cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Instrumental Learning of Vasomotor Responses by Rats: Learning to Respond Differentially in the Two Ears

Curarized and artificially respirated rats were rewarded by electrical stimulation of the brain for changes in the balance of vasomotor activity between the two ears. They learned vasomotor responses in one ear that were independent of those in the other ear, in either forepaw, or in the tail, or of changes in heart rate or temperature. In addition to implications for learning theory and psychosomatic medicine, these results indicate a greater specificity of action in the sympathetic nervous system than is usually attributed to it.
Opening Pandora's Box: An Autoethnographic Study of Teaching.

Teachers use narrative structures, both biographical and fictitious, to examine their teaching philosophies and practices simultaneously. Applying autoethnographic research methods to teaching data can result in cultural criticism, personal reflexivity, and empowerment. Autoethnographic research can have aesthetic and emotional or empathetic value. However, this approach to research becomes increasingly difficult as teachers gain experience simply because of the volume of evidence to consider. This article is an example of how a myth, Pandora’s Box, can become a narrative metaphor and a research tool for reducing large amounts of biographical teaching evidence in order to critically examine philosophies of practice and ideals in a particular cultural context.
Effect of Single Pass Hot Rolling on Goss Texture Development in Twin-Roll Cast Silicon Steel Strip

Single pass hot rolling was adopted to form Goss texture at subsurface layer after hot rolling in twin-roll cast oriented silicon steel strip. It is found that the intensity of Goss texture is affected obviously by rolling reduction and finishing temperature. Goss texture originates from adjacent texture components, and rarely from {100} component. An appropriate rolling temperature and reduced initial {100} texture are beneficial for generating sharp hot rolling Goss texture at relatively low reduction.
State Higher Education Report Cards: What's in a Grade?

The authors subjected the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education's recent state-by-state higher education report card to an independent analysis using regression analysis. The purpose was to create an empirical starting point for investigating the relationships among the five report-card categories and between the categories and various elements of each state's higher education environment. All analyses resulted in significant relationships, which are compared with those offered by the NCPPHE.
Pretreatment of Lodgepole Pine Killed by Mountain Pine Beetle Using the Ethanol Organosolv Process: Fractionation and Process Optimization

Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) killed by mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) (MPB-LPP) was evaluated for bioconversion to ethanol using the ethanol organosolv process. The pretreatment was optimized using an experimental matrix designed with response surface methodology. It was found that MPB-LPP was easy to pretreat and delignify, but gave low yields of substrate and carbohydrate as a result of excessive hydrolysis and subsequent decomposition of cellulose and hemicellulose during the pretreatment. The center-point conditions (170 °C, 60 min, 1.1% H2SO4 and 65% ethanol) were close to the optimum for the recovery of glucose and ethanol organosolv lignin. At the center-point conditions, ∼75% of the cellulose present in the untreated wood was recovered in the substrate fraction, and approximately 79% of the lignin in the wood was recovered as ethanol organosolv lignin (EOL). The combined recovery of carbohydrate in the substrate and water-soluble fractions was ∼83% glucose, ∼46% mannose, ∼53% xy...
Research studies in patterns of scientific communication: III. Information-exchange processes associated with the production of journal articles☆

Abstract The two studies described in this article focus on information-exchange associated with material published in journal articles. In the first study we concentrate on the prepublication information-exchange activities of article authors, from the time their work first reached a report stage until it was published. The results of the second study, related directly to the articles studied in the first one, and the results of the first study have been combined so that we could discuss how scientists assimilate and use information contained in these articles when this information is also disseminated via informal media prior to its appearance in journal articles. The findings are discussed in light of questions they raise about the function of current journal articles.
Reliability and Agreement of Hip Range of Motion and Provocative Physical Examination Tests in Asymptomatic Volunteers

Objective To: (1) report passive hip range of motion (ROM) in asymptomatic young adults, (2) report the intratester and intertester reliability of hip ROM measurements among testers of multiple disciplines, and (3) report the results of provocative hip tests and tester agreement. Design Descriptive epidemiology study. Setting Tertiary university. Participants Twenty-eight young adult volunteers without musculoskeletal symptoms, history of disorder, or surgery involving the lumbar spine or lower extremities were enrolled and completed the study. Methods Asymptomatic young adult volunteers completed questionnaires and were examined by 2 blinded examiners during a single session. The testers were physical therapists and physicians. Hip ROM and provocative tests were completed by both examiners on each hip. Main Outcome Measurements Inter-rater and intrarater reliability for ROM and agreement for provocative tests were determined. Results Twenty-eight asymptomatic adults, mean age 31 years (range, 18-51 years), with a mean modified Harris Hip Score of 99.5 ± 1.5 and UCLA activity score of 8.8 ± 1.2 completed the study. Intrarater agreement was excellent for all hip ROM measurements, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging from 0.76 to 0.97, with similar agreement if the examiner was a physical therapist or a physician. Excellent inter-rater reliability was found for hip flexion ICC 0.87 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.78-0.92), supine internal rotation ICC 0.75 (95% CI 0.60-0.84), and prone internal rotation ICC 0.79 (95% CI 0.66-0.87). The least reliable measurements were supine hip abduction (ICC 0.34) and supine external rotation (ICC 0.18). Agreement between examiners ranged from 96% to 100% for provocative hip tests, which included the hip impingement, resisted straight leg raise, Flexion Abduction External Rotation/Patrick, and log roll tests. Conclusions Specific hip ROM measures show excellent inter-rater reliability, and provocative hip tests show good agreement among multiple examiners and medical disciplines. Further studies are needed to assess the use of these measurements and tests as a part of a hip screening examination to assess for young adults at risk for intra-articular hip disorders before the onset of degenerative changes.
The Gyrokinetic Description of Microturbulence in Magnetized Plasmas

Nonlinear gyrokinetics is the major formalism used for both the analytical and numerical descriptions of low-frequency microturbulence in magnetized plasmas. Its derivation from noncanonical Lagrangian methods and field-theoretic variational principles is summarized. Basic properties of gyrokinetic physics are discussed, including polarization and the concept of the gyrokinetic vacuum, equilibrium statistical mechanics, and the two fundamental constituents of gyrokinetic turbulence, namely drift waves and zonal flows. Numerical techniques are described briefly, and illustrative simulation results are presented. Advanced topics include the transition to turbulence, the nonlinear saturation of turbulence by coupling to damped gyrokinetic eigenmodes, phase-space cascades, subcritical turbulence, and momentum conservation.
Air-Stable Nanopowders of Mixed Reactive Metals as Fuel Additives

Nano-sized metallic powders have advantages as fuels including faster, more complete combustion than micron-sized metal powder particles; however, the unpassivated nanoparticles of some metals of interest, such as Al, are pyrophoric and highly reactive, making them difficult to handle. Additionally, metal-hydrides are of great potential interest for a significant gravimetric energy increase without a penalty in the volumetric energy content, as the inclusion of hydrogen in the metallic matrix does not significantly decrease overall density of the material. Reactive metal amorphous powders produced by the sonochemical decomposition and dehydrogenation of an in situ -produced mixed borohydride-tetrahydroaluminate of titanium and containing hydrogen are examined in the current work and show exceptional air-stability and higher energy content than nano-Al. An aerosolized powder burner is used to investigate the combustion behavior of these powders mixed with gaseous fuels to quantify the energy density and reaction rate as compared to commercial aluminum powders in an effort to benchmark the performance of the sonochemically generated amorphous Ti-Al-B powder fuels.
In-Situ Internal Reflection Spectroscopy for the Study of Surfactant Adsorption Reactions Using Reactive Internal Reflection Elements

Abstract Infrared spectroscopy has been one of the most useful experimental techniques for the analysis of surface reactions. In particular, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)/internal reflection spectroscopy (IRS) is most often used for in-situ studies. To date, three FTIR/IRS methods have been used for in-situ measurements. These techniques are evaluated for use in the characterization of surface reactions common to flotation systems. The method which uses mineral crystals as reactive internal reflection elements (IREs) is of particular interest because it allows surfactant adsorption densities to be calculated directly from in-situ spectral data in real time, and is the focus of this paper. Application of in-situ FTIR/IRS with reactive IREs is demonstrated for collector adsorption reactions in each of the four major flotation systems. Also, the use of reactive IREs in the near-IR spectral region and in spectroelec-trochemical research is discussed.
Use of motor nerve material in peripheral nerve repair with conduits

We have recently shown in experimental nerve injury models that nerve regeneration is enhanced across a motor nerve graft as compared with a sensory nerve graft. To test the hypothesis that nerve architecture may mediate the beneficial effect of motor nerve grafting, we developed a model of disrupted nerve architecture in which motor and sensory nerve fragments were introduced into silicone conduits. Lewis rats were randomized to 5 experimental groups: nerve repair with motor nerve fragments, sensory nerve fragments, mixed nerve fragments, saline-filled conduit (negative control), or nerve isograft (positive control). At 6, 9, or 12 weeks, animals were sacrificed and nerve tissues were analyzed by quantitative histomorphometry. No significant differences were observed between the motor, sensory, and mixed nerve fragment groups. These findings suggest that intact nerve architecture, regardless of neurotrophic or biochemical factors, is a prerequisite for the beneficial effect of motor nerve grafting.
Vaccine-elicited systemic and mucosal humoral responses of lactating rhesus monkeys vaccinated with the transmitted/founder HIV Envelope 1086C

Background We previously demonstrated that vaccination of lactating rhesus monkeys with a DNA prime/ vector boost strategy induces strong SIV-specific cellular immune responses, but limited Envelope-specific humoral responses in breast milk. Therefore, we sought to improve vaccine-elicited Envelope-specific antibody responses in the milk compartment by using a transmitted/founder (T/F) HIV Envelope immunogen in a prime-boost strategy modeled after that of the moderately-successful RV144 HIV vaccine trial. Methods
Colonization and Life Cycle of Amblyomma Variegatum (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Laboratory in Puerto Rico

Amblyomma variegatum , the tropical bont tick, was reared on rabbits and goats and held under standard laboratory conditions in Puerto Rico at 26 + 1 °C, 95 + 1% RH, and a 24-h light cycle with a 14-h photophase. Egg incubation took an average of 50.3 days. Molted larvae and nymphs first responded to human breath when about 4 and 3 days of age, respectively. Larvae fed an average 8.2 (range 6–13) days on rabbits and nymphs an average 6.3 (range 5–10) days on goats. The premolting periods averaged 17.7 (range 15–22) and 25.6 (range 19–28) days for larvae and nymphs, respectively. Males began molting from nymphs 1 day before the first female emerged. Males that had remained attached to goats for over 50 days before being forcibly removed and placed on a 2nd host readily reattached to the 2nd host and mated with new females. When unfed females were placed on goats at the same time as males, females fed to repletion in 11–16 days. Females placed on a host with fed males attached and fed to repletion in 8–13 days. Mating was not required for engorgement. When unengorged females were placed on goats without males, 18.7% fed to repletion in 11–21 days. The mean weight of engorged females was 2.94 g (range 1.83–4.64 g), engorged females laid an average of 1.2 g of eggs (range 0.01–2.37 g), and average percent hatch of eggs laid was 61.5 (range 0–95).
Unified interatomic potential for zircon, zirconia and silica systems

We report the development of a unified force field with high transferability and reliability to model both structures and mechanical properties of ZrSiO4, ZrO2 and SiO2 based on the success of the BKS potential for SiO2 (van Beest et al., Phys. Rev. Lett., 1990, 64, 1955). The thermal expansion, relative stability and phase transition properties are consistent with experimental data and DFT calculations. The zircon to reidite transition pressure is 6.7 GPa. Amorphization of zircon results in volume expansion of 11% and decrease in the bulk modulus of 60%. Si polymerization and Zr under-coordination were observed in amorphous ZrSiO4 and in the damage produced by a 10 keV Zr recoil in crystalline ZrSiO4. The upper limit of stored energy in amorphous ZrSiO4 is 140 kJ/mol.
Bilateral Injections of Amyloid-β 25-35 into the Amygdala of Young Fischer Rats: Behavioral, Neurochemical, and Time Dependent Histopathological Effects

Abstract To examine the time course of the histopathological effects of bilateral injections of amyloid-β 25-35 (Aβ) and to determine if these effects are associated with a reduction in choline acetyltransferase activity and behavioral impairments, we injected Aβ (5.0 nmol) into the amygdala of young male Fischer rats. Control rats received vehicle infusions. For histological analysis, animals were sacrificed at 8, 32, 64, 96, and 128 days postoperatively ( n = 21–33 per timepoint). Aβ induced neuronal tau-2 staining in the right, but not the left amygdala and hippocampus. Aβ also induced reactive astrocytosis and neuronal shrinkage within the right hippocampus and amygdala, respectively. As with tau-2, these same brain regions within the left hemisphere in the Aβ-treated rats were significantly less affected. In addition, Aβ appeared to induce microglial and neuronal interleukin-1β staining. The histopathological effects of Aβ peaked at 32 days postoperatively but were not associated with a reduction in amygdaloid choline acetyltransferase activity. In a separate experiment, behavioral effects of bilateral intra-amygdaloid injections of Aβ were analyzed at 34–52 days postoperatively. In an open field test, the treatment groups differed only in the numbers of rears emitted ( p = 0.016). There was no effect of Aβ in the Morris water maze or in the acquisition and retention of a one-way conditioned avoidance response. These data suggest a laterality in the histopathological effects of Aβ and that the effects of single injections are in part transient. These findings also suggest a direct association between plaque and tangle formation in Alzheimer’s disease, and support the use of this rat model to screen drugs that may alter the initial pathological events associated with Alzheimer’s disease, that occur before the manifestations of extensive behavioral impairments become evident.
Energy diffusion model of bR for voxel identification

In this paper, a potential biological structure for computer volumetric memory is investigated. Bacteriorhodopsin is a protein found in the purple membrane of the bacteria Halobacterium salinarum. This protein has light absorption properties that generate different stable states allowing the use of multilevel logic as well as binary logic. CHARMmtrade has been used to simulate the energy response of Bacteriorhodopsin at room temperature 300K for the bR ground state and the other states. The K state takes place after blue light (lambda= 635nm) absorption on the bR state. The energy difference is found to be an increase of 1086.92 kcal/mol which is responsible for triggering the photocycle that also includes the states K, L, M, N, and O. An energy surplus is found between O and bR state that may be spread to surrounding molecules. However, conformational interference does not produce photons necessary for the isomerization reaction. Further quantum molecular (QM) analysis should provide an extended model for this macromolecular energy study
Major bleeding with dabigatran and rivaroxaban in patients with atrial fibrillation: a real-world setting.

Background:Although the rate of bleeding among patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) taking novel oral anticoagulants in randomized controlled trials is described, the rate of bleeding with “real-world” use is uncertain.Methods:We conducted a retrospective electronic medical record interrogation and subsequent chart review among patients within Intermountain Healthcare between October 2010 and November 2012. Patients were included if they had a diagnosis of AF and were receiving either dabigatran or rivaroxaban. Rates of major bleeding were calculated.Results:Among 2579 patients, 13 (0.5%) experienced major bleeding (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23-0.77), 5 (0.19%) experienced intracranial hemorrhage (95% CI 0.02-0.36), and 2 (0.08%) experienced fatal bleeding. Of the 13 patients experiencing a major bleed, 8 (61.5%) would have been excluded from the Randomized Evaluation of Long-Term Anticoagulation Therapy (RE-LY) and Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared with Vitamin K Ant...
A quality improvement study of the placement and complications of double-lumen endobronchial tubes

To assess the complications of conventional and fiberoptic endobronchial intubations using reusable (Leyland, London) and disposable (Rusch, Waiblinger, Germany; Sheridan, Argyle, NY) double-lumen tubes (DLTs), endobronchial intubations occurring over a 12-month period were prospectively studied at this hospital. Residents working with staff anesthesiologists placed either left or right reusable (Leyland) or disposable (Rusch or Sheridan) DLTs. The DLT used, the use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB), findings at FOB if used during the intubation or operation, and complications occurring during the case (SpO2 40 cm H2O, air trapping, poor lung isolation, and airway trauma) were recorded. Two hundred thirty-four intubations were analyzed (102 right, 132 left; 70 Leyland reusable DLTs, 66 Rusch disposable tubes, and 98 Sheridan tubes). Physical signs alone were used to confirm tube position more frequently when Leyland tubes were placed compared with disposable tubes (79% v 39%, P < 0.0001). Rusch and Sheridan DLTs had similar rates of conventional placement. Nineteen percent of reusable tubes and 44% of disposable tubes required position adjustments using FOB during the initial intubation (P = 0.0002). Disposable tubes also more commonly required readjustment using FOB during the operation (30% v 7%, P < 0.0005). Complications occurred in 42/234 patients (18%). The frequency of specific complications was: decreased SpO2, 9%; increased airway pressures, 9%; poor lung isolation, 7%; air trapping, 2%, and airway trauma, 0.4%. Right-sided Sheridan DLTs had a statistically higher incidence of malposition, resulting in poorer lung isolation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Far-field radiation patterns and mode coupling in plastic optical fibers

A complete understanding of the propagation characteristics of plastic optical fibers (POFs) is crucial for their future applications in short-haul data transmission systems. In this article, we summarize the observation of strong mode coupling effect inside POFs through different experimental techniques. The optical pulse broadening measurements show characteristic change over from linear to square root length dependence. The equilibrium mode distribution (EMD) condition can readily be achieved in step-index (SI) POFs at lengths (approximately 15 - 20 m) much shorter than in glass optical fibers (GOFs). Our results are directly verified by independent measurements of the far-field radiation patterns and the mode coupling coefficient inside POFs, which is over two orders of magnitude larger than in GOFs.
Easy does it: Robust spectro-temporal many-stream ASR without fine tuning streams

Previous work has shown that spectro-temporal features reduce the word error rate for automatic speech recognition under noisy conditions. These systems, however, required significant hand-tuning in order to determine which spectral and temporal modulations should be included in a particular stream. In this work, streams are split into one spectral and temporal modulation each and their posterior probabilities are combined once each stream is discriminatively trained via multilayer perceptron. We show that this combination structure performs as well or better than more elaborate methods in which multiple spectral and temporal modulations are hand-picked per stream. In addition, these type of features outperform standard noise-robust features such as the “Advanced Front End” features, whereas our hand-picked spectro-temporal features do not.
A policy-based storage management framework

Administrators of the modem IT infrastructure are faced with the problem of escalating complexities and increasing costs associated with distributed resource management. This position paper presents an architectural framework for policy-based management to help mitigate this cost and complexity for the storage environment. In this framework the storage environment is managed by policy at application, data, and storage levels. We use collections of logical attributes to describe classes at each level and use connectors to provide mapping between the collections at different levels.
Trans-Pacific transport of Asian dust and CO: accumulation of biomass burning CO in the subtropics and dipole structure of transport

Abstract. In May 2003, both MODIS aerosol optical depth (AOD) and carbon monoxide (CO) measurements from MOPITT show significant trans-Pacific transport to North America. We apply the global chemical transport model, GEOS-Chem, to analyze the main features of the long-range transport events. Enhancements of MOPITT CO over the tropical Pacific are much broader than MODIS AOD enhancements. We find in model simulations that a major fraction of the CO enhancements in the subtropics in May is due to biomass burning in Southeast Asia in April. Biomass burning CO was recirculated into the subtropical high-pressure system and lingered for a much longer period than aerosols transported at higher latitudes. Simulated AOD enhancements are due to a combination of dust, sulfate, and organic and elemental carbons. Dust contribution dominates the AOD enhancements in early May. Model results indicate that dust transport takes place at higher altitude than the other aerosols. MODIS observations indicate a bias in model simulated pathway of dust transport in one out of the three cases analyzed. Sensitivities of dust transport pathways are analyzed in the model. The dipole structure of transport, consisting of the Aleutian Low to the north and the Pacific High to the south, over the Pacific is found to be a key factor. The placement of the dipole structure relative to model parameters such as up-stream wind field and source location may lead to the high sensitivity of simulated transport pathways.
Patterns of Influence Behavior for Managers

This study involved analysis of incidents describing influence attempts from the perspective of an agent or a target. Influence behavior in the incidents was coded into nine influence tactics. A conceptual framework was presented to explain the selection and sequencing of tactics, and the model was used to derive specific hypotheses for individual tactics. Analysis of tactic combinations revealed that some tactics were used together much more often than others. Consistent with the model, some tactics were used more in initial influence attempts, and other tactics were used more in follow-up influence attempts. Differences in the use of tactics with subordinates, peers, and superiors were also consistent with the model, and the results verified directional differences found in earlier research with questionnaires.
Do Politicians Listen to Experts? The Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 and The Capacity to Budget

Last year offered a unique opportunity to compare the ideas of experts and politicians. The 1990 Budget Enforcement Act changed the federal budget process. Allen Schick's 1990 book, The Capacity to Budget, included ideas on how to improve budgeting at the federal level. A comparison is made between the new law and the new ideas in several areas of the budgetary process: deficit reduction; resource rationing; adjustment to changing expenditures; increasing budget honesty; decreasing conflict; rou-tinizing the process; integrating the parts of the budget; and balancing claims and resources.
Effects of the phospholipase-C inhibitor, U73122, on signaling and secretion in pituitary gonadotrophs

The effects of inhibition of phosphoinositide hydrolysis by U73122 [1-(6-[17 beta-3-methoxyestra-1,3,5- (10) triene-17-yl] amino/hexyl) 1H-pyrroledione] and neomycin on agonist-stimulated intracellular signaling and secretory responses were analyzed in cultured pituitary cells and alpha T3-1 gonadotrophs. GnRH (100 nM)- and endothelin-1 (ET-1; 100 nM)-induced inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate and diacylglycerol formation in normal cells and immortalized gonadotrophs were reduced by U73122 in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC50 values of about 2 microM and complete inhibition at 10 microM U73122. Neomycin also reduced GnRH- and ET-induced inositol phosphate production in both cell types. Agonist-induced intracellular Ca2+ responses were also inhibited in both cell types by U73122 and neomycin at the same concentrations that inhibited their inositol phosphate responses. In cultured pituitary cells, agonist-induced LH release was inhibited by U73122 and neomycin in a dose-dependent manner. In perifused ...
Gibson, James, and the Temporal Continuity of Experience

Is the stream of consciousness a temporal continuum or a sequence of distinct awarenesses? The present article considers this question in the context of the different theoretical positions of James J. Gibson and William James. The view favored is one that Gibson's treatment of perceptual awareness per se suggests: Awareness qua brain process is a unitary occurrence that, barring interruptions, expands continuously in the temporal domain for an extended duration. The obvious variation in awareness from moment to moment is construed as continuous change in content belonging to a single, developing process. The contrasting view holds that the stream of consciousness consists of pulses or drops of experience. These are distinct, of course, though temporally adjacent one with the next. James's view was of the latter discontinuous type even when he was proposing his now famous characterization of the stream of consciousness as being, among other things, sensibly continuous.
Bioética¿la Circe de la Medicina?

Background: Recent development in the biomedical fields have led to considerable moral perplexity, about the rights and duties of health professionals, patients and research subjects. Since about 1970 bioethics have become involved in an ongoing discussion of the complex ethical issues raised by these developments. Objective: To review the precise relationship between Nietzsches ontology and an eventual bioethics. Method: The author intends to give a picture of how ontological factors have influenced the beginnings of bioethics. Results: Ethics for Nietzsche symbolizes Circe, the enchantress in Homers Odyssey. Nietzsches task is to proclaim the emptiness (devaluation) of all traditional values, thus soliciting a rejection of them. But bioethics must not be content with merely replacing the old values by new ones. v.g. by filling the place left by the supreme values. Conclusions: Despite the efforts to overcome technicity, bioethics remains locked in the subject-ism of which technicity is but a consequence. Nietzsches special insight is to perceive that the interpretation of beings currenthy prevalent is valueless, for it is an interpretation that has returned to values that are precisely without an value at all (Rev Med Chile 2001; 129: 209-17).
Spontaneous quinolone resistance in Serratia marcescens due to a mutation in gyrA.

Abstract Spontaneous quinolone-resistant mutants of MP050, a quinolone-susceptible clinical strain of Serratia marcescens, were isolated on nutrient agar containing 0.5 microgram of ciprofloxacin per ml. One mutant, designated MP051, was selected for further study. Quinolone MICs for MP051 were 4- to 16-fold higher than those for MP050; nonquinolone MICs were unchanged. The DNA gyrase isolated from MP051 was 24-fold less sensitive to inhibition of supercoiling by ciprofloxacin than the DNA gyrase isolated from MP050 was. Inhibition studies on reconstituted combinations of heterologous gyrase subunits showed that the decreased inhibition was dependent on the A subunit of DNA gyrase from MP051. Further evidence that this decreased inhibition was due to a gyrA mutation was provided by analysis of Escherichia coli gyrA gene expression in S. marcescens heterodiploids containing pNJR3-2, a broad-host-range gyrA gene probe. Quinolone susceptibilities of MP051 heterodiploids containing the wild-type E. coli gyrA gene decreased to those of MP050, while quinolone susceptibilities of MP050 containing the same plasmid were unchanged. These results indicate that spontaneous quinolone resistance in MP051 was due to a mutation in gyrA.
γ/δ T Cell-Deficient Mice Exhibit Reduced Disease Severity and Decreased Inflammatory Response in the Brain in Murine Neurocysticercosis

In a recently developed mouse model for neurocysticercosis, the immune response was characterized by a massive influx of gammadelta T cells and a type 1 pathway of cytokine expression. To understand the role of gammadelta T cells during this infection, the cellular and cytokine response was analyzed in mice that lack gammadelta T cells (TCRdelta(-/-)). In TCRdelta(-/-) mice, Mesocestoides corti metacestodes preferentially invaded the extraparenchymal areas of the brain. Furthermore, parasites were able to escape from the brain and establish a systemic infection with liver and peritoneal involvement. Immunopathological studies indicated that TCRdelta(-/-) mice develop little inflammatory response and less neurological symptomatology. Significantly reduced numbers of T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, and mast cells were present in the brain. The cytokine response in the brain of TCRdelta(-/-) mice appears to be a mixed type1/type 2 response with low levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-15, and IFN-gamma. To further investigate the immunological significance of this cell population, gammadelta T cells were adoptively transferred into intracranially infected TCRdelta(-/-) mice. gammadelta T cells were specifically recruited into the CNS in response to this parasitic infection, and they were able to target the infected brain within 12 h after transfer. These results suggest that gammadelta T cells are key players in the immune response elicited during this CNS infection and direct a type 1 response in wild-type mice upon infection.
Comparison of non-linear and linear models for estimating haemoglobin adduct stability.

According to the kinetic theory for the build-up and elimination of haemoglobin (Hb) adducts, unstable Hb adducts are simultaneously eliminated by zero-order Hb turnover and first-order chemical instability. Thus, the elimination of unstable Hb adducts is non-linear with respect to time. Nonetheless, many studies of Hb adduct stability have characterized the elimination of Hb adducts using linear zero-order or linear first-order models. This paper demonstrates the use of non-linear regression to estimate the first-order rate constant of Hb adduct instability (k) using data on the elimination of Hb adducts in rats dosed with benzene or ortho -toluidine. Results obtained using non-linear regression models are compared with results from the more commonly employed zero- and first-order linear models. It is shown that exposure estimates based on measured levels of unstable Hb adducts can be severely biased if zero-order turnover is assumed. Furthermore, based on published data, estimates of k are subject to es...
Motivation and Cognitive Control: From Behavior to Neural Mechanism

Research on cognitive control and executive function has long recognized the relevance of motivational factors. Recently, however, the topic has come increasingly to center stage, with a surge of new studies examining the interface of motivation and cognitive control. In the present article we survey research situated at this interface, considering work from cognitive and social psychology and behavioral economics, but with a particular focus on neuroscience research. We organize existing findings into three core areas, considering them in the light of currently vying theoretical perspectives. Based on the accumulated evidence, we advocate for a view of control function that treats it as a domain of reward-based decision making. More broadly, we argue that neuroscientific evidence plays a critical role in understanding the mechanisms by which motivation and cognitive control interact. Opportunities for further cross-fertilization between behavioral and neuroscientific research are highlighted.
The effect of acute versus delayed remote ischemic preconditioning on reperfusion induced ventricular arrhythmias.

Remote Ischemic Preconditioning and Cardiac Arrhythmias. Introduction: The effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on arrhythmias in in vivo models is unknown. Our purpose was to determine effects of both acute and delayed RIPC on arrhythmias. Methods and Results: In the acute protocol anesthetized open chest rats were exposed to 5 minutes of proximal left coronary artery occlusion (CAO) and 10 minutes of reperfusion. Rats were either untreated (ischemia/reperfusion, IR group, n = 17) or received RIPC (n = 14) with 5 minutes bilateral femoral occlusions followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion times 3, started 30 minutes before CAO. At reperfusion, onset of ventricular tachycardia (VT) was delayed in RIPC group (25.7 seconds) versus IR (8.8 seconds; P = 0.04). Number of episodes of VT was 17.0 in IR versus 3.0 in the RIPC group (P = 0.01) and duration of VT was 54.1 seconds in IR versus 4.9 seconds in RIPC (P = 0.019). Number of ventricular premature complexes (VPC) was 26.0 in IR and 10.0 in RIPC rats (P = 0.04). Levels of reperfusion injury salvage kinases (RISK), that is, phospho-Akt and phospho-p70S6 in the risk area of IR and RIPC hearts were similarly higher compared to the nonischemic areas both at 1 and 10 minutes into reperfusion. Delayed RIPC was induced on day 1 and on day 2, myocardial IR was induced. Delayed RIPC did not affect VT or VPC. Conclusion: Acute RIPC of the lower limbs induced a powerful delay in/and reduction in IR induced ventricular arrhythmias, but without evoking the RISK pathway; a late protective phase of RIPC on arrhythmias did not occur. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 23, pp. 1374-1383, December 2012)
Oxygen-sensitive flight metabolism in the dragonfly erythemis simplicicollis

Insect flight metabolism is completely aerobic, and insect resting metabolism is quite insensitive to atmospheric oxygen level, suggesting a large safety margin in the capacity of the tracheal system to deliver oxygen during flight. We tested the sensitivity of flight initiation and metabolism to atmospheric oxygen level in the libellulid dragonfly Erythemis (Mesothemis) simplicicollis using flow-through respirometric measurements of the rate of CO2 emission ( CO2). Flight initiations were unimpaired in atmospheric oxygen levels as low as 10 %. However, flight metabolic rate was affected by ambient oxygen level. Flight CO2 decreased in hypoxic mixtures (5 kPa or 10 kPa oxygen) and increased in hyperoxic atmospheres (30 kPa or 50 kPa oxygen), suggesting that ambient oxygen level influences flight muscle oxygen partial pressure (PO2) and the vigour of flight. These are the first data to show oxygen-limitation of flight metabolism in a free-flying insect. A low safety margin for oxygen delivery during dragonfly flight is consistent with a previous hypothesis that atmospheric hyperoxia facilitated gigantism in Paleozoic protodonates. However, allometric studies of tracheal morphology, and mechanisms and capacity of gas exchange in extant insects are necessary in order to test the hypothesis that the oxygen-sensitivity of aerobic metabolism increases with body size in insects.
Supervisor-Subordinate Communication: Workplace Bullying and the Tyrannical Mum Effect

Real, or perceived, workplace bullying exhibited by a supervisor against a subordinate may condition a subordinate to withhold disagreement, or communication of contrarian information, from the supervisor. Existing research and literature demonstrate the mum effect and its influence on communicators given generally neutral associations with message recipients. The mum effect is the tendency for communicators to feel a sense of guilt and association with bad news delivered to a message recipient. Given an alternative, communicators prefer to remain mum than to deliver the bad news. However, research of the mum effect has minimally explored divergent conditions. Through an exploration of workplace bullying, whistleblowing, and existing literature regarding the mum effect, the author presents a divergent theme to the hierarchical mum effect which the author labels the tyrannical mum effect. The tyrannical mum effect is established under the framework of seven propositions which provide the foundation by which a supervisor exhibits workplace hostility to subordinates, subordinate interpretation of the hostility, and the willingness of the subordinate to communicate disagreement in a hostile work environment. The seven propositions of the tyrannical mum effect provide opportunity for future research.
Alkali influence on the water speciation and the environment of protons in silicate glasses revealed by 1H MAS NMR spectroscopy

Water can form different chemical bonds with the ionic entities composing silicate melts. Because of that, its influence on the physico-chemical properties of magmas can vary with silicate composition and water content, temperature, and pressure. To further our understanding of how silicate chemical composition governs proton distribution in magmas, the environment of protons in hydrous alkali (Li, Na, K) silicate glasses was varied as a function of the type of alkali metal and total water content. From 1H MAS NMR spectroscopy, H+ are distributed among five different structural environments in alkali silicate glasses. One of these environments is in the form of H2O molecules (H2Omol). The four others are the proton environments associated with Si-OH bonding, and perhaps also with M-OH bonding (with M = Li, Na, or K). Those environments differ in their O-O distance and extent of hydrogen bonding. H2Omol species are located in an environment with an O-O distance of ~290 pm. OH− groups are in environments with O-O distances from 240 to 305 pm. The ionic radius of the alkalis, and hence their ionic field strength, determines the fraction of water dissolved as H2Omol and OH− groups, as well as the distribution of protons in the various OH− environments. The mean volume of the H+ oxygen coordination sphere was calculated using the 1H+ NMR signal intensity and the mean O-O distance around H+. Increasing ionic radius of the alkali metal in silicate glasses results in a decrease of this mean volume. The partial molar volume of water in the corresponding melts determined through other technics seems to vary in a comparable way. Therefore, the chemical composition of silicate melts may control the partial molar volume of dissolved water because of its influence on the structural environment of protons. This probably also plays a role in determining water solubility.
Low-Loss Ultra-Compact GaAs/AlGaAs Substrate Removed Waveguides

Substrate removed GaAs/AlGaAs optical waveguides with propagation loss as low as 1 dB/cm was demonstrated using lifted-off Si for index loading. Loss components were identified, minimized and measured propagation loss correlated well with calculations.
Sensing Medical Device Contaminations via a Novel Integrated Fiber-Optic Infrared Spectroscopy Approach

We demonstrate a novel integrated fiber-optic Fourier Transform Infrared (FO-FTIR) spectroscopy sensing approach for non-contact, rapid and chemical-free detection of pathogenic contamination on medical device surfaces. A proof-of-concept experimental sensing platform is validated through multivariable analytical studies.
Evaluation on Effectiveness of Occupational Hazard Control in a Cooking Utensil Factory

Objective To investigate the main occupational hazard factors in newly-built production line of western-style stainless steel cooking utensil,and to provide the evidence for putting forward occupational diseases prevention measures. Methods The occupational health investigation,occupational hazard factors test in workplace and occupational health examination were used to comprehensively evaluate the project. Results The major occupational risk factors were ethinyl trichloride, ammonia, noise,dust,gasoline,diesel oil and lubricating oil.Dust and poison in the workplace met the standard for the Occupational Exposure Limit of the Hazardous Factors in the Worksites(GBZ2.1-2007),but noise in the workplace exceeded the standard. Conclusions The protective measures on occupational diseases in the project are feasible and effective.But more effective measures should be taken to control the risk of noise.
The role of neural and vasoactive mediators in the regulation of the pulmonary circulation during cardiopulmonary preservation.

The autoperfused working heart-lung preparation has been used for extended cardiopulmonary preservation for transplantation. However, acute lung injury and failure of the preparation can result from pulmonary hypertension, which previous investigators have linked to denervation. We studied the neural and vasoactive mediators of pulmonary vasoconstriction during normothermic autoperfusion of the heart and lungs from 13 calves. Pulmonary vascular resistance was quantitated by multipoint pulmonary artery pressure/flow plots generated by incremental reduction in venous return at three times: A, after sternotomy but before autoperfusion (control); B, during in situ autoperfusion (innervated heart-lung preparation); and C, after explantation (denervated heart-lung preparation). During hemodynamic measurements, left atrial blood samples were obtained for measurement of thromboxane B2, 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1α, and complement activation products C3a and C5a. Results show that pulmonary hypertension in the autoperfused working heart-lung preparation begins during autoperfusion before denervation and may be related to complement activation and to increased levels of circulating thromboxane B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α (both the absolute levels and the ratio of thromboxane B2 to 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α). After denervation, both prostaglandin intermediates were markedly increased, but their ratio was not significantly affected. These data suggest that there is an initial stage of pulmonary vasoconstriction at the onset of autoperfusion that is accompanied by increased circulating levels of vasoactive mediators and that denervation further contributes to this response.
Association between the Presence of Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzymes and In Vitro Activity of Gentamicin, Tobramycin, Amikacin, and Plazomicin against Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase- and Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacter Species

We compared the in vitro activities of gentamicin (GEN), tobramycin (TOB), amikacin (AMK), and plazomicin (PLZ) against 13 Enterobacter isolates possessing both Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (KPC+/ESBL+) with activity against 8 KPC+/ESBL-, 6 KPC-/ESBL+, and 38 KPC-/ESBL- isolates. The rates of resistance to GEN and TOB were higher for KPC+/ESBL+ (100% for both) than for KPC+/ESBL- (25% and 38%, respectively), KPC-/ESBL+ (50% and 17%, respectively), and KPC-/ESBL- (0% and 3%, respectively) isolates. KPC+/ESBL+ isolates were more likely than others to possess an aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme (AME) (100% versus 38%, 67%, and 5%; P = 0.007, 0.06, and 1 AME than with ≤1 AME. The presence of at least 2/3 of KPC, SHV, and TEM predicted the presence of AMEs. PLZ MICs against all isolates were ≤4 μg/ml, regardless of KPC/ESBL pattern or the presence of AMEs. In conclusion, GEN and TOB are limited as treatment options against KPC+ and ESBL+ Enterobacter PLZ may represent a valuable addition to the antimicrobial armamentarium. A full understanding of AMEs and other aminoglycoside resistance mechanisms will allow clinicians to incorporate PLZ rationally into treatment regimens. The development of molecular assays that accurately and rapidly predict antimicrobial responses among KPC- and ESBL-producing Enterobacter spp. should be a top research priority.
Antibody-Mediated Effector Mechanisms

The production of antibody and the activation of specifically sensitized T lymphocytes comprise the two mechanisms used by the adaptive immune system to eliminate potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Antibodies bind specifically to structural conformations of the inducing antigen and activate components of the innate host defense system to protect the individual using one of the following effector mechanisms: • neutralization, a process in which antibody combines with antigen and inhibits it from binding to and invading susceptible cells of the body;