cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cryptography based access control in healthcare web systems

Access control is the capacity of a particular subject (user, process) to permit or deny the use of a specific object (data, file). Access control mechanisms can be used in managing physical resources and logical resources. Cryptography access control in a healthcare Web system provides logical control for sharing resources and access rights subject to object. However, designing access control for healthcare information systems is difficult due to the culture of the healthcare, the rapid changing, and the tasks performed. This work examined existing access control models, providing a broad presentation for cryptographic algorithms including cryptography access control-based systems. In the last part, a new model is presented based on integrating cryptography access control with role access control and hierarchy using Suite B (NSA recommendation). The model is based on the using entity (which could be a local medical center or hospital), while the security level between entities are distributed and based on PKI.
Scheduling Linearly Indexed Assignment Codes

It has been recently shown that linearly indexed Assignment Codes can be efficiently used for coding several problems especially in signal processing and matrix algebra. In fact, mathematical expressions for many algorithms are directly in the form of linearly indexed codes, and examples include the formulas for matrix multiplication, any m-dimensional convolution/correlation, matrix transposition, and solving matrix Lyapunov's equation. Systematic procedures for converting linearly indexed Assignment Codes to localized algorithms that are closely related to Regular Iterative Algorithms (RIAs) have also been developed. These localized algorithms can be often efficiently scheduled by modeling them as RIAs; however, it is not always efficient to do so. In this paper we shall analyze and develop systematic procedures for determining efficient schedules directly for the linearly indexed ACs and the localized algorithms. We shall also illustrate our procedures by determining schedules for examples such as matrix transposition and Gauss-Jordan elimination algorithm.© (1989) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Should Family Members Be Present During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation? A Review of the Literature

During resuscitation, family members are often escorted out of the room for fear of immediate and long-term consequences to the family, the patient, and the physician. However, mounting evidence suggests that family presence during resuscitation could, in fact, be beneficial. The Emergency Nurses Association and the American Heart Association endorse family-witnessed resuscitation and the development of hospital policies to facilitate this process. However, the opinions on family-witnessed resuscitation vary widely, and few hospitals in the United States have developed formal policies on the presence of families during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In this article, we review the current status of family-witnessed resuscitation and provide recommendations on the development of hospital policies for family-witnessed resuscitation.
Sphingolipids: Modulators of HIV-1 Infection and Pathogenesis

HIV-1 infects host cells by sequential interactions of its fusion protein (gp120-gp41) with receptors CD4, CXCR4 and/or CCR5 followed by fusion of viral and host membranes. Studies indicate that additional factors such as receptor density and composition of viral and cellular lipids can dramatically modulate the fusion reaction. Lipid rafts, which primarily consist of sphingolipids and cholesterol, have been implicated for infectious route of HIV-1 entry. Plasma membrane Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) have been proposed to support HIV-1 infection in multiple ways: (a) as alternate receptor(s) for CD4-independent entry in neuronal and other cell types, (b) viral transmission, and (c) gp120-gp41-mediated membrane fusion. However, the exact mechanism(s) by which GSLs support fusion is still elusive. This article will focus on the contribution of target membrane sphingolipids and their metabolites in modulating viral entry. We will discuss the current working hypotheses underlying the mechanisms by which these lipids promote and/or block HIV-1 entry. Recent approaches in the design and development of novel glycosyl derivatives, as anti-HIV agents will be summarized.
Product inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene metabolism in uninduced rat liver microsomes: effect of diol epoxide formation.

Abstract Conversion of benzo[ a ]pyrene (BP) to BP 7,8-dihydrodiol 9,10-oxides (DE) (measured as 7,10/8,9-tetrols) by untreated (UT) rat liver microsomes is over 10 times slower than following 3-methylcholanthrene (MC) induction. Time courses have been subjected to a kinetic analysis analogous to that previously reported for metabolism by MC-induced microsomes (J. Biol. Chem., 259 (1984) 13770–13776). Competition between BP and 7,8-dihydrodiol for P -450 is the major determinant of the rate of DE formation. Glucuronidation of quinones and phenols only increases the isolated BP metabolites including DE by 40%. This indicates far less inhibition by these products than for metabolism in MC-microsomes (4–6-fold). Thus stimulation may result from a decreased quinone-mediated oxidation of metabolites. In the presence of DNA, UT-microsomes metabolize BP to approximately equal amounts of 9-phenol-4,5-oxide (9-PO) and DE/DNA adducts. Addition of uridine diphosphoglucuronic acid (UDPGA) fails to enhance modification of DNA by DE, but formation of the 9-PO adduct is reduced as a result of lower free 9-phenol levels. The kinetic characteristics of BP metabolism by UT-microsomes are highly sensitive to the presence of very small but variable amounts (2–25 pmol/mg) of the very active cytochrome P -450 c , which is the predominant form in MC-microsomes. The major effect of elevated levels of P -450 c is an 8-fold increase in DE formation at low concentrations of BP due to a lowering of K m (7.9–2.6 μM) and an increase in the regioselectivity for DE formation from 7,8-dihydrodiol (5–15% of total BP metabolites). The formation of DE was directly correlated with the content of P -450 c ( r = 0.94). The presence of increased levels of P -450 c in UT-microsomes is probably due to previous exposure of the animals to environmental inducers and is minimized by controlled housing and feeding.
Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation

This is a study of attempts to use civil tort action to stifle political expression. These lawsuits claim injury resulting from citizen efforts to influence the government or sway voters on an issue of public significance. We call these cases “strategic lawsuits against public participation” (SLAPPs). We examine data from 100 lawsuits and divide them into three stages to highlight the movement of the dispute between political and judicial arenas. In each phase, claims are made that reflect the official audience addressed and the official outcome desired. Claims made in the political arena were derailed by claims of legal injury, but defendant's legal victory was the likely result of a third claim, one of the Constitutional “right to petition the government for redress of grievances.” We examine how the judicial system responds to SLAPPs and discuss the potential effect of SLAPPs on political values and participation in American society.
Moralization and Amoralization Predict Empathy and Perceptions of Bias in Contentious Social Domains

A dominant view is that moralized attitudes—attitudes rooted in moral values rather than personal taste—escalate social conflict. While moralized attitudes clearly contribute, another view is that ...
A Facile Synthesis of Aminohydroxy Triglycerides from New Crop Oils

Vegetable oils as the main source of plant lipids are currently generating much interest as renewable industrial feedstocks for nonfood industrial applications both as biobased lubricants and biodiesel fuels. But of particular interest for us is use of new crop oils in novel industrial applications. These oils, in general, are glyceryl esters with olefinic bonds, which are readily functionalizable. Aminated lipids are important intermediates in many applications including pharmaceutical formulations because they have a modifying effect on cell membranes. We have exploited the nucleophilic property of the carbon-carbon double bonds in two seed oils to generate the oxirane derivatives of the lipids. Ring opening of the epoxy intermediates with amines under anhydrous ZnCl2 catalysis is facile, and the reaction proceeds smoothly at moderate temperatures to given the aminohydroxy TG of milkweed and salicornia oils.
Familial achalasia associated with adrenocortical insufficiency, alacrima, and neurological abnormalities

We report on two brothers with achalasia, adrenocortical insufficiency, alacrima, short stature, microcephaly, ataxia, optic atrophy, and developmental delay. The parents and three sibs are unaffected. Achalasia, adrenocortical insufficiency, and alacrima comprise a recently characterized familial multisystem disorder of unknown cause. Achalasia has also been described in association with microcephaly and mental retardation in one family and ataxia, optic atrophy, and mental retardation in another. The above reports and these sibs may represent variants of a single pleiotropic recessive gene. We suggest that abnormalities of the central nervous system are a manifestation of the achalasia, adrenocortical insufficiency, alacrima syndrome.
Self-reported fatigue: one dimension or more? Lessons from the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire

Across two general population (total n = 1,878) and two cancer (total n = 3,140) samples, we evaluated the dimensionality of self-reported fatigue as measured by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Fatigue (FACIT-F) instrument. After evaluating dimensionality of the FACIT-F, we compared the conceptually distinct fatigue experience versus fatigue impact scores in each sample. Confirmatory factor analysis of the 13-item scale showed very good fit to a single dimension (“unidimensional”) model for each sample (comparative fit index range = 0.92–0.97). Using a bifactor model to compare the loading of each item with the general fatigue factor versus the identified sub-domain (experience or impact), we found the item-general loading to be higher than that of the item-sub-domain factor in 52 of 52 comparisons (13 items; four samples). When scored separately, experience and impact scores were correlated highly (range = 0.80–0.88), yet their difference relative to one another was significant (p < 0.001). Consistently across samples, experience scores were systematically higher (more endorsement) than impact scores, by a margin of 0.21–0.46 SD units. This suggests that the fatigue experience and the impact of fatigue upon function are reported along a single dimensional continuum, but that experience is more likely than impact upon function to be endorsed at lower levels of fatigue. Fatigue as an outcome or trial endpoint can be expressed as a single number, and the experience of the symptom is more likely to be endorsed at mild levels of fatigue, presumably before the symptom exerts an adverse impact upon function.
The application of brain capillary permeability coefficient measurements to pathological conditions and the selection of agents which cross the blood-brain barrier

Capillary permeability was analyzed in both normal rat brain and intracerebral 9L gliosarcoma tumor and in rhesus monkey brain using a newly derived formula for the capillary permeability coefficient (P).The Pvalue for isotopic urea and sodium was less in monkey brain than in rat brain. The Pvalue for tumor was 1 log unit higher in tumor for all but the most rapidly transported drugs. Amphotericin B increased the normal brain Pvalue for galactitol but not for urea. Glucocorticoids did not alter brain Pvalues for sucrose or urea. Using P,drugs can be categorized in terms of blood-brain barrier (BBB) exclusion, slow BBB passage, moderate BBB passage, and rapid BBB passage. The technique described in this article is applicable to the study of regional differences in brain capillary permeability associated with disease states.
Nutritional implications of the cephalic-phase reflexes: endocrine responses

Cephalic phase hormonal release occurs through activation of vagal-efferent fibers in response to food-related sensory stimuli. Thus, tasting, chewing and expectorating food elicits hormonal release prior to nutrient absorption. Differential sensitivity of cell types within the islet to neural activation determines the profile and magnitude of hormonal release. While the magnitude of cephalic phase insulin release is relatively small (25% above baseline), pancreatic polypeptide, a hormone almost exclusively under vagal control increases 100% above baseline when individuals taste, chew and expectorate food. Thus, the cephalic phase pancreatic polypeptide response is a sensitive indicator of vagal activation to food stimuli. The physiological significance of the cephalic phase hormonal responses is demonstrated by experimental manipulations which inhibit or bypass cephalic phase insulin release. Under these circumstances, hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are evident. Conversely, supplementation of insulin during the preabsorptive time period improves glucose tolerance in certain clinical populations. These data suggest that cephalic phase insulin release plays a role in glucose homeostasis.
Porcine Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells Secrete a Serine Protease for Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-2

Abstract Porcine aortic smooth muscle cells secrete two forms of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding proteins (IGFBP-2 and -4), and both forms have been shown to modulate IGF-I actions in this cell type. Recently, we showed that IGFBP-4 inhibited IGF-I action and that the cells produced a protease that cleaved IGFBP-4 into non-IGF binding fragments. After the cleavage of IGFBP-4, the cellular DNA synthesis response to IGF-I was enhanced. This study reports that these cells also secrete a protease for IGFBP-2. Like the IGFBP-4 protease, this protease is also secreted constitutively, but unlike the IGFBP-4 protease, its secretion is enhanced if the cells are serum-deprived for 24 hours before the collection of conditioned medium. The protease cleaved IGFBP-2 into 25- and 16-kD fragments, which had reduced IGF-I binding activity. Protease activity was enhanced by coincubation with IGF-I or IGF-II, and IGF-II was more potent than IGF-I. The protease is a serine protease, since its activity can be inhibit...
Reactance of Transmission Lines With Ground Return

In this paper there is presented an analysis of the circuit consisting of any number of line conductors in parallel with a return through the earth and any number of ground wires in parallel. In the development of this analysis certain assumptions have been made which tests indicate do not detract at all from the engineering usefulness of the result but which simplify the formulas very much. The general formulas resulting from this analysis are condensed in Table A-1. For the application of this method to the calculation of ground faults it is necessary to know what value of earth conductivity applies. Considerable data in regard to this for various localities have been collected and are given in Table C-2. For convenience in makihg the calculations curves are given for various values of the earth conductivity over the range as indicated by test and experience. These curves are given as Figs. C-2 and C-3. Occasionally preliminary calculations are made in which very approximate reactance valutes are used. In such cases a line reactance of 0.8 ohms per mi. is used, and a zero phase sequence reactance of 2.6 ohms per mi. could be used with the same degree of accuracy. With one ground wire the zero phase sequence reactance would be about 2.0 ohms per mi. and with two ground wires about 1.6 ohms per mi.
Perceived external uncertainty, new product development, and the timeliness of international product launch: A commentary essay

Abstract New product launch is a critical stage of the innovation process, mainly because of the high risks and costs that it entails. Despite this importance, many scholars and managers consider the product launch the least well-managed phase of the entire innovation process. This commentary reflects on a recent empirical study (Lee and Wong, in press) on how to efficiently organize for, develop, and roll out new products internationally in markets characterized by varying degrees of competitive and technological uncertainty. The central premise of the study is that this external uncertainty requires innovating companies to match their product development approaches to the uncertain context in order to achieve on-time launch. Based on a discussion of this research, its merits and contributions, this essay suggests potential future research opportunities.
On proposing special issues for the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.

Special issues have become regular features of the Journal of Youth and Adolescence. These issues provide important fora that bring together research on cutting-edge topics as well as some that re-examine established topics from new perspectives or with more robust data. As such, they provide great value to the field, as they can energize more research in areas that would otherwise be ignored and can push the field in new directions. In a real sense, special issues put into practice the ideals of our field as they exemplify the best of empirical inquiry and scholarly inquisitiveness. Special issues originate from several sources. Most result from invitations by the Editor, but several do not. Some have been proposed by authors who, for example, seek to publish symposia from conferences. Other issues have been proposed by scholars who wish to package together important research papers from colleagues working on related data sets or topics. Other issues have grown from researchers’ interest in topics that have not been studied much; while some have emerged to address topics that already thrive in other fields but have yet to focus on adolescents. Due to that wide variety of sources, the Editor views all proposals as works in progress. Given the increasing frequency and importance of special issues, it now seems helpful to highlight the Editor’s expectations about special issues and to encourage potential editors to consider advancing their areas of research through a journal special issue. The general conclusion that potential editors hopefully will reach from this brief editorial is the Editor’s keen desire to assist potential editors and authors. That desire includes considerable flexibility in the special issue topics, editors’ responsibilities, and the timing of production. That flexibility, however, is couched in important limitations, all of which center on the need for all articles to make original, substantive, and important contributions to our empirical understanding of adolescence. This editorial details the important parameters that Special Issue Editors can expect as they think through whether to embark on developing a special issue.
Yeast heat shock transcription factor N‐terminal activation domains are unstructured as probed by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy

The structure and dynamics of the N-terminal activation domains of the yeast heat shock transcription factors of Kluyveromyces lactis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were probed by heteronuclear 15N[1H] correlation and 15N[1H] NOE NMR studies. Using the DNA-binding domain as a structural reference, we show that the protein backbone of the N-terminal activation domain undergoes rapid, large-amplitude motions and is therefore unstructured. Difference CD data also show that the N-terminal activation domain remains random-coil, even in the presence of DNA. Implications for a "polypeptide lasso" model of transcriptional activation are discussed.
Direct and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens within fresh produce samples using a field-deployable handheld device.

Abstract Direct and sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens from fresh produce samples was accomplished using a handheld lab-on-a-chip device, requiring little to no sample processing and enrichment steps for a near-real-time detection and truly field-deployable device. The detection of Escherichia coli K12 and O157:H7 in iceberg lettuce was achieved utilizing optimized Mie light scatter parameters with a latex particle immunoagglutination assay. The system exhibited good sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 10 CFU mL−1 and an assay time of
Leading order hard edge fringe fields effects exact in (1 + δ) and consistent with Maxwell's equations for rectilinear magnets

In a circular machine, where the linear lattice functions ({alpha}, {beta},{gamma}) and a phase advance can be defined, one expects the fringe field effects to be negligible if the change in these functions is small through the element. However, this may not always be the case. In such situations, it is useful to have a leading order result which is adapted to tracking and analytical analysis. In this paper, we provide such a result for the quadrupole and we also provide a general formula for the effect of an arbitrary rectilinear multipole. Starting from the standard multipole expansion for the B field of a 2(n + 1)-pole (n {ge} 1), we compute the missing terms in the vector potential expansion consistent with the puree 2(n + 1)- pole symmetry. We then compute the leading effects of the fringing fields of a multipole on the dynamics. Finally, we apply this result to quadrupoles and reproduce the original results of Graham Lee-Whiting, Matsuda, and Wollnik. For the quadrupole, we show how to write a symplectic (canonical) integrator for the dynamics which can be used in a standard circular machine kick code. For higher order multipoles, we display the implicit characteristic function solutionmore » as first proposed by Dragt. 12 refs.« less
The SIV surface spike imaged by electron tomography: one leg or three?

Strategies to inhibit the cellular entry of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) constitute an important element of current approaches to develop an effective vaccine against AIDS [1]. The entry of viruses such as HIV-1, and its closely related simian counterpart simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), is mediated by the interaction of glycoprotein spikes on the viral membrane surface with receptors on the target cell membrane. The viral spike itself is a trimeric complex of gp41, a membrane protein which anchors the spike to the membrane, and gp120 which is non-covalently associated with gp41. Cartoon representations of the spike as a trimeric entity abound, but what does it really look like? So far, structural information on the spike has come largely from X-ray crystallographic analysis of the core of the gp120 monomer in the CD4-liganded [2] or unliganded forms [3], and of trimers of the helical regions of gp41 in a post-fusion conformation [4]. The structure of an intact trimeric spike itself has, nevertheless, remained elusive.
Cardiac stem cells delivered intravascularly traverse the vessel barrier, regenerate infarcted myocardium, and improve cardiac function

The ability of cardiac stem cells (CSCs) to promote myocardial repair under clinically relevant conditions (i.e., when delivered intravascularly after reperfusion) is unknown. Thus, rats were subjected to a 90-min coronary occlusion; at 4 h after reperfusion, CSCs were delivered to the coronary arteries via a catheter positioned into the aortic root. Echocardiographic analysis showed that injection of CSCs attenuated the increase in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic dimensions and impairment in LV systolic performance at 5 weeks after myocardial infarction. Pathologic analysis showed that treated hearts exhibited a smaller increase in LV chamber diameter and volume and a higher wall thickness-to-chamber radius ratio and LV mass-to-chamber volume ratio. CSCs induced myocardial regeneration, decreasing infarct size by 29%. A diploid DNA content and only two chromosomes 12 were found in new cardiomyocytes, indicating that cell fusion did not contribute to tissue reconstitution. In conclusion, intravascular injection of CSCs after reperfusion limits infarct size, attenuates LV remodeling, and ameliorates LV function. This study demonstrates that CSCs are effective when delivered in a clinically relevant manner, a clear prerequisite for clinical translation, and that these beneficial effects are independent of cell fusion. The results establish CSCs as candidates for cardiac regeneration and support an approach in which the heart's own stem cells could be collected, expanded, and stored for subsequent therapeutic repair.
Association of mitral annulus calcification, aortic valve calcification with carotid intima media thickness

Background: Mitral annular calcification (MAC) and aortic annular calcification (AVC) may represent a manifestation of generalized atherosclerosis in the elederly. Alterations in vascular structure, as indexed by the intima media thickness (IMT), are also recognized as independent predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes.
Mechanisms of hydrolysis in a transverse jet zinc aerosol reactor

Abstract The mechanisms of hydrolysis of zinc particles formed and entrained in a reacting gas flow were explored. Experiments were carried out in a transverse jet reactor designed for nucleation of Zn nanoparticles via a rapid quench followed by reaction at temperatures from 418 to 713 K. The aerosol particles were collected on a filter and characterized via X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Even for quench rates as high as 10 4 K/s, nucleation of Zn vapor was incomplete. With a quench of Ar at temperatures less than the saturation temperature of Zn, 1 to 3 μ m hour-glass shaped hexagonal Zn particles were formed, consistent with formation via 2-D layer by layer by condensation and subsequent evaporation. Above the saturation temperature, Zn nanowires were formed from the vapor phase on the filter surface. With a steam quench, particles remained hexagonal but were generally smaller, from 300 nm to 1 μ m across the hexagonal face. Above 573 K, a shell of ZnO impeded evaporation of particles. Overall conversion of Zn to ZnO was dominated by the heterogeneous hydrolysis of Zn vapor, not hydrolysis of Zn particles. These results shed light on the mechanisms of particle growth and hydrolysis in Zn aerosol reactors. In particular, the finding that hydrolysis is dominated by a heterogeneous reaction between Zn( v ) and steam is of critical importance to developing better approaches to react the Zn with steam, supporting prior work that shows that the heterogeneous vapor phase reaction is kinetically favored over the diffusion limited conversion of solid or liquid Zn particles.
Revised Translation Start Site for secM Defines an Atypical Signal Peptide That Regulates Escherichia coli secA Expression

The secretion-responsive regulation of Escherichia coli secA occurs by coupling its translation to the translation and secretion of an upstream regulator, secM (formerly geneX). We revise the translational start site for secM , defining a new signal peptide sequence with an extended amino-terminal region. Mutational studies indicate that certain atypical amino acyl residues within this extended region are critical for proper secA regulation.
Subjective symptoms in workers with low-level exposure to lead

In an attempt to identify health effects associated with low-level lead exposure, 45 cable-manufacturing workers underwent clinical examinations in a cross-sectional study. Thirteen workers were in direct contact with lead-containing stabilizers, while 31 were only indirectly exposed. The directly exposed had a higher prevalence of reported neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms than those with low or insignificant lead exposure. None of the directly exposed had blood lead levels exceeding 60 micrograms per 100 ml. The clinical symptoms correlated with blood lead and zinc protoporphyrin. However, when the data were subjected to hierarchical log-linear modeling, a partial association was found between zinc protoporphyrin and symptoms, but not between blood lead and symptoms. The data suggest that non-specific neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms may occur at relatively low blood lead and zinc protoporphyrin levels, and that measurement of zinc protoporphyrin and exploration of clinical symptoms are valuable components in lead screening programs.
Chloride Channels and Salivary Gland Function

Fluid and electrolyte transport is driven by transepithelial Cl- movement. The opening of Cl- channels in the apical membrane of salivary gland acinar cells initiates the fluid secretion process, whereas the activation of Cl- channels in both the apical and the basolateral membranes of ductal cells is thought to be necessary for NaCl re-absorption. Saliva formation can be evoked by sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation. The composition and flow rate vary greatly, depending on the type of stimulation. As many as five classes of Cl- channels with distinct gating mechanisms have been identified in salivary cells. One of these Cl- channels is activated by intracellular Ca2+, while another is gated by cAMP. An increase in the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration is the dominant mechanism triggering fluid secretion from acinar cells, while cAMP may be required for efficient NaCl re-absorption in many ductal cells. In addition to cAMP- and Ca(2+)-gated Cl- channels, agonist-induced changes in membrane potential and cell volume activate different Cl- channels that likely play a role in modulating fluid and electrolyte movement. In this review, the properties of the different types of Cl- currents expressed in salivary gland cells are described, and functions are proposed based on the unique properties of these channels.
Arbitrarily oriented biaxial media branch point singularities pertinent to the solution of integral equations via method of moments

To calculate the location of the branch points, the use of the resultant technique is introduced. How this technique can be applied to multi-dimensional spectral integrals similar to which are generated in the solution of integral equations via MoM techniques is discussed. Finally, it is noted that it is possible to show a connection between the branch point surfaces shown with the direction of power flow. Indeed, if one calculates the direction of group velocity and determines those values that have zero power flow in the z macr direction, it will be seen that those points correspond to the branch point surfaces . Hence the branch points represent kx-ky coordinates in which the direction of power flow is entirely in the transverse plane.
Capsule ultrasound device

We are developing a capsule ultrasound (CUS) device to serve as a wireless, portable, and ultrasonic pill for investigating the multiple layers of the complete gastrointestinal (GI) tract, in particular, the small intestine. This capsule will acquire ultrasound images with 360 degrees field-of-view (FOV) and a penetration depth of 5 cm using a 128-element and cylindrically-shaped capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array, wrapped around the center of its body. Simulation results indicate that linear array imaging with a fixed focus of F#4 and 16 active elements produces valuable images. We have designed a CMUT for this application and the fabrication process to create cylindrical CMUT arrays has been established. We report our fabrication progress and show test devices that we successfully made and bent around a glass tube. In addition, the design of the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) and the wireless transmitter, responsible for the acquisition and wireless transmission of ultrasonic data respectively, is described.
Normalized irreducible tensorial matrix expansions applied to an effective sp-type Hamiltonian for the PES of water

Any matrix can be expanded on a basis of SU(2) normalized irreducible tensorial matrices, NITM, defined in terms of 3-j symbols or coupling coefficients of SU(2). The NITM transform under rotations according to Wigner's matrices. If one dimension of an NITM is odd and the other even, the tensor has half-integer rank. A simple NITM basis consists of all NITM having the same numbers of rows and columns as the expanded matrix. A compound NITM basis consists of two or more simple bases, each spanning a corresponding block in the expanded matrix. The choice of NITM basis for expanding an effective Hamiltonian matrix is a crucial step in formulating a model. To illustrate the use of a compound NITM basis, including nonsquare NITM, an effective sp-type overlap-free superposition Hamiltonian is constructed and applied to the photoelectron ionization potential spectrum of water.
Nacelle orientation based health indicator for wind turbines

A nacelle is the center hub of a wind turbine, with blades attached to it, and it is a key component to be controlled to ensure that the wind turbine face the incoming wind to capture the most energy. Ideally, the nacelle orientation and the wind direction should be opposite to each other. However, a noneffective control system may not be able to adjust the nacelle to its proper position, which can be a soft failure; or, in the worst case scenario like a spindle failure, the nacelle orientation is completely fixated at one direction since the turbine is shut down, which is a hard failure. Besides the well-known diagnostics tools using power and wind data to estimate the health state of a wind turbine, nacelle orientation is yet another informative variable to be added to the set of diagnostics tools, especially to detect the soft failures. In the SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) data set of wind turbines, there are dozens of measurement variables, on ambient weather, power, other electrical quantities, and some mechanical quantities. We have observed that the nacelle orientation exhibits a much more irregular or volatile pattern than the other variables, but the relationship between the wind direction and nacelle orientation is still effective to indicate an abnormal health state. We develop a metric to use nacelle orientation as the health indicator of wind turbines, and evaluate it using the data of nearly a hundred of wind turbines at a wind farm. Our method to construct the health indicator by nacelle orientation is driven by the SCADA data, without any pre-determined modeling, and hence it is automatic, adaptive and widely applicable on arbitrary number of wind turbines.
Automated black-box detection of side-channel vulnerabilities in web applications

Web applications divide their state between the client and the server. The frequent and highly dynamic client-server communication that is characteristic of modern web applications leaves them vulnerable to side-channel leaks, even over encrypted connections. We describe a black-box tool for detecting and quantifying the severity of side-channel vulnerabilities by analyzing network traffic over repeated crawls of a web application. By viewing the adversary as a multi-dimensional classifier, we develop a methodology to more thoroughly measure the distinguishably of network traffic for a variety of classification metrics. We evaluate our detection system on several deployed web applications, accounting for proposed client and server-side defenses. Our results illustrate the limitations of entropy measurements used in previous work and show how our new metric based on the Fisher criterion can be used to more robustly reveal side-channels in web applications.
Facet Pain in Thoracic Compression Fractures

Objective. To determine if thoracic facet joints may be a significant secondary pain generator in patients with compression fractures. Traditionally, pain from vertebral compression fractures has been attributed to vertebral body itself. Compression fractures have been shown to increase thoracic kyphosis and thereby increase the thoracic flexion moment; these changes eventually increase the shear stress on the posterior elements. Design. We present a small case series of patients with thoracic compression fractures managed with intra-articular facet injections. Setting. Tertiary care academic medical center. Participants. Two patients with thoracic compression fractures. Interventions. The subjects received fluoroscopically guided thoracic facet steroid injections for pain management. Main Outcome. Change in verbal analog pain score. Results. Patients with thoracic compression fractures received significant long-lasting relief after receiving fluoroscopically guided intra-articular injections. Conclusion. Facet joints may be abnormally stressed due to the increasing thoracic flexion moment in anterior compression fractures, which may serve as a secondary pain generator; intra-articular facet blocks may be an alternative to vertebroplasty.
A study of the transmission and structure of double stranded RNAs associated with the killer phenomenon in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Killer strains contain two double stranded RNAs, L and M. The M dsRNA appears to be necessary for production of a toxin and for resistance to that toxin. Mutant strains have been found that are defective in their ability to kill and in their resistance to toxin. These sensitive, non-killer strains have altered dsRNA composition. One class has no M dsRNA. Another class of sensitive, non-killers called suppressives has no M dsRNA but instead has smaller dsRNAs called S. In diploids resulting from a cross of a wild-type killer by a suppressive the transmission of the M dsRNA is suppressed by the S dsRNA. When a suppressive is crossed by a strain with no M dsRNA, the diploids and all four meiotic spores have the S dsRNA characteristic of the parental suppressive strain. Suppressive strains do not suppress each other. Intercrosses between two different suppressives yields diploids with both parental S dsRNAs. These two S dsRNAs are transmitted to all 4 meiotic progeny. Another class of mutants has been found which is defective for one of the traits but retains the other. One type, temperature-sensitive killers, has a normal dsRNA composition but is unable to kill at 30°. The other type, immunity-minus, has a complex dsRNA pattern. The immunity-minus strain is extremely unstable during mitotic growth and segregates several different types of non-killers. Analysis of the dsRNAs from wild type and the mutants by electron microscopy shows that the L, M, and S dsRNAs are linear. All strains regardless of killer phenotype appear to have the same size L dsRNA.
Self-assembly for microscale and nanoscale packaging: steps toward self-packaging

The packaging of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and nanoscale devices constitutes an important area of research and development that is vital to the commercialization of such devices. Packaging needs of these devices include interfaces to nonelectronic domains; integration of structures, devices, and subsystems made with incompatible fabrication processes into a single platform; and the ability to handle a very large numbers of parts. Although serial, robotic assembly methods such as pick-and-place have allowed significant manufacturing feats, self-assembly is an attractive option to tackle packaging issues as the size of individual parts decreases below 300 /spl mu/m. In this paper, we review advances made in the usage of self-assembly for packaging and potential directions that growth in this area can assume. In the micrometer scale, we review the use of capillary forces, gravity, shape recognition, and electric fields to guide two- and three-dimensional self-assembly processes. In the nanoscale, we survey the usage of self-assembled molecular monolayers to solve current packaging issues, DNA hybridization for guiding self-assembly processes of nanoscale devices, and methods used to package nanowires or nanotubes into electronic circuits. We conclude with an example of a nanoscale biosensor which directly incorporates the concept of its package into its fabrication process. Even though the idea of a fully self-packaging system has not been demonstrated to date, the body of work reviewed and discussed here presents a solid foundation for the pursuit of this goal.
Can Economic Deprivation Protect Health? Paradoxical Multilevel Effects of Poverty on Hispanic Children’s Wheezing

Prior research suggests that economic deprivation has a generally negative influence on residents’ health. We employ hierarchical logistic regression modeling to test if economic deprivation presents respiratory health risks or benefits to Hispanic children living in the City of El Paso (Texas, USA) at neighborhood- and individual-levels, and whether individual-level health effects of economic deprivation vary based on neighborhood-level economic deprivation. Data come from the US Census Bureau and a population-based survey of El Paso schoolchildren. The dependent variable is children’s current wheezing, an established respiratory morbidity measure, which is appropriate for use with economically-deprived children with an increased likelihood of not receiving a doctor’s asthma diagnosis. Results reveal that economic deprivation (measured based on poverty status) at both neighborhood- and individual-levels is associated with reduced odds of wheezing for Hispanic children. A sensitivity analysis revealed similar significant effects of individual- and neighborhood-level poverty on the odds of doctor-diagnosed asthma. Neighborhood-level poverty did not significantly modify the observed association between individual-level poverty and Hispanic children’s wheezing; however, greater neighborhood poverty tends to be more protective for poor (as opposed to non-poor) Hispanic children. These findings support a novel, multilevel understanding of seemingly paradoxical effects of economic deprivation on Hispanic health.
Fatty Acid Transport in Adipocytes Monitored by Imaging Intracellular Free Fatty Acid Levels

Abstract Transport of free fatty acids (FFA) across the adipocyte plasma membrane is critical for maintaining homeostasis. To determine the membrane's role in regulating transport we describe here the first measurements of the intracellular (unbound) FFA concentration ([FFAi]) and their use in monitoring transport of FFA across 3T3F442A adipocytes. [FFAi] was measured by microinjecting cells with ADIFAB, a fluorescently labeled fatty acid-binding protein that is used to measure unbound FFA levels. We used ratio fluorescence microscopy of intracellular ADIFAB to image unbound FFA levels and determined the time course of [FFAi] in response to changing the extracellular unbound FFA concentration ([FFAo]). [FFAo] was clamped at defined levels using complexes of FFA and bovine serum albumin. We show that FFA influx is slow, requiring about 300 s to reach steady state (rate constant ∼ 0.02 s-1) and saturable (Ko ∼ 200 nm). Efflux is twice as fast as influx, for zero [FFAo], but decreases with increasing [FFAo]. Surprisingly, at steady state [FFAi] is 2–5-fold (average 2-fold) greater than [FFAo] and this [FFAi]/[FFAo] gradient is abolished by depleting cellular ATP. Our results indicate that FFA transport across adipocyte membranes is highly regulated, involving an ATP-driven pump and a mechanism for gating efflux that is sensitive to [FFAo]. These characteristics are well described by a membrane carrier model but are not consistent with FFA transport across the membrane's lipid phase. We suggest that these characteristics are important in regulating circulating FFA levels by the adipocyte.
Count nouns, adjectives, and perceptual properties in children's novel word interpretations.

Three-year-old children were shown a novel exemplar toy and asked to judge test items that differed from the exemplar in shape, coloration, or material substance. In the count noun condition, children judged whether test items had the same novel name as the exemplar. In the adjective condition, children judged whether a test hern could be described by the same novel adjective as the exemplar. The results of 3 experiments indicated that children systematically attend to shape in interpreting novel count nouns, but their interpretation of adjectives is contextually determined. By the age of 6, children have acquired roughly 14,000 words (Templin, 1957). How do they acquire so many words so fast? If one views the child's acquisition of word-referent relations as an instance of unbiased hypothesis testing, then the rate of early word acquisition is difficult to explain. As Quine (1960) pointed out, the use of a word in the context of some scene provides evidence consistent with many hypotheses, only one of which will usually be correct. Chomsky (1986) similarly argued that if language learners were free to form any possible hypotheses about intended meaning from spoken language, then it would be unlikely that they would learn language as rapidly as they do because it would be unlikely that they would test the correct hypotheses early in language learning by happenstance alone. Chomsky argued that the rapid and error-free language learning that we observe in children requires that children be biased to entertain some hypotheses more than others. This idea has motivated much research on children's early word learning. Developmentalists have shown that children's novel word extensions are constrained or biased in certain directions. For example, young children appear biased to interpret count nouns as referring to object categories and not individual objects (Katz, Baker, & MacNamara, 1974) or thematic relations between objects (Markman & Hutchinson, 1984; Waxman & Kosowski, 1990). Children are biased to allow only one label for a single referent (mutual exclusivity, e.g., Markman, 1989; Markman & Wachtel, 1988), and they are biased to attend to shape when extending a novel count noun across novel objects (Landau, Smith, & Jones, 1988). The existence of these biases is sometimes cited as an explanation of rapid word growth; the idea is that word learning proceeds as fast as it does precisely because word learning biases exist.
Frequent p53 mutations and occasional loss of chromosome 4 in invasive bladder carcinoma induced by N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine in B6D2F1 mice.

B6D2F1 mice (45/group) were treated with N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN) or uracil as follows: Group 1 received 0.05% BBN in drinking water for the entire experiment, Group 2 received 5 mg of BBN by gastric gavage in 0.1 mL of 20% ethanol twice per week for 10 wk, Group 3 received a 2.5% uracil–containing diet for the entire experiment, and Group 4 was controls (received 0.1 mL of 20% ethanol by gavage twice per week for 10 wk). The surviving mice in Group 1 were killed after week 26 and those in the other groups after week 30. By week 15, three of 11 Group 1 and one of 15 Group 2 mice had bladder carcinoma. By 26 and 30 wk, respectively, invasive carcinomas were observed in 33 of 34 and six of 21 mice in Groups 1 and 2 and renal pelvic carcinomas in 11 of 34 and three of 21 mice in Groups 1 and 2. Four of 19 uracil-treated mice had bladder nodular hyperplasia. By polymerase chain reaction–single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequence analyses, 16 of 20 and two of five bladder carcinomas from Groups 1 and 2, respectively, showed mutations in the p53 gene. Ha-ras mutation was present in one case. Loss of heterozygosity analysis with simple-sequence length polymorphism markers for chromosome 4 showed that 10 of 21, two of 15, and nine of 13 mice in Groups 1–3, respectively, had heterozygous or homozygous deletions. B6D2F1 mice are therefore susceptible to the urothelial carcinogenic effects of BBN and develop frequent p53 mutations and chromosome 4 deletions. Chromosome 4 deletions were also seen with uracil. Mol. Carcinog. 21:70–79, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.