cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Algorithm 951: Cayley Analysis of Mechanism Configuration Spaces using CayMos: Software Functionalities and Architecture

For a common class of two-dimensional (2D) mechanisms called 1-dof tree-decomposable linkages, we present a software package, CayMos, which uses new theoretical results from Sitharam and Wang [2014] and Sitharam et al. [2011a, 2011b] to implement efficient algorithmic solutions for (a) meaningfully representing and visualizing the connected components in the Euclidean realization space; (b) finding a path of continuous motion between two realizations in the same connected component, with or without restricting the realization type (sometimes called orientation type); and (c) finding two “closest” realizations in different connected components.
Update on Vaccination Guidelines for Older Adults

Vaccination is a vital component of routine preventative health. Older adults can potentially benefit most from vaccines because they have greater susceptibility to disease and associated complications. The number of infections covered and the types of vaccines available has grown significantly in recent years. Although this represents tremendous progress, it can also result in confusion and missed opportunities to provided recommended vaccinations. This review summarizes the current guidelines for vaccination of older adults and highlights the latest innovations.
Recognizing Self in the Self-Incompatibility Response

Francois Jacob once facetiously lamented the arrangement in the human body whereby reproduction is the only function for which an individual is equipped with only one-half of the necessary organs, thus entailing the expenditure of a substantial amount of time and energy into finding the other half
A revision of the North American Pachygasterinae with unspined scutellum (Diptera)

It is not by any means unusual for taxonomic workers in entomology to discover, when classifying genera in families which consist of a large number of closely allied species that characters which they find of considerable value for their purpose, and which apparently are of real generic rank in these groups, are found not in a number of species, but in individual species in other portions of their series. Indeed, the systematist almost invariably finds that by a consistent application of the test of his separating characters throughout a family he has several large groups of species set apart from each other, collectively, by characters the use of which in classifying a certain residue of species—often more closely related biologically than are some of the individuals of the seemingly natural groups which his application of certain rules has defined—will result in a generic separation giving a single species to each genus. I have had this experience in almost every family of insects that I have studied, but have no remedy to suggest, since without a knowledge of the life history of the species we are often unable to decide upon the limits of genera except arbitrarily, or—which amounts to the same thing—by a consideration of structural details of the adults. In every order, differences of opinion exist regarding the status of genera, and still more commonly in the case of species, and, apart from those differences which arise between taxonomists because of their personal relations, it is often impossible to decide which is the correct attitude regarding certain disputed points.
Streptococcal disease in Southern California

Summary 1. Evidence has been presented toindicate that streptococcosis occurs with similar frequency in Southern California as in other areas throughout the United States. 2. A small percentage (2 to 6 percent) of the normal childhood population harbor streptococci. 3. A small percentage (3 to 18 per cent) of respiratory disease in children is due to streptococci, the actual percentage depending upon the time of the year. 4. We found it difficult to predictstreptococcal infection on the basis of symptoms and physical findings alone and therefore strongly recommend a throat culture as a necessary laboratory aid. 5. The acute phase reactants are valuable laboratory aids in differentiating uncomplicated from complicated streptococcosis.
Arterial pulse waves and velocity and systolic time intervals in diabetic children.

Abstract Arterial pulse wave velocities, pulse wave contours, and systolic time intervals were recorded in thirty-nine diabetic children and were compared with recordings taken in twenty-seven normal children. Systolic time intervals were similar in the two groups of subjects. However, brachial and aortic pulse wave velocities were significantly greater in the diabetic than in the normal children (p
Gender Effects on Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Physician Computer Users in Outpatient Diagnostic Clinics

A survey of computer use patterns among 179 physicians within multiple outpatient diagnostic clinics of a major healthcare system in the USA showed significant gender effects. A majority of physicians reported daily use of a desk mounted computer. Female physicians spent more time using a computer, were more likely to adjust the keyboard, but felt less familiar with the adjustability features. Over half of respondents reported upper body musculoskeletal discomfort. Female physicians experienced more frequent neck, shoulder, upper back and right hand musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms which seem to relate to their hours of computer use. Implications for the increased use of computers in healthcare are described.
Loss of plastidic lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase causes embryo-lethality in Arabidopsis

Phosphatidic acid is a key intermediate for chloroplast membrane lipid biosynthesis. De novo phosphatidic acid biosynthesis in plants occurs in two steps: first the acylation of the sn-1 position of glycerol-3-phosphate giving rise to lysophosphatidic acid; second, the acylation of the sn-2 position of lysophosphatidic acid to form phosphatidic acid. The second step is catalyzed by a lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT). Here we describe the identification of the ATS2 gene of Arabidopsis encoding the plastidic isoform of this enzyme. Introduction of the ATS2 cDNA into E. coli JC 201, which is temperature-sensitive and carries a mutation in its LPAAT gene plsC, restored this mutant to nearly wild type growth at high temperature. A green-fluorescent protein fusion with ATS2 localized to the chloroplast. Disruption of the ATS2 gene of Arabidopsis by T-DNA insertion caused embryo lethality. The development of the embryos was arrested at the globular stage concomitant with a transient increase in ATS2 gene expression. Apparently, plastidic LPAAT is essential for embryo development in Arabidopsis during the transition from the globular to the heart stage when chloroplasts begin to form.
Understanding & Teaching Genetics Using Analogies

We present a collection of analogies that are intended to help students better understand the foreign and often nuanced vocabulary of the genetics curriculum. Why is it called the “wild type”? What is the difference between a locus, a gene, and an allele? What is the functional (versus a rule-based) distinction between dominant and recessive alleles? It is our hope that by using these analogies, teachers at all levels of the K–16 curriculum can appeal to the common experience and common sense of their students, to lay a solid foundation for mastery of genetics and, thereby, to enhance understanding of evolutionary principles.
Thermal modeling of the Clear Lake magmatic-hydrothermal system, California, USA

Recent volcanism, high heat flow (4 HFU or 167 mW/m2), and high conductive geothermal gradients (up to 120°C/km) indicate that heat from a shallow silicic intrusion in the Clear Lake region is largely being dissipated by conduction. The Geysers area has the highest heat flow in the region, consistent with the presence of shallow convective heat transport within the vapor-dominated geothermal system. Thermal modeling of the Clear Lake magmatic-hydrothermal system based on petrologic and geophysical constraints provides a test of petrologic models, and yields insight into the relationships between observed thermal gradient and magma chamber size, abundance, and emplacement history in the crust. A user-interactive two-dimensional (2-D) numerical model allowing for complex host rocks and multiple emplacements of magma was developed to simulate conductive and convective heat transport around magma bodies using a finite-difference approach. Conductive models that are broadly consistent with the petrologic history and observed thermal gradients of the Mt. Konocti and Borax Lake areas imply a combination of high background gradients, shallow magma bodies (roofs at 3–4 km), and recent shallow intrusion not represented by eruption. Models that include zones of convective heat transport directly above magma bodies and/or along overlying fault zones allow for deeper magma bodies (roofs at 4–6 km), but do not easily account for the large areal extent of the thermal anomaly in the Clear Lake region. Consideration of the entire Clear Lake magmatic system, including intrusive equivalents, leads us to conclude that: (1) emplacement of numerous small and shallow silicic magma bodies occurred over essentially the entire region of high heat flow (about 750 km2); (2) only a very small fraction (much less than 10%) of the silicic magma emplaced in the upper crust at Clear Lake was erupted; (3) high conductive thermal gradients are enhanced locally by fault-controlled zones of convective heat (geothermal fluid) transport; and (4) except for the Mt. Hannah and possibly the Borax Lake area, most of the silicic magma present in the upper crust has solidified or nearly solidified. These bodies are currently difficult to distinguish from surrounding hot basement rocks dominated by graywacke using geophysical methods. The Clear Lake region north of the Collayomi fault is one of the best prospects for hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal development in the US, but is unlikely to provide significant development opportunities for conventional geothermal power production. Modeling results suggest the possibility that granitic bodies similar to The Geysers felsite may underlie much of the Clear Lake region at shallow depths (3–6 km). This is significant because future HDR reservoirs could potentially be sited in granitoid plutons rather than in structurally complex Franciscan basement rocks.
Conceptual and Psychometric Issues in the Assessment of Adaptive Behavior

This article discusses three issues in the assessment of adaptive behavior: the clarity of the construct of adaptive behavior, the norm samples for adaptive behavior scales, and the predictive validity of adaptive behavior scales. It is concluded that while the concept of adaptive behavior is still too vague it is at least as well defined as other constructs, such as intelligence. Vast improvements are noted in the standardization properties of major adaptive behavior scales. Finally, it is argued that adaptive behavior assessment lacks clear evidence of predictive validity. A research agenda aimed at improving adaptive behavior assessment is presented.
Das Konto als Grundlage für den Geschäftsverkehr

Die Kontoverbindung ist im allgemeinen die Grundlage einer dauerhaften Geschaftsbeziehung zwischen Kreditinstituten und ihren Kunden. Alle Bankgeschafte konnen zwar auch auf der Grundlage von Einzelvertragen abgewickelt werden. Es ist aber sowohl fur die Kreditinstitute als auch fur ihre Kunden zweckmasiger und wirtschaftlicher, eine dauerhafte Beziehung uber eine Kontoverbindung einzugehen.
The Tablets of Zeus

P rofessor F raenkel in his recent very illuminating article on ‘The Stars in the Prologue of the Rudens’ ( C.Q. xxxvi. 10 ff.) has explained how a Greek poet at the end of the fourth century could describe the stars as the messengers of Zeus and as his regular and, so to speak, professional informants on the sins and evil deeds of human beings. He also comments on the idea that the sins are recorded in Heaven ( eorum referimus nomina exscripta ad Iovem ) and says—rightly as I hope to show—that this idea ‘though more familiar to us from Semitic sources is a genuine Hellenic belief’. Following Friedrich Marx, he quotes a fragment from Euripides' Melanippe (506 N.2).
Cation exchange hysteresis scanning curves: mathematical description and interpretation

Summary Cation exchange reactions in clays and soils have repeatedly been shown in the literature to be hysteretic during typical laboratory experiments. Yet all existing models of solute transport in soils and aquifers assume these reactions to be thermodynamically reversible. To remedy this situation a mathematical description of cation exchange hysteresis is needed. In the present research isotherms were obtained for a K-Mg exchange on Camp Berteau montmorillonite. Scanning curves were also measured, corresponding to arbitrary reversals of the direction of the exchange reactions. Three different Preisach-hysteresis models were used to describe the scanning curves. The fit of each hysteresis model to the experimental observations was analysed in terms of the features of the model itself and, from a physical viewpoint, in terms of a recently proposed conceptual model of cation exchange hysteresis.
MOLAR OPTIMIZATION VERSUS DELAYED REINFORCEMENT AS EXPLANATIONS OF CHOICE BETWEEN FIXED‐RATIO AND PROGRESSIVE‐RATIO SCHEDULES

In a discrete-trials procedure, pigeons chose between a fixed-ratio 81 schedule and a progressive-ratio schedule by making a single peck at the key correlated with one or the other of these schedules. The response requirement on the progressive-ratio schedule began at 1 and increased by 10 each time the progressive-ratio schedule was chosen. Each time the fixed-ratio schedule was chosen, the requirement on the progressive-ratio schedule was reset to 1 response. In conditions where there was no intertrial interval, subjects chose the progressive-ratio schedule for an average of about five consecutive trials (during which the response requirement increased to 41), and then chose the fixed-ratio schedule. This ratio was larger than that predicted by an optimality analysis that assumes that subjects respond in a pattern that minimizes the response-reinforcer ratio or one that assumes that subjects respond in a pattern that maximizes the overall rate of reinforcement. In conditions with a 25-s or 50-s intertrial interval, subjects chose the progressive-ratio schedule for an average of about eight consecutive trials before choosing the fixed-ratio schedule. This change in performance with the addition of an intertrial interval was also not predicted by an optimality analysis. On the other hand, the results were consistent with the theory that choice is determined by the delays to the reinforcers delivered on the present trial and on subsequent trials.
A new upper bound for the independence number of edge chromatic critical graphs

In 1968, Vizing conjectured that if G is a Δ-critical graph with n vertices, then α(G)≤n/2, where α(G) is the independence number of G. In this paper, we apply Vizing and Vizing-like adjacency lemmas to this problem and prove that α(G)<(((5Δ−6)n)/(8Δ−6))<5n/8 if Δ≥6. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 68: 202-212, 2011 © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Laser-assisted fabrication of batteries on wax paper

The functionality of paper-based diagnostic devices can be significantly enhanced by their integration with an on-board energy source. Here, we demonstrate the fabrication of paper-based electrochemical cells on wax paper using CO2 laser surface treatment and micromachining. A four cell zinc–copper battery shows a steady open-circuit voltage of ~3 V and can provide 0.25 mA for at least 30 min when connected to a 10 kΩ load. Higher voltages and current values can be obtained by adjusting the number and size of electrochemical cells in the battery without changing the fabrication process.
Soliton Wake Instability in a SESAM Modelocked Fiber Laser

We describe the nonlinear evolution profile of the soliton wake instability in a single-polarization SESAM modelocked fiber laser system. We show that it leads to quasi-periodicity.
OX40 (CD134) expression in sentinel lymph nodes correlates with prognostic features of primary melanomas

Abstract Background The expression of OX40 (CD134) on activated CD4+ T cells has been associated with favorable cancer patient outcomes. Because of recent reports that sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) may represent an immunosuppressive environment, we investigated the expression of OX40 in SLNs from patients with primary cutaneous melanoma. Methods Samples of peripheral blood lymphocytes and a section of 71 SLNs from 53 patients with clinically node negative melanoma were purified for CD4+ T cells, stained for OX40, and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results The mean percentage of OX40 on CD4 T cells in the SLNs versus peripheral blood lymphocytes was related indirectly to the T stage of the primary tumor and was decreased in ulcerated primary tumors and positive sentinel nodes. Conclusions The expression of OX40 on CD4+ T cells in SLNs draining primary melanomas decreased with more advanced tumor features (higher T stage, ulceration) and nodal involvement, suggesting that such tumors may have an immunosuppressive effect on the SLN microenvironment.
Analysis and design of low-loss planar microwave baluns having three symmetric coupled lines

The bandwidth of the Marchand balun is analyzed as a function of design parameters using a simple model, which provides the analytical design basis for the planar three-coupled-line balun. Analytical and numerical results are presented to facilitate balun design. Using this approach, a low loss planar microstrip balun was designed, fabricated and tested. The measured balun insertion loss for one example was less than 0.5 dB over a 8-13 GHz band, with 3-dB bandwidth 6.5-16 GHz.
Evidence that the Origin of Naked Kernels During Maize Domestication Was Caused by a Single Amino Acid Substitution in tga1

teosinte glume architecture1 (tga1), a member of the SBP-box gene family of transcriptional regulators, has been identified as the gene conferring naked kernels in maize vs. encased kernels in its wild progenitor, teosinte. However, the identity of the causative polymorphism within tga1 that produces these different phenotypes has remained unknown. Using nucleotide diversity data, we show that there is a single fixed nucleotide difference between maize and teosinte in tga1, and this difference confers a Lys (teosinte allele) to Asn (maize allele) substitution. This substitution transforms TGA1 into a transcriptional repressor. While both alleles of TGA1 can bind a GTAC motif, maize-TGA1 forms more stable dimers than teosinte-TGA1. Since it is the only fixed difference between maize and teosinte, this alteration in protein function likely underlies the differences in maize and teosinte glume architecture. We previously reported a difference in TGA1 protein abundance between maize and teosinte based on relative signal intensity of a Western blot. Here, we show that this signal difference is not due to tga1 but to a second gene, neighbor of tga1 (not1). Not1 encodes a protein that has 92% amino acid similarity to TGA1 and that is recognized by the TGA1 antibody. Genetic mapping and phenotypic data show that tga1, without a contribution from not1, controls the difference in covered vs. naked kernels. No trait differences could be associated with the maize vs. teosinte alleles of not1. Our results document how morphological evolution can be driven by a simple nucleotide change that alters protein function.
Selective visual attention and perceptual coherence.

Conscious perception of the visual world depends on neural activity at all levels of the visual system from the retina to regions of parietal and frontal cortex. Neurons in early visual areas have small spatial receptive fields (RFs) and code basic image features; neurons in later areas have large RFs and code abstract features such as behavioral relevance. This hierarchical organization presents challenges to perception: objects compete when they are presented in a single RF, and component object features are coded by anatomically distributed neuronal activity. Recent research has shown that selective attention coordinates the activity of neurons to resolve competition and link distributed object representations. We refer to this ensemble activity as a ‘coherence field’, and propose that voluntary shifts of attention are initiated by a transient control signal that ‘nudges’ the visual system from one coherent state to another.
A Comparative Study between Acid‐and Alkali‐aided Processing and Surimi Processing for the Recovery of Proteins from Channel Catfish Muscle

Channel catfish muscle was subjected to 2 novel protein extraction and precipitation techniques using acid (pH 2.5) or alkaline (pH 11) pH and compared with surimi processing (3 wash cycles). Solubility of catfish proteins was found to be highest at pH 2.5 and 11, and at these pH levels, viscosity was found to be low enough to cause separation of proteins from insoluble materials via centrifugation. Both the acid-aided and alkali-aided processes led to higher recoveries (P < 0.05) of protein and larger reduction (P < 0.05) in lipids compared with surimi processing. The protein recovery could be increased even more with a modified version of the acid-aided and alkali-aided processes. There was no hydrolytic breakdown detected during low and high pH. The acid-aided process recovered more protein types than the alkali-aided process during isolelectric precipitation (pH 5.5), which indicated that it led to more protein denaturation and thus more aggregation at pH 5.5. The alkali-aided process had more soluble proteins (including heme proteins) at isoelectric precipitation than the acid-aided process, and the soluble proteins were of the same type as the soluble proteins for non-pH-treated catfish muscle at pH 5.5. This suggested the alkali-aided process led to less denaturation than the acid-aided process. Both acid-aided and alkali-aided processes recovered proteins of higher (P < 0.05) whiteness scores than surimi. The alkali-aided process recovered proteins of higher whiteness (P < 0.05) than the acid-aided process. The acid-aided process led to higher yellowness (P < 0.05) than the other 2 processes. All processes led to minimal levels of lipid oxidation as assessed by secondary oxidation products.
A Novel Lung Capacity Model to Virtually Aid in Breath Regulation

Virtual reality technology is an attractive means for medical simulations and treatment, especially for patients with cancer. The overall goal of this research is to introduce a conceptual virtual environment with real-world dynamic contents to develop an effective breathing exercise tool that will aid in regulating breathing movements and eventually increase the oxygen intake of users/patients. This study focuses on an essential component of the virtual reality therapy framework. The work introduces a novel automated approach towards computing the lung capacity. The overall objective is to aid lung cancer patients, or those with breathing disorders regulate their breath through real-time analysis of respiration movements using a smart-phone. Traditionally, lung cancer patients and those with certain breathing disorders use a spirometer device to measure their lung capacity. However, accurate measurements using the spirometer requires some sort of training and adjustment, which may be difficult for certai...
A content analysis of food advertisements appearing in parenting magazines

ObjectiveChildhood obesity is a growing problem in the USA. As parents play a major role in shaping a child's diet, the present study examines food advertisements (ads) directed towards parents in parenting and family magazines.DesignGiven the potential for magazines to influence attitudes and knowledge, we used content analysis to examine the food ads appearing in four issues each of six different parenting and family magazines from 2008 (n 24).SettingUSA.SubjectsFood ads in parenting and family magazines.ResultsWe identified 476 food ads, which represented approximately 32 % of all ads in the magazine sample. Snack foods (13 %) were the most frequently observed food ads, followed by dairy products (7 %). The most frequently used sales theme was ‘taste’ (55 %). Some ads promoted foods as ‘healthy’ (14 %) and some made specific health claims (18 %), such as asserting the product would help lower cholesterol. In addition to taste and health and nutrition appeals, we found several themes used in ad messages to promote products, including the following: ‘convenience’, ‘economical’, ‘fun’ and ‘helping families spend time together’. We also found that over half (n 405, 55·9 %) of products (n 725) advertised were products of poor nutritional quality based on total fat, saturated fat, sodium, protein, sugar and fibre contents, and that ads for such products were slightly more likely to use certain sales themes like ‘fun’ (P = 0·04) and ‘no guilt’ (P = 0·03).ConclusionsInterventions should be developed to help parents understand nutritional information seen in food ads and to learn how various foods contribute to providing a balanced family diet.
The elastogenic effect of recombinant transforming growth factor-beta on porcine aortic smooth muscle cells

Abstract Transforming growth factor-beta, a peptide growth factor, is known to be a multifunctional regulator of cellular activity. The effect of this growth factor on extracellular matrix formation is well established, but its effects on elastin, a critical component of lung, skin, and blood vessels are unknown. In the present study, by use of an Enzyme-Linked Immunoassay method, we found that transforming growth factor-beta strongly increased elastin production in cultured porcine aortic smooth muscle cells. In a dosage-dependent study, 1.0–10.0 ng/ml transforming growth factor-beta promoted elastin production 2–3 fold. In a time-dependent study, at least an 8 h pre-treatment with 10.0 ng/ml transforming growth factor-beta was required for sustained increases in elastin production. The effects of transforming growth factor-beta on cultured aortic smooth muscle cells suggest that this cytokine may be an important mediator of elastin formation during atherosclerosis and hypertension.
Thyroid and Thyroid Hormone: Normal Function, Diseases, Disorders, Emerging Therapeutics

Throughout life, thyroid hormones exert important effects on bone. From the fetal period on, thyroid hormones are critical to ensure normal growth and development of the skeleton. In the adult, thyroid hormones stimulate both anabolic and resorptive activity, with an age-dependent increase in resorption over formation. Both systemic and local environment factors influence how thyroid hormones affect the quantity and nature of bone responses. Finally, it is now recognized that thyroid hormones are a component of a tightly regulated feedback system that makes it difficult to determine the immediate cause of a given effect.
Motion-based Object Detection and Tracking in Color Image Sequence

In this paper we present an algorithm for detecting objects in a sequence of color images taken from a moving camera. The first step of our algorithm is the estimation of motion in the image plane. Instead of calculating optical flow, tracking single points, edges or regions over a sequence of images, we determine the motion of clusters, built by grouping of pixels in a color/position feature space. The second step is a motion-based segmentation, where adjacent clusters with similar trajectories are combined to build object hypotheses. Our application area is vision-based driving assistance. The algorithm has been successfully tested in traffic scenes containing objects, such as cars, motorcycles, and pedestrians.
Activation of mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) in rheumatic diseases

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR, also known as mammalian target of rapamycin) is a ubiquitous serine/threonine kinase that regulates cell growth, proliferation and survival. These effects are cell-type-specific, and are elicited in response to stimulation by growth factors, hormones and cytokines, as well as to internal and external metabolic cues. Rapamycin was initially developed as an inhibitor of T-cell proliferation and allograft rejection in the organ transplant setting. Subsequently, its molecular target (mTOR) was identified as a component of two interacting complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, that regulate T-cell lineage specification and macrophage differentiation. mTORC1 drives the proinflammatory expansion of T helper (TH) type 1, TH17, and CD4(-)CD8(-) (double-negative, DN) T cells. Both mTORC1 and mTORC2 inhibit the development of CD4(+)CD25(+)FoxP3(+) T regulatory (TREG) cells and, indirectly, mTORC2 favours the expansion of T follicular helper (TFH) cells which, similarly to DN T cells, promote B-cell activation and autoantibody production. In contrast to this proinflammatory effect of mTORC2, mTORC1 favours, to some extent, an anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization that is protective against infections and tissue inflammation. Outside the immune system, mTORC1 controls fibroblast proliferation and chondrocyte survival, with implications for tissue fibrosis and osteoarthritis, respectively. Rapamycin (which primarily inhibits mTORC1), ATP-competitive, dual mTORC1/mTORC2 inhibitors and upstream regulators of the mTOR pathway are being developed to treat autoimmune, hyperproliferative and degenerative diseases. In this regard, mTOR blockade promises to increase life expectancy through treatment and prevention of rheumatic diseases.
The Graduated Response Came, Saw, and Is Far From Being Defeated: Recent Developments in the European and American Landscapes

Since 2001, a fight against online music piracy has been launched by music industries and governments all over the world. As a result of the development of new technology and the digital revolution, copyright theft/digital piracy is rapidly growing. The consequence is that “music copyright laws” need to be rewritten almost everyday. So, through force of circumstances, copyright law has always been left behind to deal with the impact of the rapid advancement of technology. In 2011, Time Magazine stated that “all over Europe, legal efforts to battle piracy are proving imperfect and ineffectual.”The aim of this contribution is to determine whether or not this “battle” is almost over. Even if not all European countries have adopted the graduated response, it seems – for the moment - to be the predominant (and only?) solution. In other words, a filtering solution that might be used by Internet services providers (ISP) and a specific authority to send warnings to people who upload and download protected works by copyright and neighbouring rights to and from peer-to-peer networks. We will, more precisely, clarify if the European and American graduated response regimes are a good solution to end online music piracy. In Europe, different countries give the impression they will match the French model. But is this model really reliable? Has it not already been surpassed since it was created four years ago? In the United States, a new weapon known as the “six-strikes rule” - with the cooperation of the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the ISP - is being created, but not without consequences on the future of copyright law.
Automated security configuration checklist for a cisco IPsec VPN router using SCAP 1.2

For large enterprises running many different operating systems, applications, and multi-vendor devices, the task of reviewing the security state of a broad range of devices and business areas in order to either comply with security requirements from regulations or detect risks such as misconfigured devices, out-of-date software, etc., is time-consuming, error-prone, and expensive. Although humans are important in the security assessment process, they are unable to keep up with the task, and may introduce inconsistencies which could further make organizations vulnerable to security breaches. Security automation provides a solution to this challenges. In this paper, a common security automation protocol, Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) version 1.2, was leveraged to develop an automated secure configuration checklist which can be used by security professionals to rapidly and consistently audit network edge devices such as a Cisco IPsec VPN router to ensure secure configuration per the baseline.
Contingencies and the Estate Tax

If decedent can possess property on the happening of an event that has not occurred at his death, should that contingent property interest, properly discounted to reflect that risk, be included in his estate? If decedent's death extinguishes a contingent interest that he created, should anything be included in his estate to reflect the testamentary nature of the transfer? Should a different rule apply where the decedent has created a contingency for non-tax reasons? How should remote contingencies be taxed? The article, Contingencies and the Estate Tax, reviews the current treatment of contingent interests for estate tax purposes. That treatment varies according to what Code section is applicable and varies in terms of rules dictated by the statute, regulations, and the courts. Under different estate tax Code sections, contingent interests, alternatively, are included in decedent's estate at the full value of the property without regard to the contingent nature of decedent's interest, are excluded altogether, or are included at a discounted value to reflect risk of loss or nonpossession. The article suggests two rules be applied to taxing contingent interests and powers in decedent's estate. First, contingent interests created by third parties should be taxed at a value that reflects the risk of loss or non-possession (a mathematical rule). Second, in order to encourage simple, completed transfers, decedent-created and retained contingent powers and interests should cause the full value of the property to be included in decedent's estate. These decedent-imposed contingencies complicate a transfer tax system and invite abuse. Under either rule, but particularly under the second rule, de minimis exceptions should be eliminated.
Evolving Strategies for the Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia in the Upfront Setting

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a disease of marked clinical heterogeneity, and while some patients have a normal life expectancy, others develop rapidly progressive disease shortly after diagnosis. The current standard for upfront treatment of CLL is chemoimmunotherapy for younger fit patients, FCR (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab) being the prototype. For older patients, BR (bendamustine and rituximab) exhibits excellent activity with decreased toxicity. For the frailest patients, CD20 monoclonal antibodies with or without chlorambucil have proven to be efficacious. The novel oral kinase inhibitors ibrutinib and idelalisib are FDA-approved in the relapsed/refractory setting, and ibrutinib is approved upfront for those with del(17p). These drugs have produced long-term durable responses in the relapsed/refractory setting, and studies are underway using these as single agent upfront or in combination with both chemotherapy and monoclonal antibodies. Here, we review standard upfront therapies and new agents and combinations that are on the horizon for CLL.
Effect of ergotamine on milk-ejection in lactating rat.

Summary1. The quantity of milk secured in 20 minutes by litters of ergotamine-treated rats on the first of 4 days treatment was small in comparison to that obtained by control offspring on the same day. The difference was significant. This difference progressively diminished, however, following additional treatment on the following 3 days, as the animals became more resistant to the drug. The average amount of milk obtained by experimental animals over the 4-day period of treatment, nevertheless, was significantly less than that obtained over the same period by control offspring. 2. The possible mechanism by which ergotamine interferes with “let-down” of milk from rat mammary gland is discussed.
Expression of v-Ha-ras driven by the calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide promoter: a novel transgenic murine model for medullary thyroid carcinoma

v-Ha-ras has been demonstrated previously to induce neuroendocrine differentiation of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC, malignant C cell tumor) cell lines. The potential role of ras mediated signaling in neuroendocrine cells in vivo has been investigated by expressing v-Ha-ras under control of the neural/neuroendocrine specific calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) promoter. Five independent mouse lineages were derived following germ line insertion of the transgene. Four of the five lineages consistently express the transgene; neuroendocrine expression is found in three of the five lineages as both spliced and full length messages. Phenotypically, the mice expressing rascal have shortened lifespans primarily due to the high incidence of MTCs between 6 months to a year of age. C-cell hyperplasia is demonstrated in several mice in the absence of gross evidence of tumor formation. Histopathological and ultrastructural analyses demonstrate typical features of MTCs including prominent immunohistochemical staining for calcitonin and dense-core neurosecretory-type granules. In addition, four of 22 tumors co-express thyroglobulin (a non-neuroendocrine follicular epithelial cell marker) and calcitonin (a neuroendocrine marker) in a subset of the tumor cells. The rascal transgenic mouse provides a unique model for investigating the sequential pathogenesis of MTC and possibly also for elucidating the relationship between MTC and mixed medullary-follicular carcinomas.
Introduction to NEES TIPS: Tools for Isolation and Protective Systems

Recent earthquakes have shown that even moderate ground shaking can produce large economic losses and major societal disruptions due to the widespread structural and nonstructural damage, and it is increasingly recognized that the traditional goal to protect against loss of life, may be insufficient. Seismic isolation offers a simple and direct opportunity to control or even eliminate damage by simultaneously reducing deformations and accelerations. While applications of seismic isolation in the U.S. have been limited to specialized facilities requiring high performance, the pace of innovation and application of isolation technology outside of the U.S. is growing at an exponential rate. A new NEES project, Tools to Facilitate Widespread Use of Isolation and Protective Systems, or TIPS, will explore innovative ideas to economically and reliably apply seismic isolation and supplemental damping to a much broader range of structures. The NEESTIPS project will fill critical knowledge gaps concerning device and system response, develop strategies and tools to reduce unnecessary costs of design and construction, and develop analysis and design tools to achieve targeted performance goals. This paper highlights the results of our strategic assessment of the knowledge gaps, economic barriers, and procedural barriers that limit the use of isolation systems in the United States. A research plan that addresses the above areas will be summarized. Through the NEESTIPS project, hybrid and shake table tests of seismically isolated building systems will be conducted at UC Berkeley and Univ. at Buffalo NEES facilities and also the E-Defense shaking table. Among the goals of the analytical and experimental program are: (1) obtain a better understanding of the behavior of full scale devices at realistic rates, (2) develop strategies for reducing design and construction costs such as relocating the level of the isolation plane or allowing the superstructure to yield, (3) identify performance limit state behavior of various isolated systems, (4) develop emerging isolation systems that can effectively achieve specific multi-level performance goals, and (5) extend performance-based design tools so that conventional solutions and isolation systems can be evaluated consistently.
Dynamic Mapping of Along-Track Ocean Altimetry: Method and Performance from Observing System Simulation Experiments

AbstractSimulated along-track ocean altimetry data were used to implement the use of a nonlinear dynamic propagator to perform three-dimensional (time and 2D space) interpolation of mesoscale sea surface height (SSH). The method is an inverse approach to processing altimetry data unevenly sampled in time and space into high-level gridded altimetry maps. The inverse approach, similar to the standard objective mapping, contains some correction terms to the innovation vectors to account for nonlinear dynamics. Another key improvement is to solve for the covariance functions through a Green’s function approach. From the Observing System Simulation Experiments carried out to simulate a three-satellite constellation over the Gulf Stream region, the new method can significantly reduce mapping errors and improve the resolving capabilities compared to the standard linear objective analysis such as that used by the AVISO gridding.
Can network analysis transform psychopathology

Experimental psychopathology has been the primary path to gaining causal knowledge about variables maintaining mental disorders. Yet a radically different approach to conceptualizing psychopathology promises to advance our understanding, thereby complementing traditional laboratory experiments. In contrast to viewing symptoms as reflective of underlying, latent categories or dimensions, network analysis conceptualizes symptoms as constitutive of mental disorders, not reflective of them. Disorders emerge from the causal interactions among symptoms themselves, and intervening on central symptoms in disorder networks promises to foster rapid recovery. One purpose of this article is to contrast network analysis with traditional approaches, and consider its strengths and limitations. A second purpose is to review novel computational methods that may enable researchers to discern the causal structure of disorders (e.g., Bayesian networks). I close by sketching exciting new developments in methods that have direct implications for treatment.
Through-Solvent Tunneling in Donor–Bridge–Acceptor Molecules Containing a Molecular Cleft

Photoinduced electron transfer is used to investigate the solvent-mediated electron tunneling between electron donor and acceptor groups in polar solvents. Bis-peptide scaffolds are used to control the spatial positioning of electron donor and acceptor groups and create a molecular cleft. The photoinduced electron transfer is studied for two different cleft sizes, and the electronic coupling is found to be controlled by the nature of the solvent and the ability of the molecular cleft to accommodate it, as well as interact directly with it. These studies demonstrate the importance of electron tunneling through nonbonded contacts and reveal a strategy for examining such tunneling pathways in polar solvents.
Cyber warfare capabilities analysis: Brazil

Brazil is an emerging market country. This is characterized by fast economic growth, increased foreign investment, and international political clout. Brazil has the 6th largest economy in the world and is trying to find its place as a global power. As such it is going through many growing pains, as it becomes a world leader. Some of these pains include trying to protect its own cyber infrastructure as it tries to leverage its cyber power as an effective military tool. onomy in the world.
Metabolomics: Bridging Chemistry and Biology in Drug Discovery and Development

Metabolism, as a ubiquitous biological process, plays a decisive role in the wellbeing of cells, organs, and whole body. Since the endpoint of pharmacological intervention is to either recover or sustain the wellbeing of targeted biological systems, examining metabolic events reveals useful information on diseases and drug treatment. Based on its omics nature and capacity to examine both drug and endogenous metabolism, metabolomics is an ideal systems biology tool to examine chemical and metabolic events in drug discovery and development. Ongoing and potential applications of metabolomics in drug discovery and development include biomarker identification, bioactive compound identification, drug metabolism, metabolic profiling, and mechanistic investigation. Corresponding to four stages of drug discovery and development, why and how metabolomics is used in each stage of drug discovery and development are explained and discussed in four respective sections of this review. Since metabolites, the direct targets of metabolomic analysis, are the end products of gene-, protein-, microbe-, and signal molecule-mediated biological processes, metabolomics possesses many functions that are irreplaceable by other system biology tools. Even though its application is still in the germination phase, metabolomics is a promising platform to bridge chemistry and biology in drug discovery and development.
Wpływ kwasów tłuszczowych omega-3 na układ sercowo-naczyniowy

Sposob odzywiania jest waznym czynnikiem w pierwotnej i wtornej prewencji chorob sercowo-naczyniowych, ktore stanowią glowny powod zgonow w Ameryce Polnocnej i na świecie. W badaniach obserwacyjnych dotyczących roli kwasow tluszczowych omega-3 w prewencji tych schorzen wykazano ogolnie korzystny wplyw kwasow omega-3, szczegolnie w przypadku prewencji naglej śmierci sercowej. Jednak w poźniejszych randomizowanych badaniach korzystne wyniki okazaly sie bardziej kontrowersyjne, z sugestią mozliwych niekorzystnych skutkow suplementacji olejow rybnych u osob z rozpoznaną chorobą sercowo-naczyniową. W niniejszej pracy przedstawiono przegląd wynikow dotychczasowych badan oraz zaprezentowano kontrowersyjne zagadnienia, takie jak wskaźnik omega-6/omega-3, obawy dotyczące spozywania rteci z pochodzących z morza źrodel kwasow n-3 oraz potencjalna rola biologicznie wysoko aktywnych metabolitow n-3 w procesie miazdzycy naczyn. Przedstawiono takze ogolne zalecenia dotyczące spozycia kwasow tluszczowych n-3 mogące pomoc klinicystom i pacjentom w podejmowaniu wlaściwych decyzji.
Impact of Interlayer Dwell Time on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Nickel and Titanium Alloys

Path planning in additive manufacturing (AM) processes has an impact on the thermal histories experienced at discrete locations in simple and complex AM structures. One component of path planning in directed energy deposition is the time required for the laser or heat source to return to a given location to add another layer of material. As structures become larger and more complex, the length of this interlayer dwell time can significantly impact the resulting thermal histories. The impact of varying dwell times between 0 and 40 seconds on the microstructural and mechanical properties of Inconel® 625 and Ti-6Al-4V builds has been characterized. Even though these materials display different microstructures and solid-state phase transformations, the addition of an interlayer dwell generally led to a finer microstructure in both materials that impacted the resulting mechanical properties. With the addition of interlayer dwell times up to 40 seconds in the Inconel® 625 builds, finer secondary dendrite arm spacing values, produced by changes in the thermal history, correspond to increased yield and tensile strengths. These mechanical properties did not appear to change significantly, however, for dwell times greater than 20 seconds in the Inconel® 625 builds, indicating that longer dwell times have a minimal impact. The addition of interlayer dwell times in Ti-6Al-4V builds resulted in a slight decrease in the measured alpha lath widths and a much more noticeable decrease in the width of prior beta grains. In addition, the yield and tensile values continued to increase, nearly reaching the values observed in the rolled plate substrate material with dwell times up to 40 seconds.