cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using network traffic to infer compromised neighbors in wireless sensor nodes

This work introduces a novel security framework for wireless sensor networks (WSN) based on dynamic duty cycle, which allows nodes to detect their compromised neighbors based on unanticipated fluctuations in network traffic send rate over time. Our framework was assessed by its ability to detect advanced WSN threats (e.g., active, passive, or both attacks). One of the benefits of this framework is that it reduces all threats to unanticipated power dissipation. In other words, the framework assumes any neighbor not conforming to predicted power levels has been communicating with an unauthorized node, and thus is compromised. This threat model is emulated by applying pseudo random but bound (large to small) power dissipations to arbitrary nodes. Simulation results demonstrated that this framework was effective in detecting and isolating compromised sensor nodes.
Multivariate Analysis of Mixed Lipid Aggregate Phase Transitions Monitored Using Raman Spectroscopy.

The phase behavior of aqueous 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DMPC)/1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DHPC) mixtures between 8.0 ℃ and 41.0 ℃ were monitored using Raman spectroscopy. Temperature-dependent Raman matrices were assembled from series of spectra and subjected to multivariate analysis. The consensus of pseudo-rank estimation results is that seven to eight components account for the temperature-dependent changes observed in the spectra. The spectra and temperature response profiles of the mixture components were resolved by applying a variant of the non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) algorithm described by Lee and Seung (1999). The rotational ambiguity of the data matrix was reduced by augmenting the original temperature-dependent spectral matrix with its cumulative counterpart, i.e., the matrix formed by successive integration of the spectra across the temperature index (columns). Successive rounds of constrained NMF were used to isolate component spectra from a significant fluorescence background. Five major components exhibiting varying degrees of gel and liquid crystalline lipid character were resolved. Hydrogen-bonded water networks exhibiting varying degrees of organization are associated with the lipid components. Spectral parameters were computed to compare the chain conformation, packing, and hydration indicated by the resolved spectra. Based on spectral features and relative amounts of the components observed, four components reflect long chain lipid response. The fifth component could reflect the response of the short chain lipid, DHPC, but there were no definitive spectral features confirming this assignment. A minor component of uncertain assignment that exhibits a striking response to the DMPC pre-transition and chain melting transition also was recovered. While none of the spectra resolved exhibit features unequivocally attributable to a specific aggregate morphology or step in the gelation process, the results are consistent with the evolution of mixed phase bicelles (nanodisks) and small amounts of worm-like DMPC/DHPC aggregates, and perhaps DHPC micelles, at low temperature to suspensions of branched and entangled worm-like aggregates above the DMPC gel phase transition and perforated multi-lamellar aggregates at high temperature.
Human disturbance affects personality development in a wild carnivore

Human activity can dramatically affect personality traits in birds and small mammals. However, we know very little about how anthropogenic disturbance shapes personality in mammalian carnivores, and whether the personality traits that may be affected have fitness consequences in human-dominated landscapes. We adapted standard experiments commonly used to assess personality in captive animals to compare three personality traits in 72 wild juvenile spotted hyaenas, Crocuta crocuta, living either in areas heavily disturbed by human activity or in areas with low levels of disturbance. We examined neophobia, defined as the tendency to avoid unfamiliar things, exploration, defined as the number of different ways an individual interacts with an object, and boldness, defined as an individual's tendency to take risks. To assess neophobia and exploration, we measured individuals' responses to a novel object, and to assess boldness, we measured the hyaenas' propensity to enter a wire-mesh box to obtain food. Juvenile spotted hyaenas living in low-disturbance areas were significantly more neophobic and less exploratory than individuals living in high-disturbance areas. This is consistent with results obtained with birds and small mammals; however, unlike these other taxa, hyaenas living in low-disturbance areas were bolder than individuals living in high-disturbance areas. The expression of some of these personality traits was also affected by the subject's social rank and the presence of a littermate, but not by subject age or sex. Of the three traits, only boldness predicted survival to adulthood: less bold individuals were significantly more likely to survive than bolder individuals, in both high-disturbance and low-disturbance habitats. We propose that behavioural or physiological maternal effects may be shaping offspring temperament differences related to disturbance.
No funeral bells: Public reason in a ‘post-truth’ age:

The label 'post-truth' signals for many a troubling turn away from principles of enlightened government. The word 'post', moreover, implies a past when things were radically different and whose loss should be universally mourned. In this paper, we argue that this framing of 'post-truth' is flawed because it is ahistorical and ignores the co-production of knowledge and norms in political contexts. Debates about public facts are necessarily debates about social meanings, rooted in realities that are subjectively experienced as all-encompassing and complete, even when they are partial and contingent. Facts used in policy are normative in four ways: They are embedded in prior choices of which experiential realities matter, produced through processes that reflect institutionalized public values, arbiters of which issues are open to democratic contestation and deliberation, and vehicles through which polities imagine their collective futures. To restore truth to its rightful place in democracy, governments should be held accountable for explaining who generated public facts, in response to which sets of concerns, and with what opportunities for deliberation and closure.
Carboxyhemoglobin half-life during hyperbaric oxygen in a patient with lung dysfunction: a case report.

Introduction The carboxyhemoglobin half-life (COHb t1/2) during hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) is often quoted as 23 minutes, derived from the average of two adult male volunteers breathing HBO₂ at 3 atmospheres absolute (ATA). However, the mean COHb t1/2 of 12 male volunteer smokers was 26.3 minutes at 1.58 ATA and in 12 non-intubated carbon monoxide (CO) poisoned patients treated at 3 ATA, was 43 minutes. Case report An 81-year old male, poisoned by an improperly ventilated natural gas heater, was intubated for coma, then treated with HBO₂. His PaO₂/FiO₂ = 283 from aspiration. His initial COHb was 34.4%, and 18 minutes before HBO₂, 5.9%. After a compression interval of 17 minutes, the COHb measured after 22 minutes at 3 ATA was 3.3%. Results By exponential decay, his COHb t1/2 before HBO₂ was 95 minutes. We estimate the range for COHb t1/2 during compression as 62-81 minutes and for the 3-ATA interval, 58 to 49 minutes, respectively. The mid-point estimate of COHb t1/2 at 3 ATA was 53 minutes. Conclusions The COHb t1/2 we calculated is greater than previously reported, but longer in our patient possibly because of concomitant respiratory failure, lung dysfunction, and mechanical ventilation. The often-cited COHb t1/2 of 23 minutes, likely underestimates the actual COHb t1/2 in CO-poisoned patients, especially those with cardiopulmonary dysfunction.
An Algorithm for Fitting Autoregressive Schemes

An algorithm is proposed for calculating the Yule–Walker estimates of the parameters of a stationary autoregressive scheme. A method for obtaining an estimate of the asymptotic covariance matrix of the estimators is also given for the case of a normal series.
Improved Fukunaga–Koontz Transform with Compositional Kernel Combination for Hyperspectral Target Detection

This article presents a novel supervised target detection approach on hyperspectral images based on Fukunaga–Koontz Transform (FKT) with compositional kernel combination. The Fukunaga–Koontz Transform is one of the most effective techniques for solving problems that involve two-pattern characteristics. To capture nonlinear properties of data, researchers have extended FKT to kernel FKT (KFKT) by means of kernel machines. However, the performance of KFKT depends on choosing convenient kernel functions and/or selection of the proper parameter(s). In this work, instead of selecting a single kernel for nonlinear version of FKT, we have applied a compositional kernel combination approach to capture the underlying local distributions of hyperspectral remote sensing data. Optimal parameter selection for each kernel function is achieved applying an evolutionary technique called differential evolution algorithm. The proposed new nonlinear target detection algorithm is tested for hyperspectral images. The experimental results verify that the proposed target detection algorithm has effective and promising performance compared to the conventional version for supervised target detection applications.
Clinical and pathological features of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas: A retrospective review of cases at Mayo Clinic.

e15757Background: SPN is a rare neoplasia of the pancreas, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an epithelial low-grade malignant neoplasm, with a high-grade malignant transformation p...
Prediction and Prevention: Interventions to Enhance Blood Safety

The transmission of infectious disease by blood transfusion has been a major problem since the middle of the twentieth century. Since about 1960, there has been a concerted and prolonged effort to reduce or eliminate this outcome; the efforts have been successful, but new challenges continue to appear, mostly in the form of emerging infectious diseases. This chapter reviews two relevant issues: the possibility of predicting microbial threats to blood safety and the interventions that may be used to reduce the risks of transfusion transmission. While there are only limited opportunities to predict relevant infections, there are effective measures to enhance blood safety. These involve appropriate selection of donors, implementation of effective tests, and development and implementation of pathogen reduction.
Nitric oxide releasing poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) films using a fluorinated nitric oxide donor to greatly decrease chemical leaching.

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) releasing polymers have been widely applied as biomaterials for a variety of biomedical implants and devices. However, the chemical leaching of NO donors and their byproduct species is almost always observed during the application of polymers doped with NO donors, unless the donor is covalently linked to the polymer. Herein, we report the first NO releasing poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) fluorinated copolymer prepared by incorporating a fluorinated S-nitrosothiol as the NO donor. Under physiological conditions, the resulting polymeric films can release NO for 16 days. Importantly, due to both fluorine-fluorine and electrostatic charge interactions between the fluorinated NO donor and the PVDF-HFP copolymer, the total chemical leaching of the fluorinated NO donor and its disulfide product after 9 day was only 0.6% (mol%) of the initial amount of NO donor loaded into the film. These new NO release PVDF-HFP films exhibit antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against both Gram positive S. aureus and Gram negative P. aeruginosa strains. The NO-releasing PVDF-HFP polymer can also be coated on Teflon tubing to release NO under physiological conditions for extended time periods. This NO-releasing PVDF-HFP copolymer with greatly reduced chemical leaching could help enhance the biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity of various biomedical devices. Statement of Significance Fluoropolymers have been widely used in creating various biomedical implants and devices. However, nitric oxide (NO) release fluoropolymers have not been well studied to date. Additionally, in the application of biomaterials doped with NO donors, a significant amount of NO donors and their byproducts almost always leach into aqueous environment. We now report an NO releasing poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) fluoropolymer by incorporating a new fluorinated S-nitrosothiol. The NO release can last for 16 days under physiological conditions. The total chemical leaching was determined to be only 0.6 mol% of the initial S-nitrosothiol loaded. As expected, significant antimicrobial/anti-biofilm activities of the NO release PVDF-HFP film were observed against Gram positive S. aureus and Gram negative P. aeruginosa bacterial strains.
Decoding crystallography from high-resolution electron imaging and diffraction datasets with deep learning

While machine learning has been making enormous strides in many technical areas, it is still massively underused in transmission electron microscopy. To address this, a convolutional neural network model was developed for reliable classification of crystal structures from small numbers of electron images and diffraction patterns with no preferred orientation. Diffraction data containing 571,340 individual crystals divided among seven families, 32 genera, and 230 space groups were used to train the network. Despite the highly imbalanced dataset, the network narrows down the space groups to the top two with over 70% confidence in the worst case and up to 95% in the common cases. As examples, we benchmarked against alloys to two-dimensional materials to cross-validate our deep-learning model against high-resolution transmission electron images and diffraction patterns. We present this result both as a research tool and deep-learning application for diffraction analysis.
High figure-of-merit NEMS thermal detectors based on 50-nm thick AlN nano-plate resonators

This paper reports on the demonstration of ultrafast (thermal time constant, τ ∼ 166 μs) and high resolution (noise equivalent power, NEP ∼ 549 pW/Hz1/2) thermal detectors based on high quality factor 50-nm thick aluminum nitride (AlN) piezoelectric resonant nanoplates. Here we show that by employing nanoscale (30 nm) aluminum anchors, both high thermal resistance (Rth ∼ 1.1 × 106 K/W) and high quality factor (Q ∼ 1000) can be achieved in greatly scaled AlN nanoplate resonators. Furthermore, the absorptance of such ultrathin AlN resonators was characterized, in mid-wavelength infrared region showing an average absorptance of ∼36% from 2.75 μm to 6.25 μm. These unique features were exploited for the experimental demonstration of AlN NEMS resonant thermal detectors with greatly reduced thermal capacitance and over doubled figure of merit [FoM = 1/(NEP × τ)] compared to what was previously achieved by the same technology.
iCellR: Combined Coverage Correction and Principal Component Alignment for Batch Alignment in Single-Cell Sequencing Analysis

Under-sampling RNA molecules and low-coverage sequencing in some single cell sequencing technologies introduce zero counts (also known as drop-outs) into the expression matrices. This issue may complicate the processes of dimensionality reduction and clustering, often forcing distinct cell types to falsely resemble one another, while eliminating subtle, but important differences. Considering the wide range in drop-out rates from different sequencing technologies, it can also affect the analysis at the time of batch/sample alignment and other downstream analyses. Therefore, generating an additional harmonized gene expression matrix is important. To address this, we introduce two separate batch alignment methods: Combined Coverage Correction Alignment (CCCA) and Combined Principal Component Alignment (CPCA). The first method uses a coverage correction approach (analogous to imputation) in a combined or joint fashion between multiple samples for batch alignment, while also correcting for drop-outs in a harmonious way. The second method (CPCA) skips the coverage correction step and uses k nearest neighbors (KNN) for aligning the PCs from the nearest neighboring cells in multiple samples. Our results of nine scRNA-seq PBMC samples from different batches and technologies shows the effectiveness of both these methods. All of our algorithms are implemented in R, deposited into CRAN, and available in the iCellR package.
Rapid acquisition of broadband two-dimensional electronic spectra by continuous scanning with conventional delay lines.

A passively phase-stable, broadband (∼7fs, >2000cm−1) two-dimensional (2D) electronic spectroscopy apparatus that achieves rapid acquisition rates by continuously—rather than step-wise—scanning the Fourier-transform dimension is demonstrated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. This is made possible through use of a partially common path interferometer design in which the coherence time τ is sampled in a “rotating frame.” Rapid, continuous scanning of τ increases the duty cycle of signal collection, rejects the majority of excitation pulse scatter, and enables the measurement of a complete 2D spectrum in 92 ms, which minimizes the influence of pulse intensity and delay fluctuations on the 2D spectrum. In practice, these improvements make possible the acquisition of hundreds of 2D spectra in tens of minutes, which opens the door to dense sampling of ultrafast relaxation dynamics and to generating extremely broadband 3D Fourier-transform spectra.
The Political economy of merchant empires

Acknowledgements Introduction James D. Tracy 1. Institutions, transaction costs and the rise of merchant empires Douglass C. North 2. Merchants and states M. N. Pearson 3. The rise of merchant empires, 1400-1700: a European counterpoint Thomas A. Brady Jr 4. Europe and the wider world, 1500-1700: the military balance Geoffrey Parker 5. The pirate and the emperor: power and the law on the seas, 1450-1850 Anne Perotin-Dumon 6. Transport costs and long-range trade, 1300-1800: was there a European 'transport revolution' in the early modern era? Russell R. Menard 7. Transaction costs: a note on merchant credit and the organization of private trade Jacob M. Price 8. Evolution of empire: the Portuguese in the Indian ocean during the sixteenth century Sanjay Subrahmanyam and Luis Felipe F. R. Thomaz 9. Comparing the Tokagawa Shogunate with Hapsburg Spain: two silver-based empires in a global setting Dennis O. Flynn 10. Colonies as mercantile investments: the Luso-Brazilian empire, 1500-1808 Jose Jobson de Andrade Arruda 11. Reflections on the organizing principle of pre-modern trade K. N. Chaudhuri Selected bibliography of secondary works Index.
Latinos and Structural Racism.

Maya Sabatello and coauthors, in “Structural Racism in the COVID-19 Pandemic,” have called our attention to how preexisting systemic racism in the United States has produced exactly the racial disp...
Beyond the Wada: An updated approach to pre-surgical language and memory testing: An updated review of available evaluation techniques and recommended workflow to limit Wada test use to essential clinical cases

The Intracarotid amobarbital test (IAT), also called Wada test, is considered the "gold standard" for lateralizing language dominance in the pre-surgical evaluation of patients with epilepsy. In addition, it has been further modified to assess the postoperative risk of amnesia in patients undergoing temporal lobectomy. Since then it has been utilized to lateralize language and assess pre-surgical memory function. Over the years, its popularity has declined due to several limitations and availability of alternative procedures like fMRI and MEG. A survey of its use in the pre-surgical evaluation for epilepsy surgery has not been performed since the 2008 international survey by Baxendale et al. and it was heavily skewed due to data from European and North American countries. Only approximately 12% of the epilepsy centers indicated that they used the Wada test in every patient to assess preoperative memory function and language lateralization before temporal lobectomy. Nowadays, we have many functional mapping tools at our disposal. It has become somewhat unsuitable to have epilepsy patients undergo an invasive test such as the Wada test for the risks associated with it outweigh the benefits. Our objective is to review the Wada Test and alternative methods of assessing language and memory dominance, as it is past its prime and should only be used in specific circumstances.
Examining the simple view of reading in Kiswahili: Longitudinal evidence from Kenya

Abstract The present study examines the applicability of the simple view of reading (SVR) (Gough & Tunmer, 1986) model of reading comprehension in Kiswahili, a language that has a transparent orthography . We examined the developmental relationships among nonword decoding, listening comprehension , oral reading fluency , and reading comprehension using longitudinal data from a sample of 628 Kenyan children, enrolled in first and second grade. Children completed eight different tasks. We fit autoregressive cross-lagged path models with maximum likelihood estimation to examine the developmental relationships. Our findings showed support for the SVR model, given that both nonword decoding and listening comprehension were significant predictors of reading comprehension in Kiswahili. Nonword decoding was the stronger predictor. The results further revealed that both accuracy and speed of nonword decoding played significant roles in reading comprehension in Kiswahili for beginning readers. Our findings suggest that oral reading fluency and accuracy were significant predictors of reading comprehension.
Analytical Framework for Innovation in Hierarchical and Bureaucratic Organizations

Using grounded theory building, a 12-month longitudinal ethnography encompassing 42 individuals, 80 hours of observation, and 60 interviews was conducted to create an analytical framework to reveal interactions between hierarchy, bureaucracy, and innovation. This model presents a nuanced view of both positive and negative effects of bureaucracy and hierarchy on innovative new product development processes and technology adoption within a large, highly structured organization. The research revealed that it was possible for a team to have bureaucratic and hierarchical constraints and characteristics and still achieve innovative ends. Innovation in this context requires a problem critical to the organization to be selected, a solution to be developed, and the solution to be adopted. With this criteria, both hierarchy and bureaucracy impacted new product development processes, to both help and hinder both technology development and technology adoption.
AlloyFL: a fault localization framework for Alloy

Declarative models help improve the reliability of software systems: models can be used to convey requirements, analyze system designs and verify implementation properties. Alloy is a commonly used modeling language. A key strength of Alloy is the Analyzer, Alloy's integrated development environment (IDE), which allows users to write and execute models by leveraging a fully automatic SAT based analysis engine. Unfortunately, writing correct constraints of complex properties is difficult. To help users identify fault locations, AlloyFL is a fault localization technique that takes as input a faulty Alloy model and a fault-revealing test suite. As output, AlloyFL returns a ranked list of locations from most to least suspicious. This paper describes our Java implementation of AlloyFL as an extension to the Analyzer. Our experimental results show AlloyFL is capable of detecting the location of real world faults and works in the presence of multiple faulty locations. The demo video for AlloyFL can be found at https://youtu.be/ZwgP58Nsbx8.
The unlikely high efficiency of a molecular motor based on active motion

The efficiency of a simple model of a motor converting chemical into mechanical energy is studied analytically. The model motor shows interesting properties corresponding qualitatively to motors investigated in experiments. The efficiency increases with the load and may for low loss reach high values near to 100 percent in a narrow regime of optimal load. It is shown that the optimal load and the maximal efficiency depend by universal power laws on the dimensionless loss parameter. Stochastic effects decrease the stability of motor regimes with high efficiency and make them unlikely. Numerical studies show efficiencies below the theoretical optimum and demonstrate that special ratchet profiles my stabilize efficient regimes.
Sulfate control of phosphorus availability in lakes

During summer stratification large amounts of phosphorus (P) accumulate in anoxic bottom waters of many lakes due to release of P from underlying sediments. The availability to phytoplankton of this P is inversely related to the Fe:P ratio in bottom waters. Using data from 51 lakes, we tested the hypothesis that sulfate concentration in lake water may be critical in controlling the Fe:P ratio in anoxic bottom waters. Results showed that Fe:P ratios in bottom waters of lakes were significantly (p< 0.001) related to surface water sulfate concentrations. The higher Fe:P ratios in low sulfate systems is due not only to higher iron concentrations in anoxic bottom waters but also to lower P concentrations in anoxic waters. Thus, our results suggest that anthropogenically induced increases in sulfate concentrations of waters (e.g. from fossil fuel burning) may have a double effect on P cycling in lakes. Higher sulfate concentrations can both increase the magnitude of P release from sediments as well as increase the availability of P released from sediments into anoxic bottom waters.
The Positive Psychology of Interested Adolescents

Using the experience sampling method (ESM) and a diverse national sample of young people, this study identifies two groups of adolescents: those who experience chronic interest in everyday life experiences and another who experience widespread boredom. These groups are compared against several measures of psychological well-being: global self-esteem, locus of control, and emotions regarding one's future prospects. It is hypothesized that a generalized chronic experience of interest, an innate physiological function, can be used as a signal for a larger measure of psychological health, while chronic boredom is a sign of psychic dysfunction. A strong association between the experience of interest and well-being was found.
Locally injective maps in o-minimal structures without poles are surjective

If f: R' is continuous and locally injective, then f is in fact surjective and a homeomorphism, provided f is definable in an o-minimal expansion without poles of the ordered additive group of real numbers; 'without poles' means that every one-variable definable function is locally bounded. Some general properties of definable maps in o-minimal expansions of ordered abelian groups without poles are also established.
Critical Internationalization: Moving from Theory to Practice

This article utilizes critical social theory to illuminate structures of inequality that undergird certain practices of internationalization in higher education institutions, particularly in U.S. institutions. We demonstrate how such theory can be productively employed to analyze three key dimensions of contemporary internationalization: 1) a representational dimension, 2) a political-economic dimension, and 3) a symbolic capital dimension. We argue that these three elements are central to any critical conceptualization of internationalization that has at its core a consideration of equity, ethics, and social justice. The overarching goal of this article is to illustrate how critical social theory can foster more extensive debate regarding the material and ideological systems of exclusion in international education and contribute to the task of reimagining internationalization. The full text of the article can be found at 10.18275/fire201502021036
Classroom strategies for simulation-based collaborative inquiry learning

SimForest is a simulation-based learning environment in the domain of forest ecology that simulates tree and forest growth, the succession of tree species over time, and the effects of environmental and man made disturbances on forest growth (see www.ddc.hampshire.edu/~simforest/). With the simulation students can set environmental parameters such as rainfall, temperature, soil fertility, soil texture, and soil depth; they plant (or load in from a file) a plot of trees from a list of over 30 species; and they "run" the simulation and observe the trees as they grow and the forest evolves. A forest plot's sensitivity to natural and man-made disturbances can be evaluated, and emergent properties such as species succession can be characterized. This short paper summarizes some of the results of a research project involving several development and implementation phases: the development of the SimForest learning environment, development of curriculum materials and activities surrounding the software, software evaluation in college biology classrooms, a summer professional development institute teaching secondary school teachers how to implement the software and curriculum, and a study following these teachers as they used the software in their class over two semesters. In this paper we summarize one aspect of this project: the characterization of diverse pedagogical strategies used by an expert teacher to support simulation-based collaborative inquiry learning. We used these results to give suggestions to the participants during the teacher training phase of the project.
Search, capture and signal: games microtubules and centrosomes play

Accurate distribution of the chromosomes in dividing cells requires coupling of cellular polarity cues with both the orientation of the mitotic spindle and cell cycle progression. Work in budding yeast has demonstrated that cytoplasmic dynein and the kinesin Kip3p define redundant pathways that ensure proper spindle orientation. Furthermore, it has been shown that the Kip3p pathway components Kar9p and Bim1p (Yeb1p) form a complex that provides a molecular link between cortical polarity cues and spindle microtubules. Recently, other studies indicated that the cortical localization of Kar9p depends upon actin cables and Myo2p, a type V myosin. In addition, a BUB2-dependent cell cycle checkpoint has been described that inhibits the mitotic exit network and cytokinesis until proper centrosome position is achieved. Combined, these studies provide molecular insight into how cells link cellular polarity, spindle position and cell cycle progression.
CONVERGENCE RATES IN APPROXIMATING A COMPOUND DISTRIBUTION

In connection with the classical insurance risk problem, Ross [2] develops a recursive formula for approximating a tail probability in a geometrically compounded distribution. Here, we consider rates of convergence for this approximation.
A new method of solving the unit commitment problem

Unit commitment (UC) is a fundamental problem in power systems and has been extensively investigated by many researchers. However, almost all existing approaches are based on integer decision variables. In this paper, we propose an alternative approach, in which the continuous variables (real output power) are the only decision variables. This approach is based on a simple theoretical result, for which a proof is given. Then a new model is presented, followed by several 24-dimensional and 96-dimensional test cases. The results are consistent with those solved by conventional approaches reported in the literature.
Dynamic discretization method for solving Kepler’s equation

Kepler’s equation needs to be solved many times for a variety of problems in Celestial Mechanics. Therefore, computing the solution to Kepler’s equation in an efficient manner is of great importance to that community. There are some historical and many modern methods that address this problem. Of the methods known to the authors, Fukushima’s discretization technique performs the best. By taking more of a system approach and combining the use of discretization with the standard computer science technique known as dynamic programming, we were able to achieve even better performance than Fukushima. We begin by defining Kepler’s equation for the elliptical case and describe existing solution methods. We then present our dynamic discretization method and show the results of a comparative analysis. This analysis will demonstrate that, for the conditions of our tests, dynamic discretization performs the best.
Mercury and selenium levels, and selenium:mercury molar ratios of brain, muscle and other tissues in bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) from New Jersey, USA

A number of contaminants affect fish health, including mercury and selenium, and the selenium:mercury molar ratio. Recently the protective effects of selenium on methylmercury toxicity have been publicized, particularly for consumption of saltwater fish. Yet the relative ameliorating effects of selenium on toxicity within fish have not been examined, nor has the molar ratio in different tissues, (i.e. brain). We examined mercury and selenium levels in brain, kidney, liver, red and white muscle, and skin and scales in bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) (n=40) from New Jersey to determine whether there were toxic levels of either metal, and we computed the selenium:mercury molar ratios by tissues. Total mercury averaged 0.32±0.02 ppm wet weight in edible muscle and 0.09±0.01 ppm in brain. Selenium concentration averaged 0.37±0.03 in muscle and 0.36±0.03 ppm in brain. There were significant differences in levels of mercury, selenium, and selenium:mercury molar ratios, among tissues. Mercury and selenium levels were correlated in kidney and skin/scales. Mercury levels were highest in kidney, intermediate in muscle and liver, and lowest in brain and skin/scales; selenium levels were also highest in kidney, intermediate in liver, and were an order of magnitude lower in the white muscle and brain. Mercury levels in muscle, kidney and skin/scales were positively correlated with fish size (length). Selenium levels in muscle, kidney and liver were positively correlated with fish length, but in brain; selenium levels were negatively correlated with fish length. The selenium:mercury molar ratio was negatively correlated with fish length for white muscle, liver, kidney, and brain, particularly for fish over 50 cm in length, suggesting that older fish experience less protective advantages of selenium against mercury toxicity than smaller fish, and that consumers of bluefish similarly receive less advantage from eating larger fish.
A facilitated Early Return to Work Program at a large urban medical center

An Early Return to Work Program was initiated at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Associated Schools of Medicine, Hygiene and Nursing in Baltimore, Maryland, in April 1992 as part of a comprehensive effort to control the incidence and costs of work-related illnesses and injuries. The program was similar to others that incorporate employee and supervisory training and job accommodation, but it also included an industrial hygienist trained in ergonomics to facilitate the placement of individuals with restrictions. The return to work program was studied over a 10-year period, comparing the number of lost workday cases, lost workdays, and restricted duty days before (1989 to 1992) and after (1993 to 1999) initiation of the program. A significant decrease (55%) was observed in the rate of lost workday cases before versus after the return to work program. Furthermore, the number of lost workdays decreased from an average of 26.3 per 100 employees before, to 12.0 per 100 employees after, the return to work initiative, and the number of restricted duty days went from an average of 0.63 per 100 employees to 13.4 per 100 employees (a twentyfold increase). The study suggests that a well-structured early return to work program is an integral part of a comprehensive effort to control the duration of disability associated with occupational injuries and illness. It also indicates that to be most effective, an early return to work program must include participation by medical providers, safety professionals, injured employees, and supervisors. Our work suggests that even with these elements in place, the effectiveness of return to work programs may be increased by including an individual trained in ergonomics to facilitate the job placement process.
The genomic structure of human BTK, the defective gene in X-linked agammaglobulinemia

It has recently been demonstrated that mutations in the gene for Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) are responsible for X-linked agammaglobulinemia. Southern blot analysis and sequencing of cDNA were used to document deletions, insertions, and single base pair substitutions. To facilitate analysis of BTK regulation and to permit the development of assays that could be used to screen genomic DNA for mutations in BTK, we determined the genomic organization of this gene. Subcloning of a cosmid and a yeast artificial chromosome showed that BTK is divided into 19 exons spanning 37 kilobases of genomic DNA. Analysis of the region 5' to the first untranslated exon revealed no consensus TATAA or CAAT boxes; however, three retinoic acid binding sites were identified in this region. Comparison of the structure of BTK with that of other nonreceptor tyrosine kinases, including SRC, FES, and CSK, demonstrated a lack of conservation of exon borders. Information obtained in this study will contribute to our understanding of the evolution of nonreceptor tyrosine kinases. It will also be useful in diagnostic studies, including carrier detection, and in studies directed towards gene therapy or gene replacement.
A simple 180° waveguide bend

A simple 180° E-plan waveguide bend is described. Dimensions of the band for two s-band waveguides are given.
Cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome of Zellweger: an inherited disorder of neuronal migration.

A child afflicted with the hereditary cerebro-hepato-renal syndrome of Zellweger is reported. Important neurological features included: marked weakness and generalized hypotonia, recurrent seizures, and failure of development of visual, auditory or other sensory discriminations and “high-level” motor responses. Neuropathological study revealed a primary disturbance of development of the brain. The developmental disturbance consisted essentially of an incomplete migration of neuroblasts to form the cerebral cortical plate. The findings are discussed in relation to other types of cerebral dysgenesis. It is postulated that the precise disorder of neuronal migration in this disease delineates a specific step, probably mediated by a single protein, in the formation of the cerebral cortex. An additional finding, less certain of interpretation, is a widespread, diffuse degeneration of medullated nerve fibers in the cerebral white matter with phagocytosis of sudanophilic material by histiocytes and microglial cells.
Mitochondrial dysfunction after experimental traumatic brain injury: Combined efficacy of SNX-111 and U-101033E

We recently demonstrated that posttraumatic administration of the N-type calcium channel blocker SNX-111 (S) and a novel blood-brain barrier penetrating antioxidant U-101033E (U), significantly alleviated mitochondrial dysfunction induced by traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats. The present study was designed to determine whether a combination of S and U, which act on different biochemical mechanisms of secondary brain injury, would be more efficacious than either drug alone. Brain mitochondria from injured and uninjured hemispheres were isolated and examined at 12 h post TBI induced by a severe controlled cortical impact injury. S at 1.0 mg/kg significantly increased both State 3 and 4 rates and produced a slight increase in P/O ratio, and there was virtually no change in RCI. U at 1.0 mg/kg did not show any protection. However, the combined treatment of S at 1.0 mg/kg and U at 1.0 mg/kg eliminated the uncoupling effect of S, and restored not only State 3 rates and P/O ratios but also RCI to near sham values. These results provide further evidence that both reactive oxygen species and perturbation of cellular calcium homeostasis participate in the pathogenesis of TBI-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, and support the idea of using combined therapy with lower drug doses.
Oddity preference by mental retardates

Abstract Three groups of severely retarded and three groups of mildly retarded individuals were given a series of five 10-trial oddity problems under non-reward conditions. The groups were presented with stimulus arrays containing one odd stimulus and two, three, or four identical stimuli. The results indicated that the mildly retarded group responded to the odd object slightly less than 50% of the time, significantly above chance expectancy, whereas the severely retarded group responded to the odd object approximately 33% of the time, significantly above chance expectancy for those groups with three and four identical stimuli. These findings suggest that oddity is a stimulus characteristic to which an approach response is made independent of its concurrent association with reward, and that the stimulus value of oddity differs for mildly and severely retarded S s.
Quantum Effects, Inflationary Model, and Observable Universe

The very early stages of evolution of the universe might have a profound implications for its further, evolution and presently, observed large scale structure. It is shown that if the universe passed through an inflationary phase after the quantum stage then the effects of quantum gravity have been washed out and the presently observed distribution of matter is a consequence of processes occurring during and after the inflationary phase.
Lymphoreticular malignancy in immunodeficiency with lymphocytotoxic antibody.

Two unusual cases of immunologic deficiency complicated by development of malignant tumors are presented. Lymphocytotoxic antibody was detected in both patients, and in one case was associated with recurring lymphopenia. The immunologic defects resemble those observed in experimental animals that have been treated with antilymphocytic globulin. In one case, the tumor mainly involved the lung and showed morphological features of plasmacytoma. In the other case the tumor had the appearance of a malignant lymphoma, with features of reticulum cell or Hodgkin's sarcoma.
Detection of multiple airborne targets from multisensor data

Previously we presented a jump-diffusion based random sampling algorithm for generating conditional mean estimates of scene representations for the tracking and recongition of maneuvering airborne targets. These representations include target positions and orientations along their trajectories and the target type associated with each trajectory. Taking a Bayesian approach, a posterior measure is defined on the parameter space by combining sensor models with a sophisticated prior based on nonlinear airplane dynamics. The jump-diffusion algorithm constructs a Markov process which visits the elements of the parameter space with frequencies proportional to the posterior probability. It consititutes both the infinitesimal, local search via a sample path continuous diffusion transform and the larger, global steps through discrete jump moves. The jump moves involve the addition and deletion of elements from the scene configuration or changes in the target type assoviated with each target trajectory. One such move results in target detection by the addition of a track seed to the inference set. This provides initial track data for the tracking/recognition algorithm to estimate linear graph structures representing tracks using the other jump moves and the diffusion process, as described in our earlier work. Target detection ideally involves a continuous research over a continuum of the observation space. In this work we conclude that for practical implemenations the search space must be discretized with lattice granularity comparable to sensor resolution, and discuss how fast Fourier transforms are utilized for efficient calcuation of sufficient statistics given our array models. Some results are also presented from our implementation on a networked system including a massively parallel machine architecture and a silicon graphics onyx workstation.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
GORE PRECLUDE MVP dura substitute applied as a nonwatertight "underlay" graft for craniotomies: product and technique evaluation.

Abstract Background While watertight closure of the dura is a long-standing tenet of cranial surgery, it is often not possible and sometimes unnecessary. Many graft materials with various attributes and drawbacks have been in use for many years. A novel synthetic dural graft material called GORE PRECLUDE® MVP® dura substitute (WL Gore & Associates, Inc, Flagstaff, Ariz) (henceforth called “MVP”) is designed for use both in traditional watertight dural closure and as a dural “underlay” graft in a nonwatertight fashion. One surface of MVP is engineered to facilitate fibroblast in-growth so that its proximity to the underside of the dura will lead to rapid incorporation, whereas the other surface acts as a barrier to reduce tissue adhesion to the device. Methods A series of 59 human subjects undergoing craniotomy and available for clinical and radiographic follow-up underwent nonwatertight underlay grafting of their durotomy with MVP. This is an assessment of the specific product and technique. No attempt is made to compare this to other products or techniques. Results The mean follow-up in this group was more than 4 months. All subjects have ultimately experienced excellent outcomes related to use of the graft implanted with the underlay technique. No complications occurred related directly to MVP, but the wound-related complication rate attributed to the underlay technique was higher than expected (17%). However, careful analysis found a high rate of risk factors for wound complications and determined that complications with the underlay technique could be avoided by assuring close approximation of the graft material to the underside of the dura. Conclusions MVP can be used as an underlay graft in a nonwatertight fashion. However, if used over large voids (relaxed brain or large tumor bed), “tacking” or traditional watertight closure techniques should be used. The underlay application of MVP is best applied over the convexities and is particularly well-suited to duraplasty after hemicraniectomy.