bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physician’s perception of E-consultation adoption amid of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Dash Ajitabh , Sahoo Anjan Kumar
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate physicians’ perceptions of e-consultation adoption, which has the potential to bridge existing gaps in the current health-care system, using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) framework.

Design/methodology/approach

The judgemental sampling method was embraced to collect primary data from 337 physicians from Delhi-National Capital Region who had experience with e-consultation. A number of hypotheses was developed and tested using structural equation model based on UTAUT2.

Findings

The study’s findings revealed an affirmative and significant relation between a physician’s intention to embrace e-consultation and facilitating conditions, effort expectancy, social influence and performance expectancy; however, habit and experience are not significantly linked to it.

Originality/value

This study will not only add to the existing body of knowledge about e-consultation adoption, but it will also assist electronic health service providers in devising strategies to encourage the usage of e-consultation services in emerging economies such as India where people are deprived of the right to access better health care due to lack of physical infrastructure.
Genome‐wide identification and characterization of basic helix‐loop‐helix transcription factors in Spodoptera litura upon pathogen infection
Authors: Zhang Jie , Zhu Mengyao , Li Qilin , Tang Ting , Wen Liang , Zhong Jielai , Zhang Ruonan , Yu Xiao‐Qiang , Lu Yuzhen
Published: October 2021

Basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factors play an important role in a wide range of metabolic and developmental processes in eukaryotes, and bHLH proteins also participate in immune responses, especially in plants. However, their roles in insects upon entomopathogen infection are unknown. In this study, 54 bHLH genes in 41 families were identified in a polyphagous pest, Spodoptera litura, including a new bHLH gene in group B, which is specifically present in Lepidoptera and was thus named Lep. The conserved amino acids in the bHLH domain, structural architecture, and chromosomal distribution of bHLH genes in S. litura were analyzed. The bHLH genes in Plutella xylostella and Apis mellifera were also updated, and genome‐wide comparison and phylogenetic analysis of bHLH members in 5 holometabolous insects were performed. The expression profiles of S. litura bHLH (SlbHLH) genes in 3 tissues at different developmental stages and their responses to S. litura nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpltNPV), Nomuraea rileyi (Nr), and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) infection were investigated. More SlbHLHs in group B were expressed and differentially expressed during pathogen infections, and SlbHLHs tended to be downregulated in the midgut of S. litura larvae after B. thuringiensis treatment. Our study provides an overview of bHLH family members in S. litura and their responses to different pathogens used for pest biocontrol. These findings on bHLH members may contribute to uncovering the mechanism of host–pathogen interaction.
Fast model‐based ordination with copulas
Authors: Popovic Gordana C. , Hui Francis K. C. , Warton David I.
Published: October 2021

Visualising data is a key step in data analysis, allowing researchers to find patterns, and assess and communicate the results of statistical modelling. In ecology, visualisation is often challenging when there are many variables (often for different species or other taxonomic groups) and they are not normally distributed (often counts or presence–absence data). Ordination is a common and powerful way to overcome this hurdle by reducing data from many response variables to just two or three, to be easily plotted.

Ordination is traditionally done using dissimilarity‐based methods, most commonly non‐metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS). In the last decade, however, model‐based methods for unconstrained ordination have gained popularity. These are primarily based on latent variable models, with latent variables estimating the underlying, unobserved ecological gradients.

Despite some major benefits, a drawback of model‐based ordination methods is their speed, as they typically take much longer to return a result than dissimilarity‐based methods, especially for large sample sizes.

We introduce copula ordination, a new, scalable model‐based approach to unconstrained ordination. This method has all the desirable properties of model‐based ordination methods, with the added advantage that it is computationally far more efficient. In particular, simulations show copula ordination is an order of magnitude faster than current model‐based methods, and can even be faster than nMDS for large sample sizes, while being able to produce similar ordination plots and trends as these methods.
Linking entomofauna and farmland management to enhance ecosystem services in Mediterranean drylands
Authors: Faria Nuno , Morales Manuel B.
Published: October 2021

Planning for biodiversity conservation and management requires understanding the underlying ecological and socio‐economic trade‐offs. In this study held in extensive grasslands of Southern Portugal, we investigated: (a) how pollinators, potential agricultural pests and natural enemies relate with yield (above‐ground vegetation biomass) and vegetation quality (crude protein content [CPC]), two important provisioning services provided by grasslands; and (b) how the abundance of target taxa can be favoured or controlled through farmland management. We expected to provide preliminary knowledge into the effects of annual weather variability on both modulating the association of the target taxa with vegetation biomass and CPC, thereby conditioning the management measures required to optimise those services. Vegetation and arthropods were sampled in May from 2012 to 2014. Linear mixed models were used to examine the relationship of arthropod abundance with yield, vegetation quality and management variables. Vegetation biomass better explained the abundance of bees, leafhoppers and ladybird beetles, whereas aphids and ichneumonid wasps were more associated to CPC (bees presented contrasting annual responses). Higher stocking rates favoured higher abundance of aphids, and contrasting annual responses were found for chalcid wasps and bees. Higher cultivation frequency was related with lower abundance of aphids, spiders, chalcid wasps and ladybird beetles. There was high annual variability in the relationship of target groups with vegetation biomass and CPC, as well as in the effects of management variables on target groups. Therefore, annual changes in trade‐offs between the potential for ecosystem services (pollination, biological control) and disservices (crop pest‐infestation) associated with these groups may be foreseen, according to yearly conditions.
An articulation of geopolitics otherwise? Indigenous language‐use in spaces of Arctic geopolitics
Authors: Medby Ingrid A.
Published: October 2021

This paper takes up the call for political geographers to engage more directly with Wittgenstein's later philosophy of language, namely his emphasis on language as activity and practice. In particular, it considers his approach to linguistic demonstration over representation, whereby the reader is not ‘told’ but ‘shown.’ This arguably instructive conceptualisation of the functioning of language is here applied to a space of geopolitics, focusing on the political potentialities of articulating an Arctic otherwise through selective bilingualism and language‐use. More specifically, the paper centres on the particular use of North Sámi language in a conference space otherwise dominated by English and Norwegian. The act of ‘articulating otherwise’ is not here an act of defiance but rather an invitation for re‐conceptualisation. In making Indigenous voices heard on their own terms, it is not only the words but even more so the act of their utterance that carries political power. The paper therefore argues that political geographers ought to (re)direct attention to language‐use and the socio‐political practices of linguistic world‐making. By drawing on Wittgenstein's approach to language‐use, what here becomes clear is that geopolitical questions too are negotiated not through given answers but rather through the interactive process of reaching these together – insights that in turn allow us to consider how agency and change may play out through language‐use, potentially articulating geopolitics otherwise.
Risk prediction for metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma using digital multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification
Authors: Yoshikawa Yoshie , Yamada Yusuke , Emi Mitsuru , Atanesyan Lilit , Smout Jan , de Groot Karel , Savola Suvi , Nakanishi‐Shinkai Yukako , Kanematsu Akihiro , Nojima Michio , Ohmuraya Masaki , Hashimoto‐Tamaoki Tomoko , Yamamoto Shingo
Published: October 2021

Precise quantification of copy‐number alterations (CNAs) in a tumor genome is difficult. We have applied a comprehensive copy‐number analysis method, digital multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (digitalMLPA), for targeted gene copy‐number analysis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Copy‐number status of all chromosomal arms and 11 genes was determined in 60 ccRCC samples. Chromosome 3p loss and 5q gain, known as early changes in ccRCC development, as well as losses at 9p and 14q were detected in 56/60 (93.3%), 31/60 (51.7%), 11/60 (18.3%), and 33/60 (55%), respectively. Through gene expression analysis, a significant positive correlation was detected in terms of 14q loss determined using digitalMLPA and downregulation of mRNA expression ratios with HIF1A and L2HGDH (P = .0253 and .0117, respectively). Patients with early metastasis (<1 y) (n = 18) showed CNAs in 6 arms (in median), whereas metastasis‐free patients (n = 34) showed those in significantly less arms (3 arms in median) (P = .0289). In particular, biallelic deletion of CDKN2A/2B was associated with multiple CNAs (≥7 arms) in 3 tumors. Together with sequence‐level mutations in genes VHL, PBRM1, SETD2, and BAP1, we performed multiple correspondence analysis, which identified the association of 9p loss and 4q loss with early metastasis (both P < .05). This analysis indicated the association of 4p loss and 1p loss with poor survival (both, P < .05). These findings suggest that CNAs have essential roles in aggressiveness of ccRCC. We showed that our approach of measuring CNA through digitalMLPA will facilitate the selection of patients who may develop metastasis.
Ultra‐high strength medium‐entropy (Ti,Zr,Ta)C ceramics at 1800°C by consolidating a core‐shell structured powder
Authors: Yang Qing‐Qing , Wang Xin‐Gang , Wu Ping , Wang Xiao‐Fei , Zhang Cheng , Zhang Guo‐Jun , Jiang Dan‐Yu
Published: October 2021

We report for the first time the synthesis of a core‐shell structured composite powder with a core of Zr(Ti,Ta)C and a shell of Ti,Ta(Zr)C at 1700°C and investigate the formation mechanism for the core‐shell structure. The medium‐entropy (Ti,Zr,Ta)C ceramics with fine grains (1.1 ± 0.4 μm) and relative density of 94.8% was prepared by hot‐pressing at 2100°C. The flexural strength of (Ti,Zr,Ta)C at 1000°C (493 ± 21 MPa) was close to the room temperature (511 ± 52 MPa). As the temperature increased from 1600°C to 1800°C, the flexural strength was increased significantly, with an ultra‐high flexural strength of 725 ± 32 MPa at 1800°C. The existence of the core‐shell structure in the powder suppressed the grain growth due to the sluggish diffusion effect. The ultra‐high strength of (Ti,Zr,Ta)C ceramics was attributed to its fine microstructures, high fracture toughness, and the reinforced the grain boundary strength.
PKM2 promotes angiotensin‐II‐induced cardiac remodelling by activating TGF‐β/Smad2/3 and Jak2/Stat3 pathways through oxidative stress
Authors: Zhang Xiyu , Zheng Cuiting , Gao Zhenqiang , Wang Lingling , Chen Chen , Zheng Yuanyuan , Meng Yan
Published: October 2021

Hypertensive cardiac remodelling is a common cause of heart failure. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating cardiac remodelling remain unclear. Pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) is a key regulator of the processes of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, but the roles in cardiac remodelling remain unknown. In the present study, we found that PKM2 was enhanced in angiotensin II (Ang II)‐treated cardiac fibroblasts and hypertensive mouse hearts. Suppression of PKM2 by shikonin alleviated cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis in Ang‐II‐induced cardiac remodelling in vivo. Furthermore, inhibition of PKM2 markedly attenuated the function of cardiac fibroblasts including proliferation, migration and collagen synthesis in vitro. Mechanistically, suppression of PKM2 inhibited cardiac remodelling by suppressing TGF‐β/Smad2/3, Jak2/Stat3 signalling pathways and oxidative stress. Together, this study suggests that PKM2 is an aggravator in Ang‐II‐mediated cardiac remodelling. The negative modulation of PKM2 may provide a promising therapeutic approach for hypertensive cardiac remodelling.
FRET‐based assay for intracellular evaluation of α‐synuclein aggregation inhibitors
Authors: Galkin Maksym , Priss Anastasiia , Topcheva Oleksandra , Yushchenko Dmytro A. , Shvadchak Volodymyr V.
Published: October 2021

Aggregation of small neuronal protein α‐synuclein (αSyn) in amyloid fibrils is considered to be one of the main causes of Parkinson's disease. Inhibition of this aggregation is a promising approach for disease treatment. Dozens of compounds able to inhibit αSyn fibrillization in solution were developed during the last decade. However, the applicability of most of them in the cellular environment was not established because of the absence of a suitable cell‐based assay. In this work, we developed an assay for testing αSyn aggregation inhibitors in cells that is based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between labeled αSyn molecules in fibrils. The assay directly reports the amount of fibrillized αSyn and is more reliable than the assays based on cell viability. Moreover, we showed that cell viability decline does not always correlate with the amount of misfolded αSyn. The developed FRET‐based assay does not interfere with the aggregation process and is suitable for high‐throughput testing of αSyn aggregation inhibitors. Its application can sort out non‐specific inhibitors and thus significantly facilitate the development of drugs for Parkinson`s disease.

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Big five personality traits and performance: A quantitative synthesis of 50+ meta‐analyses
Authors: Zell Ethan , Lesick Tara L.
Published: October 2021

Objective

The connection between personality traits and performance has fascinated scholars in a variety of disciplines for over a century. The present research synthesizes results from 54 meta‐analyses (k = 2028, N = 554,778) to examine the association of Big Five traits with overall performance.

Method

Quantitative aggregation procedures were used to assess the association of Big Five traits with performance, both overall and in specific performance categories.

Results

Whereas conscientiousness yielded the strongest effect (ρ = 0.19), the remaining Big Five traits yielded comparable effects (ρ = 0.10, 0.10, −0.12, and 0.13 for extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism, and openness). These associations varied dramatically by performance category. Whereas conscientiousness was more strongly associated with academic than job performance (0.28 vs 0.20), extraversion (−0.01 vs 0.14) and neuroticism (−0.03 vs −0.15) were less strongly associated with academic performance. Finally, associations of personality with specific performance outcomes largely replicated across independent meta‐analyses.

Conclusions

Our comprehensive synthesis demonstrates that Big Five traits have robust associations with performance and documents how these associations fluctuate across personality and performance dimensions.
Disturbance alters the forest soil microbiome
Authors: Bowd Elle J. , Banks Sam C. , Bissett Andrew , May Tom W. , Lindenmayer David B.
Published: October 2021

Billions of microorganisms perform critical below‐ground functions in all terrestrial ecosystems. While largely invisible to the naked eye, they support all higher lifeforms, form symbiotic relationships with ~90% of terrestrial plant species, stabilize soils, and facilitate biogeochemical cycles. Global increases in the frequency of disturbances are driving major changes in the structure and function of forests. However, despite their functional significance, the disturbance responses of forest microbial communities are poorly understood. Here, we explore the influence of disturbance on the soil microbiome (archaea, fungi and bacteria) of some of the world's tallest and most carbon‐dense forests, the Mountain Ash forests of south‐eastern Australia. From 80 sites, we identified 23,277 and 19,056 microbial operational taxonomic units from the 0–10 cm and 20–30 cm depths of soil respectively. From this extensive data set, we found the diversity and composition of these often cryptic communities has been altered by human and natural disturbance events. For instance, the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi declined with clearcut logging, the diversity of archaea declined with salvage logging, and bacterial diversity and overall microbial diversity declined with the number of fires. Moreover, we identified key associations between edaphic (soil properties), environmental (slope, elevation) and spatial variables and the composition of all microbial communities. Specifically, we found that soil pH, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and nitrate were associated with the composition of all microbial communities. In a period of widespread degradation of global forest ecosystems, our findings provide an important and timely insight into the disturbance responses of soil microbial communities, which may influence key ecological functions.
Remote magnetic navigation versus manual catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation: A single center long‐term comparison
Authors: Schlögl Simon , Schlögl Klaudia Stella , Haarmann Helge , Bengel Philipp , Bergau Leonard , Rasenack Eva , Hasenfuss Gerd , Zabel Markus
Published: October 2021

Background

Data comparing remote magnetic catheter navigation (RMN) with manual catheter navigation (MCN) ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is lacking. The aim of the present prospective observational study was to compare the outcome of RMN versus (vs.) MCN ablation of AF with regards to AF recurrence.

Methods

The study comprised 667 consecutive patients with a total of 939 procedures: 287 patients were ablated using RMN, 380 using MCN.

Results

There was no significant difference between the groups at baseline. After 2.3 ± 2.3 years of follow‐up, 23% of the patients in the MCN group remained free of AF recurrence compared to 13% in the RMN group (p < .001). After analysis of 299 repeat ablations (133 MCN, 166 RMN) there was a significantly higher reconnection rate of pulmonary veins after RMN ablation p < .001). In multivariable Cox‐regression analysis, RMN ablation was an independent risk factor for AF recurrence besides age, persistent AF, number of isolated pulmonary veins, and left atrial diameter. Procedure time, radiofrequency application time and total number of ablation points were higher in the RMN group. Total fluoroscopy time and total fluoroscopy dose were significantly lower for RMN. Complication rates did not differ between groups (p = .842), although the incidence of significant pericardial effusion was higher in the MCN group (seven cases vs. three in RMN group).

Conclusions

In our study the AF recurrence rate and pulmonary vein reconnection rate is higher after RMN ablation with a similar complication rate but reduced probability of pericardial effusion when compared to MCN.
The chromosome‐scale genomes of Dipterocarpus turbinatus and Hopea hainanensis (Dipterocarpaceae) provide insights into fragrant oleoresin biosynthesis and hardwood formation
Authors: Wang Sibo , Liang Hongping , Wang Hongli , Li Linzhou , Xu Yan , Liu Yang , Liu Min , Wei Jinpu , Ma Tao , Le Cheng , Yang Jinlong , He Chengzhong , Liu Jie , Zhao Jianming , Zhao Yuxian , Lisby Michael , Sahu Sunil Kumar , Liu Huan
Published: October 2021

Dipterocarpaceae are typical tropical plants (dipterocarp forests) that are famous for their high economic value because of their production of fragrant oleoresins, top‐quality timber and usage in traditional Chinese medicine. Currently, the lack of Dipterocarpaceae genomes has been a limiting factor to decipher the fragrant oleoresin biosynthesis and gain evolutionary insights into high‐quality wood formation in Dipterocarpaceae. We generated chromosome‐level genome assemblies for two representative Dipterocarpaceae species viz. Dipterocarpus turbinatus Gaertn. f. and Hopea hainanensis Merr. et Chun. Our whole‐genome duplication (WGD) analysis revealed that Dipterocarpaceae underwent a shared WGD event, which showed significant impacts on increased copy numbers of genes related to the biosynthesis of terpene, BAHD acyltransferases, fatty acid and benzenoid/phenylpropanoid, which probably confer to the formation of their characteristic fragrant oleoresin. Additionally, compared with common soft wood plants, the expansion of gene families was also found to be associated with wood formation, such as in CESA (cellulose synthase), CSLE (cellulose synthase‐like protein E), laccase and peroxidase in Dipterocarpaceae genomes, which might also contribute to the formation of harder, stronger and high‐density timbers. Finally, an integrative analysis on a combination of genomic, transcriptomic and metabolic data from different tissues provided further insights into the molecular basis of fragrant oleoresins biosynthesis and high‐quality wood formation of Dipterocarpaceae. Our study contributes the first two representative genomes for Dipterocarpaceae, which are valuable genetic resources for further researches on the fragrant oleoresins and superior‐quality timber, genome‐assisted breeding and improvement, and conservation biology of this family.
HLA‐B*48:53, a novel HLA‐B allele with two exonic mutations
Authors: Walencik Alexandre , Calvo De Olmos Orane , Bonneville Francoise , Blanchet Gaelle , Cesbron‐Gautier Anne
Published: October 2021

The novel HLA‐B*48:53 allele was characterized using two next generation sequencing technologies.
Effects of Voluntary Quadriceps–Hamstring Cocontraction on Tibiofemoral Force During Isometric Knee Extension and Knee Flexion Exercises With Constant External Resistance
Authors: Biscarini Andrea , Panichi Roberto , Dieni Cristina V. , Contemori Samuele
Published: October 2021

A biomechanical model has been developed to assess the effects of a voluntary effort of quadriceps–hamstring cocontraction on tibiofemoral force during isometric knee flexion and knee extension exercises with constant external resistance. The model establishes the analytic condition in the moment arms and traction angles of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles that determines the direction (anterior/posterior) of the tibiofemoral shear force developed by the cocontraction. This model also establishes the mechanical effect (loading/unloading) on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). At about 15° of knee flexion (where the ACL experiences its maximum quadriceps-induced strain) a voluntary quadriceps–hamstring cocontraction effort yields: (1) nearly the same enhancement in hamstring and quadriceps activation, (2) an increase in hamstring force about 1.5 times higher than that of the quadriceps, and (3) posterior (ACL unloading) tibial pull and compressive tibiofemoral force that increase linearly with the level of quadriceps and hamstring activation. The sensitivity of the results to intersubject variability in the posterior slope of the tibial plateau and muscle moment arms has been estimated with the use of anatomic data available in the literature. An anterior (ACL loading) tibial pull is actually developed at 15° of knee flexion by a voluntary effort of quadriceps–hamstring cocontraction as the posterior tibial slope exceeds 14°.
Associations Between Active Commuting and Cardiovascular Disease in the United States
Authors: Peterman James E. , Bassett David R. , Finch W. Holmes , Harber Matthew P. , Whaley Mitchell H. , Fleenor Bradley S. , Kaminsky Leonard A.
Published: October 2021

Background: Active commuting is inversely related with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors yet associations with CVD prevalence in the US population are unknown. Methods: Aggregate data from national surveys conducted in 2017 provided state-level percentages of adults who have/had coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke, and who actively commuted to work. Associations between active commuting and CVD prevalence rates were assessed using Pearson correlations and generalized additive models controlling for covariates. Results: Significant correlations were observed between active commuting and all CVD rates (r range = −.31 to −.47; P < .05). The generalized additive model analyses for active commuting (walking, cycling, or public transport) in all adults found no relationships with CVD rates; however, a significant curvilinear association was observed for stroke within men. The generalized additive model curves when examining commuting via walking or cycling in all adults demonstrated nuanced, generally negative linear or curvilinear associations between coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Conclusion: Significant negative correlations were observed between active commuting and prevalence rates of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and stroke. Controlling for covariates influenced these associations and highlights the need for future research to explore the potential of active commuting modes to reduce CVD in the United States.
RNA polymerase II is required for spatial chromatin reorganization following exit from mitosis
Authors: Zhang Shu , Übelmesser Nadine , Josipovic Natasa , Forte Giada , Slotman Johan A. , Chiang Michael , Gothe Henrike Johanna , Gusmao Eduardo Gade , Becker Christian , Altmüller Janine , Houtsmuller Adriaan B. , Roukos Vassilis , Wendt Kerstin S. , Marenduzzo Davide , Papantonis Argyris
Published: October 2021

Following exit from mitosis, RNA Pol II is required for reestablishing 3D genome folding by loading cohesin complexes onto DNA.
Osteocalcin attenuates oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination via GPR37 signaling in the mouse brain
Authors: Qian Zhengjiang , Li Hongchao , Yang Haiyang , Yang Qin , Lu Zhonghua , Wang Liping , Chen Ying , Li Xiang
Published: October 2021

Osteocalcin regulating oligodendrocyte myelination is mediated by GPR37, a novel receptor for osteocalcin in the CNS.
A Correction
Authors: Freley J. W.
Published: October 2021

To The Editor of SCIENCE: In the issue of SCIENCE for October 19th I notice your statement under 'University and Educational News' of my appointment as acting president of Wells College. Permit me to say that a misspelling of my name completely changes it into that of another person. Instead of
Feeley
, it should be
Freley
.
A Climatic Record from Searles Lake, California
Authors: Roosma Aino
Published: October 2021

Data concerning past climatic conditions in arid California have been presented. Palynological and geological evidence points to the existence of past cooler moister climates and to climatic fluctuations. These have been tentatively correlated with late Pleistocene events in glaciated North America. The existence of a rather extensive woodland community at times of more favorable moisture conditions seems to be indicated.
Effect of Reserpine Pretreatment on Stimulation of the Accelerans Nerve of the Dog
Authors: Trendelenburg U. , Gravenstein J. S.
Published: October 2021

Pretreatment with two doses of reserpine (each 0.1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) sensitizes the heart to the positive chronotropic action of norepinephrine and reduces the response to stimulation of the accelerans nerve. Ganglionic transmission remains unaffected. The results indicate that the presence of certain stores of peripheral sympathetic transmitter is essential for the production of tachycardia by stimulation of the accelerans nerve.
Fibrillation and Potassium Influx
Authors: Holland W. C. , Brigs A. H.
Published: October 2021

Absolute influx and efflux of potassium-42 have been measured in isolated rabbit atria during acetylcholine-induced fibrillation. The efflux of potassium was increased three to four times; influx was not changed. The data are interpreted as indicating that an inhibition of active K uptake is not involved in the initiation of fibrillation, and that the process results from a marked increase in Na permeability.
Blood Groupings in Marshallese
Authors: Sussman Leon N. , Meyer Leo H. , Conard Robert A.
Published: October 2021

The absence of the Diego blood factor, the extremely low incidence of the
M
gene, and the unusually high
R

1

gene frequency of the Marshallese more nearly resemble the blood groupings of the people of the western islands of Indonesia than the blood groupings of the Amerindians.
Effect of Ultraviolet Light on Pectolytic Enzyme Production and Pathogenicity of
Pseudomonas
Authors: Friedman B. A. , Ceponis M. J.
Published: October 2021

Ultraviolet radiation-induced mutants of the soft rot bacterium
Pseudomonas marginalis
were selected for loss of pathogenicity for lettuce and witloof chicory. The avirulent mutants differed from the parent pathogen in their inability to synthesize pectolytic enzymes in culture or to ferment sodium pectate or sodium polygalacturonate as the sole carbon source in media.
Effect of Chlorpromazine on
Salmonella enteritidis
Infection in Mice
Authors: Grosz Hanus J. , Norton James
Published: October 2021

Chlorpromazine increases the susceptibility of mice to infection with
Salmonella enteritidis
.
Transient Memory in Albino Rats
Authors: Thompson Robert
Published: October 2021

Rats were trained on the repeated reversal of a position habit in a T-maze. Test trials of memory were given at varying intervals after the completion of each reversal. Those animals exhibiting a consistent preference for one side failed to retain the effects of training to the non-preferred side for more than a few minutes.
Interaction of Gibberellic Acid and Indoleacetic Acid in
Impatiens
Authors: Weijer J.
Published: October 2021

Gibberellic acid promotes doubling, early flowering, and fruiting directly in
Impatiens
. It also lengthens the stem, probably through a neutralization of auxin inhibitors. Such a mechanism would leave the growth-promoting auxins unchecked to produce the increased elongation characteristic of gibberellin application. It seems that application of additional auxin produces a rapid build-up of the auxin inhibitor(s) in the plant.
Preliminary Identification of Crystalline Phases in a Transparent Stalactite
Authors: Benington Fred
Published: October 2021

Of two crystalline phases found in a cavern stalactite, the major phase is mirabilite, whereas the minor phase, according to preliminary data, is a new mineral, sodium hemicalcium sulfate dihydrate, which is unstable at temperatures above 25°C.
The Clock Paradox
Authors: MacDuffee C. C.
Published: October 2021

In two-dimensional Minkowski space a geodesic arc is longer than every other admissible arc with the same end points. Thus a particle whose worldline is a geodesic—that is, an unaccelerated particle—requires more (local) time to travel between two events than an accelerated particle. Similar results in four-dimensional Minkowski space can be established.
Influence of Adrenalectomy and Hypophysectomy on Cerebral Serotonin
Authors: De Maio Domenico
Published: October 2021

Changes in serous and encephalic serotonin in hypophysectomized or adrenalectomized rats have been observed. Adrenalectomy produces a decrease of serous serotonin and an increase of the serotonin of hemispheres, base, and medulla oblongata; with hypophysectomy, serotonin is also reduced in serum and increased only in the base and medulla oblongata.
Effect of
p
H on Biological Activity of Chorionic Gonadotropin
Authors: Umberger Ernest J. , Gass George H.
Published: October 2021

Increasing the
p
H from 3.0 to 10.8 increased the uterine weight three-fold and the number of positive vaginal smears from 0 to 78 percent in immature rats injected with chorionic gonadotropin in aqueous solution. Activity of a solution held at
p
H 2.6 and 5°C for 24 hours was restored by neutralization.
Clay Minerals in Playas of the Mojave Desert, California
Authors: Droste John B.
Published: October 2021

Montmorillonite, illite, chlorite, and kaolinite in the playas of southern California are traceable directly to the source areas surrounding the basins. No evidence found in this investigation suggests that these clay minerals are unstable in the sodic or calcic saline lake environment, but this conclusion may not be directly applied to marine evaporite facies where the minerals are rich in potassium and magnesium.
Disappearance of Guard Cell Chloroplasts in Ultraviolet-Irradiated Leaves
Authors: Blakely L. M. , Chessin M.
Published: October 2021

Ultraviolet irradiation of kidney-bean leaves results in the disappearance of chloroplasts from guard cells. The evidence indicates that ultraviolet irradiation causes plastid breakdown indirectly through an effect on guard-cell metabolism.
Photodynamic Inactivation of Monkey Kidney Cell Monolayers
Authors: Klein S. Wayne , Goodgal Sol H.
Published: October 2021

Monkey kidney cell monolayers exposed to white light in the presence of neutral red (1:40,000) undergo degeneration within 24 hours after exposure.
Simplified Way to Cultivate Chick Kidney Cells and Maintain the Culture without Serum
Authors: Hwang J. , Luginbuhl R. E. , Jungherr E. L.
Published: October 2021

Chick kidney fragments were easily dispersed after incubation in trypsin solution for 1 hour at room temperature. The centrifuged cells were resuspended in Melnick's growth medium, diluted to 100 ml for each pair of kidneys, and seeded at 1 ml per tube. The cultures were maintained for 7 days or longer in the medium modified by replacing the serum with tryptose.
Long-Term Effects of Tenotomy on Spinal Monosynaptic Response in the Cat
Authors: Beránek R. , Hnik P.
Published: October 2021

Section of the Achilles tendon in the cat resulted in a shortening of the latent period and an increase in the amplitude of the spinal monosynaptic response from gastrocnemius nerves investigated 28 to 42 days after tenotomy. No change was observed in the course of post-tetanic potentiation.
On the Function of Corticothalamic Neurons
Authors: Ogden Thomas E.
Published: October 2021

The effect of the synchronous discharge of a large population of corticothalamic neurons on activity within the somatosensory relay nuclei has been studied. Thalamic responses to peripheral nerve stimulation are depressed by activity in corticothalamic neurons. A subconvulsive dose of strychnine, given intravenously, changes this depression to enhancement.
Interspecific Transformation of
Neisseria
by Culture Slime Containing Deoxyribonucleate
Authors: Catlin B. Wesley
Published: October 2021

Genetic change of
Neisseria meningitidis
is elicited by deoxyribonucleate preparations obtained from
N. sicca
. Such interspecific transformation is effected not only by deoxyribonucleate obtained from cells by conventional methods but also by crude deoxyribonucleate-containing slime which accumulates without experimental intervention in some cultures incubated for a period as short as 44 hours.
Selective Uptake of Serum Globulins and Glycoproteins by Cells Growing in vitro
Authors: Kent H. Naim , Gey George O.
Published: October 2021

It has been demonstrated in preliminary experiments that two strains of rat tumor cells (WRC-256 and TSAT-72) utilize alpha-2-globulin more selectively than other protein components of human serum. Cells of strain TSAT-72 show some utilization of beta-globulins also. Separate experiments demonstrated the utilization of glycoproteins by both strains.
Delayed Effects of Nicotine on Timing Behavior in the Rat
Authors: Geller Irving , DeMarco Anthony O. , Seifter Joseph
Published: October 2021

Hungry rats were trained to time precisely by rewarding with food those lever responses spaced 20 to 22 seconds apart. Injections of nicotine disrupted the timing behavior slightly, but pronounced delayed effects occurred 3 and 4 days after the drug injection and following a temporary return to base-line performance.
Potassium Dihydrogen D
S
L
S
-Isocitrate
Authors: Vickery H. B.
Published: October 2021

The monopotassium salt is to be preferred to the lactone as the final product of the synthesis of isocitric acid by the method of Fittig and Miller.
Termite Attractant from Fungus-Infected Wood
Authors: Esenther G. R. , Allen T. C. , Casida J. E. , Shenefelt R. D.
Published: October 2021

Field observations suggested that subterranean termites might follow a concentration gradient of attractive material to find decaying wood. Laboratory cultures of the brown rot fungus,
Lenzites trabea
Pers. ex. Fr., on pine blocks formed a material attractive to the eastern subterranean termites,
Reticulitermes flavipes
(Kol.) and
R. virginicus
Banks, and a Costa Rican termite,
Nasutitermes columbicus
(Holmgren). Such a potent termite attractant may be useful in termite surveys and control.
Depressant Agent from Walnut Hulls
Authors: Westfall Bertis A. , Russell Robert L. , Auyong Theodore K.
Published: October 2021

Crushed unripe walnut hulls (
Juglans nigra
), when extracted with ether, yield an extract which sedates or at least depresses the movements of
Daphnia magna,
leopard frogs, perch, catfish, goldfish, mice, rats, and rabbits. One purified depressant compound, 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (juglone), has been isolated and tested on most of these species.
A Pollen Profile from the Grassland Province
Authors: Sears Paul B.
Published: October 2021

Hackberry Lake near Valentine, Nebraska, has deposited about 5 meters of sediment in little more than 5000 years. Its mass pollen spectrum shows over 50 percent grass and about 12 percent tree pollen, but the mass spectrum for the lowest meter shows less than 30 percent grass and over 20 percent tree pollen. This suggests a cooler and more humid climate at inception of the lake than later, and raises interesting questions requiring further research.
Excessive Irrigation and the Soils and Ground Water of Oahu, Hawaii
Authors: Mink John F.
Published: October 2021

In the cultivation of sugar cane in Hawaii irrigation water is applied at very high rates. More than half of this water returns to the basalt aquifer by infiltrating through the highly permeable lateritic soils. The excessive rate of irrigation alters the composition of the ground water and accelerates the evolution of the low humic latosols to humic latosols.
Proposed Explanation of Luminous Particles Observed in Glenn Orbital Flight
Authors: Herzfeld Charles M.
Published: October 2021

It is proposed that the luminous particles observed by John Glenn in his orbital flight are condensed nitrogen and possibly oxygen. Irradiation by the sun would produce excited trapped radicals, which would radiate in ways consistent with the observed behavior of the particles.
Transfer of the "Sex-Ratio" Factor in
Drosophila willistoni
by ingestion
Authors: Carvalho G. G. , da Cruz M. P.
Published: October 2021

Thirty-nine females from a normal strain of
Drosophila willistoni
were kept in bottles containing a drop of a supernatant of a macerate of "sex-ratio" females of the same species. Two of these females acquired the "sex-ratio" condition and transmitted it to their progenies.
Simple Apparatus for Ultrafiltration
Authors: Burns Donald A. , Budna Joyce N. , Chamberlin Joan M.
Published: October 2021

A rapid and highly efficient ultrafiltration apparatus has been devised from readily available laboratory materials costing less than $5. Employing a fritted glass tube to support an evacuated dialysis bag, it accommodates as little as 1 milliliter and is ideally suited to dialysis of small volumes and concentration of macromolecules for chromatography and electrophoresis.
Atmospheric Photochemical Reactions Inhibited by Iodine
Authors: Stephens Edgar R. , Linnell Robert H. , Reckner Louis
Published: October 2021

The inhibition by iodine of the atmosphere photochemical reaction of olefin with nitrogen dioxide has been confirmed. The presence of iodine in concentrations comparable to those of the reactants retards the formation of aldehyde, peroxyacetyl nitrate, and aerosol as well as the disappearance of olefin. The reaction of iodine with atomic oxygen may account for this inhibition. A number of other potential inhibitors were found to be ineffective.
Thymus: Its Role in Lymphoid Recovery after Irradiation
Authors: Auerbach Robert
Published: October 2021

Regeneration of spleen lymphoid centers after destruction of lymphoid tissues is dependent on the thymus.
Reaction Time as a Function of the Cardiac Cycle in Young Adults
Authors: Birren James E. , Cardon Philippe V. , Phillips Shirley L.
Published: October 2021

Simple reaction times to auditory stimuli varied with the phase of the cardiac cycle in which the stimuli were presented, tending to be fastest to stimuli presented during the P-phase of the electrocardiogram. One hundred reaction times obtained from each of 56 men and women between the ages of 20 and 30 years were analyzed.
Flicker Fusion Frequency of Electroretinogram in Light-Adapted Goldfish at Various Temperatures
Authors: Hanyu Isao , Ali M. A.
Published: October 2021

The light intensity-fusion frequency relationship of the goldfish electroretinogram follows the Ferry-Porter law except at the higher intensities. Maximum fusion frequency increases with temperature thus contradicting the results of studies elsewhere on the behavioral responses in sunfish.
Myoglobin: Inherited Structural Variation in Man
Authors: Boyer Samuel H. , Fainer David C. , Naughton Michael A.
Published: October 2021

Ultrafiltrates of human myoglobin from 200 individuals were examined by starch-gel electrophoresis. Only two variants, Mb
Aberdeen
and Mb
Annapolis
, of the commonly occurring myoglobin Mb
+
were encountered. Each variant is apparently inherited as an autosomal codominant. Heterozygotes for either mutation lack apparent muscular disease. Combined electrophoresis and chromatography of Mb
Annapolis
indicate a loss of arginine at a position near the C-terminal portion of the molecule.
Examination of Diurnal Variation in Lethally Irradiated Rats
Authors: Straube Robert L.
Published: October 2021

In anesthetized white rats there is no significant diurnal variation in lethality of an x-ray dose that killed 100 percent of the rats in 30 days.
Feldspar in Chondrites
Authors: Mason Brian
Published: October 2021

Whereas most chondrites contain sodic plagioclase (or occasionally maskelynite, its glassy equivalent), a few are free of feldspar. Absence of plagioclase is correlated with the presence of calcium-poor clinopyroxene (pigeonite
sensu lato
) instead of orthopyroxene. Olivine in feldspar-free chondrites is frequently variable in composition; in feldspar-bearing chondrites this mineral has essentially uniform composition. It appears that the silicate material of most chondrites was initially an association of olivine and pigeonite (or perhaps olivine and glass), and recrystallization has produced the usual olivine-orthopyroxene-sodic plagioclase association.
Deformity of Forelimb in Rats: Association with High Doses of Acetazolamide
Authors: Layton W. M. , Hallesy D. W.
Published: October 2021

Deformities of the right forelimb occurred in a number of offspring of rats given high doses of the carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolamide, during pregnancy. In most cases this was the only deformity found. More than 20 times the usual therapeutic dose rate used for humans was required to produce this effect in rats.
Engineering human prolactin to bind to the human growth hormone receptor
Authors: Cunningham BC , Henner DJ , Wells JA
Published: October 2021

A strategy of iterative site-directed mutagenesis and binding analysis was used to incorporate the receptor-binding determinants from human growth hormone (hGH) into the nonbinding homolog, human prolactin (hPRL). The complementary DNA for hPRL was cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli, and mutated to introduce sequentially those substitutions from hGH that were predicted by alanine-scanning mutagenesis and other studies to be most critical for binding to the hGH receptor from human liver. After seven rounds of site-specific mutagenesis, a variant of hPRL was obtained containing eight mutations with an association constant for the hGH receptor that was increased more than 10,000-fold. This hPRL variant binds one-sixth as strongly as wild-type hGH, but shares only 26 percent overall sequence identity with hGH. These studies show the feasibility of recruiting receptor-binding properties from distantly related and functionally divergent hormones and show that a detailed functional database can be used to guide the design of a protein-protein interface in the absence of direct structural information.
Correction
Authors: Welsh Michael J. , Anderson Matthew P.
Published: October 2021

In the final preparation of the manuscript of our report "Regulation by ATP and ADP of CFTR chloride channels that contain mutant nucleotide-binding domains" (18 Sept., p. 1701) (
1
), we inadvertently plotted the data for figure 1C with an incorrect
x
axis: MgATP was plotted on the
x
axis instead of P
o
. We did not immediately notice the error, which was brought to our attention by Charles Venglarik and Robert Bridges, because the shape of the two curves is similiar. The correct plot is shown in the figure below.

In both plots the data do not fit a straight

[See figure in the PDF file]

line, which supports our interpretation that more than one site may be involved with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) regulation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.
Panel Faults Research Consent Process
Authors: Marshall Eliot
Published: October 2021

A presidential panel established to look into allegations of unethical studies of radiation effects during the Cold War era found plenty to criticize. For researchers conducting research on humans today, it carried an unexpected message: Current procedures for approving studies and gaining informed consent are too lax.
Ozone Hole Won't Worsen?
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: October 2021

The bad news about the Antarctic ozone hole is that it is almost as extensive as the record-setting holes of the past few years. The good news is that a new computer model suggests it will get no worse in the next few years and should start to shrink early in the next century, when restrictions on emissions of ozone-destroying chemicals begin to reduce their concentrations in the stratosphere
Hubbub at Saturn's Rings Revealed
Authors: Kerr Richard A.
Published: October 2021

New observations of Saturn's F ring have revealed one new moon orbiting just outside the ringand two previously discovered moons orbiting far from their predicted positions. One of the displacedmoons may have suffered a collision or a near-miss with another body inside the ring.
Impasse Puts NIH Grants on Hold
Authors: Marshall Eliot , Mervis Jeffrey
Published: October 2021

The budget impasse that shut down much of the federal government a week before Christmas has disrupted the funding of grants by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Funds that were to have been sent out in December have been put on hold until NIH staffers can return to work to process them, and grants approved in late 1995 may not be funded until NIH gets its 1996 budget. NIH labs are being run by skeleton crews, but no new supplies can be ordered until the shutdown ends. The National Science Foundation has also been shut down, but the disruption came at a relatively quiet period in the grant funding cycle.