Washington State University

About: Washington State University is a education organization based out in Pullman, Washington, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Gene. The organization has 26947 authors who have published 57736 publications receiving 2341509 citations. The organization is also known as: WSU & Wazzu.

Hepta‐ and Octacoordinate Boron in Molecular Wheels of Eight‐ and Nine‐Atom Boron Clusters: Observation and Confirmation

Abstract: Clusters of atoms can adopt different atomic arrangements from bulk materials. They often exhibit novel structures and properties, which provide opportunities for a new types of chemical bonding and stoichiometry. Herein we report experimental and theoretical evidence that 8- and 9-atom boron clusters are perfectly planar molecular wheels, with a hepta- or octacoordinated central boron atom, respectively, despite the predominance of three-dimensional structures normally found in bulk boron and its compounds.

Low self-control and imprudent behavior

Abstract: Gottfredson and Hirschi'sA General Theory of Crime contends that individual differences in involvement in criminal and analogous behavior are due largely to individual differences in the personality trait they call low self-control. Among the various behaviors considered analogous to crime are imprudent behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and gambling. This research explores the generality of Gottfredson and Hirschi's theory by examining the link between low self-control and these imprudent behaviors. The results are mixed. In support of the theory, the data reveal a modest but significant effect of a scale designed to capture the various components of low self-control on an index of imprudent behavior. A more detailed analysis, however, reveals that some of the components of low self-control, specifically those probably linked to low intelligence, detract from the scale's predictive power. In fact, one of the components, risk-seeking, is more predictive than the more inclusive scale. Furthermore, one of the imprudent acts, smoking, appears to be unaffected by low self-control. These contradictory findings suggest the need for theoretical refinements.

A mutant herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase reporter gene shows improved sensitivity for imaging reporter gene expression with positron emission tomography

Abstract: We are developing assays for noninvasive, quantitative imaging of reporter genes with positron emission tomography (PET), for application both in animal models and in human gene therapy. We report here a method to improve the detection of lower levels of PET reporter gene expression by utilizing a mutant herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-sr39tk) as a PET reporter gene. The HSV1-sr39tk mutant was identified from a library of site-directed mutants. Accumulation (net uptake) of the radioactively labeled substrates [8-3H]penciclovir ([8-3H]PCV), and 8-[18F]fluoropenciclovir (FPCV) in C6 rat glioma cells expressing HSV1-sr39tk is increased by a factor of ≈2.0 when compared with C6 cells expressing wild-type HSV1-tk. The increased imaging sensitivity of HSV1-sr39tk when FPCV is used is also demonstrated in vivo both with tumor cells stably transfected with either HSV1-tk or HSV1-sr39tk, and after hepatic delivery of HSV1-tk or HSV1-sr39tk by using adenoviral vectors. The use of HSV1-sr39tk as a PET reporter gene and FPCV as a PET reporter probe results in significantly enhanced sensitivity for imaging reporter gene expression in vivo.