cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental chloride ion affinities and theoretical predictions for the absolute heats of formation of SiCl2 and SiClF

Abstract The chloride ion affinities of SiCl2 and SiClF have been determined from threshold energy collision-induced dissociation in a flowing afterglow-triple quadrupole instrument. Values of 244.8 ± 13.9 and 205.4 ± 8.5 kJ/mol were obtained for the chloride ion affinities of SiCl2 and SiClF. The measured chloride ion affinities can be used in thermochemical cycles with calculated data to give heats of formation of the halosilylenes SiCl2 and SiClF of −146.8 ± 20 and −385.0 ± 20 kJ/mol. G2 predictions for the heats of formation of the two silylenes are in good agreement with those derived from our experimental measurements.
Heart rates in freely diving weddell seals,leptonychotes weddelli

Abstract 1. Heart rates of seals were recorded during four activity levels; while they were sleeping in ice holes, before, during and after dives. 2. Resting heart rates averaged 64/min during eupnea and 34/min during apnea. Rates before and after dives averaged 85/min. 3. Rates during dives up to 5-min duration averaged 36/min. Rates during the first 45 sec of dives longer than 5 min were as low as 16/min. 4. There appears to be an inverse relationship between heart rate and length of the dive. This relationship as well as other observed behavioral events that seems to be correlated with heart rate indicate that the seals anticipate the nature of the dive.
Effective stiffness of cracked elastic solids

This paper discusses the elastic stiffness reduction that accompanies cracking. Basic results are illustrated using simple examples and general approaches of determining the effective stiffness of cracked solids are reviewed. Various approximate methods of obtaining the effective stiffness of cracked solids are demonstrated for the case of aligned uniform cracks. These methods include the dilute approximation, self-consistent method, Mori-Tanaka`s method, differential scheme and shear lag model. Finally, recent numerical results of 3-D periodically cracked solids with high interaction are presented and discussed. 40 refs., 9 figs.
Quantum and Approximate Privacy

This paper studies privacy and secure function evaluation in communication complexity. The focus is on quantum versions of the model and on protocols with only approximate privacy against honest players. We show that the privacy loss (the minimum divulged information) in computing a function can be decreased exponentially by using quantum protocols, while the class of privately computable functions (i.e., those with privacy loss 0) is not enlarged by quantum protocols. Quantum communication combined with small information leakage on the other hand makes certain functions computable (almost) privately which are not computable using either quantum communication without leakage or classical communication with leakage. We also give an example of an exponential reduction of the communication complexity of a function by allowing a privacy loss of o(1) instead of privacy loss 0.
A QTL Study for Regions Contributing to Arabidopsis thaliana Root Skewing on Tilted Surfaces

Plant root systems must grow in a manner that is dictated by endogenous genetic pathways, yet sensitive to environmental input. This allows them to provide the plant with water and nutrients while navigating a heterogeneous soil environment filled with obstacles, toxins, and pests. Gravity and touch, which constitute important cues for roots growing in soil, have been shown to modulate root architecture by altering growth patterns. This is illustrated by Arabidopsis thaliana roots growing on tilted hard agar surfaces. Under these conditions, the roots are exposed to both gravity and touch stimulation. Consequently, they tend to skew their growth away from the vertical and wave along the surface. This complex growth behavior is believed to help roots avoid obstacles in nature. Interestingly, A. thaliana accessions display distinct growth patterns under these conditions, suggesting the possibility of using this variation as a tool to identify the molecular mechanisms that modulate root behavior in response to their mechanical environment. We have used the Cvi/Ler recombinant inbred line population to identify quantitative trait loci that contribute to root skewing on tilted hard agar surfaces. A combination of fine mapping for one of these QTL and microarray analysis of expression differences between Cvi and Ler root tips identifies a region on chromosome 2 as contributing to root skewing on tilted surfaces, potentially by modulating cell wall composition.
The Use, Effect and Further Development of the Tool of Reflection in Adult Theological Education in Relation to the Formation of Anglican Curates

Reflection is widely used within the humanities as a tool to improve practice. A review of critical literature on reflection, however, suggests that there are too many varying and conflicting definitions and applications to be a truly reliable tool. The validity of such an argument is critiqued in the analysis of the nature of the relationship between the tutor, learner and outcomes in reflection specific to the field of humanities. This suggests that many factors, not least the responsibility of the learner for learning, contribute to and influence actual outcomes. Reflection as a tool is discussed further in relation to Theological Reflection, which due to its concise parameters offers a more improved measured approach to reflection and the professional development of a specific practice. Theological Reflection under constant improvement in tutor, learner and outcomes is demonstrated to be the best method there is at present to improve professional practice in curates using examples from the authors’ ow...
Cooperative effects in membrane reactions

Abstract The interaction of a dissolved substance with a membrane has been treated as a problem in surface chemistry, and the variation of the equilibrium constant of the reaction has been described in terms of the changes in the surface free energy. From the results of the treatment it appears that cooperative effects should occur quite frequently in membrane reactions with charged substances, and that the empirical equations normally used to describe these reactions can be derived from the standard bimolecular reaction equilibrium equation. This approach also enables one to predict the effects of changes in the membrane surface charge or the ionic strength of the medium on the equilibrium.
The double transmitting Faraday cup: An ion optical control device

Abstract A regulating signal related to beam diameter is obtained by proper choice of apertures in a series pair of Faraday cups. The signal controls a focusing lens preceding the device to maintain nearly constant beam intensity despite other variables that would defocus the beam.
Channel trenching and climatic change in the southern U.S. Great Plains

Fifteen alluvial sequences in Texas and Oklahoma exhibit the same late Holocene record of channel trenching at 1 ka. The erosion was preceded by slow alluvial sedimentation in most stream valleys, resulting in the formation of a cumulic, organic-rich flood-plain soil previously named the Copan Soil. The soil formed during a period of regionally moister climate, as indicated by pollen spectra, molluscan faunas, vertebrate faunas, sedimentary structures, and high alluvial water tables. At 1 ka, the regional climate changed from moist to dry, coinciding with an episode of channel incision of valley floors throughout the southern Great Plains. Channel trenching occurred simultaneously in both small and large streams in drainage basins of the Arkansas, Red, Trinity, Brazos, and Colorado rivers; the sequences are the first documented example of widespread Holocene incision accompanied by firm evidence for a synchronous change in regional climate.
The Ticking Time Bomb: When the Use of Torture Is and Is Not Endorsed

Although standard ethical views categorize intentional torture as morally wrong, the ticking time bomb (TTB) scenario is frequently offered as a legitimate counter-example that justifies the use of torture. In this scenario, a bomb has been placed in a city by a terrorist, and the only way to defuse the bomb in time is to torture a terrorist in custody for information. TTB scenarios appeal to a utilitarian “greater good” justification, yet critics maintain that the utilitarian structure depends on a questionable set of hidden assumptions. Three experiments were conducted to investigate endorsement of torture when these hidden assumptions were violated. In Experiment 1, results indicated that endorsement varied as a function of the success likelihood of torture and its alternatives. In Experiment 2, people found torture to be more acceptable, less wrong, and more obligatory when the suspect in custody was described as a “terrorist” than when he was described simply as an individual, and when he was described as culpable as opposed to innocent. These results are more consistent with retributive justice than utilitarian “greater good” concerns. The results of Experiment 3 indicated that utilitarian decision profiles were not associated with lower levels of empathic concern but were instead associated with personal distress and the ability to transpose oneself into a fictitious character's experience. Across the three experiments, deontologists were more likely to reject torture than utilitarians.
Foot and hand massage as an intervention for postoperative pain

Physiological responses to pain create harmful effects that prolong the body's recovery after surgery. Patients routinely report mild to moderate pain even though pain medications have been administered. Complementary strategies based on sound research findings are needed to supplement postoperative pain relief using pharmacologic management. Foot and hand massage has the potential to assist in pain relief. Massaging the feet and hands stimulates the mechanoreceptors that activate the "nonpainful" nerve fibers, preventing pain transmission from reaching consciousness. The purpose of this pretest-posttest design study was to investigate whether a 20-minute foot and hand massage (5 minutes to each extremity), which was provided 1 to 4 hours after a dose of pain medication, would reduce pain perception and sympathetic responses among postoperative patients. A convenience sample of 18 patients rated pain intensity and pain distress using a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale. They reported decreases in pain intensity from 4.65 to 2.35 (t = 8.154, p <.001) and in pain distress from 4.00 to 1.88 (t = 5.683, p <.001). Statistically significant decreases in sympathetic responses to pain (i.e., heart rate and respiratory rate) were observed although blood pressure remained unchanged. The changes in heart rate and respiratory rate were not clinically significant. The patients experienced moderate pain after they received pain medications. This pain was reduced by the intervention, thus supporting the effectiveness of massage in postoperative pain management. Foot and hand massage appears to be an effective, inexpensive, low-risk, flexible, and easily applied strategy for postoperative pain management.
Examining Perceptions of Systematic Integration of Instructional Technology in a Teacher Education Program

In this article, the authors describe a systematic effort by a department of special education to integrate technology into teaching through a one-to-one laptop initiative and to examine preservice teachers’ perceptions concerning their experiences with the initiative. The authors investigate beliefs about preservice teachers’ proficiency in using technology for teaching, their attitudes toward the use of technology for teaching, and their perceptions of the integration of instructional technology practices by faculty across three semesters using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Preservice teachers’ perceptions of their ability to integrate technology in their teaching increased whereas their attitudes toward integrating technology remained consistently high across program semesters. They believed that faculty effectively integrated and modeled the use of technology in their instruction. Implications of the results are discussed.
The bear went over the mountain: Soviet tactics and tactical lessons learned during their war in Afghanistan part I

(1994). The bear went over the mountain: Soviet tactics and tactical lessons learned during their war in Afghanistan part I. The Journal of Slavic Military Studies: Vol. 7, No. 3, pp. 587-665.
New evidence on timing and security selection skill of mutual funds

+ '0 his paper empirically examines market tim!= ing and selectivity performance of a sample of mutual fund managers. Most past studies have found little evidence of superior manager performance .' Our model, however, which uses a simple regression technique to separate stock selection ability from timing ability, indicates some evidence of superior microand rnacroforecasting ability at the individual fund level. This technique, first suggested by Treynor and Mazuy [1966], and later refined by Bhattacharya and Pfleiderer [1983], uses a modified security market line approach to produce individual measures of timing and stock selection ability. Inputs are only the returns earned on the fund and those earned on the market portfolio. The richer model that we employ here has the potential to identify superior performance more frequently, thereby providing more powerful results than previous studies.
Hypothalamic hyperphagia in goats and some observations of its effect on glucose utilization rate.

Abstract A series of goats were prepared with an electrode guide plate and a ruminal cannula, then subjected to hypothalamic lesioning. The four goats in which lesions were situated in the ventromedial area became hyperphagic, three of them for over 60 days, with weight gains of about 0.75 kg per day during the first ten days. Goats with lesions not in the ventromedial area did not become hyperphagic. The hyperphagic goats had increased serum immunoreactive insulin levels. They showed about twice the normal glucose disappearance rates during glucose tolerance tests and increased serum insulin responses to the glucose load. The glucose utilization rate as determined by continuous injection of 11C-labeled glucose was about twice the normal level during the dynamic phase of hyperphagia and was near normal during the static phase. Lesions of the ventromedial area of the hypothalamus induce prolonged hyperphagia and substantial weight gain in goats as they do in monogastric animals.
Cloning and analysis of cDNA encoding an elongation factor 1 α from the dimorphic fungus histoplasma capsulatum

The cDNA encoding translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) was isolated from the dimorphic fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc), an important pathogen of man. A cDNA library was probed with the tef1 gene from the fungus Mucor racemosus. Ten independent clones were isolated, all with similar restriction patterns. The longest clone (1.96 kb) was sequenced. Southern blot analysis revealed that the Hc tef1 gene was present as a single copy. A single transcript of approx. 2300 nucleotides was found in total RNA from both the yeast and mold forms of the organism. Comparison of the deduced 460-amino-acid Hc EF-1 alpha protein to EF-1 alpha proteins from other species of fungi revealed the greatest degree of similarity to proteins from the filamentous ascomycetes Podospora anserina and Trichoderma reesei. Phylogenetic tree analysis of fungal tef genes indicated that Hc is most closely related to filamentous ascomycetes and most distantly related to the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The influence of an upper-level frontal zone on the Mack Lake Wildfire environment

Meteorological assessment of wildland fire danger has traditionally involved the identification of several synoptic weather types empirically determined to influence wildfire spread. Specifically, in the Great Lakes Region, high wildfire danger is often witnessed in association with northwesterly synoptic-scale flow aloft. Such synoptic-scale flow is regularly associated with the development of upper-level frontal zones also known as upper-level jet/front systems, which are often characterised by intrusions of stratospheric air into the troposphere. The notion that upper-frontal development can play an important role in promoting wildfire spread is advanced through interrogation of the output from a fine-scale numerical simulation of a documented explosive wildfire case; the Mack Lake Fire of May 1980. The Mack Lake case was characterised by a developing upper-level front embedded within a shortwave trough in the vicinity of the fire location. The upper-level front originated in northwesterly flow in central Canada as an upper-tropospheric ridge amplified over western North America. A thermally indirect circulation at the jet exit region both contributed to the intensification of the front and was associated with a maximum in quasi-geostrophic descent at mid-levels upstream of the fire region. The subsidence ushered dry air from the middle and upper-troposphere downward along sloping isentropes adiabatically warming and drying it along the way. A well-developed dry air intrusion associated with the operation of these processes extended to nearly the 750 hPa level far downstream from the actual upper-frontal zone supplying the fire environment with dry air that originated in the upper-troposphere/lower stratosphere. The organised subsidence was also responsible for downward advection of high momentum air from within the frontal zone into the fire environment, further influencing the wildfire spread. We conclude that upper-frontal processes, characteristic of northwesterly synoptic-scale flow, are likely a contributing factor to the prevalence of wildfire spread under such synoptic-scale conditions. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Usefulness of a pediatric colonoscope for routine colonoscopy in women who have undergone hysterectomy.

Abstract Background: Colonoscopy can be difficult in some women who have undergone hysterectomy, which can be associated with a fixed, angulated sigmoid colon caused by postoperative pelvic adhesions. Our goal was to determine whether colonoscopy is easier and more comfortable for women after hysterectomy when performed with a pediatric colonoscope, which is thinner in diameter and more flexible than a standard "adult" colonoscope. Methods: One hundred women with a history of hysterectomy undergoing outpatient colonoscopy were randomized in unblinded fashion to colonoscopy with a standard colonoscope (CF-100L or CF-Q140L, Olympus) or with a pediatric colonoscope (PCF-100, Olympus). All procedures were performed by a faculty endoscopist and timed. After examination, the endoscopist graded procedure difficulty, and patients were given a questionnaire that assessed their experience. Results: The cecum was intubated more frequently in the pediatric colonoscope group than in the standard colonoscope group (96.1% vs. 71.4%, p Conclusions: The pediatric colonoscope is a reasonable choice for colonoscopy in women who have had a hysterectomy. Alternatively, if the endoscopist elects to start the procedure with a standard colonoscope, it is helpful to have a pediatric colonoscope available for use should a fixed, angulated sigmoid colon be encountered that cannot be easily or safely traversed with the standard colonoscope. (Gastrointest Endosc 2002;55:838-41.)
A One-Dimensional Metallopolymer of 2,5-Dimethyl-N,N'-Dicyanoquinone Diimine (2,5-DM-DCNQI).

A novel metallopolymer of DM-DCNQI (2,5-DM-DCNQI = 2,5-dimethyl-N,N‘-dicyanoquinone diimine) has been structurally determined. [Mo2(O2CCF3)4(2,5-DM-DCNQI)·C6H6]n crystallizes with enclathrated benzene which forms π-stacks with DM-DCNQI along the c direction. The orientation of the zigzag chains viewed down the c axis involves an ...ABAB... pattern wherein the Mo2 units in adjacent chains are oriented perpendicular to each other as depicted in the diagram below.
Assembly of the human origin recognition complex occurs through independent nuclear localization of its components

Initiation of eukaryotic genome duplication begins when a six-subunit origin recognition complex (ORC) binds to DNA. However, the mechanism by which this occurs in vivo and the roles played by individual subunits appear to differ significantly among organisms. Previous studies identified a soluble human ORC(2–5) complex in the nucleus, an ORC(1–5) complex bound to chromatin, and an Orc6 protein that binds weakly, if at all, to other ORC subunits. Here we show that stable ORC(1–6) complexes also can be purified from human cell extracts and that Orc6 and Orc1 each contain a single nuclear localization signal that is essential for nuclear localization but not for ORC assembly. The Orc6 nuclear localization signal, which is essential for Orc6 function, is facilitated by phosphorylation at its cyclin-dependent kinase consensus site and by association with Kpna6/1, nuclear transport proteins that did not co-purify with other ORC subunits. These and other results support a model in which Orc6, Orc1, and ORC(2–5) are transported independently to the nucleus where they can either assemble into ORC(1–6) or function individually.
Control of sound transmission into a closed cavity using smart structures

This paper describes several alternative solutions to the problem of controlling sound transmission through rectangular plates radiating into an enclosed cavity. The specific problem examined is how adaptive filtering compares with feedback control techniques for reducing the level of sinusoidal disturbances transmitted by the plate. In a smart structure with embedded sensors and actuators, it will be likely that feedback control is the preferred option. The feedback controllers examined are LQG/LTR, H(infinity) , internal disturbance model pole placement, and internal disturbance model LQG. These controllers are compared to the filtered-x LMS technique, which is the standard method of dealing with sinusoidal disturbances for this type of problem. All the controllers are examined using simulation and then implemented on a test structure.
How "flat' are normal ability profiles in 4-year-olds?

Summary Group and individual ability profiles of 89 English 4-year-olds on the McCarthy scales of children's abilities (MSCA) are presented. The results suggest that at this age, there is a high expectation of obtaining at least one significant difference between a child's mean ability score and the individual ability of index scores. The direction of these significant differences in ability suggested that, in this age group, abilities measured by the MSCA verbal and perceptual performance indexes tend to be more advanced than abilities measured by the quantitative and memory indexes. Motor development is relatively retarded compared to these other abilities. (The results are at variance with the often accepted concept of a ‘flat’ ability profile in normal children.) The use of the MSCA on English children could result in over referral of normal children, especially boys, who appear delayed on the motor index, and under referral of children who were regarded as normal on the verbal and perceptual indexes.
Studies on the binding of botulinum toxin type A to the rat phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparation.

Abstract The neuroparalytic action of botulinum toxin type A was studied on rat phrenic nervehemidiaphragm preparations. It was determined that the toxin would bind, but would not paralyze, preparations bathed in media that depressed ACh release. The binding was essentially irreversible, but it left the toxin susceptible to inactivation by anti-toxin. The binding process was little affected by temperature (20–35°C), but markedly affected by low ionic strength ( I −2 ) and low pH (4.5). These data are used to propose a model for the interaction between botulinum toxin and cholinergic nerve terminals.
Protein Identification Using Customized Protein Sequence Databases Derived from RNA-Seq Data

The standard shotgun proteomics data analysis strategy relies on searching MS/MS spectra against a context-independent protein sequence database derived from the complete genome sequence of an organism. Because transcriptome sequence analysis (RNA-Seq) promises an unbiased and comprehensive picture of the transcriptome, we reason that a sample-specific protein database derived from RNA-Seq data can better approximate the real protein pool in the sample and thus improve protein identification. In this study, we have developed a two-step strategy for building sample-specific protein databases from RNA-Seq data. First, the database size is reduced by eliminating unexpressed or lowly expressed genes according to transcript quantification. Second, high-quality nonsynonymous coding single nucleotide variations (SNVs) are identified based on RNA-Seq data, and corresponding protein variants are added to the database. Using RNA-Seq and shotgun proteomics data from two colorectal cancer cell lines SW480 and RKO, we...
Tracking brain motion during the cardiac cycle using spiral cine-DENSE MRI

Cardiac-synchronized brain motion is well documented, but the accurate measurement of such motion on the pixel-by-pixel basis has been hampered by the lack of proper imaging technique. In this article, the authors present the implementation of an autotracking spiral cine displacement-encoded stimulation echo (DENSE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique for the measurement of pulsatile brain motion during the cardiac cycle. Displacement-encoded dynamic MR images of three healthy volunteers were acquired throughout the cardiac cycle using the spiral cine-DENSE pulse sequence gated to the R wave of an electrocardiogram. Pixelwise Lagrangian displacement maps were computed, and 2D displacement as a function of time was determined for selected regions of interests. Different intracranial structures exhibited characteristic motion amplitude, direction, and pattern throughout the cardiac cycle. Time-resolved displacement curves revealed the pathway of pulsatile motion from brain stem to peripheral brain lobes. These preliminary results demonstrated that the spiral cine-DENSE MRI technique can be used to measure cardiac-synchronized pulsatile brain motion on the pixel-by-pixel basis with high temporal/spatial resolution and sensitivity.
MRI-PET Registration with Automated Algorithm

ObjectiveWe have previously reported an automated method for within-modality (e.g., PET-to-PET) image alignment. We now describe modifications to this method that allow for cross-modality registration of MRI and PET brain images obtained from a single subject.MethodsThis method does not require fidu
The role of attention in mediating the effect of advertising on attribute importance.

Two experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that the amount of attention drawn to an attribute by an advertisement mediates the effect of advertising on attribute importance. The first experiment manipulated the amount of attention given to an attribute in an advertisement and found this to have an impact on the importance of the attribute. The second experiment manipulated the concreteness of an advertisement's copy mentioning the attribute, the relevance of the ad's picture, and the number of repetitions of the ad, and found that attention mediated the impact of textual concreteness on attribute importance, but that picture relevance and repetition were not related to attention or importance.
Factorial Validity of Merz's Psychological Reactance Scale:

Merz's Psychological Reactance Scale was translated from German and based on responses of 218 college students. Via factor analysis with principal factors followed by a Direct Quartimin rotation, r...
Appearance of universal bundle structure in four dimensional topological gravity

Abstract We calculate the connection and curvature of the universal fibration of the Riemannian manifolds and compare them with the BSRT algebra of four dimensional topological gravity. We also comment on the dimension of the moduli space, conformal gauge fixing and the construction of non-trivial observables.
Monitoring process conditions of plastisols using a dielectrometer

Traditionally, an instrument such as an Instron rheometer or thermal analysis is used to characterize the processing conditions of a plastisol. The Instron rheometer is useful only when the material begins to build up mechanical strength. A rheometer such as a Plasti-corder suffers from the requirement of large sample and low sensitivity toward rheology change caused by phase variation. Thermal analysis only responds to the heat capacity and enthalpy changes at transitions occurring during plasticization. The plasticization involves only weak thermal change and is difficult to detect by thermal analysis. However, the more sensitive method of dielectrometric analysis, which needs only a small sample, was used to detect any rheological change of a plastisol during plasticization. Because the information obtained is from molecular motion, the results are accurate and the speed of characterization is rapid.
Insights from the X-ray crystal structure of coral 8R-lipoxygenase: calcium activation via a C2-like domain and a structural basis of product chirality.

Lipoxygenases (LOXs) catalyze the regio- and stereospecific dioxygenation of polyunsaturated membrane-embedded fatty acids. We report here the 3.2 A resolution structure of 8R-LOX from the Caribbean sea whip coral Plexaura homomalla, a LOX isozyme with calcium dependence and the uncommon R chiral stereospecificity. Structural and spectroscopic analyses demonstrated calcium binding in a C2-like membrane-binding domain, illuminating the function of similar amino acids in calcium-activated mammalian 5-LOX, the key enzyme in the pathway to the pro-inflammatory leukotrienes. Mutation of Ca2+-ligating amino acids in 8R-LOX resulted not only in a diminished capacity to bind membranes, as monitored by fluorescence resonance energy transfer, but also in an associated loss of Ca2+-regulated enzyme activity. Moreover, a structural basis for R chiral specificity is also revealed; creation of a small oxygen pocket next to Gly428 (Ala in all S-LOX isozymes) promoted C-8 oxygenation with R chirality on the activated fatty acid substrate.
Phosphate Depletion Enhances the Stability of the Amphotropic Murine Leukemia Virus Receptor mRNA

Abstract Through its specific receptor, the amphotropic murine leukemia virus (MLV) infects cells from many mammals, including humans. We have previously demonstrated that levels of human amphotropic MLV receptor ( pit2 ) mRNA varied considerably in different human cell lines. Removal of phosphate from the culture medium led to increases in the amount of pit2 mRNA and the quantity of a 71-kDa protein specifically recognized by antibodies against Pit2. To determine if the increases in pit2 mRNA and protein levels were due to a transcriptional effect, the pit2 promoter region was cloned. This region was characterized and found to contain a functional TATA-less promoter that under our experimental conditions does not respond to phosphate depletion. Instead, pit2 mRNA was found to be more stable in response to Pi depletion. These results suggest that the increase in pit2 mRNA levels observed in response to Pi depletion occurs at a posttranscriptional level and is due to enhanced mRNA stability.
Critical Field Curve of Superconducting Mercury

The critical field curve of mercury has been precisely measured in a range of reduced temperature, $t=\frac{T}{{T}_{c}}$, from 1 to 0.27. The observed ${H}_{c}$ values show an appreciable deviation from a parabolic temperature dependence, lying above the parabola which passes through the experimental values of ${H}_{0}$ and ${T}_{c}$. The general behavior is similar to that previously observed in the case of lead. Values of the temperature coefficient of the normal electronic specific heat, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, are derived, but are somewhat uncertain since the ${H}_{c}$ data indicate an appreciable entropy contribution from the superconducting electrons at the lowest temperature of measurement. The qualitative behavior of ${H}_{c}(T)$ for lead and mercury is in accord with recent infrared measurements which give direct indication that the energy gap value for these elements is anomalously large.
A qualitative study of mental health help-seeking among Catholic priests

Little is known about Catholic priests' mental health help-seeking. Using consensual qualitative research, this study examined 15 Catholic priests' narratives about help-seeking attitudes, help-seeking behaviours, and offers advice for mental health professionals regarding priest health. Analysis revealed that all 15 priests reported positive attitudes about mental health help-seeking because counselling helped to deal with and heal problems, provided a different, unbiased perspective and allowed for spiritual growth. The majority of participants (9/15; 60%) reported that they have sought help through counselling for various reasons, such as depression and stress. Barriers to help-seeking entailed perceiving no need to seek help, stigma, and concerns about counsellor competence. Participants suggested that mental health professionals understand the importance of prayer to priests, the unique stressors of the priestly role, and the impact of contextual factors (e.g., frequent transfers and sexual abuse sca...
An apparent aldolase synthesis by corn microsomes.

An increase in aldolase activity has been observed during the incubation of the microsomal fraction of the corn scutellum. This increase is maximal when adenosine triphosphate, amino acids, magnesium, potassium, guanosine triphosphate, and a pH-5.2 protein are present during the incubation period. These cofactors are similar to those that would be required for protein-synthesizing systems. The increase in aldolase is inhibited by p-fluorophenylalanine, chloramphenicol and methionine sulfoxide. The latter inhibits only in the early stages. EDTA and ribonuclease are also inhibitory, indicating a role for ribonucleic acid. Ribonuclease releases a “bound” aldolase from the microsomal granule. The amount of this “bound” enzyme increases after approximately a one-hour lag period. Evidence is furnished that the increase in enzyme activity is not merely due to a release of the enzyme from the particulate matter, but rather that there is actually a net increase in the enzyme. The accumulated data suggests that there has been a synthesis of aldolase, but, since it is premature to advanced such a conclusion, the increase activity has been referred to as an “apparent” aldolase synthesis.
Primary systemic amyloidosis with delayed progression to multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND Primary systemic amyloidosis (AL) and multiple myeloma both are clonal plasma cell proliferative disorders. Although 10-15% of patients with myeloma have coexisting primary amyloidosis, it is unusual for patients with primary amyloidosis to progress to myeloma at a later date. The authors describe a case series of six patients in whom such progression occurred. METHODS A computerized search was done of the medical records of all patients seen at the Mayo Clinic between January 1, 1960 and December 31, 1994 with a diagnosis of AL. Of 1596 patients with AL, 6 patients (age range, 60-74 years; median age, 68 years) with biopsy-proven AL were reviewed in whom delayed (at least 6 months after the diagnosis of AL) progression to multiple myeloma occurred. RESULTS At the time of the diagnosis of AL, none of the six patients had evidence of multiple myeloma. The dominant manifestation of AL was peripheral neuropathy in three patients and cutaneous AL, renal AL, and amyloid arthropathy in one patient each. The diagnosis of multiple myeloma was made 10-81 months after the diagnosis of AL, based on the demonstration of multiple osteolytic lesions (4 patients) or marked bone marrow infiltration (≥ 50%) by plasma cells (5 patients). Two patients had received chemotherapy (melphalan and prednisone) for AL. Five patients received chemotherapy (four patients) or high dose methylprednisolone (one patient) after the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. Five patients died, and the median actuarial survival after the diagnosis of multiple myeloma was 20 months. Multiple myeloma was the cause of death in four patients; one patient died of systemic amyloidosis. In 2 patients death occurred within 3 months. CONCLUSIONS AL occasionally progresses to overt multiple myeloma. These cases usually occur in patients without significant cardiac or hepatic AL who live long enough to develop multiple myeloma. Cancer 1998;82:1501-5. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
A Benign, Mature, Parapharyngeal Teratoma Presenting in an Adult

We present a case of an adult female who presented mildly symptomatic and with a history of having a mass removed from her neck as an infant. Radiographic imaging detected the presence of a heterogeneous, encapsulated mass in the parapharyngeal space that was surgically resected, and subsequently pathologically confirmed to be a benign, mature cystic teratoma.
Low temperature sintering and properties of piezoelectric ceramics PSNT-Mn with LiBiO2 addition

Abstract Low temperature sintering of Pb(Sc1/2Nb1/2)O3-PbTiO3 (PSNT) piezoelectric materials was studied with the use of LiBiO2 (LBiO) as a sintering aids. The sintering aids improved the sinterability of manganese modified PSNT ceramics due to the effect of LBiO liquid phase, resulting in a reduction of the firing temperature by ∼350–400 °C. The microstructure of the sintered materials, together with the dielectric and piezoelectric properties were investigated. The 1 wt.% LBiO-added PSNT-Mn ceramics sintered at 950 °C for 2 h exhibit piezoelectric coefficient of 340 pC/N with a Curie temperature around 263 °C, the electromechanical coupling factor kp, dielectric constant K 33 T and mechanical quality factor Q were found to be 61.5%, 1300 and 800, respectively, demonstrating that it is a promising material for multilayer piezoelectric actuator and transformer applications.
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia: new insights

The pathology of BPD has changed over time, with the old BPD characterized by airway injury, inflammation, and parenchymal fibrosis giving way to the new BPD manifesting less fibrosis but with decreased alveolar and vascular development. The pathogenesis of BPD involves factors affecting the severity and management of RDS, alterations in lung development and maturation, alveolar-vascular interactions, and extracellular matrix remodeling. These factors in pathogenesis are mediated and modulated by hyperoxic lung injury, antioxidants, NO, the pulmonary neuroendocrine system and peptide growth factors, the immune system, and various genetic polymorphisms and predispositions. Future therapeutic interventions are likely to target one or more of these abnormalities in lung development, maturation, and response to injury.
Cyclic nucleotide crosstalk and the regulation of cerebral vasodilation

The vasodilating capability of cerebral vessels is vital to brain survival. There are multiple mechanisms participating in the regulation of cerebral vascular smooth muscle relaxation. The cyclic nucleotide-related signal transduction pathways are particularly important to the vasodilating function of cerebral arteries and arterioles. Those pathways are involved in the vasodilations elicited by a wide variety of stimuli, which include hypoxia and hypercapnia and agonist/receptor interactions (e.g. muscarinic, β-adrenergic, and prostacyclin receptors). There is considerable control exerted upon the activities of the cyclic nucleotide signal transduction cascades. One of those control mechanisms relates to the abilities of cyclic 3′-5′ adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic 3′-5′ guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) to modulate each other's synthesis, degradation, and actions. That capacity for “crosstalk” between the two pathways provides the focus of the present review. To facilitate our discussion of cGMP/cAMP crosstalk regulation, we have placed some emphasis on hypercapnia-induced cerebral vasodilation. The review considers crosstalk at 4 different levels. First, the capacity for each cyclic nucleotide to repress the degradation of its counterpart via actions on phosphodiesterases (PDEs) is discussed. Second, consideration is given to crosstalk regulation of cGMP/cAMP synthesis. Third, cGMP- or cAMP-dependent protein kinases (PKG and PKA, respectively) are discussed with respect to: (a) the potential of each cyclic nucleotide to activate the counterpart kinase, and (b) the ability of PKG/PKA to elicit common actions. Fourth, some attention is given to the role of compartmentalization of: (a) the enzymes catalyzing cyclic nucleotide synthesis and degradation, (b) the enzymes responsible for cyclic nucleotides-mediated phosphorylations, and (c) the protein targets of those kinases.
Drawing inferences from logit models for panel data

Logit models have been widely used in marketing to predict brand choice and to make inference about the impact of marketing mix variables on these choices. Most researchers have followed the pioneering example of Guadagni and Little, building choice models and drawing inference conditional on the assumption that the logit model is the correct specification for household purchase behaviour. To the extent that logit models fail to adequately describe household purchase behaviour, statistical inferences from them may be flawed. More importantly, marketing decisions based on these models may be incorrect. This research applies White's robust inference method to logit brand choice models. The method does not impose the restrictive assumption that the assumed logit model specification be true. A sandwich estimator of the covariance 'corrected' for possible mis-specification is the basis for inference about logit model parameters. An important feature of this method is that it yields correct standard errors for the marketing mix parameter estimates even if the assumed logit model specification is not correct. Empirical examples include using household panel data sets from three different product categories to estimate logit models of brand choice. The standard errors obtained using traditional methods are compared with those obtained by White's robust method. The findings illustrate that incorrectly assuming the logit model to be true typically yields standard errors which are biased downward by 10-40 per cent. Conditions under which the bias is particularly severe are explored. Under these conditions, the robust approach is recommended.
Solar cell radiation damage on synchronous satellite ATS-1

Solar cell radiation damage during 416.8 days in synchronous orbit on satellite ATS 1, discussing radiation shields
Failure to elicit histamine eosinophilotaxis in the skin of atopic man. Description of an improved technique

Abstract Confirmation of reports that histamine is eosinophilotactic was unsuccessful in a series of blind studies in atopic man. Two methods were used, one of which provided greater uniformity in the distribution of cells, better cellular morphology, and greater ease of interpretation than methods described hitherto. It was concluded that histamine is not eosinophilotactic.
Preliminary characterization of Boston Micromachines' 4096-actuator deformable mirror

We present preliminary findings on the characteristic behavior and initial performance of Boston Micromachine Corporations' (BMC) 4096-actuator micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) deformable mirror (DM). This device is examined for its application in the Gemini Planet Imager high-contrast adaptive optics (AO) system. It is also being considered for use in next generation AO systems on the extremely large telescopes. Testing of this device has been in progress at the Laboratory for Adaptive Optics (LAO) on the Extreme Adaptive Optics (ExAO) testbed in experiments designed to qualify performance for imaging extrasolar planets. In this paper we present first test results including actuator stroke (3.0 microns at 200 V), individual actuator RMS surface (10.3 nm surface), actuator yield for two DM arrays (94.4% and 98.8%), actuator crosstalk (no more than 32%), stroke at the highest spatial frequency (1.2 nm surface), and sub-nanometer closed loop flattening capabilities over a 30-actuator diameter.
Differential expression of α-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase in colorectal carcinoma bears clinical and pathologic significance

alpha-methylacyl-coenzyme A racemase (AMACR) is a recently discovered biomarker that is shown to be overexpressed in some prostatic carcinomas and associated with prostatic cancer progression. Given that AMACR plays an important role in peroxisomal beta-oxidation of branched-chain fatty acids from red meat and dairy products, and that consumption of red meat may increase risk of developing colon cancer as suggested by epidemiological studies, it is plausible to explore the function of AMACR in colorectal carcinoma. A few previous studies have indeed observed overexpression of AMACR in 45% to 69% of the colorectal carcinomas. However, the clinical and pathologic characteristics of such AMACR expressers have not been investigated. In this study, the immunohistochemical expression pattern of AMACR of 163 patients with primary colorectal carcinoma treated primarily with surgical resection was analyzed and correlated with tumor pathologic features (tumor location, histologic type, grade, pathologic stage, lymph node and distant metastasis) and patient outcome (disease-specific survival). The results showed variable positive staining for AMACR in 123 (75%) of 163 tumors, and moderate to strong staining in 63 (39%) of 163. Lack of staining or low-intensity staining appeared to correlate significantly with mucinous histology (P < .001), poor tumor differentiation (P = .021), and presence of lymphovascular invasion (P = .032). Patients whose tumors showed lack of staining or low-intensity staining also had a significantly worse 5-year disease-specific survival (P < .012), as did patients whose tumors had lymphovascular invasion, or were of high American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage. On multivariate analysis, AMACR staining and AJCC staging remained independent predictors for patient outcome. Thus, our data suggest that AMACR expression in colorectal carcinoma correlates with certain tumor pathologic characteristics (histologic type, differentiation, and lymphovascular invasion) and patient outcome. Additional confirmatory studies are needed to establish the significance of AMACR as a prognostic marker for colorectal carcinoma. Further investigation on interaction between AMACR and other known colorectal cancer development pathways may provide new insights on colorectal carcinogenesis.
Mouse HSF1 disruption perturbs redox state and increases mitochondrial oxidative stress in kidney.

Increased synthesis of heat shock proteins (Hsps), mainly regulated by heat shock factor 1 (Hsf1), protects the heart against oxidative stress under pathophysiological conditions such as ischemia/reperfusion. To investigate whether Hsps might exert a similar protective effect under physiological conditions in the kidney, we first evaluated the HSF1-dependent expression of several Hsps, including Hsp25, αB-crystallin (αBC), Hsp70, and Hsp90. Unlike either αBC or Hsp70, protein expression of Hsp25 and Hsp90 was decreased 26% and 50%, respectively, in Hsf1 knockout compared with the wild-type mice. The effects of Hsp down-regulation on renal cellular redox status are presently unknown. Indeed, HSF1 deficiency caused a 37% decrease in renal cellular GSH/GSSG ratio, a marker of redox status, and a 40% increase in the rate of mitochondrial superoxide generation in Hsf1 knockout compared with wild-type mice. HSF1 disruption also increased mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening and induced greater mit...