cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution and excretion of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in beef cattle (Bos taurus).

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a perfluoroalkyl surfactant used in many industrial products, is present in industrial wastes and in wastewater treatment plant biosolids. Biosolids are commonly applied to pastures and crops used for animal feed; consequently, PFOS may accumulate in the edible tissues of grazing animals or in animals exposed to contaminated feeds. There are no data on the absorption, distribution, and excretion of PFOS in beef cattle, so a 28-day study was conducted to determine these parameters for PFOS in three Lowline Angus steers given a single oral dose of PFOS at approximately 8 mg/kg body weight. PFOS concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry in multiple tissue compartments. The major route of excretion was in the feces (11 ± 1.3% of the dose, mean ± standard deviation) with minimal PFOS elimination in urine (0.5 ± 0.07% of the dose). At day 28 the mean plasma concentration remained elevated at 52.6 ± 3.4 μg/mL, and it was estimated that 35.8...
Efficient 3D Deconvolution Microscopy with Proximal Algorithms

We investigate efficient 3D deconvolution via application of proximal algorithms, which converge quickly and are flexible to the addition of non-differentiable priors.
Abstract 5013: A meta-analysis of MSI frequency and race in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: African Americans(AA) are at a higher risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and some studies report a higher frequency of microsatellite instability (MSI) in their tumors while others report lower frequency compared to Caucasians. AIM: To determine and evaluate the association of race and clinical factors with MSI rate through meta- analysis. METHODS: Twenty-two studies out of 15105 (1997-2015) were evaluated after a search in different literature databases, using keywords “colorectal cancer, microsatellite instability”. We used random effect meta-analysis to calculate the MSI frequency in all studies as well as in African American and Caucasian samples. Meta-regression analysis was used to assess the univariate effect of race, gender, age, tumor location and stage on MSI rate. RESULTS: The overall MSI frequency among CRCs was 17% (95%CI: 15%-19%, I 2 = 91%). The MSI rate among racial groups were 12%, 12% and 14% in AAs, Hispanics and Caucasians respectively and was not significantly different. Sub-group analysis of studies with racial information indicates MSI OR (95% CI) of 0.78 (0.58-1.06) for AAs compared to Caucasians. CONCLUSION: CRCs demonstrate an MSI frequency of 17%. MSI frequency differences between AAs and Caucasians were not pronounced, suggesting other factors contribute to the racial disparity. There is a large variation in MSI rate between different studies. Methodology approaches and biological sources of this variation should be investigated. Citation Format: Hassan Ashktorab, Sadhna Ahuja, Lakshmi Kannan, Xavier Llor, Nathan Ellis, Rosa M. Xicola, Adeyinka O. Laiyemo, John M. Carethers, Hassan Brim, Mehdi Nouraie. A meta-analysis of MSI frequency and race in colorectal cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 5013.
Estimation in the continuous time mover-stayer model with an application to bond ratings migration: Research Articles

The usual tool for modelling bond ratings migration is a discrete, time-homogeneous Markov chain. Such model assumes that all bonds are homogeneous with respect to their movement behaviour among rating categories and that the movement behaviour does not change over time. However, among recognized sources of heterogeneity in ratings migration is age of a bond (time elapsed since issuance). It has been observed that young bonds have a lower propensity to change ratings, and thus to default, than more seasoned bonds.The aim of this paper is to introduce a continuous, time-non-homogeneous model for bond ratings migration, which also incorporates a simple form of population heterogeneity. The specific form of heterogeneity postulated by the proposed model appears to be suitable for modelling the effect of age of a bond on its propensity to change ratings. This model, called a mover–stayer model, is an extension of a Markov chain.This paper derives the maximum likelihood estimators for the parameters of a continuous time mover–stayer model based on a sample of independent continuously monitored histories of the process, and develops the likelihood ratio statistic for discriminating between the Markov chain and the mover–stayer model. The methods are illustrated using a sample of rating histories of young corporate issuers. For these issuers the default probabilities predicted by the Markov chain and mover–stayer models are different. In particular for 1–4 years old bonds the mover–stayer model estimates substantially lower default probabilities from rating C than a Markov chain. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maximizing harmonic-radar target response: Duty cycle vs. peak power

To optimize a harmonic radar for the detection of electronic targets, a system designer must select appropriate frequencies, power levels, transceiver components, antennas, and waveforms. This work focuses on one tradeoff for radar design: duty cycle vs. peak power, for the transmit waveform. Single-frequency pulses are studied. It is assumed that total (average) power in the transmit band is fixed; however, duty cycle and peak power are adjustable. Harmonics measured using a hardware simulation of a nonlinear radar demonstrate that, to maximize reflected target response, it is advantageous to minimize transmitter duty cycle and maximize peak power.
Impeachment Practice in the Era of Lethal Conflict

In many cases [impeachment] will connect itself with the preexisting factions, and will enlist all their animosities, partialities, influence, and interest on one side or on the other, and in such cases there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties than by the real demonstrations of innocense or guilt. Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 65 In the current environment, impeachment verges on becoming just what the Founding Fathers feared it could become–just another weapon in lethal partisan conflict. By examining the practice of impeachment, we can appreciate that while in theory we want impeachment locked away in a gun safe somewhere in the House, in practice, it really is just a loaded pistol lying out there on the coffee table. Without taking care, the current atmosphere can easily turn impeachment into a "vote of no confidence" on policy grounds–a cheap way to change the government without invoking new elections, to bend the pres...
Evaluation and Evaluative Rigor in the Nonprofit Sector

Nonprofit organizations are under more pressure than ever to provide “rigorous” evidence of program impact. However, as expectations for rigorous evidence rise, many nonprofits struggle with challenges that inhibit evaluation. Recognizing these trends and tensions, this study identifies catalysts and obstacles to evaluation activity and the correlates of evaluative rigor among US nonprofits based on a national survey of registered public charities (n = 311). Results reveal that the most important catalysts to evaluation include the desire to improve program effectiveness and legitimacy, while the most important obstacles include insufficient time and money. Moreover, regression analysis finds that evaluation appears to be most rigorous when (1) evaluation is a priority, (2) a supportive organizational culture exists, (3) management requires evaluation, (4) evaluation is not primarily motivated by personal interest, and (5) evaluation is likely to reveal success. Overall, intrinsically motivated evaluation appears to be more rigorous than externally mandated evaluation, suggesting that stakeholders should work to help capacitate receptive nonprofits to improve evaluative rigor instead of imposing external requirements.
Initial experience in image reconstruction from limited-angle C-arm CBCT data

C-arm cone-beam CT (CBCT) often acquires data over a limited angular range. Image reconstruction from limited-angle data (i.e., data less than a short scan) becomes mathematically an ill-posed problem, and the inversion of the X-ray transform by use of conventional analytic formulas can introduce significant artifacts. In this work, using the adaptive steepest descent and projection-onto-convex-sets (ASD-POCS) algorithm, we investigate image reconstructions from limited-angle simulation cone-beam data and real patient data acquired with a C-arm system. The results show that the algorithm can reconstruct potentially useful images from data collected over limited angular range.
Emerging good practice for cyber security of Industrial Control Systems and SCADA

This paper examines the development of good practice for Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) SCADA security. Good practice and standards are reviewed, along with indications on future developments. (6 pages)
Functional consequences of B-repeat sequence variation in the staphylococcal biofilm protein Aap: deciphering the assembly code.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an opportunistic pathogen that can form robust biofilms that render the bacteria resistant to antibiotic action and immune responses. Intercellular adhesion in S. epidermidis biofilms is mediated by the cell wall-associated Accumulation-Associated Protein (Aap), via zinc-mediated self-assembly of its B-repeat region. This region contains up to 17 nearly-identical sequence repeats, with each repeat assumed to be functionally equivalent. However, Aap B-repeats exist as two subtypes, defined by a cluster of consensus or variant amino acids. These variable residues are positioned near the zinc-binding (and dimerization) site and the stability determinant for the B-repeat fold. We have characterized four B-repeat constructs to assess the functional relevance of the two Aap B-repeat subtypes. Analytical ultracentrifugation experiments demonstrated that constructs with the variant sequence show reduced or absent Zn2+-induced dimerization. Likewise, circular dichroism thermal denaturation experiments showed that the variant sequence could significantly stabilize the fold, depending on its location within the construct. Crystal structures of three of the constructs revealed that the side chains from the variant sequence form an extensive bonding network that can stabilize the fold. Furthermore, altered distribution of charged residues between consensus and variant sequences changes the electrostatic potential in the vicinity of the Zn2+ binding site, providing a mechanistic explanation for the loss of zinc-induced dimerization in the variant constructs. These data suggest an assembly code that defines preferred oligomerization modes of the B-repeat region of Aap and a slip-grip model for initial contact and firm intercellular adhesion during biofilm formation.
Prioritization of polysaccharide utilization and control of regulator activation in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron.

Summary Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron is a human gut symbiotic bacterium that utilizes a myriad of host dietary and mucosal polysaccharides. The proteins responsible for the uptake and breakdown of many of these polysaccharides are transcriptionally regulated by hybrid two-component systems (HTCSs). These systems consist of a single polypeptide harboring the domains of sensor kinases and response regulators, and thus, are thought to autophosphorylate in response to specific signals. We now report that the HTCS BT0366 is phosphorylated in vivo when B. thetaiotaomicron experiences the BT0366 inducer arabinan but not when grown in the presence of glucose. BT0366 phosphorylation and transcription of BT0366-activated genes requires the conserved predicted sites of phosphorylation in BT0366. When chondroitin sulfate is added to arabinan-containing cultures, BT0366 phosphorylation and transcription of BT0366-activated genes are inhibited and the bacterium exhibits diauxic growth. Whereas 20 additional combinations of polysaccharides also give rise to diauxic growth, other combinations result in synergistic or unaltered growth relative to bacteria experiencing a single polysaccharide. The different strategies employed by B. thetaiotaomicron when faced with multiple polysaccharides may aid its competitiveness in the mammalian gut.
Radiological Techniques in Neuropsychological Assessment

Since the introduction (in the early 1970s) of computerized axial tomography (CT) scanning techniques (see review by Oldendorf, 1980), imaging of the brain has been revolutionized. Current CT imaging is capable of generating images that offer detailed depictions of the major anatomical structures of the brain. Prior to the advent of the CT, only inferential imaging methods were available. These procedures were not universally utilized because of their limited clinical efficacy (e.g., radioisotope scans could not detect anything but the largest type of pathology such as a tumor) and morbidity risks with invasive procedures (e.g., pneumoencephalography). Accordingly, for a patient to undergo one of these procedures, there had to be clear clinical justification, and the neuroimages obtained were crude facsimiles in comparison to today’s standards. However, with the current status of CT scanning the patient is at no greater risk than for a routine X-ray procedure, the CT scan provides an excellent image of the brain, and as such has become a routine procedure performed on most patients, including infants and children, presenting with neurologic symptoms.
Standard chemotherapy versus capcitabine for older women with early stage breast cancer: An update of CALGB/CTSU/Alliance 49907.

1022 Background: CALGB 49907 compared capecitabine (X) with standard (S) chemotherapy in BC patients (pts) 65 yrs and older. Initial results: inferiority of X for both RFS and OS at 2.4 yrs median ...
Exposure to febrile-range hyperthermia potentiates Wnt signalling and epithelial-mesenchymal transition gene expression in lung epithelium.

Background: As environmental and body temperatures vary, lung epithelial cells experience temperatures significantly different from normal core temperature. Our previous studies in human lung epith...
After Religious Freedom

I want to thank the contributors to this forum. One of the most gratifying aspects of my job is learning from colleagues who have taken the time to respond to my work. I found very little to disagr...
In Silico Studies of Small Molecule Interactions with Enzymes Reveal Aspects of Catalytic Function

Small molecules, such as solvent, substrate, and cofactor molecules, are key players in enzyme catalysis. Computational methods are powerful tools for exploring the dynamics and thermodynamics of these small molecules as they participate in or contribute to enzymatic processes. In-depth knowledge of how small molecule interactions and dynamics influence protein conformational dynamics and function is critical for progress in the field of enzyme catalysis. Although numerous computational studies have focused on enzyme-substrate complexes to gain insight into catalytic mechanisms, transition states and reaction rates, the dynamics of solvents, substrates, and cofactors are generally less well studied. Also, solvent dynamics within the biomolecular solvation layer play an important part in enzyme catalysis, but a full understanding of its role is hampered by its complexity. Moreover, passive substrate transport has been identified in certain enzymes, and the underlying principles of molecular recognition are an area of active investigation. Enzymes are highly dynamic entities that undergo different conformational changes, which range from side chain rearrangement of a residue to larger-scale conformational dynamics involving domains. These events may happen nearby or far away from the catalytic site, and may occur on different time scales, yet many are related to biological and catalytic function. Computational studies, primarily molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, provide atomistic-level insight and site-specific information on small molecule interactions, and their role in conformational pre-reorganization and dynamics in enzyme catalysis. The review is focused on MD simulation studies of small molecule interactions and dynamics to characterize and comprehend protein dynamics and function in catalyzed reactions. Experimental and theoretical methods available to complement and expand insight from MD simulations are discussed briefly.
Introduction to stereo imaging.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an introduction to stereo imaging. The extremely high resolving power of the electron microscope has greatly advanced the study and understanding of biological systems. The transmission electron microscope produces a projection image of the object that contains only two-dimensional information. This image is a faithful representation of the object only if the specimen is assumed to be infinitely thin. It is found that as this condition does not apply to a real specimen, a sufficient approximation is obtained if the sample is thin compared with the dimensions of the details under study. The tilting of the sample between exposures generates parallax, which is defined as the distance between two points in one micrograph minus the distance between the same two points in the second micrograph. A stereo effect is achieved when two micrographs recorded with different orientations of the specimen with respect to the electron beam are viewed simultaneously. The observed depth in a stereo image can make objects appear either to recede away from or to come up toward the observer.
Influence of Design Representation on Effectiveness of Idea Generation

The issue being investigated is the role of the type of representation used for recording design ideas in idea generation techniques for conceptual design. An empirical study was conducted to test the hypothesis that graphical (pictorial) representation is better than textual (sentential) for recording of design ideas. This study used a standard set of outcome measures: fluency, quality, novelty, and variety of ideas generated by use of different representations. The expressiveness of each representation was also studied by examining the ability to convey key design information of an idea. The experiment was designed and data analyzed based on the principles of statistical DOE. The study confirms the hypothesis that graphical representation provide greater benefits for engineering design idea generation than textual representation.
Interplay among Sequence, Folding Propensity, and Bio-Piezoelectric Response in Short Peptides and Peptoids

Many biomaterials are piezoelectric (i.e., mechanically deform under an applied electric field); however, the molecular origin of this phenomenon remains unclear. In the case of protein-based scaffolds, one possibility involves flexible response of local folding motifs to the applied field. Here, we test this hypothesis by examining the piezoresponse in a series of helical peptide-based oligomers. Control over folding propensity is exerted through systematic variation in both side-chain sequence and backbone composition. Piezoresponse is quantified by piezo-force microscopy on polar self-assembled monolayers. The results indicate backbone rigidity is an important determinant in peptide electromechanical responsiveness.
The Path to “Play the Past”: An Evaluation Journey

Prompted by a national decline in school field trips and the rise of the “digital native” generation of students, the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) initiated a major evaluation and assessment project in 2010 that resulted four years later in the launch of Play the Past, a new model for field trips that integrates mobile and web technologies into the museum experience. After extensive front-end evaluation, MNHS developed the concept for a game-based mobile application and related “digital backpack” for fourth to sixth grade students visiting its new Then Now Wow exhibit. MNHS then used an iterative, rapid-prototyping design process to build the integrated mobile application, testing it repeatedly with students, parent chaperones, and teachers. The summative evaluation confirmed that Play the Past met its intended goals to deepen student engagement; bridge the gap between classroom and museum; and promote the development of students’ critical thinking and collaboration skills.
A UAS-based ultra-wideband radar system for soil moisture measurements

A 2–18 GHz ultra-wideband radar system was designed for soil moisture measurements. We are integrating the system into a small-unmanned helicopter, with a maximum payload capacity of 5 kg. The radar's transmitter generates a highly linear frequency sweep signal based on a fast phase-locked loop and frequency multiplication. The antenna is a four-element array consisting of linearly polarized microstrip monopoles. A custom-designed 1: 4 Wilkinson power divider network feeds the array. In this paper, we present an overview of the radar system and a summary of current development activities, focusing on the antenna structures and initial measurements to show the utility of the system to infer soil moisture characteristics.
Radiosurgery – Gamma Knife and Cyberknife

Stereotactic radiosurgery was first developed in the late 1960s by Lars Leksell. The first patient treated with the Gamma Knife suffered from trigeminal neuralgia. The principles of stereotactic localization were combined with cobalt radiation to focus the gamma beam to a single focal spot. Subsequent technologies have been modifications of the same concepts with and without fixation frames, and with localization on the treatment table using plain X-ray or computed tomography.
Causality as Constraint

Suppose you are trying to arrange furniture you already own in your new house. “Each piece of furniture has some weak constraints associated with it. For example, the bed must go against a wall because the headboard is rickety; two small tables go on either side of the bed; the couch is missing its back legs and so sits on books, which means it must go against a wall so that the back is not visible, and so on. The constraints associated with each piece of furniture are weak because each one can be satisfied in many ways; the bed, for example, can be put against any of several walls. However, once the bed is placed, the entire arrangement may be determined: there may be only one other wall large enough for the couch, the tables must go next to the bed, and so forth” (Kosslyn & Koenig, 1992, p. 111).
Cosurfactant-Enhanced Alkaline/Polymer Floods for Improving Recovery in a Fractured Sandstone Reservoir

This paper presents a new recovery technique for improving waterflood performance in a fractured sandstone reservoir. The presence of fractures leads to very early water breakthrough and makes it difficult to drain the matrix of the fractured reservoir. Consequently, these fractured reservoirs are left with considerable amounts of unproduced oil. An effective technique for plugging the fractures and simultaneous treatment of the matrix to produce oil will lead to great improvement in oil recovery from fractured reservoirs. One such technique is presented in this paper.
Probability Characterization of Solar Farm Power Output and Impact on System Reliability

The deployment of renewable-resources, such as solar, is expected to rise significantly within the coming few years. An issue with such sources is their variability. Hence, modeling and studying their probabilistic behavior become a crucial matter. This paper presents three different methods for computing the generated power probability distribution function (pdf) of a photovoltaic (solar) generation farm (SF) containing large number of solar cell generators (SCGs). The methods are: (1) analytical method, (2) non-sequential Monte Carlo simulation, and (3) sequential Monte Carlo simulation. All three methods are utilized to calculate the pdf of a sample SF with 10 SCGs. Historical solar radiation data is utilized to perform the study. Further, force outage rates (FOR) of components are incorporated in the process of computing the SF generated power pdf. The results from each of the three methods are compared. While the analytical method is considered the benchmark method, all methods yield comparable results. The usefulness of the computed pdf is demonstrated by integrating them into a probabilistic production costing (PPC) model for assessing the reliability of a system comprising one or more SFs.
What Should We Do About Artificial Intelligence in Health Care

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an important driver of growth and investment in the health care industry. In perhaps the most eye-catching example, industry heavyweights such as IBM are leveraging the promise of AI to market diagnostic systems such as Watson for Oncology that offer personalized treatment advice. But can machines really perform the services promised by IBM? What legal principles should underpin decisions made by AI systems? This paper examines these questions and posits that assigning legal personhood to AI may provide necessary predictability and stability to an uncertain legal and regulatory landscape.
Whole-exome sequencing of nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome families and review of Human Gene Mutation Database PTCH1 mutation data.

Background Nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is an autosomal dominant disorder with variable expression and nearly complete penetrance. PTCH1 is the major susceptibility locus and has no known hot spots or genotype-phenotype relationships. Methods We evaluated 18 NBCCS National Cancer Institute (NCI) families plus PTCH1 data on 333 NBCCS disease-causing mutations (DM) reported in the Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD). National Cancer Institute families underwent comprehensive genomic evaluation, and clinical data were extracted from NCI and HGMD cases. Genotype-phenotype relationships were analyzed using Fisher's exact tests focusing on mutation type and PTCH1 domains. Results PTCH1 pathogenic mutations were identified in 16 of 18 NCI families, including three previously mutation-negative families. PTCH1 mutations were spread across the gene with no hot spot. After adjustment for multiple tests, a statistically significant genotype-phenotype association was observed for developmental delay and gross deletion-insertions (p = 9.0 × 10-6 ), and suggestive associations between falx cerebri calcification and all transmembrane domains (p = 0.002) and severe outcomes and gross deletion-insertions (p = 4.0 × 10-4 ). Conclusion Overall, 89% of our NCI families had a pathogenic PTCH1 mutation. The identification of PTCH1 mutations in previously mutation-negative families underscores the importance of repeated testing when new technologies become available. Additional clinical information linked to mutation databases would enhance follow-up and future studies of genotype-phenotype relationships.
3DeFDR: Identifying cell type-specific looping interactions with empirical false discovery rate guided thresholding

Abstract The mammalian genome is connected into tens of thousands of long-range looping interactions critically linked to spatiotemporal gene expression regulation. An important unanswered question is to what extent looping interactions change across developmental models, genetic perturbations, drug treatments, and disease states. Although methods exist for calling loops in single biological conditions, there is a severe shortage of computational tools for rigorous assessment of cell type-specific looping interactions across multiple biological conditions. Here we present 3DeFDR, a simple and effective statistical tool for classifying dynamic looping interactions across biological conditions from Chromosome-Conformation-Capture-Carbon-Copy (5C) data. 3DeFDR parses chromatin contacts into invariant and cell type-specific classes by thresholding on differences in modeled interaction strength signal across two or three cellular states. Thresholds are iteratively adjusted based on a target empirical false discovery rate computed between real and simulated 5C maps. 3DeFDR enables the sensitive detection of high-confidence looping interactions and markedly reduces false positives when benchmarked against a classic analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, our newly formulated parametric likelihood ratio test (3DLRT), and the leading Hi-C differential interaction caller diffHic. 3DeFDR also sensitively and specifically calls loops in Mb-scale genomic regions parsed from Hi-C data. Our work provides a statistical framework and an open-source coding library for identifying dynamic long-range looping interactions in high-resolution 5C data from multiple cellular conditions.
What Phoenix's jotería is saying: Identity, normativity, resistance

This article questions queer theory's investment in antinormativity and anti-identitarianism by applying a queer multimodal discourse analytic approach to the ethnographic context of queer, bilingual Mexicans/Latinxs in the US Southwest. The article explores the complexity of ways that norms are taken up and resisted (or not) in discourse, with particular attention to the activist use of discourses about community and identity. A close analysis of several texts illuminates how language practices and social practices—as seen, for example, in advertising strategies, participation in annual LGBTQ Pride festivals, and activism surrounding the undocuqueer movement—become invested with social meaning among queer Mexicans/Latinxs. (Antinormativity, queer theory, bilingual, sexual identity, community, Latinx, joteria)*
Sternal Reconstruction with Non-Rigid Biologic Mesh Overlay.

Adequate reconstruction of sternal defects is critical for function and quality of life. Reconstructive techniques have historically included a rigid component, most often a synthetic prosthesis, but these are associated with complications related to presence of a foreign body and the loss of native bone's flexibility and growth capability. Recently, biologic mesh has been used as an alternative for reconstructions of the chest wall, but not the sternum. We present the case of a large sternal defect after chondrosarcoma resection reconstructed with porcine acellular dermal matrix and soft tissue flaps, without rigid component, and with excellent patient outcome through 2 years of follow-up.
SIMPLE: single-frame based physical layer identification for intrusion detection and prevention on in-vehicle networks

The Controller Area Network (CAN) is a bus standard commonly used in the automotive industry for connecting Electronic Control Units (ECUs) within a vehicle. The broadcast nature of this protocol, along with the lack of authentication or strong integrity guarantees for frames, allows for arbitrary data injection/modification and impersonation of the ECUs. While mitigation strategies have been proposed to counter these attacks, high implementation costs or violation of backward compatibility hinder their deployment. In this work, we first examine the shortcomings of state-of-the-art CAN intrusion detection and identification systems that rely on multiple frames to detect misbehavior and attribute it to a particular ECU, and show that they are vulnerable to a Hill-Climbing-style attack. Then we propose SIMPLE, a real-time intrusion detection and identification system that exploits physical layer features of ECUs, which would not only allow an attack to be detected using a single frame but also be effectively nullified. SIMPLE has low computational and data acquisition costs, and its efficacy is demonstrated by both in-lab experiments with automotive-grade CAN transceivers as well as in-vehicle experiments, where average equal error rates of close to 0% and 0.8985% are achieved, respectively.
Labor Mobilization and Cooperation for Urban Construction: Building Apartment Compounds at Teotihuacan

Teotihuacan underwent an urban renewal during the Tlamimilolpa phase (AD 250–350) in which more than 2,000 apartment compounds were constructed to accommodate its estimated 100,000 residents. Although the orderly layout and canonical orientation of the city imply top-down planning, growing evidence suggests a bottom-up process of urban transformation. This study combines architectural energetics with archaeometric analysis of nonlocal construction materials (lime plaster and andesitic cut stone blocks) to examine the labor organization behind the construction of the apartment compounds. The results of the energetic analysis suggest that residents relied on labor forces external to their compounds, whereas materials analysis indicates that the procurement, transportation, and production of building material were centrally organized and thus indicative of a state labor tax. Based on these results, I argue that compounds were assembled through corporate group labor exchange or communal (neighborhood-level) labor cooperation/obligation, with differing degrees of support from the state labor tax. Apartment compound construction was not uniform but rather a diverse process in which state labor mobilization, communal labor obligations, and corporate labor exchange were articulated in various ways.
Structural Tolerance Factor Approach to Defect-Resistant I2-II-IV-X4 Semiconductor Design

Recent work on quaternary semiconductors Cu2BaSn(S,Se)4 and Ag2BaSnSe4 for photovoltaic and thermoelectric applications, respectively, has shown the promise of exploring the broader family of defec...
Multi-Bit Chipless RFID Sensing Methodology for Rotation Determination

Chipless RFID tags can be used for both identification and sensing applications. While binary codes are assigned to the responses of ID tags, they typically are not assigned to the responses of sensing tags. Instead, changes in tag response characteristics, like notches, are related to a sensing parameter. While this provides for a straightforward sensing mechanism, it can be limiting in terms of the dynamic range and sensing resolution that can be achieved. This paper proposes assigning multi-bit codes to the responses of sensing tags in order to better capture the effect of the sensing parameter on the tag response and provide greater sensing capabilities. This is done in the context of a rotation sensing with a tag that is capable of sensing 1° rotations from 0° to 180°. It is also shown that using tags with higher notch densities for sensing can result in better sensing resolution.
Intravenous Levothyroxine During Hemodialysis In A Patient With Hypothyroidism and Non-Adherence to Oral Medications

ABSTRACT Objective We describe an unusual and challenging clinical scenario: a patient with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis with severely uncontrolled hypothyroidism and worsening psychosis, who refused both oral and intramuscular levothyroxine, but was successfully treated with intravenous (IV) levothyroxine given on hemodialysis days. Methods The patient was interviewed and examined on admission and during hospitalization. Thyroid function was assessed through thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), free T4, and triiodothyronine (T3) by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Thyroid function was measured on admission, before and after each hemodialysis session for 1 week, and monthly thereafter. Results The patient was a 71-year-old female with schizoaffective disorder, end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, and uncontrolled Hashimoto thyroiditis due to non-adherence to oral levothyroxine therapy. On admission her TSH was 172.6 mIU/mL, free T4 was 0.59 ng/dL, and total T3 was 52 ng/dL. She presented to the hospital from her nursing home after repeated refusal to go to hemodialysis sessions secondary to worsening psychosis. At the hospital, she agreed to undergo hemodialysis and receive IV medications, but refused oral and intramuscular levothyroxine. After initiation of IV levothyroxine therapy 3 times weekly during hemodialysis, the patient's thyroid function normalized within 19 weeks (TSH was 2.2 mIU/L, free T4 was 1.3 ng/dL, total T3 was 60 ng/dL). The achievement of the euthyroid status and adjustment of the patient's psychiatric medication regimen were followed by a resolution of the patient's psychosis. Conclusion This case report demonstrates an unusual approach to the successful control of hypothyroidism, namely administration of IV levothyroxine 3 times weekly during hemodialysis sessions when conventional routes of levothyroxine administration could not be used due to the patient's refusal. Abbreviations IM intramuscular IV intravenous T3 triiodothyronine T4 thyroxine TSH thyroid-stimulating hormone
In Reply: Prepontine Shunting for Pseudotumor Cerebri in Previously Failed Shunt Patients: A 5-Year Analysis

Background Shunting procedures have a high failure rate when used to treat pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) patients who have failed medical therapy. This failure is believed to be attributable to the collapsibility of the ventricular system when exposed to increased differential pressure gradients in the cerebral spinal fluid compartments caused by ventriculoperitoneal shunts (VPS). Objective To investigate whether prepontine/interpeduncular cistern shunting may be a reasonable alternative to VPS intervention in PTC patients with history of shunt failure. There have been no large series of cisternal-peritoneal shunt (CPS) patients in the PTC population. Methods A retrospective review of 49 patients with placement of CPS for PTC with 2 failed prior shunting procedures was performed. Shunt survivability was based on shunt patency and resolution of ophthalmologic symptoms and cranial nerve deficits. All patients were followed for a minimum of 3 yr with serial ophthalmologic and neurosurgical evaluations. Results At 3 yr, 44 of the 49 (88.9%) patients had working CPS. Three patients in this group had infections requiring complete shunt removal. Excluding infections, 44 of 46 (95.5%) shunts were functional at 3 yr. There were 3 small, asymptomatic hemorrhages that did not increase patient length of stay, and there were no catastrophic hemorrhages or strokes. There were also no abdominal complications related to shunt placement. Conclusion CPS is a viable alternative to VPS in PTC patients who have failed traditional shunting methods to give these patients a persistent benefit of a working shunt. The procedure provides this solution with low operative and perioperative morbidity.
Improved cortical source localization of ICA-derived EEG components using a source scalp projection noise model

Here, we introduce a novel approach to estimating noise covariance matrices for scalp projection maps of ICA-decomposed EEG sources, and show that they are useful for estimating cortical EEG source distributions. To determine spatial uncertainty characteristics of individual independent component (IC) maps returned by the AMICA decomposition [1], we used the RELICA (Bootstrap-ICA) toolbox [2] to generate 50 decompositions of bootstrap resampled versions of the same EEG data set. This allows identification of clusters of near-identical bootstrap ICs of independent component (IC) maps, each matching the scalp map of a localizable brain effective source in the full data set (reference) AMICA decomposition. This, in turn, makes it possible to estimate the spatial variability of the associated whole-data IC scalp map. For cortical source localization we used the Sparse Compact Smooth (SCS) algorithm of Cao applied to an electrical forward problem head model optimized with a SCALE estimate of individual skull conductivity. When component scalp map noise covariance matrix used in SCS was initialized to the RELICA-derived covariance map (rather than ignored), we observed an improvement in residual variance left unexplained by SCS source localization to a compact cortical patch (or pair of patches). In addition, the peak of the estimated source patch moved, by an average of 14.6 mm (range: 2–20 mm) and in some cases was localized to a different sulcus or gyrus.
Analyzing Medical Guideline Dissemination Behaviors Using Culturally Infused Agent Based Modeling Framework

Clinical practice guidelines are a critical medium for the standardization of practices within the overall medical community. However, several studies have shown that, in general, there is a significant delay in the adoption of recommendations in such guidelines. Surveys have identified multiple barriers, including clinical inertia, organizational culture/incentives, access to information and peer influence on guideline dissemination and adoption. Although modeling techniques, especially agent-based models, have shown promise, a rigorous computational model for guideline dissemination that incorporates the intricacies of medical decision making and interactions of healthcare workers, and can identify more effective dissemination strategies, is needed. Similar modeling and simulation issues are also prevalent in many other domains such as opinion diffusion, innovation, and technology adoption. In this paper, we introduce a novel overarching computational modeling and simulation framework called the Culturally Infused Agent Based Modeling (CI-ABM) Framework. CI-ABM is a generalizable framework that provides the capability to model a wide range of real-world complex scenarios. To validate the framework, we focus on modeling and analyzing the dissemination of a Type 2 diabetes guideline that recommends individualizing glycemic (A1C) goals. Using existing cross-sectional surveys from physicians across the US, we demonstrate how our methodology for incorporating various socio-cultural and other related factors in agent based models lead to better posterior probability-based analysis and prediction of guideline dissemination behaviors.
(Dis)Rupture, (Re) Engage: Occupation and Protest at the Venice Biennale

The Venice Biennale serves as a major international art exhibition celebrating achievements in contemporary art, architecture, film, theater, and dance. Since the turn of the twentieth century, countries select artists to represent their nation and respond to a general theme developed by the Biennale curatorial staff. However, located outside the Biennale pavilions, artist-activists seek to disrupt the formal gallery and exhibition spaces. Though the tradition of protest and disrupture that dates to the 1960s, I examine two recent protest-performances at the 2015 Art Biennale and 2018 Architecture Biennale that respond to environmental, labor, and social issues affecting marginalized and vulnerable populations. Gulf Labor’s collaboration on the #GuggOccupied protest (2015) and the women’s protest at the 2018 Architecture Biennale each used the streets, sidewalks, and docks around/between the Biennale pavilions as platforms for critiquing these issues. These protest-interventions exemplify the greater socio-artistic effects produced against the backdrop of the Venice Biennale.
HIV-1 LTR Activity is Altered by Recruitment of Sp Transcription Factors During Monocytic Differentiation

Viral replication, in part, is mediated by interactions between the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR) and a variety of host cell and viral proteins. Basal and activated LTR activity is dependent on interactions between the G/C box array of the HIV-1 LTR and the Sp family of transcription factors. The effect of monocytic differentiation on Sp factor binding and transactivation has been examined with respect to the HIV-1 LTR. Primary monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), as well as monoblastic (U-937 and THP-1) and myelomonocytic (HL-60) cell lines were utilized in both the absence and presence of chemical differentiating agents to model selected aspects of monocytic differentiation. The binding of Sp1, full-length Sp3, and truncated Sp3 to a high affinity HIV-1 Sp element was examined utilizing electrophoretic mobility shift analyses. Sp1 binding increased relative to the sum of full-length and truncated Sp3 binding following PMA-induced monocytic differentiation in the cell lines. Sp binding ratios obtained with nuclear extracts from PMA-induced cell lines were also shown to correlate with those derived from studies performed with extracts from primary MDMs. This Sp binding phenotype was shown to alter the transcriptional activation generated by the HIV-1 G/C box array. from 2005 International Meeting of The Institute of Human Virology Baltimore, USA, 29 August – 2 September 2005
Confidentiality and integrity for SUM aggregation in sensor networks

When deploying sensor networks in environments that monitor people (e.g., monitoring water usage), both privacy and integrity are important. Several solutions have been proposed for privacy (Castelluccia et al., 2005), (He et al., 2007), and integrity (Yang et al., 2006), (Przydatek et al., 2003), (Hu and Evans, 2003), (Chan et al., 2006), (Frikken and Dougherty, 2008). Unfortunately, these mechanisms are not easily composable. In this paper, we extend the splitting schemes proposed in (He et al., 2007) to provide privacy and integrity when computing the SUM aggregate. Our scheme provides privacy even if the base station colludes with some cluster heads, and provides integrity by detecting when individual nodes inflate or deflate their values too much. Our main contributions are: i) a new integrity measure that is a relaxation of the one in (Chan et al., 2006), ii) a new privacy measure called k-similarity, iii) a construction that satisfies both of these measures for the computation of the SUM aggregate that avoids the usage of expensive cryptography, and iv) experimental results that demonstrate the effectiveness of our techniques.
Preparing students for college‐level reading and writing: Implementing a rhetoric and writing class in the senior year

Abstract This study investigated the instructional practices of three high school teachers perceived as successful in implementing a new rhetoric and writing course in an ethnically diverse high school district in the Southwest United States. Using qualitative research methods over a three‐month period, researchers examined teacher practices related to the yearlong course, teachers’ perceptions of the successes and challenges in applying the curriculum, and the impact of the curriculum on teachers and students. Through an analysis of field notes, structured interviews, a pilot survey, and course‐related documents, researchers found that the class provided important bridging opportunities aimed at preparing students for college‐level reading and writing. The curriculum also emphasized direct, explicit instruction, which several scholars contend benefits linguistically and culturally diverse students. In addition, course creators offered weekly staff‐development sessions that supported teachers in implement...
The young engineer's first years in industry

Personal merit long has been recognized as the most important factor in the selection of people for unusual opportunities. Personal opinion may vary widely as to where responsibility for development lies, but no young engineer can do better than to assume it himself. The suggestions summarized at the end of this article are logical conclusions based on careful study and rationalization of opinions of people sympathetic to problems of adjustment. They should be of interest to every graduate.
The protein of some strains of Tomato bushy stunt virus.

Abstract The coat protein of tomato bushy stunt virus was investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in urea and in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-containing buffers. The results showed that the virus is constituted of one kind of protein subunit, and it was concluded that the inner and outer shells of this virus result from different spatial arrangement of the same protein. The molecular weight of this subunit was determined by a comparison of its mobility in SDS-polyacrylamide gels to the mobility of protein markers of known molecular weights. The value of 40,000 obtained by this procedure is considerably lower than earlier data in the literature. The amino acid composition of three different strains of this virus is also reported.