bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological and Physical Attenuation of Endocrine Disruptors and Pharmaceuticals: Implications for Water Reuse
Authors: Snyder Shane A. , Leising Joseph , Westerhoff Paul , Yoon Yeomin , Mash Heath , Vanderford Brett 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA select group of endocrine disrupters, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products was studied to determine the degree of biological attenuation in water reuse applications. Laboratory investigations involved both batch reactors using biologically active sand and continuous flow simulated aquifer storage and recovery experiments. All laboratory experiments were conducted using Colorado River water spiked with various target compounds at concentrations between 10 and 100 ng/L. Field studies were also conducted to determine the occurrence and attenuation of target compounds in water reuse applications. Two golf courses irrigated with reuse water were studied to determine if turf applications led to contamination of nearby ground water. A waste water treatment facility that uses rapid infiltration basins seasonally was also tested to determine the degree of attenuation of detectable target compounds along a subsurface flowpath. A qualitative structural activity relationship model was applied to the target compounds to predict the general rate of aerobic biological degradation. Significant attenuation of many target compounds was observed in both laboratory and field experiments. Conversely, several compounds displayed limited removal during these studies. Field experiments were limited to detectable compounds and various nonbiological removal or concentration effects that may impact data interpretations, which are discussed in this paper. The predictive model was found to be moderately accurate within the confines of the project scope.
VARIABILITY IN THE BLUBBER FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF RINGED SEALS (PHOCA HISPIDA) ACROSS THE CANADIAN ARCTIC
Authors: Thiemann Gregory W. , Iverson Sara J. , Stirling Ian 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWe determined the blubber fatty acid (FA) composition of 281 ringed seals (Phoca hispida) across the Canadian Arctic to make inferences about spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns of foraging. Seals were sampled in nine locations between 1992 and 2004. Regional differences in FA signatures were related to the distance between groups, with the greatest similarity occurring among seals sampled in three locations within the Beaufort Sea‐Amundsen Gulf. Seals in the western and southeastern portions of Hudson Bay also had similar FA signatures. Discriminant analysis on seventeen FAs classified ringed seals to their correct geographic region with 95% accuracy. Although location accounted for most of the variability in FA signatures, adult and juvenile ringed seals in Frobisher Bay‐Labrador Sea and Jones Sound showed significant FA differences, as did male and female ringed seals in Jones Sound and Qaanaaq. Demographic differences were not detected among ringed seals in the Beaufort Sea‐Amundsen Gulf or in western Hudson Bay. Seals off the coast of Labrador showed significant seasonal variability in FA signatures. Overall, seasonal, regional, and demographic patterns in FA signatures were consistent with differences in ringed seal diets, as inferred from stomach content and stable isotope analyses.
ASSESSING KILLER WHALE PREDATION ON STELLER SEA LIONS FROM FIELD OBSERVATIONS IN KENAI FJORDS, ALASKA
Authors: Maniscalco John M. , Matkin Craig O. , Maldini Daniela , Calkins Donald G. , Atkinson Shannon 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe behavioral and predatory patterns of Gulf of Alaska (GOA) transient killer whales (Orcinus orca) were studied between 2000 and 2005 using remote video and vessel‐based observations near the Chiswell Island Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus) rookery and in the broader Kenai Fjords (KF) region of the northern GOA. GOA transient killer whales were observed on 118 d over the 6‐yr period; the median group size was two (range: 1–9). Nine predation events were observed from vessels and an additional sixteen were inferred from remote video studies; all involved Steller sea lions. Estimates from field observations suggest that fifty‐nine sea lions were consumed over the summer seasons of 2002–2005; whereas estimates based on published caloric requirements of transient killer whales would suggest a loss of 103 sea lions over the same time period. GOA transients spent a large proportion (43%) of their time resting which may be a strategy for conserving energy. Predation on sea lion pups at the Chiswell Island rookery was greatest during years when a single killer whale was foraging alone and when a 1.5‐yr‐old calf was evidently being trained to handle prey. Predation on pups was low during years when killer whales were foraging in groups and were observed and presumed to be taking mostly juvenile sea lions. Our study suggests that GOA transients are having a minor effect on the recovery of Steller sea lions in the GOA.
Polari, a Fortran IV Program for Measures of Attitudinal Polarization
Authors: Vegelius Jan , Edvardsson Bo 
Published: March 2007

The computer program described contains various measures of attitudinal polarizations, vis. K, introduced by McCall and Simmons (1966), and V1, V2 and V3, suggested by Edvardsson and Vegelius (1974, 1975). In the latter three measures, two parameters, C and D, may be chosen by the user. The choice C= D= 0.5 is recommended. The two major purposes of this paper were: (1) to describe the theoretical background underlying the mathematical development of different measures of the degree of attitudinal polarization applicable to bipolar questions and (2) to outline a small FORTRAN IV program POLARI that provides a rapid means for calculation of four of these measures.
Effect of Fiber Geometry and Partial Debonding on Fiber-Matrix Bond Stresses
Authors: Schneider G.J. , Conway H.D. 
Published: March 2007

Plane stress elasticity solutions are presented for the bond stress distributions around a single, rigid fiber in an infinite elastic plate subjected to uniform tensile stress at infinity. The first problems are concerned with perfectly-bonded fibers, and solutions are presented for several fiber geometries. The second problems are concerned with partially-debonded fibers, and some typical debond situations are presented. The perfectly-bonded rigid fiber problems give rise to zero- displacement boundary-value problems, for which exact solutions may be obtained by Muskhelishvili's complex variable method. The partially-debonded rigid fiber problems give rise to very complicated mixed boundary-value problems. These problems were solved using the approximate method of point-matching in conjunction with the complex variable method.
The Effect of Matrix Shrinkage on Damage Accumulation in Composites
Authors: Penn L.S. , Chou R.C.T. , Wang A.S.D. , Binienda W.K. 
Published: March 2007

This study addresses residual stress and its effect on the performance of thermoset filamentary composites. Both cure shrinkage and thermal shrinkage in the matrix generate various residual stresses. In this work, a molecular additive was used to nearly eliminate the cure shrinkage of the cast thermoset resin and thereby to significantly reduce the residual stress in the composite. In spite of the reduction in residual stress, the damage accumulation behavior was un changed : transverse cracking studies of (02/902) s laminates showed identical crack onset and crack accumulation in both control and experimental composites (with and without additive, respectively). The surprising lack of effect of reduced residual stress on damage accumulation is explained by considering the effect of the additive on elastic constants and fracture sensitivity.
Rate Effects on Aramid Fibre/Epoxy (KRP) Tubes Under Hoop Loading
Authors: Al-Salehi F.A.R. , Al-Hassani S.T.S. , Bastaki N.M. , Hinton M.J. 
Published: March 2007

A comprehensive experimental study was undertaken to evaluate strain rate effects on the hoop burst strength, hoop modulus, strain to failure and Poisson's ratio of Kevlar reinforced plastic (KRP) angle ply filament wound tubes. Both static and dynamic tests were performed on tubes of winding angle 25 ° , 45 ° , 55 °, 65° and 75 ° , which were burst under internal radial loading with minimum end constraints. For each test, the inter nal pressure and the strains in both circumferential and longitudinal directions were re corded on suitable digital processing equipment. For a particular batch of tubes tested at different strain rates, the results showed a signifi cant rise in the hoop burst strength with increasing strain rate, for all tubes. The high winding angle tubes (65° and 75°) failed by catastrophic fibre fracture; the strain to failure values increased with increasing strain rate and the hoop modulus remained fairly constant over the tested strain rate range. The lower winding angle tubes were characterised by an "initial failure" associated by resin cracking and leading to a subsequent degradation in tube modulus. The use of a non-structural liner during quasi-static tests leads to a signifi cant increase in ultimate strength and strain of all tubes tested with the exception of the 25°.
Sentencing Versus Prosecutorial Discretion: the Application of a New Disparity Measure
Authors: Barry Donald M. , Greer Alexander 
Published: March 2007

While the term disparity arises naturally and is used frequently in discussions of discretion and fairness in criminal processing, little attention has been given to formulating precise quantitative indicators of it. This article illustrates the application of a recently developed technique for measuring disparity. Prosecutorial and sentencing decisions governing the dispositions of 2,234 convicted felons in a single jurisdiction were used to esti mate the amount of variability in sanction severity attributable to (1) "legit imate" factors of offense seriousness and prior record, (2) sentencing discre tion, and (3) prosecutorial discretion. Approximately one-half of the total variability in sanctions was at tributable to offense seriousness and prior record. Under the assumption that all of the remaining, unexplained variation could be attributed to sentencing and plea bargaining discretion, it was found that sentencing decisions ac counted for a substantially greater proportion of variability than did plea bar gaining decisions. Implications for the development of valid disparity measures are discussed.
Strategy Training in the Language Classroom: an Empirical Investigation
Authors: Nunan David 
Published: March 2007

Although learner strategy training has entered the popular pedagogical imagination, with special journal issues, conferences, and textbooks devoted to the application of strategy training to language leaming, there is still relatively little research into the effect of strategy training on learners and learning processes. The purpose of the study reported here was to investigate the effect of strategy training on four key aspects of the learning process, namely student motivation, students' knowledge of strategies, the perceived utility of strategies, and the actual deployment of strategies by students. The study took the form of an experiment in which sixty first-year Undergraduate students at the University of Hong Kong were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Both groups took part in that same language program. In addition, the experimental groups were systematically trained in fifteen learning strategies. Results of the study indicated significant differences in three of the four areas investigated. The experimental groups significantly outperformed the control groups on motivation, knowledge, and perceived utility. There was no significant difference in the area of deployment. Analysis of results on individual strategies revealed that strategy training was neither uniform nor consistent across all strategies. In the concluding section of the paper, the theoretical and pedagogical implications of the study are set out and discussed.
The Buddhist-Christian Confrontation in Ceylon, 1800-1880
Authors: Malalgoda Kitsiri 
Published: March 2007

La confrontation entre bouddhistes et chrétiens est étudiée dans la période de la colonisation anglaise. Il s'agit d'une phase cruciale, car d'une part elle marque le début de la pénétration missionnaire des Eglises protestantes anglo saxonnes et d'autre part elle marque le passage chez les bouddhistes d'une attitude traditionnelle de tolérance envers les autres religions à une résistance active et militante con duisant même jusqu'à des manifestation d'intolérance. En contrepartie, les chrétiens se tournèrent plus vers la protection de leur groupe que vers la conversion des bouddhistes. L'article décrit avec assez bien de détails, d'une part, l'évolution des missions protestantes durant cette époque et le climat dans lequel elles se développèrent, en particulier le mépris du bouddhisme. Il analyse d'autre part la réponse bouddhiste qui se développa à la fois sur le plan politique (protestations auprès des autorités coloniales) et sur le plan religieux (confrontations doctrinales entre pasteurs et moines bouddhistes).
Bacteriological Studies on Cotton
Authors: Heyn A.N.J. 
Published: March 2007

Experimental data are presented on the occurrence of cellulose decomposing bacteria on raw cotton. From all samples of filed cotton investigated, cellulose bacteria could he isolated starting from the moment shortly after the opening of the boll. All species belong to the order of the Myxobacteriales, of which all representatives known to decompose cellulose in the total six species were found to occur. Some of these bacteria are common inhabitants of the soil ; a few others have been rarely observed in the United States. The decomposition of raw cotton fiber, under the influence of some of these bacteria, is studied in the laboratory A literature review on cellulose decomposing bacteria is added.
`How Real Can You Get?': Recent Developments in `Reality' Television
Authors: Kilborn Richard 
Published: March 2007

Since the late 1980s programme types loosely grouped in the category `reality programming' (RP) have made considerable inroads into both American and European television schedules. Sometimes, judging by the stir which various forms of RP have created, one might be led to believe that RP constitutes a major televisual innovation. As we shall discover, however, there is nothing intrinsically new about most of these reality strands. What is more striking is the speed with which they have caught on, together with the sheer multiplicity of different reality formats which have been developed. The vast majority of television networks and organizations, both in the US and in Europe, now produce their own reality programmes or screen acquired material, whilst the term `reality television' has achieved general currency, if not some notoriety. This article examines some of the more significant features of RP and also considers the reasons for its popularity. An attempt is also made to show how the rise in this form of programming is related to more general developments in television over the last decade. Is it more than just coincidence, for instance, that the rise of RP has taken place at a time when television, whether publicly or privately funded, is becoming increasingly dominated by market-place considerations?
Adaptive Control of Mechanical Manipulators
Authors: Craig John J. , Hsu Ping , Sastry S. Shankar 
Published: March 2007

When an accurate dynamic model of a mechanical manipu lator is available, it may be used in a nonlinear, model-based scheme to control the manipulator. Such a control formula tion yields a controller that suppresses disturbances and tracks desired trajectories uniformly in all configurations of the manipulator. Use of a poor dynamic model with this kind of model-based decoupling and linearizing scheme, however, may result in performance that is inferior to a much simpler, fixed-gain scheme. In this paper, we develop a parameter-adaptive control scheme in a set of adaptive laws that can be added to the nonlinear, model-based controller. The scheme is unique be cause it is designed specifically for the nonlinear, model- based controller and has been proven stable in a full, nonlin ear setting. After adaptation, the error dynamics of the joints are decoupled with uniform disturbance rejection in all ma nipulator configurations. The issues of sufficient excitation and the effect of disturbances are also discussed. The theory is demonstrated with simulation results and also with data from an implementation for an industrial robot, the Adept One.
A Pheromone-Guided Mobile Robot that Behaves like a Silkworm Moth with Living Antennae as Pheromone Sensors
Authors: Kuwana Yoshihiko , Shimoyama Isao 
Published: March 2007

In this paper, the pheromone-oriented behavior of moths will be demonstrated by synthesis with biosensors and a small mobile robot that is controlled by recurrent neural networks. Since antennae on a silkworm moth are very sensitive as compared to conventional arti ficial gas sensors, they can be used as living gas sensors that detect pheromone molecules. A simple recurrent artificial neural network was used to control pheromone-tracing behavior in the manner of a living male silkworm moth. This neural network generates mothlike behavior while interacting with the environment. The turning behav ior, in particular, is a suitable tactic for small intelligence when a robot misses pheromone molecules. Our neural network is so simple that it can be very easily used as the controlling devices for micro- robots, which have a small amount of space for intelligence. Our robot is a hybrid system that combines living organisms and artificial machines, and is therefore a new type of robot. This approach has the advantage of a real-world experiment with biosensors instead of computer simulation. The difference between the real world and the simulation conditions yields a discrepancy in results. An additional discrepancy is generated by the sensor model. Therefore, real-world experiments with living antennae may provide a fascinating interface between computer simulation and neuroethology.
Correlation between Knee Laxity and Graft Appearance on Magnetic Resonance Imaging after Double-Bundle Hamstring Graft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Sonoda Masaki , Morikawa Tsuguo , Tsuchiya Kan , Moriya Hideshige 
Published: February 2007

Background In recent years, double-bundle (anteromedial bundle [AMB], posterolateral bundle [PLB]) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has developed into an accepted practical surgical procedure; therefore, its efficacy needs to be established. Hypothesis Multiple-sliced 2-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging allows evaluation of each bundle separately. Both bundles are important for knee stability, and each bundle has a role in the prevention of knee instability. Knee laxity testing will correlate with the magnetic resonance imaging appearance of the individual graft bundles. Study Design Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods A total of 97 double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions were evaluated 1 year after surgery, including side-to-side difference of KT-2000 arthrometer and pivot shift test. T2-weighted 2-dimensional magnetic resonance images were captured in the middle plane of each bundle to express magnetic resonance signals of each bundle. The magnetic resonance signals were divided into 3 grades: grade I, low-intensity signal; grade II, high-intensity signal within 50%; and grade III, high-intensity signal greater than 50%. Results Anterior laxity in AMB grade II (PLB I, 3.5 ± 1.7 mm; PLB II, 4.5 ± 1.9 mm) was significantly larger than in AMB grade I (PLB I, 1.9 ± 1.7 mm; PLB II, 2.1 ± 1.7 mm) with statistical difference (P = .025 in PLB I; P = .002 in PLB II). A positive rate in pivot shift test in PLB II (48%) was significantly larger than in PLB I (21%) with statistical difference (P = .031). Conclusions Varying magnetic resonance signals according to the bundle indicate role differences of each bundle in knee stability. These results imply that the AMB has a major role in preventing anterior translation of the tibia and the PLB has a major role in preventing anterolateral rotatory instability.
Ready or Not, Here it Comes, But...
Authors: Stanek Martin J. , Yenerall Paul M. 
Published: March 2007

Within your company's HR department, potential Y2K landmines may be waiting to explode. Anything and everything from payroll and the recording of stock options to healthcare eligibility and records of 401(k) contributions could be affected by the infamous and impending millennial computer glitches. Are you prepared to avert potential catastrophe? The authors list the types of glitches in HR systems that might open a company to employee lawsuits and what HR directors can do ensure, as far as possible, that both internal and external human resources systems are Y2K compliant. The authors add that companies cannot rely on insurance to protect them against Y2K failures. Therefore, they must document their HR compliance efforts and develop contingency plans for dealing with unforeseen Y2K problems.
The Tragicomedy of Romanian Communism
Authors: Tismaneanu Vladimir 
Published: March 2007

Un monde sans tyrans serait aussi ennuyeux qu'un jardin zoologique sans hyènes. E. M. Cioran, Histoire et utopie Now, despite eternal cabals in the inner clique and unending shifts of personnel, with their tremendous accumulation of hatred, bitterness, and personal resentment, the Leader's position can remain secure against chaotic palace revolutions not because of his superior gifts, about which the men in his intimate surroundings frequently have no great illusions, but because of these men's sincere and sensible conviction that without him everything would be immediately lost. Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism
Research Trends of Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Hydrogels in Japan
Authors: Hirasa Okihiko 
Published: March 2007

In recent years, biological functions have been increasingly investigated on the molecular and/or atomic level. Synthesis and assemblies of various functional polymers have also been researched. In particular, research of stimuli-responsive polymeric materials having the func tion and efficiency of a biological system has been of interest. The materials are still in the embryonic period, but there are great expectations surrounding their progress. In this article, the research trends in Japan of stimuli-responsive polymer gel are summarized from the viewpoint of synthesis, fabrication, and applications. On synthesis, researches have been summarized on stimuli including light, heat or temperature, pH or ion, electric field, and chemicals. On fabrication, researches have been summarized on two types of fabrication methods: chemical methods, such as grafting and hybridization; and physical methods, such as blend, microgel, film, fiber and composite. On industrial applications, many at tempts have been made in recent years concerning the released control of chemicals, especially drug delivery systems. Controls of adsorption, permeation, and enzyme reaction using stimuli-responsive polymer gels have also been attempted in the chemical engineering and bioengineering fields. On applications to actuators, the construction of some micro-actuating systems has been attempted. The stimuli-responsive polymer gels (chemomechanical gels) are very promising, both in the field of fundamental study and in the field of applied research.