cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Centrifugal Method of Mixing Soil with Stabilizer

A new method of pulverizing and mixing soil with stabilizers is considered for the purpose of minimizing the energy required in these operations. The method consists of extruding soil through a screen mounted between two rotating disks and spraying the extrudate with stabilizers. Vicksburg buckshot clay with various water contents has been used to evaluate the effectiveness of the method. Theoretical analyses were done in order to determine the minimum rotational speed for soil extrusion, the energy requirement, and the length of the extrudate. These theoretical results compare favorably with the experimental results. These results indicate that this method of mixing is more reliable and efficient in terms of both quality of mixing and cost than currently available commercial techniques.
Changing perspectives on distribution policy: The evolution from dividends to share repurchase

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a synthesis of the literature on the changing perspectives of corporate distribution policy.Design/methodology/approach – This paper synthesizes and interprets the theoretical, empirical and survey‐based research on corporate payout policy.Findings – Dividends once constituted a prominent part of an investor's total return, but this role has declined over time. Although many companies still pay cash dividends, share repurchases have risen dramatically and are now a significant component of payout.Research limitations/implications – New theories and perspectives on corporate distribution are likely to be introduced; while this paper represents an up‐to‐date view on the topic, it is not possible to anticipate new research developments that may affect some of the perspectives expressed herein.Practical implications – No single explanation fully accounts for the changes in distribution policy, most notably, the declining incidence of dividend‐paying firms and ...
Data compression using text encryption

Summary form only given. We discuss the use of a new algorithm to preprocess text in order to improve the compression ratio of textual documents, in particular online documents such as web pages on the World Wide Web. The algorithm was first introduced in an earlier paper, and in this paper we discuss the applicability of our algorithm in Internet and Intranet environments, and present additional performance measurements regarding compression ratios, memory requirements and run time. Our results show that our preprocessing algorithm usually leads to a significantly improved compression ratio. Our algorithm requires a static dictionary shared by the compressor and the decompressor. The basic idea of the algorithm is to define a unique encryption or signature for each word in the dictionary, and to replace each word in the input text by its signature. Each signature consists mostly of the special character '*' plus as many alphabetic characters as necessary to make the signature unique among all words of the same length in the dictionary. In the resulting cryptic text the most frequently used character is typically the '*' character, and standard compression algorithms like LZW applied to the cryptic text can exploit this redundancy in order to achieve better compression ratios. We compared the performance of our algorithm to other text compression algorithms, including standard compression algorithms such as gzip, Unix 'compress' and PPM, and to one text compression algorithm which uses a static dictionary.
The number and ratio of positive lymph nodes affect pancreatic cancer patient survival after neoadjuvant therapy and pancreaticoduodenectomy

Aims This study is to examine the significance of the number and ratio of positive nodes in post-neoadjuvant therapy pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods and results Our study population consisted of 398 consecutive PDAC patients, who completed neoadjuvant therapy and PD between 1999 and 2012. Lymph node status was classified as ypN0 (node-negative), ypN1 (1–2 positive nodes) and ypN2 (≥3 positive nodes) and correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). The ypN0, ypN1 and ypN2 was present in 183 (46.0%), 117 (29.4%) and 98 (24.6%) patients, respectively. Additionally, 162 (40.7%) had a lymph node ratio (LNR) ≤0.19 and 53 (13.3%) had a LNR >0.19. Patients with ypN1 disease had shorter DFS and OS than those with ypN0 disease, but better DFS and OS than those with ypN2 disease (P 0.19 (P < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, both the number of positive nodes and LNR were independent prognostic factors for DFS and OS. Conclusions Subclassification of post-therapy node-positive group into ypN1 (1–2 positive nodes) and ypN2 (≥3 positive nodes) should be incorporated into the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging of PDAC patients.
The Prosecutor's Duty to Truth

Curiously, despite extensive documentation of erroneous convictions, widespread prosecutorial abuses that contribute to wrongful convictions, and a plethora of academic literature on the ethical responsibilities of prosecutor, there has been little discussion of the prosecutor's legal and ethical duty to truth. As I hope to demonstrate, the prosecutor has a legal and ethical duty to promote truth and to refrain from conduct that impedes truth. The courts have explicitly recognized the existence of this duty, and have implicitly recognized this duty by reversing convictions when a prosecutor engages in conduct that undermines the search for truth.
On Doctrines That Do Many Things

Every kitchen has two kinds of tools. Some of these tools do many things well, like a chef’s knife. Other tools do only one thing, but they are meant to do that one thing exceedingly well, like a garlic press. This distinction also appears in legal doctrines. Some do one thing and are meant to do it very well. Other doctrines do many different things. They serve multiple functions, though perhaps all imperfectly. Indeed, this is often a basis for criticism. Scholars have criticized many legal doctrines -- from the constructive trust to the Erie doctrine, from the irreparable injury rule to the standing requirement, from the collateral source doctrine to strict scrutiny -- on the grounds that they serve multiple purposes and are therefore incoherent. By contrast, judges seem to prefer these multi-function doctrines. They resist the scholarly projects of deconstruction and specialization. This Essay considers that contrast in perspective, and it explores the differences between single-function and multi-function doctrines. These differences include the type of decisions that must be made, the possibility of expertise, adaptability over time, and the relative burdens on the designer and the user.
Book review: Readings in Philosophy and Cognitive Science by Alvin I. Goldman (MIT Press/Bradford Books 1993)

Alvin Goldman is a well known philosopher who feels that cognitive science can make positive contributions to philosophy. Readings in Philosophy and Cognitive Science/ is a large, very nicely done volume of important articles by philosophers and cognitive scientists. Conceived by Goldman as a companion to his recent text Philosophical Applications of Cognitive Science/ [ag:paocs], it connects work in the various disciplines of cognitive science to philosophy. The two texts make a strong case that philosophy must take seriously work in the cognitive sciences. The emphasis is primarily on the constituent discipline of psychology, particularly cognitive psychology. AI researchers will find their discipline rather underrepresented in both volumes. The books are best seen as offering AI researchers a good look at how the other constituent disciplines of cognitive science impact the naturalization of philosophy.
Incidence and severity of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae, group A Streptococcus, and group B Streptococcus infections among pregnant and postpartum women.

Background The epidemiology of streptococcal infection in pregnant and postpartum women is poorly described in recent literature. We used data from multistate surveillance for invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae, group A Streptococcus (GAS), and group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections to estimate disease incidence and severity in these populations. Methods Cases were reported through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Active Bacterial Core surveillance, an active population- and laboratory-based system. A case was defined as illness in a woman aged 15-44 years with streptococcus isolated from a normally sterile body site during 2007-2009. Pregnant or postpartum status was recorded at the time of culture. Incidence was calculated as cases per 1000 woman-years with use of national Census data; 95% confidence intervals were calculated on the basis of λ distribution. We used multivariable logistic regression to explore associations between pregnant or postpartum status and hospital length of stay, a marker of disease severity. Results We identified 1848 cases in women; 6.0% of women were pregnant, and 7.5% were postpartum. Pregnant women had a higher mean incidence of GBS disease, compared with nonpregnant women (0.04 cases per 1000 woman-years [range, 0.03-0.05 cases per 1000 woman-years] vs 0.02 cases per 1000 woman-years [range, 0.02-0.02 cases per 1000 woman-years]). Postpartum women had elevated mean incidence of all 3 pathogens, compared with nonpregnant women (S. pneumoniae: 0.15 cases per 1000 woman-years [range, 0.09-0.25 cases per 1000 woman-years] vs 0.052 cases per 1000 woman-years [range, 0.049-0.056 cases per 1000 woman-years]; GAS: 0.56 cases per 1000 woman-years [range, 0.42-0.70 cases per 1000 woman-years] vs 0.019 cases per 1000 woman-years [range, 0.017-0.021 cases per 1000 woman-years]; GBS: 0.49 cases per 1000 woman-years [range, 0.36-0.64 cases per 1000 woman-years] vs 0.018 [range, 0.016-0.020 cases per 1000 woman-years]). Neither pregnancy nor postpartum status was associated with longer length of stay among women infected with any of the 3 pathogens. Conclusions Although invasive streptococcal infections do not appear to be more severe in pregnant or postpartum women, postpartum women have a 20-fold increased incidence of GAS and GBS, compared with nonpregnant women.
Temperature Effects on the Living Cationic Polymerization of Isobutylene: Determination of Spontaneous Chain-Transfer Constants in the Presence of Terminative Chain Transfer

The living cationic polymerization of isobutylene (IB) was studied using the 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane (TMPCl)/TiCl4/2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (DTBP) system in hexane (Hex)/methyl chloride (MeCl) (60/40 and 40/60, v/v) solvent mixtures at various temperatures ranging from −25 to −80 °C. From the Arrhenius plots of the apparent rate constants for propagation, negative apparent activation energies were observed and calculated to be −8.5 and −6.9 kcal/mol using Hex/MeCl, 60/40, v/v and 40/60, v/v solvent mixtures, respectively. At temperatures ≤ −60 °C, linear first-order plots and linear Mn versus conversion plots were obtained, suggesting the absence of termination and chain transfer. Irreversible termination was conspicuously observed from the curved ln([M]0/[M]) versus time plots when the polymerizations were carried out at temperatures ≥ −40 °C in both solvent mixtures. Mn versus conversion plots, however, exhibited linear growth of Mn, on the theoretical line, with increased conversion indicating...
Analysis of 3D frequency‐selective structures using a high‐order finite‐element method

A high-order vector finite-element method (FEM) is presented for the analysis of 3D frequency-selective structures (FSSs). The asymptotic waveform evaluation (AWE) technique is combined with the FEM to perform fast frequency and angular sweeps. Reflection/transmission characteristics of several frequency-selective structures are calculated and compared with the existing results. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 259–263, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11032
Fourier transform approach for thickness estimation of reflecting interference filters. 2. Generalized theory

A Fourier transform (FT) approach based on the evaluation of optical-density-bandwidth products in the spectral region of interest was recently proposed for the thickness estimation of reflecting thin-film dielectric filters. For simplicity, the initial discussion was limited to a particular type of immersed coating. The theory is generalized to more realistic filter configurations and confirmed by numerical examples. It is shown that good results are possible although the problem is more complex from a FT point of view.
A theoretical basis for extending surface-paneling methods to transonic flow

The surface integral terms in Green's third identity are often used to solve the Prandtl-Glauert (linear potential-flow) equation with panel methods. This can be done, as in the PAN AIR code, for either subsonic or supersonic flow about complete aircraft. The extension to transonic flow is suggested by the volume integral terms of Green's third identity. The mathematical basis for this extension, without the use of body-fitted grids, is presented. Supercritical transonic results computed from a two-dimensional transonic PAN AIR research code demonstrate the method.
Hardness Locus Sequence Variation and Endosperm Texture in Spring Barley

The Hardness (Ha) locus contains the Hina, Hinb-1, Hinb-2, and Gsp genes and was shown to be associated with grain hardness and dry matter digestibility (DMD) variation. In this study, 73 spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) accessions selected for DMD variation were assessed for variation in DMD, seed quality, and Hardness (Ha) locus component gene alleles. To determine whether Ha is associated with grain quality traits, we assessed the relationship of the Ha locus in the presence or absence of head type (two or six row) variation. To accomplish this, the barley Ha locus component genes (Hina, Hinb-1, Hinb-2, and Gsp) were sequenced from each accession and sorted by prevalence. The most common Ha haplotype (HINA, HINB-1, HINB-2 alleles) was present in 42 accessions with the remaining 39 dispersed over 24 haplotypes. Seeds from two-row accessions with the most common Ha haplotype were signifi cantly softer in grain texture (P < 0.001) and had increased starch content (P < 0.001) and DMD (P < 0.05). We used quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to measure Hina, Hinb-1, Hinb-2, and Gsp expression levels in developing seeds of 19 Ha locus haplotypes. The expression levels of all four genes were positively correlated with DMD. The results indicate that selection for individual Ha locus haplotypes may be useful in modifying seed size, DMD, and starch content in two-row barley.
Bremsstrahlung spectra for Al, Cs, and Au atoms in high-temperature, high-density plasmas.

Results are presented from a numerical calculation for the bremsstrahlung spectrum and Gaunt factors of Al, Cs, and Au atoms in high-temperature (-T), high-density (-rho) plasmas. Plasma temperatures kT = 0.1 and 1.0 keV and plasma densities rho = rho/sub 0/ (the normal solid density) and rho = 100rho/sub 0/ are considered. This allows us to determine the generality and identify the origins of features which we had previously identified in calculations for Cs. We also now present results for the total energy loss of an electron in such a plasma. We use a relativistic multipole code which treats the bremsstrahlung process as a single-electron transition in a static screened central potential. We take for the static potential corresponding to an atom in a hot dense plasma the finite-temperature, finite-density Thomas-Fermi model. This approach corresponds to an average atom in local thermodynamic equilibrium. In comparison to isolated-neutral-atom results we observe general suppression of cross sections and a particular suppression in the tip region of the spectrum. Within this model, both superscreening and shape resonances are found in the circumstances of extreme density. At more normal densities and except for the soft-photon end, the spectrum at these energies for an atommore » in a hot plasma (characterized by an average degree of ionization) can be well represented by the spectrum of the corresponding isolated ion, which has a similar potential shape at the distances which characterize the process.« less
Efficiency Wages, Deferred Payments, and Direct Incentives in Agriculture

Empirical evidence from agricultural labor markets is consistent with efficiency-wage theory and inconsistent with several alternative explanations. According to this theory, the higher wage or deferred payment (benefits) that direct-hire growers pay relative to that of farm labor contractors is an efficiency wage. Growers use this extra compensation to lower their monitoring expenses and reduce shirking by workers. Copyright 2002, Oxford University Press.
Hydrothermal scavenging at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: radionuclide distributions

We have carried out a study of U-series radionuclide distributions in the neutrally buoyant plume overlying the TAG hydrothermal vent field at 26°N, Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Limited uptake of U accompanies the formation of Fe-oxyhydroxide particulate material within the hydrothermal plume. The particulate U concentrations are too small for measurable dissolved U anomalies to be produced within the water column at plume height. However, such uptake, followed by deposition in the underlying sediments, could account for ∼ 10% of the U enrichment that has been reported previously for metalliferous ridge-crest sediments. Particulate 234Th, 230Th and 228Th activities in the TAG hydrothermal plume represent ≥65% of total Th activities typical of the deep ocean. Low dissolved Th activities coincide with the high particulate Th activities, indicating that hydrothermal scavenging strongly affects Th-isotope distributions in the water column close to hydrothermal vents. Much of the scavenging occurs during the initial formation of Fe-rich hydrothermal precipitates but some further scavenging continues as the material is dispersed, away from its source. Distributions of particulate 210Pb and 231Pa activities in the neutrally buoyant plume are also extremely high (7–12 dpm/102 l and 30–160 dpm/106 l, respectively). Like Th, 210Pb and231Pa show evidence for scavenging within the hydrothermal plume. Total Th activities at plume height are ∼ 50% higher than “background”. This “focusing” of Th into the plume is consistent with the entrainment and re-emplacement at plume height of particulate material recycled from beneath the neutrally buoyant plume.
Underground oil-shale retort monitoring using geotomography

Geophysical tomographs (geotomographs) were made of two underground oil-shale retorts: (1) the Occidental Oil Shale Inc. miniretort constructed for ignition tests at the demonstration mine at Logan Wash, Colorado; and (2) the Geokinetics Oil Shale Inc. Retort 25 near Vernal, Utah. These experiments demonstrate that geotomography may be a valuable diagnostic tool for underground oil-shale retorting processes. At the Geokinetics in-situ retort, the technique delineated the zones of high permeability in a cross-section of the retort. At the Occidental modified in-situ miniretort, the technique imaged the high temperature zone of the retort with a spatial resolution of about 2 m, and showed its temporal development over a period of eleven days.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

N 'onalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a spectrum of hepatic pathology that resembles alcohol-induced liver disease but develops in individuals who are not heavy drinkers. NAFLD is likely to be the most common cause of chronic liver disease in many countries and may also potentiate liver damage induced by other agents, such as alcohol, industrial toxins, and hepatotrophic viruses. The lack of specific and sensitive noninvasive tests for NAFLD limit reliable detection of the disease. Often, NAFLD is diagnosed presumptively when imaging studies suggest hepatic steatosis or when liver enzyme elevations are noted in overweight or obese individuals with no other identifiable reason for liver disease. NAFLD is strongly associated with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia; however, whether it is a cause or a consequence of these other conditions in not clear. The natural history of NAFLD is also uncertain. Nevertheless, discrepancies between the apparently high prevalence of NAFLD in the population and the generally low prevalence of clinically significant liver disease, as well as the relatively low representation of NAFLD patients among liver transplant populations, have generated considerable skepticism about the clinical importance of NAFLD. The latter has reduced enthusiasm for aggressive diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with NAFLD. This review of the clinical literature and selected basic information about NAFLD challenges some of these assumptions.
Masker laterality and cueing in forward-masked intensity discrimination

Forward-masked intensity discrimination was measured as a function of level in experiments designed to reveal insights into the mechanism(s) underlying the midlevel elevation of the Weber fraction. The standard and maskers were 1.0-kHz tones that were separated by 100 ms. Performance was measured for listeners with normal hearing using an adaptive procedure. In experiment 1, intensity discrimination was measured in the presence of an ipsilateral masker (80 dB SPL), a contralateral masker (93 dB SPL), and a binaural (dichotic) masker produced by combining the ipsilateral and contralateral maskers. Listeners perceived only the contralateral masker in the binaural-masker condition. The contralateral masker produced a small midlevel elevation of the Weber fraction. The ipsilateral masker and the binaural masker produced a large, midlevel elevation of the Weber fraction. Experiment 2 found that a two-tone masker resulted in a reduction (improvement) in the Weber fraction for some conditions, but the midlevel elevation remained for all subjects in this cue-tone condition. Experiment 3 demonstrated that cross talk could not account for all of the masking observed with contralateral maskers. Taken together, the results suggest that a single complex mechanism or multiple mechanisms may be responsible for the masking seen in these experiments. On the basis of the cueing results, it is concluded that a portion of the masking is due to cognitive factors; however, a sensory mechanism cannot be ruled out for the remaining portion, based on the results of these experiments. Finally, a small but significant amount of masking due to contralateral maskers places the mechanism for this outcome central to the cochlear nucleus.
Loss of Anterior Gradient 2 (Agr2) Expression Results in Hyperplasia and Defective Lineage Maturation in the Murine Stomach

Recent studies of epithelial tissues have revealed the presence of tissue-specific stem cells that are able to establish multiple cell lineages within an organ. The stem cells give rise to progenitors that replicate before differentiating into specific cell lineages. The mechanism by which homeostasis is established between proliferating stem or progenitor cells and terminally differentiated cells is unclear. This study demonstrates that Agr2 expression by mucous neck cells in the stomach promotes the differentiation of multiple cell lineages while also inhibiting the proliferation of stem or progenitor cells. When Agr2 expression is absent, gastric mucous neck cells increased in number as does the number of proliferating cells. Agr2 expression loss also resulted in the decline of terminally differentiated cells, which was supplanted by cells that exhibited nuclear SOX9 labeling. Sox9 expression has been associated with progenitor and stem cells. Similar effects of the Agr2 null on cell proliferation in the intestine were also observed. Agr2 consequently serves to maintain the balance between proliferating and differentiated epithelial cells.
Regulation of respiratory-related hypoglossal motor output by α1 adrenergic and serotonin 5-HT3 receptor activation in isolated adult turtle brainstems

The effects of brainstem α1 adrenergic receptor activation on respiratory control in reptiles are poorly understood. Isolated adult turtle brainstems were exposed to phenylephrine (α1 adrenergic agonist) and respiratory motor bursts were recorded on hypoglossal nerves. Phenylephrine acutely increased burst frequency, amplitude (low concentrations only), and regularity of the time interval between the start of respiratory events (single or clustered bursts), and decreased bursts/respiratory event. Burst frequency and timing changes persisted during a 2.0 h washout. Acute increases in burst frequency and amplitude were blocked by prazosin (α1 adrenergic antagonist). Pretreatment with prazosin and tropisetron (5-HT3 antagonist) blocked the increase in respiratory event regularity, but did not alter the decrease in bursts/respiratory event. Intermittent phenylephrine application (4 × 5.0 min separated by 20 min) did not produce long-lasting changes in burst frequency and amplitude, bursts/respiratory event, or respiratory event regularity. Thus, sustained α1 adrenergic receptor activation in turtle brainstems produces acute and long-lasting changes in respiratory burst frequency and pattern.
Algebraic Quotients of Compact Group Actions

Let K be a compact Lie group and X a real algebraic (or real analytic) K-variety. We find conditions under which the quotient X/K is again algebraic (real analytic), and we compare properties of X and X/K, including coherence and smoothness. For example, if L is a closed subgroup of K and A is a real affine algebraic L-manifold, then the twisted product K *L A is naturally an affine real algebraic K-manifold.
Optical constants of rf sputtered hydrogenated amorphous Si

The transmission spectra of $a\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{Si}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{H}}_{x}$ alloys prepared under various combinations of substrate temperature ${T}_{s}$ and hydrogen partial pressure ${p}_{\mathrm{H}}$ have been measured over the region of the spectrum encompassing the absorption edge. The dependence of the refractive index on ${T}_{s}$ and ${p}_{\mathrm{H}}$ and the photon energy has been established. The displacement of the absorption edge with ${T}_{s}$ and ${p}_{\mathrm{H}}$ has been studied and related to the hydrogen content of the films and the detailed parameters of deposition. Changes in the absorption edge spectrum resulting from annealing have been correlated with the evolution of hydrogen. The addition of P and B dopants produces absorption at photon energies below the edge of the undoped material. Finally, the temperature dependence of the absorption edge between 4 and 300 K has been measured.
Can back-of-the-book indexes be automatically created?

Automatic creation of back-of-the-book indexes remains one of the few manual tasks related to publishing. Inspired by how human indexers work on back-of-the-book indexes creation, we present a new domain-independent, corpus-free and training-free automation approach. Given a book, the index terms will be sequentially selected according to an indexability score encoded by the structure information residing in a book as well as a novel context-aware term informativeness measurement utilizing the power of the web knowledge base such as Wikipedia. By extensive experiments on books from various domains, we show our approach to be a more effective and practical than ones that used previous keyword extraction and supervised learning.
Two-photon fluorescence microscopy with differential aberration imaging

We report our progress in the development of Differential Aberration Imaging (DAI), a technique that enhances twophoton fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy by improving rejection of out-of-focus background by means of a deformable mirror (DM). The DM is used to intentionally add aberrations to the imaging system, which causes dramatic losses to in-focus signal while preserving the bulk of the out-of-focus background. By taking the difference between TPEF images with and without added aberrations, the out-of-focus portion of the signal is further rejected. We now introduce an implementation of DAI using a new type of DM that can be produced at much lower cost.
Erratum To: Philosophical and methodological beliefs of instructional design faculty and professionals

The online version of the original article can be found under doi:10.1007/s11423-011-9220-7.M. D. Sheehan (&) R. B. JohnsonUniversity of South Alabama, Mobile, AL, USAe-mail: msheehan@usouthal.eduTable 3 Philosophical belief differences by method preferencePhilosophical belief Method preference in descendingorderM Signiﬁcantly different pairsof meansPhysicalism Quantitative 2.82 Qualitative vs. quantitativeMixed 2.43 Mixed vs. quantitativeQualitative 2.23Idealism Qualitative 3.78 Qualitative vs. quantitativeMixed 3.51Quantitative 3.21Ontological realism nsOntological relativism Qualitative 4.11 Qualitative vs. quantitativeMixed 3.69Quantitative 3.22
Delayed tuberculin reactivity in persons of Indochinese origin: implications for preventive therapy.

Objectives: To 1) study a variant delayed reaction to tuberculin testing as a way to enhance screening for tuberculosis among high-risk persons and 2) correlate the delayed reaction with lymphocyte...
The Labor Supply of Immigrants in the United States: The Role of Changing Source Country Characteristics

Economists have long explored the role that source country characteristics have in determining the labor market performance of immigrants. For example, George J. Borjas (1987) models the migration decision as determined by the expected difference in the immigrant’s position in the earnings distribution in the host and source countries. Deborah A. Cobb-Clark (1993) extends Borjas’s model to immigrant women. Similarly, other studies explore how culture or traditional gender roles in the source country persist across borders and influence the labor market outcomes of immigrant women in the United States. For example, Heather Antecol (2000, 2001) and Francine D. Blau, Lawrence M. Kahn, and Kerry L. Papps (2008) find a positive relationship between source country characteristics and the labor market outcomes of immigrant women in the US. Absent from the existing literature, however, is an examination of how changes over time in a source country’s characteristics are associated with changes in the labor market outcomes of immigrants from that source country. In this paper, we study how changes in the source country characteristics are associated with changes in the labor supply outcomes of immigrants in the US, and whether these relationships are different across men and women. In particular, we focus on the changes in three The Labor Supply of Immigrants in the United States: The Role of Changing Source Country Characteristics
The paleobiological record of photosynthesis.

Fossil evidence of photosynthesis, documented in Precambrian sediments by microbially laminated stromatolites, cyanobacterial microscopic fossils, and carbon isotopic data consistent with the presence of Rubisco-mediated CO2-fixation, extends from the present to ~3,500 million years ago. Such data, however, do not resolve time of origin of O2-producing photoautotrophy from its anoxygenic, bacterial, evolutionary precursor. Though it is well established that Earth’s ecosystem has been based on autotrophy since its very early stages, the time of origin of oxygenic photosynthesis, more than 2,450 million years ago, has yet to be established.
NMR Study of Random-Field Effects in a Diluted Antiferromagnet

NMR of 19 F with no magnetic near neighbors (F o ) in the diluted antiferromagnet Mn 0.65 Zn 0.35 F 2 was used to study “random-field” effects on the critical behavior. From the temperature dependence of (1/ T 1 ), for fields applied parallel and perpendicular to the easy (c) axis, it was found that the transition temperature T c depressed substantially with field only for H o ∥ c . The field dependence of Δ T c = T c ⊥ - T c || is in general accord with the theory for random-field effects in disordered, anisotropic antiferromagnets, Δ T c ∝ h 2/φ , where h =µ H o / k T c . The value determined for the shift exponent φ=1.38±0.2 is in reasonable agreement with the prediction φ≃1.25.
Elutriation and attrition of char form a large fluidized bed

Abstract Previous correlations for elutriation of particle fines did not fit the present data obtained in a large fluidized bed using char/sand mixture as the bed material. A new form of correlation (after Zenz and Weil [1]) for the elutriation rate constants, E i , has been developed which gives a good agreement with the experimental data: E / ϱ g U g = 9.43 × 10 −4 ( U 2 g / gd p ) 1.65 . The attrition rate of production of fines of char particles in char/sand fluidized bed has been found to increase with U g — U mf as an exponential function: k a = ae b ( U g — U mf ) . The dependence of attrition rate constant on d p appears small, if it is present at all. Attrition would appear to be occuring only in the bubble wakes. A small char layer (without sand) was found on the char/sand bed surface when it was fluidized. The elutriation rate was found not to be significantly influenced by this thin char layer. This is a unique confirmation of the theory of entrainment that the majority of ejected particles originate from the wakes of bubbles which have grown as they rise through the bed.
Effect of firing temperature on the photocatalytic activity of anatase ceramic glazes

Abstract The aim of this work was to study the effect of sintering temperature on the photocatalytic activity of anatase ceramic glazes. The glazes were obtained by the addition of titania in two commercial ceramic frits. After mixing, the glazes were sprayed on ceramic tiles, which were fired between 850 and 1000 °C. The glaze surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The microstructural analysis showed that the anatase particles can be well dispersed and fixed by the glaze on the tile surfaces. The X-ray diffraction shows that at 850 °C the anatase particles are transformed into rutile. None of the glazes have shown expressive photocatalytic activity due to the transformation of anatase into rutile.
Effect of Ammonium, Potassium, and Sodium Cations and Phosphate, Nitrate, and Chloride Anions on Zinc Sorption and Lability in Selected Acid and Calcareous Soils

Zinc availability and mobility in soils is controlled by its interaction with the soil matrix and amendments. Contradicting evidence has been reported for factors influencing Zn behavior in soils. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of common cations and anions on Zn sorption and lability characteristics. Zinc sorption isotherms were conducted on three acid and four calcareous soils in NH + 4 , K + , and Na + and H 2 PO - 4 , NO - 3 and Cl - backgrounds. Lability of the sorbed Zn was evaluated by DTPA following sorption. Calcareous soils exhibited greater Zn sorption than did acid soils. Predicted Langmuir maxima for Zn sorption differed among the various ionic backgrounds. A majority of the total sorbed Zn (60-96%) was recoverable in the labile fraction. Both NH + 4 and K + equally decreased Zn sorption, as opposed to Na + in acid and calcareous soils; however NH + 4 yielded 4 to 12% more of sorbed Zn into the labile pool than did K + in acid soils. Zinc sorption was enhanced by H 2 PO - 4 as opposed to Cl - or NOa - 3 in acid soils, but it was decreased in three out of four calcareous soils. The effect of H 2 PO - 4 on the lability of the sorbed Zn in acid soils was similar to that of Cl - or NO - 3 , but in calcareous soils the phosphate held 10-25% more of the sorbed Zn in the nonlabile pool. It was concluded that even in calcareous soils, total Zn sorption could be impacted by phosphate-Fe oxide interactions. Furthermore, the effect of background ions on the lability of sorbed Zn varied between acid and calcareous soils. These results have important implications on Zn management in relation to other nutrients.
A decision making model for multi-attribute problems incorporating uncertainty and bias measures

Abstract Although a particular attribute, in isolation, may be considered as very important, it will not be of much use in differentiating among alternate decisions if all values for that particular attribute are very close. Another problem is in specifying weights indicating the attributes the decision maker considers important. These weights are difficult to obtain because they often reflect an attitude brought about by considering all of the alternatives rather than reflecting the decision maker's behavior. This article addresses the preceding problems through successive iterations of a process by which the decision maker is presented with sets of alternatives that most closely satisfy his ideal choice. The process incorporates the uncertainty of the decision maker with respect to how much each alternative's attribute value satisfies his ideal value. Entropy is also used as a measure of uncertainty in obtaining the alternative that is as close as possible to the ideal. The bias of the decision maker is reflected in how much he feels each attribute will make him happy. Fuzzy set theory is used to cope with the vagueness of the decision maker's feelings with respect to his satisfaction with an alternative and the relative importance of each attribute.
Antibiotic dosing in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury

A common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) is sepsis, which makes appropriate dosing of antibiotics in these patients essential. Drug dosing in critically ill patients with AKI, however, can be complicated. Critical illness and AKI can both substantially alter pharmacokinetic parameters as compared with healthy individuals or patients with end-stage renal disease. Furthermore, drug pharmacokinetic parameters are highly variable within the critically ill population. The volume of distribution of hydrophilic agents can increase as a result of fluid overload and decreased binding of the drug to serum proteins, and antibiotic loading doses must be adjusted upwards to account for these changes. Although renal elimination of drugs is decreased in patients with AKI, residual renal function in conjunction with renal replacement therapies (RRTs) result in enhanced drug clearance, and maintenance doses must reflect this situation. Antibiotic dosing decisions should be individualized to take into account patient-related, RRT-related, and drug-related factors. Efforts must also be made to optimize the attainment of antibiotic pharmacodynamic goals in this population.
Progress in understanding the chemical stratigraphy of metals in lake sediments in relation to acidic precipitation

Sediment cores, dated by 210Pb and/or varves, from lakes that do not receive point or non-point source discharge of pollutant metals and metalloids from within their catchments have been used to: 1. Develop a chronology of atmospheric deposition of trace elements related to air pollution. 2. Identify sources of these elements. 3. Estimate net fluxes of trace metals from both natural and anthropogenic sources. 4. Determine the extent of sediment focussing of metals (e.g. Pb) relative to the atmospheric flux of that metal. 5. Assess long term variations in the input of dry deposition of selected elements to lakes. 6. Establish if the water column has acidified. 7. Determine the maximum possible net increase in alkalinity generation attributable to cation release from the sediments of lakes which have undergone acidification. 8. Establish that fluxes of some metals (e.g. Al and Fe) from the catchment to the sediments have increased in many systems undergoing acidification. 9. Determine the net maximum alkalinity generation represented by the net sulfate reduction and storage in the sediment. 10. Estimate temporal variations in the speciation of metals retained in the sediment, caused by altered chemical conditions in the catchment soils, streams, and lakes.
Embolization and vessel wall perforation in argon laser recanalization.

The primary concerns in the development of a laser catheter for intravascular use are the potential hazards of vessel wall perforation and distal embolization. We present evidence, using technetium 99-labeled thrombi in two rabbit aortas and one human cadaver coronary artery, that distal embolization does not occur after argon laser recanalization. Also, no vessel wall perforation was observed during recanalization of 15 thrombosed rabbit aortas and 1 inferior vena cava, used because of their extremely thin walls. Laser recanalization of three peripheral arteries with atherosclerotic plaque obstruction, in amputated human legs, snowed no evidence of vessel wall perforation. The incidence of vessel wall perforation can be minimized by preferential use of the argon laser, strict maintainence of a coaxial relationship between the laser catheter and the vessel, and exercising care during the actual lasing process. Distal embolization does not appear to be an important consideration.
The South, Medium‐Sized Cities, and a New Look at the Determinants of African‐American Representation

This paper examines the determinants of African-American representation on city councils in medium-sized urban areas to provide greater insight into the strategies African-Americans use to achieve political incorporation and the extent to which traditionally excluded groups have access to elected positions in the United States. I argue that previous studies generate varied conclusions about the determinants of African-American representation on city councils because scholars fail to recognize that minority political strategies may vary based on the relative and absolute size of the minority population. I examine the determinants of African-American representation in medium-sized cities to consider whether African-Americans employ an electoral mobilization strategy when they make up a large percentage of the electorate but lack the large absolute numbers necessary to sustain demand-protest activities. A regression analysis indicates that the percentage of African-Americans in the electorate is the only factor that significantly affects African-American descriptive representation. This finding supports the hypothesis that African-Americans use an electoral strategy when they lack large absolute numbers. This research also confirms Guinier's (1994) claims that African-Americans fail to achieve proportional representation in the current electoral system and suggests that the plurality system comes with high start-up costs for a traditionally excluded group.
Assessing factors influencing political engagement in local communities

This article explores the relationship between perspectives on community leadership and both attitudes about political participation and actual political engagement. While there is a considerable b...
Relating sensory descriptors to volatile components in flavor of specialty rice types.

ABSTRACT: Flavor is a key factor contributing to consumer acceptance and repeat purchase of rice. Plant breeders focus on production yield and ignoring quality traits because there are no readily useable tools to evaluate quality. A systematic approach is needed for rice breeders to select rice with favorable flavor traits. Descriptive sensory analysis combined with chemical analysis provided an insight of sensory significance to interpret chemical data for a better understanding approach of rice flavor. This study was aimed to develop prediction models for sensory descriptors based on the volatile components derived from the gas chromatography–olfactometry (GC–O) that would be useful to help select rice cultivars containing a satisfactory flavor to produce improved quality in rice breeding programs. Thirteen Korean specialty rice samples were evaluated for their flavor components using descriptive analysis and GC–O. Nineteen aroma attributes in cooked specialty rice samples were evaluated by 8 trained panelists and statistically correlated to the concentration of aroma-active compounds derived from GC–O analysis. Prediction models were developed for most aroma descriptors including popcorn, cooked grain, starchy, woody, smoky, grain, corn, hay-like, barny, rancid, waxy, earthy, and sweet aroma using stepwise multiple linear regression. (E,E)-2, 4-decadienal, naphthalene, guaiacol, (E)-2-hexenal, 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline, 2-heptanone contributed most to these sensory attributes. These models help provide a quantitative link between sensory characteristics of commercial rice samples and aroma volatile components desirable in developing a rapid analytical method for use by rice breeders to screen progeny for superior flavor quality.
Sipunculus nudus Linnaeus, 1766 (Sipuncula): cosmopolitan or a group of pseudo‐cryptic species? An integrated molecular and morphological approach

Sipunculan taxonomy relies on a limited set of external morphological and internal anatomical characters. In addition, this marine group is characterized by an unusual large number of putatively cosmopolitan species. However, this ‘cosmopolitan’ status could be an artifact of their conserved morphology and the small number of unambiguous taxonomic characters available for delimiting species. Species delimitation can therefore be aided by molecular techniques. We investigated the case of the widespread and common species Sipunculus nudus Linnaeus, 1766 to determine its systematic validity. We analysed the morphology of multiple specimens of S. nudus collected from 11 localities around the world and undertook phylogenetic analyses using molecular sequence data from four genes (28S rRNA, 16S rRNA, histone H3 and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I). High levels of genetic differentiation are present between distantly related populations of the putative species S. nudus. Five distinct lineages were identified by phylogenetic analyses, three of which – the best-represented populations – can be distinguished morphologically. Our phylogenetic and morphological analyses thus do not favor the cosmopolitan status of S. nudus, suggesting instead that it constitutes a complex of morphologically similar but distinguishable species.
Rapid Cell Surface Kv2.1 Recycling Observed by Single Molecule Tracking

We study the insertion and retrieval of voltage-gated potassium channels, Kv2.1, at the single molecule level. Kv2.1 channels are labeled with quantum dots (QDs) at an extracellular domain. We observe QDs being internalized by the cell and new QD-tagged channels being inserted into the membrane. Because labeling occurs solely on the cell surface, only recycled channels that were previously in the plasma membrane can carry emerging QDs. Controls with both GFP and QD labels indicate that newly arriving QDs are indeed Kv2.1 channels. Channels that are in the plasma membrane from the beginning of the experiment can be either recycled or newly synthesized channels, as we cannot separate between these two in this measurement. The residence time distribution of channels that are on the cell surface from the beginning of our measurements has a median of 119 s, whereas for recycled channels the median is only 81 s, a 32% reduction (n = 334). In both instances it is surprising how short the residence time is on the cell surface of these channels. We propose that rapid channel turnover, via recycling pathways, helps the cell to maintain specialized regions in the membrane, which are entropically unfavorable. We investigate the role of actin in Kv2.1 trafficking using actin polymerization inhibitors. Upon the application of 5 μM cytochalasin D and 80 μM swinholide A, we observe that the residence times of both newly synthesized and recycled proteins are significantly reduced. In cells treated with actin inhibitors, channels are no longer sequestered into specific microdomains. Thus, channel recycling may function as an important factor in membrane compartmentalization and may be enhanced by stimuli that disrupt this organization.