cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcome prediction following radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Abstract Objective To predict overall survival, cancer, and metastasis specific survival in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) following radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Materials and Methods All nonmetastatic UTUC patients who underwent RNU with a curative intent at 1 institution between December 1998 and January 2017 were included. Detailed data were collected. End points for this study included OS, CCS, and MFS. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted. Log Rank tests and Kaplan-Meier curves were generated. Backward elimination and boot strapping was used to identify the most parsimonious model with the smallest number of variables in order to predict the outcomes of interest. A separate second institution data base was used for external validation. Results There were 218 patients in the development cohort. Mean follow-up was 42 months (±39.6). There was 99 (45.4%) deaths, 28 (12.8%) cancer related deaths, 72 (33%) recurrences, and 54 (24.8%) metastases. The c-index for our model was 0.71 for OS, 0.72 for MFS and 0.74 for CSS. The nomograms did not show significant deviation from actual observations using our calibration plots. We divided the patient into 3 different groups (low, intermediate and high risk) based on their final total score for each outcome and compared them. On external validation our accuracy was 78.4%, 71.4%, and 75.3% for OS, CSS, and MFS survival respectively. Conclusion We designed a predictive model for survival outcomes following RNU in UTUC. This model uses simple, readily available data for patients without the need for expensive or additional testing.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon status in post-hurricane Harvey sediments: Considerations for environmental sampling in the Galveston Bay/Houston Ship Channel region

Abstract Hurricane Harvey led to a broad redistribution of sediment throughout Galveston Bay and the Houston Ship Channel (GB/HSC), but the resulting changes in chemical contaminant distributions have yet to be characterized. To address this question, we collected and analyzed post-Harvey sediment for concentrations of the EPA 16 Priority Pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs), determining the extent to which the spatial distribution and sourcing of contaminants may have changed in contrast to historical surface sediment data (
The conquest of the world as meme: memetic visuality and political humor in critiques of the hindu right wing in India:

With the rise of internet-based digital participatory cultures in India, social networks have become sites of volatile political discourse. As in other countries such as Brazil, China and Russia, t...
Health Care Reform and the Stock Market: Economic Impact, Growth Opportunity and Private Sector Investors

This paper studies the potential economic impact of the health care reform (PPACA) on business in the health care sector using data from Compustat and CRSP. Firms are categorized into 12 industries including medical clinics, drug distributors, hospitals, insurers, medical product manufacturers, nursing homes, pharmaceuticals, etc. To study the PPACA’s economic impact on the health care sector, we use the event study method and regression analysis to examine the excess stock returns caused by the Congress’s passage of the PPACA in 2010 and the Supreme Court’s upholding of the Act in 2012. The market appears to support the Act in general and reacts positively to the health service business including hospitals, medical clinics, and specialty outpatient facilities. This research has profound policy implications. For regulators who want to explore how to reduce the costs of public funding to health care, or for private investors who are considering entering the health care market, this result helps identify growth opportunities within the sector and the levels of interest that majority of investors have towards them.
Neonatal hyperinsulinism in transient and classical forms of tyrosinemia

The spectrum of disorders associated with hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia (HHI) has vastly increased over the past 20 years with identification of molecular, metabolic and cellular pathways involved in the regulation of insulin secretion and its actions. Hereditary tyrosinemia (HT1) is a rare metabolic disorder associated with accumulation of toxic metabolites of the tyrosine pathway due to a genetically mediated enzyme defect of fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase. Transient tyrosinemia of the newborn (TTN) is a benign condition with a maturational defect of the enzymes associated with tyrosine metabolism without any genetic abnormalities. We describe two rare cases of HHI, one in a patient with HT1 and for the first time, in a patient with TTN. Each of our patients presented in the neonatal period with persistent hypoglycemia that on biochemical evaluation was consistent with HHI. Each patient received diazoxide therapy for 3.5 months and 17 months of life, respectively and HHI resolved thereafter. Despite the fact that HHI has been described in HT1 for several decades, no specific mechanism has been delineated. Although we considered the common embryonal origin of the liver and pancreas with the hepatotoxic effect in HT1 also impacting the latter, this was not a possible explanation for TTN. The commonality between our two patients is the accumulation of certain amino acids which are known to be insulinotropic. We therefore hypothesize that the excess of amino acids such as leucine, lysine, valine and isoleucine in our patients resulted in HHI, which was transient. Both patients responded to diazoxide. This novel presentation in TTN and the reassuring response in both HT1 and TTN to diazoxide will be useful to inform physicians about managing HHI in these patients. Further studies are required to delineate the mechanism of HHI in these infants.
Incidence of Homelessness among Veterans Newly Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias.

Background To determine the incidence of homelessness among Veterans diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). Methods We used Veterans Affairs (VA) administrative records to identify Veterans with a new ADRD diagnosis anytime between 2010-2019. Among these Veterans, we calculated the incidence of homelessness, and estimated the association between demographics, comorbidities and hazard of homelessness. Results The incidence rate of homelessness was highest for Veterans diagnosed with ADRD between 18-49 years of age (14.9 per 1,000 person-years; 95%CI: 13.6, 16.3) and lowest for Veterans diagnosed with ADRD at 90+ years (0.3 per 1,000 person-years; 95%CI: 0.2, 0.4). The adjusted hazard ratio of homelessness was higher for unmarried Veterans, and those with alcohol use disorder, substance use disorder, liver disease, depression, hypertension, lung disease, post-traumatic stress disorder and psychoses. Conclusions Younger age and being unmarried at the time of ADRD diagnosis are associated with a greater risk of experiencing homelessness.
In situ crack mapping of large-scale self-sensing concrete pavements using electrical resistance tomography

Author(s): Gupta, S; Lin, YA; Lee, HJ; Buscheck, J; Wu, R; Lynch, JP; Garg, N; Loh, KJ | Abstract: This study aims to validate the large-scale application of self-sensing concrete in airport runway pavements and to use electrical resistance tomography (ERT) for characterizing spatially distributed damage during accelerated pavement testing. This self-sensing concrete not only retains the expected mechanical properties of typical airport pavements, but it can also sense deformation and strain. First, sensing properties were encoded in concrete pavements by modifying the cement-aggregate interface with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) thin films. MWCNT thin films were spray-coated onto dried fine and coarse aggregates, and the film-coated aggregates were directly used for concrete casting. Second, an ERT algorithm was implemented for spatial conductivity mapping of self-sensing concrete pavements. Extensive laboratory tests were conducted on different sized specimens for characterizing their spatial damage detection performance. Last, a full-scale concrete airport pavement slab was cast with self-sensing concrete patches at locations where damage was expected. A heavy vehicle simulator was employed for accelerated pavement testing to induce cracks, while ERT measurements were collected at periodic intervals during testing. The results confirmed that the severities, locations, and patterns of cracks could be identified from the reconstructed ERT conductivity maps. Furthermore, subsurface damage features were identified prior to these cracks propagated and became visible on the surface.
An Algorithm to solve a Facility Location Problem using a Discrete Approximation to the Voronoi Diagram

Identifying optimal locations for new facilities is a common, yet paramount, task in fields as diverse as communications (e.g., cell phone towers) to business (e.g., store locations). Problematically, identifying optimal locations is computationally expensive. In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm to solve the facility localization problem based on a parallelizable discrete approximation of a Voronoi diagram, rather than previously considered exact Voronoi diagram calculations. The growth in execution time across increasing numbers of facilities and increasing geographic planes are empirically analyzed. Finally, the execution time of sequential and parallel implementations is compared across a variety of two-dimensional problem sizes illustrating substantial speedup.
Analysis of Anaerobic Ability Basketball Player in Vertical Leap

In Ideological and Political Education, there are two forms of characteristics: conscious and unconscious, but in view of the community and academics’ increasingly concern about the ideology and its nature, we can promote the understanding and practice of the ideology, which has great significance. Concern about the ideology can give full play to the ideological function. In this article, based on the concept of political ideology, we determine the methods measuring the ideology, make an analysis of existing measures of political ideology and improvement measures; according to the IRT model, we analyze the structure of the political ideology, and make clear measures based on the potential problems while giving its guiding significance our effective analysis.
Abstract 13392: Deficiency of Microrna-378 Contributes to the Development of Cardiac Fibrosis Involving a Tgfβ1-dependent Paracrine Mechanism

Understanding the regulation of cardiac fibrosis is critical for controlling adverse cardiac remodeling during the development of heart failure. Previous studies implicated that microRNA-378 is primarily expressed in cardiomyocytes, and it is down-regulated during heart failure. To understand the consequence of miR-378 depletion during cardiac remodeling, the present study employed a LNA-modified-antimiR to target miR-378 in vivo. Results showed that loss of miR-378 function in mouse hearts led to the development of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis. Upon evaluation of the mechanism of profibrotic response of miR-378 inhibition, we found that antimiR treatment induced TGFβ1 expression in mouse hearts as well as in cultured cardiomyocytes, whereas its expression in cardiomyocytes abolished AngII-stimulated induction of TGFβ1 mRNA. Among various secreted cytokines, only TGFβ1 levels were found to be increased in the conditioned-media of miR-378 depleted cardiomyocytes. Treatment of cardiac fibroblasts with the conditioned-media of miR-378 depleted myocytes activated pSMAD2/3, a critical step in TGFβ-signaling, and induced fibrotic gene expression. This effect of miR-378 depletion was counteracted by including a TGFβ1-neutralizing antibody in the conditioned-medium. In cardiomyocytes, antimiR-mediated stimulation of TGFβ1 mRNA was correlated with the increased expression of c-fos and c-jun. Adenovirus expressing dominant negative N-Ras or c-Jun prevented antimiR-mediated induction of TGFβ1 mRNA, documenting the importance of Ras and AP-1 signaling in this response. These results demonstrate that reduction in miR-378 levels during pathological conditions participate in the process of cardiac remodeling through paracrine release of a profibrotic cytokine, TGFβ1, from cardiomyocytes. Our data imply that the presence of miR-378 in cardiomyocytes plays a critical role in the protection of neighboring fibroblasts from activation by pro-fibrotic stimuli.
Conservative treatment for juvenile osteochondritis dissecans of the talus.

Purpose. To assess outcome of 6 juvenile patients with osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the ankle treated conservatively. Methods. Records of 4 males and one female aged 10.8 to 14.1 (mean, 12.3) years who underwent cast immobilisation and/or restriction of physical activities for OCD of the talus (4 on the left and 2 on the right) were reviewed. OCD lesions were graded using the Berndt and Harty classification. Functional outcome was assessed using the ankle-hindfoot score of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed according to the Higuera classification. Results. The mean follow-up period was 30.5 (range, 11–63) months. The mean ankle-hindfoot score was 90 (range, 86–100). Radiological resolution of OCD was noted in 2 ankles, although all ankles showed some degree of healing. All patients had resolution of pain after a mean of 7 (range, 3–12) months. According to the Higuera classification, clinical outcome was excellent in one and good in 5 ankles, whereas radiological outcome was excellent in 2, good in 2, and fair in 2 ankles. In one patient, the OCD of the right posteromedial talar dome resolved spontaneously. Conclusion. Almost all patients achieved good functional outcome after conservative management, regardless of the presence of radiological evidence of healing. Surgery should only be performed if the OCD is unstable.
Obesity, Cholesterol, and Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC)

Multiple epidemiologic studies have linked the development of renal cancer to obesity. In this chapter, we begin with a review of selected population studies, followed by recent mechanistic discoveries that further link lipid deregulation to the RCC development. The upregulation of leptin and downregulation of adiponectin pathways in obesity fit well with our molecular understanding of RCC pathogenesis. In addition, two forms of hereditary RCC involve proteins, Folliculin and TRC8, that are positioned to coordinately regulate lipid and protein biosynthesis. Both of these biosynthetic pathways have important downstream consequences on HIF-1/2alpha levels and angiogenesis, key aspects in the disease pathogenesis. The role of lipid biology and its interface with protein translation regulation represents a new dimension in RCC research with potential therapeutic implications.
RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei: Processing of adenovirus serotype 2 late messenger RNA precursors

Abstract The mechanisms of formation of the 3′ ends of the adenovirus serotype 2 late transcripts have been investigated. RNA samples synthesized in isolated nuclei were studied by pulse-chase analysis followed by nuclease S1 mapping. The results suggest that the 3′ ends of different precursor RNAs derived from a primary transcript may be formed by different mechanisms. The 3′ ends of the abundant messenger RNAs for the virion protein hexon and the 100K Mr protein (the L3 and L4 families) are formed by cleavage of larger precursors. The cleavages appear to be endonucleolytic and do not require ongoing transcription. However, cleavage is tightly coupled with the subsequent polyadenylation of the RNA 3′ end: no non-polyadenylated 3′ end could be detected. In contrast, late RNAs with 3′ ends located at 38.5 map units (the L1 family) are not created by this mechanism. Although RNA species with 3′ ends at these positions are synthesized during a pulse label and, in fact, throughout an entire incubation in vitro, their synthesis depends on ongoing transcription. At best, only very low levels of splicing can be detected in the isolated nuclei. The implications of these results are discussed.
Context-dependent responses of primate nucleus basalis neurons in a go/no-go task

In previous studies involving monkeys performing behavioral tasks, neurons in the nucleus basalis frequently had significant changes in discharge rate when the animal made a movement in response to a sensory stimulus in order to obtain a reward. To determine whether such responses of basalis neurons are primarily sensory or motor in nature, the activity of single basalis neurons was recorded in monkeys performing a go/no-go (GNG) task which provided a dissociation between sensory and motor neuronal responses. In a sample of 425 basalis neurons, 326 (77%) had significant changes in firing in at least one phase of the GNG task. Most of the task-related neurons (70%) responded in the choice phase in which the animal either made an arm movement (go condition) or kept its arm motionless (no-go condition) in order to obtain a water reward. Of 253 neurons that responded in the choice phase, 88% had changes in firing in the no-go condition that were equal to or, in some cases, greater than the changes in firing in the go condition. Therefore, most responses of basalis neurons in the choice phase could not be specific for the arm movement because they occurred when there was no arm movement at all. The visual stimulus presented in the choice phase was also presented earlier on each trial in the cue phase. Although 70% of the task-related basalis neurons responded in the choice phase, only 5% had detectable changes in firing in the cue phase. Of 251 neurons responding in the cue or choice phase, 59% had significantly larger changes in firing in the choice phase than in the cue phase, whereas only one neuron had a larger response in the cue phase. Therefore, most responses of basalis neurons in the choice phase could not be specific for the visual stimulus because similar responses did not occur when the same stimulus was presented in the cue phase. These results indicate that the frequent responses of basalis neurons in the choice phase are neither purely sensory nor motor in nature, but are highly dependent on the context of the stimulus or movement. The neuronal responses in the choice phase may reflect either transient increases in arousal or decision-making processes.
Federalism, Lochner, and the Individual Mandate

The individual mandate provision in the Affordable Care Act requires individuals to obtain minimum essential health insurance coverage. This provision has been the focus of legal attacks on the Act. Opponents of the mandate have contended that Congress lacks power to compel individuals to engage in a private, commercial transaction. These claims are most sensibly understood as libertarian objections - that is, objections to government attempts to regulate certain personal decisions or actions, on the ground that those decisions or actions are for the individual, and only the individual, to make or take. As such, as a doctrinal matter this objection flows most logically from the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment, as a species of substantive due process. Opponents of the individual mandate, however, have framed their claims in terms of federalism, contending that Congress lacks power under Article I to regulate “inactivity.” But the libertarian objection has simply nothing to do with federalism - that is, a system for allocating power between the federal government and the states. Whether the object of regulation is passive or instead active tells us nothing about whether it is more properly regulated at the state or federal level. Incorporating a categorical libertarian limitation into federalism doctrine, moreover, would limit federal authority even when the government’s interests in regulation are compelling, and even when the states are simply unable, because of collective action problems, to address a problem of national scope and importance. Smuggling a libertarian-based limitation into constitutional law by concealing it in the garb of federalism can only deepen the suspicions of those who are already inclined to view arguments about federalism as simply a guise for some other policy agenda. If opponents of the individual mandate wish to raise a libertarian objection, then they are free to do so; but they should do so in an intellectually coherent way, and they should be clear about the consequences - both for state and federal authority - that inevitably would follow.
Thermal hysteresis in quartz crystal resonators and oscillators

Data are presented on the hysteresis of quartz crystal resonators and oscillators. The dual-c-mode self-temperature sensing technique is used for thermometry. Temperature measurement inaccuracies are eliminated with this technique because the resonator and the thermometer are one and the same. Measurements were made using both a passive pi network/vector voltmeter system, and dual-mode oscillators of two designs. The experimental variables investigated are the end point temperatures, the rate of change of temperature, the sequence of temperatures (i.e. low-high-low, high-low-high, or mid-low-high-mid, etc.), and the drive level. Resonators are measured over several different cycles in both a pi network and a dual-mode oscillator. The results show that the thermal hysteresis of the crystal resonators studied is independent of temperature sequence and drive level but is dependent on the temperature extremes. The contribution to the thermal hysteresis from a poorly designed oscillator may be larger than the contribution from the resonator. Resonators from several different manufacturers and different lots from the same manufacturer exhibit thermal hysteresis signatures. >
Spectral redundancy: Intelligibility of sentences heard through narrow spectral slits

The intelligibility of word lists subjected to various types of spectral filtering has been studied extensively. Although words used for communication are usually present in sentences rather than lists, there has been no systematic report of the intelligibility of lexical components of narrowband sentences. In the present study, we found that surprisingly little spectral information is required to identify component words when sentences are heard through narrow spectral slits. Four hundred twenty listeners (21 groups of 20 subjects) were each presented with 100 bandpass filtered CID ( “everyday speech ”) sentences; separate groups received center frequencies of 370, 530, 750, 1100, 1500, 2100, 3000, 4200, and 6000 Hz at 70 dBA SPL. In Experiment 1, intelligibility of single 1/3-octave bands with steep filter slopes (96 dB/octave) averaged more than 95% for sentences centered at 1100, 1500, and 2100 Hz. In Experiment 2, we used the same center frequencies with extremely narrow bands (slopes of 115 dB/octave intersecting at the center frequency, resulting in a nominal bandwidth of l/20 octave). Despite the severe spectral tilt for all frequencies of this impoverished spectrum, intelligibility remained relatively high for most bands, with the greatest intelligibility (77%) at 1500 Hz. In Experiments 1 and 2, the bands centered at 370 and 6000 Hz provided little useful information when presented individually, but in each experiment they interacted synergistically when combined. The present findings demonstrate the adaptive flexibility of mechanisms used for speech perception and are discussed in the context of the LAME model of opportunistic multilevel processing.
Transient Dynamics of the Metal V-Belt CVT: Effects of Pulley Flexibility and Friction Characteristic

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) offers a continuum of gear ratios between desired limits. The present research focuses on developing a continuous one-dimensional model of the metal V-belt CVT in order to understand the influence of pulley flexibility and friction characteristics on its dynamic performance. A metal V-belt CVT falls under the category of friction-limited drives as its performance and torque capacity rely significantly on the friction characteristic of the contact patch between the belt element and the pulley. Since the friction characteristic of the contact patch may vary in accordance with the loading and design configurations, it is important to study the influence of the friction characteristic on the performance of a CVT. Friction between the belt and the pulley sheaves is modeled using different mathematical models which account for varying loading scenarios. Simple trigonometric functions are introduced to capture the effects of pulley deformation on the thrust ratio and slip behavior of the CVT. Moreover, since a number of models mentioned in the literature neglect the inertial coupling between the belt and the pulley, a considerable amount of effort in this paper is dedicated towards modeling the inertial coupling between the belt and the pulley and studying its influence on the dynamic performance of a CVT. The results discuss the influence of friction characteristics and pulley flexibility on the dynamic performance, the axial force requirements, and the torque transmitting capacity of a metal V-belt CVT drive.
ω-3 Fatty acids (fish oil) as an anti-inflammatory: an alternative to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for discogenic pain †

Background: The use of NSAID medications is a well-established effective therapy for both acute and chronic nonspecific neck and back pain. Extreme complications, including gastric ulcers, bleeding, myocardial infarction, and even deaths, are associated with their use. An alternative treatment with fewer side effects that also reduces the inflammatory response and thereby reduces pain is believed to be x-3 EFAs found in fish oil. We report our experience in a neurosurgical practice using fish oil supplements for pain relief. Methods: From March to June 2004, 250 patients who had been seen by a neurosurgeon and were found to have nonsurgical neck or back pain were asked to take a total of 1200 mg per day of x-3 EFAs (eicosapentaenoic acid and decosahexaenoic acid) found in fish oil supplements. A questionnaire was sent approximately 1 month after starting the supplement. Results: Of the 250 patients, 125 returned the questionnaire at an average of 75 days on fish oil. Seventy-eight percent were taking 1200 mg and 22% were taking 2400 mg of EFAs. Fifty-nine percent discontinued to take their prescription NSAID medications for pain. Sixty percent stated that their overall pain was improved, and 60% stated that their joint pain had improved. Eighty percent stated they were satisfied with their improvement, and 88% stated they would continue to take the fish oil. There were no significant side effects reported. Conclusions: Our results mirror other controlled studies that compared ibuprofen and x-3 EFAs demonstrating equivalent effect in reducing arthritic pain. x-3 EFA fish oil supplements appear to be a safer alternative to NSAIDs for treatment of nonsurgical neck or back pain in this selective group.
Synthesis and Characterization of Neutral/Ionic Block Copolymers of Various Architectures

Near-monodisperse diblock, triblock, and multiarm star-block copolymers of polystyrene (PS) and poly(4-tert-butylstyrene) (PtBS) were synthesized using anionic polymerization techniques. Selective sulfonation of PS blocks by using the complex of sulfur trioxide (SO3) and triethyl phosphate (TEP) in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), followed by neutralization with sodium methoxide, was performed to yield the corresponding well-defined neutral/ionic block copolymers of sodium poly(styrenesulfonate) (NaPSS) and PtBS. A number of techniques including matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI/TOF/MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) were employed to characterize these materials.
Differential Effect of Dietary Methionine on the Biopotency of Selenomethionine and Selenite in Cancer Chemoprevention1

The influence of a low methionine intake on the chemopreventive efficacy of selenomethionine versus selenite was compared in the 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced mammary tumor model in rats. Animals were fed from weaning a purified 20% casein diet with or without 0.3% methionine supplementation. Selenomethionine or selenite, at a final concentration of 3 ppm of selenium (Se), was added to the diet starting 5 days after DMBA administration. Control rats continued to receive the basal diets which contained 0.1 ppm of Se. Results of the carcinogenesis experiment indicated that suboptimal dietary methionine significantly reduced the protective effect of selenomethionine in cancer prevention. In contrast, the efficacy of selenite was not affected. In rats given 3 ppm of selenomethionine, tissue Se was actually higher in those fed a diet with a suboptimal amount of methionine than in those with an adequate intake of methionine. On the other hand, dietary methionine did not influence the level of tissue Se in animals given selenite. An increase of dietary methionine to 0.6% did not enhance the efficacy of selenomethionine in cancer protection but would allow the use of a higher level of selenite without the accompanying adverse effects. The biological significance of Se utilization under suboptimal or adequate methionine intake was also assessed using the glutathione peroxidase assay in the liver of Se-deficient rats given graded levels of Se as either selenite or selenomethionine. The enzyme study demonstrated that low dietary methionine decreased the nutritional biopotency of selenomethionine in restoring glutathione peroxidase activity but not that of selenite. These experiments suggest that adequate methionine intake is required for the utilization of selenomethionine for nutritional and anticarcinogenic purposes.
Distinguishing wetland vegetation and channel features with object-based image segmentation

Mapping landscape features within wetlands using remote-sensing imagery is a persistent challenge due to the fine scale of wetland pattern variation and the low spectral contrast among plant species. Object-based image analysis OBIA is a promising approach for distinguishing wetland features, but systematic guidance for this use of OBIA is not presently available. A sensitivity analysis was tested using OBIA to distinguish vegetation zones, vegetation patches, and surface water channels in two intertidal salt marshes in southern San Francisco Bay. Optimal imagery sources and OBIA segmentation settings were determined from 348 sensitivity tests using the eCognition multiresolution segmentation algorithm. The optimal high-resolution ≤1 m imagery choices were colour infrared CIR imagery to distinguish vegetation zones, CIR or red, green, blue RGB imagery to distinguish vegetation patches depending on species and season, and RGB imagery to distinguish surface water channels. High-resolution 1 m lidar data did not help distinguish small surface water channels or other features. Optimal segmentation varied according to segmentation setting choices. Small vegetation patches and narrow channels were more recognizable using small scale parameter settings and coarse vegetation zones using larger scale parameter settings. The scale parameter served as a de facto lower bound to median segmented object size. Object smoothness/compactness weight settings had little effect. Wetland features were more recognizable using high colour/low shape weight settings. However, an experiment on a synthetic non-wetland image demonstrated that, colour information notwithstanding, segmentation results are still strongly affected by the selected image resolution, OBIA settings, and shape of the analysis region. Future wetland OBIA studies may benefit from strategically making imagery and segmentation setting choices based on these results; such systemization of future wetland OBIA approaches may also enhance study comparability.
Evaluating the Role of Writing in the First and Second Year University Foreign Language Curriculum

Approaches to foreign language (FL) instruction have changed a great deal in the past fifty years, the most fundamental change being the shift from a focus solely on language form to a focus on communicative competence (CC). Although most FL instructors now appear to focus on CC in the teaching of speaking, they do not necessarily apply CC to writing in the same way. The study reported here attempts to describe the role currently played by writing in the first and second-year FL curriculum by detailing the methods used by 10 professors working at 7 different universities across the United States to teach FL writing in these courses. Results indicate that writing-to-learn activities make up a large majority of the writing methods used, but that learning-to-write activities that foster CC in writing have also been successfully integrated into the beginning FL curriculum.
The technological requirements for application specific integrated circuits

Application Specific Integrated Circuits are becoming an increasingly important class of devices for many semiconductor manufacturers. These circuits often contain highly optimized digital architectures as well as analog circuitry for interfacing to sensors, transducers and actuators. In order to reduce the design time of these circuits high level software tools are being developed. A discussion is given of the requirements of a process technology, which is compatible with this type of design methodology.
Hierarchical ordering in plant morphology

Plants are interpreted as structural hierarchies which are real systems organized through descending constraints. Types of hierarchical groups in plants are (a) cluster by integration, (b) support through attachment, (c) enclosure by encasement (d) dissipative by input of energy and (e) control through variable state switching. Most plant hierarchies are mixtures of these types which explains a number of paradoxes in plant morphology. The traditional means of identifying levels, i.e., cell, tissues, organs, uses a compositional group which is not a hierarchical group but a similarity feature and so is inadequate for describing hierarchies. Hierarchies can be defined by set theory which is more a description of cognitive than real hierarchies and therefore is of little value in describing plant organization. The hierarchical description of a plant emphasizes the immediate physical status of organization which provide, in turn, a physical explanation of development.
Protein determination by Lowry's method in the presence of sulfhydryl reagents.

Abstract Interference with the Lowry protein determination by sulfhydryl compounds cysteine, DTT, 2-mercaptoethanol, and reduced glutathione has been largely removed by adding H 2 O 2 to the alkaline copper solution containing the protein followed by heating for 10 min at 50° before adding phenol reagent. The destruction of sulfhydryl can also be carried out at room temperature but blanks are somewhat higher than those obtained after heating. In the concentration employed here, H 2 O 2 does not interfere with the development of color by the phenol reagent. Sensitivity of the determination appears to be enhanced in the presence of DTT. Detailed directions are given for estimating proteins in the presence of sulfhydryl compounds.
Special stains can distinguish hepatic necrosis with regenerative nodules from cirrhosis.

Background: Focal zones of hepatic necrosis alternating with nodular regeneration in severe, acute to subacute hepatitis can be difficult to differentiate histologically from established cirrhosis, and diagnostic errors can result in incorrect patient management. Thus, an easily applicable, well-defined histologic method for differentiating these two lesions would be useful. Methods: We examined trichrome (TRI), reticulin (RETIC), Verhoeff's elastic (VE), and orcein (ORC) stains on 13 cases of hepatic necrosis with regenerative nodules and 10 cases of end-stage cirrhosis to evaluate their utility for this problem. Results: Zones of recent necrosis in all severe hepatitis cases stained paler blue or pink, respectively, with TRI and VE than the established scar in cirrhosis or residual normal portal zones/central vein walls. With VE and ORC, elastic fibres were not seen in the necrotic zones of severe hepatitis, but were present in all cirrhotic livers. RETIC outlined the residual cell plate architecture in necrotic areas but had indistinct staining in fibrotic areas. The combination of the RETIC, TRI and ORC distinguished hepatic necrosis with regenerative nodules from nodules in the scar of established cirrhosis in 100% of the cases examined. Conclusion: We conclude that this trio of special stains can be helpful adjuncts for this diagnostic problem.
Loops MC: an all-atom Monte Carlo simulation program for RNAs based on inverse kinematic loop closure

This paper describes a new all-atom Monte Carlo (MC) simulation program for RNAs. The core numerical engine of this program is powered exclusively by inverse kinematic loop closures. The new simula...
Perchlorate Depositional History as Recorded in North American Ice Cores from the Eclipse Icefield, Canada, and the Upper Fremont Glacier, USA

Temporal depositional rates are important in order to understand the production and occurrence of perchlorate (ClO 4 − ) as limited information exists regarding the impact of anthropogenic production or atmospheric pollution on ClO 4 − deposition. Perchlorate concentrations in discrete ice core samples from the Eclipse Icefield (Yukon Territory, Canada) and Upper Fremont Glacier (Wyoming, USA) were analyzed using ion chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to evaluate temporal changes in the deposition of ClO4 − in North America. The ice core samples cover a time period from 1726 to 1993 and 1970 to 2002 for the Upper Fremont Glacier (UFG) and Eclipse ice cores, respectively. The average ClO4 − concentration in the Eclipse ice core for the time period from 1970 to 1973 was 0.6 ± 0.3 ng L−1, with higher values of 2.3 ± 1.7 and 2.2 ± 2.0 ng L−1 for the periods 1982–1986 and 1999–2002, respectively. All pre-1980 ice core samples from the UFG had ClO4 − concentrations <0.2 ng L−1, and the post-1980 samples ranged from <0.2 ng L−1 to a maximum of 2.6 ng L−1 for the year 1992. A significant positive correlation (R = 0.75, N = 15, p < 0.001) of ClO 4 − with SO 4 2− was found for the annual UFG ice core layers and of ClO4 − with SO 4 2− and NO 3 − in sub-annual Eclipse ice samples (R > 0.3, N = 121, p < 0.002). The estimated yearly ClO 4 − depositional flux for the Eclipse ice core ranged from 0.6 (1970) to 4.7 μg m−2 year−1 (1982) and the UFG from <0.1 (pre-1980) to 1.4 μg m−2 year−1 (1992). There was no consistent seasonal variation in the ClO 4 − depositional flux for the Eclipse ice core, in contrast to a previous study on the Arctic region. The presence of ClO 4 − in these ice cores might correspond to an intermittent source such as volcanic eruptions and/or any anthropogenic forcing that may directly or indirectly aid in atmospheric ClO 4 − formation.
Imager of low-energy neutral atoms: imaging neutrals from the magnetosphere at energies below 20 keV

We describe a new imager suitable for measurements of magnetospheric neutrals with energies from about 100 eV to about 10 keV; an energy range adequate for imaging the plasmasheet neutral atoms out to about 10 R(E). The instrument, an outgrowth of a study of atom-surface collisions in support of satellite drag calculations, separates incident photons from neutral atoms by surface scattering and conversion of the neutrals to ions. Subsequently, the ions formed on the first surface are accelerated through a light rejection section which also disperses the ions according to energy. The dispersed ion beam is then allowed to impact a second surface where a start pulse is generated to obtain ion velocity and energy/charge. The second surface is chosen to give large secondary electron emission without regard to charge state of the particles reflected from it. The data supporting the proposed ILENA design is presented in the first part of the paper.
The development of legal professionalism in Russia: an institutional perspective

Purpose – The rule of law and an efficient legal system are the core factors that ensure growth in BRIC economies. Weak institutions and failures with respect to the rule of law in Russia call into question its position as one of the BRIC countries. The purpose of this paper is to propose that the legitimization of newly created formal legal institutions in Russia is impossible without a new set of values that reflect the ideals of professionalism. It aims to explore the role institutional stakeholders play in establishment of the new set of professional values.Design/methodology/approach – A survey of existing legislation and academic research on professionalism and the development of the legal profession in Russia was undertaken to determine the state of the development of its formal and informal legal institutions. The role of stakeholders in the development of new professional institutions was also examined.Findings – The paper finds that the creation of formal institutions supporting the rule of law ...
Spectral selectivity in infrared thermal detection

Advances in nanomechanical structures and thermal-emission devices have provided fresh perspectives for the development of infrared thermal detectors. Joseph Talghader and colleagues at the University of Minnesota, USA, review fundamental and technological progress in the field from the perspective of spectrally selective detection, which is important for applications ranging from chemical detection and target recognition to studies in cavity quantum electrodynamics. Placing emphasis on devices operating at non-cryogenic temperatures, Talghader et al. discuss basic and practical aspects of detectors based on both natural and artificial materials. They round off their discussion by looking at current trends in material science and imaging technology to speculate about the future directions of the field.
Binding of catecholamines to receptors in cultured myocardial cells.

THE inotropic and chronotropic effects of catecholamines on cardiac tissue are mediated by binding to specific β-adrenoeeptor sites1, activation of the enzyme adenyl cyclase2 and generation of the “second messenger” cyclic AMP3. Sites have been identified in subcellular membrane fragments from mammalian cardiac4–8, hepatic9,10, erythrocytic11 and splenic capsular tissue12 which bind radioactively labelled catecholamines with specificity and other characteristics to be expected of physiological β-adrenoceptors. These sites seem to be proteins7,10 and have been partially purified5,10.
Fundamental motives: How evolutionary needs influence consumer behavior

Can we better understand modern consumer behavior by examining its links to our ancestral past? We consider the underlying motives for consumption and choice from an evolutionary perspective. We review evidence that deep-seated evolutionary motives continue to influence much modern behavior, albeit not always in obvious or conscious ways. These fundamental motives include: (1) evading physical harm, (2) avoiding disease, (3) making friends, (4) attaining status, (5) acquiring a mate, (6) keeping a mate, and (7) caring for family. We discuss how, why, and when these motives influence behavior, highlighting that many consumer choices ultimately function to help fulfill one or more of these evolutionary needs. An important implication of this framework is that a person's preferences, behaviors, and decision processes change in predictable ways depending on which fundamental motive is currently active. We discuss how consideration of evolutionary motives provides fertile ground for future consumer research, while also helping build bridges between consumer behavior, evolutionary biology, and other social sciences.
Proton fluxes associated with erythrocyte membrane anion exchange.

Transient extracellular pH changes accompany the exchange of chloride for sulfate across the erythrocyte membrane. The direction of the extracellular pH change during chloride efflux and sulfate influx depends on experimental conditions. When bicarbonate is present, the extracellular pH drops sharply at the outset of the anion exchange and tends to follow the partial ionic equilibrium described by Wilbrandt (W. Wilbrandt, 1942.Pfluegers Arch. 246:291). When bicarbonate is absent, however, the anion exchange causes the pH to rise, indicating that protons are cotransported with sulfate during chloridesulfate exchange. The pH rise can be reversed by the addition of HCO3− (4 μm) or 2,4-dinitrophenol (90 μm). This demonstrates that the proton-sulfate cotransport can drive proton transport uphill. The stoichiometry of the transport is that one chloride exchanges for one sulfate plus one proton. These results support the titratable carrier model proposed by Gunn (Gunn, R.B. 1972.In: Oxygen Affinity of Hemoglobin and Red Cell Acid-Base Status. M. Roth and P. Astrup, editors. p. 823. Munksgaard, Copenhagen) for erythrocyte membrane anion exchange.
pH and other effects on the antifungal activity of cilofungin (LY121019).

We investigated the effects of various test conditions on broth macro- and microdilution susceptibility test results for several species of yeasts with a new antifungal agent, cilofungin. As the pH decreased from 7.4 to 3.0, 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC1/2) increased up to 64-fold. This effect was unrelated to yeast growth rate, solvent concentration, or choice of buffer. Broth microdilution results for 42 Candida albicans isolates at pH 7.4 in synthetic amino acid medium, fungal (SAAMF), showed IC1/2 results from 0.08 to 2.5 micrograms/ml, whereas at pH 3.0 the results were 5.0 or 10.0 micrograms/ml. Fungicidal concentrations were closer to MIC results at the lower pH, i.e., an average of 16-fold above the MIC at pH 3.0, compared with an average 256-fold difference at pH 7.4. Two strains that had very different IC1/2 results at pH 7.4 and identical IC1/2 results at pH 3.0 were found to be equally susceptible to cilofungin therapy in rats. In additional studies, other medium effects were demonstrable, with yeast nitrogen broth and minimal essential medium generally yielding higher results than two other synthetic media (SAAMF and RPMI 1640 medium). However, susceptibility results did not change with inoculum between 10(2) and 10(5) yeast cells per ml or temperature between 30 and 37 degrees C. These studies indicate that pH is an important influence on in vitro rank order susceptibility of pathogenic yeasts to cilofungin.
“That's How We Do It”: Friendship Work between High School Students with and without Autism or Developmental Disability:

This is an interpretivist qualitative study that explores the contexts and dynamics of friendships among three groups of young adults; each group included an individual with autism or severe disabi...
The Rocky Road of Teachers Becoming Action Researchers.

Abstract This paper describes an action research project conducted in the course of teaching about action research. Eight doctoral students and a professor co-taught the course. We organized it to demonstrate aspects of action research and conducted our research as an example of action research methodology. We shared our proposal, data collection strategies, and beginning data analyses with our students. Our action research project thus served two purposes: (1) it helped us to study our own teaching and the emerging understandings of our students, and (2) it demonstrated action research for our students while they designed their own research proposals.