cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LOGISTICS PERFORMANCE: EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVENESS, AND DIFFERENTIATION

This research examines the nature of logistics performance and the contribution of logistics to the firm by empirically investigating the impact of logistics performance on organizational performance. Logistics performance is tested as a second-order formative construct comprised of three dimensions: logistics efficiency; logistics effectiveness; and logistics differentiation. Results indicate that logistics performance positively impacts organizational performance. Theoretical and empirical support is also provided for measuring logistics performance as a second-order formative construct, indicating that efficiency, effectiveness, and differentiation are not necessarily trade-offs, but rather are complementary. Importantly, perceptual measures for organizational performance collected from managerial respondents were strongly correlated with secondary financial data for participating organizations obtained from Compustat, lending empirical credence to the logistics performance–organizational performance relationship.
Transport in a disordered one-dimensional system: A fractal view

We reexamine the calculation of the transmission coefficient of a random array ofN isotopic defects in an otherwise perfect, harmonic, one-dimensional crystal lattice. The thermal conductivity of this model system has been studied under steady state conditions in which there is a kinetic temperature difference across, and an associated energy flux through, the array of defects. An exact expression for the transmission coefficient is obtained in terms of the magnitude of anNth-order determinant. Rubin reduced the evaluation of the determinant to the evaluation of a sequence ofN−1 nonlinear transformations drawn from a set of transformations parametrized by the nearest-neighbor spacing of the isotopic defects. These transformations are self-inverse and provide an example of what Mandelbrot has termed aself-inverse fractal. The variety of limiting distributions of values obtained under these transformations will be illustrated.
Glycoflavones in Circaea

Hydrolysates of methanolic leaf extracts of Circaea yield the glycoflavones vitexin, isovitexin, vicinin-1, and vicinin-2. Additional flavonoids are found in the unhydrolyzed extracts. Previous studies of Onagraceae report only flavonols and one chalcone. Circaea is assigned to a monogeneric tribe of Onagraceae and has no clear relationship to any other group within the family. The presence of glycoflavones in Circaea serves to underscore the distinctiveness of the genus.
Understanding Li Diffusion in Li-Intercalation Compounds

Intercalation compounds, used as electrodes in Li-ion batteries, are a fascinating class of materials that exhibit a wide variety of electronic, crystallographic, thermodynamic, and kinetic properties. With open structures that allow for the easy insertion and removal of Li ions, the properties of these materials strongly depend on the interplay of the host chemistry and crystal structure, the Li concentration, and electrode particle morphology. The large variations in Li concentration within electrodes during each charge and discharge cycle of a Li battery are often accompanied by phase transformations. These transformations include order–disorder transitions, two-phase reactions that require the passage of an interface through the electrode particles, and structural phase transitions, in which the host undergoes a crystallographic change. Although the chemistry of an electrode material determines the voltage range in which it is electrochemically active, the crystal structure of the compound often plays...
Integrated test chips improve IC assembly

The use of test dies integrated with a semiconductor wafer to gauge environmental stresses effectively during the packaging and processing phases is discussed. These special-purpose assembly test chips (ATCs) are designed primarily for studying failures of the package-centered and composite types. These chips usually provide a way to stress the die, and they include transducers for monitoring the die's response to the stress. A variety of structures has been used to measure parameters associated with package-related failures. Corrosion detectors, moisture detectors, mechanical stress sensors, mobile ion sensors, thermal resistance measurement circuits, and multifunction test chips are examined. >
Chronic hepatitis C infection as a risk factor for renal cell carcinoma.

Background Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection causes cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma but is also etiologically linked to several extrahepatic medical conditions including renal disorders. HCV is also associated with extrahepatic malignancies and may be oncogenic. Whether HCV confers an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains controversial.
El Niño-Southern Oscillation Is Linked to Decreased Energetic Condition in Long-Distance Migrants

Predicting how migratory animals respond to changing climatic conditions requires knowledge of how climatic events affect each phase of the annual cycle and how those effects carry-over to subsequent phases. We utilized a 17-year migration dataset to examine how El Nino-Southern Oscillation climatic events in geographically different regions of the Western hemisphere carry-over to impact the stopover biology of several intercontinental migratory bird species. We found that migratory birds that over-wintered in South America experienced significantly drier environments during El Nino years, as reflected by reduced Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values, and arrived at stopover sites in reduced energetic condition during spring migration. During El Nino years migrants were also more likely to stopover immediately along the northern Gulf coast of the southeastern U.S. after crossing the Gulf of Mexico in small suboptimal forest patches where food resources are lower and migrant density often greater than larger more contiguous forests further inland. In contrast, NDVI values did not differ between El Nino and La Nina years in Caribbean-Central America, and we found no difference in energetic condition or use of coastal habitats for migrants en route from Caribbean-Central America wintering areas. Birds over-wintering in both regions had consistent median arrival dates along the northern Gulf coast, suggesting that there is a strong drive for birds to maintain their time program regardless of their overall condition. We provide strong evidence that not only is the stopover biology of migratory landbirds influenced by events during the previous phase of their life-cycle, but where migratory birds over-winter determines how vulnerable they are to global climatic cycles. Increased frequency and intensity of ENSO events over the coming decades, as predicted by climatic models, may disproportionately influence long-distance migrants over-wintering in South America.
Two-phase carcinogenesis in hamster buccal pouch.

Abstract A two-phase mechanism of chemical carcinogenesis in hamster buccal pouch has been demonstrated. Painting of buccal pouches three times weekly with a 0.1 percent solution of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in mineral oil for 10 weeks resulted in no visible tumors nor any microscopic evidence of dysplasia after the animals had been maintained for a 20 week period (Group 1 animals). Painting with 0.1 percent DMBA for 10 weeks, no treatment for a following 6 week period, and painting with 0.5 percent DMBA for a subsequent 4 weeks resulted in epidermoid carcinomas (Group 2 animals). Painting with 0.1 percent DMBA for 4 weeks in animals without prior treatment resulted in no tumors (Group 3 animals). It is postulated that the early treatment in Group 2 may serve for initiation and the later treatment for promotion.
On the coupling of matter and gravity to the boundary of space-time

Abstract We show that under certain boundary conditions on the matter fields and on the fluctuations of the background metric the gravity-matter system can be coupled to the boundary of space-time through the stress-energy tensor. The connection of the formalism developed to the Casimir effect is discussed.
Word-length preferences in Chinese: a corpus study

Are there preferred word-length combinations in Chinese? If there are, are they motivated by semantics, syntax, prosody, or a combination of these? While the issue has been discussed for some time, opinions remain divided. This study offers a quantitative analysis of word-length patterns in Chinese [N N] and [V O] sequences, using the Lancaster Corpus of Mandarin Chinese. It is found that 1+2 is overwhelmingly disfavored in [N N] and 2+1 is overwhelmingly disfavored in [V O]. In addition, it is found that apparent exceptions, ranging between 1 and 2%, are limited to certain specific structures, and when these are factored out, both 1+2 [N N] and 2+1 [V O] are well below 1% in either token count or type count. The result bears on several theoretical debates, such as the validity of word-length preferences in Chinese, the motivation of the preferences, the extent and the nature of exceptions, and the interaction among syntax, semantics, and phonology.
Convergence, the institutional turn and workplace regimes: the case of lean production

The principal focus in this paper is a sympathetic critique of the institutional turn in economic geography and its analysis of convergence in contemporary capitalism. While insightful, this perspective does not fully capture the dynamic and contradictions of capitalist development and has tended to neglect the role of labor-capital relations in how systems of work organization develop. Following Jessop (1999; 2001), I argue that macroeconomic competition driven by the law of value disrupts institutions and acts as a ‘disembedding’ force for convergence within capitalism. In the workplace these tendencies are mediated by labor's ability to resist capital through what Burawoy (1985) terms the production politics of workplace regimes. I then illustrate these general points via an analysis of lean production in the automobile industry. Lean production is associated with strong convergence tendencies, because TNC reorganization facilitates the increased comparability of work quality and intensity across space...
Stability of response and in vivo potential of microparticle glucose sensors

We have developed novel combinations of glucose receptors, luminescent molecules, and nanoengineered materials to enable accurate and sensitive determination of glucose using microparticles. This paper will report the results of modeling and experimental work to determine two key properties of these systems: (1) maximal stability of the response under continuous operation; (2) maximal efficiency of transdermal excitation and collection of emission.
DELINEATION OF PUNCTURE FORCES FOR EXOCARP AND MESOCARP TISSUES IN CUCUMBER FRUIT

A puncture test was used to differentiate exocarp (skin) and mesocarp tissues of fresh cucumbers for resistance to penetration. Optimum instrumental test conditions were a punch size of 3.15 mm diameter and crosshead speed of 5 cm/min. The force required to penetrate the exocarp of whole fruit was determined and was deemed to represent a composite of the exocarp and the underlying tissue. By placing 7 mm thick, longitudinal slices skin down on a die plate, failure forces representing the mesocarp and exocarp tissues were determined in fruit ranging from 2.5–5.5 cm diameter. Exocarp force measurements were not influenced by slice thicknesses greater than 1 mm. Mesocarp measurements were lower with thicker slices, and required uniformity of thickness to maximize precision. The exocarp was found to represent about 60% of the composite force required to penetrate whole cucumbers, regardless of fruit size. Toughness of both exocarp and mesocarp increased with fruit size. The relative contributions of exocarp to penetration of seven other fruits varied from 58 to 88%.
Regulation of the human vitamin D3 receptor promoter in breast cancer cells is mediated through Sp1 sites.

Abstract 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ), the active form of Vitamin D, mediates gene transcription through the Vitamin D receptor (VDR), a nuclear receptor expressed in multiple normal and transformed cell types. In mammary epithelial cells, including those derived from breast cancers, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 induces growth arrest and/or apoptosis through VDR dependent mechanisms, and VDR agonists represent potential therapeutic agents for hyperproliferative diseases, including cancer. Since target cell sensitivity to 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 and its analogs reflects VDR expression, understanding the transcriptional regulation of the VDR gene is fundamental to development of VDR agonists as therapeutic agents. The studies reported here focused on molecular characterization of the promoter region upstream of exon 1c in the human VDR gene. In transient transfection assays, luciferase reporter constructs containing −800 to +31 of the VDR gene exhibit basal promoter activity in T47D breast cancer cells which is enhanced by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 , estrogen and the phytoestrogen resveratrol. Deletion constructs and site-directed mutagenesis were used to map three distinct GC-rich Sp1 consensus sites that independently mediate the effects of estrogen, resveratrol, and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 on VDR promoter activity. Up-regulation of the VDR promoter by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 was mapped to an Sp1 site 261 bp upstream of exon 1c, estrogen responsiveness to a proximal Sp1 site beginning at −50, and resveratrol regulation to a distal Sp1 site beginning at −381. Studies with estrogen receptor (ER) subtype specific ligands suggest that the effect of estrogen on VDR promoter is dependent on both ERα and ERβ, whereas the effect of resveratrol is dependent only on ERα. In summary, these studies demonstrate transcriptional regulation of the exon 1c VDR promoter in breast cancer cells, and identify three distinct GC-rich, Sp1 consensus sites that differentially confer responsiveness to estrogen, resveratrol and 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 .
Effects of changes in cell size and ouabain sensitive respiration on development of brown adipose tissue thermogenesis in the rabbit.

Effects of Changes in Cell Size and Ouabain Sensitive Respiration on Development of Brown Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis in the Rabbit
Resistance to Virus Challenge in Mice Infected with Protozoa or Bacteria

SummaryTo determine if the resistance to intracellular bacteria observed in mice chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii or Besnoitia jellisoni extends also against viruses, mice infected with these protozoa were challenged with Mengo virus. Significantly greater survival and/or prolonged time to death were noted in the protozoal infected animals when compared with controls. This resistance to viral challenge persisted in some groups of mice for longer than 1 year. Resistance to viral challenge was also noted in mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes but less marked and persisted for a shorter period of time than in protozoal-infected animals. To define a possible role for interferon, serum, peritoneal fluid, and spleens of the protozoal-infected mice were assayed for interferon levels at various intervals following initial infection. Interferon was demonstrable only during the acute stage of the infections, whereas resistance to viral challenge in the same animals persisted in some instances for m...
Does Slow-Release 5-Fluorouracil and Triamcinolone Reduce Subglottic Stenosis?:

The surgical management of subglottic stenosis may be complicated by reformation of strictures. A slow-release combination of 5-fluorouracil, which has an antiproliferative effect on fibroblasts, and the corticosteroid triamcinolone acetonide has been used experimentally to control scar production in ophthalmic operations. This study was performed to determine if this material also can be used to reduce formation of subglottic stenosis. Subglottic stenosis was induced in rabbits by means of injury to the subglottic mucosa and submucosa. A suspension of the compound at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml or 12.5 mg/ml was injected into the adjacent soft tissues. A control group of rabbits received the same volume of the suspension fluid but no compound. Two rabbits from each group were killed 1, 2, and 12 weeks postoperatively. No stenosis was seen at 1 or 2 weeks, but at 12 weeks the rate of formation of subglottic stenosis was decreased to a mean of 15.20% in the experimental groups compared with 47.37% in the control group. There were no indications of local or systemic toxicity. The promising results from this preliminary study suggest that use of this compound may reduce restenosis among patients treated surgically for subglottic stenosis. Further studies are being conducted.
Reducing the Special Education Teacher Shortage.

New demands and high attrition levels of special education teachers have created a crisis for education and extensive additional stress for special education directors and principals. The critical shortage of highly qualified special education teachers has significantly increased the pressure to hire and retain them. This article discusses factors that affect teacher attrition and proactive recommendations to address the shortage. In addition, the authors make suggestions for systemic reform and improvement of the level of job satisfaction for special education teachers.
Predicting success in programmer training

The purpose of this study was to further explore the possibility of using cognitive tests for predicting success in programming training. While many studies have been reported indicating various correlations between cognitive tests and supervision ratings of actual job performance, little has been done in the area of predicting success in training. There also has been a lack of research in establishing a definite relationship between success in training and success on the job. Yet it was felt that a candidate for a programmer's position must at least be able to be trained before his work can be evaluated.
Characterization of missense suppressors of a double mutant of the tryptophan synthetase alpha chain of Escherichia coli.

Eight suppressors of trpA218, a missense double mutant of trpA, the gene for the tryptophan synthetase alpha chain of Escherichia coli, have been further characterized genetically, physiologically and biochemically. trpA218 possesses an inactive alpha chain that contains leucine (instead of phenylalanine) at position 22 and serine (instead of glycine) at position 211. Replacement of either mutant amino acid by the corresponding wild type amino acid leads to an active alpha chain. To determine whether each trpA218 suppressor (Su218) affects the 22 or 211 position, a “substitute” trpA218 was constructed. Whereas the original double mutant possesses a Ser211 specified by the codon AGU, we constructed a trpA(Leu22-Ser211) in which the Ser211 codon is UCG. All eight Su218s failed to suppress the new double mutant. The suppressors fall into two classes according to growth in various media. Six of the eight map in the region of glyV, a gene for the GGU/C-reading glycine tRNA. After reversed phase column chromatography of radioactively labeled glycyl-tRNA, the suppressor tRNAs exhibited altered profiles that were similarly different from the parental tRNA in all eight cases. These results suggest that there are several classes of Su218, that all of them suppress the serine codon AGU (or AGC) corresponding to position 211, and that at least six of the eight are mutationally altered glycine tRNAs.
Evidence for S(IV) compounds other than dissolved SO2 in precipitation

Preliminary results from a study characterizing S(IV) compounds in wintertime precipitation samples indicate that bisulfite ion is not the primary form of S(IV), as previously believed. By employing a differencing technique that permits estimation of both SO2 · aq and non-SO2 · aq compound concentrations, it was found that, on an average, more than 60% of the total S(IV) is present in a form other than dissolved SO2. Formaldehyde analyses on selected samples suggest that the most likely form of the S(IV) is hydroxymethanesulfonate, although other aldehyde-S(IV) adducts may also be present. The non-SO2-compounds represented a significant portion of the total sulfur concentrations present in the samples analyzed, with contributions ranging from 1.2 to 27%. Because of the stability and oxidation resistance of these S(IV) compounds, sulfur deposition estimates that are based solely on sulfate measurements are undoubtedly low, especially for wintertime events. The study underscores the importance of S(IV) compounds in atmospheric scavenging processes.
Patterns and Determinants of Multiple Provider Use in Patients with Acute Low Back Pain

OBJECTIVE: To describe the patterns of provider use associated with an acute episode of nonspecific low back pain and their impact on cost. METHODS: The analysis is based on a prospective cohort study of patients with acute low back pain followed until they recovered completely or to 6 months. Patients were followed after an initial visit to one of four provider types: private primary care physician, chiropractor, orthopedic surgeon, or HMO primary care physician. Follow-up interviews were conducted at baseline, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks; 1,580 (97%) of the participants completed the 6-month follow-up. MAIN RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent of patients saw only the initial provider who began their care for low back pain. Logistic regression revealed that duration of pain prior to initial visit, sciatica, higher Roland disability score, days to functional recovery, interval to complete recovery, referral by initial provider, disk attribution, satisfaction, and the type of index provider were significantly (p<.05) associated with seeking care from multiple provider types. Age, race, gender, and education were not significant. The adjusted proportions of multiple provider type use were 14% (95% confidence interval [CI] 11%, 17%) for the private primary care provider stratum; 19% (95% CI 16%, 23%) for the chiropractic stratum; 30% (95% CI 23%, 37%) for the orthopedic stratum; and 9% (95% CI 5%, 14%) for the HMO primary care physician stratum. Cost of seeing only the index provider was $439 (95% CI $404, $475), and cost of seeing multiple provider types was $1,137 (95% CI $1, 064, $1,211) based on the adjusted model. CONCLUSIONS: Use of multiple provider types, is associated with several factors, one of which is the initial provider type. The cost of such use is significant.
Direct and collateral changes in on-task and academic behavior resulting from on-task versus academic contingencies

The relative efficacy of on-task and academic classroom contingencies was compared on the dependent measures of on-task behavior and rate and accuracy of academic performance. Five male elementary shcool students experienced baseline I, the on-task contingency, baseline II, and the academic contingency. Five other male elementary school student experienced baseline I, the academic contingency, baseline II, and the on-task contingency. The academic contingency was the more parsimonious intervention strategy, producing increments in both on-task behaviors and academic achievement. The on-task contingency increased on-task behaviors without concomitant academic improvements.
LH-Releasing Activity in Hypothalamic Extracts

SummaryAcid extracts of rat SME tissue evoked OAAD in immature rats pre-treated with gonadotropins. Part of the activity in the extracts could be accounted for by their content of LH or vasopressin or both, whereas the remaining activity appeared to be due to release of LH from pituitary of assay rats. The substance(s) responsible for LH-releasing activity of extracts has been called LH-releasing factor. The nature of this material is unknown, but it appears to differ from histamine, serotonin, substance P, epinephrine, and vasopressin or oxytocin.The technical assistance cf Maria Smith is gratefully acknowledged.
Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle Waste Characterization Study: Precursor to a Recirculating Holding System Design

The decreasing population of the endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys kempi) has necessitated research into more cost effective captive nurseries. Captive nurseries are an attempt to increase the survival of the Kemp's ridley past the first year of life. Presently, Kemp's ridleys are reared in captivity at the Headstart rearing facility in Galveston, Texas. This facility consists of a labor intensive, flow-through system. Alternatively, recirculating systems permit development of inshore facilities with decreased labor and operating costs. This paper presents baseline excretion data necessary for designing filtration units required for water quality maintenance in recirculating holding systems. The total ammonia nitrogen excretion rate based on a 24 hour isolation period (fed) was fairly constant at 0.19 mg N/g-turtle-day, while the BOD5 loading rate was highly variable, averaging nearly 0.50 mg O2/g-turt1e-day. In addition, comparisons of filtered versus nonfiltered samples suggest that a suspended solids removal mechanism prior to the filtration unit would dramatically decrease BOD5 and, thus, improve filter efficiency and increase its capacity.
Structural and histochemical characterization of the cotyledon storage organelles of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis)

Jojoba cotyledon cells are isodiametric and ∼ 44 μm in diameter. They contain two prominent storage organelles—wax bodies and protein bodies. Isolated and intact wax bodies react positively with several lipid histochemical stains; they are spherical and ∼ 1.5 μm in diameter. Protein bodies are irregular in shape, but usually appear spherical. They range in diameter from 7–15 μm, are unit membrane bound, have an irregular grainy matrix and do not contain a globoid inclusion. Protein bodies stain positively for both protein and lipid. The possible composition and role of this protein/lipid body complex is discussed.
Is mark-to-market accounting destabilizing? Analysis and implications for policy

Abstract Fundamental economic principles provide a rationale for requiring financial institutions to use mark-to-market, or fair value, accounting for financial reporting. The recent turmoil in financial markets, however, has raised questions about whether fair value accounting is exacerbating the problems. In this paper, we review the history and practice of fair value accounting, and summarize the literature on the channels through which it can adversely affect the real economy. We propose a new model to study the interaction of accounting rules with regulatory capital requirements, and show that even when market prices always reflect fundamental values, the interaction of fair value accounting rules and a simple capital requirement can create inefficiencies that are absent when capital is measured by adjusted book value. These distortions can be avoided, however, by redefining capital requirements to be procyclical rather than by abandoning fair value accounting and the other benefits that it provides.
Relationship between treatment length and outcome in a therapeutic community

The present study examines the association between treatment length and treatment outcome among drug users treated in a therapeutic community. The therapeutic community employed in the present study recently had been changed from a 6-month to a 1-month program by external administrative mandate, but had undergone virtually no other changes. Twenty-two subjects who received 6 months of treatment and 22 who received 1 month were compared. The 6-month group had more subjects with successful outcome. These results support previous studies associating longer treatment programs with better outcome.
Reviewing the Benefits and Costs of Electronic Health Records and Associated Patient Safety Technologies

In the current paper, we describe the challenges in measuring return on investment (ROI) and review published ROI studies on health IT. In addition, given the absence of a robust ROI literature base, we review the general benefits and potential costs of various health IT applications including electronic health records (EHRs), computerized physicians order entry (CPOE) systems, and clinical decision support systems (CDSS). We conclude that articles examining these benefits are much more common than studies examining ROI itself. This trend suggests the early stage of this knowledge base. Additional research utilizing broader perspectives and multidisciplinary techniques will be needed before a better understanding of ROI from health IT is achieved.
Balance or imbalance: inhibitory circuits for direction selectivity in the auditory system

The auditory system detects and processes dynamic sound information transmitted in the environment. Other than the basic acoustic parameters, such as frequency, amplitude and phase, the time-varying changes of these parameters must also be encoded in our brain. Frequency-modulated (FM) sound is socially and environmentally significant, and the direction of FM sweeps is essential for animal communication and human speech. Many auditory neurons selectively respond to the directional change of such FM signals. In the past half century, our knowledge of auditory representation and processing has been updated frequently, due to technological advancement. Recently, in vivo whole-cell voltage clamp recordings have been applied to different brain regions in sensory systems. These recordings illustrate the synaptic mechanisms underlying basic sensory information processing and provide profound insights toward our understanding of neural circuits for complex signal analysis. In this review, we summarize the major findings of direction selectivity at several key auditory regions and emphasize on the recent discoveries on the synaptic mechanisms for direction selectivity in the auditory system. We conclude this review by describing promising technical developments in dissecting neural circuits and future directions in the study of complex sound analysis.
Novel Ryanodine Receptor 2 Mutation Associated with a Severe Phenotype of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

An adolescent girl with a history of anxiety associated seizure-like episodes was ultimately diagnosed with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. She tested positive for a novel mutation of the ryanodine receptor. The report underscores how genetic arrhythmia syndromes may be mistaken for neurologic disorders.
Influences of microbial particles on oceanic optics

Inherent and apparent optical properties as measured in case 1 waters often deviate in seemingly random ways from values predicted by bio-optical models that parameterize the microbial composition of the water in terms of the chlorophyll concentration alone. We believe that this `random' variability in optical properties can be explained in terms of variability in the detailed microbial composition of the water, and we outline a research program for testing this hypothesis. Our approach combines laboratory experiments on monospecific microbial cultures, Mie scattering calculations, and radiative transfer numerical modeling. This approach also provides a unique means for improving bio-optical models and for developing new optical methods or algorithms for the study of biological processes in the upper ocean. We present here a few examples from preliminary results of this work. These examples show selected measures of the underwater light field for a hypothetical ocean that consists of pure water, viruses, heterotrophic bacteria, cyanobacteria, and small diatoms as optically significant components.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Oxygen modulation of neurovascular coupling in the retina

Neurovascular coupling is a process through which neuronal activity leads to local increases in blood flow in the central nervous system. In brain slices, 100% O2 has been shown to alter neurovascular coupling, suppressing activity-dependent vasodilation. However, in vivo, hyperoxia reportedly has no effect on blood flow. Resolving these conflicting findings is important, given that hyperoxia is often used in the clinic in the treatment of both adults and neonates, and a reduction in neurovascular coupling could deprive active neurons of adequate nutrients. Here we address this issue by examining neurovascular coupling in both ex vivo and in vivo rat retina preparations. In the ex vivo retina, 100% O2 reduced light-evoked arteriole vasodilations by 3.9-fold and increased vasoconstrictions by 2.6-fold. In vivo, however, hyperoxia had no effect on light-evoked arteriole dilations or blood velocity. Oxygen electrode measurements showed that 100% O2 raised pO2 in the ex vivo retina from 34 to 548 mm Hg, whereas hyperoxia has been reported to increase retinal pO2 in vivo to only ∼53 mm Hg [Yu DY, Cringle SJ, Alder VA, Su EN (1994) Am J Physiol 267:H2498-H2507]. Replicating the hyperoxic in vivo pO2 of 53 mm Hg in the ex vivo retina did not alter vasomotor responses, indicating that although O2 can modulate neurovascular coupling when raised sufficiently high, the hyperoxia-induced rise in retinal pO2 in vivo is not sufficient to produce a modulatory effect. Our findings demonstrate that hyperoxia does not alter neurovascular coupling in vivo, ensuring that active neurons receive an adequate supply of nutrients.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Pneumonia Treated with Lower-Dose Palivizumab in a Heart Transplant Recipient

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important community-acquired pathogen that can cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients who have compromised pulmonary function, are elderly, or are immunosuppressed. This paper describes a 70-year-old man with a remote history of heart transplantation who presented with signs and symptoms of pneumonia. Chest computed tomography (CT) imaging demonstrated new patchy ground glass infiltrates throughout the upper and lower lobes of the left lung, and the RSV direct fluorescence antibody (DFA) was positive. The patient received aerosolized ribavirin, one dose of intravenous immunoglobulin, and one dose of palivizumab. After two months of followup, the patient had improved infiltrates on chest CT, improved pulmonary function testing, and no evidence of graft rejection or dysfunction. There are few data on RSV infections in heart transplant patients, but this case highlights the importance of considering this potentially serious infection and introduces a novel method of treatment.
Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Three Patient Populations, Two Disease Phenotypes, and One Shared Genotype

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) are two discrete cardiovascular phenotypes characterized by latent progressive disease states. There is a clear association between BAV and TAA; however the nature and extent of this relationship is unclear. There are both distinct and overlapping developmental pathways that have been established to contribute to the formation of the aortic valve and the aortic root, and the mature anatomy of these different tissue types is intimately intertwined. Likewise, human genetics studies have established apparently separate and common contributions to these clinical phenotypes, suggesting complex inheritance and a shared genetic basis and translating 3 patient populations, namely, BAV, TAA, or both, into a common but diverse etiology. A better understanding of the BAV-TAA association will provide an opportunity to leverage molecular information to modify clinical care through more sophisticated diagnostic testing, improved counseling, and ultimately new pharmacologic therapies.
Worldwide Distribution of Nitrosococcus oceani, a Marine Ammonia-Oxidizing γ-Proteobacterium, Detected by PCR and Sequencing of 16S rRNA and amoA Genes

Diversity of cultured ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in the γ-subdivision of the Proteobacteria was investigated by using strains isolated from various parts of the world ocean. All the strains were very similar to each other on the basis of the sequences of both the 16S rRNA and ammonia monooxygenase genes and could be characterized as a single species. Sequences were also cloned directly from environmental DNA from coastal Pacific and Atlantic sites, and these sequences represented the first Nitrosococcus oceani-like sequences obtained directly from the ocean. Most of the environmental sequences clustered tightly with those of the cultivated strains, but some sequences could represent new species of Nitrosococcus. These findings imply that organisms similar to the cultivated N. oceani strains have a worldwide distribution.
Official dollarization in El Salvador and the inflation–inflation uncertainty nexus

This study extends the literature on the relationship between inflation and inflation uncertainty by examining the impact of official dollarization on inflation uncertainty in El Salvador. The ARIMA–GARCH model reveals that official dollarization significantly reduces the degree of volatility persistence in response to inflationary shocks. However, based on Granger causality tests, if inflation should increase there would be an increase in inflation uncertainty as suggested by the Friedman–Ball hypothesis.
Hierarchical LUT structures for leakage power reduction (abstract only)

Reconfigurable technologies have made remarkable progress in the last few years. However, due to the overhead of programmability along with improved system capabilities, power dissipation has become one of the major concerns for designers. Moreover, with the trends in technology scaling, overall leakage power consumption is increasing alarmingly. In this work, we propose a leakage power optimization technique using "hierarchical" look-up tables (LUTs) for SRAM-based FPGAs. Analysis of a set of 20 MCNC benchmarks using 4-input LUTs show that on an average only 53% of these LUTs use all their inputs. Based on this observation, we shut down SRAM cells and certain transistors associated with the unused inputs by employing hierarchical look-up tables, which can yield LUTs with varying number of inputs within the same logic block. We effectively utilize a Vdd gating scheme to cut-off power supply to one half or three quarters of the original 4-input LUT, which in turn yields a 3-input LUT or a 2-input LUT from a 4-input LUT respectively. Our experiments show that for 180 nm technology logic block leakage power savings is 22.9% on an average for the set of 20 MCNC benchmarks. This saving will be even higher for technologies 90 nm and smaller.
Text line extraction for historical document images using steerable directional filters

Vast amounts of valuable historical documents exist in libraries and in various National Archives that have not been exploited electronically. The analysis of historical documents presents specific difficulties with respect to other types of handwritten documents. Because of the low quality and the complexity of these documents, the document analysis remains an open research field. One of the major processes to analyze these documents is automatic text line extraction, which influences the accuracy of text recognition. The Center for Unified Biometrics and Sensors (CUBS) proposed one of the best-known approaches for text line extraction. In this paper, and starting with the concepts of CUBS approach, we propose an approach to extract text lines from the historical document images. The proposed approach is based on three local connectivity maps. One has the orientation angles of the text lines, and it is generated by using a dynamic steerable directional filter. This map is modified by using a mode filter to determine the paragraph map in the documents. Based on the values of the paragraph map, the adaptive local connectivity map (ALCM) is generated by using a static steerable directional filter to estimate the location of the text line. The proposed approach solves the problem of the ALCM binarization that the CUBS approach has, and gives the advantage of extracting the paragraphs in the document besides the text lines segmentation.
Remote sampling of harmful algal blooms: A case study on the Washington State coast ☆

Abstract Strategic placement of moorings as an integrated element of ocean observing systems will be essential in the effective monitoring of harmful algal blooms that impact the sustainability of seafood harvest as well as human and marine animal health. Recent efforts have focused on in situ collection and analysis of biological samples, an arguably more difficult task than the measurement of chemical and physical parameters that has been automated for many years. Remote sampling and preservation of samples for later analysis can fill a gap that will allow analysis of time-series data that are essential for establishing interannual trends in coastal regions and provide timely warning of approaching harmful algal blooms. In addition, stored samples for subsequent laboratory analysis will provide important control samples needed to validate in situ , robotic analysis of biological samples. This monitoring for harmful algae and their toxins on moorings, gliders and other autonomous platforms as part of ocean observing systems requires consideration of sampling locations as well other factors such as preservative type used for sample collection and storage combined with a compatible method for toxin analysis. To that end, Pseudo-nitzschia abundance and domoic acid concentrations in seawater were measured from samples collected with a remote sampler moored in Willapa Bay, Washington, during the spring and summer from 2002 through 2006, and compared to data from two adjacent beach sites, Twin Harbors Beach and Long Beach, by Olympic Region Harmful Algal Bloom (ORHAB) personnel. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), total toxin measurements in formalin-preserved whole water samples from Willapa Bay were shown to correlate well with changes in particulate domoic acid concentrations in filtered (particulate) seawater samples from adjacent beaches. A series of experiments confirm, for the first time, that formalin, but not Lugol's iodine or glutaraldehyde, is an effective preservative for phytoplankton samples that are stored for later analysis of domoic acid by ELISA. Together, these data confirm that placement of moorings for in situ sampling of biological and environmental parameters in the sheltered environment of Willapa Bay can accurately detect the arrival of harmful algal blooms that originate from offshore hotspots to shellfish harvesting beaches.
When West Meets East: Generalizing Theory and Expanding the Conceptual Toolkit of Criminology

This paper considers the ways in which established criminological theories born and nurtured in the West might need to be transformed to be applicable to the context of East Asian societies. The analyses focus on two theoretical perspectives—Situational Action Theory and Institutional Anomie Theory—that are located at opposite ends of the continuum with respect to levels of analysis. I argue that the accumulated evidence from cross-cultural psychology and criminological research in East Asian societies raises serious questions about the feasibility of simply transporting these perspectives from the West to the East. Instead, my analyses suggest that the formulation of theoretical explanations of crime that are truly universal will require criminologists to create and incorporate new concepts that are more faithful to the social realities of non-Western societies, societies such as those in East Asia and Asia more generally.
Differences in Apparent Pore Sizes of Low and High Voltage-activated Ca2+ Channels

Abstract Pore size is of considerable interest in voltage-gated Ca2+ channels because they exemplify a fundamental ability of certain ion channels: to display large pore diameter, but also great selectivity for their ion of choice. We determined the pore size of several voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels of known molecular composition with large organic cations as probes. T-type channels supported by the CaV3.1, CaV3.2, and CaV3.3 subunits; L-type channels encoded by the CaV1.2, β1, and α2δ1 subunits; and R-type channels encoded by the CaV2.3 and β3subunits were each studied using a Xenopus oocyte expression system. The weak permeabilities to organic cations were resolved by looking at inward tails generated upon repolarization after a large depolarizing pulse. Large inward NH currents and sizable methylammonium and dimethylammonium currents were observed in all of the channels tested, whereas trimethylammonium permeated only through L- and R-type channels, and tetramethylammonium currents were observed only in L-type channels. Thus, our experiments revealed an unexpected heterogeneity in pore size among different Ca2+channels, with L-type channels having the largest pore (effective diameter = 6.2 A), T-type channels having the tiniest pore (effective diameter = 5.1 A), and R-type channels having a pore size intermediate between these extremes. These findings ran counter to first-order expectations for these channels based simply on their degree of selectivity among inorganic cations or on the bulkiness of their acidic side chains at the locus of selectivity.
Structure of a mosaic hybrid zone between the field crickets Gryllus firmus and G. pennsylvanicus

Hybrid zones provide insight into the nature of species boundaries and the evolution of barriers to gene exchange. Characterizing multiple regions within hybrid zones is essential for understanding both their history and current dynamics. Here, we describe a previously uncharacterized region of a well-studied hybrid zone between two species of field crickets, Gryllus pennsylvanicus and G. firmus. We use a combination of mitochondrial DNA sequencing, morphological data, and modeling of environmental variables to identify the ecological factors structuring the hybrid zone and define patterns of hybridization and introgression. We find an association between species distribution and natural habitat; Gryllus pennsylvanicus occupies natural habitat along forest edges and natural clearings, whereas G. firmus occupies more disturbed areas in agricultural and suburban environments. Hybridization and introgression occur across patch boundaries; there is evidence of substantial admixture both in morphological characters and mtDNA, over a broad geographic area. Nonetheless, the distribution of morphological types is bimodal. Given that F1 hybrids are viable and fertile in the lab, this suggests that strong pre-zygotic barriers are operating in this portion of the hybrid zone.
Location, location, location: a spatial view of neurotrophin signal transduction

Neurotrophins were originally identified as target-derived factors that regulate the survival and differentiation of innervating neurons. However, neurotrophins can also be released by presynaptic cells to stimulate postsynaptic neurons. Recent studies indicate that differences exist between the signaling pathways activated by neurotrophin stimulation of nerve terminals (retrograde signaling) and neurotrophin stimulation of cell bodies. Retrograde signaling relies on the formation of signaling endosomes, vesicles containing activated Trk receptors and their ligands. Signaling endosomes travel from the nerve terminals to remote cell bodies, where they selectively activate a novel MAP kinase, Erk5, as well as PI3 kinase, and thereby stimulate neuronal survival. The differences in the signaling pathways activated by neurotrophins, which depends on the location of stimulation, provide a mechanism by which neurons can interpret the ‘where’ as well as the ‘what’ of growth factor stimulation.