cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward System-Optimal Route Guidance

The existing online mapping systems process many user route queries simultaneously, yet solve each independently, using typical route guidance solutions. These route recommendations are presented as optimal, but often this is not truly the case, due to the effects of competition users experience over the resulting experienced routes, a phenomenon referred to in Game Theory as a Nash Equilibrium. Additionally, route plans of this nature can result in poor utilization of the road network from a system-optimizing perspective as well. In this paper, we introduce an enhanced approach for route guidance, motivated by the relevance of a system optimal equilibrium strategy, while also maintaining some fairness to the individual. With this approach the objective is to optimize the global road network utilization (as measured by, e.g., mobility, or global emissions) by selecting from a set of generally fair user route alternatives in a batch setting. For the first time, we present an approximate, anytime algorithm based on Monte Carlo Tree Search and Eppstein's Top-K Shortest Paths algorithm to solve this complex dual optimization problem in real-time. This approach attempts to identify and avoid the potentially harmful network effects of sub-optimal route combinations. Experiments show that mobility optimization over real road networks of Rye and Golden, Colorado in a microscopic traffic simulation with a network congestion-minimizing objective can achieve considerable mobility improvement for users, as observed by their effective travel time improvement up to 12% with some consideration of route fairness.
Design of a Novel Oxygen Therapeutic Using Polymeric Hydrogel Microcapsules Mimicking Red Blood Cells

The goal of this research was to develop a novel oxygen therapeutic made from a pectin-based hydrogel microcapsule carrier mimicking red blood cells. The study focused on three main criteria for developing the oxygen therapeutic to mimic red blood cells: size (5-10 μm), morphology (biconcave shape), and functionality (encapsulation of oxygen carriers; e.g., hemoglobin (Hb)). The hydrogel carriers were generated via the electrospraying of the pectin-based solution into an oligochitosan crosslinking solution using an electrospinning setup. The pectin-based solution was investigated first to develop the simplest possible formulation for electrospray. Then, Design-Expert® software was used to optimize the production process of the hydrogel microcapsules. The optimal parameters were obtained through the analysis of a total of 17 trials and the microcapsule with the desired morphology and size was successfully prepared under the optimized condition. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze the chemistry of the microcapsules. Moreover, the encapsulation of Hb into the microcapsule did not adversely affect the microcapsule preparation process, and the encapsulation efficiency was high (99.99%). The produced hydrogel microcapsule system shows great promise for creating a novel oxygen therapeutic.
In the Eye of the Reformer: Higher Education Personnel Perspectives on Campus Sexual Assault Policy Implementation

Despite recent attention to campus sexual assault (CSA), we know little about how institutions of higher education (IHE) have approached policy reform. Using anonymous web-based survey responses of...
Tests and Confidence Intervals for the Mean of a Zero-Inflated Poisson Distribution

The zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) model is often postulated for count data that include excessive zeros. This ZIP distribution can be regarded as the mixture of two distributions, one that degenerate...
Preventive medicine of aquatic animals

Abstract Over the last several decades, disease outbreaks have been increasingly reported from several commercially important aquaculture species. Food animal practitioners, fish health specialists, and veterinarians have recognized the multifactorial nature of many diseases that affect those species. This recognition coincided with the intensification of aquaculture, which with a relative decrease in the value of individual animals, resulted in a change in attitude toward management of diseases in aquaculture settings. It became clear that diseases needed to be controlled by simultaneously manipulating all determinants: those associated with the agent, host, and environment.
First Quadrant Chua Diode I-V Characteristic and Its Chaotic Dynamics in Chua’s Circuit

A negative differential conductance circuit which features unipolar power supply operation and first quadrant current-voltage "n-shaped" conductance characteristic is presented. The circuit consists of readily available inexpensive components and provides a smooth current-voltage characteristic which can be modeled with a polynomial expression, allowing the circuit to be evaluated theoretically, with behavioral simulation models, and experimentally. In this work, the circuit architecture and current-voltage characteristic is described and its application as the Chua diode in Chua’s circuit is demonstrated both behaviorally from a polynomial current-voltage model and verified with experimental hardware results.
Removal of polyfluorinated telomer alcohol by Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) in different water matrices and evaluation of degradation mechanisms

Abstract Due to the phase-out of some poly-/perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), different PFASs such as fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) have been adopted as alternatives in the market causing their release into the environment. However, there is little information about their fate and degradation by advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in literature. The aim of the present study is to fill this gap by evaluating the degradability and fate of newly produced polyfluorinated telomer alcohol, namely, 2-(1,1,2-trifluoro-2-hepta fluoropyloxy-ethylsulfonyl)-ethanol (TFHFESE) in different water matrices using various AOPs, including ultraviolet (UV) photolysis, UV/H2O2, solar photolysis, solar/H2O2, O3, and O3/H2O2. While TFHFESE was degraded 76 % by the ozonation process, the presence of H2O2 decreased the process efficiency. UV-based processes provided 98.7 %–100 % degradation of TFHFESE. The presence of H2O2 increased the defluorination ratio for UV processes. However, defluorination ratios were much lower for UV process than that with ozonation process. No significant effect of water matrix on the degradation of TFHFESE was observed, except ozonation. The role of hydroxyl radicals for the degradation of TFHFESE was investigated using isopropanol (i-PrOH). The degradation of TFHFESE by ozonation was mostly promoted by the reaction of molecular ozone instead of hydroxyl radicals. In contrast, the presence of i-PrOH quenched the generated hydroxyl radicals during UV-based processes indicating degradation was provided by OH . The proposed degradation pathways during AOPs are given which included the loss of CH2 group, HF elimination, CF2 flake off and oxidative degradations. Due to volatilization of TFHFESE, the intermediate m/z 327 was also detected for UV-based processes.
Do Attractive People Get a Better Deal? An Experimental Study

During recent two decades the behavioral operations literature has proved with numerous studies that operational contracting allies the economic incentives with the behavioral aspects. Social considerations (such as fairness, trust and trustworthiness, reciprocity, and others) motivate the decision-maker for an unplanned change in own behavior which may lead to the great deviation from the rational choice. However, the triggering mechanism is still underexplored. The goal of our research is to shed light on the existence of an effect of seeing human faces (i.e., “a face effect”) on the behavioral economic choices. We conduct a series of controlled experiments with the photographs of human faces shown in the newsvendor setting. The experimental data suggests the evidence supporting that the human face plays the role of an environmental moderator which triggers and intensifies the social considerations. To better understand the behavioral reactions we examine the effect of faces with various characteristics focusing on the effect of facial attractiveness and gender looks. We find that the decision-makers systematically deviate in the selected choices of the wholesale price and the order quantity when seeing the counterpart’s face. Moreover, facial attractiveness and gender are significant motivators for the behavioral shifts in economic decisions. To explain how seeing the counterpart’s face, facial attractiveness and gender affect the decision choices, we apply the behavioral model that incorporates quantal response equilibrium, altruistic, and fairness concerns. This study suggests that knowledge of a counterpart’s face is valuable in a supply chain contracting.
Creativity and Diversity Strengthen the National Security Law Workforce

National security work occurs in dynamic and regulated environments populated by some of the nation’s oldest, largest, and most developed bureaucracies. National security work supports military operations, informs foreign relations, attempts to thwart terrorist attacks, and counters political and economic espionage. National security practitioners often work in isolated and stressful environments. Cultivating creativity and diversity can increase the collective efficacy and welfare of the national security workforce. This article surveys the scope of the national security law workforce, highlights the demanding legal environment in which national security law operates, and provides recommendations to strengthen the national security law workforce.
Beyond treatment technology: Understanding motivations and barriers for wastewater treatment and reuse in unconventional energy production

Abstract Unconventional oil and gas (UOG) production requires a vast quantity of freshwater while generating substantial volumes of wastewater. Although numerous studies have focused on technology development, other aspects beyond treatment technology, including regulations, economics, system logistics, and public perception, play equally or more important roles collectively in the selection and deployment of UOG wastewater management practices. In this article, we begin with a critical analysis of the motivations that drive UOG wastewater management towards treatment and reuse. Then we examine four main barriers against such a paradigm shift, pertaining to treatment technology, regulatory compliance, economic feasibility, and social acceptance. Despite the need of further improving technology efficiency for UOG wastewater treatment, the lack of established regulatory framework, the uncertainties of economic viability, as well as public resistance, hinder practical implementation of treatment technologies. We highlight the importance of knowledge and collaborative efforts from engineers, regulators, policy makers, economists, and social scientists to address those barriers, and emphasize that future research efforts should be directed at domains well beyond treatment technology. A systems approach and broader collaboration across multiple disciplines is needed to translate technology innovation into solutions that truly improve water sustainability in the context of rising UOG production.
On Strict-Sense Forms of the Hida-Cramer Representation

This paper is an attempt to delineate more clearly than before the role of the standard Brownian motion and Poisson processes in generating general stochastic processes (Ω δt,Xt, P). In discrete time, the analog would be to use a sequence of independent Bernoulli random walks. This is a very different setting, and one about which we have nothing to contribute. Evidently such a sequence does not go far toward generating a general discrete parameter process, at least in the sense we have in mind here. The situation in continuous time, however, is antithetical. One can obtain representation theorems of considerable generality, which to some extent crystalize an important aspect of all continuous time processes. We consider this as the aspect which involves randomness of time without randomness of place. In some sense, there is a natural dichotomy of the two kinds of randomness, and our aim is to isolate and study the case in which the role of randomness of place can be eliminated. A basic tool in our investigation is the “prediction process” Zt of [11], but it is no more than that. Theoretically, one could attempt to define respresentations of Zt itself, analogous to those obtained below but valid for all P. In the present paper, however, each P is treated separately.
Detection and control of a nosocomial outbreak caused by Salmonella newport at a large animal hospital.

Background: Nosocomial salmonellosis is often assumed to occur because infection control and surveillance practices are inadequate, but published evidence is lacking to support the related contention that rigorous application of these practices can impact the severity of outbreaks. Objective: Describe active surveillance, early recognition, and intensive mitigation efforts used in an effort to control an outbreak of nosocomial Salmonella enterica serotype Newport infections without hospital closure. Animals: Large animals hospitalized at a referral hospital. Methods: This prospective outbreak investigation was initiated when Salmonella Newport infections were detected among hospitalized animals by active surveillance. Data were analyzed to identify temporal and spatial patterns for epidemic spread of Salmonella in the hospital. Mitigation efforts were aggressively adjusted in response to surveillance data. Genetic relatedness of isolates was investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Results: Of 145 large animals sampled, 8 (5.6%) were infected with the Salmonella strain associated with this outbreak, and all but 1 shed Salmonella in the absence of or before the onset of disease. This strain was recovered from 14.2% (42/295) of environmental samples (ENV samples), indicating that widespread environmental contamination had occurred. Isolates of Salmonella Newport obtained from infected animals and the environment were genetically indistinguishable, confirming clonal dissemination. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Active surveillance allowed early detection of nosocomial Salmonella transmission and hospital contamination. Use of aggressive interventions was followed by cessation of transmission. Active surveillance can allow earlier recognition and mitigation compared with programs by only sampling of clinically affected animals.
Value‐Based Feedback in Software and Information Systems Development

The role of feedback control in software and information system development has traditionally focused on a milestone plan to deliver a pre-specified set of capabilities within a negotiated budget and schedule. One of the most powerful approaches available for controlling traditional software projects is called the Earned Value system. However, the Earned Value Management process is generally good for tracking whether a project is meeting its original plan. It becomes difficult to administer if the project plans change rapidly. And more significantly it has absolutely nothing to say about the actual value being earned for the organization by the results of the project. This chapter begins by summering a set of four nested feedback and feedforward loops that have been successfully used to scope, estimate, control, and improve the predictability and efficiency of software development and evolution. It then proposes an alternative approach for project feedback control. It focuses on the actual stakeholder value likely to be earned by completing the project. And a framework is provided for monitoring and controlling value in terms of a Benefits Realization Approach [Thorp, 1998] and business case analysis. An order processing system is used as an example to illustrate the value-based feedback control mechanisms. At the end of this chapter, it presents the conclusions and directions for future research and development.
Effects of aspirin on tight junction structure of the canine gastric mucosa

Abstract The effects of aspirin on the canine gastric mucosal barrier were examined using the freeze-fracture and extracellular tracer techniques. Aspirin treatment (3, 20, or 40 min) resulted in alterations in tight junction complex morphology and permeability. Discontinuities in the apical occluding complex, hyperplastic tight junctions (extensions of the apical tight junction strands radiating over the lateral plasma membrane), and a variability in the number of strands (1–20) comprising the complex were observed. A concurrent increase in lanthanum permeability between nonnecrotic surface mucous epithelial cells was also demonstrated. The results of these experiments may suggest that aspirin-induced impairment of the tight junction complexes between viable gastric mucosal epithelial cells may be a major contributing factor in the etiology of stomach disorders.
Gasoline Prices, State Gasoline Excise Taxes, And The Size Of Urban Areas

A monocentric model of land use that assumes urban spatial size is determined by a set of exogenous variables is employed to test the hypothesis that urban land size is negatively related to gasoline prices. Using a model from Brueckner and Fansler (1983), the amount of urbanized land area is shown to be a function of population, income, agricultural land prices and commuting costs. The latter is measured as the price of gasoline, broken into two components; the amount of any state gasoline excise tax imposed plus the total price paid by consumers minus such a tax. Using 1990 data, an empirical model that defines the dependent variable as the average-sized urban area in each state is estimated. The results confirm that higher levels of population and income contribute to larger amounts of urbanized land area, while higher land prices are primarily associated with smaller urban size. Of importance to this study, the results indicate that states with higher gas prices, mainly due to increased state gasoline excise taxes, are associated with smaller urban size.
BATF Transgenic Mice Reveal a Role for Activator Protein-1 in NKT Cell Development

The importance of regulated AP-1 activity during T cell development was assessed using transgenic mice overexpressing BATF, a basic leucine zipper transcription factor and an AP-1 inhibitor. BATF transgenic animals possess normal thymic cellularity and all major T cell subsets, but show impaired thymocyte proliferation in vitro and no induction of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10 , and IL-13 expression. Since NKT cells are largely responsible for cytokine production in the thymus, this population was examined by detection of the Vα14-Jα281 TCR, flow cytometry of NK1.1 + TCRβ + cells, and analysis of cytokine production by heat-stable Ag low thymocytes and peripheral NKT cells stimulated in vivo. Results show a severe under-representation of NKT cells in BATF transgenic animals, providing the first evidence that the precise control of AP-1-mediated transcription is critical for the proper emergence of thymus-derived NKT cells in the mouse.
Switching of Candida albicans during successive episodes of recurrent vaginitis.

Abstract Strain relatedness and switching were monitored in Candida albicans strains isolated from different body locations through three episodes of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis separated by two treatment-latency periods in a single patient. Strain relatedness was assessed by comparing Southern blot hybridization patterns with the relatively immobile mid-repeat sequence Ca3. The following conclusions are demonstrated. (i) Three different strains of C. albicans colonized the mouth, the area under the breasts, and the vulvovaginal, anal, and rectal regions, respectively, at the time of the first infection. (ii) The same strain of C. albicans was responsible for the three vaginal infections. (iii) Switching of colony phenotype occurred with each new vaginal infection. (iv) Enrichment of drug-resistant switch phenotypes (assessed in vitro) was unlikely the basis for the changes in the switch phenotypes of the strain found in the vulvovaginal, anal, and rectal areas after treatment of the first infection with clotrimazole. (v) The same strain of C. albicans was responsible for the recurrent increases in mouth colonization and was distinct from the recurrent vaginal strain. The results of this case study demonstrate the need for further detailed analyses of full-body mycofloras, strain relatedness, switching repertoires, and changes in drug susceptibility during successive episodes of recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.
Runtime analysis and instrumentation for securing software

The past decade has witnessed an explosive increase in the scale, intensity and sophistication of cyber attacks. While software vendors have significantly increased their efforts on security, they are almost always playing "catch up." As a result, security-conscious organizations and individuals have come to expect their system administrators to deploy an array of tools and techniques to stay a step ahead of the hackers. While developer-oriented security tools rely mainly on static analysis, runtime analysis and policy enforcement are the mechanisms of choice in administrator-oriented tools. Runtime techniques offer increased automation and precision over static analysis, thus addressing the needs of administrators who don't have the time or resources needed to acquire extensive knowledge about the internals of a software system. In this talk, I will begin by summarizing some of the significant advances that have been achieved in the past few years in the context of software vulnerability mitigation, including buffer overflow defenses, and more recently, the impressive results that have been achieved using dynamic information-flow analysis for blocking the most popular exploits today, including SQL and command injection and cross-site scripting. I will then proceed to describe dynamic analysis and enforcement techniques aimed at another high-profile security problem faced today, namely, malware defense. Our initial target in this regard has been on dynamic analysis techniques for extracting high-level models of program behavior. These models could be used in a variety of applications such as intrusion detection, vulnerability analysis and security policy verification. More recently, interesting advances have been made in the context of security policy development, where a combination of static and dynamic analysis techniques have been developed to synthesize low-level, enforceable policies that achieve a high-level goal such as protecting system integrity. Finally, I will conclude the talk with a discussion of some research opportunities and challenges in software security.
An analysis of per mile pollution fees for motor vehicles in California's south coast

Abstract This paper examines the effect of pollution fees based on per mile emissions of reactive organic gases and oxides of nitrogen on tons of pollutants emitted, driving, fuel use and efficiency, new vehicle sales, and welfare in the South Coast region of California. The results suggest that VMT and gasoline demand would be reduced (although at a declining rate) while mpg would improve as households shifted to newer vehicles. Sales of new vehicles are projected to initially rise, then drop below base forecast levels as turnover of vehicles is reduced. Finally, the projected effects on household consumer surplus suggest that pollution fees may be regressive (although less so as households adjust their vehicle holdings), as a significant portion of older, higher polluting vehicles are owned by lower income households. The paper also compares pollution fees with voluntary accelerated vehicle retirement programs.
New south dakota primary law applies short ballot doctrine

The Richards Primary Law, which provided pre-primary conventions to name majority and minority candidates for nomination, has been repealed. Its successor, the Slocum Law, retains the direct primary for policy-determining officers, and delegates the nomination of others to party convetnions
Development of a Wearable Gesture Recognition System

This paper presents an effort of developing a wearable gesture recognition system. The objective of this work is to design and build a mechatronic device that can recognize human gestures. This device can be used to help the communication between humans or humans and machines (such as unmanned vehicles). The device is composed of two main components, a data acquisition system and a gesture recognition system. The data acquisition system obtains sensory information from human motions and encodes the information for transmission to the gesture recognition system. Upon receiving the signals, the gesture recognition system decodes them such that machines can respond to the corresponding human motions. The project was conducted by a group of Mechanical Engineering students in the format of junior/senior engineering clinic. Through this project, they obtained working knowledge of a mechatronic device within a cohesive and dynamic team.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
PTC taste blindness and the taste of caffeine

TASTE thresholds for the bitter substance PTC (phenylthiourea or phenylthiocarbamide) and related compounds containing the grouping (HNCS)showa bimodal distribution, leading to the designation ‘tasters’ for the more sensitive individuals and ‘non-tasters’ or ‘taste blind’ for the less sensitive. Genetic and population studies have generally attributed this to a simple Mendelian dominance system in humans, non-human primates and some rodent species. All other bitter and non-bitter compounds tested so far have produced Gaussian distributions of thresholds1,2. We have found now, however, that sensitivity to the taste of PTC predicts sensitivity to caffeine, a common bitter substance that lacks the HNCS grouping. This was shown by threshold measurements and magnitude estimation of supra-threshold concentrations.
Cytotoxic T-cell memory without antigen

Memory is a hallmark of the immune system and ever since its recognition there has been considerable interest in understanding how immunity is maintained. The current model is that long-term memory is dependent on persistent antigenic stimulation. We report here results that challenge this view and provide evidence that antigen is not essential for the maintenance of CD8+ T-cell memory. We show that memory CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes persist indefinitely in the absence of priming antigen, retain the memory phenotype (CD44hi), and provide protection against virus challenge. These findings suggest a re-evaluation of our current thinking on mechanisms involved in maintaining immunity and have implications towards designing effective vaccination strategies.
Design for Line Flexibility

Abstract Capacity planning for a manufacturing line is often difficult because of changes in production demands. If the line is set up at a fixed capacity during the entire product lifetime, it is likely to have either insufficient capacity or overinvestment situations. On the other hand, any change made in capacity by adding or deleting work stations may cause line disruption and waste space. This paper presents a simple method to resolve such problems, using a direct-access material-handling system. Such a system allows construction of a flexible line that can be dynamically expanded or contracted.
The role of protein synthesis in the hypothalamic mechanism mediating pyrogen fever.

Abstract The effects of inhibition of protein synthesis by anisomycin on the pathogenesis of fever and normal thermoregulatory processes were investigated in the conscious and unrestrained cat. Subcutaneous administraton of 5.0–25.0 mg/kg of anisomycin prevented the fever normally evoked by an intravenous infusion of either 1.0 ml (10 8 organisms) of a 1:10 dilution of S. typhosa or 1.0–5.0 ml (3.5×10 5 −2.1×10 7 cells/ml) of endogenous pyrogen. In addition, systemic pre-treatment with anisomycin delayed and/or blocked the fever typically elicited by a direct micro-injection into the anterior hypothalamic, preoptic area (AH/POA) at AP 12.5–16.0 of 1.0 μl of the endotoxin. Anisomycin did not alter the hyperthermic response to an anterior hypothalamic injection of either 1.0–7.0 μg/1.0 μl of serotonin (5-HT) or 100.0 ng/1.0 μl of prostaglandin (PGE). Inhibition of protein synthesis, furthermore, did not prevent the fall in body temperature usually produced by an intrahypothalamic micro-injection of 2.33–14.0 μg/1.0 μl of either norepinephrine (NE) or dopamine (DA). The thermoregulatory capacity of the cat was unaffected by the administration of comparable doses of anisomycin, i.e., the animal was able to maintain normal body temperature (±0.5°C) when exposed to an ambient temperature of either 10°C or 34°C. These results strongly suggest that the synthesis of new protein within the region of the AH/POA is a functional requisite for the development of a pyrogen-induced fever.
Advanced Glycation End-Products: A Biological Consequence of Lifestyle Contributing to Cancer Disparity

Low income, poor diet, obesity, and a lack of exercise are interrelated lifestyle factors that can profoundly alter our biologic make up to increase cancer risk, growth, and development. We recently reported a potential mechanistic link between carbohydrate-derived metabolites and cancer, which may provide a biologic consequence of lifestyle that can directly affect tumor biology. Advanced glycation end-products (AGE) are reactive metabolites produced as a by-product of sugar metabolism. Failure to remove these highly reactive metabolites can lead to protein damage, aberrant cell signaling, increased stress responses, and decreased genetic fidelity. Critically, AGE accumulation is also directly affected by our lifestyle choices and shows a race-specific, tumor-dependent pattern of accumulation in cancer patients. This review will discuss the contribution of AGEs to the cancer phenotype, with a particular emphasis on their biologic links with the socioeconomic and environmental risk factors that drive cancer disparity. Given the potential benefits of lifestyle changes and the potential biologic role of AGEs in promoting cancer, opportunities exist for collaborations affecting basic, translational, epidemiologic, and cancer prevention initiatives.
Energy minimization approach to motion estimation

Abstract In this paper, we cast motion estimation as a problem in energy minimization. This is achieved by modeling the displacement field as a Markov random field. The equivalence of a Markov random field and a Gibbs distribution is then used to convert the problem into one of defining an appropriate energy function that describes the motion and any constraints imposed on it. The energy function is then minimized using the Mean Field Annealing algorithm, a technique which finds the global or near global minima in nonconvex optimization problems. An analysis of the algorithm and experiment results are presented.
Identification problems: US special education eligibility for English language learners

Public schools in the United States are federally mandated to identify and serve all students with disabilities. However, students whose native language is not English are at risk of being inappropriately identified or not identified for special education because issues related to language and culture complicate the identification process. This article presents findings from a qualitative multi-case study of state education agencies, school districts, and schools along the US-Mexico border. Document analysis and in-depth interviews revealed that state and district policies often lack meaningful guidance for educators in the field while bureaucrats working in state educational agencies and school districts are unprepared and lack time, knowledge, and resources to support schools and educators. The findings inform next generation policy initiatives and identify important lines of inquiry for further research.
Gp60 Activation Mediates Albumin Transcytosis in Endothelial Cells by Tyrosine Kinase-dependent Pathway

We investigated the function of gp60, an endothelial cell membrane 60-kDa albumin-binding protein localized in caveolae, and the mechanism of its activation in regulating endothelial permeability of albumin. Gp60 organization on the bovine pulmonary microvessel endothelial cell (BPMVEC) surface was punctate as shown by immunofluorescence using an anti-gp60 antibody (Ab) conjugated with bisfunctional, N-hydroxysuccinimidyl fluorophore (Cy3). Addition of a secondary Ab to anti-gp60 Ab-treated BPMVEC induced cross-linking of gp60 as evident by increased size of fluorescent particles and cell surface gp60 clustering. Gp60 cross-linking also produced 2-3-fold increases in the endothelial cell uptake and the luminal to abluminal permeability of 125I-albumin as well as the fluid-phase tracer, horseradish peroxidase. The increased transendothelial permeability of macromolecules was the result of transcytosis as it was not associated with an increase in the paracellular pathway. Incubation of anti-gp60 Ab with BPMVEC at 37 degrees C caused internalization of gp60, and thereby reduced the uptake of the macromolecules. Activation of gp60 by either albumin (the gp60 ligand) or gp60 cross-linking induced the phosphorylation of both gp60 and caveolin-1 (the major structural caveolar protein) on tyrosine residues. Gp60 activation also phosphorylated the Src family tyrosine kinases pp60(c-Src) and Fyn. The activated pp60(c-Src) and Fyn co-immunoprecipitated with caveolin-1 in BPMVEC membrane. Protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors, herbimycin A and genistein, prevented gp60-activated macromolecule uptake and transcytosis in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating the functional significance of the PTK pathway in activating albumin transcytosis. These findings indicate that activation of gp60 stimulates the Src PTK signaling pathway, and thus regulates the transcytosis of albumin across the endothelial cell monolayer.
Open Source E-Learning Systems: Evaluation of Features and Functionality

E-learning applications are becoming commonplace in most higher education institutions, and some institutions have implemented open source applications such as course management systems and electronic portfolios. These e-learning applications initiatives are the first step to moving away from proprietary software such as Blackboard and WEBCT toward open source. With open source, higher education institutions can easily and freely audit their systems. This article presents evaluation criteria that was used by a higher education institution to evaluate an open source e-learning system.
Physician Recruitment in Rural Canada: Programs in New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia

This paper examines programs used in the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia to recruit and retain physicians in rural areas. The provinces have many similarities but have unique characteristics that have shaped recruitment methods. The total number of physicians in each province has grown at a faster rate than the population. Each has problems attracting physicians to underserved areas, although the magnitude of the problems vary. The data for this paper were gathered from documents available from various agencies in each province and a series of personal interviews conducted in the spring of 1993. The provinces have chosen different avenues in attempting to solve the maldistribution of physician resources, ranging from regulatory methods in New Brunswick to moves in Newfoundland to encourage graduates of the province's medical school to locate in the rural areas and lessen the dependence on foreign medical graduates. Nova Scotia, with fewer areas needing physicians, has been able to focus its efforts on selected locations. Reviewing the methods used in the three provinces provides an insight into the attempts to solve the shortage of physicians in rural areas.
Infrared problems in quantum electrodynamics

We present a self-contained treatment of the infrared problem in Quantum Electrodynamics. Our program includes a derivation and proof of finiteness of modified reduction formulae for scattering in Coulomb potentials and unitary extensions of the relativistic Coulomb amplitudes in the forward direction. The renormalization structure of the theory is discussed in connection with the infrared problem and the renormalization group is reconsidered and shown to be inadequate for the “improvement” of perturbation theoretic results. However, simple forms of the renormalization group equations are easily established, which allow for a simple discussion of the renormalization structure and the extraction of physical quantities out of Green functions normalized at an arbitrary mass μ < m (m is the fermion mass). As an example of such a quantity we consider the construction of a renormalized and infrared finite mass-operator in presence of external fields. Scattering theory in Quantum Electrodynamics is elaborated in the context of the coherent state formulation of the asymptotic condition. Dimensional regularization techniques are systematically used for the reduction of coherent states and the construction of S-matrix elements and the cross-section formulae. The latter are obtained in a relatively simple form, which allows for a direct comparison with the exact cross-section formulae derived in the traditional context. This establishes the equivalence of the two approaches at the cross-section level. Various applications illustrate the techniques presented here and relative topics are discussed.
Relation between heart rate and left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with end-stage renal disease.

The effect of heart rate (HR) on left ventricular (LV) mechanical dyssynchrony has not been studied by phase analysis of myocardial perfusion imaging and has yielded conflicting results by echocardiography. We measured indexes of LV dyssynchrony by automated analysis of gated single-photon emission computed tomography in 140 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and 133 subjects with normal renal function (control group). Patients with abnormal perfusion pattern or QRS duration >120 ms were excluded. HR at time of acquisition of gated images was recorded. LV ejection fraction (EF), volumes, mass, and 2 indexes of dyssynchrony, phase SD and bandwidth, were derived. Almost 50% of patients in each group had an abnormal LVEF (
A stepwise algorithm for surgical treatment of type II displaced pediatric phalangeal neck fractures.

Purpose To evaluate a stepwise reduction algorithm including closed, percutaneous, and open reduction techniques followed by percutaneous pin fixation for displaced pediatric phalangeal neck fractures. Methods Sixty-one consecutive children (mean age, 9.4 y; range, 2–18 y) presenting with closed, type II displaced phalangeal neck fractures were treated using the following algorithm. If satisfactory reduction was achieved with closed reduction, percutaneous pinning (CRPP) was performed. If not achieved, then percutaneous reduction and pinning (PRPP) was performed using a temporary intrafocal joystick for reduction and for osteoclasis as needed. If percutaneous reduction failed, open reduction and percutaneous pinning (ORPP) was performed. Using the Al-Qattan system, radiographic and clinical outcomes were retrospectively graded for union, deformity, range of motion, and function. Results Satisfactory alignment was achieved in all 61 fractures, by CRPP in 49 and PRPP in 12. No fracture required open reduction. Mean number of days from injury to surgery was 8 days for CRPP and 17 days for PRPP. All fractures treated after 13 days required percutaneous pinning. Fifty-three patients were followed for at least 1 year or until full functional recovery was achieved, with 45 excellent, 4 good, 1 fair, and 3 poor results. Four complications accounted for the fair and poor results, including 1 flexion contracture, 1 nonunion following pin track infection, and 1 case of avascular necrosis following a severe crush injury in the CRPP group and 1 flexion contracture following PRPP. Conclusions Our stepwise algorithm for surgical treatment of closed, type II displaced pediatric phalangeal neck fractures produced 92% good to excellent results while minimizing the need for open reduction even in late-presenting fractures. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
On the energy-delay trade-off of a two-way relay network

We consider a three node network in which a pair of nodes with stochastic arrivals communicate with each other with the help of an intermediate relay. The bi-directional nature of the traffic, in this setting, poses a new energy delay trade-off. Namely, the relay node may choose to cache packets from one direction and send it only after packets from the other direction arrive, using an XOR network coding scheme. Doing so would save energy, but would also incur some delay for the packet. In this work, we analyze this trade-off when the relay node queues packets from each direction and uses a first-come-first-serve policy. We show that under an even traffic load where one would hope for the most energy savings, to achieve the minimum energy expenditure promised by the XOR network coding scheme, the average delay has to go to infin.
Design of a low-cost, underwater acoustic modem for short-range sensor networks

A fundamental impediment to the use of dense underwater sensor networks is an inexpensive acoustic modem. Commercial underwater modems that do exist were designed for sparse, long range, applications rather than for small, dense, sensor nets. Thus, we are building an underwater acoustic modem starting with the most critical component from a cost perspective - the transducer. The design substitutes a commercial transducer with a homemade transducer using cheap piezo-ceramic material and builds the rest of the modem's components around the properties of the transducer to extract as much performance as possible. This paper presents the design considerations, implementation details, and initial experimental results of our modem.
The effect of level of forage and oil supplement on biohydrogenation intermediates and bacteria in continuous cultures

The objective of this study was to investigate how level of forage and oils in ruminant animals’ diet affect selected strains of ruminal bacteria believed to be involved in biohydrogenation (BH). Four continuous culture fermenters were used in 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement over four consecutive periods of 10 days each. The experimental diets used in this study were: high forage diet (700:300 g/kg (DM basis) forage to concentrate; HFC), high forage with oil supplement (HFO), high forage diet (300:700 g/kg (DM basis) forage to concentrate; LFC), and high forage with oil supplement (HFO). The oil supplement was a blend of fish oil (FO) and soybean oil (SBO) added at 10 and 20 g/kg DM, respectively. Acetate concentration was greater (P<0.01) with the high forage diets whereas propionate concentration was greater (P<0.02) with the low forage diets and both decreased (P<0.05) with oil supplementation. The concentrations of t11 C18:1 (vaccenic acid, VA) and c9t11 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) were greater (P<0.01) with the high than the low forage diets and concentrations increased (P<0.01) with oil supplementation particularly when added with the high forage diet. The concentrations of t10 C18:1 and t10c12 CLA were greater (P<0.01) with the low than the high forage diets and concentrations increased (P<0.01) with oil supplementation particularly when added with the low forage diet. The DNA abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Anaerovibrio lipolytica and Butyrivibrio proteoclasticum were greater (P<0.03) with the high than the low forage diets. Oil supplementation reduced (P<0.05) the DNA abundance only for R. flavefaciens, B. fibrisolvens and R. albus especially when added with the high forage diet. Results from this study suggest that the greater trans fatty acids (FA) production seen with the high forage diets may be related to greater activity of B. fibrisolvens, R. flavefaciens and R. albus, and B. proteoclasticum appears to play a minor role in the production of C18:0 from trans C18:1.
Modeling and Design of Beyond the Roadmap Materials and Devices: Nanowires, Nanotubes, and Molecules

As device dimensions shrink to the molecular scale, theory and modeling assume an ever greater role. The analytical ability to experimentally determine the chemistry and geometry for individual molecular devices does not yet exist. Heroic experiments can be required to fabricate devices at this scale. Theory and modeling can relatively quickly explore the effect of the microscopic chemistry and geometry determining the electron and hole transport. The performance metrics of extremely scaled, difficult-to-fabricate designs can be compared. Theory and modeling can identify promising directions and provide physical understanding of experimental results. We apply theory and modeling to understand, analyze, design and optimize CNT, nanowire, and molecular based devices. The theory, modeling and design of chemically and biologically assembled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is described. A CNT-molecular-resonant tunneling device is analyzed. Interface geometry is shown to have a large effect on the electron and hole transport. The intrinsic performance metrics of a CNT field effect transistor on insulator (COIFET) are determined.
Colorimetric calibration of a video digitizing system: Algorithm and applications

In principle, digitized color video images should be rich and convenient sources of colorimetric information. In practice, these advantages are offset by the difficulty of reliably translating the video camera's output into colorimetric variables. A solution to this problem is outlined here, one which exploits the fact that spectral reflectances of many natural materials vary slowly in the visible. A characteristic vector analysis of reflectances for a set of such materials leads to an algorithm that gives colorimetrically accurate spectral reflectances from the red-green-blue output of a video digitizing system. Prior knowledge about the illumination leads to chromaticity and luminance information, which can be comparable in quality to that obtained from a spectrora-diometer. Some sample retrievals are shown for the algorithm. Since it is designed to correct color biases that are unknown initially, the algorithm has the advantage that images from many sources can be analyzed.
NTI4F: a non-peptide fluorescent probe selective for functional delta opioid receptors.

Abstract A non-peptide fluorescent probe, NTI4F, has been developed for the delta ( δ ) opioid receptor. The probe is a potent δ -antagonist in the mouse vas deferens (MVD) smooth muscle assay and it binds to the δ opioid receptor with high affinity ( K i =1 nM) and selectivity. Confocal microscopy indicates that the probe binds to Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells transfected with the δ opioid receptor. This binding can be blocked by the δ opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole (NTI), but not by morphine or ethylketazocine (EK) which are mu ( μ )- and kappa ( κ )-selective ligands. This fluorescent probe should prove useful in the study of the distribution of the δ opioid receptor.
Growth of Brown Trout in Selected Pennsylvania Streams

Abstract Samples of age-groups O and I fish from wild populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta Linnaeus) indicated a similarity in the periodicity of growth in three streams in Pennsylvania. Growth in length of trout of both age groups followed a similar pattern in the three streams, with the most rapid growth occurring in the spring and very little growth occurring in the winter months. Estimates of the mean total length at the end of two complete growing seasons were 7.0, 7.8, and 8.5 inches, respectively, for the three streams. Values of the exponent b of the customary length-weight formula were similar among the three populations, varying from 2.94 to 3.01. Annual variations in condition of the trout were also similar in the three streams. An increase in condition in the spring coincided with an increase in growth rate; a drop in condition in fall and winter was accompanied by slower growth. The trout population in Spruce Creek had the highest average condition throughout the year. This population als...