cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Study of ATM Phosphorylation by Cdk5 in Neuronal Cells

The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-like kinase ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated) plays a central role in coordinating the DNA damage responses including cell cycle checkpoint control, DNA repair, and apoptosis. Mutations of ATM cause a spectrum of defects ranging from neurodegeneration to cancer predisposition. We previously showed that Cdk5 (cyclin-dependent kinase 5) is activated by DNA damage and directly phosphorylates ATM at serine 794 in postmitotic neurons. Phosphorylation at serine 794 precedes and is required for ATM autophosphorylation at serine 1981, and activates ATM kinase activity. Cdk5-ATM pathway plays a crucial role in DNA damage-induced neuronal injury. This chapter describes protocols used in analyzing ATM phosphorylation by Cdk5 in CGNs (cerebellar granule neurons) and its effects on neuronal survival.
Thin-filament linked regulation of smooth muscle myosin.

Phosphorylation of the regulatory light chain subunit of smooth muscle myosin is sufficient, but not necessary for muscle contraction. It has been suggested that thin-filament regulation may also contribute to the regulation of contraction. A hallmark feature of regulated thin filaments, previously described for vertebrate skeletal muscle, is the capacity of strong-binding or rigor-like cross bridges to “turn-on” the actin filament. Turned-on thin filaments stimulate cross-bridge attachment even in the absence of calcium. The present study utilized an in vitro sliding-filament motility assay to test for thin-filament regulation of both unphosphorylated and phosphorylated smooth muscle myosins. Regulated thin-filaments were reconstituted from skeletal muscle actin and chicken gizzard smooth muscle tropomyosin (TmCG), and then turned-on either (1) by rigor cross bridges at low concentrations of MgATP, or (2) by adding N-ethyl-maleimide-modified skeletal subfragment S1(NEM-S1), which forms rigor-like bonds in the presence of MgATP. For control actin·TmCG filaments, force production by unphosphorylated myosin was 0.5% of that produced by thiophosphorylated myosin. The force exerted on actin·Tm filaments by both unphosphorylated and phosphorylated myosins was increased by reducing the [MgATP] to 10–100 μM MgATP (rigor-dependent activation). Force was also increased by actin·TmCG filaments that had been turned-on by NEM-S1 binding, with force production by unphosphorylated myosin increased 80-fold vs. 2.3-fold for thiophosphorylated myosin. TmCG was required for increased force production with both low MgATP and NEM-S1. Unloaded filament velocity for NEM-S1-activated thin filaments was 0.72 μm/sec with unphosphorylated myosin compared to 1.24 μm/sec with thiophosphorylated myosin. Taken together, these results suggest that thin-filament regulation may play a role in the activation of both unphosphorylated and phosphorylated smooth muscle myosins and suggest a possible mechanism for activation of slowly cycling unphosphorylated cross bridges (i.e. latch-state) during tonic contractions of smooth muscle.
Laboratory Evaluation for Male Infertility

The diagnosis and treatment options for male infertility have recently undergone a sea of change as advancements in technology and understanding in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, and laboratory medicine have grown. Further, advancements in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have rendered previously subfertile and infertile couples with various options for pregnancy. Such changes in the understanding and treatment of fertility and infertility have necessitated a much more detailed assessment of the couple presenting with infertility. At the basis of this assessment is a sophisticated and methodological evaluation of male factor infertility including laboratory assessment of urine, serum, and semen, as well as radiological and genetic studies.
Incidence of early-onset sepsis in infants born to women with clinical chorioamnionitis

Objective To determine the frequency of sepsis and other adverse neonatal outcomes in women with a clinical diagnosis of chorioamnionitis. Methods We performed a secondary analysis of a multi-center placebo-controlled trial of vitamins C/E to prevent preeclampsia in low risk nulliparous women. Clinical chorioamnionitis was defined as either the "clinical diagnosis" of chorioamnionitis or antibiotic administration during labor because of an elevated temperature or uterine tenderness in the absence of another cause. Early-onset neonatal sepsis was categorized as "suspected" or "confirmed" based on a clinical diagnosis with negative or positive blood, urine or cerebral spinal fluid cultures, respectively, within 72 h of birth. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by logistic regression. Results Data from 9391 mother-infant pairs were analyzed. The frequency of chorioamnionitis was 10.3%. Overall, 6.6% of the neonates were diagnosed with confirmed (0.2%) or suspected (6.4%) early-onset sepsis. Only 0.7% of infants born in the setting of chorioamnionitis had culture-proven early-onset sepsis versus 0.1% if chorioamnionitis was not present. Clinical chorioamnionitis was associated with both suspected [OR 4.01 (3.16-5.08)] and confirmed [OR 4.93 (1.65-14.74)] early-onset neonatal sepsis, a need for resuscitation within the first 30 min after birth [OR 2.10 (1.70-2.61)], respiratory distress [OR 3.14 (2.16-4.56)], 1 min Apgar score of ≤3 [OR 2.69 (2.01-3.60)] and 4-7 [OR 1.71 (1.43-2.04)] and 5 min Apgar score of 4-7 [OR 1.67 (1.17-2.37)] (vs. 8-10). Conclusion Clinical chorioamnionitis is common and is associated with neonatal morbidities. However, the vast majority of exposed infants (99.3%) do not have confirmed early-onset sepsis.
Evaluation of Simplified Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventing Healing Approach (S-LYMPHA) for the Prevention of Breast Cancer-Related Clinical Lymphedema After Axillary Lymph Node Dissection.

Objective:To assess the efficiency of Simplified Lymphatic Microsurgical Preventing Healing Approach (S-LYMPHA) in preventing lymphedema (LE) in a prospective cohort of patients.Background:LE is a serious complication of axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) with an incidence rate of 25%. LYMPHA has
Rationale-based monitoring for planning in dynamic environments

We describe a framework for planning in dynamic environments. A central question is how to focus the sensing performed by such a system, so that it responds appropriately to relevant changes, but does not attempt to monitor all the changes that could possibly occur in the world. To achieve the required balance, we introduce rationale-based monitors, which represent the features of the world state that are included in the plan rationale, i.e., the reasons for the planning decisions so far made. Rationale-based monitors capture information both about the plan currently under development and the alternative choices that were found but not pursued. We discuss the plan transformations that may result from the firing of a rationale-based monitor, for example when an alternative choice is detected. We have implemented the generation of and response to rationale-based monitoring within the Prodigy planner, and we describe experiments that show the feasibility of our approach.
Nucleophilic Addition to Imines and Imine Derivatives

Synthetic and biological interest in highly functionalized acyclic and cyclic amines has contributed to the wealth of experimental methodology developed for the addition of carbanions to the carbon–nitrogen double bond of imines/imine derivatives (azomethines). While a variety of practical methods exist for the enantio- and stereo-selective syntheses of substituted alcohols from aldehyde and ketone precursors, related imine additions have inherent structural limitations. Nonetheless imines, by virtue of nitrogen substitution, add a synthetic dimension not available to ketones. In addition, improved procedures for the preparation and activation of imines/imine derivatives have increased the scope of the imine addition reaction.
A General Approach to Creating Fortran Interface for C++ Application Libraries

Incorporating various specialty libraries in different programming languages (FORTRAN and C/C++) with the main body of the source code remains a major challenge for developing scientific and engineering application software packages. The main difficulty originates from the fact that Fortran 90/95 pointers and C/C++ pointers are structurally different. In this paper, we present a technique that allows us to circumvent this difficulty without using any nonstandard features of these programming languages. This technique has helped us to develop a FORTRAN 90/95 interface for the GrACE library, which is written in C++ for facilitating spacial grid generation, adaptive mesh refinement, and load balance maintenance. The method outlined in this presentation provides a general guideline for the creation of the FORTRAN 90/95 interface for a C/C++ library. We show that this method is system independent and has low overhead cost, and can be easily extended to situations where building the C/C++ interface for a FORTRAN 90/95 application library is required.
Random testing for stuck-at storage cells in an embedded memory

Two measures are developed for the quality of a random test with respect to the detection of stuck-at storage cells in a memory whose inputs are embedded within combinational logic. Suggestions are made for improving the test performance by modifying the embedding logic.
Psychological essentialism from first principles

Abstract Cognitive scientists have documented the existence of “essentialist” intuitions in humans: from a very early age, we assume that things have deep unobserved properties that make them what they are. I provide a sketch of an adaptationist explanation of psychological essentialism, arguing that these intuitions are the unsurprising output of adaptations for inductive inference. Variations on this insight have previously been used mostly as after-the-fact speculations, yet theories of adaptive function should ideally have a primary role in informing psychological research. Here I propose that viewing essentialist intuitions through an adaptationist lens has implications for some widespread assumptions about the phenomenon. Notably, researchers' focus on “higher-level” processes like categorization has led them to assume that essentialism is restricted to a few cognitive processes, but the ubiquity of inductive inference problems in cognition suggests otherwise. Additionally, because essentialist intuitions are the output of mechanisms solving related but distinct inference problems, it is unlikely that a single mechanistic theory can account for them all.
Entecavir-Associated Thrombocytopenia: A Case Report and Review of the Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of a Rare but Reversible Cause of Thrombocytopenia

Drug-associated thrombocytopenia is often unrecognized. We report a 76-year-old female with lymphoma who presented with easy bruising and oral bleeding. She had undergone screening for hepatitis B virus (HBV) prior to starting rituximab and was found to have hepatitis B core serum antibody (IgG anti-HBc). She was therefore treated with prophylactic entecavir 0.5 mg daily to prevent reactivation of HBV. Her initial platelet count was 136,000/mm3. Five days after starting entecavir, she presented with bruising and oral bleeding and was found to have a platelet count of 7,000/mm3. A coagulation profile and the rest of the blood parameters (RBC and WBC counts) were normal. Entecavir was stopped, and she was given 3 units of apheresed platelets followed by intravenous immunoglobulin (1 g/kg) for 5 consecutive days. Her platelet counts improved and normalized in one week. She was diagnosed with entecavir-induced thrombocytopenia based on the temporal relationship and after carefully excluding alternate causes of thrombocytopenia. This case highlights the importance of recognizing drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) as a reversible cause of thrombocytopenia.
Mechanistic Dichotomy in Proton-Coupled Electron-Transfer Reactions of Phenols with a Copper Superoxide Complex.

The kinetics and mechanism(s) of the reactions of [K(Krypt)][LCuO2] (Krypt = 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane, L = a bis(arylcarboxamido)pyridine ligand) with 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperdine-N-hydroxide (TEMPOH) and the para-substituted phenols XArOH (X = para substituent NO2, CF3, Cl, H, Me, tBu, OMe, or NMe2) at low temperatures were studied. The reaction with TEMPOH occurs rapidly (k = 35.4 ± 0.3 M–1 s–1) by second-order kinetics to yield TEMPO• and [LCuOOH]− on the basis of electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, the production of H2O2 upon treatment with protic acid, and independent preparation from reaction of [NBu4][LCuOH] with H2O2 (Keq = 0.022 ± 0.007 for the reverse reaction). The reactions with XArOH also follow second-order kinetics, and analysis of the variation of the k values as a function of phenol properties (Hammett σ parameter, O–H bond dissociation free energy, pKa, E1/2) revealed a change in mechanism across the series, from proton transfer/electron transf...
Prevalence of nonoptimal serum digoxin concentrations in a cohort of patients with heart failure

A recent post-hoc analysis of the Digitalis Investigation Group trial provides evidence that serum digoxin concentrations between 0.5 and 0.8 ng/mL may be optimal in the management of heart failure (HF).Purpose: To evaluate the appropriateness of digoxin concentrations in patients treated for HF.Methods: Serum digoxin concentrations and any subsequent changes in digoxin dosing were evaluated for hospitalized patients. Serum concentrations between 0.5 and 0.8 ng/mL were considered optimal for HF management.Results: Over the period of May to November 2003, 119 patient admissions were evaluated accounting for 192 serum digoxin measurements. Of these measurements, 118 (61.5%) met both post-distributional and steady-state concentration criteria. Thirty-five (29.7%) concentrations were within the optimal range for HF, while the remaining 83 (70.3%) were either too high or low. Of those considered to be within an optimal range, eight (22.9%) received subsequent digoxin dose adjustments. Of the 83 concentrations ...
Electrocardiographic predictors of pacemaker battery depletion: Diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and clinical risk

BACKGROUND Pacemaker battery depletion triggers alert for replacement notification and results in automatic reprogramming, which has been shown to be associated with relevant cardiorespiratory symptoms and adverse clinical events. OBJECTIVE Determine if electrocardiogram (ECG) pacing features may be predictive of pacemaker battery depletion and clinical risk. METHODS This is an ECG substudy of a cohort analysis of 298 subjects referred for pacemaker generator replacement from 2006 to 2017. Electronic medical record review was performed; clinical, ECG, and pacemaker characteristics were abstracted. We applied two ECG prediction rules for pacemaker battery depletion that are relevant to all major pacemaker manufacturers except Boston Scientific and MicroPort: (1) atrial pacing not at a multiple of 10 and (2) nonsynchronous ventricular pacing not at a multiple of 10, to determine diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and risk in applicable ECG subjects. RESULTS We excluded 32 subjects not at replacement notification or duplicate surgeries. Overall, 176 of 266 subjects (66.2%) demonstrated atrial pacing or nonsynchronous ventricular pacing on preoperative ECG. When utilizing both rules, 139 of 176 preoperative ECGs and 12 of 163 postoperative ECGs met criteria for battery depletion yielding reasonable sensitivity (79.0%), high specificity (92.6%), and a positive likelihood ratio of 11.6:1. These rules were associated with significant increase in cardiorespiratory symptoms (P < .001) and adverse clinical events (P < .025). CONCLUSIONS The "Rules of Ten" provided reasonable sensitivity and specificity for detecting replacement notification in pacemaker subjects with an applicable ECG. This ECG tool may help clinicians identify most patients with pacemaker battery depletion at significant clinical risk.
Reducing Hospital Readmissions in Upstate New York: Teasing Out the Effective Programs.

PURPOSE OF STUDY The study's purpose was to identify hospital programs, organizational characteristics, and levels of nursing involvement in hospital programs that contribute significantly to reductions in readmission rates and reimbursement penalties for hospital systems in upstate New York. PRIMARY PRACTICE SETTING Hospitals located in upstate New York. METHODOLOGY AND SAMPLE No sampling technique was employed because the cohort included hospitals located in upstate New York. Hospitals in upstate New York were selected (N = 94), representing 53 counties ranging between metropolitan and rural status. Using an ex post facto design within the framework of the ecological and synergy models, organizational characteristics of hospital systems and educational levels of nursing involvement in hospital programs were analyzed and coded. Independent-samples t tests, analysis of variance, and Pearson correlation tests were conducted. RESULTS Organizational programs that reduce various hospital readmission rates and reimbursement penalties for hospitals in upstate New York are (1) certified home health agencies; (2) telehealth; (3) house calls; (4) advanced practice nurses on care management interdisciplinary discharge teams; and (4) increasing the number of hospital readmission reduction programs (HRRPs) utilized. IMPLICATIONS FOR CASE MANAGEMENT PRACTICE Hospitals should.
Routine Activities Theory as a Formula for Systematic Sexual Abuse: A Content Analysis of Survivors’ Testimony Against Larry Nassar

Larry Nassar, a once world renowned Olympic doctor, was arrested and charged with child abuse and child pornography in 2016, becoming one of the most prolific abusers in history. The current paper examines Nassar’s abuse through the lens of Routine Activities Theory. Drawing from the complete transcripts of 172 victim impact statements read at his trial, a formula for Nassar’s systematic abuse was developed. This content analysis illustrates the perceived depths of his motivation, the suitability of his targets, and egregious lack of capable guardians for these victims. Recommendations for additional training to recognize and report abuse, harsher penalties for those who do not report, a shift in the athletic culture of silence, and progress towards a society where victims are believed are presented within.
Improving Negative Ion Beam Quality and Purity with a RF Quadrupole Cooler

Recent progress in the development of a gas‐filled RF quadrupole ion cooler for cooling negative ions is reported. Experiments demonstrate that negative ion beams can be cooled to 2 eV FWHM energy spread with more than 50% transmission through the cooler. The RFQ cooler can potentially improve the purity of radioactive ion beams by magnetic mass separation. New developments on purifying negative ion beams by photodetachment in the RFQ cooler are presented. With a laser of proper photon energy, nearly 100% suppression of the unwanted negative ions in the RFQ cooler has been observed, while the desired ions remain mostly intact. A recent experimental study demonstrates that pure ground state negative ion beams can be obtained by state‐selective photodetachment in the RFQ cooler.
Catalysts for CO2 reforming of CH4: a review

The increasing amount of greenhouse gases, especially CO2, in the atmosphere during the past decades has been a matter of great concern. Meanwhile, with the extensive exploration of natural gas resources, there is abundant CH4 waiting for valorization. CO2 or dry reforming of methane (CRM/DRM) is a promising approach to simultaneously utilize the two gases for the production of syngas. High-quality (free of sintering and carbon deposition during the reaction) and cost-effective catalysts are the key to the practical application of DRM. In this review article, the recent progress in the development of efficient and robust DRM catalysts is highlighted, after a brief introduction of the thermodynamics and general reaction mechanisms for DRM. The key factors in constructing highly efficient catalysts are addressed and the two major types of DRM catalysts, i.e., conventional supported catalysts and reduced solid solution catalysts, are clearly classified. Furthermore, with a firm belief in the great promise of DRM technology, the remaining challenges for DRM catalyst development are discussed along with our perspectives on the future research directions.
The General Theory of Relativity — Case Study in the Unfolding of New Physical Concepts1

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the general theory of relativity, which is that theory of gravitation which incorporates the principle of general covariance in the simplest possible mathematical structure. According to the principle of general covariance, any system of space and time co-ordinates that assigns to any given event a set of four numerical data for identification, and so that the geometric notions of neighborhood are faithfully reflected by this assignment of numerical data up to a certain finite degree of differentiability, is as good as any other frame of reference. The adoption of a general-relativistic theory results in the breakdown of the notion that there is a natural and specified rigid relationship between the world points of the space-time four-dimensional manifold, which is expressible either in terms of the Galileo or Newton structure, or in terms of the Minkowski structure.
Mapping of qTGW1.1, a Quantitative Trait Locus for 1000-Grain Weight in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)

grain weight (TGW) is one of the three component traits of the grain yield in rice (Oryza sativa L). This study was conducted to validate and fine-map qTGW1.1, a minor QTL for TGW which was previously located in a 3.7-Mb region on the long arm of rice chromosome 1. Five sets of near isogenic lines (NILs) were developed from two BC2F4 populations of the indica rice cross Zhenshan 97 3 /Milyang 46. The NIL sets consisted of two homozygous genotypic groups differing in the regions RM11448−RM11522, RM11448−RM11549, RM1232−RM11615, RM11543−RM11554 and RM11569−RM11621, respectively. Four traits, including TGW, grain length, grain width and heading date, were measured. Phenotypic difference between the two genotypic groups in each NIL population was analyzed using SAS procedure GLM. Significant QTL effects were detected on TGW with the Zhenshan 97 allele increasing grain weight by 0.12 g to 0.14 g and explaining 8.30% to 15.19% of the phenotypic variance. Significant effects were also observed for grain length and width, whereas no significant effect was found for heading date. Based on comparison among the five NILs on the segregating regions and the results of QTL analysis, qTGW1.1 was delimited to a 376.9-kb region flanked by DNA markers Wn28382 and RM11554. Our results indicate that the effects of minor QTLs could be steadily detected in a highly isogenic background and suggest that such QTLs could be utilized in the breeding of high-yielding rice varieties.
The epidemiology of youth suicide

This chapter reviews three major sources of data that are used to derive the epidemiology of completed suicide in children and adolescents. They are official mortality statistics, the psychological autopsy literature, and general population epidemiologic surveys of nonlethal suicidal behavior. Suicide is often associated with aggressive behavior and alcohol abuse and both are more common in males. Until 1979, the ethnic breakdown in the annual age-specific mortality statistics in the U.S. published by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) was limited to whites and nonwhites. Firearms are the most common method and hanging the second most prevalent method of suicide in the U.S., regardless of age or ethnicity. The chapter focuses on the main risk factors for youth suicide evaluated by the psychological autopsy studies that employed direct interviews of family and/or peer informants.
Particle Identification with BELLE

The working principle and performance of the BELLE particle identification device (PID), based on a hybrid system consisting of an array of high precision scintillator Time of Flight and silica Aerogel Counters, is discussed. The performances achieved in the beam tests are satisfactory and Monte Carlo tests of meeting physics objectives of BELLE are promising. Prior to the real experiment which is expected to commence in spring 1999, the BELLE PID is taking cosmic ray data for calibration and fine tuning.
Recombination and the divergence of hybridizing species

The interplay between hybridization and recombination can have a dramatic effect on the likelihood of speciation or persistence of incompletely isolated species. Many models have suggested recombination can oppose speciation, and several recent empirical investigations suggest that reductions in recombination between various components of reproductive isolation and/or adaptation can allow species to persist in the presence of gene flow. In this article, we discuss these ideas in relation to speciation models, phylogenetic analyses, and species concepts. In particular, we revisit genetic architectures and population mechanisms that create genetic correlations and facilitate divergence in the face of gene flow. Linkage among genes contributing to adaptation or reproductive isolation due to chromosomal rearrangements as well as pleiotropy or proximity of loci can greatly increase the odds of species divergence or persistence. Finally, we recommend recombination to be a focus of inquiry when studying the origins of biological diversity.
Alterations in Development, Behavior, and Physiology inDrosophila Larva That Have Reduced Ecdysone Production

We investigated behavior, physiology, sensitivity to exogenous application of ecdysone, and nerve terminal structure for differences between the reduced ecdysone genotype,ecd 1 /ecd 1, and wild-typ...
Local thermal effects in high performance bipolar devices/circuits

Self-heating effects in high-performance bipolar devices and circuits are discussed. A transistor model with self-heating effects, circuit simulation results with and without self-heating, and transient thermal measurements are presented. The relatively large thermal spreading resistance associated with the small device sizes used in VLSI and higher levels of integration in conjunction with the high power levels used in these devices give rise to large thermal gradients between devices within the same circuit. This is shown to result in an additional small (1% to 4%) delay component in a typical CSEF circuit. Larger delay is expected for certain circuits with devices operated at high power densities. >
Functional Analysis of Chicken IRF7 in Response to dsRNA Analog Poly(I:C) by Integrating Overexpression and Knockdown

In order to develop novel strategies to protect against increasingly virulent bird-linked pathogens, a better understanding of the avian antiviral response mechanism is essential. Type I interferons (IFNs) are recognized as the first line of defense in a host’s antiviral response; and it has been suggested that IRF7, a member of the IFN regulatory factor (IRF) family, plays an important role in modulating the immune response to avian influenza virus infection in chickens. The objective of this study was to identify candidate genes and pathways associated with IRF7 regulation at the transcriptome level as a first step towards elucidating the underlying cellular mechanisms of IRF7 modulation in the chicken antiviral response. IRF7 overexpression and knockdown DF-1 cell lines were established and stimulated by various pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Significant IRF7 and type I IFN expression changes were observed in both the IRF7 overexpression cell line and the IRF7 knockdown cell line upon exposure to the double stranded RNA (dsRNA) analog poly(I:C). Using RNA-seq based transcriptome analysis, we identified potential novel genes that IRF7 may help regulate as part of the host immune response to dsRNA; potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets revealed as a result of this study warrant further investigation. Based on our results, we suggest that IRF7 may have conserved functional activity in the avian antiviral response, and plays a crucial role in type I IFN regulation.
Effectiveness of peer-led self-management coaching for patients recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus in primary care: a randomized controlled trial.

Diabet. Med. 29, e390–e397 (2012) Summary Aims To study the effectiveness of a peer-led self-management coaching intervention in recently diagnosed patients with Type 2 diabetes. Methods Randomized controlled trial of recently diagnosed patients with Type 2 diabetes from 54 participating general practices. The intervention group received three home visits by an experienced peer (expert patient) who adhered to the recommended treatment and lifestyle guidelines. Together with their expert patient, participants set feasible goals and these were evaluated in the next visit. Participants in the control group received care as usual. At baseline, 3 months and 6 months post-intervention, participants completed a questionnaire measuring changes in self-efficacy, coping, physical activity, dietary habits, psychological well-being, depressive symptoms and diabetes related distress. Results In total, 327 patients were eligible for inclusion in the study of which 133 consented to participate. In participating patients, self-efficacy, coping and saturated fat intake improved significantly over time. Analyses of participants with low self-efficacy at baseline (25th percentile: 44) revealed a significant time × group difference, F = 3.71; P = 0.03. Participants who reported low psychological well-being at baseline increased substantially throughout the study (F = 23.84; P < 0.01) but no significant time × group differences were found. Conclusions A peer-led self-management coaching programme for recently diagnosed patients with Type 2 diabetes improved self-efficacy of patients experiencing low self-efficacy shortly after diagnosis.
Temperature-Dependent Rate Coefficients for the Reactions of Br(2P3/2), Cl(2P3/2), and O(3PJ) with BrONO2†

A laser flash photolysis−resonance fluorescence technique has been employed to investigate the kinetics of reactions of the important stratospheric species bromine nitrate (BrONO2) with ground-state atomic bromine (k1), chlorine (k2), and oxygen (k3) as a function of temperature (224−352 K) and pressure (16−250 Torr of N2). The rate coefficients for all three reactions are found to be independent of pressure and to increase with decreasing temperature. The following Arrhenius expressions adequately describe the observed temperature dependencies (units are 10-11 cm3molecule-1s-1): k1 = 1.78 exp(365/T), k2 = 6.28 exp(215/T), and k3 = 1.91 exp(215/T). The accuracy of reported rate coefficients is estimated to be 15−25% depending on the magnitude of the rate coefficient and on the temperature. Reaction with atomic oxygen is an important stratospheric loss process for bromine nitrate at altitudes above ∼25 km; this reaction should be included in models of stratospheric chemistry if bromine partitioning is to ...
ΔFosB induction in orbitofrontal cortex potentiates locomotor sensitization despite attenuating the cognitive dysfunction caused by cocaine

The effects of addictive drugs change with repeated use: many individuals become tolerant of their pleasurable effects but also more sensitive to negative sequelae (e.g., anxiety, paranoia, and drug craving). Understanding the mechanisms underlying such tolerance and sensitization may provide valuable insight into the basis of drug dependency and addiction. We have recently shown that chronic cocaine administration reduces the ability of an acute injection of cocaine to affect impulsivity in rats. However, animals become more impulsive during withdrawal from cocaine self-administration. We have also shown that chronic administration of cocaine increases expression of the transcription factor ΔFosB in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). Mimicking this drug-induced elevation in OFC ΔFosB through viral-mediated gene transfer mimics these behavioural changes: ΔFosB over-expression in OFC induces tolerance to the effects of an acute cocaine challenge but sensitizes rats to the cognitive sequelae of withdrawal. Here we report novel data demonstrating that increasing ΔFosB in the OFC also sensitizes animals to the locomotor-stimulant properties of cocaine. Analysis of nucleus accumbens tissue taken from rats over-expressing ΔFosB in the OFC and treated chronically with saline or cocaine does not provide support for the hypothesis that increasing OFC ΔFosB potentiates sensitization via the nucleus accumbens. These data suggest that both tolerance and sensitization to cocaine's many effects, although seemingly opposing processes, can be induced in parallel via the same biological mechanism within the same brain region, and that drug-induced changes in gene expression within the OFC play an important role in multiple aspects of addiction.
Standards of Best Practice: Simulation Standard II: Professional Integrity of Participant(s)

Abstract It is important for participants to maintain professional integrity related to simulation. Mutual respect and professionalism enhance the simulation learning environment. Thus, lack of professionalism and mutual respect can negatively impact the willingness of the participants to fully participate. It is vital to keep information related to before, during and after the simulation confidential as sharing can bias performance, perception or group dynamics and interfere with simulation outcomes. Sharing of content may alter future learning experiences and decrease the psychological safety of the simulation environment.
Hidden Growth of Supermassive Black Holes in Galaxy Mergers

Black holes are found at the centers of massive galaxies. Although no light escapes from them, their presence can be revealed by the glow of surrounding gases compressed and heated by the driving force of the black hole's gravitation. This quasar emission ranges from low-energy radio waves to the highest-energy gamma-ray region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Quasar formation can be driven by galaxy mergers, which change the distribution of gas around the black hole. This process can also create stars that supernova and create interstellar dust that obscures our view of galactic centers in the visible to x-ray regions. On page 600 of this issue, Treister et al. ( 1 ) present an analysis of data from several space-based telescopes, showing that a greater fraction of quasars that formed in the early universe were obscured by dust, compared with its later stages. This is consistent with observational evidence on the evolution over cosmic time of gas-rich galaxies and a theoretical model for the rate at which they merge.
Differential spermatogonial stem-cell survival and mutation frequency.

Abstract One group of adult C3H×101 hybrid male mice was given 3 injections of 12.5 μCi of [3H]thymidine at 9-h intervals and irradiated 24 h after the last injection with X-ray doses of 100, 300, 500, 600, 1000 R or the first fraction of a split 1000-R dose given as two 500-R exposures 24 h apart. Mice were killed 207 and 414 h after irradiation. A second group of mice was given a single injection of 12.5 μCi of [3H]thymidine 1 h before irradiation with single exposures of 300, 500, 600, 1000 R, or the first fraction of a 1000-R exposure given as two 500-R fractions 24 h apart. Mice were killed 120 and 207 h after irradiation. In both experiments, parallel groups of mice were given X-ray only as a control for the effect of [3H]thymidine. Two sets of slides were prepared for each mouse receiving [3H]thymidine: one set was not autoradiographed and was used for scoring cell survival; the second set was coated with emulsion and used for scoring percentage of labeled cells. The dose-response curves for survival at 120 and 207 h were curvilinear, with no evidence of discontinuity over the 100–1000-R range. After multiple injections of [3H]thymidine and irradiation 24 h later, percentage of labeled cells at 207 h was comparable for controls, 100, 300, and 600 R; significantly lower than controls for 1000 R; and significantly above controls after 500 + 500 R. Thus the surviving stem-cell population was qualitatively the same for that portion of the dose-response curve giving a linear increase in mutation rate but was different for both 1000-R and 500 + 500-R exposures, and the single and fractionated 1000-R exposures differed from each other. This parallelism between survival of labeled cells and mutation frequency in spermatogonial stem cells suggests that a stage in the cell cycle 24–42 h after DNA synthesis is resistant to cell killing but sensitive to mutation induction. The mutation rate after a single 1000-R exposure is low because labeled, mutation-sensitive cells have been selectively killed. Mutation frequency after the 500 + 500-R dose is increased because of synchronization induced by the first dose combined with selective killing of unlabeled cells by the second fraction. Irradiation 1 h after labeling with [3H]-thymidine demonstrated that the S phase of the spermatogonial stem-cell cycle is sensitive to radiation-induced cell killing.
Sensitivity of pseudomonas strains to polyphosphates in media systems

Of 13 gram positive and 12 gram negative microorganisms studied in nutrient broth (NB) containing 0.5% sodium salts of three polyphosphates, inhibition showed in seven strains of the former and only three of the latter. In an examination of sixteen Pseudomonas strains in NB, brain heart infusion (BHI) and trypticase soy broth (TSB) at 25°C and pH 7.0, tripoly- and hexametaphosphate were more effective inhibitors than pyrophosphate; the degree of inhibition was strain-dependent. Antibacterial activities were highest in the low-protein low-mineral media and were more pronounced when the compounds were filter-sterilized rather than heat-sterilized.
Consumption and gut evacuation rate of laboratory‐reared spotted seatrout (Sciaenidae) larvae and juveniles

The temperature and mass dependence of maximum consumption rate was measured for larval and early juvenile spotted seatrout Cynoscion nebullsus. Maximum consumption (C MAX ) estimates were obtained from feeding and gut evacuation experiments on larvae (3.8-19 mm standard length, Ls) at three temperatures (24, 28 and 32°C), and maximum consumption experiments on juveniles at three temperatures (20, 26 and 32° C). Feeding levels were determined for larvae fed live prey (Brachionus plicatilis and Anemia salina) ad libitum. The midgut and total evacuation times were estimated for fish feeding continuously and discontinuously using alternate meals of tagged and untagged live prey. Temperature and fish size had significant effects on gut evacuation and consumption. The gut evacuation time increased with increasing fish size, and decreased with increasing temperatures. Mass-specific midgut contents increased for small larvae <0.156 mg dry mass (M D ) (c. 4mm Ls), and decreased for larger larvae and juveniles. Maximum consumption was modelled by fitting a polynomial function to a reduced dataset of individuals feeding at high levels. The C MAX model predicted an initial increase in specific feeding rate from 70 to 155% M D day -1 for small larvae, before declining for larger larvae and juveniles.
History of American Marine Laboratories: Why Do Research At the Seashore?

SYNOPSIS. Throughout the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries, researchers have gone in increasing numbers to the seashore to carry out biological research. Some people have chosen to study organisms in the sea, others life forms at the sea's edges. While not all of these researchers actually have needed to be at the seashore to do their work, a significant number of research programs have, in fact, depended on the ability to study marine life in its natural setting. The Marine Biological Laboratory pioneered in supporting the research functions in the United States, though the MBL also received inspiration from the successes of the Naples Zoological Station and other European laboratories. This paper explores the initial moves by researchers to study marine life and to set up stations in remote settings away from the comforts of home and of the home laboratories. It also outlines the sorts of work undertaken at the seashore.
Probability, self-location, and quantum branching

The main problem with the many-worlds theory is that it is not clear how the notion of probability should be understood in a theory in which every possible outcome of a measurement actually occurs. In this paper I argue for the following theses concerning the many-worlds theory: (1) If probability can be applied at all to measurement outcomes, it must function as a measure of an agent’s self-location uncertainty. (2) Such probabilities typically violate Reflection. (3) Many-worlds branching does not have sufficient structure to admit self-location probabilities. (4) Decision-theoretic arguments do not solve this problem, since they presuppose Reflection.
On the need and speed of regulating triclosan and triclocarban in the United States.

The polychlorinated aromatic antimicrobials triclosan and triclocarban are in widespread use for killing microorganisms indiscriminately, rapidly, and by nonspecific action. While their utility in ...
Surface modification of layered zirconium phosphates: a novel pathway to multifunctional materials

The intercalation of inorganic layered materials has resulted in a wide range of applicability. In such cases the applicability of the material is largely dependent upon the species intercalated within the layer, and the layered material acts largely as a host. Recently, the surface modification of inorganic layered materials has been investigated and it has been shown that the exterior layers can be exclusively functionalized. The advent of surface chemistry allows for the synthesis of particles with both a controlled interlayer and surface. This approach can be used to tailor nanoparticles for specific applications. Herein we review the surface chemistry of α-zirconium bis(monohydrogen orthophosphate) monohydrate (Zr(HPO4)2·H2O, α-ZrP) along with some applications of recent interest. Not only can these reactions be applied to α-ZrP, but similar chemistry can also be expanded to other layered materials and systems.
MEMORY MECHANISMS - PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMORY IN FLIES

A new study of olfactory memory formation in Drosophila shows that a delicate balance of CREB transcription factor activity may play a decisive role in triggering long-term memory.
Optimal Material Layout in Three-Dimensional Elastic Structures Subjected to Multiple Loads*

A method is presented for the optimal layout of material in three-dimensional elastic structures subjected to multiple loads. The problem is solved using a moment formulation to characterize optimal anisotropy of the material at each point of the domain. The method has important practical applications, e.g., in design of cross sections of prismatic bars and in optimal design of laminates.
Compact fuel processors for fuel cell powered automobiles based on microchannel technology

One possible route to the development of compact fuel processing technology is through the application of microchannel technology. Also called micro chemical and thermal systems (micro-cats), microchannel technology is hardware that incorporates engineered microchannels that provide more rapid heat and mass transport, and therefore faster processing rates, than can be realised within systems employing conventional fluid passages. Hardware size is reduced without reducing the processing capacity of the system. Researchers at the US Department of Energy's (DOE's) Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are currently developing microchannel heat-exchangers, reactors and separators as components for compact hydrogen generators for fuel cells. This effort, funded by the DOE's Office of Transportation Technology, is now demonstrating high performance in compact units. Over the past year, the project team has concentrated most of its effort on the demonstration of an overall microchannel steam reforming system, including four microchannel steam reformers and more than 24 microchannel heat-exchangers, which as a system are intended to provide both high energy efficiencies and high power densities. Work is also under way on other microchannel components that may ultimately find value within an automotive fuel processing system or within distributed power systems.
Efficacy of Selected Insecticides for Management of the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle on Wine Grapes Near Harvest

As one component of an Integrated Pest Management program for Midwestern wine grapes, we examined the efficacy of several insecticides on adults of the multicolored Asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). For field trials, percentages of clusters with at least one H. axyridis were recorded for each plot before treatment and on the day of harvest. We also examined the efficacy of insecticides under laboratory conditions via two routes of exposure, topical application and insecticide residues. In the 2004 field trials, the percentage of clusters infested with H. axyridis adults at harvest was statistically lower in plots treated with bifenthrin applied 7 days before harvest (DBH), carbaryl 10 DBH, and in plots covered with floating row cover compared to the untreated plots. In 2005, the percentage of clusters infested with H. axyridis adults at harvest in plots treated with zeta-cypermethrin 7 DBH, bifenthrin 22 and 7 DBH, and imidacloprid 1 DBH was statistically lower than beetle infestation in the untreated plots. In the laboratory, bifenthrin, carbaryl, and thiamethoxam were lethal to H. axyridis adults 7 days after treatment. Based on the efficacy results, labeled insecticides, pre-harvest intervals, and the late-season influx of H. axyridis infestations, chemical control is currently limited to carbaryl, malathion, and/or imidacloprid.
Billy Budd: Temporary Salvation and the Faustian Pact

In Britten scholarship, the full spiritual implications of Billy Budd have been hedged around, but never directly explicated. While not claiming an exclusive view, this article draws together much of the thinking about the opera from its inception in 1951. It demonstrates how, both in the original production and in the symphonic network of motives and keys/pitches, the opera reveals a psychodrama in the mind of the aging Captain Vere. In so doing, the opera discloses Vere as a self-deluded man who—far from being “saved” by Billy, as he claims—has sold his soul to the Devil in a Faustian pact that merely ensures the salvation of his secular, worldly power (what the librettist E. M. Forster termed “temporary salvation”). The “Christianization” of Billy himself—not found in Melville's novella—is part of this delusion and is dramaturgically essential in causing Vere to rationalize his true motives onto the other operatic characters as he recalls them. In this way the Christian element—encountered throughout B...
Human resource management in a total quality organizational environment: Shifting from a traditional to a TQHRM approach

Abstract The major characteristics of a TQM organizational environment are reviewed and a conceptual framework distinguishing the process and content characteristics of traditional and total quality approaches to HRM is offered. Implications of this new paradigm for research in HRM are considered. It is concluded that future theoretical and empirical research must be responsive to the quality environment.
Theory of the bound magnetic polaron in antiferromagnetic semiconductors.

An approximate quantum theory of the ground state of the bound magnetic polaron in antiferromagnetic semiconductors is presented which is valid when the impurity-lattice exchange coupling is weak. In the deduced ground state, various one-magnon states of the lattice are excited through the lattice's exchange interaction with the impurity electron. Due to the same interaction, the effective mass of the impurity electron gets renormalized and its binding energy is correspondingly increased. The total lattice spin carried by the impurity electron is also determined.