cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fusion of multi-planar images for improved three-dimensional object reconstruction

Due to the scan time limitation, our MRI studies of the human tongue can acquire only a limited number of contiguous two-dimensional (2D) slices to form a volumetric data set in a given series. An interpolated three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction using images acquired in a single plane presents artifacts. To address this issue, we developed a wavelet-based bidirectional linear fusion method that uses slices acquired from sagittal and coronal planes to estimate the unknown values of the inter-slice voxels. We use an interpolation method to estimate the voxel value based on neighboring fiducial voxels in the bounding slices. This interpolation is followed by a wavelet fusion to recover image details by integrating prominent coefficients from the interpolated images. Our method was evaluated using 2D MR images and 3D phantoms. Experiments demonstrated that our method reduces interpolation artifacts and greatly improves the 3D reconstruction accuracy. The advantage of our method casts new light on MR imaging and image processing and permits us to achieve high resolution and short acquisition time simultaneously.
Hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated pneumonia: what's new in diagnosis and treatment?

Nosocomial infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in US hospitals [1]. The cost to the country is enormous, with $4.5 billion being spent annually on the treatment of patients with nosocomial pneumonia. According to the American Society of Microbiology, approximately 70% of nosocomial infections are caused by organisms resistant to 1 antimicrobial agent [2]. In addition to extended-spectrum -lactamase–producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), other problems include vancomycinintermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, methicillin/oxacillin-resistant staphylococci, and multidrug–resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter species, and Enterobacter species. Antimicrobial resistance is becoming 1 of the most important problems of the early 21st century, and it is imperative to find ways to reduce these problems. Urinary tract infection is the most common nosocomial infection, but it has minimal associated morbidity and mortality. Pneumonia and bacteremia are the 2 most prevalent serious nosocomial infections, representing 27% and 19% of all nosocomial infections, respectively [3] (Table 1). Nosocomial pneumonia is associated with a significant increased mortality rate. The Prevalence of Nosocomial Infections in European ICUs (EPIC) study documented that nosocomial pneumonia was an independent risk factor for increased mortality, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.91. In that study, clinical sepsis (OR, 3.63) and bacteremia (OR, 1.61) were also independent risk factors for worse mortality [4]. The pathophysiology of hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) usually requires that 2 important processes take place: (1) bacterial colonization of the aerodigestive tract, and (2) aspiration of contaminated secretions into the lower airway. These 2 processes ultimately lead to the development of bronchiolitis and subsequent development of focal or multifocal bronchopneumonia, with ultimate development of confluent bronchopneumonia.
Hierarchy theorems for two-way finite state transducers

For a family of languages ?, CAL(?) is defined as the family of images of ? under nondeterministic two-way finite state transducers, while FINITE · VISIT(?) is the closure of ? under deterministic two-way finite state transducers; CAL0(?)=? and for n?0, CAL n+1(?)=CAL n (CAL(?)). For any semiAFL ?, if FINITE · VISIT(?) ? CAL(?), then CAL n (?) forms a proper hierarchy and for every n?0, FINITE · VISIT(CALn(?)) ?CAL n+1(?)? FINITE · VISIT(CAL n+1(?)). If ? is a SLIP semiAFL or a weakly k-iterative full semiAFL or a semiAFL contained in any full bounded AFL, then FINITE · VISIT(?) ? CAL(?) and in the last two cases, ?? FINITE · VISIT(?). If ? is a substitution closed full principal semiAFL and ?? FINITE · VISIT(?), then FINITE · VISIT(?) ? CAL(?). If ? is a substitution closed full principal semiAFL generated by a language without an infinite regular set and ?1 is a full semiAFL, then ? is contained in ? CALm(?1) if and only if it is contained in ?1. Among the applications of these results are the following. For the following families ?, CAL n (?) forms a proper hierarchy: ?=INDEXED, ?=ETOL, and ? any semiAFL contained in CF. The family CF is incomparable with ?CAL m (NESA) where NESA is the family of one-way nonerasing stack languages and INDEXED is incomparable with ?CAL m (STACK) where STACK is the family of one-way stack languages.
A laboratory method for determining the unsaturated hydraulic properties of soil peds

The ability to estimate soil hydraulic properties of undisturbed soil peds is limited. Most laboratory methods repack samples into soil cores, thus destroying the structure. Most field methods average over multiple peds precluding measurements of individual peds. This article details a method for determining unsaturated soil hydraulic properties of individual highly structured soil peds. The procedure is based on the evaporation method. The peds were first coated in paraffin wax, with the top surface left open to the atmosphere, and then encased in expandable foam to provide extra support. After saturating, both mass (from digital balance) and soil water potential (from tensiometer) data were recorded every 5 min as the ped dried until the soil water potential reached approximately -70 kPa. The van Genuchten parameters (a, n) and saturated hydraulic conductivity (K s ) were estimated with inversion modeling, using the soil water potential data and final water content Residual and saturated water contents, θ r and θ s , respectively, were measured independently. A mini-permeameter provided independent estimates of K,. We compared the areally weighted average of our optimized hydraulic properties with results from a field infiltrometer test conducted at the exact location from where the peds were collected. The two methods compared well, though some disparity existed between the estimates of n and K s , likely indicating the effects of interped cracks sampled with the tension infiltrometer. The method is potentially valuable for geostatistical and scaling studies because the smallest structural unit, the soil ped, can be sampled and analyzed.
Modifications to the standard additions method for components at very high concentrations

Limitations to the classical methods of standard additions (MSA) are discussed and overcome by the proposed modifications to the method. The modifications permit accurate linear regression determination of analytes at very high concentrations (>5%) in complex materials where matrix matching is difficult or where appropriate standard reference materials (SRM) are not available. The modifications are demonstrated with X-ray diffraction (XRD) determination of θ (56.5%) and amorphous (23.9%) phase concentrations in fumed alumina, which contains a variety of crystalline phases. The modified method may be especially suited to analysis of solids and powders with techniques such as XRD, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and Raman spectroscopy where similar very high-analyte concentration and sample matrix complexity are commonly encountered, provided that the assumptions of the method can be met.
Organizing to Attain Potential Benefits from Information Asymmetries and Economies of Scope in Related Diversified Firms

Diversified firms can obtain benefits from information asymmetries and economies of scope. Each source of benefits is based on different underlying mechanisms. Attaining benefits relies on the adoption of appropriate organization structures and processes, which should be designed on the basis of the organizational requirements of each source of benefits.
Simple sample processing enhances malaria rapid diagnostic test performance

Lateral flow immunochromatographic rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are the primary form of medical diagnostic used for malaria in underdeveloped nations. Unfortunately, many of these tests do not detect asymptomatic malaria carriers. In order for eradication of the disease to be achieved, this problem must be solved. In this study, we demonstrate enhancement in the performance of six RDT brands when a simple sample-processing step is added to the front of the diagnostic process. Greater than a 4-fold RDT signal enhancement was observed as a result of the sample processing step. This lowered the limit of detection for RDT brands to submicroscopic parasitemias. For the best performing RDTs the limits of detection were found to be as low as 3 parasites per μL. Finally, through individual donor samples, the correlations between donor source, WHO panel detection scores and RDT signal intensities were explored.
Determining whether there are any Effects of Incentive Compensation and Stock Ownership on Internal Audit Procedures

This study examines whether internal auditor incentive compensation and stock ownership affect internal auditors' decisions to extend audit procedures when warranted. Internal auditors may be reluctant to extend audit procedures in situations that could adversely impact the company's earnings, as this could have a negative impact on the internal auditor's compensation and/or stock value. Since this involves a sensitive issue, the randomized response technique is used to elicit responses. The results indicate that while a sizeable proportion of internal auditors were reluctant to extend audit procedures when warranted, neither incentive compensation nor stock ownership affected the audit planning decisions.
SCAR, a WASP-related Protein, Isolated as a Suppressor of Receptor Defects in Late Dictyostelium Development

G protein-coupled receptors trigger the reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in many cell types, but the steps in this signal transduction cascade are poorly understood. During Dictyostelium development, extracellular cAMP functions as a chemoattractant and morphogenetic signal that is transduced via a family of G protein-coupled receptors, the cARs. In a strain where the cAR2 receptor gene is disrupted by homologous recombination, the developmental program arrests before tip formation. In a genetic screen for suppressors of this phenotype, a gene encoding a protein related to the Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein was discovered. Loss of this protein, which we call SCAR (suppressor of cAR), restores tip formation and most later development to cAR2(-) strains, and causes a multiple-tip phenotype in a cAR2(+) strain as well as leading to the production of extremely small cells in suspension culture. SCAR-cells have reduced levels of F-actin staining during vegetative growth, and abnormal cell morphology and actin distribution during chemotaxis. Uncharacterized homologues of SCAR have also been identified in humans, mouse, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Drosophila. These data suggest that SCAR may be a conserved negative regulator of G protein-coupled signaling, and that it plays an important role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton.
An Application of an Urn Model to the Design of Sequential Controlled Clinical Trials

Abstract In the comparison of K treatments, assume that patients appear singly and must be treated immediately. Suppose that patients having the same combination of prognostic factor levels are grouped into the same stratum. If the number of different strata is small, we treat each stratum as a separate independent subtrial. A treatment assignment rule is proposed that forces a small subtrial to be balanced, but tends toward the complete randomization scheme as the size of the subtrial increases. When the number of strata is large, we propose an overall assignment rule which can achieve a degree of treatment balance simultaneously across all prognostic factors.
On the algebraic formulation of certain geometry statements and mechanical geometry theorem proving

In this paper we analyze the algebraic formulations of certain geometry statements appearing in recent literature related to mechanical geometry theorem proving and give several examples to show that one of these formulations can cause serious problems. We clarify a formulation which is essentially due to W. T. Wu and, in our opinion, is the most satisfactory.
Chromatin monomer: Absence of non-histone proteins

Abstract Chromatin from a human colon carcinoma cell line has been digested with Staphylococcal nuclease (E.C.3.1.4.7) and the monomer subunit isolated by sucrose gradient centrifugation. Electrophoresis of the monomer proteins on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels revealed an absence of the nuclear non-histone proteins in the isolated monomer.
Attenuated, flow-induced ATP release contributes to absence of flow-sensitive, purinergic Cai2+ signaling in human ADPKD cyst epithelial cells.

Flow-induced cytosolic Ca2+ Cai2+ signaling in renal tubular epithelial cells is mediated in part through P2 receptor (P2R) activation by locally released ATP. The ability of P2R to regulate salt and water reabsorption has suggested a possible contribution of ATP release and paracrine P2R activation to cystogenesis and/or enlargement in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). We and others have demonstrated in human ADPKD cyst cells the absence of flow-induced Cai2+ signaling exhibited by normal renal epithelial cells. We now extend these findings to primary and telomerase-immortalized normal and ADPKD epithelial cells of different genotype and of both proximal and distal origins. Flow-induced elevation of Cai2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was absent from ADPKD cyst cells, but in normal cells was mediated by flow-sensitive ATP release and paracrine P2R activation, modulated by ecto-nucleotidase activity, and abrogated by P2R inhibition or extracellular ATP hydrolysis. In contrast to the elevated ATP release from ADPKD cells in static isotonic conditions or in hypotonic conditions, flow-induced ATP release from cyst cells was lower than from normal cells. Extracellular ATP rapidly reduced thapsigargin-elevated [Ca2+]i in both ADPKD cyst and normal cells, but cyst cells lacked the subsequent, slow, oxidized ATP-sensitive [Ca2+]i recovery present in normal cells. Telomerase-immortalized cyst cells also exhibited altered CD39 and P2X7 mRNA levels. Thus the loss of flow-induced, P2R-mediated Cai2+ signaling in human ADPKD cyst epithelial cells was accompanied by reduced flow-sensitive ATP release, altered purinergic regulation of store-operated Ca2+ entry, and altered expression of gene products controlling extracellular nucleotide signaling.
Dorsoventral patterning and oligodendroglial specification in the developing central nervous system

While the bulk of oligodendendrocytes are generated postnatally in rodents, it is now clear that the first oligodendrocytes are born during midembryonic development. Recent studies imply that the first oligodendrocytes to appear are specified concurrently with certain neuronal subtypes. In addition, patterning molecules known to confer positional information on neural tissues during development, such as sonic hedgehog and bone morphogenetic proteins, have also been implicated in the specification of glial fate. This review discusses some of the recent advances in our knowledge of how oligodendrocytes are generated and the mechanisms by which this might occur in the developing brain and spinal cord.
Comparison Of Electron Beam And Optical Projection Lithography In The Region Of One Micrometer

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the practical trade-offs of electron beam direct-write and optical projection techniques in terms of resolution and linewidth control for device geometries in the one micrometer feature region. Overlay, field size, throughput and other economic issues will not be addressed. It is generally understood that the overlay accuracy of E-beam direct-write is the bestl among the various lithographic approaches.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Improving the Performance of Teaching Assistants in the Multi‐Section Classroom

ABSTRECT In a study conducted at a large southeastern university, it was determined that teaching assistants with no prior pedagogical preparation nor instructional experience could use supervisor-prepared lesson plans to incorporate communicative materials and activities into their classrooms. This article mentions some of the common constraints placed upon large departments and points out the need for effective and efficient supervision of teaching assistants who staff many of the multi-section courses. One approach for providing guidance to TAs when there is no regular group meeting is explored, and specific suggestions are made regarding lesson plan format, topics for follow-up discussion, and classes oriented toward communicative activities. The article concludes with a synthesis of several recommendations identified as important in a language program that uses teaching assistants for instruction at the beginning and intermediate levels.
The More, the Merrier: An International Analysis of the Frequency of Dividend Payment

: The joint contributions of prospect theory and mental accounting imply that investors receive a higher utility when a given level of dividends is paid more frequently, suggesting that dividends should be paid as often as possible. We document a strong positive relationship between payment frequency and firm value, confirmed with an event study of dividend payment frequency changes. Upon examining the frequency with which dividends are paid around the world, we discover that considerable variation exists, and that dividends are not paid as often as behavioral aspects suggest they should. From our multivariate analysis, we determine that non-behavioral factors such as the legal regime as well as the level and standard deviation of operating income exert significant influences on the payment frequency of dividends, suggesting that a tradeoff exists between behavioral and non-behavioral factors. The relationship between payment frequency and firm value remains robust in the presence of these non-behavioral factors.
Block liposomes from curvature-stabilizing lipids: connected nanotubes, -rods, or -spheres.

We report on the discovery of block liposomes, a new class of chain-melted (liquid) vesicles, with membranes comprised of mixtures of the membrane-curvature-stabilizing multivalent lipid MVLBG2 of colossal charge +16 e and neutral 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DOPC). In a narrow MVLBG2 composition range (8−10 mol %), cryo-TEM revealed block liposomes consisting of distinctly shaped, yet connected, nanoscale spheres, pears, tubes, or rods. Unlike typical liposome systems, where spherical vesicles, tubular vesicles, and cylindrical micelles are separated on the macroscopic scale, within a block liposome, shapes are separated on the nanometer scale. Diblock (pear−tube) and triblock (pear−tube−pear) liposomes contain nanotubes with inner lumen diameter of 10−50 nm. Diblock (sphere−rod) liposomes were found to contain micellar nanorods ≈4 nm in diameter and several micrometers in length, analogous to cytoskeletal filaments of eukaryotic cells. Block liposomes may find a range of applications i...
The Nature of Knowledge in the Social Media Age: Implications for Knowledge Management Models

Social media comprise the set of tools that "enable people to connect, communicate, and collaborate," and these tools include blogs, wikis and social network sites. This paper reviews the significance of these tools and explores how together they can result in instances of virality (e.g., viral videos). Using new insights on viral processes, we provide a critical review of epistemological perspectives and the conceptual foundations underlying knowledge management models. We conclude that the widespread use of social media creates a dynamic, recursive socio-technical information and knowledge sharing system, a knowledge ecosytem (KE). This KE requires both an expansion of our understanding of knowledge creation and substantial revisions to our approaches to enterprise knowledge management.
Is governance the lost hard “G” in Los Angeles?

Abstract The scope of governing in the LA region is quite broad, encompassing regional, county, city, and community institutions and processes. The paradox of governance is that rather than acting in concert, these various institutions and processes often manifest conflicting and competing interests. Demographic changes, power struggles between the various governing institutions, and the continuation of “downtown”-oriented politics have created a volatile political environment. The language and symbols of community empowerment, without true representation and participation, have been the legacy of governing LA. This article charts the course of governance in LA, briefly focusing on the significant issues at the regional, county, city, and finally returning the community level to clarify the preconditions for returning governance to its rightful position in the discussion of governing this city.
Neutrino Physics Today, Important Issues and the Future

The status and the most important issues in neutrino physics will be summarized as well as how the current, pressing questions will be addressed by future experiments. Since the discovery of neutrino flavor transitions by the SuperKamiokande experiment in 1998, which demonstrates that neutrinos change and hence their clocks tick, i.e. they are not traveling at the speed of light and hence are not massless, the field of neutrino physics has made remarkable progress in untangling the nature of the neutrino. However, there are still many important questions to answer.
Distinct binding specificities and functions of higher eukaryotic polypyrimidine tract-binding proteins

In higher eukaryotes, the polypyrimidine-tract (Py-tract) adjacent to the 3' splice site is recognized by several proteins, including the essential splicing factor U2AF65, the splicing regulator Sex-lethal (Sxl), and polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB), whose function is unknown. Iterative in vitro genetic selection was used to show that these proteins have distinct sequence preferences. The uridine-rich degenerate sequences selected by U2AF65 are similar to those present in the diverse array of natural metazoan Py-tracts. In contrast, the Sxl-consensus is a highly specific sequence, which can help explain the ability of Sxl to regulate splicing of transformer pre-mRNA and autoregulate splicing of its own pre-mRNA. The PTB-consensus is not a typical Py-tract; it can be found in certain alternatively spliced pre-mRNAs that undergo negative regulation. Here it is shown that PTB can regulate alternative splicing by selectively repressing 3' splice sites that contain a PTB-binding site.
Evaluating programs for the gifted through student self‐documentation

Student self‐documentation is an effective approach to program evaluation. It measures student growth and compares performance standards to actual learner performance.
Nondegeneracy and integral representation of weak Markov systems

Abstract We generalize a result of Schwenker concerning the integral representation of weak Markov systems.
A merine seismic refraction study of the Santa Barbara Channel, California

Seismic data from a 186 km-long refraction profile in the Santa Barbara Channel have been interpreted using several velocity inversion techniques. Data were obtained during two cruises in 1978 and 1979. Seismic arrivals from fifty explosions of between 1 and 300 lbs. of TNT were recorded by two ocean bottom seismometers, four permanent ocean bottom stations (University of Southern California), and much of the United States Geological Survey/California Institute of Technology southern California seismic network. Travel-time inversion gives a Vp of 6.3 km sec-1 at 7.2 km depth above 7.2 km sec-1 at 14.4 km depth at the western end of the channel. At the eastern end, solutions suggest three sediment refractors overlying Vp of 6.4 km sec-1 at 7.3 km depth, above 7.0 km sec-1 at 11.6 km depth, above mantle arrivals with Vp of 8.3 km sec-1 at 21.8 km depth. The velocity structure determined by these methods suggests that the channel has a sedimentary fill of from 4 to 7 km and a layer of mafic plus ultramafic rock 14 to 17 km thick. The greatest thicknesses of sediments are restricted to east of Point Conception. The velocity data also suggest that the Franciscan formation may not be present beneath the channel. Rather, the crust here may represent a thickened portion of the Coast Range ophiolite.
Female participation and the natural rate of unemployment: A reexamination☆

Abstract According to most estimates, there has been a rising trend in the natural rate of unemployment. Economists often attribute this trend to demographic changes in the labor force, including the increased participation rate of women. This paper reevaluates this hypothesis with respect to gender within the context of a macroeconomic model, which also controls for the size of the labor force. It is found that this compositional effect is an illusion caused by not controlling for the negative impact of labor force size. Instead, women are found to have higher unemployment rates because they make up the bulk of the latest entrants into the labor force.
Expectancy information as a moderator of the effects of hypnosis on memory

Highly suggestible and low-suggestible students were shown slides of 40 line drawings and asked to recall them six times. Two-thirds of the students were given a hypnotic induction and hypermnesia suggestion for trials 3 and 4. Half of these participants were told that hypnosis enhances memory. The others were warned that hypnosis can lead to the production of false memories. Highly suggestible students given memory enhancement expectancy information displayed an increase in confident errors during hypnosis and retained these false memories after hypnosis. However, this effect was mitigated during hypnosis and eliminated after hypnosis among students who were warned that it might occur. Compared to control participants, hypnosis did not produce an increase in accurate memories, regardless of warnings. These data argue against both the use of hypnosis to enhance memory and the per se exclusion of testimony from hypnotized witnesses. Copyright © 1999 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis
Theoretical and treatment issues of personality disorders in individualistic and collectivistic societies

The author will attempt to equate so-called personality disorders with what used to be called psychoneurosis. Some suggestions for theoretical and technical modifications to apply psychoanalysis and psychotherapy on selective cases within the current managed care environment have been offered. In order to develop a comprehensive and effective psychotherapy system, a collaboration of psychotherapists both in collectivistic and individualistic societies is highly desirable. Furthermore, the differences of personality disorder and neurosis in both social structure are either minimal or insignificant from a psychotherapeutic point of view.
On the interplay effects with proton scanning beams in stage III lung cancer

Purpose: To assess the dosimetric impact of interplay between spot-scanning proton beam and respiratory motion in intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) for stage III lung cancer. Methods: Eleven patients were sampled from 112 patients with stage III nonsmall cell lung cancer to well represent the distribution of 112 patients in terms of target size and motion. Clinical target volumes (CTVs) and planning target volumes (PTVs) were defined according to the authors' clinical protocol. Uniform and realistic breathing patterns were considered along with regular- and hypofractionation scenarios. The dose contributed by a spot was fully calculated on the computed tomography (CT) images corresponding to the respiratory phase that the spot is delivered, and then accumulated to the reference phase of the 4DCT to generate the dynamic dose that provides an estimation of what might be delivered under the influence of interplay effect. The dynamic dose distributions at different numbers of fractions were compared with the corresponding 4D composite dose which is the equally weighted average of the doses, respectively, computed on respiratory phases of a 4DCT image set. Results: Under regular fractionation, the average and maximum differences in CTV coverage between the 4D composite and dynamic doses after delivery of all 35more » fractions were no more than 0.2% and 0.9%, respectively. The maximum differences between the two dose distributions for the maximum dose to the spinal cord, heart V40, esophagus V55, and lung V20 were 1.2 Gy, 0.1%, 0.8%, and 0.4%, respectively. Although relatively large differences in single fraction, correlated with small CTVs relative to motions, were observed, the authors' biological response calculations suggested that this interfractional dose variation may have limited biological impact. Assuming a hypofractionation scenario, the differences between the 4D composite and dynamic doses were well confined even for single fraction. Conclusions: Despite the presence of interplay effect, the delivered dose may be reliably estimated using the 4D composite dose. In general the interplay effect may not be a primary concern with IMPT for lung cancers for the authors' institution. The described interplay analysis tool may be used to provide additional confidence in treatment delivery.« less
Public and private sectors in higher education: A comparison of international patterns

This paper seeks to extend understanding of the varying nature and varying forms of private higher education. Three basic structural divisions between private and public sectors of higher education are compared: mass private and restricted public sectors; parallel public and private sectors; and, comprehensive public and peripheral private sectors. The private sectors are then contrasted in terms of such functional characteristics as state authority, financial constraints and dominant orientation toward either academic goals, the student marketplace or external patrons. The highly diverse American private sector is viewed in this context. A consideration of mass private sectors then suggests that parameters of public policy are set by structurally derived characteristics of higher education systems.
Why aren't we learning from our partners? An investigation on the relationship between initial conditions and knowledge acquisition effectiveness

Although the theoretical literature has been favourable regarding the benefits of alliances, the empirical literature has been less clear. In part, we argue that this is because the literature generally ignores the initial organisational conditions of the firms before engaging in such activities. To address this issue, we designed a survey research to study the impact of initial product innovation conditions on the inter-firm networking patterns of entrepreneurial firms. We tested our hypotheses on small and medium biotechnology and IC design firms in the USA and Taiwan. The results suggest that inter-firm alliances serve as an effective platform of external knowledge acquisition when the knowledge recipients are strongly committed to the knowledge acquisition process. However, the efforts to acquire external knowledge are usually diluted as the size of the focal firm's inter-firm network increases. Such dilution effect reduces the effectiveness of external knowledge acquisition from external partners.
Lactation following hysterectomy of pregnant mice.

An experiment was conducted to determine whether hysterectomized mice would nurse foster young and whether the milk yield approximated that of normally parturient animals. Lactation did not develop in animals hysterectomized on Days 10 and 11 of pregnancy. Lactation did develop in animals hysterectomized on Days 12-14 though the lactation performance was inferior to that of normally parturient mice as determined by increased pup weight. Hysterectomy on Days 15 and 18 resulted in lactation performance similar to that of normally paturient mice. Lactation developed more quickly the later hysterectomy was performed. A 72-hour delay in the presentation of foster young to animals hysterectomized on Days 13 and 18 did not inhibit lactation.
Re‐defining the unique roles for eosinophils in allergic respiratory inflammation

The role of eosinophils in the progression and resolution of allergic respiratory inflammation is poorly defined despite the commonality of their presence and in some cases their use as a biomarker for disease severity and/or symptom control. However, this ambiguity belies the wealth of insights that have recently been gained through the use of eosinophil-deficient/attenuated strains of mice that have demonstrated novel immunoregulatory and remodelling/repair functions for these cells in the lung following allergen provocation. Specifically, studies of eosinophil-deficient mice suggest that eosinophils contribute to events occurring in the lungs following allergen provocation at several key moments: (i) the initiating phase of events leading to Th2-polarized pulmonary inflammation, (ii) the suppression Th1/Th17 pathways in lung-draining lymph nodes, (iii) the recruitment of effector Th2 T cells to the lung, and finally, (iv) mechanisms of inflammatory resolution that re-establish pulmonary homoeostasis. These suggested functions have recently been confirmed and expanded upon using allergen provocation of an inducible eosinophil-deficient strain of mice (iPHIL) that demonstrated an eosinophil-dependent mechanism(s) leading to Th2 dominated immune responses in the presence of eosinophils in contrast to neutrophilic as well as mixed Th1/Th17/Th2 variant phenotypes in the absence of eosinophils. These findings highlighted that eosinophils are not exclusively downstream mediators controlled by T cells, dendritic cells (DC) and/or innate lymphocytic cells (ILC2). Instead, eosinophils appear to be more aptly described as significant contributors in complex interrelated pathways that lead to pulmonary inflammation and subsequently promote resolution and the re-establishment of homoeostatic baseline. In this review, we summarize and put into the context the evolving hypotheses that are now expanding our understanding of the roles eosinophils likely have in the lung following allergen provocation.
Age-Related Changes in Vagal Afferents Innervating the Gastrointestinal Tract

Recent progress in understanding visceral afferents, some of it reviewed in the present issue, serves to underscore how little is known about the aging of the visceral afferents in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In spite of the clinical importance of the issue—with age, GI function often becomes severely compromised—only a few initial observations on age-related structural changes of visceral afferents are available. Primary afferent cell bodies in both the nodose ganglia and dorsal root ganglia lose Nissl material and accumulate lipofucsin, inclusions, aggregates, and tangles. Additionally, in changes that we focus on in the present review, vagal visceral afferent terminals in both the muscle wall and the mucosa of the GI tract exhibit age-related structural changes. In aged animals, both of the vagal terminal types examined, namely intraganglionic laminar endings and villus afferents, exhibit dystrophic or regressive morphological changes. These neuropathies are associated with age-related changes in the structural integrity of the target organs of the affected afferents, suggesting that local changes in trophic environment may give rise to the aging of GI innervation. Given the clinical relevance of GI tract aging, a more complete understanding both of how aging alters the innervation of the gut and of how such changes might be mitigated should be made research priorities.
Protein kinase C as a measure of transbilayer phosphatidylserine asymmetry.

Abstract The endogenous phosphatidylserine of normal erythrocytes is confined to the cytoplasmic leaflet of the membrane. However, under pathologic conditions transmembrane asymmetry can be altered and cytofacial phosphatidylserine may appear on the cell surface. A sensitive alternative method for the measurement of the exposed phosphatidylserine content of erythrocyte membranes was developed using the activation of exogenous protein kinase C. Erythrocytes containing exogenous phosphatidylcholine incorporated into the outer membrane monolayer do not stimulate protein kinase C activity more than untreated cells. In contrast, red cells that have exogenous phosphatidylserine incorporated into their membrane outer monolayer, by prior inhibition of the aminophospholipid transporter, stimulate protein kinase C significantly more than red cells in which exogenous phosphatidylserine is allowed to translocate to the inner membrane monolayer. Kinase activation is comparable for normal cells and cells not exposed to lipid in which the aminophospholipid transporter is inhibited with sulfhydryl reagents (diamide or N-ethylmaleimide). However, Ca2+-loading results in an increase in activation of protein kinase C over control cells, consistent with previous reports that Ca2+ induces the exposure of erythrocyte and platelet phosphatidylserine. By reference to protein kinase C activation by phosphatidylserine in model systems, the quantity of phosphatidylserine on the cell surface may be estimated. Thus, protein kinase C activation affords a sensitive and specific measure of phosphatidylserine in the outer monolayer of biological membranes.
The usability process: working with iterative design principles

A discussion of the real-world environment of usability testing in the computer industry leads into a discussion of how the real world constrains the usability process and how the usability specialist can cope with the constraints. The focus is on two major constraints that result from the need to get information to the interface designers early enough so that they can use it: the need to work with incomplete materials, and the short amount of time usually allotted for a usability test iteration. The design of a new documentation model at Microsoft is considered as an example. >
The limits to scale? Methodological reflections on scalar structuration

Fruitful new avenues of theorization and research have been opened by recent writings on the production of geographical scale. However, this outpouring of research on scale production and on rescaling processes has been accompanied by a notable analytical blunting of the concept of geographical scale as it has been blended unreflexively into other core geograph- ical concepts such as place, locality, territory and space. This essay explores this methodological danger: first, through a critical reading of Sallie Marston's (2000) recent article in this journal on 'The social construction of scale'; second, through a critical examination of the influential notion of a politics 'of ' scale. A concluding section suggests that our theoretical grasp of geographical scale could be significantly advanced if scaling processes are distinguished more precisely from other major dimensions of sociospatial structuration under capitalism. Eleven methodological hypotheses for confronting this task are then proposed.
The peroxidatic function of liver microsomal cytochrome P-450: comparison of hydrogen peroxide and NADPH-catalysed N-demethylation reactions.

1. Fifteen different secondary and tertiary methyl amines have been examined as substrates for the cytochromes P-450 of rat-liver microsomes to determine the similarities or differences between the NADPH and oxygen-dependent N-demethylation reaction and the reaction occurring in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. No apparent correlation of the rates of formaldehyde formation using the two different conditions of oxidation was observed.2. The types of cytochromes P-450 were altered by using rat-liver microsomes from animals treated with various inducing agents. No obvious predictable dependence on the type of cytochrome P-450 present was obtained for the hydrogen peroxide-supported peroxidatic reaction.3. It is concluded that the hydrogen peroxide-dependent JV-demethylation reaction occurs by a reaction mechanism distinct from that occurring during the mixed-function oxidase activity of cytochrome P-450 obtained in the presence of NADPH and oxygen.
Inside debt, aggregate demand, and the Cambridge theory of distribution

This paper presents a Kaleckian model of aggregate demand with inside debt and a generational structure. The model shows how worker borrowing and population growth affect the level of aggregate demand. It also reexamines the Cambridge theorem and shows that the introduction of inside debt arising from worker borrowing means that the rate of profit and profit share are no longer independent of worker consumption behavior because increased worker borrowing increases capitalists' debt service income. This necessitates a decline in profits to maintain the balance between capitalists' savings and their investment funding requirement. (c) 1996 Academic Press Limited Copyright 1996 by Oxford University Press.
CT-scan based FEA for the assessment of the effect of bone density on femur's fracture

The apparent correlation between bone density and susceptibility to fracture was evaluated using finite element modeling. Based on computed tomography data of an actual femur bone, a versatile virtual model was created and modified in order to simulate different bone geometries and densities. Under typical load conditions the highest strains were calculated for the inferior side of the femur shaft, and the anterior side of the femur neck close to the trochanter. Strain values consistently decreased with raising cortical bone content.
A Large-Scale Study of MySpace: Observations and Implications for Online Social Networks

We study the characteristics of large online social networks through an extensive analysis of over 1.9 million MySpace profiles in an effort to understand who is using these networks and how they are being used. We study MySpace through a comparative study over three different, but related, facets: (i) the sociability of users in MySpace based on relationship, messaging, and group participation; (ii) the demographic characteristics of MySpace users in terms of age, gender, and location, and a study of how these factors correlate with their privacy preferences; and (iii) the text artifacts of MySpace users, which can be used to construct language models that distinguish MySpace users not just by who they say they are but also by the language model they employ. We find a number of surprising results and conjecture several potential research directions based on our observations.
Towards building artificial light harvesting complexes: enhanced singlet-singlet energy transfer between donor and acceptor pairs bound to albumins.

Specific donor and acceptor pairs have been assembled in bovine serum albumin (BSA), at neutral pH and room temperature, and these dye–protein complexes indicated efficient donor to acceptor singlet–singlet energy transfer. For example, pyrene-1-butyric acid served as the donor and Coumarin 540A served as the acceptor. Both the donor and the acceptor bind to BSA with affinity constants in excess of 2 × 105 M−1, as measured in absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectral titrations. Simultaneous binding of both the donor and the acceptor chromophores was supported by CD spectra and one chromophore did not displace the other from the protein host, even when limited concentrations of the host were used. For example, a 1:1:1 complex between the donor, acceptor and the host can be readily formed, and spectral data clearly show that the binding sites are mutually exclusive. The ternary complexes (two different ligands bound to the same protein molecule) provided opportunities to examine singlet–singlet energy transfer between the protein-bound chromophores. Donor emission was quenched by the addition of the acceptor, in the presence of limited amounts of BSA, while no energy transfer was observed in the absence of the protein host, under the same conditions. The excitation spectra of the donor–acceptor-host complexes clearly show the sensitization of acceptor emission by the donor. Protein denaturation, as induced by the addition of urea or increasing the temperature to 360 K, inhibited energy transfer, which indicate that protein structure plays an important role. Sensitization also proceeded at low temperature (77 K) and diffusion of the donor or the acceptor is not required for energy transfer. Stern–Volmer quenching plots show that the quenching constant is (3.1 ± 0.2) × 104 M−1, at low acceptor concentrations (<35 μM). Other albumins such as human and porcine proteins also served as good hosts for the above experiments. For the first time, non-natural systems have been self-assembled which can capture donor–acceptor pairs and facilitate singlet–singlet energy transfer. Such systems may form a basis for the design and construction of protein-based multi-chromophore self-assemblies for solar light harvesting, conversion and storage.
ATV: an abstract timing verifier

A discussion is presented of implementation and extensions of an abstract timing verifier, and in particular, several novel operations and a novel algorithm for analyzing critical paths that extend through transparent latches and stretch over multiple machine cycles. By placing events in different reference frames that can be translated relative to one another, the program can be used either to check a design for timing errors when the clock schedule is fixed and known, or to derive spacing constraints between clock edges when only the relative ordering of the clock edges is known. All algorithms are designed to operate on a wide variety of representation of time and delay. >
Barriers to Mentoring: The Female Manager's Dilemma

Mentoring relationships may be critical for women seeking advancement in organizations. The infrequency of mentoring relationships for females suggests special concerns and considerations. This literature review draws upon current research to examine the interpersonal and organizational barriers female managers face in developing and maintaining effective mentoring relationships in organizations. An analysis is made of gender differences in the function, nature, and effectiveness of mentoring relationships. Recommendations and guidelines for future research and theory development are proposed. The groundwork for a longitudinal theory of mentoring and career development for women in organizations is presented. Implications for organizations are also discussed.
Co-operative location update algorithm for mobiles in next generation cellular networks

In cellular networks, occasional location updates to the base station by a mobile terminal are critical in order to route incoming calls successfully and also to maintain ongoing communication uninterrupted. In current cellular systems, the location update algorithm is implemented on a one-to-one basis, i.e. each mobile updates its location information directly with the base station following a specific set of rules. For next generation systems, a highly dense network in terms of total number of mobile users in a particular base station area is anticipated. The one-to-one location update method could prove to be very costly in terms of total traffic generated between mobiles and base stations due to the location update messages. The average battery energy used by each mobile is another aspect of the cost associated with location updates. In this work, we propose a new location update algorithm called co-operative location updates. In this scheme, a mobile terminal collects location information from its neighbors who are ready to update their locations and transmits all information to the base station along with its own location information. Such collective updating on the part of a single mobile terminal results in significant reduction in the signaling traffic to the base station. Our results also show that the mobile terminal survives a larger number of location updates, implying more efficient usage of battery energy under the proposed cooperative updating scheme.