cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linguistic Comprehension and Expression during Sensorimotor Development

The relationship between verbal single or multi-words and comprehension of 100 commands varying in linguistic complexity was determined for five children between 13 and 23 months of age. Chronological age generally was related to overall comprehension and production skills. Multi-word speakers obeyed well-formed commands more frequently than less complex forms and single-word speakers responded more readily to the less complex linguistic structures. Overall, the subjects in the study understood language that was more advanced than what they produced. This information was in conflict with the reports that claimed either no difference between comprehension and production or that production preceded comprehension. Higher scores on cognitive and social maturity scales consistently were obtained from the multi-word speakers and from children who understood more adult-like forms. The data were considered as additional evidence for recognizing the importance of cognitive development and the potential variances b...
Hormonal regulation of JP29 in the epidermis during larval development and metamorphosis in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

Previous studies have shown that the larval epidermis of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, contains a 29 kDa nuclear protein (JP29) that binds pothoaffinity analogs of juvenile hormone (JH), but does not bind JH I with high affinity. We now find that JP29 is also associated with the insecticyanin granules, and we show that JP29 mRNA is regulated in a complex fashion by both 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and JH. Studies with day 2 fourth instar larval epidermis in vitro showed that a molting concentration 12 μg/ml) of 20E caused the disappearance of JP29 mRNA, irrespective of the presence or absence of JH; this effect was dependent on the concentration of 20E (ED50=200 ng/ml). The reappearance of JP29 mRNA around the time of ecdysis required the presence of JH at head capsule slippage (HCS), since little appeared in larvae allatectomized about 6 h before HCS unless JH I was applied at the time of HCS. Maintenance of JP29 mRNA in fifth instar epidermis also required the continued presence of JH in both isolated abdomens and in vitro. Culture of either day 1 or day 2 fifth instar epidermis without hormones for 24 h caused decline of JP29 mRNA, which was accelerated by 20E in a concentration-dependent manner (ED50 = 30 and 10 ng/ml 20E respectively). When day 2 epidermis was exposed to 500 ng/ml 20E for 24 h to cause pupal commitment, JP29 mRNA disappeared. Neither methoprene nor JH I (in either the presence or the absence of the esterase inhibitor O-ethyl, S-phenyl phosphamidethiolate [EPPAT]) was able to prevent this loss, although both slowed its rate. The mRNA for the larval cuticle protein LCP14 was found to be regulated similarly to that for JP29 by 20E, but differently by JH. The JP29 protein was relatively long-live, persisting after the disappearance of its mRNA for at least 19 h during the larval molt and for more than 24 h in vitro. Although trace amounts of JP29 are found for the first 12 h after pupal ecdysis, injection of 5 μg JH II into pupae during the critical period to cause the synthesis of a second pupal cuticle had no effect on the amount of JP29 present. Thus, although the presence of JP29 in larval epidermis is associated with and dependent on JH, high amounts are not associated with the “status quo” action of JH on the pupa. The role of this protein consequently remains obscure. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 34:409–428, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
QUEST FOR VIRUSES ASSOCIATED WITH OUR FOOD SUPPLY

We looked for viruses associated with foods during processing and retailing. Novel test methods included inoculating up to 1.4 ml of sample extract per square centimeter of tissue culture monolayer and transferring inoculum from one type of culture to another. Some viruses, apparently of animal origin and noninfectious for man, were found in two of five plants processing animal products. Samples representing processing of vegetable products (two plants), intestinal infections in processing personnel (13 plants), and retail foods (a total of 60 samples purchased from five stores) gave negative results. The level of human viruses associated with the U.S. food supply is apparently below what such a survey can detect.
Slitrks as emerging candidate genes involved in neuropsychiatric disorders

Slitrks are a family of structurally related transmembrane proteins belonging to the leucine-rich repeat (LRR) superfamily. Six family members exist (Slitrk1-6) and all are highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS). Slitrks have been implicated in mediating basic neuronal processes, ranging from neurite outgrowth and dendritic elaboration to neuronal survival. Recent studies in humans and genetic mouse models have led to the identification of Slitrks as candidate genes that might be involved in the development of neuropsychiatric conditions, such as obsessive compulsive spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. Although these system-level approaches have suggested that Slitrks play prominent roles in CNS development, key questions remain regarding the molecular mechanisms through which they mediate neuronal signaling and connectivity.
Model for vibrations associated with molecular Rydberg transitions

A model consisting of a proton which is harmonically bound along a line and an electron bound to the proton is treated. Spectral features of the model system considered include energy level shifts, vibronic intensities, and interactions between members of degenerate manifolds not predicted by the application of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation to the model system. A time dependent process resulting in vibrationally induced preionization is also investigated. The results have special physical relevance in that they serve to facilitate understanding of vibrational effects on molecular Rydberg spectra.
Hydrogen Production in the Heavy Ion Radiolysis of Polymers. 1. Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Poly(methyl methacrylate), and Polystyrene

The production of molecular hydrogen in the radiolysis of isotactic polypropylene (PP), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and polystyrene (PS) with protons and carbon ions has been investigated. Previous experimental data on the above polymers with γ-ray and helium ion irradiations have been combined with similar studies on high-density polyethylene (PE) to give a comprehensive survey of the dependence of molecular hydrogen yields on particle linear energy transfer, LET, in the range 0.2−800 eV/nm. The radiation chemical yields of molecular hydrogen are very dependent on LET and generally increase with increasing LET. However, the relative change in hydrogen yield as a function of LET is very different for the various polymers. It appears that with increasing high LET the hydrogen yields for each of the polymers are approaching the same value. This observation suggests that the radiolytic source of molecular hydrogen is similar for all of the polymers and increases with increasing LET of the irradiation. ...
Complex rectovaginal fistula repair with non-cross-linked porcine graft augmentation.

Aim Our aim was to demonstrate a unique approach to repairing a complex rectovaginal fistula using a non-cross-linked porcine dermal graft.
1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium-induced alterations of glutathione status in immortalized rat dopaminergic neurons

Decreased glutathione levels associated with increased oxidative stress are a hallmark of numerous neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease. GSH is an important molecule that serves as an anti-oxidant and is also a major determinant of cellular redox environment. Previous studies have demonstrated that neurotoxins can cause changes in reduced and oxidized GSH levels; however, information regarding steady state levels remains unexplored. The goal of this study was to characterize changes in cellular GSH levels and its regulatory enzymes in a dopaminergic cell line (N27) following treatment with the Parkinsonian toxin, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)). Cellular GSH levels were initially significantly decreased 12 h after treatment, but subsequently recovered to values greater than controls by 24 h. However, oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels were increased 24 h following treatment, concomitant with a decrease in GSH/GSSG ratio prior to cell death. In accordance with these changes, ROS levels were also increased, confirming the presence of oxidative stress. Decreased enzymatic activities of glutathione reductase and glutamate-cysteine ligase by 20-25% were observed at early time points and partly account for changes in GSH levels after MPP(+) exposure. Additionally, glutathione peroxidase activity was increased 24 h following treatment. MPP(+) treatment was not associated with increased efflux of glutathione to the medium. These data further elucidate the mechanisms underlying GSH depletion in response to the Parkinsonian toxin, MPP(+).
Diagnosticity and multidimensional subjective workload ratings

A new multidimensional subjective workload assessment instrument -- Workload Profile -- was introduced and evaluated against two unidimensional instruments -- Bedford and Psychophysical scaling. Subjects performed two laboratory tasks separately (single task) and simultaneously (dual task). The multidimensional procedure compared well with the unidimensional procedures in terms of sensitivity to task demands, concurrent validity with performance, and test-retest reliability. The results suggested that the subjective workload profiles would only have limited predictive value on performance. However, results of the canonical analysis demonstrated that the multidimensional ratings provided diagnostic information on the nature of task demands. Further, the diagnostic information was consistent with the a priori task characterization. This strongly supports the notion that mental workload is multidimensional and that subjects are capable of reporting the demands on separate workload dimensions. Theoretical implications on mental workload models and practical implications on the assessment approaches are discussed.
Energy conservation in detergent-treated mitochondria and purified succinate-cytochrome c reductase.

Abstract The oxidation-reduction midpoint potential of mitochondrial cytochrome b T becomes more positive when ATP is added or electron transport is activated. In the presence of antimycin A the electron transport dependent midpoint potential shift is stabilized. This energy dependent transformation is used to demonstrate competent energy conservation reaction in detergent-treated mitochondria and in purified succinate-cytochrome c reductase.
Neural mechanisms of the effect of acupuncture on cardiovascular diseases

Abstract The long history of clinical practice has proven that acupuncture has curative effects, but the physiological basis needs more scientific study. Since the 1980s, we have demonstrated that several kinds of experimental hypertension, arrhythmias and the defense reaction-induced pressor responses could be inhibited by electroacupuncture (EA, 1–3 mA, 2–5 Hz) while hypotension and bradycardia could be alleviated by EA (4–6 mA). Further studies have shown that cardiovascular neurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (rVLM) receive inputs from hypothalamic and midbrain defense areas, the splanchnic nerves, and Neiguan and Zusanli acupoints. EA applied to these acupoints for 20–30 min inhibits the excitatory effects of the former three inputs to the rVLM. Inhibition on these neurons lasts for 1–2 h, and is related to activation of opioid receptors. Analysis of the neural pathways has shown that EA activates the nucleus arcuatus (ARC) in the hypothalamus, which sends excitatory projections to the ventral periaqueduct gray (vPAG) and, in turn, to the nucleus raphe obscurus (NRO). Excitation of NRO neurons inhibits cardiovascular neurons in the rVLM by activating opioid, GABA and 5-HT receptors to reduce sympathetic outflow, which ultimately exerts a therapeutic effect on hypertension, arrhythmias and cardiac ischemia. Conversely, EA with high current stimulation activates the cholinergic system and excites rVLM neurons, leading to an increase in blood pressure (BP), to alleviate shock and bradycardia.
Panel Oscillations and Acoustic Waves

The interaction of an acoustic wave and a clamped elastic panel is considered. Using the fact that the ratio of the acoustic sound speed in the fluid to the surface wave speed in the panel is small, we are able to derive by a systematic asymptotic analysis an on surface boundary condition for this scattering problem.
Discriminative k metrics and the Chan-Vese model for object detection and segmentation

In this work, a modification of the k q-flats framework for pattern classification introduced in [9] is used for pixelwise object detection. We include a preliminary discussion of augmenting this method is with a Chan-Vese-like geometric regularization.
MsrA repair of Cytochrome c and α-crystallin links chaperone and oxidative repair pathways with mitochondrial protection and apoptotic control in lens cells.

Purpose Methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) is essential for lens defense against oxidative stress and cataract formation through its ability to repair oxidized protein methionine (PMSO). Here, we examined α-crystallin and cytochrome c (Cyt c) as potential targets for MsrA-repair in the lens. Methods The oxidized methionine content of α-crystallin and Cyt c was evaluated from the lenses of MsrA knockout and w+ mice. The activities of α−crystallin and Cyt c were evaluated upon methionine oxidation. The ability of MsrA to repair these proteins and restore their respective chaperone and electron transport activities was determined. All three proteins were localized in lens cells and their abilities to form complexes in vitro and in vivo evaluated. Results Cyt c was oxidized at met 80 and αβ-crystallin at met 68 in MsrA-knockout relative to w+ mice. Methionine oxidization of 138 of αA-crystallin and 68 of αB-crystallin resulted in loss of α-crystallin chaperone function while oxidation of met 80 resulted in loss of Cyt c electron transport function. α-crystallin protected Cyt c against methioinine oxidation. MsrA repaired and restored the functions of all three proteins which co-localized and formed complexes in lens mitochondria. Conclusion MsrA is likely required for repair of α-crystallin and Cyt c in lens cells suggesting that it maintains and regulates the activities of α-crystallin and Cyt c in lens mitochondria where all three proteins were localized. Loss of MsrA-repair could contribute to cataract formation through loss of chaperone function, loss of oxidative phosphorylation and/or increased Cyt c mediated apoptosis.
A REAL-TIME EXPERT SYSTEM FOR PROCESS MANAGEMENT—THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF ExPro

We present ExPro—a real-time knowledge based system for process management. This system is designed to provide process setup, monitoring, and supervisory control capabilities for a real-time semiconductor manufacturing environment. The specific process selected for development and demonstration purposes is rapid thermal oxidation (RTO), a technique used in the controlled formation of thin silicon dioxide layers for silicon integrated circuits. This is an ideal application domain for process management system development since we can readily obtain direct process variable feedback in real-time from the equipment. ExPro demonstrates several novelties, not the least of which is a modular design. It includes an integrated analytical simulator whose primary responsibilities are to predict process parameters a priori and to provide the necessary information on the growth of the oxide during the process. The knowledge base, in cooperation with the simulator, achieves a high degree of accuracy for control of the ...
Long-term survival and quality of life of patients with prolonged postoperative intensive care unit stay: Unmasking an apparent success

Objective Our objective was to evaluate the long-term survival and quality of life of patients who faced a prolonged (>10 days) postoperative stay in the intensive care unit and were discharged from the hospital. Methods Among 3125 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac operations in a 5-year period, we prospectively identified 57 who faced a prolonged postoperative intensive care unit stay and were discharged alive from the hospital. Patients were enrolled in a prospective follow-up protocol and evaluated every 6 to 12 months both clinically and instrumentally. Results Mean intensive care unit stay was 34 ± 9 days (range 11–141 days). Follow-up was complete and mean follow-up time was 71 months. Overall survival was 12 (21%) of 57, and the majority of follow-up deaths were cardiac related. Of the surviving patients, only a small minority (4/12) regained full autonomy and returned to their previous lifestyle. Risk factors for prolonged intensive care unit stay were age, New York Heart Association/Canadian Cardiovascular Society class, hypertension, diabetes, low ejection fraction, aortic surgery, preoperative renal failure, nonelective surgery, prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass time, and perioperative use of aortic counterpulsator. Conclusions Patients who face a prolonged postoperative intensive care unit stay and who were discharged from the hospital have a very poor long-term outcome and even worse quality of life. These data lead to a consideration of the wisdom of using heroic treatment in patients who face a prolonged postoperative intensive care unit stay in view of the dismal clinical results and enormous use of hospital and human resources.
Accumulation of O2-tolerant phenotypes in H2-producing strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by sequential applications of chemical mutagenesis and selection

The photoproduction of hydrogen by anaerobically induced algae is catalyzed by a bidirectional hydrogenase that is rapidly inactivated by oxygen. We isolated two generations of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii strains with H 2 -evolving activities of up to 10 times the O 2 -tolerance seen in the wild-type (WT). These isolates were generated by two sequential selections, consisting of random chemical mutagenesis, enrichment for H 2 -metabolism clones following exposure to increasing amounts of O 2 , and screening using a chemochromic sensor. The selected strains were characterized by two types of assays and classified as those that (a) can evolve H 2 following exposure to O 2 concentrations that inactive the WT strain and (b) in addition, are able to quickly reactivate H 2 -production activity once O 2 is removed. These results suggest that O 2 -tolerance can be increased by successive rounds of mutagenesis, selection, and screening, demonstrating that the WT phenotype can be improved by genetic means. Other results show that the hydrogenase is less sensitive to O 2 when it is actively catalyzing H2 evolution. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of the International Association for Hydrogen Energy.
0413 Violence perpetrated by hospital patients and visitors (type II) against “sitters”

Objectives Hospital sitters provide continuous observation of patients at risk of harming themselves or others. This study examined violence perpetrated by patients/visitors (type II) against hospital sitters in two US healthcare systems. Method Anonymous, cross-sectional survey data were collected from staff, including 41 sitters, across six hospitals to characterise the magnitude of and circumstances surrounding type II violence. Focus groups and interviews (n = 17) provided contextual details. Results Unit/float pool aides, patient care attendants, unit secretaries, and contract employees served as sitters. Compared to other staff, sitters had higher 12-month prevalences of physical assault (61%;11%), physical threat (63%;18%), and verbal abuse (73%;37%). Sitters were more likely to experience a patient (rather than visitor) perpetrator (94%;76%), have a weapon (s) used against them (72%;31%), be alone with the perpetrator (65%;40%), perceive intent to harm (33%;17%), and feel frightened about their personal safety (61%;38%). Sitters often reported events verbally to unit staff and rarely through official channels (e.g., first report of injury). In focus groups and interviews, sitters and staff indicated their need for clarification of sitters’ roles regarding patient care and sitter well-being (e.g., calling for assistance, taking lunch/restroom breaks), training of sitters in personal safety and patient/visitor de-escalation, and methods to inform sitters and other staff of patient/visitor conditions and behaviours. Conclusions The burden of type II violence among hospital sitters is high. Policies surrounding sitters’ roles and violence prevention training – supported by hospital and unit management – are needed. Continued efforts to describe the safety and health of this workgroup are warranted.
Technical description and performance characteristics of a human whole-body calorimeter.

A technical description, constructional details and performance characteristics are presented for a whole-body calorimeter. With the equipment metabolic heat production (oxygen consumption), sensible (radiative and convective) and insensible heat exchange (water vapour loss) of a subject during rest and exercise can be monitored continuously. The basic principle of the construction is to prevent any heat transfer across the wall of a well ventilated cylinder, so that all heat exchange by the subject can be measured by differential thermometry and hygrometry between inlet air and outlet air. The air flow through the calorimeter itself is more than 12·5 m3 min−1, which makes its response to changes in heat dissipation of the subject fast. The time constant for evaporative water loss is 1·5 min. There are two time constants for sensible heat exchange: 0·86 min and 7·4 min. The calorimeter inlet air temperature is controlled to within 0·03°C and dewpoint temperature to within 0·15°C. Changes in sensible heat exchange can be measured with an accuracy of 1 W. Changes in water vapour loss can be detected within 100 mg min−1; consequently, changes in insensible heat exchange can be assessed to about 4W. There is no heat loss through the wall of the calorimeter, even at a temperature difference between calorimeter temperature and laboratory temperature close to 30°C, and the calibrations are correct. This has been verified by measuring water vapour losses from a water tray at various calorimeter temperatures and the heat required for this evaporation. The latter can be measured as sensible heat exchange. The quotient of the two gives the heat of vaporisation of water, which can be compared favourably with the values from steam tables. Particular emphasis has been given to the subject's safety and comfort.
Identification and Characterization of Species of the Family Bacteriodaceae by Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to compare protein profiles of members of the family Bacteriodacceae. Cell-free extracts were prepared and the protein components separated by multistage polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The profiles were distinct and reproducible thus allowing identification of species, subspecies, and minor strain differences. Lyophilization of the cell-free extracts did not alter the major protein components. The results indicate that the techniques used may be useful in conjunction with conventional tests in identification at the species level.
Physiologic anemia of the newborn infant

Summary Physiologic anemia should be regardedas a developmental response of the infant's erythropoietic system due to the interaction of several factors: a relative decrease in bone marrow erythropoietic activity, a relative increase in the rate of hemolysis, and hemodilution due to a rapid expansion of the blood volume. These factors tend to be more extreme in low-birth-weight infants and result in a more severe degree of anemia at an earlier age. At the nadir of the physiologic anemia in full-term infants, hemoglobin levels may be as low as 9.5 to 10 Gm. per 100 ml. at 6 to 8 weeks of age, and in premature infants 6 to 7 Gm. per 100 ml. at 3 to 7 weeks of age. Hemoglobin values of this degree shouldbe considered nonpathologic and do not require special hematinic therapy or blood transfusion. A number of pathologic processes may be superimposed upon physiologic anemia, producing a more severe degree of anemia.
Group-graded rings and duality

We give an alternative construction of the duality between finite group actions and group gradings on rings which was shown by Cohen and Montgomery in [1]. This duality is then used to extend known results on skew group rings to corresponding results for large classes of group-graded rings. Finally we modify the construction slightly to handle infinite groups. Introduction. In the first section we give an alternate construction of the duality between finite group actions and group gradings on rings which was shown by Cohen and Montgomery in [1]. This duality is then used to extend results on skew group rings and their modules to corresponding results for large classes of groupgraded rings. In the second section we modify the construction slightly to handle infinite groups and apply it to a theorem on prime and semiprime infinite crossed products. I would like to thank my thesis advisor, D. S. Passman, for his guidance and encouragement throughout the writing of this paper. 1. Finite group-graded rings and the smash product. Let G be a multiplicative group. An associative ring with identity is said to be G-graded if (1) R= @ E R(x) xEc is a direct sum of additive subgroups R(x), with R(x)R(y) C R(xy). It follows that necessarily 1R E R(1) so that each R(x) is a unitary R(l)-bimodule. If r E R, we write r(x) for the component of r in R(x) so that r = EXGcr(x). R is said to be strongly G-graded if R(x)R(y) = R(xy) for all x, y E G. Throughout this section R is assumed to be G-graded, where G is a finite group with IGI = n. Let MC(R) denote the set of n X n matrices over R with the rows and columns indexed by the elements of G. If a c MG(R), we write ax y for the entry in the [x, y]-position of a. Then if a, ,1] c MC(R), the matrix product a,8 is given by (2) ( (X ) x y = E (XX, ZAZ, Y z E c If U c G is any subset of G, let R(U) = Ex,EuR(x). In particular, R = R(G). Now suppose H C G is a subgroup of G. We define R { H } c MC(R) by R{H} = { a E Ms(R)|aX y E R(xHy l)}, that is, R{H} = Ex yGcR(xHy-l)e(x, y), where e(x, y) is the matrix unit with 1R in the [x, y]-position and zeroes elsewhere. Note that R{G} = MC(R). Received by the editors September 27, 1984. 1980 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 16A03. (C)1985 American Mathematical Society 0002-9947/85 $1.00 + $.25 per page
Efeitos farmacológicos do extrato aquoso de Solidago chilensis Meyen em camundongos

Solidago chilensis Meyen (Asteraceae) is a species native to South America (Brazil), found especially in the south region of Brazil, where it is commonly known as "arnica-do-mato". In folk medicine, it has been used as diuretic, healing and anti-inuammatory. In the present study, the pharmacological effects of aqueous extracts from roots of S. chilensis were assessed in vivo in experimental models for antidepressant, anti-inflammatory and locomotor-type activity. The extract (25, 50 and 250 mg kg-1) was administered by the oral route 30 minutes prior to behavioral tests. Results indicate that, at the employed levels, aqueous extract from S. chilensis did not show antidepressant-type activity although it induced significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. A reduction in the locomotor activity was noted at the highest administered level (250 mg kg-1), suggesting an effect on the central nervous system. In conclusion, results agree with the literature about analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of this plant, also suggesting an activity of S. chilensis extract on the central nervous system. These remarks, however, do not exclude a possible peripheral muscular relaxing effect of the extract.
A GPU-optimized binary space partition structure to accelerate the Monte Carlo simulation of CT projections of voxelized patient models with metal implants

Monte Carlo x-ray transport simulation codes can generate radiographic images that are equivalent to images produced by clinical systems. Most codes optimized for medical imaging use voxels to represent the patient anatomy and employ delta scattering (Woodcock algorithm) as an essential acceleration technique. With delta scattering all voxels have the same attenuation and x rays cross multiple voxels in each step reducing the time spent accessing memory and computing voxel interfaces. A drawback of this approach is that it is inefficient in phantoms with highly attenuating voxels. We present a binary space partition structure, bitree, that improves the performance of delta scattering by selecting an optimum attenuation within different regions while minimizing the interfaces to be crossed. The described bitree and its traversal algorithm are optimized for GPU-computing and have been implemented in the PENELOPE-based MC-GPU code. The bitree approach reduced the execution time by 88.6% for the simulation of a head CT scan with a metallic implant.
The REBL DPG: recent innovations and remaining challenges

Reflective electron-beam lithography (REBL) employs a novel device to impress pattern information on an electron beam. This device, the digital pattern generator (DPG), is an array of small electron reflectors, in which the reflectance of each mirror is controlled by underlying CMOS circuitry. When illuminated by a beam of low-energy electrons, the DPG is effectively a programmable electron-luminous image source. By switching the mirror drive circuits appropriately, the DPG can ‘scroll’ the image of an integrated circuit pattern across its surface; and the moving electron image, suitably demagnified, can be used to expose the resist-coated surface of a wafer or mask. This concept was first realized in a device suitable for 45 nm lithography demonstrations. A next-generation device has been designed and is presently nearing completion. The new version includes several advances intended to make it more suitable for application in commercial lithography systems. We will discuss the innovations and compromises in the design of this next-generation device. For application in commercially-practical maskless lithography at upcoming device nodes, still more advances will be needed. Some of the directions in which this technology can be extended will be described.
Song isolation is associated with maintaining high spine frequencies on zebra finch IMAN neurons

Male zebra finches normally learn much of their song during the second month after hatching. This is a period of rapid change throughout the brain. We studied anatomical consequences of manipulating exposure to song. We investigated neurons of lateral MAN (1MAN), a nucleus implicated in song learning (Bottjer et al., 1984), in male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) at 55 days posthatch. Birds were raised either under normal colony conditions (social) or in colonies in which adult males were removed when the young hatched (song deprived). Brains were stained with the Golgi-Cox method. Fine morphological details of spiny 1MAN neurons were recorded with a 3D semiautomated computer system. Several features of the spiny 1MAN neurons differ between sexes. Males have neurons with larger somata, more primary dendrites and thicker dendrites, than neurons from females. These features as well as dendritic length and other branching characteristics do not differ between treatment groups. There is a large difference in dendritic spine frequencies between the social and the song-deprived groups. Social, song-experienced males have spine frequencies 41% lower than song-deprived males. In females, spine frequencies are as high as in the song-deprived males and do not differ between the song-deprived and social conditions. Developmental overproduction and subsequent pruning of neural connections have been observed in many areas of the central nervous system. We suggest that apparent pruning in 1MAN is modulated by experience: It takes place if the social experiences associated with auditory song learning have occurred. This finding is consistent with the synapse selection hypothesis of Changeux and Danchin Brain Research, 309, (1976) and with data found using an acoustic filial imprinting paradigm in the domestic chicken.
Big 4 Office Size and Audit Quality

ABSTRACT: Larger offices of Big 4 auditors are predicted to have higher quality audits for SEC registrants due to greater in‐house experience in administering such audits. We test this prediction b...
Ion isolation and collision-induced dissociation in a 0.5mm ro cylindrical ion trap

Abstract We present data taken from a 0.5 mm ro cylindrical ion trap to track the performance of storage and tandem experiments. The cylindrical ion trap and other mass selecting devices are compared in light of miniaturization. The core components of a cylindrical ion trap mass spectrometer, including ion optics, mass selector assembly, detector, ion source, and housing are described. In these experiments, mass spectral data of xylene is presented. Isolation of the precursor ion was accomplished by modulating the DC ramp voltage, and collision-induced dissociation was accomplished by applying various tickle voltages to the endcaps of the ion trap. Conclusions of projected performance of smaller ion traps (approximately 1 μm) will also be discussed.
Gender differences in diagnostic radiologists' annual incomes.

Rationale and Objectives Specialty, work effort, and gender have been shown to be associated with physicians' annual incomes; however, careful examination of the association between provider gender and physician incomes after correcting for other factors likely to influence income has not been conducted at the subspecialty level. We sought to determine the association between provider gender and diagnostic radiologists' annual incomes after controlling for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics. Materials and Methods Using survey responses that were collected throughout the 1990s from 491 actively practicing white diagnostic radiologists, we generated a linear regression model to determine the association between provider gender and radiologists' annual incomes after controlling for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics. Results White female radiologists reported working 2% fewer annual hours than their white male counterparts. Female radiologists had practiced medicine for fewer years than males, were more likely to be employees, as opposed to having an ownership interest in the practice, and were equally likely to be board certified. After adjustment for work effort, provider characteristics, and practice characteristics, female radiologists' mean annual income was $273,907, or $80,090 (23%) lower than that for white males (95% CI: $113,930 lower to $46,250 lower, P Conclusions During the 1990s, female gender was associated with lower annual incomes among diagnostic radiologists. Researchers should further explore the relationship between physician gender and incomes to determine what factors might cause the differences that we found.
Solid phase formation in Au: Ge/Ni, Ag/In/Ge, In/Au: Ge GaAs ohmic contact systems

Abstract Solid phase epitaxy formation in Au: Ge/Ni, Ag/In/Ge, and In/Au:Ge contacts to GaAs has been identified utilizing micro-spot Auger spectroscopy and selected area electron channeling. It is shown that the lateral extent of solid phase formation directly controls the value of the specific contact resistivity. Solid phase growth occurs as a result of dissolution of GaAs by the contact constituents in the vicinity of the eutectic temperature. Solid phase growth also results in regions free of oxide layers and contaminants and hence a lower contact resistivity.
A NEW CLASS OF THIN FILM HYDROGELS PRODUCED BY PLASMA POLYMERIZATION

A simple, direct route to preparation of surface immobilized hydrogel films is described. Specifically, low pressure RF pulsed plasma polymerization of 1-amino-2-propanol and 2-(ethylamino)ethanol monomers produced thin hydrogel films deposited on substrates located in the plasma reactor. The successful syntheses were carried out under plasma conditions which not only yield the hydrogel but are also sufficiently energetic to produce films strongly grafted to the substrates. The polymer films obtained exhibit the thermoresponsive property of hydrogels, as shown by film color change with temperature. Additional evidence for the phase transition properties of these films was obtained using water contact angle and capillary rise measurements. The plasma polymerization approach provides an unusually simple route to synthesis of hydrogels in which the films are pin-hole free and are of easily controlled thickness. An important added advantage, particularly for applications involving biomaterials, is the conformal property of the plasma generated polymer films. The results obtained suggest that this approach should be applicable to a variety of other monomers and, based on differences observed with the present two monomers, suggest synthesis of films which exhibit a range of phase transition temperatures.
Costly leaf shelters protect moth pupae from parasitoids

Many caterpillars construct shelters by folding leaves and feeding from within. Many shelter-constructing species suffer high rates of parasitism as larvae or pupae. In spite of the likely significance, the effects of these shelters on the survival of pupae and the trade-off between feeding and constructing shelters have attracted little experimental attention. In both field and laboratory experiments, fern-feeding caterpillars [Herpetogramma theseusalis (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)] invested heavily in shelters, losing weight and significantly delaying pupation rather than feeding or pupating in exposed locations. Experimentally thinning the walls of shelters in the field doubled the parasitism rate. Parasitism of pupae exceeded predation by an order of magnitude or more in both seasons of this study. Caterpillars constructed similarly sized shelters regardless of availability of fern fronds, resulting in incomplete shelters on especially small fronds, putting pupae at increased risk of parasitism. We suggest that similar interactions are common and merit more attention.
Performance of boron/fluoride rod for internal remedial treatment of Douglas-fir poles

The ability of boron and fluoride to migrate from a boron/fluoride rod was investigated over a 15 year period in Douglas-fir pole sections. Both components readily moved through the wood, but boron tended to be present at higher levels over the test reflecting the much higher boron content of the rods. The overall chemical levels suggested that higher dosages would be needed to more fully protect Douglas-fir poles.
Improving Mathematics Performance Among Secondary Students With EBD A Methodological Review

In this methodological review, the authors apply special education research quality indicators and standards for single case design to analyze mathematics intervention studies for secondary students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). A systematic methodological review of literature from 1975 to December 2012 yielded 19 articles that met inclusion criteria. Findings revealed eight studies investigated functional relation between mathematics interventions and mathematics performance for secondary students with EBD. The remainder investigated functional relation between behavioral interventions and mathematics performance. The body of research had limitations in methodological rigor that prevented identification of evidence-based practices for mathematics interventions for learners with EBD. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
“Great escapes”: protection from violence through spiritual sources

Abstract This essay re-iterates stories from the Judaic, Christian, Islamic, Baha’i, and American Indian traditions regarding spiritually-aided escapes from violence. Escapes from death, prison, and danger have all reportedly been facilitated by spiritual forces in these traditions.
An improved pairing interaction for mean field calculations using skyrme potentials

Abstract A zero-range interaction is proposed to calculate nuclear pairing at the Fermi surface. The results of Skyrme calculations using the zero range pairing interaction are compared with those using the constant G model for the pairing, as well as with those of a finite-range calculation. Particular attention is paid to the region of superdeformation and fission.
Service composition for mobile environments

Service Composition, that is, the development of customized services by discovering, integrating and executing existing services has received a lot of attention in the last couple of years with respect to wired-infrastructure or Internet web services. With the advancement in the wireless technology and rapid deployment of mobile devices, we envision that in the near future wirelessly connected mobile devices in a given vicinity will also provide services that can be leveraged in the composition process. This is particularly true of what have been described as "pervasive computing" environments. However, wired-infrastructure based service composition architectures are not designed to consider the various factors like mobility, device heterogeneity, resource variability and reliability in a mobile environment. In this paper, we describe the issues related to service composition in mobile environments and evaluate criteria for judging protocols that enable such composition. We present a distributed architecture and associated protocols for service composition in mobile environments that take into consideration mobility, dynamic changing service topology and device resources. The composition protocols are based on distributed brokerage mechanisms and utilize a distributed service discovery process over ad-hoc network connectivity. We present simulation results of our protocols, and compare them with a centralized service composition protocol traditionally used for wired-infrastructure environments. The results show that our approach clearly outperforms the existing centralized approaches, and that our protocols are able to adapt and better utilize the changing service topology and resources in a mobile environment.
Dye-Encapsulating Liposomes as Fluorescence-Based Oxygen Nanosensors

Nanometer-sized liposomes containing the oxygen-sensitive indicator tris(1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium chloride (Ru(phen)3) in their internal compartment have been prepared and tested for their oxygen-sensing capabilities in aqueous solution. A standard injection technique, where a lipid mixture consisting of dimyristoylphospatidylcholine, cholesterol, and dihexadecyl phosphate (molar ratio 5:4:1) all dissolved in dry 2-propanol injected into an aqueous solution of 10 mM Ru(phen)3 under vortexing, is used to prepare the liposomes. A high uniformity of the liposomes is realized by extruding them back and forth through a 100-nm pore size polycarbonate membrane. TEM images of the liposomes, stained with uranyl acetate, show that the liposomes are unilamellar, round in shape, maintain high structural integrity, and average 70 nm in diameter. Dynamic light-scattering measurements support this observation. Under our experimental conditions, the entrapment efficiency of Ru(phen)3, defined as the ratio between th...
Progesterone rapidly recruits female-typical opioid-induced hyperalgesic mechanisms

Abstract Continuous morphine treatment can paradoxically increase nociception (i.e. hyperalgesia) in male and female mice, but sex differences have been reported. Here, we studied progesterone modulation of these differences by assessing nociception on the tail-withdrawal test in male and female mice rendered hyperalgesic during continuous infusion of two different morphine doses (1.6 and 40.0 mg/kg/24 h). Although the lower morphine infusion dose increased nociception in both sexes by infusion Day 4, this hyperalgesia dissipated by Day 6 in males and ovariectomized females, but not gonadally intact females. A single subcutaneous progesterone (0.0016 mg/kg) injection to males and ovariectomized females on Day 6 caused hyperalgesia to recur within 30 min and to persist for a minimum of 120 min. The larger morphine infusion dose also increased nociception in both sexes on Days 4 and 6. However, the NMDA receptor antagonist MK-801 (0.05 mg/kg) reversed hyperalgesia in males and ovariectomized females but not gonadally intact females on infusion Day 6. Subcutaneous progesterone (0.0016 mg/kg) injection inhibited this reversal in male and ovariectomized female mice but had no effect on nociception in saline-infused mice of either sex. These data confirm our previous findings that male and female mice utilize distinct hyperalgesic mechanisms, and show for the first time that a single progesterone bolus dose can recruit female-typical hyperalgesia in ovariectomized females and males.
Seasonal patterns of nitrogen utilization by pocket gophers, Thomomys bottae

Abstract 1. 1. Adult pocket gophers, fed diets of natural vegetation in the laboratory during summer and winter, remained in positive N balance in all feeding trials. 2. 2. Nitrogen budgets for free-ranging pocket gophers were calculated and revealed that total N influx exceeded 2400 mg N·dkg−1 day−1 in summer and 2300mg N·kg−1day−1 in winter. 3. 3. Apparent N assimilation was 50 and 53% in summer and winter, respectively, and truly digestible N requirements were ⋍ 680 mg N·kg−1 day−1. 4. 4. These budgets indicate that, in spite of seasonally-changing quality of available forage, pocket gophers remain in positive N balance, due largely to shifts in forage preference with season.
Light-/dark-induced changes in rhabdom structure in the retina of Octopus bimaculoides

We examined rhabdom structure and the distribution of filamentous actin in the photoreceptor outer segments of the retina of Octopus bimaculoides. Animals were dark- or light-adapted, fixed, embedded and sectioned for light and electron microscopy. Statistical analyses were used to compare relative cross-sectional areas of rhabdom microvilli and core cytoplasm within and between the two lighting conditions. Dark-/light-adapted rhabdoms were also prepared for confocal laser scanning microscopy and labeled with fluorescence-tagged phalloidin. Results show differences in the morphology of dark- and light-adapted octopus rhabdoms with the cross-sectional areas of the rhabdoms increasing in dark-adapted retinas and diminishing in the light. Comparisons between the lighting conditions show that an avillar portion of the photoreceptor outer segment membrane, prominent in the light-adapted retina, is recruited to form new rhabdomere microvilli in dark-adapted eyes. Filamentous actin was associated with the avillar membrane in light-adapted retinas, which may indicate that actin and other microvillus core proteins remain linked to the avillar membrane to support rapid microvillus formation in the dark. Photopigment redistributions also occur in light- and dark-adapted retinas, and this study suggests that these changes must be coordinated with the simultaneous breakdown and reformation of the rhabdomere microvilli.
Strings in flat space and pp waves from Script N = 4 Super Yang Mills

We explain how the string spectrum in flat space and pp-waves arises from the large-N limit, at fixed g2YM, of U(N) = 4 super Yang Mills. We reproduce the spectrum by summing a subset of the planar Feynman diagrams. We give a heuristic argument for why we can neglect other diagrams. We also discuss some other aspects of pp-waves and we present a matrix model associated to the DLCQ description of the maximally supersymmetric eleven dimensional pp-waves.