cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
M 3 IC: maximum margin multiple instance clustering

Clustering, classification, and regression, are three major research topics in machine learning. So far, much work has been conducted in solving multiple instance classification and multiple instance regression problems, where supervised training patterns are given as bags and each bag consists of some instances. But the research on unsupervised multiple instance clustering is still limited. This paper formulates a novel Maximum Margin Multiple Instance Clustering (M3IC) problem for the multiple instance clustering task. To avoid solving a nonconvex optimization problem directly, M3IC is further relaxed, which enables an efficient optimization solution with a combination of Constrained Concave-Convex Procedure (CCCP) and the Cutting Plane method. Furthermore, this paper analyzes some important properties of the proposed method and the relationship between the proposed method and some other related ones. An extensive set of empirical results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed method against existing research for both effectiveness and efficiency.
A Review of “Networks and States: The Global Politics of Internet Governance”

The figure of the decentralized, distributed network has become the paradigmatic structural symbol of the present moment; as the prevalence of networked economics, political activism, art, and soci...
Communicating Through Location: The Understood Meaning of the Foursquare Check-In

Location-based social networks LBSNs are mobile applications that allow people to share their physical location with friends through their mobile device. The sharing of location is a relatively new form of computer-mediated communication, and there is a lack of existing research examining the coordination practices of people using social location sharing services. This article reports on qualitative interviews with frequent users of the LBSN Foursquare to show both how LBSNs complicate views of the relative "placelessness" of traditional mobile communication and how the design of Foursquare complicates its utility as a mobile coordination tool.
Parametric plasmon-photon interactions: Part II. Analysis of plasmon propagator and correlation functions

Abstract The parametric coupling of external radiation to a pair of collective longitudinal modes in a two-component plasma is treated by examining the periodic Green's function for a nonlinear Poisson's equation. One is led to formally analagous equations for the plasmon propagator (physical Green's function for the longitudinal field in the irradiated plasma) and for the correlation functions for fluctuations in the longitudinal field. The plasmon propagator, which, in principle, yields the field produced by an arbitrary external charge distribution, is appropriately Fourier analyzed in its two variables. The poles determine the threshold for parametric amplification, the frequency shifts of the new (coupled) longitudinal modes, and the gain slightly above threshold. Lowest order effects of interparticle collisions are included. The radiation may be coupled to various longitudinal mode pairs. Two cases are considered: A high-low frequency pair consisting of an electron plasma mode and an ion-acoustic-like mode, and a high-high frequency pair consisting of two electron plasma modes. The threshold for the former effect is two orders of magnitude lower than for the latter. The effects of unequal electron and ion temperatures are examined. When the ions are colder than the electrons, significant lowering of the threshold results. Below threshold, the equations for the steady state correlation functions are solved, and fluctuation-dissipation, or Nyquist theorems, are derived for the nonequilibrium plasma. The steady state noise energy per plasma mode is calculated, and a large enhancement over equilibrium is found.
Eleventh annual Pezcoller Symposium: molecular horizons in cancer therapeutics.

Thegoal of this symposium was to discuss information useful toward the development of new approaches in cancer therapeutics. New strategies that were discussed included: the development of specific DNA ligands and their evaluation as regulators of transcription, the stimulation of Ras GTPase as a
Overview of methods for assessing the mouse auditory system.

The three general approaches for assessing the mouse auditory system presented in units Unavailable –Unavailable are complementary, but differ in the time required for testing as well as the goals of the tests: the auditory brainstem response (ABR; unit Unavailable ), distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE; unit Unavailable ), and lick suppression behavioral test (unit Unavailable ). Various issues that need to be addressed in the testing of mouse hearing are discussed in this overview, including accurate nomenclature of the strain and/or mutations, environmental versus genetic influences, selection of frequencies to be tested, and appropriate animal care and use. Keywords: ABR; DPOAE; psychophysics; inbred strains; audiogram; mouse
Impairment of aminopyrine clearance in aspirin-damaged canine gastric mucosa

Abstract Using an in vivo canine chambered stomach preparation, the clearance of [ 14 C]aminopyrine across mucosa when intravenously infused and the backdiffusion of this substance from gastric lumen to mucosa when topically applied to gastric epithelium were evaluated in aspirin-damaged gastric epithelium. In mucosa damaged by either 20 mM or 40 mM aspirin, the recovery of [ 14 C]aminopyrine, when topically mixed with acid (pH = 1.1) perfusate solution, was not significantly different from nondamaged control mucosa. In addition, the degree of "trapping" of this substance from back-diffusion was not different in damaged mucosa from that observed in nondamaged epithelium. In contrast, when [ 14 C]aminopyrine was intravenously infused, its clearance was significantly impaired in aspirindamaged mucosa when compared with control studies, as evidenced by the increased "trapping" of this substance in injured epithelium. These findings indicate that movement of aminopyrine from plasma to gastric lumen is impaired in damaged epithelium, making the aminopyrine clearance technique an unreliable method to accurately measure absolute gastric blood flow in this experimental setting.
Krawtchouk matrices from classical and quantum random walks

Krawtchouk's polynomials occur classically as orthogonal polynomials with respect to the binomial distribution. They may be also expressed in the form of matrices, that emerge as arrays of the values that the polynomials take. The algebraic properties of these matrices provide a very interesting and accessible example in the approach to probability theory known as quantum probability. First it is noted how the Krawtchouk matrices are connected to the classical symmetric Bernoulli random walk. And we show how to derive Krawtchouk matrices in the quantum probability context via tensor powers of the elementary Hadamard matrix. Then connections with the classical situation are shown by calculating expectation values in the quantum case.
The Abridgment and Relaxation Time for a Linear Multi-Scale Model Based on Multiple Site Phosphorylation.

Random effect in cellular systems is an important topic in systems biology and often simulated with Gillespie’s stochastic simulation algorithm (SSA). Abridgment refers to model reduction that approximates a group of reactions by a smaller group with fewer species and reactions. This paper presents a theoretical analysis, based on comparison of the first exit time, for the abridgment on a linear chain reaction model motivated by systems with multiple phosphorylation sites. The analysis shows that if the relaxation time of the fast subsystem is much smaller than the mean firing time of the slow reactions, the abridgment can be applied with little error. This analysis is further verified with numerical experiments for models of bistable switch and oscillations in which linear chain system plays a critical role.
An imaging data model for concrete bridge inspection

Bridge management systems were developed to address the data organization and decision making aspects of bridge inspection and maintenance. However, these systems still neglect the automation aspects of bridge monitoring and inspection. Automation may result in monetary savings and can optimize the inspection process. This paper discusses the data model that was developed to support automated imaging inspection of concrete bridges. The paper discusses the framework for an automated bridge inspection methodology and provides a detailed discussion of the data modeling efforts involved in the development of the imaging information model.
Double $beta$-decay nuclear matrix elements and lepton conservation

The nuclear matrix elements involved in the double $beta$-decay of $sup 48$Ca, $sup 130$Te, and $sup 128$Te were calculated using realistic nuclear interactions and shell model nuclear wave functions. The double doorway state is not appreciably mixed in the ground state of the final nuclei. So the ground state transitions contain a small fraction of the sum rule. A lepton nonconservation parameter eta<10$sup -4$ was deduced. (AIP)
Measurement and risk adjustment of prelabor cesarean rates in a large sample of California hospitals.

Objective Prelabor cesareans in women without a prior cesarean is an important quality measure, yet one that is seldom tracked. We estimated patient-level risks and calculated how sensitive hospital rankings on this proposed quality metric were to risk adjustment. Study Design This retrospective cohort study linked Californian patient data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality with hospital-level operational and financial data. Using the outcome of primary prelabor cesarean, we estimated patient-level logistic regressions in progressively more detailed models. We assessed incremental fit and discrimination, and aggregated the predicted patient-level event probabilities to construct hospital-level rankings. Results Of 408,355 deliveries by women without prior cesareans at 254 hospitals, 11.0% were prelabor cesareans. Including age, ethnicity, race, insurance, weekend and unscheduled admission, and 12 well-known patient risk factors yielded a model c-statistic of 0.83. Further maternal comorbidities, and hospital and obstetric unit characteristics only marginally improved fit. Risk adjusting hospital rankings led to a median absolute change in rank of 44 places compared to rankings based on observed rates. Of the 48 (49) hospitals identified as in the best (worst) quintile on observed rates, only 23 (18) were so identified by the risk-adjusted model. Conclusion Models predict primary prelabor cesareans with good discrimination. Systematic hospital-level variation in patient risk factors requires risk adjustment to avoid considerably different classification of hospitals by outcome performance. An opportunity exists to define this metric and report such risk-adjusted outcomes to stakeholders.
The Great Ages of World Architecture

Robert L. Scranton, Greek Architecture, 128 pp., 111 ill., 1962.Frank E. Brown, Raman Architecture, 125 pp., 100 ill., 1961.William L. MacDonald, Early Christian & Byzantine Architecture, 128 pp., 100 ill., 1962.Howard Saalman, Medieval Architecture: European Architecture 600–1200, 128 pp., 100 ill., 1962.Robert Bronner, Gothic Architecture, 125 pp., 104 ill., 1961.Bates Lawry, Renaissance Architecture, 128 pp., 129 ill., 1962.Henry A. Millon, Baroque and Rococo Architecture, 127 pp., 100 ill., 1961.Vincent Scully, Jr., Modern Architecture: The Architecture of Democracy, 128 pp., 152 ill., 1961.
Applying manifold learning to vehicle classification using vibrometry signatures

Understanding and organizing data is the first step toward exploiting laser vibrometry sensor phenomenology for target classification. A fundamental challenge in robust vehicle classification using vibrometry signature data is the determination of salient signal features and the fusion of appropriate measurements. . A particular technique, Diffusion Maps, has demonstrated the potential to extract intuitively meaningful features [1]. We want to develop an understanding of this technique by validating existing results using vibrometry data. This paper briefly describes the Diffusion Map technique, its application to dimension reduction of vibrometry data, and describes interesting problems to be further explored.
Comparison of NETSIM, NETFLO I, and NETFLO II Traffic Simulation Models for Fixed-Time Signal Control

This paper documents a comparative analysis of the NETSIM, NETFLO I, and NETFLO II traffic simulation models when simulating traffic networks with fixed-time signal control. The objective was to find out whether the results of simulating the same traffic network with the three models were compatible. The three models employ different approaches to simulate traffic flow on urban street networks. Four different scenarios with varying network configurations and intersection geometries were simulated for three volume levels. The average speed and delay measures of effectiveness generated by the three models were compared for each scenario. Analysis of variance techniques were used for statistical analyses of the simulation output data. The execution speeds of the models were also compared. The quickness of simulation will be very important in the ITS applications, real-time traffic adaptive systems, and so forth. The results of this study indicated that the estimated measures of effectiveness from the three m...
DIFFERENTIAL CONSTRUCT VALIDITY OF A PRESCHOOL BATTERY FOR BLACKS, WHITES, MALES, AND FEMALES

Abstract Seven major preschool tests were administered to a group of 322 kindergarten children. Scaled scores from the instruments were submitted to principal factoring, with iterations for the total sample and separately by race/sex groupings. The average intercorrelation of the pretests was similar across race and sex. A two-factor solution of the battery was derived for the total group and for each of the four subgroups (WF, WM, BF, BM). The two-factor solution was highly similar across race and sex, as indicated by the large coefficients of congruence obtained between factors derived within each group, thus supporting the equivalence of internal psychometric properties of the battery across race and sex. No evidence was determined to support sexual or racial dimorphism in the early structure of cognitive abilities.
Self-defense training for college women

This article explores the effectiveness of self-defense training for college women. Advocates of self-defense training believe these courses will not only provide women with the physical survival techniques necessary to repel attacks effectively, but that this kind of training will also help to prevent future violence by developing traits such as assertiveness and confidence in individuals. There is evidence that women who convey such characteristics are less likely to be victimized. Opponents argue that self-defense training does not properly prepare women for an attack, does not adequately address acquaintance rape threats, and can provide a dangerous false sense of security to students. This article reviews the relevant literature, outlines practical suggestions for initiatives in this area, and describes a model self-defense course at one university. Guidelines for evaluation and implications for university policy and program decisions that address violence against women on college campuses are included.
Gonadal hormones and sexual reflexes in the female rat

Abstract Spayed female rats were studied, following spinal transaction, for their ability to display a postural reaction resembling the lordosis response of sexually receptive females. Stimuli consisted of manual palpation in the flank region as well as mounting by a male rat. Seven out of nine subjects in one experiment and six out of seven subjects in another experiment showed a response resembling lordosis to either or both types of stimulation at least once during several tests. However, the response could be evoked only infrequently in all subjects. Under conditions of no hormone, estrogen alone and estrogen plus progesterone, the frequency of the response did not significantly vary. The results suggest that gonadal hormones do not influence sexual responses mediated at the spinal level in female rats.
Fail-safe design for large capacity lithium-ion battery systems

A fault leading to a thermal runaway in a lithium-ion battery is believed to grow over time from a latent defect. Significant efforts have been made to detect lithium-ion battery safety faults to proactively facilitate actions minimizing subsequent losses. Scaling up a battery greatly changes the thermal and electrical signals of a system developing a defect and its consequent behaviors during fault evolution. In a large-capacity system such as a battery for an electric vehicle, detecting a fault signal and confining the fault locally in the system are extremely challenging. This paper introduces a fail-safe design methodology for large-capacity lithium-ion battery systems. Analysis using an internal short circuit response model for multi-cell packs is presented that demonstrates the viability of the proposed concept for various design parameters and operating conditions. Locating a faulty cell in a multiple-cell module and determining the status of the fault's evolution can be achieved using signals easily measured from the electric terminals of the module. A methodology is introduced for electrical isolation of a faulty cell from the healthy cells in a system to prevent further electrical energy feed into the fault. Experimental demonstration is presented supporting the model results.
Androgenic control of nucleic acid and protein synthesis in male accessory genital organs.

A survey is given of experimental studies on the influence of treatment with androgenic hormones in vivo on various intermediary reactions involved in ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein synthesis in the prostate gland and seminal vesicle, with particular reference to the control of the growth and functional differentiation of these organs by testosterone and related steroids. Studies on the influence of androgens on RNA metabolism and protein biosynthesis in mouse kidney, certain muscles, and some other extragenital tissues are also considered.
Adsorption and desorption kinetics of CO on Cu(110) studied by optical differential reflectance.

Optical differential reflectance was shown to be a viable technique to study surface adsorption and desorption kinetics. Its application to CO on Cu(110) leads to clearly improved results and better understanding of the system in comparison with earlier thermal desorption measurements. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
On the effects of friction, roughness and toughness on interfacial sliding in brittle composites

Abstract This computational analysis investigates the interaction between friction, roughness and toughness at interfaces with regard to sliding lengths which proceed from the tip of an impinging matrix fracture. Sliding lengths at interfaces are important to the fracture behavior of brittle fibrous composites. The computer model uses a two dimensional surface integral formulation to model a crack perpendicular to a nominally planar interface. The tractions at the interface satisfy a Coulomb relationship and are found through an iterative process involving the stress induced by the matrix crack, the stress induced by the developing slip and an initial normal compressive stress (presumed to result from setting and/or thermal coefficient mismatch). The interfacial roughness is simulated using surface integral elements arranged in a periodic, triangular array. The toughness of the interface is represented via a specialization of the surface integral formulation to embed the near-tip, elastic asymptotic solution. The results indicate that there are significant interaction effects between friction and the other parameters, i.e. the friction dictates the sensitivity of the sliding lengths to changes in interfacial toughness and roughness. Also, to achieve `long' sliding lengths, which may be desirable in reducing the stress concentration in the medium across the interface, the magnitude of the interfacial critical energy release rate must be significantly less than the magnitude required to ensure crack deflection.
Expression of a new complement-fixing antigen reactive with murine sarcoma virus rat antiserum in rat cells transformed by polyoma virus.

WE reported accelerated transformation by DNA viruses (SV40 and polyoma) in rat embryo (RE) cells chronically infected with a C-type RNA virus1,2. Recently we found in RE cells transformed by polyoma virus a new complement-fixing (CF) antigen detectable by rat antisera having broad reactivity with the various intraspecies and interspecies antigens of the RNA tumour viruses3–8; this antigen, however, was distinct from the murine intraspecies and interspecies group-specific (gs) antigens both immunologically and by virtue of other properties. It is also distinct from the polyoma virion (capsid) and tumour (“T”) antigens.
Improved Source Number Detection and Direction Estimation With Nested Arrays and ULAs Using Jackknifing

We consider the problem of source number detection and direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation, based on uniform linear arrays (ULAs) and the newly proposed nested arrays. A ULA with N sensors can detect at most N-1 sources, whereas a nested array provides O(N2) degrees of freedom with O(N) sensors, enabling us to detect K sources with sensors. In order to make full use of the available limited valuable data, we propose a novel strategy, which is inspired by the jackknifing resampling method. Exploiting numerous iterations of subsets of the whole data set, this strategy greatly improves the results of the existing source number detection and DOA estimation methods. With the assumption that the subsets of the data set contain enough information, we theoretically prove that the improvement of detection or estimation performance, compared with the original performance without jackknifing, is guaranteed when the detection or estimation accuracy is greater than or equal to 50%. Numerical simulations demonstrate the superiority of our strategy when applied to source number detection and DOA estimation, both for ULAs and nested arrays.
In-vitro correlation between reduced scattering coefficient and hemoglobin concentration of human blood determined by near-infrared spectroscopy

We study the correlation between (mu) s' and THC obtained in vitro, in a highly scattering medium containing human blood. We used a frequency domain near infrared spectrometer (modulation frequency: 110 MHz, wavelengths: 758 and 830 nm) to measure in real time (acquisition time: 0.64 s) (mu) s' and THC. We used Liposyn suspension and red blood cells in saline buffer solution. After a couple of minutes of baseline acquisition, several consecutive increments of 3-5 ml blood were added to the solution yielding THC equals 15-100 (mu) M and (mu) a equals 0.03-0.3 1/cm. At the last amount of blood added, increments of glucose in the range of 0.5-20 g/L were added. For each step of blood and glucose added, data were acquired for a couple of minutes. This was repeated 6 times. Average of data was calculated for both (mu) s' and THC for each of the red blood cells and glucose increments added. We found a high correlation between (mu) s' and THC (0.018 X THC + 4.51, R2 equals 0.98 at 758 nm and 0.012 X THC + 4.86, R2 equals 0.97 at 830 nm). We studied the effect of glucose on (mu) s' and we found a high correlation between the glucose added to the suspension and the decrease in (mu) s' for the case of high glucose concentrations. The slope of this correlation is -0.011 at both wavelengths and the correlation factors were R2 X 0.96 at 830 nm and R2 equals 0.91 at 758 nm (case shown). The effect of glucose was less significant at 830 nm than at 758 nm in general. This work is a proof of principle for detection of (mu) s' changes with glucose. This approach also establishes limits for glucose detection in physiological conditions.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Stretching must twist DNA

Recent single-molecule experiments indicate that a double-stranded DNA increases in length if put under tension greater than 10 piconewtons: beyond this point its conformation can no longer be described using an inextensible wormlike-chain model. The simplest extensible wormlike chain with twist rigidity is considered as a model for DNA under tension, and it is found that the fact that DNA is chiral demands that stretching be coupled to twisting at linear order in elastic theory; stretching a DNA is thus a way to perturb its twist degrees of freedom. Nonlinearities can stabilize an "overstretched" DNA state in the model, allowing quantitative contact with experiment. Finally, it is argued that if its twist is initially highly perturbed, the interior of a stretched DNA will supercoil as it relaxes.
Multi-modal communication system

The Multi-Modal Communication (MMC) tool was designed to alleviate the workload and errors associated with intensive radio communication environments. MMC captures, records, and displays the radio communication to the operator so that they have instant access to all current and past information. This eliminates the perishable nature of radio communication and allows the operators to focus on the task instead of remembering and writing down information. The MMC tool also employs virtual audio display technology to spatialized the multiple audio signals to aid in the intelligibility of the radio communication. The combination of these technologies has led to the design of a communication interface that will improve the performance of operators confronted with monitoring high volume of radio communication.
Host–guest control on the formation of pinacyanol chloride H-aggregates in anionic polyelectrolyte solutions

The interactions of pinacyanol chloride (PIN), a cationic cyanine dye, with the anionic polyelectrolyte poly(acrylic acid, sodium salt) (PAA) towards enhancing H-aggregation were investigated by electronic absorption spectroscopy. We employed the cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) host to control the formation of these aggregates via host–guest binding interactions with the dye molecules. Absorption spectroscopic studies clearly demonstrate that PAA enhances the formation of PIN H-aggregates. Electrostatic interactions between the cyanine dye molecules and the polyelectrolyte chains assist the formation of H-aggregates at very low dye concentrations (ca. 10 μM). Furthermore, the presence of CB7 was found to effectively disrupt the interactions responsible for dye aggregation. Thus, CB7 completely disrupts the H-aggregates (as well as lower concentrations of J-aggregates) by forming inclusion complexes with PIN. A competing guest, 1-aminoadamantane (AD), was utilised to adjust the extent of aggregation of the cyanine d...
Effect of tri-iodothyronine on ethanol metabolism in the dog.

Kalant, Sereny and Charlebois1 have recently reviewed the literature pertaining to the effectiveness of tri-iodothyronine in the treatment of acute alcoholic intoxication. Contrary to several earlier studies by other investigators, Kalant et al. observed no effect in patients in either the rate of disappearance of blood alcohol or in percentage improvement in the performance of a letter-marking test following treatment with tri-iodothyronine. Since these investigations on man yielded results similar to those which we had obtained in dogs it seemed of interest to report our findings in intact dogs and in rat liver homogenates.
Medication Therapy Management Training Using Case Studies and the MirixaPro Platform

Objective. To implement and assess a medication therapy management (MTM) training program for pharmacy students using the MirixaPro (Mirixa Corporation, Reston, VA) platform and case studies.Design...
The Rate of Change of the Kinetic Energy Spectrum of Flow in a Compressible Fluid

Abstract The variance spectrum of velocities in a non-homogeneous, compressible fluid does not represent the wave-number distribution of kinetic energy, as it does in incompressible, homogeneous (constant density) fluids. Use of a truncated Fourier transform and the assumption that the flow occurs in a finite area show that the kinetic energy spectrum in the former case is the co-spectrum between the velocity and the momentum. The Navier-Stokes equations are used to study the time rates of change of the kinetic energy spectrum produced by the various physical effects contained in those equations. Introduction of the assumption of homogeneity and incompressibility in the equations derived here gives the same qualitative results as Batchelor's (1953) study of the time rate of change of the spectrum of turbulent flow. Kinetic energy in a compressible, non-homogeneous fluid can draw on internal and potential energy, but these energy sources are not available to flow in incompressible, homogeneous fluids. It i...
771 COMPARATIVE IMMUNOGENICITY OF GROUP C NEISSERIA MENINGITIDIS VARIANTS AND ESCHERICHIA COLI K92 CAPSULAR POLYSACCHARIDES IN ADULT VOLUNTEERS

We studied three structurally and antigenically similar capsular polysaccharides: Group C Neisseria meningitidis O-acetyl positive (OAc+) and negative (OAc−) variants, and the cross-reacting E. coli K92 for their ability to induce Group C meningococcal antibodies in adults. All three polysaccharides elicited specific serum antibodies. The OAc− variant was the most immunogenic. Geometric mean pre-immunization anticapsular antibody levels were 1.4 μgm/ml, 0.8 μgm/ml, and 1.2 μgm/ml for groups receiving OAc−, OAc+ and E. coli K92 respectively. Geometric mean antibody titers 3 weeks and 2 months post immunization were 41.7 μgm/ml for OAc−, 22.8 μgm/ml for OAc+, and 7.0 μgm/ml for E. coli K92 (p = 0.001 for OAc− and OAc+ versus K92). No Group C meningococci or cross-reacting organisms were isolated from repeated NP cultures, but one individual demonstrated persistant rectal carriage of E. coli K92. Antibodies elicited by either Group C polysaccharide were bactericidal for OAc+ and OAc− organisms. Absorption of OAc+ antisera with OAc− polysaccharide did not remove all bactericidal antibody. The superior immunogenicity and distinct biochemical characteristics of the OAc− variant support further study in children and infants.
Allergen-induced depression of neutrophil chemotaxis in allergic individuals

Abstract In previous studies we have shown that neutrophil (PMN) chemotaxis is depressed in patients with allergic disease, hyperimmunoglobulinemia E, and recurrent infections. Although a number of these patients have now been described, little is known about the mechanism of defective PMN function in such individuals. The present studies were carried out to define the relationship between defective PMN chemotaxis and allergic hypersensitivity. Neutrophil chemotaxis was assessed in individuals with sensitivity to ragweed pollen as documented by intradermal skin testing. In each patient, chemotaxis was measured before and after in vitro exposure of their leukocytes to ragweed. A total of 21 individuals in 3 groups have been studied. These include 7 patients with allergic symptomatology and recurrent infections who were ragweed sensitive, 6 patients with a prior history of ragweed sensitivity who had undergone successful desensitization, and 8 nonatopic control subjects. Following in vitro exposure of the leukocytes of the 7 symptomatic patients to ragweed, a profound depression (54% ± 16%) in chemotatic activity was noted. In contrast the control subjects and 6 desensitized patients showed no depression of PMN chemotaxis. Further studies were carried out which demonstrate the antigen-specific nature of the phenomenon and the ability to transfer the depression to normal cells suspended in allergic serum. These data suggest that defective PMN chemotaxis in allergic patients results from an interaction, either directly or indirectly, of antigen with sensitized leukocytes. Specific immunotherapy may have an effect to prevent the chemotactic abnormality in these patients.
Restorative Justice Programs, Gender, and Recidivism

Restorative justice programs, which attempt to reintegrate offenders into society by building and strengthening interpersonal relationships, may provide the juvenile justice system with an effective option for female offenders. If women and men have different values, and women value connections with others while men value independence and autonomy [Gilligan, C. (1982). In A Different Voice. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press], then programs that explicitly focus on strengthening social bonds may be compatible with the value orientation of women. However, research on the operation of the juvenile justice system has noted a history of gender bias, as traditional notions of gender roles were reinforced by juvenile justice system professionals. While restorative justice programs may be effective in reducing recidivism among female offenders, at the same time, the informal nature of these programs may lead to the reinforcement of traditional gender roles.
Interleukin-1α is the major alarmin of lung epithelial cells released during photodynamic therapy to induce inflammatory mediators in fibroblasts.

Interleukin-1 α is the major alarmin of lung epithelial cells released during photodynamic therapy to induce inflammatory mediators in fibroblasts
Design and control of a single-stage large air-gapped transformer isolated battery charger for wide-range output voltage for EV applications

In this paper, the design procedure for a single stage transformer isolated multi-element resonant converter for an Electric Vehicle (EV) battery charging application with a large air-gap of 8cm and wide-range output voltage is proposed. Instead of having the same resonant frequency on both primary and secondary tank circuits as have been proposed in the literature, different resonant frequencies are used to meet the system specifications. This gives a number of advantages for wide-range output voltage application including simple control and ensures ZVS on the primary side switches and ZCS on the rectifying diodes, which gives high efficiency. A systematic procedure is proposed to design controllers for both current loop and voltage loop to meet the transient performance requirements. To validate the design procedure and controller design, a 1.8 kW system was built and tested. The efficiency was found to be 96.6% for a large air-gap of 8 cm during the constant current mode.
Transcriptional activation of transforming growth factor-β1 in mesangial cell culture by high glucose concentration

Transcriptional activation of transforming growth factor- β 1 in mesangial cell culture by high glucose concentration. Background Transforming growth factor- β (TGF- β ) is an important hypertrophic and prosclerotic cytokine in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The mechanisms of regulation of the TGF- β system by high ambient glucose in kidney cells are incompletely defined. This study examined the mechanisms of regulation of TGF- β 1 expression by high glucose in murine mesangial cells (MMCs) in culture. Methods MMCs were cultured in either normal (100mg/dl) or high (450mg/dl) D-glucose concentration. Total TGF- β 1 protein secretion and bioactivity, mRNA expression and stability, and gene transcription rate were measured; promoter-reporter chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) were performed to investigate the presence of putative glucose-response elements. Results Raising the ambient D-glucose concentration for 72hours increased TGF- β 1 bioactivity in cell culture medium by 47% and total TGF- β 1 secretion by approximately 90%. Northern analysis demonstrated that the steady-state TGF- β 1 mRNA level was increased nearly twofold after 48hours of growth in high glucose. This increase was not due to increased stability, as the half-life of the message was approximately five hours in both normal and high glucose conditions. Transcriptional activity of the TGF- β 1 gene (nuclear run-on assay) was increased by 73% in cells grown in high glucose for 24hours. Transiently transfected MMCs with CAT constructs containing varying lengths of the murine TGF- β 1 promoter demonstrated that high glucose selectively increased the expression of only one of the constructs, pA835. Sequence inspection revealed the presence of a putative glucose responsive element, CACGTG, within this construct. High glucose in MMC culture for 24hours increased nuclear protein binding to a probe containing this element when analyzed using EMSA. Conclusions High glucose stimulates total TGF- β 1 protein production and bioactivity as well as the steady-state level of TGF- β 1 mRNA. The latter effect is due primarily to stimulation of gene transcription rate rather than message stability. Transcriptional activation by high glucose may involve a region in the TGF- β 1 promoter containing a putative glucose-response element.
Assessing the Possibility of a Pedophilia Panic and Contagion Effect Between France and the United States

Abstract In the early and mid-1990s, the United States experienced what could be called a societal sex crime crisis. This led to the passage of specific types of legislation aimed at addressing what was perceived by the public to be a major social problem. In the mid- and late-1990s, Europe (mainly Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and Germany) found itself in the same predicament as the United States. Legislation was passed, varying in its nature, in order to provide the public with an answer to its panic. According to a social constructionist approach, a moral panic occurs when certain types of behaviors or individuals are thought to be utterly harmful to the fabric of the social body. The present article aims at assessing whether there is a pedophilia/moral panic and whether it goes beyond the borders of one country. In order to identify potential contagion effects or parallel trends between France and the United States, the historical evolutions of legislation, reported incidence of child sex...
Long-term Clinical Outcomes of Whole-Breast Irradiation Delivered in the Prone Position

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the effectiveness and toxicity of post-lumpectomy whole-breast radiation therapy delivered with prone positioning. Methods and Materials: Between September 1992 and August 2004, 245 women with 248 early-stage invasive or in situ breast cancers were treated using a prone breast board. Photon fields treated the whole breast to 46 to 50.4 Gy with standard fractionation. The target volume was clinically palpable breast tissue; no attempt was made to irradiate chest wall lymphatics. Tumor bed boosts were delivered in 85% of cases. Adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy were administered to 42% and 62% of patients, respectively. Results: After a median follow-up of 4.9 years, the 5 year actuarial true local and elsewhere ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence rates were 4.8% and 1.3%, respectively. The 5-year actuarial rates of regional nodal recurrence and distant metastases were 1.6% and 7.4%. Actuarial disease-free, disease-specific, and overall survival rates at 5 years were 89.4%, 97.3%, and 93%, respectively. Treatment breaks were required by 2.4% of patients. Grade 3 acute dermatitis and edema were each limited to 2% of patients. Only 4.9% of patients complained of acute chest wall discomfort. Chronic Grade 2 to 3 skin and subcutaneousmore » tissue toxicities were reported in 4.4% and 13.7% of patients, respectively. Conclusions: Prone position breast radiation results in similar long-term disease control with a favorable toxicity profile compared with standard supine tangents. The anatomic advantages of prone positioning may contribute to improving the therapeutic ratio of post-lumpectomy radiation by improving dose homogeneity and minimizing incidental cardiac and lung dose.« less
FRS2 via Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 1 Is Required for Platelet-derived Growth Factor Receptor β-mediated Regulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Marker Gene Expression

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) exhibit phenotypic plasticity and change from a quiescent contractile phenotype to a proliferative synthetic phenotype during physiological arteriogenesis and pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis and restenosis. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB is a potent inducer of the VSMC synthetic phenotype; however, much less is known about the role of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) in this process. Here, we show using signal transduction mutants of FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) expressed in rat VSMC that the adaptor protein FRS2 is essential for FGFR1-mediated phenotypic modulation and down-regulation of VSMC smooth muscle α-actin (SMA) gene expression. In addition, we show that PDGF-BB and FGF2 act synergistically to induce cell proliferation and down-regulate SMA and SM22α in VSMC. Furthermore, we show that PDGF-BB induces tyrosine phosphorylation of FGFR1 and that this phosphorylation is mediated by PDGF receptor-β (PDGFRβ), but not c-Src. We demonstrate that FRS2 co-immunoprecipitates with PDGFRβ in a complex that requires FGFR1 and that both the extracellular and the intracellular domains of FGFR1 are required for association with PDGFRβ, whereas the cytoplasmic domain of FGFR1 is required for FRS2 association with the FGFR1-PDGFRβ complex. Knockdown of FRS2 in VSMC by RNA interference inhibited PDGF-BB-mediated down-regulation of SMA and SM22α without affecting PDGF-BB mediated cell proliferation or ERK activation. Together, these data support the notion that PDGFRβ down-regulates SMA and SM22α through formation of a complex that requires FGFR1 and FRS2 and prove novel insight into VSMC phenotypic plasticity.
Health literacy and cancer screening: A systematic review

Abstract Objective To evaluate published evidence about health literacy and cancer screening. Methods Seven databases were searched for English language articles measuring health literacy and cancer screening published in 1990–2011. Articles meeting inclusion criteria were independently reviewed by two investigators using a standardized data abstraction form. Abstracts ( n = 932) were reviewed and full text retrieved for 83 articles. Ten articles with 14 comparisons of health literacy and cancer screening according to recommended medical guidelines were included in the analysis. Results Most articles measured health literacy using the S-TOFHLA instrument and documented cancer screening by self-report. There is a trend for an association of inadequate health literacy and lower cancer screening rates, however, the evidence is mixed and limited by study design and measurement issues. Conclusion A patient's health literacy may be a contributing factor to being within recommended cancer screening guidelines. Practice implications Future research should: be conducted using validated health literacy instruments; describe the population included in the study; document cancer screening test completion according to recommended guidelines; verify the completion of cancer screening tests by medical record review; adjust for confounding factors; and report effect size of the association of health literacy and cancer screening.
Comparison between an event-by-event Monte Carlo code, NOREC, and ETRAN for electron scaled point kernels between 20 keV and 1 MeV

An event-by-event Monte Carlo code called NOREC, a substantially improved version of the Oak Ridge electron transport code (OREC), was released in 2003, after a number of modifications to OREC. In spite of some earlier work, the characteristics of the code have not been clearly shown so far, especially for a wide range of electron energies. Therefore, NOREC was used in this study to generate one of the popular dosimetric quantities, the scaled point kernel, for a number of electron energies between 0.02 and 1.0 MeV. Calculated kernels were compared with the most well-known published kernels based on a condensed history Monte Carlo code, ETRAN, to show not only general agreement between the codes for the electron energy range considered but also possible differences between an event-by-event code and a condensed history code. There was general agreement between the kernels within about 5% up to 0.7 r/r 0 for 100 keV and 1 MeV electrons. Note that r/r 0 denotes the scaled distance, where r is the radial distance from the source to the dose point and r 0 is the continuous slowing down approximation (CSDA) range of a mono-energetic electron. For the same range of scaled distances, the discrepancies for 20 and 500 keV electrons were up to 6 and 12%, respectively. Especially, there was more pronounced disagreement for 500 keV electrons than for 20 keV electrons. The degree of disagreement for 500 keV electrons decreased when NOREC results were compared with published EGS4/PRESTA results, producing similar agreement to other electron energies.
Making projects, making friends: Online community as catalyst for interactive media creation

To become full and active participants in today's technologically saturated society, young people need to become creators (and not just consumers) of interactive media. Developing the requisite abilities and capacities is not a wholly individual process; it is important for young people to have access to communities where they can collaborate and share ideas. This article uses the Scratch online community for exploring how different forms of participation and collaboration can support and shape the ways in which young people develop as creators of interactive media. We describe participation in this community in terms of a spectrum ranging from socializing to creating and present examples of three forms of collaboration within the community. We argue that the most exciting interactive media creation and valuable learning experiences are taking place in the middle space, where participants draw on the best of socializing and creating practices.
Complete and sustained remission of juvenile dermatomyositis resulting from aggressive treatment.

Objective To assess the time needed to achieve sustained, medication-free remission in a cohort of patients with juvenile dermatomyositis (DM) receiving a stepwise, aggressive treatment protocol. Methods Between 1994 and 2004, a cohort of 49 children with juvenile DM who were followed up at a single tertiary care children's hospital using disease activity measures according to a specific protocol received standardized therapy with steroids and methotrexate. If a patient's strength or muscle enzyme levels did not normalize with this initial therapy, additional medications were added in rapid succession to the treatment regimen. The primary outcome measure was time to complete remission. Additional outcome measures were onset of calcinosis, effect of treatment on height, and complications resulting from medications. Results Forty-nine patients were followed up for a mean+/-SD of 48+/-30 months. All but 1 patient received 2 or more medications simultaneously. Transient localized calcifications occurred in 4 patients (8%), and 2 additional patients (4%) had persistent calcinosis. Despite the aggressive therapy, complications associated with treatment were mild and were primarily attributable to steroids. No persistent effect on longitudinal growth was observed. A complete, medication-free remission was achieved in 28 patients; the median time to achievement of complete remission was 38 months (95% confidence interval 32-44 months). None of these patients experienced a disease flare that required resumption of medications during the subsequent period of observation (mean+/-SD 36+/-19.7 months). Conclusion Our findings suggest that aggressive treatment of juvenile DM aimed at achieving rapid, complete control of muscle weakness and inflammation improves outcomes and reduces disease-related complications. In more than one-half of the children whose disease was treated in this manner (28 of 49), a prolonged, medication-free remission was attained within a median of 38 months from the time of diagnosis.