cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Simple Imputation Method for Longitudinal Studies with Non‐ignorable Non‐responses

Missing data are a common problem in longitudinal studies in the health sciences. Motivated by data from the Muscatine Coronary Risk Factor (MCRF) study, a longitudinal study of obesity, we propose a simple imputation method for handling non-ignorable non-responses (i.e., when non-response is related to the specific values that should have been obtained) in longitudinal studies with either discrete or continuous outcomes. In the proposed approach, two regression models are specified; one for the marginal mean of the response, the other for the conditional mean of the response given non-response patterns. Statistical inference for the model parameters is based on the generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach. An appealing feature of the proposed method is that it can be readily implemented using existing, widely-available statistical software. The method is illustrated using longitudinal data on obesity from the MCRF study.
Experimental Analysis of the Effect of Cutting Conditions on the Initial Penetration in Drilling: A Comparative Study Between Conventional and Split Chisel Drills

To improve the performance and the capability of the drilling process, it is necessary to understand the mechanics of drilling. In particular, drill bit vibrations lead to undesirable effects such as chatter, hole location and roundness errors. In this study, the wandering motion during initial penetration in drilling is experimentally investigated. Four quantities, namely, mean, peak-to-peak value, skewness, and kurtosis are calculated for the time-domain orbital signals. The orbital signals were obtained using proximity probes. The drilling was performed in plates of aluminum, brass, steel, and stainless steel using conventional point and split-chisel symmetrical twist drills. The conventional and split-point drills show different wandering paths during the penetration process. In general, split-point drills produced larger size orbits with more chatter during initial penetration, but showed better centering. On the other hand, conventional drills were found to produce holes that were more offset with smaller size and smoother wandering motion around the actual centers.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Translation and the transparency of French

The history of translation is inextricably linked to the history of reflection on language, both language in the abstract and languages in their local particularity. An influential account of French, current since the seventeenth century, claims that it is a “transparent” translating machine, superior to other languages in its ability to render all meanings in a noiseless transaction. This essay examines the responses of three postmodern/postcolonial writers in French, Edouard Glissant, Abdelkebir Khatibi and Jacques Derrida. All three critique the neoclassical account of French not by denying the centrality of translation to French, but by offering a new understanding of translation as an inherent component of language. For each, translation is key to a utopic, emancipatory project. Ultimately, their revisionary approach to the French language enables us to return to the texts of the past and read them anew in an ongoing dialogue.
IL10 resistant PGS2 expression in at-risk/Type 1 diabetic human monocytes.

Abstract Aberrant prostaglandin synthase 2 (PGS2/COX2) expression constitutes an antigen presenting cell (APC) dysfunction seen in monocytes of humans at risk for or with Type 1 diabetes. During endotoxin activation of PGS2 expression in healthy monocytes, granulocyte–monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is activated and, in turn, promotes PGS2 gene activation. GM-CSF is considered a major target the action for IL10 in its suppression of PGS2. We found that the PGS2 expression in monocytes from 47% of at-risk and diabetic humans tested were highly resistant to suppression by IL10 (maintaining ≥50% of their untreated expression), and had significantly increased GM-CSF production in vitro (1043±SD2798 pg/106cells, subject n=35, vs 29.7±SD91 pg/106cells, control n=20; P=0.0165). The PGS2 insensitivity to IL10 of these cells was not due to a lack of IL10 functionality or its suppression of GM-CSF. In contrast to its effects on PGS2, IL10 regulation of GM-CSF and other monocyte factors (i.e., DR, IL1β, TNFα, IL12, CD54, and CD64) remained intact. These findings suggest that the inability of IL10 to properly downregulate PGS2 gene expression may contribute to its dysregulation in Type 1 diabetes.
Nonlinear Autoregressive Modeling and Estimation in the Presence of Noise

Abstract Nonlinear autoregressive processes constitute a potentially important class of nonlinear signal models for a wide range of signal processing applications involving both natural and man-made phenomena. A state-space characterization is used to develop algorithms for modeling and estimating signals as nonlinear autoregressive processes from noise-corrupted measurements. Special attention is given to chaotic processes, which form an important subclass of nonlinear autoregressive processes. The modeling algorithms are based on the method of total least-squares, and exploit the local structure of the signals in state space. The recursive estimation algorithms for addressing problems of filtering, prediction, and smoothing, are based on extended Kalman estimators, and jointly exploit aspects of both the temporal and state-space structure in these processes. The resulting algorithms are practical both in terms of computation and storage requirements, and their effectiveness is verified through simulations involving noisy nonlinear autoregressive data.
Ordering the Cell Death Pathway DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF BCL2, AN INTERLEUKIN-1-CONVERTING ENZYME FAMILY PROTEASE INHIBITOR, AND OTHER SURVIVAL AGENTS ON JNK ACTIVATION IN SERUM/NERVE GROWTH FACTOR-DEPRIVED PC12 CELLS

Previous studies indicate that activation of c-Jun kinase (JNK) is necessary for apoptosis of trophic factor-deprived PC12 cells and that death in this system is suppressed by multiple agents, including BCL2, inhibitors of the interleukin-1-converting enzyme (ICE) family of proteases, blockers of transcription, and a variety of small molecules with differing modes of action. Here, we determine the order in which these agents block apoptosis relative to JNK activation. Overexpression of BCL2 promotes PC12 cell survival and blocks JNK activation caused by trophic factor withdrawal. Similarly, the survival-promoting agents aurintricarboxylic acid, N-acetylcysteine, the nitric oxide generator diethylenetriamine nitric oxide, 8-bromo-cGMP, and 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cAMP act upstream to inhibit JNK activation. In contrast, zVAD-fluoromethylketone (a permeant ICE family inhibitor), actinomycin D, and the G1/S cell cycle inhibitor deferoxamine, all promote survival after trophic factor withdrawal, but do not affect JNK activation. These findings are consistent with the presence of an ordered cell death pathway triggered by trophic factor deprivation in which 1) BCL2 and a number of survival-promoting agents act upstream of JNK, 2) ICE family protease actions, regulated genes required for cell death, and certain cell cycle blockers lie either downstream of JNK or on independent pathways required for apoptotic death.
Quantitative and qualitative aspects of photoreactivation of premutational ultraviolet damage at the ad-3 loci of Neurospora crassa.

Abstract Experiments have been carried out to determine whether photoreactivation is specific for particular fraction of the UV-induced premutational damage leading to ad -3 B mutants in Neurospora . Populations of mutants were compared which had been induced by UV in the presence and absence of photoreactivation. In spite of the reduction in mutation frequency brought about by photoreactivation, no evidence was found to suggest that any part of the mutant population was repaired preferentially. The simplest interpretation of this result is that there is but one type of premutational lesion induced by UV in this system. Repair of a fraction of this damage should affect all types of mutants similarly. Alternatively, if more than one type of premutational lesion exist, some of which are nonphotoreactivable, it is necessary to assume that, in terms of the mutants they are capable of producing, the photoreactivable and nonphotoreactivable lesions are equivalent.
Mechanisms of bacterial virulence in pulmonary infections.

Purpose of review To consider the relevance to severe human lung infections of recently discovered virulence mechanisms of Staphylococcus aureus and Francisella tularensis
A Novel Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Approach to Determine the Mechanism of Drug Transport by P-glycoprotein *

Abstract ATP-driven pumping of a variety of drugs out of cells by the human P-glycoprotein poses a serious problem to medical therapy. High level heterologous expression of human P-glycoprotein, in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has facilitated biophysical studies in purified proteoliposome preparations. Membrane permeability of transported drugs and consequent lack of an experimentally defined drug position have made resolution of the transport mechanism difficult by classical techniques. To overcome these obstacles we devised a novel EPR spin-labeled verapamil for use as a transport substrate. Spin-labeled verapamil was an excellent transport substrate with apparent turnover number,K m and K i values of 5.8 s−1, 4 μm, and 210 μm,respectively, at pH 7.4 and 37 °C. The apparent affinities were ∼10-fold higher than for unlabeled verapamil. Spin-labeled verapamil stimulated ATPase activity ∼5-fold, was relatively hydrophilic, and had a very low flip-flop rate, making it an ideal transport substrate. The K m for MgATP activation of transport was 0.8 mm. By measuring the mobility of spin-labeled verapamil during transport experiments, we were able to resolve the location of the drug in proteoliposome suspensions. Steady state gradients of spin-labeled verapamil within the range ofK i/K m ratios were observed.
Conservative Protestant Congregations and Racial Residential Segregation: Evaluating the Closed Community Thesis in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties:

Structural explanations of residential segregation usually focus on the role of discrimination in the real estate and mortgage lending industries in generating blackwhite residential segregation in...
A minimal genome simian foamy virus type 1 vector system with efficient gene transfer.

Abstract Foamy viruses have several inherent features for the opportunity to develop efficient and versatile vectors for gene therapy. We have constructed a series of vectors and helper plasmids based on simian foamy virus type 1 (SFV-1) to establish the minimum vector genome required for efficient gene transduction. To characterize the efficiency of gene transduction by these vectors, the green fluorescent protein (GFP) coding sequence is linked to the human cytomegalovirus immediate gene promoter. Several deletion analyses of SFV-1 vectors revealed that the minimum genome with efficient GFP transduction contained the 5′ untranslated region extending to the first 637 nucleotides of the gag gene, a 596 nucleotides of pol sequence from position 3137–3733, the 3′ pol region at position 5200–5693, the 3′ end polypurine tract, and the 3′ LTR. An additional 1131 nucleotides can be removed from the 3′ end LTR without affecting the efficiency of vector transduction. SFV-1 vector can therefore accommodate a minimum 8930 base-size heterologous DNA fragment. Furthermore, the efficiency of SFV-1 vector transduction was analyzed using different packaging plasmids. GFP transduction with packaging plasmid that contained the 5′ R-U5 region of the LTR was compared with helper plasmids that had deletions in this region except for 22 nucleotides (positions 21–41), the first 61, 77, or 140 nucleotides of the R of the LTR. Transduction efficiencies were significantly reduced with the deletion mutations implicating that for optimum SFV-1 vector productions a packaging construct that includes the 5′ R-U5 is required.
Development of harvester ant colonies alters soil chemistry

Abstract Nests of the harvester ant Pogonomyrmex barbatus typically contain higher concentrations of organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus than surrounding soils. The difference between nest soils and surrounding soils is due, at least in part, to ant foraging behavior. Ants retrieve seeds from the environment and concentrate seed nutrients in the vicinity of the nest. But elevated nutrient concentrations in nests may also reflect initial conditions, if nest-founding queens are more likely to choose or survive in soils with high organic matter and nutrient content. By measuring the soil nutrient content and surface area of P. barbatus nests ranging from 1 to 20 years of age over two sampling periods, we (a) investigated the relationship between nest soil characteristics and colony age, and (b) tested the hypothesis that nest soils differ from background soils when nests are established. Nest surface area increased with colony age until age 5–10 years and leveled off thereafter. Relative to surrounding soils, concentrations of total nitrogen and orthophosphate increased, and pH decreased, with increasing colony age. The difference between nest soils and surrounding soils in total nitrogen, nitrate, and ammonium concentrations also increased over a 9-month interval between sampling bouts. Extrapolations from regressions of soil chemical variables against colony age provided no evidence that nest founding and early colony survival is more likely to occur in high-nutrient soils.
Exploring “White” Identity Formation in Pastoral Care and Counseling Training

Abstract White identity formation and its impact on training for multicultural pastoral care and counseling are explored in the context of white encapsulation, white privilege, and institutional racism in the United States. Seven states of awareness by white Americans of their racial identity are delineated, and five stages of growth in white racial identity formation are explored. Theological beliefs which challenge and contribute to racism are delineated. Three suggestions are offered for training programs committed to combating racism by helping white educators and trainees examine their “whiteness.”
Boundary measures of Markov chains

It is known that each Markov chain has associated with it a polytope and a family of Markov measures indexed by the interior points of the polytope. Measure-preserving factor maps between Markov chains must preserve the associated families. In the present paper, we augment this structure by identifying measures corresponding to points on the boundary of the polytope. These measures are also preserved by factor maps. We examine the data they provide and give examples to illustrate the use of this data in ruling out the existence of factor maps between Markov chains.
Treated unicameral bone cysts

Unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) are a common benign entity involving the metaphysis of growing bone, occurring within the first two decades of life. Assessment of these lesions, both before and after surgery, is performed routinely utilizing radiographs. We present a review of UBCs at various stages of treatment, including both successful and incomplete healing, and describe the imaging findings throughout their postoperative course.
Downstream nuclear events in brassinosteroid signalling

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroid hormones that control many aspects of plant growth and development. BRs bind to the plasma membrane receptor kinase BRI1, and act through a signalling pathway that involves a glycogen synthase kinase-3-like kinase (BIN2) and a serine/threonine phosphatase (BSU1). Previous models proposed that BIN2 negatively regulates BR signalling by controlling the stability and subcellular localization of the related transcription factors BES1 and BZR1 by phosphorylation, in a manner reminiscent of the canonical Wnt signalling pathway of metazoans. Here we present strong evidence for a different mode of regulation of BR signalling. We show that BES1 is localized constitutively to the nucleus, where its activity is modulated by nuclear-localized BIN2 kinase. BIN2-mediated phosphorylation of BES1 inhibits its DNA-binding activity on BR-responsive target promoters and its transcriptional activity through impaired multimerization. Our observations demonstrate that phosphorylation-dependent inhibition of DNA binding and trans-activation is the key primary mechanism of BES1 regulation.
Reversed selection responses in small populations of the housefly (Musca domestica L.).

We compared the efficacy of artificial and natural selection processes in purging the genetic load of perpetually small populations. We subjected replicate lines of the housefly (Musca domestica L.), recently derived from the wild, to artificial selection for increased mating propensity (i.e., the proportion of male–female pairs initiating copulation within 30 min) in efforts to cull out the inbreeding depression effects of long-term small population size (as determined by a selection protocol for increased assortative mating). We also maintained parallel non-selection lines for assessing the spontaneous purge of genetic load due to inbreeding alone. We thus evaluated the fitness of artificially and ‘naturally’ purging populations held at census sizes of 40 individuals over the course of 18 generations. We found that the artificially selected lines had significant increases in mating propensity (up to 46% higher from the beginning of the protocol) followed by reversed selection responses back to the initial levels, resulting in non-significant heritabilities. Nevertheless, the ‘naturally’ selected lines had significantly lower fitness overall (a 28% reduction from the beginning of the protocol), although lower effective population sizes could have contributed to this effect. We conclude that artificial selection bolstered fitness, but only in the short-term, because the inadvertent fixation of extant genetic load later resulted in pleiotropic fitness declines. Still, the short-term advantage of the selection protocol likely contributed to the success of the speciation experiment since our recently-derived housefly populations are particularly vulnerable to inbreeding depression effects on mating behavior.
MONOMERIC CYCLOPENTADIENYLNICKEL METHOXO AND AMIDO COMPLEXES : SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION, REACTIVITY, AND USE FOR EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN H-X AND M-X BOND ENERGIES

Reactive monomeric amido and methoxo complexes, Cp*Ni(PEt3)NHTol and Cp*Ni(PEt3)OMe, have been synthesized and fully characterized. The former is the first monomeric 18-electron nickel amide to be ...
Germination of Aspergillus flavus sclerotia in a Georgia maize field

The first observation of sporogenic germination of Aspergillus flavus in the field is reported. Sclerotia placed on the soil surface germinated eight days prior to the maize silking date. Sclerotia exposed on fallow, bare ground adjacent to each maize field did not germinate. Shade provided by the maize canopy may help to retain moisture at the soil surface and thus promote germination.
Implementation of Time-Transient and Step-Jump Dynamic Analyses of Gas-Lubricated Bearings

The dynamic analysis of gas-bearing systems are discussed from two points of view. The “Time-Transient” method which has been previously reported in a number of papers [1] [2] couples the lubrication and dynamic equations and integrates forward in time, to provide a time history of the motions of the system in its various degrees of freedom. The “Step-Jump” approach determines the system response due to a sudden impulse from an assumed stable operating position. The two theoretical approaches are discussed qualitatively. Implementation is presented by way of sample problems, including a fixed and resiliantly mounted hybrid journal bearing system and an elastic gimbal mounted Rayleigh-Step thrust bearing. The advantages, disadvantages and complementary characteristics of each method are presented. Details of the Step-Jump analysis for the hybrid bearing are included as an Appendix.
A COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO MASSIVELY PARALLEL ALGORITHMS FOR MONTE CARLO COMPUTER SIMULATION : AN INVESTIGATION IN THE GRAND CANONICAL ENSEMBLE

We present a comparison between two different approaches to parallelizing the grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation technique (GCMC) for classical fluids: a spatial decomposition and a time decomposition. The spatial decomposition relies on the fact that for short-ranged fluids, such as the cut and shifted Lennard-Jones potential used in this work, atoms separated by a greater distance than the reach of the potential act independently, and thus different processors can work concurrently in regions of the same system which are sufficiently far apart. The time decomposition is an exactly parallel approach which employs simultaneous (GCMC) simulations, one per processor, identical in every respect except the initial random number seed, with the thermodynamic output variables averaged across all processors. While scaling characteristics for the spatial decomposition are presented for 8–1024 processor systems, the comparison between the two decompositions is limited to the 8–128 processor range due to the warm-up time and memory imitations of the time decomposition. Using a combination of speed and statistical efficiency, the two algorithms are compared at two different state points. While the time decomposition reaches a given value of standard error in the system's potential energy more quickly than the spatial decomposition for both densities, the warm-up time demands of the time decomposition quickly become insurmountable as the system size increases. © 1996 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Strengthening the pipeline for innovation in cancer research: The National Cancer Institute's program for Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies

The declining value of the dollar and the evolving shape of the economy are affecting the value and availability of the funds that support the development and commercialization of novel cancer technologies. This conservatism goes against the forward advance of translational science, which is beginning to show its greatest promise for the pursuit of innovation and the dissemination of emerging technologies. Cancer technology development is nearing a tipping point in which these countering trends may result in a decline of the United States' ability to encourage and foster innovation. The National Cancer Institute's Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program is attempting to address this rapidly changing environment to ensure that innovation is not stifled. Discussed is an overview of the IMAT program, identified bottlenecks for innovation, and a proposed strategy for engaging new partners to strengthen the pipeline for innovative cancer technologies.
The use of intermediate memories for low-latency memory access in supercomputer scalar units

One of the prime considerations for high scalar performance in supercomputers is a low memory latency. With the increasing disparity between main memory and CPU clock speeds, the use of an intermediate memory in the hierarchy becomes necessary. In this paper, we present an intermediate memory structure called a programmable cache. A programmable cache exploits structural locality to decrease the average memory access time. We evaluate the concept of a programmable cache by using the vector registers in the CRAY X-MP and Y-MP supercomputers as a programmable cache. Our results indicate that a programmable cache can be used profitably to reduce the memory latency if the pattern of references to a data structure can be determined at compile time.
Characterization of Polyimide Foams for Ultra-Lightweight Space Structures

Ultra-lightweight materials have played a significant role in nearly every area of human activity ranging from magnetic tapes and artificial organs to atmospheric balloons and space inflatables. The application range of ultra-lightweight materials in past decades has expanded dramatically due to their unsurpassed efficiency in terms of low weight and high compliance properties. A new generation of ultra-lightweight materials involving advanced polymeric materials, such as TEEK (TM) polyimide foams, is beginning to emerge to produce novel performance from ultra-lightweight systems for space applications. As a result, they require that special conditions be fulfilled to ensure adequate structural performance, shape retention, and thermal stability. It is therefore important and essential to develop methodologies for predicting the complex properties of ultra-lightweight foams. To support NASA programs such as the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), Clark Atlanta University, along with SORDAL, Inc., has initiated projects for commercial process development of polyimide foams for the proposed cryogenic tank integrated structure (see figure 1). Fabrication and characterization of high temperature, advanced aerospace-grade polyimide foams and filled foam sandwich composites for specified lifetimes in NASA space applications, as well as quantifying the lifetime of components, are immensely attractive goals. In order to improve the development, durability, safety, and life cycle performance of ultra-lightweight polymeric foams, test methods for the properties are constant concerns in terms of timeliness, reliability, and cost. A major challenge is to identify the mechanisms of failures (i.e., core failure, interfacial debonding, and crack development) that are reflected in the measured properties. The long-term goal of the this research is to develop the tools and capabilities necessary to successfully engineer ultra-lightweight polymeric foams. The desire is to reduce density at the material and structural levels, while at the same time maintaining or increasing mechanical and other properties.
On Galleries with No Bad Points

For any k we construct a simply connected compact set (art gallery) in R 3 whose every point sees a positive fraction (in fact, more than 5/9) of the gallery, but the whole gallery cannot be guarded by k guards. This disproves a conjecture of Kavraki et al.
Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) study of “two-line” ferrihydrite structure: Effect of arsenate sorption and counterion variation and comparison with EXAFS results

Wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) measurements have been made on a suite of “two-line” ferrihydrite (FHY2) samples containing varying amounts of coprecipitated arsenate. Samples prepared at pH 8 with counter ions chloride, nitrate, and a mixture of both also were examined. The raw WAXS scattering functions show that “two-line” ferrihydrite actually has a large number of non-Bragg (i.e., diffuse scattering) maxima up to our observation limit of 16 A−1. The type of counter ion used during synthesis produces no significant change in this function. In unarsenated samples, Radial Distribution Functions (RDFs) produced from the scattering functions show a well-defined Fe-O peak at 2.02 A in excellent agreement with the mean distance of 2.01 A from extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. The area under the Fe-O peak is consistent with only octahedral oxygen coordination about iron, and an iron coordination about oxygen of 2.2, in agreement with the EXAFS results, the sample composition, and XANES measurements. The second peak observed in the RDFs is clearly divided into two populations of correlations, at 3.07 and 3.52 A, respectively. These distances are close to the EXAFS-derived Fe-Fe subshell distances of 3.02–3.05 and 3.43–3.46 A, respectively, though this is misleading as the RDF peaks also include contributions from O-Fe and O-O correlations. Simulated RDFs of the FeOOH polymorphs indicate how the observed RDF structure relates to the EXAFS pair-correlation function, and allow comparisons with an ordered ferrihydrite structure. The effect of increasing arsenate content is dramatic, as the RDF peaks are progressively smeared out, indicating a wider range of interatomic distances even at moderate surface coverages, and a loss of longer range correlations. At an As/Fe ratio of 0.68, the surface saturation level of arsenate, the RDF shows little order beyond what would be expected from small pieces of dioctahedral Fe oxyhydroxyl chains or small “sheet” units. Analysis of the first RDF peak yields components due to As-O and Fe-O correlations. As the As-O component at 1.67 A increases in size, the Fe-O component decreases, reflecting a decrease in Fe coordination about the average oxygen. This reduction is consistent with a decrease in mean crystallite size as suggested by EXAFS studies. Analysis of the second RDF peak components shows the progressive decrease in Fe-Fe correlations, and the enhancement of As-Fe correlations, as arsenate level increases. Comparison of the experimental RDF from coprecipitated arsenate-saturated FHY2 with simulated RDFs of model iron oxyhydroxyl structures further constrains possible sizes and geometry for the precipitates, and is consistent with sorbed complexes of the bidentate binuclear (apical oxygen sharing) type.
Enhancing the capacity of substance abuse prevention coalitions through training and technical assistance.

Community capacity may be enhanced through intermediary supports that provide training and technical assistance (TA). This study used a randomized pre/posttest design to assess the impact of training and TA on coalition capacity. Seven community coalitions from the Midwest participated in the 2-year study, which included 36 hours of training, followed by monthly TA calls to support action planning implementation for prioritized processes. Collaborative processes most commonly identified as high-need areas for TA were Developing Organizational Structure, Documenting Progress, Making Outcomes Matter, and Sustaining the Work. Based on a coalition survey, the average change for processes prioritized through TA across all seven coalitions was .27 (SD = .29), while the average change for non-prioritized processes was .09 (SD = .20) (t(6) = 4.86, p = .003, d = 1.84). The findings from this study suggest that TA can increase coalition capacity for implementing collaborative processes using a participatory approach.
Du Corps Souffrant Au Corps Pensé: Le Malade Imaginaire

In Le Malade imaginaire, Moliere addresses the relationship between physical and mental distress and reacts to epistemologies of bodily repression. Through the compulsive obsession of the character with the body, Moliere informs his audience that behind the character's grotesqueness exists a fundamental dilemma, namely a profound anxiety and feeling of purposelessness.
Biological activity of the fatty acid ester metabolites of corticoids.

Fatty acid esters of all families of steroid hormones are known to exist naturally. While their physiological roles are not clear, the C-17-fatty acid esters of estradiol are extremely potent and unusually long-lived estrogens. Thus, it appeared that increased potency would be a logical consequence of the esterification of all of the active steroid hormones. To test this hypothesis we measured the effect of an ester of corticosterone, corticosterone-21-stearate, on the induction of tyrosine aminotransferase in adrenalectomized rats. Surprisingly, while the ester is active compared to the unesterified corticoid corticosterone, there was no difference in either the magnitude or the duration of the induction of this enzyme. To determine whether the C-21-steroidal ester could itself induce this gluconeogenic response, we tested corticosterone-21-oleate and corticosterone- 21-stearate as competitors for the binding of [3H] dexamethasone to the glucocorticoid receptor in rat liver cytosol. Both were poor ligand...
Incidence of New Brain Lesions After Carotid Stenting With and Without Cerebral Protection

To the Editor: Kastrup and colleagues describe their experience with carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) both with and without distal protective devices.1 They performed CAS on patients with ipsilateral symptoms within the last 6 months and ultrasound documented ≥70% stenosis (57%). They also performed procedures on asymptomatic patients with ≥90% stenosis (43%). Using a combination of clinical end points and imaging end points, they were able to document their complication rate. Postprocedure strokes were considered “minor” if they increased the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) by 3. No …
Lymph node central necrosis on computed tomography as predictor of extracapsular spread in metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: pilot study

Objective: This study aimed (1) to investigate the relationship between the presence of lymph node central necrosis, viewed on pre-operative computed tomography imaging, and the occurrence of histopathologically determined metastatic lymph node extracapsular spread and (2) to determine whether a larger scale study would be valuable. Materials and methods: Pre-operative computed tomography scans, surgical records and post-operative histopathological analysis results were reviewed for 19 consecutive neck dissections performed in 17 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Results: A total of 20/26 (77 per cent) lymph nodes with central necrosis had extracapsular spread on histopathological analysis. Twenty of 21 (95 per cent) lymph nodes with extracapsular spread had central necrosis on pre-operative computed tomography. Thirty-four of 40 (85 per cent) lymph nodes without extracapsular spread had no evidence of central necrosis on computed tomography. Only three of 12 (25 per cent) patients with lymph node central necrosis identified on pre-operative computed tomography were found to have actual necrosis on final histopathological analysis. Conclusions: Lymph node central necrosis viewed on pre-operative computed tomography scans is a useful indicator of metastatic lymph node extracapsular spread, with a sensitivity of 95 per cent, a specificity of 85 per cent, a positive predictive value of 69 per cent and a negative predictive value of 98 per cent. Lymph node diameter is not a sensitive indicator of extracapsular spread.
Study of the origin of three dimensional structures and chaos in an externally forced free shear layer

Experiments on an externally forced free shear layer are performed which study the origin of three-dimensional structures and chaos in shear flows. Transition routes between the laminar two-dimensional stages of shear flows and their final complex three-dimensional stages are examined. Two avenues of investigation are pursued. First, the general idea of a multi-frequency route to chaos is examined which treats the shear flow as an open dynamical system. An attempt is made to apply concepts from nonlinear dynamics to these systems. Secondly, a new approach to generating three-dimensional structures in shear flows which involves the creation of a spatial shear in the frequency of external perturbations is presented. In these experiments, a variety of vortex reconnection behaviors is observed at the discontinuity.
Effects of cadmium on cell viability, trophoblastic development, and expression of low density lipoprotein receptor transcripts in cultured human placental cells

Previously, we have demonstrated that cadmium inhibits progesterone release in cultured human trophoblast cells. In the present study, we investigated potential mechanism(s) by which cadmium may elicit this effect. Cytotrophoblasts were obtained via enzymatic dispersion, purified by density gradient centrifugation, and cultured with increasing concentrations of cadmium. Cadmium-induced suppression of progesterone release seemed to be independent of cell death, as no significant decline in viability was observed with cadmium treatment. Further, immunocytochemical localization of cellular boundaries and nuclei indicated approximately 94% syncytial maturity was attained by both untreated and cadmium-treated cells, demonstrating that cadmium did not inhibit syncytial development. However, the abundance of LDL receptor (LDL-R) mRNA transcripts, as determined by competitive RT-PCR, was reduced (P < 0.05) by cadmium exposure in an apparent dose-dependent manner. Thus, the LDL-R, by which cholesterol substrate is supplied to the syncytiotrophoblast, is one site at which cadmium may interfere with placental progesterone production.
The von Restorff effect as a function of method of isolation

Using lists of eight letters, the von Restorff effect was investigated under four methods of isolating the fifth item: red background, border (surround), enlargement, or class change (number). Responses were scored considering serial position (SR scoring) and ignoring serial position (FR scoring). The isolated item was remembered best when it was a number under both SR and FR scoring. All isolation methods showed a positive spread of effect to the sixth item under SR but not under FR scoring.
The identification and metabolism of GA9 and its metabolites in seed coats and shoots of pea, line G2

[3H]gibberellin A9 was applied to shoots or seed parts of G2 pea to produce radiolabeled metabolites. These were used as markers during purification for the recovery of endogenous GA9 and its naturally occurring metabolites. GA9 and its metabolites were purified by HPLC, derivatized and examined by GC-MS. Endogenous GA9, GA20, GA29 and GA51 were identified in pea shoots and seed coats. GA51-catabolite and GA29-catabolite were also detected in seed coats. GA70 was detected in seed coats following the application of 1 μg of GA9. Applied [3H]GA9 was metabolized through both the 13-hydroxylation and 2β-hydroxylation pathways. Labeled metabolites were tentatively identified on the basis of co-chromatography on HPLC with endogenous compounds identified by GC-MS. In shoots [3H]GA51 and [3H]GA51-catabolite were the predominant metabolites after 6 hrs, but by 24 hrs there was little of these metabolites remaining, while [3H]GA29-catabolite and an unidentified metabolite predominated. In seed coats [3H]GA51 was the initial product, later followed by [3H]GA51-catabolite and an unidentified metabolite (different from that in shoots), with lesser amounts of [3H]GA20, [3H]GA29 and [3H]GA29-catabolite. [3H]GA70 was a very minor product in both cases. [3H]GA9 was not metabolized by pea cotyledons.
Transportational cyclic steps created by flow over an erodible bed. Part 2. Theory and numerical simulation

Experiments on transportational cyclic steps were presented in the preceding companion paper. In the present paper a theoretical explanation of cyclic steps is delineated in terms of upstream-migrating steps of permanent form. The data of the companion paper are used to deduce relations for resistance and entrainment into suspension that apply in the absence of steps. These relations are then used in combination with a quasi-steady shallow-water formulation of the conservation of momentum, flow mass, mass of sediment in suspension and bed sediment in order to develop a complete formulation of steps. The theory is generally successful at explaining most aspects of transportational cyclic steps.
Induced responses to herbivory in the Neotropical ant-plant association between Azteca ants and Cecropia trees: response of ants to potential inducing cues

Plant defense against herbivores often involves constitutive and inducible mechanisms of resistance. Obligate ant-plants, which provide food and housing for ants, are thought to primarily rely on ants for defense against herbivores. This form of plant defense has largely been viewed as static. We have been investigating the dynamic nature of Azteca ants as an inducible defense of Cecropia trees. Ants rapidly recruit to and patrol sites of foliar damage. We propose that Azteca ants can be viewed as an inducible defense for Cecropia trees because of their sensitivity to cues associated with herbivory, their rapid and aggressive recruiting ability, and their reclaimable and redeployable nature as a plant defense. In this study, we examine ant behavior following plant damage, and the potential cues that indude ant recruitment. We found that ants present on leaves when the plant is damaged leave the damaged leaf and recruit other ants to it, presumably by laying recruitment trails. Volatile leaf cues associated with herbivory were important in eliciting an induced response in two experiments. However, we found that cues associated with a congeneric plant elicited a much stronger ant response than conspecific cues. Although the type of leaf damage (gaping wounds versus leaf edge wounds) did not affect the level of ant recruitment, the extent of damage did. Leaves with one hole punched showed a 50% increase in ants, while leaves with five holes punched in them elicited a 100% increase in ant numbers. In sum, it appears that multiple plant-related cues associated with herbivory are involved in induction of ant recruitment in the Cecropia-Azteca system. We discuss the generality of ant responses to herbivory in obligate ant-plant systems, and in facultative ant-plant associations, which may be more common.
The classical elements in written Chinese: A multidimensional quantitative study

There has been a common belief that the presence of classical Chinese elements may be an important characteristic of the written style in modern Chinese. An empirical study employing the multi-feature, multi-dimensional framework for studying register variation (Biber 1988) and the statistical method of correspondence analysis confirms that there is indeed a classical dimension in modern written Chinese; but it is only one of two dimensions. The quantitative results further show that the classical dimension is not the primary dimension. The more important dimension is that of ‘literate vs. non-literate’, which has not received as much attention. The separation of the classical from the literate dimension makes it possible to account for the fact that registers having more classical Chinese elements are not necessarily more literate and vice versa. Another intriguing finding from the study is that classical Chinese elements are not monolithic; there seem to be four different types, which are distributed differently along the literate as well as the classical dimension. The difference in word length and integrability is hypothesized to account for the different types.
An experimental treatment with two preschool stuttering children.

An experimental treatment was conducted with two stuttering children. Each child conversed with a “talking” puppet for a number of 20-minute sessions. Baserates of stuttering frequency were establi...
Age effects on cytochrome oxidase activities during denervation and recovery of three muscle fiber types

The rat nasolabialis muscle is comprised of a mosaic of red, white, and intermediate muscle fiber types. Using computerized microdensitometry, cytochrome oxidase (COX) activity was quantitatively analyzed in each fiber type throughout the period of denervation and recovery in young adult (3-month) and middle-aged (15-month) male Sprague-Dawley rats. In animals of both age groups, the nasolabialis muscle on one side of the head was denervated by crushing the facial nerve. At specific days post crush (dpc) ranging from 2 days-2 months, animals were sacrificed and thick sections of normal and denervated muscles were incubated to demonstrate the activity of COX, a mitochondrial enzyme, which differentiates between the three fiber types. Enzyme activities in individual fibers were microdensitometrically analyzed using a digitizing image analyzer. Although a denervation-induced decreased followed by eventual recovery occurred in all fibers of each type, age-related differences were evident. For all types, younger fibers consistently showed decreased COX activity sooner than their older counterparts, and older fibers of all types consistently showed a greater decreased COX activity than the younger fibers. Denervation-induced de-differentiation of muscle fibers led to a more homogeneous population of fiber types in both age groups. Following recovery of function, the magnitude of the fiber enzyme activity change differed according to fiber type and to age, and was consistently smaller in older animals. The normal mosaic pattern of fiber type distribution and normal COX levels were restored 2 months after nerve lesion in both age groups.
Philosophical speculations on systems design

Abstract Belief in the value of the scientific method as a means of implementing improvement in social systems (here called “systems design”—SD) raises important philosophical questions concerning, inter alia, the meaning of “scientific method”, of “improvement”, and of social reality. One underlying problem is that of the “self reflecting paradox”; e.g. the content and validity of the scientific method can only be discovered by the application of the scientific method. Similarly, SD has its own “social reality” through which it perceives that of its client. “Improvement” is bound up with ethics but ethics does not admit the limitation of obligation to one sub-system, therefore improvement requires the recognition of sub-system linkages. Paradoxically, again, the “improver” is himself part of the total system and bears its impress. Implementation (of improvement) meets the paradox that SD on SD is needed to judge the worth of the SD proposal. The pragmatic escape from the paradox identifies SD with a heuristic role in social progress but presupposes the possibility of progress. “Implementation” secures the possibility of such progress. The second major problem is that SD requires a social reality in which individuals have visible goals; but the “inner world” of individual goals is unknown and cannot be tracked from observable responses. In any case, Kant's moral precept requires that individuals be valued as ends rather than means. Much of SD uses them as means. Though SD is and must be practised, such philosophical speculation raises SD's self knowledge and points the neat paradox of its technical precision won at the price of its fundamental woolliness.
Mechanical unfolding pathways of the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein revealed by single molecule force spectroscopy.

We used single molecule force spectroscopy to characterize the mechanical stability of the enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) (a mutant form of the green fluorescent protein (GFP)) and two of its circularly permutated variants. In all three constructs, we found two main unfolding peaks; the first corresponds to a transition state placed close to the termini and the second to a transition state placed halfway through the molecule. We attribute the second transition state to the shear rupture of the β1- and β6-strands, which we verified by introducing a point mutation in this region. Although both unfolding peaks were observed in all three EYFP variants, their relative frequency of occurrence varied. Our results demonstrated that the mechanical unfolding pathways in EYFP could be deciphered through the use of circular permutation.
Software Development Life Cycles and Methodologies: Fixing the Old and Adopting the New

Information Systems as a discipline has generated thousands of research papers, yet the practice still suffers from poor-quality applications. This paper evaluates the current state of application development, finding practice wanting in a number of areas. Changes recommended to fix historical shortcomings include improved management attention to risk management, testing, and detailed work practices. In addition, for industry's move to services orientation, recommended changes include development of usable interfaces and a view of applications as embedded in the larger business services in which they function. These business services relate to both services provided to parent-organization customers as well as services provided by the information technology organization to its constituents. Because of this shift toward service orientation, more emphasis on usability, applications, testing, and improvement of underlying process quality are needed. The shift to services can be facilitated by adopting tenets of IT service management and user-centered design and by attending to service delivery during application development.