cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CALCULATION OF ENERGIES AND WIDTHS OF RESONANCES IN INELASTIC SCATTERING: STABILIZATION METHOD.

In previous work, the stabilization method of calculating resonance parameters was applied to potential scattering and to elastic scattering from a target. The method is here extended to compound-state resonances in inelastic scattering and its application to a model problem for a target with three bound states is examined. The eigenfunctions associated with eigenvalues ${\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{j}$ obtained from the diagonalization of the exact Hamiltonian in appropriately chosen sets of square-integrable basis functions are good approximations, in the inner region, to particular linear combinations of the degenerate exact scattering solutions at $E={\ensuremath{\epsilon}}_{j}$ (above inelastic threshold). The partial widths are calculated from a Fermi's-"Golden-Rule"-like formula involving the matrix elements of the exact Hamiltonian between the square-integrable eigenfunctions representing the resonance state and potential-scattering solutions at the same energy. The slowly varying (as a function of $E$) potential-scattering $S$ matrix, knowledge of which is required in the calculation of the decay widths, is determined using the criterion that several good approximations to the resonance state yield exactly the same widths. For the exactly soluble model problem studied here, the resonance parameters obtained with the stabilization method compare well with the exact values, especially for narrow resonances. The theoretical limitations of the method are discussed.
Program affinity performance models for performance and utilization

Multithreaded applications have a wide variety of behavior, causing complex interactions with today's chip multiprocessor machines. Application threads may have large private working sets, and may compete for cache space and memory bandwidth. These threads benefit from large private caches. Other threads may share data or communicate, and thus, execute more quickly if using shared caches. Many applications fall somewhere in between, requiring careful thread-to-core assignments to maximize performance. Yet because of the large number of thread-to-core assignments on today's chip multiprocessors, it is time and energy prohibitive to exhaustively try and determine the best assignment. In this paper, we present and demonstrate application performance models that predict application performance given a proposed thread-to-core assignment. We show how these models can be quickly built and used to select thread-to-core assignments for multiple programs and to improve system utilization.
Unshunted QOS Comparator for Qubit Readout

State measurements of flux-based superconducting quantum bits (qubits) require the sensitive discrimination of small differences of magnetic flux, with measurement times short compared to the timescales of coherent quantum mechanical behaviour. The single-flux-quantum (SFQ) superconducting comparator may be the best device for this purpose. An SFQ comparator design using a quasi-one-junction SQUID (QOS) acting as the comparator junction has two advantages over earlier designs—increased sensitivity and the possibility to eliminate shunt resistors. Here we report the first measurements of the sensitivity of an unshunted QOS comparator. The gray zone of this device at 4.2K is 6 mΦo.
Equilibration in nuclear matter

Abstract We study the equilibration process in infinite uniform systems consisting of nucleons, delta resonances and pi-mesons. A relativistic Uehling-Uhlenbeck equation, free of convective terms, is derived for the temporal evolution of the hadronic momentum distributions and a statistical solution method is developed. The relaxation process is followed from two disjoint Fermi spheres of nucleons towards a thermal mixture of nucleons, deltas, and pions; the results are discussed in relation to present high-energy nuclear collisions.
The paramyxovirus SV5 small hydrophobic (SH) protein is not essential for virus growth in tissue culture cells.

The SH gene of the paramyxovirus SV5 is located between the genes for the glycoproteins, fusion protein (F) and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN), and the SH gene encodes a small 44-residue hydrophobic integral membrane protein (SH). The SH protein is expressed in SV5-infected cells and is oriented in membranes with its N terminus in the cytoplasm. To study the function of the SH protein in the SV5 virus life cycle, the SH gene was deleted from the infectious cDNA clone of the SV5 genome. By using the recently developed reverse genetics system for SV5, it was found that an SH-deleted SV5 (rSV5DeltaSH) could be recovered, indicating the SH protein was not essential for virus viability in tissue culture. Analysis of properties of rSV5DeltaSH indicated that lack of expression of SH protein did not alter the expression level of the other virus proteins, the subcellular localization of F and HN, or fusion competency as measured by lipid mixing assays and a new content mixing assay that did not require the use of vaccinia virus. The growth rate, infectivity, and plaque size of rSV5 and rSV5DeltaSH were found to be very similar. Although SH is shown to be a component of purified virions by immunoblotting, examination of purified rSV5DeltaSH by electron microscopy did not show an altered morphology from SV5. Thus in tissue culture cells the lack of the SV5 SH protein does not confer a recognizable phenotype.
A One-dimensional Cumulus Model Including Pressure Perturbations1

Abstract A model for shallow cumulus convection is formulated in which the vertical momentum equation and horizontal divergence equation are combined to produce a diagnostic equation for the perturbation pressure field. These equations, together with the first law of thermodynamics and equation of continuity of water substance, are averaged horizontally over the cloud area (a cylinder of constant radius). The resulting set can be integrated in time to study the life cycle of a nonprecipitating cumulus initiated by release of a small buoyant element. The results indicate that the perturbation pressure field plays an essential role by reducing the extremely sharp gradients in velocity near the cloud top, which are common to most other one-dimensional models. Inclusion of the pressure field also makes it possible to predict the radial scale at which the maximum cloud growth rate will occur.
Clustering endothelial E-selectin in clathrin-coated pits and lipid rafts enhances leukocyte adhesion under flow.

During inflammation, E-selectin expressed on cytokine-activated endothelial cells mediates leukocyte rolling under flow. E-selectin undergoes endocytosis and may associate with lipid rafts. We asked whether distribution of E-selectin in membrane domains affects its functions. E-selectin was internalized in transfected CHO cells or cytokine-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Confocal microscopy demonstrated colocalization of E-selectin with α-adaptin, a clathrin-associated protein. Deleting the cytoplasmic domain of E-selectin or disrupting clathrin-coated pits with hypertonic medium blocked internalization of E-selectin, reduced colocalization of E-selectin with α-adaptin, and inhibited E-selectin-mediated neutrophil rolling under flow. Unlike CHO cells, HUVECs expressed a small percentage of E-selectin in lipid rafts. Even fewer neutrophils rolled on E-selectin in HUVECs treated with hypertonic medium and with methyl-β-cyclodextrin, which disrupts lipid rafts. These data demonstrate that E-selectin clusters in both clathrin-coated pits and lipid rafts of endothelial cells but is internalized in clathrin-coated pits. Distribution in both domains markedly enhances E-selectin's ability to mediate leukocyte rolling under flow.
Subtleties of transactional memory atomicity semantics

Transactional memory has great potential for simplifying multithreaded programming by allowing programmers to specify regions of the program that must appear to execute atomically. Transactional memory implementations then optimistically execute these transactions concurrently to obtain high performance. This work shows that the same atomic guarantees that give transactions their power also have unexpected and potentially serious negative effects on programs that were written assuming narrower scopes of atomicity. We make four contributions: (1) we show that a direct translation of lock-based critical sections into transactions can introduce deadlock into otherwise correct programs, (2) we introduce the terms strong atomicity and weak atomicity to describe the interaction of transactional and non-transactional code, (3) we show that code that is correct under weak atomicity can deadlock under strong atomicity, and (4) we demonstrate that sequentially composing transactional code can also introduce deadlocks. These observations invalidate the intuition that transactions are strictly safer than lock-based critical sections, that strong atomicity is strictly safer than weak atomicity, and that transactions are always composable
Porting Multilingual Subjectivity Resources across Languages

Subjectivity analysis focuses on the automatic extraction of private states in natural language. In this paper, we explore methods for generating subjectivity analysis resources in a new language by leveraging on the tools and resources available in English. Given a bridge between English and the selected target language (e.g., a bilingual dictionary or a parallel corpus), the methods can be used to rapidly create tools for subjectivity analysis in the new language.
Claude F. Dixon 1893-1968

Claude Dixon was born in Piedmont, Kansas, on January 28, 1893. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Kansas in 1919 and his Doctor of Medicine from the same university in 1921. Following an internship at the University of Kansas Hospital, he entered Mayo Graduate School as a resident. In 1928 he became a member of the Clinic staff and head of the section of general surgery, a post he held until he retired in July 1957.
Buckling and vibration analysis of flexible beams resting on an elastic half-space

The present paper deals with the buckling and vibration of prismatic beams resting on an elastic half-space. The computational procedure developed herein utilizes the advantages of both an analytical approach and a finite element scheme. This is accomplished by deriving exact frequency and axial force dependent stiffness matrices using the analytical solutions of the governing differential equation as ‘shape functions’. The major advantages of the proposed approach over previous ones are pointed out and discussed in detail. Numerical results demonstrating the performance of the proposed method are presented in the final part of the paper.
Role of RAD52 Epistasis Group Genes in Homologous Recombination and Double-Strand Break Repair

The process of homologous recombination is a major DNA repair pathway that operates on DNA double-strand breaks, and possibly other kinds of DNA lesions, to promote error-free repair. Central to the process of homologous recombination are the RAD52 group genes (RAD50, RAD51, RAD52, RAD54, RDH54/TID1, RAD55, RAD57, RAD59, MRE11, and XRS2), most of which were identified by their requirement for the repair of ionizing-radiation-induced DNA damage in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Rad52 group proteins are highly conserved among eukaryotes, and Rad51, Mre11, and Rad50 are also conserved in prokaryotes and archaea. Recent studies showing defects in homologous recombination and double-strand break repair in several human cancer-prone syndromes have emphasized the importance of this repair pathway in maintaining genome integrity. Although sensitivity to ionizing radiation is a universal feature of rad52 group mutants, the mutants show considerable heterogeneity in different assays for recombinational repair of double-strand breaks and spontaneous mitotic recombination. Herein, I provide an overview of recent biochemical and structural analyses of the Rad52 group proteins and discuss how this information can be incorporated into genetic studies of recombination.
Osteoporosis Treatment for Patients with Stroke

AbstractPurpose: Little is known about the frequency of use of medications to maintain bone health for patients with stroke. This study was undertaken at an urban academic rehabilitation center to determine the prevalence of use of agents that could reduce bone loss in the stroke population. Method: A clinical database was searched for all patients 18 years old and over with stroke. The sample included 1,219 inpatients and 2,776 outpatients. Demographic information (age, gender, and race) and medications were obtained for each patient. Results: Among inpatients with stroke, 7.1% were taking osteoporosis medications (bisphosphonates, calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, or hormone replacement therapy), 11.3% were taking calcium supplements, 5.9% were taking vitamin D supplements, and 45.1% were taking multivitamin supplements. Among outpatients with stroke, 5.7% were taking osteoporosis medication, 5.8% were taking calcium supplements, 2.2% were taking vitamin D supplements, and 16.0% were taking multivitamin ...
Crystalline polymer: Some reminiscences over the years*

This paper is concerned with reminiscences of 50 years of research with crystalline polymers. It begins with the early days and the establishment of the basic thermodynamics of fusion of semi-crystalline polymers up to the present. In between are works involving crystallization kinetics, nucleation theory appropriate to polymers and the strong influence of molecular weight on the crystallization process and the resulting morphology, structure and properties. The problems and controversy regarding regularly folded chain and the crystallite interfacial structure, and their resolution was central to a great deal of activity during this time period.
Sequential intravesical gemcitabine and mitomycin C chemotherapy regimen in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Abstract Objectives Currently, there are few options other than cystectomy for the management of BCG refractory non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. We report our experience with intravesical combination chemotherapy using gemcitabine and MMC in such patients. Materials and methods We identified all patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer who were BCG refractory or intolerant and had been treated with intravesical gemcitabine and MMC at our institution. Patients were treated with a combination of intravesical gemcitabine (1000 mg in 50 ml sterile water) followed sequentially by intravesical MMC (40 mg in 20 ml sterile water) every week for 6 weeks (induction). Induction therapy was followed by a maintenance regimen using the same dose of gemcitabine and MMC once a month for 12 months. Data regarding patient demographics and disease information such as previous intravesical therapy, previous cystoscopy, cytology results, time to recurrence, and side effect profile were collected. Results A total of 10 patients (6 male and 4 female) aged 48 to 85 years (median 67 years) underwent treatment with a median follow-up of 26.5 months (4–34 months). Six patients were recurrence free and have maintained their response at a median of 14 months (4–34 months). Four patients had biopsy proven recurrence. Median time to recurrence was 6 months (range 4–13 months). The therapy was well tolerated in all patients. There were no major complications. Two patients experienced irritative lower urinary tract symptoms, which did not require cessation of therapy and one experienced a maculopapillary rash that improved with benadryl. Conclusions In patients with recurrent BCG refractory bladder cancer, intravesical combination chemotherapy with gemcitabine and MMC appears to be well tolerated and yields a response in a good proportion number of patients.
Phase transitions in U(N) lattice gauge theory in four dimensions

Monte Carlo methods are used to study pure U(N), N = 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, gauge fields in four space-time dimensions. Using Wilson's form of the action, first-order phase transitions are clearly seen at ..beta../sub c/ = 3.30, 6.88, 12.14, 18.8, and 27.0 for U(2), U(3), U(4), U(5), and U(6), respectively.
Spatiotemporal patterns of infant bronchiolitis in a Tennessee Medicaid population.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of worldwide morbidity and mortality in infants, primarily through the induction of bronchiolitis. RSV epidemics are highly seasonal, occurring in the winter months in the northern hemisphere. Within the United States, RSV epidemic dynamics vary both spatially and temporally. This analysis employs a retrospective space–time scan statistic to locate spatiotemporal clustering of infant bronchiolitis in a very large Tennessee (TN) Medicaid cohort. We studied infants less than 6 months of age (N = 52,468 infants) who had an outpatient visit, emergency department visit, or hospitalization for bronchiolitis between 1995 and 2008. The scan statistic revealed distinctive and consistent patterns of deviation in epidemic timing. Eastern TN (Knoxville area) showed clustering in January and February, and Central TN (Nashville area) in November and December. This is likely due to local variation in geography-associated factors which should be taken into consideration in future modeling of RSV epidemics.
New Phenokena in Electron Beam Glazing

Linear heat source surface melting studies have been carried out using a 1 to 15 kH oscillating beam incident on a steel substrate to produce a 3 to 35mm wide rapidly solidified strip of material at rates ranging from 1 to 100 cm.s −1 . A simple relationship betweenmelt depth, power, and substrate velocity (V) has been determined at low values of V; limited results at higher velocities appear to follow the same relationship. A serendipitous discovery was the effect of prior surface homogenization treatment on the geometrical and microstructural uniformity of the subsequently formed rapidly solidified layers. This pre-treatment resulted in the formation of thin layers of uniform thickness under the most rapid processing condition (V = 100 cm.s −l ). Omission of pre-treatnent resulted in irregular and sometimes discontinuous surface layers. In the case of a high speed steel of near peritectic composition (M2)pre-treatment resulted in the almost complete elimination of massive austenitic region within the dominant ferrite phase.
The 5-HT7 receptor influences stereotypic behavior in a model of obsessive-compulsive disorder

The 5-HT7 receptor has been suggested as a new putative target for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, especially depression. This hypothesis is based on the finding that antidepressant drugs have relatively high affinity for the 5-HT7 receptor, and that inactivation or blockade of the receptor leads to an antidepressant-like profile in behavioral models and sleep parameters. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is also believed to involve the serotonergic system and is treated using antidepressants, thus it is of interest to study the possible role of the 5-HT7 receptor in this disorder. We have evaluated the effect of inactivation or pharmacological blockade of the 5-HT7 receptor in three mouse behavioral models that are believed to mimic some of the stereotypic aspects of obsessive-compulsive disorder. In the most well-established behavioral model, marble burying, both inactivation and blockade of the 5-HT7 receptor reduced stereotypic behavior in that the number of marbles buried decreased. In two newer, less well-characterized models, head dipping and plastic-mesh screen chewing, there was no difference between wild-type mice and mice lacking the 5-HT7 receptor. Taken together the data confirms and expands on previous findings that the 5-HT7 receptor is of importance for behaviors affected by antidepressants, and suggests that the 5-HT7 receptor might be of relevance as a target for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Erratum to: Characterizing metalloendonuclease mixed metal complexes by global kinetic analysis

Fig. 7 Summary of fits and simulations for model III (all mixed species inactive). a Sample progress curves: circles data points for 10 mM Mg(II), line prediction of experimental curve using parameters determined from the fit. Squares data points for 5 mM Mg(II)/250:M Ca(II), dash prediction of experimental curve using parameters determined from the fit. Triangles data points for 5 mM Mg(II)/ 1 mM Ca(II), dots prediction of experimental curve using parameters determined from the fit. b–d Comparison of experimental (closed squares) and predicted kobs (open circles) for the indicated conditions c
Automated static headspace sampler for gas chromatography

Abstract A new automated static headspace thermal desorption system is described. This system allows for total control of the autosampler-gas Chromatographic system, analog to digital conversion and data storage, prepurge functions to eliminate cross sample contamination and multiple modes of sample delivery. The system's ease of gas flow valve control and timing allows for optimal manipulation of carrier and headspace improving resolution. Larger-scale data acquisition and digital-to-analog control of the autosampler functions are discussed. System performance is illustrated using biological and environmental samples. The system's qualitative and quantitative performance was examined using statistical measures of retention time data and standard error for analyte responses.
Rationally designing aptamer sequences with reduced affinity for controlled sensor performance.

The relative ease of predicting the secondary structure of nucleic acid sequences lends itself to the design of sequences to perform desired functions. Here, we combine the utility of nucleic acid aptamers with predictable control over the secondary structure to rationally design sequences with controlled affinity towards a target analyte when employed as the recognition element in an electrochemical sensor. Specifically, we present a method to modify an existing high-gain aptamer sequence to create sequences that, when employed in an electrochemical, aptamer-based sensor, exhibit reduced affinity towards a small molecule analyte tobramycin. Sensors fabricated with the high-gain parent sequence saturate at concentrations much below the therapeutic window for tobramycin (7–18 µM). Accordingly, the rationale behind modifying this high-gain sequence to reduce binding affinity was to tune sensor performance for optimal sensitivity in the therapeutic window. Using secondary structure predictions and analysis of the NMR structure of an aminoglycoside RNA aptamer bound to tobramycin, we are able to successfully modify the aptamer sequence to tune the dissociation constants of electrochemical aptamer-based sensors between 0.17 and 3 µM. The guidelines we present represent a general strategy to lessening binding affinity of sensors employing aptamer-modified electrodes.
Mindfulness and Sustainable Behavior: Pondering Attention and Awareness as Means for Increasing Green Behavior

Ecopsychologists have suggested that mindful awareness of our interdependence with nature may not only help us regain our lost, ecologically embedded identity (Roszak, 1992) but may also help us behave more sustainably, closing the documented gap between proenvironmental attitudes and behaviors. We suggest more specifically that, in contemporary consumer culture with its dearth of proenvironmental norms and cues, mindful attentiveness may be necessary to develop sustainable habits. To explore the connection between mindfulness and sustainable behavior, we measured 100 adults attending a Midwestern sustainability expo on two mindfulness factors: acting with awareness and observing sensations. As predicted, acting with awareness was significantly positively correlated with self-reported sustainable behavior. This finding is consistent with the idea that, until sustainable decisions become the societal default, their enactment may depend on focused consideration of options and mindful behavior. In contrast, ...
Status of Dairy Manure Composting in North America

▪ This paper provides an overview of composting on the dairy farm. It summarizes the motivations, methods, problems and opinions of 50 dairy farmers and commercial composters from 17 states in the U.S. and the province of Quebec. It is intended to serve as a progress report about dairy manure composting, showing why farmers are composting; what it costs them in terms of land, labor and equipment; and how well composting is serving them. This information provides some clues about the future of composting as a dairy manure management practice.
Localized Shear Deformation of Amorphous Metals

The characteristics of localized deformation in amorphous metals are reviewed. All the available evidences seem to suggest that dislocations are responsible for shear localization. These dislocations seem to require a stress concentration for their nucleation. Once nucleated, they are capable of producing both forward and reverse shear in a narrow band, much like the dislocations in crystalline materials.
A NOTE ON THE SECULAR EQUATION FOR RAYLEIGH WAVES

In this note the secular equation for Rayleigh surface waves in classical elasticity theory is examined in detail. It is shown, in particular, that when the equation has complex roots the associated displacement components are inadmissible — they do not satisfy the condition that they tend to zero at infinity. Rayleigh [1]3) demonstrated this result numerically for an incompressible body.
Self-consistent boundary conditions

Abstract It is suggested that it would be advantageous to replace the traditionally employed periodic boundary conditions in Monte Carlo simulations by some self-consistency requirements. General arguments are given. As an example, 4D lattice gauge theory with the gauge group Y is solved in the Bethe-Kikuchi-Perierls approximation.
Correlation between the optical loss and crystalline quality in erbium-doped GaN optical waveguides.

Erbium-doped GaN (GaN:Er) epilayers were synthesized by metal organic chemical vapor deposition. GaN:Er waveguides were fabricated based on four different GaN:Er layer structures: GaN:Er/GaN/Al2O3, GaN:Er/GaN/AlN/Al2O3, GaN:Er/GaN/Al0.75Ga0.25N/AlN/Al2O3, and GaN/GaN:Er/GaN/Al2O3. Optical loss at 1.54 μm in these waveguide structures has been measured. It was found that the optical attenuation coefficient of the GaN:Er waveguide increases almost linearly with the GaN (002) x-ray rocking curve linewidth. The lowest measured loss was ∼6 dB/cm.
Cyclopentapeptides as Flexible Conformational Templates

Studies of 3D models for cyclopentapeptides (CPP's) employing only NMR spectroscopy encounter a serious problem. Because of conformer averaging, 3D structure(s) derived directly from NMR data may n...
In vitro activity of RP 59500 (quinupristin/dalfopristin) against antibiotic-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Enterococci

The activity of RP 59500 (quinupristin/dalfopristin) was evaluated in vitro against antibiotic-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae (N = 15) and Enterococcus spp. (N = 43). By broth dilution MIC tests RP 59500 was highly active against penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, but showed poor activity against E. faecalis. In time-kill studies the drug was rapidly bactericidal against S. pneumoniae but failed to kill most enterococci, even in the presence of gentamicin or human serum.
Adaptive integration of hardware and software lock elision techniques

Transactional Lock Elision (TLE) and optimistic software execution can both improve scalability of lock-based programs. The former uses hardware transactional memory (HTM) without requiring code changes; the latter involves modest code changes but does not require special hardware support. Numerous factors affect the choice of technique, including: critical section code, calling context, workload characteristics, and hardware support for synchronization. The ALE library integrates these techniques, and collects detailed, fine-grained performance data, enabling policies that decide between them at runtime for each critical section execution. We describe an adaptive policy and present experiments on three platforms, two of which support HTM, showing that---without tuning for specific platforms or workload---the adaptive policy is competitive with and often significantly better than hand-tuned static policies.
9,10-Dichlorooctafluoroanthracene as a building block for n-type organic semiconductors.

9,10-Dichlorooctafluoroanthracene (1) was synthesized from commercially available tetrafluorophthalic acid by an optimized solution-phase route. To establish 1 as a synthon for n-type organic semiconductors, the compound was reacted with phenylboronic acid under modified Suzuki−Miyaura coupling conditions to generate octafluoro-9,10-diphenylanthracene (7) in high yield. Cyclic voltammetry and X-ray crystallography indicate that 7 has a stabilized LUMO energy level and exhibits extended π stacking, which should lead to efficient electron transport in solid-state devices. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-Octafluoroanthracene (2) was also synthesized as a potential n-type building block, but suitable C−C coupling conditions for this compound were not found, and 2 could not be converted into 9,10-dibromooctafluoroanthracene or octafluoro-9,10-diiodoanthracene.
The biosynthesis of the branched-chain sugar d-apiose in plants: functional cloning and characterization of a UDP-d-apiose/UDP-d-xylose synthase from Arabidopsis

d-Apiose is a plant-specific branched-chain monosaccharide found in rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II), apiogalacturonan, and several apioglycosides. Within RG-II, d-apiose serves as the binding site for borate, which leads to the formation of cross-links within the wall. Biochemical studies in duckweed and parsley have established that uridine 5'-diphospho-d-apiose (UDP-d-apiose) is formed from UDP-d-glucuronate by decarboxylation and re-arrangement of the carbon skeleton, leading to ring contraction and branch formation. The enzyme catalyzing this reaction also forms UDP-d-xylose by decarboxylation of UDP-d-glucuronate, and has therefore been named UDP-d-apiose/UDP-d-xylose synthase. Using a bioinformatics approach, we identified a candidate gene (AXS1) for this enzyme in Arabidopsis and functionally expressed its cDNA in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme catalyzed the conversion of UDP-d-glucuronate to a mixture of UDP-d-apiose and UDP-d-xylose with a turnover number of 0.3 min-1. AXS1 required NAD+ for enzymatic activity, and was strongly inhibited by UDP-d-galacturonate. It was highly expressed in all plant organs consistent with a function in synthesizing an essential cell wall precursor. Database searches indicated the presence of closely related sequences in a variety of crop plants. The cloning of the AXS1 gene will help to investigate the biosynthesis of RG-II, and permit insights into the mechanism by which d-apiose and other branched monosaccharides are formed.
Development of adaptive injection flow rate and pressure control algorithms for resin transfer molding

Abstract To prevent dry spot formation during fabrication of composite parts by Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), a control interface and four different adaptive control algorithms have been developed and tested with numerical simulations. The interface is capable of controlling the flow pattern of resin as it fills a mold containing a preform of fiber reinforcement, provided that the mold is equipped with multiple inlet gates, a single vent and a spinal sensor system that continuously feeds the interface with the resin flow front locations along the spine lines connecting the inlet gates to the vent. Four different adaptive control algorithms targeting on injection flow rate control, injection pressure control, linearly-corrected pressure control, and the combined flow rate and linearly-corrected pressure control have been proposed and incorporated with the control interface. To provide desirable controllability of the filling process and effective utilization of the resin dispensing equipment, the final formulations were optimized by means of numerical simulations of a rectangular RTM part containing different permeability distributions. The results were compared to investigate the strengths and weaknesses of the spinal adaptive control algorithms in terms of dry spot size, filling speed, and the minimum responding speed of injection pump. Finally, a complex geometry case study was conducted to validate and highlight the spinal adaptive control algorithms’ capability in handling flow disturbance for a complex RTM mold filling process which involves irregular mold geometry, multiple inserts, significant permeability and racetracking variations, and non-straight spinal sensors.
Infant pediatric liver transplantation results equal those for older pediatric patients

Abstract Methods : From July 1984 to July 1995, 99 pediatric patients underwent 127 orthotopic liver transplants (OLT) at the University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital. The patients were divided into four groups according to age at time of transplant: group I, 0 to 6 months (n = 20); group II, 6 to 12 months (n = 18); group III, 1 to 2 years (n = 10); and group IV, 2 to 18 years (n = 51). A retrospective analysis was performed to compare these four groups with regard to preoperative indications and demographics, intraoperative technique, complications, and survival. All patients were followed up for 2 to 13 years. Results : Biliary atresia was the most common indication for OLT in all four groups. The average waiting period varied from 19 ± 18 days for group I to 44 ± 64 days for group IV. Reduced-size liver transplant (I, 41%; II, 52%; III, 28%; IV, 21%), split-liver transplant (I, 0%; II, 7.4%; III, 17%; IV, 2.9%), or whole-liver transplant techniques were used. Although postoperative Intensive Care Unit stay was longer for the 0- to 6-month-old patients (I, 20 ± 64; II, 7.6 ± 9; III, 13 ± 17; IV, 6.8 ± 14 days), the total hospital stay (I, 43 ± 63; II, 33 ± 34; III, 32 ± 20; IV, 29 ± 31 days) was similar for all patients. The incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (I, 19%; II, 19%; III, 27%; IV, 16%), biliary tract complications (I, 4.8%; II, 15%; III, 20%; IV, 14%), and retransplantation (I, 9.5%; II, 41%; III, 33%; IV, 14%) were not significantly different between the four groups. Portal vein thrombosis (I, 9.5%; II, 11%; III, 6.6; IV, 0%) and primary nonfunction (I, 9.5%; II, 7.4%; III, 0%; IV, 3.1%) occurred more frequently in the 0- to 6-month and 6- to 12-month groups, however, the 1-, 5-, and 10-year survival rate for patients (I, 85%, 79%, 79%; II, 89%, 74%, 74%; I I, 80%, 80%, 80%; IV, 84%, 75%, 75%, respectively) and primary liver allografts (I, 69%, 69%, 69%; II, 72%, 72%, 63%; III, 70%, 70%, 70%; IV, 71%, 57%, 57%, respectively) were not significantly different ( P = .98 and P = .83). Conclusion : These results demonstrate that OLT can be effectively performed on infants of all ages and that OLT should not be delayed because of age.
Synthesis and polymerization studies of formaldehyde oxime and its derivatives

Formaldehyde oxime and three O-alkyl derivatives were examined as potential imine monomers. Formaldehyde oxime spontaneously polymerized below 60 °C and did not polymerize above 60 °C (ceiling temperature), even in the presence of free-radical or cationic initiators. The O-benzoyl derivative was isolated as the cyclic trimer but could not be converted into the monomeric form. Formaldehyde O-benzyloxime was synthesized and isolated. Attempted homopolymerizations in the presence of free-radical initiators only led to oligomers, whereas with cationic initiators only cyclic trimer was obtained. Copolymerizations with appropriate vinyl monomers and free-radical and anionic initiators yielded only low molecular weight polymers. Cationic copolymerizations gave higher molecular weights and polymer yields, but the polymers containing appreciable amounts of imine function had very low molecular weights. We conclude that the polymerizability of imines is extremely sensitive to the substitution pattern: imines with only a substituent on nitrogen are unstable and readily polymerize, whereas imines with more substituents generally do not polymerize. Electron-withdrawing substituents are more favorable to polymerizability. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1866–1872, 2000
The role of Shp2 (PTPN11) in cancer

Tyrosyl phosphorylation, which is controlled by protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs) and protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), regulates numerous cellular processes. Altered expression and/or mutations in PTKs are linked to many forms of cancer, yet until recently little was known about the roles of PTPs in normal cells or in cancer. Earlier work established that a member of the PTP superfamily, PTEN, is an important tumor suppressor gene. We now know that at least one other PTP, the SH2 domain-containing phosphatase Shp2, is a bona fide oncogene that is mutated in several types of leukemia and hyperactivated by other mechanisms in some solid tumors. Understanding how Shp2 and other PTPs contribute to oncogenesis should provide new insights into pathogenesis and might suggest new targets for anti-neoplastic drugs.
Design and implementation of the GPS subsystem for the Radio Aurora eXplorer

Abstract This paper presents the design and implementation of the Global Positioning System (GPS) subsystem for the Radio Aurora eXplorer (RAX) CubeSat. The GPS subsystem provides accurate temporal and spatial information necessary to satisfy the science objectives of the RAX mission. There are many challenges in the successful design and implementation of a GPS subsystem for a CubeSat-based mission, including power, size, mass, and financial constraints. This paper presents an approach for selecting and testing the individual and integrated GPS subsystem components, including the receiver, antenna, low noise amplifier, and supporting circuitry. The procedures to numerically evaluate the GPS link budget and test the subsystem components at various stages of system integration are described. Performance results for simulated tests in the terrestrial and orbital environments are provided, including start-up times, carrier-to-noise ratios, and orbital position accuracy. Preliminary on-orbit GPS results from the RAX-1 and RAX-2 spacecraft are presented to validate the design process and pre-flight simulations. Overall, this paper provides a systematic approach to aid future satellite designers in implementing and verifying GPS subsystems for resource-constrained small satellites.
Electroencephalographic correlates of marihuana-induced euphoria

Abstract The present study was conducted to determine if there is a neurophysiological correlate of marihuana-induced good effects or euphoria. Three groups of 6 male occasional marihuana smokers were prepared for electroencephalographic (EEG) recording and smoked either placebo or marihuana cigarettes containing 1.26% or 2.53% Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol ( Δ 9 -THC) in a controlled laboratory setting. Using a continuously available non-verbal joystick device and a questionnaire, subjects reported changes in their subjective mood state while EEG activity was continuously recorded. Subjects reported multiple episodes of intense good effects or euphoria during the first 15 min after marihuana. These episodes of euphoria occurred while plasma Δ 9 -THC levels were rapidly rising. EEG alpha power during these discrete episodes of euphoria was significantly higher suggesting that these transient EEG changes may reflect a neurophysiological correlate of the reinforcing effects of marihuana.
Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor is associated with reduced appetite in healthy older adults

Objective: Loss of appetite and body mass are common in older adults and are associated with negative consequences. Research indicates that these processes likely involve increases in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Animal and human models demonstrate that BDNF may serve a regulatory function in food intake, but no study has addressed the possibility that BDNF may be involved in appetite reduction and loss of body mass in older adults.Design and Participants: 34 older adults without significant neurological or psychiatric history underwent fasting blood draw and measurement of body composition. Appetite and eating behavior were assessed by questionnaire and related to serum BDNF levels.Results: Partial correlations showed serum BDNF levels were inversely related to appetite (r = −.38, p = .02). No significant correlations emerged between serum BDNF and age, diet, or body composition.Conclusions: The current study extends past work and shows that BDNF is associated with appetite in healthy older adults. Further work is needed to clarify mechanisms for these findings, particularly prospective studies.
A miniaturized space-variant active vision system: Cortex-I

We have developed a prototype miniaturized active vision system whose sensor architecture is based on a logarithmically structured space-variant pixel geometry. A space-variant image's resolution changes across the image. Typically, the central part of the image has a very high resolution, and the resolution falls off gradually in the periphery. Our system integrates a miniature CCD-based camera, pan-tilt actuator, controller, general purpose processors and display. Due to the ability of space-variant sensors to cover large work-spaces, yet provide high acuity with an extremely small number of pixels, space-variant active vision system architectures provide the potential for radical reductions in system size and cost. We have realized this by creating an entire system that takes up less than a third of a cubic foot. In this thesis, we describe a prototype space-variant active vision system (Cortex-I) which performs such tasks as tracking moving objects and license plate reading, and functions as a video telephone. We report on the design and construction of the camera (which is 8 x 8 x 8mm), its readout, and a fast mapping algorithm to convert the uniform image to a space-variant image. We introduce a new miniature pan-tilt actuator, the Spherical Pointing Motor (SPM), which is 4 x 5 x 6cm. The basic idea behind the SPM is to orient a permanent magnet to the magnetic field induced by three orthogonal coils by applying the appropriate ratio of currents to the coils. Finally, we present results of integrating the system with several applications. Potential application domains for systems of this type include vision systems for mobile robots and robot manipulators, traffic monitoring systems, security and surveillance, telerobotics, and consumer video communications. The long-range goal of this project is to demonstrate that major new applications of robotics will become feasible when small low-cost machine vision systems can be mass-produced. This notion of "commodity robotics" is expected to parallel the impact of the personal computer, in the sense of opening up new application niches for what has until now been expensive and therefore limited technology.
Exposures to Hydrocarbon Components of Gasoline in the Petroleum Industry

Abstract Air concentrations were obtained for 55 individual chemical components of gasoline measured by eight petroleum companies for service station attendants (n = 49), transport drivers (n = 49), and outside operators (n = 56) during the summer of 1984. Approximate 95 percent confidence intervals were computed for the mean exposures to each of the 55 components in the three job groups. Exposures of service station attendants were significantly lower when vapor recovery systems were present; exposures in the other two job groups were apparently unaffected by vapor recovery systems. The ratios of air concentrations of the 16 most abundant vapor components to the air concentrations of total hydrocarbons (THC) comprised 80-84 percent. It was observed that the vapor ratios calculated in this investigation were similar to those of the same 16 components reported in a previous investigation by McDermott and Killiany in 1978. This apparent stability of vapor ratios suggests the possibility that exposures of in...
THE PATH DECOMPOSITION EXPANSION AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL TUNNELING

Abstract This paper consists of two main topics. 1. (i) The path decomposition expansion: a new path integral technique which allows us to break configuration space into disjoint regions and express the dynamics of the full system in terms of its parts. 2. (ii) The application of the PDX and semiclassical methods for solving quantum-mechanical tunneling problems in multidimensions. The result is a conceptually simple, computationally straightforward method for calculating tunneling effects in complicated multidimensional potentials, even in cases where the nature of the states in the classically allowed regions is nontrivial. Algorithms for computing tunneling effects in general classes of problems are obtained. In addition, we present the detailed solutions to three model problems of a tunneling coordinate coupled to a phonon. This enables us to define various well-controlled approximation schemes, which help to reduce the dimensions of complicated tunneling calculations in real physical systems.
A new web-based operative skills assessment tool effectively tracks progression in surgical resident performance

Purpose The study aim was to demonstrate that a new database tool for assessment of surgical resident operative skills discerns predictable progression in those skills over successive residency years for specific index case types. Methods A Web-based interactive database (OpRate) was used to assess selected aspects of resident operative performance as determined by supervising attending surgeons in a medium-sized residency (5-6 residents per postgraduate year [PGY]). This assessment consisted of (1) 3 questions pertaining to patient information, technical, and disease-specific preparedness; (2) 4 laparoscopic technical skills questions pertaining to tissue handling, dexterity, planning, and ability to function independently; and (3) similar open technical skills questions, with the addition of 2 questions defining knot tying ability. Two years of assessment data were examined for cholecystectomy (CH), appendectomy (AP), colon resection (CR), ventral hernia repair (VH), and inguinal hernia repair (IH). Mean scores for total, technical, and preparedness responses, as well as each response area were compared for successive training years for each case type. Mean performance data between postgraduate years were compared by ANOVA, and interitem reliability was assessed by Cronbach's alpha determinations. Results OpRate data for 579 cases (142 CH, 67 AP, 73 CR, 202 IH, and 95 VH) were examined. Significant incremental increases in open and laparoscopic technical skills scores by training year were observed for all case types (ANOVA, p Conclusions Our early results show that the OpRate assessment tool is effective in identifying expected changes in operative performance across successive training years, with a satisfactory level of internal consistency for the test items. As such, the use of this database tool may offer the opportunity to (1) define performance benchmarks for specific levels of training and (2) identify areas where focused training may be required for specific residents.
Twine: display and analysis of cis-regulatory modules

Summary: Many algorithms analyze enhancers for overrepresentation of known and novel motifs, with the goal of identifying binding sites for direct regulators of gene expression. Twine is a Java GUI with multiple graphical representations (‘Views’) of enhancer alignments that displays motifs, as IUPAC consensus sequences or position frequency matrices, in the context of phylogenetic conservation to facilitate cis-regulatory element discovery. Thresholds of phylogenetic conservation and motif stringency can be altered dynamically to facilitate detailed analysis of enhancer architecture. Views can be exported to vector graphics programs to generate high-quality figures for publication. Twine can be extended via Java plugins to manipulate alignments and analyze sequences. Availability: Twine is freely available as a compiled Java .jar package or Java source code at http://labs.bio.unc.edu/crews/twine/.