cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Value Co-Creation Behaviour within the Social Media Context

ABSTRACTManuscript type: Research paperResearch aims: This study investigates the impact of value co-creation behaviour on customer loyalty within the context of social media. It also attempts to determine the role played by customer brand experience and customer satisfaction as mediating variables.Design/Methodology/Approach: Drawing upon the service-dominant logic theory, a research framework is developed and tested using the structural equation modelling. The data comprise the input of 449respondents from Lebanon.Research findings: The findings provide substantial evidence showing the relationship between customer value co-creation behaviour and customer loyalty. This relationship is partially mediated by customer brand experience.Theoretical contribution/Originality: This study expands on existing literature by investigating how customer value co-creation behaviours can lead to customer loyalty within the social media context of Lebanon.Practitioner/Policy implications: The findings can assist managers in understanding how customer loyalty can be promoted through co-creation behaviours within social media. The results suggest that managers should provide the means which can encourage more behavioural, intellectual and affective customer reviews/feedback. Research limitation/Implications: The limitation of this study rests on its findings which cannot be generalised to a wider business community as it focuses only on the context of Lebanon. Keywords: Online Customer Brand Experience, Online Customer Loyalty, Online Customer Satisfaction, Online Customer Value Co-Creation Behaviour, Service-Dominant Logic, Social MediaJEL Classification: M31
The Challenges and Policy Issues Faced by Saudi HEIs When Adopting or Formulating Social Media Policies

The purpose of the study is to investigate and clarify the factors that affect Saudi higher education institutions’ adoption and formulation of effective policies on social media. A focus group was conducted to explore the critical challenges and issues preventing Saudi higher education from creating and formulating a clear social media policy. Focus group sessions were held online, which involved administrators and policy makers from the higher education in Saudi Arabia. Data were analyzed using qualitative research methodology, specifically, the manual thematic analysis approach with the support of NVivo software. Factors perceived in this study as the major reasons and challenges for not having a clear social media policy included lack of policy makers, awareness, management support, and resources. The findings suggest that Saudi higher education institutions (HEIs) need to enhance their social media policy and may need to consider outsourcing to gather the desirable resources to formulate and implement a clear social media policy.
Embryonic stem cells and in vitro muscle development.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the use of embryonic stem (ES) cells as a model in vitro system to study the embryonic muscle development. A number of studies indicate that embryonic muscle morphogenesis and myogenic gene expression occur in differentiating ES cell cultures are discussed in this chapter. The chapter describes a growing number of reports, in which in vitro ES cell cultures are used, to investigate the genetic and hormonal regulation of cardiac and skeletal myogenesis. Where data is available, the findings of in vitro and in vivo experiments are compared. The chapter discusses some of the potential uses of this in vitro system to analyze the mechanisms that regulate normal muscle determination and differentiation. ES cells are valuable tools for studying mouse developmental genetics for two main reasons. First, exogenous genes can be readily introduced into ES cells in vitro, by electroporation or retroviral delivery. Second, ES cells can colonize the inner cell mass of host embryos after blastocyst injection and contribute at a high frequency to both the somatic tissues and the germline of the resulting chimera. ES cells, therefore, present a means of introducing the alterations in the mouse genome and have primarily been used to study the in vivo effects of targeted mutagenesis and for detecting the expression of novel developmentally regulated genes in the embryos.
Extended Forward Sensitivity Analysis for Uncertainty Quantification

This paper presents the extended forward sensitivity analysis as a method to help uncertainty qualification. By including time step and potentially spatial step as special sensitivity parameters, the forward sensitivity method is extended as one method to quantify numerical errors. Note that by integrating local truncation errors over the whole system through the forward sensitivity analysis process, the generated time step and spatial step sensitivity information reflect global numerical errors. The discretization errors can be systematically compared against uncertainties due to other physical parameters. This extension makes the forward sensitivity method a much more powerful tool to help uncertainty qualification. By knowing the relative sensitivity of time and space steps with other interested physical parameters, the simulation is allowed to run at optimized time and space steps without affecting the confidence of the physical parameter sensitivity results. The time and space steps forward sensitivity analysis method can also replace the traditional time step and grid convergence study with much less computational cost. Two well-defined benchmark problems with manufactured solutions are utilized to demonstrate the method.
Educational Administration: An Overview

method of teaching writing is exactly in line with what business demands-the ability to work as a team member, to analyze and solve problems independently, and to take responsibility for getting work accomplished. Business is concerned about work-force skills, and this is a good time to look toward alliances to help support the special programs in schools. The New York Times recently reported that a growing number of businesses now have managers to supervise assistance to schools-84 percent of the 162 large companies surveyed. We should aggressively seek alliances with local businesses, and we should do what we can to send students into the workplace-to do research projects, to shadow workers and witness the need for communication skills, and to establish mentoring relationships. Basically, what English teachers need to do is continue what they do well-to find ways to fully integrate complex linguistic, behavioral, and thinking skills with new knowledge. For instance, we might ask ourselves how well we teach oral communication skills. Are students challenged to solve problems or explain complex information through small group interaction? Do we encourage students to monitor their strategies for speaking and listening in task-oriented situations? Do students receive feedback on their speech patterns that is of the same level of etail that we provide on their writing sk lls? Examining our practices from a workplace perspectiv will lead to a fruitful mix-one that ensures that our students a e gaining the skills they need to be productive in the new economy. We need not see such programs as reductionistic, but as deeply humanizing and liberating for individuals. We can continue to define our task as English teachers in the high st terms-to teach students to read nd write purposefully; to lead them to reason, reflect, nd analyze complicated situations; and to help them express themselves and work with others in cooperative ways. And we can continue to work within our schools to be sure they promote full academic and social development for all students.
Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Temporal Bone with Otic Capsule Involvement

This study is conducted to demonstrate that destructive lesions of the otic capsule by Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) causing both radiographic and audiologic findings can be completely reversed with adequate treatment. Retrospective case review and analysis of clinical and imaging data were obtained as part of the diagnosis and treatment of patients with LCH of the temporal bone. With Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, cases of LCH involving the temporal bone were searched for within the institutional databases. Criteria for inclusion was histologic diagnosis of LCH and pretreatment computed tomography (CT) demonstrating temporal bone and/or otic capsule involvement and posttreatment follow-up CT/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans obtained at least 6 months after starting treatment. We report eight cases of LCH of the temporal bone with three demonstrating otic capsule involvement radiographically and/or clinically. Review of posttreatment imaging revealed all three patients had complete restoration of the bony labyrinthine architecture and near or complete restoration of their hearing. Though LCH of the temporal bone is a common site within the spectrum of the disease, involvement of the otic capsule remains rare. Here, we report the largest series of otic capsule involvement by LCH and investigate whether both architecture and hearing are recovered with appropriate treatment. Lastly, restoration of the bony architecture of the labyrinth suggests the mechanism of LCH is demineralization and not ablative.
Are icons sense data

We argue that Hoffman, Singh, and Prakash (Psychon Bull Rev, this issue) have not made the case that "the language of space-time and physical objects is the wrong language for describing the true structure of the objective world." Further, we contend that, contrary to what Hoffman et al. claim, the perceptual icons posited by interface theory seem best taken to be sense data.
Coculture of Escherichia coli O157:H7 with a nonpathogenic E. coli strain increases toxin production and virulence in a germfree mouse model

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a notorious foodborne pathogen due to its low infectious dose and the disease symptoms it causes, which include bloody diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps. In some cases, the disease progresses to hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), due to the expression of one or more Shiga toxins (Stx). Isoforms of Stx, including Stx2a, are encoded within temperate prophages. In the presence of certain antibiotics, phage induction occurs, which also increases the expression of toxin genes. Additionally, increased Stx2 accumulation has been reported when O157:H7 was cocultured with phage-susceptible nonpathogenic E. coli. This study characterized an E. coli O157:H7 strain, designated PA2, that belongs to the hypervirulent clade 8 cluster. Stx2a levels after ciprofloxacin induction were lower for PA2 than for the prototypical outbreak strains Sakai and EDL933. However, during coculture with the nonpathogenic strain E. coli C600, PA2 produced Stx2a levels that were 2- to 12-fold higher than those observed during coculture with EDL933 and Sakai, respectively. Germfree mice cocolonized by PA2 and C600 showed greater kidney damage, increased Stx2a accumulation in feces, and more visible signs of disease than mice given PA2 or C600 alone. These data suggest one mechanism by which microorganisms associated with the colonic microbiota could enhance the virulence of E. coli O157:H7, particularly a subset of clade 8 strains.
Effect of protein synthesis inhibition on gene expression during early development of Dictyostelium discoideum.

Abstract Several genes which are deactivated on the initiation of development of Dictyostelium discoideum were identified by differential screening of various cDNA libraries. These genes have in common a decrease in the steady-state levels of their corresponding mRNAs on the onset of development and as development proceeds. When development was carried out in the absence of protein synthesis by inhibition with cycloheximide, the decrease in mRNA levels for most genes (V genes) was normal or slightly accelerated. For about 5% of the genes (H genes), however, cycloheximide caused an apparent induction of expression, as revealed by a slight or dramatic increase in mRNA levels, instead of the normal decrease. This effect was due to inhibition of protein synthesis and not to cycloheximide per se. The induction was found to be due to an enhancement of the transcription rate; normal rates of transcription for the H genes were dependent on continued protein synthesis during vegetative growth and development. Thus, two general regulatory classes exist for deactivation of gene expression on initiation of development, one of which is dependent on and one of which is independent of protein synthesis. Analysis of expression of these genes in mutant strains which are aggregation deficient allowed the classes to be subdivided further. Taken together, these characterizations allow several distinct regulatory mechanisms to be identified that are involved in the deactivation of gene expression on the onset of development in D. discoideum.
An online learning framework for link adaptation in wireless networks

Current and future wireless networks require the selection of a plurality of parameters at different layers of the communication system to optimize network throughput while satisfying certain reliability constraints. In prior work, mathematical input/output models along with system performance expressions have been used to perform the parameter selection. In practice, however, impairments such as interference and analog circuit nonlinearities are difficult to model in a simple and tractable framework. Moreover, these impairments are in flux due to environmental factors. This paper summarizes an online machine learning approach to parameter selection through the real-time capturing of performance related data. Online learning is advantageous, not only because changes in the system model can be captured in the data observations, but also for its ability to learn system operation details not provided by current system models. A modified version of k-nearest neighbor is developed to enable both the real-time capture of training data and the performance criterion for physical layer adaptation.
Group interventions in schools

As part of the University of South Carolina's Institute for Families in Society, clinicians and graduate students are based in various schools throughout South Carolina delivering mental health services. These clinicians and graduate studients (N=37) were surveyed regarding the use of group interventions in their respective schools. Their responses to the survey questions provide the basis for this monograph which summarizes 95 selected recent references about group interventions in school. The monograph is designed to offer technical assistance in the form of information to clinicians and graduate students with ongoing group interventions, and assist them in developing new groups in school settings.
Bismuthates: BaBiO3 and related superconducting phases

Abstract BaBiO3 has the perovskite structure, but tilting of the BiO6 octahedra destroy the ideal cubic symmetry except at temperatures above 820 K. BaBiO3 is a diamagnetic semiconductor due to a charge density wave (CDW), which is equivalent to a Ba2Bi3+Bi5+O6 representation. Recent calculations and experimental results confirm that there is no significant deviation from the oxidation states of 3+ and 5+. Superconductivity with a Tc as high as 13 K occurs for BaPb1−xBixO3 phases where the 6s band is about 25% filled, and superconductivity with a Tc as high as 34 K occurs for Ba1−xKxBiO3 phases where the 6s band is about 35% filled. Structures in these two solid solutions can have cubic, tetragonal, orthorhombic, or monoclinic symmetry. However, superconductivity has only been observed when the symmetry is tetragonal.
The impact of O2 availability on human cancer.

During the past century, the response to hypoxia has emerged as an important phenotypic determinant of a tumour, with repercussions for sensitivity to radiation and chemotherapy. This Timeline provides a historical overview of responses to hypoxia while looking forward to therapeutic strategies that are being developed to exploit them. During the past century it has been established that regions within solid tumours experience mild to severe O2 deprivation owing to aberrant vascular function. These hypoxic regions are associated with altered cellular metabolism, as well as increased resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. As discussed in this Timeline, over the past decade work from many laboratories has elucidated the mechanisms by which hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) modulate tumour cell metabolism, angiogenesis, growth and metastasis. The central role played by intra-tumoural hypoxia and HIF in these processes has made them attractive therapeutic targets in the treatment of multiple human malignancies.
Response of high-energy phosphates and lactate release during prolonged regional ischemia in vivo.

BACKGROUNDThe functional impairment of persistently ischemic, or "hibernating," myocardium may serve to maintain myocardial cell viability through a reduction of energy requirements. Although previous studies have, in a variety of experimental models, independently shown variable responses in lactate metabolism and intracellular phosphates during prolonged ischemia, the responses of these metabolites under identical flow conditions have not been adequately described.METHODS AND RESULTSTo examine the responses of high-energy phosphates and lactate metabolism to prolonged ischemia induced by partial coronary artery stenosis, 12 open-chest pigs were studied using 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Concurrent measurements of blood flow, segment shortening, high-energy phosphates, and lactate release (in nine animals) were made during 2 hours of regional ischemia. Subendocardial blood flow and segment shortening were persistently depressed during ischemia, with parallel reductions in ATP, phosphocrea...
Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in early stage ovarian carcinoma

BACKGROUND Tumor angiogenesis is essential for solid tumor growth. Yet, the importance of any particular factor in neoplastic proliferation is poorly defined. This study examines the clinical significance of increased expression of one of the angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in early stage ovarian carcinoma. METHODS Tumor specimens from 68 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage I and II ovarian carcinoma were evaluated for VEGF expression. Antisense and corresponding sense (control) RNA probes were transcribed from the pCR™II construct (Invitrogen, San Diego, CA), which contained human VEGF cDNA. The antisense probe was designed to include a highly conserved region of the VEGF coding sequence and thus detect all known variants. After in situ hybridization, sections were assessed for overexpression of VEGF. RESULTS Twenty-nine of the tumor samples overexpressed VEGF, whereas 39 specimens did not. In patients whose tumors demonstrated elevated VEGF expression, 25% were without evidence of disease recurrence at last follow-up. In contrast, 75% of the patients whose tumors did not overexpress VEGF were without evidence of disease at last follow-up (P 108 months for the VEGF negative group (P 120 months for the VEGF negative group (P 0.05). Assignment to a high risk group, as defined by the Gynecologic Oncology Group of the National Cancer Institute, was somewhat predictive of a shorter relapse free interval (P = 0.056). In a multivariate analysis, however, only elevated VEGF expression was associated with poorer survival. CONCLUSIONS In this analysis, patients with early stage ovarian carcinoma with increased VEGF expression had a poorer prognosis. Further study of VEGF may ultimately lead to identification of patients with high risk lesions whose tumor biology portends a worse prognosis and who therefore may benefit from aggressive adjuvant therapy. Cancer 1997; 80:98-106. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
The Measurement of Performance Valence: An Examination of Construct-Related Evidence

Abstract Garland′s (1985) summated valence measure is an indirect measure of goals, not an improved operationalization of the valence construct, as demonstrated in this paper. In Study 1, a meta-analysis showed that Garland′s measure of valence correlated negatively with both personal goals and performance while all other measures of valence correlated positively with personal goals and performance. In Study 2, a protocol analysis showed that the majority of subjects estimated valence based upon a comparison between personal goals and possible future performance levels. In addition, subjects′ use of second level outcomes in making ratings sharply decreased across items, indicating the performance valence measure wasn′t eliciting the information necessary to calculate valence according to Vroom′s (1964) definition. Evidence from both the meta-analysis and the protocol analysis support the assertion that Garland′s measure of performance valence is best conceptualized as an indirect measure of goals.
Ras2 and Ras1 Protein Phosphorylation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

This work describes the phosphorylation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ras proteins and explores the physiological role of the phosphorylation of Ras2 protein. Proteins expressed from activated alleles of RAS were less stable and less phosphorylated than proteins from cells expressing wild-type alleles of RAS. This difference in phosphorylation level did not result from increased signaling through the Ras-cAMP pathway or reflect the primarily GTP-bound nature of activated forms of Ras protein per se. In addition, phosphorylation of Ras protein was not dependent on proper localization of the Ras2 protein to the plasma membrane nor on the interaction of Ras2p with its exchange factor, Cdc25p. The preferred phosphorylation site on Ras2 protein was identified as serine 214. This site, when mutated to alanine, led to promiscuous phosphorylation of Ras2 protein on nearby serine residues. A decrease in phosphorylation may lead to a decrease in signaling through the Ras-cAMP pathway.
Fundamental Characteristics of Thermospray Aerosols and Sample Introduction for Atomic Spectrometry

Sample introduction to inductively coupled plasma atomic emission using thermospray nebulization is studied at a fundamental level. Optimum signals and signal-to-noise ratios result from thermospray operation at temperatures which coincide with highest analyte transport (>20%). High transport levels are maintained at sample flow rates of up to 3 mL/min. On the basis of comparison with analyte transport measurements for a pneumatic nebulizer (1.5%), signal increases are less than anticipated. Measurement of primary thermospray aerosols, using Fraunhofer diffraction, indicates that the enhanced transport results from decreased particle sizes for thermospray aerosols compared with pneumatic aerosols. Solvent is more rapidly vaporized from hot thermospray aerosols, further increasing the disparity in particle sizes. On the basis of aerosol particle size data, a conceptual model for aerosol generation, which is similar to pneumatic processes, is developed for thermospray. Trends for further improvements in thermospray aerosol production are predicted.
EROSION MODEL FOR THE SUNGRAZING COMETS OBSERVED WITH THE SOLAR AND HELIOSPHERIC OBSERVATORY

The objectives of this study are to model and interpret quantitatively the brightness variations of 27 Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) sungrazers. The light curves, published by Uzzo et al. and by Biesecker et al., are shown to provide information on a proposed erosion process, which consists of continuous, progressive bulk fragmentation and sublimation of these minicomets on their approach to the Sun. The erosion rate and the time of peak signal are determined primarily by an effective latent energy of erosion (analogous to a sublimation heat), which is found to have a bimodal distribution with sharp peaks near 34,000-35,000 and 40,000-41,000 cal mol-1 for the main components of the 27 objects. Their derived initial diameters are between 17 and 200 m. With the given range of erosion energies, a sungrazer that is to survive its return to the Sun needs to be more than 1-1.4 km in diameter, depending on its perihelion distance. The shape of the light curves at heliocentric distances smaller than 7 R☉ is interpreted to indicate the existence of fairly sizable, but unresolved, close companions, which appear to have split off from their parent bodies shortly before, if not during, observation. All subfragments that survived longer than the main components had erosion energies significantly higher than the average, between 45,000 and nearly 90,000 cal mol-1. There is also evidence for subfragments with erosion energies lower than 34,000 cal mol-1. Because the erosion process is believed to be dominated by continual fragmentation, the existence of such subfragments should not be surprising. The brightness of the SOHO sungrazers at peak signal is mass diagnostic, and their cumulative distribution varies inversely as the initial mass to a power of 0.56-0.68. Thus, much of the total mass is still locked in the most massive fragments, and the Kreutz system is apparently in an early phase of its evolution.
Systematic characterization of excited states in conjugated polymers

Abstract We present the first complete systematic characterization of the excited states in conjugated polymers. Our results are relevant for the understanding of the photophysics of these materials. We perform full configuration interaction calculations in an exciton basis within which a long chain polymer is considered as coupled molecular units. Complete pictorial descriptions of all excited states are obtained. In linear chain polymers such as the polyacetylenes and polydiacetylenes the 1 B u is an exciton, and the fundamental two-photon states can be broadly classified into triplet-triplet ( TT ), charge-transfer ( CT ) and singlet-singlet ( SS ) excitations. In the above CT refers to charge-transfer from one unit to another, and TT and SS are two electron-two hole excitations. In TT the spin angular momenta of two different triplet excitations combine to give an overall singlet, while the individual excitations are singlets in SS . The 2 A g is classified as TT . The mA g , an even parity state that plays a strong role in nonlinear optics, is a correlated CT state. The SS states occur higher in energy and for moderate exciton binding split into the biexciton and two-exciton continuum. The calculations can be easily extended to the polyphenylenes, for which the characterization of excited states continues to be possible. These theoretical results are useful in explaining a variety of third order nonlinear optical spectroscopic measurements as well as picosecond photoinduced absorption.
CHARACTERIZATION OF CELL LINES DEVELOPED FROM THE GLASSY-WINGED SHARPSHOOTER, HOMALODISCA COAGULATA (HEMIPTERA: CICADELLIDAE)

SUMMARY Four continuous cell lines were established from the embryos of the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca coagulata (Say), an economically important insect vector of bacterial pathogens of grape, almond, citrus, oleander, and other agricultural and ornamental plantings. The cell lines were designated GWSS-Z10, GWSS-Z15, GWSS-G3, and GWSS-LH. The GWSS-Z10, GWSS-Z15, and GWSS-G3 lines were cultured in Ex-Cell 401 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), whereas the GWSS-LH line was cultured in LH medium supplemented with 20% FBS. The cell lines were characterized in terms of their morphology, growth, protein composition, and polymerase chain reaction‐ amplification patterns of their chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid. The population doubling times of GWSS-Z10, GWSSZ15, GWSS-G3, and GWSS-LH were 46.2, 90.9, 100.3, and 60.2 h, respectively. These lines should be useful for the study of insect-pathogenic viruses of leafhoppers, aphids, treehoppers, and other related insects as well as plant-pathogenic viruses that are transmitted by these insects.
The infrared spectrum of matrix isolated aminoacetonitrile, a precursor to the amino acid glycine

We present infrared (IR) spectral data from matrix isolation experiments and density functional theory calculations on the pre-biologically interesting molecule aminoacetonitrile, a precursor to glycine. We find that this nitrile has an unusually weak nitrile (C=N) stretch in the infrared, in contrast to expectations based on measurements and models of other nitriles under astrophysical conditions. The absence of an observable nitrile absorption feature in the infrared will make the IR search for this molecule considerably more difficult, and will raise estimates of upper limits on nitriles in interstellar and outer Solar System ices. This is also of relevance to assessing the formation routes of the amino acid glycine, since aminoacetonitrile is the putative precursor to glycine via the Strecker synthesis, the mechanism postulated to have produced the amino acids in meteorites.
A technique for the reduction of dynamic degrees of freedom

This paper presents a variation on the component mode technique for the dynamic substructuring of large-scale structural analysis of building and bridge frames. The principal innovation of the proposed method of dynamic reduction is that the resulting mass matrix of the reduced substructures remains diagonal. As in the component mode technique, the reduction is accomplished by transforming the degrees of freedom in the substructure using boundary shapes and internal shapes. The diagonal mass matrix is achieved by orthogonalization of the boundary shapes to the internal shapes, and a selective row-by-row summation of the mass matrix into the diagonal entry (where off-diagonal terms are unavoidable). To aid in recovering the accuracy of the rigid-body inertias that is lost in the diagonalization process, additional pseudo-rigid-body-mode shapes are proposed.
Characterization of multiple carriers in GaN using variable magnetic-field Hall measurements

Variable magnetic-field Hall-effect measurements were performed on two thick GaN samples grown by hydride vapor-phase epitaxy (HVPE), one freestanding and one attached to the sapphire substrate. Results are compared to those obtained using the more standard, single magnetic-field Hall measurements. In both samples, a second low-mobility electron was indicated that significantly influenced interpretation of single-field Hall measurements, particularly at low temperatures. Extraction of the bulk carrier using fits to the variable-field Hall data allowed a more accurate determination of the temperature dependence of the bulk electrical properties and, hence, basic physical parameters. In addition, the quantitative mobility-spectrum analysis (QMSA) technique, reported here for the first time on GaN, indicated a continuous and significant spread in mobility for the bulk electron, likely with sample thickness. Thus, even the “improved” results, based on modeling the multiple-carrier fitting (MCF) analysis, obtained in this study should be viewed with some suspicion, as they clearly represent an average over an electrically inhomogeneous sample.
Vapor phase osmometric studies of alkali metal salts in acetone and tetrahydrofuran solutions

Abstract Apparent mol. wts have been determined for a number of lithium and sodium salts in acetone and in tetrahydrofuran solutions in the 0·01–0·15 M concentration range. The degrees of association have been estimated from the data and are found to be strongly solvent and anion dependent. In acetone solutions, tetraphenylborates show nearly complete dissociation while thiocyanates, bromides and especially chlorides are strongly associated. In tetrahydrofuran solution all salts are strongly associated into ion pairs and for the chloride and the thiocyanate, to higher ionic aggregates.'
IEH graphs

We propose a new family of interconnection topology that can be used to design communication architecture for distributed systems with an arbitrary number of computing nodes. The design is based on a novel generalization of the well known hypercube graphs. The proposed topology is shown to be incrementally extensible in steps of 1 (cost of restructuring or adding edges is very low), optimally fault tolerant and its diameter is logarithmic in the number of nodes. Moreover, for any given number of nodes, the difference of the maximum and the minimum degree of a node in the graph is ≤1, i.e., the graph is almost regular. A shortest routing algorithm for the proposed family of graphs has been developed.
Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) partial nephrectomy in a porcine model

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) transgastric partial nephrectomy without hilar clamping in a porcine model. A 45-kg male pig was placed in the supine position after endotracheal general anesthesia. A therapeutic gastroscope was introduced through the esophagus, and a 2-cm gastrotomy was performed using a diathermy electrocautery needle at the junction of the fundus and the proximal body. After incision of Gerota’s fascia, the left kidney’s upper pole was excised using the thulium laser without hilar dissection or clamping. An endoscopic wire loop was used to entrap and extract the specimen into the stomach. The gastroscope was subsequently withdrawn with the intact specimen. After hemostasis via reinsertion of the endoscope was ensured, metal clips were applied endoscopically to close the gastrotomy. The total operative time for the NOTES transgastric partial nephrectomy was 240 min. Use of the therapeutic double-channel gastroscope allowed for scarless NOTES. The available 3.7- and 2.8-mm gastroscope ports were used for gastrotomy, excision, removal of the specimen, and endoscopic clip application. The procedure was performed in a nonischemic fashion with application of the thulium laser, which provided adequate hemostasis. No further interventions such as suturing of the renal capsule or use of hemostatic agents were required. The final specimen was 3 cm in size, and the estimated blood loss was 200 ml. A major drawback of the thulium laser was excessive smoke produced by vaporization of the tissue, which was minimized with the use of external irrigation. The findings show that NOTES transgastric partial nephrectomy with thulium laser is feasible. Further studies are needed to demonstrate long-term efficacy and provide additional data regarding practical applications of this novel approach and technique.
Strategic investment and conjectural variations

Abstract This paper analyzes investment decisions under the alternative assumptions of competitive, collusive, open loop non-cooperative, and feedback non-cooperative behavior. Steady state capital stocks, prices, and outputs are obtained and compared. The paper shows that one of the linear feedback equilibrium decision rule coefficients is a dynamic version of a contemporaneous conjectural variation. The same decision rule coefficients are shown to imply a particular value for the contemporaneous conjecture. The implied conjecture embodies subgame perfection and approaches the competitive value as the number of firms in the industry increases.
238U,234U and232Th in seawater

We have developed techniques to determine238U,234U and232Th concentrations in seawater by isotope dilution mass spectrometry. U measurements are made using a233U236U double spike to correct for instrumental fractionation. Measurements on uranium standards demonstrate that234U/238U ratios can be measured accurately and reproducibly.234U/238U can be measured routinely to ± 5‰ (2σ) for a sample of 5 × 109 atoms of234U (3 × 10−8 g of total U, 10 ml of seawater). Data acquisition time is ∼ 1 hour. The small sample size, high precision and short data acquisition time are superior toα-counting techniques.238U is measured to ± 2‰ (2σ) for a sample of 8 × 1012 atoms of238U (∼ 3 × 10−9 g of U, 1 ml of seawater).232Th is measured to ± 20‰ with 3 × 1011232Th atoms (10−10 g232Th, 1 1 of seawater). This small sample size will greatly facilitate investigation of the232Th concentration in the oceans. Using these techniques, we have measured238U,234U and232Th in vertical profiles of unfiltered, acidified seawater from the Atlantic and238U and234U in vertical profiles from the Pacific. Determinations of234U/238U at depths ranging from 0 to 4900 m in the Atlantic (7°44′N, 40°43′W) and the Pacific (14°41′N, 160°01′W) Oceans are the same within experimental error (± 5‰,2σ). The average of these234U/238U measurements is 144 ± 2‰ (2σ) higher than the equilibrium ratio of 5.472 × 10−5. U concentrations, normalized to 35‰ salinity, range from 3.162 to 3.281 ng/g, a range of 3.8%. The average concentration of the Pacific samples (31°4′N, 159°1′W) is ∼ 1% higher than that of the Atlantic (7°44′N, 40°43′W and 31°49′N, 64°6′W).232Th concentrations from an Atlantic profile range from 0.092 to 0.145 pg/g. The observed constancy of the234U/238U ratio is consistent with the predicted range of234U/238U using a simple two-☐ model and the residence time of deep water in the ocean determined from14C. The variation in salinity-normalized U concentrations suggests that U may be much more reactive in the marine environment than previously thought.
Estimating erosion rates and exposure ages with 36Cl produced by neutron activation

The isotopic composition of water-soluble Cl, extracted from mineral grains in granitic rocks, appears to reflect the relative age of debris-flow fan surfaces and the erosion rate of bedrock outcrops. Our data indicate that some granitic landforms are stable landscape elements eroding on the order of meters to tens of meters per million years. Samples collected from debris-flow fan surfaces of three distinct relative ages show the expected increase of model age with time but the 36Cl-exposure ages for boulders on any particular surface vary by a factor of more than five. The method we used for extracting Cl was designed to isolate the 35Cl (n, γ) 36Cl production pathway and to simplify the chemical preparation of samples. Such isolation from fluid inclusions allows direct interpretation of measured 36Cl/Cl ratios but requires a model to predict the thermal-neutron production and absorption profile below the rock surface. Using such a model, we find good agreement between measured and predicted 36Cl/Cl for eight samples collected below the ground surface as well as consistency between several groups of samples collected near one another. Using elemental abundance data for 129 granitic rocks, we modeled 36Cl/Cl supported by radiogenic neutrons and find that it varies from 4 to 125 × 10 −15 (mean = 21 ± 18, 1 σ). However, from the surface to a depth of 10 m, thermal neutrons resulting from muon interactions have the potential to generate more 36Cl than do radiogenic neutrons. The production of 36Cl in the subsurface has important implications for surface-exposure dating of young, low-altitude samples collected from moraines and debris-flow or alluvial fans, especially at ages where erosion of the boulder surface is significant or where the source area for boulders is at altitudes much higher than the landform to be dated.
Geometric super-resolution via log-polar FFT image registration and variable pixel linear reconstruction

Various image de-aliasing techniques and algorithms have been developed to improve the resolution of pixel-limited imagery acquired by an optical system having an undersampled point spread function. These techniques are sometimes referred to as multi-frame or geometric super-resolution, and are valuable tools because they maximize the imaging utility of current and legacy focal plane array (FPA) technology. This is especially true for infrared FPAs which tend to have larger pixels as compared to visible sensors. Geometric super-resolution relies on knowledge of subpixel frame-toframe motion, which is used to assemble a set of low-resolution frames into one or more high-resolution (HR) frames. Log-polar FFT image registration provides a straightforward and relatively fast approach to estimate global affine motion, including translation, rotation, and uniform scale changes. This technique is also readily extended to provide subpixel translation estimates, and is explored for its potential combination with variable pixel linear reconstruction (VPLR) to apportion a sequence of LR frames onto a HR grid. The VPLR algorithm created for this work is described, and HR image reconstruction is demonstrated using calibrated 1/4 pixel microscan data. The HR image resulting from VPLR is also enhanced using Lucy-Richardson deconvolution to mitigate blurring effects due to the pixel spread function. To address non-stationary scenes, image warping, and variable lighting conditions, optical flow is also investigated for its potential to provide subpixel motion information. Initial results demonstrate that the particular optical flow technique studied is able to estimate shifts down to nearly 1/10 th of a pixel, and possibly smaller. Algorithm performance is demonstrated and explored using laboratory data from visible cameras.
Bitter Taste Inhibiting Agents for Whey Protein Hydrolysate and Whey Protein Hydrolysate Beverages

Abstract: Whey protein hydrolysates (WPH) are known for bioactivity and functionality, but WPH also have a distinct bitter taste. Identification of effective bitter taste inhibiting agents for WPH would broaden the use of this ingredient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 24 documented bitter taste inhibitors for WPH. Two spray-dried WPH with different levels of hydrolysis (DH) were evaluated with each potential inhibitor. Quinine hydrochloride (quinine) was presented as a control with each WPH. Percent bitter taste inhibition was reported relative to quinine bitterness. Effective bitter taste inhibitors were subsequently evaluated in WPH beverages with vanilla and chocolate flavoring followed by descriptive analysis. The compounds evaluated did not inhibit bitter taste of quinine and the 2 WPH in a similar manner (P < 0.05). Effective bitter taste inhibitors (P < 0.05) of both WPH were sucralose, fructose, sucrose, adenosine 5’ monophosphate (5’AMP), adenosine 5’monophosphate disodium (5’AMP Na2), sodium acetate, monosodium glutamate, and sodium gluconate. Sodium chloride inhibited bitter taste of WPH with high DH but not WPH with low DH. Amino acids (l-Lysine, l-arginine) inhibited bitter taste of quinine but not WPH. All effective inhibitors in rehydrated WPH were also effective in the beverage applications. Sweeteners (fructose, sucralose, and sucrose) enhanced vanilla and chocolate flavors in beverages. Most salts and a nucleotide, while effective for bitter taste inhibition, suppressed vanilla and chocolate flavors and potentiated other flavors (that is, sour aromatic), and basic tastes (salty, sour). Practical Applications: The bitter taste of whey protein hydrolysates (WPH) limits their use as ingredients. This study identified effective bitter taste inhibitors of WPH with different peptide composition and provides insights for effective bitter inhibitors for product applications with WPH.
Evaluation of the Marrow Space in the Adult Hip

The adult pelvis and hip contain extensive marrow space in which a variety of processes may occur. Evaluation of this space requires an understanding of normal maturation and recognition that the marrow of the pelvis (axial skeleton) and that of the proximal femurs (appendicular skeleton) contain variable amounts of red and yellow marrow. At magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, this variability yields patterns in normal marrow ranging from very uniform and homogeneous signal intensity to patchy and heterogeneous signal intensity. The marrow space serves as a reflection of patient health and may herald developing anemia with reconversion of inactive to active marrow. Pathologic processes to be considered include marrow edema related to trauma, tumors, or infection; marrow ischemia and infarction; marrow infiltration from primary or secondary neoplasms or from infection; or complete loss of normal myeloid tissue in the marrow space. Each process can be effectively studied with MR imaging.
Longitudinal dose distribution and energy absorption in PMMA and water cylinders undergoing CT scans

Purpose: The knowledge of longitudinal dose distribution provides the most direct view of the accumulated dose in computed tomography (CT) scanning. The purpose of this work was to perform a comprehensive study of dose distribution width and energy absorption with a wide range of subject sizes and beam irradiated lengths. Methods: Cumulative dose distribution along the z-axis was calculated based on the previously published CT dose equilibration data by Li, Zhang, and Liu [Med. Phys. 40, 031903 (10pp.) (2013)] and a mechanism for computing dose on axial lines by Li, Zhang, and Liu [Med. Phys. 39, 5347–5352 (2012)]. Full width at half maximum (FWHM), full width at tenth maximum (FWTM), the total energy (E) absorbed in a small cylinder of unit mass per centimeter square about the central or peripheral axis, and the energy (E in) absorbed inside irradiated length (L) were subsequently extracted from the dose distribution. Results: Extensive results of FWHM, FWTM, and E in/E were presented on the central and peripheral axes of infinitely long PMMA (diameters 6–50 cm) and water (diameters 6–55 cm) cylinders with L < 100 cm. FWHM was greater than the primary beam width only on the central axes of large phantoms and also with L ranging from a few centimeter to about 33 cm. FWTM generally increased with phantom diameter, and could be up to 32 cm longer than irradiated length, depending on L, phantom diameter and axis, but was insensitive to phantom material (PMMA or water). E in/E increased with L and asymptotically approached unity for large L. As phantom diameter increased, E in/E generally decreased, but asymptotically approached constant levels on the peripheral axes of large phantoms. A heuristic explanation of dose distribution width results was presented. Conclusions: This study enables the reader to gain a comprehensive view of dose distribution width and energy absorption and provides useful data for estimating doses to organs inside or beyond the irradiated region. The dose length product (DLP) presented by CT scanners is equal to neither E nor E in. Both E and E in can be evaluated using the equations and results presented in this paper and are robust with both constant and variable tube current scanning techniques.
Structural EEG analysis: An explorative study

Abstract A method is described to detect (subtle) changes in an EEG (electroencephologram) by means of a Markovian modeling approach. This method, termed structural EEG analysis, treats the non-stationary EEG as a sequence of a finite number of short elementary patterns. Subtle changes in an EEG may be detected by studying the transition probabilities between the different patterns. By viewing the patterns as states in a Markov chain, a representation of the EEG structure based on a state transition probability matrix emerges. Various techniques to estimate the state transition probability matrices have been investigated. A number of experiments were performed with artificially generated data to determine the data length required to obtain a reliable estimate of the transition matrices. It appeared that a data length of approximately five to eight times the number of entries in the matrices is needed to accurately estimate the matrices. It was determined that the data length required to reliably estimate the transitin probability matrix is dependent on the number of states and the number of non-zero entries of the matrix. Also, the data length appears independent of the values of the probabilities. The structural analysis approach was applied to actual EEG data, recorded from normal volunteers and epileptic subjects. It was demonstrated that visually confirmable changes in the EEG could be detected by the structural analysis method more accurately than by a more conventional approach.