cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of the background gas pressure on the effectiveness of laser-induced material removal from deep cavities in irradiated targets

Two-dimensional expansion of a plume, induced by short-pulse laser irradiation of a bottom of a cylindrical cavity in a copper target, into argon background gas at pressure ranging from 0 to 1 bar is studied numerically based on a hybrid computational model that includes a heat conduction equation for the irradiated target and a kinetic model of the gas mixture flow. It is found that an increasing pressure of non-reactive background gas can induce an order-of-magnitude increase in the effectiveness of removal of the laser ablation products from the cavity as compared to ablation under vacuum conditions. The effectiveness of the material removal, measured as the ratio of the mass of the ablated products leaving the cavity to the evaporated mass, is determined by the interplay between the confinement and focusing effects of the background gas, which decelerate the plume expansion and concentrate the ablation products far from the cavity wall, correspondingly. At small background gas pressure, the plume expansion is dominated by the focusing effect, which enhances the efficiency of the material removal. At large pressure, the confinement effect dominates and suppresses the material removal. As a result, there is an optimum background gas pressure that maximizes the efficiency of the material removal from the cavity. This optimum background gas pressure depends on the characteristic pressure in the plume and strongly increases with an increase in the absorbed intensity of laser radiation.
Reaction Mechanism of Prephenate Dehydrogenase from the Alternative Tyrosine Biosynthesis Pathway in Plants

Unlike metazoans, plants, bacteria, and fungi retain the enzymatic machinery necessary to synthesize the three aromatic amino acids l-phenylalanine, l-tyrosine, and l-tryptophan de novo. In legumes, such as soybean, alfalfa, and common bean, prephenate dehydrogenase (PDH) catalyzes the tyrosine-insensitive biosynthesis of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate, a precursor to tyrosine. The three-dimensional structure of soybean PDH1 was recently solved in complex with the NADP+ cofactor. This structure allowed for the identification of both the cofactor- and ligand-binding sites. Here, we present steady-state kinetic analysis of twenty site-directed active-site mutants of soybean (Glycine max) PDH compared to wild-type. Molecular docking of the substrate, prephenate, into the active site of the enzyme revealed its potential interactions with the active site residues and made a case for the importance of each residue in substrate recognition and/or catalysis, most likely through transition state stabilization. Overall, these results suggested that the active site of the enzyme is highly sensitive to any changes, as even subtle alterations substantially reduced the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme.
Reenacting, Retracing, and Rediscovering History: Making a Connection in the Public Administration Curriculum

The study of public administration is an amalgamation of discoveries from many disciplines, including organizational management, political science, psychology, and sociology (Dahl, 1947; Denhardt, ...
Stress Distribution around a Tunnel

The problem of the disturbance of stress around a tunnel is treated in this paper from the point of view of the theory of elasticity. The tunnel is considered to be a horizontal cylindrical hole of...
Use of Resistance Phenomena as a Research Tool for Studying the Mechanisms of Action of Insecticides

It has been well recognized that any toxic manifestation in organisms is a result of complex interactions of toxic agents with various biological systems. Many chemical transporting, distribution processes (e.g. uptake, penetration through many layers of cells and tissues, partitioning, transport through blood and body fluid, etc.), metabolic actions (primary and secondary metabolism and sequestration), target interactions (enzymes, receptors, ion channels, etc.) and excretory processes are the major contributing factors to toxic manifestations. Furthermore, there are other factors such as physiological state, age, hormonal, nutritional and environmental influences which are known to often play significant roles. Knowing that all these factors must be considered, in addition to individual differences in susceptibility within a given population, the task for toxicologists to identify a few key toxicological interactions among all these processes has always been difficult.
Pattern Formation in Models of Convection

Rayleigh-Benard convection is one of the oldest, simplest and most useful experimental configurations for studying the spatial and temporal patterns that occur in strongly-driven nonequilibrium systems (3). In this system, a fluid is placed between two flat plates held at a uniform temperature difference, as shown in Fig.1. When the temperature difference is greater than some critical value, the fluid will flow in a spatially periodic convective roll pattern. (The flow pattern in actual experiments is generally much more complicated than this simple theoretical picture). As the temperature difference is increased, a series of secondary bifurcations occurs, and eventually the flow pattern becomes chaotic.
Hypertension due to Excessive Dietary Sodium and/or Adrenal Steroids

When a large amount of salt is given acutely, it is rapidly excreted by the kidneys. When the same amount is administered chronically, it usually produces a gradual but steady increase in arterial pressure which might be due to declining kidney function. The hypertensive process can be quickened and exacerbated by combining a high sodium intake with partial nephrectomy or added mineralocorticoids.
Management of afebrile neonates with pustules and vesicles in a pediatric emergency department.

Objectives To assess the management and outcomes of vesicles and pustules in afebrile neonates presenting to the pediatric emergency department. Methods Using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes, we identified patients 0-60 days old presenting to our pediatric emergency department from 2008 to 2015 with a possible diagnosis of pustules or vesicles. We then used natural language processing followed by manual chart review to identify afebrile neonates with pustules or vesicles. We collected clinical data from the electronic medical record. We also assessed current practice patterns for neonatal pustules or vesicles using a survey administered to attending physicians. Results Of the 971 possible cases identified using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes for fluid-filled lesions, only 64 patients had vesicles (n = 9) and pustules (n = 55). One-third (22/64) of afebrile neonates with pustules and vesicles were admitted to the hospital and received empiric parenteral therapy. Admission, parenteral antibiotics, and antiviral therapy were more common in neonates presenting with vesicles than in those with pustules alone. Apart from 2 presumed blood culture contaminants, there were no positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid cultures. Two patients had positive urine cultures. Institutional survey data showed practice patterns consistent with these retrospective results. Conclusion Although one-third of neonates with pustules and vesicles were admitted to the hospital and received parenteral therapy, there were no cerebrospinal fluid or blood infections or any confirmed evidence of herpes simplex virus disease. These findings suggest that afebrile, well-appearing neonates presenting with pustules alone may not need a full serious bacterial infection examination. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess outcomes, especially in afebrile neonates with vesicles.
Das Budget — II Vertriebs- und Verwaltungskostenbudget Finanzplanung Vorschau-Bilanz und Vorschau-Erfolgsrechnung

Den Kostenarten Rohstoffe, Lohne und Fertigungsgemeinkosten wird in der Literatur gewohnlich grosere Beachtung geschenkt. Sie bilden jenen Teil der Erfolgsrechnung, der als Herstellkosten bekannt ist und im allgemeinen als wichtigster Teil der Kostenrechnung betrachtet wird. Es mag hierdurch der Eindruck entstehen, das die Erfassung, Darstellung und Kontrolle der Vertriebs- und Verwaltungskosten unnotig oder von geringerer Bedeutung sei oder uberhaupt nicht in den Aufgabenbereich der Betriebsabrechnung falle. Diese Auffassung ist jedoch nicht richtig.
Reproductive and gynecological complication risks among thyroid cancer survivors.

Thyroid cancer is the most rapidly increasing cancer in the USA, affects a young, mostly female population, and has high survival. The aim of this study was to determine if there is an increased risk of reproductive system adverse events or pregnancy complications among women diagnosed with thyroid cancer under the age of 50. Up to five female cancer-free individuals were matched to each female thyroid cancer survivor diagnosed before the age of 50 based on birth year, birth state, and follow-up time, within the Utah Population Database. Medical records were used to identify disease diagnoses stratified over three time periods: 0–1, > 1–5, and > 5–10 years after cancer diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with adjustment on matching factors, race, BMI, and Charlson Comorbidity Index. There were 1832 thyroid cancer survivors and 7921 matched individuals. Thyroid cancer survivors had higher rates of having multiple health conditions associated with the gynecological system (15.4% vs. 9.4%) and pregnancy (14.3% vs 9.5%) > 1–5 years after cancer diagnosis. Increased risks persisted > 5–10 years after cancer diagnosis for menopausal disorders (HR = 1.78, 99% CI = 1.37, 2.33) and complications related to pregnancy (HR = 2.13, 99% CI = 1.14, 3.98). Stratified analyses showed these risks remained increased across different treatment types. There were significant risk increases in reproductive system and pregnancy complications among female thyroid cancer survivors within this study. Although radiation has been linked to reproductive risks in previous studies, we found risks were increased in patients regardless of treatment.
miRNA-378a as a key regulator of cardiovascular health following engineered nanomaterial inhalation exposure.

Nano-titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2), though one of the most utilized and produced engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), diminishes cardiovascular function through dysregulation of metabolism and mitochond...
Emerging adults’ judgments of gender norms and gender inequality in relation to Mormon religious beliefs

Abstract Using an online survey, this study examined 101 Latter-day Saint (LDS, or Mormon) emerging adults’ (M = 21.63 years, SD = 2.20, 43 male) judgments of and justifications for prototypical moral and conventional rules, religious and non-religious gendered social conventions, and gendered religious practices and their associations with religiosity and gender essentialism. Participants evaluated prototypical moral rules as most wrong to violate, unchangeable, and generalizable, based on moral justifications, whereas they viewed religious and non-religious gendered social conventions as more flexible, arbitrary, and under personal jurisdiction. Gendered religious practices were justified based on God's will and were judged as changeable by religious leaders and God; all other gendered rules were seen primarily as under personal jurisdiction; they were justified with conventional reasons more by females than males. Religiosity was highly correlated with essentialism and had a greater effect on combined judgments of gendered rules over and above effects of justifications.
Abstract 1153: Hypoxic microenvironments promote stemness and enhance the directed migration of glioma stem cells

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant primary brain tumor and has a poor prognosis and is resistant to the most advanced therapies. The development of highly hypoxic centrally located necrotic regions is strongly associated with accelerated GBM progression, yet mechanistic explanations are not complete. Hypoxic regions within GBM are highly enriched for glioma stem cells (GSC), which are critical for tumor initiation, recurrence and therapeutic resistance due to their self-renewing capabilites. While most GBM cells migrate outward, away from hypoxia, GSCs accumulate there, forming a hypercellular border called pseudopalisades that promote their survival. Mechanisms that mediate GSC accumulation within pseudopalisades are unknown. We hypothesize that GSCs are enriched in the pseudopalisades due to the homing of a subpopulation towards the supportive hypoxic microenvironment. This in turn activates critical hypoxia-induced drivers to promote stemness, survival and migratory behavior encouraging the recruitment of more GSCs. Using two genetically distinct patient-derived GBM cell lines, we found that exposure to hypoxia in vitro led to enrichment of GSCs among a heterogeneous population of GSCs and non-GSCs. We found that hypoxia enhanced the expression of stem cell, pro-survival and pro-migratory factors in GSCs, such as the pro-migratory chemokine SDF-1α, and its cognate receptor CXCR4. Importantly, we found hypoxia also induced upregulation of OLIG2, one of four core transcription factors necessary and sufficient to induce stemness, in GSCs and non-GSCs exposed to hypoxia. We determined that OLIG2 was necessary for the expression of stem cell markers, and that its knockdown reduced cellular migration in hypoxia vs normoxia in GSCs. This suggests a critical role for OLIG2 in both hypoxia-induced stemness and homing behavior. We also generated a unique model of localized hypoxia in one brain hemisphere through vaso-cclusion and observed the homing of xenografted GBM cells towards hypoxia, regulated by OLIG2 in vivo. These data shed light on how hypoxic tumor microenvironments facilitate mechanisms vital to GBM progression and therapeutic resistance. Citation Format: Nitya V. Sharma, Monica Chau, Subhas Mukherjee, James Ross, Brandon Miller, Changming Zhang, Jun Kong, Carol Tucker-Burden, Emily Kaissi, John W. Reitnauer, Bilge Dundar, Cheryl L. Olson, Gregory Bix, Daniel J. Brat. Hypoxic microenvironments promote stemness and enhance the directed migration of glioma stem cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1153.
Improving Classroom Management Issues by Building Connections with Families: Part 1:

Experienced teachers often know the value of partnering with students’ families to help students gain the most out of their time in school. Elementary general music teachers occupy a unique place i...
Electronic and thermoelectric properties of Cu Co O 2 : Density functional calculations

Density functional calculations are used to elucidate the electronic structure and some transport properties of $\mathrm{Cu}\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$. We find an electronic structure with similarities to ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$, although it is much less two dimensional. In particular, there are narrow manifolds of ${t}_{2g}$ and ${e}_{g}$ states. Application of Boltzmann transport theory to the calculated band structure shows high thermopowers comparable to ${\mathrm{Na}}_{x}\mathrm{Co}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ for both $p$- and $n$-type doping.
Neuroimaging to Study Brain Reward Processing and Reward-Based Learning in Binge Eating Pathology

This chapter reviews human neuroimaging studies that investigate the neurobiology of reward processing in eating disorders associated with binge eating. Across the relatively small research literature on binge-eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa (BN) using food and nonfood stimuli, neuroimaging studies consistently suggest alterations in brain reward circuit response. Studies tend to identify heightened brain response to visual presentation of reward cues, while reward receipt, including unexpected receipt, is associated with lower brain activation. Those results point toward specific neurotransmitter alterations associated with binge eating pathophysiology. However, there is still extensive heterogeneity across studies due to different study designs and analytic approaches, and research that systematically translates and studies basic science models in humans will have the best chance of identifying neurocircuitry that is specific to this pathology.
Chronic exposure to environmental cadmium affects growth and survival, cellular stress, and glucose metabolism in juvenile channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).

Abstract Anthropogenic activities have led to the enrichment of cadmium in freshwater systems where it is a contaminant of concern for fisheries and aquaculture as it has no known biological function and is toxic at trace concentrations. Yet, knowledge gaps remain regarding effects of chronic exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations on freshwater fish. Thus, the objectives of the current study were to assess chronic impacts of cadmium on channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) including how tissue-specific bioaccumulation patterns relate to functions of those tissues over time. We focused on liver and kidneys, and expression of genes related to cellular stress, glucose metabolism, and steroidogenesis. Catfish were exposed to concentrations of 0.5 (control), 2 (low), and 6 (high) μg L−1 Cd from fertilization to six months. Cadmium exposure negatively impacted channel catfish growth and was linked to bioaccumulation of tissue Cd, which followed a dose-related response, where concentrations in trunk kidney > liver = head kidney >> muscle. Differences in tissue Ca, Cu, Fe, and Zn concentrations were also observed between treatments. Following 3 months of exposure, expression of metallothionein (MT) and heat shock proteins (HSP) 70 & 90 increased relative to controls; however, no differences were detected at 6 months, suggesting compensation. Conversely, there were no differences in expression patterns for key genes in steroidogenesis, steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and cytochrome P450scc (P450), which supports the observation that Cd did not affect the secondary stress response, evaluated via plasma cortisol and glucose concentrations following a low water stress event. As a function of length and weight, the high Cd treatment yielded fish that were significantly smaller than controls. In addition to the cellular responses in MT and HSPs noted, reduced growth in the high Cd treatment was likely due, at least in part, to elevated energetic demands. This is supported by observations of the upregulation of genes necessary for glucose metabolism. Hexokinase (HK), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6P), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were significantly elevated in the high treatment relative to controls at 3 months of exposure. Over the study period, exposure also reduced survival of channel catfish from 3 to 6 months. Reduced fitness, as a consequence of cadmium exposure, could be visible at the population level through altered life histories and growth patterns.
American states of nature: the origins of independence, 1761-1775: by Mark Somos, New York, NY, Oxford University Press, 2019, 406 pp., $49.95 (hardcover), ISBN 987-0-19-046285-7

This book highlights the central role of the state of nature concept in American political thought during the Anglo-American dispute from 1761 to 1775. Somos argues that American pamphlets, tracts,...
Abstract P52: Temporal Progression of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease Lesions on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke Prone Rats

Introduction: Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats- Stroke Prone (SHRSP) are a relevant model for human cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD). However, data are still lacking regarding the neuroimaging c...
Nurturing nature in a mega-city: a decadal assessment of the Beijing Olympic Forest Park

In this article, we showcase the Beijing Olympic Forest Park (BOFP), a large-scale urban park developed as part of the green infrastructure to support the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The BOFP represents an example of using strategically-placed and well-designed public open spaces to relieve stresses from high-density living in compact urban areas. Drawing from first-hand information from leading planners and designers, we present the ideas rooted in Chinese culture and environmental aesthetics that have inspired the overall layout of the park. Anchoring itself at the northern end of the city’s central axis, BOFP takes on the Chinese Shan-Shui Landscape layout and integrates into its design many elements of cultural significance. We then explain the park’s design elements inspired by Frederick Law Olmsted and his sons and modern construction technologies informed by ecological science. Through an extensive review of empirical studies, we evaluate the park’s performance in social and environmental aspects and identify areas in need of improvements. We suggest that the BOFP manifests a successful fusion of quintessence from both the western and eastern landscape fields. It illustrates an application of a culturally informed ecological approach to park siting, planning, and design, which has supported the park’s meaningful integration into its urban context and amplified its contributions to the city. Evidence cumulated through decadal evaluations of the park’s performance has revealed the accomplishments of this transformative place-making approach for both nature and people.
Patching Based Extra Short Packet Forward Error Control Coding for Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) in 5G

Extra short packets are common in the 5G Internet which provides low latency, ultra-reliable services for applications such as autonomous driving, remote surgery, industry automation, to name just a few. The multitude number of low cost devices cannot afford to run high power forward error control coding algorithms, such as Turbo codes, LDPC codes, Polar codes, and so on, to meet the stringent requirements of ultra-reliability and extremely low latency. In this paper, we propose using patching as the basis for forward error control coding of extra short packets, where replicas of a packet along with its checksum are transmitted adaptively. At the receiver, we propose using dynamic formation of a full packet based on the theory of Finite Projective Plane. The newly formed packet is then checked for being non-faulty. The approach of patching with dynamic formation of a full packet is systematic and well suitable for extra short packets. Despite the fact that the proposed coding scheme provides lower coding rate for a fixed packet error rate in comparison to the Polar codes and LDPC codes, the main advantages lie in its flexibility and simplicity of processing ideal for asymmetric configuration with low power receiving devices providing ultra-reliable low latency communications.
Reflections on practitioner research: a practical guide for information professionals: edited by Lee Ann Fullington, Brandon K. West, and Frans Albarillo, Association of College and Research Libraries, 2020, xiv + 290 pp., $78.00 (paperback), ISBN-13: 978-0-8389-4847-7

Librarians, particularly those who work in academic settings, are often required to engage in research and publishing as part of a tenure (or tenure-like) structure for advancing in rank. Even when...
The Volhynian mass murders of 1943 in Polish-Ukrainian historical discussions in the 1990s

The article analyzes the first public discussions of the last decade of the 20th century about mass murders of Polish population in Volhynia in 1943. The author explores the emergence of the topic of “Volhynia” in the public space and Polish-Ukrainian historical debates about these mass murders in the 1990s. The research is based on the published sources and interviews with the participants in the Polish-Ukrainian dialog. The article focuses on the first mentions of the Volhynian events in the post-communist period, on the way this issue was discussed at seminars of Polish and Ukrainian historians, and in the leading Polish newspapers “Gazeta Wyborcza” and “Rzeczpospolita”. Particular attention is paid to the discussion about the mass murders in the “Gazeta Wyborcza” in 1995. The Volhynian issue appeared in the public space after almost fifty years of silence initiated from the Polish “kres” and veteran circles which represented the victims of the mass murders. This topic was arousing interest gradually. It did not immediately take a lead- ing place in Polish-Ukrainian historical debates. In the 1990s, the discussion about “Volhynia” took place primarily between historians and within the groups to which this topic was important. There was only one discussion about the Volhynian events in the press, namely in the “Gazeta Wyborcza”. This newspaper, which appeared as an organ of Solidarity, pays attention especially to the relationship between Poland and its neighbours, particularly Ukraine. In the Ukrainian central media, the Volhynian issue remained completely without attention. Although the debates about “Volhynia” were not actively conducted in the 1990s, certain tendencies were established during this period, which remained characteristic in the following years. In Poland, these events were perceived as one of the most traumatic episodes of the national history, so it was the Polish side who initiated the discussions about this topic. The Ukrainian side was forced to respond to these initiatives.
Analysis of the throughput of random-access multichannel CDMA systems with multiuser detection

This paper analyzes the asymptotic behavior of the throughput of random-access (RA) multichannel CDMA (MCDMA) systems with multiuser detection. It is proved that as the maximum number K of users which the multiuser detector can handle at the same time increases, the normalized throughput function, i.e., the collision-free transmission probability for each channel, approaches a unit step function exponentially fast. This unit step function is defined as 1.0 if the average number r of simultaneous users in each channel is less than K, as 0.50 if r=K, and as zero for r>K. The maximum throughput of a RA/MCDMA system is found to be reached approximately at a traffic load value of r/spl circ//sub m/(K)=K-2/spl radic/K+1 for K>9.
Effects of gibberellic acid on Nicotiana rustica var. Brasilia plants.

A study was made of the effect of gibberellic acid on the growth of tobacco plants and the accumulation of nicotine. While gibberellic acid increased the rate of growth and the total chlorophyll content, a decrease in nicotine content was observed.
ERcalcistorin/protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). Sequence determination and expression of a cDNA clone encoding a calcium storage protein with PDI activity from endoplasmic reticulum of the sea urchin egg.

Following the purification of a 58-kDa calsequestrin-like protein from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of sea urchin eggs (Oberdorf, J.A., Lebeche, D., Head, J. F., and Kaminer, B. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 6806-6809) and its characterization as a high capacity, low affinity calcium-binding protein (Lebeche, D., and Kaminer, B. (1992) Biochem. J. 287, 741-747) we isolated and sequenced a cDNA encoding for this protein. The deduced 496 amino acids contain a 17-residue NH2-terminal signal peptide, a KDEL COOH-terminal ER retention signal and two thioredoxin-like active site domains, -CGHC-, identical with those in protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). The sea urchin egg protein shares a 55% sequence identity with mammalian PDI and its PDI activity is 30% of the activity of rabbit liver PDI. The corresponding mRNA was found in oocytes, mature eggs, embryos, and differentiated tissues of the sea urchin in varying amounts. COS-7 cells transfected with the cDNA, expressed a 58-kDa protein immunoreactive to antibodies against the sea urchin egg protein. This molecule appears to have a dual function of calcium storage and PDI activity within the ER. We hence redesignate it ERcalcistorin/PDI (ECaSt/PDI), a protein that is distinct from calsequestrin and calreticulin.
P43-S Computational Biology Applications Suite for High-Performance Computing (BioHPC.net).

One of the challenges of high-performance computing (HPC) is user accessibility. At the Cornell University Computational Biology Service Unit, which is also a Microsoft HPC institute, we have developed a computational biology application suite that allows researchers from biological laboratories to submit their jobs to the parallel cluster through an easy-to-use Web interface. Through this system, we are providing users with popular bioinformatics tools including BLAST, HMMER, InterproScan, and MrBayes. The system is flexible and can be easily customized to include other software. It is also scalable; the installation on our servers currently processes approximately 8500 job submissions per year, many of them requiring massively parallel computations. It also has a built-in user management system, which can limit software and/or database access to specified users. TAIR, the major database of the plant model organism Arabidopsis, and SGN, the international tomato genome database, are both using our system for storage and data analysis. The system consists of a Web server running the interface (ASP.NET C#), Microsoft SQL server (ADO.NET), compute cluster running Microsoft Windows, ftp server, and file server. Users can interact with their jobs and data via a Web browser, ftp, or e-mail. The interface is accessible at http://cbsuapps.tc.cornell.edu/.
Teaching network security through live exercises

Live exercises represent a valuable tool to teach the practical aspects of security and the dynamics of network-based attack and defense techniques. However, these exercises are very difficult to organize and execute. For this reason, there are very few courses that offer live exercise as an integral part of the class work. This paper describes a series of live exercises that have been used in a graduate-level Computer Science course on network security. For each exercise, the setup, execution, and lessons learned are discussed The intended audience of this paper is represented by instructors - especially in colleges and universities - who want to start using this type of instructional tools but have no experience and are unsure of the possible pitfalls in their implementation.
Dependability of Software of Unknown Pedigree: Case studies on unmanned aircraft systems

The use of Software of Unknown Pedigree (SOUP) in aviation systems presents uncertainty about its dependability to perform a critical function safely and securely. While some industries have established policies and best practices regarding the use of SOUP in safety-critical applications, these best practices have yet to be fully integrated in aviation. For this paper, we consider SOUP to refer to either a software item that is already developed and generally available but was not developed specifically for use in aviation, or a software item for which adequate records of the development processes are not available. In the previous phase of our research, we proposed a framework for evaluating the use of SOUP as part of a safety-critical aviation application by reviewing best practices from six industry domains (medical, nuclear, rail, space, aviation, and software security) and distilling these best practices into 45 specific tasks. We grouped these tasks into six categories to form a framework for assessing dependability of SOUP. In the current phase of our research, we have partnered with small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) manufacturers to evaluate our framework in real world case studies. In this paper, we focus on the lessons learned on the dependability of SOUP from these partnerships in applying the framework to sUAS. We discuss improvements that were made to the framework as a result of these interactions. Additionally, we describe the way forward for transitioning this research to the aviation standards community.
De haas-van alphen oscillations in the critical temperature of type II superconductors

Abstract : The report shows that the critical temperature T sub c(H) of a type-II superconductor exhibits dHvA oscillations with the usual period mu/omega sub c, where mu is the Fermi energy and omega sub c = eH/mc is the cyclotron frequency. The result includes electron spin and is valid even outside the Ginzburg-Landau region. It demonstrates the feasibility of observing the effect at low temperatures through the oscillations of the resistivity in the transition region. (Author)
An Analysis of Hydroxyapatite Surface Layer Formation

A mechanism for the formation of hydroxyapatite (HAp) surface layers compositionally different from the bulk compositions is described. Surface layer formation is a consequence of HAp being a compound of variable composition: Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 to ∼Ca9HPO4(PO4)5OH, existing over Ca/P ratio from 1.67 for stoichiometric to ∼1.5 for fully calcium-deficient HAp. One consequence of this compositional variability is that only one HAp composition (Ca/P ratio) dissolves congruently (the solution and solid have the same Ca/P ratio). HAp compositions having Ca/P ratios different from the congruently dissolving composition will form surface layers. Equilibration of stoichiometric HAp with water will result in the formation of a surface layer having a Ca/P ratio of less than 1.67. In general, for solid HAp compositions having Ca/P ratios greater than that of the congruently dissolving composition, a nonstoichiometric surface layer will form and the Ca/P ratio in solution will exceed that of the surface layer. For solid...
A random utility model for approval voting

Abstract A random utility model for approval voting is described, based on the notion that each voter has a personal ranking of the alternatives, with the random utilities being defined, in a standard manner, by the probability distribution on the set of all rankings. The set of alternatives chosen by a voter is made of the top alternatives in the voter's personal ranking. The size of the chosen set and the ranking are assumed to be independent. Two independent classes of necessary conditions are derived, which are used to test the model on two known sets of data.
SU-E-T-496: A Study of Two Commercial Dose Calculation Algorithms in Low Density Phantom

Purpose: Some lung cancer patients have very low lung density due to comorbidities. We investigate calculation accuracy of Eclipse AAA and Acuros(AXB) using a phantom that simulates this situation. Methods: A 2.5 x 5.0 x 5 cm (long) solid water inhomogeneity positioned 10 cm deep in a Balsa lung phantom (density 0.099 gm/cc) was irradiated with an off-center field such that the central axis was parallel to one side of the inhomogeneity. Radiochromic films were placed at 2.5cm(S1) and 5cm(S2) depths. After CT scanning, Hounsfield Units(HU) were converted to electron(ρe) and mass(ρm) density using in-house(IH) and vendor-supplied(V) calibration curves. IH electron densities were generated using a commercial electron density phantom. The phantom was exposed to 6 MV 3x3 and 20x20 fields. Dose distributions were calculated using the AAA and AXB algorithms. Results: The HU of BW is -910±40 which translates to ρe of 0.088±0.050(IH) and 0.090±0.050(V), and ρm of 0.101±0.045(IH) and 0.103±0.039(V). Both ρe(V) and ρm(V) are higher than ρe(IH) and ρm(IH) respectively by 1.4-5.3% and 0.5-12.3%. The average calculated dose inside the solid water ‘tumor’ are within 3.7% and 2.4% of measurements for both calibrations and field sizes using AAA and AXB. Within 10mm outside the ‘tumor’, AAA onmore » average underestimates by 18.3% and 17.0% respectively for 3x3 using IH and V. AXB underestimates by 5.9%(S1)-6.6%(S2) and 13.1%(S1)-16.0%(S2) respectively using IH and V. For 20x20, AAA and AXB underestimate by 2.8%(S1)-4.4%(S2) and 0.3%(S1)-1.4%(S2) respectively with either calibration. Conclusion: The difference in the HU calibration between V and IH is not of clinical significance in normal field sizes. In the low density region of small fields, the calculations from both algorithms differ significantly from measurements. This may be attributed to the insufficient lateral electron transport modeled by two algorithms resulting in the over-estimation in penumbra expansion.« less
Modal approach to scattering of electromagnetic waves by a conducting tape helix

Electromagnetic wave scattering by a tape helix of infinite extent is studied by using Floquet wave expansions for the guided modes and scattered fields. The solution reduces to earlier results as a special limiting case for normal incidence on a sheath helix. The current induced on an infinite helix computed by the presented technique bears close resemblance to the current induced on a long but finite helix as computed by Galerkin's method. The spatial frequency spectrum of the induced current is plotted to show the dominance of the spatial harmonics that are phase matched with the guided modes of the helix. Azimuthal patterns of the scattered field are included to illustrate that interference increases as the diameter of the helix is increased.
Nanometer-Scale Electropolymerization of Aniline Using the Scanning Tunneling Microscope

The platinum tip of a scanning tunneling microscope is employed to direct the electropolymerization of aniline on nanometer-scale regions of a graphite surface which is immersed in an aqueous, aniline-containing electrolyte. The electropolymerization of aniline is initiated by two bias voltage pulses which are applied in rapid succession: The first(tip-negative) 6.0 V × 5 μscauses the formation of a pit in the graphite surface, and the second(tip-negative) 3.0 V × 50 μsinduces the oxidation and the subsequent polymerization of aniline at this pit to form a particle of polyaniline (PANI). These PANI particles varied from 100 to 600A in diameter and 10 to 200 A in height. Nanoscopic PANI particles prepared by this method are shown to be electrochemically responsive: A comparison of in-situ STM images of individual PANI particles acquired at sample potentials which are positive and negative of the PANI oxidation potential reveals that the volume of a particle is larger by ≈30% in the oxidized emeraldine fo...
Plasma Free Hemoglobin Potentiates the Association between Reperfusion FiO2 and Primary Graft Dysfunction after Lung Transplantation

Purpose Free hemoglobin (freeHgb) is a potent oxidant released from red cells in conditions such as sepsis, hemolysis, hemodialysis and cardiopulmonary bypass. We determined whether plasma freeHgb is elevated in lung transplant recipients and whether levels are associated with primary graft dysfunction (PGD). We also tested whether the potential oxidative injury associated with freeHgb is potentiated by high FiO2 at reperfusion. Methods and Materials Patients were lung recipients in the Lung Transplant Outcomes Group cohort and included 40 cases with Grade 3 PGD at 72h after transplant and 80 controls with no PGD, frequency matched for diagnosis (COPD, IPF) and procedure (single, bilateral). Plasma freeHgb was measured pre-op, and at 6 and 24h after reperfusion. PGD status was determined by ISHLT criteria. Results FreeHgb was detectable in 91% of pre-op, 97% of 6h and 85% of 24h samples. Pre-op [median 30 mg/dL (IQR 20-50 )] and 6h [30 (10-80)] levels were similar, but fell at 24h [20 (10-40), p=0.002]. Post-op freeHgb levels were similar between cases and controls although levels were higher in those who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass [80 (40–150) vs 20 (10–40), p Figure ). Conclusions High pre-op levels of plasma freeHgb associate with PGD, particularly when FiO2 is high at reperfusion. FreeHgb may be a mediator of oxidative injury during ischemia reperfusion and high levels of inspired O2 may potentiate this oxidative injury.
Fenton-type reactions and iron concentrations in the midgut fluids of tree-feeding caterpillars.

Peroxides are formed in the midgut fluids of caterpillars when ingested tannins and other phenolic compounds oxidize. If these peroxides broke down in the presence of redox-active metal ions, they would form damaging free radicals (Fenton-type reactions). Elemental iron is present in relatively large amounts in leaves and artificial diets, but little is known about its concentration and redox state in midgut fluids, or the extent of Fenton-type reactions in these conditions. This study compared the levels of hydroxyl radicals and iron in the midgut fluids of two species of caterpillars: Orgyia leucostigma, in which phenol oxidation is limited, and Malacosoma disstria, in which phenol oxidation is more extensive. We tested two hypotheses: (1) higher levels of hydroxyl radicals are formed in M. disstria (consistent with the higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in this species), and (2) lower concentrations of iron are present in O. leucostigma (providing greater protection of its midgut fluids from oxidative damage). Hydroxyl radical levels increased greatly in M. disstria, but not in O. leucostigma, when they consumed a tannin-containing diet, supporting the first hypothesis. Protein oxidation was also significantly increased in the midgut fluids of M. disstria that ingested tannic acid, consistent with hydroxyl radical damage. Contrary to the second hypothesis, similar concentrations of iron (70 μM) remained in solution or suspension in both species of caterpillars on an artificial diet. Over 90% of this iron appeared to be in the reduced (catalytically active) state in both species. We conclude that tree-feeding caterpillars protect their midgut fluids from oxidative damage caused by Fenton-type reactions by limiting the formation of peroxides, rather than by limiting the availability of reduced iron. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 60:32–43, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Recent Cuban Immigrants and Native-Born African Americans Leaving Welfare:

Studies of the economic well-being of women leaving welfare generally focus on the efforts of the welfare leaver herself. We argue that it is also important to take into account the employment and earnings of others in her household. Among women in Miami-Dade County (Florida) who left welfare between October 1999 and January 2000, our data show that households with multiple earners fared far better than others across several indicators of economic well-being. More detailed analysis indicates that the multiple-earner strategy was a likely option primarily for leavers whose sociodemographic characteristics already gave them labor market advantages. Important differences exist in welfare-leaving outcomes between Cuban and native-born African Americans, who together account for most of Miami’s welfare leavers.
Innovation vs Implementation Alliances:Embeddedness and Partner Choice during Economic Uncertainty

This paper examines the different logics of strategic alliance formation in the Japanese electronics industry between 1985 and 1998. With data on 137 Japanese electronics/electrical machinery makers, we use discrete event history analysis to address a series of hypotheses drawn largely from embeddedness theory on how the firms’ horizontal and vertical keiretsu business group affiliations and prior alliance networks supported and constrained partner choice in new RD the “preburst” period) keiretsu served as infrastructure or platform for new strategic alliances that had both innovation and implementation goals. In the second half of our series (1992-98, the “postbubble” period) the keiretsu effects on innovation alliance formation were gone, but the groups’ role in nonR&D or implementation alliances, the purpose of which was often cost reduction, had expanded. Our results suggest that Japane...
IQGAP1 in cellular signaling: bridging the GAP.

IQGAP1 was identified in 1994 as a widely expressed IQ domain-containing protein with a region containing sequence similarity to the Ras GTPase-activating proteins. IQGAP1 has roles in many different aspects of cell physiology and interacts with numerous proteins. It modulates the actin cytoskeleton through Rac1 and Cdc42, and cell–cell adhesion through E-cadherin and β-catenin. It also regulates the mitogen activated protein kinase pathway, which influences cell proliferation and differentiation. Evidence suggests that IQGAP1 is a scaffold protein that links components of signaling cascades. Here, we evaluate recent data that identify the participation of IQGAP1 in signaling networks and we illustrate how this influences diverse cellular functions. These findings suggest that IQGAP1 integrates signaling pathways and coordinates several fundamental cellular activities.
Access scheme of Multi-Level Cell Spin-Transfer Torque Random Access Memory and its optimization

In this work, we study the access (read and write) scheme of the newly proposed Multi-Level Cell Spin-Transfer Torque Random Access Memory (MLC STT-RAM) from both the circuit design and architectural perspectives. Based on the physical principles of the resistance state transition of MLC STT-RAM, we proposed a read circuitry based on Dichotomic search algorithm and three write schemes with various design complexities - simple, complex, and hybrid schemes. The circuit and architectural level evaluations were conducted to analyze the power and performance tradeoffs in each proposed write mechanisms of MLC STT-RAM.
Our Animals, Our Selves? Chipping Away the Human–Animal Divide

The notion of a "sociology" of animals is likely to strike many as odd, if not contradictory. Subordinated to the interests of humans, animals have rarely been considered members of any human society. However, the past 20-25 years have witnessed the birth of a new field within sociology, one primarily concerned with the ways that animals and humans interact, but which inevitably touches what such interactions say about the nature of both human and animal consciousness. The existence of the social scientific journal Society and Animals and the recent addition of an ASA section named "Animals and Society" attest that this emerging field is solidifying a place in the academy. However, one could hardly argue that mainstream sociologists generally recognize human-animal relations as significant. The fate of human-animal studies appears to depend largely on its ability to show how incorporating animals into our investigations of society will enhance understanding across many avenues of sociological inquiry, including identity, community, politics, and economy. Without this wider framework, human-animal studies risks being dismissed as a thinly veiled, institutionalized branch of the animal rights movement.
Effects of Moderate Aerobic Exercise Training on Vascular Health and Blood Pressure in African Americans

As healthcare progresses toward individualized medicine, understanding how different racial groups respond to lifestyle interventions is valuable. It is established that African Americans have disproportionate levels of cardiovascular disease and impaired vascular health, and clinical practice guidelines suggest lifestyle interventions as the first line of treatment. Recently, the authors reported that 6 months of aerobic exercise improved inflammatory markers, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and levels of circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) in African American adults. This study is a subgroup analysis of the aerobic exercise–induced changes in vascular health and blood pressure (BP) measures, including carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), nitroglycerin-mediated dilation (NMD), ambulatory BP, and office BP. Sedentary African American adults (53.4±6.2 years; 21 women and 5 men) showed improved vascular health but no change in BP. Carotid artery IMT decreased 6.4%, plasma nitric oxide levels increased 76.6%, plasma EMP levels decreased, percentage of FMD increased 59.6%, and FMD/NMD ratio increased 36.2% (P<.05 for all). Six months of aerobic exercise training is sufficient to elicit improvements in vascular structure and function in African Americans, even without improvements in BP measures or NMD (ie, smooth muscle function). To our knowledge, this is the first study to report such findings in African Americans.