bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Koordinatenmesstechnik als Schlüsseltechnologie der FertigungsmesstechnikCoordinate Metrology as a Key Technology in Production Measurement
Authors: Härtig Frank , Hirsch Jürgen , Jusko Otto , Kniel Karin , Neuschaefer-Rube Ulrich , Wendt Klaus
Published: February 2009

Mithilfe der Koordinatenmesstechnik werden in der Fertigungsmesstechnik komplexe Werkstückgeometrien und -formen dreidimensional erfasst. Der Beitrag beschäftigt sich mit ausgewählten Arbeiten auf den Gebieten der hochgenauen Formmesstechnik, Verzahnungsmesstechnik, Multisensor-Messtechnik und Messunsicherheitsermittlung, die im Fachbereich Koordinatenmesstechnik der Physikalisch-Technischen Bundesanstalt (PTB) in den vergangenen Jahren durchgeführt wurden.
Mikrokoordinatenmesstechnik mit elektrischer WerkstückantastungMicro Coordinate Metrology with Electrical Probing
Authors: Hoffmann Jörg , Weckenmann Albert , Schuler Alexander
Published: February 2009

Koordinatenmesstechnik gehört im klassischen Maschinenbau zu den Kernelementen der industriellen Qualitätssicherung. Ihre Anwendung kann auch in der Mikrotechnologie zur Bewältigung zahlreicher Herausforderungen im Bereich der geometrischen Werkstückprüfung beitragen, wenn die Gerätetechnik entsprechend miniaturisiert und die Genauigkeit verbessert werden kann. Während es mehrere kommerzielle Achssysteme für Mikrokoordinatenmessgeräte mit einer Auflösung im Nanometerbereich gibt, bestehen große praktische Beschränkungen bei der nanometeraufgelösten Werkstückantastung. Kein heute verfügbares taktiles oder optisches Mikrotastsystem kann eine vollständige Messung komplexer dreidimensionaler Bauteile leisten, weshalb oftmals aufwendige multisensorische Ansätze verfolgt werden. Elektrische Werkstückantastung bietet eine neue Möglichkeit zu holistischer, nanometeraufgelöster Koordinaten- und Oberflächenmesstechnik mit nur einem Sensor.
Glutton for Punishment
Authors: chow lilly
Published: February 2009

When Chinese people tell stories about Chinese food, the tales quickly begin to sound remarkably formulaic. This essay seeks to explore that phenomenon, understand it, and explode it. From the standard opening and concluding phrases to the stock figures of disguised benefactors and Cinderella-types, these storytelling conventions serve to illuminate a passel of archetypes. Some are universal (the nature of craving, how a sovereign's absolute control over any individual subject belies his dependence upon the mass of them), and others possess Chinese characteristics (the longing for immortality, the tension between virtuoso technique and folk authenticity).
Masters of Disguise: French Cooks Between Art and Nature, 1651––1793
Authors: davis jennifer j.
Published: February 2009

This essay traces the changing place of artifice as an ideal in food preparation through seventeenth- and eighteenth-century cookbooks and medical treatises published in France. Initially one of the guiding aesthetic principles of elite culinary production, artifice propagated a series of technical processes that redefined skill among cooks. However, by the late eighteenth century, an ideology of the natural gained ground in aesthetic philosophy, which rendered those same highly prized skills of disguise as increasingly suspect. Of course, it proved difficult to identify what qualified as ““natural cuisine. ”” During the eighteenth century, two oppositional definitions of natural cuisine developed, with very different implications for the organization of culinary labor. On the one hand, natural cuisine could indicate simple preparations, dispensing with the need for a master cook. On the other hand, natural cuisine could require a rigorous study of nature's laws. By positing a universal foundation for taste in natural law, natural cuisine envisioned the cook's liberation from diners' whims and so theorized a relationship in which the cook dictated standards of taste to consumers, rather than vice versa. We might trace today's celebrity chefs' authority over ““good taste”” back to the latter definition promoting a more natural cuisine.
Efficacy of 6-, 12-, and 24-h Praziquantel Bath Treatments against Asian Tapeworms Bothriocephalus acheilognathi in Grass Carp
Authors: Mitchell Andrew , Darwish Ahmed
Published: February 2009

Praziquantel is an effective anthelmintic treatment that has been used in dogs Canis lupus familiaris and cats Felis catus. It has also been used successfully against tapeworms and trematodes in fish. This study tested the efficacy of praziquantel bath treatments (6, 12, or 24 h) at various concentrations (0.187, 0.375, 0.75, 1.5, 3.0, 6.0, 9.0, and 12.0 mg of praziquantel/L of water) for controlling natural infestations of Asian tapeworms Bothriocephalus acheilognathi in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella (60–100% of the fish were infested). Treatments either were given as a single application or were applied twice (3 d apart) at fish densities of 60 or 120 g/L. The objective of the study was to find a treatment that would completely eliminate Asian tapeworms from all infested fish, as a number of states now require imported fish to be completely free of this parasite. Most of the praziquantel treatments reduced the percentage containing Asian tapeworms. Single, 24-h bath treatments at praziquantel concentrations of 0.75 mg/L or higher applied to fish held at a density of 60 g/L were the only treatments that completely eliminated Asian tapeworms. Raising the fish density from 60 to 120 g/L affected treatment success; the 24-h, 0.75-mg/L praziquantel treatment at the higher fish density did not completely eliminate Asian tapeworms (prevalence = 15%). A 12-h, 1.5-mg/L praziquantel treatment applied twice to fish held at a density of 60 g/L resulted in low Asian tapeworm prevalence (3.3%).
Concrete grandstands. Part I: experimental investigation
Authors: Karadelis J. N.
Published: February 2009

Loading–unloading tests were carried out on uncracked (as delivered from the factory) and cracked (after the first loading–unloading cycle was completed) grandstand terrace units. The variation of parameters, such as displacements and strains, with the applied load was recorded and presented in a graphical form. The reduction in stiffness of the units owing to cracks was estimated from these graphs. The predominant mode of failure was found to be cracking initiated at the soffit of the units (tension zone) and mainly around the symmetry line (where maximum bending stresses congregate). These cracks propagated gradually towards the top. The measured and predicted strain distribution across the depth of the vertical part of the terrace unit (riser) was found to be predominantly linear, displaying tension at the bottom and compression at the top. A large portion of the horizontal part of the unit (tread) followed closely the behaviour of the riser, however, to reveal tension rather than compression at the top. This could have some implications for the design of the units. It was concluded that present methods and procedures of evaluating and designing precast concrete terrace units are not integral. Further tests are required, coupled with more analytical work. A Part II companion paper reports on the development of a numeric algorithm describing the analysis process.
Effects of pulsed nitrate exposure on amphibian development
Authors: Earl Julia E. , Whiteman Howard H.
Published: February 2009

Most toxicity tests investigate constant concentrations of a chemical. Concentrations of many compounds in the environment are dynamic, however, and individuals may be more sensitive to pulses of a chemical initiated at specific points during development. Realistic toxicity tests are important to accurately assess the toxicity of a compound. Bufo americanus and Hyla chrysoscelis tadpoles were exposed to concentrations of nitrate, a pervasive stressor in the environment, up to 5 mg/L of NO3-N in constant concentrations and in pulses at three different points during development. At the termination of the experiments, individuals were measured for developmental stability (DS) and traditional fitness correlates (size, body condition, and time to metamorphosis). No significant differences were found in these measures between treatments and controls in B. americanus tadpoles. In H. chrysoscelis, however, more extreme directional asymmetry was found in the middle and late pulses, indicating that the sudden change in concentration of nitrate decreased the level of DS in tadpoles. These results indicate that nitrate has subtle but important effects at low doses, and they suggest that species may be better able to deal with pulses that occur early rather than late in development. A greater understanding about the effects of pulses will help conservation biologists to manage populations and prevent population declines.
Legal Barriers to Second-Trimester Abortion Provision and Public Health Consequences
Authors: Jones Bonnie Scott , Weitz Tracy A.
Published: February 2009

Many women need access to abortion care in the second trimester. Most of this care is provided by a small number of specialty clinics, which are increasingly targeted by regulations including bans on so-called partial birth abortion and requirements that the clinic qualify as an ambulatory surgical center. These regulations cause physicians to change their clinical practices or reduce the maximum gestational age at which they perform abortions to avoid legal risks. Ambulatory surgical center requirements significantly increase abortion costs and reduce the availability of abortion services despite the lack of any evidence that using those facilities positively affects health outcomes. Both types of laws threaten to further reduce access to and quality of second-trimester abortion care.
Structural and Environmental Barriers to Condom Use Negotiation With Clients Among Female Sex Workers: Implications for HIV-Prevention Strategies and Policy
Authors: Shannon Kate , Strathdee Steffanie A. , Shoveller Jean , Rusch Melanie , Kerr Thomas , Tyndall Mark W.
Published: February 2009

Objectives. We investigated the relationship between environmental–structural factors and condom-use negotiation with clients among female sex workers.

Methods. We used baseline data from a 2006 Vancouver, British Columbia, community-based cohort of female sex workers, to map the clustering of “hot spots” for being pressured into unprotected sexual intercourse by a client and assess sexual HIV risk. We used multivariate logistic modeling to estimate the relationship between environmental–structural factors and being pressured by a client into unprotected sexual intercourse.

Results. In multivariate analyses, being pressured into having unprotected sexual intercourse was independently associated with having an individual zoning restriction (odds ratio [OR] = 3.39; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.00, 9.36), working away from main streets because of policing (OR = 3.01; 95% CI = 1.39, 7.44), borrowing a used crack pipe (OR = 2.51; 95% CI = 1.06, 2.49), client-perpetrated violence (OR = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.06, 4.49), and servicing clients in cars or in public spaces (OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.65, 5.73).

Conclusions. Given growing global concern surrounding the failings of prohibitive sex-work legislation on sex workers' health and safety, there is urgent need for environmental–structural HIV-prevention efforts that facilitate sex workers' ability to negotiate condom use in safer sex-work environments and criminalize abuse by clients and third parties.
Monitoring Inequities in Self-Rated Health Over the Life Course in Population Surveillance Systems
Authors: Chittleborough Catherine R. , Taylor Anne W. , Baum Fran E. , Hiller Janet E.
Published: February 2009

Objectives. To investigate the effect of social mobility and to assess the use of socioeconomic indicators in monitoring health inequities over time, we examined the association of self-rated health with socioeconomic position over the life course.

Methods. Data came from a cross-sectional telephone survey (n = 2999) that included life-course socioeconomic indicators and from a chronic disease and risk factor surveillance system (n = 26 400). Social mobility variables, each with 4 possible intergenerational trajectories, were constructed from family financial situation and housing tenure during childhood and adulthood.

Results. Low socioeconomic position during both childhood and adulthood and improved financial situation in adulthood were associated with a reduced prevalence of excellent or very good health. Trends over time indicated that socioeconomic disadvantage in adulthood was associated with poorer self-rated health.

Conclusions. Our results support policies aiming to improve family financial situation during childhood and housing tenure across the life course. Inclusion of life-course socioeconomic measures in surveillance systems would enable monitoring of health inequities trends among socially mobile groups.
Effects of Mechanical Harvest plus Chipping and Prescribed Fire on Sierran Runoff Water Quality
Authors: Loupe T.M. , Miller W.W. , Johnson D.W. , Sedinger J.S. , Carroll E.M. , Walker R.F. , Murphy J.D. , Stein C.M.
Published: February 2009

Fire suppression in Sierran ecosystems creates a substantial wildfire hazard and may exacerbate nutrient inputs into Lake Tahoe by allowing the buildup of O horizon material, which serves as a source for high N and P concentrations in runoff water. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of biomass reduction using cut‐to‐length mechanical harvest followed by chipping and controlled burning on surface runoff volume and water quality. Based on previous findings regarding N and P leaching flux and soil solution concentrations, we hypothesized that controlled burning and/or mechanical harvest with residue chipping does not increase inorganic N, P, and S concentrations in overland flow. Runoff, snowmelt, and rainfall were collected, volume measurements were taken, and samples were analyzed for NO3–N, NH4–N, PO4–P, and SO4 Runoff volume, season, and year were identified as important parameters influencing overland flow nutrient concentrations and loads. Higher nutrient concentrations were commonly associated with summer rather than winter runoff, but the opposite was true for nutrient loads due to the higher runoff volumes. Treatment (unharvested, harvested, unburned, burned) effect was a strong predictor for discharge loads of NO3–N and SO4 but was a weak predictor for PO4–P. Discharge loads of NO3–N and SO4 were greater for the unburned harvested and the burned unharvested treatments than for the unburned, unharvested control sites or the burned and harvested combined treatment. Although mechanical harvest and/or controlled burning had a small initial impact on increased nutrient loading, the effects were minimal compared with background levels. Hence, these management practices may have the potential to improve forest health without the danger of large‐magnitude nutrient mobilization and degradation of runoff water quality found with wildfire.
Selected Antimicrobial Resistance during Composting of Manure from Cattle Administered Sub‐Therapeutic Antimicrobials
Authors: Sharma Ranjana , Larney Francis J. , Chen Jing , Yanke L. Jay , Morrison Mark , Topp Edward , McAllister Tim A. , Yu Zhongtang
Published: February 2009

Composting is being increasingly employed for the recycling of nutrients in manure from the livestock industry. However, composting manure from animals fed antimicrobials has not been well characterized. In this study, compost windrows were prepared using manure collected from cattle (Bos TaurusL.) fed tylosin (TY), chlortetracycline‐sulphamethazine (TS), and control cattle (no antimicrobials). The objectives of the 18‐wk trial were to quantitatively assess the survival of totalE. coli,E. coliresistant to ampicillin (Ampr) and tetracycline (Tetr), and select tetracycline (tet) and erythromycin resistance methylase (erm) genes. We found that while compost windrows did not reach the recommended temperature of 55°C for 15 d, composting reduced high initial levels of total, Ampr, and TetrE. colias early as Week 2. A significant antimicrobial effect on total (P= 0.04) and Ampr(P= 0.03)E. coliwas observed. Significant antimicrobial × time interactions were observed from Week 0 to Week 3 (TotalE. coli: P= 0.04; Ampr:P= 0.02; Tetr:P= <0.001). Low absolute abundance oftetandermgenes (<106copies g−1) was found and the resistance genes displayed different dynamics;tet(A,C)anderm(A) increased marginally at Week 11 relative to Week 0 and 5 and the remaining genes (tet(G), RPPtet,erm(B),erm(C),erm(F),erm(T), anderm(X)) decreased for most time points and treatments. These results indicate that even though composting reduces antimicrobial resistantE. coli,tetandermgenes could still be detected. Our experiments reiterate advantages of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based quantitative assays over cultivation‐based methods for the rapid identification of composting effectiveness in eliminating resistance genes before land application.
Effect of Covering Composting Piles with Mature Compost on Ammonia Emission and Microbial Community Structure of Composting Process
Authors: Maeda Koki , Morioka Riki , Osada Takashi
Published: February 2009

To control ammonia (NH3) volatilization from the dairy cattle (Bos taurus) manure composting process, a compost pile was covered with mature compost and the gas emissions evaluated using the dynamic chamber system. The peak of NH3 volatilization observed immediately after piling up of the compost was reduced from 196 to 62 mg/m3 by covering the compost pile with mature compost. The accumulation of NH4–N to the covered mature compost was also observed. Covering and mixing the compost with mature compost had no effect on the microbial community structure. However, over time the microbial community structure changed because of a decrease in easily degradable organic compounds in the compost piles. The availability of volatile fatty acids (VFA) was considered to be important for microbial community structure in the compost. After the VFA had disappeared, the NO3–N concentration increased and the cellulose degrading bacteria such as Cytophaga increased in number.
Degradation of Methyl Iodide in Soil: Effects of Environmental Factors
Authors: Guo Mingxin , Gao Suduan
Published: February 2009

Methyl iodide (MeI) is a promising alternative to the phased‐out fumigant methyl bromide (MeBr); however, there are concerns about its environmental fate following soil fumigation. Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of various environmental factors on the rate of MeI degradation in soil. The chemical was added to soil at 48.6 mg kg−1 and incubated under different conditions. The MeI degradation rate in soil was determined by extracting and measuring residual concentrations over a 15 d incubation period. In soil, MeI degradation followed availability‐adjusted first‐order kinetics. At 20°C MeI had a calculated half‐life of 32 d in a sandy loam containing 4.3 g kg−1 of organic carbon. It degraded more rapidly as temperature increased, exhibiting a half‐life of 23 d at 30°C. Amendment with 10% cattle manure shortened the half‐life to 4 d at 20°C. In both unamended and manure‐amended soils, the half‐life of MeI greatly increased as the organic matter (OM) was removed and it only slightly increased in soils that were sterilized, indicating predominance of chemical reactions in MeI degradation. Soil texture, mineralogy, and moderate moisture content had little influence on MeI degradation. The degradation slowed as the chemical application rate increased. The results suggest that environmental factors, especially soil temperature and organic amendments, should be considered in combination with the minimum effective MeI application rate for achieving satisfactory pest‐control efficacy, reducing atmospheric volatilization, and minimizing groundwater contamination.
Diversity in Cell Properties and Transport Behavior among 12 Different Environmental Escherichia coli Isolates
Authors: Bolster C. H. , Haznedaroglu B. Z. , Walker S. L.
Published: February 2009

Escherichia coli is a commonly used indicator organism for detecting the presence of fecal‐borne pathogenic microorganisms in water supplies. The importance of E. coli as an indicator organism has led to numerous studies looking at cell properties and transport behavior of this microorganism. In many of these studies, however, only a single strain of E. coli was used even though research has shown that significant genetic variability exists among different strains of E. coli If this genetic diversity results in differences in cell properties that affect transport, different strains of E. coli may exhibit different rates of transport in the environment. Therefore, the objectives of our study were to investigate the variability in surface characteristics and transport behavior of E. coli isolates obtained from six different sources: beef cattle, dairy cattle, horse, human, poultry, and wildlife. Cell properties such as electrophoretic mobility, cell size and shape, hydrophobicity, charge density, and extracellular polymeric substance composition were measured for each isolate. In addition, the transport behavior of each isolate was assessed by measuring transport through 10‐cm packed beds of clean quartz sand. Our results show a large diversity in cell properties and transport behavior for the different E. coli isolates. This diversity in transport behavior must be taken into account when making assessments of the suitability of using E. coli as an indicator organism for specific pathogenic microorganisms in groundwater environments as well as modeling the movement of E. coli in the subsurface.
The Role of Natural Purified Humic Acids in Modifying Mercury Accessibility in Water and Soil
Authors: Cattani I. , Zhang H. , Beone G.M. , Del Re A.A.M. , Boccelli R. , Trevisan M.
Published: February 2009

Contamination of soils with mercury can be a serious problem. It can be mobilized or stabilized by humic substances (HS) containing binding sites with reduced sulfur that can have different binding capacities for CH3Hg+ and for Hg2+ In this work we investigated the influence of different humic acids (HAs, extracted from lignite, compost, and forest soil) on mercury mobility and availability, both in a model solution and in soil samples from a mercury‐polluted region. The technique of diffusive gradients in thin‐films (DGT), which is capable of measuring: (i) free metal in solution; (ii) dissociated metal complexes previously mobilized by HA; (iii) mobilized metal‐HA complexes that liberate metals by dissociation or by exchange reaction between the metal‐HA complexes and the chelating groups on the resin‐gel, was used in solutions and soils. The DGT measurements in solution, together with ultrafiltration, allowed estimation of the lability of Hg‐HA complexes. Ultrafiltration results were also compared with predictions made by the windermere humic‐aqueous model (WHAM). According to both these different approaches, Hg2+ resulted nearly 100% complexed by HAs, whereas results from ultrafiltration showed that 32 to 72% of the CH3Hg+ was bound to the HAs, with higher values for compost and lower values for forest and Aldrich HA. The DGT‐measured mercury in soils was below 0.20 μg L−1, irrespective of the extent of the contamination. Addition of HA increased the concentration of DGT‐measured mercury in soil solution up to 100‐fold in the contaminated soil and up to 30‐fold in the control soil. The level of the increase also depended on the HA. The smallest increase (about 10 times) was found for lignite HA in both control and contaminated soils. The addition of forest HA gave the largest increases in DGT‐measured mercury, in particular for the contaminated soil. Overall, the results demonstrated that DGT can be used for estimating the lability of mercury complexes in solution and for verifying enhanced mercury mobility when HA is added to contaminated soils.
Phosphorus Sorption Capacity of Filter Materials Used for On‐site Wastewater Treatment Determined in Batch Experiments–A Comparative Study
Authors: Cucarella Victor , Renman Gunno
Published: February 2009

Increasing numbers of filter materials have been proposed as suitable media for P removal in on‐site wastewater treatment systems. The phosphorus sorption capacity (PSC) of the material can be estimated in batch experiments and is commonly used as the criterion for material selection. However, there is no standard procedure and batch experimental parameters are arbitrarily established, thus leading to difficulties in comparing the results. The main parameters affecting the batch adsorption system are the form and amount of material, material‐to‐solution ratio, nature, pH and initial concentration of P solution, contact time, agitation, and temperature. This paper critically reviews a number of relevant studies that used batch experiments to estimate the PSC of different filter materials. The nature and form of the materials vary significantly and there is broad variation in the batch experimental parameters set in the selected studies. Analysis of the data from selected studies showed a relationship between particle size or pH of the material and its PSC. The initial P concentration of the solution and the material‐to‐solution ratio in the batch system were found to be correlated with the estimated PSC, suggesting that batch parameters have a great influence on the results. Based on the analysis of the selected studies, the difficulties of using batch experiments are outlined, recommendations for batch experiment procedure are suggested and a classification system for filter materials according to their PSC and particle size is presented.
Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen and Distribution of Carbon‐13 and Nitrogen‐15 in Aggregates of Everglades Histosols
Authors: Wright Alan L. , Inglett Patrick W.
Published: February 2009

Oxidation of Histosols in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) of south Florida leads to decreases in soil depth, changes in biogeochemical properties, and may limit land use options in the future. The objectives of this study were to determine how long‐term cultivation influences organic matter dynamics and C and N distribution throughout the profile of a drained Histosol. We measured organic C and N stocks, aggregation, and the natural abundance of δ13C and δ15N in aggregates from Histosols 100 yr after drainage for two land uses: sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) and prairie. Macroaggregates comprised the bulk of total soil for both land uses, averaging 81% of the total soil in fractions >0.25 mm. Macroaggregation increased with depth and the proportion to whole soil was 65% higher at 30 to 45 cm than 0 to 15 cm. Cultivated soil averaged 13% higher organic C, but 11% lower organic N than prairie throughout the profile (0–45 cm). The majority of the organic C (76%) and N stocks (77%) was in macroaggregate fractions >0.25 mm. The distribution of organic matter among aggregate‐size fractions generally did not differ between land uses, except that organic C and N were 39 and 44%, respectively, greater for macroaggregates in prairie than cultivated soil at 0 to 15 cm. The δ15N decreased with depth for both land uses, indicating that organic matter was more decomposed and humified in surface soil (0–15 cm). The decrease with depth likely resulted from inundation of subsurface soils and low O2 levels, which subsequently lowered rates of decomposition. The δ13C decreased with depth for cultivated soil but increased for prairie, and was significantly higher for soil cropped to sugarcane (‐25.37‰) than prairie (‐26.20‰). Soil organic matter under cultivation was less humified than prairie soil due to recent C inputs from sugarcane. The 2‐mm fraction had 12% lower δ15N than other fractions, indicating that recent organic matter inputs accumulated in macroaggregate fractions. Smaller aggregates contained higher δ15N and older organic matter. In contrast to most studies of mineral soils, cultivation of Histosols increased C storage relative to prairie, with the major difference between land use being higher soil organic matter levels in the subsurface (15–45 cm). Thus, cropping may reduce the rate of oxidation of Histosols in southern Florida relative to the prairie ecosystem.
Corn Stover Removal for Expanded Uses Reduces Soil Fertility and Structural Stability
Authors: Blanco-Canqui Humberto , Lal R.
Published: February 2009

Corn (Zea mays L.) stover is an asset to recycle essential plant nutrients and buffer soil against natural and human perturbations. Its indiscriminate removal for industrial uses may thus adversely impact soil fertility and productivity. Research data on the impacts of stover removal are needed to establish threshold levels of stover management. Thus, this study documented the 4‐yr impacts of a systematic removal of stover on selected soil fertility indicators and structural stability across three contrasting soils in Ohio under no‐till (NT) management, including a Rayne silt loam, Celina silt loam, and Hoytville clay loam. Stover was removed at rates of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% after harvest for 4 yr. Complete stover removal reduced the total N pool by, on average, 0.82 Mg ha−1 in the silt loams but had no effect in the clay loam. It reduced available P by 40% and exchangeable Ca+2 and Mg+2 and the cation exchange capacity by 10% on the sloping silt loam. Exchangeable K+ decreased by 15% on the silt loams for stover treatments ≥75% removal and by 25% under complete removal on the clay loam in the 0‐ to 10‐cm depth. Stover removal at rates ≥25% reduced soil macroaggregates (>4.75 mm) by 40% in nearly level soils while 100% removal reduced them by 60% on the sloping soil. Available P and K+ were predictors (R2 = 0.77) of grain yield while soil organic C (SOC) and total N pools were predictors (R2 = 0.45) of stover yield on the sloping silt loam. Based on the data (e.g., SOC pools) from this and previous studies, we determined that only about 25% of stover might be available for removal, and that stover removal has the most adverse impacts on sloping and erosion‐prone soils.
Determination of Soil Loss Tolerance of an Entisol in Southwest China
Authors: Liu Gangcai , Li Lan , Wu Laosheng , Wang Genxu , Zhou Zhonghao , Du Shuhan
Published: February 2009

Soil loss tolerance (T value) serves as an ultimate criterion for determining if erosion control measures are necessary to preserve long‐term soil productivity; therefore, it must be determined scientifically and rationally. In this study, soil formation rates (SR) of the purple soils (Entisols in the U.S. Soil Taxonomy and Regosols in the FAO soil classification) in the hilly area of Sichuan, China, were determined in field plots (measured SR) for three treatments: (i) soil type (J2s, J3s, and J3p soils) and parent materials or bedrock, (ii) vegetation (wheat [Triticum aestivum L.]–maize [Zea mays L.], loquat tree [Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.], and perennial ryegrass [Lolium perenne L.]), and (iii) soil depth (10, 20, 40, and 60 cm). The measured values were further used to test the applicability of the Barth equation (estimated SR) for the test soils. The measured SR varied among the treatments as a result of different characteristics of soil parent materials (PM) and different temperature and soil moisture at the interface between the soil and the parent materials. The trends (the order of increase or decrease) of measured and estimated soil formation rates were the same, however, for the soil type and vegetation treatments, but not for the soil depth treatments. The measured SR values were 800 Mg km−2 yr−1 for J3s purple soils and 1200 Mg km−2 yr−1 for J2s and J3p purple soils in the study region. The estimated SR values were closely related to runoff volumes but were substantially lower than the measured values. It was concluded that the Barth equation is not a reliable prediction model for estimating the soil formation rate for short‐term and plot‐scale observations. Therefore, T values should be determined by the measured SR values in the experimental region.
Predictors of Lime Needs for pH and Aluminum Management of New York Agricultural Soils
Authors: Dietzel Kevin A. , Ketterings Quirine M. , Rao Renuka
Published: February 2009

Periodic lime addition is recommended for naturally acidic agricultural soils, as soil pH affects nutrient availability and the toxicity of elements such as Al. Currently, lime requirements (LRs) for New York soils are derived from the actual and target pH, and exchange acidity (EA) determined by BaCl2–triethanolamine (TEA) titration, a time‐consuming and toxic‐waste‐generating procedure. Our objectives were to: (i) calibrate and evaluate four buffer pH methods and EA as predictors of LRs; and (ii) determine the impact of CaCO3 addition on Morgan‐extractable Al (MEA). Forty‐three soils, ranging in EA from 4.1 to 18.6 cmolc kg−1, were collected from New York agricultural areas. Eighteen soils were incubated at 21°C for 12 wk with CaCO3 added at six rates. The EA‐based method was highly correlated with incubation LR (r2 > 0.96, RMSE < 0.62) across the 18 soils. A comparison of LRs derived by EA and buffer pH applied to all 43 soils showed the highest correlation and lowest RMSE for the modified Mehlich (MM) and Mehlich buffers (r2 = 0.91, RMSE = 0.88–0.89). The MM buffer has the advantage of not generating toxic waste. These buffers were followed by the Shoemaker–McLean–Pratt (r2 = 0.90, RMSE = 0.96) and Sikora (r2 = 0.87, RMSE = 1.09) buffers. Final MEA levels could be accurately predicted when initial MEA, CaCO3 application rate, and soil organic matter (OM) content were known. The MM buffer is an acceptable replacement of the EA‐based method for predicting LRs, and initial MEA and OM level are necessary to determine the amount of CaCO3 needed for a specific target MEA.
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes in a Sixth- Grade Multiracial Cohort
Authors:   The HEALTHY Study Group
Published: February 2009

OBJECTIVE

HEALTHY is a 3-year middle school intervention program designed to reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The prevalence of diabetes risk factors at baseline in a cohort of 6,358 sixth-grade students is reported.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Forty-two schools at seven U.S. sites were randomly assigned to intervention or control. Students participated in baseline data collection during fall of 2006.

RESULTS

Overall, 49.3% of children had BMI ≥85th percentile, 16.0% had fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dl (<1% had fasting blood glucose ≥126 mg/dl), and 6.8% had fasting insulin ≥30 μU/ml. Hispanic youth were more likely to have BMI, glucose, and insulin levels above these thresholds than blacks and whites.

CONCLUSIONS

Sixth-grade students in schools with large minority populations have high levels of risk factors for type 2 diabetes. The HEALTHY intervention was designed to modify these risk factors to reduce diabetes incidence.
Biosynthesis of methanol from methane by Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b
Authors: Markowska Agata , Michalkiewicz Beata
Published: February 2009

Methanol has recently attracted significant interest in the energetic field. Current technology for the conversion of methane to methanol is based on energy intensive endothermic steam reforming followed by catalytic conversion into methanol. The one-step method performed at very low temperatures (35°C) is methane oxidation to methanol via bacteria. The aim of this work was to examine the role of copper in the one-step methane oxidation to methanol by utilizing whole cells of Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b bacteria. From the results obtained it was found that copper concentration in the medium influences the rate of bacterial biomass growth or methanol production during the process of methane oxidation to methanol. The presented results indicate that the process of methane oxidation to methanol by Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b bacteria is most efficient when the mineral medium contains 1.0 × 10−6 mol dm−3 of copper. Under these conditions, a satisfactory growth of biomass was also achieved.
A Bridge Deflection Monitoring with GPS
Authors: Figurski M. , Gałuszkiewicz M. , Wrona M.
Published: February 2009

A Bridge Deflection Monitoring with GPS

This paper introduces results of investigation carried on by The Applied Geomatics Section in Military University of Technology. Research includes possibilities of monitoring dynamic behavior of a bridge using high rate GPS data. Whole event was executed with collaboration of The Road and Bridge Management and The Warsaw Geodesy Company. Interdisciplinary approach with this project allows authors to get reliable information about investigating constructions and their respond for true traffic loading detected by GPS receivers. Way of compute data and used software (TRACK) are also shown in this paper.
Why Study the U.S. South? The Nexus of Race and Place in Investigating Black Student Achievement
Authors: Morris Jerome E. , Monroe Carla R.
Published: February 2009

This article highlights the significance of the U.S. South in scholarly discussions regarding the academic achievement gap involving Black students. Despite national concern, patterns embedded in Black student achievement as related to geographical influences generally are ignored, especially in the South, where the majority of Black people in the United States reside. The authors refine the scholarship on the Black–White achievement gap through an analysis of racialized national spaces and population shifts, to set forth a more comprehensive understanding of school achievement than previously existed. In elucidating the nexus between race and place and the implications for Black student achievement, the authors specifically highlight the saliency of the U.S. South as a critical—and neglected—site for the investigation of such issues.
Medical Professionalism
Authors: Faiz Md Abul
Published: February 2009

doi:10.3329/jom.v10i1.1993J Medicine 2009; 10: 1-2
Clinical Profile and Outcome of Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Dhaka
Authors: Arif Khan Mohammad , Mohammed Fazle Rabbi , Nur Zannatun , Shams Md Ziaus , Alam Md Billal , Uddin Md Julhash , Ahasan HAM Nazmul
Published: February 2009

Background: Dengue has become endemic in Bangladesh since 2000. The cases are being encountered each year particularly in urban areas. Thus, Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna and other cities are commonly affected areas. We sought to get a profile of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) in a tertiary care hospital in the Dhaka city.Methods: This direct observational study was undertaken from June to October 2008 among the hospital admitted patients with a diagnosis of DHF.Result: Out of 55 patients with DHF, 87.27% came from urban areas. About 43.64% patients showed various types of active bleeding in association with different clinical features. 100% patients had relative bradycardia. Tourniquet test was positive in 43.63% patients. IgM and/or IgG antibody titer to dengue virus were positive in 85% cases.Conclusion: The clinical picture of Dengue is not as diverse as other regions of the world and the National guideline is till now found to be effective in adequate management, Â  doi:10.3329/jom.v10i1.1996 Â  J Medicine 2009; 10: 12-15 Â
Coronary Intervention in a Patient with Invasive Bladder Carcinoma: Role of Multidisciplinary Approach for High Risk Patients
Authors: Chowdhury Abdulr Wadud , Salam MA , Haque Naimul , Saha Amitav , Chowdhury Ziaur Rahman
Published: February 2009

Bladder cancer is the second most common malignancy of the genitourinary system. Several types of carcinoma arise on the urothelial surface, the most common type being transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). The incidence of TCC in the bladder in the UK is 45 cases per 100,000 population. Painless haematuria is the most common presenting symptom in 85-90% of patients with bladder cancer, although recurrent urinary tract infection & obstructive symptoms may occur. Physical examination is usually unremarkable except in very advanced disease. Investigation of haematuria as well as cytological examination of urine for malignant cell and renal imaging study usually identifies the tumour. Treatment of TCC of bladder primarily involves surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy as needed. Radical cystectomy for TCC in elderly carries adverse prognosis because of associated co-morbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) & ischaemic heart disease (IHD). However, close co-operation between different disciplines can make radical curative surgery a viable alternative even in these high-risk groups. Â  doi:10.3329/jom.v10i3.2017 J Medicine 2009; 10 (Supplement 1): 40-42
Portability of cause–effect relation markers across specialised domains and text genres: a comparative evaluation
Authors: Marshman Elizabeth , L'Homme Marie-Claude , Surtees Victoria
Published: February 2009

Lexical knowledge patterns are effective tools for identifying knowledge in corpora. As refining pattern sets is a labour-intensive and time-consuming process, re-use of patterns in subsequent research is common. The portability of patterns from one domain or corpus to another has nevertheless been questioned, although not widely evaluated. This analysis focussed on occurrences of a set of thirty-seven verbal markers of cause–effect relations in three corpora of French texts in the fields of computing, medicine and psychology. These corpora also represented two text genres: specialised and popularised/didactic. We analysed the relative frequencies of these markers and the types of relationships they expressed (specifically, those that involved a cause–effect component versus those that did not). In so doing, we aimed to evaluate and compare the markers’ occurrences with a view to shedding light on the possibilities for using markers to semi-automatically identify knowledge-rich contexts in different domains and corpora. Results show that almost all of the markers are observed in all three corpora and both text genres, and that many markers quite reliably indicate some kind of cause–effect relation. However, the relative frequencies of the individual markers and the reliability with which some of them are associated with causal senses was observed to vary between domains and text genres, suggesting that these factors require further evaluation.
‘Suggesting rather special facts’: a corpus-based study of distinctive lexical distributions in translated texts
Authors: Frankenberg-Garcia Ana
Published: February 2009

It is well-known that translated texts read differently from texts that have been written without the constraints imposed by source texts from another language. One of the features that can confer a distinctive feel to translations is the frequency with which certain lexical items are represented in them. Previous research has compared the frequency of specific words in translations and in texts that are not translations, and unveiled substantial differences in their distributions. Most of these studies adopt a bottom-up approach. Their starting point is a given word whose frequency in translated and non-translated texts is then compared. In this study, I adopt an explorative, top-down approach instead. I begin with a Portuguese language corpus of translated and non-translated literary texts, and attempt to identify lemmas which are markedly over- and under-represented in the translations. Our results not only appear to support existing bottom-up intuitions regarding distinctive lexical distributions, but also disclose a number of unexpected contrasts that would not have been discernible without recourse to corpora.
Construction and annotation of a corpus of contemporary Nepali
Authors: Yadava Yogendra P. , Hardie Andrew , Lohani Ram Raj , Regmi Bhim N. , Gurung Srishtee , Gurung Amar , McEnery Tony , Allwood Jens , Hall Pat
Published: February 2009

In this paper, we describe the construction of the 14-million-word Nepali National Corpus (NNC). This corpus includes both spoken and written data, the latter incorporating a Nepali match for FLOB and a broader collection of text. Additional resources within the NNC include parallel data (English–Nepali and Nepali–English) and a speech corpus. The NNC is encoded as Unicode text and marked up in CES-compatible XML. The whole corpus is also annotated with part-of-speech tags. We describe the process of devising a tagset and retraining tagger software for the Nepali language, for which there were no existing corpus resources. Finally, we explore some present and future applications of the corpus, including lexicography, NLP, and grammatical research.
Mesomorphic Behavior of Symmetrical and Unsymmetrical Azomethines with Two Imine Groups
Authors: Iwan Agnieszka , Janeczek Henryk , Jarzabek Bozena , Rannou Patrice
Published: February 2009

Seven symmetrical azomethines with two imine groups (HC=N) were synthesized by condensation of the benzene-1,4-dicarboxaldehydewith five amines (first group: A1-A5) and of the 2,5-thiophenedicarboxaldehyde with two amines (second group: AT1-AT2). Additionally, two unsymmetrical azomethines were obtained by a two step condensation of benzene-1,4-dicarboxaldehydewith pyren-1-amine(1st step) (abbreviated hereinafter as AP1) and then AP1 was reacted with4-dodecylaniline or 4-hexadecylaniline (2nd step) (third group: AP1A-AP1B). Liquid crystalline properties of the azomethines were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM) and UV-vis spectroscopy in the function of temperature [UV-vis(T)]. The Wide-Angle X-ray Diffraction (WAXD) technique was used to probe the structural properties of the azomethines. Mesomorphic behavior was observed for symmetrical and unsymmetrical azomethines, obtained from the benzene-1,4-dicarboxaldehyde and symmetrical ones prepared from 2,5-thiophenedicarboxaldehyde and different amineshaving aliphatic chains. Based on the POM and DSC measurements the following mesophases were detected: nematic, smectic A, smectic C, smectic F (I), smectic G (J).
Fern–spore‐feeder interaction in temperate forests in Japan: Sporing phenology and spore‐feeding insect community
Authors: Sawamura Megumi , Kawakita Atsushi , Kato Makoto
Published: February 2009

Angiosperms are widely appreciated to have flowering schedules, but far less attention has been paid to the timing of spore production by ferns. Although a range of abiotic factors are likely responsible for the timing of fern sporing, spore predation by specialist spore‐feeding insects may also exert selective forces on timing. As a step toward understanding ecological factors that affect the evolution of fern sporing phenology, we tracked annual sporing patterns and examined associations with spore‐feeding insects in 38 ferns species in two Japanese temperate forests. Most sporing occurred during June through August, the period of highest temperature and precipitation at the study sites, but some species produced spores during a limited period in spring or very late autumn. Over 70% of all species examined were attacked by spore‐feeders, which consisted of seven polyphagous and five oligophagous species. Spore feeders occurred predominantly during June through September, and stathmopodid moth larvae consumed up to 70% of the mature sporangia. Thus, although the warm and humid conditions in the summer is likely favored for prothallial growth and fertilization, spring or late‐autumn sporing in some species may have evolved as an adaptation to escape spore predation by spore feeders.