cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis/systemic vasculitis in childhood: clinical features–outcome

Background Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated glomerulonephritis and systemic vasculitis (AAGNV) is uncommon in childhood.
Influence of scattering surface inclination on the opposition effect

New observations and analyses are presented of the opposition effect on mud cracks (mud polygons) on desert playas. The enhanced brightness of the surface near the antisolar point has been previously and correctly ascribed to two sources: shadow-hiding and coherent backscatter. The observations reported here suggest that a third optical mechanism influences the OE: some parts of the mud polygon are more strongly illuminated than others, depending on the angle of incidence of sunlight. This causes the areas facing the observer and the sun to be brighter than the rest of the polygon field. This mechanism, called "dilution," also should occur in all OEs.
Development of a Novel In Vitro Co-Culture System for Studying Host Response to Native Bacterial Antigens

We have developed a novel co-culture system in which murine splenocytes are cultured with live bacteria in the presence of a bacteriostatic antibiotic. Superantigens, like staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) are important factors in bacterial pathogenicity. Research has shown that superantigens affect numerous immune cell types, either directly or indirectly, yet their involvement in pathogenic mechanisms remains poorly defined. In these studies, we utilize the co-culture system to study how superantigen pretreatment affects interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) production by splenocytes co-cultured with gram-positive bacteria. Streptococcus mutans, S. sanguis and Bacillus subtilis were tested for susceptibility to a panel of antibiotics. Spectinomycin was found to maintain a bacteriostatic state of approximately 10(5) bacteria ml(-1) at optimal concentrations for each bacterial strain. Co-culturing splenocytes with bacteria did not affect splenocyte viability and cultured splenocytes responded to mitogenic stimulation as expected. Two days after SEB pretreatment, isolated splenocytes cultured with either Streptococcus species produced 10-15 times more IFN-gamma than splenocytes from sham-injected controls; however, no differences in CD4+ or CD8+ T cell populations appeared in cultures with or without bacteria. Splenocytes isolated four days after SEB treatment did not produce significant amounts of IFN-gamma in co-culture. Co-cultures containing live bacteria produced four times more IFN-gamma than cultures containing heat-killed bacteria. Splenocytes depleted of natural killer (NK) cells prior to SEB treatment produced 25% less IFN-gamma after 20 h co-culturing with S. mutans. T lymphocytes were identified to be the major producer of IFN-gamma at this time point by intracellular cytokine staining. Apparently SEB exposure primes a response to live bacteria and the response is evident two days after initial exposure. The in vitro co-culture system allows us to observe host responses to bacteria in the context of the multicellular interdependent immune response. With this assay we can more closely 'mimic' in vivo events, particularly immune cell interactions in microfloral environments, to study how the pathogenic effects of superantigens alter this response.
Latitudinal trends in size-dependence of bioluminescence in the midshipman fish Porichthys notatus

The bioluminescent fish Porichthys notatus (plainfin midshipman), has a discontinuous distribution along the Pacific coast of North America. The fish is present from Cape Mendocino southward to Baja California, Mexico, absent off the coast of Oregon, USA, and abundant, northward, in Puget Sound, Washington. Interestingly, the population in Puget Sound lacks the substrate (luciferin) necessary for the luminescence reaction and, despite possessing an otherwise fully functional photophore system, is nonluminescent. The California population of P. notatus is uniformly luminescent south of Monterey Bay, but 15% of the speciments tested from San Francisco Bay and the Gulf of the Farallons have been reported to be nonluminescent. Explanations for nonluminescent midshipman in both Puget Sound and the San Francisco Bay area have focussed on a dietary requirement for luciferin. To gain further insight into reasons for nonluminescence in the San Francisco Bay region, the distribution of bioluminescence in P. notatus was studied from Monterey Bay to Cape Mendocino during 1985. A complex pattern of bioluminescence was found, in which nonluminescent individuals reflected neither a local anomaly in the San Francisco Bay region nor a simple gradient of decreasing luminescence towards the northern end of the range of the California population. Instead, a distinct size-dependent component in luminescence capability of the fish was observed. Aspects of the life history of P. notatus and related factors which might influence the bioluminescence characteristics of this population are discussed.
Police community service: An evaluation of program effectiveness

An evaluation was conducted of a community policing program implemented in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Limited support was found for the hypothesis that the community policing program would reduce crime.
Protein Kinase C Induces Motility of Breast Cancers by Upregulating Secretion of Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator through Activation of AP-1 and NF-κB

Abstract Cell migration is a crucial process in cancer metastasis that does not require extracellular matrix degradation—a characteristic of cell invasion. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system is responsible for invasion through uPA enzymatic activity and for migration through the binding of uPA to the uPA receptor (uPAR). Constitutively high levels of uPA are characteristic of the highly metastatic breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231, but the mechanisms underlying constitutive uPA expression are not fully characterized. In this report we show that inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) represses constitutive (nonstimulated) migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. Bisindolylmaleimide I (Bis I) inhibits cell migration and constitutive activation of transcription factors AP-1 and NF-κB, suggesting that PKC is responsible for increased migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. It is clear that the inhibition of PKC occurs at the transactivation levels of AP-1 and NF-κB because Bis I did not affect constitutive DNA binding of AP-1 and NF-κB. Furthermore, we show that Bis I did not affect the levels of IκBα, suggesting that PKC-mediated cell migration is IκBα independent. Finally, we demonstrate that constitutive secretion of uPA is repressed by Bis I, implying an important role for AP-1 and NF-κB in cell migration. Our data demonstrate a connection among PKC, constitutively active AP-1 and NF-κB, constitutive secretion of uPA, and cell migration of highly invasive breast cancer cells. Thus, PKC controls cell motility by regulating expression of uPA through the activation of AP-1 and NF-κB. The disruption of PKC, AP- 1, and NF-κB signaling in breast cancer may be used to develop therapies for breast cancer prevention and intervention by reducing the secretion of uPA.
FEAST for complex band structure problems

The FEAST eigenvalue algorithm of Polizzi [1] is extended to solve the complex band structure problem.
Periodate oxidation products derived from methylated α‐amanitin: evidence for distinct aldehydic and non‐aldehydic forms

Amatoxins are cyclic octapeptides which can be purified from various mushroom species. They have found widespread use due to their potent inhibition of eukaryotic RNA polymerase II. In the course of our efforts to prepare additional semisynthetic derivatives of the amatoxin, alpha-amanitin, we examined the products formed through the periodate oxidation of 6'-O-methyl-alpha-amanitin. Periodate oxidation under conditions of near-neutral pH yielded two chemically similar, yet chromatographically separable, products. On the basis of their proton NMR spectra and their lack of reactivity with sodium chlorite these products did not contain a free aldehydic group. However, both forms were interconvertible in aqueous neutral solution and could be converted to the same product, 6'-O-methyldemethyl-gamma-amanitin, through reduction with sodium borohydride. Periodate oxidation under mildly acidic conditions generated a single product which has properties of a free aldehyde. It exhibited a proton NMR spectrum with signals characteristic of an aliphatic aldehyde and was readily oxidized to the carboxylic acid with sodium chlorite. Conditions have been defined to synthesize the free aldehyde derivative of 6'-O-methyl-alpha-amanitin in generous yield to provide a precursor for oxidation and further derivatization.
Filling through holes and blind microvias with copper using reverse pulse plating and insoluble anodes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a summary of development work made in technical centres and on the subsequent customer qualification of copper filled through holes and blind microvias.Design/methodology/approach – Various copper deposition parameters were investigated in a small‐scale production line which was then extended to full‐scale production qualification in a horizontal conveyorised system. Samples of substrates with copper filled through holes were qualified at end‐user facilities.Findings – The copper plating process may be used to replace an existing production process for printed circuit boards. The proposed system can give a more reliable result in terms of filling and technical capability for the produced substrate. Overall production cost savings are possible.Research limitations/implications – The technology is based on a copper plating electrolyte using a redox pair for copper replenishment. The results achieved depend on use of this system and on production equipment wh...
Algorithms for extraction of spacing information from a head/tape interface

Abstract Various algorithms for the extraction of spacing information from an interferometric fringe pattern of the head/tape interface have been proposed. In this paper, a comparison of three algorithms is presented: tape unloading, polynomial fitting and Fourier transform. The relative merits of each method are discussed, together with implementation details. In an experiment with a transparent head and CrO2 tape, it was found that all methods give a similar result to within ±5 nm, with none unilaterally preferable to the others. The Fourier transform method, which has not been used for this application before, gives smooth spacing data for high fringe orders, and is less sensitive to fringe order errors, but produces noisier spacing data in the contact region.
Allocating the gains from resource pooling with the Shapley Value

To make their cost structure more efficient, firms often pool their critical resources: small divisions of a large firm may negotiate a joint contract to benefit from volume discounts; or firms may outsource their call centres to an independent provider who is able to increase utilization by reducing variability since demand is now pooled. Since pooling demand reduces total joint costs, an immediate question is how the realized savings should be shared. We model the problem as a cooperative game and use the resulting allocation schemes to distribute the savings. One popular scheme is the Shapley Value, which always exists and, we show, represents each player's incremental value to the pool. When the pooled savings depend on the sum of each player's demand, we label the game coalition symmetric and propose, for those games, an algorithm that makes pseudo-polynomial the computation of the Shapley Value.
Connections Among Quantum Logics. Part 2. Quantum Event Logics

This paper gives a brief introduction to the major areas of work in quantum event logics: manuals (Foulis and Randall) and semi-Boolean algebras (Abbott). The two theories are compared, and the connection between quantum event logics and quantum propositional logics is made explicit. In addition, the work on manuals provides us with many examples of results stated in Part I.
Self-Assembled Lanthanide-Cored Dendrimer Complexes: Enhancement of the Luminescence Properties of Lanthanide Ions through Site-Isolation and Antenna Effects

The site isolation of lanthanide cations (Er3+, Tb3+, and Eu3+) has been achieved through the self-assembly of three convergent polyether dendrons, each with a carboxylate anion focal point, around the central trivalent cation. Evidence for the self-assembly of the dendritic complexes can be obtained by a variety of spectroscopic and other analytical means both in solution and in the solid state. The luminescence properties of these new dendrimers measured both in solution and in the bulk show a dependence of luminescence activity on the size of the dendritic shell. The observed enhancement in luminescence properties can be attributed both to a large antenna effect, involving the nonconjugated phenyl benzyl ether dendrimer framework, and to a shell effect that results from the effective site isolation of each lanthanide cation within a dendritic sphere, preventing their mutual interaction and decreasing their rate of self-quenching. The site isolation afforded by self-assembly and the antenna effect provi...
Growth inhibition of Candida albicans by folate pathway inhibitors. Their potential in the selection of auxotrophs.

Growth studies were conducted on C. albicans in a glucose — salts — biotin (GSB) medium in the presence of folate inhibitors. Sulfanilamide inhibited growth which was restored by PABA or tetrahydrofolate (THF). Aminopterin inhibited growth to about the same level as did sulfanilamide, but this inhibition was not reversed with PABA nor THF, singly or in combination. Inhibition by combined sulfanilamide and aminopterin was synergistic, reducing growth by more than 90% for 48 h. The sulfanilamide component of the combined inhibition was reversed by PABA or THF to the level of that of aminopterin alone. Cytochrome synthesis was not affected by the inhibitors, but marked increases occurred in α-ketoglutarate, malate, isocitrate, and pyruvate dehydrogenases, especially in the presence of both inhibitors. The pyrimidines in combination with sulfanilamide were as inhibitory as was the combination of aminopterin and sulfanilamide, but they had no effect when added alone or in combination with aminopterin. Unlike the pyrimidines, the purines stimulated about a 50% recovery from inhibition by either of the inhibitors. Growth inhibition by combined sulfanilamide and aminopterin was overcome by about 50% by the addition of the THF-mediated end-produits: deoxythymidylate, adenine, histidine and methionine. The use of GSB medium containing adenine, histidine, methionine and the folate inhibitors but without deoxythymidylate resulted in thymineless death of prototrophic cells providing a method for the selection of auxotrophic mutants.
Acoustic Emission Characteristics of Abrasive Flow Machining

Abrasive Flow Machining (AFM) is a nontraditional finishing process that deburrs and polishes by forcing an abrasive-laden viscoelastic polymer across the workpiece surface. Current applications include improvement in air and fluid flow for cylinder heads, intake manifold runners and injector nozzles. Present manufacturing methods include a series of flow test and AFM operations which require significant material handling and operator adjustment. An effective on-line monitoring and adaptive control system for AFM is needed. This paper reports on the development of an acoustic emission (AE) based monitoring strategy and the AE characteristics of abrasive flow machining. Initial results showed AE to be a viable sensing method for determining the performance characteristics of AFM for simple extrusion passage geometries in a selected part design. The root mean square (RMS) voltage of the AE signal was mainly determined by the metal removal and related AFM process parameters. Frequency decomposition of the AE signals revealed distinct frequency bands which have been related to the different material removal modes in AFM and to the workpiece material. Research was also performed on the application of AFM to finish orifices of varying sizes. Extremely high correlations were found between the AE signal and both the orifice diameter and the volumetric flow rate. Work is continuing with the equipment manufacturer and key industrial users to apply the monitoring strategy as part of a prototype Flow Control AFM.
On the robustness and johnson's modification of the one sample T-Statistic

Cicchitelli (1989) conducted an extensive Monte Carlo study to investigate the robustness of the one sample T-statistic under non-normal parent populations. He considered a rich family of distributions, viz., the generalized λ-distribution which was introduced by Ramberg et al. (1979), as the family of parent populations. We shall address and reinforce his empirical findings by means of Edgeworth expansion of the T-statistic. As the skewness of the parent population affects the T-statistic more than the kurtosis, Johnson (1978) suggested a modification to the T-statistic to reduce the effect of skewness. We investigate the performance of this modified T-statistic under the same family of distributions as Cicchitelli considered by means of a Monte Carlo study and give some recommendations on its use.
Effect of rapid freezing and thawing on cellular integrity of honey bee sperm.

Abstract. Direct observations on the effect of rapid freezing and thawing on honey bee (Apis melliferaL.) sperm were made by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Rapid freezing of honey bee ejaculated sperm, suspended in freezing diluent, in liquid nitrogen followed by rapid thawing can cause cellular injuries which lead to the death of the sperm. The frozen-thawed sperm, supravitally stained, showed a significant decrease in cell viability compared with that of the control fresh sperm (P<0.001). Significant uptake of the stain in the dead sperm resulted from damage in the cell membrane. The scanning electron micrographs of frozen-thawed sperm further demonstrated that the injury of cell membrane can lead to the splitting of mitochondrial derivatives from the flagellar axoneme. More cellular injuries including the release of acrosomal content and membrane damage at the acrosome, nucleus and the tail regions were further revealed by transmission electron microscopy. The impact of cellular injuries on the quality of honey bee sperm cryopreserved for artificial insemination of honey bee queens is discussed.
Effects of Adaptive Cruise Control Systems on Highway Traffic Flow Capacity

The effects on traffic flow of increasing proportions of both autonomous and cooperative adaptive cruise control (ACC) vehicles relative to manually driven vehicles were studied. Such effects are difficult to estimate from field tests on highways because of the low market penetration of ACC systems. The research approach used Monte Carlo simulations based on detailed models presented in the literature to estimate the quantitative effects of varying the proportions of vehicle control types on lane capacity. The results of this study can help to provide realistic estimates of the effects of the introduction of ACC to the vehicle fleet. Transportation system managers can recognize that the autonomous ACC systems now entering the market are unlikely to have significant positive or negative effects on traffic flow. An additional value of studying ACC systems in this way is that these scenarios can represent the first steps in a deployment sequence that will lead to an automated highway system. Benefits gained at the early stages in this sequence, particularly through the introduction of cooperative ACC with priority access to designated (although not necessarily dedicated) lanes, can help support further investment in and development of automated highway systems.
Development of a functional bioassay for arylsulfatase B using the natural substrates of the enzyme.

Abstract A functional bioassay has been developed for measuring the intracellular activity of recombinant human arylsulfatase B (rhASB) on its natural glycosaminoglycan (GAG) substrates, dermatan sulfate (DS), and chondroitin sulfate (CS) when the enzyme is taken up into cultured ASB-deficient human fibroblasts (GM00519). The enzyme ASB is a lysosomal exohydrolase, cleaving sulfate from the N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfate (GalNAc-4S) residue at the nonreducing terminal of GAG structures. ASB-deficient cells accumulate DS and CS, which may be partially hydrolyzed by other lysosomal hydrolases, with the reactions stopping if a GalNAc-4S residue is reached on the nonreducing end of the oligosaccharide. When rhASB is added to the culture medium, the enzyme is taken up and translocates to the lysosomes and the intracellular DS and CS are depleted, demonstrating that the uptake of rhASB is able to restore lysosomal function in an in vitro cell-based assay. The accumulation and depletion of DS and CS are measured by digesting the residual intracellular DS and CS content with chondroitin ABC lyase and monitoring a characteristic disaccharide digestion product by laser-induced fluorescence–capillary zone electrophoresis (LIF–CZE). In the proposed assay format, GM00519 cells are cultured 5 weeks postconfluence to accumulate DS/CS, followed by incubation with rhASB (1–20 pM) for 5 days, and the CS/DS depletion profiles are compared between samples. The assay measures depletion of DS/CS independently of their molecular size or processing state; in this approach, all DS- and CS-like substances accumulating in the absence of ASB activity are considered to be natural substrates of the enzyme.
The New Economy and Global Stock Returns

This paper revisits the relative importance of global versus country-specific factors underlying stock returns. It constructs a new firm level data set covering emerging and developed markets and estimates a simple factor model, which breaks down stock returns into a global business cycle factor, global industry factors, country-specific factors and firm-level effects. The results indicate that the share of variation in stock returns explained by global industry factors has grown sharply since the mid-1990s, at the expense of country-specific factors. Foremost among the global factors is a new economy factor, which has become a key determinant of global stock returns.
Effect of incubation conditions on the nucleotide sequence of DNA products of unprimed DNA polymerase reactions.

Abstract DNA polymerase from either Micrococcus luteus or Escherichia coli catalyzes the unprimed (de novo) incorporation of complementary deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates into double-stranded polynucleotides of defined repeating sequence. The de novo reactions of both enzymes, each tested at two levels of purification, show that subtle changes in reaction conditions (i.e. pH, buffer and metal ions) markedly influence the sequence of nucleotides in the polymeric product. Some of the results are: (a) with the partially purified M. luteus DNA polymerase in Tris-HCl buffer with the substrates dATP + dTTP, poly dA · poly dT is formed only under highly restricted conditions of pH (7.9 to 8.3); the alternating copolymer is found at all other pH ranges tested (7.3 to 7.9 and 8.3 to 8.7). Also, buffer ionic strength has a pronounced influence on these de novo reactions; at low concentrations of Tris-HCl buffer (15 m m , pH 8.1), the product is a mixture of poly dA · poly dT and poly d(A-T) · poly d(A-T). However, at high concentrations of Tris-HCl buffer (100 m m , pH 8.1), the product is all poly d(A-T) · poly d(A-T). The E. coli DNA polymerase synthesizes only poly d(A-T) · poly d(A-T) under a variety of conditions, (b) The E. coli DNA polymerase in the presence of dITP + dCTP synthesizes de novo either poly d(I-C) · poly d(I-C) or poly dI · poly dC depending on reaction conditions. The variables studied were buffer composition, buffer concentration, metal ion and reaction pH. Similar results are found with the highly purified M. luteus DNA polymerase in some reactions. (c) With dGTP + dCTP as substrates, only the partially purified E. coli DNA polymerase shows a de novo reaction; the product is poly dG · poly dC. None of the other enzyme preparations give a de novo reaction (within a 50-hr time period) with this set of substrates. Results indicate that the observed product specificity under different ionic conditions is not due to preferential degradation by the nucleases which are present in all enzyme preparations. Changes in the DNA polymerase molecule are apparently responsible for the observed product specificity. These studies are of interest since: (1) they may provide further insights into the mechanism of action of DNA polymerase; (2) they may relate to the natural occurrence of some of these DNA's; and (3) they are generally useful for the preparation of DNA's of defined and repeating nucleotide sequences.
A new apolipoprotein E mutation, apoE Las Vegas, in a European-American with lipoprotein glomerulopathy

Lipoprotein glomerulopathy is a rare disease diagnosed by unique histopathologic findings of glomerular capillary dilatation by lipoprotein thrombi. The disease is caused by mutations in apoE, the gene that encodes apolipoprotein E. To date, <80 cases have been reported in the medical literature, nearly all of which are from Japan or China. Only five cases from the United States have previously been reported, of which three patients were of European ancestry. Here, we present the fourth case of lipoprotein glomerulopathy in a European-American man. Whereas prior European-American patients with lipoprotein glomerulopathy were found to have the previously reported apoE Kyoto genotype, the patient presented here was found to have a novel mutation that we have named apoE Las Vegas.
Universal Design for Instruction A New Paradigm for Adult Instruction in Postsecondary Education

Postsecondary education has experienced rapid change in its student population. College students with learning disabilities (LD) represent a growing presence on college campuses across the country. Traditional means of meeting the learning needs of college students with LD through retrofitted changes and accommodations to classroom instruction have proven limited. Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) offers a new paradigm for approaching equal educational access. This article will describe UDI and discuss its implications for enhancing learning for students with learning disabilities and other diverse learners.
A Climatology of Midlatitude Mesoscale Convective Vortices in the Rapid Update Cycle

Abstract Climatological characteristics of mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs) occurring in the state of Oklahoma during the late spring and summer of four years are investigated. The MCV cases are selected based on vortex detection by an objective algorithm operating on analyses from the Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) model. Consistent with a previous study, true MCVs represent only about 20% of the mesoscale relative vorticity maxima detected by the algorithm. The MCVs have a broad range of radii and intensities, and their longevities range between 1 and 54 h. Their median radius is about 200 km, and their median midlevel relative vorticity is 1.2 × 10−4 s−1. There appears to be no significant relationship between MCV longevity and intensity. Similar to past estimates, approximately 40% of the MCVs generate secondary convection within their circulations. The mean synoptic-scale MCV environment is determined by the use of a RUC-based composite analysis at four different stages in the MCV life cycle, defined b...
Population prevalence, attributable risk, and attributable risk percentage for high methylmalonic acid concentrations in the post-folic acid fortification period in the US

Background Serum methylmalonic acid (MMA) is regarded as a sensitive marker of vitamin B-12 status. Elevated circulating MMA is linked to neurological abnormalities. Contribution of age, supplement use, kidney dysfunction, and vitamin B-12 deficiency to high serum MMA in post-folic acid fortification period is unknown.
Synthesis of interface specifications for Java classes

While a typical software component has a clearly specified (static) interface in terms of the methods and the input/output types they support, information about the correct sequencing of method calls the client must invoke is usually undocumented. In this paper, we propose a novel solution for automatically extracting such temporal specifications for Java classes. Given a Java class, and a safety property such as "the exception E should not be raised", the corresponding (dynamic) interface is the most general way of invoking the methods in the class so that the safety property is not violated. Our synthesis method first constructs a symbolic representation of the finite state-transition system obtained from the class using predicate abstraction. Constructing the interface then corresponds to solving a partial-information two-player game on this symbolic graph. We present a sound approach to solve this computationally-hard problem approximately using algorithms for learning finite automata and symbolic model checking for branching-time logics. We describe an implementation of the proposed techniques in the tool JIST--- Java Interface Synthesis Tool---and demonstrate that the tool can construct interfaces accurately and efficiently for sample Java2SDK library classes.
From Modernism to McDonald's

Abstract Following successful 1970s efforts to save Miami Beach's Art Deco district, a preservation movement focusing on the recent past has grown nationally—championing everything from suburban subdivisions to civil rights sites. This article explores that controversial movement's efforts—including its (and its opposition's) motivations and ideologies. Proponents use broader definitions of history and significance than preservationists used previously—with age, aesthetics, and pedigree no longer crucial, instead emphasizing sociocultural context. As they fight traditional conceptualizations, deal with divisive sites, and often work without benefiting from (age-specific) preservation laws, activists face strong resistance. Nonetheless, the movement has increased in size, strength, and successes.
Variability in the Characteristics of Precipitation Systems in the Tropical Pacific. Part II: Implications for Atmospheric Heating

This paper explores changes in the principal components of observed energy budgets across the tropical Pacific in response to the strong 1998 El Nino event. Multisensor observations from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Microwave Imager (TMI), Visible and Infrared Scanner (VIRS), and precipitation radar (PR) instruments aboard TRMM are used to quantify changes in radiative and latent heating in the east and west Pacific in response to the different phases of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation. In periods of normal east–west SST gradients there is substantial heating in the west Pacific and cooling in the east, implying strong eastward atmospheric energy transport. During the active phase of the El Nino, both the east and west Pacific tend toward local radiative–convective equilibrium resulting in their temporary energetic decoupling. It is further demonstrated that the response of these regions to ENSO-induced SST variability is directly related to changes in the characteristics of clouds and precipitation in each region. Through quantitative analysis of the radiative and latent heating properties of shallow, midlevel, and deep precipitation events and an equivalent set of nonprecipitating cloud systems, times of reduced atmospheric heating are found to be associated with a shift toward shallow and midlevel precipitation systems and associated low-level cloudiness. The precipitation from such systems is typically less intense, and they do not trap outgoing longwave radiation as efficiently as their deeper counterparts, resulting in reduced radiative and latent heating of the atmosphere. The results also suggest that the net effect of precipitating systems on top-of-the-atmosphere (TOA) fluxes and the efficiency with which they heat the atmosphere and cool the surface exhibit strong dependence on their surroundings. The sensitivity of cloud radiative impacts to the atmospheric and surface properties they act to modify implies the existence of strong feedbacks whose representation may pose a significant challenge to the climate modeling community.
Ocean water vapor and cloud burden trends derived from the topex microwave radiometer

An end-of-mission recalibration effort was recently completed for Topex Microwave Radiometer to generate climate data records of precipitable water vapor and cloud liquid water for 1992-2005. The TMR climate data is analysed for trends. The global trend in precipitable water vapor is found to be 0.9 plusmn 0.06 mm/decade. Regional precipitable water vapor trends are found to be highly correlated with regional sea surface temperature trends. The cloud liquid water trends are observed to be generally negative outside the tropics and positive in the tropics.
Modeling authority commitments in two search and seizure cases

This paper proposes a method for modeling legal rules from common law jurisdictions in terms of the authority commitments they create for future cases. The purpose of this method is to capture information necessary for automated inferences about the strength of existing legal authority in favor of, or against, proposed statements of law. This data would have two potential uses. First, from the point of view of a given court and date, it would be possible to resolve the authority status of each legal rule, thus resolving conflicts between contradictory rules. Second, if the set of legal rules applicable to a particular court could be determined, it would be possible to apply those rules in a simulation of litigation in that court. The paper provides an example of authority-based reasoning by modeling rules from two cases about suppression of evidence derived from warrantless searches and seizures, and then demonstrating simple inferences about the status of those rules in federal and state courts in California.
Identification of evening complex associated proteins in Arabidopsis by affinity purification and mass spectrometry.

Many species possess an endogenous circadian clock to synchronize internal physiology with an oscillating external environment. In plants, the circadian clock coordinates growth, metabolism and development over daily and seasonal time scales. Many proteins in the circadian network form oscillating complexes that temporally regulate myriad processes, including signal transduction, transcription, protein degradation and post-translational modification. In Arabidopsis thaliana, a tripartite complex composed of EARLY FLOWERING 4 (ELF4), EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3), and LUX ARRHYTHMO (LUX), named the evening complex, modulates daily rhythms in gene expression and growth through transcriptional regulation. However, little is known about the physical interactions that connect the circadian system to other pathways. We used affinity purification and mass spectrometry (AP-MS) methods to identify proteins that associate with the evening complex in A. thaliana. New connections within the circadian network as well as to light signaling pathways were identified, including linkages between the evening complex, TIMING OF CAB EXPRESSION1 (TOC1), TIME FOR COFFEE (TIC), all phytochromes and TANDEM ZINC KNUCKLE/PLUS3 (TZP). Coupling genetic mutation with affinity purifications tested the roles of phytochrome B (phyB), EARLY FLOWERING 4, and EARLY FLOWERING 3 as nodes connecting the evening complex to clock and light signaling pathways. These experiments establish a hierarchical association between pathways and indicate direct and indirect interactions. Specifically, the results suggested that EARLY FLOWERING 3 and phytochrome B act as hubs connecting the clock and red light signaling pathways. Finally, we characterized a clade of associated nuclear kinases that regulate circadian rhythms, growth, and flowering in A. thaliana. Coupling mass spectrometry and genetics is a powerful method to rapidly and directly identify novel components and connections within and between complex signaling pathways.
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL CORRECTION TO AN EQUATION OF STATE FOR THE CRITICAL REGION

This work presents a phenomenological correction to improve a classical equation of state for representing phase equilibria and densities in the vapor-liquid critical region. This correction consists of two steps. The first step is a volume translation which locates the correct critical point; this volume translation also improves density predictions for pure fluids and mixtures. The second step provides a near-critical contribution to the residual Helmholtz energy which accounts for aomalous behavior near the critical point. For pure fluids, the near-critical contribution flattens the coexistence curve and pressure-density isotherms near the critical point. For mixtures, the near-critical contribution has only a small effect on the calculated coexistence curve; this effect is often masked by the choice of binary parameters in the classical equation which have a more profound effect on the calculated results.
Estrogen attenuates the cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to central command in cats.

Static exercise is well known to increase heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and ventilation. These increases appear to be less in women than in men, a difference that has been attributed to an effect of estrogen on neuronal function. In decerebrate male cats, we examined the effect of estrogen (17β-estradiol; 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 μg/kg iv) on the cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to central command and the exercise pressor reflex, the two neural mechanisms responsible for evoking the autonomic and ventilatory responses to exercise. We found that 17β-estradiol, in each of the three doses tested, attenuated the pressor, cardioaccelerator, and phrenic nerve responses to electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic locomotor region (i.e., central command). In contrast, none of the doses of 17β-estradiol had any effect on the pressor, cardioaccelerator, and ventilatory responses to static contraction or stretch of the triceps surae muscles. We conclude that, in decerebrate male cats, estrogen injected intravenously attenuates cardiovascular and ventilatory responses to central command but has no effect on responses to the exercise pressor reflex.
Quantitative Trait Loci for Inflorescence Development in Arabidopsis thaliana

Variation in inflorescence development patterns is a central factor in the evolutionary ecology of plants. The genetic architectures of 13 traits associated with inflorescence developmental timing, architecture, rosette morphology, and fitness were investigated in Arabidopsis thaliana, a model plant system. There is substantial naturally occurring genetic variation for inflorescence development traits, with broad sense heritabilities computed from 21 Arabidopsis ecotypes ranging from 0.134 to 0.772. Genetic correlations are significant for most (64/78) pairs of traits, suggesting either pleiotropy or tight linkage among loci. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping indicates 47 and 63 QTL for inflorescence developmental traits in Ler x Col and Cvi x Ler recombinant inbred mapping populations, respectively. Several QTL associated with different developmental traits map to the same Arabidopsis chromosomal regions, in agreement with the strong genetic correlations observed. Epistasis among QTL was observed only in the Cvi x Ler population, and only between regions on chromosomes 1 and 5. Examination of the completed Arabidopsis genome sequence in three QTL regions revealed between 375 and 783 genes per region. Previously identified flowering time, inflorescence architecture, floral meristem identity, and hormone signaling genes represent some of the many candidate genes in these regions.
Double-stranded RNA induces similar pulmonary dysfunction to respiratory syncytial virus in BALB/c mice.

Both respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A virus induce nucleotide/P2Y purinergic receptor-mediated impairment of alveolar fluid clearance (AFC), which contributes to formation of lung ...
Growth of oxide seed layers on Ni and other technologically interesting metal substrates: issues related to formation and control of sulfur superstructures for texture optimization

The current carrying capabilities of RABiTS are connected to the crystalline quality of the seed buffer layer and the stability of the metal/seed layer interface. Our study shows that the epitaxial growth of commonly used seed layers on textured Ni is mediated by a sulfur superstructure present on the metal surface. Many structural defects generated during seed layer growth (secondary orientations, in-plane rotation, incomplete cube texture) can be related to the S surface concentration and superstructure coverage. More generally, our results indicate that the epitaxial deposition of several classes of oxides (fluorite, perovskite, RE/sub 2/O/sub 3/) on several {100} fcc metals depends, in addition to chemical stability and lattice match, on the existence and optimization of S superstructures on the metal surface. On these bases, we discuss issues related to the growth of different oxides on Ni, Ni-alloys, and Pd surfaces having different chemical and structural properties.
Time Evolution of the Momentum Distribution of Bose Gas Near Condensation

This study has been motivated by the experimental searches for Bose-Einstein condensation in systems with finite-lifetime particles, namely excitons in semiconductors such as Cu2O1,2 and spin-aligned hydrogen3,4. In these systmes, particles with the properties of bosons can be created which should also undergo Bose-Einstein condensation at sufficiently high densities. Since the particles have a finite lifetime, however, one must ask whether they will live long enough for a true Bose condensate to be established in steady state, even if the aggregate of particles reaches the density and average energy necessary for condensation. This question arises because the dynamics of scattering a macroscopic number of particles into a single quantum state are not well understood.
Abstract P6-14-13: A Flavone from Traditional East Asian Natural Extract Inhibits STAT3 and Tumor Growth in a Syngeneic Mouse Breast Cancer Model

Background: Recent studies have shown that increased dietary consumption of flavones and isoflavones is associated with reduced risk of developing cancer. Natural plants/herbs used in Traditional East Asian Medicine (TEAM) have been recognized as potentially efficacious natural treatments against cancer and are enriched with isoflavones and flavones, as well as other interesting compounds. We used a novel high throughput screening method to identify natural extracts that may have a potential anti-cancer effect and identified the TEAM natural product Scutellaria baicalensis and a known active component, the flavone, baicalein. The objective of our current study is to investigate the anti-cancer effects of baicalein in vitro and in vivo. Methods: In vitro testing was performed in mouse (C3L5) and human (SKBR3) breast cancer cell lines. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis was assessed using FITC-Annexin V and PI staining with bivariate reading by flow cytometry at 48 h. A syngeneic mouse breast cancer model (C3H/HeJ — C3L5) was used for in vivo testing. Mice bearing subcutaneous tumors were either treated with daily intraperitoneal injection of vehicle or baicalein (20 mg/kg) five days a week for three weeks (n=6/group). Tumor size and weights were measured. Results: Baicalein had a marked cytotoxic effect in C3L5 cells with an IC50 of less than 10mM (data not shown). FITC-Annexin V and PI analysis with flow cytometry for C3L5 cells treated at 10μM for 48h showed a marked increase in the Annexin V positive fraction indicative of apoptosis. In vivo studies demonstrated a significantly decreased tumor growth in mice treated with intraperitoneal baicalein when compared to the control group (P Baicalein treated cells demonstrated STAT3 inhibition on western blot analysis by decreased presence of phospho-STAT3 (data not shown). Conclusions: Baicalein, a flavone from TEAM demonstrates significant anti-cancer effects due to apoptosis in breast cancer. STAT3, a well-known anti-apoptotic signaling intermediate, is inhibited in activation as reflected by decreased phosphoSTAT3 which may account for these effects. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-14-13.
Development of Universal Portable Spray Stand for Touch-Up Process in The Automotive Paintshop

A spray stand is a custom-made tool used to hold the automotive body parts as well as the devices used to facilitate the operator during the Touch Up process in Paint shop production. This paper discusses about the development of Universal Portable Spray Stand (UPSS) as a tool to hold various types of automotive body parts and model of car during the painting process. The main objective of this study is to determine the effective application of UPSS at the International College of Automotive (ICAM) and also in the automotive industry. This will be helpful to add features to the current spray stand in ICAM and to add value to the spray stand based on selected criteria which are universal, portable and cost saving. In addition, study in the UPSS is also expected to bring reduction in cycle time during the touch up process, in the paint defects and in the ergonomics issues among the operators.
Complex Litigation: Negative Value Suits

This paper is a commentary and analysis of the so-called “negative value suit” in the class action arena. A negative value lawsuit is so named because the class consists of hundreds or thousands of individual claims, each claim with very small value. The theory is that an individual with such a small claim will be unable to pursue legal relief, because no attorney would be willing to undertake representation where the stakes are so low and the possibility of recovering a reasonable attorney’s fee is equally remote. Thus, the only feasible way for negative value claims to be pursued is through the aggregation of such claims in a class action, where a class attorney is more likely to be willing to undertake representation, and there is a prospect of recovery of a reasonable attorney’s fee from a class-wide judgment or settlement. The archetype of the negative value suit is the minor fee overcharging on a routine bill, such as a telephone invoice or on a credit card statement. The Supreme Court in Amchem v. Windsor acknowledged that the primary purpose of the Rule 23(b)(3) class action was to provide a vehicle for the prosecution of such negative value suits. This article discusses the varied approaches of the lower federal courts to determine whether a proposed litigation presents a negative value litigation that is suitable for certification under Rule 23(b)(3).