cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strategies for cell shape control in tip-growing cells.

Premise of the study Despite the large diversity in biological cell morphology, the processes that specify and control cell shape are not yet fully understood. Here we study the shape of tip-growing, walled cells, which have evolved a polar mode of cell morphogenesis leading to characteristic filamentous cell morphologies that extend only apically. Methods We identified the relevant parameters for the control of cell shape and derived scaling laws based on mass conservation and force balance that connect these parameters to the resulting geometrical phenotypes. These laws provide quantitative testable relations linking morphological phenotypes to the biophysical processes involved in establishing and modulating cell shape in tip-growing, walled cells. Key results and conclusions By comparing our theoretical results to the observed morphological variation within and across species, we found that tip-growing cells from plant and fungal species share a common strategy to shape the cell, whereas oomycete species have evolved a different mechanism.
Overlapping execution with transfer using non-strict execution for mobile programs

In order to execute a program on a remote computer, it mustfirst be transferred over a network. This transmission incurs the over-head of network latency before execution can begin. This latency can vary greatly depending upon the size of the program., where it is located (e.g., on a local network or across the Internet), and the bandwidth available to retrieve the program. Existing technologies, like Java, require that a jle be filly transferred before it can start executing. For large files and low bandwidth lines, this delay can be significant.In this paper we propose and evaluate a non-strict form of mobile program execution. A mobile program is any program that is transferred to a different machine and executed. The goal of nonstrict execution is to overlap execution with transfer; allowing the program to start executing as soon as possible. Non-strict execution allows a procedure in the program to start executing as soon as its code and data have transferred. To enable this technology, we examine several techniques for rearranging procedures and reorganizing the data inside Java classjles. Our results show that nonstrict execution decreases the initial transfer delay between 31% and 56% on average, with an average reduction in overall execution time between 25% and 40%.
Acoustic behaviour of three sympatric species of Ips (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) co‐inhabiting Sitka spruce1

Field and laboratory observations showed that Ips concinnus and Ips tridens tridens have similar micro-habitat preferences, emergence periods, brood development periods, and pairing behaviour. The gula-prosternal stridulatory organs of male and female I. conannus, possible stridulatory organs of females I. t. tridens and the vertex-pronotal stridulatory apparatus of female Ips plastographus are described. Differences in number of ridges and length of stridulatory file were found between male and female I. concinnus. Chirps of female I. concinnus tape recorded in premating and stress contexts were shorter in duration and pulse rate than male chirps produced when fighting. Female I. concinnus premating stridulations did not change as 5 females successively joined a male in his attractive gallery. Females of I. t. tridens emitted brief “clicks” while pairing. Female I. plastographus emitted premating chirps distinct from rivalry and stress chirps. Stridulation was different between species in duration, envelope, and number of pulses, and probably contributes, along with pheromone specificity, to the maintenance of species isolation. Unlike several Dendroctonus spp., with I. concinnus tactile contact of the male was the primary stimulus for female acoustic response during pairing. Destridulated I. concinnus females entering an attractive male gallery took longer to enter and were repelled more frequently than normal or sham-operated females. A species recognition function analogous to that of I. paraconfusus and I. calligrapbus is suggested. Zusammenfassung Das akustische Verhalten von drei auf der Sitkafichte vorkommenden Arten der Gattung Ips Beobachtungen im Labor und im Walde haben gezeigt, das Ips concinnus und I. tridens tridens ein ahnliches Mikrohabitat, Entwicklungs- und Paarungsverhalten aufweisen. Der gula-prosternale Lauterzeugungsapparat der Weibchen und Mannchen von I. concinnus und der vertex-pronotale Lauterzeugungsapparat des Weibchens von I. plastographus werden beschrieben. Es bestehen deutliche Unterschiede in der Lange des Apparates sowie auch in der Zahl der Furchen zwischen den beiden Geschlechtern von I. concinnus. Die Stridulationssignale, die von I. concinnus vor der Paarung und wahrend des Stresverhaltens erzeugt werden, sind von kurzerer Zeitdauer und Pulsierungsrate als die Stridulationssignale, die von Mannchen wahrend eines Rivalenverhaltens erzeugt werden. Die Stridulation des Weibchens vor der Paarung andert sich nicht, wenn aufeinanderfolgende Weibchen sich in dem Anlockungskanal an die Mannchen anschliesen. Die Stridulationssignale der Weibchen von I. tridens tridens bestehen aus getrennten Einzelpulsen. Die Weibchen von I. plastographus erzeugen vor der Paarung eine Stridulation, die sich von den Stres- und Rivalensignalen deutlich unterscheidet. Die Stridulationssignale der verschiedenen Arten unterscheiden sich nach Dauer, Form und Zahl der Impulse und tragen wahrscheinlich, zusammen mit der Pheromonspezifizitat, zur Erhaltung der Artenisoherung bei.
Quinine-Associated Acute Interstitial Nephritis

Quinine-induced acute renal failure attributed to the hemolytic-uremic syndrome has been infrequently reported. A case of acute renal failure due to acute interstitial nephritis associated with ingestion of quinine and the subsequent response to steroid therapy is described.
Golden interfaces: The Surface of Self-Assembled Monolayers

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols and disulfides on gold form organic interfaces with properties largely controlled by the end groups of the molecules composing the film. SAMs provide a unique link between the science of organic surfaces and technologies that seek to exploit their adaptable character. Many techniques are useful for probing the structure of SAMs although only scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at picoamperes reveals the details of the packing of their end groups at the sub-angstrom level. This review demonstrates that STM effectively tests new types of control over the microscopic structure–property relationships characteristic of SAMs on gold that should prove useful to their application.
(R)‐(−)‐2,2‐Diphenylcyclopentanol

(R)-(−)-2,2-diphenylcyclopentanol intermediate: 2-Amino-3,3-diphenyl-1-cyclopentene-1-carbonitrile reactant: 28.3 mL (0.29 mol) of 4-bromobutyronitrile intermediate: 2,2-Diphenylcyclopentanone product: (R)-(−)-2,2-diphenylcyclopentanol catalyst: 1.5 g (93% recovery) of (S)-α,α-diphenyl-2-pyrrolidinemethanol solvent: hexane reactant: 4-Iodobutyronitrile Keywords: annulation, carbocyclic-[5]; annulation, carbocyclic-[5]; cyclization, condensation; cyclization, condensation; hydrolysis, miscellaneous; reduction, CO CHOH; replacement reactions, halogen by halogen; stereoselective reactions, enantioselective; assay methods, of enantiomeric purity by chiral column HPLC; assay methods, of enantiomeric purity by supercritical field chromatography; assay methods, of enantiomeric purity of sec. amine by chiral column HPLC of p-toluenesulfonamide; tert-butyl methyl ether; dichloromethane (methylene chloride); diphenylacetonitrile, purification; ethyl acetate; hexane; tetrahydrofuran; borane-methyl sulfide complex, flammable; dimethyl sulfide, stench; hydrogen, fire hazard
Evidence that a neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase is responsible for the extralysosomal hydrolysis of high‐density lipoprotein cholesteryl ester in rat hepatoma cells (Fu5AH)

Diethylumbelliferyl phosphate (UBP) has been shown to inhibit the neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity responsible for hydrolysis of cellular lipid droplet cholesteryl ester (Harrison et al., 1990). The potential for (UBP) to inhibit uptake and hydrolysis of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholestryl ester was studied in Fu5AH hepatoma cells, a model for HDL cholesterol delivery. Coincubation of 3H-cholesteryl ester labeled HDL with UBP resulted in a 72% decrease in the cellular free cholesterol/cholesterl ester (FC/CE) isotope ratio, indicating an inhibition in the conversion of cholesteryl ester to free cholesterol. Total cellular 3H-CE uptake was modestly (27%) but significantly decreased by UBP. Pulsechase experiments (15 min. pulse and 7 min. chase) were used to study the hydrolysis of HDL 3H-CE in subcellular fractions separated by percoll gradients. The conversion of 3H-CE to 3H-FC could be demonstrated in fractions that comigrated with the plasma membrane/endosome fractions but were well separated from lysosomes. Neutral cholesteryl ester hydrolase activity was detected in those same fractions. These results suggest that an extralysosomal pathway is operating in the metabolism of HDL cholesterol and its delivery to hepatoma cells. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
NEST: a nonenumerative test generation method for path delay faults in combinational circuits

A test generation procedure for path delay faults is proposed that targets all path delay faults in the circuit-under-test. The procedure overcomes the difficulties in handling the exorbitant numbers of path delay faults in practical circuits by using a nonenumerative method of considering faults that never explicitly targets any specific path delay fault. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method in deriving tests to detect very large numbers of path delay faults.
The spatial dynamics of invasive species spread

The problem of invasive species spread requires timely analysis of the biological dynamics that lead to spatial dispersion. Here, a spatial dynamic model captures the invasive behavior of the recently introduced emerald ash borer (EAB) (Agrilus planipennis) and its impacts on host ash (Fraxinus spp.) trees. Parasite–host system dynamics are extended spatially using the Spatial Modeling Environment. The resulting model can serve as a repository for changing knowledge about EAB biology and behavior. Studies of the rapid EAB infestation in Michigan are used to inform simulations of its spread in DuPage County, Illinois, USA. We use a geographic information system to create heterogeneous host landscapes and to test alternative policy scenarios. We test the effectiveness of three suppression scenarios: the Michigan eradication strategy, firewood quarantines, and ash tree thinning. Simulations demonstrate that EAB spatial spread accelerates with degraded host capacity, with results pointing to firewood quarantines as the most effective solution. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Informing Principals: The Impact of Different Types of Information on Principals' Perceptions of Professional School Counselors

The study in this article provided principals with different types of information about professional school counseling and examined the impact on their perceptions. Results demonstrated that information about the ASCA National Model® influenced principals' perceptions of the amount of time counselors should allocate to delivery of the guidance curriculum, system support, and responsive services, as well as ratings of the importance of performing inappropriate tasks in meeting the education mission of the school.
Should a Single Unexplained Failing Assay be Reason to Reject a Batch

The problem of what to do with data that appear to be erroneous, but for which no cause is apparent, has puzzled scientists for as long as data have been collected and evaluated. These data can be characterized as outliers, not appearing to be of the same kind as other data collected under the same circumstances. One might suppose that situations exist where such outliers can be considered absurd,e.g., nobody with any knowledge of the process could conceive that such a value could exist. For example, if an automatic device for weighing individual tablets would record a zero, we would be "certain" that the result was not due to a weightless tablet, but rather due to some malfunction of the process. However, in the great majority of cases, the cause for an outlying result cannot be ascertained. In the case of scientific experiments for research purposes, the outlier appears among other experimental results, and the scientist can freely hypothesize reasons and explanations for its presence. Thus, the scientist can make a case for exclusion or inclusion of the outlier, and discuss reasons, implications, etc., with impunity. The future will demonstrate the correctness of his evaluation and judgement; "Time will tell. 'I
Surfactant Protein D Facilitates Cryptococcus neoformans Infection

ABSTRACT Concurrent with the global escalation of the AIDS pandemic, cryptococcal infections are increasing and are of significant medical importance. Furthermore, Cryptococcus neoformans has become a primary human pathogen, causing infection in seemingly healthy individuals. Although numerous studies have elucidated the virulence properties of C. neoformans, less is understood regarding lung host immune factors during early stages of fungal infection. Based on our previous studies documenting that pulmonary surfactant protein D (SP-D) protects C. neoformans cells against macrophage-mediated defense mechanisms in vitro (S. Geunes-Boyer et al., Infect. Immun. 77:2783–2794, 2009), we postulated that SP-D would facilitate fungal infection in vivo . To test this hypothesis, we examined the role of SP-D in response to C. neoformans using SP-D −/− mice. Here, we demonstrate that mice lacking SP-D were partially protected during C. neoformans infection; they displayed a longer mean time to death and decreased fungal burden at several time points postinfection than wild-type mice. This effect was reversed by the administration of exogenous SP-D. Furthermore, we show that SP-D bound to the surface of the yeast cells and protected the pathogenic microbes against macrophage-mediated defense mechanisms and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-induced oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo . These findings indicate that C. neoformans is capable of coopting host SP-D to increase host susceptibility to the yeast. This study establishes a new paradigm for the role played by SP-D during host responses to C. neoformans and consequently imparts insight into potential future preventive and/or treatment strategies for cryptococcosis.
Virtual Heliodon: Spatially Augmented Reality for Architectural Daylighting Design

We present an application of interactive global illumination and spatially augmented reality to architectural daylight modeling that allows designers to explore alternative designs and new technologies for improving the sustainability of their buildings. Images of a model in the real world, captured by a camera above the scene, are processed to construct a virtual 3D model. To achieve interactive rendering rates, we use a hybrid rendering technique, leveraging radiosity to simulate the inter-reflectance between diffuse patches and shadow volumes to generate per-pixel direct illumination. The rendered images are then projected on the real model by four calibrated projectors to help users study the daylighting illumination. The virtual heliodon is a physical design environment in which multiple designers, a designer and a client, or a teacher and students can gather to experience animated visualizations of the natural illumination within a proposed design by controlling the time of day, season, and climate. Furthermore, participants may interactively redesign the geometry and materials of the space by manipulating physical design elements and see the updated lighting simulation.
Speculation, incomplete currency market participation, and nonfundamental movements in nominal and real exchange rates

Abstract This paper studies possible nonfundamental movements in nominal and real exchange rates arising from a world economy with speculation, incomplete participation in international currency markets and nontraded goods. The model is capable of generating equilibria which display comovements in nominal and real exchange rates not unlike those observed in actual economies.
Evaluating the Potsdam Plan

The indictment is severe, but those who have given attention to the matter will be aware of the fact that not a few economists, both in this country and in England, concur in it. Definite support for the Potsdam plan has come, as a rule, only from those who had a share in the development of this policy, such as Henry Morgenthau, Jr.,2 and the Foreign Economic Administration (FEA),3 whose views were largely discounted. A detailed defense of the Potsdam declarations by outside observers, however, was presented in a study entitled "The Economic Problem of Germany." Prepared under the auspices of the Institute of World Affairs, and widely distributed by it in reprint form (after publication in the June 1946 issue of Social Research), it gains added importance by reason of the fact that it lists Dr. Alvin Johnson as its author together
Power of testing proportions in small two‐sample studies when sample sizes are equal

In planning experiments having two groups of equal but small size, investigators face the uncertainty of power calculations that rely on asymptotic methods. This paper presents a method for determining power for two-sided tests. I compare two randomization tests, Fisher's exact test (FET), and the mid-P (MID), with the uncorrected chi-square test (CHI). Results show power as a function of relative risk for these methods, and assesses their relative power and type I error rates. MID is shown to have intermediate power between CHI, which is the most powerful, and FET, the least powerful. Situations are shown in which CHI and MID occasionally exceed the nominal level of alpha.
Positive and Negative Factors Confer Phase-Specific Circadian Regulation of Transcription in Arabidopsis

The circadian clock exerts a major influence on transcriptional regulation in plants and other organisms. We have previously identified a motif called the evening element (EE) that is overrepresented in the promoters of evening-phased genes. Here, we demonstrate that multimerized EEs are necessary and sufficient to confer evening-phased circadian regulation. Although flanking sequences are not required for EE function, they can modulate EE activity. One flanking sequence, taken from the PSEUDORESPONSE REGULATOR 9 promoter, itself confers dawn-phased rhythms and has allowed us to define a new clock promoter motif (the morning element [ME]). Scanning mutagenesis reveals that both activators and repressors of gene expression act through the ME and EE. Although our experiments confirm that CIRCADIAN CLOCK ASSOCIATED 1 (CCA1) and LATE ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL (LHY) are likely to act as repressors via the EE, they also show that they have an unexpected positive effect on EE-mediated gene expression as well. We have identified a clock-regulated activity in plant extracts that binds specifically to the EE and has a phase consistent with it being an activator of expression through the EE. This activity is reduced in CCA1/LHY null plants, suggesting it may itself be part of a circadian feedback loop and perhaps explaining the reduction in EE activity in these double mutant plants.
Chemical Synthesis and Characterization of Nanostructured Titanium Aluminide

Although plagued by a lack of ductility, titanium aluminides are among the most promising intermetallics under development. Significant improvements in ductility may be obtained from nanostructured intermetallics. Nanosize particles of TiAl3 have been prepared by heat-treatment of chemically synthesized precursor (compound 1). Nanosized TiAl3 has been characterized by chemical analysis, XRD, EDS, NMR, and HREM.
Dual motor innervation in the axial musculature of fishes

A systematic survey of motor innervation in the myotomal muscle fibres in several groups of fishes was conducted to observe the extent of dual innervation, a phenomenon found within those myotomal muscle fibres with terminal innervation. It is concluded that the dually innervated myotomal muscle fibre is a primitive vertebrate feature. Furthermore, it is suggested that this particular form of polyneuronal innervation is retained in the course of neural evolution within the homogeneous white myotomal muscle fibre region in these fish groups in order to insure synchrony of firing during sudden, rapid locomotion. The findings are examined in light of current ideas regarding the direct adrenergic innervation in addition to cholinergic innervation of striated muscle fibres.
Alpha 2-macroglobulin expression in the mesometrial decidua and its regulation by decidual luteotropin and prolactin.

During decidualization, cells of the endometrium grow and differentiate giving rise to two different decidual tissues located in either the antimesometrial or mesometrial site of the uterus in the rat. These tissues have different functions in pregnancy. The antimesometrial decidua is an endocrine gland that secretes hormones, whereas the mesometrial decidua appears to play an important role in limiting trophoblast invasion. Since the decidual tissue of the rat produces alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2MG), we examined whether this potent protease inhibitor is specifically expressed by the mesometrial tissue, the site of trophoblast invasion, and whether the alph 2MG gene is regulated by decidual luteotropin (DLt), the PRL-like hormone secreted by the neighboring antimesometrial cells. To determine the secretory proteins of the rat decidua, antimesometrial and mesometrial tissues were dissected out from pseudopregnant rats and cultured with [35S]methionine. The major protein secreted by the antimesometrial c...
Response to ‘Discussion of paper “Development of a family of unconditionally stable explicit direct integration algorithms with controllable numerical energy dissipation” by Chinmoy Kolay and James M. Ricles’ in Earthquake Engineering and Structural Dynamics 2014; 43:1361–1380

Keywords: direct integration algorithm; explicit; unconditional stability; numerical energy dissipation; dynamic analysis
Asynchronous Technologies in Small Face‐to‐Face Groups

Identifies a set of expectations about information technology (IT) adoption and usage in work groups, based on prior theory. Describes a longitudinal study on the adoption and usage of asynchronous technologies in small face‐to‐face groups. Compares observations with expectations. Concludes that expectations were generally supported except in one case, where file transfer was used synchronously to support face‐to‐face interaction. Observed one use of asynchronous technology to maintain social distance because of poor relationships. Discusses the implications of the findings. Offers possible areas of future research.
Disturbance of waterfowl by boaters on Pool 4 of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.

The Upper Mississippi National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has undergone a Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCP) that will determine how the river will be managed over the next 15 years. Research conducted focuses on Pool 4 of the Mississippi River, which is a popular resting and feeding site for waterfowl during migration. Data was collected at two specific sites on Pool 4. Big Lake (open to hunting) experienced a much greater amount of disturbances during the observation period than Peterson Lake (closed to hunting). The majority of disturbances were caused by hunting boats. Each time waterfowl were disturbed, they were forced to expend a certain amount of energy which they need to complete a successful migration. Overall, 293 boating incidents occurred on Big Lake during the observation period resulting in a total of 212 disturbances; whereas 58 boating incidents occurred on Peterson Lake resulting in a total of 23 disturbances.
Adaptive Evolution of the Venom-Targeted vWF Protein in Opossums that Eat Pitvipers

The rapid evolution of venom toxin genes is often explained as the result of a biochemical arms race between venomous animals and their prey. However, it is not clear that an arms race analogy is appropriate in this context because there is no published evidence for rapid evolution in genes that might confer toxin resistance among routinely envenomed species. Here we report such evidence from an unusual predator-prey relationship between opossums (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) and pitvipers (Serpentes: Crotalinae). In particular, we found high ratios of replacement to silent substitutions in the gene encoding von Willebrand Factor (vWF), a venom-targeted hemostatic blood protein, in a clade of opossums known to eat pitvipers and to be resistant to their hemorrhagic venom. Observed amino-acid substitutions in venom-resistant opossums include changes in net charge and hydrophobicity that are hypothesized to weaken the bond between vWF and one of its toxic snake-venom ligands, the C-type lectin-like protein botrocetin. Our results provide the first example of rapid adaptive evolution in any venom-targeted molecule, and they support the notion that an evolutionary arms race might be driving the rapid evolution of snake venoms. However, in the arms race implied by our results, venomous snakes are prey, and their venom has a correspondingly defensive function in addition to its usual trophic role.
Taxonomy and Conservation: A Case Study from Chamaedorea alternans

• Background and Aims The establishment of justified recommendations in conservation biology requires robust taxonomic treatments for the group(s) being considered. Controversial or poorly developed taxonomies can have a negative impact on conservation assessments. One example of a taxonomically difficult and controversial species complex that is important in conservation involves two species of Mexican palms, Chamaedorea tepejilote and C. alternans. The goal of this study was to investigate whether C. alternans and C. tepejilote are genetically distinct within the Los Tuxtlas region of Veracruz. • Methods Individuals corresponding to the morphology of C. alternans and C. tepejilote were collected from sympatric and allopatric regions within the Los Tuxtlas Biological Station. Eighty-eight samples were genotyped using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Cluster and ordination analyses were used to investigate patterns of differentiation. • Key Results UPGMA and PCO analyses of AFLP profiles recovered two divergent clusters corresponding to morphologically defined C. tepejilote and C. alternans. No intermediate genotypes were observed and five of the 45 loci were fixed for either the presence or absence between the species. The patterns of divergence observed do not identify a role for sympatric speciation. • Conclusions The observed patterns of differentiation support the recognition of C. alternans as distinct from C. tepejilote. A suite of vegetative and reproductive morphological features can be used to help distinguish these taxa in the field, but they can be difficult to differentiate from preserved material. Previous treatments of the variation found within the complex (C. alternans and C. tepejilote) as intraspecific variance is unjustified. Given that the Los Tuxtlas region has suffered from historical and ongoing deforestation and that Chamaedorea includes numerous endangered taxa, retaining conservation status for C. alternans serves to help safeguard individuals of the species as well as a region and larger taxonomic group all under considerable threat from human activities.
A Review of Gacono, C. B., & Evans, F. B., with Kaser-Boyd, N., and Gacono, L. A. (Eds.), The Handbook of Forensic Rorschach Assessment

Survey data have shown that about one third of forensic psychologists use the Rorschach Inkblot Method (hereafter referred to as the Rorschach) in their practice (Archer, Buffington-Vollum, Stredny...
Pregnancy rates in beef cattle after administering a GnRH agonist 11 to 14 days after insemination.

The objective of our study was to determine the dose-pregnancy rate response of a GnRH agonist injected once during the luteal phase in virgin heifers (four locations) and suck- led beef cows (two locations) during the spring of 1989. The same treatments in virgin heifers were used at one location in the fall of 1989. Heifers and cows were inseminated at a synchronized estrus and then assigned randomly to each of three doses (0, 100, or 200 pg) of fertirelin acetate administered in 4 ml of saline in a double-blind study after being blocked by inseminator and service sire. Injections were given (i.m.1 once on d 11, 12, 13, or 14 after estrus. Pregnancy rates were determined by palpation of the uterus per rectum and(or1 by actual calving dates. Overall preg- nancy rates for heifers across five locations were 86/201 (43%), 100/197 (51%), and 100/203 (49%) for the 0, 100, and 200 pg doses of fertirelin acetate, respectively. Pregnancy rates for heifers at two locations based on calving data were 28/48 (50%), 31/47 (66%), and 34/52 (65%) for the three doses. Both the 100- and 200-pg doses increased (P c .05) pregnancy rates in heifers based on palpation results, whereas only the 200-pg dose tended to increase (P = .lo) pregnancy rates based on calving results. Pregnancy rates based on palpa- tion for suckled beef cows at two locations were 36/51 (71%), 30/43 (7Oo/o), and 34/51 (67%), and the corresponding pregnancy rates based on calving results were 30/41 (73%), 32/36 (89%), and 31/38 (82%) for the 0, 100, and 200 pg doses, respectively. There was no dose effect of fertirelin acetate on palpation pregnancy rates, but based on calving results, both doses tended to increase (P = .08) pregnancy rates in cows. Available data from heifers at one location showed no effect of fertirelin acetate on their pregnancy rates after insemination at a subsequent estrus, but a trend (P = .13) existed for interestrous intervals to increase linearly with an increasing dose of fertirelin acetate. We concluded that the 100- and 200-pg doses of fertirelin acetate in- creased pregnancy rates in virgin heifers and tended to improve pregnancy rates in suckled cows when injected during the midluteal phase after insemination.
Endothelialization of ventricular assist device

Not only is the number of donor heart limited,but long term survival after transplantation is less than ideal.Long term mechanical support will offer the best choice for end stage congestive heart failure.However,thromboembolism is still the most important complications associated with long term mechanical support.How to control blood activation during assisted circulation and to improve biocompatibility of Ventricular Assist Device are important tasks for the development of VAD.In this review,presentation,advancement,theory,method of endothelialization of VAD and question on it are concerned.
Progress on Mucosal Vaccine and Structure Featureo of Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue(MALT)

Mucosal immunity started in the beginning of the last century,it has made much progress.At present,researchers have known more structure features of mucosal immunity system and gained to momentous advance in the fields of mucosal vaccine.However a lot of unknown realms about mucosal immunity are still existed and many malfunctions took place after mucosal vaccines applying for human,which suggest that correlative research needs to be further studied.
Turbidity Study of Sequential Siphon Sediment Basins

The Best Management Practice, BMP, provided several methods and procedures to reduce the turbidity, but failed to address the turbidity in terms of measurements and control. Several measures were proposed, and in many cases erosion and sedimentation measures are enforceable. New sediment basin design is used in this study. The main purpose of this study is to introduce new sediment basin design called siphon sediment basin. This sediment basin can be used as multi-leveled basin in order to reduce the turbidity to a predetermined level. The siphon sediment basin is proven to be economically advantageous compared to other sediment basins covered by the Best Management Practice manual. Maintenance of the siphon sediment basin is relatively easier and less costly.
Therapeutic lymphangiogenesis after myocardial infarction: vascular endothelial growth factor-C paves the way

The new excellent study by Henri and colleagues published in the April 12 issue of the Circulation journal addresses an important issue of the involvement of lymphatic vasculature in the restoration of cardiac function after infarction (1).
Yoga as a School-Wide Positive Behavior Support

A yoga-based school-wide positive behavior support (SWPBS) may provide a foundation for teaching mindfulness and self-regulation in K-12 schools. Here, the use of yoga as a SWPBS was examined through a review of existing literature and interviews of yoga program facilitators. Yoga was reported to be effective as a pedagogical approach, and found to increase mindfulness, emotional regulation, and positive behaviors of school students. Findings suggest yoga, when provided by culturally sensitive instructors, may be an easy to implement, cost-effective SWPBS in a variety of school settings.
Philology and Presence

AbstractVarious scholars have argued that the rise of modern information technology over the past century has coincided with a steady decline of traditional methods of learning and interpretation, and has contributed to the general sense of “worldlessness” or anomie. In the words of Paul Ricoeur, “we are overwhelmed by a flood of words, by polemics, by the assault of the virtual, which today create a kind of opaque zone.” Philology, the ancient discipline that grew in the past two centuries to encompass literary study, linguistics, and intellectual history, was originally conceived as a return to the past with the aim of retrieving the knowledge of bygone times. While the recent revival of interest in philology recognizes its importance to the humanities, it remains unnamed as such. The aim of my exploration of the history and practices of philology is to suggest how it can reinstate the presence of the past. With its attentiveness to language—undertaken in the silent spaces of private study, archive, and...
Breathing control center neurons that promote arousal in mice

Slow, controlled breathing has been used for centuries to promote mental calming, and it is used clinically to suppress excessive arousal such as panic attacks. However, the physiological and neural basis of the relationship between breathing and higher-order brain activity is unknown. We found a neuronal subpopulation in the mouse preBotzinger complex (preBotC), the primary breathing rhythm generator, which regulates the balance between calm and arousal behaviors. Conditional, bilateral genetic ablation of the ~175 Cdh9/Dbx1 double-positive preBotC neurons in adult mice left breathing intact but increased calm behaviors and decreased time in aroused states. These neurons project to, synapse on, and positively regulate noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus, a brain center implicated in attention, arousal, and panic that projects throughout the brain.
Mechanically patterned neuromuscular junctions-in-a-dish have improved functional maturation

Motor neuron (MN) diseases are progressive disorders resulting from degeneration of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), which form the connection between MNs and muscle fibers. NMJ-in-a-dish models have been developed to examine human MN-associated dysfunction with disease; however such coculture models have randomly oriented myotubes with immature synapses that contract asynchronously. Mechanically patterned (MP) extracellular matrix with alternating soft and stiff stripes improves current NMJ-in-a-dish models by inducing both mouse and human myoblast durotaxis to stripes where they aligned, differentiated, and fused into patterned myotubes. Compared to conventional culture on rigid substrates or unpatterned hydrogels, MP substrates supported increased differentiation and fusion, significantly larger acetylcholine (ACh) receptor clusters, and increased expression of MuSK and Lrp4, two cell surface receptors required for NMJ formation. Robust contractions were observed when mouse myotubes were stimulated by ACh, with twitch duration and frequency most closely resembling those for mature muscle on MP substrates. Fused myotubes, when cocultured with MNs, were able to form even larger NMJs. Thus MP matrices produce more functionally active NMJs-in-a-dish, which could be used to elucidate disease pathology and facilitate drug discovery.
Quantitative measures with WREX usage

This paper presents the results of two surveys conducted with users of a functional upper extremity orthosis called the Wilmington Robotic EXoskeleton (WREX). The WREX is a passive anti-gravity arm orthosis that allows people with neuromuscular disabilities to move their arms in three dimensions. An online user survey with 55 patients was conducted to determine the benefits of the WREX. The survey asked 10 questions related to upper extremity function with and without the WREX as well as subjective impressions of the device. A second survey used a phone interview based on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). Parents rated their child's performance and satisfaction while partaking in important activities both with and without the exoskeleton device. Scores were assessed for change between the two conditions. Twenty-five families responded to this survey. Twenty-four out of 25 subjects reported greater levels of performance and satisfaction when they were wearing the WREX. The mean change in performance score was 3.61 points, and the mean change in satisfaction score was 4.44 points. Results show a statistically significant improvement in arm function for everyday tasks with the WREX.
Unblinded ASCOT study results do not rule out that muscle symptoms are an adverse effect of statins.

Commentary on : Gupta A and ASCOT investigators. Adverse events associated with unblinded, but not with blinded, statin therapy in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial-Lipid-Lowering Arm (ASCOT-LLA): a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial and its non-randomised non-blind extension phase. Lancet 2017;389:2473–81. Several studies suggest that the low adherence rates with statin therapy are related to adverse events, particularly statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS).1 Rates of SAMS are found to be much higher in observational studies (10%–20%) compared with randomised controlled trials (RCTs) (1%–3%), which often find little difference in adverse events between statin and placebo groups.2 3 This study, having both blinded and unblinded phases, offers a unique perspective in looking at adverse events with statin therapy. The first trial phase was a randomised, blinded phase that included 10 180 patients aged 40–79 years with …
Estuarine Suspended Sediment Dynamics: Observations Derived from over a Decade of Satellite Data

Suspended sediment dynamics of Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, USA, a shallow-water wind-driven estuary, were investigated by combining field and satellite measurements of total suspended solids (TSS). An algorithm was developed to transform 500-meter Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua satellite reflectance data into estimated TSS values. The algorithm was developed using a reflectance ratio regression of MODIS Band 1 (red) and Band 3 (green) with TSS measurements (n=54) collected by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for Corpus Christi Bay and other Texas estuaries. The algorithm was validated by independently collected TSS measurements during the period of 2011-2014 with an uncertainty estimate of 13%. The algorithm was applied to the period of 2002-2014 to create a synoptic time series of TSS for Corpus Christi Bay. Potential drivers of long-term variability in suspended sediment were investigated. Median and IQR composites of suspended sediments were generated for seasonal wind regimes. From this analysis it was determined that long-term, spatial patterns of suspended sediment in the estuary are related to wind-wave resuspension during the predominant northerly and prevalent southeasterly seasonal wind regimes. The impact of dredging is also apparent in long-term patterns of Corpus Christi Bay as concentrations of suspended sediments over dredge spoil disposal sites are higher and more variable than surrounding areas, which is most likely due to their less consolidated sediments and shallower depths requiring less wave energy for sediment resuspension. This study highlights the advantage of how long-synoptic time series of TSS can be used to elucidate the major drivers of suspended sediments in estuaries.
Influence of Topography on Adhesion and Bioadhesion

Nature, through evolution, has developed many different structured adhesive systems to create strong and reliable adhesion on various substrates, including those with rough or smooth surfaces under dry and wet conditions. However, the details of the adhesive interactions of structured or roughened surfaces are just beginning to be resolved. This chapter examines the physical principles of dry and wet adhesion of structured surfaces from simple to complex geometries. A particular emphasis is placed on bioadhesive systems that achieve an impressive level of control over adhesion via fascinating structural features such as fibrils and spines. The influence of surface morphology and roughness on adhesion is also covered. Recent studies show that the attachment abilities of bioadhesive systems are dramatically reduced below a critical roughness. Based on this and other principles borrowed from nature, strategies can be pursued to create anti-adhesive surfaces via manipulating the surface topography of the substrate.
Developing “Students as Learners and Teachers”: Lessons from Ten Years of Pedagogical Partnership that Strives to Foster Inclusive and Responsive Practice

This case study reviews how the pedagogical partnership program ‘Students as Learners and Teachers’ evolved between 2007 and 2017. It draws on the author’s ten years of experience directing the program to describe the context, steps in development, components and assessment of the program as well as to summarise three lessons learnt: (1) continuing dialogue with, support of, and affirmation of student partners is essential; (2) reaching and supporting, rather than alienating, faculty can be a challenge; and (3) flexibility and evolution of the overall program are critical.
NT-proBNP in stable COPD and future exacerbation risk: Analysis of the SPIROMICS cohort.

Abstract Background High N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) during COPD exacerbations is associated with worse clinical outcomes. The prognostic value of NT-proBNP measured during clinical stability has not been well characterized. Methods We studied SPIROMICS participants 40–80 years of age with COPD GOLD spirometric stages 1–4. The association between baseline NT-proBNP and incident COPD exacerbations within one year of follow-up was tested using zero-inflated Poisson regression models adjusted for age, gender, race, body mass index, current smoking status, smoking history, FEV1 percent predicted, COPD Assessment Test score, exacerbation history, total lung capacity on chest CT and cardiovascular disease (any of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction or congestive heart failure). Results Among 1051 participants (mean age 66.1 years, 41.4% women), mean NT-proBNP was 608.9 pg/ml. Subjects in GOLD stage D had the highest mean NT-proBNP. After one year of follow-up, 268 participants experienced one or more COPD exacerbations. One standard deviation increase in baseline NT-proBNP was associated with a 13% increase in the risk of incident exacerbations (incident risk ratio 1.13; 95% CI 1.06–1.19; p Conclusion Baseline NT-proBNP in COPD is an independent predictor of respiratory exacerbations, even in individuals without overt cardiac disease. The impact of detection and treatment of early cardiovascular dysfunction on COPD exacerbation frequency warrants further investigation.
Organizational environment, changing economic conditions, and the effective supervision of technical personnel

Abstract Industry's share of R&D funding is increasing while, at the same time, the half-life of technology is decreasing. This condition increases the pressure on technical managers to produce research that is creative and innovative but, at the same time, sensitive to the “bottom line.” Six conditions within the context of the organization play an important role in the management of technical employees: 1) Uncertainty in the work place increases the need for a supportive organizational climate and high information sharing, 2) Compensation appears to produce both functional and dysfunctional consequences for motivation, 3) Engineering personalities have a tendency to favor autonomous, challenging, and meaningful assignments, 4) Organizational structures influence the engineer's ability to process information, 5) The structure of the engineering task has been shown to affect job satisfaction, and 6) Career choices become an important consideration for mature engineers. Each of these issues, if not properly managed, can lead to stress, burnout and eventual employee turnover. Most important however, is the fact that if they are not managed properly, creative output from R&D organizations declines at a time when industry is assuming a greater share of the funding. When creativity declines, a reduction in the number of innovative solutions for products and processes is certain to follow. This condition can lead to serious problems when markets are changing dynamically. This paper reviews research findings related to each of the preceding issues and, discusses the role that each of them plays in the management of engineers and technical personnel. At the end of each discussion we provide some propositions worthy of further research.
Understanding and Modeling Lossy Compression Schemes on HPC Scientific Data

Scientific simulations generate large amounts of floating-point data, which are often not very compressible using the traditional reduction schemes, such as deduplication or lossless compression. The emergence of lossy floating-point compression holds promise to satisfy the data reduction demand from HPC applications; however, lossy compression has not been widely adopted in science production. We believe a fundamental reason is that there is a lack of understanding of the benefits, pitfalls, and performance of lossy compression on scientific data. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive study on state-of-the-art lossy compression, including ZFP, SZ, and ISABELA, using real and representative HPC datasets. Our evaluation reveals the complex interplay between compressor design, data features and compression performance. The impact of reduced accuracy on data analytics is also examined through a case study of fusion blob detection, offering domain scientists with the insights of what to expect from fidelity loss. Furthermore, the trial and error approach to understanding compression performance involves substantial compute and storage overhead. To this end, we propose a sampling based estimation method that extrapolates the reduction ratio from data samples, to guide domain scientists to make more informed data reduction decisions.