cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elevated Plasma Membrane Cholesterol Content Alters Macrophage Signaling and Function

Objective— During atherogenesis, macrophages migrate into the subendothelial space where they ingest deposited lipoproteins, accumulate lipids, and transform into foam cells. It is unclear why these macrophages do not remove their lipid loads from the region. This study was aimed at testing the hypothesis that macrophage behavior is altered when membrane cholesterol levels are elevated, as might be the case for cells in contact with lipoproteins within atherosclerotic lesions. Methods and Results— We examined the effects of elevating membrane cholesterol on macrophage behavior. J774 macrophages were treated with either acetylated low-density lipoprotein (ac-LDL) and ACAT inhibitor or cholesterol-chelated methyl-β-cyclodextrin (chol-MβCD) to increase membrane cholesterol levels. Our results show that elevating the membrane cholesterol of J774 macrophages induced dramatic ruffling, stimulated cell spreading, and affected F-actin organization. Cellular adhesion was required for these effects, and Rac-mediated signaling pathways were involved. Additionally, 3-dimensional transwell chemotaxis assays showed that migration of J774 macrophages was significantly inhibited when membrane cholesterol levels were raised. Conclusions— These findings indicate that increased membrane cholesterol causes dramatic effects on macrophage cellular functions related to the actin cytoskeleton. They should provide new insights into the early steps of atherogenesis.
Transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal states: acquisition of malignant and stem cell traits

Transitions between epithelial and mesenchymal states have crucial roles in embryonic development. Emerging data suggest a role for these processes in regulating cellular plasticity in normal adult tissues and in tumours, where they can generate multiple, distinct cellular subpopulations contributing to intratumoural heterogeneity. Some of these subpopulations may exhibit more differentiated features, whereas others have characteristics of stem cells. Owing to the importance of these tumour-associated phenotypes in metastasis and cancer-related mortality, targeting the products of such cellular plasticity is an attractive but challenging approach that is likely to lead to improved clinical management of cancer patients.
Imaging techniques: seeing single spins.

Combining the imaging power of magnetic resonance and the sensitivity of atomic force microscopy has created a hybrid technique that can resolve single spins beneath the surface of a sample.
Abstract 611: Alpha-santalol, a chemopreventive agent induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells by causing caspase-3 activation

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL The anticancer effects of α-santalol, a major component of sandalwood oil, have been reported against the development of certain cancers such as skin cancer both in vitro and in vivo. The primary objectives of the current study were to investigate the cancer preventive properties of α-santalol on human prostate cancer cells PC-3 (androgen independent and P-53 null) and LNCaP (androgen positive and P-53 wild-type), and determine the possible mechanisms of its action. The effect of α-santalol on cell viability was determined by trypan blue dye exclusion assay. Apoptosis induction was confirmed by analysis of cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragmentation using both an apoptotic ELISA kit and a DAPI fluorescence assay. Caspase-3 activity was determined using caspase-3 (active) ELISA kit. PARP cleavage was analyzed using Immunoblotting. α-santalol at 25-75 µM decreased cell viability in both cell lines in a concentration and time dependent manner. Treatment of prostate cancer cells with α-santalol resulted in induction of apoptosis as evidenced by DNA fragmentation and nuclear staining of apoptotic cells by DAPI. α-santalol treatment also resulted in activation of caspase-3 activity and PARP cleavage. The α-santalol-induced apoptotic cell death and activation of caspase-3 was significantly attenuated in the presence of pharmacological inhibitors of caspas-8 and caspase-9. In conclusion, the present study reveals the apoptotic effect of α-santalol in inhibiting the growth of human prostate cancer cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 611. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-611
Effect of Topically-applied Solutions of Iodine, Sodium Fluoride, or Chlorhexidine on Oral Bacteria and Caries in Rats

Antibacterial levels of iodine, chlorhexidine, or sodium fluoride were topically applied to the molar teeth of rats. The effect of these agents on buccal and sulcal caries, as well as on certain oral bacterial populations was assayed. All three agents exerted a significant cariostatic effect which was site specific. Buccal caries incidence and reductions appeared correlated to S. mutans counts, while sulcal caries was better correlated to total cultivable counts. These studies suggested that the simultaneous application of iodine and NaF might exert an additive cariostatic effect.
Topology profile for a glutamate receptor: Three transmembrane domains and a channel-lining reentrant membrane loop

We investigated the transmembrane topology of the GluR3 subunit that was translated in rabbit reticulocytes supplemented with microsomal membranes. A prolactin reporter epitope was fused to GluR3 at six locations, bracketing each of the proposed transmembrane domains. The sidedness of the epitope in the microsomal membrane was then assessed by proteinase K sensitivity. The N terminus and the entire region between M3 and M4 was extracellular, and the C terminus was intracellular by this method. Four native N-linked glycosylation sites in the amino terminus and one introduced site between M3 and M4 were utilized, confirming the extracellular location of these regions. Epitopes inserted upstream and downstream of M2 were protease sensitive and thus intracellular. Our results support a topological model for glutamate receptor subunits that consists of three transmembrane domains, M1, M3, and M4, and another domain, the proposed channel-lining M2, which forms a reentrant membrane segment with both ends facing the cytoplasm.
Determination of surface stress from vertical‐velocity spectra

Many recent measurements of vertical-velocity spectra in the atmospheric boundary layer are combined in order to derive the dependence of the maximum of the logarithmic spectrum, normalized by surface stress, on stability. An empirical equation is suggested which fits the observations and has the proper limiting form for free convection. It is suggested that this equation can be used to derive surface stresses from relatively simple measurements of the most energetic part of the spectrum, and from a stability parameter.
The formation of a protein sulfenamide during the inactivation of the acyl phosphatase activity of oxidized glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase by benzylamine.

Abstract The sulfenic acid form of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) which catalyzes the hydrolysis of acyl phosphates is inactivated by fairly high concentrations of benzylamine. During the inactivation, 14 C-benzylamine is incorporated into the oxidized enzyme. The amount of radioactivity incorporated is nearly stoichiometric with the degree of inactivation of acyl phosphatase activity. Benzylamine does not inactivate the dehydrogenase activity of reduced GPD. Treatment of oxidized GPD with dithiothreitol after it has been partly inactivated with 14 C-benzylamine decreases the amount of radioactivity bound to the enzyme. This evidence is consistent with the reaction of benzylamine with the sulfenic at the active site of oxidized GPD to form a sulfenamide derivative of the enzyme
Pleasure policies: debating development plans in southern California's Wine Country

On 11 March 2014, the Board of Supervisors of Riverside County in southern California, USA, voted to approve the Wine Country Community Plan, culminating a nearly six-year policy and planning process that would pave the way for the expansion of the Temecula Valley's wineries and wine tourism complex. The exercise in state-led development was a triumph for the plan's major proponents, but this does not mean that the Plan was accepted by all elements of the community nor does it mean that the approval process was a smooth and orderly one. This article takes as its frame of reference an anthropology of policy approach to analyze the elements of the Plan that would dramatically increase the Temecula Valley's wineries from around 40 to around 100, and greatly impact wine tourism activity there, to show how various stakeholder groups defined their position vis-a-vis the Plan and put into practice strategies designed to influence the process, to demonstrate the workings of the state-led planning process, and to ...
Perspective: Human immunodeficiency virus infection in children.

Epidemiologic studies indicate that the number of women and children with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection will continue to increase in the next decade. The impact of this aspect of the AIDS pandemic, including increased infant mortality, will be greatest in developing nations. The biologic properties of HIV, a lentivirus, complicate the strategies to alter the course of the pandemic. A long asymptomatic interval between initial infection and the onset of clinical disease, the ability of HIV to evade immune clearance, and the propensity for rapid mutation and selection of viral variants all favor survival of the virus over the host.
Experimental Design of the 1984 ASCOT Field Study

Abstract During September and October of 1984 the Department of Energy's Atmospheric Studies in Complex Terrain program conducted an intensive field study in the Brush Creek Valley of western Colorado. The overall objective of the study was to enhance the understanding of pollutant transport and diffusion associated with valley flows. Data collections were designed to investigate nocturnal and morning transition wind, turbulence, and temperature fields in the valley, in its tributaries, and on its side-slopes, and how these are affected by the free stream conditions above the valley. The release and sampling of atmospheric tracers were used to study transport and diffusion. The experimental design of this study is presented.
Graphene synthesis: Graphene closer to fruition.

Cracks and defects induced during the transfer of large-area graphene on insulating substrates impair its excellent electronic properties. A defect-free transfer can now be obtained thanks to capillary bridges that anchor the graphene film to the substrate while the underlying growth layer is etched away.
pH Measurement of Flame-Hydrolysed Silica Suspensions

AbstractVarious pH measurements on silica suspensions have been made. The changes in pH of HCl/NaOH solutions caused by increasing amounts of dispersed phase were determined. The differences in pH between the suspensions and their supernatants were also measured. The reasons for these differences are discussed and the most suitable method for pH measurement outlined.
Images of SCaBER Cells Treated by a Low Temperature Plasma Jet

Squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder is a rare type of bladder cancer that forms as a result of chronic irritation of the epithelial lining of the bladder. The cell line used in this paper is SCaBER (ATCC HTB3) derived from squamous cell carcinoma of the human urinary bladder. Current treatments of bladder cancer include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. However, the cost of these treatments, potential toxicity of the chemotherapeutic agents, and systemic side-effects warrant an alternative to current cancer treatment. In this paper, we present images of SCaBER cells treated by the plasma pencil, a device that generates a low temperature plasma plume at atmospheric pressure. The images show that after plasma treatment of only a few minutes substantial killing of SCaBER cells occur and that the cells die in a delayed manner, postplasma treatment.
Use of narrow-bore high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection for the analysis of intermediates of the biological degradation of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene

A single method was developed for the separation and quantitation of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), and most of the known and suspected biodegradation intermediates of TNT by RP-HPLC and diode array detection. The known biodegradation intermediates of TNT analyzed were 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene, 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene, 2,4-diamino-6-nitrotoluene, 2,4,6-triaminotoluene, 2,2',6,6'-tetranitro-4,4'-azoxytoluene, and 4,4',6,6'-tetranitro-2,2'-azoxytoluene. The suspected biodegradation intermediates of TNT included 1,2,3-benzenetriol (pyrogallol), 1,3,5-benzenetriol (phloroglucinol), 2-methyl-1,3,5-benzenetriol (methyl phloroglucinol) and 4-methylphenol (p-cresol). Mobile phases consisting of aqueous buffers adjusted to three different pH values in a gradient with acetonitrile were examined for their efficiency in separating the intermediate compounds and for the minimization of speciation of the ionizable intermediates (e.g. 2,4,6-triaminotoluene). A final aqueous buffer pH of 3.2 was selected to minimize the interference to the separation caused by 2,4,6-triaminotoluene speciation. Solvent consumption was minimized by the use of a narrow-bore column. All of the known reduction products as well as p-cresol and methyl phloroglucinol were identified in culture supernatants from TNT-degrading cultures while pyrogallol and phloroglucinol were not.
Changing the face of death: a pedagogic intervention.

A study was undertaken to explore whether alumni ( N = 154) from years 2001 to 2007 at our school of nursing perceive that the end-of-life (EOL) undergraduate education they received (a) prepared them to provide quality care to the dying and their loved ones and (b) contributed to changes in their way of being in the world, generally speaking. There were statistically significant differences between those who had taken an EOL elective while in nursing school and those who had not. This exploration of nurse alumni perceptions, from a school of nursing that purportedly has strong advocacy for EOL education, offers a snapshot view of issues relevant to the integration of EOL education in nursing schools. Overall findings underscore the need for ongoing topical evaluation to ensure that all nurses are consistently educated to care for the dying and their loved ones.
The Integration of Composite Structures into Aircraft Design

Advanced composite materials are significantly different from conven tional aircraft materials. These differences between the two are such that all facets of airplane design are significantly affected when use of advanced composite materials is considered.Examples of the impact of composite application to a lightweight fighter design, with regard to configuration and structural integrity, are given in this paper.
Receptor-interacting protein 140 attenuates endoplasmic reticulum stress in neurons and protects against cell death

Uncontrolled calcium release from the endoplasmic reticulum results in cell death and toxicity. Here, the authors show that in neurons, stress induces the export of receptor-interacting protein 140 from the nucleus to the cytosol where it interacts with IP3Receptor, preventing its opening and the detrimental effects of calcium release.
Complications associated with liver transplantation in the obese recipient

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome with attendant morbid obesity continues to increase nationwide. A concomitant increase in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and associated end-stage liver disease requiring transplantation is expected to parallel this trend. Between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2008, our center performed 813 solitary adult deceased-donor liver transplants. Patients were divided into groups based on the World Health Organization International Classification of obesity. Patients within each obesity class were compared to normal weight recipients. Preoperative demographics among all groups were similar. NASH was more common in higher BMI groups. Operative time, blood product usage, ICU length of stay, infectious complications, and biliary complications requiring intervention were all higher in obese recipients. Deep venous thrombosis occurred more commonly in patients with Class III obesity. Patients with Class II obesity had lower patient (HR 1.82, CI 1.09-3.01, p=0.02) and allograft survival (HR 1.62, CI 1.02-2.65, p=0.04). Obesity class did not reach statistical significance on multivariate analysis. Despite increased technical operative challenges and medical complexities associated with increasing recipient BMI, morbid obesity in and of itself should not be an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation as these patients have reasonable long-term outcomes.
“Offices of Love”: A New Look at the Ending of Hayden's THOSE WINTER SUNDAYS

While Robert Hayden's much anthologized poem “Those Winter Sundays” is generally seen as a superbly crafted lyric on a universal theme—an adult speaker reassessing feelings about a parent—the poem ...
A meta-analytic study of the effects of goal setting on task performance: 1966-1984

Abstract A meta-analytic study was conducted involving primarily published research from 1966 to 1984 and focusing on the relationship between goal-setting variables and task performance. Two major sets of studies were analyzed, those contrasting hard goals (goal difficulty) versus easy goals, and those comparing specific hard goals (goal specificity/difficulty) versus general goals, “do best” instructions, or no goal. As expected, strong support was obtained for the goal difficulty and goal specificity/difficulty components of E. A. Locke's (1968a , Organizational Behavior and Human Performance , 3 , 157–189) theory. A two-stage approach was employed to identify potential moderators of the goal difficulty and goal specificity/difficulty—performance relationships. Setting (laboratory versus field) was identified as a moderator of the relationship between goal specificity/difficulty and task performance. Two supplemental meta-analyses yielded support for the efficacy of combining specific hard goals with feedback versus specific hard goals without feedback and for participatively set goals versus assigned goal setting (when goal level is held constant), although this latter finding was interpreted as inconclusive based on the limited studies available. Implications for future research are addressed.
Validating the result of a Quantified Boolean Formula (QBF) solver: theory and practice

Despite the increasing use of QBF solvers, current QBF solvers do not provide for any mechanism to verify their results. This paper demonstrates a methodology for independently validating the results of a DLL based QBF solver using the traces generated during the solving process. It also presents a mechanism to extract small unsatisfiable subformulas, called cores, from unsatisfiable QBF instances.
Airway Clearance: Physiology, Pharmacology, Techniques, and Practice

Clinicians and their patients are troubled by respiratory secretions, and standard practice calls for efforts to clear secretions from the lungs. On one hand, mucus production and cough are important for airway defense and protection of the lower respiratory tract against inhaled irritations. On the other hand, excessive mucus obstructs airways and excessive cough has been associated with a number of complications. The objective of this conference was to review the scientific basis and clinical evidence for the use of airway clearance therapy to guide the most appropriate approach to airway clearance. An international group of clinicians and scientists addressed the physiology of mucus production and cough, pharmacologic approaches to airway clearance, and the variety of techniques available for airway clearance. Specific issues related to airway clearance in critically ill patients, children, and the elderly were discussed. Outcome measures related to evaluating mucus clearance therapy were also presented. One of the themes repeated consistently throughout this conference was the dearth of high-level evidence related to airway clearance techniques. Appropriately powered and methodologically sound research is desperately needed in this area.
Using spatial methods in strategy research.

Spatial and geographic constructs have been incorporated into strategy research since its inception. Yet, strategy researchers have been slow to take advantage of methods designed specifically for these variables. This is despite the fact that spatial methods can be used to identify and remediate spatial autocorrelation—eliminating a potentially important source of bias in empirical results—and more broadly, to test hypotheses about spatial phenomena in novel ways. This article reviews the use of spatial constructs and variables in strategy research, summarizes spatial methods relevant to the strategy field, and shows how these approaches can enhance strategy research. The authors demonstrate the utility of these methods for a wide range of empirical inquiries into the role of geographic space in firm location, competition, and other phenomena, and offer three specific illustrations of their usefulness in the context of international strategy research.
Enhanced Photochemical Reactivity at the Ferroelectric Phase Transition in Ba1−xSrxTiO3

Optical absorption and reflectance spectroscopy have been used to monitor the photochemical reactivity of Ba1−xSrxTiO3 solid solutions with aqueous solutions containing methylene blue. Atomic force microscopy indicates that methylene blue is reduced on the surfaces of domains that have a positive surface polarization. The results indicated that SrTiO3 and BaTiO3 have similar reactivities. As the second component is added to either of the pure materials, the reactivity decreases. However, there is a sharp maximum in reactivity at the tetragonal-to-cubic phase boundary. This is attributed to the anomalously high dielectric constant at this composition that increases the width of the space charge region and charge carrier separation in the near surface region.
Wetting Transitions in Underwater Oleophobic Surface of Brass

An oil droplet in water can be in the Cassie state (with water and/or air trapped between the solid and oil) with a high contact angle (top left) or in the Wenzel state (top right). Depending on the roughness of the brass substrate, both states with high (bottom left) and low (bottom right) contact angle are observed.
Meeting the Challenge of Epilepsy in Persons With Multiple Handicaps

Epilepsy occurs in more than 30% of persons with mental retardation and up to 50% of those with multiple handicaps living in institutional settings. Treatment of epilepsy in this population presents many unique challenges. Through careful adherence to basic principles of diagnosis, classification, and antiepileptic drug use, as many as 80% of individuals can be successfully managed with one- or two-drug therapy and enjoy positive outcomes in the areas of community integration and increased independence. Rational polypharmacy with the newer anticonvulsant drugs offers additional opportunity for improving outcomes for these individuals, especially with the use of felbamate and lamotrigine, where broad-spectrum efficacy and positive impact on psychosocial functioning is being demonstrated. Further systematic study of new drugs in this population is clearly warranted.
A simple thermal model for multi-core processors and its application to slack allocation

Power density and heat density of multicore processor system are increasing exponentially with Moore's Law. High temperature on chip greatly affects its reliability, and the cost of packaging and cooling system increases exponentially with power consumption. For a multicore processor, the peak temperature of a block depends on its own power density as well as power density of other blocks on chip. In this paper, we have developed a simple thermal model, cal led Matrix Model (MM), that can be used to derive temperature profiles for all the cores of a multicore processor. We theoretically demonstrate the correctness and efficiency of MM. Our simulation results show that the model is comparable to the HotSpot Model for predicting the peak temperature. Besides having lower computational cost, the MM is succinct (a single matrix) and can be used to derive algorithms for a variety of scenarios. We use this model to develop a novel slack allocation algorithm for a workflow represented by Directed Acyclic Graph on a multicore processor.
IT innovations for emerging markets: An opportunity for leadership

We are entering an exciting era where information technology is being used in an increasingly instrumented world to make it run better. The inefficiencies in how the world operates today (e.g. in industries like transportation, energy and healthcare) have been estimated to be around $15 Trillion annually. We describe how some of these inefficiencies can be eliminated by applying analytics over data being collected in real time We introduce several unique challenges faced in emerging markets like India, for example, much larger scales of operations (for anything involving people), lower price points, and a unique environment exemplified by factors like the need to handle noisy data, low penetration of personal computers. These challenges represent an opportunity for leapfrog innovation and global leadership in those areas. We present several examples of such innovations. One of them is Spoken Web, our attempt to create a new world wide web, accessible over the (mobile) phone network, for the masses in countries like India. The Spoken Web platform facilitates easy creation of user-generated content that populates “voice sites”, allows contextual traversal of voice sites interconnected via hyperlinks based on the HyperSpeech Transfer Protocol, and provides simple search and navigation capabilities over this audio content. We present several additional examples of innovations driven by the unique needs of emerging markets. We describe areas of success as well as outstanding issues that will require further advances in computing and business model innovations to achieve truly transformational impact.
A framework for polysensometric multidimensional spatial visualization

Typically any single sensor instrument suffers from physical/observation constraints. This paper discusses a generalized framework, called polymorphic visual information fusion framework (PVIF) that can enable information from multiple sensors to be fused and compared to gain broader understanding of a target of observation in multidimensional space. An automated software system supporting comparative cognition has been developed to form 3D models based on the datasets from different sensors, such as XPS and LSCM. This fusion framework not only provides an information engineering based tool to overcome the limitations of individual sensor's scope of observation but also provides a means where theoretical understanding surrounding a complex target can be mutually validated by comparative cognition about the object of interest and 3D model refinement. Some polysensometric data classification metrics are provided to measure the quality of input datasets for fusion visualization.
Improving a multimedia learning environment to enhance students' learning, transfer, attitudes and engagement

The purpose of this study was to develop and implement a multimedia learning environment in mathematics aimed to enhance students' learning, transfer, attitudes, and engagement. This multimedia learning environment included whole group instruction on mathematical concepts, a learning game, and group activities. The learning game used a variety of multimedia elements, including videos, animations, sound effects, text and interactive feedback. Fourteen elementary school students used the learning game as a review of material taught earlier in the year. The results indicated significant improvement in both achievement scores and attitude toward mathematics. The results, however, did not show the same benefits for the special education students. Qualitative analyses revealed a number of misconceptions and poor problem solving strategies that students used when transferring their knowledge to a novel situation. Enhancement of the learning environment and continuation of this research will work toward improving students' mathematical learning.
An Algorithm for Universal Lossless Compression With Side Information

This paper proposes a new algorithm based on the Context-Tree Weighting (CTW) method for universal compression of a finite-alphabet sequence x1 n with side information y1 n available to both the encoder and decoder. We prove that with probability one the compression ratio converges to the conditional entropy rate for jointly stationary ergodic sources. Experimental results with Markov chains and English texts show the effectiveness of the algorithm
Tension and Compression in the Cytoskeleton of PC-12 Neurites II: Quantitative Measurements

We assessed the mechanical properties of PC-12 neurites by applying a force with calibrated glass needles and measured resulting changes in neurite length and deflection of the needle. We observed a linear relationship between force and length change that was not affected by multiple distensions and were thus able to determine neurite spring constants and initial, nondistended, rest tensions. 81 out of 82 neurites showed positive rest tensions ranging over three orders of magnitude with most values clustering around 30-40 mu dynes. Treatment with cytochalasin D significantly reduced neurite rest tensions to an average compression equal to 14% of the former tension and spring constants to an average of 17% of resting values. Treatment with nocodazole increased neurite rest tensions to an average of 282% of resting values but produced no change in spring constant. These observations suggest a particular type of complementary force interaction underlying axonal shape; the neurite actin network under tension and neurite microtubules under compression. Thermodynamics suggests that microtubule (MT) assembly may be regulated by changes in compressive load. We tested this effect by releasing neurite attachment to a polylysine-coated surface with polyaspartate, thus shifting external compressive support onto internal elements, and measuring the relative change in MT polymerization using quantitative Western blotting. Neurons grown on polylysine or collagen without further treatment had a 1:2 ratio of soluble to polymerized tubulin. When neurites grown on polylysine were treated with 1% polyaspartate for 15-30 min, 80% of neurites retracted, shifting the soluble: polymerized tubulin ratio to 1:1. Polyaspartate treatment of cells grown on collagen, or grown on polylysine but treated with cytochalasin to reduce tension, caused neither retraction nor a change in the soluble:polymerized tubulin ratio. We suggest that the release of adhesion to the dish shifted the compressive load formerly borne by the dish onto Mts causing their partial depolymerization. Our observations are consistent with the possibility that alterations in MT compression during growth cone advance integrates MT assembly with the advance.
Convergence criteria for Aronszajn's method and for the Bazley-Fox method

On etablit des criteres de convergence pour les methodes d'Aronszajn et de Bazley-Fox appliquees aux problemes autoadjoints aux valeurs propres de la forme Bx=λx
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND SAMPLING PLANS WITH FIXED LEVELS OF PRECISION FOR CEREAL APHIDS (HOMOPTERA: APHIDIDAE) INFESTING SPRING WHEAT

Three cereal aphids, Rhopalosiphum padi (L.), Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), and Sitobion avenae (F.), invade wheat fields in the northern Great Plains each spring, and populations occasionally reach economic levels. The first objective of this study was to describe the spatial distribution of three species of cereal aphids infesting hard red spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The second objective was to develop two sampling plans for cereal aphids using individual stems as the sampling unit, a sampling plan with fixed levels of precision and a sequential sampling decision plan based on total numbers of aphids present. Aphid population estimates were collected from 47 eastern North Dakota spring wheat fields during 1993–1995. The number of aphids per stem were counted on 100–350 stems per field. Taylor’s power law and Iwao’s patchiness regression were used to analyze the spatial distribution of the aphids. Rhopalosiphum padi and S. avenae exhibited an aggregated distribution, whereas S. graminum was distributed randomly in the field. Taylor’s power law provided a better fit to the data than Iwao’s patchiness regression. Sample size requirements for precision levels of 0.10, 0.15, and 0.25 were estimated with Taylor’s regression coefficients. Required sample sizes increased with decreased aphid populations and increased levels of precision. The two sampling plans presented should be useful for research on cereal aphid population dynamics and pest management decision making in spring wheat.
Towards the routinisation of engineering analysis to support product design

While it is generally agreed that designers would like to benefit more from analysis, there are few methodologies for identifying appropriate analysis models and transforming them into readily usable tools. This paper identifies designers' needs with regard to the analysis of physical behaviour, and introduces the term "routinisation" to describe the process of creating automated analysis modules that can be regularly used in product design. A routinisation process is presented with electronic packaging examples. Based on the multi-rep reservation architecture design-analysis integration strategy, this process creates catalogues of product model-based analysis models (PBAMs) - analysis modules that associate design data with analysis models to obtain results in a highly automated manner. Routinisation is illustrated using a PBAM for printed wiring board warpage analysis from the TIGER project. Other electronic packaging applications, such as solder joint fatigue, are highlighted. Design inputs come from STFP product models, and solution methods range from encoded formulae to multi-vendor finite element analysis. Observations are given, including how routinisation is a knowledge capture technique that aids both engineering analysis and product designers. While it transforms the research of the analyst into tools for the designer, it serves as a catalyst that reveals new problems for the analyst to tackle.
Performance Appraisals As Motivational Tools For Increased Productivity

Organizations, as part of their own competitive strategy, need motivated employees producing at the highest level to outsell their competition and become industry leaders. Performance Appraisals can accomplish this goal.
Coal Transhipment Centers An Economic Development Potential for the Emerging Micronesian Governments in the Pacific

The Micronesian governments of the Republic of the Marshalls (RM), the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM, which includes Yap, Truk, Pohnpei and Kosrae), the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI, which includes Saipan, Tinian and Rota), the Republic of Belau (RB) and the Territory of Guam are all aspiring for some degree of economic self-sufficiency. Energy along with capital and raw materials is one of the basic and fundamental resources needed to attain this goal. All of these island governments do not at this point have proven indigenous sources of oil and coal. However, as early as the 1800’s, these Pacific islands were being used by the rim countries as coaling stations. The oil embargo of the 1970’s and the unstable cost of fuel oil since have led to various economic and engineering studies aimed at verifying the potential advantages of supertanker ports, transhipment of oil and coal and the utilization of various alternative renewable energy sources. Of these options, this paper will concentrate on Coal Transhipment Center (CTC). The importance of a CTC is based on the concept of security, reliability and accessibility. Strategic and cost effectiveness are also integral to this concept. The CTC can be located on any of the islands. The assumptions are that the CTC through-put of 12 million tons per year and that it will provide at least 100 jobs and a revenue of close to $30 million. The additional benefits of the CTC are the by products such as electricity, fertilizer and construction materials. (1)
Sleep-time blood pressure: a validated therapeutic target.

The objective of treating hypertension is to reduce blood pressure (BP) in a manner that diminishes or, ideally, abolishes the cardiovascular (CV) risks associated with BP elevation. The epidemiologic relationship between BP and CV risk is consistent, whether BP is measured at random in the clinic,
Patterns of Alcohol Use among Ethnic Minority Adolescent Women

There is agreement in the literature that women of the major ethnic groups in the United States have lower rates of alcohol use and suffer fewer alcohol-related problems than men. In adolescence, the highest rates of alcohol use are generally found among American Indians, followed in decreasing order by whites, Hispanics, African-Americans, and Asian-Americans. The role of sociocultural factors in alcohol use as found in the literature is discussed, including level of acculturation, generational status, culturally specific values and beliefs and peer influence. Lifetime and last 30-day prevalence, age of first time drunk, and peer sanction data from the 1989–93 database of The American Drug and Alcohol Survey™ are presented by gender and ethnicity for 8th and 12th graders. These data show similar rates of alcohol use by males and females in the 8th grade but more use by males in the 12th grade for all ethnicities except American Indians who live on reservations.
God, Gaia, the Taxpayer and the Lorax: Standing, Justiciability, and Separation of Powers after Massachusetts and Hein

The Supreme Court decided two important standing cases during the October 2006 term: Hein v. Freedom from Religion Foundation and Massachusetts v. EPA. The latter is important for what it did, the former for what it did not do. Whereas Hein hewed closely - perhaps too closely - to prior standing precendents, the Massachusetts decision substantially departed from existing precedent and established a new doctrine of special solicitude to state standing. Both decisions involved generalized grievances about federal government policies that affect citizens as a whole, but point in opposite directions. In many respects the opinions are in significant tension with each other, and embrace competing conceptions of the role of the judiciary in the separation of powers. What neither decision did, however, is etch a conservative imprint on the law of standing. This article is based upon remarks delivered at the Regent University Law Review symposium, Justiciability After Hein and Massachusetts: Where Is the Court Standing? Nov. 30, 2007.
Process Optimization of FT-Diesel Production from Lignocellulosic Switchgrass

In this paper, we present the conceptual design for the optimization of FT-diesel production process from switchgrass via gasification of biomass. We propose a limited superstructure where the process starts with the gasification of the biomass. Two different alternatives are evaluated, direct and indirect gasification. The gas obtained is cleaned up and its composition adjusted in terms of the ratio CO/H2 considering a bypass, a PSA system and water gas shift reaction. Next, the removal of CO2 and H2S is performed using absorption in monoethanolamines and PSA. Once the syngas is prepared, the Fischer-Tropsch reaction is conducted and the products separated. Hydrocracking of the heavy products is also considered to increase the yield toward green diesel. The optimization of the system is formulated as an equation-based Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) problem that is solved for the optimal production of the biodiesel fraction while minimizing the energy consumption and the hydrogen consumption....
Structural relationship between epithelial cells in Hydra

The plasma membranes of epithelial cells in Pelmatohydra oligactis are characterized by two dense lines about 30 A apart, corresponding to the unit membrane structure described by Robertson. At certain localized areas of apposing cell surfaces, continuities between the outer dense components of the respective plasma membranes form an oriented series of parallel plate like lamellae perpendicular to the cell surfaces. Each lamella consists of two dense lines about 25 A in thickness separated by about 25 A. The lamellae occur at intervals of 100–150 A. Fixation in buffered OsO4 followed by postdehydration exposure to a solution of 0.1–0.5% phospho-tungstic acid in absolute ethanol effectively demonstrates these relationships, as this treatment leads to sharp contrast between the dense membrane system and the pale interlamellar regions. Plate-like intercellular connections are seen after permanganate fixation but the interlamellar regions appear much more dense. Attempts have been made to obtain further information on the molecular structure of these lamellae by treating the tissues with crystalline enzyme preparations. Evidence at this time favors the view that these oriented lamellae function for intercellular attachment. An additional possibility is that they act as a permeability, barrier or seal, detering ambient water from passing between the cells into the intercellular fluid.
479 TISSUE ENGINEERING OF SMALL-DIAMETER ARTERIES USING HUMAN ADIPOSE STEM CELLS ON AN ELECTROSPUN SCAFFOLD.

Introduction Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. Over half of these patients die from coronary artery disease. This study uses novel bioengineering methods toward the development of functional, biocompatible small-diameter arteries grown in vitro for use as bypass grafts in treating coronary artery disease. Methods The scaffold for the artificial artery was made by electrospinning collagen (50 mg/mL) and elastin (25 mg/mL) dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFP). Gluteraldehyde was added to the solution to mediate fiber cross-linking. Human adipose stem cells (hASCs) were isolated from lipoaspirate samples and subjected to various differentiation protocols to produce smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and endothelial cells (ECs), the two cellular components of native arteries. The electrospun scaffold was seeded with hASCs to determine cell viability. Results Scanning electron micrographs (SEMs) showed electrospun fibers. Mechanical testing of the sheet of fibers showed a tensile strength of 6.23 MPa. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that hASCs were positive for SMC markers: SM-α-actin, h-caldesmon, calponin, and SM-myosin. At confluence, hASCs formed a network of branched tube-like structures and were positive for EC markers: CD31, CD144, and vWF. SEMs showed that hASCs populated the electrospun scaffold, produced their own extracellular matrix, and migrated into the fiber structures. Conclusion and Future Directions This work has shown that the electrospun collagen and elastin can be used as a durable scaffold, the hASCs can differentiate into SMCs and ECs, and the hASCs can attach to and proliferate within the electrospun scaffold. Future studies will consist of purifying the SMC and EC population from the hASCs, seeding the purified SMCs on a tubular electrospun scaffold under pulsatile flow conditions for 4 to 6 weeks, seeding the purified ECs on the luminal side of the tubular electrospun scaffold for 3 to 7 days under the same conditions, testing the mechanical properties of this cellular construct, and performing in vivo studies by implanting and immunostaining the construct to determine functionality and biocompatibility.
Microstructure control of GH4169 alloy during a new melting and solidification process

In order to reduce micro-segregation in large volume GH4169 ingot produced by electroslag remelting process and improve its quality by optimizing the microstructure,the influence of various melting rate on the dendrite arm spacing,size and distribution of Laves phase and micropores in different regions of the ingot were investigated. It was found that the dendrite arm spacing close to the edge of the remelting ingot almost remained the same despite the increase of the melting rate,while the secondary dendrite arm spacing became larger in the central part. Melting rate had weak impact on the dimension of micropores near the edge and center,however the dimension of micropores at R / 2 increased first and then decreased thereafter. In the center part,the Laves phase precipitates were more populated and the concentration increased with the melting rate,whereas it showed an opposite trend in the R / 2 region. The element segregation showed no significant changes in different area. The results also indicated that smaller dendrite arm spacing led to weaker microsegregation.
Menopause medicine: exercise and weight gain.

Exercise can prevent weight gain during peri- and postmenopause. Although simple in theory, there are physiologic changes that make it particularly challenging.
The impact of climate warming on the interaction of aphid wheat pests Rhopaloshipum padi and R. maidis

W production is limited by diseases and insects. Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is an aphid-vectored disease that causes significant losses in cereals worldwide by reducing photosynthesis. BYDV is a virus complex transmitted by the aphids; Rhopalosiphum padi and R. maidis has been observed cohabiting on the same plant, there is a possible aphid attack strategy between the species that has not been studied and its sensitivity to climate warming conditions may play a role in reducing wheat production. Climate is a primary determinant for the growth of insects and crops. Given that likely climate change scenarios indicate global warming, is suggested that warming will modify aphid vectors spatio-temporal dynamics, increasing the number of aphid generations per year. Which mechanisms are behind the aphid distribution on the plant? Will inter-specific aphid interactions change with increased temperatures? Will aphid generation time decrease with increased temperature? The project has two phases: phase I the hypothesis the population dynamics of both species depends on their interaction on the plant. Phase II will test the hypothesis increased temperature affect the population parameters of both species. This project will provide many novel approaches to the study of the effects of climate warming on insect pests using a system insect-virus vector on wheat crop as a model system. Elucidating the interaction of R. padi and R. maidis will play a role in understanding virus disease spread. Both species have worldwide distributions; therefore outcomes obtained here can be useful in several countries to manage BYDV disease.