cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Techniques for Design and Implementation of Secure Reconfigurable PUFs

Physically unclonable functions (PUFs) provide a basis for many security and digital rights management protocols. PUF-based security approaches have numerous comparative strengths with respect to traditional cryptography-based techniques, including resilience against physical and side channel attacks and suitability for lightweight protocols. However, classical delay-based PUF structures have a number of drawbacks including susceptibility to guessing, reverse engineering, and emulation attacks, as well as sensitivity to operational and environmental variations.To address these limitations, we have developed a new set of techniques for FPGA-based PUF design and implementation. We demonstrate how reconfigurability can be exploited to eliminate the stated PUF limitations. We also show how FPGA-based PUFs can be used for privacy protection. Furthermore, reconfigurability enables the introduction of new techniques for PUF testing. The effectiveness of all the proposed techniques is validated using extensive implementations, simulations, and statistical analysis.
"What i know is...": establishing credibility on Wikipedia talk pages

This poster presents a new theoretical framework and research method for studying the relationship between specific types of authority claims and the attempts of contributors to establish credibility in online, collaborative environments. We describe a content analysis method for coding authority claims based on linguistic and rhetorical cues in naturally occurring, text-based discourse. We present results from a preliminary analysis of a sample of Wikipedia talk page discussions focused on recent news events. This method provides a novel framework for capturing and understanding these persuasion-oriented behaviors, and shows potential as a tool for online communication research, including automated text analysis using trained natural language processing systems.
Meiotic recombination: a mechanism for tracking and eliminating mutations?

The function of meiotic recombination has remained controversial, despite recent inroads into mechanisms. Ideas concerning a possible role of recombination in the elimination or efficient incorporation of mutations have been backed by theoretical studies but have lacked empirical support. Recent investigations into the basis for local variations in recombination frequency in yeast have uncovered a strong association between recombination initiation sites and transcriptional regulatory sequences. Other recent studies indicate a strong correlation between transcription and mutation rates in yeast genes. Taken together, these data imply that distributions of recombination and mutation frequencies may be strongly correlated. This suggests that recombination may be targeted to genomic sites of high mutation frequency; such a ‘mutation-tracking’ function would clearly aid in the shuffling of mutations to break up unfavorable and create favorable allelic combinations. Moreover, recent insights into the mechanism of gene conversion in yeast reveal a very strong inherent bias in favor of alleles on the non-initiating homolog. Combined with mutation tracking, these findings suggest a novel and general mechanism by which allelic gene conversion may act to eliminate mutations.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE HISTOPHYSIOLOGY OF THE ADRENAL GLAND OF THE GOLDEN HAMSTER

In recent years a large volume of experimental work on the lipidrich adrenal glands of the small laboratory animals has demonstrated a close correlation between lipid and ascorbic acid content, and functional activity (Knouff, et al., 1941; Dosne and Dalton, 1941; Flexner and Grollman, 1939; Ludewig and Chanutin, 1947). It appears to have been conclusively demonstrated that physiological stress when first applied produces a fall in the lipid, ascorbic acid, and cholesterol content of these glands. This initial fall is followed during adaptation or recovery from the stress by a rapid restoration of the cholesterol, ascorbic acid, and lipid content. Moreover, Sayers and his colleagues (1944, 1946) have shown that these changes are brought about by variations in the output of adrenocorticotropic hormone. Since cholesterol and the cortical hormones of the adrenal are both steroids, it has been concluded that the cholesterol is concerned in some still unknown way with the formation of the ketosteroid hormones ...
Effects of Chronic Exposure to Arsenic and Estrogen on Epigenetic Regulatory Genes Expression and Epigenetic Code in Human Prostate Epithelial Cells

Chronic exposures to arsenic and estrogen are known risk factors for prostate cancer. Though the evidence suggests that exposure to arsenic or estrogens can disrupt normal DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications, the mechanisms by which these chemicals induce epigenetic changes are not fully understood. Moreover, the epigenetic effects of co-exposure to these two chemicals are not known. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to arsenic and estrogen, both alone and in combination, on the expression of epigenetic regulatory genes, their consequences on DNA methylation, and histone modifications. Human prostate epithelial cells, RWPE-1, chronically exposed to arsenic and estrogen alone and in combination were used for analysis of epigenetic regulatory genes expression, global DNA methylation changes, and histone modifications at protein level. The result of this study revealed that exposure to arsenic, estrogen, and their combination alters the expression of epigenetic regulatory genes and changes global DNA methylation and histone modification patterns in RWPE-1 cells. These changes were significantly greater in arsenic and estrogen combination treated group than individually treated group. The findings of this study will help explain the epigenetic mechanism of arsenic- and/or estrogen-induced prostate carcinogenesis.
RESPONSE OF A PERIODICALLY DRIVEN IMPACT OSCILLATOR

Abstract The response of a single-degree-of-freedom oscillator that can impact a surface with prescribed harmonic motion is investigated through experimental and numerical means. The test apparatus consisted of a stainless steel cantilever beam that could collide with a voice coil shaker which was driven at a specified frequency and amplitude. By collocating the contact and measurement points at a particular location near the free end of the beam, the response was dominated by the beam's fundamental mode. Response time records, frequency spectra and state space trajectories that were measured are compared to those predicted by a non-linear recurrence relation for the oscillator's state from one impact to the next. As borne out by non-dimensionalization of the model, the amplitude of response at a given frequency of excitation is proportional to the amplitude of the surface's motion, notwithstanding the non-linearity of the impact process. On the other hand, the qualitative character of the oscillator's response depends strongly on the frequency of the surface's motion. As the excitation frequency is increased gradually over a range equalling several times the oscillator's natural frequency, the response exhibits a recurring pattern of resonance, period-doubling bifurcation, and irregular non-periodic motion.
Multipartnered fertility among American men.

Using the 2002 (Cycle 6) National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), which was the first NSFG to interview men, we document the prevalence and correlates of sequential parenthood with different partners (multipartnered fertility) among a representative sample of American men. Nearly 8% of American men aged 15–44 report having had children with more than one partner, with sharp differences by age, race/ethnicity, and income—over one-third of poor black men aged 35–44 report having had children with two or more mothers, and 16% report children with three or more mothers. Fathers of two or more children by multiple partners appear to be more disadvantaged than fathers with two or more children by the same partner. Multipartnered fertility is strongly related to prior birth characteristics; men not in a coresidential union at the preceding birth are more likely to have their next birth with a new partner, and controlling for prior-birth characteristics accounts for the elevated risk of Hispanics and blacks in baseline models. Results also suggest that multipartnered fertility is becoming more prevalent as younger cohorts transition to a new-partner birth more quickly and at a higher rate than older cohorts.
Color night vision system for ground vehicle navigation

Operating in a degraded visual environment due to darkness can pose a threat to navigation safety. Systems have been developed to navigate in darkness that depend upon differences between objects such as temperature or reflectivity at various wavelengths. However, adding sensors for these systems increases the complexity by adding multiple components that may create problems with alignment and calibration. An approach is needed that is passive and simple for widespread acceptance. Our approach uses a type of augmented display to show fused images from visible and thermal sensors that are continuously updated. Because the raw fused image gave an unnatural color appearance, we used a color transfer process based on a look-up table to replace the false colors with a colormap derived from a daytime reference image obtained from a public database using the GPS coordinates of the vehicle. Although the database image was not perfectly registered, we were able to produce imagery acquired at night that appeared with daylight colors. Such an approach could improve the safety of nighttime navigation.
Coordinated Regulation of the Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Cbl by Fyn and Syk Tyrosine Kinases

Cross-linking of the T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-CD3 complex induces rapid tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of Src (Lck and Fyn) and Syk (Syk and Zap-70) family protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) which, in turn, phosphorylate multiple intracellular substrates. Cbl is a prominent PTK substrate suggesting a pivotal role for it in early signal transduction events. However, the regulation of Cbl function and tyrosine phosphorylation in T cells by upstream PTKs remains poorly understood. In the present study, we used genetic and biochemical approaches to demonstrate that Cbl directly interacts with Syk and Fyn via its N-terminal and C-terminal regions, respectively. Tyr-316 of Syk was required for the interaction with Cbl as well as for the maximal tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl. However, both wild-type Syk and Y316F-mutated Syk phosphorylated equally well the C-terminal fragment of Cbl in vivo, suggesting the existence of an alternative, N terminus-independent mechanism for the Syk-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl. This mechanism appears to involve Fyn, since, in addition to its association with the C-terminal region of Cbl, Fyn also associated with Syk and enhanced the Syk-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl. These findings implicate Fyn as an adaptor protein that facilitates the interaction between Syk and Cbl, and suggest that Src and Syk family PTKs coordinately regulate the tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl.
Tl(Sr1−xBaxLa)CuO5: Superconductor-semiconductor transition via isovalent-cation substitution

Thallium cuprates Tl(Sr1−xBaxLa)CuO5 were synthesized and characterized. Single phases of Tl(Sr1−xBaxLa)CuO5 can be obtained for all values of x=0.0–1.0, and they crystallize in a tetragonal structure with space group P4/mmm. Both the a and c lattice parameters increase smoothly with increasing x, and Tl(Sr1−xBaxLa)CuO5 loses superconductivity for x>0.3. These observations were explained on the basis of how the extent of overlap between the CuO2 layer x2−y2 and the Tl 6s bands changes as a function of the in-plane Cu−O bond length.
HOST REJECTION OF LERNAEA CYPRINACEA L. (COPEPODA)

[Trotz einer normalen Entwicklung des Ankers von Lernaea cyprinacea, wurde eine bedeutungsvolle Zahl der Parasiten von den Goldfischwirten zuruckgewiesen. Das Zuruckweisen war besonders kritisch weil es an dem Hohepunkt der Eierproduktion der Parasiten stattgefunden hatte. Untersuchung der histologischen Praparaten von dem Goldfisch sowie auch von Kaulquappen hat angedeutet, dass der wesentliche Grund des Zuruckweisens auf eine Deckhautreaktion zuruckzufuhren ist. Diese Deckhautreaktion wird von den penetrierenden Parasiten ausgelost. Die dickere Deckhaut des Goldfisches und die hohere Haufigkeit der flachen Penetration von den Parasiten in den Goldfischwirt scheinen Faktoren zu sein die zu der massiven Zuruckweisung weiter beigetragen haben. Eine mogliche Wirtsimmunitat wurde in Beziehung zu den Goldfischassoziationen auch in Betracht gezogen., Trotz einer normalen Entwicklung des Ankers von Lernaea cyprinacea, wurde eine bedeutungsvolle Zahl der Parasiten von den Goldfischwirten zuruckgewiesen. Das Zuruckweisen war besonders kritisch weil es an dem Hohepunkt der Eierproduktion der Parasiten stattgefunden hatte. Untersuchung der histologischen Praparaten von dem Goldfisch sowie auch von Kaulquappen hat angedeutet, dass der wesentliche Grund des Zuruckweisens auf eine Deckhautreaktion zuruckzufuhren ist. Diese Deckhautreaktion wird von den penetrierenden Parasiten ausgelost. Die dickere Deckhaut des Goldfisches und die hohere Haufigkeit der flachen Penetration von den Parasiten in den Goldfischwirt scheinen Faktoren zu sein die zu der massiven Zuruckweisung weiter beigetragen haben. Eine mogliche Wirtsimmunitat wurde in Beziehung zu den Goldfischassoziationen auch in Betracht gezogen.]
Cutaneous respiration in the Congo eel Amphiuma means (Amphibia: Urodela).

Abstract o 1. At 20°C the Congo eel, Amphiuma means , can survive for at least 24 hr when submerged in aerated tap water. Oxygen is readily taken up, from the bathing water, across the skin of these amphibians. 2. The rate of oxygen uptake declines linearly as the oxygen tension in this solution decreases. 3. In air, A. means breathes sporadically; the rate of oxygen consumption was similar to that when they were submerged in water nearly saturated with air. 4. When pulmonary ventilation was pharmacologically blocked (with gallamine triethiodide) the rate of metabolism was maintained by O 2 uptake across the integument. 5. The ability of A. means to utilize its skin for respiration in air and water is compared to that in two other urodeles Siren lacertina and Necturus maculosus .
Methylene blue or tolonium chloride antagonism of sodium nitrite induced methemoglobinemia

Methylene blue is widely accepted as an antidote for nitrite toxicosis because of its ability to stimulate reduction of methemoglobin (ferrihemoglobin) to hemoglobin. It is usually used only in low dosage (4mg/kg) because of its purported enhancement of methemoglobin formation in high dosages. Methylene blue was evaluated as a nitrite toxicosis antidote using methemoglobin reduction and lethality protection as evaluation parameters. Tolonium chloride (toluidine blue) another structurally related dye was also evaluated using the same parameters. Both dyes were very effective antidotes. Methylene blue increased in effectiveness as the dose was increased up to 22 mg/kg. Tolonium chloride provided approximately equivalent protection at 8.8 mg/kg but may be more toxic than methylene blue. High concentrations of either dye did not result in appreciable production of methemoglobin. In cases of severe intoxication by methemoglobin formers such as nitrite, larger doses of methylene blue than generally recommended, may be of considerable therapeutic value.
Essential fatty acids and the brain: possible health implications.

Abstract Linoleic and α -linolenic acid are essential for normal cellular function, and act as precursors for the synthesis of longer chained polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as arachidonic (AA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA), which have been shown to partake in numerous cellular functions affecting membrane fluidity, membrane enzyme activities and eicosanoid synthesis. The brain is particularly rich in PUFAs such as DHA, and changes in tissue membrane composition of these PUFAs reflect that of the dietary source. The decline in structural and functional integrity of this tissue appears to correlate with loss in membrane DHA concentrations. Arachidonic acid, also predominant in this tissue, is a major precursor for the synthesis of eicosanoids, that serve as intracellular or extracellular signals. With aging comes a likely increase in reactive oxygen species and hence a concomitant decline in membrane PUFA concentrations, and with it, cognitive impairment. Neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease also appear to exhibit membrane loss of PUFAs. Thus it may be that an optimal diet with a balance of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids may help to delay their onset or reduce the insult to brain functions which these diseases elicit.
Development of a Control Oriented Model of a Cantilevered Beam with End-Mass

A cantilevered beam configuration with a disc at the end is considered. Active vibration damping is to be accomplished with two sets of double proof mass actuators mounted on the disk. In this paper a mathematical model is developed for control studies, based on a combination of analytical modeling of both the structure and the actuators, with experimental validation and adjustment.
Crisis Intervention Teams and People With Mental Illness: Exploring the Factors That Influence the Use of Force

The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program was first developed to reduce violence in encounters between the police and people with mental illness as well as provide improved access to mental health services. Although there is overwhelming popular support for this intervention, scant empirical evidence of its effectiveness is available—particularly whether the program can reduce the use of force. This investigation seeks to fill this gap in the literature by exploring the factors that influence use of force in encounters involving people with mental illness and evaluating whether CIT can reduce the likelihood of its use.
Effect of basal plane dislocations on characteristics of diffused 4H-SiC p-i-n diodes

The effect of basal plane dislocations (BPDs) on the characteristics of diffused 4H-SiC p-i-n diodes was investigated. BPDs were intentionally introduced in the active regions of the device by means of epi-layer surface damage followed by high temperature annealing. Secondary electron microscopy images of the fabricated diodes clearly show the presence of the deliberately introduced BPDs. The current-voltage and electroluminescence spectra measurements did not reveal any noticeable effect of the BPDs on the electrical and optical properties of the diodes. All tested diodes with and without BPDs have no forward voltage drift during long-term on-state operation. A possible reason for stable device performance may be the immobilization of defects responsible for forward voltage drift due to interaction with the diffused dopants.
Cricoid cartilage on sonography in pediatric patients mimics a thyroid mass.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to describe the sonographic appearance of the uncalcified cricoid cartilage in pediatric patients and illustrate how this can be easily confused with a thyroid mass or residual thyroid tissue after thyroidectomy. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the sonographic and computed tomographic examinations performed on 4 adolescent patients. Two patients had either thyroid cancer or thyroid nodules, and 2 healthy patients were reviewed to show normal anatomy. Results were compared with the clinical and surgical findings in each patient. Results. Computed tomographic and sonographic examinations showed the normal anatomic relationships and imaging appearance of the cricoid cartilage. Findings from a follow-up sonographic examination on a patient with treated thyroid cancer were initially interpreted as residual thyroid tissue, but another examination revealed that this tissue was actually uncalcified cricoid cartilage. Another patient who had intraoperative sonography verified these findings. Conclusions. Uncalcified cricoid cartilage in a pediatric patient appears on sagittal sonography as a round or ovoid structure with variable echogenicity, located posteromedial to the thyroid gland. Awareness of this structure’s sonographic appearance should
Narcissism and immature love as mediators of vertical individualism and ludic love style

The present study examined how vertical individualism and self-construal relate to ludus. Vertical individualism has been found to be positively related to ludus, or a game-playing love style. In addition, given its positive association with both individualism and ludus, narcissism was explored as a potential mediator of the vertical individualism-ludus link. Immature love, i.e., seeing others as means to an end, was also hypothesized to be positively correlated with, and mediate the relationship between vertical individualism and ludus. Results illustrated that narcissism and immature love effectively mediated the vertical individualism-ludus relationship, suggesting that vertical individualist endorsement of ludic love style occurred through excessive self-focus and seeing others as fulfillment of needs and wishes. Independent self-construal, by contrast, was negatively correlated with ludus and immature love. This study provided further evidence and support for the examination of the ludic love style w...
Proximate Composition, Reproductive Development, and a Test for Trade-Offs in Captive Sockeye Salmon

Abstract Energy limitations during reproduction should lead to the evolution of adaptive patterns of energy use and should cause trade-offs in the expression of different traits. We addressed these issues by measuring secondary sexual development, gonad investment, and proximate composition for sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka maturing in captivity. Each of the last 3 months before maturity was characterized by a different pattern of reproductive development and energy use. From June to July, gonad mass increased (1.1% to 5.2% of male body mass; from 1.3% to 2.7% of female body mass), muscle fat decreased (15.1% to 8.6% sex-specific values averaged), and viscera fat decreased (23.9% to 16.7%). From July to August, male gonad mass did not change appreciably, but female gonad mass nearly doubled (to 5.5% of body mass). Muscle fat and viscera fat continued to decrease (to 6.0% and 8.8%, respectively), but muscle protein remained relatively constant. From August to maturity (September–October), female gonad ...
Horizontal Density Structure and Restratification of the Arctic Ocean Surface Layer

Ice-tethered profiler (ITP) measurements from the Arctic Ocean’s Canada Basin indicate an ocean surface layer beneath sea ice with significant horizontal density structure on scales of hundreds of kilometers to the order 1 km submesoscale. The observed horizontal gradients in density are dynamically important in that they are associated with restratification of the surface ocean when dense water flows under light water. Such restratification is prevalent in wintertime and competes with convective mixing upon buoyancy forcing (e.g., ice growth and brine rejection) and shear-driven mixing when the ice moves relative to the ocean. Frontal structure and estimates of the balanced Richardson number point to the likelihood of dynamical restratification by isopycnal tilt and submesoscale baroclinic instability. Based on the evidence here, it is likely that submesoscale processes play an important role in setting surface-layer properties and lateral density variability in the Arctic Ocean.
A specific role for TLR1 in protective T H 17 immunity during mucosal infection

The balance between regulatory and inflammatory immune responses is critical to maintain intestinal homeostasis. Furthermore, the nature of the inflammatory response needs to be tailored to the tissue to provide proper protective immunity while preserving host integrity. TLR2 (Toll-like receptor 2) is a unique TLR in that it has been shown to promote regulatory and inflammatory T cell responses. Using Yersinia enterocolitica , we show that oral infection promotes TH17 immunity, whereas systemic infection promotes TH1 immunity. Furthermore, induction of TH17 immunity during oral infection is dependent on TLR1 and results from the combinatorial effect of TLR2/TLR1-induced IL-6 and IL-23 and the presence of TGF-β in the intestinal environment. Interestingly, TLR2/TLR1 was not involved in TH1 immune responses during systemic infection, whereas the TLR2/TLR6 receptor complex induced IL-10+ regulatory T cell responses during both systemic and oral infections. Our results reveal that the route of infection is central in determining which pathways provide protective immunity. Furthermore, they also demonstrate that TLR2 has dual immune functions in the gut and identify TLR1 as a critical innate receptor for protective intestinal TH17 immunity.
Molecular interactions and macroscopic properties of polyacrylonitrile and model substances

The relationships between intra- and intermolecular forces in polyacrylonitrile on the one hand, and the macroscopic behavior of the polymer and fibers thereof on the other, are reviewed. Characteristic properties such as the very high polymerization rate constant in water, the dissolution of the polymer in concentrated inorganic salt solutions, the high melting point, the strong depression of melting point and glass transition temperature by water, the plasticization by polar additives, etc., are traced back to their molecular origins, in particular to the strong intra- and intermolecular noncovalent bonding caused by the highly polar nitrile group. The effects of dipole-dipole interaction, hydrogen bonding and electron-donor-acceptor complex formation are discussed separately.
Female Leaders: Injurious or Inspiring Role Models for Women?

The impact of female role models on women’s leadership aspirations and self-perceptions after a leadership task were assessed across two laboratory studies. These studies tested the prediction that upward social comparisons to high-level female leaders will have a relatively detrimental impact on women’s self-perceptions and leadership aspirations compared to male and less elite female leaders. In Study 1 (N = 60), women were presented with both female and male leaders before serving as leaders of ostensible three-person groups in an immersive virtual environment. This study established the relatively deflating impact of high-level female leaders, compared to high-level male leaders and the control condition, on participants' self-perceptions. Using a similar methodology, Study 2 (N = 57) further demonstrated that the impact of elite female leaders on participants' self-perceptions in turn adversely affected their leadership aspirations. This study also showed more positive responses to nonelite female le...
Quantification of ohmic and intrinsic flux losses in helical flux compression Generators

Helical magnetic flux compression generators (MFCGs) are the most promising energy sources with respect to their current amplification and compactness. They are able of producing high current pulses required in many pulsed power applications with at least one order of magnitude higher energy density than capacitive storage with similar discharge characteristics. However, the main concern with MFCGs is their intrinsic flux loss that limits severely their performance and which is not yet well understood. In general, all flux losses have a differing degree of impact, depending on the generator's volume, current and energy amplification, size of the driven load, and angular frequency of armature-helix contact point. Although several computer models have been developed in the open literature, none of them truly quantify, starting from basic physics principles, the ohmic and intrinsic flux losses in helical MFCGs. This paper describes a novel method that provides a separate calculation of intrinsic flux losses (flux that is left behind in the conductors and lost for compression) and ohmic losses, being especially easy to implement and fast to calculate. We also provide a second method that uses a simple flux quantification, making a mathematical connection between the intrinsic flux losses, quantified by the first method, and the intrinsic flux losses observed in the generators. This second method can also be used to a priori estimate the MFCG performance. Further, we will show experimental and calculated data and discuss the physical efficiency limits and scaling of generator performance at small sizes.
Enforcing memory policy specifications in reconfigurable hardware

While general-purpose processor based systems are built to enforce memory protection to prevent the unintended sharing of data between processes, current systems built around reconfigurable hardware typically offer no such protection. Several reconfigurable cores are often integrated onto a single chip where they share external resources such as memory. While this enables small form factor and low cost designs, it opens up the opportunity for modules to intercept or even interfere with the operation of one another. We investigate the design and synthesis of an FPGA memory protection mechanism capable of enforcing access control policies and a methodology for translating formal policy descriptions into FPGA enforcement mechanisms. The efficiency of our access language design flow is evaluated in terms of area and cycle time across a variety of security scenarios. We also describe a technique for ensuring that the internal state of the reference monitor cannot be used as a covert storage channel.
Ag3Sn plate formation in the solidification of near ternary eutectic Sn–Ag–Cu alloys

Near-ternary eutectic Sn–Ag–Cu alloys are leading candidates for Pb-free solders. These alloys have three solid phases: β–Sn, Ag3Sn, and Cu6Sn5. Starting from the fully liquid state in solidifying near-eutectic Sn–Ag–Cu alloys, the equilibrium eutectic transformation is kinetically inhibited. The Ag3Sn phase nucleates with minimal undercooling, but the β–Sn phase requires a typical undercooling of 15 to 30 °C for nucleation. Because of this disparity in the required undercooling for nucleation, large, platelike Ag3Sn structures can grow rapidly within the liquid phase, before the final solidification of the solder joints. At lower cooling rates, the large Ag3Sn plates can subtend the entire cross section of solder joints and can significantly influence the mechanical deformation behavior of the solder joints under thermomechanical fatigue conditions. In this paper, it is demonstrated that the Ag3Sn plate formation can be inhibited, an important factor in assuring the reliability of solder joints composed of these alloys.
Quantitative flow dichroism. I. Correction for disorientation in a solution of rods.

Flow dichroism suffers from two ambiguities which have prevented it from being a useful analytical technique. One is imperfect particle orientation, and the other is the unknown importance of form dichroism. This paper presents a method for calculating from experimental data the dichroism which would be observed from a solution in which all rods were aligned parallel to one another. The procedure utilizes anisotropic light scattering as an independent measure of particle orientation and requires only that the solute particles may be approximated by thin rods.
An alternating offers bargaining model for computationally limited agents

An alternating offers bargaining model for computationally limited agents is presented. The gents compute to determine plans, but deadlines restrict them from determining an optimal solution. As the agents compute, they also negotiate over whether to perform a joint plan or whether to act independently and how, if implemented, the value of the joint plan would be divided. Their computing actions and bargaining actions are interrelated and both incorporated into each agent's strategy. We analyze the model for equilibrium strategies for agents under different conditions. It is shown that the equilibrium strategies for the alternating offers model where agents take turns making offers and counter-offers, even with its extremely large action space, are equivalent to those of a much simpler single shot, take--it--or--leave--it bargaining model. In particular, agents will compute and make no offers until the first agent's deadline.
International Labor Mobility, Redistribution, and Domestic Political Liberalization

Do international labor flows influence the prospects for democratization both in the countries that export their excess workers and in the countries that import them? This paper argues that emigration should have a positive effect on political liberalization in net source countries because it decreases the amount of redistribution that would occur in a more democratic regime. Conversely, immigration should have a negative effect on political liberalization in net destination countries through the same causal channel: by increasing the amount of redistribution that would occur in a more democratic regime. South Korea and Singapore are considered as illustrative examples, and the paper provides statistical evidence to support the hypothesis that emigration (immigration) has been positively (negatively) related to future political liberalization.
Cystic Lesions of the Pancreas: Radiologic-Endosonographic Correlation

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are relatively common findings at cross-sectional imaging; however, classification of these lesions on the basis of imaging features alone can sometimes be difficult. Complementary evaluation with endoscopic ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration may be helpful in the diagnosis of these lesions. Cystic lesions of the pancreas may range from benign to malignant and include both primary cystic lesions of the pancreas (including intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms, mucinous cystic neoplasms, serous cystadenomas, pseudocysts, and true epithelial cysts) and solid neoplasms undergoing cystic degeneration (including neuroendocrine tumors, solid pseudopapillary neoplasms, and, rarely, adenocarcinoma and its variants). Familiarity with the imaging features of these lesions and the basic treatment algorithms is essential for radiologists, as collaboration with gastroenterologists and surgeons is often necessary to obtain an early and accurate diagnosis.
Gastrointestinal vasculitis and vasculitis associated with gastrointestinal diseases.

Vasculitis and the gut may be linked in two different sets of circumstances. In one, which is more common, the gut is merely one of the several organ-systems affected by systemic vasculitis and vasculitis associated with rheumatic connective tissue diseases or inflammatory bowel disease (secondary vasculitis). In the other, which is more uncommon, the vasculitis is isolated to the gastrointestinal tract (primary vasculitis). In either category, intestinal ischemia with hemorrhage, perforation, or gangrene may be the catastrophic complications that, even with timely surgical intervention, could still carry a high mortality rate. Familiarity with the histopathologic spectrum of primary and secondary gastrointestinal vasculitis is a prerequisite for correct interpretation of biopsy and surgical resection specimens that will determine the appropriate choice of treatment.
SKIM MILK PROCESSING BY COMBINING PULSED ELECTRIC FIELDS AND THERMAL TREATMENTS

Raw skim milk was treated with high-intensity pulsed electric fields (PEF) at 40 kV/cm, and 30 pulses of 2 μs duration each, or by combining thermal processing at 73 or 80C for 6 s followed by a PEF process at 50 or 30 kV/cm, 30 pulses at 4 or 3 Hz. The microbiological quality of the skim milk was monitored for 14, 22 and 30 days during storage at 4C. The combination of thermal/PEF-processed skim milk exhibited greater microbial quality than PEF or thermally processed skim milk. The bacterial counts of skim milk decreased with increasing electric field intensity and number of pulses. On day 14, the PEF-processed skim milk reached 7.2, 6.5 and 6.3 log cfu/mL after PEF processes at 10, 20 or 30 pulses compared with 7.6 log cfu/mL in unprocessed skim milk. The combination of thermal/PEF-processed skim milk achieved bacteria counts of 4.1 and 4.9 log cfu/mL at the end of the 22 and 30 days of refrigerated storage, respectively. The acidity of skim milk was more affected by heat, and the combination of heat and PEF processes than by PEF alone. During refrigerated storage of skim milk, the bacterial growth was dependent on the electric field intensity, process duration and storage time. A synergistic effect between temperature and pulsed electric fields was observed at 73 and 80C when the skim milk was processed with 50 or 30 kV/cm.
Phycology for the Mammalogist: Marine Rocky Shores and Mammal-Dominated Communities—How Different are the Structuring Processes?

Abstract The Hairston, Smith, and Slobodkin (1960) paper stimulated 40 years of interest on how communities are organized. Their “green world” perspective, in which terrestrial vegetation was considered to be resource rather than consumer limited, failed to acknowledge a significant role for mammals, especially ungulates. As such, its conclusions differed from comparable overviews developed for aquatic ecosystems in which the character of the producer level is determined by consumers, especially on marine intertidal shores. I argue here that omission of mammals as influential grazers distorted their perspective. Experimental studies published since 1960 identify mammals as strong interactors, that their grazing can dominate the rate of primary production, alter floristic composition, and change successional trajectories. When strong interactions have been documented in other ecosystems, they are often associated with a significant increase in indirect effects, alternative assemblage states, and even troph...
A Transcriptomic Analysis of Cave, Surface, and Hybrid Isopod Crustaceans of the Species Asellus aquaticus

Cave animals, compared to surface-dwelling relatives, tend to have reduced eyes and pigment, longer appendages, and enhanced mechanosensory structures. Pressing questions include how certain cave-related traits are gained and lost, and if they originate through the same or different genetic programs in independent lineages. An excellent system for exploring these questions is the isopod, Asellus aquaticus. This species includes multiple cave and surface populations that have numerous morphological differences between them. A key feature is that hybrids between cave and surface individuals are viable, which enables genetic crosses and linkage analyses. Here, we advance this system by analyzing single animal transcriptomes of Asellus aquaticus. We use high throughput sequencing of non-normalized cDNA derived from the head of a surface-dwelling male, the head of a cave-dwelling male, the head of a hybrid male (produced by crossing a surface individual with a cave individual), and a pooled sample of surface embryos and hatchlings. Assembling reads from surface and cave head RNA pools yielded an integrated transcriptome comprised of 23,984 contigs. Using this integrated assembly as a reference transcriptome, we aligned reads from surface-, cave- and hybrid- head tissue and pooled surface embryos and hatchlings. Our approach identified 742 SNPs and placed four new candidate genes to an existing linkage map for A. aquaticus. In addition, we examined SNPs for allele-specific expression differences in the hybrid individual. All of these resources will facilitate identification of genes and associated changes responsible for cave adaptation in A. aquaticus and, in concert with analyses of other species, will inform our understanding of the evolutionary processes accompanying adaptation to the subterranean environment.
Genetics of Catalase in DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER: Rates of Synthesis and Degradation of the Enzyme in Flies Aneuploid and Euploid for the Structural Gene.

ABSTRACT A screen for allelic variants of the enzyme catalase indicated that the Cat + locus is essentially monomorphic in D. melanogaster . Segmental aneuploidy was used to screen the genome for a dosage-sensitive region for catalase activity. One region, 75D-78A on the polytene chromosome map of 3L, exhibited a hyperploid/euploid ratio of enzyme activity of 1.5. Further dissection localized the region to 75D-76A. We suggest that this region contains the structural locus for catalase in D. melmogaster . Simple methods have been developed using the specific inhibitor, 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, for the direct analysis of rates of synthesis and degradation of the Cat + gene product. Based on kinetic studies of catalase synthesis in flies aneuploid and euploid for region 75D-76B, we suggest that these techniques can be readily applied to an examination of mutants that control the expression of the structural gene for catalase in Drosophila.
Radiographic signs of non-venous placement of intended central venous catheters in children

Central venous catheters (CVCs) are commonly used in children, and inadvertent arterial or extravascular cannulation is rare but has potentially serious complications. To identify the radiographic signs of arterial placement of CVCs. We retrospectively reviewed seven cases of arterially malpositioned CVCs on chest radiograph. These cases were identified through departmental quality-assurance mechanisms and external consultation. Comparison of arterial cases was made with 127 age-matched chest radiographs with CVCs in normal, expected venous location. On each anteroposterior (AP) radiograph we measured the distance of the catheter tip from the right lateral border of the thoracic spine, and the angle of the vertical portion of the catheter relative to the midline. On each lateral radiograph we measured the angle of the vertical portion of each catheter relative to the anterior border of the thoracic spine. When bilateral subclavian catheters were present, the catheter tips were described as crossed, overlapping or uncrossed. On AP radiographs, arterially placed CVCs were more curved to the left, with catheter tip positions located farther to the left of midline than normal venous CVCs. When bilateral, properly placed venous catheters were present, all catheters crossed at the level of the superior vena cava (SVC). When one of the bilateral catheters was in arterial position, neither of the catheters crossed or the inter-catheter crossover distance was exaggerated. On lateral radiographs, there was a marked anterior angulation of the vertical portion of the catheter (mean angle 37 ± 15° standard deviation [SD] in arterial catheters versus 5.9 ± 8.3° SD in normally placed venous catheters). Useful radiographic signs suggestive of unintentional arterial misplacement of vascular catheters include leftward curvature of the vertical portion of the catheter, left-side catheter tip position, lack of catheter crossover on the frontal radiograph, as well as exaggerated anterior angulation of the catheter on the lateral chest radiograph.
Has the connection between polyploidy and diversification actually been tested

Many major clades of angiosperms have several whole genome duplications (polyploidization events) in their distant past, suggesting that polyploidy drives or at least permits diversification. However, data on recently diverged groups are more equivocal, finding little evidence of elevated diversification following polyploidy. The discrepancy may be attributable at least in part to methodology. Many studies use indirect methods, such as chromosome numbers, genome size, and Ks plots, to test polyploidy, although these approaches can be misleading, and often lack sufficient resolution. A direct test of diversification following polyploidy requires a sequence-based approach that traces the history of nuclear genomes rather than species. These methods identify the point of coalescence of ancestral genomes, but may be misleading about the time and thus the extent of diversification. Limitations of existing methods mean that the connection between polyploidy and diversification has not been rigorously tested and remains unknown.
Simple and Versatile Detection of Viruses Using Anodized Alumina Membranes.

A simple sensor for viral particles based on ionic conductivity through anodized alumina membranes was demonstrated using MS2 bacteriophage as an example. A facile two-point measuring scheme is geared toward realization using a computer’s sound card input/output capabilities suitable for a fast and inexpensive point of care testing. The lowest detection concentration down to ∼7 pfu/mL and a large dynamic range up to ∼2000 pfu/mL were obtained due to physical optimization that included proper length and diameter for the pores, removing the oxide layer at the electrode, as well as the chemical optimization of covalent binding of antibodies to the pore’s walls.
Dirichlet: His Life, His Principle, and His Problem

(2005). Dirichlet: His Life, His Principle, and His Problem. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 78, No. 5, pp. 283-296.
Clinical Analysis of 101 Children's Nasal Foreign Body by Using Self-made Nasal Foreign Body Hook

Objective To investigate the effect of the self-made nasal foreign body hook in the treatment of nasal foreign body of chilren.Methods The clinical data of 101 children with nasal foreign body were analyzed retrospectively.Results One-time success rate of aking nasal foreign body with the tool was 88.1%(89/101),and the remaining 12 cases with complicated diseases were completely taken ut at the 2nd time.Conclusion The nasal foreign body hook self-made in our department has the advantages of good stability,little damage,imple operation,short time-consuming,safety and reliablity,and easily obtained materials,which is a good tool to take out foreign body in asal cavity,and deserves clinical application.
Clinical Characterization of Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia: A Potential Manifestation of the Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract Background and Objectives Gastric antral vascular ectasia is a relatively common endoscopic finding. Past studies have shown an association of gastric antral vascular ectasia with cirrhosis and autoimmune disorders. We aimed to re-examine these associations and to investigate a possible association of gastric antral vascular ectasia with features of the metabolic syndrome. Methods There were 135 patients with a diagnosis of gastric antral vascular ectasia from years 1995-2013 seen at the University of Virginia who were identified from a clinical data repository and age and sex matched to a cohort of patients without gastric antral vascular ectasia undergoing endoscopy within the same time frame as the index cases. The groups were compared for comorbidities including autoimmune disease, cirrhosis, vascular disease, body mass index (BMI), diabetes mellitus, and cirrhosis due to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Results Sixty-four percent of gastric antral vascular ectasia patients were cirrhotic, compared with 14% of controls ( P P 2 vs 28.8 kg/m 2 ; P P P P = .861). Conclusion These results confirm the association of gastric antral vascular ectasia with underlying cirrhosis and revealed a significant correlation of gastric antral vascular ectasia with features of metabolic syndrome such as diabetes, BMI, vascular disease, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis cirrhosis. The pathophysiology of gastric antral vascular ectasia remains uncertain, but we speculate that it may be a manifestation of the metabolic syndrome.
Phenotypic Reversal of a Mutation in Rhizobium Japonicum causing Defective Nodule Initiation

Lectins, proteins that bind carbohydrates, have been implicated as important in determining the specificity of the legume-Rhizobium interaction. The case for lectin involvement in nodulation would be greatly strengthened if a direct effect of lectin presence on nodulation by Rhizobium could be demonstrated. The following data demonstrate just such an effect.