cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peptide-grafted poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels support dynamic adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells.

Abstract This study investigated the dynamic adhesion of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to peptide-grafted poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels and determined the relative ability of RGDS, REDV and YIGSRG peptides to reduce the velocity of EPC rolling. Circulating EPCs are key mediators of endothelium repair and have been shown to accelerate re-endothelialization, which is important in reducing the incidence of restenosis following stent placement and occlusion of small diameter vascular grafts. However, to exploit these capabilities for tissue engineering applications, more knowledge is needed about EPC binding to the vascular wall under shear and, in particular, whether the incorporation of peptide ligands into biomaterials can support the process of EPC rolling or maintain EPC adhesion. This study specifically examined one type of EPCs endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), based on their ability to be expanded in culture and differentiate into mature endothelial cells. The amount of grafted PEG–peptide was shown to be dependent on the concentration of PEG–peptide grafting solution photopolymerized onto the hydrogel surface. The ECFC strength of adhesion on PEG–RDGS grafted hydrogels exceeded 350 dyn cm−2 for 85% of adherent cells. PEG–RGDS grafted hydrogels supported ECFC rolling, whereas ECFC velocity on the negative control PEG–RGES grafted hydrogels and on the “blank slate” PEGDA hydrogels was substantially higher than the cutoff velocity for cell rolling. The ECFC rolling velocity on PEG–RDGS grafted hydrogels depended on the shear rate; as shear rate was increased from 20 s−1 to 120 s−1, ECFC rolling velocity increased from 103 ± 3 μm s−1 to 741 ± 28 μm s−1. REDV and YIGSRG, which are known to preferentially support endothelial cell adhesion, also supported ECFC rolling. Interestingly, the rolling velocity of ECFCs on PEG–REDV grafted hydrogels was significantly lower than on PEG–YIGSRG or on PEG–RGDS grafted hydrogels. Understanding the dynamic adhesion of ECFCs to peptide-grafted hydrogels is the first step towards understanding the similarities and differences of EPCs from mature endothelial cells and improving the ability to sequester EPCs to biomaterial surfaces in order to promote intravascular re-endothelialization.
Synergistic effects of testosterone metabolites on the development of motoneuron morphology in a sexually dimorphic rat spinal nucleus

The rat lumbar spinal cord contains the testosterone-dependent spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB), whose motoneurons innervate perineal muscles involved in copulatory reflexes. In normal males, SNB dendrites grow exuberantly through the first 4 weeks postnatally. This growth is steroid-dependent: dendrites fail to grow in males castrated at P7, but grow normally in castrates treated with testosterone (T). Treatment with either of the T metabolites, dihydrotestosterone or estrogen, supports dendritic growth in castrates, but not to the lengths characteristic of intact males or T-treated castrates. The present study tested the hypothesis that dihydrotestosterone and estrogen act together to support development of SNB dendrites. Male rat pups were castrated on P7 and treated daily with dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHT) (2 mg), estradiol benzoate (E) (100 microg), DHT (2 mg) combined with estradiol benzoate in either 5 microg (E5) or 100 microg (E100) doses, or vehicle alone. On P28, when SNB dendritic length is normally maximal, motoneurons were retrogradely labeled with cholera toxin-HRP (BHRP). Soma size and dendritic lengths of labeled motoneurons were assessed and compared to those of age-matched, intact male rats. Soma areas of DHT + E5-treated and DHT + E100-treated castrates did not differ from those of castrates treated with DHT alone, although somata of all three groups were significantly larger than those of normal males and E- or oil-treated castrates. Dendritic lengths in DHT + E5-treated castrates were significantly shorter than those of normal males, and did not differ from those of castrates receiving DHT or E alone, although all hormone-treated groups had dendritic lengths that were significantly longer than untreated castrates. However, treatment of castrates with DHT + E100 fully supported dendritic growth to levels characteristic of normal males. These results suggest that somal and dendritic growth may occur through separate developmental mechanisms, and that E and DHT act synergistically to support normal masculine SNB dendritic development.
Too much, too soon?: Commercial provision of noninvasive prenatal screening for subchromosomal abnormalities and beyond.

Too much, too soon?: Commercial provision of noninvasive prenatal screening for subchromosomal abnormalities and beyond
Round window administration of gentamicin: a new method for the study of ototoxicity of cochlear hair cells

Damage to inner ear sensory hair cells after systemic administration of ototoxic drugs has been documented in humans and animals. Birds have the ability to regenerate new hair cells to replace those damaged by drugs or noise. Unfortunately, the systemic administration of gentamicin damages both ears in a variable fashion with potentially confounding systemic drug effects. We developed a method of direct application of gentamicin to one cochlea of hatchling chickens, allowing the other ear to serve as a within-animal control. We tested variables including the vehicle for application, location of application, dosage, and duration of gentamicin exposure. After 5 or 28 days survival, the percent length damage to the cochlea and regeneration of hair cells was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Controls consisted of the opposite unexposed cochlea and additional animals which received saline instead of gentamicin. Excellent damage was achieved using gentamicin-soaked Gelfoam pledgets applied to the round window membrane. The percent length damage could be varied from 15 to 100% by changing the dosage of gentamicin, with exposures as short as 30 min. No damage was observed in control animals. Regeneration of hair cells was observed in both the base and apex by 28 days survival.
Histogenesis of corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactive amacrine cells in the rat retina.

Abstract The histogenesis of amacrine cells expressing corticotropin releasing factor-like immunoreactivity (CRF-LI) was examined in the rat retina by incorporating [ 3 H]thymidine autoradiography and immunohistochemistry. Our results indicate that, during the period of amacrine cell generation, the population of CRF-LI amacrine cells are generated within a window of time from gestational days (ED)-16 to -20; the majority of them are produced by ED-18. No CRF-LI cells have been found to be ‘born’ postnatally. The histogenetic pattern of these cells follows a center-to-periphery gradient. Furthermore, CRF-LI cells in both the inner nuclear layer and the ganglion cell layer are generated in the same histogenetic wave and follow an identical temporo-spatial pattern. These results are consistent with and extend our previous findings of a differential change in CRF-LI cell density and total cell number during postnatal development.
A non-rigid registration method for serial lower extremity hybrid SPECT/CT imaging

Small animal X-ray computed tomographic (microCT) imaging of the lower extremities permits evaluation of arterial growth in models of hindlimb ischemia, and when applied serially can provide quantitative information about disease progression and aid in the evaluation of therapeutic interventions. The quantification of changes in tissue perfusion and concentration of molecular markers concurrently obtained using nuclear imaging requires the ability to non-rigidly register the microCT images over time, a task made more challenging by the potentially large changes in the positions of the legs due to articulation. While non-rigid registration methods have been extensively used in the evaluation of individual organs, application in whole body imaging has been limited, primarily because the scale of possible displacements and deformations is large resulting in poor convergence of most methods. In this paper we present a new method based on the extended demons algorithm that uses a level-set representation of the body contour and skeletal structure as an input. The proposed serial registration method reflects the natural physical moving combination of mouse anatomy in which the movement of bones is the framework for body movements, and the movement of skin constrains the detailed movements of the specific segmented body regions. We applied our method to both the registration of serial microCT mouse images and the quantification of microSPECT component of the serially hybrid microCT-SPECT images demonstrating improved performance as compared to existing registration techniques.
A Unique Moving-Magnet Ratio Instrument

This paper describes a unique type of moving-magnet d-c ratio instrument. An instrument designed for temperature measurement in aircraft is described in detail.
Photoreceptors in diabetic retinopathy

Although photoreceptors account for most of the mass and metabolic activity of the retina, their role in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy has been largely overlooked. Recent studies suggest that photoreceptors might play a critical role in the diabetes-induced degeneration of retinal capillaries, and thus can no longer be ignored. The present review summarizes diabetes-induced alterations in photoreceptor structure and function, and provides a rationale for further study of a role of photoreceptors in the pathogenesis of the retinopathy.
THE FINE STRUCTURE OF MITOSIS IN RAT THYMIC LYMPHOCYTES

The fine structure of rat thymic lymphocytes from early prophase to late telophase of mitosis is described, using material fixed at pH 7.3 either in 1 per cent OsO4 or in glutaraldehyde followed by 2 per cent OsO4. The structure of the centriolar complex of interphase thymocytes is analyzed and compared with that of centrioles during division. The appearance of daughter centrioles is the earliest clearly recognizable sign of prophase. Daughter centrioles probably retain a secondary relation to the primary centriole, while the latter appears to be related, both genetically and spatially, to the spindle apparatus. The nuclear envelope persists in recognizable form to help reconstitute the envelopes of the daughter nuclei. Ribosome bodies (dense aggregates of ribosomes) accumulate, beginning at late prophase, and are retained by the daughter cells. Cytokinesis proceeds by formation of a ribosome-free plate at the equator with a central plate of vesicles which may coalesce to form the new plasma membrane of the daughter cells. Stages in the formation of the midbody are illustrated.
Reactions of 1-fluoroalkyl triflates with nucleophiles and bases

Abstract A series of 1-fluoroalkyl triflates are prepared, isolated and characterized. Their reactions with a large variety of nucleophiles are described. From these reactions are obtained 1-fluoroalkyl nitriles, azides, formates, acetates, ethers, phenylthio ethers, triphenylphosphonium salts, benztriazoles, benzimidazoles, xanthates, iodides, bromides and chlorides, most in excellent yield.
RECENT STRUCTURAL CHANGE AND US URBAN ETHNIC MINORITIES

ABSTRACT:Three major structural changes affecting American society are identified and their impact on American urban ethnic groups is examined. The three changes are the restructuring of the US economy, shifting racial attitudes, and the return of mass immigration. The implications for ethnic groups are discussed with respect to financial gains or losses, segregation and hyperghettoization, job competition, growth of ethnic enclaves, and internal changes within urban ethnic communities. A revised model of the segmented urban labor market is suggested as a context for understanding these changes.
DENDRITIC PLASTICITY OF CA1 PYRAMIDAL NEURONS AFTER TRANSIENT GLOBAL ISCHEMIA

Dendrites and spines undergo dynamic changes in physiological conditions, such as learning and memory, and in pathological conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. Long-term dendritic plasticity has also been reported after ischemia/hypoxia, which might be compensatory effects of surviving neurons for the functional recovery after the insults. However, the dendritic changes shortly after ischemia, which might be associated with the pathogenesis of ischemic cell death, remain largely unknown. To reveal the morphological changes of ischemia-vulnerable neurons after ischemia, the present study investigated the alteration of dendritic arborization of CA1 pyramidal neurons in rats after transient cerebral ischemia using intracellular staining technique in vivo. The general appearance of dendritic arborization of CA1 neurons within 48 h after ischemia was similar to that of control neurons. However, a dramatic increase of dendritic disorientation was observed after ischemia with many basal dendrites coursed into the territory of apical dendrites and apical dendrites branched into the region of basal dendrites. In addition, a significant increase of apical dendritic length was found 24 h after ischemia. The increase of dendritic length after ischemia was mainly due to the dendritic sprouting rather than the extension of individual dendrites, which mainly occurred in the middle segment of the apical dendrites. These results reveal a plasticity change in dendritic arborization of CA1 neurons shortly after cerebral ischemia.
Influence of Forest Fragmentation on Community Structure of Frogs and Lizards in Northeastern Costa Rica

To better understand responses of reptiles and amphibians to forest fragmentation in the lowland Neotropics, we examined community and population structure of frogs and lizards in the fragmented landscape surrounding La Selva Biological Station in the Sarapiqui region of northeastern Costa Rica. We used diurnal quadrats and nocturnal transects to sample frogs and lizards in nine forest fragments (1-7 ha each) and La Selva (1100 ha). Species richness in all fragments combined was 85% of that found in La Selva with comparable sampling effort. Richness varied from 10 to 24 species among forest fragments, compared with 36 species at La Selva. Lizard density was higher and frog density was lower in forest fragments than in La Selva. Community composition varied among sites and by fragment size class, and species occurrence was nested with respect to fragment area. Isolation and habitat variables did not significantly affect species richness, composition, or nestedness. We classified 34% of species as fragmentation sensitive because they were absent or occurred at low densities in fragments. Nevertheless, the relatively high diversity observed in the entire set of fragments indicates that preserving a network of small forest patches may be of considerable conservation value to the amphibians and reptiles of this region.
Perioperative Care of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery

The epidemic of obesity in developed countries has resulted in patients with extreme (class III) obesity undergoing the full breadth of medical and surgical procedures. The popularity of bariatric surgery in the treatment of extreme obesity has raised awareness of the unique considerations in the care of this patient population. Minimizing the risk of perioperative complications that contribute to morbidity and mortality requires input from several clinical disciplines and begins with the preoperative assessment of the patient. Airway management, intravenous fluid administration, physiologic responses to pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic procedures, and the risk of thrombotic complications and peripheral nerve injuries in extremely obese patients are among the factors that present special intraoperative challenges that affect postoperative recovery of the bariatric patient. Early recognition of perioperative complications and education of the patient regarding postoperative issues, including nutrition and vitamin supplementation therapy, can improve patient outcomes. A suitable physical environment and appropriate nursing and dietetic support provide a safe and dignified hospital experience. This article reviews the multidisciplinary management of extremely obese patients who undergo bariatric surgery at the Mayo Clinic.
Intelligence and changes in regional cerebral glucose metabolic rate following learning

Abstract Positron emission tomography (PET) studies of brain glucose metabolic rate (GMR) in normal volunteers report inverse correlations between GMR and scores on the Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (RAPM) and verbal fluency. A new study in eight normal men reports widespread significant GMR decreases following learning a complex task (the computer game “Tetris”). The purpose of this study is to ascertain the correlations between GMR changes following learning “Tetris” and psychometric intelligence scores (RAPM and WAIS-R) to determine whether high-ability subjects show the largest GMR decreases, as predicted by a brain efficiency hypothesis. This hypothesis is supported with significant correlations between the magnitude of GMR change and intelligence scores in many brain areas that changed with learning. Some implications for the role of attention, memory, and speed of processing are discussed in view of the specific brain areas involved.
Theory of the growth and evolution of feather shape

We present the first explicit theory of the growth of feather shape, defined as the outline of a pennaceous feather vane. Based on a reanalysis of data from the literature, we pro- pose that the absolute growth rate of the barbs and rachis ridges, not the vertical growth rate, is uniform throughout the follicle. The growth of feathers is simulated with a mathematical model based on six growth parameters: (1) absolute barb and rachis ridge growth rate, (2) angle of heli- cal growth of barb ridges, (3) initial barb ridge number, (4) new barb ridge addition rate, (5) barb ridge diameter, and (6) the angle of barb ramus expansion following emergence from the sheath. The model simulates growth by cell division in the follicle collar and, except for the sixth param- eter, does not account for growth by differentiation in cell size and shape during later keratiniza- tion. The model can simulate a diversity of feather shapes that correspond closely in shape to real feathers, including various contour feathers, asymmetrical feathers, and even emarginate prima- ries. Simulations of feather growth under different parameter values demonstrate that each pa- rameter can have substantial, independent effects on feather shape. Many parameters also have complex and redundant effects on feather shape through their influence on the diameter of the follicle, the barb ridge fusion rate, and the internodal distance. Simulated isochrones—the loci, or sets, of feather cells of the same age—have the same oblique chevron-shaped position in the ma- ture feather as fault bars, which are isochronic defects in the barbules created by a disruptions during development. Accurate simulation of fault bar shape and position confirms the uniform absolute growth rate hypothesis and the general realism of the model. The theory defines a six- parameter feather morphospace, and provides many predictions about the developmental determi- nation of feather shape that can be tested with detailed observations and experiments on developing feathers. This theory also provides testable predictions about the changes in developmental mecha- nisms required to evolve different feather shapes to accomplish various functions. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 291:30-57, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Engineering Socialism: A History of Village Relocations in Chukotka, Russia

State induced resettlement policies intertwine political macro processes, local communities, and various forms of belonging in the uprooted landscape of relocation. This chapter reflects on a case study of forced relocation on the Chukchi Peninsula in northeastern Russia. From the 1930s to the 1970s the inhabitants of mainly native coastal villages were subjected to a relocalization policy of the Soviet state that left dozens of settlements deserted. I argue that the Sovietization of the Russian North and the corresponding village relocations in Chukotka led to a collision of different forms of spatial practices, wherein a Soviet spatial logic was implanted on the traditional space usage of native sea mammal hunters and reindeer herders. The village relocations can be seen as a large scale experiment of social engineering with often devastating results on native cultures and settlement patters. Yet, the ruins of former settlements are not only places of the Soviet past, but they now play a role in present-day lives as some individuals have moved back into the formerly abandoned villages.
Food-satiation response functions of albino rats, obtained on a three-valued randomized deprivation schedule

Food-satiation response functions of albino rats, obtained under a three-valued randomized food-deprivation schedule, were analyzed. The method of analysis focused upon transforming response and time measures to a common scale. This revealed a considerable regularity across satiation values. Rate declines typical of satiation would appear to reflect a lengthening of feeding pauses that are interspersed among bursts of feeding responses.
Ambivalence Reduction and Polarization in the Campaign Information Environment The Interaction Between Individual- and Contextual-Level Influences

This study examines how the campaign information environment influences individuals’ ambivalence reduction and polarization. Based on the 2008 presidential television campaign advertising data and individuals’ electoral behavior data in 208 designated market areas nationwide, this study utilizes multilevel modeling to better understand the interactions between the effects of individual-level predispositions and that of the contextual-level campaign information environment. The findings of the study indicate that the campaign information environment does matter in ambivalence reduction and polarization. Individuals living in a media market where the volume of campaign advertising is relatively high are less ambivalent and more polarized in candidate evaluations. The patterns appear to be amplified among partisans, suggesting the campaign information environment functions as a “motivator.” The partisan bias of the ads in a media market, however, exerts only limited influence. The implications for the functi...
Assessment of non-native speech using vowel space characteristics

In this paper, we propose the idea of using the characteristics of a speaker's vowel space for automated assessment of second language (L2) pronunciation. Specifically, we adopt features that were shown in previous studies to be good indicators of native speaker intelligibility and clarity and apply them to L2 speech from non-native speakers. The features focus on three peripheral vowels (IY, AA, and OW) and measure a speaker's coverage of the vowel space. A pilot study and a large-scale corpus study involving read speech produced by native and non-native speakers were conducted in which the vowel space features were rank correlated with pronunciation scores provided by human listeners for the non-native speech and an assumed higher score for the native speech. The results of the studies show that several of the features achieve moderately high correlations with the pronunciation scores, supporting their usefulness for automated assessment of non-native speech. The feature with the best performance in the large-scale study was the F2 − F1 distance for IY, which achieved a correlation of 0.78 with pronunciation proficiency scores.
Characteristics & Reliability of 100Å Oxides

The electrical characteristics and the long term reliability of 100A silicon dioxide films is examined in detail. In this paper the initial "as grown" properties are presented and the effects of subsequent process steps are discussed. The long term reliability of 100A oxide having undergone a full double level polysilicon process is examined. An activation energy of 0.3eV was found and electric field acceleration was determined to be 100/MV/cm.
Renal Hemodynamics and Sodium Chloride Excretion

The regulation of renal hemodynamics involves a number of integrated intrinsic and extrinsic control mechanisms. The extrinsic control mechanisms can have an important influence under many physiologic circumstances; however, much attention has been focused on intrinsic controls that are involved in the autoregulation of renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
Pulp chamber temperature changes with visible-light-cured composites in vitro

Due to the low compliance nature of the dental pulp, it is vulnerable to cavity preparation and restoration procedures. The vulnerability may be due to temperature increases within the pulp tissue generated by those procedures. Placement of composites includes the use of visible-light-cure lamps which emit heat and cause a temperature increase in the pulp. This study measured the temperature increase occurring in the pulp chamber with the placement of a two-surface posterior composite using six visible-light-cure lamps. The data indicate that the lamps vary in the amount of temperature increase generated from one to another; that the greater portion of the temperature increase occurred during the placement of the first layer of composite; and that one lamp caused significantly lower temperature increases.
SOLAR CORONAL LOOPS RESOLVED BY HINODE AND THE SOLAR DYNAMICS OBSERVATORY

Despite decades of studying the Sun, the coronal heating problem remains unsolved. One fundamental issue is that we do not know the spatial scale of the coronal heating mechanism. At a spatial resolution of 1000 km or more, it is likely that most observations represent superpositions of multiple unresolved structures. In this Letter, we use a combination of spectroscopic data from the Hinode EUV Imaging Spectrometer and high-resolution images from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on the Solar Dynamics Observatory to determine the spatial scales of coronal loops. We use density measurements to construct multi-thread models of the observed loops and confirm these models using the higher spatial resolution imaging data. The results allow us to set constraints on the number of threads needed to reproduce a particular loop structure. We demonstrate that in several cases million degree loops are revealed to be single monolithic structures that are fully spatially resolved by current instruments. The majority of loops, however, must be composed of a number of finer, unresolved threads, but the models suggest that even for these loops the number of threads could be small, implying that they are also close to being resolved. These results challenge heating models of loops based on the reconnection of braided magnetic fields in the corona.
Recanalization and Remarkable Outcome after Subocclusive Thrombus: A Case Report

Minimal literature exists regarding subocclusive thrombi and their management in acute ischemic stroke, and no randomized trials or guidelines are currently available. We present the case of an 83-year-old man with multiple vascular risk factors and recent cardiac surgery who presented with a severe left middle cerebral artery (MCA) syndrome due to a subocclusive thrombus. Intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator was contraindicated given the patient's recent surgery, and endovascular therapy was deferred given improvement in symptoms. He was placed on IV heparin. His symptoms improved with recanalization of the MCA. Optimal management of subocclusive thrombi, which appear to have better outcomes than occlusive thrombi, has yet to be elucidated. Acute anticoagulation and endovascular therapy may both be reasonable; however, there are minimal data supporting the use of either and further studies are needed to develop the most favorable treatment algorithm. In the meantime, management decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis by multidisciplinary care teams.
Perpetuity As (and Against) Rule: Law, Tradition, Juris-Diction

“Between facts and norms” is how Jurgen Habermas (1998) describes the mediating place that law occupies and by which it exercises its unique communicative force in state-level societies. But law is not the only discourse that stakes an authorizing claim to that mediating ground. Discourses of tradition, for example, have increasingly been turned to in current indigenous politics as a way to insure that contemporary native governance systems reflect the integration of their particular cultural norms with the vicissitudes of everyday native life in the 21st century. At the same time, both law and tradition, in managing this in-between place, have come under heavy critique for making authoritative representations that are always exceeded by the actual lives and times whose measure they take. This paper is an examination of these claims and critiques as they unfold in the discourses of law and tradition proffered in inheritance dispute hearings before the Hopi Tribal Court between the mid 1990s and 2000s. More specifically I will argue for understanding the authority that law and tradition generate between facts in norms in terms of what I call their perpetuity – that spatio-temporal framing, observable in the details of their actual discourses, by which both law and tradition are alternatively invoked to authoritatively represent the relevant issues of a case at hand. As I show, to the extent that in the Hopi court’s Anglo-style processes the authority of law or tradition are invoked as competing to occupy exclusively the mediating time-space between facts and norms, the quality of law and tradition’s perpetuity can also be understood as a kind of jurisdiction, or juris-diction: discourses of law that call forth the force and limits of legal authority. In conclusion, I will suggest the possibility for extending these understandings beyond the Hopi context by exploring the problems that inheritance disputes generally, and the Rule Against Perpetuities in particular, have long posed for Anglo-American law, suggesting that perpetuities operate at the very heart of that which stands as (and against) rule.
The Constitutionality of Racial Preferences in K-12 Education after Grutter & Gratz

Brown v. Board of Education established a constitutional obligation to eliminate the vestiges of previous intentional discrimination (“de jure segregation”) to the extent practicable. Even so, there is no such mandate to eliminate segregation that is not the result of intentional discrimination (“de facto segregation”). Indeed, as the Supreme Court observed in Freeman v. Pitts, de facto segregation “does not have constitutional implications. It is both beyond the authority and beyond the practical ability of federal courts to try to counteract these kinds of continuous and massive demographic shifts.” The University of Michigan racial preferences cases, Grutter v. Bollinger and Gratz v. Bollinger, which redefined and clarified how all universities could utilize race in the admissions process, have reinvigorated the debate about using racial preferences to eliminate de facto segregation in the public schools. To the extent that Grutter and Gratz appear to endorse the direct consideration of race as a means of insuring that minorities are adequately represented in higher education, it appears that many educators assume that it is acceptable to use racial preferences to insure a specific racial balance in K-12 education. Specifically, these educators seem to believe that Grutter and Gratz approved of such practices as lowering admissions standards for racial minorities, reserving set percentages of places for various racial groups, and assuming that anyone who is a racial minority has a unique perspective or set of life experiences. Given this belief about Grutter and Gratz, it is not surprising that many school boards have attempted to use racial preferences to eliminate de facto segregation. Indeed, in the three years since Grutter and Gratz four different Circuits reviewed the constitutionality of using racial preferences to eliminate de facto segregation. Although the Fifth Circuit invalidated the use of racial preferences, the First, Sixth, and Ninth Circuits, purporting to rely on Grutter and Gratz, upheld their use. However, in doing so, those Circuits deviated from Grutter and Gratz both in terms of whether “racial diversity” is a compelling governmental interest and whether individualized consideration is a requirement of narrow tailoring. The purpose of this article is to examine post Grutter and Gratz circuit court decisions on the use of racial preferences in K-12 education before comparing their analyses to the framework mandated in Grutter and Gratz. In doing so, the article demonstrates that the First, Sixth, and Ninth Circuits misunderstood or failed to follow Grutter and Gratz.
Handling complex commands as service robot task requests

We contribute a novel approach to understand, dialogue, plan, and execute complex sentences to command a mobile service robot. We define a complex command as a natural language sentence consisting of sensing-based conditionals, conjunctions, and disjunctions. We introduce a flexible templatebased algorithm to extract such structure from the parse tree of the sentence. As the complexity of the command increases, extracting the right structure using the template-based algorithm decreases becomes more problematic. We introduce two different dialogue approaches that enable the user to confirm or correct the extracted command structure. We present how the structure used to represent complex commands can be directly used for planning and execution by the service robot. We show results on a corpus of 100 complex commands.
Determination of uptake, accumulation, and stress effects in corn ( Zea mays L. ) grown in single-wall carbon nanotube contaminated soil

Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are projected to increase in usage across many industries. Two studies were conducted using Zea L. (corn) seeds exposed to SWNT spiked soil for 40 d. In Study 1, corn was exposed to various SWNT concentrations (0, 10, and 100 mg/kg) with different functionalities (non-functionalized, OH-functionalized, or surfactant stabilized). A microwave induced heating method was used to determine SWNTs accumulated mostly in roots (0-24 μg/g), with minimal accumulation in stems and leaves (2-10 μg/g) with a limit of detection at 0.1 μg/g. Uptake was not functional group dependent. In Study 2, corn was exposed to 10 mg/kg SWNTs (non-functionalized or COOH-functionalized) under optimally grown or water deficit conditions. Plant physiological stress was determined by the measurement of photosynthetic rate throughout Study 2. No significant differences were seen between control and SWNT treatments. Considering the amount of SWNTs accumulated in corn roots, further studies are needed to address the potential for SWNTs to enter root crop species (i.e., carrots), which could present a significant pathway for human dietary exposure.
A survey of vocational rehabilitation counselors and special education teachers on collaboration in transition planning

BACKGROUND: Interagency collaboration has been identified as one variable predicting successful post-school outcomes for youth with disabilities (Test et al., 2009). However, at times and in certain contexts, collaboration between these disciplines has been inconsistent and limited. OBJECTIVE: Researchers investigated collaboration between VR counselors and transition teachers by surveying agency personnel in four states: Florida, Maryland, Oregon, and Utah. METHOD: We disseminated two electronic questionnaires: one to VR counselors and one to transition teachers. The questionnaires explored respondents’ satisfaction with collaboration across agencies. Additionally, respondents rated the importance and feasibility of collaboration practices. Statements of collaborative practice were specific to transition and were generated by the researchers based on a review of collaboration literature. RESULTS: Respondents included 78 VR counselors and 220 teachers. Results showed relatively low levels of collaboration and satisfaction between VR counselors and teachers. Respondents rated a list of collaboration practices relatively high in importance but consistently low in feasibility for implementation. CONCLUSION: We discuss results with regard to improving collaboration between rehabilitation counselors and transition teachers to improve transition practices.
Bioaccumulation of metals in reeds collected from an acid mine drainage contaminated site in winter and spring

ABSTRACTWetland plants such as Phragmites australis has been used to treat acid mine drainage (AMD) contaminated soil which is a serious environmental issue worldwide. This project investigated metal plaque content(s) and metal uptake in reeds grown in an AMD field in winter and spring. The results indicated that the level of Fe plaque was much higher than Mn and Al plaque as the soil contained more Fe than Al and Mn. The amounts of Mn and Al plaque formed on reeds in spring were not significantly different from that in winter (p > .05). However, more Fe plaque was formed on reeds collected in spring. The concentrations of metals in underground organs were positively related to the metal levels in soils. More Mn and Al transferred to the aboveground tissues of reeds during the spring while the Fe levels in reeds did not significantly vary with seasons. Roots and rhizomes were the main organs for Fe sequestration (16.3 ± 4.15 mg/g in roots in spring) while most Al was sequestered in the shoots of reeds (2....
Colloid-facilitated mobilization of metals by freeze-thaw cycles.

The potential of freeze–thaw cycles to release colloids and colloid-associated contaminants into water is unknown. We examined the effect of freeze–thaw cycles on the mobilization of cesium and str...
Temperature Effects on Infection and Mortality of Pectinophora gossypiella (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) Larvae by Two Entomopathogenic Nematode Species

Steinernema riobravis Cabanillas, Poinar & Raulston infected pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders), larvae over a temperature range of 15.6–38.0°C. At temperatures >21.0°C, mortality occurred in 24–72 h, but substantial mortality at 15.6°C did not occur until 2–6 d later. In some cases, temperatures of 35.6 and 38.0°C pink bollworm larval mortality by S. riobravis and S. carpocapsae (Weiser) was lower than temperatures ranging from 21.0 to 32.2°C. The adverse effects on efficacy were greater for S. carpocapsae than for S. riobravis . Temperatures of 32.2°C and higher and exposure for 48 h or more often resulted in decreased numbers of nematode killed larvae with living nematodes and increased numbers of dead larvae with dead or no nematodes.
Leveling Up: How South Side High School Learned to Transform Itself

This chapter tells the story of how leadership at South Side High School transformed the school using a strategy of “leveling up”. Tracking of students by performance was eliminated. Instead, detracked students were taught using a rigorous, honors curriculum. The school reached their strategic goals of numbers of Regents Diplomas and followed that by implementing the International Baccalaureate program. Leaders drove change through data based decision making. Principal Burris worked with teachers and teacher leaders to develop differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all students. This increased levels of collaboration among leaders, teachers, guidance counselors and other professionals that broadened conversations throughout the school. Burris changed management practices as well as recognition and rewards—all of which led to changing the culture to support success for all students, regardless of socio-economic status, race or ethnicity. Detracking precipitated change, but organizational learning drove and sustained innovation aimed at success for all students.
Result analysis of two kinds of PCR methods for Cholera enterotoxin

Objective:To analyze and compare two kinds of PCR detection methods for Cholera enterotoxin(CT).Methods:CT of Vibrio cholerae were detected by conventional PCR and TaqMan real-time PCR.Results:Of the 85 stains Vibrio cholerae,19 isolates were posotive by conventional PCR method,66 isolates were negtive;20 isolates were postive by TaqMan real-time PCR,65 isolates were negative.Only one isolate were determined to be positive by TaqMan real-time PCR but negative by conventional PCR,the other results were consistent by both methods.Conclusion:The PCR method and TaqMan real-time PCR method had agreed at the detection of CT of 84 stub Vibrio cholerae,had different at the detection of CT of 1 stub Vibrio cholerae;After preparation of DNA,CT for detection of PCR can be completed within 4~5 hour,it is a complicated process.TaqMan real-time PCR for CT is simple and convenient,which can be completed within 1.5 hour,and is a more sensitive,accurate and safe method for rapid detecting CT.
Readiness Assessment for Flash Tracking

AbstractThe pursuit of Faster Fast Track or Flash Track is deemed necessary in today’s industry for reasons such as emergency rebuilds, competitive market advantage, and regulatory compliance. Flash Tracking has been defined as a time-driven project, which by necessity requires a heightened degree of concurrency between engineering, procurement, and construction. This paper reports on Flash Track readiness assessment algorithms that were developed to enable an organization to assess its readiness to execute time-critical or Flash Track projects. The readiness assessment algorithms were developed by defining the relative importance of 47 essential Flash Track practices, grouped into 6 categories using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The weights of the practices and categories were determined by a 15-member industry expert panel, comprised of 15 Construction Industry Institute (CII) member companies representing owners, contractors, and engineering organizations. The algorithms were ultimately integra...
Representation and Process in Bilingual Lexical Interaction

Bilinguals show word use patterns in each of their languages that differ from those of monolinguals. One interpretation is that, for bilinguals, the word meanings of one language are influenced by those of the other. Another is that the cross-language influence lies in on-line processes – word retrieval probabilities or word form activation levels. To discriminate between interpretations, we asked Mandarin–English bilinguals to name household objects in their L1 and L2 via forced choice instead of free production. The options given were the monolingual-preferred choices, eliminating memory retrieval demands and keeping those words at a high level of activation. For comparison, monolinguals of each language performed the same task in their native language. Differences from monolinguals in word choice were substantially reduced, especially in L1, but bilingual patterns still showed some cross-language influence in both L1 and L2. This outcome implicates cross-language influences on both bilingual processing and meaning representations.
Risk and protective factors for urolithiasis. What do they mean

The occurrence of urolithiasis in companion animals is associated with several risk and protective factors. Case control studies are commonly designed to study the relationship between naturally occurring urolithiasis and risk factors. However, case control studies are subject to limitations, biases, and confounding variables; they do not prove cause and effect relationships. Likewise, just because two events occur in consecutive order does not prove a cause and effect relationship.
Development and Feasibility of Health Mechanics: A Self-Management Program for Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Objective: We conducted a pilot study to examine the feasibility of administering an individual, in-person version of Health Mechanics, an innovative self-management program designed to teach individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) to maintain physical health and prevent secondary conditions. Methods: After baseline assessments, 27 participants were randomized using a 2:1 block design to either the experimental intervention or a usual care group. Thirteen of the 19 participants in the intervention group completed the program. Follow-up assessments were completed at 3 and 6 months after baseline. Results: Results suggest that the Health Mechanics intervention delivered in an in-person format was perceived as useful and relevant in addressing a diverse range of health issues with participants with a wide range of personal and impairment characteristics. However, attrition rates and barriers to recruitment suggested limitations in the acceptability of the format for this population. Conclusion: Additional ...
Semi-supervised graph embedding-based feature extraction and adaptive kernel-based classification for computer-aided detection in CT colonography

Feature extraction and classification are two important parts in computer-aided detection (CAD) of abnormalities. For feature selection, typically we are interested in determining which, of a large number of potentially redundant or noisy features, are most discriminative for classification. Graph embedding is a relatively new category of feature selection methods. It uses a graph structure to model the geometric and discriminant structure of the data manifold. It has obvious advantages over other conventional feature selection methods like Principal Component Analysis (PCA). However, it does not properly incorporate prior labeling information like Partial Least Square (PLS) does. In this paper, we deal with feature selection for CAD of colonic polyps with graph embedding method in a semi-supervised style (SemiGE), which considers the label information as additional constraints. Specifically, we constrain the space of solutions that we explore only to contain embedding results which are consistent with the labels. Experiments were conducted on patients' datasets to compare its performance with other conventional and popular feature selection methods. The results illustrated that this presented SemiGE strategy outperforms all other exciting feature selection methods, such as PCA, PLS, etc. On the other hand, the wellknown support vector machine (SVM) classifier has been widely used in CAD of colonic polyps in computed tomography conlonography (CTC). Several kernel functions have been implemented for the SVM classifier. Each kernel function affects noticeably to the classifying performance and variable performance has been observed among the kernel functions. A traditional implementation strategy and all the previous applications of SVM only preselect a kernel function (e.g., RBF, Sigmoid, .etc). This kind of pre-selection approach fails to provide a kernel function which is adaptive to the experimental data. In this paper, we introduce an improved SVM-based classifier with adaptive kernel implementation, AK-SVM, to conduct the polyp detection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first one to do colonic polyp detection using SVM with adaptive kernel. The kernel operator is constructed by learning from the training data. We use the boosting paradigm to perform the kernel construction process. To do so, we modify the booster to accommodate the kernel operators. We demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach on patient datasets with comparison to the conventional SVM-based classifier with preselected kernel. We measured the performance of classification by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the ROC curve (AUC). On the dataset we experimented, the performance of the AK-SVM is systematically better than the conventional SVM with a fixed RBF kernel.