cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On surface energy and the continuum thermodynamics of brittle fracture

When a separating body is viewed as a nonequilibrium thermodynamic process, the full thermodynamic nature of the surface energy induced by crack propagation becomes apparent. Within such a general framework it is no longer possible to view the surface energy as a material constant. For the self-propagating crack the induced surface energy is shown to depend explicitly on the square of the crack propagation speed. It is also shown that a separating body produces entropy even though the mechanical response of the solid may be elastic. The introduction of surface quantities such as surface energy into the continuum description of the fracture process forces a major departure from the mechanics appropriate to the nonseparating body. Local equations of balance are no longer obtainable as derived consequences of postulated global balance equations. They must instead be imposed as separate additional postulates.
Mapping spatially inhomogeneous electrochemical reactions in battery electrodes using high energy X-rays

The spatial distribution of a reaction through a lithium-ion battery electrode has been resolved using micro-beam high-energy X-ray scattering measurements coupled with Pair Distribution Function (PDF) analysis. The electrochemical reaction was most advanced at the interface between the electrode and electrolyte-soaked separator, with linear variation in reaction progress with distance from this interface.
Miscibility gap in the Th-ThC system from high-temperature X-ray data

Abstract X-ray diffractometer data for temperatures of 25 to 1600° C were obtained for thorium and for a series of thorium-carbon alloys containing up to 4.92 wt % carbon. All of these alloys were found to be single phase at temperatures near 1600° C. The critical temperature and composition for the miscibility gap are 1570 ± 25° C and 2.2 wt % (30.0 at %) carbon, respectively. At 600° C the gap extends from 0.27 to 3.75 wt % (4.9 to 43.2 at %) carbon. The lattice constants for these two solid solutions are 5.135 ± 0.005 and 5.317 ± 0.005 A, respectively. The lattice constant of the fcc solid solution at the critical temperature and composition is 5.301 ± 0.005 A. Lattice constants as a function of temperature for alpha and beta thorium, ThC, and some of the alloys are presented. The lattice constants for ThO2 for temperatures up to 1500° C are also presented.
Epilepsy in Pregnant Women.

For women of childbearing potential with epilepsy, seizures should be controlled with the smallest dosage of anti-epileptic drug (AED). Treatment with monotherapy should be achieved, if possible. The possibility of AED withdrawal should be considered in appropriate clinical setting prior to conception, and the AED treatment should be optimized prior to conception. Many pregnancies are unplanned, underscoring the need for constant vigilance in streamlining the treatment regimen. Prenatal counseling becomes particularly important, in order that both the physician and patient have open communication and realistic expectations about the course and outcome of a potential pregnancy. All women of childbearing potential with epilepsy should be informed about the known rates of teratogenicity of AEDs, possibility of increased seizure frequency during pregnancy, and the risks of the pregnancy and labor. All of the conventional AEDs are associated with an increased risk of major and minor anomalies in the offspring and are categorized as US Food and Drug Administration class C or D. Polytherapy increases this risk. Valproic acid and carbamazepine are each associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects, and should be avoided by women with a family history of spina bifida. This combination should be avoided, if possible. When a woman with epilepsy presents with pregnancy, a monotherapy regimen should not be changed if the seizures are well controlled. Reducing the number of AEDs can be considered in case of polytherapy, if the seizures are well controlled. If seizures are poorly controlled, adequate seizure control is the primary goal. Serum AED levels should be documented prior to conception, and within each trimester. More frequent monitoring may be necessary in case of poorly controlled seizures. If seizures have occurred during pregnancy, therapeutic AED levels should be documented in the late third trimester, prior to delivery. Phenytoin levels should also include an unbound fraction (“free” level); other unbound AED levels are not generally available. The dose adjustment should be made taking the whole clinical picture into account. Vitamin K 10 mg per day orally should be administered in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy for women taking hepatic enzyme-inducing AEDS (phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone, carbamazepine, topiramate, and oxcarbazepine). The newborn should receive vitamin K 1 mg intravenously or intramuscularly regardless of maternal AED exposure.
The fractal nature of RNA secondary structure.

The secondary structure of RNA is vital to the function of this molecule in biological systems. Studying the organization of these complex structures may prove useful in understanding the origin and evolution of these intricate assemblies, and their relation to RNA's functional roles
Interstitial water chemistry in the sediments of Saanich Inlet

Abstract Measurements of nutrients and trace metals are used to examine the processes controlling their distributions in the interstitial waters of Saanich Inlet. Samples were collected using both in situ and squeezing techniques with excellent agreement. Additional measurements of porosity, organic carbon and sedimentation rate by 210Pb are used in conjunction with the nutrient measurements to test the equation for the diagenesis of organic matter in fine-grained, organic-rich and rapidly-accumulating sediments. Organic carbon and sulfate decrease with depth in the sediment whereas ammonia and alkalinity increase. In the zone of sulfate reduction (0–20 cm) the rate constants for sulfate reduction ( k s ), ammonia production ( k N ) and organic carbon decomposition ( k c ) agree within a factor of two. Our calculations indicate, however, that this is fortuitous since the observed decrease in paniculate organic carbon is insufficient to account for the sulfate consumption. Sulfate must also be consumed by reaction with methane diffusing up from the underlying sediments. The rate constant for sulfate reduction using particulate organic carbon is lower than a modelled rate encompassing all organic species, including methane. The rate constant for ammonia production ( k N ) decreases by an order of magnitude when sulfate is completely depleted and methane production dominates. Thermodynamic calculations suggest that the interstitial waters are saturated or supersaturated with respect to all forms of iron ‘monosulfides’, apatite and rhodochrosite.
Reconstruction of hippocampal granule cell electrophysiology by computer simulation

Abstract A model of the hippocampal granule cells was created that closely approximated most of the measured intracellular responses from a neuron under a variety of stimulus conditions. This model suggests that: (1) A simple, four-conductance model can account for most of the intracellular behavior of these neurons. (2) The repolarization mechanism in granule cells may be different from that in squid axons. A weak potassium conductance may be present in hippocampal granule neurons, which simultaneously give rise to a small, passive depolarizing afterpotential. (3) The strength duration properties may assist in identifying the electrotonic and sodium channel properties with short stimulus pulse widths. (4) Repetitive firing responses are highly dependent on the cell's recent history of activation and the regulation of the slow potassium conductance and calcium dynamics. (5) The anodic break response is probably not a property of typical granule cells. Through thorough and precise comparison of experimental and model responses, computer simulations can help assembling channel information into verifiable models that accurately reproduce intracellular data.
Studies on the fungal phytotoxin victorin: Structures of three novel amino acids from the acid hydrolyzate

The host-selective phytotoxin victorin, produced by the fungusCochliobolus victoriae, was found to be at least partially peptidic in nature, and did not contain victoxinine. The exact mass of the M-H ion was measured by FABMS as 795.1877. Derivatives of three major acid hydrolysis products were isolated. The structures of the corresponding amino acids were assigned as 2S,3R-3-hydroxyleucine, 5,5-dichloroleucine, and 3-hydroxylysine. A into victorin by the fungus in vivo.
Comparing de novo genome assembly: the long and short of it.

Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology and their focal role in Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have rekindled a growing interest in the whole-genome sequence assembly (WGSA) problem, thereby, inundating the field with a plethora of new formalizations, algorithms, heuristics and implementations. And yet, scant attention has been paid to comparative assessments of these assemblers' quality and accuracy. No commonly accepted and standardized method for comparison exists yet. Even worse, widely used metrics to compare the assembled sequences emphasize only size, poorly capturing the contig quality and accuracy. This paper addresses these concerns: it highlights common anomalies in assembly accuracy through a rigorous study of several assemblers, compared under both standard metrics (N50, coverage, contig sizes, etc.) as well as a more comprehensive metric (Feature-Response Curves, FRC) that is introduced here; FRC transparently captures the trade-offs between contigs' quality against their sizes. For this purpose, most of the publicly available major sequence assemblers – both for low-coverage long (Sanger) and high-coverage short (Illumina) reads technologies – are compared. These assemblers are applied to microbial (Escherichia coli, Brucella, Wolbachia, Staphylococcus, Helicobacter) and partial human genome sequences (Chr. Y), using sequence reads of various read-lengths, coverages, accuracies, and with and without mate-pairs. It is hoped that, based on these evaluations, computational biologists will identify innovative sequence assembly paradigms, bioinformaticists will determine promising approaches for developing “next-generation” assemblers, and biotechnologists will formulate more meaningful design desiderata for sequencing technology platforms. A new software tool for computing the FRC metric has been developed and is available through the AMOS open-source consortium.
The Role of Journalist and the Performance of Journalism: Ethical Lessons From “Fake” News (Seriously)

Some have suggested that Jon Stewart of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (TDS) and Stephen Colbert of The Colbert Report (TCR) represent a new kind of journalist. We propose, rather, that Stewart and Colbert are imitators who do not fully inhabit the role of journalist. They are interesting because sometimes they do a better job performing the functions of journalism than journalists themselves. However, Stewart and Colbert do not share journalists' moral commitments. Therefore, their performances are neither motivated nor constrained by these commitments. Using a virtue theory framework, we suggest that this distinction between journalists and their imitators is morally significant because it implies differences in the kinds of excellence these moral agents are pursuing in their work. Rather than evaluating the work of Colbert and Stewart in the role of journalists, we propose analyzing their contributions to media ethics in the role of media critics.
Single-dose oral phenytoin loading

A single 18 mg/kg dose of oral phenytoin capsules or suspension (mean dose, 1.3 g) was given to 44 patients with recent seizures and no detectable serum phenytoin level. Mean serum phenytoin levels after loading for patients receiving capsules were 6.8 μ g/mL at two hours, 9.7 μ g/mL at three to five hours, 12.3 μ g/mL at six to ten hours, and 15.1 μ g/mL at 16 to 24 hours. Mean levels for patients receiving suspension were slightly, but not significantly, lower than for patients receiving capsules. No seizures occurred during an eight-hour observation period after loading. Drug toxicity was minimal. Single-dose, 18 mg/kg oral phenytoin loading provides rapid therapeutic levels and is well tolerated.
Echocardiography in the Diagnosis of Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis Coexisting with Pericardial Effusion

Of 89 patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis who had M-mode echocardiagrams recorded, seven patients with coexisting moderate to large pericardial effusions were identified. The clinical profile, M-mode echocardiograms, and cardiac catheterization and angiocardiographic studies in two of the seven patients were analyzed. That the two entities were not associated was suggested by the identification of an etiology for the pericardial effusion in four of the patients. Although the "swinging heart" phenomenon was exhibited in the echocardiograms of each patient, the presence of a significant pericardial effusion did not preclude the ability to establish a diagnosis of idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis by M-mode echocardiography.
The Interaction of Voltage-Sensor and Gate in BK Channels

To study the molecular basis and mechanism of voltage sensor/gate interaction in BK channels we performed an alanine-scan of the S4-S5 linker and the C-terminal end of S6 in mSlo1. Potassium conductance was measured over a wide range of voltage and calcium and fit to the Horrigan-Aldrich (HA) gating model. Open probability was measured at extreme negative voltages to determine if mutations altered the stability of the gate when voltage sensors are not activated (L in the HA model). Mutations in both linker and S6 were identified that alter L and therefore could be involved in voltage-sensor/gate interaction. The largest inhibitory effects were observed at the ends of S4-S5 linker (Q222A, I233A and K234A) and P319A in S6, each of which decreased L by 10- to 100-fold and shifted V0.5 to more positive voltages. I233A, unlike Q222A or K234A, also produced a decrease in voltage-dependence that is consistent with a decrease in voltage-sensor/gate coupling (D in the HA model). A structural model, based on Kv1.2, suggests inter- or intra-subunit interactions could potentially exist between these sites. Similarly, mutations near the end of S6 (R329A, K330A) that produce an approximate 3 fold increase in L without changing V0.5, may decrease voltage-sensor/gate coupling and could potentially interact with the N-terminal end of the linker where mutations F223A, L227A also produced a moderate increase in L. On the other hand, the largest increases in L were observed with mutations in S6 (P320A, E321A, E324A) that have no obvious interaction partner in S4-S5 and potentially alter the stability of the gate directly. In summary, we have identified several candidates that may be involved in voltage-sensor/gate interaction and will provide a basis for future experiments involving double mutant cycle analysis.
Leadership lessons from Mikhail Gorbachev

The experience of Mikhail Gorbachev provides important lessons for leaders in the 1990s. Leadership is a process of mutual influence that produces collective action in the service of shared or compatible goals and values, usually in a context of conflict and uncertainty. The job of the leader is not to control the tides but to know where they are going and to move with them. Leaders need to combine core values with elastic strategies; expect conflict, encourage its expression, and create arenas to confront it openly; and recognize the paradox of success: the more you succeed, the more you will be surprised and the likelier it is that events will outrun you. Leaders need the patience to recognize that change will take much longer than they hope and that things usually get worse before they get better. They need to be able to think complexly and to use multiple perspectives.
Village and community in early colonial New England

Abstract The long-standing correlation between community function and nucleated settlement form in early colonial New England is mistaken. Puritan communities were established, but new communities—often called villages in colonial records—were developed and survived quite well regardless of settlement form. As in England at the time, village meant community and community was a social web. Village status in New England provided a community with land and thus enabled the community to undertake settlement. But the social web that comprised community did not require nucleated settlement, and the dispersed settlement form that many colonists had known in England dominated the village landscape of early colonial New England.
BLADE: an attack-agnostic approach for preventing drive-by malware infections

Web-based surreptitious malware infections (i.e., drive-by downloads) have become the primary method used to deliver malicious software onto computers across the Internet. To address this threat, we present a browser independent operating system kernel extension designed to eliminate driveby malware installations. The BLADE (Block All Drive-by download Exploits) system asserts that all executable files delivered through browser downloads must result from explicit user consent and transparently redirects every unconsented browser download into a nonexecutable secure zone of disk. BLADE thwarts the ability of browser-based exploits to surreptitiously download and execute malicious content by remapping to the file system only those browser downloads to which a programmatically inferred user-consent is correlated, BLADE provides its protection without explicit knowledge of any exploits and is thus resilient against code obfuscation and zero-day threats that directly contribute to the pervasiveness of today's drive-by malware. We present the design of our BLADE prototype implementation for the Microsoft Windows platform, and report results from as extensive empirical evaluation of its effectiveness on popular browsers. Our evaluation includes multiple versions of IE and Firefox, against 1,934 active malicious URLs, representing a broad spectrum of web-based exploits not plaguing the Internet. BLADE successfully blocked all drive-by malware install attempts with zero false positives and a 3% worst-case performance cost.
Plasma timolol in glaucoma patients.

Abstract Plasma timolol levels were measured in our timolol-treated glaucoma patients employing three protocols: (1) measurements in ten patients over age 60 on chronic timolol therapy before, one hour, and three! hours after receiving one drop of 0.5% timolol, (2) measurements in nine adult patients, with and without punctal occlusion, and (3) random measurement of plasma timolol in children on chronic timolol therapy while under general anesthesia. In the ten patients over age 60 years, baseline mean plasma timolol was 0.34 ng/ml, increasing to a mean of 1.34 ng/ml one hour after receiving drops. When punctal occlusion was applied, the mean one-hour plasma timolol diminished to 0.9 ng/ml, approximately 40% less than that observed without punctal occlusion. The plasma timolol levels examined in nine determinations in five children ranged from a low 3.5 ng/ml in a five-year-old child to 34 ng/ml in a three-week-old infant.
Focal adhesion kinase is essential for cardiac looping and multichamber heart formation

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a critical mediator of matrix- and growth factor-induced signaling during development. Myocyte-restricted FAK deletion in mid-gestation mice results in impaired ventricular septation and cardiac compaction. However, whether FAK regulates early cardiogenic steps remains unknown. To explore a role for FAK in multi-chambered heart formation, we utilized anti-sense morpholinos to deplete FAK in Xenopus laevis. Xenopus FAK morphants exhibited impaired cardiogenesis, pronounced pericardial edema, and lethality by tadpole stages. Spatial-temporal assessment of cardiac marker gene expression revealed that FAK was not necessary for midline migration, differentiation, fusion of cardiac precursors, or linear heart tube formation. However, myocyte proliferation was significantly reduced in FAK morphant heart tubes and these tubes failed to undergo proper looping morphogenesis. Collectively our data imply that FAK plays an essential role in chamber outgrowth and looping morphogenesis likely stimulated by fibroblast growth factors (and possibly other) cardiotrophic factors.
Central mid-temporal spikes triggered by blinking

Abstract The closed-circuit TV-electroencephalogram (CCTV-EEG) of a 6-year-old boy revealed central mid-temporal spikes (CMTS) triggered by blinking. The spikes occurred spontaneously, as well as reflexly, following the blinks by 100–200 msec. Triggered spikes occurred in the light and dark and also while awake and drowsy. However, spontaneous spikes, not triggered by blinks, also occurred in drowsiness. These findings demonstrate activation of CMTS by an endogenous behavior (blinking).
Distinct element analysis of unstable shear failure of rock discontinuities in underground mining conditions

Abstract The work presented in this paper focuses on improving the understanding of shear failure stability associated with underground mining by considering the relative stiffnesses of wall rocks and the failing discontinuity in addition to important shear strength and stress drop parameters. The study uses the Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC) with the optional constitutive law, the continuously yielding joint model. The mine-scale numerical model consists of an advancing tabular excavation below a large horizontal discontinuity. Using this model, extensive simulations were performed to study the failure stabilities at selected points along the discontinuity as a function of mining geometry and the material properties of the discontinuity and its wall rocks. The results show that the failure stability is governed by the relative stiffnesses of the failing discontinuity and the loading stiffness of the wall rocks. The proneness and intensity of unstable failures is found to increase with increased normal stress and decreased loading stiffness. The findings also indicate that the loading stiffness is reduced with increased mining, decreased distance to discontinuity, and decreased elastic modulus of the rock resulting in an increased probability of unstable failures along the discontinuity.
Influence of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt in patients awaiting orthotopic liver transplant on post-transplant outcome

Abstract Background This study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (TIPS) in patients awaiting orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and to identify factors affecting post-transplant survival. Methods Consecutive patients who underwent TIPS followed by OLT between January 1991 and December 2008 were included in the study. The Kaplan–Meier method was used for survival analysis. Survival curves were compared using the log rank test. Results A total of 129 patients underwent TIPS followed by OLT and were included in our study. The mean age of the group was 54.67 years (SD, 11.45; range, 16–74 years). The mean duration of follow-up was 2.3 years (range, 1 day–15 years). The mean duration between first TIPS placement and OLT was 1.5 years (range, 0.1–13.4 years). The post-transplant survival rates at 1 month, 1 year, 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years were 98%, 82%, 75%, 69%, and 43%, respectively. The technical success rate of the OLT was 100% in patients who had undergone pre-transplant TIPS. The post-transplant survival was not influenced by pre-TIPS portosystemic gradient ( P = 0.295) or the drop in pressure after TIPS ( P = 0.423). On multivariate analysis, hepatitis C virus positivity [ P = 0.001; hazard ratio = 2.50 (1.47–4.25)] and Model for End-stage Liver Disease score [ P = 0.015; hazard ratio = 2.45 (1.19–5.02)] were found to be significant predictors of post-transplant long-term survival. The incidence of post-TIPS complications was 32.6% (42/129). The most common complication was procedure-related bleeding (8.5%) followed by hepatic encephalopathy (7.0%). Conclusion Post-transplant survival in patients who undergo TIPS before OLT is excellent. Higher Model for End-stage Liver Disease scores and hepatitis C positivity result in worse post-transplant survival.
5β-hydroxygitoxigenin, a product of gitoxigenin produced by Daucus carota culture☆

Abstract The product of gitoxigenin transformation by Daucus carota Ca68 cell suspension culture has been isolated from culture filtrates and identified as 5β-hydroxygitoxigenin. A summary of the physico-chemical data for this novel compound is reported for the first time.
Outcome in 104 pubovaginal slings using freeze-dried allograft fascia lata from a single tissue bank

We describe our experience with the use of allograft fascia lata for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. One hundred and four patients underwent allograft fascia lata pubovaginal slings. Preoperatively, all were evaluated by a detailed urogynecologic evaluation, voiding diary, and pelvic examination. The pubovaginal sling was performed using a 2×15-cm freeze-dried nonirradiated cadaveric fascia lata specimen. Outcome measures were assessed by a urogynecologic questionnaire, pad usage, and disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaires. Eighty-eight percent (91 of 104) responded to a mailed urogynecology and disease-specific quality-of-life questionnaire with an average follow-up period of 19.4 ± 10.3 months. The mean preoperative daily pad usage was 4.6 ± 3.0, postoperatively pad usage was 1.1 ± 1.4 (P < 0.0001). Urge incontinence resolved in 41% (n = 24) of the 59 patients who complained of this preoperatively. Eighty-seven percent of the responders indicated that urinary incontinence was not substantially affecting their daily life. As in our preliminary report, the use of freeze-dried allograft pubovaginal sling continues to provide good results without adverse outcomes. A prospective, randomized comparison of autologous versus allograft slings and a review of preparation techniques used by tissue banks are needed.
New and improved FRAX® for predicting fragility fractures: a work in progress.

In 1994, the WHO published a detailed report that was developed over a number of years by an international group of experts in osteoporosis [1]. This work formalized the current prefracture diagnos...
Simultaneous least squares analysis of ν2 + ν4, ν4 + ν5 and 2ν4 of CD3I

Abstract The spectrum of CD3I between 3100 cm−1 and 3400 cm−1 has been measured with a resolution of ∼0.06 cm−1 and three bands assigned to ν1 + ν5, ν2 + ν4 and ν4 + ν5. The fine structure has been assigned unequivocally for ν2 + ν4, and ν4 + ν5 and least squares analyses performed on the data for these two bands. A simultaneous least squares analysis of ν2 + ν4, ν4 + ν5 and previously published data for 2ν4 has been carried out using the twice transformed Hamiltonian through third order. Advantages of simultaneous analysis of related bands for the isolation of the effects of localized resonances and accurate determination of molecular parameters are discussed.
Foamed polymer sandwich composites reinforced with three-dimensional filler

Open-pore flexible polyurethane (PUR) foam with varioius pore sizes (1-8 mm) was used as filler to reinforce low-density closed-cell PUR flexible foam. The final composite has a sandwich structure, where the core zone has “foam-in-foam” structure and skin zones are unreinforced PUR foams. Compared to the regular, non-sandwich one-layer PUR flexible foam, the structure composite exhibits improved mechanical properties: the support factor can be increased up to 65 percent and the compressive force deflection value can be increased almost 100 percent while the density of the composite increases only 25 percent.
The effect of altered transmembrane ion gradients on membrane potential and aggregation of human platelets in blood plasma

Abstract The resting membrane potential of platelets suspended in blood plasma buffer mixture measured using tritiated triphenylmethylphosphonium was 48 ± 13 mV. Increases in extracellular potassium concentration caused depolarization of the platelet membrane. Ouabain (1.0 μM) produced a depolarization of 13 ± 5 mV. Depolarization with elevated extracellular potassium or ouabain potentiated the aggregating effects of adenosine diphosphate even in the presence of methysergide suggesting that the effects are not mediated through ion linked serotonin transport. These observations are consistent with the suggestion that transmembrane ion gradients and membrane potential can regulate platelet sensitivity to the aggregating agent adenosine diphosphate.
Vulnerability hierarchies in access control configurations

This paper applies methods for analyzing fault hierarchies to the analysis of relationships among vulnerabilities in misconfigured access control rule structures. Hierarchies have been discovered previously for faults in arbitrary logic formulae [11,10,9,21], such that a test for one class of fault is guaranteed to detect other fault classes subsumed by the one tested, but access control policies reveal more interesting hierarchies. These policies are normally composed of a set of rules of the form “if [conditions] then [decision]”, where [conditions] may include one or more terms or relational expressions connected by logic operators, and [decision] is often 2-valued (“grant” or “deny”), but may be n-valued. Rule sets configured for access control policies, while complex, often have regular structures or patterns that make it possible to identify generic vulnerability hierarchies for various rule structures such that an exploit for one class of configuration error is guaranteed to succeed for others downstream in the hierarchy. A taxonomy of rule structures is introduced and detection conditions computed for nine classes of vulnerability: added term, deleted term, replaced term, stuck-at-true condition, stuck-at-false condition, negated condition, deleted rule, replaced decision, negated decision. For each configuration rule structure, detection conditions were analyzed for the existence of logical implication relations between detection conditions. It is shown that hierarchies of detection conditions exist, and that hierarchies vary among rule structures in the taxonomy. Using these results, tests may be designed to detect configuration errors, and resulting vulnerabilities, using fewer tests than would be required without knowledge of the hierarchical relationship among common errors. In addition to practical applications, these results may help to improve the understanding of access control policy configurations.
Magnetic Resonance Spectra and Statistical Geometry

Methods of statistical geometry are introduced which allow one to estimate, on the basis of computable criteria, the conditions under which maximally informative data may be collected. We note the important role of constraints which introduce curvature into parameter space and discuss the appropriate mathematical tools for treating curvature effects. Channel capacity, a term from communication theory, is suggested as a useful figure of merit for estimating the information content of spectra in the presence of noise. The tools introduced here are applied to the case of a model nitroxide system as a concrete example, but we stress that the methods described here are of general utility.
Weight-loss history as a predictor of obesity treatment outcome: Prospective, long-term results from behavioral, group self-help treatment

Weight-loss history was examined as a predictor of outcome in group self-help obesity treatment. Participants (n = 128; 83% women; mean body mass index = 34.2 kg/m2; mean age = 47.2 years) in self-help, group behavioral weight-loss treatment reported a mean of 5.1 prior weight-loss attempts and lost 13.8 percent of initial weight in current treatment. A greater number of past attempts independently predicted greater 6-month, 18-month, and intent-to-treat weight losses. Greater magnitude of largest past loss predicted greater 18-month weight loss. In contrast to studies on professional treatment, group self-help participants might benefit from repeated weight-loss efforts despite previous failures.
Brand Naming in China: Sociolinguistic Implications

Applying brand names to international markets remains a challenge to multinational corporations. Consumers’ sociolinguistic backgrounds shape their responses to brand names. This paper uses a sociolinguistic approach as a conceptual framework in understanding brand naming and translating in the Chinese market. The approach promotes that sociolinguistics a) recognizes linguistic competence, b) advances symbolic values imbedded in linguistic forms, and c) renders attached social valence to cultural scrutiny. Three brand‐naming cases in China are presented for discussion, which may benefit multinational corporations on brand decisions involving Chinese consumers.
Fractionation of Beef Liver Ribosomes with Specific Antiserum

Ribosomes may be specific in their role in protein biosynthesis. A preliminary study suggests that antisera against specific beef liver proteins selectively precipitate ribosomes to which the specific proteins are bound.
Rapid microdetermination of nitrogen by the Dumas method

Abstract A simple setup is described which enables a fast method for nitrogen determination in organic compounds. The arbitrary 2% correction for nitrogen volume is eliminated. Analysis can be completed in approximately 20 minutes and give a high degree of precision and accuracy on different types of organic compounds.
Effectiveness of Financial Incentives in a Worksite Diabetes Prevention Program

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of financial incentive in a diabetes prevention weight loss program at worksites. Design: Group-level randomized intervention study. Setting: Four long-term care facilities, randomly assigned to "incentive-IG" or "non incentive-NIG" groups. Participants: Ninety-nine employees, all overweight or obese (BMI= mean 34.8+7.4 kg/m 2 ) and at risk for type 2 diabetes. Intervention: A 16 week weight loss program (diabetes prevention program) with a 3 month follow up. IG could either choose a "standard incentive" to receive cash award when achieving the projected weight loss or to participate in a "standard plus deposit incentive" to get additional money matched with their deposit for projected weight loss. All of the participants received a one-hour consultation for a healthy weight loss at the beginning. Measures: Weight-loss, diabetes risk score (DRS), and cardiovascular risk outcomes. Analyses: Linear and logistic regressions for completed cases with adjustments for clustering effect at group level. Results: IG lost on average more pounds (p=0.027), reduced BMI (p=0.04), and reduced in DRS (p=0.011) compared to NIG at week 16. At the 12-week follow-up period, those in IG plus deposit subgroup had twice the odds (OR=2.2, p=0.042) and those in the standard IG had three times the odds of achieving weight loss goals than NIG; those in the IG plus deposit group reduced DRS by 0.4 (p=0.045). Conclusion: Monetary incentives appear to be effective in reducing weight and diabetes risk.
Bump evolution driven by the x-ray ablation Richtmyer-Meshkov effect in plastic inertial confinement fusion Ablators

Growth of hydrodynamic instabilities at the interfaces of inertial confinement fusion capsules (ICF) due to ablator and fuel non-uniformities are a primary concern for the ICF program. Recently, observed jetting and parasitic mix into the fuel were attributed to isolated defects on the outer surface of the capsule. Strategies for mitigation of these defects exist, however, they require reduced uncertainties in Equation of State (EOS) models prior to invoking them. In light of this, we have begun a campaign to measure the growth of isolated defects (bumps) due to x-ray ablation Richtmyer-Meshkov in plastic ablators to validate these models. Experiments used hohlraums with radiation temperatures near 70 eV driven by 15 beams from the Omega laser (Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester, NY), which sent a ∼1.25Mbar shock into a planar CH target placed over one laser entrance hole. Targets consisted of 2-D arrays of quasi-gaussian bumps (10 microns tall, 34 microns FWHM) deposited on the surface facing into the hohlraum. On-axis radiography with a saran (Cl He α − 2.76keV) backlighter was used to measure bump evolution prior to shock breakout. Shock speed measurements were also performed to determine target conditions. Simulations using the LEOS 5310 and SESAME 7592 models required the simulated laser power be turned down to 80 and 88%, respectively to match observed shock speeds. Both LEOS 5310 and SESAME 7592 simulations agreed with measured bump areal densities out to 6 ns where ablative RM oscillations were observed in previous laser-driven experiments, but did not occur in the x-ray driven case. The QEOS model, conversely, over predicted shock speeds and under predicted areal density in the bump.
SINGLE NUCLEOTIDE POLYMORPHISMS THAT INFLUENCE LIPID METABOLISM: Interaction with Dietary Factors.

▪ Abstract Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is the result of complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. During the past few decades, much attention has focused on plasma lipoproteins as CVD risk factors. The current evidence supports the concept that gene-environment interactions modulate plasma lipid concentrations and potentially CVD risk. The findings from studies examining gene-diet interactions and lipid metabolism have been highly promising. Several loci (i.e., APOA1, APOA4, APOE, and LIPC) are providing proof-of-concept for the potential application of genetics in the context of personalized nutritional recommendations for CVD prevention. However, the incorporation of these findings to the clinical environment is not ready for prime time. There is a compelling need for replication using a higher level of scientific evidence. Moreover, we need to evolve from the simple scenarios examined nowadays (i.e., one single dietary component, single nucleotide polymorphism, and risk fact...
A Study of Liquid Metal Film Flow, Under Fusion Relevant Magnetic Fields

The use of flowing liquid metal streams or liquid walls as a plasma contact surface is a very attractive option and has received considerable attention over the past several years both in the plasma physics and fusion engineering programs. A key issue for the feasibility of flowing liquid metal plasma facing component (PFC) systems, lies in their magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) behavior. The spatially varying magnetic field environment, typical of a fusion device can lead to serious flow disrupting MHD forces that hinder the development of a smooth and controllable flow needed for PFC applications. The present study builds up on the ongoing research effort at UCLA, directed towards providing qualitative and quantitative data on liquid metal free surface flow behavior under fusion relevant magnetic fields, to aid in better understanding of flowing liquid metal PFC systems.
Spectrum modelling and regrowth for 4G wireless signals

Long term evolution (LTE) and WiMAX are the two emerging technologies dominating for the fourth generation (4G) of mobile networks. The in-band and out-of-band emission limits are specified in these two systems, however these relatively new standards still lack mathematical descriptions on spectrum regrowth. Previously, the authors analysed and predicted the spectrum regrowth caused by the nonlinearity of RF power amplifiers related to their intermodulation parameters for two OFDM based signals: Wi-Fi and digital broadcasting. In this reported work, this technology is advanced further to LTE and WiMAX signals and verified by the validity of the theoretical result derived by real experiments. This provides insight for designing power amplifier and digital predistortion in terms of out-band spectrum regrowth.
Mast Cells in Infection and Immunity

Mast cells remain one of the most enigmatic cells in the body. These cells secrete significant amounts of numerous proinflammatory mediators which contribute to a number of chronic inflammatory conditions, including stress-induced intestinal ulceration, rheumatoid arthritis, interstitial cystitis, scleroderma, and Crohn’s disease (6, 14, 24, 76). Mast cells are also prominent in the development of anaphylaxis (14, 24, 76). Yet despite the negative effects of their secretions, mast cells or mast cell-like cells have been described even among the lowest order of animals (31). The phylogenic persistence of these cells through evolution strongly suggests that they are beneficial in some fashion to the host. Mast cells are selectively found in relatively large numbers adjacent to blood or lymphatic vessels but are most prominent immediately beneath the epithelial surfaces of the skin and the mucosae of the genitourinary, gastrointestinal, and respiratory tracts. Estimated concentrations of mast cells range from 500 to 4,000 per mm 3 in the lungs, 7,000 to 12,000 per mm 3 in skin, and 20,000 per mm 3 in the gastrointestinal tract (76). Because many of these sites also happen to be portals of infection, mast cells may represent one of the first inflammatory cells encountered by an invading pathogen. There is considerable evidence that mast cells recognize and react to a wide range of microorganisms or their products (Table 1). Such interactions lend further credence to the notion that mast cells have the potential to markedly influence the course of microbial infections. In this paper, we review data that support the possibility that the
Enhancing Main Idea Comprehension for Students with Learning Problems: The Role of a Summarization Strategy and Self-Monitoring Instruction

This study investigated the effectiveness of a main idea strategy and self-monitoring instructional procedure for improving comprehension of textual material in students with high-incidence (e.g., learning and behavioral) disabilities. Thirty-three middle school students with disabilities were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Students in the experimental condition were trained to identify and generate main idea statements using main idea strategy instruction and a self-monitoring procedure. Results indicated that the instructional procedures led to increased reading comprehension of students in the experimental group on the training measure, which was maintained over time. On near and far transfer measures, the experimental group statistically outperformed students in the control group on posttest and delayed posttest items requiring selection responses. Students in the experimental group maintained strategy usage 6 weeks later on selection type responses on the near transfer measure ...
Molecular mechanics parameters for the FapydG DNA lesion

FapydG is a common oxidative DNA lesion involving opening of the imidazole ring. It shares the same precursor as 8-oxodG and can be excised by the same enzymes as 8-oxodG. However, the loss of the aromatic imidazole in FapydG results in a reduction of the double bond character between C5 and N7, with an accompanying increase in conformational flexibility. Experimental characterization of FapydG is hampered by high reactivity, and thus it is desirable to investigate structural details through computer simulation. We show that the existing Amber force field parameters for FapydG do not reproduce X-ray structural data. We employed quantum mechanics energy profile calculations to derive new molecular mechanics parameters for the rotation of the dihedral angles in the eximidazole moiety. Using these parameters, all-atom simulations in explicit water reproduce the nonplanar conformation of cFapydG in the crystal structure of the complex with L. lactis glycosylase Fpg. We note that the nonplanar structure is stabilized by an acidic residue that is not present in most Fpg sequences. Simulations of the E-->S mutant, as present in E. coli, resulted in a more planar conformation, suggesting that the highly nonplanar form observed in the crystal structure may not have direct biological relevance for FapydG.
The relationship between students’ communication apprehension and their motives for communicating with their instructors

People with high communication apprehension talk less and are less satisfied in their communication with others. In the classroom, students high in communication apprehension talk less, are less motivated, and are less successful than students low in communication apprehension. The intention of this study was to focus on how students’ trait communication apprehension was related to their motives for communicating with their instructors. Findings show that the motives of relational, participation, and functional are negatively related to communication apprehension.
Defect-induced vibrational response of multi-walled carbon nanotubes using resonance Raman spectroscopy

We systematically introduced defects onto the body of multi-walled carbon nanotubes through an acid treatment, and the evolution of these defects was examined by Raman spectroscopy using different excitation wavelengths. The D and D’ modes are most prominent and responsive to defect formation caused by acid treatment and exhibit dispersive behavior upon changing the excitation wavelengths as expected from the double resonance Raman (DRR) mechanism. Several weaker Raman resonances including D? and L1 (L2) + D’ modes were also observed at the lower excitation wavelengths (633 and 785 nm). In addition, specific structural defects including the typical pentagon-heptagon structure (Stone-Wales defects) were identified by Raman spectroscopy. In a closer analysis we also observed Haeckelite structures, specifically Ag mode response in R5,7 and O5,6,7.
High level synthesis for peak power minimization using ILP

The work presented in this paper focuses on behavioral level power optimization. Specifically, we address the problem of scheduling a data-flow graph under latency constraints. We have developed an integer linear program (ILP) model and a Modified Force-Directed Scheduling (MFDS) that minimize the peak power while satisfying timing constraints. Our integer linear programming method extends the traditional ILP approach that minimizes resources to include peak power consideration while adding extensions for multi-cycle and pipelined arithmetic components. In our benchmark results, the peak power is reduced after scheduling based on ILP method and MFDS algorithm and is reduced significantly after scheduling and pipelining are both applied. The results obtained by the heuristic-based algorithms (MFDS) match very well with those obtained by the integer linear programming (ILP) methods. While the results obtained by heuristic-based algorithm are approximate, the results obtained by the integer linear programming methods are optimal. But the heuristic-based algorithm is faster than the integer linear programming methods.