cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High-accuracy absolute flatness testing using a commercial interferometer

In absolute interferometric flatness testing, various flats are measured in multiple configurations to approximately solve for the surface figure of each flat independent of the reference flat used. This measurement sequence generally involves rotation of one flat as well as removal and replacement with different flats. The deviation between the rotation center of the flat and the coordinate center of the software system used causes measurement errors, as do any errors in replacement location and general error sources associated with interferometry. In this paper techniques are described to optimize the accuracy of the three-flat absolute flat testing technique, and the various sources of measurement error are analyzed. Use of crosshairs for positioning and rotation adjustment as well as general methods to improve interferometric testing are described. Results from the high- accuracy absolute flat testing are compared with standard absolute flat results to evaluate how to achieve improved measurement results.
Genetic variation among Fusarium oxysporum isolates from sugar beet as determined by vegetative compatibility

One hundred sixty Fusarium oxysporum isolates were collected over a 3-year period (1992 to 1994) from diseased sugar beet and pigweed plants from seven counties in Texas. Disease symptoms on sugar beet included root-tip-rot symptoms with wilting and vascular necrosis, and wilting and vascular necrosis only. Pathogenicity testing on sugar beets indicated that 132 isolates of the 160 recovered were pathogenic and were considered to be F. oxysporum f. sp. betae (FOB). Of the 132 isolates of FOB, 28 were initially chosen as testers and paired in all possible combinations to estimate the number of vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) present. Once VCGs were determined from the 28 isolates, a nitrate nonutilizing mutant (nit) 1 or nit 3 from each of the remaining isolates was paired against a Nit M from each of the established VCGs. Thirty-three isolates obtained from other sugar-beet-growing states also were tested for vegetative compatibility. A total of 95 of the 132 isolates of FOB from Texas were assigned to one of seven VCGs identified. Sixty-three isolates were assigned to VCG 1, with VCGs 2 through 7 containing 6, 16, 2, 2, 2, and 4 isolates, respectively. VCGs 1, 3, and 6 were recovered from both sugar beet and pigweed. Two additional isolates collected from Texas in 1987 also belonged to VCG 1. A number of the isolates collected from Texas could not be assigned to any of the seven established VCGs. These included two single-member Nit Ms, 11 self-incompatible isolates, and 24 of unknown affiliation. None of the isolates from any one state were compatible with those from any other state. Results suggest that substantial variation exists among sugar beet isolates of FOB from the U.S., and that these populations of F. oxysporum are apparently distinct and endemic to their respective areas.
Pneumatosis Intestinalis: Do Not Excise These "Polyps"!

A 52-year-old male with a history of recurrent deep venous thrombosis underwent a CT scan of the chest investigating a suspected pulmonary embolism. The scan revealed thickening of the splenic flexure with foci of air adjacent to the colon (Figure 1). The patient reported mild nausea and chronic intermittent hemorrhoidal bleeding without abdominal pain. Physical exam and labwork were unremarkable. Colonoscopy to evaluate this radiographic finding demonstrated a corresponding cluster of cystic submucosal lesions of varying sizes with normal overlying mucosa consistent with pneumatosis intestinalis (Figure 2). The patient was discharged home and is being followed up in the gastroenterology clinic.
Clouds and silver linings: Depressive symptoms and causal attributions about ostensibly “good” and “bad” events

Eighty-seven female undergraduates who had completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) provided attributions for ostensibly good and bad events involving themselves. The tendency to offer attributions for “good” events that highlighted their undesirable aspects was strongly associated with BDI scores (r =.48, p <.001), while the tendency to offer attributions for “bad” events that highlighted their desirable aspects was negatively associated with BDI scores (r = −.24, p <.05). It was concluded that attributional investigations of depression should not limit attention just to attributions per se.
Hepatic intra-arterial methylene blue injection during endoscopy: a method of detecting gastroduodenal misperfusion in patients receiving hepatic intra-arterial chemotherapy via an implanted pump.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common malignancy in the United States, with about 150,000 newly diagnosed cases per year.1 About half of all patients ultimately develop liver metastases and in 50% of those liver involvement is the dominant clinical problem.2,~ Resection of hepatic metastases is only feasible in about 10% of patients and systemic chemotherapy produces responses in 15 to 35% of patients. Hepatic intra-arterial (HIA) chemotherapy has been used to treat patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma confined to the liver since the early 1960s.s The theoretical advantage of this route of drug delivery is its ability to enhance anti-tumor effect by increasing drug exposure at the tumor site and to minimize toxicity by decreasing systemic drug exposure. The availability of the totally implantable pump in the early 1980s greatly facilitated prolonged outpatient administration of HIA chemotherapy. Numerous phase II and III trials have documented the activity of this therapy.9-19 In order to safely and effectively deliver HIA chemotherapy, complete hepatic perfusion and the absence of gastrointestinal misperfusion must be achieved. This requires both proper catheter placement and surgical division of all vessels that supply the distal stomach and duodenum which arise from the hepatic artery distal to the point of cannulation.20 Intra-operatively, fluorescein injection into the pump sidepores with inspection of the liver and gastroduodenum using a Wood's lamp is done to assure proper catheter placement. A post-operative, hepatic perfusion study (comparing an intra-arterial technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin scan to an intravenous technetium-99m sulfur colloid scan)20 has been routinely used to further verify the perfusion pattern. Hepatic artery infusion computerized tomography can also be
Developmental Progression of DNA Puffs in Sciara coprophila: Amplification and Transcription

Abstract DNA amplification for two major DNA puffs (II/2B and II/9A) of the fungus fly Sciara coprophila increases steeply from 17 to 19 days after hatching (18°C), resulting in almost 20-fold more DNA at these loci in mature larval salivary glands than in adult tissues. At 19 days after hatching when gene amplification reaches a plateau, there is a burst in the amount of mRNA encoded by these two DNA puffs. Expansion of the two puffs coincides with the increase in transcription rather than reinitiation of DNA replication. In contrast, an RNA puff (III/9B) undergoes no DNA amplification, and the burst in RNA produced by this locus occurs slightly later, at 20 days after hatching. The progression of cytological puffing and associated molecular events of DNA amplification and transcription correlate with features of the external phenotype of the larvae, especially the number of pigment granules in the eyespots that are the anlage to the adult eyes. The sequential and coordinated regulation of DNA puff replication and transcription is discussed.
Teacher labour markets in South Africa and Botswana: A comparative analysis

This article compares key features of the labour markets for teachers across Botswana and South Africa in order to seek possible explanations for the apparently larger teacher shortages in South Africa. It is argued that South African teachers earn relatively lower wages when compared to professionals with comparable qualifications; they have also been subject to a more haphazard series of reforms in teacher training, and are the product of a teaching culture shaped heavily by powerful trade unions. The impact of these factors on both the quantity and quality of teachers is considered.
Investment, uncertainty, and price stabilization schemes

Abstract This paper uses the methods of regulated Brownian motion to analyze the effects of price stabilization schemes on investment when demand is uncertain. Price controls smooth investment, even when the controls are not binding: as price approaches a price ceiling, for example, a firm expects with high probability that price will fall, and so reduces its rate of capital accumulation. A corollary is that, contrary to models of existing models of investment under uncertainty, investment may actually decrease with the instantaneous variance of price if there is a price ceiling.
Nomenclature and description of the electrocardiogram

Abstract In view of the present confusion regarding the terms to be applied to the peaks of the electrocardiogram, the usage of Einthoven and of Lewis has been reviewed in the hope of finding a reasonable solution. Lewis' modification of Einthoven's terminology is recommended. Suggestions are made for naming the peaks of certain types of QRS not particularly mentioned by Lewis, namely, the M complex, the vibratory QRS, and the solely downward deflection. A method of describing notching and slurring of QRS is outlined, and certain features of the measurement of the duration of P, QRS, and Q-T are emphasized. A definition of the term diphasic is suggested, to be applied to the P and T waves; also, a method of describing these waves which is considered adequate for statistical grouping is presented.
Supplementation of broodmares with copper, zinc, iron, manganese, cobalt, iodine, and selenium ☆ ☆☆ ★

In experiment 1, 6 pregnant mares received a concentrate that contained a trace mineral premix that provided 14.3 mg Cu, 40 mg Zn, 28 mg Fe, 28 mg Mn, 0.08 mg Co, 0.16 mg I, and 0.16 mg Se/kg concentrate (group A). Seven mares received the same concentrate plus 502 mg Zn and 127 mg Cu once daily (group B). No differences (P > .05) in foal growth data, or Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of mare milk, mare serum, or foal serum were observed. In experiment 2, 6 pregnant mares received the same concentrate as group A (group C), and 8 mares received the same concentrate fortified with 4× the trace mineral premix (group D). Group C mares had higher serum Zn concentration at 1 day (P < 0.01) and 56 days (P < 0.04). Group C mares had higher milk Fe concentration at 28 days (P < .01), and group D mares had higher milk Cu concentration at 56 days (P < .01). Group C foals had higher serum Cu concentration at 14 days (P < .03). The results from this study provide no evidence to indicate that supplementing late gestating and lactating mares with higher dietary trace mineral levels than those recommended currently by NRC has any influence on foal growth and development, or on the Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of the mare milk, mare serum, or foal serum.
Explicit capacity-achieving coding scheme for the Gaussian wiretap channel

We extend the Bellare-Tessaro coding scheme for a discrete, degraded, symmetric wiretap channel to a Gaussian wiretap channel. Denoting by SNR the signal-to-noise ratio of the eavesdropper’s channel, the proposed scheme converts a transmission code of rate R for the channel of the legitimate receiver into a code of rate R−0.5 log(1+SNR) for the Gaussian wiretap channel. The conversion has a polynomial complexity in the codeword length and the proposed scheme achieves strong security. In particular, when the underlying transmission code is capacity achieving, this scheme achieves the secrecy capacity of the Gaussian wiretap channel.
A two-photon antenna for photochemical delivery of nitric oxide from a water-soluble, dye-derivatized iron nitrosyl complex using NIR light.

The experiments described here demonstrate the use of two-photon excitation (TPE) to sensitize nitric oxide (NO) release from a dye-derivatized iron/sulfur/nitrosyl cluster Fe2(μ-RS)2(NO)4 (Fluor-RSE, RS = 2-thioethyl ester of fluorescein) with near-infrared (NIR) light in the form of femtosecond pulses from a Ti:sapphire laser. TPE at 800 nm leads both to weak fluorescence from the organic chromophore at λmax = 532 nm and to NO labilization from the cluster. Since the emission from the reference compound Fluor-Et (the ethyl ester of fluorescein) under identical conditions (50/50 CH3CN/phosphate buffer (1 mM) at pH 7.4) is considerably more intense, the weaker emission from Fluor-RSE and the NO generation indicate that the fluorescein excited states initially formed by TPE are largely quenched by energy transfer to the cluster core. The two-photon absorption (TPA) cross section of Fluor-RSE at 800 nm was determined to be δ = 63 ± 7 GM via the TPA photoluminescence technique. This can be compared to the TP...
Synthesis of ?simple graft? poly(isoprene-g-styrene) by anionic polymerization

The synthesis of a well-defined near-monodisperse polyisoprene-graft-polystyrene copomymer having a single, centrally located graft site is described. The method utilized to prepare this structure involved capping “living” polystyryllithium anions by reaction with methyltriclorosilanne, followed by addition of a slight stoichiometric excess of polyisoprenyllithium. After linking, the residual polyisoprene arms were removed by fractionation to yield the pure graft copolymer.
Shift Work and Occupational Stress in Police Officers

Background Shift work has been associated with occupational stress in health providers and in those working in some industrial companies. The association is not well established in the law enforcement workforce. Our objective was to examine the association between shift work and police work-related stress.
Modulation of human microvascular endothelial cell bioenergetic status and glutathione levels during proliferative and differentiated growth

During angiogenesis, formerly differentiated human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) return to a proliferative growth state. Many fundamental questions regarding HMEC function, such as how HMECs adapt to changes in bioenergetic requirements upon return to proliferative growth, remained unanswered. In this study, we evaluated whether modifications in HMEC bioenergetic profiles and glutathione (GSH) levels accompanied the cellular transition between differentiated and proliferative growth. To provide insight into the continuum of cellular adaptations that occur during this transition, we used a method recently developed in our laboratory that induces a state of morphological and functional predifferentiation in HMECs. Cellular morphology, in conjunction with flow cytometric DNA analyses and HMEC functional assays (the directed migration and intercellular association involved in microtubule formation) were employed to validate the HMEC culture state of growth. Analysis of the HPLC nucleotide profiles disclosed several findings common to all culture growth states. These uniform findings, e.g., cellular energy charges > 0.90, and highly reduced redox states, revealed that cultured HMECs maintain high rates of oxidative metabolism. However, there were also significant, culture growth state related differences in the nucleotide profiles. Proliferative HMECs were shown to possess significantly higher (relative to both large vessel endothelial cells, and differentiated HMECs) levels of GSH and specific nucleotides which were related with a return to the active cell cycle-ATP, GTP, UTP, and CTP, and NADPH. Further, the nucleotide profiles and GSH levels of the predifferentiated HMECs were determined to be intermediate between levels obtained for the proliferative and differentiated HMECs. The results of this study demonstrate that the capacity to modulate their cellular bioenergetic status during growth state transitions is one of the adaptations that enable HMECs to retain a growth state reciprocity. In addition, our findings also show that HMECs, especially during the proliferative growth state, are biochemically distinct from endothelial cells harvested from large vessels, and therefore suggest that HMECs are the cells of choice to employ when studying diseases that affect the human microvasculature.
Teaching Performance in Home Economics

The study compared the perceptions of selected faculty members in higher education with those of public school administrators as to the desired performance of homemaking teachers in rural and urban areas. The effort included the construction, the administration, the analysis, and the interpretation of an inventory of statements concerning teacher performance. Teaching performance statements were compiled and an initial list of 293 submitted to a panel of judges for evaluation of statement validity, item discrimination, and relevance of the arrangement of the statements into the following categories: personal qualities, teaching abil ity, classroom management, attitude toward supervision, and professional ethics and interest. Based on the judgments of the panel members, a revised list of 175 statements was submitted to teachers in federally reimbursed homemaking departments in the New Mexico public schools and each statement was rated on a nine-point continuum from most generalist to most specialist orientation. Data from the ratings were utilized to select seven statements from each of the five categories. Based on scale and Q values and Rulon's estimate of reliability, seven performance statements were incorporated in each of the five categories. The completed in ventory was organized in paired-comparison format: each statement within each category was compared with every other statement in the same category, thus providing a forced-choice rating of the statements. The final inventory was submitted to home economics faculty members in institutions of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Col leges and to rural and urban public school administrators from randomly selected schools in each of the fifty states. From the analyses of the data collected, the results of the investigation indicated that all groups expect some degree of generalist performance, rather than specialist, by homemaking teachers. The study also disclosed significant agreement, both within each group and between the groups, as to what constitutes effective teaching performance.
Oscillation of first-order delay equations☆

We study the oscillation of first-order delay equations using a method that parallels the use of Riccati equations in the study of the oscillation of second-order ordinary differential equations without delay. We give an alternative proof of a comparison theorem first established by Kwong and Patula, obtain some asymptotic behaviors of nonoscillatory solutions, prove a new criterion that falls within a gap left open by established results, and confirm a conjecture raised by Hunt and Yorke.
Recidivism among Welfare Recipients: The Role of Neighborhood and Access to Employment

Work requirements and time limitations on benefits have forced welfare administrators to be more aggressive in moving welfare recipients into the workplace. This paper tracks a cohort of Georgia welfare leavers from 1992 to 2001, estimating the timing of recidivism using duration models. Of the case heads that leave the program within a two-year period, 15.3 percent remain out of welfare for less than three months and 35 percent returned within one year. There is also a relatively high risk of welfare recidivism for a much longer period than estimated in previous studies. Furthermore, successful employment may be affected not only by the presence of job growth but also by the industrial mix in which jobs are growing and by the residential location of welfare leavers.
Optimal control of the time-periodic MHD equations

We consider the mathematical formulation and analysis of an optimal control problem associated with the tracking of the velocity and the magnetic field of a viscous, incompressible, electrically conducting fluid in a bounded two-dimensional domain through the adjustment of distributed controls.
Future InfoExpo: the future of information seeking & services exposition in Second Life™

Phase I of the Virtual Information Behavior Environments (VIBE) project uncovered opportunities and limitations for the sharing, access, and organization of information in the 3D virtual world Second Life. Phase II of the project designed a major event in Second Life, called the Future InfoExpo, in which participants engaged with a variety of new virtual world tools, provided feedback on their experiences, and envisioned the future of their information practices. An overview of the design of the Future InfoExpo is presented, along with a preliminary review of the data.
Atypical mycobacterial infections in children with cancer

Atypical mycobacteria are seen more frequently as a cause of serious infection in children with cancer. Thirteen pediatric cancer patients with blood or tissue cultures positive for atypical mycobacteria were identified by review of records over a 5-year period at one center. All had central venous catheters and were lymphopenic at the time of infection. Eleven children had rapidly growing mycobacteria and two children had M. avium-intracellulare. Nine patients had positive blood cultures. Three were treated with catheter removal as sole therapy, five had catheter removal plus antibiotics, and one had antibiotics alone. Two patients with pulmonary M. avium-intracellulare infection received antibiotic therapy alone. It is concluded that infection with rapidly growing mycobacteria in children with cancer is associated with presence of a central venous catheter and lymphopenia. Some children with uncomplicated catheter-associated infection with rapidly growing mycobacteria may be sufficiently treated with removal of the catheter alone.
Exchange Behavior of Kaolins of Varying Degrees of Crystallinity

Particle-size fractions of several Georgia kaolins, which were prepared by sedimentation procedures, were examined from the standpoint of crystallinity, cation-exchange capacity, and surface area. Crystallinity was studied using X-ray techniques, exchange capacities were measured using the manganese saturation method, and surface areas were determined using glycerol adsorption techniques. A linear relation was obtained between surface areas and exchange capacities when areas were increased by decreasing the particle size or by changing from well-crystallized to poorly crystallized kaolins. In most cases, the empirically determined crystallinity ratios indicated a change in crystallinity with change in particle size, the crystallinity generally increasing with decreasing particle size in individual samples. Unlike, however, the relation noted for exchange, the crystallinity did not consistently correlate with area changes both among the various samples and within the various particle-size fractions of a single sample. These results suggest that the relatively high cation-exchange capacity of poorly ordered kaolins is more directly a result of high surface area with crystallinity playing, at most, a very minor role.
Using Digital Video for Professional Development in Urban Schools: A Preservice Teacher's Experience with Reflection.

This study used a variety of qualitative methods within the context of an exploratory single case study to examine the use of digital video as a means for a preservice teacher to capture personal teaching episodes and reflect on them as an integral part of her professional development. Results demonstrate how an urban preservice teacher’s work with digital video of her teaching promoted reflection and the development of teacher identity. Results also demonstrated how a teacher educator was able to use the digital video as a tool to help the beginning teacher identify effective practices.
Correlates of Psychological Distress and Major Depressive Disorder Among African American Men

This study examines the demographic correlates of depressive symptoms, serious psychological distress (SPD), and major depressive disorder (MDD; 12-month and lifetime prevalence) among a national sample of African American men. Analysis of the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) data set provides first-time substantiation of important demographic differences in depressive symptoms (measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression scale [CES-D]), SPD (measured by the K6), and 12-month and lifetime MDD among African American men. Findings illuminate the heterogeneity within the African American male population. Findings also demonstrate the need for additional research focusing on within-group differences and a comprehensive research and mental health promotion agenda that recognizes the importance of improving access to education and employment and promoting healthy coping behaviors, while acknowledging the larger social context in which African American men live.
Using Attribute-Based Access Control to Enable Attribute-Based Messaging

Attribute Based Messaging (ABM) enables message senders to dynamically create a list of recipients based on their attributes as inferred from an enterprise database. Such targeted messaging can reduce unnecessary communications and enhance privacy, but faces challenges in access control. In this paper we explore an approach to ABM based on deriving access control information from the same attribute database exploited by the addressing scheme. We show how to address three key challenges. First, we demonstrate a manageable access control system based on attributes. Second we show how this can be used with existing messaging systems to provide a practical deployment strategy. Third, we show that such a system can be efficient enough to support ABM for mid-size enterprises. Our implementation can dispatch ABM messages approved by XACML review for an enterprise of at least 60,000 users with only seconds of latency.
Depression in heart failure a meta-analytic review of prevalence, intervention effects, and associations with clinical outcomes

This article describes a meta-analysis of published associations between depression and heart failure (HF) in regard to 3 questions: 1) What is the prevalence of depression among patients with HF? 2) What is the magnitude of the relationship between depression and clinical outcomes in the HF population? 3) What is the evidence for treatment effectiveness in reducing depression in HF patients? Key word searches of the Medline and PsycInfo databases, as well as reference searches in published HF and depression articles, identified 36 publications meeting our criteria. Clinically significant depression was present in 21.5% of HF patients, and varied by the use of questionnaires versus diagnostic interview (33.6% and 19.3%, respectively) and New York Heart Association–defined HF severity (11% in class I vs. 42% in class IV), among other factors. Combined results suggested higher rates of death and secondary events (risk ratio = 2.1, 95% confidence interval 1.7 to 2.6), trends toward increased health care use, and higher rates of hospitalization and emergency room visits among depressed patients. Treatment studies generally relied on small samples, but also suggested depression symptom reductions from a variety of interventions. In sum, clinically significant depression is present in at least 1 in 5 patients with HF; however, depression rates can be much higher among patients screened with questionnaires or with more advanced HF. The relationship between depression and poorer HF outcomes is consistent and strong across multiple end points. These findings reinforce the importance of psychosocial research in HF populations and identify a number of areas for future study.
Acyclic Heaps of Pieces, I

Heaps of pieces were introduced by Viennot and have applications to algebraic combinatorics, theoretical computer science and statistical physics. In this paper, we show how certain combinatorial properties of heaps studied by Fan and by Stembridge are closely related to the properties of a certain linear map ∂E associated to a heap E. We examine the relationship between ∂E and ∂F when F is a subheap of E. This approach allows neat statements and proofs of results on certain associative algebras (generalized Temperley–Lieb algebras) that are otherwise tricky to prove. The key to the proof is to interpret the structure constants of the aforementioned algebras in terms of the maps ∂.
Experimental Evaluation of Predictive Information as an Operator Aid in the Control of Research Reactor Power

This paper reports the results of a successful experimental study in which the benefits of providing predictive information to the operators of the 5 MWt MIT Research Reactor were demonstrated. The predictive information, which was in the form of computer-generated graphic displays, was used by the operators as an aid for the control of reactor power. This research is part of an on-going program to develop methods for improving human performance by providing better tools for decision making. The design of five displays that provide various combinations of derivative, current, and predictive information are described. Also included is material on the protocol used to evaluate these displays, the findings of the experiments, and possible applications of predictive technology including the control of steam generator level. It was concluded that predictive displays would be of particular benefit to plant operators during the conduct of infrequently-performed evolutions.
History, Development, and Geology of Oil Fields in Hocking and Perry Counties, Ohio

Most exploratory and development drilling for oil and gas in Hocking and Perry Counties, Ohio, prior to the 1950s was based on completion results of the nearest well. Economically profitable wells have become increasingly more difficult to obtain, requiring more detailed geologic knowledge of the reservoir rock. The Silurian "Clinton" sandstone reservoir has received most of the recent attention. The "Clinton" is divided into three units within this area--the "Stray Clinton," "First Clinton," and "Second Clinton." "Clinton" sandstones belong to a deltaic complex of Medinan age. Studies of mineralogy, texture, sedimentary structures, and geometry indicate a variety of possible terrestrial-transitional and marginal marine subenvironments. Oil and gas accumulation is dependent on stratigraphic variation rather than structure. Apparent reservoir-controlling parameters important to exploration and secondary recovery are (1) interstitial clay content, (2) shale stringers and laminations, (3) degree of cementing, (4) grain size, (5) pore geometry, and (6) thickness. The best producing oil wells are those which have been completed in thick, shale-free distributary channel deposits and delta-platform tidal channels. The best secondary-recovery method appears to be gas repressuring, although waterflooding may have limited application. The orientation of natural and induced fractures should be considered in setting up drilling operations for secondary- and primary-recovery operations.
Work place design and posture.

The physical well-being, comfort, and, hence, the ability to perform a given task are influenced by the design of the work place. This paper presents a brief summary of some of the critical dimensi...
UHV STM nanofabrication: progress, technology spin-offs, and challenges

A brief review of scanned probe nanofabrication is presented followed by an in-depth discussion of ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) scanning tunneling microscope (STM) nanofabrication on hydrogen passivated silicon surfaces. In this latter case the UHV STM functions as a nanolithography tool by selectively desorbing hydrogen from silicon surfaces. Patterns of clean Si, down to atomic dimensions, are achieved as well as detailed information about the H-desorption mechanisms. At higher sample voltages direct electron stimulated desorption occurs, whereas, at lower voltages, vibrational heating of the Si-H bond leads to desorption. The chemical contrast between clean and H-passivated silicon enables a wide variety of spatially selective nanoscale chemical reactions. Results are presented in which these templates are used for selective oxidation, nitridation, and metallization by chemical vapor deposition. An unexpected byproduct of this research was the discovery that deuterium is about two orders of magnitude more difficult to desorb from silicon than hydrogen. This served as the basis for the idea of treating CMOS transistors with deuterium to reduce their susceptibility to hot carrier degradation effects. Tests have now shown that the lifetimes of CMOS transistors increase by factors of 10 to 50 when deuterium treatment is substituted for the traditional hydrogen processing.
Timing and Topography of Cell Genesis in the Rat Retina

To understand the mechanisms of cell fate determination in the vertebrate retina, the time course of the generation of the major cell types needs to be established. This will help define and interpret patterns of gene expression, waves of differentiation, timing and extent of competence, and many of the other developmental processes involved in fate acquisition. A thorough retinal cell “birthdating” study has not been performed for the laboratory rat, even though it is the species of choice for many contemporary developmental studies of the vertebrate retina. We investigated the timing and spatial pattern of cell genesis using 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR). A single injection of 3H-TdR was administered to pregnant rats or rat pups between embryonic day (E) 8 and postnatal day (P) 13. The offspring of prenatally injected rats were delivered and all animals survived to maturity. Labeled cells were visualized by autoradiography of retinal sections. Rat retinal cell genesis commenced around E10, 50% of cells were born by approximately P1, and retinogenesis was complete near P12. The first postmitotic cells were found in the retinal ganglion cell layer and were 9–15 μm in diameter. This range includes small to medium diameter retinal ganglion cells and large displaced amacrine cells. The sequence of cell genesis was established by determining the age at which 5, 50, and 95% of the total population of cells of each phenotype became postmitotic. With few exceptions, the cell types reached these developmental landmarks in the following order: retinal ganglion cells, horizontal cells, cones, amacrine cells, rods, bipolar cells, and Muller glia. For each type, the first cells generated were located in the central retina and the last cells in the peripheral retina. Within the sequence of cell genesis, two or three phases could be detected based on differences in timing, kinetics, and topographic gradients of cell production. Our results show that retinal cells in the rat are generated in a sequence similar to that of the primate retina, in which retinogenesis spans more than 100 days. To the extent that sequences reflect underlying mechanisms of cell fate determination, they appear to be conserved. J. Comp. Neurol. 474:304–324, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Transient control study of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers for reconfigurable DWDM networks

Transient amplifier gain excursion of surviving channels due to dynamic wavelength add-drop should be kept below 1.5 dB to maintain data quality and receiver clock synchronization. This is experimentally demonstrated with 800 km-span of field deployed fiber network.
Peer relations scale for adolescents treated for substance use disorder: a factor analytic presentation

Background The literature indicates that peer relations are an important aspect of the treatment and recovery of adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD). Unfortunately, no standard measure of peer relations exists. The objective of this research is to use exploratory factor analysis to examine the underlying factor structure of a 14-item peer relations scale for use in this treatment population.
Scalable barrier synchronisation for large-scale shared-memory multiprocessors

Barrier synchronisation is very important in scalable multiprocessors. As network latency rapidly approaches thousands of processor cycles and multiprocessors systems become larger and larger, conventional barrier techniques are failing to keep up with the increasing demand for efficient synchronisation. In this paper, we present a memory controller-based operation that optimises the barrier function of an OpenMP library. The proposed mechanism allows atomic operations on the barrier variable to be executed on the home memory controller and the home memory controller to send fine-grained updates to waiting processors when a barrier variable reaches certain values. On a cycle-accurate execution-driven simulator, experiment results show that the proposed barrier implementation outperforms a conventional LL/SC (Load-Linked/ Store-Conditional) version by 20.8X, a conventional processor-side atomic instruction version by 15.5X, and an active messages version by 13.4X. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed barrier achieves better performance than all other existing non-hardwired implementations, and with an improved programming interface.
A nuclease released from Colletotrichum coccodes is not a defence gene elicitor in pea tissue

An endo-DNase with single strand nicking activity from the bean pathogen, F. solani f. sp. phaseoli has been previously reported to induce the expression of defence genes in peas. Culture filtrates of the potato pathogen, Colletotrichum coccodes , also contain a single strand nicking endo-DNase (CCN). This nuclease has a molecular weight of ∼ 27 kDa, an isoelectric point of pH 7·8, optimal catalytic activity at pH 5–6 and is stable at temperatures below 50 °C. CCN activity increases are observed with addition of cation cofactors, favouring Mn 2+ > Ca 2+ > Ca 2+ > Na + > Zn 2+ . CCN is inhibited by aurintricarboxylic acid, a nuclease inhibitor. The point of CCN cleavage on the DNA molecule is between the 5′-phosphate and the 3′-hydroxyl. CCN also possesses RNase activity. Although the C. coccodes culture filtrate can induce the expression of disease resistance response genes and phytoalexin production in pea tisue, this inductive activity does not co-purify with the CCN DNase activity through the Sephacel G-75 purification step, and thus CCN applied singly does not serve as a signal for initiating the host defence reponses. Because CCN degrades both DNA and RNA, it is more probably a nutrient scavenging enzyme.
Adolescent Obesity and Its Risks: How to Screen and When to Refer

•� Results:�Childhoodobesityisamajorpublichealth� concern.�Preventionofobesityorearlydetectionofits� healthconsequencesareimportantresponsibilitiesor� opportunitiesforprimarycareclinicians.�Whilebody� massindex�(BMI)�screeningisvaluable,�insulinre- sistanceandotherobesity-relatedcomorbiditiescan� developevenwhenBMIfallsbelowthe�95thpercen- tilethresholdforobesity.�Detailedhistoryandphysical� examinationcanhelpidentifycomorbiditiesandguide� diagnosticevaluation.� Referraltomultidisciplinary� clinicsspecializinginchildhoodobesityiswarranted� whenobesityisparticularlysevere,�comorbiditiesare� presentatbaseline,�ornoimprovementisnotedafter� 6�monthsofintenselifestyleintervention. •� Conclusion:�Foroptimalhealthoutcomes,�manage- mentofadolescentobesityandassociatedcomor- biditiesisshouldbeadaptedbasedonanindividual's� overallriskratherthanBMIalone. Case study
A Gendered Perspective on Local Economic Development Differences in the Perceived Importance of Public Services in the Business Recruitment Process

This study uses data from a national survey of economic developers working in local government to explore gender differences in the perceived importance of public services in the business recruitment process. The results of a series of ordinal logistic regression models suggest women are more likely than men to believe public service quality and availability are important concerns for companies considering their region. These findings are consistent with the body of work examining gender gaps in the perceptions of both policymakers and the general public that may have important implications for local governments interested in promoting economic growth.
Metformin Scavenges Methylglyoxal To Form a Novel Imidazolinone Metabolite in Humans

Methylglyoxal (MG) is a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound involved in the formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE). Levels of MG are elevated in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and AGE have been implicated in the progression of diabetic complications. The antihyperglycemic drug metformin (MF) has been suggested to be a scavenger of MG. The present work examined and characterized unequivocally the resulting scavenged product from the metformin–MG reaction. The primary product was characterized by 1H, 13C, 2D-HSQC, and HMBC NMR and tandem mass spectrometry. X-ray diffraction analysis determined the structure of the metformin and MG-derived imidazolinone compound as (E)-1,1-dimethyl-2-(5-methyl-4-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)guanidine (IMZ). A LC-MS/MS multiple reaction monitoring method was developed to detect and quantify the presence of IMZ in metformin-treated T2DM patients. Urine from >90 MF-treated T2DM patients was analyzed, with increased levels of MF directly correlatin...
Mystical union and spiritual desire in late-Reformation devotion: The case of Martin Moller's The Great Mystery (1595)

This article examines the complex relationship between early-modern Protestantism and medieval mysticism. It does so through a case study of a late-Reformation work of devotion, The Great Mystery (1595), which has received very little scholarly attention. The author of this treatise, Martin Moller, an experienced Lutheran pastor, was familiar with mystical literature and drew on it directly in his numerous works of devotion. Especially evident in The Great Mystery, which presents the relationship between Christ and the Christian as a spiritual marriage, is a theme which rarely appeared in the Lutheran devotional literature of the sixteenth century: spiritual desire for God. Moller developed an evangelical theology and spirituality of desire, which marked a crucial development in early-modern Lutheran devotion. The presence of this theme also provides a potential clue for the ‘mystical turn’ in the late Reformation and why this period may have experienced a ‘crisis of piety’.
Oxidation of K(+) Channels in Aging and Neurodegeneration.

ROS are highly reactive molecules that are formed as a natural by-product of the metabolism of oxygen. ROS can react with proteins, DNA, cell membranes and other molecules as well as generate more reactive radicals [1]. As aging advances, the redox environment of the cell becomes altered in favor of oxidation by an increased production of ROS and/or a decrease in antioxidant defenses. Unchecked ROS present in aging cells can cause considerable damage by oxidizing proteins, inducing DNA mutations, mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid peroxidation [2, 3]. From these facts arose the idea that K+ channels, which are essential to excitable and non-excitable cells, could provide a common target for ROS [2, 4]. In fact it had been known for a long time that K+ channels are implicated in aging and neurodegenerative conditions characterized by high levels of ROS such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease [5-13]. Moreover, many types of K+ channels including voltage-gated (Kv) [14-25], 2-P domains [26], calcium-activated (KCa) [27] and G-protein coupled inwardly rectifying (GIRK) [28] K+ channels can be modified by oxidizing agents in vivo and in vitro. However, until a few years ago, the physiological significance of the interactions of ROS with K+ channels was unresolved, with the exception of a few studies which had suggested a potential role for oxidation of K+ channels in neuronal hypoxia [22, 29]. The breakthrough came recently, when we showed that in C. elegans, not only K+ channels undergo age-dependent oxidation but as a result of this, they impair neuronal function. In this mini-review I take stock of the field and report on the progresses achieved in these recent years.
Study on antibacterial activity of marine organisms against bacteria like Vibrio vulnificus

OBJECTIVE To select the marine organisms to explore their antibacterial activity on Vibrio vulnificus in Zhoushan. METHODS K-B method was used for screening the antibacterial activity of extracts from 8 species of marine organisms,and then tested the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extracts with test tube times dilution. RESULTS Extracts from all species of marine organisms had antibacterial activities against test bacteria except Salmonella typhimurium.The antibacterial activities of the alcoholic extract and ultrasound extract from Ulva pertusa,Bullacta exarata and Porphyra yezoensis were the highest.The MIC of the ultrasound extract from Ulva pertusa was 15.63 mg/mL against Vibrio parahemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus.The MIC of the ultrasound extract from Bullacta exarata against Vibrio vulnificus,Vibrio parahemolyticus and S.aureus was 62.5 mg/mL.The MIC of the alcoholic extract from P.yezoensis against Shigella sonnei and Staphylococcus aureus was 62.5 mg/mL,125mg/mL,respectively. CONCLUSION The alcoholic extract and ultrasound extract from Ulva pertusa,Bullacta exarata and P.yezoensis have broad spectrum of antibacterial activity.
Molecular Analysis of theDrosophilaCatalase Gene

Abstract The main objective of this study was to isolate and characterize the catalase gene and accompanying cis -regulatory regions in Drosophila melanogaster. Genomic clones were obtained on the basis of cross-hybridization to catalase cDNA and a 7-kb Sal I– Kpn I fragment encompassing the catalase gene was introduced into Drosophila by P element-mediated transformation. A single transgene, when placed in a catalase null background, was sufficient to restore resistance to H 2 O 2 as well as reduce susceptibility to early death. DNA sequence of the catalase gene domain was obtained. This included 1365 bp of sequence upstream of the transcription initiation site and 1423 bp downstream of the termination codon. The Drosophila catalase gene is composed of 3 exons, encoding 19, 307, and 180 amino acids, which are separated by 3520- and 96-bp introns. Sequence analysis of the promoter domain is presented, revealing multiple sequence similarities between catalase and Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase promoter domains. Developmental RNA gel analysis shows that peaks of catalase mRNA accumulation correspond roughly with major peaks of ecdysone titer during third instar and pupal stages. Candidate ecdysone response element sequences are noted downstream of the catalase polyadenylation site.
Assessing the Knowledge of Fourth-Year Medical Students in Milestones Level 1

Currently, there is no available standardized tool to assess the knowledge of incoming interns in OBGYN as described in Milestones Level 1. We examined the knowledge of fourth-year medical students on a multiple-choice examination based on the OBGYN Milestones Level 1 and compared their performance to students who completed the same questions during their OBGYN clerkship. Medical students’ knowledge on essential topics in OBGYN significantly declined from their OBGYN clerkship to end of their fourth year. This decline in knowledge retention over the continuum of education from UME to GME highlights the need for implementation of residency preparatory courses.