cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Researchers' Industry Experience and Productivity in University-Industry Research Centers: A ''Scientific and Technical Human Capital'' Explanation

We examine the impact of researchers’ previous industry experience on the research outputs and outcomes of university faculty affiliated with NSF and DOE research centers. Using a dataset combining curriculum vita and surveys, our results indicate significant differences between the researchers who have previous industry experience and those who do not. Using a simple model of research productivity, we found that academic researchers who had prior industry exposure produce fewer total career publications, but they support more students. Most important, and perhaps surprising, we could not establish any difference between the two groups’ publication activity when focusing on a five-year cross-section (years 1996–2000) rather than total career publications. We found statistical evidence that previous industry experience raised the annual publication productivity of junior faculty members and women researchers in our sample of research center personnel. We believe the unique blend of research center affiliation, academic post, and past industry experience gives an individual who embodies or possesses all three characteristics a diverse source of scientific and technical human capital and particular advantages over those who have no industry experience (though the “academic-only” set also has particular advantages in cumulative publishing productivity).
The postnatal development of serum zinc, copper and ceruloplasmin in the horse

Abstract 1. 1. Serum samples were collected from ten foals at predetermined times during the first 12 months following birth and zinc and copper concentrations and ceruloplasmin activity were evaluated. 2. 2. Serum zinc concentrations were found to be quite variable with respect to age (range = 67–95 μg/dl). 3. 3. Serum copper concentrations increased in a linear fashion from day 0 to day 28 before levelling off at 190–247 μg/dl. 4. 4. Ceruloplasmin activity was found to correlate with the concentration of serum copper ( r = 0.92) and reached a plateau at an activity of 30–38 IU by day 28.
The toxin kainic acid: a study of avian nerve and glial cell response utilizing tritiated kainic acid and electron microscopic autoradiography

Three questions are asked regarding the toxin kainic acid (KA). Does it destroy specific glial cells as well as neurons? Does KA gain access to the cytoplasm in intact cells and to which organelles does it bind? Intracerebral injections of tritiated KA into the pigeon (Columba livia) paleostriatal complex (basal ganglia) coupled with electron microscopic autoradiography revealed the following major points. Kainic acid destroyes oligodendrocytes, with pathophysiology apparent by 30 min after challenge with KA leading to cell destruction by 4 h. The response of astrocytes at the longest observation period (4 h) involves swelling of perivascular endfeet and processes in the neuropil. Reactive microglial-like cells show an accumulation of label in their cytoplasm, but no apparent morphological changes. The label appears in the cytoplasm of intact cells, both glia and neurons early after challenge with the toxin. Label is associated (bound) with mitochondria at an incidence significantly above chance at 30 min, 2 and 4 h after challenge with KA. Two hours after exposure to KA is the critical period where metabolic, physiological and morphological changes occur that lead to cell death. Cell destruction may be a consequence of KA-induced energy depletion. Kainate may interfere with adequate energy production by uncoupling glycolysis and the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria.
Effects of Grain Size and Cooling Rate on Magnetoacoustic Stress Measurement in AISI 4140 Steel

Effects of microstructures on the uniaxial stress dependence of low-field magnetoacoustic response were studied. Test samples were cut from a single length of AISI 4140 steel bar and heat treated to obtain both coarse- and fine-grained specimens for study. Within these two classifications, the specimen cooling rates included both air- and furnace-cooling to contrast coarse and fine pearlitic development. The specific test procedure involved measurement of the fractional frequency shift of phase-locked ultrasonic waves propagated in a sample simultaneously being magnetized. Curves of frequency shift vs. magnetic induction were then obtained for each specimen at various applied test loads.
Texture evolution in NiAl

Abstract We have investigated texture evolution in stoichiometric NiAl and Ni-49at.%Al–1at.%Ti using orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) and X-ray diffraction. Grain size and orientation were studied after extrusion and after heat treatment, leading to the following model of texture evolution. During extrusion, dynamic recrystallization occurs with a continuing cycle of deformation to produce a 〈110〉 fiber texture, nucleation of nearly randomly-oriented grains, and preferential growth of 〈111〉 grains. Upon cooling from the extrusion temperature, nucleation continues until the temperature drops below the recrystallization temperature. A 〈110〉 fiber texture observed after extrusion suggests the specimen did not fully recrystallize during cooling and the deformation texture is retained. A 〈111〉 fiber texture indicates a fully recrystallized microstructure in which significant grain growth has occurred. It has been found that titanium addition increases the recrystallization temperature of NiAl and retards grain growth resulting in the retention of the 〈110〉 fiber texture.
Hematologic findings in fusospirochetal stomatitis

Abstract There were no characteristic alterations in the hemograms of 110 patients with fusospirochetal stomatitis which would aid in the diagnosis of this disease. The hemogram may be very useful, however, in ruling out certain of the blood dyscrasias which might produce oral lesions which may be confused with those due to the fusospirochetal organisms. The total leucocyte counts ranged from 2,900 to 16,000 cells per cubic millimeter, with 78 per cent of the counts falling within the range from 5,000 to 10,000, which is accepted by Wintrobe to be the normal range. The percentage contribution of the neutrophiles and lymphocytes to the total leucocyte count was essentially normal. When the absolute cell counts, neutrophiles and lymphocytes, were compared with the normal range of values, there was no indication of a consistent relative lymphocytosis in this disease. The hematologic findings of 110 cases of periodontal disease were compared with those from the 110 cases of fusospirochetal stomatitis. The range of the leucocyte counts in both groups and the relative distribution of the counts were similar. The comparison of the differential count findings obtained from the gingiva and the finger prick blood in these two groups of patients will be reported separately.
Academic revenue management and quantitative worship

There has been recent debate about the practical application of academic revenue management. The concern of practitioners is that any approach they employ must be appealing to higher management, thus there is demand for simple and clear approaches to revenue management. Academic revenue management generally focuses on increasingly complex quantitative techniques requiring assumptions that are hard for the practitioner to justify. In this article we argue that practitioners are not the customers of academic revenue management; rather, the actual customers are other academics. We use this claim to argue that this situation will get worse, not better. As an alternative, we discuss the potential use of qualitative techniques as an alternative to current ‘hard science’ methods.
Zn2+-induced NF-κB-dependent transcriptional activity involves site-specific p65/RelA phosphorylation

Abstract Zinc is an essential micronutrient, but is proinflammatory when inhaled into the lung. While it is recognized that zinc exposure of airway epithelial cells activates the transcription factor NF-κB and increases the expression of inflammatory cytokines to mediate this response, the underlying mechanism of NF-κB activation remains to be characterized. In this study, we investigated these Zn 2+ -induced signaling mechanisms in the BEAS-2B human airway epithelial cell line. Fifty micromolars Zn 2+ induced NF-κB-dependent transcriptional activity. However, this occurred independently of IκBα degradation, an essential event in activation of the canonical NF-κB pathway, which is induced by physiological stimuli such as TNFα and IL-1β. We also observed that 50 μM Zn 2+ exposure caused p65/RelA phosphorylation on Ser 276, Ser 529, and Ser 536 in both cytoplasmic and nuclear cell fractions. Mutational analysis pointed to Ser 536 of p65/RelA as the determinant of Zn 2+ -induced NF-κB transactivation in BEAS-2B cells. Pharmacological inhibition of IKKα/β activity reduced both Zn 2+ -induced p65/RelA phosphorylation at Ser 536 and NF-κB-dependent transcriptional activity, suggesting that IKKα/β is necessary for these Zn 2+ -induced effects. Taken together, these data show that exposure to supraphysiological concentrations of Zn 2+ induces NF-κB-dependent transcription through an alternate mechanism, suggesting a novel pathway for cellular responses to environmental stress.
Plasticity of spontaneous excitatory and inhibitory synaptic activity in morphologically defined vestibular nuclei neurons during early vestibular compensation

After unilateral peripheral vestibular lesions, the brain plasticity underlying early recovery from the static symptoms is not fully understood. Principal cells of the chick tangential nucleus offe...
1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 induces the synthesis of vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein in cultured chick kidney cells.

A 28,000 mol wt vitamin D-dependent calciumbinding protein (CaBP), first isolated from avian intestine, has recently been shown to exist in kidney and other tissues. To study the mechanism regulating the production of renal CaBP, we used primary cultures of chick kidney cells as an in vitro model. Renal cortical tubules isolated from vitamin D-deficient chicks were grown in serum-free, hormone-supplemented medium. Confluent cells were epithelioid and expressed CaBP, as demonstrated by immunocytochemistry and a specific RIA. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] increased cellular CaBP content in a dose-dependent manner (10-10-10-7 M) from basal concentrations of 50-240 ng/mg protein to maximal concentrations of 600-1200 ng/mg protein 48 h after dosing. Cycloheximide (2 nM) inhibited 1,25-(OH)2D3 induction of CaBP, indicating that the mechanism requires new protein synthesis. Western blotting of cell extracts confirmed the identity of the inducible protein as the 28,000 mol wt CaBP. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 ...
The Effects of Muscular Fatigue on the Kinetics of Sprint Running

Abstract In order to compare the kinematic and kinetic effects of fatigue on the mechanics of sprint running, 15 male subjects were filmed in the saggital plane while performing a short (50 meter) maximal exertion sprint and a long (400 meter) fatiguing sprint. The short sprint was filmed at 40 meters, while the long sprint was filmed at 40 and 380 meters. The films were reduced utilizing a digitizer coupled to a computer terminal. Analysis results were generated via a human motion analysis program. Kinematic and kinetic results were entered into the statistical analysis as differences between non-fatigued and fatigued values. Initially, quality of the performance (measured by the change in horizontal velocity of the body center of gravity) was statistically related to change in the kinetic variable of integrated muscle moment at each of the body joints. The kinetic variables found to be significant were then statistically compared to logically related changes in kinematic variables (temporally adjacent o...
Unusual presentation of ureteropelvic junction obstruction in an incomplete duplex system

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction in an incomplete duplex system is seen infrequently. This case represents an unusual presentation of such an obstruction. Recommendations are made for preoperative evaluation and surgical management of these patients.
Understanding polyethylene wear mechanisms by modeling of debris size distributions

The bioreactivity of UHMWPE (PE) wear debris from artificial hip joints can result in considerable bone loss. Even with four decades of study a better understanding is needed for the debris/wear relationships. Therefore, we developed a methodology and mathematical model to represent the size distributions for polyethylene (PE) wear debris from hip simulator models. Since the diameter of a debris particle represents a positive number, only distributions bounded by 0 and ∞ were investigated. Also, the model needed to fit the distributions for both the particle number and particle volume fractions. Single and mixture distribution schemes were examined. Debris data from PE hip simulator wear studies of crosslinking and surface roughness effects were used to evaluate the models. Single, uni-modal distributions did not adequately represent the number or volume fraction data. A mixture distribution model best represented the size distributions for both number and volume fractions. Crosslinking and surface roughness affects were reflected in the model with specific regions of the debris distribution (sub-distributions) being influenced more than others. For the first time it has been demonstrated that wear debris data is more complex than it appears. Debris morphology data represents several processes and a factor such as crosslinking PE or changing the counterface surface roughness may be reflected only in a small proportion of the total data set.
Antibody Protects Macaques against Vaginal Challenge with a Pathogenic R5 Simian/Human Immunodeficiency Virus at Serum Levels Giving Complete Neutralization In Vitro

A major unknown in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) vaccine design is the efficacy of antibodies in preventing mucosal transmission of R5 viruses. These viruses, which use CCR5 as a coreceptor, appear to have a selective advantage in transmission of HIV-1 in humans. Hence R5 viruses predominate during primary infection and persist throughout the course of disease in most infected people. Vaginal challenge of macaques with chimeric simian/human immunodeficiency viruses (SHIV) is perhaps one of the best available animal models for human HIV-1 infection. Passive transfer studies are widely used to establish the conditions for antibody protection against viral challenge. Here we show that passive intravenous transfer of the human neutralizing monoclonal antibody b12 provides dose-dependent protection to macaques vaginally challenged with the R5 virus SHIV(162P4). Four of four monkeys given 25 mg of b12 per kg of body weight 6 h prior to challenge showed no evidence of viral infection (sterile protection). Two of four monkeys given 5 mg of b12/kg were similarly protected, whereas the other two showed significantly reduced and delayed plasma viremia compared to control animals. In contrast, all four monkeys treated with a dose of 1 mg/kg became infected with viremia levels close to those for control animals. Antibody b12 serum concentrations at the time of virus challenge corresponded to approximately 400 (25 mg/kg), 80 (5 mg/kg), and 16 (1 mg/kg) times the in vitro (90%) neutralization titers. Therefore, complete protection against mucosal challenge with an R5 SHIV required essentially complete neutralization of the infecting virus. This suggests that a vaccine based on antibody alone would need to sustain serum neutralizing antibody titers (90%) of the order of 1:400 to achieve sterile protection but that lower titers, around 1:100, could provide a significant benefit. The significance of such substerilizing neutralizing antibody titers in the context of a potent cellular immune response is an important area for further study.
The covering radius of the cycle code of a graph

Abstract The cycle code of a graph is the binary linear span of the characteristic vectors of circuits. We exploit a connection between the covering radius of this code and minimum T -joins. We obtain a lower bound on the covering radius which is met with equality when the graph is Hamiltonian or is regular and has edge connectivity equal to its degree. We also solve several other examples and we note some cycle codes which are optimal for the covering problem.
A Multipoint Hydrogen-Bond Network Underlying KcsA C-Type Inactivation

In the prokaryotic potassium channel KcsA activation gating at the inner bundle gate is followed by C-type inactivation at the selectivity filter. Entry into the C-type inactivated state has been directly linked to the strength of the H-bond interaction between residues Glu-71 and Asp-80 behind the filter, and is allosterically triggered by the rearrangement of the inner bundle gate. Here, we show that H-bond pairing between residues Trp-67 and Asp-80, conserved in most K+ channels, constitutes another critical interaction that determines the rate and extent of KcsA C-type inactivation. Disruption of the equivalent interaction in Shaker (Trp-434-Asp-447) and Kv1.2 (Trp-366-Asp-379) leads also to modulation of the inactivation process, suggesting that these residues also play an analogous role in the inactivation gating of Kv channels. The present results show that in KcsA C-type inactivation gating is governed by a multipoint hydrogen-bond network formed by the triad Trp-67-Glu71-Asp-80. This triad exerts a critical role in the dynamics and conformational stability of the selectivity filter and might serve as a general modulator of selectivity filter gating in other members of the K+ channel family.
Golgin160 Recruits the Dynein Motor to Position the Golgi Apparatus

Membrane motility is a fundamental characteristic of all eukaryotic cells. One of the best-known examples is that of the mammalian Golgi apparatus, where constant inward movement of Golgi membranes results in its characteristic position near the centrosome. While it is clear that the minus-end-directed motor dynein is required for this process, the mechanism and regulation of dynein recruitment to Golgi membranes remains unknown. Here, we show that the Golgi protein golgin160 recruits dynein to Golgi membranes. This recruitment confers centripetal motility to membranes and is regulated by the GTPase Arf1. Further, during cell division, motor association with membranes is regulated by the dissociation of the receptor-motor complex from membranes. These results identify a cell-cycle-regulated membrane receptor for a molecular motor and suggest a mechanistic basis for achieving the dramatic changes in organelle positioning seen during cell division.
Patterns of bullying and victimization associated with other problem behaviors among high school students: a conditional latent class approach

Though rates of bullying are commonly found to peak in middle schools, a non-negligible amount of bullying occurs among high schools too. More information regarding patterns of bullying involvement among high school students is needed, however, as well as greater insight into the relationship high school students' bullying involvement has with other problem behaviors. This study used latent class analysis to construct typologies of bullying involvement among over 3500 high school students from Virginia. Covariates of latent class membership were also examined in an effort to better understand the association between bullying involvement and internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. A latent class model containing four classes was constructed, composed of a non-involved class (65%), a bullies class (12%), a victims class (16%), and a bully-victims class (8%). Externalizing problem behaviors were significantly higher among students in the bullies and bully-victims classes, while internalizing probl...
Pyrolysis and combustion of liquids and solids containing pentachlorophenol

The effect of concentration, residence time, and matrix on the formation of PCDDs/PCDFs from the combustion of pentachlorophenol in the presence of a flame and from its pyrolysis at atmospheric pressure was studied.
Psychiatric Disorders of Parents of Physically Abused Adolescents

Psychiatric disorders of 142 parents of adolescents who were documented as physically abused during adolescence and 168 parents of non-abused comparison adolescents were assessed. Fathers and mothers of physically abused adolescents exhibited higher rates of Axis I diagnoses and co-occurring disorders, and had more impaired GAS scores than comparison parents. Fathers of abused adolescents had greater lifetime incidence of Conduct Disorder and Substance Abuse/Dependence than comparison fathers. Mothers of abused adolescents had more unipolar depressive disorders than comparison mothers. This study highlights the importance of mental health assessments and interventions for parents of physically abused adolescents. Since onsets of parental psychiatric disorders antedated the abuse, early recognition and treatment of parental disorders may contribute to prevention of the onset and/or reoccurrence of adolescent physical abuse.
Meniscal release in cruciate ligament intact stifles causes lameness and medial compartment cartilage pathology in dogs 12 weeks postoperatively.

Objective— To evaluate after 12 weeks the effects of caudal medial meniscal release (MR) in the cranial cruciate ligament-intact canine stifle. Study Design— Blinded, prospective in vivo study. Animals— Purpose-bred hound dogs (n=10). Methods— Either MR (n=5) or a sham (SH) surgery (n=5) was performed via arthroscopy. Orthopedic examination and subjective lameness evaluation were performed in each dog preoperatively and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after surgery. Twelve weeks postoperatively, ultrasonographic, radiographic, and arthroscopic examinations were performed on the operated stifles. Gross pathology of the articular cartilage, cruciate ligaments, and menisci was assessed. India ink staining of the femoral and tibial articular surfaces was performed to determine the percent area of articular cartilage damage. Results— At 8 and 12 weeks after surgery, MR dogs were lamer than SH dogs. At 12 weeks, the degree of radiographic OA was significantly higher in MR stifles than in SH stifles. Gross and sonographic meniscal pathology was more severe in MR stifles compared with SH stifles. MR stifles had significantly more severe articular cartilage pathology compared with SH stifles 12 weeks after surgery; pathology was most severe in the medial compartment. Conclusions— MR alone is associated with articular cartilage loss, further meniscal pathology, degenerative joint disease, and lameness. Clinical Relevance— Subsequent osteoarthritis and dysfunction of the stifle joint should be considered when making clinical decisions regarding MR in dogs.
Effects of subtracting sitting versus adding exercise on glycemic control and variability in sedentary office workers

Recent evidence suggests that, like adding exercise, reducing sitting time may improve cardiometabolic health. There has not been a direct comparison of the 2 strategies with energy expenditure held constant. The purpose of this study was to compare fasting and postmeal glucose and insulin concentrations in response to a day with frequent breaks from sitting but no exercise versus considerable sitting plus moderate exercise. Ten sedentary overweight/obese office workers were tested in 3 conditions: (i) walking per activity guidelines (AGW): sitting for majority of workday with a 30 min pre-lunch walk; (ii) frequent long breaks (FLB): no structured exercise but frequent breaks from sitting during workday with energy expenditure matched to AGW; and (iii) frequent short breaks (FSB): number of breaks matched to FLB, but duration of breaks were shorter. Plasma glucose and insulin areas under the curve were measured in response to a meal tolerance test (MTT) at the end of the workday and interstitial glucose w...
Convenient Synthesis of an N‐(1‐Alkoxyl‐9‐fluorenyl)serine Acridine Conjugate

Abstract We report here the synthesis of an N‐(1‐alkoxyl‐9‐fluorenyl)serine acridine conjugate, which was achieved by a three‐component assembly approach via an intramolecular reductive amination process.
The theoretical and numerical determination of the radar cross section of a prolate spheroid

The exact curve is found for the nose-on radar cross section of a perfectly conducting prolate spheroid whose ratio of major to minor axis is 10:1, for values of \pi times the major axis divided by the wavelength less than three. The exact acoustical cross section is also found. The mathematical solution is obtained by setting up a series expansion for the scattered wave in terms of two sets of solutions of the vector Helmholtz equation and evaluating the undetermined coefficients in this series by applying the boundary conditions on the surface of the spheroid.
Buffer-Gas Cooled Bose-Einstein Condensate

We report the creation of a Bose-Einstein condensate using buffer-gas cooling, the first realization of Bose-Einstein condensation using a broadly general method which relies neither on laser cooling nor unique atom-surface properties. Metastable helium ((4)He*) is buffer-gas cooled, magnetically trapped, and evaporatively cooled to quantum degeneracy. 10(11) atoms are initially trapped, leading to Bose-Einstein condensation at a critical temperature of 5 microK and threshold atom number of 1.1 x 10(6). This method is applicable to a wide array of paramagnetic atoms and molecules, many of which are impractical to laser cool and impossible to surface cool.
TreeViewJ: An application for viewing and analyzing phylogenetic trees

Phylogenetic trees are widely used to visualize evolutionary relationships between different organisms or samples of the same organism. There exists a variety of both free and commercial tree visualization software available, but limitations in these programs often require researchers to use multiple programs for analysis, annotation, and the production of publication-ready images. We present TreeViewJ, a Java tool for visualizing, editing and analyzing phylogenetic trees. The software allows researchers to color and change the width of branches that they wish to highlight, and add names to nodes. If collection dates are available for taxa, the software can map them onto a timeline, and sort the tree in ascending or descending date order. TreeViewJ is a tool for researchers to visualize, edit, "decorate," and produce publication-ready images of phylogenetic trees. It is open-source, and released under an GPL license, and available at http://treeviewj.sourceforge.net .
Spatial Variation in Nest-Site Selection by a Secondary Cavity-Nesting Bird in a Human-Altered Landscape

Abstract Characteristics of successful vs. unsuccessful nest sites are likely to vary over time and space in response to habitat changes. I used the Thorn-tailed Rayadito (Aphrastura spinicauda, Furnariidae), a cavity-nesting species endemic to the temperate rainforest of southern South America, as a model species to determine if territory use and nest-tree selection, and associated consequences for fitness, varied spatially in response to human-driven habitat changes. I established two 10 ha plots in each of three forest habitats that differed in structure and isolation: connected old-growth forest, connected logged forest, and isolated logged fragments. Characteristics of trees used for nesting varied among forest types, but nest success did not. In connected forests (old-growth and logged forest), snags were used more often than expected based on their availability. Nest survival models identified type of tree (snag vs. live tree) and epiphyte cover of trees as the variables with the strongest effects ...
The Interactive Effect of Product Differentiation and Cost Variability on Profit

It is generally believed that industries with greater product differentiation have higher rates of return. This paper shows that this effect breaks down in the presence of firm-specific cost shocks. Greater substitutability in products generates two opposing effects: (1) it allows a larger increase in demand when a firm has a favorable cost shock, which more than compensates for the reduction in demand when it has an unfavorable cost shock, and (2) it results in more intense price competition. These two countervailing forces result in industry profit being highest in markets with a moderate degree of product differentiation.
Switch design to enable predictive multiplexed switching in multiprocessor networks

Predictive multiplexed switching is a new approach for building interconnection switches for high performance parallel systems. This approach advocates sacrificing some link bandwidth in return for more efficient network control and simpler connection management. The main idea is to depart from the traditional packet and wormhole switching in favor of row data communication over established communication pipes (connections). The overhead of this circuit switching approach can be justified when established connections are repeatedly used before they are torn down. For this, we use multiplexing to allow multiple connections to share the same resources (links and switches), thus avoiding tearing down connections prematurely. The connection establishment overhead is further reduced by exploring communication locality and predictability in applications that exhibit these properties. We present the design of an interconnection system which is based on multiplexed switching and which establishes connections either reactively, in response to dynamically generated requests, or proactively, in response to compiler or application directives. A communication prediction component may be supported to reduce the network control overhead in applications that exhibit communication locality and predictability. The design is evaluated using hardware design, synthesis, and cycle-accurate simulation. Comparison with more traditional switching paradigms shows the potential of our predictive multiplexed switching approach.
Genetic Basis for Heterochronic Variation

Genes encode the functional and structural components of cells and hence directly or indirectly define the behavior of individual cells and groups of cells in a developing system. In this sense the genome of an organism defines and controls the developmental processes that generate the final form of the organism. To examine the feasibility of rapid heterochronic change, it is important to determine how many genes must be mutated to cause heterochrony and the mechanisms by which those genes control developmental timing.
Nested real-time PCR for hepatitis A detection.

Aims: The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is one of the most important human foodborne pathogens causing a number of worldwide outbreaks each year. The detection of HAV in food samples remains a complex issue, because commonly used detection tools, such as conventional or even real-time PCR assays, are often unable to detect HAV with sufficient sensitivity. The aims of this study were to develop highly sensitive and specific nested real-time PCR (NRT-PCR)-based method for HAV detection in food and to compare it with currently available methods. Methods and Results: By combining conventional PCR, nested PCR and real-time PCR techniques, we have developed a specific NRT-PCR assay for the detection of HAV. The procedure involves two consecutive PCRs, the first of which is performed as a conventional RT-PCR using primers specific for HAV 5′ noncoding region. The second reaction involves a real-time PCR using a nested primer pair specific for the first PCR product and a TaqMan probe. Conclusions: We have developed a novel NRT-PCR method capable of detecting as little as 0·2 PFU of HAV, which is significantly more sensitive than any other PCR technique tested in our system. Significance and Impact of the Study: NRT-PCR provides a potentially useful method for detecting HAV at extremely low levels, as frequently found in food samples, and can be potentially adopted as a regulatory method to ensure food safety.
Regulation of the Arabidopsis CBF regulon by a complex low‐temperature regulatory network

Exposure of Arabidopsis thaliana plants to low non-freezing temperatures results in an increase in freezing tolerance that involves action of the C-repeat binding factor (CBF) regulatory pathway. CBF1, CBF2 and CBF3, which are rapidly induced in response to low temperature, encode closely related AP2/ERF DNA-binding proteins that recognize the C-repeat (CRT)/dehydration-responsive element (DRE) DNA regulatory element present in the promoters of CBF-regulated genes. The CBF transcription factors alter the expression of more than 100 genes, known as the CBF regulon, which contribute to an increase in freezing tolerance. In this study, we investigated the extent to which cold induction of the CBF regulon is regulated by transcription factors other than CBF1, CBF2 and CBF3, and whether freezing tolerance is dependent on a functional CBF-CRT/DRE regulatory module. To address these issues we generated transgenic lines that constitutively overexpressed a truncated version of CBF2 that had dominant negative effects on the function of the CBF-CRT/DRE regulatory module, and 11 transcription factors encoded by genes that were rapidly cold-induced in parallel with the 'first-wave' CBF genes, and determined the effects that overexpressing these proteins had on global gene expression and freezing tolerance. Our results indicate that cold regulation of the CBF regulon involves extensive co-regulation by other first-wave transcription factors; that the low-temperature regulatory network beyond the CBF pathway is complex and highly interconnected; and that the increase in freezing tolerance that occurs with cold acclimation is only partially dependent on the CBF-CRT/DRE regulatory module.
infant Home Apnea Monitoring: A Five-year Assessment

Home apnea/bradycardia monitoring is commonly utilized in the management of infants who have had apnea episodes. Little is established, however, regarding appropriate decision-making guidelines and efficacy. The 5-year experience of the Western Massachusetts Apnea Evaluation Program was reviewed to examine patient outcome and to identify prognostic clinical features. Significant recurrent sleep apnea occurred in 7 of 110 infants in the combined awake and asleep group, and in 2 of 45 siblings of babies dying of SIDS. Unclear histories, normal laboratory tests, and uncertain diagnoses made it impossible to identify features that would indicate infants at risk for recurrence of apnea. Our data indicate that home apnea monitoring lacks specificity but is probably effective in reducing morbidity and mortality. It currently appears to be the most optimal means of managing infantile apnea.
End-to-end versus explicit feedback measurement in 802.11 networks

Higher layer protocols in wireless networks need to dynamically adapt to observed network response. The common approach is that each session employs end-to-end monitoring to estimate quantities of interest, like delay, delay jitter and available bandwidth. A less conventional approach is to employ lower layer explicit feedback mechanisms in place or in aid of end-to-end efforts. Available bandwidth measurements are known to follow multi-modal distributions and therefore are especially difficult to measure and filter, even in wired networks. In 802.11-based multi-hop networks obtaining usable end-to-end measurements is questionable. They are affected by a combination of a large number of transient variables due to the virtual carrier sense, head of line problems on each link and mobility. Motivated by this, we are developing a network explicit feedback mechanism. Our study of this accurate network feedback architecture aids in the cost/benefit analysis of an important trade-off: deployment of network support mechanisms for transports and QoS, versus the simple, scalable and easily deployable end-to-end solution. We test our solution in: (i) multimedia adaptation and (ii) measurement based call admission. Loss rates of end-to-end adaptive video and audio connections have been more than 4 times higher than in the network feedback case. A simple call admission strategy has also proved very effective using the feedback. In our experiments it led the network to a maximal performance and stable operating point.
Mentorship for Alcohol Problems (MAP): a peer to peer modular intervention for outpatients.

Aims: This is a Stage I open pilot to develop a new intervention, Mentorship for Alcohol Problems (MAP), for individuals with alcohol-use disorders in community treatment programs. Methods: Ten mentors participated for 6 months until 30 mentees received MAP for 12 weeks. Behavioral and biological measures were conducted in addition to fidelity measures. Four focus groups were held with participants and clinician feedback surveys were completed. Results: Feasibility and acceptance data in the domains of patient interest, safety and satisfaction were promising. Mentees reduced their alcohol and substance use and the majority of mentors sustained abstinence. Fidelity measures indicated that mentors adhered to the delivery of treatment. Conclusion: MAP shows promise to be incorporated into professionally run outpatient alcohol treatment programs to assist in the reduction of alcohol and substance use.
The Cognitive Laterality Battery: Tests of Specialized Cognitive Function

The Cognitive Laterality Battery of neuropsychological tests is described and normative data and statistics are presented. Selection of tests was based on converging evidence from studies on patients with unilateral cerebral lesions, complete forebrain commissurotomy, and on normal subjects suggesting that visuospatial skills are primarily related to the right hemisphere while verbal and sequential skills are primarily related to the left. Factor analyses confirmed the dichotomy of the test choices. It is suggested that test results on individuals be interpreted as a cognitive profile defining the relative performance of specialized functions rather than the relative right or hemisphere locations. Previous studies with the CLB are described.
A physical implementation of the self-reconfiguring crystalline robot

We discuss a physical implementation of the crystalline robot system. Crystalline robots consist of modules that can aggregate together to form distributed robot systems. Crystalline modules are actuated by expanding and contracting each unit. This actuation mechanism permits automated shape metamorphosis. We describe the crystalline module concept and a physical implementation of a robot system with ten units. We describe experiments with this robot.
SIMULATION OF FLUID FLOW AND MASS DIFFUSION IN IRRADIATOR TUBE

This paper presents a numerical study of fluid flow and mass transfer in an irradiator tube. Optical fibers and wires are drawn through a coating die to apply protective coating of synthetic materials, and then passed through a glass tube where UV light from the surrounding irradiators causes curing of the coating materials. During this curing process, fumes are generated which needs to be washed out of the tube before it diffuses to the glass wall and causes tube smoking, a problem faced in the industries. Calculations are done to study the effect of laminar and turbulent flow, flow rate and tube diameter. Numerical simulation for the purging air flow and mass transfer of the generated chemical species is done using a computational model and results are presented. The irradiator tube flow with a lip at exit, as normally used by the industry is first simulated. The mass concentration profiles show that the concentration of generated species near the glass tube wall is high, which explains tube smoking. Simulations are repeated without the lip, and the mass concentration near the tube wall is found to be much less, which suggests elimination of tube smoking problem. Computations are also done for larger tube diameter and without the lip, which gives lowest mass concentration near the glass wall. Experiments are carried out to verify the simulated results. Experimental results show that irradiator tube smoking occurs for lip condition, but by removing the lip the tube smoking problem can be eliminated, which is desirable. DOI: 10.3329/jme.v38i0.894 Journal of Mechanical Engineering Vol.38 Dec. 2007 pp.8-13
How to organise nature production by farmers

When farmers contract to produce 'nature,' they act as agents to the government's principal. Principal-agent theory provides a comprehensive analytical framework for studying this relationship. The principal and agent must cope with uncertainty and asymmetrical and imperfect information, and therefore transactions may take place under adverse selection and moral hazard. The farmers' uncertainty relates to the contract and the government's inconsistency over time. Also important is their attitude to risk. A participation bonus equilibrium. Farmers can anticipate the uncertainties of government time inconsistencies by adopting a more risk-averse position. Copyright 1997 by Oxford University Press.
Comparison of the Strength of Barnacle and Commercial Dental Cements

The strength of barnacle cement was compared with commercial dental polymeric restorative materials and cements by use of a fracture mechanics approach in conjunction with a blister technique. Barnacles were "grown" on various surfaces and the adhesive fracture energy of the cements was determined. These values were compared quantitatively with available commercial materials. On a wet surface, barnacle cement was favored.
Evaluation of Polyurethane-Based Membrane Matrices for Optical Ion-Selective Sensors

Abstract Plasticized thin films of polyurethane (PU) mixed with poly(vinyl chloride)(PVC) or a terpolymer of poly(vinyl chloride)/(vinyl acetate)/(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) are examined as membrane matrices for the preparation of reversible optical ion sensors. Optical sensors for Na+, NH4 +, Cl− and ClO4 − are prepared by casting thin films of the polymer mixtures (PU/PVC (1:1 wt) and PU/PVA (4:1 wt)) containing appropriate ion carriers and pH chromophores on glass slides. The optical response properties of these membranes is essentially the same as conventional pure PVC membranes reported in the literature. However, significantly enhanced membrane adhesion to glass or silicon wafer surfaces is observed using the polyurethane based matrices, making them more suitable than PVC for use in the development of solid-state optical ion sensing devices.
Singularities in quantum field theory

The short-range behaviour of certain Feynman integrals reveals mathematical properties which are not those of either functions or distributions—they contain terms which are more singular than distributions and possess inherent ambiguities. Two classes of singularities exist: To the first one belong all those singularities which have a physical meaning in the sense that in a convergent (regularized) quantum field theory they contribute to observable quantities, frequently as renormalization constants. Most of the singularities of the second, the spurious type, violate the symmetries of the Lagrangian. We demonstrate that they are associated with certain mathematical difficulties of unregularized theories. Much of our analysis deals with the isolation of singularities of this type and with the study of the properties of the singular products of distribution. We argue that the four-dimensional integration leading to theS-matrix in the perturbation expansion must be carried out over anopen domain which leaves out the contributions from singularities of the contact type, that is terms proportional to δ4x-y.
Effects of free and liposome-encapsulated hemoglobin on choroidal vascular plexus blood flow, using the rabbit eye as a model system.

Purpose. This study investigated the vasoconstrictive effects of both stroma-free and liposome-encapsulated cross-linked hemoglobin (Hb) on vascular plexus hemodynamics, using the choroid of the rabbit eye as a model system. Methods. Sequential subtraction of high-speed ICG fluorescence angiogram images facilitated visualization of the time-varying patterns of blood flow distribution in the choriocapillaris during the cardiac cycle. Differences between baseline and post-hemoglobin injection blood flow distributions were analyzed. Likewise, differences in the time-varying patterns of flow distribution between the particulate and liquid phases of blood during a cardiac cycle were investigated, since this may bear on differences in vasoactivity induced by circulating stroma-free vs. encapsulated Hb. Results. Cross-linked Hb induced a transient, but marked, localized reduction in choriocapillaris blood flow. This effect was significantly attenuated when liposome encapsulated cross-linked hemoglobin was administered. Plexus blood flow distribution was different for particulate and liquid ICG. Conclusions. Differences in particulate and liquid ICG flow patterns suggest that one contribution to the different plexus blood flow patterns observed in the encapsulated and free Hb experiments may be due to differences in liquid and particle-bound Hb distribution within the plexus. The observed choriocapillaris blood flow reductions may be attributable to an aggregate endothelial cell contractility induced by presence of extra-cellular Hb in the choriocapillaris plexus.
Task Specialization in Social Production Communities: The Case of Geographic Volunteer Work

In social production communities, users’ individual and collective efforts lead to the creation of valuable resources – cf. Wikipedia, Open Street Map, and Reddit. Contributors to such communities often specialize in the tasks they choose to do. We found evidence for specialization by work type in Cyclopath, a geographic wiki for bicyclists – most users edit a single type of map feature, such as points of interest or roads and trails. We also saw a user lifecycle effect: as users gain experience, they specialize in editing roads and trails. Our findings suggest more effective ways to organize social production interfaces, compose units of work, and match them to users who want to help.
A predictive scheduling framework for fast and distributed stream data processing

In a distributed stream data processing system, an application is usually modeled using a directed graph, in which each vertex corresponds to a data source or a processing unit, and edges indicate data flow. In this paper, we propose a novel predictive scheduling framework to enable fast and distributed stream data processing, which features topology-aware performance prediction and predictive scheduling. For prediction, we present a topology-aware method to accurately predict the average tuple processing time of an application for a given scheduling solution, according to the topology of the application graph and runtime statistics. For scheduling, we present an effective algorithm to assign threads to machines under the guidance of prediction results. To validate and evaluate the proposed framework, we implemented it based on a highly-regarded distributed stream data processing platform, Storm, and tested it with two representative applications: word count (stream version) and log stream processing. Extensive experimental results show 1) The topology-aware prediction method offers an average accuracy of 83.7%. 2) The predictive scheduling framework reduces the average tuple processing time by 25.9% on average, compared to Storm's default scheduler.
Orbit closures and rational surfaces

Abstract In this paper we study the Grassmannian of submodules of a given dimension inside the radical of a finitely generated projective module P for a finite dimensional algebra Λ over an algebraically closed field. The orbit of such a submodule C under the action of Aut Λ ( P ) on the Grassmannian encodes information on the top-stable degenerations of P / C . The goal of this article is to begin the study of the global geometry of the closures of such orbits. In dimension one, this geometry is determined by the local rings of singular points. The smallest dimension for which the global geometry is not determined by local data is two, and this case is our main focus. We give several examples to illustrate the interplay between the geometry of the projective surfaces which arise and the corresponding posets of top-stable degenerations.