cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Emerging Frontiers in Embedded Security

Computing platforms are expected to be deeply embedded within physical objects and people, creating an Internet of Things. These embedded computing platforms will enable a wide spectrum of applications, including implantable and wearable medical devices, smart homes, smart meters, brain-machine interfaces, physical infrastructure monitoring, and intelligent transportation systems. Unfortunately, the explosion in devices and connectivity creates a much larger attack surface, opening up new opportunities for malicious people and entities. Unless significant attention is paid to security, the Internet of Things could well be turned into an Internet of “Things to be Hacked”! In this paper, we provide an overview of trends in embedded computing and highlight their implications on secure embedded system design. While embedded security is not a new topic, we argue that the characteristics and usage models of emerging embedded computing platforms necessitate a fresh look at embedded security and new approaches to secure embedded system design. We discuss the challenges using two case studies, viz., medical devices and smart homes. We provide examples of hypothetical and real security attacks, discuss the unique security challenges faced by these systems, and describe some initial efforts towards addressing them.
Open Source Software Considerations for Law Enforcement

Can law enforcement agencies leverage open source to benefit the communities they serve? In some areas, recommending open source solutions is easy. In others, the arguments for open source solutions are less clear.
Scanning tunneling microscopy of the charge-density-wave structure in 1T-TaS2.

Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we studied 1[ital T]-TaS[sub 2] in all four of its charge-density-wave (CDW) supporting phases over the temperature range 360--143 K. Special attention was given to the search for discommensurate structures and the distinguishing of true CDW discommensurations and domains from apparent discommensurations and domains formed by interference between the CDW and the atomic lattice. In the lowest-temperature commensurate ([ital C]) phase, we find that the CDW is in the commensurate configuration as expected. We use the [ital C] phase to investigate the effects of multiple tips and find that shifts in the apparent registration of the CDW relative to the atomic lattice result. In the nearly commensurate ([ital NC]) phase, the CDW is in a true domain structure as evidenced by satellite spots in the Fourier transforms of the STM images. In the triclinic ([ital T]) phase, the STM data indicate that the CDW is in a striped domain phase, which is significantly different from the domain model previously proposed. Finally, in the high-temperature incommensurate ([ital I]) phase, we find unexpected satellite spots in the STM Fourier transforms, suggesting that a CDW modulation is also present in this phase.
Physician perceptions of nurse practitioners: A replication study

Purpose: To replicate and update findings from an earlier study on the perceived incentives of physicians to work with nurse practitioners (NPs). Data sources: Four hundred and three questionnaires were mailed to NPs who distributed them to their collaborating physicians. Conclusion: Physicians ranked “accessibility to health care” and the “quality of care” as equally important and more important than “physician satisfaction” and “economic incentives.” The findings were consistent with findings from the earlier study; however, the original study demonstrated a much clearer distinction among the four groups of incentives. Implications for practice: These findings imply that collaboration between physicians and NPs is maturing as NPs move into more arenas in health care.
Amino acid transport in placental slices mechanism of increased accumulation by prolonged incubation

The accumulation of α-aminoisobutyric acid by placental slices is increased dramatically upon prior incubation of the slices in amino acid-free, buffered saline. This increase is inhibited by inhibitors of protein synthesis and is accompanied by an increased V for the transport process. While alternative explanations are discussed, these data suggest that the incubation effect may be mediated through an increase in the number of available transport sites which are synthesized during the incubation period. Incubation with an amino acid mixture diminishes the increase as well as general protein synthesis, suggesting that a reduced availability of amino acids may initiate compensatory changes in the synthesis of cellular transport proteins.
Advanced liquid crystal displays

This tutorial will describe the basic operating physics of transmissive and transflective TFT-LCDs. Methods for improving the viewing angle, response time, color gamut, color shift, contrast ratio, and optical efficiency will be discussed.
The Development of Anodic Aluminum Oxide Based Micro-channel Plate for Large-area Photo-detector

Anodized Aluminum Oxide (AAO) based micro-channel plates (MCP) are fabricated in order to develop economical large-area photodetectors. Commercially available glass capillary array has a limitation to reach channel diameter below ~10 microns. However, smaller channel diameter is desired for better spatial and fast timing resolution. AAO based MCP is a good candidate to produce channel diameter less than 10 um by taking advantage of the nano-scale intrinsic pores during etching process. In this study, various channel diameters are fabricated with use of lithographic patterning techniques and wet etching; and characterized with optical, atomic force, and scanning electron microscopies. The channel diameter, channel length and related aspect ratio, as well as the open area are varied in order to maximize the MCP photon amplification.
The electrocardiogram in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Study of 102 consecutive cases with functional correlations and review of the literature

The electrocardiographic findings in 102 consecutive patients with scleroderma were reviewed to determine the frequency and nature of the electrocardiographic abnormalities associated with this disease. Septal infarction pattern unassociated with QRS prolongation was present in 10 percent, compared with none of 96 control subjects (p less than 0.001). Ventricular conduction abnormalities were present in 17 percent. A normal electrocardiogram was obtained in 49 percent. A subset of 48 patients underwent detailed cardiopulmonary evaluation including exercise thallium scintigraphy, rest and exercise radionuclide ventriculography, pulmonary function tests, and chest roentgenography. Functional correlations of the electrocardiographic findings were examined in this subset. Septal infarction pattern (five of 48) and ventricular conduction abnormalities (10 of 48) were both associated with septal or anteroseptal thallium perfusion abnormalities (10 of 15 versus six of 33 of the remainder, p less than 0.005), which were present despite normal coronary angiographic results. Thallium defect scores were greater in patients with septal infarction pattern or ventricular conduction abnormalities compared with the remainder (defect scores 3.0 +/- 2.6 versus 1.4 +/- 2.2, respectively, p less than 0.025). In patients with ventricular conduction abnormalities, both left bundle branch block and right bundle branch block with left anterior fascicular block were associated with abnormal left ventricular function, whereas isolated right bundle branch block or left anterior fascicular block was associated with normal left ventricular function. A normal electrocardiographic finding (19 of 48) was associated with normal left ventricular function at rest (19 of 19). However, 11 of 19 (58 percent) had thallium perfusion defects and four of 19 (21 percent) had an abnormal response to exercise, although in none was the peak ejection fraction less than 50 percent. It is concluded that both septal infarction pattern and ventricular conduction abnormalities are electrocardiographic abnormalities associated with scleroderma heart disease; they appear to be a result of myocardial fibrosis. Some degree of myocardial fibrosis may be present with a normal electrocardiographic result, but significant left ventricular dysfunction is unlikely. Septal infarction pattern and ventricular conduction abnormalities, when present, are indicators of more advanced fibrosis.
Ocular toxicity of intravitreally injected liposomal amphotericin B in rhesus monkeys.

We determined whether liposome-intercalated amphotericin B was less toxic than commercial amphotericin B when injected intravitreally in the primate. Three rhesus monkeys were studied on each of three occasions. Each eye received increasing doses of amphotericin B (10, 20, or 30μg) or liposome-intercalated amphotericin B (40, 80, or 120 μg) as a single intravitreal injection. There were often transient inflammatory changes in the anterior chamber and all eyes showed an acute cellular infiltrate in the vitreous humor after injection. These reactions had resolved by eight weeks after injection of the low or intermediate doses of amphotericin B (10 or 20 μg) or liposome-intercalated amphotericin B (40 or 80 μg) but left a mild vitreal infiltrate in the high-dose groups (30 μg of amphotericin B or 120 μg of liposome-intercalcated amphotericin B). Histologic examination at the end of the third experiment showed no abnormalities. These studies suggest that liposome incorporation reduces the toxicity of amphotericin B by at least fourfold and that as much as 30 μg of commercial amphotericin B may be tolerated by the intravitreal route in the rhesus monkey.
AJP-regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology: into the future.

I am honored to take over the reins of AJP-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology from my predecessor, Curt Sigmund. During Dr. Sigmund's tenure as Editor-in-Chief, we witnessed a steady increase in the quality of papers published and the citations of those manuscripts. The focus on the
Domain differences in the structure of artifactual and natural categories.

In three experiments, different methodologies, measures, and items were employed to address the question of whether, and to what extent, membership in a semantic category is all or none (i.e., absolute) or a matter of degree (i.e., graded).Resemblance theory claims that categorization is based on similarity, and because similarity is graded, category membership may also be graded.Psychological essentialismasserts that categorization is based on the presumption of thecategory essence. Because artifactual (e.g., FURNITURE) and natural (e.g., FRUIT) categories have different sorts of essences, artifacts and natural kinds may be categorized in qualitatively different manners. The results converged on the finding of a robust domain difference in category structure: Artifactual categories were more graded than natural categories. Furthermore, typicality reliably predicted absolute category membership, but failed to predict graded category membership. These results suggest that resemblance theory and psychological essentialism may provide a concerted account of representation and categorization across domains.
Linking Product Planning and Process Design Decisions

Manufacturing strategy reflects the goals of the business strategy and directs the manufacturing function in achieving them. In this study, we focus on two decision areas with crucial implications for manufacturing strategy: product planning and process design. Using mathematical programming models as a research tool, we test several conjectures in the manufacturing strategy literature regarding linkages between the two decisions. Our results show that a close integration between these decisions helps control the product offerings, stabilize process requirements, improve process technology choices, and increase net cash flows over time. Using the concept of environmental clusters, we found that a close linkage is more critical when the environment is more complex, less uncertain, and tighter. Based on these findings, we present some managerial implications and suggestions for future research.
Further Examining the American Dream: Differential Correlates of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Goals

Empirical research and organismic theories suggest that lower well-being is associated with having extrinsic goals focused on rewards or praise relatively central to one's personality in comparison to intrinsic goals congruent with inherent growth tendencies. In a sample of adult subjects (Study 1), the relative importance and efficacy of extrinsic aspirations for financial success, an appealing appearance, and social recognition were associated with lower vitality and self-actualization and more physical symptoms. Conversely, the relative importance and efficacy of intrinsic aspirations for self-acceptance, affiliation, community feeling, and physical health were associated with higher well-being and less distress. Study 2 replicated these findings in a college sample and extended them to measures of narcissism and daily affect. Three reasons are discussed as to why extrinsic aspirations relate negatively to well-being, and future research directions are suggested.
A correlation of thyroxine-like activity and chemical structure

Abstract A correlation of structure vs. thyroxine-like activity for 47 analogs of thyroxine, of structure A, has been attempted where X, X′ = halogen, H, CH3, NO2; R′ = H or CH3; R = ionizable groups as alanyl, COOH, etc. It is proposed that: 1. 1. The thyromimetic activities of these analogs in amphibia and mammalia are related to the electronic character of the diphenyl ether nucleus, as affected by the abilities of the groups X, X′, and OR′ to attract or release electrons, with electron-releasing groups favoring higher activity. 2. 2. The abilities of the substituents X and X′ to form hydrogen bonds influence thyromimetic response, activity increasing with enhanced ability to form such bonds. 3. 3. Activity is related to the pK of the side chain, R. The empirical nature of the correlation is stressed and its deficiencies and possible uses are noted.
Ultrastructural effects of the chelating agent 1,10-phenanthroline on Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes in vitro.

The in vitro effects of the metal chelator 1,10-phenanthroline (OPHEN) on the ultrastructure of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes were investigated. Epimastigotes treated with OPHEN display swelling and electron-dense deposits in the kinetoplast, mitochondrion, and cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. These morphological alterations are dose-dependent and first appear at an OPHEN concentration of 5.0 μg/ml. Analytical electron microscope examination indicates that the metallic portion of the electron-dense deposits is predominantly calcium.
Bleaching of green plant material for liquid scintillation counting

A fast, economical, and reproducible method for the preparation of green plant samples for 14C quantitation by liquid scintillation spectrometry is presented. Uniform weights of green tissue (<0.4 g fresh wt) containing 14C are photooxidized (sunlight) in the presence of 1 ml water + 4 ml p-dioxane in scintillation vials. When a scintillation cocktail designed to hold water in suspension is added, a luminescence develops that decays within 24 hr. Correction for quenching by carotenoids is required.
Physiotherapy, steroid injections, or rest for lateral epicondylosis? What the evidence suggests.

Objective: To identify effective lateral epicondylosis interventions and assess the quality of research over time. Methods: Relevant MEDLINE and EMBASE searches respectively yielded 226 and 187 potential studies. Additional citations were extracted from bibliographies. Thirty controlled trials met inclusion criteria. The Cochrane Collaboration guidelines “quality score” served to rate studies. Results: In the short term (<2 to 3 months) steroid injections and physiotherapy outperformed relative rest. Physiotherapy appears efficacious regardless of time frame. After 3 months, active physiotherapy outperforms injections, but does not appear significantly better than rest. Evidence was neutral or insufficient regarding ultrasound, splinting, or manipulation. Nonsignificant correlations between publication year and study quality score were found. Conclusions: Overall research quality has not improved with time. Steroid injections appear the most successful short-term intervention for pain relief. Active physiotherapy appears efficacious regardless of time frame.
The Distortion of Visual Space as a Function of Motion: Implications for Vehicle Operators:

The purpose of this study was to explore a velocity dependent distortion of visual space which may influence the ability of vehicle operators to accurately judge the distance of objects in visual space. Two experiments were conducted in which observers were driven past (facing either frontward or rearward) pairs of wooden stakes (space between endpoints of stake pairs either filled or unfilled) and asked to judge the distance between endpoints. Results showed that observers greatly underestimated the distance between endpoints of stake pairs when the space between endpoints was unfilled versus filled. Also, underestimation was greatest when observers were facing forward. Results are discussed in terms of practical considerations. Language: en
Synthesis of 13C-enriched and 14C-labelled dithiopyr

This report describes the synthesis of the 13C-enriched and 14C-labelled title compound starting from isotopically labelled isovaleraldehyde.
The effect of composition on the superconducting transition temperature in NbNxOy

Abstract The existence of superconducting, FCC, nitrogen-rich niobium oxynitride thin films is reported. The superconducting transition temperature, Tc, is observed to increase as the composition approaches NbN0.90O0.02.
A curious case of glaucoma

An 84-year-old woman diagnosed with primary open-angle glaucoma was referred because her optic nerve appearance did not account for her visual field deficits. Further evaluation showed loss of color vision and rapid progression of visual field defects. Electroretinography revealed abnormal scotopic and photopic responses. Blood samples were positive for anti-retinal antibodies, but a malignancy work-up was negative, consistent with non-paraneoplastic autoimmune retinopathy.
Specification vagueness and supply quality risk

Specifying quality requirement is integral to any sourcing relationship, but vague and ambiguous specifications can often be observed in practice, especially when a buyer is in the initial stage of sourcing a new product. In this research, we study a supplier's production incentives under vague or exact quality specifications. We prove that a vague specification may in fact motivate the supplier to increase its quantity provision, resulting in a higher delivery quality. Vague quality specification can therefore be advantageous for a buyer to screen potential suppliers with an initial test order, and then rely on the received quality level to set more concrete quality guidelines. There is a degree, though, to which vague quality specification can be effective, as too much vagueness may decrease the supplier's quantity provision and hence the expected delivery quality. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2013
Increased synaptic excitability in the genesis of seizures.

SUMMARY To investigate the alterations in synaptic excitability during the development of seizures, test stimuli were applied to the VPL nucleus of the thalamus which elicited relayed discharges in the pyramidal tract and evoked potentials on the surface of the sensorimotor cortex of the cat. When ipsilateral conditioning cortical stimuli preceded by 6.5–150 msec the thalamic stimuli, they inhibited the relayed discharges of PT cells and depressed the surface responses evoked by the thalamic stimuli. Comparable transcallosal stimulation had the same depressing effect on both of these responses. This inhibitory effect of the cortical stimulation on the responses evoked by the thalamic stimuli was not attributable to depressed excitability of subcortical structures. When seizures were induced by the topical application of pentylenetetrazol or strychnine to the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex, or were propagated from seizures similarly initiated on the side contralateral to the side of thalamic stimulation, the pyramidal tract and surface responses evoked by thalamic stimuli were increased and conditioning cortical and transcallosal stimuli no longer effectively inhibited these responses. This demonstrated the increased synaptic excitability at the onset of the seizures. When there developed frequent recurrent paroxysmal discharges, the effects of thalamic stimuli were unpredictable. RESUME Dans le but de rechercher les alterations de l'excitabilite synaptique, des stimuli-tests ont ete appliques au niveau du noyau VPL pendant le developpement de crises. Ceux-ci engendraient des deharges relayant au niveau du faisceau pyramidal et evoquaient des potentiels a la surface du cortex sensori-moteur chez le chat. Quand les stimuli conditionnants corticaux ipsilateraux precedaient de 6.5–150 msec les stimulations thalamiques elles inhibaient les decharges relayees des cellules PT et deprimaient les reponses de surface evoquees par les stimulations thalamiques. Des stimulations comparables transcallosales avaient le meme effet depresseur sur les deux types de reponse. Cet effet inhibiteur de la stimulation corticale sur les reponses evoquees par des stimulations des noyaux thalamiques ne pouvaient etre attribuees a une diminution de l'excitabilite des structures sous-corticales. Quand des crises ont ete induites par l'application locale de cardiazol ou de strychnine sur le cortex sensori-moteur ipsilateral, ou etaient dues a la propagation de crises prenant leur point de depart du cote contralateral a la stimulation thalamique, les reponses evoquees au niveau du tractus pyramidal ou les reponses de surface obtenues par stimulation thalamique etaient augmentees et les stimulations conditionnantes corticales et transcallosales n'avaient plus d'effet inhibiteur sur les reponses. Ceci demontre l'existence d'une augmentation de l'excitabilite synaptique au debut des crises. Quand des decharges paroxystiques apparaissaient frequemment de facon recurrente, les effets des stimulations thalamiques etaient imprevisibles.
Instrumented Tablet Press Studies on the Effect of Some Formulation and Processing Variables on the Compaction Process

AbstractUsing an instrumented tablet press, compression force-time measurements were used to evaluate the effects of formulation and processing variables on the compaction process. The effects of tablet press speed, punch size, depth of upper punch penetration (into the die), and the setting of the overload spring mechanism were studied. The effects of tablet weight, particle size and amount of lubrication were also studied. Several direct compression materials which are believed to compact by different mechanisms were used in the study. The results indicate the sensitivity of the area under the compression force-time curve and the Area/Height ratio. Some of the changes seen in the area and A/H ratio were those which would be expected from a relatively simple model of compaction/compression. The results clearly show the usefulness of the instrumented tablet press as an analytical tool in the development of tablet formulations, the evaluation of processing requirements, and the remedy of tablet production ...
Tension-type headache in the young

Headache is common in childhood; recurrent headaches include both migraine and tension-type headache (TTH). Although much of the attention recently has been focused on migraine, TTH can also be problematic for children and needs further study. Standardized criteria have been developed and used for epidemiology and treatment studies, but they are yet to be validated for children. The pathophysiology, selective treatment, impact, and outcome of TTH in children need to be studied further.
Biomaterials at the interface of nano- and micro-scale vector-cellular interactions in genetic vaccine design

The development of safe and effective vaccines for the prevention of elusive infectious diseases remains a public health priority. Immunization, characterized by adaptive immune responses to specific antigens, can be raised by an array of delivery vectors. However, current commercial vaccination strategies are predicated on the retooling of archaic technology. This review will discuss current and emerging strategies designed to elicit immune responses in the context of genetic vaccination. Selected strategies at the biomaterial–biological interface will be emphasized to illustrate the potential of coupling both fields towards a common goal.
Analysis of Leveling Strategy for a Plate Mill

In order to analysis the effect of leveling strategy on the quality of plate products, the curvature integration by elastic-plastic differences was adopted to simulate leveling results by different leveling strategy. It had studied plastic deformation ratio, residual stress, residual curvature and leveling force for different leveling strategies to find the effectual strategy and the adaptability conditions were given. Additionally, static pressure leveling with the time delay strategy was analyzed, which was proved to be an effectual strategy to resolve the leveling problem for high strength thicker plate by a certain 3500mm mill plate.
Effect of REM sleep deprivation on electric shock threshold in rats.

The object of this research was to explore the suggestion ( 1 ) that there is a positive relationship between Rapid Eye Movement sleep deprivation (REMd) and sensitivity to electric shock in rats. Ss were 8 0 45-day-old Sprague-Dawley albino female rats. Each animal was randomly assigned to one of four REMd conditions, i.e., 0, 24, 48, or 72 hr. REMd was achieved using a method which has been described and validated for rats, against appropriate electrophysiological measures ( 4 ) . The specific apparatus and procedures used here have been derailed elsewhere ( 3 ) . Electric shock was provided by an impedance power supply (250K ohms resistence) routed to a Grayson-Stadler Scrambler (Model E 1064 GSP) connected to a Grayson-Stadler Rat Station (Model E 3125 A-100) that was housed in a I A C Sound attenuated encloser into which a 60-db. white masking noise was introduced. Timing was controlled by an lconix 6061 sequential programmer. Prior to the experiment Ss were handled for 10 min. on each of six days. Ss were placed for 72 hr. into the REMd apparatus for the proscribed control-REMd platform sequence. Then Ss were towel dried, weighed, and placed into the shock apparatus. Shock thresholds were established using a procedure described by Evans ( 2 ) . Each S received eight series of shock: 4 ascending and 4 descending. The first series was always ascending, the remainder were counterbalanced. Potentially each series consisted of 12 1-sec. shocks, i.e., 1.0 ma to 1.20 ma in .I-ma intervals. A 30-sec. inter-shock interval and a GO-sec. inter-series interval were used. Each ascending series was terminated with the second consecutive jump response and conversely each descending series with the second consecutive no response. Responses were judged by two Es, who were naive about the experiment. The mean thresholds for each REMd condition were: 0 hr. = .65, 24 hr. = .98, 48 hr. = 3 0 , and 72 hr. = .81. The differences between these means were significant; F = 4.49 ( d f = 3/76, P < .01). Duncan's multiple-range test of differences between individual treaunent means showed that the 0-hr. REMd condition was significantly lower ( P < .01) than that of any other group and the 24-hr. REMd mean was significantly ( P < .01) higher than that of any other group. These results cannot be explained by differential weight loss (F = 1.87). These data do app?ar to be somewhat inconsistent with the hypothesis of a direct relationship between REMd and sensitivity to enviromental scimuli. However, further elaboration of these findings seems necessary before such a conclusion is drawn.
766 DEFECTIVE OPSONIZATION OF SALMONELLA LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) have an increased incidence of S. pneumoniae infections which have been associated with defective opsonization of these organisms. Also, these patients appear to have an increased incidence of infections due to Salmonella species. We have evaluated the ability of SCD sera to support opsonization of S. enteritidis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) utilizing a method that employs emulsified LPS in paraffin oil containing oil red 0 dye. The amount of opsonized material can be quantitated spectrophotometrically and expressed as mg of paraffin oil ingested per 107 phagocytes. Fourteen children with SCD and 9 age matched controls have been studied; the mean (range) of mg paraffin oil ingested per 107 phagocytes was .135 (.087-.174) and .162 (.136-.184) respectively. SCD patients had opsonization values of 57-104% of normal compared to control subjects which ranged from 89-113% of normal. Values >25% below normal, occurred only among SCD children; further, these children were all>4 years of age. No SCD child <4 years had values <82% of normal. These studies suggest a subpopulation of SCD children with an age related impairment of opsonic activity for Salmonella LPS. This defect may contribute to susceptibility to infection with these organisms, and in conjunction with previously reported defects in opsonization for S. pneumoniae, suggests that in some patients with SCD, a generalized opsonic defect exists.
Measurements and estimations of local impacts from fugitive emissions

Abstract A laboratory and field sampling program was conducted to study the ground‐level concentrations of benzene due to fugitive emissions. The three‐day field sampling study addressed benzene sampling in the downwind plume line at ground level within the first 500 meters of a maleic anhydride plant. The laboratory evaluation of the benzene measurement technique used, along with the results of the ground‐level sampling are presented. Statistical analyses of the measurement data indicated the best fit formula to the actual data was the y = Kin x. From a statistically determined source strength factor, the point source and finite line source models were plotted and compared to the actual data. It was found that within 200 meters, ground‐level concentrations of benzene could be attributed to fugitive emissions while at a distance both the fugitive and the stack emissions contributed to the measured concentrations.
Bacterial 5-Nucleotidase in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Novel Mechanism of Phosphorus Regeneration

Zooplankton excretion and algal alkaline phosphatase are presumed to be responsible for phosphorus recycling in aquatic ecosystems; the role of bacteria has been unclear. High levels of bacterial cell-surface 5-nucleotidase were discovered in samples of picoplankton from California coastal waters. 5-Nucleotidase rapidly generated orthophosphate from 5-nucleotide added in nanomolar amounts and could supply half the orthophosphate required by plankton. Unlike alkaline phosphatase, 5-nucleotidase was not inhibited by orthophosphate at any concentration found in aquatic environments. Initial results indicate even greater 5-nucleotidase activity in fresh water (Lake Hodges, California) and brackish water (Baltic). Release and uptake of orthophosphate were tightly coupled.
Standardizing characters, glyphs, and SGML entities for encoding early Cyrillic writing

The present study discusses the differences among characters, glyphs, and sgml entities (& 2), evaluates how these distinctions might be applied to electronic text projects involving early Cyrillic materials (& 3), and proposes basic inventories of the characters, glyphs, and entities needed for computer processing of early Cyrillic written materials (&4). None of the issues examined in this study is unique to early Cyrillic writing, and the principles elucidated here can be generalized to problems affecting the standardized encoding of other complex writing systems.
Improved numerical techniques for plasticity computations in finite element analysis

Abstract A number of enhancements for the algorithms given by Dodds [Comput. Struct. 26, 767–779 (1987)] for von Mises plasticity with mixed isotropic-kinematic hardening are presented. The algorithms provide improved stability, convergence rate, and efficiency of the computations under a wider range of conditions.
A linkage map of microsatellite markers on the human X chromosome

The efficiency of mapping and diagnosis of X-linked disorders by linkage depends upon the existence of a high-density genetic map of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based markers. DXS1120, DXS1122, DXS1123, DXS1124, DXS1125, DXS1126, and DXS1153 were randomly isolated from a flow-sorted lambda bacteriophage library of the human X chromosome. The CCN (N = A or G) repeat within the androgen receptor was also found to be polymorphic and primers were designed for genotyping the CCN polymorphism in addition to the AGC polymorphism. The above markers, together with microsatellite polymorphisms at DXS237 (GMGX9), 5'DYS-II and 3'DYS MS (within the dystrophin locus), DXS538 (XL27B), PGK1P1, DXS300 (VK29AC), DXS294 (VK17AC), and DXS102 (cX38.1AC), were genotyped in the 40 CEPH reference families. One marker, DXS1153, was found to include cryptic alleles that amplify only in homozygotes and hemizygotes but not heterozygotes. A PCR-based linkage map was constructed using all of the above markers plus PCR-based markers from the CEPH database and those PCR-based markers previously typed in our laboratory: ALAS2, DXS292 (VK14AC), DXS297 (VK23AC), FRAXAC1, and FRAXAC2. The genetic map of the X chromosome incorporates 62 PCR-based marker loci, integrates the Weissenbach markers, and extends from XG near Xpter to DXS52 near Xqter, a distance of 236 cM.
Holdup: Implications for Investment and Organization

Holdup, the danger that a party other than the one investing will capture some of the return from an investment, plays an important role in business decision making about firms' organizational and investment strategies. Oliver Williamson was among the first to identify the importance of holdup and investigate its consequences. Much of our understanding of holdup in strategy and in other areas of scholarship can be traced back to his contributions.
Convolution with Singularity Functions

A simple, nongraphical technique for convolving two functions (when one or both functions can be expressed explicitly in terms of singularity functions) is described in this paper. The technique is based on some properties of singularity functions and can easily be explained to undergraduate students. In fact, the paper is written such that it can serve as class notes to undergraduates.
A possible stress concentration in seals and slip rings due to theramoelastic instability and the unique properties of graphite

Etude d'un cas possible de concentration de contraintes dans des joints d'etancheite ou des bagues de glissement du a l'instabilite thermoelastique et aux proprietes particulieres du graphite
The effects of different steroids on costal and epiphyseal cartilage of fetal and adult rats

The effects of different doses of various steroids on growth, and on costal and epiphyseal chondrocytes, have been studied in prenatal, immature, and adult Long-Evans rats using histochemical techniques, and both light and electron microscopy. Both prenatal and postnatal treatments have been employed. The steroids used were cortisone (CA), betamethasome (BM), and, in the prenatal group only, dexamethasone (DM). Body weight is reduced in all treated rats (except the low dose of CA) by day 17 of gestation, with greater weight reductions occurring in rats receiving the higher dose level of each steroid. In rats treated prenatally or neonatally, and sacrificed postnatally on days 39–43 or days 116–127, body weights, and tibial and tail lengths, are less than in correspondingly aged controls, thus showing a persistence of the effects of treatment. Costal and epiphyseal cartilages in prenatal rats show cellular, synthetic, and ultrastructural alterations induced by treatment with glucocorticoids but the responses are not necessarily comparable. Except for the low dose of DM, the higher doses of each steroid are more effective in inhibiting, or altering, growth and cellular differentiation in the developing fetuses. Surprisingly, a low dose of DM has a more devastating effect on the cells and extracellular matrix of both costal and epiphyseal cartilage, than do higher dose-levels of the various steroids. Low doses of CA and BM are also effective in inhibiting or altering growth and cellular differentiation, but their effectiveness is largely limited to 17 days of gestation. The order of effect of the various doses of the different steroids on fetal cartilage, listed in decreasing order of severity, is as follows: 0.12 DM, 0.24 DM, 0.42 BM, 50 CA, with 25 CA and 0.18 BM being approximately equal and only slightly different from control cartilages. The effect of prenatal or neonatal glucocorticoid treatment on chondrocytes is minimal in the 30–43 day, or 116–127 day, postnatal groups. In immature and adult rats, cortisone affects the chondrocytes more deleteriously than does betamethasone, and a 5.0 mg dose of CA seems to affect chondrocytes, body weight, and tibial and tail lengths more than 0.2 or 7.5 mg doses.
Evaluation of culture and the Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay for detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis in endocervical specimens transported to a state health laboratory.

The Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay (Gen-Probe Inc., San Diego, Calif.) was compared with culture for the detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in endocervical specimens that were mailed to the laboratory. During mail transport, the specimens were exposed to extremes of hot and cold weather for several days before arriving in the laboratory. Specimens on culture plates deteriorated during transport, as evidenced by many dead gonococcus-like colonies. The manufacturer9s recommendation for reporting PACE 2 assay-positive results was modified to create a suspicious category for samples with relative light units near the positive cutoff value. Of a total of 4,869 specimens tested, 30 were positive by both methods and 102 were positive only by the PACE 2 assay. These additional 102 positive specimens were likely to be true positives, as indicated by several lines of indirect evidence, including detailed probe competition analysis, patient history, and the lack of false-positive results in hand-delivered specimens. Although Gen-Probe Inc. indicates that specimens are stable for up to 7 days, N. gonorrhoeae was easily detectable by the PACE 2 assay after 1 month of incubation at room temperature in the PACE 2 transport buffer. We also compared the Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay for Chlamydia trachomatis with culture on endocervical specimens delivered by same-day courier. Of 398 endocervical specimens tested, the PACE 2 assay detected 19 of 20 culture-positive samples. Although the assay failed to detect one culture-positive sample, it was able to detect two very weak culture-suspicious samples. Finally, PACE 2 assays for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis performed on the same samples indicated that the coinfection rate was 40% for women attending five family planning clinics. We concluded that the Gen-Probe PACE 2 assay system should be considered for use in testing those specimens that are transported to the laboratory through the mail.
Editorial: Epidemiologic Reviews 2013—Special Issue on the Epidemiology of Aging

The papers in this volume (1–13 )r eflect substantial and diverse epidemiologic research activity on some of the major health problems of older people. When the call for papers was announced, no particular themes within this vast field of the epidemiology of aging were suggested or encouraged. This led to a series of reviews covering a breadth of modern and important topics. These topics touch many disciplines that dovetail with the science of aging, including evaluating putative social and biological risk factors for age-related change and survivorship, identifying biological processes and modern biomarkers of aging, and exploring aging outcomes in older populations, such as the issue of multimorbidity among older Americans and military veterans in Canada and other countries. Several papers review risk factors for altered cognitive function and dementia-related illnesses. Although firm conclusions are not always possible given the state of the science, important directions for moving forward are offered. The preventive potential of these works is always close to the surface. The papers also encompass some of the general themes and challenges of population aging research. The importance of life-course concepts in the epidemiology of aging is present in several reports. For example, the report by Dahl and Hassing (2) finds an association of midlife obesity and late-life cognitive function. Other reports also address the problem of accurately identifying early life exposures that predict late-life age-related changes. The incorporation of modern biological indicators of aging and survivorship, such as genetic and genomic factors (13) and telomere length (9), reflects the importance of molecular approaches to the long-standing quest for biomarkers of the progression of age-related change, biomarkers that are precise and robust across populations. As these biomarkers are validated, they will take their places as useful prognostic factors for personalized medicine. However, to be useful, such biomarkers need to be generally independent of untoward environmental exposures and the variety of diseases that are prevalent in older populations, a common problem noted in the report by Salive (6). Other reports in this volume denote the great variation in health and function among older populations, highlighting the challenges for defining preventive approaches for older persons that can reach large segments of this very heterogeneous group. Although new methodological approaches are always welcome, collectively this collection of review papers bespeaks the active international activity in population aging and points to directions in understanding aging mechanisms; defining potential biological, clinical, and social intervention studies to enhance successful aging; and providing more targeted, efficient, and effective approaches to delivering health services to older persons. The epidemiology of aging is alive and well!
Performance modeling of HS-RR-TCP over load-balanced optical burst-switched (OBS) networks

TCP-over-OBS is a promising transport paradigm to support next-generation Internet. It is well known that load-balanced routing generally improves loss performance over OBS. We identify that implementing TCP over load-balanced OBS could lead to persistent out-of-order delivery of TCP segments, resulting in unnecessary timeouts and fast retransmissions. In this paper we evaluate the performance of Reordering-Robust TCP (RR-TCP) over OBS networks. We develop an analytical end-to-end transfer delay model for TCP SACK and RR-TCP over load-balanced OBS networks. We observe that standard TCP experiences significant throughput degradation due to persistent packet reordering. Through simulations and modeling we show that RR-TCP achieves significant improvement compared to TCP SACK. In our simulations we add High-Speed TCP functionality to RR-TCP (HS-RR-TCP). The simulations show up to a 300% performance improvement for HS-RR-TCP compared to HS-TCP-SACK under ideal conditions and a 20% improvement on NSFnet with background traffic.
When Multi-Method Research Subverts Methodological Pluralism—or, Why We Still Need Single-Method Research

While acknowledging the many forms and contributions of multi-method research (MMR), we examine the costs of treating it as best practice on the grounds that it reduces method-specific weaknesses and increases external validity for findings. Focusing on MMR that combines some type of qualitative analysis with statistical or formal approaches, we demonstrate that error-reduction and cross-validation are not feasible where methods are not sufficiently similar in their basic ontologies and their conceptions of causality. In such cases, MMR may still yield important benefits—such as uncovering related insights or improving the coding of variables—but these can be readily obtained through collaboration among scholars specializing in single-method research (SMR). Such scholars often set the standards for the application of particular methods and produce distinctive insights that can elude researchers concerned about competently deploying different methods and producing coherent findings. Thus, the unchecked proliferation of multi-method skill sets risks forefeiting the benefits of SMR and marginalizing idiographically-oriented qualitative research that fits less well with formal or quantitative approaches. This would effectively subvert the pluralism that once gave impetus to MMR unless disciplinary expectations and professional rewards are predicated on a more balanced and nuanced understanding of what various forms of SMR and MMR bring to the table.
Dynamic signature verification system using stroked based features

This paper presents a novel feature-based dynamic signature verification system. Data is acquired from a Patriot digital pad, using the Windows Pen API. The signatures are analyzed dynamically by considering their spatial and time domain characteristics. A stroke-based feature extraction method is studied, in which strokes are separated by the zero pressure points. Between each pair of signatures, the correlation comparisons are conducted for strokes. A significant stroke is discriminated by the maximum correlation with respect to the reference signatures. The correlation value and stroke length for the significant strokes are extracted as features for identifying genuine signatures against forgeries. The membership function and classifier are modeled based on the probabilistic distribution of selected features. Experimental results were obtained for signatures from 20 volunteers. The current 6-feature based signature verification system was calculated to have a false accept rate of 1.67% and false reject rate of 6.67%.
Accelerating harmonic balance simulation using efficient parallelizable hierarchical preconditioning

An efficient parallelizable hierarchical preconditioning framework is proposed to accelerate the simulation of analog and RF circuits using harmonic balance (HB). We show that the proposed hierarchical preconditioning scheme not only brings significant runtime speedup over the conventional block diagonal (BD) preconditioner for driven circuits, but also enhances the simulation of autonomous circuits. Due to the specific algorithm construction, this hierarchical preconditioning can be achieved by solving a set of linear matrix problems with tree-like data dependency. Hence, it can be naturally parallelized to further improve the simulation efficiency. An efficient parallel HB simulation engine has been developed by distributing the simulation workload over a cluster of machines via message passing interface (MPI). Our experiments have shown that this new parallel HB algorithm can achieve the significant runtime speedup over the conventional serial preconditioning technique.
A Binocular Framework for Face Liveness Verification under Unconstrained Localization

In this paper, we propose a binocular framework for face liveness verification under unconstrained localization. The proposed framework contains two components: the first component localizes imbalanced points in face regions of an input pair of stereo images and the second component detects whether an imaging face is a 2D object or a 3D object. We test the propose framework on a publicly available stereo face database, which demonstrated its potential.