cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-purity enrichment of r

Abstract High-purity 84 S r (i.e., >99 at%) is an important tool in many areas of basic and applied research, in particular for spikes used in isotopic dilution/mass spectrometer investigations in geochemistry, cosmochemistry, and paleoclimate-age studies. In nature, the 84 S r abundance is only 0.56%; however, it can be enriched to the specified requirements by using a high-resolution separator, such as the 180°-sector separator, or by completing two passes through a high-production, lower-resolution machine, such as the calutron. The latter option was used for this enrichment to produce ∼1 g of strontium with a final 84 S r concentration of 99.64%. Three innage runs were made, vaporizing a total of ∼17 g of metal feed that had been pre-enriched in the calutron to ∼70% 84 S r. A partial recovery, followed by recycle of the unresolved feed, was made after the second innage run. A process efficiency of 8.44% was achieved, and 4.33 g of the unresolved feed material was recovered. A modified ion-source unit using materials compatible with strontium and the use of krypton as mass markers to aid in operations are described. Standard contamination analyses were performed to evaluate the enrichment and to compare measured results with predicted product purity.
Early Detection of Policies Violations in a Social Media Site: A Bayesian Belief Network Approach

One of the main goals of all online social communities is to promote a stable, or perhaps, growing membership built around topics of like interest. Yet, communities are not impermeable to the potentially damaging effects resulting from those few participants that choose to behave in a manner that is counter to established norms of behavior. Typical moderators in online social communities are the ones tasked to reduce the risks associated with unhealthy user behavior by rapidly identifying and removing damaging posts and consequently taking action against the perpetrating user. Yet, the sheer volume of posts relative to the number of moderators available for review suggests a need for modern tools aimed at prioritizing posts based on the assessed risk each user poses to the community. To accomplish this, we propose a threat analysis model. Our model, referred to as TrICO (Threat requires Intent Capability and Opportunity) is implemented using Bayesian Networks, and achieves early detection of damaging behavior in online social communities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first user-centered model for usage policy enforcement in online sites. We apply our model to a comprehensive data set characterizing the entirety of a popular discussion forum. Our results show that the TrICO model provides accurate results.
Generalized Sectional Convergence and Multipliers

Abstract We define a generalized sectional convergence scheme (gscs) as a sequence (Tn) of finitely non-zero matrices which converges coordinatewise to the identity matrix. If Tnx converges to x for each x in a topological sequence space S, then we say that S has AK (Tn), a generalization of sectional convergence (AK). We prove that a generalization of the Dieudonne Weak Basis Theorem is valid in this new context. A gscs (Tn) together with a dense subspace Λ of l1 determines a matrix space M = Λ(Tn). If Λ is barrelled and each member of M is a matrix representation of a linear operator T which maps the locally convex K space S into itself (denote this by MS ⊂ S), then we can draw conclusions about topological and approximation properties of S. For an appropriate type of (Tn) we will have the following: If S is an FK space with AD and MS ⊂ S, then S has the generalized sectional convergence associated with (Tn). If S is a sequence space, which has AD in the βφ topology and MS ⊂ S, then S is barrelled in the βφ topology. The many dense barrelled subspaces of l1 are examples of dense βφ subspaces Λ of l1, and the latter still support our conclusions even though Λ and the corresponding multiplier space M may be very small. This reduction of M is novel even in the context of ordinary sectional convergence.
Effect of Microporous Polysaccharide Hemospheres (MPH) on Bleeding after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Randomized Controlled Study

OBJECTIVES: Absorbable hemostatic agents are commonly used after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). MPH (microporous polysaccharide hemospheres) is a novel hemostatic powder that is rapidly absorbed. ...
Effects of Hemodialysis and Renal Transplantation on Pulmonary Function

A group of patients with normal chest x-ray films accepted for a renal transplantation program underwent serial pulmonary function studies. Vital capacity and maximum ventilation decreased slightly. Parameters of abnormal pulmonary function did not change after hemodialysis. Maximum voluntary ventilation increased significantly after successful renal transplantation, which could represent an overall improvement of these patients. The impairment of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was related to the anemia accompanying renal disease, and not to the azotemia itself. We conclude that in evaluating a chronic uremic patient's pulmonary status, the chest x-ray examination is most important.
Surveillance Testing for Metastasis From Primary Uveal Melanoma and Effect on Patient Survival

Purpose To evaluate the quality of evidence about effectiveness of regular periodic surveillance testing for metastasis in patients with primary uveal melanoma (PUM) following treatment of the primary tumor in prolonging survival. Design Literature review and personal perspective of the authors. Methods Identification and analysis of peer-reviewed articles on human PUM published between 1980 and 2009 that reported on "screening," "surveillance," or "systemic follow-up evaluation" for metastasis in patients with PUM following treatment of primary tumor. Results Of 4222 identified articles, only 31 were considered satisfactory for inclusion in this study. Satisfactory articles reported levels of specific biomarkers when metastasis was first confirmed (14), percentage of patients with abnormal results on surveillance testing (13), values of diagnostic markers (eg, sensitivity, specificity) associated with evaluated components of a surveillance regimen (7), survival time after first detection of metastasis from primary uveal melanoma (7), total survival time after initial diagnosis or initial treatment of primary uveal melanoma (3), percentage of patients whose metastatic tumors were detected by presymptomatic testing (5), surveillance regimens employed by different groups (1), and relationship with generally accepted clinical and histopathologic prognostic factors for primary uveal melanoma metastasis (1). However, none of these articles reported survival times of comparable subgroups of patients in which regular periodic surveillance for metastasis vs no surveillance was performed. Conclusion Available evidence from the peer-reviewed literature does not provide any compelling evidence of survival benefit for any regimen or frequency of surveillance for metastasis relative to no such testing. In view of this, advisability of periodic surveillance for metastasis in routine clinical practice must be questioned.
Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric study of CuI and CuII bipyridine complexes employed in atom transfer radical polymerization

We report an electrospray ionization mass spectrometric study of Cu(I) and Cu(II) bipyridine complexes employed in atom transfer radical polymerization. Mass spectra of Cu(I)Br complexed with 2 equiv. of 4,4'-di(5-nonyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (dNbpy) in toluene, methyl acrylate or styrene showed the presence of [Cu(I)(dNbpy)(2)](+) cation and [Cu(I)Br(2)](-) anion. For the Cu(II)Br(2)/2dNbpy system, [Cu(II)(dNbpy)(2)Br](+), [Cu(II)(dNbpy)Br](+), [Cu(I)Br(2)](-), [Cu(II)Br(3)](-) and [Cu(II)(dNbpy)Br(3)](-) species were observed. In addition, for mixed Cu(I)Br/2dNbpy and Cu(II)Br(2)/2dNbpy systems, the negative ion mode showed only the presence of [Cu(I)Br(2)](-) anions, which are potentially formed through halogen exchange between [Cu(II)Br(3)](-) and [Cu(I)(dNbpy)(2)](+). Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A buoyant method for the determination of the superhelix density of closed circular DNA.

Abstract A convenient method for the determination of the superhelix density of a closed circular DNA has been developed and tested with a series of closed DNA's with different superhelix densities and molecular weights. The method is based on the superhelix density-dependent binding affinity of closed DNA for the intercalating dye, ethidium bromide. The superhelix density is calculated from the observed separation between nicked and closed DNA in a cesium chlorideethidium bromide density gradient centrifuged under specified conditions in the preparative ultracentrifuge. The linear relation between the separations and the superhelix density obtained in this study is in good agreement with that predicted by Bauer & Vinograd (1970b).
Opposing actions of dibutyryl cyclic AMP and GMP on temperature in conscious guinea-pigs

It is shown that the intracerebroventricular administration of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (Db-cAMP) induced hyperthermia in guinea pigs which was not mediated through prostaglandins or norepinephrine since a prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor and an alpha-adrenergic receptor blocking agent did not antagonize the hyperthermia. However, the hyperthermic response to Db-cAMP was attenuated by the central administration of a beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, which indicates that cAMP may be involved, through beta-adrenergic receptors, in the central regulation of heat production and conservation. The central administration of Db-cGMP produced hypothermia which was not mediated via histamine H1 or H2 receptors and serotonin. The antagonism of hypothermia induced by Db-cGMP and acetylcholine + physostigmine by central administration of a cholinergic muscarine receptor antagonist and not by a cholinergic nicotinic receptor antagonist suggests that cholinoceptive neurons and endogenous cGMP may regulate heat loss through cholinergic muscarine receptors. It is concluded that these results indicate a regulatory role in thermoregulation provided by a balance between opposing actions of cAMP and cGMP in guinea pigs.
Census and Racial Categorization in France: Invisible Categories and Color-blind Politics

The question of whether to accept the data collection of racial and ethnic statistics is part of a debate in France that has been going on for 20 years, as French census does not include racial or ...
Diel variability of soluble Fe(II) and soluble total Fe in North African dust in the trade winds at Barbados

There is increased interest in the deposition of wind-transported mineral dust to the oceans because of the possible role that iron might play as a limiting nutrient in primary productivity. It has been suggested that photochemical processes taking place on mineral particles suspended in the atmosphere could reduce large fractions of the Fe(III) to Fe(II) and thereby increase the soluble fraction of iron; when the particle is deposited in the ocean, the soluble iron would be more readily available to chemical and biological processes. In this study we collected mineral aerosol (carried by the trade winds from North African sources) at Barbados over a diel cycle; we immediately measured Fe(II) and total soluble Fe in filter extracts using as the extractant an acidic saline solution comparable to that expected to be present on mineral aerosols in the marine atmospheric boundary layer. The concentration of mineral dust was quite variable during the experiment, ranging from 1.99 to 18.4 μg/m3 (mean, 6.59 μg/ m3); Fe constituted on average 3.4% of the mineral dust mass. On average, 6.2% of the Fe in the dust was extracted in our process. The concentration of total dissolved Fe varied within a relatively narrow range, closely tracking the variations in dust concentration with no apparent day/night pattern. In contrast, there was a clear day/night pattern in the concentration of soluble Fe(II), with day values (mean 3.7 ng m−3) about twice night values (1.5 ng m m−3); expressed as a fraction of total dissolved Fe, Fe(II) ranged from 5.1% to 55% in the entire (day and night) data set (mean, 25%). Thus soluble Fe(II) constitutes only a small fraction (mean 1.6%) of the total Fe in the mineral aerosol. Furthermore, the Fe(II) concentration varied independently of the concentration of soluble Fe. The well-defined diel cycle that we observed demonstrates that photochemical processing of Fe does take place; the relatively small dissolved Fe fractions and the absence of a relationship between Fe(II) and total dissolved Fe suggest, however, that the photochemical processes in mineral aerosols do not have a substantial effect on the total Fe solubility.
Commentary on "Towards a quantum Psychiatry: Hallucinations, Thought Insertion and DSM"

Hallucinations and thought insertion are some of the more interesting phenomena encountered in mental illness. In his article in this issue of NeuroQuantology, Dr. Globus advances a novel mechanism based on quantum physics to explain these perplexing experiences. He develops and refines the ideas proposed by Umezawa and Vitiello and applies insights based on thermofield quantum brain dynamics to psychopathology. In an impressive ontological shift, he maps consciousness to the "tuning together" of water dipoles in the brain and their dissipative surroundings and reasons that psychotic phenomena may arise due the malfunction of this tuning. He further proposes a revision of the diagnostic classification system in psychiatry to utilize these insights. This commentary explores his ideas further and discusses some of the implications and limitations of his reasoning.
Race and Reciprocity: Inter‐household Exchanges in a Multiracial Neighborhood

This study investigates the degree to which African-American households are socially integrated into a multiracial, middle-class suburban neighborhood near Dallas, Texas. Although U.S. neighborhoods are becoming increasingly heterogeneous in composition, little is known about black households' participation in social and informational networks within multiracial middle-class neighborhoods. Drawing on theories of the gift and social capital, we view neighborhoods in terms of complex patterns of inter-household exchanges of material and symbolic goods. We predict that black-led households will exchange at a lower rate with their neighbors than will other households and test this prediction using survey data collected from 119 households and from follow-up interviews with eight black heads of household. Our main finding from the survey is that black households exchanged at a significantly lower rate than did other households, ceteris paribus. The follow-up interviews found little evidence of black racial homophily in neighboring or of racism within the neighborhood. However, the low rate of black inter-household exchanges may be partly explained by black head of households' personal experiences of racism outside the neighborhood and by a racially constituted disposition against borrowing from neighbors. We discuss implications of our findings for research on racial integration and segregation.
Selective migration—Again

Abstract Wolff (1979) has recently reinterpreted the data of Lee (1951). The Lee data, according to Wolff, indicate that Black migration from the south to Philadelphia had been selective in an IQ-relevant manner. Thus, according to Wolff, north- south differences in mean IQ among Blacks are at least in part a consequence of selective migration. However, Wolff's deduction from Lee's data is shown to depend entirely upon an insupportable assumption about cumulative IQ deficit in southern Black children.
Modeling the chemcial effects of plasma ignition in one-dimensional chamber

A model is developed for a trasient, premixed, laminar flame in a closed one-dimensional adiabatic combustion chamber. The flame is ignited by supplying a high-temperature plasma rich in H and OH radicals to the reactive gases. Ignition and flame propagation are described by a numerical solution of the one-dimensional, compressible conservation equations for reactive flows. The numerical method makes use of an explicit predictor-corrector method and an implicit Euler method to integrate the fluid dynamic and chemical kinetic parts respectively. Hydrogen-air mixtures with 0.3≤≤1.0 are selected as the reactive gases. The calculations result in pulsating laminar flame caused by combustion-generated pressure waves. The effects of ignition energy supplied with different portions entering as thermal energy and as chemical energy in the form of radicals are explored. The results show that energy supplied as OH radicals is a more efficient agent in igniting the mixture than thermal energy. An improvement in flame propagation and flame velocity is found only in the case where the OH radicals are allowed to spread out of the ignition source. Prediction of transient burning velocities appears to be consistent with the values found in the literature.
Life history of the honey bee tracheal mite (Acari: Tarsonemidae)

Data on the seasonal reproductive patterns of the honey bee tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi (Rennie), were obtained by dissecting host honey bees, Apis mellifera L., at intervals during their life span. Mite reproduction normally was limited to 1 complete generation per host bee, regardless of host life span. However, limited egg laying by foundress progeny was observed. Longer lived bees in the fall and winter harbored mites that reproduced for a longer period than did mites in bees during spring and summer. Oviposition rate was relatively uniform at ≈0.85 eggs per female per day during the initial 16 d of adult bee life regardless of season. In all seasons, peak mite populations occurred in bees ≈24 d old, with egg laying declining rapidly beyond day 24 in spring and summer bees but more slowly in fall and winter bees. Stadial lengths of eggs and male and female larvae were 5, 4, and 5 d, respectively. Sex ratio ranged from 1.15:1 to 2.01:1, female bias, but because males are not known to migrate they would have been overestimated in the sampling scheme. Fecundity was estimated to be ≈21 offspring, assuming daughter mites laid limited eggs in tracheae before dispersal. Mortality of adult mites increased with host age; an estimate of 35 d for female mite longevity was indirectly obtained. Daughter mites began dispersing when infested bees were ≈13 d old, and mite dispersal peaked when infested bees were 15—25 d old. The mating behavior of tracheal mites is described.
The effect of over-expression of the alternative oxidase in the procyclic forms of Trypanosoma brucei.

Abstract Trypanosome alternative oxidase (TAO) is the cyanide-resistant but SHAM-sensitive terminal oxidase of the mitochondrial electron transport chain in African trypanosomes. The bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei lack cytochromes and respire exclusively via TAO. On the other hand, the insect, or procyclic form possesses a fully developed cytochrome system, and down regulates TAO several folds by reducing the stability of the TAO transcript. We expressed an ectopic copy of TAO in the procyclic form from a tetracycline regulated stable expression vector, in which the TAO 3′-UTR was replaced by T. brucei aldolase 3′-UTR. The TAO transcript produced from the ectopic copy was stably accumulated in the procyclic form. Upon induction with doxycycline, TAO protein level was gradually increased about five-fold within 72 h. TAO over-expression did not show any effect on the growth of the parasite. The rate of respiration and the SHAM-sensitive respiratory pathway capacity was increased about two- and five-fold, respectively, and the cytochrome-mediated respiratory pathway capacity was reduced two- to three-folds within 5 days after induction of TAO. Doxycycline induced TAO+ cells preferentially utilized CN-resistant, SHAM-sensitive pathway of respiration, whereas, in the control cells 70–80% of total respiration was via the CN-sensitive pathway. Moreover, we have found that increased expression of TAO caused about two-fold down regulation of cytochrome oxidase subunit IV, and cytochrome c1 protein level and also caused a four-fold up-regulation of the expression of the surface coat protein, GPEET procyclin in the procyclic form. This suggests that the expression of two terminal oxidases and the coat protein is linked in T. brucei.
Extrapolation to various tube diameters of experimental data taken with dilute polymer solutions in a smooth tube

Abstract For dilute solutions of long chain polymers, as well as for other drag reducing agents, the friction-, and heat transfer coefficients will generally depend on a parameter characterizing the solution, in addition to the Reynolds number and the Prandtl number. Data represented in terms of C F vs. Re and C H vs. Re, Pr will then be applicable to a particular tube diameter only. A procedure is suggested by which the experimental data for one tube diameter may be extrapolated to other diameters.
Managing spam: a global challenge

Unsolicited commercial e-mail, or spam, is an ever-growing problem in today's increasingly digital world. Spam comprises an amazing 40% of all internet e-mails with an annual cost in excess of $30 million. With little cost and effort, one can send several thousand unsolicited messages in less than an hour. The result is not only slower internet traffic but also an unjust, costly, counterproductive and time-consuming burden on the receiver. Several attempts have been made to limit spamming and its deleterious impacts. Such efforts vary in their effectiveness and include managing and regulating e-mail traffic, employing filters, avoiding 'junk' e-mail lists and becoming increasingly aware of the ploys senders use to obtain e-mail addresses. This paper will discuss the problem of unsolicited bulk messaging, its magnitude and consequences, as well as potential solutions.
Adverse effects of concurrent carboplatin chemotherapy and radiation therapy in dogs.

Background: Concurrent chemo- and radiotherapy improves outcome of certain human neoplasms but with increased signs of toxicity. Reports on adverse effects of concurrent chemo- and radiotherapy in the veterinary literature are scant. Objective: To report adverse hematologic and gastrointestinal effects of combined carboplatin and radiation therapy in dogs. Animals: Client-owned dogs with spontaneously occurring neoplasia. Methods: Retrospective case study. Medical records of 65 dogs were reviewed. Criteria for inclusion were administration of radiation according to 1 of 3 fractionation schemes (19 × 3, 16 × 3, or 12 × 4 Gy) and administration of at least 1 concurrent carboplatin treatment at a dosage of 200–300 mg/m2. Dog and treatment-related variables were analyzed for association with signs of intoxication. Results: Median carboplatin dosage was 200 mg/m2 (range, 200–250 mg/m2). Twelve of 58 dogs (21%) developed grade 3 or 4 neutropenia. Eleven of 56 dogs (20%) developed grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. Six of 62 dogs (10%) developed grade 3, 4, or 5 gastrointestinal toxicosis. Analysis of association of dog and treatment-related variables with signs of intoxication was hampered by the small numbers of dogs in individual groups, and no statistically significant associations were found. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Combined modality therapy resulted in myelosuppression and gastrointestinal toxicosis. Future studies are needed to determine whether the potential benefit of combined modality therapy outweighs the risk of decreasing chemotherapy and radiation treatment intensity.
Lower bounds for the domination number

In this note, we prove several lower bounds on the domination number of simple connected graphs. Among these are the following: the domination number is at least two-thirds of the radius of the graph, three times the domination number is at least two more than the number of cut-vertices in the graph, and the domination number of a tree is at least as large as the minimum order of a maximal matching.
Electron Capture by the Image Charge of a Metal Nanoparticle

We have measured absolute cross sections for the capture of low-energy electrons by large free sodium nanoclusters ( approximately 10(4) atoms, or 4 nm radius). To explain the results, it is necessary to go beyond the commonly used induced-dipole approximation and to employ the full image-charge interaction potential which accounts for the finite size of the particle. This potential yields an exact analytical expression for the capture cross section and leads to good agreement with the data. It is suggested that electron capture may provide a useful tool for size characterization of nanoparticle beams.
A method for stability determinations in the elliptic restricted problem

In the ordinary restricted problem of three bodies, the first-order stability of planar periodic orbits may be determined by means of their characteristic exponents, as derived from the condition of a vanishing determinant for the coefficients of an infinite system of homogenous linear equations associated with the exponential series solutionu, v representing any initially small oscillations about the periodic solutionx, y. In the elliptic restricted problem, periodic solutions are possible only for periods which are equal to, or integral multiples of, the periodP of the elliptic motion of the two primary masses. It is shown that the infinite determinant approach to the determination of the characteristic exponents can be extended to the treatment of superposed free oscillations in the elliptic problem, and that in generaltwo exponents appear in any complete solutionu, v for eachone existing in the corresponding ordinary restricted problem. The value of each exponent depends on a series proceeding in even powers of the eccentricitye of the relative orbit of the two primaries, in addition to its basic dependence on the mass ratio μ. For stable periodic orbits, the oscillation frequenciesn1 (μ,e2),n2 (μ,e2) associated with these two exponents tend, withe→0, to certain limiting valuesn1 (μ),n2(μ), which differ from each other by the amount of the frequencyN=2π/P of the orbital motion of the primaries. One of the two frequencies, sayn1(μ), is identical with the frequency of the corresponding oscillations in the ordinary restricted problem, while the second one gives rise to oscillations only in the elliptic restricted problem, withe≠0.
Further annealing studies of the calcium salt of an ethylene‐methacrylic acid copolymer

Annealing studies of the calcium salt of an ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer are reported. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry were applied to the investigation of the effect of polyethylene crystallization on ionic structure as a function of annealing temperature and time. The spectroscopic changes observed in the spectra of the calcium salt annealed at 80°C differ from those seen in the spectra of the calcium salt annealed at room temperature. These changes are interpreted in terms of the multiplet-cluster model and the effect of the polyethylene-type crystallinity on the ionic microstructure.
Microphysics parameterization for convective clouds in a global climate model: Description and single-column model tests

[1] An efficient two-moment microphysics parameterization scheme for convective clouds is developed to improve the representation of convective clouds and its interactions with stratiform clouds and aerosol in global climate models (GCMs). The scheme explicitly treats mass mixing ratio and number concentration of four hydrometeor species (cloud water, cloud ice, rain, and snow) and describes several microphysical processes, including autoconversion, self-collection, collection between hydrometeor species, freezing, cloud ice nucleation, droplet activation, and sedimentation. Thus this physically based scheme is suitable for investigating the interaction between convection and aerosol and the indirect aerosol effect on climate. An evaluation of the scheme in the single-column version of NCAR Community Atmospheric Model version 3.5 (CAM3.5) with the Tropical Warm Pool–International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) data shows that the simulation of cloud microphysical properties in convective core is significantly improved, indicating that the new parameterization describes the microphysical processes in convection reasonably well. The contribution from convective detrainment to large-scale cloud ice and liquid water budgets is enhanced greatly. With more realistic convective cloud microphysical properties and their detrainment, the surface stratiform precipitation, which is seriously underestimated in the model, is increased by a factor of roughly 2.5, and therefore is much closer to the observations. In addition, the simulations of net surface shortwave radiation flux, OLR, specific humidity, and temperature are also improved to some extent. Sensitivity experiments show that the microphysics scheme is moderately sensitive to model vertical resolution, updraft vertical velocity, and numerics, but less so to the lower boundary conditions of hydrometeor budget equations. The experiments with climatological aerosol distribution show that convective precipitation is suppressed with increasing aerosol amount, consistent with some available observations.
1T channel transmission field experiments and next generation DWDM network design

1T (an abbreviation for terabit per second) channel transmission field experiments are reviewed and the expected performance of 1T channels in deployed fiber networks is shown. The main change from 100G channel design to 1T channel design is introduction of the superchannel concept, in which multiple optical carriers are used for one channel. One of the main tasks of next generation ROADM based DWDM network designs involving superchannels is to maintain a balance between easy light path management and high spectral efficiency.
VINE: A Cyber Emulation Environment for MTD Experimentation

Dynamic and moving target defenses are generally characterized by their ability to modify their own state, or the state of the protected target. As such, the evolution of these kinds of defenses require specialized experiments that can capture their behavior and effectiveness through time, as well as their broader impacts in the network. While specialized experiments can be constructed to evaluate specific defenses, there is a need for a general approach that will facilitate such tasks. In this work we introduce VINE, a high-fidelity cyber experimentation environment designed for the study and evaluation of dynamic and moving target defenses. VINE provides a common infrastructure supporting the construction, deployment, execution, and monitoring of complex mission-driven network scenarios that are fully instrumented. The tool was designed to be scalable, extensible, and highly configurable to enable the study of cyber defense strategies under dynamic background traffic and attack conditions, making VINE well-suited for the study of adaptive and moving target defenses. In this paper we introduce the VINE approach, the VINE architecture for MTD experimentation, and provide an illustrative example of the framework in action.
Taking Up Arms

It is possible to see weapons manufactured during World War II in the hands of insurgents in Africa, Soviet-made light machine guns designed in the 1940s piled high in the caves of Afghanistan, and...
Hsp70 and CHIP Selectively Mediate Ubiquitination and Degradation of Hypoxia-inducible Factor (HIF)-1α but Not HIF-2α

Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are transcription factors that mediate adaptive responses to reduced oxygen availability. HIF-α subunits are stabilized under conditions of acute hypoxia. However, prolonged hypoxia leads to decay of HIF-1α but not HIF-2α protein levels by unknown mechanisms. Here, we identify Hsp70 and CHIP (carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein) as HIF-1α-interacting proteins. Hsp70, through recruiting the ubiquitin ligase CHIP, promotes the ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of HIF-1α but not HIF-2α, thereby inhibiting HIF-1-dependent gene expression. Disruption of Hsp70-CHIP interaction blocks HIF-1α degradation mediated by Hsp70 and CHIP. Inhibition of Hsp70 or CHIP synthesis by RNA interference increases protein levels of HIF-1α but not HIF-2α and attenuates the decay of HIF-1α levels during prolonged hypoxia. Thus, Hsp70- and CHIP-dependent ubiquitination represents a molecular mechanism by which prolonged hypoxia selectively reduces the levels of HIF-1α but not HIF-2α protein.
Protein kinase A modulates spontaneous activity in chronically compressed dorsal root ganglion neurons in the rat.

Abstract Protein kinase A (PKA) can play a critical role in the modulation of neuronal excitability. We examined the role of PKA in the modulation of abnormal spontaneous activity (SA) originating from the chronically compressed dorsal root ganglion (CCD). The L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) were compressed by inserting a stainless steel rod into each corresponding intervertebral foramen. After 1–14 postoperative days, SA in DRG neurons with myelinated axons was recorded in vitro from teased dorsal root microfilaments. Rp-cAMPS (5–500 μM), a specific inhibitor of PKA, caused a dose-dependent decrease in the discharge rate of SA when topically applied to the DRG. The highest dose completely blocked the SA, but not the conduction of action potentials. H89 (10 μM), another PKA inhibitor, also markedly decreased SA. Sp-cAMPS (500 μM), a specific activator of PKA, increased the discharge rate of SA in all injured units tested, but did not trigger firing in silent neurons. Okadaic acid (0.1 μM), a protein phosphatase inhibitor, and forskolin (1 μM), an adenyl cyclase activator, each significantly increased the discharge rate of SA. These results strongly suggest that PKA modulates the SA in injured DRG neurons with myelinated axons.
Neuritogenesis in mouse NB2a/d1 neuroblastoma cells: triggering by calcium influx and involvement of actin and tubulin dynamics.

Abstract Ionophore (A23187) -mediated calcium influx induced rapid neurite outgrowth in NB2a/d1 cells. This outgrowth was prevented by colchicine but not by cycloheximide, demonstrating a requirement for microtubule assembly but not de novo synthesis. Cytochalasin B induced rapid, colchicine-sensitive outgrowth, indicating that depolymerization of the submembrane actin network may be sufficient to allow neurite outgrowth under conditions which permitted microtubule assembly. Neurites induced by serumdeprivation or calcium influx were rapidly retracted by colchicine unless cytochalasin B was first added, indicating that the actin network may provide the retractile force which mediates neurite retraction following microtubule depolymerization. We conclude that neurite outgrowth can be initiated in NB2a/d1 cells by calcium influx, and may involve alterations in actin and microtubule dynamics.
Optics and MEMS: a new opportunity for innovation

Optics has been a technology for a long time. Often, just when it looked like the technology was beginning to diminish in impact, a new technology related to optics was born and completely rejuvenated the field. This caused significant innovation in relatively short periods of time. For example, the development of the laser in the early 1960s gave rise to laser printers, CD disk drives, optical recording, fiber optic communication etc. and has produced an enormous increase in practical devices as well as economic value. We are now faced with another opportunity. This opportunity is the ability to fabricate small optical "benches" or structures using the same material that has enabled the computer revolution, viz. silicon. While this field is relatively new, what might we expect from this new capability? The opportunity for displays, sensors, communication, etc. are beginning to open up and present new business and innovation possibilities. Optics has always benefited from system enabling technologies and Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems is a major new development. In this paper I will look at where we might go with Optics and MEMS or MOEMS. Examples of display concepts, etc. will be discussed that illustrate the great potential of these combined capabilities in just one area. It is likely that we will not be limited by the technology but by our imagination in its use.
Ab initio simulations of the effects of nanoscale confinement on proton transfer in hydrophobic environments.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were functionalized with −CF2SO3H groups and hydrated with 1–3 water molecules per sulfonic acid group to investigate proton dissociation and transport in confined, hydropho...
Information Spillovers: Another Look at Experimental Estimates of Legislator Responsiveness

A field experiment carried out by Butler and Nickerson (Butler, D. M., and Nickerson, D. W. (2011). Can learning constituency opinion affect how legislators vote? Results from a field experiment. Quarterly Journal of Political Science 6, 55–83) shows that New Mexico legislators changed their voting decisions upon receiving reports of their constituents’ preferences. The analysis of the experiment did not account for the possibility that legislators may share information, potentially resulting in spillover effects. Working within the analytic framework proposed by Bowers et al. (2013), I find evidence of spillovers, and present estimates of direct and indirect treatment effects. The total causal effect of the experimental intervention appears to be twice as large as reported originally.
The effect of LIGHT in inducing maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells from MDS patients

LIGHT is a recently cloned novel cytokine belonging to the TNF family that is selectively expressed on immature dendritic cells (iDCs) generated from monocytes isolated from human PBMCs. In these studies, we demonstrate that exogenous soluble LIGHT or soluble CD40 ligand (CD40L) can promote monocyte-derived dendritic cell maturation in vitro by the up-regulation of CD86, CD80, CD83, and HLA-DR antigen expression. Immature dendritic cells differentiated from monocytes of MDS patients displayed lower levels of costimulatory and HLA-DR molecules compared with iDCs differentiated from monocytes of normal subjects. However, upon induction of maturation by LIGHT or CD40L, the expression of costimulatory and HLA-DR molecules is comparable between DCs from MDS and normal subjects. Exogenous LIGHT- and CD40L-stimulated mature DCs (mDCs) also displayed increased antigen presentation to autologous T lymphocytes (tetanus toxin) or allogeneic T lymphocytes in mixed lymphocyte reactions. DCs matured by LIGHT showed increased secretion of IL-6, IL-12p75, and TNF-α, but not IL-1β. We conclude that both LIGHT and CD40L are immunoregulating factors that induce monocyte-derived iDCs from MDS patients to undergo maturation resulting in increased antigen presentation and T-cell activation. Monocyte-derived DCs can be stimulated to undergo phenotypic and functional changes with LIGHT that might be applied in the development of a DC-based vaccine for MDS treatment.
Scattered radiation from a neutron collimator

Fast‐neutron beams are being employed in radiotherapy trials and associated radiobiology studies at numerous centers in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Since collimated beams of various sizes and shapes are employed, it is desirable to know the composition of the scatteredradiation component contributed by the collimator. A simple method is shown for deducing the field composition in terms of a three‐component model, from measurements made with three ionization chambers (tissue‐equivalent, graphite, and magnesium). The dose contributed by the scatteredradiation in the present example was found to be predominantly due to fast neutrons indistinguishable from those in the primary spectrum (from 35‐MeV D+ on Be). This method may prove useful for measurements in phantoms as well.
In Vitro Soil Pb Solubility in the Presence of Hydroxyapatite

The transformation of lead (Pb) in contaminated soils to pyromorphite, by the addition of phosphate minerals, may be an economic in-situ immobilization strategy that results in a reduction of bioavailable Pb. To test this hypothesis, we conducted two sets of soil−solution experiments under constant (i.e., fixed) or dynamic (i.e., variable) pH conditions, as a function of time. In both sets of experiments, Pb-contaminated soil was reacted with synthetic hydroxyapatite in order to determine the transformation rate of soil Pb to pyromorphite and the soluble Pb level during the reaction period. In the constant pH system, the soluble Pb concentration decreased with the addition of apatite at pH 4 and above. However, the transformation was pH-dependent and incomplete at relatively high pH (≥6). The solubility of cerrusite (PbCO3), the major Pb mineral in this soil, still exhibited a strong influence on the solubility of soil Pb. In the dynamic pH experiments, which simulated gastric pH conditions (i.e., pH vari...
Failure in treating obsessive-compulsives.

Summary Two groups of obsessive-compulsives who failed to respond to treatment, although they complied with its demands, are examined. Patients of the first group held a strong conviction that their fears were realisitic; the second group was composed of patients who manifested severe depression. In the first group, patients habituated within sessions but not between sessions. Neither form of habituation was shown in the second group. By contrast typical obsessive-compulsive patients who benefited from behavioral treatment showed both forms of habituation. It is proposed that different processes underlie the two forms of habituation. one autonomic and the other cognitive, involving different areas of the brain. The occurrence of within-session habituation is seen as a necessary, but not a sufficient condition for between-session habituation. Implications for treatment are briefly discussed.
Energetics of Adsorbed Dimers VIA Self-Consistent Scattering Theory

A new approach to the surface electronic structure problem, based on a self-consistent scattering theory of point defects, permits 1st-principles calculations for an isolated cluster of adatoms and defects on an otherwise perfect infinite crystalline surface. A first numerical application of the method explains important observations concerning the interaction and diffusion of adatom dimers on Field Ion Microscope tips. Further studies will shed light on questions such as: What impurity species migrate to what kind of surface defects? What is the contribution of substrate atom positional relaxation to adsorption and diffusion barrier energies?
Personality characteristics of juvenile driving violators

THE JUVENILE DRIVER HAS A HIGHER THAN AVERAGE ACCIDENT RATE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO INADEQUATE DRIVING BEHAVIOR OF JUVENILES SO AS TO ENABLE THE DESIGN OF MORE EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS. THIS STUDY INVOLVED ONLY THE FACTOR OF PERSONALITY. SINCE THE 1080 SUBJECTS WERE ONLY 15 YEARS OLD, THEIR TOTAL NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS WAS SMALL, REQUIRING THE USE OF VIOLATIONS AS AN INDIRECT MEASURE OF INADEQUATE DRIVING. FIVE PERSONALITY MEASURES WERE OBTAINED FROM A CLASSROOM-ADMINISTERED QUESTIONNAIRE. ONE OF THESE MEASURES-EXPEDIENCY-WAS SIGNIFICANTLY RELATED TO NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS EVEN AFTER CONTROL FOR THE OTHER PERSONALITY MEASURES, AS WELL AS FOR SEX, DRIVING EXPERIENCE, AND SOCIAL AREA. THIS RESULT IS DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF ITS POSSIBLE RELATION TO ACCIDENTS, AS WELL AS ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE DESIGN OF DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAMS. /AUTHOR/
Canceler Performance Degradation Due to Estimation Noise

The multiple sidelobe canceler (MSLC) configured using the gradient descent algorithm converges to an approximation to the optimum weight vector. Since the weight vector estimate is obtained from a finite data set, there is a random error that increases the steady state residue power. An exact analysis of the steady state residue power for a digital implementation is performed. The analysis predicts that as the algorithm's gain (step size) is increased, the steady state residue power tends towards infinity. The gain that causes infinite power is smaller than the gain that causes instability for the average weight vector analysis. It is shown that the steady state residue power is equal to the minimum residue power multiplied by a factor that depends upon ratios of the eigenvalues. The steady state residue power is evaluated for some special cases. It is shown that the value of the factor is greatest when the interference is due to a single jammer.
Active tissue factor in blood

Following mechanical or chemical damage of the vessel or monocyte stimulation, tissue factor is exposed to the blood and binds plasma factor VIIa (FVIIa) forming the FVIIa–tissue factor enzyme complex. During the last several years, a number of studies have reported that physiologically active tissue factor is found circulating in blood of healthy individuals either as a component of blood cells and microparticles or as a soluble plasma protein1. Reports of the presence, source and activity of tissue factor in blood are controversial, with reported concentrations of physiologically active tissue factor varying from undetectable (<60 fM) in whole blood2 to as high as 37 pM in the plasma of healthy individuals3. Blood or plasma activated with (sub)picomolar concentrations of functional tissue factor clots within several minutes (Fig. 1), suggesting that such concentrations of functional tissue factor cannot be present in blood or plasma in vivo.
The individual's tax-exempt bond portfolio decision under income uncertainty

Abstract In this article, an individual's tax-exempt bond portfolio decision is investigated. A model capturing the relationship between income uncertainty and optimal portfolio choice is defined when an individual decision-maker has the opportunity to hold higher yielding private-activity bonds. The findings in this article show that in most cases risk-averse individuals will maximize the expected utility of after-tax income by holding a large proportion of private-activity bonds in their portfolio even under income uncertainty and the risk of a minimum tax liability. Those individuals who would benefit from holding private-activity bonds in a tax-exempt portfolio are identified and the magnitude of the benefit is quantified.
Some thoughts on schemata

I will try to summarize here a few ideas and questions that have arisen from efforts over the past few years to develop a model of what I call verbalization: the set of processes by which a person converts nonverbal knowledge into a verbal output. I have been thinking mainly in terms of a person who has experienced somethin~ which he later decides to tell about, although the examples given below will be of verbalizations of secondhand experience, acquired from hearing someone else tell about it. Even in the latter cases, however, I will assume that much of the knowledge being talked about has been stored in nonverbal form, so that the same kinds of verbalization processes must be applied.
Characterization of atmospheric turbulence phase statistics using wave-front slope measurements

Turbulence has long been recognized as one of the most significant factors limiting the performance of optical systems operating in the presence of atmosphere. Atmospheric turbulence over vertical paths has been well characterized, both theoretically and experimentally. Much less is known about turbulence over long, horizontal paths. Perturbations of the wave-front phase can be measured with a Hartmann wave-front sensor (H-WFS). One can use these measurements to characterize atmospheric turbulence directly. Theoretical expressions for the slope structure function of the H-WFS measurements are derived and evaluated with the use of numerical quadrature. By concentrating on the slope structure function, we avoid the phase reconstruction step and use the slope measurements in a more direct fashion. The theoretical slope structure function is compared with estimated slope structure functions computed from H-WFS measurements collected in a series of experiments conducted by researchers at the U.S. Air Force’s Phillips Laboratory. These experiments involved H-WFS measurements over high-altitude (airborne) horizontal paths 20–200 km in length.