Quantitative evaluation of altered hepatic spaces and membrane transport in fibrotic rat liver

Four animal models were used to quantitatively evaluate hepatic alterations in this study: (1) a carbon tetrachloride control group (phenobarbital treatment only), (2) a CCl4-treated group (phenobarbital with CCl4 treatment), (3) an alcohol-treated group (liquid diet with alcohol treatment), and (4) a pair-fed alcohol control group (liquid diet only). At the end of induction, single-pass perfused livers were used to conduct multiple indicator dilution (MID) studies. Hepatic spaces (vascular space, extravascular albumin space, extravascular sucrose space, and cellular distribution volume) and water hepatocyte permeability/surface area product were estimated from nonlinear regression of outflow concentration versus time profile data. The hepatic extraction ratio of H-3-taurocholate was determined by the nonparametric moments method. Livers were then dissected for histopathologic analyses (e.g., fibrosis index, number of fenestrae). In these 4 models, CCl4-treated rats were found to have the smallest vascular space, extravascular albumin space, H-3-taurocholate extraction, and water hepatocyte permeability/surface area product but the largest extravascular sucrose space and cellular distribution volume. In addition, a linear relationship was found to exist between histopathologic analyses (fibrosis index or number of fenestrae) and hepatic spaces. The hepatic extraction ratio of H-3-taurocholate and water hepatocyte permeability/surface area product also correlated to the severity of fibrosis as defined by the fibrosis index. In conclusion, the multiple indicator dilution data obtained from the in situ perfused rat liver can be directly related to histopathologic analyses.

The paradox of commercialising public sector intellectual property

The juxtapositioning of government providing a public good through research and development investment on one hand and engaging in commercialisation of the research outcome on the other is a paradox. Using agricultural research as an example, we examine the nature of the paradox to determine if commercialisation potentially leads to a conflict in the role of public research institutions set up to fulfil public good responsibilities. We identify the reasons for the shift in policy towards commercialisation and greater exploitation of public sector intellectual property and how this has contributed to the emergence of the apparent inconsistency. We argue that the belief in working for public good is inherent and embedded in an organisation's history and its wider operating environment. We propose that the creation of public sector intellectual property and its commercialisation are influenced by the political, social and economic environment in which the public institutions operate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fixed point theorems of upper semicontinuous multivalued mappings with applications in hyperconvex metric spaces

In the present paper, we establish two fixed point theorems for upper semicontinuous multivalued mappings in hyperconvex metric spaces and apply these to study coincidence point problems and minimax problems. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Empirical evidence for ultrametric structure in multi-layer perceptron error surfaces

Combinatorial optimization problems share an interesting property with spin glass systems in that their state spaces can exhibit ultrametric structure. We use sampling methods to analyse the error surfaces of feedforward multi-layer perceptron neural networks learning encoder problems. The third order statistics of these points of attraction are examined and found to be arranged in a highly ultrametric way. This is a unique result for a finite, continuous parameter space. The implications of this result are discussed.

Universal simulation of Hamiltonian dynamics for quantum systems with finite-dimensional state spaces

What interactions are sufficient to simulate arbitrary quantum dynamics in a composite quantum system? Dodd [Phys. Rev. A 65, 040301(R) (2002)] provided a partial solution to this problem in the form of an efficient algorithm to simulate any desired two-body Hamiltonian evolution using any fixed two-body entangling N-qubit Hamiltonian, and local unitaries. We extend this result to the case where the component systems are qudits, that is, have D dimensions. As a consequence we explain how universal quantum computation can be performed with any fixed two-body entangling N-qudit Hamiltonian, and local unitaries.

Structural and surface property changes of macadamia nut-shell char upon activation and high temperature treatment

Structural and surface property changes of macadamia nut-shell (MNS) char upon activation and high temperature treatment (HTT) were studied by high-resolution nitrogen adsorption, diffuse reflectance infra-red Fourier transform spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed desorption. It is found that activation of MNS char can be divided into the low extent activation which may involve the reactions of internal oxygen-containing groups and leads to the formation of comparatively uniform micropores, and the high extent activation which induces reactions between carbon and activating gas and produces a large amount of micropores. The surface functional groups (SFGs) basically increase with the increase of activation extent, but high extent activation preferentially increases the amount of -C-O and -C=O. HTT in air for a short tithe at a high temperature (1173 K) greatly increases the micropore volume and the amounts of SFGs. By appropriately choosing the activation and HTT conditions, it is possible to control both the textural structure and the type and amounts of SFG. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

An audit tool for intellectual property management: IP management in the Queensland Department of Primary Industries

Smart State is a Queensland Government initiative that recognises the central role of knowledge-based economic growth. In this context, the management of intellectual property (IP) within Queensland and Australian government research and development agencies has changed dramatically over recent years. Increasing expectations have been placed on utilising public sector IP to both underpin economic development and augment taxes by generating new revenues. Public sector research and development (R&D) management has come under greater scrutiny to commercialise and/or corporatise their activities. In a study of IP management issues in the Queensland Public Sector we developed a framework to facilitate a holistic audit of IP management in government agencies. In this paper we describe this framework as it pertains to one large public sector Agriculture R&D Agency, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI). The four overlapping domains of the framework are: IP Generation; IP Rights; IP Uptake; and Corporate IP Support. The audit within QDPI, conducted in 2000 near the outset of Smart State, highlighted some well developed IP management practices within QDPI's traditional areas of focus of innovation (IP Generation) and IP ownership and licensing (IP Rights). However, further management practice developments are required to improve the domains of IP Uptake and Corporate IP Support.