cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Well-differentiated Spindle Cell Liposarcoma of the Larynx: A Rare Case Report and Review of Literature.

Background Liposarcoma of the larynx is a rare entity. Well-differentiated spindle cell liposarcoma of the larynx has not been yet reported in the literature. Case report We report the first case of well-differentiated spindle cell liposarcoma of the larynx on a 59-year-old male who presented with change of voice and phlegmy cough for several months. Laryngoscopy revealed a mucosal covered pedunculated mass on the supraglottis. Computerized tomography (CT) scan showed a low-attenuation mass causing moderate narrowing of the airway. The lesion was excised. Grossly, a 4.2 cm ovoid, solid and soft mass with homogeneously white-gray and rubbery cut surface was identified. Microscopic examination revealed a well-demarcated neoplasm composed of predominantly atypical and pleomorphic spindle cells distributed in collagenous stroma, with admixed adipocytes showing variation in cell size and rare lipoblasts. Immunohistochemical stains showed that the spindle cells were positive for MDM2, CDK4, and CD34. Overall, the histology and immunoprofile are consistent with a well-differentiated liposarcoma, spindle cell type. Due to the positive resection margin, the patient subsequently received endoscopic local re-excision with a carbon dioxide laser. He did well at 4 months after primary excision. Conclusion This case illustrates that while well-differentiated spindle cell liposarcoma rarely occurs in the larynx, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with laryngeal lesions. A panel of immunohistochemistry markers including MDM2, CDK4 and CD34 is helpful to render accurate diagnosis. Wide excision with long-term follow-up is necessary for this rare variant of liposarcoma.
Application of Spatial Analysis to Identify the Location of Entrepreneurs Supported by the Regional Government in Andalusia (Spain)

In this work, spatial analysis was used to identify the locations of entrepreneurs supported by the regional government of Andalusia (Spain). The objective of this research is to study the effectiveness of the support work for entrepreneurship carried out by the Andalusians Entrepreneurship Centres (CADEs) in the autonomous community. As a first approach to this objective, the geographical situation of the supported entrepreneurs is determined, and how that situation influences the support for entrepreneurship is analysed. We use spatial pattern analysis techniques that allow us to assess the impact of these efforts. Attending to the areas of greater concentration as well as those of lower concentration, we conclude that CADEs are an effective instrument of the entrepreneurship policy in this region. In addition, by concentrating on rural and mountain areas, the work of CADEs contributes to the local development of these zones by supporting the development and sustainability of the business sector in areas with higher unemployment rates and a greater threat of depopulation. The study’s conclusions are relevant in showing the role of public administration in the development of European Union (EU) Objective 1 regions and, more specifically, in the support of entrepreneurship.
Are Reforms to Section 1201 Needed and Warranted? Responses to Questions for the Record from the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Intellectual Property

This is a written response to Chairman Tillis, Senator Blumenthal, and Senator Grassley, expanding on the initial testimony at https://ssrn.com/abstract=3694085.
Chapter 21 Micrurgy of Tissue Culture Cells

Publisher Summary This chapter highlights micrurgy of tissue culture (t.c.) cells. Very few cell types can surpass t. c. cells as material on which micrurgy can be performed and that are excellent for the study of much fine cytological detail. Successful t. c. cell micrurgy is more dependent on proper equipment than on unusual manual skills. It is possible to perform micrurgy on t. c. cells with equipment that is standard in most cell biology laboratories; however the operations are greatly facilitated by the use of specialized apparatus that can be quite complicated. For micrurgy of t. c. cells, an inverted microscope is preferred. The use of an inverted microscope permits simplified construction of the operating chamber, simplified access to the chamber interior, and easy maintenance of a seal between the cell medium and the atmosphere. Most t. c. cell micrurgy can be performed on cells that grow firmly attached to glass, therefore the tool requirements are such that probably any good micromanipulator will serve for the operations. The important simplifying feature of t. c. cells for micrurgy is their ability to adhere well to a glass substratum so that no accessory tools are necessary to hold the cells in position during microdissection.
The lit sphere: a model for capturing NPR shading from art

While traditional graphics techniques provide for the realistic display of three-dimensional objects, these methods often lack the flexibility to emulate expressive effects found in the works of artists such as Michelangelo and Cezanne. We introduce a technique for capturing custom artistic shading models from sampled art work. Our goal is to allow users to easily generate shading models which give the impression of light, depth, and material properties as accomplished by artists. Our system provides real-time feedback to immediately illustrate aesthetic choices in shading model design, and to assist the user in the exploration of novel viewpoints. We describe rendering algorithms which are easily incorporated into existing shaders, making non-photorealistic rendering of materials such as skin, metal, or even painted objects fast and simple. The flexibility of these methods for generating shading models enables users to portray a large range of materials as well as to capture the look and feel of a work of art. (Color images can be found at http://www.cs.utah.edu/npr/papers/LitSphere_HTML.)
Evaluating the potential for remote bathymetric mapping of a turbid, sand-bed river: 2. Application to hyperspectral image data from the Platte River

[1] This study examined the possibility of mapping depth from optical image data in turbid, sediment-laden channels. Analysis of hyperspectral images from the Platte River indicated that depth retrieval in these environments is feasible, but might not be highly accurate. Four methods of calibrating image-derived depth estimates were evaluated. The first involved extracting image spectra at survey point locations throughout the reach. These paired observations of depth and reflectance were subjected to optimal band ratio analysis (OBRA) to relate (R2 = 0.596) a spectrally based quantity to flow depth. Two other methods were based on OBRA of data from individual cross sections. A fourth strategy used ground-based reflectance measurements to derive an OBRA relation (R2 = 0.944) that was then applied to the image. Depth retrieval accuracy was assessed by visually inspecting cross sections and calculating various error metrics. Calibration via field spectroscopy resulted in a shallow bias but provided relative accuracies similar to image-based methods. Reach-aggregated OBRA was marginally superior to calibrations based on individual cross sections, and depth retrieval accuracy varied considerably along each reach. Errors were lower and observed versus predicted regression R2 values higher for a relatively simple, deeper site than a shallower, braided reach; errors were 1/3 and 1/2 the mean depth for the two reaches. Bathymetric maps were coherent and hydraulically reasonable, however, and might be more reliable than implied by numerical metrics. As an example application, linear discriminant analysis was used to produce a series of depth threshold maps for characterizing shallow-water habitat for roosting cranes.
Family accommodation mediates the association between anxiety symptoms in mothers and children.

Objective : The link between child anxiety and maternal anxiety has been well established but the factors underlying this association are not well understood. One potential factor is family accommodation, which describes ways in which parents change their behaviour to help a child avoid or alleviate anxiety. Family accommodation has been associated with greater symptom severity, more impairment and poorer treatment outcomes in the child. The aim of this study was to investigate whether maternal accommodation mediates the relation between parent and child anxiety. Method : Mothers of children (N = 85) aged 7–17 years (M = 11.79) completed measures of their own anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)), their child’s anxiety (Screen for Child Anxiety Related Disorders (SCARED)), and family accommodation (Family Accommodation Scale Anxiety (FASA)). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to test the mediational role of accommodation linking parent and child anxiety. Results : Family accommodation was found to significantly mediate the link between maternal anxiety and child anxiety. Conclusion : These results inform theory and imply that the development of interventions designed to target family accommodation may improve the prognosis of those diagnosed with paediatric anxiety disorders and youth with subclinical anxiety symptoms by reducing both parent and child anxiety.
A load-balancing spare capacity reallocation approach in service-rich SONET metro mesh networks

The next-generation SONET metro network is evolving into a service-rich infrastructure. At the edge of such a network, multi-service provisioning platforms (MSPPs) provide efficient data mapping enabled by generic framing procedure (GFP) and virtual concatenation (VC). The core of the network tends to be a meshed architecture equipped with multi-service switches (MSSs), In the context of these emerging technologies, we propose a load-balancing spare capacity reallocation approach to improve network utilization in the next-generation SONET metro networks. Using our approach, carriers can postpone network upgrades, resulting in increased revenue with reduced capital expenditures (CAPEX). For the first time, we consider the spare capacity reallocation problem from a capacity upgrade and network planning perspective. Our approach can operate in the context of shared-path protection (with backup multiplexing) because it reallocates spare capacity without disrupting working services. Unlike previous spare capacity reallocation approaches which aim at minimizing total spare capacity, our load-balancing approach minimizes the network load vector (NLV), which is a novel metric that reflects the network load distribution. Because NLV takes into consideration both uniform and non-uniform link capacity distribution, our approach can benefit both uniform and non-uniform networks. We develop a greedy load-balancing spare capacity reallocation (GLB-SCR) heuristic algorithm to implement this approach. Our experimental results show that GLB-SCR outperforms a previously proposed algorithm (SSR) in terms of established connection capacity and total network capacity in both uniform and non-uniform networks.
A Status Report on Chiral Dynamics: Theory and Experiment

This paper gives an overview of a Workshop on Chiral Dynamics: Theory and Experiment which was held at MIT July 25-29, 1994; its unique feature was the equal mixture of theory and experiment. The purpose of the workshop was to bring together many of the active participants to assess the status of the field and to explore fruitful future directions. The foundations and present status of the theory were reviewed as well as the experimental status of the field. To facilitate the discussion of future directions working groups were organized on Threshold Photo/Electropion Production, Two-Pion Threshold and the Chiral Anomaly, Nucleon Polarizabilities, Pion and Sigma Polarizabilities, $\pi-\pi$ Interactions, and $\pi$-N Interactions; these subjects were the focus of the experimental aspects of the workshop.
Effects of an advanced sleep schedule and morning short wavelength light exposure on circadian phase in young adults with late sleep schedules

Abstract Objective We examined the effects of an advanced sleep/wake schedule and morning short wavelength (blue) light in 25 adults (mean age±SD=21.8±3years; 13 women) with late sleep schedules and subclinical features of delayed sleep phase disorder (DSPD). Methods After a baseline week, participants kept individualized, fixed, advanced 7.5-h sleep schedules for 6days. Participants were randomly assigned to groups to receive "blue" (470nm, ∼225lux, n =12) or "dim" ( n =13) light for 1h after waking each day. Head-worn "Daysimeters" measured light exposure; actigraphs and sleep diaries confirmed schedule compliance. Salivary dim light melatonin onset (DLMO), self-reported sleep, and mood were examined with 2×2 ANOVA. Results After 6days, both groups showed significant circadian phase advances, but morning blue light was not associated with larger phase shifts than dim-light exposure. The average DLMO advances (mean±SD) were 1.5±1.1h in the dim light group and 1.4±0.7h in the blue light group. Conclusions Adherence to a fixed advanced sleep/wake schedule resulted in significant circadian phase shifts in young adults with subclinical DSPD with or without morning blue light exposure. Light/dark exposures associated with fixed early sleep schedules are sufficient to advance circadian phase in young adults.
Wear behavior in SiC–TiX multilayered nanocomposite coatings

Abstract SiC–TiX (where ‘X’ includes oxides, carbides, or elemental Ti alone) multilayered nanocomposite coatings with layer thicknesses of 1 to 3 μm were deposited on molybdenum substrates through a hybrid process of nanoparticle impaction and chemical vapor deposition. Reactants are injected into a thermal plasma and undergo a rapid expansion through a converging nozzle, resulting in gas-phase particle nucleation and hypersonic impaction onto a substrate. While film growth is composed primarily of nanoparticles, excess vapor from the particle nucleation process forms a reactive boundary layer above the substrate and supports CVD growth. Embedded particles both inhibit grain growth in the matrix material during the deposition and enhance fracture toughness under compression. Consecutive deposition of SiC and TiX layers creates a film with layers of crystalline SiC nanoparticles embedded in a crystalline SiC matrix followed by Ti/TiO 2 /TiC/TiO composite layers. Both layers show an increased hardness without a change in the modulus compared to coarse-grained samples. While residual tensile stresses at the TiX–SiC interface suggest weak interlayer adhesion, the independent performance of the layers with respect to H 3 / E ⁎ 2 suggests unique microstructural benefits inherent to the deposition process. These results demonstrate the potential for high strength nanocomposites with enhanced wear properties.
Characterization of a single dose methylprednisolone acetate immune suppression model using Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium parvum.

An immunosuppressive dose of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) was compared with a non-immunosuppressive dose using Cryptosporidium oocyst production as an indicator of immunosuppression. To be classified as immunosuppressive, the dose had to satisfy five criteria. First, the dose had to abrogate normal immune defenses allowing the propagation of an organism to which the host is normally resistant, i.e. Cryptosporidium parvum in adult mice. Second, the dose had to decrease overall circulating CD4 T-lymphocyte numbers by greater than 80%. Third, the immunosuppressive dose had to prolong the infection beyond the normal infection length, and fourth, increase the severity of an active infection. Lastly, after complete recovery from a C. muris infection, immunosuppression must suppress the naturally acquired post infection immunity and allow reinfection. In mice immunosuppression with 600 mg MPA/kg lasted approximately 14 days and satisfied all five criteria. Fecal oocyst production could be perpetuated by dosing at 10-day intervals. A 200 mg MPA/kg dose transiently lowered CD4 counts by over 80%, but failed to override the naturally acquired post infection immunity or allow infection with C. parvum. The immunosuppressed blood profile consisted of an immediate sharp rise of mature segmented neutrophils combined with a severe decrease in circulating T-lymphocyte numbers. The rise and fall of neutrophils proved to be a good indicator of the severity and duration of immunosuppression. The thymus and spleen likewise contracted and then expanded in accordance with the steroid effect. The metabolism of MPA resulted in the eventual recovery of immune function signified by the cessation of C. parvum oocyst production. The recovery blood profile was associated with circulating CD8 counts near control levels, continuing 80% depression of CD4 counts and a dropping total neutrophil count. This study shows that the 600 mg/kg MPA dose is a good model for immunosuppression, which satisfies all five criteria for immunosuppression with low morbidity and low mortality.
Radiative properties of implosions of combined X-pinches and planar wire arrays composed from different wire materials on the UNR 1 MA Z-pinch generator

Abstract The radiation from implosions of X-pinches and planar wire arrays, which consist of alloyed Al and Mo wires, on the UNR 1MA ZEBRA generator was studied. Combined, planar-loop X-pinches are good surrogate sources for studying radiative properties of Z-pinch plasmas that can be of small size, high density and high temperature as are standard X-pinches. Further, the X-pinches consist of the wires from different materials and can also exhibit distinct radiation properties. In particular, combined X-pinches studied in this work used an Al 5056 (5% Mg) wire in the anode (cathode) loop and a Mo wire in the cathode (anode) loop. Combined planar wire arrays had from 10 to 15 wires arranged in one plane and consisted of the same two wire materials as used in the X-pinches. We find that planar wire arrays radiate significant peak power. Spatially-resolved and spatially integrated X-ray spectral data as well as time integrated pinhole X-ray images were analyzed. Non-LTE kinetic models were applied to study the axial gradients of electron temperatures and densities in these X-pinch and Z-pinch plasmas. Specifically, X-ray spectra of K-shell Al and Mg, and L-shell Mo were modeled. As a result, we discuss the dependence of the plasma spatial structure, temperature, density, and opacity. The importance of using different materials or alloys for Z-pinch plasma diagnostics is illustrated.
Rapid synthesis of double-stranded cucumber mosaic virus-associated RNA 5: Mechanism controlling viral pathogenesis?

Abstract In cucumber mosaic virus infections of tobacco where disease attenuation is observed, viral RNA synthesis is quickly overtaken by the synthesis of cucumber mosaic virus-associated RNA 5, a satellite-like RNA dependent upon the virus for its replication, and that of its double-stranded form. A disease regulatory mechanism is proposed in which the sequestration of rapidly synthesized cucumber mosaic virus-associated RNA 5 molecules of complementary nucleotide sequence enables their successful competition with and suppression of, viral RNA synthesis.
Generalized Treatment of Optically-Induced Forces and Potentials in Optomechanically Variable Photonic Circuits

We establish a fundamental relationship between the phase and amplitude responses of an optomechanically variable photonic circuit and the forces and potentials produced by light. These results are illustrated through resonant and nonresonant multi-port systems.
Attendance at alcohol-free and alcohol-service parties and alcohol consumption among college students

Abstract Objective To examine attendance at alcohol-service and alcohol-free parties among college students, and to compare alcohol consumption on nights of these parties. Method A random sample of 556 students (38.6% male) completed a web survey that measured past-semester alcohol use, alcohol-service party attendance, alcohol-free party attendance, and alcohol consumed on the nights of recent parties. Results Participants were twice as likely to attend alcohol-service parties as they were to attend alcohol-free parties (90% vs. 44%). First-year students and Black students were more likely than other students to attend alcohol-free parties. Alcohol use was higher in students who attended alcohol-service parties but there were no differences in levels of alcohol use between students who attended alcohol-free parties and those who did not. Pre-gaming was more prevalent, but the number of drinks and intoxication were lower on nights of alcohol-free parties than on nights of alcohol-service parties. Conclusions The lack of association between attendance at alcohol-free parties and alcohol use indicates both heavy and light drinkers attend these parties. The lower drinking and intoxication on alcohol-free party nights suggests alcohol-free programming should be investigated to determine if it may reduce alcohol use on college campuses.
Probabilistic determination of two-phase flow regimes in horizontal tubes utilizing an automated image recognition technique

Probabilistic two-phase flow map data is experimentally obtained for R134a at 25.0, 35.0, and 49.7°C, R410A at 25.0°C, mass fluxes from 100 to 600 kg/m2-s, qualities from 0 to1 in 8.00, 5.43, 3.90, and 1.74 mm I.D. single, smooth, adiabatic, horizontal tubes in order to extend probabilistic two-phase flow map modeling techniques to single tubes. A new web camera based flow visualization technique utilizing an illuminated diffuse striped background was used to enhance images, detect fine films, and aid in the automated image recognition process developed in the present study. This technique has an average time fraction classification error of less than 0.01.
Geometric Interpretation of Gene Coexpression Network Analysis

The merging of network theory and microarray data analysis techniques has spawned a new field: gene coexpression network analysis. While network methods are increasingly used in biology, the network vocabulary of computational biologists tends to be far more limited than that of, say, social network theorists. Here we review and propose several potentially useful network concepts. We take advantage of the relationship between network theory and the field of microarray data analysis to clarify the meaning of and the relationship among network concepts in gene coexpression networks. Network theory offers a wealth of intuitive concepts for describing the pairwise relationships among genes, which are depicted in cluster trees and heat maps. Conversely, microarray data analysis techniques (singular value decomposition, tests of differential expression) can also be used to address difficult problems in network theory. We describe conditions when a close relationship exists between network analysis and microarray data analysis techniques, and provide a rough dictionary for translating between the two fields. Using the angular interpretation of correlations, we provide a geometric interpretation of network theoretic concepts and derive unexpected relationships among them. We use the singular value decomposition of module expression data to characterize approximately factorizable gene coexpression networks, i.e., adjacency matrices that factor into node specific contributions. High and low level views of coexpression networks allow us to study the relationships among modules and among module genes, respectively. We characterize coexpression networks where hub genes are significant with respect to a microarray sample trait and show that the network concept of intramodular connectivity can be interpreted as a fuzzy measure of module membership. We illustrate our results using human, mouse, and yeast microarray gene expression data. The unification of coexpression network methods with traditional data mining methods can inform the application and development of systems biologic methods.
Stem cells in the kidney

The kidney is derived from the ureteric bud and the metanephrogenic mesenchyme, and these two progenitor cells differentiate into more than 26 different cell types in the adult kidney. The ureteric bud contains the precursor of the epithelial cells of the collecting duct and the renal mesenchyme contains precursors of all the epithelia of the rest of the nephron, endothelial cell precursors and stroma cells, but the relatedness among these cells is unclear. A single metanephric mesenchymal cell can generate all the epithelial cells of the nephron (except the collecting duct), indicating that the kidney contains epithelial stem cells. It is currently unknown whether these stem cells also are present in the adult kidney but experience in other organs makes this likely. It also is unclear whether embryonic renal epithelial stem cells can generate other cell types, but preliminary studies in our laboratory suggest that they can differentiate into myofibroblasts, smooth muscle, and perhaps endothelial cells, indicating that they are pluripotent renal stem cells. The important problem to be solved now is the identification and location of adult renal stem cells. This article discusses work done in other organs and in renal development that we believe may be useful for the resolution of this problem.
A Longitudinal Study of Sentence Context Effects in Second-Grade Children: Tests of an Interactive- Compensatory Model

Abstract During the first half of the school year and at the end of the school year second-grade children (mean age: 7 years, 4 months at the first testing) completed a task in which they read words preceded by either a congruous sentence context, an incongruous sentence context, or a neutral context. Prior to the first testing, each child was given practice at recognizing one-half of the words in isolation. Word difficulty was varied orthogonally with practice and context condition. The effect of context on reading times decreased with development and practice, and increased with word difficulty. The results were interpreted as supporting an interactive-compensatory model of the development of reading fluency.
Grandparents and Their Adult Grandchildren: Recurring Themes From the Literature

ABSTRACT Research on relationships between adult grandchildren and their grandparents is summarized to examine what is known about this neglected research topic. Viewed from a life span perspective, this review provides information concerning grandparent–adult grandchild interaction patterns, proximity, emotional closeness, and social support and the influence of grandparents on the mental health of adult grandchildren. Also considered is the influence of gender, ethnicity, affinal versus consanguine ties, and divorce on the relationship. Implications of the findings for researchers and family practitioners are discussed.
Infrared reflectance spectra: effects of particle size, provenance and preparation

We have recently developed methods for making more accurate infrared total and diffuse directional - hemispherical reflectance measurements using an integrating sphere. We have found that reflectance spectra of solids, especially powders, are influenced by a number of factors including the sample preparation method, the particle size and morphology, as well as the sample origin. On a quantitative basis we have investigated some of these parameters and the effects they have on reflectance spectra, particularly in the longwave infrared. In the IR the spectral features may be observed as either maxima or minima: In general, upward-going peaks in the reflectance spectrum result from strong surface scattering, i.e. rays that are reflected from the surface without bulk penetration, whereas downward-going peaks are due to either absorption or volume scattering, i.e. rays that have penetrated or refracted into the sample interior and are not reflected. The light signals reflected from solids usually encompass all such effects, but with strong dependencies on particle size and preparation. This paper measures the reflectance spectra in the 1.3 – 16 micron range for various bulk materials that have a combination of strong and weak absorption bands in order to observe the effects on the spectral features: Bulk materials were ground with a mortar and pestle and sieved to separate the samples into various size fractions between 5 and 500 microns. The median particle size is demonstrated to have large effects on the reflectance spectra. For certain minerals we also observe significant spectral change depending on the geologic origin of the sample. All three such effects (particle size, preparation and provenance) result in substantial change in the reflectance spectra for solid materials; successful identification algorithms will require sufficient flexibility to account for these parameters.
Reticular modulation of higher auditory centers in monkey

Evoked responses to clicks and shocks at several levels of the auditory system were averaged during control periods and during periods of intermittent electrical stimulation of the mesencephalic reticular formation in encephale isole monkeys. The following features of reticular modulation of higher auditory structures were observed: reduced amplitude of short latency cortical responses; augmented amplitude and shorter latency of secondary or late cortical discharges; facilitated thalamic transmission, probably accounting for shortened cortical recovery cycles for paired clicks; and lack of effect of reticular activation on relay function of the inferior colliculus.
Cost apportionment for a storm-water management system: Differential burdens on landowners from hydrologic and area-based approaches

Communities deciding how to equitably distribute the cost of storm-water management systems need an understanding of how selection of a particular apportionment approach alters the cost distribution between various segments of the community. With the use of a geographic information system (GIS), differential impacts by apportionment approach were assessed for the Cuppy-McClure Watershed, Indiana, an area undergoing conversion from agricultural to residential and industrial uses. A per-acre charge approach is simple to construct and administer and gives a spatially uniform cost, but does not account for differential storm-water generation between different land uses. A single storm event runoff coefficient approach increases the cost load on land areas that generate more storm-water runoff from rare, extreme rainstorms, in particular, land uses with extensive impervious surfaces. For the single-storm approach, cost per unit area in the study area ranges from 25% below the per-acre charge level to 291% above the per-acre charge level. A long-term runoff impact approach increases the cost load on land uses that generate more runoff from the natural range of storm events for an area. It gives the greatest differential impact between land uses, ranging from 51% below the per-acre charge level to 484% above the per-acre charge level. Runoff-based approaches to fee apportionment shift financial burden to the landowners responsible for generating storm water runoff. Assigning fiscal responsibility on the basis of impact level encourages impact-minimization strategies, such as including hydrologic analyses in land-use decisions. Different spatial arrangements of the same land uses in a watershed can significantly alter the level of hydrologic impact, thus impact-based fee apportionment also encourages inclusion of spatial organization and environmental concerns in land-use planning. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Molecular Orientation Measurements in Polymers by Infrared Spectral Subtraction

The data manipulation ability of a Fourier transform IR spectrometer is exploited to characterize molecular orientation in polymers. In particular, the application of spectral subtraction to dichroic ratio determination and to the measurement of three-dimensional orientation via sample tilting and internal reflection spectroscopy is explored for nylon film samples.
The effect of moderate Parkinson's disease on compensatory backwards stepping

Postural instability is a major unmet need in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and its progression is not well understood. This study examined compensatory stepping taken in response to a backwards waist pull in participants with moderate PD (H&Y III) compared to age-range matched healthy controls (HC). The first step in the response was quantified in terms of strategy, temporal, kinematic, and center of pressure (COP) parameters previously observed to be significantly different in mild PD (H&Y II) compared to HC. Patients with moderate PD, compared to HC, utilized more steps to regain balance, had a longer weight-shift-time, and utilized a base-width neutral step to regain balance. However, there were no differences in ankle angle or COP location at landing as observed in mild PD, possibly due to the use of the base-width neutral step. These results suggest that moderate PD significantly impairs the compensatory response to a backwards pull. Further study should examine the progression of impairment in compensatory responses across PD severity levels, and the correlation with fall risk.
The Golden Age of libraries

The present is the Golden Age of libraries, primarily because computer technology can so strongly advance the educational mission of libraries. To realize the full potential of this age, librarians must strengthen communal access to digital resources, preserve digital materials, and make information systems affordable for democratic learning.
The Na+/H+ exchanger controls deoxycholic acid-induced apoptosis by a H+-activated, Na+-dependent ionic shift in esophageal cells.

Apoptosis resistance is a hallmark of cancer cells. Typically, bile acids induce apoptosis. However during gastrointestinal (GI) tumorigenesis the cancer cells develop resistance to bile acid-induced cell death. To understand how bile acids induce apoptosis resistance we first need to identify the molecular pathways that initiate apoptosis in response to bile acid exposure. In this study we examined the mechanism of deoxycholic acid (DCA)-induced apoptosis, specifically the role of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) and Na+ influx in esophageal cells. In vitro studies revealed that the exposure of esophageal cells (JH-EsoAd1, CP-A) to DCA (0.2 mM -0.5 mM) caused lysosomal membrane perturbation and transient cytoplasmic acidification. Fluorescence microscopy in conjunction with atomic absorption spectrophotometry demonstrated that this effect on lysosomes correlated with influx of Na+, subsequent loss of intracellular K+, an increase of Ca2+ and apoptosis. However, ethylisopropyl-amiloride (EIPA), a selective inhibitor of NHE, prevented Na+, K+ and Ca2+ changes and caspase 3/7 activation induced by DCA. Ouabain and amphotericin B, two drugs that increase intracellular Na+ levels, induced similar changes as DCA (ion imbalance, caspase3/7 activation). On the contrary, DCA-induced cell death was inhibited by medium with low a Na+ concentrations. In the same experiments, we exposed rat ileum ex-vivo to DCA with or without EIPA. Severe tissue damage and caspase-3 activation was observed after DCA treatment, but EIPA almost fully prevented this response. In summary, NHE-mediated Na+ influx is a critical step leading to DCA-induced apoptosis. Cells tolerate acidification but evade DCA-induced apoptosis if NHE is inhibited. Our data suggests that suppression of NHE by endogenous or exogenous inhibitors may lead to apoptosis resistance during GI tumorigenesis.
The small anisotropy and the rigidity spectrum of the March 30, 1969 solar flare event

A study of the March 30, 1969 solar flare event is presented utilizing data obtained from the world-wide network of neutron monitors. Although, to a good first approximation, the solar flare radiation displayed a high degree of isotropy at the orbit of the earth, it is deduced that a small anisotropy from East of the earth-sun line was present at the time of maximum enhancement of the event. This small deduced anisotropy does not, however, preclude the use of a method, based on isotropic particle propagation, to calculate the rigidity spectral index of the flare-induced radiation. Use of such a method determines the differential rigidity spectral index to be 3.9 ± 0.1.
Encoding Youth: Popular Culture and Multicultural Literature in a Rural Context

This article focuses on representations of youth identity and culture that circulated in a long-term teacher and researcher study group. These representations are important to examine because the way that teachers of adolescents envision their students' identities and cultures relative to that of other adolescents is fundamental to how they interact with their students, choose texts to share with them, and raise issues relevant to them. Related to youth identity and culture, two patterns emerged from the data: participants universalized adolescence, and participants constructed adolescents as “Other.” Over time, however, participants began to examine the ways that they encoded youth identities. This involved disrupting normalizing discourses and challenging established ways of reading. Both were important to understanding how language works to encode or normalize particular representations of youth and how language can be used to revise these codes.
Two-Component Laser Velocimeter Measurements in a Spark Ignition Engine

Abstract Simultaneous two-component laser Doppler velocimeter measurements for homogeneous charge combustion in a spark ignition engine are used to calculate ensemble-averaged turbulence stresses. Cyclic variation hias in the data is reduced by conditional sampling. 011 the flame arrival time at the probe volume. Results are presented for engine speeds of 300. 600. and 1200 rpm. The lower speed is believed to be transitional because the general character of the fluid motion is found to he unique. For the two higher engine speeds. the following conclusions can he made: (1) The precombustion turbulence is highly anisotropic. with the component parallel to the piston surface nearly double the component in the direction of piston motion; (2) both the norrnul and shear turbulence stresses scale with mean piston speed; (3) combustion does not have an appreciable effect on either the preflame or postflame normal turbulence stresses. hut compression in front of the flame docs appear to reduce the degree of correl...
Prototype of NASA’s global precipitation measurement mission ground validation system

NASA is developing a Ground Validation System (GVS) as one of its contributions to the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM). The GPM GVS provides an independent means for evaluation, diagnosis, and ultimately improvement of GPM spaceborne measurements and precipitation products. NASA's GPM GVS consists of three elements: field campaigns/physical validation, direct network validation, and modeling and simulation. The GVS prototype of direct network validation compares Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite-borne radar data to similar measurements from the U.S. national network of operational weather radars. A prototype field campaign has also been conducted; modeling and simulation prototypes are under consideration.
Stationary phase effects in reversed-phase chromatography II. Substituent selectivities for retention on various hydrocarbonaceous bonded phases

Linear free-energy relationships are manifest in the linear dependence of the logarithmic retention factor on the carbon number for homologous series in reversedphase chromatography and allow the comparison of the free-energy increments of substituents for retention of a given elute by different stationary phases. Three methods were used for such comparison. In the first two, methylene group selectivities obtained from retention data obtained with homologous series on different hydrocarbonanceous bonded phases were compared by using different approaches. In the third method the energetics of retention of the end groups such as phenyl-, bromo- and disulfide-moieties of homologous series were examined. The results show that at fixed mobile phase composition and temperature the free energy increments due to methylene groups upon retention by alkyl-silica stationary phases are identical. Only hydrocarbonaceous bonded phases with short (C1–C2) alkyl chains or functional groups of unusual shape show consistent differences from octyl- or octadecyl-silicas. The results broaden the theoretical basis for the development of quantitative structure-retention relationships to be used for the prediction or interpretation of retention data in reversed-phase chromatography.
Local public goods and average cost pricing

Abstract Existence of a compensated Tiebout equilibrium is proved for an economy with a measure space of consumers. This result is then extended to show the existence of equilibrium for an economy with natural monopolies and contestable markets.
Analysis of Quantitative Traits in Two Long-Term Randomly Mated Soybean Populations: I. Genetic Variances

The genetic effects of long-term random mating and natural selection aided by genetic male sterility were evaluated in two soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] populations: RSII and RSIII. Population means, variances, and heritabilities were estimated to determine the effects of 26 generations of random mating. The 10% highest yielding lines from each population were selected. Data was collected on flowering date, maturity date, plant height, lodging score, seed yield, seed weight, protein concentration (PC), and oil concentration (OC). RSII had a mean seed yield, PC, and OC of 2163 kg ha⁻¹, 416 g kg⁻¹, and 193 g kg⁻¹, respectively. Entry-mean heritability for seed yield, PC, and OC was estimated at 36, 68, and 57%, respectively. Theoretical response to selection was 183 kg ha⁻¹ and, after selection, the realized gain was 161 kg ha⁻¹. RSIII had a mean seed yield, PC, and OC of 2300 kg ha⁻¹, 416 g kg⁻¹, and 190 g kg⁻¹, respectively. The entry-mean heritability estimates for seed yield, PC, and OC were 57, 87, and 91%, respectively. Theoretical response to selection was 300 kg ha⁻¹ and, after selection, realized gain was an increase of 139 kg ha⁻¹. Despite not reaching their theoretical yield potential, the best lines from both populations compared well to check cultivars. The significant genetic variances and heritabilities observed demonstrate that the breakage of linkage blocks by long-term random mating and natural selection were effective in producing competitive lines.
Emi1 class of proteins regulate entry into meiosis and the meiosis I to meiosis II transition in Xenopus oocytes.

Xenopus oocytes are arrested at the G2/prophase boundary of meiosis I and enter meiosis in response to progesterone. A hallmark of meiosis is the absence of DNA replication between the successive cell division phases meiosis I (MI) and meiosis II (MII). After the MI-MII transition, Xenopus eggs are locked in metaphase II by the cytostatic factor (CSF) arrest to prevent parthenogenesis. Early Mitotic Inhibitor 1 (Emi1) maintains CSF arrest by inhibiting the ability of the Anaphase Promoting Complex (APC) to direct the destruction of cyclin B. To investigate whether Emi1 has an earlier role in meiosis, we injected Xenopus oocytes with neutralizing antibodies against Emi1 at G2/prophase and during the MI-MII transition. Progesterone-treated G2/prophase oocytes injected with anti-Emi1 antibody fail to activate Maturation Promoting Factor (MPF), a complex of cdc2/cyclin B, and the MAPK pathway, and do not undergo germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Injection of purified ?90 cyclin B protein or blocking anti-Emi...
Interaction of HIV-1 gag and membranes in a cell-free system.

A coupled transcription-translation (TNT) reticulocyte lysate system was used to examine posttranslational alterations in HIV-1 Gag upon addition of Jurkat T cell membranes. Incubation of the Gag precursor protein, Pr55gag, with membranes resulted in a time-dependent alteration in Gag resulting in partial resistance to trypsin treatment. Treatment of membranes and TNT extract with apyrase or pretreatment of membranes with trypsin prevented this posttranslational alteration of Gag. In contrast, this activity was not disrupted by pretreatment of membranes with Triton X-100 at 4°C, under conditions which do not solubilize raft-associated proteins. Flotation studies revealed that acquisition of trypsin-resistance was accompanied by Gag binding to membranes. The myristylation signal and nucleocapsid domain were found to mediate Gag binding to membranes. The posttranslational alteration of Gag accompanying membrane interaction may represent a conformational change, oligomerization, and/or association with or envelopment by membranes. These findings provide new clues to the stepwise process of HIV-1 assembly.
Parietal dysfunction is associated with increased outcome-related decision-making in schizophrenia patients.

Abstract Background: Decision-making is a complex process and depends on a network of fronto-parietal and cingulate areas. Decision-making dysfunctions in schizophrenia patients are characterized by an alternation between stereotypic and unpredictable responses. This study tested the hypothesis that schizophrenia patients show less decision-making-related activation in the prefrontal and parietal cortex. Methods: Fifteen schizophrenia patients were matched with fifteen normal comparison subjects. During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scanning, subjects were tested on the two-choice prediction task (predicting the location of a randomly presented stimulus) and the two-choice response task (responding according to the location of the stimulus). Results: Schizophrenia patients relative to comparison subjects generated more outcome-dependent responses. Schizophrenia patients and normal comparison subjects showed decision-making-related activation in right prefrontal cortex, insula, anterior cingulate, and bilateral precuneus. Schizophrenia patients showed less activation in inferior, medial prefrontal, and right superior temporal cortex and more activation in the postcentral and inferior parietal cortex. Decision-making-related activation in both right prefrontal and bilateral parietal cortex was higher in medicated compared to unmedicated schizophrenia patients. Conclusions: These results support the hypothesis that the interaction between prefrontal and parietal cortex during decision-making by schizophrenia patients is dysregulated, which results in an increased outcome-dependent response selection.
A facile, water-based synthesis of highly branched nanostructures of silver.

We report a facile and environmentally friendly method of preparing highly branched silver nanostructures. By reducing AgNO3 with l-ascorbic acid in an aqueous solution, silver particles having a coral-like morphology were formed in a few minutes. A mechanistic study of the growth process revealed that the silver branches grew from a bulbous seed formed through aggregation, and that by changing the concentrations of the reagents, the degree of particle branching could be altered. With their potentially high surface areas, these branched structures could find use as catalysts or as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering applications.
A simulation model of saving, residential choice, and bequests of the Japanese elderly

Abstract This note develops a life-cycle simulation model of the Japanese elderly's saving behavior. The model shows that the observed lack of dissaving by the elderly can be explained by a strong bequest motive and a constraint on borrowing from home equity.
Enzyme activation for organic solvents made easy

Enzymes are highly selective catalysts that perform intricate chemistries at ambient temperatures and pressures. Although water is the solvent of life, it is a poor solvent for most synthetic organic reactions and, therefore, most chemists avoid aqueous solutions for synthetic applications. However, when removed from the aqueous environment and placed in an organic solvent, enzyme activity is reduced greatly. Here, we present a general overview of recent efforts to activate enzymes for use in nonaqueous media, giving particular focus to the use of simple salts as additives that result in significant biocatalytic improvements.