cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Many listeners cannot discriminate major vs minor tone-scrambles regardless of presentation rate.

A tone-scramble is a random sequence of pure tones. Previous studies have found that most listeners (≈ 70%) perform near chance in classifying rapid tone-scrambles composed of multiple copies of notes in G-major vs G-minor triads; the remaining listeners perform nearly perfectly [Chubb, Dickson, Dean, Fagan, Mann, Wright, Guan, Silva, Gregersen, and Kowalski (2013). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 134(4), 3067–3078; Dean and Chubb (2017). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 142(3), 1432–1440]. This study tested whether low-performing listeners might improve with slower stimuli. In separate tasks, stimuli were tone-scrambles presented at 115, 231, 462, and 923 notes per min. In each task, the listener classified (with feedback) stimuli as major vs minor. Listeners who performed poorly in any of these tasks performed poorly in all of them. Strikingly, performance was worst in the task with the slowest stimuli. In all tasks, most listeners were biased to respond “major” (“minor”) if the stimulus ended on a note high (low) in pitch. Dean and Chubb introduced the name “scale-sensitivity” for the cognitive resource that separates high- from low-performing listeners in tone-scramble classification tasks, suggesting that this resource confers sensitivity to the full gamut of qualities that music can attain by being in a scale. In ruling out the possibility that performance in these tasks depends on speed of presentation, the current results bolster this interpretation.
Lumbopelvic Kinematics in the Primary and Secondary Planes of Motion During Lateral Bending and Axial Twisting: Age-Related Differences

Trunk lateral bending and axial twisting are common in the workplace, and are associated with an increase in the risk of low back pain (LBP). We investigated the motions of the lumbar spine and pel...
Scalable dynamic nonparametric Bayesian models of content and users

Online content have become an important medium to disseminate information and express opinions. With their proliferation, users are faced with the problem of missing the big picture in a sea of irrelevant and/or diverse content. In this paper, we addresses the problem of information organization of online document collections, and provide algorithms that create a structured representation of the otherwise unstructured content. We leverage the expressiveness of latent probabilistic models (e.g., topic models) and non-parametric Bayes techniques (e.g., Dirichlet processes), and give online and distributed inference algorithms that scale to terabyte datasets and adapt the inferred representation with the arrival of new documents. This paper is an extended abstract of the 2012 ACM SIGKDD best doctoral dissertation award of Ahmed [2011].
Auditory steady-state EEG response across the schizo-bipolar spectrum

Abstract Deviant auditory steady-state responses (aSSRs) in the gamma range (30–90 Hz) may be translational biomarkers for schizophrenia (SZ). This study tests whether aSSR deviations are (i) specific to SZ across the psychosis dimension, (ii) specific to particular frequency bands, and (iii) present in bipolar I disorder without psychosis (BDNP). Methods Beta (20-), low- (40-), and high-gamma (80-Hz) aSSRs were measured with EEG and compared across 113 SZ, 105 schizoaffective disorder (SAD), 99 bipolar disorder with psychosis (BDP), 68 BDNP, and 137 healthy comparison subjects (HC). Standard aSSR measures (single-trial power [STP] and inter-trial phase coherence [ITC]), as well as evoked responses to stimulus onsets/offsets and pre-stimulus power, were quantified. Multivariate canonical discriminant analysis was used to summarize variables that efficiently and maximally differentiated groups. Results (i) Psychosis groups showed reduced responses on ITC 20 Hz, STP/ITC 40 Hz, STP/ITC 80 Hz, indicating dimensional reductions in aSSR across the psychosis spectrum not specific to aSSR frequency. For the 40- and 80-Hz ITCs there was greater reduction in SZ compared to SAD, possibly indexing cortical disruptions linked to psychosis without mood symptoms. (ii) All probands had elevated pre-stimulus power, possibly compromising neural entrainment to the steady-state stimuli. (iii) Onset/Offset and 80 Hz ITC responses were most important for group discrimination and showed dimensional reduction across the schizo-bipolar spectrum. Conclusions Deviant aSSRs were found across the schizo-bipolar spectrum at multiple frequencies with psychosis status and severity linked to greatest reductions at low and high gamma.
Probing Extrasolar Planetary Systems with Interstellar Meteors

The first interstellar object, `Oumuamua, was discovered in the Solar System by Pan-STARRS in 2017, allowing for a calibration of the impact rate of interstellar meteors of its size $\sim 100\;$m. The discovery of CNEOS 2014-01-08 allowed for a calibration of the impact rate of interstellar meteors of its size $\sim 1\;$m. Analysis of interstellar dust grains have allowed for calibrations of the impact rate of smaller interstellar meteors down to the size $\sim 10^{-8}\;$m. We analyze the size distribution of interstellar meteors, finding that for smooth power-law fits of the form $N(r)\propto r^{-q}$, the possible values of $q$ are in the range $3.41 \pm 0.17$. We then consider the possibility of analyzing interstellar meteors to learn about their parent planetary systems. We propose a strategy for determining the orbits and chemical compositions of interstellar meteors, using a network of $\sim 600$ all-sky camera systems to track and conduct remote spectroscopy on meteors larger than $\sim 5$cm once every few years. It should also be possible to retrieve meteorites from the impact sites, providing the first samples of materials from other planetary systems.
Continuous Flow Process for Removal and Recovery of Water Contaminants with Magnetic Nanocomposites

Many natural water sources and industrial wastewaters contain low concentrations of metals and other contaminants. Therefore, an efficient and economical method for low-level contaminant removal and recovery is needed. The purpose of the research is to improve and modify a newly developed continuous flow ion exchange process for expansion to a variety of non-industrial applications, including removal of metal ions from the Upper Clark Fork River Watershed. The process involves a dual column reactor designed to capture metal ions using 90–105 μm spherical, functionalized silica gel coated magnetite particles, targeting copper ions with future expansion to additional metals, such as manganese and zinc. The optimization of nanoparticle synthesis and dispersion is ongoing with variables that include pH, metal ion concentration, nanoparticle concentration, and temperature. Additional focus involves maximizing contaminant capture, with current values of 0.19 mmol Cu/g Fe3O4 for magnetite and 0.25 mmol Cu/g Fe3O4 for silica-coated magnetite.
CHAPTER 11 – Placement

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses placement, which is the process of determining the locations of circuit devices on a die surface. It is an important stage in the very large-scale integration (VLSI) design flow, because it affects routability, performance, heat distribution, and to a less extent, power consumption of a design. Traditionally, it is applied after the logic synthesis stage and before the routing stage. The chapter begins with an introduction to the placement stage. Various placement problem formulations are discussed. Partitioning-based approach, simulated annealing approach, and analytical approach for global placement are presented. After that, legalization and detail placement algorithms are described. Since the advent of deep submicron process technology around the mid-1990s, interconnect delay, which is largely determined by placement, has become the dominating component of circuit delay. As a result, placement information is essential, even in early design stages, to achieve better circuit performance. In recent years, placement techniques have been integrated into the logic synthesis stage to perform physical synthesis and into the architecture design stage to perform physical-aware architecture design. The chapter concludes with a discussion of other placement approaches and useful resources to placement research.
Determining the acute oxidation behavior of several nuclear graphite grades

Abstract The acute oxidation behaviors for a number of nuclear graphite grades pertinent to gas-cooled high-temperature reactor (HTR) designs are compared using established American Society for Testing and Materials oxidation testing standards. In the unlikely event of an air-ingress accident, graphite components within the HTR core region are anticipated to oxidize if oxygen is allowed to enter the hot core region. Specimens from six disparate nuclear graphite grades were exposed to air/helium mixtures (100% air and 10% air-in-helium) within and beyond the kinetic oxidation temperature regime to ascertain the oxidation performance for each grade. All specimens were oxidized to a prescribed mass loss within a constant total gas flow of 10 l/min at multiple isothermal temperatures for calculation of oxidation rate and Arrhenius parameters for each graphite grade. A comparison of the oxidation performance among the different grades, as well as the effects resulting from high impurity levels, are discussed.
Alkali Metal Intercalation and Reduction of Layered WO2Cl2

Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs have been intercalated into the two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals material WO2Cl2, with K, Rb, and Cs intercalation being reported for the first time. The topochemical reacti...
Feasibility of a web-based program for universal prevention of anxiety and depression in university students: An open trial

Objective: To examine the feasibility of a self-guided, Web-based program for universal prevention of anxiety and depression in university students. Participants: University students (n = 651) enrolled in the tested program (March, 2016). Methods: The program delivered eight weeks of mental health skills (e.g., behavioral activation, mindfulness). Data was collected online through an entry survey, weekly check-in surveys, and a post-program feedback survey. Results: Campus-wide recruitment emails were the most encountered recruitment strategy (82%). In terms of adherence, the program was initiated by 73% of students and fully completed by 11% of students. There was some evidence of program acceptability (e.g., 71% of students endorsed the program as "useful"). Common qualitative themes further suggested acceptability for some aspects of the program while also highlighting others for revision. Conclusion: Findings support further development of the online program and recommendations are made for improving the platform before future testing.
The localized rise of a B.1.526 SARS-CoV-2 variant containing an E484K mutation in New York State

Abstract The E484K mutation in the spike protein of SARS CoV-2 contributes to immune escape from monoclonal antibodies as well as neutralizing antibodies in COVID-19 convalescent plasma. It appears in two variants of concern – B.1.351 and P.1 - but has evolved multiple times in different SARS-CoV-2 lineages, suggesting an adaptive advantage. Here we report on the emergence of a 484K variant in the B.1.526 lineage that has recently become prevalent in New York State, particularly in the New York City metropolitan area. In addition to the E484K mutation, these variants also harbor a D235G substitution in spike that might help to reduce the efficacy of neutralizing antibodies.
MetFish: a Metabolomics Pipeline for Studying Microbial Communities in Chemically Extreme Environments.

Metabolites have essential roles in microbial communities, including as mediators of nutrient and energy exchange, cell-to-cell communication, and antibiosis. However, detecting and quantifying metabolites and other chemicals in samples having extremes in salt or mineral content using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based methods remains a significant challenge. Here, we report a facile method based on in situ chemical derivatization followed by extraction for analysis of metabolites and other chemicals in hypersaline samples, enabling for the first time direct LC-MS-based exometabolomics analysis in sample matrices containing up to 2 M total dissolved salts. The method, MetFish, is applicable to molecules containing amine, carboxylic acid, carbonyl, or hydroxyl functional groups, and it can be integrated into either targeted or untargeted analysis pipelines. In targeted analyses, MetFish provided limits of quantification as low as 1 nM, broad linear dynamic ranges (up to 5 to 6 orders of magnitude) with excellent linearity, and low median interday reproducibility (e.g., 2.6%). MetFish was successfully applied in targeted and untargeted exometabolomics analyses of microbial consortia, quantifying amino acid dynamics in the exometabolome during community succession; in situ in a native prairie soil, whose exometabolome was isolated using a hypersaline extraction; and in input and produced fluids from a hydraulically fractured well, identifying dramatic changes in the exometabolome over time in the well. IMPORTANCE The identification and accurate quantification of metabolites using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) in hypersaline samples is a challenge due to matrix effects. Clean-up and desalting strategies that typically work well for samples with lower salt concentrations are often ineffective in hypersaline samples. To address this gap, we developed and demonstrated a simple yet sensitive and accurate method-MetFish-using chemical derivatization to enable mass spectrometry-based metabolomics in a variety of hypersaline samples from varied ecosystems and containing up to 2 M dissolved salts.
Desensitization to Fear-Inducing COVID-19 Health News on Twitter: Observational Study

Background: As of May 9, 2021, the United States had 32.7 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 (20.7% of confirmed cases worldwide) and 580,000 deaths (17.7% of deaths worldwide). Early on in the pandemic, widespread social, financial, and mental insecurities led to extreme and irrational coping behaviors, such as panic buying. However, despite the consistent spread of COVID-19 transmission, the public began to violate public safety measures as the pandemic got worse. Objective: In this work, we examine the effect of fear-inducing news articles on people’s expression of anxiety on Twitter. Additionally, we investigate desensitization to fear-inducing health news over time, despite the steadily rising COVID-19 death toll. Methods: This study examined the anxiety levels in news articles (n=1465) and corresponding user tweets containing “COVID,” “COVID-19,” “pandemic,” and “coronavirus” over 11 months, then correlated that information with the death toll of COVID-19 in the United States. Results: Overall, tweets that shared links to anxious articles were more likely to be anxious (odds ratio [OR] 2.65, 95% CI 1.58-4.43, P<.001). These odds decreased (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.2-0.83, P=.01) when the death toll reached the third quartile and fourth quartile (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.21-0.85, P=.01). However, user tweet anxiety rose rapidly with articles when the death toll was low and then decreased in the third quartile of deaths (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.37-1.01, P=.06). As predicted, in addition to the increasing death toll being matched by a lower level of article anxiety, the extent to which article anxiety elicited user tweet anxiety decreased when the death count reached the second quartile. Conclusions: The level of anxiety in users’ tweets increased sharply in response to article anxiety early on in the COVID-19 pandemic, but as the casualty count climbed, news articles seemingly lost their ability to elicit anxiety among readers. Desensitization offers an explanation for why the increased threat is not eliciting widespread behavioral compliance with guidance from public health officials. This work investigated how individuals' emotional reactions to news of the COVID-19 pandemic manifest as the death toll increases. Findings suggest individuals became desensitized to the increased COVID-19 threat and their emotional responses were blunted over time.
Nonlinear Modeling for Large Deflections of Beams, Plates, and Shallow Shells

In the remaining chapters in this book, we shall extend our treatment to nonlinear vibrations of thin structures that involve large deflections. Nonlinear dynamical modeling for such structures is introduced in the present chapter. This is followed in Chapter 8 with discussions of nonlinear vibrations of layered beams and plates, again including both sandwiches and laminated composites. Chaotic vibrations of elastic beams are then explored in Chapter 9. Finally, in Chapter 10, nonlinear dynamical modeling for large deflections of piezoelectric plates is treated.
Indoor air pollution

This article summarizes the health effects of indoor air pollutants and the modalities available to control them. The pollutants discussed include active and passive exposure to tobacco smoke; combustion products of carbon monoxide; nitrogen dioxide; products of biofuels, including wood and coal; biologic agents leading to immune responses, such as house dust mites, cockroaches, fungi, animal dander, and urine; biologic agents associated with infection such as Legionella and tuberculosis; formaldehyde; and volatile organic compounds. An approach to assessing building-related illness and "tight building" syndrome is presented. Finally, the article reviews recent data on hospital-related asthma and exposures to potential respiratory hazards such as antineoplastic agents, anesthetic gases, and ethylene oxide.
Does Soft Dollar Brokerage Benefit Portfolio Investors: Agency Problem or Solution?

With soft dollar brokerage, institutional portfolio managers pay brokers "premium" commission rates in exchange for rebates they use to buy third-party research. One hypothesis views this practice as a reflection of the agency problem in delegated portfolio management; another views it as a contractual solution to the agency problem that aligns the incentives of investors, managers, and brokers where direct monitoring mechanisms are inadequate. Using a database of institutional money managers, we find that premium commission payments are positively related to risk-adjusted performance, suggesting that soft dollar brokerage is a solution to agency problems. Moreover, premium commissions are positively related to management fees, suggesting that labor market competition does not punish managers for using soft dollars.
Voltage control of magnetism in laminated LiFe 5 O 8 /PMN-PT multiferroic composites

Multiferroic composites with combined ferromagnetic (FM) and ferroelectric (FE) phases have attracted extensive attention due to their strong magnetoelectric (ME) coupling at room temperature [1-4]. Specifically in magnetic-piezoelectric heterostructures, the voltage applied to the piezoelectric layer produces a mechanical deformation that couples to the magnetic layer, and thus induces a change in the magnetic anisotropy and a shift in the resonance field for the ferromagnet. Large voltage-induced effective ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) field has been demonstrated in multifer-roic composites such as YIG/PZT, FeGaB/PZNPT, Ni 2 MnGa/PMNPT, etc [5-7]. Unlike conventional devices where the Oersted fields generated by large electric current are used for FMR tuning, the voltage tuning is more power efficient as the bias voltage applied on piezoelectrics involves minimal electric current. Therefore, these magnetic-piezoelectric heterostructures show great potential for the next-generation of compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient RF/microwave devices.
Studies on Release of Lipoprotein Lipase Activity from Fat Cells

Abstract Several factors which influence the release of lipoprotein lipase activity from fat cells incubated at 23° in Krebs-Ringer buffer containing glucose and albumin were studied. Release was partially reduced when either glucose, calcium, or potassium was omitted and was not detectable when albumin was omitted from this medium. During 45 min of incubation approximately 3 times as much lipoprotein lipase activity was found in the medium compared to the intracellular levels which remained constant during this period. When protein synthesis was inhibited with cycloheximide the amount of intracellular lipoprotein lipase activity as well as the amount of this enzyme activity released was essentially unchanged. It is concluded that release of lipoprotein lipase activity from fat cells does not require protein synthesis under the conditions investigated. To explain the 3-fold increase in enzyme activity in the absence of protein synthesis we also suggest that lipoprotein lipase is activated prior to or in conjunction with release from these cells.
Recharging Behavior of Households’ Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Observed Variation in Use of Conversions of 5-kW-h Blended Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), which run on both electricity from the grid and gasoline, are touted as providing some of the societal and environmental benefits of electric vehicles for a large portion of motorists' daily travel while also acting as a transitional technology toward fully electric vehicles. To test analysts' assumptions about how PHEV users will recharge their vehicles, the observed recharging behaviors of 40 households that participated in a PHEV demonstration in Northern California are reported. The recharging behavior across all households' last week of their 4-week PHEV trial period is summarized with regard to the time of day, frequency of plugging in, and electricity demand to recharge the vehicles. Although the means of the frequency distribution of plug-in events among demonstration households are similar to prior recharging assumptions made by analysts, the distributions are not symmetrical about the mean and there exists a large variation in both the average number of ...
Toward Theory Building in the Field of Instructional Games and Simulations

(1976). Toward Theory Building in the Field of Instructional Games and Simulations. Programmed Learning and Educational Technology: Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 5-9.
Effects of ouabain on splanchnic hemodynamics in the rhesus monkey

Abstract : When the effects of ouabain on splanchnic hemodynamics of the anesthetized monkey are evaluated, the major events were found to be a decrease in mesenteric blood flow and an increase in mesenteric vascular resistance. Implications of these findings are that use of cardiac glycosides may be contraindicated in clinical states characterized by low blood flow to the splanchnic region. (Author)
Dead zones in circumplanetary discs as formation sites for regular satellites

Regular satellites in the solar system are thought to form within circumplanetary discs. We consider a model of a layered circumplanetary disc that consists of a nonturbulent midplane layer and and strongly turbulent disc surface layers. The dead zone provides a favorable site for satellite formation. It is a quiescent environment that permits the growth of solid bodies. Viscous torques within the disc cause it to expand to a substantial fraction of its Hill radius (~0.4 R_H) where tidal torques from the central star remove its angular momentum. For certain parameters, the dead zone develops into a high density substructure well inside the Hill sphere. The radial extent of the dead zone may explain the compactness of the regular satellites orbits for Jupiter and Saturn. The disc temperatures can be low enough to be consistent with the high ice fractions of Ganymede and Callisto.
Physician characteristics, attitudes, and use of computerized order entry.

BACKGROUND Computerized physician order entry (CPOE) is a widely advocated patient safety intervention, yet little is known about its adoption by attending physicians or community hospitals. METHODS We calculated the order entry rates of attending physicians at 2 hospitals by measuring the number of orders entered directly and dividing this by the sum of orders entered directly and those written by hand. These findings were paired with the results of a survey that assessed attitudes concerning the impact of CPOE on personal efficiency, quality of care, and patient safety. RESULTS Three hundred and fifty-six (71%) of the 502 surveys were returned by physicians, whose median order entry rate was 66%. Forty-two percent of respondents placed at least 80% of their orders electronically (high use), 26% placed 21%-79% of their orders electronically (intermediate use), and 32% placed 20% or less of their orders electronically (low use). Sex, years since medical school graduation, years in practice at the study institution, and use of computers in the outpatient arena were not meaningfully different among the 3 groups. However, use of the system to place orders varied by specialty, and those with intermediate or high use of the system were more likely than low users to have used CPOE during training and to be regular users of computers for personal activities. These physicians were more likely to believe that CPOE enabled orders to be placed efficiently, that directly entered orders were carried out more rapidly, and that such orders were associated with fewer errors. CONCLUSIONS The adoption of CPOE by attending physicians at community hospitals varies widely. In addition to purchasing systems that support physician work flow, hospitals intent on successfully implementing CPOE should emphasize the benefits in safety and quality of this new technology. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2006;1:221–230. © 2006 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Natural language understanding

Our task, broadly stated, is the development of systems for the understanding of narrative messages in limited domains. Improving the current state-of-the-art for such systems will require a better understanding of how to capture and utilize domain information, and how to effectively combine the various sources of information (syntactic, semantic, and discourse) to create a robust language analyzer.
Marriage and the Parenting Partnership: Perceptions and Interactions of Parents with Mentally Retarded and Typically Developing Children

The quality of the parents' marital bond and their ability to work together in the parenting role were examined for the parents of school-aged children (ages 6-18) with mild and moderate mental retardation (n = 38) and a comparable group of parents of typically developing children (n = 34). Significantly more negative functioning for the parents of mentally retarded children was observed during marital interactions, and parent-child interactions but was not reflected in their self-reports of marriage and parenting, suggesting that expectations about marital and parenting strains may modulate negative sentiments for these parents. Across both groups, marital quality and the parenting partnership, together with child behavior problems, accounted for 23% to 53% of the variance in parenting confidence and in aversive parent-child exchanges. Negative marital interaction was a particularly important predictor of aversive parent-child exchanges.
Emergency department activation of an interventional cardiology team reduces door-to-balloon times in ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction.

Study objective American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology guidelines recommend door-to-balloon times of fewer than 90 minutes in patients with acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. We hypothesized that immediate activation of an interventional cardiology team (code H) would reduce the time to percutaneous coronary intervention by 1 hour and increase the proportion of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention within 90 minutes of arrival. Methods Study design was a before-and-after trial in an academic suburban emergency department (ED) with a certified cardiac catheterization laboratory. Subjects were a consecutive sample of patients presenting to the ED with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction evident on the initial ECG. Patients without chest pain and refusing catheterization were excluded. The intervention was the use of a central paging system for activation of the interventional cardiology team (attending physician, fellow, nurse, technician) by emergency physicians in patients presenting to the ED with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. Measures were demographic and clinical information collected with standardized data collection forms. Outcomes were door-to-balloon times and the proportion of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention within 90 minutes of arrival. Groups were compared with χ 2 and t tests. Results There were 97 patients included in the study; 43 were treated in the 2 years before implementation of the code H and 54 patients were treated the subsequent 2 years. Mean age (SD) was 56.9 years (13.7), 27% were women, and 86% were white. Groups were similar in age, sex, and race. Implementation of a code H reduced the median door-to-balloon time by 68 minutes (from 176 to 108 minutes; P Conclusion Institutional implementation of a protocol that requires emergency physicians to activate an interventional cardiology team response in ED patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction reduces the door-to-balloon time and increases the proportion of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention within 90 minutes.
Surgical advances in heart and lung transplantation

The successes of thoracic transplantation have led to the expansion of indications and a subsequent growth in demand for a short supply of organs. In response to this disparity, the criteria for organ donation have been liberalized. Despite these difficult challenges, with advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care of both the donor and recipient, outcomes have continued to improve over time. This article focuses on the more recent surgical advances in donor selection and management, procurement and implantation, and the impact of these advances on patient outcome.
Evidence for a Catalytic Role of Zinc in Protein Farnesyltransferase SPECTROSCOPY OF Co2+-FARNESYLTRANSFERASE INDICATES METAL COORDINATION OF THE SUBSTRATE THIOLATE

Abstract Protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) is a zinc metalloenzyme that catalyzes the addition of a farnesyl isoprenoid to a conserved cysteine in peptide or protein substrates. We have substituted the essential Zn2+ in FTase with Co2+ to investigate the function of the metal polyhedron using optical absorption spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of FTase is unchanged by the substitution of cobalt for zinc. The absorption spectrum of Co2+-FTase displays a thiolate-Co2+ charge transfer band (ϵ320 = 1030 M−1 cm−1) consistent with the coordination of one cysteine side chain and also ligand field bands (ϵ560 = 140 M−1 cm−1) indicative of a pentacoordinate or distorted tetrahedral metal geometry. Most importantly, the ligand-metal charge transfer band displays an increased intensity (ϵ320 = 1830 M−1 cm−1) in the ternary complex of FTase·isoprenoid·peptide substrate indicative of the formation of a second Co2+-thiolate bond as cobalt coordinates the thiolate of the peptide substrate. A similar increase in the ligand-metal charge transfer band in a product complex indicates that the sulfur atom of the farnesylated peptide also coordinates the metal. Transient kinetics demonstrate that thiolate-cobalt metal coordination also occurs in an active FTase·FPP·peptide substrate complex and that the rate constant for the chemical step is 17 s−1. These data provide evidence that the zinc ion plays an important catalytic role in FTase, most likely by activation of the cysteine thiol of the protein substrate for nucleophilic attack on the isoprenoid.
Gain-guided leaky-waveguide laser amplifiers: analytical methods and recent progress on experiments

Leaky-waveguide laser amplifiers can sometimes have significant advantages for single-transverse-mode propagation in high-power waveguide laser systems. Most recent studies of such systems have either not included gain saturation, or they have assumed homogeneously broadened gain media. However, some of the most promising media for such amplifiers are inhomogeneously broadened. Results reported here include detailed numerical mode solutions for saturated inhomogeneous broadening, as well as useful analytical methods and approximations for both homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening.
Let the credits roll: a preliminary examination of the role played by mentors and trusted assessors in disciplinary formation

Many scholarly articles acknowledge input from colleagues, mentors and trusted assessors. This study explores the social function and cognitive significance of acknowledgements. A six category typology was developed and applied to 444 acknowledgements which were carried by research articles in JASIS (1970–1990). It is proposed that acknowledgements and citations should be used conjointly in the assessment of research performance and in disciplinary exegesis.
Functional characteristics of in vivo induced neutrophils after differentiation therapy of acute promyelocytic leukemia with all‐trans‐retinoic acid

The authors describe the functional capabilities of in vivo induced neutrophils from a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia (French-American-British M3v) treated with differentiation therapy using all-trans-retinoic acid (45 mg.m-2.day-1). The induced neutrophils from the leukemic clone appeared in the blood 7 days after therapy. Normal neutrophils, presumably derived from nonclonal normal hematopoiesis, appeared 15 days after the initiation of therapy. The induced neutrophils were separated from normal neutrophils by density gradient centrifugation. Their origin was established by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The induced neutrophils were morphologically atypical but stained for myeloperoxidase (Sudan black B) and AS-D chloroacetate esterase and were negative for alpha-naphthyl butyrate esterase. Induced neutrophils were functionally mature, showing nitroblue tetrazolium reduction in 72% of the cells compared with 84% in the normal neutrophil fraction. Both the rate and total killing of Staphylococcus aureus (American Type Culture Collection Strain 25923) were normal in both neutrophil fractions. Random locomotion was equivalent and within the normal reference range in both fractions; however, using the under-agarose technique, induced neutrophils showed a minor chemotactic defect in response to both n-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (score 292, normal 338-868) and complement-derived chemotactic factors (score 420, normal 457-1408). At autopsy, induced neutrophils infiltrated necrotic myocardial tissue, suggesting a normal response to inflammatory stimuli.
Excess volumes of n-hexadecane + the isomers of hexane☆

Abstract Excess volumes have been measured at 293.15 K for n-hexadecane + n-hexane, + 2-methylpentane, + 3-methylpentane, + 2,3-dimethylbutane, and + 2,2-dimethylbutane. In addition, excess volumes were measured at 313.15 K for n-hexadecane + n-hexane, and at 301.15 and 308.15 K for n-hexadecane + 2,2-dimethylbutane. The minimum of the molar excess volume curves occurs uniformly in the region of x(C6) = 0.65, and all the results can be fitted well by the equation V m E cm 3 mol −1 = x(1−x){v 0 + v 1 (1−2x) + v 2 (1−2x) 2 } {1 − B(1 − 2x)} , where the skewing parameter B = −0.55 is the same for all the mixtures.
Hierarchical ZnO Nanostructures

A variety of novel hierarchical nanostructures with 6-, 4-, and 2-fold symmetries have been successfully grown by a vapor transport and condensation technique. It was found that the major core nano...
DNA Sequence Recognition by Hybridization to Short Oligomers

ABSTRACT A format 1 technology for performing massive hybridization experiments has been developed as part of the sequencing by hybridization (SBH) project. Arrays of tens of thousands of clones are interrogated with short oligomer probes to determine sets of oligomers that are present in individual clones. SBH requires highly discriminative hybridizations with a large number of probes. One of the main uses of a reconstructed DNA sequence is in a similarity search against databases of known DNA. We argue that sequence reconstruction, even partial, should not be performed for this particular purpose; we provide an information-theoretic proof that the oligomer lists obtained from hybridization experiments should be used directly for similarity searches. We propose a similarity search method that takes full advantage of the subword structure of positively identified oligomers within a clone. The method tolerates error in hybridization experiments, requires fewer probes than necessary for sequencing, and is c...
State government programs for science and technology and state economic growth: An exploratory analysis of Iowa, Massachusetts, and Arkansas

Abstract Brief profiles of each state, including the economic problems it faced, are presented. Factors underlying the creation of the programs are detailed and analyzed. Descriptions of some major science and technology programs each state supports are given. Short evaluations of the programs are provided. In Iowa, powerful public universities constructed programs in biotechnology at Iowa State University, and programs in laser research at the University of Iowa. A “power” or interest group model is useful to interpret Iowa's initiatives in science and technology. In Massachusetts, long-term public acceptance of large government provided support for programs, often independent of public universities, throughout the state. A “rational” model helps interpret that state's development of such programs. In Arkansas, Governor Winthrop Rockefeller's desire to aid his adopted state, and a tradition of progressive gubernatorial leadership since Rockefeller's terms in office, led to avariety of programs, all modestly funded. Both the rational and the power models assist understanding of the Arkansas experience.
Comparative performance of the FSCL neural net and K-means algorithm for market segmentation

Abstract Given the success of neural networks in a variety of applications in engineering, such as speech and image quantization, it is natural to consider its application to similar problems in other domains. A related problem that arises in business is market segmentation for which clustering techniques are used. In this paper, we explore the ability of a specific neural network, namely the Frequency-Sensitive Competitive Learning Algorithm (FSCL), to cluster data for developing strategic marketing decisions. To this end, we investigate the comparative performance of FSCL vis-a-vis the K-means clustering technique. A cluster analysis conducted on brand choice data for the coffee category revealed that the two methodologies resulted in widely differing cluster solutions. In an effort to address the dispute over the appropriate methodology, a comparative performance investigation was undertaken using simulated data with known cluster solutions in a fairly large experimental design to mimic varying data quality to reflect data collection and measurement error. Based on the results of these studies, it is observed that a combination of the two methodologies, wherein the results of the FSCL network are input as seeds to the K-means, seems to provide more managerially insightful segmentation schemes.
Flux trapping in rotating superconductors

Abstract A geometrical model is proposed to explain the dependence of flux trapping on angular velocity when superconducting Pb and Nb spheres in an external magnetic field are cooled through their transition temperature while in rotation.
Multi-anchored state equations applied to square-well fluids with differing well-widths

Abstract In the continuing effort to relate material properties to molecular structure, it has proven helpful to obtain a synoptic equation of state (EOS) even for simplistic model fluids having idealized yet specified intermolecular forces. This paper extends such methods to square-well fluid (SWF) of arbitrary well-depth (ϵ) and well-width [ω = λ − 1], with λ, the dimensionless attractive range. Because SWF second and third virial coefficients are known exactly for all ranges, while high-density, high-temperature properties are known to substantial accuracy, all available MC/MD results can be consolidated and multiply-anchored to particular isotherms and isochores using reduced densities [y = π(σ 3 N/V)/6] and inverse temperature scales [x = (γ 3 − 1)(exp(ϵ/kT) − 1)]. Thus y is the packing fraction and the second virial coefficient is linear in x, with x = 1 corresponding to the Boyle temperature. Using this particular scaling, SWF's of arbitrary width and depth will all have a similar EOS, in the form of a compressibility factor Z = zhs - axy, with ZHS(y) that for a hard-sphere fluid and with an effective van der Waals attraction coefficient (a) varying about the value 4. Even the limited MC/MD data currently available then yields a useful EOS family based upon Lagrange interpolation between three anchoring isotherms at infinite, Boyle, and critical temperatures.
Microseismic Swarm Activity in the New Madrid Seismic Zone

We analyze event archives and continuous waveform data recorded by the Cooperative New Madrid Seismic Network from 1995 to 2008 in conjunction with waveform cross‐correlation techniques to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of small‐magnitude ( M D<2.4) earthquakes in the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ). The resulting clusters are divided into two major groups based on the interevent time period: (1) swarm clusters, in which the number of highly similar events recorded in a day is more than the seismic zone maximum daily rate (∼3 events/day) and (2) repeating earthquakes clusters, which consist of highly similar events separated by longer time periods. Most swarm clusters occur near Ridgely, Tennessee, and this 4‐km × 2‐km × 2‐km elongated source zone produces swarms every 1–3 years that contain large numbers of strikingly similar events. Other swarms and repeating earthquake clusters occur at proposed fault intersections in the crystalline basement or along strong velocity contrasts. Focal mechanism solutions for NMSZ clusters are consistent with previously reported solutions for each major fault. We suggest that anomalously high pore‐fluid pressure, inferred from artesian wells, porous intrusions, and faulted, fractured crustal rocks, is the most likely cause of swarm activity. Repeating earthquake ruptures are interpreted as reactivation of small asperities.
Conformation of an RNA pseudoknot.

Abstract The structure of the 5′ GCGAUUUCUGACCGCUUUUUUGUCAG 3′ RNA oligonucleotide was investigated using biochemical and chemical probes and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Formation of a pseudoknot is indicated by the imino proton spectrum. Imino protons are observed consistent with formation of two helical stem regions; nuclear Overhauser enhancements between imino protons show that the two stem regions stack to form a continuous helix. In the stem regions, nucleotide conformations (3′- endo, anti ) and internucleotide distances, derived from two-dimensional correlated, spectroscopy and two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectra, are characteristic of A -form geometry. The data suggest minor distortion in helical stacking at the junctions of stems and loops. The model of the pseudoknot is consistent with the structure originally proposed by Pleij et al .
Preparing undergraduates to teach computer applications to engineering freshmen

A course on "introduction to computing environments" is taught each year to roughly 1500 first- year engineering students at North Carolina State University. In the Fall 2006 semester, the course was revised to accommodate the use of student-owned notebook computers in class, provide better integration between lectures and labs, and increase the extent of active student involvement during class. A program to train the 37 undergraduates who taught the course was designed, implemented, and assessed. This paper outlines the structure of the training program and reports on the assessment outcomes.
Cholecystectomy and Wound Complications: Smoking Worsens Risk

Abstract Background In the United States, approximately 800,000 cholecystectomies are performed annually. We sought to determine the influence of preoperative smoking on postcholecystectomy wound complication rates. Materials and methods Using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2005–2011), patients aged ≥18 y who underwent elective open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for benign gallbladder disease were identified using current procedural terminology codes. Multivariate regression was performed to determine the association between smoking status and wound complications, by surgical approach. Results Of 143,753 identified patients, 128,692 (89.5%) underwent LC, 27,788 (19.3%) were active smokers, and 100,710 (70.2%) were females. Active smokers were younger than nonsmokers (mean + standard deviation age: 44.2 (14.9) versus 51.6 (17.9) years); P Conclusions Active smokers are more likely to develop wound complications after cholecystectomy, regardless of surgical approach. Occurrence of wound complications consequently increases postoperative length of stay. Smoking abstinence before cholecystectomy may reduce the burden associated with wound complications.
Molecular structure and 13C chemical shift assignments of 10-(2′-pyridyl)pyrido[3,2-b][1,4]benzothiazine using 10-phenylpyrido[3,2-b][1,4]benzothiazine as the model compound

The crystal structure of 10-(2′-pyridyl)pyrido[3,2-b][1,4]benzothiazine, 6, shows that orientation of the 10-pyridyl ring is in the plane bisecting the pyridobenzothiazine ring. This orientation is in contrast to that of 10-(2′-pyridyl)phenothiazine, 11, in which the heterocyclic ring is perpendicular to the plane bisecting the phenothiazine nucleus. X-ray data also indicate that the resonance interaction between the lone pair of electrons of NSUB10 in 6 with either the pyridine protons of the tricylcic ring or the 10-(2′-pyridyl) ring is not significant. The folding angle of 166.1° in 6 is the largest observed for the pyridobenzothiazine ring. The nmr spectral assignments of the titled compound, 6, was accomplished using the structurally similar, 10-phenylpyrido[3,2-b][1,4]benzothiazine, 9, as the model compound. 10-(2′-Pyridyl)phenothiazine, 11, was shown to be an inadequate model for such assigments.
Leo Strauss in Chicago

1 first met Leo Strauss when I was nine teen years old and a student in the Col lege of the University of Chicago. It was the spring of 1949 this was during the epoch of the presidency of Robert May nard Hutchins, when the University was at the height of its glory. At that time, the College was famous for the eccen tricity and precociousness of many of its students, and also for its highly un usual custom of allowing entering stu dents to take examinations on the basis