Knowledge, data, and models

The object-oriented approach to integrating knowledge data, and models is examined. Under the object-oriented paradigm, everything is an object, which is itself an encapsulation of data and methods to manipulate and access the data within the object. Thus knowledge, data, and models can be defined as special kinds of objects. Active knowledge/data language (KDL), a functional object-oriented database system is considered, covering the active-KDL-type system and functions, and query-driven simulation     

A probabilistic method for the design of power grounding systems

An improved multivariable, probabilistic method for the safety analysis of power grounding systems is presented. The application of this method is demonstrated in four examples. The first three examples illustrate the practical evaluation of one new and two existing substation grounding grids when the substation is connected to an overhead distribution system. The fourth example ascertains the relative impact of a difference between the S curve of IEC Publication 479 and Dalziel's equation for the allowable body current used in ANSI/IEEE Std 80-1986 on the validity of an exposure model based on the requirements of Std 80. In this example, the statistical data on ground faults have been taken from actual system records. Further possible refinements of the exposure model are discussed     

Comparing the motivations of Spanish and Finnish computer personnel with those of the United States

A survey of perceptions of IS personnel – managers, technical specialists and programmer/analysts – was conducted by the Association for Technical Information in Spain, using the JDS/DP, a modification of the job diagnostic survey instrument. Data were collected on fifteen job variables, related to four motivation aspects: job components, satisfaction levels, need for growth/achievement and goal participation/feedback. The results were compared with those of a similar survey for the same job types in Finland. Results were also compared with the norms developed for computer personnel in the USA. The survey revealed that personnel attracted to the computer field have a high need for growth and a low need for social interaction. It also revealed that the work itself was ranked highest among eleven motivating factors. For both Spain and Finland, the technical specialist job had a mis-match between the job's motivating potential and the employee's need for growth, compared with similar personnel in the USA. By examining the core job dimensions, managers can redesign the job to produce a match between these two major components of motivation.     

Keynote paper: Architectures for integrating manufacturing activities and enterprises

This paper is a summary of the major technical report (Williams et al., 1993) of the IFAC/IFIP Task Force on Architectures for Integrating Manufacturing Activities and Enterprises. It presents a synopsis of the investigations of pertinent architectures undertaken, and the findings generated relating to the suitability of various architectures for the integration task. It also presents the Task Force's recommendations for achieving a “complete” architecture in terms of the necessary capabilities by “completing” a currently available architecture. The Task Force also outlined how a “best” architecture could be achieved by selecting and combining the best features of the available architectures.     

Cooperation of Ito cells and hepatocytes in the deposition of an extracellular matrix in vitro

Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the deposition of extracellular matrix components in both normal and fibrotic liver are still poorly understood. We have investigated the influence of cooperation between Ito cells and hepatocytes in matrix deposition in vitro. Immunoprecipitation of radiolabeled proteins from media of 5-day-old Ito cell primary cultures showed that these cells secreted high levels of the major basement membrane components, ie, collagen IV, laminin, and entactin/nidogen. By immunocytochemistry, precursors of basement membrane components were found intracellularly, but only scarce deposits were seen around the cells. When hepatocytes were added to 2-day-old Ito cell primary cultures, they established close contacts with Ito cells in less than 24 hours and expressed ZO-1, a tight junction-associated protein not detectable in standard hepatocyte culture. Cytochemistry analysis revealed an abundant extracellular matrix deposited over hepatocyte cords and between hepatocytes and Ito cells. Immunocytochemistry studies showed that this matrix contained laminin, fibronectin, and collagens proIII and IV. These data indicate that a high level of matrix protein synthesis by liver cells in vitro is not sufficient to induce extracellular matrix deposition, and that cell-cell interactions are strongly involved in this process. Hepatocyte/Ito cell co-culture, which may reflect the actual situation in vivo, represents a useful tool for studying liver fibrogenesis.     

Effect of cyclosporin on the activity of cytidine deaminase and adenosine deaminase in the serum and polymorphonuclear leukocytes of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Cytidine deaminase (CDA) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) were investigated in the serum and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) of healthy controls and ten patients with rheumatoid arthritis before and during cyclosporin therapy. CDA was significantly raised in the serum and decreased in the cells of patients. A dramatic increase (10-fold or more) in CDA activity was observed in the cells of some patients after only one month of cyclosporin therapy. Serum CDA significantly increased after three months' therapy. While the increase in serum CDA level during therapy was transient, the enzyme level in cells remained permanently raised, as shown in two patients evaluated for sixteen months. ADA in the serum of RA patients was somewhat higher as compared with healthy controls and remained almost unchanged during cyclosporin therapy. ADA activity in the cells also increased, but compared with the increase in CDA activity this increase was lower. Cyclosporin increased both CDA and ADA activities in PMNLs of RA patients. The dramatic increase in CDA observed in PMNLs of patients could be the cause of the transient increase in CDA in the serum. Further investigations will show to what extent this property of cyclosporin can reflect the immunoregulatory effect of this drug.     

Nonlinear electrical transport in K-TCNQ at low temperatures

A remarkable nonlinearity has been observed for electric transport in K-TCNQ (potassium tetracyanoquinodimethane) quasi-one-dimensional conductor. The negative differential resistance region appears afterV _m (turn over voltage), beyond which voltage goes down with increase of current. A possible mechanism is discussed in terms of dynamics of charged solitons and domain walls in one-dimensional molecular stacks of these types of crystals.     

Dopamine D2 receptor signaling via the arachidonic acid cascade: modulation by cAMP-dependent protein kinase A and prostaglandin E2

Recent studies have shown that, in Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with D2-receptor cDNA, CHO(D2) cells, D2 agonists are potent in enhancing the release of [3H]arachidonic acid (AA) induced by stimulation of constitutive purinergic receptors or by application of Ca2+ ionophores. This facilitatory action is further amplified by the concomitant activation of D1 receptors, which per se have no effect on evoked [3H]AA release. Here, we review a series of experiments aimed at examining the molecular mechanism of this synergistic interaction. The results show that, in CHO(D2) cells: (a) application of 8-Br-cAMP or stimulation of constitutive prostaglandin (PG)E2 receptors augment the AA response produced by D2 agonists; (b) in CHO(D2) cells transfected with human beta 2-receptor cDNA, the beta-agonist, isoproterenol, produces a similar effect; (c) the potentiation of [3H]AA release produced by PGE2 and 8-Br-cAMP is prevented by overexpressing either a protein inhibitor of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) or a mutated form of pKA regulatory subunit incapable of binding cAMP; (d) mock-synergism is obtained in CHO(D2) cells overexpressing the catalytic subunit of PKA; (e) PGE2 is a major AA metabolite in stimulated CHO(D2) cells and its formation may contribute to the effect of D2 agonists on AA release. The results indicate that cAMP-induced activation of PKA represents a likely molecular basis for D1/D2 receptor synergism on AA release. They also suggest that additional membrane receptors, colocalized with D2 and positively linked to adenylyl cyclase, may exert a similar action. Furthermore, stimulation of PGE2 receptors by endogenously produced prostaglandin may participate in AA signaling at the D2 receptor, by providing a paracrine positive feedback loop.