cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Industrial Energy Efficiency

The present Chapter focuses on industrial energy efficiency and how it is helpful in protecting our environment in terms of reduction in emissions. Environmentally conscious manufacturing has made significant gains on account of improvements in energy efficiency. The study finds that industrial energy efficiency is necessary for several reasons. The energy efficiency reduce operating costs and hence lead to manufacturing industry becoming globally competitive and contribute to increase profitability and growth. Nonetheless, energy efficiency reduces the consumption of fossil fuels, hence playing a role in controlling the cost of energy to have a positive impact on every facet of the society. It has been found that the programs of the U.S. DOE' EERE and Industrial Technologies Program have gone a long way in helping industry and hence the nation to become energy efficient through a myriad of programs. Keywords: benchmarking; demand charges; energy cost savings; IAC database; lighting systems
Brushlets : Steerable Wavelet Packets

Abstract We address the problem of describing an image with a library of steerable wavelet packets. Inspired by the duality between local trigonometric bases and wavelet packets, we construct wavelet packets of two variables in the Fourier domain using local Fourier bases. Our wavelet packets, called brushlets, are complex valued functions with a phase. We show that the brushlets can resolve without any ambiguity many more orientations than standard wavelet packets. In theory our brushlets have infinite support. However we show that a careful design of the window of the local Fourier basis yields a brushlet with a very fast decay.
Initial neuromuscular performance in older women influences response to explosive resistance training.

The purpose of the study was to identify both demographic and neuromuscular traits that characterize successful or unsuccessful adaptation to resistance training in older women. Twelve, older women underwent electrically evoked muscle twitches for the knee extensors; and performed maximal, voluntary, isometric knee extensions, followed by eight weeks of resistance training. Prior to training nonresponders had 67% higher twitch peak torque than responders (0.29 ± 0.05 vs. 0.18 ± 0.06 Nm·kg -1 respectively), 64% higher twitch rate of torque development (RTD) (3.96 ± 0.47 vs. 2.42 ± 0.62 Nm·s -1 ·kg -1 ), 51 % higher voluntary peak torque (1.86 ± 0.40 vs. 1.23 ± 0.33 Nm·kg -1 ), 101 % greater RTD (9.43 ± 1.52 vs. 4.70 ± 2.40 Nm·s -1 ·kg -1 ), 86% greater impulse (0.13 ± 0.01 vs. 0.07 ± 0.03 Nm·s·kg -1 ) and 27% faster motor time (80 ± 13 vs. 109 ± 34 ms), (all P < 0.05). Following training, responders showed an 11 % increase in twitch peak torque over baseline (0.18 ± 0.06 to 0.20 ± 0.05 Nm·kg -1 ), 15% increase in voluntary peak torque (1.23 ± 0.33 to 1.41 ± 0.36 Nm·kg -1 ), 47% increase in RTD (4.70 ± 2.40 to 6.93 ± 2.02 Nm·s -1 ·kg -1 ), 43% increase in impulse (0.07 ± 0.03 to 0. 10 ± 0.04 Nm·s·kg- 1 ), and 26% increase in rate of EMG rise (886 ± 214 to 1116 ± 102% pEMG·s -1 ) (all P < 0.05). Initially higher muscle mass and contractility, coupled with greater neural drive, likely explains why older women with good muscle performance seem to have a lower capacity for improvement than women with low initial levels of performance.
Atmospheric Rivers and Rainfall during NASA’s Iowa Flood Studies (IFloodS) Campaign

AbstractAtmospheric rivers (ARs) play a major role in causing extreme precipitation and flooding over the central United States (e.g., Midwest floods of 1993 and 2008). The goal of this study is to characterize rainfall associated with ARs over this region during the Iowa Flood Studies (IFloodS) campaign that took place in April–June 2013. Total precipitation during IFloodS was among the five largest accumulations recorded since the mid-twentieth century over most of this region, with three of the heavy rainfall events associated with ARs. As a preliminary step, the authors evaluate how well different remote sensing–based precipitation products captured the rainfall associated with the ARs and find that stage IV is the product that shows the closest agreement to the reference data. Two of the three ARs during IFloodS occurred within extratropical cyclones, with the moist ascent associated with the presence of cold fronts. In the third AR, mesoscale convective systems resulted in intense rainfall at many l...
Examining barriers in faculty adoption of an e-portfolio system

This paper is a report on the findings of a study conducted on the implementation of a portfolio system at the University of Kentucky. Interviews were conducted with faculty members and university supervisors about the use of a portfolio management tool that had been implemented in the teacher education program. Factors such as small program size and ability to engage in frequent interpersonal communication decreased the perceived need for a management information system. Faculty placed more value in high resolution data sources, but tended to use low resolution data when program size increased.
Head and neck soft tissue sarcomas: Unique lack of significance of synchronous node metastases

Background Regional lymph node metastasis (RLNM) has been identified as a poor prognostic indicator for patients with soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the extremities and trunk. However, the effect of RLNM on survival in patients with STS of the head and neck (HN) has not previously been explored. Our objective was to analyze RLNM as a prognostic indicator in HN-STS, and to compare this cohort to patients with STS of non-head and neck regions (NHN-STS). Methods STS patients were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Only patients without concurrent distant metastasis who underwent surgery and pathologic node staging were included. Patients were categorized based on tumor location: (1) HN-STS and (2) NHN-STS. Clinicopathologic data and disease-specific survival (DSS) were compared between node-negative and node-positive patients in each group. Results We identified 183 cases of node-positive STS (25 HN-STS, 158 NHN-STS). In the HN-STS group, pN1 status was not associated with any of the clinicopathologic factors that we analyzed. DSS was similar among pN0 and pN1 patients with HN-STS (P = 0.59); however, in the NHN-STS group, node-positivity was significantly associated with disease-specific mortality (P < 0.001). Conclusions Synchronous RLNM may not affect DSS in patients HN-STS. Node-positive patients with HN-STS appear to be unique from those with NHN-STS. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:837–843. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Terascale Simulation Facility: built for flexibility, scalability and reliability

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's $91 million Terascale Simulation Facility (TSF) will soon house the fastest supercomputers in the world that perform trillions of operations per second (teraops). The anticipated electrical power requirements for teraops scale computing and the next generation systems drove the design of the facility. The Laboratory will soon commission an automated fast source transfer scheme that serves the 13.8 kV switchgear that distributes power to TSF.
Tungsten complexes with strong π-donor and π-acceptor ligands: W(E)Cl2(L)(PR3)2(E = O, NR, S, and L = CO, CNR, CH2CHR and OCHMe)

Abstract The synthesis and characterization of a series of tungsten complexes, W(E)Cl2(L)(PR3)2, containing both a π-donor group (E = oxo, imido, or sulphido) and a π-acceptor ligand (L = CO, CNtBu, CH2CHR, OCHMe) is reported (PR3 = PMe3, PMePh2). The compounds are prepared by substitution of a phosphine ligand in W(E)Cl2(PR3)3 by L and by oxidative addition of heterocumulenes EL, epoxides or episulphides to WCl2(PMePh2)4. All of the compounds have an octahedral structure with the π-donor and π-acceptor ligands cis, according to spectroscopic data and X-ray crystal structures of oxo-carbonyl (4), oxo-ethylene (7) and imido-carbonyl (25) complexes. The ethylene ligands are oriented perpendicular to the tungsten-oxygen, -nitrogen, or -sulphur multiple bond, and are non-fluxional by NMR. These geometrical features are a direct result of the electronic structure of the d2 metal centre. The dihapto coordination of acetaldehyde shows the substantial π-basicity of the tungsten(IV)-oxo centre. The CO stretching frequencies indicate that the donor abilities are in the order: oxo
Can Peptide-Lipid Interactions Predict Bactericidal and Hemolytic Activity in Antimicrobial Peptides?

It is relatively simple to design highly amphipathic linear cationic beta-sheet peptides containing 10-to-11 amino acids that possess potent antimicrobial activity. Often, however, these peptides also are quite hemolytic, so that there is insufficient selectivity between bacterial and human cells. Peptides with little or no hemolytic (or other toxic) activity toward human cells at 100 or more times the minimum inhibitory concentrations toward bacterial cells might be potential candidates for clinical use as antimicrobials. Since these peptides typically exert their bactericidal action through membrane disruption, we are interested in how they interact with model lipid vesicles. Here, we investigated how a group of peptides all containing a single tryptophan residue interact with large unilamellar vesicles (LUV) consisting of either anionic phosphatidylglycerol (PG), neutral phosphatidylcholine (PC), mimicking a mammalian plasma membrane surface, or a 2:1 mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and PG, mimicking an E. coli plasma membrane surface. Lipid-peptide interactions are assessed by: (1) peptide conformation using circular dichroism; (2) proteolytic degradation; and (3) quenching of tryptophan fluorescence by aqueous acrylamide and membrane-bound 10-doxyl-nonadecane. By comparing results in the absence and presence of LUV, we assessed three sets of peptides with (a) high antimicrobial and high hemolytic activity, (b) low antimicrobial and low hemolytic activity, and (c) high antimicrobial and low hemolytic activity. Our results demonstrate that the ability of these peptides to interact with LUV of defined lipid composition in most cases correlates well with their activities in bacterial and human cells.
Failure of transdermal nitroglycerin to improve exercise capacity in patients with angina pectoris.

Sixteen patients with stable angina pectoris were studied in a double blind crossover manner utilizing treadmill exercise testing with the direct measurement of total body oxygen uptake, 1 and 24 hours after application of a 20 cm2transdermal nitroglycerin system and identical placebo. Testing was performed after a 3 day lead-in period of treatment with either an active patch or placebo. Points of analysis were peak angina and the submaximal work load occurring at 4 minutes of exercise. No statistically significant differences were observed between nitroglycerin and placebo treatment in any of the rest hemodynamic or peak angina variables at 1 or 24 hours. A significant increase in the rate-pressure product at the submaximal work load was observed 1 hour after transdermal nitroglycerin relative to placebo application. However, no significant differences were observed in any of the other measured variables at the submaximal work load, 1 or 24 hours after nitroglycerin application. The once daily application of a 20 cm2transdermal nitroglycerin system was ineffective in altering the exercise capacity of patients with angina pectoris. The lack of efficacy at 1 hour appears to be due to inadequate nitroglycerin blood levels; at 24 hours it may be due to tolerance.
Ca4Nb2O9–CaTiO3: Phase Equilibria and Microstructures

Abstract CaTiO3–Ca4Nb2O9 is a quasi-binary section, and all the phases participating in equilibrium are solid solutions of the binary end-members. The phases are perovskite-based ABO3-type, with a common stoichiometry Ca[CaxNbyTiz]O3. The differences between the lower-temperature phases is in the type of ordering between Ca/Nb/Ti ions occupying the B-site, as well as in the type of octahedral tilting. The proposed phase diagram has the following single-phase fields: (1) cubic disordered C (Pm 3 m); (2) a series of disordered/tilted CaTiO3-based polymorphs T, O1, and O2 (Pnma) with different combinations of tilting; (3) disordered/tilted O′2 (Pnma), same as O2 but lower in Ti; (4) ordered/tilted HTP2 (P21/c) with 1:1 ordered (111)c planes; (5) ordered/tilted LT1/6 (P21/c) with 1:2 ordered (111)c planes. The single-phase fields are connected with the following reactions of the phases: (1) high-temperature monotectoid C→C′+O′2; (2) miscibility gap C→C′+C″; (3) eutectoid HTP2→LT1/6+O2; (4) a series of peritectoid reactions between O′2 and CaTiO3 polymorphs; (5) an ordering transition O′2→HTP2. In addition, a metastable transition to the triclinic LT1/4 phase (with 1:3 ordered (111)c planes) occurs for a wide range of compositions (0
Partnering with Undergraduate Students to Conduct Library Focus Groups

Experiential learning is becoming an increasingly important part of the university experience. Academic libraries have long provided practicum opportunities for library and information science students. To date, however, few libraries have documented experiential learning partnerships with social science students. Librarians at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) partnered with the university's anthropology department in an experiential learning opportunity. Undergraduate students conducted focus groups to discover how MTSU students complete research assignments and what role the library plays in the process. This article describes the collaboration, and it discusses the benefits and drawbacks of partnering with undergraduate student researchers.
Left atrial volume measurements before and after left atrial ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation

The aim of this study was to evaluate left atrial (LA) volume measurements using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) based angiography before and after LA radio frequency (RF) ablation therapy as a treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation (AFIB).
Academic inventory systems programs structured on a user command language

Eleven deterministic and probabilistic Inventory Systems BASIC computer programs, useful in academic and research environments, are described. All accept identical conversational instructions in a unified user command language. Each program has help and examples messages, and built-in sets of data useful for illustration. It accepts commands for retrieving, displaying, and changing the data, and for computing and minimization. Two programs also accept simulation commands. The availability of the source code and detailed documentation allows users to modify the programs, delete or add algorithms, change dimensions, and to translate the programs into other languages.
Evidence for ancient tetraploidy and conservation of linkage groups in mammalian chromosomes.

Evidence for Ancient Tetraploidy and Conservation of Linkage Groups in Mammalian Chromosomes
Pieces of a Puzzle: Linking Government Performance, Citizen Satisfaction, and Trust

This article presents a basic conceptual framework for investigating the relations among government performance, citizen satisfaction, and trust. It then reviews results from a number of previous e...
Cloaca and hydrocolpos: laparoscopic-, cystoscopic- and colposcopic-assisted vaginostomy tube placement

Hydrocolpos presenting at birth in a neonate with a cloacal malformation may lead to massive distension, with compression of adjacent structures. At times, the hydrocolpos requires urgent drainage. Additionally, these neonates need a divided colostomy to divert their fecal stream and prevent genitourinary contamination. We present a novel approach by which these two procedures can be performed as a single operation guided by a combination of cystoscopy, colposcopy, and laparoscopy. This provides a minimally invasive technique with excellent outcome and potentially superior visualization of the necessary intra-abdominal structures.
Using the experiences of bereaved caregivers to inform patient- and caregiver-centered advance care planning.

Background Traditional approaches to advance care planning (ACP) have many limitations; new approaches are being developed with the goal of improving end-of-life care.
Can ultrasound substitute for a phase-transfer catalyst? Triphase catalysis and sonochemical acceleration in nucleophilic substitution of alkyl halides and α-tosyloxyketones: synthesis of alkyl azides and α-azidoketones

Alkyl halides and α-tosyloxyketones afford the corresponding azide derivatives upon treatment with aqueous sodium azide under triphase catalysis or ultrasound irradiation conditions. The use of surfactant pillared clay materials and sonochemistry has been compared and demonstrated in these nucleophilic substitution reactions. It appears that the use of a two-phase system in conjunction with ultrasound irradiation is the method of choice that precludes the need for a catalyst in such reactions.
Inhibition by guanethidine of chemoreceptor reflex-induced vasodilatation.

SummaryThe vascular responses in the hind paw associated with stimulation of the carotid body chemoreceptor reflex were studied in morphine-sedated, chloralose-urethane-anesthetized dogs. Intracarotid arterial injection of nicotine (30-200 μg) elicited reflex vasodilatation in the perfused hind paw in control animals. In animals treated for 3 consecutive days with guan-ethidine (2.5, 5, and 5 mg/kg/day) chemoreceptor stimulation with nicotine failed to evoke reflex vasodilatation in the hind paw, whereas intraarterial administration of ni-troglycerin and stimulation of the intact tibial nerve readily produced vasodilatation. Acute administration of guanethidine (5 mg/kg) also abolished chemoreceptor reflex-induced responses in the hind paw. The results of this investigation suggest that the chemoreceptor reflex-induced vasodilatation in the hind paw is due to an inhibition of sympathetic vasoconstrictor tone and does not represent activation of sustained vasodilatation.
Fibrous soft tissue tumors: factors predictive of recurrence.

Background/purpose Fibrous soft tissue tumors (FSTT) of infancy and childhood present a challenge to surgeons due to ambiguous histological interpretation, propensity for local recurrence, and uncertainty regarding appropriate therapy. Methods Records were reviewed for patients diagnosed and treated for FSTT at our institution from 1992 to 2010. Data included demographics, tumor location, operative treatment, histopathology, margin status, mitotic index, and recurrence. Results Eighty-six patients underwent treatment of FSTT. Mean follow-up time was 62 months (range 1 to 201 months). There were 11 recurrences (13%), with a mean time to recurrence of 23 months. Extremity and digital lesions were most likely to recur with 21% of such lesions recurring compared to 7% of lesions located elsewhere. Recurrences were seen more frequently in older children. Despite the presence of positive margins in 92% of cases, margin status, histopathology, and mitotic index were not significant predictors of recurrence. Conclusions Digital and extremity fibrous soft tissue tumors and tumors of older children have an increased risk for local recurrence. Margin status did not predict recurrence rates in this series. While the surgical goal is to obtain complete local resection with clear margins, this may be challenging in particular locations and may not ultimately impact recurrence.
In situ surface functionalization of magnetic nanoparticles with hydrophilic natural amino acids

Abstract The surface of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles has been modified with hydrophilic natural amino acids via an in situ method. A rapid ligand exchange reaction was induced at elevated temperatures to replace the original labile solvent layer with amino acids. The functionalized nanoparticles were quasi-spherical and well separated with an average diameter around 7 nm. The resulted products were examined to be highly crystalline and phase-pure Fe 3 O 4 . The present of amino acids on the surface of the nanoparticles was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which indicated successful ligand exchange. Zeta potential and dynamic light scattering measurement suggested that functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were well dispersed in both basic and acidic aqueous solution with small polydispersity. The uncoordinated amine groups are highly reactive and available for either conjugation with biocompatible polymers or attachment of small gold nanocrystals, so as to prepare dual-functional nanocomposite.
High-silica zeolites: a relationship between energetics and internal surface areas

High-silica zeolites are 5.6–15.5 kJ/mol less stable in enthalpy than a-quartz––the stable polymorph of silica under ambient conditions. Previous studies have correlated these energetic metastabilities to molar volumes and framework densities. In this study, we consider the question of whether these energetics might arise from a surface free energy term that originates from the large internal surfaces of these materials. Cerius 2 molecular simulation software is used to calculate the internal surface areas. A linear relationship between formation enthalpy and internal surface area is found for a-quartz, a-cristobalite, and 17 zeolitic frameworks: AFI, AST, BEA, CFI, CHA, EMT, FAU, FER, IFR, ISV, ITE, MEI, MEL, MFI, MTW, MWW, and STT. The slope of the regression line has direct physical meaning: an average internal surface enthalpy of 0:093 � 0:009 J/m 2 . This value is similar to a value of 0:100 � 0:035 J/m 2 for the average external surface free energy of amorphous silica obtained from various amorphous, but not microporous or mesoporous, phases reported in the literature. We conclude that it is physically reasonable to consider the metastability of anhydrous silica zeolites as resulting from their large internal surface area, that the average value of the surface enthalpy (or surface free energy) is similar for both internal and external surfaces, and that this quantity is not strongly dependent on the specific nature of the tetrahedral framework. 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Entry into hibernation in M. flaviventris: sleep and behavioral thermoregulation.

Hibernators of the genus Marmota (wt=3–5 kg) differ from smaller hibernators (wt<1 kg) in thermoregulatory characteristics during entry into hibernation. They might be expected to differ also with respect to the distributions of activity, awake and sleep states during entry. Marmots implanted stereotaxically with electrodes to record electroencephalograms and brain temperature (TBr) were monitored remotely by a polygraph as well as video transmission as they entered hibernation. During entry, awake (A), slow wave sleep (SWS), and paradoxical sleep (PS) states could be identified. Activity which included nest building, grooming, and shivering slowed entry and became progressively more stereotyped as TBr decreased. All animals exhibited at least one PS bout between TBr=33−32°C. SWS as percent of total sleep increased (80 to 92%) as TBr decreased from 35−25°C. This increase represented a decrease in number and increase in duration of SWS episodes. The length of individual SWS and PS episodes of the marmot did not differ from those reported in Citellus. These data suggest that entry into hibernation is a more complex phenomenon than merely an extension of slow wave sleep. Similar changes in arousal state distribution occur in hibernators of different sizes.
ProClick: a framework for testing clickjacking attacks in web applications

Clickjacking attacks are an emerging threat on the web. An attacker application presents a User Interface (UI) element of a target application out of context, such as hiding sensitive UI element by making it transparent to the end user. The user is tricked to click on the hidden element out of context. These attacks can cause severe damages such as compromising webcams and posting unintended messages. A large number of websites are still vulnerable to clickjacking and have no minimal protection at the server side (e.g., frame busting, X-Frame-Options header). Further, client-side defense techniques have been ineffective to deal with sophisticated clickjacking attack types and suffer from performance issues. This paper presents a proxy-level framework, ProClick, to detect clickjacking attacks. ProClick examines the content of requests and response pages at the proxy level to detect clickjacking attacks. We evaluate the proposed approach with a set of legitimate and malicious websites. The results indicate that our approach has low false positive and false negative rates. The overhead imposed by the proposed approach is also very negligible.
Acute and Chronic Respiratory Diseases in Pregnancy: Associations with Spontaneous Premature Rupture of Membranes

Objective. To examine whether acute and chronic respiratory diseases are associated with an increased risk of spontaneous premature rupture of the membranes (PROM).Methods. We used the 1993–2004 National Hospital Discharge Survey data of singleton deliveries in the USA (N = 41 250 539). The International Classification of Diseases Ninth Revision was utilized to identify acute (acute upper respiratory diseases, viral/bacterial pneumonia, and acute bronchitis/bronchiolitis) and chronic (chronic bronchitis and asthma) respiratory conditions and spontaneous PROM. All analyses were adjusted for potential confounders.Results. The incidence of PROM was 5%, and rates of acute and chronic respiratory conditions were 2.1 and 9.5 per 1000 pregnancies, respectively. Chronic bronchitis was associated with a reduced risk of PROM (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.31, 0.48). Asthma was significantly associated with PROM at preterm (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.14, 1.17) and term (RR 1.27, 95% CI 1.23, 1.30). Stratification by race showed that acu...
Design and Modeling of Nanowire-array Solar Cells

We have carried out large-scale electromagnetic simulations to study the structural dependence of optical absorption in periodic nanowire and nanohole arrays. We have also investigated the effect of aperiodicity in aperiodic absorbers and anti-reflecting surfaces.
Dispharynx nasuta (Nematoda) in California quail (Callipepla californica) in western Oregon.

Seventy-six California quail (Callipepla californica) were collected during a 22-mo period from the E. E. Wilson Wildlife Area near Monmouth, Oregon. Dispharynx nasuta occurred in 38% of the birds with a mean intensity of 4.9 ± 5.1. In one of 2 yr, host age was significantly associated with prevalence, with immature males showing the highest prevalence (73%). Although C. californica has been the subject of several parasitological surveys, this is the first record of D. nasuta in this host.
Point Evaluations and Polynomial Approximation in the Mean

We construct an example of a Borel subset E of the unit disk \(\{z : \mid z \mid < 1\}\) such that area measure restricted to E, which we denote AE, has the property that the set of bounded point evaluations for the polynomials with respect to the Lt(AE) norm varies with t. We further show that E can be chosen to be a simply connected region. In the context of smooth measures, like area measure, examples of this type were unexpected.
Sectoral Changes in Employment: An eclectic perspective on ‘good’ jobs and ‘poor’ jobs

The linkage Keynes established between the volume of employment that business firms require to make a particular number of jobs available provides an operational perspective about the way in which labor markets work. The aggregate supply or Z function is, in fact, a job offer curve. The most significant insight to derive from this curve is that job offers are inseparable from the economy's aggregate expenditure (or demand) level. This interdependency of aggregate supply and aggregate demand is necessary to understand the functioning of labor markets in the real world. This paper argues that a disaggregated model which encapsulates the economy's price-taking and price-making sectors offers a promising analytical tool to gain perspective about ‘good jobs’ and ‘poor jobs’ in post-Fordist economies. It is maintained that the sectoral deployment of workers reflects whether employing firms, as price-makers, can capture the increasing returns inherent in modern technology.
The influence of a research pier on beach morphology and the distribution of Emerita talpoida

Abstract The spatial distribution of the common Atlantic Coast mole crab, Emerita talpoida , is strongly influenced by inshore processes and the grain size and morphology of sand beaches. E. talpoida increase in density across the foreshore toward the lower part of the beach (step), with high concentrations occurring within areas of reduced wave energy. Engineering structures extending across the foreshore, such as the Coastal Engineering Research Facility (research pier) at Duck, North Carolina, significantly alter wave action and thus modify the distribution of beach sediment and beach morphology. This, in turn, results in modifications of E. talpoida distributions. The pier's impact on the natural processes and patterns of both physical and ecological elements of the beach introduces an “uncertainty principle” that must be taken into consideration when designing experiments at research facilities.
Descending facilitation from the rostral ventromedial medulla maintains visceral pain in rats with experimental pancreatitis.

Background & Aims: Pain is a main complaint of patients with pancreatitis. We hypothesized that such pain is mediated through ascending pathways via the nucleus gracilis (NG) and is dependent on descending facilitatory influences from the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM). Methods: A rat model of persistent experimental pancreatitis was used. After establishment of pancreatitis, rats received microinjection of lidocaine in the NG or in the RVM to determine the importance of neural activity at these supraspinal sites in the expression of abdominal hypersensitivity evoked by von Frey filaments (ie, pancreatic pain). Rats also were pretreated for 28 days before induction of pancreatitis with a single RVM microinjection of dermorphin–saporin to eliminate cells that drive descending facilitation. Dynorphin content was measured in the spinal cord of pancreatitic rats and the effects of spinal antidynorphin antiserum in pancreatic pain were assessed. Results: Microinjection of lidocaine into either the NG or the RVM produced a time-related reversal of pancreatitis-induced pain. Pancreatitis significantly increased thoracic spinal dynorphin content and spinal antidynorphin antiserum elicited a time-related reversal of abdominal hypersensitivity. RVM dermorphin–saporin injection prevented the maintenance, but not the expression, of pancreatitis abdominal hypersensitivity and also prevented the increase of spinal dynorphin content in animals with pancreatitis. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that descending facilitation from the RVM plays a critical role in the maintenance, but not the expression, of pancreatic pain. These results provide a novel insight into the role of descending pathways and spinal plasticity in the maintenance of visceral pain from pancreatitis.
Sulfur as an important co-factor in the formation of multilayer graphene in the thermolyzed asphalt reaction

The results indicate a first ever hypothesized role of sulfur in the low temperature formation of graphene. Multilayer graphene was prepared with various hydrocarbons and sulfur mixtures by the University of Idaho Thermolyzed Asphalt Reaction (UITAR). Graphene films were synthesized with the UITAR process through the original flame-heated crucible, and in thermogravimetric analysis apparatuses. The latter was carried out under N2 purge. The morphology of these films synthesized by cyclohexanol and sulfur was characterized by scanning electron, transmission electron, and atomic force microscopies, which indicate a flat (over several mm2) and layered structure consistent with graphitic structures. Elemental composition as determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated primarily sp2 C with trace O and N impurities. Raman spectra of the UITAR graphene have D and G bands at 1350 cm−1 and 1594 cm−1. Based on the wavenumber positions of these bands, the Ferrari amorphization trajectory indicates that the UITAR graphene films are primarily sp2 C with nano-crystalline characteristics. The I(D)/I(G) ratio is 0.97 with an average grain size of 5 nm as determined by the Tuinstra–Koenig relationship. A proposed scheme illustrates the role of sulfur in graphene growth based on thermogravimetric analyses. We hypothesize that elemental sulfur is involved with the dehydration/dehydrogenation and eventual crosslinking of cyclohexanol between 100 and 140 °C. In the range of 240–400 °C further dehydrogenation steps occur giving an unidentified intermediate with a sharp Raman peak at 1450 cm−1. At 550 °C a mixture of graphene-like Raman D and G bands appear with the 1450 cm−1 intermediate. At 600 °C the intermediate peak is lost with only bands characteristic of UITAR graphene. Therefore the minimum temperature of graphene formation with the UITAR reaction is 600 °C. The proposed mechanism is reinforced by results with other hydrocarbons. Other organics succeeded or failed in the UITAR reaction based on melting and boiling considerations.
Electrically Conducting Polyaniline Microtube Blends

Self-assembled polyaniline micro/nanotubes were synthesized by a template-free method. Changing the molar doping level ratio [Aniline]:[dopant] from 0.25 to 2 increased the polyaniline tube (PAT) diameter by three orders of magnitude. Bulk conductivity of the tubes was demonstrated for both micro- and nanotubes and varied from 0.01 to 1.2 S/cm. When microtubes were solution-blended with polyurethane, a highly dispersed fractal network of tubes was observed, and the resulting blend conductivity was 1×10−5 S/cm and 1×10−3 S/cm for 0.5% (wt/wt) and 2% (wt/wt) PANI microtube loadings, respectively. These values were sufficient for the minimal value needed (1×10−6 S/cm) for charge mitigation. The promising results of this program lend themselves to developing an all-polymer microtube-conducting composite that has sufficient conductivity and transparency to mitigate electrical charge in lightweight space structures.
The relative cost of children's physical play

There has been a long-standing debate regarding the functions of play during childhood. An important, but neglected, first step in this debate entails documenting the costs associated with play. In this study we analysed energetic costs (expressed in terms of caloric expenditure) associated with physical play in four field experiments of play in primary school children. Experiment 1 established the concurrent validity of an observational check list to estimate caloric expenditure of children's physical play. Experiment 2 compared caloric expenditure of the play (defined as all behaviour exhibited during play time) for two age groups of children during playtime outdoors and during indoor sedentary activity; caloric expenditure of outdoor activity was greater and was significantly correlated with ambient temperature. In experiment 3, children were observed during indoor play to control for the influence of ambient temperature. Outdoor physical play was more energetically costly than indoor physical play. In experiment 4, children's behaviour was observed outdoors and caloric expenditure for play, games and other activities was compared. Physical play was more costly than other forms of behaviour and games. Estimates of total energetic costs of play ranged from 6 to 15%. Results are discussed in terms of the relatively low caloric costs of play.
"Library-on-the-go": utilizing technology to provide educational programming.

The Sladen Library at the Henry Ford Health System (HFHS) receives numerous requests for training on PubMed and other electronic resources. These requests are driven by the emphasis on evidence-based medicine (EBM), the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education General competencies (specifically for practice-based learning and improvement) [1], and health care professionals' growing awareness of the need to improve their effectiveness in information retrieval. Though educating patrons in the effective use of information resources is one of the Sladen Library's key functions and goals, training was impeded by a lack of space and the time constraints many health care professionals felt. To mitigate these barriers, the library developed the “Library-On-The-Go” project, funded in part by the National Library of Medicine (contract no. NO1-LM-6-3503) and Friends of the Sladen Library and Lam Archives, to provide training using a mobile cart equipped with laptops and other technology. The project plan was divided into four phases: (1) identifying and purchasing equipment, (2) developing marketing strategies for the “Library-On-The-Go” service, (3) providing training, and (4) performing formative evaluation. This paper describes these elements.
Solvent extraction of lithium

Abstract Lithium was quantitatively and selectively extracted from aqueous solutions of alkali metal salts by forming a suitable adduct of a lithium chelate. Thus, the trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) adduct of lithium dibenzoylmethane (LiDBM) was readily extracted into dodecane or p-xylene. In systems supported by sodium or ammonium ions, the extracted lithium species had the form, LiDBM·2TOPO. In systems supported by K, Rb or Cs ions, the extracted lithium species was dimeric and had the form, Li2(DBM)2·2HDBM·4TOPO.
An Assessment of the Relative Benefits of Miller Cycle and Turbocompounding on a Medium Speed Diesel Engine Using Second Law Analysis

The relative benefit of a power turbine as a means of exhaust energy recovery (i.e., turbocompounding) being used in conjunction with altered intake valve closure timing (Miller cycle) on a medium speed diesel engine has been investigated. An assessment of the impact of these different engine architectures on the various loss mechanisms has been performed using second law analysis. The Miller and turbocompounding cycle modification as well as the combination of the two features were studied and their relative benefits are compared and discussed. Results show the corresponding decrease in effective compression ratio achieved with Miller cycle leads to lower pre-turbine exhaust availability, which decreases the potential benefit of turbocompounding.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Hydrogen Bonding Study of Quinoline and Coal-Derived Asphaltene Components with o-Phenylphenol by Proton Magnetic Resonance

Abstract Proton magnetic resonance (PMR) studies are reported of hydrogen bonding between the OH proton of o-phenylphenol (OPP) and the nitrogen electron donor of quinoline (Qu). Data are also reported on the hydrogen bonding of a coal-derived asphaltene and its acid and base components with OPP. Determination was made of the equilibrium constants of the 1:1 complex between OPP and Qu at 39, 32, 1, and −18°C from the PMR studies. Qualitative results are reported for the interaction between the base fraction of asphaltene and OPP at 32, 1, and −26°C.
An interrupted time series evaluation of a hepatitis C intervention for persons with HIV.

Accurate HCV knowledge is lacking among high-risk groups, including people with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Liver disease primarily due to HCV has emerged as a serious cause of mortality among PLWHA. We used an Interrupted Time Series design to evaluate a social-ecologically based intervention for PLWHA, where an infectious disease clinic serving a six-county intervention area was monitored before (7 months) and after (17 months) intervention onset. The intervention included education of PLWHA and medical providers, HIV/HCV support groups, and adaptation of the patient chart top sheet to include HCV test information. Clinic-level outcomes were assessed prospectively every other week for 2 years by interviewing patients (n = 259) with clinic appointments on assessment days. Abrupt, gradual and delayed intervention effects were tested. Weighted regression analyses showed higher average HCV knowledge and a higher prevalence of patients reporting HCV discussion with their medical providers after intervention onset. A delayed effect was found for HCV awareness, and a gradually increasing effect was found for knowing one’s HCV status. Other communities may consider adopting this intervention. Additional HCV interventions for PLWHA with HIV are needed.
The Use of Student Portfolios in Engineering Instruction

Student portfolios are listed as a possible means of assessment under the basic level accreditation criteria for ABET “Engineering Criteria 2000.” Efforts to initiate student portfolios in engineering instruction have been reported anecdotally in the literature, but a formal study on student portfolios in engineering has not been presented. We assigned student portfolios to freshmen and seniors taking biological engineering core courses containing a significant design component, and evaluated their effectiveness based on exit surveys, course evaluations, and instructor reflection. Portfolios were used to initiate student-centered learning, and to address the assessment issues raised by ABET. Results showed that 78% of seniors and 80% of freshmen believed that the use of student portfolios enhanced their learning. Among the freshmen, 69% of those students who were identified as sensing types by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator found portfolios useful, while 87% of the intuitive types found them useful. In this paper, the methodologies for using portfolios are detailed, the results of applying the portfolio method are presented, and implications and recommendations are discussed.
Coupling distant sites in DNA during DNA mismatch repair.

How can the activities of different proteins that act at two distant sites on DNA be coupled? In cis mechanisms, an intact DNA helix is required so that the protein molecules can slide (diffuse), translocate, polymerize, or otherwise communicate along the DNA helix with the second site. Examples include the nucleotide-dependent translocation of type I and III restriction endonucleases (1) and the polymerization of SeqA that blocks bacterial replication origins (2). In trans mechanisms, contacts occur between the two sites, and the intervening DNA is looped out; this also could occur between sites on different DNAs. Trans mechanisms are common in the regulation of gene expression (3). The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) system must recognize mispairs resulting from replication errors, distinguish between newly synthesized and parental DNA strands, and coordinate an excision repair reaction so that the misincorporated base is removed from the newly synthesized strand (4). In Escherichia coli, MutL mediates communication between the mispairs, which are recognized by MutS, and a distant hemimethylated GATC site, which is cleaved by MutH on the newly synthesized strand that is not yet modified by the Dam methylase (Fig. 1). The single-strand break created by MutH can direct excision either 3′ or 5′ to the mispaired base and is the key postinitiation intermediate in MMR that allows excision to proceed by means of the UvrD helicase and one of four single-stranded DNA exonucleases. Efficient MutH cleavage depends on MutS, MutL, and the mispair; however, the mechanism by which this coupling occurs and drives appropriate directionality of excision is poorly understood even though E. coli MMR was first reconstituted with purified proteins almost 20 years ago (4). In a recent issue of PNAS, Pluciennik and Modrich (5) provided welcome insight into the problem; their results support a cis mechanism for MMR.
Stroke and T-cells

The microvasculature of the brain region affected by a stroke assumes an inflammatory phenotype that is characterized by endothelial cell activation and barrier dysfunction and the recruitment of adherent leukocytes. Although most attention has been devoted to the possible role of neutrophils in the tissue responses to ischemic stroke there is evidence that T-lymphocytes also accumulate in the postischemic brain. Although comparable detailed analyses of lymphocyte involvement in ischemic brain injury have not been performed, emerging findings suggest a role for T-cells in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. The recruitment of T-cells to the site of brain injury is critically dependent on the coordinated expression of adhesion molecules on the activated capillary endothelium. Whether the recruited lymphocytes are acting directly on brain tissue or indirectly through activation of other circulating blood cells and/or extravascular cells remain unclear. Cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells may induce brain injury through molecules released from their cytotoxic granules. CD4+ T-helper 1 (TH1) cells, which secrete proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-12, interferon-γ, and tumor necrosis factor-α, may play a key role in the pathogenesis of stroke, whereas CD4+ TH2 cells may play a protective role through anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13. T-cells should be considered as therapeutic targets for ischemic stroke. However, because infection is a leading cause of mortality in the postacute phase of ischemic stroke, and considering anti-inflammatory role of CD4+ TH2, treatment targeting T-cells should be carefully designed to reduce deleterious and enhance protective actions of T-cells.
Acid neutralizing capacity of lakes in the North Cascades area of Washington State

Thirty three lakes were surveyed in 1983 in the North Cascades area of Washington State and 27 additional lakes were surveyed in 1984 to characterize lake chemistry in the area. Lakewater ANC was less than 100 ueq 1-1 for 37% of the lakes and less than 200 ueq 1-1 for 68% of the lakes. The North Cascades are very similar to unimpacted sensitive areas of North America and Northern Europe in mean alkalinity and (Ca + Mg). Bedrock geology appears to have a significant influence on surface water ANC with lakes on granitic and metamorphic bedrocks having the lowest ANC.
Neonatal Pneumopericardium: A Surgical Emergency

Pneumopericardium, a complication of ventilatory management of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, may result in cardiac tamponade. Pneumopericardium occurred in 47 premature infants (mean birth weight, 1,894 gm) at the University of Minnesota Hospital between July, 1972, and January, 1981. At the onset of pneumopericardium, 44 of 46 intubated patients were on positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and 1 patient was ventilated using a mask. Five infants were asymptomatic, while 42 were seen with sudden hypotension, bradycardia, and hypoxia an average of 57 hours (range, 1 to 312 hours) after the commencement of ventilatory support. Pneumothorax (38 instances), pneumomediastinum (21), pulmonary interstitial emphysema (29), pneumoperitoneum (6), or a combination of these conditions was noted prior to or simultaneously with pneumopericardium in 46 infants. Pneumopericardium was not treated in 14 patients, 10 of whom were symptomatic and 4 asymptomatic; there were 5 deaths in this group. The group of 33 infants treated for this complication underwent either pericardial aspiration (2 patients), aspiration followed by pericardial tube placement (12 patients), or pericardial tube placement alone (19 patients). All 33 patients who underwent treatment had resolution of symptoms, but pneumopericardium recurred in 13 with 5 deaths. Causes of recurrence were tube or aspiration failure in 10 infants and tube removal prior to cessation of PEEP in the other 3. There were five complications related to tube placement, resulting in 2 deaths due to myocardial laceration following percutaneous insertion. Of 35 neonates surviving pneumopericardium, 12 were discharged from the hospital and 23 died of complications of respiratory distress syndrome.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Exposing digital forgeries in video by detecting duplication

With the advent of high-quality digital video cameras and sophisticated video editing software, it is becoming increasingly easier to tamper with digital video. A common form of manipulation is to clone or duplicate frames or parts of a frame to remove people or objects from a video. We describe a computationally efficient technique for detecting this form of tampering.