Microphysics and Radiative Properties of Cirrus: Instrumentation and Analysis

This section summarizes the scientific questions which originated with participation in FIRE II in Coffeyville KA, evolved through participation in several field projects related to FIRE and culminated in participation in FIRE III in the Arctic in March / May 1998. It is noted that many of the ideas generated in FIRE II 1992 - 1995 and published under the grant involving the role of CCN in cirrus formation have been followed through in this grant and have also been central in the ideas for work under the SUCCESS project and the laboratory work currently supported by NSF

CCN Family: Matricellular Proteins in Cartilage and Bone Development

The extracellular matrix is the intricate scaffolding which surrounds and supports cells and helps to organize them into tissues and organs. The CCN family of matricellular proteins helps to regulate and modulate production, degradation, and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. In this chapter, we review the extracellular matrix of cartilage and bone, including an overview of chondrogenesis and skeletogenesis, and summarize the importance of the CCN proteins in establishment of the skeletal system. CCN proteins have both positive and negative regulatory roles in skeletal development, and their abnormal expression is related to the pathogenesis of several diseases observed in cartilage and bone that arise when inflammation or tissue injury becomes chronic, including fibrosis, arthritis, and cancer. Understanding the biological functions of the CCN proteins within this context offers opportunities for developing therapeutics by targeting CCN functions