cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The voltammetry of C84 isomers

Abstract The square-wave voltammetry of isolated isomers of C84 is reported. Based on their relative abundance, the isomers are assumed to have D2 and D2d symmetry. The D2 isomer has four reversible reductions at −0.65, −0.98, −1.34, and −1.75 V versus Fc/Fc+ prior to electrolyte decomposition. This behavior is consistent with previous reports, and is similar to the voltammetry of C60 and C70 (e.g. sequential reductions spaced at slightly increasing intervals). The D2d isomer has five reversible reductions at −0.46, −0.77, −1.58, −1.98, and −2.27 V versus Fc/Fc+ prior to the onset of electrolyte decomposition. The large potential difference separating the second and third reductions of the D2d isomer is an aspect of the voltammetry not reported when the D2d isomer was analyzed as part of a mixture of C84 isomers (P.L. Boulas, M.T. Jones, R.S. Ruoff et al., J. Phys. Chem. 100 (1996) 7573–7579). The large potential difference between the second and third reductions of the D2d isomer of C84 is similar to the voltammetric behavior of C82.
Higher-order representation of substructural logics

We present a technique for higher-order representation of substructural logics such as linear or modal logic. We show that such logics can be encoded in the (ordinary) Logical Framework, without any linear or modal extensions. Using this encoding, metatheoretic proofs about such logics can easily be developed in the Twelf proof assistant.
Fairness and self-interest: An assessment

Abstract This paper provides an assessment of some fairness notions that are particularly relevant to economics of the marketplace. Motivations of fairness are also discussed. In this vein, three sources of fairness are outlined: moral precepts, stable convention, and reciprocity. Some suitable theoretical and empirical evidence are presented in support of these views. Economic models based on the view that man is purely selfish have performed poorly in some areas, particularly game theory and voluntary contributions to public goods. In other social sciences, notably in psychology, political science, and sociobiology researchers have also encountered systematic deviations from purely selfish behavior. There is ample evidence that both fairness and self-interest matter. It is hoped that this paper will provide a better comprehension of the tensions and complementarities between fairness and self-interest and improve our understanding of human behavior.
Rapid Turnover of Unspliced Xbp-1 as a Factor That Modulates the Unfolded Protein Response

The mammalian and yeast unfolded protein responses (UPR) share the characteristic of rapid elimination of unspliced Xbp-1 (Xbp-1u) and unspliced Hac1p, respectively. These polypeptides derive from mRNAs, whose splicing is induced upon onset of the UPR, so as to allow synthesis of transcription factors essential for execution of the UPR itself. Whereas in yeast translation of unspliced Hac1p is blocked, mammalian Xbp-1u is synthesized constitutively and eliminated by rapid proteasomal degradation. Here we show that the rate of Xbp-1u degradation approaches its rate of synthesis. The C terminus of XBP-1u ensures its trafficking to the cytoplasm, and is sufficient to impose rapid degradation. Degradation of XBP-1u involves both ubiquitin-dependent and ubiquitin-independent mechanisms, which might explain its unusually rapid turnover. Xbp-1(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts reconstituted with mutants of XBP-1u that show improved stability differentially activate UPR target genes. Unexpectedly, we found that one of the mutants activates transcription of both Xbp-1-specific and non-Xbp-1-dependent UPR targets in response to tunicamycin treatment, even more potently than does wild type Xbp-1. We suggest that the degradation of Xbp-1u is required to prevent uncontrolled activation of the UPR while allowing short dwell times for initiation of this response.
An objective sequential compression test to evaluate the patency of the radial and ulnar arteries

The effect of sequential compression of the radial and ulnar artery on finger pulse volume oscillations was recorded by photoplethysmography. The effect of the compression was studied in 25 control subjects and 15 patients with angiographically documented obstructions of the radial or ulnar artery. Under normal conditions a reduction of oscillations by 35% was observed in the first, third, and fifth finger. On the other hand, an obstruction of the radial or ulnar artery results in a significant reduction or even disappearance of oscillations if the unobstructed artery is compressed. It is concluded that this test offers objective evaluation and documentation of the patency condition of the major arteries supplying the hand circulation.
Planning image-guided endovascular interventions: guidewire simulation using shortest path algorithms

Endovascular interventional procedures are being used more frequently in cardiovascular surgery. Unfortunately, procedural failure, e.g., vessel dissection, may occur and is often related to improper guidewire and/or device selection. To support the surgeon's decision process and because of the importance of the guidewire in positioning devices, we propose a method to determine the guidewire path prior to insertion using a model of its elastic potential energy coupled with a representative graph construction. The 3D vessel centerline and sizes are determined for a specified vessel. Points in planes perpendicular to the vessel centerline are generated. For each pair of consecutive planes, a vector set is generated which joins all points in these planes. We construct a graph representing these vector sets as nodes. The nodes representing adjacent vector sets are joined by edges with weights calculated as a function of the angle between the corresponding vectors (nodes). The optimal path through this weighted directed graph is then determined using shortest path algorithms, such as topological sort based shortest path algorithm or Dijkstra's algorithm. Volumetric data of an internal carotid artery phantom (O 3.5mm) were acquired. Several independent guidewire (O 0.4mm) placements were performed, and the 3D paths were determined using rotational angiography. The average RMS distance between the actual and the average simulated guidewire path was 0.7mm; the computation time to determine the path was 3 seconds. The ability to predict the guidewire path inside vessels may facilitate calculation of vessel-branch access and force estimation on devices and the vessel wall.
Contaminant Detection and Localization With Design of Experiment and Response Surface Methodology

The spread of contaminant into the environment due to a high volume of leakage from point sources is a very real threat in the modern world. Since the contaminant can often be dangerous to human operators, multiple robotic agents equipped with suitable sensors are playing an increasingly important role in the so-called contaminant detection problem than before. This paper proposes a contaminant detection methodology which can not only locate the (possibly multiple) source of the contaminant, but also estimate the intensity in an environment evolving over both space and time. The methods can deal with measurement noise and do not need any gradient information.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Theoretical elastic behaviour of crystals at large strains

Current knowledge in the subject of the theoretical mechanical behaviour of perfect single crystals under load is reviewed. Examples of computations of load, lattice deformation, elastic moduli, and elastic stability are discussed, and qualitatively interesting (and sometimes surprising) phenomena are noted. Although computational techniques are reviewed briefly, the emphasis is upon the collation and interpretation of various computational results that have appeared in the literature. Special consideration is given to the topics of lattice stability and the definition and computation of elastic moduli of crystals under load, as well as branching from one path of deformation to another under a prescribed mode of loading. Possible applications in materials science include deformation of whiskers, twinning, martensitic transformations, very rapid shock deformation, powder technology and size reduction, and mechanical properties of small structures such as metallized integrated circuits.
Biochemistry: Fit for an enzyme

Certain enzymes that synthesize antibiotics play a game of pass the parcel, handing biosynthetic intermediates from one active site to another. A study reveals the dynamic nature of interactions between the enzyme domains.
Purinoceptor agonists stimulate phosphatidylcholine secretion in primary cultures of adult rat type II pneumocytes.

Abstract We examined the effect of purinoceptor agonists on phosphatidylcholine secretion in primary cultures of type II pneumocytes from adult rats. Surfactant is a major product of the type II cell and phosphatidylcholine is its principal component. Adenosine, AMP, ADP and ATP stimulated phosphatidylcholine secretion in a concentration-dependent manner. At the optimum concentration (1 mM), adenosine and AMP stimulated phosphatidylcholine secretion more than 2-fold, while ATP stimulated 5-fold and ADP almost 7-fold. Because of the magnitude of the response it is tempting to speculate that secretion of surfactant may be under purinoceptor regulation. None of these agents influenced cellular phosphatidylcholine synthesis or lactate dehydrogenase release into the medium, so the effects were primarily on secretion and were not secondary to effects on synthesis or cell damage. Non-metabolizable analogs of adenosine, 5′-N-ethylcarboxyamidoadenosine (NECA) and l -N 6 - phenylisopropyladenosine ( l -PIA), stimulated secretion to the same extent as adenosine and the effect of NECA was antagonized by 8-phenyltheophylline, suggesting a P1 purinoceptor-mediated mechanism. The stimulatory effect of ATP was diminished by α,β-methylene ATP but only slightly by 8-phenyltheophylline, suggesting that, although part of the ATP effect could be explained by catabolism to adenosine, the P2 purinoceptor may also be involved in regulation of surfactant secretion.
The socio-spatial dynamics of extreme urban heat events: The case of heat-related deaths in Philadelphia

Heat is the number one weather-related cause of mortality in the United States; typically punctuated by extreme heat waves. This study examines the relationship between the spatial distribution of vulnerable populations, satellite-detected urban heat island (UHI) and heat-related mortality distributions during a 1993 extreme heat event in Philadelphia, PA. Geostatistical methods are used to compare spatial distributions of vulnerability and to determine concentration of mortality within surface UHI intensity levels. The results suggest the spatial distribution of urban poor is congruent with heat-related death. Additionally, deaths are concentrated in higher order surface UHI intensity levels. The findings suggest that surface UHI measures and population in poverty are important variables in spatially measuring risk from extreme heat events. Coupling surface UHI measures with socioeconomic indicators of vulnerability may enable creation of risk models with improved spatial specificity to assist public health professionals. This approach is demonstrated by developing a linear regression model of potential risk in Philadelphia for the 1993 extreme heat event.
Nativity, Gender, and Earnings Discrimination.

This research note reports the results of a study that estimated the cost of labor market discrimination faced by Puerto Ricans in the United States. The study extended the work ofprevious efforts in that it measured the cost of discrimination by nativity for males and females. The object was to determine the extent to which this cost varied by place of birth: which groups are more affected, island-born or U.S. -born Puerto Ricans? Males or females? A human capital earnings function, augmented with demographic and structural variables, was estimated for each nativity/gender group among Puerto Ricans and the results were compared to White wage earners, using the 1980 5% PUMSfile. A regression decomposition procedure was employed to isolate the cost of discrimination. The results indicated the following: Puerto Rican females are equally affected by discrimination, whether born in Puerto Rico or in the United States; the cost of discrimination is less for males, and men born in Puerto Rico are more affected ...
Translating cell polarity into tissue elongation

Planar cell polarity, the orientation of single-cell asymmetries within the plane of a multicellular tissue, is essential to generating the shape and dimensions of organs and organisms. Planar polarity systems align cell behavior with the body axes and orient the cellular processes that lead to tissue elongation. Using Drosophila as a model system, significant progress has been made toward understanding how planar polarity is generated by biochemical and mechanical signals. Recent studies using time-lapse imaging reveal that cells engage in a number of active behaviors whose orientation and dynamics translate planar cell polarity into tissue elongation. Here we review recent progress in understanding the cellular mechanisms that link planar polarity to large-scale changes in tissue structure.
Some Observations on Studying Therapists Instead of Treatment Packages

Some practical problems are highlighted with regard to studying the outcomes of individual therapists, including the long and inconsistent success in finding therapist variables that explain differential client treatment response. Research on the individual therapist makes it clear that considerable variability in outcome exists at the extreme ends of the normal distribution of therapist effects. Much less is known about the variability of client outcomes within specific therapists’ clients. We encourage further research on therapist effects, but concede that such research is not likely to provide actionable information for routine clinical care. In the meantime, client treatment response needs to be monitored if positive outcomes are to be maximized.
Development of HIV vectors for anti-HIV gene therapy

Current gene therapy protocols for HIV infection use transfection or murine retrovirus mediated transfer of antiviral genes into CD4+ T cells or CD34+ progenitor cells ex vivo, followed by infusion of the gene altered cells into autologous or syngeneic/allogeneic recipients. While these studies are essential for safety and feasibility testing, several limitations remain: long-term reconstitution of the immune system is not effected for lack of access to the macrophage reservoir or the pluripotent stem cell population, which is usually quiescent, and ex vivo manipulation of the target cells will be too expensive and impractical for global application. In these regards, the lentivirus-specific biologic properties of the HIVs, which underlie their pathogenetic mechanisms, are also advantageous as vectors for gene therapy. The ability of HIV to specifically target CD4+ cells, as well as non-cycling cells, makes it a promising candidate for in vivo gene transfer vector on one hand, and for transduction of non-cycling stem cells on the other. Here we report the use of replication-defective vectors and stable vector packaging cell lines derived from both HIV-1 and HIV-2. Both HIV envelopes and vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G were effective in mediating high-titer gene transfer, and an HIV-2 vector could be cross-packaged by HIV-1. Both HIV-1 and HIV-2 vectors were able to transduce primary human macrophages, a property not shared by murine retroviruses. Vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein G-pseudotyped HIV vectors have the potential to mediate gene transfer into non-cycling hematopoietic stem cells. If so, HIV or other lentivirus-based vectors will have applications beyond HIV infection.
Temporary Renal Ischemia During Nephron Sparing Surgery is Associated With Short-Term but Not Long-Term Impairment in Renal Function

Purpose: The emergence of laparoscopic nephron sparing surgery has rekindled interest in the impact of warm renal ischemia on renal function. To provide data with which warm renal ischemia can be compared we analyzed short-term and long-term changes in the glomerular filtration rate after temporary cold renal ischemia.Materials and Methods: In patients undergoing open nephron sparing surgery the estimated glomerular filtration rate was assessed preoperatively, early in the postoperative hospital stay, and 1 and 12 months after surgery using the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation. We separately analyzed 70 patients with a solitary kidney and 592 with 2 functioning kidneys. The end point was the percent change from the baseline glomerular filtration rate. A linear regression model was used to test the association between the glomerular filtration rate change, and ischemia time, patient age, tumor size, estimated blood loss and intraoperative fluid administration.Results: Median...
"Second Emerson Effect" in the Hill Reaction of Chlorella Cells with Quinone as Oxidant

The second Emerson effect can be observed not only in photosynthesis but also in the photoreduction of quinone by Chlorella cells. This shows that this effect is not due to respiration and is not associated with the carbon dioxide-reducing phase of photosynthesis. Peaks at 650 and 670 mmicro in the action spectra of this effect, in the case of quinone reductions as well as in that of photosynthesis in Chlorella, show that light absorbed by chlorophyll b as well as that absorbed by chlorophyll a 670 can effectively supplement far-red light (> 680 mmicro) in both reactions; light absorbed by chlorophyll a 680 cannot do so.
The influence of funding source and legislative requirements on government cost accounting practices

Abstract This paper provides preliminary evidence on the determinants of cost accounting practices in government agencies. Drawing on institutional and contingency theories of management accounting choice, we examine two potential influences on the design and use of government cost systems: legal requirements to be self-funding and mandated requirements for cost accounting data. We test these hypotheses using survey data from the U.S. General Accounting Office. The empirical evidence indicates that organizations using cost system output to satisfy external requirements tend to implement more “elaborate” cost accounting systems than units without external requirements, but are no more likely to use cost system data for internal purposes. In contrast, government organizations that are required to “pay their own way” by fully recovering costs through revenues or fees not only implement more elaborate systems than units funded by appropriated budgets or reimbursement of expenses by other government units, but also tend to make more extensive use of cost system output for a wide variety of internal purposes ranging from pricing to management control.
Reflective negotiating agents for real-time multisensor target tracking

In this paper we describe a multiagent system in which agents negotiate to allocate resources and satisfy constraints in a real-time environment of multisensor target tracking. The agents attempt to optimize the use of their own consumable resources while adhering to the global goal, i.e., accurate and effective multisensor target tracking. Agents negotiate based on different strategies which are selected and instantiated using case-based reasoning (CBR). Agents are also fully reflective in that they are aware of all their resources including system-level ones such as CPU allocation, and this allows them to achieve real-time behavior. We focus our discussion on multisensor target racking, case-based negotiation, and real-time behavior, and present experimental results comparing our methodology to ones using either no negotiation or using a static negotiation protocol.
Isolated fibrils rescue cohesion and development in the Dsp mutant of Myxococcus xanthus.

Extracellular fibrils are involved in cell cohesion and cell development in Myxococcus xanthus. One group of social motility mutants, Dsp, is unable to produce extracellular fibrils; these mutants also lose the abilities to cohere and to develop. Extracellular fibrils isolated from vegetative wild-type cells and added to Dsp cells fully restored the abilities of these cells to cohere and to undergo normal morphological development. The fibrils thus mimic the ability of intact, wild-type cells to carry out the same rescue. Optimal cohesion rescue by fibrils required calcium and magnesium ions, did not require protein synthesis, but was energy dependent, i.e., sodium azide and sodium cyanide blocked rescue. Cohesion rescue was also blocked by the diazo dye Congo red. Cohesion rescue is genus specific, i.e., isolated fibrils did not cause the cohesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, or the related myxobacterium Stigmatella aurantiaca. Developmental rescue of Dsp by isolated fibrils included aggregation, fruiting body formation, and myxospore morphogenesis. Developmental gene expression in the Dsp mutant was only partially rescued by the isolated fibrils.
Methyl Hydrogen Hendecanedioate

Methyl hydrogen hendecanedioate intermediate: Dimethyl hendecanedioate product: Methyl hydrogen hendecanedioate Keywords: esterification, of dicarboxylic acids; hydrolysis, esters and lactones; barium hydroxide in methanol
Natural oscillations in coupled geomorphic systems: An alternative origin for cyclic sedimentation

Internally oscillating cycles of cutting and filling occur naturally in many coupled geomorphic systems. As a demonstration, we have modeled stream entrenchment and backfilling where alluvial systems couple to uplifting mountain blocks. This simple model tracksbedrockstreamerosionandtransportofalluviumtobaselevel.Internaloscillations arise from coupling of a kinematic wave model for mountain erosion to a diffusion model for the alluvial basin. Decaying periodic cutting andfilling occur on time scales of 10 5 yr; the largest magnitudes are found at the coupling point. Model results suggest that cyclic sedimentation may result from the tintinnabulation of single perturbations applied to natural systems and need not record cyclic changes in climate, tectonics, or base level.
Single-stranded DNA repeat synthesis by telomerase

The eukaryotic ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase (RT) telomerase uses a template within its integral RNA subunit to extend chromosome ends by synthesis of single-stranded telomeric repeats. Telomerase is adapted to its unique cellular role by an ability to release product DNA in single-stranded form, regenerating free template from the product-template hybrid. Furthermore, by retaining a template-independent grip on the single-stranded product, telomerase can catalyze processive repeat synthesis. These specialized nucleic acid handling properties are dependent on the protein and RNA domain network within an active RNP. RNP domain architecture and mechanisms for single-stranded DNA handling have been a focus of recent studies highlighted here.
Solar photospheric and coronal abundances from solar energetic particle measurements

Observations of solar energetic particles (SEPs) from 22 solar flares in the 1977-1982 time period are reported. The observations were made by the Cosmic Ray Subsystem on board the Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft. SEP abundances have been obtained for all elements with 3 ≤ Z ≤ 30 except Li, Be, B, F, Sc, V, Co and Cu, for which upper limits have been obtained. Statistically meaningful abundances of several rare elements (e.g., P, Cl, K, Ti, Mn) have been determined for the first time, and the average abundances of the more abundant elements have been determined with improved precision, typically a factor of three better than the best previous determinations. Previously reported results concerning the dependence of the fractionation of SEPs relative to photosphere on first ionization potential (FIP) have been confirmed and amplified upon with the new data. The monotonic Z-dependence of the variation between flares noted by earlier studies was found to be interpretable as a fractionation, produced by acceleration of the particles from the corona and their propagation through interplanetary space, which is ordered by the ionic charge-to-mass ratio Q/ M of the species making up the SEPs. It was found that Q/M is the primary organizing parameter of acceleration and propagation effects in SEPs, as evidenced by the dependence on Q/M of time, spatial and energy dependence within flares and of the abundance variability from flare to flare. An unfractionated coronal composition was derived by applying a simple Q/M fractionation correction to the observed average SEP composition, to simultaneously correct for all Q/M-correlated acceleration/propagation fractionation of SEPs. The resulting coronal composition agrees well with current XUV/X-ray spectroscopic measurements of coronal composition but is of much higher precision and is available for a much larger set of elements. Compared to spectroscopic photospheric abundances, the SEP-derived corona appears depleted in C and somewhat enriched in Cr (and possibly Ca and Ti). An unfractionated photospheric composition was derived by applying a simple FIP fractionation correction to the derived coronal composition, to correct for the FIP-associated fractionation of the corona during its formation from photospheric material. The resulting composition agrees well with the photospheric abundance tabulation of Grevesse (1984) except for an at least ~50% lower abundance of C and a significantly greater abundance of Cr and possibly Ti. The results support the Grevesse photospheric Fe abundance, about 50% higher than meteoritic and earlier solar values. The SEP-derived photospheric composition is not generally of higher precision than the available spectroscopic data, but it relies on fewer physical parameters and is available for some elements (C, N, Ne, Ar) which cannot be measured spectroscopically in the photosphere.
Do AAO-HNSF CORE grants predict future NIH funding success?

ObjectiveTo determine (1) whether academic otolaryngologists who have received an American Academy of Otolaryngology— Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Centralized Otolaryngology Research...
PhotoTOC: automatic clustering for browsing personal photographs

This paper presents photo table of contents (PhotoTOC), a system that helps users find digital photographs in their own collection of photographs. PhotoTOC is a browsing user interface that uses an overview+detail design. The detail view is a temporally ordered list of all of the user's photographs. The overview of the user's collection is automatically generated by an image clustering algorithm, which clusters on the creation time and the color of the photographs. PhotoTOC was tested on users' own photographs against three other browsers. Searching for images with PhotoTOC was subjectively rated easier than all of the other browsers. This result shows that automatic organization of personal photographs facilitates efficient and satisfying search.
Fault-tolerant array processors using N-and-half-track switches

The author addresses the fault tolerance issue for rectangular arrays of a large number of processors. An array grid model based on n1/2-track switches is adopted. This model is a generalization of previous models using 1 1/2-track switches and 2 1/2-track switches. A reconfigurability theorem for n1/2 track arrays is established and a concept of pseudo processing elements (PEs) is introduced to decompose a routing problem into problems with smaller track numbers. Therefore, with the decomposition technique, only the routing algorithm developed for 1 1/2-track arrays is required. Simulation results for the 1 1/2-track array and 2 1/2-track array are given. >
Thyroid hormone acts centrally to programme photostimulated male american tree sparrows (Spizella arborea) for vernal and autumnal components of seasonality.

Thyroid hormone and long days interact to programme American tree sparrows (Spizella arborea) for seasonality (i.e. thyroid hormone-dependent photoperiodic gonadal growth, photorefractoriness, and postnuptial moult). This study explored in radiothyroidectomized (THX) males given thyroid hormone replacement therapy whether thyroid hormone acts within the brain and, additionally, the identity of the putative tissue-active thyroid hormone. The minimum dose (30 ng) of L-thyroxine (T4) that restored all components of seasonality when given i.c.v. daily during the first 21 days of photostimulation restored no component of seasonality when given s.c. The same dose of L-triiodothyronine (T3) also was ineffective when administered s.c., but restored photoperiodic testicular growth (though neither photorefractoriness nor postnuptial moult) when admiministered i.c.v. Three of seven birds given a 10-fold lower dose of T4 (3 ng) exhibited thyroid hormone-dependent photoperiodic testicular growth, albeit damped. The other four birds given 3 ng T4 and all birds given 3 ng T3 responded like THX controls, exhibiting only slight thyroid hormone-independent photoperiodic testicular growth. The highest dose (300 ng) of T3 restored all components of seasonality only when administered i.c.v. daily during the first 49 days of photostimulation. This demonstration in American tree sparrows is the first in any species that the thyroid-dependent transition from the breeding season to the non-breeding season can be effected by T3. The same dose of reverse T3 administered daily over the same 49 days restored photoperiodic testicular growth in only half of 10 subjects and photorefractoriness and moult in none. Collectively, the data support the hypothesis that thyroid hormone acts centrally to programme photostimulated male American tree sparrows for all components of seasonality. The most parsimonious interpretation of the data, including the threshold-like effect of 3 ng T4, favours T4 as the tissue-active thyroid hormone for vernal as well as autumnal events, but does not entirely exclude T3.
Gene expression in the digestive tissues of ruminants and their relationships with feeding and digestive processes

The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) has multiple functions including digestion, nutrient absorption, secretion of hormones and excretion of wastes. In the ruminant animal, development of this organ system is more complex than that of the monogastric animal due to the necessity to establish a fully functional and differentiated rumen, in which a diverse microbial population of bacteria, fungi and protozoa support fermentation and digestion of dietary fiber. Central to the goal of animal scientists to enhance nutrient uptake and production efficiency of ruminants is the need for a comprehensive understanding of GIT development, as well as conditions that alter the digestion process. The relatively recent availability of genome sequence information has permitted physiological investigations related to the process of digestion for many agriculturally important species at the gene transcript level. For instance, numerous studies have evaluated the expression of ruminant GIT genes to gain insight into mechanisms involved in normal function, physiology and development, such as nutrient uptake and transport across the epithelial cell barrier throughout the alimentary canal, maintenance of rumen pH, and regulation of GIT motility and cell proliferation. Further, multiple studies have examined the effects of dietary modification, including feeding of supplemental fat, starch and protein, or a forage- v. concentrate-based diet on expression of critical gene pathways in the gut. In addition, the expression of genes in the GIT in response to disease, such as infection with gastrointestinal parasites, has been investigated. This review will summarize some of the recent scientific literature related to the gene expression in the GIT of ruminants, primarily cattle, sheep and goats, as it pertains to normal physiology, and dietary, developmental, and disease effects to provide an overview of critical proteins participating in the overall digestive processes, and their physiological functions. Recent findings from our laboratory will be highlighted also related to expression of the glucagon-like peptide two-hormone pathway in the GIT of dairy cattle during in various stages of the development and lactation, alterations in gene pathways associated with the rumen development and differentiation in the weaning calf, and genes of the GIT responding to Ostertagia, a common nematode infection of the cattle. Finally, prospective areas of investigation will be highlighted.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Induces Caspase-mediated Cleavage of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ in Adipocytes

The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that acts as a primary regulator of adipogenesis and controls adipocyte metabolism and insulin action. Increased expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) in adipose tissue of obese subjects potently suppresses the expression of PPARgamma and attenuates adipocyte functions. Here we show that PPARgamma is a substrate of caspase-3 and caspase-6 during TNFalpha receptor signaling in adipocytes, and the consequent PPARgamma cleavage disrupts its nuclear localization. TNFalpha treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes decreases full-length PPARgamma while increasing the level of a 45-kDa immunoreactive PPARgamma fragment. Specific inhibitors of caspase-3 and caspase-6 attenuate the cleavage of PPARgamma protein in response to TNFalpha in cultured adipocytes. Incubation of nuclear fractions with recombinant caspase-3 and caspase-6 also generates a 45-kDa PPARgamma cleavage product. Dispersion of nuclear PPARgamma to the cytoplasm in response to TNFalpha treatment occurs in parallel with detection of activated caspase-3. We suggest that activation of the caspase cascade by TNFalpha down-regulates PPARgamma protein and PPARgamma-mediated metabolic processes in adipose cells.
Allergen bronchoprovocation of patients with mild allergic asthma after ozone exposure

Abstract BACKGROUND: Clinical and epidemiologic studies suggest that ambient ozone exposure may increase the response of patients with asthma to inhaled allergen. OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to evaluate whether a resting 1-hour exposure to 0.12 ppm ozone increases the sensitivity of patients with atopic asthma to inhaled allergen. METHODS: Outside of their allergen season, 15 patients with mild atopic asthma (5 women and 10 men) were exposed, on separate occasions, for 1 hour at rest to clean air and 0.12 ppm ozone. Exposures were separated by a minimum of 4 weeks in a counterbalanced, double-blind design. After exposure, subjects underwent inhalation challenge with doubling doses of aerosolized allergen (0.05 to a maximum of 1600 protein nitrogen units/ml) until we elicited a 20% FEV 1 decrement (PC 20 ). RESULTS: Baseline symptoms, spirometry, and histamine bronchoreactivity were similar for the two exposures. Neither spirometry results nor symptoms were significantly changed after either exposure. The mean difference in response to allergen challenge on the air and ozone days, for the 12 subjects who attained a PC 20 , was not significant ( p = 0.124). Three subjects required the same allergen dose to reach PC 20 for both exposures, five required less allergen after ozone exposure, and four required more. There was no order effect for the acute response to allergen challenges ( p = 0.325). However, 20 hours after allergen challenge, histamine bronchoreactivity was increased ( p CONCLUSIONS: A resting exposure for 1 hour to 0.12 ppm ozone did not potentiate an immediate bronchoconstrictive response to grass allergen in this group of patients with mild atopic asthma. (J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUNOL 1996;98:563-72.)
Neoadjuvant Docetaxel before Radical Prostatectomy in Patients with High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer

Purpose: To determine the clinical, pathologic, and molecular effects of neoadjuvant docetaxel chemotherapy in high-risk localized prostate cancer. Experimental Design: Patients with biopsy Gleason scores of 8 to 10, serum prostate-specific antigen levels >20 ng/mL, and/or clinical stage T 3 disease received weekly docetaxel (36 mg/m 2 ) for 6 months, followed by radical prostatectomy, and were monitored with weekly visits, serum prostate-specific antigen measurements, and endorectal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Frozen tumor specimens were collected for microarray analysis. Results: The 19 patients enrolled received 82% of the planned chemotherapy. Toxicity was mild to moderate; fatigue and taste disturbance were common. Prostate-specific antigen declines of >50% were seen in 11 of 19 patients (58%; 95% confidence interval, 33-80%) and endorectal MRI showed maximum tumor volume reduction of at least 25% in 13 of 19 patients (68%; 95% confidence interval, 47-85%) and at least 50% in 4 patients (21%; 95% confidence interval, 6-46%). Sixteen patients completed chemotherapy and had radical prostatectomy; none achieved pathologic complete response. Microarray analysis identified coordinate up-regulation of genes involved in androgen metabolism associated with docetaxel therapy. Specifically, RNA expression for genes that decrease cellular levels of bioactive androgens was coordinately increased in response to chemotherapy. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant docetaxel administered for 6 months before radical prostatectomy is feasible, well tolerated, and often results in prostate-specific antigen declines of >50% and decreased tumor volume on endorectal MRI. No pathologic complete responses were observed. Altered androgen metabolism may partially account for the noted declines in prostate-specific antigen and be a mechanism for chemotherapy resistance.
Autocorrelation function of smooth surfaces from integrated wavelet transforms

The surface autocorrelation function can be retrieved from the values of the far-field integrated irradiance. The inversion procedure is discussed in the frame of a theory of integrated wavelet transformation. For different types of autocorrelation functions, the capabilities and limitations of the inversion procedure are studied. The influence of experimental noise and the specific choice of the analyzing wavelet are also investigated.
Treatment of Childhood Sleep Disorders: Generalization Across Disorders and Effects on Family Members

Investigated the treatment of bedtime problems and its generalization to night wakings. Six children (M age = 35 months) and their parents participated in this study. A multiple-baseline design across subjects was employed and found that treatment instituted at bedtime was successful in relieving both bedtime disturbances and night wakings. Furthermore, significant positive changes in parental sleep and family satisfaction occurred following amelioration of the children's sleep problems. Data support recent work suggesting that chronic sleep problems in children are amenable to behavioral interventions. In addition, this method appears to be more cost-effective and less stressful for parents to implement than behavioral interventions that directly target night wakings.
Principal Neighborhood Dictionaries for Nonlocal Means Image Denoising

We present an in-depth analysis of a variation of the nonlocal means (NLM) image denoising algorithm that uses principal component analysis (PCA) to achieve a higher accuracy while reducing computational load. Image neighborhood vectors are first projected onto a lower dimensional subspace using PCA. The dimensionality of this subspace is chosen automatically using parallel analysis. Consequently, neighborhood similarity weights for denoising are computed using distances in this subspace rather than the full space. The resulting algorithm is referred to as principal neighborhood dictionary (PND) nonlocal means. We investigate PND's accuracy as a function of the dimensionality of the projection subspace and demonstrate that denoising accuracy peaks at a relatively low number of dimensions. The accuracy of NLM and PND are also examined with respect to the choice of image neighborhood and search window sizes. Finally, we present a quantitative and qualitative comparison of PND versus NLM and another image neighborhood PCA-based state-of-the-art image denoising algorithm.
Development of congestive heart failure and alterations in left ventricular function in patients with sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias treated with amiodarone

Abstract The interaction between the efficacy and tolerance of amiodarone and the degree of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction was assessed in 126 patients with sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias. In all patients radionuclide angiographic LV ejection fraction (EF) was measured before and after 8 to 12 months of amiodarone therapy. At baseline mean EF was 25 ± 13% and 86 patients had an EF of 30% or less. In patients receiving amiodarone at steady state, there was a small but significant increase in EF (23 to 26%, p
Effects of Stem Cell Factor on the Growth and Radiation Survival of Tumor Cells

Abstract Recombinant human stem cell factor (SCF) binds to the c-kit receptor on human bone marrow progenitor cells and enhances their survival following irradiation. Since the c-kit receptor has also been detected on malignant cells, experiments were performed to study the effect of SCF on the proliferation and radiation survival of a variety of both c-kit-positive and -negative human tumor cell lines using [3H]thymidine incorporation and colony formation assays. The addition of SCF to both c-kit-positive and -negative cell line cultures had no significant effect on the stimulation index (in [3H]thymidine assay). In contrast, colony formation by H69 (small cell lung cancer cell line), H128 (small cell lung cancer cell line), and HEL (erythroid leukemia cell line) cells was enhanced by SCF in a dose-dependent manner, but SCF did not promote the in vivo growth of H128 xenograft tumors in terms of graft rate, time from implantation to tumor detection, or tumor size. Furthermore, SCF did not significantly increase the surviving fraction of either c-kit-positive or -negative cell lines following radiation, and there were no statistically significant differences between D0 [defined by the slope of the terminal exponential region of the two-component (single-hit multitarget model) survival curve where slope = 1/D0], Dq (quasithreshold dose), n (extrapolation number), α, and β values for any of the cell lines studied that were irradiated with and without SCF. Finally, nude mice with transplanted human LG425 cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (c-kit positive) were treated with 10 Gy with or without SCF (100 µg/kg i.p. 20 h before, 2 h before, and 4 h after irradiation). There were no significant differences in the median tumor quadrupling time between groups that received either no treatment or SCF alone, or between groups treated with 10 Gy and SCF or 10 Gy alone (P > 0.05). These results are encouraging and suggest that SCF does not stimulate tumor cell proliferation in vivo or enhance the survival of tumor cells following irradiation.
Survival of Three Commercially Available Natural Enemies Exposed to Michigan Wildflowers

Flowering plants are often used in habitat management programs to conserve the arthropod natural enemies of insect pests. In this study, nine species of flowering plants representing six families commonly found in North America east of the Rocky Mountains were evaluated based on how much they extended the lifespans of three commercially available natural enemy species in cages with cut flower stems compared with cages containing water only. The natural enemies used in the experiments were a lady beetle (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae: Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville), a predatory bug (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae: Orius insidiosus (Say)), and an aphid parasitoid (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidius colemani Viereck). The plant species that most extended the lifespans of all three natural enemies were Monarda fistulosa L. (Lamiaceae), Solidago juncea Aiton (Asteraceae), and Daucus carota L. (Apiaceae). Agastache nepetoides (L.) Kuntze (Lamiaceae), Lobelia siphilitica L. (Campanulaceae), and Trifolium pratense L. (Fabaceae) were intermediate in their support of natural enemies. One plant species, Penstemon hirsutus (L.) Willdenow (Scrophulariaceae), did not contribute to the longevity of natural enemies any more than water alone. These results emphasize the need for multi-species evaluations of flowering plants for conservation biocontrol programs, and the variability in plant value for natural enemies.
The Impact Of Extrinsic Motivational Dissatisfiers On Employee Level Of Job Satisfaction And Commitment Resulting In The Intent To Turnover

This study examines the relationship between Extrinsic motivational factors such as Perceived Supervisor Support (PSS) and job satisfaction, organizational commitment and the intent to leave. Using a sample of 46 managers and clerical support staff at a Supermarket retailer, the findings indicate that as employees’ perception of Supervisor Support increases, their organizational commitment (affective and continuance) and job satisfaction significantly increase. Also, as employee organizational commitment (affective and continuance) and job satisfaction increase, their intent to leave significantly decreases.
Discussion of Paper by Horisberger

Horisberger’s paper highlights many of the health services research problems inherent in attempting to understand the effects of medical care using available epidemiological, economic, and effectiveness data. The difficulties of using data that are collected for nonresearch reasons, such as administration, and are then used to answer specific research questions or hypotheses have been commented upon extensively and are the bane of all health services researchers. It too often leads to making heroic assumptions about the data, to complex, convoluted, and incomplete analyses, and to results couched in the most constrained terms and limited by a variety of caveats.
Abstract 234: Plasma Renin-Independent Generation of Angiotensin II and its Role in the Supine Hypertension of Autonomic Failure

At least 50% of primary autonomic failure [AF] patients exhibit supine hypertension, despite profound impairments in sympathetic activity. Plasma renin activity is often undetectable in AF suggesting renin mechanisms are not involved in the hypertension. However, since aldosterone levels are preserved we examined the status and contribution of the renin-angiotensin [Ang] system in AF. Supine plasma Ang peptide levels were measured in hypertensive AF patients [AF-HT, n=18], normotensive patients [AF-NT, n=11] and matched healthy subjects [n=10]. Despite suppressed renin activity, total renin concentration was intact in AF [16 ± 5 AF-HT vs 11 ± 4 AF-NT vs 7 ± 1 pg/mL healthy; p=0.29] and plasma prorenin was selectively elevated in hypertensive patients [2.0 ± 0.5 AF-HT vs 0.7 ± 0.1 AF-NT vs 0.6 ± 0.1 ng/mL healthy; p 1 receptor antagonist losartan [50mg, PO] significantly reduced supine systolic blood pressure [25 ± 15 mmHg at 6 hrs after administration; p
The Pluralistic Universe of Law: Towards a Neo-Classical Legal Pragmatism (O Universo Pluralista Do Direito: Em Direcão a Um Pragmatismo Jurídico Neo-Clássico)

After a brief sketch of the history of philosophical pragmatism generally, and of legal pragmatism speciﬁcally (section 1), this paper develops a new, neo-classical legal pragmatism: a theory of law drawing in part on Holmes, but also on ideas from the classical pragmatist tradition in philosophy. Main themes are the “pluralistic universe” of law (section 2); the evolution of legal systems (section 3); the place of logic in the law (section 4); and the relation of law and morality (section 5). In Portuguese Resumo Apos um breve esboco da historia do pragmatismo filosofico em geral, e do pragmatismo juridico especificamente (secao 1), este artigo desenvolve um novo, neo-classico pragmatismo juridico: uma teoria do direito baseada, em parte, em Holmes, mas tambem em ideias da tradicao pragmatista classica na filosofia. Os principais temas sao o “universo pluralista” do direito (secao 2); a evolucao dos sistemas juridicos (secao 3); o lugar da logica no direito (secao 4); e a relacao entre direito e moralidade (secao 5).