cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multimaterial fiber sensors

Recent discoveries have enabled the integration of metals, insulators and semiconductors structures into extended length of polymer fibers. This has heralded a novel path and platform towards sensing of different physical quantities such as temperature, chemicals, acoustic waves, and optical signals. The challenges and opportunities associated with this new class of fiber devices will be presented. In particular, we will discuss the materials and fabrication approach of multimaterial fibers. We will then present the latest results on photodetecting fiber sensors patterning to their performance and use in novel sensing designs. We will also introduce the recent development of active fiber devices that integrate a thin ferroelectric polymer layer for acoustic sensing applications. Finally, some aspects of the coming innovation and future prospect of the multimaterial fiber sensing technology will be discussed.
Rapid purification and radioimmunoassay of cytosolic malic enzyme.

A very rapid and highly effective procedure has been devised for the isolation of homogeneous malic enzyme from rat liver cytosol. A combination of precipitation with 10 to 20% polyethylene glycol, ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, and affinity chromatography on Procion Red HE-3B Agarose was used to prepare 3 to 4 mg of homogeneous malic enzyme from the livers of two rats in 18 h. In addition to introducing the advantages of simplicity, speed, and high yield (31%) the new method eliminates potentially denaturing steps (heat treatment, ethanol fractionation) and prolonged dialysis procedures used in other purification schemes. Malic enzyme purified by this new method was used to immunize rabbits. The resulting antibodies bound purified rat liver and mouse liver malic enzymes with very similar affinities and also avidly complexed cytosolic malic enzyme from two murine cell lines, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and 3T3-C2 fibroblasts. When purified malic enzyme was incubated with lactoperoxidase, glucose oxidase and Na 125I 1.8 atoms of 125I were incorporated per molecule of enzyme with full retention of catalytic activity, subunit size, and immunoreactivity. The antiserum, the purified enzyme, and enzymatically iodinated 125I-malic enzyme were used to construct a sensitive, competitive binding radioimmunoassay for the measurement of malic enzyme mass in the range of 1 to 100 ng.
Reflection and attentional recovery as distinctive benefits of restorative environments

Attention Restoration Theory (ART) proposes that effortful directed attention can become fatigued in modern urban environments. Restoration can occur in a setting that evokes fascination (effortless attention). Ordinary natural settings evoke soft fascination, that is, moderate fascination accompanied by esthetic pleasure. Such settings enable a fully restorative experience, including the recovery of directed attention and the opportunity for serious reflection. Settings broadly classified as sports/entertainment are more likely to evoke hard fascination, that is, very high levels of fascination that fill the mind. Such settings permit directed attention recovery but afford little opportunity for reflection. We tested these ideas by having participants rate the perceived restorative effectiveness of three kinds of settings (ordinary natural, sports/entertainment, and everyday urban) under two goal-set conditions (as places for attentional recovery or for reflection). Ordinary natural settings were seen as having the highest overall restorative effectiveness, everyday urban settings as having the lowest, and sports/entertainment settings as in between. Moreover, sports/entertainment settings were seen as higher in restorative effectiveness for the attentional-recovery goal set than for the reflection goal set. No such goal-set difference occurred for the other two setting categories combined. These results are in agreement with the predictions of ART.
Physician acceptance of computer recommended antihypertensive therapy.

Abstract An adaptive treatment algorithm for guiding antihypertensive drug administration has been created, and acceptability of its recommendations to consulting physicians measured. The algorithm generates treatment by using a sequence of rules along with a single numerical score that summarizes the magnitude of blood pressure elevation, end organ damage, and amounts of antihypertensive agents being taken. For drugs with wide dose ranges, the program calculates a dose response curve for each patient and uses this to estimate additional drug needs. Although the program is based upon a number of simplifying assumptions, it generates treatment that accords well with prevailing medical opinion, as physicians, in most instances, have prescribed the treatment regimens the program recommended even though they themselves were held fully responsible for the consequences of treatment.
Recruitment of minor workers for defense against a specialized parasite of Atta leaf-cutting ant fungus gardens

Social insects that obligately depend on mutualists are known to defend both themselves and their partners from exploitation. One example is leaf-cutting ants, which defend the mutualistic fungus they cultivate for food from potentially virulent specialized microfungal parasites (genus Escovopsis). Mechanisms employed by the ants to reduce the impact of Escovopsis include grooming the mycelium of their fungal cultivar and weeding out infected parts of the fungus garden. These behavioral defense tasks are performed by specific size castes: minor and major workers, respectively. While minor workers are efficient at removing Escovopsis spores through fungus grooming, they are significantly less mobile than major workers. This implies that if major workers were to facilitate the movement of minor workers from uninfected to infected sites within colonies, defense against Escovopsis potentially would be faster, and consequently more efficient. Using dual-chamber sub-colony set-up experiments, we explore the rol...
Experiments and Modeling of Micro Flapping Wings of Different Designs in Hover

A low-order phenomenological model relating dynamic wing motion to thrust production of micro flapping wings with different stiffness was examined. The motivation is toward closed-loop flight control of flapping micro air vehicles. The low-order model was based on a “black box” state-space description that used the intraperiod flapping-wing motion as input to determine modeling coefficients that minimized the error between the predicted and actual intracycle thrust. The data time series used in the modeling were provided by a companion experiment with three flapping wings of different designs and stiffness. The wings were fabricated from laminated carbon-fiber strips that were covered by a thin polyvinylidene fluoride film sheet. The wings had a span of 12.5 cm and were attached to a commercial Cybird gearbox that could be operated at different flapping frequencies. Digital high-speed video was used to determine the dynamic displacement of the wing structure. The intraperiod wing displacement was quantifi...
Obstetrician-gynecologists and the intrauterine device: a survey of attitudes and practice.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To assess obstetrician-gynecologists’ clinical use of the intrauterine device (IUD), their attitudes toward the IUD and how they select IUD candidates, and to test the hypotheses that limited residency training in IUDs, fear of litigation, and a belief that IUDs cause pelvic inflammatory disease decrease IUD use. METHODS: We performed a national mailed survey of 811 practicing obstetrician-gynecologists obtained from systematic sampling of ACOG membership listings to assess use of and attitudes toward the IUD. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 50%. Most respondents agreed that the copper IUD is safe (95%) and effective (98%). However, 20% of respondents had not inserted an IUD in the past year, and of those who had, most (79%) reported inserting 10 or fewer. Fear of litigation and a belief that IUDs cause pelvic inflammatory disease were associated with lower IUD use; the number of IUDs inserted during residency was not. In selecting IUD candidates, respondents were most restrictive about patient monogamy. Having less conservative criteria for selecting IUD candidates was associated with greater IUD use. Respondents with liberal criteria inserted a mean of nine IUDs in the past year, whereas those with conservative criteria inserted four. CONCLUSIONS: Because most obstetrician-gynecologists are inserting few IUDs, educational programs should target these physicians to expand their IUD use. Such programs should highlight modern IUD safety and the rarity of litigation. The number of IUDs inserted in residency may be less important than the development of less restrictive, more evidence-based criteria for selecting IUD candidates.
Combined electrohydraulic and holmium: YAG laser ureteroscopic nephrolithotripsy of large (>2 cm) renal calculi.

Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCL) is a standard treatment for renal calculi >2 cm. Modern flexible ureteroscopes and accessories employing the complementary effects of electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) and Ho:YAG laser lithotrites can treat these renal calculi in a minimally invasive fashion with similar or superior results. Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of ureteroscopic nephrolithotripsy monotherapy for the management of >2 cm renal calculi in the community setting. Materials and Methods: Fifty nine patients with 63 renal calculi ranging from 20 to 97 mm (mean 44 mm) in length and 175 to 3300 mm2 (mean 728 mm2) area underwent staged ureteroscopic nephrolithotripsy monotherapy. Obesity (BMI > 30) was present in 54% and 19% were morbidly obese (BMI > 40). An infectious etiology was present in 49% and hard stone components in 89%. All patients presented with hematuria, pain, and/or recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI). Lithotripsy was performed with a single deflection flexible ureteroscope and predominantly EHL. Laser drilling was employed (n = 6) to weaken very hard stones prior to EHL. Low intrarenal pressure was maintained by continuous bladder drainage and placement of a stiff safety wire. Visibility was maintained using manual pulsatile irrigation. Results: All patients were rendered pain and infection-free. No patient required a blood transfusion and there was no change in serum creatinine. Mobile stone-free status was achieved in 60/63 (95%) with a mean of 1.7 nephrolithotripsy stages and 0.38 secondary or ancillary procedures. Outpatient management was sufficient for 121/131 (92%) of the procedures. Operative time averaged 46 min/stage and 79 min/calculus. Complications included endotoxic shock (3), fever (5), ureteral fragments requiring treatment (11), delayed extubation (2), delayed pneumonia (1), and urinary retention (1). Conclusion: Staged ureteroscopic nephrolithotripsy of large renal calculi is feasible with low morbidity and stone clearance rates that compare favorably with PCL. It has largely replaced PCL at this institution.
Grades, learning, and student evaluation of instruction

In the first experiment, the author employed three different grading standards, identified as stringent, moderate, and lenient, in separate sections of the course Psychology of Learning. Other aspects of the course were the same for each section. The different grading standards resulted in substantially different grade distributions in the anticipated direction. Evaluations of both the instructor's performance and the couse decreased as the stringency of the grading criteria increased. Every item on the evaluation questionnaire was systematically influenced by the grading criteria. The amount learned, as measured by performance on the objective part of the final test, increased as the stringency of the grading criteria increased. In the second experiment, the subjects were the students in two sections of the course Introductory Psychology, taught by the author during the same term. The same textbook, course notes, and grading criteria were employed. The manipulated variable was test frequency, with the two sections receiving either weekly or biweekly tests. Students in the section receiving weekly tests scored 11.9% higher, on the average, over all tests. This resulted in a substantial difference in grade distributions. The ratings of the section receiving lower grades were substantially lower on every item of the rating form. Students appear to rate instructors on the basis of a global impression (“liking”) which they form, which is strongly influenced by the grade the student receives.
An Evaluation and Intercomparison of Global Analyses from the National Meteorological Center and the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts

In order to help establish a global climate record data sets of global analyses from the U.S. National Meteorological Center (NMC) and the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) have been comprehensively evaluated. A detailed chronology of the changes in the analysis-forecast system at NMC and ECMWF has been compiled and the main impacts on the analyses have been identified. Discontinuities have been found in certain characteristics of the analyses when major changes occur. The main quantities so affected are the divergent wind component and associated vertical motion fields, and the moisture fields. A detailed intercomparison of the two data sets and statistical results show fairly widespread agreement between the analyses from the two centers over the Northern Hemisphere extratropics. In general, the quality of the analyses is much lower in the tropics and Southern Hemisphere. This is reflected in much greater differences in wind fields south of 20°N, with root-mean-square difference...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging During Untreated Ventricular Fibrillation Reveals Prompt Right Ventricular Overdistention Without Left Ventricular Volume Loss

Background— Most out-of-hospital ventricular fibrillation (VF) is prolonged (>5 minutes), and defibrillation from prolonged VF typically results in asystole or pulseless electrical activity. Recent visual epicardial observations in an open-chest, open-pericardium model of swine VF indicate that blood flows from the high-pressure arterial system to the lower-pressure venous system during untreated VF, thereby overdistending the right ventricle and apparently decreasing left ventricular size. Therefore, inadequate left ventricular stroke volume after defibrillation from prolonged VF has been postulated as a major contributor to the development of pulseless rhythms. Methods and Results— Ventricular dimensions were determined by MRI for 30 minutes of untreated VF in a closed-chest, closed-pericardium model in 6 swine. Within 1 minute of untreated VF, mean right ventricular volume increased by 29% but did not increase thereafter. During the first 5 minutes of untreated VF, mean left ventricular volume increase...
Long-Wavelength 256 x 256 QWIP Hand-Held Camera

In this paper, we discuss the development of very sensitive long wavelength infrared (LWIR) GaAs/Al(x)Ga(l-x)As quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs), fabrication of random reflectors for efficient light coupling, and the demonstration of the first hand-held long-wavelength 256 x 256 QWIP focal plane array camera. Excellent imagery, with a noise equivalent differential temperature (NE Delta T) of 25 mK has been achieved.
A Bucket of EELS: A Tripartite Approach to Renewing a Teacher Education Program

This article describes a systematic overhaul of a teacher preparation program and presents outcomes based on studies of the program’s effectiveness in improving the knowledge and skills of teacher educators—university and PK-12 based—related to technology, diversity, and democratic education. The renewal program was peer designed and implemented over a 5-year cycle of 3 intact cohorts composed of education and arts & sciences university faculty and PK-12 colleagues simultaneously engaged in revising the scope, sequence, and content of a teacher education program. Presurveys and postsurveys indicate that nearly all of the instructional objectives were met and that participants made significant gains in their knowledge and skills related to the 3 target areas. Lessons learned in the process and implications for similar renewal efforts are offered.
Is Low Power Testing Necessary? What does the Test Industry Truly Need?

With the changing face of the consumer driven semiconductor industry, there are new challenges facing the industry which need to be resolved. Minimizing Power dissipation is a significant and growing challenge with the growth of the wireless and portable device segments and with the need to be ‘green’. Even during manufacturing test, power is definitely among the top ten items needing attention and expertise. Since 90-nm there has been a recognition that power consumption during test can be a factor affecting product quality and yield. Excessive power consumption during manufacturing test affects the reliability of digital integrated circuits, leading to power-driven failures and higher infant mortality. These trends if continuing on their present course will force designers to adopt specific power management and low power design techniques for manufacturing test.
Perinatal outcome following fetal single umbilical artery diagnosis.

Objective : We report the frequency of associated congenital abnormalities in fetuses with a single umbilical artery as well as the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of ultrasound for detecting these abnormalities. We also report the pregnancy outcome of fetuses complicated by single umbilical artery, both isolated and with other congenital anomalies. Methods : All pregnancies complicated by fetal single umbilical artery from 1995 to 1999 were identified. A retrospective chart review was performed on both the prenatal records and the ultrasound records of these pregnancies, determining the nature and incidence of other congenital abnormalities. Delivery data were collected to include gestational age at delivery, Apgar score, birth weight, mode of delivery, fetal gender and any complications. 011 Results : Ninety-two pregnancies were identified with a fetal single umbilical artery, of which outcome data were available for 65. Forty-eight (74%) cases were iden...
Neuromuscular Characteristics of Endurance- and Power-Trained Athletes

Abstract In response to chronic physical training, the human neuromuscular system undergoes significant and specific adaptations. More importantly, these influences are the result of the type and quantity of physical activity. One of the simplest neuromuscular mechanisms is the spinal stretch reflex. The reflex system was previously viewed as inflexible, with a relatively fixed response that could vary only slightly. However, more recent data have identified an adaptive plasticity in the reflex system. In this respect, the reflex system can be used to assess training and aging adaptations of the human neuromuscular system. Due to their methodological simplicity, both the tendon-tap reflex and the electrically evoked Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) can be used to assess training adaptations of the human neuromuscular system. The purpose of this paper is to review briefly the tendon-tap and H-reflex paradigms and delineate the research findings pertaining to changes in the reflex system with physical training. F...
Review and Chemical Thermodynamic Representation of 〈U1–zCezO2±x〉 and 〈U1–zLnzO2±x); Ln = Y, La; Nd, Gd

The entire data base for the dependence of the nonstoichiometry, x, on temperature and chemical potential of oxygen (oxygen potential) in 〈U1–zCezO2+x〉 and 〈U1–zLnzO2+x〉 was retrieved from the literature and represented by a thermodynamic method. The method reproduces the behavior of the experimental data and also results in partial molal Gibbs free energy quantities that are useful for any thermodynamic calculation involving these nonstoichiometric phases. The behavior of these systems is also compared with that for 〈U1–zPuzO2±x〉.
Fast and scalable keypoint recognition and image retrieval using binary codes

In this paper we report an evaluation of keypoint descriptor compression using as little as 16 bits to describe a single keypoint. We use spectral hashing to compress keypoint descriptors, and match them using the Hamming distance. By indexing the keypoints in a binary tree, we can quickly recognize keypoints with a very small database, and efficiently insert new keypoints. Our tests using image datasets with perspective distortion show the method to enable fast keypoint recognition and image retrieval with a small code size, and point towards potential applications for scalable visual SLAM on mobile phones.
Induction of multidrug resistance protein 3 (MRP3) in vivo is independent of constitutive androstane receptor

We previously demonstrated that multidrug resistance protein 3 (Mrp3/ABCC3) is induced in rat liver by phenobarbital (PB) and several other microsomal enzyme inducers that induce cytochrome P450 2B (CYP2B). CYP2B is induced by constitutive androstane receptor (CAR)-retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimer binding to a phenobarbital-responsive promoter element in the CYP2B promoter. Hepatic mRNA levels of CYP2B and Mrp3 were measured in three models of altered CAR activity to determine whether CAR is also involved in the induction of Mrp3. In Wistar Kyoto rats, where males express higher CAR protein levels than females, the induction of CYP2B1/2 was significantly higher in males than in females by PB, diallyl sulfide, and trans-stilbene oxide but not oltipraz. Mrp3 was induced by each of these treatments, but in contrast to CYP2B1/2, to a similar magnitude in males and females. In male hepatocyte-specific RXRalpha-/- mice, CYP2B10 was not induced by diallyl sulfide or oltipraz but remained inducible by PB and trans-stilbene oxide after considering the decrease in basal CYP2B10 expression. Mrp3, however, was induced by PB, diallyl sulfide, trans-stilbene oxide and oltipraz in both wild-type and RXRalpha-/- mice. Additionally, constitutive expression of Mrp3 was significantly reduced in RXRalpha-/- mice. In CAR-/- mice, the robust induction of CYP2B10 by PB was completely absent. However, Mrp3 was equally induced both in wild-type and CAR-/- mice by PB. These data clearly demonstrate that induction of hepatic Mrp3 by PB and other microsomal enzyme inducers is CAR-independent and implies a role for RXRalpha in the constitutive expression of Mrp3.
NK Cell Compartments and Their Activation by Dendritic Cells

Natural killer cells are innate effector cells of the immune system, believed to limit viremia and tumor burden before the onset of adaptive T and B cell immunity ([1][1], [2][2]). This task is met by an increase of NK cells in peripheral blood 3–5 days after infection or tumor cell transfer. This
Mirror Images in Americans' Perceptions of Nations and Leaders during the Iranian Hostage Crisis

The 'mirror image' — the tendency for citizens to attribute the opposite qualities to their own and a competitive nation — is studied through analysis of public opinion in the United States shortly after the onset of the Iranian hostage crisis in late 1979. The questions addressed in this study are (1) how quickly mirror image thinking can be activated, (2) whether mirror images apply to the leaders of nations as well as the nations them selves, (3) what types of traits play the most prominent role in mirror imagery, and (4) what factors predispose people to think in mirror image terms. Analysis reveals that mirror images were very common just one month after the seizure of the American hostages, that they were more commonly focused on the nations (Iran and the U.S.) than on the leaders of the nations (President Carter and Ayotollah Khomeini), that they Nere most often evaluative rather than simply descriptive, and, perhaps most interestingly, that they were expressed most frequently by more highly educat...
Analyzing and revising data integration schemas to improve their matchability

Data integration systems often provide a uniform query interface, called a mediated schema, to a multitude of data sources. To answer user queries, such systems employ a set of semantic matches between the mediated schema and the data-source schemas. Finding such matches is well known to be difficult. Hence much work has focused on developing semi-automatic techniques to efficiently find the matches. In this paper we consider the complementary problem of improving the mediated schema, to make finding such matches easier. Specifically, a mediated schema S will typically be matched with many source schemas. Thus, can the developer of S analyze and revise S in a way that preserves S's semantics, and yet makes it easier to match with in the future?In this paper we provide an affirmative answer to the above question, and outline a promising solution direction, called mSeer. Given a mediated schema S and a matching tool M, mSeer first computes a matchability score that quantifies how well S can be matched against using M. Next, mSeer uses this score to generate a matchability report that identifies the problems in matching S. Finally, mSeer addresses these problems by automatically suggesting changes to S (e.g., renaming an attribute, reformatting data values, etc.) that it believes will preserve the semantics of S and yet make it more amenable to matching. We present extensive experiments over several real-world domains that demonstrate the promise of the proposed approach.
Revisiting the Celebrated Thesis of J. de Groot: “Everything is Linear.”

By a system (X, T) we mean a continuous selfmap T: X → X of a separable metrizable space X and by its linearization a topological embedding i: X → E into a linear system (E, L) consisting of a Hilbert or Euclidean space E and a continuous linear operator L: E → E and satisfying the equivariancy condition L ○ i = i ○ T. Our main results concern linearization by systems (E, L) in which the norm of L is < 1. By a weakening of the equivariancy condition L ○ i = i ○ T, we show that a system which does not admit a finite dimensional linearization may still be linearized in this modified sense in a finite dimensional space.
Long-Term Effects of Sustained Beef Feedlot Manure Application on Soil Nutrients, Corn Silage Yield, and Nutrient Uptake

A field study was initiated in 1992 to investigate the long-term impacts of beef feedlot manure application (composted and uncomposted) on nutrient accumulation and movement in soil, corn silage yield, and nutrient uptake. Two application strategies were compared: providing the annual crop nitrogen (N) requirement (N-based rate) or crop phosphorus (P) removal (P-based rate), as well as a comparison to inorganic fertilizer. Additionally, effects of a winter cover crop were evaluated. Irrigated corn (Zea mays L.) was produced annually from 1993 through 2002. Average silage yield and crop nutrient removal were highest with N-based manure treatments, intermediate with P-based manure treatments, and least with inorganic N fertilizer. Use of a winter cover crop resulted in silage yield reductions in four of ten years, most likely due to soil moisture depletion in the spring by the cover crop. However, the cover crop did significantly reduce NO3-N accumulation in the shallow vadose zone, particularly in latter years of the study. The composted manure N-based treatment resulted in significantly greater soil profile NO3-N concentration and higher soil P concentration near the soil surface. The accounting procedure used to calculate N-based treatment application rates resulted in acceptable soil profile NO3-N concentrations over the short term. While repeated annual manure application to supply the total crop N requirement may be acceptable for this soil for several years, sustained application over many years carries the risk of unacceptable soil P concentrations.
Decidual Tissue Growth and Regression in the Guinea Pig: Regulation by Uterine Blood Flow and Relation to Circulating Progesterone Concentrations*

The role of uterine blood flow (UBF) in the modulation of experimentally induced decidua formation was assessed in mature guinea pigs. The response to endometrial trauma, as indexed by uterine weight changes, was dependent upon the type of stimulus used, with deciduogenic effectiveness as follows: saline= oil = knife scratch < scissor cut. Both the knife scratch and scissor cut techniques induced elevations in UBF compared with control values. Neither uterine weight nor UBF increased when trauma was applied to unresponsive uteri, indicating that inflammation was not the cause of uterine hyperemia. Uterine weight increased from basal levels on the day of trauma (i.e. day 5 of the estrous cycle) to a maximal weight between days 10 and 12 posttrauma. Maximal growth of the induced decidua occurred under conditions of elevated UBF. Subsequently, UBF declined between days 10 and 15 posttrauma, preceding the associate resorption of the induced decidua. During the period of decidua growth, serum progesterone leve...
Effects of intramuscular administration of acepromazine on palmar digital blood flow, palmar digital arterial pressure, transverse facial arterial pressure, and packed cell volume in clinically healthy, conscious horses.

Objective— To determine the magnitude and duration of effects of acepromazine administered intramuscularly (IM) on digital and systemic hemodynamic variables in clinically healthy horses. Study Design— Experimental study. Animals— Healthy adult horses (n=12). Methods— An ultrasonic Doppler flow probe was surgically implanted around the medial palmar digital artery before the study. Catheters were inserted in the transverse facial artery, lateral palmar digital artery, and jugular vein. A treatment group (n=6) was administered 0.04 mg/kg body weight of acepromazine IM; control horses (n=6) were administered an equivalent volume of saline IM. Palmar digital blood flow, and digital and facial arterial pressures were measured at baseline and for 6 hours after administration. Venous blood was collected for measurement of packed cell volume (PCV). Results— Horses administered acepromazine had significantly lower facial arterial pressure compared with control horses administered saline. Palmar digital arterial blood flow in acepromazine-treated horses was not significantly different from that in control horses but increased significantly post-administration, compared with the respective baseline values for acepromazine-treated horses. PCV significantly decreased in horses administered acepromazine compared with their respective baseline value. Conclusion— IM acepromazine causes hypotension and increases palmar digital blood flow over time but the magnitude of the effect on digital blood flow was not sufficient to yield differences compared with saline-treated horses. Clinical Relevance— IM acepromazine has a modest effect on palmar digital blood flow, facial arterial pressures and PCV in healthy horses with minimal sedation.
Premature ovarian failure among hairdressers

results: Among 443 hairdressers and 508 women in other occupations, 14 (3.2%) and 7 (1.4%) developed POF, respectively. A nonsignificant increase in the risk of POF was observed among hairdressers compared with non-hairdressers (adjusted relative risk (RR) 1.90; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76, 4.72). When limited to Caucasian women only (85% of respondents), the increased risk was statistically significant (RR 3.24; 95% CI 1.06, 9.91). Among Caucasian women of 40 –55 years of age, hairdressers were more than five times as likely to report POF compared with non-hairdressers (RR 5.58; 95% CI 1.24, 25.22). conclusions: Hairdressers may be at increased risk for POF compared with women employed in other occupations.
Selection of hyperfunctional siRNAs with improved potency and specificity

One critical step in RNA interference (RNAi) experiments is to design small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that can greatly reduce the expression of the target transcripts, but not of other unintended targets. Although various statistical and computational approaches have been attempted, this remains a challenge facing RNAi researchers. Here, we present a new experimentally validated method for siRNA design. By analyzing public siRNA data and focusing on hyperfunctional siRNAs, we identified a set of sequence features as potency selection criteria to build an siRNA design algorithm with support vector machines. Additional bioinformatics filters were also included in the algorithm to increase RNAi specificity by reducing potential sequence cross-hybridization or microRNA-like effects. Independent validation experiments were performed, which indicated that the newly designed siRNAs have significantly improved performance, and worked effectively even at low concentrations. Furthermore, our cell-based studies demonstrated that the siRNA off-target effects were significantly reduced when the siRNAs were delivered into cells at the 3 nM concentration compared to 30 nM. Thus, the capability of our new design program to select highly potent siRNAs also renders increased RNAi specificity because these siRNAs can be used at a much lower concentration. The siRNA design web server is available at http://www5.appliedbiosystems.com/tools/siDesign/.
Preparation of Leadership Personnel in Adapted Physical Education

This paper presents data that document the need for additional leadership personnel in adapted physical education. A systematic analysis of the Chronicle of Higher Education, Dissertation Abstracts International, and the Physical Education Gold Book reveals that there is currently a discrepancy between the number of advertised positions in higher education and the number of available personnel to fill these positions. The delivery of appropriate personnel preparation programs in the area of adapted physical education is dependent upon the availability of well trained and qualified personnel. Observations are made on the type of training needed and recommendations for ensuring the availability of a qualified pool of applicants.
Do Business Cycles Influence Corporate Cash Holdings

This paper examines the relationship between cash holdings and business cycles between 1976 and 2012. The main question posed in this paper is do the cash holdings of corporations increase during recessions? The doubled-censored Tobit model is used, which is unique to the cash holdings literature. Using three distinctly different quarterly datasets, the findings suggest that the corporate cash holdings initially decline during recessions but increase to levels at or above pre-crisis levels. In addition, the NBER announcements of recessions also have a positive relationship with corporate cash holdings suggesting that companies hold additional cash due to the announcement. Therefore, we do not find evidence of the precautionary motive for cash holdings.
Characteristics and Survival of Malignant Cardiac Tumors A 40-Year Analysis of >500 Patients

Background—The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, histopathology, demographics, and survival associated with primary malignant cardiac tumors (PMCTs). Methods and Results—We querie...
A Review of Exploratory Factor Analysis Decisions and Overview of Current Practices: What We Are Doing and How Can We Improve?

Authors within the fields of cyberpsychology and human−computer interaction have demonstrated a particular interest in measurement and scale creation, and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) is an extremely important statistical method for these areas of research. Unfortunately, EFA requires several statistical and methodological decisions to which the best choices are often unclear. The current article reviews five primary decisions and provides direct suggestions for best practices. These decisions are (a) the data inspection techniques, (b) the factor analytic method, (c) the factor retention method, (d) the factor rotation method, and (e) the factor loading cutoff. Then the article reviews authors’ choices for these five EFA decisions in every relevant article within seven cyberpsychology and/or human–computer interaction journals. The results demonstrate that authors do not employ the recommended best practices for most decisions. Particularly, most authors do not inspect their data for violations of a...
Out-Of-Pocket Prescription Costs Under A Typical Silver Plan Are Twice As High As They Are In The Average Employer Plan

The health insurance Marketplaces created under the Affordable Care Act have attracted nearly ten million enrollees, including many people who were previously insured by an employer-sponsored plan. The most popular Marketplace plan--the silver plan--has significantly higher cost sharing than does a typical employer-sponsored plan, which may cause patients to reduce the use of cost-saving services that are essential for managing chronic conditions. We estimated the impact of higher cost sharing on drug and medical spending among patients with chronic conditions. Using national data, we compared cost sharing and prescription and medical spending for patients covered by employer-sponsored plans to the spending for those in a typical silver plan in the Marketplaces. Our results show that out-of-pocket expenses for medications in a typical silver plan are twice as high as they are in the average employer-sponsored plan, resulting in fewer prescriptions filled and refilled and in higher spending on other medical services. Maintaining the use of cost-effective prescription medications might require lower cost sharing for patients with chronic conditions than is currently found in the Marketplaces.
Identity and Coexistence in the Eastern Mediterranean, ca. 1600

Of the many European states that interacted with the Ottoman Empire in the early modern era, few did so as extensively as the Most Serene Republic of Venice, La Serenissima . The two empires shared a lengthy border and a common historical trajectory for almost 500 years, during which time the political and economic fortunes of both were intimately intertwined. While occasionally interrupted by brief periods of open hostility, for the most part this relationship was characterized by peaceful coexistence. Venetian historiography at present, however, is unable to explain this reality. Rather, in painting the picture of Venice’s relations with the Ottoman Empire, scholars have relied on broad strokes that depict a series of rather simple, binary relationships—East/West, Muslim/Christian, Venetian/Turk. This dichotomy is readily apparent in the titles of important monographs on the topic: Islam and the West, Europe and the Turk, Venezia e i turchi .
The PC Academy Debate: Questions not Asked

This is the introductory chapter for the edited book, The Politically Correct University: Problems, Scope, and Reforms, which explores the culture of political correctness in higher education. We focus on the problem of liberal political orthodoxy in teaching and scholarship and seek to understand how diversity – of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, but not of sociopolitical ideas – has become the dominant ideology in colleges and universities. The chapter provides an overview and commentary on the book’s four sections. The first section, Diagnosing the Problem, begins by providing the most current and comprehensive statistical analysis of the relative rarity of conservative and libertarian professors. It then explores the psychological and sociological mechanisms by which such imbalance comes about, and considers how and why academia stresses demographic diversity while largely eschewing political diversity. The second section, ‘Diversity’ in Higher Education, suggests that anticonservative bias in the academy is likely explained by a psychological phenomenon known as groupthink, explores the psychological goals and assumptions underlying diversity programs and political correctness (while arguing that sociopolitical diversity may be the most important form of diversity for achieving those goals), and explains the history of how demographic diversity came to trump ideological diversity on campus. In the third section, Different Disciplines, Same Problem, leading scholars explore how political correctness affects scholarship and teaching across liberal arts and social science disciplines, including English and linguistics, history, and political science. In the final section, Needed Reforms, practitioners describe the history of political correctness in universities and propose reforms.
Effect of Concurrent Ion Bombardment on Structure and Composition of Ion Sputter-Deposited Ni-Ti Thin Films

Thin films of approximately equiatomic NiTi have been produced by ion beam sputtering, and by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD), using 0.1 and 0.5 keV argon ions at fluences giving ion/atom arrival ratios (R-ratios) ranging between 0.26 and 2.21. Ion beam sputtering produced amorphous films which showed several percent titanium loss relative to the alloy target composition. Concurrent irradiation of the growing films with argon ions accentuated the titanium depletion, and R-ratios greater than approximately 1.4 at an assist-beam energy of 0.5keV produced resputtering rates that exceeded the deposition rate. Analysis of experiments with assist-beam energies of 0.5 keV produced a value of 1.75 for eTi/eNi, the ratio of sputteryields for titanium and nickel, in an amorphous alloy film at approximately 325K. Though data for 0.1 keV assist-beam irradiation could be interpreted to yield a similar value for eTi/eNi, resputtering at these energies displayed unexpected dependencies on R-ratio, and is apparently sensitive to the assist-beam incidence angle as well as the R-ratio. No evidence of crystallization of the films was found for the R-ratios examined. However, concurrent ion irradiation produced phenomenological evidence of short range ordering. Nanophase precipitates observed in TEM foils from films produced by ion beam assisted deposition, discovered in previous work and there identified as Ni3Ti, have been found in fact to be titanium nitride.
Insecticide Applications Disrupt Pupal Parasitism of Rothschildia aroma Populations in Ei Salvador

A three-year period of observations, collecting, and recording data on cocoons of Rothschildia aroma Schaus showed that parasitism is still high enough (63.1 percent) in areas free of insecticide applications to account for an undisturbed natural balance, with moth survival only 11.4 percent. In contrast, in areas where intense and continuous applications have been going on for the past ten years, the percentages have been practically reversed, parasitism reaching only 18.1 percent and moth survival 68.4 percent. Emphasis is made on this previously cryptic case of natural biological control and others that may have been or are being disrupted in EI Salvador and other countries in Central America. It is suggested that insecticides should be judiciously employed to conserve the beneficial insects.
Moderated mediation of the relationships between masculinity ideology, outcome expectations, and energy drink use

Objective The consumption of energy drinks is a growing health-risk behavior for young men in the United States. The present study investigated the relationship between masculinity ideology, outcome expectations, energy drink use, and sleep disturbances. Method The authors recruited 467 adult males from universities and the Internet who provided data on their endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology, outcome expectations for use of energy drinks, use of energy drinks, and sleep disturbances. A theoretical model positing moderated mediation was tested using structural equation modeling and conditional process modeling. Results The results supported the hypothesized model in which endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology was linked with increased outcome expectations for benefits of energy drinks, which in turn was linked with increased energy drink consumption, and which finally was linked with greater sleep disturbance symptoms. The relationship between masculinity ideology and energy drink outcome expectations was moderated by age (significant for younger men but not for older men), and the relationship between energy drink outcome expectations and energy drink use was moderated by race (significant for White men but not for racial minority men). Conclusion The present study adds to the literature on potential negative health implications of the endorsement of traditional masculinity ideology by offering a link between predictors of energy drink use (masculinity ideology, outcome expectations) and health outcomes of energy drink use (e.g., sleep disturbance).
Application of Prefabricated Language Block in Teaching of College English Writing Based on Metacognitive Theory

Based on the analysis of prefabricated language block and metacognitive theory,together with the features of college English writing teaching,explore the application of prefabricated language block in teaching of college English writing which is guided by metacognitive theory.
A Number of Faults of Provincial Gateway Energy Metering Devices and Calculation Method of Electric Energy Compensation

The accuracy and reliability of provincial gateway energy metering devices operation is directly related to network security and economic interests of trading parties,so gateway energy metering devices are the power facilities of key supervision by marketing and dispatch departments.In this paper the failure causes of provincial gateway energy metering devices are classified,and combined with the typical failure examples of gateway energy metering in Henan Power Grid in recent years,the metering fault investigation and electric energy compensation principle is outlined,the calculation method of electric energy compensation is fully summarized.Finally,the suggestion of further improving the operation reliable rate of gateway metering devices and reducing power error rate is also proposed.
Food and Drug Administration regulation.

As disease-modifying therapies near realization, there are concerns about the criteria by which these therapies will be judged. It is not yet clear what kind of evidence (clinical, biomarker, or otherwise) will be required to support a disease-modifying claim. When such a drug is approved, regulators must be certain that the claims in the label are factual and unambiguous, yet a definition for “disease modification” remains to be established. One strong potential definition is: “a therapy that affects the underlying pathology and structure of the disease”. However, this is only one possibility, and a consensus definition must be codified before criteria to evaluate it can be determined. There is room for informed speculation, however. Criteria to evaluate disease-modifying effects have been proposed, and typically involve one of two approaches (neither of which has yet been endorsed by regulators). The first is a clinical approach, in which clinical designs are employed that would ideally force a conclusion that a drug has a disease-modifying effect. In one proposed design, patients would be randomized to drug or placebo for an appropriate duration. At the end of that period, and if a difference in outcome between drug and placebo on an appropriate clinical measure or measures has been achieved, patients originally randomized to drug would then be treated with placebo, while patients originally treated with placebo would remain on placebo.