cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary pyoderma gangrenosum without cutaneous manifestations

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a chronic sterile skin disorder that is frequently seen in association with systemic disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease. Extracutaneous pyoderma gangrenosum is rare and most commonly occurs in the lungs. It is particularly unusual for extracutaneous pyoderma gangrenosum to manifest prior to skin findings and without an associated systemic disorder. A 19-year-old white man presented with shortness of breath and a productive cough. His skin exam was normal. Unenhanced chest computed tomography showed peripheral consolidations, areas of cavitation, nodules and bilateral pleural effusions. A bronchoalveolar lavage and an autoimmune panel were unremarkable. Right lung wedge biopsies via thoracostomy was performed and showed pulmonary pyoderma gangrenosum. He was treated with corticosteroids and has returned back to his baseline. This is the first case of pulmonary pyoderma gangrenosum without any associated underlying systemic disorder and without any cutaneous manifestations to date. Serial follow-ups are necessary to assess for the development of an associated systemic disorder or skin lesions.
T Cell-Mediated Delay of Spontaneous Mammary Tumor Onset: Increased Efficacy with In Vivo versus In Vitro Activation

Peripheral tolerance to shared Ags expressed on both tumors and normal self-tissues presents a major barrier to T cell-based immunotherapy as a treatment for cancer. To assess the activity of tumor-specific T cells against spontaneously arising carcinomas in the context of shared Ag expression, we developed a model system whereby an identified tumor Ag, tumor ERK (tERK), is expressed transgenically on both normal mammary tissue and spontaneous mammary carcinomas. Transfer of in vitro-activated, tERK-specific DUC18 T cells delayed spontaneous tumor development in tERK-expressing mice when T cells were given before the development of palpable carcinomas. However, antitumor activity mediated by in vitro-activated DUC18 T cells, as measured by responsiveness against a transplanted tERK-expressing fibrosarcoma challenge, was lost within days of transfer. This loss was due to expression of tERK as a self-Ag on normal tissues and was independent of the presence of mammary tumors. In contrast, transferred naive DUC18 T cells maintained a long-term protective function in tERK-expressing mice. Ten-fold fewer naive T cells activated in vivo were able to replicate the delay in spontaneous tumor development achieved by in vitro-activated T cells. These results are in contrast to our earlier studies using transplanted tumors alone, in which in vitro-activated DUC18 T cells were more efficacious than naive DUC18 T cells and highlight the need to perform tumor studies in the presence of tumor Ag expression on normal self-tissue.
Motivational Interviewing for Addictions

Publisher Summary Motivational interviewing (MI) is described as a “client centered, directive method for enhancing intrinsic motivation to change by exploring and resolving ambivalence.” The MI style originated in the addictions field, borrowing from Rogerian therapy, Prochaska and DiClemente's transtheoretical model of change, and behavioral methods. Like other addictions-treatment styles, the goal of MI treatment is to help clients make important and lasting changes in their substance use in particular and in their lives in general. Unlike many addiction treatments, which conceptualize change as the product of gaining insight about a substance use problem or breaking through “denial,” the MI style approaches ambivalence as a normal and expected precursor to change. Thus, the role of the counselor in MI is to facilitate clients' explorations of ambivalence, moving them gently toward behavioral change through empathy, MI “spirit,” and selective reinforcement of statements in favor of change. One aspect of the therapeutic relationship, counselor empathy, is particularly emphasized within MI. A key element of Rogerian and other therapies, empathy refers to the counselor's ability to understand the client's problem as the client sees it; this differs from both sympathy and having actually experienced what the client has experienced. Although not unique to MI, empathy is considered an important precursor to a strong client–counselor relationship, which belongs to this group of “common ingredients,” believed to make treatment effective.
PARAS: a parameter space framework for online association mining

Association rule mining is known to be computationally intensive, yet real-time decision-making applications are increasingly intolerant to delays. In this paper, we introduce the parameter space model, called PARAS. PARAS enables efficient rule mining by compactly maintaining the final rulesets. The PARAS model is based on the notion of stable region abstractions that form the coarse granularity ruleset space. Based on new insights on the redundancy relationships among rules, PARAS establishes a surprisingly compact representation of complex redundancy relationships while enabling efficient redundancy resolution at query-time. Besides the classical rule mining requests, the PARAS model supports three novel classes of exploratory queries. Using the proposed PSpace index, these exploratory query classes can all be answered with near real-time responsiveness. Our experimental evaluation using several benchmark datasets demonstrates that PARAS achieves 2 to 5 orders of magnitude improvement over state-of-the-art approaches in online association rule mining.
Use of an Anion-Exchange Column to Determine Serum Iron-Binding Capacity

A rapid procedure is described for determining total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) by use of a small, disposable resin column. Serum is saturated with excess ferric citrate, and iron not bound to protein is then removed by passing the mixture through the column of anion-exchanger. Transferrin-bound iron in the effluent, the TIBC, is determined colorimetrically (AutoAnalyzer), with 2,4,6-tripyridyl-1,3,5-triazine as color reagent. The percentage saturation with iron may be obtained from colorimetric measurement of original serum iron and the TIBC, or by radioactive counting if 59Fe is incorporated in the ferric citrate used to saturate the serum. Our method is compared with the MgCO3 precipitation technique for the removal of excess iron after saturation and to an ultrafiltration technique in which protein-bound iron is retained by a membrane and the filtrate analyzed for unbound iron, thus obviating absorbents in the determination of TIBC. Results from the resin-column and ultrafiltration procedures correlated well, whereas those from the MgCO3 method were consistently lower and more erratic.
Genetic and selective factors in reduction of the hallux in Pongo pygmaeus.

Extreme reduction of the hallux is unique to the orang-utan (Pongo pygmaeus) among Primates. Hallucal diminution has advanced so far that 60% of orang-utans lack both distal phalanges and nails. Absence of these structures occurs significantly more often in females than in males. Hypotheses on possible genetic control of the condition have been tested and indicate that either single gene inheritance or polygenic inheritance with variable expressivity is involved. Reduction of pollex and of hallux in Pongo have advanced with selection for a specialized four-digit grasp in hands and feet. Diminution has progressed farther in the great toe than in the thumb due to selection for fine manipulation in the latter digit.
Heschel’s Monotheism vis-à-vis Pantheism and Panentheism

The foundation of Abraham Joshua Heschel’s theology is the most hallowed claim about God in the Jewish tradition: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One” (Dt. 6:4). Heschel echoes the tradition in claiming that this means not simply that there is only one true God, but also that God possesses inner unity, which is the necessary precondition for unity in the world. Pantheism is one way of explaining unity in the world, and though there a few passages in Heschel’s writings that have a pantheistic ring to them, this article shows that Heschel clearly espouses a monotheistic perspective as opposed to a pantheistic one. Recognizing that Heschel’s theology is not pantheistic, some authors have called his theology panentheistic, but this article argues why, despite Heschel’s strong emphasis on God’s all-embracing presence, this is a misleading designation.
Effects of Stronach Dam removal on fluvial geomorphology in the Pine River, Michigan, United States.

Abstract Although dam removal has been increasingly used as an option in dam management, and as a river restoration tool, few studies provide detailed quantitative assessment of the geomorphological response of rivers to dam removal. In this study, we document the response of the Pine River, Michigan, to the gradual removal of Stronach Dam. In 1996, prior to the initiation of removal, 31 permanent cross-sectional transects were established in the 10-km study area. These transects were surveyed annually during the course of the removal (1996–2003) and for the three years following removal (2004–2006). Dam removal resulted in progressive headcutting of sediments in the former impoundment, extending upstream 3.89 km of the dam. Over the course of the 10 years since dam removal was initiated, a net total of 92 000 m 3 of sediment erosion occurred. The majority of sediments stored in the former reservoir remained in place, with only 12% of the estimated reservoir sediment fill being eroded. Approximately 14% of the net erosion was deposited within the stream channel 1 km downstream of the dam location, with the remainder being transported further downstream or deposited in the floodplain. Sediment fill incision resulted in a narrower and deeper channel upstream, with higher mean water velocity and somewhat coarser substrates. Downstream deposition resulted in a wider and shallower channel, with little change in substrate size composition. Counter-intuitively, water velocity also increased downstream because of the increased slope that developed. Prior to removal, bedforms in the former impoundment were dominated by runs but are showing signs of restoration toward reference conditions. Continuing changes in river geomorphology are evident even three years following removal and are likely to occur for years to come.
Repairing Broken Rules: Care‐Seeking Narratives for Menstrual Problems in Rural Mali

Narratives play an important role in the organization of therapeutic action in rural Mali. This article provides structural and interpretive analyses of a young, French-speaking Dogon woman's accounts of her efforts to manage her menstrual bleeding and threatened infertility. Through her personal narratives she creates social arenas to recruit support, negotiate changes in her family relationships, and enhance her standing as a member of the community. Beginning with the accounts of her fear and helplessness, the narrator integrates past events into her unfolding present and achieves a meaningful resolution of her problem. Her narratives weave together encounters with family members, friends, and healers to describe a therapeutic itinerary that acquires significance as a transformative experience, [narrative, therapeutic action, medical pluralism, menstruation, Dogon, Mali]
Alcohol's effects on perceptions of a potential date rape.

Objective: The effects of alcohol consumption, alcohol expectancy set and self-reported alcohol expectancies on college students' perceptions of a potential date rape situation were examined. It was hypothesized that the effects of alcohol consumption on perceptions of the likelihood of forced sex would be mediated by cognitive factors and perceived sexual arousal. Method: 90 female and 90 male college students were randomly assigned to drink alcohol, a placebo beverage, or a nonalcoholic beverage. Participants read a story about a couple that had been drinking together at a party. The story ended with the woman saying "no" to sexual intercourse and the man exerting verbal pressure. Results: Participants' alcohol consumption during the study, self-reported alcohol expectancies, attitudes about casual sex and usual drinking on dates had significant effects on their perceptions of the story. Participants' alcohol expectancy set and gender did not have significant effects on perceptions of the likelihood tha...
Origins of intracellular calcium mobilization evoked by infrared laser stimulation

Cellular delivery of pulsed IR laser energy has been shown to stimulate action potentials in neurons. The mechanism for this stimulation is not completely understood. Certain hypotheses suggest the rise in temperature from IR exposure could activate temperature- or pressure-sensitive channels, or create pores in the cellular outer membrane. Studies using intensity-based Ca 2+- responsive dyes show changes in Ca 2+ levels after various IR stimulation parameters; however, determination of the origin of this signal proved difficult. An influx of larger, typically plasma-membrane-impermeant ions has been demonstrated, which suggests that Ca 2+ may originate from the external solution. However, activation of intracellular signaling pathways, possibly indicating a more complex role of increasing Ca 2+ concentration, has also been shown. By usingCa 2+ sensitive dye Fura-2 and a high-speed ratiometric imaging system that rapidly alternates the excitation wavelengths, we have quantified the Ca 2+ mobilization in terms of influx from the external solution and efflux from intracellular organelles. CHO-K1 cells, which lack voltage-gated Ca 2+ channels, and NG-108 neuroblastoma cells, which do not produce action potentials in an early undifferentiated state, are used to determine the origin of the Ca 2+ signals and investigate the role these mechanisms may play in IR neural stimulation.
Isolation and characterization of an aminopeptidase from lactobacillus acidophilus R-26

An intracellular aminopeptidase (α-aminoacyl-peptide hydrolase (cytosol), EC 3.4.11.1) isolated from cell extracts of Lactobacillus acidophilus R-26 was purified 634-fold to homogeneity. This enzyme, which was responsible for all of the N-terminal exopeptidase and amidase activities observed in crude extracts, had no detectable endopeptidase or esterase activity. Although a broad range of l-amino acid peptide, amide and p-nitroanilide derivatives possessing free α-amino termini are attacked, the enzyme favored substrates with hydrophobic N-terminal R groups. The native enzyme, which was found to be a tetramer of molecular weight 156 000, contained 4 mol of tightly bound Zn2+. The catalytically inactive native zinc metalloenzyme was capable of being activated by either Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+ or Mn2+. The shape of the log Vmax versus pH plot indicates that two active-center ionizable groups (pKES1 = 5.80; pKES2 = 8.00) may be involved in catalysis. Methylene-blue-sensitized photooxidation of the enzyme resulted in the complete loss of activity, while l-leucine, a competitive inhibitor, partially protected against this inactivation. Amino-acid analysis indicated that this photooxidation loss of activity corresponds to the modification of one histidine residue per monomer of protein.
Rigid lightweight optical bench for a spaceborne FUV spatial heterodyne interferometer

Requirements for spaceflight optical instruments usually dictate that for the structures be rigid, lightweight, and thermally stable. In addition, for interferometric far ultraviolet (FUV) spectrometers, the requirements for torsional deflection are more severe than with conventional spectrometers. To meet the challenge for rigid and lightweight optical instruments, this paper explores the design of a high-stiffness structure for the support of an FUV spatial heterodyne interferometer where the torsional deflection of the instrument is on the order of 10 arc seconds. The structure is based on use of a thin, hollow section beam with weight-relieving between optical elements. The design also uses a modular and self-contained positioning mechanism that is removed after final optical alignment. Several specific material properties are presented as criteria for material selection. The parameters which affect the particular design requirements are identified with respect to the desired material properties and physical design features. Although large thin sections are susceptible to thermal gradients, this could be minimized by a trade-off for weight, where adequate margin exists. This paper describes the preliminary design for the structure and presents an analysis to verify compliance with the requirements.
An Exploratory Analysis of American City Council Salaries

The author provides an initial examination of salaries of American city councils. Data from 54 midsize cities are used to demonstrate that, contrary to stereotypes in the literature, American city councils are often full-time, relatively well-paid legislative bodies. Some are higher paid than their respective state legislatures. A number of factors, including structural, fiscal, and state-level variables, are associated with variation in pay for councils. Aside from the full- or part-time status of councils, socioeconomic variables are most closely linked to salaries.
Millisecond-Long Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Proteins on a Special-Purpose Machine

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation has long been recognized as a potentially powerful tool for understanding the structural, dynamic, and functional characteristics of proteins at an atomic level of detail. Many biologically important phenomena, however, occur over timescales that have previously fallen far outside the reach of MD technology. We have constructed a specialized, massively parallel machine, called Anton, that is capable of performing all-atom simulations of proteins in an explicitly represented solvent environment at a speed roughly two orders of magnitude beyond that of the previous state of the art. Using novel algorithms developed within our lab, the machine has now simulated the behavior of a number of proteins for periods as long as two milliseconds -- approximately 200 times the length of the longest such simulation previously published. Such simulations have allowed us to observe and analyze key characteristics of the dynamics of proteins (including central elements of the process of protein folding) that were previously inaccessible to both computational and experimental study.
The content and structure of value tree representations

Abstract A value tree provides a representation of a decision maker's objectives that can be used to evaluate options in a decision problem. We address the question of how well a person's values can be translated accurately into a value tree structure. One concern that we raise is whether a description of the decision maker's objectives is a direct interpretation of the person's values, or an inference from other sources of information. A second concern is whether a hierarchichal value tree is the most appropriate form for representing those values. We describe briefly an experimental procedure that can be used to examine the structure of a person's value system. The results can be used to assess the accuracy of hypotheses about the hierarchical value tree representation.
Chronic β-Adrenergic Stimulation Induces Myocardial Proinflammatory Cytokine Expression

Background—The sympathetic nervous system and proinflammatory cytokines are believed to play key roles in the pathophysiology of congestive heart failure. To evaluate a possible relationship between these neurohormonal systems, we studied the effects of chronic β-adrenergic stimulation on the myocardial and systemic elaboration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. Methods and Results—Male rats received either L-isoproterenol (2.4 mg · kg−1 · d−1, n=8) or saline (n=7) via miniosmotic pumps for 7 days. Myocardial cytokine expression was analyzed by both Northern and Western blotting and localized in the tissue using immunohistochemistry. ELISA was performed to measure circulating levels of cytokines. In myocardium from control animals, neither TNF-α nor IL-1β were detected, whereas IL-6 was present at very low levels. Isoproterenol led to a significant (P<0.01) increase in mRNA and protein expression of all 3 cytokines. Immunohistochemistry did not detect immunoreactivity for eit...
IMPACT OF DECENTRALIZATION REFORMS IN PAKISTAN ON SERVICE DELIVERY—AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

By bringing decision making closer to people, decentralization is expected to improve governance and service delivery outcomes. Yet, the empirical evidence on the impact of decentralization on macroeconomic performance and public sector size presents a mixed picture. However, the findings of cross-country studies in the literature are sensitive to the way decentralization is defined, and how its extent and impact are measured. This article avoids the unwanted effects of incomparability and aggregation in cross-country analysis. We use a unique panel data set from 183 villages in Pakistan to analyze the impact of decentralization reforms implemented in 2001 on the provision of services—street paving, construction of water canals, sanitation sewer lines, and school facilities. Our results show that the magnitude of provision of all services increased significantly following decentralization reforms. We further show that the four services are impacted differently and service delivery improvement is not uniform, but not in ways that conform to the hypotheses of patronage theory. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of the NO + NH3 Reaction on Polycrystalline Platinum

Abstract Spontaneous reaction rate oscillations and spatio-temporal patterns have been observed by mass spectrometry and photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) during the reduction of NO by NH 3 on polycrystalline platinum at 1 × 10 −4 Torr and temperatures from 460–520 K. The appearance of both oscillations and patterns was found to be strongly dependent on the gas phase composition and the temperature. In addition, the overall dynamics of the catalyst were found to be dominated by the nonlinear behavior of Pt(1 0 0) type grains, while other types of grains did not participate. In contrast to previous studies, a large number of complex multimodal oscillations were observed, particularly as the coupling between the surface and the gas phase was increased. The appearance of these complex oscillations demonstrates the importance of gas phase coupling to understanding catalytic reactions, even in high vacuum systems.
The effects of vegetative ash on infiltration capacity, sediment transport, and the generation of progressively bulked debris flows

Abstract Through the alteration of the physical characteristics of a landscape, such as the destruction of vegetation and the formation of a hydrophobic layer, a fire can dramatically amplify erosion rates. On the basis of field observations, it has been proposed that the deposition of a layer of ash on the ground surface can enhance the erosion of mountainous terrain by surface runoff and might even be a necessary condition for the generation of progressively bulked debris flows. In this study, a flume was constructed to investigate the role of ash in increasing both the volume and the transport capacity of runoff. The experiments demonstrated that the presence of ash on the soil surface reduces the ability of flowing water to infiltrate; this effect is even greater when the ash has been pre-wetted. In addition, the ability of ash slurries to infiltrate decreases with increasing ash concentration. The results also indicate that the transport capacity of runoff is enhanced by the incorporation of ash into the flow because of the increased fluid density. However, the addition of ash reduces the boundary Reynolds number such that, at high ash concentrations and with fine-grained sediment, sediment transport declines as the flow becomes hydraulically smooth. The experimental results were also used to evaluate the ability of steep flow fronts, a common characteristic of debris flows and flash floods, to increase sediment transport rates. Finally, it is proposed that ash slurries may evolve into progressively bulked debris flows through a positive feedback between fluid density, transport capacity, and erosivity.
XAFS Study of Some Titanium Silicon and Germanium Compounds

It has been shown that, across the full range of Si-Ge alloy compositions, C54 Ti(SiyGe1-y)2 will form from the reaction of Ti with SixGe1-x. An increase in the silicon fraction (i.e., y>x)was seen with the formation of Titanium Germanosilicide which may be due, in part, to the relative diffusion rates of Si and Ge in Ti. In C54 Ti(SiyGe1-y)2 the Si and Ge atoms occupy sites equivalent to the Si in C54 TiSi2. Within error, these atoms form shells about the Ti atoms, with Si and Ge occupancies indicative of the net Si and Ge atomic percents. The radial distances of the shells vary linearly, within error, between those of C54 TiSi2 and C54 TiGe2. The ability to vary the shell distances (and thus vary the lattice constants) of C54 Ti(SiyGe1-y)2 by varying Si and Ge content will prove useful in applications where lattice matching and epitaxy are of importance.
An environment to support micro-incremental class development

Incremental development and testing is widely cited as one advantage of the object-oriented paradigm. To date, most of the work in this area emphasizes incremental development at the “macro” level, i.e., at the application or class hierarchy levels. We believe that incremental development should also be exploited at the individual class level. In particular, classes may contain a variety of methods that place objects of the class into relatively complex states. By organizing and developing an individual class in an incremental fashion, one can (a) develop and test “partial classes” and (b) generate simple states for test objects prior to generating more complex ones. This process realizes two benefits: it simplifies debugging by reducing the size of the search space when tracking down defects, and it makes regression testing more efficient. This paper reports on a development environment designed to support “micro-incremental” class development. This environment integrates several different components and techniques. We discuss each component of the environment individually, and then illustrate the use of the environment in a case study.
Scattering theory of defects in solids: Theory and application to the atomic vacancy

The application of scattering theory to calculate properties of defects in solids is reviewed. Expressions for the change in density of states and in the charge density are obtained. Recent applications of this method to atomic vacancies in silicon and aluminum are described. An appendix contains an expression for the determinantal function on the basis of a nonorthogonal set of localized orbitals.
Bladder muscle contractility comparative effectsand mechanisms of action of atropine, propantheline, flavoxate, and imipramine

The anticholinergic and antispasmodic activity of atropine, propantheline, imipramine, and flavoxate were judged by each drug's ability to inhibit bethanechol chloride and barium chloride-induced canine detrusor contractions. In this in vitro model, atropine and propantheline are pure anticholinergic agents. Imipramine significantly decreases both bethanechol and barium-induced contractions, while flavoxate only minimally inhibits the response to either stimulant.
The Causes of Organized Crime: Do Criminals Organize Around Opportunities for Crime or Do Criminal Opportunities Create New Offenders?

This study examines the assumption that crime-prone individuals or organizations move to exploit changing criminal opportunities. A competing explanation holds that new criminal opportunities (e.g., Internet access, money laundering, political upheaval, etc.) provide motivation for individuals who formerly were not connected with criminal activity. Detailed case studies of organized crime groups and activities are used to examine the nexus between criminal opportunities and criminal groups. A model that employs both opportunity and offender-availability factors is proposed to predict the incidence of organized crime activity. Such a model also has implications for the extent to which law enforcement agencies and public policy should focus on surveillance of known criminal groups versus proactive strategies to reduce criminal opportunities that emerge from social and technological changes.
Einstein's influence on politics and philosophy

Albert Einstein: His Influence on Physics, Philosophy and Politics. Edited by P. C. Aichelberg and R. U. Sexl. Pp. 220. (Friedr. Vieweg: Wiesbaden, Germany, 1979.) DM48.
Relationship between growth rate and ATP concentration in Escherichia coli: a bioassay for available cellular ATP.

Previous studies showed that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations in Escherichia coli changed during certain growth transitions and directly controlled the rate of rRNA transcription initiation at those times. The relationship between ATP concentration and rRNA transcription during steady-state growth is less clear, however. This is because two commonly employed methods for measuring ATP concentrations in bacteria, both of which rely on physical extraction followed by chromatographic separation of small molecules, resulted in dramatically different conclusions about whether ATP concentration changed with steady-state growth rate. Extraction with formic acid indicated that ATP concentration did not change with growth rate, whereas formaldehyde treatment followed by extraction with alkali indicated that ATP concentration increased proportionally to the growth rate. To resolve this discrepancy, we developed a bioassay for ATP based on the expression of a variant of the firefly luciferase enzyme in vivo and measurement of luminescence in cells growing in different conditions. We found that the available ATP concentration did not vary with growth rate, either in wild-type cells or in cells lacking guanosine 5′-diphosphate, 3′-diphosphate, providing insight into the regulation of rRNA transcription. More broadly, the luciferase bioassay described here provides a general method for evaluating the ATP concentration available for biochemical processes in E. coli and potentially in other organisms.
Sexual function of patients with endometrial cancer enrolled in the Gynecologic Oncology Group LAP2 Study.

Objectives To present responses to sexual function items contained within the quality of life (QOL) survey of the Gynecologic Oncology Group LAP2 study, to investigate associations between sexual function and other factors (such as relationship quality and body image), and to explore patterns of response in patients with endometrial cancer. Methods Participants enrolled in the LAP2 QOL study arm completed a self-report QOL survey, which contained sexual function items, before surgery, and at 1, 3, and 6 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Responses to sexual function questions were classified into 3 patterns—responder, intermittent responder, and nonresponder—based on whether the sexual function items were answered when the QOL survey was completed. Results Of 752 patients who completed the QOL survey, 225 completed the sexual function items within the QOL survey, 224 responded intermittently, and 303 did not respond at all. No significant differences of sexual function were found between the patients randomized to laparoscopy compared to laparotomy. Among those who responded completely or intermittently, sexual function scores declined after surgery and recovered to presurgery levels at 6 months. Sexual function was positively associated with better quality of relationship (P Conclusion Our findings suggest that younger patients, those who were married, and those who had quality relationships were more likely to answer the sexual function items and have better quality of sexual function. Factors such as age, relationship quality, body image, and pain may place women with endometrial cancer at risk for sexual difficulties in the immediate recovery period; however, sexual function improved by 6 months postoperatively in our cohort of patients with early-stage endometrial cancer.
Quantitative tissue sodium concentration mapping of normal rat brain.

A quantitative in vivo method for obtaining maps of tissue sodium concentration (TSC) by MRI is compared to the invasive, global 22 Na radionuclide dilutional technique in the normal rat brain. The MR method uses a three-dimensional projectional acquisition scheme to minimize signal losses from transverse relaxation. Internal calibration standards are used to convert the signal intensity into TSC after correction for B 1 inhomogeneities by using the ratio of 23 Na and 1 H images obtained with identical B 1 distributions and sensitivities at the two frequencies. Over the biological range of concentrations, the TSC, measured as the ratio of MR signals of 23 Na and 1 H, gives a linear response with concentration. In the normal rat brain, the mean TSC measured using the MRI method (TSC = 45 ± 4 mM, animals = 5) is not significantly different from the global 22 Na radionuclide method (TSC = 49 ± 6 mM, animals = 7).
Caspase Proteolysis of Desmin Produces a Dominant-negative Inhibitor of Intermediate Filaments and Promotes Apoptosis

Caspase cleavage of key cytoskeletal proteins, including several intermediate filament proteins, triggers the dramatic disassembly of the cytoskeleton that characterizes apoptosis. Here we describe the muscle-specific intermediate filament protein desmin as a novel caspase substrate. Desmin is cleaved selectively at a conserved Asp residue in its L1-L2 linker domain (VEMD↓M264) by caspase-6 in vitro and in myogenic cells undergoing apoptosis. We demonstrate that caspase cleavage of desmin at Asp263 has important functional consequences, including the production of an amino-terminal cleavage product, N-desmin, which is unable to assemble into intermediate filaments, instead forming large intracellular aggregates. Moreover, N-desmin functions as a dominant-negative inhibitor of filament assembly, both for desmin and the structurally related intermediate filament protein vimentin. We also show that stable expression of a caspase cleavage-resistant desmin D263E mutant partially protects cells from tumor necrosis factor-α-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicate that caspase proteolysis of desmin at Asp263produces a dominant-negative inhibitor of intermediate filaments and actively participates in the execution of apoptosis. In addition, these findings provide further evidence that the intermediate filament cytoskeleton has been targeted systematically for degradation during apoptosis.
Effect of Non‐mercurial Fungicidal Seed Treatments on the Emergence of Sugar Beet Seedlings

SUMMARY In field trials in England from 1972 to 1975, sugar beet seed sprayed with maneb, captafol or 2-(thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole produced fewer seedlings in the field than seed steeped in ethyl mercuric phosphate. The number of seedlings that emerged from 100 seeds varied greatly between fields, but differences in fungal attack are unlikely to have been an important cause.
Control of Interneuron Firing by Subthreshold Synaptic Potentials in Principal Cells of the Dorsal Cochlear Nucleus

Voltage-gated ion channels amplify, compartmentalize, and normalize synaptic signals received by neurons. We show that voltage-gated channels activated during subthreshold glutamatergic synaptic potentials in a principal cell generate an excitatory→inhibitory synaptic sequence that excites electrically coupled interneurons. In fusiform cells of the dorsal cochlear nucleus, excitatory synapses activate a TTX-sensitive Na(+) conductance and deactivate a resting Ih conductance, leading to a striking reshaping of the synaptic potential. Subthreshold voltage changes resulting from activation/deactivation of these channels subsequently propagate through gap junctions, causing slow excitation followed by inhibition in GABAergic stellate interneurons. Gap-junction-mediated transmission of voltage-gated signals accounts for the majority of glutamatergic signaling to interneurons, such that subthreshold synaptic events from a single principal cell are sufficient to drive spikes in coupled interneurons. Thus, the interaction between a principal cell's synaptic and voltage-gated channels may determine the spike activity of networks without firing a single action potential.
Unreliable Boron Analyses in Palæosalinity Investigations

Bugry and Shaw direct attention to interference of the widely used boron line at 2497.73 A by an iron line at 2497.82 A. They clearly demonstrate that iron interference seriously compromises results obtained from samples rich in iron (8 per cent Fe2O3) and low in boron (∼ 30 p.p.m. boron). They suggest that iron correlates positively with K2O (and hence illite) in shales; and conclude that many published boron determinations might be in error and that iron interference might explain the observed positive correlation between K2O and boron in argillaceous materials.
The dependence of AABW transport in the Atlantic on vertical diffusivity

Simple theoretical arguments are employed to study the dependence of the volume and transport of the Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) in the Atlantic Ocean on the vertical diffusivity. We have found that while the vertical extent of the AABW cell decreases with the intensification and deepening of the North Atlantic overturning cell, the transport of AABW into the Atlantic increases. The latter fact is explained by the increase in the deep meridional pressure gradient, which drives the flow. An estimate of the AABW transport is then derived from the density balance in the deep western boundary layer.
Apoprotein-B binding sites in estrogen-treated rabbit liver: Quantitative immunoelectron microscopy

Normal and estrogen-treated rabbit livers were perfused with iodinated very low density lipoproteins (125I-VLDL) and binding and cellular distribution of apolipoprotein (Apo)-B rich lipoproteins in hepatocytes was analyzed using quantitative immunoelectron microscopic and autoradiographic techniques. Apo-B containing particles were bound to and internalized through the formation of endocytotic pits and vesicles with considerably more binding to estrogen-treated specimens (2-fold). Thus, estrogen treatment stimulates Apo-B binding and subsequent internalization of the Apo-B containing particles by increasing the number of endocytotic pits. In contrast to the estrogen induced liver distribution change of Apo-E reported previously, the Apo-B distribution was not changed due to estrogen treatment.
Electronic and ionic transport properties and other physical aspects of perovskites

The perovskites and perovskite-related structures exhibit several features of technical as well as fundamental interest. Technically useful properties include oxide-ion conduction with/without electronic conduction, oxidation catalysis, ferroic displacements in classic and relaxor ferroelectrics, half-metallic ferromagnetism and high-temperature superconductivity. Of more fundamental interest is the ability to tune, by chemical substitution on the large-cation subarray, transition-metal oxides through the crossover on the transition-metal array from localized dn configurations to itinerant d-electron behaviour without/with changing the valence state of that array. The localized-electron configurations may exhibit cooperative Jahn–Teller distortions that introduce anisotropic exchange interactions. At crossover, bond-length fluctuations may segregate into an ordered array of alternating covalent and ionic bonding in a single-valent perovskite; multicentre polarons or correlation bags may replace small polarons in a mixed-valent system. Bond-length fluctuations at crossover give vibronic conduction and suppression of the phonon contribution to the thermal conductivity; the fluctuations may order, to give high-temperature superconductivity, or transform to quantum–critical-point behaviour at lowest temperatures. Crossover of σ-bonding electrons in the presence of localized spins associated with π-bonding electrons gives rise to the colossal magnetoresistance phenomenon above a ferromagnetic Curie temperature.
Utilization of myoglobin as a heme source by Haemophilus influenzae requires binding of myoglobin to haptoglobin

Haemophilus influenzae has an absolute growth requirement for heme. One potential in vivo source of heme is the protein myoglobin which is found at low levels in human serum. No tested H. influenzae strain was able to use myoglobin as a heme source. However, all strains were able to utilize the heme from myoglobin when myoglobin was complexed with haptoglobin. Utilization of the haptoglobin–myoglobin complex was shown to be mediated by the previously described hemoglobin/hemoglobin–haptoglobin-binding proteins of H. influenzae.
A naturally occurring extracellular alpha-beta clasp contributes to stabilization of beta3 integrins in a bent, resting conformation.

Control of αIIbβ3 and αvβ3 integrin activation is critical for cardiovascular homeostasis. Mutations that perturb association of integrin α and β subunits in their transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions activate the integrin heterodimer, suggesting that a low-affinity or “off” conformation is the default state, likely corresponding to the bent conformation seen in the crystal structure of αvβ3. In this bent structure, a segment of αv (301−308) and β3 (560−567) are juxtaposed. Here we provide evidence that these regions of αv/αIIb and β3 function as a novel extracellular clasp to restrain activation. Synthetic peptides representing the αIIb and β3 clasp regions promote integrin activation as judged by cell adhesion, cell spreading, and exposure of epitopes for three β3 LIBS antibodies. Mutation of the clasp region of αv or β3 results in a constitutively activated integrin, confirming the role of the extracellular clasp in restraining integrin activation. Molecular dynamics simulations of the αvβ3 structure ...
The role of the adrenal glands in tonic immobility (TI) in chickens

Eighteen bilateral adrenalectomized and 19 sham-operated cockerel chicks were tested for duration of tonic immobility (TI) 24 h after surgery. Although there was no difference in TI duration between groups, adrenal weights of the sham-operated group correlated.733 with TI duration. It was suggested, however, that the correlation may have been an artifact of other factors in the experiment.
A clarification of “remarks on the analytic hierarchy process”

The replies by Saaty (1990) and by Harker and Vargas (1990) to my remarks on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (Dyer 1990) are useful in focusing attention on areas of disagreement regarding the AHP, and provide readers with sufficient information to form their own opinions. The purpose of this response is not to extend the debate, but to clarify the two methods proposed in my paper to resolve the problem of rank reversal in the AHP. Harker and Vargas (1989) misinterpreted my first proposed method (Method 1) in their reply. The key observation they missed is that both the weights on the criteria and the scores of the alternatives on the criteria must be normalized with respect to the same range of alternative values. In Method 1, the decision maker must specify the ranges over which he assumed the alternatives might vary on each criterion when he determined the weights. An example may be useful in clarifying the key ideas. Suppose each alternative in the Harker and Vargas (1990) example represents the choice of a decision maker among sums of money deposited in two different bank accounts, and each criterion is simply the amount of money deposited in a single bank account. Obviously, the decision maker would use the sum of the accounts as the basis for ranking the alternatives, and would select B from the three alternatives A, B, and C. Let us see how the appropriate use of Method 1 would lead to this result without recourse to the supermatrix technique or to the concept of dependence of the criteria on the alternatives. The decision maker would consider the deposits in each bank account to be equally important if he assumed that the ranges of the possible deposits were equal. For example, suppose the decision maker assumes that the values for each bank account (criterion) vary over the range [1, 80] . He responds that changes from 1 to 80 on each criterion are equally important, so the normalized eigenvector for the AHP criterion weights is (1/2, 1/2). Using Method 1, since the range of values on criterion C1 is [75, 80], and the decision maker assumed a range of [1, 80] in determining the equal criterion weights, we must introduce a "dummy" alternative with the value of 1 on criterion C1 (this "dummy" alternative does not need to be explicitly introduced with values on the other criteria, but it could be and would not affect the results as long as its assumed values on the other criteria are in the range [1, 80]). Similarly, a "dummy" alternative with a value of 80 must be introduced for criterion C2. The normalized eigenvector for criterion C1 would become (80/235, 79/235, 75 /235, 1/235), for example, where the last component 1/235 is the score for the "dummy" alternative. We normalize each resulting eigenvector by subtracting its smallest component, and then dividing by the largest component. The appropriate scores for the three alternatives are
A quartz-crystal-embedded split Hopkinson pressure bar for soft materials

A dynamic experimental technique that is three orders of magnitude as sensitive in stress measurement as a conventional split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) has been developed. Experimental results show that this new method is effective and reliable for determining the dynamic compressive stress-strain responses of materials with low mechanical impedance and low compressive strengths, such as elastomeric materials and foams at high strain rates. The technique is based on a conventional SHPB. Instead of a surface strain gage mounted on the transmission bar, a piezoelectric force transducer was embedded in the middle of the transmission bar of a high-strength aluminum alloy to directly measure the weakly transmitted force profile from a soft specimen. In addition, a pulse-shape technique was used for increasing the rise time of the incident pulse to ensure stress equilibrium and homogeneous deformation in the low-impedance and low-strength specimen.
Work plan availability and performance: An assessment of task strategy priming on subsequent task completion

The relation of task strategy planning to task performance was explored using a series of laboratory investigations. The first study examined the influence of providing a subject a work strategy and a specific work goal on his or her subsequent performance. A total of 72 subjects participated in a 2 (goal) × 2 (task strategy priming) × 3 (performance period) × 3 (task type) repeated measures, factorial design study. The results demonstrate that task strategy priming and goal setting increase the amount of an individual's planning and directs the type of plan developed. A second study was conducted (n = 90) to further explore the effect of task strategy priming on planning and performance. Taken together, the results of the studies demonstrate that (a) goal setting increases strategic planning, (b) priming influences the amount and type of planning engaged in by an individual, and (c) task performance varies as the result of the type of plan an individual develops. The results are discussed as a means of expanding the use of cognitive constructs in theories of work motivation.