cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Securing static nodes in mobile-enabled systems using a network-layer moving target defense

As computing becomes mobile and systems enable connectivity through mobile applications, the characteristics of the network communication of these systems change due to the instability of mobile nodes on networks. Mobile devices logically move by changing addresses throughout the course of their communication in the system. These mobiles nodes acquire characteristics of a moving target defense, in which nodes change addresses to avoid detection and attack. Yet, as mobile nodes change addresses, the critical points in the system that applications are set to communicate with, such as servers, cloud services, and peer registration servers, remain static and become easily identifiable. Mobile-enabled systems are beginning to model heterogeneous moving target networks, in which some nodes move while others remain static. Heterogeneous moving target networks expose relationships and dependencies between nodes, helping an attacker easily identify the static, critical nodes within a mobile-enabled system. Homogeneous moving target networks, in which all nodes change addresses, mask the critical points within the system, blending the mobile nodes with the critical, static nodes, and provide additional security for the static nodes. By applying a moving target defense to all nodes within a mobile-enabled system, the critical points can be masked and additional security can be provided.
Del(5q): gene dosage matters

In this issue of Blood , Joslin and colleagues provide new evidence that EGR1 haploinsufficiency may contribute to myeloid diseases associated with loss of a whole chromosome 5 or a deletion of the long arm, del(5q). Del(5q) is one of the most common cytogenetic abnormalities found in de novo and
Pacemaker lead perforation causing hemopericardium eight years after implantation

The number of patients with intracardiac devices, including permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators is increasing. Lead perforation is a recognized complication which most often occurs during or shortly following pacemaker implantation. Late lead perforation occurring over 30 days after device insertion is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication. We present a case of late lead perforation unmasked greater than eight years after pacemaker implantation by initiation of anticoagulation.
Modeling direct suppression of open fires

A modeling framework for direct suppression of open fires is proposed, with emphasis placed on water application as the primary means of suppression. The modeling capability sought is quantitative determination of the deviation of a fire from its undisturbed history, as a function of the type and extent of suppressive action taken. The approach involves introduction of a length scale of coherent flaming, successful suppression being viewed as reduction of the coherent length below a prespecified value. Mass and energy balances are employed, and a variety of approximations and hypotheses are introduced within the framework of these conservation concepts to obtain simplified suppression criteria. Specific consideration is given to the average flux of energy feedback from the flames to the fuel, its dependence on fuel gasification and on suppressive action, and its potential removal when rates of exothermic reactions in the gas become too low, including possible establishment of transient flaming when diffusional control gives way to a regime of premixed flames. Specific study also is devoted to the gasification rate of the fuel, including its response to energy feedback and to suppressive action, with special attention focused on the time lag of the response and on non-linear phenomena, particularly within the context of charring fuels. Although the analysis is based mainly on results of existing small-scale experiments, the uncertainties emphasize the need for defenitive large-scale testing, if the model is to be corroborated and its critical parameters evaluated.
Mass spectrum, ionization potential, and appearance potentials for fragment ions of sulfuric acid vapor

Abstract Using a heated quartz and teflon inlet system and a gold-plated RPD ion source, the complete mass spectrum of H2SO4 vapor has been obtained over the temperature range (in the ion source) 365–425 K. The relative intensity of the H2SO+4 ion decreases from 54% to 1.5% over this range, at an electron impact energy of 13.5 eV, due to the equilibrium H2SO4(g) ⇌ SO3(g) + H2O(g) The ionization potential of H2SO4 is found to be 12.4 ± 0.05 eV and the appearance potentials of its major fragment ions are 13.2 ± 0.2, 13.8 ± 0.2, and 13.9 ± 0.1 eV for H2O+, SO+3, and HSO+3, respectively. From these data the quantities ΔfH⦵ (H2SO4,g) = −167 ± 5 kcal mol−1 at 381 K and DH⦵ (HO3S+-OH) = 35 ± 3.5 kcal mol−1 are derived.
Single-pass environmental chamber for quantifying human responses to airborne chemicals.

Despite increasing interest in the short-term effects of airborne environmental contaminants, experimental findings are generated at a very slow pace. This is due in part to the expense and complexity of most environmental chambers, which are needed for quantifying effects of wholebody exposures. We lessened this obstacle by designing, constructing, and testing a single-pass, 10-m3 stainless-steel chamber. Compressed air is purified before being sent to an air dilution olfactometer, which supplies 1000 L (1 m3) per minute (referenced to STP) while maintaining 40% relative humidity (RH) and 22.6°C. Precise control of all stimulus parameters is greatly simplified since air is not recirculated. Vapor-phase odorant concentrations are achieved by varying the proportion of total airflow passing through one or more saturators, and are verified in real time by an infrared (IR) spectrometer. An adjoining 5-m3 anteroom is used for introducing known intensities of more chemically complex vapor and/or particulate sti...
Electron correlation during photoionization and relaxation of potassium and argon after K-shell photoexcitation

We have measured the charge-state distributions of argon and potassium after ionization by photons with energies near the K-shell ionization threshold. Despite the similarity in core electron configurations, the two atoms show remarkable differences in the resulting distribution of ion charge states. The valence electron in potassium is rarely a spectator during core relaxation, and its presence enhances the loss of electrons excited into Rydberg levels or strongly reduces the recapture of slow photoelectrons during postcollision interaction.
Super-human multi-talker speech recognition: A graphical modeling approach

We present a system that can separate and recognize the simultaneous speech of two people recorded in a single channel. Applied to the monaural speech separation and recognition challenge, the system out-performed all other participants -including human listeners - with an overall recognition error rate of 21.6%, compared to the human error rate of 22.3%. The system consists of a speaker recognizer, a model-based speech separation module, and a speech recognizer. For the separation models we explored a range of speech models that incorporate different levels of constraints on temporal dynamics to help infer the source speech signals. The system achieves its best performance when the model of temporal dynamics closely captures the grammatical constraints of the task. For inference, we compare a 2-D Viterbi algorithm and two loopy belief-propagation algorithms. We show how belief-propagation reduces the complexity of temporal inference from exponential to linear in the number of sources and the size of the language model. The best belief-propagation method results in nearly the same recognition error rate as exact inference.
Anticonvulsant effects of the selective melatonin receptor agonist ramelteon

Abstract Objective The endogenous hormone melatonin has previously been shown to exert anticonvulsant effects in a variety of experimental models. Accordingly, we asked whether ramelteon, a synthetic and selective melatonin receptor agonist, might also possess anticonvulsant and/or antiepileptogenic properties. Methods The effects of ramelteon (30 or 100 mg/kg intraperitoneally twice daily for 5 days) were evaluated in two animal models of epilepsy. In the rat rapid kindling model, baseline hippocampal afterdischarge properties, kindling progression, and hippocampal excitability in kindled animals were measured. Anti-ictogenic efficacy was assessed after acute administration in untreated kindled rats. In the spontaneously epileptic Kcna1-null mouse model, we determined seizure frequency and periodicity using continuous video/EEG monitoring over 72 hours. Further, circadian rest–activity rhythms in ramelteon-treated animals were studied with actigraphy. Results In kindled animals, ramelteon reversed kindling-induced hippocampal excitability; however, it did not modify baseline afterdischarge properties, the progression and establishment of the kindled state in the rapid kindling model. However, in Kcna1-null mice, ramelteon (200 mg/kg/day) significantly attenuated seizure periodicity and frequency and improved circadian rest–activity rhythms compared with control animals. Conclusions The selective melatonin receptor agonist ramelteon possesses anticonvulsant properties in a chronic epilepsy model. Our findings provide further support for melatonin receptors being potential novel targets for anticonvulsant drug development.
CD14-dependent airway neutrophil response to inhaled LPS: role of atopy.

Abstract Background: Inhaled endotoxin (LPS) is associated with airway neutrophilic (PMN) inflammation in both asthmatic and control subjects, with asthmatic subjects demonstrating possibly higher sensitivity. CD14 is the principal receptor mediating LPS responses in vivo. It is unknown whether constitutive CD14 can predict the magnitude of the PMN response after LPS inhalation and whether atopy plays a role in this response. Objective: We sought to examine associations between constitutive airway CD14 expression and LPS-induced PMNs after 5 μg of LPS inhalation and to examine associations between markers of atopy (eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein) and CD14 expression and LPS-induced PMNs. Methods: Ten atopic asthmatic subjects and 8 healthy control subjects inhaled 0.9% saline and LPS (Escherichia coli 026:B6, 5 μg) separated by 3 weeks. Induced sputum was collected at 24 hours before and 6 hours after inhalation. Induced sputum was analyzed for total and differential cell counts and soluble markers (soluble [s]CD14, eosinophil cationic protein, IL8, and total protein). Flow cytometry was used to analyze membrane-bound CD14 expression. Results: Significant associations were found between the LPS-induced PMN response (PMNs per milligram of sputum) and both constitutive sCD14 (R = 0.7, P = .005) and membrane-bound CD14 (R = 0.9, P = .01). Asthmatic subjects demonstrated significantly higher levels of constitutive sCD14 compared with control subjects, and baseline eosinophils were significantly associated with baseline sCD14 (R = 0.7, P = .01) and LPS-induced PMNs (R = 0.6, P = .03). Conclusion: Constitutive airway CD14 expression can predict the magnitude of the PMN response after inhaled LPS. Atopy appears to play a role in the level of CD14 expression and may contribute to LPS sensitivity in asthmatic subjects. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;107:31-5.)
11p deletions and breakpoints in squamous cell carcinoma: association with altered reactivity with the UM-E7 antibody.

The UM-E7 monoclonal antibody raised against the UM-SCC-I human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell line identifies a cell surface antigen that is strongly expressed in normal tissues. The locus (MICI) controlling the expression of E7 and related cell surface antigens has been mapped to chromosome band I I p 13. This band has been identified as a region of cancer-associated aberrations and as the probable locus of a tumor suppressor gene. Although E7 antigen expression is strong in normal keratinocytes, it varies among squamous carcinoma cell lines. Some SCC lines (12/26) exhibit weak expression of the E7 antigen, whereas other SCC cell lines (14/26) and 21 cell lines from other tumor types express the antigen strongly. On the basis of these observations and of mapping data, we postulated that low E7 antigen expression in a subset of SCC cell lines might be associated with chromosomal rearrangement or deletion involving the E7 locus on 11p. Fully evaluable karyotypes were prepared from 19 SCC cell lines, including I I with weak and eight with strong E7 expression. Eight of the I I lines with weak E7 expression had I I p abnormalities. Four of these contained I I p deletions, and four others had a breakpoint in 11p. In contrast, none of the cell lines in the group with strong E7 expression had an I I p deletion, although one had a rearrangement with an 11p breakpoint. In the four tumors with visible 11p deletions, the smallest region of overlap corresponded to the 11p13-p14 region. The mean log10 50% endpoint E7 titer in the group with 11p deletions or breakpoints was nearly two orders of magnitude lower than that of the lines with no 11p abnormality (1.95 ± 0.53) (P < 0.02). Our results indicate that the UM-E7 antibody identifies tumors with 11p 13-p 14 deletions and other 11p rearrangements and that the 11p region is a site of nonrandom chromosome rearrangement in a subset of human squamous cancers. The strong association of loss of antigen expression with visible 11 p deletion or rearrangement in some tumors suggests that other tumors with this phenotype may contain submicroscopic lesions of 11 p 13-p 14.
Profiles of Change: Lessons for Improving High School Physical Education

This feature has told stories of high school physical educators who have refused to accept the status quo of high school physical education programs. They have identified problems, initiated innovations in their own classes, implemented changes beyond their classes, and moved toward institutionalizing improvements throughout their programs and schools. While some believe initiating change in school physical education programs to be impossible without administrative, district, or state mandates, these teachers have proved otherwise — change from within is not only possible, but rewarding. This article reviews the lessons learned from these stories and synthesizes some principles of teacher-initiated change for secondary physical education.
The hinge-bending mode of a lysozyme-inhibitor complex.

The hinge-bending mode of hen egg white lysozyme is studied by a constrained minimization technique. Results with and without a bound inhibitor, tri-N-acetyl-glucosamine, are obtained. The frequency of the mode with the inhibitor is found to be 4.3 cm−1, in contrast to 3.0 cm−1 for the free enzyme. Also, the hinge-bending angle with the lowest energy is shifted 10° towards a more closed cleft in the bound species. The main contribution to these differences arise from interactions with the residues lining the cleft and those on the back side of it. Structural details that account for the energetics are presented. The method of calculation is somewhat different from a previous study [J. A. McCammon, B. R. Gelin, M. Karplus & P. G. Wolynes, (1976) Nature262, 325–326] to reduce the likelihood of artifacts in the results.
The numerical evaluation of certain multivariate normal integrals

Abstract We show that a multivariate normal integral with tridiagonal covariance matrix can be computed efficiently using iterated integration.
Single Mothers’ Time Preference, Smoking, and Enriching Childcare: Evidence from Time Diaries

Previous research has shown that time preference affects individuals’ market time allocation and own human capital investments. This paper uses data from the Current Population Survey-Tobacco Use Supplements, the American Time Use Survey, and the Panel Study of Income Dynamics-Child Development Supplement to examine how time preference, as measured by smoking behavior, affects mothers’ time investments in their children under age 13 and children's future test scores. The results indicate that single mothers who smoke spend significantly less time with their children in educational activities, such as reading and homework, and sharing meals with their children than non-smokers. Their children also have lower reading test scores.
Earlier stage 1 palliation is associated with better clinical outcomes and lower costs for neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Objectives Our aim was to examine the effects of surgical timing on major morbidity, mortality, and total hospital reimbursement for late preterm and term infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) undergoing stage 1 palliation within the first 2 weeks of life. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of infants aged ≥35 weeks gestation, with HLHS, admitted to our institution at age ≤5 days, between January 1, 2003, and January 1, 2013. Children with other cardiac abnormalities or other major comorbid conditions were excluded. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine the association between age at stage 1 palliation and major morbidity, mortality, and hospital reimbursement. Results One hundred thirty-four children met inclusion criteria. Mortality was 7.5% (n = 10). Forty-three percent (n = 58) experienced major morbidity. Median costs were $97,000, in 2013 dollars (interquartile range, $72,000-$151,000). Median age at operation was 5 days (interquartile range, 3-7 days; full range, 1-14 days). All deaths occurred in patients operated on between 4 and 8 days of life. For every day later that surgery was performed, the odds of major morbidity rose by 15.7% (95% confidence interval, 2.5%-30.7%; P = .018) and costs rose by 4.7% (95% confidence interval, 0.9%-8.2%; P Conclusions Delay of stage 1 palliation for neonates with HLHS is associated with increased morbidity and health care costs, even within the first 2 weeks of life.
Developing and using a web-based project process throughout the software engineering curriculum

In order to facilitate the study and use of software process, which is essential to the education of future software professionals, a standard and tailorable project process has been developed over the last five years at Texas Tech University for use in both undergraduate and graduate curricula, with a total of 12 courses involved. The process is entirely web-based, and includes a complete set of HTML document templates in order to facilitate the creation of project artifacts which are posted to the course web page. This method enhances communication between team members, including distance education students, and between the project team and client. The project process has received positive feedback from all stakeholders involved.This paper discusses the benefits of the web-based project process, its relation to curriculum models, and plans for a more formal assessment of the process. The portability of process to other institutions is also discussed, with an example provided involving the software engineering courses at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Elemental Concentrations in Japanese Silicate Rock Standards JA‐1, JR‐1 and JB‐2

Data on three Japanese geochemical reference samples (JR-1, JA-1, and JB-2) are presented. Ten major and thirty-five trace element concentrations were determined using x-ray fluorescence, instrumental thermal neutron activation, thermal neutron capture prompt gamma-ray spectrometry, delayed neutron assay, automated thermal neutron activation analysis, inductively coupled plasma emission, atomic absorption, and ion selective electrode. Good agreement between the various methods and with recent literature values were obtained using error weighted mean concentrations for the samples.
Macroscale spatial variation in chronic wound microbiota: A cross‐sectional study

Controlling for sample site is considered to be an important aspect of chronic wound microbiological investigations; yet, macro-scale spatial variation in wound microbiota has not been well characterized. A total of 31 curette samples were collected at the leading edge, opposing leading edge and/or center of 13 chronic wounds. Bacterial community composition was characterized using a combination of 16S rRNA gene based pyrosequencing; heat map display; hierarchical clustering; non-metric multidimensional scaling; and permutation multivariate analysis of variance. A total of 58 bacterial families and 91 bacterial genera were characterized among the 13 wounds. While substantial macro-scale spatial variation was observed among the wounds, bacterial communities at different sites within individual wounds were significantly more similar than those in different wounds (p = 0.001). Our results support the prevalent opinion that controlling for sample site may improve the quality of wound microbiota studies; however, the significant similarity in bacterial communities from different sites within individual wounds indicates that studies failing to control for sampling site should not be disregarded based solely on this criterion. A composite sample from multiple sites across the surface of individual wounds may provide the most robust characterization of wound microbiota.
A dynamic model for wave-induced light fluctuations in a kelp forest

We formulated a dynamic model with linear wave theory to predict the effects of wave height, wave length, and water depth on modulation of the local surface cover in a Macrocystis pyrifera canopy. This model was incorporated into a general model for attenuation of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in a A4. pyrifera forest with particular emphasis on light reaching understory algae. The model predicts that the period of fluctuations of PAR on the bottom matches that of the dominant wave period and that the amplitude of irradiance peaks is increased by positive local surface areal stain during the trough of a wave. Field measurements of instantaneous irradiance and surface elevation and simultaneous video recording of the surface canopy allowed investigation of these predictions. Cross-correlation analysis on irradiance and surface elevation measurements showed a significant negative correlation between surface elevation and PAR reaching the understory. This correlation cannot be attributed to the decrease in lightpath length alone, but can be explained by the change in M. pyrifera surface cover. Measured changes in instantaneous fractional canopy cover exceeded theoretically predicted values by a factor of as much as 3. Consequently, the intensities of light flecks exceeded predictions. A combination of mechanisms, as well as assumptions of the model, may explain the deviation between the magnitudes of predicted and measured fluctuations in canopy cover and light. The dominant period of ocean swells is typically in the range of 5-20 s, and light flashes with these periods have been shown to effect significant gains in light utilization efficiency by certain algae.
Sensitivity calculations for multielemental trace analysis by synchrotron radiation induced X-ray fluorescence

Abstract The application of synchrotron radiation from high energy electron storage rings as an excitation source for X-ray fluorescence analysis of trace elements will greatly extend the sensitivity of the fluorescence technique. The properties of synchrotron radiation that make improvement possible are: high brightness, continuously tunable energy spectrum, relatively low energy deposition, and polarization in the storage ring plane for reduced scattering backgrounds. New wide energy bandwidth monochromators now being developed will provide intense monochromatic beams which will make practical the use of the wavelength dispersive crystal spectrometers. The sensitivity calculations presented are applied to representative thin biological and geological samples. The storage ring parameters used are the design parameters of the National Synchrotron Light Source. The quantitation limits ( σ =10%) for a thin biological sample using a solid state detector is less than 1 ppm for low Z elements and 1–10 ppm for high Z elements for one minutev irradiations. Using fixed multicrystal wavelength dispersive spectrometers quantitation limits range from 3–30 ppb for biological samples and 30–300 ppb for geological samples. Minimum detectable limits are a factor of 3 to 5 lower.
Comparing the correlative Holdridge model to mechanistic biogeographical models for assessing vegetation distribution response to climatic change.

A well-established and widely used correlative climate-vegetation model (Holdridge Life Zone model) was compared to three mechanistic simulation models (BIOME2, Dynamic Global Phytogeography Model (DOLY), and Mapped Atmosphere-Plant-Soil System (MAPSS)) for the conterminous United States under contemporary climate and a set of future climates prescribed by three Global Circulation Model experiments. Output from the mechanistic models were from the Vegetation/Ecosystem Modeling and Analysis Project (VEMAP) intercomparison. Holdridge modeling approaches, using a ‘Simple’ implementation (vegetation distribution based on biotemperature and precipitation alone) or a ‘Full’ implementation (vegetation distribution based on biotemperature, precipitation, altitudinal region, latitudinal belt, and transitional vegetation zones), represented current potential natural U.S. vegetation poor to fair, respectively. The more sophisticated mechanistic models were superior at reproducing potential vegetation under current climate compared to Holdridge, although there was significant variability among these models. The Holdridge implementations generally showed similar or greater climate sensitivity with respect to spatial redistribution of vegetation compared to the mechanistic models run both with and without doubled CO2 levels; however, the sensitivity of the Holdridge model depended on the implementation. Reduced sensitivity of the mechanistic models arises from direct (physiological) CO2 effects and other compensating feedbacks not captured by the Holdridge model. The greater degree of physical realism in the mechanistic models makes them the model class of choice for climate impact assessment. However, under circumstances of limited data availability, computation resources, and access to mechanistic models and model expertise, simple correlational models such as Holdridge may be the only method that can be applied. The paper makes some recommendations on the use of the Holdridge model for impact assessment if it is the only available model.
Positive impact of DNA typing on solid organ transplantation

Summary Current clinical priorities for kidney transplants demand that the available organs be distributed as optimally as possible. Typically twice as many patients are on the waiting list for a kidney as actually receive transplants in a year, and chronic rejection returns many to the waiting list, a cycle that will be compounded as more and more people receive kidney transplants. In itself, DNA typing is more accurate, more reproducible, adaptable, and easier to perform than serology. Results are less subjective and have the potential for automation. Advances have been made in PCR-RFLP, sequencing, reverse dot-blot technologies, and also SSCP (conformational analysis), which is useful for rapid comparison of samples. Nonradioactive detection is available for all new methods. DNA typing allows characterization of the HLA alleles at the DNA or genomic level, and permits facile assessment of both haplotypes from very small amounts of material. Blanks are never seen with DNA typing, unlike serology. Reagents are easily obtained and available worldwide. The error rate is about 2% compared with 25% for serology typing. The overwhelming consensus is that DNA typing is markedly more effective for typing DR, and that DNA typing improves graft survival, at least to 5 years. In primary cadaver kidney transplants, matching of DR in the context of closely matched HLA-A and -B can increase 5-year graft survival by as much as 22% for DNA-matched kidneys compared with 15% for serology, with a P 10 Of other class II genes, DQ may be important, and is linked to DR, whereas DP may not be pertinent for kidney transplantation. Chronic graft survival (longer than 10 years) is improved in groups that are HLA-A and -B matched. HLA matching reduces rejection events, and in turn, lower levels of acute rejection predict lower chronic rejection. DR matching for kidney transplants has been shown to save about $2,500 per patient in posttransplant therapy, which may be compared to a (low estimate) cost of $1 per specificity for accurate DNA typing. New molecular techniques (SSCP, heteroduplex analysis) are available for qualitative genetic crossmatching of the unmatched kidneys. In the interests of decreasing the risk for the transplant patient and reducing transplant care costs DNA typing methods should be available for each patient. These are readily adaptable for typing novel specificities, and for optimizing the use of the donor organ pool.
Abstract control structures and the semantics of quantifiers

Intuitively, a quantifier is any word or phrase that expresses a meaning that answers one of the questions "How many?" or "How much?" Typical English examples include all, no, many, few, some but not many, all but at most a very few, wherever, whoever, whoever there is, and also, it can be arguesd, only (Keenan, 1971), also (Cushing, 1978b), and the (Chomsky, 1977), In this paper we review an empirically motivated analysis of such meanings (Cushing, 1976; 1982a) and draw out its computational significance. For purposes of illustration, we focus our attention on the meanings expressed by the English words whatever and some , commonly represented, respectively, by the symbols "V" and "3", but most of what we say will generalize to the other meanings of this class.In Section I, we review the notion of satisfaction in a model, through which logical formulas are customarily imbued implicitly with meaning. In Section 2, we discuss quantifier relativization, a notion that becomes important for meanings other than V and 3. In Section 3, we use these two notions to characterize quantifier meanings as structured function of a certain sort. In Section 4, we discuss the computational significance of that analysis. In Section 5, we elaborate on this significance by outlining a notion of abstract control structure that the analysis instantiates.
Genetic Variation Among Chicken Lines and Mammalian Species in Specific Genes

Abstract Thirteen gene-specific primer sets provided by the U.S. Poultry Genome Coordinators were used to investigate DNA polymorphisms between two highly inbred chicken lines of Leghorn and Fayoumi origin. Nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences were then compared among these chicken lines and the Genbank sequences of chicken, mouse, and human. The following genes were selected as candidates for immune response or transcription activation: B2M, DAD1, IAP1, IL2, IREB1, LAP18, MAFL, POU1F1, RREB1, TAD, TBP1, TCRG, and ZOV3. Total cDNA was obtained from the spleens of Leghorn and Fayoumi lines by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and was used as a template to PCR-amplify gene-specific products. All primers except POU1F1 and TCRG generated single PCR products of the predicted 325- to 667-bp size, confirming the efficacy of these gene-specific primers in the chicken. Three and seven of the 11 amplified gene fragments yielded line-specific nucleotide polymorphisms between the Leghorn and Fayoumi sequences and between the Leghorn and Genbank chicken sequences respectively. Similarities between inbred Leghorn and mammalian species were 36 to 86% for nucleotides and 25 to 96% for predicted amino acid sequence. The polymorphisms of some gene fragments between the Leghorn and Fayoumi lines will allow for investigation of associations of these genes with immune response and other biological traits.
Clinical Manifestations of Sotos Syndrome

The major clinical criteria for the diagnosis of Sotos syndrome were evaluated by geneticists in a retrospective analysis of patients examined at the Children’s Hospital, Goudi, Athens, Greece.
Practical considerations for GPU-accelerated CT

The introduction of programmability into commodity graphics hardware (GPUs) has enabled their use much beyond their native domain of computer graphics, in many areas of high performance computing. We have shown in previous work that many types of CT algorithms, both iterative and non-iterative, can also greatly benefit from the high degree of SIMD (same instruction multiple data) parallelism these platforms provide. In this paper, we extend this work by describing how one can deal with a number of challenges that frequently arise in practical application settings using the Feldkamp algorithm: large data, angle-dependent projection geometry, and the need for higher accuracy without compromising speed. For this, we combine our fast hardware-native 8-bit interpolation scheme with a higher precision dual-pass mechanism. This latest version of our RapidCT system runs on the most current GPU hardware, nearly eight times faster than the previous version.
Short-time Fourier transforms using cascade filter structures

A wide class of short-time Fourier transforms (STFT's), or spectrograms, can be obtained by applying an infinite-length analysis window, corresponding to an impulse response of an IIR filter, at every data sample and then taking the Fourier transform. The use of the cascade form realization of the analysis window allows simple and recursive generations of a number of distinct STFT's with different tradeoff between temporal and spectral resolutions. The temporal-spectral resolution diversity of all STFT's (spectrograms) associated with the same window is a function of its poles and zeros as well as their order of cascade. Closed-form expressions of such diversity are derived for the case of multiple-pole and all pole analysis windows. >
Comparison of terahertz waveforms measured by EO-sampling and a photoconductive dipole antenna

We directly compared the measured terahertz radiation taken from free space electro optic sampling (FSEOS) and photoconductive (PC)-sampling. We observed significant difference between the two types of waveforms. We find that the waveforms measured by the PC-antenna can be derived from the FS-EOS waveforms in conjunction with the carrier lifetime of the PC-antenna material and the frequency dependent antenna response.
Distribution and Prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in Wild Predators in Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming

To further determine the distribution and prevalence of Echinococcus multilocularis in the central United States, 245 wild canids (125 red foxes, 120 coyotes) and 33 bobcats were collected from Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming and examined for this parasite. Animals examined included 11 red foxes from the western panhandle of Nebraska; 5 red foxes and 30 coyotes from southern Nebraska; 56 red foxes and 1 coyote from northeastern Nebraska; 20 red foxes, 63 coyotes, and 13 bobcats from northern Kansas; 2 red foxes, 26 coyotes, and 20 bobcats from southern Kansas; and 31 red foxes from east-central Wyoming. Of these, 27 of 72 (37.5%) red foxes from Nebraska were positive, including 2 of 11 (18.2%) from the western panhandle and 25 of 56 (44.6%) from the northeastern part of the state. Mean intensity of infection was 282 worms (range, 1–5,150). New distribution records were established for E. multilocularis in western Nebraska as well as for several northeastern counties. These findings support previous estimate...
Intellectual Capital and Financial Performance: An Evaluation of the Pakistani Manufacturing Sector

Purpose – This study seeks to investigate the relationship of intellectual capital and firm’s performance in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approach – Multiple regression analysis is used to show the relationship of intellectual capital and the firm’s performance listed on Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) for the period of 2009 to 2012.Findings – The results suggest the firm’s performance (ROA, Asset turnover, ROE and Market to Book value) is positively and significantly related to the intellectual capital in Pakistan. The main components of intellectual capital that is structural capital efficiency, human capital efficiency and capital employed efficiency have direct impact on the firm’s performance. Originality/Value – This is the first study to investigate the relationship between the intellectual capital and firm’s performance on the manufacturing companies listed on Karachi Stock Exchange.
Shear to longitudinal mode conversion via second harmonic generation in a two-dimensional microscale granular crystal

Abstract Shear to longitudinal mode conversion via second harmonic generation is studied theoretically and computationally for plane waves in a two-dimensional, adhesive, hexagonally close-packed microscale granular medium. The model includes translational and rotational degrees of freedom, as well as normal and shear contact interactions. We consider fundamental frequency plane waves in all three linear modes, which have infinite spatial extent and travel in one of the high-symmetry crystal directions. The generated second harmonic waves are longitudinal for all cases. For the lower transverse–rotational mode, an analytical expression for the second harmonic amplitude, which is derived using a successive approximations approach, reveals the presence of particular resonant and antiresonant wave numbers, the latter of which is prohibited if rotations are not included in the model. By simulating a lattice with adhesive contact force laws, we study the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis for non-resonant, resonant, and antiresonant cases. This work is suitable for the analysis of microscale and statically compressed macroscale granular media, and should inspire future studies on nonlinear two- and three-dimensional granular systems in which interparticle shear coupling and particle rotations play a significant role.
Social networks of HIV-positive women and their association with social support and depression symptoms

ABSTRACTSocial support is important to the mental health and well-being of HIV-positive women. Limited information exists about the specific structure and composition of HIV-positive women’s support networks or associations of these network properties with mental health outcomes. In this pilot study, the authors examine whether support network characteristics were associated with depressive symptoms. Survey and network data were collected from HIV-positive women (N = 46) via a web-based survey and an iPad application in August 2012. Data were analyzed using multivariate linear regression models in SAS. Depressive symptoms were positively associated with a greater number of doctors in a woman’s network; having more HIV-positive network members was associated with less symptom reporting. Women who reported more individuals who could care for them had more family support. Those who reported feeling loved were less likely to report disclosure stigma. This work highlighted that detailed social network data can...
From formal standards to everyday practice of mathematics learning

This paper uses the example of six Japanese teachers and their mathematics lessons to illustrate how clear, high standards for mathematics instruction are combined with teachers' holistic concern for students. We draw upon data from the Third International Math and Science Study Case Study Project in Japan that was designed to elucidate the context behind the high achievement of Japanese students. Using everyday examples of classroom practice, we illustrate both flexibility in teachers' approach to teaching and adherence to Monbusho's (Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture)Course of Study. Our purpose is to emphasize how flexibility and attention to individual needs by Japanese teachers combine with quality mathematics instruction based on the detailed Japanese curricula.
Impacts of Air-Assist Flare Blower Configurations on Flaring Emissions

Air-assisted flares, operating under low flow conditions (<1% of maximum flow) with low BTU gases, have relatively narrow bands of air-to-vent gas ratios that can achieve destruction and removal ef...
Web2.0 Promotes the Development of ICT

Challenged by the Internet, the telecom service is encountering bottlenecks in the aspects of network capability, resource integration and industry chain construction. It desires a more vigorous system. The Web2.0 Internet is a socialized interpersonal network, widely concerned by the public. Its business mode is not very clear. However, the development thoughts of the Internet may be copied to develop Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services. Meanwhile, telecom-based IT may be introduced to implement the operability, manageability and maintainability of Internet services. In this way, some Internet services with good effect and strong multi-industry may be applied in telecom network to achieve the convergence of ICT services. In the future, the Internet may be divided into the toll-free Internet and the operationally reliable Internet. Operators will construct a high-level network platform to operate scaled and reliable Internet services so that customers can enjoy information services with great convenience and reliability.
Mammography: BI-RADS® Update and Tomosynthesis

The illustrative BI-RADS® fifth edition is a product of years of collaboration between subsection heads, committees, the American College of Radiology, and most importantly input from users of the lexicons. It is a living document, and therefore every edition tries to incorporate current state-of-the-art imaging interpretation. It is designed for everyday practice and should make possible unambiguous breast imaging reports and meaningful evaluation of individual and practice performance. The fifth edition includes mammography, ultrasound, and MRI. It includes a new section on follow-up in outcome monitoring. It does not include tomosynthesis, contrast-enhanced mammography, or molecular imaging. Each section has undergone major changes since the prior edition which shall be outlined as follows.
Adapting Open Dialogue for Early-Onset Psychosis Into the U.S. Health Care Environment: A Feasibility Study.

Open Dialogue (OD) is a Finnish approach to crisis intervention and ongoing care for young people experiencing psychosis and other psychiatric crises. OD engages the individual and family (or other supports) in meetings, with open discussions of all aspects of the clinical situation, and in decision making. Although psychiatric assessment and treatment occur, the initial emphasis is on engagement, crisis intervention, and promoting dialogue. Finnish studies are encouraging, with excellent clinical and functional outcomes after five years. The authors conducted a one-year study of the feasibility of implementing an outpatient program based on OD principles, serving 16 young people ages 14–35 experiencing psychosis—the first study of OD in the United States. Qualitative and quantitative findings suggest that this model can be successfully implemented in the United States and can achieve good clinical outcomes, high satisfaction, and shared decision making.
The X-ray Crystallographic Structure of Human EAT2 (SH2D1B).

Ewing’s Sarcoma transcript-2 (EAT2) also known as SH2D1B is involved in regulation of signalling lymphocytic activation molecule (SLAM) family receptor functions. Cytoplasmic tails of SLAM family receptors contain tyrosine residues which mediate the downstream signal transduction through their phosphorylation. EAT2, composed of a single SH2 domain and a short C-terminal tail, binds to the phosphotyrosine residues and regulates SLAM family receptor signalling. We have determined the crystal structure of the human EAT2 protein in an unliganded form. Compared with the mouse EAT2-peptide complex structure, we observe conformational differences in the loops involved in ligand binding. When compared with SAP, the other single SH2 domain protein in human, EAT2 shows similar binding energies to unphosphorylated ligands. This is inconsistent to the previous data showing low affinity of EAT2 toward unphosphorylated peptides compared to SAP which shows high affinity. Additional factors other than the SH2 domains may contribute to the reported differences.
A Critique of Henrik Friberg‐Fernros's Defense of the Substance View

Proponents of the substance view contend that abortion is seriously morally wrong because it is killing something with the same inherent value and right to life as you or I. Rob Lovering offers two innovative criticisms of the anti-abortion position taken by the substance view – the rescue argument and the problem of spontaneous abortion. Henrik Friberg-Fernros offers an interesting response to Lovering, but one I argue would be inconsistent with the anti-abortion stance taken by most substance view theorists.
Tamil comics: new media, revival, and the recovery of history

AbstractThis essay focuses on the revival of Tamil comics mainly through a community of ardent fans and/or collectors during the last four years, by analyzing the blog by S. Vijayan, http://lion-muthucomics.blogspot.com, presently the editor of Lion and Muthu Comics. His father M. Soudrapandian founded Muthu Comics in 1971 which revolutionized the circulation of comics in Tamil Nadu and among the Tamil-speaking population in India and abroad. Most of the stories published were translations of the popular European ones, and several characters like The Spider, Tex Willer, and Lucky Luke became familiar names in Tamil households, the most popular being Irumbukkai Mayaavi or Steel Claw. However with the advent and ubiquity of cable channels and video, 1980s saw a drastic fall in the circulation of Tamil comics. This essay analyzes Vijayan’s blog along with that of his peers to explicate how the internet and social networking sites have revived interest among fans leading to the reprints of old issues and the ...
The Effect of Trigger Finger Injection Site on Injection-Related Pain.

Background Stenosing tenosynovitis, or trigger digit, is a common condition for which patients often seek relief. Corticosteroid injections have been shown to provide relief in many cases, and several different approaches for delivering the injection have been described in the literature. We compared patients' perception of pain following each of 3 accepted injection methods, namely, palmar proximal, palmar distal, and webspace approaches. Methods We prospectively followed 38 patients with 39 symptomatic digits in this trial, with varying severities of trigger finger as graded by the Patel and Moradia classification. The patients were divided into 3 groups representing the 3 approaches without randomization, based upon the treating surgeons' preference. Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand and visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores were calculated pre-injection and at 4-week and 8-week follow-up visits. Results No statistically significant differences in age, sex, affected extremity, grade, or duration of symptoms were observed among the 3 approaches. No statistically significant differences in VAS score were found between the palmar proximal (mean = 6.6, SD = 2.6), palmar distal (mean = 6.0, SD = 2.8), and webspace (mean = 6.8, SD = 1.8) approaches. Conclusion Our data suggest that injection approach does not affect patient pain perception scores or outcomes. We recommend that the technique that is most comfortable to the surgeon be utilized, with the understanding that one injection alone has a low likelihood of relieving symptoms.