cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paraquat-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells: involvement of p53 and mitochondria.

The herbicide paraquat is a suspected etiologic factor in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD). Paraquat was therefore used to reproduce Parkinsonian syndromes in lab animals, in which it produces dopaminergic pathogenesis. However, the factors or mechanisms by which paraquat kills dopaminergic neurons are not fully understood. Based on reported evidence that paraquat increases p53 protein levels and inhibits mitochondrial function, it was hypothesized that paraquat induces cell death in dopaminergic neurons through a mechanism in which p53 and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway are linked. To explore this possibility, dopaminergic SY5Y cells were treated with paraquat for 48 h and p53 responses were investigated, as well as biomarkers of the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. Paraquat significantly increased protein levels of p53 and one of its target genes, Bax. By 24 h, paraquat decreased mitochondrial complex I activity and mitochondrial transmembrane potential and induced the release o...
Further experimental results on the structure and acoustics of turbulent jet flames

The structure of open turbulent jet flames is experimentally studied in the context of their noise emission characteristics. The differences between premixed and (co-flow) non-premixed flames are explored. Recent experiments repeated in an anechoic chamber complement earlier results obtained in a hard-walled bay. The reactants (methane and enriched air) are burned in the premixed, or non-premixed, mode after a length of pipe flow (l/D> 150). The thick-walled tubes anchor the flames to the tip at all of the velocities employed (maximum velocity, well over 300 ft/sec), thus eliminating uncertainties associated with external flameholders. The time-averaged appearance of the flames is obtained with still photographs (1160 sec). The detailed structures are revealed through high-speed (≈ 2500 frames/sec) motion pictures. The acoustic outputs of the flames are mapped with a condenser microphone. The recorded data are played back to obtain the amplitude, waveshapes, directionalities, and frequency spectra of the noise. Profound differences are found between the premixed and non-premixed flames in their structures and noise characteristics.
Temporal modeling of highway crash counts for senior and non-senior drivers

This paper introduces dynamic time series modeling in a Bayesian framework to uncover temporal patterns in highway crashes in Connecticut. Existing state sources provide data describing the time for each crash and demographic attributes of persons involved over the time period from January 1995 to December 2009 as well as the traffic volumes and the characteristics of the roads on which these crashes occurred. Induced exposure techniques are used to estimate the exposure for senior and non-senior drivers by road access type (limited access and surface roads) and area type (urban or rural). We show that these dynamic models fit the data better than the usual GLM framework while also permitting discovery of temporal trends in the estimation of parameters, and that computational difficulties arising from Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques can be handled by the innovative Integrated Nested Laplace Approximations (INLA). Using these techniques we find that while overall safety is increasing over time, the level of safety for senior drivers has remained more stagnant than for non-senior drivers, particularly on rural limited access roads. The greatest opportunity for improvement of safety for senior drivers is on rural surface roads.
The effects of changing solar angles, cloud regimes, and air temperatures on the temperatures of contrasting surfaces

A steady-state energy budget and a solar radiation-cloud attenuation model have been linked. This has permitted a systematic examination of the changing relative surface temperatures and differences between surface and air temperatures as functions of varying solar altitudes, selected cloud types, cloud covers, and air temperatures. This analysis was performed for two contrasting surfaces: barren and grassy. The results are presented in a series of three-dimensional graphs. The grassy landscape reacted more conservatively to changing solar altitudes (for all cloud types and amounts) compared with the barren surface. The results are assumed to encompass most of the possible extremes encountered in real landscapes exposed to similar changes in solar angle, air temperatures, and cloud regimes.
Effects of Aggregate Properties and Concrete Rheology on Stability Robustness of Self-Consolidating Concrete

Compared with ordinary concrete, the segregation resistance of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) are more sensitive to small variations of mix proportions such as dosage of superplasticizer, and the size, volume, and gradation, as well as moisture content of the fine and coarse aggregates. To design a SCC mixture, which is robust against small variations in raw materials, it is critical to understand the mechanism of how mix proportions affect robustness. In this paper, modified segregation probe was used to study the effects of various mixture properties on static stability robustness of SCC. It was found that a static segregation rate equation is helpful to explain how paste rheology and aggregate properties affect robustness. Mixture properties, such as higher paste volume, lower superplasticizer % by weight of cement, lower slump flow, smaller aggregate size, better gradation, and higher aggregate packing density may improve robustness. Among the aggregate properties, smaller aggregate size and better gradation seem to have more significant effects than higher aggregate packing density. As expected, no obvious relationship was observed between concrete rheology and robustness in this study.
Source Diversification and Import Price Risk

In this article, I present a theoretical framework and derive an empirical model that relates import price risk to the allocation of an import across exporting sources (source diversification). A differential approach to expected utility theory and firm demand is used to derive a model comparable to more popular demand systems such as the Rotterdam and AIDS models. The model is used in estimating carnation demand in the United Kingdom. Results show that while total carnation imports, expected prices and seasonality are important determinants of import demand by source, there is significant information loss when price risk is not considered. Copyright 2012, Oxford University Press.
An Approximation Approach to General Robustness Assessment for Multidisciplinary Systems

In many engineering applications, both random and interval variables exist. The mixture of both types of variables has been dealt with in robust design for single-disciplinary systems. This work focuses on robustness assessment for multidisciplinary systems with both random and interval variables. To alleviate the intensive computational demand, a semi-second-order Taylor expansion method is proposed to evaluate robustness. A performance function is approximated with linear terms of random and interval variables, as well as the interaction terms between the two types of variables. Then the maximum and minimum standard deviations of the performance function are computed. With the proposed method, the impact of both random and interval variables on the system robustness can be evaluated efficiently.
A unified non-rectangular device and circuit simulation model for timing and power

For 65nm and below devices, even after optical proximity correction (OPC), the gate may still be non-rectangular. There are several limited works on the device and circuit characterizations for the post-OPC non-ideal-shape wafer images, with significant impacts on timing and power. Most of them, however, are based on the equivalent gate length models, which are different for timing and leakage, and thus hard to use for coherent circuit simulations. In this paper, we propose a unified post-litho device characterization model and circuit simulation for timing and power. To our best knowledge, this is the most accurate methodology for post-litho analysis, including timing, leakage and transient simulation. Based on this method, the parameter extraction is also included in the model which was omitted by previous works. A post-litho model card is proposed for circuit simulation to combine these two techniques. Our experimental results validate the new model.
Localization function study of excitation processes in a set of small isoelectronic molecules

Electron localization function (ELF) theory is used to characterize changes that occur upon excitation from ground singlet to first excited triplet states in a series of isoelectronic 16-electron molecules including H2CCH2, HNCH2, H2CO, HNNH, HNO, and O2 (ground triplet to excited singlet). ELF allows one to visualize lone pair or nonbonding electrons, and in these cases the π→π* or n→π excitation processes involved lead to an effective 90° rotation of the electronic structure about one heavy atom center and consequent distortion towards pyramidal symmetry about both heavy atom centers. The heavy atom bond lengths change very little in those cases where effectively two-center three-electron bonds can be formed (HNNH, HNO, and O2) while a significant lengthening occurs in those cases where hydrogen atoms prevent such interactions (H2CCH2, HNCH2, and H2CO). It is shown that both ELF basin populations and atoms-in-molecules (AIM) delocalization indices reflect expected bond orders for conventional single and double bonds provided one compares the ratio of the molecular quantities rather than their absolute magnitudes. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1702–1711, 2001
Hadron momentum spectra in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions.

Deviations from local thermal equilibrium in ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions are shown to arise when the hadronic collision rate cannot keep up with the rapid expansion. A method is proposed for computing hadron momentum spectra that incorporates the effect of finite collision rates. The method predicts more hadrons with high momentum than expected from the equilibrium approach.
Algorithm 678: BTPEC: sampling from the binomial distribution

The FORTRAN implementation of an exact, uniformly fast algorithm for generating the binomial, random variables is presented. The algorithm is numerically stable and is faster than other published algorithms. The code uses only standard FORTRAN statements and is portable to most computers; it has been tested on the IBM 370, 3033, 4381, DEC VAX 11/780, SUN 3/50, CDC 6500-6600, ENCORE Multimax, and Apple Mcintosh Plus. A driver program is also included.
Guest Editorial to the Special Issue on Therapeutic Ultrasound: Current Status and Future Directions

The nine papers in this special section are devoted to the topic and applicability of therapeutic ultrasound technologies and biomedical services.
A branch and bound algorithm for extreme point mathematical programming problems

Abstract This paper deals with a class of nonconvex mathematical programs called Extreme Point Mathematical Programs. This class is a generalization of zero-one integer programs and is a special case of the Generalized Lattice Point Problem, and finds applications in various areas such as production scheduling, load balancing, and concave programming. The current work existing on this class of problems is limited to certain dual types of extreme point ranking methods (which do not find a feasible solution until optimality) and some non-convergent cutting plane algorithms. No computational experience exists. This paper develops a finitely convergent branch and bound algorithm for solving the problem. The principles involved in the design of this algorithm are quite general and apply to a wider class of mathematical programs including the Generalized Lattice Point Problem. A random problem generator is described which is capable of generating problems of varying levels of difficulty. Computational experience on such problems is provided.
HIV/AIDS Knowledge Among Professional Counselors and Counseling Students in Ohio

Mental health issues faced by individuals living with HIV and AIDS require a continuum of unique counseling services. The need for professional counselors to work with HIV-positive clients is paramount as trained counselors encompass holistic and developmental perspectives. This study was designed as an introductory look at current knowledge-level of HIV/AIDS among counseling professionals to better understand educational needs of counseling students and professional counselors.
Polynomials of the occupation field and related random fields

Abstract To every symmetric Markov process there correspond two random fields over the state space: a Gaussian (“free”) field φx and the occupation field Tx which describes the amount of time spent by a particle at each state. For the Brownian motion in d ⩾ 2 dimensions both fields are generalized. Using a relation between Tx and the field ξx = :φx2:/2 established in a previous publication, polynomials of the fields T and ξ are investigated. In particular, polynomials of T characterize self-intersections of the process.
Interactions of halothane with isoproterenol and epinephrine on canine epicardial conduction velocity at normal and elevated potassium levels

Background: Halothane is known to potentiate catecholamine-induced depression of conduction velocity in Purkinje fibers but not endocardial muscle fibers. The purpose of this study was to examine the interactions of halothane with epinephrine and isoproterenol on canine epicardial conduction velocity at moderately elevated extracellular potassium concentration ([K]0). Methods: Epicardial muscle strips (10×10×2 mm) were superfused with Tyrode’s solution containing 4 or 8 mM [K]0 in the presence of 5 μM epinephrine or 1 μM isoproterenol with or without 0.8 mM halothane. Conduction velocity in the longitudinal and transverse directions relative to epicardial fiber orientation was recorded during alternate stimulation in each direction. Results: In the presence of halothane, a change from 4 to 8 mM [K]0 decreased (P≤0.05) longitudinal and transverse conduction velocities by 26% and 21%, respectively. Isoproterenol alone at 4 and 8 mM [K]0 depressed (P<0.05) both longitudinal and transverse conduction velocities. However, the depression of longitudinal conduction velocity by isoproterenol at 4 mM [K]0 was attenuated by halothane. Epinephrine with or without halothane depressed (P<0.05) both longitudinal and transverse conduction velocities at 8 but not at 4 mM [K]0. Conclusion: The results do not support a synergistic interaction between halothane and epinephrine on myocardial conduction but do demonstrate depression of conduction by epinephrine at 8 mM [K+]0, a potassium ion concentration comparable to those reported following epinephrine infusions.
Intracellular bacteroids: electron microscopy of Periplaneta americana injected with lysozyme.

Abstract The intracellular bacteroids of Periplaneta americana formed protoplasts in vitro following injections of egg-white lysozyme into the host. The sequence of ultrastructural events resembled protoplast formation in free-living bacteria. Cockroaches given injections of lysozyme exhibited behavioral anomalies and high mortality. Sublethal pathologic conditions in the host were indicated by swollen mitochondria, lysosomes, vacuolation and membrane fragmentation. Lysozyme which had been heated at 90 C for 30 min had the same effect in vivo as did the natural enzyme. It was concluded that lysozyme probably disrupts the integrity of the symbiotic association by altering a number of cytological structures, in both the host and the microorganism.
Drugs affecting sensitivity to stimuli in the plant Mimosa and the protozoan Spirostomum

Abstract There is a close similarity in the effects of drugs on the sensitivity to mechanical stimulation in the sensitive plant Mimosa and the protozoan Spirostomum . Certain chemicals also affect the rate of opening to light and closure to dark in Mimosa . The chemicals would appear to affect membrane permeability within the two organisms by similar processes.
The Application of CQI Principles to Services

Abstract A multidisciplinary, malnutrition treatment program was developed and implemented at a 395-bed, community hospital to reduce delays in initiating and achieving a therapeutic level of nutrition care for patients identified to have a significant risk for malnutrition (13% of the adult patient population). The project contained a continuous quality improvement (CQI) plan that assessed the effectiveness of the treatment program to achieve these goals. An outcome study was designed to evaluate the impact of nutrition interventions on patient recovery and cost of care. To quantify the impact, the study compared the patient population at high risk for malnutrition both before and after implementation of a malnutrition clinical pathway. Albumin, functional status, and the use of nutrition support (enteral or parenteral) were the variables used to predict outcomes such as length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition and the number of complications. The study required the data sets to be examined and normalized for severity of illness using scaled values of serum albumin. The scaling produced three classes which identified the study population by serum albumin value: (1) >2.7g/dl, (2) 2.3-2.7g/dl, and (3)
Impact of Spiritual Leadership on the Performance of Information Technology Projects

Information technology enables mission achievement and business results across the federal government departments and agencies. Lamentably, billions of taxpayers’ dollars invested in federal inform...
Comparative analysis of the small heat shock proteins in three angiosperm genomes identifies new subfamilies and reveals diverse evolutionary patterns

The small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) are a diverse family of molecular chaperones. It is well established that these proteins are crucial components of the plant heat shock response. They also have important roles in other stress responses and in normal development. We have conducted a comparative sequence analysis of the sHSPs in three complete angiosperms genomes: Arabidopsis thaliana, Populus trichocarpa, and Oryza sativa. Our phylogenetic analysis has identified four additional plant sHSP subfamilies and thus has increased the number of plant sHSP subfamilies from 7 to 11. We have also identified a number of novel sHSP genes in each genome that lack close homologs in other genomes. Using publicly available gene expression data and predicted secondary structures, we have determined that the sHSPs in plants are far more diverse in sequence, expression profile, and in structure than had been previously known. Some of the newly identified subfamilies are not stress regulated, may not posses the highly conserved large oligomer structure, and may not even function as molecular chaperones. We found no consistent evolutionary patterns across the three species studied. For example, gene conversion was found among the sHSPs in O. sativa but not in A. thaliana or P. trichocarpa. Among the three species, P. trichocarpa had the most sHSPs. This was due to an expansion of the cytosolic I sHSPs that was not seen in the other two species. Our analysis indicates that the sHSPs are a dynamic protein family in angiosperms with unexpected levels of diversity.
Joint factor analysis of the K-ABC and WISC-R with normal children

This study investigated the factor structure of the WISC-R and K-ABC for a group of 212 normal children who were tested on both instruments in counterbalanced fashion. Separate factor analyses and a joint analysis consistently produced three factors. The various analyses led to the conclusion that there is a clear-cut correspondence between the WISC-R and K-ABC factors. WISC-R Verbal Comprehension corresponded closely to K-ABC Achievement; WISC-R Perceptual Organization resembled K-ABC Simultaneous Processing; and WISC-R Freedom From Distractibility was similar to K-ABC Sequential Processing. The g factors from both instruments also correlated substantially.
Platinum-Catalyzed Asymmetric Alkylation of a Secondary Phosphine: Mechanism and Origin of Enantioselectivity

The catalyst precursor Pt((R,R)-Me-Duphos)(Ph)(Cl) (1) mediated asymmetric alkylation of the secondary phosphine PHMe(Is) (2; Is = 2,4,6-(i-Pr)3C6H2) with benzyl bromide in the presence of the base NaOSiMe3 to yield enantioenriched PMeIs(CH2Ph) (3). A mechanism for the catalysis has been proposed, on the basis of studies of the individual stoichiometric steps. The terminal phosphido complex Pt((R,R)-Me-Duphos)(Ph)(PMeIs) (4) was formed by proton transfer from 2 to the silanolate ligand in Pt((R,R)-Me-Duphos)(Ph)(OSiMe3) (5), which was generated from 1 (or from Pt((R,R)-Me-Duphos)(Ph)(Br) (7)) and NaOSiMe3. The silanolate complex 5 reacted with water to yield Pt((R,R)-Me-Duphos)(Ph)(OH) (6); both 6 and 7 were crystallographically characterized. The stoichiometric reaction of 4 and benzyl bromide in toluene gave the bromide 7 and 3. In more polar solvents these compounds were in equilibrium with the cation [Pt((R,R)-Me-Duphos)(Ph)(PMeIs(CH2Ph))][Br] (8-Br), the major Pt complex present during catalysis, whi...
PERCEIVED SOURCES OF ELECTORAL SUPPORT FOR BLACK AND WHITE CITy COUNCIL MEMBERS

Using data from a random national sample of nearly 1,000 members of city councils, the authors analyze racial differences in the perceptions that city council members have of which groups supported them in their election campaigns. On the whole, racial differences in these perceptions were few. Black incumbent council members receive more support than black non-incumbents, but even members of the latter group perceive a similar amount of group support as do white council candidates. A variety of explanations for these findings is discussed.
PRODUCTION AND BINDING OF MALONALDEHYDE DURING STORAGE OF COOKED PORK

Cooked pork samples were stored at 3°C and analyzed for malonaldehyde (MA). MA increased to a maximum and remained there, typical behavior for a food but contrasting with pure lipid oxidation in which MA increases and then decreases as volatile MA is lost. The failure to lose MA in food products may be attributed to MA binding. Water extracts of cooked pork samples (representing approximately l /3 of the total MA) were fractionated on G-10 Sephadex and analyzed for MA. With increasing storage time, a definite change in elution pattern from free MA to bound MA took place; the binding was not to protein or amino acids.
Synthesis and Actions of a Melanotropin Conjugate, Ac-[Nle4, Glu(gamma-4′-hydroxyanilide)5, D-Phe7]α-MSH4–10-NH2, on Melanocytes and Melanoma Cells In Vitro

L-Glutamic acid (γ-4′-hydroxyanilide) (GHB) is oxidized by tyrosinase to a quinone which inhibits DNA polymerase, RNA polymerase, and mitochondrial energy production within mushrooms. It was previously shown that GHB can kill B16 melanoma cells in culture, but lacks cytotoxicity for nontyrosinase-containing cells. We have conjugated this drug to a superpotent melanotropic peptide and examined the bioactivity of this conjugate to melanoma cells. 4′-Hydroxyaniline was attached to glutamic acid at position 5 in the superpotent melanotropin fragment analogue, Ac-[Nle4, d-Phe7]α-MSH4–10-NH2. The melanotropin:anilide conjugate, Ac-(Nle4, Glu(γ-4′-hydroxyanilide)5, d-Phe7]α-MSH4–10-NH2, was not cytotoxic to B16 or Cloudman S91 mouse melanoma cells in culture, as determined by cell counts and protein assays. Interestingly, we also found that GHB stimulated melanoma cell tyrosinase above control levels in both melanoma cell lines. In our study, GHB itself also was found not to be cytotoxic to B16 or S91 melanoma cells in culture. In the frog skin bioassay, the melanotropin conjugate was more potent than α-MSH or Ac-[Nle4, d-Phe7]α-MSH4–10 in stimulating melanosome dispersion. These results demonstrate that putative chemotherapeutic ligands can be incorporated into active-site fragment analogues of MSH without loss of biological activity.
Cellular morphology and relationships in giant-cell lesions of the jaws.

Abstract The morphologic features of the stromal cells and giant cells in giant-cell tumors and granulomas of the jaws were studied by means of light microscopy. Their prominent large nucleoli, lobulated nuclear membranes, and intensely stained cytoplasm suggest that giant cells are well-differentiated and very active cells, but the precise nature of the activity remains to be determined. There is no evidence that the principal function is phagocytosis. Similarities between the giant cells and some stromal cells were noted morphologically and in staining affinities. No evidence was found to suggest that the giant cells might be of endothelial origin, although they had an intimate relationship with blood vessels and occasionally formed portions of their walls. Further studies involving fluorescence, phase-contrast, and electron microscopy are now in progress in an effort to determine the functional potentials of the giant cells and the stromal cells in these lesions.
Some fundamental difficulties with quantum mechanical collision theory

When quantum scattering theory is applied strictly from the point of view that the state of a system is completely described by the density matrix, whether pure or mixed, it is not possible to assume that colliding particles are at all times individually in pure states. Exact results are significantly different from conventionally accepted approximations. In particular, it turns out that the cross section as ordinarily defined in theS-matrix formalism is an adequate parameter for deciding the outcome of interactions only when the particles are carefully prepared in matching pure states. In general the use of the cross section in studying pair collisions in a real gas is shown to be analogous to a repeated “collapse of the wave function” after each collision, and involves arbitrary removal of nondiagonal elements of the density matrix, thus violating the basic laws of quantum dynamical evolution.
Explosive nucleosynthesis in massive stars: Comparison with the Cassiopeia a fast-moving knots

If the ejecta of a Type II supernova do not undergo extensive mixing, then, based on the explosion of current presupernova models, only a small fraction approximately equal to or less than 0.1 solar mass of the mantle of a massive star can yield abundances similar to those observed in the fast-moving knots of Cas A. This is shown to be independent of the detailed structure of the mantle and the supernova energy. Lack of mixing in Cas A is indicated by strong upper limits on the abundance ratios Ne/O, and Fe/O. If this is confirmed by further observations, then either Cas A is not the result of a standard progenitor of approximately equal to or less than 25 solar masses disrupted by a Type II supernova, or the picture of the last stages of stellar evolution in massive stars needs to be modified substantially.
Non-profit Health Care Regulation Does Make a Difference: One State's Experience

AbstractThe viability of non-profit organizations depends upon the interaction of competent management, an engaged board, and effective regulators. When the first two elements are missing or weak, the regulatory role acquires an even greater significance. Although Massachusetts is a renowned center of medical excellence, its non-profit health care industry faces serious financial challenges. Symptomatically, all five of its non-profit HMOs, which together provide the vast majority of managed care coverage within the state, have faced collapse or near collapse over the past decade. In each instance, the management and boards aggressively pursued market share in a regulatory environment providing minimal statutory guidance and supervision. The experiences of these HMOs are presented in five mini-case studies that focus on the factors behind their financial distress and the belated regulatory response. The paper concludes that ad hoc regulation can undermine the viability of a non-profit health care system.
MEK1 activation by PAK: A novel mechanism

Extracellular signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) controls a variety of cellular processes, including cell proliferation and cell motility. While oncogenic mutations in Ras and B-Raf result in deregulated ERK activity and proliferation and migration in some tumor cells, other tumors exhibit elevated ERK signaling in the absence of these mutations. Here we provide evidence that PAK can directly activate MEK1 by a mechanism distinct from conventional Ras/Raf mediated activation. We find that PAK phosphorylation of MEK1 serine 298 stimulates MEK1 autophosphorylation on the activation loop, and activation of MEK1 activity towards ERK in in vitro reconstitution experiments. Serines 218 and/or 222 in the MEK1 activation loop are required for PAK-stimulated MEK1 activity towards ERK. MEK2, which is a poor target for PAK phosphorylation in cells, is not activated in this manner. Tissue culture experiments verify that this mechanism is used in suspended fibroblasts expressing mutationally activated PAK1. We speculate that aberrant signaling through PAK may directly induce anchorage-independent MEK1 activation in tumor cells lacking oncogenic Ras or Raf mutations, and that this mechanism may contribute to localized MEK signaling in focal contacts and adhesions during cell adhesion or migration.
Corneal Sensitivity in Nephropathic Cystinosis

We measured corneal sensitivity in 14 patients with infantile nephropathic cystinosis and in 13 age-matched controls. All patients with cystinosis had the pathognomonic anterior segment findings of crystal deposition within conjunctiva and cornea. Transcutaneous stimulation of the supraorbital nerve and surface electromyographic recording of the orbicularis oculi muscle performed on four patients showed a normal afferent limb to the blink reflex. The corneal sensitivity in patients with cystinosis was 3.18 g/mm 2 ; in the control subjects it was 0.43 g/mm 2 . This difference was statistically significant (P
Significant Augmentation of Sunshine Bass Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis Fillet Highly Unsaturated Fatty Acid Content without Impact on Oxidative Stability or Sensory Attributes

We evaluated production performance, fillet composition, and sensory integrity of sunshine bass (Morone chrysops x M. saxatilis) fed a marine oil-based finishing feed after being raised on a plant oil-based production feed. Two feeds containing either corn oil (CO) or menhaden oil (MO) were fed to sunshine bass according to different feeding regimens at the close of the production cycle: control groups were fed the CO or the MO feeds exclusively; remaining groups were transitioned from the CO feed to the MO feed at 4-, 8- or 12-week intervals. Replacing MO with CO yielded fillets with distinctly different fatty acid profiles; however, finishing with an MO-based feed for 4–8 weeks offered significant compensation for reductions in fillet nutritional quality. Production performance and fillet sensory characteristics were largely unaffected by dietary lipid source, suggesting fillet fatty acid profile can be manipulated to maximize nutritional value of cultured fillets without reducing consumer acceptance.
Work in progress — developing multi-country, multi-team, multi-term projects for a large, introductory engineering-design course

This paper describes our efforts at the University of Michigan in addressing globalization in project-centered engineering design courses at the first year level. The additional challenges that come from doing engineering design over multiple countries tend to be social. We have subsequently engineered social network motifs that allow a class to adapt to such projects and their associated clients/stakeholders. Emphasis has been on the transmission of artifacts from one team to the next, one term to the next, one country to the next that afford the creation of realizable designs that work for the people/culture for which such designs are intended. From Spring 2006 to Fall 2007, approximately 630 students in the United States and China have participated in this course. Data suggests that this network-based, artifact-centric method can have a positive impact on a studentpsilas learning about globalization and engineering.
The Effects of Pyrroloquinoline Quinone on Heme-Regulated eIF-2α Kinase and eIF-2B Activities in Eukaryotic Protein Synthesis

Abstract ABSTRACT: Pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), a novel cofactor of biological redox processes, is ubiquitous in animal cells. We have examined the effects of PQQ on protein synthesis. PQQ inhibits protein synthesis in hemin-supplemented rabbit reticulocyte lysates. This inhibition is characterized by increased phosphorylation of eIF-2α and by diminished guanine nucleotide exchange activity of eIF-2B. The increased eIF-2α phosphorylation is the result of activation by PQQ of the heme-regulated eIF-2α kinase (HRI). The addition of 10 μM PQQ completely inhibits the increase in protein synthesis that occurs on the addition of hemin (20 μM) to heme-deficient lysates, whereas a lower concentration of PQQ (100 nM) causes a very slight stimulation of protein synthesis. The increased eIF-2α phosphorylation that occurs at high concentrations of PQQ inhibits eIF-2B activity, presumably due to formation of a 15S complex [eIF-2(αP).eIF-2B] in which eIF-2B becomes non-functional. Low concentrations of PQQ (0.1-1 μM) do not affect eIF-2α phosphorylation, but rather enhance the guanine nucleotide exchange activity of eIF-2B in reticulocyte lysates. In Chinese hamster ovary cell extract which is devoid of significant eIF-2α kinase activity, addition of both low and high concentrations of PQQ results in an increase in eIF-2B activity. The addition of PQQ to reticulocyte lysates activates HRI whereas addition of PQQ to purified HRIin vitroinhibits the autokinase and eIF-2α kinase activity of the HRI; the inhibition of purified HRI by PQQ is observed both in the presence and absence of hemin. These findings suggest that PQQ inhibits purified HRI by acting as an oxidant whereas in lysates in which PQQ is readily reduced, the PQQ acts as a reductant and increases the activities of both HRI and eIF-2B.
Direct measurement of the spectral phase of femtosecond optical pulse

In analogy to Young's double slit interference, the phase of the temporal beat between two oscillators with different frequencies is precisely the spectral phase difference between those oscillators. We present a technique that directly measures the spectral phase of femtosecond optical pulses using this double slit interference principle. A pair of narrow slits in a thin opaque sheet select two spectral frequencies from the femtosecond pulse spectrum in a zero dispersion pulse stretcher. Measurement of the temporal phase of a family of beat frequencies obtained over a range of slit spacings yields the desired spectral phase directly. We demonstrate this technique by accurately measuring the quadratic phase added to 80 femtosecond optical pulses by a 6.5 cm block of BK-7 glass.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Sensor-Based Chatter Detection and Avoidance by Spindle Speed Selection

This paper presents the results of a series of experimental studies of a control system which, based on information from available sensors (in this case a microphone was primarily used), automatically adjusts the spindle speed and the feed rate so as to achieve stable milling. It is seen that by iteratively adjusting the spindle speed so that the frequency with which the teeth pass is equal to the dominant frequency in the spectrum of the sensor output, the system will very quickly be driven into a stable region, if such a stable region exists. Experimental results which confirm the applicability of this control scheme to a variety of milling operations are presented. They include slotting and partial immersion cuts in cast iron and aluminum. Since this strategy is based on information supplied by the sensors, it is capable of adapting to tool changes, thin webs, corners, etc[[ellipsis]] which cause changes in the dynamics of the machine-tool-workpiece system and therefore may cause chatter to arise during the course of a milling operation. This strategy does not require an a priori knowledge of the dynamics of the machine-tool-workpiece system as do most of the off-line methods.
Proteolysis results in altered leak channel kinetics and elevated free calcium in mdx muscle

Resting free calcium levels ([Ca2+]i) are elevated in Duchenne human myotubes and mdx mouse muscle and myotubes which lack the gene product dystrophin at the sarcolemma. Increased net muscle protein degradation has been directly related to this elevated [Ca2+]i. The [Ca2+]i rise may result from increased calcium influx via leak channels, which have increased opening probabilities (Po) in dystrophic cells. Dystrophin, therefore, might directly regulate leak channel activity. In intact mdx soleus muscles, protein degradation was reduced to normal levels by leupeptin, a thiol protease inhibitor. In muscle homogenates, leupeptin also abolished calcium-induced increases in protein degradation. When mouse myotubes were cultured in the continuous presence of leupeptin (50 microM), the elevation in mdx resting [Ca2+]i was prevented. Leak channel Po increased with age in mdx myotubes, whereas leupeptin-treated mdx leak channel opening probabilities were always lower or equal to the Po for untreated normal myotubes. These results indicate that increased leak channel activity in dystrophic muscle results in elevated [Ca2+]i levels, but also suggest that dystrophin does not directly regulate channel activity. Instead the results suggest that proteolysis may be responsible for the altered gating of calcium leak channels. The resultant increased channel Po in turn elevates [Ca2+]i, which further increases proteolytic activity in a positive feedback loop, leading to the eventual necrosis of the muscle fibers.
Fluorescence intensity and lifetime measurement of free and particle-bound fluorophore in a sample stream by phase-sensitive flow cytometry

We report a novel method to quantify fluorescence intensity and lifetime of free (solution) and particle-bound fluorophore in a flow stream. The technique combines flow cytometry and frequency-domain lifetime spectroscopy principles to make unique fluorescence measurements on free fluorophore and fluorophore-labeled particles. Fluorophore-labeled microspheres suspended in a fluorophore solution are analyzed as they flow through a chamber and pass across an intensity-modulated laser beam consisting of a continuous-wave (cw) direct-current (dc) and high-frequency (sine wave) excitation component. Fluorescence emission signals consisting of a dc-offset steady-state sinusoidal signal (fluorophore solution) and a sinusoidally modulated Gaussian-shaped signal pulse (fluorophore-labeled particles) are processed electronically to quantify intensities and lifetimes. The cw-excited, particle-associated fluorophore (pulse) and steady-state (dc) solution fluorescence intensity signals are measured using low-pass filt...
The axial and radial segregation due to the thermo-convection, the decrease of the melt in the ampoule and the effect of the precrystallization-zone in the semiconductor crystals grown in a Bridgman–Stockbarger system in a low gravity environment

Abstract In this paper, we give a model based simulation of the evolution of axisymmetric flow, heat transport and Ga dispersion in the melt and we predict the axial and radial Ga distribution in a Ga-doped Ge semiconductor crystal grown in a low gravity environment using the Bridgman–Stockbarger growth method.
Premium usability: getting the discount without paying the price

The debate rages. "Formal usability testing costs too much," says one side. "We need methodological rigor," maintains the other. "You can find the important problems with just five users," insists the first. "Such a small number doesn't give us reliable results," counters the second.And never the twain shall meet.Or will they? In this Whiteboard, Jeff Sauro explores the issues and gives us some ideas for maintaining the statistical validity of our usability testing as we reduce its costs.---Elizabeth Buie
Sonographic Evaluation of the Abdominal Aorta

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a disease of aging, and the prevalence is expected to increase as the population of elderly patients grows. AAAs are associated with high mortality, as rupture of an AAA is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. This review describes the sonographic technique for evaluation of the abdominal aorta and associated pathologies of the abdominal aorta, including abdominal aortic aneurysm.
When Demand Exceeds Supply: Allocating Chiropractic Services at VA Medical Facilities

ABSTRACT Objective With limited Veterans Affairs (VA) doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in geographically disparate VA medical facilities of varying capacities, the potential of demand for care exceeding supply can be realized. The purpose of this paper is two-fold. First the authors propose a model for VA chiropractic clinic operation to maximize appropriate access to care and utility of services provided. Second the authors suggest an ethical basis for making potentially difficult administrative decisions regarding the distribution of chiropractic services within VA medical facilities. Discussion The authors suggest practices to maximize clinic efficiency and effectiveness under conditions of demand for chiropractic services in excess of available supply. In terms of access, the service agreement and gatekeeper instructions for ordering a consultation should help shape demand and avoid inappropriate consultation requests. Consultation requests should also be screened by VA DCs. Scheduling should work to minimize no-shows through a patient reminder system. With regard to utilization, the delivery of chiropractic services should be made more efficient through the use of templates within the electronic medical record. Lastly, evidence-based outcome measures should be applied to objectify clinical progress and help to identify clinical end points in care. Utilitarian theory serves as a possible ethical framework to guide VA DCs in maximizing the benefits of chiropractic care for our veteran patient population as resources allow. Conclusions VA doctors of chiropractic must balance the demand for patient care with the limited availability of resources. Suggested practices may enhance appropriate access to and efficient utilization of chiropractic care within the VHA.
On the sensitivity of errors in calculated Mie optical cross sections due to errors in samplings of junge-type aerosol size distributions

Abstract The change in the root-mean-square deviation of multiple simulated aerosol size distribution samples as a result of increasing the width of the radial size channel is examined. An optimal size interval spacing is found for data which had a large variance for a size interval spacing of 20 per order of magnitude. Optical extinction crposs-sections are calculated from the size distributions, with the use of Mie's solution for scattering by a spherical particle. The root-mean-square deviation of the calculated optical extinction cross-section is only mildly affected by increasing the width of size intervals up to the optimum limit, because the calculation is an integration over the entire size range. However, since the variance is reduced significantly for the size distributions, comparison of these data is better facilitated.
Delineating the Ways that Key Institutional Agents Provide Racial Minority Students with Access to Social Capital in College.

This study focuses on the characteristics of institutional agents who can and do facilitate racial minority student success by providing them with access to social capital in college. Individual semi-structured interviews with 60 Asian American, Black, and Latino undergraduates reveal that key institutional agents who positively influence those participants’ success and provide them with access to social capital share four common characteristics: They (a) Share common ground with those students, (b) provide holistic support for those students, (c) humanize the educational experience, and (d) provide proactive support for those students. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Organizational Life Cycle and Innovation Among Entrepreneurial Enterprises

Organizational life cycle has been studied for several decades by management researchers. Most efforts, however, have focused on relationships between a specific life cycle stage and another construct, such as organizational effectiveness, management priorities, organizational behavior, or competitive strategy. This study categorizes 107 organizations located in six contiguous counties in the southeastern United States into life cycle stages. Respondents were also asked to identify the importance of innovation and change in their industries, their perceived satisfaction with performance, and their perceived level of threats from the environment. Support was found for four of the five proposed life cycle stages, with none of the respondents indicating that their organizations were in the decline stage. Firms in Stage 1 (existence) and Stage 4 (renewal) reported high scores for innovation and change in their industries and a high level of satisfaction with performance. Stage 1 firms also reported the highest amount of perceived threat from the environment, in contrast to firms in Stage 3 (success) who reported the lowest.
Identification of Phe-Gly-Leu-amide type allatostatin-7 in Reticulitermes flavipes: its localization in tissues and relation to juvenile hormone synthesis.

Abstract The allatostatins (ASTs), with a Tyr/Phe-Xaa-Phe-Gly-Leu/Ile-amide C-terminus, are neuropeptides that occur in many orders of insects, but are known to inhibit juvenile hormone (JH) synthesis by corpora allata (CA) only in cockroaches, crickets, and termites. 5 AST peptides with similar sequences to those of 6 species of cockroaches have been isolated and sequenced from extract of brain tissue of the termite Reticulitermes flavipes. The amino acid sequence of a 6th peptide, R. flavipes AST-7, determined by LC–MS/MS following HPLC fractionation of brain extract, is S-P-S-S-G-N-Q-R-L-Y-G-F-G-L-NH2. The 8 terminal amino acids are identical to AST-7 of the cockroach Diploptera punctata. R. flavipes and D. punctata AST-7s inhibited JH synthesis by CA of both species equally and their affinity for antibody against D. punctata AST-7 is similar. Immunoreactivity of termite tissue with this antibody indicates neuro- and myomodulatory activity of the peptide in addition to its demonstrated allatostatic function. The density of AST immunostaining in axons within the CA of R. flavipes and the rate of JH synthesis by similar glands were negatively correlated. This is evidence that when AST is abundant in the glands it is being released in vivo to limit JH production.
The role of NSAIDs in the prevention of colon cancer.

The treatment of colorectal cancer continues to improve, but it still remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. In 2001, there will be over 135,000 new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States alone. Prevention is not only a realistic option for colon cancer, but also one that offers significant hope for this dreadful disease.Cancer prevention is concerned with the identification of preventable causes of cancer in a target population and with the effective application of strategies to reduce its incidence. Prevention may be categorized as primary, secondary, or tertiary. Primary prevention modifies genetic, environmental, and biological factors etiological in a given tumor to alter their effects on tumorigenesis. For example, elimination of chemicals, radiation, and viruses constitutes primary prevention. Unfortunately, culprit agents, e.g., smoking, are rarely identified. Secondary prevention deals with screening for premalignant and early neoplastic lesions, s...