bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Canine heterophilic antibodies as a source of false‐positive B‐type natriuretic peptide sandwich ELISA results
Authors: Solter Philip F. , Oyama Mark A. , Sisson D. David 
Published: March 2008

Background:Interference by heterophilic antibodies is a well‐known cause of false‐positive sandwich ELISA results in human medicine. They are considered rarely in veterinary species and have not been characterized but could become important as newer, highly sensitive sandwich immunoassay technologies are developed.Objectives:The goals of this study were to use a B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP‐32) sandwich ELISA to determine the effect of heterophilic antibodies on test performance; to characterize canine heterophilic antibodies; and to develop and test a method for heterophilic antibody removal.Methods:A sandwich ELISA was developed using a mouse IgG1K monoclonal and a rabbit polyclonal antibody to two synthetic peptides of canine BNP‐32. The effects on false‐positive results of heterophilic antibody depletion and blocking by various techniques were compared. The titers of canine heterophilic antibodies were compared with various blood antigens from other species and the relative amount of canine IgG was compared with that of IgM heterophilic antibody.Results:Heterophilic antibodies in dog plasma were shown to be capable of causing false‐positive ELISA results. They reacted with blood proteins from a variety of animal species at relatively low titers and consisted of both IgG and IgM. Protein A agarose antibody precipitation, in conjunction with mouse IgG1K blocking antibody, was effective in eliminating false‐positive sandwich ELISA results while retaining adequate test performance.Conclusions:Canine heterophilic antibodies can interfere with sandwich ELISA assays and cause false‐positive test results. An effective technique for their removal that has a potentially broad application was developed, and allows measurement of canine blood constituents at low picomolar concentrations.
Evaluation of equine hemograms using the ADVIA 120 as compared with an impedance counter and manual differential count
Authors: Giordano Alessia , Rossi Gabriele , Pieralisi Cristina , Paltrinieri Saverio 
Published: March 2008

Background: The ADVIA 120 is an automated laser cell counter widely used in veterinary medicine. Although specific software for equine samples is available and validated, only a few reports have been published comparing the ADVIA 120 with other methods for equine hemogram evaluation.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the hematologic values and reference intervals obtained on the ADVIA 120 with those obtained on an impedance cell counter and manual differential counts in healthy horses.Methods: EDTA‐anticoagulated blood samples were obtained from 114 clinically healthy horses of various breeds, both sexes, and 2–6 years of age. Samples were stored for up to 12 hours at 4 °C and then analyzed on the ADVIA 120 and the Hemat 8. A 100‐cell to 200‐cell differential leukocyte count was performed by 3 independent observers on May‐Grünwald‐Giemsa‐stained smears. Intra‐assay precision of the ADVIA 120 was determined by analyzing 5 replicates each of 10 of the blood samples.Results: Results from the ADVIA were significantly higher than those from the impedance counter for RBC count, total WBC count, hemoglobin concentration, red cell distribution width, MCH, and MCHC, and significantly lower for HCT and platelet count. Significantly higher neutrophil and basophil counts and significantly lower lymphocyte counts were obtained with the ADVIA 120 compared with manual counts. Based on Passing–Bablok regression analysis, RBC and platelet counts were in good agreement between the 2 analyzers; a constant and proportional bias was present for other values. Coefficients of variation for erythrocyte parameters on the ADVIA were <1%, but were higher for platelet (6%), total WBC (2%), differential WBC (4%–30%), and reticulocyte (75%) counts.Conclusions: Results obtained with equine samples on the ADVIA 120 were comparable with those obtained on an impedance counter; reference intervals differed statistically but overlapped. The ADVIA had poor precision for reticulocyte and differential leukocyte counts such that the latter should always be verified on smears.
An Analysis of Klemp–Wilhelmson Schemes as Applied to Large-Scale Wave Modes
Authors: Viner Kevin C. , Epifanio Craig C. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The use of Klemp–Wilhelmson (KW) time splitting for large-scale and global modeling is assessed through a series of von Neumann accuracy and stability analyses. Two variations of the KW splitting are evaluated in particular: the original acoustic-mode splitting of Klemp and Wilhelmson (KW78) and a modified splitting due to Skamarock and Klemp (SK92) in which the buoyancy and vertical stratification terms are treated as fast-mode terms. The large-scale case of interest is the problem of Rossby wave propagation on a resting background state. The results show that the original KW78 splitting is surprisingly inaccurate when applied to large-scale wave modes. The source of this inaccuracy is traced to the compressible vertical adjustment—and more precisely, to the splitting of the hydrostatic balance terms between the small and large time steps. The splitting errors can be reduced somewhat through implicit biasing, but large biasing coefficients are needed for acceptable error levels—and even then the time steps are limited to moderate values. The errors in the KW78 splitting are shown to be largely absent from the SK92 scheme. Two versions of the SK92 splitting are considered in particular: the original leapfrog splitting (SK92-LF) of Skamarock and Klemp and the third-order Runge–Kutta splitting (SK92-RK) proposed by Wicker and Skamarock. The mixed cubic (on the large time step) and quadratic (on the small step) behavior of the SK92-RK scheme is described in detail and is compared with the strictly quadratic behavior of the SK92-LF method.
The Accrediting of Institutions of Higher Education
Authors: Russell John Dale 
Published: March 2008

Very much to the fore in higher-educa tion discussions is the topic of accredita tion. The formation of the so-called Gustavson Committee, the cooperative movement among regional accreditation agencies to form a federation, the strengthening of the regional associations— these are some of the outer evidences of the present deep concern over accredita tion in general. A major movement is under way in teacher education to im prove and strengthen accrediting stand ards and procedures. This article is therefore most timely. An eminent scholar in the field of high er education, the author of this article knows the subject of accreditation thor oughly, in history and in practice. Mr. Russell is Director, Division of Higher Education, United States Office of Educa tion, Federal Security Agency.
Materials on Teacher Beliefs in the ERIC Database
Authors: Stewart Dorothy K. 
Published: March 2008

A review of the literature on teacher beliefs in the ERIC database reveals studies on the develop ment of beliefs about teaching in preservice and inservice teachers; data on contrasts of the beliefs of student teachers and experienced classroom teachers; analyses of factors and programs which bring about changes (desired or forced by circumstances) in teachers' beliefs; and discussion of the effects of teachers' beliefs about the subjects they teach on their effectiveness in the classroom. Ar ticles and ERIC Documents in the following bibliography were selected to provide examples of the wide range of information available in the database on teacher beliefs. The journals cited in this bibliography are available at most research libraries. The documents can be read at 750 microfiche collections located in libraries, educational organizations, and school districts. Documents can also be ordered through the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS, 3900 Wheeler Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304-5110; call (800) 227-3742 for price and order infor mation). For a list of ERIC collections in your area or for information on submitting documents to ERIC, contact the ERIC Clearinghouse on Teacher Education, One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 610, Washington, DC 20036; or call (202) 293-2450.
Tourist Enterprise Concentration and Old Order Amish Survival: Explorations in Productive Coexistence
Authors: Buck Roy C. , Alleman Ted 
Published: March 2008

It is theorized that effects of tourist enterprise on Old Order Amish lifestyle, if any, would be most visible in the Amish community where commercial tourist development is most concentrated. Tourist enterprise concentration appears not to have altered patterns of Amish life to the extent tourism critics and conventional wisdom assert. Little or no case is made for tourist enterprise creating land use problems not shared by the total Amish community. Traffic volume in the community may be attributed as much to close proximity of a city as to tourist concen tration. Nontraditional Amish male employment is no more in evidence in the area of tourism concentration than in the larger community. Further professionalization of tourism development and management is suggested as a wise course of action to guarantee sustained yield of economic product and protection of the indigenous culture.
Evolution of the chicken Toll-like receptor gene family: A story of gene gain and gene loss
Authors: Temperley Nicholas D , Berlin Sofia , Paton Ian R , Griffin Darren K , Burt David W 
Published: March 2008

Abstract

Background
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) perform a vital role in disease resistance through their recognition of pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). Recent advances in genomics allow comparison of TLR genes within and between many species. This study takes advantage of the recently sequenced chicken genome to determine the complete chicken TLR repertoire and place it in context of vertebrate genomic evolution.

Results
The chicken TLR repertoire consists of ten genes. Phylogenetic analyses show that six of these genes have orthologs in mammals and fish, while one is only shared by fish and three appear to be unique to birds. Furthermore the phylogeny shows that TLR1-like genes arose independently in fish, birds and mammals from an ancestral gene also shared by TLR6 and TLR10. All other TLRs were already present prior to the divergence of major vertebrate lineages 550 Mya (million years ago) and have since been lost in certain lineages. Phylogenetic analysis shows the absence of TLRs 8 and 9 in chicken to be the result of gene loss. The notable exception to the tendency of gene loss in TLR evolution is found in chicken TLRs 1 and 2, each of which underwent gene duplication about 147 and 65 Mya, respectively.

Conclusion
Comparative phylogenetic analysis of vertebrate TLR genes provides insight into their patterns and processes of gene evolution, with examples of both gene gain and gene loss. In addition, these comparisons clarify the nomenclature of TLR genes in vertebrates.
Estrogen and Progesterone Metabolism in the Cervix during Pregnancy and Parturition
Authors: Andersson Stefan , Minjarez Debra , Yost Nicole P. , Word R. Ann 
Published: March 2008

AbstractContext: Experimental and clinical studies in a variety of nonprimate species demonstrate that progesterone withdrawal leads to changes in gene expression that initiate parturition at term. Mice deficient in 5α-reductase type I fail to undergo cervical ripening at term despite the timely onset of luteolysis and progesterone withdrawal in blood.Objective: Our objective was to test the hypothesis that estrogen and progesterone metabolism is regulated in cervical tissues during pregnancy, even in species in which parturition is not characterized by progesterone withdrawal in blood.Design: Estradiol and progesterone metabolism was quantified in intact cervical tissues from nonpregnant and pregnant women at term before or after labor.Setting: The study was conducted at a university hospital.Patients: Tissues were obtained from five nonpregnant and 21 pregnant women (nine before labor and 12 in labor).Main Outcome Measures: Enzyme activity measurements, Northern blot analysis, quantitative real-time RT-PCR, and immunohistochemistry were used to quantify steroid hormone metabolizing enzymes in cervical and myometrial tissues.Results: During pregnancy, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 was induced in glandular epithelial cells to catalyze the conversion of estradiol to estrone and stroma-derived 20α-hydroxyprogesterone to progesterone. During parturition, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 was down-regulated in endocervical cells, thereby creating a microenvironment favorable for cervical ripening.Conclusions: Together, the data indicate that cervical ripening during parturition involves localized regulation of estrogen and progesterone metabolism through a complex relationship between cervical epithelium and stroma, and that steroid hormone metabolism in cervical tissues from pregnant women is unique from that in mice.
Effects of Clinical Laboratory Choice on Study Outcome: An Interlaboratory Evaluation of Aminotransferase Levels
Authors: Green Jody L. , Campagna Elizabeth , Bogdan Gregory M. , Dart Richard C. , Heard Kennon 
Published: March 2008

Study Objective. To determine if laboratories with disparate alanine aminotransferase (ALT) reference ranges would report different rates of elevation greater than the upper limit of reference range (ULRR) and thus have the potential to alter study results.Design. Interlaboratory evaluation.Setting. Research department of a poison and drug center.Samples. Sixty‐five serum samples collected from a previously published randomized clinical trial that were stored at −57°C for approximately 2 years.Intervention. Stored serum samples were divided and sent to two independent clinical laboratories (laboratory A and laboratory B) that had disparate ALT reference ranges.Measurements and Main Results. Samples were stratified by ALT levels measured during the primary study to provide a spectrum of ALT values. The ULRR for serum ALT level at laboratory A was 63 and 54 U/L for male and female subjects, respectively, and for laboratory B was 31 U/L for both male and female subjects. Each laboratory used different instruments and reagents. The primary outcome was the rate of ALT elevation (> 1 x ULRR and > 3 x ULRR) for each study laboratory. The overall mean ALT activity at laboratory A was 33.6 U/L (95% confidence interval [CI] 28.1–39.2 U/L) and at laboratory B was 47.92 U/L (95% CI 40.0–55.8 U/L). Although laboratory A had the higher ULRR (74% higher for female subjects, 103% higher for male subjects), it consistently reported lower ALT values. Laboratory B reported a significantly higher proportion of samples that had an ALT value greater than 1 time the ULRR and greater than 3 times the ULRR.Conclusion. Our findings suggest that laboratories systemically report different values for aminotransferase levels and that the choice of laboratory may alter the proportion of patients who have an elevation in ALT levels. Until standardized reference ranges are adopted, studies reporting an outcome that depends on the reference range (such as “abnormal” or > 3 x ULRR) will be subject to misclassification bias based on the laboratory performing the analysis.
Evaluation of innovative operation concept for flat sheet MBR filtration system
Authors: Weinrich L. , Grélot A. 
Published: March 2008

One of the most limiting factors for the extension and acceptance of MBR filtration systems for municipal and industrial wastewater is the impact of membrane fouling on maintenance, operation and cleaning efforts. One field of action in the European Research Project “AMEDEUS” is the development and testing of MBR module concepts with innovative fouling-prevention technology from three European module manufacturers.
This article deals with the performances of the flat-sheet modules by A3 Water Solutions GmbH in double-deck configuration evaluated over 10 months in Anjou Recherche under typical biological operation conditions for MBR systems (MLSS = 10 g/l; SRT = 25 days). By using a double-deck configuration, it is possible to operate with a net flux of 25.5 l/m2.h at 20°C, a membrane air flow rate of 0.21 Nm3/h.m2 of membrane to achieve a stable permeability of around 500–600 l/m2.h.bar. Additionally, it was observed that it is possible to recover the membrane performance after biofouling during operation without intensive cleaning and to maintain stable permeability during peak flows.The evaluated concepts for equipping and operating MBR systems will be applied to several full-scale plants constructed by A3 Water Solutions GmbH.
Study of superconducting state parameters of amorphous metals by a pseudopotential theory
Authors: Vora Aditya 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The theoretical computation of the superconducting state parameters (SSP) viz; electron-phonon coupling strength λ, Coulomb pseudopotential μ
*, transition temperature T
c, isotope effect exponent α and effective interaction strength N
O
V of some monovalent (Cu and Au), divalent (Ca, Sr, Ba, αHg, βHg and Ra) and polyvalent (Lu, Rh, Sc, Y, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Ac, Th, Hf, Ru, Os, Ir, V, Ta, Pa, Cr, Mo, U, Re, Np and Pu) amorphous metals based on the different groups of the periodic table have been carried out for the first time using the well known Ashcroft’s empty core (EMC) model pseudopotential. Herein, we have employed five different types of local field correction functions proposed by Hartree (H), Taylor (T), Ichimaru-Utsumi (IU), Farid et al. (F) and Sarkar et al. (S) to study the exchange and correlation effects on the present investigations. A very strong influence of all the exchange and correlation functions have been observed in the present study. Our results are in fair agreement with documented theoretical as well as experimental data. A strong dependency of the SSP of amorphous metals on the valency Z was found.
Structural stability of TiO and TiN under high pressure
Authors: Chauhan Raja , Singh Sadhna , Singh Ram 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The high pressure phase transition and elastic behavior of Transition Metal Compounds (TiO and TiN) which crystallize in NaCl-structure have been investigated using the three body potential model (TBPM) approach. These interactions arise due to the electron-shell deformation of the overlapping ions in crystals. The TBP model consists of a long range Coulomb, three body interactions, and the short-range overlap repulsive forces operative up to the second neighboring ions. The authors of this paper estimated the values of the phase transition pressures, associated volume collapses, and elastic constants, all of which were found to be closer to available experimental data than other calculations. Thus, the TBPM approach promises to predict the phase transition pressure and pressure variations of elastic constants of Transition Metal compounds.
Structural and electrical properties of KCa2Nb5O15 ceramics
Authors: Behera Banarji , Nayak Pratibindhya , Choudhary Ram 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
A polycrystalline sample of KCa2Nb5O15 with tungsten bronze structure was prepared by a mixed oxide method at high temperature. A preliminary structural analysis of the compound showed an orthorhombic crystal structure at room temperature. Surface morphology of the compound shows a uniform grain distribution throughout the surface of the sample. Studies of temperature variation on dielectric response at various frequencies show that the compound has a transition temperature well above the room temperature (i.e., 105°C), which was confirmed by the polarization measurement. Electrical properties of the material have been studied using a complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) technique in a wide temperature (31–500°C) and frequency (102–106 Hz) range that showed only bulk contribution and non-Debye type relaxation processes in the material. The activation energy of the compound (calculated from both the loss and modulus spectrum) is same, and hence the relaxation process may be attributed to the same type of charge carriers. A possible ‘hopping’ mechanism for electrical transport processes in the system is evident from the modulus analysis. A plot of dc conductivity (bulk) with temperature variation demonstrates that the compound exhibits Arrhenius type of electrical conductivity.
Pool-Frenkel effect and high frequency dielectric constant determination of semiconducting P2O5-Li2MoO4-Li2O and P2O5-Na2MoO4-Na2O bulk glasses
Authors: Souri Dariush , Elahi Mohammad , Yazdanpanah Mohammad 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The ternary 70P2O5-10Li2MoO4-20Li2O and 70P2O5-10Na2MoO4-20Na2O glasses, prepared by the press-melt quenching technique, were studied at temperatures between 298 and 418 K for their high dc electric field properties. For the above purpose, the effect of a strong electric field on the dc conduction of these amorphous bulk samples was investigated using the gap-type electrode configuration. At low electric fields, the current-voltage (I — V) characteristics have a linear shape, while at high electric fields (> 103 V/cm), bulk samples show nonlinear effects (nonohmic conduction). Current-voltage curves show increasing departure from Ohm’s law with increasing current density, leading to critical phenomena at a maximum voltage (threshold voltage), known as switching (switch from a low-conduction state to a higher-conduction state at threshold voltage). The Pool-Frenkel high-field effect was observed at electrical fields of about 103–104 V/cm; then the lowering factor of the potential barrier, the high frequency dielectric constant, and the refractive index of these glasses were determined.
The ferrimagnetic phase of the Blume-Emery-Griffiths model on the cellular automaton
Authors: Seferoğlu Nurgül , Kutlu Bülent 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
The Blume-Emery-Griffiths model is simulated using the cooling algorithm which is improved from the Creutz cellular automaton (CCA) under periodic boundary conditions. The simulations are carried out on a simple cubic lattice at K/J = −1.5 in the range of −3.5 < D/J < 0.5, with J and K representing the nearestneighbour bilinear and biquadratic interactions, D being the single-ion anisotropy parameter. The phase diagram characterizing phase transition of the model is obtained. We found different kinds of phase transitions between the ferromagnetic, quadrupolar, staggered quadrupolar and ferrimagnetic phases for K/J = −1.5. In particular, the region of the phase diagram containing a ferrimagnetic phase is explored and compared to those obtained by other methods. The simulations confirm that the ferrimagnetic phase occurs in the narrow interval −3.006 ≤ D/J < −3. This result is in a good agreement with Monte Carlo renormalization group and closer to the cluster variation method result than the mean field approximation result.
Ambient temperature or moderately cooled semiconductor hot electron bolometer for mm and sub-mm regions
Authors: Dobrovolsky V. , Sizov F. , Kamenev Y. , Smirnov A. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractA model of semiconductor hot electron bolometer (SHEB), in which electromagnetic radiation heats only electrons in narrow-gap semiconductor without its lattice slow-response heating, is considered. Free carrier heating changes the generation-recombination processes that are the reason of semiconductor resistance rise. It is estimated, that Hg0.8Cd0.2Te detector noise equivalent power (NEP) for mm and sub-mm radiation wavelength range can reach NEP ∼10−11 W at Δf = 1 Hz signal gain frequency bandwidth. Measurements performed at electromagnetic wave frequencies v = 36, 39, 55, 75 GHz, and at 0.89 and 1.58 THz too, with non-optimized Hg0.8Cd0.2Te antenna-coupled bolometer prototype confirmed the basic concept of SHEB. The experimental sensitivity Sv ∼2 V/W at T = 300 K and the calculated both Johnson-Nyquist and generation-recombination noise values gave estimation of SHEB NEP ∼3.5 × 10−10 W at the band-width Δf = 1 Hz and v = 36 GHz.