cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PPARs: History and Advances

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the steroid hormone receptor superfamily, discovered in 1990. To date, three PPAR subtypes have been identified; PPARα, PPAR β/δ, and PPARγ. These receptors share a high degree of homology but differ in tissue distribution and ligand specificity. PPARs have been implicated in the etiology as well as treatment of several important diseases and pathological conditions such as diabetes, inflammation, senescence-related diseases, regulation of fertility, and various types of cancer. Consequently, significant efforts to discover novel PPAR roles and delineate molecular mechanisms involved in their activation and repression as well as develop safer and more effective PPAR modulators, as therapeutic agents to treat a myriad of diseases and conditions, are underway. This volume of Methods in Molecular Biology contains details of experimental protocols used in researching these receptors.
Abstract 2695: Role of SUR2A in Coupling ATP-sensitive K+ Channels to Caveolin-3

We have recently shown that ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in cardiac myocytes are mostly localized in caveolae. The present study was designed to explore molecular compositions involved in the interaction between cardiac KATP channels and caveolins. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments were performed in both adult cardiac myocytes and COS-7 cells transfected with either HA-tagged wild-type (Octameric Kir6.2/SUR2A) or mutant KATP channel (tetrameric Kir6.2C4A), with or without caveolin-3 or caveolin-1. It is known that unlike Kir6.2, Kir6.2C4A (mutation of ER retention signal LRKR) is able to express on the cell surface without SUR. Our data demonstrated that caveolin-3 co-immunopreciptiated Kir6.2 in COS-7 cells transfected with Kir6.2/SUR2A/caveolin-3, whereas Kir6.2 was not detected in the caveolin-3 immunoprecipitates in cells transfected with either caveolin-3 or Kir6.2/SUR2A alone. In cells transfected with mutant Kir6.2C4A/caveolin-3, Kir6.2C4A was detected with anti-HA antibody at a significantly lower level in the caveolin-3 immunoprecipitates when compared with Kir6.2 detected in cells transfected with the Kir6.2/SUR2A/caveolin-3. Kir6.2C4A was not co-immunoprecipitated with caveolin-3 in cells transfected with caveolin-3 or Kir6.2C4A alone. In contrast, caveolin-1 did not co-immunoprecipitate Kir6.2 or Kir6.2C4A in cells transfected with Kir6.2/SUR2A/caveolin-1 or Kir6.2C4A/caveolin-1. When the caveolin-3 scaffolding domain peptide (10 μ M, SDP), corresponding to amino acid residues 55–74 of caveolin-3, was incubated with cell lysates before and throughout immunoprecipitation with anti-caveolin-3 antibody, the peptide prevented the co-immunoprecipitation of caveolin-3 and Kir6.2 but did not block the co-immunoprecipitation of caveolin-3 and Kir6.2C4A. Similar finding was observed in the adult rat cardiac myocytes where the caveolin-3 SDP eliminated the interaction between endogenous KATP channels and caveolin-3. These results indicate that SUR2A subunit plays an important role in coupling cardiac KATP channels to caveolin-3, possibly via caveolin-3 scaffolding domain. This interaction may serve to anchor or regulate KATP channels in caveolae. This research has received full or partial funding support from the American Heart Association, National Center.
Electron transfer reactions of macrocyclic compounds of cobalt

The kinetics and mechanisms of reduction of H/sub 2/O/sub 2/, Br/sub 2/, and I/sub 2/ by various macrocyclic tetraaza complexes of cobalt(II), including Vitamin B/sub 12r/, were studied. The synthetic macrocycles studied were all 14-membered rings which varied in the degree of unsaturation,substitution of methyl groups on the periphery of the ring, and substitution within the ring itself. Scavenging experiments demonstrated that the reductions of H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ produce free hydroxyl radicals only in the case of Co((14)ane)/sup 2 +/ but with none of the others. In the latter instances apparently H/sub 2/O/sub 2/ simultaneously oxidizes the metal center and the ligand. The reductions of Br/sub 2/ and I/sub 2/ produce an aquohalocobalt(III) product for all reductants (except B/sub 12r/ + Br/sub 2/, which was complicated by bromination of the corrin ring). The mechanism of halogen reduction was found to involve rate-limiting inner-sphere electron transfer from cobalt to halogen to produce a dihalide anion coordinated to the cobalt center. This intermediate subsequently decomposes in rapid reactions to halocobalt(III) and halogen atom species or reacts with another cobalt(II) center to give two molecules of halocobalt(III). The reductions of halomethylcobaloximes and related compounds and diamminecobaloxime by Cr/sup 2 +/ were also studied.more » The reaction was found to be biphasic in all cases with the reaction products being halomethane (for the halomethylcobaloximes), Co/sup 2 +/ (in less than 100 percent yield), a Cr(III)-dimethylglyoxime species, a small amount of free dmgH/sub 2/, and a highly-charged species containing both cobalt and chromium. The first-stage reaction occurs with a stoichiometry of 1:1 producing an intermediate with an absorption maximum at 460 nm for all starting reagents. The results were interpreted in terms of inner-sphere coordination of the cobaloxime to the Cr(II) and electron transfer through the oxime N-O bond.« less
Corrosion studies of rebar in contact with saturated solution produced by leaching of Portland Type-II cement: examining the effects of chloride, carbonation and an amorphous silica additive

This study examined the effects of silica addition on electrochemical behavior of rebar in native pH 12.5 saturated solutions prepared by leaching of Portland Type-II cement, and in solutions reduc...
Expanded Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to the Inframeatal Area: Anatomic Nuances with Surgical Implications.

Background/Objective The inframeatal area represents a challenging region for skull base surgeons. Various surgical corridors have been described to access this area and frequently are used in combination. Recent studies describe the expanded endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) as an established route for midline regions, particularly medial to the internal carotid arteries (ICA). We sought to evaluate the accessibility, maneuverability, and freedom of movement of the expanded endoscopic endonasal approach to the inframeatal region. Methods An EEA combining a middle and an inferior transclival corridor with an infrapetrous and a supracondylar lateral expansion was performed in 5 embalmed human cadaveric heads. The area of exposure and the surgical freedom to access the inframeatal area were calculated. The angle of attack and distances from the lacerum segment of the ICA to several anatomical targets also were measured. Our database was searched to select clinical case examples. Results The EEA provided an exposure area of 101.26 ± 16.66 mm2 and an area of surgical freedom of 1208.50 ± 507.01 mm2. The angles of attack in both the sagittal and axial planes were wider at the lacerum segment of the ICA and narrower at the dural entrance zone of cranial nerves VII/VIII. Three chondrosarcomas are presented as case illustrations. Conclusions The EEA is a feasible route to the inframeatal area. This approach provides a safe working corridor for lesions in this region, as shown by the anatomical and clinical findings presented here. Comparative studies and large case series are warranted to further establish its clinical value.
Exploratory Visual Inspection of Category Associations and Correlation Estimation in Multidimensional Subspaces

In this paper, we aimed to estimate associations among categories in a multi-way contingency table. To simplify estimation and interpretation of results, we stacked multiple variables to form a two-way stacked table and analyzed it using the biplot in correspondence analysis (CA) paradigm. The correspondence analysis biplot allowed visual inspection of category associations in a twodimensional plane, and the CA solution numerically estimated the category relationships. We utilized parallel analysis and identified two statistically meaningful dimensions with which a plane was constructed. In the plane, we examined metric space mapping, which was converted into correlations, between school districts and categories of school-relevant variables. The results showed differential correlation patterns among school districts and this correlational information may be useful for stake holders or policy makers to pinpoint possible causes of low school performance and school-relevant behaviors.
The association of positive affect and cardiovascular health in Hispanics/Latinos with chronic kidney disease: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

Abstract The beneficial influence of positive affect (e.g., joy) remains unexplored in relation to heart health in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)—a population at increased risk for poor cardiovascular health (CVH). Therefore, we evaluated the association of positive affect and CVH in a diverse U.S. population of Hispanics/Latinos with CKD. We analyzed cross-sectional data of adults ages 18–74 enrolled between 2008 and 2011 in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos with prevalent CKD (N = 1712). Positively worded items from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale were used to create a composite positive affect score (0–6; higher scores indicate greater positive affect). Prevalent CKD was defined as estimated glomerular filtration 4 (vs.
Feeding Outcomes in Neonates With Trisomy 21 and Duodenal Atresia

Abstract Background Duodenal atresia (DA), a common cause of congenital duodenal obstruction, is associated with trisomy 21. The postoperative feeding issues are not well described in this population. We hypothesize that the combination of DA and trisomy 21 is associated with the need for postoperative enteral feeding access. Methods A retrospective cohort of patients between 2010 and 2017 with the diagnosis of DA or duodenal stenosis was identified. Relevant prenatal and postnatal clinical data were abstracted. Univariate analyses were performed. Results Forty-three patients were identified. Nineteen patients (44%) were diagnosed with trisomy 21. Eight patients (25% with trisomy 21) had gastrostomy placed at the time of DA repair. In the remaining patients ( n = 35), 40% ultimately had a gastrostomy button placed. The indications for placement included poor oral skills ( n = 8), aspiration ( n = 5), and failure to thrive ( n = 1). All these patients had trisomy 21, resulting in 82.4% of trisomy 21 patients having a gastrostomy. There was a significant association between trisomy 21 and placement of a gastrostomy button both during index admission ( P = 0.003) and lifetime ( P n = 9) had a gastrostomy placed versus only five of eight trisomy 21 patients (62.5%) without structural heart disease ( P = 0.006). Conclusions Our data suggest that a correlation exists between trisomy 21, structural congenital heart anomalies, DA, and the eventual need for gastrostomy. These data should inform operative planning for this patient population.
Education Planning and the SECURE Act: Creating a Tax Law Paradox

This article explains how some provisions related to section 529 college savings plans in the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 conflict with existing tax law provisions, and provides policy change recommendations to help eliminate that conflict. If amendments to these provisions are not made, the level of complexity surrounding education planning could increase despite the fact that proper planning would ultimately benefit investors.
Review: Adding focused cardiac US to clinical exam improves sensitivity, not specificity, for detecting CV pathology

Source Citation Marbach JA, Almufleh A, Di Santo P, et al. Comparative accuracy of focused cardiac ultrasonography and clinical examination for left ventricular dysfunction and valvular heart disea...
Beliefs About Human Intelligence in a Sample of Teachers and Nonteachers

Research in educational psychology consistently finds a relationship between intelligence and academic performance. However, in recent decades, educational fields, including gifted education, have ...
Chapter 2.9.3 – Electron Microscopy

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an introduction to all aspects of electron microscopy. Electron microscopy involves scattering and imaging experiments using 50–2000 kV electrons from condensed matter samples in the form of thin slabs, in the transmission geometry. In the simplest cases where a strong unscattered direct beam is present, the image intensity is linear in the scattering potential, whereas complex values of the scattering amplitudes are needed for their reconstruction. The chapter presents the theory on which the interpretation of atomic-resolution electron microscope images is based. For the transmission electron microscope (TEM), it is assumed that a coherent electron beam (a plane wave) with an initial kinetic energy of a few hundred kilovolts traverses a thin sample, whose thickness is less than about 20 nm. This sample may be crystalline, in which case Bragg beams are generated, and these beams are then imaged by an electron lens.
Concomitant Pheochromocytoma and Primary Aldosteronism: A Case Series and Literature Review.

Context The detection and management of concomitant pheochromocytoma (PHEO) and primary aldosteronism (PA) is not well understood. Objective To investigate varying presentations and outcomes of cases with coexisting PHEO and PA to provide an approach to its diagnosis and management. Methods We conducted a retrospective case series of adult patients with concomitant PHEO and PA at Mayo Clinic from 2000-2020 and an additional review of cases before 2000 and from the medical literature. Clinical, biochemical, radiologic, and histologic parameters were measured. Results Fifteen patients (53% men, median age 53 years) were diagnosed with concomitant PHEO and PA. The majority presented with hypertension (13, 87%) and hypokalemia (13, 87%), and 6 (40%) presented with symptoms suggestive of catecholamine excess. All patients who underwent preoperative workup for catecholamine excess (14, 93%) were found to have biochemical levels above the upper limits of normal. Adrenal vein sampling (AVS) was performed in 9 patients (60%), where 5 (56%) were diagnosed with bilateral PA, and 4 (44%) with unilateral PA. Patients underwent either unilateral (12, 80%) or bilateral (3, 20%) adrenalectomy. Biochemical improvement or resolution of catecholamine excess was confirmed in all cases with documented measurements. Recurrence of PHEO was not observed. Six patients (40%) displayed persistent PA postoperatively. Conclusion Concomitant PHEO and PA is a rare but likely underreported condition. Hypertension with or without hypokalemia should prompt evaluation for PA, while any indeterminate adrenal mass should be assessed for PHEO. Coexisting disease warrants consideration of AVS to determine the laterality of PA to ensure appropriate management.
Object Detectors for Construction Resources Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

AbstractProject control operations in construction are mostly executed via direct observations and the manual monitoring of progress and performance of construction tasks on the job site. Project e...
Archival infrastructure and the information backlog

Embedded in the notion of the archive as knowledge infrastructure is the idea of a steady flow of information that resides within and moves through socio-technical systems. While there is exponential growth in the information transferred between the creator and the archive, the information flow between the archive and the user is often leaky—discontinuous and disrupted. There is a considerable interval between the time archival material are accessioned, processed, and made accessible for research. It is in this space that what archivists euphemistically call ‘the backlog’ comes into existence. What the backlog interrupts is the distribution and consumption end of the research process. As a concept and a reality, the backlog is a critical point of failure, carrying with it an ongoing and prevailing sense that ‘deferred maintenance’ has become the norm in the archive. In this article, focus is placed on framing and understanding the backlog as an infrastructural problem and on highlighting the conflict inherent in various forms of discourse seeking solutions to it.
Radiologic and Clinical Outcomes of Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Intraventricular Metastases.

Objective The optimal management of intraventricular metastases remains debatable. The aim of this study is to define the safety and efficacy of Gamma-Knife radiosurgery in the treatment of intraventricular metastases. Methods This retrospective, single-center study involved patients that were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for intraventricular metastases. The study end points included SRS-related toxicity, local and distal intracranial tumor control, as well as the incidence of post-treatment hydrocephalus and leptomeningeal dissemination. Factors associated with radiologic and clinical outcomes were also analyzed. Results The cohort included 17 consecutive patients who underwent stereotactic radiosurgery for treatment of 41 intracranial metastases, of which 23 were primary intraventricular (intraventricular metastasis). Median overall survival from primary tumor diagnosis and from SRS treatment were 28 and 5 months, respectively. With a median radiological follow-up of 3 (interquartile range 3) months, 7 patients (41.18%) experienced overall intracranial disease progression, whereas 7 (27.27%) intraventricular metastases progressed radiologically. Four (23.53%) and 3 (17.65%) patients developed hydrocephalus and leptomeningeal dissemination post-SRS, respectively. Four patients (23.53%) died due to intracranial disease progression. Conclusions SRS offers a reasonable chance of local tumor control for patients with intraventricular brain metastasis. However, the risk of hydrocephalus and leptomeningeal spread of disease is not inconsequential and merits close follow-up for patients with brain metastasis involving the ventricular system.
Heterometallic Effects in Trinuclear Complexes Supported by p-Terphenyl Diphosphine Ligands

A series of isostructural trinuclear complexes of metal composition Pd_2Fe, Pd_2Co, and Ni_2Fe was synthesized in a stepwise fashion. Using dinuclear precursors (Pd^I_2 and Ni_^I_2) supported by p-terphenyl diphosphine ligands allowed for the selective incorporation of a single additional metal center. The effects of both metal composition and ligand electronics on cluster properties were studied. These results highlight the importance of metal–metal interactions in mixed-metal sites of structurally analogous clusters.
Some assembly required.

Many biological processes require the ordered assembly and disassembly of complex structures. By using common structural elements, conformational switching and competitive interactions, the proper temporal assembly of the structures is assured, while simultaneously taking full advantage of combinatorial flexibility.
Oxidation kinetics of model compounds of metabolic waste in supercritical water

In this NASA-funded study, the oxidation kinetics of methanol and ammonia in supercritical water have been experimentally determined in an isothermal plug flow reactor. Theoretical studies have also been carried out to characterize key reaction pathways. Methanol oxidation rates were found to be proportional to the first power of methanol concentration and independent of oxygen concentration and were highly activated with an activation energy of approximately 98 kcal/mole over the temperature range 480 to 540 C at 246 bar. The oxidation of ammonia was found to be catalytic with an activation energy of 38 kcal/mole over temperatures ranging from 640 to 700 C. An elementary reaction model for methanol oxidation was applied after correction for the effect of high pressure on the rate constants. The conversion of methanol predicted by the model was in good agreement with experimental data.
A shunted ring fiber optic network topology providing fault detection, isolation and circumvention

This paper describes an electro-optic and all optical implementation of a novel "shunted ring" network topology which uses optical waveguide shunts to bypass faults in ring networks. This technique eliminates the need for costly bypass switches and their related deficiencies. "One-by-N" tree couplers are used as the fanout mechanism from an LED or laser to send optical signals to a primary fiber and "N" shunt fibers. These shunt fiber waveguides can be "switched" into the active network when the optical signal in the primary fiber drops below a prescribed level. This permits rapid reconfiguration around a failed node or primary fiber path and minimizes or eliminates the loss of data. In a near term implementation of the concept, the signals from the input primary and shunt fibers are converted to electrical form with standard PIN photodiodes and the signal level is analyzed. If the signal falls below the preset threshold, the output from the shunt fiber(s) is electronically switched into the network node to restore robust network operation. The power budget to determine the number of successive nodes which can be bypassed is identically that of a "1*N" tree network permitting any number of bypasses within the link margin. >
Comparison of GLIMPS and HFAST Stirling engine code predictions with experimental data

Predictions from GLIMPS and HFAST design codes are compared with experimental data for the RE-1000 and SPRE free piston Stirling engines. Engine performance and available power loss predictions are compared. Differences exist between GLIMPS and HFAST loss predictions. Both codes require engine specific calibration to bring predictions and experimental data into agreement.
Children, Adolescents, and Television—1989: II. The Role of Pediatricians

The article in this issue of Pediatrics by Gadow and Sprafkin and Singer9s rebuttal should alert pediatricians to several important concepts regarding television and its effects on children and adolescents: (1) This is an extremely complex area of research and one with which most pediatricians are unfamiliar. Trying to tease out the effects of television on human behavior can be a methodologic "mission impossible" because television is ubiquitous and human behavior is complex. (2) Most research in this field has been done by experts in social and educational psychology and communication. Therefore, the medical literature is sparse. (3) Pediatricians need to avoid the intellectual trap of minimizing the importance of television9s effect on child and adolescent behavior simply because the literature does not contain straightforward, statistically validated research.
Fully automated narrow-linewidth wavelength tunable semiconductor fiber ring laser with fast wavelength selection

We have demonstrated a narrow-linewidth wavelength tunable semiconductor fiber ring laser. Laser has tunability of 40 mn in the 1550 nm region, very narrow linewidth (less than 0.01 nm), 44 dB side mode suppression, and -4.7 dBm output power. The tuning properties and working principles are discussed.
A hybrid access model for storage area networks

We present HSAN & a hybrid storage area network, which uses both in-band (like NFS (R. Sandberg et al., 1985)) and out-of-band visualization (like SAN FS (J. Menon et al., 2003)) access models. HSAN uses hybrid servers that can serve as both metadata and NAS servers to intelligently decide the access model per each request, based on the characteristics of requested data. This is in contrast to existing efforts that merely provide concurrent support for both models and do not exploit model appropriateness for requested data. The HSAN hybrid model is implemented using low overhead cache-admission and cache-replacement schemes and aims to improve overall response times for a wide variety of workloads. Preliminary analysis of the hybrid model indicates performance improvements over both models.
Lipoma causing upper extremity deep vein thrombosis: A case report

We report a case of lipoma in the right infraclavicular and axillary area compressing subclavian vein there by presenting with upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) and persistent symptoms of venous congestion. Patient was also found to be a heterozygous carrier of prothrombin 20210 gene mutation. Surgical excision of lipomatous tissue performed after 6 months of anticoagulation resulted in a complete resolution of symptoms.
Reduction of hepatitis C virus NS5A phosphorylation through its interaction with amphiphysin II.

Abstract Hepatitis C virus non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) is a pleiotropic protein with key roles in viral RNA replication, modulation of cellular-signaling pathways and interferon (IFN) responses. To search for possible host factors involved in mediating these functions of NS5A, we adopted an affinity purification approach coupled with mass spectrometry to examine protein–protein interactions, and found that human amphiphysin II (also referred to as Bin1) specifically interacts with NS5A in mammalian cells. Pull-down assays showed that the Src homology 3 (SH3) domain of amphiphysin II is required for NS5A interaction and that c-Src also interacts with NS5A in cells. IFN-α treatment reduced the interaction of NS5A with c-Src, but not amphiphysin II, suggesting that the latter is independent of the IFN-signaling pathway. NS5A is a phosphoprotein and its phosphorylation status is considered to have an effect on viral RNA replication. In vitro kinase assays demonstrated that its interaction with amphiphysin II inhibits phosphorylation of NS5A. These results suggest that amphiphysin II participates in the HCV life cycle by modulating the phosphorylation of NS5A.
IDMR Beamforming in the Presence of Direction-Independent Array Mainfold Mismatch

The output SINR achieved via Indirect Dominant Mode Rejection (IDMR) beamforming is substantially higher than the achieved with other beamforming algorithms. IDMR is based on a parametric estimate of the covariance matrix which is obtained using an estimate of the directions of the dominant sources and assuming that the array manifold is available. In most applications the array manifold is not known precisely and performance of IDMR can be deteriorated. The focus of this paper is to enable the IDMR beamformer to operate in a scenario of direction-independent steering vector mismatch. A modified version of an algorithm introduced by Friedlander is employed to estimate the direction-independent mismatch. Thereafter IDMR is implemented. Simulation analysis reveals that this technique enables IDMR to operate in a scenario of direction-independent manifold mismatch.
Spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking in the linked cluster expansion

We investigate dynamical chiral symmetry breaking in Coulomb gauge Hamiltonian QCD. Within the framework of the linked cluster expansion we extend the BCS ansatz for the vacuum and include a correlation beyond the quark-antiquark pairing. In particular we study the effects of the three-body correlations involving quark-antiquark and transverse gluons. The high momentum behavior of the resulting gap equation is discussed and a numerical computation of the chiral symmetry breaking is presented.
Multiplexed plasmonic sensing based on small-dimension nanohole arrays and intensity interrogation

We performed multiplexed sensing on nanohole array devices to simultaneously obtain information on molecular absorption, scattering, and refractive-index change, which were distinguished by using different array structures with distinct optical behavior. Up to 25 arrays were fabricated within a 65 μm × 50 μm area to provide real-time information of the local surface environment. The performance of multiplexed sensing was examined by flowing NaCl, coomassie blue, bovine serum albumin, and liposome solutions that exhibit different visible light absorption / scattering properties and different refractive indices. Experimental artifacts from light source fluctuation, sample injections, and light scattering induced by aggregates in solutions were detected by monitoring superwavelength holes or nanohole arrays with different periodicity and hole diameters.
Comparison of Spirometry Measurements Using McKesson Vitalor and Collins Spirometer

The McKesson vitalor and 13.5 liter Collins spirometer were compared in evaluating FVC, FEV 1 , FEV 2 , FEV 3 and MEFR in 24 volunteers and 48 patients. It was found that the McKesson instrument was apparently unsuitable for accurate measurements of MEFR and FEV 3 , while proving satisfactory for FVC, FEV 1 , and FEV 2 determinations.
DIFFERENCES IN SURVIVORSHIP, DEVELOPMENT RATE AND FERTILITY BETWEEN THE LONGWINGED AND WINGLESS MORPHS OF THE WATERSTRIDER, LIMNOPORUS CANALICULATUS

Species of waterstriders (Gerridae: Hemiptera) exhibit a remarkable diversity in degree of winglessness (Vepsalainen, 1978; Calabrese, 1980; Zera, 1981). Some species consist exclusively of fully-winged individuals, while other species are composed almost exclusively of wingless individuals; many species exhibit the intermediate case of wing polymorphism and consist of various proportions of fully-winged, short-winged and/or wingless morphs. Wing-polymorphic species often exhibit dramatic spatial and/or temporal variation in morph ratios, both among populations of the same species and among species. Because of this diversity, waterstriders, especially wing polymorphic species, are ideal candidates for the study of the evolution of winglessness (or conversely, the evolution of dispersal). One of the major questions in the study of the evolutionary forces which influence wing polymorphism concerns fitness differences among the morphs. In many non-gerrids, dramatic differences between the fully-winged and the shortwinged or functionally equivalent (Anderson, 1973) wingless morph have been documented in a variety of fitness-associated traits (for reviews, see Harrison, 1980; Dingle, 1982). These include differences in such traits as survivorship under stress, duration of larval or nymphal development, age of first reproduction, and fecundity. Moreover, one of the most important results of these studies is the demonstration that differences in fitness traits are often consistently associated
Growth Factor Upregulation during Obliterative Bronchiolitis in the Mouse Model

Obliterative bronchiolitis (OB), or chronic allograft rejection, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation. The goal of these experiments was to determine whether several important growth factors were upregulated during OB in the mouse heterotopic trachea model. Isografts (BALB/c into BALB/c) and allografts (BALB/c into C57BL/6) were implanted in three sets of cyclosporine-treated animals and were harvested from 2 to 10 weeks. Ribonucleic acid was isolated using the cesium chloride-guanidine method and was reverse transcribed and semiquantitated with the polymerase chain reaction using specific primers for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-A and PDGF-B chains, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) isoforms 1 and 2, transforming growth factor-β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), edothelin-1, (prepro) epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1, and β-actin as a control. Transforming growth factor-β, TNF-α, endothelin-1, and insulin-like growth factor-1 expression were inc...
Collinder 110: An Old Open Cluster in Monoceros

Results of photoelectric UBVRI photometry of 78 stars and photographic PDS and CCD photometry for 437 stars are presented for Collinder 110, an old open cluster at low Galactic latitude. Proper motions obtained from Lick Sky Survey plates were used to identify 39 stars as foreground objects. The cluster's reddening, distance, and age are estimated as E(B - V) = 0.50 ± 0.03 mag, r = 1950 ± 300 pc, and t = 1.4 ± 0.3 Gyr, assuming a solar metal abundance.
Integration of Peer Specialists Working in Mental Health Service Settings

Peer specialists are people in recovery employed to share their experiences to promote the recovery of others affected by mental illness. Examining workplace integration indicators that predict the job satisfaction of peer specialists employed in a variety of behavioral health settings is critical to ensure the retention and effectiveness of this viable workforce. A survey of Texas Certified Peer Specialists (n = 86) examined workplace integration indicators. Results suggest that supervisor’s understanding of the peer specialist job role has a significant impact on job satisfaction. Better workforce integration may be achieved through targeted efforts to educate supervisors about peer specialist job roles.
A framework for the assessment of temporal artifacts in medium frame-rate binary video halftones

Display of a video having a higher number of bits per pixel than that available on the display device requires quantization prior to display. Video halftoning performs this quantization so as to reduce visibility of certain artifacts. In many cases, visibility of one set of artifacts is decreased at the expense of increasing the visibility of another set. In this paper, we focus on two key temporal artifacts, flicker and dirty-window-effect, in binary video halftones. We quantify the visibility of these two artifacts when the video halftone is displayed at medium frame rates (15 to 30 frames per second). We propose new video halftoning methods to reduce visibility of these artifacts. The proposed contributions are (1) an enhanced measure of perceived flicker, (2) a new measure of perceived dirty-window-effect, (3) a new video halftoning method to reduce flicker, and (4) a new video halftoning method to reduce dirty-window-effect.
The Academic Pediatric Association: The First 50 Years

From the Moses Cone Health System, Greensboro, NC (Dr Roberts); University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC (Dr Roberts); Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Bronx, NY (Dr Stein); and the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Md (Dr Cheng) Address correspondence to Kenneth B. Roberts, MD, 3005 Bramblewood Drive, Mebane, North Carolina 27302 (e-mail: kenrobertsmd@ gmail.com).
Validation of the Aura High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder geopotential heights

Abstract. The geopotential height (GPH) product created from global observations by the High Resolution Dynamics Limb Sounder (HIRDLS) instrument on NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) Aura spacecraft is discussed. The accuracy, resolution and precision of the HIRDLS version 7 algorithms are assessed and data screening recommendations are made. Comparisons with GPH from observations, reanalyses and models including European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Interim Reanalysis (ERA-Interim), and National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) Reanalysis illustrate the HIRDLS GPHs have a precision ranging from 2 to 30 m and an accuracy of ±100 m up to 1 hPa. Comparisons indicate HIRDLS GPH may have a slight low bias in the tropics and a slight high bias at high latitudes. Geostrophic winds computed with HIRDLS GPH qualitatively agree with winds from other data sources including ERA-Interim.
Tennessee Valley Authority's 500-kY System - System Plans and Considerations

Insulation requirements for the Tennessee Valley Authority's new 500-kV transmission system were found to be dictated by switching surge transient voltages rather than by lightning surges. Plans and considerations studied by the Tennessee Valley Authority in relation to the employment of 500-kV transmission are presented as comparative data which might be helpful to others interested in EHV installations. Descriptions are given of voltage levels and bundle conductors selected, subconductor arrangements, application of shunt compensation, reactive power supply, lightning performance, system stability, system grounding, insulation requirements, 500-kV bus arrangements and relaying, and transformer capabilities meeting the needs of 500-kV transmission in the TVA service area.
Severe, irreversible renal failure after ifosfamide treatment. A clinicopathologic report of two patients

Background. Chronic renal failure has been described only rarely in patients treated with the alkylating agent ifosfamide, which is known to cause renal tubular dysfunction and acute renal failure, and the associated histopathologic features have not been well characterized. Methods. This report describes the clinical course and renal histopathologic features in two patients in whom irreversible renal failure occurred requiring permanent dialysis after treatment with ifosfamide. Results. Irreversible renal failure developed in a 60-year-old man with malignant fibrohistiocytoma, requiring chronic dialysis within several months after he received two cycles of ifosfamide in a cumulative dose of 28 g/m2. The second patient, a 53-year-old man with osteogenic sarcoma, received two cycles of ifosfamide with a cumulative dose of 26 g/m2, after initial therapy with cisplatin and doxorubicin. His renal function worsened over the next 11 months, at which time permanent dialysis was initiated. In neither patient were other causes of renal failure apparent. Renal biopsies in both patients showed diffuse tubular epithelial damage with degenerative and regenerative epithelial changes, diffuse interstitial fibrosis, and arterial and arteriolar sclerosis. Conclusions. Irreversible severe renal failure, which appears due to nephrotoxic damage of renal tubular epithelium and/or the renal microvasculature may develop after treatment with ifosfamide. Neither large cumulative doses of ifosfamide nor prior cisplatin treatment are necessary for this toxicity to occur. Because a rising serum creatinine may develop months after completion of treatment with ifosfamide, renal function should be monitored closely both during and after ifosfamide treatment. Cancer 1995; 76:497-500.
Myxovirus Antibody Increases in Human Connective Tissue Disease

Antibodies to measles and parainfluenza type 1 viruses were significantly increased in systemic lupus erythematosus and Reiter's syndrome. Of the individuals with highest titers of measles antibody, 75 percent had neurologic illness. Persistent virus infection may be a factor in the pathogenesis of these diseases.
A nuclear protein is required for thyroid hormone receptor binding to an inhibitory half-site in the epidermal growth factor receptor promoter.

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) promoter is negatively regulated by thyroid hormone and retinoic acid. This regulation can be mapped to a 36-basepair GC-rich region of the promoter (EGFR P/E) that functions autonomously as a promoter and an enhancer when placed in front of the thymidine kinase gene TATA element. Direct high affinity binding of the thyroid hormone receptor (T3R) to this element requires a nuclear protein. Through ion exchange chromatography and gel filtration of HeLa nuclear extract, this activity was identified as a protein of approximately 67 kilodaltons. This protein did not bind to DNA alone, but greatly augmented T3R binding to the EGFR P/E sequence in gel mobility shift and DNA precipitation assays. When combined with the T3R auxillary protein (TRAP), the T3R migrated as a larger complex on the DNA. Chemical cross-linking identified this complex as a heterodimer between T3R and TRAP. T3R-TRAP binds to a 7-basepair site in the EGFR P/E (GGGACTC) that has weak homolog...
The effect of the stimulation pattern on the fatigue of single motor units in adult cats.

1. The main purpose of this study was to examine the effects of two subtly different stimulus patterns on the force developed by fast-twitch, fatiguable motor units in a cat hindlimb muscle during control (pre-fatigue) and fatiguing contractions. 2. The peak force and the force-time integral responses of nineteen high fatigue (FF) and three intermediate fatigue (FI) motor units of the tibialis posterior muscle in five deeply anaesthetized adult cats were measured at selected times during the course of a 360-s fatigue test. 3. The fatigue test involved a pseudo-random alternation of two patterns of stimulation. One pattern (regular) was composed of a train of stimuli with constant interpulse intervals, set at 1.8 x the twitch contraction time of each unit (interval range, 27-51 ms), and delivered for 500 (or 400) ms. For the total (FF + FI) motor-unit sample, the mean (+/- S.D.) stimulation frequency was 26 +/- 4 Hz (range, 19-37 Hz). The other stimulus pattern (optimized) consisted of three initial stimuli with short (10 ms) interpulse intervals, followed by a constant interpulse-interval train that was adjusted (interval range, 29-62 ms; frequency, 23 +/- 5 Hz; frequency range, 16-36 Hz) such that the total train had the same number of pulses, and the same average frequency and duration as the regular train. 4. The stimulus trains were delivered at 1 s-1 for 360 s, using three-train sequences of each pattern, randomly alternating with one another. The response of the third train in each sequence was selected for the force measurements. The force profile obtained from the fatigue test was subsequently decomposed into two profiles: one attributable to regular and one to optimized stimulation. 5. During the initial responses to the fatigue test, the optimized stimulus pattern produced significantly more force than the regular stimulus pattern. For FF units, the mean increase in peak force (141%) was significantly greater than the increase in the force-time integral (59%). 6. All motor units exhibited an initial potentiation of peak force with the regular stimulation pattern, whereas peak force declined monotonically with the optimized pattern. In contrast, the force-time integral potentiated in the first 30 s for both regular and optimized stimulus patterns. 7. Each motor unit maintained an increased force response to optimized stimulation during the fatigue test, with the greatest relative increase occurring about 120 s into the test, well after the potentiation effect had subsided.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Structure and Dynamic Regulation of Abl Kinases

The c-abl proto-oncogene encodes a unique protein-tyrosine kinase (Abl) distinct from c-Src, c-Fes, and other cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases. In normal cells, Abl plays prominent roles in cellular responses to genotoxic stress as well as in the regulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Abl is also well known in the context of Bcr-Abl, the oncogenic fusion protein characteristic of chronic myelogenous leukemia. Selective inhibitors of Bcr-Abl, of which imatinib is the prototype, have had a tremendous impact on clinical outcomes in chronic myelogenous leukemia and revolutionized the field of targeted cancer therapy. In this minireview, we focus on the structural organization and dynamics of Abl kinases and how these features influence inhibitor sensitivity.
Analysis for Strain on Torsional Damper Rubber and Torsional Vibration on Crankshaft for a Diesel Engine

A torsional damper is attached to a crankshaft pulley to control torsional vibration. Torsional strain is produced on the rubber when it is placed between the damper plate and the damper ring. The authors know from our experience that, in some engines, especially in turbo-charged engines, such a significant degree of strain is produced on the damper rubber at a resonant engine speed that the rubber is torn off in two pieces. This paper presents a method of estimating strain caused by torsional vibrations and discusses the relationship between the crankshaft torsional vibration and the strain.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Testing and computer modeling of adhesives in bulk and bonded states

One of the objectives of structural adhesive characterization is to provide material property data for analytical design purposes. However, the adhesive properties obtained from bulk testing may often prove unrealistic when transferred to a bonded joint in the presence of interfaces between the adhesive and the adherends. As a result, researchers are developing novel experimental procedures that can measure the in situ adhesive properties. A three-point bend test of a bonded beam to measure the in-situ adhesive shear modulus is a case in point. The adhesive shear modulus obtained from the three-point bend test was found to be up to an order of magnitude lower than that obtained from tensile test on bulk adhesive. In order to resolve this issue, a finite element analysis was performed to numerically simulate the test results and to conduct a sensitivity study to determine the dependence of beam deflection on various material parameters. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that an approach that combines the use of a computational procedure such as the finite element method with a new test methodology leads to a better understanding of the test results while providing a consistency check. The finite element code used for this purpose, called NOVA-3D, is specifically designed for the analysis of adhesively bonded joints. Some of the unique capabilities of the code with regard to stress analysis and life-prediction of a bonded joint are described in this paper. An application of this special purpose finite element code to study the influence of environmental effect on adhesive response is also discussed.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
742-6 Prognostic Significance of Change in Resting Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Early After Successful Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Long-term Follow-up Study

Although resting left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is routinely determined as part of the preoperative evaluation of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery, the value of repeating the LVEF determination after the surgery has not been established. To investigate whether the change in LVEF between pre- and early post-CABG had long-term prognostic significance, records for all 303 patients who underwent successful CABG surgery (no peri- or 30 day post-operative mortality) between 1982–1984 at our institution (WR) and had both pre- and postoperative first-pass radionuclide ventriculography were reviewed. The survival status of 255 patients (254 male) was determined from responses to mailed questionnaires, telephone interviews, and reviews of medical records and computerized death registries. Pre-CABG (mean 8.8 days) and predischarge (mean 7.4 days postCABG) LVEFs were tabulated, with an absolute change of ≥5% (increased or decreased) considered significant. Long-term survival probability was examined using Kaplan-Meier curves for three patient groups based upon preCABG LVEF: Normal (Nil: ≥ 47% (long-established value with camera used); Moderately reduced (Mod): 35–46%; Severely reduced (Sev): l35%. Results were as follows: Pre-CABG LVEF Number of Patients with Change in lVEF (Mean ± 1 std dev) Increased No Change Decreased Total Nl(52.8 ± 8.1%) 66 46 18 130(52%) Mod (40.9 ± 3.6%) 54 34 5 93(36%) Sev (30.0 ± 3.6%) 20 11 1 32(12%) Tolal 140(55%) 91(36%) 24(9%) 255 Patients ranged in age from 34–77 (mean 58), with no difference in mean age for the nine subgroups. Ten-year survival probabilities relative to preCABG LVEF were: Pre-CABG LVEF lVEF Increased LVEF No Change lVEF Decreased Nl 79.2% 77.3% 70.8% Mod 69.2% * 42.8% 40.0% Sev 47.6% 36.4% - * p l 0.05 versus ModlNo Change or Decreased Conclusion Among patients with Mod LVEF pre-CABG, early postoperative improvement was associated with a significant long-term survival advantage, a finding not seen among patients with NI and Sev pre-CABG LVEF. Early post-CABG LVEF determination appears of value in patients with Mod LVEF to identify the two prognostic groups as an aid for planning follow-up monitoring.
E‐profile: Open Archives Initiative Data Providers. Part I: General

Profiles, in the first of a series, more recently established Open Archives Initiative (OAI) data providers whose content is not only “harvestable” by OAI service providers, and which offer open access to institutional and discipline information resources in a wide variety of publication and media formats. Looks at the Digital Library of the Commons; E‐LIS: E‐prints in Library and Information Science; INFOMINE; and the Open Video Project.