cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure of Input Supplying Industries and Techniques of Analysis

HIS paper surveys the character of structural change in selected farm input industries, stresses the need for increased economic research in these factor markets, and presents some encountered and anticipated research problems and techniques of analysis. G. Edward Schuh has provided a useful review of economic research since 1950 in the agricultural input markets [17]. His summary emphasized the relative lack of economic research and policy attention to these markets. Schuh's research review was organized around two concepts of structure: market structure research and structural relation research.1 His annotation ranged the full spectrum of productive factors. This paper is more limited in scope. It deals with U.S. feed, seed, petroleum, fertilizer, pesticide, and farm machinery markets.2 Further, it tends to stress market structure research problems. This is because of particular inter-industry organizational developments during the 1960's. The substantial structural adjustments noted in these markets apparently have helped generate expanded research interest in the purchased input industries.3 Recent emphasis in both market structure and structural relation research by the Economic Research Service and several state experiment stations suggest this increase.4 Most recently, 14 states have joined a
Fibrin stimulates platelets to increase factor VIIIa binding site expression.

Summary. Factor (F)VIII functions as an enzymatic cofactor on the membranes of stimulated platelets. However, thrombin stimulates platelets to express only a small number of binding sites for FVIII. We wished to determine whether molecules that are likely to be present in a developing thrombus stimulate platelets to up-regulate FVIII binding site expression. Flow cytometry was utilized to measure binding of fluorescein-labeled FVIIIa to activated platelets and a FXase assay was utilized to measure platelet-dependent function. Various agonists as well as normal and mutant fibrinogens and fibrin were evaluated as co-stimuli. Thrombin-stimulated platelets expressed 214 ± 67 binding sites for thrombin-activated FVIII (FVIIIa) and none of the established soluble agonists enhanced binding site exposure. However, the presence of 5 µg mL−1 fibrin increased the number of FVIIIa binding sites/platelet three- to eight-fold (1470 ± 130, range 600–1800) with a parallel increase in platelet-based FXase assay. Binding site up-regulation was not stimulated by fibrinogen and was blocked by inhibitors of GPIIbIIIa. Mutant fibrin lacking the γ-chain C-terminal four residues was ineffective while fibrin with altered RGD sequences did stimulate expression of FVIIIa binding sites indicating that co-stimulation is mediated by the fibrin γ-chain termini. Fibrin-enhanced expression of FVIIIa binding sites was not supported by D364H fibrin, which does not aggregate normally, and was blocked by the GPRP peptide, which inhibits fibrin polymerization. Polymerized fibrin can function as a platelet co-stimulus, up-regulating expression of binding sites for FVIIIa.
Crystal growth of bismuth tungstate

Abstract Bi2WO6 is a polar materials in the bismuth titanate family, Bi2Mn-1RnO3n+3. Additions of NaF to a Na2WO4 - WO3 flux yielded large single crystals up to 0.8 mm thick, which were free of inclusions. Total impurities were less than 500 ppm, and the crystals contained no apparent twin boundaries.
Management of abdominal and pelvic abscess in Crohn’s disease

Patients with Crohn's disease may develop an abdominal or pelvic abscess during the course of their illness. This process results from transmural inflammation and penetration of the bowel wall, which in turn leads to a contained perforation and subsequent abscess formation. Management of patients with Crohn's related intra-abdominal and pelvic abscesses is challenging and requires the expertise of multiple specialties working in concert. Treatment usually consists of percutaneous abscess drainage (PAD) under guidance of computed tomography in addition to antibiotics. PAD allows for drainage of infection and avoidance of a two-stage surgical procedure in most cases. It is unclear if PAD can be considered a definitive treatment without the need for future surgery. The use of immune suppressive agents such as anti-tumor necrosis factor-α in this setting may be hazardous and their appropriate use is controversial. This article discusses the management of spontaneous abdominal and pelvic abscesses in Crohn's disease.
Concentration of dietary N-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and the human immune status.

Abstract We examined the effect of the dietary concentration of total fat and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the immune status of seven healthy women (age 30–65 years) who lived at our metabolic suite. During the first 20 days all subjects consumed a stabilization diet that contained 5.2 energy percent (en%) PUFA and 41.1 en% fat. For the next 40 days, three subjects consumed a diet with 3.2 en% PUFA and 26.1 en% fat, while the remaining four subjects consumed a diet with 9.1 en% PUFA and 31.1 en% fat. For the next 40 days, the diets of the two groups were crossed over. Blastogenesis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells cultured with phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, protein A, and pokeweed, and the serum concentrations of complement fractions C 3 and C 4 were significantly increased upon the feeding of both low fat (26.1 or 31.1 en%) diets compared to the values when the high fat (41.1 en%) diet was fed. None of the indices tested were different when the high PUFA (9.1 en%) and low PUFA (3.1 en%) diets were compared. Our results indicate that low fat diets improve some of the indices of human immune status and that a moderate increase in the level of n-6 PUFA in an otherwise low fat diet does not suppress the human immune system.
Instrumental quantile regression inference for structural and treatment effect models

We introduce a class of instrumental quantile regression methods for heterogeneous treatment effect models and simultaneous equations models with nonadditive errors and offer computable methods for estimation and inference. These methods can be used to evaluate the impact of endogenous variables or treatments on the entire distribution of outcomes. We describe an estimator of the instrumental variable quantile regression process and the set of inference procedures derived from it. We focus our discussion of inference on tests of distributional equality, constancy of effects, conditional dominance, and exogeneity. We apply the procedures to characterize the returns to schooling in the U.S.
Considerations regarding input and output spaces for time-varying dynamical systems

A small topic in the abstract theory of system modelling is investigated in this paper. As understood here, a system is a map F from an input space U to an output space Y. The systems with which we are concerned are causal dynamical systems for which inputs and outputs are functions of time. The topic under consideration is the choice and topologization of input and output spaces and their relation to system behavior. The concepts described below, which underlie the work in [1] and [2], provide intuitive background for the development here. Let y = F(u) be the input-output map of a causal (in general of a nonlinear, time-varying) system, where u and y are functions of time belonging to suitable function spaces U and Y, respectively, and F is causal, continuous and bounded. Let Pt, t ~ R , denote projection on the past; i.e. for any function of time z, (Ptz)(s) = z(s) or 0 according as s t. Fix T > 0 and define fit for all t ~ R by
SU‐FF‐J‐19: How Much 4D Data Is Needed for Estimation of Dose Distribution Evaluation Metrics at the Time of Planning?

Purpose: To investigate the number of intermediate states required to adequately approximate the cumulative dose to deforming/moving thoracic anatomy. Method and Materials: CT scans at exhale were registered to images and/or simulated data at inhale and 4 or more intermediate breathing states for several lung cancer patients using B-spline transformations. Doses to each state were computed using the DPM Monte-Carlo code and dose was accumulated for scoring on the exhale anatomy via the transformation matrices for each state and time weighting factors. Cumulative doses were estimated using increasing numbers of intermediate states and compared to simpler scenarios such as a “2-state” model which used only the exhale and inhale datasets (as these have the highest time weighting coefficients). Dose distributions for each modeled state as well as the cumulative doses were assessed using DVHs and several treatment evaluation metrics such as mean lung dose, NTCP and gEUD). Results: Although significant “point dose” differences can exist between each breathing state, the differences decrease when cumulative doses are considered, and can become less significant yet in terms of evaluation metrics depending upon clinical endpoint. For example, differences between a “2-state” and a “6-state” cumulative dose distribution are often within a few percent of each other and can have no significant clinical impact on treatment metrics for the lung itself as it is a large volume effect organ. However, the use of more intermediate states is sometimes required to properly estimate doses to other adjacent organs at risk such as the esophagus. Conclusion: This ongoing study suggests that for certain “clinical” endpoints it may only be necessary to properly give weight and accumulate the doses from a few well separated states (having the highest probability of occurrence) to achieve satisfactory predictions of the results of accumulating dose to the distorting anatomy. Supported by NIH P01CA59827.
The Binary System Anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8)—Åkermanite (Ca2MgSi2O7)

A study of the equilibrium relations in the system anorthite-akermanite has been made as a part of an investigation of the ternary system diopside-anorthite-akermanite. The technique employed was the well-known quenching method. The liquidus relations indicate that anorthite and akermanite form a simple binary system, with a eutectic located at a composition 46 anorthite, 54 akermanite (by weight) and at a temperature of 1234°± 2°C. There is strong reason to believe that pure akermanite, rather than an aluminous melilite, crystallizes with anorthite from intermediate compositions. No evidence to support the alleged decomposition of akermanite at or below 1325°C. was obtained, since akermanite gave no indication of instability in the liquidus range of temperatures. The study sheds no light on the relations between anorthite and its hexagonal and orthorhombic polymorphs.
Retrospective analysis of 135 secondary alveolar cleft grafts using iliac or calvarial bone

This retrospective study summarizes experience with 135 secondary alveolar cleft bone graft procedures over 8 years. The overall success rate was 83.7%. The group of patients (n = 108) that had particulate cancellous bone and marrow obtained from the iliac crest as donor bone had an 89.8% success rate. The group (n = 27) that had calvarial bone as the donor material had a success rate of only 63%. It is felt that inferior results with calvarial bone are probably related to the procurement technique. In both the iliac crest and calvarial groups, there was a trend toward declining success rates with advancing age of the patient. Morbidity associated with these procedures, consistent with other reported series, was low.
Impact of environmental variables on the reduction of nitric acid by proxies for volatile organic compounds emitted by motor vehicles

Recent work has identified nitric acid (HNO3) as a potential precursor of nitrous acid (HONO), which is an important source of oxidants that regulate ozone and particulate pollution. Recent work in our laboratory has indicated that the reduction of HNO3 to HONO can occur homogeneously in the presence of surrogates for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by motor vehicles. This study focuses on the impact of environmental variables on the rate of formation of HONO in this process. The observed base case (25.0 °C and ∼20.0% relative humidity (RH)) HONO formation rate was 0.54 ± 0.09 ppb h−1, values comparable to enhancements observed in HONO during morning rush hour in Houston, TX. The rate was enhanced at lower temperatures of ∼20.0 °C, but the rate remained statistically similar (1σ) for experiments conducted at temperatures of 25 °C, 30 °C, and 35 °C. The assumption that multiple reactive components of the VOC mixture react with HNO3 is supported by this observation, and the relative importance of each reactive species in the reaction may vary with temperature. The enhanced rate at lower temperatures could make the proposed reaction mechanism more important at night. The formation rate of HONO does not change substantially when initial HNO3 concentration is varied between 400 and 4600 ppt, suggesting that the concentration of reactive VOCs was the limiting factor. The reduction of HNO3 to HONO appears not to occur heterogeneously on the aerosol surfaces tested. The presence of ∼120 ppb of ammonia has no observable impact on the reaction. However, it is likely that UV irradiation (λ = 350 nm) decreases the formation rate of HONO either by consuming the reactive VOCs involved or by directly interfering with the reaction. The “renoxification” of less reactive HNO3 to more reactive HONO has significant implications for daytime ozone and particulate pollution.
Thermodynamic Stability of Ptal Thin Films on GaAs

The thermal stability of PtAl thin films on GaAs substrates has been studied using transmission electron microscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. The PtAl thin films were formed by sequential deposition of discrete Pt and Al layers on GaAs by e-beam evaporation followed by subsequent annealing processes. Interfacial reactions in the Al/Pt/GaAs system proceed in two stages. Upon low temperature annealing Pt and GaAs react to form PtGa and PtAs2. Further high temperature annealing causes PtGa, PtAs2 and Al to react together producing the desired PtAl on GaAs. We observed solid-phase epitaxial regrowth of GaAs during the second stage of reaction. The PtAl/GaAs interface is determined to be thermally stable during an 800°C/30 min. anneal, while remaining morphologically uniform on GaAs.
Use of Functional MRI to Guide Decisions in a Clinical Stroke Trial

Background and Purpose— An investigational trial examined safety and efficacy of targeted subthreshold cortical stimulation in patients with chronic stroke. The anatomical location for the target, hand motor area, varies across subjects, and so was localized with functional MRI (fMRI). This report describes the experience of incorporating standardized fMRI into a multisite stroke trial. Methods— At 3 enrollment centers, patients moved (0.25 Hz) the affected hand during fMRI. Hand motor function was localized at a fourth center guiding intervention for those randomized to stimulation. Results— The fMRI results were available within 24 hours. Across 12 patients, activation site variability was substantial (12, 23, and 11 mm in x, y, and z directions), exceeding stimulating electrode dimensions. Conclusion— Use of fMRI to guide decision-making in a clinical stroke trial is feasible.
Predicted 3D structures for adenosine receptors bound to ligands: comparison to the crystal structure.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are therapeutic targets for many diseases, but progress in developing active and selective therapeutics has been severely hampered by the difficulty in obtaining accurate structures. We have been developing methods for predicting the structures for GPCR ligand complexes, but validation has been hampered by a lack of experimental structures with which to compare our predictions. We report here the predicted structures of the human adenosine GPCR subtypes (A_1, A_(2A), A_(2B), and A_3) and the binding sites for adenosine agonist and eight antagonists to this predicted structure, making no use of structural data, and compare with recent experimental crystal structure for ZM241385 bound human A_(2A) receptor. The predicted structure correctly identifies 9 of the 12 crystal binding site residues. Moreover, the predicted binding energies of eight antagonists to the predicted structure of A_(2A) correlate quite well with experiment. These excellent predictions resulted when we used Monte Carlo techniques to optimize the loop structures, particularly the cysteine linkages. Ignoring these linkages led to a much worse predicted binding site (identifying only 3 of the 12 important residues). These results indicate that computational methods can predict the three-dimensional structure of GPCR membrane proteins sufficiently accurately for use in designing subtype selective ligands for important GPCR therapeutics targets.
Atomistic simulation of defect production in β-SiC

The process of defect formation and the threshold energies for Si and C displacements along various crystallographic directions in cubic silicon carbide (pd-SiC) have been examined using molecular dynamics simulations. A combination of Tersoff and first-principles potentials was used to model the inter-atomic interactions. The lowest threshold energies for C and Si displacements were found to be 28 and 36 eV, respectively. These displacement threshold energies show excellent agreement with the results of recent first-principles calculations in SiC and with experimental observations. Simulation of a 10 keV Si cascade yielded values of about 0.1 ps for the cascade lifetime and about 3.5 for the ratio of the number of surviving C defects to Si defects. Anti-site defects were found on both Si and C sublattices. These defects may play an important role in the amorphization of SiC by energetic particle irradiation.
Experimental Study of Submicrometer and Ultrafine Particle Penetration and Pressure Drop for High Efficiency Filters

The fractional penetration of submicrometer particles through five high-efficiency glass fiber filters, one composite fiber filter, and two membrane filters was measured for particles of 0.004–0.42-μm diameter at filter face velocities ranging from 0.5 to 20 cm/s. The glass fiber filters all had approximately the same thickness and weight per unit area, and were rated 93% to 99.999% efficient using the conventional 0.3-μm dioctyl phthalate (DOP) test. The challenge aerosols were electrically classified monodisperse DOP in the diameter range of 0.032–0.42 μm, and polydisperse silver condensation aerosols having diameters of ∼ 0.004–0.01 μm. Aerosol penetration through these media was found to be generally consistent with current theory for collection by diffusion and interception over the particle size and velocity range studied. Using a filter figure of merit calculated for penetration by 0.1- and 0.3-μm particles to facilitate comparison, all of the filters except one tetrafluoroethylene membrane filter ...
Are Professionals Ready for Educational Partnerships? The Evaluation of a Technology-Enhanced Course to Prepare Educators for Collaboration

This article describes a federally funded project designed to create and evaluate a technology-enhanced course to prepare educators for collaboration. A brief rationale is presented followed by a theoretical overview of the course. The topical content and technology components are also described. Results of mixed methodology of quantitative and qualitative analyses are reported and suggest that learners made significant cognitive gains. Similarly, participants' perspective of the experience was generally positive. Implications for teacher education programs and further development of technology-enhanced courses are discussed.
Manganese Deficiency in Chlamydomonas Results in Loss of Photosystem II and MnSOD Function, Sensitivity to Peroxides, and Secondary Phosphorus and Iron Deficiency

For photoheterotrophic growth, a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cell requires at least 1.7 x 10(7) manganese ions in the medium. At lower manganese ion concentrations (typically <0.5 microm), cells divide more slowly, accumulate less chlorophyll, and the culture reaches stationary phase at lower cell density. Below 0.1 microm supplemental manganese ion in the medium, the cells are photosynthetically defective. This is accompanied by decreased abundance of D1, which binds the Mn(4)Ca cluster, and release of the OEE proteins from the membrane. Assay of Mn superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) indicates loss of activity of two isozymes in proportion to the Mn deficiency. The expression of MSD3 through MSD5, encoding various isoforms of the MnSODs, is up-regulated severalfold in Mn-deficient cells, but neither expression nor activity of the plastid Fe-containing superoxide dismutase is changed, which contrasts with the dramatically increased MSD3 expression and plastid MnSOD activity in Fe-deficient cells. Mn-deficient cells are selectively sensitive to peroxide but not methyl viologen or Rose Bengal, and GPXs, APX, and MSRA2 genes (encoding glutathione peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and methionine sulfoxide reductase 2) are slightly up-regulated. Elemental analysis indicates that the Mn, Fe, and P contents of cells in the Mn-deficient cultures were reduced in proportion to the deficiency. A natural resistance-associated macrophage protein homolog and one of five metal tolerance proteins were induced in Mn-deficient cells but not in Fe-deficient cells, suggesting that the corresponding gene products may be components of a Mn(2+)-selective assimilation pathway.
S-adenosylmethionine concentrations in diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Summary Pneumocystis carinii is unable to synthesise S-adenosylmethionine and thus scavenges this intermediate. We aimed to test whether measurement of concentrations of this metabolic intermediate in plasma could provide a new method for rapid diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP). We measured S-adenosylmethionine plasma concentrations in 12 healthy controls, 16 patients with confirmed or suspected PCP, and 36 patients with other infections. Median concentration in healthy controls was 106 nmol/L (range 86–128), but the protein was undetectable in eight patients with histologically proven and seven with suspected PCP, and was 8 nmol/L in another confirmed case (p
Knowledge management as competitive advantage: lessons from the textile and apparel value chain

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to investigate knowledge management in the textile industry specifically through the relationships and interconnections of knowledge management systems, strategy and firm performance across the value chain.Design/methodology/approach – This research examines the process of acquisition, retention, maintenance, and retrieval of knowledge both within the firm through organizational memory and across the value chain. A series of case studies examines how Invista (a Du Pont subsidiary) manages knowledge internally and externally through relationships with downstream partners across a single value‐chain within the textile industry. Qualitative interviews assess the “state of the industry” regarding knowledge management systems.Findings – Differentiation through knowledge is difficult in practice. Invista has taken the first steps to develop knowledge management systems that connect the internal and external knowledge base to gain competitive advantage. Establishing inte...
Dynamic wave-front distortion compensation with a 134-control-channel submillisecond adaptive system

A 134-control-channel adaptive-optics system consisting of a microelectromechanical mirror array (μ-mirror), a wave-front tilt-control mirror, and a very large scale integration controller utilizing a stochastic gradient-descent optimization of a performance metric is presented. A maximum adaptation rate of ∼11,000 iterations/s was achieved. The system was used to demonstrate real-time compensation for dynamic phase distortions from a laboratory-generated turbulence simulator in a laser-focusing experiment.
Quality management practices of ISO vs non‐ISO companies: a case of Indian industry

This empirical study is a first attempt to find the differences between ISO and non‐ISO organizations in India. Four areas of study include technology management, causes of poor quality, participation in the quality improvement programs and quality control techniques used. The results of this study indicate that statistically significant differences do exist between ISO and non‐ISO organizations under all the four categories specifically in training, using quality in the strategic planning, product design and team building.
Effect of Heat Treatment on Antioxidant Capacity and Flavor Volatiles of Mead

ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of heat processing on the antioxidant capacity of mead (honey wine). Soy and buckwheat honey musts were subjected to 2 heat treatments and fermented into wine. Total phenolic concentration was determined. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) phenolic profiling was performed on the methanol fraction of Amberlite extraction. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Changes in volatile components were evaluated by headspace-solid phase microextraction/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (H-SPME/GC-MS). ORAC values of experimental meads (3.62 mMTrolox equivalent) were comparable to those of commercial white wine (3.66 mMTrolox equivalent). No significant difference in antioxidant capacity due to heat treatment or honey type was observed. There was no difference in total phenolics between heat treatments in buckwheat mead; however, soy mead made from high-heated must had significantly greater phenolic concentration than the gently heated mead (α= 0.05). Linear regression analysis indicated a strong positive correlation between total phenolic concentration and antioxidant capacity by ORAC (r= 0.9077; P < 0.0001). HPLC analysis of phenolic profiles in the methanol fractions of Amberlite extraction of the meads indicated significantly higher levels of certain phenolics as a result of the high-heat process in buckwheat mead, but not in soy mead. Differences in volatile components that potentially impact flavor were noted between high and low heat treatments. Results of this study suggest dramatic heat treatments that are often avoided because their flavor impact in mead production have the potential to alter the antioxidant capacity of mead by changing phenolic profiles.
DOSE RELATIONSHIPS OF PHASE II, TACHYPHYLAXIS AND TRAIN-OF-FOUR FADE IN SUXAMETHONIUM-INDUCED DUAL NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCK IN MAN

In man under halothane-nitrous oxide-oxygen anaesthesia, suxamethonium-induced neuromuscular block can be divided into two phases using the train-of-four ratio: the first phase of minimal train-of-four fade and the second phase of marked train-of-four fade. The second phase is characterized by a low train-of-four ratio, 0.3 or less, and resembles tubocurarine-block in many details. It corresponds to Phase II (dual block) in the literature. Contrary to the prevailing belief, Phase II block has a rather abrupt onset. In this study of seven patients, Phase I covered up to a total of 1–3 mg/kg of suxamethonium, while 3–5 mg/kg established Phase II block, with a transitional zone of only 2 mg/kg. Establishment of Phase II also coincided with onset of unequivocal tachyphylaxis. The possibility of a causal relationship between tachyphylaxis and Phase II block is suggested.
Quantifying the effect of burial of amino acid residues on protein stability

The average contribution of individual residue to folding stability and its dependence on buried accessible surface area (ASA) are obtained by two different approaches. One is based on experimental mutation data, and the other uses a new knowledge-based atom-atom potential of mean force. We show that the contribution of a residue has a significant correlation with buried ASA and the regression slopes of 20 amino acid residues (called the buriability) are all positive (pro-burial). The buriability parameter provides a quantitative measure of the driving force for the burial of a residue. The large buriability gap observed between hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues is responsible for the burial of hydrophobic residues in soluble proteins. Possible factors that contribute to the buriability gap are discussed.
The role of primary cilia in neuronal function

The “ciliopathies” are a newly defined group of disorders characterized by defects in the structure or function of the cellular primary cilium. Patients with these disorders display variably expressive fibrocystic renal disease, retinal blindness, polydactyly, obesity, and brain dysgenesis as well as neurocognitive impairments. Joubert syndrome is a ciliopathy defined by cerebellar vermis hypoplasia, oculomotor apraxia, intermittent hyperventilation, and mental retardation. Recent evidence suggests important roles for the primary cilium in mediating a host of extracellular signaling events such as morphogen, mitogen, homeostatic and polarity signals. Based upon the clinical features of ciliopathies and cilia mediated signaling pathways, the data support a role for the primary cilium in modulating neurogenesis, cell polarity, axonal guidance and possibly adult neuronal function.
Statistical reconstruction for cone-beam CT with a post-artifact-correction noise model: application to high-quality head imaging.

Non-contrast CT reliably detects fresh blood in the brain and is the current front-line imaging modality for intracranial hemorrhage such as that occurring in acute traumatic brain injury (contrast ~40-80 HU, size > 1 mm). We are developing flat-panel detector (FPD) cone-beam CT (CBCT) to facilitate such diagnosis in a low-cost, mobile platform suitable for point-of-care deployment. Such a system may offer benefits in the ICU, urgent care/concussion clinic, ambulance, and sports and military theatres. However, current FPD-CBCT systems face significant challenges that confound low-contrast, soft-tissue imaging. Artifact correction can overcome major sources of bias in FPD-CBCT but imparts noise amplification in filtered backprojection (FBP). Model-based reconstruction improves soft-tissue image quality compared to FBP by leveraging a high-fidelity forward model and image regularization. In this work, we develop a novel penalized weighted least-squares (PWLS) image reconstruction method with a noise model that includes accurate modeling of the noise characteristics associated with the two dominant artifact corrections (scatter and beam-hardening) in CBCT and utilizes modified weights to compensate for noise amplification imparted by each correction. Experiments included real data acquired on a FPD-CBCT test-bench and an anthropomorphic head phantom emulating intra-parenchymal hemorrhage. The proposed PWLS method demonstrated superior noise-resolution tradeoffs in comparison to FBP and PWLS with conventional weights (viz., at matched 0.50 mm spatial resolution, CNR = 11.9 compared to CNR = 5.6 and CNR = 9.9, respectively) and substantially reduced image noise especially in challenging regions such as skull base. The results support the hypothesis that with high-fidelity artifact correction and statistical reconstruction using an accurate post-artifact-correction noise model, FPD-CBCT can achieve image quality allowing reliable detection of intracranial hemorrhage.
Online Privacy Concerns Of Indian Consumers

This paper describes an empirical study that investigates the factors that influence consumers’ online privacy concerns and their outcomes in the rapidly growing Indian online market. Indian consumers’ online privacy concerns are found to be positively impacted by their perceived vulnerability to unauthorized gathering and use of personal information, and negatively impacted by their perceived ability to control the manner in which their personal information is collected and used online. The consumers’ perceived vulnerability is negatively affected by their level of Internet literacy and their perceived ability to control the collection and use of information. In turn, the perceived ability to control information collection and use is positively influenced by both the Internet literacy level and the social awareness of the consumer. The privacy concerns of Indian consumers are found to negatively impact both their willingness to provide personal information to Websites, and their willingness to engage in e-commerce transactions. The implications of the findings for Websites targeting the Indian audience are discussed.
SPI agility: How to navigate improvement projects: Research Sections

In this study, we argue that today's changing business environment calls for agile Software Process Improvement (SPI) practices. The study combines experiences from 18 SPI projects executed from 1998 to 2002 at Ericsson in Gothenburg with insights from SPI and agility theory. We suggest that agile SPI practices are both effective and flexible; they employ adaptive governance mechanisms at the corporate level; and they combine different tactics on the project level. We identify and compare two different tactics for SPI projects. Inspired by procedural thinking, the first tactic, the supertanker, employs process-push and aims for efficient process development and diffusion. On the basis of adaptive thinking, the second tactic, the motorboat, facilitates practice-pull and aims for adaptive process development and diffusion. We also discuss how agile SPI practices require understanding of the different types of waters in which the two tactics navigate effectively. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tax Myopia, or Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Tax Lawyers

Two related myths have a remarkable currency among law students, lawyers and the general public. The first myth is that tax lawyers are somehow different from other lawyers. Part I of this Article documents how this misperception pervades law schools, the legal profession, and the popular culture. Although this Part chronicles the disparagement of tax lawyers in a light-hearted fashion (as suggested by the reference to the Willie Nelson song in the title), the Article focuses on the serious consequences caused by the related second myth that tax law is somehow different from other areas of the law. As suggested by the reference to tax myopia in the title, the Article contends that tax law too often is mistakenly viewed by lawyers, judges, and law professors as a self-contained body of law. Part II of the Article explains how this misperception has impaired the development of tax law by ignoring insights from other areas of law that should inform the tax debate. Similarly, other areas of law have been impoverished by the failure to consider how tax law can enrich their development. The Article advocates a synergistic relationship between tax and nontax law through which each benefits from the insights of the other. Part III of the Article addresses this theme through several fundamental issues concerning the allocation of legislative, executive, and judicial power in our constitutional system. The Article first injects various statutory construction and legislative process theories developed in the nontax area into the debate over whether the complexity of the Internal Revenue Code requires that tax legislative history be treated differently from its nontax counterparts. The Article then considers how recent Supreme Court administrative law decisions and the statutory reenactment doctrine affect the amount of deference that courts should give to the Treasury Department's interpretation of tax statutes. Finally, the Article examines how the empirical and nontax models of the tax litigation system should inform the litigant's choice of the appropriate tax forum, Congress's allocation of tax jurisdiction, and the federal courts' application of state law in tax controversies. Although I offer my views on these issues, the thrust of the Article is its advocacy of a cross-pollination approach, rather than a definitive resolution of these structural concerns that have bedeviled tax and nontax law for decades. By replacing the myopic vision of the tax law with an appreciation of the symbiotic relationship between tax and nontax law, the ultimate resolution of these tax issues will be facilitated by nontax learning, and tax, in turn, will provide a useful laboratory within which to test and refine these nontax principles.
Sense of Coherence in Salutogenic Paradigm

【The central concept of the Salutogenic Model is sense of coherence, which is defined as a global orientation that expresses the extent to which one has a feeling of confidence that one's internal and external environments are comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful. Sense of coherence is proposed as a determinant of positive health consequences and successful coping. The purpose of this article is to review Antonovsky's Salutogenic Model, the concept of sense of coherence, and its central components and sources. For conceptual clarity, sense of coherence is compared and contrasted with the concept of hardiness. The empirical research findings are integrated to better understand sense of coherence and to enhance future implications for nursing research and practice.】
Higher-Order Correlation of Kinetic Parameters from Global Sensitivity Analysis with Consideration of Extinction Phenomena of Non-Premixed Flames

The experimental uncertainty factors associated with the chemical kinetic parameters of elementary reactions have a considerable impact on the development of accurate detailed chemical models. Previous Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) investigations have shown that, under certain conditions, the variation of chemical parameters within their uncertainty bounds affects combustion properties via both single and joint (second-order) effects. Most of the existing literature focuses on ignition and laminar flame propagation phenomena, whereas, to best of our knowledge, GSA of the extinction limits of non-premixed counterflow flames has never been considered previously. In this work, we perform GSA of ethylene-air flames in near extinction conditions using the High Dimensional Model Representation (HDMR) methodology. By analyzing the results of the HDMR with the emphasis on the extinction strain rate and maximum concentration of acetylene, we first identify the major sources of uncertainty of the chemical model and then quantify the presence of higher-order interactions between parameters and target flame properties. I. Introduction The accurate modeling of finite-rate chemistry is widely recognized as a fundamental step in the process of achieving a complete predictive capability of combustion phenomena occurring in aerospace applications. The compilation and optimization of detailed chemical kinetic models is a complex process that requires several refinements and iterations. The objective of a typical optimization procedure is to find the combination of chemical kinetic parameters that reproduces a series of target combustion properties. The presence of the experimental uncertainties associated with the reaction rate constants defines the parameter space of the compiled chemical kinetic model. Because of the non-linear nature of most chemical phenomena, under certain conditions, the influence of chemical parameters on combustion properties of interest must take into account both single and joint (higher order) effects. Understanding how the uncertainty of parameters and their higher-order interactions affect target combustion properties is of paramount importance in chemical kinetic modeling. Even though recent investigations have studied uncertainty propagation and high-order interactions of chemical parameters using several canonical combustion cases, 1{3 the important phenomenon of non-premixed extinction has been overlooked. In this work we present a Global Sensitivity Analysis (GSA) of non-premixed flames in near-extinction conditions and our primary objective is to quantify the major sources of uncertainty in the evaluation of the extinction strain rate, aext, of non-premixed ethyleneair flames. In addition, given the current interest in the analysis of soot precursor formation in ethylene-air flames, we also include the maximum concentration of acetylene, known to play a key role in the synthesis of the first PAH through the so-called HACA mechanism, 4 as a further objective of the GSA.
Combined omeprazole and domperidone therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease in children

Objectives To evaluate the effect of combined use omeprazole and domperidone for gastroesophageal reflux disease in children.Methods Seventy-six patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease were enrolled in this study.All patients received both omeprazole and domperidone.The clinical manifestations,24-hour esophageal pH monitoring,findings of electrical gastroscopy,changes of mucosa biopsy and the adverse reactions before and after treatment were compared.Results The clinical symptoms had marked changes after treatment by omeprazole and domperidone.The index of 24-hour esophageal pH had obviously improved with significant difference(P 0.01).Reflux esophagitis were found improved after treatment by evaluating the result of electrical gastroscopy and mucosa biopsy with significant difference(P 0.01).There were no marked adverse reactions during the therapy.Conclusions There was definite effect of combined omeprazole and domperidone therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and no adverse reaction.
Optimization of Alkali Refining Process for Vegetable Insulating Oil

Using soybean oil and rapeseed oil as raw materials,adjusting the alkali amount and composition,the relationships among the alkali composition and soap separation time,washing process,electrical properties were mainly analyzed.The results show that the breakdown voltage of the final product can attain 70 kV,and the dielectric loss factor is less than 0.5%.The optimization of alkali composition can reduce the alkali refining time and the amount of washing water;it won’t do harm to the electrical properties,and can improve the performance price ratio of the product.
Protein-Pacing and Multi-Component Exercise Training Improves Physical Performance Outcomes in Exercise-Trained Women: The PRISE 3 Study.

The beneficial cardiometabolic and body composition effects of combined protein-pacing (P; 5–6 meals/day at 2.0 g/kg BW/day) and multi-mode exercise (resistance, interval, stretching, endurance; RISE) training (PRISE) in obese adults has previously been established. The current study examines PRISE on physical performance (endurance, strength and power) outcomes in healthy, physically active women. Thirty exercise-trained women (>4 days exercise/week) were randomized to either PRISE (n = 15) or a control (CON, 5–6 meals/day at 1.0 g/kg BW/day; n = 15) for 12 weeks. Muscular strength (1-RM bench press, 1-RM BP) endurance (sit-ups, SUs; push-ups, PUs), power (bench throws, BTs), blood pressure (BP), augmentation index, (AIx), and abdominal fat mass were assessed at Weeks 0 (pre) and 13 (post). At baseline, no differences existed between groups. Following the 12-week intervention, PRISE had greater gains (p < 0.05) in SUs, PUs (6 ± 7 vs. 10 ± 7, 40%; 8 ± 13 vs. 14 ± 12, 43% ∆reps, respectively), BTs (11 ± 35 vs. 44 ± 34, 75% ∆watts), AIx (1 ± 9 vs. −5 ± 11, 120%), and DBP (−5 ± 9 vs. −11 ± 11, 55% ∆mmHg). These findings suggest that combined protein-pacing (P; 5–6 meals/day at 2.0 g/kg BW/day) diet and multi-component exercise (RISE) training (PRISE) enhances muscular endurance, strength, power, and cardiovascular health in exercise-trained, active women.
Look Once, Look Twice: Measuring the Effects of Advertising Polysemy on Branding

Advertising polysemy is defined as a subjective decoding of an advertisement shaped by the individual’s sociocultural milieu (McCracken 1986; Ringberg and Reihlen 2008). Puntoni et al. (2010) defined advertising polysemy as the existence of at least two distinct interpretations for the same advertising message across audiences, or across time and situations. There are two broader types of polysemy–synchronic polysemy and diachronic polysemy, as discussed in the research by Puntoni et al. (2010). The synchronic aspect of advertising polysemy can be explained through an example of the ad that means one thing to one group of consumers and something different to another group (Grier and Brumbaugh 1999; Puntoni et al. 2010). For example, a thumbs-up sign, which signifies affirmation in most Western nations, has offensive meaning in some countries, such as Russia and Poland if the palm of the hand is visible but is acceptable if the back of the hand is shown (Belch and Belch 2009). As against synchronic polysemy, a diachronic dimension of advertising polysemy can also characterize multiplicity of meanings during an advertising reception, especially when exposed to the advertisement on multiple times – first impression of the ad and then subsequent impression about the same ad on repeated viewings (Kirmani 1997; Puntoni et al. 2010).
The Influence of Sex Hormones on Immunological Processes in the Induction of Diabetes

Although diabetes mellitus in humans and experimental animals has been studied for many years, the basic mechanisms underlying the induction of diabetes are still not clear. Recent studies, including our own results, suggest that immune mechanisms may play important roles in the induction and pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. The evidence supporting the idea of an immune mechanism for induction of diabetes includes the following observations: (1) the occurrence of lymphocyte infiltration of pancreatic islets in acute juvenile-onset- (Type I) diabetes (Gepts, 1965, 1972), (2) the occurrence of autoantibodies to islet cells in Type 1 (Bottazzo et al., 1974; MacCuish et al., 1974a,b), (3) the finding that diabetes mellitus could not be induced in athymic nude mice by diabetogenic M-strain encephalomyocarditis virus (EMC virus) (Buschard and Rygaard, 1976), or diabetogenic chemicals (Buschard and Rygaard, 1978; Paik et al., 1980), and (4) the finding that diabetes mellitus could be transferred to normal mice by the passive transfer of spleen cells from diabetic mice induced by streptozotocin (SZ) (Buschard and Rygaard, 1978; Kiesel et al., 1980).
Peritoneal Lavage Reduces Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Elevation of Serum TNF-α and IL-6 and Mortality in Mice

The contribution of peritoneal cells to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced elevation of serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels and mortality has been studied. Peritoneal lavage performed before LPS administration reduced serum cytokine levels by approximately 50% and mortality from 50 to 100%. The effect of peritoneal lavage is due to the removal of peritoneal cells as reinjection of peritoneal cells eliminated the protective effect of lavage on LPS-induced mortality. A special role of peritoneal macrophages in the systemic response to LPS was suggested by the finding that LPS-induced an increase in intracellular TNF-α and IL-6 in peritoneal macrophages but in neither splenic nor bone marrow macrophages. Intraperitoneal injection of thioglycollate broth 4 days prior to lavage increased the number of peritoneal cells removed by lavage and increased protection from LPS mortality. Peritoneal lavage performed 30 to 120 minutes after the LPS administration completely protected all mice from LPS-induced mortality, suggesting the possibility that such treatment may offer a novel therapeutic approach to septic shock.
Premature labor and birth: Influence of rank and perception of fatigue in active duty military women

The purpose of this study was to determine whether stress, sleep disturbance, or fatigue at 22 to 26 weeks of gestation is related to the incidence of preterm labor and birth in military women. Data were collected prospectively by questionnaires measuring factors contributing to preterm labor and birth. Hours worked per week were ascertained by telephone until the participants delivered. Postpartum medical records were reviewed for pregnancy outcomes. There was a trend for preterm labor to be associated with lower perceived fatigue severity, low sleep disturbance, and more negative life events. Officer rank was related to both preterm labor and delivery. Findings indicate that the perception of fatigue may be protective against preterm birth and that military officer rank is a risk factor for preterm labor and birth.