cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inclusive breakup calculations in angular momentum basis: Application to 7 Li+ 58 Ni

The angular momentum basis method is introduced to solve the inclusive breakup problem within the model proposed by Ichimura, Austern, and Vincent [Phys. Rev. C 32, 431 (1985)]. This method is based on the geometric transformation between different Jacobi coordinates, in which the particle spins can be included in a natural and efficient way. To test the validity of this partial wave expansion method, a benchmark calculation is done comparing with the one given by Lei and Moro [Phys. Rev. C 92, 044616 (2015)]. In addition, using the distorted-wave Born approximation version of the IAV model, applications to $^{7}\mathrm{Li}+^{58}\mathrm{Ni}$ reactions at energies around Coulomb barrier are presented and compared with available data.
Spectral Transmittance of a Translucent Sand Sample With Directional Illumination

The nadir transmittance of sand samples was monitored as the illumination direction moved from 0° to 70°. Measurements were made for high- and low-density samples, at two depths and under both air-dry and saturated conditions. Transmittance decreased monotonically, but slowly, with increasing illumination angle at all wavelengths. A peak in transmittance appeared only at the 0° (zenith) illumination angle, but only for the low-bulk-density, dry sample at the shallower, 3-mm depth. This indicates that directional radiation transmitted through a sand layer becomes diffuse with few millimeters-thin sand layer. For the saturated samples, the influence of water on light transmittance was opposite in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) (350–1300 nm) and shortwave infrared (1330–2500 nm) wavelength regions. In the VNIR region, transmittance increased in the saturated sample relative to dry sample, while transmittance decreased sharply after 1330 nm, with obvious spectral absorption features characteristic of water absorption. In the VNIR region, water absorption is low, and the low relative index of refraction enhanced transmittance through the sand sample. In contrast, water absorption became dominant at longer wavelengths, leading to the strongly reduced transmittance. Analysis of transmittance by quartz sand samples with the same bulk density but a different depth suggests that most of the directional variation due to the change in illumination angle can be attributed to surface reflective loss. The implication is that the directional reflection may be treated as a surface phenomenon, with the volume reflectance contributing a diffuse component.
American Society of Biomechanics Clinical Biomechanics Award 2017: Non-anatomic graft geometry is linked with asymmetric tibiofemoral kinematics and cartilage contact following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Abstract Background Abnormal knee mechanics may contribute to early cartilage degeneration following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Anterior cruciate ligament graft geometry has previously been linked to abnormal tibiofemoral kinematics, suggesting this parameter may be important in restoring normative cartilage loading. However, the relationship between graft geometry and cartilage contact is unknown. Methods Static MR images were collected and segmented for eighteen subjects to obtain bone, cartilage, and anterior cruciate ligament geometries for their reconstructed and contralateral knees. The footprint locations and orientation of the anterior cruciate ligament were calculated. Volumetric, dynamic MR imaging was also performed to measure tibiofemoral kinematics, cartilage contact location, and contact sliding velocity while subjects performed loaded knee flexion-extension. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the relationship between non-anatomic graft geometry and asymmetric knee mechanics. Findings Non-anatomic graft geometry was related to asymmetric knee mechanics, with the sagittal plane graft angle being the best predictor of asymmetry. A more vertical sagittal graft angle was associated with greater anterior tibial translation (β = 0.11 mm deg , P = 0.049, R2 = 0.22), internal tibial rotation (β = 0.27 deg deg , P = 0.042, R2 = 0.23), and adduction angle (β = 0.15 deg deg , P = 0.013, R2 = 0.44) at peak knee flexion. A non-anatomic sagittal graft orientation was also linked to asymmetries in tibial contact location and sliding velocity on the medial (β = −4.2 mm s deg , P = 0.002, R2 = 0.58) and lateral tibial plateaus (β = 5.7 mm s deg , P = 0.006, R2 = 0.54). Interpretation This study provides evidence that non-anatomic graft geometry is linked to asymmetric knee mechanics, suggesting that restoring native anterior cruciate ligament geometry may be important to mitigate the risk of early cartilage degeneration in these patients.
Soil pH Change over Time as Affected by the Limestone Sources and Application Rate

Introduction Limestone is commonly used in Iowa to maintain optimum soil pH for crop production. There is insufficient information, however, concerning the reaction time in the soil and short-term effects on crop yield for different sources and application rates. This information is needed to improve soil pH management and lime recommendations. The objective of this study was to study the soil pH and crop response to the application of pure calcium carbonate (CaCO3), and calcitic or dolomitic limestone in a typical acid soil of central Iowa.
The End of Too-Big-to-Fail? Evidence from Senior Bank Bond Yield Spreads Around the Dodd-Frank Act

We examine the secondary market transactions of senior bonds issued by banks for the periods prior to and after passage of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (DFA) in 2010. We find the 136 basis points discount on yield spreads because of the too-big-to-fail (TBTF) effects is removed after the DFA. Markets charge a premium of 33 basis points for the TBTF banks after the DFA. The premium increases further after the rating criteria changes by credit rating agencies. We find the default risk sensitivity of several variables improves and changes in risk are perceptible in the changes in yield spreads.
Marine geological maps of the Campania Region (Southern Tyrrhenian sea, Italy): considerations and contributions to a different scale of geological survey

Marine geological maps of the Campania region have been constructed both to 1:25.000 and to a 1:10.000 scales in the frame of research projects financed by the Italian National Geological Survey, focusing, in particular, on the Gulf of Naples (Southern Tyrrhenian sea), a complex volcanic area where volcanic and sedimentary processes strongly interacted during the Late Quaternary and on the Cilento Promontory offshore. In this paper the examples of the geological sheets n. 464 “Isola di Ischia” and n. 502 “Agropoli” have been studied. The integration of the geological maps with the seismo-stratigraphic setting of the study areas has also been performed based on the realization of interpreted seismic profiles, providing interesting data on the geological setting of the subsurface. The coastal geological sedimentation has been studied in detail in the Ischia and Agropoli offshore. The mapped geological units are represented by: i) the rocky units of the acoustic basement (volcanic and/or sedimentary), ii) the deposits of the littoral environment, including the deposits of submerged beach and the deposits of toe of coastal cliff, iii) the deposits of the inner shelf environment, including the inner shelf deposits and the bioclastic deposits, iv) the deposits of the outer shelf environment, including the clastic deposits and the bioclastic deposits, v) the Lowstand System Tract, vi) the Pleistocene relict marine units, vii) different volcanic units, Pleistocene in age. The seismo-stratigraphic data, coupled with the sedimentological and environmental data provided by the geological maps, allow to give new insights on the geologic evolution of this area during the Late Quaternary.
Accuracy of risk prediction scores in pregnant women with congenital heart disease

OBJECTIVE To assess performance of risk stratification schemes in predicting adverse cardiac outcomes in pregnant women with congenital heart disease (CHD) and to compare these schemes to clinical factors alone. DESIGN Single-center retrospective study. SETTING Tertiary care academic hospital. PATIENTS Women ≥18 years with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes indicating CHD who delivered between 1998 and 2014. CARPREG I and ZAHARA risk scores and modified World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were applied to each woman. OUTCOME MEASURES The primary outcome was defined by ≥1 of the following: arrhythmia, heart failure/pulmonary edema, transient ischemic attack, stroke, dissection, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, death during gestation and up to 6 months postpartum. RESULTS Of 178 women, the most common CHD lesions were congenital aortic stenosis (15.2%), ventricular septal defect (13.5%), atrial septal defect (12.9%), and tetralogy of Fallot (12.9%). Thirty-five women (19.7%) sustained 39 cardiac events. Observed vs expected event rates were 9.9% vs 5% (P = .02) for CARPREG I score 0 and 26.1% vs 7.5% (P < .001) for ZAHARA scores 0.51-1.5. ZAHARA outperformed CARPREG I at predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes (AUC 0.80 vs 0.72, P = .03) but was not significantly better than modified WHO. Clinical predictors of adverse cardiac event were symptoms (P = .002), systemic ventricular dysfunction (P < .001), and subpulmonary ventricular dysfunction (P = .03) with an AUC 0.83 comparable to ZAHARA (P = .66). CONCLUSIONS CARPREG I and ZAHARA scores underestimate cardiac risk for lower risk pregnancies in these women. Of the three risk schemes, CARPREG I performed least well in predictive capacity. Clinical factors specific to the population studied are comparable to stratification schemes.
Developmental Staging and Salinity Tolerance in Embryos of the Delta Smelt, Hypomesus transpacificus

Delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus) is a critically endangered species endemic to the San Francisco Bay Delta (SFBD). Important for the conservation of this species is understanding the physiological and ecological impacts contributing to their population decline, and current studies lack information on embryonic development. Changes in patterns of salinity across the SFBD may be a particularly important environmental stressor contributing to the recruitment and survival of the species. Throughout their ontogeny, delta smelt may exhibit unique requirements and tolerances to environmental conditions including salinity. Here, we describe 22 stages of embryonic development of H. transpacificus that characterize early differentiation from the fertilized egg until hatching, allowing the identification of critical morphological features unique to this species. Additionally, we investigated aspects of physiological tolerance to environmental salinity during development. Embryos survived incubation at salinity treatments between 0.4 and 20 ppt, yet had lower hatch success at higher salinities. Prior to hatching, embryos exposed to higher salinities had increased osmolalities and reduced fractions of yolk implying that the elevated external salinity altered the physiology of the embryo and the environment internal to the chorion. Lastly, egg activation and fertilization appear to also be impacted by salinity. Altogether, we suggest that any potential tolerance to salinity during embryogenesis, a common feature in euryhaline teleost species, impacts life cycle transitions into, and out of, embryonic development. Results from this investigation should improve conservation and management practices of this species and further expand our understanding of the intimate relationship between an embryo and its environment.
Group-edf: a new approach and an efficient non-preemptive algorithm for soft real-time systems

Hard real-time systems in robotics, space and military missions, and control devices are specified with stringent and critical time constraints. On the other hand, soft real-time applications arising from multimedia, telecommunications, Internet web services, and games are specified with more lenient constraints. Real-time systems can also be distinguished in terms of their implementation into preemptive and non-preemptive systems. In preemptive systems, tasks are often preempted by higher priority tasks. Non-preemptive systems are gaining interest for implementing soft-real applications on multithreaded platforms. In this dissertation, I propose a new algorithm that uses a two-level scheduling strategy for scheduling non-preemptive soft real-time tasks. Our goal is to improve the success ratios of the well-known earliest deadline first (EDF) approach when the load on the system is very high and to improve the overall performance in both underloaded and overloaded conditions. Our approach, known as group-EDF (gEDF), is based on dynamic grouping of tasks with deadlines that are very close to each other, and using a shortest job first (SJF) technique to schedule tasks within the group. I believe that grouping tasks dynamically with similar deadlines and utilizing secondary criteria, such as minimizing the total execution time can lead to new and more efficient real-time scheduling algorithms. I present results comparing gEDF with other real-time algorithms including, EDF, best-effort, and guarantee scheme, by using randomly generated tasks with varying execution times, release times, deadlines and tolerances to missing deadlines, under varying workloads. Furthermore, I implemented the gEDF algorithm in the Linux kernel and evaluated gEDF for scheduling real applications.
Measuring air-water interfacial area for soils using the mass balance surfactant-tracer method.

There are several methods for conducting interfacial partitioning tracer tests to measure air–water interfacial area in porous media. One such approach is the mass balance surfactant tracer method. An advantage of the mass-balance method compared to other tracer-based methods is that a single test can produce multiple interfacial area measurements over a wide range of water saturations. The mass-balance method has been used to date only for glass beads or treated quartz sand. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effectiveness and implementability of the mass-balance method for application to more complex porous media. The results indicate that interfacial areas measured with the mass-balance method are consistent with values obtained with the miscible-displacement method. This includes results for a soil, for which solid-phase adsorption was a significant component of total tracer retention.
Behavioral Supervision of Behavioral Consultation: A Case Study and Future Directions

ABSTRACTThis case study examines behavioral supervision of behavioral consultation (BSBC) during a school-based practicum experience in one school psychology training program. Supervision implement...
The Association Between Sexually Aggressive Cognitions and Pathological Personality Traits in Men

Sexual aggression, harassment, and sexually aggressive cognitions (victim blaming, sexual entitlement) are serious societal problems. Although research has examined attributes of individuals who engage in overt sexual assault, few studies have focused on individual characteristics of those who perpetuate problematic negative beliefs surrounding sexual assault. This study sought to examine the relationship between pathological personality and sexually aggressive cognitions among 242 community men. Results showed that traits including antagonism, disinhibition, and negative affectivity were associated with sexually aggressive cognitions. These results have implications for understanding sexual aggression and the role personality plays in perpetuating sexually aggressive attitudes.
Chapter 14 – Membrane Fusion

The membranes of cells undergo a process called membrane fusion when intracellular transport vesicles form and when enveloped viruses infect cells. Membrane fusion is the process by which two membranes become one, and the process by which one membrane becomes two (sometimes called fission). Four steps have been identified in most membrane fusion processes: membrane aggregation, close apposition of the membranes to fuse, transient destabilization of the bilayers, and mixing of the components to permit two membranes to become one (or the opposite for fission). Studies on lipid vesicle systems have uncovered some of the fundamentals of membrane fusion including the role that nonbilayer structures must play as intermediates in the process. Studies on viral fusion have implicated specific membrane proteins as promoters of membrane aggregation and of membrane fusion through bilayer destabilization. Intracellular fusion involving transport vesicles expresses all these features and utilizes a more complicated membrane fusion apparatus that adds sophisticated targeting to the process.
Ischemic stroke with a preceding Trans ischemic attack (TIA) less than 24 hours and thrombolytic therapy.

Acute ischemic stroke attack with and without a recent TIA may differ in clinical risk factors, and this may affect treatment outcomes following thrombolytic therapy. We examined whether the odds of exclusion or inclusion for thrombolytic therapy are greater in ischemic stroke with TIA less than 24 h preceding ischemic stroke (recent-TIA) as compared to those without recent TIA or non-TIA > 24 h and less than 1 month (past-TIA). A retrospective hospital-based analysis was conducted on 6315 ischemic stroke patients, of whom 846 had proven brain diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) of an antecedent TIA within 24 h prior to ischemic stroke. The logistic regression model was developed to generate odds ratios (OR) to determine clinical factors that may increase the likelihood of exclusion or inclusion for thrombolytic therapy. The validity of the model was tested using a Hosmer-Lemeshow test, while the Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) was used to test the sensitivity of our model. In the recent-TIA ischemic stroke population, patients with a history of alcohol abuse (OR = 5.525, 95% CI, 1.003–30.434, p = 0.05), migraine (OR = 4.277, 95% CI, 1.095–16.703, p = 0.037), and increasing NIHSS score (OR = 1.156, 95% CI, 1.058–1.263, p = 0.001) were associated with the increasing odds of receiving rtPA, while older patients (OR = 0.965, 95% CI, 0.934–0.997, P = 0.033) were associated with the increasing odds of not receiving rtPA. In recent-TIA ischemic stroke patients, older patients with higher INR values are associated with increasing odds of exclusion from thrombolytic therapy. Our findings demonstrate clinical risks factors that can be targeted to improve the use and eligibility for rtPA in in recent-TIA ischemic stroke patients.
Climate-driven variability in Euphausia pacifica size distributions off northern California

Abstract We analyzed an 11-year data set of length measurements for Euphausia pacifica, resolved by developmental stages ranging from early furcilia through adults, to characterize temporal variability in size distributions in relation to environmental and climate forcing in coastal waters of the northern California Current. Our analysis reveals that coastal size distributions of this linchpin species are related to temperature and chlorophyll a concentration, and indicate that warm climate events disrupt and suppress typical seasonal dynamics, resulting in persistent shifts towards populations dominated by smaller juveniles and adults. The 2014-16 marine heatwave (MHW) resulted in sharp and sustained transition in the size structure of E. pacifica off northern California; we captured numerous mature individuals smaller than any previously reported in the literature and larger size classes were conspicuously absent or rare when the MHW most strongly impacted coastal waters. Early life history stages exhibited a contrasting response, shifting instead towards larger size distributions during warm years. Advection appears to be the dominant mechanism driving rapid shifts in E. pacifica size structure off northern California, which implies alongshore and cross-shelf gradients in life history expression (e.g., changes in size-at-maturation) related primarily to temperature. Variability in food availability (chlorophyll concentration) and physiological responses (e.g., changes in growth rates) likely contribute to seasonal variability, but appear insufficient to account for sharp, climate-driven transitions. Climate-driven shifts in individual and total biomass of this critical and dominant forage species have important ecological implications, particularly for growth and survival of species at higher trophic levels. Given that warm water events are likely to increase with climate change, the effects of the 2014-16 MHW on E. pacifica in coastal waters may serve as a harbinger for future change. Detailed information on size structure of euphausiid populations is fundamental to understanding population responses to and ecosystem consequences of climatic and environmental forcing, and has been incorporated in assessments that support ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management.
Endochronic Constitutive Law for Liquefaction of Sand

A nonlinear constitutive law is developed, together with the previously established model for an inelastic two-phase medium, to give a realistic prediction of the pore pressure buildup and associated liquefaction of sand due to cyclic shear. The law is of the endochronic type and consists of quasi-linear first-order differential equations expressed in terms of intrinsic time, which is an independent variable whose increments depend on the strain increments. This accounts for the accumulation of particle rearrangements, which are characterized by a parameter termed the rearrangement measure. The basic extensions of this work with regard to the application of endochronic theory to metals are due to the fact that sands densify upon shearing and are sensitive to confining stress; these two features are shared with the formulation of endochronic theory for concrete. Several typical examples are given to illustrate densification, hysteresis, and liquefaction tendency of sands subjected to cyclic shear in laboratory tests.
Prevalence of Toxocara vitulorum in north-central Florida beef calves:

A pilot study was conducted to determine the presence of Toxocara vitulorum in beef calves (Bos taurus) in north-central Florida. T. vitulorum is a nematode found in subtropical climates and considered to be rare in the United States. This parasite is thought to be endemic among water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), and 1 small herd located in central Florida was included in the study. A Sheather's centrifugal flotation procedure to detect parasite ova was performed on all fecal samples collected (n=463). Beef calves sampled were less than 9 months of age, and all parasite ova observed in the flotation were noted. Although T. vitulorum was not found in any samples, many other parasite ova were present. Results of this study suggest that T. vitulorum is still rarely detected in north-central Florida.
Proteomic analysis of the lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) heart and blood: The beginning of a comprehensive lake trout protein database

Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) are a top-predator species in the Laurentian Great Lakes that are often used as bioindicators of chemical stressors in the ecosystem. Although many studies are done using these fish to determine concentrations of stressors like legacy persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals, there are currently no proteomic studies on the biological effects these stressors have on the ecosystem. This lack of proteomic studies on Great Lakes lake trout is because there is currently no complete, comprehensive protein database for this species. Here, we employed proteomics approaches to develop a lake trout protein database that could aid in future research on this fish, in particular exposomics and adductomics. The current study utilized heart tissue and blood from two lake trout. Our previous work using lake trout liver revealed 4194 potential protein hits in the NCBI databases and 3811 potential protein hits in the UniProtKB databases. In the current study, using the NCBI databases we identified 838 proteins for the heart and 580 proteins for the blood tissues in the biological replicate 1 (BR1) and 1180 potential protein hits for the heart and 561 potential protein hits for the blood in BR2. Similar results were obtained using the UniProtKB databases. This study builds on our previous work by continuing to build the first comprehensive lake trout protein database and provides insight into protein homology through evolutionary relationships. This data is available via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifier PXD023970.
Outcomes of partial nephrectomy in patients who meet percutaneous ablation criteria

INTRODUCTION: Treatment options for small renal masses include partial nephrectomy (PN), ablation and active surveillance. We sought to compare patients who met the criteria for percutaneous ablation but underwent robotic PN to the rest of our robotic PN cohort. This was done in order to detect any safety concerns and to define any risk factors that might contraindicate the use of robotic PN, an oncologically superior procedure, in patients who qualify for ablation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Our departmental renal mass registry was queried for patients who underwent robotic PN but also met criteria for percutaneous ablation. These were compared to the rest of the robotic PN cohort. Demographics, perioperative characteristics and recurrence data were compared. RESULTS: Overall, 321 robotic PNs were identified. Of these, 26 (8.1%) met ablation criteria. Among patient characteristics, age and BMI were similar in both groups. Among operative characteristics, estimated blood loss (EBL) and operative time were similar. Warm ischemia time was significantly less for patients who met ablation criteria (14 vs. 17 minutes, p = 0.002). Mean tumor size was smaller for patients who met ablation criteria (2.3 vs. 2.7 cm, p = 0.012). Among postoperative characteristics, complications were similar overall and when present, stratified by Clavien grade. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic PN is a safe, effective treatment option for small renal masses, even in patients who meet ablation criteria. There were no recurrences in our cohort and the majority of complications were Clavien grade 1.
Surface diffusion in monomolecular films: II. Experiment and theory

Abstract Surface diffusion in myristic acid monolayers at the air—water interface was investigated using a radiotracer technique. Surface self-diffusion coefficients (Ds) were determined at various surface concentrations in the liquid-expanded state at 20, 25, and 30°C with an improved experimental apparatus. Ds values as much as two orders of magnitude smaller than those reported earlier for the liquid-expanded state were obtained because we were able to minimize the confounding problem of extraneous surface convective flows by stringent temperature (±0.02°C) and humidity (saturation) control. The equilibrium density fluctuation model of M. Blank and J. S. Britten [J. Colloid Sci. 20, 789 (1965)] was extended to liquid-expanded monolayers, and the theoretical predictions were found to agree well with experimental results. Agreement between experiment and theory, however, requires that the entropy changes associated with the density fluctuations be properly evaluated. There appears to be two regimes of surface diffusion: one strongly surface concentration dependent and the other only weakly dependent on surface concentration. In the latter regime, our findings clearly provide support for a “free area” mechanism of surface diffusion due to thermal fluctuations in the surface density of the monomolecular film. On the other hand, the measured lateral mobility is much faster in the former regime; presumably multiple exchange of the film molecules or another transport mechanism becomes significant.
Preparation of Yeast DNA

Molecular studies in yeast often require the isolation of both plasmid and chromosomal yeast DNA. Plasmid DNA is used in the transformation of E. coli, whereas chromosomal DNA is used for Southern hybridization analysis, in vitro amplification by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or cloning of integrated plasmids. This unit presents two variations of the "smash and grab" protocol that produce suitable DNA for all these applications. These protocols work for both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
Sigiri: uniform resource abstraction for grids and clouds

With the maturation of grid computing facilities and recent explosion of cloud computing data centers, midscale computational science has more options than ever before to satisfy computational needs. But heterogeneity brings complexity. We propose a simple abstraction for interaction with heterogeneous resource managers spanning grid and cloud computing and on features that make the tool useful for the midscale physical or natural scientist. Key strengths of the abstraction are its support for multiple standard job specification languages, preservation of direct user interaction with the service, removing the delay that can come through layers of services, and the predictable behavior under heavy loads. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Computational Simulation of HHV-6 Infection

Publisher Summary The variable dynamics of a cellular immune response following an acute or chronic HHV-6 infection can be well characterized by a mathematical model. Such a computational model has the advantage of reducing intractable real-world complexities to tractable mathematical problems, while upholding the realistic biological dynamics. The power of mathematical modeling is that diverse phenomena and dynamics can be studied using the same model. Different diseases can be studied under the same paradigm. The described model contributes to explaining such variable disease courses. The model is a nonlinear one, which generates different dynamical behaviors of immunocompetent T-cell populations under different parameter conditions. Clinically this implies that diverse disease outcomes can be attributed to different sets of model parameters of patients such as rate of infection, duration of exposure to the virus, intensity of immune response etc. The present model can even be used to study HIV infection, because the immune responses following HIV infection are similar to those of HHV-6 infection. The differences consist in that in HIV infection, the model uses another set of parameters, which characterize a more vicious virus.
Are The Very Happy Too Happy

Although positive emotions undoubtedly confer benefits, one can have too much of it. There is probably a point beyond which enjoyment interferes with real- ism, yet it is unclear where that point is. The original "States of Mind" (SOM) model (Schwartz and Garamoni, 1986; 1989) proposed that a ratio of (positive) to (positive plus negative) affective/cognitive states (P /(P + N)) of about 0.62 is optimal, but previous research indicated that higher ratios may go with good mental health. The revised "balanced states of mind" (BSOM) model (Schwartz, 1997) suggests a higher cutoff, with ratios above 0.90 being dysfunctional. This paper reports a study of 72 very positive subjects (mean ratio = 0.85) and assessed possible dysfunction by means of questionnaires, role-plays, and physiological responses to induced stress. Signs of dysfunction were no more frequent among the most positive subjects (ratios of 0.90 and above) than among moderately positive subjects. This suggests that there is nothing wrong with the high levels of happiness in present day society. As yet, it is still not established how much more happiness will be too much. One possibility is that standard cognition/emotion measures need to be revised in order to detect truly excessive positivity in a sensitive manner.
Phosphorylation in situ of atrial natriuretic peptide prohormone at the cyclic AMP-dependent site.

Previously we have shown that atrial natriuretic peptides (ANP) are phosphorylated at Ser-104 by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (Rittenhouse, J. Moberly, L., O'Donnell, M.E., Owen, N.E., and Marcus, F. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 7607-7610). In our present study, atrial natriuretic peptide prohormone (pro-ANP) purified from extracts of rat atria that had been incubated in situ with [32P]orthophosphate was found to be phosphorylated. The site of in situ phosphorylation was localized to the ANP region of the prohormone and was further delineated to a chymotryptic peptide having the same retention time by high performance liquid chromatography as the hexapeptide Arg101-Arg102-Ser103-Ser(P)104-Cys105-Phe106+ ++. This hexapeptide was also formed from in vitro phosphorylated pro-ANP and synthetic ANP. It is thus likely that Ser-104 is the site of phosphorylation of pro-ANP both in situ and in vitro. Incubation of atria with intracellular cyclic AMP-elevating agents consistently increased the specific radioactivity of the resulting purified pro-ANP by 5-10-fold. However, the overall extent of phosphorylation was low, suggesting that a subpopulation of pro-ANP molecules are phosphorylated at Ser-104 by a cyclic AMP-mediated pathway.
Chapter 109 Appearance potential spectroscopy of lanthanides and their intermetallics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some applications of appearance potential spectroscopy (APS) to modern science and technology and highlights its importance relative to other available techniques. The chapter discusses the relative strengths and limitations of APS. The intensity of a signal in an APS spectrum is determined by the transition of a core electron to the unoccupied states above E F . The strength of the signal, therefore, depends upon the density of these unoccupied states. For simple metals, the 3d transition metals and the lanthanides having high density of unoccupied states at E F , this technique is particularly suitable for studying them. The one-electron theory explains satisfactorily the features observed in the spectra of simple and 3d transition metals. An interesting application of APS is the derivation of the density of states from the signal shape.
Preparing California Public Middle School Students for Scientific Inquiry into Environmental Issues.

Skilled scientists in all fields of study are critically needed to begin resolving ecological problems resulting from human impact. Time is an essential element in creating a proper conceptual foundation and training should begin early in a student’s education. As of 2010, the California State Standards for Science for grades six through eight do not sufficiently address the importance of inquiry-based studies, limiting the scope of possibilities in public education. Studies show that middle school students build a deeper understanding of conceptual science and its application if they have opportunities to apply their knowledge through empirical activities. Multiple benefits, both academic and social, arise when lab activities reinforce scientific principles. A student survey in a Marin County, California public middle school revealed that students learn science concepts best, and prefer experiential activities, to other teaching methods. Science Inquiry in Middle School 6 Chapter
Modeling Inner Magnetospheric Electrodynamics

We describe a model of inner magnetospheric electrodynamics that couples the Rice Convection Model (RCM) to an equilibrium magnetic field model. The equilibrium model is a modified version of the Hesse-Birn [1993] magnetofriction code, adapted for use in the inner magnetosphere. Previous versions of the RCM, which used observation-based or theoretical magnetic field models, were flexible and convenient but lacked theoretical consistency. The coupled code uses the pressure distribution computed from the RCM to modify the magnetic field. We present results using the coupled code to model a substorm growth phase. Under conditions of steady sunward convection the computed inner plasma sheet magnetic field becomes increasingly stretched, the current-sheet thins, and a B z minimum forms at around x = -15 R E . In addition, region-l currents form poleward of the traditional region-2 currents found in the RCM. As the stress in the configuration continues to increase, the numerical method eventually fails. Nature presumably relieves the stress with a substorm expansion phase onset.
Hysteretic phenomena in many-body physics

We show that the cyclic evolution of an order parameter in a many-body system with spontaneous symmetry breaking in the ground state brings about a dissipative geometric phase. This phase originates from the same mechanism that leads to dissipation in thermo-field dynamics studied earlier by Umezawa and his collaborators and appears to be a manifestation of the dissipative geometric phase introduced recently by Jain and Pati.
Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy of metal nitrides and imides: Quadrupole structure in ScN (X1Σ+), YN (X1Σ+), and BaNH (X∼1Σ+)

Abstract Pure rotational spectra of ScN, YN and BaNH in their 1Σ+ ground electronic states were recorded in the 15–55 GHz region using Fourier transform microwave/millimeter-wave spectroscopy. Hyperfine components arising from the J = 1 → 0 transitions were measured for all three molecules, and for YN, in the J = 2 → 1 line, as well. The 15N isotopologues were also observed for the nitride species. The molecules were created in a supersonic jet by the reaction of metal vapor with ammonia using a discharge-assisted laser ablation source (DALAS). From these data, electric quadrupole and nuclear spin–rotation hyperfine parameters were determined for the nitrogen nucleus in all species; metal hyperfine constants were additionally measured for ScN and YN. DFT calculations using the B3LYP functional were also performed to help aid in spectral assignments. For ScN, the scandium quadrupole coupling constant (eQq = 33.818(19) MHz) was found to be considerably smaller than in the corresponding halides, suggesting a different electronic structure. The nitrogen coupling constant for ScN is consistent with a more covalent molecule, perhaps even a diradical structure as well. In BaNH, a relatively small value of the nitrogen quadrupole coupling constant of eQq = 0.039(11) MHz was determined, attributable to the non-terminal position of the nitrogen atom and the Ba N triple bond.
Factor Structure of the Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale

The current study utilized exercise self-efficacy ratings from undergraduate students to assess the factor structure of the Self-Efficacy to Regulate Exercise Scale (Bandura, 1997, 2006). An exploratory factor analysis (n = 759) indicated a two-factor model solution and three separate confirmatory factor analyses (n = 1,798) supported this assertion. However, a bifactor analysis simultaneously estimating factor loadings on a general factor and two subfactors (Emotional Issues and External Influences) indicated that the Self-Efficacy to Regulate Exercise Scale is best interpreted using the general factor and subfactors together. Additionally, structural equation models (n = 2,294) relating exercise self-efficacy and completed exercise support the assertion that a bifactor model provides the most accurate information. This study is the first to assess the factor structure of the Self-Efficacy to Regulate Exercise Scale using common factor analysis and bifactor techniques and provides evidence for the use of...
School-Based Child Abuse Prevention Programs.

Child abuse is a leading cause of emotional, behavioral, and health problems across the lifespan. It is also preventable. School-based abuse prevention programs for early childhood and elementary school children have been found to be effective in increasing student knowledge and protective behaviors. The purpose of this article is to help school psychologists understand the potential positive impact of abuse prevention programs in their school, choose a high-quality program for their population, and be aware of the practical considerations of implementation.
DNA repair and breast cancer: therapeutic opportunities

The discovery and cloning of BRCA1 and BRCA2 was accompanied by optimism that these achievements would usher in a new era of insight into sporadic breast cancer. This optimism was fueled by precedents in other cancer types, where tumor suppressor genes identified in rare hereditary cancer syndromes proved to be involved in some, if not all, of the cases of sporadic cancer of the same type. In sporadic breast cancer, sequencing efforts have failed to show significant numbers of cases of biallelic somatic mutation of either BRCA1 or BRCA2, dashing hopes of simply leveraging the understanding of BRCA1 and BRCA2 into a better understanding of sporadic breast cancer. Laboratory-based studies of BRCA1 and BRCA2 demonstrated that loss of function of either gene resulted in significantly increased susceptibility to certain forms of chemotherapy, including interstrand DNA cross-linking agents such as the platinum drugs and mitomycin C. More recently, loss of BRCA1 or BRCA2 function has also been shown to increase sensitivity to PARP inhibition, a finding made possible as a result of increased understanding of the DNA repair implications of BRCA1 or BRCA2 loss. To a large extent, these laboratory-based observations have now been verified in clinical trials enrolling patients with hereditary breast cancer. The implications of the discovery of BRCA1 and BRCA2 for treatment options in sporadic breast cancer are more complex. Based on a series of striking phenotypic similarities between the majority of sporadic triple-negative breast cancers and most cancers that arise in BRCA1 heterozygotes, the hypothesis arose that perhaps many of these sporadic cancers might also share a similar lesion in DNA repair (BRCAness) with the BRCA1-related tumors. This notion has now been put to the test in ongoing clinical trials that treat sporadic triple-negative breast cancer patients with platinum agents, PARP inhibitors, or combinations. The current evidence for and against this hypothesis will be discussed.
Analysis of carbonaceous biomarkers with the Mars Organic Analyzer microchip capillary electrophoresis system: aldehydes and ketones.

A microchip CE method is developed for the analysis of two oxidized forms of carbon, aldehydes and ketones, with the Mars Organic Analyzer (MOA). Fluorescent derivitization is achieved in ∼15 min by hydrazone formation with Cascade Blue hydrazide in 30 mM borate pH 5–6. The microchip CE separation and analysis method is optimized via separation in 30 mM borate buffer, pH 9.5, at 20°C. A carbonyl standard consisting of ten aldehydes and ketones found in extraterrestrial matter is successfully separated; the resulting LOD depends on the reactivity of the compound and range from 70 pM for formaldehyde to 2 μM for benzophenone. To explore the utility of this method for analyzing complex samples, analyses of several fermented beverages are conducted, identifying ten aldehydes and ketones ranging from 30 nM to 5 mM. A Martian regolith simulant sample, consisting of a basalt matrix spiked with soluble ions and acetone, is designed and analyzed, but acetone is found to have a limited detectable lifetime under simulant Martian conditions. This work establishes the capability of the MOA for studying aldehydes and ketones, a critical class of oxidized organic molecules of interest in planetary and in terrestrial environmental and health studies.
Exogenous and endogenous effects of growth hormone in animals

Abstract Exogenous administration of growth hormone to animals has been shown to affect a variety of physiological processes including growth and lactation. Also, endogenous production of growth hormone in transgenic animals has been reported to alter animal growth and metabolism. In this report, we will review some of the physiological effects of endogenous and exogenous growth hormone in animals.
Characterization of path effects on the properties of balloon films

The effect of stress and temperature path on the mechanical properties of a balloon film material (Astrofilm E2) have been studied using two techniques. The first technique is based on uniaxial tensile measurements of prestrained strips of the film as a function of temperature. Data are analyzed in terms of two temperature coefficients, defined here as a stiffness coefficient and a strength coefficient; and by comparing the areas under the stress-strain curves. The second technique investigated the effect of stress and temperature path on inflated cylinders of the same material. The changes in the mechanical properties due to preconditioning in the biaxial stress state were evaluated using the ball burst test. Preliminary findings indicate that the material is stress and temperature path dependent. Changes in stiffness coefficient, draw strength and toughness were measured and discussed. The above techniques may be suitable to document path dependent changes, and to discriminate among films of different manufacture.
Effects of telencephalic lesions on the gill cover response of Siamese fighting fish.

Abstract Gill cover extension, a component of the fighting pattern of Siamese fighting fish, Betta splendens , was observed in 7 telencephalic-lesioned and 7 sham-operated fish during exposure to mirror image and live Betta stimuli. The conspecific stimulus elicited more frequent and longer duration gill cover (operculum) responses than the mirror stimulus. Lesioning decreased the frequency of gill cover responses to both stimuli. The mean duration of the gill cover response was not affected by lesioning and, unlike response rate, did not decrease (habituate) with repeated stimulus presentation. Lesioning reduced the efficiency of food retrieval and tended to reduce activity level. Behavioral changes may be related to the extent of the lesion. Results are discussed in relation to current hypotheses concerning forebrain function.
Time rates of generalized strain tensors Part II: Approximate basis-free formulas

Abstract Utilizing the component formulas derived in Part 1, we obtain approximate basis-free formulas for the material time derivative of a generalized Lagrangian strain tensor and for the Jaumann rate of a generalized Eulerian strain tensor. These formulas provide good approximations when the shear strains are small, regardless of the volumetric strain and the strain rate. We also derive explicit bounds for the error in the approximate formulas. By applying our general results to the logarithmic strain tensors, we obtain improved versions of approximate basis-free formulas due to Hill and Gurtin and Spear.
Children's sex role development: Implications for working mothers

In order to examine the likelihood that androgynous students would report that their mothers worked outside the home while raising their children more often than other sex role types, 118 undergraduates and 142 parents were administered the Bem Sex-Role Inventory. Results revealed that androgynous students were more likely to have had a mother who worked outside the home, suggesting implications for child rearing as well as adaptive sex-role development.
Order and deterministic chaos in hard-disk arrays

Order in computer-generated binary arrays of hard disks grown from a seed cluster is studied. As the composition and ratio of disk diameters are varied, we find both crystalline and amorphous samples, as well as "hexatic" configurations with short-range translational order but extended orientational correlations. A single impurity disk placed at the center of an otherwise homogeneous array traps dislocations and disclinations when its diameter deviates sufficiently from that of the disks packed deterministically around it. For still larger deviations, the impurity disk gives rise to chaotic arrays of stacking faults and grain boundaries. An alternative spiral packing algorithm leads to a particularly simple transition from order to deterministic chaos. The ratio of disk diameters plays the role of a control parameter.