cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hello, Is It Me You're Looking For?: Differentiating Between Human and Electronic Speakers for Voice Interface Security

Voice interfaces are increasingly becoming integrated into a variety of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Such systems can dramatically simplify interactions between users and devices with limited displays. Unfortunately voice interfaces also create new opportunities for exploitation. Specifically any sound-emitting device within range of the system implementing the voice interface (e.g., a smart television, an Internet-connected appliance, etc) can potentially cause these systems to perform operations against the desires of their owners (e.g., unlock doors, make unauthorized purchases, etc). We address this problem by developing a technique to recognize fundamental differences in audio created by humans and electronic speakers. We identify sub-bass over-excitation, or the presence of significant low frequency signals that are outside of the range of human voices but inherent to the design of modern speakers, as a strong differentiator between these two sources. After identifying this phenomenon, we demonstrate its use in preventing adversarial requests, replayed audio, and hidden commands with a 100%/1.72% TPR/FPR in quiet environments. In so doing, we demonstrate that commands injected via nearby audio devices can be effectively removed by voice interfaces.
Family history of colon cancer: what does it mean and how is it useful?

Abstract Background Family history of colon cancer can be deconstructed into causal and noncausal explanations, which include genetic factors, environmental factors, gene–environment interactions, misclassification, and differences in screening. Methods We investigated some of these causal and noncausal explanations by using data from a case–control study of colon cancer conducted among African Americans and whites in North Carolina. We examined the relationship between family history and polymorphisms in four genes (N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 [NAT1, NAT2], methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma [PPARG]), environmental risk factors, the joint distributions of these genes and environmental risk factors, and the prevalence of colon cancer screening. Results Participants with one or more first-degree relatives with colon cancer showed a slightly higher prevalence of at-risk genotypes for each locus, but results were statistically significant only for NAT2. Participants with a family history showed a higher prevalence of at-risk combinations of genotypes and environmental risk factors ( NAT2 and well-done red meat consumption; PPARG and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication use). The sensitivity and predictive value of family history for identifying persons with at-risk genotypes or environmental risk factors was low. History of cancer screening was similar in those with and without a family history. Conclusions Our results suggest that family history of colon cancer may represent aggregation of some genetic polymorphisms and environmental risk factors. Although it is premature to use family history as a screening tool when testing for genetic polymorphisms, further research is needed to identify additional genes and environmental factors that may be associated with family history.
An Interactive Computer Graphics Package for Linear Multivariable System Design

Abstract An interactive computer graphics package has been developed for computer aided design of linear multivariable control systems. The package employs an effective human/computer interface achieved through the use of menus orchestrated in an hierarchial tree structure. Numerous state-of-the art design algorithms and analysis methods are incorporated which communicate through the interactive and asynchronous function control interfaces of computer graphics system, creating an environment attractive to both industrial users and academics.
Health Risk Perceptions and Consumer Psychology

This chapter outlines recent developments in the consumer psychology literature examining people's health-related risk perceptions. We first define risk, and discuss the importance of studying risk perceptions in the health domain. We integrate extant models proposed in social and health psychology and build a theoretical model for examining risk perceptions. We then describe the model in terms of the antecedents of health risk perceptions (e.g., motivational, cognitive, affective, contextual, and individual differences), their consequences (e.g., awareness and interest in the health hazard, trial and adoption of precautions or medical treatments, and subsequent behavior in terms of continued adoption or repetition, and word-of-mouth/recommendations of precautionary steps or treatments), and the factors that moderate the link between these two (e.g., financial, performance, psycho-social, and physiological risk). A primary contribution of our approach is to suggest that eliciting risk perceptions serves a persuasive role besides a measurement role, leading to the provocative question as to whether marketers should knowingly leverage their knowledge of how consumers assess risk to encourage behaviors leading to a healthier lifestyle. Implications for public policy makers, consumer welfare advocates, and commercial marketing companies are also discussed.
Chemokine Signaling in the Nervous System and Its Role in Development and Neuropathology

Chemokines are small proteins that are well known as regulators of leukocyte migration. However, recent data have indicated that chemokines also play a number of roles in the nervous system. Here, we discuss the chemokine SDF-1/CXCL12, which has an important role in directing the migration of stem cells in the development of the nervous system. Deletion of the gene for SDF-1 or its receptor CXCR4 produces deficits in the development of numerous parts of the central and peripheral nervous systems. In the adult nervous system, SDF-1 takes on a role as a neurotransmitter and contributes to adult neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. Other chemokines such as MCP-1/CCL2 are upregulated in the context of brain disease. In particular, we discuss the role of MCP-1 and its receptor CCR2 in the generation of chronic pain hypersensitivity. MCP-1 is upregulated by sensory nociceptors under these circumstances, and it plays a role in the control of nociceptor excitability. Overall, the data we discuss illustrate the extensive role of chemokines and their receptors in the control of neural development and disease.
Disparate Impact and Equal Protection after Ricci v. DeStefano

As Professor Richard Primus noted in his article, Equal Protection and Disparate Impact: Round Three, the constitutional issues surrounding the disparate impact theory of discrimination have evolved significantly over time. First the question was whether the Constitution’s equal protection guarantee embodied disparate impact. Most people assumed yes, but the Supreme Court said no in 1976 in Washington v. Davis. Second, the source of Congress’ power to prohibit disparate impact discrimination was called into question with the so-called federalism revolution. Only if it was within Congress’ power under Section 5 of the Fourteenth Amendment could disparate impact legislation be applied to the states consistent with the Eleventh Amendment. Justice Scalia, concurring in Ricci v. DeStefano, goes one step further: to the extent that the prohibition on disparate impact discrimination requires employers to take race conscious action, can Congress enact it consistent with the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of due process? This paper argues that the answer is "yes" after the cases of the federalism revolution and that Congress' power comes from the Fourteenth and Thirteenth Amendments. However the greatest dangers to disparate impact are the passage of time since the civil rights movement, the lack of consensus that disparate impact is discrimination, and the worldview by several of the Justices that discrimination against people of color and women is a thing of the past.
Acceleration of the Sn Equations with Highly Anisotropic Scattering using the Fokker-Planck Equation

The discrete ordinates method can model forward-peaked transport problems accurately. However, convergence of discrete ordinates solution can become arbitrarily slow upon use of standard iterative procedures like source iteration and GMRES. Standard zeroth and first moment-based acceleration methods like nonlinear diffusion acceleration and diffusion synthetic acceleration are ineffective in accelerating such problems because these methods do not correct higher order Legendre-moments of angular flux. We explore the idea of using Fokker-Planck as a preconditioner to accelerate forward-peaked transport problems in this paper.
Journalists’ Perceptions of Mass Shooting Coverage and Factors Influencing Those Perceptions*

I know it's my job as a journalist. But in situations like these, I’m getting sick of speaking the words ‘active shooter situation.’ I’ve been covering too many of them … I’ve become far too famili...
Towards a Complete Methodology for Synthesizing Bundled-Data Asynchronous Circuits on FPGAs

Asynchronous circuits are gaining momentum as a promising low-power alternative to the conventional synchronous design approaches. In particular, single-rail bundled-data design style has seen significant interest both for designing GALS systems and in the emerging area of neuromorphic computing. However, there has been only limited research on implementing these asynchronous circuits on commercial FPGAs, which can be challenging due to the use of relative timing constraints in these designs for correct operation. This paper proposes a systematic CAD methodology to synthesize efficiently bundled-data asynchronous circuits on commercial FPGAs, achieving a two-fold goal for the target implementation: robustness and high performance. The methodology is targeted to the existing Xilinx Vivado tool set. As a case study, two asynchronous NoC switches are prototyped on Xilinx Virtex 7 in 28 nm: one supporting unicast, and the other also handling multicast. The former shows significant energy and idle power improvements, with some performance benefits, over a high-performance synchronous FPGA-based switch. The asynchronous multicast router also shows promising energy and performance results. Although a NoC case study is used, the proposed approach is general and can be used for other bundled-data asynchronous circuits.
Obituary: Edwin Salpeter (1924–2008)

Edwin Ernest Salpeter, who perhaps more than anyone put the physics into astrophysics, died on 26 November 2008 at the age of 83. Among his many accomplishments was figuring out how giant stars burn helium to form carbon in the 'triple-alpha process' (named after the three helium nuclei — alpha particles — that fuse together in the process). Before this discovery, the origin of the elements beyond helium in the periodic table was a mystery.
Development and evaluation of a sensitive, Diffusive Gradients in Thin-Films (DGT) method for determining microcystin-LR concentrations in freshwater and seawater

Abstract A Diffusive Gradients in Thin-Films (DGT) passive sampling technique was developed for microcystin-LR (MC-LR), one of the most common and toxic microcystins. Three types of resins (HP20, SP700, and XAD18) were evaluated for MC-LR uptake kinetics, capacities, and extraction efficiencies and simple procedures were developed for determining MC-LR concentration in binding disc extracts by Adda-ELISA (U.S. EPA Method 546). The XAD18-DGT/Adda-ELISA method had a 7-d deployment time detection limit of ≈0.05 μg/L and capacity of >250 μg/L of MC-LR in water samples which encompass U.S. EPA and WHO advisory concentrations for drinking and recreational waters. The XAD18-DGT/Adda-ELISA method determined time-averaged MC-LR concentrations in waters with wide ranging pH (4.9–8.3) and ionic strength (0.04–0.8 M) under well-stirred and quiescent conditions with 90–101% accuracy. In addition to high sensitivity and accuracy, the method is simple, inexpensive, and applicable for determining MC-LR and related MCs concentrations in waterbodies with wide ranging chemical characteristics and hydrodynamic conditions.
Longitudinal study on the detection of Clostridioides difficile at the Fargo Veteran Affairs Community Living Center.

Our study used C Diff Banana Broth to evaluate the occurrence of positive Clostridioides difficile spores in new and preexisting hospital rooms. C difficile incidence was 5.5%. Analysis using multiple linear regression found that rooms with contact precautions in place were significant predictors of a positive sample (P ≤ .001). Room occupancy was not a significant predictor (P = .544). Thus it could be interpreted that the environment can be a significant carrier for C difficile.
The Still Life(s) of Chantal Akerman: Akerman’s Moving Images and Dutch 17th-Century Painting

Throughout her career, the Belgian filmmaker Chantal Akerman accelerated the erosion of boundaries separating the visual arts that has fuelled our current moment of mixed media. This article, thoug...
CONHECIMENTO, SABER E PODER: uma perspectiva descolonial no Ensino Médio Politécnico?

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar a reestruturacao curricular realizada no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul no periodo do ano de 2011 a 2014, denominado de Ensino Medio Politecnico. Procura compreender em que dimensao esta reestruturacao contribuiu para qualificacao da educacao publica. O referencial teorico esta articulado em tres concepcoes e em suas possiveis aproximacoes sendo elas a propostas elaboradas por Karl Marx explicitadas no Materialismo Historico e Dialetico, nas concepcoes de Modernidade e Colonialidade, na Descolonialidade do saber e do poder elaboradas por Anibal Quijano, da Filosofia da Libertacao de Enrique Dussel e nos principios da Educacao Popular concebidos por Paulo Freire. A metodologia de pesquisa utilizada e a concepcao dialetica da historia a partir das analises do referencial teorico, dos documentos emanados pela Secretaria Estadual da Educacao do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul e em resultados de avaliacoes externas do INEP e do ENEM ambos vinculados ao MEC e estudos de pesquisadores sobre o tema no nivel de mestrado e doutorado. Os resultados apontam para qualificacao desta etapa da Educacao Basica. Os indices de retencao e de abandono obtiveram significativo declinio bem como as avaliacoes de proficiencia como demonstram os graficos no estudo.
Implications of 2020 Skilled Home Healthcare Payment Reform for Persons with Dementia.

Background/objectives The Medicare home health benefit provides episodic skilled home-based clinical care to the growing population of community-dwelling persons with dementia. As of January 1, 2020, home health payment changed: episodes shortened from 60 to 30 days, and episodes initiated in the community are now reimbursed at lower rates than episodes following institutional stays. We aim to assess the potential impact of these policy changes on this population. Design/setting Cross-sectional study using the Medicare claims-linked National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS). Participants A total of 1,867 NHATS respondents who received home health between 2011 and 2017. Measurements Dementia was defined through both self-report and a validated cognitive assessment through NHATS. We described the demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of older adults with dementia receiving home health compared with those without dementia. We then assessed the association of dementia with both receiving community-initiated home health (vs postinstitutional) and visit timing during the home health episode. Results Over a follow-up period of just over 4 years, 50.2% of persons with dementia used home health compared with 15.3% of persons without dementia. Most home health provided to persons with dementia was initiated in the community (61%), compared with 37% of episodes provided to persons without dementia. Persons with dementia were more likely to receive care in days 31 to 60 of the episode compared with those without dementia. Conclusions Shortening episodes and reimbursing community-initiated episodes at lower rates may disproportionately impact the highly vulnerable population of older adults with dementia, who receive more community-initiated care over longer time periods. Our work highlights the need to better understand the unique role of home health in meeting gaps in both acute- and long-term care systems for older adults with dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:2303-2309, 2020.
SARS-CoV-2 screening of asymptomatic healthcare workers.

Objective Assess the amount of asymptomatic positivity for SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers (HCWs) caring for COVID-19 patients. Assess uptake in testing amongst exposed healthcare workers caring for COVID-19 positive patients. Design Free, voluntary SARS-CoV-2 testing was made available to asymptomatic hospital staff caring for COVID-19 positive patients over a 2-week period. Setting A 283-bed teaching hospital in an urban setting within Michigan. Participants The program was offered to asymptomatic patient facing hospital staff in areas deemed to be of the highest risk based on likelihood of exposure to COVID-19 cases. Methods Volunteer participants were tested utilizing the Cepheid GeneXpert RT-PCR platform via nasopharyngeal swabs and results were made available within four hours of testing. Results Of 499 eligible participants, 121 personnel volunteered to undergo testing. All 121 tests were negative for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions Rigorous infection control practices, including universal patient testing, symptom screening of hospital workers, and cohorting of COVID-19 patients, are an effective method of preventing SARS-CoV-2 acquisition in healthcare workers routinely caring for COVID-19 positive patients. Successful implementation of these strategies may represent an effective alternative to routine and repeated testing of asymptomatic healthcare workers.
Acute changes in cerebral blood flow after single-infusion ketamine in major depression: A pilot study

Abstract Background Ketamine provides rapid antidepressant response in those struggling with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study measured acute changes in brain activity over 24 h after a single infusion of ketamine using arterial spin labeled (ASL) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in patients with MDD. ASL is a novel technique that provides quantitative values to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF). Methods A single sub-anesthetic dose (0.5 mg/kg) of ketamine was delivered intravenously. Treatment-refractory patients (n = 11) were assessed at: Baseline (pre-infusion), and approximately 1 h, 6 h, and 24 h post-infusion. Linear mixed-effects models detected changes in CBF with respect to treatment outcome, and results were corrected for false discovery rate (FDR). Results After ketamine infusion, increased CBF was observed in the thalamus, while decreased CBF was observed in lateral occipital cortex in all patients. Time-by-response interactions were noted in ventral basal ganglia and medial prefrontal cortex, where CBF change differed according to antidepressant response. Limitations Modest sample size is a limitation of this pilot study; strict statistical correction and visualization of single-subject data attempted to ameliorate this issue. Conclusion In this pilot study, a sub-anesthetic dose of ketamine was associated with acute neurofunctional changes that may be consistent with altered attention, specifically increased thalamus activity coupled with decreased cortical activity. By contrast, antidepressant response to ketamine was associated with changes in reward-system regions, specifically ventral basal ganglia and medial prefrontal cortex. Further work is needed to determine whether these results generalize to larger samples and/or serial ketamine infusions associated with longer-lasting clinical effects.
Cyberattacks Against Event-Based Analysis in Micro-PMUs: Attack Models and Counter Measures

The recent advent of distribution-level phasor measurement units (D-PMUs), a.k.a., micro-PMUs, has introduced a wide range of new applications in power distribution systems. A sub-class of such emerging applications are called event-based methods. These methods focus on the analysis of events in the stream of micro-PMU measurements to achieve situational awareness, enhance load modeling, integrate distributed energy resources, etc. In this article, we explore a scenario, where a cyberattack compromises the micro-PMU measurements during an event. Such a targeted attack could be limited in scope but result in a major impact on the operation of the power grid by highly deviating the outcome of the event-based methods. First, we investigate and model two types of such attacks, event-unsynchronized (basic) attacks and event-synchronized (advanced) attacks. We then conduct a geometric analysis to understand each attack type, in a setting where the events are represented in the phasor domain in a differential mode . Next, we introduce a novel method to detect the presence of the attack and then identify which micro-PMUs are compromised so as to discard the compromised measurements as a defense mechanism. The proposed approach makes critical use of magnitude as well as phase angle measurements from micro-PMUs. The method is tested on the IEEE 33-bus power distribution test system.
Detecting Changes to the Extracellular Matrix in Liver Diseases

Liver disease, regardless of etiology, shares a similar natural history of disease progress and is common worldwide. This spectrum of diseases progresses from simple steatosis (fat accumulation), to inflammation, and eventually to fibrosis and cirrhosis. Hepatic fibrosis is primarily characterized by robust accumulation of collagen ECM that leads to organ dysfunction and decompensation. The role of the ECM in early stages of chronic liver disease is less well-understood, but recent studies have demonstrated that a number of changes in the hepatic ECM in early-stage liver disease may also contribute to disease progression. The purpose of this review is to summarize the established and proposed changes to the hepatic extracellular matrix (ECM) that may contribute to inflammation during earlier stages of disease development, and to discuss potential mechanisms by which these changes may mediate the progression of the disease.
A Dry Electrode-Based ECG Sensor with Motion Artifacts Cancellation and Signal Analysis for Heart Irregularity Detection

Abnormalities in the heart’s electrical signal can lead to irregularities in the heart normal rhythm or can entirely collapse the functioning of the heart. An electrocardiogram (ECG) measures the heart’s electrical activity and contains many features that are indicative of such irregularities. This paper presents a novel strategy for detecting the irregularities in the heart rhythm from the recorded ECG signal using a combination of software and hardware tools. MWCNT/PDMS composite based dry electrodes are used to record the ECG signal for both static and with some physical activities. The least mean square (LMS) algorithm based adaptive filtering is implemented to acquire motion-free, clean, and reliable ECG data. The adaptive filtering exhibits the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as 42 dB, which demonstrates the efficiency of the filtering by ~8% compared to the raw ECG data. Once a clean ECG signal is acquired, it is sent for further processing and features of interest are extracted in LabVIEW that could be used to detect any abnormalities in the ECG signal. Overall, the proposed strategy helps in identifying heart rhythm irregularities quickly, accurately, and efficiently.
Influence of substitution at the 5α-Position on the side chain conformation of glucopyranosides.

Abstract We describe the preparation of methyl 5α-methyl-α- d -glucopyranoside and of 5α-fluoro-β- d -glucopyranose per acetate and the NMR-based conformational analysis of their side chains. Both the 5α-methyl and 5α-fluoro substituents increase the population of the gauche,gauche side chain conformer to the extent that it becomes the predominant conformation. In the 5α-methyl series this is attributed to steric effects, whereas in the 5α-fluoro series the optimization of attractive gauche effects is the more likely reason.
Black Students’ Perceptions of Campus Climates and the Effect on Academic Resilience:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between general, academic, and racial campus climates and academic resilience among Black college students. This study also investigat...
Transoral Robotic Surgery for Parapharyngeal Space Tumors

The parapharyngeal space (PPS) with its complex anatomy is a rare location for head and neck neoplasms. This location accounts for only 0.5 % of all head and neck tumors [1, 2]. The majority of these tumors are benign and have their origin in the salivary glands or in neurogenic tissue [1, 3]. It is mainly an adult disease, but it has been reported in the pediatric population [4]. Several studies have found there was slight male predominance of PPS tumors [3]. The anatomic location and lack of or subtlety of symptoms early in the disease process can make the diagnosis challenging. Over the last several decades, various imaging modalities have proven to be invaluable in the diagnosis of many of the PPS tumors. In addition, they provide critical anatomical information for treatment planning. Surgery remains the primary modality of treatment for parapharyngeal space tumors. However, surgery in this location can lead to surgical or tumor related morbidity that can have moderate to devastating consequences. Transoral robotic surgery is one of the newest surgical approaches to minimize morbidity and allow complete tumor resection in the parapharyngeal space.
Nanostructure shape effects on response of plasmonic aptamer sensors.

A localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor surface was fabricated by the deposition of gold nanorods on a glass substrate and subsequent immobilization of the DNA aptamer, which specifically bind to thrombin. This LSPR aptamer sensor showed a response of 6-nm λmax shift for protein binding with the detection limit of at least 10 pM, indicating one of the highest sensitivities achieved for thrombin detection by optical extinction LSPR. We also tested the LSPR sensor fabricated using gold bipyramid, which showed higher refractive index sensitivity than the gold nanorods, but the overall response of gold bipyramid sensor appears to be 25% less than that of the gold nanorod substrate, despite the approximately twofold higher refractive index sensitivity. XPS analysis showed that this is due to the low surface density of aptamers on the gold bipyramid compared with gold nanorods. The low surface density of the aptamers on the gold bipyramid surface may be due to the effect of shape of the nanostructure on the kinetics of aptamer monolayer formation. The small size of aptamers relative to other bioreceptors is the key to achieving high sensitivity by biosensors on the basis of LSPR, demonstrated here for protein binding. The generality of aptamer sensors for protein detection using gold nanorod and gold nanobipyramid substrates is anticipated to have a large impact in the important development of sensors toward biomarkers, environmental toxins, and warfare agents. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation characteristics of In/sub 0.4/Ga/sub 0.6/As/GaAs quantum dot gain-coupled distributed feedback lasers

This paper presents the high-speed modulation characteristics of In/sub 0.4/Ga/sub 0.60/As/GaAs self-organized quantum dot gain-coupled DFB lasers. The maximum measured 3 dB bandwidth, at 300 K, is 5 GHz and high frequency chirp in the devices is undetectable.
A Longitudinal Examination of the Associations Between Shyness, Drinking Motives, Alcohol Use, and Alcohol-Related Problems

BACKGROUND: The current study evaluated the roles of drinking motives and shyness in predicting problem alcohol use over 2 years. METHODS: First-year college student drinkers (n = 818) completed assessments of alcohol use and related problems, shyness, and drinking motives every 6 months over a 2-year period. RESULTS: Generalized linear mixed models indicated that shyness was associated with less drinking, but more alcohol-related problems. Further, shyness was associated with coping, conformity, and enhancement drinking motives, but was not associated with social drinking motives. However, when examining coping motives, moderation analyses revealed that social drinking motives were more strongly associated with coping motives among individuals higher in shyness. In addition, coping, conformity, and enhancement motives, but not social motives, mediated associations between shyness and alcohol-related problems over time. Finally, coping motives mediated the association between the interaction of shyness and social motives and alcohol-related problems. CONCLUSIONS: Together, the results suggest that shy individuals may drink to reduce negative affect, increase positive affect, and fit in with others in social situations, which may then contribute to greater risk for subsequent alcohol-related problems. Language: en
Social Inequality at the Origins of Agriculture

The emergence of social inequality is an intriguing and important issue. There is a very large body of literature, in a number of disciplines, on the subject. Philosophers, social theorists, and others have considered the topic in great detail since the Renaissance. Cultural anthropologists have dealt with the subject for many years (e.g., Collier and Rosaldo 1981; Fried 1967; Kelly 1993; Leach 1965; Sahlins 1958; Service 1978; Terray 1972). In archaeology, a variety of ideas have developed on what social inequality is and how and why it began (e.g., Aldenderfer 1992; Feinman and Neitzel 1984; Flannery 1972; Johnson and Earle 1987; Kelly 1991; McGuire and Paynter 1991; Paynter 1989; Upham 1990).
Suppression of skin and kidney disease by inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase in lupus-prone mice.

Objective Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is involved in membrane-mediated signaling in various cells, including immune cells. It is overexpressed in T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and its inhibition has been shown to improve T cell function as well as to improve disease manifestations in (NZB × NZW)F1 lupus-prone mice and in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. While clinical trials examining Syk inhibition in patients with SLE are being considered, the aim of our experiments was to determine whether the therapeutic effects of Syk inhibition extend to other strains of lupus-prone mice and whether they result in improvement in skin disease and modification of established disease. Methods Female MRL/lpr or BAK/BAX mice were studied. Starting either at age 4 weeks (before disease) or at age 16 weeks (after established disease) and continuing for up to 16 weeks, mice were fed chow containing the Syk inhibitor R788 or control chow. Results We found that inhibition of Syk in MRL/lpr and BAK/BAX mice prevented the development of skin disease and significantly reduced established skin disease. Similarly, Syk inhibition reduced the size of the spleen and lymph nodes, suppressed the development of renal disease, and suppressed established renal disease. Discontinuation of treatment resulted in extended suppression of skin disease for at least 8 weeks and suppression of renal disease for 4 weeks. Conclusion Syk inhibition suppresses the development of lupus skin and kidney disease in lupus-prone mice, suppresses established disease in lupus-prone mice, and may represent a valuable treatment for patients with SLE.
[Comment on “Science and Sociology Butt Heads in Tomography Experiment in Sacred Mountains”] Learning Lessons From Science Experiments

I am writing to comment on the article by Baldridge et al., “Science and Sociology Butt Heads in Tomography Experiment in Sacred Mountains” (Eos, September 30,1997). I strongly support their conclusion that scientists must learn to communicate with the public if we are to continue to receive taxpayer support for our projects. I am lead principal investigator of the interdisciplinary project ACCRETE (funded by the Continental Dynamics program of NSF), which also involved what could easily have been perceived to be an environmentally and culturally invasive seismic experiment. We proposed to take the 240-foot seismic ship R/V Maurice Ewing through the inland waterways of southeast Alaska and British Columbia, firing airguns every 20 seconds for 10 days, all within “earshot” of marine mammals and fish. Consider the permitting challenge involved with two countries engaged in a fish war and three ethnically distinct First Nations who are in the midst of land claims negotiations. In addition, we had to deal with commercial fishing interests (imagine sailing a ship with 4 km of towed instruments through a couple hundred fishing boats with their nets out), marine mammal protection groups, a wilderness area, and a nuclear submarine base. We had many of the experiences Baldridge et al. report, but nevertheless were able to do our experiment as planned, without any modification imposed by local groups.
Effects of Various Training Programs on Running Speed

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine whether a flexibility training program, a weight training program, and the combination of both would affect running speed when used as supplementary training programs to the conventional method of training sprinters. One hundred and forty-five subjects, randomly assigned to one of five training groups, were tested for flexibility, leg strength, and running speed before and after an 8-week training period. Results showed that both weight training and flexibility training, as supplements to sprint training, increased running speed significantly more than an unsupplemented sprint training program.
Inactivation of Valine Acceptor Activity by a C→U Missense Change in the Anticodon of Yeast Valine Transfer Ribonucleic Acid

Abstract Six C→U transitions have been produced in yeast tRNA1val with 3.2 m NaHSO3 at pH 5.8 and 25°. The reactive residues are located at C17 (dihydrouridine loop); C37 (anticodon); C39 (anticodon loop); C72, C74, and C75 (near the 3' terminus). Of these 6 residues 2 are inactivation targets and 1 is located in the anticodon (C37). The position of the 2nd is still uncertain, but it is located near the 3' terminus at either C72 or C75. C→U transitions in either of these targets destroy the valine acceptor activity, measured under standard, in vitro assay conditions. The data demonstrate unambiguously that a C→U missense change (Val→Ile) occurring in the third position of the anticodon of yeast tRNA1val destroys its normal acceptor activity.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: A MODEL FOR SUSTAINABLE VALUE CREATION

“Business as usual” has come under heavy scrutiny. The financial crisis has caused many to question the basic premises of the current business system. In the following chapter, I will examine how organizations can cope with the current crisis by creating sustainable value. I propose that businesses learn from a newly emerging field called social entrepreneurship. The concept of social entrepreneurship is discussed and examined for its potential to support for sustainable value creation. A detailed case study of bracNet provides an example of shared-value creation. bracNet is a for-profit enterprise in Bangladesh aiming to close the digital divide globally and regionally. New business models and cross-sectoral partnerships allow bracNet to implement a social and financial value creation strategy. Key for success seems to be the shared ownership of bracNet, by BRAC, a nonprofit organization, and various for-profit entities (including VCs, industrial conglomerates, and hedge funds).
The 'community of learning' model for using computers in education

The application of computers to education is usually based on models derived from traditional school practice, suggesting such strategies as CAI, CMI, and problem-solving. This paper describes a model based on cultural considerations, wherein people, ideas, and advanced technological tools interact to form a 'community of learning'. Some characteristics of this model are described, including a learning strategy based on distinctions between transmittal, experiential, and creative techniques. An extensible view of how new technology can be added to such a setting is presented, and an example of an application of the model (Soloworks) together with illustrations of student work is given. A film of this application will be shown.
Effect of storage conditions on function of granulocytes.

Abstract The effect of collection technique, anticoagulant, pH, glucose, and temperature on in vitro granulocyte function were studied after 24 hr of storage in the liquid state. Collection by CL did not adversely affect granulocyte function, however, cells collected by FL had accelerated loss of bactericidal activity and chemotactic response. Citrate anticoagulants provided better maintenance of bacteridical activity, NBT reduction, and chemotactic response than heparin, EDTA, and ion-exchange anticoagulants. Chemiluminescence was well maintained when the initial pH of the preservative solution (CPD plasma) was between 6.5 and 8.0 but maintenance of chemotaxis required pH of 7.0–7.5. Glucose concentrations of 80–1000 mg/dl provided adequate maintenance of chemiluminescence and chemotaxis. Bacterial killing was well maintained by storage at either 1–6 or 20–24 °C. Storage at 1–6 °C caused decreased chemotaxis, decreased ability of granulocytes to adhere and spread on a foreign surface, and a decreased intravascular recovery and shortened half-life after transfusion. Although short-term liquid storage may be practical, at present, granulocytes should be transfused as soon as possible after collection.
The Determinant Formula for a Matroid Bilinear Form

Abstract We introduce a symmetric bilinear form of a weighted matroid and prove that the determinant of the matrix of this form is a product of linear functions of weights. This formula is an analog of the formula for the determinant of the Shapovalov form in representation theory
Polyketide synthase genes in insect- and nematode-associated fungi.

Production of polyketides is accomplished through complex enzymes known as polyketide synthases (PKS); these enzymes have highly conserved domains that might be useful in screens for PKSs in diverse groups of organisms. A degenerate PCR-based approach was used to amplify PKS fragments of the ketosynthase domain from genomic DNA of a group of insect- and nematode-associated fungi. Of 157 isolates (representing 73 genera and 144 species) screened, 92 isolates generated PCR products of predicted size (~ 300 bp). The ability to detect PKS domains was a function of the number of different primer pairs employed in the screen. Cloning and sequencing revealed that 66 isolates had at least one unique PKS sequence; ten members of this set contained multiple PKS fragments, for a total of 76 unique PKS fragments. Since PKS genes appear to be widespread among fungi, a PCR-based screening system appears to be an efficient, directed means to identify organisms having the potential to produce polyketides.
Welfare improving distributionally neutral tax reforms

Abstract In a new model with incomplete markets, I quantitatively determine tax reforms that are welfare improving, distributionally neutral, and leave the budget balance unchanged in the long run. I consider a new reform. I eliminate capital income taxation and replace it with progressive consumption taxation, consisting of taxing necessities and luxuries at different rates. I compare steady states under various tax regimes. I find that progressive rather than uniform consumption taxation generates higher welfare gains in the long run and during the transition to the steady state. While this type of reform achieves redistribution neutrality only in the long run, it generates welfare gains for the whole population during the transition. These results stay robust when non-homothetic preferences are considered and progressivity in consumption taxation is achieved by subsidizing consumption of the poor. With respect to long term objectives, the choice of a more progressive consumption or labor-income tax system depends on the modelization of preferences. During the transition, a tax reform involving more progressive labor-income taxation generates smaller redistribution effects than any consumption tax reform.
Some issues in logistic regression

Much research has been performed in the area of multiple linear regression, with the resuit that the field is well-developed. This is not true of logistic regression, however. The latter presents special problems because the response is not continuous. Some of these problems are: the difficulty of developing a suitable R2 statistic, possibly poor results produced by the method of maximum likelihood, and the challenge to develop suitable graphical techniques. We describe recent work in some of these directions, and discuss the need for additional research.
Introducing lane based sectoring for routing in VANETs

Vehicular Ad hoc Networks (VANETs) provide vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication using Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC). The core objective of VANETs is to provide safety message communication among vehicles. In dense urban traffic, safety message communication encounters severe packet collisions due to excessive number of nodes contending to access the control channel. In such a complex dense and mobile scenario, an ideal single vehicle per time slot has yet not been achieved. This paper introduces the use of lane level location information to achieve a single vehicle per time slot configuration. The transmission range of a message originator is divided into a grid using distance and lanes as the two variables. Each block within the grid houses a single vehicle at most that is assigned a unique time slot. The contention among nodes for the same time slot is virtually removed. Theory and ns-3 simulation justify the feasibility, and prove that the technique reduces packet collisions by 2%, and improves message dissemination speed by as much as 30% each hop.
Changes in tissue adenylates and water content of bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus, exposed to copper

Bluegill were exposed to copper (2–0 mg/1−1 unfiltered) for 24, 48, 72 or 96 h at 24° C. This concentration approximated the 96 h LC20. Water content of liver increased 4–8% after 24 h exposure and muscle 4–6% by 48 h. These changes persisted throughout the 96 h experiments. Copper exposed fish exhibited decreases in muscle ATP, ADP, total adenylates, and energy charge by 48 h. There was a trend toward recovery of ATP with further exposure. Liver ATP of exposed fish was lower than controls at all intervals with the greatest difference evident at 48 h. No significant changes in brain adenylates were observed. Muscle and liver lactic acid was unchanged at 48 h exposure, therefore tissue hypoxia was not the cause of the adenylate changes. It was concluded that copper causes decreases in muscle and liver ATP several days before probable death of copper exposed fish and the changes seen are the result of dilution by increased tissue water, and the copper acting on certain cellular enzymes involved in detoxification and energy metabolism.
Approximate theory for locally loaded plane orthotropic beams

Abstract Governing equations for the orthotropic, rectangular strip are investigated to obtain solutions illustrating the relationship between classical beam theory and higher order theories. The exact equations of generalized plane elasticity are reduced to coupled sets of ordinary differential equations by using series representations in Legendre polynomials for all dependent variables. The coupled differential equations are obtained in a form such that a proper truncation scheme to extract any higher order theory is easily formulated. Sample problems involving uniformly and locally loaded beams are worked out using typical values for the material constants. Comparison of results with existing solutions shows that problems involving slowly varying loads with material orthotropy can be handled by classical thin beam theory; however, local loadings, coupled with materials orthotropy, preclude the use of any classical beam theory, even for thin beams.
Arsenite induces delayed mutagenesis and transformation in human osteosarcoma cells at extremely low concentrations.

Arsenite is a human multisite carcinogen, but its mechanism of action is not known. We recently found that extremely low concentrations (≤0.1 μM) of arsenite transform human osteosarcoma TE85 (HOS) cells to anchorage-independence. In contrast to other carcinogens which transform these cells within days of exposure, almost 8 weeks of arsenite exposure are required for transformation. We decided to reexamine the question of arsenite mutagenicity using chronic exposure in a spontaneous mutagenesis assay we previously developed. Arsenite was able to cause a delayed increase in mutagenesis at extremely low concentrations (≤0.1 μM) in a dose-dependent manner. The increase in mutant frequency occurred after almost 20 generations of growth in arsenite. Transformation required more than 30 generations of continuous exposure. We also found that arsenite induced gene amplification of the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) gene in a dose-dependent manner. Since HOS cells are able to methylate arsenite at a very low rate, it was possible that active metabolites such as monomethylarsonous acid (MMAIII) contributed to the delayed mutagenesis and transformation in these cells. However, when the assay was repeated with MMAIII, we found no significant increase in mutagenesis or transformation, suggesting that arsenite-induced delayed mutagenesis and transformation are not caused by arsenite's metabolites, but by arsenite itself. Our results suggest that long-term exposure to low concentrations of arsenite may affect signaling pathways that result in a progressive genomic instability. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 41:322–331, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Correlation of microstructure with electrical behavior of Ti/GaN Schottky contacts

We correlate structural and electrical characteristics of as-deposited and low-temperature annealed Ti contacts on GaN. Temperature dependent currentvoltage measurements are used to determine the effective barrier heights of the respective contacts, while high-resolution transmission electron microscopy is utilized for structural characterization. As-deposited Ti contacts are slightly rectifying with an effective barrier height of ∼200 meV. After annealing at 230°C, the barrier height increases to values of ∼450 meV. A similar behavior of Schottky contacts with more strongly rectifying diodes upon low-temperature annealing is observed for Zr metal contacts on GaN. As-deposited Ti already forms a thin TiN layer at the GaN interface. After annealing at 230°C, the average thickness and the distribution of TiN grains remain practically unchanged, but the interface with GaN roughens. We correlate the observed barrier height changes with interface roughness and phase formation and we discuss the results in terms of interface damage and the Schottky-Mott theory.
Adaptive SAR ATR in likelihood space

The Adaptive SAR ATR Problem Set (AdaptSAPS) poses a typical "learning with a critic" problem, in which the system-under-test (SUT) is initially trained to characterize a subset of target objects (e.g. T72) and a subset of non-target objects (e.g. clutter), and is to be updated on-line using the Target Truth information. This work proposes an SUT for adaptive SAR imagery exploitation. The system is founded on a novel feature vector generation scheme and Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The proposed feature vector generation scheme partitions SAR image chips into subimage blocks. The distribution density of subimage blocks is fitted as a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM). Feature vector of each SAR image is composed of log-likelihoods of its subimage blocks on the pre-fitted GMM. Comparing to original SAR image chips, feature vectors generated from log-likelihoods display superior discriminative power. After feature generation, LDA is used to project feature vectors into a 1-dimensional subspace for classification. The performance of the proposed system is evaluated on the AdaptSAPS.