cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The glucagon-sensitive adenyl cyclase system in plasma membranes of rat liver. VI. Evidence for a role of membrane lipids.

Abstract Plasma membranes prepared from rat livers have been treated with digitonin or phospholipase A under conditions which result in substantial loss of glucagon-stimulated adenyl cyclase activity but no loss of fluoride-stimulated activity. These results are thought to reflect extensive modification of the structures responsible for hormone sensitivity without destruction of the catalytic component of the adenyl cyclase system in these membranes. Corresponding decreases in binding of 125I-glucagon to the membranes are observed following digitonin or phospholipase A treatment. Both glucagon sensitivity of adenyl cyclase and binding of 125I-glucagon can be partially restored by exposing treated membranes to aqueous suspensions of membrane lipids. The mechanism of the effects of these lipids has not been established. Pure phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine are all capable of partially restoring glucagon-stimulated adenyl cyclase activity and binding of 125I-glucagon to phospholipase A-treated membranes. Of these, phosphatidylserine produces the greatest effects. Chromatographic fractions of membrane lipids produce positive and negative effects on control and treated membranes which are difficult to interpret. However, it appears that there is some specificity in the effects of the lipid fractions. These results may have significant implications regarding the relationship of adenyl cyclase systems to membrane structure and attempts to purify the components of these systems.
Learning the characteristics of critical cells from web tables

Critical Cells (CCs) are identified to partition a web table into mutually exclusive regions of stub, column header, row header, data, and neutral cells. Every table cell (including titles and footnotes outside the table proper but usually within the HTML table tags) is classified into one of six classes based on cell-features extracted from the target cell and its eight neighbors. Changing the domain of maximization over posteriors results in the assignment of exactly four CCs to each table. The average number of interactions required for error-free table data extraction can be reduced more than 75% by alternating between graphic interaction and auto-assignment.
Adaptive Transversal digital Filter for reference current detection in shunt active power filter

In this paper, an effective closed loop reference current extraction topology for single phase active power filter applications, is proposed. The main idea of the proposed topology is based on the Adaptive Transversal Filter (ATF) principle. The adaptive filter is designed and optimized using genetic algorithm (GA). The proposed methodology is simulated and tested in MatLab software. The results indicate the ability of the method to extract harmonics, inter-harmonics and noise in case of stationary and non-stationary situations. Moreover, it shows a robust detection performance under transient of supply frequency.
A Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum-sensing molecule influences Candida albicans morphology.

Summary Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that is commonly found as a member of the human microflora. The ability of C. albicans to alter its cellular morphology has been associated with its virulence; yeast cells are more prevalent in commensal interactions whereas filamentous cells appear important in opportunistic infections. C. albicans encounters a multitude of other microbial species in the host environment and it is likely that they impact the C. albicans transition between virulent and non-virulent states. Here, we report that C. albicans morphology is significantly affected by the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, another opportunistic pathogen. In a screen using a C. albicans HWP1–lacZ strain to indicate regions of filamentous growth, we identified P. aeruginosa mutants incapable of inhibiting C. albicans filamentation. Through these studies, we found that 3-oxo-C12 homoserine lactone, a cell–cell signalling molecule produced by P. aeruginosa, was sufficient to inhibit C. albicans filamentation without affecting fungal growth rates. Both microscopic analysis and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis of morphology-specific markers confirmed that filamentation was suppressed by 200 µM 3-oxo-C12 homoserine lactone. Structurally related compounds with a 12-carbon chain length, e.g. C12-acyl homoserine lactone and dodecanol also affected C. albicans filamentation at similar concentrations. In contrast, other acylated homoserine lactones of different chain lengths did not affect fungal morphology. The activity of 3OC12HSL is compared with that of farnesol, a C. albicans-produced molecule also with a C12-backbone. The effects that bacteria have on the morphology of C. albicans represents one of the ways by which bacteria can influence the behaviour of fungal cells.
Frequent Recurrent Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia during Sleep Due to Managed Ventricular Pacing

We report a case of a patient with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator and no prior history of heart block with managed ventricular pacing (MVP) programmed who had frequent recurrent episodes of polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. All of the episodes were initiated by transient atrioventricular block which resulted in short-long-short sequences permitted by MVP. This case illustrates that MVP should be used with caution not only in patients with complete heart block, but also in patients at risk for brief heart block due to such states as hypervagatonia due to sleep apnea.
Imaging spectroscopy of albedo and radiative forcing by light-absorbing impurities in mountain snow

[1] Recent studies show that deposition of dust and black carbon to snow and ice accelerates snowmelt and perturbs regional climate and hydrologic cycles. Radiative forcing by aerosols is often neglected in climate and hydrological models in part due to scarcity of observations. Here we describe and validate an algorithm suite (Imaging Spectrometer-Snow Albedo and Radiative Forcing (IS-SnARF)) that provides quantitative retrievals of snow grain size, snow albedo, and radiative forcing by light-absorbing impurities in snow and ice (LAISI) from Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) data collected on 15 June 2011 in the Senator Beck Basin Study Area (SBBSA), SW Colorado, USA. Radiative forcing by LAISI is retrieved by the integral of the convolution of spectral irradiance with spectral differences between the spectral albedo (scaled from the observed hemispherical-directional reflectance factor (HDRF)) and modeled clean snow spectral albedo. The modeled surface irradiance at time of acquisition at test sites was 1052 W m−2 compared to 1048 W m−2 measured with the field spectroradiometer measurements, a relative difference of 0.4%. HDRF retrievals at snow and bare soil sites had mean errors relative to in situ measurements of −0.4 ± 0.1% reflectance averaged across the spectrum and root-mean-square errors of 1.5 ± 0.1%. Comparisons of snow albedo and radiative forcing retrievals from AVIRIS with in situ measurements in SBBSA showed errors of 0.001–0.004 and 2.1 ± 5.1 W m−2, respectively. A counterintuitive result was that, in the presence of light absorbing impurities, near-surface snow grain size increased with elevation, whereas we generally expect that at lower elevation the grain size would be larger.
Single crystal growth and superconductivity of Ca(Fe1-xCox)2As2

We report the single crystal growth of Ca(Fe1−x Co x )2As2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.082) from Sn flux. The temperature–composition phase diagram is mapped out based on the magnetic susceptibility and electrical transport measurements. The phase diagram of Ca(Fe1−x Co x )2As2 is qualitatively different from those of Sr and Ba; this could be due to both the charge doping and structural tuning effects associated with Co substitution.
The Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise

AIDS, which twenty-five years ago no one even knew it existed, has become the most serious infectious disease worldwide. The development of an HIV vaccine is one of the most difficult challenges that modern biomedical science is confronting. To address this challenge, scientists may need to organize themselves in a more intense, targeted, and collaborative effort, such as the one proposed by the Global HIV/AIDS Vaccine Enterprise. The enterprise concept proposes to complement the creativity of individual investigators with a collaborative system that ensures a more effective use of human and financial resources to produce new scientific knowledge. It also implies that the scientific knowledge can be harnessed in a targeted way to develop practical solutions to urgent global health problems, including explicit product development activities. Different modalities of the enterprise concept are being explored for the development of drugs to treat tuberculosis and vaccines to prevent malaria. [Int Microbiol 2005; 8(2):93-101]
Blocking Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Glycoprotein E Immune Evasion as an Approach To Enhance Efficacy of a Trivalent Subunit Antigen Vaccine for Genital Herpes

Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) subunit antigen vaccines targeting virus entry molecules have failed to prevent genital herpes in human trials. Our approach is to include a virus entry molecule and add antigens that block HSV-2 immune evasion. HSV-2 glycoprotein C (gC2) is an immune evasion molecule that inhibits complement. We previously reported that adding gC2 to gD2 improved vaccine efficacy compared to the efficacy of either antigen alone in mice and guinea pigs. Here we demonstrate that HSV-2 glycoprotein E (gE2) functions as an immune evasion molecule by binding the IgG Fc domain. HSV-2 gE2 is synergistic with gC2 in protecting the virus from antibody and complement neutralization. Antibodies produced by immunization with gE2 blocked gE2-mediated IgG Fc binding and cell-to-cell spread. Mice immunized with gE2 were only partially protected against HSV-2 vaginal challenge in mice; however, when gE2 was added to gC2/gD2 to form a trivalent vaccine, neutralizing antibody titers with and without complement were significantly higher than those produced by gD2 alone. Importantly, the trivalent vaccine protected the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of 32/33 (97%) mice between days 2 and 7 postchallenge, compared with 27/33 (82%) in the gD2 group. The HSV-2 DNA copy number was significantly lower in mice immunized with the trivalent vaccine than in those immunized with gD2 alone. The extent of DRG protection using the trivalent vaccine was better than what we previously reported for gC2/gD2 immunization. Therefore, gE2 is a candidate antigen for inclusion in a multivalent subunit vaccine that attempts to block HSV-2 immune evasion. IMPORTANCE Herpes simplex virus is the most common cause of genital ulcer disease worldwide. Infection results in emotional distress for infected individuals and their partners, is life threatening for infants exposed to herpes during childbirth, and greatly increases the risk of individuals acquiring and transmitting HIV infection. A vaccine that prevents genital herpes infection will have major public health benefits. Our vaccine approach includes strategies to prevent the virus from evading immune attack. Mice were immunized with a trivalent vaccine containing an antigen that induces antibodies to block virus entry and two antigens that induce antibodies that block immune evasion from antibody and complement. Immunized mice demonstrated no genital disease, and 32/33 (97%) animals had no evidence of infection of dorsal root ganglia, suggesting that the vaccine may prevent the establishment of latency and recurrent infections.
Cryosurgery: advances in the application of low temperatures to medicine☆

Abstract Among the many applications of low temperature in medicine, the most significant recent advances have occurred in cryosurgery, Cryosurgery, the in situ freezing of undesirable tissue, may become an important technique in the treatment of large solid tumours which are drug resistant. Despite excellent results with some types of cancer, e.g. skin, cryosurgery is not widely accepted by surgeons because of difficulties in controlling the procedure. This is a consequence of both the lack of information on the mechanism of damage during cryosurgery and the difficulty in observing in real time the transient, irregular shape of the frozen region during surgery. Recent advances, which have, in part, overcome these problems will be discussed herein. A new experimental technique using directional solidification and low temperature scanning electron microscopy for the study of the process of freezing during cryosurgery will be presented. New mathematical models for the process of freezing during cryosurgery, derived from experimental data, will also be described. The use of new real-time imaging techniques, such as intraoperative ultrasound, for monitoring the process of freezing will be introduced. Finally, the successful application of these new techniques in the treatment of non-resectable metastatic tumours in the liver will be described.
The power of poetry: Validating ethnic identity through a bibliotherapeutic intervention with a Puerto Rican adolescent

The use of a Puerto Rican poem in ego-supportive work with a sixteen-year-old adolescent is described. His positive response to reading poetry of his own people indicated that his ethnic identity, a core element of ego identity, was validated by the experience. The possible relationship between the bibliotherapeutic intervention and the course of the client's treatment is discussed, as are implications for the use of ethnically sensitive bibliotherapy in practice.
Economic change and occupational stasis: Puerto Rico as a case study of stratification and development

Abstract This article analyzes individual-level determinants of occupational status among adults in Puerto Rico to evaluate the applicability of theories of stratification to developing countries that are highly integrated to more industrialized nations. Drawing on microdata from the decennial U.S. census for Puerto Rico, the analysis focuses on the relative importance of labor cohort membership and education for occupational status among employed adults. Puerto Rico's occupational structure reflects only partial convergence with that of developed countries but shows no bifurcation in its status distribution since the 1970s. Net of education, no strong inter-cohort differences in occupational status are found. The evidence does not support the implications of dependency and world systems theories, but is only partially consistent with classical theories of social stratification.
Endotoxin and proinflammatory cytokines modulate Sertoli cell proliferation in vitro.

Abstract Sertoli cells play a key role in testicular function and their final number in the adult testis determines the capacity of germ cell production. Sertoli cell proliferation, stimulated by FSH and paracrine factors, occurs only in fetal and prepubertal life and may be an important target of pathogenic influences affecting testis development. We used a Sertoli cell proliferation assay to address the question whether if bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide; LPS) and proinflammatory cytokines could influence early postnatal Sertoli cell development. LPS and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) dose-dependently stimulated proliferation of primary cultures of isolated Sertoli cells from 8- to 9-day-old rats, assessed by 3H-thymidine and BrdU incorporation. LPS also significantly increased the number of living cells in culture, measured by supravital staining. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) had no direct effect on Sertoli cell growth, but were found to modulate FSH action. IL-6 increased, while IFN-γ inhibited, FSH-induced Sertoli cell DNA-synthesis. We conclude that endotoxin and TNF-α are potent direct stimulators of Sertoli cell proliferation in vitro, and that IL-6 and IFN-γ can modulate the mitogenic action of FSH on immature Sertoli cells. This may contribute to the pathogenesis of testicular damage after infections and inflammatory diseases in fetal and early postnatal life, with subsequent disturbance of adult germ cell production.
Abstract CN03-01: Predictors of change in colorectal cancer screening decision stage among participants in a randomized, controlled trial of genetic and environmental risk assessment

Purpose. This report presents findings from a randomized, controlled trial of colorectal cancer (CRC) genetic and environmental risk assessment (GERA). Predictors of positive change in CRC screening decision stage (SDS) were identified among participants who completed a baseline and follow-up survey. Methods. A total of 493 primary care patients who were 50 to 79 years of age, were eligible for CRC screening were randomized to a GERA Group (n=328) or a usual care Control Group (n=165). GERA Group participants underwent decision counseling about GERA, had a blood draw to assess CRC risk, and received risk feedback (modestly-elevated or average risk) based on the combined presence of SNPs 677C>T and/or 1298A>C of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and serum folate level. Participants received a CRC screening kit and completed a follow-up telephone survey. Univariable analyses and multivariable regression were performed to determine if baseline screening sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, knowledge, psychosocial factors, stress about CRC, SDS, and risk status predicted self-reported change in SDS. Results. Participants were: female (56%), white (61%), 50 to 59 years of age (66%), > high school education (71%), and married (55%). Overall, SDS was as follows: decided against (1%), undecided (11%), and decided to do (87%) screening. 38% of participants exhibited a positive change in SDS to a higher decision stage, including actual screening. Positive SDS change by study group was: GERA Group (39%) and Control Group (34%). Multivariable analyses for all participants showed that knowledge was a positive predictor (p=0.006) of SDS change, as were lower CRC stress and lower SDS (p=0.023 and p Conclusion. Exposure to GERA and feedback indicating modestly-elevated risk influenced change in SDS among participants who had greater knowledge about CRC screening, reported lower CRC stress, or had decided against about or were uncertain about CRC screening. Citation Format: Ronald E. Myers, Sharon Manne, Karen Ruth, James Cocroft, Randa Sifri, Barry Ziring, David Weinberg. Predictors of change in colorectal cancer screening decision stage among participants in a randomized, controlled trial of genetic and environmental risk assessment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr CN03-01.
Interaction Analysis for Vocational Education

Abstract “Interaction Analysis for Vocational Education (IA VE) expands Flanders Interaction Analysis System by adding three new subdivisions to existing categories: (5A) Demonstration, (7A) Correction, and (8A) Practice, accurately analyze the unique student-teacher interaction found during lessons involving psychomotor activities.”
Rat tail artery norepinephrine release: Age and effect of mitochondrial blockade

Abstract An age-related increase in stimulation-evoked fractional norepinephrine release has been demonstrated in tail artery of Fischer-344 rats from 6 to 20 months of age. Previous studies have ruled out alterations in function of uptake mechanisms, metabolism, or feedback via prejunctional alpha-2 adrenoceptors, suggesting that an age-related decline in calcium homeostasis may be responsible. To test this possibility, stimulation-evoked fractional norepinephrine release from perivascular adrenergic nerves of rat tail arteries in the presence of a blocker of mitochondrial calcium uptake, dinitrophenol (100 /AM), was measured using HPLC with electrochemical detection. When the mitochondrial proton gradient was dissipated by dinitrophenol, tail arteries from 20-month-old animals showed a marked increase in stimulation-evoked norepinephrine release whereas arteries from 6-month-old animals were not affected. One hypothesis is that the inhibition of mitochondrial calcium uptake in the adrenergic nerves from older animals resulted in an elevated intracellular calcium level. In agreement with this idea, when extracellular calcium was raised from 1.6 to 5 mM, stimulation-evoked norepinephrine release was increased in the 6-month tail arteries in the presence of dinitrophenol. These data suggest that there may be a decline in calcium regulation in older nerves leading to increased norepinephrine release with advancing age.
Infrared spectroscope of surface species; emission spectra from a semi-blackbody

Abstract In the measurement of the emission spectrum of an adsorbate layer on a reflecting substrate the signal-to-noise ratio is marginal at relatively low sample temperatures. It is shown that the signal-to-noise ratio may be enhanced considerably in a multiple-reflection sampling system—a semi-blackbody. The theoretical analysis of the semi-blackbody is supported by experimental emission spectra of stearate films on a gold substrate.
Influence of stricture dilation and repeat brushing on the cancer detection rate of brush cytology in the evaluation of malignant biliary obstruction.

Background: The sensitivity for cancer detection or brush cytology at ERCP is relatively low. Manipulation of the stricture and repeated tissue sampling may increase the yield. This study compared the cancer detection rate of brush cytology before and after biliary stricture dilation. Methods: In patients with a biliary structure at ERCP of suspected malignant origin, the stricture was sampled with a cytology brush and then dilated with either a graduated dilating catheter or a dilating balloon (4–8 mm). Brushing was then repeated in all patients. Specimens were interpreted as normal, atypical (benign), highly atypical (suspicious for cancer), and malignant. Final diagnoses were based on cytology plus surgery, EUS, percutaneous biopsy, autopsy, or clinical follow-up. Results: A total of 139 patients with suspected malignant obstructive jaundice underwent 143 ERCPs (116 ultimately found to have mallgnant obstruction, and 27 benign disease). Dilation was performed with a catheter in 68 cases, balloon in 73, and both in 2. Brush cytology had a sensitivity of 34.5% (40/116) before dilation and 31% (36/116) after dilation (p=NS). However, sensitivity with predilation and postdilation brushing specimens combined was 44% (51/116), which was higher than that for either the predilation or postdilation brush cytology (p=0.001). Cancer detection rates were 34.7% (17/49) after dilation with the catheter and 27.7% (18/65) after balloon dilation (p=NS). Conclusions: Stricture dilation does not improve the sensitivity of brush cytology for the detection of cancer, which remains relatively low. However, repeat brushing increases the diagnostic yield and should be performed when sampling biliary strictures with a cytology brush at ERCP.
Interval from Calving to Conception in High Producing Dairy Cows Treated with Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin

Intervals from calving to conception in cows treated for two lactations with recombinant bST were ascertained using survival analysis methods. Daily intramuscular administration of placebo, 17.2, 51.6, or 86 mg of bST per cow started at d 70 postpartum and ended at culling or drying off. Breeding began at d 70 postpartum. Multiparous cows treated during the first lactation had significantly longer intervals from calving to conception. Cows treated during the previous lactation, but not during the second lactation, had significantly shorter intervals from calving to conception. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used with adjustment for the confounding effect of serum metabolites, milk production, energy balance, and body condition.
President Wilson's second industrial conference, 1919–20

(1975). President Wilson's second industrial conference, 1919–20. Labor History: Vol. 16, No. 4, pp. 505-520.
Rat renin: Purification and characterization

In order to clarify the molecular basis of the unique features of rat renin (EC 3.4.99.19) and to provide materials and basic information for high blood pressure studies in rats, renin was purified from rat kidney. The final step of purification on CM-cellulose separated renin into three major isoenzyme peaks, R-I, R-II, R-III, and an additional minor peak. These preparations were judged homogeneous by multiple criteria, and the isoenzymes were found to have similar amino acid compositions. The amino acid composition is also closely analogous to hog renin, except that rat renin has a higher cysteine content. In contrast to hog renin, the rat enzymes do not contain amino sugars, yet are apparently glycoproteins as judged by their affinity for concanavalin A. The molecular weights of R-I, R-II, and R-III were estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to be 37 000, 36 000 and 35 000, respectively. The isoelectric points were 5.05, 5.15 and 5.22, respectively. The specific activities of the purified enzymes (determined using rat plasma as substrate) were 615, 626 and 452 Goldblatt units/mg, respectively. Comparison of activities with the hog- and rat-derived substrates indicated a preference for that from the rat. The reaction of the rat enzymes with a synthetic peptide substrate had a similar catalytic rate constant to the hog enzyme, indicating close similarity in the active site region of the two enzymes.
A heuristic method in bin sizing

Abstract In this paper, a heuristic method of capacity design and operating policy selection, of bins in underground coal mines, is discussed. The first step in the design is the identification of the probabilistic nature of coal flows from each coal face. This is accomplished via the semi—Markovian process, and probabilities of each face flow are obtained for any given time. In the second step, these probabilities are combined at the submains and main where flows from different faces merge. The merging flows constitute the probabilistic inputs to a bin at the bottom of the shaft. In the third step, a heuristic method used these probabilistic inputs to determine a bin capacity and its operating policies.
Polymerization study of o-Si(OH)4 and complexation with Am(III), Eu(III) and Cm(III)

Abstract The stability constants of Am+3, Cm3+ and Eu3+ with ortho silicate, o -Si ( OH ) 3 - were measured at pH 3.50 and in ionic strengths of 0.20–1.00 M (NaClO4) by the solvent extraction method. The Am+3, Cm3+ and Eu3+ forms 1:1 complex with ortho silicate ion at pH 3.60 with the stability constant (log β1) value of 8.02 ± 0.10, 7.78 ± 0.08 and 7.81 ± 0.11, respectively. The stability of these metal ions decrease with increased ionic strength from 0.20 to 1.00 M (NaClO4) for silicic acid concentrations of 0.002–0.020 M. Increasing silicic acid concentration above 0.02 M increased the amount of M3+ extracted into the organic phase, contrary to the trend usually observed for increased ligand concentration in solvent extraction. This reversed trend is likely due to the extraction of cationic species of silicic acid by HDEHP. Aging time (60–300 min) had no effect on the stability constant of these metal ions for 0.002–0.020 M silicic acid at pH 3.50 and I = 0.20 M (NaClO4). The fraction of polymeric silicic acid present in solutions of 0.20–4.50 M NaClO4 solutions at pH 3.0–10.0, T = 0–60 °C and aging time = 5–300 min was measured for determination of the silicomolybdate reaction to ascertain the proper conditions to study metal–silicate complexation.
Sol–gel synthesis, phase relationships, and oxygen permeation properties of Sr4Fe6−xCoxO13+δ (0≤x≤3)

Abstract Sr 4 Fe 6− x Co x O 13+ δ samples have been synthesized by a sol–gel procedure for 0≤ x ≤3 and the influence of firing temperature and procedure on the phase relationships has been investigated systematically. For a synthesis temperature of 1000°C, X-ray diffraction data reveal that the samples with x ≤1.8 are single phase consisting of the intergrowth phase Sr 4 Fe 6− x Co x O 13+ δ , while those with x >1.8 are composed of three phases – Sr 4 Fe 6− x Co x O 13+ δ intergrowth phase, SrFe 1− x Co x O 3− δ perovskite phase, and Co 3− x Fe x O 4 spinel phase. Rietveld analysis of the X-ray diffraction data and thermogravimetric analysis of the samples reveal that the fraction of the perovskite phase increases as the synthesis temperature increases from 1000 to 1150°C for x >1.8. For a given synthesis/annealing temperature, the sol–gel procedure favors a higher fraction of and higher solubility of Co in the intergrowth phase compared to the conventional solid state synthesis. In the single phase samples of the intergrowth oxide Sr 4 Fe 6− x Co x O 13+ δ , the oxygen permeation flux at 900°C decreases with increasing cobalt content x . On the other hand, the oxygen flux increases with increasing x in the three phase samples due to an increasing amount of the SrFe 1− x Co x O 3− δ perovskite phase.
It Could Have Been Me: Vicarious Victims and Disaster-Focused Distress

College students who had experienced no personal bereavement in the September 11 terrorist attacks completed questionnaires between 3 and 5 weeks after the attacks and 5 months later. Cross-sectional and longitudinal structural equation model (SEM) analyses revealed that general distress and disaster-focused distress are discernable reactions following a collective loss. Both types of distress were higher among women and by those reporting social strain. General distress was associated with previous stressful events and mental health issues. Perceived similarity to the victims predicted disaster-focused distress and mediated the relationship between attending to media accounts of victims and disaster-focused distress. Only the disaster-focused distress reactions of survivor guilt and grief were associated with collective helping behaviors after the attacks and, for women, these behaviors were associated with greater reductions in these distress reactions over time. Discussion focuses on the importance of ...
A multiclass, multiresidue analytical method for determining pesticide residues in air.

A multiresidue method for chlorinated, organophosphate andN-methyl carbamate insecticides has been developed for use in the National Air Monitoring Program. The method involves partitioning and extracting the pesticides from the ethylene glycol trapping solvent with methylene chloride followed by fractionation and cleanup by elution through a silica gel column. The chlorinated compounds are determined by electron capture GC, phosphate compounds by flame photometric GC, and carbamates by electron capture GC after derivatization with pentafluoropropionic anhydride. Recovery data and limits of detectability are presented for 11 chlorinated, 7 phosphate, and 7 carbamate pesticides at high and low levels. It is expected, that the method will be applicable to many other compounds not successfully determined by the present analytical procedure, and that it may be adaptable for the analysis of pesticide residues in foods and other environmental samples.
Cutaneous metastatic chordoma with concomitant tuberous sclerosis

Background Chordomas are rare malignant tumors of notochord origin and are locally aggressive with a metastatic potential. Of noted interest, the skin rarely is seen as a metastatic site. Methods and observations We describe a 20-month-old infant whose primary presentation of a clivus-based chordoma was multiple asymptomatic cutaneous nodules. A skin biopsy showed large vacuolated cells embedded in a myxoid stroma. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for S-100, keratin, and epithelial membrane antigen markers consistent with malignant chordoma. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a clivus-based chordoma with scattered metastases within the neuraxis and multiple visceral sites. Further examination also revealed a diagnosis of tuberous sclerosis. Limitations An observed association between chordoma and tuberous sclerosis cannot be established firmly on the basis of a case report. Conclusions This case illustrates a diagnostic challenge because of the unusual presentation of an already rare tumor. By reporting our case, we hope to assist in the recognition of this rare dermal condition and highlight the speculated coexistence of tuberous sclerosis with chordoma tumors.
On Decomposition Theorems for Hardy Spaces on Domains in ℂn and Applications

Hardy spaces of analytic functions are studied both on strongly pseudoconvex domains in ℂn and on domains of finite type in ℂ2. Duality theorems, atomic decompositions, and factorization of functions are treated. Mapping properties of certain Hankel operators are studied.
Secretaries at work

Abstract This paper outlines some of the findings of two comparative studies of secretaries and their employers in central London in 1970 and 1981. The surveys look at secretarial recruitment, training, deployment, job content, job satisfaction, careers and the impact of technology. Lack of change over the decade in some of these aspects is discussed and the lack of motivating potential, in Hackman and Oldham's terms, in secretarial jobs is considered. Implications of the findings for the design of secretarial jobs are reviewed.
The R6A-1 peptide binds to switch II of Gαi1 but is not a GDP-dissociation inhibitor

Abstract Heterotrimeric G-proteins are molecular switches that convert signals from membrane receptors into changes in intracellular physiology. Recently, several peptides that bind heterotrimeric G-protein α subunits have been isolated including the novel Gα i1 · GDP binding peptides R6A and KB-752. The R6A peptide and its minimized derivative R6A-1 interact with Gα i1 · GDP. Based on spectroscopic analysis of BODIPYFL-GTPγS binding to Gα i1 , it has been reported that R6A-1 has guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) activity against Gα i1 [W.W. Ja, R.W. Roberts, Biochemistry 43 (28) (2004) 9265–9275]. Using radioligand binding, we show that R6A-1 is not a GDI for Gα i1 subunits. Furthermore, we demonstrate that R6A-1 reduces the fluorescence quantum yield of the Gα i1 –BODIPYFL-GTPγS complex, thus explaining the previously reported GDI activity as a fluorescence artifact. We further show that R6A-1 has significant sequence similarity to the guanine nucleotide exchange factor peptide KB-752 that binds to switch II of Gα i1 . We use competitive binding analysis to show that R6A-1 also binds to switch II of Gα subunits.
Characterization of the Xenopus Rhodopsin Gene

The abundant Xenopus rhodopsin gene and cDNA have been cloned and characterized. The gene is composed of five exons spanning 3.5 kilobase pairs of genomic DNA and codes for a protein 82% identical to the bovine rhodopsin. The cDNA was expressed in COS1 cells and regenerated with 11-cis-retinal, forming a light-sensitive pigment with maximal absorbance at 500 nm. Both Southern blots and polymerase chain reaction amplification of intron 1 revealed multiple products, indicating more than one allele for the rhodopsin gene. Comparisons with other vertebrate rhodopsin 5′ upstream sequences showed significant nucleotide homologies in the 200 nucleotides proximal to the transcription initiation site. This homology included the TATA box region, Ret 1/PCE1 core sequence (CCAATTA), and surrounding nucleotides. To functionally characterize the rhodopsin promoter, transient embryo transfections were used to assay transcriptional control elements in the 5′ upstream region using a luciferase reporter. DNA sequences encompassing −5500 to +41 were able to direct luciferase expression in embryo heads. Reporter gene expression was also observed in embryos microinjected with reporter plasmids during early blastomere stages. These results locate transcriptional control elements upstream of the Xenopus rhodopsin gene and show the feasibility of embryo transfections for promoter analysis of rod-specific genes.
A 30-Year-Old Woman With Chronic Hypertension Trying to Conceive

Mrs F is a 30-year-old woman with a history of chronic hypertension and possible preeclampsia during her first pregnancy. She is currently trying to conceive and wants to know how her hypertension will affect a future pregnancy and how it should best be managed, both now and during a pregnancy. The management of chronic hypertension before, during, and after a pregnancy is discussed with an emphasis on the goals of treatment and safety of medications during pregnancy and with breastfeeding. Preeclampsia is the most common complication of chronic hypertension in pregnancy and is a particular worry for Mrs F because she may have had it with her prior pregnancy. The current understanding of the pathogenesis of this enigmatic illness is therefore also reviewed, along with its implications for long-term maternal health.
Seattle's Pike Place Market (De)constructed: An Analysis of Tourist Narratives about a Public Space

This paper is a critical analysis of the narrative construction of Seattle’s well-known and heavily touristed Pike Place Market. The analysed data come from both institutional and amateur sources, including travel guides and photographs taken by tourists at the market. Tourist literature provides narrative themes in the form of literary descriptions and photographic images, that emphasise and reveal only certain textual dimensions of a place. Tourists’ experiences and accounts are inevitably informed by such themes. In addition, studying tourist photography is an excellent way to understand how people actively use and resist modes of representation that are derived from institutional sources. Tourists are usually remarkably prolific photographers, while also being exposed to a great number and variety of institutional narratives of the sites they visit. Public space is not merely a geographical configuration, but also a verbal and visual narrative construction by means of technologies such as writing and ...
Peer support, perceptions of adverse effects, and the hallucinogenic drug experience

The relationship between peer support and perceived effects of hallucinogenic drug use is examined, informed by Howard Becker's (1967) hypothesis that peers may provide benign interpretive contexts for drug induced experiences that reduce the psychologically threatening effects that would ordinarily accompany hallucinogenic drug use. Using data from a sample of 995 subjects who reported ever using hallucinogens, the effects of three separate measures of peer support on three different measures of perceptions of adverse effects as consequences of initial drug use were estimated in logistic regression models, controlling for demographic background characteristics of race/ethnicity, father's education, and a tendency to over-endorse statements. The results of these analyses show partial support for Becker's hypothesis in one model predicting perceptions of adverse psychological effects. Subjective distress interacts with peer support to predict reports of psychological effects. Subjects who report subjective distress and who report initiating drug use because their friends were doing it are significantly less likely to report adverse psychological effects of drug use. Additionally, differences in perceptions of unpleasant effects from initial drug use were found across racial/ethnic categories.
Effect of Inclination on Pool Boiling of FC-72 Dielectric Liquid on Porous Graphite

Saturation pool boiling experiments of FC-72 liquid on a flat, porous graphite and smooth copper surfaces measuring 10 × 10 mm investigated the effect of surface orientation on nucleate boiling and Critical Heat Flux (CHF). The inclination angle of the surface increased from 0° (upward-facing) to 60°, 90°, 120°, 150°, and 180° (downward facing). Results demonstrated significant increases in the nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient and CHF on porous graphite, compared to those on copper. At low surface superheats, increasing the inclination angle increases the nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient, which decreases with increased inclination angle at high surface superheats. These results and the measured decreases of CHF with increased inclination angle are consistent with those reported earlier by other investigators for dielectric and non-dielectric liquids. On smooth surfaces and micro-porous coatings, the reported fractional decreases in CHF with increased inclination angle are almost identical, but markedly larger than those measured in this work on porous graphite. On these surfaces the reported CHF in the downward-facing position (180° inclination) is ∼10–20% of that in the upward-facing position (0° inclination), compared to ∼53.3% on porous graphite. The CHF values of FC-72 liquid on porous graphite, which also decreased with increased inclination angle, are correlated using the general form suggested by Kutatelatze (1961) to within ± 5% of the experimental data.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
NFκB and ubiquitination: partners in disarming RIPK1-mediated cell death

The mechanisms regulating cell survival and thus its corollary, cell death, have been intensively studied over the last two decades. Recent studies have shed new light into how non-degradative ubiquitination of the kinase RIPK1 is critical in determining this cell fate. In this review, we summarize recent findings on how ubiquitination of RIPK1 constitutes a survival signal through both NFκB-independent and NFκB-dependent mechanisms. However, in the absence of ubiquitination, RIPK1 becomes a death-signaling molecule capable of engaging both the caspase-dependent apoptosis machinery and the recently described RIPK3-dependent necroptosis machinery. Another layer of complexity is now emerging in that components of the ubiquitin-modifying machinery are themselves regulated by proteolytic processing. This survival/death regulatory mechanism has been best analyzed in the context of TNF receptor signaling, but it is likely that principles learned from TNFR may be applicable to other immune receptors including the antigen and Toll-like receptors.
Uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation with 2,4-dinitrophenol promotes development of the adhesion phenotype.

Objective To determine the effect of uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation with 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) on adhesion phenotype development. Design Prospective experimental study. Setting Academic medical center. Patient(s) Women undergoing laparotomy for pelvic pain from whom normal peritoneum and adhesions were excised to create primary cultures of normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts. Intervention(s) Treatment of normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts isolated from the same patient(s) with or without 0.2 mM DNP for 24 hours. Main Outcome Measure(s) Evaluation of adhesion phenotype markers type I collagen, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. Result(s) In agreement with prior findings, adhesion fibroblasts exhibited significantly higher basal levels of type I collagen, VEGF, and HIF-1α compared with normal peritoneal fibroblasts. Treatment of normal peritoneal fibroblasts with DNP resulted in significant increases in type I collagen (10.2 ± 1.4 vs. 18.4 ± 1.9 fg/μg RNA) and VEGF (8.2 ± 1.1 vs. 13.7 ± 0.4 fg/μg RNA) over baseline. HIF-1α levels did not increase when normal peritoneal fibroblasts were treated with DNP. Conclusion(s) The adhesion phenotype, which is normally expressed in response to hypoxia, is reproduced in a normoxic environment by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation with DNP, as evidenced by an increase in type I collagen and VEGF. Acquisition of the adhesion phenotype was via a mechanism distinct from up-regulation of HIF-1α. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that the adhesion phenotype represents a state of intracellular metabolic depletion.
False-positive FDG-PET scan secondary to lipoid pneumonia mimicking a solid pulmonary nodule.

Fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scanning is useful in evaluating suspicious lesions of the lung. Our patient was a 65-year-old woman with a 45-pack-year smoking history who was referred for further evaluation because of a 3 cm × 3 cm solid lung nodule on computed tomography scan of the chest. FDG-PET scan revealed a standard uptake value of 3.2 suggestive of malignancy. The histology of the lung nodule was consistent with lipoid pneumonia, a benign condition frequently associated with inadvertent aspiration or inhalation of oily substances.
A20 Blocks Endothelial Cell Activation through a NF-κB-dependent Mechanism

The A20 gene product is a novel zinc finger protein originally described as a tumor necrosis factor α (TNF)-inducible early response gene in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Its described function is to block TNF-induced apoptosis in fibroblasts and B lymphocytes, but more recently it has also been shown to play a role in lymphoid cell maturation. The mechanism of action of A20 is unknown. The aim of our study was to assess the effect of A20 upon endothelial cell activation. By transfecting bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) with A20 as well as reporter constructs consisting of the promoters of genes known to be up-regulated during endothelial cell activation, i.e. E-selectin, interleukin (IL)-8, tissue factor (TF), and inhibitor of nuclear factor κBα (IκBα), we demonstrate that A20 expression inhibits gene up-regulation associated with TNF, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced endothelial cell (EC) activation. The mechanism of action of A20 is in part, or totally, due to the blockade of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), as shown by its ability to suppress the activity of a NF-κB reporter. This effect is specific, as A20 does not block a noninducible, constitutively expressed reporter, Rous sarcoma virus-luciferase (RSV-LUC); nor does it block the c-Tat-inducible, NF-κB-independent reporter, human immunodeficiency virus-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (HIV-CAT). How A20 blocks NF-κB is unclear, although we demonstrate that it does not affect p65 (RelA)-mediated gene transactivation. The inhibition of endothelial cell activation by A20 is a novel function for A20.
A test of the relationship between seasonal rainfall and saguaro cacti branching patterns

Reproductive output, as well as photosynthetically active radiation interception and CO 2 uptake, increase as saguaro cacti Carnegiea gigantea (Engelm.) Britt. and Rose branch, and branching increases with increasing moisture. The Sonoran Desert experiences distinct summer and winter precipitation regimes that vary in both geography and scale. Many aspects of saguaro ecology are known to depend on the summer rains, which has resulted in an emphasis on summer rains in the literature. Similarly, branching studies have been limited geographically to areas that receive relatively high amounts of summer rainfall. These studies, therefore, attribute branching patterns to the summer (or possibly annual) rains, and conclusions reflect the summer precipitation bias. Environmental variability in space was explored in the present study to investigate saguaro branching patterns. I collected height and branching data in thirty saguaro populations across their American range. Stepwise regression was used to determine which climate, vegetation and soil variables best predict branching. Contrary to the literature, this study found that winter precipitation, particularly from January to April, was the best predictor of branching, not summer or annual rain. Surprisingly, the relationship between the summer monsoons (July and August precipitation) and branching was negative. This is likely due to the fact that summer and winter rainfall patterns are geographically distinct. Winter precipitation appears to play a key role in branching, and thus in seed production. This suggests that saguaros benefit from moisture during the winter, possibly utilizing cold-season rains for increasing their reproductive output through branching, and challenging the view that the summer rains dominate virtually every aspect of the saguaro life-cycle, and creating a more balanced view of saguaro ecology.