cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Frailty on Morbidity and Mortality in Adult Patients Presenting with an Acute Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine if baseline frailty was an independent predictor of adverse events (AEs) and in-hospital mortality in patients being treated for acute cervical spinal cord injury (SCI). Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Trauma Database (NTDB) from 2017. Adult patients (>18 years old) with acute cervical SCI were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnostic and procedural coding systems. Patients were categorized into 3 cohorts based on the criteria of the 5-item modified frailty index (mFI-5): mFI = 0, mFI = 1, or mFI≥2. Patient demographics, comorbidities, type of injury, diagnostic and treatment modality, AEs, and in-patient mortality were assessed. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of in-hospital AEs and mortality. Results Of 8986 patients identified, 4990 (55.5%) were classified as mFI = 0, 2328 (26%) as mFI = 1, and 1668 (18.5%) as mFI≥2. On average, the mFI≥2 cohort was 5 years older than the mFI = 1 cohort and 22 years older than the mFI = 0 cohort (P Conclusions Increasing frailty is associated with an increased risk of AEs and in-hospital mortality in patients undergoing treatment for cervical SCI.
Feasibility of augmented reality technology for communication in the construction industry

Abstract Problem statement The current shortage of skilled and experienced management personnel in the construction industry makes it necessary to devise solutions that fully leverage the available expertise. Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology that has the potential to provide contextually relevant communication to field engineers and offer value through real-time communication of spatiotemporal details. Purpose This paper identifies the communication scenarios in which AR may (or may not) be able to replace in-person meetings to address construction-related communication needs, based on data collected from current practitioners. Furthermore, the feedback from practitioners defines contextual factors that would impact their willingness to adopt AR for communication in the domain of construction engineering and management. Methodology Semi-structured interviews were conducted with practitioners and thematic analysis was performed on the interview data. This process identified trends in the practitioners’ responses to reveal their perceptions on use of AR for communication and also the factors that may impact the success of AR for communication in practice. Findings Practitioners perceived AR to be of value in the following situations: improving the communication between the design team and construction team; effectively leveraging the expertise of experienced personnel; and to aid in inspections. The factors affecting the adoption of this technology were classified into technological factors (e.g. Cost of equipment) and non-technological factors (e.g. Relationship building). Contribution Many researchers have explored AR for construction, but the vast majority have explored the topic in controlled settings. Conversely, this study relates to real-life practical settings with direct involvement of industry practitioners. Therefore, the contribution of this work is in defining the factors that must be considered if researchers or practitioners intend to realize the theoretical value suggested for AR in practical settings, while taking into account existing challenges.
Do surgeons adjust clinical productivity after maternity leave

Abstract Background It has been speculated that women's productivity decreases after maternity leave. In this study, we measured if surgeon clinical productivity decreases after a maternity leave or other types of leave. Methods Data from a large medical center was used to measure surgeon productivity before (pre) and after (post) a leave of absence. Post-to-pre productivity ratios were calculated for each leave based on operative volumes and Relative Value Units (RVUs). Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed for the post/pre productivity ratios, adjusting for surgeon characteristics. Results Fifty leaves of absence, from 30 surgeons, were analyzed. There was no significant difference between post and pre leave productivity for maternity leave or other types of leave. There was also no significant difference when comparing post/pre productivity ratios between maternity leaves versus other types of leave (volume: 0.06, p = 0.52; RVU: 0.08, p = 0.58). Conclusion Surgeons do not significantly reduce clinical productivity after maternity or other types of leaves.
Automated Translation of Rebar Information from GPR Data into As-Built BIM: A Deep Learning-based Approach

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is increasingly used in the construction industry, but existing studies often ignore embedded rebars. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) provides a potential solution to develop as-built BIM with surface elements and rebars. However, automatically translating rebars from GPR into BIM is challenging since GPR cannot provide any information about the scanned element. Thus, we propose an approach to link GPR data and BIM according to Faster R-CNN. A label is attached to each element scanned by GPR for capturing the labeled images, which are used with other images to build a 3D model. Meanwhile, Faster R-CNN is introduced to identify the labels, and the projection relationship between images and the model is used to localize the scanned elements in the 3D model. Two concrete buildings is selected to evaluate the proposed approach, and the results reveal that our method could accurately translate the rebars from GPR data into corresponding elements in BIM with correct distributions.
Chapter 5 Deformation Behavior of Compound Semiconductors

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the deformation behavior of compound semiconductors and describes the types of dislocations and stacking faults that can form in these materials. The majority of compound semiconductors are direct bandgap semiconductors—that is, the minimum in the conduction band and the maximum in the valence band occur at the same value of k , where k is the wave vector. Thus, the electron-hole recombination can occur in these materials without the mediation of a defect level and results in the emission of a photon whose energy is equal to the bandgap. One of the remarkable developments of the past decade is lightwave communication. The production of extremely low-loss fused silica fibers, which are used as a transmitting medium, has been achieved routinely around the world. The ternary and quaternary compositions can be derived from the binaries by appropriate atomic substitutions on the respective sublattices. An interesting question is whether or not the atoms within the resulting compositions are distributed at random.
Complexity of Computations

Suppose that f(n) and g(n) are functions of the positive integers n which take positive (but not necessarily integer) values for all n. We say that f(n) = 0(g(n)) (or simply f = 0(g)) if there exists a constant C such that f(n) is always less than C · g(n). For example, 2n2 + 3n − 3 = 0(n2) (namely, it is not hard to prove that the left side is always less than 3n2, so 3 can be chosen as the constant C in the definition).
More than Just Law School: Global Perspectives on the Place of the Practical in Legal Education

Foreign experiences remind us that legal education is not just law school. They inform us that we should seek for ways not just to integrate theoretical and practical teaching, but to assure that our students or our graduates get real experience with practice. The assumption that law schools are the exclusive place for preparation for the profession of law is bad for students, bad for bar, bad for law schools, bad for the legal system and bad for society. We should look to see what we can do best and should encourage other institutions to do what they can do better.
Textbooks in Accredited Marriage and Family Therapy Programs

Although choices of required textbooks are important decisions in developing a course curriculum, faculty in marriage and family therapy training programs have few convenient resources to guide curriculum development. This article presents results of a survey of textbook selections of accredited marriage and family therapy programs within a regional affiliate of AAMFT. The five programs surveyed listed 108 different titles used in their curriculum. Only 12 texts were used by two programs, and only one text was used by more than two programs. This article presents the textbook selections by the six curricular areas of COAMFTE accreditation standards. The wide variety of textbooks used by programs leads us to conclude that no consensus exists about what textbooks best represent the core knowledge of marriage and family therapy. The body of knowledge taught in accredited marriage and family training programs reflects a distinct and autonomous body of knowledge.
Ocular adnexal lymphoma. A clinicopathologic study with identification of lymphomas of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type

Abstract Purpose: Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (low-grade B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue [MALT] type) is a distinctive type of lymphoma that usually arises in association with mucosa or other epithelial structures and has an indolent clinical course. The frequency and clinical features of MALT lymphomas in the ocular adnexa have not been well studied. Methods: The authors examined the clinicopathologic features of ocular adnexal lymphoma, identified a subset of cases with MALT characteristics, and determined patient outcome. Results: The 42 patients, 16 men and 26 women age 35-89 years (mean, 64) were followed an average of 4.8 years. Thirty-two patients had ocular adnexal involvement at presentation (primary ocular adnexal lymphoma) and 10 had a history of lymphoma that relapsed in the orbit (secondary ocular adnexal lymphoma). In the primary group, 23 patients had lymphoma confined to the ocular adnexa, 3 had a single lesion that invaded adjacent structures, and 6 had distant spread at the time of presentation. Twenty-five patients achieved a complete remission. Nine patients, including 6 patients whose disease was localized initially, had progression or relapse of disease in distant sites. At last follow-up, 21 patients were free of disease, 9 were alive with disease and 2 had died of lymphoma. In the secondary group, at last follow-up, 1 patient had died of other causes, free of lymphoma, 3 patients were alive with disease and 5 had died of lymphoma (outcome not known in 1 case). Using the recently described revised European-American lymphoma classification, we found 16 MALT lymphomas, 8 diffuse large B cell, 12 follicular center, 3 mantle cell, 1 B-small lymphocytic lymphoma, and 2 unclassifiable low-grade lymphomas. The most common type of primary lymphoma was MALT type (15 of 30 classifiable cases), and the most common secondary lymphoma was follicular center (6 of 10). No increased frequency of conjunctival or lacrimal gland involvement by MALT lymphomas was found. All 33 lymphomas with immunophenotyping were of B lineage. Conclusions: Ocular adnexal lymphomas are 8-cell tumors that develop in older adults, predominantly among women. Primary orbital lymphomas have a favorable prognosis; a high proportion of them have MALT characteristics.
Magnetic Variations During Substorms

Extensive observations of magnetic field variations during auroral substorms have been used to construct phenomenological models of the substorm process. In one model, three substorm phases, growth, expansion and recovery correspond respectively to energy storage, energy release and return to equilibrium. New data and more detailed studies show the simple model requires modification. In this paper we review a number of recent studies of substorm magnetic field variations which illustrate the limitations of the simple model. These include the existence of several substorm expansions following a single growth phase; the frequent occurrence of multiple onsets of a single substorm; plasma sheet thinning prior to each onset; correlations between northward fluctuations of the IMF and expansion onset. We incorporate these observations into a revised phenomenological model.
Mechanism of action of gonadotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated Leydig cell steroidogenesis. I. The stimulatory effect is calcium dependent and not mediated by cyclic nucleotides.

UNLABELLED The present study was designed to elucidate mechanisms responsible for gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated testosterone formation. Purified Leydig cells from adult Sprague-Dawley rats were incubated with varying concentrations of GnRH agonist (des-Gly10, (D-Ala6) GnRH N-ethylamide), hCG, 8-bromo cAMP or pregnenolone; testosterone, cAMP, cyclic GMP (cGMP) and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity were measured after various time periods. Basal testosterone levels were 2.54 +/- 0.13 ng/10(5) cells, increasing to 3.18 +/- 0.14, 4.32 +/- 0.08, and 4.63 +/- 0.12 ng within 1 hour after the addition of 10(-9), 10(-8), and 10(-7) M GnRH agonist, respectively. After a 3-hour incubation a 10(-7) M dose of GnRH agonist increased testosterone production four-fold above control. GnRH agonist potentiated hCG-stimulated testosterone formation, but had no significant effects on cGMP levels and cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity. Cyclic AMP levels in the incubation medium increased slightly. GnRH agonist also enhanced 8-bromo-cAMP and pregnenolone-induced testosterone formation. Furthermore, GnRH agonist increased testosterone formation both in the absence and presence of phosphodiesterase inhibitor. These results suggest that the major effect of GnRH agonist is probably beyond the cAMP step. When purified Leydig cells were incubated in a calcium-free medium, the stimulatory effects of GnRH agonist on testosterone formation were completely abolished, but could be restored by the addition of calcium to the incubation medium. GnRH agonist-induced testosterone formation was also blocked by the addition of nifedipine (a calcium channel blocking agent, 0.1 to 10 micrograms/ml). Finally, GnRH antagonist in a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml completely inhibited GnRH agonist-stimulated testosterone formation. IN CONCLUSION GnRH agonist stimulated Leydig cell testosterone formation in short-term incubations. The stimulatory effect is calcium dependent and not mediated by cyclic nucleotides.
Effects of electronic performance monitoring on job design and worker stress: Results of two studies

This article discusses empirical evidence regarding the effect of electronic performance monitoring on job design and stress. It was assumed that electronic performance monitoring would have both direct and indirect effects on worker stress (Carayon, 1993). Electronic performance monitoring could indirectly affect worker stress because of its influence on job design. Data from two studies show that electronic performance monitoring seems to affect job design and worker stress. In the first study, monitored employees reported different levels of job design, but not of worker stress, as compared to nonmonitored employees. In the second study, monitored employees reported more negative perceptions of their working conditions and more stress than nonmonitored employees. Specific characteristics of electronic performance monitoring, such as completeness and comparison of ratings among coworkers, were found to be related to job design and worker stress. The results tend to confirm that EPM has an indirect effec...
Determination of chromium in sea water by atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the determination of chromium in sea water is described which requires minimal sample preparation. The chromium from filtered samples is oxidized with permanganate, extracted with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate into MIBK, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry in a fuel-rich air-acetylene flame. Non-filterable solids are extracted with 12 M hydrochloric acid and analyzed. Detection limits for the methods are 0.05 μg 1-1 in the soluble phase and 0.06 μg 1-1 in the particulate phase.
Cytology of treated and minimal Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and a pitfall of the grocott methenamine silver stain

To clarify the role of foamy alveolar casts (FACs) in the diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), we retrospectively reviewed Papanicolaou (Pap)- and Grocott methenamine silver (GMS)-stained slides from 205 bronchial specimens submitted for suspected opportunistic lung infection. FACs containing sporozoites were seen in 86 cases, all with positive GMS. FACs were absent in 119 cases with negative GMS. In patients previously treated for PCP, Pap showed FAC-like material which lacked sporozoites. GMS demonstrated clumped degenerated Pneumocystis carinii (PC) cysts. In 17 GMS-positive cases there were no FACs on Pap due to sampling error and low burden of organisms. Morphologic features of macrophages in these cases can suggest the presence of PC. When FACs are lacking, a special stain is required. When GMS is used, the control must contain PC to avoid a false negative GMS. The inconsistent uptake of GMS by PC is a pitfall which is distinct from sampling error and which to our knowledge has not been previously reported.
Infant Imitation After a 1-Week Delay: Long-Term Memory for Novel Acts and Multiple Stimuli.

Deferred imitation after a l-week delay was examined in 14-month-old infants. Six actions, each using a different object, were demonstrated to each infant. One of the six actions was a novel behavior that had a zero probability of occurrence in spontaneous play. In the imitation condition, infants observed the demonstration but were not allowed to touch the objects, thus preventing any immediate imitation. After the 1-week delay, infants returned to the laboratory and their imitation of the adult's previous actions was scored. Infants in the imitation condition produced significantly more of the target actions than infants in control groups who were not exposed to the modeling; there was also strong evidence for the imitation of the novel act. From a cognitive perspective deferred imitation provides a means of assessing recall memory and representation in children. From a socialdevelopmental viewpoint the findings illustrate that the behavioral repertoire of infants and their knowledge about objects can expand as a result of seeing the actions of others. Developmental theories differ in the extent to which imitation is viewed as making a contribution to the growth of a child's behavioral repertoire. Piaget (1952, 1954) tended to emphasize individual discovery and to minimize social imitation as a mechanism for acquiring new behaviors. Conversely, Bandura (1969, 1986) highlighted imitation as a channel for learning in school-age children, and Meltzoff (1985, 1988a, 1988b, in press) has emphasized the powerful influence of imitation in infancy. Regardless of the differing perspectives on the function of imitation, there is broad agreement that infants' ability to perform imitation after a delay, and especially deferred imitation of novel behaviors, is a milestone achievement both from a cognitive and a social perspective (Bandura, 1986; Flavell, 1985; Meltzoff, 1988b; Piaget, 1962). The acquisition of new behaviors through observation, particularly when they can delay production until significantly later, potentially provides both an avenue for social learning and a nonverbal measure of memory and representation. Although imitation after a delay has been actively investigated in school-age children (Bandura, Grusec, & Menlove, 1966; Bandura & Waiters, 1963), there have been only a few such experimental investigations in infants. McCall, Parke, and Kavanaugh (1977) reported imitation after a 1-day delay in 26month-old subjects. Meltzoff (1985) found deferred imitation of a simple action after a 1-day delay in 14-month-olds. Recently, it has been reported that infants as young as 9 months
3-D scaffold platform for optimized non-viral transfection of multipotent stem cells

Optimization of non-viral gene delivery from biomaterials is of critical importance, as several material parameters are known to influence non-viral transfection efficiency. A series of previous studies have achieved screening of gene delivery vectors on two dimensional (2D) substrates, which have direct relevance to cell culture applications. There is an additional need to create screening systems that are 3-dimensional (3D), and can thus be applied to emerging tissue engineering applications. Here, we report an enhanced throughput, 3D scaffold platform to screen for the influence of mineral coating properties on stem cell transfection. Mineral coatings with a range of physicochemical properties were formed on the scaffolds within a 96-well plate format, while maintaining an interconnected macroporous scaffold structure. A series of general gene delivery parameters, including plasmid DNA amount, N/P ratio, and cell density, were efficiently screened in scaffolds using a luciferase-encoding plasmid as a reporter. In addition, human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) transfection with a plasmid encoding bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) was successfully optimized by screening a library of mineral coatings, resulting in over 5-fold increases in BMP-2 production when compared to standard techniques. Notably, the majority of BMP-2 was incorporated into the mineral coating following secretion from the cells. The 3D mineral coated scaffold platform described here may accelerate gene delivery optimization and improve the predictability of the screening systems, which could facilitate translation of gene delivery to clinical applications.
What Is Old? What Is New? A Reconsideration of Garments and Wineskins

Abstract This essay explores the view of Torah implicit in Mark 2:21-22. Setting aside a priori assumptions about the sayings’ preference of the new over the old garment and wineskins, as well as the widespread view that the images correspond to Judaism (and Torah), this study probes both the sayings’ language and setting in Mark’s Gospel and, more tentatively, Mark’s community. In short, we find the following: first, a close reading of the sayings themselves reveals more interest in preserving the “old” than many have recognized; second, their narrative setting in Mark suggests that the sayings pertain more to questions of discipleship than to opposing salvation-historical eras; and third, situating Mark 2:21-22 within the writer’s socio-historical context brings to light their apparent aim, which is to promote within Mark’s beleaguered community the kind of deliberate alignment with Jesus’ messianic mission that befits their identity as “community of the new age.”
Seedling expression of cross-generational plasticity depends on reproductive architecture

Through adaptive cross-generational plasticity, stressed plants can alter their offspring in specific ways that promote seedling success. As yet, very little is known about the expression of such plasticity, and whether it varies within a plant due to offspring position. The effects of parental light deprivation on distinct reproductive structures were tested in the annual Polygonum hydropiper, which produces both long terminal racemes and inconspicuous axial inflorescences. Inbred replicate parents from four genetic lines were grown in full greenhouse sunlight and simulated shade, and the initial mass, germination rate, and seedling growth traits of their terminal and axial offspring measured under uniform growth chamber conditions. Although parent light environment did not significantly influence seedlings from axial achenes, growth traits of those from terminal achenes were significantly enhanced as a result of parental light deprivation. In shaded conditions where resources are limiting, P. hydropiper plants appear to prioritize terminal achenes through increased provisioning as well as specific growth changes. These results show that the expression of cross-generational plasticity may vary depending on architectural position of offspring on the maternal plant.
The use of charging effects in Al/Al2O3 metal-matrix composites as a contrast mechanism in the SEM

A technique is described to image two phases (alumina and spinel) within a metal-matrix composite which takes advantage of charging effects that occur during examination in an SEM. Microscope and specimen parameters which affect the amount of contrast generated via charging are discussed, and imaging strategies are introduced to optimize the effect. “Model” metal-matrix composite specimens were developed to verify the degree of charging in each phase.
Pharmacological evidence that endogenous ATP modulates cochlear mechanics

In the cochlea, outer hair cells (OHCs) and Deiters' cells most likely contribute to the generation of active cochlear mechanics. The presence of ATP receptors on these cells indicates that endogenous ATP may have a role in cochlear mechanics. To explore this possibility, the effects of ATP antagonists were studied both in vivo on distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) using cochlear perfusion and in vitro on isolated OHCs and Deiters' cells using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Results show that extracellular application of 5-10 microM ATP to OHCs and Deiters' cells induced an inward current that was reduced by both suramin (100 microM) and cibacron (100 microM). Cibacron reduced the voltage gated currents in Deiters' cells and increased them in OHCs, while suramin had no effect. In addition, cibacron induced a hyperpolarizing shift of the half activation voltage of the whole cell currents in Deiters' cells. Suramin (0.1-1 mM) reversibly suppressed the 'slow decline' in the quadratic DPOAE that occurs during continuous stimulation with moderate level primaries. This effect of suramin may be evidence that endogenous ATP alters active cochlear mechanics.
The Temperature History in a Thick Skin Subjected to Laminar Heating During Entry into the Atmosphere

During h igh speed entry into the earth's atmosphere, a vehicle can be afforded thermal protection for the short period of entry heat ing by a thick outer skin, somet imes called a "heat s ink." The temperature distribution in such a h e a t sink has been found by integrat ing the product of the laminar aerodynamic heat ing rate and the appropriate Green's funct ion for a finite-thickness wall over t h e generalized trajectory for a vehicle entering t h e earth's atmosphere at h igh speeds. The result is given in closed form, t h u s solving completely t h e one dimensional hea t conduct ion problem for laminar heat ing . The m a x i m u m surface temperature tha t occurs during the generalized entry trajectory for any combinat ion of wall thickness and thermal properties is obtained. This m a x i m u m temperature is given by a single dimensionless curve, from which t h e performance of any material can be found, provided t h a t the average thermal properties m a y be used. As an example of the use of the solut ion, the performance of copper, graphite, mo lybdenum and tungs ten are c o m pared.
Retrospective analysis of the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam in patients with metastatic brain tumors.

Seizures are a common complication of metastatic brain tumors (MBT), affecting approximately 27–50% of all patients during the course of their illness. Treatment of tumor-induced seizures is often inadequate with traditional antiepileptic drugs (AED) due to a variety of factors, including activation of glutamatergic NMDA receptors, alterations of neuronal input pathways, and tumor growth. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a 2nd generation non-enzyme inducing AED with a novel mechanism of action, binding to neuronal synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, that has been previously shown to reduce seizure activity in patients with primary brain tumors. Due to its unique mechanism of action, it has been postulated that LEV may also be effective in controlling seizures from MBT. A retrospective chart review was performed of all Neuro-Oncology Center patients with MBT who had received LEV for seizure control. Thirteen patients were reviewed with a median age of 55.1 years (range: 34–70). Six patients had breast cancer, five had lung cancer, and two had melanoma. LEV was used as an add-on AED in seven patients (54%) and as monotherapy in six patients (46%), with a median dose of 1,000 mg/day (range: 500–3,000). The baseline median seizure frequency was one ictal event every other day. After the addition of LEV, the median seizure frequency was reduced to 0 per week. The seizure frequency was reduced to less than 50% of the pre-LEV baseline in 100% of patients (P = 0.0002, Sign test), with 10 patients (77%; confidence interval: 46–95%) noting complete seizure control. The most common adverse event was somnolence and headache, noted in 3 of 13 patients (23%). LEV was very effective and well tolerated in MBT patients with seizures and should be considered for add-on therapy or as a substitute AED for monotherapy.
alpha-Lipoic acid: a metabolic antioxidant which regulates NF-kappa B signal transduction and protects against oxidative injury.

Although the metabolic role of alpha-lipoic acid has been known for over 40 years, it is only recently that its effects when supplied exogenously have become known. Exogenous alpha-lipoic acid is reduced intracellularly by at least two and possibly three enzymes, and through the actions of its reduced form, it influences a number of cell process. These include direct radical scavenging, recycling of other antioxidants, accelerating GSH synthesis, and modulating transcription factor activity, especially that of NF-kappa B (Fig. 12). These mechanisms may account for the sometimes dramatic effects of alpha-lipoic acid in oxidative stress conditions (e.g., brain ischemia-reperfusion), and point the way toward its therapeutic use.
Antiparallel Four-Stranded Coiled Coil Specified by a 3-3-1 Hydrophobic Heptad Repeat

Coiled-coil sequences in proteins commonly share a seven-amino acid repeat with nonpolar side chains at the first (a) and fourth (d) positions. We investigate here the role of a 3-3-1 hydrophobic repeat containing nonpolar amino acids at the a, d, and g positions in determining the structures of coiled coils using mutants of the GCN4 leucine zipper dimerization domain. When three charged residues at the g positions in the parental sequence are replaced by nonpolar alanine or valine side chains, stable four-helix structures result. The X-ray crystal structures of the tetramers reveal antiparallel, four-stranded coiled coils in which the a, d, and g side chains interlock in a combination of knobs-into-knobs and knobs-into-holes packing. Interfacial interactions in a coiled coil can therefore be prescribed by hydrophobic-polar patterns beyond the canonical 3-4 heptad repeat. The results suggest that the conserved, charged residues at the g positions in the GCN4 leucine zipper can impart a negative design element to disfavor thermodynamically more stable, antiparallel tetramers.
Idle Hands and Empty Pockets? Youth Involvement in Extracurricular Activities, Social Capital, and Economic Status

>> Using data from the Survey of Adults and Youth, the authors examine the effect of economic status on youths’ involvement in both school- and nonschool-related extracurricular activities. Specifically, they assess the association between four alternative measures of economic status—recipiency of food stamps, Aid to Families with Dependent Children/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, family income, or financial worries—and youth participation in extracurricular activities. The authors use social capital to frame their analyses. Analyses reveal that youths’ participation in both school- and nonschool extracurricular activities are constrained by family economic status net of time spent in paid work, watching television, and doing housework. Furthermore, the authors find that participation in extracurricular activities varies by age, sex, race, residence, and family structure. Last, race and sex interactions surface for school-related activities. Asian girls have higher participation rates than White girls and Asian boys. Implications of these results are discussed.
Teaching composing skills to learning disabled adolescents using a process-oriented strategy

This paper presents results from two studies in which a particular process-oriented instructional strategy was used to teach composing skills to adolescents with learning disabilities. In each case, the approach was implemented in isolation then in combination with a word processor. Outcomes suggest the process-oriented method is an effective method for improving the overall quality and length of learning disabled students' compositions. It does not appear to have much impact on improving the quality of their sentence writing skills. Combining the process-oriented method with use of a word processor seems to beneficial for some, but not all students.
Effect of nitric oxide on mucin production in experimental otitis media

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the role of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of mucoid otitis media (OM) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced OM. Methods OM was induced in chinchillas by injecting S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), LPS, and LPS + SNAP into the superior bullae. Auditory brainstem response thresholds were measured every 24 hours. Samples of middle ear fluid were collected and analyzed for mucin by the periodic acid–Schiff method. At the end of each experiment, temporal bones were harvested for histopathologic study. Results Mucin concentration was greatest in the LPS + the SNAP group and least in the SNAP-alone group. Auditory brainstem response threshold was highest in the LPS group and lowest in the SNAP group, although not significantly. Histopathology showed the greatest mucosal thickening and inflammation in the LPS + SNAP group. Conclusion The addition of NO in LPS-induced OM increased the mucin concentration in middle ear fluid and increased mucosal thickness and inflammation in middle ear mucosa. Significance In the OM disease process, NO may contribute to the pathogenesis of mucoid OM.
Effect of κ opioid agonist RU 51599 on osmotic and non-osmotic stimulated arginine vasopressin release and gene regulation in small cell lung carcinoma cells

Abstract Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is synthesized in the hypothalamus, stored in the posterior pituitary, and osmotic and non-osmotic stimuli release AVP into the circulation for antidiuretic and vascular actions on target tissue. The κ-opioid agonist, RU 51599, exhibits a potent diuretic activity in both experimental animals and humans. This diuretic activity is characterized by a water diuresis without an associated increase in electrolyte excretion. Studies with cultured rat hypothalamo-neurohypophysial system explant showed that AVP mRNA level changed in parallel to the RU 51599-induced changes in AVP secretory rate. There are, however, no hypothalamic neuronal cell lines to study AVP gene regulation system, and it is not known whether RU 51599, regulates AVP secretion and biosynthesis under osmotic and non-osmotic stimulatory conditions of AVP release. The effect of RU 51599 on AVP release, AVP mRNA, and AVP gene promoter activity in osmotic and non-osmotic conditions was therefore studied using cultured small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cell lines. RU 51599 significantly inhibited AVP release by osmotic stimulation (330 mOsm) and non-osmotic stimulators, angiotensin II (AII) and endothelin 3 (ET3). However, RU 51599 did not show any effect on the AVP mRNA and AVP gene promoter activity stimulated by high osmolality and ET3. These results indicate, therefore, that RU 51599 suppresses AVP secretion by inhibition at the step of AVP release during osmotic and non-osmotic stimulation but does not affect the AVP gene transcription level in the SCLC cells.
Cognition and control in schizophrenia: a computational model of dopamine and prefrontal function

Behavioral deficits suffered by patients with schizophrenia in a wide array of cognitive domains can be conceptualized as failures of cognitive control, due to an impaired ability to internally represent, maintain, and update context information. A theory is described that postulates a single neurobiological mechanism for these disturbances, involving dysfunctional interactions between the dopamine neurotransmitter system and the prefrontal cortex. Specifically, it is hypothesized that in schizophrenia, there is increased noise in the activity of the dopamine system, leading to abnormal "gating" of information into prefrontal cortex. The theory is implemented as an explicit connectionist computational model that incorporates the roles of both dopamine and prefrontal cortex in cognitive control. A simulation is presented of behavioral performance in a version of the Continuous Performance Test specifically adapted to measure critical aspects of cognitive control function. Schizophrenia patients exhibit clear behavioral deficits on this task that reflect impairments in both the maintenance and updating of context information. The simulation results suggest that the model can successfully account for these impairments in terms of abnormal dopamine activity. This theory provides a potential point of contact between research on the neurobiological and psychological aspects of schizophrenia, by illustrating how a particular physiological disturbance might lead to precise and quantifiable consequences for behavior.
Circulation patterns inferred from the movement of detached buoys in the eastern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract The release times of five buoys, which broke free of moorings on the Alabama inner shelf, are known. The locations of subsequent sightings or recoveries of the buoys gave estimated trajectories of the buoys. These results show that the inner-shelf circulation is strongly wind-driven. When the Loop Current penetrates deeply into the northeastern Gulf of Mexico, outer shelf waters are often entrained by the Loop Current.
Mechanistic and Theoretical Analysis of the Oxidative Addition of H2 to Six-Coordinate Molybdenum and Tungsten Complexes M(PMe3)4X2 (M = Mo, W; X = F, Cl, Br, I): An Inverse Equilibrium Isotope Effect and an Unprecedented Halide Dependence

Experimental observations, together with a theoretical analysis, indicate that the energetics of the oxidative addition of H2 to the six-coordinate molybdenum and tungsten complexes trans-M(PMe3)4X2 (M = Mo, W; X = F, Cl, Br, I) depend very strongly on the nature of both the metal and the halogen. Specifically, the exothermicity of the reaction increases in the sequences Mo < W and I < Br < Cl < F. Of most interest, this halogen dependence provides a striking contrast to that reported for oxidative addition of H2 to the Vaska system, trans-Ir(PPh3)2(CO)X. A theoretical analysis suggests that the halide dependence for trans-M(PMe3)4X2 is a result of both steric and electronic factors, the components of which serve to reinforce each other. Oxidative addition is thus favored sterically for the fluoride derivatives since the increased steric interactions upon forming the eight-coordinate complexes M(PMe3)4H2X2 would be minimized for the smallest halogen. The electronic component of the energetics is associate...
Morphology and variation within the bony labyrinth of zhelestids (Mammalia, Eutheria) and other therian mammals

ABSTRACT The morphology of the labyrinth of zhelestids, a group of eutherian mammals from the Late Cretaceous, agrees with that of other extinct eutherians, including Kulbeckia kulbecke, Ukhaatherium gobiensis, and Zalambdalestes lechei. Features of the labyrinth of zhelestids include a cochlea with one and a half turns and a secondary common crus, which are plesiomorphic for eutherians. Although isolated petrosals likely represent multiple species because several species of zhelestids are recognized based on dental characters, the degree of variation within the entire zhelestid petrosal sample is comparable to that observed within single extant species of therian mammals. Planarities of individual semicircular canals were the most variable measurements. Coiling of the cochlea and arc radii of the semicircular canals do not vary significantly in the specimens examined. The morphology of the bony labyrinth does not suggest any phylogenetic affinities of zhelestids, but the anatomy described will be useful ...
Nannobacterial alteration of pyroxenes in martian meteorite Allan Hills 84001

In martian meteorite Allan Hills (ALH) 84001, this scanning electron microscope study was focused on the ferromagnesian minerals, which are extensively covered with nanometer-size bodies mainly 30-100 nm in diameter. These bodies range from spheres to ovoids to caterpillar shapes and resemble, both in size and shape, nannobacteria that attack weathered rocks on Earth and that can be cultured. Dense colonies alternate with clean, smooth cleavage surfaces, possibly formed later. Statistical study shows that the distribution of presumed nannobacteria is very clustered. In addition to the small bodies, there are a few occurrences of ellipsoidal 200-400 nm objects, that are within the lower size range of "normal" earthly bacteria. We conclude that the nanobodies so abundant in ALH 84001 are indeed nannobacteria, confirming the initial assertion of McKay et al. (1996). However, whether these bodies originated on Mars or are Antarctic contamination remains a valid question.
Solid-State 1H CRAMPS NMR Imaging with Pulsed Rotating Magnetic Field Gradients

Abstract By synchronizing a pulsed rotating magnetic field gradient with the rotation of a sample undergoing magic-angle spinning, a series of transverse-plane 1H NMR images was obtained. Both spatial-spatial two-dimensional images and spatial-spectral two-dimensional images are presented. The TREV-8 and BR-24 CRAMPS techniques were used for line narrowing in obtaining these images. Results are shown for both "soft" and "hard" solids.
A comparison of two current meters on a surface mooring

Abstract An EG&G Vector Measuring Current Meter (VMCM) and an Aanderaa Recording Current Meter (RCM4) were moored below a surface-following buoy. The RCM4 instrument at 4 m depth recorded currents similar to those measured by the VMCM at 2 m, in spite of rotor pumping and direction aliasing. The speeds measured by the RCM4 did show the effect of pumping by an absence of low speeds ( −1 ) during most of the time series. However, the mean velocities and standard deviations of the flow field for the two instruments were similar. The major differences were for current fluctuations of frequency >0.125 cph (0.00208 Hz) where the RCM4 overestimated the energy by up to an order of magnitude. A mooring design using a surface follower buoy in strong currents (50 cm s −1 ) can be used with RCM4 instruments to measure accurately low frequency current fluctuations.
Student Perception of Counselor Role

A semantic differential and a Thurstone-type rating scale of satisfaction with counseling were used to measure changes in the perceptions held by students regarding their high school counselors over a period of 2 years. During this time, the large suburban high school that was the locale for the study changed from a system of deans who had both counseling and disciplinary duties to a system of counselors who did not discipline students. Factor analyses and non-parametric change tests were conducted. It was found that, especially during the first year, students perceived their counselors more negatively than they had perceived their deans. Some signs of movement toward more favorable views were noted by the end of the second year. Satisfaction with counseling, however, was favorably perceived by students throughout the two years. Students tended to perceive their counselors in evaluative terms. There was no relationship between perception of counselors and satisfaction with counseling. The evidence suggests that discipline may not be the crucial variable in either student perceptions of counselors or student satisfaction with counseling.
Ternary phase equilibria in the Ga-As-Cr system and its relevance to diffusion and solubility studies

Abstract The phase equilibria in the Ga-As-Cr system were determined for As ⩽ 50 a/o from room temperature to 1300°C by calorimetric and x-ray examination of appropriately prepared samples. Several corrections were made in the literature values for properties of Cr-As binary compounds. The ternary diagram shows that GaAs is not a dominant compound in the system and GaAs and Cr cannot coexist under equilibrium conditions. From one ternary tie triangle region and a solid plus liquid region, appropriate solubility and diffusion sources for Cr in GaAs for most temperatures can be obtained.
In Vivo Studies of the Drug Carrying Magnetic Nanocomposite Spheres via Fluorescent Molecules

Nanospheres utilized in targeted drug delivery systems have seen much attention, however it is difficult to detect the nanospheres in an in-vivo test due to their nanoscale in size. This is a crucial step in targeted drug delivery to show the nanosphere being concentrated at the spot of interest. Nanospheres developed by oil in oil (o/o) emulsion technique have the advantage of encapsulating molecules, such as 1,6-Diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), without damages and chemical alterations. In current study, DPH was encapsulated into a nanosphere as a fluorescing tracer to visualize the nanospheres trafficking in a mouse model of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The SCC tumors were established on nude mice. 0.5 ml of a 0.3 mg/ml solution of fluorcescent nanospheres were subcutaneously injected around the tumor. The injections of the drug carrier system were repeated at 2-day intervals till the sacrifice of the tumor-bearing animals on day 10. The tumors were retrieved for frozen and paraffin-embedded histological preparation. Fluorsescent microscopy was used to image the frozen sections, and compared with H&E stained sections. The fluorescence nanoparticles were easily identifiable under fluorescent microscopy, while typical histology images were unable to detect the nanospheres. The data suggest that fluorescent nanoparticles can be used to identify the location or localization of the nanospheres in an in-vivo environment in a simple and straightforward method that aids in characterization of targeted drug delivery.© 2010 ASME
Protein L-dopa as an index of hydroxyl radical attack on protein tyrosine.

It is widely believed that hydroxyl radicals generated in vivo contribute to damage to macromolecules, such as proteins and DNA. We evaluated methodology based on the transformation of protein tyrosine to L-Dopa, via aromatic ring hydroxylation, as an index of hydroxyl radical attack on proteins. The catechol structure of Dopa makes it amenable to isolation with alumina, followed by HPLC analysis, typically used for the measurement of catecholamines. Because a level of controversy exists about the formation of Dopa by hydroxyl radicals, we conducted a systematic study of the formation of Dopa from tyrosine, tyrosine dipeptides, pure proteins (chymotrypsin and myelin basic protein), and endogenous proteins in tissue homogenates (rat brain), exposed to hydroxylating conditions (Fe2+/EDTA/ascorbate at neutral pH). Dopa residues in peptides and proteins were liberated by acid hydrolysis with 6 M HCl at 145 degrees C for 1 h. A marked lability of Dopa in 6 M HCl under hydrolysis conditions was prevented with added phenol; chymotrypsin and precipitated pellets of brain protein were also protective. Overall recoveries (hydrolysis plus purification procedures) averaged 83.4 +/- 1.7%. This improved analytic procedure may be useful for studying protein damage by hydroxyl radicals.