cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using pollution prevention tools for compliance in the Federal community

In addition to environmental laws, Federal facilities must comply with Presidential Executive Orders, such as Executive Order 12856 which requires Federal facilities to put policies and practices in place in their environmental programs which emphasize pollution prevention as the alternative of {open_quotes}first choice{close_quotes} for how they will (1) achieve compliance with new regulations and requirements; (2) ensure compliance with existing regulations and requirements; and (3) return to compliance when violations are identified. This article identifies major environmental laws and executive orders affecting Federal facilities and presents demonstrated pollution prevention techniques and tools that will help Federal facilities with the environmental challenges while meeting mission objectives. 5 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs.
Spine-based ageing methods in the spiny dogfish shark, Squalus suckleyi: How they measure up

Abstract The second dorsal spine has historically been used for age determination in the spiny dogfish shark. The dorsal spines are located on the external surface of the body and are subjected to natural wear and breakage. Two methods have been developed to account for the worn portion of the spine and extrapolate the lost annuli. We compared the performance of these methods using a large data collection assembled from multiple sources, and evaluated their utility for stock assessment and management of the spiny dogfish shark Squalus suckleyi in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Our results showed that the two methods produced very different age estimates for older fish with worn spines. Both methods raised significant questions about some aspects of the age estimates produced, and further exploration of techniques to account for worn spine annuli is needed. It is therefore important to develop alternative methods for shark age determination, including those using stained vertebrae.
Evaluation of winter wheat breeding lines for traits related to nitrogen use under organic management

There is growing interest in breeding crop cultivars specifically for organic agriculture, based on recognized differences in environmental conditions and management in organic systems compared to conventional systems, and especially due to environmental heterogeneity among and within individual organic systems. There is a need to develop effective strategies for improving crop performance in organic systems through plant breeding. This study evaluated 12 diverse winter wheat breeding lines chosen from conventional and organic breeding nurseries, six historic varieties, and an experimental perennial wheat population under organic management in the Inland Pacific Northwest region of the USA. A randomized complete block design with three replications in two locations over 2 years was used. Based on an analysis of variance, significant genetic differences and crossover interactions across years were found for grain yield, grain percent nitrogen, grain total nitrogen, and aboveground biomass. There were no main effects of locations or location-by-genotype effects for these traits. Based on comparisons among these breeding lines, it appears that there is a possibility of selecting for performance across a limited ecological zone as top-yielding lines were the same in both locations. However, individual entries may have variable performance across years within a single location so selection for stability of performance over years is also necessary. Using an analysis of direct measures of grain yield and grain %N in each location–year combination and overall, we identified breeding lines with relatively high yield, acceptable grain protein, and stable performance over all four location–year combinations. The use of indirect measures or index selection to simultaneously select for grain yield and protein did not appear to be more effective than direct selection based on yield and grain %N measured under organic management.
Survival of Juvenile Pygmy Rabbits

Until recently, natal behavior of pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis) was largely unknown, and no information on survival of free-ranging juveniles was available. We evaluated survival of radiotagged juvenile pygmy rabbits at 2 sites in east-central Idaho, USA, during 2004 and 2005. We captured juveniles (n 5 58) shortly after they emerged from natal burrows. Mortality rates were high and variable, ranging from 27% for females during 2004 to 63% for males during 2005. Approximately 69% of mortalities were attributed to predation. We evaluated variables influencing juvenile survival through 18 weeks old using known-fate models in Program MARK. We expected survival to decline around the age of natal dispersal and to be lower for young born later in the season. We evaluated 14 candidate models that included sex, year, study area, and relative date of birth within each year. Model selection results did not indicate strong support for any single combination of variables, and 8 competing models all included effects of relative date of birth, year, and study area. These results revealed substantial variability in survival of juveniles across multiple factors, and we documented similar patterns for adult pygmy rabbits. Such high variability in survival over relatively small spatial and temporal scales might contribute to marked fluctuations in populations of pygmy rabbits and, hence, managers interested in monitoring this species might consider monitoring multiple populations across broader geographic areas to assess regional trends in numbers.
Heat propagation in media in the presence of internal conversions

A phenomenological approach to describing heat propagation in media with internal conversions is considered.
Zinc Oxide Growth Morphology on Self-Assembled Monolayer Modified Silver Surfaces

Using organic molecules to direct inorganic crystal growth has opened up new avenues for controlled synthesis on surfaces. Combined with soft lithography to form patterned templates, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been shown to be a powerful approach for the assembly of inorganic nanostructures. In this work, we show that the surface free energy of SAM-modified silver, which depends on end groups and deposition method of SAMs, has a dramatic effect on the nucleation and growth of crystalline ZnO, a technologically important material, from supersaturated solutions. For SAMs with inert methyl end groups, ZnO nucleation is inhibited. For SAMs with chemically active (carboxylic or thiol) end groups, the ZnO morphology is found to be three-dimensional nanorods on low-surface-energy surfaces and two-dimensional thin films on high-energy surfaces.
Optical properties of ultrathin crystalline and amorphous silicon films.

The complex dielectric functions $\left(2lh\ensuremath{\nu}l4\mathrm{eV}\right)$ of ultrathin crystalline silicon $\left(c\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Si}\right)$ and amorphous silicon $\left(a\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}:\mathrm{H}\right)$ films consisting of isolated clusters have been measured at 250 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C by real time spectroellipsometry. For $c\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Si}$ cluster films $\ensuremath{\sim}12\AA{}$ thick, a well-defined absorption onset near 3 eV is observed that blueshifts with decreasing thickness, consistent with quantum confinement of electrons. A much broader absorption onset is observed for $a\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}:\mathrm{H}$ cluster films of similar thickness and is attributed to an electron mean free path less than the cluster size, which limits the observation of confinement effects.
Techniques and procedures for preparation of aquatic samples for chromatographic analyses

The measurement of low levels of organic compounds in environmental samples presents the researcher with a number of possible pathways to effectively obtain and analyze samples. Numerous sampling methods, sample preparation techniques, and extraction procedures are available. A number of different approaches to sampling strategy, isolation, concentration, cleanup and fractionation will be discussed. Objectives for collecting environmental samples differ from those for many other types of samples because reliable measurements at very low levels are frequently required. Often, specific analytes need to be measured at the μg/kg and even ng/kg levels in complex matrices. Advances in analytical methodology continue to lower the levels at which reliable measurements can be made. At these levels, many factors that are of little or no concern in other analytical measurements are of critical importance in influencing the outcome and reliability of environmental analyses. Analytical measurements are used for determining the composition and the quantities of analytes in the defined system at various concentration levels. Environmental analytical measurements provide data about the transportation and transformation of an environmental contraminant and for determination of its concentration in a sample.
SU‐E‐T‐27: An Ontology‐Based Framework for Radiation Oncology Patient Management

Purpose: To describe the benefits of the use of an ontology (a semantic description of concepts, properties, and relationships) as the base of a data management system which provides the (often missing) connecting information regarding goals and process used for patient management. Method and Material: The ontology has been defined with an OWL ontology model using Protege and Oracle. The ontologydatabase consists of the ontology model and the instances (actual data). Supporting code which forms the distributed components is written in Java, C, C++,and Fortran. Messaging between components uses an open‐source AMQP broker. To retrieve and update data, SPARQL queries are messaged to the ontology access components. Results: Initial ontology construction has been based on standard and departmental concepts. Guidelines used include making the ontology of sufficient (and extensible) scope to tie together key concepts with enough depth to be useful for study retrieval (queries), and with enough attribution to identify related source material (files, URLs, other databases, PACS…) when additional detail is desired. Integration of this new knowledge‐modeling mechanism into our clinical/research infrastructure framework is underway. Current efforts focus on modeling and implementing more sophisticated management of planning and delivery for adaptive therapies based on biomarker assessments that identify or predict changed response to the dose received during treatment. In these complex protocols, treatment plans must be organized by treatment directives that specify treatment goals, must include detailed knowledge of prior treatment, and manage all new patient‐specific data acquired during the treatment course. Conclusions: An ontology‐based knowledge base has been developed as the information framework of a new treatment planning and workflow management system. This ontology provides the extensible means to describe and manage highly complex adaptive treatment protocols for unique and advanced clinical studies. Supported in part by NIH grant CA‐P01‐59827
Bayesian estimators of the intraclass correlation coefficient in the one-way random effects model

In this paper Bayesian methods are used to estimate the intraclass correlation coefficient in the balanced one-way random effects model. An estimator associated with the likelihood function derived from a pivotal quantity along with estimators using reference priors are considered. In addition, an estimator based on a posterior median is examined. These estimators are compared to one aiiothei and to the REML (restricted maximum likelihood) estimator in terms of MSE (mean-squared error) A beta-type approximation to the pivotal likelihood is considered This can be combined with a beta prior to produce closed-form expressions that approximate the posterior mean and mode These approximations generally perform well as judged by Bayes risk. Of the estimators considered the authors recommend the one obtained from the pivotal approach. The authors indicate how the estimation procedures may be extended to the unbalanced one-way random effects model.
The Influence of Low Solidity Vaned Diffusers on the Static Pressure Non-Uniformity Caused by a Centrifugal Compressor Discharge Volute

The paper is a sequel to an earlier work by Sorokes et al. 1998, “Investigation of the Circumferential Static Pressure Non-Uniformity Caused by a Centrifugal Compressor Discharge Volute.” The earlier work described experimental and computational fluid dynamics analyses of the non-uniform static pressure distortion caused by the discharge volute in a high pressure, centrifugal compressor with vaneless diffusers. This paper describes additional testing and analytical work done using low solidity vaned diffusers (LSD’s) in place of select vaneless diffusers to determine the alternate diffuser’s effectiveness in eliminating or reducing the magnitude of the non-uniform pressure field. As in the earlier studies, the experiments described in this paper were done using a heavily instrumented gas re-injection compressor operating at over 6000 psia discharge pressure. Instrumentation was installed to measure static, total, and dynamic pressure as well as impeller strain and mechanical vibrations. A brief description of the compressor and instrumentation are provided.Concurrent with the experimental work, CFD runs were completed to study the effect of the alternate vaned diffusers. The CFD pressure profile trends agreed well with the experimental results and provided analytical corroboration for the conclusions drawn from the test data.Conclusions are drawn regarding: a) the effectiveness of the LSD’s on the pressure non-uniformity; b) the associated effects on the measured dynamic strains in the impellers; and c) the usefulness of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in assessing the aerodynamic forces associated with the non-uniformity.© 2000 ASME
Inferior colliculus neuronal responses to masking-level-difference stimuli

Seventy-one inferior colliculus neurons, with best frequencies below 1.5 kHz, were studied in a binaural, forward-masking paradigm in chinchilla. Masker and signal frequencies were presented at neuronal best frequency. Masker level was set 10-15 dB above neuronal threshold and varied to include a range of signal-to-masker ratios and overall intensities. Without the masker, 33 of the neurons preferred an in-phase signal (SO), 29 an out-of-phase (S pi) signal, and the remaining 9 had 'no-preference' (NP), responding equally well to SO and S pi. Complete protocols from 53 of the 71 neurons were obtained with and without maskers over a range of levels. With an in-phase masker (NO), some neurons responded better to dichotic (NOS pi) than to diotic (NOSO) sounds. Generally, they maintained a particular phase preference with and without masker. Some neurons, however, altered phase preference and responsivity when binaural maskers were added to signal. Signal-to-noise ratios between 0 and 30 dB were sufficient to differentiate neuronal responsiveness to NOSO and NOS pi. The results suggest that identical neural mechanisms are not involved in processing unmasked (SO or S pi) and masked binaural sounds (NOSO, NOS pi). Furthermore, changes in neuronal sensitivity favor the NOS pi condition upon addition of noise (NO) to the signal (SO or S pi). We conclude that greater neural activity is generated with stimuli which produce masking-level difference than stimuli that do not.
Microscope fluorometric investigations on the reticulocytic maturation distribution as diagnostic criterion of disordered erythropoiesis.

A microscope fluorometric technique is described which permits not only the visual identification of reticulocytes under the fluorescence microscope but also the determination of their relative stage of maturation to normocytes. The technique is based on a specific staining procedure which results in a fluorescent complex between the reticulocytic RNA and acridine orange. Thus, the relative mass of RNA in the individual reticulocytes can be measured by means of mciroscope fluorometry. As the reticulocytic RNA content decreases and finally disappears during the final maturation process of reticulocytes after their release into the peripheral blood stream, the fluorescence signal indicates the relative degree of this maturation. A characteristic frequency distribution of this parameter can be obtained for a given blood sample by microscope fluorometry measuring 200 to 300 reticulocytes. The preliminary use of this technique for following up the course of two cases of hemolytic anemia and one of pernicious megaloblastic anemia during their treatment demonstrates the potential diagnostic value of this technique of identifying the change of the reticulocyte maturation distribution in addition to the reticulocyte count. Satisfactory agreement between the microscope fluorometric results and those obtained by counting separately the four reticulocytic maturation stages according to Heilmeyer and Wesbauser has been achieved. The possibility of obtaining quantitative and comparable results by use of this method may be considered a general advantage and a promising basis for the development of an automated technique.
Effect of Expresser Role and Type of Self-Touching on Observers' Perceptions1

The effect of a nonverbal behavior frequently displayed during social interaction, self-touching, was analyzed with respect to body location, other nonverbal behaviors, and expressers' role. In Study 1, hypotheses about role (job applicant, medical patient, friend, stranger) and levels of anxiety and familiarity were substantiated. In Study 2, subjects rated females who displayed several types of self-touching (to nose, arm, hand) singly, or in combination with head nodding or leg recrossing, representing the four roles in Study 1. Hypotheses based on types of self-touching and role were supported by linear contrasts; for example, hand rubbing by job applicant and patient, who were expected to experience some anxiety, was judged as more acceptable than for friend or stranger. Discrete self-touching (nose) was evaluated as more expressive and warm than unpatterned self-touching (hand, arm) for friend and stranger. Control scenes (no movement) were rated as more calm and dominant, but less expressive, warm, and interested.
Use of arc-jet hypersonic blunted wedge flows for evaluating performance of Orbiter TPS

Arc-jet tests at NASA/JSC have been conducted recently to evaluate the performance of the Orbiter Thermal Protection System (TPS) on three critical areas of the side and top of the Orbiter fuselage: (1) cargo bay door, (2) crew access door, and (3) LRSI/FRSI joint regions. Test articles corresponding to these three areas on the Orbiter were mounted in an arc-jet test chamber in a blunted-wedge holder and exposed to hypersonic flow at various angles of attack. The effects of flow direction, heating load, and overtemperature were investigated. In addition, the reuse capability of the TPS materials was evaluated, along with the protection of the pressure seals within the test articles. Thermal match model predictions correlated well with primary structure thermocouple data. Heating rate and pressure predictions based on a nonequilibrium flow field computer program showed good agreement with arc-jet test data and existing hypersonic flow theories.
Insights gained from the analysis of performance and participation in online formative assessment.

Background: Online quizzes are simple, cost-effective methods to provide formative assessment, but their effectiveness in enhancing learning and performance in medical education is unclear. Purpose: The purpose of this article is to determine the extent to which online quiz performance and participation enhances students’ performance on summative examinations. Methods: A retrospective case study investigating relationships between formative and summative assessment in terms of use and outcomes. Results: Online quiz scores and the rates of quiz participation were significantly correlated with corresponding performance on summative examinations. However, correlations were not dependent on the specific quiz content, and changes in patterns of quiz use were not reflected in corresponding changes in summative examination performance. Conclusions: The voluntary use of online quizzes, as well as the score attained, provides a useful general indicator of student performance but is unlikely to be sensitive enough ...
Human Capital Challenges Facing the Public Company Auditing Profession

SYNOPSIS: This paper addresses human capital (HC) challenges facing the public company auditing profession. In my opinion, the HC challenges facing the profession make it less likely that the profession can effectively serve the interests of the investing public in the future, and I believe that we must consider fundamental changes to our educational model if these challenges are to be adequately addressed. In the sections below, I consider the quantity and quality of accounting graduates, the quantity and quality of new accounting and auditing faculty, and a potential educational solution to the HC challenges facing the profession. To the extent possible, I cross-reference my identification of HC challenges to the Advisory Committee on the Auditing Profession’s discussion outline (see http://www.treas.gov/offices/domestic-finance/acap/agendas/outline-10-15-07.pdf). I hope that these comments will provide useful input to the Advisory Committee’s deliberations and will promote additional analysis and debat...
Dynamic Channel Assignment and Link Scheduling in Multi-Radio Multi-Channel Wireless Mesh Networks

Capacity limitation is one of the fundamental issues in wireless mesh networks. This paper addresses capacity improvement issues in multi-radio multi-channel wireless mesh networks. Our objective is to find a dynamic channel assignment and link schedule that maximizes the network capacity for ftp-type applications and video-type applications, respectively. Specifically, we minimize the number of time slots needed to schedule all the flows for ftp-type applications and maximize the minimal link satisfaction ratio for video-type applications. The problems are formulated as linear programming and we provide two heuristics to solve these problems. One heuristic uses a set covering strategy and the other uses a link-weight- adjusting strategy. We perform a trade-off analysis between network performance and hardware cost based on the number of radios and channels in different topologies. This work provides valuable insights for wireless mesh network designers during network planning and deployment.
Performance of Posttensioned Curved-Strand Connections in Transverse Joints of Precast Deck Panels

Accelerated bridge construction techniques have resulted in state-of-the-art options that save time and money during the construction of new or existing bridges. One such group of techniques that has generated considerable interest is the use of precast-concrete deck panels. Using precast-concrete deck panels allows for off-site curing, thus eliminating long delays from formwork construction and concrete curing time. Despite the benefits, problems can develop as a result of the inherent joints between the individual panels. These joints are locations for potential leakage, which can result in corrosion or inadequate long-term performance. Posttensioning the precast deck panels helps to eliminate leakage, but conventional longitudinal posttensioning systems require complete deck replacement in the event of a single faulty deck panel. The proposed posttensioned curved-strand connection presented in this paper allows for single-panel replacement. The capacity of the proposed curved-strand connection was investigated to compare its behavior with that of other systems currently in use. The curved-strand connection was found to be comparable to a standard posttensioning system. The ultimate capacity of the curved-strand connection in negative bending was found to be 97% of the standard posttensioning connection.
Heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula : use and a neonatal early extubation protocol

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are frequent complications of prematurity. To decrease ventilator-induced lung injury, we evaluated the safety, efficacy and neonatal outcomes of a heated humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) system and an early extubation protocol (EEP) designed for preterm infants 25 to 29 weeks’ gestational age (GA). The Vapotherm (VT) high-flow humidification system was introduced to our unit in March 2004. After 10 months of VT use, an EEP was developed to begin January 2005. Infants 25 to 29 weeks of GA, intubated for RDS, were enrolled in January–December 2005 to extubate to VT following the EEP. Exclusion criteria were: major congenital anomalies, asphyxia and a 5 min Apgar score <5. Variables examined included BPD, growth and infection. Subjects were compared to historical controls, admitted January to December 2003, prior to the use of VT. Inclusion criteria were met by 49/57 infants in the control group and 65/75 infants in the HFNC group. The groups had similar demographics, perinatal conditions, birthweight, GA, timing and total doses of surfactant. There were no differences in rates of extubation failure, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, laser eye surgery, sepsis, BPD at 28 days and 36 weeks and death. The groups did not differ in oxygen use, i.v. steroid days, or parenteral nutrition days. Days to reach full feeds were similar. Infants in the HFNC group were extubated from a higher ventilator rate (32.6±8.5 vs 28±7.5, P=0.003) and spent fewer days on the ventilator (11.4±12.8 vs 18.5±21, P=0.028). Rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia were higher in the control group (P=0.018). Discharge weights were greater in the HFNC group (P=0.016) despite similar length of stay and GA at discharge. High-flow nasal cannula use appears safe and well-tolerated. Infants extubated to HFNC spent fewer days on the ventilator. Additional benefits may include a decreased rate of ventilator associated with pneumonia and improved growth.
Aortic branch artery pseudoaneurysms accompanying aortic dissection. Part II. Distinction from penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers.

PURPOSE Small collections of contrast material are frequently seen within the otherwise thrombosed false lumen of an aortic dissection (AD). These collections can be divided into those without apparent communication with the aortic lumen (ie, pseudoaneurysms) and those with obvious communications (ie, ulcers). The present study was performed to test the hypotheses that pseudoaneurysms and ulcers differ in their distribution around the aorta and that the distribution of pseudoaneurysms is similar to that of small aortic branch arteries. MATERIALS AND METHODS Computed tomography (CT) scans in 187 patients with AD and thrombosed false lumens showed 335 intramural contrast medium collections, including 128 pseudoaneurysms and 207 ulcers. CT scans in 40 control individuals without AD were reviewed to localize small aortic branch arteries. The angular distributions around the circumference of the aorta of pseudoaneurysms and ulcers and the branch artery origins were tabulated and compared. The frequency of detection of small branch arteries arising from the contrast material collections was noted. RESULTS The angular distribution of pseudoaneurysms did not differ significantly from that of branch artery origins but did differ from that of ulcers. Pseudoaneurysms were found along the posterior, medial, and anterior walls of the aorta in the chest, sparing the lateral wall abutting the pleura. Ulcers tended to spare the arc containing branch artery origins. The composite distribution of ulcers and pseudoaneurysms appears uniform around the circumference of the aorta except at the T10–T12 levels. CONCLUSIONS Branch artery pseudoaneurysms spare the pleural surface of the aorta and have nearly the same distribution around the circumference of the aorta as the origins of small aortic branch arteries. In contrast, ulcers tend to spare branch artery origins. The characteristic appearance and distribution of pseudoaneurysms on CT can help differentiate them from ulcers.
Cation radicals of 1,3,5-tris(diarylamino)benzenes

Abstract Cyclic voltammetry and ESR studies reveal the nature of the cation radicals of some 1,3,5-tris(diarylamino)benzenes. Results show effectively delocalized radical cations with long solution lifetimes in cold media but with much less kinetic stability at ambient temperature than their monomeric triarylaminium cation radical counterparts. Intramolecular ortho coupling, perhaps via disproportionation, is a postulated cation radical decay mode.
Universal Grapheme-to-Phoneme Prediction Over Latin Alphabets

We consider the problem of inducing grapheme-to-phoneme mappings for unknown languages written in a Latin alphabet. First, we collect a data-set of 107 languages with known grapheme-phoneme relationships, along with a short text in each language. We then cast our task in the framework of supervised learning, where each known language serves as a training example, and predictions are made on unknown languages. We induce an undirected graphical model that learns phonotactic regularities, thus relating textual patterns to plausible phonemic interpretations across the entire range of languages. Our model correctly predicts grapheme-phoneme pairs with over 88% F1-measure.
Integrated SIMO DC-DC converter with on-line charge meter for adaptive PCCM operation

This paper presents a single-inductor dual-output (SIDO) boost converter operating adaptively in pseudo-continuous conduction mode (PCCM). By employing an on-line charge meter, the freewheel switching current of the converter is instantaneously adjusted based on load conditions so that conduction loss in the freewheel switch is minimized. Moreover, switching loss of the freewheel switch is also reduced by eliminating unnecessary switching actions. The converter was designed with a 130-nm CMOS process. The input voltage is 1.5 V and two outputs are regulated at 2.5 V and 1.8 V respectively, at a switching frequency of 500 kHz. The expectant specifications are successfully verified with fully transistor-based HSPICE simulations.
Angiographic correlates of cardiac death and myocardial infarction complicating major nonthoracic vascular surgery

Abstract In an era when many patients with high-grade coronary stenoses undergo revascularization before peripheral vascular surgery, most perioperative infarcts appear to occur due to inadequate collaterization of total occlusions, and a lesser number also occur without any apparent “significant” occlusion. As a consequence, collateralized total occlusions involving substantial areas of viable myocardium may best be considered for revascularization before a major operation of this type.
Competitive Labour: Divisions between Zambian and Zimbabwean Workers1

By the late nineteenth century, Victoria Falls was a popular travel destination for Europeans, South Africans, and Americans who hoped to find adventure amidst what they deemed a wild physical and cultural landscape. Although a tourism industry was first established on the northern side of the Zambezi (Zambia), the southern side of the Falls (Zimbabwe) quickly joined in commercial development. Victoria Falls is now one of the most visited sites in Africa, and labour patterns around this site continue to be strongly influenced by developments in the tourism industry. Because the waterfalls served as a natural border between Northern and Southern Rhodesia, the colonial policies and development strategies on either side led to different commercial activities. The imbalanced nature of the development of tourism at this border continues to affect the working lives of local populations today. The Zimbabwean side of the border dominated the tourist market for decades, and Zambians living just across the Zambezi ...
Culture and Politics at the Court of Charles II, 1660–1685. By Matthew Jenkinson. (Woodbridge, England: Boydell Press, 2010. Pp. xv, 293. $99.00.)

This study makes an important contribution to our understanding of the tensions that characterized the years following the Restoration as well as the significance of the court as a political instit...
Effects of multiple blade interaction on the containment of blade fragments during a rotor failure

A finite element analysis is used to study the impact and the containment aspects of rotor blade fragments that are produced during a aircraft jet engine rotor failure. The impact and containment studies are performed on a ring-type containment structure and various fragment types are considered in this study. For each type of fragment, the ring thickness is varied incrementally and the ring response, residual kinetic energy level of the fragments, magnitude of impact forces and the overall containment or failure are determined. First, only a single fragment is considered and the rotor is assumed to contain no other blades. Next, the remaining blades are introduced and the effects of multiple collisions with the other blades on the containment are analyzed. The explicit, nonlinear finite element code Dyna3d is used for the numerical computations in this study and the results are compared with the experimental results performed on a T58 rotor at the spin facility of the Naval Air Propulsion Test Center.
Effects of cold modality application with static and intermittent pneumatic compression on tissue temperature and systemic cardiovascular responses.

Background:In the therapeutic setting, cryotherapy with varying levels of intermittent cyclical compression often replaces an ice bag and elastic wrap. However, little is known about the cardiovascular strain and tissue temperature decreases associated with cooling and intermittent compression.Hypothesis:The authors hypothesized that higher levels of intermittent compression will result in greater reductions of tissue temperature and that all cold modalities will cause acute increases in cardiovascular strain.Design:Experimental crossover repeated measure design.Methods:Ten healthy subjects (23 ± 3 years) volunteered for 4 cryotherapy sessions (30-minute treatments with 30-minute passive recovery). Treatments included ice with elastic wrap and Game Ready (GR) with no, medium (5-50 mmHg), and high compression (5-75 mmHg). Throughout the experiment, oral, skin surface, and intramuscular quadriceps temperatures were measured along with mean arterial pressure, heart rate, rate pressure product, forearm blood ...
Capsular Laxity of the Hip: Findings at Magnetic Resonance Arthrography

Purpose The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography imaging findings associated with capsular laxity of the hip joint found at surgery. Methods After institutional review board approval, 27 patients who had arthroscopy reports that described the presence or absence of capsular laxity of the hip joint were identified over a 2-year period. Preoperative MR images were retrospectively reviewed by 2 blinded radiologists. The following observations were recorded: (1) thickness, signal intensity, and defects of the anterior joint capsule; (2) thickness and signal intensity of the zona orbicularis; (3) width of the anterior and posterior joint recesses at the level of the femoral head; (4) presence of synovitis in the anterior joint recess; and (5) volume of intra-articular contrast and degree of hip rotation. Intrarater and inter-rater agreement was assessed. Results Of the 27 patients, 17 were positive and 10 were negative for hip joint laxity at arthroscopy. The mean thickness of the anterior hip capsule was significantly different ( P = .0043), measuring 2.5 mm (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.3 to 2.8 mm) in those with hip laxity and 3.3 mm (95% CI, 2.8 to 3.8 mm) in those without laxity. The mean width of the anterior joint recess was 5.8 mm (95% CI, 5.4 to 6.3 mm) in those with laxity and 3.6 mm (95% CI, 3.3 to 3.9 mm) in those without laxity and was significantly different ( P Conclusions On the basis of 95% CIs, hip joint laxity at MR arthrography is associated with widening of the anterior hip joint recess (>5 mm) and thinning of the adjacent joint capsule ( Level of Evidence Level III, case-control study.
Representation of moment matrix with predefined wavelet packet basis

A general wavelet packet tree is proposed to generate a predefined wavelet packet basis for the efficient representation of electrodynamic integral equations. The wavelet packet decomposition tree is constructed by zooming in along the spectral oscillation frequency of the free-space Green's function. This is in contrast to the conventional wavelet transform which zooms in along the lowest spectral frequency. Numerical results show the transformed moment matrix based on the pre-defined wavelet packet basis has about O(N/sup 1.3/) above-threshold elements for typical scatterers.
Prevalence and characteristics of antimicrobial stewardship programs at freestanding children's hospitals in the United States.

Background and Objective. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are a mechanism to ensure the appropriate use of antimicrobials. The extent to which ASPs are formally implemented in freestanding children's hospitals is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of ASPs in freestanding children's hospitals. Methods. We conducted an electronic survey of 42 freestanding children's hospitals that are members of the Children's Hospital Association to determine the presence and characteristics of their ASPs. For hospitals without an ASP, we determined whether stewardship strategies were in place and whether there were barriers to implementing a formal ASP. Results. We received responses from 38 (91%) of 42. Among responding institutions, 16 (38%) had a formal ASP, and 15 (36%) were in the process of implementing a program. Most ASPs (13 [81%] of 16) were started after 2007. The median number of full-time equivalents dedicated to ASPs was 0.63 (range, 0.1–1.8). The most common antimicrobials monitored by ASPs were linezolid, vancomycin, and carbapenems. Many hospitals without a formal ASP were performing stewardship activities, including elements of prospective audit and feedback (9 [41%] of 22), formulary restriction (9 [41%] of 22), and use of clinical guidelines (17 [77%] of 22). Antimicrobial outcomes were more likely to be monitored by hospitals with ASPs (100% vs 68%; P = .01), although only 1 program provided support for a data analyst. Conclusions. Most freestanding children's hospitals have implemented or are developing an ASP. These programs differ in structure and function, and more data are needed to identify program characteristics that have the greatest impact.
Vascular smooth muscle cell functional contractility depends on extracellular mechanical properties

Vascular smooth muscle cells' primary function is to maintain vascular homeostasis through active contraction and relaxation. In diseases such as hypertension and atherosclerosis, this function is inhibited concurrent to changes in the mechanical environment surrounding vascular smooth muscle cells. It is well established that cell function and extracellular mechanics are interconnected; variations in substrate modulus affect cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. To date, it is unknown how the evolving extracellular mechanical environment of vascular smooth muscle cells affects their contractile function. Here, we have built upon previous vascular muscular thin film technology to develop a variable-modulus vascular muscular thin film that measures vascular tissue functional contractility on substrates with a range of pathological and physiological moduli. Using this modified vascular muscular thin film, we found that vascular smooth muscle cells generated greater stress on substrates with higher moduli compared to substrates with lower moduli. We then measured protein markers typically thought to indicate a contractile phenotype in vascular smooth muscle cells and found that phenotype is unaffected by substrate modulus. These data suggest that mechanical properties of vascular smooth muscle cells' extracellular environment directly influence their functional behavior and do so without inducing phenotype switching.
Genetic Evaluation of the Human Fetus in Utero: Present and Future Perspectives

Rapid progress is being made in the science of human genetics. Methods developed primarily in microbial systems for the detailed study of genes and their actions, can now, in some instances, be extended to the study of man. These scientific accomplishments, coupled with changing social and legal attitudes, provide important and challenging new tools for the physician-geneticist.
Electronic versus vibrational optical nonlinearities of push-pull polymers

Abstract The electronic and nuclear contributions to the second-order polarizabilities of donor/acceptor substituted polymers are calculated in the intermediate frequency regime relevant for optical material applications (laser frequency high compared to nuclear and low compared to electronic transitions). We find that the purely electronic contribution is positive and vibrations only make a ∼5–10% negative correction. This is in marked contrast with the static (zero frequency) response where both contributions are positive and have comparable magnitudes. Despite recent suggestions to the contrary, purely electronic structure/polarizability relations provide a useful guide for the synthesis of new materials.
A markov chain-based probability vector approach for modeling spatial uncertainties of soil classes

Due to our imperfect knowledge of soil distributions acquired from techniques may represent an optimal guess based on field surveys, spatial uncertainties inevitably arise in mapping soils at unobserved locations.Providing spatial uncertaintyinformation along the dataset and the interpolation method used, but does with survey maps is crucial for risk assessment and decision-making. not reflect the real spatial variation characteristics beThis paper introduces a novel probability vector approach for spatial cause of uneven smoothing effects (Goovaerts, 1997, uncertainty modeling of soil classes based on an existing two-dimen- p. 369–370). As Journel (1997, p. viii) pointed out: “The sional Markov chain model for conditional simulation. The objective very reason for geostatistics and the future of the disis to find an accurate and efficient way to represent spatial uncertaint- cipline lie in the modeling of uncertainty, at each node ies that arise in mapping soil classes. Joint conditional probability through conditional distribution and globally through distribution (JCPD) represented by a set of occurrence probability stochasticimages(conditional simulations).”Therefore, vectors (PVs) of soil classes is directly calculated from conditional soil survey maps should be accompanied by related spaMarkov transition probabilities, rather than the conventional approxitial uncertainty information. Data reflecting spatial un
Flavitrack : an annotated database of flavivirus sequences

Motivation: Properly annotated sequence data for flaviviruses, which cause diseases, such as tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), dengue fever (DF), West Nile (WN) and yellow fever (YF), can aid in the design of antiviral drugs and vaccines to prevent their spread. Flavitrack was designed to help identify conserved sequence motifs, interpret mutational and structural data and track evolution of phenotypic properties. Summary: Flavitrack contains over 590 complete flavivirus genome/ protein sequences and information on known mutations and literature references. Each sequence has been manually annotated according to its date and place of isolation, phenotype and lethality. Internal tools are provided to rapidly determine relationships between viruses in Flavitrack and sequences provided by the user.
Force field calculations (MM3) on glyoxal, quinones, and related compounds

A general force field type of calculation has been devised in connection with MM3 to treat 1,2- and 1,4-diketones, both when they are not conjugated (as in derivatives of glyoxal) and when they are conjugated (as in derivatives of ortho- and para-benzoquinone). The molecular structures, moments of inertia, dipole moments, and vibrational spectra have been examined for about 15 compounds, some in several conformations. Ab initio calculations (6-31G*) have been used to determine quantities that have not been previously defined by experiment. In general, the force field permits the calculation of the structures with high accuracy, and the spectroscopic and conformational energy data with fair accuracy. © 1994 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Body in Multiple Sclerosis: A Patient’s Perspective

The experience of illness means much more to the person who is ill than simply a collection of physical signs which define a particular disease state. Illness represents a distinct way of being in the world — a way of being which is characterized not simply by bodily dysfunction but by a concurrent disruption of self and the surrounding world [11]. This global sense of disorder is precipitated by a radical transformation in the relation between body and self. In health the body is, for the most part, taken for granted and ignored. Only occasionally do we pay explicit attention to our physical capacities, and then only in a fleeting manner. Normally we act in the world through the medium of our bodies in a largely unreflective fashion. We see, hear, speak, and move unthinkingly as we go about our business, simply accepting the cohesion of body and self. Illness disturbs this body/self unity. The malfunctioning body intrudes itself into our everyday existence, becoming the focal point and object of attention. In particular, the body presents itself as an oppositional force which curtails activities, thwarts plans and projects, and disrupts our involvements with the surrounding world. In various and varied ways the body is experienced as essentially alien, as that which is Other-than-me.
Evaluation of a cone beam computed tomography geometry for image guided small animal irradiation

The conventional imaging geometry for small animal cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is that a detector panel rotates around the head-to-tail axis of an imaged animal ('tubular' geometry). Another unusual but possible imaging geometry is that the detector panel rotates around the anterior-to-posterior axis of the animal ('pancake' geometry). The small animal radiation research platform developed at Johns Hopkins University employs the pancake geometry where a prone-positioned animal is rotated horizontally between an x-ray source and detector panel. This study is to assess the CBCT image quality in the pancake geometry and investigate potential methods for improvement. We compared CBCT images acquired in the pancake geometry with those acquired in the tubular geometry when the phantom/animal was placed upright simulating the conventional CBCT geometry. Results showed signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios in the pancake geometry were reduced in comparison to the tubular geometry at the same dose level. But the overall spatial resolution within the transverse plane of the imaged cylinder/animal was better in the pancake geometry. A modest exposure increase to two folds in the pancake geometry can improve image quality to a level close to the tubular geometry. Image quality can also be improved by inclining the animal, which reduces streak artifacts caused by bony structures. The major factor resulting in the inferior image quality in the pancake geometry is the elevated beam attenuation along the long axis of the phantom/animal and consequently increased scatter-to-primary ratio in that orientation. Not withstanding, the image quality in the pancake-geometry CBCT is adequate to support image guided animal positioning, while providing unique advantages of non-coplanar and multiple mice irradiation. This study also provides useful knowledge about the image quality in the two very different imaging geometries, i.e. pancake and tubular geometry, respectively.