cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Life cycle assessment of energy and GHG emissions during ethanol production from grass straws using various pretreatment processes

Purpose The aim of this study was to perform a well-to-pump life cycle assessment (LCA) to investigate the overall net energy balance and environmental impact of bioethanol production using Tall Fescue grass straw as feedstock. The energy requirements and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were compared to those of gasoline to explore the potential of bioethanol as sustainable fuel.
The influence of price, store name, and brand name on perception of product quality

The relationship between product price and perceived product quality has been developed extensively in the literature. Less work has been done to investigate the possible effects of other variables in combination with price as perceived-quality influentials. This paper examines the effect on perceived product quality of price, brand name and store name. The results tend to confirm the hypothesis that consumer quality perception is dependent on a combination of controllable marketing attributes, but that not all classes of products are subject to the same type of interaction.
Three-dimensional PTx phase diagrams through interactive computer graphics

Abstract Interactive computer graphic techniques have been developed for the display of binary mixture phase diagrams. The diagrams are defined in temperature-pressure-composition space, and are portrayed as wireframe objects with depth perception in order to provide a three-dimensional effect. The displays used were vectro refresh workstations whose transformation hardware allows real-time rotation, rescaling, and translation of the diagrams, while software allows the extraction of constant property Px, Tx, PT and x - y plots. The equilibrium surfaces and the critical lines were calculated using the Redlich-Kwong equation of state and its Soave modification.
Perivitelline space: does it play a role in blocking polyspermy in mammals?

The perivitelline space of mammalian oocytes changes in size and composition during preimplantation development. Often overlooked in the past, this space contains a hyaluronan-rich extracellular matrix prior to fertilization and a cortical granule envelope following release of the cortical granules at fertilization. The hyaluronan-containing matrix of unfertilized oocytes is well developed in some species such as opossums and humans but is scant in rodents including the hamster and mouse. The significance of the hyaluronan-rich matrix, which attaches to the plasma membrane of the oocytes, is not fully understood. However, hyaluronan, which can inhibit membrane fusion, is present in the perivitelline space (PVS) of unfertilized oocytes and must be negotiated by the fertilizing sperm. Following fertilization, the cortical granule envelope forms as the cortical granules disperse, thereby causing the PVS to increase significantly in size. Calcium is important in the dispersion of the cortical granules following exocytosis. Once formed, the cortical granule envelope in some species is about the same thickness as the zona pellucida, but it is not readily visualized unless it is stained with fluorescent probes or examined ultrastructurally after following stabilization with ruthenium red. The envelope contains proteins that remain in the PVS until the time of blastocyst hatching. Although little work has been done on the functions of the cortical granule envelope, several studies are consistent with the idea that it plays a role in blocking polyspermy. While nicotine increases polyspermy in sea urchins, its effects on polyspermy in human smokers have not been characterized, but could be addressed in human in vitro fertilization labs.
Touchdown Bearing Development for a Magnetic Bearing System Used in a High Temperature Gas Turbine

This papers describes the design and development of a touchdown bearing system. The touchdown bearing is one of the important elements in any high speed magnetic bearing system. The touchdown bearing functions to fully off-load or load share with the magnetic bearing and prevent catastrophic system failures. The proper design of this component is a critical step in the design of the total system and was not treated as a stand-alone sub-component. The impact loads which these bearings have to endure is a challenge to the designer. The high temperature environment on this bearing adds additional constraints to the design options which the designer has to work with. A design was produced, which will function under these conditions. The use of silicon nitride balls with sliver coated CPM Rex 20 races will be described. The bearing is mounted on a replaceable journal, which in turn is mounted on the magnetic bearing. Design and test data for use of these bearing materials in a high temperature gas turbine application is included in this paper.Copyright © 1997 by ASME
Observations of a Tidal Tail in the Interacting Galaxies NGC 4485/4490

NGC 4485 and NGC 4490 are closely interacting spiral galaxies in the NGC 4631 Group, separated by a projected distance of 7.7 kpc. Images in the B and I bands were obtained with the Burrell Schmidt telescope at Kitt Peak National Observatory in order to study star-forming regions in their tidal features, including a previously undetected faint tail whose color matches that of the outer disk in NGC 4490. A comparison of the tidal morphology with published simulations suggests that this is a prograde encounter with perigalacticon about 4 × 108 yr ago. This time is approximately the age of the youngest regions in the tail, based on a comparison of observed B - I colors with evolutionary models. Calculations of the Q instability parameter using a rotation curve derived from published H I observations support the conclusion that the tail is currently stable against star formation.
SNC meteorites: Are they Martian rocks?

SNC (shergottite, nakhlite, chassignite) achondrites are similar in many respects to terrestrial basaltic and ultramafic rocks. Several independent geochemical and petrological characteristics suggest that they formed on Mars. These include young (∼1.3 b.y.) crystallization ages, evidence for a magmatic history too complex for an asteroid, possibility of garnet in the source region, calculations of the magnitude of the gravity field necessary for crystal accumulation by settling, presence of trapped gases similar to the the Martian atmosphere, and other features consistent with what is known about Mars. However, the dynamical difficulties of ejecting meteorites from planetary surfaces are formidable.
A Statistical Test for Prerequisite Relations

A statistical test for testing the probability that prerequisite relationships determined by a Bart-Krus analysis of two dichotomously scored variables occur by chance is presented. The test is based on Fisher's exact test. Implications are discussed.
The association of admission heart rate and in-hospital cardiovascular events in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes: results from 135 164 patients in the CRUSADE quality improvement initiative

Aims To evaluate the relationship between presenting heart rate (HR) and in-hospital events in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS). Methods and results We evaluated 139 194 patients with NSTE-ACS in the CRUSADE quality improvement initiative. The presenting HR was summarized as 10 beat increments. Patients with systolic BP < 90 mm Hg (4030 patients) were excluded to avoid the confounding effect of cardiogenic shock. An adjusted odds ratio (OR) was calculated using a reference OR = 1 for HR of 60–69 b.p.m. after controlling for baseline variables. Primary outcome was a composite of in-hospital events all-cause mortality, non-fatal re-infarction, and stroke. Secondary outcomes were each of these considered separately. From the cohort of 135 164 patients, 8819 (6.52%) patients had a primary outcome (death/re-infarction or stroke) of which 5271 (3.90%) patients died, 3578 (2.65%) patients had re-infarction, and 1038 (0.77%) patients had a stroke during hospitalization. The relationship between presenting HR and primary outcome, all-cause mortality, and stroke followed a ‘J-shaped’ curve with an increased event rate at very low and high HR even after controlling for baseline variables. However, there was no relationship between presenting HR and risk of re-infarction. Conclusion In contrast to patients with stable CAD, in the acute setting, the relationship between presenting HR and in-hospital cardiovascular outcomes has a ‘J-shaped’ curve (higher event rates at very low and high HRs). These associations should be considered in ACS prognostic models.
Effects of budget cuts on R & D

President Carter's proposed budget cuts would reduce total obligations for federal research and development (R & D) by $355 million in FY 1980 and $1.054 billion in FY 1981, according to figures released by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). That is a 1.1% reduction from the $31.96 billion originally scheduled for FY 1980 and a 2.9% reduction from the $36.14 billion set for FY 1981. Support for basic research will drop $16 million in FY 1980 (down 0.3% from the $4.531 billion in the January budget) and $194 million in FY 1981 (down 3.8% from the January figure of $5,074 billion).
Determinants of Heterochromatic siRNA Biogenesis and Function

Endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and other classes of small RNA provide the specificity signals for silencing of transposons and repeated DNA elements at the posttranscriptional and transcriptional levels. However, the determinants that define an siRNA-producing region or control the silencing function of siRNAs are poorly understood. Here we show that convergent antisense transcription and availability of the Dicer ribonuclease are the key determinants for primary siRNA generation. Surprisingly, Dicer makes dual contributions to heterochromatin formation, promoting histone H3 lysine 9 methylation independently of its catalytic activity, in addition to its well-known role in catalyzing siRNA generation. Furthermore, sequences in the 3′ UTR of an mRNA-coding gene inhibit the ability of siRNAs to promote heterochromatin formation, providing another layer of control that prevents the silencing of protein-coding RNAs. Our results reveal distinct mechanisms that limit siRNA generation to centromeric DNA repeats and prevent spurious siRNA-mediated silencing at euchromatic loci.
Simulation tool for evaluation and design of resilience strategies

A resilient system is designed to survive and recover from failure or attack. Evaluating resilience strategies for a computer network is difficult because their effectiveness depends on numerous, complex, and interacting factors. This paper presents a simulation prototype for experimenting with resilience strategies, demonstrates scoring metrics for comprehensive evaluations, and highlights simulation results that reveal important parameters and trade-offs that influence resilience strategy performance. Experimental results supported expectations about resilience strategies and revealed strategy assumptions, unexpected emergent situations, and insights into strategy configurations that should be considered when designing a resilient network system.
Room temperature deformation behavior of the Hf–V–Ta C15 Laves phase

Abstract We report the extensive room temperature ductility in Laves phase/bcc two-phase alloys in the ternary HfV 2 +Ta alloy system. First, the ternary phase diagram of the Hf–V–Ta alloy system at 1373 K is investigated by metallography, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy equipped with wave length-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The Laves phase formed in the Hf–V–Ta ternary alloys has widened off-stoichiometric range in the middle of HfV 2 –TaV 2 pseudo-binary line, and is composed of the C15 Laves phase. A bcc solid solution is formed on the vanadium-rich side with small solubilities of less than 10 at.% for Hf and Ta. Test samples were produced with equilibrated microstructures consisting of C15 Hf 2 V+Ta and the bcc V solid solution. Compression tests are carried out at room temperature in order to understand the effects of bcc volume fraction and Ta alloying on the mechanical properties of the alloys. Ductility is found even in alloys with a Laves phase matrix. Transmission electron microscopic observation indicates that {111} twinning is responsible for the room temperature ductility.
The strength of El Niño and the spatial extent of tropical drought

[1] During El Nino events, several spatially coherent, nearly synchronous droughts typically develop in teleconnected tropical land areas. These droughts, reflected in below-average tropical mean land area precipitation, are frequently accompanied by multiple and wide ranging impacts. Here it is shown, based on precipitation observations for the past half-century, that there is a remarkably robust relationship between El Nino strength and the spatial extent of drought in the global tropics. Not reported previously, drought covers more than twice the land area in strong versus weak El Ninos and in many areas severe drought is shown to be more likely during El Nino than for all other times. The results provide insight into large-scale tropical rainfall variability and have implications for future droughts under global warming scenarios.
Nondescriptivist Cognitivism: Framework for a New Metaethic

We propose a metaethical view that combines the cognitivist idea that moral judgments are genuine beliefs and moral utterances express genuine assertions with the idea that such beliefs and utterances are nondescriptive in their overall content. This sort of view has not been recognized among the standard metaethical options because it is generally assumed that all genuine beliefs and assertions must have descriptive content. We challenge this assumption and thereby open up conceptual space for a new kind of metaethical view. In developing our brand of nondescriptivist cognitivism we do the following: (1) articulate a conception of belief (and assertion) that does not require the overall declarative content of beliefs (and assertions) to be descriptive content; (2) make a case for the independent plausibility of this conception of belief and assertion; and (3) argue that our view, formulated in a way that draws upon the proposed conception of belief, has significant comparative advantages over descriptivist forms of cognitivism.
Decomposition and Nitrogen Dynamics of Crop Residues: Residue Quality and Water Effects

Understanding environmental and residue influences on decomposition and nutrient dynamics under diverse conditions is critical for efficient resource management. Our objective was to evaluate the influence of water on decomposition and N dynamics for surface and buried residues. Decomposition of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench), and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.) residues in fiberglass bags on the surface or buried at 120 mm in Pullman soil (fine, mixed, thermic Torrertic Paleustoll) at Bushland, TX, was measured from May 1990 to May 1991. A line-source sprinkler provided five water regimes (336, 287, 166, 60, and 5 mm) while precipitation provided 305 mm water. Decomposition coefficients (k) were greater for alfalfa than for wheat or grain sorghum and were greater for buried than for surface residues. Rate coefficients increased linearly with water applied. The increase was greater for alfalfa than for sorghum and wheat. Net N mineralization occurred from alfalfa residues throughout the study. Net N immobilization was longer than 1 yr for surface wheat and sorghum and about 0.33 yr for buried residues. Both Nₘₐₓ (grams N immobilized per kilogram of original biomass) and Nₑqᵥ (grams N immobilized per kilogram of biomass loss) were influenced by crop and placement but not water regime. The Nₘₐₓ value was similar for surface wheat and sorghum residues but was 50% lower for buried wheat than for sorghum. The Nₑqᵥ indicated the N requirement of microorganisms was less for buried than for surface residues. Water and residue quality interactions affecting decomposition and N dynamics should be considered in residue management strategies for soil protection and nutrient cycling.
Horizontal cells in the rabbit retina: Differentiation of subtypes at neonatal and postnatal stages

Abstract We are investigating the differentiation of the major subtypes of horizontal cell in the rabbit retina in order to learn more about developmental controls responsible for the variety of neuronal phenotypes. Immunohistochemistry with anti-neurofilament and anti-calbindin-D antibodies, followed by epoxy resin embedding, has facilitated study of these neurons. In the mature rabbit retina, axonless (A-type) horizontal cells reacted strongly in procedures using either antibody; short axon (B-type) somas did not show a reaction with anti-neurofilament antibodies and stained moderately using anti-calbindin antibodies. In the immature neonatal retina the somas of all the horizontal cells seemed to be similar with regard to general morphology, but two populations could be distinguished on the basis of immunostaining. Some, identified as A-type horizontal cells (by comparison with mature retina), were stained using either antibody. Interspersed among these were similar cells with no detectable immunoreactivity, identified as B-type horizontal cells. By the end of the first postnatal week, faint reactivity to anti-calbindin-D was present in the somas of B-type horizontal cells; they stained moderately throughout the rest of the period studied. Thus differences in immunostaining indicate that the two horizontal cell subpopulations are established early in the rabbit, though some other distinguishing characteristics emerge only gradually as the retina matures. These results suggest that in mammals the determination of phenotypic subtype occurs early, possibly at the time that the cell is specified as a horizontal neuron, or shortly thereafter.
Effect of therapeutic hyperoxia on maximal oxygen consumption and perioperative risk stratification in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Maximal consumption of oxygen $$ (\dot{V} $$ O2max) during exercise is used in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to stratify perioperative risk. However, the impact of therapeutic hyperoxia (i.e., use of supplemental oxygen to prevent hypoxemia during exercise) on $$ \dot{V} $$ O2max and other ventilatory parameters during maximal exercise in the resting normoxic COPD population is poorly defined. A randomized, double-blind crossover study was performed in which resting normoxic subjects (n = 16) with COPD underwent two standard symptom-limited, ramped-protocol bicycle ergometry cardiopulmonary exercise tests >5 days apart with FiO2 of 0.21 (control) and ~0.28 (therapeutic hyperoxia). $$ \dot{V} $$ O2max and other ventilatory parameters were compared using a paired two-sample t-test. Therapeutic hyperoxia significantly increased $$ \dot{V} $$ O2max (12.2 ± 2.9 vs. 13.6 ± 3.8 ml/kg/min, P = 0.03), partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide, and oxygen saturation and significantly decreased $$ \dot{V} $$ E– $$ \dot{V} $$ CO2 slope, but it did not affect exercise time, maximum watts achieved, maximum minute ventilation, or change in end-expiratory lung volume. Three of four subjects with $$ \dot{V} $$ O2max <10 ml/kg/min without supplemental oxygen increased $$ \dot{V} $$ O2max to ≥10 ml/kg/min on therapeutic hyperoxia and potentially changed perioperative risk category. Therapeutic hyperoxia in a resting normoxic COPD population significantly improves $$ \dot{V} $$ O2max and may change perioperative risk stratification by conventional criteria. Further studies are needed to determine if this change in stratification is appropriate.
Both blood and crystalloid-based extracellular solutions are superior to intracellular solutions for lung preservation

Abstract Objective: Lung transplantation remains limited by donor organ ischemic time, inadequate graft preservation, and reperfusion injury. We evaluated lung preservation with use of an extracellular solution, with or without the addition of blood, as compared with preservation with the intracellular Euro-Collins solution. Methods: With use of an isolated, whole blood perfused/ventilated rabbit lung model, we studied three groups of animals. Lungs were flushed with Euro-Collins, low-potassium dextran, or 20% blood–low-potassium dextran solution. Lungs were harvested en bloc, stored inflated at 4o C for 18 hours, and then reperfused at 60 ml/min with whole blood. Continuous measurements of pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, and dynamic airway compliance were obtained. Fresh, nonrecirculated venous blood was used to determine the single-pass pulmonary venous-arterial oxygen gradient. Results: Lungs preserved with Euro-Collins solution demonstrated elevated pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance when compared with those preserved with low-potassium dextran and 20% blood–low-potassium dextran solutions (pulmonary artery pressure: 40.8 ± 2.2 mm Hg vs 28.9 ± 2.4 mm Hg and 28.3 ± 1.5 mm Hg, respectively, p 3 dynes · sec · cm -5 vs 29.0 ± 4.2 × 10 3 dynes · sec · cm -5 and 28.8 ± 2.3 × 10 3 dynes · sec · cm -5 , respectively, p p = 0.002). Oxygenation was improved with low-potassium dextran and 20% blood–low-potassium dextran solutions as compared with that with Euro-Collins solution (296.3 ± 54.6 mm Hg and 290.2 ± 66.4 mm Hg, respectively, vs 37.2 ± 4.6 mm Hg; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Extracellular solutions provided superior preservation of pulmonary function in this rabbit lung model of ischemia-reperfusion. However, the addition of blood does not confer any demonstrable advantage over low-potassium dextran solution alone with use of an 18-hour period of cold ischemia. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1996;112:1515-21)
Noise Thermal Impedance of a Diffusive Wire

The current noise density S2 of a conductor in equilibrium, the Johnson noise, is determined by its temperature T: S2 = 4k(B)TG, with G the conductance. The sample's noise temperature T(N) = S2/(4k(B)G) generalizes T for a system out of equilibrium. We introduce the "noise thermal impedance" of a sample as the ratio deltaT(N)omega/deltaP(J)omega of the amplitude deltaT(N)omega of the oscillation of T(N) when heated by an oscillating power deltaP(J)omega at frequency omega. For a macroscopic sample, it is the usual thermal impedance. We show for a diffusive wire how this (complex) frequency-dependent quantity gives access to the electron-phonon interaction time in a long wire and to the diffusion time in a shorter one, and how its real part may also give access to the electron-electron inelastic time. These times are not simply accessible from the frequency dependence of S2 itself.
DOMINANCE HIERARCHIES IN THE CRAYFISH PROCAMBARUS CLARKII (GIRARD, 1852) AND THE QUESTION OF LEARNED INDIVIDUAL RECOGNITION (DECAPODA, ASTACIDEA)

Die Rolle, die das erworbene individuelle Erkennen in der Bildung von Herrschafts-Hierarchien bei Krebsen spielt, wurde am Krebs Procambarus clarki untersucht. Eine Analyse von Videobandern von Hierarchie-Bildungen in kleinen Gruppen von Procambarus clarki Einzeltieren ergab sowohl allgemeine als auch spezifische Veranderungen im aggressiven Verhalten und in der Wechselwirkung innerhalb der Gruppen. Labor Experimente zeigten, das man kein erlerntes individuelles Erkennen anzunehmen braucht, um diese Verhaltensanderungen zu erklaren. Statt dessen konnte die Bildung einer stabilen, gradlinigen Rangordnung der Einzeltiere das Resultat einer Kombination von allgemeinen Veranderungen im aggressiven "Zustand" sein und der Erkenntnis der untergeordneten Krebse des relativ hochgradigen aggressiven "Zustandes", den das Alpha Einzeltier zeigt.
A 1–8-GHz Miniaturized Spectroscopy System for Permittivity Detection and Mixture Characterization of Organic Chemicals

In this paper, a miniaturized broadband dielectric spectroscopy system is presented for permittivity detection, chemical sensing, and mixture characterization for 1-8-GHz frequency range. A sensing capacitor exposed to the material under test (MUT) is part of a true time-delay (TTD) cell excited by a microwave signal at the sensing frequency of interest. The phase shift of the microwave signal at the output of the TTD cell compared to its input is a measure of the permittivity of MUTs. For wideband and accurate sensing, TTD cells are cascaded in a reconfigurable fashion to increase the detected phase shift, especially at low frequencies. TTD cells are designed to detect permittivities within the range of 1-30 considering nonideal effects, such as electromagnetic coupling between adjacent TTD cells. Calibration using reference liquids is applied to the fabricated sensor and sensor characteristics are extracted. Permittivity detection of organic chemicals is performed in the range of 1-8 GHz with an error less than 2%. The measured permittivities in the 1-8-GHz range are used to estimate the sub-1-GHz permittivities of MUTs using extrapolation. The sensing system is also used for mixture characterization to find the mixing ratios in binary mixtures with an accuracy of 1%.
Antigen-releasing polymer rings and microspheres stimulate mucosal immunity in the vagina

Several recent studies suggest that direct application of antigen to the vaginal surface may enhance local IgA secretion, but the most effective methods for stimulating immunity at the vaginal surface have not been identified. We used antigen-loaded, biocompatible, vaginal rings to provide controlled and sustained antigen delivery directly to the vaginal mucosal surface. Mice were primed with ferritin, either subcutaneously or orally by ferritin-loaded polymer microspheres, and vaginally boosted by insertion of a ferritin-loaded polymer ring. We found that the vaginal rings were a convenient method for providing controlled antigen delivery to the vagina. Subcutaneously primed mice receiving ferritin-loaded vaginal rings had ferritin-specific IgA in their mucus secretions, while mice receiving blank rings did not. Oral priming with ferritin-loaded poly(lactic acid) microspheres also produced significant levels of ferritin-specific IgA in the vaginal secretions, but required the presence of cholera toxin. Controlled ferritin delivery to mucosal surfaces, either by oral, biodegradable microspheres or vaginal rings, provides a convenient and reliable method for enhancing vaginal IgA production in mice.
Neighbourhood parks and reduction in stress among adolescents: Results from Buffalo, New York:

Planners and landscape architects have long recognized the critical role of green space in urban environments. This cross-sectional field study of 68 adolescents determined the association between percent neighbourhood park area and perceived stress among adolescents, while controlling for physical activity. This study is the first to examine this association using objective measures of park area and adolescents’ physical activity. A multivariate regression model indicated that percentage of park area (β = −62.573, p < 0.03) predicts perceived stress among adolescents. Access to neighbourhood parks buffers adolescents against perceived stress after controlling for socio-economic status and physical activity. Policy recommendations for incorporating parks into neighbourhood design are given.
Analysis of membrane permeation from a deposited droplet

Abstract Asymptotically valid analyses are outlined for simulating membrane permeation from a shrinking deposited droplet. A previously published analysis for thick membranes is retraced to elucidate the source of its limitations. A thin membrane solution is also developed. While “thick” and “thin” are superficially defined relative to initial droplet size, the approximations introduced in each analysis are shown to depend more subtly upon droplet solubility in the membrane material.
Optimal Scheduling of Vehicle-to-Grid Energy and Ancillary Services

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G), the provision of energy and ancillary services from an electric vehicle (EV) to the grid, has the potential to offer financial benefits to EV owners and system benefits to utilities. In this work a V2G algorithm is developed to optimize energy and ancillary services scheduling. The ancillary services considered are load regulation and spinning reserves. The algorithm is developed to be used by an aggregator, which may be a utility or a third party. This algorithm maximizes profits to the aggregator while providing additional system flexibility and peak load shaving to the utility and low costs of EV charging to the customer. The formulation also takes into account unplanned EV departures during the contract periods and compensates accordingly. Simulations using a hypothetical group of 10 000 commuter EVs in the ERCOT system using different battery replacement costs demonstrate these significant benefits.
Gender does not impact infrainguinal vein bypass graft outcome

Abstract Background: The percentage of women requiring infrainguinal bypass graft operations continues to increase, whereas the effect of gender on postoperative outcome remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of gender on patient selection and outcome in patients requiring infrainguinal vein bypass grafting procedures. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed 217 infrainguinal vein bypass grafts performed over an 8-year period. Medical records and patient interviews were used to determine study measures and outcomes. Gender and multiple covariables affecting patient survival were analyzed; postoperative complications and graft patencies were examined. Bivariate and life-table analyses were conducted, followed by multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: No statistical differences existed between men and women for age, diabetes, cardiac disease, tobacco use, hypertension, stroke, renal disease, or prior contralateral bypass or major amputation. Women were more likely to be black ( P =.014) and have a spliced vein graft ( P =.035). No differences were noted between the 2 groups for 30-day morbidity rates—except women had more incisional complications ( P =.01)—or for survival ( P =.45), primary-patency ( P =.57), secondary-patency ( P =.79), or limb-salvage rates ( P =.40). Multivariate analysis showed that gender had no role in affecting survival rates. Conclusions: Gender does not affect graft patency, limb salvage, or survival rates. There should be no introduction of a gender bias into management of infrainguinal occlusive disease. (Surgery 2000;127:679-86.)
The Tobacco Protest in Nineteenth-Century Iran: The View from a Provincial Town

This article adopts a microhistorical lens to study the social dynamics that accompanied the eruption of the 1891 protest in Qajar Iran. Utilizing spatial and temporal limits, and a historical narrative technique, it disentangles the often overlooked or confounding aspects of popular claim-making practices in what came to be known as the Tobacco Movement in Iranian and Middle Eastern historiography. In using a bottom-up approach, the article provides ample evidence for the historical agency of the local actors on the ground and several historiographical interventions in areas such as the key social groups that partook in the protest, the tactics and strategies used throughout the agitations, and the dynamics of the Iranian public sphere at this point in time. In showing how the southern city of Shiraz experienced the earliest popular unrest in the country, the paper makes use of new archival evidence to contend that it also articulated the Tobacco Movement’s principal strategy (that of collective strikes and embargoes). The protest leaders in Shiraz never operated in isolation. They were in regular contact with fellow agitators in other parts of the country and in the neighboring Ottoman Empire. In explaining these national and transnational connections, the article makes the case that the Tobacco Protest marks an important phase in the development and maturation of what eventually came to be known as activist or political Islam.
Clinical Nutrition Management Position: Responsibilities and Skill Development Strategies

Abstract Objective To determine the duties of clinical nutrition managers, the factors associated with the performance of the duties, the job specifications for the position, and the skill development strategies used by clinical nutrition managers. Design Clinical nutrition managers from 700 randomly selected, acute-care hospitals in the United States (with 300 or more beds) received a survey questionnaire. Respondents were asked to indicate performance or nonperformance, perceived importance, and methods used to develop skills for 54 duties related to clinical nutrition management. We requested additional information about position requirements, position characteristics, and demographic information. Statistical analyses performed An 82% response rate with 67% usable responses (n=472) was achieved. Frequencies for performance and nonperformance, mean importance, and frequencies for methods of skill development were determined for each duty, χ 2 Analysis with P Results This study validated 46 of the duties as responsibilities of practicing clinical nutrition manager. Three duties not validated were related to financial management. The duty performed least often was conducting research/investigative studies. The number and type of personnel supervised was found to influence performance of duties, but time allotted to position was not an influence. The major strategies used for skill development were continuing education, networking, work experience in clinical dietetics, work experience in management dietetics, and their present job. Applications These results can be used by clinical nutrition managers to assess the characteristics of their current position and develop a plan for enhancing their scope of responsibility. The identification of duties actually performed by clinical nutrition managers can also be used to develop standards of practice with performance indicators and recommended thresholds. Information regarding the skill development strategies of clinical nutrition managers can be used by practitioners to enhance their current skills and knowledge and by others to prepare for career opportunities in clinical nutrition management. J Am Diet Assoc. 1995; 95:1113-1120.
Do Corporations Invest Enough in Environmental Sustainability

Do Corporations Invest Enough in Environmental Sustainability? Kim, Yongtae and Meir Statman Journal of Business Ethics, 2012, 105(1), pp. 115–129 Advocates of corporate environmental responsibilit...
Model-based analysis of control/display interaction in the hover task

The effect of Control/Display interaction in the hover task is analyzed using an optimal control approach to modeling pilot control behavior. The control/display configurations considered are those previously evaluated in a flight research program. The experimental data-base is reviewed and the procedure for modeling the task and the displayed information is presented in detail. All model-based results, time-domain as well as frequency-domain, are found to correlate extremely well with the subjective pilot ratings and comments. Time-domain measures consist of root mean-square errors and control inputs, attention allocation to displayed quantities, and magnitudes of task objective function. Frequency-domain measures include bandwidth, stability margins, and pilot phase compensation. Results are also shown to agree with previous findings on task interference in multi-axis tasks.
Beyond the Five Rights: Improving Patient Safety in Pediatric Medication Administration Through Simulation

Abstract Background Traditionally, clinical education has relied on random opportunity to teach preparation and administration of medications to a vulnerable population. Well-designed simulations can provide structure for learning this complex critical intervention, including safety measures beyond the "five rights." Method Students were observed administering medications pre- and postintervention. Results Pre-intervention results revealed 4 out of 18 (22%) students provided correct medication administration; 29% safely diluted an IV medication. Postintervention, 96% (25 of 26) were successful in dilution techniques, 88% were able to provide accurate IV pump rates, and 90% accurately assessed patient medication allergies. Conclusion Intense training within a simulated setting can improve nursing students' ability to accurately administer medication to a complex pediatric patient.
AARP Online Portrayal of Social Security: Engaging Aging Baby Boomers Through Interaction

Although baby boomers were not the sole focus of the American Association of Retired Persons' (AARP) website content on the issue of Social Security reform, their interests were addressed in a variety of ways. AARP provided information, position statements, a live chat forum, and message boards. Additionally, AARP had a partnership with the Rock the Vote website. It was unexpected that AARP would be so interested in younger people and in convincing them about their generation's need to support Social Security as it currently exists. It may be that as the baby boom generation enters retirement, AARP will become increasingly concerned with addressing the specific needs of this group. For now, AARP seemed comfortable with a single message designed to fit all age groups: AARP favored maintaining the existing Social Security system and promoting individual investing and savings.
Tunnel quantum dot/well InAs/InGaAs Structures as active medium for laser diodes

Structures of tunnel pairs consisting of InGaAs quantum well (QW) and self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) were employed to improve gain medium in laser diodes. Photoluminescence, transmission electron microscopy and electroluminescence were used to study the influence of the relative position of ground states (GS) energies of QW and QDs as well as structure design on the properties of tunnel structures and the characteristics of multi-layer lasers. QDs on QW structures with different GS relative separation were grown by variation of In concentration in QWs with fixed growth process of QDs. An 1160 nm edge-emitting lasers with 4 pairs of QDs-on-QW as active medium showed higher (than in a similar multilayer QD lasers) maximum saturated gain, 26 cm-1, with low minimum threshold current density Jth = 95 A/cm2. First attempt of a triple-pair tunnel QW-on-QDs laser emitting at 1125 nm exhibited a saturated modal gain more than 50 cm-1. These lasers demonstrated broad multi-peak emission spectra with minimum threshold current density Jth = 255 A/cm2 and with lasing from intermediate states between QDs and QW GS transitions. RF small signal modulation characteristics of the 3x(QW-on-QDs) lasers were measured. From the damping factor and resonance frequency dependence, maximum possible 3dB cut-off frequency for this QW-on-QD media can be estimated as 13 GHz.
Development, characterization, and application of paper spray ionization.

Paper spray is developed as a direct sampling ionization method for mass spectrometric analysis of complex mixtures. Ions of analyte are generated by applying a high voltage to a paper triangle wetted with a small volume (<10 μL) of solution. Samples can be preloaded onto the paper, added with the wetting solution, or transferred from surfaces using the paper as a wipe. It is demonstrated that paper spray is applicable to the analysis of a wide variety of compounds, including small organic compounds, peptides, and proteins. Procedures are developed for analysis of dried biofluid spots and applied to therapeutic drug monitoring with whole blood samples and to illicit drug detection in raw urine samples. Limits of detection of 50 ng/mL (or 20 pg absolute) are achieved for atenolol in bovine blood. The combination of sample collection from surfaces and paper spray ionization also enables fast chemical screening at high sensitivity, for example 100 pg of heroin distributed on a surface and agrochemicals on fr...
Chirurgien général versus vasculaire : impact du clinicat de chirurgie vasculaire sur la pratique clinique, le volume opératoire, et le style de vie

Il existe une diminution du nombre de demandes pour l’internat de chirurgie vasculaire (CV) malgre une augmentation des postes de formation disponibles, crees pour repondre au manque de chirurgiens vasculaires. Apres 3 ans de pratique en tant que chirurgien general certifie eligible au board du college americain de chirurgie ( American Board of Surgery , ABS), l’auteur de cette etude accomplissait un clinicat d’un an accredite en CV et recevait un certificat de qualification complementaire en CV de l’ABS. Le but de cette revue etait de comprendre les implications qu’a le clinicat de CV sur les types de procedures, la competence en procedures vasculaires, la pratique clinique, la carriere, et le style de vie avec l’objectif d’attirer les praticiens en formation vers la CV. Les registres operatoires de l’auteur etaient revus retrospectivement pour resumer les procedures vasculaires realisees avant et apres le clinicat de CV. Une analyse statistique etait realisee pour comparer les types et le volume des procedures vasculaires realisees avant et apres le clinicat de CV. Les modifications concernant la carriere professionnelle et la vie personnelle etaient egalement examinees. L’auteur realisait 401 procedures vasculaires au cours de ses 2,8 annees de chirurgie generale. Au cours des 3,4 premieres annees suivant le clinicat de CV, le volume operatoire concernant les procedures vasculaires augmentait a 1563. Le nombre moyen annuel de procedures vasculaires realisees passait de 143,2 en tant que chirurgien general a 459,7 en tant que chirurgien vasculaire. Les trois differences majeures survenant apres le clinicat de CV concernant les procedures vasculaires etaient (1) une multiplication par trois du nombre de procedures vasculaires realisees, (2) une diminution des procedures majeures ouvertes au profit des procedures veineuses et endovasculaires, et (3) une plus grande complexite des cas. La specialisation en CV conduisait egalement a une augmentation des opportunites de carriere, une plus grande satisfaction professionnelle, un avantage financier direct, et une plus grande flexibilite concernant le style de vie et la famille. Du fait de ces changements positifs, l’auteur encourage les etudiants en medecine et les internes interesses a la CV a tester cette specialite le plus tot possible, chercher des chirurgiens vasculaires pour leur servir de maitres, et entrer dans les nouvelles voies de formation menant a la CV le plus tot possible dans leur carriere.
Pandemic influenza: was the concern warranted?

In this issue of Blood , Choi et al describe influenza in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients to identify risk factors, compare the impact of pandemic 2009 A1/H1N1 with seasonal A1 and seasonal B on clinical outcomes, and probe the impact of early or late antiviral therapy on
Factors Affecting Productivity of Newly Established Thinning Operations

Abstract Increased use of partial harvesting creates a potential opportunity for western contract loggers willing to concentrate on commercial thinning. A recent survey of forest products companies in Washington State indicates, for example, that those companies surveyed began using thinning harvests as a regular component of their forest management less than three years ago (Dodd, pers. comm.). In addition, lumber values have risen to historic highs in recent years, partially due to the limited supply of logs in the west [1]. These high lumber values and the increased public sentiment favouring partial harvests have prompted many western forest products companies to use commercial thinning and other types of partial harvest on company timberlands. Many companies use ground-based, mechanized harvesting systems in thinning operations. However, the steep terrain associated with forests in the Pacific Northwest has necessitated the use of cable yarding systems for thinning some managed forests. Planning and ...
A New Approach for Control of Linear Periodically Time Varying Systems

This paper proposes a new design approach for periodically time-varying systems. The approach is based on the application of point-mapping technique to obtain an equivalent linear time invariant sampled data system for the linear periodically time varying system with parameterized control vector, thus allowing the known control design techniques for sampled data systems to be applied. An extension of the approach for analysis of robustness of the control design with respect to parametric uncertainties is also presented. The extension is based on retaining linear as well as higher order terms in the uncertain parameters in the point-mapping algorithm. To illustrate the approach, stabilization of the trivial equilibrium point for a mathematical model representing the dynamics for a double inverted pendulum with periodic forcing is considered. The effectiveness of the extension of the approach for robust stability analysis is demonstrated also by considering uncertain periodic forcing parameters for the double inverted pendulum example.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Some Monte Carlo results on the power of the F-test under permutation in the simple randomized block design*

Randomization models and tests in the analysis of randomized experiments have been discussed by Scheff6 (1959, pp. 291-330) who concludes that under fairly wide conditions the normal theory analysis of variance F-test offers a good approximation to the size of the permutation test. Hoeffding (1952, pp. 177-80) has shown that the usual variance-ratio test on treatments in the simple randomized block design is, under permutation, asymptotically (as the number of blocks tend to infinity for a fixed number of treatments) as powerful as the normal theory analysis of variance test of the same size. Kempthorne, Zyskind, Addelman, Throckmorton & White (1961) have investigated the power characteristics of a 'fixed cut-off point' test, i.e. a test which employs normal theory rejection rules but uses a permutation probability basis. In the design studied, a randomized block design with two treatments, they found reasonably good agreement between the power of this test under all possible permutations and normal theory for a given size, ac. The authors have attempted in the present paper to extend the work of Kempthorne et al. (1961). Specifically, we study the power under permutation of the usual F-test of null treatment effects for two randomized block designs with one observation per cell-a three treatment by eight-block design and a three treatment by fifteen-block design. Both the size and the power of the F-test under permutation for these designs were estimated by Monte Carlo methods.
Lipoprotein affinity of human apolipoprotein A-IV during cholesterol esterification.

Abstract We have studied the lipoprotein distribution of human apo A-IV during cholesterol esterification by the action of endogenous lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase. Using immunologic and radiotracer techniques at 4°C, apo A-IV was found in two discrete monomeric and dimeric populations, unassociated with plasma lipoproteins. With incubation at 37°C, apo A-IV initially associated with the high density lipoprotein-3 fraction, but thereafter dissociated from its surface, and reappeared as unbound protein and in association with a complex in the low density lipoprotein size range. Inclusion of LCAT inhibitors in the incubations abolished these changes. We conclude that the changes in lipoprotein distribution of human apo A-IV closely parallel the formation and exchange of plasma cholesteryl esters.