cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frequency, picturability and availability of nouns in aphasia.

Summary Fluent aphasia have a higher proportion of non-picturable and abstract nouns in their conversation than do Broca's aphasics but this difference is confined to nouns in the Thorndike-Lorge frequency range of over 100 occurrences per million. Cloze procedure reveals non-picturable and abstract nouns are more predictable in context than picturable and concrete nouns in the above frequency range. Aphasics' vocabulary differences are interpreted as a function of noun predictability, interacting with differences in word-finding and grammatical fluency of the two classes of aphasics.
Ultraviolet light irradiation of defined-sequence DNA under conditions of chemical photosensitization.

— The formation of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and UV light-induced (6-4) products was examined under conditions of triplet state photosensitization. DNA fragments of defined sequence were irradiated with 313 nm light in the presence of either acetone qr silver ion. UV irradiation in the presence of both silver ion and acetone enhanced the formation of TT cyclobutane dimers, yet no (6-4) photoproducts were formed at appreciable levels. When photoproduct formation was also measured in pyrimidine dinucleotides, only cyclobutane dimers were formed when the dinucleotides were exposed to 313 nm light in the presence of photosensitizer. The relative distribution of each type of cyclobutane dimer formed was compared for DNA fragments that were irradiated with 254, 313, or 313 nm UV light in the presence of acetone. The dimer distribution for DNA irradiated with 254 and 313 nm UV light were very similar, whereas the distribution for DNA irradiated with 313 nm light in the presence of acetone favored TT dimers. Alkaline labile lesions at guanine sites were also seen when DNA was irradiated with 313 nm light in the presence of acetone.
Performance of infra-plant overtime policies

Abstract Production quotas smooth production in order to synchronize inter-plant production networks. To meet quotas, plants work overtime whenever they're behind. In addition to this 'mandatory' overtime required to satisfy the quota of finished product at the end of the line, many plants run selected stations within the plant overtime to fill critical buffers within the plant. We call this intra-plant overtime 'preventive' overtime because by spending a little overtime this shift on critical stations, the plant can avoid massive overtime next shift. We describe this real production control problem currently facing industry. The problem arises because of (often underestimated or ignored) production variability. We exhibit actual production data that shows the degree of variability often inherent in current manufacturing processes. We describe four policies and compare them using simulation.
A definition of relevance for information retrieval

Abstract The concept of “relevance”, sometimes also called “pertinence” or “aboutness”, is central to the theory of information retrieval. Unfortunately, however, there is at present no consensus as to how this notion should be defined. The purpose of this paper is to propose and defend a definition of what it means to say that a piece of stored information is “relevant” to the information need of a retrieval system user. The suggested definition explicates relevance in terms of logical implication. For any yes-or-no question answering system which operates with one of the standard formalized languages, the definition provides a mathematically precise criterion of relevance. For other types of fact retrieval systems and reference retrieval systems, including all systems whose stored information is expressed in natural language, the definition is not mathematically precise but is nevertheless still helpful on a conceptual level.
Immune responses to Aspergillus fumigatus infections.

Abstract Aspergillus fumigatus is an important fungal pathogen of the immunocompromised host. Innate inflammatory and adaptive T cell responses contribute to defense against this pathogen. Toll-like receptors are involved in the activation of innate immune defenses against fungal spores and hyphae and contribute to the recruitment of inflammatory cells to sites of infection. T cell responses to A. fumigatus are rapid and robust, and their differentiation is influenced by the metabolic activity of spores. Ongoing investigations of immune responses to A. fumigatus are likely to provide opportunities to enhance defenses against this pathogen in the immunocompromised host.
Production of male-and female-sterile plants through reproductive tissue ablation

Male and female sterilities have many useful applications in horticultural crops, including reducing the invasive potential of new ornamentals, elimination of pollen allergens and redirecting resources from seeds to vegetative growth. In this study, we tested a male- and female-sterility (MS; FS) gene construct in Nicotiana tabacum to evaluate its effectiveness and effect on phenotype. Three T1 Nicotiana tabacum lines expressing the MS (p108:barnase) and FS (sp41:barnase) genes (MS/FS lines) and a control Nicotiana tabacum line (WT GUS) were measured for plant height, leaf length and width, corolla length, number of nodes on the main stem and stem diameter. No significant differences were found in these growth measurements between MS/FS lines and WT GUS. No pollen was observed on any of the lines carrying the MS and FS genes, indicating that the male sterility was complete. Seed set was greatly reduced or completely eliminated in plants with the MS and FS genes, after heavy pollinations of mature flowers with WT GUS pollen. However, pollinations of immature flowers resulted in very low seed set. This may be due to the nature of the promoter controlling expression of the FS gene as it had the highest expression levels at anthesis. The combination of male- and female-sterility genes was effective in eliminating seed set in all the lines examined and has direct application for reducing invasiveness of ornamental plants.
Cloning and expression of the staphyiococcus aureus protein A gene in Escheirchia Coli

A gene bank of Staphylococcus aureus strain Cowan I was established using an E. coli HB101/pBR327 host-vector system. Recombinants expressing staphylococcal protein A (SPA) were detected using an IgG-binding assay. A 3.2 Kb DNA fragment directing the synthesis of SPA in E. coli was identified. SPA produced by E. coli was characterised in minicells and by Western blotting and double diffusion experiments.
Electronic control system infrared heating applied to surface cooking

Resistive heating units made from materials such as molybdenum disilicide (MoSi/sub 2/) and tungsten (W) can generate short-wavelength infrared (IR) energy, which can pass through IR transmissive glass-ceramic to heat up cooking utensils. Cooktops made with IR heating units provide for smooth-top cooking surfaces that are highly efficient with fast response times. However, these materials have unique characteristics that create severe control problems. An electronic control system that solves problems such as the nonlinearity between on-time and power output, the high inrush currents, the RFI/light-flicker interference, and the complexity of controlling four heating units in a cooktop versus one heating unit is described. The IR heater control portion is combined with standard electronic functions, such as input and display, to produce a low-cost microprocessor-based control. >
EP3 prostanoid receptor isoforms utilize distinct mechanisms to regulate ERK 1/2 activation

Prostaglandin-E(2) (PGE(2)) is a hormone derived from the metabolism of arachidonic acid whose functions include regulation of platelet aggregation, fever and smooth muscle contraction/relaxation. PGE(2) mediates its physiological and pathophysiological effects through its binding to four G-protein coupled receptor subtypes, named EP(1), EP(2), EP(3) and EP(4). The EP(3) prostanoid receptor is unique in that it has multiple isoforms generated by alternative mRNA splicing. These splice variants display differences in tissue expression, constitutive activity and regulation of signaling molecules. To date there are few reports identifying differential activities of EP(3) receptor isoforms and their effects on gene regulation. We generated HEK cell lines expressing the human EP(3-Ia), EP(3-II) or EP(3-III) isoforms. Using immunoblot analysis we found that nM concentrations of PGE(2) strongly stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 by the EP(3-II) and EP(3-III) isoforms; whereas, ERK 1/2 phosphorylation by the EP(3-Ia) isoform was minimal and only occurred at muM concentrations of PGE(2). Furthermore, the mechanisms of the PGE(2) mediated phosphorylation of ERK 1/2 by the EP(3-II) and EP(3-III) isoforms were different. Thus, PGE(2) stimulation of ERK 1/2 phosphorylation by the EP(3-III) isoform involves activation of a Galpha(i)/PI3K/PKC/Src and EGFR-dependent pathway; while for the EP(3-II) isoform it involves activation of a Galpha(i)/Src and EGFR-dependent pathway. These differences result in unique differences in the regulation of reporter plasmid activity for the downstream effectors ELK1 and AP-1 by the EP(3-II) and EP(3-III) prostanoid receptor isoforms.
Ground Tests of Magnetometer- Based Autonomous Navigation (MAGNAV) for Low-Earth-Orbiting Spacecraft

Actual spacecraft data have been used to test two filters that rely solely on magnetometer measurements to determine spacecraft ephemeris. This work proves the potential of a novel autonomous orbit determination scheme. One of the filters is an extended Kalman-type filter. It estimates a position and velocity, and it uses equations of motion to propagate these estimates. The other filter is a batch least-squares filter. It estimates static Keplerian parameters along with magnetometer biases. Tests of these filters involve filtering of magnetometer data followed by comparison of estimated position with position derived from ground-based tracking. Both filters perform well on the MAGSAT spacecraft, achieving accuracies from 4 to 8 km. Tests of the batch filter on the DE-2 spacecraft yield somewhat larger position uncertainties, 17-18 km. Batch filter tests on the LACE spacecraft yield much larger position errors, 120 km. This poor LACE performance can be attributed partly to solar-array-g enerated low-frequency noise.
A catalytic surface reaction model

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to describe a two-dimensional catalytic surface reaction between two reactants, M and Pn: Pn + nM → nPM, where Pn is a polymer consisting of n identical atoms and M is a monomer. A classical example is the oxidation of carbon monoxide. In this case, M = CO and Pn = O2. We will consider the case where n, the polymer size, is large. Detailed proofs will be given in a forthcoming paper.
Attention and the rhetoric of social intervention

Following a lead from Edwin Black and developing further Brown's doctrine of attention‐switching in the maintenance of a community's ideology, this essay amplifies the nature of rhetorical attention‐shifting, relates instances of it to social intervention, and characterizes and partially exemplifies the form of rhetorical gestalt‐switching.
Dispersion slope compensation with co-directional optical couplers

Dispersion slope compensation with co-directional coupler is numerically demonstrated. The profile of the coupling coefficient is obtained by an inverse scattering technique for the coupled mode equations. A third order dispersion in the phase response of the coupler for dispersion slope compensation is obtained.
Antisense oligonucleotides for therapeutic intervention

Advances have been made in defining the best target sequences for use in antisense oligonucleotide technology, and new chemical derivatives of oligonucleotides are being investigated. Although the potential use of antisense oligonucleotide agents in the treatment of neoplastic, viral and parasitic diseases continues to be explored, they are not yet suitable for administration to humans for reasons that are discussed.
Rapid Formation of the Native 14-38 Disulfide Bond in the Early Stages of BPTI Folding†

Using recombinant variants of BPTI, we have determined the rate constants corresponding to formation of each of the fifteen possible disulfide bonds in BPTI, starting from the reduced, unfolded protein. The 14-38 disulfide forms faster than any of the other 14 possible disulfides. This faster rate results from significantly higher intrinsic chemical reactivities of Cys-14 and Cys-38, in addition to local structure in the reduced protein that facilitates formation of the 14-38 disulfide bond. This disulfide bond is found in native BPTI. Our results suggest that a significant flux of folding BPTI molecules proceed through the one-disulfide intermediate with the 14-38 disulfide bond, denoted [14-38], that has recently been detected on the BPTI folding pathway. In addition to providing a detailed picture of the early events in the folding of BPTI, our results address quantitatively the effect of local structure in the unfolded state on folding kinetics.
Bosonic (meta)stabilization of cosmic string loops

We consider the possibility of a bosonic (meta)stabilization of a cosmic gauge string loop due to the presence of a gas of low-mass bosonic particles which become trapped within the string core. This boson gas exerts a pressure which tends to counteract the string tension, allowing a circular string loop to find a finite equilibrium radius, provided that gas particles do not escape the string core. However, high-energy bosons do escape, and, consequently, the loop shrinks, and the temperature rises. Estimates indicate that the bosonic stabilization mechanism is ineffective, and the loop is unstable against decay.
REGEN: Ancestral Genome Reconstruction for Bacteria

Ancestral genome reconstruction can be understood as a phylogenetic study with more details than a traditional phylogenetic tree reconstruction. We present a new computational system called REGEN for ancestral bacterial genome reconstruction at both the gene and replicon levels. REGEN reconstructs gene content, contiguous gene runs, and replicon structure for each ancestral genome. Along each branch of the phylogenetic tree, REGEN infers evolutionary events, including gene creation and deletion and replicon fission and fusion. The reconstruction can be performed by either a maximum parsimony or a maximum likelihood method. Gene content reconstruction is based on the concept of neighboring gene pairs. REGEN was designed to be used with any set of genomes that are sufficiently related, which will usually be the case for bacteria within the same taxonomic order. We evaluated REGEN using simulated genomes and genomes in the Rhizobiales order.
Outcomes of a Family-Centered Transition Process for Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders

A three-component intervention was implemented with 47 youth with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as they transitioned from high school to adult life. The youth, ages 16 to 19 years, were randomly assigned to a Year 1 group or a Year 2 group. Participants in the Year 1 group received a transition planning intervention consisting of (a) group training sessions for families in the transition process, (b) person-centered planning meetings facilitated by project staff, and (c) follow-up assistance with career exploration and plan implementation. Data were collected pre- and post implementation to measure student and family expectations, self-determination, and career decision-making ability. The Year 2 group began receiving services following the second data collection point. Participants in the Year 1 group reported statistically significant increases in all four measured variables, whereas the Year 2 group showed no significant changes. Implications for redesigning transition services for this population ar...
Infrared and Vibrational CD Spectra of Partially Solvated α-Helices: DFT-Based Simulations with Explicit Solvent

Theoretical simulations are used to investigate the effects of aqueous solvent on the vibrational spectra of model α-helices, which are only partly exposed to solvent to mimic α-helices in proteins. Infrared absorption (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) amide I‘ spectra for 15-amide alanine α-helices are simulated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations combined with the property transfer method. The solvent is modeled by explicit water molecules hydrogen bonded to the solvated amide groups. Simulated spectra for two partially solvated model α-helices, one corresponding to a more exposed and the other to a more buried structure, are compared to the fully solvated and unsolvated (gas phase) simulations. The dependence of the amide I spectra on the orientation of the partially solvated helix with respect to the solvent and effects of solvation on the amide I‘ of 13C isotopically substituted α-helices are also investigated. The partial exposure to solvent causes significant broadening o...
The Communicative Effectiveness Survey: Preliminary Evidence of Construct Validity

Purpose To provide preliminary evidence of the construct validity of the Communicative Effectiveness Survey (CES) for individuals with dysarthria and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Method In ...
Revisiting the role of glycosylation in the structure of human IgG Fc

Binding of the Fc domain of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) to Fcγ receptors on leukocytes can initiate a series of signaling events resulting in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) and other important immune responses. Fc domains lacking glycosylation at N297 have greatly diminished Fcγ receptor binding and lack the ability to initiate a robust ADCC response. Earlier structural studies of Fc domains with either full length or truncated N297 glycans led to the proposal that these glycans can stabilize an "open" Fc conformation recognized by Fcγ receptors. We determined the structure of an E. coli expressed, aglycosylated human Fc domain at 3.1 A resolution and observed significant disorder in the C'E loop, a region critical for Fcγ receptor binding, as well as a decrease in distance between the C(H)2 domains relative to glycosylated Fc structures. However, comparison of the aglycosylated human Fc structure with enzymatically deglycosylated Fc structures revealed large differences in the relative orientations and distances between C(H)2 domains. To provide a better appreciation of the physiologically relevant conformation of the Fc domain in solution, we determined Radii of Gyration (R(g)) by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and found that the aglycosylated Fc displays a larger R(g) than glycosylated Fc, suggesting a more open C(H)2 orientation under these conditions. Moreover, the R(g) of aglycosylated Fc was reduced by mutations at the C(H)2-C(H)3 interface (E382V/M428I), which confer highly selective binding to FcγRI and novel biological activities.
Effect of Obesity on Length of Labor in Nulliparous Women

We compared the duration of labor among nulliparous women with varying body mass index (BMI). Laboring nulliparous women at >37 weeks were included. First visit BMI was used to categorize weight as normal (≤24), overweight (25 to 29.9), or obese (≥30 kg/m2). Chi-square, one-way analysis of variance, and Bonferroni multiple comparisons tests were used. During 15 months, 375 women met the inclusion criteria, and 38% were obese. Duration of first stage of labor was significantly longer for obese versus normal-weight women (26.76 ± 0.77 versus 23.87 ± 0.66 hours; p = 0.024) but not between normal versus overweight women (p = 1.00) or overweight versus obese women (p = 0.114). The cesarean delivery rate was significantly different in the three groups (p = 0.0001), highest among obese (47%) and lowest in normal-weight women (24%). When adjusted for age, hypertension, and induction, the likelihood of completing stage I was significantly less among obese nulliparous than those with BMI
De novo induction of adventitious roots in excised shoots of tomatoes by fumonisin B1, a metabolite of Fusarium moniliforme

The de novo induction of roots in tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) Mill. cvs. “Earlypak-7,” “Ace,” “Better Boy,” “Roma,” and “Parks' Whopper” by fumonisin B1, a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium moniliforme J. Sheld., was studied. In graded dosages of fumonisin B1, detached stems of the cultivars “Ace,” “Better Boy,” and “Roma” were induced to produce calluses and roots earlier than controls. The cultivar “Ace” was especially responsive to this mycotoxin, and following a single application, callus initiation was observed to occur within a 24–48-h period and roots were produced as early as 72 h with 10 μg/shoot or as late as 96 h with low dosages. The control plants of all cultivars were completely negative for a rooting response during this time. Some cultivars treated with fumonisin B1 showed either no response or developed signs of phytotoxicity. Those cultivars that were stimulated to produce roots did not show signs of phytotoxicity, except at dosages of 0.5 mg/plant and higher. One cultivar did not show any signs of phytotoxicity nor was it induced to root. The ability of fumonisin B1 to affect the accumulation of calcium in other systems, and its structural similarity to sphingosine suggest that the induction of adventitious roots may be a calcium-dependent process.
Oscillatory magnetoresistance in a quantum wire spin valve: A means to estimate the saturated drift velocity or mobility of carriers

We show that the magnetoresistance of a quasi one-dimensional spin valve structure is oscillatory in a magnetic field applied along the axis of the structure, as long as the ferromagnetic layers of the spin valve are magnetized in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. The oscillation period allows us to estimate the drift velocity of carriers (either majority or minority carriers) in the paramagnetic layer. From that, one can estimate the majority or minority carrier drift mobilities if the velocity is not saturated. In the saturated velocity regime, one can estimate the majority or minority carrier saturation velocities. These quantities are usually difficult to measure otherwise, particularly for minority carriers.
Quantized vortices in BEC and superconductors

Quantized vortices is a well-know signature of superfluidity. They have been studied extensively in superfluid Helium, type-II superconductors, Bose Einstein condensates and more recently in Fermi gas. We will discuss some mathematical analysis and numerical simulations of the quantized vortex nucleations in superconductors and Bose-Einstein condensates and discuss their connections and similarities. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Purine nucleoside phosphorylases purified from rat liver and Novikoff hepatoma cells.

Abstract Purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) was purified from rat hepatoma cells and normal liver tissue utilizing the techniques of ammonium sulfate fractionation, heat treatment, ion-exchange and molecular exclusion chromatography, and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Homogeneity was established by disc gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Purified rat hepatoma and liver PNPs appeared to be identical with respect to subunit and native molecular weight, substrate specificity, heat stability, kinetics and antigenic identity. A native molecular weight of 84,000 was determined by gel filtration. A subunit molecular weight of 29,000 was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A single isoelectric point was observed at pH 5.8, and the pH optimum was 7.5. Inosine, guanosine, xanthosine, and 6-mercaptopurine riboside were substrates for the enzymes. The apparent K m for both inosine and guanosine was about 1.0 × 10 −4 m and for phosphate was 4.2 × 10 −4 m . Hepatoma and liver PNP showed complete cross-reactivity using antiserum prepared against the liver enzyme.
Unethical and Deadly Symbiosis in Higher Education.

As administrators are pressured to increase retention rates in accounting departments, and higher education in general, a deadly symbiosis is occurring. Most students and parents only wish high grades, so year after year many educators engage in unethical grade inflation and course work deflation. Since administrators use the students to audit the educators' performance in order to achieve their goal of higher and higher retention rates, many instructors engage in abusive Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET) management under higher education's dysfunctional performance evaluation system to protect their job and pay.
GATA-factor dependence of the multitype zinc-finger protein FOG-1 for its essential role in megakaryopoiesis

The function of GATA transcription factors in diverse developmental contexts depends in part on physical interaction with cofactors of the Friend of GATA (FOG) family. However, previous studies indicate that FOG-1 may play a GATA-1-independent role in early megakaryopoiesis, suggesting that FOG proteins might act in a GATA factor-independent manner. Here, we have generated mouse knock-in (KI) mutants harboring a critical valine-to-glycine substitution in the amino-terminal zinc fingers of GATA-1 and GATA-2 to ablate FOG interaction. In contrast to male GATA-1(KI) (GATA-1 is located on the X-chromosome) or GATA-2(KI/KI) mice, compound GATA-1(KI) GATA-2(KI/KI) mutant mice display complete megakaryopoietic failure, a phenocopy of FOG-1(-/-) mice. We conclude that FOG-1 requires an interaction with either GATA-1 or -2 as part of its essential role in early megakaryopoiesis. On the basis of these and previous reports, we infer that GATA factor dependence is a critical aspect of FOG protein function.
On the semimartingale representation of reflecting Brownian motion in a cusp

LetC be the symmetric cusp {(x, y)∈ℝ2:−x β≦y≦x β,x≧0} where β>1. In this paper we decide whether or not reflecting Brownian motion inC has a semimartingale representation. Here the reflecting Brownian motion has directions of reflection that make constant angles with the unit inward normals to the boundary. Our results carry through for a wide class of asymmetric cusps too.
COUNTERFACTUALS AND THE ANALYSIS OF NECESSITY

Although the expression metaphysical necessity‘ is a technical term of analytic philosophy, I think that non-philosophers usually either have an inchoate, implicit grasp of the concept expressed by it, or can at least very easily be gotten to cotton on when the concept is explained to them, even if they are not given an explicit definition. When presenting a highly intelligent person without philosophical background with a carefully designed series of thought experiments, we might get her to say, ―I could not have been born of different parents. A person with different parents would not have been me.‖ (This is essentially what happened to me a couple of years ago as I conversed with a very intelligent non-philosopher about some moral issues concerning human cloning.) I also remember that Kripke‘s examples in Naming and Necessity and his conclusions about the necessity of origin
Long-term reclaimed water application effects on phosphorus leaching potential in rapid infiltration basins.

Rapid infiltration basins (RIBs) are effective tools for wastewater treatment and groundwater recharge, but continuous application of wastewater can increase soil P concentrations and subsequently impact groundwater quality. The objectives of this study were to (1) investigate the effects of reclaimed water infiltration rate and “age” of RIBs on soil P concentrations at various depths, and (2) estimate the degree (percentage) of sorption equilibrium reached between effluent P and soil attained during reclaimed water application to different RIBs. The study was conducted in four contrasting cells of a RIB system with up to a 25 year history of secondary wastewater application. Soil samples were collected from 0 to 300 cm depth at 30 cm intervals and analyzed for water extractable phosphorus (WEP) and oxalate extractable P, Al, and Fe concentrations. Water extractable P and P saturation ratio (PSR) values were generally greater in the cells receiving reclaimed water compared to control soils, suggesting that reclaimed water P application can increase soil P concentrations and the risk of P movement to greater depths. Differences between treatment and control samples were more evident in cells with longer histories of reclaimed water application due to greater P loading. Data also indicated considerable spatial variability in WEP concentrations and PSR values, especially within cells from RIBs characterized by fast infiltration rates. This occurs because wastewater-P flows through surface soils much faster than the minimum time required for sorption equilibrium to occur. Studies should be conducted to investigate soil P saturation at deeper depths to assess possible groundwater contamination.
A new species of bathyal elasipod sea cucumber from New Zealand (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea)

Orphnurgus dorisae new species is described from bathyal depths to the north of New Zealand, near the Kermadec Islands. It is distinctive in possessing spatulate rods and spinous rods dorsally, and spinous rods and perforated plates ventrally. A key to Orphnurgus species is provided. Egg size suggests that this species, and other Orphnurgus species, may have planktonic lecithotrophic embryos.
Electrical conduction in rapidly annealed sputter‐deposited SiO2 films (in O2Ar atmosphere) on Si

The poor quality of argon-sputtered SiO 2 is attributed to oxygen vacancies in the bulk of the oxide. Introducing oxygen atoms into the oxide during sputtering improves its quality. Further improvement can be obtained after rapid thermal annealing at high temperature. The barrier height (φ), breakdown electric field (E b ), and stability of oxygen-argon sputtered SiO 2 after annealing is attributed to the formation of bonds between loose oxygen and silicon atoms at high temperature and therefore causing further reduction of vacancies.
Path Planning of a 6DOF Humanoid Manipulator

Based on kinematics analysis, this paper introduces polynomials interpolation for path planning of a 6DOF humanoid manipulator based on kinematic models. The cubic and quintic polynomials interpolations are used for interpolation algorithm. The simulation experiments show the correctness and feasibility of the algorithm and the quintic polynomial is superior to the cubic polynomial.
Oscillator strengths for O(II) ions

Oscillator strengths between various doublet states of OII ions are calculated in which extensive multi-configuration wave functions are used. The lower levels for the transitions are of the 2p(3) D(2)o and 2p(3) 2po states, and the upper levels are 2p(4), 3s, and 3d states. The results, which are estimated to have errors of less than 10 percent for individual transitions, agree quite well with the beam foil experiments, as well as with the calculations by use of the non-closed shell many-electron theory (NCMET). The agreement with the rocket measurements is also good except for the 538/581 A pair, in which the 538 A line is believed to blend with the other stronger quartet line. However, a comparison with the recent branching ratio measurement indicates that discrepancies between the present calculation and the experiment do exist for certain transitions.
A cultural and economic history of old age in America

The lives of today's elderly population have deep historical precedents by which we can better understand current social policies, health care, and retirement. The history of old age in America is more complex and varied than most people realize. This history has been shaped largely by the search for economic security. In the agricultural economy of preindustrial America, few individuals saved sufficient resources for their declining years, and most elderly people either continued to work or lived in dependent poverty. More than any other factor, the lack of family members willing or able to provide for an elderly relative resulted in the relative moving to the dreaded poorhouse. Passage of Medicare and Medicaid legislation resulted in the rapid development of commercial nursing homes, accelerating the trend away from nonprofit and government facilities. However, serious deficiencies in care have continued to occur, prompting additional federal legislation. Knowledge of the history of aging in America can provide a useful touchstone: it can expose past problems that could happen again, identify what is worth preserving from the past, and help us avoid relearning painful lessons.
Flow injection analysis for rapid amyloglucosidase activity determination

Abstract Amyloglucosidase activity is rapidly determined using flow injection analysis (FIA) with the synthetic substrate, p -nitrophenyl-α- d -glucopyranoside. The correlation coefficient ( r ) for the standards is ≥0.9996 with a typical sample coefficient of variation (CV) of ≤ 1.2%. A sampling rate of 100 per hour demonstrates the rapidity of the technique. Analysis of activities below 0. 1 diazyme unit (DU) per gram is easily accomplished, although most samples are in the range of 40–400 DU/g. The new assay is unique in that a stopped-flow procedure is not necessary; this simplifies the assay as well as allows for an increased sampling rate.
Alternative energy in Israel: opportunities and risks

Unlike other countries in the Middle East, Israel has limited hydrocarbon deposits. Since its founding in 1948 Israel has largely relied on foreign supplies to meet almost all its energy needs. In recent years substantial natural gas deposits have been discovered in the Eastern Mediterranean. These discoveries are likely to fundamentally improve the country's energy security. Equally important, Israel has invested massive efforts and resources to utilize the largely untapped solar and wind power. It has also considered initiating a nuclear power programme. Finally, efforts have been made to raise energy efficiency.
Fast 4D cone-beam reconstruction using the McKinnon-Bates algorithm with truncation correction and nonlinear filtering

A challenge in using on-board cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to image lung tumor motion prior to radiation therapy treatment is acquiring and reconstructing high quality 4D images in a sufficiently short time for practical use. For the 1 minute rotation times typical of Linacs, severe view aliasing artifacts, including streaks, are created if a conventional phase-correlated FDK reconstruction is performed. The McKinnon-Bates (MKB) algorithm provides an efficient means of reducing streaks from static tissue but can suffer from low SNR and other artifacts due to data truncation and noise. We have added truncation correction and bilateral nonlinear filtering to the MKB algorithm to reduce streaking and improve image quality. The modified MKB algorithm was implemented on a graphical processing unit (GPU) to maximize efficiency. Results show that a nearly 4x improvement in SNR is obtained compared to the conventional FDK phase-correlated reconstruction and that high quality 4D images with 0.4 second temporal resolution and 1 mm 3 isotropic spatial resolution can be reconstructed in less than 20 seconds after data acquisition completes.
The Influence of Upcoming Food-Pellet Delivery on Subjects' Responding for 1% Sucrose Reinforcement Delivered by Concurrent Random-Interval Schedules

Researchers have demonstrated that rats' rates of operant responding that are maintained by 1% liquid-sucrose reinforcement will increase if food-pellet reinforcement is upcoming within the same session. The authors investigated whether a similar induction effect would be observed when rats pressed a lever for 1% sucrose that was delivered by concurrent random-interval schedules of reinforcement. Results demonstrated that upcoming noncontingent food-pellet delivery increased absolute response rates on the concurrent schedules in 10 of 12 possible instances. Upcoming food-pellet delivery also increased subjects' sensitivity to reinforcement on the concurrent schedules, as measured by the generalized matching law (W. M. Baum, 1974), in 5 of 6 possible instances. The present results extended the finding of induction to responding on concurrent schedules. They also added to evidence suggesting that the effect occurs because the reinforcing value of the weak reinforcer (i.e., the 1% sucrose) has been increased.
Predicted physical and optical characteristics of solid rocket motor exhaust in the stratosphere

Based on available and new data, a unified model is presented for the particle size distribution, particle density, and geometrical dispersion for the alumina particles in the exhaust of solid rocket motor (SRM) plumes in the stratosphere. The particle size distribution is trimodal with Sauter mean diameters of 0.056, 1.0, and 3.6 microns. Nearly all the particles lie within the small-size mode but nearly all the mass lies in the large-size mode. About two-thirds of the particle surface area available for heterogeneous chemical reactions is due to the large particle mode while most of the remaining surface area is due to the small particle mode. Mie scattering calculations show that attenuation by the alumina particles is caused principally by the large particle mode. An expression for the total surface area of the particles is derived in terms of known parameters and the Sauter mean diameter. (Author)
Three methods for measuring the increase in the capacity of the distended biliary tree in the rat produced by α-naphthylisothiocyanate treatment

The capacity of the distended biliary tree was measured in each rat by three techniques referred to as retrograde-intrabiliary-injection (RII), segmented-retrograde-intrabiliary-injection (SRII), and retrograde-pushback (RPB). Control rats, receiving by gavage 0.2 ml of olive oil daily for 8 consecutive days, were found 15 days after treatment to have distended capacities of 33.4 ± 2.7, 34.1 ± 3.4, and 31.6 ± 2.9 μl (mean ± SE) as obtained by the RII, SRII, and RPB techniques, respectively. In another group of rats, treated for 8 consecutive days with α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) (45 mg/kg, po) in 0.2 ml of olive oil, the RII, SRII, and RPB techniques estimated distended biliary capacity 15 days after the last treatment to be 48.0 ± 1.6, 47.5 ± 1.4, and 46.8 ± 1.3 μl, respectively. In control animals the two-way analysis of variance showed no significant difference occurred between the three methods. For each of the three methods, the mean distended biliary tree capacity of the ANIT-treated rats was significantly greater than the control rats, p < 0.02. No significant difference was found between control and ANIT-treated rats for mean liver weights and bile flow rates. Thus, the increase in distended biliary capacity with ANIT treatment was not accompanied by any change in liver weight or bile flow rate.
Missing the Neofascist Forest

The Search for Neofascism: The Use and Abuse of Social Science. By A. James Gregor. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. 318 pp., $70.00 cloth (ISBN: 0-521-85920-4), $23.99 paper (ISBN: 0-521-67639-8). A. James Gregor is one of the most prolific authors on the theories of Italian fascism. He has long been considered a major source of insights about the ideas behind Benito Mussolini's original movement and regime, especially with respect to the national development of Italy. Nonetheless, in the Search for Neofascism , Gregor falls short of his stated “pedagogical” and “cautionary” goal, which is to lift the fog of “confusion” and “denigration” surrounding terms like fascism and neofascism. By defining the term neofascism too narrowly, Gregor is led to argue that no genuinely neofascist groups or movements exist. As a result, he preordains that his search for plausible neofascisms will fail. To be sure, The Search for Neofascism represents, at least in part, a rather novel and ambitious undertaking. In his search, Gregor looks at a number of movements and ideologies that have probably never before been analyzed from this perspective—such as Marcus Garvey's UNIA, the Nation of Islam, Nasserism, the Hindu “saffron fascism,” and communism in China after Mao. But Gregor's search for the principles associated with what he considers “generic fascism” in these allegedly neofascist movements (essentially looking for the spiritual progenitors of a rather unruly set of activists and demagogues) leads to disappointing results. Ever on the lookout for a movement's foundational theorists, particularly regarding the movement's approach to economic development, Gregor asserts, for example, that the writings of three Indian intellectuals are the foundation for Hindu nationalist convictions, that is, the foundation for the beliefs of “millions of followers of the Bharatiya Janata party and its affiliated organizations” (p. 198). But how can he know the real beliefs of these heterogeneous and …
Prostate adenocarcinoma presenting with inguinal lymphadenopathy

The lymphatic spread of prostate adenocarcinoma most often involves the iliac, obturator, and hypogastric nodes. Inguinal lymphadenopathy is very rare during the early stages of this disease, especially in the absence of pelvic lymphadenopathy or other metastases. We present a case of prostate adenocarcinoma with inguinal node involvement during the initial presentation, emphasizing the importance of a complete physical examination and the consideration of other concurrent diseases.
Replacement of the Distal Glycine 139 Transforms Human Heme Oxygenase-1 into a Peroxidase

The human heme oxygenase-1 crystal structure suggests that Gly-139 and Gly-143 interact directly with iron-bound ligands. We have mutated Gly-139 to an alanine, leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, histidine, or aspartate, and Gly-143 to a leucine, lysine, histidine, or aspartate. All of these mutants bind heme, but absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopy indicate that the water coordinated to the iron atom is lost in several of the Gly-139 mutants, giving rise to mixtures of hexacoordinate and pentacoordinate ligation states. The active site perturbation is greatest when large amino acid side chains are introduced. Of the Gly-139 mutants investigated, only G139A catalyzes the NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase-dependent oxidation of heme to biliverdin, but most of them exhibit a new H2O2-dependent guaiacol peroxidation activity. The Gly-143 mutants, all of which have lost the water ligand, have no heme oxygenase or peroxidase activity. The results establish the importance of Gly-139 and Gly-143 in maintaining the appropriate environment for the heme oxygenase reaction and show that Gly-139 mutations disrupt this environment, probably by displacing the distal helix, converting heme oxygenase into a peroxidase. The principal role of the heme oxygenase active site may be to suppress the ferryl species formation responsible for peroxidase activity.
Coping with Fluctuating Demand for Professional Staff: A Prescription and Examples

Since professionals tend to be highly paid and slow to recruit and train, the professional staffing problem is nontrivial, vexatious, and persistent. Predictions help little when changes in demand are unforeseeable, but two practical planning policies tend to make serious miscalculations unlikely. Dynamic-simulation experiments on an actual technical-service company show that the solution is simply to 1 be generous with overtime in response to backlog, and 2 hire or fire in a timely manner, but sparingly. A simple verbal analysis, comparison with actual data, and an application to a manufacturing firm support the above results.
Temperature, heat, and mixing in Lake Valencia, Venezuela1

Water temperature profiles, weather data, and lake level data spanning a 2-year period for Lake Valencia, Venezuela (10°N, 67°W), are used in an analysis of thermal regime, mixing, and heat flux. The lake, which has an area of 350 km2 and mean depth of 19 m, is warm monomictic; it becomes isothermal annually near the end of November, at the onset of the dry season. The water column during stratification consists of an upper mixed layer, which averages 13 m but varies greatly in thickness, followed by alternating thick layers of positive and negligible density gradients. The number of layers changes through time. Vertical eddy diffusivities during stratification vary from 0.23 cm2·s−1 at 20 m to 0.09 at 35 m. The mean annual heat budget is 5,308 cal · cm−2. Evaporative heat loss and net radiation flux are the two largest heat budget elements; net back radiation and sensible heat loss are important secondary terms. Seasonality is principally traceable to heat budget terms influenced by minimum air temperature, whereas week-to-week variation is influenced by other terms as well. Maximum stability of the water column is about 350 g-cm · cm−2 with little variation between years. Work of the wind in distributing heat is 2,630 g-cm·cm−2 for 1977 and 3,156 in 1978. Stability responds in a significant way to weather changes, even during stratification.
Bad Boys, Big Trouble: Subcultural Formation and Resistance in a Cambodian Village

This article explores the experiences of adolescent males in Cambodia who, simultaneous to their maltreatment and marginalization within the family and community, have reduced opportunities to produce identities of sociomoral value through access to cultural capital. It draws on ethnographic data gathered from adolescents boys aged 9 to 16 in Siem Reap, Cambodia, through in-depth interviews and participant observation. The article examines why and how these so-called bad boys are forming gang subcultures as a site of resistance, stressing their role as social actors who make competent and considered lifestyle choices as per their social constraints and opportunities. Gang membership is demonstrated to offer bad boys varying benefits. Yet significant individual and societal risks also arise from these boys’ gang involvement. In conclusion, therefore, it is advocated that development practitioners work with bad boys through, rather than against, their subcultures, supporting them to identify alternative mea...
A targeted mass spectrometry-based approach for the identification and characterization of proteins containing α-aminoadipic and γ-glutamic semialdehyde residues

The site-specific identification of α-aminoadipic semialdehyde (AAS) and γ-glutamic semialdehyde (GGS) residues in proteins is reported. Semialdehydic protein modifications result from the metal-catalyzed oxidation of Lys or Arg and Pro residues, respectively. Most of the analytical methods for the analysis of protein carbonylation measure change to the global level of carbonylation and fail to provide details regarding protein identity, site, and chemical nature of the carbonylation. In this work, we used a targeted approach, which combines chemical labeling, enrichment, and tandem mass spectrometric analysis, for the site-specific identification of AAS and GGS sites in proteins. The approach is applied to in vitro oxidized glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and an untreated biological sample, namely cardiac mitochondrial proteins. The analysis of GAPDH resulted in the site-specific identification of two AAA and four GGS residues. Computational evaluation of the identified AAS and GGS sites in GAPDH indicated that these sites are located in flexible regions, show high solvent accessibility values, and are in proximity with possible metal ion binding sites. The targeted proteomic analysis of semialdehydic modifications in cardiac mitochondria yielded nine AAS modification sites which were unambiguously assigned to distinct lysine residues in the following proteins: ATP/ATP translocase isoforms 1 and 2, ubiquinol cytochrome-c reductase core protein 2, and ATP synthase α-subunit.
Strategies for recalcitrant/recurrent thoracic curves

Patients with a previously fused thoracic curve that has remained and is accompanied by pain and cosmetic deformity may be treated with complex revision surgery. Strategies include multiple posterior osteotomies—with or without anterior release, pedicle subtraction osteotomy, or vertebral column resection. Large residual rib prominences can be approached with multi-rib thoracoplasty. However, the potential complication rate of these procedures can be considerable, and thus, a clear and thorough discussion regarding treatment objectives is strongly recommended.