cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of processing on surface roughness for a negative-tone chemically amplified resist exposed by x-ray lithography

As critical dimensions for devices continue to shrink, there is concern over the possible resist sidewall contributions to the critical dimension error budget. Because top surface roughness is substantially easier to measure than the sidewall roughness, it is the purpose of this paper to correlate top surface and sidewall roughness to the processing parameters of dose and development conditions that effect the overall roughness and to explore some possible reasons for the differences in the top surface and sidewall roughness. Initial atomic force microscopy results on the resist top surface indicate that there is a general correlation between the top surface roughness and the processing conditions of dose and development. The sidewall roughness results, however, indicate that the sidewall roughness is relatively independent of the dose and development conditions for the negative-tone, chemically- amplified resist, Shipley SAL 605. The root mean square roughness (R rms ) for the resist sidewalls was on the order of 5.2 +/- 0.5 nm for X-ray exposure. The top surface roughness for the resist at optimized lithographic conditions of 80 mJ/cm 2 developed with 0.254 N tetramethylammonium hydroxide was 7.2 +/- 1 nm. These studies, looking at the effects of dose, have shown that increasing the dose decreases the top surface roughness. The extent of the linking reaction, as measured by FTIR, has been compared to the roughness of the resist for samples that have the same approximate linking but have had radically different dose and thermal histories. These preliminary results indicate that there is a general correlation between the extent of linking and the roughness. Samples exposed to a very high dose (650 mJ/cm 2 ) but subjected to short post-exposure bake times (4.1 sec at 108 degree(s)) show similar roughness to samples exposed with lower doses (150 mJ/cm 2 ) but longer PEB times (40 sec at 108 degree(s)). The development conditions provide another major contributing factor in the top surface roughness. Decreasing the developer concentration decreases the top surface roughness of the resist. Adding particular quaternary ammonium salts to the developer decreases the surface roughness and slows the dissolution rate. The goal of these efforts with developer additives was to find the appropriate processing conditions that would yield surface roughness below 3 nm for 100 nm lines. This paper will also explore possible explanations for the effect of developer conditions on the observed roughness in light of current dissolution theories.
Bilateral trade and the environment: A general equilibrium model based on new trade theory

Abstract This study develops a trade–environment model based on new trade theory and emphasizes the role of international productivity differences in quantifying environmental consequences of trade. I introduce environmental policy and factor endowment differentials into a multi-country general equilibrium model of bilateral trade with random productivities and trade barriers. I calibrate the model for the OECD countries by estimating trade barriers and productivity parameters so as to match bilateral manufacturing trade shares. The calibrated model is used to analyze impacts of free trade and two types of environmental harmonization policies. I find that full trade liberalizations help to lower OECD pollution emissions by 32%, and about half of the decline in pollution is due to international productivity differences. I also show that harmonization of environmental taxes across the OECD countries is predicted to be more effective than the harmonization of pollution quotas in reducing aggregate pollution while under both policies trade impacts are relatively small.
The infrared spectra of ‘base-free’ dioxygen adducts of ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) porphyrins

Abstract The IR spectrum of Ru(TPP) cocondensed with 16O2 at ∼30 K exhibits two O-O stretching bands at 1167 and 1114 cm−1 which are shifted to 1101 and 1057 cm−1, respectively, by 16O2/18O2 substitution. The former at 1167 (1101 cm−1 is assigned to the end-on type dioxygen adduct, Ru(TPP)O2 whereas the latter at 1114 (1057) cm−1 is attributed to the O2-bridging adduct, [Ru(TPP)]2O2. The IR spectrum of Os(TPP) cocondensed with 16O2 under similar conditions exhibits only one O-O stretching band at 1090 cm−1 which is shifted to 1030 cm−1 by 16O2/18O2 substitution. This band is also attributed to the bridging dioxygen adduct [Os(TPP)]2O2. These assignments are made based on the trends in frequencies and intensities of the O-O stretching bands in the Fe, Ru and Os series and the results of warm-up experiments on the IR spectrum of the Ru(TPP)-O2 system.
Connected consumers' responses to negative brand actions: The roles of transgression self-relevance and domain

Abstract Brand misdeeds abound in the marketplace, but prior research indicates that having a strong connection with a brand buffers consumers from adverse effects of brand transgressions. However, the present research questions the scope of this buffering effect. The studies in this research demonstrate that strongly connected consumers are not so forgiving of a brand transgression if the brand's actions are personally relevant to them or if the negative actions are of an ethical nature rather than related to product performance. In particular, this research finds that the well-documented buffering effect emerges only when negative brand actions are not self-relevant for the individual consumer and the negative actions lie in the product, not ethical, domain. Therefore, contrary to the findings of prior research, connected consumers' brand attitudes are far from immune to brand misdeeds. Implications for managing brand crises conclude the article.
Modeling developmental data using U-shaped threshold dose-response curves

Abstract This paper develops threshold models for developmental toxicity data. The distinguishing feature of these threshold models is their flexibility in modeling data below threshold with a U-shaped function if the data warrants. The method is applied to actual data from a developmental study which exhibits U-shaped behavior in early dose groups. Results from a simulation study demonstrate the flexibility of the threshold model to pick up on U-shaped trends in the data. In addition, the simulation study reveals important considerations in design of developmental studies.
Evaluation of leukocyte adhesion on polyurethanes: the effects of shear stress and blood proteins

Leukocytes are a central cell type in directing host inflammatory and immune processes; thus, its response to biomaterials is extremely important in understanding material-host interaction. Blood contacting biomaterials may activate the complement cascade, thus promote leukocyte adhesion and activation to the biomaterial surface. We hypothesize that the extent of complement-mediated leukocyte activation is modulated by the material chemical formulation and the presence of fluid shear stress. Medical-grade polyurethanes with or without 4,4'-butyldiene bis(6-tert-butyl-m-cresol) antioxidant additives and a rotating disk system were utilized to study cell adhesion under a well-characterized shear stress field. Radioimmunoassay and ELISA were employed to assess the extent of complement activity. The results showed that adherent leukocyte densities decreased with increasing shear stress and that leukocyte adhesion was decreased significantly further by the presence of the antioxidant in the polyurethanes. Cell adhesion under flow conditions was abolished when complement C3 protein was depleted from the test medium. An increase in complement Factor H adsorption was observed at high shear region; however, no change in the complete complement activation was observed in the presence of shear stress as indicated by the protein S-terminal complement complex level. Based on these results, oligopeptides designed from C3a, C5a, and fibronectin were grafted onto a cell-nonadhesive polymer surface to probe the molecular mechanisms of leukocyte adhesion as mediated by protein-receptor complexation. The results showed that C3a-derived peptides mediated higher adherent macrophage density when compared to that mediated by C5a- and fibronectin-derived peptides.
Tetrahydrofuran-mediated radical processes: stereoselective synthesis of d,l-hexestrol

Abstract The highly stereoselective synthesis of d , l -hexestrol ( 1 ), an inhibitor of microtubule assembly, is developed by using, as a key step, an intermolecular coupling of Co 2 (CO) 6 -complexed propargyl radicals. The latter are generated by novel complementary processes involving an interaction of tetrahydrofuran with Co 2 (CO) 6 -complexed propargyl alcohols and cations. An isomerically pure d , l -μ-η 2 -[3,4-di(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,5-hexadiyne]-bis-dicobalthexacarbonyl ( d , l -6 ) is isolated in 69–91% yield with intermolecular coupling reactions exhibiting an excellent chemo- (0.5–7%) and d , l -diastereoselectivity (90–94%). The structure of d , l -6 is determined by X-ray diffraction. The subsequent steps include BBr 3 -induced demethylation of 4-methoxyaryl groups, demetalation with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate, and hydrogenation of acetylenic termini affording d , l -hexestrol ( 1 ).
The Cross Versus Personal Kingdoms

Jesus' legacy when he died on the cross was such that it was untouchable by the Roman probate courts and tax courts. His personal property was easily disposed of in minutes at the foot of his cross. Of institutional property there was none; hence there was no business property for the apostles to inherit and fight over should they be tempted to continue their internal power struggle that was still going on as recently as the Last Supper. Furthermore, the hecklers who targeted the man on the center cross seemed to be correct in their impudent assessments that he had nothing left even remotely suggestive of the grounds or appropriate power structures indicative of a viable kingdom. The trilingual placard over his head stating his kingship was an irony that could be tolerated easily enough because it seemed so ridiculous. Only one of his men stood by him at the cross. He had kept nothing for himself to fall back on in hard times. He had invested his all in a spiritual kingdom and demonstrated most convincingly what it means to wait for the kingdom of God.
Inferotemporal cortex and the processing of visual information in monkeys

Abstract Impairment in discrimination learning in monkeys with inferotemporal lesions is discussed in terms of a model of visual information processing. It is proposed that there is a trade-off between discrimination and encoding of stimulus input which relates to the functions of anterior and posterior inferotemporal areas.
The role of the active site glutamate in the rearrangement of glutamate to 3-methylaspartate catalyzed by adenosylcobalamin-dependent glutamate mutase

Abstract Background: Adenosylcobalamin (coenzyme B 12 )-dependent enzymes catalyze a variety of chemically difficult reactions that proceed through the generation of free radical intermediates. A long-standing question is how proteins stabilize what are normally regarded as highly reactive organic radicals and direct them towards productive reactions. In glutamate mutase the carboxylate of Glu171 hydrogen bonds with the amino group of the substrate. We have investigated the role of this residue in the enzyme mechanism. Results: Several sterically and functionally conservative mutations were introduced at position 171. In the most impaired mutant, Glu171Gln, k cat is reduced 50-fold, although the K m for glutamate is little affected. In the wild-type enzyme activity was pH-dependent and the acidic limb of the activity curve titrated with an apparent p K a of 6.6 on V max , whereas for the sluggish Glu171Gln mutant activity is independent of pH. The steady state deuterium kinetic isotope effect is reduced in the mutant enzyme, but the steady state concentration of free radical species on the enzyme (as measured by the steady state concentration of cob(II)alamin) is unaffected by the mutation. Conclusions: The properties of the mutant proteins are consistent with the hypothesis that Glu171 acts as a general base that serves to deprotonate the amino group of the substrate during catalysis. Deprotonation is expected to facilitate the formation of the glycyl radical intermediate formed during the inter-conversion of substrate and product radicals, but to have little effect on the stability of product or substrate radicals themselves.
Osteoid osteoma of the hand and wrist

Abstract The literature concerning osteoid osteoma has been reviewed briefly, with emphasis on those instances in which the bones of the hand and wrist were affected. Added to previously published accounts of osteoid osteomas in this extremity are resumes of four personal cases, one of which was marked by localization in the triquetral bone, a site which had never before been reported.
Polymer waveguide-based 1-GHz clock signal distribution system

We present our effort to construct an optoelectronic interconnection layer for Cray supercomputer board for board-level fast optical clock signal distribution. The optical interconnection layer under investigation employs optical channel waveguides with surface-normal waveguide couplers. The difficulties associated with the complicated 3-D multiple alignments are significantly reduced through the parallelism among the surface-normal fanout beams and the unique planar device feature. One-GHz optical clock signal is demonstrated experimentally with a guided-wave interconnection length of 45 cm. Some new techniques to fabricate multimode optical channel waveguides and 2-D array of surface-normal waveguide holographic gratings on board- level are also presented.
Molecular approaches in bioremediation

Bacteria have enormous catabolic potential for remediating wastes; however, the interactions between bacteria and pollutants are complex and suitable remediation does not always take place. Hence, molecular approaches are being applied to enhance bioremediation. Here, an overview is provided of the recent advances in bioremediation by utilizing rhizoremediation, protein engineering, metabolic engineering, whole-transcriptome profiling, and proteomics for the degradation of recalcitrant pollutants such as chlorinated aliphatics and polychlorinated biphenyls as well as for binding heavy metals.
Teacher Education: Ethics, Power, and Privilege

Many teacher education programs focus minimal attention on the ethical, political, social, and cultural dimensions of teaching. These four factors construct and sustain critical aspects of schooling for all children and are major barriers to the achievement ofparity in education for students commonly "marginalized" in the educative processes in school. All teacher educators shoulder the responsibility of helping prospective teachers become routinely reflective regarding moral and ethical issues that are often "conversations not had" and subsequently impair opportunities for many students of color to experience positive school outcomes.
Concomitant weekly cisplatin and thoracic radiotherapy for pancoast tumors of the lung: Pilot experience of the San Antonio Cancer Institute

Pancoast (superior sulcus tumors) comprise a subset of non-small-cell lung cancers that have a unique clinical presentation by virtue of the locoregional pattern of disease progression. We herein report a brief report on our group's pilot experience in managing these challenging lung neoplasms with an aggressive concomitant modality approach. These results and those of the recent Southwest Oncology-lead Intergroup prospective phase 2 trial (SWOG-9416/INT-0160) support the use of concomitant chemoradiation followed by an attempt at surgical resection.
Human capital practices of Russian enterprises

Abstract The goal of this study was to explore current human capital (HC) management practices (including training and development, recruitment and selection, compensation, empowerment, diversity, and work/family balance) of Russian enterprises. The data were collected at 270 large, medium and small enterprises in Moscow and four representative regional centers. The study results suggest that Russian firms tended to emphasize current HC needs, not long-term HC development strategies. The firm size had an effect on differences in training, selection and compensation practices, with large firms being more long-term oriented. Correlation between elements of the HC management model provided some preliminary evidence that Russian firms tried to coordinate selection, compensation and training procedures. In addition, firms that empowered their employees were also putting more emphasis on long-term oriented training, selection and compensation practices. Finally, there were signs that diversity was gradually bec...
Developing Personal Teaching Efficacy in New Teachers in University Settings

Confidence in one's ability to affect student learning in the classroom, or personal teaching efficacy, is an important predictor of instructor innovation, persistence, enthusiasm, and student achi...
Excitation of surface plasmon polaritons at the interface of a metal and a sculptured nematic thin film

A sculptured nematic thin film (SNTF) is an assembly of parallel nanowires that bend in a fixed plane orthogonal to the substrate on which the film is deposited. The absorbances, reflectances, and transmittances of linearly polarized, obliquely incident light were calculated for a planar SNTF-metal interface in the Kretschmann configuration. Empirical data on aluminum for the metal and titanium-oxide SNTFs were used for the calculations. The solution of the boundary-value problem for the Kretschmann configuration revealed that more than one surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves can be excited at the planar interface of a thin metal film and an SNTF.
In Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome, platelet count matters.

In a retrospective analysis of the French Registry of patients with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome (WAS), Mahlaoui et al have identified severe refractory thrombocytopenia (SRT) early in life as a major risk factor for poor outcome.[1][1] In an attempt to use phenotypic criteria to define WAS disease
The influence of α/β interface phase on tensile properties of Ti-6Al-4V

The effects of α/β interface phase on room temperature tensile properties of Ti-6Al-4V having an equiaxed primary α microstructure have been studied systematically. Due to the conditions under which it grows, manipulation of the interface phase width also results in alteration of the volume fraction of primary α in the alloy. Tensile yield strength and elongation were correlated to interface phase width and volume fraction primary α. The relative individual influence of each of these microstructural features on properties is not unambiguously clear, but evidence indicates that yield strength increases with increasing interface phase width when the interface phase exceeds about 250 nm, and elongation decreases with increasing interface phase width up to about 250 nm, and is unaffected at widths above 250 nm. It is speculated that the interface phase raises yield strength and lowers elongation by acting as a barrier to slip.
Structure and evolution of teleost mitochondrial control regions

We amplified and sequenced the mitochondrial control region from 23 species representing six families of teleost fish. The length of this segment is highly variable among even closely related species due to the presence of tandemly repeated sequences and large insertions. The position of the repetitive sequences suggests that they arise during replication both near the origin of replication and at the site of termination of the D-loop strand. Many of the conserved sequence blocks (CSBs) observed in mammals are also found among fish. In particular, the mammalian CSB-D is present in all of the fish species studied. Study of potential secondary structures of RNAs from the conserved regions provides little insight into the functional constraints on these regions. The variable structure of these control regions suggests that particular care should be taken to identify the most appropriate segment for studies of intraspecific variation.
Basal cell carcinoma of the prostate: current concepts.

We retrospectively reviewed published reports, using PubMed, from 1966 to 2006. The keywords used for the search included ‘adenoid cystic’, ‘adenoid cystic-like’, ‘basaloid’ and ‘basal cell carcinoma’ of the prostate. All languages were included in the search. Available clinical information, management, outcome and follow-up data were abstracted. The clinicopathological and immunohistochemical properties were collected. The management and follow-up data were reviewed to ascertain the available treatment options for BCC of the prostate.
Early detection of critical pulmonary shunts in infants

This paper aims to improve the design of modern Medical Cyber Physical Systems through the addition of supplemental noninvasive monitors. Specifically, we focus on monitoring the arterial blood oxygen content (CaO2), one of the most closely observed vital signs in operating rooms, currently measured by a proxy -- peripheral hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2). While SpO2 is a good estimate of O2 content in the finger where it is measured, it is a delayed measure of its content in the arteries. In addition, it does not incorporate system dynamics and is a poor predictor of future CaO2 values. Therefore, as a first step towards supplementing the usage of SpO2, this work introduces a predictive monitor designed to provide early detection of critical drops in CaO2 caused by a pulmonary shunt in infants.To this end, we develop a formal model of the circulation of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body, characterized by unknown patient-unique parameters. Employing the model, we design a matched subspace detector to provide a near constant false alarm rate invariant to these parameters and modeling uncertainties. Finally, we validate our approach on real-patient data from lung lobectomy surgeries performed at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Given 198 infants, the detector predicted 81% of the critical drops in CaO2 at an average of about 65 seconds earlier than the SpO2-based monitor, while achieving a 0.9% false alarm rate (representing about 2 false alarms per hour).
Surface structure of lithium-doped potassium tantalate using helium atom scattering

The structures of the (001) surface of potassium tantalate doped with nominally 2$%$, 4$%$, and 7$%$ lithium have been investigated using high-resolution helium atom scattering. The surfaces were prepared by cleaving single-crystal samples in situ under UHV conditions. Diffraction measurements in the region around the He specular reflection angle soon after cleaving yielded specular peaks initially with broad shoulders. However, over a period of about an hour, the shoulders diminished into the background. Drift spectra measurements of the stabilized surfaces revealed that the step heights separating surface terraces were predominantly multiples of the approximately 4-\AA{} unit-cell dimension rather than multiples of the approximately 2-\AA{} half-unit-cell dimension expected from the cleaving of these crystals. Together, these results suggest that these surfaces are rapidly modified after cleaving by migration of ions to the surface from the near surface. Further, half-order diffraction peaks were observed in the $\ensuremath{\langle}100\ensuremath{\rangle}$ azimuth a short time after cleaving samples at room temperature, indicating that domains with ($2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1$) structure had formed.
Comparative studies of the organic matrices of invertebrate mineralized tissues

The organic matrices of the mineralized tissues of four phyla of invertebrates, representing eight species, has been investigated by means of electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and amino acid analyses. The echinoid plates of Strongylocentrotus and Lytechinus, which contain CaCO3 as the major inorganic crystal phase, contained collagen as the principal organic constituent. The amino acid compositions of the proteins of the mineralized tissues of the phyla Porifera and Mollusca varied very markedly from species to species, but all were characterized by their relatively high concentrations of aspartic acid, glycine, and serine, and by the fact that a large proportion of the total amino acid residues was represented by as few as three, and at the most, five, different amino acids. In this respect, they resemble the protein of embryonic and mature enamel proteins and certain of the silk fibroins. Native type collagen fibrils were observed by electron microscopy in the matrices of the phyla Porifera and Mollusca, although they constitute only a very minor structural component of these matrices.
High power broadband frequency modulation of high Q resonators

Abstract The analysis indicates that the simple overcoupled transformer with non-identical primary and secondary circuits is the optimum coupling arrangement between tube and resonator. When δω/ω⪡1, a fundamental limitation, dependent on tube parameters only, is derived in the form of a voltage bandwidth product V2δω = 1.4g, where V2 is the peak rf plate voltage (at both normal mode frequencies) and g is the ratio of the tube emission current to its capacity. This relation shows that the tube should be operated at low voltages if wide frequency ranges are desired. The maximum resonator voltage V1 (constant throughout the range) is found to be limited by the expression V1(δω)2 = 2ωg. A compromise between range and power, using a programmed dc plate voltage, yields the relation P = 0.16(V1)2Cδω′ where C is the resonator capacity and δω′ is roughly 90% of the possible range δω.
Insights From Cognitive Neuroscience: The Importance of Executive Function for Early Reading Development and Education

Research Findings: Executive function begins to develop in infancy and involves an array of processes, such as attention, inhibition, working memory, and cognitive flexibility, which provide the means by which individuals control their own behavior, work toward goals, and manage complex cognitive processes. Thus, executive function plays a critical role in the development of academic skills such as reading. This article describes the development of executive function in young children, describes the brain structures and changes associated with that development, and then reviews recent research on the critical role of executive function in early reading development and education. Practice or Policy: Because executive function and its associated brain developments parallel reading acquisition, work in executive function has profound implications for fostering the successful development of reading skills, including prereading skills, word reading, and reading comprehension. Instruction that helps children le...
The optimal projection/maximum entropy approach to designing low-order, robust controllers for flexible structures

The Optimal Projection/Maximum Entropy approach to designing low-order controllers for high-order systems with parameter uncertainties is reviewed. The philosophy of representing uncertain parameters by means of Stratonovich multiplicative white noise is motivated by means of the Maximum Entropy Principle of Jaynes and statistical analysis of modal systems. The main result, the optimal projection equations for fixed-order dynamic compensation in the presence of state-, control- and measurement-dependent noise, represents a fundamental generalization of classical LQG theory.
Acidic pH increases the avidity of FcγR for immune complexes

The interaction of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies with FcgammaR constitutes a critical mechanism through which IgG antibody effector functions are mediated. In the current work we have examined whether human neutrophil FcgammaR exhibit pH dependence in their association with IgG. Binding assays were performed in culture medium adjusted to different pH values. It was found that the binding of either heat-aggregated human IgG (AIgG), soluble immune complexes (sIC) or IgG-coated erythrocytes (IgG-E) was markedly higher at pH 6.5 than at pH 7.3. This effect was not observed when saturation of FcgammaR was achieved, suggesting that acidic pH increases the avidity of FcgammaR for IC without modifying the total binding capacity. Similar results were observed for the binding of AIgG to either monocytes, natural killer (NK) or K562 cells, suggesting that acidic pH increases the avidity of both, FcgammaRII and FcgammaRIII. Additional experiments were performed to analyse whether the binding of IgG to FcgammaRI also showed pH dependence. To this aim, we employed interferon-gamma-treated human neutrophils and mouse inflammatory macrophages, previously incubated with blocking antibodies directed to FcgammaRII and FcgammaRIII. Acidic pH did not enhance the binding of AIgG nor monomeric IgG under these experimental conditions. Further studies are required to determine whether the enhancement of FcgammaR avidity for IC could be attributed to titration of histidine(s) residues on the Fc fragment of IgG.
Evaluation of Demand Pacemakers by Chest Wall Stimulation

Chest wall stimulation (CWS) is a simple and safe technique for studying the sensing function of implanted demand pulse generators. Suppression of a demand pulse generator may be useful in the following circumstances: analysis of the underlying spontaneous electrocardiogram; investigation of dizziness and syncope; appropriately timed CWS may demonstrate the capability of a generator to sense the QRS signal. This avoids measures to accelerate the spontaneous rhythm in patients with generators pacing continuously; and suppression of a generator that fails to sense the QRS complex suggests a low electrographic signal. CWS permits evaluation of certain clinically important technical aspects of demand pulse generators and thus provides a model for the study of arrhythmias originating from the sensing mechanism. This information may be useful because some specifications published by manufacturers may occasionally be incorrect or incomplete. These characteristics include determination of delivery (paced), sensing (sensed) and relative refractory periods of generators; detection and significance of partial recycling with certain generators; and interference test. Rarely when the magnetic reed switch becomes inoperative and carotid sinus pressure cannot slow the spontaneous rate sufficiently to allow escape of the pacemaker, rapid CWS may reveal the pacing capability of a generator by pushing it into its interference phase. CWS should not be used to test the sensitivity of demand pacemakers while serial determination of refractory periods appears to be of no value in predicting or detecting pacemaker failure.
Acetylcholine turnover in an autoactive molluscan neuron.

1. We have studied acetylcholine (ACh) turnover at the cholinergic synapse between an identified motoneuron, the salivary burster (SB), and the muscle cells of the salivary duct (SD) in the terrestrial molluskLimax maximus. 2. Electrophysiological recordings were made of the SB action potentials and the SB-elicited junction potentials (JPs) on the SD. The amplitude of the JP was used as a measure of ACh release by the SB. 3. The SB is an autoactive neuron that discharges 1 to 12 bursts of action potentials per min. During sustained bursting activity, the SB is able to maintain transmitter release for 18 hr even in the absence of exogenous choline. The size of SB-elicited JPs does not vary during 18 hr of activity. If the choline uptake blocker, hemicholinium-3 (HC-3; 20µM), is present in the saline, transmitter release and JP size are depressed by about 30% after 14 hr of activity. Thus, the SB is partially dependent upon choline reuptake for maintained ACh synthesis and release. 4. In high (9.45 mM)-potassium (K+) saline, the SB fired tonically at twice its average spike frequency. JP amplitude initially increased, then declined to an amplitude which was 60% of the initial level. The addition of 20µM HC-3 to the high-K+ saline caused a 75 to 100% decrease in JP size within 30 min. Thus, during high-frequency tonic firing, the SB was primarily dependent on choline reuptake for ACh synthesis and release. 5. After JP size had been reduced in high-K+ saline containing HC-3, the SB-SD synapse was returned to normal choline-free saline. The SB resumed bursting activity. JP amplitude gradually increased over the next 30 min. Thus, high-frequency firing in HC-3 had not depleted the SB of its entire endogenous store of choline or ACh. 6. If the synapse was fatigued in high-K+ saline containing HC-3 and then placed in saline enriched with 300µM choline, JP size increased within minutes. Thus, uptake of choline for ACh synthesis and release may be a more rapid process than mobilization of an endogenous transmitter store. 7. Finally, the SB-SD synapse was fatigued in high-K+ saline containing HC-3. HC-3 was then removed from the saline. The SB maintained high-frequency tonic activity. JP size did not increase unless choline was added to the saline. 8. We conclude that the SB possesses two releasable pools of ACh, a “readily releasable” and a “reserve” transmitter store. The readily releasable pool is made up of ACh newly synthesized from choline taken up from the saline. During high-frequency firing, the SB discharges all ACh from this store. During normal bursting activity, the SB may discharge ACh from both the readily releasable and the reserve transmitter pool. The proportion of ACh released from each pool may vary with the total transmitter stores and the spiking activity of the SB neuron.
Does ticlopidine reduce reocclusion and other adverse events after successful balloon angioplasty of occluded coronary arteries? Results from the Total Occlusion Study of Canada (TOSCA)

Abstract Objectives Ticlopidine reduces stent thrombosis and other adverse events among patients receiving coronary stents. Whether ticlopidine is beneficial after balloon angioplasty is unknown. Our purpose was to compare the clinical outcome of patients undergoing balloon angioplasty treated with both aspirin and ticlopidine versus aspirin alone. Methods and Results We performed a databank analysis of the Total Occlusion Study of Canada (TOSCA), a randomized trial with angiographic follow-up comparing the frequency of reocclusion after angioplasty of a subtotal or total coronary occlusion in patients receiving ≥1 heparin-coated Palmaz-Schatz stent versus balloon angioplasty alone. In TOSCA, 102 patients undergoing balloon angioplasty were treated with both aspirin and ticlopidine (generally for 15-30 days) and 94 were treated with aspirin alone, by physician preference. After 6 months, failure to sustain patency (less than Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] grade 3 flow on follow-up angiography) occurred in 23% of patients on ticlopidine and aspirin versus 16% of patients on aspirin alone ( P =.21); the frequency of target vessel revascularization was also similar in the 2 groups (32% vs 25%, P =.27). Myocardial infarction was infrequent in both groups (2.0% vs 1.1%, respectively, P not significant). Patients treated with aspirin and ticlopidine had more adverse angiographic and procedural characteristics, including longer lesions and treatment lengths. Multivariate analysis to adjust for these and other differences failed to reveal a benefit of ticlopidine in maintaining patency and reducing adverse clinical events. Conclusions After balloon angioplasty of a subtotal or total coronary occlusion, no reduction in adverse events was observed among patients in whom ticlopidine was added to aspirin, even after adjustment for clinical and lesion characteristics. (Am Heart J 2001;142:776-81.)
Positional information, compartments, and the cercal sensory system of crickets

Abstract Sensory neurons on the cricket cercus preserve the spatial order of the receptor array by forming an orderly afferent projection to the CNS. To examine the mechanisms underlying the production of the receptor array and the corresponding afferent projection, we transplanted epidermis to ectopic sites. The grafted tissue was identified by transplanting epidermis from a black cricket, Gryllus, to a tan cricket, Acheta. The results revealed that apposition of normally nonadjacent tissue usually produced intercalary growth from either donor or host, but not both. The experiments showed that tissue of more lateral origin always produced the intercalary growth. Since the cercus is circular in cross section, two separate hierarchies must exist, dividing the cercus into dorsal and ventral compartments. The border between the dorsal and ventral compartments appears to represent a line of lineage restriction. Transplants from one compartment to another caused more complex responses where both donor and host contributed to the intercalary tissue. Within the dorsal or ventral compartment, positional information guides the intercalary growth. Intercalated receptors always have the phenotype of receptors normally found between the positions represented by donor and host at the graft boundary. This result provides strong support for the idea that orderly synaptic connections between afferents and interneurons are controlled by the position of the receptor at the time of its differentiation.
Fundamental aspects of ion beam mixing

Abstract Irradiation of solids with energetic particles results in the reorganization of constituent target atoms, i.e., ion beam mixing (IM). At low temperatures, IM is characterized by prompt (10 −10 s) diffusion processes which are localized in the vicinity of the displacement cascade. Mixing at low temperatures can cause the system to depart far from the equilibrium state. At elevated temperatures, the diffusion of radiation-induced defects extends the mixing to longer times and greater distances. These delayed IM processes tend to return the system toward equilibrium. Recent experimental progress has led to a qualitative understanding of the fundamental aspects of IM in both temperature regimes. This has been achieved through systematic measurements of the influence of temperature, dose, dose-rate, cascade energy density and chemical interactions on IM. The results of these experiments will be reviewed and compared to IM models based on collisional, thermal spike and radiation-enhanced diffusion processes. The relation of IM to other fundamental radiation damage effects will also be discussed.
Structural basis for gene activation by p53 family members.

The p53 tumor suppressor is a modular transcription factor that determines cellular outcome (cell-cycle arrest and DNA repair vs. apoptosis) in response to stress signals. The two p53 homologues, p63 and p73 play an important role in development but also act as tumor suppressors. The p53 family members are highly homologous in the activation domain (AD), the DNA-binding domain (DBD) and the tetramerization domain (TD) but differ in the C-terminus. Indeed, the p53 C-terminus contains a basic domain (BD) whereas p63/p73 have a sterile _ motif (SAM) domain and an inhibitory domain (ID). In addition to the full-length proteins, the p53 family genes produce multiple isoforms truncated at the NH2- and/or C-terminus. Importantly, every functional domain is a determinant in the transactivation of specific target genes by the p53 family members. Distinct post-translational modifications and interactions with co-factors further modulate the transcriptional activity of the p53 family members in response to particula...
Assessment of narcissistic personality disorder: A multi-method review

Abstract This review examines the available empirical data for the diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD) for three methods of assessment: semi-structured interviews, self-report inventories, and projective techniques. Issues of reliability, validity, and clinical utility are examined for each instrument (or scale). An overview of the relative advantages, disadvantages, and empirical support for each method of assessment in the diagnosis of NPD is presented in a discussion after the review of the salient literature. In general, it was found that semi-structured interviews are a fairly reliable and valid method of diagnosis for Axis II disorders but, for the most part, these studies have used woefully small samples of NPDs. In general, self-report instruments were best at screening for the presence or absence of personality disorder, identifying members of personality disorder clusters, and identifying negative instances of specific personality disorders or clusters. Self-report inventories and the structured interviews are often in disagreement concerning presence of specific personality pathology. In general, previous studies have found the tendency for self-report measures to diagnose personality disorders at much higher frequencies than do clinicians. Moreover, self-report measures frequently attributed two or more personality disorders to a particular individual. Additionally, research with projective methods over the last decade has shown this mode of assessment to be useful in the differential diagnosis of NPD from both related and unrelated personality disorders. It seems prudent that the clinician and researcher alike should employ multiple methods of measurement and utilize information in a systematic and theoretical fashion when evaluating a patient for NPD diagnosis.
Influences of sinusoidal electric fields on excitability in the rat hippocampal slice

Abstract The influence of extracellular sinusoidal electric fields on the amplitude of population spikes evoked by single test pulses in excitatory pathways to CA1 pyramidal neurons was studied in rat hippocampal slices. The fields in the tissue were of the order of EEG gradients. Stimulation at 5 Hz, a frequency representative of hippocampal theta activity, was compared with 60 Hz, which is often used in kindling procedures. Brief stimulation (5–30 s) with both 5 and 60 Hz fields (20–70 mV/cmp−p in the perfusing solution) often produced a long-term increase (longer than 10 min) of the population spike. Fields at 60 Hz, but not at 5 Hz, also induced short-term depression (1–6 min) or transient post-field excitation (15–30 s). Prolonged stimulation (3 min) emphasized this frequency dependent response: fields at 5 Hz induced long-lasting potentiation while fields at 60 Hz always resulted in progressive depression persisting for a few minutes after the end of stimulation. These effects appeared as a global response of CA1 neurons. Antidromic responses studied during blockade of synaptic transmission (0.2 mM Ca2+, 4 mM Mg2+) were depressed during and following 3 min field stimulation at either frequency, which could reflect failing calcium mechanisms in the tissue. The field influence on the potential evoked by synaptic or antidromic stimulation was independent of the phase of the sine wave at which the test pulse was delivered, arguing against a direct polarization of the cell membrane by the fields. The experimental evidence suggests a functional role for EEG-like fields in hippocampal excitability.
An SRAM-based FPGA architecture

An SRAM-based FPGA architecture has been developed using a licensed AT6000 architecture base. The logic-cell architecture exploits an efficient, medium-grained, fixed library cell that implements most frequently used synthesis functions. An internal routing structure enables dense designs using a highly connected grid-based routing system and a dedicated I/O routing structure that supports the highest I/O counts available. Dynamic reconfiguration is retained with an underlying SRAM structure like the AT6000.
Photodissolution and other photochemical changes upon irradiation of algal detritus

Several recent lines of literature point toward strong photoreactivity of phytoplanktonic detritus. We examined effects of irradiation of algal membrane fragments in various stages of decay, with emphasis on transfer of materials from solid to dissolved phase (photodissolution). After simulated solar irradiation for 24 h, up to several tens of percent of particulate organic matter converted to photodissolved organic matter (PDOM). Prior microbial decay enhanced PDOM production. PDOM had initially high C : N ratios, which decreased with irradiation time. Dissolved organic nitrogen dominated nitrogen photodissolution, followed by minor photoammonification and negligible nitrite plus nitrate production. Chromophoric particulate organic matter bleached at visible wavelengths and underwent dissolution, creation, and bleaching at ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths, resulting in net loss of color in particulates and net gain of largely UV-absorbing PDOM that also exhibited humic-type fluorescence. Solid phase proteinaceous material became less accessible to proteases after microbial decay but regained this accessibility upon irradiation. Irradiation under anoxic conditions roughly halved production of PDOM, including chromophores and humic fluorophores. Oxygen enhancement of these reactions, along with production of peroxides, implies a strong role for photosensitization. Pigments, unsaturated lipids, and tryptophan emerged as likely sources of reactive oxygen species. Lipid peroxides appeared as a reactive intermediate product. If these reactions in the ocean scale to pigment loss as found in our experiments, at least 5– 15% of particulate organic matter could undergo photodissolution before settling in some planktonic environments. This photodissolution would enhance remineralization by photic zone microbial communities and thus upper ocean elemental recycling.
Structural model of effects of cultural factors on escalation of commitment through antecedents, agency, and negative framing effects

The purpose of this study is to identify, measure, and compare the effects of Hofstede's cultural factors on escalation of commitment for the hotel and restaurant managers between the U.S. and China. First, the effect of cultural factors on escalation of commitment was measured through antecedents. Second, the first effect of antecedents on escalation of commitment was measured through agency and negative framing effects. The concept will be explained in terms of agency theory, escalation of commitment, cultural difference, values and ethics. Relationships among dimensions will be measured with structural equation modeling (SEM).
Patient and physician predictors of inappropriate acid-suppressive therapy (AST) use in hospitalized patients.

BACKGROUND: The use of acid suppressive therapy (AST) in prevention of stress ulcers has been well defined in critical care patients, though its use has become increasingly common in general medicine patients, with little to no supportive evidence. None of the previous studies has examined the patient and physician characteristics of inappropriate AST initiation and use in hospitalized patients. The aim of our study was to identify: (1) the appropriateness of AST in hospitalized patients and the cost associated with inappropriate use; and (2) patient and physician characteristics predicting inappropriate initiation and use of AST. METHODS: All discharges over a period of 8 consecutive days were selected. RESULTS: There were 207 patients discharged over a period of 8 days. AST was inappropriately initiated in 92 of 133 (69.2%) patients included in our study. On univariate analysis, higher hemoglobin value, postgraduate year 1 (PGY-1) residents, physicians with an MD degree, international medical graduates (IMGs), and internal medicine physicians were more likely to prescribe AST inappropriately. On multivariate analysis, a higher hemoglobin value, PGY-1 residents, and MD physicians were factors associated with inappropriate AST use. The total direct patient cost for this inappropriate use was $8026, with an estimated annual cost of approximately $366,000. CONCLUSIONS: AST was inappropriately initiated in 69.2% of patients with increased direct costs of $8026. Residents in their first year of training as well physicians with a MD degree are more likely to initiate AST inappropriately. Curtailing the inappropriate use of AST therapy may reduce overall costs for the patient and institution. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2009;4:E10–E14. © 2009 Society of Hospital Medicine.