cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pyrin Activates the ASC Pyroptosome in Response to Engagement by Autoinflammatory PSTPIP1 Mutants

The molecular mechanism by which mutations in the cytoskeleton-organizing protein PSTPIP1 cause the autoinflammatory PAPA syndrome is still elusive. Here, we demonstrate that PSTPIP1 requires the familial Mediterranean fever protein pyrin to assemble the ASC pyroptosome, a molecular platform that recruits and activates caspase-1. We provide evidence that pyrin is a cytosolic receptor for PSTPIP1. Pyrin exists as a homotrimer in an autoinhibited state due to intramolecular interactions between its pyrin domain (PYD) and B-box. Ligation by PSTPIP1, which is also a homotrimer, activates pyrin by unmasking its PYD, thereby allowing it to interact with ASC and facilitate ASC oligomerization into an active ASC pyroptosome. Because of their high binding affinity to pyrin's B-box, PAPA-associated PSTPIP1 mutants were found to be more effective than WT PSTPIP1 in inducing pyrin activation. Therefore, constitutive ligation and activation of pyrin by mutant PSTPIP1 proteins explain the autoinflammatory phenotype seen in PAPA syndrome.
Infant and preschool reinforcement survey

An empirically developed infant and preschool reinforcement survey was completed by 35 parents and 21 children. Test-retest reliability coefficients were computed on these data after a one-week interval. The development of the survey, as well as its usefulness for school psychologists, is described.
Autocrine transforming growth factor provides a growth advantage to malignant cells by facilitating re-entry into the cell cycle from suboptimal growth states

CBS human colon carcinoma cells are poorly tumorigenic in athymic nude mice, whereas FET colon carcinoma cells are non-tumorigenic. Both cell lines have well differentiated properties in tissue culture. Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) was ectopically expressed by stable transfection of a TGF-alpha cDNA under repressible tetracycline control. The TGF-alpha-transfected cells showed enhanced clonal initiation and shortened lag phase growth in tissue culture without an alteration in doubling time in exponential phase relative to untransfected cells. Furthermore, the TGF-alpha transfectants showed increased independence from exogenous growth factors in clonal growth assays and induction of DNA synthesis after release from quiescence. Growth factor independence was associated with sustained epidermal growth factor receptor activation in quiescent TGF-alpha-transfected cells and the requirement of exogenous insulin for stimulation of quiescent cells to re-enter the cell cycle. Higher cloning, reduced lag time in tissue, and the acquisition of growth factor independence for DNA synthesis without a change in doubling time of TGF-alpha-transfected cells indicate that autocrine TGF-alpha functions by facilitating re-entry into the cell cycle from sub-optimal growth states rather than promoting or controlling the proliferation of actively cycling cells. The modulation of growth regulation by autocrine TGF-alpha was associated with increased malignant properties as TGF-alpha transfectants showed increased tumorigenicity in athymic nude mice. The administration of tetracycline reversed the effects of TGF-alpha expression in these cells both in vivo and in vitro, indicating that the alterations of the biological properties were due to the expression of TGF-alpha. Since these cells are continuously grown in a completely chemically defined medium without serum supplementation, it was possible to assign the mechanism underlying the generation of growth factor independence to the replacement of a requirement for exogenous insulin in parental cells by autocrine TGF-alpha.
Services in Regional Employment Change

This article examines the role of services in regional employment change in Illinois from 1972–87. The approach applies recent advances in time-series analysis to investigate both the long-term and short-term relationship among employment in three sectors: goods production, export-potential services, and local services. The results indicate that there is not a long-term relation among these variables, i.e., that they do not move together in the long run. In the short term, the evidence is that employment in the service sectors follows employment change in goods production, although the response persists for only six months. The results suggest that a policy of targeting export-potential services is not likely to produce sustained employment growth in the other sectors.
Thrombin-catalyzed activation of factor VIII with His substituted for Arg372 at the P1 site.

Thrombin-catalyzed proteolysis at Arg372 of factor VIII is essential for procofactor activation. However, hemophilia A patients with the missense mutation Arg372 to His possess a mild to moderate phenotype yet show no detectable cleavage at this bond. To evaluate this discrepancy, we prepared and stably expressed a recombinant, B-domainless factor VIII mutant (R372H) that possessed approximately 1% the specific activity of wild type. Cleavage at R372H by thrombin occurred with an approximately 80-fold decreased rate compared with wild type. N-terminal sequence analysis of the derived A2 subunit confirmed that cleavage occurred at the His372-Ser373 bond. Factor VIII R372H was activated slowly, attained lower activity levels, and exhibited an apparent reduced inactivation rate compared with factor VIII wild type. These observations were attributed to a reduced cleavage rate at His372. Factor Xa generation assays showed similar Michaelis-Menten constant (Km, apparent) values for thrombin-catalyzed activation for either factor VIII form, but suggested an approximately 70-fold reduced maximum velocity (Vmax) for factor VIII R372H. However, prolonged reaction with thrombin yielded similar activity and stability values for the mutant and wild-type factor VIIIa forms. These results indicate a markedly reduced rate of cleavage following substitution at the P1Arg, and this property likely reflects the severity of the hemophilia A phenotype.
Personality and satisfaction with occupational choice: role of environment as a mediator.

It was predicted that occupational satisfaction was jointly a function of S's personality and the extent to which certain personality-derived requirements were present in his job environment. Four personality systems differing in information-processing style and relation to people as measured by the Interpersonal Topical Inventory (ITI) were studied. 95 supervisors completed the ITI and rated 20 aspects of their job environments as they actually were and as they would be ideally. Satisfaction with present job was also rated. Job-environment items were separated into those dealing with security, structure, self-expression, autonomy, esteem, and social contact. Satisfaction among concrete-dependent Ss was related to the size of the actual-ideal discrepancy on security and structure; among concrete-independent Ss to the discrepancy on self-expression; among abstract-dependent Ss to the discrepancy on social contact, esteem, autonomy, and self-expression. No relationships were found for abstract-independent Ss.
Smooth points ofp-adic subanalytic sets

Ap-adic subanalytic set shares with a real subanalytic set the fundamental property that its singular locus is itself subanalytic. Furthermore, given ap-adic subanalytic function ƒ with domain contained in ℤ , there is an integerL such that for any pointx 0 ∈ ℤ in a neighborhood of whichf is defined,f has a Taylor approximation up to orderL atx 0 if, and only if, ƒ is analytic aroundx 0. These results extend to thep-adic fields real variables theorems by M. Tamm [21].
Wide-field computational color imaging using pixel super-resolved on-chip microscopy

Lens-free holographic on-chip imaging is an emerging approach that offers both wide field-of-view (FOV) and high spatial resolution in a cost-effective and compact design using source shifting based pixel super-resolution. However, color imaging has remained relatively immature for lens-free on-chip imaging, since a ‘rainbow’ like color artifact appears in reconstructed holographic images. To provide a solution for pixel super-resolved color imaging on a chip, here we introduce and compare the performances of two computational methods based on (1) YUV color space averaging, and (2) Dijkstra’s shortest path, both of which eliminate color artifacts in reconstructed images, without compromising the spatial resolution or the wide FOV of lens-free on-chip microscopes. To demonstrate the potential of this lens-free color microscope we imaged stained Papanicolaou (Pap) smears over a wide FOV of ~14 mm2 with sub-micron spatial resolution.
Geolocation of man-made reservoirs across terrains of varying complexity using GIS

The Reservoir Sedimentation Survey Information System (RESIS) is one of the world's most comprehensive databases of reservoir sedimentation rates, comprising nearly 6000 surveys for 1819 reservoirs across the continental United States. Sediment surveys in the database date from 1904 to 1999, though more than 95% of surveys were entered prior to 1980, making RESIS largely a historical database. The use of this database for large-scale studies has been limited by the lack of precise coordinates for the reservoirs. Many of the reservoirs are relatively small structures and do not appear on current USGS topographic maps. Others have been renamed or have only approximate (i.e. township and range) coordinates. This paper presents a method scripted in ESRI's ARC Macro Language (AML) to locate the reservoirs on digital elevation models using information available in RESIS. The script also delineates the contributing watersheds and compiles several hydrologically important parameters for each reservoir. Evaluation of the method indicates that, for watersheds larger than 5km^2, the correct outlet is identified over 80% of the time. The importance of identifying the watershed outlet correctly depends on the application. Our intent is to collect spatial data for watersheds across the continental United States and describe the land use, soils, and topography for each reservoir's watershed. Because of local landscape similarity in these properties, we show that choosing the incorrect watershed does not necessarily mean that the watershed characteristics will be misrepresented. We present a measure termed terrain complexity and examine its relationship to geolocation success rate and its influence on the similarity of nearby watersheds.
Incentives for overhead cost reduction: Setup time and lot size considerations

Abstract This paper addresses incentive issues arising in the integration of production control and process improvement on the shop floor. High overhead rate estimates identified by an activity based costing (ABC) system can result in a decision to increase lot sizes, thereby reducing setup related overhead costs. We integrate ABC and EOQ analyses to establish the circumstances under which increasing the lot size becomes a viable alternative. However, while increasing the lot size may be important for short-term competitiveness, long-term control of setup related overhead costs can be achieved only by decreasing setup time. We address the role of incentive systems in simultaneously implementing both short-term and long-term strategies. In particular, we focus on how the choice of performance measures can result in conflicts between production personnel who may be concerned with short-term cost reduction and engineering personnel who are responsible for reducing setup time. Finally, we discuss the value of group incentive systems in mitigating such conflicts.
Recent experimental results on Coherent Pion production in neutrino interactions

Abstract Recent experimental results on charged current ( π + ) coherent production by KEK and SciBooNE and neutral current ( π 0 ) production by MiniBooNE, SciBooNE and NOMAD will be discussed. The NOMAD results are at an average neutrino energy of 25 GeV whereas the energies of the other experiments are in an average energy range of 1-2 GeV. A comparison with some theoretical models will be presented.
Multi-window counting of radioactivity

In counting of radioactivity, using for example gas proportional (GP) or liquid scintillation (LS) counters, one can set up two or more electronic windows, which can measure two or more radiation components. In this work, we derived general equations for n-window counting in matrix notation, including mutual crosstalk between the windows using both the ratio (not normalized) and the fraction (normalized) methods. A solution for n radiation components is presented. For the two-window measurements, we report complete statistical analysis of the results including propagation of all uncertainties. The decision-level and the detection-limit equations were derived including crosstalk correction, uncertainties of the variables, Gaussian continuity correction, interference correction, and the overdispersion correction. Numerical verifications of the two-window systems are presented, including conditions for the detection of a minor component in the presence of a major component. In addition, limited experimental verifications of the two-window systems using LS counting are reported.
Reduced ethanol withdrawal severity and altered withdrawal-induced c-fos expression in various brain regions of mice lacking protein kinase C-epsilon.

Abstract Withdrawal from chronic ethanol consumption can be accompanied by motor seizures, which may be a result of altered GABAA receptor function. Recently, we have generated and characterized mice lacking the epsilon isoform of protein kinase C as being supersensitive to the behavioral and biochemical effects of positive GABAA receptor allosteric modulators, including ethanol. The aim of the present study was to determine whether protein kinase C-epsilon null mutant mice display altered seizure severity during alcohol withdrawal. In addition, we used c-fos immunohistochemistry immediately following seizure assessment to identify potential brain regions involved in any observed differences in withdrawal severity. Mice were allowed to consume an ethanol-containing or control liquid diet as the sole source of food for 14 days. During the 7-h period following removal of the diet, both ethanol-fed wild-type and protein kinase C-epsilon null mutant mice displayed an overall increase in Handling-Induced Convulsion score versus control-fed mice. However, at 6 and 7 h following diet removal, the Handling-Induced Convulsion score was reduced in ethanol-fed protein kinase C-epsilon null mutant mice compared to ethanol-fed wild-type mice. Ethanol-fed protein kinase C-epsilon null mutant mice also exhibited a decrease in the number of Fos-positive cells in the lateral septum, and an increase in the number of Fos-positive cells in the dentate gyrus, mediodorsal thalamus, paraventricular nuclei of the thalamus and hypothalamus, and substantia nigra compared to ethanol-fed wild-type mice. These data demonstrate that deletion of protein kinase C-epsilon results in diminished progression of ethanol withdrawal-associated seizure severity, suggesting that selective pharmacological inhibitors of protein kinase C-epsilon may be useful in the treatment of seizures during alcohol withdrawal. These data also provide insight into potential brain regions involved in generation or suppression of ethanol withdrawal seizures.
Onsager, ice, biomembranes, dimer models and the F-model

Personal recollections give a sampling of some of Onsager's later interests in ice and biomembranes. The author's involvement in these topics led to modeling a particular biomembrane phase transition using dimer models. Recent work is described for a particularly rich dimer model which is isomorphic to the F-model in three kinds of fields (direct, staggered, and quarter). New results for the full three-dimensional phase diagram show (1) how the anomalous OK multicritical point is destroyed by a direct field, and (2) how a new line of critical points must be added to the phase diagram in direct and staggered fields obtained previously by Baxter, due to diverging susceptibilities in the quarter field.
THE RELATION BETWEEN THE WAVE-LENGTH OF LIGHT AND ITS EFFECT ON THE PHOTOSENSORY PROCESS

1. Following the description of a simple method of securing high intensities of monochromatic illumination, it is shown that the most effective portion of the spectrum for the stimulation of Mya is near lambda = 500 micromicro. 2. The quantitative data secured is interpreted in terms of certain photochemical findings, and as a result the absorption spectrum of the photosensitive substance of Mya is tentatively mapped out.
Genetic transformation and regeneration of Sesbania drummondii using cotyledonary nodes.

Sesbania drummondii (Rydb.) Cory is a source for phytopharmaceuticals. It also hyperaccumulates several toxic heavy metals. Development of an efficient gene transfer method is an absolute requirement for the genetic improvement of this plant with more desirable traits due to limitations in conventional breeding methods. A simple protocol was developed for Agrobacterium-mediated stable genetic transformation of Sesbania. Agrobacteriumtumefaciens strain EHA 101 containing the vector pCAMBIA 1305.1 having hptII and GUS plus genes was used for the gene transfer experiments. Evaluation of various parameters was carried out to assess the transformation frequency by GUS expression analysis. High transformation frequency was achieved by using 7-day-old precultured cotyledonary node (CN) explants. Further, the presence of acetosyringone (150 μM), infection of explants for 30–45 min and 3 days of cocultivation proved to be critical factors for greatly improving the transformation efficiency. Stable transformation of S. drummondii was achieved, and putative transgenic shoots were obtained on medium supplemented with hygromycin (25 mg l−1). GUS histochemical analysis of the putative transgenic tissues further confirmed the transformation event. Genomic Southern blot analysis was performed to verify the presence of transgenes and their stable integration. A transformation frequency of 4% was achieved for CN explants using this protocol.
Host plant induction of glutathione S-transferase in the fall armyworm☆

Abstract The influence of various host plants on glutathione S -transferase activity was studied in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). Fall armyworm larvae were maintained on a semidefined artificial diet until the end of the fifth instar. The newly molted sixth instar larvae were then fed fresh leaves of various host plants for 2 days prior to glutathione S -transferase assays using 3,4-dichloronitrobenzene as substrate. The order of the midgut glutathione S -transferase activity of larvae after the worms fed on these plants was: mustard > turnip > cowpeas > peanuts > cotton > corn > cucumber > potato > Bermudagrass > millet > sorghum > soybeans. The difference in the transferase activity between soybean- and mustard-fed larvae was 10-fold. Kinetic study revealed a quantitative, but no qualitative difference in the glutathione S -transferase between soybean- and cowpea-fed larvae. Monoterpenes, such as α-pinene, β-pinene, menthol, and peppermint oil, had no effect on the enzyme. Cowpea-fed larvae were more tolerant of the insecticides diazinon, methamidophos, and methyl parathion than soybean-fed larvae were. These new observations help explain what has been happening in the field and might be of use in the development of pest management programs.
Effects of Water Saturation Level on Resistance of Compacted Hot-Mix Asphalt Samples to Moisture-Induced Damage

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) initiated monitoring of its first Superpave section on I-75 in Columbia County for stripping potential using AASHTO T 283, which specifies that all conditioned test samples be saturated to between 55 and 80 percent based on 7 ± 1 percent air voids. A fairly large saturation range is allowed because it was thought that mixtures may have different percentages of permeable air voids. However, the potential interaction between air void content and the level of saturation has not been fully investigated. It is also not clear whether test results from samples saturated to 55 percent are comparable with those of the same mixture saturated to 80 percent for a similar air void content. Therefore, although FDOT adopted AASHTO T 283, it also initiated a parallel study on the effects of different degrees of saturation on moisture damage. Findings are reported of both the ongoing monitoring of the I-75 project for potential stripping and the investigation of the effects ...
A possible heterotic threshold in the potato and its implications for breeding.

Complex hybrids containing genomes from three different Solanum tuberosum Groups were synthesized (3-way hybrids), utilizing 2n gametes in 4x−2x crosses. Ten such families were compared to nine analogous two-Group (2-way) hybrid families and nine (1-way) families representing conventional Gp. Tuberosum breeding materials. The three types of crosses, representing three descending levels of heterozygosity, were placed in four field trials. The 3-way hybrids were never significantly superior to the 2-way hybrids for vigor, yield, or tuber type. When yields were adjusted for maturity differences, the 3-way hybrids tended to be inferior to the 2-way hybrids for yield. This suggests that there may be a heterotic threshold in the cultivated potato, beyond which point more heterozygosity does not result in greater vigor or more yield. While the 2-way and 3-way hybrids did not significantly differ from each other, they both dramatically surpassed the conventional 1-way crosses for vigor and yield (42%). The evidence of a possible heterotic threshold indicates that more sophisticated methods such as cell fusion and bilateral sexual polyploidization may not be necessary to exploit the full potential of the hybrid approach in the potato. A simple and direct “2-way” hybridization approach may be optimal, or at least would seem comparable with other hybrid approaches, and is a technology ready for immediate and widespread implementation.
Cardiac Valve Function

An elementary approach to the function of cardiac valves in normal and disease states is presented.
Computer controlled operation of a two-engine xenon ion propulsion system

The development and testing of a computer control system for a two-engine xenon ion propulsion module is described. The computer system controls all aspects of the propulsion module operation including: start-up, steady-state operation, throttling and shutdown of the engines; start-up, operation and shutdown of the central neutralizer subsystem; control of the gimbal system for each engine; and operation of the valves in the propellant storage and distribution system. The most important engine control algorithms are described in detail. These control algorithms provide flexibility in the operation and throttling of ion engines which has never before been possible. This flexibility is made possible in large part through the use of flow controllers which maintain the total flow rate of propellant into the engine at the proper level. Data demonstrating the throttle capabilities of the engine and control system are presented.
Screening method for 11-nor-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid in urine using hollow fiber membrane solvent microextraction with in-tube derivatization

An efficient and inexpensive screening technique for the simultaneous clean-up, extraction, and derivatization of 11-nor-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (THC-COOH) from urine has been developed. Using the principles of solvent microextraction in the form of a 20-microl volume of solvent placed inside a permeable hydrophobic polypropylene hollow fiber membrane, the analyte of interest is preconcentrated inside this tubing as the bulk sample solution is stirred for a given extraction time. The pH of the sample is raised by adding buffer after which the charged moiety is extracted as an ion pair with tetramethylammonium hydrogen sulfate. Using a mixture of N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide and octane as the extraction solvent allows the GC-unstable carboxylic acid metabolite to be derivatized during the extraction without prior sample clean-up steps such as filtration of the urine. After an 8-min extraction, a 6-microl portion is drawn up with a syringe and directly injected into a gas chromatograph for separation and analysis. Samples as low as 10 ng ml(-1) were analyzed successfully and the limit of detection was estimated at 1.0 ng ml(-1) with relative standard deviations lower than 10% in the final protocol.
Overcoming obstacles to the future development of research on group work

Abstract A panel of nationally recognized experts in group counseling research, practice, and training discusses the major obstacles currently confronting the advancement of research on groups and suggests ways to improve the meaningfulness and validity of future research. Also discussed are recommendations, prepared by the Research Committee of the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW), for implementing the panelists' suggestions.
The chemisorption of oxygen, water and selected hydrocarbons on the (111) and stepped gold surfaces

Abstract The dissociative chemisorption of oxygen and water is reported on both (111) and [6(111) × (100)] crystal faces of gold. The oxide formation becomes rapid above 500°C at pressures of about 10−6 torr. The resulting gold oxide is bound strongly. It is similar in structure to the corresponding sulphide and is stable on both surfaces to 800°C in vacum. Ethylene, cyclohexene, n-heptane, benzene did not chemisorb on gold under low pressure conditions on either the (111) or on the stepped gold surface while naphthalene exhibited dissociative chemisorption on both types of surfaces. Hydrocarbon fragments are bound strongly to the gold surface but the activation energy for dissociative adsorption of light hydrocarbon molecules appears to be high.
Awareness and attitudes concerning BRCA gene testing.

Background: The availability of a commercial test for the breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, has generated interest in both the medical community and the general public.
RNA structure analysis using T2 ribonuclease: detection of pH and metal ion induced conformational changes in yeast tRNAPhe

We describe the use of an enzymic probe of RNA structure, T2 ribonuclease, to detect alterations of RNA conformation induced by changes in Mg2+ ion concentration and pH. T2 RNase is shown to possess single-strand specificity similar to S1 nuclease. In contrast to S1 nuclease, T2 RNase does not require divalent cations for activity. We have used this enzyme to investigate the role of Mg2+ ions in the stabilization of RNA conformation. We find that, at neutral pH, drastic reduction of the available divalent metal ions results in a decrease in the ability of T2 RNase to cleave the anticodon loop of tRNAPhe. This change accompanies an increase in the cleavage of the molecule in the T psi C and in the dihydrouracil loops. Similar treatment of Tetrahymena thermophila 5S ribosomal RNA shows that changes in magnesium ion concentration does not have a pronounced effect on the cleavage pattern produced by T2 RNase. T2 RNase activity has a broader pH range than S1 nuclease and can be used to study pH induced conformational shifts in RNA structure. We find that upon lowering the pH from 7.0 to 4.5, nucleotide D16 in the dihydrouracil loop of tRNAPhe becomes highly sensitive to T2 RNase hydrolysis. This change accompanies a decrease in the relative sensitivity of the anticodon loop to the enzyme. The role of metal ion and proton concentrations in maintenance of the functional conformation of tRNAPhe is discussed.
Measuring dopamine transporter occupancy by cocaine in vivo: Radiotracer considerations

Several recent neuroimaging studies in humans and in monkeys using different radiotracers have reported widely differing values of dopamine transporter (DAT) occupancy by doses of cocaine which are perceived as reinforcing by humans. Here we tested the hypothesis that the measurement of DAT occupancies by drugs with fast pharmacokinetics such as cocaine requires a radioligand with similar kinetics in order to effectively compete with the drug. We measured DAT occupancy by four different doses of cocaine (1.0, 0.5, 0.25, and 0.1 mg/kg) using [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate (a radiotracer which binds rapidly to the DAT in vivo) and compared them to estimates reported previously using [11C]cocaine in the same two baboons and with the same four doses of cocaine [Volkow et al. (1996b) Synapse 24:399-402). Cocaine reduced [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate binding in striatum in a dose-dependent manner, and values were significantly correlated with those obtained previously with [11C]cocaine (r = 0.9, F = 37, P < 0.001). The ED50s (50% occupancy of DAT by cocaine) were 0.27 and 0.17 mg/kg for [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate and [11C]cocaine, respectively. This is significantly lower than values obtained with labeled beta-CIT and other similar radiotracers with a slow uptake and clearance (ED50s: 3-7 mg/kg). We conclude that in vivo measurements of DAT occupancy by rapidly clearing drugs like cocaine requires the use of radiotracers having similar kinetics to the drug itself.
Compensatory ovarian hypertrophy as a function of age and neonatal androgenization.

Compensatory ovarian hypertrophy (COH) was examined in 144 normal or neonatally androgenized Sprague-Dawley female rats. Injections of either oil or 1.25 mg testosterone propionate (TP) were given on day 5. Left ovariectomy or sham-operation was performed on day 1, 10, 25, or 40, and the right ovary was removed 9 days later. Significant COH was found in the normal female on days 10, 34, and 49, but not on day 19. No significant hypertrophy was found until day 34 in the TP-treated females, after which a decrease in rate of ovarian growth and percentage of COH was observed. Even on days 34 and 49 androgenized females displayed less COH than controls. The results suggest that the sensitivity of the normal female's hypothalamichypophyseal system to ovarian secretions varies during prepuberal development and that neonatal androgen can impair the responsiveness of this system to changes in ovarian secretions. (Endocrinology 90: 1309, 1972)
The impact of personal control on performance and satisfaction

Abstract Two separate longitudinal field studies were conducted to assess the relationship between personal control and job satisfaction and performance. In the first study, a sample of nursing service personnel from a variety of functional and hierarchical levels who were working in a hospital were utilized; in the second study, clerical workers in two regional offices of an insurance company were employed. After statistically controlling for locus of control, it was found that personal control significantly predicted job satisfaction and performance. Time lag analyses suggest that control may also be an outcome of these variables. The implications of these results for theories of motivation are discussed.
Ventilation of the branchial chambers in the amphibious West African freshwater crab, Sudanonautes (Convexonautes) aubryi monodi (Balss, 1929) (Brachyura, Potamonautidae)

The anatomy of the respiratory system of the savanna-zone African freshwater crab, Sudanonautes (Convexonautes) aubryi monodi [Balss, 1929], has been examined and has been found to be adapted for both aerial and aquatic gas exchange. The activities of the scaphognathites and the directions of flow of the ventilatory stream have been recorded in stressed, active and resting specimens during their exposure to a wide range of conditions from deep water to dry land. Ventilation of the branchial chambers during aquatic gas exchange in Sudanonautes kept in deep water is shown to consist of a rapid, predominantly forward water flow similar to that of fully-aquatic species. Ventilation of the branchial chambers during aerial gas exchange in Sudanonautes on land is shown to consist of a relatively slow forward air flow. This flow is continuous in post-operative crabs, pulsatile in active crabs and completely immobile in resting crabs. A second method of ventilation of the branchial chambers during aerial gas exchange is shown to consist of a pulsatile reversed air flow. This occurs (1) when Sudanonautes is kept in very shallow water and active or stressed; (2) when it has recently moved on to land; and (3) when it is completely immersed and exhibiting aerial gas exchange under water. The unusual phenomenon of aerial gas exchange under water is reported here for the first time in any species of crab. Bimodal ventilation of the branchial chambers occurs in stressed or active crabs partly immersed in shallow water. This consists of an alternation between forward water flow and reversed air flow. The morphology of the branchial chambers in Sudanonautes, and observational data on the patterns of ventilation of the branchial chambers, are discussed in relation to those described for other air-breathing decapod crustaceans.
Peak capacity optimization in comprehensive two dimensional liquid chromatography: A practical approach

In this work we develop a practical approach to optimization in comprehensive two dimensional liquid chromatography (LC x LC) which incorporates the important under-sampling correction and is based on the previously developed gradient implementation of the Poppe approach to optimizing peak capacity. The Poppe method allows the determination of the column length, flow rate as well as initial and final eluent compositions that maximize the peak capacity at a given gradient time. It was assumed that gradient elution is applied in both dimensions and that various practical constraints are imposed on both the initial and final mobile phase composition in the first dimension separation. It was convenient to consider four different classes of solute sets differing in their retention properties. The major finding of this study is that the under-sampling effect is very important and causes some unexpected results including the important counter-intuitive observation that under certain conditions the optimum effective LC x LC peak capacity is obtained when the first dimension is deliberately run under sub-optimal conditions. In addition, we found that the optimum sampling rate in this study is rather slower than reported in previous studies and that it increases with longer first dimension gradient times.
Peptidyl thioamides as substrates and inhibitors of papain, and as probes of the kinetic significance of the oxyanion hole

Abstract The interaction of papain with a series of amide and thioamide substrates was studied to assess the contribution of the oxyanion hole to catalysis. Amides 1a–4a (AcPheGly-NHR, where R = H, CH 3 , PhCH 2 or p -O 2 NC 6 H 4 , respectively) were all hydrolyzed to AcPheGly-OH with k cat / K m values from 23–430 M −1 s −1 (25°C, 20% v/v MeCN in 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.3). Structurally analogous thioamides 1b–3b (AcPheGly T NHR) were not detectably hydrolyzed by papain, but 4b (AcPheGly T NHC 6 H 4 NO 2 ) was hydrolyzed to the thiolacid AcPheGly-SH ( k cat / K m = 2125 M −1 s −1 ). The latter was hydrolyzed further to AcPheGly-OH in a slower reaction. Thioamides 1b–3b bound to papain and inhibited the papain-catalyzed hydrolysis of Z-Gly-ONp, but the inhibition was generally less than 50% at concentrations up to 500 μM, suggesting that the binding was purely non-covalent. The inability of papain to hydrolyze 1b–3b while 1a–3a are excellent substrates suggests that the oxyanin hole plays an important role in amide hydrolysis by papain. The facile hydrolysis of thioamide 4b was attributed to decreased amide bond resonance (i.e. a more reactive ground state) caused by the strong electron-withdrawing effecct of the p -nitrophenyl substituent.
Biases in atmospheric CO 2 estimates from correlated meteorology modeling errors

Abstract. Estimates of CO2 fluxes that are based on atmospheric measurements rely upon a meteorology model to simulate atmospheric transport. These models provide a quantitative link between the surface fluxes and CO2 measurements taken downwind. Errors in the meteorology can therefore cause errors in the estimated CO2 fluxes. Meteorology errors that correlate or covary across time and/or space are particularly worrisome; they can cause biases in modeled atmospheric CO2 that are easily confused with the CO2 signal from surface fluxes, and they are difficult to characterize. In this paper, we leverage an ensemble of global meteorology model outputs combined with a data assimilation system to estimate these biases in modeled atmospheric CO2. In one case study, we estimate the magnitude of month-long CO2 biases relative to CO2 boundary layer enhancements and quantify how that answer changes if we either include or remove error correlations or covariances. In a second case study, we investigate which meteorological conditions are associated with these CO2 biases. In the first case study, we estimate uncertainties of 0.5–7 ppm in monthly-averaged CO2 concentrations, depending upon location (95% confidence interval). These uncertainties correspond to 13–150% of the mean afternoon CO2 boundary layer enhancement at individual observation sites. When we remove error covariances, however, this range drops to 2–22%. Top-down studies that ignore these covariances could therefore underestimate the uncertainties and/or propagate transport errors into the flux estimate. In the second case study, we find that these month-long errors in atmospheric transport are anti-correlated with temperature and planetary boundary layer (PBL) height over terrestrial regions. In marine environments, by contrast, these errors are more strongly associated with weak zonal winds. Many errors, however, are not correlated with a single meteorological parameter, suggesting that a single meteorological proxy is not sufficient to characterize uncertainties in atmospheric CO2. Together, these two case studies provide information to improve the setup of future top-down inverse modeling studies, preventing unforeseen biases in estimated CO2 fluxes.
Effect of efflux of guanosine 3',5' cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) on the regulation of intracellular levels of cGMP in the inner medullary collecting duct

Abstract Guanosine 3′,5′ cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) acts as a second messenger in the inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) where it inhibits sodium transport; therefore, it is important to investigate processes that regulate intracellular cGMP levels. We hypothesized that efflux of cGMP is a major mechanism in this process. IMCDs were isolated from rat kidneys and exposed to atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) for 0, 3, and 20 min in buffer with or without isobutyl methylxanthine (IBMX), a phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor. Extracellular and intracellular cGMP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. After cGMP production was stimulated by addition of ANP (10−7 M), cGMP efflux was 3.29 ± 0.60 fmol/μg · min at 3 min (P = 0.016) and 0.51 ± 0.25 fmol/μg · min at 20 min (NS). Intracellular cGMP peaked at 3 min at 26.66 ± 4.84 fmol/μg (P = 0.017) and decreased to 12.98 ± 2.76 fmol/μg at 20 min (NS). Since PDEs were inhibited, these data suggest that efflux regulates intracellular cGMP. Efflux was correlated with intracellular cGMP levels (r = 0.97). After 3 min of stimulation with 10−9 M ANP, efflux was 2.0 ± 0.3 fmol/μg · min, while intracellular cGMP content was 13.8 ± 3.6 fmol/μg. With 10−8 M ANP, efflux was 3.5 ± 0.7 fmol/μg · min, while intracellular content was 20.5 ± 7.6 fmol/μg; and at 10−7 M ANP, efflux was 5.1 ± 0.6 fmol/μg · min and intracellular content was 26.6 ± 8.0 fmol/μg. By 20 min, efflux and intracellular levels had returned to control values. Finally, we measured efflux and PDE activity in the absence of IBMX. Efflux was ≈15% of PDE activity (N = 7). We conclude that cGMP efflux is concentration-dependent and, under some circumstances, may be an important regulator of intracellular cGMP levels in isolated IMCDs.
The art of storytelling: how loyalty marketers can build emotional connections to their brands

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of building emotional connections between brands and consumers. Using Canada's Air Miles Reward Program as an example, the paper aims to stress the importance of using customer insight to drive branding decisions and ensure a long‐term emotional attachment to a loyalty program.Design/methodology/approach – The paper thoroughly explains Air Miles' method of reaching out to its customers to glean information that could be used to re‐brand the program. The method, used during focus groups, asked collectors to re‐tell stories that were important in their life. Common themes emerged, which Air Miles incorporated into the re‐branding of their program.Findings – Through specially‐designed focus groups, Air Miles strategists learned that it isn't enough to be a well‐functioning loyalty program. In order to be distinctive in an overcrowded market, Air Miles must provide collectors with an emotionally engaging experience in the redemption process.Pr...
Distributed beatlength measurement in single-mode fibers with optical frequency-domain reflectometry

The polarization dependence of the coherent detection in optical frequency-domain reflectometry can be exploited to measure the local beatlength along an optical fiber. Reproducibility of the results is given for high and low polarization-mode coupling fibers, and the influence of several effects on beatlength measurement precision, such as spatial reflectometer resolution, fiber twist, and the presence of circular birefringence, is discussed. The experimental results seem to indicate that the typical assumption that the fiber birefringence can be treated as purely linear might not be fully justified. Beatlength overestimates of 10% and more can result.
Risk of Infection with Intravenous Iron Therapy

Objective:To review the potential risks of administering intravenous iron to patients with infection.Data Sources:Literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1977–June 2007) and Google Scholar, using the terms intravenous iron, iron sucrose, ferric gluconate, iron dextran, and infection. In addition, reference citations from publications identified were reviewed.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All English-language articles identified from the data sources were evaluated. Studies that provided data relevant to the objective were used, including in vitro and animal studies.Data Synthesis:The role of iron in bacterial growth and the pathophysiology of cellular immunity create legitimate, yet theoretical, concerns that active infection may be exacerbated by the administration of intravenous iron. Human data relating to this issue are limited. A few small, human studies in a population with chronic kidney disease suggest a possible increased risk of developing an infection associated with intravenous iron; ho...
Struggling to Keep on Top: Meeting the Everyday Challenges of AIDS

Although there has been considerable research on the experiences of caregivers in general, and more recently on caregivers of persons living with AIDS (PLWAs), little is known about the effects of AIDS on the many significant others who do not assume roles as primary caregivers. Yet these significant others provide vital instrumental and social support to enhance the lives of PLWAs. This study was conducted using the grounded theory method with in-depth interviews of a diverse sample of 24 significant others of PLWAs from 2 distinct geographic areas. The basic social psychological process was identified as "struggling to keep on top." Three major categories of this core variable included "accepting the challenge,"" 'maintaining equilibrium," and "constructing a future." Findings have implications for sensitization to the experiences of this population and for interventions to maintain them in their roles as they confront the challenging, frustrating, and sometimes abruptly changing situations associated w...
Exponentially Segmented Positioning of a Single Link Mechanism: A Control Algorithm that Satisfies Fitts' Law

Duration of accuracy-constrained human movement is described by a logarithmic function known as Fitts' law, which characterizes a tradeoff between speed and accuracy in point-to-point motion. A control method is presented that produces a response conforming to Fitts' equation. The described control divides desired movement into regions of exponentially decreasing size, and is therefore known as exponential segmentation. By restricting overshoot, this approach produces a series of exponentially smaller submovements of nearly equal duration. This causes the response to agree with Fitts' law, while displaying multiresolutional characteristics. Thus, the proposed algorithm is a potential candidate for describing human psychomotor control of point-to-point movement.
Heroes in Sport: Assessing Celebrity Endorser Effectiveness

The use of celebrities, and particularly athletes, to influence consumers and sell products is not a new practice, but one that is gaining considerable steam in the sports marketplace. However, many academics and practitioners have long questioned the means by which celebrity endorsement is measured and evaluated. Through the use of validated surveys among US students and the inauguration of the Celebrity-Hero Matrix (CHM), some of their questions are answered. Being labelled a 'heroic' athlete does, it seems, have tremendous power for marketers, and provides endorsement clout for the athlete.
Gate current in OFF-state MOSFET

The source of the gate current in MOSFETs due to an applied drain voltage with the gate grounded is studied. It is found that for 100-AA or thinner oxide, the gate current is due to Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) tunneling electrons from the gate. With increasing oxide thickness, hot-hole injection becomes the dominant contribution to the gate current. This gate current can cause I/sub D/ walkout, which is a decrease in the gate-induced drain leakage current, and hole trapping, which becomes important for device degradation study. It can also be used to advantage in EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory) erasure. >
Automate tube current modulation variability with different scout and scan voltages (kV)

2319 Objectives Automated tube current modulation (ATCM) has become an effective tool in reducing CT dose while maintaining image quality across patient with various body habituses. In previous work, we have shown CT dose decreases of up to 60%. With its use come potential pitfalls. As per the manufacturer the scout and scan kVs should be equivalent for ATCMs use. However, it is unknown how much of a difference it would cause. Here we investigated the effects of using a different scout technique vs that used in the CT. Methods An anthropomorphic phantom was laid supine on a 16 slice GE DSTE PET/CT machine. Four scans were then run with GE’s Smart mA ATCM software using our clinical noise index of 20 with a 300 mA max Smart mA and are as follows for the scout/scan kV combinations: 80/120, 100/120, 120/120 and 140/120. The 120/120 scan served as our standard in this experiment. The scans we then sent to an advantage workstation where a proprietary IDL program pulled the mA/slice out of each scan. The average mA/slice was then calculated and compared to the standard 120/120 scan in an excel spreadsheet. Results Using lower kVs (80,100) on the scout results in an overestimation of the dose needed to achieve the preset noise threshold. The increase in dose for the 80 and 100 kV scouts is equal to 14% and 4% respectively. Using a higher kV in this case 140 resulted in an underestimation of the dose with a decrease of approximately 2% in mA/slice. Conclusions There is minimal change in the dose delivery when adjustments in scout kV are changed from 120 to 100 and 140. More work will need to be done to see if manipulation of ATCM parameters can occur so that a lower kV during the scout can be used, thus lowering the overall dose to the patient, while maintaining the same image quality