cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
When Hackers Err: The Impacts of False Positives on Information Security Games

False positive rates and their impacts have been a focal point for information security research. However, most of this research investigates false positives exclusively from the system defender's perspective, while in reality an attacker also faces the classification decision in identifying feasible targets and the consequences of false positive rates. In this paper, we present the first comprehensive analytical model that incorporates the false positives from both the perspective of the attacker and that of the system defender. Our results show that such false positives from the attacker's perspective have a significant impact on the attacker's decision making for an attack, as well as the optimal protection strategy for the defender. Our results help to shed new light on a wide range of diverse information security phenomena such as spam emails, the Nigerian scams, and the design of the honeypot as a security mechanism. In addition, we show how an attacker's misestimation of a certain parameter would affect the defender's strategy and how the heterogeneity of the systems impacts the defender's strategy to manipulate the attacker's possible misestimation.
Synthetic Substrates and Inhibitors of Thrombin

Thrombin has a central regulatory role in hemostasis and is formed by both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of blood coagulation (Fenton, 1986, 1981). The major function of this serine protease is the cleavage of fibrinogen to form fibrin clots, but thrombin also activates factors V, VIII, XIII and protein C which are important in the control of hemostasis and thrombosis. In addition, thrombin can stimulate platelet secretion and aggregation in blood, and mediate other nonhemostatic cellular events. Our understanding of the various biological roles of thrombin has been facilitated by the development of convenient chromogenic and fluorogenic assays for the measurement of thrombin activity; and synthetic, low-molecular-weight inhibitors which are important probes for the study of thrombin’s mechanism, specificity, and function in the coagulation system.
Winning and Losing under the Americans with Disabilities Act

This article - a sequel to Professor Colker's article, The Americans with Disabilities Act: A Windfall for Defendants - analyzes appellate employment discrimination decisions in ADA cases that are available on Westlaw. She compares ADA judicial outcomes to those under other statutes, and suggests that ADA outcomes are more pro-defendant than outcomes under other civil rights statutes. She entertains and rejects one hypothesis for this result - that the ADA is a new statute experiencing an early period of judicial uncertainty. Having determined that judicial uncertainty has not been a factor in predicting ADA appellate outcomes, she uses a logistic regression analysis to determine what factors do predict ADA appellate outcomes. She concludes that the most important predictors of success by plaintiffs appear to be EEOC participation, being represented by counsel, and the circuit in which the plaintiff litigated. She found a modest trend toward certain types of disabilities associating with positive outcomes but predicts that those results are likely to disappear, or even reverse, in light of intervening Supreme Court decisions. Surprisingly, she did not find that the theory of disability or whether a plaintiff requested an accommodation was a significant factor in predicting appellate outcome.
A Mixture of Two Micromorphic Materials

Following the general paradigm developed by Twiss and Eringen [1], a model for the flow of a mixture of solid particulates dispersed in a fluid is developed. The theory has balance equations for mass, linear momentum, and angular momentum for each phase. The general constitutive theory is objective but does not satisfy the principle of equipresence. It does include non-linear constitutive equations for lift and drag. The major differences between this model and standard suspension models is the inclusion of constituent angular momentum balances and Magnus and shear lift in the constitutive equations. The theory is applied to Poiseuille flow for neutrally buoyant particulates. For just this simple setting, the theory reduces to five coupled non-linear equations in contrast to a single linear equation for a Newtonian fluid or two coupled linear equations for a micropolar fluid. A systematic parameter study of the solutions has been made and some typical profiles of the fluid velocity are shown. Generally, the presence of lift and drag tends to produce velocity profiles that are more parabolic when compared to cases when these effects are neglected. However, when strong boundary spin is prescribed, plug-shaped profiles can result.
Predicting student self-regulation strategies in game-based learning environments

Self-regulated learning behaviors such as goal setting and monitoring have been found to be key to students' success in a broad range of online learning environments. Consequently, understanding students' self-regulated learning behavior has been the subject of increasing interest in the intelligent tutoring systems community. Unfortunately, monitoring these behaviors in real-time has proven challenging. This paper presents an initial investigation of self-regulated learning in a game-based learning environment. Evidence of goal setting and monitoring behaviors is examined through students' text-based responses to update their ‘status' in an in-game social network. Students are then classified into SRL-use categories that can later be predicted using machine learning techniques. This paper describes the methodology used to classify students and discusses initial analyses demonstrating the different learning and gameplay behaviors across students in different SRL-use categories. Finally, machine learning models capable of predicting these categories early into the student's interaction are presented. These models can be leveraged in future systems to provide adaptive scaffolding of self-regulation behaviors.
Silicon nitride-capped silicon nanocrystals via a nonthermal dual-plasma synthesis approach

Improving the photoluminescence quantum yields and air-stability of silicon nanocrystals is crucial to expanding their influence in optoelectronic devices and other burgeoning application areas. Here, a dual-plasma approach for the synthesis of silicon nanocrystals capped with silicon nitride is reported. The reactor consists of two plasma stages in series: a primary radiofrequency (rf) plasma for silicon nanocrystal growth from silane and argon gas followed by a secondary rf plasma for silicon nitride growth using nitrogen gas as the reactant. The core-shell nanocrystals were characterized using optical and structural analyses, and the plasma was characterized using optical emission spectroscopy. The resulting core-shell nanocrystals show a reduced susceptibility to ambient air oxidation as compared to bare silicon nanocrystals alone. This result is a step toward achieving highly efficient and air-stable photoluminescence from silicon nanocrystals while avoiding organic functionalization.Improving the photoluminescence quantum yields and air-stability of silicon nanocrystals is crucial to expanding their influence in optoelectronic devices and other burgeoning application areas. Here, a dual-plasma approach for the synthesis of silicon nanocrystals capped with silicon nitride is reported. The reactor consists of two plasma stages in series: a primary radiofrequency (rf) plasma for silicon nanocrystal growth from silane and argon gas followed by a secondary rf plasma for silicon nitride growth using nitrogen gas as the reactant. The core-shell nanocrystals were characterized using optical and structural analyses, and the plasma was characterized using optical emission spectroscopy. The resulting core-shell nanocrystals show a reduced susceptibility to ambient air oxidation as compared to bare silicon nanocrystals alone. This result is a step toward achieving highly efficient and air-stable photoluminescence from silicon nanocrystals while avoiding organic functionalization.
PW 0163 A human rights framework to understand, prevent, and respond to youth and school violence

To date, two fundamental approaches to understanding and responding to violence have been articulated: a criminal/juvenile justice approach and a public health approach. In this presentation, we will present a third approach based upon human rights. A human rights framework for understanding and responding to youth and school violence is comprised of four fundamental components. First, it provides principles and norms, as well as a positive vision, for understanding and contextualizing the rights of children and their caretakers. Second, this framework makes visible multiple forms of violence, humiliation, and abuse—whether reflected in behavior, educational climate, curricula, neighborhood norms (e.g., retaliatory violence), discipline practices, or in regulations or policies—as infractions of fundamental human rights. Instead of focusing on incidents of violence, a human rights framework monitors and assesses whether human rights are appropriately accorded within the educational and neighborhood setting. Third, a human rights framework recognizes that human rights are not passively given but rather require participatory engagement, critical reflection, and meaningful dialogue among all stakeholders. As such, human rights framework establishes guidelines not only for the content and purpose of what is taught in educational settings, particularly as it impinges upon the rights of children, but, as importantly, for the form of the pedagogical process itself. And fourth, a human rights framework dictates responsibilities monitor and adhere to established rights and requires all individuals, groups, and institutions to remedy human rights violations in whatever guise they appear. Particular attention must be paid to the examination of human rights’ adherence in one’s own community. In addition, a human rights framework requires the adoption of preventive, corrective, and therapeutic programs and strategies. Such strategies will be illustrated through reference to human rights education practices and programs, as well as through a case study of youth community organizing.
Heading Out: A History of American Camping

Terence Young. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2017. xi and 367 pp., maps, diagrams, illustrations, notes, index. $35.00 cloth (ISBN 978080145402).Occasionally, a book comes along on a topic ...
Small bodies looming large in planetary science

Japanese and US missions returning samples from the carbon-rich asteroids Ryugu and Bennu are the latest steps in probing our Solar System’s smallest bodies, near and far, for clues to our own origins and directions for our future exploration.
18. INCREASING SCHOLARLY OUTPUT THROUGH A FORMALIZED CURRICULUM IN A SMALL PEDIATRIC RESIDENCY PROGRAM

Background The ACGME requires pediatric residents to be exposed to principles of research and participate in scholarly activity. In small departments, development of a rigorous scholarly activity curriculum can be difficult due to competing educational requirements and fewer faculty. In 2016 we instituted a scholarly activity curriculum focused on longitudinal knowledge acquisition and close mentorship. Aim To measure the impact of a structured scholarly activity curriculum on resident scholarly output. Methods Our curriculum consists of a longitudinal educational component, comprised of individual tasks and group didactics (Fig 1) and completion of a scholarly project. Projects receive direct faculty mentorship; additionally, residents meet with the curricular co-directors twice annually to track scholarly progress and steps toward presentation/publication. To assess early outcomes, we measured resident scholarly output (defined as regional/national presentations or publications) from 2016-2018 and compared to baseline data (2013-2015). We also measured percent of graduating residents with scholarly output and faculty mentorship of resident scholarship as reported on the annual ACGME survey beginning at curricular implementation. T-test and chi-squared tests were used for statistical comparisons. Results From 2016-2018, 21 residents produced an average of 9.7 pieces of scholarly output annually as compared to 3.0 from 2013-2015 (p=0.03). Graduates producing scholarly output has increased incrementally (40% in 2016, 43% in 2017, 57% in 2018, not statistically significant (NS)). Additionally, faculty reporting working on a trainee scholarly project has increased from 57% in 2015-2016 to 68% in 2017-2018 (NS). Conclusions A structured curriculum with close faculty mentorship increased scholarly output in our small program. Though other measured trends did not reach statistical significance, they support increasing resident and faculty engagement in resident scholarly activity. Future work will focus on curricular refinement and qualitative assessment of resident comfort with scholarship.
Synthesis and electropolymerization of N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of Pd(II) and Pt(II) from an emissive imidazolium salt with a terthiophene backbone

The synthesis of an emissive terthiophene-based imidazolium iodide: 1,3-dimethyl-4,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)-thienoimidazol-3-ium iodide (4), the corresponding N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) preligand, and Pd and Pt–NHC complexes (5a, 5b) are reported. A related Pd–NHC complex (8) with a mono-thiophene backbone has also been synthesized. The solid-state structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds 4, 5a and 5b were characterized by absorption/emission spectroscopy and an emission-quench phenomenon of 5a was observed. The Pd complexes 5a and 8 were shown to catalyze Heck type C–C bond forming reactions. The compounds with terthiophene backbones (4, 5a, 5b) were electropolymerized onto indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass electrodes to yield thin films of conducting metallopolymers (CMPs) (P1–3). UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry data of P1–3 showed reversible color changes upon oxidation due to the generation of charge carrier species along the polythiophene backbones.
Repair of Omphalocele

This chapter describes the surgical procedure for primary closure of a small- to moderate-sized omphalocele. The text includes an introduction that outlines the indications, risks, alternatives, essential steps, needed equipment, and variations in technique for the procedure in question. This is followed by a template operative dictation, which provides the reader with an operative report, such as is found in a patient chart or electronic medical record. A description is provided of the following critical concepts for this procedure: excision of the omphalocele sac, examination of abdominal contents, reduction of abdominal contents, raising of skin flaps, and primary abdominal wall closure.
Contact Hand Burns in Children: Still a Major Prevention Need

Since toddlers explore with their hands, contact burns continue to be a major pediatric problem. The purpose of this report is to review our 8-year experience with contact burns of the hand. After institutional review board approval, a review of pediatric contact hand burns that occurred between 2006 and 2014 was performed. In the 8-year span, 536 children had contact hand burns. The majority suffered burns from an oven or stove (120). The other etiologies included burns from a fireplace (76), clothing iron (65), curling or straightening iron (50), and firepit or campfire (46). The mean age was 2.62 years, with a range of 2 months to 18 years. Male children (339) burned their hands more than females (197). Most children burned the palmar aspect of their hand (384) compared to the dorsum (61). These burns typically cover small TBSAs (mean 1.08% TBSA), with only 2% of burns comprising >5% TBSA. Approximately, 84% of these patients did not need surgery, but 86 (16%) had skin grafting (usually full thickness) and roughly 26% of those needed reconstructive surgery. Contact burns to the hand continue to be a major problem for toddlers. Children are most likely to burn themselves on an oven or stove, fireplace, clothing iron or curling/straightening iron. The palmar surface of the hand is the most likely site. While most children do not require surgery, approximately 16% require grafting. A significant number of those patients need reconstructive surgery. Clearly, current prevention efforts have failed to reduce these injuries.
Awake Craniotomy in a Patient with Previously Diagnosed Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Background Awake craniotomy (AC) with brain mapping has been successfully used for the resection of lesions located in or near eloquent areas of the brain. The selection process includes a thorough presurgical evaluation to determine candidates suitable for the procedure. Psychiatric disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are considered potential contraindications for this type of surgery because these patients may be less cooperative to tolerate AC. Here we present the management of a patient with PTSD who underwent an AC using a multidisciplinary team for removal of a dominant hemisphere low-grade insular glioma with speech, motor, and cognitive mapping. Case Description A 34-year-old right-handed male military veteran with a previous history of PTSD was scheduled for a left AC for resection of a low-grade insular glioma. He underwent preoperative neurocognitive assessment with a neuropsychologist and clinic visit with a neurosurgeon to characterize his PTSD and potential triggers, explain the procedure in a stepwise fashion, and address any concerns. The intraoperative environment was modified to minimize triggering stimuli, and an asleep-awake-asleep anesthetic protocol was followed. The patient tolerated the procedure well without any postoperative neurologic deficits including cognitive deficits. At 1-month follow-up, he denied any worsening of his PTSD symptoms and recalls the AC as a positive experience. Conclusions With a multidisciplinary team, adequate preoperative education, detailed clinical interview to identify triggers, and a controlled intraoperative environment, awake surgery can be carried out safely in a patient with PTSD.
1,2,4-Triazoles—XXXIII: Photodimerization of some sym-di(3-s-triazolo-[4,3-a]pyridyl)-alkanes and related derivatives

Abstract Irradiation of 3,3'-[ethane-1,2-diyl]bis-[1,2,4-triazolo-[4,3-a]pyridine] at 300 nm gave the cisoid-fused cyclobutane dimer 5aα,5bα-10bα,10cα-tetrahydro-1,10-ethano-2,3,8,9,10a,10d-hexaazadicyclopenta[a,i]biphenylene. Under the same conditions 3,3'-[propane-1,3-diyl]bis-[1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine] gave the corresponding cyclobutane dimer, 5aα,5bα,10bα,10cα-tetrahydro-1,10-propano-2,3,8,9,10a,10d-hexaazadicyclopenta[a,i]biphenylene whereas at 254 nm the photoproduct obtained had the “cage-like” structure 3b,3c,3d,3e,6b,6c,6d,6e-octahydro-3, 4-propano-1,2,3a,3f,5,6-hexaazadicyclobuta[def,jkl]dicyclopenta[b,h]biphenylene. Replacement of the hydrocarbon linkage with the oxybis(methylene) or a thiobis(methylene) unit and irradiation at 300 nm gave the corresponding cisoid-fused, cyclobutane dimers only. The effect of methyl substituents in the pyridine ring of the bicyclic system on the dimerization process was also studied.
The Tam formula: A pilot study for a new treatment for melasma.

Background Melasma is a common hyperpigmentation disorder with numerous, but often unsatisfactory treatment options. Aims A pilot study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a novel topical combination of 12% hydroquinone, 6% kojic acid, and 5% vitamin C cream for melasma. Patients and methods A pilot study of 6 women with melasma was conducted at an academic dermatology department and a private dermatology practice to evaluate the efficacy of a topical combination of 12% hydroquinone, 6% kojic acid, and 5% vitamin C cream, entitled the "Tam Formula." Two blinded evaluators calculated Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) Scores before and after treatment to evaluate change from baseline, and statistical analysis was performed. Results Treatment with this combination topical cream resulted in an average 63.77 ± 22.10 percent reduction in MASI Scores. Conclusions While there is a need for further investigation, this pilot study indicates the Tam Formula may provide an alternative treatment option for melasma.
Crystallizing Coaching: An Examination of the Institutionalization of Instructional Coaching in Three Educational Systems.

BackgroundInstructional coaching has gained popularity as a reform instrument, yet it varies widely across contexts. This variability plays a role in weak implementation or even rejection of coachi...
A threshold autoregressive model for wholesale electricity prices

Summary. We introduce a discrete time model for electricity prices which accounts for both transitory spikes and temperature effects. The model allows for different rates of mean reversion: one for weather events, one around price jumps and another for the remainder of the process. We estimate the model by using a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach with 3 years of daily data from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. We show that our model outperforms existing stochastic jump diffusion models for this data set. Results also demonstrate the importance of model parameters corresponding to both the temperature effect and the multilevel mean reversion rate.
Hypersonic or just hype? Assessing the Russian hypersonic weapons program

Russian officials have spoken openly about their hypersonic weapons, touting them as the cornerstone of a new A2AD strategy. Questions remain, however, about the progress they have made in terms of...
Survey Article: Cooperate or Defect? Russian and American Students in a Prisoner's Dilemma

Do assumptions underlying the models of Western market economies fit in the Russian context? To examine one aspect of this question, a group of U.S. college students and a group of Russian undergraduates were brought together to play the classic prisoner's dilemma game. Facing real monetary payoffs, each student played the game four times with different partners. This paper examines the factors that influenced students to cooperate or defect in each game.
Parallel Numerical Algorithms: An Introduction

The rapidly evolving field of parallel computing has seen four eras, substantially overlapping, yet progressive. The first, which we could label the Stone Age, was characterized by having speed-up as its primary objective (“Solve my problem faster…”). The tyranny of Amdahl’s Law, combined with architectural convergence to systems that added memory in fixed proportion to processors, led to the Bronze Age, characterized by pursuit of scaled speed-up (“Solve my problem bigger, in constant time…”). The cost associated with special-purpose high-performance hardware and the even greater cost of developing reliable special purpose system-level software led to the Iron Age of commodity processors — clusters of full-function computers connected by either a special purpose network or a commodity network like Ethernet or FDDI (“Solve my problem cheaper…”). Though the influence of technology and market forces on the state-of-the-art of parallel tool-building and parallel applications have not waned, we can now point to a growing companion influence on the envelope of computability due to algorithmic development and software environment development (“Solve my problem smarter…”). Perhaps, through continued progress in architecture-adaptive algorithmic design that improves upon “best fit” flop-for-flop algorithmic porting, we will soon be justified in referring to a Golden Age of parallel computing.
Sinus Node Dysfunction in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults

Thirty children and young adults with electrocardiographic and clinical evidence of sinus node dysfunction (SND) are described. Ages ranged from 3 days to 25 years. Of these, 10 patients had inappropriate sinus bradycardia, 16 had periods of sinus arrest, and 9 had sinoatrial exit block. A total of 22 patients had significant heart disease and SND developed in 13 after cardiac surgery. Eight patients with SND had no obvious heart disease. Seven patients were symptomatic, having either syncopal (three) or nearsyncopal episodes (four). The three with syncope have received permanent demand pacemakers. Although significant SND occurs most frequently in children with congenital heart disease, particularly following corrective cardiac surgery, it may occur in otherwise normal individuals.
The Statistical Theory of Mesoscopic Noise

The measurement performed by optical detectors, such as photon counters, is extended in the time domain, which makes it sensitive to temporal correlations of photons [1]. It has been known long ago in the theory of photodetection [2] that understanding photon counting distribution is essentially a problem of many-particle statistics. Similar considerations apply to the electrical noise measurement, which is fundamentally different from photodetection in that the electrons are not destroyed but just counted. The noise measurement, very much like photodetection, is a sensitive probe of temporal correlations between different transmitted electrons.
Linking the Revised National Standards to Teaching Games for Understanding: An Eighth-Grade Soccer Example.

In the United States it is estimated that over 3 million children and young people currently participate in youth soccer programs. This number has the potential to increase following a surge of interest in the U.S. Men's National Team World Cup performance in Brazil in 2014, and the U.S. Women's National Team World Cup win in Canada in 2015. This is an ideal time to promote the inclusion of soccer in school curriculums and improve the way it is currently delivered. The two main goals of this articles are to (1) highlight reasons why soccer should be included in school curriculums to meet the new National Standards and promote lifelong physical activity, and (2) discuss why a tactical model such as teaching games for understanding (TGfU) is the recommended pedagogical framework for delivering the game-related components for student enjoyment and success.
On proper selection of multihop relays for future enhancement of AeroMACS networks

As the Aeronautical Mobile Airport Communications System (AeroMACS) has evolved from a technology concept to a deployed communications network over major US airports, it is now time to contemplate whether the existing capacity of AeroMACS is sufficient to meet the demands set forth by all fixed and mobile applications over the airport surface given the AeroMACS constraints regarding bandwidth and transmit power. The underlying idea in this article is to present IEEE 802.16j-based WiMAX as a technology that can address future capacity enhancements and therefore is most feasible for AeroMACS applications. The principal argument in favor IEEE 802.16j technology is the flexible and cost effective extension of radio coverage that is afforded by relay fortified networks, with virtually no increase in the power requirements and virtually no rise in interference levels to co-allocated applications. The IEEE 802.16j-based multihop relay systems are briefly described. The focus is on key features of this technology, frame structure, and its architecture. Next, AeroMACS is described as a WiMAX-based wireless network. The two major relay modes supported by IEEE 802.16j amendment, i.e., transparent and non-transparent are described. The benefits of employing multihop relays are listed. Some key challenges related to incorporating relays into AeroMACS networks are discussed. The selection of relay type in a broadband wireless network affects a number of network parameters such as latency, signal overhead, PHY and MAC layer protocols, consequently it can alter key network quantities of throughput and QoS.
Blue team red team approach to hardware trust assessment

Hardware security techniques are validated using fixed in-house methods. However, the effectiveness of such techniques in the field cannot be the same as the attacks are dynamic. A red team blue team approach mimics dynamic attack scenarios and thus can be used to validate such techniques by determining the effectiveness of a defense and identifying vulnerabilities in it. By following a red team blue team approach, we validated two trojan detection techniques namely, path delay measurement and ring oscillator frequency monitoring, in the Embedded Systems Challenge (ESC) 2010. In ESC, one team performed the blue team activities and eight other teams performed red team activities. The path delay measurement technique detected all the trojans. The ESC exposed a vulnerability in the RO-based technique which was exploited by the red teams causing some trojans to be undetected. Post ESC, we developed a technique to fix this vulnerability.
Injury hazards in home day care.

The majority of injuries experienced by children less than 5 years of age occur in the home. 1 Practicing pediatricians often counsel parents about injury hazards in the home, but substantial numbers of U.S. children under 5 years of age currently spend their days in homes other than their own. Family day care homes, based in private residences, account for an estimated one third of the care provided to the 5 million U.S. children under age 5 years in child care. 2 Although there have been studies of injuries in large day care centers, 3-5 there are no published reports addressing injuries or injury hazards in family day care settings. We therefore designed a study to (1) assess the prevalence of injury hazards in DCHs and (2) identify features of the homes, their operators, or the children being cared for that are associated with an increased level of hazards.
Electronic Fetal Monitoring Nursing Management Defined

During the past decade, electronic fetal monitoring has been used extensively as a method of assessing fetal well-being. The use of fetal monitors has major implications for nurses. Presented are fetal monitoring nursing guidelines, criteria for documentation, and continuing educational programs.
Electric Field Encephalography as a Tool for Functional Brain Research: A Modeling Study

We introduce the notion of Electric Field Encephalography (EFEG) based on measuring electric fields of the brain and demonstrate, using computer modeling, that given the appropriate electric field sensors this technique may have significant advantages over the current EEG technique. Unlike EEG, EFEG can be used to measure brain activity in a contactless and reference-free manner at significant distances from the head surface. Principal component analysis using simulated cortical sources demonstrated that electric field sensors positioned 3 cm away from the scalp and characterized by the same signal-to-noise ratio as EEG sensors provided the same number of uncorrelated signals as scalp EEG. When positioned on the scalp, EFEG sensors provided 2–3 times more uncorrelated signals. This significant increase in the number of uncorrelated signals can be used for more accurate assessment of brain states for non-invasive brain-computer interfaces and neurofeedback applications. It also may lead to major improvements in source localization precision. Source localization simulations for the spherical and Boundary Element Method (BEM) head models demonstrated that the localization errors are reduced two-fold when using electric fields instead of electric potentials. We have identified several techniques that could be adapted for the measurement of the electric field vector required for EFEG and anticipate that this study will stimulate new experimental approaches to utilize this new tool for functional brain research.
Dosimetry, field shaping and other considerations for intra-operative electron therapy.

Abstract In the early part of 1978, a pilot program of intra-operative radiotherapy was initiated at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), using beams of high energy electrons. A technique has been employed to irradiate the tumor bearing area using a sterilized acrylic resin cone that slides into a metal holder attached to the head of the accelerator. The acrylic resin cone is inserted into the patient directly over the tumor; the patient couch is adjusted until the cone is correctly aligned inside the holder. The dosimetry for this procedure has been investigated as a function of the primary collimator setting of the linear accelerator. A fixed setting was chosen as a compromise between increased bremsstrahlung, low effective electron dose rate observed with narrower settings, and more rounded beam profiles together with somewhat poorer depth dose characteristics found with larger settings. Field shaping and blocking of critical organs was achieved using sterile lead sheets that are cut to the appropriate size. Consideration has been given to improved beam design by increasing the incident electron dose rate and by improving the depth dose at each energy. The design of a dedicated intra-operative facility, using a high energy linear accelerator, is presented with respect to shielding requirements for the machine and the room.
Optimization of stochastic simulation models

Abstract An algorithm called SAMOPT is developed for optimizing the response function of simulation models that describe systems exhibiting stochastic behavior. Because of the stochastic nature of these simulated systems, the result of each evaluation of response by simulation is only a noisy (i.e., uncertain) observation of the true response. The SAMOPT algorithm uses these noisy responses to find a set of values for decision variables of the system such that the true response is optimized. Principles of the Stochastic Approximation Method have been used in developing this algorithm. The SAMOPT algorithm also allows for the case where the decision variables are subject to a set of linear constraints. Comparison of results between applications of SAMOPT and another well-known method are given for problems and a simulation model.
Parallel Simulation of Superscalar Scheduling

Computers have been moving toward a multicore paradigm for the last several years. As a result of the recent multicore paradigm shift, software developers must design applications that exploit the inherent parallelism of modern computing architectures. One of the areas of research to simplify this shift is the development of dynamic scheduling utilities that allow the developer to specify serial code that can be parallelized using a library or compiler technology. While these tools certainly increase the developer's productivity, they can obfuscate performance bottlenecks. For this reason, it is important to evaluate algorithm performance in order to ensure that the performance of a given algorithm is being realized using dynamic scheduling utilities. This paper presents the methodology and results of a new performance analysis tool that aims to accurately simulate the performance of various superscalar schedulers, including OmpSs, StarPU, and QUARK. The process begins with careful timing of each of the computational routines that make up the algorithm. The simulation tool then uses the timing of the computational kernels in conjunction with the dependency management provided by the superscalar scheduler in order to simulate the execution time of the algorithm. This tool demonstrates that simulation results of various algorithms can accurately predict the performance of a complex dynamic scheduling system.
Dietary stimulators of the PGC-1 superfamily and mitochondrial biosynthesis in skeletal muscle. A mini-review

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to many diseases including metabolic diseases such as diabetes. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 (PGC-1) is a superfamily of transcriptional co-activators which are important precursors to mitochondrial biosynthesis found in most cells including skeletal muscle. The PGC-1 superfamily consists of three variants all of which are directly involved in controlling metabolic gene expression including those regulating fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial proteins. In contrast to previous reviews on PGC-1, this mini-review summarizes the current knowledge of many known dietary stimulators of PGC-1 and the subsequent mitochondrial biosynthesis with associated metabolic benefit in skeletal muscle.
Optimal resource allocation for protecting system availability against random cyber attacks

Distributed systems usually provide services with varying criticalities. Failures of core services lead to catastrophic consequences to the system. Maintaining system core services' availability with limited resources has become a challenging issue, especially when system operates in an adversary environment and face malicious under attack. This paper discusses the attacker-defender problem and analyzes how to allocate resources to maximize system availability, especially the core services availability. In our model, the defender seeks to maintain maximum system availability for a given period of time, and does so by distributing defensive resources to component protection enhancement, creation of redundant components, and camouflaged components deployment. We assume that the attacker has no knowledge about the system configuration, and hence randomly attacks different nodes in the system. We formulate this attacker-defender problem as a defender's optimization problem and present an algorithm that optimally allocates system resource to achieve maximum system availability.
RB tumor suppressor gene expression responds to DNA synthesis inhibitors

Expression of the RB tumor suppressor gene, whose function is putatively in controlling cell growth, may be regulated by S-phase specific inhibitors of DNA synthesis that are commonly used in cell synchronization and cancer chemotherapy. Relatively low concentrations of the agents, cytosine arabinoside, bromodeoxyuridine, 5-fluorouracil, hydroxyurea, methotrexate and retinoic acid, were tested. At low concentrations still permitting submaximal cell growth, these drugs all changed RB gene expression, causing either up or down regulation of RB expression to varying degrees. Despite their potential similarity as a class, the nucleotide analogues elicited differential effects. The drug-induced up or down regulation of RB expression did not correlate with changes in c-myc expression indicating that the changes are not a manifestation of general metabolic changes potentially associated with altered proliferation. Amongst the agents considered, retinoic acid was the only one that caused a significant parallel reduction in RB and c-myc expression in the HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells tested. The results thus show that even low concentrations of DNA synthesis inhibitors can have unpredictable affects on expression of growth regulatory genes.
Stage separation of parallel-staged shuttle vehicles - A capability assessment.

The separation concept for stage separation of parallel staged space shuttle vehicles is discussed. The forward link separation concept is emphasized. The effects of aerodynamic interference and component mass are analyzed. Qualitative measurements used to perform a preliminary evaluation of various separation system concepts are presented. Line drawings are included to clarify the mechanisms and spacecraft structures used in stage separation.
Medical psychotherapy of schizophrenia--a dynamic/supportive approach.

Abstract Split psychiatric treatment—a psychiatrist prescribing medication while a nonphysician provides or coordinates psychosocial treatments—is common practice, especially in the managed care setting. This influence, along with a focus on the biology of mental illness, has shifted the emphasis in psychiatric education and practice away from psychotherapy. In particular, “psychotherapy” of schizophrenia has gotten short shrift. Since our drugs for schizophrenia do not cure, but only ameliorate, it would be unfortunate if psychiatrists were to become marginalized in a largely prescriptive role. This paper discusses medical psychotherapy of schizophrenia—an integrated treatment in which the psychiatrist provides the comprehensive care that such a chronic biopsychosocial illness requires.
Autonomic nervous system function.

Summary:Tests of autonomic function for the clinical autonomic neurophysiology laboratory should be noninvasive, sensitive, specific, reproducible, physiologically and clinically relevant, and not be excessively time-consuming. Laboratory evaluation is strongly indicated when the following are suspe
Who Will Be the Patient Advocate on a Multidisciplinary Team

Who among us has not experienced a potentially hazardous event or error in care when we, our family, or friends have been hospitalized? Errors can be readily recognized and corrected, but the occasions of suboptimal care that may arise from inadequate patient–health care provider (HCP) relationships are less obvious. An HCP disregarding a patient’s input or the patient failing to seek more information are examples of situations leading to suboptimal care resulting from impaired patient–HCP relationships. These situations where treatment regimens do not match patient abilities or preferences result in inadequate care and potential increased costs. Patients who are also medical professionals are more likely to recognize errors in care and intervene than are laypersons. What happens to non-informed patients? What problems might be prevented or efficiencies gained, if these individuals were better informed and supported to participate in their own care?
Time to Seeking Emergency Department Care for Asthma: Self-Management, Clinical Features at Presentation, and Hospitalization

Objectives. Understanding the events preceding emergency department (ED) asthma visits can guide patient education regarding managing exacerbations and seeking timely care. The objectives of this analysis were to assess time to seeking ED care, self-management of asthma exacerbations, and clinical status on presentation. Methods. A total of 296 patients was grouped according to time to seeking ED care: ≤1 day (22%), 2–5 days (44%), and >5 days (34%) and was compared for clinical and psychosocial characteristics. Asthma severity at presentation was obtained from patient report with the Asthma Control Questionnaire (ACQ) and the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and from physicians’ ratings using decision to hospitalize as an indicator of worse status. Results. Mean age was 44 years, 72% were women, 10% had been in the ED in the prior week, and 28% came to the ED by ambulance. Patients who waited longer were more likely to be older, have more depressive symptoms, and have been in the ED in the pri...
SOME PROPERTIES OF ALKALOIDS IN RELATION TO CLIMATE OF HABITAT

Since the melting points of oils and fats have been found to vary in accordance with the climate of the habitats of the plants producing them, it is of interest to determine whether a similar condition exists in the case of alkaloids. If alkaloids have differences in melting points in accordance with their habitats, then concomitant variations would be expected in their molecular weights; percentage composition of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen; structural formulae; solubility, and perhaps degree of toxicity.
High-Pressure Compounds in Methane-Hydrogen Mixtures

The effect of pressure on chemical interactions in molecular mixtures is important for problems spanning fundamental chemistry, planetary science, and materials science. Diamond-anvil cell studies reveal pressure-induced chemistry in the CH4-H2 system. The system, which has no known compounds at ambient conditions, formed four molecular compounds, CH4(H2)2, (CH4)2H2, CH4(H2)4, and CH4H2, at pressures up to 10 gigapascals. These have been characterized by synchrotron single-crystal x-ray diffraction, polycrystalline x-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and visual observation. Although CH4(H2)2 crystallizes in the MgZn2-type, hexagonal Laves phase structure, (CH4)H2 has a body-centered tetragonal structure that is similar to that of Al2Cu. The 1:1 and 1:2 compounds are stable to at least 30 gigapascals.
A WATER BUDGET STUDY OF PUGET SOUND AND ITS SUBREGIONS1

A water budget study for Puget Sound and its principal subregions, based on the freshwater, seawater, and total water budgets, determines the mean fluxes of water into and out of these regioas, the freshwater content, and the change in freshwater content by month and by year. Data used to calculate the budgets include monthly mean values of precipitation, evaporation, runoff, changes in sea level, mean salt content, and the s’alinities of inflowing and outflowing waters for each subregion. The fluxes of water calculated in the budget analysis yield an approximation of flushing efficiency and replacement time for Puget Sound and its subregions. The monthly freshwater content, along with the fluxes of water and their salt load, indicates that river runoff does not by itself control the freshwater content of a particular subregion; considerable freshwater is added by the inflow of water from an adjacent embayment.
Multi-whisker stimulation and its effects on vibrissa units in rat Sml barrel cortex

Ceramic piezoelectric 'bimorphs' were used to construct multiangular mechanical stimulators which are small enough to attach to separate, adjacent vibrissae on the mystacial face pad of rodents. Use of two stimulators to independently deflect pairs of whiskers revealed that the responses of SmI cortical vibrissa units are determined by the direction in which both hairs are moved, the spatial sequence of the displacements, and the particular combination of whiskers that are stimulated. The stimulators can thus serve as the basic elements in a large array of independently controllable whisker deflectors.
Search for Correlations between Nearby AGNs and Ultra-high Energy Cosmic Rays

Abstract The majority of the highest energy cosmic rays are thought to be electrically charged: protons or nuclei. Charged particles experience angular deflections as they pass through galactic and extra-galactic magnetic fields. As a consequence correlation of cosmic ray arrival directions with potential sources has proved to be difficult. This situation is not helped by current data samples where the number of cosmic rays/source are typically ⩽ O (1). Progress will be made when there are significantly larger data samples and perhaps with better catalogs of candidate sources. This paper reports a search for correlations between the RXTE catalog of nearby active galactic nuclei, AGNs, and the published list of ultra-high energy cosmic rays from the AGASA experiment. Although no statistically significant correlations were found, two correlations were observed between AGASA events and the most inclusive category of RXTE AGNs.