cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural Markers of Cybersecurity: An fMRI Study of Phishing and Malware Warnings

The security of computer systems often relies upon decisions and actions of end users. In this paper, we set out to investigate users’ susceptibility to cybercriminal attacks by concentrating at the most fundamental component governing user behavior—the human brain. We introduce a novel neuroscience-based study methodology to inform the design of user-centered security systems as it relates to cybercrime. In particular, we report on an functional magnetic resonance imaging study measuring users’ security performance and underlying neural activity with respect to two critical security tasks: 1) distinguishing between a legitimate and a phishing website and 2) heeding security (malware) warnings. We identify the neural markers that might be controlling users’ performance in these tasks, and establish relationships between brain activity and behavioral performance as well as between users’ personality traits and security behavior. Our results provide a largely positive perspective on users’ capability and performance vis-a-vis these crucial security tasks. First, we show that users exhibit significant brain activity in key regions associated with decision-making, attention, and problem-solving (phishing and malware warnings) as well as language comprehension and reading (malware warnings), which means that users are actively engaged in these security tasks. Second, we demonstrate that certain individual traits, such as impulsivity measured via an established questionnaire, are associated with a significant negative effect on brain activation in these tasks. Third, we discover a high degree of correlation in brain activity (in decision-making regions) across phishing detection and malware warnings tasks, which implies that users’ behavior in one task may potentially be predicted by their behavior in the other. Fourth, we discover high functional connectivity among the core regions of the brain, while users performed the phishing detection task. Finally, we discuss the broader impacts and implications of our work on the field of user-centered security, including the domain of security education, targeted security training, and security screening.
Durability and characterization studies of chromium carbide coated aluminum fuel cell stack

Abstract Corrosion and interfacial contact resistance measurements were performed on chromium carbide coated aluminum 6061 and as-received aluminum 6061 samples. The coating was thermally sprayed onto the aluminum sample using the High Velocity Oxygen Fuel (HVOF) thermal spray technique. The chromium carbide coating consists of Cr3C2 top layer and Cr C Ni intermediate layer. The coating thickness was approximately 150 μm. A three-cell stack with chromium carbide coated aluminum bipolar plates was also fabricated for the durability and characterization studies. The coating thicknesses on the lands of the ribs and the walls of the valleys were approximately 300 μm and 150 μm, respectively. The stack was operated at the temperatures of 37 °C for 250 h and 80 °C for additional 500 h. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis shows that the thickness, chemistry, and surface morphology of the coating material remained consistent after 750 h of operation. The inductively coupled plasma – optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis was performed on the samples of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and byproduct water that was produced during the fuel cell electrochemical reaction.
Unusual complication of direct left atrial pressure monitoring line.

We are here reporting the case of a left atrial pressure monitoring line that caused mechanical interference with the functioning of a Bjork-Shiley mitral valve. The catheter wedged the disc into a closed position and caused the patient's death.
Toxin-Mediated Complex I Inhibition and Parkinson’s Disease

Evidence of decreased mitochondrial complex I activity within the brain and peripheral tissues of idiopathic and familial forms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) implies an intrinsic vulnerability in the first complex of the electron transport chain (ETC). Several toxins of synthetic and natural origin have the ability to specifically inhibit complex I and reproduce parkinsonian-like features with remarkable similarity. Central to this mechanism is the selective vulnerability of the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and their axonal projections to the striatum (ST) to complex I inhibition. While no single etiological factor has been identified as the cause for the degeneration of dopamine neurons in sporadic PD, several lines of evidence suggest that loss of complex I activity is intimately related to the hallmark pathological features of the disease, including elevated levels of oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and protein aggregation. The function of complex I and its production of reactive oxygen species following dysregulation are highlighted here, as well as the resulting neuropathology and its specific implications for the dopaminergic system.
Primary Intraspinal Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET)

Primative neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) is the generic name used to describe a morphologically celled neoplasm showing the potential for multiple differentiations irrespective of the site origin. In 1993, the WHO classification of brain tumors recommended the use of PNET as the generic term for cerebellar medulloblastoma and the central nervous system (CNS) tumors that are morphologically identical to medullobalstoma.
Reconceptualizing the Early Bronze Age Southern Levant without Cities: Local Histories and Walled Communities of EB II–III Society

Traditionally, the Early Bronze Age (EBA) has been described as the first urban society in the southern Levant. In comparison to many other regions of the world, such as ancient Mesoamerica, North America, Europe, East Asia, and Mesopotamia, EBA society does not pass the ‘urban litmus test’. In this paper I argue that ultimately the EBA evidence does not fit standard definitions of urbanism because it lacks three key elements: scale of differentiation, increased localized diversity and coherence of identity, and a rural and urban dichotomy in lifeways. Instead, I suggest that we need to analyze and reconstruct EBA society in terms of its own regional, economic, political, and social context, and work to build new ways of understanding EBA society. From the standpoint of an anthropological archaeologist, I believe that people in the EBA were working towards a societal project, a cultural endeavor, that involved population aggregation, the founding of fortified communities, intensification of agricultural and pastoral production, innovative water management and irrigation technologies, and increasingly regionalized expression of EBA (material) culture—but that this project was not an urbanizing cultural transformation. I focus on mortuary practices at two major, well-published EBA walled communities, Jericho and Bab adh-Dhra`, in order to demonstrate the lack of coherence, degree of diverse material practices, and absence of pronounced differentiation in EBA society.
The risk of preterm birth and growth restriction in pregnancy after cancer.

It is unclear whether cancer and its treatments increase the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Our aim was to examine whether cancer survivors have higher risks of poor outcomes in pregnancies conceived after diagnosis than women without cancer, and whether these risks differ by cancer type and race. Diagnoses from cancer registries were linked to pregnancy outcomes from birth certificates in three U.S. states. Analyses were limited to the first, live singleton birth conceived after diagnosis. Births to women without a previous cancer diagnosis in the registry were matched to cancer survivors on age at delivery, parity, race/ethnicity and education. Log-binomial regression was used to estimate risk ratios. Cervical cancer survivors had higher risks of preterm birth (Risk ratio = 2.8, 95% Confidence interval: 2.1, 3.7), as did survivors of invasive breast cancer (RR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.7) and leukemia (RR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3, 3.5). We observed a higher risk of small for gestational age (SGA) infants (<10% of weight for age based on a national distribution) in survivors of brain cancer (RR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.8) and extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (RR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.5, 3.6). We did not see an increased risk of infants born preterm, low birth weight, or SGA in pregnancies conceived after ductal carcinoma in situ, thyroid cancer, melanoma, or Hodgkin lymphoma. While our results are reassuring for survivors of many cancers, some will need closer monitoring during pregnancy.
0330 Incorporating pre-existing knowledge of within, between-worker, and between-group variability into exposure assessment using a bayesian approach

Occupational exposures can vary substantially within- and between- workers in an exposure group, as well as between groups. In prospective studies, due to resource constraints, it can be difficult to estimate these sources of variation reliably through repeated measurements on individuals from all groups. In retrospective exposure reconstructions, measurements required for evaluation of these sources of variability may be highly imbalanced or missing. To help address these issues, we propose a Bayesian statistical modelling framework for incorporating historical information for occupational exposure assessment studies with repeated measurements. More specifically, we provide guidance for constructing informative prior distributions for the within- and between-worker, as well as between-group geometric standard deviations. These priors can be anchored in either historical data or expert judgments, are intuitive to specify, and transparent in their underlying assumptions. Our approach accommodates unequal numbers of samples per worker, varying numbers of workers per group, and situations where some workers do not have repeated measurements. In addition to yielding standard output such as posterior distributions of the variance components, our approach can yield posterior distributions of quantities such as differences in contrasts to compare different grouping schemes for applications in epidemiology. We illustrate the approach via simulation study based on a representative range of settings found in occupational epidemiology.
Behavior near equilibrium and periodic orbits for autonomous equations

In this section, we consider an autonomous RFDE(f) and first discuss the most elementary properties of the solutions near a constant solution x = 0. More specifically, we prove that if no eigenvalues of the linear variational equation lie on the imaginary axis; that is, x = 0 is hyperbolic, then there is a saddle point at x = 0.
CRT-100.44 Quantitative Flow Reserve Computed from Invasive Coronary Angiography as a Risk Predictor for Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy in Cardiac Transplant Patients

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is a leading cause of morbidity after cardiac transplantation. Coronary angiography (ICA) with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is the gold standard test for CAV but has low sensitivity for early CAV. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) correlates with IVUS and is
Cultural Hybridization, Glocalization and American Soccer Supporters: The Case of the Timbers Army

i Acknowledgements ii List of Tables iv List of Figures v Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Chapter 2: Literature Review and Theoretical Frame 8 Chapter 3: Methodology 35 Chapter 4: Findings 48 Chapter 5: Discussion 106 Chapter 6: Conclusion 126 References 132 Appendix A. Informed Consent Form 138 Appendix B. Interview Guide 139 Appendix C. Stadium Seating Map 141 Appendix D. Timbers Army Simpsons Tifo Display 142 Appendix E. The World’s Pitch Campaign 143
Gut Microbiota and Their Regulation

Animals and many of the microorganisms that inhabit them form relationships of symbiotic mutualism, which occurs when coexisting life forms derive mutual benefit from stable associations. On one hand, microorganisms receive a secure habitat and constant food source from vertebrate hosts. On the other hand, mutualistic microbes benefit their hosts by providing signals that lead to optimal host immune system development and by occupying niches otherwise abused by pathogens. Microbes have also been shown to provide vertebrate hosts with metabolic capabilities that enhance energy and nutrient uptake from the diet. The immune system plays a central role in the establishment and maintenance of host: microbe homeostasis, and B-lineage cells play a key role in this regulation. The first segment of this chapter describes the current knowledge regarding the structure and function of the commensal microbiota and the known mechanisms of how nonpathogenic microbes influence B cell development early in life. The rest of the chapter discusses what is known about how B-lineage cells contribute to shaping the composition of commensal microbe membership.
Extremes of Locally Brownian Processes

This chapter looks at extrema and boundary crossings for stationary and near-stationary 1-dimensional processes which are “locally Brownian”. The prototype example is the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, which is both Gaussian and Markov. One can then generalize to non-Gaussian Markov processes (diffusions) and to non-Markov Gaussian processes; and then to more complicated processes for which these serve as approximations. In a different direction, the Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process is a time and space-change of Brownian motion, so that boundary-crossing problems for the latter can be transformed to problems for the former: this is the best way to study issues related to the law of the iterated logarithm.
Ellen Sirleaf-Johnson: A Tribute

I have read numerous commentaries on Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s victory in the Liberian Presidential elections. Many have dubbed her “A Woman of Substance”. Others call her the “Iron Lady”. Yet others portray her as the one beacon of hope in “the worst place to be a woman on earth”. A campaign slogan in Monrovia is reported to have read: “Ellen, She’s Our Man”; another urged people to “Vote for the Old Ma”- a sign of deference and respect for the elder status and consequent wisdom Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is assumed to have garnered over the years. Having won the most votes in Liberia’s run-off election for President, Ms. Sirleaf-Johnson stands on the threshold of becoming the first woman head of state in Africa. She has turned the tide of male-dominated control over the commanding heights of African politics, opening up the possibility that the 21st Century is the century of the African woman in politics. Indeed, this is a victory to be celebrated. As an African woman, I am proud of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for her accomplishments and achievements. Her electoral victory comes a path-breaking development in African politics and a watershed moment in Liberia’s history.
Effects of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept on phagocytic properties in human RPE cybrids with AMD versus normal mitochondria.

Abstract Purpose A critical biological function of retina pigment epithelium (RPE) cells is phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segment (POS) disc membranes. Mitochondrial damage and dysfunction are associated with RPE cells of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) retinas. In this study, we use a transmitochondrial cybrid model to compare the phagocytic properties of RPE cells that contain AMD mitochondria versus age-matched normal mitochondria and their response to treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs: bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and aflibercept. Methods Cybrids, which are cell lines with identical nuclei but mitochondria (mt) from different subjects, are created by fusing mtDNA depleted ARPE-19 cells with platelets from AMD or age-matched normal patients. AMD (n = 5) and normal (n = 5) cybrids were treated with 1 μm fluorescent latex beads (1.52 × 107 beads/mL) and either 2.09 μM of bevacizumab, 2.59 μM of ranibizumab, or 5.16 μM of aflibercept. These doses of anti-VEGF drugs are equivalent to intravitreal injections given to AMD patients with choroidal neovascularization. Flow cytometry was performed using the ImageStreamX Mark II to assess phagocytic bead-uptake. The average fold values for bead-uptake and SEM were calculated using GraphPad Prism software. Results Normal cybrids showed decreased bead-uptake with a fold value of 0.65 ± 0.103 (p = 0.01) after treatment with bevacizumab, 0.80 ± 0.034 (p = 0.0003) with ranibizumab, and 0.81 ± 0.053 (p = 0.007) with aflibercept compared to the untreated normal cybrids (baseline fold of 1). The bevacizumab-treated, ranibizumab-treated, and aflibercept-treated AMD cybrids had decreased bead-uptake with a fold value of 0.71 ± 0.061 (p = 0.001), 0.70 ± 0.101 (p = 0.02), and 0.74 ± 0.125 (p = 0.07), respectively, compared to the untreated AMD cybrids (baseline fold of 1). Conclusions Our initial findings showed that when treated with bevacizumab and ranibizumab, both AMD cybrids and age-matched normal cybrids had a significant decrease in bead-uptake. A similar decrease in bead-uptake was found in normal cybrids treated with aflibercept and while the AMD values trended lower, they were not significant. This data suggests that anti-VEGF drugs can cause loss of phagocytic function.
Structure of the Fc fragment of the NIST reference antibody RM8671.

As the link between antigen binding and immune activation, the antibody Fc region has received extensive structural study. In this report, the structure of the Fc fragment of the NIST IgG1 mAb (reference material 8671) is described at 2.1 A resolution in space group P212121, with approximate unit-cell parameters a = 50, b = 80, c = 138 A. Prior Fc structures with a wide variety of modifications are also surveyed, focusing on those in the same crystal form. To facilitate the analysis of conformations, a reference frame and a two-parameter metric are proposed, considering the CH2 domains as mobile with respect to a fixed dimeric CH3 core. Over several human Fc structures, a significant variation in Fc elbow conformations is observed, which may serve to facilitate the regulation of Fc effector signaling.
Metabolic pathway activation distinguishes transcriptional signatures of CD8+ T cells from HIV-1 elite controllers

Objective:Elite controllers, defined as persons maintaining undetectable levels of HIV-1 replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy, represent living evidence that sustained, natural control of HIV-1 is possible, at least in relatively rare instances. Understanding the complex immunologic
Quality Features for the Integration of Terrestrial and Uav Images

Abstract. The paper presents an innovative approach for improving the orientation results when terrestrial and UAV images are jointly processed. With the existing approaches, the processing of images coming from different platforms and sensors leads often to noisy and inaccurate 3D reconstructions, due to the different nature and properties of the acquired images. In this work, a photogrammetric pipeline is proposed to filter and remove bad computed tie points, according to some quality feature indicators. A completely automatic procedure has been developed to filter the sparse point cloud, in order to improve the orientation results before computing the dense point cloud. We report some tests and results on a dataset of about 140 images (Modena cathedral, Italy). The effectiveness of the filtering procedure was verified using some internal quality indicators, external checks (ground truth data) and qualitative visual analyses.
A Classroom Experiment in Monetary Policy.

AbstractThe authors propose a classroom experiment implementing a simple version of a New Keynesian model suitable for courses in intermediate macroeconomics and money and banking. Students play as either the central bank or members of the private sector. The central banker sets interest rates to meet twin objectives for inflation and the output gap or to meet only an inflation target. In both settings, private sector agents are concerned with correctly forecasting the inflation rate. The authors show that an experiment implementing this setup is feasible and yields results that enhance understanding of the New Keynesian model of monetary policy. They propose alternative versions where the central bank is replaced by a policy rule and provide suggestions for discussing the experimental results with students.
The University of Pennsylvania Classification of Osteonecrosis

The management of osteonecrosis (ON) remains one of the more perplexing problems facing the orthopedic surgeon. There is still much to be learned about the etiology, pathophysiology, and management of this condition. Because prognosis and treatment are determined in large part by the stage of the disease, it is important to use a reliable and efficient method of evaluation and staging. The uniform use of such a system of classification would also enable us to compare the effectiveness of various methods of treatment and determine the best method of management for different stages of osteonecrosis.
Role of a Multidentate Carbonate Donor in MgCl 2 ‑SupportedZiegler–Natta Olefin PolymerizationCatalysis: An Experimental and Computational Approach

A new multidentate carbonate (3,3,3′,3′-tetramethyl-2,2′,3,3′-tetrahydro-1,1′-spirobiindane-5,5′,6,6′-tetracarbonate) is studied as a potential internal electron donor for Ziegler–Natta (Z–N) catal...
CHAPTER 3 – Calculus

Publisher Summary This chapter presents Mathematica's built-in calculus commands. Mathematica is used to investigate limits graphically and numerically. Some limits involving rational functions are computed by factoring the numerator and denominator. Mathematica knows the familiar rules of differentiation—such as the product rule, quotient rule, and chain rule. It is of great use in graphing functions. The ContourPlot method command can be used to graph many equations by including the appropriate options in the ContourPlot command. Some equations are also graphed with the ImplicitPlot command. The ImplicitPlot command is not a built-in Mathematica function and is contained in the package ImplicitPlot located in the graphics folder.
Spatial thinking and fluid Earth science education research

The geosciences consist of multiple disciplines including geology, oceanography, and atmospheric science. Significant work expended to understand spatial thinking skills important to teaching and l...
Models of Type I X-Ray Bursts in 4U 1820-30

I present ignition models for Type I X-ray bursts and superbursts from the ultracompact binary 4U 1820-30. A pure helium secondary is usually assumed for this system, although some evolutionary models predict a small amount of hydrogen (around 10% by mass). I show that even this small amount of hydrogen significantly affects the expected Type I burst properties. Using the 2-4 hour recurrence times observed during periods of regular bursting, I determine the accretion rate onto the star for different compositions, a new constraint on evolutionary models. I show that models with hydrogen predict 10% variations in burst fluence with recurrence time, which should in future allow the accreted composition to be determined. For superbursts, I show that the expected recurrence times are 1-2 years for pure He accretion, and 5-10 years if hydrogen is present. These results emphasise that a combined analysis of normal Type I X-ray bursts and superbursts is a promising way to probe the thermal structure and composition of the neutron star's outer layers.
Abstract P588: A Rare RNF213 Variant is Associated With Moyamoya Disease in an African American Family

Objective: To investigate potential genetic susceptibility for moyamoya disease (MMD) in an African American family. Methods: A young girl with MMD (proband), her father and paternal half-brother u...
The Effect of Summer Cover Crops and Strawberry Cultivars on the Twospotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and the Predatory Mite, Neoseiulus californicus (Acari: Phytoseidae) in Organic Strawberry Production Systems in Florida

The twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae (Koch) (Acari: Tetranychidae), is a key pest of strawberries and many other crops worldwide. Cover cropping, selecting tolerant or resistant cultivars, and biological control are important strategies of an organic management plan. In this study, we examined the effect of summer cover crops and strawberry cultivars on populations of T. urticae and a commercially available predatory mite, Neoseiulus californicus McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae), commonly used for T. urticae management in Florida. In the 2013-2014 season, four cover crops and eight strawberry cultivars were screened at the research station and on a commercial organic strawberry farm. The following season, the most promising cover crops (sunn hemp and hairy indigo) and cultivars, 'Sensation', 'Strawberry Festival', and 'Winterstar' were tested at the research station and on two small organic farms. In the 2016-2017, 2017-2018, and 2018-2019 seasons, a 4-way mix of cover crops was compared to sunn hemp and hairy indigo. In 2016-2017, 'Florida Radiance' was added to the three previously selected cultivars. 'Florida Beauty' replaced 'Strawberry Festival' in 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, and 'Florida Brilliance' replaced 'Winterstar' in 2018-2019. The effects of summer cover crops on both T. urticae and N. californicus were minimal. 'Florida Brilliance', 'Florida Radiance', 'Sensation', 'Strawberry Festival', and 'Winterstar' had lower T. urticae populations and higher yields in most seasons at most locations. The establishment and abundance of N. californicus was similar on these cultivars and was generally higher where T. urticae populations were higher. Implications for organic strawberry production in Florida are discussed.
Multi-omic characterization of the thermal stress phenome in the stony coral Montipora capitata

Background Corals, which form the foundation of biodiverse reef ecosystems, are under threat from warming oceans. Reefs provide essential ecological services, including food, income from tourism, nutrient cycling, waste removal, and the absorption of wave energy to mitigate erosion. Here, we studied the coral thermal stress response using network methods to analyze transcriptomic and polar metabolomic data generated from the Hawaiian rice coral Montipora capitata. Coral nubbins were exposed to ambient or thermal stress conditions over a 5-week period, coinciding with a mass spawning event of this species. The major goal of our study was to expand the inventory of thermal stress-related genes and metabolites present in M. capitata and to study gene-metabolite interactions. These interactions provide the foundation for functional or genetic analysis of key coral genes as well as provide potentially diagnostic markers of pre-bleaching stress. A secondary goal of our study was to analyze the accumulation of sex hormones prior to and during mass spawning to understand how thermal stress may impact reproductive success in M. capitata. Methods M. capitata was exposed to thermal stress during its spawning cycle over the course of 5 weeks, during which time transcriptomic and polar metabolomic data were collected. We analyzed these data streams individually, and then integrated both data sets using MAGI (Metabolite Annotation and Gene Integration) to investigate molecular transitions and biochemical reactions. Results Our results reveal the complexity of the thermal stress phenome in M. capitata, which includes many genes involved in redox regulation, biomineralization, and reproduction. The size and number of modules in the gene co-expression networks expanded from the initial stress response to the onset of bleaching. The later stages involved the suppression of metabolite transport by the coral host, including a variety of sodium-coupled transporters and a putative ammonium transporter, possibly as a response to reduction in algal productivity. The gene-metabolite integration data suggest that thermal treatment results in the activation of animal redox stress pathways involved in quenching molecular oxygen to prevent an overabundance of reactive oxygen species. Lastly, evidence that thermal stress affects reproductive activity was provided by the downregulation of CYP-like genes and the irregular production of sex hormones during the mass spawning cycle. Overall, redox regulation and metabolite transport are key components of the coral animal thermal stress phenome. Mass spawning was highly attenuated under thermal stress, suggesting that global climate change may negatively impact reproductive behavior in this species.
Simultaneous giant hydatid cysts of brain and liver

While hepatic hydatid cysts are most common in occurrence, intracranial hydatid cyst is less common. Simultaneous presence of both varieties is quite rare and poses a challenge for management in terms of involvement of multidisciplinary team and multiple interventions. An 8-year boy presented with neurological symptoms of a space occupying lesion. There was also hepatomegaly. Radiological investigations revealed giant hydatid cysts involving left cerebral hemisphere and left lobe of liver. Cerebral hydatid cyst was operated first by pediatric neurosurgeons. After 10 days of stabilization period, hepatic lesion was removed by pediatric surgeons. Patient showed uneventful recovery and discharged on oral albendazole for 6 months. There was no recurrence at follow-up.
High precision laser micromachining depths by pulsed ultraviolet and mid-UV Nd:YAG laser of sapphire and silicon for microfluidic applications

We explore the use of near-UV and mid-UV Nd:YAG laser for rapid micromachining for microfluidic applications. The laser ablation depths and precision on sapphire and silicon have been discussed.
Improvements of a Radioimmunoassay for Measurement of Viral Antibody in Human Sera

Modifications were made which increased the sensitivity of a solid-phase radioimmunoassay for serum antibody to human herpesviruses. Quantitation of antibody can be accomplished by referring to standard curve titrations.
Digital modulation for an aeronautical mobile satellite system

A review is provided of radio technology, particularly signal modulation, in a satellite-based aeronautical communication system. The propagation environment is examined, and a generic signal-detection strategy is established. The following are then covered: signal bandwidth and carrier modulation; power performance; error detection and block coding; channel spacing; the modulator and demodulator; and coarse frequency error detection.
Novel collector current phenomenon in advanced bipolar transistors operated at deep cryogenic temperatures

A unique phenomenon that we have observed in all advanced bipolar transistors operating below liquid-nitrogen temperature (LNT=77.3K) is the development of a nonideal collector current at very low injection levels. A trap-assisted tunneling of carriers from the emitter to the collector through the base potential barrier is suggested as the mechanism responsible for this observed phenomenon. The differences in the temperature dependence of the collector leakage current between SiGe HBTs and Si BJTs is explained by modelling the electron tunneling transition probability from the emitter region to traps located in the neutral-base using SCORPIO, a calibrated 1-D simulator for low-temperature Si/SiGe bipolar transistors. A self-aligned, shallow- and deep-trench isolated, epitaxial-base transistor with a polysilicon emitter contact was used in the present investigation.
Immobilization of Clover-trapped White-tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus , with Medetomidine and Ketamine, and Antagonism with Atipamezole

We evaluated the effectiveness of immobilizing Clover-trapped White-tailed Deer ( Odocoileus virginanus ) with medetomidine hydrochloride (HCl) and ketamine HCl during winter and summer by monitoring immobilization intervals and vital signs. In winter, we captured deer in Clover traps in 1 4-ha research enclosure for relocation to another on-site enclosure (n = 5). In summer, we captured free-ranging deer in Clover traps to attach radio-collars (n = 4). We administered an estimated 0.055 mg/kg medetomidine HCl and 2.5 mg/kg ketamine HCl to adult (> 1.5 years of age) deer and 0.06 mg/kg medetomidine HCl and 2.5 mg/kg ketamine HCl to subadult ( 30 minutes post-induction. Mean induction time in winter was 11.2 minutes (SE = 2.5, range = 5.4 - 24.2) and 6.5 minutes (SE = 0.8, range = 6.2 - 7.5) in summer. After atipamezole HCl injection, the mean time to walking was 17.1 minutes (SE = 3.5, range = 7.5 - 41.5 minutes) in winter and 11.3 minutes (SE = 3.8, range = 4.7 - 13.5) in summer. Rectal temperature was relatively constant throughout immobilization; however rectal temperatures of 5 deer (n = 3 in winter; n = 2 in summer) exceeded 40 o C, a sign of hyperthermia. Respiration rate and pulse rate peaked at about 20 minutes post-medetomidine HCl and ketamine HCl injection, then generally declined thereafter. No mortalities were observed in our study. Medetomidine HCl and ketamine HCl doses for Clover-trapped White-tailed Deer provided satisfactory induction times, sufficient level of anesthesia for short-distance relocation or radio-collar attachment, and were effectively reversed with an IM injection of atipamezole HCl.
The Material Values Scale: Measurement Properties and Development of a Short Form

In recent years, a number of studies have used the material values scale (MVS) developed by Richins and Dawson ([1992][1]) to examine materialism as a facet of consumer behavior. This research examines the MVS in light of the accumulated evidence concerning this measure. A review of published studies reporting information about the scale and analysis of 15 raw data sets that contain the MVS and other measures revealed that the MVS performs well in terms of reliability and empirical usefulness, but the dimensional structure proposed by Richins and Dawson is not always evident in the data. This article proposes a 15-item measure of the MVS that has better dimension properties than the original version. It also reports the development of a short version of the MVS. Scale lengths of nine, six, and three items were investigated. Results indicate that the nine-item version possesses acceptable psychometric properties when used to measure materialism at a general level. This article also describes a psychometric approach for developing shorter versions of extant multiitem measures. [1]: #ref-15
Conversion of pressure to depth in the ocean

Abstract Employing the Knudsen-Ekman formulation for specific anomaly, a five-term expression is found relating depth and pressure in the ocean. The first four terms provide the conversion in a standard ocean and the remaining term is proportional to the dynamic height anomaly in the water column. In the conversion the importance of the variation of gravity with both latitude and depth is illustrated.
Small-scale tactile graphics for virtual reality systems

As virtual reality technology moves forward, there is a need to provide the user with options for greater realism for closer engagement to the human senses. Haptic systems use force feedback to create a large-scale sensation of physical interaction in a virtual environment. Further refinement can be created by using tactile graphics to reproduce a detailed sense of touch. For example, a haptic system might create the sensation of the weight of a virtual orange that the user picks up, and the sensation of pressure on the fingers as the user squeezes the orange. A tactile graphic system could create the texture of the orange on the user's fingertips. IN the real wold, a detailed sense of touch plays a large part in picking up and manipulating small objects. Our team is working to develop technology that can drive a high density fingertip array of tactile simulators at a rapid refresh rate, sufficient to produce a realistic sense of touch. To meet the project criteria, the mechanism must be much lower cost than existing technologies, and must be sufficiently lightweight and compact to permit portable use and to enable installation of the stimulator array in the fingertip of a tactile glove. The primary intended applications for this technology are accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, teleoperation, and virtual reality systems.
Repeated trade and the velocity of money

Abstract There are two sources of inefficiency of strategic equilibria (SE) in market mechanisms. The first is the oligopolistic effect, which occurs when an agent can single-handedly influence prices. With a continuum of agents we get ‘perfect competition’ and this effect is, of course, wiped out. But the inefficiency of SEs may nevertheless persist because agents are not ‘perfect liquid’, i.e., the constraints of the mechanism are such that they cannot carry out arbitrary trades at the market prices. Our main result is a formal proof of the fact that, if enough repeated rounds of trade are permitted within a single utility period, then the liquidity problem is overcome: SE outcomes turn out to be not only efficient but, in fact, Walrasian.
Statistical analysis of radio star scintillation

Abstract Radio star scintillation data are analysed by statistical techniques to find the autocorrelation functions and power density spectra of the fluctuations in amplitude and phase. Interpretation is given in terms of a drifting phase-changing screen as postulated by Booker, Ratcliffe and Shinn . It is shown how the drift velocity of the irregularities in ionospheric electron density that lead to the scintil lations, as well as the mean square amplitude and phase of the fluctuations, may be obtained from these records.
Trypanosoma lewisi: Characteristics of an antigen which induces ablastic antibody

Abstract The antigen-inducing ablastic antibody was found in the plasma of Trypanosoma letwsi-infected rats which were treated with high doses of hydrocortisone acetate. The antigen (ablastinogen) was demonstrated by immunizing normal rats with hydrocortisone treated, infected rat plasma (TIRP) and testing their antiserum for ablastic antibody. Plasma from either hydrocortisone treated, uninfected rats or from untreated, uninfected rats did not induce detectable ablastic antibody. Ablastinogen in TIRP was stable to ether treatment, to heating at 37 C for 4 hr, and to heating at 56 C for 45 min, but was inactivated by heating at 100 C for 15 min. Pronase treatment (2 mg/ml TIRP) for 4 hr at 37 C inactivated the antigen in 2 out of 3 samples. Ablastinogen was not dialyzable, and gel filtration of TIRP on Sephadex G-200 in aqueous buffer (1.0 M NaCl, 0.1 M Tris-hydrochloride, pH 8.0) separated the antigen into at least 2 components. The separate components did not induce ablastic antibody, however, recombinations of the components did induce ablastic antibody in immunized rats.
Stress field due to a dislocation loop in a heterogeneous thin film–substrate system

In this paper, a superposition method is proposed to compute the stress field due to a dislocation loop in a heterogeneous thin film–substrate system. The problem is decomposed into two sub-problems: the stresses due to a dislocation loop in an infinitely extended bi-material space and the stresses induced by equivalent tractions on the free surface. The area-integral expression of the former is further reformulated in a line-integral form. Taking advantage of the Galerkin potential method and the Fourier transform, this paper then derives the elastic field in a heterogeneous thin film–substrate system due to surface loading. Numerical results demonstrate that both the free surface and the material heterogeneity have great influence on the stress field due to a dislocation loop.
The Nonthermal Rotational Distribution of H3

Although H is nonpolar in the equilateral triangle equilibrium structure, symmetry breakdown due to centrifugal distortion causes a small dipole moment and hence rotational transitions. The spontaneous emission times are on the order of a few weeks for low rotational levels and are comparable to collision intervals in interstellar space. Moreover, there are metastable rotational levels such as J = K = 3, from which spontaneous emissions are rigorously forbidden. A very nonthermal rotational distribution is produced. We present a model calculation simulating the thermalization of H. Since the lifetime of H in interstellar space is orders of magnitude longer than the spontaneous emission time and collision intervals, a steady state approximation is assumed. Accurate theoretical values by ab initio theory are used for spontaneous emission rates. The rates of collision-induced transitions between rotational levels are calculated on the assumption of completely random selection rules using an approximate formula that satisfies the principle of detailed balancing. The results indicate that the observed high population of H in the (3, 3) metastable level toward the Galactic center (M. Goto and coworkers) signifies the presence of very large high-temperature (T ≥ 300 K) and low-density [n(H2) ≤ 70 cm-3] clouds. It is shown that other higher metastable levels may accommodate observable H in such clouds and that the excitation temperature determined from the observed relative populations of (1, 0) and (1, 1) should provide crucial information on the condition of such clouds.
Modulatory effect of calcium on the influx and binding of cadmium in primary cultures of neonatal rat hepatocytes.

Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were exposed to 3 or 30 μM stable cadmium (Cd) in the presence or absence of 1.8 or 3.6 mM calcium (Ca). The presence of Ca significantly reduced the efflux of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from cells regardless of Cd concentration or exposure time. During a 3-h time interval, the influx of Cd into hepatocytes increased from about 5 to 14% of the total extracellular Cd present. The presence of Ca during 30 μM Cd exposures resulted in an 18% reduction (P < 0.01 or 0.001) in Cd influx during a 3-h exposure. About 11% more Cd was bound to those cells exposed in the absence of Ca following 2-h, but not 0.5-h, exposures. Therefore, binding of Cd to hepatocytes was not related directly to Cd uptake since Cd uptake (but not binding) was elevated at the 0.5-h time interval. Although the presence of Cd did not affect the influx of Ca, the presence of Cd increased the binding of Ca by 557% (P < 0.001). Interaction between these cations at the same binding and/or entry sites on (or adjacent to) phospholipid head groups could account for the modulatory effect of Ca on Cd-challenged hepatocytes.
Proteomic landscape of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

The lung is an important reservoir of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Individuals infected with HIV are more prone to pulmonary infections and chronic lung disorders. We hypothesized that compr...
Role of infiltrated leucocytes in tumour growth and spread

Leucocytes are a major component of the tumour microenvironment. Recent studies have indicated that the infiltration and activity of these host cells are regulated by the tumour to promote its survival and progression. Through the production of an array of growth factors, proteases and angiogenic mediators, leucocytes in the tumour microenvironment promote tumour growth, angiogenesis and metastasis.
Total Cadmium, Copper, and Zinc in Two Dreissenid Mussels, Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis, at the Outflow of Lake Ontario

Two closely related Dreissenid mussel species, Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis, both recent invaders of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, have potential as biological monitors of metal contamination. To better understand their usefulness as biomonitors, we measured total cadmium, copper, and zinc concentrations in soft tissues of both species at a site at the outflow of Lake Ontario. We examined total mean metal concentrations in soft tissues for both seasonal and interannual variability. Both mussel species exhibited elevated copper and cadmium concentrations compared to relatively uncontaminated waters. D. bugensis (quagga) mussels bioaccumulated higher levels of cadmium than D. polymorpha (zebra) mussels, while zebra mussels had higher concentrations of zinc and copper. Zebra mussels showed greater interannual variability in metal concentrations than quagga mussels. Total metal concentrations in both species were influenced by season, particularly stage in the reproductive cycle. The two species differed in their seasonal bioaccumulation patterns for both cadmium and zinc, but were similar in their seasonal variability of copper. We did not find a consistent pattern between shell length and total metal concentration for either species. Patterns of bioaccumulation for these species must be better known if they are to be used in biological monitoring programs to assess trends of contamination in the Great Lakes basin.
Electronics Packaging Materials Research at NIST

The Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory at NIST has augmented its laboratory-based research in support of the U.S. commercial microelectronics industry by expanding its efforts in electronics packaging, interconnection and assembly (P/I/A) materials technologies. In conjunction with industry, university and other government agency partners, these new NIST efforts target materials technology issues that underlie the priorities contained within the various electronics industry technology roadmaps. A dominant aspect of the laboratory P/I/A program focuses on the in-situ metrology and data needs associated with the materials and complex material assemblies which comprise today's microelectronic components and circuits.
SURFACE-PLASMON-RESONANCE BASED OPTICAL SENSING

Over the past twenty years, surface plasmon resonance has been developed as an effective technique for use in real-time biotechnological measurements of the kinetics of label-free biomolecular interactions with high sensitivity.1-16 On a fundamental level, it is the dielectric-imaging involvement of the adsorbed biomolecular layer (DNA for example) in shifting the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) frequency by means of electrostatic coupling at the interface with the metal film substrate that facilitates SPR-based optical sensing. Of course, there are various factors that can influence surface plasmon resonance, including plasma nonlocality, phonons, multiplicity of layers, all of which should be carefully examined. Moreover, tunable SPR phenomenology based on the role of a magnetic field (both classically and quantum mechanically) merits consideration in regard to the field's effects on both the substrate17 and the adsorbed layer(s).18 This paper is focused on the establishment of the basic equations governing surface plasmon resonance, incorporating all the features cited above. In it, we present the formulation and closed-form analytical solution for the dynamic, nonlocal screening function of a thick substrate material with a thin external adsorbed layer, which can be extended to multiple layers. The result involves solution of the random phase approximation (RPA) integral equation for the spatially inhomogeneous system of the substrate and adsorbed layer,19-25 given the individual polarizabilities of the thick substrate and the layer. (This is tantamount to the space-time matrix inversion of the inhomogeneous joint dielectric function of the system.) The frequency poles of the resulting screening function determine the shifted surface (and bulk) plasmon resonances and the associated residues at the resonance frequencies provide their relative excitation amplitudes. The latter represent the response strengths of the surface plasmon resonances (oscillator strengths), and will be of interest in optimizing the materials to be employed.