cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The kindness of strangers revisited: a comparison of 24 US cities

Three field studies compared helping behavior across a sample of 24 small, medium and large cities across the United States. The relationship of helping to statistics reflecting the demographic, social, and economic characteristics of these communities was then examined. The strongest predictors of city differences in helping were population size, population density, economic purchasing power and, to a somewhat lesser extent, walking speed. Changes in several community variables over the past decade were also associated with helping: population size, economic well-being as measured by both purchasing power and poverty rates, and crime rates. These data were compared to similar data collected 13–15 years ago.
Concordance and discordance in patient and provider perceptions of dizziness

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether there are significant differences in patient/healthcare provider perceptions of patient's dizziness severity, dizziness disability/handicap, anxiety, and signs of autonomic system activation. Materials and methods This was a prospective investigation of 30 patient–provider dyads drawn as a sample of convenience from an otology clinic in a large, tertiary care, medical center. Patients completed both the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Vestibular Symptom Scale (VSS) prior to vestibular function testing. Providers were instructed to complete the same measures following the patient's clinic visit from what they estimated was the patient's point of view. The two measures were analyzed for concordance and discordance. Results Patient/provider differences in DHI and VSS vertigo subscale scores were not significantly different. However, difference scores on the VSS anxiety/autonomic subscale indicated that providers significantly under-estimated patient anxiety and symptoms of autonomic system activation. Conclusions The results suggest that providers may be missing information pertinent to the role anxiety and autonomic system activation may play in patient visits for complaints of dizziness. We suggest that this problem can be mitigated by administrating to patients prior to their clinic visit a standardized measure that quantifies patient self-report dizziness, vertigo, anxiety and autonomic system arousal. Patterns of response by patients on these measures can enable providers to diagnose correctly dizziness disorders that are rooted in clinically significant anxiety either related to, or unrelated to, a history of vestibular system impairment.
A skewed truncated t distribution

Skewed symmetric distributions have attracted a great deal of attention in the last few years. One of them, the skewed t distribution suffers from limited applicability because of the lack of finite moments. This note proposes an alternative to the skewed t distribution, which we refer to as skewed truncated t distribution. It is defined by the pdf f(x) = 2g(x)G(@lx), where g(.) and G(.) are taken, respectively, to be the pdf and the cdf of a truncated t distribution. The note derives various properties of this distribution, including its moments.
Silicon drift detectors, present and future prospects

Abstract Silicon drift detectors provide unambiguous two-dimensional position information for charged particle detection with a single detector layer. A large area silicon drift detector was developed for the inner tracking detector of the STAR experiment at RHIC. In this paper, we discuss the lessons learned and the future prospects of this technology.
Endoscopic Use of the Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate 532 Laser in Gynecologic Surgery

ABSTRACT Gynecologic use of lasers in the performance of operative procedures continues to expand. The potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP/532) laser has a wavelength in the visible spectrum and is tr...
Laser-Induced Phosphorescence for the in Situ Detection of Glyoxal at Part per Trillion Mixing Ratios

Glyoxal is a molecule of emerging importance to the atmospheric chemistry community because of its role in aerosol formation and utility as an indicator for oxidative chemistry. We describe the Madison laser-induced phosphorescence (LIP) instrument, an instrument based on LIP for direct, in situ measurement of gas-phase glyoxal with a S/N = 3 limit of detection (LOD) of 18 pptv/min, with planned upgrades to reduce the LOD to 5 pptv/min. By employing this technique, we have built an instrument with exceptional in situ limits of detection, tremendous selectivity, and the considerable advantage of direct, fast measurements that requires neither derivatization nor ex situ analysis. The instrument is equally well-suited for laboratory and field measurements. It was deployed for the first time to the BEARPEX 2007 field campaign in Georgetown, CA, producing nearly one month of continuous data with mixing ratios ranging from 20 to 250 pptv glyoxal. To the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first use of LIP f...
The replication-competent oncolytic herpes simplex mutant virus NV1066 is effective in the treatment of esophageal cancer.

Abstract Background. The oncolytic herpes simplex-1 virus, NV1066, is a replication-competent virus that has been engineered to infect and lyse tumor cells selectively and to carry a transgene for enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). The purpose of this study was to determine viral cytotoxicity in an esophageal cancer cell line and to determine whether EGFP expression could be used as a marker of viral infection. Methods. BE3 esophageal adenocarcinoma cells were infected with NV1066 in vitro to determine cell kill and viral replication. EGFP expression was assessed by flow cytometry. The in vivo anti-tumor activity of NV1066 was tested in subcutaneous and intraperitoneal xenograft models. EGFP expression was localized in vivo by fluorescent microscopy and fluorescent laparoscopy. Results. NV1066 effectively replicated within and killed BE3 cells in vitro and in vivo. EGFP expression identified infected tumor cells. After NV1066 treatment in vivo, EGFP expression localized to the tumor. In an intraperitoneal tumor model, EGFP could be visualized endoscopically using a laparoscope with a fluorescent filter. Conclusion. NV1066 has oncolytic activity against the BE3 cell line and may be a useful therapy against esophageal cancer. EGFP expression localizes the virus and may help to identify tumor deposits in vivo. Oncolytic activity with NV1066 against gastrointestinal cancers may potentially be tracked by endoscopy. (Surgery 2003;134:357-64.)
Polity, Politics, and Social Research: A Study in the Relationship of Federal Commissions and Social Science

Although both presidential and congressional commissions have been a part of the American political scene for some decades, only in recent years have both their function and frequency increased. Richard Nixon, for example, during his first two years in office, appointed more than 50 commissions ranging from those concerned with federal statistics and oil import quotas to those concerned with campus unrest and drug abuse. As Bell (1966) has suggested, the increasing use of federal commissions may indicate a new trend by which national policy will come to be formulated. Bell speaks of "governance by commission" as a response to the growing isolation of the public from the decision-making processes at the federal level. Policy generated by commissions will become more important, Bell avers, due to the slippage of initiative legislation away from the legislative branch to the executive branch. As a consequence of this slippage, elected representatives will be less able to respond to the needs of their constituents in the face of en-
Minimalism as a Guiding Principle: Linking Mathematical Learning to Everyday Knowledge

Studies report that students often fail to consider familiar aspects of reality in solving mathematical word problems. This study explored how different features of mathematical problems influence the way that undergraduate students employ realistic considerations in mathematical problem solving. Incorporating familiar contents in the word problems was found to have only a limited impact. Instead, removing contextual constraints from the problem goal was found to motivate students to validate their problem solving in terms of their everyday experiences. Based on these findings, what determines the authenticity and relevance of a mathematical problem seems to be whether the problem allows students to freely reconstruct the problem situation by making use of their imagination and everyday experiences. In short, the basic principle seems to be “less is more”; that is, fewer constraints in problem goals could function to help students personally associate problem solving with their everyday experiences.
Routine Activities and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

This article draws from criminological research on victimization and on organizational models of the social context of sexual harassment to propose a routine activities explanation of sexual harass...
FinFET SRAM Design

This paper describes the SRAM design concept in FinFETtechnologies using unique features of non-planar double-gated devices. The parameter space required to design FinFETs is explored.Variety of SRAM design techniques are presented exploiting the advantages of tied gate and independent gate controlled configurations. SRAM performance, power, and stability for FinFET devices are compared with conventional planar CMOS counterparts. Modeling the variability of FinFETs through statistics is presented as well.
Nine-nation typology: application to adolescent time use

In The Nine Nations of North America Garreau1 argues that the North American continent is not so much three countries as it is nine distinctly different cultural regions. The purpose of this research was to compare the time use of North American adolescents by these regions of residence in North America. The time spent in household work, school work and leisure was consistently explained by the weekday/weekend variable and urban/rural area of residence. An interaction between the weekday variable and North American region of residence in the model for time spent in leisure activities may indicate some significant differences.
Thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate-based composites

To evaluate the thermal stability of ammonium nitrate-water-in-oil emulsions, the thermal decomposition kinetics and resultant products were examined. As a baseline, the thermal stability of ammonium nitrate with individual components of the emulsion was determined. Only mineral oil had any effect on the decomposition. Generally, ammonium nitrate mixed with hydrocarbons has enhanced thermal stability. However, ammonium nitrate mixed, rather than emulsified, with mineral oil can decompose along a lower energy pathway than pure ammonium nitrate. The extent of decomposition along that pathway is not large before the decomposition process results in building-up of ammonia and, thus, in termination of that pathway. Mineral oil appears to be unique among the hydrocarbons in its ability to destabilize ammonium nitrate. The experiments utilized differential scanning calorimetry in combination with conventional isothermal techniques.
Lightning Warnings with NLDN Cloud and Cloud-to-ground Lightning Data

Previous studies (Holle and Demetriades 2010; Murphy and Holle 2008) have evaluated the performance of the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) with respect to warnings of cloud-to-ground lightning at specific locations such as airports. The statistics used to evaluate warning performance have included probability of detection (POD), false alarm ratio (FAR), duration of warnings, and number of storms reported. In 2013, the NLDN was upgraded to Vaisala's LS7002 sensors replacing the older generation LS7001 and IMPACT sensors. As a result of this upgrade, in addition to a cloud-to-ground flash detection efficiency of about 95% (Nag et al. 2011), a cloud flash detection efficiency of about 50% is expected for the NLDN. In this study, we examine the warning performance using cloud and cloud-to-ground data from the NLDN after the 2013 upgrade. Data from several regions of the continental U.S. are considered. The warning statistics are evaluated with and without cloud lightning data. The impact of varying outer radii, inner verification areas, and end-of-storm wait times are examined. Upon conclusion of the study, it was found that addition of NLDN cloud lightning added about 10% to the POD, while the FAR was unchanged, and the percent time under valid warning and false alarms increased somewhat. As found previously, a 15-minute warning expiration time was better than 10 minutes, and POD decreased steadily for longer lead times. POD increased steadily for larger outer radii, but FAR also increased. Finally, short exploration of a smaller warning area showed better warning statistics, but there was significant sensitivity to the relative size of the inner versus outer areas.
Stuttering inhibition via altered auditory feedback during scripted telephone conversations.

Background Overt stuttering is inhibited by approximately 80% when people who stutter read aloud as they hear an altered form of their speech feedback to them. However, levels of stuttering inhibition vary from 60% to 100% depending on speaking situation and signal presentation. For example, binaural presentations of delayed auditory feedback (DAF) and frequency-altered feedback (FAF) have been shown to reduce stuttering by approximately 57% during scripted telephone conversations. Aims To examine stuttering frequency under monaural auditory feedback with one combination of DAF with FAF (COMBO-2) and two combinations of DAF with FAF (COMBO-4) during scripted telephone conversations. Methods & Procedures Nine adult participants who stutter called 15 local businesses during scripted telephone conversations; each condition consisted of five randomized telephone calls. Conditions consisted of (1) baseline (i.e. non-altered feedback), (2) COMBO-2 (i.e. 50-ms delay with a half octave spectral shift up), and (3) COMBO-4 (i.e. 200-ms delay and a half octave spectral shift down in addition to the COMBO-2). Participants wore a supra-aural headset with a dynamic condenser microphone while holding a receiver to their contralateral ear when making telephone calls. Outcomes & Results Stuttering was significantly reduced during both altered auditory feedback (AAF) conditions by approximately 65%. Furthermore, a greater reduction in stuttering was revealed during the COMBO with four effects (74%) as compared with the COMBO with two effects (63%). Conclusions & Implications Results from the current study support prior research reporting decreased stuttering under AAF during scripted telephone conversations. Findings that stuttering was significantly reduced to a greater extent under the COMBO with four effects condition suggest that second signals reduce stuttering along a continuum. Additionally, findings support prior research results of decreased stuttering frequency under AAF during hierarchically difficult speaking situations. Clinical application of these findings may be that people who stutter can use specific software or smartphone applications that produce second speech signals to inhibit stuttering frequency effectively during telephone conversations.
Fluidity-induced changes in diffusion through membranes: a predictive model☆☆☆

Abstract Diffusion of uncharged solutes through a neutral monolayer is limited by the probability of sufficiently sized vacancies forming randomly between membrane barriers. If the one-dimensional distribution of barriers is described by the Gaussian, a change in membrane fluidity can be represented by a change in variance of the distribution. By the reproductive property of Gaussian distributions, the vacancy size would also be altered. The effect of this change on the probability of solute passage is dependent on the ratio between solute size ( V i ) and mean vacancy size V . An increase in fluidity may hamper diffusion of a solute if V i V , whereas a fluidity decrease would augment diffusion. For V i > V , a fluidity change would have the opposite effect. If V i ⪡, =, or ⪢ V , no effect would obtain. There are, then, critical values for V i V . The influence of temperature on conduction velocity in squid axons illustrates how this model could affect physiological systems.
Densely Ionizing Radiation Acts via the Microenvironment to Promote Aggressive Trp53-Null Mammary Carcinomas

Densely ionizing radiation, which is present in the space radiation environment and used in radiation oncology, has potentially greater carcinogenic effect compared with sparsely ionizing radiation that is prevalent on earth. Here, we used a radiation chimera in which mice were exposed to densely ionizing 350 MeV/amu Si-particles, γ-radiation, or sham-irradiated and transplanted 3 days later with syngeneic Trp53-null mammary fragments. Trp53-null tumors arising in mice irradiated with Si-particles had a shorter median time to appearance and grew faster once detected compared with those in sham-irradiated or γ-irradiated mice. Tumors were further classified by markers keratin 8/18 (K18, KRT18), keratin 14 (K14, KRT14) and estrogen receptor (ER, ESR1), and expression profiling. Most tumors arising in sham-irradiated hosts were comprised of both K18- and K14-positive cells (K14/18) while those tumors arising in irradiated hosts were mostly K18. Keratin staining was significantly associated with ER status: K14/18 tumors were predominantly ER-positive, whereas K18 tumors were predominantly ER-negative. Genes differentially expressed in K18 tumors compared with K14/18 tumor were associated with ERBB2 and KRAS, metastasis, and loss of E-cadherin. Consistent with this, K18 tumors tended to grow faster and be more metastatic than K14/18 tumors, however, K18 tumors in particle-irradiated mice grew significantly larger and were more metastatic compared with sham-irradiated mice. An expression profile that distinguished K18 tumors arising in particle-irradiated mice compared with sham-irradiated mice was enriched in mammary stem cell, stroma, and Notch signaling genes. These data suggest that carcinogenic effects of densely ionizing radiation are mediated by the microenvironment, which elicits more aggressive tumors compared with similar tumors arising in sham-irradiated hosts.
CSA-BF: a constrained switched adaptive beamformer for speech enhancement and recognition in real car environments

While a number of studies have investigated various speech enhancement and processing schemes for in-vehicle speech systems, little research has been performed using actual voice data collected in noisy car environments. In this paper, we propose a new constrained switched adaptive beamforming algorithm (CSA-BF) for speech enhancement and recognition in real moving car environments. The proposed algorithm consists of a speech/noise constraint section, a speech adaptive beamformer, and a noise adaptive beamformer. We investigate CSA-BF performance with a comparison to classic delay-and-sum beamforming (DASB) in realistic car conditions using a corpus of data recorded in various car noise environments from across the U.S. After analyzing the experimental results and considering the range of complex noise situations in the car environment using the CU-Move corpus, we formulate the three specific processing stages of the CSA-BF algorithm. This method is evaluated and shown to simultaneously decrease word-error-rate (WER) for speech recognition by up to 31% and improve speech quality via the SEGSNR measure by up to +5.5 dB on the average.
Nuclear degradation of p53 occurs during down-regulation of the p53 response after DNA damage

The principal regulator of p53 stability is HDM2, an E3 ligase that mediates p53 degradation via the ubiquitin-26S proteasome pathway. The current model holds that p53 degradation occurs exclusively on cytoplasmic proteasomes and hence has an absolute requirement for nuclear export of p53 via the CRM-1 pathway. However, proteasomes are abundant in both cytosol and nucleus, and no studies have been done to determine under what physiological circumstances p53 degradation might occur in the nucleus. We analyzed HDM2-mediated degradation of endogenous p53 in the presence of various nuclear export inhibitors of CRM-1, including leptomycin B (LMB), a noncompetitive, specific, and fast-acting inhibitor; and HTLV1-Rex protein, a potent competitive inhibitor. We found that significant HDM2-mediated p53 degradation took place in the presence of LMB or HTLV1-Rex, indicating that endogenous p53 degradation occurs locally in the nucleus, in parallel to cytoplasmic degradation. Moreover, p53 null cells that coexpressed export-defective mutants of p53 and HDM2 retained partial competence for p53 degradation. It is important that nuclear degradation of p53 occurred during the poststress recovery phase of a p53 response, after DNA damage ceased. We propose that the capability of local p53 degradation within the nucleus provides a tighter and faster control during the down-regulatory phase, when an active p53 program needs to be turned off quickly.
Segmentation and recognition of multi-attribute motion sequences

In this work, we focus on fast and efficient recognition of motions in multi-attribute continuous motion sequences. 3D motion capture data, animation motion data, and sensor data from gesture sensing devices are examples of multi-attribute continuous motion sequences. These sequences have multiple attributes rather than only one attribute as time series data has. Motions can have different rates and durations, and the resulting data can thus have different lengths. Also, motion data can have noises due to transitions between successive motions. Hence, traditional distance measuring approaches used for time series data (such as Euclidean distances or dynamic time-warped distances) are not suitable for recognition in multi-attribute motion sequences. Hence, we have defined a similarity measure based on the analysis of singular value decomposition (SVD) properties of similar multi-attribute motions. A five-phase algorithm has then been proposed that gives good pruning power by exploiting the proximity of continuous motion data. We experimented this algorithm with data from different sources: 3D motion capture devices, animation motions, and CyberGlove gesture sensing device. These experiments show that our algorithm can segment and recognize long motion streams with high accuracy and in real time without knowing beforehand the number of motions in a stream.
Aging, resistance training, and motor unit discharge behavior.

Researchers have alluded to the existence of "neural factors" in the expression and development of muscular strength. Candidate neural factors including motor unit recruitment, rate coding, doublet...
The Effects of Marathon Groups on the Ways Illicit Drug Users Perceive Counseling

This research investigated the effects of five 16-hour unstructured marathon groups on changing the attitudes toward counseling of male and female imprisoned, illicit drug users. The attitudes of the participants of the marathon groups were compared on posttests to the attitudes of the participants of five matched, randomly selected control groups. The members of the marathon groups rated counseling higher than the members of the control groups on an evaluative semantic differential scale. They also rated many of the specific evaluative and potency adjective pairs of the semantic differential for counseling differently than the control group members.
Racial Disparity in Police Contacts

Criminologists agree the race disparity in arrests cannot be fully explained by differences in criminal behavior. The authors examine social environment factors that may lead to racial differences in police contact in early adolescence, including family, peers, school, and community. Data are from 331 eighth-grade students. Blacks were almost twice as likely as Whites to report a police contact. Blacks reported more property crime but not more violent crime than Whites. Police contacts were increased by having a parent who had been arrested, a sibling involved in criminal activity, higher observed reward for negative behavior, having school disciplinary actions, and knowing adults who engaged in substance abuse or criminal behavior. Race differences in police contacts were partially attributable to more school discipline.
DNA sequence requirements for the regulation of immobilization antigen A expression in Paramecium tetraurelia.

The Paramecium surface proteins (immobilization antigens) are expressed in a mutually exclusive manner; only one antigen is found on the cell surface at a time. Expression of these proteins is regulated in response to environmental cues such as temperature and pH. This regulation has been shown to be controlled at the level of mRNA abundance by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Here, we have studied the transcription and regulated expression of the immobilization antign A gene in Paramecium tetraurelia by transforming an A -deficient strain, d12, with cloned portions of the A gene viamicroinjection. The A gene is approximately 8 kilobases (kb) long with the transcription start site at postion −9 or −8 and the start of translation at position +1. Paramecia transformed with cloned DNA containing A-gene sequences beginning at position −264 and ending 63 base pairs (bp) past the gene's polyadenylation site show properly regulated expression of immobilization antigen A. Lines derived from paramecia transformed with a plasmid containing A-gene sequences starting at position −211, however, show markedly reduced A-gene mRNA levels, and rarely express the A antigen. Nevertheless, cells that do express the A protein exhibit mutual exclusion and normal responses to environmental stimuli. Thus, the 54 bp between −264 and −211, while important for transcription, are not involved in the control of mutual exclusion and responses to environmental chages. Further deletion to position −151 yields similar, but more extreme, results. Therefore, the start of the A-gene promoter lies within the region −264 to −211, with additional sequences affecting transcriptional regulation present between base pairs −211 and −151. Sequences controlling environmental responses and mutual exclusion must be located downstream of position −211. Thus, we have defined regions of DNA necessary for immobilization antigen A expression and have located the approximate position of the A-gene promoter in Paramecium. This work paves the way for a precise mutational analysis of these regions and the first detailed molecular characterization of a Paramecium promoter. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Self-organization through bottom-up coalition formation

We present a distributed approach to self-organization in a distributed sensor network. The agents in the system use a series of negotiations incrementally to form appropriate coalitions of sensor and processing resources.Since the system is cooperative, we have developed a range of protocols that allow the agents to share meta-level information before they allocate resources. On one extreme the protocols are based on local utility computations, where each agent negotiates based on its local perspective. From there, a continuum of additional protocols exists in which agents base decisions on marginal social utility, the combination of an agent's marginal utility and that of others. We present a formal framework that allows us to quantify how social an agent can be in terms of the set of agents that are considered and how the choice of a certain level affects the decisions made by the agents and the global utility of the organization.Our results show that by implementing social agents, we obtain an organization with a high global utility both when agents negotiate over complex contracts and when they negotiate over simple ones. The main difference between the two cases is mainly the rate of convergence. Our algorithm is incremental, and therefore the organization that evolves can adapt and stabilize as agents enter and leave the system.
Resonant-cavity-induced phase locking and voltage steps in a Josephson array

We describe a simple dynamical model for an underdamped Josephson junction array coupled to a resonant cavity. From numerical solutions of the model in one dimension, we find that (i) current-voltage characteristics of the array have self-induced resonant steps (SIRS), (ii) at fixed disorder and coupling strength, the array locks into a coherent, periodic state above a critical number of active Josephson junctions, and (iii) when ${N}_{a}$ active junctions are synchronized on an SIRS, the energy emitted into the resonant cavity is quadratic with ${N}_{a}.$ All three features are in agreement with a recent experiment [P. Barbara, A. B. Cawthorne, S. V. Shitov, and C. J. Lobb, Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 1963 (1999)].
RAn Enlarged Conception of the Subject Matter of Logic

Una concepcion ampliada del objeto de estudio de la logica: El ensayo es una introduccion a la logica ilocucionaria, es decir a la logica de los actos de habla. El autor propone una aproximacion distinta a este campo de investigacion con respecto al que han propuesto John Searle y Daniel Vanderveken. Ellos conciben la logica ilocucionaria como un suplemento o un apendice a la logica estandar, la logica de los enunciados, y se concentran en el estudio de leyes y principios muy generales que caracterizan todo tipo de actos ilocucionarios. Kearns, en cambio, concibe la logica ilocucionaria como una disciplina muy comprensiva, con muchos sub-sistemas, que cobija a la logica estandar como parte suya. El escrito describe brevemente el uso de los operadores ilocucionarios (de aseveracion, de negacion, de suposicion de verdad o falsedad), explica la manera como se expande la concepcion semantica en terminos de condiciones de verdad para incluir los compromisos racionales del hablante y presenta un sistema de deduccion para esta logica. Como un ejemplo de lo que esta logica puede hacer se ofrece una solucion a la paradoja de Moore contenida en la aseveracion “Esta lloviendo, pero no lo creo”.
Pharmacogenetic research in partnership with American Indian and Alaska Native communities

Pharmacogenetics is a subset of personalized medicine that applies knowledge about genetic variation in gene-drug pairs to help guide optimal dosing. There is a lack of data, however, about pharmacogenetic variation in underserved populations. One strategy for increasing participation of underserved populations in pharmacogenetic research is to include communities in the research process. We have established academic-community partnerships with American Indian and Alaska Native people living in Alaska and Montana to study pharmacogenetics. Key features of the partnership include community oversight of the project, research objectives that address community health priorities, and bidirectional learning that builds capacity in both the community and the research team. Engaging the community as coresearchers can help build trust to advance pharmacogenetic research objectives.
On the Eavesdrop Vulnerability of Random Network Coding over Wireless Networks

When random network coding is combined with path diversity, source data packets are mixed and distributed spatially across different parts of the network, providing some inherent protection against eavesdropping. In a wireless setting, the links may be of poor quality and are subject to intercept by a sophisticated eavesdropper at potentially significant distances from the network. Thus, this inherent protection against eavesdropping is likely to be fragile. In this paper, we propose a quantitative metric for eavesdrop vulnerability based on radio link budget considerations. Using the famous butterfly network as a simple example, we confirm that the wireless network is increasingly vulnerable as the eavesdropper's capabilities increase or the average link quality of the network degrades. Under critical conditions, the eavesdropper is able to decode session traffic with high reliability by observing the transmissions of any relay node---i.e., no security is provided at all.
Furosemide affects ear-canal emissions produced by the injection of ac currents into scala media

Tones produced by the injection of current into scala media were measured in the ear canal. The ear-canal emissions were substantially modified with the intravenous injection of a diuretic, furosemide. Changes in the endolymphatic potential and the cochlear microphonic were also measured.
Achieving Satisfaction with a Long-Term Service

The focus of this study was the high attrition rate of a small, Midwestern two-year college. The researchers examined the influence of a number of variables, including high school rank and grade point averages of students, socioeconomic status, education of parents, college grade point averages, employment status of students, and financial need. Results of the study indicated that dropouts tended to have experienced less academic success and to be employed more hours per week than persisters. Persisters also tended to receive more financial aid and be more involved in campus organizations than dropouts.
Regulation of endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression by shear stress

Shear stress enhances expression of Ca(2+)-calmodulin-sensitive endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) mRNA and protein in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). The present studies were performed to investigate mechanisms responsible for regulation of ecNOS mRNA expression by shear stress and to determine if this induction of ecNOS mRNA is accompanied by an enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production. Shear stresses of 15 dyn/cm2 for 3-24 h resulted in a two- to threefold increase of ecNOS mRNA content quantified by Northern analysis in BAEC. Shear stresses (1.2-15 dyn/cm2) for 3 h resulted in an induction of ecNOS mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. In human aortic endothelial cells, shear stresses of 15 dyn/cm2 for 3 h also resulted in ecNOS mRNA induction. In BAEC, this induction in ecNOS mRNA was prevented by coincubation with actinomycin D (10 micrograms/ml). The K+ channel antagonist tetraethylammonium chloride (3 mM) prevented increase in ecNOS mRNA in response to shear stress. The ecNOS promotor contains putative binding domains for AP-1 complexes, potentially responsive to activation of protein kinase C (PKC). However, selective PKC inhibitor calphostin C (100 nM) did not inhibit ecNOS induction by shear stress. Finally, production of nitrogen oxides under both basal conditions and in response to the calcium ionophore A-23187 (1 microM) by BAEC exposed to shear stress was increased approximately twofold compared with cells not exposed to shear stress. These data suggest that ecNOS mRNA expression is regulated by K+ channel opening, but not by activation of PKC, and that shear not only enhances ecNOS mRNA expression but increases capacity of endothelial cells to release NO.
The Alarmin Properties of DNA and DNA-associated Nuclear Proteins

Abstract Purpose The communication of cell injury and death is a critical element in host defense. Although immune cells can serve this function by elaborating cytokines and chemokines, somatic cells can repurpose nuclear macromolecules to function as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) or alarmins to exert similar activity. Among these molecules, DNA, high-mobility group box-1, and histone proteins can all act as DAMPs once they are in an extracellular location. This review describes current information on the role of the nuclear DAMPs, their translocation to the outside of cells, and pathways of activation after uptake into the inside of immune cells. Methods MEDLINE and PubMed databases were searched for citations (1990–2016) in English related to the following terms: DAMPs, high-mobility group box-1, DNA, histones, cell death, danger, and immune activation. Selected articles with the most relevant studies were included for a more detailed consideration. Findings Although nuclear molecules have important structural and genetic regulatory roles inside the cell nucleus, when released into the extracellular space during cell death, these molecules can acquire immune activity and serve as alarmins or DAMPs. Although apoptosis is generally considered the source of extracellular nuclear material, other cell death pathways such as necroptosis, NETosis, and pyroptosis can contribute to the release of nuclear molecules. Importantly, the release of nuclear DAMPs occurs with both soluble and particulate forms of these molecules. The activity of nuclear molecules may depend on posttranslational modifications, redox changes, and the binding of other molecules. Once in an extracellular location, nuclear DAMPs can engage the same pattern recognition receptors as do pathogen-associated molecular patterns. These interactions can activate immune cells and lead to cytokine and chemokine production. Among these receptors, internal receptors for DNA are key to the response to this molecule; the likely function of these internal sensors is the recognition of DNA from intracellular infection by bacteria or viruses. Activation of these receptors requires translocation of extracellular DNA into specialized compartments. In addition to nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA can also serve as a DAMP. Implications The communication of cell injury and death is a critical element in host defense and involves the repurposing of nuclear molecules as immune triggers. As such, the presence of extracellular nuclear material can serve as novel biomarkers for conditions involving cell injury and death. Targeting of these molecules may also represent an important new approach to therapy.
Home Transfusion Therapy: A New Dimension In Home Care

Visiting Nurse Service, Inc (VNS), of Akron, Ohio, has provided transfusion therapy in the home since January 1984. Home transfusion has proved a valuable alternative to inpatient treatment and to expensive, exhausting ambulance trips to the hospital for outpatient treatment for selected homebound patients, many of whom are terminally ill. The VNS program is based on detailed policies and procedures that include patient referral criteria, RN education, patient education, blood procurement and labelling, and protocols for transfusion complications. Recognizing the need for patient safety, VNS has a quality assurance program that provides for continuous monitoring and evaluation of the home transfusion therapy, especially of any adverse reactions that occur.
5 Irreducible Representations

Clifford-Munn-Ponizovskiĭ theory, developed in Clifford [Cli42], Munn [Mun55, Mun57b, Mun60], and Ponizovskiĭ [Pon58] (and in further detail in [LP69, RZ91]), gives a bijection between equivalence classes of irreducible representations of a finite monoid and equivalence classes of irreducible representations of its maximal subgroups (taken one per regular \(\mathcal{J}\)-class). We follow here the approach of [GMS09], using the techniques of Chapter 4 Let us commence by introducing formally the notion of a representation of a monoid.
Through Disarmament Nations Will Substitute Political for Military Arrangements (1931)

In a report to the disarmament conference made recently, France reminded the world of her paramount demand for a sense of national security. She voiced what every nation feels, that above all they must be defended against potential enemies; against attacks on their colonies or protectorates; against attacks on their commerce or special commercial arrangements, with protection for their investments and nationals abroad.
Correcting negatively biased refractivity below ducts in GNSS radio occultation: an optimal estimation approach towards improving planetary boundary layer (PBL) characterization

Abstract. Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) radio occultation (RO) measurements are promising in sensing the vertical structure of the Earth's planetary boundary layer (PBL). However, large refractivity changes near the top of PBL can cause ducting and lead to a negative bias in the retrieved refractivity within the PBL (below ∼ 2 km). To remove the bias, a reconstruction method with assumption of linear structure inside the ducting layer models has been proposed by Xie et al. (2006). While the negative bias can be reduced drastically as demonstrated in the simulation, the lack of high-quality surface refractivity constraint makes its application to real RO data difficult. In this paper, we use the widely available precipitable water (PW) satellite observation as the external constraint for the bias correction. A new framework is proposed to incorporate optimization into the RO reconstruction retrievals in the presence of ducting conditions. The new method uses optimal estimation to select the best refractivity solution whose PW and PBL height best match the externally retrieved PW and the known a priori states, respectively. The near-coincident PW retrievals from AMSR-E microwave radiometer instruments are used as an external observational constraint. This new reconstruction method is tested on both the simulated GNSS-RO profiles and the actual GNSS-RO data. Our results show that the proposed method can greatly reduce the negative refractivity bias when compared to the traditional Abel inversion.
Content of web-based continuing medical education about HPV vaccination.

Abstract Background Addressing low HPV vaccination coverage will require U.S. health care providers to improve their recommendation practices and vaccine delivery systems. Because readily available continuing medical education (CME) could be an important tool for supporting providers in this process, we sought to assess the content of web-based CME activities related to HPV vaccination. Methods We conducted a content analysis of web-based CME activities about HPV vaccination available to U.S. primary care providers in May-September 2016. Using search engines, educational clearinghouses, and our professional networks, we identified 15 activities eligible for study inclusion. Through a process of open coding, we identified 45 commonly occurring messages in the CME activities, which we organized into five topic areas: delivering recommendations for HPV vaccination, addressing common parent concerns, implementing office-based strategies to increase HPV vaccination coverage, HPV epidemiology, and guidelines for HPV vaccine administration and safety. Using a standardized abstraction form, two coders then independently assessed which of the 45 messages each CME activity included. Results CME activities varied in the amount of content they delivered, with inclusion of the 45 messages ranging from 17% to 86%. Across activities, the most commonly included messages were related to guidelines for HPV vaccine administration and safety. For example, all activities (100%) specified that routine administration is recommended for ages 11 and 12. Most activities (73%) also noted that provider recommendations are highly influential. Fewer activities modeled examples of effective recommendations (47%), gave specific approaches to addressing common parent concerns (47%), or included guidance on office-based strategies to increase coverage (40%). Conclusions Given that many existing CME activities lack substantive content on how to change provider practice, future activities should focus on the practical application of interpersonal and organizational approaches for improving HPV vaccine delivery in the clinical setting.
Polygodial analog induces apoptosis in LNCaP prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second leading cause of death in American men. The chemotherapeutic treatment strategies are generally not effective and can lead to side effects. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify novel chemotherapeutic agents. The aim of this study was to synthesize and evaluate the therapeutic effects of a synthetic analog of polygodial (PG), a pungent constituent abundantly present in mountain pepper, water pepper and dorrigo pepper, on LNCaP PCa cell line and its anti-cancer mechanisms in a preclinical study. We evaluated the anti-cancer potential of the PG analog namely DRP-27 using various assays such as cell viability by MTT assay, anchorage independent growth by soft agar assay, reactive oxygen species generation by 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein probe-based fluorescence assay, and apoptosis by Annexin-V and TUNEL assays respectively. Western blot analysis was performed to identify the molecular mechanism of DRP-27-induced cell death. Our results showed that DRP-27 significantly inhibited LNCaP cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner at 48 h treatment in vitro. In addition, DRP-27 potently inhibited anchorage-independent growth of these cells. Flow cytometry, Annexin-V and TUNEL assays confirmed that DRP-27 induces apoptosis in LNCaP cells. DRP-27 also induced the activation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Western blot analysis revealed that DRP-27 downregulated the expression of survivin, while activating Bax and DNA damage marker pH2AX in LNCaP cells. In conclusion, our study suggests that DRP-27 might be an effective anti-cancer agent for PCa.
Advances and applications in low-power phased array X-band weather radars

Low-cost, low-power X-band phased array radar (LPAR) is an enabling technology for future deployment of distributed short-range radar networks. Such networks offer the potential for superior and lower altitude surveillance of atmospheric and airborne events compared with today's larger, long range national radar networks. Two dimensionally steered (phase-phase steering, without motors or other moving parts) phased array radars are complex systems comprising multiple subsystems including several thousand transmit/receive (T/R) channels, beam steering computers, thermal management. Owing to this complexity and the associated cost, phased array technology has not historically been used in weather and air traffic control radars. Competition for the frequency spectrum traditionally reserved for long-range radars is motivating the search for new approaches to national air surveillance; this has motivated R&D investment in two-dimensional X-band LPAR over the past decade, to the point where prototype systems are now emerging in several application settings including, for the first time, the university research setting. Two-dimensional high-speed (inertia-less) beam steering combined with dual polarization, programmable/adaptive waveforms, and the ability to combine multiple radars into networks is leading to new atmospheric science research opportunities related to hazardous storm forecasting and response, understanding cloud physics, water resource management, monitoring the movement and dispersal of hazardous plumes, and other areas.
Induced resistance in Cucurbits

Induced or acquired resistance to disease has been intensively studied in three families of dicotyledonous plants. In the previous two chapters, the research with Legumes and Solanaceous plants was reviewed. In this chapter, the third dicot family, the Cucurbitaceae, will be examined.
CONTRIBUTION OF CAD-CAM AND REVERSE ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY TO THE BIOMEDICAL FIELD

Through a combination of CAD/CAM, Reverse engineering (RE) technologies such as Computed Tomography (CT) scan or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and Stereolithography; physical models of the human anatomy can be produced directly from the scan data. The models are used not only in designing and producing surgical tools and equipment, but also in diagnosis, aiding in pre-surgical planning and rehearsing of complex surgical procedures. In this paper we provide an overview of the engineering technologies which make these applications feasible as well as recent advances in this field. We describe the different methods of integrating CT or MRI with image processing and rapid prototyping technologies in producing stereolithographic models. We provide results of ongoing research that promises to have a great impact on the Biomedical field.