cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EFFECTS OF FOLIVORY ON SUBCORTICAL PLANT DEFENSES: CAN DEFENSE THEORIES PREDICT INTERGUILD PROCESSES?

The manner and extent to which physiological alterations resulting from folivory can affect the growth, survival, and resistance of trees against subsequent insects and fungi is poorly understood. Information obtained under natural conditions and with subcortically feeding insects is particularly lacking. We evaluated the effects of varying levels of natural feeding by a folivore on subsequent host growth, survival, and suitability to subcortical insects and fungi and also considered implications as to how source limitations caused by defoliation relate to current plant defense theories. The study system consisted of Choristoneura pinus pinus, the jack pine budworm, on Pinus banksiana Lamb., jack pine. We quantified a range of defoliation by C. pinus pinus in test trees and measured parameters of host defenses and colonization by bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) and woodborers (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). We also measured colonization and accompanying tree mortality attributable to these insects. Tree physiological parameters and insect colonization patterns were measured over a 24-mo period. Primary resin flow rates and the ability of active responses to confine the bark beetle's fungal symbiont Ophiostoma ips within the phloem, were reduced by high levels of defoliation. These patterns were further influenced by host seasonal phenology and time since defoliation. The predominant subcortical insects responding to defoliation by C. pinus pinus were Ips grandicollis and Monochamus carolinensis. Colonization by these insects together increased exponentially in relation to defoliation level, but the two species differentially exploited trees from particular defoliation levels. The loss of growth among surviving trees increased with defoliation intensity. However, growth and defensive capacity were not related, either negatively or positively, during any interval of this study. Depending on the length of time since defoliation stress, the relationship between plant defense and defoliation intensity was either parabolic, as predicted by growth differentiation theory, or inverse linear, as predicted by plant stress theory. Thus, differing models depicting how carbon allocation and overall carbon availability can influence secondary-chemical metabolism in plants may represent various stages along a temporal continuum. Our results suggest that the time since a stress is exerted is an important variant that should be incorporated into synthetic theories of plant defense. These results also suggest that integrative models of plant defense theory can be extended to describe impacts on community-level interactions.
Treatment of Syphilis in Pregnancy and Prevention of Congenital Syphilis

Studies about the management of syphilis during pregnancy were reviewed. They lacked uniformity in diagnostic criteria and study design. Currently recommended doses of benzathine penicillin G are effective in preventing congenital syphilis in most settings, although studies are needed regarding increased dosing regimens. Azithromycin and ceftriaxone offer potential alternatives for penicillin-allergic women, but insufficient data on efficacy limit their use in pregnancy. Ultrasonography provides a noninvasive means to examine pregnant women for signs of fetal syphilis, and abnormal findings indicate a risk for obstetric complications and fetal treatment failure. Ultrasonography should precede antepartum treatment during the latter half of pregnancy to gauge severity of fetal infection. However, optimal management of the affected fetus has not been established; collaborative management with a specialist is recommended. Antepartum screening remains a critical component of congenital syphilis prevention, even in the era of syphilis elimination.
Granular Cell Tumor of the Canine Central Nervous System: Two Cases:

Although pure granular cell tumors have been reported in various sites in the dog, only one tumor has been reported in the central nervous system. Two dogs presented with neurologic signs had brain lesions detected by magnetic resonance imaging in the area of the olfactory bulbs and frontal cortex. In both dogs, a clinical diagnosis of a granular cell tumor was made from tissues obtained from stereotactic biopsies guided by computed tomography. Surgical removal of the tumors was followed by histopathologic, ultrastructural, and immunocytochemical characterization. Although not conclusive, these studies indicated that the granular cells were not of leucocyte origin but may have been derived from the meninges. One dog died 12 months after surgery, and the other was alive 4 months later.
Characterization of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis using high‐resolution MRI study – rationale and design

Background Intracranial atherosclerosis is a leading cause of stroke, but little is known about the composition of the intracranial atherosclerotic lesion and how intracranial plaque morphology is related to the risk of stroke. High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR MRI) has been used in patients with extracranial carotid atherosclerosis as an in vivo tool to identify, with high-interrater agreement, histologically defined plaque components (i.e., intraplaque hemorrhage, fibrous cap, and lipid core), which have been shown to be predictors of recurrent stroke. With careful imaging the components of atherosclerotic plaque can be visualized in the intracranial arteries using HR MRI, but there are no reports of reproducibility or interrater reliability. Methods/Study design The Characterization of intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis using high-resolution MRI (CHIASM) study is a single-center NIH-funded prospective observational study, to (1) demonstrate high -interrater agreement for identifying intracranial plaque components on HR MRI, (2) determine the frequency of these components in symptomatic versus asymptomatic plaques, and (3) estimate the 1-year rate of stroke in the territory of high-risk plaque components. CHIASM will recruit 90 patients with 50–99% intracranial atherosclerosis to undergo HRMRI of the intracranial artery plaque at enrollment and 1-year follow-up. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects will be recruited. Conclusion Determination of good interrater reliability is an important first step in the development of HR MRI as a tool to predict risk in patients with intracranial atherosclerosis. This study will inform the design of future multicenter studies to determine the prevalence and prognosis of intracranial atherosclerotic plaque components. Such studies could lead to new understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of cerebral ischemia in patients with atherosclerotic intracranial stenosis, improvements in risk stratification, and potentially to new treatments of this common and serious disease.
Using Programming by Demonstration to Reorganize User Interfaces

In this paper, we explore the possibility of applying the techniques of programming by demonstration1 to reorganize the disparate elements of a user interface into cohesive units that correspond to the higher-level tasks that users perform.
Spatial receptive-field structure of cat retinal W cells.

We have used frequency-domain methods to characterize the spatial receptive-field structure of cat retinal W cells. For most ON- and OFF-center tonic and phasic W cells, measurements of responsivity to drifting gratings at various spatial frequencies could be adequately described by a difference-of-Gaussians (DOG) function, consistent with the presence of center and surround mechanisms that are approximately Gaussian in shape and whose signals are combined additively. Estimates of the responsivity of the center mechanisms of tonic and phasic W cells were similar, but both were significantly lower than the corresponding values for X or Y cells. The width of the center mechanisms of tonic W cells, phasic W cells, and Y cells did not differ significantly from each other, but all were significantly larger than the width of X-cell centers. Surround parameters did not vary significantly among the four groups of ganglion cells. Measurements of contrast gain in both tonic and phasic W cells gave values that were significantly lower than in X or Y cells.Virtually all of the phasic W cells in our sample displayed evidence of spatial non-linearities in their receptive fields, in the form of either d.c. responses to drifting sine-wave gratings or second harmonic responses to counterphased gratings. The spatial resolution of the mechanism underlying these nonlinearities was typically higher than that of the center mechanism of these cells. Most tonic W cells exhibited linear spatial summation, although a subset gave strong second harmonic responses to counterphased gratings.Spatial-responsivity measurements for most ON-OFF and directionally selective W cells were not adequately described by DOG functions. These cells did, however, show evidence of spatial nonlinearities similar to those seen in phasic W cells. Suppressed-by-contrast cells gave both modulated and unmodulated responses to drifting gratings which both appeared to involved rectification, but which differed from each other in both spatial resolution and contrast gain.These data confirm earlier reports that the receptive fields of tonic and most ON- or OFF-center phasic W cells appear to include classical center and surround mechanisms. However, the receptive fields of some phasic cells, as well as ON-OFF and directionally selective W cells may have quite different structures. Our results also suggest that phasic, ON-OFF, directionally selective, suppressed-by-contrast, and a subset of tonic W cells may all receive nonlinear inputs with characteristics similar to those described in the receptive fields of retinal Y cells. If so, this has important implications for identifying and understanding the presynaptic circuitry of W cells, as well as the nature of their output to both telencephalic and midbrain visual targets.
Nontarget Insects Captured in Fruit Fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) Surveillance Traps

Traps baited with synthetic lures (ammonium acetate and putrescine) captured as many Mexican fruit flies as the traditional torula yeast/borax slurry, but with far fewer (ratio 5:1) nontarget insects. Ninety percent of the nontarget insects were dipterans. Consequently, neither trap is efficacious against other citrus pests, which are mainly Hemiptera or Lepidoptera. Although the nontarget catch is sometimes referred to as "trash," many nontarget insects are beneficials, including predators and parasites (especially tachinids). The traps with synthetic lures killed fewer of these beneficials by a ratio of 4:1 compared with the yeast-baited traps. Certain taxa, notably the chrysopids and halictid bees, exhibited a somewhat greater preference (10 and 50%, respectively) for the synthetic lures. Overall, with regard to the deployment of the newer baits, the threat to predators, parasites, and pollinators was found to be negligible, and certainly much less than that posed by the traditional traps.
Insects of Stored Products

Insect infestations in grains and other stored food and fibre products cause annual losses worth many millions of dollars worldwide. This illustrated guide enables specialists and non-specialists to distinguish the major pests of durable stored products found throughout the world. It describes how to identify each pest group or species and summarises the latest information on their biology, ecology, geographical distribution, the damage they cause and their economic importance. Hundreds of colour photographs illustrate the identifying features of the most important beetles, moths, psocids, bugs and wasps found in stored products. Essential details on inspection and trapping are included to aid in the early detection of infestations, allowing more time to plan and undertake effective pest control. An extensive bibliography provides a convenient entry point to the specialised literature on these insects. This concise yet comprehensive reference is an essential tool for people responsible for the storage and handling of dried durable products of plant and animal origin worldwide.
Light Scattering from Gels

Abstract The basic principles necessary to understand light scattering from gels are now well understood. The experimental techniques necessary to measure light scattering from gels are now highly developed. Yet there are many issues that need to be clarified in practice. The spatial correlations that exist in the polymer concentration in a gel need extensive further study. Gel samples with only intrinsic permanent concentration fluctuations need to be prepared. Defects due to dust, microsyneresis or other nonintrinsic inhomogeneities must be eliminated. Then careful measurements of R(q) should yield the necessary information about the microstructure of the gel. The value of the osmotic Poisson ratio is now well understood for gels at rest. Further work needs to be done on samples in partial states of swelling. More work appears promising in the study of critical concentration fluctuations in gels as well.
Increased sensitivity to transient global ischemia in aging rat brain.

Transient global brain ischemia induced by cardiac arrest and resuscitation (CAR) results in reperfusion injury associated with oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is known to produce delayed selective neuronal cell loss and impairment of brainstem function, leading to post-resuscitation mortality. Levels of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) modified protein adducts, a marker of oxidative stress, was found to be elevated after CAR in rat brain. In this study we investigated the effects of an antioxidant, alpha-phenyl-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN) on the recovery following CAR in the aged rat brain. Male Fischer 344 rats (6, 12 and 24-month old) underwent 7-minute cardiac arrest before resuscitation. Brainstem function was assessed by hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) and HNE-adducts were measured by western blot analysis. Our data showed that in the 24-month old rats, overall survival rate, hippocampal CA1 neuronal counts and HVR were significantly reduced compared to the younger rats. With PBN treatment, the recovery was improved in the aged rat brain, which was consistent with reduced HNE adducts in brain following CAR. Our data suggest that aged rats are more vulnerable to oxidative stress insult and treatment with PBN improves the outcome following reperfusion injury. The mechanism of action is most likely through the scavenging of reactive oxygen species resulting in reduced lipid peroxidation.
Frequency dependent effects of vibration on nerve function, oxidative stress and inflammation

Prolonged occupational exposure to hand-held vibrating tools leads to pain and reductions in tactile sensitivity, grip strength and manual dexterity. The goal of the current study was to use a rat-...
High-resolution simulation of heatwave events in New York City

Heatwave intensity and frequency are predicted to increase in the coming years, and this will bear adverse consequences to the environmental well-being and the socio-economic fabric in urbanized areas. The hazardous combination of increased heat storage and reduced water retention capacities of the land surface make the urban areas warmer than the surrounding rural areas in what is commonly known as the urban heat island (UHI) effect. The primary motives of this study are to quantify the interaction of this city-scale UHI with synoptic-scale heatwave episodes and to analyze the factors that mediate this interaction. A modified version of the Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) is utilized to simulate two heatwave episodes in New York City. The land surface scheme in the default WRF model is modified to better represent the surface to atmosphere exchanges over urban areas. Our results indicate that during the heatwave episodes, the daily-averaged UHI in NYC increased by 1.5 K. Furthermore, most of this amplification occurs in the mid-afternoon period when the temperatures peak. Wind direction and urban-rural contrasts in available energy and moisture availability are found to have significant and systematic effects on the UHI, but wind speed plays a secondary role.
EXECUTIVE AND MBA STUDENT VIEWS OF CORPORATE PROMOTION PRACTICES: A STRUCTURAL COMPARISON1

The article focuses on a study that compares the views of executives and students participating in masters of business administration programs on corporate promotion practices. The purpose of this ...
Structure of generalized Heisenberg algebras and quantum decoherence analysis

We study how catlike superpositions of generalized Heisenberg algebras (GHA) nonlinear coherent states behave under dissipative decoherence. Two cases are presented: the infinite square well potential and systems whose spectra, given by infinite strictly increasing sequences of nonnegative real numbers, can be considered perturbations of the harmonic oscillator. The decoherence effect caused by the interaction of these systems with a thermal bath is analyzed: from their fidelity behavior we see that a region always exists in the parameter space where the quantum coherence is better preserved as compared to the harmonic oscillator. Moreover, we show that the qualitative behavior of GHA systems under the studied mechanism of decoherence can be inferred from the algebraic structure via the analysis of their GHA characteristic functions.
Abstract P4-09-01: Retrospective evaluation of precision of gene-expression-based signatures of prognosis and tumor biology in replicate surgical biospecimens from patients with breast cancer

Background: Numerous gene-expression signatures have been developed for breast cancer. However, assessments of their validity continue to largely ignore the impact of intratumor heterogeneity and technical variation on clinical utility. Here, the collection of replicate specimen in Barry et al (2010) is used to evaluate a broad collection of gene-expression signatures of prognosis and tumor biology. Methods: Eighteen patients with multiple frozen cores (one patient with quadruplicate, twelve with triplicate, and five with doublet samples) were previously identified in the Duke Breast SPORE tissue repository. Cores were assessed for percent invasive cancer cellularity, and tumor size, grade, and ER/PR status. RNA was extracted and hybridized to AffymetrixH133Plus2.0 microarrays. Expression signatures of prognosis and tumor biology were developed or translated to the Affymetrix platform using routines by Prat et al. (2012) and Haibe-Keins et al. (2012). Association between signatures, and precision among replicates are evaluated using Pearson and intraclass correlation. Coefficients are reported with 95% confidence intervals. Results: Among prognostic signatures, an imputed 70-gene signature of MammaPrint had the highest level of precision (ICC = 0.96, 0.91–0.98); strong concordance is seen with Affymetrix-based PAM50 risk-of-relapse (ICC = 0.82, 0.65–0.92); 16 of 18 patients had constant subtype calls. Substantially lower concordance was seen in the GENIUS prognostic model (ICC = 0.62, 0.35–0.82). In ER+ patients (n = 13), two algorithms to impute the 21-gene model of OncotypeDX recurrence score were concordant (r = 0.98, ICC= 0.90 and 0.83) and distinct from the GENIUS ER+ score (average r = 0.74, ICC=0.78). Imputed models for the Rotterdam 76-gene model (+ER status), GGI (+grade), and ROR-T (+tumor size) showed lower levels of correlation (0.47 Conclusions: The number of genomic signatures in breast cancer from archived specimen and cell-line experiments continues to grow, but there are limited resources for validating their prognostic/predictive value in patient populations. Reproducibility across biological replicates is a critical component in establishing clinical utility of a signature that is distinct from using technical replicates for the repeatability of analytes on the array platform. We demonstrate how archived specimen can confirm reproducibility in the ‘Test Validation Phase’ of biomarker development, as advocated by the Institute of Medicine, and inform trial designs to prospectively test clinical utility. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-09-01.
Vibrational Normal Modes of Small Thiolate-Protected Gold Clusters

This report addresses a density functional theory study of the vibrational normal modes of small-sized thiolate-protected gold clusters. Calculated far-infrared (far-IR) and low-frequency Raman spectra of established thiolate-protected gold clusters (4, 12, 18, 19, 20, 24, and 25 Au atoms) show characteristic peaks in the range of 20–350 cm–1 that can be attributed to the breathing mode of the gold core, Au–S–Au bending modes and Au–S stretching modes. It was found that as cluster size increases the Au13 breathing mode of Au25 cluster emerges. This study reveals both systematic and specific characteristics that may provide a basis for identification (“fingerprinting”) by far-IR and low-frequency Raman spectroscopy of the many diverse gold–thiolate cluster compounds.
Mapping of hKCa3 to chromosome 1q21 and investigation of linkage of CAG repeat polymorphism to schizophrenia.

CAG trinucleotide polymorphisms in the neuronal small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel gene hKCa3 have been reported to be associated with schizophrenia. Attempts to confirm this finding have met with mixed results. We investigated hKCa3 CAG allele lengths in families from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Schizophrenia Genetics Initiative, by comparing transmission to discordant siblings and parental transmission to affected offspring. Overall, there was no convincing evidence that hKCa3 CAG lengths differ between schizophrenics and controls. We did, however, observe a trend (P = 0.063) toward over-representation of long (≥19) CAG repeats in the shorter of the two hKCa3 alleles in schizophrenics. There was no evidence of excessive parental transmission of long CAG repeat alleles to affected offspring. In addition, we re-mapped KCa3 and found that it resides on chromosome 1q21, in a region which has been linked to familial hemiplegic migraine, but not to schizophrenia. These data provide no significant support for the association of hKCa3 with schizophrenia.
Matthew Fontaine Maury: Pathfinder

Historians have long recognized Matthew Fontaine Maury as an important if controversial figure in the histories of science and of maritime and naval affairs. These assessments, however, rest on sch...
Cerebrovascular disorders caused by hyperfibrinogenaemia.

Key points Hyperfibrinogenaemia (HFg) results in vascular remodelling, and fibrinogen (Fg) and amyloid β (Aβ) complex formation is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. However, the interconnection of these effects, their mechanisms and implications in cerebrovascular diseases are not known. Using a mouse model of HFg, we showed that at an elevated blood level, Fg increases cerebrovascular permeability via mainly caveolar protein transcytosis. This enhances deposition of Fg in subendothelial matrix and interstitium making the immobilized Fg a readily accessible substrate for binding Aβ and cellular prion protein (PrPC), the protein that is thought to have a greater effect on memory than Aβ. We showed that enhanced formation of Fg–Aβ and Fg–PrPC complexes are associated with reduction in short-term memory. The present study delineates a new mechanistic pathway for vasculo-neuronal dysfunctions found in inflammatory cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases associated with an elevated blood level of Fg. Abstract Many cardiovascular diseases are associated with inflammation and as such are accompanied by an increased blood level of fibrinogen (Fg). Besides its well-known prothrombotic effects Fg seems to have other destructive roles in developing microvascular dysfunction that include changes in vascular reactivity and permeability. Increased permeability of brain microvessels has the most profound effects as it may lead to cerebrovascular remodelling and result in memory reduction. The goal of the present study was to define mechanisms of cerebrovascular permeability and associated reduction in memory induced by elevated blood content of Fg. Genetically modified, transgenic hyperfibrinogenic (HFg) mice were used to study cerebrovascular transcellular and paracellular permeability in vivo. The extent of caveolar formation and the role of caveolin-1 signalling were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot (WB) analysis in brain samples from experimental animals. Formation of Fg complexes with amyloid β (Aβ) and with cellular prion protein (PrPC) were also assessed with IHC and WB analysis. Short-term memory of mice was assessed by novel object recognition and Y-maze tests. Caveolar protein transcytosis was found to have a prevailing role in overall increased cerebrovascular permeability in HFg mice. These results were associated with enhanced formation of caveolae. Increased formation of Fg–PrPC and Fg–Aβ complexes were correlated with reduction in short-term memory in HFg mice. Using the model of hyperfibrinogenaemia, the present study shows a novel mechanistic pathway of inflammation-induced and Fg-mediated reduction in short-term memory.
Preparation of Nano-TiO_2-PASS composite flocculants and its properties

The nano-TiO2-PASS composite flocculant is prepared by sol-gel method.The composition,structure and photocatalytic properties of composite flocculant are studied.The samples are characterized through XRD and FI-IR analytic instrument.The results showed the best preparation condition are2 mL PASS,5mL tetrabutyl titanate,24 mL absolute ethanol,1mL glacial acetic acid,3mL deionized water,0.3mL concentrated hydrochloric acid.The decolority rate reaches 95%through the photocatalytic degradation when 500℃ calcination temperature,dyeing wastewater pH=2.0and 120 min photoperiod.The absorption peak of PASS-doped samples is anatase peaks.The crystal phase transition temperature of TiO2 is changed and TiO2 crystals crystallinity and particle size are improved because of PASS-doped.It is good for the properties of composite flocculants.
Kassinin and Substance P Stimulate Somatostatin Release in the Rat

1. the effect of the tachykinin dodecapeptide kassinin, which has been extracted from the skin of several African frogs, on somatostatin release was examined in the rat and compared with that of the neuropeptide substance P. 2. Equimolar doses of the two peptides were injected intravenously and the animals killed at specified intervals after injection. Somatostatin was measured by a specific radioimmunoassay. 3. Kassinin and substance P had no effect when given in low doses (0.1 and 1.0 μg). However, when administered in a dose of 10.0 μg, both peptides significantly increased plasma somatostatin, by 31 and 22% respectively. 4. These findings suggest that kassinin and substance P have common endocrine actions. the effect on somatostatin release may be specific for tachykinins, since other neuropeptides such as the enkephalins have no effect.
Image-Guided Radiotherapy Targets Macromolecules through Altering the Tumor Microenvironment

Current strategies to target tumors with nanomedicines rely on passive delivery via the enhanced permeability and retention effect, leveraging the disorganized tumor microvasculature to promote macromolecule extravasation and the reduced lymphatic and venous drainage that favor retention. Nonetheless, FDA approvals and clinical use of nanomedicines have lagged, reflecting failure to display superiority over conventional formulations. Here, we have exploited image-guided X-irradiation to augment nanoparticle accumulation in tumors. A single 5 Gy dose of radiation, below that required to significantly delay tumor growth, can markedly enhance delivery of macromolecules and nanoparticles. The radiation effect was independent of endothelial cell integrity, suggesting a primary role for damage to microvascular pericytes and/or interstitial extracellular matrix. Significantly, radiation-guided delivery potentiated the therapeutic effects of PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin on experimental tumors. Applied to patie...
Endoscopic Delivery of Fecal Biotherapy in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The intestinal microbiome plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We are able to use the microbiome as a therapeutic target with use of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for cure of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. Given our ability to target the dysbiotic state with FMT, its use as therapy in IBD has tremendous potential. This overview discusses the practical considerations of FMT therapy with respect to our current understanding of safety and efficacy in IBD, screening for donors and recipients, specimen handling and storage, methods of delivery, and regulatory considerations.
Practical DoS Attacks on Embedded Networks in Commercial Vehicles

The Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol has become the primary choice for in-vehicle communications for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. However, it is possible for malicious adversaries to cause major damage by exploiting flaws in the CAN protocol design or implementation. Researchers have shown that an attacker can remotely inject malicious messages into the CAN network in order to disrupt or alter normal vehicle behavior. Some of these attacks can lead to catastrophic consequences for both the vehicle and the driver. Although there are several defense techniques against CAN based attacks, attack surfaces like physically and remotely controllable Electronic Control Units (ECUs) can be used to launch attacks on protocols running on top of the CAN network, such as the SAE J1939 protocol. Commercial vehicles adhere to the SAE J1939 standards that make use of the CAN protocol for physical communication and that are modeled in a manner similar to that of the ISO/OSI 7 layer protocol stack. We posit that the J1939 standards can be subjected to attacks similar to those that have been launched successfully on the OSI layer protocols. Towards this end, we demonstrate how such attacks can be performed on a test-bed having 3 J1939 speaking ECUs connected via a single high-speed CAN bus. Our main goal is to show that the regular operations performed by the J1939 speaking ECUs can be disrupted by manipulating the packet exchange protocols and specifications made by J1939 data-link layer standards. The list of attacks documented in this paper is not comprehensive but given the homogeneous and ubiquitous usage of J1939 standards in commercial vehicles we believe these attacks, along with newer attacks introduced in the future, can cause widespread damage in the heavy vehicle industry, if not mitigated pro-actively.
Family-Provided Health Care for Children With Special Health Care Needs

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many children with special health care needs (CSHCN) receive health care at home from family members, but the extent of this care is poorly quantified. This study’s goals were to create a profile of CSHCN who receive family-provided health care and to quantify the extent of such care. METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2009–2010 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs, a nationally representative sample of 40 242 parents/guardians of CSHCN. Outcomes included sociodemographic characteristics of CSHCN and their households, time spent by family members providing health care at home to CSHCN, and the total economic cost of such care. Caregiving hours were assessed at (1) the cost of hiring an alternative caregiver (the “replacement cost” approach), and (2) caregiver wages (the “foregone earnings” approach). RESULTS: Approximately 5.6 million US CSHCN received 1.5 billion hours annually of family-provided health care. Replacement with a home health aide would have cost an estimated $35.7 billion or $6400 per child per year in 2015 dollars ($11.6 billion or $2100 per child per year at minimum wage). The associated foregone earnings were $17.6 billion or $3200 per child per year. CSHCN most likely to receive the greatest amount of family-provided health care at home were ages 0 to 5 years, were Hispanic, lived below the federal poverty level, had no parents/guardians who had finished high school, had both public and private insurance, and had severe conditions/problems. CONCLUSIONS: US families provide a significant quantity of health care at home to CSHCN, representing a substantial economic cost.
Joseph Petzval lens design approach

We pose that there is enough information left to reconstruct Petzval lens design approach, and answer the question of how Joseph Petzval design his famous portrait objective.
System Administration as a User Interface: An Extended Metaphor.

Many people have spent many hours searching for the right user interface. Many people have spent many hours searching for the definition of the right user interface. Many people have spent many hours decrying the wrong user interface (whatever that may be). One user interface which is often overlooked is the System Administrator. What are the qualities of a good user interface? Some of the features most often mentioned are: User-friendly Extensible, adaptable to the user’s skill level Gives useful error messages Hides underlying system’s gore Offers easy access to helpful information A terrific look-and-feel This paper will discuss each of these features with regard to the interface between the user and the system administrator.
CRYSTAL GROWTH AND SEGREGATION IN SPACE: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT BASED ON RESULTS OBTAINED DURING THE ASTP MISSION

ABSTRACT An experiment performed during the ASTP mission established that, in space, segregation associated with the growth of Ga-doped germanium proceeds under diffusion controlled conditions without interference from residual gravity, g-jitter and surface tension gradients. A quantitative growth and segregation analysis of the crystal grown in space indicates that: (1) compositionally homogeneous solid solutions may be obtained through liquid-solid phase transformations; (2) space experiments can yield high precision values of physical constants such as the distribution coefficient and diffusivities for dopant elements in semiconductor melts; (3) the established theoretical framework for diffusion controlled segregation is deficient in real systems; and (4) materials processing experiments in space can significantly advance our understanding of controlled phase transformations and should yield materials with theoretical properties.
Inherent steroid 17α,20-lyase activity in defunct cytochrome P450 17A enzymes

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 17A1 catalyzes the oxidations of progesterone and pregnenolone and is the major source of androgens. The enzyme catalyzes both 17α-hydroxylation and a subsequent 17α,20-lyase reaction, and several mechanisms have been proposed for the latter step. Zebrafish P450 17A2 catalyzes only the 17α-hydroxylations. We previously reported high similarity of the crystal structures of zebrafish P450 17A1 and 17A2 and human P450 17A1. Five residues near the heme, which differed, were changed. We also crystallized this five-residue zebrafish P450 17A1 mutant, and the active site still resembled the structure in the other proteins, with some important differences. These P450 17A1 and 17A2 mutants had catalytic profiles more similar to each other than did the wildtype proteins. Docking with these structures can explain several minor products, which require multiple enzyme conformations. The 17α-hydroperoxy (OOH) derivatives of the steroids were used as oxygen surrogates. Human P450 17A1 and zebrafish P450s 17A1 and P450 17A2 readily converted these to the lyase products in the absence of other proteins or cofactors (with catalytically competent kinetics) plus hydroxylated 17α-hydroxysteroids. The 17α-OOH results indicate that a "Compound I" (FeO3+) intermediate is capable of formation and can be used to rationalize the products. We conclude that zebrafish P450 17A2 is capable of lyase activity with the 17α-OOH steroids because it can achieve an appropriate conformation for lyase catalysis in this system that is precluded in the conventional reaction.
In the immature mouse, Pseudomonas aeruginosa pili bind a 57-kd (alpha 2-6) sialylated corneal epithelial cell surface protein: a first step in infection.

PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that in the unscarified immature eye, Pseudomonas aeruginosa pili bind glycoprotein receptors, one or more of which are surface associated. METHODS Several methods--including radioiodination of bacterial pili and surface-associated corneal epithelial proteins (CEPs), solid-phase binding assays, carbohydrate detection, and immunoblotting techniques in which periodate oxidation and preincubation of blots with purified pili, neuraminidase, sialic acid, other sugars, and SNA and MAA lectins--were used to identify and characterize host proteins. Some of these proteins in the immature mouse corneal epithelium interacted with bacterial pili. RESULTS Seven proteins, with molecular weights from 14 to 66 kd were identified that strongly bound PAK/PR1 pili. To determine if any protein(s) was cell surface localized, corneal epithelial surface membrane proteins were radioiodinated and examined using a pilus overlay assay and lectin analysis. Only one protein of 57 kd was cell surface labeled and bound pili in an overlay assay. This protein was alpha (2-6) sialylated, as shown by SNA binding. Furthermore, SNA lectin was able to block pilus binding to CEPs. 125I labeling of pili and a solid-phase binding assay confirmed that pili bind to CEPs and, further, that binding could be competitively inhibited by excess unlabeled pili and that the receptors appeared saturable. GlycoTrack reagents were used to show that the epithelial proteins of the postnatal day 5 (P5) mouse cornea were glycosylated. Removal of carbohydrates by preincubation of blots with periodate, or combining pili with sialic acid, eliminated pili binding. Pretreatment of blots with either neuraminidase (N'ase) to decrease and/or remove sialic acid residues, or pretreatment with SNA lectin with specificity for alpha (2-6) linked sialic acid to galactose, also diminished pili binding to CEPs. Other sugars or MAA lectin, specific for sialic acid alpha (2-3) linked to galactose, had no inhibitory effect. CONCLUSIONS These data show that a 57-kd surface membrane protein bound pili in the immature cornea and that for both this protein and the other nonsurface proteins, sialic acid alpha (2-6) linked to galactose was important in receptor recognition by the pilus adhesion. The 57-kd protein is putatively important in the initial interaction of pili with the unwounded ocular epithelium and may be the initial pathogenic event in this model.
Anchorage-Independent Growth

Anchorage-independent growth (AIG) is an acquired characteristic of cells to thrive in the absence of a natural or synthetic substrate. Multiple molecular and genetic factors contribute to AIG, including viral transformation, loss of tumor suppressor functions, and alterations in integrin protein signaling. Morphologic changes leading to AIG recapitulate early embryonic cell alterations in shape change.
Macroenvironmental Factors as Determinants of Substance Use and Abuse

There is little doubt that the use and abuse of alcohol and drugs is a process that is multidetermined, and there exists a variety of factors that can significantly affect substance use. The purpose of this chapter is to outline and discuss the role of one class of factors—macroenvironmental variables—on the use of alcohol and drugs.
The Conformational Effects of UV Induced Damage on DNA

Energy minimization techniques are used in conjunction with the results of small molecule crystallographic studies on relevant compounds to propose structural models for photodamaged DNAs. Specifically, we present models both for a DNA molecule containing a psoralen photo-crosslink and for a DNA molecule containing a thymine photodimer. In both models, significant distortions of the nucleic acid helix are observed, including kinking and unwinding at the damage site and numerous changes in the backbone torsion angles relative to their standard conformations.
Reihe Epidemiologi 6:: Generierung von Randomisierungslisten in randomisierten Studien: Zufall, nicht Auswahl

Die randomisierte kontrollierte Studie ist zwar der Goldstandard der klinischen Forschung, doch ist die Randomisierung nach wie vor der dabei vermutlich am wenigsten verstandene Aspekt. Dabei fuhren Defizite bei der Randomisierung zu Selektionsbias und Storeffekten (Confounding). Wissenschaftler sollten einen weiten Bogen um alle systematischen, nicht-zufalligen Zuteilungsverfahren machen. Die Studienteilnehmer sollten den Vergleichsgruppen auf der Grundlage von Zufallsverfahren zugeteilt werden. Die elementarste der verschiedenen Methoden zur Generierung einer Randomisierungsliste ist die einfache (uneingeschrankte) Randomisierung, die dem wiederholten fairen Munzwurf vergleichbar ist. Zudem wird die einfache Randomisierung, was die Vermeidung von systematischen Fehlern (Bias) anbelangt, von keinem anderen Verfahren ubertroffen, und sei es auch noch so komplex und ausgeklugelt. Studienleiter sollten diese Methode deshalb haufiger anwenden als bisher, und der Leser sollte ungleiche Gruppengrosen erwarten und akzeptieren. Etliche andere komplizierte Verfahren der eingeschrankten Randomisierung begrenzen die Wahrscheinlichkeit unerwunschter Fallzahlunterschiede in den Interventionsgruppen. Das am haufigsten zur eingeschrankten Randomisierung angewendete Verfahren ist die Blockrandomisierung. Bei Anwendung dieses Verfahrens sollten Blockgrosen nach dem Zufallsprinzip variiert und grosere Blocklangen gewahlt werden; dies gilt vor allem fur unverblindete Studien. Weitere eingeschrankte Verfahren wie die Urnenrandomisierung vereinen die vorteilhaften Eigenschaften der einfachen mit denen der eingeschrankten Randomisierung, indem sie die Unvorhersagbarkeit zwar grostenteils bewahren, gleichzeitig aber auch ein gewisses Gleichgewicht herstellen. Die Wirksamkeit der geschichteten Randomisierung hangt davon ab, dass man ein eingeschranktes Randomisierungsverfahren verwendet, um die Gruppenzuteilung in den einzelnen Schichten (Strata) zu balancieren. Die Generierung einer angemessenen Randomisierungsliste kostet nur wenig Zeit und Muhe; der Lohn sind wissenschaftliche Genauigkeit und Glaubwurdigkeit. Untersucher sollten entsprechende Ressourcen fur die Generierung adaquat randomisierter Studien bereitstellen und ihre Methoden eindeutig darlegen.
Electrodynamics of Noble Metal Nanoparticles and Nanoparticle Clusters

In this paper we examine the electrodynamics of silver nanoparticles and of clusters of nanoparticles, with an emphasis on extinction spectra and of electric fields near the particle surfaces that are important in determining surface-enhanced Raman (SER) intensities. The particles and clusters are chosen to be representative of what has been studied in recent work on colloids and with lithographically prepared particles. These include spheres, spheroids, truncated tetrahedrons, and clusters of two or three of these particles, with sizes that are too large to be described with simple electrostatic approximations but small compared to the wavelength of light. The electrodynamics calculations are mostly based on the discrete dipole approximation (DDA), which is a coupled-finite element approach which produces exact or nearly exact results for particles of arbitrary size and shape if fully converged. Mie theory results are used to study the validity of the DDA for spherical particles, and we also study the validity of the modified long wavelength approximation (MLWA), which is based on perturbative corrections to the electrostatic limit, and of the single dipole per particle approximation (SDA). The results show how the dipole plasmon resonance properties and the electric field contours around the particle vary with particle shape and size for isolated particles. For clusters of particles, we study the effect of interparticle spacing on plasmon resonance characteristics. We also show that the quadrupole resonance is much less sensitive to particle shape and interparticle interactions than the dipole plasmon resonance. These results provide benchmarks that will be used in future comparisons with experiment.
Messenger RNA 3′ End Formation in E. Coli and S. Cerevisiae

Transcription termination and RNA processing can both participate in generating the 3′ ends of mRNA molecules in living cells. Our own work is currently focused on rho-dependent transcription termination in E. coli, and on mRNA 3′ end processing in S. cerevisiae. This article will summarize and integrate our current results with some general concepts in the field.
How Beliefs Are Like Colors

Double dissociations between perceivable colors and physical properties of colored objects have led many philosophers to endorse relationalist accounts of color. I argue that there are analogous double dissociations between attitudes of belief—the beliefs that people attribute to each other in everyday life—and intrinsic cognitive states of belief—the beliefs that some cognitive scientists posit as cogs in cognitive systems—pitched at every level of psychological explanation. These dissociations provide good reason to refrain from conflating attitudes of belief with intrinsic cognitive states of belief. I suggest that interpretivism provides an attractive account of the former (insofar as they are not conflated with the latter). Like colors, attitudes of belief evolved to be ecological signifiers, not cogs in cognitive systems.
Joint contact stresses calculated for acetabular dysplasia patients using discrete element analysis are significantly influenced by the applied gait pattern.

Abstract Gait modifications in acetabular dysplasia patients may influence cartilage contact stress patterns within the hip joint, with serious implications for clinical outcomes and the risk of developing osteoarthritis. The objective of this study was to understand how the gait pattern used to load computational models of dysplastic hips influences computed joint mechanics. Three-dimensional pre- and post-operative hip models of thirty patients previously treated for hip dysplasia with periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) were developed for performing discrete element analysis (DEA). Using DEA, contact stress patterns were calculated for each pre- and post-operative hip model when loaded with an instrumented total hip, a dysplastic, a matched control, and a normal gait pattern. DEA models loaded with the dysplastic and matched control gait patterns had significantly higher (p = 0.012 and p
Separated and Sick: An Immigrant Child's Traumatic Experience of Illness and Recovery.

I gave an introduction to our team on rounds, “Liliana* is a 9-year-old female who presented with fevers and status epilepticus due to influenza encephalitis, now working on oral intolerance.” I paused. “Actually, before we go in, I believe Liliana would feel overwhelmed with all of us in the room. Would it be possible for only the essential personnel to come in?” “Of course,” responded Dr Agrawal, the attending pediatrician, “How is she doing?” “She is still not eating or interacting much. But, I finally got her in contact with her mom in Honduras last night. It almost broke my heart.” Dr Agrawal, the upper level resident, and I then put on the personal protective equipment of gowns, face masks, and gloves before proceeding into the room. Liliana was a thin, withdrawn girl lying in bed with a nasogastric tube in place and her “sitter” from the shelter at the bedside. The upper level resident stated in Spanish, “Liliana, good morning. How are you feeling?” No answer. She looked at us with a blank stare. “Are you hungry?” Silence. “Does anything hurt?” She turned her back to us in bed. The upper level resident noticed the doll … Address correspondence to Neeraj Agrawal, MD, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hospital Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, 1102 Bates Ave, FC 1860, Houston, TX 77030. E-mail: nagrawal{at}bcm.edu