), mouse brain orthotopic xenografts (PDOXs), and downstream drug and immunofluorescence assays. This simple-to-follow protocol allows assessing drug sensitivity, on-target activity, and combined drug synergy. Promising therapies can then be validated in PDOXs for translation in precision medicine oncology trials. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Chadwick et al. (2020) and Patrizii et al. (2018) .
Efficient join algorithms for large database tables in a multi-GPU environment

Relational join processing is one of the core functionalities in database management systems. It has been demonstrated that GPUs as a general-purpose parallel computing platform is very promising i...
Chromosome aberrations, DNA damage signaling and chemosensitivity induced by the anticancer agent, irofulven

602 Irofulven (6-hydroxymethylacylfulvene) is one of a new class of anticancer agents that are semi-synthetic derivatives of the mushroom toxin illudin S. Preclinical studies and clinical trials have demonstrated that irofulven is effective against multiple tumor types. While mechanism of action studies suggest that irofulven induces DNA damage, ATM-dependent CHK2 activation, which contributes to S-phase arrest, and apoptosis, little is known regarding the nature and structure of DNA damage caused by irofulven. In this study, the chromosome damage and DNA damage response induced by irofulven, and the correlation between DNA damage signaling and chemosensitivity were investigated. In ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 (p53 wildtype) and CAOV3 (p53 mutant) cells irofulven induces chromosome breaks, triradials and quadriradials as demonstrated by mitotic spreads, suggesting irofulven induces DNA interstrand cross-linking and double strand breaks. Similar chromosome alterations were observed in paired colon cancer cell lines HCT116 and HCT116 p53-/- after irofulven treatment. The mitotic index was unchanged or decreased in all cells after irofulven treatment, indicating that irofulven-induced DNA damage results in cell cycle arrest. More chromosome radial formations and breaks were observed in CAOV3 and HCT116 p53-/- cells than in A2780 and HCT116 cells, suggesting that chromosome aberrations induced by irofulven are related to p53 status. Activation of DNA damage signaling proteins by irofulven induced DNA damage was explored in ovarian cancer cell lines. Phosphorylation of SMC1, NBS1, BRCA1 and p53 was observed after irofulven treatment. Furthermore, immunofluorescent staining indicated that 53BP1 and BRCA1 formed foci at the irofulven-induced damaged sites. To investigate whether the activation of DNA damage signaling proteins might contribute to chemosensitivity, vector and BRCA1-transfected human breast cancer cell line HCC1937, which lacks functional BRCA1, were treated with irofulven. As demonstrated by the colonogenic survival assay, BRCA1 expression conferred increased resistance to irofulven treatment. This observation was further corroborated by increased sensitivity to irofulven observed after knocking down the BRCA1 protein level by RNA interference in SKOV3 cells. In summary, these results indicate that irofulven induces chromosome aberrations and activates important effector proteins of DNA damage response pathways. Among them, BRCA1 contributes to irofulven-induced chemosensitivity. These findings may have clinical implications for irofulven-based therapy given the fact that BRCA1 is frequently mutated in familial breast and ovarian cancers. These observations also suggest that enhanced antitumor activity of irofulven can be achieved by targeted therapy against mediators of the DNA damage-signaling pathway.
Accounting earnings and executive compensation

Abstract A cross-sectional analysis of cash compensation paid to CEOs of 713 US firms reveals that the sensitivity of compensation to earnings varies directly with earnings persistence. Additional analysis indicates that this sensitivity is greater for cases where executives are approaching retirement. Such evidence suggests the use of earnings persistence to counterbalance adverse consequences of earnings-based contracting with managers who face finite decision horizons.
The unanimous voting rule is not the political equivalent to market exchange

The unanimous voting rule is often viewed as analogous tovoluntary market exchange. This paper demonstrates that whenthird-party pecuniary effects exist, this analogy breaks downbecause unlike markets, unanimous voting requires compensationfor these effects. Thus, efficient market outcomes typically willbe rejected by the unanimous voting rule. Even when transactionscosts are low enough to make compensation feasible, the political outcome under unanimity will differ from the market outcome. The distributional effects of unanimityprovide the incentive for people to substitute rent-seekingbehavior for productive activity, and reduce the incentive forproductive change, providing additional reasons why a less-than-unanimous voting rule may be optimal when resources are to beallocated politically.
Novel ubiquitination-like modifications that regulate recombination of immunoglobulin loci gene segments leading to antibody diversification (IRM8P.711)

Programmed DNA mutagenesis events in the immunglobulin (Ig) loci of B cells utilize the common and conserved mechanism of ubiquitination of proteins prior to proteasomal degradation to generate the required antigen-receptor diversity. Recombinase proteins RAG1 and RAG2, required for V(D)J recombination, and activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), an essential mutator protein for catalyzing somatic hypermutation (SHM) and class switch recombination (CSR), are regulated by various ubiquitination events affecting protein stability and activity. AID associates with transcribing RNA polII and non-coding RNA processing complex RNA exosome to introduce DNA lesions in the IgH locus that are required for CSR and SHM. Failure in regulating AID’s DNA mutagenic activity is considered as a primary cause for B cell lymphomagenesis, especially Diffuse Large B cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, we present our recent observations that demonstrate that the AID/RNA exosome/RNA polymerase II complex is regulated by ubiquitination and neddylation modifications. Using proteomics based experiments we have identified AID associated protein factors that promote ubiquitin-like modification of AID/RNA polII/RNA exosome complex. Using various biochemical assays, knockdown experiments and genetically mutated mouse models, we demonstrate the ubiquitin-like modification of AID-protein complex is important for regulating AID activity during CSR and overall maintenance of B cell genomic integrity.
Aspirin for cancer

Cyclooxygenase inhibitors are well known for their anti-inflammatory effects, but recent data indicate that they are also potent anti-angiogenics. The mechanisms by which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs affect cyclooxygenase enzymes, peptic ulcers, angiogenesis and cancer are complex, but are worth sorting out (pages 1418–1423).
Local Area Networks

Local area networks (LANs) have become ubiquitous, not only in businesses and academia, but in homes. As more and more locations need access to the Internet and shared resources, LANs are being installed as a cheap alternative. Where once computer users worked in isolation on personal computers, local area networks allow computer users to share hardware, software, and data as well as enhance communications. This chapter summarizes the variety of local area network configurations, looks briefly at the importance of local area networks to the Internet, and explores the emerging wireless technology. The chapter also provides an outline for readers who are interested in setting up their own local area networks. Keywords: logical topology; physical topology; router; sharing hardware; sharing software; switch; wide area network (WAN)
Design of a distributed computer security lab

Across the US and the rest of the world, there exists a lack of computer security components in many CS/IT curricula. For those programs that do have such components in computer security, a common difficulty is to integrate "real-world" labs into the courses, in order to provide hands-on experiences to the learners. Due to concerns for security breaches and network hacking, system administrators are reluctant to allow computer security labs involving network sniffing, virus scripting, etc. to be deployed in the campus network. Without hands-on, real-world projects, it is difficult for the learners to integrate the acquired security theories and knowledge with up-to-date security technologies and practices. Computer science educators who are interested in teaching computer security in a "realistic" context are thus faced with a unique challenge: Setting up 'real-world' computer security laboratories and assignments, without negatively impacting the rest of the campus network. The primary goal of our project is to develop a Distributed Computer Security Lab (DCSL) to answer the challenge. We have established, across multiple university campuses, a computer lab which enables the faculty and students to analyze and study vulnerabilities of a realistic corporate network. The lab provides hands-on experience for students to study cutting-edge computer security technologies, and serves as a test bed for projects which are otherwise impossible to implement in general-purpose labs. In this paper, we first discuss the general model of the DCSL and our implementation, and then present a selected set of projects that we have conducted to aid the design of the DCSL. The paper concludes with a summary and future work.
Feedback evaluation of assembly plans

The authors examine issues involved in integrating the design level and the assembly planning level with a feedback loop. The integration is performed in two stages. The first stage focuses on the evaluation of an assembly plan. Evaluation criteria that can pinpoint areas which need redesign are defined. The second stage is to use the evaluation results to come up with the actual redesign. Algorithms are developed for performing evaluation of assembly plans. From the evaluation results, means of generating hints for redesign are discussed. The hints are then processed and calls are made to the redesign operators to perform the actual redesign of components. The integrated design-planning system has the ability to identify parts that need redesign and the ability to come up with feasible redesign options in polynomial time. >
Roles of novelty, generalization, and postingestive feedback in the recognition of foods by lambs.

Ruminants select foods higher in nutri- ents and lower in toxins than the average of what is available whether fed in confinement or foraging on pastures or wild lands. Our objective was to better un- derstand how sheep learn to select the most nutritious foods when they concurrently ingest different foods. We hypothesized that novelty and generalization are two ways sheep discriminate among foods. The first experi- ment determined whether lambs offered two foods in a meal (one a novel-flavored food and the other a familiar food) acquired a preference for the novel-flavored food following an infusion of energy (starch) into the rumen. Lambs did not increase preference for the novel-fla- vored food when the amount of starch infused (150 g) was held constant (P > 0.05). However, when the amount of starch infused was made directly propor- tional to the amount of novel-flavored food ingested, lambs quickly formed a preference for the novel-fla- vored food (P < 0.001). The second experiment deter- mined whether lambs generalized preferences from fa- miliar to novel foods. Lambs fed coconut-flavored milo grain for 51 d subsequently preferred coconut-flavored 3060 straw to plain straw (P < 0.001). Conversely, lambs that were not fed coconut-flavored milo grain preferred plain to coconut-flavored straw (P < 0.001). Lambs infused with a source of energy (starch, 100 g/(lambd)) con- sumed more coconut-flavored straw and less plain straw than lambs that had no infusions or lambs in- fused with a toxin (LiCl, 100 mg/kg BW; P < 0.05). Lambs infused once with LiCl had the lowest preference for coconut-flavored straw (P < 0.05). Lambs condi- tioned with starch had the highest intakes of coconut- flavored straw, even after starch infusions were sus- pended (P < 0.1). When straw was replaced by an energy-dense food (wheat grain), all lambs equally pre- ferred coconut-flavored grain to plain grain (P < 0.001). Collectively, our results suggest that lambs learned to prefer a novel-flavored food when the amount of energy reward was contingent on the amount of novel-flavored food ingested, and that they generalized from familiar to unfamiliar foods based on common flavor cues. Once generalization occurred, postingestive feedback from nutrients and toxins calibrated preference according to the food's utility.
Water Tree Detection in Underground Cables Using Time Domain Reflectometry

This paper proposes to use time domain reflectometry (TDR) to detect water trees in underground residential distribution (URD) cables. Water trees are very dangerous to underground cables. They can grow for years without any change on the performance of the cable, and then can cause the cable to fault unexpectedly. Therefore, a method to detect water trees in URD cables is proposed in this paper. The method implements an optimal pulse generator placement algorithm on a distribution feeder for performing TDR. It can determine the exact location of a water tree in a cable, and it does not rely on the length of the cable or the type of cable used. The method can also detect multiple water trees on the same cable, and can be installed on existing systems, since it does not require data of the healthy system. It is a periodic monitoring system where pulses are sent throughout the year. The proposed method has been verified using multiple case studies on a real distribution feeder. Using TDR, optimal pulse generator placement, and subtraction of cables’ measured signal in time domain with similar measured signals a critical distribution feeder’s health has been monitored successfully.
The Health of Native Americans: Towards a Biocultural Epidemiology and Aboriginal Health in Canada: Historical, Cultural, and Epidemiological Perspectives

The Health of Native Americans: Towards a Biocultural Epidemiology. T. Kue Young. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994 (cloth), ix + 275 pp. Aboriginal Health in Canada: Historical, Cultural, and Epidemiological Perspectives. James B. Waldram, D. Ann Herring, and T. Kue Young. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1995 (cloth and paper), xii + 334 pp.
Greenhouse gas emission and energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants: impact of operating parameters.

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission and energy consumption were estimated in wastewater treatment plants using an elaborate mathematical model that included coagulation/flocculation, anaerobic digester, nitrification/denitrification, and biogas recovery. The examined treatment systems used aerobic, anaerobic, and hybrid biological processes. The impact of pertinent operating parameters including reactor temperature, solid retention time (SRT), primary clarifier underflow rate, and biochemical oxygen demand concentration on GHG emission and energy consumption were investigated, leading to the identification of controlling operating parameters and adequate strategies to reduce GHG emission and energy consumption. The overall GHG emission was 3152, 6051, and 6541 kg CO2-equivalent/day, while the estimated energy consumption amounted to 4028, 2017, and 3084 MJ/day in the three examined systems, respectively. Parametric studies showed that the best strategy to reduce GHG emission and energy consumption would result from 12% increase in the bioreactor temperature in the aerobic system, 10% increase of the bioreactor temperature and five days increase of SRT in the anaerobic system, and 10% increase of temperature and five days reduction of SRT in the anaerobic bioreactor of the hybrid system. Additional reductions in the GHG emission and energy consumption would result from 50% increase of the primary clarifier underflow rate.
Ultra wide electrical bandwidth GaAs/AlGaAs electrooptic modulators

A high speed GaAs/AlGaAs traveling wave Mach-Zehnder electrooptic modulator has been fabricated. The device uses a novel slow wave electrode design to achieve phase velocity matching and has a measured electrical bandwidth greater than 40 GHz. An improved electrode design has been characterized and is currently being integrated into a modulator to increase the bandwidth further. >
Binaural Gain Modulation of Spectrotemporal Tuning in the Interaural Level Difference-Coding Pathway

In the brainstem, the auditory system diverges into two pathways that process different sound localization cues, interaural time differences (ITDs) and level differences (ILDs). We investigated the site where ILD is detected in the auditory system of barn owls, the posterior part of the lateral lemniscus (LLDp). This structure is equivalent to the lateral superior olive in mammals. The LLDp is unique in that it is the first place of binaural convergence in the brainstem where monaural excitatory and inhibitory inputs converge. Using binaurally uncorrelated noise and a generalized linear model, we were able to estimate the spectrotemporal tuning of excitatory and inhibitory inputs to these cells. We show that the response of LLDp neurons is highly locked to the stimulus envelope. Our data demonstrate that spectrotemporally tuned, temporally delayed inhibition enhances the reliability of envelope locking by modulating the gain of LLDp neurons' responses. The dependence of gain modulation on ILD shown here constitutes a means for space-dependent coding of stimulus identity by the initial stages of the auditory pathway.
Mouse kidney renin gene is on chromosome one

The structural gene for mouse kidney renin (Ren-1)was localized to chromosome 1 by Southern blot analysis of mouse-hamster somatic cell hybrids with a cloned mouse submandibular renin cDNA probe. The submandibular renin gene (Ren-2)also lies on chromosome 1; so it may be, in those mouse lines which carry it, a tandem duplication of the kidney-type Ren-1gene.
Sensitivity of ASTM D7000 Sweep Test to Emulsion Application Rate and Aggregate Gradation

Presented in this paper are the effects of emulsion application rate and aggregate gradation on the performance of chip seal samples prepared and tested according to the ASTM D7000 Standard Test Method for Sweep Test of Bituminous Emulsion Surface Treatment Samples (sweep test). Aggregate loss of the samples was used as a performance indicator for chip seals. Limestone and granite aggregates were tested, and each aggregate type was tested with two gradations. Tests were carried out with three emulsion types: CRS-2, HFRS-2L, and HFRS-2. Each emulsion was tested at three application rates. Samples were tested at two different curing times, 2 h and 6 h. Statistical analysis of the chip loss results revealed that the current sweep test was not sensitive to emulsion application rate in the range tested. Results showed that gradation was a statistically significant factor. Coarse-graded aggregates resulted in high aggregate loss compared with fine-graded aggregates. From the overall results of the study, it is ...
Alternative measures of risk of extreme events in decision trees

Abstract A need for a methodology to control the extreme events, defined as low-probability, high-consequence incidents, in sequential decisions is identified. A variety of alternative and complementary measures of the risk of extreme events are examined for their usability as objective functions in sequential decisions, represented as single- or multiple-objective decision trees. Earlier work had addressed difficulties, related to non-separability, with the minimization of some measures of the risk of extreme events in sequential decisions. In an extension of these results, it is shown how some non-separable measures of the risk of extreme events can be interpreted in terms of separable constituents of risk, thereby enabling a wider class of measures of the risk of extreme events to be handled in a straightforward manner in a decision tree. Also for extreme events, results are given to enable minimax- and Hurwicz-criterion analyses in decision trees. An example demonstrates the incorporation of different measures of the risk of extreme events in a multi-objective decision tree. Conceptual formulations for optimizing non-separable measures of the risk of extreme events are identified as an important area for future investigation.
LiMO2 (M = Mn, Fe, and Co) : Energetics, polymorphism and phase transformation

Abstract LiMO2 materials ( M = Mn , Fe, and Co) with different structures were synthesized and their enthalpies of formation from oxides (Li2O and M2O3, M = Mn and Fe), or from oxides (Li2O and CoO) plus oxygen at 25 °C were determined by high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. The relative stability of the polymorphs of the compound LiMO2 was established based on their enthalpies of formation. Phase transformations in LiFeO2 were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and high-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry. The phase transition enthalpies at 25 °C for β → α , γ → β , and γ → α are 4.9 ± 0.7 , 4.3 ± 0.8 and 9.2 ± 0.9 kJ / mol , respectively. Thus the γ phase (ordered cations) is the stable form of LiFeO2 at room temperature, the α phase (disordered cations) is stable at high temperature and the β phase may have a stability field at intermediate temperatures.
Malnutrition, zinc deficiency, and malaria in Africa – Authors' reply

We agree with Olaf Muller that the sex differences in the effect of micronutrient supplementation now seen in two trials need to be further investigated in other available datasets and in future trials. Contrary to findings in Burkina Faso in Pemba the malaria-attributable mortality although increasing in late infancy remains as high if not higher in the second and third years of life. Since the person-years contributed in the second and third years are more than in late infancy the mortality burden does become substantial. In our study malaria-related mortality was 2.1% in children older than 12 months compared with 1% in infants in the control group. There is no evidence to suggest that mortality reduction in those older than 12 months was attributable to diarrhoea and respiratory infections only. (excerpt)
New Anthropometric References for Older Adults

Abstract Anthropometric measurements are an important component of nutritional status assessment throughout the life cycle. Body composition and body measurements have been documented to change with increasing age. To properly assess and classify individuals and population groups, clinicians and researchers must have current and accurate reference data. Despite recognition of the need for age- and gender- specific anthropometric reference values for persons > 60 years, existing references, especially for the very old, are limited. The reliability of existing references has been questioned because data collection was not standardized; the information is dated and may not reflect the current generation of Americans; and sample sizes were limited in number, were not nationally representative, and do not reflect the current racial/ethnic mix in the United States. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III, 1988-94) was designed to over-sample persons aged 60 years and older in order to produce more reliable estimates for this age group. As part of a more comprehensive physical health examination, body measurements were recorded using standardized protocols. Means and percentile distributions for selected anthropometric indicators, such as body weight, stature, body mass index (BMI), circumferences, and skinfolds, derived from non-institutionalized older adults examined in the NHANES III will be presented. Dietitians can use these cross-sectional, nationally representative data as a reference to facilitate the interpretation of anthropometric measurements.
Conversion of Full-Scale Wet Scrubbers to Biotrickling Filters for H2S Control at Publicly Owned Treatment Works

Until recently, biological treatment of odors in biofilters or biotrickling filters was thought to require a longer gas contact time than chemical scrubbing, hence bioreactors for air treatment required a larger footprint. This paper discusses the conversion of chemical scrubbers to biological trickling filters. Initially, research was conducted with a laboratory-scale biotrickling filter. An effective open-pore polyurethane packing material was identified and H2S biotreatment performance was quantified. Key technical issues in determining the general suitability of converting wet scrubbers to biotrickling filters were identified, and a generic ten-step conversion procedure was developed. Following the laboratory research, five full-scale chemical scrubbers treating odorous air at the Sanitation District of Orange County, Calif., were converted to biotrickling filters. The original airflow rate was maintained, resulting in a gas contact time as low as 1.6-3.1s. The converted biotrickling filters demonstra...
Differences in HPV Immunization Levels Among Young Adults in Various Regions of the United States.

HPV vaccine uptake in young adult women in the Southern US has been previously found to be the lowest in the country. In addition, geographic variation with regard to HPV vaccination among young adult men has not been investigated yet. The objective of this study was to use the most recent data to determine if inequality still exists. We used Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2012 data from 8 states (no data available from Midwest) to examine the geographic variations in weighted proportion of adults who initiated (≥1 dose) and completed (3 doses) the HPV vaccine among 3727 young adults (2014 women and 1713 men) 18–26 years old based on self-reported HPV vaccination and socio-demographic characteristics. The weighted vaccine initiation and completion rates among men were: 6.3 and 1.7 % overall, 8.5 and 2.2 % in the Northeast, 6.7 and 1.6 % in the West, and 4.9 and 1.4 % in the South (p = 0.184 and 0.774). The rates among women were: 40.4 % and 27.4, 58.7 and 45.6 %, 39.0 and 24.8 %, and 30.4 and 17.7 % in the respective regions (p < 0.001 for both). Adjusted multivariable logistic regression showed that women living in the South and West were less likely to initiate and complete the 3-dose HPV vaccine series when compared to those in the Northeast. Despite an increase in HPV vaccine uptake among young adult women in all regions, geographic disparity still exists. Moreover, young adult men had very low HPV vaccine initiation and completion rates throughout the US.