cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TNF-α regulation of CD38 expression in human airway smooth muscle: role of MAP kinases and NF-κB.

The pleiotropic cytokine TNF-α has been implicated in airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), hallmark features of asthma. Polymorphisms in the TNF gene cluster are associated with increased TNF-α production and risk of asthma. Our laboratory has demonstrated that in human airway smooth muscle (HASM) cells, TNF-α augments the expression of CD38, a type II transmembrane glycoprotein which synthesizes the calcium-mobilizing molecule cyclic ADP-ribose. Mice challenged intranasally with TNF-α develop AHR to inhaled methacholine. However, mice that are deficient in CD38 fail to develop AHR, indicating that CD38 expressed in the airways is required for cytokine-induced AHR. In HASM cells, TNF-α-induced CD38 expression is decreased in the presence of inhibitors of p38, JNK, and ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The decreased CD38 expression by p38 and JNK MAPK inhibitors is associated with decreased activation of NF-κB, whereas the decrease by the ERK MAPK inhibitor is due to decreased stability of CD38 transcripts. TNF-α induced a twofold activation of a 3 kb cd38 promoter following its transfection in HASM cells. However, there was no activation of the promoter lacking the NF-κB site. These results demonstrate that TNF-α regulation of CD38 expression in HASM cells is mediated transcriptionally through p38 and JNK MAPKs and NF-κB and post-transcriptionally through the ERK MAPK. These findings support a role for CD38/cADPR signaling in TNF-α-induced AHR.
DD19: Business Dysmorphic Disorder (Mai 2006)

Es gibt eine Krankheit, die man mit BDD abkurzt: Body Dysmorphic Disorder. Menschen, die daran leiden, halten ohne logische Grundlage ihren Korper fur defekt. Ihnen gefallt gewissermasen die eigene Nase nicht. Das macht sie verruckt. Und ich dachte, es gibt vielleicht noch eine Verrucktheit, die noch keiner erkannt hat: Ich nenne sie hier ebenfalls BDD, ich meine damit aber Business Dysmorphic Disorder.
Glutamic Acid Synaptic Activity is a Target of Acute and Chronic Ethanol Effects in the Mammalian Brain

Acute ethanol intake is known to affect a multiplicity of physiological processes that control neuronal excitability in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. It is quite obvious that the actions of ethanol on central and peripheral neurons cannot be explained by a single molecular mechanism, nor should they be attributed to a single physiological change. Neuronal excitability is a very dynamic process that is dependent on many metabolic activities to provide the milieu in which the sudden alteration of the biophysical states of macromolecules may produce changes in membrane ion conductance, transmitter release, or receptor activation. These dynamic events are disrupted when ethanol, present in either the external or internal environment of the cell, alters either the metabolic state of a neuron or the physicochemical properties of macromolecules that have an important function in nerve cell excitability. It is well known that ethanol has rather wide-spread effects on cell metabolism (13) and that it interacts with a variety of macromolecules or macro-molecular arrays, including proteins and lipids found in intracellular and plasma cell membrances (20).
Multi-Criteria Decision Making: Comments on Jacquet-Lagrèze’s Paper

Jacquet-Lagreze’s article on semiorders in multi-attribute utility theory (MAUT) is innovative and useful. Innovative, because it combines two previously separate concepts in utility theory, that of semiorders and that of multi-attribute preferences in modeling multi-criteria decision making. Useful, because it describes detailed techniques for assessing multi-attribute preferences that can be applied whenever traditional models are not feasible because of a failure of the weak order assumption. The perspective of Jacquet-Lagreze’s paper is mainly technological, dealing with the ‘how’ of preference assessment rather than with an axiomatic formulation of his models. To understand the following comments it is crucial to know that they were written from a different perspective toward the treatment of semiorders in MAUT. The orientation of these comments is measurement theoretic asking for a justification of models rather than for the techniques of their implementation.
Probabilistic Automata for Safety LTL Specifications

Automata constructions for logical properties play an important role in the formal analysis of the system both statically and dynamically. In this paper, we present constructions of finite-state probabilistic monitors FPM for safety properties expressed in LTL. FPMs are probabilistic automata on infinite words that have a special, absorbing reject state, and given a cut-point λ∈[0,1], accept all words whose probability of reaching the reject state is at most 1-λ. We consider Safe-LTL, the collection of LTL formulas built using conjunction, disjunction, next, and release operators, and show that a for any formula i?ź, there is an FPM with cut-point 1 of exponential size that recognizes the models of i?ź, and b there is a family of Safe-LTL formulas, such that the smallest FPM with cut-point 0 for this family is of doubly exponential size. Next, we consider the fragment LTLG of Safe-LTL wherein always operator is used instead of release operator and show that for any formula i?ź∈ LTLG c there is an FPM with cut-point 0 of exponential size for i?ź, and d there is a robust FPM of exponential size for i?ź, where a robust FPM is one in which the acceptance probability of any word is bounded away from the cut-point. We also show that these constructions are optimal.
Bolus vs Continuous Nasogastric Feeds in Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND Malnutrition increases the risk of mortality and morbidity in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Barriers to adequate delivery of enteral nutrition (EN) include hemodynamic instability, feeding interruptions and intolerance, and lack of standardized feeding protocols. The most recent guidelines on nutrition support for the critically ill child describe a paucity of evidence around the best method to deliver EN. There is an untested clinical assumption that bolus gastric feeding (B-GF) in intubated patients is associated with aspiration events, lung injury, and associated morbidity compared with continuous gastric feeding (C-GF). This study compared the effectiveness and safety of C-GF vs B-GF in intubated pediatric patients. METHODS We enrolled randomized patients aged 1 month-12 years who were intubated within 24 hours and received EN starting within 48 hours of admission to a C-GF or B-GF group. Goal-directed EN volume and caloric density were increased every 3 and 12 hours, respectively, to target. Feeding interruptions and intolerance events were recorded. RESULTS Twenty-five subjects were enrolled (B-GF = 11; C-GF = 14). At 24 hours, B-GF was associated with higher energy and protein delivery (P < 0.007) and was associated with faster time to goal volume (median B-GF = 15 hours; C-GF = 29.5 hours). No aspiration events resulting in additional lung injury were noted for either group (P = 0.866). CONCLUSIONS B-GF was associated with superior delivery of EN with a comparable safety profile to C-GF. Further study is needed to compare both EN methods in other PICU populations.
On stability of Euler flows on closed surfaces of positive genus

Incompressible flows of an ideal two-dimensional fluid on a closed orientable surface of positive genus are considered. Linear stability of harmonic, i.e. irrotational and incompressible, solutions to the Euler equations is shown using the Hodge-Helmholtz decomposition. We also demonstrate that any surface Euler flow is stable with respect to harmonic velocity perturbations.
Microfluidic reactors for advancing the MS analysis of fast biological responses.

The response of cells to physical or chemical stimuli is complex, unfolding on time-scales from seconds to days, with or without de novo protein synthesis, and involving signaling processes that are transient or sustained. By combining the technology of microfluidics that supports fast and precise execution of a variety of cell handling operations, with that of mass spectrometry detection that facilitates an accurate and complex characterization of the protein complement of cells, in this work, we developed a platform that supports (near) real-time sampling and proteome-level capturing of cellular responses to a perturbation such as treatment with mitogens. The geometric design of the chip supports three critical features: (a) capture of a sufficient number of cells to meet the detection limit requirements of mass spectrometry instrumentation, (b) fluid delivery for uniform stimulation of the resident cells, and (c) fast cell recovery, lysis and processing for accurate sampling of time-sensitive cellular responses to a stimulus. COMSOL simulations and microscopy were used to predict and evaluate the flow behavior inside the microfluidic device. Proteomic analysis of the cellular extracts generated by the chip experiments revealed that the identified proteins were representative of all cellular locations, exosomes, and major biological processes related to proliferation and signaling, demonstrating that the device holds promising potential for integration into complex lab-on-chip work-flows that address systems biology questions. The applicability of the chips to study time-sensitive cellular responses is discussed in terms of technological challenges and biological relevance. Chip-scale devices that quickly deliver proteins expressed by cells to mass spectrometers may bring quantitative insights into the early stages of cancer. Many proteins generated by cells during signaling events are transient and present in numbers too small to be detected by typical analytical instruments. Iulia Lazar and colleagues from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, United States have developed a microfluidic system that improves the capture of these biomolecules by exposing cells, held in high-capacity chambers, to a crosswise flow of stimulating agents. This setup yielded faster and more accurate mass spectrometry analysis of the cellular protein content than the systems that delivered agents lengthwise along the sample chambers. Experiments with breast cancer cells enabled the team to identify hundreds of proteins involved in growth and division processes in the few minutes following exposure to mitosis-triggering substances.
Examining the impact of a summer learning program on children’s weight status and cardiorespiratory fitness: A natural experiment

Abstract This study examined the impact of an existing 7-week summer learning program on children’s weight status and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Methods Using an observational repeated measures within-subjects design, children’s (N = 20 mean age = 6.35; 45% female; 80% African American) height, weight, and CRF (i.e., Fitnessgram PACER), were measured during the first and final week of the seven week program. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables. Median regression analysis examined estimated the differences in BMI zscore, overweight and obesity prevalence, and CRF during the first week (baseline) compared to the final week (outcome). Results Of those enrolled initially in the program, 77% attended for more than 4 weeks. When controlling for attendance and sex, no statistically significant changes were observed for, median zBMI (pre: 0.12, post: 0.11) or CRF (pre: 10, post: 13.5 PACER laps). All children except for one maintained the same weight status (e.g. normal weight, overweight) from baseline to outcome. A total of 12 participants increased or maintained the number of PACER laps completed, while 8 participants’ PACER laps decreased. Conclusion The results of this natural experiment provides preliminary evidence that participation in a structured summer program can potentially mitigate unhealthy weight gains and fitness loss over the summer for some children. Future studies with larger more representative samples are needed to establish the impact of structured summer programming on children’s CRF and weight status.
Hierarchical Mechanism of Voltage Instability with Active Distribution Networks

Distributed generation (DG) transforms passive distribution networks (DN) to active distribution networks (ADNs). While recent studies point out its potential to relieve static voltage stability, there is limited understanding of DG’s role in dynamic voltage instability. To understand the DG’s role, this paper derives the mechanism of hierarchical voltage instability in power systems considering the interaction between transmission network and ADNs. We propose metrics to identify this hierarchical mechanism based on modal analysis and reactive power reserves of DGs. We validate the revealed mechanism and the proposed metrics on a test system. The findings of this paper are significant for the development of countermeasures against voltage instability in power grids with ADNs.
Low-dimensional Results

The main focus of this chapter is the computation of low-dimensional homology groups of GL n . The results of the previous chapter show, for example, that H2(GL2(A),ℤ) ≅ H2(GL(A),ℤ) for A local with infinite residue field. Thus, one need only consider the former group. In this case, Suslin completely described the structure of H2(GL2(A),ℤ) —it surjects onto the second Milnor K-group K 2 M (A) and the kernel of this map is the image of H2(GL2(A),ℤ).
Prolonged Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Elevation Associated with Isotretinoin Administration

Isotretinoin is a highly effective oral retinoid derivative for severe forms of acne. Despite its high margin of safety, isotretinoin carries a risk of teratogenicity and mild to massive elevations of serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as infrequent transaminitis. Liver dysfunction induced by isotretinoin is rare but it poses a management dilemma. We describe a 16-year-old male in whom alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rose from a baseline of 13 to 288 U/L after 20 weeks of treatment with 1.0-1.4 mg/kg of oral isotretinoin daily. Though the patient remained asymptomatic, ALT levels did not return to normal limits for approximately 8 months after discontinuation of therapy, an observation that has not been documented in the literature. When oral isotretinoin was readministered for intractable facial acne 3 years later, liver enzymes remained normal throughout the course of therapy. Although the pathogenesis and prognosis of retinoid-induced hepatotoxicity are unknown, this case illustrates that isotretinoin may be safely readministered after normalization of liver function tests.
Building a better urban system

Abstract Since the 1970s, there has been an expansion in the huge development of mass urbanization, quickening the construction of conventional urban buildings, roads, power stations, and water and sewer systems. This expansion will eventually cause dangerous environmental predicaments for urban citizens. We certainly need the application of advanced technologies to mitigate these malfunctioning urban systems because these traditional urban development technologies are essentially wrecking the total urban systems and their environmental equilibrium. For hundreds of years, architects and engineers have been designing urban buildings, infrastructure, and transportation systems for the betterment of our daily lives. Now, however, those are instantly becoming obsolete because they are causing serious urban environmental vulnerability. Therefore, they are presently required by nature to be “environmentally friendly” in order to protect our urban system and its environment by conforming to sustainable technologies.
A novel juxtamembrane basolateral targeting motif regulates TGF-β receptor signaling in Drosophila

In polarized epithelial cells, receptor-ligand interactions can be restricted by different spatial distributions of the two interacting components, giving rise to an underappreciated layer of regulatory complexity. We explored whether such regulation occurs in the Drosophila wing disc, an epithelial tissue that requires the TGF-β family member Dpp for growth and patterning. Dpp protein has been observed in a gradient within the columnar cells of the disc, but also uniformly in the disc lumen, leading to the question of how graded signaling is achieved in the face of two distinctly localized pools. We find the Dpp type II receptor Punt, but not the type I receptor Tkv, is enriched at the basolateral membrane, and depleted at the junctions and apical surface. Wit, a second type II receptor, shows a markedly different behavior, with the protein detected on all membrane regions but enriched at the apical side. Mutational studies identified the BLT, a short juxtamembrane sequence required for basolateral targeting of Punt in both wing discs and mammalian MDCK cells, and that dominantly confers basolateral localization on an otherwise apical receptor. Rescue of punt mutants with transgenes altered in the targeting motif showed that flies expressing apicalized Punt due to the lack of a functional BLT displayed developmental defects, female sterility and significant lethality. We also show that apicalized Punt does not produce an ectopic signal, indicating that the apical pool of Dpp is not a significant signaling source even when presented with Punt. Finally, we present evidence that the BLT acts through polarized sorting machinery that differs between types of epithelia. This suggests a code whereby each epithelial cell type may differentially traffic common receptors to enable distinctive responses to spatially localized pools of extracellular ligands.
Coagulation, inflammation, and CD46 transgene expression in neonatal porcine islet xenotransplantation

Background Thrombosis is a known consequence of intraportal islet transplantation, particularly for xenogeneic islets. To define the origins of thrombosis after islet xenotransplantation and relate it to early inflammation, we examined porcine islets transplanted into non-human primates using a dual-transplant model to directly compare islet characteristics. Methods α1,3-Galactosyltransferase gene-knockout (GTKO) islets with and without expression of the human complement regulatory transgene CD46 (hCD46) were studied. Biologically inert polyethylene microspheres were used to examine the generic pro-thrombotic effects of particle embolization. Immunohistochemistry was performed 1 and 24 hours after transplantation. Results Xeno-islet transplantation activated both extrinsic and intrinsic coagulation pathways. The intrinsic pathway was also initiated by microsphere embolization, while extrinsic pathway tissue factor (TF) and platelet aggregation were more specific to engrafted islets. hCD46 expression significantly reduced TF, platelet, fibrin, and factor XIIIa accumulation in and around islets but did not alter intrinsic factor activation. Layers of TF+ cells emerged around islets within 24 hours, particularly co-localized with vimentin, and identified as CD3+ and CD68+ cells inflammatory cells. Conclusions These findings detail the origins of thrombosis following islet xenotransplantation, relate it to early immune activation, and suggest a role for transgenic hCD46 expression in its mitigation. Layers of TF-positive inflammatory cells and fibroblasts around islets at 24 hours may have important roles in the progressive events of thrombosis, inflammatory cell recruitment, rejection, and the ultimate outcome of transplanted grafts. These suggest that the strategies targeting these elements could yield more progress toward successful xenogeneic islet engraftment and survival.
Deliberate Innovation, Lifetime Education: Final Report of the Commission on Creating the Next in Education

This moment is ripe for change in higher education. Scores of technology entrepreneurs, foundations, and policymakers are already trying to shape what the future looks like for both learners and institutions. The message for colleges and universities is clear: they can either sit idly by or join in to design their own destiny. As a selective public institution with a history of educational innovation, the Georgia Institute of Technology sits squarely in the middle of the forces shaping higher education. It is uniquely positioned to model what the university of the future might look like. This report of the Georgia Tech Commission on Creating the Next in Education (CNE) is an effort to draw with broad strokes the nature of education that defines the technological research university of the year 2040 and beyond. The Commission was formed because many within the institution are convinced that by the second half of this century Georgia Tech will be different from the university that matured and prospered in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Georgia Tech’s mission seems to demand that the Institute examine the choices that lie ahead and make plans for a future that, however uncertain is bound to present opportunities and challenges that cannot be understood as incremental changes in the status quo.
Cultivating quiescence in risk communities: coal ash contamination and cancer in two cities

Extant research on the management of environmental threats in risk communities highlights the control that state actors and other elites exercise over environmental risk assessments. However, less ...
Importance of the Daytime Flights of Nocturnal Migrants: Redetermined Migration Following Displacement

The daytime flights of nocturnal migrants are examined in relation to the principal axes of migration (P.A.M.) based on calm nights during spring and fall in northwest South Carolina. When nocturnal flights were to the east or west of the calm night directions (30° spring, 232° fall), flights occurred the next morning basically perpendicular to these directions. Because most migrants were displaced east of their P.A.M. in spring and fall, most daytime flights were directed toward the NW, but when nocturnal flights were west of the P.A.M., flights the next morning were to the SE. The daytime redetermined migrations permit the displaced migrants to regain their migratory route by flying the shortest distance.
ALK-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase–positive (ALK+) anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) is a CD30+ T-cell lymphoma with a T- or null-cell immunophenotype that expresses ALK due to chromosomal abnormalities involving 2p23 and the ALK gene. ALK+ ALCL accounts for approximately 2–3 % of lymphomas in adults and 10–20 % of lymphomas in children. The male to female ratio is 1.5–2:1.
MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE: A MIRROR FOR ANXIETY?

The origin of symptoms in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) remains an enigma. If one accepts the premise that many patients with this condition were previously considered to have irritable heart, soldier’s heart, effort syndrome, neurocirculatory asthenia, or anxiety neurosis, then physicians have been attempting to fathom this phenomenon for more than a century.
Skin sympathetic nerve activity component synchronizing with cardiac cycle is involved in hypovolaemic suppression of cutaneous vasodilatation in hyperthermia.

Although cutaneous vasodilatation in hyperthermia was suppressed during hypovolaemia, the efferent neural pathway mediating this suppression has not been identified. To determine the electrical nerve signals which account for the suppression of cutaneous vasodilatation during hypovolaemia, skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA; microneurography) from the peroneal nerve, laser-Doppler blood flow (LDF) on the ipsilateral dorsal foot, mean arterial pressure (MAP; sonometry) and oesophageal temperature (T(oes)) were measured before and during 45 min of passive warming in 20 healthy subjects during normovolaemia (n = 10) or hypovolaemia (n = 10) conditions. Hypovolaemia was achieved by diuretic administration. Cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC = LDF/MAP), SSNA burst frequency and total SSNA obtained from rectified and filtered SSNA signal increased as T(oes) increased by ~0.5°C by the end of warming in both groups. The increase in CVC was significantly lower in hypovolaemia than normovolaemia (P 0.32). However, using an alternative analysis that constructed spike incidence histograms from the original signal using 0.05 s bins during the 5 s following a given R-wave, we found a SSNA component synchronized with the cardiac cycle with a 1.1-1.3 s latency. This component increased with an increase in T(oes) and the increase was significantly suppressed by hypovolaemia (P < 0.0001). In conclusion, hypovolaemic suppression of cutaneous vasodilatation during hyperthermia might be caused by a reduction in the SSNA component synchronized with cardiac cycle.
Pre-service teachersâ changing visions of themselves as reform-oriented teachers

Both teacher educators and researchers have been trying to ensure that teacher education programs prepare teachers to take on the role of â€œreform-orientedâ€ teachers upon entering the classroom. Pre-service teachersâ€™ visions of themselves as future classroom teachers have been found to influence their teaching. The purpose of this study was to further the discussion and understanding of how pre-service teachers envision themselves as future teachers by examining the experiences of 11 pre-services teachers who taught a course in their content area while completing their undergraduate education. Interviews and survey data show that some of the pre-service teachers from this cohort shifted their visions toward a more reform-oriented stance.
Evaluation of a Phantogram Groundplane for the Study of Visually Guided Walking Behavior

Humans in the natural environment are able to maintain efficient and stable gait across complex terrain. In part, this is because visual feedback is used to guide changes in heading, foot placement, and posture. However, the role of vision in the control of gait is not well understood. We present a novel methodology for the study of visually guided walking over complex terrain in a laboratory setting. A perceptually three-dimensional ground-plane is projected upon a physically flat laboratory floor, similar to a one-plane CAVE environment. The percept of height is reinforced through the use of stereoscopic shutter glasses, and by the dynamic updating of the projected image to maintain the coincidence of the accidental perspective with the subject's motion-tracked head position. The benefits of this "phantogram" groundplane are numerous. Obstacle height, shape, and location can be instantaneously manipulated. Because the groundplane is physically flat, the likelihood of falls is dramatically reduced. Because head position and object positions are known, the environment facilitates the computational analysis of eye-tracking data. The apparatus also opens the possibility of real-time manipulations of the environment that are contingent upon the participant's behavior. In summary, the apparatus facilitates rigorous hypotheses testing in a controlled environment, presumably, with minimal degradation to the visual experience. We have tested this assertion in a validation study. The subject was asked to approach and step over an obstacle of three possible heights, scaled in units of leg length, and randomized between trials. Between blocks, the obstacle was varied between a real-world or phantogram type. Data shows that subjects treat the phantogram and real-world obstacles similarly, thus validating the methodology for the study of naturalistic walking behavior. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2015. Language: en
Investigation of the photoluminescence of microporous silicalite-1 (MFI) films

Abstract Optical material systems have the opportunity to impact the design, fabrication, and performance metrics of micro- and nano-scale optical devices and systems. Zeolites are nanostructured materials with a crystalline pore structure, which gives them the ability to selectively absorb molecules based on their shape and size. Due to zeolites' unique relationships among structure and function, they have potentially interesting optical properties that may be leveraged for integrated optical systems. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of silicalite-1 (MFI) zeolite films via in situ crystallization for various synthetic parameters, and characterize their resulting structural and optical properties, including the photoluminescence emission of the calcined samples. We explore how we can manipulate these emission peaks with small changes to the synthetic parameters, and we evaluate the results using statistical analysis to determine the roles of the synthetic parameters on the photoluminescence. The thicknesses of the samples range from 0 to 100 μm, and the photoluminescence spectra exhibit emission peaks at ∼650 nm and ∼803 nm. This works demonstrates, for the first time, the variable emission of photoluminescence of silicalite-1 (MFI) films, which should lead to a better understanding of how to apply these unique material systems to integrated optical devices.
Detecting Differentially Expressed Genes with RNA-seq Data Using Backward Selection to Account for the Effects of Relevant Covariates

A common challenge in analysis of transcriptomic data is to identify differentially expressed genes, i.e., genes whose mean transcript abundance levels differ across the levels of a factor of scientific interest. Transcript abundance levels can be measured simultaneously for thousands of genes in multiple biological samples using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. Part of the variation in RNA-seq measures of transcript abundance may be associated with variation in continuous and/or categorical covariates measured for each experimental unit or RNA sample. Ignoring relevant covariates or modeling the effects of irrelevant covariates can be detrimental to identifying differentially expressed genes. We propose a backward selection strategy for selecting a set of covariates whose effects are accounted for when searching for differentially expressed genes. We illustrate our approach through the analysis of an RNA-seq study intended to identify genes differentially expressed between two lines of pigs divergently selected for residual feed intake. We use simulation to show the advantages of our backward selection procedure over alternative strategies that either ignore or adjust for all measured covariates.
Hedonic vs. Utilitarian Perspective of Retail Store Loyalty: Insights from a National Study of Households

Retailers are currently facing an ultra-competitive environment as consumers are foregoing 'brick-and-mortar' stores in favor of shopping online, taking advantage of discounts offered by Internet retailers. Retailers, in turn, are continually exploring how to increase patronage and spending in their stores. Developing loyalty among consumers is critical in today's competitive environment. Building on the hedonic-utilitarian theory, the present study examines the determinants of household retail store loyalty using national consumer panel data over a four-year period. Specifically, this study delineates two categories of retail stores: hedonic retail stores and utilitarian retail stores. We conceive of hedonic consumption as shopping for pleasure and enjoyment, whereas utilitarian consumption occurs when consumers wish to fulfill a specific need or task. Our findings reveal that household store loyalty does in fact exhibit meaningful differences between hedonic retail stores vs. utilitarian retail stores. We offer potential strategies for both hedonic and utilitarian retail stores.
Cloning, sequencing, and expression of a xylanase gene from the anaerobic ruminal bacterium Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens.

Abstract A gene coding for xylanase activity, xynA, from the anaerobic ruminal bacterium Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens 49 was cloned into Escherichia coli JM83 by using plasmid pUC19. The gene was located on a 2.3-kilobase (kb) DNA insert composed of two adjacent EcoRI fragments of 1.65 and 0.65 kb. Expression of xylanase activity required parts of both EcoRI segments. In E. coli, the cloned xylanase enzyme was not secreted and remained cell associated. The enzyme exhibited no arabinosidase, cellulase, alpha-glucosidase, or xylosidase activity. The isoelectric point of the cloned protein was approximately 9.8, and optimal xylanase activity was obtained at pH 5.4. The nucleotide sequence of the 1,535-base-pair EcoRV-EcoRI segment from the B. fibrisolvens chromosome that included the xynA gene was determined. An open reading frame was found that encoded a 411-amino-acid-residue polypeptide of 46,664 daltons. A putative ribosome-binding site, promoter, and leader sequence were identified. Comparison of the XynA protein sequence with that of the XynA protein from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. strain C-125 revealed considerable homology, with 37% identical residues or conservative changes. The presence of the cloned xylanase gene in other strains of Butyrivibrio was examined by Southern hybridization. The cloned xylanase gene hybridized strongly to chromosomal sequences in only two of five closely related strains.
On the Wear Mechanisms and Cutting Performance of Silicon Carbide Whisker-Reinforced Alumina

Etude des types d'usure subis par des inserts d'alumine renforces de trichites de SiC lors de l'usinage d'Inconel 718. Etude des effets de l'usure de l'outil et des conditions de coupe sur les forces de coupe, la precision des dimensions des pieces obtenues et la finition de surface.
Quantum size effects in α-plutonium (020) surface layers

Abstract We present a systematic first principles density functional theory (DFT) based study of the (020) surface of α-plutonium using the projector-augmented-wave formalism as implemented in the Vienna Ab Initio Simulation Package (VASP). The surface was modeled by a periodic slab geometry comprised of anti-ferromagnetic atomic layers, with a thickness of up to ten atomic layers. The total and cohesive energies indicate a monotonically decreasing and increasing slope to the bulk values, respectively. The surface energies, in contrast to the work functions, exhibit a significant oscillatory pattern indicating persistent quantum size effects and possible magnetic frustration as well as other effects. The 5f electron density of states indicates progressive delocalization with increasing slab thickness.
A new Lower Devonian plant and the early evolution of leaves

The fossil record suggests that, by the end of the early Devonian, vascular plants had diversified considerably but they were still relatively simple in their organization1–3. Most exhibit much-divided aerial shoots arranged in various patterns but lack clear differentiation into stems and leaves. I describe here a novel plant, discovered in the upper Lower Devonian of Gaspe, Quebec, Canada, whose anatomy is more complex and indicates a level of stem–leaf differentiation significantly more advanced than any known for trimerophytes or other taxa of this age. The presence of a lobed xylem, with mesarch protoxylem elements in major axes, and an elliptically shaped trace in first-order lateral axes in the new plant suggests that by the end of the early Devonian, the evolution of megaphyllous leaves has indeed begun, even though morphologically they were still much divided and non-laminate.
Effect of Wall Roughness on Laminar Flow of Bingham Plastic Fluids through Microtubes

Miniaturization of traditional devices is in high demand formicro-electro-mechanical systems~MEMS!. Examples includebut are not limited to optics, communication and information sys-tems, ﬂuidics, biotechnology, medicine, automotive, and aero-space. An area of interest in several engineering ﬁelds is the con-trol of ﬂuid ﬂow within microchannels and microtubes. Theapplications include, but are not limited to, ﬁelds such as vibrationcontrol of structures and systems using small devices, reactors formodiﬁcation and separation of biological cells, energy systems asa mobile power supply, heat exchangers for micro and macro de-vices, and propulsion engines @1–3#.In recent years, there has been growing attention given to theliquid ﬂow in microchannels in parallel with the development ofminiaturized devices and systems. The understanding of ﬂowcharacteristics, such as velocity distribution and pressure loss isnecessary in design and process control of microﬂuidic devices.Peng, Peterson, and Wang @4# experimentally studied the ﬂowcharacteristics of water ﬂowing through rectangular microchan-nels having hydraulic diameters of 0.133 to 0.367 mm and heightto width ratios of 0.333 to 1. Their results indicated that the lami-nar ﬂow transition occurred for the range of the Re number be-tween 200 and 700. They also claimed that friction behavior forboth laminar and turbulent ﬂow depart from classical thermoﬂuidcorrelations, and the friction factor is proportional to Re
Mild Synthesis of Disaccharidic 2,3-Enopyranosyl Cyanides and 2-C-2-Deoxy Pyranosyl Cyanides with Hg(CN)2/HgBr2/TMSCN†

Lewis acid-catalyzed dimerization of mono- and disaccharidic per-O-acetylated glycals gave di- and tetrasaccharidic O-acetylated C-glycosides, respectively. 2,3-Enopyranosyl cyanides were obtained from per-O-acetylated glycals by a new, mild anomeric S(N)'-acetoxy displacement with Hg(CN)(2)/HgBr(2)/TMSCN. Per-O-acetylated 2-C-2-deoxy-pyranoses were converted into pyranosyl cyanides by the same reagent. An unprecedented acetic acid elimination from dimers with D-galacto- and L-fuco-configurations accompanied the S(N)-displacement under those conditions. A new set of (1)H NMR coupling constants for 2,3-enopyranosyl systems was used for configurational assignment of complicated tetrasaccharide mimics.
Mössbauer spectroscopy of lyophilized rat liver microsomes.

Abstract The Mossbauer spectrum was obtained of lyophilized liver microsomes prepared from rats who had been treated with phenobarbital. The spectrum showed that there were two iron sites one of which was high-spin. This was confirmed from the electron spin resonance of the powder, which indicated that low-spin iron also is present. These results suggest that there may have been a conversion of some of the cytochrome P-450 (low spin) into the high spin P-420 form, or that there exists a low-high spin equilibrium in the lyophilized preparations.
A possible role for the exocrine pancreas in the pathogenesis of neonatal leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia

The subject of this report was a patient with neonatal, leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia resistant to medical therapy including diazoxide and in whom a subtotal pancreatectomy was performed at age 3 months. The histopathologic findings in this case included the diffuse neoformation of islet cells (nesidioblastosis) from exocrine elements. Many of such islet cells stained densely as beta cells with the aldehyde-fuchsin stain. It is possible to implicate the exocrine pancreas via the process of nesidioblastosis in the pathogenesis of leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia and leucine as the most likely agent responsible for the induction of this process.
Simple Tracking Filters: Steady-State Filtering and Smoothing Performance

Computed data is presented, in normalized form, showing steady-state filtering and smoothing performance for optimum three-state estimators which assume exponentially correlated acceleration of the tracked object. The data are useful for preliminary design, gain selection, and performance prediction.
Use of trace element analysis of feathers as a tool to track fine-scale dispersal in birds

Tracking dispersal and migratory movements of animals over small and large spatial scales is a challenge. In birds, a promising yet underutilized tool is the trace elemental composition of feathers. The elemental profile of a feather may reveal information about the geographic origin of a bird provided that molting occurs on the breeding grounds and that elemental differences exist between breeding areas. Here, we explore the use of trace elemental composition in body feathers of the Puget Sound white-crowned sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys pugetensis as a tool (1) to discriminate among birds collected in four different song dialect populations along a 400-km stretch of the Pacific Northwest coast and (2) to assign males singing nonlocal dialects in one population to potential natal populations. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detected 34 trace elements in sampled feathers and in a discriminant function analysis seven of these elements differed among the four source populations. Half of the six nonlocal dialect singers, who were likely to have immigrated into the focal population, were assigned to a population that matched their song dialect. Our study suggests that feather microchemistry is a promising tool for identifying geographic origins of dispersing birds over small geographic scales and in combination with other markers, such as song, may give insight into ecological and evolutionary processes.
The immersed fatigue response of polymer composites

The effect of sea water on carbon/epoxy cross ply specimens is studied by consideration of fatigue data and failure modes. Tests were conducted using dry and saturated coupons fatigued in air, as well as pre-saturated coupons fatigued while immersed in sea water. The saturated coupons fatigued in air had the longest fatigue life, which was attributed to stress relief from sorption induced swelling. Saturated coupons fatigued in an immersed environment exhibited the shortest fatigue life, and also experienced significant deliminations prior to failure. Water trapped inside the transverse cracks during the load cycle provides a physical mechanism explaining this behavior. Analytical and numerical analyses are presented which show how moisture inside the transverse cracks can alter the coupon stress state and enhance delimination.
Real-time path planning for a robotic arm

With robotics technology, services can be provided to care for individuals with disabilities. This paper describes an effort to improve path planning performance for a robotic arm, resulting in faster user response in real-time. For a robotic arm, particularly with multiple degrees of freedom, path planning is computationally expensive. We propose that it is possible to achieve rapid response times with an assistive robotic arm by caching frequent arm trajectories and creating a "roadmap" of arm movements. By calculating trajectories to possible target goals in advance, we anticipate an improvement in user response times.
Systematic Pilot Testing as a Step in the Instructional Design Process of Corporate Training and Development.

Pilot testing assesses instructional materials with end users in the authentic learning environment prior to the implementation of the instruction and provides empirical support regarding the efficacy of the proposed instruction. Thus, subsequent decisions can be made from an informed position. This study determines the extent to which pilot tests are conducted in identified corporate training environments and ascertains reasons pilot tests were not implemented. A survey distributed to 34 individuals in positions of corporate training and development asked participants whether their design methodology and training development process systematically included pilot testing. Participants identified factors that influenced their decision to use a pilot test and described product evaluation in their organization. Survey findings indicate that in practice, designers perceive that pilot testing tends to impact the effectiveness of instructional products. Almost none of the participants pilot test materials 100% of the time, but the majority do so some of the time. A discrepancy exists between those who believe pilot testing is important and the percentage of their products which are pilot-tested, indicating multiple factors that influence the decision to pilot test products.
A perspective of reciprocating-engine diagnostics without lasers

Abstract Engine diagnostic procedures have contributed substantially to the advancement shown by the internal combustion engine over the years. The advent of the laser has led to a number of optical techniques offering new diagnostic capabilities. To provide a foundation from which to judge the attributes of these modern tools, in this paper prior engine research is reviewed in selected areas to illustrate the kinds of measurements that have proved useful, and instrumentation predating the laser that has made those measurements possible is surveyed. Finally, some research needs are enumerated that might be beneficially addressed with new diagnostic tools.
Effect of Copper on the Decomposition of Ethylene over an Iron Catalyst

Abstract The catalytic properties of a series of unsupported copper–iron powders of varying composition were investigated by using a probe reaction of ethylene and hydrogen at temperatures over the range 450 to 800°C. Analysis of both the gas-phase products and the solid carbon, mainly in the form of filamentous structures, produced during the reaction provided anin situmethod for monitoring the changes in the nature of the bimetallic surfaces under reaction conditions. Although these metals exhibit only limited miscibility in each other the reaction between ethylene and hydrogen over the bimetallic powders resulted in higher carbon yields and altered selectivities to gas-phase products compared to that observed with the single components under the same conditions. The addition of only 2 wt% copper to iron caused a 20-fold increase in the amount of carbon filaments formed compared to that produced on pure iron at 600°C. This behavior cannot be rationalized simply by an increase in metal dispersion; instead, one may speculate that the presence of a small amount of copper is capable of inducing electronic perturbations in the iron atoms, which results in a modification in the chemisorption characteristics of ethylene on such a surface. The presence of hydrogen in the gaseous reactant was found to facilitate the interaction between the olefin and the bimetallic surface, resulting in increased yields of both solid carbon and ethane. It is suggested that during the interaction of hydrocarbons with metals the particles adopt a morphology in which there are at least two distinct faces; a set which are only capable of adsorbing and decomposing hydrocarbons, and others that will precipitate dissolved carbon in the form of graphite platelets. Under such circumstances there are always a set of faces that are completely free of deposited carbon and available for continued catalytic action.
Flow cytometry: principles and applications. II.

(1984). Technology : Flow Cytometry: Principles and Applications. II. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 239-258.
Language and disfluency: Four case studies on Spanish-English bilingual children

The purpose of this study was to examine patterns of disfluency in four Spanish-English bilingual children. It was hypothesized that disfluencies would show language effects (i.e., that the rate and kinds would differ dependent on the language). Language samples were recorded from each child in both languages, transcribed, and coded for disfluencies involving repetitions, insertions, prolongations, and revisions. Evidence in support of language effects was found for each child. The children showed more disfluency in one language over the other, two doing more so for Spanish and two for English. The language used with the most disfluencies was also the language with the longer mean length of utterance, suggesting increased disfluency with increased linguistic complexity. The type of disfluency also differed between the languages for three of the children.