cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finding and solving problems in software new product development

New product development is notoriously difficult, and software new product development particularly so. Although a great deal of research has investigated new product development, projects developing new software products continue to have problems meeting their goals. In fact, one line of research proposes new product development is difficult because it must solve an ongoing stream of complex problems. I integrate this line of research with two others to develop a conceptual framework of new product development as a process of finding and solving problems. From this framework, I develop four hypotheses that predict the probability projects developing new products will attain their development schedule and product quality goals. More specifically, I hypothesize that projects that generate access to, and integrate, large quantities of creative ideas, in-depth knowledge, and accurate information, should increase their probability of attaining schedule and product quality goals. Projects developing new products should both generate and integrate this “knowledge” to solve the problems that stand between them and their goals. However, how projects find problems also matters. Projects that search to identify problems earlier, rather than later, should also increase their probability of meeting schedule and product quality goals. To test these hypotheses I gathered data on 33 projects that tried to develop new software products from 23 firms, through interviews and questionnaires. Results from regression analyses support three out of four hypotheses. The projects that had high levels of both knowledge generation and integration had a significantly higher probability of attaining their product quality goals, but not their schedule goals. In contrast, projects that merely searched to find problems had a higher probability of attaining both goals. Moreover, projects that not only generated and integrated knowledge to solve problems, but also searched to find them, had the highest probability of attaining their product quality goals. This study illustrates the usefulness of modeling new product development as a bundle of problems to be found and solved. These results suggest that projects that combine practices to implement high levels of both knowledge generation and integration—not just one or the other—increase their chances of meeting product quality goals. This in turn suggests that focus on any single process or practice may be misplaced. Moreover, proactive search for problems may increase projects’ chances of meeting both schedule and product quality goals. In fact, search for problems was highly significant in this study, which suggests the way projects identify problems deserves further study. Although these prescriptions are preliminary, this study suggests they can help projects—and their managers—embody their visions in products and deliver those products to market.
Modeling adaptation of carbon use efficiency in microbial communities

In new microbial-biogeochemical models, microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) is often assumed to decline with increasing temperature. Under this assumption, soil carbon losses under warming are small because microbial biomass declines. Yet there is also empirical evidence that CUE may adapt (i.e., become less sensitive) to warming, thereby mitigating negative effects on microbial biomass. To analyze potential mechanisms of CUE adaptation, I used two theoretical models to implement a tradeoff between microbial uptake rate and CUE. This rate-yield tradeoff is based on thermodynamic principles and suggests that microbes with greater investment in resource acquisition should have lower CUE. Microbial communities or individuals could adapt to warming by reducing investment in enzymes and uptake machinery. Consistent with this idea, a simple analytical model predicted that adaptation can offset 50% of the warming-induced decline in CUE. To assess the ecosystem implications of the rate-yield tradeoff, I quantified CUE adaptation in a spatially-structured simulation model with 100 microbial taxa and 12 soil carbon substrates. This model predicted much lower CUE adaptation, likely due to additional physiological and ecological constraints on microbes. In particular, specific resource acquisition traits are needed to maintain stoichiometric balance, and taxa with high CUE and low enzyme investment rely on low-yield, high-enzyme neighbors to catalyze substrate degradation. In contrast to published microbial models, simulations with greater CUE adaptation also showed greater carbon storage under warming. This pattern occurred because microbial communities with stronger CUE adaptation produced fewer degradative enzymes, despite increases in biomass. Thus, the rate-yield tradeoff prevents CUE adaptation from driving ecosystem carbon loss under climate warming.
CW TEC DFB-QCL based sensor for ultra-sensitive detection of methane and nitrous oxide for environmental and medical applications

A sensitive and selective QEPAS-based sensor was developed for CH4 (1275.04 cm-1) and N2O (1275.5 cm-1) detection. Detection limits of 20 ppbv (CH4) and 7 ppbv (N2O) at 1σ were achieved with a 1-sec averaging time.
Changes in the structure of the regional agricultural production (South Bohemian region).

The organic farming shows growth trend all over the world. It became an integral part of the agricultural production not only in the developed countries, but also in the so called Third World countries. In the latter countries, the organic farming develops mainly in connection with the fair trade projects. The share of the organic farming in the agricultural land is in many countries above 10%, including the Central and Eastern European countries. The Czech Republic actively supports the organic production. The share of the Czech organic farming in the agricultural land has overpassed 11.5%. The paper deals with organic production in the South Bohemian Region. The aim is to determine main changes in the structure of the organic production in the period 2008-2011, specifically in connection with the changes in the subsidy policy. The increase of individual organically farmed areas correlates positively with the increase of subsidies set up within the Programme of rural development 2007-2013. At the same time, it is obvious that those subsidies affect the diversity of the agricultural crops.
Nanosecond pulsed electric field ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma often evades effective therapy and recurrences are frequent. Recently, nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) ablation using pulse power technology has emerged as a local-regional, non-thermal, and non-drug therapy for skin cancers. In the studies reported here we use nsPEFs to ablate murine, rat and human HCCs in vitro and an ectopic murine Hepa 1–6 HCC in vivo. Using pulses with 60 or 300 ns and electric fields as high as 60 kV/cm, murine Hepa 1–6, rat N1S1 and human HepG2 HCC are readily eliminated with changes in caspase-3 activity. Interestingly caspase activities increase in the mouse and human model and decrease in the rat model as electric field strengths are increased. In vivo, while sham treated control mice survived an average of 15 days after injection and before humane euthanasia, Hepa 1–6 tumors were eliminated for longer than 50 days with 3 treatments using one hundred pulses with 100 ns at 55 kV/cm. Survival was 40% in mice treated with 30 ns pulses at 55 kV/cm. This study demonstrates that nsPEF ablation is not limited to effectively treating skin cancers and provides a rationale for treating orthotopic hepatocellular carcinoma in pre-clinical applications and ultimately in clinical trials.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Mutilayer Films of Polyelectrolytes and Nanoparticles

We performed molecular dynamics simulations of multilayer assemblies of flexible polyelectrolytes and nanoparticles. The film was constructed by sequential adsorption of oppositely charged polymers and nanoparticles in layer-by-layer fashion from dilute solutions. We have studied multilayer films assembled from oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, oppositely charged nanoparticles, and mixed films containing both nanoparticles and polyelectrolytes. For all studied systems, the multilayer assembly proceeds through surface overcharging after completion of each deposition step. There is almost linear growth in the surface coverage and film thickness. The multilayer films assembled from nanoparticles show better layer stratification but at the same time have higher film roughness than those assembled from flexible polyelectrolytes.
Changing incidence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus skin abscesses in a pediatric emergency department.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to determine the etiology of skin abscesses in a pediatric emergency department (ED) during a 4-year period and to determine whether the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin abscesses has increased. The secondary objective was to characterize MRSA infections by antibiotic susceptibility during the same period. Methods: A retrospective chart review examining all cases of skin abscess requiring an incision and drainage seen in a free-standing children's hospital ED from January 1, 2003, to December 30, 2006, was performed. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from the medical records. Culture results, including sensitivities to antibiotics, were obtained to identify how many of these patients had MRSA. Results: The charts of 442 children were analyzed, and 274 (62%) had MRSA isolated during the entire study period. In 2003, 36.2% of all drained abscesses were caused by MRSA, and by 2006, this increased to 66.5% (P < 0.001). Methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates were sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in 99% of the cases, but the sensitivity of MRSA to clindamycin decreased from 96% in 2003 to 87% by 2006. All isolates remain sensitive to rifampin, vancomycin, and gentamicin. Conclusions: The incidence of MRSA skin abscesses has increased in the pediatric ED population and now accounts for greater than 50% of all abscesses. If antimicrobial therapy is indicated for the treatment of these abscesses, cultures should be obtained, and antibiotics should be chosen to provide MRSA coverage.
Directed cell locomotion arising from strongly biased turn angles

Abstract A model for cell locomotion is analyzed in which directed movement results from turning-angle and turn-frequency (run-length) distributions which both are functionals of the orientation of a cell in an external field. Turning-angle probability distributions are considered to be of the form p(θ + ⨍ (φ)) , where θ is the angle through which the cell turns and φ is the orientation of the cell's path prior to the turn. The run-length distribution may be any functional of φ, except that successive path segments need to be uncorrelated. Analytic expressions are derived for the directed velocity v d in terms of parameters related to these distributions.
SYNTHESIS AND REACTIVITY OF PYRROLIDE-DIIMINE COMPLEXES OF CHROMIUM

Lithium 2,5-bis{[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]methyl}pyrrol-1-ide (LiL) reacts with [CrCl 3 (thf) 3 ] to yield the octahedral complex [(η 2 -L)CrCl 2 (thf) 2 ] ( 1 ), in which only two of the three potential nitrogen donors are coordinated to chromium. In the presence of various alkyl aluminum cocatalysts, 1 catalyzes the polymerization of ethylene. Attempts to prepare alkyl derivatives of 1 were thwarted by an apparent disproportionation, yielding divalent [(η 2 -L)(η 1 -L)Cr(thf)] ( 2 ). The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The structure of 2 is unusual in that it features weak, but equivalent interactions of both imine groups of the η 1 -pyrrolide ligands with the chromium, giving rise to an approximately octahedral coordination geometry with two extremely long Cr-N distances.
The impact of ischemic cholangiopathy in liver transplantation using donors after cardiac death: the untold story.

Background Liver transplantation (LT) from donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors is increasingly being used to address organ shortages. Despite encouraging reports, standard survival metrics have overestimated the effectiveness of DCD livers. We examined the mode, kinetics, and predictors of organ failure and resource utilization to more fully characterize outcomes after DCD LT. Methods We reviewed the outcomes for 32 DCD and 237 donation after brain death (DBD) LT recipients at our institution. Results Recipients of DCD livers had a 2.1 times greater risk of graft failure, a 2.5 times greater risk of relisting, and a 3.2 times greater risk of retransplantation compared with DBD recipients. DCD recipients had a 31.6% higher incidence of biliary complications and a 35.8% higher incidence of ischemic cholangiopathy. Ischemic cholangiography was primarily implicated in the higher risk of graft failure observed after DCD LT. DCD recipients with ischemic cholangiography experienced more frequent rehospitalizations, longer hospital stays, and required more invasive biliary procedures. Conclusion Related to higher complication rates, DCD recipients necessitated greater resource utilization. This more granular data should be considered in the decision to promote DCD LT. Modification of liver allocation policy is necessary to address those disadvantaged by a failing DCD graft.
The secret language of sacred spaces: decoding churches, temples, mosques and other places of worship around the world

This is a wonderful book of historical religious narratives and the influence of faiths on the architecture of places of worship. Cannon's use of architectural design concepts, comparative religion...
A bonded polariscope for three-dimensional photoviscoelastic studies.

Bonded polariscope for three dimensional photoviscoelastic studies, noting reflecting polariscope applications for some model tests
Guided Wave Propagation in Tubular Section With Multi-Layered Viscoelastic Coating: Part II — Circumferential Waves

Propagating waves physically admissible in a tubular section are derived to establish their dispersion characteristics in response to the presence of multi-layered viscoelastic coatings. Shear and longitudinal waves along the circumferential direction were investigated. To characterize the hollow cylinder with coating layers, wave dispersion and attenuation are studied using the “global matrix” technique. Since each layer is considered to be perfectly bonded to each other, displacement and strain continuity are imposed as the interfacial boundary conditions. Viscoelastic coating materials such as bitumen and epoxy serve to improve pipeline reliability, but they also dampen and dissipate wave energy. The viscoelastic materials are studied as well. By replacing the real material constants with complex material constants in the characteristic equation, the impact of the viscoelastic coatings on wave dispersion is established. Bisection method is followed to find the real and complex roots of the three characteristic equations derived. Roots thus obtained are manipulated to allow the phase velocity and attenuation dispersion to be plotted against frequency. The dispersion of phase velocity and wave attenuation for coated pipes are evaluated against a baseline model which is the bare, uncoated tubing to establish the propagation characteristics of the guided shear and longitudinal waves in the presence of multiple coating layers.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Acute effects of light on the brain and behavior of diurnal Arvicanthis niloticus and nocturnal Mus musculus

Photic cues influence daily patterns of activity via two complementary mechanisms: (1) entraining the internal circadian clock and (2) directly increasing or decreasing activity, a phenomenon referred to as "masking". The direction of this masking response is dependent on the temporal niche an organism occupies, as nocturnal animals often decrease activity when exposed to light, while the opposite response is more likely to be seen in diurnal animals. Little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying these differences. Here, we examined the masking effects of light on behavior and the activation of several brain regions by that light, in diurnal Arvicanthis niloticus (Nile grass rats) and nocturnal Mus musculus (mice). Each species displayed the expected behavioral response to a 1h pulse of light presented 2h after lights-off, with the diurnal grass rats and nocturnal mice increasing and decreasing their activity, respectively. In grass rats light induced an increase in cFOS in all retinorecipient areas examined, which included the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the ventral subparaventricular zone (vSPZ), intergeniculate leaflet (IGL), lateral habenula (LH), olivary pretectal nucleus (OPT) and the dorsal lateral geniculate (DLG). In mice, light led to an increase in cFOS in one of these regions (SCN), no change in others (vSPZ, IGL and LH) and a decrease in two (OPT and DLG). In addition, light increased cFOS expression in three arousal-related brain regions (the lateral hypothalamus, dorsal raphe, and locus coeruleus) and in one sleep-promoting region (the ventrolateral preoptic area) in grass rats. In mice, light had no effect on cFOS in these four regions. Taken together, these results highlight several brain regions whose responses to light suggest that they may play a role in masking, and that the possibility that they contribute to species-specific patterns of behavioral responses to light should be explored in future.
Effect of Dose-Intensive Intravenous Melphalan and Autologous Blood Stem-Cell Transplantation on AL Amyloidosis–Associated Renal Disease

Dose-intensive intravenous melphalan with autologous blood stem-cell transplantation improves the nephrotic syndrome in patients with AL amyloidosis–associated renal disease. The benefit is largely...
Esophageal epithelial and mesenchymal cross-talk leads to features of epithelial to mesenchymal transition in vitro

Abstract Background Esophageal fibrosis is a complication of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) which has been attributed to both subepithelial fibrosis and to epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process by which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal features. Common to both causes of EoE-fibrosis is the notion that granulocyte-derived TGF-β, induces myofibroblast differentiation of the target cell. To date, the role of esophageal epithelial cells as effector cells in esophageal fibrosis has never been explored. Herein, we investigated consequences of cross-talk between esophageal epithelial cells and fibroblasts, and identified profibrotic cytokines which influence the development of EMT in vitro . Methods and results Stimulation of primary fetal esophageal fibroblasts (FEF3) with conditioned media (CEM) from esophageal epithelial cells (EPC2-hTERT), primed FEF3 cells to secrete IL-1β and TNFα, but not TGFβ. To determine whether these cytokines signaled in a paracrine fashion to esophageal epithelial cells, FEF3 cells were stimulated with CEM, followed by transfer of this fibroblast conditioned media (FCM) to EPC2-hTERT cells. Epithelial FCM stimulation increased expression of mesenchymal markers and reduced E-cadherin expression, features of EMT which were TNFα and IL-1β-dependent. Using organotypic culture models, primary EoE epithelial cells exhibited features of EMT compared to non-EoE cells, corresponding to patterns of EMT in native biopsies. Conclusions Esophageal epithelial cell and fibroblast cross-talk contributes to esophageal fibrosis. Our results suggest that features of EMT can develop independent of TGF-β and granulocytes, which may have important implications in treatment of EoE.
Expanding bioplastics production: sustainable business innovation in the chemical industry

The case of bioplastics illustrates how business models can link producers and customers through the development of new technologies and products. Chemical companies have assumed that reducing costs, increasing yields, and developing better feedstock supplies will guarantee the success of bioplastics in the market, yet a number of unconventional hurdles exist. Companies need to build markets for bioplastics and to assure customers that bioplastics are indeed sustainably made. We contend that companies are most able to develop business models that bring bioplastics to market effectively when they develop and mobilize their “dynamic capabilities” around sustainability. DuPont, BASF, and Braskem have identified new market opportunities for bioplastics, designed distinctive types of business models to seize these opportunities, and devised ways to create increased value by communicating performance advantages and environmental impact reduction to downstream entities. Because they have not included societal actors in their efforts to define sustainability, the firms face significant risk that their sustainable value propositions may not endure without further innovations in creating accountability systems.
A familial pattern of juvenile periodontitis (periodontosis).

SINCE THE TERM PERIODONTOSIS was first described in 1920 by Gottlieb 1 there has been much discussion in the literature as to the etiology of the disease. Various systemic disturbances have been related to an increased severity of periodontal destruction2-6 although extreme destruction has been observed in patients free from sys­ temic disease.7 Heredity and genetic factors have also been suggested as possibly playing a role in advanced periodontal disease in adolescents. 8 Several instances
A “clustering” technique for directly assessing concept learning

A convergent paired-associate task (having two or more stimuli per response) can be solved via rote learning or concept learning processes. On the basis of assumptions concerning the operation of these processes within a trial, a “clustering” measure is developed which is purported to tap the contribution of rote and concept learning to performance.
Dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in the NV(-) center in diamond.

The negatively charged nitrogen-vacancy (${\mathrm{NV}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$) center in diamond is considered to be one of the most promising solid state systems for quantum information applications. Excited states of the ${\mathrm{NV}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ center play a center role in the proposed applications. Using a combination of first-principles calculations and vibronic interaction model analysis, we establish the presence of a dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in the $^{3}E$ excited state. The calculated temperature-dependent dephasing rate for the zero phonon line as well as the splitting of the first two vibronic states are in good agreement with experiment.
Meiosis: How Male Flies Do Meiosis

In meiosis in male fruitflies, chromosome pairing events do not facilitate genetic exchange, but rather create bivalents that can be sequestered to discrete pockets of the prophase nucleus. This assignment of homologs to a common pocket likely facilitates the orientation of homologous centromeres to opposite poles.
The Use of ISO 9000 in the Textile Industry: the DuPont Experience

Businesses throughout the world are beginning to ask questions about the value of certification under the International Standards referred to as ISO 9000, This paper is a brief description of the International Organization for Standardization and the elements that comprise ISO 9001. The DuPont Company is the leader in the United States in the number of businesses that are certified under the ISO standards. DuPont's experience, knowledge and involvement with the certification process is reflected in this paper. The author has tried to build a complete picture of the process, cost and benefits that are associated with ISO 9000 certification.
Effect of heat treatment on the electrical resistivity of near-eutectic Sn-Ag-Cu Pb-free solder alloys

The electrical resistivity of solder joints prepared from Sn-Ag, Sn-Ag-Cu, and Sn-Ag-Cu-X alloys (where X = Co, Fe, or Bi) was characterized by a four-point probe technique and interpreted in terms of microstructure and composition. The resistivity is also reported of drawn solid wires of these alloys. The solder-joint samples were prepared by hand soldering to copper substrates and were electrically characterized over a temperature range from 293–423 K, covering the anticipated range of elevated-temperature operation for Pb-free solders. Selected joint specimens were measured before and after a 72-h heat treatment at 423 K. Metallographic inspection of the solder joints was performed to characterize coarsening effects and to determine the degree to which these changes affected electrical conduction.
An actin-dependent conformational change in myosin

Conformational changes within myosin lead to its movement relative to an actin filament. Several crystal structures exist for myosin bound to various nucleotides, but none with bound actin. Therefore, the effect of actin on the structure of myosin is poorly understood. Here we show that the swing of smooth muscle myosin lever arm requires both ADP and actin. This is the first direct observation that a conformation of myosin is dependent on actin. Conformational changes within myosin were monitored using fluorescence resonance energy transfer techniques. A cysteine-reactive probe is site-specifically labeled on a 'cysteine-light' myosin variant, in which the native reactive cysteines were removed and a cysteine engineered at a desired position. Using this construct, we show that the actin-dependent ADP swing causes an 18 A change in distance between a probe on the 25/50 kDa loop on the catalytic domain and a probe on the regulatory light chain, corresponding to a 23 degrees swing of the light-chain domain.
Bypass surgery in the management of complex aneurysms

The objective of aneurysm surgery is to exclude the aneurysm from the circulation while preserving blood flow distal to the lesion. A subset of complex large, giant, or fusiform intracranial aneurysms, however, may be unamenable to clipping or clip reconstruction of the parent vessel. In such cases, occlusion of the parent vessel, first described by Hunter, is a treatment option. In many patients, however, sacrifice of the parent artery has an associated risk of ischemic stroke. Therefore, sacrifice of the parent vessel can be supplemented with distal revascularization to provide the necessary distal blood flow while allowing the aneurysm to be trapped. The indications, options, and operative techniques for microvascular bypass are described, and the surgical approaches for revascularization of aneurysms of both the anterior and posterior circulation are detailed.
Effects of halothane, ether and cyclopropane on respiration.

Dogs have been anaesthetized with halothane, ether and cyclopropane, and the depth was kept constant at any desired level by maintaining an unvarying gas concentration in alveolar air. Under these steady-state conditions carbon dioxide response curves have been elicited at different depths of anaesthesia. All three anaesthetic drugs caused a progressive reduction of ventilation volumes as the concentration was increased. In one subject there was an augmentation of ventilation at moderate levels of ether anaesthesia. Halothane, ether and cyclopropane all produced apnoea at an alveolar concentration approximately 2.2 times the minimum concentration required to maintain surgical anaesthesia.
Inhibition of the achilles tendon reflex by antagonist long-latency postural responses in humans.

Abstract The present study demonstrated inhibition of the Achilles tendon reflex in freely standing humans during platform perturbations which elicited a long-latency postural response (90 to 110 ms) in the stretched antagonist tibialis anterior musculature. The inhibition was apparent under those conditions in which the long-latency postural response had adapted to subthreshold within the antagonist motoneuron pool. The inhibition was also apparent under those conditions in which the long-latency postural response occurred in the ankle muscles shortened rather than stretched by the perturbation, and therefore did not require prior activation of antagonist muscle spindle afferent neurons. This modulation was more efficacious than equivalent phasic or tonic voluntary activation of the antagonist musculature and this implied that pathways activated during long-latency postural responses and voluntary responses were not equivalent. The experiments also demonstrated that the myotatic stretch reflex (40 to 45 ms latency) remained in the homonymous muscle under conditions in which the long-latency postural response adapted to subthreshold. This finding supports the hypothesis that postural response adaptation involves mechanisms other than presynaptic inhibition of the Ia afferent fibers or inhibition of the homonymous motoneuron pool.
A practical approach to rate adaptation for multi-antenna systems

Multi-antenna systems can provide greater throughput and range coverage than traditional single antenna systems. A key aspect of exploiting this new physical layer (PHY) is rate adaptation, which consists of finding the best rate for sending data packets. Unlike rate adaptation in single antenna systems, nodes have many choices apart from adapting different modulation types, and these choices include using spatial multiplexing or transmit diversity, types of guard intervals, and channel width. We present an evaluation and implementation of a new rate adaptation scheme for multi-antenna systems applicable to off-the-shelf wireless cards. Our rate adaptation scheme, rate adaptation for multi-antenna systems (RAMAS), is simple and practical, and eliminates the complexity of the rate adaptation approaches proposed for IEEE 802.11n in the recent past. Extensive experimental evaluation is used to show that RAMAS performs consistently better than many current IEEE 802.11n rate adaptation schemes with much less complexity, and that RAMAS is especially efficient in multi-user and interference-laden environments.
In Utero and Lactational Exposure to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin and 2,3,4,7,8-Pentachlorodibenzofuran Reduces Growth and Disrupts Reproductive Parameters in Female Rats

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 2,3,4,7,8-pentachlorodibenzofuran (PCDF) are widespread environmental pollutants. TCDD is well known for its adverse effects on female reproduction when administered acutely to immature or adult rats. It is also known that fetal/neonatal exposure to this compound alters reproductive parameters. It is unknown whether exposure to PCDF causes similar adverse effects in offspring. The objectives of the study were to investigate the effects of in utero and lactational (IUL) exposure to TCDD and PCDF on subsequent growth, estrous cycles, and ovulation. Additionally a gonadotropin-primed immature rat model was used to investigate possible direct effects on the ovary after IUL exposure to TCDD (2.5 microg/kg) by evaluating 1) ovarian morphometrics and 2) serum estradiol concentrations. Body weights were reduced in animals with IUL exposure to TCDD and PCDF relative to those in controls at 10 days of age (P < 0.05 for each), and this difference was maintained until termination of the experiment at 125-165 days of age (P < 0.05). Exposure to TCDD or PCDF also disrupted regular estrous cycles and inhibited ovulation rate. On Day 23 (before eCG stimulation), ovaries from animals exposed to TCDD contained the same number of primordial, primary, secondary, preantral, and antral follicles as ovaries from control animals. On Day 25 (48 h after eCG stimulation), ovaries from TCDD-exposed rats had significantly fewer large preovulatory follicles when compared with ovaries from controls. The numbers of smaller follicles (both antral and small antral) were not different. Serum estradiol was significantly lower in TCDD-exposed animals 48 h after eCG stimulation.
Antineoplastic Agents III: Effects of Dibromoethyl and Vinyl Esters of N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanine on Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cell Metabolism

Evidence is presented that N-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanine vinyl ester and 1,2-dibromoethyl ester are inhibitors of Walker 256 carcinosarcoma and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma tumor growth. The major effects of these two agents on Ehrlich ascites cell metabolism were the inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid and protein synthesis and the alteration of cellular regulatory processes controlling cytokinetics. Deoxynucleotide (purine) kinase enzymes appeared to be the focal site for inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis with marginal inhibition of thymidylate synthetase activity. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels were elevated by drug treatment whereas chromatin protein phosphorylation, cell respiration, and lysosomal activities were inhibited. N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-l-phenylalanine 1,2-dibromoethyl ester was a latent in vitro chymotrypsin inhibitor. Some preliminary evidence suggests that these activated esters may inhibit cellular enzymatic activity by alkylating imidazole and lysine residues of proteins.
A Battle of Forensic Experts is not a Race to the Bottom

We apply concepts from the small, but growing literature on the economics of experts to forensic science. An economic theory of experts must build on the assumption that experts are no more or less influenced by incentives than actors in other areas of human action. We suggest changes in the organization of forensic science that will improve error prevention, detection, and correction. In particular, a right of forensic expertise for the defense would bring the adversarial process of criminal courts closer to an ‘equality of arms’ and increase the probability that the biases in the system will be neutralized, errors minimized, and truth discovered. It is our contention that by including competing forensic experts among a series of needed changes, we are wresting decision making from the forensic experts and returning it to the finders of fact, the judge or jury.
The role of temporal lobe and orbitofrontal cortices in olfactory memory function

Differences in verbal and nonverbal olfactory identification and recognition were examined among three groups with brain impairment. A left cerebrovascular accident (LCVA) group, a right CVA (RCVA) group, and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) group were compared with two nonimpaired age-matched comparison groups on olfaction identification and recognition abilities. Odors were presented to the left and right nostrils, which maximized hemispheric differences in olfactory processing. Results showed that persons with LCVA demonstrated the greatest impairment on the verbal identification of odors, while persons with RCVA showed the most impairment on the nonverbal identification of odors. Persons with TBI showed an inconsistent impairment across both verbal and nonverbal odor identification tasks. Odor recognition was impaired in both CVA groups as well. In contrast, persons with TBI performed better on the delayed odor recognition tasks. Results are discussed in relation to hemispheric differences in processing olfactory information.
Rate of neural recovery in implanted children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder.

Objectives. The study objectives were to compare the rate of neural recovery and speech perception performance in children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD) and children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) from other etiologies.Study Design. Cohort study.Setting. Academic hospital and cochlear implant center.Subjects and Methods. Ten children with ANSD were matched based on type of implant and age at implantation with peers diagnosed with SNHL. Electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) recovery functions were obtained to measure neural refractory behaviors in response to stimulation from the cochlear implant. Speech perception performance was measured using speech recognition thresholds (SRTs) for monosyllable and spondee word stimuli. These outcome measures were compared between groups.Results. There was no difference in average recovery function exponent in children with ANSD compared to children with SNHL. Similarly, there were no differences in average SRTs in quiet and i...
Chemosensory Processing in a Spiking Model of the Olfactory Bulb: Chemotopic Convergence and Center Surround Inhibition

This paper presents a neuromorphic model of two olfactory signal-processing primitives: chemotopic convergence of olfactory receptor neurons, and center on-off surround lateral inhibition in the olfactory bulb. A self-organizing model of receptor convergence onto glomeruli is used to generate a spatially organized map, an olfactory image. This map serves as input to a lattice of spiking neurons with lateral connections. The dynamics of this recurrent network transforms the initial olfactory image into a spatio-temporal pattern that evolves and stabilizes into odor- and intensity-coding attractors. The model is validated using experimental data from an array of temperature-modulated gas sensors. Our results are consistent with recent neurobiological findings on the antennal lobe of the honeybee and the locust.
Comment on: Visinoni et al. The Role of Liver Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphatase in Regulating Appetite and Adiposity. Diabetes 2012;61:1122–1132

In the May 2012 issue of Diabetes , Visinoni et al. (1) described the role of liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP-1) in regulating appetite and adiposity and in contributing to body weight regulation. In transgenic mice overexpressing FBP-1 , they observed a lean body weight phenotype and ∼50% reduction of adiposity that was supported by a reduction of food intake. In keeping with this evidence, appetite-stimulating neuropeptide Y and Agouti-related peptide were found to be significantly suppressed. The authors observed an inversion of the lean body weight phenotype by pharmacologic inhibition of FBP-1, suggesting a crucial role for this enzyme in the presence of excess nutrients/fats. FBP-1 is an enzyme in …
Indications for ICD and cardiac resynchronization therapy for prevention of sudden cardiac death

The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is used for primary and secondary prophylaxis of sudden cardiac death in high-risk patients. While several trials have demonstrated the superiority of ICD over standard medical therapy or antiarrhythmic medication in this population, a few trials have not shown survival benefit. The Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implant Trial II study revealed that ICD reduces mortality in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. The Sudden Cardiac Death-Heart Failure Trial demonstrated that the ICD prevents sudden cardiac death and all-cause mortality in high-risk patients with moderate ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. The ICD is also recommended for high-risk patients with inherited arrhythmia or cardiomyopathy. Cardiac resynchronization therapy reduces mortality and heart failure class as compared with optimal medical therapy in advanced heart failure. The high economic cost of widespread ICD use must also be considered. Therefore, it is prudent to identify a high-risk population who will benefit most from these devices.
Dental management of the oral effects of radiotherapy

Abstract More and more patients will be treated by radiotherapy as modalities and methods of administration are refined and become more effective. Therefore, the dentist must be familiar with the oral manifestations of this type of irradiation to the head and neck regions and be equipped to handle the sequelae as they arise. A description of these complications and suggestions for their treatment have been presented.
Training and Career Development for Comparative Effectiveness Research Workforce Development: CTSA Consortium Strategic Goal Committee on Comparative Effectiveness Research Workgroup on Workforce Development

As comparative effectiveness research (CER) increasingly becomes a national priority, there are increased needs for training and workforce development in this area. Particularly important CER competencies include clinical epidemiology, biomedical informatics, economic analyses, systematic reviews, clinical practice guideline development, use of large databases and electronic health records for research, practice-based research, implementation and dissemination, health services research, and decision analysis. Institutions funded by Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) should be one of the central stakeholders in providing training and career development in CER. Survey results regarding the current CER capacity and needs of CTSAs are presented, and recommendations are provided. Volume 5: 258-262.
APOE polymorphism and angiographic coronary artery disease severity in the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study

Genetic variation in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is a significant determinant of variation in plasma cholesterol levels and it also affects the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). We examined the association of the APOE polymorphism with CAD severity in women from the NHLBI-sponsored Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation (WISE) study. Quantitative coronary angiography was used to classify subjects as having normal/minimal CAD ( or=50% stenosis). The women with or=50% stenosis were further stratified according to the number of vessel disease they have (one, two, or three). In white subjects, the frequency of APOE*4 carriers (3/4 and 4/4 genotypes) was significantly higher in the combined mild/significant CAD group (>or=20% stenosis) compared with the normal/minimal CAD group (<20% stenosis) (31.3 vs. 19.2%; P=0.025) with an adjusted OR of 2.40 (95% CI: 1.47-3.93; P=0.0005). Furthermore, the APOE*4 allele was found to be significantly associated with the increased vessel disease number (chi(2)=8.04; P=0.0046). This association of the APOE*4 allele with CAD severity was present only in women with family history of CAD. APOE polymorphism also showed significant associations with increasing plasma total cholesterol (P=0.01) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (P<0.001) in whites. These data support the hypothesis that the APOE*4 allele is an independent risk factor not only for the presence of CAD and hyperlipidemia, but also for the angiographic severity of CAD in white women with a family history of disease.
Modelling changes in market share: A cross‐sectional analysis

The decision to build market share has major resource-allocation implications. To aid managers in assessing these implications, research was conducted to determine general relationships between changes in market share and variables representing market strategies and competitive position. The research was based on multiproduct, cross-sectional regression analyses and includes variables that are—or should be—readily available to most businesses.
Detecting number of clones, and their relative abundance, of a malaria parasite (Plasmodium mexicanum) infecting its vertebrate host

Microsatellites, short tandem repeats of nucleotides in the genome, are useful markers to detect clonal diversity within Plasmodium infections. However, accuracy in determining number of clones and their relative proportions based on standard genetic analyzer instruments is poorly known. DNA extracted from lizards infected with a malaria parasite, Plasmodium mexicanum, provided template to genotype the parasite based on three microsatellite markers. Replicate genotyping of the same natural infections demonstrated strong repeatability of data from the instrument. Mixing DNA extracted from several infected lizards simulated mixed-clone infections with known clonal diversity and relative proportions of clones (N = 56 simulations). The instrument readily detected at least four alleles (clones), even when DNA concentrations among clones differed up to tenfold, but alleles of similar size can be missed because they fall within the “stutter” artifact, and rarely does an allele fail to be detected. For simulations of infections that changed their relative proportions over time, changes in relative peak heights on the instrument output closely followed the known changes in relative proportions. Such data are useful for a broad range of studies on the ecology of malaria parasites.
Biomass to liquid transportation fuels (BTL) systems: process synthesis and global optimization framework

An optimization-based process synthesis framework is proposed for the thermochemical conversion of biomass to liquid fuels (BTL). Gasification of biomass is used to generate synthesis gas which can be converted to raw hydrocarbons either directly using Fischer–Tropsch synthesis or indirectly using catalytic conversion of methanol over ZSM-5. Multiple technologies are considered for generation of the raw hydrocarbons including (i) six types of Fischer–Tropsch units with different temperatures, catalyst types, and hydrocarbon effluent compositions, (ii) methanol conversion using methanol-to-gasoline, and (iii) methanol conversion using methanol-to-olefins. The hydrocarbons are upgraded into the final liquid fuel products (i.e., gasoline, diesel, and kerosene) using one or more technologies including ZSM-5 catalytic conversion, oligomerization, hydrocracking, isomerization, alkylation, and hydrotreating. A simultaneous heat, power, and water integration is included within the process synthesis framework to directly examine the costs associated with utility production and wastewater treatment with a particular topological design. A rigorous global optimization branch-and-bound strategy is implemented to mathematically guarantee the development of a BTL refinery that is economically and environmentally superior to all competing designs. Twenty-four case studies are investigated to determine the effect of refinery capacity, liquid fuel composition, and biomass feedstock on the overall system cost, the BTL refinery topological design, the process material/energy balances, and the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.
Multicriteria design of manufacturing systems through simulation optimization

Simulation is a popular tool for the design and analysis of manufacturing systems. The popularity of simulation is due to its flexibility, its ability to model systems when analytical methods have failed, and its ability to model the time dynamic behavior of systems. However, in and of itself, simulation is not a design tool; therefore, in order to optimize a simulation model, it often must be used in conjunction with an optimum-seeking method. This paper describes an interactive (decision maker-computer) methodology for multiple response optimization of simulation models. This approach is based on a multiple criteria optimization technique called the STEP method. The proposed methodology is illustrated with an example involving the optimization of a manufacturing system. >
Framing Latinas: Hispanic women through the lenses of Spanish-language and English-language news media:

It is argued that the media’s tendency to stereotype minority groups is due, in part, to a weak identification with them. This study compared the frames used by the Miami Herald (MH), an English-language newspaper targeted to general audiences, and El Nuevo Herald (ENH), its Spanish-language counterpart targeted to Hispanics, to explore whether the stronger media identification with the audience affects the type of frames used to depict Latinas. Using framing as a theoretical framework, this investigation found that the MH emphasized the individual achievements of successful women and described them as a new profitable market. ENH highlighted the family sacrifices of successful females and depicted them as family-devoted and sensual. As a result, the greater cultural identification with the audience may avoid manifest negative stereotypes but embrace pan-ethnic stereotypes that, eventually, may become harmful because they contribute to the homogenization and racialization of a group such as Latinas.