cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Workshop — Teaching entrepreneurial behavior

Entrepreneurship encompasses the theory and practice that enables individuals and teams to transform ideas into products and services that benefit society. This is of special relevance to educators interested in teaching students not only technological competencies, but also the capacity to transform ideas into viable products and services. While most of our students will not become operating entrepreneurs who start their own businesses, they may nevertheless benefit from knowledge of specific entrepreneurial competencies. Three competencies that are most valuable for students are: 1) strategic thinking, 2) resourcefulness, and 3) effective communication. Each of these competencies involves specific behaviors that can be isolated, practiced and learned — either in the context of a dedicated course, or integrated with other curricula. In this workshop, you will be introduced to each of the three entrepreneurial competencies and provided with an opportunity to 1) experience them first-hand, and 2) learn how to teach them as stand-alone concepts or as part of an existing (non-business) course. The goal of the workshop is to provide you with practical tools that will allow you to understand and integrate entrepreneurial concepts into courses for the benefit of your students.
Silicon, Low-K Dielectric, and Nano-Scale Metal Interface Characterization Using Stress-Engineered Superlayer Test Methods

Thin film layers are utilized in emerging microelectronics, optoelectronics, and MEMS devices. Typically these thin film layers are composed of different materials with dissimilar properties. A common mode of failure for thin films is delamination caused by external loading or intrinsic stress present in the materials. To characterize bonded thin film material systems, it is necessary to measure the interfacial fracture toughness. When material thicknesses approach micro and nano scales, interfacial fracture toughness measurement is a challenging task. Accordingly, innovative test techniques need to be developed to study interfacial fracture parameters. The ongoing research at Georgia Institute of Technology is developing fixtureless delamination test techniques that can be used to measure interfacial properties of nano-and micro-scale thin films. The modified decohesion test (MDT) and the single-strip decohesion test (SSDT) are such fixtureless tests under development. In these tests a thin film interface material of interest is deposited on a substrate and delamination is driven by a superlayer material with high intrinsic stress sputter-deposited on-top of the interface material. A deposited release layer material allows for the contact area between the interface material and the substrate to be controlled. These tests differ in geometry but share the same generic methodology and can be used for a number of material systems over a wide range of mode mixity. This paper presents the methodology and implementation of the MDT and SSDT tests and compares results to better understand their scope. A case study of the interfacial fracture toughness as a function of mode mixity for titanium and silicon interface was performed to determine which test should be used for low-k dielectric (Black DiamondTM) and tantalum. Lastly, ongoing research on low-k and tantalum interface is discussed.
Louisiana's gift horse: Funding library acquisitions with bond money

Abstract In January 1991, the LSU Libraries were allocated over $2 million in bond proceeds, intended mostly for materials purchases. By mid-May, not a single check had been issued to pay for the thousands of accumulated materials invoices, some over six months old. This article explores some of the fundamental problems associated with using bond funding for materials acquisitions. Awareness of these pitfalls will help academic libraries prepare for possible future bond funding.
Inner-ear structure in Morganucodon, an early Jurassic mammal

The shapes and dimensions of the cochlear cavities from four petrosals of the genus Morganucoden obtained through sectioning and reconstruction. Morganucodon dates from the early Jurassic and represents many of the earliest known mammal specimens. Each Morganucodon petrosal fossil was embedded in Araldite and shaved with an ultramicrotome to expose the internal structure. Line drawings of the exposed cross-sections were digitized and used to produce three-dimensional reconstructions. The reconstructed Monganucodon cochlear cavities differ from extant mammalian cochleas in several respects: they are uncoiled, shorter in length, and lack the bony lamina which supports the basilar membrane. These three features ar characteristic of extant Aves and Reptilia.
Recent developments in enhanced heat transfer

Enhanced heat transfer has evolved into an important component of heat transfer experimentation and theory. The accumulated literature includes thousands of references. To give an overview of the current state of this important technology—for the past ten years, representative developments in each category of enhancement techniques are cited and commented on. The discussion is divided into the literature, passive enhancement techniques, active enhancement techniques, and compound enhancement techniques.
Head and neck cancer stem cells: the side population.

Objectives/Hypothesis: The cancer stem cell (CSC) theory concludes that a subpopulation of cancer cells, the cancer stem cells, can self-renew and are responsible for tumor growth. Previous studies have identified cells able to efflux Hoechst 33342 dye as the side population (SP). SP cells and CSCs share many characteristics, suggesting the SP isolated from malignant tumors contains CSCs. Study Design: Experimental Study. Methods: The SP was isolated from a head and neck cancer cell line and analyzed for CSC-like characteristics. Results: The SP demonstrated the ability to reproduce both SP and non-side population (NSP) cells from as few as one cell. The SP had lower expression of active β-catenin and more resistance to 5-fluorouracil; the SP also demonstrated greater expression of Bmi-1 (4.3-fold) and ABCG2 (1.4-fold). SP cells were able to produce tumors in an animal model, whereas NSP were not. SPs were identified in two primary human tumors. Conclusions: This work adds to the evidence that the SP in head and neck cancer represents cells with CSC properties and provides a method by which CSCs can be isolated and studied. Laryngoscope, 2011
Mechanisms of action of antireflux surgery: Theory and fact

Despite the absence of definitive explanations regarding either the physiologic or surgical factors which curtail gastro-esophageal reflux, effective antireflux operations exist. This article explores the theoretical factors relevant to the surgical control of reflux. These theoretical features include: (1) the pressure, length, and location of the manometrically defined lower esophageal sphincter (LES); (2) the gastro-esophageal valve as defined by the angle of His and a mucosal flap valve; and (3) the mechanical effects of a fundoplication which serve to increase the opening pressure of the cardia and optimize the physical relationships described by the law of La Place. Finally, the relation of these theoretical factors to actual operations is discussed.
Intermittent, chronic fenfluramine administration to rats repeatedly suppresses food intake despite substantial brain serotonin reductions.

Abstract The mechanisms by which fenfluramine suppresses food intake and body weight have been linked to its ability to enhance transmission across serotonin synapses in brain. This drug initially lowers body weight and suppresses food intake, yet after repeated administration food intake soon returns to normal and body weight no longer decreases. Fenfluramine also causes rapid and prolonged reductions in brain serotonin concentrations, which might account for its loss of appetite suppression. This possibility has been evaluated in rats by assessing if intermittent, chronic fenfluramine administration could suppress food intake during each treatment period, and if so, whether such an effect occurs in the presence of reduced brain serotonin levels. Rats were injected once daily with 10 mg/kg d , l -fenfluramine for 5 days, and then received no injections for the next 5 days. Control rats received only vehicle injections. This 10-day sequence was repeated five more times. During each period of fenfluramine administration, daily food intake dropped markedly the first 1–2 days of treatment, but returned to pretreatment values by day 5. Daily food intake was normal or slightly above normal during non-injection periods. Body weight dropped modestly during each period of fenfluramine administration, and rose during each subsequent period when injections had ceased. Serotonin concentrations and synthesis rates in several brain regions were markedly reduced at early, middle, and late periods of the experiment. Despite the long-term reduction in brain serotonin pools produced by fenfluramine, the drug continues to reduce food intake and body weight. Several possible interpretations of these findings are considered, based on the multiple mechanisms through which this drug has been proposed to modify synaptic serotonin transmission.
A Triple-Loop Inductive Power Transmission System for Biomedical Applications

A triple-loop wireless power transmission (WPT) system equipped with closed-loop global power control, adaptive transmitter (Tx) resonance compensation (TRC), and automatic receiver (Rx) resonance tuning (ART) is presented. This system not only opposes coupling and load variations but also compensates for changes in the environment surrounding the inductive link to enhance power transfer efficiency (PTE) in applications such as implantable medical devices (IMDs). The Tx was built around a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, operating at 13.56 MHz. A local Tx loop finds the optimal capacitance in parallel with the Tx coil by adjusting a varactor. A global power control loop maintains the received power at a desired level in the presence of changes in coupling distance, coil misalignments, and loading. Moreover, a local Rx loop is implemented inside a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) to avoid PTE degradation due to the Rx coil surrounding environment and process variations. The PMIC was fabricated in a 0.35- $\mu{\rm m}$ 4M2P standard CMOS process with 2.54 ${\rm mm}^{2}$ active area. Measurement results show that the proposed triple-loop system improves the overall PTE by up to 10.5% and 4.7% compared to a similar open- and single closed-loop system, respectively, at nominal coil distance of 2 cm. The added TRC and ART loops contribute 2.3% and 1.4% to the overall PTE of 13.5%, respectively. This is the first WPT system to include three loops to dynamically compensate for environment and circuit variations and improve the overall power efficiency all the way from the driver output in Tx to the load in Rx.
B71-2 Introduction to Computer Organization

This book is intended as a textbook for an introductory course in computer organization for undergraduates at universities and junior colleges. Its aims are given by the following sentences in the preface.
Ultraviolet sensitivity and photo-transferred thermoluminescence of the Harshaw and Panasonic used TLDS. A comparison

The intrinsic u.v. sensitivity and the photo-transferred thermoluminescence (PTTL) of three Harshaw (LiF:Mg, Ti, CaF2:Dy and CaF2:Tm) and two Panasonic (Li2B4O7:Cu and CaSO4:Tm) TL phosphors were evaluated. It was found that all the TLDs, except Li2B4O7:Cu, have a low intrinsic u.v. sensitivity. The CaSO4:Tm was found to possess PTTL, being one order of magnitude greater than the intrinsic u.v. and nearly independent of previous γ-irradiations ranging between 5 and 100 mgGy.
An Approach to Fuse Correlation-Based and Gradient-Based Methods for Image-Flow Estimation

Visual motion is commonly extracted from an image sequence in the form of an image-flow field or an image-displacement field. In the past research on estimation of motion-fields, three basic approaches have been suggested: correlation-based approach, gradient-based approach and spatiotemporal energy based approach. Since the underlying measurements used by the three approaches are different, they have different error characteristics. This scenario is representative of the classic multi-sensor problem. Algorithms based on the three basic approaches can be thought of as three different sensors measuring a given quantity, i.e., image-flow, with different error characteristics. The measurements from different sensors can be combined to produce an estimate of image-flow that is optimal, i.e., it minimizes the estimation-error (in a statistical sense). In other words, the three basic approaches can be fused to give an estimate of image-flow that has a higher confidence as compared to the estimate obtained from any one approach alone. We suggest information-fusion as a framework to estimate image-flow. In this framework, multiple sources give their opinion about image-flow in the form an estimate along with a confidence measure. These estimates are then fused on the basis of the corresponding confidence measures to get a robust estimate. We show an implementation of this framework that fuses correlation-based and gradient-based approaches.
Characterization of functional neuropeptide Y receptors in a human neuroblastoma cell line

We identified receptors for neuropeptide Y (NPY) on an established human neuroblastoma cell line, SK-N-MC, which are functionally coupled to adenylate cyclase through the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding protein of adenylate cyclase, Gi. Intact SK-N-MC cells bound radiolabeled NPY with a KD of 2 nM and contained approximately 83,000 receptors/cell. Unlabeled porcine and human NPY and structurally related porcine peptide YY (PYY) competed with labeled NPY for binding to the receptors. NPY inhibited cyclic AMP accumulation in SK-N-MC cells stimulated by isoproterenol, dopamine, vasoactive intestinal peptide, cholera toxin, and forskolin. NPY inhibited isoproterenol-stimulated cyclic AMP production in a dose-dependent manner, with half-maximal inhibition at 0.5 nM NPY. Porcine and human NPY and porcine PYY gave similar dose-response curves. NPY also inhibited basal and isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in disrupted cells. Pertussis toxin treatment of the cells completely blocked the ability of NPY to inhibit cyclic AMP production and adenylate cyclase activity. The toxin catalyzed the ADP-ribosylation of a 41-kDa protein in SK-N-MC cells that corresponds to Gi. The receptors on SK-N-MC cells appeared to be specific for NPY, as other neurotransmitter drugs, such as alpha-adrenergic, dopaminergic, muscarinic, and serotonergic antagonists, did not compete for either NPY binding or NPY inhibition of adenylate cyclase. Thus, SK-N-MC cells may be a useful model for investigating NPY receptors and NPY-mediated signal transduction.
Habitat structure mediates predation risk for sedentary prey: experimental tests of alternative hypotheses

1. Predation is an important and ubiquitous selective force that can shape habitat preferences of prey species, but tests of alternative mechanistic hypotheses of habitat influences on predation risk are lacking. 2. We studied predation risk at nest sites of a passerine bird and tested two hypotheses based on theories of predator foraging behaviour. The total-foliage hypothesis predicts that predation will decline in areas of greater overall vegetation density by impeding cues for detection by predators. The potential-prey-site hypothesis predicts that predation decreases where predators must search more unoccupied potential nest sites. 3. Both observational data and results from a habitat manipulation provided clear support for the potential-prey-site hypothesis and rejection of the total-foliage hypothesis. Birds chose nest patches containing both greater total foliage and potential nest site density (which were correlated in their abundance) than at random sites, yet only potential nest site density significantly influenced nest predation risk. 4. Our results therefore provided a clear and rare example of adaptive nest site selection that would have been missed had structural complexity or total vegetation density been considered alone. 5. Our results also demonstrated that interactions between predator foraging success and habitat structure can be more complex than simple impedance or occlusion by vegetation.
Connections between antiviral defense and autoimmunity

Recent advances have revealed a fundamental contradiction in antiviral immunity: innate immune sensors that detect nucleic acids mediate both protective immunity to infection and pathological autoimmune disease. Thus, the study of the mechanics of nucleic acid detection will provide insight into how these systems are inappropriately triggered in autoimmunity, and, conversely, the study of autoimmune disease triggered by these sensors will tell us more about how they are linked to activation of adaptive immunity.
HG-12LIN28 AND MYC EXPRESSING PEDIATRIC GLIOBLASTOMAS ARE SENSITIVE TO INHIBITORS OF GLUTAMINE METABOLISM

We have previously shown that LIN28A protein is highly expressed in a subset of pediatric glioblastoma (GBM). Knockdown of LIN28A using lentiviral shRNA in GBM cell lines inhibits their invasion, growth and clonogenicity. LIN28A downregulates the let-7 family of tumor suppressing microRNAs, and these in turn inhibit multiple oncogenes including MYC. LIN28 is also known to regulate cellular metabolism in normal and transformed cells. We hypothesized that LIN28 would contribute to GBM tumorigenicity in part by modifying cellular metabolism. Pediatric GBM express MYC and NMYC, and these oncogenes also promote tumorigenicity through increasing proliferation, invasion and altering cellular metabolism. Addition of LIN28A to the JHH- GBM14 cell line leads to upregulation of MYC and glutaminase (GLS) as measured by western blot. The inhibitors of glutamine metabolism DON (6-Diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine) and acivicin suppress the growth of LIN28A-transduced GBM14 cells to a greater extent than control empty-vector transduced cells in MTT assays (p = 0.008 for 5 uM DON, Student's t-test; p = 0.03, 5 uM acivicin, Student's t-test). We found that the pediatric high grade glioma cell lines SF188, UW479, SJ-GBM2, and KNS42 express varying levels of LIN28, MYC, and NMYC and have robust GLS expression by western blot. Acivicin treatment decreased the growth of SF188, KNS42 and UW479 in MTT Assays (P < .005 10 uM acivicin, Student's t-test). DON and acivicin have been tested in phase I clinical trials in children, but never extensively investigated in aggressive pediatric brain tumors. Our data suggest that LIN28 can alter GBM cellular metabolism in a way that confers sensitivity to inhibitors of glutamine metabolism and that these agents may be of therapeutic use in pediatric high grade gliomas.
Automated Box-Cox Transformations for Improved Visual Encoding

The concept of preconditioning data (utilizing a power transformation as an initial step) for analysis and visualization is well established within the statistical community and is employed as part of statistical modeling and analysis. Such transformations condition the data to various inherent assumptions of statistical inference procedures, as well as making the data more symmetric and easier to visualize and interpret. In this paper, we explore the use of the Box-Cox family of power transformations to semiautomatically adjust visual parameters. We focus on time-series scaling, axis transformations, and color binning for choropleth maps. We illustrate the usage of this transformation through various examples, and discuss the value and some issues in semiautomatically using these transformations for more effective data visualization.
Efficient energy consumption in a smart office based on intelligent complex event processing

In this demo we present a scenario of an efficient energy consumption in a smart office based on the intelligent processing of events coming from the conventional ("cheap") sensors.The results are very encouraging: smart decisions for the efficient usage of energy can be made by the intelligent processing of "cheap" sensor events.
Usp14 deficiency increases tau phosphorylation without altering tau degradation or causing tau-dependent deficits.

Regulated protein degradation by the proteasome plays an essential role in the enhancement and suppression of signaling pathways in the nervous system. Proteasome-associated factors are pivotal in ensuring appropriate protein degradation, and we have previously demonstrated that alterations in one of these factors, the proteasomal deubiquitinating enzyme ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (Usp14), can lead to proteasome dysfunction and neurological disease. Recent studies in cell culture have shown that Usp14 can also stabilize the expression of over-expressed, disease-associated proteins such as tau and ataxin-3. Using Usp14-deficient axJ mice, we investigated if loss of Usp14 results in decreased levels of endogenous tau and ataxin-3 in the nervous system of mice. Although loss of Usp14 did not alter the overall neuronal levels of tau and ataxin-3, we found increased levels of phosphorylated tau that correlated with the onset of axonal varicosities in the Usp14-deficient mice. These changes in tau phosphorylation were accompanied by increased levels of activated phospho-Akt, phosphorylated MAPKs, and inactivated phospho-GSK3β. However, genetic ablation of tau did not alter any of the neurological deficits in the Usp14-deficient mice, demonstrating that increased levels of phosphorylated tau do not necessarily lead to neurological disease. Due to the widespread activation of intracellular signaling pathways induced by the loss of Usp14, a better understanding of the cellular pathways regulated by the proteasome is required before effective proteasomal-based therapies can be used to treat chronic neurological diseases.
Coherent pulses in the diffusive transport of charged particles

We present exact solutions to the diffusive transport of charged particles following impulsive injection for a simple model of scattering. A modified, two-parameter relaxation-time model is considered that simulates the low rate of scattering through perpendicular pitch-angle. Scattering is taken to be isotropic within each of the foward- and backward-pointing hemispheres, respectively, but, at the same time, a reduced rate of sccattering is assumed from one hemisphere to the other one. By applying a technique of Fourier- and Laplace-transform, the inverse transformation can be performed and exact solutions can be reached. By contrast with the first, and so far only exact solutions of Federov and Shakov, this wider class of solutions gives rise to coherent pulses to appear. The present work addresses omnidirectional densities for isotropic injection from an instantaneous and localized source. The dispersion relations are briefly discussed. We find, for this particular model, two diffusive models to exist up to a certain limiting wavenumber. The corresponding eigenvalues are real at the lowest wavenumbers. Complex eigenvalues, which are responsible for coherent pulses, appear at higher wavenumbers.
Regulatory function of human CD4+ cytolytic T lymphocytes.

Abstract Allograft rejection is mediated by both CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. The lytic function of the classic CD8 + cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) occurs through recognition of allogeneic major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I on the surface of the graft. CD4 + CTL recognize MHC class II through a direct recognition pathway or an indirect pathway where MHC peptides are presented in the context of self MHC class II. Lytic CD4 + cells may destroy graft tissue or, we hypothesize, the indirect CD4 + T cell may down regulate CD8 + CTL by recognition of donor MHC peptides presented by self MHC class II expressed on CD8 + T cells. To define the role of CD4 + CTL in allograft outcome we used a CD4 + CTL that is MHC class II restricted, recognizing human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-A1 and HLA-B8 peptides in the context of HLA-DR4. This line (MDSxA1/B8) will lyse DR4 + B lymphoblastoid cells (LCL) pulsed with HLA-A1/B8 peptides (amino acids 60–84 of the α 1 domain of the MHC class I molecule). These T cells will also lyse peptide-pulsed antigen-specific T cell clones, both CD4 + and CD8 + , that express HLA-DR4. These clones must process and present the MHC class I peptides for recognition and lysis to occur. These results suggest a possible mechanism to explain allograft tolerance. Lytic CD4 + T cells, that recognize donor HLA peptides through an indirect antigen presentation pathway, down-regulate donor-specific CTL through peptide-specific lysis resulting in graft tolerance.
Shall We March On?: An Analysis of Non-Electoral Participation in the Black Community in the Post—Civil Rights Era

Using data from the 1996 National Black Election Study, this study examines the extent of non-electoral activism in the post—civil rights era. Specifically looking at attending a political rally, signing a petition, attending a protest, and participating in picketing and boycotting, the author finds that membership in organizations with an African American—focused agenda and membership in community-based organizations are important facilitators of non-electoral activism among Blacks. An important finding is that, in the modern context, religiosity in the African American community works to suppress non-electoral political involvement. These findings are important because they suggest that the historical image of the Black church as an incubator of an oppositional political culture is no longer accurate.
Intensities of binary overtone and combination bands in the i.r. spectrum of NF3

Abstract The intensities of the binary overtone and combination bands in the i.r. spectrum of NF3 have been measured in the gas phase and in liquid—argon solution. The observed intensities have been interpreted in terms of a simple model which ascribes all the intensity of the binary overtones and combinations to anharmonic coupling with the fundamentals; i.e., a model in which the second derivatives of the dipole moment with respect to the normal coordinates are assumed to be zero. The agreement between the observed intensities and the calculated ones is extremely good for the bending modes but less satisfactory for the stretching modes. The use of a polar-tensor model to predict the intensities of the vibrational fundamentals is also explored.
Intraepithelial Neoplasia of the Vulva

Intraepithelial neoplasia of the vulva is being seen with increasing frequency. Awareness of this should prompt the clinician to carefully inspect the vulva on all patients. Reports strongly suggest a relationship between infection with human papillomavirus and vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. The frequency with which this disease progresses to invasive carcinoma is unknown at present. However, it is obvious that it does occur. Both the warty and basaloid types of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia are associated with HPV infection and are often associated with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva demonstrating similar morphologic characteristics. These changes are seen more often in younger women who smoke than in the older nonsmoking woman whose lesions do not appear to be HPV related. Both local excision and the carbon dioxide laser are effective for treating vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. The choice of which approach to take depends upon the location and size of the lesion or lesions. Whichever approach is utilized, preservation of the normal vulvar anatomy and function are of paramount importance.
The Production of the “Battered Immigrant” in Public Policy and Domestic Violence Advocacy

In the context of U.S. public policy, battered immigrant signifies a person who is eligible to adjust his or her status under immigration law if he or she can demonstrate they have suffered domestic violence in the United States perpetrated by a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Among community organizers, the term battered immigrant signifies a broader range of people for whom legal immigration status plays a role in their options for safety planning and/or leaving an abuser, the potential threat of deportation, and the eligibility for public benefits. Based on an ethnographic study of domestic violence advocacy with South Asian immigrants in Seattle and around the United States, this article examines how the difference in signification has direct social and political consequences with regard to who may access the benefits and protection offered to victims of domestic violence in the United States.
The Stoic garden

Gardens were important to the Flemish classicist and neostoic, Justus Lipsius. As we examine the role that the garden played in his reconstruction of Stoic philosophy we shall see that he succeeded in adapting the garden, hitherto the symbol of Epicurean pleasure, to Stoic principles appropriate to the Netherlands in the sixteenth century.
Theory of hydrogen chemisorption on transition metals

Existing theoretical approaches to the description of hydrogen chemisorption on metal surfaces are reviewed. Results from cluster calculations are used to parameterize a model Hamiltonian. Calculations for the binding energy and the adsorbate spectral density arc presented. Special emphasis is given to an examination of the importance of many-body effects upon the description of the chemisorptive bond.
Understanding the Effects of Dispersant Addition to Slurry Rheology using Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy

Abstract The effectiveness of three dispersants to modify slurry rheology was examined using rheology measurements and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) in simulated waste solutions. All of the dispersants lowered the yield stress of the slurries below the baseline samples. The rheology curves were fitted reasonably to a Bingham Plastic model. The three-dimensional LSCM images of simulants showed distinct aggregates were greatly reduced after the addition of dispersants leading to a lowering of the yield stress of the simulated waste slurry solutions.
Whole-genome gene expression profiling reveals the major role of nitric oxide in mediating the cellular transcriptional response to ionizing radiation in normal human fibroblasts

The indirect biological effects of ionizing radiation (IR) are thought to be mediated largely by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS). However, no data are available on how nitric oxide (NO) modulates the response of normal human cells to IR exposures at the level of the whole transcriptome. Here, we examined the effects of NO and ROS scavengers, carboxy-PTIO and DMSO, on changes in global gene expression in cultured normal human fibroblasts after exposures to gamma-rays, aiming to elucidate the involvement of ROS and RNS in transcriptional response to IR. We found that NO depletion dramatically affects the gene expression in normal human cells following irradiation with gamma-rays. We observed striking (more than seven-fold) reduction of the number of upregulated genes upon NO scavenging compared to reference irradiated cell cultures. NO scavenging in irradiated IMR-90 cells results in induction of p53 signaling, DNA damage and DNA repair pathways.
Stability vs optimality tradeoff in game theoretic mechanisms for QoS provision

We study noncooperative games whose players are selfish, distributed users of a network and the game's objective is to optimize Quality of Service (QoS). Our classes of games are based on generally accepted realistic microeconomic market models of QoS provision, and unlike most other games that have been recently studied in this context, stability is not guaranteed for our class of games. Stability here refers to whether the game reaches a Nash equilibrium. Optimality is a measure of how close a Nash equilibrium is to optimizing a given objective function defined on game configuration. The overall goal is to determine a minimal set of static game rules based on pricing that result in stable and optimal QoS provision. The combination of stability and optimality opens an interesting direction of investigation. We give a new and general technique to establish stability and demonstrate a close trade-off between stability and optimality for our game classes. Additionally, these results directly give a simple, computationally efficient, self-organizing mechamism for stable and optimal QoS provision in natural cases.
Enhanced adenoviral transduction efficiency in HER-2/neu-overexpressing human breast cancer cells not induced by an integrin pathway.

Adenoviruses are currently widely used as vectors in gene therapy. The steps involved in adenoviral infection have been investigated, but the factors regulating viral entry to the cell have not been clearly identified. We observed a high adenoviral infection rate in HER-2/neu-overexpressing breast cancer cells in vitro (435.eb1 and MCF-7/H18) and in vivo (435.eb1). We used emodin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that suppresses autophosphorylation and transphosphorylation activities of the HER-2/neu tyrosine kinase, to test the role of HER-2/neu in adenoviral transduction. Emodin treatment resulted in a marked decrease in the transduction efficiency of HER-2/neu-overexpressing cells but not in the parental cells. Because previous studies have shown that epidermal growth factor and tumor growth factor-alpha increase the expression level of integrin. Because integrin alphav is known as a promotor of viral internalization, penetration, or both, we investigated whether the observed increased transduction rate in HER-2/neu transfectants was mediated through the increased expression of integrin alphav. To test this hypothesis, we examined the level of integrin alphav of in HER-2/neu overexpressing cells. We found that the level of integrin alphav expression detected in HER-2/neu overexpressing cells by immunoblot analysis was similar to the level of integrin alphav found in its parental cells. These results suggest that HER-2/neu expression may have a significant role in the viral transduction efficiency through an integrin alphav independent pathway.
Adaptive neural network vector predictor

In this paper, an adaptive neural network vector predictor is designed in order to improve the performance of the predictive component of the predictive vector quantizer (PVQ). The proposed vector predictor consists of a set of dedicated predictors (experts) where each predictor is optimized for a particular class of input vectors. In our simulations, we used five multi-layer perceptrons (MLP) to design our expert predictors. Each MLP predictor is separately trained by using a set of training vectors that belong to a particular class. The class identity of each training vector is determined by its directional variances. In our current implementation, one predictor is optimized for stationary blocks and four other predictors are designed for horizontal, vertical, 45 degree and 135 degree diagonally oriented edge blocks. The back-propagation algorithm is used for training each network. The directional variances of the neighboring blocks are used to select the appropriate expert predictor for the current input block. Therefore, no overhead information is transmitted in order to inform the receiver about the predictor selection. Our simulation shows that the proposed scheme gives an improvement of more than 1 dB over the predictor consisting of a single MLP predictor. The perceptual quality of the predicted images are also significantly improved.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
REINVESTIGATION OF THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF DIACETYLAPOMORPHINE AND "TRIACETYLAPOMORPHINE".

Diacetylapomorphine has been shown to possess emetic activity nearly identical to that of apomorphine itself, corroborating findings of some earlier workers and contradicting certain others. "Triacetylapomorphine" has been demonstrated to be completely nonemetic (in agreement with the original literature report) and to possess moderate hypotensive properties.
Bathymetric influences on the lower Chesapeake Bay hydrography

Abstract Observations of salinity and density in the lower Chesapeake Bay are used to describe the bathymetric influence on the transverse hydrographic structure in the area. Current velocity observations of high spatial resolution are also used to relate the flow structure to the hydrographic structure. Tidal flow characteristics in the lower bay are affected by the combination of bathymetry and hydrography. Increased stratification over channels relative to shoals may increase M2 ellipticity with depth over channels but not over shoals. It is found that three consistent hydrographie features can be related to the transverse structure of the longitudinal flow: (1) persistent stratification over channels due to differential tidal advection of density gradients, (2) development of bottom front separating net inflows from net outflows at the region south of Chesapeake Channel, and (3) outflow of low salinity water at the northern end of a lower bay section. Based on these hydrographie features, two basic hydrographic regimes are proposed to exist throughout the year in the lower Chesapeake Bay: (1) a low buoyancy-high mixing energy regime of stratification restricted to channels, a northward monotonical increase in salinity, and a weak bottom front, and (2) a high buoyancy-weak mixing energy regime of stratified conditions everywhere, a large region of northward salinity decrease at the northern half of the section, and a robust bottom front. The dynamics in the transverse direction for the former regime is ageostrophic, and in the latter regime the contribution by geostrophy is approximately 50% as bathymetric influences become less evident.
Dispersion by wind of CO2 leaking from underground storage: Comparison of analytical solution with simulation

The concentration of CO2 in air near the ground needs to be predicted to assess environmental and health risks from leaking underground storage. There is an exact solution to the advection–diffusion equation describing trace gases carried by wind when the wind profile is modeled with a power-law dependence on height. The analytical solution is compared with a numerical simulation of the coupled air–ground system with a source of CO2 underground at the water table. The two methods produce similar results far from the boundaries, but the boundary conditions have a strong effect; the simulation imposes boundary conditions at the edge of a finite domain while the analytic solution imposes them at infinity. The reverse seepage from air to ground is shown in the simulation to be very small, and the large difference between time scales suggests that air and ground can be modeled separately, with gas emissions from the ground model used as inputs to the air model.
Effects of electronic communication technology on top management teams' structures and decision-making process outcome

Drawing on Huber’s (1990; Huber et al. 1993) propositions concerning the effects of advanced information technology (AIT) on organizational structure, intelligence, and decision making, this paper examines the effects of the use of electronic communication technologies (ECT) on top management team (TMT) structure and decision-making processes and outcomes. Eight specific hypotheses are developed from Huber’s propositions and tested, using data collected from 84 TMTs. The results indicate that ECT use by a TMT is positively correlated with the participation of outsiders in the TMT’s decision-making processes, the reduction in the number of organizational levels involved in decision making processes, and the number of alternatives considered during the TMT’s decision-making processes. However, contrary to the Huber’s prediction, ECT use is positively correlated with a TMT’s size and the formality of decision-making processes. Implications for future research and practice are also provided, along with theoretical and methodological limitations.
Japanese pieris toxicosis of goats.

and laboratory findings in small companion animals with lead 6. Watson ADY: 1981, Lead poisoning in a cat. J Small Anim poisoning: 347 cases (1977-1986). Am Vet Med Assoc 199:93Pract 22:85-89. 97. 7. Zook BC, McCowell BS, Gilmore CE: 1970, Basophilic stippling 5. Scott HM: 1963, Lead poisoning in small animals. Vet Rec 75: of erythrocytes in dogs with special reference to lead poisoning. 830-832. Am Vet Med Assoc 157:2092-2099.
Neuroprotective Core Measure 6: Protecting Skin - Neuroprotective Care in the Newborn: Does Skin Protect the Immature Brain From Hyperbilirubinemia?

Abstract Hyperbilirubinemia continues to pose a significant and common problem in the newborn period. Exposure of the brain to high levels of unconjugated bilirubin leads to acute bilirubin encephalopathy and kernicterus, especially in preterm infants. Given the shared embryological origin of the skin (epidermis) and brain, we hypothesized that cutaneous binding of unconjugated bilirubin to skin (i.e., jaundice) might protect the immature brain. Support for this hypothesis requires direct quantification of binding of unconjugated bilirubin to cutaneous structures. Bilirubin binding was tested using a series of in vitro experiments wherein newborn skin and vernix caseosa were exposed to physiologically-relevant solutions of bilirubin. Tissue binding was assessed spectrophotometrically and via bilirubin autofluorescence. Study findings indicate the following: (1) unconjugated bilirubin binds quickly and avidly to thin films of vernix caseosa; (2) bilirubin binds to human epidermis in vitro via a mechanism involving dermal diffusion; (3) unconjugated bilirubin localizes to the dermis and epidermis as shown by autofluorescence; and (4) topical application of vernix caseosa to the epidermis augments bilirubin binding; i.e., increases jaundice. These findings are consistent with a physiological neuroprotective role for the skin in shielding the immature brain from high levels of unconjugated bilirubin. New therapies based on these results are envisioned with the goal of increasing cutaneous bilirubin binding (jaundice) thereby protecting the developing brain and facilitating bilirubin excretion with phototherapy.
Optimal audio-visual representations for illiterate users of computers

We present research leading toward an understanding of the optimal audio-visual representation for illustrating concepts for illiterate and semi-literate users of computers. In our user study, which to our knowledge is the first of its kind, we presented to 200 illiterate subjects each of 13 different health symptoms in one representation randomly selected among the following ten: text, static drawings, staticphotographs, hand-drawn animations, and video, each with and without voice annotation. The goal was to see how comprehensible these representation types were for an illiterate audience. We used a methodology for generating each of the representations tested in a way that fairly stacks one representational type against the others. Our main results are that (1) voice annotation generally helps in speed of comprehension, but bimodal audio-visual information can be confusing for the target population; (2) richer information is not necessarily better understood overall; (3) the relative value of dynamic imagery versus static imagery depends on various factors. Analysis of these statistically significant results and additional detailed results are also provided.
Digestibility by Sheep of Diets of Citrus Pulp, Corn, or Soybean Mill Feed with Three Forages

Citrus pulp, ground corn, or soybean mill feed was fed at 10, 40, and 70% of dietary dry matter with a single forage in each of three experiments. Forages were corn silage, sorghum silage, and bermudagrass hay. Diets also contained soybean meal, dicalcium phosphate, and trace mineral salt and were fed to four sheep per diet at maintenance to measure digestibility. Digestibility of dry matter and nitrogen-free extract increased with each addition of grain. Digestibilities of crude protein of diets containing citrus pulp (69%) and ground corn (70%) were greater than for diets containing soybean mill feed (66%), and there was an improvement at the two higher percents of grain (71 and 70%) over the lower (64%). Digestibilities of ether extract were 78, 75, and 72% for the 10, 40, and 70% grain. Although differences were small, each was significantly different. Digestibility of crude fiber with ground corn diets varied by forage combinations while it increased with each addition of citrus pulp and soybean mill feed.
REEP3/4 Ensure Endoplasmic Reticulum Clearance from Metaphase Chromatin and Proper Nuclear Envelope Architecture

Dynamic interactions between membrane-bound organelles and the microtubule cytoskeleton are crucial to establish, maintain, and remodel the internal organization of cells throughout the cell cycle. However, the molecular nature of these interactions remains poorly understood. We performed a biochemical screen for microtubule-membrane linkers and identified REEP4, a previously uncharacterized endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein. Depletion of REEP4 and the closely related REEP3 from HeLa cells causes defects in cell division and a proliferation of intranuclear membranes derived from the nuclear envelope. This phenotype originates in mitosis, when ER membranes accumulate on metaphase chromosomes. Microtubule binding and mitotic ER clearance from chromosomes both depend on a short, positively charged amino acid sequence connecting the two hydrophobic domains of REEP4. Our results show that REEP3/4 function redundantly to clear the ER from metaphase chromatin, thereby ensuring correct progression through mitosis and proper nuclear envelope architecture.
Administration of green tea or caffeine enhances the disappearance of UVB- induced patches of mutant p53 positive epidermal cells in SKH-1 mice

Irradiation of female SKH-1 hairless mice with UVB (30 mJ/cm2) twice a week for 10-20 weeks resulted in the formation of a large number of cellular patches (>8 adjacent cells/patch) that are recognized with an antibody (Pab240) which recognizes mutated but not wild-type p53 protein. These patches are not recognized by an antibody (Pab1620) to wild-type p53 protein. The patches, which are considered putative early cellular markers of the beginning of tumor formation, started appearing after 4-6 weeks of UVB treatment, and multiple patches were observed after treatment for 10 weeks. The number and size of the patches increased progressively with continued UVB treatment. Discontinuation of UVB for 4 weeks resulted in an 80-90% decrease in the number of these patches. The number of the remaining patches did not decrease any further but remained relatively constant for at least 4-9 weeks. Oral administration of green tea (6 mg tea solids/ml) or caffeine (0.4 mg/ml) as the sole source of drinking fluid during irradiation with UVB, twice a week for 20 weeks, inhibited UVB-induced formation of mutant p53 positive patches by approximately 40%. Oral administration of green tea (6 mg tea solids/ml) as the sole source of drinking fluid or topical applications of caffeine (6.2 micromol) once a day 5 days a week starting immediately after discontinuation of UVB treatment enhanced the rate and extent of disappearance of the mutant p53-positive patches. Topical applications of caffeine to the dorsal skin of mice pretreated with UVB for 20 weeks resulted in enhanced apoptosis selectively in focal basal cell hyperplastic areas of the epidermis (putative precancerous lesions), but not in areas of the epidermis that only had diffuse hyperplasia. Our studies indicate that the chemopreventive effect of caffeine or green tea may occur by a proapoptotic effect preferentially in early precancerous lesions.