cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Challenges of managing knowledge across projects

This article identifies a series of challenges for managing knowledge across projects. Knowledge management can be broadly defined as the set of processes, tools, and techniques for the most effective and efficient use of knowledge. Knowledge management across projects (KMAP) offers an opportunity for multi-project organizations to improve, maintain, and create organizational capabilities to generate sustained competitive advantage. The challenges for managing knowledge across projects were identified through the literature and by the experience of the author as applied researcher. This investigation serves as foundation for further research and development in the effort to define the appropriate set of managerial actions required for successful knowledge management in multi-project environments.
Age-related macular degeneration: a review of experimental treatments

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible visual loss in the USA. Laser photocoagulation of choroidal neovascular membranes (CNVMs) in exudative AMD is currently the only well-studied and widely accepted treatment modality. It is beneficial for only a small minority of patients who show well-demarcated "classic" CNVMs, and it destroys normal retinal tissue, creates a scotoma, and is associated with an unacceptably high CNVM persistence and recurrence rate. Consequently, investigators have attempted to develop new modalities for treatment of CNVMs. These treatment modalities can be grouped into four major categories: photodynamic therapy; pharmacologic inhibition of CNVM formation with antiangiogenic agents; surgical intervention, including excision of subfoveal CNVMs; and radiation therapy. All of these experimental treatment modalities are directed toward destroyiing CNVMs, the end result of the exudative process, and all have limitations. The ideal treatment of the future must be based on the pathogenesis of the disease at a stage well before CNVMs develop. Investigations in nonexudative AMD are currently focusing on several major areas. Epidemiologic factors, such as genetics, sunlight, and nutrition, are being evaluated in several large studies, including the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, with the possibility of ultimately limiting the risk of AMD through behavior modification. Laser treatment of drusen is being evaluated as a means of limiting the risk of CNVM formation, although mixed results have been reported in the small number of studies to date. Choroidal perfusion abnormalities have been described in AMD, and some investigators postulate that altering blood flow may limit the risk of CNVM formation. No perfusion-treatment trials have been completed to date.
A Quadrature-Sampled Pre-Corrected FFT for the Analysis of Microwave Circuits in Layered Media

Abstract This paper presents a fast iterative solution based on the quadrature sampled pre-corrected fast fourier transform (QSPCFFT) algorithm used to accelerate a method of moment discretization of the mixed potential integral equation (MPIE) for the analysis of circuits printed in a layered medium. The QSPCFFT algorithm is applied to accelerate the computation of all far interactions, and has a complexity that scales as O (N log N) and memory that scales as O(N). The algorithm is efficiently applied to broad-band analysis of printed circuits since the far-field is not constrained by the wavelength, but is determined rather by the local discretization.
Glial fibrillary acidic protein is necessary for mature astrocytes to react to β-amyloid

Upregulation of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in astrocytes is a hallmark of the phenomenon known as reactive gliosis and, yet, the function of GFAP in this process is largely unknown. Our previous studies have shown that mature astrocytes react vigorously to substrate bound β-amyloid protein (BAP) in a variety of ways (i.e., increased GFAP, enhanced motility, unusual aggregation patterns, inhibitory ECM production). In order to uncover which, if any, of these phenomena are causally related to the function of GFAP, primary cortical astrocytes from transgenic mice lacking GFAP were cultured on BAP substrates at low or high density and at various lengths of time following in vitro maturation. Differences between mutant and control cells became progressively more obvious when cells were matured in vitro for two weeks or longer and especially in cultures that were at high density. Mature control astrocytes show a dramatic response to BAP by aggregating into a meshwork of rope-like structures that completely bridge over the peptide surface. In marked contrast, mature GFAP-null astrocytes initiate the response much more slowly and had a much reduced ability to aggregate tightly. Furthermore, we prepared hippocampal slice cultures from GFAP−/− and GFAP+/+ mice and compared their astrocytic responses to injected BAP. GFAP−/− astrocytes of hippocampal slice cultures failed to form a barrier-like structure around the edge of the BAP deposit as did GFAP+/+ astrocytes. Our data suggest that GFAP may be essential for mature astrocytes to constrain certain types of highly inflammatory lesions in the brain. GLIA 25:390–403, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Basis for developing samarium AMS for fuel cycle analysis

Abstract Modeling of nuclear reactor fuel burnup indicates that the production of samarium isotopes can vary significantly with reactor type and fuel cycle. The isotopic concentrations of 146Sm, 149Sm, and 151Sm are potential signatures of fuel reprocessing, if analytical techniques can overcome the inherent challenges of lanthanide chemistry, isobaric interferences, and mass/charge interferences. We review the current limitations in measurement of the target samarium isotopes and describe potential approaches for developing Sm-AMS. AMS sample form and preparation chemistry will be discussed as well as possible spectrometer operating conditions.
Nonlinear Elastic Wave Spectroscopy (NEWS) Techniques to Discern Material Damage, Part I: Nonlinear Wave Modulation Spectroscopy (NWMS)

Abstract The level of nonlinearity in the elastic response of materials containing structural damage is far greater than in materials with no structural damage. This is the basis for nonlinear wave diagnostics of damage, methods which are remarkably sensitive to the detection and progression of damage in materials. Nonlinear wave modulation spectroscopy (NWMS) is one exemplary method in this class of dynamic nondestructive evaluation techniques. The method focuses on the application of harmonics and sum and difference frequency to discern damage in materials. It consists of exciting a sample with continuous waves of two separate frequencies simultaneously, and inspecting the harmonics of the two waves, and their sum and difference frequencies (sidebands). Undamaged materials are essentially linear in their response to the two waves, while the same material, when damaged, becomes highly nonlinear, manifested by harmonics and sideband generation. We illustrate the method by experiments on uncracked and crac...
High-field phenomena in polymer light-emitting diodes

Although low field transport in conjugated polymers is by hopping, we show, using the band structure calculated for poly(phenylene vinylene), that at very high fields heating of the electron distribution by the field should make impact ionization possible.
A STUDY OF PHAGOCYTOSIS IN THE AMEBA CHAOS CHAOS

The process of phagocytosis was investigated by observing the interactions between the ameba Chaos chaos and its prey (Paramecium aurelia), by studying food cup formation in the living cell, and by studying the fine structure of the newly formed cup using electron microscopy of serial sections. The cytoplasm surrounding the food cup was found to contain structures not seen elsewhere in the ameba. The results are discussed in relation to the mechanisms which operate during food cup formation.
Xenopus Ro ribonucleoproteins: members of an evolutionarily conserved class of cytoplasmic ribonucleoproteins

Ro small ribonucleoproteins consist of a 60-kDa protein and possibly additional proteins complexed with several small RNA molecules. The RNA components of these particles, designated Y RNAs, are about 100 nt long. Although these small ribonucleoproteins are abundant components of a variety of vertebrate species and cell types, their subcellular location is controversial, and their function is completely unknown. We have identified and characterized the Ro RNPs of Xenopus laevis. Three of the four distinct Xenopus Y RNAs appear to be related to the previously sequenced human hY3, hY4, and hY5 RNAs. The fourth Xenopus Y RNA, xY alpha, does not appear to be a homologue of any of the human Y RNAs. Each of the human and Xenopus Y RNAs possesses a conserved stem that contains the binding site for the 60-kDa Ro protein. Xenopus and human 60-kDa Ro proteins are 78% identical in amino acid sequence, with the conservation extending throughout the entire protein. When human hY3 RNA is mixed with Xenopus egg extracts, the human RNA assembles with the Xenopus Ro protein to form chimeric Ro ribonucleoproteins. By analyzing RNA extracted from manually enucleated oocytes and germinal vesicles, we have determined that Y RNAs are located in the oocyte cytoplasm. By examining the distribution of mouse Ro ribonucleoproteins in cytoplast and karyoplast fractions derived from L-929 cells, we have determined that Ro ribonucleoprotein particles also primarily reside in the cytoplasm of mammalian cells.
Radiographic changes in arthrogrypotic knees.

We evaluated the knees of 62 patients with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita radiographically. Abnormal radiographs were noted in 34. The abnormalities consisted of both congenital and chronic changes secondary to long-standing clinical deformities including patellar elongation, malposition, flattening of the femoral condyles, joint incongruity, tibial plateau irregularities, tibial and femoral fractures, fibula hypoplasia, softtissue thickening, valgus deformity, and dislocation. The radiographic findings were consistent with the degree of longstanding physical deformity and can be used as a guide to the severity of the condition and the need for treatment.
Transient Heat Conduction for Small Fourier Number

In this paper, a specific transient heat conduction case for small Fourier number in comparison with the lumped-heat-capacity system is considered.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Fabrication considerations in fiber-based organic photovoltaics

Fiber-Based photovoltaic cells are solar collectors that utilize internal reflectors to confine light into an organic absorber, thereby significantly enhancing absorption cross-sections of the device. The performance of the device is particularly sensitive to internal resistivity of the "optical can." Using ITO of differing thicknesses we show that can be controlled and that Jsc's that exceed planar device limits can be achieved. However, the morphology and film quality of the layers must be maintained to achieve maximum performance.
Induction of 6-thioguanine-resistant lymphocytes in Fischer 344 rats following in vivo exposure to N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea and cyclophosphamide.

We have developed a limiting dilution clonal assay for determining the frequency of 6-thioguanine-resistant (TGr) lymphocytes produced in rats by in vivo exposure to genotoxic agents. Spleen lymphocytes were isolated from female Fischer 344 rats and were cultured with 1 microgram/ml of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) for 40 hr. Northern blot analysis revealed that this procedure resulted in increased hprt and beta-actin mRNA synthesis. Conditions for optimum cloning were established by culturing four PHA-primed lymphocytes/well in 96-well round-bottom microtiter plates containing a medium supplemented with interleukin-2. These cultures also contained autologous and/or TK6 feeder cells inactivated with different doses of irradiation. Lymphocyte cloning efficiencies (CEs) were highest in plates containing both irradiated TK6 cells (5 x 10(3) cells/well; 90 Gy) and irradiated autologous feeder cells (5 x 10(4) cells/well; 50 Gy). CE did not depend on the number of primed lymphocytes/well when four or fewer target cells/well were cloned. To measure the effects of chemical mutagens on the frequency of TGr lymphocytes, rats were given a single i.p. injection of 0-150 mg/kg of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU), a direct-acting alkylating agent, or 0-50 mg/kg of cyclophosphamide (CP), an indirect acting alkylating agent. Lymphocytes were isolated, primed, and cloned at 4 weeks after CP treatment and at 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after ENU treatment. CE in these cultures ranged from 12% to 27%. Cultures were also established for measuring CE in the presence of 6-thioguanine (TG) and these contained 5 x 10(3) irradiated TK6 cells and 5 x 10(4) primed rat lymphocytes/well. The frequency of TGr lymphocytes was calculated by correcting the CE in the presence of TG with the CE measured in its absence. ENU exposure produced a higher frequency of TGr lymphocytes than CP, but both chemicals produced a dose-dependent increase in TGr cells. In addition, the frequency of ENU-induced TGr lymphocytes increased with time after treatment. The TGr cells are presumed to be hprt mutants, but further analysis at the DNA level is required to establish this. The dose-dependent responses obtained with both ENU and CP treatments suggest that rat lymphocytes are sensitive to direct- and indirect-acting alkylating agents administered in vivo and that the rat lymphocyte assay is a useful complement to the in vivo/in vitro mouse assay for determining the mutagenicity of environmental toxicants.
Depression of sustained evoked potentials and glial depolarization in the spinal cord by barbiturates and by diphenylhydantoin

Abstract Serial recordings were made in high spinal cats within and in the immediate vicinity of ‘unresponsive’ (presumably glia) cells before and after the i.v. administration of thiopental, pentobarbital, or diphenylhydantoin. After administration of any of the 3 drugs, extracellular sustained potential (SP) shifts and the depolarizing membrane potential shifts of unresponsive cells evoked by repetitive stimulation of afferent nerves were depressed to an approximately equal degree. The results are compatible with the following hypotheses: (1) that the suppression of SP shifts by general depressant drugs is the secondary consequence of reduced neural activity; (2) that glial depolarization is the major source of evoked extracellular SP shifts in the unanaesthetized cord; (3) that diphenylhydantoin has a direct depressant action on spinal neurones or synapses, independent of post-tetanic potentiation and unrelated to activation of cerebellar Purkinje cells.
Low Energy and Mutually Distant Sampling

Suppose we haveknegatively charged particles in a convex domainDin Rd. In the most stable configuration, thekparticles find themselves at positionsx1,?,xk?Dthat minimize their totalpth order potential energy, given by ?i
Chemotherapy immediately after surgery for patients with germ cell tumors.

Abstract Six patients underwent surgery while receiving active chemotherapy for metastatic germ cell tumors. Surgical procedures included cholecystectomy, thoracotomy with tumor resection, and orchiectomy. Aggressive chemotherapy was reinitiated immediately after the surgery (average, 4.3 days; range, 3–6 days). Myelosuppression with nadir of granulocytes 80/dL (median) developed at day 13 (average). There were no immediate adverse effects of chemotherapy on wound healing, and all treatment courses were uneventful. We conclude that aggressive chemotherapy can safely be delivered to patients with germ cell tumors immediately after surgery.
The relationship of health aid to population health improvements.

Importance International aid to the health sector is an important component of all health spending in many developing countries. The relationship between health aid and changes in population health among aid recipients remains unknown. Objective To quantify the relationship between health aid and changes in life expectancy and mortality in children younger than 5 years ( under-5 mortality ) among aid recipient nations. Design Cross-country panel data analysis of the relationship between measures of health aid, life expectancy, and under-5 mortality. Using difference models for longitudinal data with fixed effects for countries and years, we estimated the unique relationship between health aid and changes in life expectancy and under-5 mortality, controlling for gross domestic product per capita, urbanization, and total fertility rate. Setting and Participants A total of 140 aid-recipient countries between 1974 and 2010. Exposure Annual amount of development assistance directed to the health sector in constant 2010 US dollars. Main Outcomes and Measures Improvements in under-5 mortality and life expectancy in the period following aid receipt. Results Between 1974 and 2010, each 1% increase in health aid was associated with 0.24 months greater increase in life expectancy (95% CI, 0.02-0.46) ( P = .03) and a 0.14 per 1000 live births faster decline in the probability of under-5 deaths per 1000 live births (95% CI, 0.02-0.26) ( P = .02). The association between health aid and health improvements has strengthened over time, with the closest association occurring between 2000 and 2010. Health improvements associated with health aid are measurable for 3 to 5 years after aid disbursement. These findings imply that an increase of $1 billion in health aid could be associated with 364 800 fewer under-5 deaths (95% CI, 98 400-630 000). Conclusions and Relevance International aid to the health sector is related to increasing life expectancy and declining under-5 mortality. The benefits from aid appear to last for several years and have been greatest between 2000 and 2010, possibly because of improving health technologies or effective targeting of aid.
Holographic imaging and aberrations due to an incorrectly repositioned hologram in a system with lenses having aberrations

The first-, second-, and third-order asymmetric aberrations of a lens–hologram system are studied. The system consists of lenses with aberrations in both the object and the reference beams and the image is reconstructed with the reverse of the plane-wave reference beam with aberrations. During reconstruction, the hologram may be displaced from the recording position. The analysis utilizes coordinate transformations, wavefront analysis, and the angle eikonal.
Transition in the cotherapy dyad: To wait or not to wait

Transition within the cotherapy dyad is explored and examined in relation to institutional ethos and needs, the attitudes and needs of the psychotherapy group, and the attitudes and needs of the cotherapists. The timing of transition is discussed as are a variety of potential approaches to transition within the cotherapy dyad. Some significant dynamics which underlie the process of transition within the cotherapy dyad are examined and discussed in relation to their potential effects on the psychotherapy group and group process.
Horizontal buoyancy effects on the pressure distribution of a body in a duct

It is well known that the static pressure coefficient values obtained from tests of axisymmetric bodies in, for example, a large water tunnel indicate the existence of tunnel wall interference. This interference is due to blockage experienced by the body operating within the boundaries of the test section walls, and to the skin friction on both the tunnel walls and the surface of the body which, in turn, causes finite thickness boundary layers to develop. These factors result in a decrease in static pressure along the test section which leads to a spurious horizontal buoyancy on the body. Potential flow calculations can only account for solid blockage effects. A control volume analysis has thus been carried out from which pressure coefficient correction terms due to horizontal buoyance have been obtained. The present method permits one to treat relatively large bodies which have a much stronger interaction with the tunnel walls. These correction factors are computed for a large, streamlined body operating over a range of velocities.
Relationship between Reflection-Impulsivity and Problem Solving:

Performance of 88 children categorized as reflective or impulsive was compared on convergent and divergent problem-solving tasks. The matching familiar-figures test was administered along with tests for determining the correct order of a word sequence, and for listing unusual uses for familiar objects. Reflective children (n = 33) made significantly fewer errors on the convergent problem-solving task than impulsive children (n = 33), but there was no effect of cognitive style on the divergent problem-solving task. Reflective-impulsive performance was discussed in terms of evaluation criteria for selecting responses.
Plasma concentrations of histamine measured by radioenzymatic assay: effects of histaminase incubations

Abstract To help resolve the current uncertainty as to whether assays for plasma histamine are measuring non-histamine compounds as well, we compared the effects of prior incubation with histaminase and buffer on measurements in (1) normal plasma, (2) buffer and normal plasma to which several amounts of exogenous histamine had been added, and (3) plasma obtained after inhalation-induced asthma or from the site of a local heat urticaria challenge. As measured by the radioenzymatic technique, low (1 to 4 ng/ml) levels of histamine-like material were present in normal plasma after incubation with either histaminase or buffer. In contrast, histaminase (but not buffer) incubation markedly reduced measured histamine in all other specimens. Exogenous histamine in buffer was reduced almost 100% by histaminase, whereas the degree of reduction in plasma specimens varied directly with the starting histamine level. Therefore it appears that low levels of histaminase-resistant material reacting in histamine assays is present in normal plasma. The use of histaminase incubation appears to be helpful in differentiating this from true histamine release in allergic reactions.
Mechanism of hydrogen capacity dependence on the hydrogenation temperature

It is known that decreasing the hydrogenation temperature results in a loss of hydrogen capacity of Mg powders. Based on the model that hydrogen capacity is reached when hydride colonies/crystals formed on the surface of particles impinge on each other and form a continuous layer, it is elucidated, through a two-step hydrogenation experiment and detailed microstructural analysis, that the reduced hydrogen capacity at low temperatures is associated with an increase in the hydride nucleation rate.
Mercury speciation and biomagnification in the food web of Caddo Lake, Texas and Louisiana, USA, a subtropical freshwater ecosystem

We studied the biomagnification of total mercury and methylmercury in a subtropical freshwater lake, Caddo Lake, Texas and Louisiana, USA. The present study is unique in that it not only included invertebrates (seven species) and fish (six species) but also an amphibian (one species), reptiles (three species), and mammals (three species). Nonfish vertebrates such as those included in the present study are often not included in assessments of trophic transfer of Hg. Mean trophic position (determined using stable isotopes of nitrogen) ranged from 2.0 (indicative of a primary consumer) to 3.8 (indicative of a tertiary consumer). Mean total Hg concentrations ranged from 36 to 3,292 ng/g dry weight in muscle and whole body and from 150 to 30,171 ng/g dry weight in liver. Most of the Hg in muscle and whole-body tissue was found as methylmercury, and at least 50% of the Hg found in liver was in the inorganic form (with the exception of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides). Mercury concentrations were positively correlated with trophic position, indicating that biomagnification occurs in the food web of Caddo Lake. The food web magnification factors (FWMFs; slope of the relationship between mean Hg concentration and trophic position) for both total Hg and methylmercury were similar to those observed in other studies. Because most of the total Hg in consumers was methylmercury, the FWMF for methylmercury was not significantly different from the FWMF for total Hg. Some vertebrates examined in the present study had low Hg concentrations in their tissues similar to those observed in invertebrates, whereas others had concentrations of Hg in their tissues that in previous studies have been associated with negative health consequences in fish. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1153–1162. © 2011 SETAC
Temperature Dependence of Two Key Interstellar Reactions of H3+: O(3P) + H3+ and CO + H3+

The reactions of H3+ with CO and with O(3P) are the two most important reactions for the destruction of H3+ in dense interstellar clouds. These two reactions are studied with sophisticated theoretical methods that should provide accurate predictions for the rate coefficients. The potential energy surfaces are studied with high-level electronic structure methods. For both reactions, simple long-range expansions are shown to be sufficiently accurate for predicting the kinetics at room temperature and lower. The kinetics is predicted from a combination of transition state theory, trajectory simulations, and master equation analysis. For the O(3P) reaction, the interplay between the spin−orbit and the charge−quadrupole interactions is explicitly considered. For the CO reaction, we also consider the isomerization and decomposition dynamics of the two initially formed adducts. The final predictions, which are expected to be accurate to about 10 to 20%, are compared with the available experimental data. For the ...
Witches ways of knowing: integrative learning in joining a marginalized group

Although the literature on adult learning is extensive, most of the content is based on research with adults who enrolled in mainstream groups and organizations. Why adults would engage in learning to become a member of a marginalized group and the learning process they undergo to achieve that goal is a question that has been largely ignored in previous research. The authors of this study wanted to know how the decision to join a stigmatized, less visible and less accessible group would be different from or similar to the motivation for participation in mainstream groups. Further, they were interested to determine the nature of the learning process and how it extends what they already knew about the learning process. Wicca was chosen as the context for the study because Wiccans are not easily accessible and provide instances of harassment from employers, friends and family, both indications of a marginalized group. Data were gathered by personal interviews and analysed by the constant comparison method. A...
The reality of neonatal pain and the resulting effects

Abstract Neonatal pain management has been an issue haunting the healthcare industry for the last two decades. It seems that only now are neonatal caregivers becoming more educated and conscientious of how important this issue is in the proper care of infant patients. However, progress still needs to be made in the establishment of pain management protocols in neonatal care settings worldwide. These protocols include proper assessment, proper treatment, family involvement, and adequate caregiver education.
Patient-, procedure-, and hospital-related risk factors of allogeneic and autologous blood transfusion in pediatric spinal fusion surgery in the United States.

Study Design.Cross-sectional study using data from the Health Care Cost and Utilization Project Kids' Inpatient Database.Objective.Blood loss during spinal fusion surgery may lead to the need for transfusion. Preoperative identification of patient-related, procedure-related, or hospital-related risk
Cortical, medullary, and pelvocaliceal MR renography with and without diuretic modification.

Abstract Rationale and Objectives This study was conducted to define and characterize magnetic resonance (MR) contrast medium enhancement of the renal cortex, medulla, and pelvocaliceal system in normal and hydronephrotic kidneys with and without furosemide administration. Materials and Methods In 30 subjects known or suspected to have unilateral hydronephrosis and normal serum creatinine levels, multiple timed sets of coronal fast spoiled gradient-echo images were acquired before and after contrast medium administration. MR renograms were derived from changes in the signal intensity (SI) of the cortex, medulla, and pelvocaliceal system. Ten subjects received 40 mg of intravenous furosemide approximately 10 minutes before contrast medium administration. Results The following values were significantly different between subjects who were given furosemide and those who were not: the peak cortical, medullary, and pelvocaliceal system SIs measured in the normal kidneys during the 4 1 2 minutes following contrast medium administration (163.2 ± 17.7 [mean arbitrary units plus or minus standard error] vs 120.5 ± 10.2 [P = .033], 155.5 ± 18.8 vs 111.5 ± 9.4 [P = .025], and 332.5 ± 27.2 vs 229.3 ± 31.9 [P = .026], respectively); the crossover time between the SI curves of the pelvocaliceal system and the medulla in the normal kidney (2.45 minutes ± 0.2 vs 3.27 minutes ± 0.25 [P = .02]); and the peak SIs of the cortex, medulla, and pelvocaliceal system in the unilateral obstructive hydronephrotic kidneys throughout the first 4 1 2 minutes after contrast medium administration (174.6 ± 16.4 vs 90.6 ± 13.7 [P = .003], 117.6 ± 14.1 vs 86.7 ± 11.8 [P = .015], and 337.2 ± 41.4 vs 143.1 ± 74.4 [P = .034], respectively). Conclusion MR renography can be used to depict three separate components of renal enhancement: cortical, medullary, and pelvocaliceal. Furosemide-induced diuresis increases renal parenchymal and pelvocaliceal SI and urinary flow rates.
Acute and chronic effects of ferret odor exposure in Sprague-Dawley rats.

This manuscript describes several behavioral and functional studies evaluating the capacity of ferret odors to elicit a number of acute and long-term responses in male Sprague–Dawley rats. Acute presentation elicits multiple responses, suggesting that ferret odor, likely from skin gland secretions, provides an anxiogenic-like stimulus in this strain of rats. Compared to cat odor, however, ferret odor did not produce rapid fear conditioning, a result perhaps attributable to methodological factors. Inactivation of the olfactory system and medial nucleus of the amygdala, combined with induction of the immediate-early gene c-fos, suggest the necessity of the accessory olfactory system in mediating the effects of ferret odor. Repeated exposures to ferret odor produce variable habituation of neuroendocrine and behavioral responses, perhaps indicative of the lack of control over the exact individual origin or concentration of ferret odor. Ferret odor induces rapid and long-term body weight regulation, thymic involution, adrenal hyperplasia and facilitation of the neuroendocrine response to additional challenges. It is argued that the use of such odors is exquisitely suited to investigate the brain regions coordinating anxiety-like responses and the long-term changes elicited by such stimuli.
Dynamic topic discovery through sequential projections

We consider a novel problem of endmember detection in hyperspectral imagery where signal of frequency bands are probed sequentially. We propose an adaptive strategy in controlling the sensing order to maximize the normalized solid angle as a robustness measure of the problem geometry. This is based on efficiently identifying pure pixels that are unique to each endmember and exploiting information from a spectral library known in advance though sequential random projections. We present simulations on synthetic datasets to demonstrate the merits of our scheme in reducing the observation cost.
MicroRNA signatures of tumor-derived exosomes as diagnostic biomarkers of ovarian cancer

Objectives. Most ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage (67%) and prospects for significant improvement in survival reside in early diagnosis. While expression patterns of a recently identified biomarker family, microRNA, appear to be characteristic of tumor type and developmental origin, microRNA profiling has been limited to tissue specimens. Tumors actively release exosomes into the peripheral circulation and we now demonstrate the association of microRNAs with circulating tumor-derived exosomes. Methods. Circulating tumor exosomes were isolated using a modified MACS procedure with anti-EpCAM. Initially, microRNA profiles of ovarian tumors were compared to those of tumor exosomes isolated from the same patients. Levels of 8 microRNAs (miR-21, miR-141, miR200a, miR-200c, miR-200b, miR-203, miR-205 and miR-214) previously demonstrated as diagnostic, were compared in exosomes isolated from sera specimens of women with benign disease and various stages of ovarian cancer. Results. MicroRNA from ovarian tumor cells and exosomes from the same patients were positive for 218 of 467 mature microRNAs analyzed. The levels of the 8 specific microRNAs were similar between cellular and exosomal microRNAs (exhibiting correlations from 0.71 to 0.90). While EpCAM-positive exosomes were detectable in both patients with benign ovarian disease and ovarian cancer, exosomal microRNA from ovarian cancer patients exhibited similar profiles, which were significantly distinct from profiles observed in benign disease. Exosomal microRNA could not be detected in normal controls. Conclusions. These results suggest that microRNA profiling of circulating tumor exosomes could potentially be used as surrogate diagnostic markers for biopsy profiling, extending its utility to screening asymptomatic populations.
Factors Influencing Insecticide Resistance in Psylla pyricola (Homoptera: Psyllidae) and Susceptibility in the Predator Deraeocoris brevis (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Insecticide susceptibility and resistance in populations of pear psylla, Psylla pyricola Foerster, and the mirid predator, Deraeocoris brevis Knight, were evaluated through biochemical and computer simulation analyses. Pear psylla were resistant to azinphosmethyl and fenvalerate, whereas D. brevis were susceptible. Although esterase detoxification activity was higher in pear psylla than in D. brevis , glutathione S-transferase and cytochrome P-450 monooxygenase activities were similar in predator and prey. Sensitivity analyses predicted that high fecundity and low immigration of susceptible individuals into populations selected by insecticides contributed greatly to the development of rapid resistance in pear psylla. Conversely, lower fecundity and high immigration of susceptible individuals contributed greatly to the lack of resistance in D. brevis . Thus, it appears that life history and ecological factors explain resistance in pear psylla and the lack thereof in D. brevis better than do detoxification attributes.
Precursors of volatile components in tomato fruit-III. Enzymatic reaction products

Abstract The volatile components produced by enzyme extracts from tomato fruit using amino acid substrates were analysed by gas and thin-layer chromatography. Alanine, leucine, and valine were among the best substrates. Extracts from red-ripe tomatoes were more active than those from green fruit. The products differed somewhat with each preparation and with the particular substrate used. Propanal was present in most reaction products especially when alanine was used as substrate. With enzymes from red-ripe fruit, alanine gave mainly carbonyl compounds while leucine and valine gave mainly alcohols. Mixed amino acids sometimes resulted in new volatile components. The mechanism appears to involve transamination.
Can the Kawashima procedure be performed in younger patients

Background The prudence of performing early palliative cavopulmonary connection that includes superior vena cava in association with azygous-hemiazygous continuation of the inferior vena cava, Kawashima procedure (KP), has been questioned. We document our experience with KP performed at a relatively younger age than usually reported. Methods A retrospective review of patients undergoing KP (October 2000 to April 2008) was done. Results Initial palliation was carried out in 13 of 15 patients. Age and weight at KP was 8.4 months (5.1 to 15.1) and 6.8 kg (4.6 to 11.0). The pre-KP catheterization showed the following: pulmonary artery pressure=14.5 mm Hg (9 to 17); end-diastolic pressure of systemic ventricle=8 (2 to 14); oxygenation saturation=76% (63 to 82); and atrioventricular (AV) valve insufficiency moderate or greater in 5 patients. The post-KP characteristics included the following intubation=1 day (0 to 19); nitric oxide=4 patients; superior caval pressure=14 mm Hg (6 to 18); inotrope score=7.5 (2.5 to 14.3); intensive care unit stay=3 days (1 to 9); hospital stay=7 days (3 to 77); and oxygen saturation at discharge=84% (76 to 90%). There was one hospital death that required takedown of KP. Fontan completion was performed in 8 patients at an interval of 2.7 years (1.8 to 5.8) after KP. There was one post-Fontan mortality from severe ventricular and AV valve dysfunction. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs) were diagnosed in 4 patients with 3 resolving post-Fontan. With a median follow-up of 4.2 years (0.1 to 7.9), 13 of 15 remain alive yielding a series survival of 87%. Conclusions The Kawashima procedure can be safely performed at an earlier age than previously reported. The incidence of PAVMs after the KP appears to be similar to other reports where KP was performed at a later age.
The mechanism of intergranular cracking of Ni-Cr-Fe alloys in sodium tetrathionate

A series of electrochemical, immersion, and constant extension rate tests was conducted on samples of Ni-16Cr-9Fe in sodium tetrathionate at room temperature. Samples were heat treated to produce severe chromium depletion at the grain boundaries. Titrimetric analysis of the tetrathionate solution, before and after exposure to a sensitized alloy, under an applied cathodic current shows that the tetrathionate ion is reduced. The species primarily responsible for the observed IGA in immersion tests and IG cracking in constant extension rate tests is the tetrathionate ion, S4O6 -, although elemental S also causes shallow IGA. The mechanism responsible for the observed IGA and IG cracking in sensitized Ni-Cr-Fe alloys is stress assisted intergranular attack with the effect of stress being purely mechanical in nature. The degree of IGA and IG cracking is directly related to the grain boundary chromium content. Samples with less than 5 wt pct Cr at the grain boundary are rapidly attacked while those with 8 wt pct Cr are less susceptible and 12 wt pct Cr renders the grain boundary immune to attack. Lower extension rates and higher Na2S4O6 concentrations represent more aggressive conditions for attack.
Non-uniform edge dislocation motion along an arbitrary path

Abstract The non-Uniform motion of an edge dislocation by climb and glide along a largely arbitrary path in an elastic plane is considered. Exact dynamic solutions for the displacements are generated and studied for their dependence on the dislocation speed, path and orientation. From these solutions, the shear stress on an arbitrary surface for the glide extension case is obtained, and its dependence is also studied. Its singular behavior as the dislocation edge is approached along a given radial line is found to depend on the edge velocity projection upon the line. When the arbitrary surface and dislocation path coincide, the singular behavior agrees with that obtained for rectilinear dislocation motion. In particular, the singularity order drops when the dislocation speed attains the Rayleigh wave speed.
Turtles all the way down: research challenges in user-based attestation

Current trusted computing technologies allow computing devices to verify each other using attestation, but in a networked world, there is no reason to trust one computing device any more than another. Treating these devices as turtles, the user who seeks a trustworthy system from which to verify others quickly realizes that it's "turtles all the way down" because of the endless loop of trust dependencies. We need to provide the user with one initial turtle (the iTurtle) which is axiomatically trustworthy, thereby breaking the dependency loop. Further, the size of the software trusted computing base on today's computing devices is overwhelming. We argue that a mechanism for reducing the size is essential for extracting meaning from attestations and enabling an iTurtle to do its job. This talk will present some of the research challenges involved in designing and using an iTurtle, and in architecting systems to provide meaningful attestations to an iTurtle.
Opiate modulation of IL-1α, IL-2, and TNF-α transport across the blood–brain barrier

Abstract Interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) are proinflammatory cytokines with potent neuromodulatory effects and are implicated in the etiology and pathogenesis of various psychological and neurological disorders. The findings that chronic morphine treatment alters both blood–brain barrier (BBB) function and cytokine production raises the possibility that morphine can also modulate cytokine transport across the BBB. Here, we found that acute morphine treatment (12 mg/kg i.p.) did not alter blood-to-brain transport of IL-1α, IL-2 or TNF-α. Whereas chronic morphine treatment (48 h after implantation of 75 mg morphine pellets) and withdrawal from morphine (10–15 min after an i.p. injection of 1 mg/kg of naltroxone 48 h after implantation of 75 mg morphine pellets) did not alter blood-to-brain transport of IL-1α or TNF-α, both the chronic morphine treatment and withdrawal from morphine groups had increased blood-to-brain transport of IL-2. Typically, the permeability of the BBB to IL-2 is dominated by brain-to-blood efflux, with only limited blood-to-brain transport. Here, we found that chronic morphine and withdrawal from morphine did not alter brain-to-blood efflux, but induced a novel saturable blood-to-brain transport system. Whereas IL-1α, IL-2, and TNF-α are all proinflammatory cytokines, morphine exposure has individualized effects on their blood-to-brain transport.
Speciation of trihalomethane mixtures for the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers

Abstract Trihalomethane formation potentials were determined for the chlorination of water samples from the Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio Rivers. Samples were collected during the summer and fall of 1991 and the spring of 1992 at 12 locations on the Mississippi from New Orleans, LA, to Minneapolis, MN, and on the Missouri and Ohio 1.6 km upstream from their confluences with the Mississippi. Formation potentials were determined as a function of pH and initial free-chlorine concentration. Chloroform concentrations decreased with distance downstream and approximately paralleled the decrease of the dissolved organic-carbon concentration. Bromide concentrations were 3.7–5.7 times higher for the Missouri and 1.4–1.6 times higher for the Ohio than for the Mississippi above their confluences, resulting in an overall increase of the bromide concentration with distance downstream. Variations of the concentrations of the brominated trihalomethanes with distance downstream approximately paralleled the variation of the bromide concentration. Concentrations of all four trihalomethanes increased as the pH increased. Concentrations of chloroform and bromodichloromethane increased slightly and the concentration of bromoform decreased as the initial free-chlorine concentration increased; the chlorodibromomethane concentration had little dependence on the free-chlorine concentration.
Stability, dynamics, and the onset of multi-pulsing in a mode-locked laser cavity using phase-sensitive amplification

Abstract An averaged evolution equation is presented and its dynamics studied for a mode-locked laser where the intensity discrimination (saturable absorption) in the cavity is provided by phase-sensitive amplification. The phase-sensitive amplifier acts as a phase-filter for selecting the specific intensity-dependent phase-rotation of the mode-locked pulse that locks the phase to the amplifier pump phase. The resulting averaged equation is a Swift–Hohenberg type model which is a fourth-order diffusion equation with cubic-quintic nonlinearities. Additionally, the governing evolution has a new linear growth term which couples to the nonlocal cavity energy. This parameter is a standard bifurcation parameter in Swift–Hohenberg models and is controlled by the cavity saturable gain. Such a modification to the governing evolution is the first of its kind to be considered theoretically in the context of the Swift–Hohenberg equation, and its significant impact on the mode-locked pulse dynamics and multi-pulsing behavior is explored.
Effect of Dopamine Receptor Antagonists on Renewal of Cocaine Seeking by Reexposure to Drug-associated Contextual Cues

We recently found that in rats trained to self-administer a heroin-cocaine mixture, exposure to the drug self-administration environment, after extinction of the drug-reinforced behavior in a different context, leads to renewal of drug seeking. Here we further explored the role of contextual stimuli in drug seeking by characterizing the effect of drug-associated environmental stimuli on renewal of cocaine seeking. We also investigated whether activation of dopamine receptors contributes to context-induced renewal of cocaine seeking by testing the effects of selective D1-like (SCH 23390) and D2-like (raclopride) receptor antagonists. Rats were trained for 10 days to self-administer cocaine by pressing a lever. Next, lever pressing was extinguished in the presence of the discrete cues associated with cocaine infusions for 10 days in a context that was distinctively different from the drug-taking context. On the test days, rats were pretreated with SCH 23390 (0, 5 or 10 microg/kg) or raclopride (0, 50 or 100 microg/kg) and non-reinforced lever-pressing behavior was determined either in the extinction context (Control group) or the cocaine-associated context (Renewal group). Consistent with our previous report, cocaine seeking was renewed when rats were exposed to the drug-associated context after extinction in a different context. Furthermore, pretreatment with the D1-like or the D2-like receptor antagonists attenuated context-induced renewal of cocaine seeking. These data suggest that activation of dopamine receptors is involved in reinstatement of cocaine seeking induced by exposure to the drug self-administration context.
Auditor Industry Specialization, Client Bargaining Power, and Audit Pricing

Porter's (1985) analysis of competitive strategy is used to explain industry specialization by Big 6 accounting firms. In Porter's framework, industry specialization can be viewed as a differentiation strategy whose purpose is to create a sustainable competitive advantage relative to nonspecialist auditors. A differentiation strategy will lead to higher audit fees if valued by clients. We find evidence of higher fees for Big 6 industry specialists relative to nonspecialists in the U.S. audit market, but only for companies in the lower half of the sample based on size (assets <$123 million). By contrast, companies in the upper half of the sample do not pay a specialist premium, and audit fees actually decrease as a company becomes increasingly large relative to its auditor's industry clientele. Together these results suggest that audit fees are higher when clients are small and have little bargaining power, but audit fees are lower when clients have greater bargaining power and this is more likely when com...