cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter 33 – SAN Security

Publisher Summary Security is a complex and constantly evolving practice in the IT industry. Companies must recognize that threats to information infrastructures require vigilance on the part of IT managers and the vendors they rely on. As with any IT subsystem, implementing the appropriate level of security for storage area networks (SANs) depends on many factors. The resources expended on protecting the SAN should reflect the value of the information stored on the SAN using a risk-based approach. A full assessment and classification of the data including threats, vulnerabilities, existing controls, and potential impact should the loss, disclosure, modification, interruption, and/or destruction of the data occur should be performed prior to configuration of the SAN. As the use of SANs increases, the amount of data being stored increases exponentially, making the SAN a target for hackers, criminals, and disgruntled employees. To effectively protect a SAN, it is important to understand what actions increase security and what impact these actions have on the performance and usability of the environment. Ensuring a balance between protection capability, cost, performance, and operational considerations must be at the top of the list when applying controls to one's SAN environment.
Changes in Tennessee Whiskey Odorants by the Lincoln County Process.

Authentic freshly distilled Tennessee whiskey is filtered through maple charcoal in a processing step known as the Lincoln County Process (LCP). Changes in odorants resulting from the LCP were characterized by a comparative aroma extract dilution analysis (cAEDA), quantitated by stable isotope dilution assays (SIDA), and odor activity values (OAVs) were calculated. Sensory evaluation showed a decrease in malty, rancid, fatty, and roasty aroma attributes of the distillate after LCP treatment. Forty-nine odorants were identified, nine of which have not been previously reported in the whiskey distillate literature. Thirty-one odorants were quantitated, all showing a decrease in concentration as a result of LCP treatment. Odorants, including (2E,4E)-nona-2,4-dienal (fatty), 3-methylbutanoic acid (rancid), 2'-aminoacetophenone (foxy), and 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (roasty), dropped below detection thresholds (OAV 99%. The present investigation lays the groundwork for future studies aimed at flavor optimization for Tennessee whiskey production.
Meta‐analysis of drought and heat stress combination impact on crop yield and yield components

Episodes of prolonged drought coupled with heat waves (i.e. drought and heat combination) can have a devastating impact on agricultural production and crop yield. It is therefore not surprising that improving tolerance to drought and heat combination has been a major goal for breeders and biotech companies. Although much is known about the physiological and molecular responses of vegetative tissues to a combination of drought and heat stress, less is known about the impact of this stress combination on yield and different yield components. Here, we used a meta-analysis approach to synthesize results from over 120 published case studies of crop responses to combined drought and heat stress. Our findings reveal that drought and heat stress combination significantly impacts yield by decreasing harvest index, shortening the life cycle of crops, and altering seed number, size and composition. Furthermore, these impacts are more severe when the stress combination is applied during the reproductive stage of plants. We further identify differences in how legumes and cereals respond to the stress combination and reveal that utilizing C3 or C4 metabolism may not provide an advantage to plants during stress combinations. Taken together our study highlights a need to focus future studies, as well as breeding efforts, on crop responses to drought and heat combination at the reproductive stage of different crop species.
Analysis of Energy Flow Method for Oscillation Source Location

Sudden occurrence of a large forced oscillation (FO) is a challenging problem for power system operators, especially when the forced oscillation is resonating with a natural system mode. Among the methods for oscillation source location, the energy flow method has shown promise for detecting the source of a natural oscillation as well as a forced oscillation. In this paper, we analyze the performance of the energy flow method in depth by evaluating the expressions of incremental energy in one period of the forced oscillation and by looking at a wide range of forced oscillation frequencies. We show that the energy flow based method can misidentify sources of forced oscillations. That is, the method may not be able to locate the true forced oscillation source as well as identify a non-source device to be the source. Examples are shown for systems with different damping levels of system modes and for different load composition types.
Risk factors for central retinal vein occlusion in young adults.

Purpose:Several risk factors have been identified for central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in older population. CRVO in young is uncommon, and the risk factors for this group are unclear. This lar...
Note on Dirichlet’s Sinc Integral

We offer an alternative method for evaluating Dirichlet’s integral, i.e., the integral of the sinc function sin (t)/t over the positive real line. Our method employs the fundamental theorem of calc...
PREDICTIVE MODELS FOR AIR TRAFFIC ARRIVAL FLOWS AT CAPACITY-CONSTRAINED AIRPORTS.

Traffic flow management (TFM) decision support relies heavily on forecasting of future air traffic demand. Flow managers need to anticipate situations and intervene where appropriate in a proactive...
A Green's function quantum average atom model

A quantum average atom model is reformulated using Green's functions. This allows integrals along the real energy axis to be deformed into the complex plane. The advantage being that sharp features such as resonances and bound states are broadened by a Lorentzian with a half-width chosen for numerical convenience. An implementation of this method therefore avoids numerically challenging resonance tracking and the search for weakly bound states, without changing the physical content or results of the model. A straightforward implementation results in up to a factor of 5 speed-up relative to an optimized orbital based code.
Studies of thrombin formation with an insoluble derivative of prothrombin.

Abstract Prothrombin conversion to thrombin in the biological anion and proteolytic activation systems have been explored with a water-insoluble derivative obtained from native material. Preparation of this derivative, its composition, and its stability are described. Since it is readily removable from components in interacting mixtures, the material has proven to be extremely valuable for study of several important aspects of thrombin formation. Insolubilization of prothrombin does not affect the convertibility or requirements of the activation of the precursor of thrombin. As with native material, Factors VII and X are crucial to biological and anion activation of the insoluble derivative, whereas trypsin converts it directly to thrombin, requiring no other factors. Thrombin is inert. Tissue thromboplastin somehow makes the prothrombin molecule more susceptible to activation, even after removal of the thromboplastin from the insoluble prothrombin. Concentrated anion (citrate), however, operates by activating Factor VII-X rather than affecting prothrombin itself. During activation of the insoluble derivative, thrombin clotting and esterase activities evolve, paralleled by declining prothrombin activity and concomitant appearance of trichloracetic acid-soluble, ninhydrin-reactive material. The thin layer electrophoretic profile of fragments in the latter resembled in distribution that obtained during activation of the native parent material.
Dynamics of the transition from osteoblast to osteocyte

Osteocytes are derived from osteoblasts and make up over 90% of the cells in bone. However, the mechanisms that control the differentiation of osteoblasts into osteocytes embedded in bone matrix are not well understood. With the recent developments of transgenic models for manipulating gene expression in osteocytes and of transgenic mice carrying lineage reporters for osteoblasts and osteocytes, unprecedented new insights are becoming possible. In this article we review recent advances, such as comparative gene and protein expression studies, that are delineating the changes in gene and protein expression that accompany osteocyte differentiation. We also review recent studies in which time-lapse dynamic imaging approaches have been used to visualize osteoblast and osteocyte populations within bone. These approaches reveal the key role of cell motility in bone cell function and highlight the dynamic nature of mineralized tissues. Changes in motile properties of the cell may be key in the transition from osteoblast to osteocyte, as reflected in the altered expression of many molecules involved in cytoskeletal function.
Cooperation not competition (engineering education)

The authors are discovering in their engineering laboratories that competition and engineering education are not necessarily compatible for optimum learning. In fact, it appears that cooperation among students for some tasks actually fosters higher achievement than the normative competition between students. The authors have determined through analysis of two senior-level engineering laboratories that, after the initial shock of being forced to divulge one's knowledge and skills for the good of the group, the students will discover that the group was actually able to accomplish more than what could be accomplished through individual efforts. It is stressed that the above results were achieved only when the tasks were sufficiently complex. A side benefit was the reduction of stress and the increase of group spirit. >
Sunlight--can it prevent as well as cause cancer?

Excessive exposure to sunlight is known to damage the skin. However, the emphasis of most studies has been on the consequences of sunlight exposure to fair-skinned individuals, and the situation of people with heavy skin pigmentation residing in, or migrating to, geographic locations with limited sunlight incidence has been largely neglected. Recent epidemiological studies suggested the hypothesis that sunlight deprivation, and the associated reduction in the circulating levels of vitamin D3 (vit D3) derivatives may lead to the increased incidence of the carcinomas of the breast, colon, and prostate. Two endocrine pathways may mediate these effects. The pineal function can potentially be involved, but the formation of vit D3 derivatives is gaining credibility as a mechanism for the retardation of cancer progression. Evidence is accumulating that such compounds, e.g., 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D3) induce differentiation of several neoplastic cell types, arrest or retard their proliferation, and act as chemopreventive agents in animal carcinogenesis. We also propose that the antineoplastic effects of vit D3 derivatives are exerted at several steps in tumor progression and that immunomodulating effects of 1,25D3 may contribute to these effects of sunlight. The recent findings that common cancers, e.g., carcinoma of the prostate and the breast, behave more aggressively in black Americans than in white Americans may be explained on this basis. Although more data are needed on the effects of sunlight on the circulating levels of 1,25D3, a corollary of this hypothesis is that there should be no broad condemnation of moderate sunlight exposure, as it may be available in insufficient amounts to some Americans.
Incorporation of input glitches into power macromodeling

Previous research on power macromodeling has always assumed glitch-free input signals. However, in an actual operating environment, the input signals of a circuit can contain glitches, which are generated by the previous stage of circuitry. In this paper, we investigate the impact of input glitches on the power dissipation of a circuit. Specifically, we show that the frequency and average duration of input glitches are two important factors affecting the overall power consumption. Input glitches can also increase output glitching by a surprisingly large amount. We present a simple yet effective analytical power macromodeling approach incorporating the effects of input glitching. In experiments with ISCAS-85 benchmark circuits, the average error of the proposed technique is 4.44%.
Innate Immune-Related Receptors in Normal and Psoriatic Skin

Abstract Context.—A precise role for the innate immune system in psoriasis remains to be determined. Surface receptors, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) that recognize bacterial ligands and CD91, which recognizes heat shock proteins (HSPs), are implicated in both innate and adaptive immunity. Objective.—Since skin is exposed to various exogenous stimuli, which can provoke or exacerbate psoriasis, we characterized expression and function of TLRs, CD91, and HSPs in normal and psoriatic skin. Design.—A variety of skin-derived cells and blood-derived cells were analyzed both in vivo and in vitro; samples were obtained from 24 different individuals for innate immune-related receptor expression and function. By comparing and contrasting individuals with healthy skin and psoriatic patients, several specific differences were identified. Results.—Immunohistochemistry-based expression profiling revealed TLR1 expression in epidermal dendritic cells (DCs) and dermal dendritic cells (DDCs) in normal skin, as well ...
Client-Vendor Relationships in Offshore Applications Development: An Evolutionary Framework

This article presents an evolutionary framework for the establishment and progression of client-vendor relationships in the context of offshore applications development. It is argued that such a relationship typically begins as a cost-reduction exercise, with the client contracting out simple, structured applications to one or more offshore vendors. Over time, the client assigns increasingly complex applications to selected vendors and cultivates loose, trust-based, networklike relationships with them. As offshore applications continue to evolve and become business-critical, the client may seek to regain control by establishing a command-based hierarchy. This may be achieved through part or full ownership of a vendor organization or by starting a captive offshore subsidiary. Thus, the initial client objective of cost reduction ultimately is displaced by one pertaining to risk control. Pertinent prior research is used to justify the proposed framework. This is followed by a case study that describes how a specialty telecommunications company is pursuing just such an evolutionary path.
Determination of metal–organic complexation in natural waters by SWASV with pseudopolarograms

A novel electrochemical method is described for the examination of metal–organic complexation in natural waters. The technique is based upon the comparison of square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV) ‘pseudopolarograms’ (current vs. deposition potential plots) for natural samples with those obtained for metal complexation with selected ‘model’ binding ligands at constant ionic strength. For electrochemically active zinc species in seawater, the pseudopolarogram approach allowed the estimation of thermodynamic stability constants (KML) within a stability constant window of approximately 104–106M−1 up to ≥ 1015M−1. For a natural rainwater sample, the pseudopolarogram indicated only one zinc class, probably a mixture of ‘free’ and/or inorganically complexed species. In an application to a coastal seawater sample, three species were identified: (1) weakly complexed, log KZnL = 4.14 ± 0.92 M−1; (2) moderately complexed, log KZnL = 7.77 ± 0.62 M−1; (3) strongly complexed, log KZnL = 11.45 ± 0.95 M−1. Results are compared to those obtained using complexometric titration with SWASV at a thin mercury film–glassy carbon rotating disk (TMF–GCRD) electrode. The latter detected a single strong complexing ligand (or ligand class), with [L′] = 15.25 ± 0.04 nM and log K′ZnL ≥ 10.9 M−1.
HAEMOPHILUS INFLUENZAE, THE PREDOMINANT CAUSE OF BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA IN HAWAII

Streptococcus pneumoniae is considered the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia in childhood. However, in the last 5 years in our hospital Haemophilus influenzae was the most common etiology. Cases were not considered to be of bacterial etiology unless there was a positive culture from blood or body tissue such as pleural fluid or CSF. Throat, sputum, or peroral tracheal aspirate cultures were not included. Haemophilus influenzae was identified in 13/23 patients with bacterial pneumonias followed by S. pneumoniae (4/23), Staphylococcus aureus (2/23), and other bacteria (4/23). The mean age of patients with H. influenzae was 1.7 years with a sex ratio of 10 boys to 3 girls. Lobar pneumonia was most common, and 7/13 had more than one lobe involved. Haemophilus influenzae pneumonia was clinically indistinguishable from other bacterial or viral infections. Two patients had effusions, and one had an interstitial pneumonitis. The diagnosis in 10/13 cases was made by positive blood cultures. Five of 13 patients received antibiotics prior to diagnosis. Whether the incidence of H. influenzae pneumonia has increased or whether aggressive and fastidious culturing has just identified more cases is not clear. Haemophilus influenzae should not be considered an uncommon cause of pneumonia in infants and young children, and empiric therapy should cover this organism.
Suicide gene therapy using E. coli β-galactosidase

Abstract Purpose. Suicide gene therapy offers the potential to increase the selective toxicity of antitumor agents by intratumoral expression of exogenous enzymes that convert nontoxic prodrugs to toxic products. The use of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase with ganciclovir, and E. coli cytosine deaminase with 5-fluorocytosine are well-known examples of this approach. The purpose of this study was to investigate a novel suicide gene therapy using E. coli β-galactosidase (β-gal) as the prodrug-activating enzyme. Advantages of this approach include: (1) the ability to use prodrugs that are cleaved by β-gal to agents that are known to possess activity against human solid tumors, and (2) the extensive experience gained with targeting β-gal to specific tumors in experimental animals and in humans. Methods. Two different structural types of anthracycline prodrugs, N-[4′′-(β-D-galactopyranosyl)-3′′-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl]daunomycin (Daun02) and N-[(4′′R,S)-4′′-ethoxy-4′′-(1′′′-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl)butyl]daunorubicin (gal-DNC4) were investigated. The prodrugs were evaluated as substrates for β-gal. Cytotoxicity studies of Daun02 were conducted against a murine tumor (Panc02), two human breast tumors (MCF-7 and T47D), and three human prostate tumors (PC3, DU145 and LNCAP) that had been transduced to express β-gal. Antitumor studies of Daun02 were conducted against mouse tumor Panc02 xenografts implanted subcutaneously. Results. Daun02 was a good substrate for β-gal. By comparison, gal-DCN4 was a poor substrate. Except for PC3, the β-gal-transduced tumors showed 3- to 60-fold increased sensitivity to Daun02 compared with mock-transduced control cells. Daunomycin was formed from Daun02 in tissue culture medium containing β-gal-transduced cell lines but was not observed in the medium from mock-transduced controls. In vivo therapeutic studies of Daun02 against the Panc02 tumor in athymic mice showed no significant inhibition of tumor growth. Pharmacokinetic studies showed limited distribution of the prodrug beyond the vascular space. Conclusions.E. coli β-gal may be useful as a prodrug-activating enzyme in suicide gene therapy and has the potential to increase the selective toxicity of conventional antitumor agents. Although this approach worked well against tumor cells in vitro, it was not effective against a xenograft model in vivo, apparently because of poor drug-tissue distribution.
Small-scale field tests with dermally applied animal systemic insecticides for control of the common cattle grub.

Small groups of cattle in Texas were treated dermally with systemic insecticides in the summer and checked in the fall to determine whether larvae of Hypoderma lineattun (de Villers) had been controlled. Cattle treated with trichlorfon (½ oz/cwt of an 8 or 16% pour-on or 1 gal/animal of 1% whole-body spray) had 95-100% fewer grubs than untreated cattle. Cattle treated with fenthion (½ oz/cwt of a 2% pour-on or 1 gal/animal of a 0.05 or 0.1% spray) had only 74-79% fewer grubs than the controls. Imidan® ( O,O -dimethyl S-phthalimidomethyl phosphorodithioate) as a pour-on gave better than 90% control at dosages of 13 mg/kg or more and less than 90% control at dosages of 7-13 mg/kg; generally, control was related to the amount of active ingredient per animal. Famphur administered as a pour-on (½ oz/cwt of 12.5%) gave 93% control; ½ that dosage gave 72% control. Coumaphos administered in May, June, July, or August gave 90-99% control as a 0.375% spray (1 gal/animal) and 80-95% control as a 4% pour-on (½ oz/cwt). Crufomate administered in the same months gave 90-99% control as an 8% pour-on (1 oz/cwt); a 0.5% spray (1 gal/animal) gave 50% control when administered in July but 81-89% control when applied in May, June, or August. Trichlorfon, also adminstered in the same months, gave 86-99% control as a 1% spray (1 gal/animal); an 8% pour-on (1 oz/cwt) gave 92-93% control after treatment in May, June, or July but only 68% control after administration in August. In general, lower control figures are the result of finding large numbers of grubs in 1 or 2 of the 4-5 cattle treated each month.
Nuclear Microinjection to Assess How Heterologously Expressed Proteins Impact Ca2+ Signals in Xenopus Oocytes

The Xenopus oocyte is frequently used for heterologous expression and for studying the spatiotemporal patterning of Ca(2+) signals. Here, we outline a protocol for nuclear microinjection of the Xenopus oocyte for the purpose of studying how subsequently expressed proteins impact intracellular Ca(2+) signals evoked by inositol trisphosphate (InsP3). Injected oocytes can easily be identified by reporter technologies and the impact of heterologously expressed proteins on the generation and properties of InsP3-evoked Ca(2+) signals can be resolved using caged InsP3 and fluorescent Ca(2+) indicators.
The direct spinal area of the inferior olivary nucleus: an electron microscopic study.

Identification of the direct spinal areas (portions of the dorsal and medial accessory nuclei) within the opossum inferior olivary complex was accomplished by mapping the location of the terminal degeneration by the Fink-Heimer technique subsequent to cervical cord lesions. Following similar lesions, sampling of these same regions for electron microscopic study was assured by examination of transversely oriented, 1 μ plastic sections prior to thin sectioning. The first evidence of electron dense axon terminals was found at a survival time of 24 hours. At survival times of 36, 48 and 72 hours, degenerating presynaptic profiles shrink, become irregular in shape and are totally or partially surrounded by glial processes. Spinal terminals average 1–2 μ in their greatest dimension, contain round, clear synaptic vesicles and generally contact small diameter (0.4–1.8 μ) dendritic shafts or occasional spiny appendages. The spiny dendritic appendages make up the central core of the olivary glomeruli and these juxtaposed dendritic processes exhibit gap junctions. At longer survival times (5, 7 and 9 days) many presynaptic profiles with either round or pleomorphic synaptic vesicles remain normal in appearance and contact dendritic shafts or the spiny appendages within glomeruli. Afferents from other sources (possibly including intrinsic neurons) must terminate within the direct spinal portion of the nuclear complex to account for the numerous axon terminals which retain normal morphology after such long survival times.
Eating disturbances before and after vertical banded gastroplasty: A pilot study

Objective We interviewed 24 female patients who had undergone vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) to examine what effect eating disturbances have on weight loss outcome after VBG. Method: Subjects were recruited from 120 patients who had undergone VBG in the last 3½ years. Subjects were asked questions relating to past and present weight status, weight loss methods, eating behaviors, and psychiatric status. Results: Eating disturbances before VBG in the form of binge eating disorder (BED), bulimia nervosa (BN), night eating syndrome, and drinking large quantities of fluids were very common (75%), and they tended to persist after VBG. Although VBG led to varying weight loss, some patients exhibited a weight regain as postoperative time increased. Patients currently diagnosed with an eating disturbance were more likely to exhibit weight regain than people without these disturbances. VBG did not affect psychiatric status. Discussion: VBG appears to be successful in producing weight loss in the morbidly obese, but less successful in altering eating behavior or psychiatric status. Future studies should aim to clarify the role of eating behavior in determining the outcome of bariatric surgery and examine whether treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy targeted specifically at the eating disturbance can improve surgical outcome. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Valuing Water Supply Reliability

Instead of creating water supply systems that fully insulate mankind from climate-imposed water deficiencies, it is possible that for municipal water systems a nonzero probability of water supply shortfall is efficient. Perfect water supply reliability, meaning no chance of future shortfall, is not optimal when water development costs are high. Designing an efficient strategy requires an assessment of consumer preferences pertaining to the reliability of water supply. Contingent valuations of both current and future shortfalls are reported. The consistency of these measures is gauged using an expected utility model. Copyright 2000, Oxford University Press.
Utilization of laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia repair: a population-based analysis.

Abstract Background: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is a safe, effective treatment for inguinal hernias and is considered, by some, to be the procedure of choice for recurrent inguinal hernias. Little is known, however, about the frequency with which laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is performed and the determinants of its utilization. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients undergoing outpatient inguinal hernia repairs in Florida in 2002 and 2003, using the AHRQ State Ambulatory Surgery Database. We compared patient demographics, indication for procedure, location of procedure (i.e., hospital or ambulatory surgery center), and charges for laparoscopic and open repairs. Results: Of 58,172 outpatient inguinal hernia repairs, 11,351 (19.5%) were performed laparoscopically. In the subset of 6221 recurrent inguinal hernias, only 1276 (20.5%) were performed laparoscopically. Patients undergoing a laparoscopic repair were younger (52.7 versus 57.4 years; P < 0.001), more likel...
A Response to “The Social Responsibility of Corporate Management: A Classical Critique”

The preceding article, “The Social Responsibility of Corporate Management: A Classical Critique,” argues that the Shareholder Theory, which the authors refer to as the “Friedman Paradigm” represents the only intellectually and ethically meritorious model for assessing corporate social responsibility. This response argues that the 19th Century Shareholder Theory is based upon numerous factual and legal inaccuracies and fictions when evaluated in the context of the modern era. Requiring that management serve only the interests of the shareholders is morally untenable. The authors’ assertion that the competing theory, The Stakeholder Theory, is unworkable is based upon both a misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the theory. Refinements and clarifications about who qualifies as a stakeholder make the Stakeholder Theory both workable and a very useful way to improve corporate governance. Now is the time to apply the Stakeholder Theory as part of the ongoing process of improving the moral and social responsibility of corporation management.
Helping TicketMaster: Changing the Economics of Ticket Robots with Geographic Proof-of-Work

When tickets for popular events such as Hannah Montana concerts go on sale online, they sell out almost instantly. Unfortunately, a significant number of them are purchased by world-wide networks of ticket purchasing robots run by scalpers looking to turn a quick profit. Ticket outlets currently employ CAPTCHAs to slow down fully automated purchasing robots. Since the profit associated with scalping tickets is several orders of magnitude larger than the cost associated with paying humans to solve the CAPTCHAs, this approach has been ineffective. CAPTCHAs have a fundamental flaw when used to protect online tickets: the cost to solve them using humans is fixed and small. To address this problem, this paper explores a novel alternative based on geographically-driven proof-of-work. The crux of the approach exploits the observation that most legitimate clients are located geographically close to the event. By requiring every client to solve a cryptographic puzzle whose difficulty is based on their distance to the event, ticket purchasing robots must be placed close to each event in order to monopolize the tickets. This requirement significantly increases the cost of operating such networks. Using emulation and simulation, we demonstrate the utility of our approach in tackling the online ticketing problem.
Optical Fiber Sensor for Measuring Refractive Index

An optical fiber sensor for measuring a liquid refractive index is proposed. When an optical fiber is bent and part of its cladding is stripped off, the light energy (E) emerging from the fiber depends on the refractive index of the surrounding medium (nm). The change in nm can be found from E. The light output energy and the measuring sensitivity are calculated numerically as a function of nm for several values of the bending radius R. The fundamental characteristics of the sensor, made of a plastic fiber, are investigated using lamp oil and light oil as specimens, and a measurement accuracy of nm to the third decimal place is easily obtained. As applications of this sensor, measurement of liquid density and detection of oil are described.
Are CNS neurons polyploid? A critical analysis based upon cytophotometric study of the DNA content of cerebellar and olfactory bulbar neurons of the bat

Abstract A cytophotometric study of the nuclear DNA content of bat cerebellar and olfactory bulbar neurons was performed with particular attention to corrections for distributional error and non-specific light loss and to selection of appropriate control nuclei for the establishment of reliable haploid and diploid DNA values. Feulgen stained sections were measured with an integrating, scanning microdensitometer for correction of distributional error. The values thus obtained were further corrected in 3 different ways to subtract the contribution of background absorbance at 546 nm. Bat haploid (lc) DNA values were derived from spermatozoa, and diploid (2c) values from pancreatic acinar cells, hepatocytes and non-hepatocyte liver cells. Microglia of the olfactory bulb also had 2c values. After correction, all neurons measured, except Purkinje cells, had DNA values more closely approximating the tetraploid (4c) than the diploid (2c) level. Purkinje neurons had mean DNA values closer to 2c than to 4c, but inherent technical difficulties in measuring these very large, light staining nuclei has created less confidence in the values obtained than for those of the other neurons. This uncertainty, plus the apparent existence of two populations of Purkinje neurons, one 2c and the other hyperdiploid, suggested by the DNA distribution curves, make it difficult to eliminate the possibility of polyploidization of Purkinje neurons. A critical analysis of various cytophotometric, radioautographic and biochemical approaches to the problem of CNS neuron polyploidization has revealed potentially serious flaws in many of them, rendering virtually impossible interpretation of the numerous contradictory results in the literature. Standardization of the cytophotometric technique and improvement of the radioautographic approach seem to be prerequisite to the resolution of the existing dilemma.
The association of prenatal cocaine use and childhood trauma with psychological symptoms over 6 years

The use of cocaine and other drugs during pregnancy may have serious public health consequences. The objective of this study was to determine if the use of cocaine prenatally identifies women for ongoing risk of psychological symptoms. Four hundred and two women (207 cocaine using [C], 195 non-cocaine using [NC]) were assessed for rates of clinically elevated psychological symptoms shortly after childbirth, 6.5 months and 1, 2, 4 and 6 years after using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Generalized estimating equation modeling (GEE) was used to compare psychological symptom severity, controlling for confounding factors including early childhood trauma. Results indicated that women identified as having used cocaine during pregnancy had clinically elevated psychological distress (OR = 1.76, 95%CI = 1.15-2.71, p = 0.01), psychoticism (OR = 1.97, 95%CI = 1.41-2.76, p = 0.001), interpersonal sensitivity (OR = 2.34; 95%CI = 1.65-3.34; p < 0.0001) and phobic anxiety (OR = 1.86; 95%CI = 1.24-2.79) across all assessments compared to NC women. Childhood emotional abuse was also independently associated with psychological distress. Women who use cocaine during pregnancy should be recognized as at very high risk of ongoing clinically elevated psychological symptoms and should receive early and regular assessments and intervention for mental health and substance use problems.
DEMONSTRATION OF THE CONCENTRATION OF ASTATINE-211 IN THE MAMMARY TISSUE OF THE RAT

Concentration of At211 in the mammary tissue of virgin and lactating female rats has been demonstrated both by gross radioactive assay and by autoradiography. Secretion of At211 in the milk was shown by its presence in the gastrointestinal tracts and carcasses of nurslings and by the presence of alpha-particle tracks in glandular lumens in autoradiographs. In virgin mammary tissue At211 was chiefly associated with the parenchyma, although small amounts could also be found in the stroma.
Practice or Perish: Why Bedside Toxicology is Essential to the Survival of Our Specialty

One of the medical toxicologists in our group was recently asked a shocking question. She was providing recommendations via telephone to a rather upset and flustered emergency physician, when the caller interrupted her by asking, “Excuse me, are you even a clinician?” Working on a toxicology service that admits and consults on more than 1,200 patients per year, my colleague was understandably taken aback. Hearing the story later, I was dismayed but not surprised. Based on the current practice of many toxicologists, how can we fault the emergency physician for asking such a question? Medical toxicology has become a specialty in which the telephone has largely replaced the stethoscope as the primary tool of our trade. This is in no way meant to diminish the importance of poison control centers. Not only was the establishment of poison centers instrumental in the development of medical toxicology as a subspecialty [1], there is no doubt as to the public health benefit and system-wide cost savings engendered by poison centers [2–7]. My concern is the role played by toxicologists in our healthcare system. Presumably, fellowship training in medical toxicology allows us to make clinical recommendations and advise caregivers at a level beyond that of the emergency physician and poison information specialist. If this is true, how many patients does the medical toxicologist have to treat at the bedside to ensure the validity of our advice? What happens when the emergency physician on the other end of the telephone has laid hands on more poisoned patients in the preceding week than the toxicologist has in the preceding year? If we do not examine patients, treat them at bedside, and learn from our experience, what is it that distinguishes us from Poisindex™ or a poison information specialist?
Laboratory simulations of PSC particle formation

The growth of type I polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) particles was investigated. Mixtures of water and nitric acid vapor were condensed at temperatures and pressures approximating those of the polar stratosphere. Mono-, di-, and trihydrates of nitric acid were observed in condensed solids. Results indicate that precursor vapor composition determines solid composition. As solids grew and aged a slow increase in HNO3 was observed and composition appeared to change towards that of the more thermodynamically stable nitric acid trihydrate (NAT). Results suggest that over ten hours may be required for PSC particles to reach NAT composition and equilibrium NAT vapor pressure. Recent observations may have been from young clouds whose condensed materials have not yet reached equilibrium.
Outside the Frame: Assessing Partnerships between Arts and Historical Organizations

Using as a case study a 2003 exhibit created jointly by the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) and Historic New England/Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, this article investigates collaborations between contemporary art museums and historical institutions, focusing on the place these organizations occupy in the culture-based "new economies" of many postindustrial places. While cautioning against the ways in which such projects can cast history in a purely aesthetic light while contributing to the socioeconomic inequities that characterize postindustrial economies, the article also argues that arts/history partnerships offer opportunities to create innovative critical statements and to reach new and diverse audiences.
Dissociation dynamics of higher-order He2···I35Cl(B,v′ = 3) complexes

Abstract The dissociation dynamics of He 2 ···I 35 Cl complexes prepared with varying amounts of intermolecular vibrational excitation within the 2He + I 35 Cl(B, v ′ = 3) potential energy surface are reported. For the intermolecular level associated with one He atom in an energetically excited, delocalized state and the other localized in the lowest-energy, T-shaped potential minimum, the higher-energy He atom dissociates preferentially. The binding energy of the ground-state He 2 ···I 35 Cl(X, v ″ = 0) conformer with a police nightstick geometry (one He atom in the T-shaped minimum and the second in the linear well) is measured to be 38.6(9) cm –1 .
Temperature gradients in the inner corona

Emission gradient curves for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) resonance lines of O VI and Mg X have been constructed from spectroheliograms of quiet limb regions observed with the Harvard experiment on Skylab. An analysis of these data suggests that the coronal temperature rises throughout the height range 1.03-1.3 solar radii. This result implies that in quiet regions there is significant coronal heating beyond 1.3 solar radii.
Dual hidden Markov model characterization of wavelet coefficients from multiaspect scattering data

We consider angle-dependent scattering form a general target, for which the scattered signal is a non-stationary function of the target-sensor orientation. A statistical model is presented for the wavelet coefficients of such a signal, in which the angular non-stationary is characterized by an 'outer' hidden Markov model. The statistics of the wavelet coefficients, within a state of the outer HMM, are characterized by a second, 'inner' HMM, exploiting the tree structure of the wavelet decomposition. This dual-HMM construct is demonstrated by considering multi-aspect target identification using measured acoustic scattering data.
Thrombin induces release of proinflammatory chemokines interleukin-8 and interferon-γ-induced protein-10 from cultured human fetal astrocytes

Thrombin is a multifunctional serine proteinase that induces a variety of responses from neural cells by cleavage of proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) including PAR1 and PAR4. Thrombin/PAR signaling has been implicated in the neuroinflammatory response that occurs in the brain following stroke and other central nervous system pathologies. The neuroinflammatory response involves astrocytes and results in induction of proinflammatory chemokines including interleukin-8 (IL-8 or CXCL8) and interferon-γ-induced protein-10 (IP-10 or CXCL10) in these cells. Astroctyes are known to express PARs, however the effect of thrombin on astrocytic chemokine secretion is unknown. Here we characterize the ability of thrombin to induce proliferation/metabolic activity and chemokine secretion in primary human fetal astrocytes. Thrombin induces dose-dependent astrocyte proliferation as well as release of both IL-8 and IP-10, but not IL-6 or the chemokine regulated and normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES). The chemokine responses were mimicked by PAR1, but not PAR4, activating peptides. Our data indicate that astrocytic chemokine release is part of the neuroinflammatory response triggered by the exposure of the central nervous system to thrombin.
SINGLET-TRIPLET ENERGY SEPARATION AND BARRIER FOR RING CLOSURE FOR TRIMETHYLENEMETHANE AND ITS COMPLEXES

Abstract The energy separations between the 3 A′ 2 ground state and the excited electronic 1 B 1 and 1 A 1 states of trimethylenemethane (TMM) have been studied using quantum mechanical methods. The 1 B 1 minimum TMM is predicted to lie 15.7 kcal/mol higher in energy than the 3 A′ 2 ground state at the TZ2P + f CISD + Q level. This is by far the highest level of theory employed to date to the vexing TMM singlet-triplet separation. The 1 A 1 minimum of TMM is 1.5 kcal/mol higher in energy than the 1 B 1 minimum at the DZP CISD + Q level. The transition state for ring closure of TMM to methylenecyclopropane has been located, with a barrier of 1.4 kcal/mol on the 1 A 1 surface at the DZP CISD + Q level. The above energies relative to the 3 A′ 2 ground state for isolated TMM are much higher than Dowd's experimental maximum (7.8 kcal/mol) for the singlet-triplet separation. The discrepancy is discussed in the light of possible solvation effects. Direct evidence for the magnitude of the solvation effect has been obtained from a study of the TMM · methylenecyclopropane (TMM · MCP), TMM · H 2 CO, TMM · CO, and TMM · Ne complexes. There is essentially no change of the triplet-singlet energetics upon forming the TMM · Ne complex. However, the 3 A′ 2 - 1 A 1 energy difference is 0.24 kcal/mol lower in the TMM · H 2 CO, 0.20 kcal/mol lower for the TMM · MCP complex, and 0.10 kcal/mol lower in the TMM · CO complex than for isolated TMM, respectively, at the DZP CISD + Q level. There is no barrier for ring closure for the TMM · H 2 CO complex on the 1 A 1 surface at the DZP TC-CISD level, even though the barrier is 0.2 kcal/mol at the DZP TCSCF level. It has been found that the electronic states of TMM interact with surrounding molecules in the order: 1 B 1 3 A ′ 2 1 A 1 state.
The potency of N-acetylaminofluorene in the production of cytokinin autonomous tobacco tissues in vitro

Nachweis, dassN-Acetylaminofluoren in Cytokinin-Auxin-abhangigen Tabakgewebekulturen cytokininautonomes, knotenartiges Kallusgewebe zu bilden vermag.
Complete Ileal Neobladder Intracorporeal Construction With Standard Sutured Technique and Novel Technology

Purpose: We compared the surgical efficacy and efficiency of a completely suture based procedure with a novel entero-urethral anastomosis device and an EndoGIA™ stapler to create an ileal neobladder.Materials and Methods: Two groups of 7 pigs each were survived for 8 weeks. In group 1 the neobladder was constructed using a U-shaped segment of ileum sealed with the stapler. The entero-urethral anastomosis was created with a novel sutureless anastomosis device. All other procedures were completed with standard intracorporeal suturing techniques. In group 2 animals completely intracorporeal sutured technique was used. Total procedure, and enteroenteric, ileal neobladder, uretero-enteric and entero-urethral anastomosis times were recorded. Cystograms done immediately postoperatively, at 2 weeks and at sacrifice to evaluate the newly constructed system were rated from 0—no leakage to 3—severe leakage.Results: In group 1 vs 2 the overall procedure, and enteroenteric, ileal neobladder, uretero-enteric and entero...
Light-induced release of DNA from plasmon-resonant nanoparticles: Towards light-controlled gene therapy

Surface-plasmon driven DNA dehybridization is a topic of intense current interest due to its highly promising potential for enabling light-controlled gene therapy: it is also of inherent interest as a light-driven nanoscale actuation process. In this study we formulate an Au nanoshell-based complex designed to release single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) from its surface when illuminated with plasmon-resonant light. This system allows us to examine DNA dehybridization induced by excitation of localized surface plasmons on the nanoparticle, relative to the thermal DNA dehybridization (melting). The dehybridization temperatures, and the percentage of DNA released per nanoparticle, differ markedly between the two processes.
Parasitic castration of plants by fungi

If the production of genetically variable offspring is a mechanism of host defense against parasites, then parasites capable of suppressing sexual reproduction in hosts may gain a selective advantage over parasites that do not do so. Recent work has shown that a range of systemic fungi infecting plants sterilize their hosts, effectively preventing coevolutionary responses by host populations to avoid infection, while stimulating clonal spread of the infected plant. Indeed, parasitic castration of plants may represent a widespread fungal adaptation.
"Graphical marionette" (abstract only)

Many person-modelling 3-D animation systems are currently being developed, but often suffer from confusing and elaborate user interfaces. Given over 200 degrees of freedom, the human form is capable of such intricate motion that its specification and display presents considerable difficulty to both animators and animation systems designers. Given such difficulties with single figures, the orchestration of several in parallel remains a major challenge. In pursuit of understanding thoroughly this complex motion of human beings, while faced with the difficulty of modelling the human form using conventional computer graphics techniques, the actual physical mien of the graphic figure is sometimes relegated a secondary status. A primitive and unconvincing appearance is the usual result. Our research in this field addresses these issues of user interface, motion, and expressive appearance within an animation application.
Molecular Basis for Membrane Pore Formation by Bax Protein Carboxyl Terminus

Bax protein plays a key role in mitochondrial membrane permeabilization and cytochrome c release upon apoptosis. Our recent data have indicated that the 20-residue C-terminal peptide of Bax (BaxC-KK; VTIFVAGVLTASLTIWKKMG), when expressed intracellularly, translocates to the mitochondria and exerts lethal effect on cancer cells. Moreover, the BaxC-KK peptide, as well as two mutants where the two lysines are replaced with glutamate (BaxC-EE) or leucine (BaxC-LL), have been shown to form relatively large pores in lipid membranes, composed of up to eight peptide molecules per pore. Here the pore structure is analyzed by polarized Fourier transform infrared, circular dichroism, and fluorescence experiments on the peptides reconstituted in phospholipid membranes. The peptides assume an α/β-type secondary structure within membranes. Both β-strands and α-helices are significantly (by 30–60 deg) tilted relative to the membrane normal. The tryptophan residue embeds into zwitterionic membranes at 8–9 A from the memb...