cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Personality Differences Between High and Low Electronic Video Game Users

Summary In recent months a controversy has emerged in the United States over the possible effects video game usage has on the individual personality. At present no empirical data exist to indicate whether there are any personality differences between high- and low-use video game players. High and low users of video games (N = 280) were compared by sex. No significant differences were found between groups for either sex on the personality dimensions of: 1) self-esteem–self-degradation, 2) social deviancy–social conformity, 3) hostility–kindness, 4) social withdrawal–gregariousness, 5) obsessive–compulsive, and 6) achievement motivation. Correlations between the six personality variables and the weekly amount of time spent playing video games yielded no significant relationships for either sex. Correlations between the variables and length of experience with video games indicated that females with longer experience were more achievement motivated than females with lesser experience.
Vervet MRI Atlas and Label Map for Fully Automated Morphometric Analyses

Currently available non-human primate templates typically require input of a skull-stripped brain for structural processing. This can be a manually intensive procedure, and considerably limits their utility. The purpose of this study was to create a vervet MRI population template, associated tissue probability maps (TPM), and a label atlas to facilitate true fully automated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) structural analyses for morphometric analyses. Structural MRI scans of ten vervet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) scanned at three time points were used in this study. An unbiased population average template was created using a symmetric diffeomorphic registration (SyN) procedure. Skull stripping, segmentation, and label map generation were performed using the publically available rhesus INIA19 MRI template and NeuroMap label atlas. A six-class TPM and a six-layer two-class normalization template was created from the vervet segmentation for use within the Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM) framework. Fully automated morphologic processing of all of the vervet MRI scans was then performed using the vervet TPM and vervet normalization template including skull-stripping, segmentation and normalization. The vervet template creation procedure resulted in excellent skull stripping, segmentation, and NeuroMap atlas labeling with 720 structures successfully registered. Fully automated processing was accomplished for all vervet scans, demonstrating excellent skull-stripping, segmentation, and normalization performance. We describe creation of an unbiased vervet structural MRI population template and atlas. The template includes an associated six-class TPM and DARTEL six-layer two-class normalization template for true fully automated skull-stripping, segmentation, and normalization of vervet structural T1-weighted MRI scans. We provide the most detailed vervet label atlas currently available based on the NeuroMaps atlas with 720 labels successfully registered. We additionally describe a novel method for atlas label generation that capitalizes on previous work in this area using high-dimensional highly accurate image matching procedures for inter-species morphologic normalization.
Subcellular fractionation of dystrophin to the triads of skeletal muscle

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a human X-linked biochemical defect resulting in the progressive wasting of skeletal muscle of affected individuals. It is the most common and is considered to be the most devastating of the muscular dystrophies, affecting about 1 in 3,500 live-born males. The gene that, when defective, results in this disorder was recently isolated. Using the cloned complementary DNA sequences corresponding to the DMD gene, antibodies have been produced that react with a protein species of relative molecular mass (Mr) approximately 400,000 (400K) which was absent in two DMD-affected individuals and in mdx mice. This protein species is called dystrophin because of its identification by molecular-genetic analysis of affected individuals. Here we show that dystrophin is associated with the triadic junctions in skeletal muscle, and is therefore probably involved with Ca2+ homoeostasis. We also show that the approximately 450K ryanodine receptor/sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ channel, which has the large size and subcellular distribution characteristics of dystrophin, is an immunologically distinct protein species.
Dynamic wavefront control for lightweight mirrors in space telescopes

Future space telescopes require larger apertures to continue to improve performance. However, balancing the large, high performance optics with the desire for lightweight systems proves quite challenging. One way to achieve both goals is to utilize active, on-orbit wavefront control. A promising method of wavefront control implementation is surface-parallel piezo-electric actuation. The primary mirror backplane is ribbed to provide increased stiffness even at very low areal densities, with piezo-electric actuators embedded at the top of each rib. When the piezo-electrics expand or contract, they bend the surface of the mirror and can be used to directly correct for dynamic distortions of the wavefront. In addition, rigid-body petal control can be used to allow for the possibility of systems with segmented primary mirrors. This paper examines the implementation of both the piezoelectric deformable mirror and petal wavefront controllers, along with their implications on both optical performance and stability robustness. The systems analyzed in this paper are integrated models of the entire space telescope system, considering the transmission of disturbances and vibrations from the reaction wheels in the bus through the structure, isolators, and bipods to the aperture. The deformable mirror control is performed using a Linear Quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller, while the mirror segment control is performed using a positive position feedback (PPF) controller. For all cases, the wavefront error is the primary optical performance metric and is calculated using the Zernikes of the primary mirror. The major deterrents to the use of control are complexity and the loss of stability robustness. The integrated model allows for the calculation of all metrics together to enable the examination of the potential benefits of implementing dynamic wavefront control.
Cross-game learning: Experimental evidence from first-price and English common value auctions

Abstract Experience in first-price auctions improves performance in English auctions, but experience in English auctions has no transfer value to first-price auctions. These results are discussed in terms of psychologists' models of learning generalizability and the learning literature in economics.
Management Control Systems: One View of Components and Their Interdependence1

SUMMARY Professor Robert Anthony's statement that ‘control is the process of assuring that the organization does what management wants done’ implies that systems for management control must be broadly conceived. This paper takes the view that a comprehensive view of control systems should include at least five components: performance measurement, strategy, organization structure, direction and motivation. Each of these components reflects management choices, but those choices have implications for the other components. A strategy of dynamic new product development for example, requires a flexible structure, and should have performance measures that relate to the structure and the desired achievements for that strategy. As what is measured signals what is important, the measures provide direction and the basis for incentives and rewards. The interdependence of the components is seen as a key factor in control system design. When the components support each other, the interdependence is a source of strength; conflict or even absence of support among the components can be a source of weakness. This paper describes the components and illustrates ways in which the design of control systems needs to recognize their interdependence. The process of system implementation is also reviewed, as process choices can be independent of design choices. The framework is related to prior research and writing, showing that the components are themselves complex and have been the focus of extensive study. Finally, several teaching cases are decribed in order to show how the design issues may appear in practice and how the framework can be used to help teach management control systems.
President’s page: the political scene

As is typical during an election year, the congressional session begins with a whirlwind of ideas, both parties posturing to “one up” the other in a battle of innovation. The party in control is motivated by the need to prove its principled leadership on issues of concern to Americans. The
A case of tetanus infection in an adult with a protective tetanus antibody level

Tetanus is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani and most commonly presents as trismus or other muscle spasms. Despite the development of the tetanus toxoid vaccine, tetanus infection has not been eradicated. Additionally, while there are hypothesized protective levels of tetanus antibody, tetanus infection may still occur in properly vaccinated individuals. We report the case of a 31-year-old male that presented to the emergency department (ED) with a 2-day history of neck and jaw pain. He reports puncturing his hand with a rusty nail 10 days prior. His reported vaccination history was that he received his last booster vaccination 13 years prior to presentation. In the ED, tetanus vaccine, tetanus immune globulin, and metronidazole were administered. His symptoms improved over the next 2 days and resolved at day 6. Despite his presentation of tetanus infection and rule out of other causes for his symptoms, his tetanus antibody level was reported at 8.4 U/mL, which is considered to be protective.A tetanus antibody level that is adequate for protective immunity should not preclude a patient from treatment of tetanus infection. This case demonstrates that a thorough history, physical exam, and rule out of other causes should guide treatment when there is concern for a tetanus infection.
Recovery of visual-spatial learning and memory in chronic alcoholics

Administered the Memory-for-Designs Test and a verbal and visuospatial paired associate learning test to separate groups of alcoholics (N = 32) 3 and 11 weeks abstinent from alcohol and to a matched control group (N = 16). Alcoholics were not impaired in verbal learning. Alcoholics 3 weeks abstinent performed significantly less well than controls on all nonverbal tasks and less well than 11-weeks alcoholics on one nonverbal measure. No significant differences were found between 11-week alcoholics and controls. The results suggest that some recovery of function may occur in alcoholics after 10 weeks of abstinence. The data also support the hypothesis of impaired right hemisphere in alcoholics.
The Effect of Intergenerational Conflict and School-Based Racial Discrimination on Depression and Academic Achievement in Filipino American Adolescents

Abstract Bronfenbrenner's ecological model postulates the home and school to be key microsystems in fostering emotional well-being and school functioning in children. Utilizing a sample of 663 Filipino American adolescents who participated in the Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study (CILS), we assessed the effect of intergenerational conflict at home and racial discrimination at school on their mental health and academic achievement. Cross-sectionally, intergenerational conflict and school-based racial discrimination increased depression and decreased academic achievement in early adolescence. Longitudinally, conflict and discrimination in early adolescence decreased academic performance while conflict alone increased depression in late adolescence. Implications of the findings were discussed.
Quark-potential-model mass formulas for hadrons

We deduce from spin-triplet meson masses that meson sizes are inversely proportional to the square root of the $q\overline{q}$ reduced mass. Two semiempirical quark-model mass formulas are obtained which accurately reproduce certain baryon masses. They contain different assumptions concerning relative baryon sizes. Their mass coefficients are used to determine absolute meson sizes and certain meson masses with surprising success.
Correlates of suicidal behaviors among Asian Americans

This study examines the correlates of suicidal ideation, suicide plan and suicide attempt among Asian Americans focusing on nativity and gender. Analyses are performed on data from the National Latino and Asian American Study (N = 2095), the first ever study conducted on the mental health of a national sample of Asian Americans. The sample is comprised of adults with 998 men (47%) and 1,097 (53%) women. Analysis of weighted lifetime prevalence of suicidal behaviors revealed that U.S.-born Asian American women had higher prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide plan than U.S.-born Asian American men and immigrant Asian American men and women. In multivariate analyses controlling for socio-demographic differences such as ethnicity, marital status and income, differences in suicidal behaviors are found only between U.S.-born women and U.S.-born men. The findings demonstrate the need to disaggregate data by immigrant status as well as socio-demographic correlates.
"edit this page": the socio-technological infrastructure of a wikipedia article

Networked environments, such as wikis, are commonly used to support work, including the collaborative authoring of information and "fact-building." In networked environments, the activity of fact-building is mediated not only by the technological features of the interface, but also by the social conventions of the community it supports. This paper examines the social and technological features of a Wikipedia article in order to understand how these features help mediate the activity of fact-building and highlights the need for communication designers to consider the goals and needs of the communities for which they design.
A comparison of pedestrian comfort criteria applied to a city center

Abstract Use is made of readily available meteorological data in conjunction with the results of a wind-tunnel study to determine the pedestrian level wind environment in a city center. A comparison is then made of the acceptability of the conditions based on four different pedestrian confort criteria. Considerable differences in interpretation of the data are shown to result from the different criteria and comments aremmade on the suitability of each.
COMMUTER RESPONSES TO TRAVEL TIME UNCERTAINTY UNDER CONGESTED CONDITIONS: EXPECTED COSTS AND THE PROVISION OF INFORMATION

Abstract A simulation methodology for analyzing policies for reducing traffic congestion and the effect of providing commuters with pre-trip information is developed. This combines a model incorporating travel time uncertainty to determine optimal home departure times with a supply-side congestion model of a highway facility. Congestion is endogenously generated for different scenarios using a randomly generated normal distribution of work start times and previously estimated parameters. The results suggest that greater reductions in the expected costs of commuting may be achievable by policies that reduce travel time variance rather than just travel times. Policy simulations which analyze the congestion effects of providing commuters with pre-trip information are found to not necessarily provide many benefits to those using the information, although gains may be minor because the only behavioral response is limited to departure time changes.
Barriers and Bridges to Class Mobility and Formation Ethnographies of Stratification

Although ethnographic studies of stratification have focused largely on issues of class, many also have dealt with the distinctive barriers and bridges for racial and gender groups. Despite differences in perspectives, many have focused on barriers and bridges to changing places in the hierarchy (class mobility) and others to bringing people together in a similar situation (class formation). Few see the barriers as totally confining, and few see a world without major barriers. Some of the ethnographies develop new ideas from the analysis of the data, others demonstrate inadequacies in existing theories, but all reveal the complexities of the social worlds. Long-term, in-depth involvement in the field often reveals events that are key to understanding barriers and bridges: relationships with others that challenge market models, situations that appear similar but are not, situations that appear different but are not, and myths that are strongly held but are not valid.
Technology–Task Coupling:Exploring Social Media Use and Managerial Perceptions of E-Government

Social media comprises a set of new technologies that enable richer data exchange in highly decentralized, dynamic, and loosely structured versatile virtual environments. Social media technology is expected to enhance participation, learning, and knowledge production in government settings, aligning traditional structural and authority boundaries while also challenging them. We examine the extent to which local governments in the United States are coupling social media technology with two types of participative tasks: collaborative work inside the organization and participative interaction with external stakeholders. We also explore how these two technology–task couples are associated with managerial perceptions of the positive and negative outcomes of technology use. We use survey data from five departments—community development, finance, police, mayor’s office, and parks and recreation—in 500 U.S. cities. Findings show that social media and their use for specific tasks have limited impact on either posi...
A model for short range correlation in the three-body system

Abstract A method by means of which the two-body short-range correlations in the nucleon-nucleon interaction are taken accurately into account in three-body bound-state calculations is described. The method is independent of the nucleon-nucleon interaction. We employ our method to calculate meson-exchange corrections to the magnetic moments of 3H and 3He and the Coulomb energy of 3He.
Preservice General Educators' Perceptions of Structured Reflective Logs as Viable Learning Tools in a University Course on Inclusionary Practices

Seeking to strengthen preparation of preservice general educators for the realities of inclusive school settings, two special education teacher educators from different universities used content-based structured reflective log writing as an integral course requirement. Faced with teaching intensive course content within a limited time frame, the log writing was structured to enhance the preservice general educators' knowledge base/understanding and problem solving/reflective skills. In this article, we delineate findings from a qualitative analysis of 80 preservice general educators' perceptions of the strengths and limitations of the structured log writing. Our findings validate our objectives for using structured logs and indicate that the preservice educators perceived more strengths than limitations to writing structured reflective logs. The benefits included perceiving the logs as essential multi-purpose learning and study tools for reflecting, connecting, and collecting/maintaining information. Limi...
Acyclovir susceptibilities of herpes simplex virus strains isolated from solid organ transplant recipients after acyclovir or ganciclovir prophylaxis.

Abstract We determined the acyclovir (ACV) susceptibilities of herpes simplex virus (HSV) isolates (n = 18) recovered from solid organ transplant patients after antiviral prophylaxis with ACV or ganciclovir. All isolates tested were susceptible to ACV (50% inhibitory concentration, < 1 microM). A clinical review of patients with HSV disease showed that all improved with specific anti-HSV therapy, and no recurrences were reported.
Phosphorylation of Human Glutamine:Fructose-6-phosphate Amidotransferase by cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase at Serine 205 Blocks the Enzyme Activity

Glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFAT) is the rate-limiting enzyme in glucosamine synthesis. Prior studies from our laboratory indicated that activation of adenylate cyclase was associated with depletion of O-GlcNAc modification. This finding and evidence that human GFAT (hGFAT) might be regulated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) led us to investigate the role of PKA in hGFAT function. We confirmed that adenylate cyclase activation by forskolin results in diminished O-GlcNAc modification of several cellular proteins which can be overcome by exposure of the cells to glucosamine but not glucose, suggesting the PKA activation results in depletion of UDP-GlcNAc for O-glycosylation. To determine if GFAT is indeed regulated by PKA, we expressed the active form of the enzyme using a vaccinia virus expression system and showed that the activity of the enzyme was to decrease to undetectable levels by PKA phosphorylation. We mapped the PKA phosphorylation sites with the aid of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy and showed that the protein was stoichiometrically phosphorylated at serine 205 and also phosphorylated, to a lesser extent at serine 235. Mutagenesis studies indicated that the phosphorylation of serine 205 by PKA was necessary for the observed inhibition of enzyme activity while serine 235 phosphorylation played no observable role. The activity of GFAT is down-regulated by cAMP, thus placing regulation on the hexosamine pathway that is in concert with the energy requirements of the organism. During starvation, hormones acting through adenylate cyclase could direct the flux of glucose metabolism into energy production rather than into synthetic pathways that require hexosamines.
Further studies in aesthetic field theory; existence of a bounded particle

We have locked Into various possibilities within aesthetic field theory, particular attention to the case ofg=0. Theg=0 situation can be associated with the introduction of Newtonian absolute time into aesthetic field theory. If can be argued that Lorentz invariant boundary conditions for the universe are unlikely, giving impetus to the study ofg=0. We find that the field equations had to be modified from the form that they take wheng=0. Also, an infinite number of integrability equations have to be satisfied. We have required that our data have an underlying structure that Is invariant under O′(3)×T. This set of date appeared satisfactory with respect to integrability and gave rise to a minimum ingoo at the origin. After a long Computer run along the coordinate axes, we also found a bound on our particle-like object. This is the first time we have been able to obtain such a result.
Spinal cord projections from the medial cerebellar nucleus in tree shrew (Tupaia glis).

Abstract Electrolytic lesions were placed in the medial cerebellar nucleus in tree shrews (Tupaia glis) or in fibers issuing from this nucleus. Brains and spinal cords were processed according to Fink-Heimer procedure following survival times of 2–7 days. In control animals lesions were placed in the cerebellar cortex and, in one case, in the olfactory bulb. Degenerating fibers were seen entering the cervical spinal cord and continuing to thoracic and lumbar levels. The projection is relatively profuse in the cervical cord, becoming sparse as the fibers proceed to more caudal levels. Fibers run in the lateral funiculus, predominantly contralateral to the lesion. Some fibers are observed to travel directly through the intermediate gray matter of the spinal cord. Preterminal degeneration is seen primarily in the intermediate gray of the spinal cord. Results are discussed in relation to typical locomotor behavior of tree shrew.
Interneurons and triadic circuitry of the thalamus

The thalamus is strategically placed to control the flow of information to cortex and thus conscious perception. A key player in this control is a local GABAergic interneuron that inhibits relay cells. This interneuron is especially interesting because, in addition to a conventional axonal output, most of its output is via distal dendrites. The latter seem to be electrotonically and thus functionally isolated from the soma and axon, and they enter into complex synaptic arrangements. It is proposed that, because of special synaptic properties of its dendritic outputs, this local GABAergic interneuron of the thalamus provides gain control for the relay cell and thereby keeps relay of information to cortex within a fairly linear regime.
Segmented SLAM in three-dimensional environments

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) has been shown to be feasible in many small, two-dimensional, structured domains. The next challenge is to develop real-time SLAM methods that enable robots to explore large, three-dimensional, unstructured environments and allow subsequent operation in these environments over long periods of time. To circumvent the scale limitations inherent in SLAM, the world can be divided up into more manageable pieces. SLAM can be formulated on these pieces by using a combination of metric submaps and a topological map of the relationships between submaps. The contribution of this paper is a real-time, three-dimensional SLAM approach that combines an evidence grid–based volumetric submap representation, a robust Rao–Blackwellized particle filter, and a topologically flexible submap segmentation framework and map representation. We present heuristic methods for deciding how to segment the world and for reconstructing large-scale metric maps for the purpose of closing loops. We demonstrate our method on a mobile robotic platform operating in large, three-dimensional environments. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The evolution of corn and culture in North America

Corn (Zea mays L.) has been recognized as the basic food plant of all the more advanced New World cultures, such as those of the Inca, Aztec, Maya and Pueblo Indians, as well as of our own. The developinent of these cultures was permitted not only by corn's great productivity and its adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions but also from an adaptation in structure which facilitates its utilization by man. Although the grain-bearing axis of the other cereals is like that of corn in having acquired the essential non-shattering characteristic, only corn has evolved the additional advantages of the familiar cob with its over-all enclosure of husks. The co1 is a structure convenient for harvesting, storage and shelling by hand, as well as for chewing-off the sweet immature grain from roasting ears. Although the structure of the modern corn plant is well known, the extinction of wild corn has created a mystery as to how its form becamue a function of serving man (Mangelsdorf et al, 1964). Early in domestication, the tassel, an inflorescence which terminates the main stalk, became entirely male, and its structure became that of a lax plume whose waving branches shed their pollen into the wind. The ear, which terminates the lateral branches, became entirely female, and its structure became highly specialized to the benefaction of man. Thereby,
Experimental test of the non-thermal theory of laser annealing using silicon on sapphire

Abstract The non-thermal, pulsed plasma model of laser annealing was experimentally tested by comparing the effects of 30 ns and 1 μs laser pulses on silicon on sapphire films, impinging from both the front and rear surfaces. The energy density needed to anneal the films and the qualitative behavior of thermal shock damages are in accordance with the simple heating model and inconsistent with the non-thermal model.
Infective Endocarditis of a Papillary Fibroelastoma on Chiari Network of Right Atrium: A Case Report

Chiari network is a rare vestigial remnant of the right valve of the sinus venosus, located in the right atrium. We report the case of a 41-year-old woman who presented with fever and chills. She had a history of infective endocarditis caused by methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus a year ago. Echocardiography did not reveal the presence of any vegetation on any of the cardiac valves. She was found to have a mass attached to Chiari network in her right atrium. This was removed surgically and revealed the presence of infective endocarditis on the papillary fibroelastoma attached to the Chiari network. This is the first report of such a case and illustrates that not all endocarditis occurs on cardiac valves.
Conversion of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) to chain-shortened epoxy fatty acids by human skin fibroblasts.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), the eicosanoid biomediators synthesized from arachidonic acid by cyto- chrome P450 epoxygenases, are inactivated in many tissues by conversion to dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids (DHETs). However, we find that human skin fibroblasts convert EETs mostly to chain-shortened epoxy-fatty acids and produce only small amounts of DHETs. Comparative studies with (5,6,8,9,11,12,14,15- 3 H)11,12-EET (( 3 H)11,12-EET) and (1- 14 C)11,12-EET demonstrated that chain-shortened metabo- lites are formed by removal of carbons from the carboxyl end of the EET. These metabolites accumulated primarily in the medium, but small amounts also were incorporated into the cell lipids. The most abundant 11,12-EET product was 7,8-epoxyhexadecadienoic acid (7,8-epoxy-16:2), and two of the others that were identified are 9,10-epoxyocta- decadienoic acid (9,10-epoxy-18:2) and 5,6-epoxytetrade- caenoic acid (5,6-epoxy-14:1). The main epoxy-fatty acid produced from 14,15-EET was 10,11-epoxyhexadecadienoic acid (10,11-epoxy-16:2). ( 3 H)8,9-EET was converted to a single metabolite with the chromatographic properties of a 16-carbon epoxy-fatty acid, but we were not able to iden- tify this compound. Large amounts of the chain-shortened 11,12-EET metabolites were produced by long-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase-deficient fibroblasts but not by Zell- weger syndrome and acyl CoA oxidase-deficient fibro- blasts. We conclude that the chain-shortened epoxy-fatty acids are produced primarily by peroxisomal b -oxidation. This may serve as an alternate mechanism for EET inactiva- tion and removal from the tissues. However, it is possible that the epoxy-fatty acid products may have metabolic or functional effects and that the purpose of the b -oxidation pathway is to generate these products. —Fang, X., T. L. Ka- duce, M. VanRollins, N. L. Weintraub, and A. A. Spector. Conversion of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETS) to chain- shorted epoxy fatty acids by human skin fibroblasts. J. Lipid Res. 2000. 41: 66-74.
Neoplastic Precursors of the Gallbladder and Extrahepatic Biliary System

Premalignant lesions of the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts have been poorly studied compared with their counterparts in the remainder of the gastrointestinal tract. Some of the problematic issues, such as the subjectivity of grading and determination of the relative risk of cancer, are challenging. Although the understanding of the biology of these lesions has improved in the past several years, there are still many issues that can only be addressed by close collaboration between gastroenterologists, radiologists, hepatobiliary surgeons, oncologists, and pathologists.
Promoting innovations in a lean organization through innovative value stream mapping

Lean management and innovation management both play important roles in today's business success by reducing waste and increasing profit. However, as previous studies show, conflicting ideas exist in the philosophies of these two areas, and being too lean may deteriorate a company's innovation capability in the long term. To achieve an optimal balance between lean and innovation, several core concepts in both areas need to be studied and compared. In this paper, we focus on bringing the definition of value in lean management to be in line with the definition in innovation management. Based on such definition, innovation driving activities can be properly incorporated into the value stream mapping process in a company's lean practice. As part of the improved value system, effective rewarding system and management style that encourage innovative activities in a lean organization are also suggested.
The Future of e-Learning in Medical Education: Current Trend and Future Opportunity

A wide range of e-learning modalities are widely integrated in medical education. However, some of the key questions related to the role of e-learning remain unanswered, such as (1) what is an effective approach to integrating technology into pre-clinical vs. clinical training?; (2) what evidence exists regarding the type and format of e-learning technology suitable for medical specialties and clinical settings?; (3) which design features are known to be effective in designing on-line patient simulation cases, tutorials, or clinical exams?; and (4) what guidelines exist for determining an appropriate blend of instructional strategies, including on-line learning, face-to-face instruction, and performance-based skill practices? Based on the existing literature and a variety of e-learning examples of synchronous learning tools and simulation technology, this paper addresses the following three questions: (1) what is the current trend of e-learning in medical education?; (2) what do we know about the effective use of e-learning?; and (3) what is the role of e-learning in facilitating newly emerging competency-based training? As e-learning continues to be widely integrated in training future physicians, it is critical that our efforts in conducting evaluative studies should target specific e-learning features that can best mediate intended learning goals and objectives. Without an evolving knowledge base on how best to design e-learning applications, the gap between what we know about technology use and how we deploy e-learning in training settings will continue to widen.
Initiation and Long-Term Slip History of the Altyn Tagh Fault

New Tertiary piercing points along the eastern and central Altyn Tagh fault, the northern boundary of the Tibetan Plateau, allow construction of the first well-defined time-displacement curve for the fault. Displacement-history analysis indicates: (1) late Oligocene-earliest Miocene inception of the Altyn Tagh fault; (2) 375 ± 25 km of total left-lateral slip on the eastern and central segment of the Altyn Tagh fault; and (3) an average long-term Cenozoic slip rate of approximately 12-16 mm/year. These results demonstrate that Himalayan deformation propagated well into the interior of Asia by early Miocene time and that a significant amount of India-Asia convergence was accommodated by sinistral slip on the Altyn Tagh fault.
Soundscape composition and field recording as a platform for collaborative creativity

In this paper, the authors describe and discuss UrbanRemix, a platform consisting of mobile-device applications and web-based tools to facilitate collaborative field recording, sound exploration, and soundscape creation. Reflecting on its use at workshops, festivals and community events, they evaluate the project in terms of its ability to enable participants to engage with their aural environments and to uncover their own creativity in the process.
Compartmentalized Competition: The Managed Transitional Election System of Poland

The compartmentalized election system, negotiated for the 1989 Polish parliamentary elections, was a transitional, rather than a founding election within an authoritarian system transformation. Seats were allocated to seven compartments open to different contestants and employing different rules. Both the ensuing campaign and the electorate's response overwhelmed the intended limited competition, with the result that the election was transformed into a regime-choice election. As a further unintended consequence of the transitional election system, Poland became the first country in which a ruling Communist party was removed from power. The Polish election of 1989 illustrates an election system as a dynamic component occurring early within, rather than at the completion of, a longer process of communist system transformation.
Effect of atriopeptin II on Ca influx, contractile behavior and cyclic nucleotide content of cultured neonatal rat myocardial cells.

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of biologically active atriopeptin II (APII) in synchronously contracting monolayer cultures of rat ventricular myocytes. The effects of 10 nM APII on Ca influx, contractile behavior and cyclic nucleotide content of the cells were measured. Applied acutely APII had no effect on Ca influx. There was however a time-dependent effect such that after 30 min Ca influx (pmol/cm2/s) had declined from a control (mean +/- S.E.M.) of 1.53 +/- 0.16 to 1.02 +/- 0.07 (P less than 0.001; n = 6). There was parallel decline in both the magnitude and velocity of cell edge motion which was maximal in 30 min at which time cell edge motion measured 65.3 +/- 4.4% of control. Treatment with APII for 30 min decreased cAMP (pmol/mg protein) from 5.35 +/- 0.17 to 2.86 +/- 0.24 (P less than 0.001; n = 5). At the same time cGMP (pmol/mg protein) increased from 0.86 +/- 0.21 to 2.14 +/- 0.33 (P less than 0.001; n = 5). Further studies elucidated the fact that the decline in Ca influx and contractile behavior was dependent on the decrease in cAMP rather than the increase in cGMP. Pre-treatment of the cells with 5 ng/ml of pertussis toxin to ADP-ribosylate the Gi protein abolished the effects of APII on cAMP, Ca influx and contractile behavior. The results indicate that in myocardial cells, as in other cells, APII stimulates guanylate cyclase and inhibits adenylate cyclase. The resultant fall in cAMP decreases Ca influx and negatively influences the contractile behavior of the cells.
The daily valine requirement of healthy adult Indians determined by the 24-h indicator amino acid balance approach

BACKGROUND The 1985 FAO/WHO/UNU requirement for valine was set at 10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) on the basis of nitrogen balance studies carried out in Western subjects. It is likely that the requirement is higher, however, because the requirement of another branched-chain amino acid, leucine, was found to be about 3 times as high (40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) as the 1985 FAO/WHO/UNU value (14 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)). OBJECTIVE We assessed the valine requirement in healthy, well-nourished Indians by using 7 test valine intakes (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and the 24-h indicator amino acid oxidation (24-h IAAO) and balance (24-h IAAB) method, with phenylalanine as the indicator amino acid, while maintaining leucine intake at 40 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). DESIGN Eighteen healthy, well-nourished Indian men were studied during each of 3 randomly assigned 7-d diet periods supplying valine intakes that were equally placed on either side of a putative mean valine requirement of 20 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). Twenty-four-hour IAAO and 24-h IAAB were measured on day 7 by use of a 24-h [13C]phenylalanine tracer infusion. The breakpoint in the relation between these values and the valine intake was determined. RESULTS Two-phase linear regression of daily phenylalanine oxidation or balance against valine intake estimated a breakpoint in the response curve at a valine intake of 17 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) (95% Fieller's CI: 11, > 35 and 11, 28 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), respectively). CONCLUSION From the 24-h IAAO/IAAB approach, a mean valine requirement of 17 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) is proposed for healthy, well-nourished Indian adults.
Mathematical foundations of resource management in next generation wireless systems

The existence of multiple subsystems complicates connection admission in next generation wireless systems (NGWS) while providing alternatives. The accessibility of the subsystems at the time of connection or handoff request plays a key role in connection admission. In this paper, we propose a connection admission control scheme that selects the subsystem for connection establishment and handoff in NGWS. We also give an analytical model of the connection admission problem in NGWS. Accessibility of the subsystems, availability of the resources, service class, and user preferences are considered while determining the subsystem over which the connection will be setup.
Characterizing upper-ocean mixing and its effect on the spring phytoplankton bloom with in situ data

Since publication, the Sverdrup hypothesis, that phytoplankton are uniformly distributedwithin the oceanmixed layer and bloomonce the ocean warms and stratifies in spring, has been the conventional explanation of subpolar phytoplankton spring bloom initiation. Recent studies have sought to differentiate between the actively mixing section of the upper ocean and the uniform-density mixed layer, arguing, as Sverdrup implied, that decreases in active mixing drive the spring bloom. In this study, we use in situ data to investigate the characteristics and depth of active mixing in both buoyancyand wind-driven regimes and explore the idea that the shift from buoyancy-driven to wind-driven mixing in the late winter or early spring creates the conditions necessary for blooms to begin. We identify the bloom initiation based on net rates of biomass accumulation and relate changes in the depth of active mixing to changes in biomass depth profiles. These analyses support the idea that decreases in the depth of active mixing, a result of the transition from buoyancy-driven to wind-driven mixing, control the timing of the spring bloom.
Cooperative diversity in wireless networks: Efficient protocols and outage behavior

We develop and analyze low-complexity cooperative diversity protocols that combat fading induced by multipath propagation in wireless networks. The underlying techniques exploit space diversity available through cooperating terminals' relaying signals for one another. We outline several strategies employed by the cooperating radios, including fixed relaying schemes such as amplify-and-forward and decode-and-forward, selection relaying schemes that adapt based upon channel measurements between the cooperating terminals, and incremental relaying schemes that adapt based upon limited feedback from the destination terminal. We develop performance characterizations in terms of outage events and associated outage probabilities, which measure robustness of the transmissions to fading, focusing on the high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) regime. Except for fixed decode-and-forward, all of our cooperative diversity protocols are efficient in the sense that they achieve full diversity (i.e., second-order diversity in the case of two terminals), and, moreover, are close to optimum (within 1.5 dB) in certain regimes. Thus, using distributed antennas, we can provide the powerful benefits of space diversity without need for physical arrays, though at a loss of spectral efficiency due to half-duplex operation and possibly at the cost of additional receive hardware. Applicable to any wireless setting, including cellular or ad hoc networks-wherever space constraints preclude the use of physical arrays-the performance characterizations reveal that large power or energy savings result from the use of these protocols.
Two-dimensional interferogram of an exploding selenium foil using a soft X-ray laser interferometer

We have developed a soft X-ray interferometer capable of probing large high-density plasmas with micron spatial resolutions. A neon-like yttrium X-ray laser operating at 155 /spl Aring/ was combined with the Mach-Zehnder interferometer to obtain electron density profiles of a laser-produced exploding selenium foil plasma. The plasma was produced with one Nova laser beam using a 120-/spl mu/m line focus, the same conditions used to create a selenium X-ray laser. The interferogram of the selenium plasma was obtained from an end-on perspective.
A Reconfigurable Platform for Frequent Pattern Mining

In this paper, a new hardware architecture for frequent pattern mining based on a systolic tree structure is proposed. The goal of this architecture is to mimic the internal memory layout of the original FP-growth algorithm while achieving a much higher throughput. We also describe an embedded platform implementation of this architecture along with detailed analysis of area requirements and performance results for different configurations. Our results show that with an appropriate selection of tree size, the reconfigurable platform can be several orders of magnitude faster than the FP-growth algorithm.
Revaluating genetic causation: Biology, economy, and kinship in Dakar, Senegal

In this article, I call for enlarging the conceptual terrain for viewing local biological expressions of illness. To date, a specific DNA sequence pattern, called “the Senegalese sickle cell haplotype,” has enjoyed extraordinary purchase on explanations for why Senegalese people may live with a “milder” form of sickle cell anemia when compared with other African populations. I argue, however, that “mild sickle cell” in Senegal emerges as a lived construct through a constitutive bond of biology, economy, and kinship. I show how patients’ enactments of biological difference are situated within larger informal economies and North–South donor priorities for health. In the absence of state funding to address patients’ needs, Senegalese sicklers create networks of care, health, and normalcy by drawing on Wolof idioms of “shared blood” that come to life in ways beyond metaphor. Their biosocial kinships result in therapeutic economies that restructure valuations of sickle cell despite serious medical constraints in this global context.
Disparate markets : Language, nation, and education in North India

In this article, I explore the ideological underpinnings of the Indian government's language policies in the school setting, and I investigate why they fail to be compelling to residents of Banaras, a city in North India. The multiple language markets that exist in India are incommensurate and subvert the government's language policies in multiple ways. By exploring the uneven quality of these markets, this article illustrates the especially complicated dilemmas in which postcolonial nation-states are implicated.
A Role for Methotrexate in the Management of Non-Infectious Orbital Inflammatory Disease

AIM—To evaluate the clinical usefulness of methotrexate for patients with non-infectious orbital inflammatory disease who fail to respond to systemic corticosteroids and/or orbital irradiation. METHODS—The medical records of patients with non-infectious orbital inflammatory disease who were treated with methotrexate at Oregon Health Sciences University between June 1993 and June 2000 were examined. Methotrexate was administered at a median maximum dose of 20 mg per week (range 15-25 mg per week) in conjunction with folate supplementation. Patients were followed with regular ophthalmic examinations, as well as serum liver enzyme levels and blood cell counts. Clinical signs of regression of the orbital inflammation, visual acuity, dosage and duration of methotrexate therapy, requirement for concurrent corticosteroid administration, and adverse drug reactions were recorded. RESULTS—The study cohort included 14 patients (24 eyes) with diagnoses including non-specific orbital inflammation (n=7), Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (n=1), thyroid orbitopathy (n=3), Wegener's granulomatosis (n=1), sarcoidosis (n=1), and Erdheim-Chester disease (n=1). In all cases, methotrexate was commenced as a corticosteroid sparing agent. 10 patients (71%) completed a 4 month therapeutic trial of methotrexate. Median duration of treatment for the nine (64%) patients who experienced clinical benefit was 25 months (range 10-47 months). Six responders were ultimately able to cease methotrexate, including the single patient who required concurrent long term corticosteroid therapy. Complications included fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbance, hair thinning and mild, reversible serum liver enzyme elevation. Two patients (14%) discontinued treatment because of adverse effects. CONCLUSION—Methotrexate is a well tolerated immunosuppressive medication which may benefit patients with recalcitrant non-infectious orbital inflammatory disease.