cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Covalent Attachment of Ribonucleotides at 3′-Hydroxyl Ends of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Catalyzed by Deoxyribonucleic Acid-dependent Ribonucleic Acid Polymerase of Escherichia coli

Abstract DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of Escherichia coli catalyzes covalent attachment of ribonucleotides at 3'-hydroxyl termini of synthetic as well as naturally occurring DNAs. Incorporation of a single ribonucleotide occurs at 3'-hydroxyl termini of poly[d(A-T)] in the presence of ATP or UTP, at termini of poly[(dG)·(dC)] in the presence of CTP or GTP and at termini of nicked colicin E1 DNA (termini introduced by the action of pancreatic DNase) in the presence of each of the four ribonucleotides. This end addition reaction occurs optimally over a broad pH range (7 to 10) and differs from general transcription in a number of properties. It is more than 20 times less sensitive to the action of streptolydigin than RNA synthesis. Furthermore, it is inhibited only 80 % by 60 µg per ml of rifampicin while RNA synthesis is inhibited more than 95 % by 5 µ per ml of this drug. Ribonucleotide(s) can thus be attached at 3'-hydroxyl termini of DNA under conditions where synthesis of free RNA is inhibited. While the initiation reaction leading to RNA synthesis is specific for purines (ATP and GTP), the end addition reaction shows no preferences for purines. The salt sensitivity and the rate of incorporation of AMP on poly[d(A-T)] parallels that of CMP on poly[(dG)·(dC)] but not GMP. In the absence of the σ subunit of RNA polymerase AMP and UMP end addition on poly [d(A-T)] show identical kinetics. In the presence of the σ subunit, however, AMP incorporation ceases within 10 min and no further incorporation occurs for at least 30 min. On a molar basis, the amount of AMP incorporated is equal to approximately 30 to 50 % of the added RNA polymerase which, as previously shown, corresponds to the proportion of active enzyme molecules (Wickner, S., Hurwitz, J., Nath, K., and Yarbrough, L. (1972) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 48, 619–627). Estimation of active RNA polymerase molecules can thus be obtained by end addition measurement. RNA chains are formed at 3'-hydroxyl termini of poly[d(A-T)] in the presence of ATP and UTP, and at the termini of nicked colicin E1 DNA in the presence of all four ribonucleotides. This covalently attached RNA, when isolated after heating in formaldehyde, Cs2SO4 banding, and removal of DNA by treatment with pancreatic DNase, shows a size distribution of 4 S for poly(A-U) and 4 to 10 S for RNA synthesized from nicked colicin E1 DNA. Formation of RNA covalently attached to nicked colicin E1 DNA is favored by the absence of the σ subunit of RNA polymerase, relatively low concentration of a single ribonucleoside triphosphate (20 to 50 µm), short incubation periods at 37° (less than 5 min), and a high ratio of DNA to RNA polymerase. While RNA polymerase holoenzyme catalyzes the synthesis predominantly of free RNA, the core enzyme preparations, depleted of σ subunit, synthesize predominantly covalently attached RNA at 3'-hydroxyl termini of DNA. Core enzyme preparations are also capable of initiating free RNA synthesis to a limited extent.
Ketopantoyl lactone and ketopantoic acid reductases. Characterization of the reactions and purification of two forms of ketopantoyl lactone reductase.

Abstract Spectral and chromatographic data as well as methods for synthesis of 14C-labeled ketopantoic acid, ketopantoyl lactone, pantoic acid, and pantoyl lactone are presented. The products of ketopantoic acid and ketopantoyl lactone reductases were characterized as pantoic acid and pantoyl lactone, respectively. Unlike pantoyl lactone, ketopantoyl lactone spontaneously hydrolyzes and has a half-life of 2.2 min at pH 7. Purification of ketopantoyl lactone reductase resulted in the separation of two nearly homogeneous forms of the enzyme. Both forms have nearly the same molecular weight (27,000) and exhibit similar kinetic properties. The Michaelis constants of ketopantoyl lactone and NADPH, respectively, are 14 and 62 µm with Form A of the enzyme and 31 and 39 µm with Form B of the enzyme. Each has a molecular activity of about 2,700. A potential function of the enzyme for cell division is discussed.
Interaction of single-strand binding protein and RecA protein at the single-stranded DNA site

Escherichia coli single-strand binding protein (SSB), which participates in DNA replication, also plays a role in DNA repair and induction of SOS functions. We show that the formation of RecA-dATP-single-stranded DNA complexes is influenced by the presence of SSB. In equilibrium reactions with limiting bacteriophage fd DNA, the mutant SSB113 protein competes more effectively than SSB with RecA protein for sites on the DNA. This result can account for the inability of strain ssb113 to amplify RecA protein synthesis and induce λ prophage. SSB fails to displace RecA protein completely, even at very high concentrations. Both proteins inhibit the dATPase activity of RecA protein in spite of a large proportion of RecA protein still complexed to single-stranded DNA. Analysis of the multiple RecA protein activities and how they respond to the presence of SSB suggests that they fall into two distinct classes. Those that are enhanced by SSB (proteolysis and strand assimilation) and those inhibited by SSB (NTPase, reannealing of complementary single-stranded DNA). We propose a two-state model of conformational change of RecA protein, affected by the number of available free bases in single-stranded DNA relative to the number of RecA monomers, that would explain the choice of mutually exclusive catalytic activities.
Structural principles that govern the peptide-binding motifs of class I MHC molecules.

The peptides that bind class I MHC molecules are restricted in length and often contain key amino acids, anchor residues, at particular positions. The side-chains of peptide anchor residues interact with the polymorphic complementary pockets in MHC peptide-binding grooves and provide the molecular basis for allele-specific recognition of antigenic peptides. We establish correlations between class I MHC specificities for anchor residues and class I MHC sequence markers that occur at the polymorphic positions lining the structural pockets. By analyzing the pocket structures of nine crystallized class I MHC molecules and the modeled structures of another 39 class I MHC molecules, we show that class I pockets can be classified into families that are distinguishable by their common physico-chemical properties and peptide side-chain selectivities. The identification of recurrent structural principles among class I pockets makes it possible to greatly expand the repertoire of known peptide-binding motifs of class I MHC molecules. The evolutionary strategies underlying the emergence of pocket families is briefly discussed.
Successful treatment of metastatic sarcomas with cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, and DTIC (CAD)

Fifty consecutive adults with sarcoma were treated with Adriamycin (45 mg/m2) on day 1, cyclophosphamide (500 mg/m2) on day 2, and DTIC (400 mg/m2) on days 1 and 2 (CAD). Of the 23 patients with measurable metastatic disease, 4 patients (17%) had a complete response, 9 patients (39%) had a partial response, 5 patients (22%) had stabilization, but 5 patients (22%) did not respond. The actuarial survival of complete and partial responders was 31.5 months compared to 5.5 months for non-responders (P < .005). Chemotherapy doses were escalated to a median lowest white count of 700 cells/mm3. Acute gastrointestinal toxicity and alopecia occurred in all patients. CAD differed from previously reported combinations by omission of vincristine, a two-day dose schedule and dose rate intensification. CAD is recommended for patients with metastatic sarcoma.
Activation of Gene Expression by a Non-transforming Unmyristylated-SH3-Deleted Mutant of Src Is Dependent upon Tyr-527

v-Src transcriptionally induces gene expression by activating several transcriptional response elements such as the serum response element (SRE), the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) response element (TRE), and the c-AMP response element (CRE) found in the promoters of several proliferation-related immediate early genes. We report here that a Src protein, with a deletion in the SH3 domain and lacking a membrane localization signal, strongly activates gene expression mediated by SRE, TRE and CRE transcriptional control elements. This mutant was unable to cause cellular transformation, suggesting that activation of these transcriptional control elements is not sufficient for the induction of a transformed phenotype by Src. Interestingly, the ability of the membrane localization and SH3 deletion mutant to activate gene expression was abolished upon conversion of the C-terminal inhibitory Tyr-527 to Phe. These data suggest the existence of previously unreported Tyr-527-dependent activation of intracellular signals that activate gene expression. These data raise the possibility that Src may exert physiological effects via an interaction between Tyr-527 and an SH2-containing protein that would interact with the phosphorylated form of Tyr-527.
Derivation of equivalent gust effect factors for wind loading on low-rise buildings through Database-Assisted-Design approach

Abstract The method for the simulation of extreme wind loading on low-rise buildings, currently adopted by most civil engineering Standards, is based on the concept of “gust effect factor” (GEF). The GEF is a dimensionless coefficient that quantifies the effect of turbulence on wind pressure distribution and enables the assessment of maximum external loading and internal forces in the structure from the analysis of the mean wind pressure scenario. The GEF is employed because a direct quantification of unsteady pressures, usually requiring detailed wind tunnel investigation, is sometimes uneconomical for a “simplified” low-rise building. This study analyzes different methods for the assessment of wind loading, utilizing the GEF. These include the approach employed by the Standard of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE-7), the guidelines of the Seventh Edition of the Massachusetts Building Code (780-CMR) and the Database-Assisted-Design (DAD) approach. The DAD, developed by the National Institute for Standard and Technology, is a rational approach for the structural design against extreme winds, which employs a large database of wind tunnel test results. A set of simulated loading scenarios on rectangular low-rise gabled-roof buildings with various floor-plan dimensions and heights was employed. Wind loading analyses were restricted to enclosed buildings and primarily based on external pressures. The performance of the main wind force resisting system was analyzed. Two-dimensional lateral frames were considered. Peak values of the bending moments at critical locations were evaluated through the DAD procedure, and transformed into “equivalent gust effect factors” (EGEF) for comparison with ASCE-7 and 780-CMR. It was found that ASCE-7 always predicts an increment in the GEF with the height of the building, while the DAD estimations suggest that, for a large building, the EGEF should decrease with the height. Moreover, ASCE-7 can under-predict the magnitude of the gust effects is some cases. Finally, a relative increment in the EGEF was recorded between a large and a small floor-plan building, which is partially incompatible with the equivalent reduction of loading indicated by 780-CMR for “one and two family dwellings and townhouses”.
Synchronous extreme spectral variability of BE Ursae Majoris

BE Ursae Majoris is a 15-mag variable star of period 2.29 days, with a sinusoidal light curve of ∼1 mag amplitude1. Recently, Ferguson et al.2 have drawn attention to this object, also known as PG1155 + 492, because of its UV excess and unusual spectrum, which they observed to vary between absorption and strong emission on a time scale of months. Here we report observations which demonstrate that the spectrum of BE UMa is dramatically variable on a time scale of hours and days, in synchrony with the 2.29-day periodic light variations. We interpret the system as a detached binary consisting of an extremely hot (T∼105K) white dwarf and a cool M star, whose upper layers are irradiated by the intense ionizing flux of the hot companion. This unique system should prove invaluable for measurements of the mass, luminosity and bolometric correction of the hottest white dwarfs.
Pathogen Filtration, Heterogeneity, and the Potable Reuse of Wastewater

Filtration is commonly employed in water and wastewater treatment to remove particles and reduce the concentration of microbial pathogens. All physical models of packed-bed filtration are based on a proportional relationship between particle removal per unit depth of bed and the local particle concentration, dC/dz = −C/l, where l is the filtration length scale. Although l is known to vary with time and filter depth for heterogeneous suspensions or “dirty” beds, this paper demonstrates that the filtration rates of even seemingly monodisperse particle suspensions under clean-bed filtration conditions cannot be described with a single filtration length scale. A new model is derived for particle filtration that accounts for heterogeneity at two different spatial scales. Heterogeneity at the scale of the pathogen and/or collector (microscale heterogeneity) leads to a slow power-law decay of contaminant concentration with distance, instead of the fast exponential decay predicted by the standard model. Heterogen...
Somaclonal variation as a tool to develop pest resistant plants of Torenia fournieri 'Compacta Blue'

Callus cultures of Torenia fournieri ‘Compacta Blue’ were initiated on a modified Murashige and Skoog salt medium (MS) with 2.26 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Shoots were regenerated from these cultures using MS medium amended with 2.46 μM indolebutyric acid and 8.88 μM benzyladenine. These shoot cultures were subjected to two-spotted spidermite (Tetranychus urticae Koch.) and the greenhouse whitefly [Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood)]. Pests were allowed to feed until such time that their populations started to decrease due to lack of food. The remaining live tissue of the Torenia was placed on MS medium amended with 2.28 μM zeatin to induce new adventitious shoots and plantlets. Newly regenerated plantlets were acclimated to greenhouse conditions and evaluated for resistance to the pest to which they were subjected in vitro. Highly significant differences in pest numbers were found in somaclones for both the two-spotted spidermite and greenhouse whitefly when compared to control plants. A wide range of variability was observed among the somaclonal population. There were significantly fewer mite eggs laid on plants regenerated from in vitro cultures screened with two-spotted spidermites than on seed sown controls. Regenerants from cultures screened with whiteflies in vitro had fewer eggs, immatures and live adults than controls.
Noise spectral density as a device reliability estimator

Abstract The measurement of noise spectral density is proposed as an estimator of solar cell device reliability. The use of associated temperature and bias stresses is investigated as a non-destructive rapid test method. A novel technique which employs the cooling rather than the heating of the device was utilized. In certain cases the predominant failure mechanisms may be derived. Data are presented on indium-tin oxide/silicon as well as p-n junction devices.
Association of a zero-bias anomaly in electron tunneling in AlxGa1-xAs with the DX defect.

A conductivity peak has been found at zero bias in electron-tunneling measurements on single-barrier GaAs/${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$As/GaAs junctions at 4 K in the dark. The spectral dependence of the quenching of the peak has been measured to extract a photoioization cross section which indicates that the peak is associated with the DX defect. Since zero-bias conductance peaks are a signature of tunneling via paramagnetic defects, the data presented here are consistent with the existence of paramagnetic DX defects.
Urban household behavior in a model of completely centralized employment

Abstract The following results are obtained from an urban residential model of completely centralized employment, first expounded by Richard Muth: Housing price falls at a decreasing numerical rate with distance from the CBD; the CBD-employed household's housing consumption and location (distance from the CBD) are positively related to preferences for housing, but negatively related to housing price (level and rate of decline with distance) and transportation costs (level, rate of increase with distance, and rate of increase with value-of-time). Some of these results are new and others are generalizations, corrections, or clarifications of Muth's original results.
Prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms in utility workers deployed to the World Trade Center following the attacks of September 11, 2001.

Background: Recent attention has begun to be focused on the effects of disaster recovery work on nonrescue workers. The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms in a population of utility workers deployed to the World Trade Center (WTC) site in the aftermath of 9/11. Methods: Utility workers deployed to the WTC site were screened at their place of employment between 10 and 34 months following the WTC attacks, utilizing both structured interviews and self-report measures. PTSD symptoms were assessed by the CAPS and the PCL; co-morbid disorders were also assessed. 2,960 individuals with complete CAPS and PCL data were included in the analyses. Results: Eight percent of participants had symptoms consistent with full PTSD, 9.3% with subthreshold PTSD, 6% with MDD, 3.5% with GAD, and 2.5% with panic disorder. Although risk factors included psychiatric and trauma history, 51% of individuals with probable PTSD had neither; subjective perception of threat to one's life was the best predictor of probable PTSD. Extent of exposure predicted 89% of PTSD cases in those without a psychiatric or trauma history, but only 67% of cases among those with both. Conclusions: Nonrescue workers deployed to a disaster site are at risk for PTSD and depression. Extent of exposure affected the most vulnerable workers differently than the least vulnerable ones. These results suggest that the relationship among predictors of PTSD may be different for different vulnerability groups, and underscore the importance of screening, education, and prevention programs for disaster workers. Depression and Anxiety 0:1-8, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. Language: en
Statistical Relations between Summer Thunderstorm Patterns and Continental Midtropospheric Heights

Abstract An orthogonal principal component analysis of National Climatic Center summer thunderstorm frequency data over Virginia revealed five statistically significant modes of variation. In some, power was spread statewide, while in others it was concentrated over a few small regions. A similar analysis was performed on the NCAR record of monthly 500 mb heights over North America, and four significant height patterns were determined. Multiple regression was used to relate the individual thunderstorm components to the upper-air patterns. The fit of each time series of the first four thunderstorm components by the 500 mb patterns was statistically significant, with approximately one-third of the variance of the thunderstorm pattern explained. A subsequent canonical correlation revealed one significant multivariate relationship. The results provide statistically significant evidence for the linkage between macroscale flow patterns and mesoscale convective storms.
Design, implementation, and demonstration of a scalable three-stage, linear add-drop wavelength-division multiplexing passive optical network experimental test bed

"http://www.osa-jon.org/features/OAN_2005.html". Feature Issue on Optical Access Networks (OAN). Passive optical networks (PONs) have the potential to be high-speed access networks. However, PONs have higher installation and maintenance costs. One way to overcome these costs is to maximize the sharing, i.e., connect as many subscribers as possible onto one PON serving area. We propose a novel multistage linear add-drop (LAD) architecture for high-capacity PONs that is flexible, scalable, and provides bidirectional and symmetric wavelength-division multiplexing data services. As a result, we can provide real triple play services (video, data, and voice) at higher rates and lower cost. We also demonstrate a three-stage LAD PON experimental test bed that employs 40 downstream wavelengths, 40 upstream wavelengths, and a 20 nm broadcast band for video and other broadcast services. This access network design can support symmetric data services up to 10 Gbits/s along with 2.5 Gbits/s of video data for each of as many as 1280 users that would be in a 20 km range.
Stereospecific synthesis of amphetamines

Regioselective addition of aryl lithium to commercially available (S)-(+)-propylene oxide provides the corresponding (S)-aryl-2-propanol. The (R)-amphetamine is obtained by conversion of the alcohol to the tosylate followed by azide displacement and hydrogenation. Mitsunobu conversion of the alcohol to the (R)-bromide followed by azide displacement and hydrogenation affords the (S)-amphetamine.
Late-Holocene rodent middens from Rio Limay, Neuquen Province, Argentina

Pollen analysis of late-Holocene amberat deposits from two caves near the forest-steppe ecotone in northern Patagonia documents a major shift from Austrocedrus-Nothofagus forest to steppe shrub ass...
RESEARCH ON CLERGYMEN: FACTORS INFLUENCING DECISIONS FOR RELIGIOUS SERVICE AND EFFECTIVENESS IN THE VOCATION

1 Appreciation is due many persons who have been willing to share with me the procedures and tentative results of research still in progress; I hope that their trust in my reporting of it has not b...
Wave-Particle Interactions Associated with Nongyrotropic Distribution Functions: A Hybrid Simulation Study

Nongyrotropic plasma distribution functions can be formed in regions of space where guiding center motion breaks down as a result of strongly curved and weak ambient magnetic fields. Such are the conditions near the current sheet in the Earth's middle and distant magnetotail, where observations of nongyrotropic ion distributions have been made. Here a systematic parameter study of nongyrotropic proton distributions using electromagnetic hybrid simulations is made. We model the observed nongyrotropic distributions by removing a number of arc length segments from a cold ring distribution and find significant differences with the results of simulations that initially have a gyrotropic ring distribution. Model nongyrotropic distributions with initially small perpendicular thermalization produce growing fluctuations that diffuse the ions into a stable Maxwellian-like distribution within a few proton gyro periods. The growing waves produced by nongyrotropic distributions are similar to the electromagnetic proton cyclotron waves produced by a gyrotropic proton ring distribution in that they propagate parallel to the background magnetic field and occur at frequencies on the order of the proton gyrofrequency, The maximum energy of the fluctuating magnetic field increases as the initial proton distribution is made more nongyrotropic, that is, more highly bunched in perpendicular velocity space. This increase can be as much as twice the energy produced in the gyrotropic case.
Resonance Raman spectroscopy of cytochrome c peroxidase variants that mimic manganese peroxidase.

Cytochrome c peroxidase (CcP) variants with an engineered Mn(II) binding site, including MnCcP [CcP(MI, G41E, V45E, H181D)], MnCcP(W191F), and MnCcP(W191F, W51F), that mimic manganese peroxidase (MnP), have been characterized by resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy. Analysis of the Raman bands in the 200–700 cm−1 and 1300–1650 cm−1 regions indicates that both the coordination and spin state of the heme iron in the variants differ from that of CcP(MI), the recombinant yeast CcP containing additional Met-Ile residues at the N-terminus. At neutral pH the frequencies of the ν3 mode indicate that a pure five-coordinate heme iron exists in CcP(MI) whereas a six-coordinate low-spin iron is the dominant species in the CcP variants with the engineered Mn(II) binding site. The H181D mutation, which weakens the proximal linkage to the heme iron, may be responsible for these spectral and structural changes. Raman spectra of the variants CcP(MI, W191F) and CcP(MI, W191F, W51F) were also obtained to clarify the structural and functional roles of mutations at two tryptophan sites. The W51F mutation was found to disrupt H-bonding to the distal water molecules and the resulting variants tended to form transitional or mixed coordination states that possess spectral and structural features similar to that of MnP. Such structural features, with a loosened distal water, may facilitate the binding of H2O2 and increase the rate constant for compound I formation. This effect, in addition to the elimination of an H-bond to ferryl oxygen by the same mutation, accounts for the increased MnP specific activity of MnCcP(W191F, W51F).
Exposure for laparoscopic cholecystectomy dissection adversely alters biliary ductal anatomy.

Background Exposure for open cholecystectomy entails lateral, caudal traction on the gallbladder infundibulum, which results in opening the angle between the cystic and hepatic ducts. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), as initially described, is done with cephalad traction on the gallbladder. We hypothesized LC exposure technique narrows the angle between the cystic and hepatic ducts, placing them at increased risk of injury.
Some Properties of Radiation from Rectangular Waveguides

Certain exact relationships between the radiation pattern and impedance characteristics of a radiating rectangular waveguide with vanishingly thin walls are developed. In particular, it is shown that the ratio of radiation intensities in certain preferred directions and the power gain in these directions are related in a simple manner to the reflection coefficient inside the waveguide. Although the information obtained is restricted in the sense that it applies to only a few discrete points on the radiation pattern, it is quite general as regards the manner in which the waveguide is broken or perforated to allow radiation. The results are shown to apply equally well if conducting sheets, having arbitrary shapes but lying on specified planes, are present in the vicinity of the radiating waveguide.
A Ca2+-Sensing Molecular Switch Based on Alternate Frame Protein Folding

Existing strategies for creating biosensors mainly rely on large conformational changes to transduce a binding event to an output signal. Most molecules, however, do not exhibit large-scale structural changes upon substrate binding. Here, we present a general approach (alternate frame folding, or AFF) for engineering allosteric control into ligand binding proteins. AFF can in principle be applied to any protein to establish a binding-induced conformational change, even if none exists in the natural molecule. The AFF design duplicates a portion of the amino acid sequence, creating an additional "frame" of folding. One frame corresponds to the wild-type sequence, and folding produces the normal structure. Folding in the second frame yields a circularly permuted protein. Because the two native structures compete for a shared sequence, they fold in a mutually exclusive fashion. Binding energy is used to drive the conformational change from one fold to the other. We demonstrate the approach by converting the protein calbindin D(9k) into a molecular switch that senses Ca2+. The structures of Ca2+-free and Ca2+-bound calbindin are nearly identical. Nevertheless, the AFF mechanism engineers a robust conformational change that we detect using two covalently attached fluorescent groups. Biological fluorophores can also be employed to create a genetically encoded sensor. AFF should be broadly applicable to create sensors for a variety of small molecules.
Emotional Thinking in the Adult: Individual Differences in Mysticism and Globality-Differentiation:

The present study explored emotional thinking in the adult using four related scales. A new Mysticism Scale assessed tendencies to use magical, esoteric, incomprehensible, and unfounded concepts and hypotheses. Two related scales (Paranormal Belief, Magical Ideation) correlated .88 and .74, respectively, with the Mysticism Scale. The Globality-Differentiation Scale assessed emotional, subjective, and centered thinking and related to unpleasant, arousable, and submissive characteristics, showing it to be the cognitive counterpart of Trait Anxiety or Neuroticism. The Globality/maladjustment relationship was confirmed by positive relationships of the Globality Scale with measures of Trait Anxiety, Depression, Panic, Somatization, and Drug Use. In comparison, the Mysticism Scale related only to Trait Arousability (a measure of positive and/or negative emotional sensitivity) and, along with the Paranormal Belief and Magical Ideation scales, was generally unrelated to measures of psychopathology.
On the number of affine families of boolean functions

Two Boolean functions, f ( x 1 ,…, x n ) and g ( x 1 ,…, x n ) are said to be affine equivalent if g can be written as: g = f o σ + l , where: (1) σ is a permutation and/ or complementation of the input variables of f ; and (2) l is a linear combination (or the negation of a linear combination) of some of the input variables of f . Affine equivalence is an equivalence relation. A general method for counting the number of affine equivalence classes (affine families) on n variables is presented, providing new results for n = 5 and n = 6, and verifying existing results for values of n ⩽ 4.
Potassium protocols: in search of evidence.

PURPOSE The purpose of this triangulated study was to evaluate potassium protocols used in clinical practice. RATIONALE Hypokalemia occurs frequently in the clinical setting and can have serious consequences. It is further complicated by the fact that it has multiple causes and patient symptoms can range from asymptomatic to death. considering the complexity and potential seriousness of hypokalemia, it is important that treatment be appropriate. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROCESS The triangulated approach included an examination of the empirical evidence, a comparison of potassium protocols currently in use, and an evaluation of the potential benefits and risks of using a potassium protocol in a sample of patients. OUTCOME There is wide variation in potassium protocols and no empirical evidence in support of or opposition to these protocols. An evaluation of the use of a potassium protocol in a sample of patients indicates that patients not on protocols are not being routinely treated according to general protocol potassium replacement recommendations. CONCLUSIONS The use of narrowly defined potassium protocols may lead to overtreatment or incorrect treatment in the complex setting of hypokalemia. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Findings suggest the need for validation of clinically significant hypokalemia, the addition of other electrolyte measures when evaluating and treating hypokalemia, and the use of routine serum potassium levels and maintenance of serum potassium levels equal to or more than 4.0 mmol/L in certain patient populations. Most important, the etiology of hypokalemia, not used in qualifying criteria on any of the potassium protocols examined, should form the basis for treatment.
Raman amplifiers for telecommunications: physical principles to systems

This paper describes the design and implementation of wide-band Raman amplifiers for fiber-optic telecommunications systems. All-Raman amplifiers permit 100nm wide systems over spans of over 1500km due to the low noise figure and reduced nonlinear system penalties. First, the enabling technologies for realizing 50-100nm transmission systems are reviewed. Then, the focus is on the key building block for wideband systems, namely the all-Raman optical amplifier. The advantages and challenges of all-Raman wideband amplifiers (WBA) are first reviewed. Then, Section 3 describes the physical principles and engineering design rules for construction of all-Raman WBAs that satisfy gain and noise figure performance requirements of typical long-haul and ultra-long-haul fiber-optic transmission systems. Exemplary wideband system experiments are described in Section 4, and then the paper is summarize and concluded in Section 5.
The Relationship of Leadership Quality to the Political Presence of Civic Associations

Member-based civic associations, or citizen groups, have two crucial roles in American democracy. They advocate for members' interests in the public arena, but also operate as Tocquevillian “schools of democracy” linking citizens to politics and equipping them with the skills of democratic citizenship. Yet scant research has examined the interrelationships of these two roles. Does the work that civic associations do in developing democratic participants enhance the work they do advocating for members' interests in the public arena? We bring together two previously disparate strands of research on civic associations by arguing that a key factor affecting the political presence of civic associations is leadership quality. We focus on the relationship of leadership quality to political presence, using data from a unique 2003 study of 226 local entities of the Sierra Club. We show that organizations with more skilled and committed leaders have higher levels of political presence. This contrasts with previous research that has focused primarily on community context and resources as explanatory factors. This study shows that political presence is related to the extent to which leaders develop their skills and demonstrate commitment to the organization.
Web‐based tax research services in academic libraries

Tax research services are now available on the Web. Other formats include print, online, and CD‐ROM. Academic librarians are faced with choosing between the formats in the face of decreasing budgets and competing institutional needs. This article first examines the changes in format of tax services and outlines those services available to academic libraries. Next, the Web‐based products of the two major publishers, CCH Internet Tax Research Network and RIA Checkpoint, are compared on a number of factors. Differences in the needs between professional and academic subscriptions are evaluated. Finally, several issues are outlined that need to be considered before implementing a Web‐based tax service in an academic library.
Solvent Effects On Protein Mechanical Stability: A Steered Molecular Dynamics Study

The solvent is an integral component in all cellular processes and solvent composition is actively regulated in the living cell. Changes in solvent environment constitute a chemical signal that is transduced into a mechanical response: a chemically induced change of mechanical properties of a protein system. In this study, steered molecular dynamics simulations are used to stretch mechanical proteins set in non-aqueous solvent environment to reveal details and mechanism of protein - solvent interactions. We explore the atomic level mechanism and measure the effect of solvent substitution on the mechanical properties of proteins. We investigate the distance to the transition state during force induced unfolding as a function of solvent molecule size and the atomistic detail and timescale of participation of solvent molecules in the transition state structure. Resulting constant velocity and constant force extension profiles showed increased stability and resistance to unfolding force by proteins solvated in deuterium oxide vs. proteins solvated in water. Solvent molecules were found present the transition state structure and involved in forming a stabilizing bridge between the force-bearing sheer topology elements. Features of the simulations were also matched with previously reported experimental results.
An Empirical Note on the Bilateral Use of a Baseball Glove by Skilled Catchers

This study investigated whether 20 skilled baseball/softball players could perform simple gloved catching with both the dominant and nondominant catching hand in the presence and absence of visual ...
Goal and Self-Evaluative Influences During Children’s Cognitive Skill Learning

Two studies investigated how goals and self-evaluation affect motivation and achievement outcomes. In both studies, fourth-grade students received instruction and practice on fractions over sessions. Students worked under conditions involving either a goal of learning how to solve problems (learning goal) or a goal of merely solving them (performance goal). In Study 1, half of the students in each goal condition evaluated their problem-solving capabilities. The learning goal with or without self-evaluation and the performance goal with self-evaluation led to higher self-efficacy, skill, motivation, and task orientation than did the performance goal without self-evaluation. In Study 2, all students in each goal condition evaluated their progress in skill acquisition. The learning goal led to higher motivation and achievement outcomes than did the performance goal. Research suggestions and implications for educational practice are discussed.
The electronic contribution to the partial molar entropy of hydrogen dissolved in transition metals

Abstract It is pointed out that the experimental value of the excess partial molar entropy of hydrogen dissolved in transition metals should include a contribution arising from the partial molar electronic heat capacity of the hydrogen within the metal. This electronic contribution can be estimated for palladium/hydrogen from its electronic heat capacity and its observed decline upon absorption of hydrogen. Comparisons of this estimate with available experimental data are made which indicate the presence of such a contribution.
Organotypic Culture of Human Gallbladder Epithelium

Abstract We have modified methods of growing human gallbladder epithelial cells in monolayer and organotypic culture. These cells were grown in the presence of fetal bovine serum and with coculture of feeder layers of human gallbladder fibroblasts. Human gallbladders were obtained from cholecystectomy specimens, and the cells were dissociated with trypsin/EDTA. Cells, which were grown with feeder layer on collagen-coated plates in the presence of 10% FBS, grew rapidly and formed islands of cuboidal cells with morphology typical of epithelial cells in culture, They could be passaged up to four times. The cells were also successfully grown by organotypic technique producing a monolayer of tall, columnar, palisade, epithelial cells. These cells, both in monolayer and in organotypic culture, were positive to antibodies for simple epithelial keratin and negative to antibody for vimentin or any of the mesenchymal antibodies. These cells respond to agonists (prostaglandin E 2 . isoproterenol) by the intracellular generation of cAMP. Secreted mucin on the apical surface stained strongly with periodic acid-Schiff. Organotypic culture of human gallbladder epithelium may serve as a cell preparation for the study of pathobiology of columnar epithelial cells.
A social comparison account of gossip.

The central thesis of this article is that all gossip involves social comparison. Research on social comparison is applied toward understanding motivations for gossip. In addition, the authors addr...
Triiodothyronine: Spectrum of Use in Heart Transplantation

Triiodothyronine (T3) deficiency, present in 85% of donors, in recipients with end-stage cardiomyopathy, and in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), may contribute to donor heart dysfunction after heart transplantation (HT). Three separate studies were performed to investigate the various potential applications of T3 in HT. In the first study, donor hearts with statistically higher filling pressures, lower EF on echocardiograms, and higher inotrope requirements were resuscitated with T3 (0.6 microgram/kg bolus) and compared to normal donors not receiving T3. All patients survived the immediate postoperative period, and at 1 week and 6 months there were no significant differences in SBP, DBP, HR, cardiac index, CVP, PCWP, or LVEF on echocardiography. The next study involved giving T3 (0.6 microgram/kg bolus) versus placebo to normal donors in a blinded randomized fashion. Although there was a trend toward less inotrope use in the T3 group, there were no other differences. In the third study, placebo (group A) or T3 (group B; 0.2 microgram/kg bolus, 0.4 microgram/kg infusion over 6 hours) was given immediately before donor heart reperfusion. The recipient groups were similar with regard to age, donor/recipient weight ratio, ischemic time, thyroid hormone levels, and pretransplant hemodynamics. Lactate from coronary sinus effluent after 10 minutes of reperfusion was higher in group A, and more group A patients required higher than baseline inotropic support. In conclusion, T3 can be used effectively to resuscitate selective donor hearts with poor function and in recipients to improve myocardial aerobic metabolism; and T3 decreases both the amount and duration of inotropic support.
Parental ratings of treatments of self-injurious behavior

This study examined (a) how parents of autistic children, parents of other handicapped children, and parents of nonhandicapped children rate, as a whole, acceptability of time-out, differential reinforcement, overcorrection, and shock as treatments for self-injurious behavior, and (b) whether these parents show differences, as groups, in ratings of these treatments. On the Treatment Evaluation Inventory, all groups consistently rated differential reinforcement, time-out, and overcorrection as acceptable and shock as unacceptable. Differential reinforcement was consistently rated as the most acceptable, but the groups differed in ratings of acceptability of other treatments. On the Semantic Differential, ratings of differential reinforcement, overcorrection, and time-out did not differ. However, shock was consistently rated as the most potent and active of treatments as well as the most unacceptable. The implications of these findings for treatment of autistic and other handicapped children are discussed.
The Accessible Region of Space and Workspace for Robots With Intermittent Flight Phases

For traditional robotic chassis driven by wheeled contact with the environment, the accessible region of space can be determined by examining the obstacles that obstruct locomotion. For robots capable of leaving contact with intermittent ballistic flights, the accessible space is not readily apparent. In order to plan robotic exploration in unknown environments, the robot must first have an estimate for the region of space accessible through the use of a ballistic trajectory.This work defines the region of accessible space for a robot capable of intermittent flight phases. This includes hopping robots, swinging robots, and wheeled robots with the capability of jumping away from contact. The accessible space will also be identified for the case where there are limitations on the direction of actuation.Since hopping can be used for climbing vertical walls in some instances, a climbing subspace is defined within the accessible space. This subspace is derived and several examples are shown.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Diurnal remote sensing of coastal/oceanic waters: a radiometric analysis for Geostationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events

Optical remote sensing systems aboard geostationary platforms can provide high-frequency observations of bio-optical properties in dynamical coastal/oceanic waters. From the end-user standpoint, it is recognized that the fidelity of daily science products relies heavily on the radiometric sensitivity/performance of the imaging system. This study aims to determine the theoretical detection limits for bio-optical properties observed diurnally from a geostationary orbit. The analysis is based upon coupled radiative transfer simulations and the minimum radiometric requirements defined for the GEOstationary Coastal and Air Pollution Events (GEO-CAPE) mission. The diurnal detection limits are found for the optically active constituents of water, including near-surface concentrations of chlorophyll-a (CHL) and total suspended solids (TSS), and the absorption of colored dissolved organic matter (aCDOM). The diurnal top-of-atmosphere radiance (Lt) is modeled for several locations across the field of regard (FOR) to investigate the radiometric sensitivity at different imaging geometries. It is found that, in oceanic waters (CHL=0.07 mg/m3), detecting changes smaller than 0.01 mg/m3 in CHL is feasible for all locations and hours except for late afternoon observations on the edge of the FOR. For more trophic/turbid waters (0.6<CHL<4.5), the proposed system is found sensitive to changes (in CHL) smaller than 0.1 mg/m3 when the air mass fraction (AMF) is less than 5. For aCDOM(440), detecting the changes larger than 0.02 m(-1) (0.08<aCDOM(440)<0.36) is found feasible for most of the imaging geometries. This is equivalent to AMF<5. For TSS, changes on the order of ΔTSS=0.1 g/m3 (0.5<TSS<4.5) are detectable from early morning to late afternoon across the entire FOR. This study gives insights into the radiometric sensitivity of the GEO-CAPE mission in identifying the changes in bio-optical properties at top-of-atmosphere (TOA), which aids in a more lucid understanding of the uncertainties associated with the surface products.
The design of a Java phone programming environment

Mobile phones present unique challenges to the implementation of a self-contained programming environment. The paper details the design of the M scripting environment for mobile phones. The goal of the environment is to make the breadth and power of the Java libraries available to anyone with a Java-enabled phone. The paper lists some of the design problems that were encountered together with the M solution. M is the only self-contained programming environment for cell phones that executes on cell phones.
A Secure and Efficient Multi-Device and Multi-Service Authentication Protocol (SEMMAP) for 3GPP-LTE Networks

3GPP-LTE networks use the EAP-AKA protocol to authenticate and negotiate session keys with mobile users. However, with the popular trend of single user owning multiple devices and subscribing to multiple services, the EAP-AKA protocol appears inefficient because its authentication is device-oriented. In this paper, we propose a secure and efficient multi-device and multi-service authentication protocol, called SEMMAP, for 3GPP-LTE networks. SEMMAP makes use of a key hierarchy and an authority-issued license to enable an authenticating server to quickly verify the legitimacy of multiple devices belonging to the same mobile user and conduct a fast key negotiation between the server and the mobile user. Performance analysis shows that SEMMAP is more efficient than the current EAP-AKA protocol under the multi-device, multi-service scenario in terms of authentication delay and storage overhead for Authentication Vector (AV) at authenticating servers.
Regulation of histone acetylation and transcription by INHAT, a human cellular complex containing the set oncoprotein.

Abstract Acetylation of histones by p300/CBP and PCAF is considered to be a critical step in transcriptional regulation. In order to understand the role of cellular activities that modulate histone acetylation and transcription, we have purified and characterized a multiprotein cellular complex that potently inhibits the histone acetyltransferase activity of p300/CBP and PCAF. We have mapped a novel acetyltransferase-inhibitory domain of this INHAT ( inh ibitor of a cetyl t ransferases) complex that binds to histones and masks them from being acetyltransferase substrates. Endogenous INHAT subunits, which include the Set/TAF-I β oncoprotein, associate with chromatin in vivo and can block coactivatormediated transcription when transfected in cells. We propose that histone masking by INHAT plays a regulatory role in chromatin modification and serves as a novel mechanism of transcriptional regulation.