cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CELL TYPE-SPECIFIC TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVATION AND SUPPRESSION OF THE ALPHA1B ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR GENE MIDDLE PROMOTER BY NUCLEAR FACTOR 1

Nuclear factor 1 (NF1) has been reported to be a transcriptional activator for some genes and a transcriptional silencer for others. Here we report that in Hep3B cells, cotransfection of NF1/L, NF1/Red1, or NF1/X with the alpha1B adrenergic receptor (alpha1BAR) gene middle (P2) promoter increases P2 activity to more or less the same degree, whereas in DDT1 MF-2 cells cotransfection of NF1/L or NF1/Red1 causes a small but statistically significant decrease in the P2 promoter activity, and NF1/X causes a greater, 70% inhibition. Further experiments using truncated NF1/X mutants indicate that NF1/X contains both positive and negative regulatory domains. The positive domain, located between amino acids 416 and 505, is active in Hep3B cells, whereas the negative domain, located between amino acids 243 and 416, is active in DDT1 MF-2 cells. These functional domains are also capable of regulating transcription when isolated from their natural context and fused into the GAL4 binding domain. Furthermore, NF1 affinity purified from rat liver nuclear extracts copurified with a non-DNA binding protein, which can bind to the P2 promoter of the alpha1BAR gene via interacting with NF1. Taken together, these findings indicate that NF1/X contains both activation and suppression domains that may be recognized and modulated by cell type-specific cofactors. This may be one of the mechanisms whereby NF1 can activate or suppress the expression of different genes, and it may also underlie the tissue-specific regulation of the alpha1B AR gene.
How Should Allergists Deal With Local Reactions to Allergen Immunotherapy

Despite the well-known benefits of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), adverse reactions include both local reactions (LRs) and systemic reactions. An LR is a well-known adverse event associated with SCIT injections and is defined as any swelling located at or near the injection site following allergen injection. Concerns that LRs might predict systemic reactions have historically motivated allergists to dose adjust for LRs. More recent data have dispelled this notion, although many allergists continue to dose adjust for other reasons. This article discusses the historical response to LRs and dose adjustments and reviews the most recent literature addressing LRs to SCIT. Treatment options, although they are either unproven or not studied, are offered as an alternative to routine dose adjustments for LRs. Education remains the foundation of physician-patient communication concerning LRs.
A new hybrid block-matching motion estimation algorithm

A fast and efficient hybrid block-matching motion estimation algorithm is proposed in this paper. The fact that motion characteristics are relatively stable in a GOP (group of pictures) is utilized to reduce the computation burden without quality degradation. For P-frames, a multi-resolution block-matching algorithm is used. At the coarsest level, edge information is used to reduce searching positions before an exhaustive search. At the finer levels, only the several candidates chosen at the upper level are verified. For B-frames, MAE (mean absolute error) is used not only for the matching criteria, but also for classifying the macroblocks with the motion information extracted from P-frames. Concurrently, the search window size is adjusted using the contribution of different motion range to the improvement of the picture quality with motion compensation. When the decoded I-frame and P-frames are used as the reference, experimental results show that reconstructed digital frames have even better quality than the full search algorithm in terms of PSNR, under MPEG-1 coding environment.
What’s so Special about Special Visceral?

The brainstem is classically divided into functional columns including special and general subdivisions for somatic and visceral components. The term ‘special visceral motor’ is applied to branchiomot
Landscape reshaping algorithm for additive neural networks with application to graph mapping problems

A neural network based algorithm for problems in nonconvex optimisation is described. The algorithm restricts the search by exploiting the properties of the parameter space. It keeps the initial point fixed and reshapes the energy function so that, in the neighbourhood of an arbitrary initial condition, basins of attraction are formed corresponding to valid solutions first and then these basins are made deeper to improve the quality. This algorithm was applied to both the travelling salesman problem (TSP) and the graph mapping problem (GMP) and good results were obtained.
Methods for ad-hoc delineation and analysis of categories of spatio-temporal events

Analysts are faced with increasing volume and complexity of spatially and spatio-temporally referenced events to analyze. One means of taming this volume and complexity is to develop methods and tools that can identify patterns, including spatio-temporal structure like clusters, in event data. To understand these methods and tools, we first present some of the motivation for the work, and then we detail the software architecture that we will use to support categorical analysis of spatio-temporal events.Methods for analyzing spatial events, and spatio-temporal events, have experienced a recent renaissance. This upsurge in interest has occurred in part because of novel high-quality event sources which can provide complex data with geographic and temporal referents. Examples of such event sources include geographically located Twitter postings linked to documents, or photographs and video taken with GPS-enabled mobile phones. The products of these event sources are a vast stream of events that are linked with heterogeneous and voluminous data, including textual, imagery data as well as numerical data. One of the ways of making numerical sense of such heterogeneous data is to consider the text or media as a set of tagged categories. We can then apply methods for detecting structure in spatio-temporal events, including recently developed methods for disease outbreak detection, to these categories.We are developing methods and associated software that will allow users to tag or label events, analyze them, and interact with visual representations of the event structure detected by the analysis. An integrated software system, called STempo, will provide the user with a fixed set of analysis tools and coordination topology to work from. The category tagging and structure detection tools will also be worked into the larger set of tools available in the GeoViz Toolkit, an interactive system for geographic visualization and analysis.
Ground State Energy Estimation of Jellium Systems by Spatial Gridding

A numerical approach to estimate the ground state energy of jellium systems is explored. In this approach, the space occupied by the system is gridded, with individual grid elements small enough that the electron density within an element is considered constant. The energy of an element is then a function (and not functional) of its electron density in a given environment and the total energy of the system is obtained by summing the contributions from all the elements. A self-consistent field procedure to optimize the grid densities is then carried out resulting in the ground state energy of the system. The method is tested for known atomic and jellium models to show its validity. This approach shows enough flexibility to handle the irregular jellium shapes.
Modeling post-tillage soil structural dynamics: a review

Abstract Tillage modifies the soil structure to create conditions favorable for plant growth. However, the resulting loose structure is susceptible to collapse by internal capillary forces and external compactive stresses with concurrent changes in soil hydraulic properties. Presently, limited understanding of these complex processes often leads to consideration of the soil plow-layer as a static porous medium. Our objective is to provide a review of recent progress in modeling soil structural dynamics at the pore-scale, based on soil mechanical and rheological properties. The basic geometrical framework of the models was a cubic arrangement of monosized spherical aggregates (other arrangements are discussed). The process of soil aggregate rejoining by capillary forces was modeled by considering the rate of energy dissipation due to viscous deformation of wet soil, and corresponding energy release due to reconfiguration of water capillary menisci. The model was complemented by independent rheological characterization of soil that provides control on the rate as well as the onset and termination of aggregate coalescence. The model was also adapted for consideration of steady stress (such as overburden) acting upon the unit cells. Unlike steady stress, transient stress (such as traffic) is applied for too short of a period to allow for total energy dissipation by viscous deformation. Hence, a portion of the deformation is elastic (with a recoverable portion of the applied energy). Rheological characterization under transient (oscillatory) stress provided coupled elastic and viscous properties under several loading frequencies. Effects of transient stresses on the geometrical model were modeled by considering a combination of (i) Hertzian-type elastic strain and (ii) viscous flow of soil at the contacts. Application of the models is demonstrated using illustrative examples and rheological measurements of Millville silt loam soil. Finally, we provide an outlook for upscaling the unit cell results to an aggregate bed scale.
Development of a dual-detector X-ray imaging system for phase retrieval study

Based on a recently introduced phase X-ray imaging approach, a dual-detector prototype was developed for in-line X-ray phase imaging and phase retrieval utilizing a micro-focus X-ray source and two computed radiography (CR) cassette detectors. The system was built on a horizontal optical rail to facilitate manual adjustment of the positions of the X-ray source, the sample and the detectors. The novel design of the detector-1 is essential, it detects a portion of radiation to form an attenuation image; allows the rest of radiation to reach the detector-2 to form a phase contrast image, and the two images are used to retrieve a phase map. The two detectors are balanced for optimal phase-retrieval with reasonable radiation dose to the object to be imaged. The system was examined in terms of the linearity, the fractions of the X-ray photons detected by the two detectors, respectively and the imaging quality of phantoms. Preliminary results showed that the system is capable of phase X-ray imaging and quantitative phase retrieval.
NEUTRON PRODUCTION FROM A STEADY-STATE HOT-ELECTRON, DEUTERIUM PLASMA

Neutron emission from the plasma was observed and validated by foil activation measurements. The neutron production rate was optimum when the plasma was adjusted for quiescent steady-state operation. Four methods were used to obtain a rough determination of the energy spectrum of the neutrons. (C.E.S.)
Molecular Engineering of Liquid Crystalline Polymers by Living Polymerization. 8. Influence of Molecular Weight on the Phase Behavior pf Poly(Omega-((4-cyano-4'Biphenyl)oxy)alkyl Vinyl Ether)s with Ethyl, Propyl and Butyl Alkyl Groups

Abstract The synthesis and living cationic polymerization of 2-[4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]ethyl vinyl ether (6–2), 3-[4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]-propyl vinyl ether (6-3), and 4-[4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]butyl vinyl ether (6-4) are described. The mesomorphic behaviors of poly(6–2), poly(6-3), and poly(6-4) with different degrees of polymerization and narrow molecular weight distributions were compared to those of 6–2, 6–3, and 6–4 and of 2-[(4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]ethyl ethyl ether (8–2), 3-[(4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]propyl ethyl ether (8–3), and 4-[4-cyano-4′-biphenyl)oxy]butyl ethyl ether (8–4) which are model compounds of the monomeric structural units of poly(6–2), poly(6–3), and poly(6–4). In the first heating scan, all three polymers exhibit an x (unidentified) mesophase which overlaps the glass transition temperature, and an enantiotropic nematic mesophase. In the second and subsequent heating and cooling scans, poly(6–3) and poly(6–4) display only the enantiotropic nematic mesophase. Both in the first a...
Effect of Eu dopant concentration in SrCe1―xEuxO3―δ on ambipolar conductivity

Abstract The europium dopant concentration in strontium cerate was studied to achieve maximum hydrogen permeation. In order to determine high ambipolar conductivity, total conductivity and open circuit potential measurements were performed. Among the three different compositions of Eu-doped SrCe 1 − x Eu x O 3 − δ ( x = 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2) studied, SrCe 0.9 Eu 0.1 O 3 − δ showed highest total conductivity between 600 °C and 900 °C. However, transference number measurements showed increasing electronic conductivity with increasing dopant concentration and a stronger temperature dependence for electronic conduction. Therefore, the highest ambipolar conductivity was obtained over the compositional range from SrCe 0.85 Eu 0.15 O 3 − δ to SrCe 0.8 Eu 0.2 O 3 − δ depending on temperature. Finally, the hydrogen permeation flux was calculated based on the ambipolar conductivity and compared with experimental results.
Classroom computer experiences that stick: Two lenses on reflective timed essays

Abstract Testing the hypotheses that reflective timed-essay prompts should elicit memories of meaningful experiences in students’ undergraduate education, and that computer-mediated classroom experiences should be salient among those memories, a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods paints a richer, more complex picture than either method would independently. A quantitative approach appears to provide support for the hypotheses, revealing that students mention media-related experiences three times as often as they mention specific professors. A qualitative, close-reading approach both challenges and supports the hypotheses. The construct of media-related experiences includes mundane, instrumental encounters with computers as well as transformative experiences with them. This hybrid research methodology supports the identification of those transformative experiences and thus provides validity evidence for the use of reflective timed-essay responses in guiding endorsements of specific classroom practices.
Visually Significant and Nonsignificant Complications Arising From Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty

Purpose To examine the complications encountered after Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) at one institution. Design Retrospective case review. Methods The first 126 consecutive DSAEKs done at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary from March 1, 2006 to March 1, 2008 were reviewed. A total of 126 eyes of 113 patients underwent DSAEK. All cases were included regardless of outcome. All complications intraoperatively and postoperatively were recorded. Results Graft detachment was the most common complication, occurring in 22 eyes (17.5%); 17 of these (77%) were successfully repositioned. Idiopathic graft failure occurred in 15 eyes (6%). Other visually significant complications included graft rejection (2 eyes), choroidal effusion (2 eyes), epithelial ingrowth (2 eyes), endophthalmitis (1 eye), pupillary block (1 eye), and suture abscess (1 eye). Twenty-four eyes had non–visually significant complications including decentered lenticles, interface fibers, partial peripheral detachments, retained Descemet membrane, and eccentric trephination. Conclusions While DSAEK is a viable alternative to penetrating keratoplasty, serious complications may still occur postoperatively. While certain rare complications like endophthalmitis, epithelial ingrowth, and suture abscess may affect vision, more common complications such as decentered lenticles and partial peripheral detachments are less likely to affect visual outcome.
Development and testing of a novel microcantilever technique for measuring the cohesive strength of intact biofilms.

Cohesive strength is an important parameter for understanding and modeling the mechanics of biomass detachment from bacterial biofilms. It is challenging to measure the mechanical properties of biofilms, however, because biofilms may desiccate when removed from liquid medium and they are inherently fragile. Poppele and Hozalski (Poppele and Hozalski, 2003, J Microb Methods 55:607–615) presented a microcantilever method for measuring the tensile strength of detached biofilm fragments while submersed in liquid medium. Here we present a modification of the microcantilever method to quantify the strength of intact bacterial biofilms. Initial testing was performed on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms and on Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms grown in rotating disk reactors. The cohesive strength values were highly variable (i.e., coefficients of variation ranging from 71% to 143%) and ranged from 59 to 18,900 Pa for the P. aeruginosa biofilms and from 61 to 5,840 Pa for the S. epidermidis biofilms. The biofilms also appeared to be isotropic as strength did not vary with angle of testing relative to the direction of applied shear. Strength testing using both the intact and fragment methods was performed on five samples of P. aeruginosa biofilms, and the strength populations were not from the same distribution in three cases. Equivalent diameters for the fragments detached from biofilms during strength testing ranged from 5 to 500 µm, which is within the range of size of biofilm fragments observed in the effluents of lab-scale and full-scale bioreactors. The microcantilever is a simple yet powerful tool for measuring the cohesive strength of intact biofilms at a relevant scale. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;105: 924–934. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ABNORMAL IMMUNE RESPONSES IN HOMOSEXUAL MEN WITH CHRONIC GENERALIZED LYMPHADENOPATHY

Chronic generalized lymphadenopathy (CGL) in homosexual men may be a prodrome of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Depressed cell mediated immunity including low T-helper:T-suppressor ratios are commonly detected. To evaluate humoral immune function we immunized 9 CGL patients with pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPS) vaccine and the T-dependent neoantigen bacteriophage OX 174 (OX 174). Antibody responses to PPS were abnormal in 7 of 8 patients immunized; baseline antibody titers were absent or low, post immunization titers rose minimally and titers declined rapidly. Three patients had abnormal primary and secondary and five patients had abnormal secondary responses to OX 174 including failure to switch from IgM to IgG. One patient with a very low primary response to OX 174 developed pneumocystis carinii pneumonia 5 months later. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) of patients with abnormal antibody responses in vivo showed reduced antigen induced antibody synthesis in vitro. The direct hemolytic plaque assay was abnormal in all patients: 2 had excessive suppression; 1 lacked T help; 5 showed increased antibody synthesis suggesting a state of immune activation which might explain the reported hyperimmunoglobulinemia. These studies indicate that homosexual males with CGL have both cellular and humoral immune deficiency, predisposing such persons to the opportunistic infections which characterize AIDS.
Acute heat stress prior to downhill running may enhance skeletal muscle remodeling

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are chaperones that are known to have important roles in facilitating protein synthesis, protein assembly and cellular protection. While HSPs are known to be induced by damaging exercise, little is known about how HSPs actually mediate skeletal muscle adaption to exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a heat shock pretreatment and the ensuing increase in HSP expression on early remodeling and signaling (2 and 48 h) events of the soleus (Sol) muscle following a bout of downhill running. Male Wistar rats (10 weeks old) were randomly assigned to control, eccentric exercise (EE; downhill running) or heat shock + eccentric exercise (HS; 41°C for 20 min, 48 h prior to exercise) groups. Markers of muscle damage, muscle regeneration and intracellular signaling were assessed. The phosphorylation (p) of HSP25, Akt, p70s6k, ERK1/2 and JNK proteins was also performed. As expected, following exercise the EE group had increased creatine kinase (CK; 2 h) and mononuclear cell infiltration (48 h) compared to controls. The EE group had an increase in p-HSP25, but there was no change in HSP72 expression, total protein concentration, or neonatal MHC content. Additionally, the EE group had increased p-p70s6k, p-ERK1/2, and p-JNK (2 h) compared to controls; however no changes in p-Akt were seen. In contrast, the HS group had reduced CK (2 h) and mononuclear cell infiltration (48 h) compared to EE. Moreover, the HS group had increased HSP72 content (2 and 48 h), total protein concentration (48 h), neonatal MHC content (2 and 48 h), p-HSP25 and p-p70s6k (2 h). Lastly, the HS group had reduced p-Akt (48 h) and p-ERK1/2 (2 h). These data suggest that heat shock pretreatment and/or the ensuing HSP72 response may protect against muscle damage, and enhance increases in total protein and neonatal MHC content following exercise. These changes appear to be independent of Akt and MAPK signaling pathways.
A Film By The Aerospace Corp. Showing A Method Of Dynamic Control Of The University Of Texas 7.6m Telescope Primary Mirror

In an application of computer graphics, finite element analysis, and servo control theory, this film is part of the development of an engineering tool for studying the active control of the University of Texas 7.6m telescope primary mirror. The mirror is modelled as a ULE meniscus 0.12m thick. A sinusoidal forcing function is applied to a finite element model, and control software by Dr. R. D. Hefner at Aerospace supplies correction forces in real time to the model. The data displayed are (1)a moving three dimensional plot of the finite element mesh, with its collimating points and actuating points delineated, (2)an rms figure error, (3)an intensity plot of the image formed by the mirror surface, and (4)a plot of the encircled energy at various concentration lev-els. Rate damping is used as the inner loop of control, using velocity feedback data from the model, and an output feedback algorithm after a method by Kosut[1] is used for the outer loop. There are 36 actuation points used for the surface error control. The control software uses the first ten natural modes of vibration of the meniscus.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Towards a research agenda for prescriptive decision science: The normative tempered by the descriptive

Abstract Unresolved problems standing in the way of effective use of decision-aiding technology are related to the technology itself, the facilitation process, the decision-making environment, and evaluation of the fit among these components of the decision-making process. This paper identifies problems for which behavioral decision research has the potential to provide support and outlines relevant research to date. It proposes promising topics for future research, including the development of new technologies, alternative decision-aiding paradigms, and evaluation methodologies.
Elucidating the origin of spurious modes in aluminum nitride microresonators using a 2-D finite-element model

In this work, an approach has been developed to predict the location of large spurious modes in the resonant response of aluminum nitride (AlN) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) resonators over a wide range of desired operating frequencies. This addresses significant challenges in the design of more complex AlN devices, namely the prediction and elimination of spurious modes in the resonance response. Using the finite element method (FEM), the dispersion curves at wavelengths ranging from 8 to 20 μm were computed. It was determined that the velocities of symmetric Lamb (S0) and high-order antisymmetric (A) modes overlap at specific wavelengths. A 2-D FEM analysis showed that both the S0 and higher order A modes are mutually excited at a common operating wavelength. From this analysis, the coupling-of-modes (COM) parameters were extracted and used to compute the P-matrix and S-parameters using a 6-port transmission matrix. The P-matrix simulation was able to predict the electrical response of the S0 and nearby spurious modes. This work identified specific wavelength regions where COM has limited accuracy because of mode conversion. In these regions, the reflection (κp) and transduction (ζp) parameters change rapidly.
Court Processing Versus Diversion of Status Offenders: a Test of Deterrence and Labeling Theories

Two theoretical perspectives, labeling and deterrence, lie at the heart of the current controversy regarding status offenders. These perspectives predict discrepant effects from juvenile court and community-based processing on subsequent behavior. Using data collected during an LEAA-funded evaluation of Connecticut's Deinstitutionalization of Status Offenders Project, this paper compares the effects of diversion programs with those of juvenile court processing on subsequent delin quency. The results indicate that it makes no difference, with respect to official re cidivism, whether status offenders experience juvenile court processing or a diver sion program. Thus, there is no support for one program over the other on the basis of either deterrent or negative labeling effects.
Trapping and identification of the dichloroacetate radical from the reductive dehalogenation of trichloroacetate by mouse and rat liver microsomes

A key question in the risk assessment of trichloroethylene (TRI) is the extent to which its carcinogenic effects might depend on the formation of dichloroacetate (DCA) as a metabolite. One of the metabolic pathways proposed for the formation of DCA from TRI is by the reductive dehalogenation of trichloroacetate (TCA), via a free radical intermediate. Although proof of this radical has been elusive, the detection of fully dechlorinated metabolites in the urine and the formation of lipid peroxidation by-products in microsomal incubations with TCA argue for its existence. We report here the trapping of the dichloroacetate radical with the spin-trapping agent PBN, and its identification by GC/MS. The PBN/dichloroacetate radical adduct was found to undergo an intramolecular rearrangement during its extraction into organic solvent. An internal condensation reaction between the acetate and the nitroxide radical moieties is hypothesized to form a cyclic adduct with the elimination of an OH radical. The PBN/dichloroacetate radical adduct has been identified by GC/MS in both a chemical Fenton system and in rodent microsomal incubations with TCA as substrate.
General solutions with solitary patterns for the defocusing branch of the nonlinear dispersive K(n,n) equations in higher dimensional spaces

In this work, the defocusing branch of the genuinely nonlinear dispersive K(n,n) equation that exhibits solutions with solitary patterns is investigated. The equation, with constant coefficients to the derivatives, is examined in one-, two- and three-dimensional spaces. General formulas for solutions with solitary patterns are developed for all positive integers n,n>1. Two sets of entirely new formulas, one set produces solutions for even integers n whereas the second set produces solutions in opposite directions for odd integers n,n>1, are established.
Changes in plasma prolactin and catecholamine metabolite levels following acute needle stick in children

Changes in plasma levels of prolactin (PRL), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) following insertion of an indwelling catheter into a forearm vein were assessed in 11 boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Results indicated decreases in plasma PRL and HVA, but not MHPG, from the time of needle stick until 105 min post-insertion. These data indicate a significant increase in plasma PRL and HVA in children following needle stick which gradually decreases over a 1.5-2-h period. These stress-induced changes indicate that values obtained immediately after needle insertion cannot be assumed to accurately reflect baseline levels.
What can adaptive management do for our fish, forests, food, and biodiversity?

Society invests heavily in science and research aimed at providing guidance on how to manage biological resources, yet the world is filled with too many management failures. Why is this? One reason is that the task itself is so difficult—the environment varies, we never really know the underlying processes that drive population change, and observation errors can be very large when we study populations in the wild. But worse than uncertainty itself is the fact that we tend to underestimate uncertainty. We place too much confidence in our assessment and forecasting models. Fisheries, conservation, and pest control have much to gain by embracing so-called adaptive management. Adaptive management forces us to acknowledge uncertainty, and to follow a plan by which decisions are modified as we learn by doing. Indeed, we can expect little more than continued failures if adaptive management is not adopted in a determined and widespread fashion. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An alternative view of diffusion-induced grain boundary motion

Abstract Diffusion-induced grain boundary motion (DIGM) is interpreted as the manifestation of a solute-induced structural transformation within the boundary. The transformation results in a supersaturation of the daughter phase, which is alleviated by a reduction in excess solute by grain boundary migration. This produces the high concentration of solute observed in the wake of the boundary. A reversal of boundary motion upon reversal of the diffusion process is attributed to depletion of the boundary solute content to below the equilibrium level, causing the boundary to migrate through the high solute field to regain equilibrium. Inability to repeat the DIGM cycle is interpreted as evidence that the solute-induced transformation cannot be repeated. Evidence is provided that the solute-induced structural transformation giving rise to the DIGM process also occurs during conventional grain growth.
Serial analysis of microtubules in cultured rat sensory axons

A fascicle of axons in an organotypic culture of rat dorsal root ganglion was analysed in 190 serial transverse sections, a total fascicle length calculated to be 12.8 micrometer. The number, position and continuity of microtubules and components of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) were examined. The 187 microtubules traced in 27 axons showed a total of 32 terminations in the series; 14 of these were 'starts' and 18 were 'stops' in relation to progression away from the neuronal soma; three tubules began and ended in the series. Microtubules overall were long, their lengths calculated to average 108 micrometer. Terminations usually occurred close to the plasma membrane but otherwise exhibited no obvious morphological specialization. Microtubules in some axons were concentrated in the periphery of the axon, a region from which neurofilaments were excluded. The relative position of tubules in the axon did not change in any systematic way (for example, by rotation) throughout the series. The SER showed marked variation in form, from the expected membrane-bounded vesicle to profiles that resembled a microtubule or a thinner densely stained filament.
Magnetic field effects on g-jitter induced flow and solute transport

Abstract Numerical modeling and analyses are presented of magnetic damping of g -jitter driven fluid flow and its effect on the solutal striation in a simplified Bridgman–Stockbarger crystal growth system under microgravity. The model development is based on the finite element solution of the momentum, energy and solute transport equations under g -jitter conditions in the presence of an external magnetic field. The numerical model is verified by comparison with analytical solutions obtained for a simple parallel plate channel flow driven by g -jitter in a transverse magnetic field. Simulations are carried out to study the behavior of convective flow and solutal transport induced by the combined g -jitter and magnetohydrodynamic forces. Both the idealized single frequency g -jitter force and the real g -jitter perturbation taken during space flight are considered. Results indicate that an applied magnetic field can effectively damp the velocity caused by g -jitter and help to reduce the time variation of solute redistribution. A stronger applied field is more effective in suppressing the convective flows and hence reducing concentration variation. It is found that g -jitter driven flows have the same oscillation period as the driving force with or without the applied field. However, an applied magnetic field shortens the transient period over which the flow field evolves into a quasi-steady state time harmonic oscillation after g -jitter sets in. The flow intensity increases with an increase in g -jitter magnitude but decreases with an increase in the applied field strength. The reduced convection in the liquid pool by the applied magnetic field results in a reduction of the concentration oscillation. The magnetic field is very useful in suppressing the spiking velocities that are induced by the spikes in the real g -jitter data. The damping effect is more pronounced if the magnetic field is switched on before the onset of g -jitter disturbances.
"An Object in its Own Domain: How Hispano New Mexican santos Are Situated In Space"

Cet article considere que les statues de saints hispaniques du Nouveau-Mexique, les santos, sont de puissants vecteurs de difference, dont le potentiel en cette matiere transcende les contextes interethniques — sacre, laic, de l’art mondial et des marches — dans lesquels ils se deplacent. En decrivant comment les santos sont investis du pouvoir de depasser les formes disparates, et comment un santo genere un puissant halo au-dela de sa propre forme, je soutiens que cette « situation dans l’espace » permet aux santos, non seulement de resister aux definitions lorsqu’ils sont places dans des arrangements spatiaux larges tels que « le centre », « la scene » ou les « frontieres », mais qu’en realite ils redefinissent ces espaces plus larges dans leurs propres termes. Ils peuvent etre alteres, deplaces et revendiques independamment des grands espaces ; aussi, ces objets qui portent en eux-memes un tel « positionnement spatial » devraient etre reconnus comme partie integrante du repertoire des pratiques culturelles de resistance ; ce sont des vehicules semiotiques « premiers » que les participants peuvent utiliser dans des contextes de revendications de position, d’autorite et d’autonomie, a travers des affirmations, des contestations ou des negociations portant sur l’espace.
Office Politics: Hiring and Firing Government Lawyers

In September of 2009, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it would not prosecute former DOJ Civil Rights Division official Bradley Schlozman for alleged false statements made during his congressional testimony about personnel actions at DOJ. As many government lawyers will remember, a July 2, 2008, report of the DOJ Office of Professional Responsibility and Office of the Inspector General (hereinafter, the IG's report) found that Schlozman had violated the Civil Service Reform Act when he "considered political and ideological affiliations in hiring career attorneys and other personnel actions affecting career attorneys in the Civil Rights Division." Often after the transition to a new administration, government lawyers wonder if their new boss will be overtly political or if they will be transferred or fired. Most government lawyers inherently understand that while consideration of partisanship is appropriate when hiring for political positions, it is entirely inappropriate for career positions. The experiences of lawyers in the Civil Rights Division should serve as a powerful lesson to governmental agencies across the country about when it is permissible to consider political patronage for employment purposes.
The Big Five Personality Factors as Predictors of Driving Status in Older Adults

Objective: Although factors including cognitive and health status have been associated with driving cessation in older adults, the role of psychosocial variables is not well studied. Previous research on young adult drivers has suggested that personality may be related to driving behavior, but this study is among the first to explore the relationship between driving status and the Big Five Model of personality for older adults. Method: Data are from the Health and Retirement Study (2008 wave, n = 4,028). Descriptive, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Neuroticism (β = −0.4511, p < .001) and agreeableness (β = −0.5058, p < .001) were associated with decreased likelihood of driving; extraversion (β = 0.4588, p < .001), openness (β = 0.5903, p < .001), and conscientiousness (β = 0.4077, p < .001) were associated with increased likelihood of driving, although results were partially mediated by including known risk factors. People who limited their driving to nearby l...
The History and Philosophy of Education: Voices of Educational Pioneers. Madonna M. Murphy. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006. pp. 402. $49.35 (paper).

The History and Philosophy of Education: Voices of Educational Pioneers by Madonna M. Murphy traces the educational innovations of prominent figures from the time of ancient civilizations to the 21...
Functional elements of the steroid hormone-responsive promoter of mouse mammary tumor virus.

Transcription from the promoter of mouse mammary tumor virus is subject to induction by several classes of steroid hormones as well as to repression by a negative regulatory element present in the long terminal repeats of proviral DNA. In order to characterize the functional elements of the promoter that in some way must respond to these regulatory signals, a number of promoter mutations were constructed, including a set of linker-scanning mutations across the entire promoter region. Analysis of these mutated promoters with a transient-transfection assay defined at least three mutation-sensitive promoter elements that are required for both basal and hormone-induced transcription. One mutation-sensitive region contains a TATA element located at approximately position -30 with respect to the start of transcription. A second mutation-sensitive region contains two 10-base-pair direct repeats located between positions -60 and -38, within which are embedded three copies of octamer-related sequences; complete disruption of this region of the promoter leads to a more severe decrease in transcription than do any of the linker-scanning mutations, suggesting that the repeated sequences may be at least partially functionally redundant. Gel electrophoresis mobility shift assays were used to demonstrate specific binding of a nuclear protein to this region of the promoter. A third mutation-sensitive region contains a binding site for nuclear factor 1 (NF-1) located between positions -77 and -63. Site-directed mutations in the NF-1-binding site which increase the apparent affinity of NF-1 for the promoter in vitro do not decrease the hormone dependence of transcription, suggesting that transcriptional activation mediated by steroid hormone-receptor complexes cannot be explained by facilitation or stabilization of the interaction of promoter sequences with NF-1 and consistent with the idea that binding of NF-1 is not rate determining in transcription from the mouse mammary tumor virus promoter. None of the promoter mutations functionally separates basal from glucocorticoid-induced transcription, suggesting that hormone induction does not make the promoter independent of any of the DNA-binding factors required for its basal activity. Images
Acute orbital complications of sinusitis: the benefits of magnetic resonance imaging.

Introduction: Acute sinusitis is a relatively common condition, which usually responds to medical therapy. In most cases, there are no sequelae or complications subsequent to this infection. However, like many acute illnesses, there are well documented complications of acute sinusitis, and in particular these include peri-orbital and intracranial spread. Objective: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of vigilance regarding both peri-orbital involvement of sinusitis and the limitations of imaging techniques such as computed tomography. An illustrative case is presented to demonstrate this. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance imaging is a valuable modality in assessing complex presentations of peri-orbital complications of acute sinusitis.
Emerging Epidemiology of Bat-Associated Cryptic Cases of Rabies in Humans in the United States

In the United States, during the past half-century, the number of humans to die of rabies dramatically decreased to an average of 1-2 per year. Although the number of deaths is low, most deaths occur because individuals are unaware that they had been exposed to and infected with rabies virus, and, therefore, they do not seek effective postexposure treatment. Molecular epidemiological studies have linked most of these cryptic rabies exposures to rabies virus variants associated with insectivorous bats. In particular, virus variants associated with 2 relatively reclusive species, the silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) and the eastern pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus), are the unexpected culprits of most cryptic cases of rabies in humans.
Central Venous Catheter Colonization by Linezolid-Resistant, Vancomycin-Susceptible Enterococcus faecalis

Resistance to linezolid is rare in clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecalis. A strain resistant to this antimicrobial but susceptible to vancomycin was found to cause central venous catheter colonization in a patient who never received linezolid.
Anatomy of pelvic arteries adjacent to the sacrospinous ligament: importance of the coccygeal branch of the inferior gluteal artery.

Abstract Objective: To describe the arterial vascular anatomy in the area of the sacrospinous ligament. Methods: Cadaver pelvises were dissected to reveal the anatomy of the sacrospinous ligament with emphasis on vascular and neuroanatomy. Flexible rulers were used to measure the coccygeal branch in five hemipelvises. Results: The pudendal vessels and nerve pass immediately medial and inferior to the ischial spine (within 0.5 cm of the spine) and behind the sacrospinous ligament. The pudendal artery lies anterior to the sacrotuberous ligament, which passes behind the ischial spine to its attachment at the posterior ischial tuberosity. The inferior gluteal artery originates from the posterior or the anterior branch of the internal iliac artery to pass behind the sciatic nerve and the sacrospinous ligament. There is a 3- to 5-mm window in which the inferior gluteal vessel is left uncovered above the top of the sacrospinous ligament and below the lower edge of the main body of the sciatic nerve plexus. The coccygeal branch of the inferior gluteal artery passes immediately behind the midportion of the sacrospinous ligament and pierces the sacrotuberous ligament in multiple sites. The main body of the inferior gluteal artery leaves the pelvis by passing posterior to the upper edge of the sacrospinous ligament and following the inferior portion of the sciatic nerve out of the greater sciatic foramen. Conclusion: Sutures placed through the sacrospinous ligament at least 2.5 cm from the ischial spine along the superior border of the sacrospinous ligament and without transgressing the entire thickness are in an area generally free of arterial vessels.
Discovery of CP-96,345 and its characterization in disease models involving substance P

Studies with CP-96,345, a potent, selective, orally active, nonpeptide NK1 receptor antagonist, have provided considerable insight into SP pharmacology. Rather than being a primary neurotransmitter, SP prolongs the nociception produced by other neurotransmitters. By controlling endothelial permeability, SP plays a major role in inflammation and inflammatory aspects of asthma, possibly by regulating the access of neutrophils to an inflammatory site. These results indicate potential therapeutic applications for SP antagonists in the treatment of chronic pain, inflammation, and inflammatory aspects of asthma, and signal a new era in the clinical management of these important diseases.
Aging of the Weak‐Field Dielectric Response in Fine‐ and Coarse‐Grain Ceramic BaTiO3

BaTiO 3 ceramics with grain sizes of 0.6 to 6 mm and relative densities of 89% to 92% were prepared by hot forging and conventional sintering from high-purity oxalate-derived powder. The aging of both the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss was examined with respect to grain size, temperature, and frequency. It is suggested that the main aging mechanism in coarse-grained BaTiO 3 is the aging of hysteretic domain wall motion. The dielectric aging is a thermally activated process and shows two aging rates when observed at a temperature of 8°C for coarse-grained ceramics
Use of neural networks for detection of artifacts in arterial pressure waveforms

Two neural net architectures are applied to the problem of detecting artifacts in pulsatile pressure waveforms emanating from catheters in anesthetized patients awaiting cardiac surgery. A three-layer back-propagation network with 21 nodes in each layer satisfactorily detected all artifacts and falsely characterized none of the patterns. A competitive learning network, although easier to build and train, did not perform nearly so well. In both cases, the networks were trained on one set of data and tested on a different set. Both sets of data were taken from an anesthetized patient about to undergo cardiac surgery. >
LANDFIRE - A national vegetation/fuels data base for use in fuels treatment, restoration, and suppression planning

LANDFIRE is the working name given to the Landscape Fire and Resource Management Planning Tools Project (http://www.landfire.gov). The project was initiated in response to mega-fires and the need for managers to have consistent, wall-to-wall (i.e., all wildlands regardless of agency/ownership), geospatial data, on vegetation, fuels, and terrain to support use of fire behavior and effects prediction systems in guiding policy and management decisions. Base layers were created in a 5-year program of research and development ending in 2009, with processes in place to periodically update fuel and vegetation lay- ers in response to anthropogenic and natural disturbances. LANDFIRE has been institutionalized as the primary data source for modeling activities aimed at meeting the goals of the United States' National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, and the data are available on-line to any user for conduct- ing landscape analyses. Data access and use are high and expected to grow with the increasing scope and complexity of wildland fire management, thus requiring continued LANDFIRE improvements and updates.