cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peptide-mediated cellular delivery of semiconductor quantum dots

CdSe/ZnS semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are ideal materials for biological sensing and cellular imaging applications due to their superior photophysical properties in comparison to fluorescent proteins or dyes and their ease of conjugation to biological materials. We have previously developed a number of in vitro FRET based biosensors in the laboratory for detection of proteases and biological and chemical agents. We would like to expand these biosensing capabilities into cellular systems, requiring development of QD cellular delivery techniques. Peptide mediated cellular delivery of QDs is ideal as peptides are small, easily conjugated to QDs, easily manipulated and synthesized, and can be designed with “handles” for further chemical conjugation with other cargo. Here we discuss four cell delivery peptides that facilitate QD uptake in live cells. Understanding these peptides will help us design better nanoparticle cellular delivery systems and advance our capabilities for in vivo biosensing.
Effects of tolmetin sodium dihydrate on normal and postsurgical peritoneal cell function

Recent studies utilizing intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of NSAIDs to rabbits after surgical injury to the parietal peritoneum demonstrated macrophage involvement. NSAIDs are known to inhibit the metabolism of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins, which in turn modulate a variety of macrophage functions. Studies presented here examine the effects of tolmetin administration on peritoneal resident and post-surgical leukocyte functions, such as phagocytosis, the release of superoxide anion and tumoricidal activity. Rats, either non-surgical or following peritoneal surgery, were injected i.p. with tolmetin. At various times after treatment, the rats were sacrificed and peritoneal cells collected by lavage. The phagocytic capability of peritoneal leukocytes was transiently decreased 5-7 days after the administration of tolmetin to normal animals. However, administration of tolmetin during surgery extended the length of time that phagocytic capability was enhanced. In non-surgical controls, there was an elevation in superoxide anion release and tumoricidal activity 24 h after tolmetin administration. Superoxide anion release was suppressed at days 5 and 7 after treatment, but returned to control levels by day 14. Intraoperative administration of tolmetin significantly elevated superoxide anion release at days 3 and 5, phagocytosis at days 7 and 14 and tumoricidal activity at day 3. These studies suggest that compounds which suppress prostaglandin synthesis can modulate the function of resident and post-surgical peritoneal cells.
Persuasive Communication: A Theoretical Model for Changing the Attitude of Preservice Elementary Teachers toward Metric Conversion.

This study was based on Hovland's four-part statement, “Who says what to whom with what effect,” the rationale for persuasive communication, a theoretical model for modifying attitudes. Part I was a survey of 139 perservice elementary teachers from which were generated the more credible characteristics of metric instructors, a central element in the “who” component of Hovland's model. They were: (1) background in mathematics and science, (2) fluency in metrics, (3) capability of thinking metrically, (4) a record of excellent teaching, (5) previous teaching of metric measurement to children, (6) responsibility for teaching metric content in methods courses and (7) an open enthusiasm for metric conversion. Part II was a survey of 45 mathematics educators where belief statements were synthesized for the “what” component of Hovland's model. It found that math educators support metric measurement because: (1) it is consistent with our monetary system; (2) the conversion of units is easier into metric than English; (3) it is easier to teach and easier to learn than English measurement; there is less need for common fractions; (4) most nations use metric measurement; scientists have used it for decades; (5) American industry has begun to use it; (6) metric measurement will facilitate world trade and communication; and (7) American children will need it as adults; educational agencies are mandating it. With the “who” and “what” of Hovland's four-part statement defined, educational researchers now have baseline data to use in testing experimentally the effect of persuasive communication on the attitude of preservice teachers toward metrication.
Variations in the longitudinal efficiency of academic medical centers.

ABSTRACT: Recent studies have revealed dramatic differences among academic medical centers (AMCs) in the quantity of care provided to their patients. The implications, however, depend upon whether ...
Venus gravity - Analysis of Beta Regio

Radio tracking data acquired over Beta Regio were analyzed to obtain a surface mass distribution from which a detailed vertical gravity field was derived. In addition, a corresponding vertical gravity field was evaluated solely from the topography of the Beta region. A comparison of these two maps confirms the strong correlation between gravity and topography which was previously seen in line-of-sight gravity maps. It also demonstrates that the observed gravity is a significant fraction of that predicted from the topography alone. The effective depth of complete isostatic compensation for the Beta region is estimated to be 330 km, which is somewhat deeper than that found for other areas of Venus.
Differential Sensitivity to Psychostimulants Across Prefrontal Cognitive Tasks: Differential Involvement of Noradrenergic α1- and α2-Receptors

Background Psychostimulants improve a variety of cognitive and behavioral processes in patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Limited observations suggest a potentially different dose-sensitivity of prefrontal cortex (PFC)-dependent function (narrow inverted-U-shaped dose–response curves) versus classroom/overt behavior (broad inverted U) in children with ADHD. Recent work in rodents demonstrates that methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin) elicits a narrow inverted-U-shaped improvement in performance in PFC-dependent tests of working memory. The current studies first tested the hypothesis that PFC-dependent tasks, in general, display narrow dose sensitivity to the beneficial actions of MPH. Methods The effects of varying doses of MPH were examined on performance of rats in two tests of PFC-dependent cognition, sustained attention and attentional set shifting. Additionally, the effect of pretreatment with the α 1 -antagonist prazosin (.5 mg/kg) on MPH-induced improvement in sustained attention was examined. Results MPH produced a broad inverted-U-shaped facilitation of sustained attention and attentional set shifting. Prior research indicates α 1 -receptors impair, whereas α 2 -receptors improve, working memory. In contrast, attentional set shifting is improved with α 1 -receptor activation, whereas α 2 -receptors exert minimal effects in this task. Given the similar dose sensitivity of sustained attention and attentional set-shifting tasks, additional studies examined whether α 1 -receptors promote sustained attention, similar to attentional set shifting. In these studies, MPH-induced improvement in sustained attention was abolished by α 1 -receptor blockade. Conclusions PFC-dependent processes display differential sensitivity to the cognition-enhancing actions of psychostimulants that are linked to the differential involvement of α 1 - versus α 2 -receptors in these processes. These observations have significant preclinical and clinical implications.
Cost minimizing target setting heuristics for making inefficient decision-making units efficient

Abstract A problem of increasing the efficiencies of inefficient decision-making units (DMUs) with known marginal costs of reducing inputs is considered. It is shown that the problem is difficult to solve exactly, and has exponential computational complexity. Two heuristics (Heuristic-I and Heuristic-II) that consider cost minimizing DEA frontier projections for inefficient DMUs are proposed. The proposed heuristics are tested by using several simulated and real-world datasets with linear and Fibonacci marginal input reduction costs. The results of the proposed heuristics are compared with traditional cost insensitive DEA frontier projections, and it is shown that Heuristic-I results in approximately 18–58% lower costs.
Corrections to scaling for percolative conduction: Anomalous behavior at small L

Recently Grassberger [Physica A 262, 251 (1999)] has shown that the correction to scaling for the conductance of a bond-percolation network on a square lattice is a nonmonotonic function of the linear lattice dimension with a minimum at $L=10,$ while this anomalous behavior is not present in the site-percolation networks. We perform a high-precision numerical study of the bond-percolation random-resistor networks on the square, triangular, and honeycomb lattices to further examine this result. We use the arithmetic, geometric, and harmonic means to obtain the conductance and find that the qualitative behavior does not change: it is not related to the shape of the conductance distribution for small system sizes. We show that the anomaly at small L is absent on the triangular and honeycomb networks. We suggest that the nonmonotonic behavior is an artifact of approximating the continuous system for which the theory is formulated by a discrete one that can be simulated on a computer. We show that by slightly changing the definition of the linear lattice size we can eliminate the minimum at small L without significantly affecting the large L limit.
Mimickers of neoplasm on abdominal and pelvic CT

Purpose The radiologist can encounter benign significant imaging findings on computed tomography that can be incorrectly interpreted as neoplasm. The authors review several benign findings and demonstrate several methods to differentiate these findings from more sinister pathology.
The transport of class I major histocompatibility complex antigens is determined by sequences in the α1 and α2 protein domains

The transport of human-mouse hybrid class I histocompatibility antigens has been studied in a mutant human cell line, 174 X CEM.T2 (T2). T2, a somatic cell hybrid of human B- and T-lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL and T-LCL, respectively), synthesized HLA-A2 and HLA-B5 glycoproteins, but expresses only low levels of A2 and undetectable levels of B5 at the cell surface. We have previously shown that the products of human class I genes introduced into T2 by transfection behave like the endogenous HLA-B5 glycoproteins, while the products of mouse class I alleles similarly introduced are transported normally to the cell surface. We have now determined that the surface expression of class I glycoproteins in T2 depends on the origin of the alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains. Human (HLA-B7) and mouse (H-2Dp) hybrid class I genes, encoding the leader, alpha 1, and alpha 2 sequences of one species fused to the alpha 3, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic domains of the other, were transfected into T2. Normal surface expression of the hybrid class I molecule was observed in T2 only when the leader, alpha 1, and alpha 2-encoding exons were derived from the mouse gene. The reciprocal construct, encoding human leader, alpha 1, and alpha 2 domains fused to the mouse alpha 3, transmembrane, and cytoplasmic regions, resulted in biosynthesis of a hybrid glycoprotein which was not transported to the cell surface. The products of both constructs were expressed normally in control cells. The effects of glycosylation on class I antigen transport were also studied using mutant class I constructs with altered glycosylation sites. Two mutant B7 genes encoding either an extra glycosylation site at position 176 or no glycosylation sites were transfected into T2. These mutant products were expressed at the cell surface in control cells, but were synthesized and not surface-expressed in T2. These data demonstrate that the HLA/H-2 transport dichotomy in T2 is a function of the origin of the alpha 1 and/or alpha 2 domains of the class I glycoprotein, and is not a reflection of glycosylation differences between the human and mouse molecules.
Electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometric characterization of high molecular mass Starburst™ dendrimers

Abstract A series of Starburst ™ polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers, built from a tetrafunctional ethylenediamine (EDA) core, generations 1 to 10 (G1–G10), and covering a wide range of charge state distributions (i.e. from m / z ∼ 500 to m / z ∼ 15 000), have been investigated by electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry. High resolution mass spectra for lower generation dendrimers (G1, M r ∼ 1429 u to G5, M r ∼ 28 825 u) allowed characterization of the polydispersity of these systems, providing a basis for improving synthetic strategies and characterizing surface-modified dendrimers. The relationship between charge state in the gas phase and molecular mass of these spherical macromolecules is reported and used to estimate the stoichiometry of a G5 PAMAM dendrimer — polyclonal rabbit IgG immunoconjugate. The results presented herein represent the highest molecular mass species yet detected by FT-ICR MS with the exception of measurements based upon individual ion detection.
LOW-TEMPERATURE JOSEPHSON CURRENT PEAK IN JUNCTIONS WITH D-WAVE ORDER PARAMETERS

A low-temperature peak in the critical current of Josephson junctions containing $d$-wave order parameters (D) was recently found by Barash et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 4070 (1996)]. We point out that the height and width of this low-temperature peak is limited by the transmission coefficient $T$ through the insulator (I) separating the two superconductors. In planar DID junctions the width of the Josephson current peak in temperature is $\sqrt{T}{\mathrm{T}}_{c}$ and its height is ${I}_{c}{R}_{n}=\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Delta}/e\sqrt{T}$. In SID junctions, where S is an ordinary $s$-wave superconductor, the corresponding low-temperature peak in the Josephson current has a width in temperature $T{\mathrm{T}}_{c}$ and a height ${I}_{c}{R}_{n}=\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\Delta}/e$. Both the height and width of the low-temperature Josephson current peak follow from the bound Andreev-level spectrum in SID and DID junctions. Interface roughness and suppression of the order parameter near the interface will also affect the height and width of the low-temperature peak.
Steroid Production in “Nonfunctioning” Adrenal Cortical Tumor

The urinary steroids in 3 patients with metastatic “nonfunctioning” adrenal tumor have been studied. There was no excessive production of hydrocortisone or adrenal androgen metabolites. However, the isolation of rather large amounts of Δ5-pregnene-3β,20α-diol and pregnane-3α,20α-diol from 2 patients indicates that the metastases were at least capable of the first step in corticosteroid biosynthesis—cholesterol to pregnenolone. There was further evidence of a relative inability to oxidize the C-3 hydroxyl group and to rearrange the 5,6-double bond. Δ5-Pregnene-3α,16α,20α-triol was isolated from the urine of one of these patients. There was an absence of abnormal steroids in the third patient studied.
The electronic design notebook: Performing medium and processing medium

The traditional “Engineer's Notebook” is a volume of bound paper pages. This archaic system is still the medium of choice for mechanical engineers during the conceptual phase of design. In making this choice, designers are taking aperformer's view, choosing freedom and agility in the initial making of drawings over processing power. The paper notebook allows the designer to quickly write and draw whatever she or he desires. During conceptualization, a designer is functioning as a performer, like a musician. And also like a musician, her instrument must be agile or the performance will be cramped and ideas lost. But the agility of Computer Aided Design systems has been neglected in favor ofprocessing power — the ability to do something with the drawings in addition to just making them. Described in this paper isvmacs, a prototypeElectronic Design Notebook which combines the capabilities of performing medium and processing medium.
DELIVERY ROOM MANAGEMENT OF THE MECONIUM-STAINED NEWBORN: A SURVEY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE HOSPITALS. 1260

PURPOSE: To explore the degree of variation in routine management of infants born through meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) in New Hampshire. METHODS: In spring 1994 a survey was sent to one pediatrician or family practitioner (FP), one obstetrician, and one labor nurse manager at each of the 26 hospitals in the state providing delivery services. Questions dealt with usual practices regarding attendance at these deliveries by pediatricians/FPs, routine intubation and tracheal suction, major influences on practice, and Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) certification. Responses were received from 20 obstetricians, 23 pediatricians/FPs, and 26 nurse managers; overall response rate was 90% including at least one response from each hospital. RESULTS: Ten percent of respondents stated that no deliveries were attended routinely by a pediatrician or FP, while 7% said that no infants were intubated routinely. Many practitioners do not routinely provide tracheal suction for depressed infants born through thin meconium, or for vigorous infants with thick MSAF (TABLE). Several different sources were cited as the most important influence on practice: NRP (46%). AAP/ACOG Perinatal Guidelines (11%), local experience (11%), and the medical literature (7%) were most frequent. While 97% of nurses, 65% of obstetricians, and 71% of pediatricians/FPs were NRP certified, hospitals with higher rates of physician NRP certification did not have different practices regarding airway management or attendance at deliveries when compared with those with lower rates. CONCLUSION: Management of infants born through MSAF is not uniform among the hospitals surveyed. Variations in practice are particularly common with depressed infants born through thin meconium, or for vigorous infants with thickly stained fluid. We speculate that this may be due to a lack of concensus regarding these issues among major references and organizations.
Comparison of collection and land use efficiency for various solar concentrating field geometries

In this paper we analyze the effects of neighbor shadowing of tracking solar photovoltaic arrays when they are set out in solar farms for large scale generation. Closer tracker spacing yields more power per unit area of land, but less power per tracking unit because of shadowing. A model has been developed to quantify and compare efficiencies for different tracker aspect ratios and field layouts, on an hourly, daily and annual basis. The model accounts for atmospheric absorption as well as neighbor shadowing at low solar altitude angles. We have focused on the case of CPV arrays which are oriented normal to the rays from the sun. The field layout is best characterized by the ratio of total array area to land area (the ground cover ratio or GCR). We explore as a function of GCR both the fraction of all the direct sunlight energy that is intercepted by the arrays (the irradiance collection efficiency) and the energy lost by each array because of shadowing.Examples are worked out for rectangular arrays on dual axis trackers at 33° latitude. We find that for a ground cover ratio of 30% the annual irradiance collection efficiency is 50%, almost independent of the layout pattern or the array aspect ratio. For a ground cover ratio of 40%, the irradiance collection efficiency rises to 65%. The corresponding shadowing losses do depend on aspect ratio, thus for 30% GCR the annual average of shadowing loss is 7.2% for 3:1 aspect ratio, rising to 7.8% for 2:1 aspect ratio. High GCR is not realizable for higher aspect ratios, which lead to large swing radius, but for 2:1 aspect ratio 40% GCR results in shadowing loss of 11.5%. One conclusion is that a solar farm with arrays of 2:1 aspect ratio set out with 40% GCR is good compromise when land is scarce: 64% of all the direct sunlight energy incident on the land is harvested by the arrays, with only 11.5% shadowing loss. We have compared these efficiencies with those for trough CSP systems, which also harvest direct sunlight but with reflectors turning about a single, horizontal N-S axis. For given GCR, the shadowing loss is slightly less (0.5%) than for the above dual-axis arrays, however the irradiance collection efficiency is worse in winter, leading to a lower annual average for a given GCR. For example, at 40% GCR, a single-axis system realizes a 56% irradiance collection efficiency compared to 64% for the dual axis systems.
Photovoltaics and materials science: helping to meet the environmental imperatives of clean air and climate change

Abstract Human activity is altering the composition of the atmosphere in unprecedented ways. Fossil fuel combustion, which currently releases 5.6 billion metric tons of carbon annually, in combination with deforestation, has increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide 25% above pre-industrial levels. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases trap infrared radiation from the earth altering its thermal balance. While carbon dioxide is anticipated to contribute about one-half of human induced global warming, the world energy sector is responsible for an estimated 57% of future global warming when contributions from additional combustion related pollutants are included. In order to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide even at current elevated levels, computer models suggest the need to reduce emission rates by approximately 75%. Present patterns of energy use are also contributing to major air pollution problems. An analysis of policy options shows that a combination of vastly improved energy efficiency strategies and carbon free energy production technologies are essential to simultaneously slow the rate of global warming and improve air quality. This paper summarizes current knowledge of the greenhouse effect and its consequences, and examines how photovoltaic electricity can contribute to atmospheric stabilization goals. Some specific examples and strategies will be given that may accelerate the rate at which photovoltaic technologies can penetrate the market. Should these strategies succeed, it will have majot implications for materials science including increased attention to pollution problems associated with the manufacture of many promising photovoltaic technologies.
COMMUNICATIONS FORUM INTERVENTIONS: A LONGITUDINAL CASE STUDY

The article explores the use of a communication forum intervention in the Pharmacy Division of a large health maintenance organisation. An initial discussion of communication forum interventions as a sub‐set of parallel learning structure interventions is followed by a descriptive case study. The article concludes with an assessment of the intervention over a ten‐year period and a discussion of implications.
Vibrational modes and diffusion of self-interstitial atoms in body-centered-cubic transition metals: A tight-binding molecular-dynamics study

Using a tight-binding molecular-dynamics method, we have calculated the formation energies, diffusivity, and localized vibrational frequencies of self-interstitial atoms (SIA's) in body-centered-cubic (bcc) transition metals: vanadium, niobium, molybdenum, and tantalum. As a test of our methods, we compare to experiment for the perfect bcc phonon spectra and we compare to previous ab initio SIA formation energies. In addition, we present vibrational spectra calculated from molecular dynamics via the velocity autocorrelation method. For all of the systems studied, we find that the localized vibration frequency of a SIA dumbbell pair is roughly twice the frequency of the bcc phonon-density-of-states peak. We also find an Arrhenius temperature dependence for SIA hopping, with frequency prefactors ranging between the cutoff of the ideal bcc lattice and the highest frequencies of the SIA dumbbell. In all cases, we find that the energy barrier to SIA diffusion is approximately $0.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$.
Synchronization of encystment of Scrippsiella lachrymosa (Dinophyta)

The encystment of Scrippsiella lachrymosa cells (strain B-10), which can be induced reliably in encystment medium, was inhibited by stirring the culture. 100 mL cultures in glass beakers were stirred at 1 rotation s−1. Stirring inhibited vegetative cells from congregating (swarming) at the walls of the culture container. When stirring was stopped, a rapid induction of sexual reproduction was seen. As soon as stirring stopped (within 2 min), cells were observed swarming near the edges of the glass beaker. Four days after cessation of stirring, large percentages of the cells were mating and, after 7 days, most were zygotes. Cultures were observed after 31, 38, and, 45 days of stirring. When cultures were stirred for 45 days, cysts developed in the stirred treatments, but these cysts were attached to flocculent material that had also formed in the medium. The use of this laboratory method is advantageous for the study of the mating through cyst stages of the dinoflagellate life history. This method may also demonstrate the need for a ‘surface’ as a place for the dinoflagellate to congregate in order to successfully encyst and may help explain environmental observations of encystment at pycnoclines.
Social comparisons and cooperative R&D ventures: the double-edged sword of communication

Abstract In this paper, we examine the communication-performance link in the R&D laboratory, with an eye toward the effects of task- and equity-related communications on the social environment. We argue that social comparisons (where employees make comparisons between themselves and their coworkers) can have deleterious effects on performance under certain conditions, possibly negating the positive effects of increased communication. We discuss the theory and evidence behind the social comparison-performance link, and then propose mechanisms to promote the positive effects of social comparisons, while minimizing the negative. These mechanisms take the form of organization structure and human resource management policies. The conclusion is that while other factors, such as characteristics of the partners, technology, and market, are important in structuring the cooperative R&D venture, attention to social comparison theory's consequences may help the venture realize its full potential.
SU-FF-T-371: Reducing Staff Exposure From Fluoroscopy During Ultrasound Guided Permanent Prostate Seed Implantation

The use of fluoroscopy during permanent prostate implantation (in addition to ultrasound) provides an added verification method for insuring correct placement of seeds. However, this raises a concern about staff radiation exposure during the procedure. Here, we evaluate the magnitude of this risk, and propose practical exposure reduction techniques. Radiation exposure from fluoroscopy C‐arm directed upon an anthropomorphic abdominal/pelvic phantom in a simulated clinical geometry was measured using an ion chamber, and verified by point measurements on equipment and staff during clinical procedures. Exposure reduction techniques consisted of 1. modifying beam management and 2. use of additional shielding: a) placing drape on the table and b) a sterile shield on the patient. Measurements were made at 100 and 150 cm from the floor on a grid of 30 × 30 cm. Unshielded exposure rates at the nearest normally occupied space were 536, 118, and 168 mR/hr for the extremity (i.e. hands), eyes, and waist level, respectively. The use of supplemental shielding of 0.5 mm lead equivalent drape on the table and a sterile heavy metal pad shield around the patient's perineum resulted in exposure reductions of approximately 45–78% to 190, 32, and 92 mR/hr for the extremity, eyes, and waist level, respectively. Optimizing beam management techniques, such as reducing the field of view and collimating the beam, resulted in an additional 20–40% reduction in scattered room exposures. In our tests, one layer of the sterile heavy metal pad shield reduced the exposure from I‐125 seeds by 98%. In accordance with the ALARA principle, simple beam management techniques and readily available supplemental shielding can be effectively utilized to reduce scattered fluoroscopy exposures to the extremity, eye, and waist without interfering with the clinical procedure. In addition, exposures from I‐125 seeds can be significantly reduced with thin heavy metal pad shielding.
Stochastic predictive control for semi-autonomous vehicles with an uncertain driver model

In this paper a robust control framework is proposed for the lane-keeping and obstacle avoidance of semi-autonomous ground vehicles. A robust Model Predictive Control framework (MPC) is used in order to enforce safety constraints with minimal control intervention. A stochastic driver model is used in closed-loop with a vehicle model to obtain a distribution over future vehicle trajectories. The uncertainty in the prediction is converted to probabilistic constraints. The robust MPC computes the smallest corrective steering action needed to satisfy the safety constraints, to a given probability. Simulations of a driver approaching multiple obstacles, with uncertainty obtained from measured data, show the effect of the proposed framework.
Efficient extraction of high centrality vertices in distributed graphs

Betweenness centrality (BC) is an important measure for identifying high value or critical vertices in graphs, in variety of domains such as communication networks, road networks, and social graphs. However, calculating betweenness values is prohibitively expensive and, more often, domain experts are interested only in the vertices with the highest centrality values. In this paper, we first propose a partition-centric algorithm (MS-BC) to calculate BC for a large distributed graph that optimizes resource utilization and improves overall performance. Further, we extend the notion of approximate BC by pruning the graph and removing a subset of edges and vertices that contribute the least to the betweenness values of other vertices (MSL-BC), which further improves the runtime performance. We evaluate the proposed algorithms using a mix of real-world and synthetic graphs on an HPC cluster and analyze its strengths and weaknesses. The experimental results show an improvement in performance of upto 12× for large sparse graphs as compared to the state-of-the-art, and at the same time highlights the need for better partitioning methods to enable a balanced workload across partitions for unbalanced graphs such as small-world or power-law graphs.
The State Diagram for Cell Adhesion Mediated by Two Receptors

Leukocyte recruitment from the bloodstream to surrounding tissues is an essential component of the immune response. Capture of blood-borne leukocytes onto vascular endothelium proceeds via a two-step mechanism, with each step mediated by a distinct receptor-ligand pair. Cells first transiently adhere, or “roll” (via interactions between selectins and sialyl-Lewis-x), and then firmly adhere to the vascular wall (via interactions between integrins and ICAM-1). We have reported that a computational method called adhesive dynamics (AD) accurately reproduces the fine-scale dynamics of selectin-mediated rolling. This paper extends the use of AD simulations to model the dynamics of cell adhesion when two classes of receptors are simultaneously active: one class (selectins or selectin ligands) with weakly adhesive properties, and the other (integrins) with strongly adhesive properties. AD simulations predict synergistic functions of the two receptors in mediating adhesion. At a fixed density of surface ICAM-1, increasing selectin densities lead to greater pause times and an increased tendency toward firm adhesion; thus, selectins mechanistically facilitate firm adhesion mediated by integrins. Conversely, at a fixed density of surface selectin, increasing ICAM-1 densities lead to greater pause times and an increased tendency to firm adhesion. We present this relationship in a two-receptor state diagram, a map that relates the densities and properties of adhesion molecules to various adhesive behaviors that they code, such as rolling or firm adhesion. We also present a state diagram for neutrophil activation, which relates β2-integrin density and integrin-ICAM-1 kinetic on rate to neutrophil adhesive behavior. The predictions of two-receptor adhesive dynamics are validated by the ability of the model to reproduce in vivo neutrophil rolling velocities from the literature.
The role of repeat victimization in adolescent delinquent behaviors and recidivism

Abstract Purpose To report prevalence of adolescent victimization and delinquency recidivism as well as to assess the association between repeat victimization and delinquency recidivism in a large, population-based sample of high school seniors. Methods A nationally representative sample of the Monitoring the Future Project (about 17,000 high school seniors from 1996 to 1999) was analyzed as a pooled sample. The analysis was based on self-reported measures of ten different types of delinquent behaviors including violent and property offenses. Other measures included in the analysis are victimization and information about sociodemographic (e.g,. geographic region, parental education, number of parents in the home) and lifestyle (e.g., grade from average, truancy, work experience, religious commitment) characteristics. Pairwise and multivariate methods were used to examine the risk association between repeat victimization and delinquency recidivism. Results From 1996 to 1999, a downward trend was observed for most types of delinquent behaviors: recidivism among seniors except for hitting instructors/supervisors, damaging school property, and car theft. For the same study period, the prevalence of victimization recidivism was also on the decline except for injury with a weapon and physical threats. Repeat victimization was found to be significantly associated with delinquency recidivism. Other risk factors more frequently associated with delinquency recidivism included gender, race, drug use, poor school performance, truancy, risk-seeking, and conflicts with parents. Conclusions The present study showed a significant association between repeat victimization and delinquent recidivism; it identified characteristics of adolescent at risk of repetitive delinquent behaviors, which could be used for planning intervention strategies.
Increased Responsivity of Suspended Graphene Photodetectors

The responsivity of graphene photodetectors depends critically on the elevated temperature of the electronic subsystem upon photoexcitation. We investigate the role of the substrate in providing cooling pathways for photoexcited carriers under ambient conditions by partially suspending few-layer graphene over a trench. Through photocurrent microscopy, we observe p–n junctions near the supported/suspended interfaces that produce photothermoelectric currents. Most importantly, we find the photocurrent in suspended p–n junctions to be an order of magnitude larger than in supported structures. This enhancement is attributed to the elimination of a dominant electronic cooling channel via the surface phonons of the polar substrate. Our work documents this mechanism of energy exchange between graphene and its environment, and it points to the importance of dielectric engineering for future improved graphene photodetectors.
SCH23390, but not raclopride, decreases intake of intraorally infused 10% sucrose in adult rats.

Abstract When 10% sucrose is infused intraorally on postnatal days (PN) 7, 14, and 21, raclopride, a D2 dopaminergic antagonist, does not affect intake at any age and SCH23390, a D1 antagonist, does not affect intake on PN 7 but a large dose decreases intake on PN 14 and 21. To determine if this differential effect of the antagonists on PN 14 and 21 remains after further postnatal development, we studied adult rats in this intraoral intake test. Females (n = 77) and male (n = 81) adult rats, approximately 43 or 96 days old, were deprived for 4 h before intraoral infusion of 10% sucrose. Each rat was tested once and this was its first experience with sucrose. SCH23390 (133 or 267 μg/kg), raclopride (357 or 714 μg/kg), or saline vehicle was given IP at −15 min. The larger dose of SCH23390 significantly decreased intake of rats that were approximately 43 and 96 days old, but neither dose of raclopride changed intake at either age. These results suggest that D1, but not D2, receptors are necessary components of the central neural network that processes the unconditioned gustatory stimulus of 10% sucrose into mouthing and swallowing movements that maintain ingestion in late preweanling and adult rats under conditions.
Modeling of dynamic behavior of a single-point moored submersible fish cage under currents

Abstract The submergence behavior of a small volume fish cage in a single-point mooring system under currents is investigated using a numerical model. Results are validated by comparing to a scaled physical model tow test. The current induced submergence depth, as a function of net chamber solidity for various water velocities is examined. The system remains at the surface at low water velocities until the solidity dependent threshold is reached. At higher currents, the system enters an unstable submergence regime where a small change in the system design could significantly impact the predicted submergence depth. The distribution of current throughout the water column also plays an important role in the steady state response of the structure. Analytical formulas to approximate the dependence of normal drag coefficient for cylinders and spheres on Reynolds number (Re) are proposed. The formulas for cylinders expand the expressions of Choo and Casarella (1971) to account for the decrease in drag forces experimentally observed for 2 × 10 5 6 . Modeling of this effect is important for proper interpretation of Froude scale physical modeling data.
Selection of fusion levels in adults with spinal deformity: an update.

Abstract Background context Adult spinal deformity (ASD) is commonly associated with disability and represents a challenging condition for physicians. Although surgical management has been reported as superior to conservative care, the choice of patient-specific optimal strategy has been poorly defined. A key question remains selection of fusion levels as this implies careful balance of risks and benefits. Purpose The aim of this review is to propose an update on current knowledge related to optimal fusion levels in the surgical treatment of ASD. Study design Literature review. Methods Based on a comprehensive literature search, recent studies focusing on the management of ASD were reviewed to establish current concepts on fusion levels in the management of symptomatic ASD. Results Despite numerous published studies, the management of ASD and specifically optimal fusion levels is incompletely defined. Described approaches carry benefits and risks. However, the need for detailed analysis and preoperative planning is confirmed as a prerequisite to obtaining realignment objectives and good outcomes. Conclusions The treatment of ASD is emerging as an important health-care issue of the 21st century because of prevalence and cost. Despite technical advances related to ASD surgery, complication rates remain elevated, particularly in the older population. Recent research, mostly driven by outcome measures, has improved our understanding of optimal treatment approaches to ASD. The development of a widely accepted classification system will help to share knowledge and improve our ability to treat these complex patients.
Integration of multimodal MRI data via PCA to explain language performance.

Objective/methods Neuroimaging research has predominantly focused on exploring how cortical or subcortical brain abnormalities are related to language dysfunction in patients with neurological disease through the use of single modality imaging. Still, limited knowledge exists on how various MRI measures relate to each other and to patients' language performance. In this study, we explored the relationship between measures of regional cortical thickness, gray–white matter contrast (GWMC), white matter diffusivity [mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA)] and the relative contributions of these MRI measures to predicting language function across patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and healthy controls. T1- and diffusion-weighted MRI data were collected from 56 healthy controls and 52 patients with TLE. By focusing on frontotemporal regions implicated in language function, we reduced each domain of MRI data to its principal component (PC) and quantified the correlations among these PCs and the ability of these PCs to explain the variation in vocabulary, naming and fluency. We followed up our significant findings by assessing the predictive power of the implicated PCs with respect to language impairment in our sample.
Nonparallel transport and mechanisms of secretion.

After many years of controversy, it is now clear that at least some cells and tissues that secrete more than one product can vary the composition of the secreted mixture as the result of the differential transport of various substances out of the cells that secrete them. In various substances out of the cells that secrete them. In this article we discuss this phenomenon, non-parallel transport or secretion, and how it has and continues to inform us about how cells release the products they manufacture. We focus on expression of the phenomenon in the secretion of digestive enzymes by the exocrine pancreas, where it has been studied most extensively
A simulation study of a test for the equality of the coefficients of variation

Simulation study results are given for the size and power of a test for the equality of the coefficients of variation from r normal populations. Independent samples of equal and unequal size from the normal and three other distributions were used. The size and power of the test compare favorably to two tests developed by Doornbos and Dijkstra and the test statistic is simpler to compute.
Membranous Nephropathy: A Long Road but Well Traveled

My job as Guest Editor of this symposium is to put the four separate articles that it contains into context and tie them together as one cohesive feature. To do that, I am going to describe (admittedly from a very personal perspective, because I have walked this road!) the highlights of our journey
Grades as Money and the Role of the Market Metaphor in Management Education

This article addresses grading, one process in the management education pedagogical framework, to explore how the economic metaphor underlying grading practices has shaped stakeholders' perspective...
Transcriptional Regulation of Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene in Ovine Large Luteal Cells

There is positive feedback pathway in the ovine large luteal cell, such that prostaglandin (PG) F2a stimulation induces intraluteal PGF2a production as the result of induction of one of the rate-limiting enzymes in PG production, cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox2). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the intracellular effector systems and important DNA transcriptional element(s) involved in regulating the Cox-2 gene in ovine large luteal cells. In transient transfection assays, Cox-2 promoter was rapidly induced (4 h) by phorbol didecanoate (a protein kinase [PK] C activator), ionomycin, and cloprostenol (PGF2a analogue), with a peak induction at 12 h. Cloprostenol-mediated promoter activation was not blocked by inhibition of various second messenger systems, including PKA, calcium calmodulin kinase II, or mitogen-activated protein kinases. However, myristoylated PKC pseudosubstrate peptide inhibited cloprostenol stimulation of Cox-2 promoter, indicating the critical role of PKC in this stimulation. The Cox-2 promoter could be reduced to 282 base pairs (bp) of the 59 flanking sequence with retention of full inducibility by cloprostenol. Mutation of three critical cisresponsive elements within this 282-bp region (C/EBP, cAMP responsive element [CRE], and E-box) indicated that E-box was critical in both basal and cloprostenol-induced promoter activity. However, there was also significant but less dramatic inhibition of cloprostenol stimulation by mutation of C/EBP and CRE in the Cox-2 promoter, and mutation of all three elements eliminated cloprostenol induction of this promoter. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays of nuclear extracts from large luteal cells revealed that upstream stimulatory factor (USF)-1 and USF-2 bound to the E-box in Cox-2. Thus, PKC directly regulates transcription of the Cox-2 gene in large luteal cells by acting through DNA elements close to the putative transcriptional start point, particularly an E-box region at 250 bp. corpus luteum, gene regulation, kinases, signal transduction
The Relation of Acidity to the Coagulation Temperature of Evaporated Milk

Summary The variation in the coagulation temperature of mixed herd milk is comparatively small and has little relation to the coagulating temperature of the same milk after evaporation. Consequently the temperature at which evaporated milk made from the mixed milk of a number of cows will curdle cannot be predicted with any accuracy by determining the coagulating temperature of the raw milk. The interrelation of the constituents of the ash of the milk, which has been shown to be a factor in determining the coagulating point of fresh milk from individual cows, is only a minor factor in determining the coagulating temperature of evaporated milk. This is partly due to the rearrangement of the acid-base relation in the condensing process, and partly to the obscuring effect of other factors, which in the mixed milk from many cows become of much greater significance. The effect of high forewarming in raising the coagulating temperature of evaporated milk is evidently due to the precipitation of part of the calcium. Forewarming temperatures much below 95°C. (203°F.) have little effect on the coagulating temperature. The effect of high forewarming may be increased by prolonging the heating. There is no very definite relation between the coagulating temperature of evaporated milk and the true acidity, as measured by determining the hydrogen-ion concentration of the milk before sterilization. There is a comparatively wide limit within which the hydrogen-ion concentration may vary without influencing the coagulating temperature. A very small increase in the acidity from the normal for that particular milk will cause a distinct lowering of the coagulating temperature of the evaporated milk. Other factors which have not yet been fully investigated have an important influence on the coagulating temperature without appreciably changing the acidity.
Empirical plasmapause models from magnetic indices

[1] We use a database of CRRES in situ observations of plasmapause crossings to build empirical models of the plasmapause location as a function of geomagnetic indices. Previous models used the maximum value in Kp during the hours to days leading up to the plasmapause crossing. We find that a recent maximum in AE or minimum in Dst provides a better model of the plasmapause radius than does maximum Kp. AE and Dst measure specific current systems (the auroral electrojet and ring current, respectively). The AE model suggests that substorms may be involved in the erosion of the plasmapause. The Dst model suggests that ring current may be formed by the same electric field that erodes the plasmapause. In more complex models, Kp and AE can describe local time structure in the plasmapause, with the furthest plasmapause before dawn at quiet times, premidnight at active times.