cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exploiting Bounded Rationality in Risk-Based Cyber Camouflage Games

Recent works have growingly shown that Cyber deception can effectively impede the reconnaissance efforts of intelligent cyber attackers. Recently proposed models to optimize a deceptive defense based on camouflaging network and system attributes, have shown effective numerical results on simulated data. However, these models possess a fundamental drawback due to the assumption that an attempted attack is always successful—as a direct consequence of the deceptive strategies being deployed, the attacker runs a significant risk that the attack fails. Further, this risk or uncertainty in the rewards magnifies the boundedly rational behavior in humans which the previous models do not handle. To that end, we present Risk-based Cyber Camouflage Games—a general-sum game model that captures the uncertainty in the attack’s success. In case of the rational attackers, we show that optimal defender strategy computation is NP-hard even in the zero-sum case. We provide an MILP formulation for the general problem with constraints on cost and feasibility, along with a pseudo-polynomial time algorithm for the special unconstrained setting. Second, for risk-averse attackers, we present a solution based on Prospect theoretic modeling along with a robust variant that minimizes regret. Third, we propose a solution that does not rely on the attacker behavior model or past data, and effective for the broad setting of strictly competitive games where previous solutions against bounded rationality prove ineffective. Finally, we provide numerical results that our solutions effectively lower the defender loss.
A 22-year-old man with fevers, chills, and a non-productive cough

A 22-year-old man with bipolar disorder and anxiety presented with fevers, chills, nausea, vomiting, and a non-productive cough for four days. He reported a fever up to 40°C at home and an inabilit...
Responses to Partial Dopaminergic Lesion: Evidence for Compensatory Sprouting from the Ventral Striatum

There are a variety of neurochemical and morphological changes that occur in the striatum as a consequence of lesioning of the mesostriatal dopamine (DA) system. These changes reflect both the acute loss of DA innervation and compensations for that loss. Acute changes include the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunoreactive fibers and terminals, the appearance of axonal and terminal degeneration, loss of striatal DA content and an increase in the expression of preproenkephalin (PPE) mRNA.1,20 Compensatory responses include increased synthesis of TH, increased DA release and turnover, and decreased DA uptake, leading to maintenance of normal or near normal levels of extracellular dopamine24,31,32.
The Rationality of Dividends

Observed dividend behavior is not well explained by models based on the pure economic rationale of value maximization. Why are economists, after 30 years of extensive model building, still unable to solve the “dividend puzzle”? In this paper it is argued that dividend disbursements are better seen as a ritual, dating back to the evolution of the modern corporation. To further the comprehension of the behavioral underpinnings of corporate dividend policy, researchers must be willing to accept the notion of bounded rationality as it pertains to the dividend decision phenomenon. By example, a parallel between the customs of payment of dividends and the potlatch is drawn. While both are long enduring institutions, neither is explainable solely by a pure economic maxim. An alternative avenue of reconciling dividend policy with observable behavior is suggested.
The Direct Involvement of Vitamin A in Glycosyl Transfer Reactions of Mammalian Membranes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the direct involvement of vitamin A in glycosyl transfer reactions of mammalian membranes. The path to the understanding of the molecular mechanism of action of vitamin A, outside vision, has proved very difficult. The most commonly used approach has been that of trying to gain some insight into the molecular mechanism by studying biochemical changes that result from depletion of this essential nutrient, in the hope of finding a metabolic process that is affected profoundly and directly by the deficiency of the vitamin. The main difficulty in this approach is the very arduous task of singling out a biochemical change that is a direct consequence of vitamin A deficiency; a variety of enzymic reactions are, in fact, affected in the vitamin A-depleted animal, in which infection ensues and death occurs relatively soon after the onset of deficiency. Thus, what originally may have seemed to be a good lead often turns into a labyrinthine confusion with a variety of effects, all of which are precipitated by the status of vitamin A deficiency.
Dermal Exposure and Absorption of Chemicals and Nanomaterials

Skin is an important route of exposure to chemicals after occupational, environmental, and consumer product usage. Knowledge of the rate and extent of skin absorption is required for risk assessments to be made. The primary barrier to chemical absorption is the stratum corneum. Transport across this barrier is assumed to occur primarily by diffusion. Techniques for quantitating skin permeability using this assumption are presented, as are basic approaches to linking permeability to molecular properties using quantitative structure permeability relationships (QSPeR). Consideration is then given to how nanomaterial dermal absorption fits into this paradigm developed for small organic chemicals.
The innermost chorionic layer of Drosophila: I. The role of chorin octamers in the formation of a family of interdigitating crystalline plates

Abstract The innermost chorionic layer (ICL) within egg shells of Drosophila melanogaster is composed of thin, abutting three-dimensional crystalline plates which form a closed, membrane-like sheath. Collectively, the crystals within the sheath appear to form a family of related three-dimensional crystals in space group C222; however, specimens prepared for electron microscopy are actually two-dimensional crystals in c222. The projected structures of the negatively stained crystals have been studied by minimal dose electron microscopy employing image reconstruction methods. Thin sections indicate that unit cells within the ICL are composed of paired layers; top and bottom layers are related by centrally located 2-fold axes, aligned parallel to the surface of the ICL. The most probable structural unit of the crystals is a tetramer of chorin dimers with a point group symmetry of 222, which is denoted a chorin octamer. Projection maps were computed from average transforms of two-dimensional crystals for Δ (the primitive unit cell angle) equal to 84 °, 90 ° and 97 ° (±1.5 °). The maps indicate that the molecular transitions responsible for the observed family of crystals involve concerted intramolecular rearrangements about molecular 2-fold axes. The significance in vivo of the family of crystals within the ICL is not known; however, structural considerations suggest that the observed polymorphism may reflect one facet of an intrinsic bonding flexibility of the ICL octamer that may play a role in the formation of interplate junctions and the assembly of a continuous closed sheath. The ICL may therefore serve as a structural bridge between the vitelline membrane-wax layer and the endochondrial floor, allowing the larva to shed the inner egg shell layers during hatching.
Outsourcing, Offshoring, and Productivity Measurement in U.S. Manufacturing

Because of gaps in existing surveys and methodological problems with the computation of productivity measures, outsourcing and offshoring result in an overstatement of labor productivity and multifactor productivity growth in manufacturing. Although it is impossible to fully characterize the size of the bias, I present several pieces of evidence indicating that it is large. Any overstatement of productivity in manufacturing, which has been a driver of productivity in the American economy, may have important implications for aggregate productivity measurement, particularly to the extent that the bias arises from offshoring activities. These findings may help explain why recent high growth in labor productivity has not been associated with widespread wage gains but rather with an increase in capital's share of GDP: labor productivity growth in manufacturing, and most likely in the aggregate economy, are overstated, and the very factors that have led to the overstatement - outsourcing and offshoring - depress wages. The effects of outsourcing and offshoring on manufacturing and aggregate productivity measurement, I argue, warrant further study, and productivity measures should be interpreted with caution.
Accounting Information Systems: Concepts and Practice for Effective Decision Making

From the Publisher: This Fourth Edition analyzes the vital role of computerized accounting information systems in today's business world. Intended for the accounting major, covers management concepts of importance to accountants, with emphasis on the design of accounting information systems. It discusses the central tasks of accounting information systems, namely collecting, recording, and storing business data, and the accountant's role in implementing effective internal controls. Also gives thorough treatment to systems studies leading to development of more efficient accounting information systems and looks at special topics such as accounting for nonprofit organizations and small businesses. A variety of exercises and cases are included at the end of each chapter, and an entire section is devoted to more extensive case studies.
A Comparison of Discontinuous and Continuous Galerkin Methods Based on Error Estimates, Conservation, Robustness and Efficiency

The Discontinuous Galerkin Method (DGM) and Continuous Galerkin Method (CGM) are investigated and compared for the advection problem and the diffusion problem. First, error estimates for Stabilized Discontinuous Galerkin Methods (SDGMs) are presented. Then, conservation laws are discussed for the DGM and CGM. An advantage ascribed to the DGM is the local flux conservation property. It is remarked that the CGM is not only globally conservative, but locally conservative too when a simple post-processing procedure is used. Next, the robustness of different DGMs is investigated numerically. Lastly, the efficiency of the DGM and CGM is compared.
Repeated sessions of functional repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation increases motor cortex excitability and motor control in survivors of stroke.

Objective To determine the impact of a single-session of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and an rTMS intervention on neurophysiology and motor control in survivors of stroke. Methods Twelve stroke survivors were randomized into functional-rTMS or passive-rTMS conditions. Measures of short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF), and force steadiness (coefficient of variation, CV) at 10 and 20% of maximum voluntary contraction were assessed at baseline and after a single-session of rTMS (post single-session), and again following an intervention of 8 rTMS sessions (2 sessions per day; post-intervention). Functional-rTMS required subjects to exceed a muscle activation threshold assessed by surface electromyography to trigger each rTMS train; the passive-rTMS group received rTMS while relaxed. Results ICF scores significantly increased following the single-session of functional-rTMS compared to the decrease following passive-rTMS. The increase in APB SICI and ICF scores following the intervention was significantly greater for the functional-rTMS group compared to the decreases following passive-rTMS. The groups were significantly different in the CV of force (20%) following the single-session of rTMS, and in the 10 and 20% tasks following the intervention. The functional-rTMS group increased steadiness overtime, whereas the passive group demonstrated a return to baseline following the intervention session. No differences were observed in first dorsal interosseus (FDI) measures (SICI and ICF) between groups. Conclusions The functional-rTMS protocol enhanced cortical excitability following a single-session and after repeated sessions and improved steadiness, whereas the passive stimulation protocol tended to decrease excitation and no improvements in steadiness were observed.
Why we value should choices more retrospectively and how mindfulness allows us to make smarter decisions prospectively

Given almost 50 years of research into the reasoning for poor decision-making, scholars have called for a renewed research effort at determining how we can move from explaining to improving decision making. This ambition presupposes a thorough understanding of the current biases and a focus on overcoming them. In this paper, we are aiming to do both; we are 1) adding insights in a heretofore less well understood bias- the retrospective preference reversal for should choices over want choices, 2) identifying a potential mechanism for such a reversal: mindfulness, and 3) exploring how to reduce that effect for prospective choices. We find that mindfulness interventions can steer participants to prefer should choices over want choices, thus improving overall decision making.
Computational model of surface ablation from tokamak disruptions

Energy transfer to material surfaces is dominated by photon radiation through low temperature plasma vapors if tokamak disruptions are due to low kinetic energy particles (</spl I.oarr/100 eV). Simple models of radiation transport are derived and incorporated into a fast-running computer routine to model this process. The results of simulations are in fair agreement with plasma gun erosion tests on several metal targets.
Objects limit human comprehension

This paper demonstrates that the human visual system, the primary sensory conduit for primates, processes ambient energy in a way that obligatorily constructs the objects that we ineluctably perceive. And since our perceptual apparatus processes information only in terms of objects (along with the properties and movements of objects), we are limited in our ability to comprehend ‘what is’ when we move beyond our ordinary world of midsize objects—as, for example, when we address the micro microworld of quantum physics.
Effects of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein on endotoxin-induced fever and Escherichia coli-induced shock in rabbits:

Binding of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) to endotoxin inhibits endotoxin-triggered responses. We investigated the effects of BPI on endotoxin fever and E. coli-induced septic shock in rabbits. Pre-incubation of endotoxin with BPI blocked fever compared to control rabbits (n = 6). A marked reduction in fever was also observed when BPI was injected before endotoxin. E. coli-challenge resulted in 66% mortality (n = 6); pre-treatment with BPI resulted in survival of all animals (n = 3). Mean arterial blood pressure was higher in BPI-treated compared to control rabbits. Comparable leukopenia and thrombocytopenia was observed with either BPI or vehicle treatment. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist were similarly elevated in both BPI- and saline-treated rabbits. However, in BPI treated rabbits, peak TNF levels were 34 % lower compared to saline controls (P < 0.05). Further studies are warranted to assess whether BPI may have therapeutic potential for the treatm...
Cytochrome P450 Compound I: Capture, Characterization, and C-H Bond Activation Kinetics

Cytochrome P450 enzymes are responsible for the phase I metabolism of approximately 75% of known pharmaceuticals. P450s perform this and other important biological functions through the controlled activation of C-H bonds. Here, we report the spectroscopic and kinetic characterization of the long-sought principal intermediate involved in this process, P450 compound I (P450-I), which we prepared in approximately 75% yield by reacting ferric CYP119 with m-chloroperbenzoic acid. The Mossbauer spectrum of CYP119-I is similar to that of chloroperoxidase compound I, although its electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum reflects an increase in |J|/D, the ratio of the exchange coupling to the zero-field splitting. CYP119-I hydroxylates the unactivated C-H bonds of lauric acid [D(C-H) ~ 100 kilocalories per mole], with an apparent second-order rate constant of k(app) = 1.1 × 10(7) per molar per second at 4°C. Direct measurements put a lower limit of k ≥ 210 per second on the rate constant for bound substrate oxidation, whereas analyses involving kinetic isotope effects predict a value in excess of 1400 per second.
Photocontrol of flowering and stem extension of the intermediate-day plant Echinacea purpurea.

Intermediate-day plants (IDP) flower most rapidly and completely under intermediate photoperiods (e.g., 12-14 h of light), but few species have been identified and their flowering responses are not well understood. We identified Echinacea purpurea Moench as an IDP and, based on our results, propose a novel mechanism for flowering of IDP. Two genotypes of E. purpurea (Bravado' and 'Magnus') flowered most completely (≥ 79%) and rapidly and at the youngest physiological age under intermediate photoperiods of 13-15 h. Few (≤ 14%) plants flowered under 10- or 24-h photoperiods, indicating E. purpurea is a strongly quantitative IDP. Plants were also induced to flower when 15-h dark periods were interrupted with as few as 7.5 min of low-intensity lighting (night interruption, NI). Flowering was progressively earlier as the NI increased to 1 h, but was delayed when the NI was extended to 4 h. Stem length increased by ≥ 230% as the photoperiod or NI duration increased, until plants received a saturating duration (at 14 or 1 h, respectively). Flowering was inhibited when 16-h photoperiods were deficient in red (R, 600-700 nm) light, and was promoted when photoperiods were deficient in far-red (FR, 700-800 nm) light. Because of our results, we propose the flowering behavior of IDP such as E. purpurea is composed of two mechanisms: a light-dependent response operating through light-labile (type I) phytochrome in which flowering is inhibited by an LD, and a light-stable (type II) phytochrome (i.e., phyB, D and E) response in which flowering is promoted by a short-night.
Attitudinal Predictors of Sexual Activity in Hispanic Adolescent Females

This study examined attitudinalfactors that discriminate between virgins and nonvirgins among an urban sample of junior and senior high school adolescents. The sample consisted of 240 Hispanic adolescent females, age 12 through 18 years. Virgins significantly differed from nonvirgins within both the junior high school sample (12-through 15-year-olds) and the senior high school group (16-through 18-year-olds). There were notable differences and similarities between the two age groups on which attitudes most powerfully discriminated between the virgins and the nonvirgins. The younger females were most strongly influenced by their perception of their friends 'attitudes and behavior regarding premarital sexuality. The older females were most powerfully influenced by their own attitudes about premarital sexuality. Additionally, achievement orientation discriminated virgins from nonvirgins among the younger females while perception of parental attitudes toward premarital sexuality discriminated older virgins fr...
Operator Theory in the Hardy Space over the Bidisk, III☆

This paper is a continuation of a project of developing a systematic operator theory inH2(D2). A large part of it is devoted to a study ofevaluation operator which is a very useful tool in the theory. A number of elementary properties of the evaluation operator are exhibited, and these properties are used to derive results in other topics such as interpretation of characteristic opertor function inH2(D2), spectral equivalence, compactness, compressions of shift operators, etc., Even though some results reflect the two variable nature ofH2(D2), the goal of this paper is to manifest a close tie between the operator theory inH2(D2) and classical single operator theory. The unilateral shift of a finite multiplicity and the Bergman shift will be used as examples to illustrate some of the results.
Surgical alterations of the pancreas and insulin-independent glucose disposal

Abstract Systemic drainage of pancreatic venous effluent and denervation of the pancreas that follows pancreatic transplantation has been shown to alter postoperative glucose disposal despite elevated levels of peripheral insulin in response to a glucose challenge. Since an appreciable fraction of postprandial glucose disposal takes place in the absence of insulin (insulin-independent glucose disposal—IIGD), we have investigated potential changes in this aspect of carbohydrate metabolism before and after bladder-drained pancreatic autotransplantation (PAT/B) as well as partial pancreatectomy (PPx). The hyperglycemic clamp protocol with a background infusion of somatostatin was performed on control (PREOP) dogs as well as PAT/B and PPx animals. The rate of glucose disposal ( M Value) during the period of hypoinsulinemia induced by Somatostatin (SST) was measured and reported. Whereas glucose disposal during steady state hyperglycemia was significantly diminished for both PPx and PAT/B in the absence of SST, IIGD was unaltered across all three groups studied. We therefore conclude that surgical alteration of the pancreas results in abnormal glucose disposal during steady state hyperglycemia despite apparently normal to supranormal levels of peripheral insulin, and that alterations in IIGD are not responsible for these differences.
Proline metabolism in Leishmania donovani promastigotes.

SYNOPSIS Oxygen uptake of Leishmania donovani culture promastigotes was stimulated by L-proline and to a lesser extent by L-glutamate and L-arginine. L-proline reversed partially KCN-induced inhibition of respiration and completely, inhibition caused by malonate. Labeled proline, glutamate, alanine, and arginine were detected by thin layer chromatography in the free amino acid pool from cells incubated with L-proline-14C. Labeled tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, α-ketoglutarate, succinate, fumarate, malate, and oxaloacetate, also were found by this method in extracts from organisms incubated with L-proline-14C which contained also pyruvate. Cells incubated with malic acid-14C contained labeled alanine, glutamate, and arginine. Labeled L-proline was not found in promastigotes incubated with D-glucose-14C, although arginine, glutamate, and alanine were detected in extracts from these organisms. Indirect evidence for the presence of a NADP-dependent malic enzyme was obtained by Ochoa's method. All results suggest the presence of a proline-glutamate interconversion pathway in L. donovani promastigote culture forms.
Integrating integer programming and probabilistic deduction graphs for probabilistic reasoning

Optimal solutions of several variants of the probabilistic reasoning problem were found by a new technique that integrates integer programming and probabilistic deduction graphs (PDG). PDGs are extended from deduction graphs of the and-type via normal deduction graphs. The foregoing variants to be solved can involve multiple hypotheses and multiple evidences where the former is given and the latter is unknown and being found or vice versa. The relationship among these hypotheses and evidences with possible intermediaries is represented by a causal graph. The proposed method can handle a large causal graph of any type and find an optimal solution by invoking a linear integer programming package. In addition, formulating the reasoning problem to fit integer programming takes a polynomial time.
Developing an austenitic stainless steel for improved performance in advanced fossil power facilities

Designed for application in the demanding environments of power-generating systems, new steels with outstanding high-temperature creep rupture resistance have been developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Stemming from years of research on precipitation in aged and reactor-irradiated steels, the precipitate microstructure in Fe-Cr-Ni steels was effectively tailored through carefully controlled additions of minor alloying elements and with the assistance of analytical electron microscopy.
Influence of pelage insulation and ambient temperature on energy intake and growth of juvenile Siberian hamsters

Both growth and thermoregulation are energetically costly, and many studies implicate an energetic tradeoff between them. Moreover, fur is known to ameliorate thermoregulatory costs in adult mammals, but its role in maintaining energy balance during growth is unclear. This study tested for an energetic tradeoff between growth and thermoregulation in juvenile Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus) and the effect of an insulative pelage on intrinsic growth rate. Hamsters weaned at 18 days of age and left fully furred or deprived of all dorsal fur by shaving at 20 days of age, were housed at 10 degrees C or 23 degrees C. Body mass, length, and food consumption were measured until hamsters were 35 days old. Thermal challenge, whether by low ambient temperature or shaving, resulted in increased food intake and decreased efficiency at converting food into body mass. Body mass and length were not affected by the thermal challenges. These results suggest that there is no mandatory tradeoff between growth and thermoregulation in this species, particularly when food is in abundant supply. Although fur was not necessary for normal growth to proceed, it ameliorated energetic costs associated with thermoregulation, and may play a role in maintaining energy balance under conditions of limited food availability.
Increasing efficiency in experiential instruction: An information retrieval system for exercises in nonverbal communication

This article attempts to stimulate increased efficiency in experiential learning by providing (1) a rationale for the development of a classification, and retreival system for games and exercises in speech communication, (2) a model of a classification and retrieval system in the area of nonverbal communication, and (3) a set of guidelines for the development of a classification and retrieval system for other areas of speech communication.
Distribution of gonadal steroid receptor-containing neurons in the preoptic-periaqueductal gray-brainstem pathway: a potential circuit for the initiation of male sexual behavior.

The present study used anterograde and retrograde tract tracing techniques to examine the organization of the medial preoptic—periaqueductal gray—nucleus paragigantocellularis pathway in the male rat. The location of neurons containing estrogen (alpha subtype; ERα) and androgen receptors (AR) were also examined. We report here that injection of the anterograde tracer biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) into the medial preoptic (MPO) produced dense labeling within the periaqueductal gray (PAG); anterogradely labeled fibers terminated in close juxtaposition to neurons retrogradely labeled from the nucleus paragigantocellularis (nPGi). Dual immunostaining for Fluoro-Gold (FG) and ERα or FG and AR showed that over one-third of MPO efferents to the PAG contain receptors for either estrogen or androgen. In addition, approximately 50% of PAG neurons retrogradely labeled from the nPGi were immunoreactive for either ERα or AR. These results are the first to establish an MPOPAGnPGi circuit and further indicate that gonadal steroids can influence neuronal synaptic activity within these sites. We reported previously that nPGi reticulospinal neurons terminate preferentially within the motoneuronal pools of the lumbosacral spinal cord that innervate the pelvic viscera. Together, we propose that the MPOPAGnPGi circuit forms the final common pathway whereby MPO neural output results in the initiation and maintenance of male copulatory reflexes. J. Comp. Neurol. 438:191–212, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Free vibrations for a semilinear wave equation

Abstract : Existence and regularity of nontrivial time periodic solutions are proved for semilinear wave equations under mild smoothness, monotonicity, and superlinearity assumptions. The forced vibration case is also treated.
The quasicrystalline structures of transition metal/metalloid glasses

Abstract The Wigner-Seitz method is used to specify the “near-neighbor” environments in glass-forming transition-metal-rich T/M crystalline phases, where T = Cr, Mn, Fe, Cu, Ni and M = P, B, Si. The crystal structures fall into different topological classes which may account for the polymorphism in the glasses.
Magnetic resonance imaging of monkey placenta with manganese enhancement.

Magnetic resonance imaging of pregnant cynomolgus monkeys in the last trimester was done on a Picker instrument (Picker International, Inc. 11 Northford, Connecticut) operating at 0.26 tesla. Both inversion-recovery and spin-echo proton images were obtained, demonstrating good detail of fetal and maternal anatomy. The placenta was particularly easy to identify, and its image was further enhanced by a bolus infusion of manganese chloride. Manganese is one of several paramagnetic ions that shortens proton relaxation times, and as a result alters signal intensity in magnetic resonance imaging. An infusion of 10 μmol/kg of manganese chloride was chosen on the basis of an in vitro experiment demonstrating shortening of the spin-lattice relaxation time at increasing concentrations of manganese. Additional studies showed rapid serum clearance of manganese after an intravenous dose with subsequent rapid uptake in the placenta. These results demonstrate that manganese is potentially suitable for studying placental blood flow with magnetic resonance imaging.
Voluntary Approaches to Environmental Problems: Exploring the Rise of Nontraditional Public Policy

Government reliance on voluntary programs represents a significant shift in public policy: moving from command and control regulations to market based mechanisms. This article explores the determinants of Voluntary Remediation Programs (VRPs) in the American States. During the 1980s and 1990s, 44 states adopted VRPs to facilitate remediation of existing hazardous waste sites. Relying on diffusion of innovation theory, I develop a model of state policy adoption that explores the influence of internal state political and economic factors, as well as testing the influence of regional and top-down diffusion forces. I utilize a discrete-time event history approach to test this model. The results indicate that state policymaking is responsive to interest group pressure and the pace of cleanup at hazardous waste sites. Additionally, state policymaking is consistently influenced by the actions of surrounding state governments; the probability of adopting a voluntary program increases if surrounding states have already developed these policies.
The Predictive Validity of the Lorge-Thorndike Intelligence Tests at the Kindergarten Level

The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictive validity of the Lorge-Thorndike Intelligence Tests (LTIT) at the kindergarten level. Seventy-nine Ss were administered the LTIT at the end of kindergarten. In mid-first grade the Ss were tested with the Metropolitan Achievement Tests. In addition, teacher grades and read ing level data were collected for each S. Correlations between the LTIT and the academic criteria ranged from .46 to .62. While stepwise regression analyses revealed that the demographic variables of sex, school ability, age, and father's occupation increased the power of prediction (multiple R's ranged from .64 to .78), the LTIT alone was judged to be a valid predictor of academic achievement. PREVIOUS studies, Dykstra (1), Edwards and Kirby (2), Hopkins and Sitkei (3), found that group intelligence tests administered at the begin ning of first grade were of some value in predict ing subsequent academic performance. The pur pose of the present study was to investigate the predictive validity of the Lorge-Thorndike In telligence Tests (LTIT) at the kindergarten level.
Present and future developments in radiotherapy treatment units

Technical advances in the design of medical accelerators are making possible the exploration of new treatment techniques. Technology currently available to the radiation oncologist allows the use of internal and dynamic wedges. Multileaf collimators can be used for static treatment ports, and dynamic field shaping and beam modulation using multileaf collimators has been shown to be feasible. Computer interfaces are necessary to transfer the complex treatment sequences that are possible with these devices. Such network interfaces also provide for more efficient conventional treatments. New machines such as X-band linear accelerators and advanced proton accelerators are being developed for applications such as boron neutron capture therapy and proton conformal therapy.
Practical aspects of spatially high accurate methods

The computational qualities of high order spatially accurate methods for the finite volume solution of the Euler equations are presented. Two dimensional essentially non-oscillatory (ENO), k-exact, and 'dimension by dimension' ENO reconstruction operators are discussed and compared in terms of reconstruction and solution accuracy, computational cost and oscillatory behavior in supersonic flows with shocks. Inherent steady state convergence difficulties are demonstrated for adaptive stencil algorithms. An exact solution to the heat equation is used to determine reconstruction error, and the computational intensity is reflected in operation counts. Standard MUSCL differencing is included for comparison. Numerical experiments presented include the Ringleb flow for numerical accuracy and a shock reflection problem. A vortex-shock interaction demonstrates the ability of the ENO scheme to excel in simulating unsteady high-frequency flow physics.
Direct Adaptive Disturbance Observer Design for Rejecting the Narrow-Band Disturbance With Unknown Frequency in Hard Disk Drives

This paper presents an adaptive add-on compensator to handle a single narrow-band disturbance with unknown frequency in hard disk drives (HDDs). A disturbance observer (DOB) loop with a narrow band pass Q filter is built around the baseline servo controller to reject the narrow-band disturbance. The frequency parameter of the Q filter is directly adapted to the optimal value in the sense of minimizing the track following track mis-registration (TMR). The performance of the proposed compensator is demonstrated by simulation on an open-source realistic hard disk drive system.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Aspartic acid racemization in Late Wisconsin Lake Ontario sediments

Abstract We have determined aspartic acid racemization and [ 14 C] ages in sediment from a 17-m piston core recovered from Lake Ontario. This core represents a depositional record extending back into the Late Wisconsin. Total organic radiocarbon ages of the glaciolacustrine lower section of the core are older than the true depositional age. Hence we suggest that these ages do not represent time elapsed since deposition but rather may be up to several thousand years too old due to mixing with 14 C-depleted organic matter and possibly also d -amino acids contained by the glacier and deposited as the glacier receded. Further studies are suggested that might test this hypothesis as well as establish the general applicability of racemization dating to clay sediments.
Stochastic compartmental models with branching and immigrant particles

A multicompartmental model in which particles enter the system from the environment and reproduce according to a Markov branching process has been considered. Explicit expressions have been obtained for the mean vector and the correlation structure for the numbers of particles in different compartments in different time points of the system. Growth rates of the mean vector and some special cases of the system are also discussed.
Potential Economic Value of Ensemble-Based Surface Weather Forecasts

Abstract The possible economic value of the quantification of uncertainty in future ensemble-based surface weather forecasts is investigated using a formal, idealized decision model. Current, or baseline, weather forecasts are represented by probabilistic forecasts of moderate accuracy, as measured by the ranked probability score. Hypothetical ensemble-based forecasts are constructed by supplementing the baseline set of probabilistic forecasts with lower- and higher-skill forecasts. These are chosen in such a way that mixtures of the forecasts including the lower- and higher-skill subsets with equal frequency exhibit the same accuracy overall as the moderately accurate (conventional, baseline) forecasts. For both simple one-time decisions (static situation) and related sequences of decisions (dynamic situation), these hypothetical ensemble-based forecasts are found to lead to greater economic value in the idealized decision problem when protective actions are relatively inexpensive, corresponding to real-...
Treatment Resistance Mechanisms of Malignant Glioma Tumor Stem Cells

Malignant gliomas are highly lethal because of their resistance to conventional treatments. Recent evidence suggests that a minor subpopulation of cells with stem cell properties reside within these tumors. These tumor stem cells are more resistant to radiation and chemotherapies than their counterpart differentiated tumor cells and may underlie the persistence and recurrence of tumors following treatment. The various mechanisms by which tumor stem cells avoid or repair the damaging effects of cancer therapies are discussed.
Rethinking responses to state failure, with special reference to Africa

State failure is both a key cause and symptom of underdevelopment in Africa. This article provides a geopolitical perspective on the reasons for state failure in Africa, and offers the following solutions to dealing with this phenomenon. First, local and external actors should prioritize state building and order over quick democratization. Second, in rare cases, the principle of national sovereignty may be overridden in the interests of security and development. Third, in very carefully selected cases, international boundaries may need to be redrawn.
Sequence diversification and exon inactivation in the glycophorin A gene family from chimpanzee to human

In humans, the allelic diversity of MNSs glycophorins (GP) occurs mainly through the recombinational modulation of silent exons (pseudoexons) in duplicated genes. To address the origin of such a mechanism, structures of GPA, GPB, and GPE were determined in chimpanzee, the only higher primate known to have achieved a three-gene framework as in humans. Pairwise comparison of the chimpanzee and human genes revealed a high degree of sequence identity and similar exon-intron organization. However, the chimpanzee GPA gene lacks a completely formed M- or N-defining sequence as well as a consensus sequence for the Asn-linked glycosylation. In the case of the GPB gene, exon III is expressed in the chimpanzee but silenced, as a pseudoexon, in the human. Therefore, the protein product in the chimpanzee bears a larger extracellular domain than in the human. For the GPE genes, exon III and exon IV have been inactivated by identical donor splice-site mutations in the two species. Nevertheless, the chimpanzee GPE-like mRNA appeared to be transcribed from a GPB/E composite gene containing no 24-bp insertion sequence in exon V for the transmembrane domain. These results suggest a divergent processing of exonic units from chimpanzee to human in which the inactivation of GPB exon III preserved a limited sequence repertoire for diversification of human glycophorins.
Assessing Sexual Function and dyspareunia with the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) in women with vulvodynia

Using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI; Rosen et al., 2000), we assessed forty-two women with vulvodynia. Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alphas = 0.90-0.97) for all scales. We compared scale scores to published healthy and patient sample data and found very large effect sizes (1.15-2.83), which indicated that women with vulvodynia reported significantly worse overall sexual function than women without sexual dysfunction and greater pain with sexual intercourse than women with female sexual arousal disorder. Results highlight difficulties experienced across all domains of sexual function, particularly with regard to dyspareunia, for women with vulvodynia. Findings also support the internal consistency and discriminant validity of the FSFI.
Synthesis and reactivity of [Tp′(CO)(PhC≡CMe)W=NPh]+ (Tp′ = Hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate)

The tungsten(IV) nitrene complex [Tp‘(CO)(PhC⋮CMe)WNPh]+ (cation of 1; Tp‘ = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) has been prepared by oxidation of the amido complex Tp‘(CO)(PhC⋮CMe)W(NHPh) (2) with elemental iodine in the presence of triethylamine. Oxidation in the absence of base also forms the aniline complex [Tp‘(CO)(PhC⋮CMe)W(NH2Ph)]+ (3), which has been independently synthesized. Reaction of 1 with 1 equiv of KBH4 adds hydride to the nitrene ligand to give the amido complex 2. Reaction of 1 with Li[HBEt3] forms the formyl adduct Tp‘(NPh)(PhC⋮CMe)W(η1-C(O)H) (4) as an intermediate, which ultimately yields the hydride complex Tp‘(NPh)(PhC⋮CMe)W(H) (5) with loss of CO. The hydride complex is also formed from reaction of 1 with 10 equiv of KBH4. Addition of acid to the hydride complex 5 protonates the nitrene nitrogen to form [Tp‘(H)(PhC⋮CMe)W(NHPh)][BAr‘4] (6). Both 5 and 6 exhibit surprisingly low-field hydride resonances in the 1H NMR (13.5 and 20.6 ppm, respectively). Addition of methylmagnesiu...
The origins and remission of fear in a group of tarantula enthusiasts

Abstract Members of a tarantula interest group were surveyed concerning their present and past attitudes and fears of tarantulas. Those who had been fearful but were no longer so, were asked how they acquired their fear and how they overcame their fear. A comparison group of equivalent sex and age distribution was also surveyed. Subjects' reports indicated that of the 51% of the tarantula group members and the 70% of the comparison group who reported fear, the major sources ofthat fear were media information (61%) and interpersonal/vicarious communication (34%). Among those previously fearful but who overcame their fear, 70% attributed fear reduction to acquired knowledge of tarantulas or spiders, 40% to observation and 27% to direct physical contact. These results are discussed in terms of fear acquisition mechanisms and processes by which fears remit without professional treatment.
Long-term results of the Stamey bladder neck suspension: direct comparison with the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz procedure.

AbstractPurpose: We performed followup of a cohort of women who underwent the Stamey endoscopic needle suspension (group 1) or the Marshall-Marchetti-Krantz vesicourethropexy (group 2) between 1975 and 1983.Materials and Methods: Telephone interviews were performed to assess current continence status and time to failure. Risk factors for recurrence of incontinence were correlated with long-term results.Results: Long-term data were obtained for 32 of 41 women (78%) in group 1 and 36 of 54 (67%) in group 2. Range of followup was 9.4 to 19.9 years (median 15.0, mean 15.2) in group 1 and 13.2 to 21.9 (median 16.8, mean 17.0) in group 2. Of group 1 patients 44% remained dry compared to 33% of group 2 patients. Persistent local side effects were reported by 9% of group 1 and 0% of group 2. Urinary urgency was present in 70% of group 1 patients and 23% of group 2. There was no relationship between long-term operative success and age at surgery, degree of preoperative incontinence, parity, obesity, prior incontin...
Departure from rigid co-rotation of plasma in Jupiter's dayside magnetosphere

A preliminary analysis of detailed in situ measurements of the low-energy (10 eV to 5.95 keV) component of the Jovian magnetospheric plasma by the MIT plasma experiment on Voyager 1 is presented. The results show departure of the plasma flow from strict corotation at radial distances greater than about 10 Jovian radii. Evidence is provided which demonstrates conclusively that the observed departure from corotation is not a spacecraft-charging effect.
Noninvasive Glucose Sensing

The ability to measure glucose noninvasively in human subjects is a major objective for many research groups. Success will revolutionize the treatment of diabetes by providing a means to improve glycemic control, thereby delaying the onset of the medical complications associated with this disease. This article focuses on the current state of the art and attempts to identify the principal areas of research necessary to advance the field. Two fundamentally different approaches are identified for the development of noninvasive glucose sensing technology. The indirect approach attempts to measure glucose on the basis of its effect on a secondary process. The direct approach is based on the unique chemical structure of the glucose molecule. Advances for each approach are limited by issues of selectivity. Several critical parameters are discussed for the direct approach, including issues related to the optical path length, wavelength range, dimensionality of the multivariate calibration model, net analyte signa...
All-trans-Retinoic Acid Regulates Retinol and 3,4-Didehydroretinol Metabolism in Cultured Human Epidermal Keratinocytes

The potential for all- trans -retinoic acid to regulate the metabolism of 3 H-retinol and 3 H-3,4-didehydro-retinol was examined in cultured human epidermal keratinocytes. Confluent cultures were treated daily with medium containing 5% fetal bovine serum or the same medium supplemented with nanomolar concentrations of all- trans -retinoic acid for up to 3 d. During the last 24h of treatment, cells were incubated with 3 H-retinol or 3 H-3,4-didehydroretinol for 24h (isotopic steady state) to label the endogenous retinoids. After the labeling period, one group of cells was harvested and another group was allowed to incubate for an additional 24h in the absence of medium retinol for the determination of endogenous 3 H-retinoid utilization. The 3 H-retinoids present in cells were extracted and quantitated by reverse-phased high-pressure liquid chromatography. Keratinocytes treated with retinoic acid and labeled with 3 H-retinol exhibited time- and concentration-dependent (i) increases in retinyl ester mass, (ii) increases in the rate of retinyl ester synthesis, (iii) decreases in retinyl ester utilization and (iv) decreases in the cellular concentrations of retinoic and 3,4-didehydroretinoic acids. There was no effect of exogenous retinoic acid on its own metabolism. Cells labeled with 3 H-3,4-didehydroretinol exhibited exclusive labeling of vitamin A 2 -related retinoids suggesting that the A 1 to A 2 conversion is not reversible. Treatment of cells with low nanomolar concentrations of retinoic acid decreased the utilization of 3,4-didehydroretinyl esters, decreased the production of 3,4-didehydroretinoic acid but had no effect on the synthesis of 3,4-didehydroretinol or its esters. The results demonstrate that keratinocytes respond to extracellular retinoic acid by decreasing endogenous production of active retinoids, sequestering extracellular substrate retinol as retinyl ester, and decreasing ester utilization.