cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Where to Look: A Unified Attention Model for Visual Recognition with Reinforcement Learning

The idea of using the recurrent neural network for visual attention has gained popularity in computer vision community. Although the recurrent attention model (RAM) leverages the glimpses with more large patch size to increasing its scope, it may result in high variance and instability. For example, we need the Gaussian policy with high variance to explore object of interests in a large image, which may cause randomized search and unstable learning. In this paper, we propose to unify the top-down and bottom-up attention together for recurrent visual attention. Our model exploits the image pyramids and Q-learning to select regions of interests in the top-down attention mechanism, which in turn to guide the policy search in the bottom-up approach. In addition, we add another two constraints over the bottom-up recurrent neural networks for better exploration. We train our model in an end-to-end reinforcement learning framework, and evaluate our method on visual classification tasks. The experimental results outperform convolutional neural networks (CNNs) baseline and the bottom-up recurrent attention models on visual classification tasks.
Theories of Demarcation Between Science and Metaphysics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the theories of demarcation between science and metaphysics. It describes several problems of rational evaluation of claims by means of criteria of demarcation. Problems of rationality are the basic problems of the history of philosophy. The chapter also discusses several historical and theoretical criticisms of Popper's falsifiability criterion of demarcation between science and nonscience. This theory was offered in opposition to logical positivism to unravel two fundamental problems of philosophy Popper has written that the problem of demarcating science from nonscience is the central problem of the theory of knowledge. In his book “Conjectures and Refutations,” Popper has described the solution to the problem of demarcation as the key to most of the fundamental problems of the philosophy of science.
ECLAMPSIA AND THE WEATHER.

Abstract 1. 1. The occurrence of 40 cases of eclampsia during the 4 year period from 1957 through 1960 was correlated with conditions obtained from climatic means. 2. 2. Twenty of 40 cases were seen during the August through October “hurricane season.” When considered as an attack rate per 1,000 deliveries, this was found to represent a threefold increase. 3. 3. A “lag” period of 60 days occurred between the onset of mean monthly temperatures above 80° F. and the increased attack rate. 4. 4. October is the peak month for eclampsia in Miami and has typically a mean temperature of 77° F., with only 1 day over 90° F. Perhaps of more immediate importance is the mean relative humidity of 87 per cent and the reduced mean barometric pressure, since both of these factors predispose to water retention.
Lectures on coarse geometry

Metric spaces Coarse spaces Growth and amenability Translation algebras Coarse algebraic topology Coarse negative curvature Limits of metric spaces Rigidity Asymptotic dimension Groupoids and coarse geometry Coarse embeddability Bibliography.
Opposition by the States: How Negative Responses to the No Child Left Behind Act has Impacted the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

The initial passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2002 was seen as a bipartisan victory towards education reform that would close the achievement gap. Since the passage of the NCLB, 38 states have shown opposition to the legislation through a variety of responses including producing legislation in attempts to opt-out of provisions, turning to the judicial system for recourse when funding is withheld, and passing symbolic resolutions. This paper completes a cross-state analysis to determine why so much opposition exists to NCLB and how states’ responses have influenced Congress’s inability to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 2007, under which NCLB was created. States showing opposition vary tremendously, including by size, average family income, political ideology, and academic achievement prior to passage. By analyzing policy feedbacks due to implementation concerns of states, this paper adds to current scholars’ theories about the implementation process. By recognizing how excluded actors from the adoption of NCLB have influenced previously supportive actors of the law this paper combines elements of both top-down and bottom-up implementation approaches discussed in the literature to provide a richer and more accurate understanding of the implementation process. The starting point for such a study comes from understanding the response of those who have struggled with implementing NCLB.
Documenting Taiwan on film : issues and methods in new documentaries

1. Introduction Tze-lan D. Sang and Sylvia Li-chun Lin 2. Re/Making Histories: On Historical Documentary Film and Taiwan: A People's History Daw-Ming Lee 3. Re-Creating the White Terror on the Screen Sylvia Li-chun Lin 4. Reclaiming Taiwan's Colonial Modernity: The Case of Viva Tonal: The Dance Age, Tze-lan D. Sang 5. Cultivating Taiwanese: Yen Lan-chuan and Juang Yi-tseng's Let it Be (Wu Mi Le), Bert M. Scruggs 6.The Politics and Aesthetics of Seeing in Jump! Boys, Hsiu-Chuang Deppman 7. "Should I Put Down the Camera?": Ethics in Contemporary Taiwanese Documentary Films Kuei-fen Chiu 8. Documenting Environmental Protest: Taiwan's Gongliao Fourth Nuclear Power Plant And the Cultural Politics of Dialogic Artifice Christopher Lupke 9. Sentimentalism and the Phenomenon of Collective "Inward-looking": A Critical Analysis of Mainstream Taiwanese Documentary Li-hsin Kuo
Assessment of the reproductive physiology of the potto (Perodicticus potto) through fecal hormone metabolite analyses and trans-abdominal ultrasonography.

Potto (Perodicticus potto) reproductive biology has been minimally studied. Noninvasive endocrinology and ultrasonography are proven tools for reproductive assessment in other primates. In this study, we used fecal hormone metabolite analysis to monitor one adult male potto and four females at different life stages. Validated testosterone (T), estrone conjugate (EC), and progesterone (P4) enzyme immunoassays (EIA) were used to assess male testicular function and female ovarian and placental activity. The male excreted mean T concentrations of 4.72 (±1.66) μg/g feces, that did not differ (P > 0.05) over time or when paired with alternate females. Baseline concentrations of EC (range: 47.93–78.81 ng/g feces) and P4 (range: 2.29–12.46 μg/g feces) differed among adult females. Follicular phases averaged 9.1 days (±3.43, n = 30 phases), whereas luteal phases averaged 19.89 days (±9.49, n = 19 phases). Gestation length (n = 2 pregnancies) was 170 days. Gestational EC and P4 concentrations were positively correlated (pregnancy A, r (132) = 0.71; pregnancy B, r (145) = 0.76) and returned to non-pregnant luteal phase levels 3–7 days post parturition. Extreme differences between pregnant and non-pregnant EC and P4 concentrations may allow for one-sample pregnancy diagnosis. Trans-abdominal ultrasonography was validated for pregnancy diagnosis with the fetus observed between 100 and 110 days post breeding. To our knowledge, this is the first use of fecal endocrinology and ultrasonography to monitor reproductive function and pregnancy in this species, and the only study in any lorisid to measure progestagens in correlation with reproductive events. Zoo Biol. 34:244–254, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Case report: Prolonged collodion membrane causing constrictive bands of the digits and treatment

Collodion babies present unique diagnostic and management challenges. We describe a 2-month-old female with lamellar ichthyosis and prolonged collodion membrane with two constrictive bands of the fingers causing significant erythema, edema, and pain. We suggest prompt release of these constrictive bands with an 11-blade and closely follow up of collodion babies until their membrane has fully desquamated.
Order of functions bounded on a spiral

The purpose of this paper is to improve a result of Schnitzer and Seidel [6] and to continue an analogy between entire functions and the class of functions which are holomorphic and unbounded in the unit disk, but bounded on a boundary spiral. The existence of such functions was established by Valiron [7].
Heuristic guidance measures for conformant planning

Scaling conformant planning is a problem that has received much attention of late. Many planners solve the problem as a search in the space of belief states, and some heuristic guidance techniques have been developed to estimate the distance between belief states. We claim that heuristic techniques in the past involved an ad hoc combination of classical planning heuristics and cardinality measures. We discuss how to derive heuristics systematically, with the help of planning graphs, such that the measures reflect the reachability of relevant states within belief states. To demonstrate these ideas we show how distances between belief states can be estimated by a set of reachability heuristics. We empirically evaluate their effectiveness within a conformant regression planner named C Alt Alt.
Intimate Partner Violence Victims Seeking a Temporary Restraining Order: Social Support and Resilience Attenuating Psychological Distress

Social support has been found in many studies to be a protective factor for those exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV), but personal resilience has received far less attention. The present study concerns 136 female IPV victims seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) from a Family Justice Center (FJC). The relationships between IPV victimization, social support, resilience, and psychological distress were examined. Hierarchical regressions found that both perceived social support and self-reported resilience were inversely associated with distress symptoms. Higher social support was associated with lower trauma symptoms, controlling for abuse history, demographics, and resilience. Higher resilience was associated with lower mood symptoms and lower perceived stress, controlling for abuse history, demographics, and social support. No significant associations were recorded for anger symptoms. These findings suggest that fostering resilience can have important health benefits for IPV victims, above and beyond the well-known benefits of social support. Ways that resilience might be cultivated in this population and other implications for practice are discussed.
Mechanism of the antidiarrheal effect of loperamide.

To determine whether the antidiarrheal effect of loperamide is due to an effect on intestinal motor function or to an acceleration of the rate of absorption by the intestine (as has been suggested recently), we studied absorption during experimental diarrhea produced by the rapid intragastric infusion of electrolyte solution. In studies in which a 2700-m1 bolus of electrolyte solution was infused into the stomach over 90 min, loperamide delayed the appearance of rectal effluent in each of 5 subjects and decreased the volume of rectal effluent from 1090 ± 118 to 770 ± 73 ml (p = 0.05). When intragastric infusion was continued for 5 h, producing steadystate total gut perfusion, the volume of effluent produced per unit time and the concentration of a nonabsorbable polyethylene glycol marker in rectal effluent was not different with or without loperamide, indicating that loperamide did not alter the rate of absorption by intestinal mucosal cells. Loperamide also had no effect during steady-state perfusion when absorption rates were reduced by intravenous infusion of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. Loperamide did substantially increase the intraluminal volume of the total gut, from 985 ± 131 to 1764 ± 195 ml (p
Glycosidases in Normal Human Leukocytes and Abnormalities in GM1-Gangliosidosis

Leukocyte enzyme assay is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of mucolipidoses and glycosphingolipidoses. Accurate resolution of the normal ranges of glycosidase activity is vital in the evaluation of both homozygotes and suspected heterozygote carriers. Activities of leukocyte β-galactosidase, α-galactosidase, α-mannosidase, β-fucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, and β-galactosaminidase were measured in a large population of normal subjects and demonstrated, within 95% confidence limits, to be normally distributed. Leukocyte glycosidases were determined in a GM1-gangliosidosis homozygote and in the heterozygous parents. A previously unreported deficiency of β-fucosidase and the well-known deficiency of β-galactosidase were demonstrated in the proband, and corresponding but less severe deficiencies of both glycosidases were found in the parents. β-Galactosidase and β-fucosidase may represent a single enzyme, unspecific for the carbon 6 of galactose. If not, the genetic defect in GM1-gangliosidosis may be more profound than has been recognized.
Conservation Concepts in College Students: A Replication and Critique

(1971). Conservation Concepts in College Students: A Replication and Critique. The Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol. 118, No. 2, pp. 265-270.
Important considerations on the use of an integrating focal plane array camera in an optical recognition system

Two cameras used as output transducers in a time-sequenced templet-matching optical correction system are compared. One camera, a charge-injection device (CID) camera, is equipped with an image intensifier, automatic gain control (AGC), and a standard video output, while the second camera is a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera without an intensifier or AGC but with a computer interface custom-designed to use the camera's digital output. The cameras are used at the output of the optical correlator in order to integrate high frame-rate time-sequenced output correlation responses derived from binary phase-only filters. It is concluded that an image intensifier is the most important feature to have in a CCD or CID camera because the use of it results in a shorter integration time.
Expanding the boundaries through the use of technology in informal learning spaces

Through the use of emerging technologies the University of Washington is promoting learning and teaching in informal learning spaces. There are several types of learning spaces that are available to students, faculty, and staff such as the Learning Technologies Labs Service, General Access Labs, and Emerging Technology Studios. These spaces maintained and operated by Catalyst, a department on campus, and have roughly 65,000 logins a week.Another way Catalyst is expanding boundaries is the way these spaces are operated and maintained which is through the use of a student staff. They handle the installation, technical support, and operation of these spaces and are managed by a small full-time staff.
Two new species and new records for Pteris (Pteridaceae) from Colombia

A systematic review of the Colombian species of the tribe Pterideae (Pteridaceae) resulted in the discovery of two new species ofPteris:P. muricatopedata andP. albertiae, both in the Deflexa group. Two species are reported for the first time from Colombia:P. bakeri C. Chr. andP. lechleri Mett.
Homologous Recombination: Needing to Have My Say

Recent studies in budding and fission yeasts have revealed Mei5 and Sae3 as factors necessary for the proper function of the recombinases Dmc1 and Rad51 in DNA repair and meiotic recombination, providing new insights into how strand exchange proteins are directed along specific recombination pathways.
Combined affinity and ion pair liquid chromatographies for the analysis of folate distribution in tissues

The method described herein is designed to analyse the intact folate molecule in a simple two-step procedure; First, folates in the tissue extracts are purified by affinity chromatography using immobilized milk folate binding protein as the affinity matrix. In the following step, the purified folate mixture is resolved using ion pair high performance liquid chromatographiy in combination with diode array detection system.
Ethical harm in virtual communities

This article analyzes under which conditions ethical relevant avatar harm occurs in virtual worlds. The authors argue that this is most likely to occur when there are some norms of acceptable behavior in a virtual world and when players see avatars as constitutive to their identity. Other than online environments characterized by a ‘caveat emptor’ approach, Second Life is governed by certain norms of acceptable behavior. While Second Life inhabitants do not see a need for an additional code of ethics for their community, they do have notions of wrong and right behavior. However what exactly constitutes norm violating behavior and ethically relevant avatar harm is often times contested, as the example of online reactions to an avatar upskirt gallery in Second Life illustrate. Players who see their avatars as extensions of themselves are more at risk of ethical harm when a norm violation occurs than players for whom their avatar constitutes an entity distinct from the self.
Management of pediatric status epilepticus.

Status epilepticus (SE) is a medical emergency consisting of persistent or recurring seizures without a return to baseline mental status. SE can be divided into subtypes based on seizure types and underlying etiologies. Management should be implemented rapidly and based on pre-determined care pathways. The aim is to terminate seizures while simultaneously identifying and managing precipitant conditions. Seizure management involves “emergent” treatment with benzodiazepines (lorazepam intravenously, midazolam intramuscularly, or diazepam rectally) followed by “urgent” therapy (phenytoin/fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, levetiracetam or valproate sodium). If seizures persist, “refractory” treatments include infusions of midazolam or pentobarbital. Prognosis is dependent on the underlying etiology and seizure persistence. This article reviews the current management strategies for pediatric convulsive SE.
Making a difference: 30 years of TDR

When the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) was established in the mid-1970s, it represented an innovative institutional formula in terms of its structure and the manner in which scientists were convened from both developed and developing countries to address some of the world's most neglected parasitic diseases. A review of TDR's historical record sheds light not only on some important milestones in tropical-disease research, but also on how future challenges could be approached and hopefully surmounted.
Unusual Structures Observed in X-Ray Emission from Laser-Irradiated Targets

X-ray images of laser-irradiated solid targets show spicular structures in the blowoff plasma. Higher density is inferred in the structures, which seem to follow the fluid flow from the target. An explanation involving localized fast-electron production is offered.
Photographic detection of luminescence in Escherichia coli containing the gene for firefly luciferase

The gene for firefly luciferase (luc) can be used as a generalized genetic probe. A method that aids in the analysis of shuttle vectors containing luc by allowing verification in Escherichia coli of a functional coding sequence is presented here. Colonies containing a functional form of luc are detected on film after luciferin is added to initiate the luminescent reaction. Two conditions, lowering the pH of the environment and maintaining aerobic conditions, were found to greatly improve the sensitivity of the assay. This technique may be useful in the development of genetic constructs that alter the natural coding sequence of luc, such as in gene fusions.
Enhanced Virulence of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 Spinach-Associated Outbreak Strain in Two Animal Models Is Associated with Higher Levels of Stx2 Production after Induction with Ciprofloxacin

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) causes hemorrhagic colitis and the hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). STEC strains may produce Stx1a and/or Stx2a or variants of either toxin. A 2006 spinach-associated outbreak of STEC O157:H7 resulted in higher hospitalization and HUS rates than previous STEC outbreaks. The spinach isolate, strain K3995, contains both stx2a and stx2c. We hypothesized that the enhanced virulence of K3995 reflects the combination of stx2 alleles (carried on lysogenic phages) and/or the amount of Stx2 made by that strain. We compared the virulence of K3995 to those of other O157:H7 isolates and an isogenic Stx2 mutant in rabbits and mice. We also measured the relative levels of Stx2 produced from those strains with or without induction of the stx-carrying phage. Some rabbits infected with K3995 exhibited intestinal pathology and succumbed to infection, while none of those infected with O157:H7 strain 2812 (Stx1a+ Stx2a+) died or showed pathological signs. Rabbits infected with the isogenic Stx2a mutant K3995 stx2a::cat were not colonized as well as those infected with K3995 and exhibited no signs of disease. In the streptomycin-treated mouse model, more animals infected with K3995 died than did those infected with O157:H7 strain 86-24 (Stx2a+). Additionally, K3995 produced higher levels of total Stx2 and toxin phage DNA in cultures after phage induction than did 86-24. Our results demonstrate the greater virulence of K3995 compared to other O157:H7 strains in rabbits and mice. We conclude that this enhanced virulence is linked to higher levels of Stx2 expression as a consequence of increased phage induction.
Integrating the Learning of Mathematics and Science Using Interactive Teaching and Learning Strategies

To help students grasp the intimate connections that exist between mathematics and its applications in other disciplines a library of interactive learning modules was developed. This library covers the mathematical areas normally studied by undergraduate students and is used in science courses at all levels. Moreover, the library is designed not just to provide critical connections across disciplines but to also provide longitudinal subject reinforcement as students progress in their studies. In the process of developing the modules a complete editing and publishing system was constructed that is optimized for automated maintenance and upgradeability of materials. The result is a single integrated production system for web-based educational materials. Included in this is a rigorous assessment program, involving both internal and external evaluations of each module. As will be seen, the formative evaluation obtained during the development of the library resulted in the modules successfully bridging multiple disciplines and breaking down the disciplinary barriers commonly found in their math and non-math courses.
Examination of power supply options for communication sites operating in grid-islanded environments

This paper discusses technological alternatives to operate communication sites without a grid connection. Two cases are the focus of this discussion: systems that are normally operating connected to the grid and they need to operate in islanded mode due to an involuntary event, such as a natural disasters, and systems where islanded operation is a desired choice, usually, for economic reasons. For the former, the performance of NTT-Facilities micro-grid in the city of Sendai after the March 11, 2011 earthquake is commented and lessons are drawn. For the latter case a new concept of data networking using distributed modular data centers is presented. The paper also discussed the availability model of these systems with particular focus on lifelines and sources modeling, including availability models for fuel delivery and for combination of renewable energy sources and batteries.
A new neutrino telescope project HANUL

Abstract A new neutrino telescope project, HANUL, is a proposal to explore high energy neutrinos from various cosmic accelerators. The proposed detector is a muon magnetic spectrometer with Cerenkov detectors to measure the sign and momentum of the upward going muons generated by charged current interactions of neutrinos inside the Earth. The area covered by the active detectors is about 1,000 m 2 and the detectors are to be made of many small modules. We will discuss what is unique about this proposal compared with other neutrino telescope projects.
Signs of Trouble: Regional Organization Mediation and Civil War Agreement Durability

Practitioners and scholars have long championed the positive effects of mediation by regional organizations on conflict resolution—an influence much quantitative research fails to confirm. Mediation by regional organizations signals powerful selection effects that can lead to erroneous inferences about the factors observed to influence the duration of dispute peace agreements. In order to control for selection, I develop a theory that accounts for the nature of the conflict and the identity of third-party mediators. Theoretically and statistically controlling for the negative effects of selection on agreement durability evinced through mediation by regional organizations makes clear their positive process effects. That is, by taking into account that regional mediators get especially hard-to-manage disputes we can observe the positive ways that regional mediation contributes to dispute resolution. This study advances our understanding of conflict management, regional organizations, and civil war.
Ternary phase equilibria for acetic acid-water mixtures with supercritical carbon dioxide

Abstract Ternary phase equilibrium data are presented for acetic acid-water mixtures with supercritical carbon dioxide at temperatures of 313 and 323 K and pressures of 73, 104 and 139 bar. Selectivities and distribution coefficients were obtained from these data and are also reported. Results indicate that supercritical carbon dioxide is not a suitable solvent for acetic acid-water separations. An experimental flow apparatus equipped with a view cell was used to obtain the experimental measurements. Limited phase equilibrium data for the binary systems water-carbon dioxide and acetic acid-carbon dioxide at 323 K and pressures from 56 to 177 bar are also presented.
Synthesis of fused ring heterocycles from aromatic amines with hydroximoyl chlorides

Substituted 2-arylbenzimidazoles, 2-arylbenzoxazoles and 2-arylbenzothiazoles were obtained in good yield by the reaction of hydroximoyl chlorides with ortho-substituted aromatic amines. The benzo moiety of the benzimidazoles was shown by nmr to be symmetrical, indicating that the N-H group proton of the imidazole ring is exchanging with the water protons in the DMSO-d6 solvent.
Minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix ("adenoma malignum"). An immunohistochemical comparison with microglandular endocervical hyperplasia and conventional endocervical adenocarcinoma.

In an effort to obtain objective information that would be useful in separating minimal deviation adenocarcinoma (MDA) or “adenoma malignum” of the endocervix from benign endocervical glandular proliferations, four cases of MDA were studied immunocytochemically, and compared with seven cases of microglandular endocervical hyperplasia (MEH) and six cases of conventional endocervical adenocarcinoma (ACA). Monoclonal antibodies to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and blood group isoantigens A, B, and H (BGI) were used in these analyses. All MDA and ACA were CEA-positive, whereas none of the cases of MEH stained for the presence of this substance. Six of seven examples of MEH expressed appropriate BGI; the remaining case failed to stain for blood group substances. In contrast, six of ten cases of malignant endocervical glandular tumors manifested “inappropriate” expression of BGI, based on the patients' known blood types. These data suggest that immunostains for CEA may be helpful in the diagnostic separation of MDA and MEH. The close biochemical similarity between CEA and BGI is postulated as an explanation for “inappropriate” expression of blood group antigens by malignant endocervical lesions. Cancer 58:1131-1138, 1986.
Polymorphism in intron 2 of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene, local midtrimester cytokine response to vaginal flora, and subsequent preterm birth.

Objective This study investigated the association between polymorphism in intron 2 of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene, midtrimester vaginal microflora, vaginal interleukin receptor antagonist and interleukin-1β levels and subsequent spontaneous preterm birth. Study design Vaginal samples from 212 women, collected at 18-22 weeks' gestation, were analyzed for the polymorphism in intron 2 of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene by polymerase chain reaction, qualitative and quantitative vaginal microflora, and interleukin-1β and interleukin-1ra concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pregnancy outcome data were subsequently obtained. Results Carriage of intron 2 of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist allele 2 (IL1RN ∗ 2) was associated with an elevated vaginal pH in black ( P P =.005) women, a reduced interleukin-1β response to anaerobic Gram-negative rods and/or Gardnerella vaginalis ( P P =.02). In black women, IL1RN ∗ 2 carriage was associated with increased anaerobic Gram-negative rods, Mycoplasma, and Peptostreptococci and decreased Lactobacilli colonization. Conclusion IL1RN ∗ 2 carriage was associated with a blunted proinflammatory interleukin-1β response to abnormal vaginal flora. This property may decrease susceptibility to infection-related preterm birth.
New service development in India's business‐to‐business financial services sector

Purpose – Few research studies have been done to investigate the issue of new service development (NSD) in an emerging market. To address this gap in the literature the aim of this paper is to document a study of the NSD process and the strategy of business‐to‐business financial service firms in India.Design/methodology/approach – The author conducted surveys of 148 multinational service firms operating in India and 126 local and indigenous Indian service firms belonging to the financial services industry.Findings – The findings suggest that significant differences exist between multinational service firms operating in India and local/indigenous Indian firms. That is, service firms belonging to these two varied groups use different strategies to compete in the industry and emphasize different sets of development stages in service innovation.Research limitations/implications – The analysis has been restricted to one emerging market, i.e. India. This suggests the need for further studies of NSD in other eme...
Doping of (211) B mercury cadmium telluride

We report on the electrical and electro-optical properties of n- and p-type (211)B mercury cadmium telluride grown by molecular beam epitaxy for Cd composition ∼ 0.22. Grown layers show excellent structural qualities with DCRC FWHM of 25-40 arcsec. However, in the unintentionally doped layers a complex picture of transport characteristics were observed. Indium doped layers grown on Nippon Mining substrates show excellent Hall characteristics and minority carrier lifetimes down to 1 X 10 15 cm -3 doping levels. But, when the net doping level falls below ∼ 2 X 10 15 cm -3 , the measured lifetime data indicates Shockly-Read (SR) recombination centers. We believe that these SR levels are related to Hg vacancies. Also, arsenic is being investigated as a p-type dopant through a new approach called planar doping for MBE-HgCdTe. The obtained results are very promising. During the growth process using this method, the incorporated arsenic can be electrically activated at a temperature not exceeding 250°C.
Beyond “loss‐of‐control”: telecommunications, surveillance, drugs and terrorism

In the US (and elsewhere), law enforcement agencies take the position that new telecommunications technologies are eroding their abilities to intercept and monitor electronic communications. They argue that they are “losing control”. Without new telecommunications surveillance powers, the argument runs, drug traffickers and terrorists will be able to operate with impunity within virtual sanctuaries. The problem with this narrative is that it functions to deflect attention from the fact that the US State has contributed significantly to some of the very problems that that have generated the calls for new surveillance powers. An alternative narrative sketched. It is argued that the escalation of the US State’s failed War on Drugs has been a key factor behind the proliferation of the recent surveillance initiatives. It is suggested that a similar dynamic may be operating in the US State’s New War on Terrorism.
Electrophoretic investigation of blood and parotoid venom proteins in Bufo americanus americanus and Bufo woodhousei fowleri

Abstract 1. 1. Blood and parotoid venom proteins of Bufo americanus americanus and Bufo woodhousei fowleri were studied using vertical block polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 2. 2. Plasma and venom contained no components of identical electrophoretic mobility in either species. 3. 3. Venom of both soecies contained esterases; certain esterase components appeared to be species specific. 4. 4. No lipoprotein component was found in the venom of either species. 5. 5. Venom of both species contained glycoproteins. 6. 6. Use of a non-ionic detergent improved the handling of the venom. 7. 7. Wart and parotoid venom proteins were qualitatively identical. 8. 8. Plasma transferrin and albumin components of both species were polymorphic. Single and double banded transferrin and albumin phenotypes were found in both species. 9. 9. Hemoglobin of both species was found to be single banded and to have identical electrophoretic mobility. 10. 10. No seasonal or sexual variation was apparent in venom or plasma proteins of either species.
Semi-automated chromatographic procedure for the isolation of acetylated N-terminal fragments from protein digests.

Abstract Several published procedures have been combined to develop a general strategy for the specific identification and isolation of the acetylated-N-terminal fragment from all other proteolytic fragments. This ruse can be divided into four steps: (i) succinylation of the substrate to block lysine NH2 groups; (ii) enzymatic digestion of the modified protein; (iii) automated phenylisothiocyanate derivatization of the protease derived fragments to block newly generated “free” N-termini; and (iv) reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line photodiode array spectroscopy. The individual phenylthiocarbamyl-peptide species exhibit an increased reversed phase retention time and a greater UV (210–297 nm) profile compared to the corresponding control (-phenylisothiocyanate) digest. The N-terminal acetylated fragment shows neither a retention time shift nor an augmented UV profile. To validate each process step, synthetic peptides and acetylated-N-terminal proteins of known sequence were used as test samples. The desired fragment was isolated from three proteins and positively identified by electrospray mass spectrometry and amino acid composition, Proteins with other N-terminal blocking groups should be amenable to this procedure.
Writing and using program specifications

While there are a growing number of tools that demonstrate interesting and important uses of program specifications in software development, these tools are not widely applicable to today's software. A major problem is that it is difficult or impossible to write program specifications for most components in modern applications. In this white paper we look at the reasons for this and then propose possible research directions that can address the problem.
Association of Total Dose Intensity of Chemotherapy in Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (Human Non-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) and Survival

OBJECTIVE: The importance of enhanced drug delivery in patients with central nervous system (CNS) malignancies has not yet been demonstrated conclusively. Intra-arterial chemotherapy in combination with osmotic blood-brain barrier disruption (BBBD) increases drug delivery to tumor by 2- to 5-fold and to surrounding brain tissue by 10- to 100-fold as compared with intravenous administration of chemotherapy. Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) is an excellent model for studying dose intensity because PCNSL is a highly infiltrative, chemosensitive, primary CNS malignancy in which the integrity of the blood-brain barrier is highly variable. METHODS: Survival time was assessed in 74 non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients with PCNSL who underwent a total of 1047 BBBD procedures. Total dose intensity is estimated by using the number of intra-arterial infusions or a cumulative degree of BBBD score. RESULTS: Using proportional hazards multivariable analyses to adjust for baseline characteristics, survival was significantly associated with the total intensity of BBBD (P < 0.05). Additional statistical analyses demonstrate that survival bias does not fully explain these associations. Even when only patients who attained a complete response are considered, increased dose intensity resulted in increased survival. CONCLUSION: In patients with PCNSL, a chemotherapy-responsive tumor type, survival time is highly associated with total drug dose delivered, even in analyses designed to control for potential survival biases. These results probably constitute the strongest evidence to date of the importance of total dose intensity in treating CNS malignancies.
Specialized Syncope Evaluation

The concept of specialized cardiovascular care is not new. Nearly 4 decades ago, Killip and Kimball1 reported the results of their study of the treatment of 250 patients with myocardial infarction in a coronary care unit. With continuous ECG monitoring at a centralized nursing station, defibrillators at each bedside, and nurses authorized to deliver precordial shocks if physicians did not respond fast enough, the mortality rate was reduced from 26% to 7%.1 A classification scheme for heart failure severity was developed, and the authors ultimately concluded that the coronary care unit was critical to the timely recognition and treatment of potentially lethal arrhythmias. See p 3636 During the ensuing decades, expert coronary care has been extended to the emergency department, where specialized units or critical pathways are used to provide expedited, high-quality care for a variety of cardiovascular symptoms and diagnoses, including chest pain, unstable angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke. The goals of this specialized care are to provide more efficient, higher-quality health care for less money by reducing unnecessary hospital admissions, hastening diagnosis, increasing diagnostic yield, and decreasing adverse outcomes. For a specialized plan of care to be realistic, the diagnosis should be relatively common, require immediate evaluation, and have significant associated morbidity, mortality, or both if left untreated or misdiagnosed. As an example, critical pathways for the management of acute chest pain have succeeded at improving care for patients at low or intermediate risk for myocardial ischemia. A strategy of early diagnostic testing including the measurement of serum cardiac enzymes and the performance of exercise testing in selected patients within 6 hours of presentation can lead to clinically important reductions in admission rates and number of hospital days without increasing adverse outcomes.2,3 Like chest pain, syncope is a common symptom among patients presenting …
α-Methylvaleric acid from Ascaris lumbricoides

Abstract A reinvestigation of the C 6 volatile fatty acid from Ascaris lumbricoides supports the structure α-methylvaleric rather than isocaproic acid for this product.
Contrasting observations on buffer catalysis of guanosine amino proton exchange.

Abstract The two amino protons of 3', 5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate are shown to differ drastically in their solvent exchange properties: One is rapidly exchanging and sensitive to buffer catalysis; the other slow and insensitive. This observation accounts for the marked contrast between stopped-flow and NMR observations on buffer catalysis of amino proton exchange in guanosine monophosphates. The amino protons of guanine compounds traverse a "fast" solvent exchange position through the process of amino rotation, which together with kinetic considerations and comparative data on adenine and cytosine compounds, supports proposals of solvent exchange mediated by events at the guanine (N-3) site, rather than the (N-7) site. Exchange does not conform to rate expressions used by different workers for amino proton exchange.
Generating a staircase starshaped set from a minimal collection of its subsets

Let S be a simply connected orthogonal polygon in the plane. Assume that S is starshaped via staircase paths with corresponding staircase kernel K, where K ≠ S. For every point x in $${S \backslash K}$$ , define W x = {s : s lies on some staircase path in S from x to a point of K}. Then there is a minimal collection $${\mathcal{W}}$$ of W x sets whose union is S. Moreover, $${\mathcal{W}}$$ is unique and finite. Finally $${\mathcal{W}}$$ is exactly the collection of maximal W x sets in S.
Halogen substitution of amphetamine biochemical and pharmacological consequences

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the halogen substitution of amphetamine biochemical and pharmacological consequences. p -Chlorinated derivatives of amphetamine exert pharmacological effects which are similar to those of the parent compounds. In contrast to amphetamine, p -chloroamphetamine (PCA) PCA does not alter the concentration of either norepinephrine, or dopamine in brain but markedly changes the metabolism of cerebral serotonin. The initial central excitatory action of PCA is like that of amphetamine, related to its effect on the metabolism of cerebral catecholamines. Like amphetamine, PCA causes a large increase in the concentration of normetanephrine, and a reduction in the levels of the deaminated metabolites of 3 H-norepinephrine. Accordingly, similar mechanisms might be responsible for the effects such as release of catecholamines, blockade of their reuptake, and possibly either direct inhibition of MAO, or indirect inhibition of the enzyme resulting from the blockade of neuronal uptake of catecholamines. The effects elicited by PCA on the metabolism of 3 H-norepinephrine are, however, more pronounced and longer lasting in accordance with its longer biological half-life.
Uniform Superposition for Wireless Multimedia Multicast with No Channel Side Information

In this paper, we study multi-layer transmission for wireless multimedia multicast in a cell. Under the assumptions that the users in a cell are uniformly well distributed and that the BS has no channel side information, we find the optimal number of transmission layers and power allocation. This result can be used in highly dynamic dense networks and jamming networks where channel side information at the transmitter is somewhat useless.
Abstract B21: Disruption of NFκB/Stat3 interaction as a potential therapeutic avenue for pancreatic cancer management.

Pancreatic cancer (PanCA) has the shortest 5-year survival of any solid tumor. It is critical to understand the molecular events that drive pancreatic carcinogenesis in order to develop targeted therapy for PanCA patients. In the current study we explored the potential therapeutic benefit of Nexrutine R (Nx) as an antipancreatic cancer agent using a variety of cell lines and a preclinical animal model. Nx is isolated from the bark of Phellodendron amurense. We found that in human pancreatic cancer cell lines BxPC-3 and Capan-2, Nx induced apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), modulated autophagy and reduced the level of phosphorylation of Stat3. Nx-induced growth inhibitory effects were reversed partially in cell lines with stable knockdown of Stat3 suggesting that Nx may induce programmed cell death processes by inhibiting Stat3-mediated signaling pathways. The levels, expression and enzymatic activity of Cox-2, a downstream target of Stat3 also decreased in response to Nx treatment. Transient expression and ChIP assays revealed the binding of Stat3 and NFκB to Cox-2 promoter. Nx treatment disrupted this binding. Gel super-shift assays identified the presence of both NFκB and Stat3 in the DNA-protein complexes formed with nuclear extracts prepared from BxPC-3 or CaPan-2 cells suggesting potential protein-protein interaction. Nx administration to K5-Cox-2 transgenic mice that develop pancreatitis showed reduced fibrosis that is accompanied by reduced levels of Stat3 and NFκB. Overall, the present study unveils a novel interplay between Stat3/NFκB signaling in pancreatic cancer cells. These data further suggest that the targeted disruption of Stat3/NFκB may represent a valid therapeutic approach in this cancer. Supported by NCCAM and pilot funds from CTRC (APK). Citation Format: Jingjing Gong, Jianping Xie, Izhar Batth, James W. Freeman, Divya Chakravarthy, Addanki pratap Kumar. Disruption of NFκB/Stat3 interaction as a potential therapeutic avenue for pancreatic cancer management. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges; Jun 18-21, 2012; Lake Tahoe, NV. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B21.
The excretion of free and ester cholesterol by tissue culture cells: Studies with L5I78Y and L-CELLS

Abstract It has been demonstrated that growing cultures of L5I78Y cells (mouse lymphoblasts) and L-cells (mouse fibroblasts) are capable of excreting free cholesterol into the culture medium. It has also been found that cholesteryl esters are excreted at much slower rates then free cholesterol; however, free cholesterol derived by cellular cholesteryl ester hydrolysis is excreted at rates similar to that of free cholesterol incorporated by cells from exogenous sources. Dihydrocholesterol and Δ 4 -cholesten-3-one are excreted at rates similar to that of free cholesterol.
Ultrasound images of implanted tumors in nude mice using Sono-CT correlated with MRI appearance

Monitoring the effect of novel cancer chemotherapeutic agents in nude mice is now commonly done by external direct measurement and by autopsy. The development of small animal imaging has focused on micro-MRI, micro-CT and micro-PET -- each a highly expensive and highly valuable method. Far less work has been done with ultrasound imaging. We wish to demonstrate a new method of ultrasound imaging of living mice named Sono-CTR, Sono-CTR provides a compound image by combining the images obtained by electronically directing the transducer to scan from multiple angles.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Structural Health Monitoring Using Transmittance Functions

Abstract A technique for structural health monitoring that can detect damage away from a sensor location and during operation of a structure is presented. The technique, Transmittance Function Monitoring, uses vibration measurements to detect damage, but without measuring the excitation force or using a model of the structure. Accelerometers or piezoceramic patches are attached to the structure for sensing, and piezoceramic patches or inertial actuators are used for exciting the structure. The sensor–actuator system actively interrogates the structure using broadband excitation, and transmittance functions between consecutive sensors from the healthy structure are stored as historical data. Changes in the functions are then used to detect, locate and assess damage to the structure. Transmittance functions can be computed from different types of measured structural responses. Here, structural translations and curvatures are used to detect damage on a composite beam. The sensitivity of the two different methods is compared, and the optimal frequency range to detect damage is experimentally determined. In addition, the wavelengths of the structural mode shapes are computed to estimate the highest frequency at which the structural response can be measured by a given length piezoceramic sensor.