cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strong W -pair model and the ψ particles

We propose that the two recently observed narrow resonances, psi(3105) and psi'(3695), be identified with the two neutral members of a U(3) triplet of W bosons, the charged member of this triplet mediating weak interactions. The integer charge assignment of the W triplet requires it to have a nonzero triality quantum number, t=1. This in turn dictates that if the triplet has a strong interaction with hadrons (which have zero triality), it must be strong pair-type interaction. We then deduce that the charged W boson, which mediates the weak interactions, has mass around 4 GeV. We show that since W/sup +-/ decay predominantly to hadrons this low mass is not in conflict with present experiments. We further predict that the psi'(3695) decays predominantly to psi(3105) and K$sup 0$ or 2$pi$ depending on whether the hadronic and W-bosonic SU(3) groups are identical or not. In the case of K$sup 0$ decay, limited phase space and the p-wave nature of the decay make the actual decay width of psi'(3695) of the order of 100 keV. On the other hand, for the 2$pi$ decay mode, the decay width is limited due to the 3-body nature of the final state. We also predict psi$Yields$ee,more » psi'$Yields$ee coupling of the right order of magnitude in both cases. Other virtues of this model are the following: (1) it predicts the $delta$I=1/2 rule for nonleptonic weak decays; (2) it predicts an effective neutral--lepton-current interaction with $delta$Y=0 (Y is hypercharge) hadron currents comparable to the charged-lepton interaction; (3) it predicts the absence of a comparable neutral-lepton-current interaction with $delta$Y=1 hadron currents; and (4) it predicts a large (nuclear) cross section for W pair production in nucleon-nucleon collisions. (AIP)« less
Tricritical scaling at the chiral phase transition for 2 flavour lattice QCD with staggered quarks

Abstract We have simulated lattice QCD directly in the chiral limit of zero quark mass by adding an additional, irrelevant 4-fermion interaction to the standard action. Using lattices having temporal extent of six and spatial extents of twelve and eighteen, we find that the theory with 2 massless staggered quark flavors has a second-order finite-temperature phase transition. The critical exponents β mag , δ and ν are measured and favour tricritical behaviour over that expected by universality arguments. The pion screening mass is consistent with zero below the transition, but is degenerate with the nonzero σ(f 0 ) mass above the transition, indicating the restoration of chiral symmetry.
A CHARACTERIZATION OF NONCOMPACT KOISO-TYPE SOLITONS

We construct complete gradient Kahler–Ricci solitons of various types on the total spaces of certain holomorphic line bundles over compact Kahler–Einstein manifolds with positive scalar curvature. Those are noncompact analogues of the compact examples found by Koiso [On rotationally symmetric Hamilton's equations for Kahler–Einstein metrics, in Recent Topics in Differential and Analytic Geometry, Advanced Studies in Pure Mathematics, Vol. 18-I (Academic Press, Boston, MA, 1990), pp. 327–337]. Our examples can be viewed a generalization of previous examples by Cao [Existense of gradient Kahler–Ricci solitons, in Elliptic and Parabolic Methods in Geometry (Minneapolis, MN, 1994), pp. 1–16], Chave and Valent [On a class of compact and non-compact quasi-Einstein metrics and their renormalizability properties, Nuclear Phys. B 478 (1996) 758–778], Pedersen, Tonnesen-Friedman, and Valent [Quasi-Einstein Kahler metrics, Lett. Math. Phys. 50(3) (1999) 229–241], and Feldman, Ilmanen and Knopf [Rotationally symmetric shrinking and expanding gradient Kahler–Ricci solitons, J. Differential Geom. 65 (2003) 169–209]. We also prove a uniformization result on complete steady gradient Kahler–Ricci solitons with non-negative Ricci curvature under additional assumptions.
A Damage Tolerant Design Parameter for Graphite/Epoxy Laminated Composites

The results of an extensive experimental investigation of the fracture behavior of notched graphite/epoxy laminates are presented. Twenty-seven laminates with different stacking sequences and laminate thicknesses have been studied. The data presented herein suggest that a damage tolerant design parameter exists that is relatively independent of ply stacking sequence and laminate thickness.
Mimesis and Ritual: Girardian Critique of the Social Contract

The social contract has become the dominant basis for political society, yet political theology is still prevalent in many countries. Rene Girard’s theory of human nature as involving mimesis and ritual offers a more sufficient account for this continuity than that of the social contract theorists. This paper will demonstrate how the views of human nature and the formation of society given by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau not only failed to account for our religious and ritualistic aspects, but provided a basis for the evolution of the social contract into a pragmatic contract. Originally it was conceived as predicated upon natural rights; but the pragmatic use creates arbitrary rights agreed upon by a society. When considered in light of humanity’s imitative and rivalistic tendencies, this poses a serious worry. Girard’s theory provides the understanding that society isn’t only predicated upon agreement, but also upon imitation, religion, and ritual.
Development of an ELISA for bovine IL-10.

The objective of the study was to develop an assay for bovine IL-10 that could be applied to analyses of immune responses and advance understanding of a variety of diseases of cattle. Recombinant bovine IL-10 (rbo IL-10) was transiently expressed in Cos-7 cells and shown to inhibit the synthesis of IFNγ by bovine cells stimulated with antigen in vitro. Mice were immunised with a plasmid containing a cDNA insert encoding rbo IL-10 and inoculated with rbo IL-10. A number of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were generated that reacted with rbo IL-10 in an ELISA. Some of these mAb neutralised the ability of rbo IL-10 to inhibit IFNγ synthesis by antigen-stimulated bovine cells. A pair of mAb was identified that together could be used to detect both recombinant and natural bovine IL-10 present in supernatant of PBMC stimulated with ConA. A luminescent detection method was applied to the ELISA making it more sensitive. Using this method native IL-10 was detected in supernatants of PBMC, diluted blood and undiluted blood from cattle immunised with Mycobacterium bovis BCG or ovalbumin and incubated in vitro with antigen indicating the applicability of the assay to a number of in vitro culture systems.
Detection of explosives on skin using ambient ionization mass spectrometry

Single nanogram amounts of the explosives TNT, RDX, HMX, PETN and their mixtures were detected and identified in a few seconds on the surface of human skin without any sample preparation by desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) using a spray solution of methanol-water doped with sodium chloride to form the chloride adducts with RDX, HMX, and PETN while TNT was examined as the radical anion and tandem mass spectrometry was used to confirm the identifications.
A comparison of NADPH and cumene hydroperoxide-stimulated lipid peroxidation in mouse hepatic microsomes.

Abstract 1. 1. Biochemical characteristics of NADPH-dependent and cumene hydroperoxide-dependent lipid peroxidation in mouse liver microsomes were compared. 2. 2. Inhibition by monooxygenase substrates as well as by n-octylamine, KCN, glutathione, MnCl2, CoCl2 was observed in both systems while only the NADPH-dependent system was inhibited by EDTA and bipyridyl 3. 3. CCl4, paraquat, pyrophosphate and dithiothreitol stimulation was observed only in the NADPH-dependent system. 4. 4. Only the NADPH-dependent system had a requirement for chelated iron.
VMA IN SPINAL FLUID: EVALUATION OF THE PATHWAYS OF CEREBRAL CATECHOLAMINE METABOLISM IN MAN

Publisher Summary This chapter elaborates the evaluation of the pathways of cerebral catecholamine metabolism in man. The pathways of cerebral catecholamine metabolism have been evaluated in animals by application of radioisotopic techniques. These studies involved incubation of brain slices with labeled norepinephrine (NE), dopamine and their precursors or intraventricular or intracisternal administration of these compounds. The studies have indicated that dopamine is preferentially metabolized to the acids, homovanillic acid, and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, whereas norepinephrine is preferentially metabolized to the alcohols, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol, and dihydroxyphenylglycol, and because of the inaccessibility of the human brain to direct study, similar information for man is lacking. Evaluation of cerebral catecholamine metabolism in man is best achieved by study of the metabolites of the catecholamines in cerebrospinal fluid. The occurrence of homovanillic acid, and MHPG in CSF has been documented, and these metabolites can be accurately quantitated.
Use of linear physical programming and Bayesian updating for design issues in reverse logistics

Reverse logistics aims at capturing the remaining value in end-of-use products. This also means saving natural resources, energy, clean air and water, landfill space, and money. Strategic planning (also called designing) of a reverse supply chain is a challenging problem due to various crucial issues, such as what end-of-use products to collect, where to collect them, how to reprocess them, where to reprocess them, etc. To this end, this paper addresses the following two crucial issues, and proposes a quantitative decision-making model for each of them: (i) how to select efficient collection centres? and (ii) how to evaluate whether repairing an end-of-use product is more sensible than remanufacturing/recycling the same? For the first problem, we propose a Linear Physical Programming model, and for the second problem, we employ Fuzzy Logic and Bayesian Updating. The models are demonstrated via numerical examples.
The Erlang approach to concurrent system development

The prevalence of multi-core processors means application developers can no longer ignore concurrency and its attendant problems of data races, deadlock, safety, and liveness. Imperative languages such as Java and C, based on shared, mutable state, have added locks, semaphores and condition variables to address these problems; unfortunately, these locking approaches are notoriously error-prone. Functional ("single assignment") languages with immutable state have been promoted as tools to mitigate these problems. In particular, Erlang, a functional language with roots in Prolog, has been used by Erickson, Ltd., to develop robust, concurrent, fault-tolerant, communications switches (31ms downtime per year). This workshop will introduce Erlang to educators interested in the language per se as well as those focusing on concurrent system development. The goal is to encourage the use of both imperative and functional languages in teaching about concurrency. Participants will install the Erlang system on their notebooks so as to engage in activities along with the organizer. Both sequential and concurrent systems - small but complete - will be developed in conjunction with the presentations. Time is allocated at the end of the workshop to discuss the pedagogical issues involved in adopting Erlang or similar technology.
Ag Adsorption on Reduced CeO2(111) Thin Films

The adsorption energies and growth morphology of silver on reduced CeO2(111) thin films at 300 K have been studied using adsorption microcalorimetry in combination with low energy ion scattering (ISS), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), sticking probability measurements, low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Thin films (4 nm thick) of CeO2−x(111), with x = ∼0.1, were grown on a Pt(111) single-crystal. The AES and ISS signals varied with Ag coverage in a manner indicative of 3D Ag particle growth, with a density of ∼4 × 1012 particles/cm2. The initial heat of adsorption of Ag vapor was ∼200 kJ/mol, which is much lower than the heat of sublimation of Ag (285 kJ/mol). Further reduction of the surface by heating in vacuum (to reach x = ∼0.2) resulted in a slight increase in the initial heat of adsorption to ∼220 kJ/mol; subsequently, higher heats of adsorption were observed until the he...
Customer switching behavior in service industries: An exploratory study

Customer switching behavior damages market share and profitability of service firms yet has remained virtually unexplored in the marketing literature. The author reports results of a critical incid...
Coliquefaction of coal and newsprint-derived lignin

Abstract When lignin derived from newsprint is coliquefied with Illinois coal in tetralin under mild reaction conditions (initial hydrogen pressure of 1.07 MPa), up to 90% enhancement in coal conversion is observed. The enhancement in coal conversion is a function of liquefaction temperature. It increases from 50 to 90% as the temperature is increased from 300°C to 325°C; however, with a further increase in temperature, the enhancement declines. This behavior is explained in terms of reaction chemistry that postulates that intermediates formed during lignin depolymerization react with coal via a parallel coal depolymerization pathway. The quality of liquid products was assessed by examining the boiling point fraction data. Data clearly show synergism in terms of product quality when lignin is added to coal during depolymerization.
Time-series tests of convergence and transitional dynamics

Abstract The convergence debate is re-examined using time-series data on OECD countries, by relaxing the assumption of structural stability. Kalman filtering procedure is adopted, to capture dynamic behavior. The results from the study help to reconcile the seeming contradiction in the conclusions drawn from cross-section and time-series tests.
Effect of ethanol on the immune system in mice

Abstract Mice were injected with ethanol (2.5 g/kg body wt., i.p.) 1–3 times daily for 17 days or 3 times daily for 49 days. The primary and secondary antibody titers to sheep red blood cells were determined. In addition, microhematocrits, white blood cell counts, white blood cell differential counts, and organ-to-bodyweight ratios were determined. Despite continuous large doses of ethanol, the ethanol-treated mice responded as well as saline-treated controls in all parameters tested. The results of this study are discussed in the context of other studies on the effects of ethanol on the immune system.
Social interactions in male gerbils,Meriones unguiculatus: Ultrasounds and open-field behavior

Relationships among ultrasonic vocalizations and several other behaviors (aggression, locomotion, ventral-scent-gland marking, sniffing, and autogrooming) were examined during single 15-min interactions within 12 different pairs of adult male gerbils. Behaviors were assessed before and after social dominance was established within each pair. Ultrasound emissions were associated with fight severity (r=−.66), locomotion was associated with scent marking (r=.86) and with autogrooming (r=.68), and scent marking was associated with sniffing (r=.67). Dominant and subordinate animals showed different patterns of behavior both before and after dominance was established. Primary predictors of intrapair dominance were priority and latency of scent marking. After dominance was established, gerbils with the higher ranks showed significantly greater locomotion, sniffing, and autogrooming.
The Evaluation of Bias of the Weighted Random Effects Model Estimators

Estimation of parameters of random effects models from samples collected via complex multistage designs is considered. One way to reduce estimation bias due to unequal probabilities of selection is to incorporate sampling weights. Many researchers have been proposed various weighting methods (Korn, & Graubard, 2003; Pfeffermann, Skinner, Holmes, Goldstein, & Rasbash, 1998) in estimating the parameters of hierarchical models, including random effects models as a special case. In this paper, the bias of the weighted analysis of variance (ANOVA) estimators of the variance components for a two-level, one-way random effects model is evaluated. For these estimators, analytic bias expressions are first developed, the expressions are then used to examine the impact of sample size, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and the sampling design on the bias of the estimators. In addition, two-stage sampling designs are considered, with a general probability design at the first stage (Level 2) and simple random sampling without replacement (SRS) at the second stage (Level 1). The study shows that firstorder weighted variance component estimators perform well when for moderate cluster sizes and ICC values. However, noticeable estimation bias can be found with this weighting method for small cluster sizes (less than 20), particularly when ICC is small (less than 0.2). In such scenarios, scaled first-order weighted estimators can be an alternative. This paper is discussed in the context of National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) 2003 4th Grade Reading National and State Assessment data, with Level 1 being the student level and Level 2 being the school level.
Chronic cigarette smoke exposure adversely alters 14C-arachidonic acid metabolism in rat lungs, aortas and platelets

Male rats were exposed to freshly generated cigarette smoke once daily, 5 times a week for 10 weeks. Inhalation of smoke was verified by elevated carboxyhemoglobin in blood sampled immediately after smoke exposure and by increased lung aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity 24 hours after the last smoke exposure. Aortic rings isolated from smoke-exposed rats synthesized less prostacyclin (PGI2) from 14C-arachidonic acid than rings from sham rats. Platelets from smoke-exposed rats synthesized more thromboxane (TXA2) from 14C-arachidonic acid than platelets from room controls but not those from sham rats. Lung microsomes from smoke-exposed rats synthesized more TXA2 and had a lower PGI2/TXA2 ratio than lung microsomes from room controls and shams. It is concluded that chronic cigarette smoke exposure alters arachidonic acid metabolism in aortas, platelets and lungs in a manner resulting in decreased PGI2 and increased TXA2, thereby creating a condition favoring platelet aggregation and a variety of cardiovascular diseases.
Hiccups: An unusual manifestation of an abdominal aortic aneurysm

A patient with hiccups was found to have an abdominal aortic aneurysm that subsequently ruptured. We believe that a leaking abdominal aortic aneurysm led to an ileus-induced distention of the splenic flexure of the colon with consequent diaphragmatic irritation and phrenic nerve stimulation. This led to persistent hiccups as a result of repetitive stimulation of the reflex arc mediating hiccups. Persistent hiccups require investigation for an underlying organic etiology, and a leaking abdominal aortic aneursym should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Superior Sensitivity of Angiographic Detection of Arteriovenous Fistula after Biopsy in a Renal Allograft with CO2 Compared with Iodinated Contrast Medium

Arteriovenous (AV) fistulas are potential complications of renal transplant biopsy procedures. In the setting of renal transplant failure, angiography with CO 2 as a contrast agent is a useful adjunct to angiography with conventional contrast medium in the diagnosis and treatment of such fistulas with minimal nephrotoxicity. The present report describes a case of a renal transplant AV fistula seen after biopsy that could be detected angiographically only with CO 2 contrast medium.
Cytotoxic Effect and Induction of Apoptosis in Human Cervical Cancer Cells by Antrodia camphorata

Antrodia camphorata is a Chinese herb indigenous to Taiwan. Previous reports demonstrated that it could induce apoptosis in some cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the apoptotic effect of the crude extract of A. camphorata in cervical cancer cells. Two human cervical cancer cell lines, HeLa and C-33A, were treated with extract of A. camphorata (10–1000 μg/mL). We found that A. camphorata extract was cytotoxic to both cervical cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner as examined by MTT assay. Treatment with A. camphorata extract at 400 μg/mL induced a 2.3- and 4.4-fold increase in oligonucleosome formation from the cleaved chromosomal DNA in HeLa and C-33A cells, respectively. A. camphorata extract also activated caspase-3, -8, and -9 activities and increased the cytosolic level of cytochrome c in both cell lines as the dosage increased. Furthermore, A. camphorata extract increased expressions of Bak, Bad and Bim, while decreasing expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL of the Bcl-2 family proteins in HeLa and C-33A cells. The expression of IAP proteins, XIAP and survivin, was also decreased in both cervical cancer cells after treatment with A. camphorata. Our in vitro study suggests that A. camphorata is cytotoxic to cervical cancer cells through both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic mechanisms. It could be used as a novel phytotherapeutic agent or auxiliary therapy in the treatment of cervical cancer.
On route aggregation

Route Aggregation (RA), the method to supersede a set of routes by a single, more general route, is a fundamental mechanism to the Internet scalability. Yet, despite its importance, it is poorly understood. We present the first systematic analysis of RA via both bottom-up experimental and top-down analytical approaches. We first conduct a set of experiments on RA behaviors of all major routing protocols as implemented by the two leading router vendors. Our experiments show that the RA behaviors vary significantly across routing protocols and vendors. We propose two router level primitives and incorporate them into a canonical router model. The new model captures the diversity of the observed behaviors. With aid of the model, we have advanced the fundamental understanding of RA on three fronts. First, we expose four new types of routing anomaly that can derive from RA. Configuring RA on one router interface can influence how routes are advertised on other interfaces of the same router, impacting network reachability in surprising ways. Second, we demonstrate that determining whether a RA configuration can result in persistent forwarding loops is NP-complete. Finally, we present sufficient conditions for RA primitives to guarantee routing safety, and explore clean-slate designs for RA.
Uses Of Infrared Thermography In The Low-Cost Solar Array Program

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory has used infrared thermography extensively in the Low-Cost Solar Array (LSA) photovoltaics program. A two-dimensional scanning infrared radiometer has been used to make field inspections of large free-standing photovoltaic arrays and smaller demonstration sites consisting of integrally mounted rooftop systems. These field inspections have proven especially valuable in the research and early development phases of the program, since certain types of module design flaws and environmental degradation manifest themselves in unique thermal patterns. The infrared camera was also used extensively in a series of laboratory tests on photovoltaic cells to obtain peak cell temperatures and thermal patterns during off-design operating conditions. The infrared field inspections and the laboratory experiments are discussed, and sample results are presented.
Ultrasonic medical imaging: past, current, and future (Keynote Presentation)

Ultrasonic imaging began, like life, in the sea, with the development of sonar for detecting submarines after World-War 1. However, to begin to image soft tissues the ranging time of ocean sonars needed to be reduced, and the electronics speeded up, by a factor of about the ratio between nautical miles and centimeters. This was only possible after the electronic developments made for radar in World-War 2. The rest of our technical history closely follows the developments in semiconductors and fabrication methods that led to modern electronics. This is a largely personal story of a recently graduated engineer with radar experience, who began with fabricating equipment to be used in the hospital to diagnose breast cancer, and continued with involvement the development of echocardiography and Doppler devices. Along the way many others have contributed to the field, including work in other countries that is not covered here. In future, ultrasonic imaging may hold the key to understanding some fundamental questions in human health if adopted for screening studies. It alone offers a relatively inexpensive imaging method that is free of known hazards.
Echocardiographic diagnosis of intracardiac thrombi complicating total parenteral nutrition

T h E MAINTENANCE of total nut r i t ional suppor t by way of a central venous catheter is f requent ly essential in the m a n a g e m e n t of infants with congeni ta l defects of the gastrointest inal tract 1~ and older ch i ldren with serious illnesses or injuries. In addit ion, it is c o m m o n practice to support p remature infants who do not tolerate oral feedings with total parentera l nu t r i t ion? Complicat ions of total parentera l nutr i t ion include sepsis, metabol ic deficiencies, osmotic d e h y d r a t i o n ? . ' and pu lmona ry embol ism? -7 We describe in t racardiac t h rombi as a complication of total parentera l nu t r i t ion in two children. In each case, the t h rombi were d iagnosed dur ing M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiographic examinat ions .
Oscar Wilde’s artificiality and the logic of genuine pluralism

Oscar Wilde’s artificial, nonsensical aesthetic is really a magnificently rigorous and just pluralism. His artificiality of style and wit presents the serious and un‐artificial possibility of things’ being essentially otherwise than they are understood to be in any given standpoint. His aesthetic impact itself consists in a fresh opening of essential or constitutive or ontological spaces or standpoints. But this opening of spaces is thoroughly self‐canceling, and so is also a validation of essential spaces exactly as they are. This validation, then, involves self‐canceling recognition of mutually exclusive “spaces.” The principle at work is that constitutive difference between standpoints involves the meaninglessness of the organizing categories of each position to the others. A position that aims to understand and communicate with incompatible positions must therefore recognize the genuine meaninglessness of its own claims to them, and vice‐versa. In this way, paradoxically, mutually exclusive positions ...
Parent material influence on soil distribution and genesis in a Paleudult and Kandiudult complex, southeastern USA

Parent materials greatly influence soil development and the distribution of soils on the southeastern US Coastal Plain. We examined the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of 11 pedons in a 1-ha plot on the Upper Coastal Plain of Georgia, USA. Uniformity of parent materials was assessed by sand grain size characteristics. The soils have sandy epipedons of variable thickness and argillic horizons of variable texture. Six of the pedons also have kandic horizons. They are classified (US Soil Taxonomy) in Psammentic, Grossarenic, Arenic, and Typic subgroups of Paleudults and Kandiudults. Loamy pedons possess argillic horizons with two distinct increases in clay and greater differences between eluvial and illuvial horizons than sandy pedons. The upper boundary of the argillic horizon is approximately parallel to the present geomorphic surface, suggesting that it is associated with the contemporary surface. Discontinuities, identified by changes in sand grain size ratios and plots of the third (skewness) and fourth (kurtosis) moments of sand grain distribution, roughly correspond to the bottom of the solum. Our data suggest that there are both eolian and fluvial components in the solum, whereas subjacent horizons are completely derived from fluvial deposits. Sandier pedons have greater gibbsite/kaolinite ratios, possibly because greater permeability has enhanced leaching and Si loss. Our data suggest parent materials largely control soil distribution over this plot.
Whole-body imaging of whole-organ, subresolution, basic functional unit (BFU) perfusion characteristics

A BFU, is an organ’s smallest assembly of diverse cells that functions like the organ, such as the liver’s hepatic lobules. There are approximately 10 7 BFUs in a human organ. These 100-200µm structures are perfused by capillaries fed by a terminal arteriole (<15µm diameter). BFU sizes, function and number per organ vary with disease, either by loss of BFUs and/or their decrease in function. The BFU is the upper limit of a spherical assembly of cells, immersed in a suitably nutrient medium, which can survive without its own blood supply. However, each BFU has its own blood supply to support the extra energy and/or solutes needed for providing its physiological function (e.g., contraction or secretion). A BFU function is best evaluated by its micro-perfusion, which can be readily evaluated with whole-body CT. Resolution of individual BFUs within in-situ organs, using clinical imaging devices, would require high radiation doses and/or the intolerably long scan-durations needed for suitable signal-to-noise image-data. However, it is possible to obtain a statistical description of the BFU number, size and function from wholebody CT by way of a model. In this study we demonstrate this capability by using the distribution of myocardial terminal arteriolar perfusion territories by way of a nested, multiple, regions-of-interest analysis of the heart wall imaged during transient opacification of its blood supply.
Contribution of MxB Oligomerization to HIV-1 Capsid Binding and Restriction

The alpha interferon (IFN-α)-inducible restriction factor myxovirus B (MxB) blocks HIV-1 infection after reverse transcription but prior to integration. MxB binds to the HIV-1 core, which is composed of capsid protein, and this interaction leads to inhibition of the uncoating process of HIV-1. Previous studies suggested that HIV-1 restriction by MxB requires binding to capsid. This work tests the hypothesis that MxB oligomerization is important for the ability of MxB to bind to the HIV-1 core. For this purpose, we modeled the structure of MxB using the published tertiary structure of MxA. The modeled structure of MxB guided our mutagenic studies and led to the discovery of several MxB variants that lose the capacity to oligomerize. In agreement with our hypothesis, MxB variants that lost the oligomerization capacity also lost the ability to bind to the HIV-1 core. MxB variants deficient for oligomerization were not able to block HIV-1 infection. Overall, our work showed that oligomerization is required for the ability of MxB to bind to the HIV-1 core and block HIV-1 infection. IMPORTANCE MxB is a novel restriction factor that blocks infection of HIV-1. MxB is inducible by IFN-α, particularly in T cells. The current work studies the oligomerization determinants of MxB and carefully explores the contribution of oligomerization to capsid binding and restriction. This work takes advantage of the current structure of MxA and models the structure of MxB, which is used to guide structure-function studies. This work leads to the conclusion that MxB oligomerization is important for HIV-1 capsid binding and restriction.
Drug tolerance in biomembranes: a spin label study of the effects of ethanol

Ethanol in vitro increased the fluidity of spin-labeled membranes from normal mice. Membranes from mice that had been subjected to long-term ethanol treatment were relatively resistant to this fluidizing effect. The data suggest that the membranes themselves had adapted to the drug, a novel form of drug tolerance.
Binding-induced, turn-on fluorescence of the EGFR/ERBB kinase inhibitor, lapatinib†

We report the photophysical properties, binding-induced turn-on emission, and fluorescence imaging of the cellular uptake and distribution of lapatinib, an EGFR/ERBB inhibitor. Lapatinib, a type II, i.e. inactive state, inhibitor that targets the ATP binding pocket of the EGFR family of receptor tyrosine kinases. DFT calculations predict that the 6-furanylquinazoline core of lapatinib should exhibit an excited state with charge transfer character and an S0 to S1 transition energy of 3.4 eV. Absorption confirms an optical transition in the near UV to violet, while fluorescence spectroscopy shows that photoemission is highly sensitive to solvent polarity. The hydrophobicity of lapatinib leads to fluorescent aggregates in solution, however, binding to the lipid-carrier protein, BSA or to the kinase domain of ERBB2, produces spectroscopically distinct photoemission. Confocal fluorescence microscopy imaging of lapatinib uptake in ERBB2-overexpressing MCF7 and BT474 cells reveals pools of intracellular inhibitor with emission profiles consistent with aggregated lapatinib.
A co-housing strategy to improve fecundity of mice in timed matings

Timed matings of mice are often carried out to obtain offspring of a precise age when required for a study. Timed matings involve housing male and female mice together for a limited time period, typically overnight. A limitation of this practice is that many mouse pairs fail to mate during the brief co-housing period. The authors co-housed each breeding pair in the same cage but separated by a transparent partition for 3 d before carrying out timed matings. This co-housing strategy resulted in increased copulation during the timed mating period and also significantly increased the average number of pups produced per breeding pair. The authors suggest that co-housing likely permits male urine-borne pheromones to induce female estrus and also enables the expression of male and female mating behaviors.
Tai Chi Practice Reduces Movement Force Variability for Seniors

Background. The purpose of this study was to examine whether Tai Chi practice can reduce the inconsistency of arm movement force output in older adults.Methods. Twenty seniors took part in the 8-week-long exercise intervention program (12 in Tai Chi practice, M = 79.3 years, SD = 2.4; and 8 in a locomotor activity group, walking or jogging, M = 79.5 years, SD = 1.9). Linear and curvilinear manual aiming movements were tested at the beginning (pretest), during 4th week (retest), and the end of the exercise program (post-test). The measure of vertical pressure on the surface of a tablet served as the dependent variable.Results. The findings suggest that the Tai Chi participants significantly reduce more pressure variability than the participants in locomotor activity group after 8 weeks of practice. Additionally, seniors produced higher pressure variability in the curvilinear task than in the linear task.Conclusions. Evidence from this study proposes that Tai Chi practice may serve as a better real world exercise for reducing force variability in older adults' manual performance.
13-(Imidazol-1-yl)-11,13-di-hydro-melampomagnolide B monohydrate.

The title compound, C18H24N2O4·H2O {systematic name: (1aR,7aS,8R,10aS,10bS,E)-5-hy­droxy­methyl-8-[(1H-imidazol-1-yl)meth­yl]-1a-methyl-2,3,6,7,7a,8,10a,10b-octa­hydro­oxireno[2′,3′:9,10]cyclo­deca­[1,2-b]furan-9(1aH)-one monohydrate}, an imidazole derivative of melampomagnolide B was synthesized under Michael addition conditions. The mol­ecule is built up from fused ten-, five- (lactone) and three-membered (epoxide) rings. The inter­nal double bond of the ten-membered ring identifies it as the cis or E isomer. The lactone ring has an envelope-type conformation, with the (chiral) C atom opposite the lactone O atoms as the flap atom. In the crystal, O—H⋯O, O—H⋯N and weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules (along with water) into sheets parallel to the bc plane.
Income inequality and economic incentives: Is there an equity–efficiency tradeoff?

Abstract What is the basis and direction of relationship between income inequality and economic growth? The equity versus efficiency dictum which predicts a positive relationship between inequality, capital formation, and real GDP growth—emphasizes the importance of economic incentives. Subsequently, this was challenged by the incomplete markets and political outcomes theories, because of increasing empirical evidence of an inverse relationship between income inequality and economic growth. In this paper, we offer a further explanation of the basis and nature of the inequality–capital–growth relationship which emphasizes the divergence between savings and investment. For the United States over the period 1970–2006, we have found no empirical evidence for the support of the equity versus efficiency hypothesis—that economic incentives are necessary for capital accumulation and growth. In fact, it was discovered that in most cases, inequality has had little or no impact on movements in the US capital stock, net investment, and consequently, economic growth. Another interesting finding of this study was that inequality exhibits hysteresis—implying that any positive shock, such as the dot-com boom, can lead to persistent and enduring increases in inequality.
English with an accent: Language, ideology, and discrimination in the United States

The inherent versatility exhibited in the various writing genres of talented linguist, Rosina Lippi-Green, is as remarkable as her seemingly random interest in quilting. Her ability to make connections with many things, in addition to fabric, is neither coincidental nor haphazard. It is far from surprising, therefore, that this independent scholar claiming “mixed European ancestry” utilizes three authorial guises: two for penning historical fiction and a third for academic writing endeavors, the most recent being English with an accent: Language, ideology, and discrimination in the United States.Extensive documentation and factual data are but two persuasive means of support she utilizes to focus on and convince readers that the power of language upon social structures, especially in the discrimination and subordination of others, remains more strongly embedded than most people realize.
MODIFICATION OF HOST RESPONSES TO BACTERIAL ENDOTOXINS : I. SPECIFICITY OF PYROGENIC TOLERANCE AND THE ROLE OF HYPERSENSITIVITY IN PYROGENICITY, LETHALITY, AND SKIN REACTIVITY

Evidence is presented suggesting that the apparent non-specificity of pyrogenic tolerance observed with Gram-negative bacterial endotoxins is due to related antigenic determinants associated with the macromolecular toxins. This is based on results obtained in rabbits from pyrogenic cross-tolerance tests with selected endotoxins. In these tests, purified endotoxins from Escherichia coli (COO8) and Chromobacterium violaceum (CV) gave results one might expect with non-reciprocal cross-reacting antigens in classical immune systems. Additional evidence for an immune mechanism in tolerance is suggested by the highly significant anamnestic response observed. Lipid A, a toxic derivative of the purified COO8 endotoxin, failed to induce pyrogenic tolerance against the parent toxin. These results are explained by assuming that endotoxins have two interdependent activities associated with different portions of the macromolecule; one is assumed to be responsible for the primary toxicity, and the other is involved in secondary toxicity. The latter is dependent on the hypersensitive state of the host. Additional evidence for the role of hypersensitivity in secondary toxicity is based on the observation that adult rabbits are highly sensitive to the pyrogenic, lethal, and skin-reacting activities of endotoxin in contrast to young animals which are more resistant to all of these attributes of toxicity. In adults, the host responses to pyrogenicity, lethality, and skin reactivity could be partially inhibited by the early exposure of the animals to massive doses of endotoxin equivalent to a LD50. The pyrogenic tolerance shown in these animals was specific indicating that the inhibition of the hypersusceptibility to endotoxin involved an immunological mechanism. A mechanism of endotoxin tolerance is proposed and discussed based on the induction of specific antibodies capable of assisting the RES in the clearance and destruction of endotoxin. It is suggested that the present inconsistencies relative to the chemical nature and biological activities of endotoxins might be explained on the basis of these two activities and the failure to recognize the importance of the immunological state of the host in which the toxins are tested.
Amorphous silicon TFT-based active-matrix organic polymer LEDs

We report active-matrix organic polymer light-emitting displays (LEDs) based on a three hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin-film transistor (TFT) pixel electrode circuit that supplies a continuous output current to organic polymer light-emitting devices. The output current level drift induced by either process variations or device aging can be reduced in this design by adjusting the driver TFT operating point with the active resistor. Our first green light-emitting engineering prototype had a brightness of 120 cd/m/sup 2/ and fill factor of about 45%.
A Description of a Pharmacotherapy Curriculum in a University-Based Family Medicine Program

OBJECTIVE:To describe the methods by which a family medicine residency program implements a pharmacotherapy curriculum. The goal of the curriculum is to teach family medicine residents the principles of rational drug therapy.SETTING:A university-based family medicine residency program.TEACHING STRATEGIES:Specific learning objectives are discussed and the following teaching strategies are expanded upon: (1) monthly noon conferences; (2) a printed formulary and pharmacotherapy handbook; (3) a pharmacy and therapeutics committee; (4) policy statements for drug representatives and use of samples; (5) an on-site pharmacy; (6) quarterly newsletter, and (7) inpatient consultation coverage.PHARMACIST ROLE:The role and responsibilities of the pharmacy faculty and pharmacist(s) who implement this curriculum and the methods used to evaluate its effectiveness are also described. The availability and funding of the pharmacy faculty member can sometimes be arranged with local schools of pharmacy seeking clerkship sites...
Lymphocyte Adhesion to Candida albicans

Adherence of lymphocytes to the fungus is the first step in the direct lymphocyte-mediated antifungal effect against Candida albicans. In this study we identified macrophage-1 antigen (Mac-1) (CD11b/CD18, αM/β2) as the lymphocyte surface structure responsible for the adhesion of activated lymphocytes to the hyphal form of the fungus. Antibodies specific for epitopes of the α-subunit (CD11b) and the β2-subunit (CD18) of Mac-1 were shown to completely eliminate lymphocyte adhesion to C. albicans hyphae. Lymphocyte adhesion to C. albicans was also inhibited significantly by known ligands of Mac-1, including the extracellular matrix proteins laminin and fibrinogen, as well as engineered peptides containing arginine-glycine-aspartic acid sequences and the disintegrin echistatin. N-Acetyl-d-glucosamine and β-glucan, which inhibit Mac-1-mediated adhesion to the yeast, blocked lymphocyte adhesion to hyphae. NIH 3T3 fibroblast transfectants expressing human CD11b/CD18 bound to C. albicans, and their binding was inhibited by antibodies specific for CD11b/CD18. Finally, antibodies specific for CD11b/CD18 effectively inhibited the capacity of activated lymphocytes to have an antifungal effect against hyphae. Our results clearly identify Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) as the lymphocyte surface structure that mediates activated lymphocyte adhesion to C. albicans and the resultant antifungal effect of the lymphocytes.
Information technology productivity: in search of a definite observation

The perceived phenomenon that huge investments in information technology (IT) over the past four decades have yielded a very small gain in productivity has been dubbed the 'IT paradox'. Researchers have tried various ways to prove or disprove the paradox. This article highlights the challenges that researchers have faced and proposes a simple theory to explain what seems to be a vanishing contribution of IT to productivity growth.
The Virtual History Museum Learning U.S. History in Diverse Eighth Grade Classrooms

History is an important but often overlooked content area for all students in this current era of accountability. Yet instruction in history can help students become problem solvers and learn to make interpretations from multiple perspectives. This article reports the results of a pilot study examining history learning across three groups of students (i.e., students with disabilities, students without disabilities, and students enrolled in an honors class) as they studied history (a unit on Andrew Jackson) through a Web-based history learning environment—the Virtual History Museum. The results indicate students in all three ability groups made gains from pretest to posttest in factual knowledge and reasoning about key concepts of the unit. The results provide preliminary support that a Web-based learning environment that includes features to assist students with mild disabilities can improve learning for all students at about the same rate.
Toxocariasis: Clinical Aspects, Epidemiology, Medical Ecology, and Molecular Aspects

Toxocariasis is caused by a series of related nematode species (ascarids) that routinely infect dogs and cats throughout the world. The eggs from these ascarids are common environmental contaminants of human habitation, due largely to the fact that many kinds of dogs and cats serve as pets, while countless others run wild throughout the streets of most urban centers. The eggs, present in dog and cat feces, become infectious within weeks after they are deposited in the local environment (e.g., sandboxes, city parks, and public beaches, etc.). Humans, particularly children, frequently ingest these eggs by accident and become infected. Infection in humans, in contrast to their definitive hosts, remains occult, often resulting in disease caused by the migrating larval stages. Visceral larva migrans (VLM) and ocular larva migrans (OLM) are two clinical manifestations that result in definable syndromes and present as serious health problems wherever they occur. Diagnosis and treatment of VLM and OLM are difficult. These issues are summarized in this review, with emphasis on the ecology of transmission and control of spread to both humans and animals through public health initiatives employing treatment of pets and environmental intervention strategies that limit the areas that dogs and cats are allowed within the confines of urban centers.
Source localization using a maximum likelihood/semidefinite programming hybrid

This paper considers source localization using Received Signal Strength (RSS) values at sensor locations, under the assumption of lognormal shadowing. It is known that such localization can be sensitive to path loss parameter estimates. We derive a cost function whose global minimum provides the ML estimate of the source localization. It turns out that this cost function is manifested with multiple local minima, leading to potentially poor gradient descent performance. The contribution of this paper are two fold. First, we show that in the noise free case the local minima are insensitive to the path loss parameter value. Traditional nonlinear stability theory suggests that this would imply an insensitivity of the ML algorithm to the value of the path loss parameter. Second, we propose a SDP based algorithm to initialize the ML minimization algorithm, that provides good performance, by avoiding local minima.
Lessons Learned: Advice to Employers From Interns

In this article, the author reports the results of a content analysis based on the responses of 345 interns to the request for specific suggestions for how their employer could improve the experience for future interns enrolled in a forcredit business school internship class. The findings suggest that clarity of tasks, communication, and expectations around challenging assignments to be completed within a reasonable time frame accompanied by on-going feedback, mentoring, exposure to other parts of the business, and respectful treatment could improve internship effectiveness.