cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Experimental Apparatus for Laboratory and Field-Based Perfusion of Sediment Porewater with Dissolved Tracers

The water–sediment interface is a dynamic zone where the benthic and pelagic environments are linked through exchange and recycling of organic matter and nutrients. However, it is often difficult to measure rate processes in this zone. To that end, we designed an experimental apparatus for continuous and homogeneous perfusion of sediment porewater with dissolved conservative (SF6, Rhodamine WT dye) and isotopic (H13CO3− and 15NH4+) tracers to study nitrogen and carbon cycling by the sediment microbial community of shallow illuminated sediments. The perfusionator consists of a 60-cm ID × 60-cm high cylinder that includes a reservoir for porewater at the base of the sediment column. Porewater amended with conservative and stable isotopic tracers was pumped through a mixing reservoir and upward through the overlying sediments. We tested the perfusionator in a laboratory setting, as part of an outdoor mesocosm array, and buried in coastal sediments. Conservative and isotopic tracers demonstrated that the porewater tracers were distributed homogeneously through the sediment column in all settings. The perfusionator was designed to introduce dissolved stable isotope tracers but is capable of delivering any dissolved ionic, organic, or gaseous constituent. We see a potentially wide application of this technique in the aquatic and marine sciences in laboratory and field settings.
Scaling up HIV prevention efforts targeting people who inject drugs in Central Asia: A review of key challenges and ways forward

Abstract Background In Central Asia, between 33% and 72% of cumulative HIV infections has been attributed to unsafe injection practices among people who inject drugs (PWID). Methods We reviewed the current status and trends of national efforts in Central Asian countries to control HIV among PWID, and also reviewed the key structural and health-systems-related challenges that facilitate drug-use-related HIV risk in Central Asia. Results The spectrum and scale of HIV prevention services targeting PWID vary considerably among Central Asian countries. In all countries, the potential impact of these interventions is hindered by several key features: a restrictive legal environment, poor performance of service providers, widespread opposition to harm reduction, deficient human resources and funding mechanisms, poor services integration, insufficient community involvement, and other structural factors. Conclusions Scaling up HIV prevention interventions in Central Asia will demand greater attention to the structural, health-care-related and social factors that facilitate HIV risk and impede service utilization among PWID. Multi-level combination prevention interventions should be developed with a focus on the sexual partners and risk networks of PWID, aiming at early detection of HIV, timely enrollment in HIV care, and retention in HIV care.
Evaluation of tablet apps to encourage social interaction in children with autism spectrum disorders

The increasing rates of diagnosis for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) have brought unprecedented attention to these conditions. Interventions during childhood can increase the likelihood of independent living later in life, but most adults with ASDs who benefited from early intervention do not live independently. There is a need for novel therapies and interventions that can help children with ASDs develop the social skills necessary to live independently. Since the launch of the iPad, there has been a great deal of excitement in the autism community about multitouch tablets and their possible use in interventions. There are hundreds of apps listed as possibly helping children with ASDs, yet there is little empirical evidence that any of them have positive effects. In this paper we present a study on the use of a set of apps from Open Autism Software at an afterschool program for children with ASDs. The apps are designed to naturally encourage positive social interactions through creative, expressive, and collaborative activities. The study compared activities conducted with the apps to similar activities conducted without the apps. We video recorded the activities, and coded children's behavior. We found that during the study children spoke more sentences, had more verbal interactions, and were more physically engaged with the activities when using the apps. We also found that children made more supportive comments during activities conducted with two of the apps. The results suggest the approach to using apps evaluated in this paper can increase positive social interactions in children with ASDs.
Granulomatous thyroiditis (De Quervain's thyroiditis).

GRANULOMATOUS thyroiditis is a distinct clinicopathologic entity, apparently a true nonsuppurative inflammation of the thyroid gland, that can be distinguished from the rare invasive fibrous thyroiditis (Riedel's struma) or the more common struma lymphomatosa. Since its first description by de Quervain in 1904 (1), the disease has been reported under many synonyms. Terms that call attention to the histologic features of the lesion include “pseudotuberculous thyroiditis,” “granulomatous thyroiditis,” “giant-cell thyroiditis” or “struma fibrosa, giant-cell variant.” The clinical findings have given origin to such names as “acute and subacute nonsuppurative thyroiditis,” “acute noninfectious thyroiditis,” “acute diffuse thyroiditis” and “subacute thyroiditis.” The latter term is commonly used. However, since there appears to be one basic pathologic process with extreme variation in severity of symptoms, and since many cases undoubtedly occur in which subjective symptoms are absent, it was thought best to use...
Phonological neutralization by native and non-native speakers: The case of Russian final devoicing

The present study investigates the extent of word-final devoicing in Russian for three groups of speakers: monolingual native Russian speakers (4 Ss), native Russian speakers with knowledge of English (7 Ss), and American English learners of Russian (9 Ss). Thirty-four minimal pairs of Russian words differing in the underlying voicing of word-final obstruents were recorded. Acoustic analysis focused on four measures: preceding vowel duration, closure/frication duration, duration of voicing into closure/frication, and duration of release portion. Results indicate the absence of complete neutralization of underlying voicing for all three groups. Native Russian speakers showed sizeable differences in each of the four measures. While Russian monolingual speakers produced significant durational differences in closure/frication duration and release duration, native Russians with knowledge of English in addition maintained a difference through vowel duration and duration of voicing into closure/frication. Moreover, correlations indicated that speakers with higher English proficiency produced greater differences for vowel duration. In addition, native speakers of English learning Russian also distinguished final obstruents in terms of preceding vowel duration, closure/frication duration, duration of voicing into closure/frication, and duration of release portion, with greater durational differences for these second language learners than for Russian native speakers. The more proficient speakers of Russian decreased the durational differences and the most proficient second language learners were closer to complete neutralization than monolingual speakers of Russian. The neutralization data will be discussed in terms of the interaction between first and second language in the production of final devoicing.
The Case of the Disappearing Generalist: Does It Need to Be Solved?

The proportion of generalist physicians in the United States has declined steadily over 50 years, bringing it to the lowest percentage of trained primary care physicians of any developed country; the trend toward subspecialization is accelerating. Many analysts believe this imbalance between generalists and subspecialists to be a major cause of America's high health care costs, heavy dependence on biotechnology, and consumer dissatisfaction. Others argue that sub-specialists can provide excellent primary care services, and the decrease in the number of generalists is not a problem. Three contrasting views on the implications of this trend state that today's generalists are an important and scarce resource that must be bolstered; that subspecialists can replace generalists as providers of primary care; and that the free market will determine the best manpower mix. A final view, on the marketplace option, posits that generalism will not recover until it creates a vital, and unique, role in handling the primary care challenges of the twenty-first century. These competing viewpoints are used to clarify assumptions underlying our major policy options in the arena of health manpower.
Incidence of prolonged prothrombin time in dogs following gastrointestinal decontamination for acute anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion

Objective: To determine the effect of gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination on the incidence of prolonged prothrombin time (PT) in dogs after anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Urban emergency room. Animals: One hundred and fifty-one client-owned dogs. Measurements: Dogs presented to the emergency room within 6 hours of ingestion of an anticoagulant rodenticide and had a PT measured within 2–6 days of toxicant ingestion before initiating vitamin K therapy were included. Dogs were categorized as treated or untreated based on the institution of vitamin K therapy following PT testing. The signalment, body weight, type of rodenticide ingested, time elapsed between ingestion and initial presentation, method(s) of GI decontamination, and the times elapsed between both toxicant ingestion and initial hospital presentation until determination of PT were recorded. The PT results were recorded as well as any treatment received following the recheck examination. Any reported incidents of bleeding or untoward effects between exposure and reexamination were recorded. Main results: Of 151 dogs, only 11 dogs (8.3%) developed prolonged PT requiring vitamin K supplementation. None of the 11 dogs with prolonged PTs exhibited signs of bleeding or required transfusion therapy. No differences in age, weight, or time elapsed between treated and untreated patients were found. Conclusions: The incidence of prolonged PT is low in dogs receiving GI decontamination within 6 hours of anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion. Delaying vitamin K therapy until a PT has been assessed 48–72 hours after initial exposure appears to be safe and sensitive in dogs following anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion.
Traumatic orbitomaxillary encephalocele

Abstract A rare case of occult traumatic intramaxillary encephalocele and intraorbital encephalocele without obvious connection to exterior is described
Arsenite is a cocarcinogen with solar ultraviolet radiation for mouse skin: an animal model for arsenic carcinogenesis.

Although epidemiological evidence shows an association between arsenic in drinking water and increased risk of skin, lung, and bladder cancers, arsenic compounds are not animal carcinogens. The lack of animal models has hindered mechanistic studies of arsenic carcinogenesis. Previously, this laboratory found that low concentrations of arsenite (the likely environmental carcinogen) which are not mutagenic can enhance the mutagenicity of other agents, including ultraviolet radiation (UVR). This enhancing effect appears to result from inhibition of DNA repair by arsenite. Recently we found that low concentrations of arsenite disrupted p53 function and upregulated cyclin D1. These results suggest that the failure to find an animal model for arsenic carcinogenesis is because arsenite is not a carcinogen per se, but rather acts as an enhancing agent (cocarcinogen) with a genotoxic partner. We tested this hypothesis with solar UVR as carcinogenic stimulus in hairless Skh1 mice. Mice given 10 mg/l sodium arsenite in drinking water for 26 weeks had a 2.4-fold increase in yield of tumors after 1.7 KJ/m2 UVR three times weekly compared with mice given UVR alone. No tumors appeared in mice given arsenite alone. The tumors were mostly squamous cell carcinomas, and those occurring in mice given UVR plus arsenite appeared earlier and were much larger and more invasive than in mice given UVR alone. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that arsenic acts as a cocarcinogen with a second (genotoxic) agent by inhibiting DNA repair and/or enhancing positive growth signaling.
Application of two synthesis methods for active flutter suppression on an aeroelastic wind tunnel model

Two flutter suppression control laws have been synthesized, implemented, and demonstrated on an aeroelastic wind-tunnel model of a transport-type wing. One control law was synthesized using an aerodynamic energy method and the other from using results of optimal control theory. At M = 0.95, the model was tested to a dynamic pressure 44 percent above the system-off flutter dynamic pressure. Both synthesis methods yielded control laws effective in suppressing flutter. The experimental results also indicate that wind-tunnel turbulence is an important factor in the experimental demonstration of system performance.
Experimental study of low concentration sand transport in wet gas flow regime in horizontal pipes

Abstract This paper examines the minimum flow rates of gas and liquid necessary to keep particles moving in a horizontal flow line with emphasis on flows with high gas–liquid ratios resulting in stratified wavy flow with small liquid hold-up. Experimental results are presented for flows in 0.05 m and 0.1 m diameter pipes varying particle size and shape. The types of particles used are sand and glass beads. Additionally, experiments are performed for two particle volume concentrations: 0.01 and 0.1 volume percent. Varying these physical parameters, the effects of particle concentration, particle shape, particle size and pipe size are experimentally investigated in this study. Finally, available models in the literature to predict sand transport critical velocity in multiphase flows is examined using the experimental data obtained in this study. The comparison shows none of the available models can predict critical velocity accurately in the stratified wavy flow regime at very small liquid hold-up.
Physicochemical properties of endosperm and pericarp starches during maize development

Abstract Endosperm starch and pericarp starch were isolated from maize (B73) kernels at different developmental stages. Starch granules, with small size (2–4 μm diameter), were first observed in the endosperm on 5 days after pollination (DAP). The size of endosperm-starch granules remained similar until 12DAP, but the number increased extensively. A substantial increase in granule size was observed from 14DAP (diameter 4–7 μm) to 30DAP (diameter10–23 μm). The size of starch granules on 30DAP is similar to that of the mature and dried endosperm-starch granules harvested on 45DAP. The starch content of the endosperm was little before 12DAP (less than 2%) and increased rapidly from 10.7% on 14DAP to 88.9% on 30DAP. The amylose content of the endosperm starch increased from 9.2% on 14DAP to 24.2% on 30DAP and 24.4% on 45DAP (mature and dried). The average amylopectin branch chain-length of the endosperm amylopectin increased from DP23.6 on 10DAP to DP26.9 on14DAP and then decreased to DP25.4 on 30DAP and DP24.9 on 45DAP. The onset gelatinization temperature of the endosperm starch increased from 61.3 °C on 8DAP to 69.0 °C on 14DAP and then decreased to 62.8 °C on 45DAP. The results indicated that the structure of endosperm starch was not synthesized consistently through the maturation of kernel. The pericarp starch, however, showed similar granule size, starch content, amylose content, amylopectin structure and thermal properties at different developmental stages of the kernel.
A caution regarding lymphatic mapping in patients with colon cancer.

Abstract Background: The value of lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in the treatment of colon cancer is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of lymphatic mapping in patients with colon cancer. Methods: Forty-eight patients with colon cancer underwent lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy using isosulfan blue dye followed by standard surgical resection. The sentinel lymph nodes underwent thin sectioning as will as immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin, in addition to standard hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results: In 47 (98%) patients, a sentinel lymph node was identified. Sixteen patients had lymph nodes containing metastatic disease, and in 6 patients the sentinel lymph node was positive for disease. In no patient was the sentinel lymph node the only site of metastatic disease. In 10 patients the sentinel lymph node was negative for disease, whereas the nonsentinel lymph nodes contained metastatic disease (false negative rate = 38%) Conclusions: The role of lymphatic mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in colon cancer is not as clear as its role in other tumors. Further large prospective studies are needed to evaluate the accuracy and potential benefit of this procedure in patients with colon cancer.
Level structure of 28Si by the 27Al(3He, d)28Si reaction

Abstract The level structure of 28 Si up to an excitation energy of 15.5 MeV has been studied by the 27 Al( 3 He, d) 28 reaction at 35 MeV bombarding energy. The experimental angular distributions were analyzed with distorted-wave Born approximation calculations. Values of the transferred orbital angular momenta l and spectroscopic factors were obtained for about sixty levels. Strong transitions to about twenty odd-parity states up to 15.5 MeV excitation were observed and identified with the (1 d 5 2 −1 1 f 7 2 ) and (1 d 5 2 −1 2 p 3 2 , 1 2 ) configurations. Tentative isospin assignments were made by comparison with 28 Al levels.
Reductive electropolymerization of complexes containing an aldehyde-substituted derivative of 2,2′-bipyridine

Abstract Polypyridyl complexes of Fe II and Zn II containing the ligand 4-methyl-2,2′-bipyridyl-4′-carboxaldehyde(4-CH 3 -4′-CHO-bpy) have been prepared. Upon electrochemical reduction of these complexes coupling reactions occur at the ligands, yielding thin metal-complex-containing polymeric films on the electrode surfaces. The polypyridyl ligands that form in a polymerized film of [Zn(4-CH 3 -4′-CHO-bpy) 3 ] 2+ have been isolated following chemical degradation and characterized using fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance. These and other results are consistent with a mechanism for polymerization that involves radical—radical coupling at the aldehyde substituents following reduction. The coupling occurs with the formation of a 1,2-diol linkage between the bipyridine ligands which creates a basis for network polymerization.
The reaction of 3-propylindole with aldehydes preparation of 2-(α-aminoalkyl) indoles

Abstract 2,2′-Benzylidenebisindoles ( 5 ) are produced by the condensation of 3-propylindole with aromatic aldehydes. It is shown that aromatic aldehydes react initially, but reversibly, at nitrogen. N-substituted products can be trapped as acetate derivatives ( 7 ) and are converted to 2,2′-benzylidenebisindoles ( 5 ) under the original reaction conditions. 3-Propylindole reacts with formaldehyde and piperidine under mild conditions to give 1-piperidinomethyl-3-propylindole. 2-Piperidinomethyl-3-propylindole is obtained when the reaction with formaldehyde in acetic acid is carried out at 100° in the presence of excess piperidine. The condensation of 3-propylindole with formaldehyde and primary amines involves initial attack at nitrogen followed by intramolecular substitution at the 2-position to yield 1H-imidazo[1,5 a ]indole and 2,3,4,5-tetrahydrotriazepino[1,7 a ]indole derivatives. Hydrolysis of cyclohexylimidazoindole ( 11 ) affords 2-cyclohcxylaminomethyl-3-propylindole.
On the complexity of test case generation for NP-hard problems

Approximation algorithms for NP-hard problems are designed to run efficiently, i.e., in polynomial time for all or at least most instances. They may however fail to provide an answer for some instances or they may provide an approximation rather than the correct answer. We deal with the testing of approximation algorithms that run in polynomial time and that provide a (possibly approximate) answer for each problem instance.
Not all is fair in love and work: coworkers' preferences for and responses to managerial interventions regarding workplace romances

This article proposes a model of coworkers' preferences for and responses to managerial interventions regarding workplace romances (WRs). Specifically, the model examines the antecedents of coworkers' preferences for managerial intervention in WRs and the consequences of whether their preferred intervention is congruent with the actual managerial intervention. According to the model, coworkers' preferences for managerial intervention are influenced by their perceptions of the impact of the WR on the work environment, including perceptions of whether it represents a conflict of interest for the two participants and whether it disrupts the functioning of the work group. These perceptions are affected by factors pertaining to the romance itself, the coworkers themselves, and the organizational context in which the romance occurs. Next, consistent with the organizational justice literature, we propose that coworkers will evaluate the distributive and procedural justice of the managerial intervention according to (a) the congruence between the severity of their preferred managerial action and the severity of the actual managerial action and (b) the congruence between their beliefs about a just process for managerial decision making about WRs and the actual process. Finally, we propose that coworkers who perceive the managerial intervention process and outcomes as unjust will exhibit negative work-related attitudes (e.g., decreased job satisfaction and organizational commitment) and behavior (e.g., decreased productivity and organizational citizenship behaviors). Implications of the model for future research and organizational practice are discussed. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Continuity of Health Insurance Coverage Among Young Adults With Disabilities

OBJECTIVES. Although considered critical to facilitate the successful transition from pediatric to adult health care, the continuity of insurance coverage for young adults with disabilities as they make the transition to adulthood has not been well characterized. The purpose of this work was to compare the continuity of insurance coverage reported by a nationally representative sample of young adults 16 to 25 years old with and without disabilities during a consecutive 36-month period. METHODS. We performed secondary analysis of data from the 2001 Survey of Income Program and Participation. Data for the survey were collected at 4-month intervals from February 2001 through January 2004 for 5170 young adults. Subjects with disabilities were those who reported limitations in activities of daily living or work, used assistive devices, and/or had learning disabilities, mental retardation, or other mental disorders. The primary outcome was uninsurance defined for each study month in which there was no coverage by private, public, or military programs. We present bivariate analyses of the months of uninsurance according to disability status using longitudinal weights and design-effect adjustments to account for the complex sample design. RESULTS. The sample consisted of 599 subjects with and 4571 without reported disabilities, representing 3 970 000 and 30 800 000 young adults in the United States, respectively. At study entry, 22% of the young adults with disabilities were uninsured. During the 36-month follow-up period, 56% of the young adults with disability reported gaps in insurance coverage with a mean of 15 months of uninsurance. The proportion of uninsured subjects did not significantly differ by disability status. CONCLUSIONS. The majority of young adults with disabilities reported gaps in insurance coverage, and many were uninsured for a substantial portion of the study period. As an increasing number of children with special health care needs make the transition to adulthood, improving the continuity of health insurance coverage for this population warrants specific attention.
Mental Health Practitioners' Views of the Families of Individuals With Schizophrenia and Barriers to Collaboration: A Mixed Methods Study

Family involvement has been identified as a best practice in the treatment of schizophrenia. Yet studies show a small number of families of individuals with schizophrenia are involved in treatment. In this mixed method study, community mental health practitioners from different disciplines responded to a quantitative survey (N = 88), a qualitative structured question guide (N = 8), and open-ended questions (N = 43) that explored their views of families of individuals with schizophrenia and barriers to collaboration with them. Practitioners did not blame the family for causing their family member's schizophrenia. Barriers to collaboration were reported in three main areas: (a) time/workload barriers, (b) agency/system barriers, and (c) family barriers, while at the same time recognizing family collaboration as effective practice and reporting a desire to engage more families in the treatment process. Younger practitioners viewed organizational factors as more significant barriers to collaboration. Substanc...
The distribution of hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein mRNAs in shoots of cucumber and pea

The distribution of hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein (HRGP) mRNAs in the shoots of dark-grown and irradiated cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Burpee pickler) and pea (Pisum sativum L. cv. Alaska) was studied. A cloned genomic DNA fragment encoding carrot (Daucus carota) root extensin (pDC5A1) was used to measure HRGP mRNAs from cucumber and pea along the length of dark-grown and irradiated shoots. There was a marked difference in the levels of HRGP mRNAs isolated from apical and basal regions of cucumber. Whereas apical, elongating regions had low levels of HRGP mRNAs, basal regions of the shoot had high levels. Levels of HRGP mRNAs were also compared in shoots of dark-grown and irradiated cucumber. Although light inhibits hypocotyl growth, it had no effect on levels of HRGP mRNAs. There was no gradient in the distribution of HRGP mRNAs along the epicotyl of dark-grown pea. As was the case with cucumber, light did not affect the accumulation of HRGP mRNAs in pea shoots. We conclude that light does not affect elongation by regulating the accumulation of HRGP mRNAs. The gradient of accumulation of HRGP mRNAs along the hypocotyl of cucumber probably reflects differences in cellular differentiation along the shoot.
Accounting for State Economic Growth: A Production Function Approach:

Using a production function model, this paper examines Olson's thesis that political organization contributes to economic decline. The findings confirm that political organizations have a slight negative influence on state income growth rates. However, other variables account for almost 80 percent of the variation across states. This analysis points to the importance of capital markets and business and occupational interests and the utility of the production function approach for explaining growth.
A comparative study on the use of humor in the design of instruction

This study examined the effects of three integrated and contiguous instructional designs using incongruity humor on the recognition and recall of information measured by immediate learning and retention tests. First graders in three classes (N=58) were randomly assigned to one of three humor design treatment groups and a control group. On two successive days prior to receiving a humor treatment, each group received a taped reading of a familiar story, which succeeded in the intended manipulation of subjects to low levels of arousal and interest across all groups. The three humor designs included a humor experience which was immediately followed by a serious presentation of new information (contiguous-immediate design), the same humor experience with a one week postponed presentation of the new information (contiguous-postponed design), and a presentation of the new information with humor interspersed within (integrated design). Results indicated that the two contiguous humor treatment groups had higher immediate memory and retention scores than the control group, particularly with regard to recall of the new information. The integrated humor treatment failed to have its intended humor reaction. Limitations of previous research, which generally does not support the instructional value of humor, are discussed in terms of basic theory and research in humor, motivation, and learning.
Influence of shifts in dietary calcium on postprandial renal calcium excretion in thyroid-intact and thyroidectomized rats as affected by vitamin D deficiency.

This report examines postprandial renal calcium excretion (after shifts in daily calcium intake) in thyroid-intact (TI) and chronically thyroidectomized (TX) rats maintained on T4. Al l rats bore functional parathyroid transplants. The added effect of vitamin D deficiency (–D) was studied in rats placed on the – D diet shortly after weaning. In –D rats, 1,25-dihydrox-ycholecalciferol was undetectable in serum samples, while plasma calcium values remained normal. Bones of –D rats showed obvious signs of D deficiency after 4 months of the diet. Rats fed at 0800 h were trained to consume 10 g of their daily ration by 1 h, and urine was collected between 0930 and 1400 h, at which time an additional 6 g food were provided. The animals were followed for 10 days after a shift from low calcium intake t o daily intake of 160 mg calcium (1.0% diet) and on the first day of a calcium-free diet. The following results were obtained. 1) After transfer to a daily intake of 160 mg calcium, postprandial urinary calcium val...
Determinants of Farmland Value: The Case of DeKalb County, Illinois

The issue of farmland facing conversion pressures from rapidly expanding suburban areas is increasingly well documented. In this study, the authors consider the case of DeKalb County, Illinois, fringe farmland bordering the Madison-Milwaukee-Chicago Triangle area, where there has been extensive development of some of the best farmland in the world. Data in this study were 34 arms-length sales of farmland parcels in 1995. Correlation and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression techniques were used to analyze the influence of large lot land use zoning, production factors, location, and various other characteristics, such as buyer and seller location, on the dependent variable of sales price per acre. Findings suggest that the most powerful factor in explaining the sales price per acre was whether the parcel was "grandfathered" as a small parcel (i.e., less than forty acres), presumably allowing for "farmettes" without an emphasis on production for individuals preferring to "consume" the benefits of a rural home. The next most powerful factors were: proximity to a highway, a state road, or a town; whether there was a house on the parcel; and whether the seller was from outside the county. The variance explained, adjusting for number of variables, was 63%, a fairly high proportion. Conclusions suggest that while farmland in DeKalb County is under conversion pressures, large lot zoning is an effective way of protecting farmland. T he movement of America's population away from central cities into adjacent rural counties has generated a series of difficult policy challenges for federal, state, and local governments. This great dispersal from the central cities, which has taken place since World War II and has accelerated since the 1970s (Brown, Heaton, and Hoffman), reversed a trend of movement from rural areas to the cities seen earlier in the century (Lockeretz; Vesterby and Heimlich). People leave central cities for many lifestyle and quality of life reasons, including the perceived advantages of country life with its slower pace, healthier environment, lower crime rates, and less expensive lifestyle (Nelson 1986a). However, this demographic trend also hastens the loss of prime farmland as agricultural land is converted to residential and commercial use (AFT 1994; Vesterby and Heimlich).
S -related protein can be recombined with self-compatibility in interspecific derivatives of Lycopersicon

Stylar proteins involved in the self-incompatible (SI) response ofLycopersicon hirsutum have been identified and mapped to the locus that controls SI (S locus).L. esculentum, a self-compatible (SC) species of cultivated tomato, does not display these proteins. Hybrids between SCL. esculentum and SIL. hirsutum are self-sterile despite these individuals bearing pollen containing theS allele ofL. esculentum. In progeny derived from backcrossing the hybrids toL. esculentum, there was a strong correlation between the presence of theS allele fromL. hirsutum and self-infertility. However, this relationship was uncoupled in a number of backcross (BC) progeny. The SI response appeared to be nonexistent in two self-fertile BC individuals that were heterozygous for theS allele ofL. hirsutum, based on Mendelian segregation of a tightly linked DNA marker,CD15, in selfed progeny. Among these progeny self-fertile individuals that were homozygous for theL. hirsutum allele of the linked marker were also determined to be homozygous for anS-related protein ofL. hirsutum through test crosses withL. esculentum. Therefore, plants were produced that were homozygous for a functionalS allele but were self-fertile. This result and other evidence suggest that theS-related proteins are not sufficient to elicit a self-incompatible response inL. esculentum and that there is a mutation(s) inL. esculentum somewhere other than theS locus that leads to self-compatibility.
Tracking Gravity Waves in Baroclinic Jet-Front Systems

Abstract Using a two-dimensional Fourier decomposition and a four-dimensional ray-tracing technique, the propagating characteristics and source mechanisms of mesoscale gravity waves simulated in idealized baroclinic jet-front systems are investigated. The Fourier decomposition successfully separates the simulated gravity waves from a complex background flow in the troposphere. Four groups of gravity waves in the lower stratosphere are identified from the spectral decomposition. One is a northward-propagating short-scale wave packet with horizontal wavelength of ∼150 km, and another is a northeastward-propagating medium-scale wave packet with horizontal wavelength of ∼350 km. Both of these are most pronounced in the exit region of the upper-tropospheric jet. A third group exists in the deep trough region above (and nearly perpendicular to) the jet, and a fourth group far to the south of the jet right above the surface cold front, both of which are short-scale waves and have a horizontal wavelength of ∼100–...
Design of Retrodirective Antenna Arrays for Short-Range Wireless Power Transmission

Application of retrodirective antenna arrays in wireless power transmission is proposed in this paper. The time reversal or phase conjugate theory and design considerations of the array factors are examined in GHz regime and meter range. The wireless power transmission efficiency is analyzed in the 2-D case with full-wave electromagnetic (EM) solution and validated by analytical array theory. The design factors of array size, array spacing, element size, and specific choice of the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band frequency are investigated to optimize the transmission focus. Design guidelines are provided for those factors and the impact of manufacturing variability is discussed. The proposed approach can also be extended to wireless power transfer with active retrodirective rectenna array and passive RFID systems.
Fifteen Years Of Laser Recording-Where We've Been And Where We're Going

One of the earliest practical applications of lasers was in the field of recording. The laser provides a source of radiation that is convenient to modu-late and sufficiently intense to affect permanent changes in materials (recording). Both signal and image recording systems have been built using silver halide film as the storage media. Now under development are optical disc techniques that ablate special coatings on the disc surface. The laser work has been funded in general because the requirements at hand could not be met by more conventional technology. The engineering of these systems has resulted in working with the ultimate in mechanical precision, the highest optical quality available, and at electrical bandwidths that push the state of the art. This paper describes the early work in laser signal recording, the significant accomplishments in image recording, and the current efforts in optical disc recording.
Executive Function, Memory, and Gait Speed Decline in Well-Functioning Older Adults

Background. In community-dwelling older adults, global cognitive function predicts longitudinal gait speed decline. Few prospective studies have evaluated whether specific executive cognitive deficits in aging may account for gait slowing over time.
Plasma Ceramides Are Elevated in Obese Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes and Correlate With the Severity of Insulin Resistance

OBJECTIVE—To quantitate plasma ceramide subspecies concentrations in obese subjects with type 2 diabetes and relate these plasma levels to the severity of insulin resistance. Ceramides are a putative mediator of insulin resistance and lipotoxicity, and accumulation of ceramides within tissues in obese and diabetic subjects has been well described. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We analyzed fasting plasma ceramide subspecies by quantitative tandem mass spectrometry in 13 obese type 2 diabetic patients and 14 lean healthy control subjects. Results were related to insulin sensitivity measured with the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp technique and with plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, a marker of inflammation. Ceramide species (C18:1, 18:0, 20:0, 24:1, and 24:0) were quantified using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry after separation with high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS—Insulin sensitivity (mg · kg−1 · min−1) was lower in type 2 diabetic patients (4.90 ± 0.3) versus control subjects (9.6 ± 0.4) (P < 0.0001). Type 2 diabetic subjects had higher (P < 0.05) concentrations of C18:0, C20:0, C24:1, and total ceramide. Insulin sensitivity was inversely correlated with C18:0, C20:0, C24:1, C24:0, and total ceramide (all P < 0.01). Plasma TNF-α concentration was increased (P < 0.05) in type 2 diabetic subjects and correlated with increased C18:1 and C18:0 ceramide subspecies. CONCLUSIONS—Plasma ceramide levels are elevated in type 2 diabetic subjects and may contribute to insulin resistance through activation of inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-α.
Molecular imaging: The application of small animal positron emission tomography

The extraordinary advances in genomic technologies over the last decade have led to the establishment of new animal models of disease. The use of molecular imaging techniques to examine these models, preferably with non-destructive imaging procedures, such as those offered by positron emission tomography (PET), are especially valuable for the timely advancement of research. With the use of small animal PET imaging it is possible to follow individual subjects of a sample population over an extended time period by using highly specific molecular probes and radiopharmaceuticals. In this Prospect small animal PET imaging will be described, specifically focusing on the current technologies, its applications in molecular imaging and the logistics of performing small animal PET.
Interferon Production and Inhibition of Host Synthesis in Cells Infected with Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

Infection of L cells with wild-type (L1) vesicular stomatitis virus at high or low multiplicities does not result in the production of interferon; however, infection of L cells with low multiplicities of a small-plaque mutant (S2) results in the synthesis of large amounts of interferon. In chick embryo (CE) cells, both viruses induce synthesis of interferon; there is no significant multiplicity effect in CE cells. The rate and efficiency of shutoff of macromolecular synthesis in the different host cells is a critical factor in determining the ability of the viruses to induce interferon synthesis. If host ribonucleic acid or protein synthesis is shut off by the virus before the required new ribonucleic acid is transcribed or translated, interferon production does not occur. The relative yield of the two viruses in CE and L cells is not related to the effects of interferon produced during the course of infection.
Phase Separation in Alumina-Chromia

The alumina-chromia system shows complete mutual solubility and is represented by an isomorphous phase diagram. However, the alumina-chromia system exhibits an asymmetric miscibility gap under 1300°C. Using existing data from the literature, the alumina-chromia system was assessed using thermodynamic modeling by Kim and Sanders [1]. Regular and subregular solution models for the liquid and solid phases were used to define the phase boundaries for the miscibility gap in this system. Using this thermodynamic representation of the miscibility gap to select temperatures of interest, 75 mole percent Al2O3samples were synthesized via combustion of powders, followed by pressing into pellets and heat-treated for various times and temperatures. Both X-ray and TEM analysis showed evidence of spinodal decomposition after heat-treatment. X-ray analysis showed that decreasing the heat-treatment temperature increases the compositional difference between the phases present. The experimentally observed microstructures exhibit lamella-like structures that vary in spacing from 8nm to 3nm as the heat-treatment temperature varies from 400°C to 800°C.
Indicators of Methamphetamine Use and Abuse in San Diego County, California: 2001–2005

San Diego County, California, is a major distribution center for methamphetamine entering the U.S. from Mexico. All available indicators suggest that the use and abuse of methamphetamine increased between 2001 and 2005. Drug treatment admissions for primary methamphetamine use accounted for 49% of all drug treatment admissions in 2005, up from 37% in 2001, with trends showing smaller proportions of female and Hispanic users and a larger proportion of methamphetamine smokers (vs. inhalation or injection). Increases in prevalence of methamphetamine use were documented among arrestees as well; by 2005, 51% of female and 21% of juvenile arrestees tested positive for methamphetamine. The proportion of emergency department visits involving illicit drugs in which methamphetamine was reported increased from 32% in 2004 to 40% in 2005, although this change was not statistically significant, and methamphetamine-related deaths increased 48% between 2001 and 2005. Data from non-federal drug seizures in San Diego County documented an increase from 21% of all drug items analyzed in 2001 to 32% in 2005. In summary, methamphetamine remains the drug of utmost concern in San Diego. The availability of multiple data sources is imperative for constructing valid characterizations of trends in methamphetamine use and abuse and its affect on health.
Tardiness Bounds for EDF Scheduling on Multi-Speed Multicore Platforms

Multicore platforms, which include several processing cores on a single chip, are being widely touted as a solution to heat and energy problems that are impediments to single-core chip designs. To accommodate both parallelizable and inherently-sequential applications on the same platform, heterogeneous multicore designs with faster and slower cores have been proposed. In this paper, we consider the problem of scheduling soft real-time workloads on such a platform.
Measurement of near-wall stratified bubbly flows using electrical impedance

The impedance measurement between a pair of flush-mounted electrodes was used to measure the characteristics of a stratified near-wall bubbly flow. The variation in cross electrode impedance with liquid layer thickness and mixture void fraction was examined using numerical simulations and static experiments. The experimental realization of the measurement system was used to measure the solid fraction of a water–glass sphere mixture to an uncertainty of ±2.4%, where the diameter of the glass spheres ranged from 0.1 to 0.2 of the electrode diameter. A stratified bubbly flow was produced over a flat surface, and optical measurements of the bubble distributions were used to understand the measured impedances across the electrode pair. Comparison between the computed impedance change (based on the observed void fraction and liquid layer height) and the inferred quantities from the impedance measurement alone yielded a variation from 12 to 28% on average. The use of multiple electrode pairs is discussed.
Complete k -Space Visualization Of X-Ray Photoelectron Diffraction

A highly detailed x-ray photoelectron diffraction data set has been acquired for crystalline Cu(001). The data set for bulk Cu 3p emission encompasses a large k-space volume (k=3-10 A-1) with sufficient energy and angular sampling to monitor the continuous variation of diffraction intensities. The evolution of back-scattered intensity oscillations is visualized by energy and angular slices of this ‘volume’ data set. Large diffractyyion data sets such as this will provide rigorous experimental tests of real-space reconstruction algorithms and multiple-scattering simulations.
The College of American Pathologists Toxicology Program

The Toxicology Program of the College of American Pathologists Is the oldest voluntary proficiency testing program In toxicology. It Is the most varied and sophisticated program available at this time. The program encompasses primarily: therapeutic monitoring of a variety of widely used drugs; drug overdose samples employing sedatives, tranquilizers and analgesics, and other drugs normally used therapeutlcally but present In toxic concentration; and drugs subject to abuse. Where possible, both the parent drug and principal active metabolites are presented. Each series contains both lyophlllzed serum and urine samples. At least one matched serum/urine pair is presented. Volatlles may be present in the diluent for the serum sample. A clinical history to limit the universe of drugs to be sought accompanies the speclmens. A comparison of the results of therapeutic monitoring of two anticonvuIsants by participants Is Included to demonstrata overall Improvement in performance by participants In the time period studied.
Optical Information Storage And Spatial Light Modulation In PLZT Ceramics

Spatial light modulation in PLZT ceramics involves variation of the ferroelectric properties in conjunction with the related electrooptic, light scattering, surface deformation, and photosensitive properties of the material. Several combinations of these properties have been used to design a variety of spatial light modulators. Most PLZT light modulators are also capable of non-volatile storage of digital or analog information which can be read out with transmitted or reflected visible light. This paper surveys several types of modulators and compares some of their important characteristics.