cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential use of time domain reflectometry for measuring water content in rock

Abstract Quantifying water movement through bedrock materials requires a technique which can accurately measure water content at precise locations within the medium. Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) is widely used to measure the water content of soil and has a measurement sensitivity which is tightly confined to the area immediately surrounding the probes. This study applies TDR to the measurement of water content in rocks. The technique was evaluated using sandstone and welded tuff in a series of laboratory experiments. A block of each rock type was instrumented with a series of evenly spaced TDR probes. Each block was first saturated with water and then allowed to air dry. The water content was determined gravimetrically using the TDR over a period of several weeks. The results indicate that the TDR technique can be used to determine the water content of rock with an accuracy comparable with that reported for the technique used in soils.
Computational modeling of effects of alloying elements on elastic coefficients

Models for composition and temperature dependencies of single-crystal elastic stiffness coefficients are developed and applied to the Al12Mg17 and hexagonal closed-packed solution phases in the Mg–Al system based on data from first-principles calculations. In combination with models for multi-phases, the bulk, shear, and Young’s moduli of Mg–Al alloys are predicted and compared with available experimental data in the literature. It is noted that both phase transition and grain boundary sliding may play important roles in the elastic coefficients as a function of temperature.
Thermal Conductivity of Garnets and Phonon Scattering by Rare-Earth Ions

The thermal conductivity of 23 different single crystals of natural and synthetic garnets has been measured from 2 to 300 K. The heat is carried by phonons. Because the garnets have 80 atoms per primitive unit cell, there are a large number of optical-phonon modes which apparently do not contribute to the heat transport. The heat seems to be carried mainly by the acoustic phonons with wave numbers less than about 125 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. These acoustic phonons can be scattered by rare-earth ions that have electronic levels of their partially filled 4f shells that are at energies of 125 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ or less above the ground state. Such phonon scattering has been observed in the aluminum and gallium garnets of the trivalent ions Dy, Tb, Tm, Er, and Ho. The strength of the phonon scattering decreases in the order listed. This "magnetic scattering" is absent for trivalent Y, Gd, and Lu.
One-size MAP does not fit all

One-size mean arterial pressure does not fit allThe Surviving Sepsis Campaign [1] advocates maintaininga mean arterial pressure (MAP) of at least 65 mm Hg insepsis patients undergoing resuscitation. Leone andcolleagues [2], in an article published in this journal, suggestconsidering higher MAP targets in the resuscitation ofpatients with a history of arterial hypertension so they donot progress to acute kidney injury. Asfar and colleagues[3], in a multicenter, open-label trial, showed no significantdifference in mortality outcomes in septic shock patientsundergoing resuscitation with an MAP target of either 80to 85 mm Hg (high-target group) or 65 to 70 mm Hg(low-target group). However, the study did show thatchronic hypertensive patients in the higher-targetgroup had lower incidences of acute kidney injuryand renal replacement therapy. This likely stems from theneed for higher MAPs in chronic hypertensive patients inorder to maintain organ blood flow because of a shift of theorgan’s autoregulatory range to the right. Thus, targeting ahigher MAP for chronic hypertensive patients may helpavoid the development of acute kidney injury and the needfor renal replacement therapy. Renal replacement therapycarries with it inherent morbidity as well as additional cost.These costs include the need for dialysate fluid andextra personnel and the use of anticoagulation and theextracorporeal circuit [2]. However, chronic hypertensivepatients in the high-target group had a greater incidenceof new-onset atrial fibrillation (5.2% in the low-targetgroup versus 9% in the high-target group). Patients withnew-onset atrial fibrillation during sepsis have been shownto have increased incidences of in-hospital stroke andin-hospital mortality [4] as well as subsequent recurrenceof atrial fibrillation and increased long-term risks for heartfailure, ischemic stroke, and death [5]. This may offset anybenefit of a higher MAP. The ideal target MAP may haveto be individualized for specific patient populations. Morestudies are needed to determine whether baseline bloodpressure plays a role in the ultimate determination of theideal MAP target for patients with sepsis.
Studies on Enzymic Activity of Rat Liver Subcellular Fractions

SUMMARY: Mitochondrial and lysosomal preparations from rat livers were examined for the presence of a number of particulate bound enzymes, previously described as being present in mitochondria. The study sought to determine whether these enzymes were truly mitochondrial or partly associated with lysosomes which are contaminants of most mitochondrial preparations. The amino transferases were of particular interest because of their possible involvement in the metabolism of amino acids which are concentrated within lysosomes. It was shown that particulate aspartate amino transferase and alanine amino transferase are truly mitochondrial enzymes. Particulate glutathione reductase was shown to be distributed between lysosomes and mitochondria, the specific activities in the two particles being almost equal. Possible activation of catheptic protein hydrolysis is discussed. Lysosomes were shown not to contain the following enzymes: isocitrate dehydrogenase, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, serine dehydratase, glucose-dphosphate dehydrogenase, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and fumarate hydratase. Lysosomes were unable to incorporate amino acids into proteins but were able to incorporate acetate 14C into fatty acids. The importance of this process as a possible mechanism for controlling or altering the structure of the lysosomal membrane is discussed. Relationships of these findings to some properties of meats are discussed.
Race, SES Contexts and Fulfillment of College Aspirations*

The differential effects of social contexts and race on educational behavior are examined in terms of a causal process model. Based on data from San Diego, the role of social contexts are found to ...
A general dynamic model of 19th century US population change

Abstract The pattern of rural population growth in 23 northern states during the period 1790 to 1900 is examined using a general dynamic approach. The relationship between fertility, migration and population growth is analysed within a single settlement model and a control solution is produced which demonstrates that fertility and migration behaviour reacted to changes in land availability, eventually leading to population stability in rural areas.
Forty years of publication of Transplantation Proceedings--the fourth decade: Globalization of the enterprise.

m o d THE FOURTH DECADE of publication of Transplantation Proceedings illustrated the worldwide implementation of kidney, liver, pancreas, heart, lung and progressively small bowel transplantation. Documenting this therapeutic expansion, the Proceedings markedly extended its vistas to describe the activities of numerous regional, national and international societies (Table 1). The series of 50-year retrospective reviews of the field after the first successful renal transplantation between identical twins included contributions related to the kidney by Murray and by Calne; the liver by Starzl; the lung by Hardy; kidney plus pancreas by Najarian; immunobiology y Rapaport, Bach, and Brent; immunosuppression y Schwartz; human leukocyte locus A by Dausset and by Terasaki; cyclosporine (CsA) by its developer, Jean Borel, s well as Stiller, Starzl, and Kahan. Cutting edge updates in transplantation were subsequently provided by Shapiro et al who described the dmonton Protocol for islet; Barr, lung; Starling’s team, heart; Harmon, pediatric renal; Kelly, pediatric liver; Sutherland and Gruessner, pancreas; Stock et al, HIVositive patients; Ponticelli, steroid-free immunosuppresion; Grinyo’s team, gene therapy; and Moreno-Casado, combined lung plus liver procedures. The tremendous expansion of the enterprise demands implementation of strategies to maintain physician contact with patients by telematic networks, as described by Arias’ team, as well as computer-based physician training, for example, in aspects of liver transplantation as reported by Kallinowski’s group. Intestinal transplantation emerged at the horizon of routine clinical practice, as described by Tzakis’ team and by Langnas. Thiede’s group confirmed amelioration f small bowel alloimmunity by simultaneous orthotopic iver transplantation (OLT) as noted previously by Grant. lthough Tzakis et al obtained prolonged bowel survival by induction of mixed allogeneic chimerism using nonlethal irradiation and antilymphocyte serum, they later proselytized a more flexible immunosuppressive trategy employing the anti-CD52 monoclonal antibody
Chiral composite fermions without U(1)'s

Abstract Some models are discussed which seem likely to produce composite fermions with masses protected only by nonabelian global symmetries. A subgroup of the original global symmetries can be weakly gauged to produce small masses for the fermions. A new feature of these models is that the original global symmetries contain no abelian factors and below the confinement scale there are neither exactly massless fermions nor Goldstone bosons. A candidate is given for a potentially realistic model with up to six families of quarks and leptons.
Periodic and quasi-periodic Earth satellite orbits

This paper reports the existence of three types of satellite orbit periodic in coordinates rotating with the Earth. Results on linear orbital stability are presented. Also included is a survey of the author's results on quasi-periodic orbits.
Neo-liberal globalization in the Philippines: Its impact on Filipino women and their forms of resistance.

This article argues that neo-liberal globalization is not a neutral process. Using the Philippines as a case in point, it shows that neo-liberal policies have exacerbated poverty especially within ...
The sound of The Birds

Having attacked people at a gas station, setting off a conflagration, birds begin to gather over Bodega Bay, accompanied by an electronic hum that sounds like the grinding of two large stones or pe...
Neighborhood Disadvantage, Racial Concentration and the Birthweight of Infants Born to Adolescent Mothers

To study the relationship between neighborhood demographic characteristics (disadvantage, racial concentration) and the birthweight of infants born to adolescent mothers, potentially as mediated by smoking, prenatal care use, or perceptions of neighborhood safety. Data from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health were analyzed. Birthweight (continuous) and low birthweight (<2.5 kg) of singleton infants born to non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White adolescent mothers (<20 years) after Wave I were examined as outcomes. Neighborhood demographic characteristics included Census Block Group socioeconomic disadvantage and Black racial concentration. Possible mediators (smoking during pregnancy, early initiation of prenatal care, and perceptions of safety) were also examined. Controls for adolescent baseline age, age at pregnancy, body mass index (BMI) and parental education were included. Analyses were run stratified on race. Baseline continuous birthweight, BMI and neighborhood demographics varied significantly between non-Hispanic Black and White adolescent mothers, with Black adolescent mothers evidencing lower birthweight and higher BMI, neighborhood disadvantage and Black racial concentration. In multivariable analyses among Black adolescent mothers, Black racial concentration was positively associated with birthweight, and negatively associated with low birthweight; no mediators were supported. Neighborhood disadvantage and Black racial concentration were unassociated with birthweight outcomes among White adolescent mothers. Infants born to Black adolescent mothers evidenced higher birthweight with increasing Black neighborhood concentration. Further exploration of mechanisms by which Black racial concentration may positively impact birthweight is warranted.
AN ENDOGENOUS RHYTHM IN THE HILL‐REACTION ACTIVITY OF TOMATO CHLOROPLASTS

A B S T R A C T When tomato plants are grown under alternating light-dark conditions there is a diurnal rhythm in the dichlorophenol indophenol-Hill-reaction activity of chloroplasts isolated from the plants. The activity rises to a peak about 4 hr after the light period begins and then falls, and a second peak occurs during the dark period. When plants grown in alternating light-dark are placed under conditions either of continuous darkness and constant temperature or of continuous low-intensity light and constant temperature, the rhythm persists with a period of approximately 12 hr. This rhythm occurs only in plants up to about 4 weeks of age, and no rhythm in Hill-reaction activity is found in chloroplasts isolated from plants grown under continuous light. However, when cotitinuous-light plants are placed in continuous darkness a rhythm is initiated which seems to be quite similar to the rhythm observed with chloroplasts from alternating light-dark plants. Fluctuating temperatures do not replace light-dark alternation in initiating the rhythm. NUMEROUS STUDIES have been made concerning the Hill reaction since its discovery by Hill (1937). Hill and Scarisbrick (1940) were the first to notice with chloroplasts isolated from Stellaria a variation in chloroplast activity correlated w',xith the time of isolation. Chloroplasts from plants harvested about 10 AM showed maximum activity. When chloroplasts were isolated in late afternoon, activity was extremely low. Clendenning anid Gorham (1950) repeated this experimeint using chloroplasts from Stellaria and other plants, but they did not find a marked rhythm in activity in Stellaria chloroplasts.
Nerve Growth Factor–specific Regulation of Protein Methylation during Neuronal Differentiation of PC12 Cells

Protein methylation is a posttranslational modification that can potentially regulate signal transduction pathways in a similar manner as protein phosphorylation. The role of protein methylation in NGF signaling was examined by metabolic labeling of PC12 cell proteins with l-[methyl-3H]methionine and by in vitro labeling of cell proteins with l-[methyl-3H]S-adenosylmethionine. Effects of NGF were detected within 15 min. Methyl-labeled proteins were resolved by one and two dimensional SDS-PAGE. NGF affected the methylation of several 68–60-kD proteins (pI 5.8–6.4) and 50-kD proteins (isoelectric point pH 6.7–6.8 and 5.8–6.2). Several NGF-induced changes in methylation increased over several hours and through 4 d. Moreover, methyl labeling of several specific proteins was only detected after NGF treatment, but not in nontreated controls. The effects of NGF on protein methylation were NGF specific since they were not observed with EGF or insulin. A requirement for protein methylation for neurite outgrowth was substantiated with either of two methylation inhibitors: dihydroxycyclopentenyl adenine (DHCA) and homocysteine. DHCA, the more potent of the two, markedly inhibits protein methylation and neurite outgrowth without affecting cell growth, NGF-induced survival, cell flattening, or several protein phosphorylations that are associated with early signaling events. Removal of DHCA leads to rapid protein methylation of several proteins and concurrent neurite outgrowth. The results indicate that NGF regulates the methylation of several specific proteins and that protein methylation is involved in neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells.
Cultivando confianza: a bilingual community of practice negotiates restrictive language policies

Drawing from an ethnographic study of how one school community negotiates English-only policy in Arizona, we investigated how a bilingual community of practice was established at one school. Integral to establishing this bilingual community was the mobilization of Spanish-speaking families in the school's daily life and operation. This school–parent mutual engagement cultivated feelings of confianza, or trust, between educators and families, and ultimately facilitated the use of parent waivers to opt out of the state's mandated English-only program. Implications include the significance of establishing bilingual communities of practice and the need to engage the entire school community, especially families, in policy negotiation.
Experimental study and computer simulation of a two-stage continuous polymerization process for the production of methyl methacrylate

The two major problems encountered in industrial liquid-phase addition polymerization are: the heat released by highly exothermic reactions and the great increase in viscosity with conversion. The high rate or heat generation, coupled with the low thermal diffusivity of the reacting system, often lead to thermal runaway. Even with the process kept under marginal control, large temperature variations broaden the product molecular-weight distribution. Temperature control is particularly difficult in the Trommsdorff region, where reaction rate rapidly increases as temperature rises and viscosity builds up. A two-stage process is developed in this work to attack these problems and to achieve continuous operation of poly(methyl methacrylate) bulk polymerization. This process utilizes a continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) as a first-stage prepolymerizer and a spray tower as the second-stage finishing reactor. Use of a CSTR offers good temperature control and product uniformity during the early stages of reaction and eases delivery of the reacting system to the second stage at the desired conversion and molecular-weight level. Spraying the partially polymerized mixture into the tower as fine droplets prior to the onset of gel effect eliminates the problems of transporting, agitating, and mixing a reacting system with a rapidly increasing viscosity. Heat of reaction is efficiently removed by a countercurrent stream of nitrogen in the tower, in direct contact with the falling droplets. The high surface-to-volume ratio of these small droplets facilitates heat transfer, and the problem of heat buildup can be efficiently controlled. Products from the bottom of the tower can then be melt-processed by conventional methods, such as extrusion. Experiments performed in the laboratory have demonstrated the feasibility of this proposed concept. Process optimization was in no way achieved due to serious space and equipment limitations. The process was thus further examined by computer simulation and model parameter sensitivity study. A practical design was recommended based on the model predictions.
A Reply to Professor Frankena

Professor Frankena finds himself in a state of bewilderment about my opinions, particularly about those expressed in two recent articles, ‘Morality and Art’ and ‘Morality as a System of Hypothetical Imperatives’, which he discusses in an article pointedly entitled ‘The Philosopher's Attack on Morality’. To say, as he himself does, that he finds these articles ‘somewhat unclear’ seems on the internal evidence to be something of an understatement; he finds them full of uncertainties, contradictions, ambiguities and qualifications, and I do not know how he thinks anyone could have written such stuff.
Using an expert system to teach accounting for business combinations

Abstract This paper presents the results of using an expert system to teach business combinations accounting. Students who used the expert system, compared to those who did not, were more effective solving case problems and correctly answering exam questions. The learning performance of students significantly improved via the expert system assignment. A hands-on assignment using a new technology such as expert systems should help prepare students to be able to learn and use new technologies in their future careers.
ROLE OF CAROTENOIDS IN PROTECTING CHLOROPHYLL FROM PHOTODESTRUCTION—II. STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF FOUR MODIFIERS OF THE ALBINO cl1 MUTANT OF MAIZE*

— By combining independent, dominant, niodifier genes of the albino cl1 mutant it is possible to produce a spectrum of phenotypes ranging from normal green to albino. Analysis of plastid pigments reveals that the albino possesses the ability to produce as much or more chlorophyll than normal siblings and that this ability is not impaired by the presence of the modifier genes. The modifiers do influence, however, the amount of carotene and xanthophyll the plants produced. The level of the three plastid pigments (chlorophyll, carotene and xanthophyll) vary simultaneously and, in most modified phenotypes, occur in approximately the same concentrations relative to their normal siblings. Since chlorophyll production appears to be normal in these mutants, it is suggested that the modifier genes do not directly influence the concentration of this pigment. Rather, the ultimate amount of chlorophyll will not rise above that which can be protected from photodestruction by the carotenoid levels determined by the various modifier genotypes.
Stock Ownership in the Early New England Textile Industry

The unique features of ownership patterns in the early New England textile industry have long been recognized. Hitherto it has been the interlocking or horizontal relationships that have been studied. This article deals, instead, with the vertical pattern — describing ownership in terms of occupational groupings of all the investors rather than the kinship of the dominant owners. Conclusions are drawn in respect to such important points as the principal sources of textile capital, the rate of mercantile capital reinvestment in manufacturing, the relationship between investment and industry integration, and the increasing importance of nonbusiness and institutional vested interests.
Design Considerations for Energy-Efficient Radios in Wireless Microsensor Networks

In the past few years, wireless microsensor networks have attracted a great deal of attention in the research community. This is due to the applications that will be enabled once wireless microsensor networks are in place. The design of wireless microsensor networks, however, represents a difficult challenge. Since many applications require fault-tolerant, long-term sensing, one important challenge is to design sensor networks that have long system lifetimes. Achieving long system lifetimes is difficult because sensor nodes are severely energy-constrained. In this paper, we demonstrate system-level techniques that adapt and tradeoff software and hardware parameters in response to changes in the requirements of the user, the characteristics of the underlying hardware, and the properties of the environment. By using these power-aware, system-level techniques, we are able to reduce the energy consumption of both general, adaptable systems and dedicated point systems. Moreover, given a specific set of operating conditions for a particular system, we show how energy savings of 50% can be achieved.
An enkephalin-like molecule in earthworm coelomic fluid modifies leukocyte behavior.

Substances that were immunoreactive in an RIA specific for met-enkephalin were detected following HPLC fractionation of earthworm coelomic fluid. Earthworm coelomocytes and human granulocytes were analyzed for changes in conformation based on measurements of cellular area and perimeter and expressed mathematically by using the Form Factor (FF). For coelomocytes the FF decreased following exposure to DAMA, a synthetic enkephalin analogue (d-Ala2, Met5-enkephaliamide). DAMA stimulated migration whereas untreated cells and those exposed to the specific opiate blocker naloxone did not move. The enkephalin-like molecule when exposed to human granulocytes stimulated an increased number of activated cells. Our results suggest a relationship between the immune and nervous systems of earthworms.
Catalytic reduction of carbon dioxide at carbon electrodes modified with cobalt phthalocyanine

(1 1) There may be a question that the bad interactions depicted in 9 and 16 can be avoided by rotating the carbon so that the hydrogen is in the position of the methyl in 9 and the phenyl in 16. Inspection with a Dreiding model clearly indicates that such conformations are destabilized by the steric repulsion between the 9-BBN ring and the phenyl group in 9 and between the 9-BBN ring and the methyl group in 16. (12) (a) For addition of allylboronates to Schiff bases, see: Hoffmann, R. W.; Eichler, G.; Endesfelder, A. Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1983,2000. (b) When alkylorganometallics, such as BuCu-BF, and Bu2CuLi.BF,, were utilized, the Cram/anti-Cram selectivity was low (-4:l). This is reasonable since the six-membered cyclic transition state is not involved in this reaction. For the reaction of imines with RCuaBF,, see: Wada, M.; Sakurai, Y. ; Akiba, K . Tetrahedron Lett. 1984, 25, 1079. If (13) An oxonium salt of aldehydes may take a trans geometry (17).
Possible Generational Effects of Habitat Degradation on Alligator Reproduction

Population decline of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) was observed in Lake Apopka in central Florida, USA, in the early 1980s. This decline was thought to result from adult mortality and nest failure caused by anthropogenic increases in sediment loads, nutrients, and contaminants. Reproductive impairment also was reported. Extensive restoration of marshes associated with Lake Apopka has been conducted, as well as some limited restoration measures on the lake. Monitoring by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC) has indicated that the adult alligator population began increasing in the early 1990s. We expected that the previously reported high proportion of complete nest failure (θ0) during the 1980s may have decreased. We collected clutches from alligator nests in Lake Apopka from 1983 to 2003 and from 5 reference areas from 1988 to 1991, and we artificially incubated them. We used a Bayesian framework with Gibbs sampler of Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation to analyze θ0. Estimated θ0 was consistently higher in Lake Apopka compared with reference areas, and the difference in θ0 ranged from 0.19 to 0.56. We conducted change point analysis to identify and test the significance of the change point in θ0 in Lake Apopka between 1983 and 2003, indicating the point of reproductive recovery. The estimated Bayes factor strongly supported the single change point hypothesis against the no change point hypothesis. The major downward shift in θ0 probably occurred in the mid-1990s, approximately a generation after the major population decline in the 1980s. Furthermore, estimated θ0 values after the change point (0.21) were comparable with those of reference areas (0.07–0.31). These results combined with the monitoring by FFWCC seem to suggest that anthropogenic habitat degradation caused reproductive impairment of adult females and decreases in θ0 occurred with the sexual maturity of a new generation of breeding females. Long-term monitoring is essential to understand population changes due to habitat restoration. Such information can be used as an input in planning and evaluating restoration activities.
Can E-Beam Technology Create Antimicrobial Fabrics?

Abstract. Silver has a long historical use as an antimicrobial metal; it exerts its antimicrobial effects oligodynamically. Current silver-fabric technologies are dependent upon either the use of silver thread in the weave or time release of silver salts from fabrics. Electron-beam technology uses a concentrated beam of electrons to induce crosslinking in irradiated materials. This research marks experimental work attempting to bond silver directly to cloth to create a composite. The study had four aims, to: 1) test treated synthetic fabrics for antimicrobial effectiveness; 2) distinguish differences in resistance between different bacterial genera; 3) test the longevity of treated fabrics through repeated washing; and 4) identify treatment conditions producing maximum effectiveness. Fabric was immersed in silver nitrate solution then irradiated to incite deposition. Effectiveness was measured using a Kirby-Bauer procedure to measure zones of inhibition around irradiated cloth circles. Following each roun...
New methods and evaluation experiments on translating TED talks in the IWSLT benchmark

The IWSLT benchmark task is an annual evaluation campaign on spoken language translation held by the International Workshop on Spoken Language Processing (IWSLT). The task is to translate TED talks (www.ted.com). This task presents two unique challenges: Firstly, the underlying topic switches sharply from talk to talk, and each one contains only tens to hundreds of utterances. The translation system therefore needs to adapt to the current topic quickly and dynamically. Secondly, unlike other machine translation benchmark tasks, only a very small relevant parallel corpus (transcripts of TED talks) is available. Therefore, it is necessary to perform accurate translation model estimation with limited data. In this paper, we present our recent progress and two new methods on the IWSLT TED talk translation task from Chinese into English. In particular, to address the first problem, we use unsupervised topic modeling to select additional topic-dependent parallel data from a globally irrelevant corpus. These additional data slices can then be used to build an unsupervised topic-adapted machine translation system. For the second problem, we develop a discriminative training method to estimate the translation models more accurately. Our experimental evaluation results show that both methods improve the translation quality over a state-of-the-art baseline.
Hydraulic Fracturing to Increase Fluid Flow

Hydraulic fracturing is a method of creating permeable layers to increase fluid flow in low permeability formations, and it should improve the performance of several in situ methods of remediation. We have shown that hydraulic fractures can be created and filled with coarse sand at depths of a few meters in overconsolidated silty-clay till. Simple equipment, which was designed for injection grouting, was used to create flat-lying fractures, with maximum dimensions of 5 to 8 m and maximum thicknesses of as much as 20 mm As many as four fractures, spaced 15 to 30 cm apart, were created from the same borehole. The fractures increased the rate of inflow into unsaturated till by factors between 3.2 and 9.1.
UAQ: a framework for user authorization query processing in RBAC extended with hybrid hierarchy and constraints

A key issue in RBAC systems is how to efficiently handle the user authorization process. That is, whether or not to grant a user's request to acquire a set of requested permissions or to activate a set of requested roles in a single session. The presence of hybrid hierarchies as well as the cardinality and dynamic separation of duty constraints make the issue more complex. In this paper, we define this issue as the user authorization query problem consisting of a role mapping problem and an activation checking problem. We also propose a set of algorithms to solve the role mapping and the activation checking problems. We show that our model is practical and flexible, and can deal with various cases in presence of the hybrid hierarchy and cardinality/DSoD constraints.
The Value of El Niño Forecasts in the Management of Salmon: A Stochastic Dynamic Assessment

The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is the largest source of interannual variability in global climate. Variability in climate has been linked to variability in fisheries, specifically salmon stocks of the Pacific Northwest. The ability to forecast El Nino events already exists and is likely to improve in coming years. An accurate prediction may have value because it allows for better management decisions. In this article, we develop a bioeconomic model of the coho salmon fishery and derive the value of information from improved El Nino forecasting ability. We find that a perfect El Nino forecast results in an annual welfare gain of approximately $1 million, while imperfect forecasts lead to smaller gains. Results also suggest that optimal management in the face of uncertainty involves a “conservative” management strategy, resulting in lower harvest, higher wild fish escapement, and lower hatchery releases than management in the absence of such uncertainty.
Simple Statistical Gradient-Following Algorithms for Connectionist Reinforcement Learning

This article presents a general class of associative reinforcement learning algorithms for connectionist networks containing stochastic units. These algorithms, called REINFORCE algorithms, are shown to make weight adjustments in a direction that lies along the gradient of expected reinforcement in both immediate-reinforcement tasks and certain limited forms of delayed-reinforcement tasks, and they do this without explicitly computing gradient estimates or even storing information from which such estimates could be computed. Specific examples of such algorithms are presented, some of which bear a close relationship to certain existing algorithms while others are novel but potentially interesting in their own right. Also given are results that show how such algorithms can be naturally integrated with backpropagation. We close with a brief discussion of a number of additional issues surrounding the use of such algorithms, including what is known about their limiting behaviors as well as further considerations that might be used to help develop similar but potentially more powerful reinforcement learning algorithms.
Developing a CKD Registry in Primary Care: Provider Attitudes and Input

Background Chronic disease registries have been successful at promoting the delivery of guideline-concordant primary care for patients with diabetes and hypertension, but not for chronic kidney disease (CKD). To understand whether a registry could be designed to improve CKD management in primary care, we explored primary care provider attitudes about the benefits (or lack thereof) of a CKD registry compared with other chronic diseases and the key facilitators of successfully implementing a CKD registry in safety-net primary care. Study Design Qualitative, using semistructured interviews. Setting & Participants We conducted and recorded semistructured 1-hour interviews with medical directors and quality improvement champions from safety-net adult primary care clinics in San Francisco. Analytic Approach Recordings were transcribed and analyzed using a grounded theory approach until thematic saturation was achieved. Results 20 primary care providers were interviewed. 4 themes relevant to the development of a successful CKD registry for safety-net primary care were identified: (1) provider beliefs that a CKD registry could aid in the delivery of team-based high-quality CKD care; (2) clinic workflow redesign and staffing are key facilitators to successful implementation of a CKD registry; (3) unique complexities of CKD, such as varying etiologies, may limit the use of a CKD registry by nonphysicians; and (4) a CKD registry is aligned with current primary care priorities and health care delivery strategies. Limitations Small sample size and reliance on clinician leaders within one health care delivery system. Conclusions A CKD registry directed at the entire health care team, with the functionality to track, standardize, and enhance CKD care through decision support, has the potential to improve the management of CKD in safety-net primary care settings. These data directly informed the development of a CKD registry in these settings in San Francisco.
Natural and constrainment-induced factors influencing the breakdown of dogwood and oak leaves

Breakdown rates and microbial colonization patterns of dogwood and oak leaves were measured between November and June of 1987–88 and 1988–89. Leaves were placed in artificial streams loose (unconstrained), in bags, or in packs. Discharge was maintained at approximately 0.25 s−1, and no shredders were present in the streams. Average microbial biomass as ATP, for all species and treatments, increased from near 0 mg g−1 AFDW in November to over 8 mg g−1 AFDW in June. Microbial respiration increased from about 0.01 µg glucose respired hr-g−1 AFDW in November to about 0.03 µg hr-g−1 AFDW in June. Microbial biomass and activity were significantly greater on dogwood leaves than on oak leaves. Dogwood and oak leaf breakdown rates were fastest when unconstrained, −0.0034 and −0.0027 degree-day−1 respectively. Breakdown rates of dogwood leaves were faster in bags (−0.0025 degree-day−1) than in packs (−0.0015 degree-day−1) while rates of oak leaves were not significantly different between bags and packs (−0.0014 and −0.0018 degree-day−1 respectively). Breakdown rates of dogwood and oak leaves obtained in this study were much slower than those obtained by other investigators either in the presence or absence of shredders. A comparison of results from this study with results from other studies revealed that dogwood leaves may be affected more by turbulence, while oak leaves may be influenced more by shredder activity.
Does home Internet use influence the academic performance of low-income children? findings from the HomeNetToo project

Research on the effects of home Internet use on children's academic performance is virtually nonexistent. Although parents believe that having the Internet at home is important to their children's success in school, evidence linking access to success is lacking. In the HomeNetToo project we automatically recorded the actual Internet use of 130 children (mean age=13) from low-income families for 16 months. Most of the children were African American (83%) and male (58%), and all resided in a mid-size urban community in the United States. Results indicated that Internet use predicted both grade point averages (GPAs) and standardized test scores. In general, the more frequently children used the Internet at home, the better their GPAs and standardized test scores. Implications for efforts to reduce the digital divide and facilitate access to technology for all children are discussed.
Morbid Obesity and Congestive Heart Failure Increase Operative Time and Room Time in Total Hip Arthroplasty.

Abstract Background Obesity is increasingly common in patients having total hip arthroplasty, and previous studies have shown a correlation with increased operative time in total hip arthroplasty. Decreasing operative time and room time is essential to meeting the increased demand for total hip arthroplasty, and factors that influence these metrics should be quantified to allow for targeted reduction in time and adjusted reimbursement models. This is the first study to use a multivariate approach to identify which factors increase operative time and room time in total hip arthroplasty. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was used to identify a cohort of 30,361 patients having total hip arthroplasty between 2006 and 2012. Patient demographics, comorbidities including body mass index, and anesthesia type were used to create generalized linear models identifying independent predictors of increased operative time and room time. Results Morbid obesity (body mass index >40) independently increased operative time by 13 minutes and room time 18 by minutes. Congestive heart failure led to the greatest increase in overall room time, resulting in a 20-minute increase. Anesthesia method further influenced room time, with general anesthesia resulting in an increased room time of 18 minutes compared with spinal or regional anesthesia. Conclusion Obesity is the major driver of increased operative time in total hip arthroplasty. Congestive heart failure, general anesthesia, and morbid obesity each lead to substantial increases in overall room time, with congestive heart failure leading to the greatest increase in overall room time.
Rasta Evolution: The Theology of the Twelve Tribes of Israel

This article is concerned with the evolution of the Rastafarian movement through the specific example of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. It provides a serious treatment of Rasta theology by delving in...
Transformational Leadership or Effective Managerial Practices

Over the past several years, much attention has been given to Bass and Avolio's notion of transformational leadership. However, there are striking similarities between Bass and Avolio's concepualiz...
The carbuncle phenomenon is incurable

Abstract Numerical approximations of multi-dimensional shock waves sometimes exhibit an instability called the carbuncle phenomenon. Techniques for suppressing carbuncles are trial-and-error and lack in reliability and generality, partly because theoretical knowledge about carbuncles is equally unsatisfactory. It is not known which numerical schemes are affected in which circumstances, what causes carbuncles to appear and whether carbuncles are purely numerical artifacts or rather features of a continuum equation or model. This article presents evidence towards the latter: we propose that carbuncles are a special class of entropy solutions which can be physically correct in some circumstances. Using “filaments”, we trigger a single carbuncle in a new and more reliable way, and compute the structure in detail in similarity coordinates. We argue that carbuncles can, in some circumstances, be valid vanishing viscosity limits. Trying to suppress them is making a physical assumption that may be false.
Properties of intertidal marsh sediment mobilized by rainfall

We conducted sprinkler irrigation experiments on a low-tide marsh to investigate the effects of rainfall on the redistribution of organic matter (OM) and nutrients in the intertidal zone. We irrigated 1- 3 2-m plots at highmarsh, low-marsh, and channel bank sites and flood-irrigated 1- 3 3-m plots in the high marsh and low marsh. We measured particulate density, OM content, organic carbon (OC) content, and nitrogen (N) content and calculated OM particulate density and atomic C : N ratios. The content of OM, OC, and N in rainfall-mobilized sediment was consistently higher than in the substrate. C : N ratios ranged from 13 to 15 and were consistently lower than the sediment substrate (16‐21). These observations indicate that rainfall can mobilize N preferentially over OC; hence, rainfall events deplete the marsh substrate of OM, OC, and nutrients. Despite variability in the density of mobilized particulates, the calculated OM densities and the C : N ratios remained unchanged during the irrigation experiments. These results indicate that rainfall runoff processes preferentially and consistently mobilize OM-rich particulates with low C : N ratios, characteristic of mixed algal or vascular plant sources. The short-term OC fluxes during these rainfall experiments represent 3‐20% of annual primary productivity. Salt marshes are among the most highly productive ecosystems in the world, producing more organic matter per unit area than forests, grasslands, or cultivated fields (Schlesinger 1977). High marsh productivity is facilitated by biogenic and physical processes that interact to recycle nutrient-rich sediment. The physical processes that drive intertidal salt marsh sediment cycling result from both marine and subaerial forcing; therefore, rainfall during low tide might be an important facet of intertidal marsh sediment redistribution. For example, Anderson and Meyer (1984) determined that rainfall onto the low-tide substrate accounts for 50% of the suspended sediment concentration in a small cove. Also, Settlemeyer and Gardner (1975) showed that low tide storms increase suspended sediment concentrations in tidal creeks by up to three orders of magnitude. Moreover, Mwamba and Torres (2002) estimated that a single thunderstorm could mobilize .67,000 kg sediment km 22 salt marsh. Low-tide rainstorms could also affect the accumulation, turnover, transformation, and redistribution of marsh organic matter and nutrients. For example, Oertel (1976) measured increases in suspended sediment concentrations during spring tides and rainstorms and found that the mobilized organic matter had a marsh rather than terrestrial source. Correll (1981) showed that rainfall events transfer organic matter and nutrients from marsh to estuarine systems. Chalmers et al. (1985) reasoned that rainfall-induced erosion of the salt marsh and subsequent sediment redistribution by tidal action are important processes that control the cycling of organic carbon in estuaries fringed with extensive salt marsh. Also, Dame and Kenny (1986) found that rainfall-induced
Pediatric Psychology in Genitourinary Anomalies

Children with genitourinary anomalies are at risk for developmental and adjustment challenges. Pediatric psychologists can address the needs of these children within the urology clinic through focusing on assessment, intervention, and prevention of psychosocial problems associated with their urologic diagnosis. Care is optimized if surgeons and mental health providers work together to care for this challenging group of patients.
Speech Perception in Noise by Children With Cochlear Implants

Purpose Common wisdom suggests that listening in noise poses disproportionately greater difficulty for listeners with cochlear implants (CIs) than for peers with normal hearing (NH). The purpose of...
Numerical Simulation of a Flapping Foil with Chordwise or Spanwise Flexibility

Motivated by the discovery that living creatures may be able to enhance their locomotion capability through passive or active deformations of their wings or fins, we carry out a fully coupled fluid-structure interaction study to investigate the flapping motion of a foil with either chordwise or spanwise flexibility. We employ a fluid-structure interaction model, which accounts for fluid dynamics using the boundary-element method and structural dynamics using a two-dimensional nonlinear thin-plate model. With this approach, we numerically investigate the effect of structural deformation on the performance of the foil when it is immersed in two different fluids, a low-density fluid (e.g., air), in which the deformation is determined primarily by the inertia of the foil, and a high-density fluid (e.g., water), in which the fluid loading has a significant impact. In the first scenario, we find that the chordwise flexibility reduces both the thrust and the propulsion efficiency and the spanwise flexibility increases the thrust without efficiency reduction within a small range of structural parameters. In the second scenario, we find that the chordwise flexibility increases the efficiency. The spanwise flexibility, on the other hand, compromises the performance of the foil by diminishing both the thrust and the efficiency. Possible applications of these findings and their relation to designs in aquatic animals are discussed.
ENSO Model Validation Using Wavelet Probability Analysis

Abstract A new method to quantify changes in El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability is presented, using the overlap between probability distributions of the wavelet spectrum as measured by the wavelet probability index (WPI). Examples are provided using long integrations of three coupled climate models. When subsets of Nino-3.4 time series are compared, the width of the confidence interval on WPI has an exponential dependence on the length of the subset used, with a statistically identical slope for all three models. This exponential relationship describes the rate at which the system converges toward equilibrium and may be used to determine the necessary simulation length for robust statistics. For the three models tested, a minimum of 250 model years is required to obtain 90% convergence for Nino-3.4, longer than typical Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) simulations. Applying the same decay relationship to observational data indicates that measuring ENSO variability with 90% conf...