cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Separation of Phases in Some Carbide Systems

The solubility of WC in ZrC and TiC was redetermined. Tungsten carbide precipitated from (W, Zr)C and (W, Ti)C solid solutions as well alligned ribbon-shaped particles. The crystallographic orientation of the hexagonal precipitate and cubic matrix established by electron diffraction techniques is [100]h | |[110] and [010]h | | [001]c. The interfacial planes were (001) for WC and (111) for the cubic matrix. The rate of precipitation of WC from solid solutions follows a square root time-dependence. An apparent orthorhombic symmetry for the precipitated WC from (W, Ti)C solid solutions was observed. An increase in the microhardness to ~23% was observed in the phase separated materials.
Critical-Cone Channeling of Thermal Phonons from Solid/Solid Interfaces

Phonon imaging provides a powerful means of studying the anisotropy of ballistic phonon flux in crystals at low temperatures [1]. In the typical phonon-imaging experiment a point source of heat (focused laser [2] or electron beam [3]) is scanned across the metalized face of a crystal, and ballistic phonons emanating from this heated spot are detected by a bolometer mounted on the opposite face. Figure la shows an image obtained from one of the highly polished sapphire (Al2O3) crystals we have examined. Most of the structure in this image is due to bulk phonon focusing. Fig. lb shows the corresponding theoretical image that has been generated by assuming a uniform distribution of phonon \( \mathop k\limits^ \to \) k vectors and projecting the group velocity vectors for these phonons onto the viewing surface. Both images display essentially the same pattern of caustics, i.e., lines along which the focusing factor is mathematically singular, and they also both exhibit two ridges along which the focusing is large but non-singular.
Drug-releasing textiles

Abstract: Conventional drug delivery formulations and systemic drug administration routes often fail to achieve therapeutic drug concentrations due to poor drug solubility and rapid body clearance. Controlled drug delivery strategies offer practical and effective alternatives to overcome several drawbacks of traditional dosage forms including prolonged drug release at required therapeutic concentration, site specificity and patient compliance. Though polymeric micro-/nanoparticulate and transdermal drug delivery systems have shown great promise they often require multi-step formulation procedures leading to production difficulties as well as varied properties that depend on polymer nature. Textile based drug loaded bioactive bandages have been very popular and cost effective for wound care applications. In recent years medicated textiles have emerged as promising alternatives that have the potential of being used as both topical and systemic drug delivery system. This chapter will provide an overview of drug releasing textile fabrication, characterization and their potential applications to treat various ailments.
Gene regulation of muscarinic receptor subtypes

Of the five cloned muscarinic receptor subtypes, human airways express only three receptor subtypes (M1, M2 and M3) and these subtypes are differentially distributed in the airways [1]. M1-receptors are localised to alveolar walls, parasympathetic ganglia and submucosal glands, whereas M3-receptors are predominant in airway smooth muscle and submucosal glands. In contrast, M2-receptors are localised to airway smooth muscle of small airways, although there is little evidence that these receptors play an important functional role in the regulation of airway smooth muscle tone, at least in human airways. Functional studies suggest that M2-receptors play an important role in regulating the release of acetylcholine from parasympathetic nerves in the airways. M2-receptors which inhibit cholinergic neural contraction have been demonstrated in functional studies of human airways in vitro and pre-junctional M2-receptors inhibit the release of acetylcholine in animal and human airways [2,4]. There is considerable evidence that M2-receptors may be dysfunctional in patients with asthma and this might contribute to exaggerated cholinergic reflex bronchoconstriction in asthma [4]. There are several possible mechanisms that might result in dysfunction of M2-receptors, including viral infections, eosinophil basic proteins and oxidants. The inflammatory process may also result in impaired function of M2-receptors.
Novel systematic phase noise reduction techniques for phase interpolator clock and data recovery

This work focused on high-speed source-synchronous clock and multi-channel data receivers for inter-chip communications. Designs of inter-chip communication are becoming increasingly difficult with the rise in clock rates and the reduction in voltage supplies. Data transmissions at rates of gigabits per second require a fast and accurate clock and data recovery system on the front end of receivers. Many designs allow for source-synchronous clocking architectures, but this work focused on a dual-loop with a phase-locked loop for frequency tracking and phase integrators for tracking each individual data lane. Limitations with the phase interpolator architecture cause systematic jitter, reducing the data eye. Various techniques exist that aim to reduce or eliminate this systematic jitter from phase interpolator architectures. A technique based on digital lock detection was developed for this work that eliminates the phase interpolator systematic jitter.
Models and theories of behavior change relevant to sleep health

Abstract Behavior change models and theories can assist in explaining why individuals do, or do not, engage in healthy sleep behaviors available to modify sleep behaviors. In this chapter, models and theories are presented from a structural, functional, and dynamic perspective. Central concepts related to theory including: (1) their utility of theory for changing health behaviors; (2) their capacity for ascertaining causality; and (3) their potential benefits for enhancing intervention design, implementation, and evaluation are described. In addition, this chapter presents an overview of commonly used continuum and stage theories applied in the social and behavioral sciences. Also discussed is the concept of measurement of models and theories of behavior change, a critical required to continue the advancement of theory-based research. Finally, some limitations inherent to models and theories of behavior change are elucidated.
Sterically Unprotected Nucleophilic Boron Cluster Reagents

Summary A cornerstone of modern synthetic chemistry rests on the ability to manipulate the reactivity of a carbon center by rendering it either electrophilic or nucleophilic. However, accessing a similar reactivity spectrum with boron-based reagents has been significantly more challenging. While classical nucleophilic carbon-based reagents normally do not require steric protection, readily accessible, unprotected boron-based nucleophiles have not yet been realized. Herein, we demonstrate that the bench-stable closo-hexaborate cluster anion can engage in a nucleophilic substitution reaction with a wide array of organic and main-group electrophiles. The resulting molecules containing B‒C bonds can be further converted to tricoordinate boron species widely used in organic synthesis.
Effects of Lumbosacral Arthrodesis on the Biomechanics of the Sacroiliac Joint.

Background It is unclear whether the sacroiliac joint is vulnerable to adjacent segment disease. Clinical studies have suggested that many patients who have undergone lumbar arthrodesis will develop adjacent segment disease, which may contribute to sacroiliac joint degeneration. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether arthrodesis in the lumbar spine results in altered biomechanics at the sacroiliac joint that could contribute to adjacent segment disease within the joint. Methods With use of human cadavers in a biomechanical laboratory study, the effects of lower-lumbar arthrodesis and sacroiliac screws on the biomechanics of the sacroiliac joint were assessed. Human cadaveric pelves with lumbar spines were biomechanically tested in flexion-extension, rotation about the vertical axis, and compression along the vertical axis with single and double-leg support. Four conditions were compared: (1) intact, (2) L4-L5 arthrodesis, (3) L4-S1 arthrodesis, and (4) left sacroiliac screw. Construct vertical and horizontal motions at the anterior and posterior surfaces of the sacroiliac joint were measured. Results Significant measurable increases in motion of the sacroiliac joint related to arthrodesis of the lumbar spine occurred with flexion-extension loading (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed for rotation about the vertical axis or compression along the vertical axis with single and double-leg support. Conclusions After 360°, 1 or 2-level lumbosacral spine arthrodesis, the sacroiliac joint showed a significant increase in rotational motion with flexion-extension loading. Increases in horizontal translation with axial rotation loading and vertical translation with axial compression loading were not significant. Clinical Relevance The risk of significant alteration of normal sacroiliac kinematics should be considered in all patients undergoing 360° lumbosacral arthrodesis.
Dynamics of Spinal Inotropic Glutamate Receptors During the Development of Prolonged Postoperative Pain in the Rat.

Surgery can cause pain that lasts for weeks to months. Postoperative pain involves an early induction phase (hours to l days), and a longer maintenance phase. Experimental post-operative pain can be lowered by pre-operative spinal glutamate receptor antagonists as well as inhibitors of certain mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Here a model of postoperative pain in the rat, leading to 4 weeks of secondary mechanical allodynia-hyperalgesia, was used to examine changes in spinal inotropic glutamate receptors and MAPKs. Western blots show that GluR1subunits of AMPA receptors undergo rapid increases in phosphorylation at 4h post-op (2.3x naive), before tactile hyperalgesia is detectable, change to 1.6x naive at 2d post-op, when hyperalgesia is clearly present, and fall to sub-baseline levels (0.1x naive) at 14d, when hyperalgesia is maximum. The NR1 subunit of NMDA receptors are 1.7x, 1.8x, and 1.1x the level of naive at 4h, 2d and 14d, respectively, whilst the phosphorylated form occurs at 1.7x, 0.9x and 0.5x of naive at these times. NR2B subunit amounts follow a similar trend; 1.6x, 1.7x and 0.8x. Phosphorylation of the MAPK JNK was elevated to 1.45x, 1.35x and fell to 0.8x of naive at 4h, 2d and 14d postoperative, whilst pERK 1/2 phosphorylation remained unchanged. These results suggest that increases in total NMDA subunits and in phosphorylated NMDA and AMPA receptors, paralleled by elevated P~JNK, contribute to the induction phase of persistent post-operative pain, but are not involved in its maintenance.
Assessing Immediate Bed Availability and Barriers to Discharge in a United States Children's Hospital

Objectives The aim of this study was to quantify immediate bed availability (IBA) in a United States children's hospital and treatment needs of hospitalized patients whose needs could be met outside a traditional hospital setting. Methods Using a novel tool to capture census, scheduled discharges, and resource needs for hospitalized patients, we surveyed our hospital's 5 non-neonatal inpatient pediatric units on 4 d over 1 y. Results Median ward occupancy was 81% (range, 58-79), median intensive care unit occupancy was 80% (range, 7-19), and median IBA was 42% (range, 34-59). A median of 14 patients per day (13% of total capacity) had treatment needs that could be met by providing limited support in a nontraditional setting; the most common reason for requiring ongoing hospitalization in this group of patients was a safe discharge plan. Conclusions Our median IBA of 42% exceeds federal recommendations, but varies widely between days surveyed. Even on days when IBA percentage is high, our total number of available beds is unlikely to meet pediatric population needs in a large-scale public health emergency.
Marijuana-induced Coronary Vasospasm and Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

The usage of marijuana and its legalization has been growing rapidly, being abused by a wide range of age groups. Its effects on the heart are well known, but coronary artery vasospasm causing ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) from Marijuana alone is rather lesser known. Herein, we report a case of a middle aged African American man with a significant tobacco smoking history who presented with chest pain typical of myocardial infarction (MI) soon after smoking marijuana. ECG showed ST elevation in inferior leads with first degree AV block and a urine drug screen positive only for marijuana. Coronary angiogram showed mid right coronary artery (RCA) obstruction which was relieved upon injection of intracoronary nitroglycerine. This case report reinstates the significance of considering substance abuse as an etiology of STEMI during initial presentation, ruling out with urine drug samples. We also present a literature review of coronary vasospasm with STEMI, induced specifically by Marijuana and its pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Intellectual Tools for Understanding Government

This chapter introduces a handful of innovative ontological ideas about the social world: strategic action fields, assemblages theory, economic and class interests, and recent innovations in organizational sociology. These ideas proceed largely from the actor-centered perspective described in Chapter 1. Recent organizational theories have given additional emphasis to the topic of organizational culture. The theory of strategic action fields holds that organizations are configured around incumbents who are assigned roles and powers that give them both an interest and an ability to maintain the workings of the organization. Power and collaboration play key roles in their construction. The key idea within assemblages theory is that there does not exist a fixed and stable ontology of entities for the social world that proceeds from “atoms” to “molecules” to “materials”. Rather, social formations are contingent assemblages of other complex configurations, and they in turn play roles in other, more extended configurations.
Assembly of Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles in Polymer Matrices.

Leibler pioneered the idea that long enough matrix polymers of length P will spontaneously dewet a chemically identical polymer layer, comprising chains of length N, densely end-grafted to a flat s...
Assembling Long Accurate Reads Using de Bruijn Graphs

Abstract Although the de Bruijn graphs represent the basis of many genome assemblers, it remains unclear how to construct these graphs for large genomes and large k-mer sizes. This algorithmic challenge has become particularly important with the emergence of long and accurate high-fidelity (HiFi) reads that were recently utilized to generate a semi-manual telomere-to-telomere assembly of the human genome using the alternative string graph assembly approach. To enable fully automated high-quality HiFi assemblies of various genomes, we developed an efficient jumboDB algorithm for constructing the de Bruijn graph for large genomes and large k-mer sizes and the LJA genome assembler that error-corrects HiFi reads and uses jumboDB to construct the de Bruijn graph on the error-corrected reads. Since the de Bruijn graph constructed for a fixed k-mer size is typically either too tangled or too fragmented, LJA uses a new concept of a multiplex de Bruijn graph with varying k-mer sizes. We demonstrate that LJA produces contiguous assemblies of complex repetitive regions in genomes including automated assemblies of various highly-repetitive human centromeres.
A Systematic Review of Prediction Models for Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) outcome prediction models are important for informing clinical practice and TB management policies, but existing models have not been systematically reviewed. Design/Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for studies published January 1, 1995 - January 9, 2020. Studies that developed a model to predict pulmonary TB treatment outcomes were included. Study screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted independently by two reviewers. Study quality was evaluated using the Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). The study was pre-registered on OSF (https://osf.io/rz3wp). Findings: 14,739 articles were identified, 536 underwent full-text review, and 33 studies presenting 37 prediction models were included. Model outcomes included death (n=16, 43%), treatment failure (n=6, 16%), default (n=6, 16%) or a composite outcome (n=9, 25%). Most models (n=29, 78%) measured discrimination (median c-statistic=0.75; IQR: 0.68-0.84), and 17 (46%) reported calibration, often the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (n=13). Nineteen (51%) models were internally validated, and six (16%) were externally validated. Eighteen studies (54%) mentioned missing data, and of those half (n=9) used complete case analysis. The most common predictors included age, sex, extrapulmonary TB, body mass index (BMI), chest x-ray results, previous TB, and HIV. Risk of bias varied across studies, but all studies had high risk of bias in their analysis. Interpretation: TB outcome prediction models are heterogeneous with disparate outcome definitions, predictors, and methodology. We do not recommend applying any in clinical settings without external validation, and encourage future researchers adhere to guidelines for developing and reporting of prediction models. Funding Statement: This work was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences [CTSA Award No. TL1TR000447 to L.S.P.]. Declaration of Interests: None declared.
Capitalizing on Superconvergence for More Accurate Multi-Resolution Discontinuous Galerkin Methods

This article focuses on exploiting superconvergence to obtain more accurate multi-resolution analysis. Specifically, we concentrate on enhancing the quality of passing of information between scales by implementing the Smoothness-Increasing Accuracy-Conserving (SIAC) filtering combined with multi-wavelets. This allows for a more accurate approximation when passing information between meshes of different resolutions. Although this article presents the details of the SIAC filter using the standard discontinuous Galerkin method, these techniques are easily extendable to other types of data.
COVID-19 and Sexual and Reproductive Health Care: Findings From Primary Care Providers Who Serve Adolescents.

Abstract Purpose Among U.S. primary care physicians who delivered sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services to adolescents before the COVID-19 pandemic, we examine (1) changes in availability of in-person SRH services; (2) changes in accessibility and utilization of SRH services; and (3) use of strategies to support provision of SRH services during the pandemic. Methods Data were from the DocStyles provider survey administered September–October 2020. Descriptive analyses were restricted to family practitioners, internists, and pediatricians whose main work setting was outpatient and whose practice provided family planning or sexually transmitted infection services to ≥ one patient aged 15–19 years per week just before the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 791). Results Among physicians whose practices provided intrauterine device/implant placement/removal or clinic-based sexually transmitted infection testing before the COVID-19 pandemic, 51% and 36% indicated disruption of these services during the pandemic, respectively. Some physicians also reported reductions in walk-in hours (38%), evening/weekend hours (31%), and adolescents seeking care (43%) in the past month. At any point during the pandemic, 61% provided contraception initiation/continuation and 44% provided sexually transmitted infection services via telehealth. Among these physicians, about one-quarter reported confidentiality concerns with telehealth in the past month. There were small increases or no changes in other strategies to support contraceptive care. Conclusions Findings suggest disruption of certain SRH services and issues with access because of the pandemic among primary care providers who serve adolescents. There are opportunities to enhance implementation of confidential telehealth services and other service delivery strategies that could help promote adolescent SRH in the United States.
New layered quaternary BaCu6Sn2As4−x and BaCu6Sn2P4−x phases: Crystal growth and physical properties

Abstract We report two new quaternary BaCu6Sn2As4−x and BaCu6Sn2P4−x phases with a new structure type, which are fully characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). These two phases crystallize in tetragonal cell with space group I4/mmm (#139) and Pearson symbol tI26. The refined lattice parameters are a = 4.164(1) A, c = 24.088(3) A for BaCu6Sn2As4−x, and a = 4.053(2) A, c = 24.08(1) A for BaCu6Sn2P4−x, respectively. They possess a distinct layered feature composed of Cu6Sn2Pnx (Pn = P, As) layers sandwiched by the Ba atoms. The Cu-Sn framework of the Cu6Sn2Pnx layer is closely related to the well-known Cu2Sb-type structure, and Pn atoms are found occupying two interstitial sites caused by close packing of Cu and Sn atoms or capped on the top of square nets formed by Cu atoms. The compounds are also characterized by electrical transport measurements down to 2 K.
An acoustic sensor of velocity for benthic boundary layer studies

Abstract The techniques of flow measurement which have been successful in laboratory studies of boundary layer turbulence are difficult to use in the ocean; and the current meters generally used in the ocean are not suited to measuring bottom boundary layer flow. A suitable sensor for bottom turbulence measurements should measure vector components, respond linearly to these components, maintain an accurate zero point, disturb the flow negligibly or in a well predicted way, and sense a small enough volume to represent the important scales of the flow. We have constructed an acoustic travel time sensor in a configuration that will allow vector components of the flow to be measured with sufficient accuracy to compute Reynolds stress at a point 50 cm above the bottom. This sensor responds linearly to horizontal and vertical flows in flume tests. When the flow is neither horizontal nor vertical, the wake from one acoustic transducer may interfere with the measurement along one sensing path but there is sufficient redundancy in the determination to reject this path and still resolve the vector velocity. An instrument using four of these sensors is being designed to measure Reynolds stress in the lower six meters of the ocean.
"Last-Minute" Pardon Scandals: Fact and Fiction

In the aftermath of President Clinton’s “last-minute” pardons, a variety of “experts” appeared before congressional subcommittees in an attempt to place the resulting “scandal” in a proper historical and legal context. Although no data were presented to support the notion, testimony suggested previous presidents had generally exercised the pardoning power “evenly” across terms, “four or five times” a year, without any “particular” increases in activity near the end of administrations. At the time of the hearings, all of the available empirical research on the topic (published and unpublished) and data reported by the Department of Justice suggested otherwise. The empirical research, however, largely focused on administrations from 1789 to 1932. This paper explores “last-minute” pardons with a new, original data set on the exercise of clemency from 1932 to 2001 initially gathered by researchers at the University of Chicago. The analysis clearly demonstrates members of a congressional subcommittee were wildly misinformed with respect to the use of clemency in previous administrations. The author then explores some possible explanations for the poor quality of congressional testimony, including: governmental policies, partisan transition in the White House and the vested interests of those participating in such hearings.
Land Use Change and Competition in the South

The amount of land in urban and other special uses increased more than 50 percent since the 1960s in the South. Rural land converted to urban uses is directly related to increases in population in the South. Urban land-use coefficients were estimated to provide a measure of the amount of land converted to urban uses per person added to the population base. These coefficients indicate that from 1974 to 1987 two-thirds to three fourths of an acre of land was converted to urban uses for each person added to the population base. At this rate, about 12.6 million acres are expected to be converted to urban use in the South during the next two decades.
Oesophageal perforation presenting as oesophageal atresia in a premature neonate following difficult intubation

Iatrogenic oesophageal perforation in neonates is well recognized in the medical and surgical literature with intubation injury listed as a possible contributing mechanism besides nasogastric tube placement and suctioning. Diagnosis can be difficult and sometimes confused with other entities. With early diagnosis, nonsurgical management often leads to complete resolution in neonates. We report the case of a 1-day-old premature neonate who was brought to the operating room with the preliminary diagnosis of proximal oesophageal atresia with stump perforation and distal tracheo-esophageal fistula. His intubation for respiratory distress at birth had been difficult due to Pierre-Robin sequence with micrognathia. Oesophagoscopy in the operating room revealed a patent oesophagus but perforations in the pharynx and in the proximal oesophagus with the nasogastric tube entering the pharyngeal perforation. Oesophageal perforation and the limitations of the difficult airway algorithm in small neonates are discussed.
The STATs of cancer — new molecular targets come of age

Tumour cells acquire the ability to proliferate uncontrollably, resist apoptosis, sustain angiogenesis and evade immune surveillance. STAT proteins — especially STAT3 and STAT5 — regulate all of these processes and are persistently activated in a surprisingly large number of human cancers. Consequently, STAT proteins are emerging — unexpectedly — as ideal targets for cancer therapy.
Lifestyle Discrimination in Employment

E ARL W ARREN L EGAL I NSTITUTE W ORKING P APER L IFESTYLE D ISCRIMINATION IN E MPLOYMENT Stephen D. Sugarman School of Law University of California, Berkeley © Stephen D. Sugarman All rights reserved by the author Earl Warren Legal Institute 381 Boalt Hall University of California Berkeley, CA 94720-7200
Bilingualism and Bilingual Education in the United States

Bilingual Education for Hispanic Students in the United States. Joshua A. Fishman and Gary D. Keller, eds. New York: Teachers College Press, 1982. x + 502 pp. $18.95 (paper). Bilingualism and Language Contact: Spanish, English, and Native American Languages. Florence Barkin, Elizabeth A. Brandt, and Jacob Ornstein-Galicia, eds. New York: Teachers College Press, 1982. xiii + 320 pp. $24.95 (cloth). Spanish in the United States: Sociolinguistic Aspects. Jon Amastae and Lucia Elias-Olivares, eds. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1982. x + 434 pp. $14.00 (paper). The New Bilingualism: An American Dilemma. Martin Ridge, ed. Proceedings of a Conference Sponsored by Center for Study of the American Experience. The Annenberg School of Communications, University of Southern California, May 1980. Los Angeles: University of Southern California Press, 1981. 272 pp. $20.00 (cloth).
Trace Metal Interactions with Marine Phytoplankton

AbstractLarge spatial and temporal differences in both trace metal concentrations and chemical speciation in the sea have led to wide variations in biological availability of metals and their effects on phytoplankton. Trace metals are usually taken up by algae via the formation of coordination complexes with specialized transport ligands in their outer membranes, and metal uptake is determined by the interplay between redox, complexation, or oxide dissolution reactions of metals in seawater and ligand-exchange reactions at these sites. Some metals, such as copper and zinc, are heavily chelated by organic ligands in seawater, and their biological availability is determined by the concentrations of free metal ions or of kinetically labile inorganic species (free ions plus inorganic complexes). Once inside cells, trace metals influence metabolism primarily as a consequence of the role of many of these metals (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Co, Mo, Ni) as essential cofactors in metalloenzymes. Trace metals may also inhibit ...
Quantitation of submandibular proteins resolved from normal individuals and children with cystic fibrosis

Submandibular secretions collected from children with cystic fibrosis (CF) showed increased protein concentration (milligrams/milliliter) and increased amylase specific activity (units/milligram of protein) relative to normal secretions. These differences between normal (N) and CF secretions were as follows: protein, 1.25 ± 0.51 (N), 1.75 ± 0.35 (CF) (P < 0.02); and amylase, 58 ± 18 (N), 80 ± 19 (CF) (P < 0.001). To determine the basis for elevated protein in CF saliva, several major proteins resolved by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis were quantitated by densitometry. These included four phosphoproteins (PP), serum albumin, an acid phosphatase-containing fraction, amylase, and an unidentified protein referred to as PI-7.1. Together, these proteins comprise greater than 75% of the total protein in the secretion. Differences in individual protein concentrations (milligrams/milliliter) resolved from normal and CF secretions, respectively, were as follows: PP2, 0.02 ± 0.01, 0.03 ± 0.02 (NS, not significant); PP3, 0.06 ± 0.04, 0.05 ± 0.03 (NS); acid phosphatase fraction, 0.06 ± 0.04, 0.12 ± 0.07 (P < 0.05); amylase, 0.09 ± 0.04, 0.27 ± 0.16 (P < 0.01); and pI-7.1, 0.04 ± 0.02, 0.13 ± 0.08 (P < 0.02). Amylase, the most significant contributor to the elevated protein, comprised 26% of the total protein of normal secretions and 38% of the total protein of CF secretions. Thus, our results do not support the concept of a generalized increase in all organic components in CF submandibular secretions but, rather, increases in specific proteins, namely amylase, component pI-7.1, and an acid phosphatase-containing fraction.
S-nitrosothiols and nitric oxide, but not sodium nitroprusside, protect nigrostriatal dopamine neurons against iron-induced oxidative stress in vivo.

Intranigral infusion of ferrous citrate (4.2 nmol) induced an acute lipid peroxidation in the substantia nigra and a chronic dopamine depletion in the striatum of rat nigrostriatal system. Coinfusion of 8.4 nmol nitric oxide donors such as S-nitroso-glutathione (GSNO) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) or nitric oxide (∼2 nmol) protected nigrostriatal neurons against iron-induced lipid peroxidation and associated oxidative injury. However, sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 8.4 nmol) augmented dopamine depletion caused by ferrous citrate because SNP is a ferricyanide complex. The present in vivo results indicate that nitric oxide and S-nitrosothiols are antioxidants which can protect brain dopamine neurons against oxidant stress/damage. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Strain differences rather than hyperglycemia determine the severity of glomerulosclerosis in mice

Strain differences rather than hyperglycemia determine the severity of glomerulosclerosis in mice. Background We reported that ROP, but not C57, mice were prone to glomerulosclerosis (GS) after nephron reduction ( J Clin Invest 97:1242, 1996). Methods In this study, we induced diabetes in ROP and C57 mice to determine if the glomerulosclerotic response was stimulus specific. We used the oligosyndactyly mutation (Os), to produce a congenital 50% reduction in nephron number. Stable hyperglycemia was induced by streptozotocin and mice were maintained for 12weeks without insulin treatment. Results Glomerular hypertrophy occurred in diabetic ROP +/+ and C57 +/+ mice, but glomeruli of diabetic ROP +/+ mice had 1.92-fold higher laminin B1 and 1.5-fold higher tenascin mRNA levels than diabetic C57 +/+ mice. Diabetic ROP Os/+ mice had severe glomerulosclerosis with arteriolar and tubulointerstitial lesions while there was only moderate mesangial sclerosis in diabetic C57 Os/+ mice. Glomerular size was increased in all non-diabetic Os/+ mice. It was further increased in diabetic ROP Os/+ mice, but not in diabetic C57 Os/+ mice. Glomerular mRNA levels were higher in diabetic ROP OS/+ than in diabetic C57 OS/+ mice [ α 1 (IV) collagen 3.2-fold, laminin B1 2.1-fold, and tenascin 1.6-fold]. Conclusion Overall, our data further support the hypothesis that the susceptibility to glomerulosclerosis is inherited, and suggest that hyperglycemia serves principally as a triggering event in the development of diabetic nephropathy. Since the acceleration of diabetic nephropathy by nephron reduction was also largely strain dependent, it appears that the propensity to glomerulosclerosis is a general renal response and is not stimulus specific.
Identification of a novel serine protease-like molecule in human brain

Proteolysis of the amyloid β protein precursor (APP) is a key event in the development of Alzheimer's disease. In our search for proteases that can cleave APP and liberate the amino terminus of the amyloidogenic β protein, we characterized a calcium-dependent serine protease (CASP) which is present in reactive astrocytes and cross-reacts with anti-cathepsin G antibodies. We wanted to take advantage of this cross-reactivity to clone the cDNA of CASP and eventually evaluate its tissue distribution. Screening of two human fetal brain cDNA libraries with anti-cathepsin G antibodies led to the identification of a cDNA coding for a novel protein whose only homology to known proteins is to the active site of trypsin-type serine proteases. We called this protein the novel serine protease (NSP). NSP exists in at least three differentially spliced forms, one of which is expressed predominantly in brain and testis. Immunohistochemistry and immunoprecipitation with antibodies generated against NSP show that it is expressed and secreted by a variety of cells and that, in brain, it is found primarily in cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells and reactive astrocytes.
Automated Lowry method for microgram protein determination.

Abstract The authors have automated the Lowry method for measuring protein concentrations ranging from 1 to 1000 μg/ml. The results are accurate and reproducible. An improved flow cell is briefly described.
p53 Arg72Pro polymorphism and risk of colorectal adenoma and cancer

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at codon 72 of the p53 gene (Arg72Pro) alters the p53 protein structure and affects its activity. We investigated this SNP in relation to colorectal adenoma and cancer among men and women from case-control studies nested within the Nurses' Health Study, the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and the Physicians' Health Study. Among 856 colorectal adenoma cases and 1,184 controls, we observed a modest association with p53 Arg72Pro genotype (multivariate odds ratio (OR) = 1.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.50 for Arg/Pro and Pro/Pro vs. Arg/Arg). This association did not vary by colorectal site or by sex. Among 442 colorectal cancer cases and 904 controls, we observed no significant overall association between p53 Arg72Pro genotype and colorectal cancer (multivariate OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.90-1.45). However, when colorectal site and sex was accounted for, the Pro carrier genotypes compared to Arg/Arg were associated with an increased risk of proximal colon cancers in women (multivariate OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.49-4.52) though not with distal colon or rectal cancers, while among men the same genotypes were associated with an increased risk of distal colon cancers (multivariate OR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.28-3.40) but not proximal colon or rectal cancers. Our results suggest that Arg72Pro may play a role in the early stages of colorectal neoplasia and possibly in progression to invasive disease, depending on site and sex.
Technology in the Elementary Social Studies Classroom: Teacher Preparation Does Matter

This article describes the findings of a five-year longitudinal study examining 23 elementary teachers' use of technology in the classroom. Specifically, it describes how these teachers' experiences in a technology-enriched elementary social studies methods course, taken in the fall of 2000, have affected their attitudes towards and use of technology in their classrooms. Many have speculated that the demands of the first few years of teaching can dwarf the effects of teacher preparation, therefore reexamining the effects of preservice education in their fourth year of inservice teaching provides a perspective we need to validate and improve our efforts to better prepare elementary teachers to use technology to teach social studies.
Distances and Galactic Kinematics of Two Blue Metal-poor Stars

We use an SX Phe period-luminosity relation to derive distance estimates and Galactic kinematic parameters for the short-period pulsating blue metal-poor stars CS 29499–057 and CS 22966–043. The resulting kinematics are quite distinctive relative to the metal-poor halo field. Even though these two field blue stragglers' binarity is consistent with the idea of formation in a mass transfer system, we speculate that these stars' origin instead lies in a Galactic merger or interaction with a dwarf galaxy satellite, or in the merger of a stellar binary system. The former possibility is consistent with CS 22966–043's significant [α/Fe] deficiency. A non-mass-transfer origin for both binaries is also consistent with (though not necessarily precluded by) the lack of any significant s-process enhancement seen in either star, and the long orbital period of CS 29499–057 that may preclude a mass transfer origin. In an effort to determine distances to additional blue metal-poor stars, we have photometrically monitored CS 22890–069, CS 22872–062, and CS 22884–065. However, the light curves of these three objects indicate no short-period photometric variability at the level of a few hundredths of a magnitude.
Psychological and Physical Health Correlates of Coping in Minority Adolescents

In the current study the relations between coping and psychological/physical health in a sample of minority adolescents was investigated. Participants (n = 182) were all low-income, first-generation college-bound students from historically underrepresented groups. For Mexican-Americans, positive reinterpretation, focusing and venting emotions, instrumental social support, active coping, religious, restraint, emotional support, acceptance and planning forms of coping were all associated with positive psychological and physical health; for African-Americans, coping methods were not significantly associated with psychological or physical health; for Asian-Americans, positive reinterpretation, active coping, religious coping, restraint, acceptance and planning forms of coping were associated with only psychological health. Cultural-specific (rather than gender-specific) socialization is identified as a potential explanation of these results.
Changes in surface morphology and optical properties of polymers induced by ion implantation

Changes in the surface morphology and optical transmittance of polymers, poIy(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin films on quartz glass plates and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) sheets, induced by megaelectronvolt ion implantation, were examined using different ion species, energies, ion current densities and doses. The polymer surface showed remarkable depression after ion implantation. On PMMA, the depression increased with dose and saturated after a dose of about 5×1014 ions cm−2. Higher energy and heavier ions made a larger depression generally. On PTFE, implantation of heavy ion species made a small depression and the dependence on dose was almost linear in the range 1014 to 1015 ions cm−2. PMMA changed its appearance from transparent to white, light brown, brown and finally bla'jk with dose, because of UV-visible light absorption. The width of the absorption band increased with dose, and the implantation of heavier ion species caused wider and larger absorption. Some annihilation of light absorption with time was found at room temperature. Roughening of the ion implanted surface was also observed.
Dialysis frequency versus dialysis time, that is the question

We reviewed a number of prospective randomized and multiple retrospective cohort studies of different dialysis prescriptions: longer dialysis time, at a frequency of at least three times a week, or a frequency of daily hemodialysis with a shorter dialysis time. Interestingly, the retrospective analyses have generally found significant survival benefits in the intensive dialysis groups, whereas more modest effects were observed in the prospective randomized controlled trials. The reason for this discrepancy may be related to the retrospective nature of the studies and possible selection bias; for example, the patients who were prescribed more frequent dialysis may have had more difficulties with volume control or high blood pressure. In contrast, the randomized controlled trials of increased dialysis frequency, which have shown indirect and modest benefits in complex coprimary end points, have small sample sizes and are plagued with difficulties in recruitment and compliance with the randomly allocated more frequent dialysis. This review, which attempts to balance the potential benefits of more frequent dialysis with the burden on the patient's lifestyle, an increased risk of access malfunction, as well as societal costs of such intensive dialysis prescriptions, concludes in favor of the conventional three times per week dialysis (at a minimum) but at longer dialysis times than is currently prescribed based on the Kt/Vurea metric alone.
Anthrax surrogate spores are destroyed by PDT mediated by phenothiazinium dyes

ABSTRACT Some Gram-positive bacteria (including the causative agent of anthrax - Bacillus anthracis) survive conditions ofstress and starvation by producing dormant stage spores. The spores multilayered capsule consists of inner andouter membranes, cortex, proteinaceous spore coat, and in some species an exosporium. These outer layers enclosedehydrated and condensed DNA, saturated with small, acid-soluble proteins. These protective structures makespores highly resistant to damage by heat, radiation, and commonly employed anti-bacterial agents. PreviouslyBacillus spores have been shown to be resistant to photodynamic inactivation (PDI) using dyes and light that easilydestroy the corresponding vegetative bacteria, but recently we have discovered that they are susceptible to PDI.Photoinactivation, however, is only possible if phenothiazinium dyes are used. Dimethylmethylene blue, methyleneblue, new methylene blue and toluidine blue O are all effective photosensitizers. Alternative photosensitizers such asRose Bengal, polylysine chlorin(e6) conjugate, a tricationic porphyrin and benzoporphyrin derivative are ineffectiveagainst spores even though they can easily kill vegetative cells. Spores of B. cereus and B. thuringiensis are mostsusceptible, B. subtilis and B. atrophaeus are also killed, while B. megaterium is resistant. Photoinactivation is mosteffective when excess dye is washed from the spores showing that the dye binds to the spores and that excess dye insolution can quench light delivery. The relatively mild conditions needed for spore killing could have applicationsfor treating wounds contaminated by anthrax spores and for which conventional sporicides would have unacceptabletissue toxicity.Keywords: photosensitizer, anthrax, spore, photodynamic therapy, toluidine blue, methylene blue, Bacillus species
Detection of transposition errors in decimal numbers

A common error encountered when decimal numbers are handled by humans is the transposition of two adjacent digits. The coding scheme described here will protect a decimal number of arbitrary length against a single transposition error involving two adjacent digits, some multiple transposition errors, and some substitution errors.
Estimated increase in inundation probability with confidence intervals for Pensacola, Florida and Key West, Florida

One of the most frequent and costly natural disasters that affects societies around the world is flooding. The combination of sea level rise and population growth in coastal regions makes it essential to continue improving flood management strategies. The main objective of this research is to model and compare the impact of sea level rise on the frequency of inundation for two Florida locations, Pensacola and Key West. The research is based on data from these two stations that benefit from existing long term sea level records, have similar relative sea level rise trends, but different surge histories and bathymetry. Pensacola is a sea port on Pensacola Bay, which joins the Gulf of Mexico. Water level records measured hourly are available starting in January 1924 till present. The Key West station is located at the southernmost point of Florida. The station's records are available starting in January 1913 till present and include water levels measured hourly. Both areas have been impacted by hurricanes. Hurricane Wilma in 2005 was the last major storm to impact Key West, while Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 were the last hurricanes to impact Pensacola.
Ecological divergence among five co-occurring species of old-field goldenrods

Approximately 130 species of goldenrods are native to North America and many occur sympatrically. Such cooccurrence among closely related species raises the question of whether differences among the species in smallscale distribution and growth forms facilitate their co-occurrence. We investigated five goldenrods that frequently co-occur within their native ranges in Pennsylvania USA old fields. We measured goldenrod abundances, soil textures, nutrients, pH, and moisture within 30 old fields, and determined biomass allocation and flower and seed traits for each goldenrod species at a common site. Ordination revealed that Solidago altissima and S. gigantea were associated with fields having circum-neutral soils, whereas Euthamia graminifolia and S. rugosa achieved their highest abundances on acidic soils. Soil clay content and moisture may be associated with a further separation of species as the abundance of S. altissima tended to be higher on well-drained soils while S. gigantea had a tendency to attain its highest abundances on moist soils that had relatively stable moisture levels over time. Euthamia was more likely to be abundant on clay-rich soils while S. rugosa was often associated with soils containing little clay. Solidago juncea tended to associate with droughty soils that underwent marked soil-moisture changes over time. The latter goldenrod had the greatest absolute and relative root mass, the least absolute and relative leaf mass, highest seed-reproductive allocation, and heaviest achenes. In contrast, S. gigantea and Euthamia, which were often associated with more mesic and stable soil moisture conditions, allocated the least to roots and relatively high amounts of mass to leaves. Solidago gigantea, S. altissima, and Euthamia are invasive species across Europe. The species with the highest colonization rate across Europe, S. gigantea, allocated the most to reproduction in our study, while S. altissima, with the second highest colonization rate, was highly clonal producing the most rhizome mass. Life-history trait variation among goldenrods appears to be linked to differences in small-scale distributions and rates of colonization.