cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptic acariosis, scabies) in dogs

Adult mites are 200-400 μm in diameter, oval-shaped and with two pairs of short, stubby legs at the front (Fig. 2). Two pairs of rudimentary hind legs are present but do not extend beyond the edge of the body and are consequently less likely to be seen. Suckers are present on the front legs and the anus is located at the tip of the abdomen (in Notoedres cati the anus is located on the dorsum). The life cycle lasts from 2-3 weeks, with all stages spent on the host. Off-host survival is thought to be 2-6 days at room temperature, longer at lower ambient temperature and higher relative humidity. The incubation period in dogs is unknown.
Anxiety Experienced by Foundation-Year MSW Students Entering Field Placement: Implications for Admissions, Curriculum, and Field Education

This article presents the results of an exploratory study assessing foundation-year MSW students' level of anxiety regarding several aspects of field learning, including concerns related to their agency, working with clients, the supervisory relationship, and social work education. Older students, those who had taken even one social work class prior to entering their practicum, and those with more than a year of work or volunteer experience in social services reported significantly less anxiety about beginning practicum than their colleagues. Implications and recommendations for social work admissions criteria, course curriculum content, field education initiatives, and future research in this area are discussed.
Kantian Respect and Particular Persons

Etude de la theorie morale du respect des personnes et de leurs fins (desir, decision, choix, but). Comparant la justification kantienne de la rationalite des fins avec la these utilitariste, l'A. examine la psychologie de l'identite personnelle et le role de l'autonomie comme autodetermination dans ce qui caraterise la particularite de la personne et de ses choix. Au-dela de la substitution de l'identite a la volonte rationnelle de la personne, l'A. met en avant l'avantage pratique et theorique du particularisme kantien sur la conception kantienne du respect.
Tomography by iterative convolution - Empirical study and application to interferometry

An algorithm for computer tomography has been developed that is applicable to reconstruction from data having incomplete projections because an opaque object blocks some of the probing radiation as it passes through the object field. The algorithm is based on iteration between the object domain and the projection (Radon transform) domain. Reconstructions are computed during each iteration by the well-known convolution method. Although it is demonstrated that this algorithm does not converge, an empirically justified criterion for terminating the iteration when the most accurate estimate has been computed is presented. The algorithm has been studied by using it to reconstruct several different object fields with several different opaque regions. It also has been used to reconstruct aerodynamic density fields from interferometric data recorded in wind tunnel tests.
Presenting Fake Figures: A Tool to Teach Effective Scientific Figure Design

As trained scientists, we become adept not only at analyzing and understanding figures in the scientific literature, but also at designing figures to effectively represent our own data and findings. As educators, we strive to pass on these skills to our students, some of whom will ultimately become scientists themselves. Conveying the principles of effective figure design can be challenging, particularly when students have had little exposure to the process of reading scientific literature, much less writing a piece of scientific literature. Improvisational activities in the classroom reinforce teaching goals such as spontaneity, risk-taking, creativity, communication skills, team-building, and critical thinking (2). Indeed, improv training for scientists is becoming more common, helping scientists to communicate more spontaneously about their work and connect with their audience (1). In this article, we present an improvisational game that can aid in the teaching of effective scientific figure design. This “Present-a-Fake-Figure Exercise” is applicable to both the classroom and laboratory settings. In this learning activity, students improvise presenting fake scientific figures to an audience of their peers. These fake figures are prepared beforehand by the instructor and exemplify the do’s and don’ts of scientific figure design. Some of the learning outcomes of the activity include (1) identifying what makes a scientific figure cohesive, easy to analyze, and reader-friendly, and (2) identifying strategies that are useful in the design of a multi-panel figure to convey a scientific story.
Interest Groups and Political Integration: British Entry into Europe

This article analyzes the influence of interest groups in the formation of British policy toward participation in European unity From the important theoretical literature bearing on the subject, it derives and tests two hypotheses relating group behavior to the political integration process. The hypothesis imputed to the group politics approach holds that if interest groups influence policy formation, then progress toward integration is likely to be impeded. The hypothesis suggested by an extension of the functionalist approach implies that if interest groups influence policy formation, then progress toward integration is likely to be facilitated. The data indicate a confirmation of the first hypothesis and a rejection of the second. Groups were unfavorable toward European unity for both organizational and economic reasons. They restrained Britain's movement toward participation in integrated European ventures until the onset of effective politicization. Then the introduction of broadly conceived national interest considerations displaced cost-benefit calculations as the criteria for judgment and diminished the groups' influence. At least in the task of enlarging a geographic area of integration, if not in expanding that integration once a grouping already exists, a conscious political decision was found to be essential.
Threat object identification performance for LADAR imagery: comparison of 2-dimensional versus 3-dimensional imagery

This research was conducted to determine the change in human observer range performance when LADAR imagery is presented in stereo 3D vice 2D. It compares the ability of observers to correctly identify twelve common threatening and non-threatening single-handed objects (e.g. a pistol versus a cell phone). Images were collected with the Army Research Lab/Office of Naval Research (ARL/ONR) Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) Imaging LADAR. A perception experiment, utilizing both military and civilian observers, presented subjects with images of varying angular resolutions. The results of this experiment were used to create identification performance curves for the 2D and 3D imagery, which show probability of identification as a function of range. Analysis of the results indicates that there is no evidence of a statistically significant difference in performance between 2D and 3D imagery.
Phenomenology and Theology—Reflections on the Study of Religion

The academic study of religious belief and practice is frequently taken to debunk the content of religion. This attitude impedes the science-theology dialogue and causes believers to react defensively toward studies of religion. I argue that a large, although not unrestricted, domain exists in which phenomenology of religion is neutral with respect to content, that is, compatible with either belief or unbelief. Theology can constructively interact with secular studies of religion, in some cases even explicitly hostile ones. Three themes emerge that elaborate on this interaction: (1) the claim that a scientific study of religion is capable of refuting belief is a logical mistake; (2) religious practice, and to some extent belief, can benefit from secular scrutiny; (3) the entirety of religious expressions is richer than the content that can be captured by analytical study of the phenomenon.
Autocatalytic particles and steady states.

THERE are several phenomena in microbial heredity which are suggestive of cytoplasmic inheritance in that a particular self-perpetuating state can be induced rapidly in a large majority of the population by relatively simple changes in the growth conditions. These include long-term adaptation in yeast1, auto-adaptation in bacteria2, and the adaptive formation of β-galactosidose in Escherichia coli grown at maintenance-levels of inducer3.
Utilizing lean tools to improve value and reduce outpatient wait times in an Indian hospital

Purpose – This paper aims to demonstrate how lean tools were applied to some unique issues of providing healthcare in a developing country where many patients face challenges not found in developed countries. The challenges provide insight into how lean tools can be utilized to provide similar results across the world. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on a qualitative case study carried out by a master’s student implementing lean at a hospital in India. Findings – This paper finds that lean tools such as value-stream mapping and root cause analysis can lead to dramatic reductions in waste and improvements in productivity. The problems of the majority of patients paying for their own healthcare and lacking transportation created scheduling problems that required patients to receive their diagnosis and pay for treatment within a single day. Many additional wastes were identified that were significantly impacting the hospital’s ability to provide care. As a result of this project, average ou...
Function and regulation of mitochondrially produced nitric oxide in cardiomyocytes.

this series of six papers covers the presentations from the Experimental Biology 2003 Symposium entitled “ The Function and Regulation of Mitochondrially Produced Nitric Oxide in Cardiomyocytes ,” sponsored by the American Physiological Society. Broadly, the topics include views on nitric oxide
The Impact of Macroeconomic Policies on the Level of Taxation (and on the Fiscal Balance) in Developing Countries

In recent years the level of taxation of many developing countries has changed dramatically over relatively short periods. These changes are too large and too sudden to attribute fully to a deterioration in tax administration or to changes in the traditional determinants of tax levels. The paper argues that they should be attributed mostly to macroeconomic policies. The paper discusses the connection between tax levels and (a) the real value of the official exchange rate, (b) import substitution policies, (c) trade liberalization, (d) inflation, (e) public debt, (f) financial policies. The paper concludes that more attention should be paid to those relationships and that tax reform should aim at neutralizing some of these effects.
Antithrombotic states and outcomes in patients with angiographically negative subarachnoid hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Antithrombotic states are encountered frequently, either because of medical therapy or by preexistent pathological states, and may affect the severity of hemorrhagic strokes such as angiographically negative subarachnoid hemorrhages. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of antithrombotic states on the outcomes of patients with angiographically negative subarachnoid hemorrhage by examining data pooled from 2 institutions. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of patients who experienced angiographically negative subarachnoid hemorrhage at 2 institutions over the past 5 years. The patients were grouped into those with and those without an antithrombotic state at time of hemorrhage and were stratified according to presentation, clinical grades, outcomes, need for cerebrospinal fluid diversion, and development of vasospasm. Computed tomography of the head was assessed for bleed pattern and modified Fisher grade. Patients were excluded if a causative lesion was subsequently discovered. RESULTS: There is a statistically significant association between antithrombotic states and poorer presentation, higher Hunt and Hess score, increased amount of subarachnoid hemorrhage, higher modified Fisher grade, increased incidence of vasospasm, hydrocephalus, and poor outcomes as assessed by modified Rankin scale (P < .001). Patients with an antithrombotic state experience worse outcomes even with adjustment for the amount of hemorrhage as assessed by modified Fisher grade (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Patients in an antithrombotic state presenting with angiographically negative subarachnoid hemorrhage present with inferior clinical scores, diffuse hemorrhage patterns, and worse modified Fisher grades and have worse outcomes.
The ties that bind: localization of the sister-chromatid cohesin complex on yeast chromosomes.

The identification of the cohesin complex and its role at the centromere permits delineation of the molecular mechanism by which cohesion is established and maintained. Among the questions that need to be answered are whether cohesin itself is a glue holding the sister chromatids together or whether it controls such a glue, whether cohesin acts between the axes of the sister chromatids or at chromatin loops, and the relationship between cohesion and kinetochore behavior. The mechanism by which the Rec8 complex persists at the centromere but then is released in meiosis II suggests a protective function that needs to be defined. The Drosophila MEI-S332 protein could be a prototype for such a guardian (Tang et al. 1998xTang, T.T.-L., Bickel, S.E., Young, L.M., and Orr-Weaver, T.L. Genes Dev. 1998; 12: 3843–3856Crossref | PubMedSee all ReferencesTang et al. 1998). Analysis of the biochemical properties of the cohesin complex will provide insights into potential activities in DNA repair and synaptonemal complex formation. Finally, the cohesin complex is unlikely to be the sole cohesion factor, and it will be important to isolate other proteins that control cohesion and to define their relationships to the cohesin complex.
Weight Gain, Metabolic Syndrome, and Breast Cancer Recurrence: Are Dietary Recommendations Supported by the Data?

Metabolic syndrome, which can include weight gain and central obesity, elevated serum insulin and glucose, and insulin resistance, has been strongly associated with breast cancer recurrence and worse outcomes after treatment. Epidemiologic and prospective data do not show conclusive evidence as to which dietary factors may be responsible for these results. Current strategies employ low-fat diets which emphasize supplementing calories with increased intake of fruit, grain, and vegetable carbohydrate sources. Although results thus far have been inconclusive, recent randomized trials employing markedly different dietary strategies in noncancer patients may hold the key to reducing multiple risk factors in metabolic syndrome simultaneously which may prove to increase the long-term outcome of breast cancer patients and decrease recurrences. Since weight gain after breast cancer treatment confers a poor prognosis and may increase recurrence rates, large-scale randomized trials are needed to evaluate appropriate dietary interventions for our breast cancer patients.
Galactic chemical evolution and nucleocosmochronology - Standard model with terminated infall

Some exactly soluble families of models for the chemical evolution of the Galaxy are presented. The parameters considered include gas mass, the age-metallicity relation, the star mass vs. metallicity, the age distribution, and the mean age of dwarfs. A short BASIC program for calculating these parameters is given. The calculation of metallicity gradients, nuclear cosmochronology, and extinct radioactivities is addressed. An especially simple, mathematically linear model is recommended as a standard model of galaxies with truncated infall due to its internal consistency and compact display of the physical effects of the parameters.
Algorithmic complexity as a criterion of unsolvability

There is a dependency between computability of algorithmic complexity and decidability of different algorithmic problems. It is known that computability of the algorithmic complexity C(x) is equivalent to decidability of the halting problem for Turing machines. Here we extend this result to the realm of superrecursive algorithms, considering algorithmic complexity for inductive Turing machines. We study two types of algorithmic complexity: recursive (classical) and inductive algorithmic complexities. Relations between these types of algorithmic complexity and decidability of algorithmic problems for Turing machines and inductive Turing machines are considered. In particular, it is demonsrated that computability of algorithmic complexity is equivalent not only to decidability of the halting problem, but also to decidability by inductive Turing machines of the first order of many other problems for Turing machines, such as: if a Turing machine computes a recursive (total) function; if a Turing machine gives no result only for n inputs; if a Turing machine gives results only for n inputs.
Epidemiology of cerebrovascular disease. A review.

Abstract Despite the significance of the cerebrovascular diseases as causes of disability and death, comparatively few community oriented studies of the problem have been done. Review of the available data on geographic differences in mortality shows that large variations exist between different countries, between different areas of the same country, and from one time to another. The pattern of geographic distribution of cerebral vascular disease deaths does not resemble that for deaths attributed to atherosclerotic heart disease. Although differing customs of medical diagnosis and certification of cause of death may account for some of the observed variation, undoubtedly genetic, sociocultural, and environmental factors are operating in a manner not yet explained to produce, in part, these patterns. Similarly, the risk of death from cerebral vascular disease varies by individual characteristics such as age, sex, and race and this is not clearly explained by the occurrence of atherosclerosis or hypertension. Studies based on mortality data are impaired not only by the lack of consistent disease definitions and death registration practices but also by the difficulty in separating stroke deaths into more specific subcategories. Accurate diagnoses of cerebral thrombosis and cerebral hemorrhage should show these causes to be distributed more nearly like those of arteriosclerotic heart disease and hypertension respectively. Population studies of morbidity due to stroke are so few that meaningful comparison with mortality distributions is not possible. A plethora of etiological hypotheses is available from the previous work with coronary disease and hypertension and studies designed to test these and develop new ideas specifically referable to stroke are sorely needed.
Robotic single-port transumbilical surgery in humans: initial report

OBJECTIVE To describe our initial clinical experience of robotic single-port (RSP) surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS The da Vinci® S robot (Intuitive, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) was used to perform radical prostatectomy (RP), dismembered pyeloplasty, and radical nephrectomy. A robot 12-mm scope and 5-mm robotic grasper were introduced through a multichannel single port (R-port, Advanced Surgical Concepts, Dublin, Ireland). An additional 5-mm or 8-mm robotic port was introduced through the same umbilical incision (2 cm) alongside the multichannel port and used to introduce robotic instruments. Vesico-urethral anastomosis and pelvi-ureteric anastomosis were successfully performed robotically using running intracorporeal suturing. RESULTS All three RSP surgeries were performed through the single incision without adding extra umbilical ports or 2-mm instruments. For RP, the operative duration was 5 h and the estimated blood loss was 250 mL. The hospital stay was 36 h and the margins of resection were negative. For pyeloplasty, the operative duration was 4.5 h, and the hospital stay was 50 h. Right radical nephrectomy for a 5.5-cm renal cell carcinoma was performed in 2.5 h and the hospital stay was 48 h. The specimen was extracted intact within an entrapment bag through the umbilical incision. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. At 1 week after surgery, all patients had minimal pain with a visual analogue score of 0/10. CONCLUSIONS Technical challenges of single-port surgery that may limit its widespread acceptance can be addressed by using robotic technology. Articulation of robotic instruments may render obsolete the long-held laparoscopic principles of triangulation especially for intracorporeal suturing. We report the initial series of robotic surgery through a single transumbilical incision.
Context updating and the p300

We concur with Sommer et al. that the processing manifested by P300 is not necessarily conscious. We also note that Verleger is yet again adducing evidence that contradicts an assertion we never made.
Electrically Conducting Thin Films by Ion Implantation of Pyrolyzed Polyacrylonitrile

Heat treatment of polyacrylonitrile leads to products with semiconductor to metal like conductivities. The electrical properties of these materials are further modified by ion implantation. It is noted that the conductivity (∼10 -7 (Ω cm) -1 ) of heat treated Polyacrylonitrile at 435°C (PAN435) increases upon ion implantation with As + , Kr + , Cl + of F + reaching a maximum value of 8.9 × 10 -1 (Ω cm) -1 at as does of 5 × 10 16 ion/cm 2 and an energy of 200 KeV for the case of F + implantation. On the other hand, ion implantation of the more conducting heat treated PAN at 750°C (PAN750) leads to a decrease in the electrical conductivity of the material. It is proposed that the conductivity modifications are primarily due to structural rearrangements induced by the energetic ions. Specific chemical doping contribution to conductivity is noted for halogen implantation in PAN435. The temperature dependence of conductivity of PAN heat treated at 750°C suggests a two path conduction, namely, a three dimensional variable range hopping conduction and a metallic conduction. After ion implantation, the conductivity-temperature dependence is interpreted in terms of a variable range hopping conduction mechanism.
Single-stage transrectal transsphincteric (modified York-Mason) repair of rectourinary fistulas.

Abstract Over the past eleven years we have repaired seven rectourinary fistulas using a modifiedYork-Mason transrectal transsphincteric approach. The simplicity of this one-stage procedure has demonstrated its cost effectiveness compared with the standard three-stage procedure (colostomy and cystotomy, fistula repair, and colostomy takedown).
On greening cellular networks via multicell cooperation

Recently, green communications has received much attention. Cellular networks are among the major energy hoggers of communication networks, and their contributions to the global energy consumption increase fast. Therefore, greening cellular networks is crucial to reducing the carbon footprint of information and communications technology. In this article, we overview the multicell cooperation solutions for improving the energy efficiency of cellular networks. First, we introduce traffic-intensity-aware multicell cooperation, which adapts the network layout of cellular networks according to user traffic demands in order to reduce the number of active base stations. Then we discuss energy-aware multicell cooperation, which offloads traffic from on-grid base stations to off-grid base stations powered by renewable energy, thereby reducing the on-grid power consumption. In addition, we investigate improving the energy efficiency of cellular networks by exploiting coordinated multipoint transmissions. Finally, we discuss the characteristics of future cellular networks, and the challenges in achieving energy-efficient multicell cooperation in future cellular networks.
Expression of polycystin in mouse metanephros and extra-metanephric tissues.

Expression of polycystin in mouse metanephros and extra-metanephric tissues. The presence of messenger RNA for the mouse homologue of the polycystic kidney disease 1 gene (PKD1) was demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods in mouse embryo messenger RNA. A single locus for the PKD1 gene was detected on mouse chromosome 17 by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Immunoprecipitation of proteins from [ 35 S] methionine-labeled mouse metanephric explants with an anti-polycystin antibody (Pc1) revealed high molecular weight bands, the highest being >400kDa. Immunoperoxidase staining of mouse embryos with Pc1 revealed expression of polycystin as early as day 8 gestation. The expression was seen in epithelial cells of the ureteric bud, in condensing blastemal cells of the developing metanephros and, subsequently, in cells of the nascent tubules. In addition, Pc1 immunoreactivity was seen in hepatocytes and biliary epithelium, cardiac and skeletal muscle, neural tissue, gut, and bronchial epithelium. In post-natal and adult mouse kidney and liver persistent slight to moderate immunoreactivity was observed. Immunofluorescent studies of cultured 13-day mouse metanephroi revealed polycystin expression in ureteric bud epithelium, early glomerular structures (that is, condensates, S-shaped and comma-shaped bodies) and in proximal and distal tubular epithelia. These data indicate that the mouse has a single gene homologous to human PKD1 on chromosome 17, and polycystin is expressed in a variety of tissues during embryonic development.
Pulsed Femtosecond Excimer Laser-Induced Chemically Clean Etching of Diamond

Chemically clean etching of thermodynamically metastable diamond using a 500 femtosecond (fs), 248 nm KrF excimer laser is reported. The experimental results, characterized by micro-Raman spectroscopy indicate that unlike nanosecond (ns) pulsed laser processing of diamond, fs laser irradiation of the surface does not generate any graphite or amorphous carbon residues. Microstructural analysis of the fs pulsed laser etched surface indicates streaks.
RADARSAT‐1 no longer operational

The Canadian Space Agency's workhorse RADARSAT-1, the nation's first Earth observation satellite, is no longer operational, the agency announced on 9 May. The satellite, which launched in 1995, had experienced a technical anomaly in March that could not be resolved. RADARSAT-2, launched in 2007, continues to provide users with data, and the agency is planning for the launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission of three satellites in 2018.
Isolation, characterization, expression and functional analysis of the zebrafish ortholog of MEN1

Mutations in the MEN1 gene lead to an autosomal dominant disorder, multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), which is characterized by tumors of the parathyroid, entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine, and pituitary tissues. The protein encoded by MEN1, 610-amino acid menin, resides primarily in the nucleus and binds to the transcription factor JunD, resulting in the repression of JunD-induced transcription. We report here a detailed characterization of the zebrafish men1 gene and its full-length (2551 nt) transcript, encoding a 617-amino acid protein with 67% identity and 80% similarity to human menin. Of the 81 missense mutations and in-frame deletions reported in MEN1 patients, 72 occur in residues that are identical in zebrafish, suggesting the importance of the conserved regions. The zebrafish men1 gene maps 61 cM from the top of linkage group 7 (LG7), a region that appears to show conserved synteny to the MEN1 loci at human 11q13. A 2.7-kb men1 message is detected at all stages of zebrafish development analyzed, from one-cell embryos to adult fish. Whole-mount in situ hybridization showed ubiquitous distribution of men1 message in zebrafish embryos at cleavage, blastula, gastrula, and early segmentation stages, with relatively abundant expression in blood cell progenitors (24 h post fertilization) and mesenchymal tissues (48 h post fertilization) at later stages. Zebrafish menin binds both human and mouse JunD, and represses JunD-induced transcription, indicating that the JunD-binding ability of menin is evolutionarily conserved.
T-lymphocyte recognition of sperm-whale myoglobin. Recognition of synthetic peptides carrying antigenic site 5 by myoglobin-primed T-cells.

SUMMARY Previous studies from this laboratory have resulted in the determination of the antigenic structure of sperm-whale myoglobin (Mb). In the present work, we have investigated the fine specificity requirements for T-cell recognition of one of the Mb antigenic sites (antigenic site 5). The antigenic site (peptide 145-153) and seven progressively longer peptides, increasing in length stepwise by two residues at a time, up to 22 residues in length (peptide 132-153), were synthesized. In addition, four truncated peptides were synthesized with intentional deletions at Tyr- 151 and Ala- 144. The T-cell recognition of these purified synthetic peptides was examined here in detail in three strains of mice (BALB/cByJ, B10.D2/n and SJL/J). Mb-primed mice afforded T-cells which proliferated to smaller peptides (two or four residues longer than the site; i.e. peptides 145-153 and 143-153) and more so to the longer peptides 135-153 and 132-153 and to Mb. No response was obtained to the truncated peptides, thus underscoring the fine specificity T-cells. No response was obtained also to intermediate-sized peptides. The latter result, due to an unfavourable mode of folding, suggested a conformational dependency in T-lymphocyte recognition.
Longshore Transport at Cape Lookout, North Carolina: Shoal Evolution and the Regional Sediment Budget

Abstract The Cape Lookout cuspate foreland has undergone significant offshore accretion since the first rudimentary field studies were conducted in the 1800s. Despite the wave-dominated setting, however, little is known about littoral processes under the wide range of wave conditions that impact the complicated coastal geometry at the cape. In this study we examined littoral processes, driven by longshore currents, using a numerical wave refraction/diffraction model (Ref/Dif 1) and through use of aerial photographs and nautical charts. Results show that longshore current direction and speed, as expected, are highly variable and depend primarily on incoming wave direction. Southerly longshore currents on Core Banks predominate under northeast and east wave approaches, whereas weaker northerly currents are generated under southeast and south wave approaches. The result of these patterns provides a source of sediments to Cape Lookout Shoal. Results show the sediment input from Core Banks to the shoal is of t...
The Relationship of Nonspecific Airway Responsiveness and Atopy to the Rate of Decline of Lung function: The Normative Aging Study

Nonspecific airway hyperresponsiveness and atopy have been postulated to be risk factors that predispose individuals to the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship of methacholine airway responsiveness and markers of atopy to rate of decline in lung function among 790 men, age 40 to 79 yr, followed in the Normative Aging Study. Airway responsiveness was assessed at the end of follow-up, which ranged from 14 to 24 yr. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that greater methacholine airway responsiveness was associated with more rapid annual FEV1 decline. Stratified analysis suggested that this association was stronger among skin test-negative, current smokers. No significant relationship was found between serum IgE level and annual FEV1 decline. A weak but statistically significant correlation between eosinophil count and mean annual FEV1 decline was noted among skin test-negative individuals (r = −0.08; p = 0.03). Result...
The Impact of ERP Implementation on Business Process Outcomes: A Factor-Based Study

Failures in large-scale information technology implementation are abundantly documented in the practitioner literature. In this study, we examine why some firms benefit more from enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation than others. We look at ERP implementation from a technological diffusion perspective, and investigate under what contextual conditions the extent of ERP implementation has the greatest effect on business process outcomes. Using empirical data, we find that the extent of ERP implementation influences business process outcomes, and both ERP radicalness and delivery system play moderating roles. For information systems (IS) practice, this study helps managers direct their attention to the most promising factors, provides insights into how to manage their complex interactions, and elaborates on their differential effects on business process outcomes. For IS research, it integrates innovation diffusion theory into our current knowledge of ERP implementation and provides theoretical explanations for ERP implementation failures.
Energy, Complexity, and Strategies of Evolution: As Illustrated by Maya Indians of Guatemala

Using free energy rate density (Φm) I differentiate two evolutionary strategies common to cosmic, biological, and cultural systems: the horizontal when energy increases proportional to mass, with no increase in complexity; and the vertical when it increases disproportionately to the mass and complexity increases. The vertical process is a continuing increase in complexity such that the system becomes vulnerable to collapse when energy sources fail. This is illustrated by a comparison of four Mayan Indian groups in Guatemala.
Linear maps that preserve matrices annihilated by a polynomial

Abstract Let M n be the algebra of n × n matrices over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. Let f ( x ) be a polynomial over F with at least two distinct roots. Then all nonsingular linear maps L : M n → M n that map matrix roots of F ( x )=0 into matrix roots of f ( x }=0 are found.
Semiflexible polymer confined to a spherical surface.

We develop a formalism for describing the kinematics of a wormlike chain confined to the surface of a sphere that simultaneously satisfies the spherical confinement and the inextensibility of the chain contour. We use this formalism to study the statistical behavior of the wormlike chain on a spherical surface. In particular, we provide an exact, closed-form expression for the mean square end-to-end distance that is valid for any value of chain length L, persistence length lp, and sphere radius R. We predict two qualitatively different behaviors for a long polymer depending on the ratio R/lp. For R/lp>4, the mean square end-to-end distance increases monotonically with the chain length, whereas for R/lp<4, a damped oscillatory behavior is predicted.
Neutron focusing system for the Texas Cold Neutron Source

Abstract A “converging neutron guide” focusing system located at the end of the Texas Cold Neutron Source (TCNS) “curved neutron guide” would increase the neutron flux for neutron capture experiments. Our design for a converging guide is based on using several rectangular truncated cone sections. Each rectangular truncated cone consists of four 20-cm long Si plates coated with NiC-Ti supermirrors. Dimensions of each section were determined by a three-dimensional Monte Carlo optimization calculation. The two slant angles of the truncated cones were varied to optimize the neutron flux at the focal area of the focusing system. Different multielement converging guides were designed and their performance analyzed. From the performance results and financial considerations, we selected a four-section 80-cm long converging guide focusing system for construction and use with the TCNS. The focused cold neutron beam will be used for neutron capture experiment, e.g., prompt gamma activation analysis and neutron depth profiling.
Some universal noiseless multiterminal source coding theorems

Fixed and variable-rate block and sliding-block weighted universal noiseless coding theorems are obtained which extend the Slepian-Wolf theorem for a single multiterminal source to a family of finite-alphabet, stationary, ergodic multiterminal sources.
The nature and fate of natural resins in the geosphere—II. Identification, classification and nomenclature of resinites

Abstract A classification scheme for resinites is proposed. Most resinites may be classified, on the basis of structural characteristics, into one of four classes. In order to exclude the effects of structural changes which reflect differences in the relative maturity of different samples, classifications are based on the structural character of the original resin from which the resinite was derived. In all samples characterized to date, this may be reasonably inferred from analytical data concerning the structure and composition of the individual sample. Class I resinites, which are by far the most abundant form of resinite in the geosphere, are derived from resins based primarily on polymers of labdatriene (diterpenoid) carboxylic acids, especially communic or ozic acids. Class II resinites are derived from resins based on polymers of sesquiterpenoid hydrocarbons, especially various isomers of cadinene. Class III resinites are natural polystyrenes. Class IV resinites are the least well characterized of the four resinite classes defined, but appear to be largely non-polymeric materials, dominated by sesquiterpenoids based on the cedrane carbon skeleton. Resinites belonging to Class I are further subdivided into three sub-classes on the basis of details of their composition. Class Ia resinites, which include succinite and related “Baltic ambers”, are derived from resins based primarily on communic acid and incorporate significant amounts of succinic acid into their macromolecular structure. Class Ib resinites are also derived from resins based primarily on communic acid, but do not contain succinic acid. Class Ic resinites are derived from resins based primarily on labdatrienoic acids of the enantio series, especially ozic and/or zanzibaric acids. The structure, origin, and identification of resinites of each class are discussed. The effects of maturation on the structure of Class I resinites, and the consequences of these changes for the recognition and classification of this form of resinite are also briefly discussed.
Possible enhancing effect of the immunosuppressive agent, 6-mercaptopurine(6-MP) on focal lesion development in cirrhotic liver induced by carbon tetrachloride but not furfural in F344 rats.

The modifying effects of an immunosuppressive agent, 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), on development of focal lesions in liver cirrhosis models induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) or furfural were studied in male F344 rats. Feeding of 6-MP at 50 p.p.m. for 20 weeks to animals with pre-existing liver cirrhosis caused immunosuppression, and significantly enhanced the induction of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT)-positive foci and nodules in the CCl4 but not furfural case. Glutathione S-transferase P (GST-P)-positive preneoplastic lesions were not affected. Moreover, phenobarbital (PB) also enhanced the induction of GGT-positive hepatocellular lesions only in the CCl4-induced liver cirrhosis model, no promotion influence being exerted after treatment with the non-carcinogenic furfural. This study, therefore, suggests that 6-MP can enhance the induction of one type of preneoplastic foci and nodules and that essential differences exist between focal lesions arising in cirrhotic livers caused by CCl4 as opposed to furfural.
Differences and similarities in the transcriptional profile of peripheral whole blood in early and late-onset preeclampsia: insights into the molecular basis of the phenotype of preeclampsiaa

Objective Preeclampsia (PE) can be sub-divided into early- and late-onset phenotypes. The pathogenesis of these two phenotypes has not been elucidated. To gain insight into the mechanisms of disease, the transcriptional profiles of whole blood from women with early- and late-onset PE were examined. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to include women with: i) early-onset PE (diagnosed prior to 34 weeks, n=25); ii) late-onset PE (after 34 weeks, n=47); and iii) uncomplicated pregnancy (n=61). Microarray analysis of mRNA expression in peripheral whole blood was undertaken using Affymetrix microarrays. Differential gene expression was evaluated using a moderated t-test (false discovery rate 1.5), adjusting for maternal white blood cell count and gestational age. Validation by real-time qRT-PCR was performed in a larger sample size [early PE (n=31), late PE (n=72) and controls (n=99)] in all differentially expressed genes. Gene ontology analysis and pathway analysis were performed. Results i) 43 and 28 genes were differentially expressed in early- and late-onset PE compared to the control group, respectively; ii) qRT-PCR confirmed the microarray results for early and late-onset PE in 77% (33/43) and 71% (20/28) of genes, respectively; iii) 20 genes that are involved in coagulation (SERPINI2), immune regulation (VSIG4, CD24), developmental process (H19) and inflammation (S100A10) were differentially expressed in early-onset PE alone. In contrast, only seven genes that encoded proteins involved in innate immunity (LTF, ELANE) and cell-to-cell recognition in the nervous system (CNTNAP3) were differentially expressed in late-onset PE alone. Thirteen genes that encode proteins involved in host defense (DEFA4, BPI, CTSG, LCN2), tight junctions in blood-brain barrier (EMP1) and liver regeneration (ECT2) were differentially expressed in both early- and late-onset PE. Conclusion Early- and late-onset PE are characterized by a common signature in the transcriptional profile of whole blood. A small set of genes were differentially regulated in early- and late-onset PE. Future studies of the biological function, expression timetable and protein expression of these genes may provide insight into the pathophysiology of PE.
Diversity of Eastern North American Ant Communities along Environmental Gradients

Studies of species diversity patterns across regional environmental gradients seldom consider the impact of habitat type on within-site (alpha) and between-site (beta) diversity. This study is designed to identify the influence of habitat type across geographic and environmental space, on local patterns of species richness and regional turnover patterns of ant diversity in the northeastern United States. Specifically, I aim to 1) compare local species richness in paired open and forested transects and identify the environmental variables that best correlate with richness; and 2) document patterns of beta diversity throughout the region in both open and forested habitat. I systematically sampled ants at 67 sites from May to August 2010, spanning 10 degrees of latitude, and 1000 meters of elevation. Patterns of alpha and beta diversity across the region and along environmental gradients differed between forested and open habitats. Local species richness was higher in the low elevation and warmest sites and was always higher in open habitat than in forest habitat transects. Richness decreased as temperature decreased or elevation increased. Forested transects show strong patterns of decreasing dissimilarity in species composition between sites along the temperature gradient but open habitat transects did not. Maximum temperature of the warmest month better predicted species richness than either latitude or elevation. I find that using environmental variables as key predictors of richness yields more biologically relevant results, and produces simpler macroecological models than commonly used models which use only latitude and elevation as predictors of richness and diversity patterns. This study contributes to the understanding of mechanisms that structure the communities of important terrestrial arthropods which are likely to be influenced by climatic change.
Supercritical Ordered Trajectories with Quadratically Irrational Winding Number

The dynamics of the circle map is studied in the supercritical regime where the map is not invertible and thus the trajectory elements are clustered on the circle. Existence of a simple ordering structure is established for trajectories with arbitrary irrational winding number. A previously developed formalism is then generalized to predict the trajectories when the winding number is quadratically irrational. Explicit results are given for a simple case.
Dynamic Imaging of Marrow-Resident Granulocytes Interacting with Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells upon Systemic Lipopolysaccharide Challenge.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have gained intense research interest due to their immune-modulatory, tissue differentiating, and homing properties to sites of inflammation. Despite evidence demonstrating the biodistribution of infused hMSCs in target organs using static fluorescence imaging or whole-body imaging techniques, surprisingly little is known about how hMSCs behave dynamically within host tissues on a single-cell level in vivo. Here, we infused fluorescently labeled clinical-grade hMSCs into immune-competent mice in which neutrophils and monocytes express a second fluorescent marker under the lysozyme M (LysM) promoter. Using intravital two-photon microscopy (TPM), we were able for the first time to capture dynamic interactions between hMSCs and LysM+ granulocytes in the calvarium bone marrow of recipient mice during systemic LPS challenge in real time. Interestingly, many of the infused hMSCs remained intact despite repeated cellular contacts with host neutrophils. However, we were able to observe the destruction and subsequent phagocytosis of some hMSCs by surrounding granulocytes. Thus, our imaging platform provides opportunities to gain insight into the biology and therapeutic mechanisms of hMSCs in vivo at a single-cell level within live hosts.
Evidence-Based Practice Implementation in Community Mental Health Settings: The Relative Importance of Key Domains of Implementation Activity

Implementation research has examined practice prioritization, implementation leadership, workforce development, workflow re-engineering, and practice reinforcement, but not addressed their relative importance as implementation drivers. This study investigated domains of implementation activities and correlated them to implementation success during a large national evidence-based practice implementation project. Implementation success was correlated with active leadership strategically devoted to redesigning the flow of work and reinforcing implementation through measurement and feedback. Relative attention to workforce development was negatively correlated with implementation. Active leaders should focus on redesigning the flow of work to support the implementation and on reinforcing program improvements.