cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Return of Motion After Simultaneous Repair of Displaced Bucket-Handle Meniscal Tears and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract Summary: Patients with displaced bucket-handle (DBH) meniscal tears in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees are prone to flexion contracture following meniscal repair and simultaneous ACL reconstruction. It has been suggested that ACL reconstruction be delayed until full range of motion has returned after the meniscal repair. A retrospective analysis was performed comparing the return of extension in patients undergoing simultaneous ACL reconstruction and repair of DBH tears (group A) versus a control group of patients with non-DBH tears (group B). Age, sex, body mass index, duration of time from injury to surgery, and preoperative extension were also compared between groups and evaluated for their significance as risk factors. Patients in group A achieved recovery to −5° and 0° of extension 22% and 35% more slowly, respectively, when compared with group B. These differences were not statistically significant. Female patients tended to heal more rapidly in both groups. We conclude that a one-stage procedure is sufficient in allowing patients with DBH tears in ACL-deficient knees to regain a functional knee to within 5° of full extension. Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 15, No 2 (March), 1999: pp 192–196
Sedimentation in the Lake of Tunis: A lagoon strongly influenced by man

The Lake of Tunis in northern Tunisia is a eutrophic marine lagoon covering 45 km2 to an average depth of 1 m. Exchange of water with the Mediterranean Sea is restricted to a few canals. Bottom sediment is mainly calcareous sandy mud with much organic material. Sand-size grains commonly include quartz, dolomite, gypsum, and pyrite, as well as calcareous skeletal material dominated by molluscan fragments. Pyrite is the only important authigenic mineral presently forming. Principal sources of sediment are sewage sludge and fill, calcareous marine organisms, including abundant worm reefs, and local intermittent streams. The concentrations of Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, Zn, Cu, and Fe are significantly higher in Lake of Tunis sediments than in sediments from Bahiret el Bibane, an unpolluted lagoon in the south of Tunisia. Man has affected the Lake of Tunis in four important ways. (1) Cultivation by early settlers, particularly the Romans, caused increased regional erosion and probably provided the sediment that encloses the lagoon. (2) In the mid-1800's the French constructed a ship canal which reduced intralagoonal circulation as well as exchange with the Mediterranean. (3) Nutrient pollution from sewage has encouraged the growth of circulation-restricting worm reefs, caused eutrophication and fish kills, and produced H2S odor which permeates the city of Tunis during the summer. (4) Finally, man has significantly reduced the size of the lagoon by filling the lagoon and operating salt pans.
Selection and Evaluation of Heat-Resistant Alloys for SOFC Interconnect Applications

Over the past several years, the steady reduction in SOFC operating temperatures to the intermediate range of 700~850oC [1] has made it feasible for lanthanum chromite to be supplanted by metals or alloys as the interconnect materials. Compared to doped lanthanum chromite, metals or alloys offer significantly lower raw material and fabrication costs. However, to be a durable and reliable, a metal or alloy has to satisfy several functional requirements specific to the interconnect under SOFC operating conditions. Specifically, the interconnect metal or alloy should possess the following properties: (i) Good surface stability (resistance to oxidation, hot corrosion, and carburization) in both cathodic (air) and anodic (fuel) atmospheres; (ii) Thermal expansion matching to the ceramic PEN (positive cathode-electrolyte-negative anode) and seal materials (as least for a rigid seal design); (iii) High electrical conductivity through both the bulk material and in-situ formed oxide scales; (iv) Bulk and interfacial thermal mechanical reliability and durability at the operating temperature; (v) Compatibility with other materials in contact with interconnects such as seals and electrical contact materials.
Out with the old, in with the old: A closer look at younger versus older elderly migration

Objective. This research examines the migration behavior of the elderly, recognizing that the older and younger elderly may make different decisions and have different consequences for the states in which they live. Methods. Using U.S. Census migration flow data, we describe the movements of the younger and older elderly. Our econometric analysis brings together the wisdom of elderly migration research that focuses on motives (amenity vs. return/assistance) and the Tiebout-related research that considers the effects of policy. Results. We find that all elderly age groups avoid moving to states with high estate/inheritance/gift taxes, although the effect weakens with age. Likewise, the younger elderly appear to be “shopping around” for destinations with a temperate climate and favorable government policies regarding income taxes and welfare spending, whereas the older elderly are more likely to be “driven out” of their origin state by a high cost of living and income and property taxes. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that both the patterns of migration and the factors that affect migration decisions differ between the younger and older elderly.
Trichuris suis: thiol protease activity from adult worms.

Abstract Trichuris suis,the whipworm of swine, causes anemia, weight loss, anorexia, mucohemorrhagic diarrhea, and death in heavy infections. A zinc metalloprotease has been suggested to play a role in the severe enteric pathology associated with infection and the infiltration of opportunistic bacteria into deeper tissues in the swine colon. In this study, a thiol protease from gut extracts of adultT. suisand from excretory/secretory components (E/S) of adult worms was characterized using fluorogenic peptide substrates and protein substrate gels. The protease cleaved the fluorogenic substrate Z-Phe-Arg-AMC, and this cleavage was completely inhibited by the thiol protease inhibitors E-64, leupeptin, Z-Phe-Ala-CH2F, and Z-Phe-Arg-CH2F. Gelatin substrate gels and fluorescence assays using both the gut and the stichosome extracts and E/S revealed enhanced activity when 2 mMdithiothreitol or 5 mMcysteine was included in the incubation buffer, and optimal activity was seen over a pH range of 5.5 to 8.5. Incubation of gut extracts or E/S material with inhibitors of aspartic, serine, or metalloproteases had no effect on the cleavage of Z-Phe-Arg-AMC. Thiol protease activity was found in extracts of gut tissue but not in the extracts of stichocytes of adult worms. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of the protease revealed sequence homologies with cathepsin B-like thiol protease identified from parasitic and free-living nematodes.
Optimization over H

The subject of H∞ control (as well as other branches of engineering) leads directly to sup norm optimization of rather general functionals on H∞. This article surveys the known qualitative and quantitative results on such optimization problems. Our emphasis is on highly nonlinear performance criteria which lead to problems that are not accessible to the established techniques of Adamajan-Arov-Krein, Glover, and Foias-Nagy, Sarason.
VERY RAPID FORGETTING: REPLY TO MUTER

We reply to the commentary in which Muter (1995) disputes the findings and arguments of Cunningham, Healy, Till, Fendrich, and Dimitry (1993) concerning the rate of forgetting from primary memory. Although Muter (1980) had reported very rapid forgetting when secondary memory processes were minimized, Cunningham et al. found that the rate of forgetting from primary memory was no more rapid when secondary memory processes were minimal than it was when secondary memory processes were substantial. We locate the discrepancy between the two studies specifically at recall performance on the 0-sec retention interval, and we argue that the very rapid forgetting found by Muter (1980) can be attributed in large part to the fact that although subjects in his experiments did not expect to recall the letters after a filled retention interval, at the time of encoding and after an unfilled delay they did have a high overall expectancy to recall the letters.
Chinese technical endeavour

The Shorter Science and Civilisation in China. Vol. 1. An abridgement by C.A. Ronan of J. Needham's original text. Pp.326. Published by (Cambridge University Press: London, New York and Melbourne, 1978.) £7.95.
Understanding ADA Education Program Recognition and the Pharmacist’s Role

Diabetes is a prevalent chronic disease with costly humanistic and clinical outcomes. Pharmacists have proven their value in the provision of diabetes education and management services that lead to improvement in disease. A primary barrier to pharmacists’ providers has been compensation for services. Although pharmacists are not recognized as providers by most nationally recognized payers, pharmacists can serve as instructors through diabetes self-management education programs accredited by the American Diabetes Association. These accredited programs are recognized by Medicare and can receive payment for diabetes self-management education services. Newly revised national standards have further recognized the role of a pharmacist educator and have made it more attainable for pharmacies to achieve program recognition status.
Infinite-Dimensional Dynamical Systems

We address the Lyapunov stability and the boundedness of motions (Lagrange stability) of infinite-dimensional dynamical systems determined by differential equations defined on Banach spaces and by semigroups with an emphasis on the qualitative properties of equilibria. We consider continuous as well as discontinuous dynamical systems (DDS). Most of the results involve monotonic Lyapunov functions. However, some of the stability results for DDS involve non-monotonic Lyapunov functions as well.
Botanical Medicine for Thyroid Regulation

Various herbal medicines show enormous promise when it comes to hyperthyroid conditions. Of particular note are bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus), gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus), water horehound (Lycopus lucidus or Lycopus americanus), gromwell (Lithospermum ruderale), and European gromwell (Lithospermum officinale). Lemonbalm (Melissa officinalis) also shows promise in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and sage (Salvia officinalis) should be investigated, given their similarities to lemon balm. Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus), a brown algae, occupies a unique place in therapy in that the herb is used for treating both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, although the seaweed’s effects are poorly understood. Other herbs—often used for treating hypothyroidism, such as gotu kola (Centella asiatica), coleus or forskohlii (Plectranthus barbatus, also known as Coleus forskohlii), guggul (Commiphora mukul), and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)—have varying degrees of preclinica...
Expression of estrogen receptors-α and -β in bladder cancer cell lines and human bladder tumor tissue

BACKGROUND Estrogen receptors (ERs) are known to mediate important physiologic responses as well as the growth of some tumors in response to estradiol stimulation. In a previous study the selective ER modulator raloxifene was shown to induce apoptosis in an ERβ-positive bladder cancer cell line. However, the expression of ERβ in human bladder cancer has not been thoroughly investigated. METHODS ERα and ERβ expression in 224 bladder tumor samples was evaluated using tissue microarray and immunohistochemistry. Levels of ERα and ERβ protein and mRNA expression were determined in several bladder cancer cell lines using quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. The effect of estradiol and antiestrogen treatments on RT4 bladder cancer cell growth was determined by cell proliferation assays. RESULTS Analyses revealed that only 2 human bladder cancers weakly expressed ERα. In contrast, the expression of ERβ was detected in 141 tumors (63%). ERβ was expressed in 58% of WHO Grade 1 and 2 tumors, whereas 70% of Grade 3 tumors demonstrated expression (P=.085). Importantly, although only 53% and 55% of Ta and T1 tumors demonstrated ERβ expression, 80% of T2, 81% of T3, and 75% of T4 tumors showed ERβ expression. The differences in ERβ expression between Ta/T1 and T2/T3/T4 tumors were found to be highly significant (P<.001). Metastatic transitional cell carcinomas had ERβ expression (80%) comparable to that of muscle invasive bladder cancers. Western blot analysis detected ERβ protein expression in each of the 5 bladder cancer cell lines tested, whereas no or very low levels of ERα were found. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that higher levels of ERβ than ERα mRNA were present in 5637, T-24, TSU-Pr1, and TCC-Sup bladder cancer cells, whereas ER-α mRNA levels were greater than ERβ in RT4 cells. Treatment with 17β-estradiol modestly increased RT4 cell growth, whereas the antiestrogens, 4-hydroxtamoxifen, raloxifene, or ICI 182,780 inhibited the growth of RT4 cells. CONCLUSIONS ERβ is the dominant receptor expressed in bladder cancer cell lines and in the majority of human bladder tumors. Moreover, the degree of ERβ expression increases with increasing stage and grade of differentiation. Antiestrogens have an inhibitory effect on the growth of bladder cancer cells in vitro. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Behavioral mechanisms underlying inhibition of food-maintained responding by the cannabinoid receptor antagonist/inverse agonist SR141716A.

Abstract This study investigated the possible behavioral mechanisms underlying the anorectic effect of the cannabinoid CB 1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist N -(piperidin-1-yl)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-1 H -pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride (SR141716A). Male or female rats were food-restricted and trained to emit stable responding in daily 10-min, fixed ratio 10 food-reinforced operant sessions. Under these conditions, as well as under free-feeding conditions, SR141716A inhibited food-maintained responding (ED 50 values ranging from 0.92 to 2.52 mg/kg, i.p.). In the same operant procedure, SR141716A suppressed intracranial self-stimulation with a potency which was slightly lower than the anorectic potency (ED 50 : 4.50 mg/kg). As assessed during a 10-min test period SR141716A (1–10 mg/kg) did not affect activity counts; suggesting that the observed inhibition of operant behavior is not a direct consequence of impairment of locomotor activity. SR141716A, however, attenuated saccharin-preference in a conditioned taste aversion paradigm (ED 50 : 6.45 mg/kg). Although the data support the suggestion that the anorectic effect of SR141716A results from an attenuating effect on the rewarding effect of food, the contribution of drug-induced aversion/malaise cannot be excluded.
Effects of oblique shock waves in the near field of rocket plumes

Rocket nozzle originated oblique shock waves effect on near-field plume inpingement flows, heat transfer and pressure distribution
INFLUENCE OF DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS ON CONSUMER PURCHASING PATTERNS AND PREFERENCES FOR GROUND BEEF

A study of 198 household units in the Fort Collins, CO area was made to ascertain the importance of such factors as consumer age, income, education and marital status on the purchasing patterns for ground beef. Compared to younger consumers, older consumers tended to: (1) make more frequent purchases of ground beef; (2) buy less ground beef per purchase; and (3) select leaner ground beef. Households with gross incomes in excess of $25,000 tended to buy larger quantities of ground beef per purchase and bought leaner ground beef compared to households with less than $15,000 gross income. In making purchasing decisions, participants in the study considered leanness, visual appearance and price as the most important factors, while packaging and brand name were considered the least important factors.
A novel method for the synthesis of 6,7-unsubstituted pyrrolo[3,2-]pyrimidines

Abstract The synthesis of 2,4-dimethoxypyrrolo[3,2- d ]pyrimidine ( 4 ) is described. This facile, 3-step synthesis involves the bromination of 2,4-dimethoxy-6-methyl-5-nitropyrimidine ( 1 ), and the subsequent conversion of compound 1 into compound 4 .
Multisite near-infrared spectroscopy predicts elevated blood lactate level in children after cardiac surgery.

Objectives To determine if a relationship exists between regional oxyhemoglobin saturation (rSO2) measured at various body locations by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and blood lactate level in children after cardiac surgery. Design A prospective, observational study. Setting A pediatric cardiac intensive care unit in a university hospital. Participants Twenty-three children undergoing repair of congenital heart disease. Patients with single-ventricle physiology and/or residual intracardiac shunts were excluded. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Cerebral, splanchnic, renal, and muscle rSO2 values were recorded every 30 seconds via NIRS for 24 hours postoperatively. Blood lactate levels measured minimally at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 24 hours postoperatively were correlated with rSO2 values derived by averaging all values recorded during the 60 minutes preceding the blood draw. Twenty-three patients were enrolled with 163 lactate measurements and more than 39,000 rSO2 observations analyzed. Cerebral rSO2 had the strongest inverse correlation with lactate level followed by splanchnic, renal, and muscle rSO2 (r = −0.74, p Conclusions Averaged cerebral and renal rSO2 less than 65% as measured by NIRS predicts hyperlactatemia (>3 mmol/L) in acyanotic children after congenital heart surgery. Hence, this noninvasive, continuous monitoring tool may facilitate the identification of global hypoperfusion caused by low cardiac output syndrome in this population.
Synthetic metal superlattices

Abstract We consider theoretically a new class of superlattices consisting of alternating layers of quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) conducting polymers. Although both compositional and doping superlattices are possible, we consider only the doping superlattices in detail here. In particular, we first obtain expressions for the two-dimensional density of electrons and holes in a solitonic as well as a polaronic doping superlattice. Next, we use these quantities to discuss the optical absorption coefficient, α(ω), and the photoconductive response of these Q1D superlattices. Due to the presence of non-linear excitations such as solitons and polarons in doped conducting polymers, the optical absorption arises not only from the usual interband transition, but also from the transitions involving localized levels in the Peierls energy gap. The absorption coefficient is a tunable quantity for the Q1D superlattices, since the effective band gap can be tailored to suit the radiaiton wavelength of interest. Finally, we describe certain means of experimentally measuring α(ω) for photon energies smaller than the Peierls gap and discuss the novel features, including the device applications of Q1D superlattices and related modulated structures.
835: National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR): does preeclampsia threaten post pregnancy graft function in kidney transplant recipients?

does preeclampsia threaten post pregnancy graft function in kidney transplant recipients? Sushma Potti, Jason Baxter, Vincenzo Berghella, Lisa A. Coscia, Laura Chia, Cataldo Doria, Serban Constantinescu, Michael Moritz, Vincent Armenti Thomas Jefferson University, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University, Surgery, Philadelphia, PA, Temple University School of Medicine, Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Surgery, Allentown, PA OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare post pregnancy graft function in women with preeclampsia (PE), versus those without PE among female kidney transplant recipients on tacrolimus based immunosuppression. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study was performed. The data were collected by the National Transplantation Pregnancy Registry (NTPR) via patient questionnaires, telephone interviews, transplant and hospital records. RESULTS: There were 54 kidney transplant recipients who reported developing PE with 56 pregnancies resulting in 58 outcomes. Ninetyfour recipients reported no PE with 117 pregnancies resulting in 119 outcomes. All recipients received tacrolimus during pregnancy. Fiftysix cases with PE were compared with 117 controls with no PE. Both groups were comparable in terms of mean age at first transplant (24.7 / 5.2 vs 25 / 5.8 yrs), mean age at conception (30.3 / 5.3 vs 30.6 / 5.1 yrs) and mean transplant to conception interval (4.7 / 2.8 vs 4.4 / 2.9 yrs). The incidence of hypertension requiring treatment before (62.5% vs 44.4%), during (75% vs 49.6%) and after (64.3% vs 46.1%) pregnancy was higher in the PE group as compared to the no PE group. There was no difference in the mean serum creatinine or rate of graft rejection during and within 3 months after pregnancy between both groups. Graft loss within 2 yrs of pregnancy (7.1% vs 8.5%) was similar between groups. At last maternal follow up, 89% recipients in the PE group and 87% with no PE reported adequate graft function (mean follow-up 5.1 / 4.2 vs 5.5 / 3.6 yrs). Mean gestational age at delivery (33.4 / 3.9 vs 36.1 / 3 wks) and mean birth weight (2,063.8 / 909 vs 2665.6 / 720 g) were lower in the PE group as compared to the no PE group. CONCLUSION: Based on this analysis, preeclampsia does not appear to have a deleterious effect on graft function for kidney transplant recipients on tacrolimus. Continued participation in the NTPR is encouraged as additional entries will assist in the development of guidelines for the post-transplant care of women of child-bearing age as well as the management of post-transplant pregnancies.
On the inadequacy of the single-shear plane model of chip formation

Abstract This paper argues that the single-shear plane model is inadequate to the real cutting process. The model has been developed in the late 19th century on the basis of simple observations of the cutting process. Although a number of other models are known to the specialists in this field, the single-shear plane model survived all of them and, moreover, is still the first choice for studies on metal cutting, computer simulations programs and students’ textbooks. Although it is usually mentioned that the model represents an idealized cutting process, no information about how far this idealization deviates from reality is provided. This paper lists and discusses the following principal drawbacks of the single-shear plane model: infinite strain rate; unrealistically high shear strain; unrealistic behavior of the work material; improper accounting for the resistance of the work material to cut; unrealistic representation of the tool-workpiece contact; inapplicability for cutting brittle work materials; incorrect velocity diagram; incorrect force diagram; inability to explain chip curling. The paper concludes that any progress in the prediction ability of the metal cutting theory cannot be achieved if the single-shear plane model is still in the very core of this theory.
An Appraisal of William Thomas Green Morton's Life as a Narcissistic Personality

The troubled life and death of William Thomas Green Morton has been described in several texts. His first public demonstration of ether anesthesia was the highpoint of a life that was less than successful in many of his endeavors. Close examination of this life reveals a pattern of behavior that progresses from narcissistic traits to narcissistic personality pathology. This retrospective psychiatric analysis of Morton's life was undertaken to theorize as to why Morton, after having successfully demonstrated ether anesthesia, did not continue to develop anesthesia as a clinical specialty. Biographies about Morton were used to explore details of his life. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders classification of narcissistic personality disorder was used to analyze his life. We conclude that Morton progressed from displaying narcissistic personality trait to disorder over his lifetime.
Radiation‐initiated graft copolymerization of binary monomer mixtures containing acrylonitrile with cotton cellulose

By the use of the cobalt 60 postirradiation grafting technique, purified cotton cellulose fibers were graft-copolymerized with binary mixtures of acrylonitrile and other monomers, including styrene, 1,3-butylene dimethacrylate, vinylpyrrolidone, vinylidene chloride, and methyl, butyl, lauryl, glycidyl, and allyl methacrylates. The irradiated cotton fibers were immersed in solutions of the monomers at 25°C to initiate graft copolymerization. Solvents were water, methanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, and methyl ethyl ketone, alone or in several combinations. The extent of graft copolymerization and the composition of the grafted copolymer depended on the composition of the binary mixtures of monomers and on the solvent or mixtures of solvents used. For example, addition of styrene, 1,3-butylene dimethacrylate, or vinylpyrrolidone to acrylonitrile increased the extent of graft copolymerization to a maximum value; addition of vinylidene chloride or allyl methacrylate to acrylonitrile did not greatly affect the extent of graft copolymerization; and addition of methyl or glycidyl methacrylate to acrylonitrile increased the extent of graft copolymerization without passing through a maximum value. The proportion of acrylonitrile in the grafted copolymer was generally less than that in the binary mixtures. As the reaction time was increased, the extent of graft copolymerization increased to a maximum value; however, the composition of the grafted copolymer did not change significantly. Generally, the addition of water to the solutions increased the extent of graft copolymerization. The mechanisms of these graft copolymerization reactions are discussed.
Genetic Variation among Ambystoma Breeding Populations on the Savannah River Site

We surveyed 16 Carolina bay breeding ponds for Ambystoma salamanders. Tail tissue samples were collected from adult and juvenile mole salamanders (A. talpoideum), marbled salamanders (A. opacum), and spotted salamanders (A. maculatum) captured leaving the Carolina bays. We used amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) to determine the genetic variation associated with the breeding populations. The Carolina bays could be considered as individual populations, metapopulation groups, or as one big metapopulation depending on gene flow between these bays. Bays range from less than 100 m apart to more than 24 km apart, much further than any reported movement for these species. Animals were marked in the field. We documented little movement of salamanders between breeding locations. Using 392 polymorphic bands produced with the AFLP technique, we were able to separate the samples into the correct species from which the tissues were collected. However, within species analyses failed to find structure associated with populations of salamanders. We failed to document a correlation between geographic and genetic distance (Mantel r = 0.05235, P=0.6800 for mole salamanders; r = 0.46077, P=0.9547 for marbled salamanders). Only 27.8% of mole salamanders and 60.9% of marbled salamanders were assigned back to the population of capture. The majority of the genetic variation was attributable to the individual as opposed to the population. The results of this study suggest that while the majority of these salamanders may be philopatric, some mixing maybe occurring or alternatively, that these populations have not been genetically isolated for sufficient time to develop unique genotypes through drift.
Radiative Transfer through Broken Clouds: Observations and Model Validation

Abstract Stochastic radiative transfer is investigated as a method of improving shortwave cloud–radiation parameterizations by incorporating the effects of statistically determined cloud-size and cloud-spacing distributions. Ground-based observations from 16 days at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program's Southern Great Plains (SGP) site are used to derive a statistical description of scattered clouds. The data are ingested into a stochastic, shortwave radiative transfer model. The typical cloud-base height of the most prevalent cloud type, fair-weather cumulus, is 1100 m. Low cloud-fraction conditions are common, with observed cloud liquid water paths between 20 and 80 g m−2. Cloud-fraction amounts calculated using ceilometer data compare reasonably well with those reported in weather logs. The frequency distribution of cloud size can be described by a decaying exponential: the number of clouds decreases significantly with increasing cloud size. The minimum detectable cloud size is 200 m an...
Comparison of fluid geochemistry and microbiology of multiple organic-rich reservoirs in the Illinois Basin, USA: Evidence for controls on methanogenesis and microbial transport

Abstract Microbial methane in sedimentary basins comprises approximately 20% of global natural gas resources, yet little is known about the environmental requirements and metabolic rates of these subsurface microbial communities. The Illinois Basin, located in the midcontinent of the United States, is an ideal location to investigate hydrogeochemical factors controlling methanogenesis as microbial methane accumulations occur: (1) in three organic-rich reservoirs of different geologic ages and organic matter types – Upper Devonian New Albany Shale (up to 900 m depth), Pennsylvanian coals (up to 600 m depth), and Quaternary glacial sediments (shallow aquifers); (2) across steep salinity gradients; and (3) with variable concentrations of SO 4 2 - . For all three organic-rich reservoirs aqueous geochemical conditions are favorable for microbial methanogenesis, with near neutral pH, SO 4 2 - concentrations 80 °C in nutrient poor environments), necessitating the re-introduction of microbes into the subsurface via groundwater transport.
A comparison of the socioeconomic characteristics, dietary practices, and health status of women food shoppers with different food price attitudes

Abstract A person's attitude toward food price could influence food purchase decisions and, consequently, impact diet quality. The aim of the study was to compare soicoeconomic, dietary, and health status of women food shoppers who considered food price very important (n = 1322) with those of women who did not consider food price very important (n = 1272). These women planned and prepared their household meals. Data from US Department of Agriculture's Diet and Health Knowledge Survey, 1994 to 1996, and Continuing Survey of Food Intake by Individuals, 1994 to 1996, were used. The socioeconomic characteristics, dietary intakes, fat reduction practices, and health status were estimated. A priori, pairwise mean comparisons, at α = .05 level of significance, were made. Food price was very important to 46.8% of women. More African-American and Hispanic women food shoppers were likely to consider food price very important when buying food. The women who considered food price very important were more likely to live in low-income, food-insecure households; receive food stamps; have low education; rent and not own homes; and be employed as service workers. They consumed 17 kJ less energy. Yet, the energy density of their diet was 11 kJ/kg more than that of the other group. They ate a low amount of relatively high-price foods like nonstarchy vegetables and drank more sweetened fruit drinks that are an inexpensive source of energy. A low percentage of them adopted dietary fat reduction strategies and read food labels. They are more likely to be overweight and have health conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes than the others. Dietitians working with low-income food shoppers should address cost-effective ways to buy seasonally available fruits and vegetables and promote dietary fat reduction strategies.
Embedding viscoelastic damping materials in low-cost VARTM composite structures

It has been well established that using viscoelastic damping materials in structural applications can greatly reduce the dynamic response and thus improve structural fatigue life. Previously these materials have been used to solve vibration problems in metallic structures, where the damping material is attached to the structure and then a stiff outer layer is attached to promote shear deformation in the damping material. More recently, these materials have been used successfully in expensive aerospace composite structures, where the damping material is embedded between plies of prepreg graphite/epoxy prior to being cured in a high-temperature, high-pressure autoclave. The current research involves embedding these damping layers into low-cost composite structures fabricated using the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process. The damping layers are perforated with a series of small holes to allow the resin to flow through the damping layer and completely wet-out the structure. Experimental fabrication, vibration testing, and stiffness testing investigate the effect of hole diameter versus hole spacing. Results show that the damping and stiffness can be very sensitive to perforation spacing and size. It is shown that for closely spaced perforations (95% damping area) that damping increases by only a factor of 2.2 over the undamped plate. However, for greater perforation spacing (99.7% damping area) the damping is increased by a factor of 14.3. Experimental results as well as practical design considerations for fabricating damped composite structures using the VARTM process are presented.
The New and Improved Consumer Behavior Theory

Introduction One of the fresher breezes to rustle the leaves in the Black Forest of microeconomic theory has been fueled by the “new” consumer behavior theory, based on the household production function. The theory was developed in the early 1960s by Gary Becker, his colleagues and graduate students in the Labor Workshop at Columbia University. Becker's 1965 Economic Journal article, “A Theory of the Allocation of Time,” (1) is regarded as the seminal elucidation. But concurrently, other Workshop participants, such as Owen, Dean, Mincer, et al(2), did research on time allocation theoretics and applications, and credit for primal development of the new theory is also given to Lancaster for his 1966 paper, “A New Approach to Consumer Theory,” (3). However, one must go back to 1947 and Wassily Leontief's Econometrica article on the separability of functions (4) to find the clear Schumpeterian Vision necessary to evolution of the theory. Michael and Becker (5) have even claimed to find antecedents ranging back to 1789 and Jeremy Bentham's Principles of Legislation (6).
Accounting for emerging market countries' international reserves: Are Pacific Rim countries different?

Abstract Popular perception is that emerging market economies (EMEs), and Asian Pacific Rim countries—China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam (RIMs)—in particular, have been rapidly accumulating reserves, perhaps beyond what is justified by precautionary motives. This paper compares and contrasts the determinants of the demand for international reserves in the RIM countries with other EMEs over the last three decades, based on current and capital account risks, mercantilism, and other motives. Our findings suggest that the motives for holding reserves has shifted from insurance against current account shocks (mostly in the 1980s) to insurance against capital account shocks (in the 1990s) and as the by-product of possible mercantilism (in the 2000s). We also find some differences between country groups: RIM countries tend to hold more reserves against current account vulnerabilities and fewer reserves against capital account vulnerabilities, but more reserves overall. There is also greater evidence of mercantilist motives being at play for RIM countries, though this motive accounts for only a small fraction of the rise in reserve holdings in recent years, peaking in 2004 and declining thereafter.
Monosodium Glutamate: Feeding of Large Amounts in Man and Gerbils

Oral administration of large amounts of glutamic acid to adult humans and animals in a formula diet appeared to cause no clinical pathological changes. The only biochemically demonstrable effect was a decrease in serum cholesterol and associated beta lipoproteins.
Mechanism of outflow tract tachycardia.

m s l m c c t ntroduction ithin the last decade, considerable progress has been made ith respect to delineating the cellular and molecular mechnisms for a number of arrhythmogenic syndromes that sed to be classified under the generic category “idiopathic entricular tachycardia.” Mutations in ion channels as well s structural proteins that result in either hyperor hypounctioning of a given signal are thought to underlie the ong QT, Brugada, short QT, and catecholaminergic polyorphic ventricular tachycardia (VT) syndromes. Affected ndividuals are relatively young, have little or no evidence f structural heart disease, and usually present with polyorphic VT or ventricular fibrillation (VF). In some of hese syndromes, enhanced adrenergic stimulation is a reqisite trigger for initiation of the arrhythmia. Based on xtrapolation of experimental data, the predominant clinical echanism underlying these arrhythmias is thought to be onreentrant; however, phase 2 reentry possibly accounts or the arrhythmias associated with Brugada syndrome. The most common form of VT that occurs in the absence f structural heart disease originates from the ventricular utflow tract. Originally associated with a right ventricular utflow tract origin, it now is recognized that the arrhythmia lso can originate from the left ventricular outflow tract in early 20% of patients.1,2 Unlike ventricular arrhythmias ssociated with monogenic mutational syndromes, outflow ract tachycardia is a stable, organized arrhythmia that is ssociated with a uniform ECG morphology and most often anifests with a left bundle branch block, inferior-axis onfiguration. Although the arrhythmia initially was associted with exercise-induced sustained VT, it now is appreciated hat the clinical presentation of outflow tract arrhythmia can be rotean. For example, in addition to exercise-induced susained VT, the arrhythmia may occur at rest and present as onsustained VT (often as repetitive monomorphic VT) or
Quality assurance and improvement practice in mental health agencies: Roles, activities, targets and contributions

Accompanying the rise in the number of mental health agency personnel tasked with quality assurance and improvement (QA/I) responsibilities is an increased need to understand the nature of the work these professionals undertake. Four aspects of the work of quality assurance and improvement (QA/I) professionals in mental health were explored in this qualitative study: their perceived roles, their major activities, their QA/I targets, and their contributions. In-person interviews were conducted with QA/I professionals at 16 mental health agencies. Respondents perceived their roles at varying levels of complexity, focused on different targets, and used different methods to conduct their work. Few targets of QA/I work served as indicators of high quality care. Most QA/I professionals provided concrete descriptions of how they had improved agency services, while others could describe none. Accreditation framed much of agency QA/I work, perhaps to its detriment.
Invited) Silicide Contact for Shallow Junction Devices

Silicide contacts which have a contact depth about 10 nm will be needed in VLSI shallow junction devices. The use of Si alloys and refractory metal alloys to produce shallow silicide contacts on Si is briefly reviewed with an emphasis on their inter facial reaction and Schottky behavior. The effect of contact reaction on dopant redistribution is discussed.
Generation of low-noise frequency replicas in parametric frequency combs via phase-sensitive process

The ability to replicate (or multicast) an incoming optical signal in frequency domain without loss of fidelity is a holy grail for both fundamental physics and practical applications spanning from telecommunications to quantum processing. Dual-pump driven four-wave mixing in dispersion-engineered waveguides (e.g. optical fiber) is able to generate a large number of signal copies via optical frequency comb generation at precisely defined frequencies, in an ultrafast and coherent manner, however, this phase-insensitive (PI) parametric process also induces excess noise, which scales with the copy count under the ideal phase-matching condition. The reason for noise scaling in PI multicasting relies on the fact that with ideal phase matching (i.e. zero dispersion in the parametric device or mixer), all generated copies couple the same amount of quantum noise to each replica frequency, provided these copies are power equalized. We have found that this conclusion does not apply to mixers with small normal dispersion: conversely, the replica noise-figure (NF, defined as the ratio between the output and input signal-to-noise ratio) eventually approaches 6 dB, rather than scaling upward with increased copy creation. This discovery indeed points out possible direction towards low-noise or even noiseless spectral replication: parametric multicasting using multi-mode phase-sensitive (PS) process in highly-efficient mixer with finite normal dispersion. In this talk, we review the basic principle and realization of low-noise, four-mode PS multicasting. Recent experimental results of such multicaster in comparison to conventional EDFA preamplifiers are also demonstrated. Moreover, potential applications and technical challenges are discussed.
American Glamour and the Evolution of Modern Architecture, by Alice T. Friedman

(2012). American Glamour and the Evolution of Modern Architecture, by Alice T. Friedman. Design and Culture: Vol. 4, No. 2, pp. 250-252.
Optimal estimation of irrigation schedule – An example of quantifying human interferences to hydrologic processes

Abstract Reliable records of water use for irrigation are often lacking. This presents a difficulty for a qualified water use and water availability assessment. Quantification of the hydrologic cycle processes in regions of intensive agricultural practice requires irrigation as an input to hydrologic models. This paper presents a coupled forward-inverse framework to estimate irrigation schedule using remote-sensed data and data assimilation and optimization techniques. Irrigation schedule is treated as an unknown input to a hydro-agronomic simulation model. Remote-sensed data is used to assess actual crop evapotranspiration, which is used as the “observation” of the computed crop evapotranspiration from the simulation model. To handle the impact of model and observation error and the unknown biased error with irrigation inputs, a coupled forward-inverse approach is proposed, implemented and tested. The coupled approach is realized by an integrated ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) and genetic algorithm (GA). The result from a case study demonstrates that the forward and inverse procedures in the coupled framework are complementary to each other. Further analysis is provided on the impact of model and observation errors on the non-uniqueness problem with inverse modeling and on the exactness of irrigation estimates.
Electrical Junction Behavior of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) Contacts to H-Terminated and CH3-Terminated p-, n-, and n+-Si(111) Surfaces

The electronic and photovoltaic properties of junctions between the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and Si(111) surfaces have been investigated for a range of doping types, doping levels, and surface functionalization of the Si. PEDOT–poly(styrenesulfonate) (PSS) formed ohmic, low resistance contacts to H-terminated and CH_3-terminated p-type Si(111) surfaces. In contrast, PEDOT formed high barrier height (0.8–1.0 V) contacts to n-Si(111) surfaces, with CH_3-terminated n-Si(111)/PEDOT contacts showing slightly higher barrier heights (1.01 eV) than H-terminated n-Si(111)/PEDOT contacts (0.89 V). PEDOT contacts to CH_3-terminated and H-terminated n-Si(111) surfaces both produced photovoltages under illumination in accord with the Shockley diode limit based on bulk/recombination diffusion in the semiconductor. Such devices produced solar energy-conversion efficiencies of 5.7% under 100 mW cm^(–2) of simulated air mass 1.5 illumination. The electrical properties of PEDOT contacts to CH_3-terminated Si surfaces were significantly more stable in an air ambient than the electrical properties of PEDOT contacts to H-terminated Si surfaces. PEDOT films produced a low resistance, tunnel-barrier type of ohmic contact to n^+-Si(111) surfaces. Hence, through various combinations of doping type, doping level, and surface functionalization, the PEDOT/Si contact system offers a wide range of opportunities for integration into monolithic photovoltaic and/or artificial photosynthetic systems.
Is the chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes, an endangered species? It depends on what “endangered” means

I review information on the status in the wild of the robust chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes, and consider whether this evidence is consistent with the designation of P. troglodytes as Endangered in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List, and with public statements to the effect that great apes as a whole will be extinct within a few decades. Chimpanzees remain widespread in tropical Africa, occurring in a variety of forested habitats. Estimates of total surviving numbers have increased from about 200,000 in the 1980s to a maximum of almost 300,000 in 2003. However, this apparent increase comes about from new survey data, rather than representing a measured increase in actual population numbers. Infectious disease decimated several chimpanzee populations during the 1990s, and data from parts of Gabon, extrapolated to that country as a whole, suggest a major decline in great ape populations caused by disease and hunting. However, accurate data on population numbers are absent for the majority of wild chimpanzee populations. I found reports of the presence of Pan troglodytes in at least 51 national parks in at least 19 countries; some of these parks have been established very recently. Chimpanzees also occur in many non-park conservation areas. A set of large, well-protected parks could safeguard chimpanzees for the foreseeable future. Although many African parks do not function well at present, mechanisms to improve their function are understood and available. By a strict application of IUCN threat criteria, P. troglodytes can be considered Endangered, based on estimated rates of past decline and on the species’ long generation time. Relatively speaking, however, P. troglodytes is less endangered than are orangutans or gorillas, and the species is unlikely to go extinct by the year 2100, especially if existing conservation measures improve. The IUCN threat-rating system has become overly complex; the system can produce results that do not accord with common sense and these results must therefore be interpreted with care.
The American Luther

: This essay introduces important developments in recent Luther scholarship in America and argues for a specific retrieval of Luther for contemporary religious and theological issues, such as the problem of evil and the role of experience in theology. The essay describes how contemporary feminist and liberation theologies have recontextualized Luther in America. Also addressed is the current interest in historical investigations of Luther in relation to medieval thought that aligns with the American reception of Finnish scholarship on Luther. These developments show that the American Luther is moving beyond its fundamental shaping by German Protestantism.