cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Respiratory work in elastase treated hamsters

Biomechanical adaptations of the diaphragm in the hamster model of emphysema are similar to those observed in skeletal muscle with exercise training. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the dynamic pressure-volume (PV) work of breathing in hamsters with elastase-induced emphysema may contribute to these adaptations. PV work in elastase treated animals was compared to healthy controls. The studies were performed in adult hamsters 14-16 months following intratracheal administration of elastase (elastase treated group, ET) or saline (control group, CTL). Airway and esophageal pressures and air flows were measured during spontaneous breathing in anesthetized, supine animals. Pulmonary work (WL) was computed from transpulmonary pressures and airflows. Functional residual capacity (FRC) and total lung capacity (TLC; defined as volume at 25 cmH2O) in ET were increased 2 and 1.8 times, respectively, compared with CTL. Averaged tidal volume (VT) and inspiratory flows were comparable between groups. Total work of breathing (WT) normalized per ml VT was not significantly affected with elastase treatment but the pulmonary elastance work (WE) was significantly less in ET animals than controls (0.88 +/- 0.61 g cm(-2) vs. 1.63 +/- 0.32). Pulmonary resistive work was not significantly different between ET and CTL animals. These results suggest that biomechanical adaptations of the diaphragm observed in ET hamsters are caused by mechanisms other than the changes in dynamic mechanical properties of the lung following elastase treatment.
Retinal layer segmentation of macular OCT images using boundary classification

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has proven to be an essential imaging modality for ophthalmology and is proving to be very important in neurology. OCT enables high resolution imaging of the retina, both at the optic nerve head and the macula. Macular retinal layer thicknesses provide useful diagnostic information and have been shown to correlate well with measures of disease severity in several diseases. Since manual segmentation of these layers is time consuming and prone to bias, automatic segmentation methods are critical for full utilization of this technology. In this work, we build a random forest classifier to segment eight retinal layers in macular cube images acquired by OCT. The random forest classifier learns the boundary pixels between layers, producing an accurate probability map for each boundary, which is then processed to finalize the boundaries. Using this algorithm, we can accurately segment the entire retina contained in the macular cube to an accuracy of at least 4.3 microns for any of the nine boundaries. Experiments were carried out on both healthy and multiple sclerosis subjects, with no difference in the accuracy of our algorithm found between the groups.
Modeling the mass-transfer rate of radioactive cobalt from a synthetic groundwater to volcanic Tuff media

Abstract The application of a shrinking-core model controlled by macroporous diffusion has been validated for the adsorption kinetics of radioactive Co from a 0.01 N CaCl 2 solution to Bandelier Tuff. This tuff has served as a natural barrier in the disposal of low-level radioactive waste at Los Alamos National Laboratory. The model is validated for duplicate experiments and also in binary and ternary combinations with Sr and Cs. The sorbates were initially in solution at 20 mg L −1 and were contacted with the tuff in bottles agitated in the batch mode at 25°C. The shrinking-core model is compared with traditional models of rate control by chemical reaction, film and particle diffusion. The results have direct implications in the understanding and modeling of the fate and transport of radioactive Co in volcanic tuffs. Volcanic tuff is also being considered as a medium for the location of a high-level nuclear waste respository in the State of Nevada.
Remaining symptoms in half the children treated for milk allergy

The aim of this study was to investigate the cumulative incidence and predictive variables of treatment failure with a whey-based extensively hydrolyzed formula (w-eHF) in children with cow’s milk allergy (CMA). All children were diagnosed with CMA, using double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) with amino acid-based formula as placebo, and receive w-eHF treatment after diagnosis. Forty-nine children with CMA were included. w-eHF treatment failure was defined as incomplete resolution of original CMA symptoms upon w-eHF treatment and disappearance of these symptoms upon replacement of w-eHF with amino acid-based formula. A multiple logistic regression model was used to investigate which variables could predict treatment failure. Twenty-five (51 %; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 38–64 %) of the children with CMA failed on w-eHF. Only “gastrointestinal discomfort” was found to contribute independently to the probability of failing w-eHF, odds ratio (95 % CI) 8.994 (1.007–79.457).
Oscillations of an unstable mixing layer impinging upon an edge

The central features of lihear and nonlinear disturbance growth in the unstable shear layer, mechanisms of impingement of the resultant vortices on the edge, induced force on the wedge, and upstream influence in the form of induced velocity fluctuations at separation are examined by simultaneous visualization, velocity, and force-measurement techniques.The nature of the vortex–wedge interaction, and the associated force on the wedge, are directly related to the induced velocity at the upstream separation edge, thereby providing the essential ‘feedback’ for the self-sustained oscillation. Velocity fluctuations at the upper and lower sides of the separation edge tend to be π out of phase, a condition that is maintained along the outer boundaries of the downstream shear layer. Moreover, the phase between velocity fluctuations at separation and impingement satisfies the relation 2nπ, where n is an integer.The shear layer downstream of the separation edge initially forms an asymmetric wake, which evolves into large-scale vortices, all of which have a circulation appropriate to the high-speed side. The disturbance amplification associated with the high-speed side dominates from the separation edge onwards, precluding development of instabilities associated with the low-speed side.Regardless of the initial amplitude of the disturbance induced at the separation edge, the same saturation amplitude is attained in the downstream (nonlinear) region of the shear layer, underscoring the fact that variations in force amplitude at the wedge are dominated by the type of vortex–edge interaction mechanism. The sensitivity of this interaction to small offsets between the vortex centre and the leading edge entails that jumps in frequency of oscillation are also associated with jumps in the force amplitude.
Inclusion of low amounts of fructose with an intraportal glucose load increases net hepatic glucose uptake in the presence of relative insulin deficiency in dog

The effect of small amounts of fructose on net hepatic glucose uptake (NHGU) during hyperglycemia was examined in the presence of insulinopenia in conscious 42-h fasted dogs. During the study, soma...
Flowfield of a Lifting Rotor in Hover: A Navier-Stokes Simulation

The viscous, three-dimensional flowfield of a lifting helicopter rotor in hover is calculated by using an upwind, implicit, finite-difference numerical method for solving the thin layer Navier-Stokes equations. The induced effects of the wake, including the interaction of tip vortices with successive blades, are calculated as part off the overall flowfield solution without using any ad hoc wake models. Comparison of the numerical results for the subsonic and transonic conditions show good agreement with the experimental data and with the previously published Navier-Stokes calculations using a simple wake model. Some comparisons with Euler calculations are also presented, along with some discussions of the grid refinement studies.
ULTRASTRUCTURE OF CEPHALEUROS VIRESCENS (CHROOLEPIDACEAE; CHLOROPHYTA). III. ZOOSPORES

Transmission electron microscopic examination of Cephaleuros virescens Kunze growing on leaves of Camellia sp. indicates that gametes are similar to those of Trentepohlia aurea. The gametes bear two, smooth isokont "keeled" flagella containing typical "9 + 2" axonemes and lacking scales. Flagellar insertion is apical and the parallel basal bodies overlap laterally. Each basal body is associated with a separate multilayered structure and component microtubular spline. The latter extends posteriorly beneath the plasmalemma. A nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, and cytoplasmic haematochrome droplets are present. Pyrenoids and eyespots are absent. The subcellular components of C. virescens gametes are comparable to those found in gametes of T. aurea; however, the arrangement of basal bodies and multilayered structures differs slightly from that in T. aurea. Comparison of the fine structure of gametes from Cephaleuros, Phycopeltis, and Trentepohlia clearly indicates that the (1) mode of flagellar insertion, (2) morphology, number, and arrangement of multilayered structures, and (3) keeled flagella are common to these three genera and, thus far, unique among the green algae. Although flagellar insertion is apical, it is not bilaterally symmetrical (sensu stricto), nor is it asymmetrical (cf. Chara and Nitella sperms). The arrangement may be termed "reversed bilateral symmetry" and standardization of the terminology is recommended.
A Culpable CALP: Rethinking the Conversational/Academic Language Proficiency Distinction in Early Literacy Instruction

For second-language learners, “academic” language and “social” language are inextricably interwoven. Using examples from several primary classrooms, the author critiques current conceptualizations of second-language learning that distinguish between basic interpersonal communication skills and cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP). She argues that what counts as CALP is arbitrarily defined and varies widely, depending on culture and context, and points out that it is both inaccurate and pedagogically counterproductive to think of any classroom language as truly decontextualized. To understand how second-language learners engage with reading and writing in school, teachers should hold children's understanding of the context in a central place in literacy teaching and learning.
Experimental evidence of excited electron number density and temperature effects on electron-phonon coupling in gold films

The electronic transport properties of metals with weak electron-phonon coupling can be influenced by non-thermal electrons. Relaxation processes involving non-thermal electrons competing with the thermalized electron system have led to inconsistencies in the understanding of how electrons scatter and relax with the less energetic lattice. Recent theoretical and computational works have shown that the rate of energy relaxation with the metallic lattice will change depending on the thermalization state of the electrons. Even though 20 years of experimental works have focused on understanding and isolating these electronic relaxation mechanisms with short pulsed irradiation, discrepancies between these existing works have not clearly answered the fundamental question of the competing effects between non-thermal and thermal electrons losing energy to the lattice. In this work, we demonstrate the ability to measure the electron relaxation for varying degrees of both electron-electron and electron-phonon thermalization. This series of measurements of electronic relaxation over a predicted effective electron temperature range up to ∼3500 K and minimum lattice temperatures of 77 K validate recent computational and theoretical works that theorize how a nonequilibrium distribution of electrons transfers energy to the lattice. Utilizing this wide temperature range during pump-probe measurements of electron-phonon relaxation, we explain discrepancies in the past two decades of literature of electronic relaxation rates. We experimentally demonstrate that the electron-phonon coupling factor in gold increases with increasing lattice temperature and laser fluences. Specifically, we show that at low laser fluences corresponding to small electron perturbations, energy relaxation between electrons and phonons is mainly governed by non-thermal electrons, while at higher laser fluences, non-thermal electron scattering with the lattice is less influential on the energy relaxation mechanisms.
Isolation and characterization of the crystallins of the normal and cataractous canine lens

The lens crystallins were analyzed in normal dogs and Miniature offSchnauzer dogs with congenital cataract formation. There was an increase in the relative proportions of alpha and beta L-crystallin and a decrease in the beta H and gamma-crystallin with increasing age in the noncataractous lens. These trends were advanced in the age-matched cataractous lenses. "Advanced aging" trends were also noted in various polypeptide components of beta-crystallin. Specifically, the appearance of a 29K band as well as a reversal of the 26K to 27.6K ratio occurred at an earlier age in the cataractous lens than in the clear lens. Three subunits of approximately 19K, 20K, and 21.5K were present on SDS-PAGE for alpha-crystallin from the cataractous lens as opposed to only two of 19K and 21.5K from the clear lens. However, if the protein was not heated following resolubilization in buffer containing 2% SDS and 5% 2-mercaptoethanol, only two subunits of 20K and 21.5K were evident in both clear and cataractous lenses. The electrophoretic behavior observed for both alpha and gamma-crystallins did not appear to be age related.
Close Relationships, Individual Differences, and Early Literacy Learning ☆ ☆☆ ★

We hypothesized that the emotional investment and mutuality characteristic of friendship dyads, compared to nonfriend dyads, would support conflicts and resolutions, as well as reflection on emotions and literate language. We also tested a process model by which temperament influenced interactions leading to the expression of conflicts and resolutions, which, in turn, lead to use of emotional and literate language in friend and nonfriend dyads. Dyads of kindergarten children were observed in either friend or nonfriend dyads across the school year. While rates of conflicts were similar, friends, compared to nonfriends, more frequently resolved conflicts and generated more emotional and literate language. Our process model of literate language was also supported. Directions for future research are discussed.
Comparative Laboratory Diagnosis of Experimental Herpes Simplex Keratitis

We compared two commercially available tests, a direct immunofluorescence assay and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), to viral isolation in tissue culture for the laboratory diagnosis of untreated and partially treated experimental herpes simplex virus keratitis. New Zealand albino rabbits were inoculated bilaterally with herpes simplex virus-1 McKrae strain after corneal scarification. One eye of each rabbit was treated with a 1% trifluorothymidine solution daily, starting on the third day after inoculation. The direct immunofluorescence assay showed lower sensitivity for herpes simplex virus detection than viral isolation in tissue culture for both untreated and partially treated eyes. The Herpchek ELISA demonstrated similar sensitivity to tissue culture in detecting herpes simplex virus in untreated eyes. In the treated group, however, the Herpchek ELISA showed a higher percentage of eyes positive for herpes simplex virus than did viral isolation in tissue culture. After the initiation of antiviral therapy, eyes that no longer harbor infectious virus that can be isolated in tissue culture may remain herpes simplex virus antigen–positive and thus be more amenable to laboratory diagnosis using the rapid ELISA method.
Personality Traits of Teachers Nominated as Strong and Weak

Teachers who were nominated as strong or weak by curriculum consultants were asked to rate themselves on Gough's (1960) Adjective Check List. Statistically significant results indicate more women were nominated as strong, more men as weak, more weak teachers delayed returning the questionnaire until pressed to do so, one adjective was checked more frequently by the strong group and seven by the weak. Both groups approached the mean on Gough's scales and few group differences occurred. Strong teachers appear to conform to the cultural stereotype of “teacher.”
Two Distinct Regions of Secondary Somatosensory Cortex in the Rat: Topographical Organization and Multisensory Responses

In rodents, as in other species, regions of secondary somatosensory cortex (SII) may be distinguished from primary cortex (SI) both anatomically and electrophysiologically. However, the number of rodent SII subregions, their somatotopic organization, and their function are poorly understood. The presence of multisensory responsive neurons in some areas of SII suggests that one of its roles may be in the integration of somatosensory information with information from other sensory modalities. In this study, we used auditory, somatosensory, or combined auditory/somatosensory stimuli, and high-resolution epipial-evoked potential maps of rat SII to identify the number of spatially discrete subregions, estimate their somatotopic organization, and delineate regions with multisensory response properties. Maps revealed two distinct subregions within SII, one rostral and the other caudal, which were situated lateral to the posteromedial barrel subfield. Distinct somatotopies were evident at both SII loci, and analysis of evoked responses within both areas indicated multisensory interactions. These data are consistent with the presence of classically defined rostral SII regions and provide functional evidence for a lesser known, but distinct, caudal SII area. Furthermore, evidence for multisensory interactions within SII suggests that both secondary areas may process features specifically associated with multisensory integration in parallel with unimodal processing in primary areas.
Spatio-temporal analysis of remotely-sensed forest mortality associated with road de-icing salts

Forest mortality along highways has long been a concern in areas where de-icing compounds are applied during winter. This study combined the spatial advantage of high-resolution remote sensing imagery and the temporal advantage of long-term archival imagery to quantify forest mortality and to detect the subtle and chronic effects of road de-icing salts for a large mountain watershed in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, USA. IKONOS-derived mortality was used in a fine-scale spatial analysis to assess road proximity and roadside topography effects on forest mortality and to compare two potential mechanisms of de-icing salt damage, i.e. aerial deposition and soil uptake. These mechanisms were modeled using spatial proxy variables that were constructed from LiDAR topographical data. The analysis revealed a clear trend of increasing mortality with increasing potential for aerial deposition of de-icing salt onto tree crowns, mainly occurring within 10 m from roads. The effect of soil uptake of salt was weaker than that of aerial deposition but had a broader potential effect zone that extended to at least 100 m from roads. Landsat TM-derived mortality from 1989 to 2010 provided a long-term time series that indicated both immediate and lagged effects of salt application on forest mortality. Immediate effects of de-icing salt were only distinct in wet years when salt application and spray generation by passing traffic and snow plowing were likely high and other damaging factors, such as bark beetles or drought mortality, were likely weak. A strong and consistent one-year lag in the effect of salt application on incidence of mortality suggested that longer-term impacts of de-icing salt on forest health likely involved more complex pathways than simply aerial deposition. Our multi-scale remote sensing approach provided convincing evidence that de-icing salt was a significant factor for roadside forest mortality and allows for efficient future monitoring at the large-watershed scale.
New families of Q-polynomial association schemes

In this paper, we construct the first known infinite family of primitive Q-polynomial schemes which are not generated by distance-regular graphs. To construct these examples, we introduce the notion of a relative hemisystem of a generalized quadrangle with respect to a subquadrangle.
in situ Moessbauer spectroscopy of a species irreversibly adsorbed on an electrode surface

The redox properties of {mu}-oxobis(iron meso-tetrakis(methoxyphenyl)porphyrin)(FeTMPP){sub 2}O, adsorbed on high-area carbon in alkaline solutions have been examined in situ by using Moessbauer spectroscopy at cryogenic temperatures. The spectrum obtained for the electrode polarized at 0.0 V vs Hg/HgO, OH{sup {minus}} yielded at 100 K a doublet with parameters resembling those of bulk crystalline (FeTMPP){sub 2}O. Similar measurements with the electrode polarized at {minus}0.9 V at the same temperature displayed in addition to the original feature two new doublets with Moessbauer parameters consistent with the presence of a high-spin ferrous (S = 2) and either a high-spin ferric (S = 5/2) or an intermediate-spin ferrous porphyrin species (S = 1). As the temperature was increased, these new features collapsed into a single doublet with an isomer shift intermediate between those observed at 100 K. Two possible models have been suggested to account for these results: (i) the formation of a mixed-valence {mu}-oxo-type porphyrin, which below the spin trapping temperature would give rise to ferrous and ferric sites, and (ii) the full reduction and dissociation of the dimer following the first electron transfer, to yield an intermediate-spin and a high-spin ferrous porphyrin.
Severe adverse reactions are rare with infusions of infliximab in a community setting.

Commentary on: J Ducharme, C Pelletier, R Zacharias. The safety of infliximab infusions in the community setting. Can J Gastroenterol2010;24:307–11.
Solvent-free enzymatic synthesis of structured lipids containing CLA from coconut oil and tricaprylin

Lipase-catalyzed acidolysis of different TAG with CLA was performed to produce structured lipids (SL) containing CLA. An immobilized lipase from Mucor miehei (Lipozyme IM, Novo Nordisk Inc., Franklinton, NC) was used as the biocatalyst in a solvent-free system. Conconut oil and tricaprylin, which are sources of medium-chain FA, were the starting substrates, and a mixture of FFA (MFFA) containing 73% CLA was the donor of the acyl groups. For each TAG, four different ratios of TAG/MFFA were blended to prepare about 500 g of mixture containing 10, 20, 30, and 40% CLA (w/w). Each blend was reacted with 5% lipase at 65°C for 48 h under nitrogen. Over the range of TAG/MFFA ratios examined, CLA was incorporated effectively by the enzyme. Lipozyme IM exhibited no special preference for any particular FA, since the incorporation of FA was proportional to their concentration in the system. FFA, PV, p-anisidine value (p-AV), iodine value (IV), and saponification number (SN) were evaluated for all the SL. FFA, PV, and p-AV depended on the purification process and showed no significant deterioration of SL with respect to the original TAG, whereas IV and SN depended on the composition of the SL, mainly the CLA content.
Concessions on Iran's Nuclear Program Would Help Moderates

As the Soviet Union collapsed and China shifted to the market, it was said that communism was nothing more than the longest road between capitalism and capitalism. It now looks like the Bush-era neo-conservatism is similarly a long road back to the realism from whence it departed. The US is now talking with North Korea and Iran instead of preempting them through war. A dissident Iranian scientist, the former top UN arms inspector and a former US secretary of state ponder this state of affairs.
Postburn serum inhibits in vitro production of colony‐stimulating factor by mononuclear peripheral blood cells

The effects of postburn serum (PBS) on the production of colony-stimulating factor (CSF) was evaluated in 13 burned patients by adding PBS to normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNC) and assaying the MNC-conditioned media for CSF content. PBS inhibited CSF production by at least 50%. PBS from non-survivors significantly inhibited CSF production more than PBS from survivors. The addition of lithium chloride restored production of CSF in the presence of day 15 PBS but could not overcome the inhibitory effects of day 1 or day 8 PBS. The nature of the inhibitor(s) is uncertain, but correction of the CSF production defect by lithium chloride later in the course of thermal injury suggests that the defect may be reversible.
Isolation effects and the neglect of indirect effects of fiscal policies

People tend to focus on salient cues, ignoring others. We demonstrate such isolation effects in situations involving taxes and public finance, through experiments conducted on the World Wide Web. In general, subjects minimized or ignored the longer-term or indirect effects of tax policies, such as price increases from business taxes. Subjects preferred “hidden” taxes to transparent ones, failing to think through who would ultimately pay. The preference for hidden taxes was greater when it was uncertain who would pay. When subjects were prompted to think about indirect effects, their preference for hidden taxes was reduced but not eliminated. These observations are symptoms of general tendencies not to think ahead about the effects of public policies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methodology and device in measuring thickness of thermo-plastic tape in real time

Thermo-plastic tape (TPT) provides delineation on highways around the world. The thickness of TPT on pavement is a very important parameter to control the quality of TPT, calculate durability of TPT, and provide information for the maintenance and replacement of TPT. Traditionally, the thickness measurement is conducted by using pre-embedded plates and measuring the thickness of TPT after spraying of the TPT marking materials. This method is labor intensive and cannot obtain a continuous-thickness profile. Developing an automatic thickness measurement system for TPT marking materials is critical to pavement management and public safety. The measurement system developed in this paper uses laser triangulation technique to detect the thickness of TPT. A dedicated digital laser signal processing circuit is developed to restore thickness information. The thickness measurement system provides continuous real-time thickness measurement of TPT. Lab and field tests under various conditions with TPT marking materials on real pavement surfaces were conducted. The test results showed that the measurement system is capable of reaching the resolution of 5 mils on pavement. The developed system for thickness measurement of TPT has a 267 KHz working frequency, which is the highest among similar devices. The high speed allows the system to provide higher accuracy and more flexibility in various applications.
Long-term effects of rapid smoking treatment for dependent cigarette smokers

Abstract Long-term follow-up data (2-6 years post treatment) were collected via telephone interviews, from participants in four studies utilizing the rapid smoking/blown smoky air procedure. Thirty-four percent of participants were not smoking compared to 54% at short-term follow-up. The data were interpreted as providing modest support for the rapid smoking procedure and demonstrating the feasibility of long-term telephone follow-up.
Test of the Integrated Science Process Skills for Secondary Science Students.

Presented is a study it which the authors developei valid and reliable test oflintegrates science process ski.11s for stulents in secpndary, schools. The field trials are described anl the reliability is given as .39 across ability levels, socioeconomic ,levels, gender, and race. Recommended uses of the test for teachers, ' researchers, and evaluators are includes. (SI) Reproductions supplied by EMS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** .)
The discriminatory impact of course scheduling on minorities

Abstract This study examined scheduling practices in a large Midwestern urban school district to determine if minority students were discouraged from full participation in the school curriculum. Strong evidence was found that the school organization continues to employ strategies and policies that “Caucasianize” upper level classes and discourage minorities from completing course work that will lead to entrance into colleges. Instead, minorities are tracked into terminal courses which contribute to a sense of hopelessness and lead to low‐paying positions with little opportunity for future professional or economic growth. The school culture, driven by middle‐class values, is viewed as responsible, in part, for the organization's reluctance to respond inclusively to minorities.
Use of Acupuncture to Induce Cyclicity in Anestrous Mares

Abstract Acupuncture is part of an Eastern system of medicine used for diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. It has been used for the treatment of reproductive disorders in both human beings and domestic species. We hypothesized that acupuncture could be used to induce cyclicity in anestrous mares. In experiment 1, six anestrous mares were treated with acupuncture at Bai Hui, governing vessel (GV)-2, bladder (BL)-22, BL-23, BL-31, and BL-33 twice a week for 3 weeks, then once a week for an additional 8 weeks, whereas six anestrous mares served as controls. In experiment 2, six anestrous mares received acupuncture stimulation at Bai Hui, GV-1, BL-22, BL-23, and BL-28, with electroacupuncture (10 minutes at 50 Hz) at BL-22 and BL-28 bilaterally. In addition, vitamin B12 (3 mL, 1,000 mcg/mL) was injected in the vaginal fornix at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions around the cervix. Six anestrous mares served as controls. Examinations and treatments were carried out twice a week until ovulation. In both experiments, ovarian activity was examined in all mares by transrectal ultrasonography and blood sample was obtained twice a week to determine progesterone concentrations. The time to first ovulation for experiment 1 was 14.0 ± 0.7 and 13.5 ± 1.0 weeks (mean ± SD) for the control and acupuncture groups, respectively ( P = .60). In experiment 2, the time to ovulation was 9.0 ± 0.6 and 10 ± 0.3 weeks (mean ± SD) for the control and acupuncture groups, respectively ( P = .19). No significant difference was found between the treated and control mares in either study.
The effect of buyer behaviors on preferred customer status and access to supplier technological innovation: An empirical study of supplier perceptions

Abstract Buying firms are increasingly looking to suppliers for technological innovations that enhance the competitive position of their new products. However, extant research provides limited guidance on how buying firms may gain access to suppliers' innovative technologies. To address this gap in the literature, we draw from social exchange theory to posit sequential relationships among buyer behaviors, preferred customer status, and supplier's willingness to share technological innovations. We test our assertions by applying structural equation modeling statistical analyses to survey response data from 233 sales personnel of production good suppliers in the U.S. automotive industry. Whereas our results show that two buyer behaviors – early supplier involvement and relational reliability – positively affect preferred customer status, a third behavior – share of sales – has no effect. In turn, we find that preferred customer status is positively associated with supplier's willingness to share new technology with the buyer. Further, our findings indicate that preferred customer status fully mediates the benefits exchanged within a buyer–supplier relationship. Hence, our study highlights why buyers seeking innovations should take care that their behavior is appropriate for managing suppliers' perceptions. Accordingly, our results provide specific guidance to buyers as to how they may increase their access to suppliers' new technologies.
Expanded operational range in quantum dot passively mode-locked lasers with low unsaturated absorption

A previously unreported correlation is presented between reduced values of unsaturated absorption at the laser gain peak and low measured time-bandwidth-product (TBP) values of optical pulses emitted from monolithic quantum dot passively mode-locked lasers.
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 Negatively Regulates Human Pregnane X Receptor Activity

The human pregnane X receptor (PXR) regulates genes involved in drug metabolism and disposition. PXR associates with multiple corepressors that attenuate and coactivators that enhance its activity. PXR plays a vital role in the drug metabolism pathway, and a comprehensive examination of PXR-associated proteins will provide greater insight into the regulation of the receptor and possible therapeutic implications. We performed a mass spectrometric screen to identify PXR-associated proteins. Here we report that the tumor suppressor protein p53 can associate with PXR and downregulate its activity. A loss-of-function p53 mutant (R175H) interacts with PXR but does not repress its activity. Mutant p53 can relieve the suppressive effect of wild-type p53 by competing with its interaction with PXR, suggesting that protein-protein interaction is required but not sufficient for p53 to repress PXR activity. Interestingly, a PXR variant with a naturally occurring deletion of a conserved, unique sequence in the ligand binding domain (PXR∆174–210) did not interact with p53, indicating that the PXR-p53 interaction is specific. Using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we showed that p53 inhibits the binding of PXR to the CYP3A4 promoter. The loss of p53 function in tumor cells leads to aberrant cell proliferation, apoptosis, carcinogenesis, and altered sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs, whereas PXR contributes to chemoresistance in many cancer cells. Our findings show for the first time that wild-type p53 can negatively regulate PXR by physically associating with it. Thus, PXR and p53 appear to play important yet opposing roles in the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy.
Miniaturization of microstrip square open loop resonators using surface mount capacitors

A miniaturization technique for microstrip square open loop resonators is presented in this paper. The method is based on the capacitive loading of the resonators. The effect of this technique on the coupling between resonators is studied as well as the effect on the quality factor of each resonator. A 1 GHz bandpass filter is designed, simulated, and built in order to test this technique. The final prototype has an area of 20% that of a filter using conventional square open loop resonators.
Neuromodulatory effect of sulprostone on the circadian elevation of intraocular pressure in rabbits.

Topical application of sulprostone, a preferential prostaglandin EP3 receptor agonist, caused a dose-dependent reduction of the circadian elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in New Zealand albino rabbits which were entrained to 12-hr/12-hr light-dark environment. Corresponding to the effect on IOP, 0.2 μg, 2 μg, and 20 μg sulprostone decreased the norepinephrine (NE) concentration in the aqueous humor in the dark phase. There was no breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier. Bilateral applications of 2 μg and 20 μg sulprostone to entrained rabbits that had undergone unilateral, preganglionic transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk reduced the circadian IOP elevation in the intact eye, but caused little IOP change in the decentralized eye. These results indicate that the lOP-lowering effect of topical sulprostone in rabbits is dependent on sympathetic neural activity and that prejunctional inhibition of NE release may be an important mechanism of action.
Room-Temperature p-n-p AlGaAsSb–InGaAsSb Heterojunction Phototransistors With Cutoff Wavelength at 2.5 $\mu$ m

Novel p-n-p AlGaAsSb-InGaAsSb heterojunction phototransistors (HPTs) grown by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy have been proposed and demonstrated. The p-n-p phototransistor structure provides a higher emitter injection ratio than its n-p-n counterpart, due to the large conduction band offset and almost continuous valence band edges between InGaAsSb and AlGaAsSb quaternary alloys. The resulting HPT devices exhibit high responsivities under a bias voltage above 0.3 V. A high room-temperature spectral responsivity of 2984 A/W is achieved at 2.24 mum, corresponding to an optical gain of 1652. The 50% cutoff wavelength of spectral photoresponse at room temperature is 2.50 mum. A room-temperature specific detectivity (D*) of 8.3times10 11 cm middot Hz1/2/W is obtained
Cohorts, Communities of Inquiry, and Course Delivery Methods: UTC Best Practices in Learning—The Hybrid Learning Community Model

From the early 1990s to present, the practice of cohort-based learning has been on the rise in colleges, universities, organizations, and even some K–12 programs across the nation. Cohort learning ...
Paradoxical Adipose Hyperplasia After Cryolipolysis

Importance Cryolipolysis is the noninvasive reduction of fat with localized cutaneous cooling. Since initial introduction, over 650 000 cryolipolysis treatment cycles have been performed worldwide. We present a previously unreported, rare adverse effect following cryolipolysis: paradoxical adipose hyperplasia. Observations A man in his 40s underwent a single cycle of cryolipolysis to his abdomen. Three months following his treatment, a gradual enlargement of the treatment area was noted. This enlargement was a large, well-demarcated subcutaneous mass, slightly tender to palpation. Imaging studies revealed accumulation of adipose tissue with normal signal intensity within the treatment area. Conclusions and Relevance Paradoxical adipose hyperplasia is a rare, previously unreported adverse effect of cryolipolysis with an incidence of 0.0051%. No single unifying risk factor has been identified. The phenomenon seems to be more common in male patients undergoing cryolipolysis. At this time, there is no evidence of spontaneous resolution. Further studies are needed to characterize the pathogenesis and histologic findings of this rare adverse event.
Development of a broadband Wilkinson power combiner on Liquid Crystal Polymer

We present the development of a broadband multi-section Wilkinson power combiner on Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP) with integrated thin film resistors. The designed frequency of operation is from 2–18 GHz. The measured VSWR is better than 1.6∶1, the measured excess insertion loss is less than 1.1dB, and 11dB of isolation is measured across the full band. This work presents the highest performance Wilkinson combiner with the widest bandwidth ratio of 9∶1 reported in literature.
Ultrastructural observations on the expression of axonin-1: Implications for the fasciculation of sensory axons during axonal outgrowth into the chick hindlimb

To help understand how axons interact as they grow into the developing chick hindlimb, we used electron microscopy in conjunction with immunoperoxidase staining for the cell adhesion molecule axonin-1 to label sensory axons. The results showed that sensory axons travel together in bundles, tightly apposed to one another. In contrast, motoneuron axons are more widely spaced, although motoneuron axons situated at the perimeter of sensory axon bundles are found in close contact with neighboring sensory axons. Sensory growth cones and lamellipodia tend to be located centrally within the bundles, with several lamellipodia typically being found stacked together. Strikingly, regions of close axonal apposition are accompanied by axonin-1 expression, suggesting that such contacts are indeed adhesive. Taken together, these observations suggest that groups of sensory axons of a similar age grow together, with some of the older sensory axons fasciculating along motoneuron axons and younger sensory axons later fasciculating along older sensory axons. Axons situated at the periphery of sensory bundles are typically partly labelled, such that axonin-1 is expressed on membranes apposing other labelled axons but not on those facing unlabelled axons or unlabelled Schwann cells. Thus, axonin-1 appears to become redistributed within the membranes of axons growing into the limb, as it does on cultured neurons. In contrast, the neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule (NgCAM), which binds heterophilically to axonin-1, appears uniformly distributed on even those axons that would have an asymmetric distribution of axonin-1. Thus, the localization of axonin-1 strongly suggests that it plays an important role in sensory axon fasciculation, but the relative contributions of its interactions with various potential ligands are unclear. Finally, we found that some sensory growth cones have lamellipodia that are spread over considerable expanses. This suggests that although fasciculation is important in sensory axon guidance, sensory axons may also explore the local environment.
Widespread transcriptional autosomal dosage compensation in Drosophila correlates with gene expression level.

Little is known about dosage compensation in autosomal genes. Transcription-level compensation of deletions and other loss-of-function mutations may be a mechanism of dominance of wild-type alleles, a ubiquitous phenomenon whose nature has been a subject of a long debate. We measured gene expression in two isogenic Drosophila lines heterozygous for long deletions and compared our results with previously published gene expression data in a line heterozygous for a long duplication. We find that a majority of genes are at least partially compensated at transcription, both for ½-fold dosage (in heterozygotes for deletions) and for 1.5-fold dosage (in heterozygotes for a duplication). The degree of compensation does not vary among functional classes of genes. Compensation for deletions is stronger for highly expressed genes. In contrast, the degree of compensation for duplications is stronger for weakly expressed genes. Thus, partial transcriptional compensation appears to be based on regulatory mechanisms that insure high transcription levels of some genes and low transcription levels of other genes, instead of precise maintenance of a particular homeostatic expression level. Given the ubiquity of transcriptional compensation, dominance of wild-type alleles may be at least partially caused by of the regulation at transcription level.
Investigations of the impact of altered auditory feedback in-the-ear devices on the speech of people who stutter: Initial fitting and 4-month follow-up

Background: Self‐contained ear‐level devices delivering altered auditory feedback (AAF) for the application with those who stutter have only been recently developed.Aims: The paper examines the first therapeutic application of self‐contained ear‐level devices in three experiments. The effect of the device on the proportion of stuttered syllables and speech naturalness was investigated following initial fitting and at 4 months post‐fitting.Methods & Procedures: Three experiments were undertaken: In Experiment 1, the effect of a self‐contained in‐the‐ear device delivering AAF was investigated with those who stutter during reading and monologue. Two adolescents and five adults who stuttered read and produced monologue with and without a device fit monaurally. The device provided a frequency shift of +500 Hz in combination with a delayed auditory feedback of 60 ms. Custom‐made ITC and CIC devices were fabricated for four adults and four youths in Experiment 2. The effect of group (i.e. youth versus adult), ti...
Time warp: Authorship shapes the perceived timing of actions and events

It has been proposed that inferring personal authorship for an event gives rise to intentional binding, a perceptual illusion in which one’s action and inferred effect seem closer in time than they otherwise would (Haggard, Clark, & Kalogeras, 2002). Using a novel, naturalistic paradigm, we conducted two experiments to test this hypothesis and examine the relationship between binding and self-reported authorship. In both experiments, an important authorship indicator – consistency between one’s action and a subsequent event – was manipulated, and its effects on binding and self-reported authorship were measured. Results showed that action-event consistency enhanced both binding and self-reported authorship, supporting the hypothesis that binding arises from an inference of authorship. At the same time, evidence for a dissociation emerged, with consistency having a more robust effect on self-reports than on binding. Taken together, these results suggest that binding and self-reports reveal different aspects of the sense of authorship.
Influence of Salinomycin on Incidence, Shedding, and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella typhimurium in Experimentally Infected Broiler Chicks

Twenty broiler chickens were fed 80 g/T salinomycin, an antibiotic produced by Streptomyces albus, and 20 birds were fed a control, unmedicated feed. The birds were experimentally infected with Salmonella typhimurium. The study evaluated the effects of salinomycin on Salmonella incidence, shedding, and antimicrobial resistance. Salinomycin had no effect on body weights, length of time salmonellae were shed, number of salmonellae shed on postdosing day 3, salmonellae tissue recoverability, or on the total number of resistance patterns. Salinomycin caused the decline of salmonellae to be more gradual; however, both treatments were comparable at the end of the study. The majority of isolated from birds receiving salinomycin maintained the original S. typhimurium antibiogram of streptomycin, sulfadiazine, and nalidixic acid. The salinomycin salmonellae were more susceptible to tetracycline, amikacin, carbenicillin, gentamicin, and cephalothin. The multiple resistance patterns of eight and nine drugs tended to be more prevalent among salmonellae from control birds than salinomycin treated birds. The antibiotic salinomycin appears to be an acceptable feed additive in broilers at the level of 80 g/T based on these results of its effects on salmonellae shedding and antimicrobial resistance.
Declarative optimization-based drama management in interactive fiction

Our work relates to automatically guiding experiences in large, open-world interactive dramas and story-based experiences where a player interacts with and influences a story. A drama manager (DM) is a system that watches a story as it progresses, reconfiguring the world to fulfill the author's goals. A DM might notice a player doing something that fits poorly with the current story and attempt to dissuade him or her. This is accomplished using soft actions such as having a nonplayer character start a conversation with a player to lure him or her to something else, or by more direct actions such as locking doors. We present work applying search-based drama management (SBDM) to the interactive fiction piece Anchorhead, to further investigate the algorithmic and authorship issues involved. Declarative optimization-based drama management (DODM) guides the player by projecting possible future stories and reconfiguring the story world based on those projections. This approach models stories as a set of possible plot points, and an author-specified evaluation function rates the quality of a particular plot-point sequence