cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Terrorism as Hazard and Disaster

Terrorism research has evolved as violence has evolved. The initial focus was on revolutionary violence during the post-World War II anti-colonial wars and then on the violent extension of the Cold War by surrogates acting for the United States and the Soviet Union and their allies. Research on the capabilities of guerrilla forces and the effectiveness of counter-terrorist forces followed. By the 1960s and 1970s, researchers were also focusing on the violence associated with political protest, including violent attacks on protesters, with a particular focus on groups choosing violence over peaceful protest. By the 1980s, anti-government violence by right-wing groups had become more frequent with attacks on government facilities, law enforcement officers, forest rangers and other government representatives. The 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center towers in 2001 brought a shift in focus to transnational groups, such as al-Qaeda and now ISIL, and the dynamics of their organizations.
Physical modeling of a conical lip reed instrument

A model of a brass instrument is described in which the air flow and pressure inside the instrument are computed with the Navier-Stokes equations and the motion of the player's lips are described using the swinging lip model of Adachi and Sato [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 99, 1200–1209 (1996)]. Using the Navier-Stokes equations to treat the air motion allows the calculation of the spatial variations and time dependences of the pressure and velocity near the lips, which has not been possible with previous modeling approaches. Detailed results for these quantities and for the lip motion are presented, and compared with the results of previous modeling of lip reed instruments and with available experimental results. Shortcomings are found in previous treatments of the aerodynamic force on the lips, and the implications of this result for first-principles modeling of brass instruments are discussed.
Operation Thin Mint: Popular Geopolitics of Care and Post-9/11 Girlhood:

In response to the events of 9/11, the Girl Scouts of San Diego created a service programme within the annual Girl Scout cookie sale called Operation Thin Mint, which sends cookies to soldiers serv...
Molecular classification of patients with grade II/III glioma using quantitative MRI characteristics.

Molecular markers of WHO grade II/III glioma are known to have important prognostic and predictive implications and may be associated with unique imaging phenotypes. The purpose of this study is to determine whether three clinically relevant molecular markers identified in gliomas—IDH, 1p/19q, and MGMT status—show distinct quantitative MRI characteristics on FLAIR imaging. Sixty-one patients with grade II/III gliomas who had molecular data and MRI available prior to radiation were included. Quantitative MRI features were extracted that measured tissue heterogeneity (homogeneity and pixel correlation) and FLAIR border distinctiveness (edge contrast; EC). T-tests were conducted to determine whether patients with different genotypes differ across the features. Logistic regression with LASSO regularization was used to determine the optimal combination of MRI and clinical features for predicting molecular subtypes. Patients with IDH wildtype tumors showed greater signal heterogeneity (p = 0.001) and lower EC (p = 0.008) within the FLAIR region compared to IDH mutant tumors. Among patients with IDH mutant tumors, 1p/19q co-deleted tumors had greater signal heterogeneity (p = 0.002) and lower EC (p = 0.005) compared to 1p/19q intact tumors. MGMT methylated tumors showed lower EC (p = 0.03) compared to the unmethylated group. The combination of FLAIR border distinctness, heterogeneity, and pixel correlation optimally classified tumors by IDH status. Quantitative imaging characteristics of FLAIR heterogeneity and border pattern in grade II/III gliomas may provide unique information for determining molecular status at time of initial diagnostic imaging, which may then guide subsequent surgical and medical management.
Bifurcation and orientation-dependence of corrugation of 2D hexagonal boron nitride on palladium

Using ultra-high vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and density functional theory (DFT), we investigated the surface structure of 2D hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) domains on Pd(1 1 1). STM images of polydomain hBN monolayers, grown via dissociative chemisorption of borazine on Pd(1 1 1)/Al2O3(0 0 0 1) thin films, are acquired as a function of tunneling current and bias. The images reveal moire patterns with four periodicities λ = 0.6 ± 0.05 nm, 1.8 ± 0.14 nm, 2.7 ± 0.20 nm, and 2.8 ± 0.14 nm, corresponding to different orientations on Pd(1 1 1). We find that the apparent surface corrugation Δz in STM changes little with tunneling current, exhibits an oscillatory dependence on the bias voltage, and increases from Δz ≈ 14 pm for domains with λ = 0.6 nm to Δz ≈ 200 pm for λ = 2.8 nm. We attribute the observed tunneling-parameter dependence in Δz to the electronic structure of the hBN/Pd(1 1 1) system. Unlike any other monolayer hBN-on-metal system, we suggest that hBN/Pd can have either mainly geometric or mainly electronic corrugation, depending on the domain orientation. Furthermore, for the largest periodicities, we observe a bifurcation behavior in which some domains are nearly flat, and others develop significant hill-and-valley geometric corrugations. We expect a similar behavior for other substrates for which the interaction energy with hBN is intermediate, i.e. neither mostly chemical nor van der Waals binding: for these substrates, a similar approach can help identify interlayer interactions and electronic structure modifications.
Uncoupling Fermentative Synthesis of Molecular Hydrogen from Biomass Formation in Thermotoga maritima.

When carbohydrates are fermented by the hyperthermophilic anaerobe Thermotoga maritima, molecular hydrogen (H2) is formed in strict proportion to substrate availability. Excretion of the organic acids acetate and lactate provide an additional sink for removal of excess reductant. However, mechanisms controlling energy management of these metabolic pathways are largely unexplored. To investigate this topic, transient gene inactivation was used to block lactate production as a strategy to produce spontaneous mutant cell lines that overproduced H2 through mutation of unpredicted genetic targets. Single-crossover homologous chromosomal recombination was used to disrupt lactate dehydrogenase (encoded by ldh) with a truncated ldh fused to a kanamycin resistance cassette expressed from a native P groESL promoter. Passage of the unstable recombinant resulted in loss of the genetic marker and recovery of evolved cell lines, including strain Tma200. Relative to the wild type, and considering the mass balance of fermentation substrate and products, Tma200 grew more slowly, produced H2 at levels above the physiologic limit, and simultaneously consumed less maltose while oxidizing it more efficiently. Whole-genome resequencing indicated that the ABC maltose transporter subunit, encoded by malK3, had undergone repeated mutation, and high-temperature anaerobic [14C]maltose transport assays demonstrated that the rate of maltose transport was reduced. Transfer of the malK3 mutation into a clean genetic background also conferred increased H2 production, confirming that the mutant allele was sufficient for increased H2 synthesis. These data indicate that a reduced rate of maltose uptake was accompanied by an increase in H2 production, changing fermentation efficiency and shifting energy management.IMPORTANCE Biorenewable energy sources are of growing interest to mitigate climate change, but like other commodities with nominal value, require innovation to maximize yields. Energetic considerations constrain production of many biofuels, such as molecular hydrogen (H2) because of the competing needs for cell mass synthesis and metabolite formation. Here we describe cell lines of the extremophile Thermotoga maritima that exceed the physiologic limits for H2 formation arising from genetic changes in fermentative metabolism. These cell lines were produced using a novel method called transient gene inactivation combined with adaptive laboratory evolution. Genome resequencing revealed unexpected changes in a maltose transport protein. Reduced rates of sugar uptake were accompanied by lower rates of growth and enhanced productivity of H2.
Normalizing vs. analyzing: Drawing the lessons from failure to enhance firm innovativeness

Executive summary The popular business press and academic articles have promoted the virtues of failure, particularly in the pursuit of innovation. Surprisingly, there has been very little systematic empirical study to support this belief. This article distinguishes two organizational approaches to failure: normalizing it (tolerating failure as a necessary part of the innovation process) and analyzing it (purposeful attempts to convert failure experiences into knowledge). A longitudinal study of 106 U.S. manufacturing firms indeed finds that mere tolerance for failure has no effect on firm product innovativeness. In contrast, firms that make deliberate efforts to analyze past failures introduce more innovative new products. Further, this effect is contingent on a climate of constructive conflict within the firm. Hence, to foster firm innovativeness, organization members need to extract lessons from failure, and such analysis must take place in a climate of constructive conflict that enables open and honest discussion.
Toward Design-by-Contract Based Generative Tool for Object-Oriented System

Code generation tools are known to be highly effective for developing an object-oriented system, as these systems require developers to design the system early in the development. With the increased adoption of Agile methods for developing and managing software processes, many software industries have been using tools such as Jira and Agilean for project planning, monitoring, release management, retrospective analysis, and activity evaluation. The advantages of utilizing these tools are building a channel for communication, organizing and prioritizing work, visibility, flexibility, and transparency. However, these tools don't provide guidance in early stages of development. This paper introduces a tool that injects a new developer-centric artifact called developer story. Developer stories are short, structural descriptions of a system blueprint. The tool directs Agile developers in creating the detailed design of a system early in the development stage, after which it generates the source code supporting the Design by Contract approach. The essence of a developer-centric tool is to focus on what the developer needs to implement. We evaluate the tool by developing a small-scale application and demonstrating how the Design by Contract approach is applied.
Black Masculine Caring and the Dilemma Faced by Black Male Leaders.

The status of Black males in schools and society continues to be concerning, as Black males appear to fall behind other groups in almost every arena, particularly educationally, socially, and profe...
The Promotion of Empathy for the Experience of Users with Visual Impairment in the Game Design Education

People are constantly seeking new experiences through perceptions that involve practical and subjective aspects such as usability, efficiency, satisfaction, and accessibility. The advent of digital inclusion has encouraged the software development with support for accessibility, which is proposed to promote the improvement of the quality of life of people with some type of disability, although also reflects positively with people without disabilities. In this sense, accessible digital games constitute a growing demand and, among the different solutions that have been proposed, the audiogames propose to offer a differentiated user experience, with the exploration of different sound stimuli that complement the visual stimuli. Thus, audio features are explored with the aim of guiding the player about the game universe based on different sounds and such features are significant for the experience of visually impaired players. However, the development of audiogames that are really accessible and provide a satisfying interaction for visually impaired users is still a challenge for game designers, who need to develop empathy for their target audience by understanding their needs and expectations. This article presents an experience report involving the development of audiogames that, though considering the accessibility to visually impaired, focus on the experience provided to game designers without visually impaired so as to awaken in these the empathy for games accessible through the understanding of how sound stimuli can compensate for lack of vision.
Enlarged growth window for plasmonic silicon-doped InAs using a bismuth surfactant

Semiconductors such as InAs with high dopant concentrations have a variety of applications, including as components of mid-infrared optoelectronic devices. Unfortunately, growth of these materials by molecular beam epitaxy is challenging, requiring high growth rates and low growth temperatures. We show that the use of a bismuth surfactant improves silicon incorporation into InAs while simultaneously reducing the optical scattering rate, increasing the carrier mobility, reducing surface roughness, and enabling growth at higher substrate temperatures and slower growth rates. We explain our findings using microscopic theories of dopant segregation and defect formation in III-V materials.
Community Resilience and the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting

This chapter summarizes the circumstances, individual experiences, and community response to the mass shooting involving three separate Jewish congregations at the Tree of Life building in the Squirrel Hill section of Pittsburgh. Because the shooting involved three separate congregations, this author has designated it the Pittsburgh shooting. Utilizing testimony from the Pittsburgh Jewish community in the form of open-ended discussion, resilience themes were noted and tallied from ten individuals spanning millenials to octogenarians, survivors at the building that day to survivors of the Holocaust, and therapists/administrators leading post-incident counseling to religious leaders in the community – all connected to the congregations worshipping at the Tree of Life building. Topics involved this tragedy as well as broader anti-Semitism themes, including perceptions during their lives and in the aftermath of the shooting. Further discussion involved what behaviors or cognitive precepts promote resilience in the face of discrimination and trauma. Later commentary explores the characteristics of anti-Semitic-based trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder including similarities and differences from other types of violence-related trauma. The impact of social media sites that foment hate speech will be delineated in the context of mass shootings. Factors that support resilience and trauma prevention for individuals and the broader community will be listed.
Abstract TP110: Dissecting the Optimized Cytoprotective Responses of Arctic Ground Squirrels With CRISPR

Arctic ground squirrels (AGS) have evolved to survive harsh environmental conditions through hibernation. AGS retain resistance to stroke and ischemic injury independent of hibernation, suggesting ...
Bonding analysis of the effect of strain on trigger bonds in organic-cage energetic materials

Wiberg bond index and natural bond orbital analyses were used to examine the effect of strain on trigger bonds for a series of organic-cage molecules. In substituted cage hydrocarbons, weakening of the interior C–C bonds and strengthening of exterior C–X bonds are explained in terms of the contributions of the carbon 2s and 2p atomic orbitals to the bonds. The interior C–C, rather than C–NO2, bonds are expected to break to initiate explosive decomposition in nitro-substituted tetrahedranes, prismanes, and cubanes. Activation of C–C bonds in cage molecules increases with nitro substitution, but persubstituted cages are not necessarily the most activated. For example, heptanitrocubane is predicted to be more sensitive than octanitrocubane, consistent with experimental studies. In contrast, for a series of hypothetical nitroester substituted prismanes, the strengthening of the exterior C–ONO2 bond weakens the O–NO2 bond more than the interior C–C bonds. In CL-20 and TEX, cage strain as determined by WBI analysis in the fused five- and six-membered rings is less significant than for the cage hydrocarbon. In these known energetic materials, the N–NO2 trigger bonds are activated by the orientation of the nitro groups.
Organic Functionalized Graphene Oxide Behavior in Water.

Surface modified graphene oxide (GO) has received broad interest as a potential platform material for sensors, membranes, and sorbents, among other environmental applications. However, compared to parent (unmodified) GO, there is a dearth of information regarding the behavior of subsequently (secondary) modified GO, other than bulk natural organic matter (NOM) coating(s). Here, we systematically explore the critical role of organic functionalization with respect to GO stability in water. Specifically, we synthesized a matrix of GO-based materials considering a carefully chosen range of bound organic molecules (hydrophobic coatings: propylamine, tert-octylamine, and 1-adamantylamine; hydrophilic coatings: 3-amino-1-propanol and 3-amino-1-adamantanol), so that chemical structures and functional groups could be directly compared. GO (without organic functionalization) with varying oxidation extent(s) was also included for comparison. The material matrix was evaluated for aqueous stability by comparing critical coagulation concentration (CCC) as a function of varied ionic strength and type (NaCl, CaCl2, MgCl2, and MgSO4) at pH 7.0. Without surface derivatization (i.e., pristine GO), increased stability was observed with an increase in the GO oxidation state, which is supported by plate–plate Derjaguin, Landau, Verwey and Overbeek (DLVO) energy interaction analyses. For derivatized GO, we observed that hydrophilic additions (phi-GO) are relatively more stable than hydrophobic organic coated GO (pho-GO). We further explored this by altering a single OH group in the adamantane-x structure (3-amino-1-adamantanol vs. 1-adamantylamine). As expected, Ca2+ and monovalent co-ions play an important role in the aggregation of highly oxidized GO (HGO) and phi-GO, while the effects of divalent cations and co-ions were less significant for pho-GO. Taken together, this work provides new insight into the intricate dynamics of GO-based material stability in water as it relates to surface functionalization (surface energies) and ionic conditions including type of co- and counter-ion, valence, and concentration.
The MOSDEF-LRIS Survey: The connection between massive stars and ionized gas in individual galaxies at z ∼ 2

We present constraints on the massive star and ionized gas properties for a sample of 62 star-forming galaxies at $z\sim2.3$. Using BPASS stellar population models, we fit the rest-UV spectra of galaxies in our sample to estimate age and stellar metallicity which, in turn, determine the ionizing spectrum. In addition to the median properties of well-defined subsets of our sample, we derive the ages and stellar metallicities for 30 high-SNR individual galaxies -- the largest sample of individual galaxies at high redshift with such measurements. Most galaxies in this high-SNR subsample have stellar metallicities of $0.001<Z_*<0.004$. We then use Cloudy+BPASS photoionization models to match observed rest-optical line ratios and infer nebular properties. Our high-SNR subsample is characterized by a median ionization parameter and oxygen abundance, respectively, of $\log(U)_{\textrm{med}}=-2.98\pm0.25$ and $12+\log(\textrm{O/H})_{\textrm{med}}=8.48\pm0.11$. Accordingly, we find that all galaxies in our sample show evidence for $\alpha$-enhancement. In addition, based on inferred $\log(U)$ and $12+\log(\textrm{O/H})$ values, we find that the local relationship between ionization parameter and metallicity applies at $z\sim2$. Finally, we find that the high-redshift galaxies most offset from the local excitation sequence in the BPT diagram are the most $\alpha$-enhanced. This trend suggests that $\alpha$-enhancement resulting in a harder ionizing spectrum at fixed oxygen abundance is a significant driver of the high-redshift galaxy offset on the BPT diagram relative to local systems. The ubiquity of $\alpha$-enhancement among $z\sim2.3$ star-forming galaxies indicates important differences between high-redshift and local galaxies that must be accounted for in order to derive physical properties at high redshift.
What matters in school choice tie-breaking? How competition guides design

Abstract Many school districts apply the student-proposing deferred acceptance algorithm after ties among students are resolved exogenously. This paper compares two common tie-breaking rules: one in which all schools use a common lottery, and one in which each school uses a separate independent lottery. We identify the balance between supply and demand as the determining factor in this comparison. We analyze a two-sided assignment model with random preferences in over-demanded and under-demanded markets. In a market with a surplus of seats, a common lottery is less equitable, and there are efficiency tradeoffs between the two tie-breaking rules. However, a common lottery is always preferable when there is a shortage of seats in the sense of stochastic dominance of the rank distribution. The theory suggests that popular schools should use a common lottery to resolve ties. We run numerical experiments with New York City school choice data after partitioning the market into popular and non-popular schools. The experiments support our findings.
Online Deilberation Design: Choices, Criteria, and Evidence

This chapter reviews empirical evidence bearing on the design of online forums for deliberative civic engagement. Dimensions of design are defined for different aspects of the deliberation: its purpose, the target population, the spatio-temporal distance separating participants, the communication medium, and the deliberative process to be followed. After a brief overview of criteria for evaluating different design options, empirical findings are organized around design choices. Research has evolved away from treating technology for online deliberation dichotomously (either present or not) toward nuanced findings that differentiate between technological features, ways of using them, and cultural settings. The effectiveness of online deliberation depends on how well the communicative environment is matched to the deliberative task. Tradeoffs, e.g. between rich and lean media and between anonymous and identifiable participation, suggest different designs depending on the purpose and participants. Findings are limited by existing technologies, and may change as technologies and users co-evolve.
MeV electrons detected by the Alice UV spectrograph during the New Horizons flyby of Jupiter

[1] In early 2007, the New Horizons spacecraft flew through the Jovian magnetosphere on the dusk side. Here, we present results from a novel means of detecting energetic electrons along New Horizons' trajectory: the background count rate of the Alice ultraviolet spectrograph. Electrons with energies >1 MeV can penetrate the thin aluminum housing of Alice, interact with the microchannel plate detector, and produce a count that is indistinguishable from an FUV photon. We present Alice data, proportional to the MeV electron flux, from an 11-day period centered on the spacecraft's closest approach to Jupiter, and compare it to electron data from the PEPSSI instrument. We find that a solar wind compression event passed over the spacecraft just prior to it entering the Jovian magnetosphere. Subsequently, the magnetopause boundary was detected at a distance of 67 RJ suggesting a compressed magnetospheric configuration. Three days later, when the spacecraft was 35–90 RJ downstream of Jupiter, New Horizons observed a series of 15 current sheet crossings, all of which occurred significantly northward of model predictions implying solar wind influence over the middle and outer Jovian magnetosphere, even to radial distances as small as ∼35 RJ. In addition, we find the Jovian current sheet, which had a half-thickness of at least 7.4 RJ between 1930 and 2100 LT abruptly thinned to a thickness of ∼3.4 RJ around 2200 LT.
Coping with Cultural Differences

Cross-cultural issues in refugee and immigrant pediatrics affect communication, expectations, medical and mental health explanations, acceptance of treatment recommendations, and, ultimately, the quality of care. Medical relief workers, although enculturated by their specialty training, also have individual cultural experiences that affect their beliefs and values. A commitment to learn about the varying beliefs and cultural frames of reference that exist among colleagues and patients will strengthen the ability of relief workers to provide culturally competent and effective care.
A Grounded Theory of Model School Psychology Internship Supervision

Supervision is recognized as a critical component of preservice training in health service psychology (HSP), particularly during the internship experience. However, little is known empirically abou...
Efficient Predictive Control Scheme for Optimal Operation Five Level Four Switch Inverter

This paper presents a finite-set model predictive control (MPC) scheme for optimizing the operation of five-level inverter with only four switches for photovoltaic applications. The classical control schemes for multi-level inverters in particular the optimal topology considered in this paper are complex, multi-nested loop, and requires substantial tuning effort. Thus, achieving an efficient control scheme for grid interactive inverters based on classical control framework are not feasible in straight forward manner. For instance, the trending requirement to provide advance functionalities by the inverters at the grid-edge such as switching seamlessly between grid-following and grid-forming modes of operation to support the grid requires next generation control schemes. The proposed efficient model-based predictive control schemes leverage the inherent features of the MPC to optimally determine the switching states of a five-level four-switch inverter to track the desired command and setpoint by a supervisory controller or grid operator. The proposed scheme optimally selects the number of output voltage levels based on dc-link voltage conditions to minimize the total harmonic distortion; this process is implemented by just optimizing a constrained cost function that considers all the feasible switching states by only four-switches. The case studies demonstrate high power quality without requirement of burdensome tuning effort which paves the way towards more intelligent inverters at the grid-edge. Furthermore, the proposed controller features fast dynamic response as it is depicted in the case studies.
Special Function Unit for Statistical Aggregation Functions

This paper presents the design of a special purpose MOS processing unit for statistical aggregation functions such as SUM, COUNT, and AVERAGE. Tuples are input to and output from the proposed unit in parallel, one bit at a time. The processing of tuples is completely overlapped with their I/O time. The function unit is composed of a number of identical bit-serial structures operating in parallel. The architecture and VLSI implementation of the proposed unit is considered. The performance of the proposed design is compared with the implementation of statistical aggregation functions on the parallel pipelined relational query processor described in [1]. The comparative analysis shows that our approach performs significantly better than that of [1].
Anticoagulation therapy for patients with atrial fibrillation

Stuart Connolly posed the following question in a CMAJ commentary: Why are so many patients with atrial fibrillation not receiving anticoagulation therapy?[1][1] I offer a different perspective from his on this issue: Warfarin is not so much underused as poorly used. It is often given to patients
Translation and Postcolonial Identity

AbstractCritics and authors of the corpus of texts designated as African literature often consider problematic the role of European languages in this literature. A discourse based on the practice of translation represents one strategy among others for resolving the crisis of identity of African writing in European languages. Three kinds of translation found in African literature are discussed in this paper. Both compositional and authorized translations seek to confirm the African identity of the European-language text: the former by reference to imaginary and the latter by reference to original versions in indigenous African languages. Complex translations, on the other hand, embrace mobility between languages and identities as inescapable in postcolonial Africa. While these varieties of translation appear to reconcile the desire for authenticity with the exigency of writing in a foreign language, the relationship between the various versions indirectly confirms the continuing hegemony of European langua...
Explaining Compassion Organizing Competence

In this article we develop a theory to explain how individual compassion becomes socially organized and how the organizing process gains collective competence in its ability to alleviate suffering. The theory is built from an in-depth case study of one organization's response to members who lost their belongings in a fire. The compassion organizing response was highly competent as reflected in the scale, scope, speed, and customization of resources extended in response to the members' suffering. The model theorizes five mechanisms as central to the competence in compassion organizing: 1) contextual enabling of attention, 2) contextual enabling of emotion, and 3) contextual enabling of legitimacy and trust, 4) agents improvising structures, and 5) symbolic enrichment. Together, these mechanisms elaborate a view of how the social architecture, agency, and emergent features of an organizing process create the extraction, generation and coordination of a variety of resources that contribute to compassion organizing competence. We discuss how our model adds to general theories of collective organizing competence.
Self-Love and Forgiveness: A Holy Alliance?

Forgiving is not pardoning, excusing, condoning, forgetting, or reconciling, nor is forgiving just about a change in emotions on the part of a victim. This paper pursues a virtue-theoretic account of the human person in the context of the theology of Thomas Aquinas, arguing that human forgiveness is the form love takes by an offended toward her offender. The paper argues, first, for the priority of the offended person's self-love and, second, for such self-love's extension into love of the offender as another self. The paper explores in depth the challenges of seeing one's enemy as "another self." Forgiving, the paper argues, is the most important act a person performs, because it is an act no one else can perform for us. This has negative implications for its possibility in the criminal law. The argument is developed, in part, in dialogue with contemporary theorists such as Jeffrie Murphy, Joanna North, Charles Griswold, Timothy Jackson, and Gaelle Fiasse.
The creation of high energy densities with antimatter beams

The use of antiprotons (and antideuterons) for the study of the behavior of nuclear matter at high energy density is considered. It is shown that high temperatures and high energy densities can be achieved for small volumes. Also investigated is the strangeness production in antimatter annihilation. It is found that the high rate of Λ-production seen in a recent experiment is easily understood. The Λ and K s rapidity distributions are also reproduced by the model considered.
La relación de Pachacuti, ¿español andino o español bilingüe?

L'A. se penche sur l'existence d'une communaute bilingue espagnol/quechua a l'epoque coloniale au Perou. Dans cette optique, il analyse deux phenomenes linguistiques consideres comme etant caracteristiques des documents bilingues de cette epoque : la variation des voyelles moyennes et hautes et l'utilisation du verbe decir dans le discours rapporte. Il etudie l'occurrence de ces phenomenes dans le livre Relacion de Pachacuti qu'il compare avec des donnees du 20 e siecle en espagnol bilingue et en espagnol andin dans le but de determiner si la Relacion de Pachacuti est un exemple d'espagnol andin colonial
EzrA prevents aberrant cell division by modulating assembly of the cytoskeletal protein FtsZ

Summary In response to a cell cycle signal, the cytoskeletal protein FtsZ assembles into a ring structure that establishes the location of the division site and serves as a framework for assembly of the division machinery. A battery of factors control FtsZ assem- bly to ensure that the ring forms in the correct posi- tion and at the precise time. EzrA, a negative regulator of FtsZ ring formation, is important for ensuring that the ring forms only once per cell cycle and that cytokinesis is restricted to mid-cell. EzrA is distributed throughout the plasma membrane and localizes to the ring in an FtsZ-dependent manner, suggesting that it interacts directly with FtsZ to mod- ulate assembly. We have performed a series of exper- iments examining the interaction between EzrA and FtsZ. As little as twofold overexpression of EzrA blocks FtsZ ring formation in a sensitized genetic background, consistent with its predicted function. A purified EzrA fusion protein interacts directly with FtsZ to block assembly in vitro . Although EzrA is able to inhibit FtsZ assembly, it is unable to disas- semble preformed polymers. These data support a model in which EzrA interacts directly with FtsZ at the plasma membrane to prevent polymerization and aberrant FtsZ ring formation.
Inversion of matrices

Abstract The decomposition method discussed in a recent book (G. Adomian, Stochastic Systems (Academic Press, New York, 1983)) is applicable to inversion of matrices and provides a useful and easy method for general use which furthermore can be extended to random matrices and significant applications.
Translational control of the rat angiotensin type 1a receptor by alternative splicing

Abstract The rat angiotensin type 1a receptor (AT1aR) is comprised of three exons. Two transcripts are possible due to alternative splicing of exon 2 (E1,3 and E1,2,3). Both transcripts code for identical AT1aR proteins since they differ only in the length of their 5′ leader sequence (5′LS). We investigated the functional differences of these two transcripts in stably transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and also determined the splice variant composition in rat tissues. E1,3 expressing cells exhibited 1.8-fold higher AT1R densities and five-fold higher levels of Ang II-stimulated inositol phosphate production compared to E1,2,3 expressing cells. No differences in E1,3 and E1,2,3 mRNA levels or mRNA stability were seen. In vitro translation assays revealed 1.8-fold higher AT1aR protein levels from E1,3 compared to E1,2,3 transcripts, suggesting exon 2 reduces functional AT1R expression by inhibiting translation. Deletion of 10 nucleotides in exon 2 increased translation of the mutated E1,2,3 transcript to levels which were indistinguishable from E1,3, suggesting that this loop region of a predicted hairpin contributes to the inhibitory RNA cis element within exon 2. Comparison of AT1aR exonic composition and AT1R densities in rat tissues suggests alternative splicing is regulated in a tissue-specific manner and contributes to tissue-specific differences in AT1R density.
On closed-form expressions for mean squares in discrete-continuous systems

When a system is to be optimized with respect to the mean square of some variable, a closed-form expression for that mean square is usually desired. The problem of obtaining such expressions for discrete-continuous systems-i.e., systems made up of both sampled-data and continuous subsystems-has been a difficulty in the past. The reason for this is that the spectral densities of the variables of interest often contain rational functions of \exp (j2\pifT) combined multiplicatively with rational functions of f, f being the frequency coordinate of the spectral densities, and T the sampling period. Presented here is a technique for finding the desired closed-form expressions. It is based on the relation \int\min{-j\infty}\max{j\infty} P^{\ast}(e^{s^{T}})Q(s)ds = \oint P^{\ast}(z)Q^{\ast}(z)z^{-1}dz , where Q^{\ast} (z) is the " Z -transform" of Q (s) , To illustrate the technique, closed-form formulas for the output and ripple of discrete-continuous systems and for the control error of sampled-data feedback systems are derived, and an application to a "track-while-scan" system is given.
Stress-evoked increases in serotonin in the auditory midbrain do not directly result from elevations in serum corticosterone

Abstract Neurochemicals such as serotonin convey information about behavioral context to sensory processing. In the auditory system, serotonin modulates the responses of neurons in the inferior colliculus (IC) to acoustic stimuli, including communication vocalizations. Levels of extracellular serotonin in the IC can change rapidly in response to stressful situations such as social challenge and limited movement. Since activation of the hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis can influence serotonin in other brain regions, we examined the relationship between serum corticosterone and serotonin release in the IC. We used voltammetry to measure extracellular serotonin in the IC of male CBA/J mice during restriction of movement, a low-intensity restraint stress. Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was used to measure the concentration of corticosterone circulating in the blood serum as an indicator of the activation of the HPA axis. Changes in serotonin and corticosterone were also compared with behavioral performance. Restriction stress caused increases in serotonin in the IC and circulating corticosterone, and changes in behavior. Changes in serotonin and corticosterone were not correlated with each other across individuals. Individual behavioral performance was correlated with elevations in corticosterone, but not in serotonin. We further explored the relationship between physiological pathways by directly manipulating serum corticosterone. Injections of corticosterone elevated circulating levels beyond normal physiological ranges, but had no effect on serotonin in the IC. These findings suggest that, within the auditory system, serotonin is released during stressful events, but this is a correlate of behavioral arousal, rather than a direct response to elevations in serum corticosterone.
Evidence from GC-TRFLP that Bacterial Communities in Soil Are Lognormally Distributed

The Species Abundance Distribution (SAD) is a fundamental property of ecological communities and the form and formation of SADs have been examined for a wide range of communities including those of microorganisms. Progress in understanding microbial SADs, however, has been limited by the remarkable diversity and vast size of microbial communities. As a result, few microbial systems have been sampled with sufficient depth to generate reliable estimates of the community SAD. We have used a novel approach to characterize the SAD of bacterial communities by coupling genomic DNA fractionation with analysis of terminal restriction fragment length polymorphisms (GC-TRFLP). Examination of a soil microbial community through GC-TRFLP revealed 731 bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that followed a lognormal distribution. To recover the same 731 OTUs through analysis of DNA sequence data is estimated to require analysis of 86,264 16S rRNA sequences. The approach is examined and validated through construction and analysis of simulated microbial communities in silico. Additional simulations performed to assess the potential effects of PCR bias show that biased amplification can cause a community whose distribution follows a power-law function to appear lognormally distributed. We also show that TRFLP analysis, in contrast to GC-TRFLP, is not able to effectively distinguish between competing SAD models. Our analysis supports use of the lognormal as the null distribution for studying the SAD of bacterial communities as for plant and animal communities.
Ruthenium-Mediated Cycloaromatization of Acyclic Enediynes and Dienynes at Ambient Temperature

The ruthenium(II) cation, [Cp*Ru(NCMe)3]OTf (4), triggers the Bergman cycloaromatization of acyclic endiynes at room temperature in THF solvent. Treatment of 1,2-di(1-alkynynyl)cyclopentenes (13-Me...
Task-Specific Magnetic Fields from the Left Human Prefrontal Cortex

Recent studies have provided evidence for task-specific activity in distinct areas of the frontal cortex [1,2,3]. In a previous study, we used magnetoencephalography (MEG) to test the hypothesis of functional specialization of the frontal cortex [1] by asking subjects to perform two visual recognition tasks. A spatial recognition task was associated with sources of magnetic fields in the right frontal lobe, which were localized more anteriorly and inferiorly, than the sources of activity obtained during a visual pattern recognition task. Both tasks involved presentation of common visual stimuli and required common motor responses. These results were analogous to the findings from a multi-unit recording study in the monkey [3]. That study showed concentrations of neurons in dorsolateral and inferior convexity prefrontal areas, that responded preferentially during the performance of a visuo-spatial and a visual-pattern delayed response task, respectively. Another experiment from our laboratory (unpublished data) provided evidence for different sources of activity in the right frontal lobe, when a familiar-person recognition task was compared to a visual pattern recognition task. Sources in more medial areas of the right prefrontal cortex were obtained when subjects performed the familiar-person recognition task. A study by Petrides et al. [2], using positron emission tomography in humans, also reported regional prefrontal cortical activity corresponding to the performance of two different tasks.
Tensile bonding strength of epoxy coatings to concrete substrate

Abstract In this study, four commercially available epoxy coatings were selected to investigate their tensile bonding characteristics to dry and wet concrete with and without 105-kPa backwater pressure. The CIGMAT CT-2 (modified ASTM D4541-95e1) and CIGMAT CT-3 (modified ASTM C321-00) tests were used to determine the tensile bonding strength of the coatings with curing time. The tests were conducted over a period of 2 years. Fifty-three CIGMAT CT-2 tests and 26 CT-3 tests were performed for the four epoxy coatings. Five failure types were identified for both the test methods based on the failure mechanisms observed during the tests. In situ bonding tests (CIGMAT CT-2, full-scale test with back pressure on) were also performed on coatings that were tested under a hydrostatic (back) pressure of 105 kPa (simulating 10 m of groundwater) for at least 6 months (full-scale test). All the coatings investigated were epoxy based, but their bonding strength and failure modes to dry and wet concrete surfaces were different. For all the coatings investigated, in situ bonding strength with dry concrete was higher than wet concrete. Epoxy-A and Epoxy-D (fiber-mat-reinforced epoxy) had good bonding strength (>1.3 MPa, 190 psi) to both dry and wet concrete surfaces during the 2 years of testing period. The bonding strength of Epoxy-B and Epoxy-C varied with time for both dry and wet concrete surfaces. Although for coatings with higher bonding strength, better correlations between the two test methods were observed, in general, the bonding strength from CIGMAT CT-3 test was higher than that from CIGMAT CT-2 test for the coatings tested.
Toc Receptor Dimerization Participates in the Initiation of Membrane Translocation during Protein Import into Chloroplasts

The post-translational import of nucleus-encoded preproteins into chloroplasts occurs through multimeric translocons in the outer (Toc) and inner (Tic) membranes. The high fidelity of the protein import process is maintained by specific recognition of the transit peptide of preproteins by the coordinate activities of two homologous GTPase Toc receptors, Toc34 and Toc159. Structural and biochemical studies suggest that dimerization of the Toc receptors functions as a component of the mechanism to control access of preproteins to the membrane translocation channel of the translocon. We show that specific mutations that disrupted receptor dimerization in vitro reduced the rate of protein import in transgenic Arabidopsis compared with the wild type receptor. The mutations did not affect the GTPase activities of the receptors. Interestingly, these mutations did not decrease the initial preprotein binding at the receptors, but they reduced the efficiency of the transition from preprotein binding to membrane translocation. These data indicate that dimerization of receptors has a direct role in protein import and support a hypothesis in which receptor-receptor interactions participate in the initiation of membrane translocation of chloroplast preproteins as part of the molecular mechanism of GTP-regulated protein import.
Sex differences in morbidity among respondents classified as alcohol abusers and/or dependent: results of a national survey

To date, none of the studies on gender differences in physical morbidity have focused on persons classified as DSM-III-R alcohol abusers and/or dependent in the general population. This Data Note presents data from a nationally representative survey on drinking practices and related problems for the purpose of examining gender differences in physical morbidity among respondents receiving these diagnoses. Results indicated that for certain major sociodemographic subgroups of the population, gender differences in morbidity were significant. The female-to-male odds ratios of these subgroups generally varied within the range of 1.5 and 2.0, reflecting about two times greater odds of experiencing morbid conditions for females when compared to males.
Automatic activation of the medial temporal lobe during encoding: lateralized influences of meaning and novelty.

In contrast to early failures, recent functional brain imaging studies have shown that medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures are active during performance of a variety of tasks. These studies have revealed three properties of the MTL that are consistent with its critical role in establishing new declarative memories. First, the MTL is automatically engaged whenever an event is experienced, with the side of activation (left, right) dependent on the nature of the material presented (verbal, nonverbal). Second, the strength or amount of activity depends on how well the material is encoded. Deep encoding will produce more MTL activity than shallow encoding. Depth of encoding-related increases in activity are more commonly seen on the left, because deep encoding is nearly always synonymous with encoding for meaning, and, therefore, depends on left-lateralized language mechanisms. Third, the amount of MTL activity depends on novelty. Unfamiliar events and contexts will produce more MTL activity than familiar events and contexts. Novelty-related increases are more commonly seen on the right, perhaps reflecting the greater role of the right hemisphere in maintaining tonic attention and arousal. These findings suggest a hemispheric division of labor involving encoding for meaning (left) and novelty detection (right), both of which lead to better remembering. Hippocampus 1999;9:62–70. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.