cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What information can relationship marketers obtain from customer evaluations of salespeople

Abstract Relationships are very important in developing and maintaining effective marketing strategies. Due to the emphasis on relationships, there is increasing recognition that positive evaluations of business salespeople by their customers should be an important component of salespeople's evaluation process and compensation programs. For example, 40% of the incentives of IBM's salesforce are based on customer ratings. This study explores the relationship between customers' evaluation of both business salespeople and the selling organization, and the relationship between managers' and customers' evaluations of salespeople. The results of a survey from business customers in the health care industry suggest that buying firms that give higher evaluations to business salespeople also give higher performance ratings to the selling organization. Also, salespeople who are evaluated as being better and more credible by customers also receive superior evaluations from their managers. Theoretical and managerial implications of the results are presented.
Prospects for near state-of-the art analysis of complex semiconductor spectra in the small laboratory

Abstract A review of various functional forms proposed for the accurate description of peak shapes from semiconductor detectors is presented. Tests of quality of fit indicate that representations defined by as few as four to five parameters can yield results rivaling those of much more complex forms. The simplicity of these suggests that near state-of-the-art spectral analysis is well within the capabilities of small computer systems.
Influence of allopurinol on theophylline disposition in adults

The main route of theophylline elimination inman is metabolism. The drug-metabolitepatternin urine of adults on long-term oraltheophyllineis 8% unchanged theophylline, 36% 3-methyl­xanthine, 40% 1,3-dimethyluricacid, and 16%1-methyluric acid." Although the exact route(s)of metabolism in man is not known, theophyl­line is metabolized in the rat by hepatic micro­somal enzymes and xanthine oxidase." The­ophylline metabolism in the rat is more stronglyinduced by 3-methylcholanthrene(a polycyclichydrocarbon found in cigarette smoke) than byphenobarbital." These findings seemed to bepredictive of subsequent studies in man inwhich it was found that cigarette smokers havea greater clearance and shorter elimination half­life
PS3-34: Does Reporting of Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rates Affect Clinician Behavior?

Background/Aims The National Kidney Disease Education Project and other groups have recommended automated calculation and reporting of estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rates among all patients who have a serum creatinine measured. Few studies have assessed whether clinical practice patterns have changed in response to this new initiative. We conducted a time series analysis assessing the rate of nephrology referrals, visits and follow up laboratory testing before and after automated reporting was implemented.
An accelerated method for establishing the long term performance of polyethylene gas pipe materials

It was demonstrated in a previous investigation that both horizontal and vertical shifting is required to produce master curves for the relaxation moduli from elevated temperature data for polyethylene gas pipe materials. In this study, the shift functions obtained from these stress relaxation tests are applied to an assortment of elevated temperature time-dependent failure data for a variety of medium and high density polyethylenes. In all cases the data are successfully shifted to produce coherent master curves within the intrinsic scatter of the original data sets. The implication is that these horizontal and vertical shift functions are, for all practical purposes, universal for polyethylene gas pipe materials. This finding provides the basis for interpreting elevated temperature test data for polyethylene pipe materials so that a substantial savings in cost and time may be achieved in assessing the performance, structural integrity, and life expectancy of piping systems made from these materials.
Mechanism of cerebral blood flow augmentation by hemodilution in rabbits.

Hemodilution is known to increase cerebral blood flow, but it is not known whether the increase in flow is a direct result of a decrease in viscosity or whether it may be due to compensatory vasodilatation in response to the decrease in oxygen carrying capacity that results from hemodilution. This study is designed to investigate this question.Changes in regional cerebral blood flow were studied in normal and ischemic brains of 15 and 18 rabbits, respectively. In one group of rabbits graded hemodilution was used to reduce arterial oxygen content progressively in stages; in the second group the arterial oxygen content was reduced in similar stages by progressively larger reductions in the concentration of inspired oxygen (hypoxic hypoxia). In the ischemic animals focal ischemia was produced by embolic occlusion of the right middle cerebral artery.In the normal rabbits, hypoxic hypoxia and hemodilution resulted in similar progressive increases in cerebral blood flow as arterial oxygen content fell. In the i...
Gastric outlet obstruction secondary to a large trichobezoar

A bezoar is an accumulation of indigestible exogenous matter in the stomach or intestine. Many different types of bezoars have been described, including phytobezoars, pharmacobezoars, and trichobezoars. A gastric trichobezoar consists of an accumulation of hair-usually the patient’s own-in the stomach. They can become very large, often with a btailQ extending into the patient’s duodenum (Rapunzel syndrome) which can cause small bowel obstruction, jaundice or even acute pancreatitis. Gastric trichobezoars are an unusual cause of outlet obstruction in the pediatric emergency department.
Structural analysis of solid ankle-foot orthoses

The results of a structural analysis of an ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) using beam theory with results from a three-dimensional finite-element analysis are compared. Analytical results are then compared to data obtained from a controlled load test of an AFO. Conclusions drawn indicate that while beam theory accurately predicts overall reflections, the finite-element analysis correctly locates compression zones where local buckling may govern the type of failure mode. >
Getting off the treadmill: evaluating walking user interfaces for mobile devices in public spaces

Using a mobile device while moving limits attention and motor ability and can result in reduced performance. Mobile devices that can sense and adapt to contextual factors such as movement may reduce this performance deficit. We performed two studies evaluating the feasibility of walking user interfaces (WUIs) that adapt their layout when the user is moving. In a pilot study with 6 users, we evaluated the effects of different button sizes on performance when walking while using a portable music player. Results showed significant interactions between size and movement. In the second study, 29 users evaluated the performance of a WUI that dynamically changed button sizes as the user moved. Results show that our dynamic user interface performs at the level of its component static interfaces without any additional penalty due to adaptation. This work adds to our design knowledge about walking user interfaces and provides lessons learned in evaluating mobile devices while walking in public spaces.
Antipyretic and toxicity studies with acetanilid and o-, m-, and p-chloroacetanilid.

The LD 50 of o-, m- , and p -chloroacetanilid and of acetanilid was determined in mice and rats. The decreasing order of relative toxicity was the same in both species: p -chloroacetanilid, m -chloroacetanilid, acetanilid, and o -chloroacetanilid. The antipyretic activity of the chloroisomers in the rat decreases in the same sequence as their toxicity.
Structure of a lead urate complex and its effect on the nucleation of monosodium urate monohydrate

Lead diurate monohydrate (PbU22·H22O), the crystal structure of which is reported herein, induces the nucleation of monosodium urate from otherwise stable uric acid solutions.
Aberrant myofibril assembly in tropomodulin1 null mice leads to aborted heart development and embryonic lethality

Tropomodulin1 (Tmod1) caps thin filament pointed ends in striated muscle, where it controls filament lengths by regulating actin dynamics. Here, we investigated myofibril assembly and heart development in a Tmod1 knockout mouse. In the absence of Tmod1, embryonic development appeared normal up to embryonic day (E) 8.5. By E9.5, heart defects were evident, including aborted development of the myocardium and inability to pump, leading to embryonic lethality by E10.5. Confocal microscopy of hearts of E8–8.5 Tmod1 null embryos revealed structures resembling nascent myofibrils with continuous F-actin staining and periodic dots of α-actinin, indicating that I-Z-I complexes assembled in the absence of Tmod1. Myomesin, a thick filament component, was also assembled normally along these structures, indicating that thick filament assembly is independent of Tmod1. However, myofibrils did not become striated, and gaps in F-actin staining (H zones) were never observed. We conclude that Tmod1 is required for regulation of actin filament lengths and myofibril maturation; this is critical for heart morphogenesis during embryonic development.
Supported catalysts for stereospecific polymerization of propylene

Tetrabenzyltitanium (B4Ti), tribenzyltitanium chloride (B3TiCl), tetra(p-methylbenzyl)titanium (R4Ti) and tri(p-methylbenzyl)titanium chloride (R3TiCl) have been used as catalysts for ethylene and propylene polymerization activated by AlEt2Cl. B4Ti-AIEt2Cl in solution polymerizes ethylene readily but its activity decays rapidly. B4Ti was also supported on Cab-O-Sil, Alon C, and Mg(OH)Cl. The last support was found to give catalyst with longest lifetime with a rate of polymerization, Rp = 7.0 g/hr-mmole Ti-atm ethylene. 14CO counting techniques gave 1.13 × 10−3 mole of propagating center per mole of B4Ti; the rate constant of propagation, kp = 540 l./mole-sec. None of the tetravalent titanium compounds polymerize propylene in solution. However, when supported on Mg(OH)Cl, Cab-O-Sil, Alon C, Cab-O-Ti, and charcoal, they all polymerize propylene. In this work the supports were characterized by various techniques, including the paramagnetic probe method, to determine the concentration and nature of surface hydroxyls. Those factors controlling the rate and stereospecificity of propylene polymerization were investigated. The system B3TiCl–Mg(OH)Cl–AlEt2Cl is the most active with Rp = 2.89 g/hr-mmole Ti-atm propylene. The concentration of propagation center is 0.9 × 10−3 mole per mole of B3TiCl; kp = 32 l./mole-sec. This catalyst gave only about 70% stereoregular polymer. Diethyl ether is found to raise stereospecificity to 100%, but there is a concommittent tenfold decrease of activity. Other interesting catalyst systems are: (π-C5H5)TiMe3–Mg(OH)Cl–AlEt2Cl (1.56, 89.5); (π-C5H5)TiMe2–Mg(OH)Cl–AlEt2Cl (0.075, 94.5); and (π-C5H5)TiMe3–Alon C–Al-Et2Cl (0.08,97.2), where the first number in the parenthesis is Rp in g/mmole Ti-hr-atm and the second entry corresponds to percentage yield of stereoregular polypropylene. Hafnocene and titanocene supported on Mg(OH)Cl produce only oligomers of propylene.
[3H]LY303870, a Novel Nonpeptide Radioligand for the NK‐1 Receptor

We synthesized a potent and selective antagonist radioligand for the neurokinin (NK)-1 receptor and characterized its binding to guinea pig striatal membranes. (R)-N-[2-[Acetyl[ 3 H 3 ][(2-methoxyphenyl)-methyl]amino]-1-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)ethyl][1,4' -bipiperidine]-1'-acetamide ([ 3 H]LY303870) binds to a single class of sites with an equilibrium K D of 0.22 nM and a B max of 723 fmol/mg of protein. Unlabeled LY303870 potently inhibited the binding with an IC 50 of 0.56 nM, whereas the less active (S)-enantiomer (LY306155) was substantially less potent. The nonpeptide NK-1 antagonists (±)-CP96,345 and (±)-RP 67580 had IC 50 values of 0.74 and 49 nM, respectively. Substance P (SP) was also a potent inhibitor with with an IC 50 of 3.1 nM. The inhibition by SP could be separated into two components : a high-affinity component with a K i of 0.53 nM and a lower-affinity component with a K i of 155 nM. Addition of 100 μM guanylyl 5'-imidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH) p] in the incubation increased the relative amount of the low-affinity agonist state of the receptor. Consistent with the antagonist properties of LY303870, the dissociation rate of [ 3 H]-LY303870 was not changed by the presence of 100 μM Gpp(NH)p. The distribution of [ 3 H]LY303870 binding sites in the guinea pig brain closely matched the distribution of NK-1 receptors labeled by [ 3 H]SP. Therefore, [ 3 H]LY303870 is a potent and selective antagonist radioligand for NK-1 receptors in guinea pig brain. In addition, regulation of NK-1 agonist affinity by guanine nucleotides is similar to that seen for monoaminergic receptors.
A Prospective Study of Permanent Hair Dye Use and Hematopoietic Cancer

Background Use of permanent hair dye has been suggested as a risk factor for several types of cancer, although epidemiologic data have not generally supported this hypothesis. Retrospective studies have reported a possible association between hair dyes and hematopoietic cancers. Purpose Our purpose was to investigate if permanent hair dye was associated with risks of incident lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma in the Nurses' Health Study, a prospective cohort study of 99,067 women aged 30-55 years in 1976. Methods Questionnaires regarding medical history and other health-related variables were sent to Nurses' Health Study participants every 2 years from 1976 to 1990. The follow-up for mortality in this cohort exceeds 98%. We identified 244 newly diagnosed cases of hematopoietic cancers, confirmed by pathology reports. Permanent hair dye use was ascertained over four cycles of questionnaires from 1976-1982; status of hair dye use established in 1982 was then used for the remainder of the follow-up time (through 1990). Age-specific incidence rates were calculated and used to compute relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results We found no evidence of a positive association between ever use of permanent hair dye and all hematopoietic cancers (age-adjusted RR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.7-1.2) or specific types (Hodgkin's lymphoma [RR = 0.9; 95% CI = 0.4-2.1], non-Hodgkin's lymphoma [RR = 1.1; 95% CI = 0.8-1.6], multiple myeloma [RR = 0.4; 95% CI = 0.2-0.9], chronic lymphocytic leukemia [RR = 0.6; 95% CI = 0.3-1.5], and other leukemias [RR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.3-1.9]). Further examination of age at first use, duration, frequency, and time since first use and risk of all hematopoietic cancers or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (the largest diagnostic group), indicated no material associations. Conclusion In this prospective cohort study, permanent hair dye use is not adversely related to risks of hematopoietic cancers.
Increased Sensitivity to Perceptual Interference in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Difficulty with selective attention is a frequent complaint of adult patients with ADHD, but selective attention tasks have not provided robust evidence of attentional dysfunction in this group. Two experiments examine this puzzle by distinguishing between failures of spatial selection and problems due to sensitivity to perceptual interference. In Experiment 1, we measured the level of perceptual interference generated by targets in crowded displays with nearby distractors by comparing luminance thresholds in both distractor-present (noise) and distractor-absent (clean) displays. ADHD and control participants had comparable thresholds for clean displays, but ADHD individuals had elevated thresholds to crowded displays. These effects could be explained in two distinct ways. Deficits may have arisen from amplified visual interference in the noise condition, or from abnormalities in top-down attentional processes that reduce visual interference. Experiment 2 adjusted for individual perceptual differences with clean and noise displays, before measuring visual interference resolution at attended versus unattended locations. ADHD and control groups had comparable interference resolution at attended locations. These results suggest that perceptual interference rather than spatial attention deficits may account for some deficits in ADHD. This putative deficit in sensory function highlights a potential early-stage perceptual processing deficit in ADHD distinct from selective attention.
Hydrodynamic and magnetohydrodynamic modeling of exploding wires in opening switch type operation

Exploding wires (EWs) are subjected to high current densities of the order of 107 A/cm2 inducing metal vaporization and plasma formation on a microsecond timescale. Single strand EWs, silver and copper, are tested in gaseous media from atmospheric pressure to 790 kPa. To theoretically predict EW behavior, one-dimensional, radially directed cylindrical, Lagrangian coordinate hydrodynamic (HD) and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models are applied. Such models require accurate material equation-of-state (EOS) and electrical conductivity data throughout the temperature density range experimentally achieved (ρ = 0.1-10 gm/cm3 and T = 300-20,000 K). In this study, the Lee-More-Desjarlais (LMD) conductivity, and its quantum molecular dynamic modification (QLMD) are used. The Los Alamos National Laboratory SESAME database is employed as EOS parameter input. When utilized as an opening switch the metal plasma is exposed to higher electric fields, atypical to traditional exploding wire experiments. Recent studies have shown that the behavior of the strongly coupled plasma in such conditions is reasonably well modeled assuming a semi-empirical electron impact ionization process. The HD and MHD based models are benchmarked against experimental data to confirm their accuracy for predicting the behavior of EWs in an opening switch type operation.
Current-voltage characteristics of molecular conductors: two versus three terminal

Addresses the question of whether a "rigid molecule" (one which does not deform in an external field) used as the conducting channel in a standard three-terminal MOSFET configuration can offer any performance advantage relative to a standard silicon MOSFET. A self-consistent solution of coupled quantum transport and Poisson's equations shows that even for extremely small channel lengths (about 1 nm), a "well-tempered" molecular FET demands much the same electrostatic considerations as a "well-tempered" conventional MOSFET. In other words, we show that just as in a conventional MOSFET, the gate oxide thickness needs to be much smaller than the channel length (length of the molecule) for the gate control to be effective. Furthermore, we show that a rigid molecule with metallic source and drain contacts has a temperature independent subthreshold slope much larger than 60 mV/decade, because the metal-induced gap states in the channel prevent it from turning off abruptly. However, this disadvantage can be overcome by using semiconductor contacts because of their band-limited nature.
Unusual Eustachian Valve Function

The eustachian valve directs oxygen-rich blood from the inferior vena cava toward the foramen ovale and away from the tricuspid valve during fetal development. Ordinarily, it does not prevent reflux of right atrial blood back into the inferior vena cava because it does not function as a true valve. Here we describe an unusual adult patient with severe tricuspid valve regurgitation in whom the eustachian valve did function as a true, albeit regurgitant, valve.
Work in progress: How do we teach and measure systems thinking?

Since the 1990psilas blue-ribbon commissions on engineering education have called for educators to graduate engineers who are capable of systems thinking. However, there is sparse information on how to cultivate this type of cognitive development. How do we develop and measure systems thinking? In this paper, we present the first of a series of methods that we are piloting to initiate the systems thinking process. This exercise, developed by Checkland and Scholes and called ldquorich pictures,rdquo requires the participant to express a reality in terms of images and connections between these images. We utilized the rich pictures exercise in combination with an appreciative inquiry strategy in pursuit of an initial research hypothesis regarding the impact of project-based learning on female students. We only partially answered our initial question, but the exercise unexpected yielded enthusiastic participation by the students and a rich set of data regarding unanticipated factors that influenced studentspsila learning. The value of the activity is that it initiates the process of thinking nonlinearly, an important first step in studentspsila cognitive development for systems thinking.
Two distinct mechanisms of coherence in randomly perturbed dynamical systems.

We carefully examine two mechanisms—coherence resonance and self-induced stochastic resonance—by which small random perturbations of excitable systems with large time scale separation may lead to the emergence of new coherent behaviors in the form of limit cycles. We analyze what controls the degree of coherence in these two mechanisms and classify their very different properties. In particular we show that coherence resonance arises only at the onset of bifurcation and is rather insensitive against variations in the noise amplitude and the time scale separation ratio. In contrast, self-induced stochastic resonance may arise away from bifurcations and the properties of the limit cycle it induces are controlled by both the noise amplitude and the time scale separation ratio.
Broadband permeability characterization of thin and small magnetic composites with patterned anisotropy

Studies have shown that the effective permeability of a patterned magnetic composite can be tuned by insulating magnetic materials with dielectric layers in a periodic manner [1]. With proper selection of materials and patterning, the composite maintains high permeability and low magnetic-loss up to several GHz. Such magnetic behavior is promising improves performance of microwave components such as inductors, filters, and antennas.
Exact damped sinusoidal electric field of nonlinear one-dimensional Vlasov-Maxwell equations

Solution exacte pour un champ electrique sinusoidal amorti qui obeit aux equations de Vlasov-Maxwell uni-dimensionnelles. Le champ electrique est une generalisation du modele de champ electrique de O'Neil pour l'amortissement de Landau des oscillations du plasma
Nursing home reform and the governance of medicine: lessons from Maryland.

Maryland has become the first state to include proscriptive physician requirements within state nursing home regulations. Heretofore, physicians in Maryland were governed under the authority of the Maryland Board of Physician Quality Assurance (BPQA), the body within the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) with the responsibility and authority to license and discipline physicians. The new regulations give another branch of DHMH, the Office of Health Care Quality (OHCQ, formerly called Licensing and Certification), which surveys nursing homes, the authority to give nursing facilities deficiency citations for physician failure to comply with the 54 items outlined in the new regulations. The purpose of this article is to provide background as to why the OHCQ states these new regulations are necessary and to discuss the implications of these new regulations on the governance of medicine in Maryland.
Factors Affecting the Evolution of Hurricane Erin (2001) and the Distributions of Hydrometeors: Role of Microphysical Processes

Fine-resolution simulations of Hurricane Erin are conducted using the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5) to investigate roles of thermodynamic, boundary layer, and microphysical processes on Erin’s structure and evolution. Choice of boundary layer scheme has the biggest impact on simulations, with the minimum surface pressure (Pmin) averaged over the last 18 h (when Erin is relatively mature) varying by over 20 hPa. Over the same period, coefficients used to describe graupel fall speeds (Vg) affect Pmin by up to 7 hPa, almost equivalent to the maximum 9-hPa difference between microphysical parameterization schemes; faster Vg and schemes with more hydrometeor categories generally give lower Pmin. Compared to radar reflectivity factor (Z ) observed by the NOAA P-3 lower fuselage radar and the NASA ER-2 Doppler radar (EDOP) in Erin, all simulations overpredict the normalized frequency of occurrence of Z larger than 40 dBZ and underpredict that between 20 and 40 dBZ near the surface; simulations overpredict Z larger than 25 to 30 dBZ and underpredict that between 15 and 25 or 30 dBZ near the melting layer, the upper limit depending on altitude. Brightness temperatures (Tb) computed from modeled fields at 37.1- and 85.5-GHz channels that respond to scattering by graupel-size ice show enhanced scattering, mainly due to graupel, compared to observations. Simulated graupel mixing ratios are about 10 times larger than values observed in other hurricanes. For the control run at 6.5 km averaged over the last 18 simulated hours, Doppler velocities computed from modeled fields (Vdop) greater than 5 m s 1 make up 12% of Erin’s simulated area for the base simulation but less than 2% of the observed area. In the eyewall, 5% of model updrafts above 9 km are stronger than 10 m s 1 , whereas statistics from other hurricanes show that 5% of updrafts are stronger than only 5 m s 1 . Variations in distributions of Z, vertical motion, and graupel mixing ratios between schemes are not sufficient to explain systematic offsets between observations and models. A new iterative condensation scheme, used with the Reisner mixedphase microphysics scheme, limits unphysical increases of equivalent potential temperature associated with many condensation schemes and reduces the frequency of Z larger than 50 dBZ, but has minimal effect on Z below 50 dB Z, which represent 95% of the modeled hurricane rain area. However, the new scheme changes the Erin simulations in that 95% of the updrafts are weaker than 5 m s 1 and Pmin is up to 12 hPa higher over the last 18 simulated hours.
Exact symbol error probability of a Cooperative network in a Rayleigh-fading environment

In a distributed spatial diversity wireless system, not all antennas are located at one station as in classical transmit diversity systems, but are dispersed at different, possibly mobile, stations in the network. Transmit diversity is created when the selected stations assist a sender by relaying its information signal to the destination. In this letter, we present an exact average symbol error rate analysis for the distributed spatial diversity wireless system with K amplifying relays in a Rayleigh-fading environment. The average symbol error rate formula allows us to clearly illustrate the advantage that the distributed diversity system has in overcoming the severe penalty in signal-to-noise ratio caused by Rayleigh fading. Using simple bounds on the probability of error, we show that the cooperative network presented in this letter achieves full diversity order.
Near infrared photonic devices based on Er-doped GaN and InGaN

Abstract Er-doped III-nitride semiconductors have emerged as very attractive materials to achieve photonic devices with multiple functionalities for photonic integrated circuits (PICs). Optical sources and amplifiers based on these materials, particularly GaN and InGaN alloys, can operate at 1.54 μm and are expected to be temperature insensitive and have high signal gain with low noise. There is also the potential for these devices to be electrically pumped and to be integrated onto PICs, which is not possible with either Er-doped silica glasses or narrow bandgap semiconductors like InGaAsP. Here we present results on near infrared emitters and optical amplifiers based on Er-doped GaN/InGaN epilayers grown on different substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). In particular, we report on chip-size current injected emitters and amplifiers fabricated by heterogeneously integrating Er-doped GaN/InGaN epilayers with UV nitride light-emitting diodes. The feasibility of developing electrically pumped optical amplifiers for PIC integration will also be discussed.
A biologically active VEGF construct in vitro: implications for bioengineering-improved prosthetic vascular grafts.

Prosthetic arterial grafts are unable to develop an intact endothelial lining after implantation, predisposing them to fail. Strategies have been sought to enhance endothelialization using growth factors and cytokines. This study assessed the biologic activity of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) covalently linked to bovine serum albumin (BSA). Native and modified VEGF were assayed for endothelial cell migration and proliferation. Migration assays were performed comparing the effects of 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 50 ng/mL, 100 ng/mL, and 200 ng/mL of native VEGF and VEGF–BSA. Proliferation assays were performed by using Alamar Blue comparing cellular growth in 1% FBS, 10% FBS, 100 ng/mL unbound VEGF, and 100 ng/mL VEGF–BSA. VEGF is a potent chemotactic agent for endothelial cells in both unbound and bound states. Native VEGF solutions (50 ng/mL, 100 ng/mL, and 200 ng/mL) stimulated 23.9 cells/high power field (HPF), 35.3 cells/HPF, and 49.1 cells/HPF (p < 0.005). VEGF–BSA solutions stimulated 25.9 cells/HPF, 39.1 cells/HPF, and 69.0 cells/HPF (p < 0.001). VEGF–BSA and native VEGF supported similar increased cellular proliferation compared with 1% FBS media (p < 0.002). Modified VEGF retains its chemotactic and proliferative properties in vitro. These findings suggest that bare prosthetic surfaces lined with VEGF bound to a “basecoat” albumin may support endothelial cell proliferation and migration and thereby offer new strategies to improve graft patency. © 2001 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 59: 160–165, 2002
Considerations in the design of a multiple computer system with extended core storage

35Yo. Of course, such figures are extremely dependent on the job mix, and can change radically within a few minutes. This paper discusses the recent innovation of the use of large quantities of addressable (but not executable) fast random access memory in order to heighten the multiprogramming performance of a multicomputer system. The general design of the hardware arrangement and the software components and functions of such a system are based on Brookhaven's future configuration of dual CDC 6600's sharing one million words of Extended Core Storage. In the generalization of such a design, special emphasis is placed on estimating expected gains compared to the traditional configuration of separate and independent computers without ECS. An observation is made on the use of conventional slower speed random access storage devices in place of the faster memory.
Sexual Size Dimorphisms and Bite Force in the Northern Alligator Lizard, Elgaria coerulea

Abstract Bite force capacity is a directly related performance correlate of head shape and is an integrative measure of performance in capturing and handling prey, fighting, and mating, especially for males. We investigated head shape and bite force dimorphisms in a small semifossorial lizard (Elgaria coerulea) that exhibits females-larger sexual size dimorphism (FL-SSD) in some populations but not in others. Specifically, we explored how body size, head shape, and bite force compare between the sexes relative to any dimorphisms in body or head size in a coastal population of E. coerulea. Female larger-SSD was confirmed for this population, but it contrasted with males-larger sexual dimorphism in head size (ML-SDHS). Males also had greater bite force than females of similar size. The secretive habit of E. coerulea hampers observations of behavioral interactions among conspecifics. However, it is expected that lizards with FL-SSD will have ML-SDHS if males with greater bite force win fights with other male...
Foreword to the Research Front on ‘Nano 2014’

This Research Front is dedicated to cutting-edge research on nanoparticles (NPs) and is based on research presented at the 9th International Conference on Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles andNanomaterials (ICEENN) held in Columbia, South Carolina, USA, in September 2014. The conference was attended by nearly 150 people from 17 countries, with a series of excellent invited and other oral presentations and poster presentations. In addition to a high-level academic conference, a panel discussion was organised considering the future environmental and health implications of ‘next generation’ nanoparticles, with a focus on nanohybrids. Nanohybrids are a key development in nanotechnology, which have also been discussed within the pages of this journal. Finally, a highly successful training course and a public day, attended by over 100 people from the public and local schools were organised. The papers presented here originated from the conference but went through the usual stringent peer-review process and represent some of the best work on environmental nanoscience and the ecotoxicology of nanoparticles available. The Research Front starts with Cross et al. who give a detailed review of the fate, behaviour and impacts of inorganic nanoparticles in sediments, concludingwith a discussion of the current state of the art and a priority list for much needed future research. The issue continues with methodological development and data for metal NP concentrations in earthworms, allowing bioaccumulation to be quantified. Khan et al. further present a study of the critical effects on aggregation of carbon nanotube (CNT) chirality, an important physical property of CNTs. The paper illustrates the significance of NP physico-chemistry on environmental fate and toxicology. This collection concludes with two papers considering and quantifying bioaccumulation and bioavailability. Kalman et al. investigated biouptake rates of Ag NPs with different coatings through aqueous and dietary exposures, showing food was the primary pathway for uptake in Daphnia magna. Goodhead et al. investigated the bioavailability of ceria NPs in fish, showing that experimental conditions played a significant role in biouptake, with natural organic macromolecules enhancing uptake to gill tissue in particular. I thank the authors for their excellent contributions to the Research Front. I also thank the members of the ICEENN series organising committee (Greg Goss, Richard Handy, Frank von der Kammer, Steve Klaine, Jamie Lead, Richard Owen and Eva Valsami-Jones) and the local organising committee (Mohammed Baalousha, Alan Decho, Lee Ferguson, Ann Johnson, Srikanth Nadadur, Omowunmi Sadik and Tara Sabo-Attwood). Thanks are also due to the members of the Center for Environmental Nanoscience and Risk for on-site organisation.
The Child Question

This essay contributes both to children’s rights research and the growing critique of the equal protection doctrine by illustrating the limitations of the equality metric for those who do not measure up to the ideal subject. Part of a series of articles that analyzes children’s status, authority, and freedoms from the child’s standpoint, this paper illustrates the limitations of liberalism’s negative rights, which provide little direct value to those who are unable to exercise such rights. The Child Question posits an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that affords children equal protection as compared to adults. The Amendment would cast as suspect government regulation that infringes on children’s liberty, such as subordination to adults, including adult family members; the forced and unremunerated labor of attending school; multiple limitations on market transactions, including labor, wages, and purchasing; disenfranchisement in the political realm; and limited moral authority. This exercise illustrates that equality is all but impossible for most children throughout most of their childhood, not because young people are incomplete and vulnerable, but because law and society construct the category of childhood as both different from and unequal to adults. Thus even heightened scrutiny of the burdens and privileges of our present regulation of childhood may lead to more liberty for children and less protection, but such scrutiny also demonstrates the weaknesses of the equality metric for children (and for others who cannot exercise full autonomy), because the equality’s comparator is the able-bodied, able-minded, adult male. Like other subordinate legal categories then, children may experience equality as compared to the liberal subject only so far as they can perform equally.
Design and Optimization of the Restrictor of a Race Car

Formula SAE is a student competition organized by SAE International. The team of students design, manufacture and race a car. Restrictions are imposed by the Formula SAE rules committee to restrict the air flow into the intake manifold by putting a single restrictor of 20 mm. This rule limits the maximum engine power by reducing the mass flow rate flowing to the engine. The pull is greater at higher rpms and the pressure created inside the cylinder is low. As the diameter of the flow path is reduced, the cross sectional area for flow reduces. For cars running at low rpm when the engine requires less air, the reduction in area is compensated by accelerated flow of air through the restrictor. Since this is for racing purpose cars here are designed to run at very high rpms where the flow at the throat section reach sonic velocities. Due to these restrictions the teams are challenged to come up with improved restrictor designs that allow maximum pressure drop across the restrictor’s inlet and outlet. The design considered for optimizing a flow restrictor is a venturi type having 20 mm restriction between the inlet and the outlet complying with the rules set by Formula SAE committee.The primary objective of this work is to optimize the flow restriction device that achieves maximum mass flow and minimum pull from the engine. This implies the pressure difference created due to the cylinder pressure and the atmospheric pressure at the inlet should be minimum. An optimum flow restrictor is designed by conducting analysis on various converging and diverging angles and coming up with an optimum value.Venturi type is a tubular pipe with varying diameter along its length, through which the fluid flows. Law of governing fluid dynamics states that the “Velocity of the fluid increases as it passes through the constriction to satisfy the principle of continuity”. An equation can be derived from the combination of Bernoulli’s equation and Continuity equation for the pressure drop due to venturi effect. [1].A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tool is used to calculate the minimum pressure drop across the restrictor by running a series of analysis on various converging and diverging angles and calculating the pressure drop. As a result, an optimum air flow restrictor is achieved that maximizes the mass flow rate and minimizes the engine pull.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Aberrancy: Geometry of the Third Derivative

The third derivative is represented geometrically in terms of the quantity called aberrancy, which measures the asymmetry of a curve about its normal.
Microclimates of Small Arthropods: Estimating Humidity within the Leaf Boundary Layer

The humidity of the microhabitat of leaf-inhabiting arthropods can vary greatly with respect to atmospheric humidity. Any models or assumptions made about the impact of atmospheric humidity on these arthropods need to take into account the humidity within the leaf boundary layer. We present a model which estimates the humidity within the leaf boundary layer, as long as the leaf temperature, ambient temperature, and ambient humidity are known.
Case 22-2009: A 59-year-old man with skin and pulmonary lesions after bone marrow transplantation

A 59-year-old man was admitted to this hospital for induction chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia. On the seventh hospital day, neutropenia, fever, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain developed. Despite the administration of broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, tender, erythematous skin lesions developed on the trunk, abdomen, and arms and legs, and bilateral pulmonary nodules were seen on computed tomographic scans of the chest. A diagnostic procedure was performed.
Magnetic reconnection between colliding magnetized laser-produced plasma plumes

Observations of magnetic reconnection between colliding plumes of magnetized laser-produced plasma are presented. Two counterpropagating plasma flows are created by irradiating oppositely placed plastic (CH) targets with 1.8-kJ, 2-ns laser beams on the Omega EP Laser System. The interaction region between the plumes is prefilled with a low-density background plasma and magnetized by an externally applied magnetic field, imposed perpendicular to the plasma flow, and initialized with an X-type null point geometry with B=0 at the midplane and B=8 T at the targets. The counterflowing plumes sweep up and compress the background plasma and the magnetic field into a pair of magnetized ribbons, which collide, stagnate, and reconnect at the midplane, allowing the first detailed observations of a stretched current sheet in laser-driven reconnection experiments. The dynamics of current sheet formation are in good agreement with first-principles particle-in-cell simulations that model the experiments.
B protein of factor XIII: differentiation between free B and complexed B

Plasma factor XIII is a complex of A and B proteins noncovalently linked in a tetramer, A2B2, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were developed to measure the separate factor XIII proteins and the complex. All of the A protein in plasma is in the zymogen complex. The B assay measures the total amount of B protein in plasma (both free B and complexed B). This was confirmed by nondenaturing gel electrophoresis and immunoblotting, which showed two bands for B in plasma with this antibody. Two assays were developed to measure A2B2 complex specifically. One assay used a monoclonal antibody to B to bind antigen and measured B protein in the zymogen complex only and hence the concentration of the complex. The specificity of this antibody was also shown by immunoblotting. In the second assay, the capture antibody was to B and the tag antibody was to A. These two assays gave identical results for the concentration of A2B2 (0.07 mumol/L, 21.6 micrograms/mL in normal plasma). Thus, for the first time, differentiation and quantitation of free B and complexed B in plasma was possible. The assays were used to measure factor XIII proteins in plasma from normal controls, homozygous-deficient factor XIII patients, and their heterozygous relatives. The normal concentration of A in plasma is 0.13 to 0.16 mumol/L (approximately 11 micrograms/mL), all of which is in A2B2. The total B concentration is 0.26 to 0.28 mumol/L (approximately 21 micrograms/mL), half of which is complexed. The free B concentration is 0.13 mumol/L (approximately 10 micrograms/mL). Homozygous-deficient patients have essentially no A protein, but their free B concentration is 0.11 mumol/L. Heterozygotes have decreased A2B2, but their free B is 0.11 mumol/L. These results indicate that the concentration of free B is remarkably constant and does not depend on the concentration of A2 or A2B2.
“Texting in their pockets”: Millennials and rule violations in the hospitality industry

Abstract This article takes a communication perspective to examine rule violations among Millennial employees. Rule violations are treated as a focal concern because they provide insight into how organizations socialize Millennials into their culture and how Millennials make inroads toward transforming the organization. Twenty-five managers in the hospitality industry were interviewed to learn about their perceptions of Millennial employees. Three categories of organizational rules are examined: policies regarding cell phone use, policies regarding requesting time off, and civility. These themes are explored with respect to how normative and code rules coalesce in order promote assimilation and change. The findings also point to the implications that new generational cohorts have for collective assimilation and change for the organizational culture and the concomitant implications for managers.
Abstract 1902: Downregulation of MYC by miR-3189-3p in glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is a devastating malignancy with a median survival of approximately 15 months. This aggressive tumor originates from the glial cells and accounts for nearly 50% of adult brain tumors. Glioblastomas are characterized by rapid proliferation and resistance to standard treatment of surgery, temazolamide and radiation therapy. MicroRNAs are short single-stranded non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression in both normal and pathological conditions. We have previously found downregulation of miR-3189-3p in glioblastomas and astrocytomas. Using in vitro models, we demonstrated that ectopic expression of this miRNA inhibited glioblastoma cell growth and migration through downregulation of the splicing factor SF3B2 and the guanine nucleotide exchange factor p63RhoGEF, respectively. The miR-3189-3p-mediated inhibition of glioblastoma growth in vivo further confirmed the anti-cancer activity of this microRNA. Given the strong biological effect of this miRNA on glioblastoma cells, we sought to investigate the implication of other gene targets in miR-3189-3p-mediated effects. The elevated expression of MYC oncogene is found in a variety of cancer types, including glioblastoma. Here, we demonstrated that overexpression of miR-3189-3p results in downregulation of MYC. Since this gene is not a predicted target for miR-3189-3p, we hypothesized that this modulation of MYC expression is mediated through the translational repressor, TIA1 cytotoxic granule-associated RNA binding protein-like 1 (TIAL1, also called TIAR). We tested the levels of TIAR in cells treated with miR-3189-3p and found no changes in TIAR expression. However, the downregulation of MYC was dependent on TIAR expression, as determined through siRNA-mediated downregulation of TIAR. Further studies are needed to elucidate molecular mechanisms of TIAR-dependent downregulation of MYC by miR-3189-3p. In addition, a putative binding site for miR-3189-3p is located within the open reading frame of MYC; therefore, studies will be performed to determine whether miR-3189-3p downregulates MYC by directly binding outside the 3’-UTR of this transcript. Citation Format: Duane Jeansonne, Krzysztof Reiss, Francesca Peruzzi. Downregulation of MYC by miR-3189-3p in glioblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1902.
How Oliceridine (TRV-130) Binds and Stabilizes a μ-Opioid Receptor Conformational State That Selectively Triggers G Protein Signaling Pathways

Substantial attention has recently been devoted to G protein-biased agonism of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR) as an ideal new mechanism for the design of analgesics devoid of serious side effects. However, designing opioids with appropriate efficacy and bias is challenging because it requires an understanding of the ligand binding process and of the allosteric modulation of the receptor. Here, we investigated these phenomena for TRV-130, a G protein-biased MOR small-molecule agonist that has been shown to exert analgesia with less respiratory depression and constipation than morphine and that is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials for acute pain management. Specifically, we carried out multimicrosecond, all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the binding of this ligand to the activated MOR crystal structure. Analysis of >50 μs of these MD simulations provides insights into the energetically preferred binding pathway of TRV-130 and its stable pose at the orthosteric binding site of MOR....