cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
KOUSKA'S FALLACY: THE ERROR OF THE DIVIDED DENOMINATOR

The significance of two normally independent findings in a single patient is often difficult to assess. One simple measure of the likelihood of random coincidence is the joint probability, based on the assumption that the findings are independent. Unfortunately, this technique is often used wrongly. The error is the division of an event into its components, followed by calculation of their joint probability. These two processes, used together, make the likelihood of a common event happening seem very improbable. This can be termed the error of the divided denominator, or Kouska's fallacy, after a fictional character who used this technique to disprove the existence of life.
Electrical Characteristics of GaAs Nanoneedles

Electrical contacts were formed to GaAs nanoneedles, and the electrical characteristics of the nanoneedles studied. Annealing conditions for the devices were optimized in order to obtain Ohmic contacts to the nanoneedles.
When Prophecy Fails? The Theology of the Oslo Process—Rabbinical Responses to a Crisis of Faith

The Oslo process began with secret negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), and led to the signing of a declaration of principles by the two sides in Washington, DC in 1993. Israel agreed to withdraw from territories in the Gaza Strip, Judea and Samaria, and to establish a Palestinian autonomous authority in the area for an interim period, with a view to reaching a permanent settlement between the sides. This process, and particularly the territorial compromise it entailed, created a profound crisis within those religious Zionist circles that have identified Israeli reality as part of a process of redemption. The political concessions threatened to disrupt their messianic expectations and required a response adapted to the new reality. Accordingly, the Oslo process provides a test case for the way in which the religious Zionist public as a whole faced this crisis of faith, and, more specifically, the manner in which the Halachic guides of this public—those responsible for shaping its religious behavior—responded to this crisis. This article examines the attitude of the rabbinical leadership of the settlers toward the Oslo Accords, and will present the distinct responses of two rabbis—Yehuda Amital and Zvi Tau. The case studies demonstrate how messianic believers face their prophetic failure and the modalities they apply in order to cope with it. Thus, the article shades a new light on what happens when prophecy fails.
The effects of dietary iron deprivation on murine circadian sleep architecture

Abstract Objectives Iron deficiency is considered a putative cause for restless legs syndrome (RLS), a human sensorimotor disorder characterized by a circadian presentation of symptoms during the evening hours that disrupts one’s ability to sleep. We sought to evaluate the sleep–wake effects of diet-induced iron deficiency in mice as an animal model of RLS. To this end, we hypothesized that the iron-deprived mice would exhibit a sleep–wake circadian pattern characteristic of the human syndrome: increased wakefulness during the hours immediately preceding the sleep-predominant period. Methods Following weaning at post-natal day (PND) 21, C57BL/6J mice were assigned to one of two dietary treatments: iron-deficient (ID, n = 7) or iron-adequate (i.e., control, CTL, n = 6). At PND 44, the mice were surgically instrumented for polysomnographic (PSG) recording, and data were collected at young adulthood: PNDs 59 and 60. Sleep–wake architecture was characterized for the 12-h light and dark periods and also for six consecutive 4-h blocks comprising a 24-h day. Results The ID mice showed marked increases in wake time in the 4-h period prior to lights-on; both non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were reduced. In contrast, sleep–wake activity did not differ across the 12-h light period. Conclusions Dietary iron deficiency in mice elicited increases in wakefulness during a particular circadian time point that corresponds to the period during which RLS symptoms would maximally disturb sleep onset and progression in humans. These data indicate that iron-deficient mice may provide a potentially useful animal model for RLS.
Integral asymmetric poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) pervaporation membranes

Abstract A new asymmetric pervaporation membrane, composed of the fluoropolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), has been fabricated and preliminary tests have been carried out to assess membrane performance for the removal of non-polar organics from water. Formation of an asymmetric microstructure proceeds via an unusual phase inversion process where a dense polymer layer forms at the membrane/casting surface interface. Asymmetric membranes are made by either a dry cast method involving complete air-drying of a PVDF film or a wet cast method of partial air-drying followed by film immersion in a series of aqueous precipitation baths. For aromatic/water and chloroform/water separations, the PVDF films performed remarkably well. For example, a benzene separation factor of 1,530 and a benzene flux of 150 g/m2-hr has been obtained for an 890 ppm benzene in water feed solution at 25°C and 0.05 atm downstream pressure. When the feed solution contained 625 ppm chloroform in water, the performance of asymmetric PVDF films at 25°C is characterized by a high organic flux (25.3–58.7 g/m2-hr) and a high separation factor (302–823).
Effect of arm regeneration on energy storage and gonad production in Ophiocoma echinata (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

Two laboratory experiments were conducted on Ophiocoma echinata (Lamarck, 1816) collected from Missouri Key, Florida, USA, to ascertain the effects of arm regeneration on energy storage and gonad production. In each experiment individuals were divided into non-regenerating (all arms intact) and regenerating (three arms autotomized) groups and maintained together in a re-circulating seawater system for 2 mo. In Experiment 1, individuals were fed once a week, and in Experiment 2 once every 2 wk. The amount of food energy required for maintenance was estimated to be 0.172 kJ d−1. The lower feeding level (Experiment 2) was below maintenance ration and both groups lost material relative to an initial group. At the higher feeding level (Experiment 1), regeneration of three arms resulted in less storage of organic material, mainly lipid in the stomach, and less gonad production. Thus, regeneration may reduce energy reserves and reproductive output.
Cloning and Characterization of Human Urocortin

Urocortin, a new member of the CRF peptide family which also includes urotensin I and sauvagine, was recently cloned from the rat midbrain. The synthetic replicate of urocortin was found to bind with high affinity to type 1 and type 2 CRF receptors and, based upon its anatomic localization within the brain, was proposed to be a natural ligand for the type 2 CRF receptors. Using a genomic library, we have cloned the human counterpart of rat urocortin and localized it to human chromosome 2. Human and rat urocortin share 95% identity within the mature peptide region. Synthetic human urocortin binds with high affinity to CRF receptor types 1, 2 alpha, and 2 beta, stimulates cAMP accumulation from cells stably transfected with these receptors, and acts in vitro to release ACTH from dispersed rat anterior pituitary cells. In addition, the CRF-binding protein binds human urocortin with high affinity and can prevent urocortin-stimulated ACTH secretion in vitro. The inhibitory effect of the CRF-binding protein on ...
Analyzing Requirement Type Influence on Concept Quality and Quantity During Ideation: An Experimental Study

This paper examines the influence of requirement types on the quantity and quality of generated solutions as studied through a user study experiment. A controlled group of students was given a burrito folder design problem with no requirements and asked to sketch solutions. Four experimental groups given different requirement treatments were also asked to sketch solutions for the same design problem. The experimental conditions were functional requirements, non-functional requirements, mixed prioritized requirements and randomly mixed requirements. Analysis of the experimental results reveals that there is a significant difference in quantity of means between the non-functional requirements and the functional requirements groups, with the non-functional group achieving higher quantity scores. In addition, there is a significant difference in quantity in functional requirements and no requirements with the no requirements group achieving higher quantity scores. In terms of quality, there are significant differences in means between the non-functional requirement and functional requirement groups as well as the non-functional and no requirements group. Therefore having non-functional requirements can positively impact the quantity (p-value = 0.09) and the quality of concepts solutions (p-value = 0.018). These findings lead to new future research questions related to understanding exactly how the functionality, in this case functional requirements, influence an engineer’s thinking.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Magnetic field effects to 230 kG on the magnetotransport and charge-density waves in NbSe3

Abstract The transverse magnetoresistance and Hall resistance in NbSe3 measured below the charge-density wave (CDW) transition at 59 K indicate magnetic field induced modifications of the Fermi surface with enhanced condensation of electrons into the CDW. At 1.1 K changes in the quantum oscillation frequency with depinning of the CDW indicate a band structure shift connected with impurity pinning. A new mode of CDW motion is also observed at high magnetic fields and low temperature.
Reduction in visual science: A philosopher's View

Suppose that we had a complete, utopian understanding of the workings of the nervous system. Would we thereby know all that there is to know about subjective sensory experience? It has been maintained that we would not, and that although sensory experiences are caused by brain events, they cannot be identical with these events. We shall consider three arguments that purport to lead to this conclusion, and discover that each of them is defective. It will then be argued that the question of whether sensory experiences are identical with brain events is an empirical one, to be settled by future science. An affirmative answer will require that the phenomenology be properly regimented, and shown to be isomorphic with an appropriate subset of neural processes. Although the realization of these conditions must be regarded as utopian, contemporary visual science has made progress in this direction.
The peer supervisory group for psychoanalytic therapists

The recent interest in peer supervisory groups for psychoanalytic therapists raises important questions regarding both psychoanalytic training and group process. The present paper explores these issues and suggests that there exists a continuum from case-centered peer supervisory groups to process-centered peer supervisory groups. Transference and countertransference and the recognition of parallel processes in psychotherapy supervision are examined in their relation to the supervisory group experience. The authors suggest that the model a therapist employs regarding the role of countertransference will most likely influence the kind of peer supervisory group that s/he will choose. Further, there are specific techniques, as well as experiences, which may foster alteration of the group's psychic organization. Illustrative case examples are provided throughout.
Remnant lipoproteins induce endothelial plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Remnant lipoproteins (RLPs) accumulate in type III hyperlipoproteinemia, a condition associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity. The effect of RLPs on fibrinolysis is unknown. Our aim was to study the effect of RLPs on endothelial expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). After 24-h culture of human aortic endothelial cells with RLPs at concentrations of 0 (control), 0.038, or 0.076 mg triglyceride/mL, postculture PAI-1 antigen concentrations were: 870 +/- 80, 1963 +/- 183 (P = 0.005), and 3551 +/- 177 ng/mL (P < 0.001), respectively. Furthermore, after 24-h incubation of endothelial cells with RLPs (0 or 0.076 mg triglyceride/mL), PAI-1 activity increased from 0.667 +/- 0.144 to 1.268 +/- 0.198 U/mL, respectively (P = 0.008) and endothelial PAI-1 mRNA increased to 2.7 +/- 0.66 that of control (P = 0.048). In conclusion, RLPs from patients with type III hyperlipoproteinemia induce endothelial cell PAI-1 expression, which may contribute to a prothrombotic state.
Assessing/instilling trustworthiness in tactical/sensing networks

Trusted Layered Sensing has evolved from an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) initiative to a vision now shared across government research agencies, industry, and academia. “Trust” is viewed as the most critical issue affecting Layered Sensing architectures since it's impossible to build Situational Awareness (SA) out of inaccurate, misleading, or denied information [3]. Sensing systems (SS) consist of dispersed sensors/applications connected by a network enabling prompt and reliable data dissemination to often remote sites for analysis so decision makers can base their actions. Two widely accepted SA components are [4]: • The Sensors which provide the "sensing" components and • Collaborative, advanced exploitation which provides comprehension (interpretation/ synthesis of data giving meaning in a situation), projection (prediction and simulation aimed at possible outcomes, future scenarios), and resolution (courses of action supporting decisions and planning) This covers the application aspects1 of SS but overlooks a critical component, the networks themselves. Commonly perpetrated attacks aim at gaining access to and disrupting networks' operation in order to intercept, tamper with, or deny the dissemination of information. Some attacks render networks useless by exploiting their vulnerabilities resulting in the loss of costly assets and even human casualties. Much research focuses on the forensic aspects of classifying threats and assessing damage after attacks have occurred, as documented by various taxonomies that categorize known network attacks [5],[6]. The value of this research is not being minimized, as it is essential in the quest for mechanisms to proactively recognize and combat threats. This paper discusses assessing/instilling trustworthiness in tactical/sensing networks, covers important issues related to the trustworthiness of currently deployed devices, describes our two-pronged approach aimed at 1) proactive defenses against threats and 2) enhanced efficiency and resilience of operation, and highlights collaboration between networking elements as key to achieving these goals.
South Omaha Milagro: The History (And Anthropology) of the Indian Chicano Health Center

You will learn about Indian and Chicano people and the problems they have. The experiences you have may strengthen your bigoted attitudes and make you a red neck or, as you become aware of the culture of poverty, you may develop a sensitivity to minority problems, which you will carry with you throughout your professional career. At times, when the frustration level at the Health Center is high, it is good to remember the following ideas. Indians, and to a lesser degree Chicanos, are where they are because paternalistic Anglo dogooders prevented them from controlling their own destinies… The things you will accomplish at the health center will be small, the rewards will be intangible and the frustrations will be high (Orientation document, Indian Chicano Health Center, 1972)
Alcohol Consumption Mitigates Apoptosis and Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Signaling in Myocardium

Background Epidemiologic studies have shown that individuals who consume low to moderate alcohol have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease developing compared with abstainers. Although experimental studies confirmed this observation, the effect of alcohol on ischemic myocardium is still unclear. We developed a clinically relevant animal model of chronic myocardial ischemia to investigate the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on the myocardium. Study Design Fourteen Yorkshire swine underwent placement of an ameroid constrictor to induce chronic myocardial ischemia. Postoperatively, one group was supplemented with 90 mL 50% EtOH daily (n = 7) and one group was supplemented with 80 g sucrose daily to normalize caloric intake between groups (n = 7). After 7 weeks, all animals underwent sternotomy, and harvest of the chronically ischemic myocardium and nonischemic myocardium. Tissues were analyzed for protein expression and stained for apoptosis quantification. Results In the ischemic myocardium, alcohol down-regulated the following proapoptotic proteins: tumor necrosis factor−α, forkhead box protein 03, BCL2-associated death promoter, and cysteine aspartic acid−specific protease 9; up-regulated the following prosurvival proteins: 5′adenosine monophosphate−activated protein kinase, phosphorylated 5′adenosine monophosphate−activated protein kinase, and phosphorylated forkhead box protein 03; and down-regulated mammalian target of rapamycin (MTOR) signaling by down-regulating MTOR, phosphorylated MTOR, and up-regulating Deptor. In the nonischemic myocardium, alcohol up-regulated prosurvival proteins: protein kinase B, phosphorylated protein kinase B, phosphorylated B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2, 5′adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, phosphorylated BCL2-associated death promoter, phosphorylated forkhead box protein 03, and down-regulated MTOR signaling by down-regulating phosphorylated MTOR and up-regulating Deptor. Alcohol also decreased cell death as measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining in the ischemic and nonischemic myocardium. Conclusions Alcohol consumption down-regulates apoptosis and promotes cell survival in the ischemic and nonischemic myocardium. Alcohol also modulates MTOR signaling, which regulates senescence and apoptosis. Perhaps MTOR and apoptosis regulation is another mechanism by which moderate EtOH consumption is cardioprotective.
Correction of a mouse model of sickle cell disease: lentiviral/antisickling β-globin gene transduction of unmobilized, purified hematopoietic stem cells

Although sickle cell anemia was the first hereditary disease to be understood at the molecular level, there is still no adequate long-term treatment. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation is the only available cure, but this procedure is limited to a minority of patients with an available, histocompatible donor. Autologous transplantation of bone marrow stem cells that are transduced with a stably expressed, antisickling globin gene would benefit a majority of patients with sickle cell disease. Therefore, the development of a gene therapy protocol that corrects the disease in an animal model and is directly translatable to human patients is critical. A method is described in which unmobilized, highly purified bone marrow stem cells are transduced with a minimum amount of self-inactivating (SIN) lentiviral vector containing a potent antisickling beta-globin gene. These cells, which were transduced in the absence of cytokine stimulation, fully reconstitute irradiated recipients and correct the hemolytic anemia and organ pathology that characterize the disease in humans. The mean increase of hemoglobin concentration was 46 g/L (4.6 g/dL) and the average lentiviral copy number was 2.2; therefore, a 21-g/L /vector copy increase (2.1-g/dL) was achieved. This transduction protocol may be directly translatable to patients with sickle cell disease who cannot tolerate current bone marrow mobilization procedures and may not safely be exposed to large viral loads.
China rethinks unrest

New internal data from China's own police indicate that protests are growing in number and increasing in size. The struggle to control unrest will force Beijing's leaders and other countries to face riskier dilemmas than at any time since the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations.
FORTRAN programs for generating fluid inclusion isochores and fugacity coefficients for the system H2O-CO2-NaCl at high pressures and temperatures

Abstract Program DENFIND permits calculation of pressures and temperatures corresponding to isochores for H 2 O-CO 2 -NaCl fluids which can be used to generate pressure corrections of fluid inclusion homogenization temperatures. Program FUGCO facilitates calculation of fugacity coefficients in the system H 2 O-CO 2 -NaCl as a function of pressure, temperature and fluid composition. Both programs employ a modified Redlich-Kwong equation of state for the ternary system (Bowers and Helgeson, 1983a), which is applicable to fluids containing up to 35 wt. % NaCl (relative to H 2 O + NaCl) at pressures above 500 bars and temperature from 350 to 600°C.
Study of drop-interface coalescence using piezoimaging

A novel technique for monitoring drop/homophase coalescence in liquid−liquid dispersions having an opaque or turbid dispersion medium has been developed and described in this paper. This technique is based on using a piezotransducer to monitor the process of coalescence of a drop at a liquid−liquid interface. The piezotransducer signal observed when coalescence occurs has two distinct parts. This study shows that the first part of the signal is due to interfacial instability, while the second part of the signal is due to a transient jet which is ejected into the homophase during coalescence. The effects of interfacial tension, homophase viscosity, and surfactant concentration in the dispersion medium on the observed signal are studied. Several other potential applications of the technique such as measuring the rate of phase separation are also discussed.
Finite state automation: definition of data communication line control procedures

The notions of finite state automata, state transition graphs and tables and the set of regular languages being accepted (generated) by such automata are well known. But for some reason these notions have not been rigorously applied in the definition of data communication line control procedures. It is the objective of this paper to do so and to show the naturalness of this approach. We claim that we thereby arrive at a complete, precise and unambiguous definition. Others have attempted this before us. They have, however, not used the descriptional tool of finite state automata. Any one or all of these references thus form the basis on which we will compete and we shall use essentially the line control procedures which these documents set out to define.
Kinetics of Electron Attachment to Reverse Micelles

The kinetics of the attachment of isooctane solvated electrons to the water pools of reverse micelles (water/ AOT/isooctane) has been studied by ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy. The electrons generated in isooctane by photoionization (three photons of 400 nm) are observed to rapidly attach to reverse micelles, resulting in hydrated electrons in the water pools of the reverse micelles. The measured electron attachment rates (inferred from attachment yields) show a greater dependence on reverse micelle size than that predicted by a diffusioncontrolled reaction model. Evidence is presented that highly delocalized, excess electron states of the water pool play an important role in the attachment process.
Phosphorylation of the Arp2 Subunit Relieves Auto-inhibitory Interactions for Arp2/3 Complex Activation

Actin filament assembly by the actin-related protein (Arp) 2/3 complex is necessary to build many cellular structures, including lamellipodia at the leading edge of motile cells and phagocytic cups, and to move endosomes and intracellular pathogens. The crucial role of the Arp2/3 complex in cellular processes requires precise spatiotemporal regulation of its activity. While binding of nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs) has long been considered essential to Arp2/3 complex activity, we recently showed that phosphorylation of the Arp2 subunit is also necessary for Arp2/3 complex activation. Using molecular dynamics simulations and biochemical assays with recombinant Arp2/3 complex, we now show how phosphorylation of Arp2 induces conformational changes permitting activation. The simulations suggest that phosphorylation causes reorientation of Arp2 relative to Arp3 by destabilizing a network of salt-bridge interactions at the interface of the Arp2, Arp3, and ARPC4 subunits. Simulations also suggest a gain-of-function ARPC4 mutant that we show experimentally to have substantial activity in the absence of NPFs. We propose a model in which a network of auto-inhibitory salt-bridge interactions holds the Arp2 subunit in an inactive orientation. These auto-inhibitory interactions are destabilized upon phosphorylation of Arp2, allowing Arp2 to reorient to an activation-competent state.
An efficient iteration strategy for upwind/relaxation solutions to the thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations

A previously developed upwind/relaxation algorithm for solving the unsteady, compressible, thin-layer Navier-Stokes equations is presently modified so that the downstream influence of the subsonic part of the boundary layer in an otherwise supersonic flow is suppressed by restricting the streamwise pressure gradient. A 'parabolized' solution is then efficiently obtained by marching downstream and iterating locally in each crossflow plane until achieving convergence. This parabolized solution is an excellent final one for problems without large adverse streamwise pressure gradients.
Association of increased left ventricular mass in the absence of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy with ST depression during exercise.

Abstract In patients with a low likelihood of obstructive coronary artery disease, increased LV mass in the absence of electrocardiographic LV hypertrophy may have a new, important association with ST-segment depression during exercise.
Improving on the Steady State in the State-Dependent Enforcement of Pollution Control

Abstract In a model with measurement error, optimal state-dependent enforcement of pollution control was shown by Harford (J. Environ. Econom. Management21, 67-81 (1991)) to reduce steady state expected annual social cost below the level attainable by a static enforcement approach. It is shown here that the expected present value of social cost can be reduced below the level attainable in a purely stationary model by choosing a value for the initial proportions of firms in the two groups that is different from the long-run equilibrium values. How this changes the optimal values of the monitoring probabilities and pollution standards for the two groups is addressed by considering small deviations from the purely steady-state optimum.
Visual suppression of vestibular nystagmus in rhesus monkeys

Summary Visual suppression of vestibular nystagmus was studied in rhesus monkeys. In the presence of vision the velocity of slow phases of caloric nystagmus was reduced by about 50%. The percent reduction in slow phase velocity was independent of the intensity of the nystagmus except when the nystagmus was weak. Visual suppression was similar when tested several times on the same day but tended to increase if there was spontaneous nystagmus or if testing was done over a more prolonged period of time. Percent reduction of slow phase velocity of caloric nystagmus in light as compared with that in darkness would appear to be a convenient and stable method for assessing the strength of visual fixation. Visual fixation also suppressed spontaneous nystagmus and positional alcohol nystagmus (PAN). Higher levels of alcohol were shown to reduce or abolish visual suppression of PAN and of caloric nystagmus.
Left ventricular function in atrial fibrillation during overdrive pacing

Abstract Objective Our purpose was to measure the effect of ventricular pacing in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on stroke volume and cardiac output. Background Unceasing variation in cycle length in AF decreases stroke volume and cardiac output. Because ventricular-inhibited pacing after atrioventricular node ablation has been reported to improve left ventricular performance, we tested the hypothesis that overdrive pacing would produce a similar benefit by regularizing cycle length. Methods and Results We studied 18 patients with chronic AF and permanent pacemakers. The aortic time velocity integral (TVI) was measured with continuous-wave Doppler and was used as a surrogate measure of stroke volume (stroke volume = TVI × aortic valve area, and aortic valve area is constant whether in AF or during pacing). For each patient, the linear relation between preceding cycle length and TVI in AF was used to estimate relative stroke volume (TVI compared within each patient) at a preceding cycle length of 666 ms in AF, and a similar comparison between AF and pacing was made at the minimum allowable pacing rate. Relative stroke volume in AF was then compared with relative stroke volume at both the fixed cycle (666 ms) and the minimum allowable rate. During pacing at 666 ms, relative stroke volume increased significantly by 18% ( t = 2.8, P =.048), but there was no difference in cardiac output during pacing at the minimum possible rate and the corresponding preceding cycle length in AF. Conclusion Our data suggest that regularization of ventricular rhythm by overdrive pacing in patients with AF only improves stroke volume (and by extension, cardiac output) at pacing rates at the outer limit of and above the normal physiologic range. (Am Heart J 2002;143:827-32.)
Prostaglandin-induced apoptosis of ovarian surface epithelial cells

Abstract In a previous study we observed that expression of mRNA encoding prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase is elevated within ovarian epithelial cells that cover the surface of preovulatory ovine follicles. We report herein that during the process of ovulation these cells undergo degenerative morphological changes typical of apoptosis and are sloughed from the follicular apex. This response was circumvented by blockade of ovulation by indomethacin. The effect of indomethacin was reversed by prostaglandin E2 or F2α. Prostaglandin-induced DNA fragmentation (a hallmark of apoptosis) was verified in primary cultures of sheep ovarian surface epithelial cells. Prostaglandins did not cause apoptosis in a human ovarian cancer cell line of epithelial origin.
Gβγ and Palmitate Target Newly Synthesized Gαzto the Plasma Membrane

The subcellular location of a signaling protein determines its ability to transmit messages accurately and efficiently. Three different lipid modifications tether heterotrimeric G proteins to membranes: alpha subunits are myristoylated and/or palmitoylated, and gamma subunits are prenylated. In a previous study, we examined the role of lipid modifications in maintaining the membrane attachment of a G protein alpha subunit, alphaz, which is myristoylated and palmitoylated (Morales, J., Fishburn, C. S., Wilson, P. T., and Bourne, H. R. (1998) Mol. Biol. Cell 9, 1-14). Now we extend this analysis by characterizing the mechanisms that target newly synthesized alphaz to the plasma membrane (PM) and analyze the role of lipid modifications in this process. In comparison with newly synthesized alphas, which is palmitoylated but not myristoylated, alphaz moves more rapidly to the membrane fraction following synthesis in the cytosol. Newly synthesized alphaz associates randomly with cellular membranes, but with time accumulates at the PM. Palmitoylated alphaz is present only in PM-enriched fractions, whereas a nonpalmitoylated mutant of alphaz (alphazC3A) associates less stably with the PM than does wild-type alphaz. Expression of a C-terminal fragment of the beta-adrenoreceptor kinase, which sequesters free betagamma, impairs association of both alphaz and alphazC3A with the PM, suggesting that the alpha subunit must bind betagamma in order to localize at the PM. Based on these findings, we propose a model in which, following synthesis on soluble ribosomes, myristoylated alphaz associates randomly and reversibly with membranes; upon association with the PM, alphaz binds betagamma, which promotes its palmitoylation, thus securing it in the proper place for transmitting the hormonal signal.
Walras, Leontief, and the Interdependence of Economic Activities

The theoretical groundwork for detailed interdependence models on a national basis was erected by Leon Walras in his Elements d’Economie Politique Pure, first published in two parts: the first, dealing with the theory of exchange, in 1874, the second, concerned with the theory of production, in 1877.1 In this work, and four subsequent editions, Walras developed his general equilibrium theory, all but totally neglected in the Anglo-American pursuit of Marshallian partial analysis.2
Phosphorylation of Fli1 at Threonine 312 by Protein Kinase C δ Promotes Its Interaction with p300/CREB-Binding Protein-Associated Factor and Subsequent Acetylation in Response to Transforming Growth Factor β

Previous studies have shown that transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta)-induced collagen gene expression involves acetylation-dependent dissociation from the human alpha2(I) collagen (COL1A2) promoter of the transcriptional repressor Fli1. The goal of this study was to elucidate the regulatory steps preceding the acetylation of Fli1. We first showed that TGF-beta induces Fli1 phosphorylation on a threonine residue(s). The major phosphorylation site was localized to threonine 312 located in the DNA binding domain of Fli1. Using several independent approaches, we demonstrated that Fli1 is directly phosphorylated by protein kinase C delta (PKC delta). Additional experiments showed that in response to TGF-beta, PKC delta is recruited to the collagen promoter to phosphorylate Fli1 and that this step is a prerequisite for the subsequent interaction of Fli1 with p300/CREB-binding protein-associated factor (PCAF) and an acetylation event. The phosphorylation of endogenous Fli1 preceded its acetylation in response to TGF-beta stimulation, and the blockade of PKC delta abrogated both the phosphorylation and acetylation of Fli1 in dermal fibroblasts. Promoter studies showed that a phosphorylation-deficient mutant of Fli1 exhibited an increased inhibitory effect on the COL1A2 gene, which could not be reversed by the forced expression of PCAF or PKC delta. These data strongly suggest that the phosphorylation-acetylation cascade triggered by PKC delta represents the primary mechanism whereby TGF-beta regulates the transcriptional activity of Fli1 in the context of the collagen promoter.
Endogenous opioids and their role in odor preference acquisition and consolidation following odor-shock conditioning in infant rats.

We assessed the neurochemical basis of olfactory learning induced by presentations of odor and moderate shock in infant rats. Paradoxically, shock conditioning produces an odor preference in 8-day-olds, but an odor aversion in 12-day-olds. Studies have demonstrated the importance of opioids in early olfactory learning; their specific role remains undefined. In this study, postnatal Days 8 and 12 pups were systemically injected with naltrexone, a nonspecific opioid antagonist, or saline and received either paired or backward presentations of odor-moderate shock or odor-only presentations. Blocking the opioid system during conditioning disrupted acquisition of the Day 8 odor preference, but not the Day 12 odor aversion. Additional Day 8 pups were given naltrexone posttraining. Naltrexone not only blocked consolidation of an odor preference but also yielded an odor aversion. These results suggest that the opioid system has a critical role in both olfactory learning and consolidation of odor preferences during the sensitive period.
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia: Endogenous Activation of Nicotinic Receptors Mediates Respiratory Modulation of Brainstem Cardioinhibitory Parasympathetic Neurons

The heart rate increases during inspiration and decreases during expiration. This respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) occurs by modulation of premotor cardioinhibitory parasympathetic neuron (CPN) activity. However, RSA has not been fully characterized in rats, and despite the critical role of CPNs in the generation of RSA, little is known about the mechanisms that mediate this cardiorespiratory interaction. This study demonstrates that RSA in conscious rats is similar to that in other species. The mechanism of RSA was then examined in vitro. Rhythmic inspiratory-related activity was recorded from the hypoglossal rootlet of 700- to 800-μm medullary sections. CPNs were identified by retrograde fluorescent labeling, and neurotransmission to CPNs was examined using patch-clamp electrophysiological techniques. During inspiratory bursts, the frequency of both spontaneous γ-aminobutyric acidergic (GABAergic) and spontaneous glycinergic synaptic events in CPNs was significantly increased. Focal application of the nicotinic antagonist dihydro-β-erythroidine in an α 4 β 2 -selective concentration (3 μmol/L) abolished the respiratory-evoked increase in GABAergic frequency. In contrast, the increase in glycinergic frequency during inspiration was not altered by nicotinic antagonists. Prenatal nicotine exposure exaggerated the increase in GABAergic frequency during inspiration and enhanced GABAergic synaptic amplitude both between and during inspiratory events. Glycinergic synaptic frequency and amplitude were unchanged by prenatal nicotine exposure. This study establishes a neurochemical link between neurons essential for respiration and CPNs, reveals a functional role for endogenous acetylcholine release and the activation of nicotinic receptors in the generation of RSA, and demonstrates that this cardiorespiratory interaction is exaggerated in rats prenatally exposed to nicotine.
Eosinophilic fasciitis with multiple myeloma: a new haematological association

Eosinophilic fasciitis (EF) is characterised by skin induration, hypergammaglobulinaemia, and peripheral eosinophilia. There have been numerous reports of an association of EF with haematological disorders, including monoclonal gammopathy. To our knowledge, we describe the first reported case of an association of EF with multiple myeloma (MM). A 48 year old white woman presented for evaluation of a 12 month history of progressive increasing skin thickness and tightening and recurrent falls. The patient was in her usual state of health until one year before admission when she noticed increased skin pigmentation with diffuse skin thickening, initially on the thighs but progressing to her abdomen and arms. She denied any Raynaud's phenomenon. On examination, the vital signs were normal. Examination was significant for skin thickening and induration of the thighs and arms. There was minimal sclerodactyly and no digital ulcers, scars or synovitis. No nailfold capillary abnormality was noticed. The oral aperture was mildly decreased with no evidence of telangiectasias. There were bilateral flexion contractures of the knees and the elbows. Results of chest, heart, and abdominal examinations were within …
Patterns of sharing customizable software

The act of customizing software is generally viewed as a solitary activity that allows users to express individual preferences. In this study, users at two different research sites, working with two different kinds of customizable software, were found to actively share their customization files with each other. This sharing allowed the members of each organization to establish and perpetuate informally-defined norms of behavior.A small percentage of people within the organization were responsible for most of the sharing. One group of these were highly-skilled software engineers, who were usually the first to try new software. They used customization as a way to experiment with and learn about the software and made their files available to others through various broadcast mechanisms. This group did not try to determine whether their customizations were useful to other users. The second group were less skilled technically but much more interested in interpreting the needs of their colleagues and creating customization files tailored to those needs. They acted as translators between the highly technical group and the rest of the organization.The spontaneous sharing of customization files within an organization has implications for both organizations and for software designers. Managers should 1) recognize and support the role of translators, 2) recognize that not all sharing is beneficial, and 3) provide opportunities for the exchange of customization files and innovations among members of the organization. Software designers should 1) provide tools that allow users to evaluate the effectiveness of their customizations through reflective software, 2) provide well-tested examples of customization files with the first release of the software, 3) explicitly support sharing of customizations, and 4) provide tools to support the activities of translators.
High-throughput genotyping of intermediate-size structural variation

The contribution of large-scale and intermediate-size structural variation (ISV) to human genetic disease and disease susceptibility is only beginning to be understood. The development of high-throughput genotyping technologies is one of the most critical aspects for future studies of linkage disequilibrium (LD) and disease association. Using a simple PCR-based method designed to assay the junctions of the breakpoints, we genotyped seven simple insertion and deletion polymorphisms ranging in size from 6.3 to 24.7 kb among 90 CEPH individuals. We then extended this analysis to a larger collection of samples (n=460) by application of an oligonucleotide extension-ligation genotyping assay. The analysis showed a high level of concordance ( approximately 99%) when compared with PCR/sequence-validated genotypes. Using the available HapMap data, we observed significant LD (r2=0.74-0.95) between each ISV and flanking single nucleotide polymorphisms, but this observation is likely to hold only for similar simple insertion/deletion events. The approach we describe may be used to characterize a large number of individuals in a cost-effective manner once the sequence organization of ISVs is known.
A mutual information based approach for evaluating the quality of clustering

In this paper, a new method for evaluating the quality of clustering of genes is proposed based on mutual information criterion. Instead of using the conventional histogram-based modeling method to assess clustering performance, we derive a normalized mutual information criterion utilizing the Gaussian kernel density estimator. In the computation of the mutual information, we propose to use only cluster-centroids instead of involving all the members, which offers a huge computational savings. The proposed algorithm not only considers the cluster size but also takes into consideration the homogeneity within a cluster. One major advantage of the proposed algorithm is that, it is capable of estimating an appropriate number of clusters. Extensive experimentation has been carried out on some synthetic data as well as the most widely used Yeast cell cycle gene expression data. Under various clustering conditions it is found that the proposed method provides an excellent performance in terms of measuring the quality of cluster and identifying the true number of cluster.
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF DIRECT LEGISLATION IN CALIFORNIA

Professor Cottrell is Executive Head of the School of Social Sciences at Stanford University, where he has been Professor of Political Science since I9I9. He is first Vice-President of the American Political Science Association and a member of the Executive Council of the National Municipal League. His study of government has been supplemented by active service in Palo Alto's municipal affairs, including a term as Mayor, and by work with various State bodies. Currently he is a member of the California Commission onTaxation and the Costs of Government.
Cartilage Injuries of the Hip

The standardization of operative techniques (ie, portal placement, patient positioning) and integration of arthrosocopy of the central and peripheral compartments made hip arthroscopy more popular and expanded its applications during years past. The main indications for arthroscopy of the hip 10 years ago were diagnostic arthroscopy and debriding procedures, such as removal of loose bodies, cartilage debridements, labrum resection, or synovectomies. Recent advances in the field have expanded the indications to include reconstructive procedures of the acetabular labrum, recontouring of the head–neck junction for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome, and cartilage procedures, such as abrasion arthroplasty or the microfracture technique. This article will describe cartilage injuries of the hip and explains how hip arthroscopy ties into the treatment algorithm of degenerative disease of the hip joint.
Review: patient education interventions improve glycaemic control in adults with diabetes mellitus.

Ellis SE, Speroff T, Dittus RS, et al . Diabetes patient education: a meta-analysis and meta-regression. Patient Educ Couns 2004;52:97–105. [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Q Do patient education interventions improve glycaemic control in adults with diabetes mellitus? ### ![Graphic][5] Data sources: Medline, CINAHL, HealthSTAR, ERIC, Science Citation Index, PsycINFO, CRISP, and a database on the American Association of Diabetes Educators website (http://www.aadenet.org). ### ![Graphic][6] Study selection and assessment: randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that were published from 1990–2000 in English, evaluated educational interventions in adult outpatients with diabetes, and reported on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations before and after the intervention and at ⩾12 weeks after the intervention. An educational intervention was defined as any non-pharmacological educational technique that used physical, intellectual, or psychosocial means to improve the health of patients with diabetes. ### ![Graphic][7] Outcomes: glycaemic control (HbA1c concentrations). 21 RCTs (28 educational and 21 control interventions) met the selection criteria. 5 studies had >1 intervention group. Study size ranged from 23–320 patients (total 2439 patients). 20 interventions were used in patients with type … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DPatient%2Beducation%2Band%2Bcounseling%26rft.stitle%253DPatient%2BEduc%2BCouns%26rft.aulast%253DEllis%26rft.auinit1%253DS.%2BE.%26rft.volume%253D52%26rft.issue%253D1%26rft.spage%253D97%26rft.epage%253D105%26rft.atitle%253DDiabetes%2Bpatient%2Beducation%253A%2Ba%2Bmeta-analysis%2Band%2Bmeta-regression.%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1016%252FS0738-3991%252803%252900016-8%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F14729296%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1016/S0738-3991(03)00016-8&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=14729296&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F7%2F3%2F79.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000188592700013&link_type=ISI [5]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [6]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [7]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif