Gamow-Jordan Vectors and Non-Reducible Density Operators from Higher Order S-Matrix Poles

In analogy to Gamow vectors that are obtained from first order resonance poles of the S-matrix, one can also define higher order Gamow vectors which are derived from higher order poles of the S-matrix. An S-matrix pole of r-th order at z_R=E_R-i\Gamma/2 leads to r generalized eigenvectors of order k= 0, 1, ... , r-1, which are also Jordan vectors of degree (k+1) with generalized eigenvalue (E_R-i\Gamma/2). The Gamow-Jordan vectors are elements of a generalized complex eigenvector expansion, whose form suggests the definition of a state operator (density matrix) for the microphysical decaying state of this higher order pole. This microphysical state is a mixture of non-reducible components. In spite of the fact that the k-th order Gamow-Jordan vectors has the polynomial time-dependence which one always associates with higher order poles, the microphysical state obeys a purely exponential decay law.Comment: 39 pages, 3 PostScript figures; sub2.eps may stall some printers and should then be printed out separately; ghostview is o.

The Bermuda Triangle : the pragmatics, policies, and principles for data sharing in the history of the Human Genome Project

© The Author(s), 2018. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Journal of the History of Biology 51 (2018): 693–805, doi:10.1007/s10739-018-9538-7.The Bermuda Principles for DNA sequence data sharing are an enduring legacy of the Human Genome Project (HGP). They were adopted by the HGP at a strategy meeting in Bermuda in February of 1996 and implemented in formal policies by early 1998, mandating daily release of HGP-funded DNA sequences into the public domain. The idea of daily sharing, we argue, emanated directly from strategies for large, goal-directed molecular biology projects first tested within the “community” of C. elegans researchers, and were introduced and defended for the HGP by the nematode biologists John Sulston and Robert Waterston. In the C. elegans community, and subsequently in the HGP, daily sharing served the pragmatic goals of quality control and project coordination. Yet in the HGP human genome, we also argue, the Bermuda Principles addressed concerns about gene patents impeding scientific advancement, and were aspirational and flexible in implementation and justification. They endured as an archetype for how rapid data sharing could be realized and rationalized, and permitted adaptation to the needs of various scientific communities. Yet in addition to the support of Sulston and Waterston, their adoption also depended on the clout of administrators at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the UK nonprofit charity the Wellcome Trust, which together funded 90% of the HGP human sequencing effort. The other nations wishing to remain in the HGP consortium had to accommodate to the Bermuda Principles, requiring exceptions from incompatible existing or pending data access policies for publicly funded research in Germany, Japan, and France. We begin this story in 1963, with the biologist Sydney Brenner’s proposal for a nematode research program at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) at the University of Cambridge. We continue through 2003, with the completion of the HGP human reference genome, and conclude with observations about policy and the historiography of molecular biology

Determination of Fluorescence Polarization and Absorption Anisotropy in Molecular Complexes Having Threefold Rotational Symmetry

The current work concerns investigation of the polarization properties of complex molecular ensembles exhibiting threefold (C3) rotational symmetry, particularly with regard to the interplay between their structure and dynamics of internal energy transfer. We assume that the molecules or chromophores in such complexes possess strongly overlapped spectra both for absorption and fluorescence. Such trimeric structures are widely found in biological preparations, as for example the trimer of C-phycocyanin (C-PC). Higher order aggregates, e.g. hex-amers and three-hexamer rods, are also investigated and compared with the trimer case. The theory addresses both steady-state and 8-pulse excitation and establishes some links between them. Monochromophoric, bichro-mophoric and trichromophoric molecular complexes are individually examined. For steady-state excitation, analytical formulas are reported for the degree of fluorescence polarization and absorption anisotropy. It is shown that the polarization is dependent on the chromophore inclination relative to the symmetry axis, the relative efficiencies of absorption and fluorescence by chromophores of different spectral types, and the rates of energy equilibration. To assess the validity of the theory, it has been applied to C-PC aggregates. Here it was found that different C-PC aggregates provide practically identical polarization response. For S-pulse excitation we give analytical formulas for determination of the fluorescence depolarization, and also the depolarization associated with absorption recovery, both for a monochromophoric trimer and some particular cases of bichromophoric trimer. More complicated systems are analyzed by computer modeling. Thus it transpires that the initial polarization anisotropy r(t = 0) takes the value 0.4 for all considered aggregates; the long-time limit r(t →∞) has about the same value as is associated with steady-state excitation. We also show that with steady-state excitation the degree of fluorescence polarization is practically equal for various C3 aggregates of C-PC, and that the major factor determining the polarization is the chromophore orientation relative to the symmetry axis

Search Query Sea Change: Is it Time to Transform the Way We Teach Boolean?

Are searches that use Boolean operators better than natural language (phrase) searches? Librarians are led to believe this by common practice in reference and instruction; yet, a study of the efficacy of Boolean searches reveals a sea change, especially in first-year instruction. This poster will highlight results of a study, which compared simple Boolean search queries versus natural language searches in eight popular databases

A Question of Online Instructional Priorities Among Administrators, Faculty, Adjunct Faculty, and Students

Ethical Leadership Colloquium Members of the Ed.D. Class of 2016-17, Cohort XII Author Abstract: This study explored priorities for online instructional behavior in post-traditional programs at Private Christian University (PCU). No prior study had been identified that compared the online instructional priorities among four groups: administrators (n = 25), full-time faculty (n = 73), adjunct faculty (n = 69), and students (n = 321). This study would benefit those who oversee online instructional standards or who operate online adjunct faculty development programs. Quantitative research was conducted using a survey instrument to answer the three research questions. First, a Welch’s variant of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a Bonferroni post hoc test was conducted to analyze the differences in expectations for online instructional behavior that existed among the four groups. Second, a t-test for independent means was used to analyze how adjunct faculty members’ perception of administrator priorities aligned with actual administrator priorities. Third, a Pearson product-moment correlation was used to understand the relationship of past experience with online learning and one’s current priorities for online instructional behavior. The statistically significant results indicated that full-time faculty (M = 4.29), not adjuncts (M = 4.55), had the lowest priorities for online instructional behavior, that adjunct faculty members’ perceptions aligned with administrator priorities on 25 of the 29 items, and that past experience does correlate with priorities in all groups except for adjunct faculty. An implication of the study is that specialization in the online delivery modality may have more impact on quality instruction than faculty status as full-time or adjunct

Hemojuvelin-Neogenin Interaction Is Required for Bone Morphogenic Protein-4-induced Hepcidin Expression

Hemojuvelin (HJV) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked protein and binds both bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and neogenin. Cellular HJV acts as a BMP co-receptor to enhance the transcription of hepcidin, a key iron regulatory hormone secreted predominantly by liver hepatocytes. In this study we characterized the role of neogenin in HJV-regulated hepcidin expression. Both HJV and neogenin were expressed in liver hepatocytes. Knockdown of neogenin decreased BMP4-induced hepcidin mRNA levels by 16-fold in HJV-expressing HepG2 cells but only by about 2-fold in cells transfected with either empty vector or G99V mutant HJV that does not bind BMPs. Further studies indicated that disruption of the HJV-neogenin interaction is responsible for a marked suppression of hepcidin expression. Moreover, in vivo studies showed that hepatic hepcidin mRNA could be significantly suppressed by blocking the interaction of HJV with full-length neogenin with a soluble fragment of neogenin in mice. Together, these results suggest that the HJV-neogenin interaction is required for the BMP-mediated induction of hepcidin expression when HJV is expressed. Combined with our previous studies, our results support that hepatic neogenin possesses two functions, mediation of cellular HJV release, and stimulation of HJV-enhanced hepcidin expression

Hay muchos Méxicos: A New Approach to Designing International Information Literacy Instruction

The globalization of campuses has led to increasing numbers of international and exchange students. However, librarians often develop instructional opportunities for students from other countries with little understanding of how academic information literacy (IL) differs around the world. Using Mexico as an example, this study employs survey and focus group methods to examine how Mexican librarians understand and teach for IL within higher education. Findings from this study are subsequently used to explore the design of more culturally appropriate learning experiences for international students in the United States

Anchored multi-phasic osteochondral construct

Disclosed are osteochondral constructs that can be utilized to encourage both bone and articular cartilage tissue repair in synovial joints. Disclosed constructs are composites including a hydrogel portion for implant in a cartilage defect site and an adjacent portion for implant in a bone defect site. The portion to be implanted in a bone defect site can include a polymeric/ceramic composite material. Disclosed constructs also include a polymeric anchor that can secure the construct at the desired site. Disclosed constructs can also include capillary channeled fibers within the bone portion of the construct that can provide improved nutrient flow to and waste flow from cells growing and developing on and in the construct