cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“What? I thought Samsung was Japanese”: accurate or not, perceived country of origin matters

Purpose – Extensive research has shown that country‐of‐origin (COO) information significantly affects product evaluations and buying behavior. Yet recently, a competing perspective has emerged suggesting that COO effects have been inflated in prior research and even that the COO concept has become irrelevant. The purpose of this paper is to reconcile these two competing perspectives by examining the effects of individual brand origin perceptions.Design/methodology/approach – The conceptual framework is grounded in consumers’ learning. Empirically, the authors’ hypotheses are tested using hierarchical linear modeling on a sample of 4,047 brand evaluations by 544 consumers.Findings – The results provide strong evidence that product country image of the consumer's perceived brand origin strongly affects brand attitudes, and this happens regardless of the perceptions’ objective accuracy. The authors also find evidence that educating consumers about brands’ true COO can contribute to changes in brand attitudes...
A comparative study of the P and Q representations of a feedback controlled two-qubit system

Abstract In this Letter the Master equation of a two qubit system is transformed into Fokker–Planck equations in order to find the Glauber–Sudarshan P function representation. For the two qubit system examined in this Letter, the P representation is ill defined, which indicates the system is non-classical. A qualitative measure of the non-classical nature of the system is found by taking the semi-classical limit of the Fokker–Planck equation and obtaining a simplified Glauber–Sudarshan P representation. The agreement between the simplified P representation and the Q representation as well as the system stability are discussed when feedback is present and absent.
PPAR-ϒ pathway to vascular dysfunction.

Humans with dominant-negative (DN) mutations in PPAR-ϒ develop early onset hypertension. A recent study by Pelham et al. (2012) shows that loss of PPAR-ϒ repression of the Rho kinase pathway leads to altered vascular function via a smooth-muscle-dependent pathway that is independent of NO and oxidant stress.
Asymptotic dynamics of nonlinear Schrödinger equations with many bound states

Abstract We consider a nonlinear Schrodinger equation with a bounded localized potential in R 3 . The linear Hamiltonian is assumed to have three or more bound states with the eigenvalues satisfying some resonance conditions. Suppose that the initial data is localized and small of order n in H1, and that its ground state component is larger than n3−e with e>0 small. We prove that the solution will converge locally to a nonlinear ground state as the time tends to infinity.
Over-expression of angiotensin II type 2 receptor (agtr2) reduces atherogenesis and modulates LOX-1, endothelial nitric oxide synthase and heme-oxygenase-1 expression

Atherogenesis is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress. Activation of renin-angiotensin system with generation of angiotensin II and type 1 receptor (AT1R) stimulation has been amply reported in atherosclerosis. Since angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) activity is purported to oppose the effects of AT1R, we hypothesized that AT2R (agtr2) over-expression would inhibit atherogenesis. We prepared recombinant adeno-associated virus type-2 (AAV) carrying AT2R cDNA (AAV/AT2R), and homozygous LDLR-deficient (KO) mice were given AAV/AT2R, AAV/Neo or saline. All mice were placed on a high cholesterol diet. After 18 weeks, AT2R was found to be over-expressed systemically in AAV/AT2R-treated mice. Atherogenesis in aorta was reduced in the AAV/AT2R group by approximately 50% compared to other LDLR KO mice groups. Expression of NADPH oxidase, nitrotyrosine and NF-kappaB was increased in aortic tissues of the LDLR KO mice given saline or AAV/Neo, but not in mice with AT2R upregulation. Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1) was decreased and that of the lectin-like oxidized-LDL receptor (LOX-1) increased in the LDLR KO mice, but not in the mice with AT2R over-expression. Further, Akt-1 phosphorylation was reduced in the LDLR KO mice, but not in the mice with AT2R over-expression. Thus, AT2R upregulation can reduce atherogenesis, possibly by modulating oxidative stress and the pro-inflammatory cascade, mediated via Akt-1. Over-expression of AT2R may be an important therapeutic approach in atherosclerosis.
Total Quality Management: Implications for Educational Assessment:

The approach to quality that trans formed industry in Japan may help to improve educational quality in Ameri can schools. In 1982, W Edwards Deming identified 14 principles for the transformation o...
An experimental study of nonisothermal effectiveness factors in a porous catalyst

Circulating hydrogen-oxygen mixtures were reacted at atmospheric pressure in a single long porous catalyst cylinder which contained a thermocouple-micromanometer probe. Rate and temperature rise data were obtained at 20°, 30°, 50°, and 60°C. in the concentration range 0 to 5% oxygen in hydrogen. The data were used in connection with the transport equations to obtain effectiveness factors, rate constant, activation energy, and reaction order for oxygen concentration. The necessity of considering thermal effects is exhibited clearly by this system. The maximum temperature rise observed inside the catalyst (33°C.) is associated with a 60% increase in utilization factor over the isothermal value.
Investigation of Electron Capture Cross Section Additivity for CF4 C2F6 and C4F8 at Ep = 0.8 and 1.5 MeV

We have investigated single electron capture cross section additivity for the fluorocarbon molecules, CF4, C2F6 and C4F8 at proton energies of 0.8 and 1.5 MeV. Applying the post-collision-interaction (PCI) model to the case where the electron capture cross sections,?10, for C and F are quite similar, we are able to provide an internally consistent parameterization of these molecular electron capture cross sections at each proton energy, ?10 (CmFn), in terms of "atomic" ?10 values for C and F, using the relationships ?10 (CmFm) = TmnC m?10 (C) + TmnF n?10 (F) or ?10 (CmFn) = ?mnCF [m?10(C) + n?10(F)] The Tmn terms are transmission fractions directly calculable from the PCI model; ?mnCF is the weighted transmission fraction which characterizes each molecule
Antibiotic resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: peroxidase intermediate bypass causes poor isoniazid activation by the S315G mutant of M. tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase (KatG).

KatG (catalase-peroxidase) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is responsible for activation of isoniazid (INH), a pro-drug used to treat tuberculosis infections. Resistance to INH is a global health problem most often associated with mutations in the katG gene. The origin of INH resistance caused by the KatG[S315G] mutant enzyme is examined here. Overexpressed KatG[S315G] was characterized by optical, EPR, and resonance Raman spectroscopy and by studies of the INH activation mechanism in vitro. Catalase activity and peroxidase activity with artificial substrates were moderately reduced (50 and 35%, respectively), whereas the rates of formation of oxyferryl heme:porphyrin π-cation radical and the decay of heme intermediates were ∼2-fold faster in KatG[S315G] compared with WT enzyme. The INH binding affinity for the resting enzyme was unchanged, whereas INH activation, measured by the rate of formation of an acyl-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide adduct considered to be a bactericidal molecule, was reduced by 30% compared with WT KatG. INH resistance is suggested to arise from a redirection of catalytic intermediates into nonproductive reactions that interfere with oxidation of INH. In the resting mutant enzyme, a rapid evolution of 5-c heme to 6-c species occurred in contrast with the behavior of WT KatG and KatG[S315T] and consistent with greater flexibility at the heme edge in the absence of the hydroxyl of residue 315. Insights into the effects of mutations at residue 315 on enzyme structure, peroxidation kinetics, and specific interactions with INH are presented.
A semiclassical over-barrier model for charge exchange between highly charged ions and one-optical-electron atoms

Absolute total cross sections for electron capture between slow, highly charged ions and alkali targets have been recently measured. It is found that these cross sections follow a scaling law with the projectile charge which is different from the one previously proposed which is based on a classical over-barrier model (OBM) and verified using rare gases and molecules as targets. In this paper we develop a `semiclassical' (i.e. including some quantal features) OBM in an attempt to recover experimental results. The method is then applied to ion-hydrogen collisions and compared with the result of a sophisticated quantum mechanical calculation. In both cases the present method is found to underestimate the correct result by a factor of two, but, where comparison can be made, it is superior to other OBMs. A qualitative explanation for the discrepancies is also given.
Formula for fresh frozen plasma dosing for warfarin reversal.

To the Editor: I applaud Drs Rashidi and Tahhan for their excellent work to derive a facile formula for calculating the change in the international normalized ratio (INR) by each unit of fresh frozen plasma (FFP), reported in the March 2013 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. However, calculating the units of FFP needed to reach a goal INR with this formula is still quite cumbersome. Using the formula provided by the authors of DeltaINR after 1 FFP1⁄4 0.57 x PreINR 0.72, where DeltaINR 1⁄4 PreINR PostINR, it is not a simple task to derive a facile formula for calculating the units of FFP needed. The only solution provided by the authors is an iterative approach until the goal INR is reached. However, the problem can be simplified greatly if one accepts that there are 2 goal INRs that are clinically relevant: (1) a goal INR of less than 1.5 for practically total reversal because further FFP will have nil or minimal effect and (2) a goal INR of 2 to 3 for partial reversal in which bleeding risk is reduced but the INR remains in a therapeutic range. Although some clinical indications, like metallic heart valves, normally require INR goals of 2.5 to 3.5, in the context of major bleeding, INR goals of 2 to 3 are likely adequate for a short time until the bleeding is resolved. Thus, with these 2 INR goals, one can tabulate the units of
Functional Analysis and Transcriptomic Profiling of iPSC-Derived Macrophages and Their Application in Modeling Mendelian Disease

Rationale:An efficient and reproducible source of genotype-specific human macrophages is essential for study of human macrophage biology and related diseases. Objective:To perform integrated functional and transcriptome analyses of human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived macrophages (IPSDMs) and their isogenic human peripheral blood mononuclear cell–derived macrophage (HMDM) counterparts and assess the application of IPSDM in modeling macrophage polarization and Mendelian disease. Methods and Results:We developed an efficient protocol for differentiation of IPSDM, which expressed macrophage-specific markers and took up modified lipoproteins in a similar manner to HMDM. Like HMDM, IPSDM revealed reduction in phagocytosis, increase in cholesterol efflux capacity and characteristic secretion of inflammatory cytokines in response to M1 (lipopolysaccharide+interferon-γ) activation. RNA-Seq revealed that nonpolarized (M0) as well as M1 or M2 (interleukin-4) polarized IPSDM shared transcriptomic profiles wit...
Mental stress as a causal factor in the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease.

Chronic mental stress can come in a variety of forms, and may originate in the external environment, as an interaction between the individual and the environment, or from within the individual. Examples of things causing mental stresss include earthquakes, job stress, and several measures of negative affect; all have been shown in prospective studies have adverse effects on the development of hypertension and coronary artery disease. After the Hanshin-Awaji earthquake in Japan, there were increases of blood pressure and deaths from myocardial infarction that persisted for several months. Job strain, which is defined as a combination of low control and high demands at work, has been associated with increased blood pressure and coronary heart disease outcomes, particularly in men. Negative affect, which may manifest itself as depression, anxiety, anger, or hostility, has similarly been related to hypertension and coronary heart disease. Depression is emerging as the most important component with respect to cardiovascular disease. A common link for all these factors is a perceived loss of control over one’s environment.
Electron microscopy and krypton adsorption characterization of high-purity MgO powder

A promising method for the preparation of sizeable quantities of structurally well-defined, high-purity MgO powder is reported. The morphology and surface uniformity of the powder is comparable to that of MgO smokes but with narrow size distribution of particles. Sample characterization of these oxide powders is accomplished by combining structural TEM/STEM examination with krypton gas adsorption isotherms. The latter technique is sensitive to the presence of surface hydroxyl groups and of surface roughness on an atomic scale. High-resolution TEM indicates a perfect cubic morphology, intra-crystallite orientation, and dendritic sintering of cubes. In the STEM mode sharp convergent beam electron diffraction patterns are obtained, and in thick specimen regions Kikuchi lines appear, indicating the absence of crystal defects. After prolonged outgassing to remove surface hydroxyl groups, a krypton adsorption isotherm contains a near vertical submonolayer riser and second layer step along with partial wetting features near saturation. These near-ideal dendritic ceramic powders, therefore, provide a research bridge between single crystal surface studies and large-scale powder technology.
Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision loss throughout the world. Three different corticosteroids have been used in the treatment of diabetic macular edema: triamcinolone acetonide, dexamethasone, and fluocinolone acetonide. Intravitreal injection of all three corticosteroids is associated with a similar side effect profile including worsening/formation of cataract, elevation of intraocular pressure, pseudo-endophthalmitis, and infectious endophthalmitis. Sustained-release implants of corticosteroids have recently been studied, and one has recently received FDA approval as the first corticosteroid for the treatment of diabetic macular edema. This review will address some of the major studies evaluating corticosteroids for DME and will focus on studies published within the last 2 years.
Neutron scattering cross sections of carbon below 2 MeV recommended from R-matrix fits to data

Abstract Cross-section and polarization data for neutron interaction with carbon below the inelastic threshold (4.81 MeV) were evaluated and analyzed by R -matrix theory. Six sets of total crosssection data below 2 MeV were partially smoothed and least-square fitted with non-diagonal weighting to obtain averages with estimated uncertainties for use in the R -matrix search program. The resulting differential scattering cross sections below 2 MeV are recommended as standards. The good quality of the fits well above 2 MeV and a high-precision (0.1%) thermal value enhance the confidence in the recommended values below 2 MeV.
Vulnerable: a concept analysis.

TOPIC. In spite of the significance of vulnerable as a phenomenon that affects the human condition, its essence remains complex and elusive. PURPOSE. A conceptual analysis to clarify knowledge of this concept to explore the common and scientific usage. SOURCES OF INFORMATION. A comprehensive and systematic review from bibliographic and abstract databases and online searches. CONCLUSIONS. Findings contributed to the definition of vulnerable as a highly individualized dynamic process of being open to circumstances that positively or negatively influence outcomes, a definition based on a synthesis of knowledge concerning vulnerable, and offers a reconceptualization that expands its use in nursing scientific theory, research, and clinical practice.
Characterization of Bulk Fluid and Transport Properties for Simulating Polymer-Improved Aquifer Remediation

AbstractIn situ mobility reduction resulting from the addition of water-soluble polymers to subsurface remedial fluid formulations has the potential to significantly improve the delivery and subsurface distribution of remediation agents within heterogeneous contaminated aquifer systems. However, the increased viscosity, non-Newtonian rheology, competing retention and acceleration mechanisms, and the potential for these fluids to reduce media permeability because of mechanical filtration of these large polymer molecules complicate treatment design calculations and often necessitate numerical simulation for purposeful evaluation and application of this technology. In this paper, laboratory and computational methods are presented that were used to characterize bulk fluid and porous media transport properties of xanthan gum biopolymer-amended fluids for the purpose of facilitating numerical simulation. A detailed discussion of polymerized fluid transport mechanisms and input parameters for simulating polymer ...
Tests in support of LMFBR

Abstract Tests in support of LMFBR projects for potential incidents involving a hypothetical core disruptive accident or sodium-water interactions in steam generators have two possible goals: (1) to evaluate the integrity of the primary containment after the design is frozen or (2) to investigate design options in support of primary containment design. The test planning approach differs depending on the goal. The Fast Flux Test Facility tests had the first goal, the current Clinch River Breeder Reactor tests have the second goal. This paper discusses test planning, sources for simulating loads, modeling, and instrumentation. The main source described involves controlled venting of explosive gases. The source avoids generation of undesirable shock waves and facilitates calibration because the reaction rate of the explosive is independent of the response. It is indicated that the test program requiring the least time and cost involves a mixture of three types of models: small simple models, small complex models, and large complex models. Instrumentation is discussed that is required for validation of loading, response measurements for comparison with calculations, and response measurements on critical members where predictions are not possible.
A radioenzymatic assay for catecholamines and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid.

Abstract Picogram quantities of the catecholamines, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, and the dopamine metabolite, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, can be measured in tissue or plasma samples utilizing a rapid radioenzymatic procedure. The catechols are converted to their 3 H-methylated derivatives (3-methoxytyramine, normetanephrine, metanephrine and homovanillic acid, respectively) by the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase with 3 H-S-adenosylmethionine serving as the 3 H-methyl donor. Following the enzymatic reaction, unreacted 3 H-S-Adenosylmethionine is removed by precipitation and the reaction products are separated by thin layer chromatography on silica plates. The areas corresponding to the 3 H-methylated derivatives are scraped into scintillation vials, eluted with aqueous buffer, extracted into nonpolar scintillation cocktail, and counted by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Using the standard assay procedure described here, over 100 tubes can be assayed in a single day with a sensitivity of 15–25 pg for all compounds measured. With the application of additional procedures, as little as 1 pg norepinephrine and epinephrine and 5–10 pg dopamine and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid can be quantified in a single sample.
Transfusions in the Preterm Infant

Preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit receive a greater number of red cell transfusions than any other hospitalized patient group. During the first weeks after birth, when blood draws are frequent and phlebotomy losses are high, approximately 50% of extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants receive their first transfusion. (1) By the end of hospitalization, approximately 85% of ELBW infants have received at least one transfusion. (2)(3)(4) Although the numbers of transfusions administered to preterm infants remains significant, they have decreased over the last 20 years, primarily due to the institution of restrictive transfusion guidelines in conjunction with the study of erythropoietin administration to preterm infants. (5)(6) This article reviews the need for administering red cell transfusions, summarizes studies evaluating the efficacy of restrictive transfusion guidelines, and provides strategies to decrease red cell transfusions in neonates, including instituting neonatal transfusion guidelines.
Ectopic activation of the canonical wnt signaling pathway affects ectodermal patterning along the primary axis during larval development in the anthozoan Nematostella vectensis

The primary axis of cnidarians runs from the oral pole to the apical tuft and defines the major body axis of both the planula larva and adult polyp. In the anthozoan cnidarian Nematostella vectensis, the primary oral–aboral (O–Ab) axis first develops during the early embryonic stage. Here, we present evidence that pharmaceutical activators of canonical wnt signaling affect molecular patterning along the primary axis of Nematostella. Although not overtly morphologically complex, molecular investigations in Nematostella reveal that the O–Ab axis is demarcated by the expression of differentially localized signaling molecules and transcription factors that may serve roles in establishing distinct ectodermal domains. We have further characterized the larval epithelium by determining the position of a nested set of molecular boundaries, utilizing several newly characterized as well as previously reported epithelial markers along the primary axis. We have assayed shifts in their position in control embryos and in embryos treated with the pharmacological agents alsterpaullone and azakenpaullone, Gsk3β inhibitors that act as canonical wnt agonists, and the Wnt antagonist iCRT14, following gastrulation. Agonist drug treatments result in an absence of aboral markers, a shift in the expression boundaries of oral markers toward the aboral pole, and changes in the position of differentially localized populations of neurons in a dose-dependent manner, while antagonist treatment had the opposite effect. These experiments are consistent with canonical wnt signaling playing a role in an orally localized wnt signaling center. These findings suggest that in Nematostella, wnt signaling mediates O–Ab ectodermal patterning across a surprisingly complex epithelium in planula stages following gastrulation in addition to previously described roles for the wnt signaling pathway in endomesoderm specification during gastrulation and overall animal–vegetal patterning at earlier stages of anthozoan development.
Direct observation of large, quasi‐static, parallel electric fields in the auroral acceleration region

The three-axis electric field experiment on the Polar satellite provides direct observations of electric field components parallel and perpendicular to the local magnetic field with no arbitrary adjustment parameters. Approximately 750 perigee passes through each of the two southern auroral zones at a geocentric altitude of about two Earth radii have been computer-searched for parallel electric fields whose eight point (0.2 or 0.4 second) average exceeded 100 mV/m. After elimination of spurious events due to shadowing, saturation, and ten other effects, four events containing parallel fields of 200–300 mV/m, remain. These four events all occur in upward field aligned current regions, their parallel electric fields are all positive such that . >0, and they occur at boundaries between regions of active and quiet perpendicular electric fields. Up-going ion beams are observed in the active field regions, and the plasma density is higher in the quiet field regions than in the adjacent active field regions. These boundaries are interpreted in terms of model equipotentials, some of which are below the spacecraft in the large field regions and all of which are above the spacecraft in the quiet field regions. In this model, the expected location of large parallel electric fields is where they are observed. That the potential difference measured by the electric field instrument along the vehicle trajectory and the kinetic energy of the up-going ions are equal lends further credence to the data and its interpretation.
Inhibition of CDC25B Phosphatase Through Disruption of Protein–Protein Interaction

CDC25 phosphatases are key cell cycle regulators and represent very attractive but challenging targets for anticancer drug discovery. Here, we explored whether fragment-based screening represents a valid approach to identify inhibitors of CDC25B. This resulted in identification of 2-fluoro-4-hydroxybenzonitrile, which directly binds to the catalytic domain of CDC25B. Interestingly, NMR data and the crystal structure demonstrate that this compound binds to the pocket distant from the active site and adjacent to the protein–protein interaction interface with CDK2/Cyclin A substrate. Furthermore, we developed a more potent analogue that disrupts CDC25B interaction with CDK2/Cyclin A and inhibits dephosphorylation of CDK2. Based on these studies, we provide a proof of concept that targeting CDC25 phosphatases by inhibiting their protein–protein interactions with CDK2/Cyclin A substrate represents a novel, viable opportunity to target this important class of enzymes.
Acid-soluble nucleotide composition of red blood cells of fetal cattle

Abstract 1. 1. The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the cold trichloroacetic acid-soluble fraction of the erythrocytes of bovine fetus had an absorption maximum at 260 nm unlike that of adult bovine erythrocytes which normally has a maximum at 297 nm. 2. 2. No uric acid riboside or ribotide was detected in fetal blood although the riboside is the predominant ultraviolet-absorbing compound in adult blood. 3. 3. The levels of UDPG, UDPAG, ATP, GTP, and UTP were higher in fetal blood than in adult blood.
Effects of aluminum concentration and compact thickness on reaction synthesis of Ni3AlNiAl alloys

Abstract The effects of aluminum concentration and green compact thickness on the reaction synthesis of powder compacts containing 25 to 40 at. %Al were studied under a uniaxial compressive stress of 10 MPa. The results indicate that both reaction product and material density are sensitive to these two parameters. For all powder compacts with a thickness of 5 mm, no temperature increase was detected during reaction synthesis, indicating no formation of transient liquid phases and thus no self-sustaining combustion reaction. For 6- and 7-mm-thick compacts containing 40% Al, a full synthesis reaction took place, resulting in production of the NiAl alloy with a high material density (>98%) and a fine grain size (14 μm). Other compacts containing 25 and 30% Al showed a coexistence of partially and fully reacted zones, with the reaction zone size strongly dependent on aluminum concentration and compact thickness. All the results are discussed in terms of local heat accumulation and heat transfer as well as thermodynamic analyses of exothermic reactions during each reaction step.
System analysis of massively parallel crosspoint switch with optical control

In this paper, the structure and design of a crosspoint switch using the bi-directional free-space optical interconnect system is presented. An optical model for design of the system parameters such as VCSEL beam diameter, size and apodization of the hologram, and size of the detector is given based on crosstalk analysis of the system. Impact of VCSEL wavelength variation on the system design is considered. The hologram array design and a way to improve the diffraction efficiency by a copying technique utilizing DuPont photopolymer are presented. Aberrations due to the Fourier lens in the system are calculated and ways for correction of the aberrations are discussed.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Influence of turbid inflows on vertical distribution of larval shad and freshwater drum

Abstract Tucker-trawl collections showed that behavior of larval shad Dorosoma spp. and freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens was altered by inflow of turbid water into Lake Texoma (Oklahoma-Texas) in two different years. During periods of increased turbidity, larval shad were concentrated in a reduced volume of water near the surface, and larval freshwater drum were distributed throughout the water column in contrast to their normal concentration near the bottom. In 1981 and 1982, greatest decline in abundance of larval shad came after zooplankton density fell below 100 per liter, and during or immediately following an extended period of high turbidity. Nutritional stress resulting from decline in zooplankton abundance and changes in larval-fish behavior during turbid conditions could be one important factor in population dynamics of shad in reservoirs.
Vocera: Enhancing communication across a library system

Librarians understand that the complex information environment frequently requires us to both consult with local colleagues and physically assist our patrons with navigating our vast library systems, facilities, and collections. Seeking to enhance customer service and internal library communication, Ohio State University (OSU) Libraries submitted a successful LSTA Innovative Technology Grant Proposal to the State Library of Ohio in 2008. The funding allowed the libraries t o purchase Vocera, a wearable hands-free communication system with a proven history of improving the communication and efficiency of mobile workers operating in a campus environment. Currently deployed in more than 550 hospital and . . .
Salmonella spp. and serotypes of Escherichia coli isolated from the lesser mealworm collected in poultry brooder houses.

Adult Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) were collected from the litter of poultry brooder houses in 1967 and 1968. One thousand of the lesser mealworms were individually surface disinfected, mascerated, and cultured in thioglycolate enridlment broth at 37°C and streaked on eosin methylene blue agar or brilliant green agar plates for detection of Escherichia coli (Migula) Castellani & Chalmers and Salmonella spp., respectively. Five species of Salmonella found within the lesser mealworms were identified as S. heidelberg Kauffman, S. worthington Edwards and Bruner, S. saint paul Kauffmann, S. typhimurium var. copenhagen Kauffmann, and S. chester Kauffmann and TesdaI. Forty-eight serotypes of E. coli were recovered from within 251 lesser mealworms. Twenty-six of these serotypes arc know pathogens for man or animals.
Tritium/3He measurements in young groundwater: progress in applications to complex hydrogeological systems.

Tritium/ 3 He dating has been applied to many problems in groundwater hydrology including, for example, determination of circulation patterns, mean residence times, recharge rates, or bank infiltration. Here, we discuss recent progress in the application of the tritium/ 3 He dating method to sites with complex hydrogeological settings. Specifically, we report on tritium/ 3 He dating at sites with (a) river infiltration into the basaltic fractured rock aquifer of the Eastern Snake River Plain, and (b) river infiltration through sinkholes into the karstic limestone Upper Floridian aquifer near Valdosta, Georgia.
Mapping Data to Processors in Distributed Memory Computations

Abstract : The authors present a structured scheme for allowing a programmer to specify the mapping of data to distributed memory multiprocessors. This scheme lets the programmer specify information about communication patterns as well as information about distributing data structures onto processors (including partitioning with replication). This mapping scheme allows the user to map arrays of data to arrays of processors. The user specifies how each axis of the data structure is mapped onto an axis of the processor structure. This mapping may either be one to one or one to many depending on the parallelism, load balancing, and communication requirements. The authors discuss the basics of how this scheme is implemented in the DINO language, the areas in which it has worked well, the few areas in which there were significant problems, and some ideas for future improvements.
β-Adrenergics enhance brain extraction of levodopa.

We sought to determine whether β-adrenergic agonists enhance the brain extraction of L-dopa and L-leucine. Systemic administration of β-adrenergic agonists increase brain concentrations of L-dopa and other large neutral amino acids (LNAA) in rats and monkeys and may improve symptoms and reduce daily L-dopa requirement in patients with Parkinson's disease. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) using [3H]nicotine and the extraction fraction of 14C-labeled L-dopa or L-leucine were measured simultaneously in various brain regions of conscious rats using the dual-isotope indicator fractionation technique after intraperitoneal administration of isoproterenol (a peripheral nonselective β-adrenergic agonist), or clenbuterol (a β2-adrenergic agonist that crosses the blood–brain barrier), or β-adrenergic agonist preceded by nadolol (a peripheral nonselective β-adrenergic antagonist), or saline vehicle. Both β-adrenergic agonists increased regional brain extraction fraction of L-dopa and L-leucine tracers by 35–45%, without altering regional CBF. These changes were accompanied by about a 30% decrease in plasma branched chain LNAA concentrations. Nadolol blocked all these effects. β-Adrenergic agonists increase the brain extraction of L-dopa and leucine, mainly by peripheral mechanisms that reduce the levels of other competing plasma LNAAs for transport. Thus, β-adrenergic agonists might be useful in the treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease by enhancing delivery of L-dopa to the brain. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Depression Vulnerable and Nonvulnerable Smokers After a Failure Experience Examining Cognitive Self-Regulation and Motivation

The present study extended previous tests of cognitive priming theories of depression by examining cognitive self-regulatory, motivational, and affective functioning of depression-vulnerable and nonvulnerable individuals after a failure experience. Participants were enrolled in a clinic-based smoking cessation program that consisted of seven group meetings. Major findings show that compared to the nonvulnerable group, depression-vulnerable individuals were less motivated to quit and experienced more negative affect, but only after a failure to quit smoking. However, after controlling for actual smoking rate, depression-vulnerable individuals did not evaluate their success any more negatively, nor did they indicate lower self-efficacy for quitting. Results are discussed in terms of cognitive self-regulatory and affect temperament models of motivation and depression.
A liquid-metal reconfigurable Yagi-Uda monopole array

A liquid-metal reconfigurable Yagi-Uda monopole array is presented. The three-element array consists of driven and parasitic elements whose lengths can be tuned with pressure-driven liquid metal, resulting in an array in which directors can be transformed into reflectors, and in which elements can be tuned to different frequencies. The measured radiation patterns demonstrate single-axis beam steering at multiple operational frequencies from 1.95 to 4.11 GHz.
Principles of Separation: Indications and Therapeutic Targets for Plasma Exchange

Extracorporeal "blood purification," mainly in the form of hemodialysis has been a major portion of the clinical activity of many nephrologists for the past 5 decades. A possibly older procedure, therapeutic plasma exchange, separates and then removes plasma as a method of removing pathogenic material from the patient. In contrast to hemodialysis, therapeutic plasma exchange preferentially removes biologic substances of high molecular weight such as autoantibodies or alloantibodies, antigen-antibody complexes, and Ig paraproteins. These molecular targets may be cleared through two alternative procedures: centrifugal separation and membrane separation. This review presents operational features of each procedure, with relevance to the nephrologist. Kinetics of removal of these plasma constituents are based on the principles of separation by the apheresis technique and by features specific to each molecular target, including their production and compartmentalization in the body. Molecular targets for common renal conditions requiring therapeutic plasma exchange are also discussed in detail.
Transitioning students from simulation mechanics to simulation as a process improvement tool: a multimedia case study approach

Many undergraduate industrial engineering programs offer a course in discrete event simulation. While students often grasp the theory behind simulation and can perform the mechanics of model building and analysis, they often have difficulty formulating creative, viable process improvement ideas, which is a need of today's industrial employers. In this paper, a novel multimedia case-based teaching approach is presented that addresses this need. These multimedia cases are presented as course learning modules to the students. The components of the case-based learning modules include not only the requisite problem background, summary and relevant data, but they also include additional streaming video of the real-world process being studied, actual engineering drawings and still photos of the product and process, and a base simulation model. It is these additional components of the proposed multimedia teaching approach that help "bring the factory to the student" and better prepare graduates for the national workforce.
Gender-specific K(+)-channel contribution to adenosine-induced relaxation in coronary arterioles.

We examined the contribution of K+-channel activity on basal tone and adenosine-mediated relaxation of coronary arterioles isolated from sexually mature male and female miniature swine. Arterioles ...
Role of cell density/cell-cell contact, and growth state in expression of differentiated properties by the LLC-PK1 cell.

Populations of the renal epithelial cell line, LLC-PK,1, acquire many properties characteristic of the proximal tubular cell at confluence. At confluence cells both enter a nonproliferative state and develop extensive cell-cell contacts. To determine if one or both factors is responsible for acquisition of the differentiated phenotype, growth arrest was initiated in populations of varying densities by two procedures (serum deprivation and thymidine block) and expression of several differentiated properties (Na-hexose symport activity, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and villin protein) was examined. Induction of growth arrest resulted in expression of all differentiated properties even in subconfluent populations. The level of expression in a population was proportional to cell density at the initiation of growth arrest; higher density was associated with increased expression. Evidence indicated the existence of some minimal density below which cells could not express detectable levels of differentiated properties in response to induction of growth arrest. The procedure used to initiate growth arrest did not affect this behavior, indicating that initiation of cell growth arrest rather than hormone deprivation was the inducing factor. These results indicate that both cell growth state and cell density independently modulate expression of differentiated properties by the LLC-PK1 cell. These results are incorporated into a model in which cells in the absence of “appropriate” cell-cell contact arrest at a differentiation-incompetent cell cycle point. In the presence of appropriate cell-cell contact (as yet undefined) cells arrest at a distinct differentiation-competent cell cycle point and initiate expression of the differentiated phenotype. © 1994 wiley-Liss, Inc.
Occlusion therapy for exodeviations occurring in infants and young children

The authors treated 38 patients with exodeviations by occlusion of the preferred eye for three to six hours daily for an average of 15 months. This treatment resulted in a significant improvement in the latency of the deviation as well as a decrease in the size of the strabismic angle. The majority of those patients responding to this method of therapy initially had good central and maintained fixation in each eye, an exodeviation of 20 prism diopters or less at both 6 and 1/3 m, and the presence of fusional vergence amplitudes.
Learning how to control biases in studies to identify adverse effects of drugs: a brief personal history:

Prior to 1966, almost all available information on drug safety for marketed medicines was strictly qualitative. It was predominantly based on anecdotal reports and clinical opinions derived primarily from the known pharmacology of particular drugs. While the medical environment for identifying and quantifying drug toxicity was generally informal and undirected, the use of anecdotal reports to detect serious drug toxicity was sufficient for identifying the toxicity associated with thalidomide.1,2 But the mechanism of discovery was unacceptably inefficient since an estimated 9000 babies were born with thalidomide‐caused phocomelia before the toxic effect was recognized and described in 1960.
Low-complexity mode selection for rate-distortion optimal video coding

The primary objective of this thesis is to provide a low-complexity rate-distortion optimal coding mode selection method in digital video encoding. To achieve optimal compression efficiency in the rate-distortion framework with low computational complexity, we first propose a rate-distortion model and then apply it to the coding mode selection problem. The computational complexity of the proposed method is very low compared to overall encoder complexity because the proposed method uses simple image properties such as variance that can be obtained easily. Also, the proposed method gives significant PSNR gains over the mode selection scheme used in TM5 for MPEG-2 because the rate-distortion model considers rate constraints of each mode as well as distortion. We extend the model-based mode selection approach to motion vector selection for further improvement of the coding efficiency. In addition to our theoretical work, we present practical solutions to real-time implementation of encoder modules including our proposed mode selection method on digital signal processors. First, we investigate the features provided by most of the recent digital signal processors, for example, hierarchical memory structure and efficient data transfer between on-chip and off-chip memory, and then present practical approaches for real-time implementation of a video encoder system with efficient use of the features.
LQG control design for LPV systems

A parameter-dependent output-feedback control problem is considered. The parameter is assumed to be measurable in real-time, so that the controller can depend causally on its value. The performance objective is the expectation of a quadratic integral cost function. In one case, a Kalman filter based on the time-varying parameter value is implemented in real-time, and a "worst-case" state-feedback controller is designed in place of the optimal regulator. This is necessary since the optimal regulator depends acausally on the system model, which is time-varying and not known a priori in this problem. Another one is to use the solutions of two Riccati inequalities directly. Our paper derives computable bounds on the guaranteed performance for both cases, and proposes an "one-step" scheme to reduce these bounds.
Trade Liberalization and Economic Growth in Guyana: An Empirical Assessment using DOLS and Error Correcting Methodologies

This paper uses econometric techniques in the area of time series analysis to examine the relationship between economic performance and trade liberalization in Guyana. For this study, the base model underlying the analysis is a traditional per worker production function that has been augmented to include trade liberalization and other factors like human capital and exports. The results from this study suggest that when viewed from the long-run and short-run perspective trade liberalization has enhanced the economic performance of Guyana. Indeed, in this study both measures of trade liberalization - the average import tariff rate and the dummy variable representing the change in quota and import licensing measures, among other things - were statistically significant and correctly signed.
Accessibility Analysis of Growth Patterns in Buenos Aires, Argentina: Density, Employment, and Spatial Form

This study used a lens of accessibility to examine trends in spatial development in the greater Buenos Aires, Argentina, area over the past two decades. The analysis utilized remote sensing data collected over three time periods in Buenos Aires and automobile and transit employment accessibility measures that were calculated with the use of an open-source accessibility tool to analyze the area’s spatial growth patterns. The employment accessibility of different modes of travel in Buenos Aires was calculated. It was noted that, although the transit system provided high employment accessibility to the center city, as well as to the southwest and south of the city, few developments were built in these areas. Most of the developments were built on the periphery of the city, which offered poor transit employment accessibility. The research focused on the development of different development types, such as gated communities, social housing, and informal settlements, and the employment accessibility of the devel...
Medical diagnosis and remote sensing at fiber-tip: picosecond resolved FRET sensor

Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) strategy in popular in fiber-optic sensing. However, the steady state emission quenching of the donor is inadequate to conclude FRET. The resonance type energy transfer from one molecule (donor) to other (acceptor) should meet few key properties including donor to acceptor energy migration in non-radiative way. In the present study, we have coupled the evanescent field of an optical fiber to the covalently attached donor (dansyl) molecules at the fiber tip. By using picosecond resolved time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) we have demonstrated that dansyl at the fiber tip transfers energy to a well known DNA-intercalating dye ethidium. Our ultrafast detection scheme selectively distinguishes the probe (dansyl) emission from the intrinsic emission of the fiber. We have also used the setup for the remote sensing of the dielectric constant (polarity) of an environment. We have finally implemented the detection mechanism to detect an industrial synthetic dye methylene blue (MB) in water.