cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of organic waste diversion alternatives for greenhouse gas reduction

Abstract Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission analysis was performed for current and proposed organic waste management practices in the City of Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America (USA). Aiming for the long-term goal of zero waste, the City of Madison has been looking into an opportunity to divert its organic waste from its landfill. Previous studies suggested that organic waste diversion could result in a GHG emission reduction: Alternative treatment of organic waste would reduce GHG emissions through avoidance of landfill methane emission, nutrient replacement, and energy recovery when anaerobic digestion technologies are employed. However, organic waste diversion requires modification of collection practices and additions to the collection fleet. This would increase the GHG emissions and there is a need to balance emission reductions and the additional costs associated with a new organic waste diversion program. Collection practices are also important for the success of such a project, as it accounts for 83% of current operational cost for managing organic waste. The GHG emissions were quantified using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The current practice of composting of yard waste and direct disposal of other fractions of organic waste into the landfill were estimated to emit 224 kg CO 2 -eq./ton of GHG. In contrast with the current practice, four alternatives were assessed in this study: windrow composting, high-solids anaerobic digestion, co-digestion at a large scale industrial waste anaerobic digester facility, and co-digestion at the local wastewater treatment plant. The results show that the co-digestion of source-separated organic waste would achieve the highest GHG emission reduction among the alternatives considered. The results were as follows: 81.5 kg CO 2 -eq./ton for windrow composting; −46.0 kg CO 2 -eq./ton for a high solids anaerobic digester; −156 kg CO 2 -eq./ton for co-digestion with industrial waste; and −189 kg CO 2 -eq./ton for co-digestion with sewage sludge. Co-digestion was favored as it shows the highest GHG emission reduction capacity while saving capital cost by almost half. However, the results of the GHG emission analysis were also affected by several factors external to the technologies chosen, including public participation, collection efficiency of organic waste, and types of waste collected. Based on the findings of this work, the party in charge of the organic waste diversion project should seek opportunities to partner with regional anaerobic digestion projects and local utilities, while continuing with its community outreach efforts.
A Multicenter Study Evaluating the Effects of Sevoflurane on Renal Function in Patients With Renal Insufficiency.

Background: This multicenter study was undertaken to compare the effect of sevoflurane with that of isoflurane on renal function in 26 patients with pre-existing renal insufficiency. Sevoflurane undergoes hepatic metabolism, with release of inorganic fluoride. Elevated flu oride levels have been associated with renal impairment in patients undergoing methoxyflu rane anesthesia raising concerns about the nephrotoxic potential of sevoflurane.Methods : Patients were ASA II or III class, with renal insufficiency defined by a preopera tive serum creatinine concentration of 1.5-3.0 mg/dl. A standardized anesthetic regimen was used consisting of intravenous induction with propofol, vecuronium for muscle relax ation, and fentanyl for analgesia. Patients were randomized to receive either isoflurane or sevoflurane with 100% oxygen. Blood samples were obtained preoperatively and at 24, 48, and 72 h postoperativety for renal/electrolyte determinations. Blood samples for plasma flu oride measurement were obtained preo...
Age-related enhancement of fatigue resistance is evident in men during both isometric and dynamic tasks

It has been suggested that the effects of old age on the ability to resist fatigue may be task dependent. To test one aspect of this hypothesis, we compared the neuromuscular responses of nine youn...
Science at the Interface with Art

The Cultural Heritage Science (CHS, formerly SCIART) Program seeks to enhance opportunities for chemistry and materials research at the interface between science and art. The objective is to promote collaboration between cultural heritage scientists, mainly located in US museums and chemists and/or materials scientists in US academic institutions to address grand challenges in the science of cultural heritage. Through the first competition, eight projects, two to three years in duration, were funded at $270,000 to 495,000 each. Every successful proposal demonstrated a clear need for collaboration with good synergy between the collaborating groups, and provided plans for meaningful training experiences for students and/or postdoctoral researchers in the field of cultural heritage science. It is anticipated that the CHS Program will continue for two additional years in a similar fashion. During this period, researchers should be able to more easily identify the disciplinary programs in materials research or chemistry relevant to their work, and their proposals will be reviewed together in panels. Proposals falling outside of the CHS specifications may be submitted directly to the relevant program/s of interest at the National Science Foundation (NSF) as unsolicited proposals. After the CHS Program ends, unsolicited proposals will remain the key mechanism for obtaining NSF funding in this research area.
Real-time speech-driven 3D face animation

In this paper, we present an approach for real-time speech-driven 3D face animation using neural networks. We first analyze a 3D facial movement sequence of a talking subject and learn a quantitative representation of the facial deformations, called the 3D motion units (MUs). A 3D facial deformation can be approximated by a linear combination of the MUs weighted by the MU parameters (MUPs) - the visual features of the facial deformation. The facial movement sequence synchronizes with a audio track. The audio track is digitized and the audio features of each frame are calculated. A real-time audio-to-MUP mapping is constructed by training a set of neural networks using the calculated audio-visual features. The audio-visual features are divided into several groups based on the audio features. One neural network is trained per group to map the audio features to the corresponding MUPs. Given a new audio feature vector, we first classify it into one of the groups and select the corresponding neural network to map the audio feature vector to MUPs, which are used for face animation. The quantitative evaluation shows the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Sinker tectonics: An approach to the surface of Miranda

Two of the proposed explanations for the coronae seen on Miranda involve mantle convection driven by density anomalies. In the sinker model, the coronae result from late-accreting large silicate bodies slowly sinking through an icy mantle toward the body's center; in the riser model, they result from a compositionally produced, low-density, rising diapir. The present study determines the surface stresses induced by such density anomalies and the expected surface expressions. The results are in good agreement with the predictions of the sinker model.
Periocular Autografts in Socket Reconstruction

Background: Current enucleation and socket reconstruction techniques often require reinforcement of an orbital implant or wound by the use of a tissue graft. Commonly, allograft tissue (cadaveric sclera, fascia, etc.) is used. Disadvantages of allografts include possible inflammatory reaction, unpredictable vascularization rate, variable resorption, antigenicity, and cost. Another alternative to implant reinforcement is autogenous tissue which usually is harvested from a remote site (fascia lata, split dermis, temporalis fascia, pericranium, etc.). An overlooked source of readily available autogenous grafts is the connective tissue in the periorbital region and the enucleated eye itself. These sources include autogenous lamellar sclera, the corneoscleral button, capsular tissue from a migrated implant, and orbital rim periosteum. Methods: The authors used periocular autografts in primary and secondary socket reconstructions in 24 patients, with excellent success over a 2-year period. Seven autogenous corneoscleral buttons and two autogenous scleral grafts were used to cover biointegrated implant spheres. Ten implant capsules from migrated nonintegrated spheres were used to cover and reinforce secondary implants. In five patients, an autogenous periosteal graft was taken from the supraorbital rim and used to cover an exposed implant. Results: Complications included one pyogenic granuloma, one conjunctival inclusion cyst, and one recurrent exposure after a periosteal graft, which necessitated explanation and a dermis fat graft. Postoperative motility was judged to be good to excellent in 21 patients. Conclusions: These techniques are presented as a new alternative to using human bank tissue or remote incision autografts for reconstruction of the anophthalmic socket. Ophthalmology 1996,103.1498-1502
The Origins of the Concept Mapping Tool and the Continuing Evolution of the Tool

A research program at Cornell University that sought to study the ability of first and second grade children to acquire basic science concepts and the effect of this learning on later schooling led to the need for a new tool to describe explicit changes in children’s conceptual understanding. Concept mapping was invented in 1972 to meet this need, and subsequently numerous other uses have been found for this tool. Underlying the research program and the development of the concept mapping tool was an explicit cognitive psychology of learning and an explicit constructivist epistemology. In 1987, collaboration began between Novak and Canas and others at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, then part of the University of West Florida. Extending the use of concept mapping to other applications such as knowledge elicitation, and the integration of concept mapping with the World Wide Web (WWW) led to the development of software that greatly enhanced the potential of concept mapping, evolving into the current version of CmapTools now used world-wide in schools, universities, corporations, and governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Differences between concept maps and other knowledge representation tools, some of which built on early concept mapping studies, are described. The integration of concept mapping software programs with the WWW and other new technologies permits a new kind of concept map-centred learning environment wherein learners build their own knowledge models, individually or collaboratively, and these can serve as a basis for life-long meaningful learning. Combined with other educational practices, use of CmapTools permits a New Model for Education, described briefly. Preliminary studies are underway to assess the possibilities of this New Model.
Trace metal reduction by phytoplankton: the role of plasmalemma redox enzymes

The phytoplankton cell surface reduces external copper(II) and iron(III) complexes and redox dyes. This reductive activity appears to be mediated by one or more plasmalemma redox enzymes. Trace metal complexes are directly reduced by the redox enzyme, therefore the reduction rate is not regulated by the metal free ion activity in solution. This is in direct contrast to previous measurements of trace metal interactions with the phytoplankton cell membrane. Half-saturation constants for the reduction of Cu(II) complexes with carbonate, phenanthroline and bathocuproinedisulfonate are in the range 2.3-14.7 ..mu..M, which suggests that trace metal complexes are not the main electron acceptor in natural waters. In the diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii there is additional reductive activity associated with the cell wall.
Curve Tracking for Rapid Imaging in AFM

A high-level feedback control approach for rapid imaging in atomic force microscopy is presented. The algorithms are designed for samples which are string-like, such as biopolymers, and for boundaries. Rather than the simple raster-scan pattern, data from the microscope are used in real-time to steer the tip along the sample, drastically reducing the area to be imaged. An order-of-magnitude reduction in the time to acquire an image is possible. The technique is illustrated through simulations and through physical experiments.
Accurate measurement of structural parameters of single fiber connector ferrule

The structural parameters of a single fiber connector ferrule, such as fiber guide-hole eccentricity, outer diameter, and fiber guide-hole diameter, are very important parameters that affect the splice loss. There have been no means of measuring those structural parameters automatically at the same time. Additionally, the repeatability (standard deviation) for fiber guide-hole eccentricity is about 0.2 μm by the conventional method, which uses a simple mechanism to rotate a test ferrule about the fiber hole and to measure the position of the outer surface. Here, we present a newly developed measuring system, which is capable of automatically and accurately measuring those structural parameters at the same time within 90 s.
Wellness in the radiology reading room: making your workstation a workout station.

OBJECTIVE. Sitting can be dangerous to one's health, and radiology tends to be a sedentary profession. CONCLUSION. By adding a mixture of technological and behavioral changes to our workplaces, we can put a large dent in the amount of sedentary time we spend at work.
Retention of gap length in normal-hearing listeners

Listener retention of silent, gap-length duration was studied. Just noticeable differences (JNDs) for gap length within standard and comparison stimuli were obtained for intervals with and without intervening noise bursts, including a condition with gapped intervening bursts. Outcomes indicate that gap duration itself can be determinant. Also, JNDs were similar whether intervening stimuli were present or absent, differing from results reported for pitch, loudness, and timbre retention. The latter suggests additional/alternative cortical resources might be employed for retention of auditory-temporal information.
Martian phase function: Modeling the visible to near-infrared surface photometric function using HST-WFPC2 data

Abstract Images of Mars in the visible to near-infrared acquired from 1996 to 2005 using the Hubble Space Telescope WFPC2 have been used to model the martian surface photometric function at 502, 673, 953, and 1042 nm. These data range in spatial resolution from 12 to 70 km/pixel at the sub-Earth point, and in phase angle coverage from 0.34° to 40.5°. The WFPC2 images have been calibrated to radiance factor or I / F and projected to a cylindrical map for coregistration and comparison to similarly mapped spacecraft data sets of albedo, topography, thermal inertia, composition, and geology. We modeled the observed I / F as a function of phase angle using Minnaert, Lambert, lunar–Lambert, and Hapke photometric functions for numerous regions of interest binned into albedo units defined by Viking and TES albedo maps, and thermal-inertia units defined by TES thermal-inertia maps. Visibly opaque water-ice clouds and data acquired under high dust opacity conditions were excluded from the analysis. Our modeling suggests that under average to low atmospheric dust opacity conditions and over this range of phase angles, the photometric properties of the martian surface at 502, 673, 953, and 1042 nm are best modeled by lunar–Lambert functions with parameters derived for three surface units defined by low, moderate, and high TES bolometric albedos.
Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in Arterial Tissues

In literature in which detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the artery is described, the methods used were immunocytochemistry (ICC), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), electron microscopy, and isolation. These studies demonstrated the presence of the organism in atheromatous lesions. The organism was detected frequently by ICC and PCR in atheromatous tissues (∼50% of subjects) but rarely in normal arteries (∼1% of subjects). There has been poor correlation between detection and serology. Detection studies have been used to assess the etiologic role of C. pneumoniae in atherosclerosis and to determine whether C. pneumoniae infection contributes to acute cardiovascular events. Although these studies produced suggestive evidence of an etiologic role, the use of observational studies to obtain a definitive answer is difficult. Therefore, investigators are increasingly concentrating their efforts on studies that use animal models, in vitro cultured arterial cells, and therapeutic trials in humans to determine the pathogenic role of the organism in atherosclerosis.
Affective Service Display and Customer Mood

Using video-based stimuli to manipulate the affect displayed by service providers, this study examines participants’ moods after viewing friendly or neutral service, with emotional expressivity as a moderator. Results indicate higher positive moods and lower negative moods after viewing a friendly versus a neutral service display. Participants higher in emotional expressivity reported greater positive mood after viewing a friendly display. Participants’ moods were also examined in relation to service evaluations. Results indicate that preconsumption mood is not related to evaluations; however, increases in positive mood are related to higher evaluations, and increases in negative mood are related to lower evaluations.
Ferroelectric Epitaxial Thin Films for Integrated Optics

AbstractThin film ferroelectrics are being developed for integrated optics applications. Their major advantage lies in their large electro-optic coefficients. Furthermore, they are nearly transparent from the mid-infrared to the visible spectral region. With the development of epitaxial deposition techniques for ferroelectrics, waveguide structures with low optical loss have been demonstrated. Through the use of epitaxial thin films deposited on low-index substrates, high-bandwidth electro-optic modulators have also been attained.
J/{sub psi} production: Tevatron and fixed-target collisions

In this talk the author shows the results of a fit of the NRQCD matrix elements to the CDF data for direct J/{psi} production, by including the radiative corrections to the g g {r_arrow} {sup 3} S {sub 1}{sup [1]} channel and the effect of the k{sub T}-smearing. Furthermore he performs the NLO NRQCD analysis of J/{psi} production in fixed-target proton-nucleon collisions and he fits the colour-octet matrix elements to the available experimental data. The results are compared to the Tevatron ones.
Studying Elite Political Culture: The Case of 'Ideology'

“Elite political culture” may be defined as the set of politically relevant beliefs, values, and habits of the most highly involved and influential participants in a political system. Studying elite political culture requires methodological innovation which will allow us to do justice to the subtleties of the belief systems of sophisticated political leaders without doing violence to our normal standards of reliability and verification. As one example of the study of elite political culture, this paper presents an empirically based analysis of “ideological politics” and “the end of ideology.” After some clarification of the logical structure and empirical assumptions of existing descriptions of “ideological politics,” these descriptions are examined in the light of data from a study of the basic beliefs and values of British and Italian politicians, based on intensive interviews with random samples of 93 British MPs and 83 Italian deputati. The core of the notion of “ideological politics” is interpreted in terms of “political style,” that is, how politicians talk and think about concrete policy problems such as poverty or urban transportation. Each respondent's discussion of two such issues was analyzed in terms of 12 “stylistic characteristics,” such as “inductive-deductive thinking,” “use of historical context,” “moralization,” and “reference to distributive group benefits.” Ratings of these stylistic characteristics are found to cluster in intelligible ways, and on the basis of the dominant stylistic dimension, an Index of Ideological Style is constructed. Those politicians who rank high on this Index are also found to be more ideologically motivated, more abstract in their conceptions of politics, especially party politics, and more idealistic than their less “ideological” colleagues. They are also more alienated from existing socio-political institutions and are concentrated at the extremes of the political spectrum. Further investigation shows, however, that contrary to the assumptions of the existing literature, these “ideologues” are not more dogmatic, not less open to compromise, not more antagonistic to the norms of pluralist politics, not more hostile to political opponents. Partisan hostility and ideological style are found to be two distinct syndromes. The “end of ideology” thesis is examined by comparing the attitudes and style of respondents from different political generations. In both countries younger politicians are markedly less dogmatic and hostile, but in neither country are they any less “ideological” in their approach to political phenomena and problems of public policy. In the light of these data the “end of ideology” debate is reformulated. The probable causes and consequences of both the decline of partisan hostility and the persistence of ideology are discussed. Finally, some conclusions are drawn concerning the role of ideology in politics and concerning the theoretical promise and methodological problems of studying elite political culture.
ShadowPlay: a generative model for nonverbal human-robot interaction

Humans rely on a finely tuned ability to recognize and adapt to socially relevant patterns in their everyday face-to-face interactions. This allows them to anticipate the actions of others, coordinate their behaviors, and create shared meaning to communicate. Social robots must likewise be able to recognize and perform relevant social patterns, including interactional synchrony, imitation, and particular sequences of behaviors. We use existing empirical work in the social sciences and observations of human interaction to develop nonverbal interactive capabilities for a robot in the context of shadow puppet play, where people interact through shadows of hands cast against a wall. We show how information theoretic quantities can be used to model interaction between humans and to generate interactive controllers for a robot. Finally, we evaluate the resulting model in an embodied human-robot interaction study. We show the benefit of modeling interaction as a joint process rather than modeling individual agents.
Passion for life Self-expansion and passionate love across the life span

It is commonly believed that passionate love diminishes over time even as companionate love may grow. According to the self-expansion model (Aron and Aron (1986) Love and the expansion of the self: Understanding attraction and satisfaction. New York, NY: Hemisphere Publishing Co/Harper & Row Publishers), this change may reflect changes in opportunities for self-expansion in the relationship. Early in relationships, as partners continuously learn new things about each other, self-expansion—which occurs through the integration of the qualities and characteristics of the partner into oneself—generates passion for one’s partner. Later, as one’s partner is completely included in the self, self-expansion opportunities diminish and less passion is generated. From this perspective, if self-expansion could be sustained, so could passionate love. Over 500 adults in a Midwestern community responded to a telephone survey about their romantic relationship. They answered questions about the length of their relationship...
Experiencing the salt marsh environment through the foot of Littoraria irrorata: Behavioral responses to thermal and desiccation stresses

article i nfo ) treatments to determine how they use retracting behaviors to avoid thermal and desiccation stresses. Performance measurements of water loss, body temperature, and mortality were made in relation to behavioral responses, with indepen- dent measures from 1.5 to 9 h. In the South Carolina salt marsh, snails' movements and retracting behaviors were monitored and compared to their body temperatures and microclimate conditions. Measurements were made in the high and low marsh (characterized by the height of S. alterniflora) as a function of height in the canopy. We found that the snails used retracting behaviors to shift their ability to tolerate thermal and des- iccation stresses by changing their capacity for evaporative cooling through mantle exposure. L. irrorata con- sistently responded to emersion, or potential desiccation stress, by retracting into its shell, and continued to avoid water loss even under high thermal stress. Both field and laboratory experiments indicated that the snails' behavioral avoidance of thermal stress was severely limited by simultaneous avoidance of desiccation stress. Furthermore, snail movement was largely restricted to periods of tidal inundation in the low marsh and did not reflect behavioral avoidance of abiotic stresses. The use of retracting behaviors by L. irrorata to manipulate its tolerance to temperature and humidity levels exemplifies the importance of behavior as a functional trait that determines its climate space. Viewing behavior at a mechanistic level provides a more accurate picture of how organisms experience their environment and how these impacts translate to interac- tions at the community level.
Improving Large Cetacean Implantable Satellite Tag Designs to Maximize Tag Robustness and Minimize Health Effects to Individual Animals

Abstract : LONG-TERM GOALS: Develop robust satellite tags that can compensate for shearing forces at the blubber-muscle interface and minimize physical and physiological effects of body penetrating tags to individual animals. OBJECTIVES: (1) Design, build, and test robust blubber and/or muscle penetrating tags, which will (a) resolve structural limitations of existing designs (e.g. those found during the Gulf of Maine humpback follow-up study) and (b) minimize tissue trauma while extending retention time; (2) Evaluate structural integrity of designs created in Objective (1) during laboratory experiments and in cetacean carcasses; (3) Examine structural tissue damage in the blubber, sub-dermal sheath and muscle caused by penetrating dummy implantable tags in cetacean carcasses, including manipulation to simulate live motion; (4) Assess performance of the new tags in populations of large cetaceans where extensive follow-up studies can be performed (e.g. Gulf of Maine humpback whales and eastern Pacific gray whales).
An optimal design method for magnetic resonance imaging gradient waveforms

A method of using nonlinear constrained optimization to design gradient waveforms for magnetic resonance imaging is described. Formulation and solution of the waveform optimization problem are described and example waveforms are presented for a variety of design objectives and constraint sets. Most design objectives can be expressed as linear or quadratic functions of the discrete parameter set, and most constraint functions are linear. Thus, linear and quadratic programming techniques can be utilized to solve the optimization problem. Among the objectives considered are: minimize RMS current; minimize waveform slewing; minimize waveform moments to reduce motion induced dephasing; minimize echo time (TE) for given imaging and motion refocusing conditions; maximize the gradient amplitude during RF application and sampling and the area of the phase encoding waveform to maximize resolution; and minimize or maximize the gradient b factor or diffusion sensitivity. This optimal design procedure produces physically realizable waveforms which optimally achieve specific imaging and motion artifact reduction goals, and it is likely to reduce waveform design time by making it more scientifically (rather than heuristically) based. >
Porous block hydroxyapatite as a bone graft substitute in the correction of jaw and craniofacial deformities

Modulation of the immune system as an approach to attack cancer has been explored for the past 50 years. Efficacy of this treatment has been achieved in a limited number of patients. However, a major obstacle of immune therapy is the toxicity related to the nonspecific nature of immune activation. Efforts to improve the specificity of the immune response have been investigated through the use of gene therapy. Clinical trials involving gene therapy for melanoma, lung cancer, and head and neck cancer have been conducted by US Oncology at the Mary Crowley Medical Research Center–Baylor University Medical Center. These studies represent one of the most active gene therapy programs in the USA. Preliminary results have helped define the mechanism of action, safety, and potential efficacy of immune stimulatory treatment approaches in oncology. nterpositional grafting materials are often used to fill in bone gaps that result from corrective jaw surgery and craniofacial reconstruction. Various materials and autogenous bone grafts from different harvest sites have been advocated to maintain the repositioned structures. Each of these choices has inherent drawbacks. Porous block hydroxyapatite (PBHA) has provided an alternative to bone grafting in these procedures. PBHA has parallel channels of 230 ? in diameter, with interconnecting fenestrations between the channels of 190 ? in diameter. This pore size is not only similar to normal osteon size in bone (190 ?), but it also conforms to research findings of 150 to 200 ? as optimal for bone ingrowth. PBHA functions as an osteoconductive matrix when placed against or between bone structures, allowing bone and soft tissue ingrowth through it. The use of rigid fixation is necessary for stress protection of the PBHA grafts and the elimination of micromovement to enhance bone growth through the grafts. The clinical, radiographic, and histological studies of PBHA used as a bone graft substitute in corrective jaw surgery, craniofacial surgery, and facial augmentation have demonstrated the efficacy of this material for these applications, with a low incidence of complications.
Black Holes in Non-relativistic Holography

Many non-relativistic quantum field theories with conserved particle number share a common set of symmetries: time dependent spatial diffeomorphisms acting on the background metric and U(1) invariance acting on the background field which couples to particle number. These symmetries are used to deduce a holographic gravity dual for any such theory in terms of Hořava gravity, a non-relativistic theory of gravity. The behavior of black holes in Hořava gravity are studied due to their importance in holography. The existence of causal horizons in this non-relativistic theory is shown, as well as examples of their thermodynamic properties.
Laser-Assisted Keratoplasty and Post-keratoplasty Management

Lasers have been used in ophthalmology for decades in various ways. The use of the femtosecond laser in ophthalmology was first conceptualized for corneal flaps in LASIK in the early 1990s. Since then, there has been an expansion of the use of femtosecond lasers for various applications in the cornea and more recently for cataract surgery. This is a review of the use of the femtosecond laser for keratoplasty. We start with an overview of the mechanism of femtosecond laser cuts in the cornea and then review pearls for performing femtosecond laser-enabled keratoplasty (FLEK). Next, a literature review of femtosecond lasers for penetrating and lamellar keratoplasty is discussed. Lastly, femtosecond lasers for post-keratoplasty astigmatism management are examined.
On sandwich-type plates with cores capable of supporting moment stresses

The paper derives differential equations for a two-dimensional theory of sandwich-type plates under the assumption that the core layer of the plate has the properties of an orthotropic Cosserat continuum. The physical justification for considering core layers of this type is that thereby it becomes possible to analyze the effect of closely spaced transverse posts which possess bending and twisting stiffness. Among the features of the theory which is established we mention in particular the property of unequal twisting momentsM12 andM21.
Regulatory T Cell Dysfunction Acquiesces to BTLA+ Regulatory B Cells Subsequent to Oral Intervention in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) induced during autoimmunity often become quiescent and unable to resolve disease, suggesting inadequate activation. Resolution of established experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) can be achieved with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) fused to reovirus protein σ1 (MOG-pσ1), which activates Tregs, restoring protection, but requiring other regulatory cells to revitalize them. B cells have a dichotomous role in both the pathogenesis and recovery from EAE. Although inflammatory B cells contribute to EAE's pathogenesis, treatment of EAE mice with MOG-pσ1, but not OVA-pσ1, resulted in an influx of IL-10-producing B220(+)CD5(+) B regulatory cells (Bregs) enabling Tregs to recover their inhibitory activity, and in turn, leading to the rapid amelioration of EAE. These findings implicate direct interactions between Bregs and Tregs to facilitate this recovery. Adoptive transfer of B220(+)CD5(-) B cells from MOG-pσ1-treated EAE or Bregs from PBS-treated EAE mice did not resolve disease, whereas the adoptive transfer of MOG-pσ1-induced B220(+)CD5(+) Bregs greatly ameliorated EAE. MOG-pσ1-, but not OVA-pσ1-induced IL-10-producing Bregs, expressed elevated levels of B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) relative to CD5(-) B cells, as opposed to Tregs or effector T (Teff) cells, whose BTLA expression was not affected. These induced Bregs restored EAE Treg function in a BTLA-dependent manner. BTLA(-/-) mice showed more pronounced EAE with fewer Tregs, but upon adoptive transfer of MOG-pσ1-induced BTLA(+) Bregs, BTLA(-/-) mice were protected against EAE. Hence, this evidence shows the importance of BTLA in activating Tregs to facilitate recovery from EAE.
Distribution of Cervical Lymph Node Metastases From Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oropharynx in the Era of Risk Stratification Using Human Papillomavirus and Smoking Status.

Purpose/Objective(s) To investigate the factors contributing to the clinical presentation of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) in the era of risk stratification using human papilloma virus (HPV) and smoking status. Methods and Materials All patients with OPSCC presenting to our institutional multidisciplinary clinic from January 2009 to June 2015 were reviewed from a prospective database. The patients were grouped as being at low risk, intermediate risk, and high risk in the manner described by Ang et al. Variance in clinical presentation was examined using χ 2 , Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and logistic regression analyses. Results The rates of HPV/p16 positivity ( P P =.016), and cervical lymph node metastases ( P =.023) were significantly higher for patients with OPSCC of the tonsil, base of tongue (BOT), or vallecula subsites when compared with pharyngeal wall or palate subsites. Low-risk patients with tonsil, base of tongue, or vallecula primary tumors presented with nodal stage N2a at a much higher than expected frequency ( P =.007), and high-risk patients presented with tumor stage T4 at a much higher than expected frequency ( P =.003). Patients with BOT primary tumors who were never-smokers were less likely to have clinically involved ipsilateral neck disease than were former smokers (odds ratio 1.8; P =.038). The distribution of cervical lymph node metastases was not associated with HPV/p16 positivity, risk group, or subsite. When these data were compared with those in historical series, no significant differences were seen in the patterns of cervical lymph node metastases for patients with OPSCC. Conclusions For patients with OPSCC differences in HPV status, smoking history and anatomic subsite were associated with differences in clinical presentation but not with distribution of cervical lymph node metastases. Historical series describing the patterns of cervical lymph node metastases in patients with OPSCC remain clinically relevant.
Dispersal limitation does not control high elevational distribution of alien plant species in the southern Sierra Nevada, California

ABSTRACT: Patterns of elevational distribution of alien plant species in the southern Sierra Nevada of California were used to test the hypothesis that alien plant species invading high elevations around the world are typically climate generalists capable of growing across a wide elevational range. The Sierra Nevada has been heavily impacted for more than a century and a half, first by heavy grazing up into high elevation meadows, followed by major logging, and finally, by impacts associated with recreational use. The comparative elevational patterns of distribution and growth form were compared for native and alien plant species in the four families (Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Fabaceae, and Poaceae) that contribute the majority of naturalized aliens in the study area. The distribution of realized climatic niche breadth, as measured by elevational range of occurrence, was virtually identical for alien and native species, with both groups showing a roughly Gaussian distribution peaking with species whose ra...
Generalization Effects in Coping Skills Training

An important consideration in coping skills training is the extent to which acquired skills generalize to other life domains. For example, sport-oriented performance enhancement skills are often regarded as “life skills” that can also facilitate adaptation in other areas of life. Moreover, task-specific increases in self-efficacy produced by coping skills training could generalize to broader self-referent cognitive domains and affect global personality traits such as self-esteem and locus of control. The concept of generalization is analyzed, and factors and procedures that influence the strength and breadth of generalization effects are discussed. Several coping skills studies that address generalization effects of stress management and self-defense training are described, and the author suggests that generalization assessment should be a focal rather than incidental consideration when evaluating coping skills interventions.
Low contact resistivity ohmic contacts to 6H-silicon carbide

The resistivity of ohmic contacts to N/sup +/ 6H-silicon carbide substrates, with Ti as the contact material, was studied using the circular TLM structure. Two dimensional numerical simulation of the circular TLM structures were performed to analyze the current distribution and its influence on the extraction procedure. A contact resistivity of 2/spl times/10/sup -5/ ohm-cm/sup 2/ was obtained without any high temperature anneal by using an N/sup +/ surface implant layer. This contact resistivity is an order of magnitude lower than any of the previously reported values for n-type 6H-silicon carbide. >
Using the Multi-Attribute Utility Model to Better Understand Fruit and Vegetable Intake among College Students

This study examined the association between parameters of the decision-making processes that are described in the Multi-Attribute Utility (MAU) model and actual food choices (fruit and vegetable consumption) among undergraduate students. Four hundred and six undergraduates from a large, public university in Southern California completed a pencil-and-paper questionnaire for the parameters of MAU, which consist of the perceived value, perceived likelihood, and momentary salience for each anticipated consequence of eating a healthy diet. Fruit and vegetable intake was collected daily using an online food intake log. Linear regression analysis revealed that MAU total scores were a significant predictor of fruit plus vegetable consumption (p = .000). T-test results indicated that high fruit plus vegetable eaters and low fruit plus vegetable eaters were significantly different from each other on individual parameter scores of the MAU model (range, p = .032 to p = .000). Conclusions: This study suggest that the MAU model may predict eating behaviors and provides support for further investigation; the MAU framework may help identify the factors that have greatest influence college students’ nutrition decision making processes, and can aid in the development of interventions that address target consequences that have high utility scores in the target population.
Exploring Motivation of Construction Workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Aim: The aim of this paper is to explore motivation of construction workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH managers and non-managers, working for the Cengiz construction company and it is B&H and international subsidiaries and contractors and sub-contractors. The research site was confined at B&H highway corridor 5c, in the vicinity of Tarcin and Vlakovo construction sites. Results: Our results were grouped in three categories: general motivation, carrier motivation and business motivation. These types of motivational factors are applicable to Maslow's, Alderfers's, Herzberg's, Reinforcement, Equity and Expectancy theories of motivation. They are congruent with prioritized motivational factors from Hewage's model. In order to establish whether there were any statistical differences exist between groups of respondents the researcher conducted parametric statistical tests, by constructing index variables for each dimension. This process produced three types of variables: general motivation index, carrier motivation index and business motivation index. The newly constructed variables were tested for normality and their distributions were confirmed as normal. T-test confirmed that there was no statistically significant difference between genders. Only, on the carrier motivation dimension, some differences were detected. This conclusion was additionally supported by the Pearson product-movement correlation coefficients. Those never approached conventional degree of significance of α=0.05, as the following result were attained (t=-1.541, p=0.126<0.05). Conclusion: In general, there seems to be suggestive evidence that flexible work hours and better worker-manager collaboration could be effective non-monetary factors for increase in motivation of construction workers, especially those who belong to 18 – 30 years age group. Hence, the recommendation for managers and supervisors would be to use communication and feedback to build trust between the employer and the employee, and to motivate employees in non-financial manner. This should have an immediate effect on the improved productivity.
The Limitations of the GRE in Predicting Success in Biomedical Graduate School

Historically, admissions committees for biomedical Ph.D. programs have heavily weighed GRE scores when considering applications for admission. The predictive validity of GRE scores on graduate student success is unclear, and there have been no recent investigations specifically on the relationship between general GRE scores and graduate student success in biomedical research. Data from Vanderbilt University Medical School's biomedical umbrella program were used to test to what extent GRE scores can predict outcomes in graduate school training when controlling for other admissions information. Overall, the GRE did not prove useful in predicating who will graduate with a Ph.D., pass the qualifying exam, have a shorter time to defense, deliver more conference presentations, publish more first author papers, or obtain an individual grant or fellowship. GRE scores were found to be moderate predictors of first semester grades, and weak to moderate predictors of graduate GPA and some elements of a faculty evaluation. These findings suggest admissions committees of biomedical doctoral programs should consider minimizing their reliance on GRE scores to predict the important measures of progress in the program and student productivity.
LYMPHOEPITHELIOMA-LIKE CARCINOMA OF THE URETER

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is a tumor with morphological features identical to undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma that occurs outside the nasopharynu.1 The tumor has occurred in the salivary gland, stomach, lung, thymus, bladder,2 prostate, vagina and skin. Epstein-Barr virus has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of some organs.' We describe a lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma in the ureter associated with in situ hybridization for Epstein-Barr virus encoded ribonucleic acid (EBER).
Deficiency of transcription factor RelB perturbs myeloid and DC development by hematopoietic-extrinsic mechanisms

RelB is an NF-κB family transcription factor activated in the noncanonical pathway downstream of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) and TNF receptor family members including lymphotoxin-β receptor (LTβR) and CD40. Early analysis suggested that RelB is required for classical dendritic cell (cDC) development based on a severe reduction of cDCs in Relb-/- mice associated with profound myeloid expansion and perturbations in B and T cells. Subsequent analysis of radiation chimeras generated from wild-type and Relb-/- bone marrow showed that RelB exerts cell-extrinsic actions on some lineages, but it has remained unclear whether the impact of RelB on cDC development is cell-intrinsic or -extrinsic. Here, we reevaluated the role of RelB in cDC and myeloid development using a series of radiation chimeras. We found that there was no cell-intrinsic requirement for RelB for development of most cDC subsets, except for the Notch2- and LTβR-dependent subset of splenic CD4+ cDC2s. These results identify a relatively restricted role of RelB in DC development. Moreover, the myeloid expansion in Relb-/- mice resulted from hematopoietic-extrinsic actions of RelB. This result suggests that there is an unrecognized but critical role for RelB within the nonhematopoietic niche that controls normal myelopoiesis.
Highly efficient conversion of terpenoid biomass to jet-fuel range cycloalkanes in a biphasic tandem catalytic process

The demand for bio-jet fuels to reduce carbon emissions is increasing substantially in the aviation sector, while the scarcity of high-density jet fuel components limits the use of bio-jet fuels in high-performance aircrafts compared with conventional jet fuels. Herein, we report a novel biphasic tandem catalytic process (biTCP) for synthesizing cycloalkanes from renewable terpenoid biomass, such as 1,8-cineole. Multistep tandem reactions, including C–O ring opening by hydrolysis, dehydration, and hydrogenation, were carried out in the “one-pot” biTCP. 1,8-Cineole was efficiently converted to p-menthane at high yields (>99%) in the biTCP under mild reaction conditions. The catalytic reaction mechanism is discussed.
Non-culture tests for the diagnosis of gonorrhea.

Gram-stain examination and culture of clinical specimens are the standard diagnostic tests for gonorrhea. However, both techniques have limitations. Gram stain is relatively insensitive for the diagnosis of cervical and rectal infections, and correct Interpretation of the Gram stain requires an experienced reader.1 Culture results may be unsatisfactory, unless selective culture medium is quality controlled, stored, and Inoculated properly, and promptly Incubated in a CO2-enriched atmosphere. Also the culture method using the common selective medium fails to detect vancomycin-susceptible strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Further problems arise when specimens must be sent to another facility for culturing.