Measurement of the Ec.m. = 184 keV resonance strength in the 26gAl (p, gamma)27 Si reaction.

The strength of the Ec.m. = 184 keV resonance in the 26gAl(p, gamma)27 reaction has been measured in inverse kinematics using the DRAGON recoil separator at TRIUMF's ISAC facility. We measure a value of omega gamma = 35 +/- 7 microeV and a resonance energy of Ec.m. = 184 +/- 1 keV, consistent with p-wave proton capture into the 7652(3) keV state in 27Si, and discuss the implications of these values for 26GAl nucleosynthesis in typical oxygen-neon white-dwarf novae.

Measurement of the cascade transition via the first excited state of 16O in the 12C(alpha,gamma)16O reaction, and its S factor in stellar helium burning.

Radiative alpha-particle capture into the first excited, J(pi)=0+ state of 16O at 6.049 MeV excitation energy has rarely been discussed as contributing to the 12C(alpha,gamma)16O reaction cross section due to experimental difficulties in observing this transition. We report here measurements of this radiative capture in 12C(alpha,gamma)16O for center-of-mass energies of E=2.22 MeV to 5.42 MeV at the DRAGON recoil separator. To determine cross sections, the acceptance of the recoil separator has been simulated in GEANT as well as measured directly. The transition strength between resonances has been identified in R-matrix fits as resulting both from E2 contributions as well as E1 radiative capture. Details of the extrapolation of the total cross section to low energies are then discussed [S6.0(300)=25(-15)(+16) keV b] showing that this transition is likely the most important cascade contribution for 12C(alpha,gamma)16O.

Scalar interaction limits from the beta-nu correlation of trapped radioactive atoms.

We have set limits on contributions of scalar interactions to nuclear beta decay. A magneto-optical trap provides a localized source of atoms suspended in space, so the low-energy recoiling nuclei can freely escape and be detected in coincidence with the beta. This allows reconstruction of the neutrino momentum, and the measurement of the beta-nu correlation, in a more direct fashion than previously possible. The beta-nu correlation parameter of the 0(+)-->0(+) pure Fermi decay of (38)K(m) is a =0.9981+/-0.0030+0.0032 / -0.0037, consistent with the standard model prediction a =1.

21Na(p,gamma)22Mg reaction and oxygen-neon novae.

The 21Na(p,gamma)22Mg reaction is expected to play an important role in the nucleosynthesis of 22Na in oxygen-neon novae. The decay of 22Na leads to the emission of a characteristic 1.275 MeV gamma-ray line. This report provides the first direct measurement of the rate of this reaction using a radioactive 21Na beam, and discusses its astrophysical implications. The energy of the important state was measured to be E(c.m.)=205.7+/-0.5 keV with a resonance strength omegagamma=1.03+/-0.16(stat)+/-0.14(sys) meV.

Novel search for heavy nu mixing from the beta+ decay of 38mK confined in an atom trap.

A new technique, full neutrino momentum reconstruction, is used to set limits on the admixture of heavy neutrinos into the electron neutrino. We measure coincidences between nuclear recoils and positrons from the beta decay of trapped radioactive atoms and deduce the neutrino momentum. A search for peaks in the reconstructed recoil time-of-flight spectrum as a function of positron energy is performed. The admixture upper limits range from 4 x 10(-3) to 2 x 10(-2) and are the best direct limits for neutrinos (as opposed to antineutrinos) for the mass region of 0.7 to 3.5 MeV.

Precise half-life measurement for the superallowed 0(+)-->0(+) beta emitter (74)Rb: first results from the new radioactive beam facility (ISAC) at TRIUMF.

Presently, the world data for superallowed beta decay leads to a result in disagreement (at the 98% confidence level) with the predictions of the minimal standard model for the unitarity of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix. Precise data for the superallowed 0(+)-->0(+) beta decay of (74)Rb would provide a critical test of the nucleus-dependent isospin symmetry-breaking corrections that must be calculated for these superallowed Fermi beta decays. The present work reports the first precise measurement of the half-life for (74)Rb ( t(1/2) = 64.761+/-0.031 ms). The data were obtained at the radioactive beam facility (ISAC) at TRIUMF using a beam of approximately 4000 (74)Rb ions s(-1).

The company they keep: the influence of peer relationships on adjustment to cystic fibrosis during adolescence.

A grounded theory approach was used to explore the influence of peer relationships on adjustment to cystic fibrosis (CF) in 15 adolescents. Discovering the course was the core category that captured the influence of peers on adjustment to CF. Four subcategories were identified: (1) losing ground, (2) being out of the loop, (3) finding a new company of friends, (4) fighting a never-ending battle. The downward progression of CF and increasing social interactions with peers with CF during hospitalization helped them learn CF was a lifelong disease with relentless demands. Interventions should focus on strategies for promoting peer support, a positive attitude, and hope to create a sense of belonging, social competence, and well-being.

Playing for time: adolescent perspectives of lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis.

A single-case study approach was used to provide an in-depth examination of the special events surrounding the decision of a 21-year-old adolescent to undergo lung transplantation for end-stage cystic fibrosis. The central theme "playing for time" characterized the interplay between the disease progression and adolescent development as illustrated by 3 subthemes: (a) a strange balance; (b) playing chicken; and (c) being listed. The adolescent's developmental needs provided the context for the struggle with the competing demands of physiologic and psychologic readiness for the transplant, quality-of-life issues, and a renewed hope for the future. Developmental needs were more important to the adolescent than the opportunity for increased length of survival provided by lung transplantation. Advanced practice nurses are in an excellent position to provide continuity of care for chronic illness management over time and across settings.

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine:salicylic acid carboxyl methyltransferase, an enzyme involved in floral scent production and plant defense, represents a new class of plant methyltransferases.

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine:salicylic acid carboxyl methyltransferase (SAMT) was partially purified from petals of the annual California plant Clarkia breweri. SAMT catalyzes the formation of methylsalicylate, an important floral scent compound in C. breweri, from salicylic acid and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM). The native enzyme is a dimer with a subunit molecular weight of 40.3 kDa, and it has a Km for salicylic acid of 24 microM and a Km for SAM of 9 microM. A cDNA encoding SAMT was isolated from a C. breweri cDNA library prepared from floral mRNA. The sequence of the protein encoded by SAMT cDNA shows no significant sequence similarity to any protein in the data bank whose biochemical function is known. It does show significant sequence similarity (20-40% identity) to proteins encoded by at least seven Arabidopsis thaliana genes whose sequences have recently been determined in large-scale sequencing projects. The C. breweri SAMT cDNA was expressed in E. coli and the bacterial cells synthesized a functional SAMT protein with properties nearly identical to those of the plant-purified enzyme.

Gaining freedom: self-responsibility in adolescents with diabetes.

This exploratory, qualitative pilot study explored the meaning of the chronic illness experience for adolescents with diabetes in relation to taking on responsibility for their own care. Four adolescents aged 15 to 17 years with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus participated in indepth interviews. Gaining freedom was the central phenomenon that captured the process of gaining self-responsibility in diabetes management during adolescence. Three themes marked the process: (a) making it fit; (b) being ready and willing; and (c) having a safety net of friends. These adolescents described a gradual transition from dependence to independence in learning to manage their diabetes. These findings should cause advanced practice nurses to re-evaluate their frameworks for adolescents with diabetes and develop a collaborative approach. Intervention strategies must be developed that incorporate adolescent developmental needs, determine readiness and motivation to learn, and provide opportunities to practice independence in self-management.

The usefulness of an assessment of emotional involvement of HIV-positive mothers and their infants.

INTRODUCTION: A positive mother-infant relationship is crucial for optimal child development; however, many factors may interfere with the development of a such a relationship. One group at risk for compromised mother-infant interactions is women with HIV infection. The purposes of this study were (a) to examine the usefulness of the Attachment During Stress scale (ADS) for measuring the emotional involvement of HIV-positive mothers with their infants during a clinic visit and (b) to explore the effects of maternal health status, age, parity, and educational level on mother-infant involvement. METHOD: A descriptive, longitudinal study was conducted with 57 primarily African American HIV-positive mothers and their infants who were patients at 1 of 2 regional referral centers. The ADS was completed during the child's physical examination at 3, 6, and 12 months of age, and mothers completed questionnaires during these visits. RESULTS: Maternal age, education level, health status, and parity were not related to maternal emotional involvement. However, the emotional involvement of the mother and infant were correlated (r = 0.73, P < .001). DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that the ADS may be a useful screening tool to supplement the nurse's clinical judgment in a pediatric outpatient setting. The ADS provides some useful information about the emotional involvement of the mother and infant, although it does not provide a comprehensive assessment of their relationship.

Acetyl-CoA:benzylalcohol acetyltransferase--an enzyme involved in floral scent production in Clarkia breweri.

Volatile esters impart distinct characteristics to the floral scent of many plants, and are important in attracting insect pollinators. They are also important flavor compounds in fruits. The ester benzylacetate is a major constituent of the floral scent of Clarkia breweri, an annual plant native to California. The enzyme acetyl-CoA:benzylalcohol acetyltransferase (BEAT), which catalyzes the formation of benzylacetate, has been purified from C. breweri petals, and a cDNA encoding this enzyme has been isolated and characterized. The sequence of the 433-residue BEAT protein does not show high similarity to any previously characterized protein, but a 35-residue region from position 135-163 has significant similarity (42-56% identity) to several proteins known or suspected to use an acyl-CoA substrate. E. coli cells expressing C. breweri BEAT produced enzymatically active protein, and also synthesized benzylacetate and secreted it into the medium. Of the different parts of the C. breweri flower, petals contained the majority of BEAT transcripts, and no BEAT mRNA was detected in leaves. The levels of BEAT mRNA in the petals increased as the bud matured, and peaked at anthesis, paralleling changes in BEAT activity. However, three days after anthesis, mRNA levels began a steep decline, whereas BEAT activity remained high for the next two days, suggesting that the BEAT protein is relatively stable.

The child's eye: memories of growing up with cystic fibrosis.

This qualitative study used a grounded theory approach to explore adolescent conceptualizations of their chronic illness experience and related life events. A purposive sample of 20 adolescents (12-18 years of age) with cystic fibrosis were interviewed. Adolescents used three protective strategies for reducing a sense of difference from peers: (1) keeping secrets, (2) hiding visible differences, and (3) discovering a new baseline. "Good friends" were a critical source of support and decreased the importance of differences in their social world. Interventions should focus on strategies for dealing with difficult peer situations and the negative reactions of others.

Through the looking glass: children's perceptions of growing up with cystic fibrosis.

This qualitative study used a grounded theory approach to explore the unfolding of the chronic illness experience for children during middle childhood. A purposive sample of 20 children (6-12 years) with cystic fibrosis (CF) were interviewed. Discovering a sense of difference was found to be the central phenomenon that described the experience of having CF during the middle childhood years. Four central themes emerged in the stories of these children: (a) puzzling out the diagnosis, (b) being teased and picked on, (c) telling others, and (d) keeping up. The study concluded that interventions must focus on the psychosocial demands made on children with CF along their course of development. By designing interventions around meaningful outcomes in their daily lives, we will help children with CF find ways to feel normal while adhering to treatment regimens, thereby helping to improve the quality of their lives.