Measuring knowledge transfer between fields of science

In this paper we report on the results of an exploratory study of knowledge exchange between disciplines and subfields of science, based on bibliometric methods. The goal of this analysis is twofold. Firstly, we consider knowledge exchange between disciplines at a global level, by analysing cross-disciplinary citations in journal articles, based on the world publication output in 1999. Among others a central position of the Basic Life Sciences within the Life Sciences and of Physics within the Exact Sciences is shown. Limitations of analyses of interdisciplinary impact at the journal level are discussed. A second topic is a discussion of measures which may be used to quantify the rate of knowledge transfer between fields and the importance of work in a given field or for other disciplines. Two measures are applied, which appear to be proper indicators of impact of research on other fields. These indicators of interdisciplinary impact may be applied at other institutional levels as well. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Creating and Justifying Research and Development Value: Scope,Scale, Skill and Social Networking of R&D

In this paper we describe a framework for analysing the creation and justification of Research & Development. The 4S framework is developed for analysing the scope, scale, skills and social network aspects of Research & Development value. The framework is based on social system theory, a process contingency model, and recent Research & Development metrics. We present a first empirical assessment based on a workshop using the 4S framework for leveraging Research & Development. Results that assist in the assessment of value creation utilising R & D within networks are very relevant in high tech industries. The multi–dimensional process approach of this framework seems promising for understanding and managing R&D value creation, but needs further operationalisation. Case studies are described and a Dutch network on leveraging R&D has been initiated.     

Baseband Volterra filters for implementing carrier basednonlinearities

A diagonal coordinate representation for Volterra filters is developed and exploited to derive efficient Volterra filter implementations for processing carrier based input signals. In the diagonal coordinate representation, the output is expressed as a sum of linear filters applied to modified input signals. Hence, linear filtering methods are employed to implement the nonlinear filter on a baseband version of the input. Downsampling is then used to reduce computational complexity. The same approach is employed to develop efficient implementations for processing continuous-time carrier-based signals, pulse amplitude-modulated signals, and frequency division multiplexed input signals     

A major isoform of the maize plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase: characterization and induction by auxin in coleoptiles

The plasma membrane (PM) H(+)-ATPase has been proposed to play important transport and regulatory roles in plant physiology, including its participation in auxin-induced acidification in coleoptile segments. This enzyme is encoded by a family of genes differing in tissue distribution, regulation, and expression level. A major expressed isoform of the maize PM H(+)-ATPase (MHA2) has been characterized. RNA gel blot analysis indicated that MHA2 is expressed in all maize organs, with highest levels being in the roots. In situ hybridization of sections from maize seedlings indicated enriched expression of MHA2 in stomatal guard cells, phloem cells, and root epidermal cells. MHA2 mRNA was induced threefold when nonvascular parts of the coleoptile segments were treated with auxin. This induction correlates with auxin-triggered proton extrusion by the same part of the segments. The PM H(+)-ATPase in the vascular bundies does not contribute significantly to auxin-induced acidification, is not regulated by auxin, and masks the auxin effect in extracts of whole coleoptile segments. We conclude that auxin-induced acidification in coleoptile segments most often occurs in the nonvascular tissue and is mediated, at least in part, by increased levels of MHA2.     

The spinal muscular atrophy gene region at 5q13.1 has a paralogous chromosomal region at 6p21.3

We have examined acetaminophen (paracetamol) dosing for outpatient management of posttonsillectomy pain in children. Forty children, 5-15 years of age, undergoing tonsillectomy and their parents were randomly assigned to use a scheduled administration of acetaminophen in weight appropriate doses, 60 mg.kg-1.24h-1 orally, 90 mg.kg-1.24h-1 rectally, or to use acetaminophen 'as needed' according to present standards (control group). Postoperative pain was assessed by the child using the poker chip tool for the first three days after discharge. The prevalence of pain amongst all the children was high. The second day after discharge 22%-64% of the children in the study group and 36%-73% of the children in the control group rated severe pain. Recommended dose ranges of acetaminophen do not provide sufficient pain relief in children following tonsillectomy. Further studies are required to determine, whether higher doses of acetaminophen or analgesics with different analgesic properties will lead to improved analgesia in children following tonsillectomy.     

Continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy with/without mitomycin C in head and neck cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of mitomycin C to an accelerated hyperfractionated radiation therapy. The aim was to test a very short schedule with/without mitomycin C (MMC) with conventional fractionation in histologically verified squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From October 1990 to December 1996, 188 patients entered the trial. Tumors originated in the oral cavity in 54, oropharynx in 82, larynx in 20, and hypopharynx in 32 cases, respectively. Patients' stages were predominantly T3 and T4 (158/188, 84%) and most patients had lymph node metastases (144/188, 77%) at diagnosis. Only 22 patients were female, 166 were male, the median age of patients was 57 years (range 34 to 76 years). Patients were randomized to one of the following three treatment options: conventional fractionation (CF) consisting of 70 Gy in 35 fractions over 7 weeks (65 patients) or continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy (V-CHART; 62 patients) or continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy with 20 mg/sqm MMC on day 5 (V-CHART + MMC; 61 patients). By the accelerated regimens, the total dose of 55.3 Gy was delivered within 17 consecutive days, by 33 fractions. On day 1, a single dose of 2.5 Gy was given, from day 2 to 17 a dose of 1.65 Gy was delivered twice: the interfraction interval was 6 hours or more. RESULTS: Mucositis was very intense after accelerated therapy, most patients experiencing a grade III/IV reaction. The mucosal reaction did not differ whether MMC was administered or not. Patients treated by accelerated fractionation experienced a confluent mucosal reaction 12-14 days following start of therapy and recovered (no reaction) within 6 weeks. The skin reaction was not considered different in the three treatment groups. Those patients treated with additional chemotherapy experienced a grade III/IV hematologic toxicity in 12/61 patients. Initial complete response (CR) was recorded in 43% following CF, 58% after V-CHART, and 67% after V-CHART + MMC, respectively (p < 0.05). Actuarial survival (Kaplan-Meier) was significantly improved in the combined treated patients. Local tumor control was 28%, 32%, and 56% following CF, V-CHART, and V-CHART + MMC, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that our continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiation therapy regimen is equal to conventional fractionation, suggesting that by shortening the overall treatment time from 7 weeks to 17 days a reduction in dose from 70 Gy to 55.3 Gy is possible, with maintenance of local tumor control rates. The administration of MMC to the accelerated regimen is tolerable and improves the outcome for patients significantly.     

Control of lipolysis in intra-abdominal fat cells of nonhuman primates: comparison with humans

The mechanisms that control lipolysis in intra-abdominal fat cells from various primate species, the marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), the baboon (Papio papio), and the macaque (Macaca fascicularis), were compared to those of human intraabdominal fat cells. Selective beta 1- or beta 2-adrenoceptor agonists induced lipolysis in all species. Selective beta 3-agonists (BRL 37344, CL 316243, and SR 58611) acted as partial agonists in marmoset but were inefficient in other primates, including humans. alpha 2-Adrenoceptor number ([3H]RX 8210002 binding) equalized (baboon) or exceeded (other primates) beta 1/beta 2-adrenoceptors ([3H]CGP 12177 binding). Baboon fat cell membranes expressed similar amounts of coupled beta- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors. In all species, norepinephrine- or epinephrine-induced lipolysis did not reach the lipolytic effect of isoproterenol but their effects were enhanced after alpha 2-adrenoceptor blockade. N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (PIA) induced a full antilipolytic effect in baboon, macaque, and human adipocytes through adenosine receptors ([3H]DPCPX binding). Peptide YY (PYY) weakly inhibited lipolysis in baboon. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) was inactive whereas parathyroid hormone (PTH) partially stimulated lipolysis in primates. Histamine was partially lipolytic in marmoset only. This study emphasizes the similarities of the mechanisms controlling the lipolysis in nonhuman primate and in human adipocytes and suggests that the baboon and the macaque should provide unique models for the study of the regulation of lipolysis.