cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Injuries as a Result of California Earthquakes in the Past Decade

The devastating effects of earthquakes have been demonstrated repeatedly in the past decade, through moderate and major earthquakes such as the October 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake (5.9 on the Richter scale), the October 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake (7.1) and the January 1994 Northridge earthquake (6.7). While 'official' tallies of injuries and deaths are reported for each event, the numbers vary from report to report. For Northridge, the number of injuries vary between 8,000 and 12,000; the number of deaths from 33 to 73 (Peek-Asa et al., 1997; Durkin, 1996). While official estimates are commonly reported following disasters, the study of actual numbers, types and causes of casualties has not developed. In this paper, we identify the numbers and risk factors for injuries within community-based samples across three earthquakes in urban California. We first report the numbers and types of injuries in each earthquake and then identify risk factors specifically associated with the Northridge earthquake.
Steady State Enzyme Velocities That Are Independent of [Enzyme]: An Important Behavior in Many Membrane and Particle-Bound States†

The popular paradigm for biological education in kinetics involves descriptions that are appropriate for soluble enzymes. Derivations seldom present the assumptions on which the fundamental parameter of these kinetics, the site rate constant, is based. This omission can create difficulty for understanding situations where the assumptions are invalid. Membrane- and particle-bound enzymes systems provide several examples. In fact, biological organisms show macroscopic design and enzyme expression levels which suggest utilization of alternative kinetic mechanisms. The role of substrate affinity and enzyme inhibitors is greatly altered, with correlated impact on biomedical and biotechnological designs. Enzymes may perform functions such as isolation of cell contents from the environment, an action that is usually reserved for membranes. These properties can be mimicked but never perfectly replicated in purified systems. This presentation provides a description of some of these behaviors for membrane- or particle-bound enzymes, using an approach that is closely correlated with the manner in which steady state enzyme kinetics are typically presented.
On Io's control of Jovian decametric radio emissions

Io's control of Jovian decametric radio emission (DAM) has been attributed to Io distorting the electron distribution in the inner Jovian magnetosphere. Observations of Faraday rotation in DAM are used to determine the properties of the electron distribution before and after its interaction with Io. It is shown that there is an enhancement in the density of the energetic component in the Io plasma torus correlated with certain Jovian longitude. Io's interaction with this energetic component can produce heating of this component. The Io-controlled emission is attributed to enhanced emission from the heated electrons moving down the field lines to Jupiter.
Nitroblue Tetrazolium Test in the Diagnosis of Pleural Effusions

This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of the nitroblue tetrazolium test on pleural fluid. Pleural fluids from 62 patients, including nine with congestive heart failure, 27 with malignant neoplasms, nine with tuberculosis, 14 with pneumonia, and three with collagen vascular disease, were studied. Results of nitroblue tetrazolium were tabulated for each patient for three different cellular types (polymorphonuclear leukocytes, small lymphocytes, and mononuclear cells other than small lymphocytes). The three patients with collagen vascular disease had very high scores on the nitrogen tetrazolium test for all three cellular types. Their average scores were higher than were those of 57 of the other 59 patients. The nitroblue tetrazolium test on pleural fluid was not useful in separating patients with congestive heart failure, pneumonia, malignant neoplasms, or tuberculosis. The results on the nitroblue tetrazolium test did not help to identify those patients with pneumonia who eventually required tube thoracostomy. From this study, we conclude that the nitroblue tetrazolium test on pleural fluid is of limited use diagnostically but may help to identify those individuals with collagen vascular disease involving the pleura.
Cross reactive cellular immune responses in chickens previously exposed to low pathogenic avian influenza

Background Avian influenza (AI) infection in poultry can result in high morbidity and mortality, and negatively affect international trade. Because most AI vaccines used for poultry are inactivated, our knowledge of immunity against AI is based largely on humoral immune responses. In fact, little is known about cellular immunity following a primary AI infection in poultry, especially regarding cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL’s).
Numerical study of natural superconvergence in least-squares finite element methods for elliptic problems

Natural superconvergence of the least-squares finite element method is surveyed for the one-and two-dimensional Poisson equation. For two-dimensional problems, both the families of Lagrange elements and Raviart-Thomas elements have been considered on uniform triangular and rectangular meshes. Numerical experiments reveal that many superconvergence properties of the standard Galerkin method are preserved by the least-squares finite element method.
Metastable states of a cylinder wake adjacent to a free surface

For the same Froude number and depth of submergence beneath a free surface, the wake of a cylinder exhibits two admissible states. The first state involves a jet‐like flow generally attached to the free surface; it gives rise to a large‐amplitude, quasistationary wave. In the second state, the jet is detached from the free‐surface, which exhibits only mild distortion. The critical feature of the transformation between these two states involves the formation of a separated vorticity layer from the free‐surface and its interaction with the vorticity layer from the surface of the cylinder. This transformation can occur spontaneously over a time scale much longer than the Karman period.
A Randomized Controlled Phase IIb Trial of Beta1-Receptor Blockade for Chronic Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation

Objectives The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of long-term β 1 -aderergic receptor (AR) blockade on left ventricular (LV) remodeling and function in patients with chronic, isolated, degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR). Background Isolated MR currently has no proven therapy that attenuates LV remodeling or preserves systolic function. Methods Thirty-eight asymptomatic subjects with moderate to severe, isolated MR were randomized either to placebo or β 1 -AR blockade (Toprol-XL, AstraZeneca, London, United Kingdom) for 2 years. Magnetic resonance imaging with tissue tagging and 3-dimensional analysis was performed at baseline and at 6-month intervals for 2 years. Rate of progression analysis was performed for endpoint variables for primary outcomes: LV end-diastolic volume/body surface area, LV ejection fraction, LV end-diastolic (ED) mass/ED volume ratio, LV ED 3-dimensional radius/wall thickness; LV end-systolic volume/body surface area, LV longitudinal strain rate, and LV early diastolic filling rate. Results Baseline LV magnetic resonance imaging or demographic variables did not differ between the 2 groups. Significant treatment effects were found on LV ejection fraction (p = 0.006) and LV early diastolic filling rate (p = 0.001), which decreased over time in untreated patients on an intention-to-treat analysis and remained significant after sensitivity analysis. There were no significant treatment effects found on LV ED or LV end-systolic volumes, LV ED mass/LV ED volume or LV ED 3-dimensional radius/wall thickness, or LV longitudinal strain rate. Over 2 years, 6 patients treated in the placebo group and 2 patients in the β 1 -AR blockade group required mitral valve surgery (p = 0.23). Conclusions β 1 -AR blockade improves LV function over a 2-year follow-up in isolated MR and provides the impetus for a large-scale clinical trial with clinical outcomes. (Molecular Mechanisms of Volume Overload-Aim 1 [SCCOR in Cardiac Dysfunction and Disease]; NCT01052428 )
Cloning and Expression in Xenopus Oocytes of a Mouse Homologue of the Human Acylcoenzyme A: Cholesterol Acyltransferase and Its Potential Role in Metabolism of Oxidized LDL ☆

Abstract We used a Xenopus oocyte expression system to screen a mouse macrophage cDNA library for receptors for oxidized LDL (OxLDL). Injection of unfractionated mouse macrophage mRNA induced OxLDL binding activity on oocytes. An excess of acetylated LDL (AcLDL) inhibited the binding of OxLDL by only 30%, indicating the expression of OxLDL receptors distinct from the scavenger receptor (SRA). The library was screened and analyzed by competition binding using [125I]OxLDL and AcLDL, to avoid cloning of SRA. One of the purified clones encoded a peptide with 85% identity with human acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT). Injection of ACAT mRNA into oocytes induced specific binding of OxLDL. ACAT is expressed in mouse macrophages as a ∼3.6 kB transcript and the expression is upregulated in human THP-1 cells treated with PMA.
Inflammatory Cytokines in Vascular Dysfunction and Vascular Disease

Abstract The vascular inflammatory response involves complex interaction between inflammatory cells (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages), endothelial cells (ECs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and extracellular matrix (ECM). Vascular injury is associated with increased expression of adhesion molecules by ECs and recruitment of inflammatory cells, growth factors, and cytokines, with consequent effects on ECs, VSMCs and ECM. Cytokines include tumor necrosis factors, interleukins, lymphokines, monokines, interferons, colony stimulating factors, and transforming growth factors. Cytokines are produced by macrophages, T-cells and monocytes, as well as platelets, ECs and VSMCs. Circulating cytokines interact with specific receptors on various cell types and activate JAK-STAT, NF-κB, and Smad signaling pathways leading to an inflammatory response involving cell adhesion, permeability and apoptosis. Cytokines also interact with mitochondria to increase the production of reactive oxygen species. Cytokine-induced activation of these pathways in ECs modifies the production/activity of vasodilatory mediators such as nitric oxide, prostacyclin, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor, and bradykinin, as well as vasoconstrictive mediators such as endothelin and angiotensin II. Cytokines interact with VSMCs to activate Ca2+, protein kinase C, Rho-kinase, and MAPK pathways, which promote cell growth and migration, and VSM reactivity. Cytokines also interact with integrins and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and modify ECM composition. Persistent increases in cytokines are associated with vascular dysfunction and vascular disease such as atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, varicose veins and hypertension. Genetic and pharmacological tools to decrease the production of cytokines or to diminish their effects using cytokine antagonists could provide new approaches in the management of inflammatory vascular disease.
Large Deviations for Zeros of P ( ϕ ) 2 Random Polynomials

We extend the results of (Zeitouni and Zelditch in Int. Math. Res. Not. 2010(20):3939–3992, 2010) on LDPs (large deviations principles) for the empirical measures $$Z_s: = \frac{1}{N} \sum_{\zeta: s(\zeta) = 0} \delta_{\zeta}, \quad (N: = \# \{\zeta: s(\zeta) = 0\})$$ of zeros of Gaussian random polynomials s in one variable to P(ϕ)2 random polynomials. The speed and rate function are the same as in the associated Gaussian case. It follows that the expected distribution of zeros in the P(ϕ)2 ensembles tends to the same equilibrium measure as in the Gaussian case.
Effect of breast-feeding vs formula-feeding on circulating thyroxine levels in premature infants.

Exploration retrospective et prospective des rapports entre le type d'allaitement et les taux de thyroxine totale et libre chez les prematures. Vers l'âge de 4 semaines, ces taux sont plus eleves chez les prematures au sein que chez ceux au biberon demontrant l'influence du mode de nutrition, sans prejuger de la participation de T 3 , TSH ou de leurs metabolites. La signification clinique des observations rapportees demeure conjecturale
Diagnostik und Therapie der Nahrungsmittelallergie im Kindesalter

Nahrungsmittelallergien treten im Sauglings- und Kleinkindesalter mit einer Haufigkeit von 2–5% auf. Allergische Sofortreaktionen sind meist einfach zu diagnostizieren, Spatreaktionen stellen dagegen oft eine diagnostische Herausforderung dar. Nach Ausschopfung der klassischen diagnostischen Parameter und dem Nachweis von spezifischem IgE im Serum werden als "Goldstandard" orale, doppelblinde und plazebokontrollierte Nahrungsmittelprovokationen durchgefuhrt. Nach einer oligoallergenen Basisdiat werden verdachtigte Nahrungsmittel (bzw. Plazebo) doppelblind bis zur Hochstdosis oder klinischen Reaktion verabreicht. Die Beobachtungsdauer sollte bei atopischer Dermatitis 48 h/Phase betragen. Entscheidend ist ein gleich bleibendes Monitoring der klinischen Reaktionen. Nachdem die sich ergebenden Diatempfehlungen 12 Monate durchgefuhrt wurden, sollte die klinische Aktualitat neu nachgewiesen werden. Dieser relativ grose Aufwand ist notwendig, um einerseits bestimmte Nahrungsmittel, die klinisch manifeste Reaktionen hervorrufen, nicht zu verabreichen, und um anderseits ungesicherte, die Kinder sinnlos beeintrachtigende Diaten zu vermeiden. Als Therapie der Kuhmilchallergie werden zunachst extensiv hydrolysierte Formulae, bei Nichtvertraglichkeit Aminosaurenformulae eingesetzt, die beide ein gutes Gedeihen der Kinder gewahrleisten.
IMPROVED CURVEBALL HITTING THROUGH THE ENHANCEMENT OF VISUAL CUES

This study investigated the effectiveness of using visual cues to highlight the seams of baseballs to improve the hitting of curveballs. Five undergraduate varsity baseball team candidates served as subjects. Behavior change was assessed through an alternating treatments design involving unmarked balls and two treatment conditions that included baseballs with 1/4-in. and 1/8-in. orange stripes marking the seams of the baseballs. Results indicated that subjects hit a greater percentage of marked than unmarked balls. These results suggest that the addition of visual cues may be a significant and beneficial technique to enhance hitting performance. Further research is suggested regarding the training procedures, effect of feedback, rate of fading cues, generalization to live pitching, and generalization to other types of pitches.
Coercivity angular dependence in longitudinal thin film media

Abstract Computer simulation study of coercivity out-of-plane angular dependence in thin film longitudinal recording media combined with experimental measurements is presented. A theoretical model developed for studying micromagnetic processes in polycrystalline thin films was utilized for the calculations. Films with crystalline easy axes of the grains randomly oriented in three dimensions as well as in the film plane are investigated. The coercivity angular dependence is analyzed by varying magnetostatic and intergranular exchange interactions broad ranges. The coercivity angular dependence is characterized by two quantities: the angular position of the coercivity maximum and the normalized difference between the maximum coercivity and in-plane coercivity. The former quantity exhibits significantly different behavior with separately varying the magnetostatic interaction strength and intergranular exchange coupling. The difference may allow us to distinguish the two types of interactions and it may allow us to determine the crystalline anisotropy constant and an effective intergranular exchange coupling strength in the film simultaneously from experimental measurements. Specifically designed experiments are carried out to verify the theoretical calculations. Reasonable agreements between the calculations and experimental measurements are obtained.
Conservative Formulation of Large Deformation Plasticity

We explain several ideas which may, either singly or in combination, help achieve high resolution in simulations of large-deformation plasticity. Because of the large deformations, we work in the Eulerian picture. The governing equations are written in a fully conservative form, which are correct for discontinuous as well as continuous solutions. Models of shear bands are discussed. These models describe the internal dynamics of a developed shear band in terms of time-asymptotic states; in other words, the smooth internal structure is replaced by a jump discontinuity, and the shear band evolution is determined by jump relations. This analysis is useful for high resolution numerical methods, including both shock capturing and shock tracking schemes, as well as for the understanding and validation of computations, independently of the underlying method. Preliminary computations, which illustrate the feasibility of these ideas, are presented. 20 refs., 3 figs.
What difference does it make if school and work are connected? Evidence on co-operative education in the United States

Abstract Recent policies have promoted work-based learning as part of the curriculum. Many students in the U.S. already work in part-time jobs, but spending a lot of hours per week in after-school jobs has been found to detract from students' performance in school. Co-operative education (co-op) ties work to school, usually as part of vocational education. A new longitudinal data set reveals that the negative association between hours worked and GPA is less strong for high school students in co-op than in non-school-supervised jobs. High school co-op also leads to higher wages soon after graduation, mainly because (1) co-op students are less likely to enroll in higher education and (2) recent graduates who are enrolled in higher education earn lower wages than those who work full time. Tying co-op to a curriculum that integrates academic and vocational education might produce better results.
Pattern recognition/expert system for mass spectra of volatile toxic and other organic compounds

Abstract A pattern recognition/expert system for classifying, estimating the molecular weights and identifying the low resolution mass spectra of toxic and other volatile organic compounds was developed with a rule-building expert shell program. The system was designed for low concentration spectra by using high intensity and high Shannon information content masses. A sequential filter design was used with an initial classification module followed by molecular weight and base peak filters and identification modules. Ternary encoded reference spectra of 74 target and 31 other compounds were used to establish the five target and the one unknown classes. The target classes were nonhalobenzenes; chlorobenzenes; bromo- and bromochloroalkanes/alkenes; mono- and dichloroalkanes/alkenes; and tri-, tetra- and pentachloroalkanes/alkenes. A molecular weight estimator provided molecular weight estimates even for unclassified spectra. The resulting system was extensively tested with reference spectra of 31 potential air pollutants, 100 randomly selected compounds, 100 GC-MS field spectra and with 54 000 NIST spectra. Classification and identification accuracies for training, test, random and field spectra were 100 and 100; 94 and 100; 76 and 100; and 90 and 96%, respectively. The median absolute deviations of the estimated molecular weights from the true values for the same sets were 0, 7, 7 and 1.
SOME MICROSTRUCTURES OF COMPLEX MORPHOLOGY OBSERVED IN PREPARATIONS OF CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITES MADE UNDER STERILE CONDITIONS

Observation of microstructures of complex morphology in preparations of carbonaceous chondrites made under sterile conditions
The biological basis of a universal constraint on color naming: cone contrasts and the two-way categorization of colors.

Many studies have provided evidence for the existence of universal constraints on color categorization or naming in various languages, but the biological basis of these constraints is unknown. A recent study of the pattern of color categorization across numerous languages has suggested that these patterns tend to avoid straddling a region in color space at or near the border between the English composite categories of “warm” and “cool”. This fault line in color space represents a fundamental constraint on color naming. Here we report that the two-way categorization along the fault line is correlated with the sign of the L- versus M-cone contrast of a stimulus color. Moreover, we found that the sign of the L-M cone contrast also accounted for the two-way clustering of the spatially distributed neural responses in small regions of the macaque primary visual cortex, visualized with optical imaging. These small regions correspond to the hue maps, where our previous study found a spatially organized representation of stimulus hue. Altogether, these results establish a direct link between a universal constraint on color naming and the cone-specific information that is represented in the primate early visual system.
Neonatal acoustically elicited cardiac response modulation by state and antecedent stimulation

This study investigated modulation of the acoustic cardiac reflex (ACR) in human neonates. Three groups of 16 human neonates born at term were presented an abrupt cardioacceleratory auditory stimulus during awake (AW), quiet sleep (QS), and active sleep (AS) states of wakefulness. On 3/4 of the trials this stimulus was preceded by a continuous pure tone at lead times of either 100, 250, or 4000 ms. Across state, prestimulation modified the amplitude and pattern of the neonatal ACR. Relative to trials without prestimulation, the 100-ms lead inhibited, whereas the 250-ms and the 4000-ms lead stimului enhanced the ACR. During AS, neonates exhibited a triphasic ACR that returned to baseline within 9 s in contrast to the sustained responses in AW and QS states. The results demonstrate central inhibitory and facilatatory control over the ACR early in postnatal life. The pattern of results is consistent with the adult pattern of acoustic startle modulation, as is the absence of significant state effects. Given data from 2-month-old infants suggesting an absence of inhibitory effects in acoustic modulation of cardiac startle, it appears that there are non-linear changes in this basic sensory processing mechanism during the first months after birth.
Parental nativity is an important factor associated with where children usually go for health care.

Purpose Few studies of children’s access to care account for the independent effects of parental immigration characteristics. To address this gap in knowledge, we examine the association between parental nativity and where children usually obtain health care. Data source The 2002 National Survey of America’s Families (N = 34,332). Results Fourteen percent of the sampled children had only foreign-born parents. Most of the sampled children used physician’s offices or HMOs (69%) and clinics or other hospital outpatient settings (24%) as usual sites for health care; few used hospital emergency departments or other care providers (1.4%). After adjusting for confounders, using multinomial logistic regression, both citizen [OR = 1.92 (1.44–2.56)] and non-citizen [OR = 5.21 (3.33–8.15)] children with foreign-born parents were more likely to lack a usual site for health care, compared to children with at least one US-born parent—regardless of the mother’s citizenship and duration of stay in the US. After accounting for parental nativity, lack of citizenship and shorter durations of US stay among mothers were associated with children’s greater use of public clinics or other hospital outpatient settings, rather than physician’s offices or HMOs. The effect of parental nativity persisted for minority, but not white, children; however, non-citizen children lacked a usual site for health care regardless of their race and ethnicity. Conclusion The immigration characteristics of parents are important to disparities in where children usually go for health care. These results suggest that increasing the “biomedical acculturation” of immigrant mothers may improve access to care for their children.
Detection and Modeling of Nontidal Oceanic Effects on Earth's Rotation Rate

Subdecadal changes in Earth's rotation rate, and hence in the length of day (LOD), are largely controlled by variations in atmospheric angular momentum. Results from two oceanic general circulation models (OGCMs), forced by observed wind stress and heat flux for the years 1992 through 1994, show that ocean current and mass distribution changes also induce detectable LOD variations. The close similarity of axial oceanic angular momentum (OAM) results from two independent OGCMs, and their coherence with LOD, demonstrate that global ocean models can successfully capture the large-scale circulation changes that drive OAM variability on seasonal and shorter time scales.
Cortisol upregulates HIV p24 antigen production in cultured human monocyte-derived macrophages

HIV infection is associated with hypercortisolemia. Since glucocorticoids have been shown to stimulate the replication of several viruses, we examined the effects of cortisol on HIV replication in cultured monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM), a cell type that has been proposed to serve as a viral reservoir. Our data revealed that physiological concentrations of cortisol upregulate viral replication in MDM. Because the dose-response curve for cortisol on HIV replication in vivo is not known, the clinical relevance of these findings remain uncertain. Clinical studies are needed to characterize the effects of corticosteroid therapy on viral burden in vivo.
An analysis of the upper atmospheric wind observed by LOGACS

Wind velocities at 140 to 200 km altitude were observed by a low-g accelerometer calibration system (LOGACS) flown on an Agena satellite during a geomagnetic storm. An interesting wind reversal observed by the satellite at auroral latitudes is satisfactorily explained by the neutral air motion caused by the E x B drift deduced from the ground-based geomagnetic data recorded at stations near the meridian of the satellite orbit.
Placental transfer, embryotoxicity, and teratogenicity of thallium sulfate in normal and potassium-deficient rats.

Abstract Thallium sulfate, a known teratogen in chicks, was administered ip to groups of pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats on days, 8,9,10 (2.5 mg/kg) or on days 12, 13, 14 (2.5 or 10.0 mg/kg) of gestation. Rats were fed either normal diet, 1 or low-potassium diet 2 from the beginning of gestation (day 0). Fetuses were delivered by cesarean section on day 21, weighed, examined, and measured. One half of each litter was examined for soft tissue anomalies, and the remainder was examined for skeletal anomalies. Low potassium diet alone significantly ( P 2 SO 4 ) at each dose and stage of gestation studied significantly reduced fetal body weight, produced hydronephrosis and nonossification of vertebral bodies, but did not increase resorption rate. Combined Tl 2 SO 4 and low-potassium treatment did not result in more severe teratogenicity than either alone. Other groups of pregnant rats fed as above were anesthetized with pentobarbital on day 20 of gestation, and the femoral vein and artery were cannulated for infusion of Tl 2 SO 4 and blood sampling. 204 Tl 2 SO 4 was infused at doses of 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 3.2, or 6.4 mg/min/kg, and maternal erythrocytes, plasma, and whole fetuses were sampled at 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 min after infusion was begun. Placental transfer of Tl 2 SO 4 in day 20 pregnant rats was restricted in both normal-fed and low potassium-fed rats; 32 min after beginning Tl 2 SO 4 infusion maternal blood levels were 15 times higher than fetal levels on a weight basis for the 0.2 mg/min/kg dose to 30 times higher for the 6.4 mg/min/kg dose. Maternal erythrocyte sequestering did not account for the limited placental passage of thallium. Limited placental passage of thallium may account for the lower degree of teratogenicity in rats than chicks.
Pricing and Currency Fluctuations in International Marketing

Price is a component of value, a communicator of quality, and a psychological cue, and it affects brand equity. However, in international marketing, the existence of more than one currency complicates pricing. The purpose of this brief article is to examine some effects of exchange rates on competitive export pricing. Keywords: competitive pricing; export pricing; export marketing; export markets; exchange rate
Performance of Students With and Without Disabilities Under Modified Conditions Using Resource Guides and Read-Aloud Test Modifications on a High-Stakes Reading Test

This study examines the effects of two test modifications—resource guide and read-aloud—on the reading performance of students within the context of a large-scale statewide assessment in Georgia. Schools were both randomly selected and assigned to one of three possible test conditions: resource guide, read-aloud, or standard test condition. Students in the participating schools took the standardized operational version of the assessment in Grades 3 (n = 945) and 6 (n = 995), and then they were retested the following spring in Grades 4 and 7 under one of the three test conditions. Results suggest that the use of resource guides was not effective and that they may have been distracting for the students. The findings also indicate that the use of the read-aloud test modification provided a differential boost in reading performance for students with disabilities in the fourth grade but not for seventh-grade students.
Cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation of centrosomes: localization of phosphopeptide specific antibodies to the centrosome.

The microtubule nucleation capacity of the centrosome increases dramatically as cells progress from interphase into mitosis. The increase in nucleation capacity of the centrosome correlates with the cell cycle-dependent localization of the mitotic protein monoclonal-2 (MPM-2) phosphoepitope-specific antibody to the mitotic centrosome. Therefore, the phosphorylation state of centrosomal components may regulate the microtubule nucleation capacity of this organelle during mitosis. Neither the identity of the MPM-2 kinase(s) nor all of the MPM-2-reactive phosphoproteins associated with the centrosome have been fully elucidated. Only recently have the characteristics of the MPM-2 epitope site been defined, and we used this information to prepare polyclonal antibodies against synthetic phosphopeptides containing potential MPM-2 epitopes derived from the sequences of two MPM-2-reactive proteins, topoisomerase II, and microtubule associated protein 1B (MAP1B). We demonstrate that these phosphopeptide-specific antibodies also localize to the centrosome in a cell cycle-dependent fashion. Thus, polyclonal antibodies have been generated against defined phosphopeptides that reiterate many of the immunofluorescence staining properties exhibited by the MPM-2 antibody. These new phosphopeptide-specific antibodies will provide additional probes to examine the phosphorylation of centrosomal components and the functional consequences of their phosphorylation during mitosis.
Politics, Markets, and America's Schools

During the 1980s, widespread dissatisfaction with America's schools gave rise to a powerful movement for educational change, and the nation's political institutions responded with aggressive reforms. Chubb and Moe argue that these reforms are destined to fail because they do not get to the root of the problem. The fundamental causes of poor academic performance, they claim, are not to be found in the schools, but rather in the institutions of direct democratic control by which the schools have traditionally been governed. Reformers fail to solve the problem-when the institutions ARE the problem. The authors recommend a new system of public education, built around parent-student choice and school competition, that would promote school autonomy thus providing a firm foundation for genuine school improvement and superior student achievement.
Mansion Tax: The Effect of Transfer Taxes on the Residential Real Estate Market

Houses and apartments sold in New York and New Jersey at prices above $1 million are subject to the so-called 1% "mansion tax" imposed on the full value of the transaction. This policy generates a discontinuity (a "notch") in the overall tax liability. We rely on this and other discontinuities to analyze implications of transfer taxes in the real estate market. Using administrative records of property sales, we find robust evidence of substantial bunching and show that the incidence of this tax for transactions local to the discontinuity falls on sellers, may exceed the value of the tax, and is not explained by tax evasion (although supply-side quality adjustments may play a role). Above the notch, the volume of missing transactions exceeds those bunching below the notch. Interpreting our results in the context of an equilibrium bargaining model, we conclude that the market unravels in the neighborhood of the notch: its presence provides strong incentive for buyers and sellers in the proximity of the threshold not to transact. This effect, the identification and recognition of which is novel to this paper, is above and beyond the standard extensive margin response. When present, unraveling affects interpretation and estimation of bunching estimates. Finally, we show that the presence of the tax affects how the market operates away from the threshold-taxation increases price reductions during the search process and in the bargaining stage and weakens the relationship between listing and sale prices. We interpret these results as demonstrating that taxation affects the ultimate allocation in this search market.
The longevity of Caenorhabditis elegans in soil

Relatively simple model organisms such as yeast, fruit-flies and the nematode, Caenorhabditis elegans, have proven to be invaluable resources in biological studies. An example is the widespread use of C. elegans to investigate the complex process of ageing. An important issue when interpreting results from these studies is the similarity of the observed C. elegans mortality pattern in the laboratory to that expected in its natural environment. We found that the longevity of C. elegans under more natural conditions is reduced up to 10-fold compared with standard laboratory culture conditions. Additionally, C. elegans mutants that live twice as long as wild-type worms in laboratory conditions typically die sooner than wild-type worms in a natural soil. These results indicate that conclusions regarding extended longevity drawn from standard laboratory assays may not extend to animals in their native environment.
Interest Management in Large-Scale Virtual Environments

Large-scale distributed simulations model the activities of thousands of entities interacting in a virtual environment simulated over wide-area networks. Originally these systems used protocols that dictated that all entities broadcast messages about all activities, including remaining immobile or inactive, to all other entities, resulting in an explosion of incoming messages for all entities, most of which were of no interest. Using a filtering mechanism called interest management, some of these systems now allow entities to express interest in only the subset of information that is relevant to them. This paper surveys ten such systems, describing the purpose of the system, its scope, and the salient characteristics of its interest management scheme. We present the first taxonomy for such systems and classify the ten systems according to the taxonomy. The analysis of the classification reveals the fundamental nature of interest management and points to potential areas of research.
Simulation of a base stock inventory management system integrated with transportation strategies of a logistic network

A logistics network management system controlling the entire supply chain was designed to reduce the total cost and to achieve an efficient system. The interactions between inventory and transportation strategies in the logistics network are presented in this paper. Demand volumes and shipping sizes were simulated as part of a new conceptual model by using a discrete event simulation to minimize the total cost in the supply chain. The experiments indicate that the Full Truckload scenario leads to cost-efficiency and the larger demand size results in smaller cost per unit based on economies of scale. Considering the interaction effects, the demand size has a greater impact on the cost reduction than the shipping size.
VINCE implementation of OAM cell support

The article examines the possibility of using Vendor Independent Network Control Entity (VINCE) software development environment to demonstrate how operations administration and maintenance (OAM) functions would be carried out for asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks. The results of a cell transfer delay prototype show VINCE could be extended to support OAM.
Effects of Cation Substitution on Electrical and Thermal Transport Properties of YCrO3 and LaCrO3

High-temperature electrical conductivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity measurements were used to study the effects of different cation substituents on electric and thermal transport in YCrO/sub 3/ and LaCrO/sub 3/. The substitution of divalent Ca and Sr for Y and La, respectively, resulted in the formation of small polarons as charged carriers. The additional substitution of Mn for Cr resulted in the formation of a second charge carrier associated with the Mn. The electrical conductivity results were consistent with thermally activated transport by hopping of a temperature-independent carrier concentration. The activation energies were 0.20 and 0.12 eV for (Y,Ca)CrO/sub 3/ and (La,Sr)CrO/sub 3/, respectively, and increased to about 0.50 eV with the substitution of Mn for Cr. The Seebeck coefficient increased linearly with temperature and decreased with substituent concentration for both (Y,Ca)CrO/sub 3/ and (La,Sr)CrO/sub 3/. The substitution of Mn for Cr resulted in a Seebeck coefficient with a more complex dependence on temperature and substituent concentration. The thermal conductivity did not change significantly with either cation substitution or temperature.
Transcutaneous Biopsy of Adrenocortical Carcinoma is rarely helpful in diagnosis, potentially harmful, but does not affect patient outcome

Context: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with high recurrence and mortality rates. The utility, sensitivity, and effect on patient outcome of transcutaneous adrenal biopsy (TAB) for single, large, adrenal masses are unclear. Objective: This study evaluated the utility, diagnostic sensitivity, and effect on patient outcome of TAB in patients with ACC. Design and setting: We conducted a retrospective review of the electronic medical records of all ACC patients who were evaluated at the University of Michigan Health System from 1991 to 2011. We evaluated the sensitivity of TAB for tumors with the final pathological diagnosis of ACC. We compared the characteristics and survival of patients with stage I-III disease who underwent TAB with those who did not undergo TAB. Results: A total of 75 ACC patients with TAB were identified. Complications occurred in at least 11% of patients and were mainly associated with bleeding. The maximum sensitivity of the procedure in diagnosing ACC was 70%. For stage I-III patients, baseline characteristics, stage at diagnosis, and adjuvant treatment with mitotane or radiation were not significantly different between the TAB (nZ36) and the non-TAB (nZ254) groups. There was no significant difference in recurrence-free (PZ0.7) or overall survival (PZ0.7) between patients who underwent TAB and those who did not. Conclusions: TAB of single, large, adrenal masses is usually unnecessary, exposes patients to risk, but does not affect recurrence-free or overall survival.
The impact of corporate social disclosure on investment behavior: A cross-national study

Abstract We examine the impact of corporate social disclosure (CSD) on investment behavior in the US, Japan, France, and Sweden using stakeholder theory as the underlying framework for our analysis. We find that there is a significant difference in investors’ reactions to CSD across countries. Using a unique stakeholder scale we also find that these reactions are related to the investors’ stakeholder orientation. These findings provide insight into cross-national differences in the perceived relevance of CSD to investors.
A Linear Programming Approach to Floodplain Land Use Planning in Urban Areas

Floodplain land use management is a new approach to flood loss prevention which will complement engineering works and lead to more intelligent use and development of urban floodplain areas. Land use management may be structured as an optimization problem. Nonlinear or dynamic programming is inappropriate, and a linear programming assignment model is shown to be capable of identifying constrained efficiency combinations of spatial and temporal urban floodplain use, site elevation through land fill, and floodproofing of buildings. Sensitivity testing, however, is required because of possible nonlinearities.
Multiscale systems biology and physics of thrombosis under flow.

Blood clotting under hemodynamic conditions involves numerous multiscale interactions from the molecular scale to macroscopic vessel and systemic circulation scales. Transmission of shear forces to platelet receptors such as GPIbα, P-selectin, α2β1, and α2bβ3 controls adhesion dynamics. These forces also drive membrane tether formation, cellular deformation, and mechanosignaling in blood cells. Blood flow results in red blood cell (RBC) drift towards the center of the vessel along with a near-wall plasma layer enriched with platelets. RBC motions also dramatically enhance platelet dispersion. Trajectories of individual platelets near a thrombotic deposit dictate capture–activation–arrest dynamics as these newly arriving platelets are exposed to chemical gradients of ADP, thromboxane, and thrombin within a micron-scale boundary layer formed around the deposit. If shear forces are sufficiently elevated (>50 dyne/cm2), the largest polymers of von Willebrand Factor may elongate with concomitant shear-induced platelet activation. Finally, thrombin generation enhances platelet recruitment and clot strength via fibrin polymerization. By combination of coarse-graining, continuum, and stochastic algorithms, the numerical simulation of the growth rate, composition, and occlusive/embolic potential of a thrombus now spans multiscale phenomena. These simulations accommodate particular flow geometries, blood phenotype, pharmacological regimen, and reactive surfaces to help predict disease risk or response to therapy.
Process Guided Service Composition in Building SoA Solutions:A Data Driven Approach

Solution design has been more of an art than an engineering discipline. Lots of researchers and practitioners have proposed and exercised different kinds of approaches with varied success. Most of these methods seem to have focused on building new solutions from scratch. However, enterprise solutions today are mostly built on top of an existing IT infrastructure. The notion of SoA is trying to pave a way to integrate heterogeneous components together to meet new business needs. When a new requirement is given to a system developer in the form of business processes, it would be ideal if she/he can make the best of existing services for many reasons. In this paper we propose a data driven approach to provide service composition guidance to implement the given requirement. Based on the relations among business domain data and service domain data, we can generate additional data mediations according to three composition rules. With these data relations and composition rules, we give a formal approach to devise choreography of services from current service portfolio, plus additional data mediation artifacts to realize a given requirement. Our work can be seen as an effort to bridge the gap between business and service domain
Europeanizing Timisoara: neoliberal reforms, continuity with the past, and unexpected side effects

This paper analyzes how processes of Europeanization opened up opportunities and generated ideals, which in turn changed the articulation between political and economic powers in the city and county of Timisoara, Western Romania. It builds on case studies of local government agencies and foreign investors from Italy. In doing so, it discusses the circular relationship between the European and the local levels of governance: European governance affected the interactions between firms and institutions in the city, while at the same time city authorities used different understandings of ‘Europe’ to pursue their own agenda. It also shows some of the unexpected side-effects of Europeanization, due to the political activism of Italian investors. Beck and Grande’s concept of ‘reflexive modernization’ and the literature on regional economies frame the discussion.
Gift Exchange and Justice in Families

Dans le cadre de l'intimite familiale definie par S. Okin, l'A. examine la distinction entre le don et l'echange de marche developpee par L. Hyde. Examinant les principes de la justice distributive au sein de la vie de famille, l'A. montre que des valeurs personnelles et spirituelles s'ajoutent a la valeur economique du cadeau, en fonction de la generosite, de la bienveillance et du genre des membres de la famille.
Effects of Personality on Subjective QOL

This chapter describes the effects of personality factors on subjective well-being. Lucas and Diener (2009), in their article on personality and subjective well-being, made reference to a seminal article written by Warner Wilson (1967) who compiled the first scientific literature review of studies related to subjective well-being (Wilson called subjective well-being “a vowed happiness”). In that seminal article, he concluded that happy people are extraverted, optimistic, worry free, have high self-esteem, and modest aspirations. Lucas and Diener asserted that much of the research relating personality with subjective well-being conducted after 1967 have reinforced Wilson’s original observations. But the research says more, much more. Let us now look at the evidence closely.
Rhetoric Theory and Legal Writing: An Annotated Bibliography

This bibliography supplements the articles in this volume of the Journal of the Association of Legal Writing Directors (J. ALWD) by setting out a list of other works that have been written in the growing area of legal writing scholarship that relates classical and contemporary rhetoric theory to the practice of professional legal writing. The scope of this bibliography is limited in two ways. First, the works listed here focus primarily on how rhetoric theory applies to the discipline of legal writing. While rhetoric is a discipline unto itself, only a few works on general rhetoric theory have been listed here. The first limitation implies the second. This bibliography lists works that focus on rhetoric theory and legal writing; it does not list more generally works that focus on rhetoric theory and "the law." The works listed are broken into two main groups which correspond with the two main schools of rhetoric: Classical Rhetoric and Contemporary Rhetoric.