cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantifying Cyberinfrastructure Resilience against Multi-Event Attacks

This article introduces a general approach for characterizing cyberinfrastructure resilience in the face of multiple malicious cyberattacks, such as when a sequence of denial-of-service attacks progressively target an already weakened information system. Although loss assessment frequently focuses on a single overall measure such as cost or downtime, the proposed technique considers both the timing and the amount of loss associated with each individual attack, as well as whether this loss is incurred suddenly or is “slow-onset.” In support of this, an underlying mathematical model is developed to represent the relative impact of each attack and the corresponding length of time that its effects persist within the system, as well as to illustrate the trade-offs between these two factors. The model is extended to represent uncertainty in its parameters and thus to support comparative analyses among various security configurations with respect to a baseline estimate of resilience. Monte Carlo simulation is then used to illustrate the model's capabilities and to support a discussion of its ability to provide for more effective decision making in the context of disaster planning and mitigation. [Submitted: March 21, 2011. Revised: July 14, 2011; November 4, 2011. Accepted: December 19, 2011.]
The design and performance of meta-programming mechanisms for object request broker middleware

Distributed object computing (DOC) middleware shields developers from many tedious and error-prone aspects of programming distributed applications. Without proper support from the middleware, however, it can be hard to evolve distributed applications after they are deployed. Therefore, DOC middleware should support meta-programming mechanisms, such as smart proxies and interceptors, that improve the adaptability of distributed applications by allowing their behavior to be modified without changing existing software drastically. This paper presents three contributions to the study of metaprogramming mechanisms for DOC middleware. First, it illustrates, compares, and contrasts several meta-programming mechanisms from an application developer's perspective. Second, it outlines the key design and implementation challenges associated with developing smart proxies and portable interceptors features for CORBA. Third, it presents empirical results that pinpoint the performance impact of smart proxies and interceptors. Our goal is to help researchers and developers determine which meta-programming mechanisms best suit their application requirements.
Spin-glass behavior in CuM Mn alloys

Abstract An extensive study of the magnetic properties of ternary spin-glasses of the form ( Cu 1−y M y) 1−cMnc with M = Au, Pd and Pt, 0.08 ≤ y ≤ 0.5 and c = 0.01 reveals a systematic variation of the spin-glass temperature T0 with y while the Curie-Weiss temperature, θ, is insensitive to y. This behavior is consistent with the concept that T0 depends on the first moment of the RKKY exchange interaction while θ depends on the average of this interaction. An attempt to compare these results to a theory by Larsen which includes a damping term in the exchange is qualitatively, but not quantitatively successful.
Repair of superior mesenteric artery bypass pseudoaneurysm with physician-modified fenestrated aortic endograft

Aneurysmal degeneration and pseudoaneurysm formation of visceral vein bypass grafts are rare conditions that may be associated with rupture requiring reintervention. This case represents the first report of an enlarging, complex aorta to superior mesenteric artery vein bypass pseudoaneurysm repaired using a physician-modified fenestrated aortic graft with suprarenal fixation.
High-Fidelity Numerical Simulation of a Chevron Nozzle Jet Flow

We report results from the simulation of a moderate Reynolds number cold jet flow exhausting from a chevron nozzle with six symmetric chevrons that have an approximately 18-degree penetration angle. The flow inside the nozzle geometry and the free jet flow outside are computed simultaneously by a high-order accurate, multi-block, large eddy simulation code with overset grid capability. The simulation is performed on 400 million grid points using 2048 processor cores in parallel. The main emphasis of the simulation is to compute the jet flow in maximum detail possible and accurately capture the physical processes that lead to noise generation. It is especially critical to capture the enhanced shear layer mixing due to chevrons that takes place within the first few diameters downstream of the nozzle exit. Our calculations resolve the jet flow field at an unprecedented level of detail. Despite some issues such as an order of magnitude lower simulation Reynolds number (relative to experimental value) and unkn...
Impaired growth, hematopoietic colony formation, and ribosome maturation in human cells depleted of Shwachman–Diamond syndrome protein SBDS

Background Shwachman–Diamond syndrome (SDS), associated with SBDS mutations, is characterized by pancreatic exocrine dysfunction and marrow failure. Sdo1, the yeast ortholog of SBDS, is implicated in maturation of the 60S ribosomal subunit, with delayed export of 60S-like particles from the nucleoplasm when depleted. Sdo1 is needed for release of the anti-subunit association factor Tif6 from 60S subunits, and Tif6 may not be recycled to the nucleus when Sdo1 is absent. Methods To clarify the role of SBDS in human ribosome function, TF-1 erythroleukemia and A549 lung carcinoma cells were transfected with vectors expressing RNAi against SBDS. Results Growth and hematopoietic colony forming potential of TF-1 knockdown cells were markedly hindered when compared to controls. To analyze the effect of SBDS on 60S subunit maturation in A549 cells, subunit localization was assessed by transfection with a vector expressing a fusion between human RPL29 and GFP: we found a higher percentage of SBDS-depleted cells with nuclear localization of 60S subunits. Polysome analysis of TF-1 knockdown cells showed a decrease in free 60S and 80S subunits. We also analyzed the levels of eIF6 (human ortholog of Tif6) following near-complete knockdown of SBDS in TF-1 cells and found an approximately 20% increase in the amount of eIF6 associated with the 60S subunit. Conclusions We conclude that knockdown of SBDS leads to growth inhibition and defects in ribosome maturation, suggesting a role for wild-type SBDS in nuclear export of pre-60S subunits. Furthermore, knockdown of SBDS may interfere with eIF6 recycling. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013;60:281–286. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How being female impacts learning and career growth in advertising creative departments

Purpose – In the male-dominant creative industries, do men and women have access to the same resources for career learning and development? The purpose of this paper is to examine women’s perspectives of their career trajectories in advertising creative departments. Design/methodology/approach – Situated learning theory views learning as produced through interaction with and increasing participation in a community of practice. Interviews were conducted with 19 female creatives to examine two research questions: first, how do women develop identities as creative practitioners within the male dominated advertising creative department? and second, how are women’s learning trajectories influenced by their gender? Findings – Gendered expectations affected the type of work women were supposed to produce, their ability to sell work, and the types of assignments they received. Women lacked legitimacy and experienced difficulties developing an identity as a master practitioner. They instead emphasized parts of the...
A thermal-hereditary theory for linear viscoelasticity

A constitutive law is presented that predicts the mechanical response of a linear viscoelastic material in a time varying temperature field. The development is based upon a modification of the superposition theory and includes the hereditary effects of temperature; that is, the temperature at a previous time can influence the response at the present time. The mathematical structure of the two resulting constitutive equations is relatively uncomplicated and has the advantage of predicting the response of the material in a time varying temperature environment from data obtained in experiments run in time and spatially constant temperature fields.
Ocular delivery of the β-adrenergic antagonist alprenolol by sequential bioactivation of its methoxime analogue

Ocular delivery of alprenolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist, by site-specific bioactivation of its methoxime analogue results in significant and prolonged decrease of the intraocular pressure in rabbits after topical administration. Alprenolone methoxime is stable in isotonic phosphate vehicle but undergoes enzymatic hydrolysis to the corresponding ketone in the eye. The ketone is then converted to alprenolol by a carbonyl reductase present in the iris-ciliary body. The benefit of this chemical delivery system approach includes the facile release of a potential antiglaucoma agent only at the site of the action; thus, unwanted systemic effects of the drug can be avoided.
Eye movements initiate visual-motor development in the cat

Visually naive kittens turn their eyes toward visual targets but lack other visual-motor coordinations. Light-reared animals were able to mediate guided behaviors with an immobilized eye, but animals with the eye immobilized before initial exposure to a lighted environment were not. Eye movement is implied to play an essential role in visual-motor development.
Actualización en la fisiopatología de la preeclampsia: update

Preeclampsia is one of the most frequent and serious disorders of pregnancy. It is a significant contributor of maternal and perinatal mortality worldwide. An important amount of research has been devoted in the research of preeclampsia in the recent years; nonetheless, its pathophysiology is yet to be completely understood. In this review, we will discuss new proposed theories on the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Genetic and angiogenic aspects of preeclampsia will be reviewed elsewhere in this issue. Keywords: placental ischemia, endothelial dysfunction, nitric oxide, oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, Chlamydia pneumoniae, fetuin-A
Cystic parotid masses in HIV infection

Cystic enlargement of the parotid gland is a newly described manifestation of infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). A review of 15 such patients with respect to clinical presentation, natural history, and management is presented. Follow-up ranges from 1 to 27 months, averaging 10 months. In 47% of the patients, parotid swelling was the chief complaint leading to the diagnosis of HIV infection. T-cell analysis revealed the tendency for this lesion to occur in the early stages of immunodeficiency when T-cell counts are high. Histologic examination revealed findings resembling benign lymphoepithelial lesion. It is felt that these lesions are a local manifestation of a systemic disease and treatment should be tailored with this in mind. Surgical excision may not be necessary. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was found to be useful diagnostically and therapeutically. Recognition of this entity is essential for the head and neck specialist in providing an early diagnosis of HIV infection.
Endocrine status and the response of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase to trauma.

Abstract The specific activity of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase and the concentration of uridine diphospho- N -acetylhexosamine (UDPAH) were measured in the livers of rats subjected to different endocrine manipulations. The influence of the endocrine state on the ability of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase and UDPAH to increase following trauma was also examined. The basal specific activity of the enzyme was markedly depressed by severe alloxan diabetes and could be returned to or maintained at control levels by the acute or chronic administration of insulin. The ability of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase to increase in diabetic animals following injury was equal to or greater than that of control animals. Adrenalectomy caused a 30% increase in the basal enzyme specific activity. Adrenalectomized animals exhibited a normal injury response, but this could be inhibited by the prolonged administration of hydrocortisone. Rats subjected to the combined treatments of alloxan diabetes and adrenalectomy had basal glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase specific activities equal to normal control animals and also exhibited a normal response to injury. Hypophysectomized rats had markedly depressed basal levels of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase. The response to trauma was blocked completely. Neither the basal levels nor the response to injury was restored by the administration of bovine growth hormone. In general, with some minor exceptions, the hepatic concentration of UDPAH, the major feedback inhibitor of glucosamine-6-phosphate synthetase, paralleled the changes in specific activity of the enzyme.
South-South exchanges enhance resource management and biodiversity conservation at various scales

International conservation organisations have invested considerable resources in fostering biodiversity conservation programs in the humid tropics, the most biologically diverse areas on earth. Recent approaches to conservation have centered on integrated conservation and development projects and participatory resource management programs, co-managed between governments and local communities. But these programs have had only mixed success and often suffer from insufficient quantity or quality of participation by local communities. We pose that participatory resource management is more likely to succeed when community members, 1) gain a global perspective on how their social, economic and environmental conditions compare with peer communities in other similar areas of the world, and thus better understand issues of relative scarcity and the benefits of sustainable resource management, and 2) engage as decision-makers at every stage of the conservation process up to reflective program evaluation. This paper examines the role of South-South exchanges as a tool to achieve these intermediate goals that ultimately foster more effective and participatory conservation and support sustainable local livelihoods. The data are extracted from the initiatives of the authors in two different environments- marine and coastal communities in Central America and the Caribbean, and lowland rainforest communities in the western Amazon of South America. We conclude that the exchanges are effective ways to build stakeholder comprehension about, and meaningful engagement in, resource management. South-South exchanges may also help build multi-local coalitions from various remote areas that together support biodiversity conservation at regional and global scales.
Optimizing beam quality for x-ray computed mammotomography

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum beam quality in terms of kVp and filtration for a tungsten-target x-ray source for a newly developed cone beam computed mammotomography application. The optimized beam is expected to yield enhanced image quality along with a low dose, equal to or less than that of dual view x-ray mammography. X-ray spectra were computer generated for a range of tube potentials, filter materials, and filter and breast thicknesses. The uncompressed breast was modeled from 8, 12, and 16 cm thick tissue, and breast lesions were modeled as a 0.5 cm thick striated muscle mass and a 0.02 cm thick microcalcification. The detector was modeled as a digital flat-panel detector with a 0.06 cm thick CsI x-ray absorption layer. Figures of merit computed included the ratio of the mean beam energy post-breast to pre-breast as an index of beam hardening, ratio of lesion contrasts with and without filtering, and SNR/exposure. Tube potentials between 50 and 70 kVp provided continuous spectra that, when filtered with Z-filters between 56 and 62 yielded quasi-monochromatic x-ray spectra with optimal SNR/exposure and contrast while providing minimum beam hardening. Figures of merit improve with increasing filter thickness, but diminishing returns are seen beyond the 500th value attenuation layer. While uncompressed breast thickness affected absolute values of the measurement criteria, they had little effect on beam hardening and contrast ratio and did not alter the optimal operating range. Filter thickness near the 500th value layer is expected to be well within the operating range for an intended commercial x-ray tube, indicating that these highly attenuating filters can provide superior performance for mammotomography.
Comparison of met-enkephalin-, dynorphin A-, and neurotensin-immunoreactive neurons in the cat and rat spinal cords: I. Lumbar cord.

Abstract This study compared the distribution of methionine enkephalin-, dynorphin A 1-8-, and neurotensin-immunoreactive (IR) perikarya in laminae I and IV-VII of selected segments of lumbar spinal cord of cat(L5) and rat(4). Immunoreactive neurons for each peptide were found throughout the dorsal horn and dorsal lamina VII but were quantified only within laminae I and IV-VII. In lamina I, both large (greater than 20 micron) and small (less than 20 micron) IR neurons were identified. Large IR neurons for each peptide in both species resembled Waldeyer neurons studied by Golgi stain and were outnumbered by small IR neurons. Comparison among the laminae of the distribution of met-enkephalin IR neurons showed a similar pattern in the two species with the majority of IR neurons (greater than 65%) in laminae V and VI. Differences in laminar distribution occurred between species for the other peptides. Dynorphin IR neurons were greatest in number in lamina V in rat but greatest in number in laminae I and V in cat. Neurotensin IR neurons occurred predominantly in cat lamina I but were nearly equal in density in rat laminae I and VI. The topographic distribution of each peptide in laminae V and VI was similar between the two species with IR neurons occurring laterally in lamina V and more medially in lamina VI. Comparisons between species of the numbers of IR neurons/segment indicated distinct relationships for each peptide. The number of met-enkephalin IR neurons in laminae of cat L5 was generally two times greater than the number of IR neurons in the same laminae of rat L4, except in laminae I and IV, where the numbers were nearly equal. In contrast, the number of dynorphin IR neurons in cat laminae was generally one-half the number in rat, except in lamina I, where the number in cat was two times greater than rat. A high degree of variability occurred in laminar comparisons of neurotensin IR neurons. Neurotensin IR neurons in lamina I of cat outnumbered those of rat 2:1, but in laminae IV-VII, the ratio of cat to rat IR neurons varied from 1:1 to 1:20. The met-enkephalin, dynorphin, and neurotensin IR neurons quantified in this study may be interneurons or may serve as projection neurons to brainstem and/or thalamic nuclei. The observed differences in distribution may be relevant to differences in spinal cord physiology in the two species.
Bibliography on data compression, picture properties, and picture coding

Published papers and reports dealing with data compression, picture properties and models, picture coding and transmission, image enhancement, and human visual information processing are listed.
Aharonov-Bohm effect and nucleon-nucleon phase shifts on the lattice

Abstract We propose a method for the lattice QCD computation of nucleon–nucleon low-energy interactions. It consists in simulating QCD in the background of a “electromagnetic” field whose potential is non-vanishing, but whose field strength is zero. By tuning the background field, phase-shifts at any (but small) momenta can be determined by measuring the shift of the ground state energy. Lattice sizes as small as 5 Fermi can be sufficient for the calculation of phase shifts up to momenta of order of m π /2.
The vasculature and inflammatory bowel disease: contribution to pathogenesis and clinical pathology.

Although the human inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), Crohn’s disease (CD), and ulcerative colitis (UC) are well-known inflammatory disorders that are characterized by progressive destructive inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, their etiology and promulgating factors remain a mystery. Recently, vasculopathy is being implicated in these disease processes in an increasing number of studies. Chronically inflamed IBD microvessels have demonstrated significant alterations in microvascular physiology and function compared with vessels from healthy and uninvolved IBD intestine. The microcirculation and its endothelial lining play a central role in the initiation and perpetuation of the inflammatory process, and investigation into human IBD has demonstrated an important role for the endothelium in both normal mucosal immunity as well as the dysregulated chronic inflammation characterizing IBD. Chronically inflamed IBD microvessels demonstrate an enhanced capacity to adhere leukocytes after inflammatory activation and have alterations in selective leukocyte recruitment compared with uninvolved areas of bowel. In addition to the role of the vasculature in leukocyte recruitment, both forms of IBD are characterized by refractory mucosal damage and ulceration with an impaired capacity to heal. Previous work has demonstrated an abnormal, remodeled vascular architecture characterized by stenotic microvessels in chronically inflamed CD and UC lesions. This would suggest chronic ischemia in the IBD gut. Human in vivo investigation has demonstrated a significant decrease in mucosal intestinal microvascular perfusion in chronic IBD gut inflammation. Significantly impaired endothelial-dependent microvascular vasorelaxation in chronically inflamed CD and UC bowel has been defined recently. In this work we review the role of the microvasculature in human chronic intestinal inflammation in IBD, our present understanding of the vasculature in disease etiopathogenesis, and the emerging IBD therapies, target the vasculature.
An evaluation of the hydration of lysozyme by an NMR titration method.

Abstract In this study a new titration method is proposed to study the motional properties of water molecules in conjunction with globular proteins using proton NMR relaxation measurements. The method was applied to the study of the interaction of water with lysozyme and allowed identification of four water fractions-superbound water, polar-bound water, structured water and bulk water-in exchange equilibrium. The titration demonstrated that 193 water molecules are hydrogen bonded directly to the lysozyme molecule. The combination of structured and bound water extends to 1.4 g H 2 O per g lysozyme and approx. two to three layers from the surface of the macromolecule. It is proposed that this structured water is related to non-isotropic water rotation in conjunction with hydrophobic patches and directly related to ‘hydrophobic bonding’ changes. Water amounts greater than 1.4 g H 2 O per g lysozyme are sufficiently distant from the macromolecule for motion to revert to that typical of water in bulk. The typical correlation times for water motion in the four fraction are: over 10 −6 s (superbound); 10 −9 s (polar bound); 10 −11 s (structured) and 10 −12 s (bulk). These results correlate well with results from other measurement techniques found in the literature.
Parallel, series, and intermediate interconnections of optical nanocircuit elements. 1. Analytical solution

Following our recent development of a paradigm for extending the classic concepts of circuit elements to the infrared and optical frequencies [Phys. Rev. Lett.95, 095504 (2005)], in this paper we investigate the possibility of connecting nanoparticles in series and in parallel configurations, acting as nanocircuit elements. In particular, here we analyze a pair of conjoined half-cylinders whose relatively simple geometry may be studied and analyzed analytically. In this first part of this work, we derive a novel closed-form quasi-static analytical solution of the boundary-value problem associated with this geometry, which will be applied in Part 2 for a nanocircuit and physical interpretation of these results.
Elasticity of coesite

The single-crystal elastic constants of SiO2, coesite (monoclinic, C2/c), have been determined from Brillouin scattering measurements on a 100-μm crystal. The elastic constants inferred from acoustic velocities for 80 different propagation directions are (in units of Mbar) c11 = 1.608, c22 = 2.304, c33 = 2.316, c44 = 0.678, c55 = 0.733, c66 = 0.588, c12 = 0.821, c13 = 1.029, c15 = −0.362, c23 = 0.356, c25 = 0.026, c35 = −0.393, and c46 = 0.099. This experimental technique provides a method of determining single-crystal elastic properties for materials such as high-pressure phases that are not available in sufficiently large sizes for ultrasonic measurements.
LONG-DISTANCE GENE FLOW IN THE SEDENTARY BUTTERFLY, EUPHILOTES ENOPTES (LEPIDOPTERA: LYCAENIDAE).

The relationship between gene flow and geographic proximity has been assessed for many insect species, but dispersal distances are poorly known for most of these. Thus, we are able to assess the concordance between vagility and gene flow for only a few species. In this study, I documented variation at six allozyme loci among Washington and Oregon populations of the sedentary, patchily distributed, lycaenid butterfly, Euphilotes enoptes (Boisduval) to assess whether the relationship between gene flow and geographic distance is consistent with the dispersal biology of this species. Both a phenogram based on genetic distances between populations and a regression analysis of gene flow estimates on geographic distances showed a pattern consistent with genetic isolation by distance. Many estimates of gene flow among pairs of populations separated by more than 100 km exceeded the equivalent of 10 individuals exchanged per generation, a value much greater than would be predicted from the limited dispersal ability of this species. However, based on the allozyme data, genetic neighborhood size was estimated to be approximately 39 individuals, a value that is consistent with poor vagility. The results of this study speak to the power of stepping-stone gene flow among populations and are compared to the results of other studies that have examined the relationship between dispersal and gene flow in sedentary insects.
Constraint incorporation in optimization

Numerical methods for solving constrained optimization problems need to incorporate the constraints in a manner that satisfies essentially competing interests; the incorporation needs to be simple enough that the solution method is tractable, yet complex enough to ensure the validity of the ultimate solution. We introduce a framework for constraint incorporation that identifies a minimal acceptable level of complexity and defines two basic types of constraint incorporation which (with combinations) cover nearly all popular numerical methods for constrained optimization, including trust region methods, penalty methods, barrier methods, penalty-multiplier methods, and sequential quadratic programming methods. The broad application of our framework relies on addition and chain rules for constraint incorporation which we develop here.
Comments on "GaAs FET device and circuit simulation in SPICE"

The capacitance model proposed in the above paper [1] is implemented in a circuit simulation program. Some of the difficulties associated with this implementation are addressed and illustrated with the help of a circuit example.
The mechanisms of formation and prevention of channel segregation during alloy solidification

Conditions for the formation of macroscopic segregation channels have been examined in the ammonium chloride-water and lead-tin systems, using base chilled molds. Such channels develop when the rejected solute is less dense than the solvent and are therefore a result of density inversion, but slow (≺5 rpm) rates of mold rotation, about axes inclined to the vertical by 20 deg to 30 deg, throughout the time of solidification, effectively prevent the formation or propagation of these channels. Artificially created channels or those momentarily blocked fail to continue and are overgrown, but channels can be initiated by drawing liquid upward from close to the growth front in fine capillaries. Examination of these effects leads to the conclusion that channels originate at the growth front, rather than within the dendritic array, and that their formation is necessarily preceded by a liquid perturbation from the less dense boundary layer into the supernatant, quiescent bulk liquid. Intermittent ‘solute fingers’ are then fed by dendritic entrainment to produce stable convective plumes and concomitant channels. It is considered that the effects of mold precession are primarily caused by translation of bulk liquid across the dendritic growth front, shearing off convective perturbations from the boundary layer before they have time to develop. The nature of the liquid movements is discussed and shown to be a function of the mold dimensions. The inclination of the gravitational vector within the solid-liquid, dendritic array is considered to be of secondary importance to the formation or prevention of channels.
Models of information organization: A case study

Information representation and organization is a field that presents key foundation elements for the field of information science. This case study explores overlaps in the conceptual organization of the field of information organization among textbook, teacher and learner. It relates the lessons learned to the use of a concept mapping technique as a tool for teaching and learning, for structural analysis, and as a model for textbook design.
Large-Scale Characteristics of Tropical Cyclones

Abstract Rawinsonde composites from the west Pacific and West Indies are used to analyze some of the properties of tropical cyclones and their influences upon larger scale circulations. Composites of storms with different intensities are compared to determine the scales of different circulation features. The radial wind and vertical motion anomalies which occur during the transition from pre-storm convective system to mature tropical cyclone are found to be confined to the inner 6° and 2°, respectively, while the tangential circulation increases at least to the edge of the 15° grid. Tropical cyclones are found to be net sources of kinetic energy and sinks of relative angular momentum. Of the storms studied, only typhoons made significant contributions to large-scale meridional fluxes of westerly momentum and kinetic energy through a plane 10° north of the storm centers. Fluxes of other quantities were negligible. All of the tropical weather systems were found to be largely thermodynamically self-contained...
Morning versus Afternoon Testing and Children's Intelligence Test Performance.

The initial sample consisted of 134 children administered the WISC-R as part of an evaluation in a large school system. The children had been referred for a variety of learning and behavior problems. Children were matched on the basis of age (within 12 mo.), sex, school attended, and test administrator, yielding 34 pairs of children. One child of each pair had been .tested in the morning and the other in the afternoon. The final sample contained all white children who ranged in age from 6 yr., 0 mo. to 15 yr., 10 mo. (M age = 8 yr., 11 mo.), representing 23 elementary, 4 junior high, and 1 high schools. Seven psychologists (with no knowledge of the study) were testers. Morning administration was defined as testing started and completed prior to the child's lunch period. Afternoon testing was considered to be testing started and completed following the child's lunch period. Mean WISC-R Verbal, Performance, and Full Scale IQs were compared for the morning vs afternoon groups by use of a t test for correlated data. Variances for the IQs were contrasted by a t test for the difference between variances of two related samples. Means and standard deviations of the WISC-R IQs for the groups were:
Human epithelial cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator without exon 5 maintains partial chloride channel function in intracellular membranes

The cardiac isoform of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a splice variant of the epithelial CFTR, with lacks 30 amino acids encoded by exon 5 in the first intracellular loop. For examination of the role of exon 5 in CFTR channel function, a CFTR deletion mutant, in which exon 5 was removed from the human epithelial CFTR, was constructed. The wild type and delta exon5 CFTR were expressed in a human embryonic kidney cell line (293 HEK). Fully mature glycosylated CFTR (approximately 170 kDa) was immunoprecipitated from cells transfected with wild type CFTR cDNA, whereas cells transfected with delta exon5 CFTR express only a core-glycosylated from (approximately 140 kDa). The Western blot test performed on subcellular membrane fractions showed that delta exon5 CFTR was located in the intracellular membranes. Neither incubation at lower temperature (26 degrees C) nor stimulation of 293 HEK cells with forskolin or CPT-cAMP caused improvement in glycosylation and processing of delta exon5 CFTR proteins, indicating that the human epithelial CFTR lacking exon5 did not process properly in 293 HEK cells. On incorporation of intracellular membrane vesicles containing the delta exon5 CFTR proteins into the lipid bilayer membrane, functional phosphorylation- and ATP-dependent chloride channels were identified. CFTR channels with an 8-pS full-conductance state were observed in 14% of the experiments. The channel had an average open probability (Po) of 0.098 +/- 0.022, significantly less than that of the wild type CFTR (Po = 0.318 +/- 0.028). More frequently, the delta exon5 CFTR formed chloride channels with lower conductance states of approximately 2–3 and approximately 4–6 pS. These subconductance states were also observed with wild type CFTR but to a much lesser extent. Average Po for the 2–3-pS subconductance state, estimated from the area under the curve on an amplitude histogram, was 0.461 +/- 0.194 for delta exon5 CFTR and 0.332 +/- 0.142 for wild type (p = 0.073). The data obtained indicate that deleting 30 amino acids from the first intracellular loop of CFTR affects both processing and function of the CFTR chloride channel.
Teaching artificial intelligence as a lab science: basic and informed search (abstract only)

The Teaching Artificial Intelligence as a Laboratory Science (TAILS) project is designed to develop a new paradigm for teaching introductory artificial intelligence (AI) concepts by implementing an experimental approach modeled after the lab sciences. In the Basic and Informed Search module of TAILS students learn about various search algorithms by first observing how each algorithm searches a map, watching the construction of the corresponding search tree as the path planning proceeds. Once students understand the differences between algorithms, they proceed to exercises. Students are provided a version of the program with the search algorithm replaced by a comment that guides the students through the process of implementing each algorithm and testing it with the existing application. This enables the students to focus on the AI aspect of the coding without requiring them to also develop the user interface. This poster describes the search module and assessments and presents preliminary results.
Electrocardiographic activity before onset of postoperative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery patients.

Background:Electrocardiographic (ECG) characteristics were analyzed in postoperative cardiac surgery patients in an attempt to predict development of new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods:Nineteen ECG characteristics were analyzed using computer-based algorithms. The parameters were retrospectively analyzed from ECG signals recorded in postoperative cardiac surgery patients while they were in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) at our institution. ECG data from 99 patients (of whom 43 developed postoperative AF) were analyzed. A bootstrap variable selection procedure was applied to select the most important ECG parameters, and a multivariable logistic regression model was developed to classify patients who did and did not develop AF. Results:Premature atrial activity (PAC) was greater in AF patients (P < 0.01). Certain heart rate variability (HRV) and turbulence parameters also differed in patients who did and did not develop AF. In contrast, P-wave morphology was similar in patients with and without AF. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis applied to the model produced a C-statistic of 0.904. The model thus correctly classified AF patients with more than a 90% sensitivity and a 70% specificity. Conclusion:Among the 19 ECG parameters analyzed, PAC activity, frequency-domain HRV, and heart rate turbulence parameters were the best discriminators for postoperative AF.
High frequency gyrotrons and their application to tokamak plasma heating

Abstract High frequency (⩾ 200 GHz) gyrotrons are potentially useful for several important applications, including plasma heating and radar. For electron cyclotron resonance heating of a moderate-size, high power density tokamak power reactor to ignition temperatures, a gyrotron frequency around 200 GHz appears to be necessary. The design of high frequency gyrotrons is discussed. Analysis of overall gyrotron efficiency indicates that high efficiency may be obtained in fundamental electron cyclotron frequency (ω c ) emission at high frequencies. The linear theory of a gyrotron operating at the fundamental frequency is derived for the TE mpq modes of a right circular cylinder cavity. An analytic expression is given for the oscillator threshold or starting current versus magnetic field.
SU-E-J-263: Dosimetric Analysis On Breast Brachytherapy Based On Deformable Image Registration

Purpose: To quantitatively compare and evaluate the dosimetry difference between breast brachytherapy protocols with different fractionation using deformable image registration. Methods: The accumulative dose distribution for multiple breast brachytherapy patients using four different applicators: Contura, Mammosite, Savi, and interstitial catheters, under two treatment protocols: 340cGy by 10 fractions in 5 days and 825cGy by 3 fractions in 2days has been reconstructed using a two stage deformable image registration approach. For all patients, daily CT was acquired with the same slice thickness (2.5mm). In the first stage, the daily CT images were rigidly registered to the initial planning CT using the registration module in Eclipse (Varian) to align the applicators. In the second stage, the tissues surrounding the applicator in the rigidly registered daily CT image were non-rigidly registered to the initial CT using a combination of image force and the local constraint that enforce zero normal motion on the surface of the applicator, using a software developed in house. We calculated the dose distribution in the daily CTs and deformed them using the final registration to convert into the image domain of the initial planning CT. The accumulative dose distributions were evaluated by dosimetry parameters including D90, V150 and V200,more » as well as DVH. Results: Dose reconstruction results showed that the two day treatment has a significant dosimetry improvement over the five day protocols. An average daily drop of D90 at 1.3% of the prescription dose has been observed on multiple brachytherapy patients. There is no significant difference on V150 and V200 between those two protocols. Conclusion: Brachytherapy with higher fractional dose and less fractions has an improved performance on being conformal to the dose distribution in the initial plan. Elongated brachytherapy treatments need to consider the dose uncertainty caused by the temporal changes of the soft tissue.« less
Comparison of Bermudagrass Lines Grown in Different Cultural Conditions and the Effect on Screening for Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Resistance

A study was conducted to investigate the effects of different cultural conditions on the quality of bermuda grass, Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., and its effect on the development and survival of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda 0. E. Smith). Fall armyworm larvae were fed four bermuda grass lines, ‘Coastal,’ ‘Grazer,’ ‘Tifton 292,’ and OSU 71 × 6-7, grown under field and greenhouse conditions. Grasses grown in the field were less favorable for fall armyworm development and survival than the same lines grown in the greenhouse. Larvae fed bermuda grasses grown in the greenhouse had significantly higher larval and pupal weights and decreased duration for larval development. The quality of field-grown grasses, as indicated by crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and in vitro digestible dry matter, was lower and declined more from June to September than the same grasses grown in the greenhouse. Larvae fed either greenhouse- or field-grown ‘Grazer’ generally developed faster than larvae reared on the other bermuda grass lines we evaluated. ‘Tifton 292’ appeared resistant to fall armyworm when grown under greenhouse conditions but did not always differ significantly from the susceptible line, ‘Grazer,’ when grown under field conditions. Greenhouse screening of bermuda grass for fall armyworm resistance should be confirmed with field evaluations.
The importance of the '4-5' double bond for neurotoxicity in primates of the pyridine derivative MPTP.

Abstract 1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) is a newly recognized neurotoxin which selectively damages the cells of the substantia nigra in primates. It has been effective in producing an animal model for Parkinson's disease. We now report that saturating the ‘4–5’ double bond in the tetrahydropyridine ring of MPTP prevents its metabolic oxidation to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP + ) and removes its behavioral and neurotoxic effects. We believe that this represents an important step towards elucidating the mechanism of action of this compound.
Nurse Value-Added and Patient Outcomes in Acute Care

Objective The aims of the study were to (1) estimate the relative nurse effectiveness, or individual nurse value-added (NVA), to patients’ clinical condition change during hospitalization; (2) examine nurse characteristics contributing to NVA; and (3) estimate the contribution of value-added nursing care to patient outcomes. Data Sources/Study Setting Electronic data on 1,203 staff nurses matched with 7,318 adult medical–surgical patients discharged between July 1, 2011 and December 31, 2011 from an urban Magnet-designated, 854-bed teaching hospital. Study Design Retrospective observational longitudinal analysis using a covariate-adjustment value-added model with nurse fixed effects. Data Collection/Extraction Methods Data were extracted from the study hospital's electronic patient records and human resources databases. Principal Findings Nurse effects were jointly significant and explained 7.9 percent of variance in patient clinical condition change during hospitalization. NVA was positively associated with having a baccalaureate degree or higher (0.55, p = .04) and expertise level (0.66, p = .03). NVA contributed to patient outcomes of shorter length of stay and lower costs. Conclusions Nurses differ in their value-added to patient outcomes. The ability to measure individual nurse relative value-added opens the possibility for development of performance metrics, performance-based rankings, and merit-based salary schemes to improve patient outcomes and reduce costs.
GIS-based analysis of obesity and the built environment in the US

This paper examines the statewide relationship between built environment and obesity at the county scale by using the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) method. The independent variables include three built environment factors – street connectivity, walk score, fast-food/full-service restaurants ratio – and two sociodemographic variables, race heterogeneity and poverty rate. The urban influence is considered as a covariate in the analysis. Through the regression model we found that walk score and street connectivity are negatively related to obesity, poverty rate and metro are positively related, and the fast-food/full-service restaurants ratio is not significant. A regionalization method is used to group US counties to regions based on their GWR coefficients. Qualitative inferences of policies are made available to facilitate better understanding of the obesity problem associated with the built environment in these regions.
Virus versus host: modulation of the host α/β interferon pathways by the influenza A virus NS1 protein

Abstract α/β Interferons (IFN) represent one of the first host responses against viral infection. IFN activates a signaling cascade involving multiple genes and pathways leading to the stop of viral replication. However, many viruses have developed mechanisms to overcome this first line of the host defense. We studied the IFN antagonist properties of the NS1 protein of influenza A virus. The NS1 protein is a dsRNA binding protein. Since dsRNAs produced during viral infection are potent activators of the IFN cascade, sequestering of dsRNA by the NS1 protein might prevent the IFN response during influenza virus infection. To test in vivo the anti-IFN activity of NS1, we investigated the biological properties of a recombinant influenza virus lacking the NS1 gene (delNS1). delNS1 virus replication is highly compromised in IFN competent hosts. However, this mutant virus replicates efficiently in IFN deficient hosts. Moreover, infection with delNS1 virus stimulates IFN production by activating NF-κB and IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) transcription factors. DelNS1 virus reacquires virulence and replicates in lungs of PKR −/− mice, also suggesting an important role of NS1 in the inhibition of PKR, an important component of the IFN system. These data underline the importance of NS1-mediated inhibition of IFN activated pathways in the pathogenesis of influenza A virus infection.
Sorption of methylene chloride in semicrystalline polyethylene terephthalate

Abstract Differential sorption has been used to obtain diffusivities and solubilities of methylene chloride vapor in semicrystalline polyethylene terephthalate (PET) up to moderately high activities. The results show that clusters form. In one instance pseudo-Fickian diffusion is observed.
IMPROVED METABOLIC CONTROL-A CAUSE OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Two adolescents, both 17 years, began intensified therapy to improve glycemic control (HbA1c 17.0%, 9.0%). Physical examinations were normal. Baseline neurophysiologic studies (Biothesiometry and NCV) demonstrated mild sensory nerve dysfunction, not due to heavy metal toxicity or vitamin deficiency. Intensified conventional diabetes therapy improved their diabetes control. Hb A1c values were <8.5% at 8 weeks after beginning therapy. Four to six weeks after beginning therapy, each patient developed distal, symmetrical polyneuropathy characterized by pain and/or numbness of extremities. Despite improved metabolic control, repeat neurophysiologic studies were unchanged. A 15-year-old female presented with right facial paresis and pedal dysesthesias. Her glycemic control was similarly improved(Table). Six weeks later she reported severe leg pain and worsening of existing symptoms without neurophysiologic change. In all three patients, symptoms completely subsided in 3 to 4 months without improvement in neurophysiologic tests. Improved metabolic control may exacerbate silent or overt neuropathy in young diabetics. Resolution of symptoms in response to treatment protocols may not indicate improved nerve function.