cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of retentive properties of dowel forms after application of intermittent torsional forces

Four different forms of cast-gold dowels (round parallel-sided, round parallel-sided with antirotational keyways, tapered, and ovoid parallel-sided) were subjected to intermittent horizontal and vertical rotational forces prior to tensile testing. The results of this experiment indicated that ovoid parallel-sided dowels were the most retentive. Tapered dowels were found to be the least retentive. The addition of antirotational features to the round parallel-sided dowel did not improve the retentive values. The retentive properties of the round parallel-sided dowels, with or without antirotational features, were not statistically different from the ovoid parallel-sided dowels. Sandblasting the finished castings prior to cementation increased retention.
Effects of Prescribed Fire and Season of Burn on Recruitment of the Invasive Exotic Plant, Potentilla recta, in a Semiarid Grassland

Abstract Prescribed fire is often used to restore grassland systems to presettlement conditions; however, fire also has the potential to facilitate the invasion of exotic plants. Managers of wildlands and nature reserves must decide whether and how to apply prescribed burning to the best advantage in the face of this dilemma. Herbicide is also used to control exotic plants, but interactions between fire and herbicides have not been well studied. Potentilla recta is an exotic plant invading Dancing Prairie Preserve in northwest Montana. We used a complete factorial design with all combinations of spring burn, fall burn, no burn, picloram herbicide, and no herbicide to determine the effects of fire, season of burn, and their interaction with herbicide on the recruitment and population growth of P. recta over a 5-year period. Recruitment of P. recta was higher in burn plots compared with controls the first year after the fire, but this did not lead to significant population growth in subsequent years, possibly due to drier than normal conditions that occurred most years of the study. Effect of season of burn was variable among years but was higher in fall compared with spring burn plots across all years. Herbicide effectively eliminated P. recta from sample plots for 3–5 years. By the end of the study density of P. recta was greater in herbicide plots that were burned than those that were not. Results suggest that prescribed fire will enhance germination of P. recta, but this will not always lead to increased population growth. Prescribed fire may reduce the long-term efficacy of herbicide applied to control P. recta and will be most beneficial at Dancing Prairie when conducted in the spring rather than the fall. Results of prescribed fire on exotic plant invasions in semiarid environments will be difficult to predict because they are strongly dependent on stochastic climatic events.
Obesity and the liver: Developmental perspectives

Obesity now affects 15% of children and adolescents in the United States. Many of the complications of obesity are seen in children, including fatty liver disease, gallstones, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Infants and children also have unique susceptibilities to and manifestations of liver disease caused by total parenteral nutrition. In addition to genetic and environmental influences on obesity, there is increasing evidence supporting the idea of "metabolic programming," in which environmental influences at critical periods during development have permanent effects on an individual's predisposition to obesity and metabolic disease. Understanding the role the liver plays in the development and expression of the metabolic program will provide important insight into the pathogenesis and treatment of fatty liver disease, and of obesity itself.
Measurements of spacing of sliding grain boundaries

The spacing of grain boundaries at which grain boundary sliding (GBS) had occurred during superplastic (SP) deformation was determined by measuring the length of segments of marker lines inscribed on the pre-polished surface in Pb-62%Sn after superplastic deformation in shear. Statistical distribution of this segment length (L) was bimodal at low strain levels, but became unimodal at high strain levels. The concept of cooperative GBS, i.e. sliding of groups of grains as an entity, has been invoked to explain the evaluation of the L-distribution with strain. This investigation suggests that the real spacing of sliding grain boundaries should be taken into account for modelling of SP flow.
Diagnostics for evaluating the value and rationality of economic forecasts

Abstract A number of studies have sought to determine whether economic forecasts had predictive value. These analyses used a single statistical methodology based on the independence of the actual and predicted changes. This paper questions whether the observed results are robust if alternative statistical methodologies are used to analyze this question. Procedures suggested by Cumby and Modest as well as rationality tests were applied to two data sets. Sometimes the conclusions differ depending on the procedures that are used. The results yield a guideline for the diagnostics that should be employed in testing for the value of economic forecasts.
The mechanism of Torsin ATPase activation

Torsins are membrane-associated ATPases whose activity is dependent on two activating cofactors, lamina-associated polypeptide 1 (LAP1) and luminal domain-like LAP1 (LULL1). The mechanism by which these cofactors regulate Torsin activity has so far remained elusive. In this study, we identify a conserved domain in these activators that is predicted to adopt a fold resembling an AAA+ (ATPase associated with a variety of cellular activities) domain. Within these domains, a strictly conserved Arg residue present in both activating cofactors, but notably missing in Torsins, aligns with a key catalytic Arg found in AAA+ proteins. We demonstrate that cofactors and Torsins associate to form heterooligomeric assemblies with a defined Torsin–activator interface. In this arrangement, the highly conserved Arg residue present in either cofactor comes into close proximity with the nucleotide bound in the neighboring Torsin subunit. Because this invariant Arg is strictly required to stimulate Torsin ATPase activity but is dispensable for Torsin binding, we propose that LAP1 and LULL1 regulate Torsin ATPase activity through an active site complementation mechanism.
Perspectives on Adipose-Derived Stem/Stromal Cells as Potential Treatment for Scarred Vocal Folds: Opportunity and Challenges

Regenerative therapy using stem cells for the treatment of vocal fold wound healing and fibrosis is a very active area of research in Otolaryngology. Although modern phonosurgical methods can deal with many types of vocal fold pathology, vocal fold scar remains a clinical challenge. Trauma (e.g. vocal abuse, phonosurgery) and inflammation (e.g. laryngitis) are the two main causes of the vocal fold scarring. Several recent reviews detail the problem of vocal fold scarring and the array of possible solutions under investigation. The search for solutions includes autologous tissues, biomaterial implants, growth factors, anti-fibrotic agents and stem cells. This review focuses on emerging research on stem cells for vocal fold regeneration and our own studies of interactions between adipose-derived stem/stromal cells and vocal fold fibroblasts using an in vitro model. While clearly an opportunity, the challenging approach of treating vocal scarring using ASCs has just started. For future in vivo studies, improvements in cell viability and markers of stem-cell differentiation into normal fibroblasts are needed. The roles of stem cell-derived cytokines in paracrine signaling need to be further explored at a cellular level in vitro, and then extended to in vivo experiments.
Cell adhesion mechanisms: modeling using derivatized beads and sea urchin cell systems

Summary Agarose beads derivatized with amino acids, peptides, carbohydrates and lectins were used to systematically determine what types of molecules, isolated from all others, can make adhesive bonds strong enough to hold cell-like beads together. The results indicated that strong adhesion occurred when at least one of the two members of certain bead pairs was derivatized with molecules that were dimers or trimers but not monomers. Also, beads derivatized with phosphorylated amino acids, but not their non-phosphorylated counterparts, adhered to beads derivatized with positively charged peptides. Adhesion was sensitive to ionic strength and pH of the medium. It was proposed that adhesion occurred between the phosphate groups of the phosphoamino acids and amino and guanidinium groups of the peptides. Cooperative bonding can explain the stability of the adhesion observed in this system. Information gained from the bead modeling work was used to design experiments to examine the role of phosphorylated molecules in modulating adhesion in sea urchin systems. Phosphoamino acids inhibited sperm-egg interaction, but not reaggregation of blastula cells. Inhibitors of alkaline phosphatase, however, did inhibit reaggregation. The results suggest that cell surface phosphorylated molecules may modulate cellular adhesiveness, in some systems promoting, while in others inhibiting adhesion.
Documents to the people access through the automated catalog

Abstract Poor bibliographic control of government publications has plagued the depository library system almost from its inception. Government publications in depository libraries have been grossly underutilized, because they have not been listed in the libraries' public access catalogs. When GPO made its bibliographic records available on machine readable tapes in 1976, documents librarians expected that the era of uncataloged documents collections was over and that the new technology would permit documents to be listed in public access catalogs. The promise of the GPO/MARC tapes has remained largely unfulfilled—problems with the tapes have prevented libraries from taking advantage of this cost-effective way to acquire full cataloging for U.S. government publications. From 1987 to 1989, documents librarians at Louisiana State University, Rice University, and Texas A & M University were engaged in a project that will reverse the situation. Working with a commercial vendor, the librarians made major corrections to the records on the GPO/MARC tapes. This article provides details of the measures taken to clean up the retrospective tapes and to make them available to depository libraries.
Polylactic acid with improved heat deflection temperatures and self-healing properties for durable goods applications.

A method to recover fracture toughness after failure and increase thermal properties of polylactic acid (PLA) for use within durable goods applications is presented. Microcapsules were incorporated into PLA to form a composite material in which the microcapsules served the dual purpose of (1) releasing self-healing additives to fracture regions and (2) serving as nucleating agents to improve the PLA composite’s thermal tolerance. Self-healing was achieved though embedment of dicyclopentadiene-filled microcapsules and Grubbs’ first generation ruthenium metathesis catalyst, the former being autonomically released into damage volumes and undergoing polymerization in the presence of the catalyst. This approach led to up to 84% recovery of the polymer composite’s initial fracture toughness. Additionally, PLA’s degree of crystallinity and heat deflection temperature were improved by ∼11% and ∼21 °C, respectively, relative to nonfilled virgin PLA, owing to microcapsule-induced nucleation. The self-healing system...
Revolution in Mexico's Heartland. Politics, War and State Building in Puebla 1913–1920

Revolution in Mexico's Heartland. Politics, War and State Building in Puebla 1913–1920. David G. LaFrance. Wilmington, DE: Scholarly Resources Inc., 2003. 305 pp.
Radiometric modeling and calibration of the Geostationary Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) ground based measurement experiment

The ultimate remote sensing benefits of the high resolution Infrared radiance spectrometers will be realized with their geostationary satellite implementation in the form of imaging spectrometers. This will enable dynamic features of the atmosphere s thermodynamic fields and pollutant and greenhouse gas constituents to be observed for revolutionary improvements in weather forecasts and more accurate air quality and climate predictions. As an important step toward realizing this application objective, the Geostationary Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) Engineering Demonstration Unit (EDU) was successfully developed under the NASA New Millennium Program, 2000-2006. The GIFTS-EDU instrument employs three focal plane arrays (FPAs), which gather measurements across the long-wave IR (LWIR), short/mid-wave IR (SMWIR), and visible spectral bands. The GIFTS calibration is achieved using internal blackbody calibration references at ambient (260 K) and hot (286 K) temperatures. In this paper, we introduce a refined calibration technique that utilizes Principle Component (PC) analysis to compensate for instrument distortions and artifacts, therefore, enhancing the absolute calibration accuracy. This method is applied to data collected during the GIFTS Ground Based Measurement (GBM) experiment, together with simultaneous observations by the accurately calibrated AERI (Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer), both simultaneously zenith viewing the sky through the same external scene mirror at ten-minute intervals throughout a cloudless day at Logan Utah on September 13, 2006. The accurately calibrated GIFTS radiances are produced using the first four PC scores in the GIFTS-AERI regression model. Temperature and moisture profiles retrieved from the PC-calibrated GIFTS radiances are verified against radiosonde measurements collected throughout the GIFTS sky measurement period. Using the GIFTS GBM calibration model, we compute the calibrated radiances from data collected during the moon tracking and viewing experiment events. From which, we derive the lunar surface temperature and emissivity associated with the moon viewing measurements.
Intrinsic and extrinsic factors impacting casino hotel chefs' job satisfaction

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore intrinsic and extrinsic factors impacting the job satisfaction of casino hotel chefs, and whether chefs' background characteristics are associated with their overall and specific facets of job satisfaction.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 152 surveys were analyzed using a randomly selected sample of 25 major casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. The sample selection represented chefs working in various types of foodservice operations within the hotel segments.Findings – Overall, the casino hotel chefs were satisfied with their jobs (M=3.9). Among intrinsic factors, the chefs were most satisfied with the “work itself” and least satisfied with “growth and recognition” they received. Among extrinsic factors, they were most satisfied with “supervision” and least satisfied with “company policy” pertaining to sick leave and paid vacation. Highest job satisfaction levels were found among chefs who worked in the fine dining kitchens and supervised between 21 and 3...
Correlation of late intraforaminal screw removal with somatosensory evoked potentials and neurologic improvement

This case report describes the intraoperative improvement of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) during the removal of a broached pedicle screw that had been placed in an unmonitored procedure 1 month earlier. Postoperatively, there was improved neurologic function and reversal of the neurologic deficit that had been caused by the first procedure. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a correlation of intraoperative SEP improvement with improved postoperative neurologic function after neurologic deficit because of nerve irritation or compression from a pedicle screw. Nerve damage occurs in about 15% of patients who undergo instrumentation after lumbar fusion. The potential utility of neurophysiologic methods during initial screw placement is suggested and supported, as proper use of such intraoperative tools may have prevented the need for the second procedure.
CYCLOHEXYLAMINE RESIDUE IN VEGETABLES BLANCHED WITH PRIMARY STEAM

The corrosion inhibitor, cyclohexylamine (CHA), is a common additive for steam generation systems. If primary steam directly contacts food during blanching, heating, or cooking operations the possibility exists that contamination of the food by CHA may result. In this study, snap beans and green peppers were blanched with steam containing CHA. A gas chromatographic method was developed and used to show the presence of appreciable residues of CHA remaining in the post-blanched vegetables. The widespread replacement of primary steam generators with secondary systems for food blanching largely eliminates possible hazards to consumers. The known toxicologic properties of CHA are reviewed and the need for additional studies of possible food contamination or direct human exposure by other commonly used steam additives is emphasized.
Nonoperative management with selective delayed surgery for large abdominal aortic aneurysms in patients at high risk.

Abstract Objective: An accepted fact is that abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) larger than 5.5 cm should undergo elective repair. However, subsets of these patients have serious comorbid conditions, which greatly increase operative risk. This study evaluated the outcomes of periods of protracted nonoperative observational management with selective delayed surgery in patients at high risk with large infrarenal and pararenal AAAs. Methods: Among 226 patients with AAAs more than 5.5 cm, we selected 72 with AAAs from 5.6 to 12.0 cm (mean, 7.0 cm) for periods of nonoperative management because of their prohibitive surgical risks. Comorbid factors included a low ejection fraction of 15% to 34% (mean, 22%) in 18 patients, 1 second forced expiratory volume less than 50% (mean, 38%) in 25, prior laparotomy in 10, and morbid obesity in 22. Follow-up examination was complete in the 72 patients for the 6 to 76 months (mean, 23 months) that they underwent nonoperative treatment. Fifty-three patients ultimately underwent operation because of AAA enlargement or onset of symptoms after 6 to 72 months (mean, 19 months) of nonoperative treatment. Results: Of the 72 selected patients, 54 (75%) are living and 18 (25%) are dead. Seven patients who underwent only nonoperative treatment presently survive after 28 to 76 months (mean, 48 months). Of the 18 deaths, AAA rupture occurred in only three patients (4%) who were observed for 12, 31, and 72 months before rupture. Nine other deaths (13%) occurred after 6 to 72 months from comorbidities unrelated to the AAA. Six of the 53 patients who underwent delayed operation died within 30 days of operation (11% mortality rate). The mortality rate for the 154 good-risk patients with an AAA who underwent prompt open or endovascular repair was 2.2%. Conclusion: These data indicate that some patients with large AAAs and serious comorbidities are acceptably managed for long periods (6 to 76 months) with nonoperative means. Substantial delays of 12 to 76 months resulted in an AAA rupture rate of only 4%, and 13% of these patients (nine of 72) died of comorbidities unrelated to AAA rupture or surgery. Mortality rate in this group of patients, when operated, was 11% (six of 53). These findings support the selective use of nonoperative management in some patients with large AAAs and serious comorbidities. (J Vasc Surg 2002;36:41-6.)
Blood group genes and Negro-white ability differences.

Data on samples of 40 and 44 Negro adolescents from two twin studies were used to test Shockley's hypothesis that blood group genes more characteristic of European than African populations would tend to be associated with good performance on cognitive tests within the U.S. Negro population. This was not found to be the case. This result may not, however, be a very strong test of the genetic basis of the between-group IQ difference, because of independent assortment of blood group and ability genes over a number of generations among U.S. Negroes.
Enduring behavioral effects of early exposure to methylphenidate in rats.

Abstract Background Methylphenidate (MPH) is a stimulant prescribed for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Stimulant drugs can cause enduring behavioral adaptations, including altered drug sensitivity, in laboratory animals. We examined how early developmental exposure to stimulants affects behavior in several rodent models. Methods Rats received MPH or cocaine during preadolescence (P20–35). Behavioral studies began during adulthood (P60). We compared how early exposure to MPH and cocaine affects sensitivity to the rewarding and aversive properties of cocaine using place conditioning. We also examined the effects of early exposure to MPH on depressive-like signs using the forced swim test, and habituation of spontaneous locomotion, within activity chambers. Results In place-conditioning tests, early exposure to MPH or cocaine each made moderate doses of cocaine aversive and high doses less rewarding. Early MPH exposure also caused depressive-like effects in the forced swim test, and it attenuated habituation to the activity chambers. Conclusions Early exposure to MPH causes behavioral changes in rats that endure into adulthood. Some changes (reduced sensitivity to cocaine reward) may be beneficial, whereas others (increases in depressive-like signs, reduced habituation) may be detrimental. The effects of MPH on cocaine-related behaviors may be a general consequence of early stimulant exposure.
The Politics of Revolutionary Celebrity in the Contemporary Arab World

This essay grapples with Arab celebrity as an overtly political, inherently transnational phenomenon and explores how revolutionary celebrity may expand our understanding of celebrity writ large. Through the prism of a media battle between the singer Assala and the Assad regime in the Syrian uprising since March 2011, a politics of celebrity is explored that pits the body of the star against the body of the sovereign, at the nexus of revolution, transnationalism, and circulation across media.
Soy isoflavones augment radiation effect by inhibiting APE1/Ref-1 DNA repair activity in non-small cell lung cancer

Introduction: Soy isoflavones sensitize cancer cells to radiation both in vitro and in vivo. To improve the effect of radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer, we assessed the potential of using a complementary approach with soy isoflavones. Methods: Human A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells were treated with soy isoflavones, radiation, or both and tested for cell growth. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) were detected by immunostaining for γ-H2AX foci. Expressions of γ-H2AX, HIF-1α, and APE1/Ref-1 were assessed by Western blots. DNA-binding activities of HIF-1α and NF-κB transcription factors were analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results: Soy isoflavones increased A549 cell killing induced by radiation. Multiple γ-H2AX foci were detectable at 1 hour after radiation but decreased at 24 hours after radiation. Soy isoflavones also caused DNA DSBs, but γ-H2AX foci increased over time. Soy isoflavones and radiation caused an increase in γ-H2AX foci, which persisted at 24 hours, indicating both increased DNA damage and inhibition of repair. Soy isoflavones inhibited the radiation-induced activity of the DNA repair/redox enzyme APE1/Ref-1 and the transcription factors NF-κB and HIF-1α. E3330, which inhibits the redox activity of APE1/Ref-1, did not alter the repair of radiation-induced DSBs. Methoxyamine, which inhibits APE1/Ref-1 DNA repair activity, partly blocked the decrease in radiation-induced DSBs at 24 hours, suggesting partial mitigation of radiation-induced DNA repair akin to the effect of soy combined with radiation, in agreement with cytotoxic assays. Conclusions: Inhibition of APE1/Ref-1 DNA repair activity by soy could be involved in the mechanism by which soy alters DNA repair and leads to cell killing.
Birth and death of duplicated genes in completely sequenced eukaryotes

Gene and genome duplications are commonly regarded as being of major evolutionary significance. But how often does gene duplication occur? And, once duplicated, what are the fates of duplicated genes? How do they contribute to evolution? In a recent article, Lynch and Conery analyze divergence between duplicate genes from six eukaryotic genomes. They estimate the rate of gene duplication, the rate of gene loss after duplication and the strength of selection experienced by duplicate genes. They conclude that although the rate of gene duplications is high, so is the rate of gene loss, and they argue that gene duplications could be a major factor in speciation.
Childhood History of Anxiety in Adults with Panic Disorder: Association with Anxiety Sensitivity and Comorbidity

Converging lines of evidence indicate a nonspecific link between childhood anxiety disorders and adult panic disorder. Anxiety sensitivity, defined as the fear of anxiety symptoms, was hypothesized to be a potential mediating variable in this link. This study examined the association among childhood history of anxiety disorders, current anxiety symptoms, and anxiety sensitivity in a sample of 100 patients with panic disorder undergoing treatment. Fifty-five percent of the patients had histories of one or more childhood anxiety disorders. Despite the heterogeneity of symptoms and treatment interventions among these patients, a childhood history of anxiety was associated with comorbid anxiety conditions, agoraphobic avoidance, and anxiety sensitivity scores. Anxiety sensitivity was itself a significant predictor of current severity of illness, but a childhood history of anxiety was not. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that having an anxiety disorder during childhood is linked with patterns of anxiety and phobic avoidance in adulthood, including the level of anxiety sensitivity in patients with panic disorder.
Extracting power-spectrum moments from free induction decays☆

A technique is presented for extracting moments of the power spectrum from the free induction decay without Fourier transforming the FID. The power-spectrum moments can be obtained from a power series expansion of the autocorrelation function of the FID in the way that moments of the lineshape function can be obtained from a power series expansion of the FID. Results are presented which show that power-spectrum second moments (M2∗) obtained from solid echoes are much less subject to error than are second moments of the lineshape function (M2) Measurements are presented for N2H6SO4 which show that the temperature dependences of M2∗ and M2 are similar.
Possible correlations between reproductive performance of Stomoxys calcitrans and lipid content of blood diets

1. 1. Adult stable flies were fed blood meal diets of freeze-dried bovine or porcine blood, or fresh bovine or porcine blood, for ten consecutive generations; the reproductive performance of adults fed freeze-dried or fresh porcine blood was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of adults fed freeze-dried or fresh bovine blood. 2. 2. Quantitative analyses of cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipid phosphorus, phospholipid classes, and fatty acid composition of the diet were made. 3. 3. There was no direct correlation between the percentage distribution of lipid classes and the fecundity of flies. However, the locations of phosphatidyl choline and sphingomyelin within the blood components may be a factor in the diet.
Effect of radiation damage on the charge-density-wave dynamics in NbSe3

We have used 2.5-MeV protons to produce radiation damage in NbSe/sub 3/, in a homogeneous controlled manner. The defect concentration was varied from 10 to 500 ppm in order to study the effects of pinning on the charge-density-wave motion. Measurements were made of the nonlinear conductivity, the threshold electric field, and the dielectric constant and conductivity as a function of frequency in the range 0 --100 MHz. We find that the threshold field and the reciprocal dielectric constant vary linearly with the defect concentration and hence the restoring force.
The Prader–Willi Syndrome Imprinting Center Activates the Paternally Expressed Murine Ube3a Antisense Transcript but Represses Paternal Ube3a

The imprinted UBE3A gene exhibits maternal-only expression in specific cell types in the brain, but exhibits biallelic expression in other cell types. UBE3A is located adjacent to a cluster of imprinted, paternally expressed genes that are known to be positively regulated by the Prader-Willi syndrome imprinting center (PWS-IC). Here, we examined the effect of the PWS-IC on the UBE3A locus. Using intersubspecific crosses, we found that deletion of the PWS-IC causes an upregulation of the paternal Ube3a allele. This indicates that unlike its positive effect on all the other paternally expressed transcripts in the region, the PWS-IC negatively regulates the levels of paternal UBE3A. Interestingly, we found that like the human UBE3A locus, the murine Ube3a locus includes an imprinted, paternally expressed antisense transcript. We show that this paternal antisense transcript is positively regulated by the PWS-IC. These results are consistent with a model in which the PWS-IC mediates activation and maintenance of paternal gene expression in the 15q11-q13 region, with repression of the paternal UBE3A gene occurring as an indirect result of expression of the antisense transcript.
The UI design process: planning, managing, and documenting UI design work

This workshop will examine best practices for managing and documenting the external aspects of UI design work. Participants will have an opportunity to share lessons learned, discuss published literature, and identify issues that remain unresolved.
Caspase-mediated Degradation of PPARγ Proteins in Adipocytes

Objective: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a transcription factor that plays an important role in adipocyte gene expression. Previous studies from our laboratory and others have shown that PPARγ can be ubiquitin modified and targeted to the proteasome for degradation in response to transcriptional activation. In this study, we determined whether other degradation pathways contributed to the tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)–induced degradation of PPARγ proteins in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods and Procedures: In these studies, 3T3-L1 cells were studied by performing subcellular fractionations and western blotting after various TNFα treatments. Whole tissue extracts from rat adipose tissue were also used to examine PPARγ degradation. Results: We observed that TNFα can induce a caspase-mediated degradation of PPARγ proteins in the presence of cycloheximide. The caspase-mediated degradation of both PPARγ1 and PPARγ2 resulted in the generation of a specific 44-kd cleavage product. The specific cleavage product was unaffected by proteasome inhibitors, but was repressed by a general caspase inhibitor. Use of several specific caspase inhibitors revealed that caspase-1 was activated following treatment with TNFα and cycloheximide (CH), and inhibition of caspase-1 blocked the cleavage of PPARγ proteins in cultured adipocytes. In addition, a similar PPARγ degradation product was observed in rodent adipose tissue. Discussion: In summary, this is the first study to demonstrate that PPARγ levels can be modulated by caspase activity.
Intracisternal rSV40 administration provides effective pan-CNS transgene expression

Potential genetic treatments for many generalized central nervous system (CNS) diseases require transgene expression throughout the CNS. Using oxidant stress and apoptosis caused by HIV-1 envelope gp120 as a model, we studied pan-CNS neuroprotective gene delivery into the cisterna magna (CM). Recombinant SV40 vectors carrying Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase or glutathione peroxidase were injected into rat CMs following intraperitoneal administration of mannitol. Sustained transgene expression was seen in neurons throughout the CNS. On challenge, 8 weeks later with gp120 injected into the caudate putamen, significant neuroprotection was documented. Thus, intracisternal administration of antioxidant-carrying rSV40 vectors may be useful in treating widespread CNS diseases such as HIV-1-associated neurocognitive disorders characterized by oxidative stress.
Atomic arrangements in vapor quenched Pd80Si20 and Au35Ni65 amorphous alloys

The structure of Pd80Si20 and Au35Ni65 alloys, vapor quenched onto substrates of NaCl held at liquid nitrogen temperatures is investigated by electron microscopy and scanning electron diffraction. The structure of the Pd80Si20 amorphous alloy is best described by a dense random packing of hard spheres model of two sphere sizes with no metalloids as nearest neighbours of each other. The PdPd nearest neighbour distance is 2.75 A and the PdSi nearest neighbour distance is 2.65 A. Coevaporated films of Au35Ni65 quenched onto liquid nitrogen temperatures are found to be amorphous. Their structure is successfully described by a dense random packing of hard spheres model of two sphere sizes with no chemical constraints on both the Au and Ni atoms. The NiNi nearest neighbour distance is 2.45 A. The AuAu nearst neighbour distance is 2.85 A and the AuNi distance is 2.65 A. La structure des alliages Pd80Si20 et Au35Ni65 obtenus par condensation rapide sur des surfaces de NaCl maintenues a la temperature de l'azote liquide a ete etudiee par microscopie electronique et diffraction a balayage d'electrons. La structure la plus probable de l'alliage amorphe Pd80Si20 paraǐt a ětre un entassement aletoire dense de deux types de spheres dures de diametres distincts n'ayant pas de metalloides comme voisins immediats. La distance minimale de voisinage est 2,75 A pour PdPd et 2,65 A pour PdSi. Les couches coevaporees de Au35Ni65 obtenues par condensation rapide sur surfaces a la temperature de l'azote liquide sont amorphes. Leur structure est ecrite avec succes par un entassement aleatoire dense de spheres dures de diametres distincts sans contraintes chimiques sur les atomes Au et Ni. La distance minimale de voisinage est 2,45 A pour NiNi, 2,85 A pour AuAu et 2,65 A pour AuNi.
Managing the domain knowledge: application to cultural patrimony

This article presents applied research work that addresses a real need for improvement of the collection, indexing and retrieval of knowledge of cultural heritage. To facilitate the task of fieldwork and to improve the access to knowledge, we designed, prototyped and tested in a real environment a system for automating the cycle of collecting and storing information and knowledge for future processing. It contains several modules, allowing the knowledge acquisition cycle to be completed: registering artwork description using a voice interface, automatic ‘translation’ of the audio files to text files, linguistic analysis and extraction of information for the Inventory Descriptive System and, finally, automatic construction of a domain ontology according to a predefined conceptual model. This hybrid system combines the techniques of signal and natural language processing and of knowledge modelling. After introducing the process of the acquisition and management of information gathered in the field, we describe the nature of knowledge, the models used, the architecture and the various treatments performed by our system. Finally, we provide some perspectives on future development.
Statistical process control using level crossings

Conventional SPC methods do not adequately cope with autocorrelated processes. We develop a new method based on the random run lengths created when a process crosses a threshold level. We combineinformation on runs above and below the threshold into a statistic that can be treated as iid Normal and monitored with traditional SPC methods, such as Shewhart charts. The method is simpler than alternative approaches based on ARMA modeling, works without modification for both lid and autocorrelated processes, is robust to the marginal distribution of the data. and performs well compared to Shewhart charts based on ARMA residuals.
Time-resolved photoluminescence studies of free and donor-bound exciton in GaN grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy

Time-resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy was used to study the radiative recombination of free and donor-bound excitons in unintentionally doped GaN grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. Low temperature (4 K), time-integrated PL spectra identified the free exciton (A), the donor-bound exciton peak ∼6 meV below, and the acceptor-bound exciton ∼20 meV below the free exciton peak. A radiative recombination lifetime of 295 ps for the free exciton and 530 ps for donor-bound exciton were found at 4 K. The decay of the free exciton remained single exponential to room temperature, with an increase in lifetime to 530 ps, consistent with the thermal excitation of exciton states.
Traumatic lung herniation

Traumatic lung herniation is a poorly described entity. An important factor in the etiology of these lesions is the relative lack of muscular support afforded by the anterior thorax. We report a case of blunt thoracic trauma complicated by an incarcerated lung herniation.
Investigation by Auger spectroscopy of the composition and surface oxidation characteristics of oxygen saturated zirconium

Abstract The surface oxidation characteristics of oxygen saturated zirconium (Zr:O ss ) have been investigated between room temperature and 1190 K using Auger spectroscopy and sputter-depth-profiling techniques. Zr:O ss substrates were prepared by absorbing oxygen from surface oxide layers into Zr foils at high temperature. Quantitative Auger analysis confirms that the composition of Zr:O ss is approximately ZrO 0.44 .Zr:O ss oxidizes slightly faster at room temperature than pure Zr during initial O 2 exposure. The high temperature surface oxidation of Zr:O ss was studied in the absence of interference from the simultaneous bulk absorption of oxygen, which occurs with pure Zr substrates. The thickness of the ZrO 2 surface layer formed on Zr:O ss increases with the extent of O 2 exposure, exposure time and oxidation temperature up to 900 K. Above 900 K the surface oxidation is not complete to ZrO 2 .
Organization of motor and somatosensory neocortex in the albino rat

Abstract The extent and organization of motor (MsI) and somatosensory (SmI) cortex in the rat were investigated using intracortical stimulation with semi-microelectrodes and single- or multiple-unit recording techniques. Two maps of MsI were presented, one based on stimulation with 25-msec bursts of a 1-kHz sinusoidal current, the other based on 250-msec bursts of a 300-Hz stimulus. The first occupied a relatively small region of anterior cortex that was confined to the dorsal surface of the hemisphere and did not reach the frontal pole. The motor area delineated with the 300-Hz stimulus was larger, occupying a significant portion of the anterolateral surface and most of the frontal pole. Movements of the eye and eyelid were elicited from a long thin strip of cortex lying near the midline. The vibrissae were represented in another long strip adjacent to the eye-eyelid region. The delineation of SmI was in good agreement with earlier descriptions, but the hindlimb and forelimb areas overlapped their respective motor areas. The overlap was essentially complete for the hindlimb, but only partial for the forelimb.
Scientists called upon to take actions

Once again, scientists were called upon to take greater role in the political process. And this time, they did! We report on the continuous debate on the nation's R&D policy. We also cover funding opportunities from DoD and NSF.
A high-speed sorting procedure

In a recent note1, D. L. Shell has described a high-speed sorting procedure for lists contained in internal memory. The method has the great virtues of requiring no additional memory space and being considerably faster than other such methods, which require a time proportional to the square of the list length. The present authors have studied the statistics of Shell's method and have found a minor modification which increases its speed still further.
Evaluation of Experiments in Policing What Are We Learning

Since its inception in 1970, the Police Foundation has, in collaboration with a number of police agencies across the country, initiated 16 substantial pieces of evaluation research in the field of urban policing, of which, so far, eleven are finished. This paper summarizes what the Foundation is learning about evaluatzon of experiments in policing from these experiences. Stress is placed on the requirement for an explicit planningphase prior to and as a condition of support for an experiment, the need for flexibility in the use of additional resources during planning and implementation of an experiment under strong program monitoring, and the role of the police administrator in maintaining experimental condi tions. Costs and benefits to police administrators of adopting a testing philosophy are addressed.
Subepicardial aneurysm of the left ventricle

Three patients are presented in whom a subepicardial aneurysm developed as a complication of a myocardial infarction. This aneurysm of the left ventricle is unusual and has 3 distinctive traits: an abrupt interruption of the myocardium that comprises the mouth and typically a narrow neck of the aneurysm; aneurysmal wall comprised of epicardium with or without a thin myocardial layer; and a propensity to rupture spontaneously regardless of the wall components or stage of development. All 3 patients were given a diagnosis using echocardiography and underwent immediate surgical aneurysmectomy. One patient died as a result of renal and respiratory failure postoperatively. The long-term outcome of the other 2 patients was favorable without evidence of additional cardiac rupture or instability.
ORGANIZATIONS AS COMMUNICATION STRUCTURES: AN EMPIRICAL APPROACH1

This research has the limited objectives of exploring the similarity among several organizational communication and formal organizational structural variables, showing the dynamic nature of organizational structure when viewed in a communication perspective, and providing a way of viewing organizations in which the mechanisms used to aggregate initial building blocks to provide pictures of organizations are clear. Three organizations were mapped in communication terms. The results of the mappings were used to suggest directions for future research in organizational communication.
Piezo-resistance and Piezo-hall effect in bismuth

The electrical resistivity and Hall coefficient in single crystals of bismuth have been measured as a function of uniaxial stress along the trigonal axis at 4.2°, 77°, and 295°K. The data are analyzed in terms of a two band model to determine the deformation potential components E 1 and E 2 given by δE 0 = E 1 (e 11 + e 22 )+ E 2 e 33 , where E 0 is the overlap energy. By combining the results of the present experiment with the measurements of the pressure dependence of the galvanomagnetic effects 1 and the value E 0 = 0.027 eV, we find E 1 = −2.4eV and E 2 = +2.5eV.
A new framework of image reconstruction from fan beam projections

In this paper, we present a unified framework to reconstructimages for both fan beam and cone beam projections. The important feature of our theoretical framework is that it does not depend on the classical concept of the Radon transform at all. This property allows us to directly generalize the ideas and techniques developed in this paper to the cone beam reconstruction problem. In this paper, we extract such a framework from developing a new image reconstruction scheme from fan beam projections. Our new scheme also provides us new understanding of fan beam reconstruction problem. Our main results for the fan beam reconstruction are the following: First, we derive a general reconstruction scheme, in which the data sufficiency condition is transparently revealed by the reconstruction formula. Specifically, the data sufficiency condition for an accurate reconstruction of a region of interest (ROI) is that all the lines passing through the ROI must intersect the source trajectory at least once. Second, we further simplify the general reconstruction scheme by following three major steps of our new framework: (i) using symmetries of intermediate function; (ii) handling the data redundancy; (iii) changing discrete summation over the possible focal points into an integral along the source trajectory. After these steps, we obtain a new filtered backprojection algorithm. The key characteristic of this new algorithm is to take derivative of measured data with respect to the trajectory parameter. In practice, we can trade this derivative to some other continuous functions. In the configuration of a circular source trajectory with a third generation arc/collinear detector, we demonstrate how to remove the undesirable derivative of measured projection data. It results in a new algorithm for the sequential reconstruction of a ROI with a general normalized weighting function.
Depth-resolved X-ray determination of surface strain in free-standing films of HVPE-grown GaN and 71Ga NMR characterization

Free-standing GaN films grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy (HVPE) on c-plane sapphire have been studied for in-plane anisotropic strain. Lattice parameters are obtained from high-resolution X-ray diffraction data and the film quality is determined by measuring the rocking curves and by 71Ga nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The in-plane strain was determined using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction and conventional X-ray measurements. It is found that the in-plane lattice parameter varies with depth and has estimated surface strain anisotropy of 4.0791×10-3 up to a thickness of 0.3 μm. The 71Ga NMR experiments reveal different degrees of inhomogeneity amongst the three samples. This is shown by the appearance of an additional broad central-transition peak shifted to higher frequency by a Knight shift from conduction electrons in sample regions having high carrier concentrations.
Is There an Optimal Design for On-Line MBA Courses?

While there is an increasing body of literature on the effectiveness of on-line courses, studies on the effects of factors predicting Web-based course success over time are limited. I consider the ...
The C-MYB story—is it definitive?

The MYB gene family has provided examples that bear on two interesting questions in evolutionary biology. Why do duplicated genes persist in the face of purifying selection? How do new organs arise? All vertebrate animal species are believed to have three closely related MYB genes (C-MYB/MYB, A-MYB/MYBL1, and B-MYB/MYBL2) (1). Most invertebrate animal species examined thus far have a single MYB gene, an exception being the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Genetic studies in the laboratory mouse and in Drosophila have provided important clues about the functional evolution of the MYB gene family (Fig. 1) (2–6). However, two recent reports of C-MYB mutants in two species of teleosts (bony fish) have raised new questions (7, 8).
Homicide in Singapore

Singapore has one of the lowest crime (and homicide) rates in the industrialized world. Since no prior published study has analyzed the patterns of homicide in Singapore, this study presents data comparing homicide patterns in Singapore to the U.S. Overall, the U.S. homicide rate was found to be 5 times greater than the Singapore rate. Variation between the sexes and across racial/ethnic groups was much less in Singapore than the U.S. The sharpest difference in homicide between Singapore and the U.S. involved gun homicides and the death penalty. Gun homicide rates in the U.S. were found to be 197 times the Singapore rate while the death penalty was utilized 15 times as often in Singapore.