cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simple spectrum of c c ̄ c c ̄ states in the dynamical diquark model

We develop the spectroscopy of $c\overline{c}c\overline{c}$ and other all-heavy tetraquark states in the dynamical diquark model. In the most minimal form of the model (e.g., each diquark appears only in the color-triplet combination; the nonorbital spin couplings connect only quarks within each diquark), the spectroscopy is extremely simple. Namely, the $S$-wave multiplets contain precisely three degenerate states (${0}^{++}$, ${1}^{+\ensuremath{-}}$, ${2}^{++}$) and the seven $P$-wave states satisfy an equal-spacing rule when the tensor coupling is negligible. When comparing numerically to the recent LHCb results, we find the best interpretation is assigning $X(6900)$ to the $2S$ multiplet, while a lower state suggested at about 6740 MeV fits well with the members of the $1P$ multiplet. We also predict the location of other multiplets ($1S$, $1D$, etc.) and discuss the significance of the $cc$ open-flavor threshold.
Industrial Structure and a Tradeoff between Productivity and Resilience

We analyze how a region’s industrial structure affects its productivity and its resilience to shocks. Using co-occurrence analysis, we construct an interdependence network of U.S. industries. For each U.S. metropolitan area, we then calculate an aggregate metric of this network called economic tightness, which captures the interconnectedness among a region’s industries. We find that tightness is positively correlated with economic productivity but negatively correlated with a region’s change in productivity following the Great Recession, revealing a tradeoff between higher productivity and higher resilience. We further find that productivity is higher in metropolitan areas with industry pairs that rarely occur together.
Infraclavicular Exposure of the Brachial Plexus

The infraclavicular exposure gives access to the cords and terminal branches of the brachial plexus. This exposure may be used for resection of tumors, repair of traumatic lacerations, and nerve grafting. Dissection proceeds in a meticulous and stepwise fashion through the deltopectoral groove to identify the medial, lateral, and posterior cords of the plexus and the axillary artery. Further dissection distally reveals the terminal branches of the brachial plexus.
Corticostriatal suppression of appetitive Pavlovian conditioned responding

The capacity to suppress learned responses is essential for animals to adapt in dynamic environments. Extinction is a process by which animals learn to suppress conditioned responding when an expected outcome is omitted. The infralimbic cortex (IL) to nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS) neural circuit is implicated in suppressing conditioned responding after extinction, especially in the context of operant cocaine-seeking behaviour. However, the role of the IL-to-NAcS neural circuit in the extinction of responding to appetitive Pavlovian cues is unknown and the psychological mechanisms involved in response suppression following extinction are unclear. We trained rats to associate a 10 s auditory conditioned stimulus (CS; 14 trials per session) with a sucrose unconditioned stimulus (US; 0.2 mL per CS) in a specific context and then, following extinction in a different context, precipitated a renewal of CS responding by presenting the CS alone in the original Pavlovian conditioning context. Unilateral, optogenetic stimulation of the IL-to-NAcS circuit selectively during CS trials suppressed renewal. In a separate experiment, IL-to-NAcS stimulation suppressed CS responding regardless of prior extinction and impaired extinction retrieval. Finally, IL-to-NAcS stimulation during the CS did not suppress the acquisition of Pavlovian conditioning but was required for the subsequent expression of CS responding. These results are consistent with multiple studies showing that the IL-to-NAcS neural circuit is involved in the suppression of operant cocaine-seeking, extending these findings to appetitive Pavlovian cues. The suppression of appetitive Pavlovian responding following IL-to-NAcS circuit stimulation does not, however, appear to require an extinction-dependent process. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTExtinction is a form of inhibitory learning through which animals learn to suppress conditioned responding in the face of non-reinforcement. We investigated the role of infralimbic (IL) cortex inputs to the nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS) in the extinction of responding to appetitive Pavlovian cues and the psychological mechanisms involved in response suppression following extinction. Using in vivo optogenetics, we found that stimulating the IL-to-NAcS neural circuit suppressed context-induced renewal of conditioned responding after extinction. In a separate experiment, stimulating the IL-to-NAcS circuit suppressed conditioned responding in an extinction-independent manner. These findings can be leveraged by future research aimed at understanding how corticostriatal circuits contribute to behavioural flexibility and mental disorders that involve the suppression of learned behaviours.
Generating and Managing Strong Passwords using Hotel Mnemonic.

Weak passwords and availability of supercomputers to password crackers make the financial institutions and businesses at stake. This calls for use of strong passwords and multi factor authentication for secure transactions. Remembering a long and complex password by humans is a daunting task and mnemonic has helped to mitigate this situation to an extent. This paper discusses creating and using long random password and storing them securely using a hybrid strategy of hash-encryption method. The hash function uses a mnemonic password based on the hotel names and other characteristics like room number, floor number and breakfast meal preferences to generate the encryption key. The random strong password can be then encrypted using the key and stored safely. A computer program named Hector is developed which demonstrates these steps and can be used to generate and store the passwords.
Estimates of Axial and Transaxial Resolution for One-, Two-, and Three-Camera Helical Pinhole SPECT

There is ongoing work to improve the sensitivity and resolution of pinhole collimation for small-animal studies [Moore, 1991, Strand,1994,Weber, 1994, Jaszczak, 1994, Ishizu, 1995, Tsui, 2001, Beekman, 2001, Metzler, 2001, Beekman, 2002a, Beekman, 2002b, Metzler, 2002, Ogowa, 1998, Kastis, 2002, Acton, 2002]. One method is the reduction of radius of rotation [Mortimer, 1954].
Full-wave analysis of waveguides involving finite-size dielectric regions

A moment method is presented for handling arbitrarily shaped 2-D and 3-D waveguides that involve conductors, finite-size dielectric regions, or both. A novel procedure for modeling the dielectric allows 2-D rooftop functions to represent both the 3-D polarization current in the dielectric and the surface current on the conductors. Examples include microstrip and dielectric waveguides. Numerical convergence, consistency with physical principles, and agreement with the literature are demonstrated. >
Rich Internet Applications (RIA): AJAX, Ruby on Rails, and PHP: tutorial presentation

This tutorial covers dynamic Web applications evelopment with markup languages (XHTML, DHTML, XML), scripting languages (JavaScript, PHP, Ruby on Rails), and AJAX. RIAs (Rich Internet Applications) are applications that offer the responsiveness, rich features, and functionality of desktop applications. RIAs typically transfer the processing necessary for the user interface to the Web client but keep the bulk of the data (i.e., maintaining the state of the program, the data etc) back on the application server.
5. The continuous-wave hydrogen raman laser

Publisher Summary This chapter outlines the semiclassical theory and reviews the experimental results of the Nd:YAG-pumped system including steady-state input/output performance, as well as dynamic behavior and the Stokes laser linewidth. The chapter discusses diode pumping including, both active and passive locking techniques, and the tunability of the diode systems and photon conversion efficiency. It addresses some practical concerns with continuous-wave (cw) Raman laser construction, such as heat generation and locking considerations specific to cw Raman laser systems. The theoretical work was based on a semiclassical, time-dependent model, but the steady-state limits were also provided. Most of the experimental characterizations were performed using a Nd:YAG pump source, but we have highlighted the usefulness of diode-pumped systems, which have achieved output powers that exceed 14 mW and photon conversion efficiencies greater than 60%, limited currently by the pump power. The chapter emphasizes the significance of practical considerations associated with an intensity dependent refractive index of the Raman gas caused by heat generation.
Oxidation of aromatic species as a competitive chemical pathway to the major process of soot formation

Smoke formation during the burning of polymers is undoubtedly a complex process, involving many chemical and physical steps occurring both in parallel and in sequence [1,2, 3]. In the light of results obtained recently by this group [4] and relevant information available in the literature [1, 2, 3] the following two-process mechanism was proposed [4]. Process 1 involves thermal degradation of the polymer to polymer fragments and pyrolysis products, which could be considered as a "Simple Fuel." In process 2 the "Simple Fuel" reacts to form large carbon-rich polynuclear soot nuclei through ring enlargement processes involving reactive aromatic species. This mechanism outlines the role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soot formation but also indicates that other aromatic species might be involved in the soot formation process. It is shown in this communication that aromatic species such as ketones and esters are indeed formed during flaming combustion of a sample po!ymer, namely, polypropylene. This observation points out the probable occurrence of side oxidation reactions in the polypropylene combustion process. Such oxidation reactions, which lead to smaller
The Game of Two Identical Cars

This paper describes a third-order pursuit—evasion game in which both players have the same speed and minimum turn radius. The game of kind is first solved for thebarrier or envelope of capturable states. When capture is possible, the game of degree is then solved for the optimal controls of the two players as functions of the relative position. The solution is found to include a universal surface for the pursuer and a dispersal surface for the evader.
Representation-saving effects of prior knowledge in memory for simple technical prose.

Prior knowledge of the content of a passage should reduce the effort required to encode the passage and facilitate its recall. This paper presents such effects of prior knowledge upon comprehension and memory of simple technical prose. The basic procedure was to collect ratings of the amount of prior knowledge for individual passage sentences and individual subjects, and then to determine whether these familiarity ratings predicted study time and recall. In order to validate the rating method, and also to obtain data on prior knowledge of individual facts, subjects also completed an objective test of prior knowledge of the passage facts. Three different encoding-task conditions were used: a self-paced study task, a forced-pace study task, and an incidental-learning task. A cued-recall test followed each condition. In the self-paced task, readers studied unfamiliar material longer than familiar material, but recalled at the same level regardless of familiarity. In contrast, familiarity did predict recall in the forced-pace and incidental tasks. This task specificity is explained in terms of the subjects’ encoding strategies. The basic effect of prior knowledge can be explained not only by the elaboration principle, but also by a representation-saving principle, which is presented in a simulation model that can account for the effects of familiarity on study time.
The Standard of Dying: Race, Indigence, and the Disposal of the Dead Body in Johannesburg, 1886–1960

Between 1886 and 1960, Johannesburg's municipal authorities had to provide burial services for black and white indigents whose families could not pay for their funeral expenses. For bereaved Africans, however, pauper burials proved to be deeply unpopular and particularly so because the municipality treated the disposal of the bodies of dead whites and dead blacks very differently. This article explores how the bodies of dead indigents, both blacks and whites, became a location of intense conflict where white municipal authorities and bereaved Africans sought to articulate profound and competing narratives of the sacredness of the dead bodies and the value of their lives. In this struggle to control the disposal of the dead and the meanings attached to their remains, African burial societies would play a pivotal role. In the cities on the Witwatersrand, these societies allowed Africans not simply to re-claim control of their dead. More critically, they became deeply invested in the creation, elaboration, a...
Factors affecting iron balance

The availability of radioisotopes of iron led to the performance of physiologic studies of the absorption, excretion, and kinetics of iron. The effects of dietary constituents and intestinal secretions upon iron absorption have been thoroughly explored and have permitted the development of tools for nutritional studies in various geographic areas of the world. The basic mechanisms for regulation of iron absorption are not fully understood. However, the isolation and characterization of newer iron-binding proteins, the existence of mucosal receptors in which there is competition for iron-binding sites with other metals, and the identification of a number of animal models with genetic abnormalities of iron absorption provide promise for development in the foreseeable future. The means by which the body informs the intestine to increase or decrease iron absorption is poorly understood, and the abnormality in hemochromatosis and iron overloading disorders remains unexplained. Much has been learned in recent years regarding the structure of iron-containing proteins and the variations that exist in different species. Similar problems remain to be solved with regard to the intermediary metabolism of iron in red blood cell precursors and other cells in the body. It is postulated that the combined usage of physiologic, biochemical, and immunologic investigations will provide the basic information required.
The Contractual Role of Boundaries: Law and Economics Meets International Organization

Without universally efficacious contract enforcement, contracting boundaries divide the world into ‘insiders’, with whom we contract freely, and ‘outsiders’, with whom contracting is circumscribed. Boundary types vary and vacillate between territorially defined ones and ones defined on nonterritorial margins (religion, ethnicity or functional specialization). Sovereignty, or sole legal constitutional authority, has always existed alongside other, less formal systems of contractual enforcement. Both early law and economics and early International Relations theory largely ignored this interacting, overlapping web of enforcement institutions; and recent world events highlight the limitations of theories in which the nature of boundaries — and hence the nature of entities themselves — has little impact on the nature of predicted interactions. The contracting branch of law and economics contains useful insights into the material functions of boundaries, the strengths and weaknesses of different types of bounda...
C-8 Epimeric iridoid glycosides of Cordylanthus (scrophulariaceae) species☆

Abstract Twenty iridoid glycosides, including four few ones (10- O -foliamenthoylaucubin, 6″ R ,7″-dihydro-10- O - foliamenthoylaucubin, 6β-hydroxy-8-epiboschnaloside and aldoxoside), were identified from eight taxa of Cordylanthus (Scrophulariaceae). Pairs of C-8 epimeric iridoids (e.g. boschnaloside/8-epiboschnaloside and their 6β-hydroxy derivatives) were found together in the same plant for the first time in the Scrophulariaceae. Verbascoside was found in all species.
Water associated with the extraction of tris (4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) iron(II) chelate into chloroform, nitrobenzene and 1-decanol

Abstract The number of molecules of water associated with Tris(4,7-diphenyl-1, 10-phenanthroline) Iron(II) chelate was found to be 57·0 ± 6 per molecule of chelate. The same results were obtained obtained whether the species was extracted into chloroform, nitrobenzene or 1-decanol. Likewise no change was observed whether the associated anion was sulphate, perchlorate or chloride.
Electromyographic analysis of the trunk in golfers

Golf is a popular sport for both men and women. The trunk is the most common area of injury during the golf swing. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the muscle firing patterns in the trunk during the golf swing. Twenty-three golfers with handicaps of five or below volunteered for this study. Surface electromyographic electrodes were placed on the abdominal oblique and erector spinae muscles bilaterally. High-speed cinematography was used in conjunction with the electromyographic electrodes. The results demonstrated relatively low activity in all muscles during takeaway (below 30% of maximal muscle test), and relatively high and constant activity throughout the rest of the swing (above 30% maximal muscle test, with the exception of the contralateral erector spinae during late follow-through, which was 28% maximal muscle test). This high and constant activity demonstrated the importance of the trunk muscles during a golf swing. These results indicate the need for an effective preventive and rehabilitative exercise program for the golfer.
Public Opinion and Support for U.S. Presidents' Foreign Policies

We develop a model of public evaluations of U.S. foreign policies that emphasizes the role of core values and informational cues as a means to explain how the public renders judgments on complex issues. We argue that the public will most fundamentally be concerned with presidential success in maintaining U.S. peace and security and will rely heavily on presidential activities and media coverage of foreign policy events.
Multiple sensor arrays for single cell metabolic analysis

We present the design, fabrication and characterization of multiple micro-pocket lid arrays used in live single cell metabolic analysis. In previous work we reported a platform for quantifying single cell oxygen consumption rates realized using a fused silica deep wet etching process. Here we extend that work to a dual-depth wet etching process for microfabrication of multiple sensor trapping (MST) lid arrays. Each lid comprises multiple micro-pockets. Oxygen, pH, other extra-cellular sensors, and reference dye were deposited in the pockets. In order to achieve simultaneous monitoring of multiple metabolic parameters, the lid array serves to hermetically seal arrays of microwells, each containing a single cell. The dual-depth etching process we developed can be easily applied to other glass-based microfabrication purposes requiring dual- or multiple-depth microstructures.
Expression of a human alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase in the pit cell lineage of FVB/N mouse stomach results in production of Leb-containing glycoconjugates: a potential transgenic mouse model for studying Helicobacter pylori infection.

Abstract Helicobacter pylori is a human pathogen associated with the development of gastric and duodenal ulcers and gastric adenocarcinoma. To test the hypothesis that the human Lewis(b) blood group antigen (Le(b)) functions as a receptor for the bacteria's adhesins and mediates its attachment to gastric pit and surface mucous cells, a human alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase was expressed in these cell lineages in FVB/N transgenic mice. The fucosyltransferase directed production of the Leb epitope without any apparent effect on the proliferation and differentiation programs of this lineage. Moreover, clinical isolates of H. pylori bound to these cells in transgenic mice but not in their normal littermates. Binding was blocked by pretreatment of the bacteria with soluble Le(b). This mouse model could be useful for examining the molecular pathogenesis of diseases caused by H. pylori infection. Creating novel pathways for production of specific oligosaccharides in selected cell lineages of transgenic animals represents an approach for examining the role of complex carbohydrates in regulating cellular differentiation and host-microbe interactions.
A comparison of the quantitation of macrophage foam cell populations and the extent of apolipoprotein E deposition in developing atherosclerotic lesions in young people: high and low serum thiocyanate groups as an indication of smoking

Abstract Smoking is considered a major risk factor for the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The effects of apolipoprotein E (apo E) and macrophages in the pathogenesis and progression of human atherosclerosis have not been adequately elucidated even though they are frequent components of the diseased arterial intima. Anatomically standardized samples of arteries from young people whose risk factor indices indicated them as “smokers” or “non-smokers” have been studied micromorphometrically. It was found that smokers have a greater area in which apo E is deposited in the early stages of the disease than do non-smokers. Smokers also demonstrated greater “macrophage foam cell populations” than did non-smokers. The study also demonstrates a positive correlation between the number of macrophage foam cells and the extent of apo E deposition in the developing lesions of the thoracic and abdominal aortas of white men aged 30–34 years who have evidence of recent cigarette smoking as determined by their postmortem blood thiocyanate levels.
Fifty years of ion and neutral thermochemistry by mass spectrometry

Abstract Originating with the appearance potentials for “positive rays”, the ability of mass spectrometry to obtain quantitative information about the energetics of both ions and neutrals has evolved dramatically. About 50 years ago, many of the techniques that are now common place were first implemented; the interim has seen significant advances in both instrumentation and analysis tools. In this review, a short historical perspective of mass spectrometric approaches to ion and neutral thermochemistry is provided. Included are determinations of ionization and appearance energies, electron affinities, and dissociation energies. The latter are explored via techniques utilizing metastable decomposition, visible and VUV photodissociation, infrared photodissociation, collision-induced dissociation, and electron-induced dissociations, as well as applications of equilibrium methods and association processes. Although many of these techniques focus on ion thermochemistry, the ability to measure the thermodynamics of neutrals via mass spectrometric approaches is also highlighted.
Interface Quality and Electrical Performance of Low-Temperature Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition Aluminum Oxide Thin Films for Advanced CMOS Gate Dielectric Applications

In this work, the electrical performance and interfacial characteristics of MOCVD-grown Al 2 O 3 films are evaluated. Electrical characteristics (dielectric constant, leakage current) of as-deposited and annealed capacitor metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) stacks were determined using capacitance-voltage (C-V) and current-voltage (I-V) measurements. It was observed that the electrical properties were dependent upon specific annealing conditions, with an anneal in O 2 followed by forming gas being superior with respect to leakage current, resulting in leakage characteristics superior to those of SiO 2 . All annealing conditions evaluated led to an increase in dielectric constant from 6.5 to 9.0–9.8. Also, Al 2 O 3 growth and interfacial oxide growth characteristics on oxynitride/Si and Si substrates were evaluated and compared using spectroscopic ellipsometry. A parasitic oxide layer was observed to form on silicon during the initial stages of MOCVD Al 2 O 3 growth, while a thin oxynitride layer deposited on Si prevented the growth of interfacial oxide.
Structural Changes in the Carboxyl Terminus of the Gap Junction Protein Connexin40 Caused by the Interaction with c-Src and Zonula Occludens-1

c-Src can disrupt the connexin 43 (Cx43) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) interaction, leading to down-regulation of gap junction intercellular communication. Previously, the authors characterized the interaction of domains from these proteins with the carboxyl terminus of Cx43 (Cx43CT) and found that binding of the c-Src SH3 domain to Cx43CT disrupted the Cx43CT/ZO-1 PDZ-2 domain complex. Because Cx43 and Cx40 form heteromeric connexons and display similar mechanisms of pH regulation, the authors addressed whether Cx40CT interacts with these domains in a similar manner as Cx43CT. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data indicate that Cx40CT is an intrinsically disordered protein. NMR titrations determined that PDZ-2 affected the last 28 Cx40CT residues and SH3 shifted numerous amino-terminal Cx40CT residues. Finally, the Cx40CT/PDZ-2 complex was unaffected by SH3 and both domains interacted simultaneously with Cx40CT. This result differs from when the same experiment was performed with Cx43CT, suggesting different mechanisms of regulation exist between connexin isoforms, even when involving the same molecular partners.
Molecular structure and sequence homology of a gene related to α1-antitrypsin in the human genome

Abstract A 7.7-kb Eco RI genomic DNA fragment highly homologous to the human α 1 -antitrypsin (AAT) gene has been cloned. This antitrypsin-related sequence is physically linked to the authentic AAT gene and both are present in a single cosmid clone. Nucleotide sequencing of the AAT-related genomic fragment demonstrated extensive homology with the authentic AAT gene in the introns as well as in the exons. The conservation of all RNA splice sites and lack of internal termination codons in the exonic regions suggest that it may not be a classical pseudogene. If expressed, it could result in a protein of 420 amino acid residues exhibiting a 70% overall homology with human α 1 -antitrypsin. The signal peptide sequence is well conserved in the related gene, but the active site for protease inhibition of Met-Ser in α 1 -antitrypsin has been changed to Trp-Ser . These data suggest that the putative protein encoded by the AAT-related gene is a secretory serine protease inhibitor with an altered substrate specificity. Interestingly, even the intronic regions in the related gene exhibit a 65% overall nucleotide sequence homology with those of the authentic AAT gene. These results suggest that the AAT-related gene is derived from a recent duplication of the authentic AAT gene and represents a new member of the serine protease inhibitor superfamily.
Use of the reverse shoulder prosthesis for the treatment of failed hemiarthroplasty in patients with glenohumeral arthritis and rotator cuff deficiency

We report the use of the reverse shoulder prosthesis in the revision of a failed shoulder hemiarthroplasty in 19 shoulders in 18 patients (7 men, 11 women) with severe pain and loss of function. The primary procedure had been undertaken for glenohumeral arthritis associated with severe rotator cuff deficiency. Statistically significant improvements were seen in pain and functional outcome. After a mean follow-up of 44 months (24 to 89), mean forward flexion improved by 26.4 degrees and mean abduction improved by 35 degrees . There were six prosthesis-related complications in six shoulders (32%), five of which had severe bone loss of the glenoid, proximal humerus or both. Three shoulders (16%) had non-prosthesis related complications. The use of the reverse shoulder prosthesis provides improvement in pain and function for patients with failure of a hemiarthroplasty for glenohumeral arthritis and rotator cuff deficiency. However, high rates of complications were associated with glenoid and proximal humeral bone loss.
Magnetomotive contrast in optical coherence tomography for detecting early-stage atherosclerosis using targeted microspheres

In this work, we show that molecularly-sensitive contrast can be generated in OCT using targeted multifunctional magnetic microspheres. These microspheres were engineered to target the αvβ3 integrin for the localization of atherosclerotic lesions in excised aortas from a rabbit animal model. The aortas were extracted and placed in a flow chamber, which mimicked the physiological blood flow conditions in the living rabbit. Magnetic microspheres were perfused through the aorta inside the flow chamber and catheter-based OCT imaging, magnetomotive optical coherence tomography (MM-OCT), fluorescence confocal, and bright field microscopy was performed on the ex vivo aorta specimens for localizing the microspheres. Results showed successful targeting of the functionalized microspheres to early atherosclerotic lesions, and good co-registration of MM-OCT signal with confocal microscopy.
Living organotitanium(IV)-catalyzed polymerizations of isocyanates

An organotitanium(IV) compound, TiCl3OCH2CF3, 1, was found to polymerize n-hexyl isocyanate to high yields and without the formation of cyclic trimer. CpTiCl2L (L = −OCH2CF3, −N(CH3)2, −CH3), 2−4, respectively, likewise polymerized n-hexyl isocyanate but also polymerized isocyanates in the presence of donor solvents and isocyanates possessing donor functional groups, activated olefins, and strained olefins. The activity of the organotitanium(IV) catalysts decreased with increasing steric bulk about the metal center and increasing electron donation to the metal center from the ligands. The polymerization of n-hexyl isocyanate using organotitanium(IV) compounds is living. The PDIs of PHIC synthesized using catalysts 1−4 were found to range from 1.05 to 1.2. The molecular weight of the polymer formed in polymerizations of n-hexyl isocyanate using catalysts 1−4 varied linearly as a function of the monomer-to-initiator ratio and the percent conversion of the polymerization. Polymerizations using 2 can be endca...
Redesigning Viral Genomes

The advent of low-cost, large-scale DNA synthesis, coupled with advanced algorithmic tools, opens the door to a host of exciting new biotechnology applications, including vaccines.
Improved ECG models for left ventricular mass adjusted for body size, with specific algorithms for normal conduction, bundle branch blocks, and old myocardial infarction

Considerable efforts have been invested recently to improve electrocardiographic (ECG) classification accuracy for left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). This study examines how LVH classification accuracy is influenced by (1) the selection of an echocardiographic standard for LVH, (2) LVH severity level in the test groups, and (3) the adjustment of LVH criteria for obesity and age. Using data obtained from large, community-based populations, this study explores prospects for improving ECG models for LVH classification and examines some of the general characteristics of newer ECG models for estimating left ventricular mass (LVM) on a continuous scale. The results indicate that the apparent ECG classification accuracy for LVH is substantially influenced by echocardiographic standards and criteria for LVH, LVH severity level, and selection criteria for test populations, and these differences explain some of the often substantial differences in test results from clinical versus community-based evaluation studies. The low reproducibility of echocardiographic LVM as the standard is a limiting factor in attempts to improve ECG criteria for LVH and LVM prediction models. Adjustment of ECG amplitudes to anthropometric factors that simultaneously influence LVM may result in confounding effects and may lead to the development of inappropriate models. The performance of ECG models for LVM prediction improved substantially by the inclusion of body weight as a covariate with ECG variables. The addition of standing height and various covariates reflecting obesity did not improve LVM prediction accuracy. Compared to the older LVM prediction models of the Novacode ECG program, the correlation between echocardiographic and ECG estimates of LVM increased sufficiently (from 0.33 to 0.54 in women and from 0.46 to 0.62 in men) to suggest that these improved ECG models are suitable for monitoring LVH progression/ regression in study groups participating in hypertension intervention trials.
Molecular architecture of TylM1 from Streptomyces fradiae: an N,N-dimethyltransferase involved in the production of dTDP-D-mycaminose.

d-Mycaminose is an unusual dideoxy sugar found attached to the antibiotic tylosin, a commonly used veterinarian therapeutic. It is synthesized by the Gram-positive bacterium Streptomyces fradiae as a dTDP-linked sugar. The last step in its biosynthesis involves the dimethylation of the hexose C-3' amino group by an S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) dependent enzyme referred to as TylM1. Here we report two high-resolution X-ray structures of TylM1, one in which the enzyme contains bound SAM and dTDP-phenol and the second in which the protein is complexed with S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and dTDP-3-amino-3,6-dideoxyglucose, its natural substrate. Combined, these two structures, solved to 1.35 and 1.79 A resolution, respectively, show the orientations of SAM and the dTDP-linked sugar substrate within the active site region. Specifically, the C-3' amino group of the hexose is in the correct position for an in-line attack at the reactive methyl group of SAM. Both Tyr 14 and Arg 241 serve to anchor the dTDP-linked sugar to the protein. To test the role of His 123 in catalysis, two site-directed mutant proteins were constructed, H123A and H123N. Both mutant proteins retained catalytic activity, albeit with reduced rates. Specifically, the k(cat)/K(m) was reduced to 1.8% and 0.37% for the H123A and H123N mutant proteins, respectively. High-resolution X-ray models showed that the observed perturbations in the kinetic constants were not due to major changes in their three-dimensional folds. Most likely the proton on the C-3' amino group is transferred to one of the water molecules lining the active site pocket as catalysis proceeds.
Nonlinear shape prior from kernel space for geometric active contours

The Geometric Active Contour (GAC) framework, which utilizes image information, has proven to be quite valuable for performing segmentation. However, the use of image information alone often leads to poor segmentation results in the presence of noise, clutter or occlusion. The introduction of shapes priors in the contour evolution proved to be an effective way to circumvent this issue. Recently, an algorithm was proposed, in which linear PCA (principal component analysis) was performed on training sets of data and the shape statistics thus obtained were used in the segmentation process. This approach was shown to convincingly capture small variations in the shape of an object. However, linear PCA assumes that the distribution underlying the variation in shapes is Gaussian. This assumption can be over-simplifying when shapes undergo complex variations. In the present work, we derive the steps for using Kernel PCA to in the GAC framework to introduce prior shape knowledge. Several experiments were performed using different training-sets of shapes. Starting with any initial contour, we show that the contour evolves to adopt a shape that is faithful to the elements of the training set. The proposed shape prior method leads to better performances than the one involving linear PCA.
The Heart of Metamorphosing Mexican Axolotl but Not That of the Cardiac Mutant Is Associated with the Upregulation ofHox A5

Abstract The Mexican axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a facultative neotene which rarely undergoes metamorphosis in the wild. We now report for the first time a dramatic increase in the expression ofHoxA5in axolotl hearts as determined by RT-PCR andin situhybridization analyses during spontaneous metamorphosis. The Mexican axolotl has a naturally occurring mutation called genecwhich allows hearts in homozygous (c/c) embryos to form but never to beat. RT-PCR analysis has not shown any significant differences ofHoxA5expression in normal and mutant hearts. The predicted open reading frame of our already published partial cDNA clone ofHoxA5was confirmed by expressing it as a fusion protein with Glutathione transferase (GST fusion protein). Phylogenetic analysis with the deduced amino acid sequence of the isolated cDNA of the axolotl homolog of the murineHoxA5shows that the axolotl sequence clusters more closely with the human and mouseHoxA5homologs than with axolotl sequence. Western blot analysis revealed that anti-mouseHoxA5antibody recognizes the axolotl HoxA5 protein.
Strengthening the Preparation of Early Childhood Teacher Candidates Through Performance-Based Assessments

Performance-based assessments require teacher candidates to demonstrate proficiency on specific teaching tasks and apply knowledge in authentic settings. This article describes the development and use of performance-based assessments (PBAs) for advancing the learning and evaluation of teacher candidates in an early childhood special education teacher preparation program. Teacher candidates completed PBAs under supervision during culminating practica experiences at three age levels (infant/toddler, preschool, and primary practicum). Methods for determining proficiency on national (Council for Exceptional Children) and state (Colorado teacher licensure) standards are described, along with the challenges and opportunities presented by the use of PBAs. Performance-based assessment data over a 5-year period indicate teacher candidate performance meeting and exceeding national standards and state licensure requirements.
Electrophoresis separation in open microchannels. A method for coupling electrophoresis with MALDI-MS.

The separation of biological mixtures in open microchannels using electrophoresis with rapid and simple coupling to mass spectrometry is introduced. Rapid open-access channel electrophoresis employs microchannels that are manufactured on microchips. Separation is performed in the open channels, and the chips are transferred to a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) source after the solvent is evaporated. The matrix (2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid) is placed in the solution with the run buffer before the separation of the analyte components. After separation, the solvent is evaporated and the microchip is ready for MALDI-MS analysis. The microchip is placed directly into a specially designed ion source of an external source Fourier transform mass spectrometry instrument. Separation of simple mixtures containing oligosaccharides and peptides is shown.
Spatial tuning and dynamics of vestibular semicircular canal afferents in rhesus monkeys.

Rotational head motion in vertebrates is detected by the three semicircular canals of the vestibular system whose innervating primary afferent fibers encode movement information in specific head planes. In order to further investigate the nature of vestibular central processing of rotational motion in rhesus monkeys, it was first necessary to quantify afferent information coding in this species. Extracellular recordings were performed to determine the spatial and dynamic properties of semicircular canal afferents to rotational motion in awake rhesus monkeys. We found that the afferents innervating specific semicircular canals had maximum sensitivity vectors that were mutually orthogonal. Similar to other species, afferent response dynamics varied, with regular firing afferents having increased long time constants (t 1), decreased cupula velocity time constants (t v), and decreased fractional order dynamic operator values (s k) as compared to irregular firing afferents.
Overcoming the Inflammatory Toxicity of Cationic Gene Vectors

Cationic lipid- and polymer-based vectors are the most extensively studied synthetic gene vectors. These vectors have been widely used in animal models and some have been tested in clinical trials. The clinical progress of these vectors has been slowed by their inflammatory toxicity. This review summarizes the observations, the mechanisms, and various strategies employed to overcome the inflammatory toxicity of cationic gene vectors.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of Sr and Ba compounds

Abstract X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements of core level binding energies and kinetic energies of X-ray-induced Auger transitions for a comprehensive set of 25 Sr and Ba compounds are reported, including many for which there have been no previous XPS measurements. The majority of the Sr and Ba compounds measured here have cation core level binding energies which are lower than that of the metal, with the negative shifts largest for high temperature superconductors. These data are interpreted within a point charge model, which has previously been used to interpret XPS data from alkali halides and other ionic compounds. Data reported in the literature reveal that, rather than being anomalous, small or negative binding energy shifts are common to many ionic compounds. It is suggested that the large negative shifts observed for the high temperature superconductors are a consequence of large Madelung energies at the cation sites, and may be a measure of the hole distribution on the Cu-O planes. Measurements of the energy loss regions from the core levels of the Sr compounds are also reported. A peak which has previously been assigned as a configuration interaction satellite of the Sr4s peak is shown to be a plasmon loss from the Sr4p peak.
Rape and Resistance

What are the consequences when rape victims resist rapists? Analysis of a nationally representative sample of rape incidents reported in the National Crime Surveys for 1979 to 1985 yields the following findings: (1) Victims who resist are much less likely to have the rape completed against them than nonresisting victims, a pattern generally apparent regardless of the specific form of resistance; (2) The form of resistance that appears most effective in preventing rape completion is resistance with a gun, knife, or other weapon; (3) Most forms of resistance are not significantly associated with higher rates of victim injury. The exceptions are unarmed forceful resistance and threatening or arguing with the rapist; (4) Even these two forms of resistance probably do not generally provoke rapists to injure their victims, as ancillary evidence concerning assaults and robberies indicates that resistance rarely precedes injury. Attack against the victim appears to provoke victim resistance, rather than the reverse; (5) Only about three percent of rape incidents involve some additional injury that could be described as serious. Thus it is the rape itself that is nearly always the most serious injury the victim suffers. Consequently, refraining from resistance in order to avoid injury in addition to the rape is a questionable tradeoff.
“Doing Gender” The Impact and Future of a Salient Sociological Concept

C andace West and Don Zimmerman wrote "Doing Gender" at a time (the 1980s) when a paradigm shift in feminist social science was occur ring. The long-standing conception of "sex roles" had suffered fundamental feminist critique for a variety of reasons, none more important than its eclipsing of interrogations of power and inequality (Lopata and Thorne 1978). For those second-wave feminist perspectives that did highlight power and inequality-such as Radical feminism and Marxist feminism serious theoretical problems likewise quickly emerged. Radical feminism was the first feminist perspective to spotlight the significance of masculine power, but it eventually became radically regressive by assuming essential ism. Marxist feminism-popular for its emphasis on both class and gender inequalities-became enmeshed in analytical debates over how best to conceptualize the intersection between patriarchy and capitalism. And all of these perspectives-sex-role theory, Radical feminism, and Marxist (and socialist) feminism-were criticized for ignoring distinct displays of agency. Individual social action was viewed by each theory as simply the result of one's "sex role" or the "systems" of patriarchy and capitalism. Thus, by the mid-1980s feminist social science that theorized about gender suffered an impasse at both the "micro" and the "macro" levels. "Doing Gender" was a conceptual breakthrough that compellingly responded to this theoretical impasse and influenced feminist theory worldwide. The concept of "doing gender" was supported and confirmed during 20 years of intense sociological scrutiny and substantial cogent research. Not surprisingly, this concept became, and remains, immensely salient in sociology, gender studies, and feminist theory. Over the past eight years, my research on "doing gender" has concen trated primarily on white, working-class, violent and nonviolent teenage
Energy balance and emissions associated with biochar sequestration and pyrolysis bioenergy production.

The implications for greenhouse gas emissions of optimizing a slow pyrolysis-based bioenergy system for biochar and energy production rather than solely for energy production were assessed. Scenarios for feedstock production were examined using a life-cycle approach. We considered both purpose grown bioenergy crops (BEC) and the use of crop wastes (CW) as feedstocks. The BEC scenarios involved a change from growingwinterwheattopurposegrownmiscanthus,switchgrass, and corn as bioenergy crops. The CW scenarios consider both corn stover and winter wheat straw as feedstocks. Our findings show that the avoided emissions are between 2 and 5 times greater when biochar is applied to agricultural land (2‐19 Mg CO2 ha -1 y -1 ) than used solely for fossil energy offsets. 41‐64% of these emission reductions are related to the retention of C in biochar, the rest to offsetting fossil fuel useforenergy,fertilizersavings,andavoidedsoilemissionsother than CO2. Despite a reduction in energy output of approximately
Correlation between the secondary β-relaxation time at Tg and the Kohlrausch exponent of the primary α-relaxation

A correlation between the logarithm of the secondary β-relaxation time, log[τβ(Tg)], and the Kohlrausch exponent, (1−n), of the primary α-relaxation correlation function exp[−(t/τα)1−n] has been found in glass-forming materials in general. I was guided to this finding by the coupling model based on the similarity of some secondary β-relaxation to the primitive α-relaxation of the model. The logarithm of the primitive α-relaxation time at Tg,log[τ0(Tg)], calculated according to the coupling model from the observed α-relaxation at Tg, is exactly correlated with the Kohlrausch exponent. A similar, although inexact, correlation between log[τβ(Tg)] and (1−n) is thus expected and found. Furthermore, the experimental values of τβ(Tg) are remarkably close in order of magnitude to τ0(Tg) for many glass-formers as anticipated.