cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Autoxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol with cobalt Schiff base catalysts by oxygen in CO2-expanded liquids

CO2-expanded acetonitrile and methylene chloride have been used in this first detailed study of catalytic O2 oxidations in these remarkably effective reaction media. The autoxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol (DTBP) with the cobalt Schiff-base (Co(salen*) in these so-called CO2-expanded liquids (CXLs) has been extensively studied using precisely controlled and monitored batch reactions. The dependence of conversion, selectivity and turn-over-frequency on various reaction parameters, including temperature, [O2], [catalyst], and solvent composition has been evaluated. The rates of O2-oxidation in CXLs are typically 1–2 orders of magnitude greater than those obtained with either the neat organic solvent or supercritical CO2 as reaction media. In keeping with the proposed mechanism, the dependence of both the selectivity and conversion on O2 concentration and catalyst concentration indicates that the O2 adduct, and not free O2, serves as oxidant in two critical steps in these systems. The increase in conversion with increasing temperature supports formation of the phenoxy radical as the rate determining step. In contrast, the temperature independence of selectivity is as expected for two competing radical coupling reactions. The balance between O2 solubility and mixed-solvent dielectric constant determines some of the benefits of the CXLs. Because of the greatly increased solubility of O2 in CXLs, the conversion in those media is substantially greater than that in either scCO2 or the neat organic solvent. However, conversion eventually decreases with increasing CO2 content of the solvent because of the decreasing dielectric constant of the medium. The solubilities of O2 and Co(salen*) have been determined in CXLs based on methylene chloride.
Transmit/receive beamforming for bistatic multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) radar

In this work, a coherent MIMO radar system operating in bistatic mode is considered. Orthogonal phase-coded waveforms are transmitted and the echo signals are digitally processed at the receiver. The simulation results show that the virtually formed bistatic-MIMO virtual array beampattern can achieve the optimal processing gain in the target direction.
A comparative study on Bangla keyboard efficiency

A Keyboard is not all about to operate fingers on it and type paragraphs. There has to be an obvious concern of smooth typing speed to measure the efficiency and standard as these findings are also related to health. This paper presents a comparative study of Bangla keyboards to find out an efficient layout. Dvorak and Turkish keyboard philosophy are followed to perform the typing test. Necessary tables and graphical representations are provided to justify the findings.
Fluorescent HIV-1 Dimerization Initiation Site: design, properties, and use for ligand discovery.

The HIV-1 Dimerization Initiation Site (DIS) is an intriguing, yet underutilized, viral RNA target for potential antiretroviral therapy. To study the recognition features of this target and to provide a quantitative, rapid, and real-time tool for the discovery of new binders, a fluorescence-based assay has been constructed. It relies on strategic incorporation of 2-aminopurine, an isosteric fluorescent adenosine analogue, into short hairpin RNA constructs. These oligomers self-associate to form a kissing loop that thermally rearranges into a more stable extended duplex, thereby mimicking the association and structural features of the native RNA sequence. We demonstrate the ability of two fluorescent DIS constructs, DIS272(2AP) and DIS273(2AP), to report the binding of known DIS binders via changes in their emission intensity. Binding of aminoglycosides such as paromomycin to DIS272(2AP) results in significant fluorescence enhancement, while ligand binding to DIS273(2AP) results in fluorescence quenching. ...
Productivity of nesting spectacled eiders on the lower Kashunuk River, Alaska

We studied the chronology and success of nesting Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri) along the lower Kashunuk River on the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta from 1991-1995. Nest initiation dates ranged from 16 May-22 June. Median nest initiation dates were correlated with the break-up of ice on the Kashunuk River. Clutch sizes declined seasonally, and mean clutch size varied among years ranging from 4.8-5.6 eggs. The frequency of nests containing inviable eggs (24% of successful nests, x = 0.6 unhatched eggs per successful nest) did not differ among years or nest initiation dates, and may be related to exposure to contaminants. The rate of partial depredation also did not vary among years or initiation dates (23% of nests, x = 0.5 eggs taken/successful nest). We detected no effect of marking or visitation on daily survival rate of nests. Nests initiated early in the year were more successful than late nests; thus, early nesting females laid larger clutches and were more likely to nest successfully than late nesters. Nest success varied among years and declined from 73% in 1991 to 18% in 1994. Nest success increased to 76% in 1995 when we reduced the Mew Gull (Larus canus) population on the study area. While inviability and partial depredation averaged over 1 egg per successful nest, the production lost in nests that were abandoned or completely destroyed by predators was much greater. Our data indicate that Spectacled Eiders nesting on our study area experience relatively high production; however, without information regarding annual survival and recruitment. it is not possible to draw conclusions about population growth rates.
An ab initio study of the in-plane harmonic force fields and fundamental vibration frequencies of cis- and trans-1,3-butadiene

Abstract The structure, in-plane force field, and fundamental vibration frequencies of trans - and cis -1,3-butadiene are calculated ab initio using the 4-31G basis set. Using a scaling procedure based on computational results from smaller molecules, the vibration frequencies for the trans -conformer calculated from the ab initio force constant matrix are found on average to be within 2.2% of the experimental values “harmonized” according to Dennison's rule. The values predicted for the cis -conformer, for which experimental spectroscopic data are only now becoming available, should facilitate the complete in-plane assignment of fundamentals in the near future.
RNA polymerase subunit biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis.

The relative rates of RNA polymerase biosynthesis in Bacillus subtilis has been examined under steady-state growth conditions. The synthesis of RNA polymerase subunits (α, β, β′, σ) has been followed by subunit fractionation of immunoprecipitated [3H]-labelled samples on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. The stoichiometries of α:β:β′:σ subunits have been determined from cultures pulse-labelled during steady-state growth. The results suggest that an unassembled pool of the α-subunit exists from which the holoenzyme is formed.
Testicular germ cell tumors in HLA-genotype non-twin brothers

Abstract The diagnosis of metastatic testicular carcinoma in a thirty-three-year-old man and his nineteen-year-old brother is reported. Histologically, the tumor of the older brother consisted predominantly of embryonal carcinoma with minor components of seminoma and adult teratoma; the tumor of the younger brother consisted entirely of embryonal carcinoma. Since previous reports suggest the possibility that the HLA genotype may be a factor in the etiology of testicular cancer, we typed the parents and four children of this family. The two affected brothers shared a paternal HLA-A3,Cω-,B7,DR2 haplotype that had not been transmitted to the two other living siblings. Analysis of the distribution of HLA haplotypes of the affected non-twin brothers of this family and those of three other non-twin pairs of brothers that have been reported showed that the affected pairs in each family shared one HLA haplotype. The differences between the expected and the observed distribution of HLA haplotypes in the four sibling pairs is not statistically significant, perhaps because of the small number of patients typed. Two of the four pairs shared a common haplotype. Additional family studies are required to establish a genetic origin of testicular tumors and to determine whether or not a “testicular carcinoma disease” gene is linked to the HLA complex. A large number of multicase families will be required for linkage analysis.
Significance of protein-bound neuraminic acid levels in patients with prostatic and bladder carcinoma*

The role of plasma N-acetyl neuraminic acid (NANA) level in detection and staging prostatic and bladder carcinomas was evaluated. Multiple determinations were obtained in 73 male subjects, including normal controls, patients with prostatic or bladder carcinoma or with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Patients with prostatic or bladder carcinoma had significantly higher NANA levels than normal individuals. Further, in patients with prostatic carcinoma, NANA values correlated well with both the stage of the disease and the response to therapy.
Person Perception in Environmental Context: The Influence of Residential Settings on Impressions of Their Occupants

Abstract This study tested the hypothesis that impressions of people would be influenced by the environmental context in which they were seen. Six adults were photographed in two contrasting residential settings. College student judges rated them from those photographs for their personality traits and occupational status. The stimulus persons were judged to have more desirable traits and more prestigious occupations when they were seen in an upper middle-class residential setting than when they were seen in a lower middle-class residential setting. These findings are consistent with a view of environmental settings that includes their occupants as prominent features.
Time-dependent mean-field approximation for nuclear dynamical problems

A general method for a microscopic description of nuclear dynamical problems is discussed. The method is based on a functional integral representation for the many-body time evolution operator $U({t}_{f},{t}_{i})$. In the stationary phase limit, a time-dependent mean-field approximation for the matrix elements of $U$ is obtained. Using standard procedures this allows for extraction of quantum mechanical information about bound states, tunneling, or scattering phenomena in a many-nucleon system. The approximation represents a natural generalization of the time-dependent Hartree-Fock method.NUCLEAR STRUCTURE, NUCLEAR REACTIONS derived mean-field approximation for matrix elements of $\mathrm{exp}(\ensuremath{-}iHt)$ from exact functional integral; discussed relation to static HF, TDHF, and scattering calculations.
Examining the changing landscape of school psychology practice: A survey of school-based practitioners regarding Response to Intervention

As Response to Intervention (RtI) approaches become more common in educational systems throughout the country, it is increasingly important to identify how practitioners perceive these changes and how they obtain the skills necessary to face emergent roles and responsibilities. In this exploratory study, a national sample of 557 school psychologists were surveyed regarding their training, involvement, and perceptions of RtI. The results indicate that practitioners engage in multiple training experiences via a variety of modalities. Nearly half of respondents reported employment at sites implementing RtI. Practitioners at RtI-implementing sites reported a greater proportion of their time spent in academic intervention and conducted fewer psychoeducational assessments relative to their peers at non-RtI-implementing sites. Although many reported that RtI had positive effects on academic performance, a sizeable proportion of practitioners observed no effect on school culture and climate. Implications for school psychology training and practice are discussed. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic analysis of indefinite division in human cells: evidence for a cell senescence-related gene(s) on human chromosome 4.

Abstract Earlier studies had demonstrated that fusion of normal with immortal human cells yielded hybrids having limited division potential. This indicated that the phenotype of limited proliferation (cellular senescence) is dominant and that immortal cells result from recessive changes in normal growth-regulatory genes. In additional studies, we exploited the fact that the immortal phenotype is recessive and, by fusing various immortal human cell lines with each other, identified four complementation groups for indefinite division. Assignment of cell lines to specific groups allowed us to take a focused approach to identify the chromosomes and genes involved in growth regulation that have been modified in immortal cells. We report here that introduction of a normal human chromosome 4 into three immortal cell lines (HeLa, J82, T98G) assigned to complementation group B resulted in loss of proliferation and reversal of the immortal phenotype. No effect on the proliferation potential of cell lines representative of the other complementation groups was observed. This result suggests that a gene(s) involved in cellular senescence and normal growth regulation resides on chromosome 4.
Magnetoelectric Effect in Piezoelectric/Magnetostrictive Multilayer (2-2) Composites

We consider the magnetoelectric effect arising in a multilayer composite consisting of bonded layers of a piezoelectric ceramic and a magnetostrictive material operating in the linear regime. Magnetoelectric coupling arises from the mechanical contacts between layers and the elec tric/mechanical and magnetic/mechanical coupling in each phase. Calculations of the magnetoelec tric coefficient α* as well as of the figures of merit kme and kme,cl are presented. These calculations fully take into account the electric, magnetic and mechanical mismatch in the material properties, as well as the volume-fractions of both materials. We derive the optimal volume fraction fcrit1 of piezoelectric material needed to maximize the figure of merit k fme or kme,cl for the composite and give criteria for optimizing the magnetoelectric effect in terms of the choice of the individual constit uents. We computed the figures of merit of a variety of piezoelectric/magnetostrictive combinations. The combinations CoFe2O4/PZT5H (kme...
Integrated Modeling Systems

This paper examines in some detail the concept of an integrated modeling system. It distinguishes three main types of integration: model integration, solver integration, and integration of various utilities. Model integration is further divided into four subtypes based on a four-level model abstraction hierarchy: specific models, model classes, modeling paradigms, and modeling traditions. The paper then goes on to consider how structured modeling supports the various types of integration. The overall conclusion is that structured modeling offers an attractive approach to the design of integrated modeling systems.
What Do They Have that We Don't Have? Local Libraries and Distance Students: Why Do Students Stray and Can We Get Them Back?

A significant number of distance students report they “stray” from their home universities by using local libraries, despite the fact that distance education librarians work hard to provide customized resources and services tailored to their programs and needs. Are public libraries and special libraries able to meet the research needs of distance learners, or are these students being underserved? This article explores why distance students may choose non-academic libraries over academic libraries, and the impact of this use—on local libraries serving unaffiliated distance learners, and on academic libraries with potentially underutilized distance library services.
Molecular dynamics simulations of the cardiac troponin complex performed with FRET distances as restraints.

Cardiac troponin (cTn) is the Ca(2+)-sensitive molecular switch that controls cardiac muscle activation and relaxation. However, the molecular detail of the switching mechanism and how the Ca(2+) signal received at cardiac troponin C (cTnC) is communicated to cardiac troponin I (cTnI) are still elusive. To unravel the structural details of troponin switching, we performed ensemble Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) measurements and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of the cardiac troponin core domain complex. The distance distributions of forty five inter-residue pairs were obtained under Ca(2+)-free and saturating Ca(2+) conditions from time-resolved FRET measurements. These distances were incorporated as restraints during the MD simulations of the cardiac troponin core domain. Compared to the Ca(2+)-saturated structure, the absence of regulatory Ca(2+) perturbed the cTnC N-domain hydrophobic pocket which assumed a closed conformation. This event partially unfolded the cTnI regulatory region/switch. The absence of Ca(2+), induced flexibility to the D/E linker and the cTnI inhibitory region, and rotated the cTnC N-domain with respect to rest of the troponin core domain. In the presence of saturating Ca(2+) the above said phenomenon were absent. We postulate that the secondary structure perturbations experienced by the cTnI regulatory region held within the cTnC N-domain hydrophobic pocket, coupled with the rotation of the cTnC N-domain would control the cTnI mobile domain interaction with actin. Concomitantly the rotation of the cTnC N-domain and perturbation of the D/E linker rigidity would control the cTnI inhibitory region interaction with actin to effect muscle relaxation.
Strategies for CNS-directed gene delivery: in vivo gene transfer to the brain using SV40-derived vectors.

Strategies for CNS-directed gene delivery: in vivo gene transfer to the brain using SV40-derived vectors
An fMRI case report of photophobia: activation of the trigeminal nociceptive pathway

Photophobia, or painful oversensitivity to light, occurs in a number of clinical conditions, which range from superficial eye irritation to meningitis. In this case study, a healthy subject with transient photophobia (induced by the overuse of contact lenses) was examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). While being scanned in a darkened environment, the subject was presented with intermittent 6-s blocks of bright light. The subject was scanned twice, once during his photophobic state and once after recovery. The subject reported that the visual stimuli produced pain (pain intensity=3/10 and unpleasantness=7/10) only during the photophobic state. During photophobia, specific activation patterns in the trigeminal system were seen at the level of the trigeminal ganglion, trigeminal nucleus caudalis, and ventroposteromedial thalamus. The anterior cingulate cortex, a brain structure associated with unpleasantness, was also active during photophobia. After recovery from photophobia, no significant activations were detected in these areas. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the pathways involved in photophobia in the human condition.
Intracellular potassium activity, potassium equilibrium potential and membrane potential of carotid body glomus cells

Abstract The intracellular potassium activity ( a i (K)) of glomus cells in isolated rabbit carotid bodies was measured with potassium ion selective microelectrodes (K + electrodes). The measurements yielded a mean a i (K) value of 33.0 mM in Hepes-buffered Tyrode's solution equilibrated with 100% O 2 . This value is significantly higher than that predicted by assuming that K + ions are passively distributed across the membrane of glomus cells. The relationship between the membrane potential ( E M ) and the equilibrium potential of K + ions ( E K ) at various extracellular potassium activities ( a o (K)) suggests that K + ions are not involved in the maintenance of the carotid body glomus cell E M .
Processes during the Matsushiro, Japan, Earthquake Swarm as Revealed by Leveling, Gravity, and Spring-Flow Observations

Recently revised leveling data and a more complete set of gravity data show that the uplift accompanying the later part of the Matsushiro swarm in central Honshu can be explained as due to dilatant expansion of the source region during the formation of a new fault. The local dilatancy occurred between the second and third peaks of seismic activity, although some preswarm dilatancy may have taken place in the region. It is likely that water inflow kept the medium saturated during expansion, except possibly for the times of most rapid uplift, when the drop in seismic activity indicates dilatancy hardening. A reasonable amount of horizontal expansion can explain the observed rate of change of gravity during uplift. The gravity measurements carry uncertainties of the same order as the observed changes, but the ensemble of data indicates clear trends during uplift and subsidence. The volume of land subsidence following the peak uplift agrees very closely with the best estimates of anomalous outflow of warm mineral water from springs during the last part of the swarm and supports the conclusion that subsidence was due to closing of water-filled cracks. The local rate of change of gravity during subsidence is very high, 1 mgal/m, and can only partly be accounted for by density increase due to crack closure.
Correction: Intermolecular network analysis of the liquid and vapor interfaces of pentane and water: microsolvation does not trend with interfacial properties.

Liquid:vapor and liquid:liquid interfaces exhibit complex organizational structure and dynamics at the molecular level. In the case of water and organic solvents, the hydrophobicity of the organic, its conformational flexibility, and compressibility, all influence interfacial properties. This work compares the interfacial tension, width, molecular conformations and orientations at the vapor and aqueous liquid interfaces of two solvents, n-pentane and neopentane, whose varying molecular shapes can lead to significantly different interfacial behavior. Particular emphasis has been dedicated toward understanding how the hydrogen bond network of water responds to the pentane relative to the vapor interface and the sensitivity of the network to the individual pentane isomer and system temperature. Interfacial microsolvation of the immiscible solvents has been examined using graph theoretical methods that quantify the structure and dynamics of microsolvated species (both H2O in C5H12 and C5H12 in H2O). At room temperature, interfacial water at the pentane phase boundary is found to have markedly different organization and dynamics than at the vapor interface (as indicated by the hydrogen bond distributions and hydrogen bond persistence in solution). While the mesoscale interfacial properties (e.g. interfacial tension) are sensitive to the specific pentane isomer, the distribution and persistence of microsolvated species at the interface is nearly identical for both systems, irrespective of temperature (between 273 K and 298 K). This has important implications for understanding how properties defined by the interfacial organization are related to the underlying solvation reactions that drive formation of the phase boundary.
Study of solute partitioning into cationic vesicles of dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide using electrokinetic chromatography

A cationic vesicular pseudo-stationary phase was used in electrokinetic chromatography. The stable cationic lipid bilayer, composed of a double chain cationic surfactant, dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide was prepared in deionized water, with no buffer additive. The chromatographic characteristics of this novel pseudo-phase are presented. A linear solvation energy relationship was successfully used to characterize the interaction of neutral solutes with the cationic vesicles. This study was complemented by the determination of changes in the free energy for transfer of various groups from the aqueous phase into the bilayer.
Characterization of osteopenia/osteoporosis in adult scoliosis: does bone density affect surgical outcome?

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to validate the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) in woman patients with adult scoliosis and to relate that to surgical treatment outcome. Despite reports of the high prevalence of low BMD among female with adolescent idiopathic, these findings have not been substantiated in any comprehensive review of adult scoliosis patients undergoing surgical treatment. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: It has been suggested that scoliosis may predispose to osteoporosis and that degenerative scoliosis could falsely elevate spinal BMD measurements with dual energy radiograph absorptiometry (DXA). The discordance between hip and spine BMD measurement using DXA has also been shown in previous cross-sectional study for adult population. METHODS: A retrospective review of 176 women treated surgically for scoliosis. BMD of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were determined by DXA. Patients were categorized as follows: concordance (osteoporosis, osteopenia, or normal BMD on both sites), minor discordance (osteoporosis in one site and osteopenia in the other site), and major discordance (osteoporosis in one site and normal the other site). Body mass index (BMI), preoperative Cobb angle, fusion ratio, and complication were recorded. Statistical analysis included the Student t test, χ(2) test, regression coefficient test, and simple linear regression. P value was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age was 51 ± 12 years (26-82 years). The mean T score of the hip was -1.23 ± 0.89 and of the spine was -0.52 ± 1.57. Major discordance in BMD 7 (4%) points, minor discordance 68 (39%) points, and concordance was 101 (57%) points. There was moderate correlation between T score of hip and spine (R = 0.55P < 0.01). T score of the hip and of the spine showed 10.8% and 10.2% of the patients were osteoporotic. The mean Z score of the hip and of the spine showed comparable age and sex matched values. No correlation was observed between BMD and Cobb angle (R = 0.05, P = 0.464). The fusion rate was 93% and surgical complication rate was 14.9%. No significant correlation was observed between BMD and fusion (P = 0.80) complication (P = 0.13). CONCLUSION: Comparable bone density exists among adult scoliosis patients with no correlation between BMD and curve magnitude, fusion and complication rates. The difference in BMD of the hip and of spine cannot be fully explained in the review. These results will guide in surgical planning, patient selection on the treatment options.
The Vaccinia Virus A9L Gene Encodes a Membrane Protein Required for an Early Step in Virion Morphogenesis

The A9L open reading frame of vaccinia virus was predicted to encode a membrane-associated protein. A transcriptional analysis of the A9L gene indicated that it was expressed at late times in vaccinia virus-infected cells. Late expression, as well as virion membrane association, was demonstrated by the construction and use of a recombinant vaccinia virus encoding an A9L protein with a C-terminal epitope tag. Immunoelectron microscopy revealed that the A9L protein was associated with both immature and mature virus particles and was oriented in the membrane with its C terminus exposed on the virion surface. To determine whether the A9L protein functions in viral assembly or infectivity, we made a conditional-lethal inducible recombinant vaccinia virus. In the absence of inducer, A9L expression and virus replication were undetectable. Under nonpermissive conditions, viral late protein synthesis occurred, but maturational proteolytic processing was inhibited, and there was an accumulation of membrane-coated electron-dense bodies, crescents, and immature virus particles, many of which appeared abnormal. We concluded that the product of the A9L gene is a viral membrane-associated protein and functions at an early stage in virion morphogenesis.
SU‐E‐T‐269: Study IMRT Dosimetry Uncertainty Factors by Simulation

Purpose: To analyzeIMRTdosimetry uncertainty by simulation, and identify the key error from IMRT verification. Method: IMRT uncertainty factors are convoluted in the routine verification results, and can be from treatment plan, LINAC, and QA tools. With similar dosimetry coverage, several controlled IMRT plans can be generated by varying optimization parameters and algorithms. Some of them are more sensitive to certain perturbation and may fail to pass routine IMRT QA. First we modify the plan parameters to simulate the uncertainties. For example, we change MLC leaf and isocenter positions to simulate leaf and setup errors, and we change machine with different output factors to simulate small field measurement error. Then we import the plan back for dose calculation and comparison. Results: In the high dose region with low gradient, the mean dose is quite robust to positioning perturbation. In prostate case, the mean dose changes are within 2%, even with ±5mm random MLC leaf, or setup error. For HN cases, the mean dose changes are within 3% for most of perturbed plan with same uncertainties. However, large variations for the point dose from each beam are observed. The random MLC leaf error results the distribution broadened in the analysis of planar dose error distribution. As for the small field output factor error, it can cause a typical prostate IMRT case fail to pass standard QA criteria dependent on the plan. The small field error can behave randomly in the distribution of percentage dose error. In the low dose region with low gradient, simulation results indicated systematical MLC leaf position error is important, apart for MLC modeling parameters. Conclusion: IMRT verification is a part of on‐going efforts to improve the IMRT process. By identifying the key factors from QA data to optimizes the IMRT treatment.
A Reexamination of the Ozone−Triphenyl Phosphite System. The Origin of Triphenyl Phosphate at Low Temperatures

The reaction of ozone with triphenyl phosphite (P) at −78 °C affords a labile 1:1 complex (PO3) together with small amounts of triphenyl phosphate (PO) (Q. E. Thompson, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1961, 83, ...
Tony Suze's reflections on the importance of sport in the struggle to end Apartheid

For 15 years, Tony Suze was a political prisoner on South Africa's notorious Robben Island. He was one of the driving forces behind a campaign to obtain the right to play football (soccer) and he h...
The Relationship Between Unemployment and Crime in Japan from 1926 to 1988: Trends During Emperor Hirohito's Reign

Western criminologists and criminal justice scholars presuppose that rapid industrialization and growth are accompanied by increasing crime. The modernization-crime relationship has not held true for Japan; in fact, crime levels are extremely low in this Asian bastion of capitalism. Thus the seeming incongruity of increasing economic prosperity combined with declining crime rates intrigues Western researchers. This study explores relationships between fluctuations in unemployment rates and crime cycles in Japan during the reign of Emperor Hirohito (1926 to 1988). The results suggest that the highest prewar correlations between crime and unemployment were positive and that the strongest postwar relationships were negative.
Mutants of Escherichia coli Trp repressor with changes of conserved, helix-turn-helix residue threonine 81 have altered DNA-binding specificities.

Summary Threonine is found at the third position of the second α-helix in the helix-turn-helix motifs of most bacterial DNA-binding proteins. To investigate the role of this conserved residue in Escherichia coli Trp repressor function, plasmids encoding mutant Trp repressers with each of the 19 amino acid changes of Thr-81 were made by site-directed mutagenesis. All 19 changes decrease the activity of Trp holorepressor, indicating that the Thr-81 side-chain is critical for TrpR function. Three mutant repressors, Ser-81, Lys-81 and Arg-81, retain partial DNA-binding activity and inhibit transcription from the wild-type trp promoter/operator complex; challenge-phage assays show that Ser-81 and Lys-81 holorepressors have altered DNA-binding specificities. The side-chain of Thr-81 may make direct contacts with base pairs 4 and 3 of the trp operator, consistent with the nuclear magnetic resonance solution structures of the holorepressoroperator complex.
Grazing Incidence Optics: New Techniques For High Sensitivity Spectroscopy In The Space Ultraviolet

Astronomy in the ultraviolet at wavelengths shortward of 1200 A is a largely unexplored field, but one which holds tremendous potential. Efforts to study this region have, to date, been largely frustrated by the poor reflectivity of mirror surfaces. We point out that grazing incidence optics can solve this problem. We show that grazing optical designs are exceedingly versatile at wavelengths longer than 100 A. We discuss the design of spectrographs using grazing incidence components and estimate their performance parameters. We present a design for a hypothetical space observatory which uses grazing optics to study the 100-1500 A region of the spectrum. It has very high throughput and operates in a variety of modes which have resolution from as low as 103 (λ/ΔΒλ) to as high as 105.© (1982) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Biomass and habitability potential of clay minerals- and iron-rich environments: Testing novel analogs for Mars Science Laboratory landing sites candidates

The landing site of the next mission to Mars (the US 2011 Mars Science Laboratory) will include phyllosilicate outcrops as targets for investigating the geological and biological history of the planet. In this context, we present a preliminary study assessing the living biomass and habitability potential in mineralogical Mars analogs by means of multi-component investigations (X-ray diffraction, microRaman spectroscopy and SEM\EDX). Phyllosilicate and hematite-rich deposits from the Atacama Desert (Chile), Death Valley (CA), and the California Coast, encompassing a broad arid to hyper-arid climate range (annual rainfall <0.2 to ∼700 mm/year), were analyzed for total and viable Gram-negative biomass, i.e. adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) and Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assays. Basic observations were: (1) there is no systematic pattern in biomass content of clay-rich versus non-clay (oxidized) materials; (2) Atacama desiccation polygons (6.0 × 104 cells/g) and contiguous hematite-rich deposits contain th...
Intestinal absorption and metabolism of retinoyl β-glucuronide in humans, and of 15-[14C]-retinoyl β-glucuronide in rats of different vitamin A status☆

Abstract In order to prove the hypothesis that humans and animals with adequate vitamin A status do not absorb and metabolize orally administered all-trans retinoyl β-glucuronide, unlabeled retinoyl glucuronide (0.1 mmol) was orally dosed to fasting well-nourished young men. Neither retinoyl glucuronide nor retinoic acid, a possible metabolite, appeared in the blood within 12 h after ingestion. Next, radiolabeled all-trans 15-[ 14 C]-retinoyl β-glucuronide was chemically synthesized by a new procedure, and fed orally to rats of different vitamin A status. Analysis of blood and other tissues 5 or 24 h after the dose, showed the presence of radioactivity (∼ 0.5%) in the blood of vitamin A deficient rats, but not in sufficient rats. Livers of all rats contained small, but detectable amounts (0.3 to 1.1% of the dose) of radioactivity. The accumulation of radioactivity in the liver was highest in deficient rats. Analysis of the retinoids showed that the radioactivity in serum and liver was due to retinoic acid formed from retinoyl glucuronide. Within 24 h after the dose, 31 to 40% of the administered radioactivity was excreted in the feces, and 2 to 4.7% of the dose was excreted in the urine. Results of the present studies show that oral administration of retinoyl β-glucuronide did not give rise to detectable changes in blood retinoyl glucuronide and/or retinoic acid concentrations in humans or rats with adequate vitamin A status.
Effects of calcium on uptake and incorporation of amino acids in the parathyroid glands

Abstract Rat parathyroid glands were incubated in low (0.75 mM) and high (2.25 mM) calcium concentrations in Krebs' bicarbonate buffer. 1. 1. Tissue water content and the rate of entry and volume of distribution of labeled sucrose, urea and erythritol were not affected by this calcium difference. 2. 2. The uptake and subsequent incorporation into protein of labeled leucine, lysine, glycine, methionine and phenylalanine were all greater in low calcium than in high calcium medium. Cystine uptake and incorporation was small and not affected by calcium. 3. 3. The differential effect of calcium on glycine uptake persisted despite inhibition of protein synthesis by puromycin, of RNA synthesis by actinomycin D and of sodium transport by ouabain. Except when puromycin was added, there was a close linear correlation between the glycine uptake and its subsequent incorporation into protein. 4. 4. Measurement of glycine uptake and incorporation over the range of calcium concentration of 0 to 3 mM (twice normal) indicated that maximal changes occurred with variations near the normal blood ionized calcium concentration. In contrast, variation in medium magnesium concentration from 0 to 1.6 mM (twice normal) had no effect on uptake and incorporation of glycine, but at higher concentrations (3.2 and 6.4 mM) glycine uptake was inhibited and protein incorporation markedly decreased. The results fit the hypothesis that calcium regulates parathyroid function, at least in part, by a direct effect on amino acid uptake. This effect could result in increased parathyroid hormone synthesis during low calcium stimulation and decreased synthesis during high calcium suppression.
Endotracheal nebulization of N-acetylcysteine increases airway resistance in cats with experimental asthma

N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a mucolytic and antioxidant, is speculated to cause bronchoconstriction in cats when delivered via aerosol. We hypothesized that in cats with experimental asthma, aerosol delivery of NAC (400mg cumulative dose) via an endotracheal tube would increase airflow limitation as measured by ventilator-acquired mechanics. After endotracheal drug delivery, airway resistance and inspiratory plateau pressure (Pplat) measurements were obtained in six mechanically ventilated asthmatic cats. Results demonstrated significantly increased airway resistance (P=0.0007) compared with aerosolized saline control; Pplats were not significantly different (P=0.059). All cats exhibited at least one adverse effect: excessive airway secretions (n=3), spontaneous cough (n=2), unilateral strabismus (n=1) and post-anesthetic death (n=1). No adverse reactions were noted with saline aerosol; cough was noted in one cat with methacholine challenge. In conclusion, airway resistance and adverse reactions were documented in all cats after NAC aerosol delivery. Further studies must be performed to evaluate if it is an effective mucolytic and/or antioxidant in cats and to determine if bronchodilator pre-treatment will negate NAC-induced bronchoconstriction.
An ISS and AES examination of the interaction of oxygen with a platinum-tin alloy

Abstract In this study ISS and AES were used to examine a platinum-tin alloy surface before and after exposure to oxygen. Annealing increases the tin-to-platinum concentration ratio at the surface while sputtering causes a decrease in this ratio. The ISS results suggest that the oxygen interacts with the platinum and not the tin.
A symmetric modal lambda calculus for distributed computing

We present a foundational language for spatially distributed programming, called Lambda 5, that addresses both mobility of code and locality of resources. In order to construct our system, we appeal to the powerful propositions-as-types interpretation of logic. Specifically, we take the possible worlds of the intuitionistic modal logic IS5 to be nodes on a network, and the connectives /spl square/ and /spl diams/ to reflect mobility and locality, respectively. We formulate a novel system of natural deduction for IS5, decomposing the introduction and elimination rules for /spl square/ and /spl diams/, thereby allowing the corresponding programs to be more direct. We then give an operational semantics to our calculus that is type-safe, logically faithful, and computationally realistic.
Investigation of relative interfacial free energies in 304 stainless steel by electron transmission and diffraction microscopy

Abstract Coherent twin-grain boundary intersections in thin films of annealed 304 stainless steel were examined by transmission and diffraction electron microscopy. Standard electron diffraction and Kikuchi line techniques were combined with electron transmission image data in a computer program to obtain twin—grain boundary energy ratios. It is shown that a three-dimensional analysis of twin-grain boundary intersections yields a greatly reduced spread of individual energy ratio values when compared with 2-dimensional or optical data. It is further shown that negative values of the twin—grain boundary energy ratio obtained by optical measurement of boundary surface traces are invalid, and simply reflect the errors inherent in a two-dimensional approximation of the intersection of boundary planes in threedimensions. The mean twin-grain boundary energy ratio computed for stainless steel for a rigorous Kikuchi electron diffraction analysis was 0.034. An attempt was also made to further minimize measurement error by insuring that the specimen surface plane was normal to the electron beam, and therefore coincident with the crystallographic surface plane determined by selected area electron diffraction. The technique applied here consisted of a check of specimen surface orientations by the analysis of angles between the surface traces of coherent {111} twin boundary planes and {111} dislocation slip planes. Twin—grain intersections admitted as acceptable examples for detailed three-dimensional analysis were then determined on the basis of angular deviations between surface traces not exceeding three degrees from the value expected when the specimen surface plane is normal to the electron beam. Of the 87 twin-grain intersections of this type analyzed in stainless steel, only 35 fulfilled the above criterion. Computer analysis of these 35 electron transmission images gave twin-grain boundary energy ratios ranging from 0.002 to 0.07 with a mean energy ratio of 0.022 compared to the earlier result of 0.034 obtained for identical stainless steel samples where errors of specimen surface orientation were neglected.
Gender Effect According to Item Directionality on the Perceived Stress Scale for Adults With Multiple Sclerosis

Assessment is critical to rehabilitation practice and research, and self-reports are a commonly used form of assessment. This study examines a gender effect according to item wording on the Perceiv...
A left ventricular epicardial to right ventricular endocardial dominant frequency gradient exists in human ventricular fibrillation

We hypothesized that in patients with left ventricular dysfunction undergoing implant of a biventricular ICD, the local dominant frequency during early induced ventricular fibrillation would be higher at an epicardial left ventricular position compared to an endocardial right ventricular position. Patients undergoing implant of a biventricular ICD were studied. During ventricular fibrillation induction, bipolar electrograms were recorded from leads at an epicardial left ventricular position and an endocardial right ventricular position. Overlapping 2-s fast Fourier transforms were obtained for 6 s of ventricular fibrillation. The dominant frequency and organizational index were compared. Thirty-four patients (20 men, age 64 ± 11 years) underwent 57 inductions of ventricular fibrillation. Eighteen patients had non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and 16 had ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. The dominant frequency was higher at a lateral epicardial left ventricular position than an apical endocardial right ventricular position in 18 patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (LV epicardial 5.34 ± 0.37 Hz, RV endocardial 5.09 ± 0.41 Hz, p < 0.001), but not in 16 patients with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (LV epicardial 4.99 ± 0.57 Hz, RV epicardial 4.87 ± 0.65 Hz, p = 0.094). In patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, there is a dominant frequency gradient during early ventricular fibrillation induced at ICD testing from the lateral left ventricular epicardium to the apical right ventricular endocardium.
eFuzion: development of a pervasive educational system

Established as a research project at the University of Illinois in the spring of 2002, eFuzion has proven to be a valuable and effective pedagogical set of tools. It provides the capacity to both mentor and assess students individually, both during and outside of class. In the summer of 2002, a study we conducted revealed that eFuzion's in-class tools increased student's final grade by more than 6 points. In this paper we describe the evolution of our system and experiences leading up to our "Classroom of the Future" demo for the Grand Opening of the Thomas M. Siebel Center for Computer Science. We conclude with a discussion of our future plans for eFuzion.
Leveling the Home Advantage: Assessing the Effectiveness of Parental Involvement in Elementary School

In the past two decades, a great deal of energy has been dedicated to improving children's education by increasing parents' involvement in school. However, the evidence on the effectiveness of pare...
Chs6p-dependent Anterograde Transport of Chs3p from the Chitosome to the Plasma Membrane in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Chitin synthase III (CSIII), an enzyme required to form a chitin ring in the nascent division septum of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, may be transported to the cell surface in a regulated manner. Chs3p...
Combinatorial Fusion Criteria for Real-Time Tracking

We address the problem of automated video tracking of targets when targets undergo multiple mutual occlusions. Our approach is based on the idea that as targets are occluded, selection of feature subsets and combinations of those features are effective in identifying the target and improving tracking performance. We use Combinatorial Fusion Analysis to develop a metric to select which subset of features will produce the most accurate tracking. In particular we show that the combination of a pair of features A and B will improve the accuracy only if (a) A and B have relative high performance, and (b) A and B are diverse. We present experimental results to illustrate the performance of the proposed metric.
Sense of Displacement along Foothills Fault System: New Evidence from the Melones Fault Zone, Western Sierra Nevada, California

Sense of displacement along the Foothills fault system, western Sierra Nevada, California, has been interpreted in terms of reverse, thrust, and strike-slip faulting. Within the Melones fault zone (part of the Foothills fault system) near Downieville, synoptic fault-plane intersections, in cataclastically deformed metasedimentary rocks and serpentinite, plunge steeply northwest, as do axes of minor flexure folds in metasedimentary rocks. Fold axes in serpentinite plunge steeply to the northeast and southeast; slickenside orientations are varied, but plunge chiefly southward at steep to moderate angles. Cleavage in slate on either side of the fault zone strikes approximately north and dips steeply eastward. These relationships imply a complicated chronology of events characterized by possible early emplacement of serpentinite and a late phase of strike-slip displacement. I conclude that present fault dips near Downieville probably approximate initial dips, that the pattern of faulting suggests a conjugate relationship best explained in terms of strike-slip displacement, that the latter interpretation is supported by attitudes of minor-fold axes, but not by those of slickensides, and that such an interpretation does not preclude earlier oblique-slip or dip-slip displacements.