cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adolescent sleep and technology-use rules: results from the California Health Interview Survey.

Abstract Objectives This study reports on adolescent sleep, technology-use rules at home, and their potential association using the 2017 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Methods CHIS cross-sectional, representative survey data was collected between June-December 2017 via telephone. Weekday bedtimes, rise times, and night time in bed in the past week, as well as whether technology-use rules were implemented at home, were examined among 448 adolescent residents of California (mean age = 14.5, range = 12-17; 48% women). Results The average weekday nightly time in bed was 9.04 hours among 12- to 13-year-olds and 7.89 hours among 14- to 17-year-olds. The majority reported having technology-use rules and those who did, spent 35 more minutes in bed. Although a significant relationship was found between having technology-use rules and earlier bedtime, one was not found for time in bed, when controlling for demographics. Conclusions Many California adolescents do not meet recommended sleep guidelines. Yet, technology-use rules appear to be associated with earlier bedtime. Results have implications for policy-making and adolescent sleep interventions.
Value-Creating Perspectives and an Intercultural Approach to Curriculum for Global Citizenship

Several recent scholarly works have challenged the Western dominated paradigm underlying the UNESCO led agenda of global citizenship education. This includes the heavy influence of Enlightenment liberalism. Further discussions must also be centered on integrating non-Western perspectives so that the practice of global citizenship has a more critical and intercultural focus. This paper offers suggestions to develop curriculum for global citizenship based on a study of leaders and their movements, including Wangari Maathai and Daisaku Ikeda who have inspired people to act within their local communities based on their personal values that are rooted in their experiences with being engaged in both Western and non-Western modes of thinking.
Seroprevalence and Correlates of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Health Care Workers in Chicago

Background Identifying factors associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among health care workers (HCWs) may help health systems optimize SARS-CoV-2 infection control strategies. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Northwestern HCW SARS-CoV-2 Serology Cohort Study. We used the Abbott Architect Nucleocapsid IgG assay to determine seropositivity. Logistic regression models (adjusted for demographics and self-reported community exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) were fit to quantify the associations between occupation group, health care delivery tasks, and community exposure and seropositive status. Results A total of 6510 HCWs, including 1794 nurses and 904 non-patient-facing administrators, participated. The majority were women (79.6%), 74.9% were White, 9.7% were Asian, 7.3% were Hispanic, and 3.1% were non-Hispanic Black. The crude prevalence of seropositivity was 4.8% (95% CI, 4.6%-5.2%). Seropositivity varied by race/ethnicity as well as age, ranging from 4.2% to 9.6%. Out-of-hospital exposure to COVID-19 occurred in 9.3% of HCWs, 15.0% (95% CI, 12.2%-18.1%) of whom were seropositive; those with family members diagnosed with COVID-19 had a seropositivity rate of 54% (95% CI, 44.2%-65.2%). Support service workers (10.4%; 95% CI, 4.6%-19.4%), medical assistants (10.1%; 95% CI, 5.5%-16.6%), and nurses (7.6%; 95% CI, 6.4%-9.0%) had significantly higher seropositivity rates than administrators (referent; 3.3%; 95% CI, 2.3%-4.4%). However, after adjustment, nursing was the only occupation group with a significantly higher odds (odds ratio, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.3-2.9) of seropositivity. Exposure to patients receiving high-flow oxygen therapy and hemodialysis was significantly associated with 45% and 57% higher odds for seropositive status, respectively. Conclusions HCWs are at risk for SARS-CoV-2 infection from longer-duration exposures to people infected with SARS-CoV-2 within health care settings and their communities of residence.
Gene Therapy Reforms Photoreceptor Structure and Restores Vision in NPHP5-associated Leber Congenital Amaurosis

Abstract The inherited childhood blindness caused by mutations in NPHP5, a form of Leber congenital amaurosis, results in abnormal development, dysfunction and degeneration of photoreceptors. A naturally occurring NPHP5 mutation in dogs results in a phenotype that very nearly duplicates the human retinopathy in terms of the photoreceptors involved, spatial distribution of degeneration and the natural history of vision loss. We show that AAV-mediated NPHP5 gene augmentation of mutant canine retinas at the time of active degeneration and peak cell death stably restores photoreceptor structure, function, and vision with either the canine or human NPHP5 transgenes. Mutant cone photoreceptors, which failed to form outer segments during development, reform this structure after treatment. Degenerating rod photoreceptor outer segments are stabilized and develop normal structure. This process begins within 8 weeks following treatment, and remains stable throughout the 6 month post treatment period. In both photoreceptor cell classes, mislocalization of rod and cone opsins is minimized or reversed. Retinal function and functional vision are restored. Efficacy of gene therapy in this large animal ciliopathy model of Leber congenital amaurosis provides a path for translation to human treatment.
Preliminary development and validation of a measure of fear of swallowing and swallowing‐related movement injury in head and neck cancer: Swallowing Kinesiophobia Scale

BACKGROUND Fear is an under-recognized issue in intervention adherence in head and neck cancer (HNC). We developed and validated a patient reported outcome for swallowing fear in HNC patients. METHODS Items were adapted from the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia to swallowing function. A beta version was completed by 51 HNC patients undergoing chemo +/- radiotherapy at baseline and post-treatment. Psychometric and factor structure analyses were applied. RESULTS Swallowing Kinesiophobia Scale (SWKS) demonstrated strong face and content validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Factor analysis revealed three-factors: somatic factor, swallow avoidance, and fear of harm. Factors correlated positively with depression score, worry scale, and anxiety and pain scales. Score differences between patient subgroups (dysphagic vs nondysphagic) confirmed discriminative validity. CONCLUSION The SWKS is a psychometrically valid tool to identify patients with fear of swallowing and swallowing-related movement. It can help identify patients early in treatment who may need additional support.
An AI-assisted Online Tool for Cognitive Impairment Detection Using Images from the Clock Drawing Test

Abstract Background Widespread early dementia detection could drastically increase clinical trial candidates and enable early interventions. Since the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) can be potentially used for diagnosing dementia related diseases, it can be leveraged to devise a computer-aided screening tool. Objective This work aims to develop an online screening tool by leveraging Artificial Intelligence and the CDT. Methods Images of an analog clock drawn by 3, 263 cognitively intact and 160 impaired subjects were used. First, we processed the images from the CDT by a deep learning algorithm to obtain dementia scores. Then, individuals were classified as belonging to either category by combining CDT image scores with the participant’s age. Results We have evaluated the performance of the developed models by applying 5-fold cross validation on 20% of the dataset. The deep learning model generates dementia scores for the CDT images with an Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) of 81.3% ± 4.3%. A composite logistic regression model using age and the generated dementia scores, yielded an average AUC and average weighted F1 score of 92% ± 0.8% and 94.4% ± 0.7%, respectively. Discussion CDT images were subjected to distortion consistent with an image drawn on paper and photographed by a cell phone. The model offers a cost-effective and easily deployable mechanism for detecting cognitive impairment online, without the need to visit a clinic.
Higher order mode generation in an anti-resonant hollow-core fiber

Hollow core fibers have been investigated for several use cases relating to both single mode and multi-mode operation. Single mode, low-loss operation is a desired commodity in telecommunications and high-power delivery applications. Hollow core fibers can be designed with a structure that guides multiple modes in the core at low loss while also exhibiting strong stress sensitivity. In these anti-resonant hollow core fibers, perturbations to the structure such as micro-bending can efficiently couple core guided modes in short sections of fiber. This high sensitivity to structural distortion can be exploited for higher order mode generation, sensing, and for developing multimode nonlinear light sources. This work presents an investigation on using anti-resonant hollow-core fibers as a higher-order mode converter by inducing mechanical stress on the structure of the fiber.
Vacancy-cluster and off-lattice metal-atom diffusion mechanisms in transition metal carbides

Abstract Using ab initio simulations, we report potential metal atom diffusion mechanisms in the group IVB and VB transition metal carbides. By computing the metal vacancy formation energies of vacancy clusters, we find that a metal vacancy surrounded by six carbon vacancies is the lowest metal vacancy formation energy structure for the group IVB carbides while the lowest energy for the group VB carbides is a metal vacancy surrounded by two carbon vacancies. The vacancy cluster mechanisms reveal activation energies that are consistent with experiments in both TiC (group IVB) and TaC (group VB). We also report that an off-lattice diffusion mechanism, that is only energetically favorable in the group IVB transition metal carbides, has a lower formation energy than the regular vacancy cluster mechanism. This new mechanism shows lower formation energies for a given carbon vacancy concentration which indicates this off-lattice mechanism might be the most dominant metal-atom diffusion mechanism among the existing mechanisms proposed for the group IVB metal carbides.
Employee Benefit: A Meta-analysis of Relationships with Work Attitudes

Although employee benefits account for 38.1 percent of total compensation cost (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020) and their importance has been recognized by management scholars (Dulebohn et a...
Aqueous-phase effects on ethanol decomposition over Ru-based catalysts

The effects of an aqueous phase on ethanol decomposition for hydrogen production over a Ru(0001) catalyst surface model have been investigated from first principles. Solvent effects on the reaction mechanism and kinetic parameters have been quantified with the help of a microkinetic reactor model, density functional theory, and an implicit solvation scheme (iSMS). Our calculations indicate that in both vapor- and aqueous-phase reaction environments, the ethanol decomposition starts with acetaldehyde formation on the surface, some of which further dehydrogenates to ketenyl species (CHCO), where the C–C bond cleaves to form methylidyne (CH) and CO. In the vapor phase, adsorbed CH gets hydrogenated to methane, and CO desorbs or undergoes methanation reducing the amount of hydrogen produced. In contrast, under aqueous phase reaction conditions, the methanation is inhibited, and the water–gas shift (WGS) reaction is accelerated, leading to complete conversion of CO to CO2 and H2. Calculations indicate that the observed reaction behavior under aqueous phase reforming conditions originates primarily from the higher water chemical potential, and implicit solvent models predict only a small solvation effect.
Posttranslational modifications of TDP-43

Abstract Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disorder that is characterized by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons resulting in muscle weakness and paralysis. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's in individuals under the age of 65, and is characterized by shrinkage within the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, inducing behavioral changes and language dysfunction. Although ALS and FTD have different phenotypes and affect different parts of the central nervous system, there is strong clinical association between the disorders, with a subset of cases showing both cognitive and motor deficits. Frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43)-positive inclusions is a major pathological subtype of FTD that shares a similar molecular phenotype with the majority of ALS cases, whereby the nuclear RNA-binding protein TDP-43 accumulates in large cytoplasmic aggregates in affected neurons. It is hypothesized that aberrant TDP-43 aggregation may cause disease through a toxic loss of function, affecting the regulation of mRNAs implicated in neuronal function, or through a toxic gain of function whereby the presence of the aggregates themselves induces apoptotic signaling pathways. Aberrant TDP-43 aggregates are associated with specific posttranslational modifications (PTMs), the three dominant ones being ubiquitination, phosphorylation, and C-terminal fragmentation. Recent studies have implicated oxidative stress–induced cysteine oxidation and lysine acetylation in impairing TDP-43's capacity to bind its target mRNAs. This chapter will review the literature pertaining to these PTMs, discussing both toxic loss-of-function and gain-of-function mechanisms.
Development and Applications of CRISPR-Cas9 for Genome Manipulations

The Cas9 endonuclease from the microbial adaptive immune system CRISPR can be easily programmed to bind or cleave specific DNA sequence using a short RNA guide. Cas9 is enabling the generation of m...
2. Mechanisms of Laser-Induced Desorption and Ablation

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a review on the mechanisms of laser-induced desorption and ablation, induced by both electronic and vibrational processes, over wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet to infrared and spanning laser-pulse durations from femtoseconds to nanoseconds. The conceptual framework within which the phenomenology of laser sputtering is discussed involves the following five distinctive phases: (1) the absorption of laser light by the excitation of electronic or vibrational modes of a solid; (2) competition between localized and delocalized modes for the absorbed photon energy; (3) the mechanisms of laser-induced desorption from metals, semiconductors, and insulators; (4) the phenomenology of laser ablation as a function of wavelength or pulse duration; and (5) the emission of photoelectrons, ions, and neutral species into the incipient ablation plume. The first and second phases are governed by the optical physics of the irradiated solid and by well-understood physical conservation laws. The third phase is much better understood for collisionally induced sputtering than for the electronic and vibrational processes described in the chapter. The fourth and fifth phases have no analog in sputtering by either ions or energetic electrons and they are particularly critical to understand the plasma physics of the plume. The chapter presents a survey of the most recent illustrative experimental results and techniques.
Physiological variables related to the selection of work effort on a treadmill and bicycle.

Abstract Ten female subjects were asked to run on a treadmill at a speed selected previously to tire them in 15 minutes. They later were asked to try to repeat the same work effort on a bicycle. Heart rate increased 60% from either a slow walking base level or a nonloaded bicycle ride at 60 rpm, and RQ rose to .90 when the subjects felt work effort on a treadmill and bicycle were equivalent. The absolute value of oxygen uptake, ventilation, and heart rate did not indicate to the subject that the physiological strain was similar, since all these measurements were lower on the bicycle during the selected work effort. The oxygen debt was not related to physiological strain, since the treadmill O2 debt was double that of the bicycle exercise, though the subjects felt they were exercising at the same work level.
On querying OBO ontologies using a DAG pattern query language

The Open Biomedical Ontologies (OBO) is a consortium that serves as a repository of ontologies that are structured like directed acyclic graphs. In this paper we present a language DQL for querying a database of directed acyclic graphs. The query language has a comprehension style syntax and contains a pattern specification sub-language DPL. DPL can be viewed as an extension of tree-pattern query language like XPath. The language allows extraction of nodes, paths and subgraphs from DAGs, and permits construction of result structures by composing them. We show that using such a language on OBO ontologies (such as the gene ontology), we can express more complex and scientifically valuable queries.
Maintaining availability of replicated data in partition-prone networks

The results of investigations into the design of replica control protocols for maintaining availability of replicated data are discussed. Protocols that tolerate not only site failures, but also network partitions were studied. Only pessimistic protocols that maintain availability without sacrificing one-copy serializability have been considered. Pessimistic schemes can be classified as being static or dynamic. Newly developed static and dynamic schemes are described. Plans for further investigations are outlined. >
Historical high-severity fire patches in mixed-conifer forests

Two ends of the fire regime spectrum are a frequent low-intensity fire regime and an infrequent high-intensity fire regime, but intermediate fire regimes combine high- and low-severity fire over sp...
Stereotype Processing's Effect on the Impact of the Myth/Fact Message Format and the Role of Personal Relevance

This research examines the effectiveness of the myth/fact message format (MFMF)—a message format that first presents a common misperception as a myth then counters it with a correcting fact—within the health-care and social marketing context of mental illness (MI). Stereotype processing theory predicts that the use of a negative aspect of the stereotype in a MFMF may further instantiate the negative belief, thereby reducing the effectiveness of the message. Conversely, using a message format that conveys only facts (i.e., new positive beliefs) without inclusion of the myth will lead to more positive attitudes. However, this effect will only be seen among people with personal relevance with MI as only they are sufficiently motivated to suppress the automatically activated stereotype and elaborate on the message. A study demonstrates that advertising utilizing a fact-only format leads to more positive attitudes than the MFMF among people with personal relevance while people without personal relevance to MI demonstrate no differences in attitude between myth/fact and fact-only message formats. Personal relevance had the opposite moderating effect on perceived learning. These findings suggest that the MFMF's impact on attitudes, the typical focal point of social marketing campaigns targeting misconceptions about stereotyped groups, may be ineffective. Thus, using a fact-only format that conveys new positive beliefs in a social marketing message is recommended within the specific context of MI and may be warranted in other health-care and social issues.
Esophageal motility disorders after bariatric surgery.

A 45-year-old female who underwent a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass 10 years prior was referred to our GI clinic by a pulmonologist after an extensive negative workup for chronic cough. She also had complaints of severe regurgitation that did not respond to high-dose acid suppression therapy. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed which showed evidence of a tortuous and dilated esophagus. The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was easily traversed with no narrowing noted. A fairly large gastric pouch was seen prolapsing into the esophagus (Fig. 1a). A barium study showed dilation of the thoracic esophagus, diminished contractility, and gastric pouch distention with compression at the LES (Fig. 1b). A high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM) revealed aperistalsis in the body of the esophagus with normal LES pressures (Fig. 1c).
Fracture of the Hook of the Hamate Presenting as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This case report of a fracture of the hook of the hamate presenting as carpal tunnel syndrome emphasizes the importance of a careful physical examination, the necessity for a carpal tunnel roentgenogram and a high degree of suspicion by the surgeon in patients with symptoms of median nerve compression following trauma to the wrist.
Eating disordered behaviors: A comparison of male and female university students.

This study compared male and female students on measures characteristic of eating disordered behavior. Measures investigated were subscales of the Eating Disorders Inventory and of the Restrained Eating Scale. Results indicated that both males and females reported a fundamental pattern of eating disordered behavior. This pattern consisted of going on and off diets with an accompanying complaint of a lack of confidence in recognizing and identifying sensations of hunger and satiety. Females differed from males in that they reported more anorexic behavior and scored significantly higher on most measures of eating disordered behavior. Although the fundamental pattern of disordered eating leading to bulimia may be similar between the sexes, females appear to be at greater risk to the development of these behaviors.
Charge fluctuations under the Coulomb blockade conditions

Abstract We study the Coulomb blockade in a quantum dot connected to a bulk lead by a single-mode quantum point contact. If the transmission coefficient of the contact is close to unity, the ground state energy and the average charge in the dot have small corrections oscillating as functions of gate voltage. These oscillations can be observed by measuring the capacitance between the gate and the lead. Near the points where the dot charge is half-integer the capacitance shows a non-analytic behavior identical to the non-Fermi-liquid susceptibility of a two-channel spin- 1 2 Kondo model.
Stochastic particle acceleration and statistical closures

In a recent paper, Maasjost and Elsasser (ME) concluded, from the results of numerical experiments and heuristic arguments, that the Bourret and the direct-interaction approximation (DIA) are “of no use in connection with the stochastic acceleration problem” because (1) their predictions were equivalent to that of the simpler Fokker-Planck (FP) theory, and (2) either all or none of the closures were in good agreement with the data. Here some analytically tractable cases are studied and used to test the accuracy of these closures. The cause of the discrepancy (2) is found to be the highly non-Gaussian nature of the force used by ME, a point not stressed by them. For the case where the force is a position-independent Ornstein-Uhlenbeck (i.e., Gaussian) process, an effective Kubo numberK can be defined. ForK≪1 an FP description is adequate, and conclusion (1) of ME follows; however, forK>1 the DIA behaves much better qualitatively than the other two closures. For the non-Gaussian stochastic force used by ME, all common approximations fail, in agreement with (2).
A Scalable, Enantioselective Synthesis of the α2-Adrenergic Agonist, Lofexidine

A scalable and high-yielding synthetic route toward pure enantiomers of the α2-adrenergic agonist, lofexidine hydrochloride, is presented. Salient features include a rapid one-pot amide alkylation-imidazoline formation sequence on the carboxamide function of α-(2,6-dichlorophenoxy)propionamide, while preserving the sensitive configuration about the α-carbon of the resulting product. A means to accelerate the sluggish O-alkylation of the carboxamide function of α-(2,6-dichlorophenoxy)propionamide by Me3O+BF4− is also described, which may be of general applicability.
Enhanced metabolic capacity of the frontal cerebral cortex after Pavlovian conditioning.

Abstract While Pavlovian conditioning alters stimulus-evoked metabolic activity in the cerebral cortex, less is known about the effects of Pavlovian conditioning on neuronal metabolic capacity. Pavlovian conditioning may increase prefrontal cortical metabolic capacity, as suggested by evidence of changes in cortical synaptic strengths, and evidence for a shift in memory initially processed in subcortical regions to more distributed prefrontal cortical circuits. Quantitative cytochrome oxidase histochemistry was used to measure cumulative changes in brain metabolic capacity associated with both cued and contextual Pavlovian conditioning in rats. The cued conditioned group received tone–foot-shock pairings to elicit a conditioned freezing response to the tone conditioned stimulus, while the contextually conditioned group received pseudorandom tone–foot-shock pairings in an excitatory context. Untrained control group was handled daily, but did not receive any tone presentations or foot shocks. The cued conditioned group had higher cytochrome oxidase activity in the infralimbic and anterior cingulate cortex, and lower cytochrome oxidase activity in dorsal hippocampus than the other two groups. A significant increase in cytochrome oxidase activity was found in anterior cortical areas (medial, dorsal and lateral frontal cortex; agranular insular cortex; lateral and medial orbital cortex and prelimbic cortex) in both conditioned groups, as compared with the untrained control group. In addition, no differences in cytochrome oxidase activity in the somatosensory regions and the amygdala were detected among all groups. The findings indicate that cued and contextual Pavlovian conditioning induces sustained increases in frontal cortical neuronal metabolic demand resulting in regional enhancement in the metabolic capacity of anterior cortical regions. Enhanced metabolic capacity of these anterior cortical areas after Pavlovian conditioning suggests that the frontal cortex may play a role in the retention and regulation of learned associations.
An Examination of the Factor Structures and Concurrent Validities for the Computer Attitude Scale, the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale, and the Computer Self-Efficacy Scale:

Data collected from 693 university personnel were used to evaluate the factor structures and concurrent validity of the Computer Attitude Scale, the Computer Anxiety Rating Scale, and the Computer Self-Efficacy Scale. Principal factor analyses for each of the three scales resulted in interpretable factor solutions with high alpha reliabilities. Intercorrelations among the derived factors demonstrated the concurrent validity of the three instruments.
Anatomical organization of cerebral neocortex in tissue culture

Cerebral neocortical explants derived from 2 or 3 day old mice demonstrate a remarkable degree of neuronal and architectural maturation after several weeks in vitro. Pyramidal neurons contain apical dendrites with oblique branches and well formed branched basal dendrites with dendritic spines. A laminar organization of both neurons and fibers is readily apparent. Neurites are organized into four major bundles, including tangential, submarginal, intermediate, and deep bands. Many cultures also contain a rich plexus of subcortical fibers. The pattern of organization which develops in vitro is unique to cultures of cerebral neocortex, and it serves to distinguish them from cultures of spinal cord, cerebellum and hippocampus, all of which have their own characteristics architectural features. Tissue culture studies indicate that isolated fragments of nervous tissue have a high degree of intrinsic developmental capability. These observations suggest that some aspects of structural development of the nervous system may be rather rigidly determined.
Enhanced Ca2+ channel currents in cardiac hypertrophy induced by activation of calcineurin-dependent pathway.

Cardiac-specific expression of an activated calcineurin protein in the hearts of transgenic (CLN) mice produces a profound hypertrophy that rapidly progresses to heart failure. While calcineurin is regulated by Ca2+, the potential effects of calcineurin on cardiac myocyte Ca2+ handling has not been evaluated. To this end, we examined L-type Ca2+ currents (I(Ca)) in left ventricular myocytes. CLN myocytes had larger (approximately 80%) cell capacitance and enhanced I(Ca) density (approximately 20%) compared with non-transgenic (NTG) littermates, but no change in the current-voltage relationship, single-channel conductance or protein levels of alpha 1 or beta 2 subunit of L-type Ca2+ channels. Interestingly, the kinetics of I(Ca) inactivation was faster (approximately two-fold) in CLN myocytes compared with NTG myocytes. Ryanodine application slowed the rate of I(Ca) inactivation in both groups and abolished the kinetic difference, suggesting that Ca2+ dependent inactivation is increased in CLN myocytes due to altered SR Ca2+ release. Treatment of CLN mice with Cyclosporine A (CsA), a calcineurin inhibitor, prevented myocyte hypertrophy and changes in I(Ca) activity and inactivation kinetics. However, there was no direct effect of CsA on I(Ca) in either NTG or CLN myocytes, suggesting that endogenous calcineurin activity does not directly regulate Ca2+ channel activity. This interpretation is consistent with the observation that I(Ca) density, inactivation kinetics and regulation by isoproterenol were normal in cardiac-specific transgenic mice expressing calcineurin inhibitory protein domains from either Cain or AKAP79. Taken together these data suggest that chronic activation of calcineurin is associated with myocyte hypertrophy and a secondary enhancement of intracellular Ca2+ handling that is tied to the hypertrophy response itself.
Solution conformations of the N-terminal CNBr fragment of glycogen phosphorylase and its interaction with calmodulin.

Abstract The CNBr peptides, CBPa and CBPb, corresponding to the N-terminal 1–91 amino acid residues of glycogen-phosphorylase a and b , respectively, were purified and characterized. CD, 31 P-NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to assess the structural organization of the cyanogen bromide peptides in solution. The cyanogen bromide peptides yielded 21% of α-helical structures by CD compared to a calculated value of 36.3%. These peptides interact with calmodulin which induces measurable α-helices in the cyanogen bromide peptides. The helix stabilizing reagent, trifluoroethanol, induces high numbers of α-helices in CBP, thereby demonstrating the conformation fluidity of this peptide. The dissociation constants for calmodulin and CBP estimated by fluorescence titrations were 36.0 and 29.9 nM for CBPb in the presence of Ca 2+ and EGTA, respectively. The phosphorylated residue in CBPa causes a decrease in binding interactions with calmodulin and corresponding values obtained for CBPa by fluorescence titration are 56.0 and 141.0 nM, respectively. The Ser-P-14 of CBPa is titratable, yielding a p K a = 5.45 and a Hill coefficient of 1.5. A helical wheel analysis using a computer program in PC/GENE of the CBP show that peptide stretches in the α-1 and α-2 helices are most basic and fairly amphiphilic and therefore represent the most probable segment for CaM binding. It is this structural character of these segments which presumably confer the ability to bind CaM and facilitate some of the allosteric transitions of glycogen phosphorylase.
How well does Poisson-Boltzmann implicit solvent agree with explicit solvent? A quantitative analysis.

We have quantitatively studied the performance of a finite-difference Poisson−Boltzmann implicit solvent with respect to the TIP3P explicit solvent in a range of systems of biochemical interest. An overall agreement was found between the tested implicit and explicit solvents for hydrogen-bonding/salt-bridging dimers and peptide monomers and dimers of different conformations and different lengths. These comparative analyses also indicate a good transferability of empirically optimized parameters for the implicit solvent from small training molecules to large testing peptides. However, deviations between the two tested solvents are also apparent. Specifically, a consistent deviation was observed when hydrogen-bonding or salt-bridging dimers are within 4−6 A. The deviation reaches a maximum at about 5.5 A, the so-called water-bridging distance. The tested implicit solvent, even with optimized parameters, cannot capture the subtle fluctuation in the distance-dependent reaction field energy profiles, although ...
Turbulence measurements and noise generation in a transonic cryogenic wind tunnel

A high-frequency combination probe was used to measure dynamic flow quality in the test section of the NASA Langley 0.3-m Transonic Cryogenic Tunnel. The probe measures fluctuating stagnation (total) temperature and pressure, static pressure, and flow angles in two orthogonal planes. Simultaneous measurements of unsteady total temperature and pressure were also made in the settling chamber of the tunnel. The data show that the stagnation temperature fluctuations remain constant, and the stagnation pressure fluctuations increase by a factor of two, as the flow accelerates from the settling chamber to the test section. In the test section, the maximum rms value of the normalized fluctuating velocity is 0.7 percent. Correlation coefficients failed to show vorticity, entropy, or sound as the dominant mode of turbulence in the tunnel.
Whence and Whither Research on Political Diversity? Toward Turning Up the Volume on a More Research-Based Conversation.

This research note reviews the very limited historical tradition of empirical enquiry into social workers' political diversity, its correlates, and its consequences. Implications for future research and for social work education are suggested.
Electric Dipole Moments of Rare-Gas Diatomic Molecules

Electric dipole moment and interatomic potential functions are computed for the diatomic systems HeNe, HeAr, and NeAr, in the molecular Hartree-Fock approximation. Since this approximation does not include a description of dispersion forces, the potential curves are purely repulsive. The potential and moment functions can all be fitted closely by simple exponential functions over the range of internuclear distances considered, $2.0\ensuremath{\le}R\ensuremath{\le}5.5{a}_{0}$ (Bohr units). The relationship of these functions to recent studies of collision-induced infrared absorption in rare-gas mixtures is discussed. The results can be understood qualitatively in terms of a simple model of atomic moments induced because the exclusion principle causes electrons to be displaced with respect to nuclei during a collision of molecular systems.
The Pareto distribution for low grazing angle and high resolution X-band sea clutter

A radar pulse that impinges upon a radar resolution area of the sea surface produces backscattered returns which are called sea clutter. For low grazing angles and very fine radar cell resolution areas, the clutter intensity distribution departs significantly from the exponential distribution. In this case, the clutter is said to display spiky behavior and the distribution of the intensity develops a much longer tail relative to the exponential distribution. Statistical analysis of collected data near a grazing angle of 0.2° at X-band from the sea off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii are examined relative to the log-normal, Weibull and K distributions. Based on an analogy of sea clutter and other disciplines including computer networks and finance, we also apply the Pareto distribution to the collected data. We also compare the data to the WW and KK two-population mixture distributions. Maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters of the distributions are obtained from the measured data. In all cases, the two population mixture distributions and the Pareto distribution are more accurate than the three classical distributions. However the Pareto distribution has the advantage of being an analytically tractable two parameter distribution while having similar accuracy to the five parameter WW and KK at critical values.
Stellar Coronal Abundances at Intermediate-Activity Levels: ξ UMa

We present an analysis of Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating (HETG) spectra of the corona of the critical intermediate-activity, quadruple stellar system ξ UMa. Using the maximum A/B subsystem separation in 2001, we attempted to resolve for the first time in X-rays the two components using the HETG Medium Energy Grating (MEG). We found the Aa component of the system to be at least 2 orders of magnitude fainter than the Bb component. We used the Markov Chain Monte Carlo method to reconstruct differential emission measures (DEMs) and abundances and discuss first ionization potential (FIP) issues. The reconstructed DEMs showed two pronounced peaks at log T ≈ 6.5 and log T ≈ 7.0 K, respectively, similar to brighter solar active regions. A plot of coronal abundances, with respect to stellar photospheric, versus FIP reveals that the FIP behavior of ξ UMa is intermediate between less and more active stars, commensurate with its X-ray luminosity. The abundances of Mg, Fe, and Si are just subsolar, with Fe having the lowest abundance of these. The low-FIP elements Na and Al have similar abundances, and they are both higher than the Mg, Fe, and Si group. The abundances show a minimum at S, rising gradually to Ne, which is higher than photospheric, as has been seen by other authors on similar stars. Some of the FIP behavior seen here is predicted by the new ponderomotive force model of Laming.
Control Appraisals as Moderators of the Relationship Between Intrusive Thoughts and Coping1

This study examined the relationship between intrusive thinking, control appraisals, and coping strategies within the context of stressful negative events using a short-term longitudinal design. Although intrusive thoughts were not related to problem-focused coping at Time 1, these cognitions were positively associated with problem-focused coping at subsequent reporting periods. Intrusive thoughts were positively associated with behavioral engagement. Perceived control was positively associated with problem-focused coping across all reporting periods, whereas perceptions of other's culpability were positively related to behavioral disengagement for all time periods except Time 1. There was limited support for the hypothesis that appraisals of control would moderate the relationship between intrusive thinking and coping behaviors.
Photochemical degradation of phenanthrene as a function of natural water variables modeling freshwater to marine environments

Abstract Photolysis rates of phenanthrene as a function of ionic strength (salinity), oxygen levels and humic acid concentrations were measured in aqueous solution over the range of conditions found in fresh to marine waters. Photolysis followed first order kinetics, with an estimated photodegradation half-life in sunlight in pure water of 10.3 ± 0.7 h, in the mid-range of published results. Photolysis rate constants decreased by a factor of 5 in solutions with humic acid concentrations from 0 to 10 mg C L−1. This decrease could be modeled entirely based on competitive light absorption effects due to the added humics. No significant ionic strength or oxygen effects were observed, consistent with a direct photolysis mechanism. In the absence of significant solution medium effects, the photodegradation lifetime of phenanthrene will depend only on solar fluxes (i.e. temporal and seasonal changes in sunlight) and not vary with a freshwater to marine environment.
MNDO calculation of kinetic isotope effects in model cytochrome P-450 oxidations

The semiempirical MNDO SCF-MO method has been used to calculate kinetic isotope effects for the reactions of singlet and triplet oxygen with methylamine, methanol, and ethane. These reactions were chosen as models for cytochrome P-450 catalyzed N-dealkylation, O-dealkylation, and carbon oxidation. The reactant-like transition states were qualitatively similar for each substrate. The singlet reactions led to oxygen insertion via an attachment-rearrangement mechanism, while the triplet reactions proceeded via a hydrogen radical abstraction-recombination mechanism. For the singlet reactions with methylamine, methanol, and ethane, calculated deuterium isotope effects of 1.63, 1.68, and 1.65, respectively, were obtained. For the triplet reactions, the corresponding values were 8.19, 8.35, and 8.75. Comparison with experimental isotope effects suggests that P-450-mediated O-dealkylation and carbon oxidation, but not N-dealkylation, proceed via a mechanism involving H. abstraction by a triplet ''oxene-like'' species.
The Role of Magnesium in Immunity

Abstract Magnesium-dependent functions in the synthesis, release, and activity of cells of the immune system have been reported from in vivo and in vitro studies. Magnesium deficiency in animals is associated with impaired function of both humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Production and activity, including cell adhesion, of granulocytes and mononuclear phagocytes are affected by the availability of magnesium. Levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) may be reduced, and IgE increased during magnesium deficiency. The latter observation suggests a role for magnesium in immediate hypersensitivity which is supported in some studies. Complement activation by the alternative pathway, but perhaps also by the classical pathway, is magnesium-dependent. Data indicate a role for magnesium in the proliferation and function of lymphocytes. For example, magnesium is required for the adhesion-recognition phase of the cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) reaction. Under some circumstances, magnesium may be anticarcinogenic, while unde...
Evaluating nuclear fuel cycles Decision analysis and probability assessments

Abstract The authors report upon a decision analysis experiment conducted among 16 individuals who were well informed on the topic of nuclear weapons proliferation and on the civilian use of plutonium fuel cycles. The results are troublesome to those who believe in the possibility of objective scientific judgments in an area as polarized as this one has become. Depending upon whether one supports or opposes plutonium fuel cycles, estimates are adopted for such quantities as uranium availability and energy demand growth, in accordance with one's views on plutonium fuel cycles. This finding could help explain why it has proved so difficult to reach a factual consensus within expert working groups - each specializing in a particular aspect of the overall problem. It appears that, consciously or subconsciously, the expert committees are simultaneously debating the larger issues that confront society.
Chemical reaction rates of quasi-free electrons in non-polar liquids. The equilibrium CO2 + e− CO2−

The forward and reverse rates of the reaction CO2 + e− CO2− were determined in tetramethylsilane, neopentane and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane as a function of temperature. The forward reaction is exothermic in solution but the equilibrium constant shifts over four orders of magnitude with changes in solvent. The change in entropy for the forward reaction is approximately the same (−44 cal/mol degree) in the three solvents.
Pollen Wettability as a Factor in Washout by Raindrops

Easily wettable pollen particles (contact angle θ 90o) by a simple laboratory test. Although some differences in degree of wettability were observed among the 15 pollens tested, all were wettable and most were strongly wettable. Grain wettability is not likely to suppress rain-scavenging efficiencies.
897 A “BILAYER-COUPLE” MECHANISM MEDIATES RBC SHAPE ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS WITH CERTAIN CONGENITAL DISORDERS OF GLYCOLYSIS OR LIPID METABOLISM

897 A “BILAYER-COUPLE” MECHANISM MEDIATES RBC SHAPE ABNORMALITIES IN PATIENTS WITH CERTAIN CONGENITAL DISORDERS OF GLYCOLYSIS OR LIPID METABOLISM
Influence of tissue freezing on the binding of 125I-sarcosine1, isoleucine8 angiotensin II to angiotensin II receptor subtypes in the rat.

Abstract Evaluation of angiotensin II (AII) receptor binding often necessitates freezing of the tissue of interest prior to assay of radioligand binding. This study evaluated the effects of freezing of various rat tissues at different rates on 125 I-sarcosine 1 , isoleucine 8 angiotensin II ( 125 I-SI AII) binding to AII receptor subtypes. Slow freezing in a −20°C compartment significantly reduced 125 I-SI AII binding to AT 1 receptors in the adrenal (51%), epididymis (34%), and liver (22%). Binding of 125 I-SI AII to the AT 1 receptor in the brain was not significantly reduced. In the adrenal, both the Bmax and affinity of AT 1 receptors were decreased by freezing. But in the epididymis, only the affinity of AT 1 receptors was decreased. Binding of 125 I-SI AII to AT 2 receptors in the adrenal, epididymis, and brain was also not significantly reduced by freezing. Further evaluation of the mechanism of the reduction in 125 I-SI AII binding to AT 1 receptors in the adrenal indicated that both the receptor density and affinity for 125 I-SI AII were decreased by freezing. Rapid freezing in a dry-ice bath caused even greater reductions in 125 I-SI AII binding to AT 1 receptors in the adrenal. Snap freezing in liquid nitrogen decreased 125 I-SI AII binding in adrenals to a similar extent as did slow freezing. These results suggest that studies of AII receptor subtypes that involve freezing of the tissues underestimate the density and affinity of the AT 1 receptor subtype.
A histological description of pigment distribution in the eyes of guinea‐pigs of various genetic types

A histological study was made in the guinea-pig of the distribution of melanin pigment in the normal dark-eye and in various mutant types, such as the brown type of dark-eye (b), light and dark salmon-eye (sm), dark red-eye (crB), brown red-eye (crb), albino (ca), pink-eye (p), and pseudopink-eye (P sm b). The genes which affect pigmentation in the eye have definite qualitative or quantitative effects on the production of melanin. Eyes of the genetic constitution ca, p, or sm possess very little pigment. But eyes which have the dominant allelomorphs of these genes, C, P, or Sm, have a large amount of pigment. The non-yellow gene, cr, and the brown gene, b, cause the deeper retinal layer, which is normally intensely pigmented throughout its entirety, to become less pigmented. There is a corresponding reduction in the melanin in the pigmented areas of the iris and choroid. In all types of eyes with reduced pigment, such as the albino, pink-eye, and pseudopink-eye, pigment persists in the deeper retinal layer even when it is almost absent from other regions. Moreover, in all eyes which have less pigment than the normal type there is a decided tendency for chromatophores to be located adjacent to blood vessels. This tendency is outstanding in the iris and quite noticeable in the choroid.