cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exotic quarks from the superstring and toponium decays

Abstract In many superstring-inspired models, the superpartners of the Q = − 1 3 , isosinglet quarks (h L,R ) can have either leptoquark or disquark couplings. The t -channel exchange of the third-generation h L,R can contribute to the decays V t →τ + τ - , bb (where V t is a 3 S 1 (tt) resonance) with couplings which are, at present, not phenomenologically bounded. We calculate the decays rates for these processes and the forward-backward asymmetries in e + e - →τ + τ - , bb on resonance including such contributions.
Report on acm's activity on community and junior college curriculum career program in computer programming

A Workshop in Two Year College Programs in Computer Science was held August 11-13, 1975 in Gloucester Point, Virginia. Sponsored by the ACM's Special Interest Group in Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), it brought thirteen community and junior college participants together at the Virginia Institute for Marine Science (VIMS) to work toward recommendations for a two year program.Representing ACM were Dr. Richard Austing, Chairman, SIGCSE, Associate Professor in the Computer Science Department of the University of Maryland, and Dr. Gerald L. Engel, Executive Secretary of the ACM Curriculum Committee on Computer Science (C S), Director of Computing and Statistical Services at VIMS, Dr. Bruce Barnes of the National Science Foundation also attended.Joyce C. Little, Chairman of the ACM's Two Year College Subcommittee of C S and Professor and Chairman of the Data Processing and Computing Sciences Department at the Community College of Baltimore, served as Chairman of the Workshop.This panel presentation, given by participants in the workshop, is the first public discussion of the material under development by this group, being chaired by Joyce Currie Little, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Subcommittee for 3 Community and Junior College Curriculum, serving under the Curriculum Committee in Computer Science (C S). Reaction to, and discussion of, the preliminary findings of this group, will been couraged from the audience.
The PYRAMID system for multiscale raster analysis

Geographical research requires the management and analysis of spatial data at multiple scales. As part of the U.S. Geological Survey's global change research program a software system has been developed that reads raster data (such as an image or digital elevation model) and produces a pyramid of aggregated lattices as well as various measurements of spatial complexity. For a given raster dataset the system uses the pyramid to report: (1) mean, (2) variance, (3) a spatial autocorrelation parameter based on multiscale analysis of variance, and (4) a monofractal scaling parameter based on the analysis of isoline lengths. The system is applied to 1-km digital elevation model (DEM) data for a 256-km2 region of central California, as well as to 64 partitions of the region. PYRAMID, which offers robust descriptions of data complexity, also is used to describe the behavior of topographic aspect with scale.
Petrology and Sr, Nd, and Pb isotope geochemistry of mid‐ocean ridge basalt glasses from the 11°45′N to 15°00′N segment of the East Pacific Rise

[1] Basaltic glasses from the geophysically well-studied section of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) between 11°45′N to 15°00′N range from normal mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) to transitional MORB and their major element variations correlate with isotopic and trace element indices of enrichment. To first order, basalts enriched in Na8.0, incompatible elements, 87Sr/86Sr, and 206Pb/204Pb but low in Fe8.0 and 143Nd/144Nd are more prevalent along the shallow portions of the ridge axis. In detail, the samples can be divided into two chemical and geographical Groups: the southern bathymetric dome, extending from the 11°45′N overlapping spreading center to ∼14°10′N, and the northern Group, extending from ∼14°10′N to the Orozco transform. The boundary between these two Groups is apparent in a change in isotopic composition. Results indicate that there are three mantle source components that produce the compositional variability observed among samples from the 11°45′N to 15°00′N segment of the EPR: a depleted mantle component, a seamount-type enriched mantle component, and an Indian MORB-like mantle component. South of ∼14°10′N, the geochemical variability is dominated by binary mixing between a depleted mantle component and an enriched component similar to near-ridge seamounts. North of ∼14°10′N, the low 206Pb/204Pb, high 207Pb/204Pb Indian MORB-like component exerts a major influence on the geochemical variability of the axial lavas. Regional averages of major element composition (e.g., Na8.0 and Fe8.0) show relatively limited variability consistent with the restricted range in depth for this region and plot within the Pacific field of the previously defined global trends. Major element variations among individual samples, however, parallel the global array, and their correlation with indices of mantle enrichment supports the idea that the “Pacific-type local trend” results from small-scale heterogeneities in the mantle beneath the EPR. Our results also indicate that tectonic segmentation and magmatic boundaries are probably not causally related in this study area and that the sizes of the present magma chambers are not a dominant factor in determining the compositional variability of erupted lavas.
Time Usage during Face-to-Face and Synchronous Distance Music Lessons

Abstract This study compared face-to-face and videoconference private music lessons of one saxophone and two tuba students. One value of this study is the magnitude of the data analysis. More than 28,800 frames of digital video and verbatim scripts of all lessons were analyzed for time spent engaged in sequential patterns of instruction, performance, focus of attention, eye contact, and other nonverbal behaviors. Findings revealed teacher modeling occurred 28% more often (p < .05) and off-task behaviors comprised 36% more time (p < .01) during face-to-face lessons. Student performance increased more than 22% (p < .05) and all eye contact increased during distance lessons. Overall, only a few differences were found for focus of attention and venue confining behaviors. Activities such as touching, instructors marking students' music, and pointing to specific places in the music occurred less than 1% of the time during face-to-face lessons.
Identification and characterization of bacteria on surfaces using light scattering

In the past 30 years, the pattern and intensity of scattered light from small illuminated bio-features suspended in fluids have been analyzed to obtain information on feature size and composition. However, recent advances by the investigators related to rapid, non-invasive detection of sub-micron particles on silicon wafers in semiconductor processing suggest an attractive new approach to the problem of surface bio-feature detection and characterization. Our objective is to develop a rapid light scattering sensory method for the detection and identification of surface bacteria microcolonies to meet the needs for rapid identification techniques by the food and health industries. Scatterometer measurements of light scattering from Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 191 13 and Listeria innocua ATCC 33090 microcolonies on enriched agar plates has been performed. The prediction of light scattering from bacteria cells on surfaces has also been conducted using numerical modeling based on the discrete-dipole approximation. These studies show the variation of light scattering for various shaped and sized bacteria.
Bridges Towson 2012 Art Exhibition

This report presents a review of some of the works at the exhibition of mathematical art at Bridges 2012, held on the campus of Towson University in Towson Maryland. Mathematical art has been a fea...
Changes in Regional Cerebral Blood Flow and Functional Connectivity in the Cholinergic Pathway Associated with Cognitive Performance in Subjects with Mild Alzheimer’s Disease after 12-week Donepezil Treatment

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs), such as donepezil, have been shown to improve cognition in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In this paper, our goal is to determine the relationship between altered cerebral blood flow (CBF) and intrinsic functional network connectivity changes in mild AD patients before and after 12-week donepezil treatment. An integrative neuroimaging approach was employed by combining pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) MRI and resting-state functional MRI (R-fMRI) methods to determine the changes in CBF and functional connectivity (FC) in the cholinergic pathway. Linear regression analyses determined the correlations of the regional CBF alterations and functional connectivity changes with cognitive responses. These were measured with the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) scores and Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) scores. Our results show that the regional CBF in mild AD subjects after donepezil treatment was significantly increased in the middle cingulate cortex (MCC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), which are the neural substrates of the medial cholinergic pathway. In both brain regions, the baseline CBF and its changes after treatment were significantly correlated with the behavioral changes in ADAS-cog scores. The intrinsic FC was significantly enhanced in the medial cholinergic pathway network in the brain areas of the parahippocampal, temporal, parietal and prefrontal cortices. Finally, the FC changes in the medial prefrontal areas demonstrated an association with the CBF level in the MCC and the PCC, and also were correlated with ADAS-cog score changes. These findings indicate that regional CBF and FC network changes in the medial cholinergic pathway were associated with cognitive performance. It also is suggested that the combined pCASL-MRI and R-fMRI methods could be used to detect regional CBF and FC changes when using drug treatments in mild AD subjects.
In vivo synthesis of phage R17 RNA in the presence of chloramphenicol

Abstract The synthesis of phage R17 infectious RNA is inhibited if chloramphenicol (CM) is added within 8 minutes after infection. When CM is added at later times, the rate of infectious RNA formation gradually increases until, by 20 minutes, the initial rate of synthesis is similar to that of a control containing no CM. At about 30 minutes after the addition of CM, the formation of phage RNA ceases and a loss of infectivity occurs. When CM is added at 4 minutes after infection, there is no incorporation of C 14 -uracil into 28 S phage RNA between 32 and 42 minutes after infection, the period when phage RNA synthesis is normally maximal. If CM is added at 15 or 30 minutes after infection, however, there is considerable incorporation of C 14 -uracil into 28 S phage RNA during this 10-minute period. There is probably no difference between phage RNA synthesized in the presence or absence of protein synthesis, since both types of phage RNA were found to be equally well incorporated into complete phage particles upon removal of the CM. It is concluded that early protein synthesis is a prerequisite for the synthesis of phage RNA and that although biologically competent RNA is synthesized in the presence of CM, prolonged incubation results in a loss of its infectivity.
Implications for unisex statutes and risk-pooling: The costs of gender and underwriting attributes in the automobile insurance market

In this paper, we explore the effects of gender and other demographic features and benefit provisions on insurance premiums using individual data from a property and liability insurer domiciled in Georgia for three types of automobile insurance coverages: collision insurance, comprehensive insurance, and liability insurance. We report the implicit prices of individual and automobile underwriting attributes and find that the effect of gender on the insurance premium for each of our coverage types is significant but has a lower absolute effect than other underwriting attributes, raising questions about the regulatory impact of unisex statutes. Finally, we examine three alternatives open to the regulator who must mandate and monitor insurance pricing under a unisex statute.
Developing Geographers through Photography: Enlarging Concepts

This paper explores how photographs can be used to teach urban social geography to second- and third-year university students. In it the author describes her work acquainting students with the skill of ‘directed observation’. She argues that teaching geography through photography is not merely asking students to take pictures but rather, the process of looking with intention. Capturing what is seen on film encourages students to engage with geography by seeing how ideas ground themselves on the landscape. This work also challenges how geographers think about what they require of students and calls into question normative classroom practices. Most importantly, it adds to our understanding of concepts that are central to geographic analyses and heightens our awareness of how well students understand. Photographs provide an opportunity to hear multiple voices in multiple ways. The author suggests that the methodological and pedagogical contributions of photographs have been overlooked in geography.
Mechanical Characterization of Healable Cross-Ply Composites

Polymers with thermally-reversible Diels-Alder cross-links have been previously shown to heal cracks and regain structural integrity. Complete recovery of fracture toughness has been experimentally observed in neat samples under ideal conditions. In the present work, new healable polymer samples containing glass or carbon reinforcing fibers in [90,0]s cross-ply orientations are fabricated and characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The DMA results are compared with one-dimensional composite and beam analyses. Transverse cracks observed in microscopy images and attributed to residual thermal stresses are considered using a shear lag method. Crack healing is assumed to be occurring as a function of the sample temperature, where the limits of healing are established by other experiments. By considering the composite constituent properties, sample geometries, and the presence of cracks that heal during the test, the DMA measurements are accurately modeled.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Multi-Agent Testing Architecture for Monitoring and Analyzing the Performance of Web Applications

This paper presents a Multi-Agent Testing Architecture (MATA) for monitoring and analyzing the performance of web applications in J2EE environments. This architecture includes agents and sub agents that collaborate and communicate with each other to measure the use of resources of the application server, to collect and process the data, and to analyze the data and to generate performance reports. A Load Testing, Monitoring and Analyzing system (LTMA) has been developed using the MATA. Several experiments have been conducted to evaluate the performance of Web applications running on two middleware platforms that are Apache and WebSphere. Based on a capacity test, the experimental results prove that the MATA is reliable, flexible, extendible and reusable. The LTMA works correctly and produces expected results.
Eukaryotic NAD+ Synthetase Qns1 Contains an Essential, Obligate Intramolecular Thiol Glutamine Amidotransferase Domain Related to Nitrilase

NAD+ is an essential co-enzyme for redox reactions and is consumed in lysine deacetylation and poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation. NAD+ synthetase catalyzes the final step in NAD+ synthesis in the well characterized de novo, salvage, and import pathways. It has been long known that eukaryotic NAD+ synthetases use glutamine to amidate nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide while many purified prokaryotic NAD+ synthetases are ammonia-dependent. Earlier, we discovered that glutamine-dependent NAD+ synthetases contain N-terminal domains that are members of the nitrilase superfamily and hypothesized that these domains function as glutamine amidotransferases for the associated synthetases. Here we show yeast glutamine-dependent NAD+ synthetase Qns1 requires both the nitrilase-related active-site residues and the NAD+ synthetase active-site residues for function in vivo. Despite failure to complement the lethal phenotype of qns1 disruption, the former mutants retain ammonia-dependent NAD+ synthetase activity in vitro, whereas the latter mutants retain basal glutaminase activity. Moreover, the two classes of mutants fail to trans-complement despite forming a stable heteromultimer in vivo. These data indicate that the nitrilase-related domain in Qns1 is the fourth independently evolved glutamine amidotransferase domain to have been identified in nature and that glutamine-dependence is an obligate phenomenon involving intramolecular transfer of ammonia over a predicted distance of 46 A from one active site to another within Qns1 monomers.
DC biased electro-optic polymer waveguide modulators with low half-wave voltage and high thermal stability

The full potential of second-order nonlinear polymers can be utilized in electro-optic polymer modulators with a DC biased operation scheme to greatly reduce the half-wave voltage. This technique makes use of the total achievable electro-optic coefficient, which can be more than three times the value that is used by the conventional devices of poled electro-optic polymer. As the result of the DC bias and with high-μβ chromophores, a low half-wave voltage of 1.5 V was achieved with 2-cm-long birefringent waveguide modulators at the wavelength of 1.3 μm. Results of a 200°C stability experiment indicate that this scheme also enables electro-optic polymer devices to meet the short-term high-temperature stability requirement because the polymer does not need to be poled prior to high-temperature steps. © 1999 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
A UHF wide-band SAR antenna

This UHF wideband antenna was developed for DARPA's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) applications. The small array could be mounted at the belly of an aircraft. The operating frequency covers a 4:1 bandwidth. The antenna including the feed and a contoured ground plane was designed to fit in a shallow radome (50 cm/spl times/100 cm/spl times/100 cm). The depth of the radome is only one quarter of a wavelength at the low end of the UHF band. The small volume imposes a severe constraint in the electrical design and the packaging of the antenna, which is required to produce an elevation (EL) beam pointed at 30 degrees depression angle from the horizon (60 degrees from the nadir). The 3 dB beam at mid-band is about 50 degrees in both EL and azimuth (AZ) planes. Since the beam is broad enough to cover a region from 10 to 60 degrees depression angle, no steering in the EL plane is required. Furthermore, the antenna must provide dual linear polarizations over a 4:1 bandwidth with VSWR less than 2:1 over 90% of the band. With the beam peak steered to 60 degrees from the broadside, it is equivalent to imposing a wide scan in the EL plane. To suppress grating lobes at the high end of the band, the element spacing was kept less than 25 cm. This spacing is about one-eighth of a wavelength at the low end of the band, which makes it difficult to match the input impedance of the antenna because the element is electrically small.
Evolution of Structure and Properties in a Spunbonding Process

The inherent properties of filaments are of utmost importance in spunbonded webs. A good understanding of structure and property development in individual filaments is helpful in better comprehendi...
The risk assessment profile score identifies trauma patients at risk for deep vein thrombosis.

Abstract Background. The identification of trauma patients at risk for the development of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) at the time of admission remains difficult. The purpose of this study is to validate the risk assessment profile (RAP) score to stratify patients for DVT prophylaxis. Methods. All patients admitted from November 1998 thru May 1999 were evaluated for enrollment. We prospectively assigned patients as low risk or high risk for DVT using the RAP score. High-risk patients received both pharmacologic and mechanical prophylaxis. Low-risk patients received none. Surveillance duplex Doppler scans were performed each week of hospitalization or if symptoms developed. Hospital charges for prophylaxis were used to determine the savings in the low-risk group. Statistical differences between the risk groups for each factor of the RAP and development of DVT were determined by the chi-squared test, with significance at a probability value of less than.05. Results. There were 102 high-risk (64%) and 58 low-risk (36%) individuals studied. Eleven of the high-risk group (10.8%) experienced the development of DVT (asymptomatic, 64%). None of the low-risk group was diagnosed with DVT. Five of the 16 RAP factors were statistically significant for DVT. Eliminating prophylaxis and Doppler scans in low-risk patients resulted in a total savings of $18,908 in hospital charges. Conclusions. The RAP score correctly identified trauma patients at increased risk for the development of DVT. Despite prophylaxis, the high-risk group warrants surveillance scans. Withholding prophylaxis in low-risk patients can reduce hospital charges without risk. (Surgery 2000;128:631-40.)
Computation of electromagnetic scattering with a non‐conforming discontinuous spectral element method

In this paper we solve electromagnetic scattering problems by approximating Maxwell's equations in the time-domain with a high-order quadrilateral discontinuous spectral element method (DSEM). The method is a collocation form of the discontinuous Galerkin method for hyperbolic systems where the solution is approximated by a tensor product Legendre expansion and inner products are replaced with Gauss–Legendre quadratures. To increase flexibility of the method, we use a mortar element method to couple element faces. Mortars provide a means for coupling element faces along which the polynomial orders differ, which allows the flexibility to choose the approximation order within an element by considering only local resolution requirements. Mortars also permit local subdivision of a mesh by connecting element faces that do not share a full side. We present evidence showing that the convergence of the non-conforming approximations is spectral along with examples of their use. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel variable voltage variable frequency electric drive

This paper provides a detailed description of the steady state performance of this system, based on a standard gas turbine prime mover. Economic considerations are discussed, as is dynamic performance and speed regulation. This topology would provide a definite advantage in reducing the amount of power electronic converter requirements, and eliminating the converter losses in the main power flow path from the generator to the drive motor. EMI and similar issues involved in switching multi-megawatt power levels would also be alleviated.
Impact of health-related quality of life and fatigue on survival of recurrent high-grade glioma patients

Quality of life (QoL) impairment and fatigue are frequently experienced during treatment for recurrent high-grade glioma (HGG). Fatigue and QoL impairments can be due to primary neurological dysfunction, cytotoxic treatments, mood disturbances, and supportive medications. We now seek to understand how QoL and fatigue impacts survival in recurrent HGG. Using a prospective observational design, 237 patients with recurrent HGG and KPS ≥70 completed a self-administered questionnaire that evaluated QoL and fatigue. QoL was assessed with Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and FACT-Brain (FACT-Br) scales while fatigue was assessed using Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT-F) scale. Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to evaluate the association between QoL and fatigue and survival. Seventy-three (31 %) subjects had recurrent WHO grade III gliomas and 164 (69 %) had recurrent WHO grade IV gliomas. Median follow-up analysis was 27.60 months. In univariate Cox analyses, the FACT-Br specific subscale (HR 0.88; CI 95 %, 0.77–1; p = 0.048) and FACIT-F (HR 0.82; CI 95 %, 0.68–0.99; p = 0.045) were both significant predictors of survival. Fatigue added prognostic information beyond that provided by KPS, age, sex, tumor grade, and number of prior progressions (HR 0.80; CI 95 %, 0.68–0.9; p = 0.031). A greater degree of fatigue was associated with poorer survival in recurrent HGG patients. In multivariable analyses, FACT-G and FACT-Br are not independent predictors of prognosis. Fatigue is a strong independent predictor of survival that provides incremental prognostic value to the traditional markers of prognosis in recurrent HGG. Pharmacological or non-pharmacological strategies to treat fatigue warrant investigation.
Leptin and Bone

Bone grows then constantly renews itself during adulthood through the succession of cycles of formation by osteoblasts and resorption by osteoclasts. This is a costly process in terms of energy that needs to be coordinated with the amount of available resources, suggesting that bone and appetite and/or energy metabolisms could share common regulator(s). Searching for such molecule(s) identified leptin as a major inhibitor of bone mass accrual that uses central relays to fulfill this function. One of them involves a brain serotonin-dependent regulation of the sympathetic tone, which acts as an inhibitor of bone formation via CREB and the molecular clock and as a positive regulator of bone resorption through an ATF4-Rankl mechanism that takes place in osteoblasts. In contrast, the second mediator of leptin central effect on bone mass accrual, CART, inhibits bone resorption. This chapter details the molecular bases and biological relevance of this regulation of bone mass accrual by leptin.
Invited Speech: BigData application for 28nm and below

BigData application has been explored in semiconductor industry. However, there are very few success stories so far. In this presentation, we will highlight the main challenges for BigData application for 28nm below, from data collection, analysis software and algorithm, and ROI point of view. We will then describe our concept of YieldAware — BigRealData (YA-Bird) concept. Finally, we will show some examples of BigData application for parametric yield improvement for 28nm and below.
Marker Rescue of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Capsid Mutants: a Novel Approach for Chimeric AAV Production

Marker rescue, the restoration of gene function by replacement of a defective gene with a normal one by recombination, has been utilized to produce novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors. AAV serotype 2 (AAV2) clones containing wild-type terminal repeats, an intact rep gene, and a mutated cap gene, served as the template for marker rescue. When transfected alone in 293 cells, these AAV2 mutant plasmids produced noninfectious AAV virions that could not bind heparin sulfate after infection with adenovirus dl309 helper virus. However, the mutation in the cap gene was corrected after cotransfection with AAV serotype 3 (AAV3) capsid DNA fragments, resulting in the production of AAV2/AAV3 chimeric viruses. The cap genes from several independent marker rescue experiments were PCR amplified, cloned, and then sequenced. Sequencing results confirmed not only that homologous recombination occurred but, more importantly, that a mixed population of AAV chimeras carrying 16 to 2,200 bp throughout different regions of the type 3 cap gene were generated in a single marker rescue experiment. A 100% correlation was observed between infectivity and the ability of the chimeric virus to bind heparin sulfate. In addition, many of the AAV2/AAV3 chimeras examined exhibited differences at both the nucleotide and amino acid levels, suggesting that these chimeras may also exhibit unique infectious properties. Furthermore, AAV helper plasmids containing these chimeric cap genes were able to function in the triple transfection method to generate recombinant AAV. Together, the results suggest that DNA from other AAV serotypes can rescue AAV capsid mutants and that marker rescue may be a powerful, yet simple, technique to map, as well as develop, chimeric AAV capsids that display different serotype-specific properties.
Prolonged lactational infertility in adolescent rhesus monkeys.

The present study examined the effects of first pregnancy and nursing behavior on postpartum infertility in seasonally breeding rhesus monkeys to assess whether prolonged lactational infertility observed in adolescent mothers is due to a particular pattern of nursing or to decrements in body growth rates. After a successful first pregnancy, a significant percentage of the lactating adolescent mothers (57.1%; n-8) failed to exhibit an ovulation with normal luteal phase during the subsequent breeding season. In contrast, the remaining lactating adolescents (42.9%, n=6) and all of the adult mothers (100%, n=6) exhibited ovulations with a normal luteal phase. Age alone was not the critical variable, since all nonlactating adolescents exhibited ovulations with normal luteal phase parameters in the subsequent breeding season. The luteal phase abnormalities exhibited by the subset of lactating adolescent females were characterized by an inadequate luteal phase (ILP) and by significantly lower serum levels of progesterone, estradiol, and bioactive luteinizing hormone. The occurrence of these ILP ovulations was associated with more frequent nursing bouts prior to ovulation and during the subsequent luteal phase. In contrast, nursing patterns for adult females who had ovulations with normal luteal phases were more similar to those of the infertile lactating adolescents exhibiting significantly longer and more frequent nursing bouts, suggesting that fully adult females may be less sensitive to the inhibitory aspects of a suckling stimulus. Differences in luteal phase function among lactating adolescents were not related to differential rates of ponderal or skeletal growth. A still-developing neuroendocrine system may thus render a significant proportion of ad olescent females more sensitive to suckling-induced suppression of gonadotropin secretion.
The Effect of Spike-Tooth Aeration on Tall Fescue Yield

Over the last several years, spike-tooth aerators have been promoted as a tool to increase yield of grass pastures and hayfields across the Southeast. A two-year research project was conducted at two locations in Tennessee to evaluate the effect of spike-tooth aeration on the yield of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). At the East Tennessee Research and Education Center and the Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center tall fescue plots were aerated once, either in spring or fall. Plots were fertilized with N at 60 lb/acre at spring green-up and harvested when forage height reached 8 to 10 inch. Results from both locations showed that aeration had no effect on tall fescue yield.
Frequent occurrence of the T-loop RNA folding motif in ribosomal RNAs.

Analysis of atomic resolution structures of the rRNAs within the context of the 50S and the 30S ribosomal subunits have revealed the presence of nine examples of a recurrent structural motif, first observed in the TCC loop of tRNAs. The key component of this T-loop motif is a UA trans Watson‐Crick /Hoogsteen base pair stacked on a Watson‐Crick pair on one side. This motif is stabilized by several noncanonical hydrogen bonds, facilitating RNA‐RNA as well as RNA‐protein interactions. In particular, the sugar edge of the purine on the 39 side of the pivotal uridine in the UA pair frequently forms a noncanonical base pair with a distant residue. The bulged-out bases, usually seen as part of the motif, also use their Watson‐Crick edges to interact with nearby residues via base-specific hydrogen bonds. In certain occurrences, a backbone reversal is stabilized by specific hydrogen bonds as is observed in the U-turn motifs and the adenosine residue of the key UA pair interacts with a third base via its Watson‐Crick edge, essentially generating a base triple.
Fabrication and characterization of DNA-loaded zein nanospheres

Particulates incorporating DNA are promising vehicles for gene delivery, with the ability to protect DNA and provide for controlled, localized, and sustained release and transfection. Zein, a hydrophobic protein from corn, is biocompatible and has properties that make it a promising candidate material for particulate delivery, including its ability to form nanospheres through coacervation and its insolubility under physiological conditions, making it capable of sustained release of encapsulated compounds. Due to the promise of this natural biomaterial for drug delivery, the objective of this study was to formulate zein nanospheres encapsulating DNA as the therapeutic compound, and to characterize size, charge, sustained release, cell cytotoxicity and cellular internalization of these particles. Zein nanospheres encapsulating DNA were fabricated using a coacervation technique, without the use of harsh solvents or temperatures, resulting in the preservation of DNA integrity and particles with diameters that ranged from 157.8 ± 3.9 nm to 396.8 ± 16.1 nm, depending on zein to DNA ratio. DNA encapsulation efficiencies were maximized to 65.3 ± 1.9% with a maximum loading of 6.1 ± 0.2 mg DNA/g zein. The spheres protected encapsulated DNA from DNase I degradation and exhibited sustained plasmid release for at least 7 days, with minimal burst during the initial phase of release. Zein/DNA nanospheres demonstrated robust biocompatibility, cellular association, and internalization. This study represents the first report on the formation of zein particles encapsulating plasmid DNA, using simple fabrication techniques resulting in preservation of plasmid integrity and tunable sizes. DNA encapsulation efficiencies were maximized to acceptable levels at higher zein to DNA ratios, while loading was comparable to that of other hydrophilic compounds encapsulated in zein and that of DNA incorporated into PLGA nano- and microspheres. The hydrophobic nature of zein resulted in spheres capable of sustained release of plasmid DNA. Zein particles may be an excellent potential tool for the delivery of DNA with the ability to be fine-tuned for specific applications including oral gene delivery, intramuscular delivery, and in the fabrication of tissue engineering scaffolds.
Employment Patterns of Male Methadone Maintenance Patients

The employment patterns of 342 male methadone maintenance patients who remained in treatment for at least 1 year are examined. Four periods in the patients' lives are considered: (1) the period before addiction, (2) the period of addiction, (3) the time of entry into the treatment program, and (4) the first treatment year. Although more than three-quarters of the patients were employed regularly during the period before addiction, only about one-quarter were employed while addicted. At entry into the program 15% were employed, and 25% worked regularly during the first treatment year. An examination of some demographic, social, and work-related correlates of employment status during each period revealed that factors such as ethnicity, educational attainment, marital status, alcohol use, previous employment, and attitudes toward work were all important in relation to patients' employment status at one or more of the four periods. The treatment program had only a moderate impact on patients' attitudes toward...
Overview of Bering and Chukchi Sea Wave States for Four Severe Storms following Common Synoptic Tracks

AbstractStrong storms occur regularly over the ocean west of Alaska. These systems often loiter, generating persistent winds that can result in fully developed marine states that can maximize damage and hazard potential. Detailed analyses of storm events in terms of the resultant wave states are uncommon. This analysis examines the wave states associated with four particular storm events over the Bering and Chukchi Seas: October 2004, September 2005, and November 2009, and a September 2011 event that exhibited north winds. For each event a brief synoptic overview is presented followed by consideration of the resultant wave state, including parameters such as wave steepness. Wave data come from NOAA’s WAVEWATCH III (WW3) operational global ocean wave model, implemented for scenario use at the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In situ data are available from several National Data Buoy Center buoys and a wave buoy located in the Bering Strait, funded by the U.S. Envir...
The perceived role of clinicians in pregnancy prevention among young Black women.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to identify young Black women's attitudes toward clinicians and understand how they affect contraceptive behavior. Study design and main outcome measures We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with women aged 18–23 who self-identified as Black or African-American and analyzed data using techniques informed by grounded theory. Initial codes were grouped thematically, and these themes into larger concepts. Results Participants discussed two salient concepts related to pregnancy prevention: (1) sexual responsibility and self-efficacy and (2) the perceived limited role of health care clinicians. Women portrayed themselves as in control of their contraceptive decision-making and practices. Many viewed their life plan, to finish school and gain financial stability, as crucial to their resolve to use contraception. Participants gathered information from various sources to make their own independent decision about which method, if any, was most appropriate for their needs. Most had limited expectations of clinicians and considered in-depth conversations about details of contraceptive use to be irrelevant and unnecessary. Conclusion These findings help understand factors contributing to contraceptive decision-making. The patient–clinician interaction is a necessary focus of future research to improve sexual health discussions and understand if and what aspects of this interaction can influence behavior.
Curvature Softening and Negative Compressibility of Gel-Phase Lipid Membranes.

We show that gel-phase lipid membranes soften upon bending, leading to curvature localization and a negative compressibility. Using simulations of two very different lipid models to quantify shape and stress–strain relation of buckled membranes, we demonstrate that gel phase bilayers do not behave like Euler elastica and hence are not well described by a quadratic Helfrich Hamiltonian, much unlike their fluid-phase counterparts. We propose a theoretical framework which accounts for the observed softening through an energy density that smoothly crosses over from a quadratic to a linear curvature dependence beyond a critical new scale l–1. This model captures both the shape and the stress–strain relation for our two sets of simulations and permits the extraction of bending moduli, which are found to be about an order of magnitude larger than the corresponding fluid phase values. We also find surprisingly large crossover lengths l, several times bigger than the bilayer thickness, rendering the exotic elastic...
Fault-tolerant tree-based multicasting in mesh multicomputers

We propose a fault-tolerant tree-based multicast algorithm for 2-dimensional (2-D) meshes based on the concept of the extended safety level which is a vector associated with each node to capture fault information in the neighborhood. In this approach each destination is reached through a minimum number of hops. In order to minimize the total number of traffic steps, three heuristic strategies are proposed. This approach can be easily implemented by pipelined circuit switching (PCS). A simulation study is conducted to measure the total number of traffic steps under different strategies. Our approach is the first attempt to address the fault-tolerant tree-based multicast problem in 2-D meshes based on limited global information with a simple model and succinct information.
Entrepreneurs’ Adaptability to Competitiveness in the Orchid Industry: A Case Study of Thailand

A study of entrepreneurs’ adaptability to competitiveness in the orchid industry is to study the major qualifications of orchid entrepreneurs to improve orchid industry’s competitiveness. The research methodology employed qualitative and quantitative methods. For qualitative method, the researcher compiled secondary information and conducted in-depth interview. For quantitative method, the researcher developed questionnaires and sent to Thai orchid industry entrepreneurs. The data were analyzed by calculating the appropriate statistical values. The findings of the desirable qualifications and traits of entrepreneurs are leadership, increase of efficiency, strong drive for responsibility, concern for subordinates, self-guidance, and determination. Keywords: Entrepreneurs’ Adaptability, Competitiveness, Thai Orchid Industry
The International Financial Architecture, The Euro Zone and its Enlargement in Eastern Europe

This is the transcript of the Distinguished Lecture held by Professor Robert Mundell, Nobel Prize laureate, at the Leon Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management, on 7th March 2000. In transcribing the recordings of the lecture, we have decided to maintain the form in which it was given: that of a speech carrying a dense load of lively ideas without the rigid structure of contemporary academic writing. Striving towards fidelity in our attempt to reproduce a memorable evening, only the smallest changes necessary, necessary when translating speech into writing, have been made. Their goal was not to change the meaning of Professor Mundell's words, but on the contrary, to preserve it better.
Effect of Domain Perturbations on the Critical Condition for Steady-State Thermal Explosions

A region heated by a temperature-dependent source is said to be stable if the heat conducted to the surroundings can balance the heat generated in the region. The critical value of the Frank-Kamenetskii number gives the limit of stability, the point at which a steady temperature field is no longer possible. Assuming that the critical Frank-Kamenetskii number can be obtained for a symmetric region where the problem is one-dimensional, we present a method for determining how it changes as the region is displaced into a less-symmetric region. We find that the displacement can be either stabilizing or destabilizing. The case of exponential heat generation is fairly well-predicted by the case of linear heat generation.
Effect of dipyridamole and aspirin on vein graft patency after coronary bypass operations

Antiplatelet therapy with dipyridamole, 100 mg q.i.d., starting 2 days before surgery, followed by aspirin, 325 mg t.i.d. plus dipyridamole, 75 mg t.i.d., 7 hours after surgery was assessed in the prevention of saphenous vein bypass graft occlusion. Early (less than or equal to 1 month) and late (1 year) occlusions were reduced both on a per patient and a per distal anastomosis basis. Bleeding complications were not increased. Graft occlusion in high-risk situations (low-flow grafts and endarterectomy) was reduced, but not eliminated, by this antiplatelet regimen. The authors recommend this combination of dipyridamole before surgery, adding aspirin after surgery, to prevent coronary artery bypass graft occlusion.
Simulation optimization for a large-scale bike-sharing system

The Citi Bike system in New York City has approximately 466 stations, 6074 bikes, and 15777 docks. We wish to optimize both bike and dock allocations for each station at the beginning of the day, so that the expected number of customers who cannot find a bike, or cannot find a dock to return a bike, is minimized. With a system of this scale, traditional simulation optimization methods such as stochastic gradient-search and random search are inefficient. We propose a variety of more efficient gradient-like heuristic methods that can improve any given allocation based on a discrete-event simulation model of the system. The methods are tested on data from December 2015 with different starting solutions obtained from other models. We further explore the relationship between the system behaviors during the morning and afternoon rush hours by comparing optimal solutions when the problem is restricted to these two periods.
Intelligence and Effort

This chapter is structured around a conversation in which Elizabeth is the dominant speaker. Issues discussed include mainstream educational ideology, LD discourse, professionals as agents of the universal, the transactional need for self-verification, the historical roots of LD, symbolic power and the ordering of society, and how families reproduce privilege through education.
Behavioral therapy: emotion and pain, a common anatomical background

Emotion and pain are closely intertwined in the brain, as the human experience of pain includes both affective and nociceptive components. Although each of these components relies on a different system in the brain, the two systems converge on the anterior cingulate and insular cortices, which interact with the prefrontal cortex and other frontal structures to influence behavior. Both emotional and physical pain elicit activity in these common areas, and conditions that affect one system (e.g., drugs, neural plasticity) may affect the function of the other-ultimately altering the experience of pain. Changes in these areas and their connections may even contribute to the chronification of pain. This relationship should not be overlooked in the treatment of painful conditions, including headache. Nonpharmacological therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, yoga, biofeedback, and meditation, that are often used for enhancing emotional regulation, are increasingly being turned to for augmenting management of migraine and pain. Because of the overlap between emotion and pain, these therapies are likely acting through similar mechanisms, and emotional cues can be sensitive indicators of treatment-related changes in patients.
New Directions in Control Engineering Education: A North American Perspective

Abstract In this plenary talk several educational issues in control engineering will be discussed with emphasis placed primarily on issues faced by North American educational institutions. This talk is based on issues discussed and recommendations made at a NSF/CSS workshop on New Directions in Control Engineering Education, and reported in the IEEE Control Systems magazine [Report on New Directions, 1999].
Gamma scintigraphy with 99mTc N4-AMT for imaging mammary tumors in rodents

1325 Objectives: This study was aimed to develop a kit-based 99mTc α-methyl-D, L-tyrosine (AMT) using N4 (cyclam) as a chelator and evaluate its potential use for imaging mammary tumors. Methods: N4-AMT precursor was synthesized by reacting trifloroacetylated N4 and N-t-butoxycarbonyl-O-3-tosylpropyl-AMT, followed by acidic and then basic hydrolysis. 99mTc N4-AMT was obtained in the presence of tin (II) chloride. To demonstrate whether an amino acid transporter was involved, in vitro cellular uptake of 99mTc N4-AMT (0.1 mg in 1 uCi/well) with or without blocking agents (0.5 or 1 mg/well of AMT) were performed in 13762 mammary adenocarcinoma cells (5*104 cells /well) at 0.5-1.5 hrs. Planar scintigraphic imaging with injection of 99mTc N4 or 99mTc N4-AMT were evaluated in ovarian tumor–bearing athymic nude mice and VX2 tumor-bearing rabbits (1mCi, iv) at 0.5-4 hrs. Results: N4-AMT was confirmed by 1H, 13C-NMR and mass spectrometry. Radiochemical purity of 99mTc N4-AMT was > 96 %. Cellular uptake assays showed a significant increase in the 13762 cell line by 1.6% after 1.5 hr incubation with 99mTc N4-AMT. Blocking study with cold AMT (0.5 and 1.0 mg) at 90 min showed that the uptake rate decreased 22-68%, respectively. These findings support that 99mTc N4-AMT may utilize the tyrosine transport system to get into the cell. The tumors of nude mice and rabbit models were clearly visualized in planar scintigraphy by 99mTc N4-AMT but not 99mTc N4. Conclusions: N4-AMT was successfully synthesized and easily radiolabeled by 99mTc. We conclude that an amino acid transporter-based 99mTc N4-AMT is a useful marker for tumor imaging.