cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Artificial Immune System Inspired Algorithm for Flow-Based Internet Traffic Classification

Internet traffic classification has been researched extensively in the last 10 years, with a few different algorithms applied to it. Internet traffic classification has also become more relevant because of its potential applications in the business world. Having information about network traffic has many benefits in network design, security, management, and accounting. The classification of network traffic is most easily achieved by Machine Learning algorithms, which can automatically build a model from training data, without much input from humans. Artificial Immune System classification algorithms have been used previously to classify network connections in network security systems [1]. They have proven to be very versatile, as well as having low sensitivity to input parameters. Because of this we are encouraged to explore the value of AIS algorithms to the Internet traffic classification problem. In this research, we propose an AIS-inspired algorithm for flow-based traffic classification, where each network flow is classified into an application class. We measure the algorithm's performance with and without the use of kernel functions, using a publicly available data set. We also compare the algorithm's performance with SVM and Naive Bayes classifiers. The algorithm generalizes well and gives high accuracy even with a small training set when compared to other algorithms, although the training and classification times were higher. The algorithm is also insensitive to the use of kernels, which makes it attractive for embedded and IoT applications.
Higher Taxonomic Relationships among Extant Mammals Based on Morphology, with Selected Comparisons of Results from Molecular Data

Abstract Until a few decades ago, phylogenetic relationships among placental orders were ambiguous and usually depicted to radiate as an unresolved “bush.” Resolution of this bush by various workers has been progressing slowly, but with promising results corroborated by nondental, dental, and molecular characters. In this study we continue to seek resolution. A total of 258 nondental and 2 dental characters was analyzed by PAUP and MacClade on 39 vertebrate taxa (3 reptiles, 1 nonmammalian therapsid, and 35 mammals; 20 of the mammals are extant and 15 are extinct) to study higher taxonomic relationships with emphasis on Placentalia (Eutheria). About two-thirds of the characters are osteological, the rest concern soft tissues, including myological but excluding molecular characters (most are our data, the rest are from the literature). Cladistic analysis included all 39 taxa (fossil taxa help to evaluate polarities of characters) and all characters were given equal weight. Extant Mammalia are divided into Prototheria and Theria, the latter into Marsupialia and Placentalia. Placentalia comprises Xenarthra and Epitheria. Within Epitheria, Lipotyphla and Preptotheria (emended) are sister-taxa. Preptotherian taxa group into: ungulate-related taxa and various nonungulates. The former include Carnivora, Pholidota, Tubulidentata, Artiodactyla, Cetacea, Perissodactyla, Hyracoidea, Proboscidea, and Sirenia. A possible association to embrace Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Macroscelidea, Scandentia, Primates, Chiroptera, and Dermoptera is suggested. Significant differences between our findings and those of recent investigators include the dissociation of Pholidota from Xenarthra and the plesiomorphous position of Lipotyphla within Epitheria. Congruence between morphological and molecular results is closer than previously reported.
CONTACTS AND EDGE-STATE EQUILIBRATION IN THE FRACTIONAL QUANTUM HALL EFFECT

We develop a simple kinetic equation description of edge-state dynamics in the fractional quantum Hall effect (FQHE), which allows us to examine in detail equilibration processes between multiple edge modes. As in the integer quantum Hall effect, intermode equilibration is a prerequisite for quantization of the Hall conductance. Two sources for such equilibration are considered: edge-impurity scattering and equilibration by the electrical contacts. Several specific models for electrical contacts are introduced and analyzed. For FQHE states in which edge channels move in both directions, such as \ensuremath{\nu}=2/3, these models for the elecrical contacts do not equilibrate the edge modes, resulting in a nonquantized Hall conductance, even in a four-terminal measurement. Inclusion of edge-impurity scattering, which directly transfers charge between channels, is shown to restore the four-terminal quantized conductance. For specific filling factors, notably \ensuremath{\nu}=4/5 and \ensuremath{\nu}=4/3, the equilibration length due to impurity scattering diverges in the zero-temperature limit, which should lead to a breakdown of quantization for small samples at low temperatures. Experimental implications are discussed.
A q-analog of transposition symmetry for invariant G-functions

Abstract We give an algebraic construction of Milne's v μ [ G ] m ( n ) ( γ ; δ ; z ) functions in terms of the matrix coefficients of certain linear operators B μ ; z . We show that the v μ [ G ] m ( n ) ( γ ; δ ; z ) functions all satisfy “transposition” symmetry if and only if z = ( t ,…, t ) ∈ C n , unless v μ [ G ] 1 ( n ) ( γ ; δ ; z ) is identically zero. This transposition symmetry is a “ q -analog” of that for the ordinary v μ [ G ] m ( n ) ( γ ; δ ;) polynomials of Biedenharn, Gustafson, and Milne. We also define a “ q -analog” of the elementary reduced Wigner coefficients for U ( n ) and give both a combinatorial and representation theoretic interpretation of this definition.
INTERRELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM AND THE NEUROSENSORY RETINA

The role of the retinal pigment epithelium in regulating transport between the choriocapillariss and sensory retina was studied by examining the diffusion fluorescent across the intact rabbit retinal pigment epithelium and the retinal pigment epithelium damaged by intravenous injection of sodium iodate. Destruction of the tight junctions of the retinal pigment epithelium allowed free diffusion of fluorescein from the choroid into the retina. The electrical characteristics of the cat retinal pigment epithelium which play an important role in governing transport of substances across the retinal pigment epithelium were studied. The apical membrane of the cat retinal pigment epithelium resembled that of the frog in having high sensitivity to apical K+, greater sensitivity to apical Na+, and less sensitivity to apical HCO3-. The apical membrane was sensitive to oubain which produced a rapid fall in the transepithelial potential. Previous studies of the electrical properties of the retinal epithelium in cold blooded preparations are summarized with emphasis on the important interactions between the retinal pigment epithelium and sensory retina and the implications that these studies have with regard to the regulation of photoreceptor function.
Nonthermal X-Ray Spectral Flattening toward Low Energies in Early Impulsive Flares

The determination of the low-energy cutoff to nonthermal electron distributions is critical to the calculation of the nonthermal energy in solar flares. The most direct evidence for low-energy cutoffs is flattening of the power-law, nontherma1 X-ray spectra at low energies. However, because of the plasma preheating often seen in flares, the thermal emissions at low energies may hide such spectral flattening of the nonthermal component. We select a category of flares, which we call "early impulsive flares", in which the > 25 keV hard X-ray (HXR) flux increase is delayed by less than 30 s after the flux increase at lower energies. Thus, the plasma preheating in these flares is minimal, so the nonthermal spectrum can be determined to lower energies than in flares with significant preheating. Out of a sample of 33 early impulsive flares observed by the Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopy Imager (RHESSI), 9 showed spectral flattening toward low energies. In these events, the break energy of the double power-law fit to the HXR spectra lies in the range of 10-50 keV, significantly lower than the value we have seen for other flares that do not show such early impulsive emissions. In particular, it correlates with the HXR flux. After correcting the spatially-integrated spectra for albedo from isotropically emitted X-rays and using RHESSI imaging spectroscopy to exclude the extended albedo halo, we find that albedo associated with isotropic or nearly isotropic electrons can only account for the spectral flattening in 3 flares near Sun center. The spectral flattening in the remaining 6 flares is found to be consistent with the existence of a low-energy cutoff in the electron spectrum, falling in the range of 15-50 keV, which also correlates with the HXR flux.
Heat transfer enhancement in Rayleigh-Benard convection

Abstract Direct numerical simulations of three-dimensional Rayleigh-Benard convection are performed with non-uniform temperature boundary conditions at the lower plate. The boundary conditions excite convective states in a form of counterrotating convective rolls that remain stable for at least ten eddy-turnover times even if their size is significantly different from the size of rolls encountered in natural convection at the same Rayleigh number. For longer times applied temperature forcing becomes ineffective and forced convective patterns lose their stability. Changing the size of the convective elements increases heat transfer by about 15–20% as compared with the case of natural convection.
Relationship between the frequency of touching and status in institutionalized profoundly retarded

Touching behavior in a group of institutionalized, profoundly mentally retarded adult males was analyzed with respect to the member’s status within his group. Results indicated that the lower the member’s status, the more frequently he would touch other group members. This suggested that touch functions as an appeasement gesture in this group of residents. Results were discussed as they related to touch and status in nonretarded individuals.
User Eye Fatigue Detection via Eye Movement Behavior

In this study we propose and evaluate a novel approach that allows detection of physical eye fatigue. The proposed approach is based on the analysis of the recorded eye movements via what is called behavioral scores. These easy-to-compute scores can be obtained immediately after a calibration procedure, via processing of such basic eye movements as fixations and saccades extracted from the raw eye positional data recorded by an eye tracker. The results, based on the data from 36 volunteers indicate that one of the behavioral scores, Fixational Qualitative Score, is more sensitive to the onset of eye fatigue than already established methods based on saccadic characteristics only.
Orthogonal decomposition technique for ionospheric tomography

The possibility of reconstructing two-dimensional electron-density profiles in the ionosphere with ionospheric tomography is significant. However, due to the nature of the imaging system, there are several resolution degradation parameters. In order to compensate for these degradation parameters, a priori information must be used. This article introduces the orthogonal decomposition algorithm for image reconstruction, which uses the a priori information to generate a set of orthogonal basis functions for the source domain. This algorithm consists of two simple steps: orthogonal decomposition and recombination. In the development of the algorithm, it is shown that the degradation parameters of the imaging system result in correlations among projections of orthogonal functions. Gram–Schmidt orthogonalization is used to compensate for these correlations, producing a matrix that measures the degradation of the system. Any set of basis functions can be used, and depending upon this choice, the nature of the algorithm varies greatly. Choosing the basis functions of the source domain to be the Fourier kernels produces an algorithm capable of isolating individual frequency components of individual projections. This particular choice of basis functions also results in an algorithm that strongly resembles the direct Fourier method, but without requiring the use of inverse Fourier transforms.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Novel Polymeric Nanoparticles

We extended the self-assembly concepts of macromolecules in solutions to create a variety of unique nanosized polymeric core-shell nanoparticles by means which allow scale-up for industrial production. This paper describes the synthesis methods and the mechanisms governing the design of structural features required for a beneficial use as performance-enhancing additives in rubber vulcanizates as well as the performance of such rubber compositions. The nanoparticles were prepared by the polymerization of block copolymers and their self-assembly in solvents into micelles followed by a subsequent stabilization of their structure by core cross- linking. Depending on the type and macrostructure of the block copolymers, the solvent, the concentration, and other process parameters, a variety of core-shell nanoparticles of different shapes (spheres, hollow spheres, ellipsoids, linear and branched strings, etc.) and sizes have been reproducibly synthesized. Most of the nanoparticles were composed of a solid, highly cross-linked core and an elastomeric shell structure. The evolution and structure of the nanoparticles during the different process steps involved were examined and characterized. The unique performance of spherical nanoparticles as performance-enhancing additives and novel reinforcing agents was explored in rubber compounds. It was also shown that the basic spherical or string type nanoparticles can be used as templates for the design of composite structures comprising the basic polymeric nanoparticles and smaller organic, inorganic, or metallic substructures embedded in and attached to the elastomeric shell molecules.
Dynamics of a creeping Newtonian jet with gravity and surface tension: A finite difference technique for solving steady free‐surface flows using orthogonal curvilinear coordinates

A finite difference technique capable of simulating steady, incompressible, viscous, free-surface flows has been successfully applied to the motion of a creeping Newtonian jet, including both surface tension and gravitational forces. In accordance with experimental results, the numerical solutions predict either a 12 or 16% increase in the jet dimensions depending on whether the jet emerges from a circular or a slit die. Both gravity and surface tension inhibit the swelling behavior.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor mRNA Expression and Peritumoral Edema in Canine Primary Central Nervous System Tumors

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important regulator of tumor angiogenesis and vascular permeability, and has been implicated both in progression of central nervous system (CNS) tumors and development of vasogenic peritumoral edema. A retrospective study was done to characterize the levels of expression of the 3 major canine VEGF isoforms (VEGF120, VEGF164, VEGF188) in a variety of spontaneous canine CNS tumors using quantitative TaqMan reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction. Presence and degree of peritumoral edema also were determined in sampled tumors using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Increased expression of VEGF relative to normal cerebral cortex tissue was seen predominantly in high grade astrocytic (grade IV) and oligodendroglial (grade III) tumors, with lower expression in low grade astrocytomas (grade II) and meningiomas (grade I). All 3 major VEGF isoforms were present; VEGF164 was the predominant isoform, particularly in the tumors with the highest VEGF expression. Peritumoral edema was present in all tumor types; however, a significant association between the extent of peritumoral edema and the level of VEGF expression was not apparent.
Validated age and growth of the leopard shark, Triakis semifasciata, with comments on reproduction

The age, growth, and sexual maturation of the leopard shark, Triakis semifasciata, from central California were studied. Growth band counts in vertebral centra of 162 leopard sharks produced von Bertalanffy growth curves with L∞, K. and to parameters of 1536 mm. 0.082, and -2.31, respectively, for both sexes combined. The L8 value for females (1602 mm TL) was slightly but insignificantly higher than for males (1499 mm TL), but the K and to values were almost identical. Seasonal changes in size modes of young-of-the-year leopard sharks, centrum edge characteristics, and growth and tetracycline mark-recapture from the field were used to validate annual deposition of vertebral centrum band pairs. Sexual maturity was evaluated by the gonads and presence of sperm and eggs; males mature at 7 yr and at about 63% of asymptotic length, and females mature at 10 yr, and at about 72% of asymptotic length. This slow growth, late maturity, and relatively low fecundity may increase their susceptibility to over-exploitation.
An active visual estimator for dexterous manipulation

We present a working implementation of a dynamics based architecture for visual sensing. This architecture provides field rate estimates of the positions and velocities of two independent falling balls in the face of repeated visual occlusions and departures from the field of view. The practical success of this system can be attributed to the interconnection of two strongly nonlinear dynamical systems: a novel triangulating state estimator; and an image plane window controller. We detail the architecture of this active sensor, provide data documenting its performance, and offer an analysis of its soundness in the form of a convergence proof for the estimator and a boundedness proof for the controller.
Tactile displays for multitask environments: The role of concurrent task processing code

The distribution of tasks and stimuli across multiple modalities has been proposed as a means to support multitasking in data-rich environments. In particular, the tactile channel and, more specifically, communication via the use of tactile/haptic icons have received considerable interest in recent years. Past research has examined primarily the impact of concurrent task modality on the effectiveness of tactile information presentation. In contrast, the present study investigates to what extent the interpretation of complex tactile patterns - “tactons” - is affected by another attribute of information: the processing code of concurrent tasks. Participants decoded tactons composed of temporal patterns of vibrations (categorical data) - and concurrently interpreted one of two types of visual task stimuli - requiring either spatial or categorical processing - in a driving simulation. Compared to single-task performance, both dual-task conditions showed a performance decrement. As predicted by Multiple Resource Theory, this decrement was significantly larger when the tacton task was paired with the visual task requiring categorical (as compared to spatial) processing. The findings from this study can serve as input to multidimensional quantitative models of timesharing performance. From an applied perspective, the results suggest that nonspatially-encoded tactons would be preferable in environments which rely heavily on spatial processing, such as car cockpits or flight decks.
Securing wireless communication with implanted medical devices using reciprocal carrier-phase quantization

Securing wireless communication with resourceconstrained implanted medical devices is considered. A method for refreshing symmetric encryption keys by reciprocal quantization of the phase between local oscillators is proposed and analyzed. The method relies on simple low cost implementation and demands virtually no computation power or memory. These properties make the proposed method an attractive alternative to traditional symmetric key establishment algorithms that typically require resources unavailable to implanted devices. It is shown that the proposed method coupled with symmetric encryption results in a resource-efficient solution for securing wireless communication with implanted devices.
Intersectionality and Disability Harassment: The Interactive Effects of Disability, Race, Age, and Gender

A possible interaction among the characteristics of disability, race, gender, and age was examined with respect to formal allegations of disability harassment. Using data from the National Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Research Project, the authors examined whether there was an interaction among disability, gender, age, race, and employer characteristics when considering the proportion of harassment versus other forms of discrimination allegations. Using Exhaustive Chi-Squared Automatic Interaction Detector (Exhaustive CHAID) analysis, the authors detected several interaction effects. They discovered unique clusters of characteristics that place certain groups at a very high and very low risk for experiencing disability harassment. The findings are discussed in the context of past and future research on intersectionality and workplace implications.
Bariatric surgery--a surgeon's perspective.

The prevalence of obesity has increased steadily during the past several decades, and this has become an important public health concern. More than one third of the population of the United States is considered obese, and approximately 15 million (5%) Americans now have a body mass index (BMI) !40 (1). Obesity has been linked to numerous chronic health conditions, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and heart disease (2). Obesity-associated conditions significantly increase hospital length of stay and overall health care costs and markedly decrease life expectancy (3). Furthermore, there are many quality-oflife and adverse psychosocial aspects associated with obesity (4). Bariatric surgery currently appears to be the only effective treatment for severe obesity and its associated comorbidities. In addition, evidence is accumulating that bariatric surgery provides a survival benefit for patients with morbid obesity. Two recent cohort studies have showed that bariatric surgery compared with medical management reduced long-term mortality in patients with morbid obesity (5,6). After adjustment for population characteristics, the decrease in mortality rates in the two studies amounted to 29% (95% confidence interval 8% to 46%) and 40% (95% confidence interval 33% to 55%), respectively.
Pilot testing of an assessment tool for competency in mastoidectomy

Objectives/Hypothesis: To determine the feasibility, validity, and reliability of an evaluation tool for the assessment of competency in mastoid surgery. This study tests the hypothesis that residents of dissimilar training levels differ in their technical performance as measured by this tool. Study Design: Cross-sectional validation study. Methods: Two or more faculty otolaryngologists evaluated each resident performing a cortical mastoidectomy on a cadaveric temporal bone. Performance was rated using global and checklist components of a mastoidectomy assessment tool. Results: Fifteen internal and external faculty members evaluated 23 residents over 3 years resulting in 118 evaluations. Construct validity was observed as scores increased with clinical training year. These differences were greater for more complex tasks. There was a percentage agreement of 78.5% between evaluator pairs in the determination of pass (score 3–5) versus fail (score 1–2) for the checklist instrument, and an agreement of 74.4% for the global instrument. Although agreement was lower for the exact score on a scale of 1 to 5, differences of 1 or less occurred in over 80% of evaluator pairs. Regression analysis confirmed faculty perception that sharpening of the posterior external auditory canal cortex and opening of the antrum from posterior to anterior are strong predictors of overall surgical performance. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the tool we have developed is a feasible, valid, and reliable instrument for the assessment of competency in mastoidectomy. The instrument can be used to provide formative feedback and to identify procedural tasks for which additional training may be necessary. Laryngoscope, 2009
DEFINITIVE EVIDENCE FOR SIMPLE DIAMINE COPPER(I) COMPLEXES

Abstract We wish to present new synthetic and structural evidence for the existence of two copper(1) complexes : N, N'-diisopropylethylenediaminecopper(1) bromide, DIEDCuBr, (I), which adopts a threecoordinate planar geometry and the N, N'.diisopropylethylenediaminecopper0) iodide dimer, [DIEDCuI]2, (2), which exhibits pseudo-tetrahedral geometry about each copper in addition to a copper(I)copper(I) interaction. The aforementioned complexes represent the first of a series1 of classical Werner coordination compounds involving diamine ligands in copper(1) halide complexes. These complexes have been previously uncharacterized due to their extreme air and moisture sensitivity? The preponderance in the literature of copper(1) complexes coordinated to unsaturated nitrogen ligands rather than amino groups is based on the expected instability of the latter due to disproprtionation3. Stability of saturated nitrogen ligands coordinated to copper(I) has been achieved by the presence of strongly π-acidic groups such ...
Fractal-based techniques for a generalized image coding method

This paper presents a new generalized image block coding algorithm which covers fractal techniques, block transform techniques, and vector quantization as its special cases. The coding is performed by approximating each image block with a linear combination of a series of (not necessarily orthogonal) blocks selected from a pool of basis blocks. This pool is made up of (1) a set of fixed basis blocks, (2) a set of blocks taken from the filtered, subsampled image, and (3) a set of blocks taken from the image without any change of scale. The index of the selected basis blocks and their corresponding coefficients make the code for each range block. Methods are proposed for making the pool and selecting blocks from the pool. >
Transgenic Crops and Sustainable Agriculture in the European Context

The rapid adoption of transgenic crops in the United States, Argentina, and Canada stands in strong contrast to the situation in the European Union (EU), where a de facto moratorium has been in place since 1998. This article reviews recent scientific literature relevant to the problematic introduction of transgenic crops in the EU to assess if there are specific reasons why transgenic crops have a potentially greater adverse impact on sustainable agriculture in the EU context than elsewhere. Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals: environmental health, economic profitability, and socioeconomic equity. Transgenic crops do not appear a suitable tool for sustainable agriculture in the EU due to specific environmental, economic, and socioeconomic reasons. Therefore, a moratorium on transgenic crops b ased o n t he precautionary principle should be officially adopted until proper risk assessment. In addition, agroecological alternatives to transgenic crops fit better the EU vision of agriculture.
Effects of an antidepressant mixture on the brain serotonin and predation behavior of hybrid striped bass.

Antidepressants have been found in measurable concentrations in final treated wastewater effluent and receiving waters throughout the world. Studies have shown that these concentrations are typically not overtly toxic, but the psychotropic mode of action of these chemicals warrants examination of their behavioral effects. Exposure of hybrid striped bass to the antidepressants fluoxetine or venlafaxine alone has been shown to cause decreased brain serotonin levels and increased time to capture prey at concentrations typically 1 to 2 orders of magnitude higher than environmentally relevant concentrations. In the present study, equally effective doses of fluoxetine and venlafaxine were used to perform a mixture study, using a toxic unit approach to determine whether these antidepressants may act in an additive manner at lower concentrations. The results indicated that mixtures of these antidepressants caused decreased brain serotonin and increased time to capture prey at concentrations lower than reported in previous studies. Low concentration mixtures caused an additive effect on brain serotonin levels and time to capture prey, whereas higher concentrations were less than additive. The results were consistent with the dose addition concept, with higher concentration mixtures potentially saturating the effects on serotonin in the brain. Results from the present study indicate that antidepressants have the potential to be additive on the biochemical and individual scale, which necessitates more robust analysis of antidepressant mixtures and their potential to act together in low concentration scenarios. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:938–945. © 2015 SETAC
Segregation in social networks based on acquaintanceship and trust

Using 2006 General Social Survey data, the authors compare levels of segregation by race and along other dimensions of potential social cleavage in the contemporary United States. Americans are not as isolated as the most extreme recent estimates suggest. However, hopes that “bridging” social capital is more common in broader acquaintanceship networks than in core networks are not supported. Instead, the entire acquaintanceship network is perceived by Americans to be about as segregated as the much smaller network of close ties. People do not always know the religiosity, political ideology, family behaviors, or socioeconomic status of their acquaintances, but perceived social divisions on these dimensions are high, sometimes rivaling racial segregation in acquaintanceship networks. The major challenge to social integration today comes from the tendency of many Americans to isolate themselves from others who differ on race, political ideology, level of religiosity, and other salient aspects of social identity.
On multihop optical network topology using Kautz digraphs

Proposes a new topology for multihop, optical networks using Kautz digraphs. The properties of such a network as a logical topology are evaluated and compared with other topologies proposed in the literature. For a given degree of each node and a given diameter of the network, a Kautz digraph supports more nodes than other topologies like shufflenet or that using a DeBruijn digraph and hence seems to be an attractive design for the physical topology too.
The Interaction of Α-Thalassaemia and Haemoglobin G Philadelphia

An American Negro woman was found to have HbH disease in association with HbG Philadelphia (alpha68-asn leads to lys). Starch gel electrophoresis failed to reveal the presence of any HbA or HbA2 and studies of globin chain synthesis indicated absence of alphaA production. The alphaG/beta synthesis ratio was 0.63. The woman's son and her two half-sibs had alpha-thalassaemia trait with no HbH and alpha/beta synthesis ratios of 0.84, 0.84 and 0.76. The data indicate that there is no functioning alphaA gene linked to the alphaG gene. The absence of alphaA synthesis by the propositus also indicates that the alpha-thalssaemia gene trans to the alphaG gene completely suppresses alpha chain production, the first evidence for such a gene in Negroes.
Genetic Diversity and Competitive Abilities of Dalea Purpurea (Fabaceae) from Remnant and Restored Grasslands

Allozyme and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analyses were used to characterize the genetic relationships of Dalea purpurea from remnant and restored Illinois tallgrass prairies and a large remnant tallgrass prairie in Kansas. The remnant Illinois populations were less genetically diverse than the restored Illinois populations and the Kansas population. These restored Illinois populations were established with at least two seed sources that were locally collected. There was little population divergence ( ), which F p 0.042 ST is consistent with other perennial forbs, while the genetic relationships among populations reflected geographic proximity. In a greenhouse competition experiment, differences in performance between seedlings was not related to the remnant or restored status of Illinois populations, but plants from Kansas were significantly smaller than Illinois plants. Genetic diversity and competitive ability were not associated with the size of the original source population. Our data indicate that using multiple local seed sources for restoration projects will maintain the local gene pool while enhancing the regional genetic diversity of this species.
Parents' Vaccine Beliefs: A Study of Experiences and Attitudes Among Parents of Children in Private Pre-Schools

Even among highly vaccinated populations such as Rhode Island (RI), there exists a vulnerability to disease outbreaks. This is the basis for requiring proof of immunization for enrollment into school. Although RI grants medical, temporary, and religious vaccination exemptions, little is known about the beliefs of RI parents who seek exemptions for their children. The purpose of this small-scale, cross-sectional, Web-based survey is to describe the vaccine behaviors and beliefs of parents of children attending private pre-school in Providence, RI. In spite of limitations, the results provided the intended baseline assessment of the target population. While such findings should be interpreted with caution, they can be used as the foundation for future research and interventions.
Isolated, Transient, Pneumocephalus-Induced Oculomotor Neuropathy After Microvascular Decompression of the Trigeminal Nerve.

Background Pneumocephalus is a common radiographic finding after posterior fossa craniotomy. In contrast, cranial neuropathies related to pneumocephalus are extremely rare, with only a handful of previous reports. Case Description We present the rare case of a right partial oculomotor mononeuropathy occurring in a 26-year-old woman 4 hours after a microvascular decompression of her right trigeminal nerve. Postoperative imaging revealed pneumocephalus in the interpeduncular cisterns with an air bubble close to the cisternal segment of the right oculomotor nerve, trapped by a fetal right posterior cerebral artery. The patient was placed on 100% Fio 2 (fraction of inspired oxygen) and encouraged to remain in the Trendelenburg position. She was discharged with only modest improvement in her pupil-involved partial oculomotor palsy, but she improved over the course of clinical follow-up and her deficit had completely resolved at 6 months. Conclusions Cranial neuropathy secondary to pneumocephalus is a rare and usually self-limiting condition. Although high-concentration oxygen therapy hastens resolution of pneumocephalus, recovery from pneumocephalus-related neuropathies may take weeks to months. To properly treat pneumocephalus-induced cranial neuropathies, further studies into the mechanism of injury are needed.
Party Members vs. Party Sympathizers in a Period of Declining Membership: Who Does What (and with Whom)?

This paper investigates how political parties are coping with declining membership, asking how parties with low memberships provide substitutes for the resources that party members once provided. Possible substitution strategies include increasing the contributions provided by the members who remain, and increasing the activism of non-members supporters. In this paper we use responses from the 2002 and 2010 European Social Survey to assess changes in partisan mobilization of both types of party supporters. As expected, we find that party members are much more likely to be party workers than non-member supporters, but because of the difference in group sizes, non-members seem to be a significant source of party resources in many countries. We examine the traits associated with activism by members and non-members, and find that non-members tend to differ in politically significant ways, with non-member activists being (on average) less ideological and less wealthy. Because of such differences, there is a potential political significance to party decisions about which supporters to mobilize for election campaigns and other party work.
Chemostratigraphy of glaciomarine sediments in the Sarah Formation, northwest Saudi Arabia

Abstract The Sarah Formation of northern Saudi Arabia mainly consists of glacial ‘outwash’ sediments deposited by turbidite channels and fans. Prior to undertaking chemostratigraphy, the results of seismic interpretation revealed the Sarah Formation to be mainly deposited in a NW–SE trending turbidite system in the study area, comprising channels with associated fans. These are succeeded by fluvio marine sediments at the top of the Sarah Formation. In the absence of good biostratigraphic control, chemostratigraphy was found to be one of the few techniques that could be employed to produce a high resolution correlation scheme for four study wells. Geochemical data were acquired for 50 elements in 550 core samples by ICP–OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometry) and ICP–MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry) but only the ‘key’ ratios Zr/Nb, Nb/Ti, Nb/Cr, Rb/K and Th/Cr were employed for chemostratigraphic purposes as they show significant trends that enable correlative boundaries to be identified and a hierarchical scheme to be proposed. Variations in these parameters are largely related to changes in source/provenance. In order to avoid geochemical variations relating to changes in grain size/lithology, separate schemes were proposed for the sandstone and mudrock samples. The sandstone scheme consists of a hierarchical order of three zones, seven subzones and five divisions, while the mudrock scheme is less detailed, comprising three zones and seven subzones. A ‘finalised’ scheme, based on a combination of the two aforementioned ones, was found to be more useful than employing the correlation proposed for individual lithologies. One of the main conclusions of the study was that the basal chemozones (general term used to describe any chemostratigraphic zone, subzone or division) were identified in wells B and C but were missing from A and D. It is thought that the areas around the two latter wells represented topographically ‘high’ areas during the deposition of the lowermost part of the Sarah Formation, hence the reason that these chemozones may be missing as a result of erosion/non-deposition. Conversely, chemozone C3-2a, occurring towards the top of the Sarah Formation turbidites, is correlative between all four wells. The turbidites are succeeded by the marginal marine sediments of chemozones M3-1 and C3-2bb at the top of the Sarah Formation.
The interactive effect of cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance on anxiety, depression, stress and posttraumatic stress symptoms

Abstract Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a popular transdiagnositic treatment approach, is based on the central tenant that human suffering develops and is exacerbated by psychological inflexibility. Cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance are two interrelated processes central to psychological inflexibility. Despite substantive theoretical rationale that these two processes impact one another’s association with emotional distress and psychopathology, the interaction between cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance in relation to psychological distress has yet to be empirically examined in the extant literature. As such, we examined this interactive effect in relation to four indices of psychological distress (anxiety, depression, stress, and posttraumatic stress) in a large sample of community adults recruited via the internet (N=955). The predicted interactive effect was found across all four symptom measures, with the significant positive association between cognitive fusion and symptom measures being strongest at higher levels of experiential avoidance. These results provide support for proposals that individuals with high cognitive fusion and high experiential avoidance may be particularly prone to experiencing psychological distress.
Chapter 153 – Locusts

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the locusts and their swarm behavior. Locusts are medium- to large-sized grasshopper-like insects that form swarms of hundreds of millions of individuals with the potential to migrate long distances in the tropics and subtropics. Locusts differ from grasshoppers in their responses to crowding. Locusts behave as solitary insects immediately after hatching or when maintained in isolation, but if they are forcibly crowded for as little as 6 hours, they subsequently tend to group together or exhibit gregarious behavior. Locusts do not comprise a single taxonomic group. Rather, they occur in three subfamilies of Acrididae, the Cyrtacanthacridinae, Oedipodinae, and Gomphocerinae. Even within a genus, some species exhibit the swarming habits of locusts, while others lack the habit and never swarm. Pheromones play a part in the maintenance of gregarization. A number of experiments indicate that gregarious locusts of both sexes produce a gregarization pheromone. In adult desert locusts, benzaldehyde, veratrole, guaiacol, phenol, and phenylacetonitrile are its major components. This pheromone enhances the tendency to group as well as having some effect on color change.
Apremilast: A Novel Drug for Treatment of Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

Objective: To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of apremilast and determine its role relative to other agents in the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Data Sources: A PubMed search (1946 to December 2015) using the terms apremilast and CC-10004 was conducted to identify relevant articles. Study Selection and Data Extraction: In vitro or in vivo evaluations of apremilast published in the English language were eligible for inclusion. Controlled clinical trials that involved psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis were selected for review. Data Synthesis: Four trials were identified on the treatment of psoriasis. In those that involved doses of 30 mg twice daily, a significantly greater percentage of patients receiving apremilast (28.8% to 40.9%) compared with placebo (5.3% to 5.8%) achieved at least 75% improvement from baseline in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score at 16 weeks. Two trials were identified on the treatment of psoriatic arthritis. In the one that involved a dose of 30 ...
SOME NASA AERODYNAMIC RESEARCH RELATED TO FOREIGN SYSTEMS

The study of the aerodynamic behavior of some foreign aircraft, missiles and spacecraft became a part of the research activity of the NASA during the cold war era. This research activity involved wind tunnel testing of models that simulated various f oreign systems. It is the purpose of this paper to review some of the NASA aerodynamic research work related to foreign systems from the viewpoint of the author who has been active in much of the effort. The primary emphasis is on systems produced by the former Soviet Union although some systems from other countries were included.
The role of maternity dress consumption in shaping the self and identity during the liminal transition of pregnancy

The present interpretive work explores the consumption experiences of pregnant women transitioning to mother roles, focusing specifically upon the consumption of maternity dress, which has not been...
Effect of amino acid site mutagenesis on the activity and heat stability of Clonorchis sinensis malate dehydrogenase

To search for the effect of mutations of H195 and the amino acid around H195 on the activity and heat stability of C. sinensis malate dehydrogenase for further comprehending the relationship between protein structure and function, the genes of mutant proteins with amino acid site mutation of H195 and around it were manufactured through PCR technique. and the site mutated genes were linked with pQE30 plasmids. The recombinant plasmids were transferred to E. coli for expression of recombinant proteins. The enzymatic activities and cicular dichroism spectra of mutant proteins were measured, and the thermal stabilities of mutant proteins were determined by mensuration of 222 nm cicular dichroism spectra in different temperature. The experimental vesacts showed that replacements of H195 with isoleucine, cysteine and tyrosine caused enzymatic activities decrease of more than 100-folds. The different mutant proteins have different enzymatic activities. Enzyme activities of mutants H195/I195 and H195/Y195 were higher than those of mutants H195N197/I195Y197 and H195T198/C195M198. The structure of mutant H195/Y195 differed from that of native Cs-cMDH markedly. The t_ m of proteins mutant H195/Y195 and H195T198/C195M198 were 63 .5 ℃ and 64 ℃, respectively, which dropped in 4 ℃ and 3.5 ℃ than t_ m of native Cs-cMDH , respectively. It is evident that site mutations of H195 in the catalytic site result in activity decrease distinctly. and replacements of H195 with different amino acids caus enzymatic activities decrease differently. The enzymatic activites drop much more when amino acids around H195 were replaced with amino acids that can form hydrogen-bonds and double sulfur-bonds. Site mutation of H195 and the amino acids around it can change the secondary structure and decrease thermal stability of Cs-cMDH in various degrees.
Experimental assessment of toughness in ceramic matrix composites using the J-integral with digital image correlation part I: methodology and validation

The complex nature of damage in ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) renders conventional methods of measuring quantitative fracture properties impractical. This paper is the first of two-part series that assesses the feasibility of using the J-integral with full-field deformation data from digital image correlation (DIC) to characterize toughness in continuous fiber SiC/SiC CMC laminates. It provides a resource for best practices when incorporating experimentally measured, full-field deformation data into J-integral evaluations of toughness. The techniques discussed are important for researchers attempting to measure fracture properties in advanced materials with damage mechanisms that have yet to be well characterized. Two methods for evaluating potential energy release rates J are presented: (1) numerical integration over a line contour and (2) Gaussian integration over an area contour. Accuracy and path independency for both methods were verified using analytically derived deformation fields for a center-cracked, infinite plate of isotropic material under equi-biaxial tension. Inherent noise in the deformation data and necessary contour truncation at the crack surfaces reduced accuracy and introduced path dependency. However, this was mitigated by careful noise filtering of the deformation data prior to the evaluation of J. Applying the line and area integrals to DIC data from tapered, double-cantilever beam, acrylic compact tension specimens resulted in the findings that (1) both integrals measured fracture toughness within a range of published values; (2) both integrals captured the constant stress intensity factor behavior that is characteristic of the tapered beam geometry; and (3) the area integral measurements were consistently larger than line integral measurements. The area integral is more accurate than the line integral as it samples more data points, reducing its sensitivity to experimental noise. Although variability in experimental data can be minimized, it cannot be eliminated. Measurement error is inevitable; thus, the line and area integrals must be used with caution when characterizing quantitative properties including fracture toughness.