cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancing Interest in Cybersecurity Careers: A Peer Mentoring Perspective

The focus of this paper is an evaluation of our peer mentoring framework designed to encourage more students to seek cybersecurity career pathways through providing peer interactions. We present and compare results from two years (Spring 2016 and 2017) of interaction between students in an introductory Information Systems class (IS 300: Management of Information Systems) and an upper-level elective Cybersecurity course (IS 471: Data Analytics for Cybersecurity). Our results show a continuation of the general trend observed in the 2016 study. The students who receive peer mentoring show more interest in cybersecurity issues and careers and gain more overall knowledge throughout the semester, than those who don't. This is reflected by the results of an anonymous survey and overall grade improvements. These students show more variations regarding their choice of cybersecurity as a career compared to students who did not receive any mentoring, demonstrating that they are able to make more informed decisions. Female students exhibit more pronounced responses to peer mentoring in contrast to their male counterparts.
Service-Learning with Tibetan Refugees in India: A Small University's Experience

In response to requests for assistance from a Tibetan refugee community in Mainpat, India, Northern Arizona University developed a unique service-learning experience, the Mainpat Project, to provide health and other services. The project continued for 4 years despite the limited infrastructure and resources of a small public university and the complexities of working with a host community in a remote area. The Mainpat Project brought together community leaders and multidisciplinary teams of students, faculty, and staff. Based on various types of assessments, observations, and direction from the community, activities focused on needs identified by the Tibetan refugees and interventions to enhance their quality of life. This reflective essay presents results of an exploratory study of community needs, community–university interactions, interventions built on new understandings, challenges, intended and unintended outcomes, and lessons learned from this experience. Proposed strategies for future work in Mainpat build upon existing models of global service-learning.
Strategic Individual Decision Making

I now move to a discussion of strategic decision making by individuals. I discuss questions such as do I choose to be vaccinated against a specific infectious disease? And, more interestingly, how does this decision depend on what other people in the population do? To answer questions like these we first need a basic introduction to game theory—the theory of strategic interactions.
Implementation of a parallel-search trie-based scheme for fast IP lookup

The Internet Protocol (IP) address lookup is required to be resolved fast to keep up with data rate increases. To cope with the increasing number of entries, solutions for IP lookup based on random access memory (RAM), which store prefixes in a trie-based structure, are of interest. In this paper, we propose a flexible and fast trie-based IP-lookup algorithm where parallel searching is performed. This algorithm performs lookup in a maximum of two memory-access times while using a feasible amount of memory.
CityScope: A Data-Driven Interactive Simulation Tool for Urban Design. Use Case Volpe

MIT City Science Group (CS) studies the interaction of social, economic and physical characteristics of urban areas to understand how people use and experience cities with the goal of improving urban design practices to facilitate consensus between stakeholders. Long-established processes of engagement around urban transformation have been reliant on visual communication and complex negotiation to facilitate coordination between stakeholders, including community members, administrative bodies and technical professionals. City Science group proposes a novel methodology of interaction and collaboration called CityScope, a data-driven platform that simulates the impacts of interventions on urban ecosystems prior to detail-design and execution. As stakeholders collectively interact with the platform and understand the impact of proposed interventions in real-time, consensus building and optimization of goals can be achieved. In this article, we outline the methodology behind the basic analysis and visualization elements of the tool and the tangible user interface, to demonstrate an alternate solution to urban design strategies as applied to the Volpe Site case study in Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA.
Modification of Electrode Surfaces Via Chromium Deposition [Capital University]

Microelectrode arrays are useful in electrochemical detection, having the advantage of lower signal to noise ratios compared to traditional sized electrodes. However, they can be expensive and complex to produce. A cheap, easy to produce, and renewable method of preparing microelectrode arrays in an undergraduate laboratory is therefore highly valuable. This project explores the efficacy of producing a random-microelectrode array by partial deposition of chromium onto an electrode surface, enhancing the study of electrochemistry in undergraduate laboratories. This study uses gold, platinum, and glassy carbon electrodes, ruthenium hexamine as a model electron acceptor, and K2Cr2O7 solution as a chromium source. Current results have produced evidence of microelectrode formation. All electrodes have been completely and partially inactivated by chromium deposition via reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and can be reactivated electrochemically as well. Deposition is achieved through direct current potential amperometry (DCPA) and illustrated through both cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). CVs reveal reduction and oxidation of ruthenium hexamine with uncovered electrodes and a loss of reduction and oxidation with chromium covered electrodes. DPVs reveal similar results. The partial deposition that has been achieved can be difficult to replicate and varies with the electrode material. Background CV scans differ in active and inactivated electrodes, suggesting that capacitance varies with deposition. By measuring capacitance compared to deposition, insight regarding electrode coverage may be found. Experiments aimed at replicating published material on microelectrode production (Anal. Chem. 2016, 88, 1753-1759) are also being performed to demonstrate similarities between results. Comparison to published work and refined methodology is needed to provide strong, reproducible evidence of random-microelectrode array production.
Coverage and Access for Americans with Cardiovascular Disease or Risk Factors After the ACA: a Quasi-experimental Study

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the USA. Many with CVD or cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) lacked insurance coverage and access to care before enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). To assess the effect of the ACA on insurance coverage, access to care, and racial/ethnic disparities among non-elderly adults with CVD or CVRFs. Quasi-experimental policy intervention. Nationally representative, non-institutionalized sample of 1,014,450 adults aged 18 to 64 years with CVD or at least 2 established CVRFs in the pre-ACA (2012–2013) and post-ACA (2015–2016) periods. Implementation of ACA provisions on 1 January 2014. Insurance coverage, having a check-up, having a personal physician, and not having to forgo a needed physician visit because of cost. Following ACA implementation, insurance coverage increased by 6.9 percentage points (95% CI, 6.6 to 7.2), not having to forgo a physician visit increased by 3.6 percentage points (CI, 3.3 to 3.9), having a check-up increased by 2.1 percentage points (CI, 1.8 to 2.6), and having a personal physician increased by 1 percentage point (0.6 to 1.3); changes were approximately doubled for those with lower incomes (< $35,000/year). Changes in coverage varied substantially by state and all outcomes improved more in Medicaid expansion states. Although racial/ethnic minorities had greater improvements in some outcomes, approximately 13% black and 29% Hispanic adults continued to lack coverage and access to care post-ACA. The ACA increased coverage and access for adults with CVD or multiple CVRFs; substantial gaps remain, particularly for minorities and those in Medicaid non-expansion states.
‘Step Up’ approach to the application of REBOA technology in a rural trauma system

Our group has developed a ‘Step Up’ approach to the application of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) in a rural trauma system. This incorporates viewing REBOA as a spectrum of technology. Examples of REBOA technology use to improve outcomes and provision of our system’s clinical practice guideline for the Step-Up application of REBOA technology in the care of trauma patients are presented.
Operator-Induced Variability Caused by Hand Mixing of Cement Paste—Effects on Fresh and Hardened Properties

Laboratories typically adapt ASTM C305-14, Standard Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency, ASTM C1738-19, Standard Practice for High-Shear Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes, and other standardized mixing methods to prepare cement paste and mortar specimens for testing. Hand mixing is adapted when small amounts of material are available (for example, pure phases) or necessary for testing (for example, isothermal calorimetry testing). Although a majority of past research has focused on studying the dependence of cement paste rheology on mixing, relatively fewer studies have focused on hydration and hardened properties of cement pastes. In this study, fresh and hardened cement paste properties were tested at two water-to-cement ratios (w/c): 0.36 and 0.45. The following tests were performed: flow test, set time, isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), apparent density, and entrapped air. Results from hand mixing were compared to those from mechanical mixing (ASTM C305-14). Operator-induced variability that was due to hand mixing was assessed by comparing results obtained by three operators. Data were quantitatively evaluated using the coefficient of variation (CV) values for hand-mixing results, and the percentage difference (PD) between the mechanical mixing result and the average hand-mixing result. For most results from the tests conducted, CV and PD were below 5 %, and hence, they may be considered insignificant. A few measured parameters (certain flow diameters, set times, peak heat time) showed CV and PD values ranging from 5 to 10 % and could be potentially significant. The highest values of CV and PD were found for entrapped air, likely because values of entrapped air were low. These results suggest that for carrying out certain tests on cement pastes in the lab such as isothermal calorimetry and TGA, hand mixing could potentially be used instead of ASTM C305-14 without altering results.
Population genomics of a bioluminescent symbiosis sheds light on symbiont transmission and specificity

Abstract All organisms depend on symbiotic associations with bacteria for their success, yet the processes by which specific symbioses are established and persist remain largely undescribed. To examine the ecological mechanisms involved in maintaining symbiont specificity over host generations, we examined the population genomics of a binary symbiosis involving the coral reef cardinalfish Siphamia tubifer and the luminous bacterium Photobacterium mandapamensis. Using restriction site-associated sequencing (RAD-Seq) methods we demonstrate that the facultative symbiont of S. tubifer exhibits genetic structure at spatial scales of tens of kilometers in Okinawa, Japan in the absence of physical dispersal barriers and in contrast to the host fish. These results suggest the host’s behavioral ecology help structure symbiont populations at a reef site by symbiont enrichment, consequently fostering symbiont specificity. This approach also revealed several symbiont genes that were divergent between host populations including genes known to play a role in other host-bacteria associations.
Development of a "First Five Minutes" Program to Improve Staff Response to Pediatric Codes.

Background: Delayed or inadequate cardiopulmonary resuscitation during cardiopulmonary arrest is associated with adverse resuscitation outcomes in pediatric patients. Therefore, a "First Five Minutes" program was developed to train all inpatient acute care nurses in resuscitation skills. The program focused on steps to take during the first 5 minutes. Objective: To improve response of bedside personnel in the first few minutes of a cardiopulmonary emergency. Methods: A simulation-based in situ educational program was developed that focused on the components of the American Heart Association's "Get With the Guidelines" recommendations. The program was implemented in several phases to improve instruction and focus on necessary skills. Results: The program garnered positive feedback from participants and was deemed helpful in preparing nurses and other staff members to respond to a patient in cardiopulmonary arrest. Time to chest compressions improved after training, and postintervention responses to questions regarding future code performance indicated participant recognition of the priority of the interventions addressed, such as backboard use, timely initiation of chest compressions, and timely administration of medications. Preliminary data show staff improvements in mock code performance. Conclusions: The First Five Minutes program has proved to be a successful educational initiative and is expected to be continued indefinitely, with additional phases incorporated as needed. A rigorous study on best teaching methods for the program is planned.
Data analysis of iodine level in iodized salt from monitoring sites in Tibet in 2008

Objective To know the quality of iodized salt and the current situation of the salt coverage in Tibet,and to provide scientific basis for proposing proper prevention and control measures to Iodine dificiency disorders(IDD). Methods In 2008, according to the "Sampling Methods of the Main Products in the Salt Industry",one batch fifteen salt samples were collected in iodized salt processing factory in Tibet. Five townships were chosen in each county based on 5 different directions of east, south, west, north and center. If the monitoring county has less than five townships, then all of the townships were sampled. In each township, four villages were selected withrandom sampling and importance sampling. In each township, 15 households were selected for salt collection. Results A batch of 15 salt samples in a salt processing plant were tested, and all of them were qualified with salt iodine(34.6±1.58) mg/kg. A total of 21 107 edible salt samples were tested, and 11 203 of them were qualified iodized salt. These results meant that the provincial iodized salt coverage rate was 53.08%. Shannan iodized salt coverage rate was 94.31% (3395/3600) which was the highest in Tibet. Those of Nagqu, Changdu, Ngari were lower, they were 29.84% (897/3006), 24.94% (823/3300) and 17.08% (205/1200), respectively. Conclusions The quality of iodized salt in Tibet is up to the national standard, but the coverage rate of iodized salt is very low.We suggest that the strategy should be carried out according to the national overall program strategy and supplement iodized oil capsule for special groups. Key words: Iodine; Salts; Outcome assessment
Dialysis, COVID-19, Poverty, and Race in Greater Chicago: An Ecological Analysis.

Rationale & Objective Persons with end-stage kidney disease receiving in-center maintenance hemodialysis may be at high risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposure and severe outcomes with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The objective of this study was to examine the correlation of SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate per capita and COVID-19–associated deaths with number of dialysis stations and demographics of residents within zip codes in Cook County, IL. Study Design Ecological analysis. Setting & Participants Data for SARS-CoV-2 test results and COVID-19–associated deaths during January 21 to June 15, 2020, among the 5,232,412 residents living within the 163 zip codes in Cook County, IL, were merged with demographic and income data from the US Census Bureau. The total number of positive test results in this population was 84,353 and total number of deaths was 4,007. Assessments Number of dialysis stations and stations per capita within a zip code were calculated. SARS-CoV-2–positive test results per capita were calculated as number of positive test results divided by the zip code population. COVID-19–associated deaths per capita were calculated as COVID-19 deaths among residents for a given zip code divided by the zip code population. Analytic Approach Spearman rank correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the correlation of SARS-CoV-2–positive tests per capita and COVID-19–associated deaths per capita with dialysis stations, demographics, and household poverty. To account for multiple testing, statistical significance was considered as P Results Among the 163 Cook County zip codes, there were 2,501 dialysis stations. Positive test results per capita were significantly associated with number of dialysis stations (r=0.25; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.29; P Limitations Analysis is at the zip code level and not at the person level. Conclusions The number of dialysis stations within a zip code correlates with the SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate per capita in Cook County, IL, and this correlation may be driven by population density and the demographics of the residents. These findings highlight the high risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure for patients with end-stage kidney disease living in poor urban areas.
On the Facility Location Problem in Online and Dynamic Models.

In this paper we study the facility location problem in the online with recourse and dynamic algorithm models. In the online with recourse model, clients arrive one by one and our algorithm needs to maintain good solutions at all time steps with only a few changes to the previously made decisions (called recourse). We show that the classic local search technique can lead to a (1+√2+e)-competitive online algorithm for facility location with only O(log n/e log 1/e) amortized facility and client recourse, where n is the total number of clients arrived during the process. We then turn to the dynamic algorithm model for the problem, where the main goal is to design fast algorithms that maintain good solutions at all time steps. We show that the result for online facility location, combined with the randomized local search technique of Charikar and Guha [Charikar and Guha, 2005], leads to a (1+√2+e)-approximation dynamic algorithm with total update time of O(n²) in the incremental setting against adaptive adversaries. The approximation factor of our algorithm matches the best offline analysis of the classic local search algorithm. Finally, we study the fully dynamic model for facility location, where clients can both arrive and depart. Our main result is an O(1)-approximation algorithm in this model with O(|F|) preprocessing time and O(nlog³ D) total update time for the HST metric spaces, where |F| is the number of potential facility locations. Using the seminal results of Bartal [Bartal, 1996] and Fakcharoenphol, Rao and Talwar [Fakcharoenphol et al., 2003], which show that any arbitrary N-point metric space can be embedded into a distribution over HSTs such that the expected distortion is at most O(log N), we obtain an O(log |F|) approximation with preprocessing time of O(|F|²log |F|) and O(nlog³ D) total update time. The approximation guarantee holds in expectation for every time step of the algorithm, and the result holds in the oblivious adversary model.
Veritas: an admissible detector for targets of unknown strength

Inspired by the comic faux-Latin aphorism veritas duo sigma" (truth at two sigmas), an approach to target detection is proposed based on a likelihood ratio test in which the unknown target strength is treated as known, with strength chosen to correspond to a minimal level of detectability. For Gaussian distributions, this strength typically corresponds to two or three sigmas. This detector is admissible, which means that there is no other detector that is uniformly superior to it. The simplicity of the veritas detector permits closed-form solutions to be derived for a variety of signal detection problems. In a series of numerical experiments, these simple detectors are compared to traditional detectors, such as the locally most powerful detector and the generalized likelihood ratio test detector.
HER2-positive breast cancer and tyrosine kinase inhibitors: the time is now.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer accounts for 20–25% of all breast cancers. Multiple HER2-targeted therapies have been developed over the last few years, including the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) lapatinib, neratinib, tucatinib, and pyrotinib. These drugs target HER2 and other receptors of the epidermal growth factor receptor family, therefore each has unique efficacy and adverse event profile. HER2-directed TKIs have been studied in the early stage and advanced settings and have shown promising responses. There is increasing interest in utilizing these drugs in combination with chemotherapy and /or other HER2-directed agents in patients with central nervous system involvement, TKIs have shown to be effective in this setting for which treatment options have been previously limited and the prognosis remains poor. The aim of this review is to summarize currently approved TKIs for HER2+ breast, key clinical trials, and their use in current clinical practice.
Meaning and Memory: Reconsidering the Appalachian Oral History Project

Initiated in the 1970’s, the Appalachian Oral History Project contains thousands of oral histories collected from residents of the Central Appalachian region. A significant portion of these oral histories were conducted with Black residents of the region, thus serving as a repository of voices long left unheard in the dominant historical narrative. Like many such collections, the audio cassettes were left to gather dust for decades. A project has recently begun to digitize and preserve all of the oral histories. What do the oral histories in the AOHP collection have to say to us today about both Black identity in Central Appalachia and the use of oral history to confront questions of place and identity? More importantly, how do contemporary Black residents in one of the same communities in which the oral histories were originally conducted wish to respond to the recorded interviews? Digital recordings were played for Black residents of the same community from which many of the original oral histories were collected in order to foster conversation and dialogue about the material. Using ethnographic methods, this research illustrates the ways new forms of archival work and historical scholarship provide a crucial opportunity to enhance what we know of place and identity and allows for stories to be reclaimed by the people and communities from which they came. Within these intersections of theory, method, and discipline is found space for information science research to push beyond traditional boundaries and that wholly embrace the political and the fight for social justice.
First-principles study of strain effect on the thermoelectric properties of LaP and LaAs

Rare-earth monopnictides have attracted much attention due to their unusual electronic and topological properties for potential device applications. Here, we study rock-salt structured lanthanum monopnictides LaX (X = P, As) by density functional theory (DFT) simulations. We show systematically that a meta-GGA functional combined with scissor correction can efficiently and accurately compute the electronic structures on a fine DFT k-grid, which is necessary for converging thermoelectric calculations. We also show that strain engineering can effectively improve the thermoelectric performance. Under the optimal conditions of 2% isotropic tensile strain and carrier concentration n = 3 × 1020 cm−3, LaP at a temperature of 1200 K can achieve a figure of merit ZT value >2, which is enhanced by 90% compared to the unstrained value. With carrier doping and strain engineering, lanthanum monopnictides thereby could be promising high-temperature thermoelectric materials.
The Infertility-Abortion Nexus: Does Having Had an Abortion Influence Distress and Help-Seeking for Infertility?

To determine whether a history of abortion is associated with the experience of infertility among women, 2,199 women who ever met medical criteria for infertility were studied. Data for the study c...
Sea-Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor (SeaWiFS)

First page of article Keywords: sea-viewing wide field-of-view sensor (seawifs); data calibration, processing, and validation program
Dietary guidelines for Americans: an historical perspective.

Since 1980, Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been published jointly, every 5 years, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). They benefit from the recommendations of a formally appointed Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. The Guidelines are an example of public health recommendations that are based upon published original research and analysis of that data by expert panels. The Guidelines are intended for healthy adults, so they might reduce their risks for certain diet-related chronic conditions. They are suggestions; they do not serve-and should not be used-as regulations. Greater individualization of dietary recommendations, for both major subgroups of the population and for individual patients, can improve our effectiveness in preventing and treating specific diet-related chronic conditions. To accomplish this objective, we need to move beyond the use of "indicators" (e.g., body mass index or blood cholesterol levels) as if they were "diagnostic," and focus on dietary and pharmacologic interventions (or, in some cases, no intervention) based on more specific diagnostic criteria (e.g., lipid patterns, fat distribution patterns, evidence of insulin resistance, and family history). Better targeting of dietary recommendations should improve their effectiveness, while reducing costs.
Hiding Data in the OSI Network Model

Rather than searching for the holy grail of steganography, this paper presents the basis for development of a tool kit for creating and exploiting hidden channels within the standard design of network communications protocols. The Alice and Bob analogy, derived from cryptology, is used to present network protocols in a way that more clearly defines the problem. Descriptions of typical hidden channel design for each layer of the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) network model are given. Methods of hiding and detection probabilities are summarized. Denying Bob and Alice the ability to communicate electronically may be the only absolute solution.
On ‘Alienation’: An Essay in the Psycholinguistics of Science

My assignment is to contribute to the conceptual and terminological analysis of ‘alienation’. The assignment is worth the effort it demands because the concept is widely used in social science; because phenomena ordered under this rubric are widespread (Toynbee calls this the century of alienation, and my morning newspaper informs me that even working-class youth in America are alienated); and because linguistics may be able to supply a crucial element in the solution of the longstanding puzzle of social science methodology. These reasons are adequate; indeed, they suffice to arouse anxiety.
Executive turnover in the stock option backdating wave: The impact of social context

While boards are known to react to corporate misconduct by removing the executives responsible, little is known about whether the board's response is shaped by the firm's social context. Using the 2006 stock option backdating scandal, in which firms manipulated stock option grant dates, we examine the impact of two dimensions of social context—the pervasiveness of the misconduct and the media attention to the misconduct. We find that firms implicated later in the backdating scandal are less likely to experience executive turnover than those implicated earlier. We also find that the amount of media attention to backdating at the time a firm is implicated in the scandal increases the likelihood that the firm experiences executive turnover.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A protocol for targeted enrichment of intron-containing sequence markers for recent radiations: A phylogenomic example from Heuchera (Saxifragaceae).

Premise of the study: Phylogenetic inference is moving to large multilocus data sets, yet there remains uncertainty in the choice of marker and sequencing method at low taxonomic levels. To address this gap, we present a method for enriching long loci spanning intron-exon boundaries in the genus Heuchera. Methods: Two hundred seventy-eight loci were designed using a splice-site prediction method combining transcriptomic and genomic data. Biotinylated probes were designed for enrichment of these loci. Reference-based assembly was performed using genomic references; additionally, chloroplast and mitochondrial genomes were used as references for off-target reads. The data were aligned and subjected to coalescent and concatenated phylogenetic analyses to demonstrate support for major relationships. Results: Complete or nearly complete (>99%) sequences were assembled from essentially all loci from all taxa. Aligned introns showed a fourfold increase in divergence as opposed to exons. Concatenated analysis gave...
P-Wave Reflection Imaging

The reflection of elastic waves from interfaces is a robust phenomenon extensively used by animals (bats and dolphins), nondestructive techniques, and medical diagnosis. This study addresses the design and implementation of P-wave reflection imaging to evaluate the internal variability in small-scale submerged, soil models. The performance of this technology depends on fundamental aspects of P-wave propagation in soils, the selection of optimal P-wave transducers, and the development of an adequate test methodology. Design issues include transducer directivity, noise, axial resolution, near field effects, and proper thickness of the coupling water layer. The operating frequency is determined by transducer selection and affects the axial and lateral resolution, skin depth, near field, and divergence; high damping transducers permit higher axial resolution. In addition, data gathering must take into consideration temporal and spatial aliasing. Results show that P-wave reflection is a valuable tool to detect subsurface anomalies and layers, to assess phenomena such as slurry sedimentation, and to monitor the evolution of subsurface structures such as soil layers during liquefaction. Gradual changes in impedance, such as in slurry sedimentation, may prevent reflections.
Inhibition of human neutrophil reactive oxygen species production and p67phox translocation by cigarette smoke extract

The association between cigarette smoking and atherogenesis is well established. Inflammatory cells may participate in atherogenesis via activation of the NADPH oxidase and the subsequent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which exacerbates endothelial injury. However, little is known about the ability of cigarette smoke (CS) to modulate NADPH oxidase protein function. In this study, we investigated the ability of a CS extract derived from a high tar cigarette to alter human neutrophil ROS production and the translocation of two NADPH oxidase proteins, p47phox and p67phox. Phorbol ester-induced intracellular and extracellular production of ROS was reduced following CS treatment as measured by enhanced luminol or isoluminol chemiluminescence, respectively, (luminol AUC was reduced by 59%, p < or =0.0001; isoluminol by 49%, p < or =0.001). The phorbol ester-induced phosphorylation and translocation of p47phox from the cytosol to the membrane was not changed by CS treatment but the translocation of p67phox was reduced. Cigarette smoke treatment alone did not provoke neutrophil ROS production. These findings demonstrate that CS treatment reduced agonist-induced human neutrophil ROS production independent of p47phox phosphorylation and translocation from the cytosol to the membrane. However, this inhibition could be attributed to a reduction in translocation of another cytosolic NADPH oxidase protein, p67phox. Although neutrophil-generated ROS have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, this does not appear to be the mechanism by which CS induces vascular injury.
Physiological responses at five estimates of critical velocity

The purpose of this study was to compare critical velocity (CV) estimates from five mathematical models, and to examine the oxygen uptake \(({\dot{V}}{\rm O}_{2})\) and heart rate (HR) responses during treadmill runs at the five estimates of CV. Ten subjects (six males and four females) performed one incremental test to determine maximal oxygen consumption \(({\dot{V}}{\rm O}_{2\,{\rm max}})\) and four or five randomly ordered constant-velocity trials on a treadmill for the estimation of CV. Five mathematical models were used to estimate CV for each subject including two linear, two nonlinear, and an exponential model. Up to five randomly ordered runs to exhaustion were performed by each subject at treadmill velocities that corresponded to the five CV estimates, and \({\dot{V}}{\rm O}_{2}\) and HR responses were monitored throughout each trial. The 3-parameter, nonlinear (Non-3) model produced CV estimates that were significantly (P < 0.05) less than the other four models. During runs at CV estimates, five subjects did not complete 60 min at the their estimate from the Non-3 model, nine did not complete 60 min at their estimate from the Non-2 model, and no subjects completed 60 min at any estimate from the other three models. The mean HR value (179 ± 18 beats min−1, HRpeak) at the end of runs at CV using the Non-3 model was significantly less than the maximal HR (195 ± 7 beats min−1, HRmax) achieved during the incremental trial to exhaustion. However, mean HRpeak values from runs at all other CV estimates were not significantly different from HRmax. Furthermore, data indicated that mean \(\dot{V}{\rm O}_{2}\) values increased during runs at CV estimates from the third minute to the end of exercise for all models, and that these increases in \(\dot{V}{\rm O}_{2}\) (range = 367–458 ml min−1) were significantly greater than that typically associated with O2 drift (≈200 ml min−1) for all but the exponential model, indicating a \(\dot{V}{\rm O}_{2}\) slow component associated with CV estimates from four of the five models. However, the mean \(\dot{V}{\rm O}_{2}\) values at the end of exercise during the runs at CV estimates for all five mathematical models were significantly less than the mean \(\dot{V}{\rm O}_{2\,{\rm max}}\) value. These results suggest that, in most cases, CV estimated from the five models does not represent a fatigueless task. In addition, the mean CV estimates from the five models varied by 18%, and four of the five mean CV estimates were within the heavy exercise domain. Therefore, CV would not represent the demarcation point between heavy and severe exercise domains.
Attempt at a unified interpretation of the self-association of 1-1 ionic surfactants in solvents of low dielectric constant

Abstract On the basis of electrostatic energies alone, 1-1 ionic surfactants in nonpolar solvents are expected to form cyclic dimers and compact oligomers. However, approximate model calculations show that when internal entropy contributions are included, strongly polar acyclic dimers and oligomers may become the species of lowest free energy. This implies that two distinct patterns of aggregation are available for these solutes, as seems to be required by available experimental results. The calculations suggest that when the solvent has a relatively high dielectric constant, ϵ, or the sum of the radii of the ionic headgroups, d, is large, association is best represented by stepwise sequential formation of open-chain oligomers with approximately equal equilibrium constants for the binding of additional monomers. When ϵ and d are both small, compact clusters are preferred. Their electrostatic binding energy increases with increasing aggregation number, n, but their growth is eventually limited at n = nmax by the steric demand of the hydrocarbon chains. When nmax ≥ 16 most of the aggregated surfactant should be present in the form of clusters with n ⋟ n max , and then the association process is much more nearly analogous to micellization in aqueous solutions.
Ethics and Animal Consciousness: How Rubber the Ethical Ruler?

The treatment of nonhuman animals has been marked by extremes of beneficence and cruelty. The ethical guidelines explicitly or informally underlying how we regard other species have been marked by inconsistency and an elastic ethics. One of the major controversies involved in nonhuman animal rights and welfare discussions involves the level of their awareness or consciousness of ill treatment. The varying ways in which this issue has been conceptualized, studied, and applied to the lives of other species throughout history are reviewed, and the difficulties of setting thresholds for differential ethical and moral concern for various taxa are discussed. A more holistic and ecological moral vision for valuing other animals is proposed.
Separation factor for the extraction systems, YCl3-ErCl3-HCl, YCl3-HoCl3-HCl and some lanthanide chlorides-hydrochloric acid with 1 M di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid in n-heptane

The distribution coefficients of Y, Er and Ho and the separation factors of some lanthanides with respect to Y are given at macro-concentrations when the lanthanides are extracted by 1·0 M di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) in n-heptane from their chloride solutions. It has been shows that the separation of Er and Ho from Y is difficult with D2EHPA. However, the values of the separation factors of Sm, Gd, Dy and Yb to Y indicate that removal of these lanthanides from Y is rather easy.
Use of acrolein vapors for the anhydrous preparation of bone tissue for electron microscopy

A method has been developed which utilizes the vapors of acrolein for the anhydrous preparation of embryonic chick bone for electron microscopy. Only a very brief exposure to acrolein vapors is necessary for adequate fixation of the tissue. Dense mineral granules in the mitochondria of osteogenic cells are observed in unstained sections treated anhydrously, and platelet- and needle-shaped mineral particles forming clusters of various sizes are found in the newly mineralized osteoid. The mass of mineral deposited increases rapidly with distance from the osteoblast principally as the result of an increase in the size of the clusters (number of mineral particles) and not in the size of the solid phase particles (“crystals”) per se. Stained sections reveal nuclei, endoplasmic reticulum, collagen, and other components typical of the cells and extracellular matrices of bone tissue. The features observed are similar to those obtained with other anhydrous procedures utilizing organic solvents or ultracryomicrotomy.
Localization of α-tocopherol in hepatic chromatin from rats maintained on a tocopherol-deficient diet

Abstract 1. 1. A very significant amount of α-tocopherol was localized in hepatic chromatin when [ 3 H] d -α-tocopherol was intravenously injected into rats maintained on tocopherol-deficient diet. 2. 2. The site of association of α-tocopherol in the intrachromatin domain was examined by several methods. 3. 3. The results show that α-tocopherol is predominantly localized in the heterochromatin and is associated with proteins exhibiting the characteristics of nonhistone proteins that have very high affinity for DNA.
Hematuria in the Newborn

Microscopic and gross hematuria, while rare in healthy newborns, is more common in premature infants, particularly those cared for in the neonatal intensive care unit. Hematuria may be transient, but may require evaluation, investigation, and intervention in a timely manner. This article discusses the causes, workup, and treatment of the more common forms of newborn hematuria.
Local expression of interleukin-2 by B16 melanoma cells results in decreased tumour growth and long-term tumour dormancy

The tumour microenvironment is complex containing not only neoplastic cells but also a variety of host cells. The heterogeneous infiltrating immune cells include subsets of cells with opposing functions, whose activities are mediated either directly or through the cytokines they produce. Systemic delivery of cytokines such as interleukin‐2 ( IL‐2) has been used clinically to enhance anti‐tumour responses, but these molecules are generally thought to have evolved to act locally in a paracrine fashion. In this study we examined the effect of local production of IL‐2 on the growth and the immune response to B16 melanoma cells. We found that the local production of IL‐2 enhances the number of interferon‐γ‐expressing CD8 T and natural killer cells in the tumour, as well as inducing expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 on tumour vessels. These responses were largely absent in interferon‐γ knockout mice. The expression of IL‐2 in the tumour microenvironment decreases tumour growth despite also enhancing Foxp3+ CD4+ regulatory T cells and anti‐inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐10. Higher levels of IL‐2 in the tumour microenvironment eliminated the progressive growth of the B16 cells in vivo, and this inhibition was dependent on the presence of either T cells or, to a lesser extent, natural killer cells. Surprisingly however, the B16 tumours were not completely eliminated but instead were controlled for an extended period of time, suggesting that a form of tumour dormancy was established.
Diminished Lung Compliance and Elevated Surfactant Lipids and Proteins in Nutritionally Obese Young Rats

Dietary-induced obesity is associated with increases in lung weight, lung volume, alveolar surface area, and number of lamellar bodies in alveolar epithelial type II cells. This suggests that alterations in lung compliance and surfactant content may also occur. The effects of dietary-induced obesity on lung function and surfactant composition were studied in newborn male rats raised in (1) small litters until weaning and then fed a high fat diet (Obese Group, n = 23) and (2) normal-sized litters until weaning and subsequently fed a normal rat diet (Control Group, n = 29). At age 8 weeks, lung function was measured in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rats, and surfactant composition was analyzed in lung tissue and lavage fluid. The 8-week-old obese rats had a higher body weight (31%) and fat pad weight/body weight ratio (224%) than the Control Group. When compared with control animals, obese rats had an increased respiratory rate, reduced tidal volume, and decreased lung compliance (dynamic and specific). Disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) in lung tissue and surfactant pellets (large aggregates) and SP-A and SP-B levels in large aggregates were higher in obese than control rats. Phospholipid, DSPC, and triglyceride contents were also elevated in lung tissue in obese rats, suggesting intracellular lipid accumulation, but low relative to alveolar surface area. Thus, alterations in lung function and surfactant lipids and proteins occur in dietary-induced obesity in young rats. We speculate that intrapulmonary lipid deposition and possible surfactant deficiency relative to alveolar surface area may contribute to the reduction in lung compliance in obese rats.
Imaging of buried objects by laser-induced acoustic detection

We report here on the use of acoustic pulses generated by a pulsed-laser incident on the ground surface for the depth- and shape-resolution of buried objects. The laser-induced acoustic wave has considerable advantages over other acoustic wave generation techniques for landmine detection applications. (1) It is efficient because the sound is generated directly in the ground. (2) The acoustic source can be precisely positioned or scanned by optical redirection of the laser spot. (3) Remote, non-ground- contact detection can be accomplished with a receiving microphone in the air or by using optical vibrometry of the soil surface for detection. Research has been focused on the data acquisition and signal processing applicable to de- mining scenarios. A de-convolution method using a Wiener filter is introduced to the processing of data. By scanning the laser position and filtering the time-trace of the reflected acoustic pulse, we have obtained 3D images of the underground objects. The images give us the clear discrimination of the shapes of underground objects. The quality of the images depends on the mismatch of acoustic impedance of buried objects, the bandwidth of acoustic sensor, and the selection of filter function.
Growth Ecology of Carapa nicaraguensis Aublet. (Meliaceae): Implications for Natural Forest Management1

The probability of achieving a sustainable tropical logging operation is increased if the growth of surviving trees is maximized after logging. This research examined the growth ecology of seedlings and trees of the Neotropical timber species, Carapa nicaraguensis (Meliaceae). Shadehouse experiments, field plantings, and growth rate analyses tested the hypothesis that Carapa seedlings and trees experience higher growth rates in high light levels (recently formed logging gaps or logged forest plots) than in low light levels (old logging gaps or undisturbed forest plots). Consistently poor seedling growth rates under low light conditions suggest that seedlings establishing in newly formed gaps will be more successful than those establishing in building-phase gaps. Thus, the first year after logging is a critical time for gap recolonization by Carapa, and seed casting into gaps after logging is recommended. Growth of Carapa trees was significantly faster in logged forest than in undisturbed forest, and was positively associated with light availability. The results provide evidence that harvest models can be both diameter- and illumination-based. Crown illumination was not significantly higher in logged forest than in undisturbed forest, indicating that the illumination scale for this study was not sensitive enough to detect increases in light availability brought about by selective logging. Potential silvicul-tural methods (particularly poison-girdling) that maintain adequate forest light levels in Carapa swamps without significantly altering long-term tree diversity or allowing invasion of secondary species should be explored.
The transition temperature of superconductors with paramagnetic impurities

Abstract The dependence of the superconducting transition temperature on the concentration of Gd spins is reported for the La 3− x Gd x In system. The results are compared with the predictions of the theory of Abrikosov and Gorkov and other experimental attempts to verify the theory.
Strategic management, plant closings, and social responsibility: An integrative process model

A process model of the manner by which organizations formulate and implement managerial strategies in response to plant closings is proposed. The model takes into account the overall context of the plant-closing process, identifying different strategic responses an organization may follow and the nature and philosophy of its social responsiveness. The model links the plant-closing process with theoretical underpinnings derived from both the strategic management and social responsibility literature.
Comparison of physiological responses to maximal arm exercise among able-bodied, paraplegics and quadriplegics

Comparison of physiological responses to maximal arm exercise among able-bodied, paraplegics and quadriplegics