cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What was transformational grammar

Abstract Transformational generative linguistics or grammar is in a period of decline, but the answer to the question ‘What was transformational grammar?’ is still in doubt. The reason for this lies partly in the fact that most attempts at finding defining characteristics for the theory are unsatisfactory. Newmeyer attempts to define the theory in terms of the autonomous syntax position, a position held by the structuralists such as C. C. Fries. Another reason lies in the rather cavalier treatment of data by the generativists. Still another reason lies in the suspect conclusions of the researchers. It is no wonder, then, that the theory is in a period of decline.
Effects of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor on Differentiation of Late Retinal Progenitor Cells

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) has been shown to be a potent regulator of retinal cell differentiation. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of CNTF on in vitro differentiation of expanded late retinal progenitor cells. Retinal progenitor cells used in these studies were isolated from the neural retina of postnatal day-1 green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic mice. The resulting GFP-positive neurospheres were dissociated into a single-cell suspension and grown on poly-D-lysine/laminin-coated tissue culture flasks or slides to generate adherent retinal progenitor cells. These adherent cells were treated with 20 ng/ml of CNTF for up to 14 days, and expression of specific retinal cell markers was determined by immunocytochemistry, reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and immunoblot analysis. In vitro studies showed that CNTF treatment of late retinal progenitor cells resulted in changes in cellular morphology. Immunocytochemical studies showed an increase in the proportion of cells expressing markers of bipolar cells but not rod differentiation. In addition, an increase in the proportion of cells expressing glial cell markers was observed. RT-PCR analysis showed downregulation in Hes1, Nestin, Notch1, and Pax6 transcripts along with a concomitant increase in protein kinase C (PKC)α and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) transcripts. These findings were confirmed by immunoblot analysis, where downregulation in Nestin expression and simultaneous upregulation in PKCα and GFAP were observed. The data indicate that CNTF treatment of multipotential late retinal progenitors increases the proportion of cells that express markers of bipolar neurons and glia.
Enhanced hairpin stability through loop design: the case of the protein G B1 domain hairpin.

A mutational study of the peptide corresponding to the second hairpin of the protein G B1 domain (GB1p) provided a series of mutants with significantly increased fold stability. Mutations focused on improvement of the direction-reversing loop and the addition of favorable Coulombic interactions at the sequence termini. The loop optimization was based on a database search for residues that occur with the greatest probability in similar hairpin loops in proteins. This search suggested replacing the native DDATKT sequence with NPATGK, which resulted in a 4.5 kJ/mol stabilization of the hairpin fold. The introduction of positively charged lysines at the N-terminus provided an additional 2.4 kJ/mol of stabilization, affording a GB1p mutant that is 86 ± 3% folded at 25 °C with a melting temperature of 60 ± 2 °C. The trpzip version of this peptide, in which three of the hydrophobic core residues were mutated to tryptophan, yielded a sequence that melted at 85 °C. Throughout, fold populations and melting temperat...
Quality of life outcomes after primary radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue

Purpose : To determine quality of life functional outcome after primary radiotherapy for carcinoma of the base of tongue. Methods and Materials : At the University of Florida, essentially all patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue are treated with primary continuous-course, external-beam radiotherapy alone or followed by a neck dissection. Fifty-three patients who remained continuously free of disease at 2 to 23 years were eligible to participate in an assessment of the posttreatment quality of their lives. Three patients could not be located for quality of life assessment, and one patient refused to participate, leaving 49 evaluable patients. Radiotherapy doses were 60 to 75 Gy in once daily fractions, or 74 to 79 Gy in twice daily fractions. The subjective Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer, which assigns a functional score ranging from 0 to 100, was completed by each of the patients during routine follow-up appointments. The scale measures ability to eat in public, understandability of speech, and normalcy of diet. Results : Patients treated with external-beam radiotherapy alone had excellent results with regard to eating in public, though scores showed a decline as T stage increased (average scores were T1 : 90.6% ; T2 : 88.1% ; T3 : 82.8% ; T4 : 75.0%). Results for understandability of speech were T1 : 93.75% ; T2 : 100% ; T3 : 82.8% ; and T4 : 87.5%. Fixation of the tongue at diagnosis was not a predictor of poor function. Normalcy of diet scores likewise decreased with increasing T stage : T1 : 93.8% ; T2 : 89.5% ; T3 : 71.3% ; T4 : 60.0%. The addition of a neck dissection had no impact on the functional outcomes that were evaluated. Functional results did not deteriorate with prolonged follow-up of more than 5 years. Results were compared with those from the literature for patients treated by surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy or external-beam irradiation plus interstitial 192 Ir implant. The functional results of high-dose external-beam irradiation alone in the present series were similar to those reported after external plus interstitial irradiation. The functional results after both types of radiation treatment were superior to results for patients who underwent surgery. Conclusions : Functional outcomes after external-beam radiotherapy were similar to those after external-beam plus 192 Ir implant, and were superior to the results of surgical resection. Planned postradiotherapy neck dissection did not affect the analyzed functional endpoints. Function appeared to be stable by 5 years without subsequent change.
Synthesis of Bis(phosphine) and N-Heterocyclic Carbene Supported α- Diazoalkyl Complexes of Copper(I)

(2,6-Dimesitylphenyl)diazomethane, N2CH(dmp) (1; dmp = 2,6-(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)2C6H3), undergoes deprotonation by LiN(i-Pr)2 to give [N2C(dmp)][Li] (2), which reacts with diethyl ether solutions of {(dt...
Large-scale impacts of anthropogenic pollution and boreal wildfires on the nitrogen oxides over the central North Atlantic region

[1] Transport of North American anthropogenic and boreal wildfire emissions is a large source of nitrogen oxides over the North Atlantic region. To characterize the influence of transport of these emissions on nitrogen oxides levels over the central North Atlantic lower free troposphere (FT) and their further implications for hemispheric O3, we analyze measurements of NOx (NO + NO2), total reactive nitrogen oxides (NOy), CO, and O3 made at the Pico Mountain station (38.47°N 28.40°W, 2.2 km above sea level) in the Azores archipelago from July 2002 to August 2005. Transport of pollution from North America causes significant enhancements of nitrogen oxides year-round. An analysis of the export of United States NOx emissions to the FT based on observed ΔNOy/ΔCO in the anthropogenic plumes indicates that more than 94% of the NOx emitted over the United States is lost within the continent and/or during export out of the United States boundary layer and to the Azores, consistent with previous studies. However, our observations indicate that about 30% of the NOy initially exported out of the United States boundary layer reach the Azores lower FT. NOx was also significantly enhanced in these plumes. Since the lifetime of NOx is shorter than the transport timescale of most events, PAN decomposition and potentially photolysis of HNO3 provide a supply of NOx over the central North Atlantic lower FT. Observed ΔO3/ΔNOy ratios and significant NOy levels remaining in the North American plumes suggest a potential for O3 formation well downwind from North America. Summertime boreal wildfires in North America are responsible for important shifts in the nitrogen oxides distributions toward higher levels, with medians of NOy (117–175 pptv) and NOx (9–30 pptv) greater in boreal wildfire plumes. These findings demonstrate the potential hemispheric scale impact that boreal wildfire and North American anthropogenic events have on background NOx and NOy levels and on the tropospheric O3 budget.
a-Si/mc-Si hybrid solar cell using silicon sheet substrate

Abstract A hybrid junction solar cell with amorphous silicon (a-Si) and multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) was fabricated using a mc-Si sheet substrate, which is produced directly from molten silicon using a novel rotational solidification method. The efficiency of 11.6% was obtained for the hybrid junction cell, while 10.2% for the single junction cell made of a mc-Si sheet substrate, which confirmed that the hybrid structure is effective to improve the solar cell property made of a mc-Si substrate. With introducing light trapping structure, the efficiency was improved to be 12.0%. Moreover, the possibility of Jsc improvement was investigated using the advanced light trapping structure. Jsc of 15.6 mA/cm2 was obtained and it was confirmed that the hybrid junction is a promising structure.
Oocyte and embryonic cytoskeletal defects caused by mutations in the Drosophila swallow gene.

The maternal effect gene swallow (swa) of Drosophila is required for bicoid and htsN4 mRNA localization during oogenesis. Swallow is also required for additional, poorly understood, functions in early embryogenesis. We have examined the cytoskeleton in swa mutant oocytes and embryos by immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy. Mid- and late-stage swa oocytes have defective cytoplasmic actin networks. Stage-10 oocytes have solid actin clumps and hollow actin spheres in the subcortical layer, and late-stage oocytes have uniformly distributed hollow actin spheres in the subcortical layer and in deeper cytoplasm. Swa preblastoderm embryos have uneven and irregularly distributed actin at the cortex, and defective subcortical actin networks that contain hollow and solid spheres. In swa syncytial blastoderm embryos, the abnormal actin cytoskeleton is associated with defects in nuclear distribution, migration and cleavage. Actin cytoskeletal defects correlate with spindle defects, suggesting that the abnormal organization of the actin cytoskeleton allows interaction of mitotic spindles, which induces defective nuclear divisions and loss of nuclei from the surface of the embryo.
Sustainable rural development in Latin America: building from the bottom-up

Abstract Conventional “top-down” development strategies have proved fundamentally limited in their ability to promote equitable and environmentally sustainable development in Latin America. Poverty, unhealthy living conditions and environmental degradation continue to be widespread problems within the region. This paper argues for an urgent and comprehensive reframing of rural development strategies in Latin America. Immediate priorities include the empowerment of local communities, poverty reduction, natural resource conservation, securing an adequate food supply and promoting food self-sufficiency. The paper begins reviewing the main features of Latin America's resource endowments and current ecological problems, as well as the interlinkages between the dominant economic strategies of the region and environmental problems. The challenges for sustainable rural development in Latin America given the current changes in macro- and micro-economic conditions are subsequently discussed. promising local experiences in the rural sector are described and new directions and indicators for integrated technology evaluation procedures that incorporate sustainability concerns proposed.
Deposition of the Membrane Attack Complex of Complement in Bullous Pemphigoid

Bullous pemphigoid is associated with deposition of IgG and C3 at the dermal-epidermal junction. In order to see whether complement activation in bullous pemphigoid resulted in deposition of membrane attack complex (MAC) at the basement membrane zone, skin biopsies from patients with bullous pemphigoid were examined using a direct immunofluorescence technique. By employing a monoclonal antibody to a neoantigen of C9, the MAC was demonstrated in linear pattern at the basement membrane zone. These deposits were seen in both involved and uninvolved skin but the amount of MAC was greater in involved skin as judged by intensity of staining. Stippled deposits of MAC were also present in or around epidermal basal cells. The MAC could be generated in vitro by reaction of normal plasma with antibasement membrane antibody bound to sections of monkey esophagus. The IgG antibody activated complement and this complement activation proceeded all the way to the terminal step.
Biochemical activity of reactive oxygen species scavengers do not predict retinal ganglion cell survival.

PURPOSE. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) die as a result of axonal injury in a variety of optic neuropathies, including glaucoma. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as intracellular signaling molecules and initiate apoptosis in nerve growth factor-deprived sympathetic neurons and axotomized RGCs. Determination of the role of specific ROS relies on the use of small molecule or protein scavengers with various degrees of specificity. The pro- or anti- cell-death effect of several ROS generating and scavenging systems in cultured RGCs was correlated with their activity in cell-free assays. METHODS. Neonatal rat retinas were dissociated and incubated with ROS-generating systems for hydroxyl radical, superoxide anion (O 2 - ), and H 2 O 2 . Scavengers tested were catalase, polyethylene glycol-superoxide dismutase (PEG-SOD), manganese (III) tetrakis(1-methyl-4-pyridyl)porphyrin (MnTMPyP), 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox), deferoxamine, and U-74389G. Viability of retrogradely labeled RGCs was determined with calcein-AM 24 hours after plating. O 2 - and H 2 O 2 scavenging in cell-free assays was measured with dihydroethidium and Amplex Red (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA), respectively. RESULTS. Systematic differences were found between ROS scavenging in cell-free assays and the ability of scavengers to protect RGCs in cell culture. Furthermore, many ROS scavengers lost specificity and protected against various ROS, whereas others failed to protect against their unique ROS target. These activities stray from commonly recognized specificities of individual ROS scavengers or generating systems and are important in understanding ROS biology. In addition, antioxidant defense mechanisms used by RGCs and other retinal cells interfere with responses expected from ROS scavengers in well-defined systems. Last, H 2 O 2 induced intramitochondrial O 2 - , whereas paraquat produced O 2 - outside of the mitochondria, and these areas of generation can mislead interpretations of ROS scavenger activity and effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS. There is discordance between ROS effects in cultured RGCs and cell-free assays, with several mechanisms accounting for this divergence. To identify the roles of ROS signaling in cell death accurately, several approaches should be used. These include using a panel of ROS scavengers and generators, testing the panel in primary neuronal cultures, and quantifying ROS with cell-free assays.
Nonmanipulable voting schemes when participants' interests are partially decomposable

Recent papers by Barbera and Peleg and by Zhou have established that the Gibbard-Satterthwaite Theorem remains valid when individuals are restricted to reporting only “reasonable” preferences. We present a theorem that covers situations in which, as in Barbera-and-Peleg and Zhou, preferences may be restricted to reasonable ones, but in which, additionally, it may be known in advance that some dimensions of the social decision do not affect all the participants — i.e., in which the social decisions are partially decomposable into decisions that affect only subsets of the participants. As in the previous theorems, the conclusion of this new theorem is that nonmanipulable voting schemes must be dictatorial.
Star-shaped tetraspermine enhances cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of T-oligo in prostate cancer cells.

Purpose An oligonucleotide termed ‘T-oligo’ having sequence homology with telomere overhang has shown cytotoxicity in multiple cancers. We have demonstrated that T-oligo can induce apoptosis in androgen independent prostate cancer cell line DU-145. In this report, we evaluate the use of star-shaped tetraspermine (SSTS) for delivery of T-oligo.
In Vitro Selection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae Mutants with Elevated MIC Values and Increased Resistance to Cephalosporins

Strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae with mosaic penA genes bearing novel point mutations in penA have been isolated from ceftriaxone treatment failures. Such isolates exhibit significantly higher MIC values to third-generation cephalosporins. Here we report the in vitro isolation of two mutants with elevated MICs to cephalosporins. The first possesses a point mutation in the transpeptidase region of the mosaic penA gene, and the second contains an insertion mutation in pilQ.
Integrated process for smart microstructures

An eight-mask integrated process for smart microstructures is presented, based on an enhancement-depletion NMOS circuit process and a two-layer polysilicon surface micromachining process. Design and fabrication issues, such as circuit encapsulation, interconnect, and thermal budget are addressed. Two types of micromechanical structures, microcantilever beams and shear stress sensors, were fabricated with on-chip signal conditioning circuits. Electrical test results on circuitry both integrated and not integrated with micromechanisms are discussed. Electromechanical test data demonstrating the resonant frequency of integrated microcantilever beam structures is presented as well as calibrated flow channel data for micromachined shear stress sensors.
Mirroring perfection: the structure of methylglyoxal synthase complexed with the competitive inhibitor 2-phosphoglycolate.

The crystal structure of the transition-state analogue 2-phosphoglycolate (2PG) bound to methylglyoxal synthase (MGS) is presented at a resolution of 2.0 A. This structure is very similar to the pr...
Photochemical CO2 splitting by metal-to-metal charge-transfer excitation in mesoporous ZrCu(I)-MCM-41 silicate sieve.

Binuclear redox sites consisting of a Zr oxo-bridged to a Cu(I) center have been obtained on the pore surface of MCM-41 silicate sieve by a stepwise grafting procedure, along with isolated metal centers. The bimetallic site features a Zr(IV)−O−Cu(I) to Zr(III)−O−Cu(II) metal-to-metal charge-transfer (MMCT) absorption extending from the UV region to about 500 nm. The Zr−O−Cu linkage is revealed by a Cu(I)−O infrared stretch mode at 643 cm-1. Irradiation of the MMCT chromophore of ZrCu(I)-MCM-41 loaded with 1 atm of CO2 gas at room temperature resulted in growth of CO (2150 cm-1) and H2O (1600 cm-1). Photolysis experiments using 13CO2 and C18O2 demonstrate that carbon monoxide and the oxygen atom of the water product originate from CO2. This indicates splitting of the CO2 by the excited MMCT moiety to CO and a surface OH radical, followed by trapping of the products at Cu(I) centers (OH is reduced to H2O). This is the first observation of CO2 photoreduction at a binuclear MMCT site at the gas−solid interface.
The fine structure of cerebral blood vessels in chick embryo.

The fine structure of the blood vessels was studied in the developing brain of chick embryo. The blood vessels were present in the embryos first examined (4 days after incubation) and their number increased in subsequent stages. The endothelial cells were generally large and showed junctional complexes, many microvilli and a large number of cytoplasmic organelles. Many tubular bodies and coated vesicles were also present. The tubular bodies were sometimes noted near the Golgi apparatus, suggesting their origin from this organelle. The mitochondria in the endothelial cells were generally larger than those in the surrounding neuropil. An ill-defined basement membrane-like substance was noted outside some endothelial cells on the 11th day and well formed basement membrane was present in the vessels of 18 day old embryos. A complete subpial astrocytic basement membrane was present from the early stage studied (4 days).
Yaw degradation of hypervelocity long rods striking space-containing steel targets

Penetration equations are provided for high L/D tungsten rods striking steel targets at 2.2 km/s. The equations take into account angle of attack and gaps within the targets. It is found that yaw degradation is not exacerbated by target gaps. Examination of crater profiles from experiments and numerical simulations points to an explanation: ricochet of the projectile within the penetration cavity.
Lead concentrations in tissues of roadside mice

Soil samples and seven different tissues from deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) collected along a major highway were analysed for lead content. Lead concentrations in soil were related to proximity to the highway, but not to traffic volume. Accumulations of lead in mouse liver, kidney and bone, but not in brain, lung, stomach and muscle, were related to both traffic volume and nearness to the highway.
Impact of Wavelength Detuning on the Performance of Mid-IR Distributed Feedback Quantum Cascade Lasers

We present the design and the performance of mid-infrared distributed feedback quantum cascade lasers made of strain-balanced GaxIn1-xAs/AlyIn1-yAs material on InP substrates for wavelength near 5 μm. By changing the grating period within one wafer, we demonstrated wide wavelength coverage of 325 and 282 cm-1 (16.3% and 14.1% of the center wavelength) under room temperature pulsed and continuous wave (CW) operation, respectively. The variation of pulsed and CW laser performance as a function of wavelength detuning from the gain peak was studied and correlated to the amplified spontaneous emission spectra. We conclude that a slight positive detuning within 5% of the center wavelength favors CW performance especially for high-temperature operation.
Effects of gas additives on the properties of a-Si:H films

We show that the addition of small amounts of water vapor, or O2 into the processing ambient leads to significant improvements in the properties of a-Si:H films deposited by reactive magnetron sputtering at substrate temperatures <150°C. The relative fraction of polyhydride bonding, and defect densities are both reduced; the films show increased stability against light-soaking induced defects; while levels of oxygen in the films remain below ∼5×1018/cm3.
Cyanamide given ICV or systemically to the rat alters subsequent alcohol drinking

Abstract Cyanamide or disulfiram serves to suppress volitional intake of alcohol presumably because of the toxic build-up of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (AIDH). However, the presence of acetaldehyde systemically favors the in vivo synthesis of addictive-like metabolites in the brain which in turn enhance alcohol drinking. The purpose of this investigation, therefore, was to determine whether cyanamide administered to the rat, which did not have access to alcohol during treatment, would nevertheless affect the subsequent preference for alcohol. In the first experiment, cannulae were implanted bilaterally above the cerebral ventricle of 33 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats so that an artificial CSF or a solution of cyanamide could be infused intracerebroventricularly (ICV). Following post-operative recovery, each rat was tested for its alcohol preference by offering it water and a solution of ethyl alcohol which was increased over 8 days from 3–20%. After a single test concentration of alcohol (range of 5–9%) was selected for each individual animal presented with water over a 5-day interval, cyanamide was infused in a volume of 2.5 μl per side three times daily for 4 days in one of the following total doses: 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 or 1.0 mg. A second five-day preference test was run, and 6 weeks following cyanamide infusions a final 3–20% alcohol preference screen was run over 8 days. The results showed that a long-term, dose-dependent increase or decrease in alcohol intake occurred in those rats reactive to the drug. Given ICV, the 0.3 mg dose of cyanamide was the most efficacious in significantly augmenting alcohol consumption, whereas the two lower doses also enhanced alcohol intake but in fewer animals. Although the highest ICV dose of 1.0 mg cyanamide consistently suppressed alcohol intake, a dose of 0.5 mg produced mixed effects on the self-selection of alcohol. In the second experiment, either a saline control or cyanamide solution was injected subcutaneously in a dose of 10.0 and 15.0 mg/kg in a group of 11 rats twice a day for three days following an 8-day, 3–30% alcohol preference screen. To test the time course of action of cyanamide on alcohol drinking, a second alcohol preference test was conducted after the injection sequence which was then followed by a third test 6 weeks after the treatment. Cyanamide in both doses augmented alcohol intake which, when tested 6 weeks after cyanamide treatment, persisted in a manner similar to that observed in rats given the drug by the ICV route. Taken together, these findings suggest that an increase in the level of one or more biogenic aldehydes produced endogenously by repeated injections of cyanamide, both in brain and in the periphery, can induce a prolonged enhancement of alcohol drinking
Intravascular hemolysis associated with North American crotalid envenomation

Case Report: This is a case of severe intravascular hemolysis, without significant coagulopathy, following envenomation by a North American crotalid. A MEDLINE search from 1966-1997, and a review of older literature, revealed no similar cases. A 4-year-old girl was envenomated in her right foot by a 2.5 foot-long rattlesnake whose description matched that of the Hopi rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis nuntius). The snake was not captured. Her initial hematocrit was 45%. In spite of treatment with antivenin and improvement in her lower extremity pain and swelling, her hematocrit decreased to 20.4%. Laboratory tests and clinical exam showed a Coombs positive hemolytic anemia without significant signs of coagulopathy.
Identification of the neuropeptide content of individual rat neurohypophysial terminals.

Abstract The objective of this study was to develop a method that could reliably determine the arginine vasopressin (AVP) and/or oxytocin (OT) content of individual rat neurohypophysial terminals (NHT) ≥5 μm in diameter, the size used for electrophysiological recordings. We used a commercially available, highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit with a sensitivity of 0.25 pg to AVP and of 1.0 pg to OT. The NHT content of AVP (2.21 ± 0.10 pg) was greater than OT (1.77 ± 0.08 pg) and increased with terminal size. AVP-positive terminals (10.2 ± 0.21 μm) were larger in diameter than OT-positive terminals (9.1 ± 0.24 μm). Immunocytochemical techniques indicated that a higher percentage (58%) of smaller terminals contained OT, and that a higher percentage (42%) of larger NHTs were colabeled. Similar percentages of AVP-positive terminals were obtained between immunocytochemical (73%) and ELISA (72%) methods when NHTs were assayed for AVP alone, but there was a higher percentage of OT terminals when using immunocytochemistry (43%) compared to ELISA (26%). The percent of AVP-positive (60%) and OT-positive (18%) terminals decreased when NHT were assayed for both AVP and OT. Therefore, the best method to reliably identify AVP-positive NHTs is to assay only for AVP, since this allows the conclusion that AVP-negative terminals contain only OT.
Young children's beliefs about self-disclosure of performance failure and success.

Self-disclosure of performance information involves the balancing of instrumental, learning benefits (e.g., obtaining help) against social costs (e.g., diminished reputation). Little is known about young children's beliefs about performance self-disclosure. The present research investigates preschool- and early school-age children's expectations of self-disclosure in different contexts. In two experiments, 3- to 7-year-old children (total N = 252) heard vignettes about characters who succeeded or failed at solving a puzzle. Both experiments showed that children across all ages reasoned that people are more likely to self-disclose positive than negative performances, and Experiment 2 showed that children across all ages reasoned that people are more likely to self-disclose both positive and negative performances in a supportive than an unsupportive peer environment. Additionally, both experiments revealed changes with age - Younger children were less likely to expect people to withhold their performance information (of both failures and successes) than older children. These findings point to the preschool ages as a crucial beginning to children's developing recognition of people's reluctance to share performance information.
The Effect of Variation in the Interval Between Right and Left Ventricular Activation on Paced QRS Duration

Pacing of the RV and LV is a promising technique for treating patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and bundle branch block. The salutary effects of biventricular pacing may be due to resynchronization of LV activation. Currently, available biventricular pacemakers and implanted defibrillators produce simultaneous ventricular output pulses. The purpose of the current study was to assess the effects of variation in the timing of RV and LV activation, using the paced QRS duration as a marker of resynchronization. Twenty-six patients undergoing transvenous biventricular pacemaker implantation were studied. After stable lead positions were achieved, activation of the LV and RV was varied over a range of +/- 50 ms and the QRS duration measured on a 12-lead ECG. Only 6 (23%) of the 26 patients had maximal shortening of the paced QRS with simultaneous activation of the LV and RV. The shortest paced QRS duration was most often produced by an LV to RV interval of -30 ms (LV activation preceding RV activation). Optimization of LV to RV interval resulted in an additional 13% shortening of the paced QRS compared to simultaneous activation (P < 0.0001). Patients with leads located on the lateral or anterolateral walls of the LV were more likely to benefit from preexcitation of the LV than did patients with leads in the posterior position. Results of this study suggest that the ability to program the LV to RV interval may be useful to optimize the benefit of biventricular pacing.
Onset of Hot Tearing in Ternary Mg-Al-Sr Alloy Castings

Ternary Mg-Al-Sr alloys are the base of a few new creep-resistant, lightweight Mg alloys for automobiles. Hot tearing of Mg-Al-Sr alloys was studied by constrained rod casting (CRC) in a steel mold equipped with a load cell and a thermocouple. The alloys investigated included, in order of decreasing hot tearing susceptibility, Mg-4Al-1.5Sr, Mg-6Al-1.5Sr, Mg-8Al-1.5Sr, and Mg-8Al-3Sr. Two different molds were used, one for 8.7-mm-diameter rods and the other 7.9 mm. The cooling rate was varied by varying mold preheating from 523 K (250 °C) to 658 K (385 °C) and mold insulation. The load curve showed a clear peak when hot tearing occurred in all but Mg-8Al-3Sr due to its high resistance to hot tearing. From the peak and the cooling curve, the temperature at which hot tearing occurred was determined and found to decrease with increasing Al content from 4 to 8 pct. For a specific alloy, the hot tearing onset temperature did not change significantly with the rod diameter or mold preheating, at least within the experimental conditions used. The Scheil solidification model was used to estimate the fraction solid at the onset of hot tearing. It was found that hot tearing occurred near the end of primary solidification L → α (Mg) and that the fraction solid at which hot tearing occurred decreased with increasing Al content. The validity of the Scheil model was discussed.
A note on α-vacua and interacting field theory in de Sitter space

Abstract Using an imaginary time formalism, we propose a consistent renormalizable perturbation theory of a scalar field in a non-trivial α vacuum in de Sitter space. Although one representation of the effective action involves non-local interactions between anti-podal points, we argue the theory leads to causal physics when continued to real-time, and we prove a spectral theorem for the interacting two-point function. We construct the renormalized stress energy tensor and show this develops no imaginary part at leading order in the interactions, consistent with stability.
Ultrastructural development of hyperosteoidosis in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats fed high levels of dietary calcium.

Abstract To evaluate the sequential ultrastructural pathogenesis of the increase in osseous tissue and hyperosteoidosis previously demonstrated in rats administered supraphysiologic doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 and fed high levels of dietary calcium, young adult female rats were placed on a 2.5% calcium and 0.3% phosphorus diet, administered ethanol or 135 ng (5 units) 1,25(OH)2D3 IP daily, and killed after 2,4,6,8, and 10 days. Metaphyseal trabeculae from 1,25(OH)2D3 and placebo-treated rats were examined. Osteoblast hypertrophy characterized by increased cytoplasmic area, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, and prominent Golgi apparatus was evident in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats at Day 4. These osteoblasts were interpreted to be active in matrix synthesis. Widened osteoid seams were present at Day 6. Osteoblast hypertrophy and widened osteoid seams persisted through Day 10 in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats. The unmineralized bone matrix in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats contained more numerous cytoplasmic processes from adjacent osteoblasts than did control animals and loosely arranged collagen fibrils, which failed to aggregate in regions adjacent to the osteoid-mineralized bone interface as in placebo-treated rats. Osteoid seams in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats contained irregular electron-dense foci, which were often concentrated around embedded cytoplasmic processes. Osteocytic hypertrophy characterized by increased cytoplasmic area, developed rough endoplasmic reticulum, and increased numbers of mitochondria was evident at Day 2 and was sustained through Day 10 in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats. Variable-sized aggregates of electron-dense deposits similar to those concentrated around osteoblast cytoplasmic processes were observed in the pericellular space and on and immediately adjacent to the plasma membranes of osteocytes and embedding osteoblasts in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats as early as Day 4. The composition of these deposits is uncertain, but their electron density was only partially reduced by decalcification and omission of osmium postfixation. Semiquantitative energy-dispersive x-ray microanalytic studies demonstrated the absence of calcium in deposits located on or immediately adjacent to the plasma membranes, with minimal amounts of calcium being detected in deposits more removed from the plasma membranes. Osteoclasts were infrequent at Days 8 and 10 in 1,25(OH)2D3-treated rats compared with placebo-treated rats. These ultrastructural findings support previous quantitative light microscopic studies that show that the increase in osseous tissue and hyperosteoidosis in rats fed a high-calcium diet and administered supraphysiologic doses of 1,25(OH)2D3 is due in part to a decrease in osteoclasts and enhanced osteoblastic synthetic activity. Osteoblast hypertrophy in association with widened osteoid seams suggests increased bone formation. The bone matrix synthesis induced by 1,25(OH)2D3 and its subsequent mineralization appear to be abnormal.
Understanding the Safety Effects of Vehicle Lighting Through Naturalistic Driving Data

Because crash data does not always contain the necessary details of the role of forward lighting in crashes, this paper uses naturalistic driving data to assess the safety impacts of lighting in crashes. The paper shows how driving behavior and real time descriptions of crashes and near-misses might improve the understanding of how forward lighting can improve traffic safety.
Electron-Positron Annihilation Cross Section in SU ( 2 ) L ⊗ U ( 1 ) Supergravity

For a wide range of masses of the $W$ superpartners and the supersymmetric scalars it is shown that a measurement of the total electron-positron annihilation cross section is sufficient to demonstrate the existence or nonexistence of supersymmetry.
Stereoelectronic effects on metallation of 1,3-dioxanes

Abstract Metallation of the acetal (H-2) proton in 1,3-dioxolanes, 1,3-dioxanes and open chain acetals is possible only if the proton can occupy an “equatorial-like” conformation.
Influence of a rigid top mass on the response of a pressurized cylinder containing liquid.

Rigid top mass effect on longitudinal response of model vehicle propellant tank, determining natural frequencies and forced asymmetric response
Pulsed selective epitaxial growth of hexagonal GaN microprisms

Abstract Hexagonal GaN microprism structures were fabricated by pulsed selective epitaxial growth (SEG) under conditions that suppressed lateral overgrowth. Unlike previously reported pulsed SEG processes in which the precursor gas flow was modulated by valves, the approach reported here utilizes a flow geometry that produces a significant deposition rate only over the downstream portion of the 2 in wafer, which yields a pulsed deposition process when combined with substrate rotation. Hexagonal GaN microprism structures were grown on a GaN/sapphire substrate with a dielectric (SiO x ) mask of varying thickness (100, 150, and 200 nm) with circular openings ranging from 4 to 20 μm in diameter. Optimal structures were obtained with a SiO x mask thickness of 200 nm and circular openings of 6 and 8 μm. The vertical growth rate of the hexagonal prism structures was ∼50 nm/min, corresponding to the deposition of approximately six GaN bilayers (∼1.7 nm) per cycle. This pulsed deposition process has advantages over etching processes for fabricating hexagonal microprisms for optical cavity devices, including elimination of etching damage and formation of crystallographic facets with a high degree of parallelism.
Thyrotropin-releasing hormone excites submucous neurons an guinea-pig ileum

Actions of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on submucous neurons of the guinea-pig ileum were examined with intracellular electrophysiological methods. TRH evoked excitatory responses in S/type 1 and AH/type 2 neurons. The responses consisted of slowly activating membrane depolarization, augmented excitability and an increase in input resistance that resulted from a decrease in potassium conductance. The results suggest a neuromodulatory/neurotransmitter function for TRH.
Emotional Demands at Work: A Job Content Analysis

Using qualitative and quantitative evidence from studies of several occupations in the public sector, the authors evaluate dimensions of emotional labor in the content of work performed by registered nurses, police officers, and managers. Two indexes are constructed to measure a range of emotional skills and demands found in these historically female and male jobs. The authors find that the emotional labor required of police officers and registered nurses is comparable despite the cultural ideology that portrays these jobs as requiring gender-specific skills. The authors demonstrate the utility and increased accuracy of using an augmented conceptualization of emotional labor to measure what employees actually do in performing their jobs. It is proposed that those studying emotional labor abandon their reliance on preconceived stereotypes of femininity when studying emotional labor, especially in service sector jobs.
A neural cell culture study on thin film electrode materials

Functional neural stimulation requires good interface between the neural cells and the electrode surfaces. In order to study the effect of electrode materials and surface structure on cell adhesion and biocompatibility, we cultured cortical neurons on thin films of platinum and iridium oxide. We used both flat, as-deposited and laser micro-structured films. The laser micro-structuring consisted of creating regular arrays of micro-bumps or holes with diameters of 4–5 μm and height of about 1.5 μm. The micro-bumps were fabricated onto platinum and iridium film surfaces deposited on borosilicate glass substrates, using mask-projection irradiation with single nano-second pulses from a KrF excimer laser (λ = 248 nm). Amorphous and crystalline (deposited at 250 °C) IrO2 films were deposited onto the laser micro-structured iridium films by pulsed-DC reactive sputtering to obtain micro-structured IrO2 films. Cortical neurons isolated from rat embryo brain were cultured onto these film surfaces. Our results indicate that flat and micro-structured film surfaces are biocompatible and non-toxic for neural cell growth. The use of poly-d-lysine as a mediator for cell adhesion onto the thin film surfaces is also discussed.
Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of metallic friction at Ta/Al and Cu/Ag interfaces

With the advent of large-scale parallel computers in the past decade, it has become possible to study the microphysics of complex nonlinear many-body systems at scales approaching the mesoscale. One of the areas where nonequilibrium deformation arises is that of dry sliding friction between ductile metals. We discuss the results of atomistic simulation studies of sliding friction in the velocity range 10 to 103 m/s in the high-pressure regime of 5 to 15 GPa for Ta/Al and Cu/Ag tribopairs. We discuss the velocity dependence and the near interface deformation seen in these simulations.
Effect of probabilistic shock schedules on acquisition, asymptotic responding, and extinction of an avoidance response

Abstract In the first of two experiments, four groups of 10 rats each were given 50 trials of one-way avoidance training and 150 extinction trials. The independent variable was π, the conditional probability of shock given a failure to respond within 5 sec after the onset of the CS. The values of π for the four groups were 1.0, 0.7, 0.4, and 0.1. A second experiment was a replication with 20 rats per group receiving 200 extinction trials after at least 100 training trials. During acquisition smaller values of π resulted in slower learning, but all groups seemed to reach the same asymptotic response level of over 95% avoidance. The number of shocked errors was approximately the same for all groups independent of π. During extinction, no partial reinforcement effect was observed. Only 30 to 50% of the animals extinguished in 150 or 200 trials, and there were no orderly differences in extinction as a function of the value of π during acquisition.
Relationship between the Midlatitude Tropopause Potential Temperature and the Thermodynamics of Surface Air

Abstract It is postulated that a simple relationship exists between the thermodynamic state of surface air supporting severe storm convection and the potential temperature of the overlaying tropopause. The thesis is tested using tropopause observations taken at Wallops Island, Virginia, and associated surface observations over a five-year period. It is found that during the summer months the relationship provides a valid link between local surface conditions and the tropopause, but the local relationship does not hold in the other seasons. Further investigation suggests that in the nonsummer period the tropopause over Wallops Island is defined by upwind convective activity, notably storm systems over the Gulf of Mexico. Limited tests support the thermodynamic relationship applied in this nonlocal manner.
Salvage Therapy for Refractory or Relapsed Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

The overall prognosis for patients with relapsed or refractory adult ALL remains poor. Further insight into the biology of ALL is required, and novel therapeutic agents are needed to counter mechanisms of resistance. A palliative approach to the management of multiply relapsed or refractory ALL should be supplanted by enrollment into clinic trials to promote drug discovery. Monitoring of minimal residual disease may allow an earlier intervention before overt clinical relapse and improve outcome; prospective studies are needed. Attainment of a second or later CR should be followed by allogeneic BMT when feasible owing to the paucity of long-term survivors with salvage chemotherapy alone.
WHEN A WAR IS NOT A WAR: Abortion, Desert Storm, and Representations of Protest in American TV News

In this article the A. juxtaposes American media coverage of the Gulf war and the war on abortion in 1991 to trace the meanings and possibilities for identity and activism mobilized by both. While the two wars seem unrelated, he examines the techniques through which the news coverage of both marginalized social protest and women's place within the national imaginary. In the news protesters and women were positioned outside the sphere of normal politics and reasonable opinion. In this way, the news created a mythic community of people like us in opposition to women and activists. Through this marginalization of protest, broadcast news contained the threat of activism to the national imaginary of the United States in both conflicts.
Liver resection for metastatic melanoma with postoperative tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy.

Patients with metastatic melanoma to the liver (MML) have a median survival of 4 to 6 months. This study evaluated patients who underwent liver resection with intent to receive postoperative tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy. Retrospective analysis of a prospective database identified patients with MML who underwent liver resection from 1980 to 2008. A total of 539 patients had MML, and 39% (204 of 539) had tumor collected for TIL. A total of 17% (35 of 204) underwent liver resection for TIL. The 3-year overall survival was 53%. Lack of extrahepatic disease (P = .026), negative margin (P = .056), and single hepatic metastasis (P = .04) predicted survival after univariate analysis. Only lack of extrahepatic disease remained a significant predictor of survival after multivariate analysis (P = .043). A total of 31% (11 of 35) underwent complete resection without TIL, and 69% (24 of 35) underwent resection with synchronous intrahepatic and extrahepatic disease with intent to receive TIL. For 9 of 11 patients (2 of 11 excluded for gene therapy), 3-year survival was 80%. A total of 4 (44%) of 9 experienced recurrence, with a median disease-free survival of 1.2 years. For 24 patients (69%) with residual disease, 3-year survival was 51% (2 of 24 excluded for gene therapy). A total of 63% (15 of 24) received postoperative TIL (3-year survival 65%), and 29% (7 of 24) did not. A total of 40% (6 of 15) had disease that partially responded to TIL; the disease of 67% (4 of 6) had not progressed at median follow-up of 55 months (range, 42–197+ months). The seven patients who did not receive TIL had a median survival of 4.6 months. Resection of MML with TIL should be considered because it can result in prolonged survival in a highly selected group of patients.
Serological α1-antichymotrypsin in Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease

α 1 -Antichymotrypsin (ACT) is a serine protease inhibitor that is markedly elevated in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Patients with Down's syndrome are known to develop neuropathological changes of AD by age 40 years and many become demented. Therefore, in the present study, we obtained serum ACT levels from patients with Down's syndrome and AD, diagnosed by autopsy or clinically, and healthy control subjects