cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Language, Knowledge and Pedagogy: Functional Linguistic and Sociological Perspectives edited by CHRISTIE, FRANCES, & J. R.MARTIN

The article reviews the book "Language, Knowledge & Pedagogy: Functional Linguistic and Sociological Perspectives," edited by Frances Christie and J.R. Martin.
Plutonium-uranium-molybdenum fume characteristics and sand filtration

Abstract The efficiency of sand for the removal of a PuUMo alloy fume from air, as well as some of the characteristics of the fume, was investigated. A plasma torch was used to generate the fume. The superficial face velocities at which the fume was drawn through 6-in. depths of sand were adjusted from 1 to 133 fpm. Velocities through 30-in. deep sand columns were adjusted from 1 to 28 fpm. Penetration through 6 in. of sand varied from 0·08 to 0·57 per cent over the full range of velocities. Penetration through 30 in. of sand varied from 0·004 per cent at 28 fpm to 0·019 per cent at 5 fpm. Penetration values for 30 in. of sand followed by a high-efficiency particulate air filter were less than 0·0001 per cent. The geometric mean diameter of the particles was 0·07 μ with a standard deviation of 2·7. Discrete particle sizes ranged from The particles consisted mainly of polycrystalline and non-crystalline oxides of plutonium, uranium, and molybdenum.
Improvement of photoluminescence characteristics of AlGaInP double hetero-structures grown by OMVPE

Abstract Photoluminescence (PL) characteristics of AlGaInP double hetero-structures grown on a (100) GaAs substrates were studied as function of the active layer composition and the growth temperature. When the active layer Al concentration was increased, the PL peak wavelength was shorter, and the PL intensity was smaller. On the other hand, when the growth temperature was increased, the PL peak wavelength was also shorter, but the PL intensity was about the same, or even larger. Measurements of the PL lifetime and the excitation power dependence of the PL intensities suggest that samples grown at higher temperature contain fewer recombination centers.
Live Imaging Provides New Insights on Dynamic F-Actin Filopodia and Differential Endocytosis during Myoblast Fusion in Drosophila

The process of myogenesis includes the recognition, adhesion, and fusion of committed myoblasts into multinucleate syncytia. In the larval body wall muscles of Drosophila, this elaborate process is initiated by Founder Cells and Fusion-Competent Myoblasts (FCMs), and cell adhesion molecules Kin-of-IrreC (Kirre) and Sticks-and-stones (Sns) on their respective surfaces. The FCMs appear to provide the driving force for fusion, via the assembly of protrusions associated with branched F-actin and the WASp, SCAR and Arp2/3 pathways. In the present study, we utilize the dorsal pharyngeal musculature that forms in the Drosophila embryo as a model to explore myoblast fusion and visualize the fusion process in live embryos. These muscles rely on the same cell types and genes as the body wall muscles, but are amenable to live imaging since they do not undergo extensive morphogenetic movement during formation. Time-lapse imaging with F-actin and membrane markers revealed dynamic FCM-associated actin-enriched protrusions that rapidly extend and retract into the myotube from different sites within the actin focus. Ultrastructural analysis of this actin-enriched area showed that they have two morphologically distinct structures: wider invasions and/or narrow filopodia that contain long linear filaments. Consistent with this, formin Diaphanous (Dia) and branched actin nucleator, Arp3, are found decorating the filopodia or enriched at the actin focus, respectively, indicating that linear actin is present along with branched actin at sites of fusion in the FCM. Gain-of-function Dia and loss-of-function Arp3 both lead to fusion defects, a decrease of F-actin foci and prominent filopodia from the FCMs. We also observed differential endocytosis of cell surface components at sites of fusion, with actin reorganizing factors, WASp and SCAR, and Kirre remaining on the myotube surface and Sns preferentially taken up with other membrane proteins into early endosomes and lysosomes in the myotube.
Dynamics of the career plateauing process

Abstract A longitudinal study was designed to examine the changes in career intentions, career issues, organizational commitment, and job performance of employees who were in three distinct stages of the plateauing process. Those employees who remained nonplateaued improved their levels of performance, indicated a desire to get promoted, and believed that they were more marketable now than 3 years ago. Employees who became organizationally plateaued during the study indicated that they were less marketable and had lower promotional aspirations since they became plateaued. Employees that were plateaued throughout the study indicated a declining commitment to the organization over time and a greater propensity to leave the firm, and they were less concerned with specific career issues.
Endocrine regulation of the immune response to influenza virus infection with a metabolite of DHEA-androstenediol

In these studies the influence of androstenediol on the course of an experimental virus infection was examined. Pretreatment with 320 mg/kg AED protected male mice from lethal influenza virus infection. In addition, AED enhanced antigen-induced trafficking of mononuclear cells into the draining lymph node and augmented antigen-specific activation of helper-T cells, which are important for control of viral pathogenesis. Furthermore, AED prevented the characteristic increase in serum corticosterone noted during influenza A virus infection. Although steroid hormones, at least corticosteroids, typically suppress host immune and inflammatory responses in vivo, these data suggest that AED may function to augment host immune and inflammatory responses in contrast to corticosteroids.
Nox-derived ROS are acutely activated in pressure overload pulmonary hypertension: indications for a seminal role for mitochondrial Nox4

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a severe progressive disease with marked morbidity and high mortality in which right ventricular (RV) failure is the major cause of death. Thus knowledge of the m...
Muscovy and the "General Crisis of the Seventeenth Century"

This article discusses the applicability of the concept of the "general crisis of the seventeenth century" to Russia. The author begins by reviewing the literature on the "general crisis," particularly the contributions that potentially throw the most light on Russia's historical experience. Jack Goldstone's new book, Revolution and Rebellion in the Early Modern World, receives particular attention. The author argues that Goldstone's multi-causal, but ultimately new-Malthusian model is not helpful in explaining Russian developments: insofar as historians understand them, demographic trends in seventeenth-century Russia do not support Goldstone's arguments. In more general terms, the author concludes that a number of contributions to the debate on the "general crisis" do help to explain Russian events. In fact, Russia had two profound crises that display important parallels with simultaneous events elsewhere in Europe- the Time of the Troubles (1598-1613) and the crisis of 1648-49. The former was the most severe of the many European crises of the 1590s. The latter was, in essence, a revolt of taxpayers against the rapidly increasing demands of an absolutist state. Although the rebels did not overthrow Tsar Alexis' regime, his government, in response, took important steps toward more effective absolute rule, most importantly the full enserfment of the manorial peasantry.
Posterior bony humeral avulsion of glenohumeral ligament with reverse bony Bankart lesion

Recurrent, posterior glenohumeral joint instability is uncommon. Posterior capsulolabral abnormalities, although well described in the literature, are less common than their anterior counterparts and make up roughly 2-5% of all shoulder instability. Previous authors have reported cases of posterior humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (PHAGL) and a combined posterior Bankart lesion and PHAGL associated with posterior instability. To our knowledge, there has been no reported case of a combined reverse bony Bankart and a posterior bony HAGL injury. We present a case of traumatic posterior instability as a result of a combined posterior bony humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament (PBHAGL) and a posterior bony Bankart lesion.
Robustness Metrics for Time-Dependent Quality Characteristics

Quality characteristics (QC’s) are often treated static in robust design optimization while many of them are time dependent in reality. It is therefore desirable to define new robustness metrics for time-dependent QC’s. This work shows that using the robustness metrics of static QC’s for those of time-dependent QC’s may lead to erroneous design results. To this end, we propose the criteria of establishing new robustness metrics for time-dependent QC’s and then define new robustness metrics. Instead of using a point expected quality loss over the time period of interest, we use the expectation of the maximal quality loss over the time period to quantify the robustness for time-dependent QC’s. Through a four-bar function generator mechanism analysis, we demonstrate that the new robustness metrics can capture the full information of robustness of a time-dependent QC over a time interval. The new robustness metrics can then be used as objective functions for time-dependent robust design optimization.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Solid-State Properties of the Cyclooxygenase-1-Selective Inhibitor, SC-560

Selective inhibition of the cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) isoform has been shown to reduce inflammation and tumorigenesis and lack the gastrointestinal toxicity of traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The COX-1-selective inhibitor 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazole (SC-560), shown in Fig. 1, was identified as one of several structurally related compounds with varying selectivity for the COX isoforms during the development of the COX-2-selective inhibitor celecoxib (1). From this work, SC-560 was found to be a highly selective and potent inhibitor of COX-1, with in vitro studies showing an IC50 of 0.007 μM for COX-1 and 75 μM for COX-2. In animal studies, SC-560 has been shown to be effective in treating neuroinflammation when administered by injection (2). However, the poor bioavailability that results following oral administration of SC-560 may limit its effectives in treating diseases where COX-1 inhibition would provide efficacy. When administered orally to rats as a suspension in 1% methylcellulose, the mean bioavailability is only 5% of the dose (3). Altering the oral dosage formulation by dissolving in polyethylene glycol 600 improves the bioavailability to only 15% (3). Therefore, additional studies are needed to identify dosage formulations which may improve oral bioavailability. To develop dosage forms and products of a potential drug compound, solid-state properties of the chemical need to be thoroughly examined. One of the basic attributes is the crystal structure of the compound, which determines important physical and chemical properties of the substance, including solubility and dissolution rate. We have solved the crystal structure for SC-560 and reported it elsewhere (4). Herein, we describe additional solid-state properties, including its solubility in water. Fig. 1 Molecular structure of SC-560 and its labeling in the crystal. The two torsion angles are also marked MATERIALS AND METHODS Materials SC-560 was from Cayman Chemical Company (Ann Arbor, MI, USA). Organic solvents (high-performance liquid chromatography grade) were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich Co. (St. Louis, MO, USA) without further purification.
Nigerian Demand for Meat

Abstract This study investigates consumer demand for different meat types in Nigeria from 1961 to 1999, as well as the differentiating impacts across meat types from a Structural Adjustment Program designed to initiate market activity and other structural changes. Results indicate that beef and mutton are more price elastic than pork or poultry. Beef is a luxury good, while both pork and poultry are inelastic and normal goods. Mutton is an inelastic and inferior good. Tests for weak separability indicate that only pork is found not to be separable from other meat types. Pricing and market segmentation strategies are more likely to be successful for Nigerian beef products relative to other meat types.
The Participation of Students Who Are Identified as Gifted and Talented in Minnesota's Open Enrollment Option.

The extent to which students who were identified as gifted and talented participating in Minnesota's Open Enrollment Option was investigated. Information was drawn from surveys on 26 students who were identified as gifted and talented and transferred to nonresident schools through Open Enrollment during the 1990–91 school year. Parental involvement in school before and after the transfer, reasons for transferring, and other experiences in exercising the option were studied. The results were compared to those of students without special needs (n=60). Parents of students with special talents moderately increased their involvement at their chosen school. Academic and educational concerns were some of the main reasons that prompted these students to transfer. The most valuable sources of information about the option were the mass media and the school principal. Most parents expressed satisfaction with the option-, yet, many experienced transportation problems. Important applications for these findings were di...
Phase I Controlled trials of WR-2721 and cyclophosphamide☆

Abstract WR-2721 is an organic thiophosphate compound which in the animal model selectively protects against the hematologic toxicity of cyclophosphamide by factors of 1.5 to 2.0. Controlled Phase I trials of WR-2721 and cyclophosphamide were initiated to determine if WR-2721 protected against cyclophosphamide's hematologic toxicity. Fifteen patients received WR-2721 (450–1100 mg/m 2 ) prior to cyclophosphamide (1200–1800 mg/m 2 ) and were subsequently retreated 4 weeks later with the same cyclophosphamide dose alone. With WR-2721 pretreatment, 1115 (73%) patients had improved WBC counts. The mean WBC increased from 1800/mm 3 on cyclophosphamide alone to 2700/mm 3 with WR-2721 + cyclophosphamide ( p = 0.008). In 11 patients who had nadir differential counts performed, 7 64% demonstrated improved nadir granulocyte counts with WR-2721. The mean granulocyte count increased from 765/mm 3 on cyclophosphamide to 1274/mm 3 with WR-2721 + cyclophosphamide ( p = 0.05). In the second trial, 25 patients received the reverse sequence: an initial dose of cyclophosphamide (1200–1800 mg/m 2 ) alone, followed 4 weeks later by WR-2721 (450–1100 mg/m2) prior to the same dose of cyclophosphamide. With WR-2721 pretreatment, 1225 (48%) patients had improved nadir WBC counts. The mean WBC increased from 1550/mm 3 on cyclophosphamide alone to 1850/mm 3 with WR-2721 + cyclophosphamide ( p = 0.02), while the nadir granulocyte count increased from 449/mm 3 to 844/mm 3 ( p = 0.001). No patient developed microscopic or gross hematuria or inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. One patient developed mild thrombocytopenia. These data suggest that WR-2721 provides significant protection against cyclophosphamide-induced granulocytopenia, but the dose modification factors and degree of clinical benefit remain to be established. The current recommended WR-2721 dose for Phase II trials is 740 mg/m 2 administered over 15 minutes.
THE ACQUISITION AND UTILIZATION OF SPATIAL INFORMATION IN URBAN PARK SETTINGS

ABSTRACT This paper reviews a study that examined the imageability of six select landscape features in an urban park setting. The purpose of the study was to determine which features contributed significantly to landscape legibility, spatial orientation, and image development. Three study panels were tested in a spatial orientation exercise involving slides of various scenes from an urban park. Of significance to the study was the relative importance of prior, on-site, or surrogate experiences to the accuracy of scene placement and orientation during the mapping exercise.
Application of rayleigh spectroscopy to the study of emulsion and dispersion polymerization and polymers

Application of Rayleigh spectroscopy for characterization of particle size in nonaqueous dispersion and water-based emulsion paint resins is described. The technique allows a straightforward and rapid estimation of particle size; the measurement does not require exact determination of scatterer concentration. For monodisperse samples, unambiguous results are obtained for particles at least up to 50 μm in diameter; for polydisperse samples, an average size heavily weighted by large particles is obtained. Typical experimental results on monodisperse and polydisperse water-based latexes and on polydisperse nonaqueous dispersion resins are described. In the latter case, comparison of electron micrograph and light scattering size determinations indicates that the light scattering experiment yields approximately a z-average radius. Observations on particle formation and growth during polymerization are also described.
Available Organic Soil Phosphorus Has an Important Influence on Microbial Community Composition

Soil acidity can have a potent influence on soil microbial composition and function, but it remains unclear if this influence is a direct response to the concentration of H + or an indirect response caused by the influence of pH on other soil chemical properties. We hypothesized that the composition and function of soil microorganisms would shirt in response to decreases in the availability of inorganic P caused by mobilized Al. We tested this hypothesis at Dysart Woods, a mosaic of old growth and second growth mixed, mesophytic forest in eastern Ohio. We evaluated microbial community composition (phospholipid fatty acid [PLFA] analysis) and function (extracellular enzyme activity) in the context of P availability and common metrics of soil fertility. We observed a threshold response where available organic P (P 0 , i.e., bicarbonate-extracted, molybdate-unreactive P) dominated (~80%) the availability of total available P when mobilized Al was present (>0.1 cmol c kg -1 ), but when Al was immobilized, available inorganic P (P i , i.e., bicarbonate-extracted, molybdate-reactive P) content was significantly greater (~50%). Available P o significantly correlated (r = 0.54) with acid phosphatase activity. Using nonmetric multidimensional scaling, we observed that PLFA composition ordination was significant along a gradient of soil pH and available P o , Because the composition and function of the microbial community changes due to available P o , results suggest that microbial communities in acidic forest soils are functionally P limited. The availability of P o did not influence the microbial biomass, however, indicating that the microbial community compensates for the apparent P limitation by altering its composition.
Protective action of ascorbic acid and sulfur compounds against acetaldehyde toxicity: Implications in alcoholism and smoking

Acetaldehyde is a toxic substance common to heavy drinking of alcohol and heavy smoking of cigarettes. It has been implicated thereby in diseases of the cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous systems. Protection against acetaldehyde toxicity (i.e. anesthesia and lethality) was studied in rats by oral intubation of test compounds 30–45 minutes prior to oral intubation of a standardized oral LD 90 dose (18 millimoles/kologram) of acetaldehyde. Animals were monitored for anesthesia (loss of righting reflexes) and lethality for 72 hours. A total of 18 compounds was tested.l-ascorbic acid at 2 millimoles/kilogram (mM/kg) showed moderate protection against anesthesia and marked protection against lethality. Greatest protection against anesthesia and lethality was obtained at 2 mM/kg with each of the following:l-cysteine N-acetyl-l-cysteine, thiamin HCl, sodium metabisulfite, andl-cysteic acid. A combination ofl-ascorbic acid withl-cysteine, and thiamin·HCl at reduced dose levels (2.0, 1.0 and 0.3 mM/kg, respectively) gave virtually complete protection. A detailed literature review is presented of the rationale and significance of these findings. Our findings could point the way to a possible build-up of natural protection against the chronic body insult of acetaldehyde arising from heavy drinking of alcohol and heavy smoking of cigarettes.
Vascular endothelial growth factor and acute mountain sickness.

Study Objective: Despite causing significant morbidity throughout the mountainous regions of the world, the pathophysiology of acute mountain sickness (AMS) remains poorly understood. This study aims to improve the understanding of altitude illness by determining if vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a role in the development of AMS. The purpose of this study was to determine if elevated plasma VEGF correlates with increased symptoms of AMS at high altitude. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study of a cohort of healthy climbers on Denali (Mount McKinley) in Alaska at 14, 200 feet. Baseline demographics, medications, rates of ascent, and AMS scores were recorded. Pulse oximetry measurements and venous blood samples were obtained. Comparisons were made between mountaineers with and without AMS. Results: Seventy-two climbers were approached for participation in the study; 21 (29%) refused. Of the 51 climbers participating in the study, 14 subjects (27.5%) had symptoms of AMS and 37 subjects (72.5%) were free of symptoms of AMS. Plasma VEGF levels were 79.14 pg/dl (SD: 121.44) and 57.57pg/dl (SD: 102.71) in the AMS and non-AMS groups, respectively. These results were nonsignificant. Similarly, comparison of sex, age, rate of ascent, pulse oximetry values, or history of altitude illness did not reveal significant differences between the AMS and non-AMS groups. Conclusion: This study does not provide evidence in support of the theory that plasma VEGF correlates with symptoms of AMS.
Test-to-test variability in motor activity during the suggested immobilization test in restless legs patients.

Abstract Background and purpose To evaluate the test-to-test variability of the suggested immobilization test (SIT) in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Patients and methods Twenty patients with primary RLS (12 men and eight women; age: 53.3±11.3 years) were selected for the study. We compared the results of two SITs performed on two consecutive evenings prior to polysomnographic recordings. Results Overall, the periodic leg movement index during the SIT (SIT PLM) and the SIT PLM index associated with sensory manifestations (SIT PLM+) were not significantly different between tests. The number of PLM sequences per SIT, the mean PLM duration and the PLM interval did not significantly change between the two consecutive tests. The pattern of temporal evolution of motor activity across the SIT was very reproducible, SIT PLM showing a clear tendency to a progressive increase across the test, with the SIT PLM+ index decreasing in the second half of the test. Despite good reproducibility, there were marked intra-individual differences. Considering the proposed cut-off value of 12 for the SIT PLM index to confirm RLS, 11 patients were positive at the first test and four additional patients became positive at the second test. SIT PLM index changes did not correlate with age, severity of disease and polysomnographic measures. Conclusions Quantitative analysis of motor activity during two consecutive SITs in RLS patients showed a significant inter-test intra-individual variability unrelated to demographic, clinical or polysomnographic parameters. SIT PLM index variability suggests that a single test would not be sensitive enough for diagnostic purposes in unclear cases and that new criteria need to be applied to increase its specificity and sensitivity.
Gelation of sugarbeet and citrus pectins using enzymes extracted from orange peel

Abstract Sugarbeet pectin is shown to form gels in the presence of calcium using an enzyme preparation extracted from orange peel. The gels were transparent and exhibited no syneresis. The mechanism of gelation is chain association arising from both lowered pectin solubility and from formation of a limited network of calcium-linked junction zones. The gelation reaction involves limited pectin demethoxylation, the release of acetate presumably from C-2 or C-3 of galacturonyl residues, and a decrease in pH. The enzymes responsible are pectinesterase (EC 3.1.1.11) and pectin acetylesterase. We suggest that the latter is a novel activity associated with triacetin acetylesterase (EC 3.1.1.6). The gels are compared to citrus pectin gels made in the same way.
Investigate the MRI Texture Features of Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly injuring white matter. Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques can improve the detection and quantification of MS. The objective of this study was to observe that whether there is a certain pattern in the changes of texture features in NAWM surrounding the MS lesions. The results corroborate the point. A new method of radiation growth to the segmentation of MS lesions was applied in this study. These results may be of value to further studies on predicting MS.
The Small Heat Shock Protein αB-Crystallin Negatively Regulates Cytochrome c- and Caspase-8-dependent Activation of Caspase-3 by Inhibiting Its Autoproteolytic Maturation

Caspases are universal effectors of apoptosis. The mitochondrial and death receptor pathways activate distinct apical caspases (caspase-9 and -8, respectively) that converge on the proteolytic activation of the downstream executioner caspase-3. Caspase-9 and -8 cleave procaspase-3 to produce a p24 processing intermediate (composed of its prodomain and large subunit), which then undergoes autoproteolytic cleavage to remove the prodomain from the active protease. Recently, several heat shock proteins have been shown to selectively inhibit the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway by disrupting the activation of caspase-9 downstream of cytochrome c release. We report here that the small heat shock protein αB-crystallin inhibits both the mitochondrial and death receptor pathways. In S-100 cytosolic extracts treated with cytochromec/dATP or caspase-8, αB-crystallin inhibits the autoproteolytic maturation of the p24 partially processed caspase-3 intermediate. In contrast, neither the closely related small heat shock protein family member Hsp27 nor Hsp70 inhibited the maturation of the p24 intermediate. We also demonstrate that αB-crystallin co-immunoprecipitates with the p24 partially processed caspase-3in vivo. Taken together, our results demonstrate that αB-crystallin is a novel negative regulator of apoptosis that acts distally in the conserved cell death machinery by inhibiting the autocatalytic maturation of caspase-3.
Energy Absorption Behavior of Graphite Epoxy Composite Sine Webs

The static energy absorption behavior of graphite epoxy composite cor rugated (sine wave) webs loaded in axial compression is reported in this paper. Tests have been conducted to study the effects ...
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist troglitazone protects against nondiabetic glomerulosclerosis in rats

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ agonist troglitazone protects against nondiabetic glomerulosclerosis in rats. Background Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-dependent transcriptional factors with beneficial effects in diabetes mediated by improved insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism, but potential adverse effects in atherosclerosis by promoting in vitro foam cell formation. We explored whether a PPARγ agonist, troglitazone (TGL), affects sclerosis by mechanisms unrelated to insulin and lipid effects in a model of nondiabetic glomerulosclerosis. Methods Adult male Sprague Dawley rats underwent 5/6 nephrectomy and were treated for 12 weeks as follows: control (CONT), no further treatment; triple antihypertensive therapy (TRX); and TGL or TGL + TRX. Functional, morphological, and molecular analyses were performed. Results Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was increased in CONT and TGL groups (161 ± 1 and 160 ± 3 mm Hg), but not in TGL + TRX and TRX (120 ± 3 vs. 126 ± 1 mm Hg, P P P = 0.01 vs. CONT). Glomerular cell proliferation, assessed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), was decreased after treatment with TGL or TGL + TRX, in parallel with decreases in glomerular p21 mRNA and p27 protein compared with CONT and TRX (PCNA + cells/glomerulus: CONT 2.04 ± 0.64, TGL 0.84 ± 0.21, TGL + TRX 0.30 ± 0.07, TRX 1.38 ± 0.37; TGL, P P P Conclusions Our results demonstrate in vivo that the PPARγ ligand TGL ameliorates the progression of glomerulosclerosis in a nondiabetic model. Macrophages show phenotypic diversity in glomerular versus vascular sclerosis, with macrophage PPARγ expression in only the latter. PPARγ beneficial effects are independent of insulin/glucose effects and are associated with regulation of glomerular cell proliferation, hypertrophy, and decreased PAI-1 and TGF-β expression.
INVARIANTS OF DEFECTLESS IRREDUCIBLE POLYNOMIALS

Defectless irreducible polynomials over a Henselian valued field (F, v) have been studied by means of strict systems of polynomial extensions and complete (also called "saturated") distinguished chains. Strong connections are developed here between these two approaches and applications made to both. In the tame case in which a root α of an irreducible polynomial f generates a tamely ramified extension of (F, v), simple formulas are given for the Krasner constant, the Brink separant and the diameter of f. In this case a (best possible) result is given showing that a sufficiently good approximation in an extension field K of F to a root of a defectless polynomial f over F guarantees the existence of an exact root of f in K. Also in the tame case a (best possible) result is given describing when a polynomial is sufficiently close to a defectless polynomial so as to guarantee that the roots of the two polynomials generate the same extension fields. Another application in the tame case gives a simple characterization of the minimal pairs (in the sense of N. Popescu et al.). A key technical result is a computation in the tame case of the Newton polygon of f(x+α). Invariants of defectless polynomials are discussed and the existence of defectless polynomials with given invariants is proven. Khanduja's characterization of the tame polynomials whose Krasner constants equal their diameters is generalized to arbitrary defectless polynomials. Much of the work described here will be seen not to require the hypothesis that (F, v) is Henselian.
Occupational dermatoses in South Carolina: A descriptive analysis of cost variables

Abstract The problem of occupationally related skin disease was examined by reviewing the files of all closed cases (n = 958) of skin disease processed by the South Carolina Industrial Commission for the fiscal year (FY) of July 1, 1978, through June 30, 1979. From this population, a subset (134) was queried to obtain further personal information for an analysis of cost variables. The key findings were: (1) 82% of the sampled population were atopic; assuming a 25% frequency of atopy in the general population, the relative odds of developing occupational skin disease are 13.5 times greater if one is atopic; significant association existed between increased days lost and a history of atopy. (2) Significant associations existed between higher cost items and delayed time to see physicians, history of having a preexisting rash, and younger age.
Spatial delayed nonmatching-to-sample performances in long-living Ames dwarf mice

Ames dwarf mice have an extended lifespan by comparison with normal mice. Behavioral testing has revealed that sometimes Ames dwarf mice also evince superior performances relative to normal mice, but in other cases they do not. In this experiment, Ames dwarf and normal mice were compared on a T-maze test and on a delayed nonmatching-to-sample variant of a T-maze test. On the simple T-maze, Ames dwarf and normal mice committed comparable numbers of errors. On the nonmatching-to-sample task, normal mice mastered the discrimination by the end of the experiment while Ames dwarf mice did not. The apparatus, distances traveled and session duration were equivalent between the two tasks. The poorer performances of Ames dwarf mice on the nonmatching-to-sample task suggests that Ames dwarf mice may not be as capable of learning relatively cognitively complex tasks as normal mice.
Connected & manifold Sierpinsky polyhedra

In this paper, we present a subdivision-inspired scheme to construct generalized Sierpinski polyhedron. Unlike usual Sierpinski polyhedra construction schemes, which create either an infinite set of disconnected tetrahedra or a non-manifold polyhedron, our robust construction scheme creates one connected and manifold polyhedron. Moreover, unlike the original schemes, this new scheme can be applied to any manifold polyhedral mesh and based on the shape of this initial polyhedra a large variety of Sierpinski polyhedra can be obtained. Our basic scheme can be viewed as applying simplest subdivision scheme [23] to an input polyhedron, but retaining old vertices. The porous structure is then obtained by removing the refined facets of the simplest subdivision.
Increasing stability and distinguishability of the digital fingerprint in FPGAs through input word analysis

Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) have become increasingly popular in circuit development due to their rapid development times and low costs. With their increased use, the need to protect their Intellectual Property (IP) becomes more urgent. The digital fingerprint accomplishes this by creating a unique identification (ID) for each FPGA. In this research, we propose methods to dramatically increase the stability and robustness of the digital fingerprint ID by the proper choice of input sequences. We also show that by properly choosing the input word, we can significantly increase the DF resistance to operating temperature changes.
ESR of the CoC and VC molecules

The ground states of the CoC and VC molecules have been found to be 2Σ. Hyperfine splittings due to 59Co(I= 72), 51V(I= 72) and 13C(I= 12) were observed, and the g and A tensor components were determined. The spec- trum attributed to VC is unusual because of the large anisotropy in these parameters; specifically, the analysis yields an unusually low value of g11
Sorbic acid as a fungistatic agent for certain pharmaceutical preparations

A comparison of the fungistatic property of sorbic acid and benzoic acid was undertaken to determine their efficacy against common mold contaminants and as a preservative in certain pharmaceutical preparations that are susceptible to mold growth. Sorbic acid was found to be superior to benzoic acid as a fungistatic agent.
Infrared Sensitivity of Cesium Oxide Photoelectric Cells

Measurements have been made of the relative spectral sensitivities of a number of cesium oxide photoelectric cells to visible and infrared radiations. For the region 5000A to 8000A where the results reported here overlap those of Koller and of Vedder, the sensitivities were found to check those previously reported. The infrared response has been found to decrease gradually from the maximum at about 7750A to approximately zero at 12,000A.
Cowden's disease (multiple hamartoma syndrome)

Summary A case report of Cowden's disease has been presented along with a discussion of its multiple system involvement. Its association with thyroid and breast malignancy make its differentiation from other or similar disease entities vital.
New Screening Tests to Identify Young Children at Risk for Mild Learning Problems

Each of 34 prekindergarten and 39 kindergarten children with mild learning problems, those with mild mental retardation or learning disabilities, was matched with a child without learning problems ...
Carbon nanotubes polymer nanoparticles inks for healthcare textile

Healthcare textiles are ambient health monitoring systems that can contribute towards medical aid as well as general fitness of the populace. These are textile based products that have sensor systems mounted on them or are electrically functionalized to act as sensors. While embedded sensor chipsets and connection wires have been shown as working prototypes of this concept, there is a need for seamless integration of sensor technologies without hindering the inherent properties of the textile. Screen printing or stamping with electrically conductive inks have been demonstrated as technologies for fabricating electronics on flexible substrates. They are applicable to textile manufacturing as well. Printing technology allows for fabrication of nanocomposite based electronics elements in a bottom-up fashion. This has advantages such as low material consumption, high speed fabrication and low temperature processing. In this research, Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) and polyaniline nanoparticles (PANP) core shell based nanocomposites were synthesized and formulated into colloidal ink. Printed MWCNTs-PANP traces were electrically characterized and compared with traces made with those made by other composites such as Silver, and Carbon Black. The nanocomposite based inks are compared for proposed applications as sensor systems and conductive tracks on smart textile for pervasive wireless healthcare system that can be mass produced using low cost printing processes.
Chromatin structure of the ribosomal RNA genes in Physarum polycephalum

Nucleoli were purified from the slime mold Physarum polycephalum and assayed for enrichment in ribosomal DNA by analytical ultracentrifugation. Greater than 90% of the DNA from nucleoli comprises a satellite band characteristic of Physarum ribosomal DNA (rDNA) in a CsCl equilibrium sedimentation gradient. Over 75% of the nucleolar DNA molecules are 37×106 Daltons, a further characteristic of Physarum rDNA. Nucleoli incubated with micrococcal nuclease yield a distribution of discrete DNA fragments indicative of nucleosome subunits; these digestion products are indistinguishable in size from those of total nuclear chromatin. The nucleosome DNA repeat length varied with increasing digestion from 175 down to 150 base pairs. A palindrome structure for the ribosomal nucleoprotein molecules is demonstrated by electron microscopy of actively transcribing ribosomal RNA genes, which required modification of usual methods for dispersing chromatin. In the center of each palindrome is a 6.0–6.5 μm non-transcribed “spacer” region which exhibits a beaded nucleosome structure. Transcription initiates at points on either side of the central spacer, as evidenced by 4.0–4.2 μm matrices of growing rRNA fibrils extending to each end of the palindrome. The polarity of transcription matrices, together with information about the sites of rRNA coding sequences, imply that 19S rRNA is transcribed prior to 26S rRNA.
Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis of T cell receptor signaling in diabetes prone and resistant mice.

Type 1 diabetes, in human patients and NOD mice, results from an immune attack on insulin-producing beta-cells of the pancreas by autoreactive T lymphocytes. In NOD mice, genetically controlled perturbations in the signaling pathways downstream of the antigen-specific T cell receptor (TCR) may be instrumental in the altered responses of T cells, manifest as inefficient induction of apoptosis after recognition of self-antigens in the thymus or as perturbed reactivity of mature T cells in peripheral organs. To map this signaling difference(s), we have used mass spectrometry-based quantitative phosphoproteomics to compare the activation of primary CD4+ T cells of diabetes-prone NOD and -resistant B6.H2g7 mice. Immunoprecipitation and IMAC purification of tyrosine-phosphorylated peptides, combined with a stable-isotope iTRAQ labeling, enabled us to identify and quantify over 77 phosphorylation events in 54 different proteins downstream of TCR stimulation of primary CD4+ T cells. This analysis showed a general...
An Experimental Investigation of State-Variable Modal Decomposition for Modal Analysis

This work presents the experimental evaluation of the state-variable modal decomposition method for a modal parameter estimation of multidegree-of-freedom and continuous vibration systems. Using output response ensembles only, the generalized eigenvalue problem is formed to estimate eigenfrequencies and modal vectors for a lightly damped linear clamped-free experimental beam. The estimated frequencies and modal vectors are compared against the theoretical system frequencies and modal vectors. Satisfactory results are obtained for estimating both system frequencies and modal vectors for the first five modes. To validate the actual modes from the spurious ones, modal coordinates are employed, which, together with frequency and vector estimates, substantiate the true modes. This paper also addresses the error associated with estimation when the number of sensors is less than the active/dominant modes of the system shown via a numerical example.
Visions and voices VS. mystic union

L'article traite des diverses experiences mystiques. L'A. defend le point de vue de St Jean de la Croix sur ces experiences contre ses critiques (surtout celle de Nelson Pike), a la lumiere du debat recent sur le statut epistemologique des visions et des voix divines. L'A. montre que ces experiences ne sont pas comprises si elles sont identifiees avec les seules visions et locutions.
Is There a Downside to Good Self-control?

Most discussions of self-control have focused on its benefits rather than its costs. The most important cost appears to be the depletion of limited self-control resources. Acts of self-control both consume and require self-control resources, and, until these resources can be replenished, people's ability to perform many adaptive behaviors is compromised. These impairments affect not only self-control but also intelligent thought, effective decision making, and initiative. The limited resource itself presents further potential costs, insofar as the person must manage the limited resource (e.g., conserving for future demands), and managing the resource itself is presumably another demand for self-regulation and hence a drain on the limited resource. Trait self-control, in contrast, appears to have few or no downsides.
Induction of angiogenesis and inhibition of apoptosis by hepatocyte growth factor effectively treats postischemic heart failure.

BACKGROUND Heart failure following myocardial infarction (MI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality and remains a difficult therapeutic challenge. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent angiogenic and anti-apoptotic protein whose receptor is upregulated following MI. This study was designed to investigate the ability of HGF to prevent heart failure in a rat model of experimental MI. METHODS The rats underwent direct intramyocardial injection with replication-deficient adenovirus encoding HGF (n = 7) or null virus as control (n = 7) 3 weeks following ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Analysis of the following was performed 3 weeks after injection: cardiac function by pressure-volume conductance catheter measurements; LV wall thickness; angiogenesis by Von Willebrand's factor staining; and apoptosis by the TUNEL assay. The expression levels of HGF and the anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 were analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS Adeno-HGF-treated animals had greater preservation of maximum LV pressure (HGF 77 +/- 3 vs. control 64 +/- 5 mmHg, p < 0.05), maximum dP/dt (3024 +/- 266 vs. 1907 +/- 360 mmHg/sec, p < 0.05), maximum dV/dt (133 +/- 20 vs. 84 +/- 6 muL/sec, p < 0.05), and LV border zone wall thickness (1.98 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.53 +/- 0.07 mm, p < 0.005). Angiogenesis was enhanced (151 +/- 10.0 vs. 90 +/- 4.5 endothelial cells/hpf, p < 0.005) and apoptosis was reduced (3.9 +/- 0.3 vs. 8.2 +/- 0.5%, p < 0.005). Increased expression of HGF and Bcl-2 protein was observed in the Adeno-HGF-treated group. CONCLUSIONS Overexpression of HGF 3 weeks post-MI resulted in enhanced angiogenesis, reduced apoptosis, greater preservation of ventricular geometry, and preservation of cardiac contractile function. This technique may be useful to treat or prevent postinfarction heart failure.
Low temperatures pyroelectric properties

Abstract In the past, the major interest has been in the room temperature operating pytoelectric materials and relatively few pyroelectric measurements have been made at low temperatures. The low temperature pyroelectrics could be more efficient IR detectors as (1) ferroelectrics with low curie temperatures tend to show near second order behavior with large pyroelectric coefficients over wide temperature range. (ii) At low temperatures the secondary pyroelectric contribution which is often large and opposite in sign to the primary effect at room temperature, decreases rapidly and there can be unexpectedly large pyroelectric coefficients. (iii) Specific heat and electrical losses decrease at low temperature. (iv) Signal to noise ratio increases as temperature decreases. All these factors generally raise the figure of merit of the pyroelectric devices. In this paper we report the low temperature measurements of the pyroelectric and dielectric properties of several ferroelectric and nonferroelectric material...
Lorentz matrices: A review

This is an expository review of the Lorentz transformation, which is a change of coordinates used by one “inertial observer” to those used by another one. The transformation can be represented by a four-by-four matrix, the Lorentz matrix or the Minkowski-Lorentz matrix. The most familiar, or “special,” case has thex axis of both observers parallel to their relative velocity. A more general transformation drops this constraint. But then a seeming “paradox” arises when there are three observers, and this has led to a challenge to the self-consistency of the special theory of relativity. It is shown here that this challenge is based on a misunderstanding. The properties of the more general Lorentz transformation are reviewed consistently in terms of the matrix approach, which the author believes is now the easiest approach to understand. The spectral analysis of the Lorentz matrix is also discussed. Several checks are included to “make assurance double sure.”
Comparative Aspects of Premature Ovulation in the Guinea Pig and the Rat Following Electrochemical Stimulation of the Hypothalamus12

The present experiments were designed to investigate the ability of electrochemical stimulation of the hypothalamus to induce ovulation in the guinea pig in late diestrus. Unilateral and bilateral electrochemical stimulation in the medial basal hypothalamus (MBH) induced ovulation in the majority of guinea pigs. Similar and more extensive electrochemical stimulation in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) failed to induce ovulation. Comparative studies in the Wistar rat verified the validity of the stimulation system and the results were in agreement with similar findings in other laboratories; that is, both the MPOA and the MBH were sensitive to electrochemical stimulation and ovulation was induced. However, further studies in guinea pigs with nonspecific destruction of the MBH by radiofrequency lesions or surgical cuts revealed additional differences in that no release of gonadotropins occurred, at least not sufficient release to alter the ovarian histology at autopsy. (Endocrinology 95: 933, 1974)