cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ability of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) to Acutely Increase Serum Progesterone Levels During the Secretory Phase of the Rhesus Menstrual Cycle

PIP: The acute response (increase in serum progesterone) of rhesus monkeys to a single intravenous injection of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), or prolactin was examined. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 20, 40, 60, and 120 minutes posttreatment with gonadotropins on the morning of Day 6 or 21 of the cycle. Neither FSH nor LH induced an increase in progesterone when administered on Day 6. LH increased serum progesterone at all dose levels (50, 250, and 500 mcg) during the luteal phase of the cycle. Values for LH-treated animals were significantly greater than saline controls (P .05), were positively correlated with dose (.632), and the regression was significant (p .01). The mean effect of 1000 mcg of FSH suggests the ability of exogenous FSH to evoke a slight increase in progesterone secretion. Removal of the LH contaminant in FSH by incubation with LH antiserum did not influence the ability of FSH to increase progesterone levels, however, administration of LH antiserum just prior to giving FSH blocked the previously noted progesterone response to FSH. 60 IU of prolactin was without influence in both phases of the cycle. It is concluded that FSH induces changes in progesterone levels by either affecting the receptor site for LH or causing endogenous release of LH.
Reconstruction and Reinvention in Quantum Theory

I consider the fact that there are a number of interesting ways to ‘reconstruct’ quantum theory, and suggest that, very broadly speaking, a form of ‘instrumentalism’ makes good sense of the situation. This view runs against some common wisdom, which dismisses instrumentalism as ‘cheap’. In contrast, I consider how an instrumentalist might think about the reconstruction theorems, and, having made a distinction between ‘reconstructing’ quantum theory and ‘reinventing’ quantum theory, I suggest that there is an adequate (not ‘cheap’) instrumentalist approach to the theory (and to these theorems) that invokes both.
Recombinant Protein Techniques

The isolation and characterization of proteins parallels the major technical advances in protein chemistry. The first proteins that were characterized were those that could be isolated in large quantities. With the availability of more sensitive techniques, smaller and smaller quantities were required to produce detailed structural information. Newly evolving technologies, in conjunction with expression systems, have allowed the production of large amounts of any proteinacious factor. The isolation and structural characterization of proteins now depends only on the ingenuity of the investigator in devising an appropriate assay.
Inositol acylation of a potential glycosyl phosphoinositol anchor precursor from yeast requires acyl coenzyme A.

Glycosyl phosphoinositol (GPI) anchors on proteins can be modified by palmitoylation of their inositol residue, which makes such anchors resistant to cleavage by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) (Roberts, W. L., Myher, J. J., Kuksis, A., Low, M. G., and Rosenberry, T.L. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 18766-18775). Mannosylated GPI lipids made in trypanosomal and mammalian cells can also be inositol-acylated, indicating that inositol acylation may be a normal step in GPI anchor synthesis. We find that Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants blocked in dolichyl phosphate mannose synthesis accumulate a lipid that can be radiolabeled in vivo with [3H]myo-inositol, [3H]GlcN, and [3H]palmitic acid. This lipid is resistant to PI-PLC, yet sensitive to mild alkaline hydrolysis, and has been characterized as GlcN-phosphatidylinositol (PI), fatty acylated on its inositol residue. When yeast membranes are incubated with UDP-[14C] GlcNAc, 14C-labeled GlcNAc-PI and GlcN-PI are made. Addition of ATP and CoA, or of palmitoyl-CoA to incubations results in the synthesis of [14C]GlcN-(acyl-inositol)PI. This lipid is also made when membranes are incubated with [1-14C]palmitoyl-CoA and UDP-GlcNAc. We propose that acyl CoA is the donor in inositol acylation of GlcN-PI, and that GlcN-(acyl-inositol)PI is an obligatory intermediate in GPI synthesis.
Decreased E47 in senescent B cell precursors is stage specific and regulated posttranslationally by protein turnover.

The E2A -encoded transcription factor E47 is crucial to B lymphopoiesis. Senescent BALB/c mice (∼2 years old) had reduced pre-B cells ex vivo. Pro-B/early pre-B cells from these aged mice, both ex vivo and in vitro, were deficient in E47 protein. In vitro, IL-7 expanded pro-B/early pre-B cells from young BALB/c mice expressed E47 protein that was relatively stable over a 5-h period. Cultured senescent pro-B/early pre-B cells exhibited reduced E47 protein stability with ∼50–90% loss of E47 over the same time period. Degradation of E47 was effectively blocked by the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin as well as calpain I and II inhibitors; E2A proteins were also shown to undergo ubiquitination. Although senescent B cell precursors expressed less E47 protein, E47 mRNA levels and turnover were normal. Therefore, E47 protein levels are reduced relatively early in B lineage differentiation in senescence and the decline in E47 protein occurs via increased protein degradation by proteasome and, possibly, calpain pathways. In contrast, normal E47 protein levels were observed within the highly reduced pre-B cell pool in aged mice. This suggests that pre-B cells in senescence undergo selection based on E47 expression. Increased degradation rates and lower steady-state levels were also observed for the transcription factors Pax-5/BSAP, Bob-1, and Ikaros, but this was not a general property of all proteins in aged B cell precursors. Therefore, altered turnover of multiple, select proteins crucial to B cell development may contribute to diminished B lymphopoiesis in old age.
Regulation of starch synthesis in transgenic plants

The objective of this review is to discuss the results and implications of attempts to alter native starch composition in plant storage tissues through genetic engineering. Previously published reviews of this topic [1–4] will be complemented and extended in this paper. Progress made thus far in the manipulation of various enzymes involved in starch synthesis is described. To date, the promoters used to transgenically alter starch synthesis and accumulation are mostly constitutive in expression. Further developments in the bioengineering of starch molecules to suit the various starch-consuming industries may be achieved by altering the timing of gene expression, plausibly by using heterologous promoters from the starch metabolic pathway itself. Similarly, the role of environmental constraints that contribute to metabolic fluxes might have to be manipulated as well. These types of alterations may potentially increase the yield and/or add novel functions through property changes to the starch molecule.
Computing with realizational morphology

The theory of realizational morphology presented by Stump in his influential book Inflectional Morphology (2001) describes the derivation of inflected surface forms from underlying lexical forms by means of ordered blocks of realization rules. The theory presents a rich formalism for expressing generalizations about phenomena commonly found in the morphological systems of natural languages. This paper demonstrates that, in spite of the apparent complexity of Stump's formalism, the system as a whole is no more powerful than a collection of regular relations. Consequently, a Stump-style description of the morphology of a particular language such as Lingala or Bulgarian can be compiled into a finite-state transducer that maps the underlying lexical representations directly into the corresponding surface forms or forms, and vice versa, yielding a single lexical transducer. For illustration we will present an explicit finite-state implementation of an analysis of Lingala based on Stump's description and other sources.
The Physiological Activity of Bacteria Attached to Solid Surfaces

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the physiological activity of bacteria attached to solid surfaces. One of the most fundamental principles of microbial physiology is that cellular processes are influenced by environmental factors. The bacteria attached to surfaces often appear to differ physiologically from their freely suspended counterparts. Conditions at a solid surface can differ from those in the bulk phase, because of the special physical, chemical, and hydrodynamic characteristics of solid–liquid interfaces. The two most important features of the solid–liquid interface from the standpoint of an attached bacterium are —namely, (1) hydrodynamic conditions are different from the bulk phase and (2) there is a tendency for dissolved solutes and particles to be adsorbed at the surface. Together these factors affect concentration of substrates and the flux of nutrients and metabolic products between the interface and the bulk phase. The chapter presents the effects of surfaces on microbial activity in laboratory investigations. One of the most common ways of assessing activity has been measurement of assimilation of substrates such as low-molecular weight-organics like sugars, amino acids, and organic or fatty acids. There are numerous indications that immobilization on a surface offers the bacteria some protection from disadvantageous or potentially toxic conditions in the bulk phase. There are probably at least three reasons for such promotion of survival. First, the bacteria are often in microcolonies or biofilms, where the cells are embedded in a gel matrix, rather like a microbial “tissue”. This may foster homeostatic interactions among the various members of the biofilm community. Secondly, the biofilm polymers may help to protect cells by retarding penetration of biocides or antibiotics. Finally, it is also possible that intracellular homeostatic mechanisms are sometimes more effective for immobilized cells.
Tritiated water as a measure of body water in immature rats growing at different rates

Rats were reared from birth in litters of 4, 10, and 16 to achieve different growth rates. Pups in the litters of 16 had no access to rat chow until days 21-28, when chow was made available to one of the litters to induce catch-up growth. Total body water was estimated by tritiated water (TBWHTO) on days 7, 14, 21, and 28 and then calculated from desiccation (TBWdes). TBWHTO was consistently larger than TBWdes for all groups. Differences were 10.9-16.9% on day 7 and 3.7-6.4% on day 28. On day 28, percent difference was higher in the slower-growing than the faster-growing groups. Nonaqueous hydrogen exchange was determined from tritium activity in the dried carcass. Less than 1% of the injected tritium exchanged with nonaqueous hydrogen during the equilibration period. Thus differences between TBWHTO and TBWdes in the younger animals could not be accounted for by nonaqueous hydrogen exchange but may have resulted from a larger loss of injected tritium, possibly in insensible water.
All-optical half adder using a PPLN waveguide and an SOA

We demonstrate an all-optical half adder for bit-wise addition of two data streams that simultaneously generates SUM and CARRY (XOR and AND operations, respectively). Error free operation for 27 bits with 2 dB power-penalty is reported.
Antecedents of cell aging research.

Abstract Our observation that normal human and animal cells have a limited capacity to divide and function in vitro overturned a dogma held since the turn of the century. The dogma held that cultured normal cells are immortal and gerontologists interpreted this to mean that aging, therefore, could not be the result of intracellular events. We concluded that longevity and aging do result from intracellular events, and, in the subsequent 30 years, the validity of our finding has been widely confirmed. Other major findings have been made: (a) The number of population doublings and functional events that a cultured normal cell can undergo is inversely proportional to donor age and, probably, directly proportional to species longevity; (b) the limit on cell division and function also occurs in vivo when normal cells are transplanted seriatim; (c) as cell doublings or functional events reach their limit, changes occur in hundreds of variables from the molecular to the whole cell. Most importantly, many of these changes are identical to those seen in intact humans and animals as they age; (d) WI-38, the first widely distributed normal human cell strain has retained its memory of population doubling level during 27 years of cryogenic storage. This is the longest time that any normal human cell has ever been preserved. Evidence that longevity is determined by genetic events is overwhelming but evidence that age changes are the result of gene expression is not. Normal age changes must be distinguished from disease. Because few feral animals ever become old, natural selection could not have favored the development of a genetically programmed aging process. In the 2 or 3 million years of human existence, too few old humans existed to have provided a selective advantage favoring the development of a genetic program that would determine age changes. The selective advantage of maintaining physiological vigor for as long as possible in order to insure maximum reproductive success may be the essential indirect determinant of longevity. Natural selection has provided sexually mature animals with extraordinary reserve capacities in virtually all organs. After sexual maturation, animals continue to function by utilizing the reserve capacity that evolved to insure that they would attain reproductive success. The magnitude of reserve capacity is the essential element in determining postdevelopmental longevity. Thus “Why do we age?” may be the wrong question. The right question may be “Why do we live as long as we do?”
Fast and precise computations of discrete Fourier transforms using cyclotomic integers

Many applications of fast fourier transforms (FFT's), such as computer- tomography, geophysical signal processing, high resolution imaging radars, and prediction filters, require high precision output. The usual method of fixed point computation of FFT's of vectors of length 2l leads to an average loss of l/2 bits of precision. This phenomenon, often referred to as computational noise, causes major problems for arithmetic units with limited precision which are often used for real time applications. Several researchers have noted that calculation of FFT's with algebraic integers avoids computational noise entirely, see, e.g., [3]. We will show that complex numbers can be approximated accurately by cyclotomic integers, and combine this idea with Chinese remaindering strategies in the cyclotomic integers to, roughly, give a O(b1+? L log (L)) algorithm to compute b-bit precision FFT's of length L. The first part of the paper will describe the FFT strategy, assuming good app..
A Single-Chip 25pJ/bit Multi-Gigabit 60GHz Receiver Module

This paper presents the first single-chip 1.5 gigabit/s 60 GHz direct-conversion receiver. It consumes only 37 mW DC power (less than 25 pJ/bit) for a die size of only 3 mm times 1 mm. A three-stage front-end LNA, implemented in low-cost 0.15 mum silicon BiCMOS technology and utilizing a novel gain-boosting technique, shows a 24 dB measured gain with a 3.1 GHz 3-dB bandwidth with a DC power consumption of only 25 mW. A DC-biased-diode-based amplitude detector is integrated with the three-stage LNA in 3 mm times 1 mm for the direct down-conversion of the 60 GHz amplitude-modulated signal. The receiver chip is wire-bonded on a low-cost organic module with an integrated antenna. The measurement results show an excellent demodulation of 1.5 gigabit/s amplitude-modulated pseudo-random-binary-sequence up to a greater than 2 m distance from the transmitter. To the best knowledge of the authors, this fully integrated single chip (3 mm2) module solution, from antenna to demodulated baseband, exhibits the fastest transmitted data rate (1.5 Gbps) at the lowest power budget (25 pJ/bit) at 60 GHz reported till date.
Being bolder with the Boulder model: The challenge of education and training in empirically supported treatments.

A number of factors interfere with the realization of the scientist-practitioner model of training in applied psychology. Resistance to empirically supported treatments (ESTs) may arise from both academic faculty and internship supervisors who have an investment in approaches of longer standing but with less empirical justification. A possible problem with ESTs, however, is that they typically derive from studies that use treatment manuals, which, originally developed to define the independent variables in psychotherapy research, have become central in graduate training. Because manuals can constrain clinician behavior and because they are almost always associated with categorically defined diagnostic categories, one can lose sight of the idiographic analysis of single cases. Reliance on manualized treatment can discourage functional analysis of the complexities of individual cases. Achieving some synthesis of this dialectic poses a significant challenge to the continuing development of the science and profession of applied psychology.
Economic impact of potential new industries in a four-state area

This note applies an input-output multiplier technique developed by Burford and Katz to analyzing the impact of potential “high technology” industries in a rural, four-state, thirteen county Midwestern region. By using the 1972 national input-output table coefficients and the Burford-Katz multiplier estimation formula, the estimated output impacts for fifty-one individual industries were calculated. The results indicate that within the four-state region, “conventional” industries would produce greater economic impacts than designated “high-tech” ones. This analysis could be performed rather easily for any other region in the U.S.
Factor Structure of the Alcohol Urge Questionnaire Under Neutral Conditions and During a Cue-elicited Urge State

Background: The Alcohol Urge Questionnaire (AUQ) is a promising multi-item measure of self-reported urges to drink in human laboratory studies; however, its factor structure has not been examined during an acute urge state. This study sought to validate the AUQ's factor structure under neutral conditions and during a cue-elicited urge state in heavy drinkers. Methods: Participants (248 heavy drinkers; 70% male) completed the AUQ, the Alcohol Dependence Scale (ADS), and the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS) under neutral conditions. A randomly selected subsample (n=61; 74% male) then underwent a multimodal alcohol cue exposure and completed the AUQ and PANAS a second time. Results: Under neutral conditions, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) replicated the previously reported single-factor structure, on which all items significantly loaded (p<0.001). Alcohol urges, as measured by the AUQ, exhibited significant positive associations with drinks per week and severity of dependence. Following the alcohol cue exposure, participants exhibited a significant increase in urge on the AUQ. Confirmatory factor analysis of the AUQ during the cue-elicited urge state also supported the single factor structure, on which all items significantly loaded (p<0.001). Positive and negative affect were positively associated with urges across the experimental protocol, but at greater magnitudes during an acutely elevated urge state. Conclusions: These results further validate the use of the AUQ for real-time measurement of alcohol craving in human laboratory research.
Selective Interference on the Holistic Processing of Faces in Working Memory

Faces and objects of expertise compete for early perceptual processes and holistic processing resources (Gauthier, Curran, Curby, & Collins, 2003). Here, we examined the nature of interference on holistic face processing in working memory by comparing how various types of loads affect selective attention to parts of face composites. In dual tasks, all loads impaired overall performance on face judgment compared with no load. However, a face load reduced holistic face processing (Experiment 1) whereas an object load did not, regardless of expertise (Experiments 2 and 3). Also, 2 types of faces produced asymmetrical interference on each other (Experiment 4), refuting the hypothesis that any faces would produce equal interference. Thus, the interference on holistic face processing in working memory does not depend on overlap in expertise or face processing, but may be modulated by limitations in encoding or maintenance of highly similar representations.
Elovl4 haploinsufficiency does not induce early onset retinal degeneration in mice

ELOVL4 was first identified as a disease-causing gene in Stargardt macular dystrophy (STGD3, MIM 600110.) To date, three ELOVL4 mutations have been identified, all of which result in truncated proteins which induce autosomal dominant juvenile macular degenerations. Based on sequence homology, ELOVL4 is thought to be another member within a family of proteins functioning in the elongation of long chain fatty acids. However, the normal function of ELOVL4 is unclear. We generated Elovl4 knockout mice to determine if Elovl4 loss affects retinal development or function. Here we show that Elovl4 knockout mice, while perinatal lethal, exhibit normal retinal development prior to death at day of birth. Further, postnatal retinal development in Elovl4 heterozygous mice appears normal. Therefore haploinsufficiency for wildtype ELOVL4 in autosomal dominant macular degeneration likely does not contribute to juvenile macular degeneration in STGD3 patients. We found, however, that Elovl4+/- mice exhibit enhanced ERG scotopic and photopic a and b waves relative to wildtype Elovl4+/+ mice suggesting that reduced Elovl4 levels may impact retinal electrophysiological responses.
Species recognition of song by female red-winged blackbirds

The ability of female red-winged blackbirds, Agelaius phoeniceus, to discriminate between normal songs of local, conspecific males and altered or foreign songs was tested. Females were tested using the solicitation display assay, in which captive females are first treated with oestradiol and then exposed to playback. The number of copulation solicitation displays was the sole response measure. Females responded more strongly to full songs than to songs with all introductory notes removed in tests using nine pairs of stimuli. Females did not discriminate between normal songs and the same songs divided into three parts and reassembled in shuffled orders. Subjects drawn from a Pennsylvania population displayed more in response to local songs than songs recorded in California. Pennsylvania females also responded more strongly to trill portions of Pennsylvania songs than to trill portions of California songs. Overall, the results are compatible with the hypothesis that female red-winged blackbirds are more discriminating than males in species recognition, attending to more acoustic cues than do males.
Efficiently identifying genome-wide changes with next-generation sequencing data

We propose a new and effective statistical framework for identifying genome-wide differential changes in epigenetic marks with ChIP-seq data or gene expression with mRNA-seq data, and we develop a new software tool EpiCenter that can efficiently perform data analysis. The key features of our framework are: (i) providing multiple normalization methods to achieve appropriate normalization under different scenarios, (ii) using a sequence of three statistical tests to eliminate background regions and to account for different sources of variation and (iii) allowing adjustment for multiple testing to control false discovery rate (FDR) or family-wise type I error. Our software EpiCenter can perform multiple analytic tasks including: (i) identifying genome-wide epigenetic changes or differentially expressed genes, (ii) finding transcription factor binding sites and (iii) converting multiple-sample sequencing data into a single read-count data matrix. By simulation, we show that our framework achieves a low FDR consistently over a broad range of read coverage and biological variation. Through two real examples, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our framework and the usages of our tool. In particular, we show that our novel and robust ‘parsimony’ normalization method is superior to the widely-used ‘tagRatio’ method. Our software EpiCenter is freely available to the public.
Threshold law for electron-atom impact ionization

A derivation of the explicit form of the threshold law for electron impact ionization of atoms is presented, based on the Coulomb-dipole theory. The important generalization is made of using a dipole function whose moment is the dipole moment formed by an inner electron and the nucleus. The result is a modulated quasi-linear law for the yield of positive ions which applies to positron-atom impact ionization.
Distribution and excretion of electrolytes after acute whole-body irradiation injury. II. Studies with radiosodium.

SummaryRadiosensitive tissues show a variety of alterations in radiosodium concentration after total body irradiation above an LD50. In several tissues there is a decrease followed by a sharp increase; the decrease occurs at the same time as a decrease in radiopotassium concentration. An increase in percentage water content may occur when there is a fall in radiosodium concentration. Percent loss of dry weight per day is in general most pronounced in radiosensitive tissues. Urinary excretion of radiosodium after total body irradiation at levels approximating an LD50 shows a complementary homeostatic decrease in response to the excessive loss of radiosodium through the gastrointestinal tract.
The effects of a sacrificial oxide process on metal—oxide—semiconductor field effect transistors fabricated with ion-beam-nitridation technology

Abstract Direct ion-beam nitridation was used to form a thin nitride layer on the surface of silicon wafers. When this nitride layer was used as a mask in the field oxide-growth step, the lateral encroachment of the resulting field oxide was much smaller than the encroachment produced by using the conventional local-oxidation-of-silicon method. It is desirable to reduce the lateral encroachment of the oxide, since it is a wasted region in the integrated-circuit layout. However, we found that the transistors fabricated with the ion-beam nitridation step displayed poor device performance, such as degradation of electron field effect mobility, junction leakage current and even the quality of the gate oxide. In this paper we show that the growth and removal of a sacrificial oxide prior to the gate oxide growth can improve the device performance of the transistors fabricated with ion-beam nitridation. The lateral encroachment of the sacrificial-oxide-treated sample is still small. We believe that the consumption of the damaged silicon and the additional thermal annealing associated with the sacrificial-oxide treatment are responsible for the improvements in device properties.
A systematic evaluation of adhesive deposition for mixed technology PCB assembly

Abstract The deposition of adhesives is a critical process step in the assembly of mixed technology printed circuit boards. The objective of this research was to systematically study and “optimize” the syringe deposition of adhesives at a microelectronics assembly facility. This was done through the use of ‘design of experiments’ to determine the critical machinery factors which most effect the volume of adhesive deposited. The volume of adhesive needed to be effectively controlled in order to maintain the proper volume necessary for the components used at the facility.
A parallel algorithm with enhancements via partial objective value cuts for cluster-based wireless sensor network design

Abstract In this paper, we develop a parallel algorithm for the solution of an integrated topology control and routing problem in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). After presenting a mixed-integer linear optimization formulation for the problem, for its solution, we develop an effective parallel algorithm in a Master–Worker model that incorporates three parallelization strategies, namely low-level parallelism, domain decomposition, and multiple search (both cooperative and independent) in a single Master–Worker framework. For improved algorithmic efficiency, we introduce three reduced subproblems and devise partial objective value cuts from these reduced models. We utilize both the reduced models, for which we suggest efficient approaches for their solution, and the associated cuts in our parallel algorithm. We observe that the reduced models provide valuable information on the optimal design variables for the original model and we exploit this fact in our parallel algorithm. Our overall parallelization scheme utilizes exact optimization models and solutions as its components and allows cooperation among multiple worker processors via communication of partial solution and cut information. Computational study shows that our approach is very effective in addressing this complex problem. Parallel implementation not only achieves a speed-up of the computations, but also yields better solutions as it can explore the solution space more effectively.
Exponents of nonnegative matrix pairs

The notions of primitivity and exponent of a square nonnegative matrix A are classical: A is primitive provided there is a nonnegative integer k such that A k is entrywise positive and in the case A is primitive the exponent of A is the smallest such k. Fornasini and Valcher have extended the notion of primitivity to pairs (A, B) of square nonnegative matrices of the same order. The pair (A, B) is primitive provided there exist nonnegative integers h and k such that the sum of all products formed by words consisting of hA ’s and kB ’s is entrywise positive. This paper defines the exponent of a nonnegative matrix pair to be the smallest value of h + k over all such h and k. It is then shown that the largest exponent of a primitive pair of n by n nonnegative matrices lies in the interval [(n 3 − 5n 2 )/2 ,( 3n 3 + 2n 2 − 2n)/2]. In addition, the exponent of a pair of nonnegative matrices is related to properties of an associated twodimensional dynamical system. © 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Constitutive and Cytokine-Induced GITR Ligand Expression on Human Retinal Pigment Epithelium and Photoreceptors

PURPOSE. The glucocorticoid-induced TNF-related receptor (GITR) plays a pivotal role in regulating the suppressive function of CD4CD25 regulatory T cells. GITR is also involved in the inhibition of T-cell receptor–induced apoptosis and the upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). GITR expression on CD4 T cells has been shown to correlate with the disease course of noninfectious uveitis. The current study was conducted to examine the expression of glucocorticoidinduced TNF-related receptor ligand (GITRL) and its regulation by ocular tissue. METHODS. Immunohistochemistry and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy were performed on human ocular tissue to examine the in vivo protein expression of GITRL. The regulation of GITRL was investigated by culturing retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) with proinflammatory cytokines and performing immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription– polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The in vivo mRNA expression of GITRL was studied by RT-PCR on RNA from microdissected tissue sections. RESULTS. Both immunohistochemistry and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated that GITRL was expressed constitutively on RPE and photoreceptor inner segments. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated that in vitro stimulated RPE cells expressed GITRL at the protein level, and RT-PCR showed that GITRL was upregulated at 24 hours by proinflammatory cytokines. Constitutive GITRL mRNA expression in vivo was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis of microdissected tissue. CONCLUSIONS. GITRL is expressed constitutively on RPE and in high levels on photoreceptor inner segments. The upregulation of GITRL by proinflammatory cytokines suggests that GITRL may play an important role in ocular immunity. The high level of constitutive GITRL expression on photoreceptor inner segments suggests that photoreceptors participate in the
Clinical Pulmonary Function Testing in Dogs and Cats

Pulmonary function testing is a relatively new area in clinical veterinary medicine, with few individuals currently obtaining TBFVL and pulmonary mechanics on a clinical cases of respiratory disease in dogs and cats. ABG analysis is a technique available to all veterinarians through commercial laboratories or local hospitals. Information obtained from these tests will allow for a better understanding of the pathophysiology of naturally occurring diseases as well as assisting in the determination of the efficacy of various therapeutic agents (such as bronchodilators), which to date has been lacking in veterinary medicine.
Efficient and Effective Formats for Collaborative Consultation

(1999). Efficient and Effective Formats for Collaborative Consultation. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation: Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 173-184.
Optimization of RNA isolation and leukocyte viability in canid RNA expression studies

For RNA transcript analysis, RNA source and quality influence the resolution and representation of true gene expression. We evaluate collection and purification methodologies for isolating gray wolf (Canis lupus) mRNA from peripheral whole blood to maximize detection and quantification of low expression genes. We specifically examine ambient-temperature stabilization of RNA in whole blood at time of collection, subsequent isolation and RNA stabilization of leukocytes to remove globin RNA, and removal of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) using commercially available kits. Ambient temperature RNA stabilization and globin RNA removal were successful with robust mRNA extraction yields and quality, verified by quantitative (q)PCR of reference housekeeping genes. Rhodopsin gene mRNA, present in low levels in peripheral blood, was only detected by qPCR when leukocyte mRNA was additionally treated for ribosomal RNA removal.
Analysis of selected alloys in the systems Cr-Pd, Cr-Ru, V-Pd and Ta-Pt

Abstract Cr-Pd, Cr-Ru, V-Pd and Ta-Pt alloys were selected, appropriately annealed and subjected to electron microprobe analyses. The data enable a basis to be established for a more accurate location of phase boundaries which have not been accurately defined in previous studies.
THE SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR EXPLANATION IN REGIONAL ANALYSIS

This paper has argued that by recourse to the logical structure of scientific explanation an evaluation of existing theoretical structures can lead to an increased awareness of the difficulties that must be confronted in attempts to improve our understanding of regional activity. The comparison of alternative theoretical structures and our ability to choose among them rest no less on these factors than on others that have received more recognition. Only a few of the most widely known types of models have been examined, and of these only one or two aspects have been addressed. Recognition of the value of this sort of criticism should expose fertile areas of research. It should also serve to encourage caution in our attempts to deal with social problems, as the possibility of attributing explanatory power to theoretical structures cannot be taken lightly.
Pyrolytic Deposition of Carbon Films Containing Nitrogen and/or Boron

Carbon films containing nitrogen and/or boron were prepared in a closed system by the pyrolysis of appropriate precursor materials. The decomposition products of the pyrolysis were identified and the resulting films were characterized by chemical and physical means. The electrical conductivity of the heteroatom-containing films is similar to that of pure amorphous carbon films. Boron nitride was present in the C-N-B film as revealed by XPS and IR spectroscopy. Oxygen appeared to have a role in the adherence of the films to the silica substrate.
Torsion-free path geometries and integrable second order ODE systems

A search for invariants of second order ODE systems under the class of point transformations, which mix the parameter and the dependent variables, uncovers a torsion tensor generalizing part of the curvature tensor of an affine connection. We study the geometry of ODE systems for which this torsion vanishes. These are the ODE systems for which deformations of solutions fixing a point constitute a field of Segre varieties in the tangent bundle of the locally defined space of solutions. Conversely, a field of Segre varieties for which certain differential invariants vanish induces a torsion-free ODE system on the space of solutions to a natural PDE system. The geometry on the solution space is used to produce first integrals for torsion-free ODE systems, given as algebraic invariants of a curvature tensor involving up to fourth derivatives of the equations. In the generic case, there are enough first integrals to solve the equations explicitly in spite of the absence of symmetry. In the case of torsion-free ODE pairs, the field of Segre varieties is equivalent to a half-flat split signature conformal structure, and we characterize in terms of curvature those systems having an abundance of totally geodesic surfaces.
Anatomic relationships of single-incision midurethral slings

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the anatomic relationships of anchor points of single-incision midurethral slings with 2 common placement trajectories. Study Design In 30 female pelvic halves, a probe was introduced through a suburethral tunnel following 45 ° and 90 ° angle trajectories. The corresponding anchor points were tagged. Distances to the obturator canal, accessory obturator vessels, dorsal vein of clitoris, and external iliac vein were recorded. Results Both suburethral tunnel trajectories and their respective anchor points remained caudad to the obturator internus muscle in 100% of dissections. The closest distance between either anchor point to the obturator canal was 1.6 cm. The closest distance from the 45 ° and 90 ° anchor points to the accessory obturator vessels was 1.6 and 1.5 cm, respectively. Conclusion The anchor points of single-incision midurethral slings are in close proximity to vascular structures that could be injured with inadvertent entry into the retropubic space.
Time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy of carbon monoxide-myoglobin recombination after laser photolysis

Results are presented for the first time-resolved x-ray absorption measurements with a time resolution of 300 microseconds on a dynamically evolving chemical system. By synchronizing a neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet pulsed laser with the bursts of x-rays emitted from the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source, it was possible to monitor at room temperature the recombination of carbon monoxide with myoglobin after laser photolysis. Changes in the pre-edge structure and in the position of the iron edge of this protein were detected as a function of time.
Intelligent Feedback Linearization for Active Vehicle Suspension Control

Effective control of ride quality and handling performance are challenges for active vehicle suspension systems, particularly for off-road applications. Off-road vehicles experience large suspension displacements, where the nonlinear kinematics and damping characteristics of suspension elements are significant. These nonlinearities tend to degrade the performance of active suspension systems, introducing harshness to the ride quality and reducing off-road mobility. Typical control strategies rely on linear, time-invariant models of the suspension dynamics. While these models are convenient, nominally accurate, and tractable due to the abundance of linear control techniques, they neglect the nonlinearities and time-varying dynamics present in real suspension systems. One approach to improving the effectiveness of active vehicle suspension systems, while preserving the benefits of linear control techniques, is to identify and cancel these nonlinearities using Feedback Linearization. In this paper the authors demonstrate an intelligent parameter estimation approach using structured artificial neural networks that continually "learns " the nonlinear parameter variations of a quarter-car suspension model. This estimation algorithm becomes the foundation for an Intelligent Feedback Linearization (IFL) controller for active vehicle suspensions. Results are presented for computer simulations, real-time experimental tests, and field evaluations using an off-road vehicle (a military HMMWV). Experimental results for a quarter-car test rig demonstrate 60% improvements in ride quality relative to baseline (non-adapting) control algorithms. Field trial results reveal 95% reductions in absorbed power and 65% reductions in peak sprung mass acceleration using this IFL approach versus conventional passive suspensions.
The Effects of Leverage, Management Discipline, and Cyclicality on Leveraged Buyout Failure

Despite the impact of market conditions on the popularity and success of leveraged buyouts, research is also needed on conditions leading to the failure of LBOs. In this article, the impacts of leverage, management processes, and the business cycle are analyzed in regard to their association with the failure of LBOs.
Diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHbTM): control of pressor effect with anti-hypertensive agents

Diaspirin crosslinked hemoglobin (DCLHb TM) administration elevates mean arterial pressure (MAP). The purpose of this study was to determine whether commonly used antihypertensive agents could control this pressor effect in rats. Awake rats were injected intravenously (iv) with 280 mg/kg of DCLHb. Fifteen minutes later when MAP was 25–30% above baseline and heart rate (HR) was reciprocally decreased, prazosin (2 mg/kg;an alpha adrenergic blocker), nitroglycerine (NTG; 10–150 mcg/min; a nitrovasodilator), nicardipine (0.204–0.08 mg/hr; a calcium channel blocker) or labetalol (5 mg/kg; an alpha/beta adrenergic blocker) was administered iv. All four classes of antihypertensive agents promptly restored MAP to baseline. Coincident with the return of MAP to baseline, HR was restored to baseline in prazosin and NTG treated animals, however, bradycardia persisted in those animals treated with nicardipine and labetalol, most likely due to the negative chronotropic properties of these agents. We conclude that the p...
Dismantling the Bourgeois Family: J.M.R. Lenz's "Soldatenfamilie"

Lenz's play Die Soldaten (1776) ends with a distinct critique of the sensibility of the bourgeois family, a sensibility idiosyncratic of the 18th-century Enlightenment. Lenz, like Lessing, reacts to the paradox and interplay of an unassailable private realm that is supposed to lie outside the public, but that can only exist within it. His treatise Uber die Soldatenehen bespeaks Lenz's concern with society's stability beyond the stage. The radically new idea in Lenz's reform plan is to create a type of family that is no longer exclusively private and/or sentimental, but that is non-bourgeois in nature: the "Soldatenfamilie." In service of the state and society, this family replaces the Enlightenment ideal of the politically mature (but antagonistic) 'Burgerfamilie.' Lenz's avantgardist model of the new family willingly forsakes its bourgeois sense of privacy.
Neural Correlates of Human and Monkey Face Processing in 9-Month-Old Infants

Behavioral and electrophysiological evidence suggests a gradual, experience-dependent specialization of cortical face processing systems that takes place largely in the 1st year of life. To further investigate these findings, event-related potentials (ERPs) were collected from typically developing 9-month-old infants presented with pictures of familiar and unfamiliar monkey or human faces in 2 different orientations. Analyses revealed differential processing across changes in monkey and human faces. The N290 was greater for familiar compared to unfamiliar faces, regardless of species or orientation. In contrast, the P400 to unfamiliar faces was greater than to familiar faces, but only for the monkey condition. The P400 to human faces differentiated the orientation of both familiar and unfamiliar faces. These results suggest more specific processing of human compared to monkey faces in 9-month-olds.
Microscopic Insight into the Sputtering of Thin Polystyrene Films on Ag{111} Induced by Large and Slow Ar Clusters

Molecular dynamics computer simulations were employed to model the bombardment of Ag{111} covered with a monolayer of sec-butyl-terminated polystyrene tetramer (PS4) molecules by the impact of large and slow clusters. The investigated surface was bombarded with clusters composed of between hundreds to 29 000 Ar atoms having a very low kinetic energy per atom (0.1-40 eV). The sputtering yield of molecular species and their internal, angular, and kinetic energy distributions were analyzed. The simulations demonstrated quite clearly that the physics of ejection by these large and slow clusters is distinct from the ejection events stimulated by the popular SIMS clusters, C 60 , Au 3 , and SF 5 .
A framework for the conceptualization, design, and strategic management of planned change systems

This article extends a framework for conceptualizing, designing, and managing planned change-systems. The framework argues that the adoption of social innovations is best facilitated when change organizations manage how target adopters perceive and enact the entire adoption experience. This process is accomplished by defining three critical components of the change-system and applying the principles of synergy to their design and management.
Primary care-based smoking interventions.

The primary care setting is an important place for promoting smoking cessation. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) testing the effect of brief smoking interventions and comprehensive programs delivered in a primary care setting present excellent evidence that such interventions significantly increase patients' smoking cessation rates and that as the dose of intervention increases, the effect increases. Unfortunately, despite widespread dissemination of preventive services guidelines and positive physician attitudes towards such services, the current level of delivery of smoking cessation intervention by physicians in real-world settings is not high, making this a major research and public health concern. Interventions to increase the rate of implementation provider-delivered brief smoking interventions can be grouped broadly into: provider education; clinical systems and procedures (e.g., screening and tracking of patients); and organizational policy (e.g., reimbursement, coverage, performance measures). Given the significant effect that primary care-based interventions can have on smoking cessation, it is important to investigate methods to increase their rate of delivery and their effect. Examples of research to motivate to intervene questions include: what are the best incentives or combination of incentives for physicians? What are the most effective strategies to remind providers to intervene? How can each of these be best implemented in different types of settings and systems? How can a stepped-care and patient-treatment matching model be used? The study of factors such as reimbursement policies and covered benefits do not lend themselves well to tightly-controlled randomized trials. Therefore, use of quasi-experimental designs, and application of qualitative strategies are needed. These designs represent a different challenge to the research community.
Hybrid Forms of Third-Party Dispute Resolution: Theoretical Implications of Combining Mediation and Arbitration

The authors contrast two hybrid dispute resolution procedures (arbitration-mediation and mediation-arbitration) that involve using mediation and arbitration in different sequences. The former's strengths stem from lowering disputant expectations and enhancing cooperative behaviors during the mediation phase. The latter procedure likely will be less costly and time consuming, enhance fairness judgments, and produce greater compliance to arbitrated decisions. The authors argue that the greatest benefit from arbitration-mediation is that it should encourage disputants to settle differences themselves.