cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Topologies of agents interactions in knowledge intensive multi-agent systems for networked information services

Agents in a multi-agent system (mAS) could interact and cooperate in many different ways. The topology of agent interaction determines how the agents control and communicate with each other, what are the control and communication capabilities of each agent and the whole system, and how efficient the control and communications are. In consequence, the topology affects the agents' ability to share knowledge, integrate knowledge, and make efficient use of knowledge in MAS. This paper presents an overview of four major MAS topologic models, assesses their advantages and disadvantages in terms of agent autonomy, adaptation, scalability, and efficiency of cooperation. Some insights into the applicability for each of the topologies to different environment and domain specific applications are explored. A design example of the topological models to an information service management application is attempted to illustrate the practical merits of each topology.
Quantum-chemical analysis of vibrational intensity distributions in the S0-S1 absorption spectra and raman excitation profiles of azulene

Abstract The vibronic, Franck—Condon and Dushinsky activity of the totally modes of azulene in S0-S1 transition is investigated by quantum-chemical methods. It is found that the 900 and 1400 cm−1 mode mixing proposed earlier to explain the relative intensities of Raman fundamentals in the region of the S1 state is not supported by the calculations. The alternative mechanism arising from vibronic activity of the a1 modes produces signs of the non-Condon parameters in agreement with those found from fitting the Raman excitation profiles; however, the absolute value of this parameter for the 900 cm−1 mode is almost one order of magnitude too small. Thus, although quantum-chemical calculations favour non-Condon effects over Dushinsky effects in shaping the relative intensities of Raman fundamentals, they do not give a conclusive answer. It is argued that such an answer can be obtained from measurements of the 900 + 1400 cm−1 combination band Raman excitation profiles.
California RECLAIM's market failure: lessons for the Kyoto Protocol

Abstract The failure of Los Angeles' RECLAIM emission trading market in the summer of 2000 uncovers important issues that have direct relevance for the various systems now emerging for exchanging greenhouse gas credits. Two primary causes for the breakdown of RECLAIM are apparent. On the one hand, RECLAIM did not succeed because of a series of unpredictable events that included manipulation of the market by brokers and the California energy shortage. On the other hand, several potentially foreseeable program design flaws contributed to the failure. This study examines the structure of RECLAIM and concludes that there was sufficient resilience to endure the two unexpected crises. However, the problematic program design features created a market that was fatally flawed and, regardless of impinging circumstances, was ultimately bound to collapse. We also investigate the status of the rapidly developing international greenhouse gas market and identify several lessons from the RECLAIM experience: the need for ...
Grading by experience points: An example from computer ethics

In most of education, courses are graded based on percentages-a certain percentage is required for each letter grade. Students often see this as a negative, in which they can only lose points, not gain points, and put their class average at risk with each new assignment. This contrasts with the world of online gaming, where they gain “experience points” from each new activity, and their score monotonically increases toward a desired goal. In Fall 2012, the lead author switched to grading by experience points in his Ethics in Computing class. Students earned points for a variety of activities, mainly performing ethical analyses of various issues related to computing, and participating in debates on ethics-related topics. The students appreciated the ability to earn extra points by performing extra activities. But they were less likely to complete analyses after signing up to do them than were students in a traditionally-graded class. At semester's end, the number of peer reviews increased, as students strove to top off their point total. The grade distribution was bimodal, with clusters at both ends (A+ and F). Students' greatest concern was rapid grading turnaround, so they would know where they stood in the class at all times.
Further Suggestions about Coal Description in the Field

Specific and systematic description of coal beds should be attempted as a preliminary aid, in advance of or coordinated with laboratory testing. Distribution of the most readily differentiated coal components (megascopic fusain and thicker bands of vitrain) might appropriately be singled out for training in coal description to develop essential insight and expertise. Standardized description of other coal lithologies, including thinner bands of vitrain and the attrital varieties of coal, is more difficult and less precision can be expected. An initial study utilizing field description will materially aid in other studies, leading to effective mining development. It may be most important to consider geologically the inherent lateral variability in coal beds.
A Conceptually Based Scale to Measure Consumers' Treatment Motivation.

Objectives: The objective of this work was to assess the reliability and validity of the Treatment Motivation Questionnaire— Revised (TMQ-R) in people with serious mental illness (SMI). Method: A large sample of consumers of mental health services (n = 469) were administered the TMQ-R. Results: The factor structure specified in previous research did not fit the data well. However, a five-factor model with the two subtypes of introjected (i.e., feeling guilty about not attending treatment) and external motivation (i.e., pressure to attend treatment) fit the data well. Conclusions: The current analyses partially confirm the TMQ-R structure and reflect the need for future work to evaluate the complexities of motivational measurement within people with SMI.
Tacrolimus: A new agent for the prevention of graft-versus-host disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Tacrolimus (FK506) is a macrolide lactone with potent immunosuppressive activity 100 times that of cyclosporine by weight. The molecular mechanism of action is mediated via an inhibition of the phosphorylase activity of calcineurin by drug-immunophilin complex, resulting in the inhibition of IL-2 gene expression. There are emerging studies now showing significant efficacy of tacrolimus in GVHD prevention in both related and unrelated donor transplantation. Three multicenter randomized studies comparing tacrolimus to cyclosporine have been completed, one each in related and unrelated donor transplantation; the remaining study involved both related and unrelated donor transplantation. All three studies showed a significantly lower incidence of grade II-IV acute GVHD in patients who received tacrolimus. One study in sibling donor transplantation showed that patients with advanced disease who received tacrolimus had a poorer survival than patients who received cyclosporine, but the survival was similar in patients with non-advanced disease. The remaining two studies, one in unrelated donors and the other combining both related and unrelated donors did not show any survival difference between the tacrolimus and cyclosporine groups. In addition, this review also highlights some of the critical questions regarding the role of this agent in allogeneic stem cell transplantation: (1) the contribution of methotrexate in combination with tacrolimus; (2) the starting i.v. dose of tacrolimus; (3) the suggested whole blood level of tacrolimus and its effect on nephrotoxicity; and (4) whether tacrolimus should be used in patients with advanced malignancy. Future studies using tacrolimus in combination with other immunosuppressants, and its use in patients with advanced malignancy will be warranted.
Genesis of the Black Range tin-deposits, New Mexico

Cassiterite-bearing veinlets in Tertiary rhyolite flows are exposed at more than a dozen places in a district that covers approximately 450 square miles in southeastern Catron County and northwestern Sierra County, New Mexico. Most of the veinlets are in zones of altered and sheared rhyolite adjacent to belts of vertical flow-layering that appear to be the sites of composite fissure vents; a few are in underlying pyroclastic beds. The veinlets are irregular and discontinuous, and range in size from thin films which are only faintly visible and extend only one or two feet to tabular bodies more than an inch thick and 20 to 30 feet long.
New bonding technique for III-V thin film and macroscopic devices to Si or CuW

The increasing demand for more advanced photonic integrated circuits has created the need to combine semiconductor materials with different lattice constants, i.e., GaAs on Si. During the past few years, much has been reported concerning the epitaxial lift-off technique. The most widely reported bonding method of epitaxial lift-off films is van der Waals bonding. However, there are problems with van der Waals-bonded devices. For instance, it has a long bonding time, which hinders an industrial use. Recently, we have investigated refinements of the epitaxial lift-off and grafting technique through using a single, transparent polymer membrane to support the material during the etch of a sacrificial layer, then depositing Au and Sn multilayers onto the lifted off devices and new host substrate. The devices are bonded by applying heat and pressure in a reducing atmosphere. The multilayer structures investigated in this work produce a resulting AuSn alloy with approximately 84 wt.% gold, but can be bonded with a peak temperature of 235 degree(s)C. In this paper we report our results in the optimization of the bonding parameters, with different diffusion barriers, new multilayer structures, as well as new applications of our bonding technique. We achieved important improvements in reliability and yield. The main advantages of our technology are thin bonding layers achieved with a minimum use of gold and an outstanding bonding quality reached in the large temperature range between 235 degree(s)C and 286 degree(s)C without flux. A thin, void free bonding layer means low thermal resistivity, which is especially important for laser diodes and high power devices. Further advantages of our new technique are the attainable precise control of the bonding layer thickness and the possible alignment of the devices through the transparent support and bonding membrane. We applied our new bonding technique to different optoelectronic devices such as MQWs and commercial laser bars and have simultaneously bonded a large number of devices. The bonded samples were investigated with several standard surface analysis techniques like optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis as well as mechanical tests.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
LIPID ANALYSIS BY QUANTITATIVE THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY.

Techniques for the quantitative analysis of lipids using thin-layer chromatography (TLC) are reviewed. The general procedures are divided into two groups on the basis of whether or not the methods involve the recovery of substances from chromatoplates.
Pathogenetic mechanisms in usual interstitial pneumonia/idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, usually fatal, form of interstitial lung disease characterized by failure of alveolar re-epithelialization, persistence of fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, deposition of extracellular matrix, and distortion of lung architecture which ultimately results in respiratory failure. Clinical IPF is associated with a histopathological pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) on surgical lung biopsy. Therapy for this disease with glucocorticoids and other immunomodulatory agents is largely ineffective and recent trials of newer anti-fibrotic agents have been disappointing. While the inciting event(s) leading to the initiation of scar formation in UIP remain unknown, recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying both normal and aberrant wound healing have shed some light on pathogenetic mechanisms that may play significant roles in this disease. Unlike other fibrotic diseases of the lung, such as those associated with collagen vascular disease, occupational exposure, or chemotherapeutic agents, UIP is not associated with a significant inflammatory response; rather, dysregulated epithelial-mesenchymal interactions predominate. Identification of pathways crucial to fibrogenesis might offer potentially novel therapeutic targets to slow or halt the progression of IPF. This review focuses on evolving concepts of cellular and molecular mechanisms in the pathogenesis of UIP/IPF.
The first year of observations with the Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope has gathered unique information that supports many very significant scientific investigations during its early orbital operations, despite the limitations imposed by an unexpected spherical aberration in the primary mirror. These early results, gathered primarily with the HST cameras and spectrographs, are reviewed, with emphasis on extragalactic, stellar, and nebular astronomy.
Spectra and syntheses of some monosubstituted derivatives of cyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl

Abstract A number of monosubstituted derivatives of cyclopentadienylmanganese tricarbonyl have been synthesized and their NMR and IR spectra recorded. The NMR spectrum of each of the compounds studied is consistent with an A 2 B 2 system. The chemical shift difference between the χ- and β-protons is of the same order of magnitude as the difference between ortho and meta protons in the analogous benzene series. The IR spectra of the monosubstituted derivatives are very similar to the spectrum of the parent compound.
Evaluation of the population dynamics of the forage legume (Lotus corniculatus), using matrix population models

The population dynamics of perennial crop plants are influenced by numerous factors, including management practices. Conditions in the field vary from year to year, and matrix population models are useful for evaluating population behaviour in relation to environmental variability. In Missouri, the stand persistence of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), a perennial legume, is often limited by disease and poor seed production. A stage-based, matrix population model was developed to evaluate the population dynamics of birdsfoot trefoil in relation to clipping treatment. The plant growth stages represented in the model were seeds, seedlings, mature vegetative and reproductive plants. Two phases of population growth were evaluated in clipped and unclipped stands. Establishment-phase populations were characterized by relatively high mortality and low reproduction. Elasticity analysis indicated that growth of these populations was most sensitive to the survival of vegetative plants. Mature vegetative plants and seeds comprised the majority of surviving individuals in clipped and unclipped populations, respectively; however, establishment-phase populations under both management treatments tended toward extinction. Populations in the post-establishment phase of growth were characterized by relatively low mortality and high reproduction. Population growth in this phase of growth was most sensitive to seed production, and most individuals in these populations were at the seed stage.
Successful biventricular repair after initial Norwood operation for interrupted aortic arch with severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Abstract Background . Management of newborns with interrupted aortic arch (IAA) remains challenging. Associated severe left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) have often led to increased mortality with neonatal biventricular repair. We review our experience with an alternative approach for this complex surgical problem. Methods . From May 1991 to June 1999, 28 neonates were treated for IAA. Thirteen of 28 neonates (46%) had type B IAA, ventricular septal defect (VSD) and severe LVOTO (Z value –2 to –7; mean –5 ± 1.7). Mean age was 8 days (3 to 23 days old) with average weight of 3.3 kg (2.4 to 4.2 kg). Eight of 13 (62%) had anomalous right subclavian artery. Ten of 13 (77%) had thymic aplasia and chromosome 22 region q11 deletion. All 13 patients were treated initially with a modified Norwood procedure. Results . There were no perioperative deaths. Complications included 2 patients with recurrent arch stenosis treated with balloon dilatation. Two patients had systemic arterial shunt revision. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 99 months old (mean 39 months). There were 2 late deaths unrelated to any operation. Nine of 12 patients had a second stage palliation consisting of a bidirectional Glenn shunt. Six patients went on to have biventricular repairs (3 Ross-Konno, 2 Rastelli, 1 VSD closure with LVOT resection). One patient had a modified Fontan operation and 5 patients are awaiting potential biventricular repair. Conclusions . Children with IAA and severe LVOTO may be managed by initial Norwood palliation with an excellent outcome likely. This initial "univentricular" approach has enabled eventual successful biventricular repair despite severe LVOTO.
Re-entrant disordering of colloidal molecular crystals on two-dimensional periodic substrates

Using numerical simulations, we study colloidal ordering and disordering on two-dimensional periodic substrates where the number of colloids per substrate minima is two or three. The colloids form dimer or trimer states with orientational ordering, referred to as colloidal molecular crystals. At a fixed temperature such that, in the absence of a substrate, the colloids are in a triangular floating solid state, upon increasing the substrate strength we find a transition to an ordered colloidal molecular crystal state, followed by a transition to a disordered state where the colloids still form dimers or trimers but the orientational order is lost. These results are in agreement with recent experiments.
An efficient inductance extraction algorithm for 3-D interconnects with frequency dependent nonlinear magnetic materials

This paper presents the first algorithm extracting inductance for interconnects with nonlinear magnetic materials. The algorithm models the nonlinear magnetic characteristics by solving the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation, and the nonhomogeneous magnetic characteristics by introducing the fictitious magnetic charge. A compact system is established and accelerated by a solenoidal basis method. Experimental results show the error for ignoring the non-linearity of magnetic materials is up to 40%. For linear magnetic materials, our algorithm matches well with previous algorithms, but is 3-4 times faster.
Vitreous Cells as an Indicator of Retinal Tears in Asymptomatic or Not Recently Symptomatic Eyes

Purpose To define the relationship between vitreous cells and retinal tears in eyes without recent flashes or floaters. Method Five hundred eighty-five consecutive patients who complained of light flashes, floaters, or both in one eye had their asymptomatic or not recently symptomatic fellow eye examined prospectively for vitreous cells and retinal tears. Results Of those fellow eyes with 2 + or more vitreous cells (10 or more cells per l-mm slit-lamp field), 31.6% (6/19) had one or more tears vs 1.6% (9/566) of those with 1+ or fewer cells (less than nine cells per l-mm slit-lamp field) (P = .0001). Conclusions A substantial number of vitreous cells, even in an eye with no recent symptoms, is correlated with the presence of a retinal tear. Additionally, a retinal tear may exist in an eye with 1 + or fewer cells.
Skeletal muscle rofiles amon elite long, middle, and short distance swimmers

Skeletal muscle profiles of fiber composition and leg power and strength were obtained in 30 national caliber swimmers (20 males, 10 females). Subjects were classified into three groups based upon the distance of their primary events [long distance (LDS), middle distance (MDS), and short distance (SDS) swimmers]. Intergroup analyses showed that the LDS group had the highest values of percent Type I muscle fiber composition (percent Type I and percent Type I area), and the lowest values of leg power and strength values (vertical jump and torque-velocity relationships). In addition, when grouped by Type I fiber composition, subjects having greater than or equal to 50% Type I fibers had significantly lower vertical jump and torque values than those having less than 50% Type I fibers. Overall, the compositional and functional measurements were consistent with the specific metabolic and contractile demands of the different swim groups.
Extending a Prolog architecture for high performance numeric computations

The Aquarius numeric processor (ANP) is an extended numeric instruction set architecture that is based on the Berkeley programmed logic machine (PLM) and supports integrated symbolic and numeric calculations. This extension expands the existing numeric data type to include 32- and 64-bit integers and single- and double-precision floating-point numbers conforming to the IEEE Standard P754. A class of data structure called numeric arrays has been added to represent matrices and arrays found in most scientific programming languages. Powerful numeric instructions are included to manipulate these novel data types. The authors describe the programming model and the architecture of the ANP. An experimental ANP is currently under construction using TTL (transistor-transistor logic) and ECL (emitter-coupled logic) parts. Simulated performance results indicate that the system will achieve about 10 MFLOPs (millions of floating-point operations) on the Prolog version of some Whetstone and Linpack benchmarks and close to 20 MFLOPS on some matrix operations (all in double precision). >
Dynamic laser-guided contouring for dedicated emission mammotomography

The dedicated breast CZT-based SPECT imaging system in our lab implements novel 3D camera trajectories that can minimize breast-detector separation, thus improving resolution and image quality. Current trajectories are manually customized for each patient by measuring breast-detector separations at several positions and interpolating. This study seeks to transition from this manual method to an automated contouring solution for routine patient SPECT imaging, given the vast array of uncompressed breast shapes in women.
Disturbance and recovery of coral assemblages

Trends in the health of coral reefs worldwide were examined by surveying the literature for quantitative studies of coral abundance that were at least four years long and contained data on variance among samples. Of the 65 examples in which sufficient data exist to make a judgment, coral cover did not decline in 29%, with fewer declines in the Indo-Pacific than in the W. Atlantic. Coral cover declined and recovered in 29% (all in the Indo-Pacific) and declined but did not recover in 42% of the examples (16% in the Indo-Pacific and 26% in the W. Atlantic). Thus, coral assemblages were relatively stable over ecological time scales in 58% of the examples surveyed. However, the W. Atlantic region was more unstable than the Indo-Pacific; declines without subsequent recovery occurred in 57% of W. Atlantic examples but in only 29% of those in the Indo-Pacific. The principal reason corals recovered in some local sites but not in others seems to be related to the type of disturbance that caused the decline. Coral cover recovered after 69% of the acute, short-term disturbances but after only 27% of the chronic, long-term ones.
Synthetic Aperature Diffraction Tomography and Its Interpolation-Free Computer Implementation

A new tomographic imaging technique is presented that requires only two rotational positions of an object. Although ideally the angle between the two rotational positions should be 90°, theory predicts that valid results should be obtainable, albeit with reduced spatial resolution, even when this condition is not satisfied. For each rotational position of the object, the data is collected most efficiently by using arrays on both the transmit and the receive sides; the elements of the transmit array are fired sequentially, and for each such firing the received field is measured over all the elements of the receive array. It is shown thot this measurement strotegy firrs up the Fourier space, from which the object can be recovered by simple Fourier inversion. This imaging strategy was derived from the equations of propagation in an inhomogeneous medium with Born and Rytov approximations. A digital implementation is also presented of the proposed algorithm that requires no interpolations in either the frequency or the space domain, and can be carried out with only 2N FFT's for reconstructing an N X Nimage. Since no interpolations are carried out whatsoever, no computational errors are introduced by the algorithm itself. The total computational complexity of the procedure is of the order of Ow3) as compared to O(Ar4) for a filtered-backpropagation algorithm and O(NZ log N) for procedures based on interpolation in the frequency domain. Some computer simulation results have been included to demonstrate the numerical accuracy of the algorithm.
Practical Considerations in the Evaluation and Management of Adrenocortical Cancer

Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a rare, challenging disease with a broad range of clinical presentations. Often presenting in an advanced stage with a large, locally invasive primary tumor or with Cushing's syndrome, it requires a multidisciplinary approach to treatment. We discuss controversies in the evaluation and management of ACC. We conclude that the role of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) remains unclear and that it should be employed sparingly. Biopsies should be performed only when metastatic disease is present and a primary tumor has not been clearly established. Care should be taken in using the Weiss criteria to make decisions regarding prognosis. Surgery is the preferred intervention initially and at the time of recurrence, and every effort should be made to attempt a surgical resection. The latter should be an open resection; laparoscopic resection should not be performed if there is a high suspicion of ACC. The use of mitotane in patients without evidence of disease remains controversial. Systemic chemotherapy is effective in patients with widely metastatic disease or as an adjunct to a surgical intervention and should focus on regimens that have been shown to effect responses; "novel targeted therapies" should not be employed as first-line treatment. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation can be very helpful but are still under evaluation; embolization with or without chemotherapy may be used as a surgical adjunct. The role of radiation remains to be defined. Finally, physicians caring for these patients need to recognize that Cushing's disease is a debilitating problem that should be managed aggressively; expecting chemotherapy to solve this complication is not appropriate.
Religion, Mastery-Over-Nature, and Environmental Concern

Religious institutions are identified as important in maintaining a mastery-overnature orientation in Western culture. This orientation has presumably influenced environmental attitudes in a negative manner. Despite widespread discussion, little empirical research has been undertaken to examine these relationships. This paper identifies three alternative approaches to examining the link between religious identification and commitment, mastery-over-nature orientation, and concern for environmental problems: (1) White's model, (2) a denominational diversity model, and (3) a "no difference" model. These approaches are examined empirically using data from a mail survey of Washington State residents. The results indicate support for the view that Judeo-Christians are generally more committed to the mastery-over-nature orientation than non-Judeo-Christians, but that this commitment varies considerably among denominations. Furthermore, commitment to the mastery-over-nature orientation is instumental in shaping concern for environmental problems.
Endocytic activity of Sertoli cells grown in bicameral culture chambers.

Immature rat Sertoli cells were cultured for 7 to 14 days on Millipore filters impregnated with a reconstituted basement membrane extract in dualenvironment (bicameral) culture chambers. Electron microscopy of the cultured cells revealed the presence of rod-shaped mitochondria, Golgi apparatus, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and Sertoli-Sertoli tight junctions, typical of these cells in vivo. The endocytic activity of both the apical and basal surfaces of the Sertoli cells was examined by either adding alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha2-M) conjugated to 20 nm gold particles to the apical chamber or by adding 125I labeled alpha2-M to the basal chamber. During endocytosis from the apical surface of Sertoli cells, the alpha2-M-gold particles were bound initially to coated pits and then internalized into coated vesicles within 5 minutes. After 10 minutes, the alpha2-M-gold was found in multivesicular bodies (MVBs) and by 30 minutes it was present in the lysosomes. The proportion of alpha2-M-gold found within endocytic cell organelles after 1 hour of uptake was used to estimate the approximate time that this ligand spent in each type of organelle. The alpha2-M-gold was present in coated pits, coated vesicles, multivesicular bodies, and lysosomes for approximately 3, 11, 22, and 24 minutes, respectively. This indicates that the initial stages of endocytosis are rapid, whereas MVBs and lysosomes are relatively long-lived. Since alpha2-M-gold was unable to permeate from the basal chamber through the Millipore filter to Sertoli cells, the uptake of alpha2-M from the basal cytoplasm of Sertoli cells was studied using 125I-alpha2-M. After 2 hours incubation, approximately 1.7% of the added 125I-alpha2-M was taken up specifically by the basal cytoplasm of the Sertoli cells. Both alpha2-M-gold and 125I-alpha2-M could be displaced by increasing concentrations of unlabeled alpha2-M. This indicates that alpha2-macroglobulin was internalized by a receptor-mediated endocytic process both from the apical surface and the basal surface of confluent epithelial sheets of Sertoli cells grown in bicameral culture chambers.
Transformation, Microstructure Development, and Densification in α‐Fe2O3‐Seeded Boehmite‐Derived Alumina

Addition of α-Fe2O3 seed particles to alkoxide-derived boehmite sols resulted in a 10-fold increase in isothermal rate constants for the transformation of γ- to α-Al2O3. Changes in porosity and surface area with sintering temperature showed no effect of seeding on coarsening of the transition alumina gels, but the 200-fold decrease in surface area associated with transformation to α-Al2O3 occurred ∼ 100°C lower in seeded gels compared with unseeded materials. As a result of high nucleation frequency and reduced microstructure coarsening, fully transformed seeded alumina retained specific surface areas >22 m2/g and exhibited narrow pore size distributions, permitting development of fully dense, submicrometer α-Al2O3 at ∼ 1200°C.
Decreased hepatic futile cycling compensates for increased glucose disposal in the Pten heterodeficient mouse

Despite altered regulation of insulin signaling, Pten+/− heterodeficient standard diet–fed mice, ∼4 months old, exhibit normal fasting glucose and insulin levels. We report here a stable isotope flux phenotyping study of this “silent” phenotype, in which tissue-specific insulin effects in whole-body Pten+/−-deficient mice were dissected in vivo. Flux phenotyping showed gain of function in Pten+/− mice, seen as increased peripheral glucose disposal, and compensation by a metabolic feedback mechanism that 1) decreases hepatic glucose recycling via suppression of glucokinase expression in the basal state to preserve hepatic glucose production and 2) increases hepatic responsiveness in the fasted-to-fed transition. In Pten+/− mice, hepatic gene expression of glucokinase was 10-fold less than wild-type (Pten+/+) mice in the fasted state and reached Pten+/+ values in the fed state. Glucose-6-phosphatase expression was the same for Pten+/− and Pten+/+ mice in the fasted state, and its expression for Pten+/− was 25% of Pten+/+ in the fed state. This study demonstrates how intra- and interorgan flux compensations can preserve glucose homeostasis (despite a specific gene defect that accelerates glucose disposal) and how flux phenotyping can dissect these tissue-specific flux compensations in mice presenting with a “silent” phenotype.
Reconsidering the Role of Interaction in Analyzing and Reporting Focus Groups

In the two sections of this article, I examine aspects of the analysis and reporting of interaction in focus groups. In both sections, I argue that the essential importance of interaction for producing the data in focus groups does not correspond to any requirement that the analysis or the reporting of that data should emphasize interaction. With regard to analyzing interaction, the goals of the research should guide the analysis of the data, and those goals might or might not emphasize interaction. In particular, a great deal of focus group research is conducted for substantive and practical purposes, where the analysis typically requires little attention to the dynamics of interaction in those groups. With regard to reporting interaction, quotations from single individuals can often be the most efficient and effectives ways to accomplish an article's goals; however, I also discuss the kinds of situations where there are good reasons to report interaction among the participants. I conclude by briefly describing a different agenda for examining the importance of interaction in focus groups.
REPRESENTATIONS OF LIE ALGEBRAS BUILT OVER HILBERT SPACE

Starting with a complex Hilbert space, using inductive limits, we build Lie algebras, and find families of representations. They include those often studied in mathematical physics in order to model quantum statistical mechanics or quantum fields. We explore natural actions on infinite tensor algebras T(H) built with a functorial construction, starting with a fixed Hilbert space H. While our construction applies also when H is infinite-dimensional, the case with N ≔ dim H finite is of special interest as the symmetry group we consider is then a copy of the non-compact Lie group U(N, 1). We give the tensor algebra T(H) the structure of a Hilbert space, i.e. the unrestricted infinite tensor product Fock space . The tensor algebra T(H) is naturally represented as acting by bounded operators on , and U(N, 1) as acting as a unitary representation. From this we built a covariant system, and we explore how the fermion, the boson, and the q on Hilbert spaces are reduced by the representations. In particular we display the decomposition into irreducible representations of the naturally defined U(N, 1) representation.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESS MATURITY (PM)2 MODEL

This paper presents the project management process maturity (PM) 2 model that determines and positions an organization's relative project management level with other organizations. The comprehensive model follows a systematic approach to establish an organization's current project management level. Each maturity level consists of major project management characteristics, factors, and processes. The model evolves from functionally driven organizational practices to project driven organization that incorporates continuous project learning. The (PM) 2 model provides an orderly, disciplined process to achieve higher levels of project management maturity.
Subacute sensory neuropathy: a remote effect of carcinoma.

Seven patients with subacute sensory neuropathy are described and the findings in 29 previously reported patients are reviewed. The presence of this characteristic neurological disorder strongly suggests an accompanying neoplasm. Five of 7 patients had cancer, and 4 died. Autopsy was performed on 3, and pathological analysis revealed inflammation and degeneration of dorsal root ganglia and degeneration of posterior roots and posterior columns of the spinal cord. The dorsal root ganglion was biopsied in 4 patients and showed similar inflammatory lesions. Electron microscopical studies showed inflammation and neuronal degneration. No viral particles were seen. Viral cultures of the biopsied ganglia from 4 patients were negative. Antineuronal antibodies were not detected in 2 patients. The cause of this syndrome is unknown, and no treatment has been successful.
The biomechanics of canine retractionwith arch wire guidance

Abstract An often required segment of active orthodontic therapy is the distal displacementof canine teeth. The appliance used may include a continuous arch wire to influence the displacement path and orientation of the canine during tooth movement. If the distal driving force of the appliance mechanics is delivered adjacent to the facial crown surface, the mechanical moment of that force has two dental reference-frame components, representing tendencies to distal crown tip and distolingually rotate the canine. Both rotations are often unwanted, and the latter may be substantially suppressed by partitioning the driving force faciolingually. An important additional challenge is the maintenance of appropriate intraoral anchorage. The focus of this article is the orthodontic displacement of the canine as viewed from a facial perspective. A plane analysis is undertaken that must necessarily consider the mechanics of the appliance action and the biomechanics of the periodontal response. An objective is to revisit several thought-provoking clinical questions. The principal inquiry is into the form of the displacement in the sagittal plane throughout the time period of this phase of orthodontic therapy.
Gravity of Subjectivity

This work is based on quantum modification of the general relativity, which includes effects of production /absorption of gravitons by the vacuum. It turns out, that gravitons created and continued to influence the universe, including people. The theory (without fitting parameters) is in good quantitative agreement with cosmological observations. In this theory we got an interface between gravitons and ordinary matter, which very likely exist not only in cosmos, but everywhere, including our body and, especially, our brain. Subjective experiences are considered as a manifestation of that interface. This opens a possibility of a "communication" with gravitons. Probable applications of these ideas include health (brain stimulation), communication, computational capabilities and energy resources. Social consequences of these ideas can be comparable with the effects of invention and application of electricity.
The effects of buddy support on physical activity in African American women

ii Dedication vi Acknowledgements vii List of Tables xiii List of Figures iv Chapter
On the Possibility of Feminist Philosophy of Physics

The dynamic nature of physics cannot be captured through an exclusive focus on the static mathematical formulations of physical theories. Instead, we can more fruitfully think of physics as a set of distinctively social, cognitive, and theoretical/methodological practices. An emphasis on practice has been one of the most notable aspects of the recent “naturalistic turn” in general philosophy of science, in no small part due to the arguments of many feminist philosophers of science. A major project of feminist philosophy of physics has been to shine a critical light on the social and cognitive practices in physics, and how those ultimately influence other aspects of the science. Here we argue that traditional philosophy of physics has focused exclusively on the theoretical/methodological practices of physics, and that feminist philosophy of physics seeks to broaden the focus to include the social and cognitive practices as well.
Enfold: Downclocking OFDM in Wi-Fi

The link rate of popular wireless technologies, such as 802.11, has increased markedly over the past two decades: 802.11ac promises near-gigabit speeds in handset form factors. Yet only a small fraction of the devices outfitted with such radios actually make use of the full channel capacity and, even if they do, only do so sporadically. Hence many existing wireless devices frequently underutilize the channel, yet reap no particular benefits for doing so. In particular, neither transmission nor reception is power proportional in typical devices, even when the channel quality is sufficiently high to support far more energy-efficient modulations and encodings.
A tool for sexual minority mental health research: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) as a depressive symptom severity measure for sexual minority women in Viet Nam.

ABSTRACTIn a context with limited attention to mental health and prevalent sexual prejudice, valid measurements are a key first step to understanding the psychological suffering of sexual minority populations. We adapted the Patient Health Questionnaire as a depressive symptom severity measure for Vietnamese sexual minority women, ensuring its cultural relevance and suitability for Internet-based research. Psychometric evaluation found that the scale is mostly unidimensional and has good convergent validity, good external construct validity, and excellent reliability. The sample's high endorsement of scale items emphasizes the need to study minority stress and mental health in this population.
Dendritic spine remodeling following early and late Rac1 inhibition after spinal cord injury: evidence for a pain biomarker

Neuropathic pain is a significant complication following spinal cord injury (SCI) with few effective treatments. Drug development for neuropathic pain often fails because preclinical studies do not always translate well to clinical conditions. Identification of biological characteristics predictive of disease state or drug responsiveness could facilitate more effective clinical translation. Emerging evidence indicates a strong correlation between dendritic spine dysgenesis and neuropathic pain. Because dendritic spines are located on dorsal horn neurons within the spinal cord nociceptive system, dendritic spine remodeling provides a unique opportunity to understand sensory dysfunction after SCI. In this study, we provide support for the postulate that dendritic spine profiles can serve as biomarkers for neuropathic pain. We show that dendritic spine profiles after SCI change to a dysgenic state that is characteristic of neuropathic pain in a Rac1-dependent manner. Suppression of the dysgenic state through inhibition of Rac1 activity is accompanied by attenuation of neuropathic pain. Both dendritic spine dysgenesis and neuropathic pain return when inhibition of Rac1 activity is lifted. These findings suggest the utility of dendritic spines as structural biomarkers for neuropathic pain.
Members of the House of Representatives and the Processes of Modernization, 1789–1960

HEN the "new" histories were germinating in the midand late 1950s, there were high hopes for the technique of collective biographynot that a method used by Charles A. Beard could be considered novel.' But various pundits believed that historians, by showing a little more industry in collecting biographical data and a little more effort in achieving a judicious blend of analytical rigor and creative imagination, might effect all sorts of rewarding breakthroughs. Since then, American historians have called a motley array of collectivities to the colors, and the results, if sometimes stimulating and informative, have also been more mixed, indeterminate, and frustrating than the euphoria of twenty years ago seemed to promise. A number of collective profiles depict sectors of the American political elite, but the authors of these studies have most commonly examined relatively restricted groups or confined themselves to restricted time periods, and investigators applying the method to members of Congress or to state legislators have concentrated primarily on the recent period of American history.
Abstract 3360: Inhibition of ALDH activity prevents the maintenance and expansion of cancer stem cell-like population in a mouse model of breast cancer

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis proposes that CSCs are the root of cancer and cause cancer metastasis and recurrence. High activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) has been recognized as a marker for normal and malignant stem cells. It has been also known that ALDH activity is important for multiple biological activities including drug resistance, cell differentiation, and oxidative metabolism. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanism of ALDH activity in CSC dynamics. To address the underlying mechanism, we have used the 4T1 mouse model of breast cancer. We found that ALDHpos cells showed a high increase of the stem cell-like properties, such as sphere forming ability, expression of stem markers, and tumor initiation ability in vivo, when compared with the counterparts. Blockade of ALDH activity suppressed these properties of CSC. Especially, the high activity of ALDH was shown to enhance CSC properties through up-regulating Oct-4 expression that is dependent on oxygen-related transcription factor. Therefore, these findings suggest that the selective targeting of ALDH activity may be useful for stem specific cancer therapies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3360.
AIDS funds: promised.

In their Policy Forum “Global HIV/AIDS policy in transition” (11 June, p. [1359][1]), J. Bongaarts and M. Over argue that expansion of HIV treatment is unsustainable. In 2005, the G8 promised Africa $25 billion in order to ensure “universal access” to HIV treatment by 2010 ([ 1 ][2]). The
Understanding Differences Between Heroin and Other Drug Users Among Individuals Entering Treatment

Heroin use rates have dramatically increased across the country in recent years. Kentucky has been particularly affected due in part to policies aimed at restricting the availability of prescription painkillers, resulting in making heroin more available and cheap. This study investigated differences between heroin users and nonheroin users in their social and demographic characteristics, previous substance use history, criminal justice involvement, and mental and physical health. Interviews were conducted as part of a pilot study with 60 individuals entering 2 substance abuse treatment facilities. Results indicate that in contrast to nonheroin users, heroin users were younger, fewer reported being married, they were more satisfied with living arrangements, and they had less previous criminal justice involvement. Heroin users also reported greater lifetime use of other substances (i.e., alcohol, other opiates, cocaine, amphetamines, and hallucinogens) and more engagement in high-risk substance-using behavi...