cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Variations on a theme of nuclear matter

The authors review new techniques developed to apply the variational method to the nuclear matter problem. The variational wave function is taken to be ($S{\ensuremath{\Pi}}_{ilj}{\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{ij}}$) $\ensuremath{\Phi}$; the correlation operators ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{ij}}$ can in principle induce central, backflow, spin isospin, tensor, etc. correlations, and $\ensuremath{\Phi}$ is the ideal Fermi gas wave function. The application of diagrammatic cluster expansion and chain summation techniques to calculate expectation values with such wave functions is discussed in detail. The authors also give a brief overview of various other approaches to the calculation of the binding energies of quantum fluids, and a comparison of results for simple systems such ad helium liquids. Results obtained by various methods for simplified models of nuclear matter, which include central, spin, isospin, and tensor forces, have converged significantly in recent months. Results obtained with more realistic models which include the spin-orbit potentials are also discussed. The potential models considered so far either give too little binding or too high equilibrium density.
OR models for energy planning

Abstract This paper discusses how OR models and methods have been used, or could be used, to aid in energy planning. The three specific areas discussed are energy system equilibrium analyses, energy R & D planning models, and models for stockpiling petroleum and allocating it in emergencies. A number of open methodological and model building research questions are presented.
Impact of brand recognition and brand reputation on firm performance: U.S.-based multinational restaurant companies’ perspective

Abstract Given the importance of a firm's performance, which is of significant interest to many groups of people including management, shareholders and governments, this study aims to examine the impact of brand recognition and brand reputation on firm performance within the U.S. multinational restaurant company context. The study findings suggest that brand reputation, in general, has a positive influence on a firm's value performance but no significant relationship with accounting performance. Brand recognition shows no significant relationship with both value and accounting performance measures controlling for the degree of internationalization of a multinational restaurant company.
Molecular dynamics studies of phonon spectra in mono- and bimetallic nanoclusters

Phonon spectra obtained from molecular dynamics simulations of mono- and bimetallic nanoclusters deposited on a graphite substrate provide new insights into the connection between the atomic distribution in the clusters and their dynamical properties. Our analysis identifies surface and inner modes and the contribution of each of the elements in a bimetallic pair to each of the modes, which is determined by their location in the nanocluster. We suggest that this type of analysis can provide a much better characterization of bimetallic (and multimetallic) clusters than those obtained from other methods. Such characterization is crucial for important technological applications such as catalysis.
Differences in Children's Construction of Gender Across Culture: An Interpretive Approach

The authors examine gender segregation and cross-sex play in a comparative perspective. Although some level of gender segregation seems to be a universal feature in children's play, taking an interpretive view, it was found that children in some peer cultures emphasize gender differences and ritualize cross-sex interactions and in other cultures, children seldom enforce gender boundaries. Gender identity varies in salience and practice among Italian children, lower-class African American children, and upper-middle-class White American children. Thus, studying gender segregation as something that is constructed and negotiated in children's peer cultures rather than a universal phenomenon that is strictly based on biological or cognitive factors provides a clearer picture.
Extended Navier–Stokes equations, ultrasonic absorption and shock structure

The Navier–Stokes (N–S) equations for a steady or unsteady, compressible, continuum flow are modified. The extension is based on a Stokesian fluid with a single nonlinear term in an isotropic stress, rate-of-deformation relation. This is the simplest possible nonlinear extension that also satisfies the second law of thermodynamics. The transport coefficient of this term is referred to as the third viscosity coefficient. In the extended version, the momentum and energy equations each contain a nonlinear term that is proportional to this new coefficient. These terms are significant only when the velocity gradient is extremely large. They are inconsequential, e.g., in a laminar boundary layer. Nevertheless, there are flows where the extended version of the N–S equations is relevant. The first of these is an ultrasonic, unsteady, one-dimensional flow, which is used for evaluating the bulk viscosity. In this case, the linearized N–S equations become singular as the ultrasonic frequency increases toward infinity. When the frequency is sufficiently large, nonlinear terms in the extended N–S equations need to be retained. The terms that are proportional to the third viscosity coefficient increase in importance, relative to linear terms, as the fourth power of the frequency. A second example is shock wave structure. A model is established and numerically solved for the normalized density derivative. Results are compared with corresponding measurements for argon when the upstream Mach number is 1.058 and 1.23. Good agreement between the extended N–S predictions and measurements is obtained for both Mach numbers with a single, but extremely small, value for the third viscosity coefficient. An important difference between conventional and extended N–S shock structure solutions is that the extended-model solution depends on the upstream pressure, whereas the conventional solution does not.
THE RELATIONS OF THE NEWER MULTIVARIATE STATISTICAL METHODS TO FACTOR ANALYSIS

. A survey of developments in multivariate analysis during the last thirty years shows that some, though not all, of the purposes for which factor analysis has been used may now be better accomplished by other procedures, e.g. by regression, multiple correlation, the study of relations between two sets of variates, or of the dimensionality of a set of variates. To determine whether two or more groups of persons differ significantly in their mean values or their covariance matrices, the most appropriate procedures consist of methods of multivariate analysis of variance. Such methods have increased rather than diminished the advantages of using an external criterion instead of making a purely internal analysis. The problem of estimating the dimensionality of a continuous multivariate population by means of a sample admits a simple and exact answer: the rank of the population is equal to that of the sample, provided the number of degrees of freedom among the individuals in the sample exceeds the number of the variates. If, however, the problem is re-interpreted so as to imply that each observation is the sum of a real part and a random error, then the hypothesis that the real part has a rank smaller than the number of variates can be tested only when a proper estimate of the errors is available, i.e. by making suitable replications. The appropriate method is again multivariate analysis of variance rather than factor analysis. In a third form of the problem the object is, not to ascertain a true dimensionality, but to assess the error resulting from discarding (on practical grounds) a dimension that may really exist. Here the problem is somewhat indeterminate: a practical expedient may involve a special form of factor analysis, viz. the calculation of the least, not the greatest, latent roots. Thus, in many cases in which they have hitherto been used, factor analyses of the usual kinds are inferior to other procedures: nevertheless, the results of such analyses may have heuristic and suggestive value, and may uncover hypotheses which are capable of more objective testing by other methods.
A case of cranial fasciitis originating within the diploic space of an adult: case report.

Objective Cranial fasciitis rarely occurs as a circumscribed lesion in the diploic space without soft tissue involvement. It is even more rare in adults. We discuss the radiographic and pathological differential diagnosis for cranial fasciitis and review the literature regarding clinical presentation and prognosis. Clinical presentation A 27-year-old woman presented with scalp pain and headaches for several months. On physical examination, she had a raised, firm, tender mass above the right ear that was 3 cm in diameter over which there was mild alopecia. Magnetic resonance imaging scans showed a well circumscribed contrast enhancing mass within the diploic space. Intervention Because of the patient's symptoms and the lack of a diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging-guided surgical resection of the cranial lesion followed by placement of a titanium cranioplasty was recommended. Conclusion A nonspecific radiographic appearance warrants biopsy. Complete excision is the optimal treatment choice when the possibility of malignancy cannot be ruled out.
Adapting e-Learning for Japanese Audiences Tutorial

Online learning environments in the US typically assume linear information structures, a reliable and proven approach toward e-learning. Linear information structures are ubiquitous in the US for many reasons but generally address writer-responsible authoring, low context communication styles, individualism and achievement, and monochronic or sequential temporal order. Each of these characteristics addresses the cultural requirements of the majority of e-learners in the US. However, when adapting or internationalizing e-learning environments for other cultures, many US assumptions fail to meet the unique demands of the target audience. Consequently, a streamlined and minimalist linear information structure excludes numerous cultural requirements for many international audiences. Using an example developed at a global technologies firm in California, this tutorial explains the proven effectiveness of current US e-learning prototypes and delineates the internationalization requirements for Japanese audiences
A comparison of the midlevel kinematic characteristics of a pair of supercell thunderstorms observed by airborne Doppler radar

The midlevel kinematic characteristics of two supercell thunderstorms observed during the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX), one tornadic and the other nontornadic, are compared using airborne pseudo-dual-Doppler wind retrievals. The most significant difference between the two cases was that a midlevel rear-inflow jet was observed in the nontornadic supercell (12 May 1995), whereas such rear-to-front, storm-relative flow was absent at midlevels in the tornadic supercell (16 May 1995). The midlevel jet in the nontornadic supercell was located on the north flank of a prominent region of anticyclonic vertical vorticity. Some speculations are provided pertaining to the possible importance of the midlevel kinematic differences between the two storms.
Phosphorylation of the mouse hepatitis virus nucleocapsid protein

Analysis of the radiolabeled tryptic peptides derived from the nucleocapsid proteins of two serotypes of mouse hepatitis virus showed each to have a small number of unique peptides; however, two biologically distinct variants of the JHM strain appeared identical. Analysis of [32P]-labeled nucleocapsid-derived peptides showed that phosphorylation occurs at only a few sites and that all three viruses differed in the sites of phosphorylation. No differences in the sites of phosphorylation were found between the nucleocapsid proteins derived from purified virions and the membranes or the cytosol of infected cells, suggesting that post-translational phosphorylation plays no role in the regulation of viral assembly. These data show unequivocal evidence that the nucleocapsid proteins of mouse hepatitis virus strains differ in the sites of phosphorylation.
Nitric oxide metabolism in canine sepsis: Relation to regional blood flow

Purpose: To investigate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in early endotoxemia on the systemic and regional blood flow by measuring the plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx) and blood nitrosyl-hemoglobin (NO-Hb) levels. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, controlled, experimental study conducted in an animal research laboratory on 15 male mongrel dogs. Escherichia coli endotoxin (1 mg/kg) was injected intravenously. Results: Hepatic, renal, and iliac blood flow and cardiac output (CO) were measured before and 15, 30, 45, 90 and 180 minutes after injection of Escherichia coli endotoxin (1 mg/kg) (n = 6). NOx efflux from the organs was calculated by measuring plasma NOx levels. The arterial blood levels of NO-Hb were also measured (n = 4). As control studies, blood samples from dogs (n = 5) without exposure to endotoxin were assayed at 180 minutes for NOx and NO-Hb. Following endotoxin injection, mean arterial pressure decreased and reached its lowest value at 90 minutes (baseline vs. 90 minutes: 119.1 ± 5.8 vs. 82.5 ± 16.7 mm Hg, P < .0001). Hepatic artery bloodflow increased significantly (baseline vs. 180 minutes: 23.6 ± 12.0 vs. 170.0 ± 68.4 mL/min, P < .0001). There were no significant changes in plasma levels of NOx, uptake or release of NOx across the measured vascular beds, NO-Hb levels at anytime point. In the portal system, the portal vein flow correlated with NOx release (R = 0.69, P < .0001). Conclusion: In the early phase of endotoxemia in the dog, the significant reduction in systemic vascular resistance and hepatic arterial resistance are not associated with any measurable NOx release in the systemic circulation or the liver.
Laser-assisted chemistry in the reaction Mg(1S)+CO2→MgO(B1Σ+)+CO

Abstract Evidence of laser-assisted chemistry in the gas phase reaction of Mg( 1 S) with carbon dioxide has been observed. In this experiment, energy to overcome the substantial reaction endoergicity (≈35000 cm −1 ) for the production of the B 1 Σ + state of MgO is provided by a laser photon which is non-resonant with any reactant or product. The endoergicity nearly matches the energy of the 1 P state of atomic magnesium through which the pumping laser is tuned. Production of MgO is detected by visible chemiluminescence as a function of the detuning out to 1200 cm −1 . Pressure broadening and other non-reactive causes have been examined and eliminated as sources for the recorded signals.
The inverse eigenvalue problem for symmetric anti-bidiagonal matrices

Abstract The inverse eigenvalue problem for real symmetric matrices of the form 0 0 0 ⋯ 0 0 ∗ 0 0 0 ⋯ 0 ∗ ∗ 0 0 0 ⋯ ∗ ∗ 0 · ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ · ⋮ ⋮ ⋮ · 0 0 ∗ ⋯ 0 0 0 0 ∗ ∗ ⋯ 0 0 0 ∗ ∗ 0 ⋯ 0 0 0 is solved. The solution is shown to be unique. The problem is also shown to be equivalent to the inverse eigenvalue problem for a certain subclass of Jacobi matrices.
Does Sentential Prosody Help Infants Organize And Remember Speech Information

Theories that propose a mapping between prosodic and syntactic structures require that prosodic units in fluent speech be perceptually salient for infants. Although previous studies have demonstrated that infants are sensitive to prosodic markers of syntactic units, they do not show that prosodic information really has an impact on how infants encode the speech they hear. Two experiments were conducted to examine whether infants as young as 2 months old might actually use the prosody afforded by sentences to organize and remember spoken information. The results suggest that infants better remember the phonetic properties of (1) words that are prosodically linked together within a single clause as opposed to individual items in a list (Experiment 1); and (2) words that are prosodically linked within a single clausal unit as opposed to spanning two contiguous fragments (Experiment 2). Taken together, the evidence from both experiments suggests that the prosodic organization of speech into clausal units enhances infants' memory for spoken information. These findings are discussed with regard to their implications for theories of language acquisition.
An unexpected specialization for horizontal disparity in primate primary visual cortex

The horizontal separation of the eyes means that objects nearer or farther than the fixation point project to different locations on the two retinae, differing principally in their horizontal coordinates (horizontal binocular disparity). Disparity-selective neurons have generally been studied with disparities applied in only one direction1 (often horizontal), which cannot determine whether the encoding is specialized for processing disparities along the horizontal axis. It is therefore unclear if disparity selectivity represents a specialization for naturally occurring disparities. I used random dot stereograms to study disparity-selective neurons from the primary visual cortex (V1) of awake fixating monkeys. Many combinations of vertical and horizontal disparity were used, characterizing the surface of responses as a function of two-dimensional disparity. Here I report that the response surface usually showed elongation along the horizontal disparity axis, despite the isotropic stimulus. Thus these neurons modulated their firing rate over a wider range of horizontal disparity than vertical disparity. This demonstrates that disparity-selective cells are specialized for processing horizontal disparity, and that existing models2,3 of disparity selectivity require substantial revision.
Smoothing and accelerated computations in the element free Galerkin method

Two topics in the formulation and implementation of meshless methods are considered: the smoothing of the approximating functions at concave boundaries and the speedup of the calculation of the approximating functions and their derivatives. These techniques are described in the context of the element free Galerkin method, but they are applicable to other meshless methods. Results are presented for some elastostatic problems which show a moderate improvement in the accuracy of the smoothed interpolant. The speedup in calculating the shape functions is about a factor of two.
A backscattered x-ray imager for medical applications

Conventional X-ray radiographic systems rely on transmitted photons for the production of images. Backscatter imaging makes use of the more abundant scattered photons for image formation. Specifically, incoherently (Compton) scattered X-ray photons are detected and used for image formation in this modality of medical imaging. However, additional information is obtained when the transmitted X-ray photons are also detected and used. Transmission radiography produces a two-dimensional image of a three dimensional system, therefore image information from a shallower object is often contaminated by image information from underlying objects. Backscattered x-ray imaging largely overcomes this deficiency by imaging depth selectively, which reduces corruption of shallow imaging information by information from deeper objects lying under it. Backscattered x-ray imaging may be particularly useful for examining anatomical structures at shallow depths beneath the skin. Some typical applications for such imaging might be breast imaging, middle ear imaging, imaging of skin melanomas, etc. Previous investigations, by way of theoretical calculations and computational simulations into the feasibility of this kind of imaging have uncovered high-contrast and SNR parameters. Simulations indicate that this method can be used for imaging relatively high-density objects at depths of up to approximately five centimeters below the surface. This paper presents both theoretical and experimental SNR results on this new medical imaging modality.
Impact of climate change on the frequency of Northern Hemisphere summer cyclones

[1] The potential impact of increasing greenhouse gases on the frequency of Northern Hemisphere summer cyclones is examined using daily-averaged mean sea level pressure from climate models used in the latest assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Previous studies have found that the models consistently show a strong decrease for winter cyclones. In contrast, there are much smaller changes in the frequency of summer cyclones and little consistency among the models. In particular, there is no consistency among the models as to whether the frequency of hemispheric-averaged summer cyclones will increase or decrease. For some subregions the sign of the trend is consistent across the vast majority of models, but even then there is a large spread in the magnitude of the trends. The general lack of consistency among models indicates that care is required when interpreting projected changes in summer weather systems.
Nonoxide Chalcogenide Glass Films for Integrated Optics

We report the waveguiding properties of sputtered films of three chalcogenide glasses: As2S3, Ge28Sb12Se60, and Ge33As12Se55, at 1.064 μm. Propagation losses of less than 1 dB/cm have been measured for As2S3 films. Delineated guides, as well as films, have been made and studied.
Mechanisms of hepatocarcinogenesis in chronic hepatitis C

SUMMARY: Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma. The genetic changes that drive cancer development are heterogeneous and how chronic hepatitis C promotes the initiation of hepatocellular carcinoma is incompletely understood. Cancer typically arises in the setting of advanced fibrosis and/or cirrhosis where chronic immune-mediated inflammation over decades promotes hepatocyte turnover providing selective pressure that favors the malignant phenotype. As well as contributions of unresolved inflammation to carcinogenesis, evidence from transgenic mice with liver-specific expression of viral sequences suggests that some HCV-encoded proteins may directly promote cancer. Numerous in vitro studies suggest roles for HCV proteins in subversion of cellular pathways that normally act to suppress tumorigenesis. Here, we review the mechanisms by which persistent HCV infection might promote cancer in addition to the procarcinogenic effects of inflammatory liver disease.
Isolation of the C9b fragment of human complement component C9 using urea in the absence of detergents

The bactericidal activity of the C5b-9 complex of complement is dependent upon the terminal complement component C9. The precursor C5b-8 complex is not harmful to bacterial cells until C9 is added to complete the C5b-9 complex. The C9 molecule can be proteolytically cleaved by thrombin to yield an intact, nicked molecule that remains fully functional when added to either bacterial cells or erythrocytes bearing pre-formed C5b-8 complexes. In investigating the membranolytic function of C9 in the C5b-9 complex, the carboxyl-terminal portion of the nicked molecule (C9b) has been shown to be membranolytic when added to erythrocytes, liposomes, or bacterial inner membranes in the absence of any other complement components. The isolation of C9b from nicked C9 has been accomplished by preparative gel electrophoresis using detergents, however the study of the activity of C9b in membrane systems may be complicated by the possible presence of residual detergent. To address this concern, we have used 4 M urea in conjunction with hydroxyapatite chromatography and a phosphate elution procedure to separate the domains of nicked C9. The isolated C9b domain, free of detergents and in the absence of any other complement components, was found to be membranolytic. C9b isolated in this manner was capable of lysing erythrocytes and inhibiting the growth of bacterial spheroplasts.
Two Kaluza-Klein wormhole solutions

In this paper we examine models of ten-dimensional supergravity and monoples. Wormhole solutions are obtained under the Freund-Rubin-type spontaneous compactification. The meaning of the solutions is discussed in terms of the tunnelling process.
Total and Component Actuarial Scores of the Gesell Copy Form Test as Predictors of Achievement, Intelligence, and Creativity Measures

Abstract The predictive validities of the five component actuarial scores of the Gesell Copy Form Test—Basic Form, Proportion, Corners and Closures, Size, and Size Range—were investigated to determine whether any sub-scores were able to predict selected achievement, intelligence, and creativity measures more effectively than the Copy Form Total actuarial score over a five-year interval. Criterion measures included the Iowa Tests of Basic Skills, Lorge-Thorndike Intelligence Test, Goodenough-Harris Figure Drawing Test, and Torrance Circle Test. Correlational analysis revealed that the Proportion and Corners and Closures scores yielded a greater number of significant correlation coefficients than did the Copy Form Total actuarial score with achievement scores of the male and female elementary students (N = 60) included in the sample.
Searching and browsing text collections with large category hierarchies

A new user interface has been developed that allows users to make use of large category hierarchies for search and browsing of retrieval results for information access. The key insight is the separation of the representation of category labels from documents, which allows the display of multiple categories per document.
Distribution of Kv1-like potassium channels in the electromotor and electrosensory systems of the weakly electric fish Apteronotus leptorhynchus.

The electromotor and electrosensory systems of the weakly electric fish Apteronotus leptorhynchus are model systems for studying mechanisms of high-frequency motor pattern generation and sensory processing. Voltage-dependent ionic currents, including low-threshold potassium currents, influence excitability of neurons in these circuits and thereby regulate motor output and sensory filtering. Although Kv1-like potassium channels are likely to carry low-threshold potassium currents in electromotor and electrosensory neurons, the distribution of Kv1 α subunits in A. leptorhynchus is unknown. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry with six different antibodies raised against specific mammalian Kv1 α subunits (Kv1.1–Kv1.6) to characterize the distribution of Kv1-like channels in electromotor and electrosensory structures. Each Kv1 antibody labeled a distinct subset of neurons, fibers, and/or dendrites in electromotor and electrosensory nuclei. Kv1-like immunoreactivity in the electrosensory lateral line lobe (ELL) and pacemaker nucleus are particularly relevant in light of previous studies suggesting that potassium currents carried by Kv1 channels regulate neuronal excitability in these regions. Immunoreactivity of pyramidal cells in the ELL with several Kv1 antibodies is consistent with Kv1 channels carrying low-threshold outward currents that regulate spike waveform in these cells (Fernandez et al., J Neurosci 2005;25:363–371). Similarly, Kv1-like immunoreactivity in the pacemaker nucleus is consistent with a role of Kv1 channels in spontaneous high-frequency firing in pacemaker neurons. Robust Kv1-like immunoreactivity in several other structures, including the dorsal torus semicircularis, tuberous electroreceptors, and the electric organ, indicates that Kv1 channels are broadly expressed and are likely to contribute significantly to generating the electric organ discharge and processing electrosensory inputs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2006
Postoperative monitoring in free tissue transfer patients: Effective use of nursing and resident staff

Abstract Objectives To compare the outcomes of two different free flap monitoring protocols and determine whether nursing staff can safely and effectively monitor free flaps. Study Design Historical cohort study on all head and neck free tissue transfer patients from August 2003 to August 2007. Setting Tertiary care teaching institution. Subjects and Methods The patients were divided into two groups according to monitoring protocol. Group A (n = 49) had free flaps monitored primarily by resident physicians, while Group B patients (n = 45) were evaluated primarily by nursing staff. Demographic and outcomes data, including complications, reoperations, length of hospital stay, and flap viability, were then compared. Results Overall, 28 (57%) patients in Group A and 16 (37%) in Group B had at least one complication ( P = 0.05). Only eight patients in each group had major complications. There were 25 (27%) patients who required further intervention in the operating room: 18 (37%) in Group A and seven (16%) in Group B ( P = 0.03). Only 12 (13%) patients returned to the operating room for concerns of flap viability: seven from Group A and five from Group B. The median length of hospital stay was 11 days for both groups ( P = 0.76). The flap success rate was 95 percent, with three failures in Group A and two in Group B ( P = 0.72). Conclusions A monitoring protocol utilizing trained nursing staff has no detrimental effect on free tissue transfer outcomes. This may be used to optimize resident time within the current duty-hour restrictions.
Optimization and modeling of an electrolyzed oxidizing water based Clean-In-Place technique for farm milking systems using a pilot-scale milking system

Abstract Electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water has been recommended to be used as a cleaning and sanitizing agent for Clean-In-Place (CIP) of on-farm milking systems. The CIP process for milking system with EO water was optimized using a pilot-scale pipeline milking system. The milking system was soiled using raw milk inoculated with four common microorganisms found in milk and cleaned using EO water. The cleaning effectiveness of the EO water treatment was evaluated by ATP bioluminescence test and microbiological analysis through enrichment culture. The effect of different temperatures of the alkaline EO water (45–75 °C) and acidic EO water (25–45 °C) were investigated. A generalized mathematical model was built and validated for the pilot scale milking system as well as compared with the conventional CIP technique. This study indicated that the EO water CIP outperformed the conventional CIP, indicating that it has a potential to be used in commercial dairy farms.
Hashing for dynamic and static internal tables

The authors survey the classical hashing-function approach to information retrieval and show how general hashing techniques exchange speed for memory space and flexibility in data manipulation operations such as insert, delete, and overflow. They also discuss recent developments in perfect hashing and minimal perfect hashing, which provide speed and memory compactness when the keys are known in advance. >
Crystal structure of the Src family tyrosine kinase Hck

The crystal structure of the haematopoietic cell kinase Hck has been determined at 2.6/2.9 A resolution. Inhibition of enzymatic activity is a consequence of intramolecular interactions of the enzyme's Src-homology domains SH2 and SH3, with concomitant displacement of elements of the catalytic domain. The conformation of the active site has similarities with that of inactive cyclin-dependent protein kinases.
Intraocular inflammation 1993 (endophthalmitis)

Despite several recently published optimistic reports on successful therapeutic regimens of postoperative endophthalmitis caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci this intraocular disease still represents a preeminent danger for ocular vision and the integrity of the globe. In this survey critical analyses of studies concerning infectious as well as the non-infectious intraocular inflammations have been reviewed. The demand for an initiation of "metastudies" seems appropriate in order to evaluate the many controversial data collections concerning the incidence, diagnosis and results of therapeutic interventions of postoperative endophthalmitis.
Cosmic superstrings stabilized by fermions

Abstract We show that there exist massive perturbative states of the ten-dimensional Green–Schwarz closed superstring that are stabilized against collapse due to presence of fermionic zero modes on its worldsheet. The excited fermionic degrees of freedom backreact on the spacetime motion of the string in the same way as a neutral persistent current would, rendering these string loops stable. We point out that the existence of these states could have important consequences as stable loops of cosmological size as well as long lived states within perturbative string theory.
Oncolytic viral therapy for human cancer: Challenges revisited

Conditional replicative, oncolytic adenoviruses are genetically modified to replicate primarily in malignant cells with oncogenetic defects, selectively killing cancer cells in the process. Viral progenies released within the tumor microenvironment can penetrate, infect, and destroy additional cell layers of the solid tumor mass. Much excitement has been generated over the clinical successes of ONYX-015 adenovirus treatment for advanced head and neck cancer, pancreatic carcinoma, and metastatic colorectal carcinoma at the locoregional level. However, follow-up trials with systemic viral administration have not met initial expectations. This review examines recent basic science developments that may potentially overcome the two key limitations of systemic virotherapy, namely, suboptimal tumor oncolysis and pharmacokinetic shortcomings due to rapid viral clearance. Late-generation constructs incorporate alternative viral backbone modifications and antitumor transgenes to enhance oncolytic potency. Furthermore, altered viral tropism, through masking or substitution of viral surface components, is likely to promote tumor-selective targeting and safety. Merits of these approaches in the clinical arena are discussed. Drug Dev. Res. 66:260–277, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Disability-accessibility of airlines' Web sites for US reservations online

Abstract With the number of disabled travelers continuously increasing, the airline industry is faced with the challenges associated with making online reservations accessible to the disabled. In this paper, we investigate the disability-accessibility of the online reservations systems of commercial US airline carriers, as well as, those of foreign carriers that fly to/from the US.
HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE LEGITIMACY OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORDER

The international legal order is beginning to take human rights seriously, yet sound justifications for claims about human rights are conspicuously absent. Philosophers have begun to respond to this “justification deficit” by developing theories of human rights. Although a philosophical conception of human rights is needed, it would not be sufficient. The justification of human rights is a dynamic process in which a provisional philosophical conception of human rights both guides and is fleshed out by public processes of practical reasoning structured by legal institutions. Whether the “justification deficit” can be remedied depends not only upon the content of human rights norms as set out in the major conventions and the arguments philosophers can marshal to justify them but also upon the epistemic virtues of the institutions through which the norms are specified, contested, and revised over time.
Synthesis and Characterization of [l]-Lactide−Ethylene Oxide Multiblock Copolymers

[l]-Lactide ([l]-LA)/ethylene oxide (EO) ring-opening copolymerizations were successfully carried out by using various catalysts including isobutylaluminoxane (IBAO), in situ AlR3·0.5H2O systems (R = ethyl, isobutyl) and Sn−Al bimetallic catalysts. Analysis of products by 1H NMR showed that methanol insoluble copolymer fractions had multiblock structures. The multiblock segment length and molecular weight of the copolymers were regulated by a variation in the reaction temperature, reaction time, reaction medium, and the catalyst structure. An increase in the reaction temperature was used to obtain shorter segment block lengths. Bulk reactions at elevated temperatures gave shorter block lengths than those of corresponding polymerizations conducted in solution (xylene). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results showed two melting transitions corresponding to poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and [l]-polylactide ([l]-PLA) crystalline phases. The melting temperature and enthalpy of fusion for the phase-separat...
Abundance and Activity of 16S rRNA, AmoA and NifH Bacterial Genes During Assisted Phytostabilization of Mine Tailings

Mine tailings in semiarid regions are highly susceptible to erosion and are sources of dust pollution and potential avenues of human exposure to toxic metals. One constraint to revegetation of tailings by phytostabilization is the absence of microbial communities critical for biogeochemical cycling of plant nutrients. The objective of this study was to evaluate specific genes as in situ indicators of biological soil response during phytoremediation. The abundance and activity of 16S rRNA, nifH, and amoA were monitored during a nine month phytostabilization study using buffalo grass and quailbush grown in compost-amended, metalliferous tailings. The compost amendment provided a greater than 5-log increase in bacterial abundance, and survival of this compost-inoculum was more stable in planted treatments. Despite increased abundance, the activity of the introduced community was low, and significant increases were not detected until six and nine months in quailbush, and unplanted compost and buffalo grass tr...
Establishment and early growth of dryland plantings of Arizona cypress in New Mexico, USA

Arid and semi-arid lands are becoming increasingly important for food and fiber production worldwide. Windbreak and shelterbelts can improve the productivity of such lands, but their establishment can be difficult and/or expensive. This study examined the survival and growth of Arizona cypress (Cupressus arizonica) propagated in four different container sizes, then outplanted at three planting sites in either fall 1994 or spring 1995. Trees were planted in plots prepared with three treatments (v-ditch and weed barrier, singly and in combination), along with an undisturbed control. Generally, more intensive site preparation and larger stock size was associated with greater survival. While some such stock size and treatment combinations showed high mortality at 28 days, subsequent mortality through six growing seasons was relatively low. Stock size and site preparation did not strongly impact height after six growing seasons.
Empirically optimized flow cytometric immunoassay validates ambient analyte theory.

Ekins’ ambient analyte theory predicts, counterintuitively, that an immunoassay’s limit of detection can be improved by reducing the amount of capture antibody. In addition, it also anticipates that results should be insensitive to the volume of sample as well as the amount of capture antibody added. The objective of this study was to empirically validate all of the performance characteristics predicted by Ekins’ theory. Flow cytometric analysis was used to detect binding between a fluorescent ligand and capture microparticles because it can directly measure fractional occupancy, the primary response variable in ambient analyte theory. After experimentally determining ambient analyte conditions, comparisons were carried out between ambient and nonambient assays in terms of their signal strengths, limits of detection, and sensitivity to variations in reaction volume and number of particles. The critical number of binding sites required for an assay to be in the ambient analyte region was estimated to be 0.1 VKd. As predicted, such assays exhibited superior signal/noise levels and limits of detection and were not affected by variations in sample volume and number of binding sites. When the signal detected measures fractional occupancy, ambient analyte theory is an excellent guide to developing assays with superior performance characteristics.
The Portrait of the Goddess in the Devī-māhātmya

The Devi-mahatmya (DM) is the most famous of all Hindu texts celebrating the divine feminine. Written sometime around the sixth century AD in Sanskrit it tells of the Goddess's various mythological exploits. To this day it is used in the worship of the Goddess and is greatly revered by her devotees. This article seeks to analyze the DM by (1) delimiting various goddess traditions that are incorporated into the text by the author and by (2) focusing on those aspects of the DM's portrait of the Goddess that seem essential and distinctive in relationship to other Hindu deities. The following goddess traditions are discernable in the DM: (1) a mountain-dwelling goddess, Siva's consort; (2) a goddess of wealth and abundance, Laksmi, Visnu's consort; (3) a warrior goddess, Durgd; (4) a bloodthirsty goddess, Kdli; and (5) a group of goddesses collectively known as the Mothers, matrkas. All of these strands are well known to the author of the DM and each strand is incorporated into his portrait in specific ways. In discussing the essential and distinctive nature of the DM's image of the Goddess, however, it is argued that she is no mere copy or combination of other goddesses. Functionally she is primarily a female version of Visnu. Her most important role is to protect the world from demons and she does so from time to time by assuming various forms. The author of the DM, that is, has clearly modeled the Goddess in important ways on certain male gods of the Hindu pantheon. The Goddess's character, or "personality," however, is distinctive and centers around her most popular epithets: Ambika and Candikd. The former name emphasizes her motherly qualities and the later emphasizes her fierce qualities. The Goddess as the fierce mother expresses a coincidence of opposites. This aspect of her character, it is argued, expresses the ambiguities inherent in human existence itself. The Goddess expresses both the Hindu emphasis upon the warm, nurturing nature of existence (the world of dharma and the abundance of prakrti) and the emphasis on the ephemeral, limited, painful aspects of the phenomenal world.
Distribution of Clay Minerals and Ion-Exchange Capacity in Some Sedimentary Materials1

The cation-exchange capacity of the clay fraction was determined in 67 samples of various types of sedimentary materials, and the clay minerals were identified from x-ray diffraetometer patterns of oriented aggregates. The probable quantitative clay mineral composition was established for each sample assuming a comparable degree of crystallinity for the clay minerals in the sample. Agreement was poor between the ion-exchange capacities determined and those predicted from the clay mineral composition. The results suggest that the figure obtained for the ion-exchange capacity of a sample of sedimentary material may be misleading as a guide to the types of clay minerals present.
Activation of O2 by a binuclear copper(I) compound. Hydroxylation of a new xylyl-binucleating ligand to produce a phenoxy-bridged binuclear copper(II) complex; X-ray crystal structure of [Cu2{OC6H3[CH2N(CH2CH2py)2]2-2,6}(OMe)](py = 2-pyridyl)

Reaction of O2 with a binuclear CuI species derived from a new meta-xylyl-binucleating ligand, NNN′N′-tetrakis[2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl]-α,α′-diamino-m-xylene [m-xyl(py)], has resulted in hydroxylation of the ligand to produce the binuclear CuII complex (1); the X-ray crystal structure of the dication of (1) shows two pentaco-ordinate CuII ions bridged by the phenoxy-group of the ligand and a methoxy-group.
Evaluation of low-temperature interdiffusion coefficients in Hg-based superlattices by monitoring the E 1 reflectance peak

We show that variations of the E1 reflectance peak in Hg-based superlattices can be used to probe low-temperature interdiffusion by monitoring the shift of the E1 peak with time over extended periods. Little evidence of interdiffusion was detected for a number of HgTe/CdTe and HgCdTe/CdTe superlattices stored at room temperature for approximately two years. Two HgTe/CdTe superlattices and one HgCdTe/CdTe superlattice were subsequently annealed in a dry nitrogen atmosphere at 100°C for approximately six months, and then at 150°C for 24 days. During these intervals, the superlattices were periodically removed from the anneal for reflectance measurements to assess the extent of the interdiffusion. Comparison of these results with calculations of superlattice bandgaps and interdiffusion profiles has led to an evaluation of the low temperature interdiffusion coefficients. These extend previous results to lower temperatures and confirm that the degradation of Hg-based superlattices devices due to thermal interdiffusion under normal processing, storage, and operating conditions should not be an issue of concern.
Retinomorphic Vision Systems 11: Communication Channel Design

I discuss the tradeoffs faced when asynchronous pulse trains are transmitted among large, two-dimensional, arrays of neurons on different chips, using time-division multiplexing, and present an implementation of an arbitered, random-access, channel. The long cycle time that plagues arbitered channels is addressed in the implementation described here by pipelining. Cycle times ranging from 420ns to 730ns were achieved, for 64 x 64 arrays, in a 2µm CMOS process, yielding a peak throughput of 2.38M spikes/second.
Symptoms and pregnancy outcomes associated with extreme weight loss among women with hyperemesis gravidarum.

Abstract Objective: To report the weight loss and associated symptoms experienced by a large cohort of women with hyperemesis gravidarum (HG). Methods: Data were obtained from an HG website registry, where women with HG were recruited on-line. Respondents were included if they experienced at least 1 live birth >27 weeks' gestation. Extreme weight loss was defined as a loss of >15% of prepregnancy weight. Results: Of the 819 women surveyed, 214 (26.1%) met criteria for extreme weight loss. These women were twice as likely to be Hispanic or nonwhite. Extreme weight loss (p < 0.001) was associated with indicators of the severity of HG, such as hospitalization and use of parenteral nutrition, and with multiple symptoms during pregnancy, such as gallbladder and liver dysfunction, renal failure, and retinal hemorrhage. Among all women surveyed, 22.0% reported that symptoms lasted throughout pregnancy; this finding was nearly twice as likely among women with extreme weight Loss: 63 of 214 (29.4%) vs. 117 of 605 ...
Mechanical stress activates xanthine oxidoreductase through MAP kinase-dependent pathways

Xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) plays a prominent role in acute lung injury because of its ability to generate reactive oxygen species. We investigated the role of XOR in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). Male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to spontaneous ventilation (sham) or mechanical ventilation (MV) with low (7 ml/kg) and high tidal volume (20 ml/kg) for 2 h after which lung XOR activity and expression were measured and the effect of the specific XOR inhibitor allopurinol on pulmonary vascular leakage was examined. In separate experiments, rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (RPMECs) were exposed to cyclic stretch (5% and 18% elongation, 20 cycles/min) for 2 h before intracellular XOR activity measurement. Lung XOR activity was significantly increased at 2 h of MV without changes in XOR expression. There was evidence of p38 MAP kinase, ERK1/2, and ERK5 phosphorylation, but no change in JNK phosphorylation. Evans blue dye extravasation and bronchoalveolar lavage protein concentration were significantly increased in response to MV, changes that were significantly attenuated by pretreatment with allopurinol. Cyclic stretch of RPMECs also caused MAP kinase phosphorylation and a 1.7-fold increase in XOR activity, which was completely abrogated by pretreatment of the cells with specific MAP kinase inhibitors. We conclude that XOR enzymatic activity is significantly increased by mechanical stress via activation of p38 MAP kinase and ERK and plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary edema associated with VILI.