cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing the Current Effects and Carryover of National-, Regional-, and Local-Sponsor Advertising

Coordinating and controlling advertising strategy within contractual and administered vertical marketing systems (VMSs) can be a complex task given the number of channel members involved in the process. Quite often thousands of intermediaries are involved at different levels each with their own objectives and areas of responsibility. Conflict within a VMS can arise when dealers/distributors consider the advertising efforts of the sponsoring organization to be ineffective and vice versa. One of the major issues involves how to allocate the advertising budget throughout the VMS so as to generate the greatest return. To this end we report the results of a study comparing the current and lagged effects of national-sponsor advertising to that of local and regional sponsors within one of the more prominent contractual VMS in the United States—the automobile industry. Using a direct aggregation approach to model advertising carryover at both the industry and individual brand level provides useful information for making decisions regarding the allocation of advertising budgets.
Possible Viral Interactions in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Interactions among viruses may be significant to the pathogenesis of the profound immunologic defects observed in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Such interactions could include complementary immunosuppression potentiation of infection by altered receptors or genetic complementation phenotypic mixing or genetic recombination. The abnormalities induced by simultaneous infection with cytomegalovirus of Epstein-Barr virus for example may be synergistic and suppression induced by 1 virus may permit replication of another virus to high titer. Given the alterations in cell-surface components during the course of a viral infection it is possible that AIDS infection modifies the expression of histocompatibility antigens on lymphocyte membranes or viral receptors not normally available on a given cell become expressed during infection with a 2nd virus. An alternative viral potentiation occurs when 1 virus codes for a gene product required for growth of another resulting in a greater virus yield that would be expected from either virus alone. Phenotypic mixing occurs when 2 enveloped viruses infect the same cell and the genome of 1 becomes incorporated in an envelope composed of glycoproteins from the other. In genetic recombination actual exchange of genetic information between viruses allows for the emergence of new viruses with altered biologic characteristics. Such recombination occurs with high frequency in the human retroviruses probably during a phase of replication involving reverse transcriptase to viral DNA. To learn more about such interactions viruses isolated from the blood and semen of AIDS patients should be analyzed for cell tropism neutralization kinetics and hybridization.
Cardiac revascularization of the medically refractory elderly patient: it is TIME to pay the piper.

This editorial refers to "Cost-effectiveness of invasive versus medical management of elderly patients with chronic symptomatic coronary artery disease" † by J. Claude et al. on page 2195 '…the value of our expectations always signifies something in the middle between the best we can hope for and the worst we can fear?…' Jacob Bernoulli1 It is appropriate that the first 'trial-based analysis demonstrating the cost-effectiveness of angioplasty relative to medical therapy'2 should come from Basel, Switzerland.3–5 Switzerland is the first home to angioplasty.6 Basel was home to the Bernoulli family, who made countless seminal contributions to quantitative thinking about risk versus benefit. Of all the Bernoulli contributions, none has had more influence than the concept of utility , the notion that the risk of an event must include not only its mathematical probability, but also some measure of the desire for, or aversion to, that event, that the individual risk-assessor experiences.1 The English word 'risk' is derived from the Italian risicare , to choose or to dare.1 What patient group is better suited to take the concept of utility and provide evidence of its relevance to medical choices than the chronically ill, co-morbid elderly population? If there is one patient group that understands that even a modest likelihood of being left unable to care for oneself may be too high, or that there are medical outcomes worse than death (for example, disabling stroke), that patient group is the chronically ill, co-morbid elderly. The Swiss TIME investigators have demonstrated both the clinical and cost effectiveness of revascularization versus optimal medical therapy, in stable patients, precisely because they chose to study patients who had: *Correspondence to: Douglass A. Morrison, MD, PhD, Department of Cardiology, SAVAHCS and the University of Arizona, 3601 S Sixth Ave., Tucson, AR 85723, USA. Tel.: +1 5207921450x5510; fax: +1 5206294636 (E-mail: douglass.morrison{at}med.va.gov).
Pattern formation in a model of competing populations with nonlocal interactions

Abstract We analyze and compute an extension of a previously developed population model based on the well-known diffusive logistic equation with nonlocal interaction, to a system involving competing species. Our model involves a system of nonlinear integro-differential equations, with the nonlocal interaction characterized by convolution integrals of the population densities against specified kernel functions. The extent of the nonlocal coupling is characterized by a parameter δ so that when δ → 0 the problem becomes local. We consider critical points of the model, i.e., spatially homogeneous equilibrium solutions. There is generally one critical point in the first quadrant (i.e., both population densities positive), denoting coexistence of the two species. We show that this solution can be destabilized by the nonlocal coupling and obtain general conditions for stability of this critical point as a function of δ , the specific kernel function and parameters of the model. We study the nonlinear behavior of the model and show that the populations can evolve to localized cells, or islands. We find that the stability transition is supercritical. Near the stability boundary solutions are small amplitude, nearly sinusoidal oscillations, however, when δ increases large amplitude, nonlinear states are found. We find a multiplicity of stable, steady state patterns. We further show that with a stepfunction kernel function the structure of these islands, a highly nonlinear phenomenon, can be described analytically. Finally, we analyze the role of the kernel function and show that for some choices of kernel function the resulting population islands can exhibit tip-splitting behavior and island amplitude modulation.
P74. Bone scan imaging before and after intravenous bisphosphonate therapy for osseous metastases from breast cancer

worsening of pain following radiotherapy (RT) for painful bone metastases in three outpatient palliative RT clinics in Canada. Materials and methods: Patients with bone metastases were eligible. The Brief Pain Inventory was employed. Worst pain scores and analgesic consumption were collected daily before, during and for 10 days after RT. Analgesic consumption was converted into total daily oral morphine equivalent. Pain flare was defined (a priori) as a two-point increase in the worst pain scale of 0–10 compared to baseline worst pain with no decrease in analgesic intake or a 25% increase in analgesic intake, employing daily oral morphine equivalent, with no decrease in worst pain score. To distinguish pain flare from progression of pain, the worst pain score and analgesic intake must return to baseline after the increase/flare. Results: A total of 111 patients were enrolled in the study. There were 55 males and 56 females with a median age of 64 years (range 40–89). Overall, 38% of evaluable participants experienced a pain flare during or in the ten days following RT for their painful bony metastases. Patients treated with a single 8 Gy demonstrated a pain flare incidence of 35% and those with multiple fractions 41%. Conclusion: Pain flare is a common event following palliative RT for patients with bone metastases. Therefore, identifying at-risk individuals and managing potential pain flares are crucial to achieve an optimal level of care.
Mechanisms of Varicella-Zoster Virus Neuropathogenesis in Human Dorsal Root Ganglia

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a human alphaherpesvirus that infects sensory ganglia and reactivates from latency to cause herpes zoster. VZV replication was examined in human dorsal root ganglion (DRG) xenografts in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency using multiscale correlative immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. These experiments showed the presence of VZV genomic DNA, viral proteins, and virion production in both neurons and satellite cells within DRG. Furthermore, the multiscale analysis of VZV-host cell interactions revealed virus-induced cell-cell fusion and polykaryon formation between neurons and satellite cells during VZV replication in DRG in vivo. Satellite cell infection and polykaryon formation in neuron-satellite cell complexes provide mechanisms to amplify VZV entry into neuronal cell bodies, which is necessary for VZV transfer to skin in the affected dermatome during herpes zoster. These mechanisms of VZV neuropathogenesis help to account for the often severe neurologic consequences of herpes zoster.
Dynamical Adjustment of Mesoscale Convective Anvils

Abstract Observational evidence indicates that upper-tropospheric and lower-stratospheric anticyclones occur in mesoscale convective systems, possibly resulting from the vertical redistribution of mass. The authors examine the gradient adjustment process that occurs when mass from the lower troposphere is impulsively injected between isentropic levels in the vicinity of the tropopause. Formulating the quasi-static primitive equations for inviscid, adiabatic, axisymmetric flow on an f plane using entropy and potential radius coordinates allows us to compute the final state in gradient balance by solving a single nonlinear elliptic problem. Solutions of this elliptic problem illustrate the development of an anticyclonic lens at the level of mass injection, with accompanying cold and warm temperature anomalies above and below, respectively. For a given amount of injected mass, a lower-stratospheric injection results in a stronger anticyclone than does an upper-tropospheric injection. Mass injections at low l...
Significance of empty sella in cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

Abstract Objective: The role of elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressures in the pathophysiology of various CSF leaks is not clear. Empty sella syndrome (ESS) is a radiographic finding that can be associated with elevated CSF pressures and may represent a radiographic indicator of intracranial hypertension. We present our experience with CSF leaks of various causes, the prevalence of ESS in the spontaneous and nonspontaneous categories, and the potential pathophysiology and unique management issues of the spontaneous CSF leak group. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records, imaging studies, and surgical treatment of CSF leaks in patients treated by the senior author. Results: Sixteen patients with spontaneous CSF leaks and 12 patients with nonspontaneous CSF leaks were surgically treated from 1996 through 2002. In the spontaneous group, 15 patients had complete imaging of the sella turcica. Ten had completely empty sellae and 5 had partially empty sellae, for a total of 100% (15 of 15). In the nonspontaneous group, 9 patients had complete imaging of the sella. Only 11% (1 of 9) had a partially empty sella and that was a congenital leak. Comparison of proportions between these 2 groups was significant (P = 0.01). The spontaneous group consisted primarily of obese, middle-aged females (13 of 16 patients). Conclusion: Empty sella probably represents a sign of elevated intracranial pressure that leads to idiopathic, spontaneous CSF leaks. Spontaneous CSF leaks are strongly associated with the radiographic finding of an empty sella and are more common in obese females, similar to benign intracranial hypertension. This unique population may require more aggressive surgical and medical treatment to prevent recurrent or multiple leaks. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2003;128:32-8.)
Polyionic drug-sensitive membrane electrodes: principles and practice

Abstract Recent advances in the design and applications of polymer membrane-based potentiometric sensors for measuring polyionic drugs (i.e. heparin and protamine) are reviewed. The underlying principles for potentiometric polyion sensing are described. The utility of newly developed heparin and prolamine sensors is demonstrated via both fundamental and practical applications.
Channel catfish virus gene expression in experimentally infected channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque)

Channel catfish virus (CCV) produces an acute haemorrhagic disease in fingerling channel catfish and establishes latent infection in fish that survive the primary infection. This study investigated CCV gene expression in tissues of experimentally infected fish. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assays were developed for detection of transcripts expressed by each of the CCV direct repeat region genes in CCV-infected channel catfish ovary cells and in tissues of infected fish. Immediate-early, early and late gene transcripts were detected in the blood, brain, kidney and liver tissues of acutely infected catfish demonstrating active viral replication in multiple tissues during the early stages of CCV infection. However, there was no evidence for viral replication by 24 days post-infection in tissues of fish that survived the acute disease. Viral latency-associated transcripts encoded by CCV direct repeat genes were not detected in latently infected catfish. The results of this study provide a foundation for further studies to investigate the molecular basis of CCV pathogenesis and latency.
Safety Evaluation of Geometric Design Criteria for Spacing of Entrance–Exit Ramp Sequence and Use of Auxiliary Lanes:

Geometric design decisions regarding interchange and ramp spacing on freeways have traditionally taken a nominal approach to safety. This approach oversimplifies driver behavior and complex interactions between roadway geometrics, traffic operations, and safety and tends to promote a one-size-fits-all approach to evaluating design alternatives. The objective of this paper was to quantify the relationship between ramp spacing and freeway safety. Data for this study included freeway geometric features, traffic characteristics, and crash counts for 404 freeway segments in California and Washington State. A negative binomial regression modeling approach was used to explore the relationship between ramp spacing and safety. Results indicated that expected crash frequency increased as ramp spacing decreased. The expected proportion of crashes resulting in a fatality or injury appeared to decrease as ramp spacing decreased. The presence of an auxiliary lane was associated with a lower expected frequency of crashes for any given ramp spacing; the safety benefits of providing an auxiliary lane diminished as ramp spacing increased. The model results related to ramp spacing and the presence of an auxiliary lane were transformed into crash modification factors and validated through comparisons with an independent research study on weaving areas in Texas. The safety findings were generally consistent with current Green Book design criteria related to ramp spacing and the presence of an auxiliary lane. The ability to quantify the expected impact on safety of ramp spacing associated with new or modified interchanges will assist transportation agencies in making well-informed assessments of the overall benefits, impacts, and costs of freeway access decisions.
The exceptional community: On strangers, foreigners, and communication

The political philosophy of Giorgio Agamben (1998) is linked to the key concept of “community” for critical communication studies. The essay discusses how community is haunted by foreignness and how communication is constituted by estrangement. La communaute exceptionnelle : Des inconnus, des etrangers et de la communication Garnet C. Butchart Un court commentaire sur la philosophie politique d'Agamben (1995/1998) en tant qu'elle se rapporte au mot-cle«communaute» en etudes critiques de la communication. Ce texte discute de ce que la communaute est hantee par l’allogeneite (foreignness) et la communication est constituee par le sentiment de marginalite (estrangement). Die ausergewohnliche Gemeinschaft: Uber Fremde, Auslander und Kommunikation Garnet C. Butchart Ein Kurzkommentar zur politischen Philosophie von Agamben (1995/1998) und deren Beziehung zum Schlusselwort ,,Gemeinschaft“ in der kritischen Kommunikationswissenschaft. Der Essay diskutiert, wie Gemeinschaft durch Fremdheit heimgesucht wird und wie Kommunikation durch Entfremdung konstituiert wird.
The united nations operation in Cyprus: A new look at the peacekeeping‐peacemaking relationship

This article explores the relationship between peacekeeping and peacemaking with reference to the United Nations Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP). It defines a new way to measure peacekeeping success and evaluates UNFICYP's performance during the 1964—75 period. UNFICYP had some success in its humanitarian and other non‐military functions, but it failed to establish freedom of movement, de‐fortify the Turkish Cypriot enclaves, preserve the military and (by extension) political status quo or implement the 1975 Vienna agreement. These failures were largely attributable to the peacekeepers’ ultra‐conservative interpretation of their mandate, their failure to use all instruments available to them, their preference for weak rather than strong strategies, and their neutrality toward a changing military and political status quo. UNFICYP's peacekeeping failures aggravated the parties’ already negative attitudes toward peacemaking. Thus, UNFICYP's negative influence on peacemaking in Cyprus was due to peacekeeping failur...
Femoral neck fractures in the elderly patient: A preventable injury

There is growing evidence that many fractures of the femoral neck in the elderly occur spontaneously because of stresses imposed on osteoporotic bone, rather than because of the trauma of the fall. A case of a spontaneous femoral neck fracture (Garden type IV) in an elderly woman with osteoporosis is presented. Early detection and medical management of osteoporosis complemented with assistive technology could have prevented this common injury.
Tests of Proportional Wire Shower Counter and Hadron Calorimeter Modules

We present results from test beam measurements at SLAC with prototype modules for the MAC detector at PEP. The modules consist of planes of proportional wires interleaved with lead sheets (shower counter) or iron plates (hadron calorimeter).
DNA methylation influences trpR promoter activity in Escherichia coli K-12.

Methylation of adenine in the GATC-sequence of the-35 region of the trpR promoter decreases activity by 2–3 fold.
Journal of Counseling & Development (JCD) and Counseling's Interwoven Nature: Achieving a More Complete Understanding of the Present Through “Historization” (Musings of an Exiting Editor—An Editorial Postscript)

In this brief opinion piece, the author retraces the relationship of JCD and the history of counseling to isolate essential elements of counseling's unique approach. The author contends that to overlook the role of past events and past contributors deprives one of a more complete professional understanding of counseling, because each passing moment is largely a creation of those past events that possess a dynamic, systemic nature that has become actualized in present time.
The Use of Nuchal Lucency as a Screening Tool in First Tritester Sonography

Improved ultrasound resolution and continuing attempts to detect congenital abnormalities and chromosomal aberrations in early pregnancy have led to the use of nuchal lucency as a marker for such conditions in the first trimester. Current research has shown the importance of increased nuchal lucency (greater than 3 mm) as an identifying risk marker for aneuploidy and, in the presence of normal karyotype, additional anatomic anomalies.
Loss of hippocampal acetylcholinesterase staining after fornix lesion in the monkey

Abstract Cholinergic denervation of the hippocampal formation has been extensively studied in rodents but not in primates. Therefore we studied the changes in acetylcholinesterase histochemical staining of the hippocampus occurring after bilateral transection of the fornices in the cynomolgus monkey. Animals were sacrificed 1.5, 6, 13, and 23 weeks after surgery. We found a 40–50% reduction in the density of acetylcholinesterase-positive fibers in the four analyzed regions (dentate gyrus, CA3, CA1, and subiculum) 1.5 week after surgery and a 60–80% reduction at longer time intervals. The characteristic diffuse AChE staining found in hippocampi from control animals disappeared after fornix lesion, except in the inner third of the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. We did not find any evidence of spontaneous cholinergic reinnervation over the 6-month period. Thus, as in rats, fornix lesion produces dramatic changes in hippocampal AChE staining, presumably caused by a massive cholinergic denervation. However, in contrast to rodents, spontaneous reinnervation does not seem to occur in the months following the lesion in primates.
Investigation of Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzers for Determining Lead on Painted Surfaces

Four portable x-ray fluorescence analyzers have been examined to ascertain the detection limits and precision with which they can be used for determining lead on painted surfaces. The tests consisted of using the analyzers to determine the weight of lead present (mg/cm2) on each of several substrates which had been coated with weighed quantities of paints of known composition. All of the instruments tested had detection limits lower than 1.0 mg/cm2. In some measurements, where lead was present between 1.0 and 6.6 mg/cm2, errors as large as 30 to 50% occurred; thus, it was concluded that the portable analyzers tested would be useful mainly for screening painted walls for high lead levels.
THE CORPUS LUTEUM-PITUITARY RELATIONSHIP: THE LUTEOTROPHIC ACTIVITY OF HOMOTRANSPLANTED PITUITARIES IN INTACT RATS11

The effect of a pituitary homotransplanted beneath the kidney capsule on the estrous cycle of the intact rat was studied. The majority of 37 rats treated in this way showed a pseudopregnancy-like prolongation of the diestrus in progress at the time of operation, with a marked tendency for succeeding cycles, over a period of roughly 3 months, also to be prolonged. Eight control rats, homotransplanted with a piece of cerebellum in place of a pituitary, tended to continue to have estrous cycles of normal length. The prolonged cycles had an immediate onset in rats operated on at any stage of the vaginal cycle except the second diestrous day. In these, cycle prolongations began after the first complete postoperative cycle. There was a high incidence of incomplete estrous smears, characterized by only a single day of nucleated or cornified epithelial cells and preceded and followed by smears predominantly of leucocytes, in the experimental group. The incidence of such smears ending normal as well as prolonged c...
The properties of mfmos one transistor memory devices

Abstract Integration processes for one transistor memory device have been optimized to reduce process-induced damages. One-transistor ferroelectric memory devices with MOCVD Pb5Ge3O11 (PGO) MFMOS memory cells have been fabricated. The hysteresis loop of a 300 nm thick PGO thin film capacitor exhibited a square and saturated form with 2Pr of about 4 μC/cm2 and 2Ec of 134 KV/cm at an applied voltage of 5V. The capacitor leakage current is 1– 5 × 10−7 A/cm2 at 100KV/cm. The peak dielectric constant is around to 35 – 45. The c-axis oriented Pb5Ge3O11 thin film also showed very good retention properties. The 1T-memory devices showed memory windows around 2V. The memory windows were almost saturated when the operation voltage is 2V. After programming to -4 V (on “off'’ state), the drain current (Id) of the memory transistor operated at Vd of 0.1V and Vg of 0.5 V is about 1×10−8 A. After programming to 4V (on “on” state) the drain current (ID) of the device operated at VD of 0.1V and VG of 0.5 V is about 1 ×10−6...
A polycrystalline SiC-on-Si architecture for capacitive pressure sensing applications beyond 400 °C: Process development and device performance

To overcome the low fabrication yield associated with single crystalline 3C–SiC diaphragm-based high temperature capacitive pressure sensors fabricated by wafer bonding, we have developed an alternative based on a polycrystalline SiC-on-Si architecture. The capacitive pressure sensing element, i.e., a thin film diaphragm, was fabricated using low stress and high conductivity low-pressure chemical vapor deposition poly-SiC thin films, and the sensing architecture was formed by wafer bonding a poly-SiC film to a Si substrate using phosphosilicate glass bonding films. With a geometric aspect ratio of up to 800:1 and a maximum deflection load eight times or more to their thickness, the poly-SiC diaphragm-based sensors presented repeatable pressure sensing characteristics up to 500 °C.
An updated review of of evidence to discourage douching.

Purpose To review current studies on vaginal douching. Data sources MEDLINE PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases from 2002 to 2008 using MeSh terms "vaginal AND irrigation or vaginal and douching" from 2002 to 2003 and "vaginal douching" and "vaginal douching and adverse effects" from 2004 to 2008. Study selection MEDLINE PubMed included 156 records, CINAHL 15, and Cochrane 10. Articles in English were reviewed, and those pertaining to vaginal douching and reproductive and gynecologic outcomes were included. References from these articles were reviewed and included when appropriate. 2008 Web sites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were also included. Data extraction Articles were reviewed and summarized. Results Vaginal douching is a common practice for almost one-third of women in the United States. Douching is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including ectopic pregnancy, low birth weight, preterm labor, preterm birth, and chorioamnionitis. Douching is more prevalent among non-Hispanic black women than among white women or Hispanic women. Douching alters the vaginal flora and predisposes women to develop bacterial vaginosis (BV), which is also more prevalent among women who douche and among black women. Douching is also associated with serious gynecologic outcomes, including increased risk of cervical cancer, pelvic imflammatory disease, endometritis, and increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Many factors influence women's douching behaviors, including social, cultural, and educational factors. Healthcare providers can influence women to stop douching. Clinical implications Healthcare providers may not be aware of the mounting evidence of negative health outcomes associated with the practice of douching. At every opportunity, healthcare providers should ask women whether they douche and inquire about vaginal douching practices and beliefs associated with the practice. Douching should be discouraged because it places women at risk for multiple health problems.
Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic investigation of the solid/aqueous interface of low surface area, water-soluble solids in high ionic strength, highly alkaline, aqueous media

A new method for the investigation of the adsorption of the series of surface active quaternary ammonium (QA) compounds, dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C12), tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C14), and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (C16) on the surface of sodium oxalatea Bayer process solidhas been developed using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy. The technique involves the use of a finely ground sodium oxalate combined with an appropriate adsorption matrix and, for the first time, permits the in situ investigation of adsorption from high ionic strength, highly alkaline (pH 12), aqueous media onto a water soluble, low surface area solid: sodium oxalate (a compound traditionally treated as ligand or adsorbate). Spectroscopic results show the formation of surfactant aggregate clusters on the surface of sodium oxalate and suggest adsorption in the order C16 > C14 > C12. This new method will allow the acquisition of “dose−response” curves for the C12...
SU-E-T-523: Modeling Beam Data for Flattening Filter Free (FFF) Photon Beams.

Purpose: For flattening‐filter free (FFF) photon beams, conventional algorithm based on equivalent‐square to calculate dose per MU is invalid because of the non‐uniform profile. In this study, an empirical algorithm is developed to calculate the dose accurately, which can be used for secondary MU check for IMRT using FFF beams. Methods: A kernel‐based algorithm based on three parameters (a0, w0, d0) is used to quantify the phantom scatter characteristics of the photon beam. The model is modified to quantify the shape of the FFF at off‐axis locations by fitting the primary off‐axis ratio (POAR) by a linear function 1 ‐ br, where b is a constant and r is the radial distance. The resulting parameters are used in a kernel‐based dose calculation algorithm for dose calculation. Results: It is found that the proposed model can fit the product of the fractional depth doses (FDD) and phantom scatter factors (Sp) for field sizes between 2 and 40 cm and depth between 0 and 40 cm to a max and standard deviations of 1.7% and 0.01% and 1.8% and 0.01%, respectively, for 6 and 10 MV FFF beams. The value of b is 0.025 and 0.0323 for 6 MV and 10 MV photons, respectively, from fitting the POAR. The resulting phantom scatter parameters are consistent with those obtained from MC simulation. If the slope is not taken into account (b = 0), then the model cannot fit the central‐axis Sp*FDD accurately and resulted in a maximum error of 3% and 4% for 6 and 10 MV, respectively. Conclusions: We have demonstrated that the shape of POAR from FFF beam will impact on the dose calculation on the central‐axis. Conventional equivalent square law concept will not be applicable for dose calculation for FFF beams.
The comparison of vegetation index and surface temperature composites for urban heat-island analysis

Abstract Relationships between urban-rural differences in minimum (in situ) air temperature (T min), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and apparent surface radiant temperature (T sfc) were examined for 28 cities in the U.S.A. from 28 June through to 8 August 1991. Composites based on NDVI and thermal-IR data, and consistency in urban-rural differences in NDVI and T sfc were examined. The urban-rural differences in T sfc, whether based on an NDVI composite or a composite based on thermal-IR data, were not as consistent as the urban-rural differences in NDVI. The composite process utilized, based on NDVI or thermal-IR data, did not appear to contribute to the generally low correlation between urban-rural differences in T min and T sfc observed in previous studies.
H 2 performance of agreement protocol with noise: An edge based approach

This work presents an H 2 performance analysis of the agreement protocol in the presence of noise. The agreement protocol is first transformed into an equivalent system induced by the dynamics of the relative, or edge, system states. The edge based representation is used to perform an H 2 analysis of the system highlighting the roles of cycles in this context. For spanning trees and and certain k-regular graphs, a characterization of the H 2 norm is given in terms of properties of the graph. These results are used to formulate a semi-definite program for sensor selection and placement. Each sensor has an associated cost and fidelity and the developed SDP determines which sensors to use and where to place them such that the H 2 norm of the system, in addition to the sensor costs, are minimized.
Variation on a theme by Fenner: the pathogenesis of chickenpox.

In a study exemplifying both brevity in experimental design and brilliance in execution, Fenner1 delineated the pathogenesis of the acute exanthems. He lumped together the human diseases of smallpox, chickenpox, measles, and rubella because of similarities in clinical presentation after a relatively long incubation period, even though etiologically these diseases are caused by a diverse group of DNA and RNA viruses (poxvirus, herpesvirus, paramyxovirus, and togavirus, respectively). The animal model that he selected was the murine virus infection called mousepox or infectious ectromelia. Inasmuch as the natural route of infection is through minute abrasions in the skin, Fenner inoculated the test animals in either the foot or pinna with small doses of mousepox.
Daily irradiance and feedback inhibition of photosynthesis at elevated carbon dioxide concentration in Brassica oleracea

The fundamental cause of down-regulation of photosynthesis at elevated carbon dioxide concentration (EC) is thought to be a slower rate of utilization of saccharides than their stimulated rate of production, but there are few studies directly supporting this idea under field conditions. We hypothesized that within Brassica oleracea, down-regulation would not occur in kohlrabi because it has a large sink for saccharides in an enlarged stem, but would occur in collards, which lack this sink. Field tests were consistent with this hypothesis. In collards, the degree of down-regulation of photosynthesis in plants grown at EC varied depending on the daily integral of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of the day prior to the measurement of photosynthetic capacity, as did leaf saccharide content. However, EC did not result in lower leaf contents of chlorophyll, soluble protein, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase, or nitrate in collards, nor was there any evidence of a triose phosphate utilization rate limiting photosynthesis. Experiments in controlled environment chambers confirmed that there was a threshold response for the down-regulation of photosynthesis in collards at EC to the PAR of the previous day, with down-regulation only occurring above a minimum daily integral of PAR. Down-regulation of photosynthesis could be induced in plants grown at ambient carbon dioxide by a single night at low temperature or by a single day with high PAR and EC. In the controlled environment study, the degree of down-regulation of photosynthesis was highly correlated with leaf glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents, and less well correlated with starch content. Hence down-regulation of photosynthesis at EC in collards in the field represented feedback inhibition from the accumulation of soluble saccharides and day-to-day variation in its occurrence was predictable from the weather.
Changes in Large Pulmonary Arterial Viscoelasticity in Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension

Conduit pulmonary artery (PA) stiffening is characteristic of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and is an excellent predictor of mortality due to right ventricular (RV) overload. To better understand the impact of conduit PA stiffening on RV afterload, it is critical to examine the arterial viscoelastic properties, which require measurements of elasticity (energy storage behavior) and viscosity (energy dissipation behavior). Here we hypothesize that PAH leads to frequency-dependent changes in arterial stiffness (related to elasticity) and damping ratio (related to viscosity) in large PAs. To test our hypothesis, PAH was induced by the combination of chronic hypoxia and an antiangiogenic compound (SU5416) treatment in mice. Static and sinusoidal pressure-inflation tests were performed on isolated conduit PAs at various frequencies (0.01–20 Hz) to obtain the mechanical properties in the absence of smooth muscle contraction. Static mechanical tests showed significant stiffening of large PAs with PAH, as expected. In dynamic mechanical tests, structural stiffness (κ) increased and damping ratio (D) decreased at a physiologically relevant frequency (10 Hz) in hypertensive PAs. The dynamic elastic modulus (E), a material stiffness, did not increase significantly with PAH. All dynamic mechanical properties were strong functions of frequency. In particular, κ, E and D increased with increasing frequency in control PAs. While this behavior remained for D in hypertensive PAs, it reversed for κ and E. Since these novel dynamic mechanical property changes were found in the absence of changes in smooth muscle cell content or contraction, changes in collagen and proteoglycans and their interactions are likely critical to arterial viscoelasticity in a way that has not been previously described. The impact of these changes in PA viscoelasticity on RV afterload in PAH awaits further investigation.
On the complexity of and algorithms for finding the shortest path with a disjoint counterpart

Finding a disjoint path pair is an important component in survivable networks. Since the traffic is carried on the active (working) path most of the time, it is useful to find a disjoint path pair such that the length of the shorter path (to be used as the active path) is minimized. In this paper, we first address such a Min-Min problem. We prove that this problem is NP-complete in either single link cost (e.g., dedicated backup bandwidth) or dual link cost (e.g., shared backup bandwidth) networks. In addition, it is NP-hard to obtain a K-approximation to the optimal solution for any K > 1. Our proof is extended to another open question regarding the computational complexity of a restricted version of the Min-Sum problem in an undirected network with ordered dual cost links (called the MSOD problem). To solve the Min-Min problem efficiently, we introduce a novel concept called conflicting link set which provides insights into the so-called trap problem, and develop a divide-and-conquer strategy. The result is an effective heuristic for the Min-Min problem called COnflicting Link Exclusion (COLE), which can outperform other approaches in terms of both the optimality and running time. We also apply COLE to the MSOD problem to efficiently provide shared path protection and conduct comprehensive performance evaluation as well as comparison of various schemes for shared path protection. We show that COLE not only processes connection requests much faster than existing integer linear programming (ILP)-based approaches but also achieves a good balance among the active path length, bandwidth efficiency, and recovery time.
Valosin-Containing Protein (VCP/p97) Is Required for Poliovirus Replication and Is Involved in Cellular Protein Secretion Pathway in Poliovirus Infection

Poliovirus (PV) modifies membrane-trafficking machinery in host cells for its viral RNA replication. To date, ARF1, ACBD3, BIG1/BIG2, GBF1, RTN3, and PI4KB have been identified as host factors of enterovirus (EV), including PV, involved in membrane traffic. In this study, we performed small interfering RNA (siRNA) screening targeting membrane-trafficking genes for host factors required for PV replication. We identified valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97) as a host factor of PV replication required after viral protein synthesis, and its ATPase activity was essential for PV replication. VCP colocalized with viral proteins 2BC/2C and 3AB/3B in PV-infected cells and showed an interaction with 2BC and 3AB but not with 2C and 3A. Knockdown of VCP did not suppress the replication of coxsackievirus B3 or Aichi virus. A VCP-knockdown-resistant PV mutant had an A4881G (a mutation of E253G in 2C) mutation, which is known as a determinant of a secretion inhibition-negative phenotype. However, knockdown of VCP did not affect the inhibition of cellular protein secretion caused by overexpression of each individual viral protein. These results suggested that VCP is a host factor required for viral RNA replication of PV among membrane-trafficking proteins and provides a novel link between cellular protein secretion and viral RNA replication.
Optimization Methods in Direct and Inverse Scattering

In many Direct and Inverse Scattering problems one has to use a parameter-fitting procedure, because analytical inversion procedures are often not available. In this paper a variety of such methods is presented with a discussion of theoretical and computational issues.
Induced association of mu opioid (MOP) and type 2 cholecystokinin (CCK2) receptors by novel bivalent ligands

Both mu-opioid (MOP) and type 2 cholecystokinin (CCK2) receptors are present in areas of the central nervous system that are involved in modulation of pain processing. We conducted bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) studies on COS cells coexpressing MOP and CCK2 receptors to determine whether receptor heterodimerization is involved in such modulation. These studies revealed the absence of constitutive or monovalent ligand-induced heterodimerization. Heterodimerization of MOP and CCK2 receptors therefore is unlikely to be responsible for the opposing effects between morphine and CCK in the CNS. However, association was induced, as indicated by a positive BRET signal, on exposure of the cells to bivalent ligands containing mu-opioid agonist and CCK2 receptor antagonist pharmacophores linked through spacers containing 16-22 atoms but not with a shorter (9-atom) spacer. These studies demonstrate for the first time that an appropriately designed bivalent ligand is capable of inducing association of G-protein-coupled receptors. The finding that opioid tolerance studies with these ligands in mice showed no correlation with the BRET data is consistent with the absence of association of MOP and CCK2 receptors in vivo.
Towards a method for evaluating naturalness in conversational dialog systems

The evaluation of conversational dialog systems has remained a controversial topic, as it is challenging to quantitatively assess how well a conversation agent performs, or how much better one is compared to another. Furthermore, one of the hurdles which remains elusive in this quandary is the definition of naturalness, as demonstrated by how well a dialog system can maintain a natural conversation flow devoid of perceived awkwardness. As a step towards defining the dimensions of effectiveness and naturalness in a dialog system, this paper identifies existing evaluation practices which are then expanded to develop a more suitable assessment vehicle. This method is then applied to the LifeLike virtual avatar project.
A neural network approach to seismic event identification using reference seismic images

A data compression neural network is known to have both data compression capability and generalization capability. In this study, a data compression neural network is trained using reference seismic images to rapidly identify natural earthquakes and underground explosions. The method developed is based on the generalization properties of the trained neural network and a quantitative measure of the degradation of the reconstructed image over the population of similar events and dissimilar events (i.e. explosions vs earthquakes). As examples, this approach is applied to a dataset of 11 natural earthquakes and 11 mining (chemical) explosions recorded by the NORESS array in Norway. Preliminary results using this neural network method show very promising performance. >
Halo Formation and Emittance Growth of Positron Beams in Plasmas

An ultrarelativistic 28.5 GeV, 700-microm-long positron bunch is focused near the entrance of a 1.4-m-long plasma with a density n(e) between approximately equal to 10(13) and approximately equal to 5 x 10(14) cm(-3). Partial neutralization of the bunch space charge by the mobile plasma electrons results in a reduction in transverse size by a factor of approximately equal to 3 in the high emittance plane of the beam approximately equal to 1 m downstream from the plasma exit. As n(e) increases, the formation of a beam halo containing approximately 40% of the total charge is observed, indicating that the plasma focusing force is nonlinear. Numerical simulations confirm these observations. The bunch with an incoming transverse size ratio of approximately 3 and emittance ratio of approximately 5 suffers emittance growth and exits the plasma with approximately equal sizes and emittances.
The Effects of NAFTA on Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Activity

Treatment of unfair trade laws has become an important topic in negotiations on preferential trading areas. Recent preferential trading areas involving the United States (U.S.), one of the most significant users of these laws, have established special bi-national dispute settlement panels to arbitrate disagreements. Using a panel database of U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty activity from 1980 through 2000, the article examines whether the use of dispute settlement panels has reduced such activity between the United States and its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) partners. The analysis finds little evidence for any effect, calling into question the effectiveness of dispute settlement panels in reducing unfair trade law activity.
Vision-based coaching: Optimizing resources for leader development

Leaders develop in the direction of their dreams, not in the direction of their deficits. Yet many coaching interactions intended to promote a leader’s development fail to leverage the benefits of the individual’s personal vision. Drawing on intentional change theory, this article postulates that coaching interactions that emphasize a leader’s personal vision (future aspirations and core identity) evoke a psychophysiological state characterized by positive emotions, cognitive openness, and optimal neurobiological functioning for complex goal pursuit. Vision-based coaching, via this psychophysiological state, generates a host of relational and motivational resources critical to the developmental process. These resources include: formation of a positive coaching relationship, expansion of the leader’s identity, increased vitality, activation of learning goals, and a promotion–orientation. Organizational outcomes as well as limitations to vision-based coaching are discussed.