cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Secure data aggregation in heterogeneous and disparate networks using stand off server architecture

ABSTRACT The emerging global reach of technology presents myriad challenges and intricacies as Information Technology teams aim to provide anywhere, anytime and anyone access, for service providers and customers alike. The world is fraught with stifling inequalities, both from an economic as well as socio-political perspective. The net result has been large capability gaps between various organizational locations that need to work together, which has raised new challenges for information security teams. Similar issues arise, when mergers and acquisitions among and between organizations take place. While integrating remote business locations with mainstream operations, one or more of the issues including the lack of application level support, computational capabilities, communication limitations, and legal requirements cause a serious impediment thereby complicating integration while not violating the organizations security requirements. Often resorted techniques like IPSec, tunneling, secure socket layer, etc. may not be always techno-economically feasible. This paper addresses such security issues by introducing an intermediate server between corporate central server and remote sites, called stand-off-server. We present techniques such as break-before-make connection, break connection after transfer, multiple virtual machine instances with different operating systems using the concept of a stand-off-server. Our experiments show that the proposed solution provides sufficient isolation for the central server/site from attacks arising out of weak communication and/or computing links and is simple to implement. Keywords: Communication System Security, Computer Network Security, Data Security, Security, Simulation
Thermodynamic modeling of binary and ternary metallic solutions

A model is proposed for describing heat of mixing behavior in binary and ternary metallic solutions. The binary model, which has the form, ΔH M =α1 X 2 X B +α2 X A X 2 −α3 X 2 X 2 , whereX A andX B are mole fractions of componentsA andB and α1, α2, and α3 are constants, is applied to the heat of mixing values for 84 solid and liquid systems and the results are compared with the subregular model. The ternary model, which is composed of the sum of the binary equations and a ternary interaction term of the form α ABC X A X B X C , was applied to the Bi−Cd−Pb, Cd−Pb−Sn, and Cd−Pb−Sb systems. There was excellent agreement both as to the shapes of the isoenthalpy of mixing curves and as to the heat of mixing values in the ternary systems when the model was used to predict the experimental values.
Variation in zinc content and other properties of various porcine muscles

Zinc content, myoglobin concentration and post-mortem pH values of eight different porcine muscles of a wide range of functional activity and colour were found to vary greatly. On a fat-free, dry-weight basis, approximately a four-fold difference was found in the zinc content of the various muscles. The darker coloured muscles, generally the most continually active, had the greatest zinc concentration, the greatest myoglobin concentration and the highest pH 24 h. post-mortem. Over-all correlations showed that 24-h. pH and myoglobin were highly significantly related to zinc concentration when all muscles were considered, but within-muscle correlations were low. Dietary zinc deficiency did not decrease the level of zinc in the muscles but caused some marked changes in the moisture and fat content of porcine muscle. The biochemical significance of the variation in zinc content of different muscles remains to be demonstrated.
Associations Between PTSD Symptoms and Parenting Satisfaction in a Female Veteran Sample

ABSTRACT The goal of this brief article is to examine the relationships between the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom clusters and parenting satisfaction in a sample of 60 female veterans of the Vietnam war who had biological children. Significant negative relationships were found between the avoidance/numbing and hyperarousal clusters of PTSD symptoms and parenting satisfaction. The association between hyperarousal and parenting satisfaction remained significant when each of the PTSD symptom clusters were examined together as predictors, and controlling for partner violence. Results suggest that higher levels of certain PTSD symptoms may adversely affect women's satisfaction in the parenting role.
Missing systems and the face value practice

Call a bit of scientific discourse a description of a missing system when (i) it has the surface appearance of an accurate description of an actual, concrete system (or kind of system) from the domain of inquiry, but (ii) there are no actual, concrete systems in the world around us fitting the description it contains, and (iii) that fact is recognised from the outset by competent practitioners of the scientific discipline in question. Scientific textbooks, classroom lectures, and journal articles abound with such passages; and there is a widespread practice of talking and thinking as though there are systems which fit the descriptions they contain perfectly, despite the recognition that no actual, concrete systems do so—call this the face value practice. There are, furthermore, many instances in which philosophers engage in the face value practice whilst offering answers to epistemological and methodological questions about the sciences. Three questions, then: (1) How should we interpret descriptions of missing systems? (2) How should we make sense of the face value practice? (3) Is there a set of plausible answers to (1) and (2) which legitimates reliance on the face value practice in our philosophical work, and can support the weight of the accounts which are entangled with that practice? In this paper I address these questions by considering three answers to the first: that descriptions of missing systems are straightforward descriptions of abstract objects, that they are indirect descriptions of “property-containing” abstracta, and that they are (in a different way) indirect descriptions of mathematical structures. All three proposals are present in the literature, but I find them wanting. The result is to highlight the importance of developing a satisfactory understanding of descriptions of missing systems and the face value practice, to put pressure on philosophical accounts which rely on the practice, and to help us assess the viability of certain approaches to thinking about models, theory structure, and scientific representation.
Exciton–plasmon coupling and biexcitonic nonlinearities in individual carbon nanotubes

Abstract Optical response of small-diameter ( ≲ 1 nm ) semiconducting carbon nanotubes is discussed under the variable exciton-surface-plasmon coupling both in the linear excitation regime and in the non-linear excitation regime with the photoinduced biexcitonic states formation. The Rabi splitting effect ∼0.1 eV takes place in both cases, indicating the strong exciton–plasmon coupling both for single excitons and for biexcitons as the exciton energy is tuned to the nearest interband surface plasmon resonance of the nanotube. These results should be useful for the development of new tunable optoelectronic device applications of optically excited semiconducting carbon nanotubes, including the strong excitation regime with optical non-linearities.
Sharing Fast-Speed and Slow-Speed Roads with Bicyclists and Pedestrians: A Source of Female and Male Driver Frustration?

This paper explores gender differences in drivers' attitudes toward slow-speed travelers, namely, bicyclists and pedestrians. In exploring the environment—driving—behavior relationship, it differentiates between fast driving environments (i.e., highways and arterials) and slow driving environments (i.e., collectors and neighborhood roads) and posits a dominant culture of fast mobility that engenders aggressive driving behaviors. In this culture, time- and stress-related frustration is a precursor of aggressive driving. The study described in this paper uses data from a survey of drivers in Florida to examine women's and men's attitudes toward slowing down to share the carriageway with pedestrians and bicyclists. It finds differences by gender, with slightly more women likely to be frustrated than men, but male drivers are more prone to behave aggressively.
Base sequence homologies between bacteriophage P2 and 186 DNAs

Abstract The sequence homologies between the DNAs of the coliphages P2 and 186 have been mapped by electron microscopic heteroduplex analysis. About 25% of the sequences are homologous, 25% are partially homologous, and 50% are nonhomologous. The homology is limited to portions of the head and tail gene regions while the early genes and immunity regions are completely nonhomologous. P2 DNA is 2.5 kilobase pairs larger than 186 DNA and this difference is located within three substitution regions; moreover, 186 DNA has an addition relative to P2.
Dynamics and Stability in Maturation of a T=4 Virus

Nudaurelia capensis omega virus is a T=4, icosahedral virus with a bipartite, positive-sense RNA genome. Expression of the coat protein gene in a baculovirus system was previously shown to result in the formation of procapsids when purified at pH 7.6. Procapsids are round, porous particles (480 A diameter) and have T=4 quasi-symmetry. Reduction of pH from 7.6 to 5.0 resulted in virus-like particles (VLP(5.0)) that are morphologically identical with authentic virions, with an icosahedral-shaped capsid and a maximum dimension of 410 A. VLP(5.0) undergoes a maturation cleavage between residues N570 and F571, creating the covalently independent gamma peptide (residues 571-641) that remains associated with the particle. This cleavage also occurs in authentic virions, and in each case, it renders the morphological change irreversible (i.e., capsids do not expand when the pH is raised back to 7.6). However, a non-cleavable mutant, N570T, undergoes the transition reversibly (NT(7.6) NT(5.0)). We used electron cryo-microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction to study the icosahedral structures of NT(7.6), NT(5.0), and VLP(5.0) at about 8, 6, and 6 A resolution, respectively. We employed the 2. 8-A X-ray model of the mature virus, determined at pH 7.0 (XR(7.0)), to establish (1) how and why procapsid and capsid structures differ, (2) why lowering pH drives the transition, and (3) why the non-cleaving NT(5.0) is reversible. We show that procapsid assembly minimizes the differences in quaternary interactions in the particle. The two classes of 2-fold contacts in the T=4 surface lattice are virtually identical, both mediated by similarly positioned but dynamic gamma peptides. Furthermore, quasi and icosahedral 3-fold interactions are indistinguishable. Maturation results from neutralizing the repulsive negative charge at subunit interfaces with significant differentiation of quaternary interactions (one 2-fold becomes flat, mediated by a gamma peptide, while the other is bent with the gamma peptide disordered) and dramatic stabilization of the particle. The gamma peptide at the flat contact remains dynamic when cleavage cannot occur (NT(5.0)) but becomes totally immobilized by noncovalent interactions after cleavage (VLP(5.0)).
Piezo-phototronics effect on nano/microwire solar cells

Wurtzite structures, such as ZnO, GaN, InN and CdS, are piezoelectric semiconductor materials. A piezopotential is formed in the crystal by the piezoelectric charges created by applying a stress. The inner-crystal piezopotential can effectively tune/control the carrier separations and transport processes at the vicinity of a p–n junction or metal–semiconductor contact, which is called the piezo-phototronic effect. The presence of piezoelectric charges at the interface/junction can significantly affect the performances of photovoltaic devices, especially flexible and printed organic/inorganic solar cells fabricated using piezoelectric semiconductor nano/microwires. In this paper, the current–voltage characteristics of a solar cell have been studied theoretically and experimentally in the presence of the piezoelectric effect. The analytical results are obtained for a ZnO piezoelectric p–n junction solar cell under simplified conditions, which provide a basic physical picture for understanding the mechanism of the piezoelectric solar cell. Furthermore, the maximum output of the solar cell has been calculated numerically. Finally, the experimental results of organic solar cells support our theoretical model. Using the piezoelectric effect created by external stress, our study not only provides the first basic theoretical understanding about the piezo-phototronic effect on the characteristics of a solar cell but also assists the design for higher performance solar cells.
Attentive Fields: Valid Scientific Constructs or Elusive Theoretical Entities: A Reply to Pressey

Pressey conveys the impression that we misunderstood and misapplied his construct of attentive field. In this rejoinder it is argued that by Pressey's own definition and application of this construct his theory should be able to account for our results.
Transsexualism in the Adolescent Girl

This paper describes the evaluation and subsequent treatment of a biologic female who presented at age 15 requesting gender reassignment. Multimodality treatment, which continues at the time of writing, has included psychotherapeutic, educational, psychophar-macologic, and endocrinologic interventions. The literature on transsexualism is reviewed, with particular emphasis on the evaluation and treatment of the adolescent girl, and current etiologic theories are discussed. The unique features of adolescence which complicate the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder are examined.
Idea gaps and object gaps in economic development

Abstract A nation that lacks physical objects like factories and roads suffers from an object gap. A nation that lacks the knowledge used to create value in a modern economy suffers from an idea gap. Object gaps are emphasized by mainstream economists who make use of formal models and statistical hypothesis tests. Idea gaps are emphasized by dissident economists who make use of a diverse body of evidence and avoid formal models. Economists need to use the formal models from the first approach and the diverse evidence from the second to fully appreciate the importance of idea gaps in economic development.
Transient Heat Transfer for an Actively Insulated Shape Memory Alloy Wire

Certain alloys of two or more metallic elements exhibit a “shape memory effect.” These “shape memory alloys” (SMAs) have a crystalline structure that undergoes a transformation upon change in temperature in either direction. The temperature at which the change begins is referred to as the transition temperature, Tt . The most common of these alloys is nickel-titanium (referred to as Nitinol), an alloy that is approximately equal parts of each element. The transition temperature for warmup is about 72 C below which the alloy is in the martensite phase. Heating of the alloy through its transition temperature results in a martensite-to-austenite phase transition and a significant contraction of the alloy. Strains as large as 8% can be realized in this process. Upon cooling below the temperature at which the process reverses (around 38 C) the alloy expands to its original shape under the action of an externally applied load.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Using Your Tests to Teach: Formative Summative Assessment

Two studies supported the efficacy of a structured method for providing students with feedback on exams and means of using the teaching potential of exams, collectively referred to as formative summative assessment (FSA). In the first study, students responded positively to the method. In the second study, students enrolled in 2 sections of educational psychology taught by the same instructor received either the FSA method or their exams to look over in class. Students retook the exam 1 week later. The FSA method resulted in an improvement of comprehension of 10%, significantly more than the control group, whose scores improved by only 2%. I also present other benefits of this method and suggestions for variations of the method as well as future research ideas.
On computing with types

We express in terms of binary trees seen as Godel System T types (with the empty type as the only primitive type) arithmetic computations within time and space bounds comparable to binary arithmetic and derive an efficiently testable total ordering on types, isomorphic to the ordering of natural numbers.A few novel algorithms are derived in the process, that enable arithmetic computations with type trees.The use of a Haskell type class describing the "axiomati-zation" of the shared structure present in System T's type language and natural numbers, together with Haskell instances representing "twin" interpretations connected by an iso-functor that transports operations between the two instances, provides instant empirical testability.The self-contained source code of the paper is available at http://logic.cse.unt.edu/tarau/research/2012/stypes.hs.
Aggressive Quadriceps Loading Can Induce Noncontact Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Background: The force responsible for noncontact anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries remains controversial. The patella tendon to tibial shaft angle causes an anterior tibial shear force with quadriceps activation.Hypothesis: An aggressive quadriceps contraction can injure the ACL.Methods: The authors characterized noncontact ACL injury and kinematics with aggressive quadriceps loading. Thirteen freshfrozen knees were potted in a jig held in 20 ° of flexion while a 4500 N quadriceps contraction was simulated. Knee kinematics were recorded. A KT-1000 arthrometer and a simulated active quadriceps test assessed anterior displacement. Statistics were performed using paired t tests and 1-way analysis of variance.Results: Kinematics revealed the following mean values: anterior displacement, 19.5 mm; valgus, 2.3 °; and internal rotation, 5.5 °. Mean KT-1000 and active quadriceps test differences were 4.0 mm and 2.7 mm, respectively (statistically significant P = .002 and P = .002). Six knees showed gross A...
Population-level effects of density dependence in a size-structured fishery model

A discrete size-structured fishery model is derived to study the population-level effects of the timing of density dependence. The inherent net reproductive number of an individual is the same if the population is assumed to be identical in every way except the occurrence of intraspecific competition. However, total population size may grow without any restriction if density dependence occurs at the second or the third size class. Data of red snapper with Beverton-Holt and Ricker nonlinearities are simulated to make further comparisons. The numerical study indicates that while the population is more resilient if density dependence occurs at the first size class the equilibrium size is larger if density dependence occurs at the second size class.
The Relations of Temperature and Time of Forewarming of Milk to the Heat Stability of its Evaporated Product

Summary Variations in the heat treatment of a milk affect greatly the heat stability of the evaporated product. Temperatures up to 70°C., applied for ten minutes decrease the stability, while higher temperatures markedly increase it. Higher temperatures and a longer heating period than those generally used further stabilizes the product to heat. This treatment is objectionable, however, in that the body of the resulting product is affected adversely. Homogenization of an evaporated milk containing 18 per cent solids-not-fat and 8 per cent fat at pressures up to 4000 pounds per square inch affects its heat stability but slightly.
Elevated arginine vasopressin and lowered atrial natriuretic factor associated with hypertension in coarctation of the Aorta

Impairment of Immoral and neural regulation of blood pressure may contribute to preoperative and postoperative hypertension in coarctation of the aorta and may also affect the release of vasopressin and atrial natriuretic factor. Because vasopressin and atrial natriuretic factor have potent vasoactive effects, we measured plasma vasopressin and atrial natriuretic factor levels by radioimmunoassay before operation and for 5 days after operation in 11 patients aged 9 months to 12 years undergoing coarctation repair and in 12 control patients undergoing other cardiovascular operations. Six patients in the coarctation group required minimal antihypertensive therapy (group I) and five required prolonged intravenous antihypertensive therapy (group II). Before operation, vasopressin levels correlated with systolic blood pressure for all patients in the coarctation group ( r = 0.83, p p p p p
EVOLUTION OF MALE TAIL DEVELOPMENT IN RHABDITID NEMATODES RELATED TO CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS

The evolutionary pathway that has led to male tails of diverse morphology among species of the nematode family Rhabditidae was reconstructed. This family includes the well- studied model species Caenorhabditis elegans. By relating the steps of male tail morphological evo- lution to the phenotypic changes brought about by developmental mutations induced experimen- tally in C. elegans, the goal is to identify genes responsible for morphological evolution. The varying morphological characters of the male tails of several rhabditid species have been described previously (Fitch and Emmons, 1995, Dev. Biol. 170:564-582). The developmental events preceding differentiation of the adult structures have also been analyzed; in many cases the origins of vary- ing adult morphological characters were traced to differences during ontogeny. In the present work, the evolutionary changes producing these differences were reconstructed in the context of the four possible phylogenies supported independently by sequences of 18S ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA). Two or more alternative states were defined for 36 developmental and adult morpholog- ical characters. These characters alone do not provide sufficient data to resolve most species re- lationships; however, when combined with the rDNA characters, they provide stronger support for one of the four rDNA phylogenies. Assuming a model of ordered transformations for multistate developmental characters generally results in greater resolution. Transformations between char- acter states can be assigned unequivocally by parsimony to unambiguous branches for most of the characters. Correlations are thereby revealed for some of the developmental characters, indi- cating a probability of a shared developmental or genetic regulatory pathway. Four of the un- equivocal character state changes on unambiguously supported branches closely resemble the phenotypic changes brought about by known mutations in C. elegans. These mutations define genes that are known to act in genetic regulatory hierarchies controlling pattern formation, differentia- tion, and morphogenesis. Although these studies are still at an early stage, these results strongly suggest that parallel studies of developmental mutants in C. elegans and of morphological and developmental evolution among related nematodes will help define genetic changes underlying the evolution of form. (Caenorhabditis elegans; character analysis; evolution of development; ontog- eny; phylogeny.)
Laps and gaps in thermoplastic composites processing

Abstract During tape lay-up, laps and gaps result from machine and human inaccuracies, as well as the inability of the tape to conform to complex geometries. This paper examines whether these flaws can be removed through processing by transverse flow during consolidation. Treating unidirectional thermoplastic composites as macroscopically homogeneous materials, it is demonstrated that transverse flow can be described by the equations governing the flow of a power law fluid. This theory is then applied to gaps (with good agreement), and laps (with poor agreement). The differences between theory and experiments are explained, and it is shown that under correct conditions, laps and gaps, an order of magnitude larger than what is currently accepted, can be removed through processing.
NOTE – Edge-Coloring Cliques with Many Colors on Subcliques

with colors in which the edges of every copy of together receive at least 3 colors. We prove that this construction also has the property that at least colors appear on the edges of every copy of for .
On the computational complexity of continuous routing

Abstract We study the problem of routing and broadcasting messages in a network, in which messages are generated at processors at arbitrary times and each message must reach its destination by a specific deadline. We present distributed and global routing algorithms for some restricted continuous routing problems on arrays of processors. We show that distributed algorithms are unlikely to exist in more general situations by giving an NP-hardness proof for their corresponding feasibility problem; i.e., the problem of determining whether all messages can be routed without violating the constraints of the network. We also present a distributed algorithm for the continuous broadcasting problem.
Evidence for ≥C 3 alkyl nitrates in rural and remote atmospheres

Interactions of odd-nitrogen compounds with non-methane hydro-carbons and a variety of radical species have been shown to have a potential impact on atmospheric chemistry on local, regional, and even global scales1–9. To understand the interactions of atmospheric nitrogen compounds requires an accurate budget of individual reactive nitrogen species. But recent attempts to obtain a mass balance between total reactive nitrogen (NOy) and individual reactive nitrogen species (NO-I-NO2+HNO3+PAN (peroxyacetyl nitrate) +PPN (peroxypropionyl nitrate) + particulate NO−3) have not accounted for all NO9,10y. One class of compound proposed to account for some of the NOy deficit is the alkyl nitrates (RONO2)5,10–12, although ambient measurements have not been available to test this hypothesis. Here I report measurements of RONO2 made in the North Pacific atmosphere, providing the first direct evidence for existence and transport of ≥C3 alkyl nitrates in the troposphere. I also observed a variation in alkyl nitrate concentration which suggests these compounds may be used as unique tracers of 'polluted' air masses to remote areas. These observations are significant because relatively long-lived alkyl nitrates can serve as reservoirs of reactive nitrogen in the remote troposphere, where they can be converted to NOx, a key catalyst in ozone formation and destruction3,4.
Apparatus for measuring internal friction Q factors in brittle materials

This report describes a flexural analog of the torsion pendulum for measuring Young’s modulus and the internal friction Q factor on brittle materials. The design provides features to minimize fracture or chipping of the sample and reduces apparatus background damping so that a sample Q of ≳103 can be reliably measured. Other features include strain amplitudes as low as 10−7, small size for use in an environmental chamber, and zero static stress.
The effect of temperature on the biphasic photoresponses of an all-trans-retinal bimolecular lipid membrane

Abstract 1. 1. The bimolecular lipid membranes formed from lipid solutions containing all-trans-retinal have been studied. These membranes can generate, upon illumination, temperature sensitive biphasic photopotentials which are seen to be quite similar to the early receptor potentials of visual receptors. 2. 2. The photoresponse consists of the fast component (R1), and the slow component (R2) which has the sign opposite to R1. 3. 3. Under certain experimental conditions a complete phase shift from R1 to R2 occurs as the temperature is increased from 9 to 45°. 4. 4. R1 and R2 are not influenced by changes in the ionic strength of K+, Na+ and Cl−, nor by generation of the concentration gradient of these ions across bimolecular lipid membrane. 5. 5. The mode of biphasic photoresponses, however, can be influenced by pH gradient across the membrane, the buffer capacity of the aqueous solutions, and light intensity. 6. 6. A possibility of applying the above observations to the elucidation of the mechanism of generation of the early receptor potentials is discussed.
Convection during strong driving in MHD simulations: Evolution of flux tube volume

Abstract In this work, we examine convection during very strong driving during magnetic storms using global MHD simulations of the interaction of the solar wind with the terrestrial magnetosphere. Specifically, we examine the variation of the flux tube volume along the midnight meridian using the simulation of the January 10, 1997, magnetic storm. We find that during substorm-like periods in the simulation, the flux tube volume varies significantly, rising during the growth phase and shrinking during the expansion phase. During main phase of the storm, the flux tube volume grows and remains at elevated values. We suggest that this is an important feature of convection during storms.
Efficacy of second-generation antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia

Because of their broader spectrum of efficacy and lower risk of motor side effects, second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) have largely supplanted first-generation neuroleptics in the treatment of psychotic disorders. There are few data, however, comparing the overall efficacy of the firstline SGAs (aripiprazole, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone) in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. To address this issue, two separate analyses were undertaken. First, all published short-term, randomized controlled clinical trials of these agents were reviewed, and efficacy data for total clinical improvement, positive symptom resolution, and negative symptom reduction compiled. Although the degree of improvement reported in these studies varied widely, there were no differences in efficacy of the drugs when averaged across all studies. Second, all randomized controlled clinical trials directly comparing two of these agents were reviewed. In direct comparison studies, there were no differences between the drugs on most parameters, and only minor and conflicting differences on remaining measures. Data thus far suggest that the first-line SGAs are of comparable efficacy in the treatment of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
Some aspects of flow and diffusion in the proximal tubule of the kidney

Abstract A general theory of flow and diffusion in the proximal tubule of the kidney is outlined. Both radial and axial effects are discussed. An approximate analysis based on the equations of flow and diffusion indicates that radial diffusion in the tubule is not a limiting step in the transport of the osmotically active salts. This conclusion is based on the assumption of constant concentration of salt at the epithelium. It would be of interest to extend the analysis to other boundary conditions. For substances, such as inulin, which are not transported across the epithelium, a small radial gradient in concentration tends to develop. The axial diffusion of inulin is also discussed.
Normal Ovarian Structure and Function with Normal Glucose Tolerance in Girls with Early Treatment of Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Abstract Hyperandrogenism and hyperinsulinism have both been suggested as etiologic factors behind functional ovarian hyperandrogenism or polycystic ovary syndrome. Females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia provide a clinical model to evaluate the contribution of pre- and post-natal hyperandrogenism on ovarian structure and function. Study Objective To evaluate glucose tolerance, and structure and androgen production of the ovaries in young females with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Design, Setting, Participants Cross-sectional study, including the enrollment of participants, ages 8 to 20 years, recruited from the pediatric endocrinology clinical program of a tertiary pediatric referral center. Interventions Ten participants had oral glucose tolerance testing, adrenal and ovarian androgen measurements, and pelvic ultrasound studies performed. Main Outcome Measures Presence of altered response to glucose challenge, ovarian hyperandrogenism, or presence of polycystic ovaries by ultrasound. Results Measurements of fasting blood glucose, post-challenge glucose, and insulin resistance were normal in this sample. There was no evidence of ovarian hyperandrogenism after adrenal suppression with dexamethasone. All participants had normal ovarian structure without evidence of polycystic ovaries. Conclusions Females with classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia (21-hydroxylase deficiency) and normal glucose tolerance appear to have normal ovarian structure and function during the peripubertal period.
Catecholamines restore myocardial contractility in dilated cardiomyopathy at the expense of increased coronary blood flow and myocardial oxygen consumption (MvO2 cost of catecholamines in heart failure).

To investigate the metabolic cost of catecholamine use in heart failure, we administered intravenous dobutamine or norepinephrine to dogs with moderate and severe LV dysfunction until LV contractile function was restored to normal levels. Both drugs were associated with significant increases in myocardial O consumption, increased coronary blood flow requirements and decreased 2
Quantifying the energy cost of data movement in scientific applications

In the exascale era, the energy cost of moving data across the memory hierarchy is expected to be two orders of magnitude higher than the cost of performing a double-precision floating point operation. Despite its importance, the energy cost of data movement in scientific applications has not be quantitatively evaluated even for current systems.
Doing it with mirrors: a case study of a novel approach to neurorehabilitation.

Arm amputees can experience the perception of movement of a phantom limb while looking at a mirror reflection of the moving, intact arm superimposed on the perceived phantom. Such use of a mirror to provide illusory visual feedback of move ment can be useful in rehabilitation of hemiparetic patients. In this case report, we de scribe the successful application of "mirror therapy" to the post-stroke rehabilitation of a patient with poor functional use of an upper extremity, due mainly to so matosensory deficits. Mirror therapy facilitated employment of a motor copy strategy (bimanual movements) and later progression to "forced use" of the affected arm. The end result was increased functional use of the affected upper limb.
A study of quench hardening in copper

Quenching studies of copper, under clean conditions, have revealed a two stage hardening mechanism. The first stage corresponds to the formation of small vacancy clusters and occurs around room temperature, while the second stage is centered around 250°C. Measurements of the dislocation loop density in quenched, aged specimens in the second stage of hardening, show that Frank vacancy loops are the major obstacle to dislocation motion. The temperature dependence of the critical resolved shear stress, in quenched specimens, was also measured throughout the aging process and compared with various expressions for the interaction of mobile dislocations with different obstacles. These results indicate quite clearly that Seeger's theory of obstacle shearing is favored over Fleisher's theory of asymmetrical distortion in this case. An experimental value of the cutting process is about 5 eV. In agreement with this mechanism, electron microscope observations show that Frank dislocation loops, within a slip plane, are removed during the first few percent of plastic deformation. Finally, the quench hardening is only removed at very high temperatures, in the same temperature range where the Frank loops are removed. Abschreckungsuntersuchungen an Kupfer unter sauberen Bedingungen haben einen Zweistufenmechanismus fur die Verfestigung ergeben. Die erste Stufe besteht aus der Bildung kleiner Leerstellenagglomerate bei Zimmertemperatur, wahrend die zweite Stufe bei etwa 250°C erscheint. Messungen der Dichte der Versetzungsschleifen in abgeschreckten, gealterten Proben in der zweiten Stufe der Verfestigung zeigen, das Franksche Leerstellenschleifen das Haupthindernis fur die Versetzungswanderung sind. Die Temperaturabhangigkeit der aufgelosten kritischen Scherspannung in abgeschreckten Proben wurde ebenfalls wahrend des Alterungsprozesses gemessen und mit verschiedenen Ausdrucken fur die Wechselwirkung beweglicher Versetzungen mit verschiedenen Hindernissen verglichen. Diese Ergebnisse zeigen ganz klar, das in diesem Falle die Seegersche Theorie der Hindernisscherung geeigneter ist als die Fleischersche Theorie der asymmetrischen Verzerrung. Ein experimenteller Wert fur den Abschneideprozes ist ungefahr 5 eV. In Ubereinstimmung mit dem Mechanismus zeigen elektronenmikroskopische Beobachtungen, das Franksche Versetzungsschleifen innerhalb einer Gleitebene schon wahrend der ersten Prozente der plastischen Deformation beseitigt werden. Die Abschreckungsverfestigung kann nur bei sehr hohen Temperaturen beseitigt werden, im gleichen Temperaturbereich, wo die Frankschen Schleifen verschwinden.
Accuracy-preserving adaptive sampling of broadband electromagnetic spectra of interconnect structures

A methodology is presented for the systematic and accuracy-preserving reduction of large sets of measured or calculated data quantifying the broadband frequency response of passive electromagnetic structures. The proposed methodology is useful for enhancing the computational efficiency and improving numerical robustness and accuracy of rational function fitting and related approaches for the synthesis of equivalent circuit representations of interconnect structures.
Phenylfurans IV: Spasmolytic 3-diethylamino-2,2-(dimethyl)propyl esters of 5-substituted Phenyl-2-furancarboxylic Acids

A series of 3-diethylamino-2,2-(dimethyl)propyl 5-substituted phenyl-2-furancarboxylates was prepared and found to be pharmacologically active in vitro as GI tract nonanticholinergic smooth muscle spasmolytic agents. One of the more active compounds in the series contained the 5-(4-nitrophenyl) group.
Alimentary tract cytopathology in human immunodeficiency virus infection : a review of experience in Los Angeles

In the past decade, over 100,000 cases of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) have been reported in the United States. Conservative estimates suggest that 1.5 million people are infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the etiologic agent of AIDS. Major metropolitan areas, such as Los Angeles, have experienced a rapid increase in the number of AIDS cases. At the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center, we have gained significant insight into the cytologic findings associated with HIV infection. Based on our experience, we herein review the technical and morphologic evaluation of alimentary tract cytology specimens from this patient population.
Human Cerebellum: Surface-Assisted Cortical Parcellation and Volumetry with Magnetic Resonance Imaging

We describe a system of surface-assisted parcellation (SAP) of the human cerebellar cortex derived from neural systems functional and behavioral anatomy. This system is based on MRI and preserves the unique morphologic and topographic features of the individual cerebellum. All major fissures of the cerebellum were identified and traced in the flattened representation of the cerebellar cortex using the program "FreeSurfer." Parcellation of the cerebellar cortex followed using the fissure information in conjunction with landmarks using the program "Cardviews" to create 64 gyral-based cerebellar parcellation units. Computer-assisted algorithms enable the execution of the cerebellar parcellation procedure as well as volumetric measurements and topographic localization. The SAP technique makes it possible to represent multimodal structural and functional imaging data on the flattened surface of the cerebellar cortex as illustrated in one functional MRI experiment.
Estimation of multiple parameters in dynamical systems

This paper addresses the problem of multiple parameter estimation in dynamical systems, where the solution algorithm is built upon the principles of extracting statistical information contents or patterns in the framework of symbolic domain filtering. The proposed algorithm has been tested for estimation of two slowly varying parameters in an active electronic system that is constructed in the classical Duffing equation setting.
Gamma distribution parameter estimation for field reliability data with missing failure times

Maximum likelihood estimators have been developed for the gamma distribution when there is missing time-to-failure information. Data sets with missing time-to-failure data can arise from field data collection systems that rely on recorded observations of the system by the operators and maintenance personnel. In many regards, this type of data is highly desirable because it implicitly accounts for all actual usage and environmental stresses. Unfortunately the component times-to-failure are not always recorded for fielded systems because of a lack of elapsed time meters, unsatisfactory data reporting requirements, or incomplete or lost information. When only data of this type is available, it creates a non-standard form of data censoring and it has generally not been possible to fit most common time-to-failure distributions. Reliability practitioners have sometimes made unsubstantiated simplifying assumptions so the data can be used. In this paper, a more rigorous approach is presented. Maximum likelihood estimators are derived and demonstrated for the gamma distribution based on merged data records where the individual failure times have not been recorded. These results are important because the gamma distribution can model diverse time-to-failure behavior. This provides a particularly useful tool for data sets that may otherwise not be satisfactorily analyzed.
Aptamers Evolved from Cultured Cancer Cells Reveal Molecular Differences of Cancer Cells in Patient Samples

Background: Molecular-level differentiation of neoplastic cells is essential for accurate and early diagnosis, but effective molecular probes for molecular analysis and profiling of neoplastic cells are not yet available. We recently developed a cell-based SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) strategy to generate aptamers (designer DNA/RNA probes) as molecular probes to recognize neoplastic cells. Methods: We tested 6 cell-SELEX–generated aptamers with equilibrium dissociation constants in the nanomolar to subnanomolar range: sgd5, selected from Toledo cells, a human diffuse large-cell lymphoma cell line (B-cell), and sgc8, sgc3, sgc4, sgd2, and sgd3 from CCRF-CEM cells, a human precursor T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cell line. Aptamers were labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate fluorophores and then used to recognize, by flow cytometric analysis, neoplastic cells in cultured hematopoietic cell lines and clinical samples. Results: Aptamer sgd5 recognized only its target cells. Aptamers sgc3, sgd2, sgd3, sgc4, and sgc8, selected from a T-cell leukemia cell line, identified all of the cultured T-cell leukemia cell lines with relatively high fluorescence intensity. Aptamers sgc8, sgc3, and sgd3 showed good selectivity toward T-ALL cells and almost no binding to normal hematopoietic cells or lymphoma and myeloma cells. Selected aptamers also detected targets on the cell membranes of neoplastic cells in patient samples. Conclusions: Aptamers selected against cultured neoplastic cells can effectively be used as molecular probes for recognition of neoplastic cells in patient samples. Cell-based aptamer selection can be used to generate aptamer probes to obtain molecular signatures of neoplastic cells in patient samples.
Cognitive dysfunction associated with chemotherapy for breast cancer

Cognitive dysfunction occurs in at least one-fifth (and by some reports, more than four-fifths) of breast-cancer patients who previously underwent adjuvant therapy with cytotoxic pharmacologic regimens. The main purpose of this report is to define the scope of the cognitive problems suffered by cancer patients who were previously exposed to cytotoxic chemotherapy, which have come to be grouped under the conceptual umbrella of 'chemobrain'. Second, we aim to spotlight the present inadequacy of clinical care in dealing with chemobrain-related issues – with respect both to the sins of omission of oncologists in obtaining informed consent for the cytotoxic therapies they are planning to prescribe, as well as to the subsequent failure of healthcare providers to address chemobrain-related problems experienced by a substantial proportion of their patients. Finally, we will examine how current investigations employing the tools of neuropsychologic and neuroimaging instruments are figuratively and literally sheddi...
Growth suppression of lung cancer cells by targeting cyclic AMP response element-binding protein.

Genes regulated by cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) have been reported to suppress apoptosis, induce cell proliferation, and mediate inflammation and tumor metastasis. However, it is not clear whether CREB is critically involved in the carcinogenesis of lung cancer. We found that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines exhibited elevated constitutive activity in CREB; in its immediate upstream kinases, ribosomal s6 kinase and extracellular signal kinase; and in the CREB-regulated cell survival proteins, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. We hypothesized that constitutively active CREB is important to lung cancer cell growth and survival and therefore could be a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC. Ectopic expression of dominant-repressor CREB and transfection with small interfering RNA against CREB suppressed the growth and survival of NSCLC cells and induced apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, treating H1734 NSCLC cells with an inhibitor of the CREB signaling pathway, Ro-31-8220, inhibited CREB activation by blocking the activity of extracellular signal kinase and ribosomal s6 kinase, arrested the cell cycle at the G2/M phase, and subsequently induced apoptosis with the suppression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression. Ro-31-8220 suppressed both the anchorage-dependent and the independent growth of NSCLC cells, but its cytotoxic effect was much less prominent in normal bronchial epithelial cells. Our results indicate that active CREB plays an important role in NSCLC cell growth and survival. Thus, agents that suppress CREB activation could have potential therapeutic value for NSCLC treatment.
Pancytopenia in allogeneic marrow transplant recipients: role of cytomegalovirus

SUMMARY. We describe the clinical course of three cytomegalovirus-antibody-positive allogeneic marrow graft recipients who developed progressive pancytopenia during the third month post-transplant. Bone marrow biopsy cores were hypocellular without evidence of disease recurrence. Haemopoietic progenitor assays demonstrated a decrease of all assayable progenitors. Cytomegalovirus was identified from the blood and urine of all three patients. However, none of the patients developed other manifestations of cytomegalovirus infection such as pneumonitis, hepatitis and enteritis. The therapeutic use of ganciclovir and intravenous immunoglobulins resulted in prompt resolution of both viraemia and viruria in all three patients, and of pancytopenia in two patients.