cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigating the impact of teacher practices and noncognitive factors on mathematics achievement

It is with increasing importance that mathematics education research considers the role of noncognitive motivation variables alongside elements of the classroom context in investigations of student...
How heterogeneous thymic output and homeostatic proliferation shape naive T cell receptor clone abundance distributions

Abstract The set of T cells that express the same T cell receptor (TCR) sequence represent a T cell clone. The number of different naive T cell clones in an organism reflects the number of different T cell receptors (TCRs) arising from recombination of the V(D)J gene segments during T cell development in the thymus. TCR diversity and more specifically, the clone abundance distribution is an important factor in immune function. Specific recombination patterns occur more frequently than others while subsequent interactions between TCRs and self-antigens are known to trigger proliferation and sustain naive T cell survival. These processes are TCR-dependent, leading to clone-dependent thymic export and naive T cell proliferation rates. Using a mean-field approximation to the solution of a regulated birth-death-immigration model, we systematically quantify how TCR-dependent heterogeneities in immigration and proliferation rates affect the shape of clone abundance distributions (the number of different clones that are represented by a specific number of cells). By comparing predicted clone abundances derived from our heterogeneous birth-death-immigration model with experimentally sampled clone abundances, we quantify the heterogeneity necessary to generate the observed abundances. Our findings indicate that heterogeneity in proliferation rates is more likely the mechanism underlying the observed clone abundance distributions than heterogeneity in immigration rates. Author Summary The abundance distribution of different T cell receptors (TCRs) expressed on naive T cells depends on their rates of thymic output, homeostatic proliferation, and death. However, measured TCR count distributions do not match, even qualitatively, those predicted from a multiclone birth death-immigration process when constant birth, death, and immigration rates are used (a neutral model). We show how non-neutrality in the birth-death-immigration process, where naive T cells with different TCRs are produced and proliferate with a distribution of rates shape the predicted sampled clone abundance distributions (the clone counts). Using physiological parameters, we find that heterogeneity in proliferation rates, and not in thymic output rates, is the main determinant in generating the observed clone counts. These findings are consistent with proliferation-driven maintenance of the T cell population in humans.
Second-line chemotherapy in advanced biliary cancers: A retrospective, multicenter analysis of outcomes.

Background Although gemcitabine plus platinum chemotherapy is the established first-line regimen for advanced biliary cancer (ABC), there is no standard second-line therapy. This study evaluated current practice and outcomes for second-line chemotherapy in patients with ABC across 3 US academic medical centers. Methods Institutional registries were reviewed to identify patients who had received second-line chemotherapy for ABC from April 2010 to March 2015 along with their demographics, diagnoses and staging, treatment histories, and clinical outcomes. Overall survival from the initiation of second-line chemotherapy (OS2) was estimated with Kaplan-Meier methods. Results This study identified 198 patients with cholangiocarcinoma (intrahepatic [61.1%] or extrahepatic [14.1%]) or gallbladder carcinoma (24.8%); 52% received at least 3 lines of systemic chemotherapy. The median OS2 was 11 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.8-13.1 months). The median OS2 for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was 13.4 months (95% CI, 10.7-17.8 months), which was longer than that for patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (6.8 months; 95% CI, 5-10.6 months) or gallbladder carcinoma (9.4 months; 95% CI, 7.2-12.3 months; P = .018). The median time to second-line treatment failure was 2.2 months (95% CI, 1.8-2.7 months), and it was similar across tumor locations (P = .60). Conclusions In this large cohort of patients with ABC treated across 3 academic medical centers after the failure of first-line chemotherapy, the time to treatment failure on standard therapies was short, although the median OS2 was longer than has been reported previously, and more than half of the patients received additional lines of treatment. This multicenter collaboration represents the largest cohort studied to date of second-line chemotherapy for ABC and provides a contemporary benchmark for future clinical trials.
Explicit, Voluntary, and Conscious: Assessment of the Importance of Adopting an Affirmative Consent Definition for Sexual Assault Prevention Programming on College Campuses

Sexual assault is a major concern on college campuses. Some colleges and universities adopt and educate their students using an affirmative consent standard, such that for a sexual encounter to be considered consensual (and thus not an act of sexual assault), it must include explicit, voluntary, and conscious agreement to engage in sexual activity by all parties involved. The current study sought to examine the extent to which accurate knowledge and understanding of affirmative sexual consent may explain college students' intentions to engage in affirmative sexual consent communication, alongside other influential predictors, as proposed by the Integrated Behavioral Model. Results indicated that while college students who were more likely to define sexual consent based upon an affirmative consent definition were also more likely to intend to engage in affirmative sexual consent communication, it was ultimately the ability to apply that knowledge to a variety of sexual situations that predicted behavioral intentions, alongside positive attitudes about and perceived behavioral control to engage in the behavior. Colleges and universities must therefore not only inform their students about the definition of affirmative sexual consent, they must also provide them with situational knowledge about how and when to engage in affirmative sexual consent communication, as well as improve students' related attitudes and perceived behavioral control.
RETURNS TO DEBT AND EQUITY IN FARM PRODUCER ORGANIZATIONS

While the capital structure irrelevance proposition is the point of departure in corporate finance, it is unknown if debt‐or‐equity decisions matter to farm producer organizations. To inform decisions of capital acquisition, a panel study is conducted to estimate the relationships of different types of debt (current, long‐term) and equity (allocated, unallocated) to the financial performance of 707 farm producer organizations in the United States during the 2005–2011 period. Using 3,120 observations, the panel analysis indicates net sales in period t is increased by $1.97, $9.59, and $4.01 with an addition of $1 in current debt, allocated equity, or unallocated equity in period t. Furthermore, the magnitude of the positive relationship of an additional dollar of allocated (unallocated) equity to net income is estimated at $0.32 ($0.14). We thus reject the notion managers and directors of farm producer organizations should decide to use debt or equity with a coin toss.
Participant satisfaction with appearance-based versus health-based educational videos promoting sunscreen use: a randomized controlled trial.

Author(s): Tuong, William; Armstrong, April W | Abstract: Background: Increasing participant satisfaction with health interventions can improve compliance with recommended health behaviors and lead to better health outcomes. However, factors that influence participant satisfaction have not been well studied in dermatology-specific behavioral health interventions. We sought to assess participant satisfaction of either an appearance-based educational video or a health-based educational video promoting sunscreen use along dimensions of usefulness of educational content, message appeal, and presentation quality.Methods: In a randomized controlled trial, participants were randomized 1:1 to view an appearance-based video or a health-based video. After six weeks, participant satisfaction with the educational videos was assessed.Results: Fifty high school students were enrolled and completed the study. Participant satisfaction ratings were assessed using a pre-tested 10-point assessment scale. The participants rated the usefulness of the appearance-based video (8.1 ± 1.2) significantly higher than the health-based video (6.4 ± 1.4, pl0.001). The message appeal of the appearance-based video (8.3 ± 1.0) was also significantly higher than the health-based video (6.6 ± 1.6, pl0.001). The presentation quality rating was similar between the appearance-based video (7.8 ± 1.3) and the health-based video (8.1 ± 1.3), p=0.676. Conclusions: Adolescents rated the appearance-based video higher than the health-based video in terms of usefulness of educational content and message appeal.
Dosificación empírica de vancomicina en neonatos: relación entre recomendación de dosis iniciales y relación área bajo la curva en 24 h/concentración inhibitoria mínima

Background: Vancomycin is used for treating coagulase-negative staphylococcus infections in neonates. However, concerns about the appropriate empirical dosing required for optimal efficacy, still remain. Aim: To assess the relationship between the initial doses of vancomycin used in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) with the possibility of achieving therapeutic target of AUC024h/MIC > 400 μg/h/ mL. Methods: Retrospective and descriptive study carried out between February 2016 and March 2018. All neonates treated with vancomycin for suspected/proven Gram-positive infection and with at least one trough serum concentration level were included. Probability of target attainment (PTA) was evaluated through resampling of AUC and MIC values. Results: Final dataset included 38 patients and 49 trough vancomycin levels; 94.7% of these cases (n = 36) were confirmed Grampositive infections. The median AUC/MIC values for the trough values vancomycin 400) when taking institutional MICs into account. Conclusions: It is not possible to assure achieving a AUC/MIC > 400 μg/h/mL when considering institutional sensibilities. Current empiric dosing strategies should be reconsidered and further investigation needs to be done to help determine the appropriate empirical dosing required for optimal efficacy in neonates.
Consumers' conceptualization of apparel attributes and apparel quality

The purpose of this research was to a) generate a composite list of apparel attributes, b) arrange the attributes in categories, and c) examine the attributes in ways that are useful to different types of retailers. Five focus group interviews were conducted with 31 female consumers in four towns in Iowa. The focus groups were designed in a three-part format to parallel evaluation processes involved in different types of buying situations. Seventy-nine attributes were identified. Four themes emerged based on the content of the attributes. The themes were physical appearance, physical performance, expressive, and extrinsic. Themes varied in the unidimensional and multidimensional nature of the attributes. Saliency of the attributes varied in the three parts of the discussion which has implications for different types of retailers. Recommendations for future research are provided.
High-risk human papillomavirus and ZEB1 in ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinoma

Background Ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinoma is an aggressive malignancy. Oncologic drivers of ocular sebaceous carcinoma are incompletely understood. Methods A retrospective search of our pathology archives for ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinoma identified 18 primary resection specimens. Immunohistochemistry for p16 and ZEB1 and RNA in situ hybridization for high-risk HPV subtypes were performed. Results High-risk HPV was demonstrated in 2/11 (18%) cases. p16 overexpression was observed in 10/11 (91%). No association between gender, age at presentation, tumor location, intraepithelial spread, tumor size and T stage was observed between HPV-driven and non-viral cases. High expression of ZEB1 was observed in the intraepithelial component of 4/14 (28%) cases and in the subepithelial component of 1/13 (7%) cases. ZEB1 overexpression was not associated with HPV-status, T stage, or tumor size. Conclusion As previously described by others, our findings suggest that a subset of ocular adnexal sebaceous carcinomas may arise via an HPV-dependent pathway. However, unlike high-risk HPV-driven carcinomas of the oropharynx, we did not identify an association between HPV-status and prognostic features. Furthermore, p16 expression was not a useful surrogate marker for HPV-driven disease. ZEB1 overexpression is not associated with HPV in our cohort of ocular sebaceous carcinoma. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Genetics of substance use disorders in the era of big data

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are conditions in which the use of legal or illegal substances, such as nicotine, alcohol or opioids, results in clinical and functional impairment. SUDs and, more generally, substance use are genetically complex traits that are enormously costly on an individual and societal basis. The past few years have seen remarkable progress in our understanding of the genetics, and therefore the biology, of substance use and abuse. Various studies — including of well-defined phenotypes in deeply phenotyped samples, as well as broadly defined phenotypes in meta-analysis and biobank samples — have revealed multiple risk loci for these common traits. A key emerging insight from this work establishes a biological and genetic distinction between quantity and/or frequency measures of substance use (which may involve low levels of use without dependence), versus symptoms related to physical dependence. In this Review, Gelernter and Polimanti discuss how recent large-scale studies have provided insights into the genetics and biology of substance use and abuse. By considering a range of addictive substances (both legal and illegal), they describe the genetic commonalities and distinctions among use and dependency phenotypes for these substances.
Laminopathies: should Wenckebach be a cause for concern? A case report.

Background LMNA cardiomyopathy is a cause of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) characterized by aggressive heart failure, high risk of arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. We present a case of a male presenting with an LMNA mutation with an aggressive DCM leading to sudden cardiac death (SCD). Case summary A 42-year-old male presented with the feeling of lethargy and intermittent dizziness. Electrocardiogram demonstrated atrioventricular block in keeping with Mobitz type 1, at a rate of 40 b.p.m. and cardiac monitoring showed non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection function (59%) but features suggesting DCM. These included mild LV dilatation with an end diastolic volume (EDV) of 213 mL and late enhancement showing a single mid myocardial focus of high signal over the distal right ventricular insertion point inferiorly and a linear area of high signal over the basal septum. After discussion at the cardiology multi-disciplinary meeting, a pacemaker was implanted so that beta-blockers could be initiated to suppress the ventricular arrhythmias. A laminopathy was suspected and if this was confirmed from genetic testing the plan was to upgrade to an implantable defibrillator. Due to stability, this was decided to be done in an outpatient setting. He unfortunately had an out-of-hospital VF arrest and died. Post-mortem showed subtle cardiomyopathy in keeping with a DCM. Genetic tests results were returned a few months later which confirmed a pathogenic variant in LMNA. Discussion Because of the complexity of LMNA-related cardiac disease, they should be managed and followed up in centres with special expertise in inherited cardiomyopathy.
Chapter 27. Alkaloids and Other Natural Products

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses studies focusing on alkaloids and other natural products. Three new Rhazya alkaloids, possessing the general structure of a hypothetical intermediate that could bridge the major types of indole alkaloids, were obtained from R. stricta and R. orientalis . The biogenetically modeled synthesis of minovine and ajmaline were reported. Both velbanamine, a degradation product of the antitumor alkaloids vinblastine and vincristine, and catharanthine were constructed from the same lactam intermediate. The application of transannular cyclization reactions to the synthesis of indole and dihydroindole alkaloids was described. In another study cherylline, an unusual tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid, was isolated from Crinum powellii . Cancentrine, from Dicentra canadensis , is a new type of dimeric benzylisoquinoline alkaloid (a morphine and cularine combination) whose structure was established by physical and chemical methods. Representatives of the optically active flavans, (−)-4'-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavan and (−)-4'-hydroxy-7-methoxy-8-methylflavan were obtained from species of Dianellinae. X-ray analysis established the structure of silydianin, from Silybum marianum . It is isomeric with the antihepatotoxic agent Silymarin and represents a unique combination of a dihydroflavonol and a phenylpropane.
The Chinese Diaspora: Space, Place, Mobility, and Identity. Edited by Laurence J. C. Ma and Carolyn Cartier

This book contributes to research on Chinese who are living outside China, a corpus that has steadily expanded since the mid-1960s. Ma’s introductory essay clearly sets out the historical periodicity of the explosion of population from China as part of global push-pull movements reflecting early efforts to escape domestic rebellions by building railroads. The migration flow, which was unleashed in the watershed restructuring year of 1965, has culminated in the contemporary bifurcation, from highly educated aspirants to desperate “container migrants” following shady “snake heads.” Schools of theoretical explanations and classifications of migration are also set out, along with their shortcomings for dealing with the complexity of the Chinese experience. Well-published authors who are conversant in their geographic locales, including Cindy Fan on Los Angeles, Sen-dou Chang on Hawaii, Lily Kong and Brenda Yeoh on Singapore, David Lai on the Canadian experience, and Jack Williams on the Taiwanese as hua ch’iao, contribute meaty and thoughtful essays that touch on the varied nature of receiving areas.
The toxic effect of arachidonic acid and other unsaturated fatty acids on potato tuber cells

Abstract It is well known that arachidonic acid can elicit the accumulation of terpenoid phytoalexins in potato tubers. Other unsaturated fatty acids, such as linoleic and linolenic acid, do not elicit the accumulation of potato phytoalexins. However, both linoleic acid and arachidonic acid were found to elicit a hypersensitive-like response in protoplasts similar to that elicited by cell wall components from the fungus Phytophthora infestans. We continued our investigations to determine whether unsaturated fatty acids elicit hypersensitive cell death in potato tuber tissue. It was found that unsaturated fatty acids were toxic to tuber cells. Linoleic acid and arachidonic acid were able to elicit significant cell death, whereas the esterified forms of arachidonic acid did not. Salycyl hydroxamic acid, which significantly blocked phytoalexin accumulation, did not block the cell death elicited by arachidonic acid. The data indicate that the toxic effect of arachidonic acid on potato tuber cells is unrelated to its ability to induce phytoalexin accumulation. The findings also indicate that protoplasts may still be useful in this host-pathogen interaction since both potato tuber cells and protoplasts react similarly to elicitor treatments.
Routing management in very large-scale networks

Abstract Very large-scale networks and internetworks are already a reality, and routing constitutes an essential element for the operation of such networks. Unfortunately, the overhead of an adaptive routing algorithm becomes prohibitive in a network or an internetwork with several nodes (in the order of thousands or more) and a flat routing architecture in which each node must know how to reach every other node in the system. In this paper, we discuss the problems with existing network architectures and adaptive routing algorithms when they are applied to very large networks. Then we present a new hierarchical network architecture designed to solve these problems. The two key features of the new architecture are a new loop-free routing algorithm and a new hierarchical addressing mechanism. We compare this architecture with others previously proposed from the standpoint of the savings in routing overhead and the optimality of the paths obtained.
Spin and charge inhomogeneities in high-Tc cuprates: Evidence from NMR and neutron scattering experiments

In this communication we consider the doping dependence of the strong antiferromagnetic spin fluctuations in the cuprate superconductors. We investigate the effect of an incommensurate magnetic response, as recently observed in inelastic neutron scattering (INS) experiments on several YBa2Cu3O6+x compounds, on the spin-lattice and spin-echo relaxation rates measured in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments. We conclude that a consistent theoretical description of INS and NMR can be reached if one assumes spatially inhomogeneous but locally commensurate spin correlations and that NMR and INS experiments can be described within a single theoretical scenario. We discuss a simple scenario of spin and charge inhomogeneities which includes the main physical ingredients required for consistency with experiments.
Committing to Social Justice: The Behavioral Intention of School Psychology and Education Trainees to Advocate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Youth

The current study explored how graduate students in education, school psychology, and counseling are being prepared to help ensure an equal and safe learning environment for youth identifying as le...
Natriuretic peptide C-receptor: more than a clearance receptor

The natriuretic peptide family of proteins acts through two distinct classes of receptors that signal through entirely different mechanisms. The elucidation of the structure of the guanylate cyclase-containing receptor proteins has provided a better understanding of the mechanisms by which the natriuretic peptides regulate diverse functions of salt and water balance, in conjunction with other vasoactive peptides. A second receptor class was named for the originally described function of this protein to clear the natriuretic peptides from plasma. The mechanism of signaling for the natriuretic peptide clearance receptor is not firmly established. All known members of the natriuretic peptide family bind to, and can theoretically act through, the clearance receptor. This review summarizes the known features of the natriuretic peptide clearance receptor, a protein that contains extracellular and transmembrane domains and a short cytoplasmic segment. Recent studies have pointed to new and potentially important functions for this protein in mediating the actions of the natriuretic peptides.
Elliptic delamination as an early stage in atherosclerotic plaque evolution: fluid mechanical aspects.

Relatively little attention has been given to vessel wall mechanics in interaction with the pulsatile fluid motion of blood in the epicardial coronary arteries which are prone to atherosclerotic plaque development. Theories for lipid transport by convective effects, while appealing in many ways, do not serve to explain the predominantly bounded, elliptic profiles of atherosclerotic plaques when examined en face at gross autopsy. This paper outlines how structural-mechanical concepts relating to plaque shapes (starting from the shapes available even with isometric shell peeling to create the cavities typical of early plaques) can be combined with understanding of the blood pressure distribution which develops in the vicinity of a predominantly T-junction in a blood vessel to modulate and interact in shape formation by cyclic, local flexure. This provides a foundation for a rational hypothesis to be tested in vivo with bi-plane angiography and vessel wall imaging, e.g., intravascular ultrasound, to better assess the roles of solid and fluid mechanics in the localization of plaques.
New generation of biomorph integrated with TCO and thermoelectric to enhance efficiency in wide solar spectrum solar cell

A Novel Bio-Organic material, named Cooperative Binary Ionic (CBI) solid, based on chlorophyll type nano structures were self assembled onto ZnO and Bi 2 Te 3 Nano Wires (NWs) as an active layer of a new concept of thermoelectric-organic solar cell. The quality of the organic coating is extremely good and controlled in the range of 0.5–10 nm. 5nm of the CBI onto the ZnO NWs showed a photo efficiency of 3% at 0.2 suns illumination while the thermoelectric current of the Bi 2 Te 3 NWs increased by 1% at 1 sun. Optoelectronic and structural properties of the CBI and the integrated device are discussed.
Internet Use by Physicians and Its Impact on Medical Practice—An Exploratory Study

Abstract Internet use by physicians has played a vital role in medical practices for many years. A number of related studies have emerged to examine the impact of Internet use on medical practice. However, there is yet to be a comprehensive study on the impact of Internet use by physicians on their medical practice. This study examines a preliminary step to explore the major implications of physicians' Internet use on the traditional areas, such as health education and learning, physician-patient relationship, and medical marketing. Barriers to Internet use are also investigated. Implication of use of the Internet in the medical practice and limitations of this study are discussed as well.
Cytochrome P450 7A1 Cholesterol 7α-Hydroxylation INDIVIDUAL REACTION STEPS IN THE CATALYTIC CYCLE AND RATE-LIMITING FERRIC IRON REDUCTION

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 7A1 is well known as the cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, the first enzyme involved in bile acid synthesis from cholesterol. The human enzyme has been reported to have the highest catalytic activity of any mammalian P450. Analyses of individual steps of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylation reaction revealed several characteristics of this reaction: (i) two-step binding of cholesterol to ferric P450, with an apparent K(d) of 0.51 μM, (ii) a rapid reduction rate in the presence of cholesterol (∼10 s(-1) for the fast phase), (iii) rapid formation of a ferrous P450-cholesterol-O(2) complex (29 s(-1)), (iv) the lack of a non-competitive kinetic deuterium isotope effect, (v) the lack of a kinetic burst, and (vi) the lack of a deuterium isotope effect when the reaction was initiated with the ferrous P450-cholesterol complex. A minimum kinetic model was developed and is consistent with all of the observed phenomena and the rates of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylation and H(2)O and H(2)O(2) formation. The results indicate that the first electron transfer step, although rapid, becomes rate-limiting in the overall P450 7A1 reaction. This is a different phenomenon compared with other P450s that have much lower rates of catalysis, attributed to the much more efficient substrate oxidation steps in this reaction.
PREFABRICATED PATTERNS AND THE EMERGENCE OF STRUCTURE IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION1

In order to test the hypothesis that the second language learner possesses a series of structurally cohesive learner systems, speech samples of a five-year-old Japanese speaking learner of English were elicited over a 15 month period. Three types of “prefabricated routines” were analyzed in detail: (1) patterns using the copula, including all allomorphs of be; (2) the segment do you as employed in questions; (3) the segment how to as in embedded how-questions. The analysis supported the contention that the subject was operating within a simple learner system involving prefabricated routines.
Source digital camcorder identification using sensor photo response non-uniformity

Photo-response non-uniformity (PRNU) of digital sensors was recently proposed [1] as a unique identification fingerprint for digital cameras. The PRNU extracted from a specific image can be used to link it to the digital camera that took the image. Because digital camcorders use the same imaging sensors, in this paper, we extend this technique for identification of digital camcorders from video clips. We also investigate the problem of determining whether two video clips came from the same camcorder and the problem of whether two differently transcoded versions of one movie came from the same camcorder. The identification technique is a joint estimation and detection procedure consisting of two steps: (1) estimation of PRNUs from video clips using the Maximum Likelihood Estimator and (2) detecting the presence of PRNU using normalized cross-correlation. We anticipate this technology to be an essential tool for fighting piracy of motion pictures. Experimental results demonstrate the reliability and generality of our approach.
What do we really know about ADHD in college students

Research on ADHD in college students began in the 1990s and has been steadily increasing in recent years. Because young adults with ADHD who attend college have experienced greater academic success during high school than many peers with the disorder, which is likely to be associated with better overall functioning, the degree to which they experience similar patterns of adjustment difficulties was not initially known. Accumulating research suggests that college students with ADHD experience less academic success and greater psychological and emotional difficulties than other students and use alcohol and drugs at higher rates. However, conclusions to be drawn from this research are limited by the use of small samples that may not be representative of the wider population of students with ADHD, and a lack of diagnostic rigor in identifying students with ADHD to be included in such research. Studies of the effectiveness of psychosocial treatments, medication treatment, and academic accommodations are extremely limited or nonexistent. Issues particularly germane to college students include feigning ADHD and the misuse and diversion of stimulant medication. Given that at least 25 % of college students with disabilities are diagnosed with ADHD, methodologically sound investigations are clearly needed in order to better understand the impact of ADHD on college students’ adjustment and to develop and implement interventions that can enhance students’ success.
Isotope Shift and Wavelengths of the Curium Spectrum

Isotope shift measurements were made on Cm242 and Cm244. Both samples had an isotopic purity of better than 90%. Measurements were made in the spectral region between 3050 and 5250 A. One hundred and eighty-three lines of curium were recorded, one hundred and forty-eight of which showed isotope shift. Both positive and negative shifts were found. The magnitude of the shift ranged up to 1.31 kaysers.
Measurement of surface color as an expedient QC method for the detection of deviations in tablet hardness

The objective of this study was to investigate whether a correlation exists between the surface color of tablets and their tensile strength. Theophylline powder blends with and without red dye were directly compressed into 600 mg tablets. Applied compression pressure ranged from 9.3 to 271.2 MPa. Colorimetric parameters: lightness (L*), chromaticity (a*, b*), chroma (Cab), hue (hab) and color intensity (CI), were measured and recorded for both sides of each tablet using ColorQuest XE colorimeter in reflectance specular included mode. The tensile strength of the tablets was measured using a TA.XTPlus Texture Analyzer. A linear correlation was observed between the chroma (Cab) parameter and the tensile strength for each formulation of the tablets. For white tablets, the linearity was observed between Cab values ranging from 2.6 to 3.76 and tensile strength values ranging from 2.96 to 6.86 MPa. For red tablets, the linearity was observed between a chroma range from 21.76 to 30.75 and tensile strength from 2.51 to 6.52 MPa. A similar correlation was observed between the CI of red tablets and tensile strength. It was concluded that chroma could be used as suitable QC parameters to detect deviations in tablet hardness during bulk manufacturing.
Changes in gap junction connexin-43 messenger ribonucleic acid levels associated with rat ovarian follicular development as demonstrated by in situ hybridization

Objective: The purpose was to evaluate the changes in gap junction connexin-43 messenger ribonucleic acid levels associated with rat ovarian follicular development. Gap junctions connect the plasma membranes of adjacent cells through cell-to-cell channels, allowing synchronization of cellular events, including ovarian follicular development. Ovarian gap junctions consist of the protein connexin-43. Study Design: We used the hypophysectomized immature rat treated with estrogen or gonadotropins as a model to study the ovarian regulation of connexin-43 messenger ribonucleic acid. In situ hybridization with radiolabeled riboprobes was used to localize and quantitate connexin-43 messenger ribonucleic acid. Results: We demonstrated that connexin-43 messenger ribonucleic acid was localized to follicular granulosa cells. Estrogen significantly up-regulated connexin-43 messenger ribonucleic acid (91%), whereas gonadotropins that stimulate ovulation and corpus luteum formation completely down-regulated the connexin-43 gene. These results correlate closely with previous immunohistochemical studies of connexin-43 protein. Conclusion: The positive correlation between follicular development and granulosa cell content of connexin-43 messenger ribonucleic acid is caused by transcriptional activation of the gap junction connexin-43 gene, posttranscriptional stability of connexin-43 messenger ribonucleic acid, or both. Future studies will determine the molecular mechanisms of hormonal regulation of the connexin-43 gene.
Feedback delay and amplitude threshold and control of the occipital EEG.

Six normal adults looked at 12 color transparencies that were presented 30 times each in response to the occurrence of alpha in the occipital EEG and that were not presented when no-alpha occurred. The time delay between the occurrence of recorded EEG alpha and the feedback stimulus was systematically varied, as was the threshold value of alpha amplitude required for feedback stimulus to occur. As time delay increased, the replicative reliability of the temporal association between alpha and the visual stimulus decreased. The measures of the EEG response were: the mean durations of alpha and of no-alpha durations\((\bar X)\); an estimate of random “scatter” or variability in a single trial (Se); and the ratio of these\(({{\bar X} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\bar X} S}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} S}_e )\), which is the reciprocal of the coefficient of variation. The latter ratio defines “control” of the EEG response. Control was greatest for the minimum feedback delay (.25 sec) and a feedback threshold of 25% of the maximum peak alpha amplitude recorded under a prior eyes-closed. “resting” condition. Control of the EEG decreased as time delays increased and at lower and higher feedback thresholds. It was proposed that the measurement of control\(({{\bar X} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\bar X} S}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} S}_e )\) for various combinations of values of relevant experimental parameters could be used to select that combination which gave the best control. This “optimum” combination of values of parameters could be chosen for astandardized method.
Behavioral microanalysis of spatial delayed alternation performance: rehearsal through overt behavior, and effects of scopolamine and chlordiazepoxide

Rats were trained in an operant spatial delayed alternation task utilizing retention intervals from 2 to 32 s. In addition to response accuracy, operations of the levers during the retention intervals were recorded and analyzed. Animals were tested following the administration of the muscarinic antagonists scopolamine hydrobromide and methylbromide, and the benzodiazepine receptor agonist chlordiazepoxide. In vehicle-treated animals, the relative number of correct responses and correct rehearsal operations (operation of the forthcoming correct lever during retention intervals) varied with the length of the retention intervals, and these measures were correlated. The response rate for rehearsal operations increased with the length of the retention intervals. It is speculated that the delay-dependent increase in response rate reflects an effect of delayed reward that was also associated with a delay-dependent increase in the tendency to alternate between levers. The effects of delay on the accuracy of rehearsal operations may have contributed to the delay-dependent correct responding. Scopolamine hydrobromide (0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3 mg/kg) and methylbromide (0.1, 0.3 mg/kg) impaired correct responding, but did not seem to interfere with the relative number of correct rehearsal operations. As only the presentation of the panel light indicated trial onset, it is speculated that the cholinergic receptor blockade resulted in an increase in the probability of a repositioning response that was triggered by light onset. Chlordiazepoxide (1, 3, 5, 10 mg/kg) did not affect behavioral performance. These results suggest that in tasks that allow the development of rehearsal operations, delay-dependent response accuracy does not represent a sufficient condition for conclusions on task demands on memory. Blockade of peripheral cholinergic receptors may account for the effects of muscarinic antagonists on performance in this task.
The biota of Antarctic pack ice in the Weddell sea and Antarctic Peninsula regions

Pack ice surrounding Antarctica supports rich and varied populations of microbial organisms. As part of the Antarctic Marine Ecosystem Research in the Ice Edge Zone (AMERIEZ) studies, we have examined this community during the late spring, autumn, and winter. Although organisms are found throughout the ice, the richest concentrations often occur in the surface layer. The ice flora consists of diatoms and flagellates. Chrysophyte cysts (archaeomonads) of unknown affinity and dinoflagellate cysts are abundant and may serve as overwintering stages in ice. The ice fauna includes a variety of heterotrophic flagellates, ciliates, and micrometazoa. The abundance of heterotrophs indicates an active food web within the ice community. Ice may serve as a temporary habitat or refuge for many of the microbial forms and some of these appear to provide an inoculum for planktonic populations when ice melts. Larger consumers, such as copepods and the Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba are often found on the underside of ice floes and within weathered floes. The importance of the ice biota as a food resource for these pelagic consumers is unknown.
Assessing Risk for Loss of Rural Pharmacy Services in Minnesota

ABSTRACT Objective To quantify rural communities' risks for losing access to local pharmacy services using a newly developed risk-assessment tool. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Minnesota in June through August 2003. Participants Pharmacy owners and managers in rural communities with populations less than 5,000 residents and only one community pharmacy. Intervention Self-administered questionnaire completed by study participants. Main Outcome Measures Each answer was given a score based on the related factor's ability to affect risk of pharmacy closure. Scores were summed to give a comparative risk score with a positive score indicating higher risk; these scores could range from −13.5 to +30.75, depending on responses. Results From 126 communities outside of the Minneapolis–St. Paul metropolitan area with populations of fewer than 5,000 residents and only one community pharmacy, 81 (64.3%) usable responses were received. The calculated risk scores ranged from −7 to +12.3, with mean (± SD) scores of 1.55±4.17. Factors that contributed most to rural pharmacies' risk index were dramatic decreases in community populations within 5years, poor community support for the pharmacy, owner's intent to sell pharmacy within 2years, less than $750,000 in annual prescription revenue, perceived erosion of total market share of prescriptions, difficulties in recruiting full-time pharmacist-employees, lack of access to local primary care, and perceived likelihood that local primary care clinics would not be active in 5years. Approximately 26% of pharmacy owners responding expressed interest in selling their pharmacy within 3years, and 62% were interested in selling within 10years. Conclusion The tool developed for this study allows prospective assessment of risk, which can facilitate a greater awareness by local and regional officials and consumers of the possibility of loss of rural pharmacies, assist in targeting resources to areas most in need, and serve as a bridge to collaborative relationships aimed at ensuring local access to both pharmacy services and the knowledge of a pharmacist.
Role of substrate corrugation in helium monolayer solidification

We investigate the first layer of helium adsorbed on graphite with path-integral Monte Carlo, examining the role of substrate corrugations on the phase diagram. When no corrugations are present, the equilibrium state of the system is a liquid phase, with solidification occurring only under compression but before layer promotion. We determine the solid-liquid coexistence region and compare our results to recent Green's-function Monte Carlo calculations on the same system. When substrate corrugations are included, we find that the equilibrium phase is the $\sqrt{3}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\sqrt{3}$ commensurate solid phase that is well known from experiment. The melting behavior, heat capacity, and single-particle binding energy are determined and compared to experiment. We further find that for densities below the commensurate coverage, the low-temperature phase of the system consists of solid clusters in coexistence with coalesced vacancies. We find no first-layer liquid phase and so no superfluidity in this layer, in contrast to some rather recent suggestions.
An ab initio study of valence isomerization in the HOCl−HClO system

Abstract Hartree-Fock level and post Hartree-Fock level molecular orbital calculations have been completed for HOCl and its valence isomer, HClO. Ground state geometries have been determined for each molecule. The energy change for the reaction HOCl→HClO is estimated to be 67±5 kcal/mol endothermic and the activation energy for the process is 74±5 kcal/ mol. The transition state for the reaction is identified and discussed. A vibrational analysis has been carried out for both HOCl and HClO. The calculated photoelectron spectrum is discussed for each of the molecules.
Characterization of multiple unique cDNAs encoding the major surface glycoprotein of rat-derived Pneumocystis carinii.

The major surface glycoprotein (MSG) of rat-derivedPneumocystis carinii represents a group of related molecules that are encoded by multiple genes. We isolated seven unique MSG cDNAs from a library prepared from a single infected rat lung. The cDNAs displayed both conserved and variant regions to previously described cDNAs. These clones contained inserts that ranged in size from 0.4 to 1.8 kb and all contained a poly(A) tail. The largest clone, Pc1410, hybridized to all 15 chromosomes resolved by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Protein produced by in vitro translation from Pc1410 was immunoprecipitated with affinity-purified MSG antibodies. The clones were characterized by DNA sequencing of their 3′ and 5′ ends. Analysis of the untranslated and coding regions demonstrated that the clones contained unique and conserved regions of sequence, but none of the clones were identical. Isolation of seven additional unique clones picked from a single screening of a cDNA library suggests that numerous MSG transcripts exist within a population ofP. carinii.
Noncompliance to prescribed-as-needed (PRN) medication use in asthma: Usage patterns and patient characteristics

Abstract Asthmatic patients (N = 88) in intensive medical treatment used supplemental, as-needed (PRN) medications relative to daily pulmonary function levels according to four patterns. Only 33% used PRNs appropriately, taking PRNs frequently on days when airway obstruction was present, and infrequently on days when it was not present. The remaining patterns were clearly noncompliant in that actual usage bore no resemblance to recommended usage, i.e., to relieve the distress of acute airway obstruction. Twenty percent of the patients overused PRNs, 20% underused them, and 27% used PRNs in an arbitrary fashion relative to airway obstruction. While there were no differences among any PRN usage groups in the actual severity of the asthma, differences did exist along psychological dimensions, including general personality, and more specifically in how asthma and its treatment were viewed and experienced. Discussion centered upon the personal styles associated with PRN noncompliance, and how these styles and related behaviors contribute to the maintenance of illness and to the defeat of medical treatment.
An inexpensive system for evaluating the tussive and anti-tussive properties of chemicals in conscious, unrestrained guinea pigs.

Abstract Introduction: Commercial whole-body plethysmography systems used to evaluate the anti-tussive potential of drugs employ sophisticated technology, but these systems may be cost prohibitive for some laboratories. The present study describes an alternative, inexpensive system for evaluating the tussive and anti-tussive potential of drugs in conscious, unrestrained guinea pigs. Methods: The system is composed of a transparent small animal anesthesia induction box fitted with a microphone, a camera and a pneumotachometer to simultaneously capture audio, video, air flow and air pressure in real time. Data acquisition and analysis was performed using free software for audio and video, and a research pneumotach system for flow and pressure. System suitability testing was performed by exposing conscious, unrestrained guinea pigs to nebulized aqueous solutions of a selective agonist for TRPV1 (citric acid) or a selective agonist for TRPA1 (AITC), with or without pre-treatment with a selective antagonist for TRPV1 (BCTC) or a selective antagonist for TRPA1 (HC-030031). Results: The system easily discerned coughs from other respiratory events like sneezes. System suitability test results are as follows: AITC caused 10.7 (SEM = 1.4592) coughs vs. 5.8 (SEM = 1.6553) when pre-treated with HC-030031 (P
Effects of α‐tocopherol and β‐carotene on hepatic lipid peroxidation and blood lipids in rats with dietary iron overload

Abstract The ability of dietary antioxidants to reduce lipid peroxidation induced by iron overload was examined in weanling male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Animals were fed ad libitum a modified AIN‐76A diet (control) or control diet with 0.5% α‐tocopherol acid succinate, 0.5% crystalline trans‐β‐carotene, or 0.5% α‐tocopherol acid succinate + 0.5% trans‐β‐carotene for four weeks. In the following four‐week period, the animals received the above diets with 10,000 μg Fe/g; a control group continued to receive 35 μg Fe/g, and a high‐iron group received 10,000 μg Fe/g with no antioxidants. After four weeks of dietary supplementation with α‐tocopherol, β‐carotene, or α‐tocopherol + β‐carotene, liver concentrations of α‐tocopherol and β‐carotene increased significantly (p < 0.001). Liver lipid peroxidation, measured by the lipid‐conjugated diene assay, increased significantly from 0.012 μmol/mg of lipid in the controls to 0.021 μmol/mg of lipid in animals receiving the high‐iron diet. However, lipid peroxidation was...