cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevention of HIV/AIDS and other blood-borne diseases among injection drug users : A national Survey on the regulation of syringes and needles

We report the results of a survey of laws and regulations governing the sale and possession of needles and syringes in the United States and its territories and discuss legal and public health proposals to increase the availability of sterile syringes, as a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission prevention measure, for persons who continue to inject drugs. Every state, the District of Columbia (DC), and the Virgin Islands (VI) have enacted state or local laws or regulations that restrict the sale, distribution, or possession of syringes. Drug paraphernalia laws prohibiting the sale, distribution, and/or possession of syringes known to be used to introduce illicit drugs into the body exist in 47 states, DC, and VI. Syringe prescription laws prohibiting the sale, distribution, and possession of syringes without a valid medical prescription exist in 8 states and VI. Pharmacy regulations or practice guidelines restrict access to syringes in 23 states. We discuss the following legal and public health approaches to improve the availability of sterile syringes to prevent bloodborne disease among injection drug users: (1) clarify the legitimate medical purpose of sterile syringes for the prevention of HIV and other blood-borne infections; (2) modify drug paraphernalia laws to exclude syringes; (3) repeal syringe prescription laws; (4) repeal pharmacy regulations and practice guidelines restricting the sale of sterile syringes; (5) promote professional training of pharmacists, other health professionals, and law enforcement officers about the prevention of blood-borne infections; (6) permit local discretion in establishing syringe exchange programs; and (7) design community programs for safe syringe disposal.
FRAGILITY ASSESSMENT OF SLAB-COLUMN CONNECTIONS IN EXISTING NON-DUCTILE REINFORCED CONCRETE BUILDINGS

Fragility functions that estimate the probability of exceeding different levels of damage in slab-column connections of existing non-ductile reinforced concrete buildings subjected to earthquakes are presented. The proposed fragility functions are based on experimental data from 16 investigations conducted in the last 36 years that include a total of 82 specimens. Fragility functions corresponding to four damage states are presented as functions of the level of peak interstory drift imposed on the connection. For damage states involving punching shear failure and loss of vertical carrying capacity, the fragility functions are also a function of the vertical shear in the connection produced by gravity loads normalised by the nominal vertical shear strength in the absence of unbalanced moments. Two sources of uncertainty in the estimation of damage as a function of lateral deformation are studied and discussed. The first is the specimen-to-specimen variability of the drifts associated with a damage state, a...
A quantitative microscopic study of certain commercial and vegetable drug starches

The existing methods employed for starch counting in starch mixtures have been studied and an improved method based upon the use of a saturated solution of zinc sulfate and a Levy blood counting slide is proposed. The selection of a suspending agent of close proximity to the specific density of starch, the latter being at the same time not altered, provided for easier handling of the sample, rapid counting, and more consistent results. Methods are described for extracting pure starch from the vegetable drugs belladonna, aconite, glycyrrhiza, and orris roots. Limitations and disadvantages of the proposed method are described.
An implementation of Anna

Anna is a language extension of Ada to include facilities for formally specifying the intended behavior of Ada programs. It augments Ada with precise machine-processable annotations so that well established formal methods of specification and documentation can be applied to Ada programs.This paper describes an implementation of a subset of Anna. The implementation is a transformer that accepts as input an Anna parse tree and produces as output an equivalent Ada parse tree that contains the necessary executable runtime checks for the Anna specifications. An approach called the Checking Function Approach is used. This involves the generation of a function for each annotation and generating calls to these functions at appropriate places. The transformer has to take care of various details like hiding, overloading, nesting, etc.It is hoped that the transformer will eventually cover most of Ann and have various features like a good user interface, interaction with a symbolic debugger, and optimization of runtime checks for permanent inclusion.
Optimal inventory policy under different supplier credit policies

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of supplier credit policies on the optimal order quantity within the economic order quantity framework. The supplier credit policies addressed in this paper have been neglected in previous work and fall into two categories: (1) supplier credit policies where credit terms are independent of the order quantity and (2) supplier credit policies where credit terms are linked to the order quantity. In the latter case, suppliers use favorable credit terms to encourage customers to order large quantities. In other words, the favorable credit terms apply only at large order quantities and are used in place of quantity discounts. As shown, supplier credit policies in some cases can lead to substantially different order quantities from classical economic order quantities. Numerical examples are used to illustrate the effects of different credit policies.
Sonographic Findings in Milk of Calcium Bile

The ultrasound findings in 2 cases of milk of calcium bile are reviewed. Although the plain film findings of milk of calcium bile are characteristic, the sonographic findings are variable and can lead to confusion with other disease processes. The composition and pathologic significance of milk of calcium bile are discussed.
Overcoming weak entrepreneurial infrastructures for academic spin-off ventures

We discuss the characteristics of academic “spin-off policies” in environments outside of high tech clusters and where technology transfer and entrepreneurship infrastructures have been weak. We explore whether the policies could explain the lack of growth potential of spin-off ventures that have repeatedly observed. We studied the case of Belgium, gathering data from nine of spin-off policies in the eight largest academic institutions and in 47 firms. We propose that spin-off policies in academic institutions significantly affect the growth potential of ventures.
Photosynthetic down-regulation in Larrea tridentata exposed to elevated atmospheric CO2: Interaction with drought under glasshouse and field (FACE) exposure

The photosynthetic response of Larrea tridentata Cav., an evergreen Mojave Desert shrub, to elevated atmospheric CO2 and drought was examined to assist in the understanding of how plants from water-limited ecosystems will respond to rising CO2. We hypothesized that photosynthetic down-regulation would disappear during periods of water limitation, and would, therefore, likely be a seasonally transient event. To test this we measured photosynthetic, water relations and fluorescence responses during periods of increased and decreased water availability in two different treatment implementations: (1) from seedlings exposed to 360, 550, and 700 μmol mol ‐1 CO2 in a glasshouse; and (2) from intact adults exposed to 360 and 550 μmol mol ‐1 CO2 at the Nevada Desert FACE (Free Air CO2 Enrichment) Facility. FACE and glasshouse well-watered Larrea significantly down-regulated photosynthesis at elevated CO 2, reducing maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax), carboxylation efficiency (CE), and Rubisco catalytic sites, whereas droughted Larrea showed a differing response depending on treatment technique. Amax and CE were lower in droughted Larrea compared with well-watered plants, and CO2 had no effect on these reduced photosynthetic parameters. However, Rubisco catalytic sites decreased in droughted Larrea at elevated CO2. Operating Ci increased at elevated CO2 in droughted plants, resulting in greater photosynthetic rates at elevated CO2 as compared with ambient CO2. In well-watered plants, the changes in operating Ci, CE and Amax resulted in similar photosynthetic rates across CO2 treatments. Our results suggest that drought can diminish photosynthetic down-regulation to elevated CO2 in Larrea, resulting in seasonally transient patterns of enhanced carbon gain. These results suggest that water status may ultimately control the photosynthetic response of desert systems to rising CO2.
CCATT: a military model for civilian disaster management.

When major disasters incapacitate hospitals and definitive care facilities—as Hurricane Katrina did in 2005—a crisis point is rapidly reached. Critical care services are often the first to be overwhelmed. Personal experiences and regional disaster plans were examined in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to uncover shortfalls in delivery of care and resources. A search was undertaken for a viable model for delivering critical care services in the immediate post-disaster period. Such a model already exists in the US Air Force's (USAF) Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT). These teams have functioned well during recent military conflicts by providing both ground critical care and transport of high-risk, severely injured patients. The need for augmented critical care and transport resources in the face of overwhelming casualties in the civilian environment does not require a de novo construct. The USAF's CCATT model should be easily adaptable to the civilian disaster scenario.
A novel mutation in the succinate dehydrogenase subunit D gene in siblings with the hereditary paraganglioma–pheochromocytoma syndrome

Germline mutations in the succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit D gene are now known to be associated with hereditary paraganglioma–pheochromocytoma syndromes. Since the initial succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit D gene mutation was identified about a decade ago, more than 131 unique variants have been reported. We report the case of two siblings presenting with multiple paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas; they were both found to carry a mutation in the succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit D gene involving a substitution of thymine to guanine at nucleotide 236 in exon 3. This particular mutation of the succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit D gene has only been reported in one previous patient in Japan; this is, therefore, the first report of this pathogenic mutation in siblings and the first report of this mutation in North America. With continued screening of more individuals, we will be able to create a robust mutation database that can help us understand disease patterns associated with particular variants and may be a starting point in the development of new therapies for familial paraganglioma syndromes.
Modeling the Feasibility of Using Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines in Remote Renewable Energy Systems

Recent advances in hydrogen fuel cell and internal combustion engine technologies have enabled new energy options for supplying electrical power in remote, off-grid areas. The objective of this investigation is to determine under which conditions wind turbines and PV systems can feasibly power electrolyzers to generate and store hydrogen for remote power generation using fuel cells and internal combustion engines. In this study, the optimization software HOMER is used to analyze a small 356-W radio repeater station and a 148-kW village power system. This study concludes that fuel cell systems appear competitive today at the radio repeater station and appear competitive in the village system if fuel cell prices are reduced to 40% of their current capital cost.
Multichannel resonances in electron transmission

The theory of a coherent transmission resonance, for electrons in a solid structure, is generalized to multichannel situations. The results are applied to the case of interconnected leads, each with several propagation modes.
Enamel Dissolution in Saliva and the Calcium and Phosphorus Content of Some Foodstuffs

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUALE DISSOLUTION DE ADAMANTE IN SALIVA, E LE CONTENTO DE CALCIUM E DE PHOSPHORO IN VARIE ALIMENTOS.—Esseva determinate le perditas de peso in blocos de adamante bovin exponite durante tres horas al liquido supernatante ab salivari fermentationes de sex horas de farina de frumento, de cereales de jentaculo, de productos de ris e mais, de dulces, de productos a sucro, e de bibitas. Esseva executate comparationes con lor contentos de solubile calcium e phosphoro, lor titrabile aciditate, e lor pH. Esseva etiam usate mixturas del varie liquidos supernatante de maniera que le effectos de varie grados de contento de calcium e phosphoro poteva esser comparate. Un alte production de acido e un basse discalcification de adamante esseva constatate in le liquidos supernatante ab alimentos continente grande quantitates de calcium e de phosphoro, sed ni le un ni le altere de iste duo parametros monstrava un directe proportionalitate con le observate dissolution de adamante.
A comprehensive review of CT-based dosimetry parameters and biochemical control in patients treated with permanent prostate brachytherapy

Abstract Purpose: The American Brachytherapy Society recommends that postprostate implant dosimetry be performed on all patients undergoing transperineal interstitial permanent prostate brachytherapy (TIPPB) utilizing CT scan clinical target volume reconstructions. This study was undertaken to assess the recommended dosimetry parameters from a large cohort of patients undergoing TIPPB that would predict for PSA relapse-free survival (PSA-RFS). Methods and Materials: Seven hundred nineteen consecutive patients with clinical stage T1/T2 adenocarcinoma of the prostate underwent TIPPB using either I-125 or Pd-103. Postimplant dosimetry was performed at 2 to 3 weeks with CT scan 3-dimensional reconstructions obtained on all patients. The D90 and D100 doses (defined as the minimum dose covering 90% and 100% of the prostate volume, respectively) and the V100 (defined as the percent of the prostate receiving 100% of the prescribed dose) were obtained for each patient. Regression analysis was performed on the D90 dose, D100 dose, and V100 to test for cutoff points that would predict for PSA-RFS, defined by a modification of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology consensus panel statement. A cutoff value was found and was subjected to subset analysis to assess for its robustness. Treatment-related factors were tested for their ability to achieve dosimetry at or above the cutoff dose. Results: The median follow-up from this cohort is 30 months (7–71 months) with a 48-month PSA-RFS of 89.5%. A D90 dose-response cutoff value ≥90% of the prescribed dose was identified. Prostate implants with a D90 dose p = 0.001). No cutoff value was found for the V100 and D100 dose that predicted for PSA-RFS. Using the cutoff value, the D90 dose at 90% of the prescribed dose, a difference in 4-year PSA-RFS survival was identified for patients treated with I-125 ( p = 0.04), Pd-103 ( p = 0.01), TIPPB as monotherapy ( p = 0.001), the addition of hormone therapy ( p = 0.005), and TIPPB without hormone therapy ( p = 0.001). The D90 dose was not significant for the group of patients treated with external beam radiotherapy and TIPPB ( p = 0.15). The only significant finding from Cox regression analysis to predict for a poor D90 dose ( 1.5 ( p = 0.02). Conclusions: The American Brachytherapy Society recommends that postimplant CT-based dosimetry be performed for all patients treated with TIPPB. This prospective study identified that the D90 dose ≥90% of the prescribed dose can be used as a factor for predicting PSA-RFS in patients treated with brachytherapy. A dose-response using the D90 dose was observed for several typical clinical treatment variations used in the practice of TIPPB. Using the D90 dose appears to be a satisfactory parameter for predicting outcome in patients treated with TIPPB.
Performance and Economic Returns of Stocker Cattle on Tallgrass Prairie Under Different Grazing Management Strategies1

Abstract A 4-yr study was conducted to determine performance of stocker calves on tallgrass prairie under three grazing management strategies. Pastures were assigned to one of three grazing treatments. Grazing was initiated in June, and pastures were grazed only during the summer months for 57 to 104 d (79.5 ± 20.7 d). Two of the pastures were grazed season-long. Calves in one of the season-long treatments were fed a protein supplement during the second half of the grazing season; calves in the other season-long treatment were not supplemented (control group). The third pasture, an intensive early stocking (IES) treatment, was grazed at twice the stocking rate used in the season-long pastures for the first half of the grazing season (40 ± 11 d) and rested for the second half (39.5 ± 10 d). Individual stocker performance during the first half of the summer was similar among grazing treatments. Providing supplemental protein during the second half of the grazing season increased BW gain by 30 kg/ha during the last 40 d of the 80-d grazing season and increased BW gain by 12 kg/ha for the entire summer. Over the summer, IES stocker calves produced 24% more gain/ha than season-long stocked calves. Nonetheless, IES management was not more profitable than season-long grazing with or without protein supplementation. Under short-term ownership of calves in the IES system, fixed costs represented a large portion of the total cost.
Risk of progression from undifferentiated arthritis to rheumatoid arthritis: the effect of the PTPN22 1858T-allele in anti-citrullinated peptide antibody positive patients

Objectives. Anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) and the C1858T missense single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the PTPN22 gene are both associated with the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We investigated whether the combination of these two biomarkers yielded better test characteristics to predict progression from undifferentiated arthritis (UA) to RA compared with ACPA alone.Methods. A total of 394 individuals with UA from a Dutch population-based inception cohort were included in this study. At baseline, ACPA were measured and the PTPN22 C1858T and HLA-DRB1 genotypes determined. Progression to RA was monitored at 1 yr after entry into the cohort.Results. A priori, UA patients had a 35% (95% CI 30-40%) risk of developing RA, which increased to 66% (95% CI 57-75%) in patients who were ACPA-positive. There was an additional, although non-significant (P = 0.34), increase in RA risk to 76% (95% CI 57-90%) when patients were positive for both ACPA and the PTPN22 1858T-allele. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve increased from 0.68 for ACPA-status alone to 0.70 for the combination of ACPA-status and the PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism. In logistic regression analysis, ACPA predicted RA-development independent of PTPN22, while the PTPN22 polymorphism had no independent effect. In HLA-DRB1 shared epitope positive, ACPA-positive UA patients, ACPA-levels were significantly increased in PTPN22 1858T allele carriers compared with non-1858T carriers.Conclusions. In this Dutch cohort of UA-patients, the PTPN22 1858T allele does not markedly improve individual decision-making to predict RA-development over ACPA alone, but it is associated with higher ACPA-levels.
An exploration of the impact of computerized patient documentation on clinical collaboration.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of experienced users of computerized patient documentation for the purpose of collaboration and coordination. A secondary analysis of qualitative data using Clark's theoretical framework of communication was conducted with the goal of bringing research findings into design. Methods Physicians, nurses and administrative staff volunteered to participate in focus groups at 4 VA sites. Each focus group lasted 1.5h and targeted experience and issues with using computerized documentation. All focus groups were audio-taped and transcribed and submitted to extensive qualitative analysis using ATLAS, iterative identification of concepts and categories. The communication category was targeted for secondary theoretical analysis in order to deepen understanding of the findings. Clark's theory of communication, joint action and common ground heuristics was used to analyze concepts. Results Key concepts included: (1) CPD has changed the way that narrative documentation is used in clinical settings to include more communication functions, strategies to establish joint action in both negative and positive ways; (2) functionality added to CPD to increase the efficiency of input may have increased the efficiency of CPD to support shared situation models, joint and action and the establishment of common ground; (3) new usage of CPD may increase tensions between clinical and administrative roles as the role of narrative is re-defined. Conclusions This study demonstrates how socio-technical systems co-evolve to support essential human function of coordination and collaboration. Users adapted the system in unique and useful ways that provide insight to future development.
Gene therapy to treat aortic aneurysms: right goal, wrong strategy.

Diseases of the aorta, primarily aneurysms and dissections, are the 14th leading cause of death in the United States.1 Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are responsible for >80% of all aortic aneurysms, with >100 000 AAA repairs performed in the US between 1988 and 2000.2 The risk factor profile of patients with AAAs has been well described. This is a disease primarily of older adults, with white men much more likely to harbor an AAA than are black women. Other risk factors for developing an AAA include cigarette smoking, hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a family history of aortic aneurysms. Atherosclerosis in other vascular beds also puts the patient at increased risk for the development of an aortic aneurysm. See p 1008 During the past 20 years, an explosion of information on the pathogenesis of aortic aneurysms has been generated.3,4 Much of this basic science work has been descriptive and performed by surgeons, who are the primary managers of the treatment of patients with AAAs. This occurred at least partially because there is no proven medical therapy to inhibit aortic aneurysms from forming or slowing their growth once a small AAA has been recognized. Therefore, the management of AAAs is surgical, with …
Deaths from Excessive Heat and Excessive Cold Among the Elderly

This study examines preventable deaths attributed to excessive heat and excessive cold for persons 60 years of age and over for the years 1979-1985. National mortality data are analyzed using descriptive statistics and simple correlations. A strong female bias was found for deaths from excessive heat and a stronger male bias for deaths from excessive cold. Minority elderly and elderly living in rural areas were disproportionately likely to suffer deaths from temperature-related causes.
Modulation characteristics of optical frequency shifters based on periodic coupling

The authors compare the performance of frequency shifters based on the interdigitated electrode and the traveling-wave electrode, and find the number of coupling sections required. Instead of using coupled-mode analysis, the authors developed a computer simulation program using matrix multiplications and the fast Fourier transform (FFT). This numerical approach is straightforward and can be applied to different electrode designs. Results indicate that highly single-sideband optical frequency shifters can be realized by as little as one coupling section. Detailed modulation characteristics, effects of the modulation waveform, the number of coupling sections, and the electrode attenuation on the performance of frequency shifters are reported. >
Frontier Stories: Periphery as Center in Qing History

Since at least the 1960s, the importance of the tremendous territorial expansion under Qing rule to the modern history of China has been generally acknowledged. Indeed, one can say that the frontier story is one of the things that makes the Qing “Qing.” However, only in the last twenty years has the study of what is now termed the “borderlands” come into its own as a sub-field. This essay begins by describing some key concepts and terms in the study of the Qing frontier, including the Manchu word jecen. It then raises the problem of narrative frameworks, asking how we might best contextualize the growth of the empire, before going on to explore the implications of the discursive shift represented by the “New Qing History” and the extensive research on Qing borderlands associated therewith. A poem by the Mongol poet Na-xun Lan-bao provides the focus for a concluding discussion of a distinctive Qing frontier sensibility.
Laparoscopic surgery for endometrial cancer: increasing body mass index does not impact postoperative complications

Objective To determine the effect of body mass index on postoperative complications and the performance of lymph node dissection in women undergoing laparoscopy or laparotomy for endometrial cancer.
Harms of Hedging in Scientific Discourse: Andrew Wakefield and the Origins of the Autism Vaccine Controversy

This study reveals the discursive origins of the Autism MMR vaccine controversy through a rhetorical examination of the 1998 Wakefield et al. article. I argue the very practices of scientific publishing, specifically the tradition of hedging, help to create a scientifically acceptable text but also leave discursive gaps. These gaps allow for alternate interpretations as scientific texts pass from technical to public contexts, enabling insufficiently supported claims the standing of scientific knowledge among citizens.
NIMBUS: a tool for specification centered development

Assurance that a formal specification (system specification or software specification) possesses desired properties can be achieved through (1) manual inspections, (2) formal verification of the desired properties, or (3) simulation and testing of the specification. To achieve the high level of confidence in the correctness required in a safety-critical system, all three approaches must be used in concert. We have developed an specification language, called RSML/sup -e/, and an environment, called NIMBUS, which provides support for all these activities. The three V&V techniques fill complementary roles within the validation and verification process. Manual inspections and visualization provide the specification team, customers, and regulatory representatives the means to informally verify that the behavior described formally matches the desired "real world" behavior of the system. RSML/sup -e/ is a fully formal, synchronous, data-flow language. NIMBUS supports large-scale, distributed simulation of specifications through communications over Microsoft's distributed COM or OMG's CORBA.
Genetics of leaf rust resistance in the spring wheats ‘Ivan’ and ‘Knudson’ spring wheat

Leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina is a common and widespread disease of wheat in North America and worldwide. Durable genetic resistance to leaf rust in wheat has been difficult to achieve, since the virulence of the leaf rust pathogen to specific leaf rust resistance genes in wheat is highly variable. ‘Ivan’ and ‘Knudson’, hard red spring wheat cultivars recently released by AgriPro®, are highly resistant to leaf rust. The objective of this study was to determine the identity of leaf rust resistance genes present in both cultivars. ‘Ivan’ and ‘Knudson’ were crossed with ‘Thatcher’, a cultivar susceptible to leaf rust; the F1 plants were backcrossed to ‘Thatcher’; and the BCF1 plants (approximately 80 from each cross) were selfed to develop BCF2 families. The BCF2 families were tested as seedlings with different P. triticina isolates to determine the number and identity of leaf rust resistance genes that segregated in the BCF2 families. Both the BCF3 lines from selected resistant BCF2 plants and near...
Structural integrity monitoring of steam generator tubing using transient acoustic signal analysis

The integrity diagnosis of tubular structures is studied in this research using guided acoustic waves. A smart sensor array is deployed to activate and collect Lamb wave signals that propagate along metallic tubes. Several advanced techniques have been explored to extract representative features from acoustic time series. Among them, the Hilbert-Huang Transform (HHT) is a recently developed technique for nonlinear nonstationary signal processing. A moving window is introduced to generate the local peak information from transient series, and a zooming window algorithm is developed to localize the structural flaws. The extracted features using moving windows are utilized for classifying structural defects in brass tubes. An experimental piezo-transducer system has been developed for testing several types of flaws in brass tubes in air and in water, and to demonstrate the implementation of HHT for flaw detection, localization, and classification. The techniques are also shown to be effective under background/process noise. This approach has the potential of on-line integrity monitoring of tubes in steam generators, boilers, and heat exchangers, used in process and power plants.
Experiences of Prejudice, Role Difficulties, and Counseling Self‐Efficacy Among U.S. Racial and Ethnic Minority Supervisees Working With White Supervisors

This study explored supervision experiences in 69 U.S. racial/ethnic minority supervisees working with White supervisors. The results demonstrated that perceived prejudice was associated with role ambiguity and role conflict in supervision, suggesting that supervision may not occur in isolation from trainees' lived experience. Implications for training and research are addressed. Este estudio exploro las experiencias durante la supervision de 69 estadounidenses pertenecientes a minorias raciales/etnicas trabajando con supervisores Blancos. Los resultados demostraron que el perjuicio observado estaba asociado con la ambiguedad del rol y el conflicto del rol en la supervision, lo que sugiere que no puede darse una supervision aislada de la experiencia vital del aprendiz. Se abordan las implicaciones para la formacion e investigacion.
Selenium-induced growth reduction in Brassica land races considered for phytoremediation

Brassica species considered for use in selenium (Se) phytoremediation need to accumulate large amounts of Se to be successful. Retarded plant growth and impaired protein synthesis are common symptoms for plants grown under seleniferous soils. Selenium accumulation by different land races of Brassica juncea (L.) Czern and Coss and one land race of Brassica carinata was investigated in Se-enriched water and soil cultures containing 2 mg Se kg-1. Effects of Se concentration in the root environment on the assimilation of Se, leaf surface area, dry matter yield, total leaf protein concentration, and free seleno-amino acid concentrations were analyzed for plants grown in Se-laden media. In water culture, shoot Se concentrations among the land races ranged from 501 to 1017 mg Se kg-1 dry matter (DM), and in plants grown in Se-laden soil, concentrations ranged from 407 to 769 mg Se kg-1 DM. Land races grown with Se exhibited decreases in dry matter yields from 12 to 23% and in leaf surface area from 5 to 26% compared to the same land races grown without Se. Protein content was significantly correlated both with shoot Se concentrations (r = 0.746, P < 0.001) and with leaf surface area (r = 0.446, P < 0.01) for all land races grown in Se-enriched water culture. There was also a significant correlation (r = 0.767, P < 0.001) between total Se assimilation and shoot protein for all land races. Free selenomethionine was detected for plants grown with Se and ranged from 92 to 958 ng g-1 DM. Other seleno-amino acids, Se-methyl-selenocysteine and selenocysteine, were not consistently detected as free amino acids in the different land races. Although visual symptoms of Se toxicity were not observed in the Brassica species, dry matter yield, leaf surface, and total shoot protein decreased, depending on the land races tested.
An improved method for lossless data compression

Summary form only given. This paper describes an improved lossless data compression scheme. The proposed scheme contains three innovations: first, an efficient algorithm is introduced to decide when and how to switch from transparent mode to compressed mode, second, a temporary buffer is introduced at the encoder, and third, an approach to decide when to discard the entire dictionary is advanced. According to the developed method the changes are only at the transmitter and any V.42bis-compatible receiver can be used as a decoder. Therefore devices using V.42bis can use the proposed method after a firmware upgrade. To make a decision when to switch modes, we introduce two look-ahead buffers, B/sub C/ and B/sub T/, for each mode of operation of the encoder. Regardless of which mode the encoder is in, the output of both modes of operation is written to the corresponding look-ahead buffer. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves higher compression ratios in most cases. Another goal of the work presented in this paper is to analyze what is the improvement obtained after the dictionary is reset and when is a good time to discard the dictionary. Our results for different file types show that consistently the compression ratio before dictionary reset is 0.87 and after dictionary reset is 1.07, an increase of 22.6 %. It is noted that V.44 is a newer compression standard, based on a different compression algorithm. While our results do not apply directly to V.44, they may be used after appropriate modifications.
Market Integration, Cognitive Awareness, and the Expansion of Moral Empathy

The target article authors' study has highlighted the relationship between market integration and an increased willingness to enter into cooperative exchanges. Less developed, albeit implied, in their analysis are the theoretical implications of their findings for the theory of altruism first developed by Adam Smith and later expanded in the works of the American historian, Thomas Haskell.
Epilepsy surgery: Presurgical evaluation

One quarter of children with epilepsy have seizures intractable to antiepileptic medication. The quality of life for these children is poor. Many continue to experience seizures as adults, having accumulated the physical and social consequences of decades of seizures. Epilepsy surgery offers the potential for freedom from seizures. Approximately 25% of children with intractable epilepsy are potential surgical candidates. Despite this large group of children the average delay in the consideration for surgery is approximately 20 years. An approach to the evaluation and selection for epilepsy surgery of pediatric patients with intractable seizures requires a multi-disciplinary approach that is discussed in this article.
Winning Isn't Everything: The Impact of Presidential Campaign Appearances on Behalf of House Candidates in U.S. Midterm Elections, 1982-2006

This paper examines the role played by sitting presidents during United States midterm congressional elections between 1982 and 2006. I examine the effects of presidential campaign appearances on behalf of candidates for the House of Representatives. Conventional wisdom holds that such appearances by presidents are of little or no intrinsic value to the candidate, yet every president from Ronald Reagan to George W. Bush has seen fit to hit the campaign trail and make numerous appearances on behalf of co-partisans. In this paper I look specifically at appearances open to the public as large scale campaign rallies aimed at attracting hundreds or even thousands of supporters. I find some evidence to support the idea that these appearances are more than just a show of support by a president for a member of his party and that strategically allocated appearances may have positive effects on both a candidate’s vote share and the level of voter turnout on election day. I conclude with some suggestions, based on the historical data, of the congressional districts and candidates that might benefit most from an appearance by President Obama during the 2010 midterm elections.
The Economic Rights and Responsibilities of Unmarried Cohabitants

This chapter appears in an interdisciplinary volume that describes the relationships of unmarried couples. The focus in this chapter is on some of the financial rights and responsibilities imposed by state laws upon unmarried partners. It explores the current state of the law regarding several important financial issues that arise between members of the nontraditional family headed by an unmarried cohabiting heterosexual couple: the child support obligations of the unmarried partners to their children, the economic rights of the partners when they dissolve their relationship, and the rights of the surviving partner and children following the death of one partner. As to each topic discussed, the current rules are analyzed in terms of the various policy goals of the state that operate in the field of family law.
A systematic review of technology-based interventions for unintentional injury prevention education and behaviour change

Objective The aims of this literature review are to (1) summarise how computer and mobile technology-based health behaviour change applications have been evaluated in unintentional injury prevention, (2) describe how these successes can be applied to injury-prevention programmes in the future and (3) identify research gaps. Methods Studies included in this systematic review were education and behaviour change intervention trials and programme evaluations in which the intervention was delivered by either a computer or mobile technology and addressed an unintentional injury prevention topic. Articles were limited to those published in English and after 1990. Results Among the 44 technology-based injury-prevention studies included in this review, 16 studies evaluated locally hosted software programmes, 4 studies offered kiosk-based programmes, 11 evaluated remotely hosted internet programmes, 2 studies used mobile technology or portable devices and 11 studies evaluated virtual-reality interventions. Locally hosted software programmes and remotely hosted internet programmes consistently increased knowledge and behaviours. Kiosk programmes showed evidence of modest knowledge and behaviour gains. Both programmes using mobile technology improved behaviours. Virtual-reality programmes consistently improved behaviours, but there were little gains in knowledge. No studies evaluated text-messaging programmes dedicated to injury prevention. Conclusions There is much potential for computer-based programmes to be used for injury-prevention behaviour change. The reviewed studies provide evidence that computer-based communication is effective in conveying information and influencing how participants think about an injury topic and adopt safety behaviours.
Adding insult to injury: autoimmune haemolytic anaemia complicated by pulmonary embolism

Autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA) is a disease characterised by the production of pathological antibodies that attach to the surface of a patient9s own red blood cells, resulting in haemolysis. It can present in either an acute or a chronic manner. In addition to the obvious consequence of anaemia, there are other potentially deadly complications that can arise from AIHA, such as venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary hypertension. We report a case of a 52-year-old woman who developed a pulmonary embolism (PE) soon after being diagnosed with AIHA. Despite having a very small pulmonary venous clot burden, she developed profound haemodynamic compromise with severe right ventricular dysfunction, which quickly reversed with inhaled nitric oxide treatment. This case makes an interesting observation of cell-free haemoglobin-associated nitric oxide scavenging as a mechanism of pulmonary hypertension and highlights the possible benefit of nitric oxide in treatment.
Continuously Variable, Remote Color Temperature Adjustments for Metal-Halide Lamps in Cinematographic Applications

One approach to achieving rapid and easy manipulation of color temperature has been investigated, the Liquid Dynamic Color Filter (LDCF). A thin layer of liquid — a pure iodine and ethyl alcohol solution — is continuously circulated, allowing the concentration of the solution to be changed and introduced to the filter layer. A spectrometer and color temperature meter are used to investigate the effect of the solution's concentration on a typical HMI lamp's color temperature. It was found that the color temperature of the filtered HMI lamp was a well-behaved, smooth function of the concentration. Color temperatures in the 5600° K to 3000° K range have been obtained. Spectrometer tests show that the iodine and ethyl alcohol solution does not introduce spectral discontinuities. However, the solution has shortcomings as an LDCF filtering solution. This is evident when the color correction and light balance ratios are investigated. Future work on improvements to the filter solution is planned.
Wanted: Contagious Gameday Staff. Testing the Effect of Smiling on Fan Responses

ABSTRACTIn services marketing related to sports, the live, direct interaction between the provider and the customer is crucial. Service quality influences how fans form attitudes and behaviors at sports events; there are several touch points where services are provided and fans often have high expectations. Smiling employees influence fan opinions about sports events. This study tested the effect of smiling on key marketing outcomes by conducting an experiment and field study pertaining to services marketing in sports. Results showed interesting and significant findings about the effect of smiling on sport fans’ perceptions and behaviors about the service provider.
Comparison of particulate matter exposure estimates in young children from personal sampling equipment and a robotic sampler.

Comparison of particulate matter exposure estimates in young children from personal sampling equipment and a robotic sampler
Evaluation of Uncertainty for Determination of Lead in Water Sample by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Object: to establish a evaluation method of uncertainty in assay laboratory.Method: source of uncertainty and evaluation method were discussed by determination of lead in water sample with flame atomic absorption spectrometry.Conclusion: the result was more objective,accurate.
Application of numerical simulation to well pattern modification in TZ4 Oilfield

Based on the current status of the development in TZ422CⅢ oil group,the residual oil distribution after water flooding was investigated qualitatively and quantitatively using fine reservoir numerical simulation of E100 main module.According to the sedimentary facies map,considering the formation heterogeneity and sedimentary facies distribution,three deferent types of well network regulation schemes are designed.The result indicates that the well pattern which the vertical well and the horizontal well unify is used in CⅢ oil group.The best injection-production pattern of 18 wells with 4 new wells,14 old wells.The preferred scheme is simulated to 2025,the final recovery efficiencyis 46.13%,and the composite water cut is 89.06%.
Breaking the Code of Silence Woman to Woman

We sat across the kitchen table from each other, two women related by blood, alone for the first time: an eighty-three-year-old Sicilian aunt and me, her fifty-one-year-old Sicilian American niece. On her morning errands, my cousin Cettina had driven me in her small Fiat to our aunt’s house. Aunt Rosina had just bought a half-bushel of artichokes from a street vendor. Her doctor had warned her against the effort of preserving food due to a heart condition, but she just smiled, told me how little she paid for the artichokes, and assured me that it would not be much work at all. She made me a cup of tea—since, avoiding caffeine, I had asked for a decaffeinated tea instead of the ubiquitous, strong Italian espresso cof- fee. I set up the tape recorder, prefacing our session with: “You remember the dis- sertation we talked about over the telephone?” My fluency in the Italian language was more limited then, but everyone understood me, or so I thought “Yes, yes,” she responded. I began to ask about her life, including her early family life, school- ing, life as a single woman, work, engagement, marriage, children, and health. She spilled forth the story of her life from her heart. Little did I realize the problems this conversation would create.
Probing the interaction of U(vi) with phosphonate-functionalized mesoporous silica using solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

The fundamental interaction of U(VI) with diethylphosphatoethyl triethoxysilane functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica is studied by macroscopic batch experiments and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. DPTS-functionalized silica has been shown to extract U(VI) from nitric acid solutions at or above pH 3. Extraction is dependent on pH and ionic strength. Single-pulse 31P NMR on U(VI) contacted samples revealed that U(VI) only interacts with a fraction of the ligands present on the surface. At pH 4 the U(VI) extraction capacity of the material is limited to 27–37% of the theoretical capacity, based on ligand loading. We combined single pulse 31P NMR on U(VI)-contacted samples with batch studies to measure a ligand-to-metal ratio of approximately 2 : 1 at pH 3 and 4. Batch studies and cross-polarization NMR measurements reveal that U(VI) binds to deprotonated phosphonate and/or silanol sites. We use 31P–31P DQ-DRENAR NMR studies to compare the average dipolar coupling between phosphorus spins for both U(VI)-complexed and non-complexed ligand environments. These measurements reveal that U(VI) extraction is not limited by inadequate surface distribution of ligands, but rather by low stability of the surface phosphonate complex.
Baroreflex sensitivity and pressor responses in a rat model of uraemia.

1. Baroreflex sensitivity and pressor responsiveness to exogenous noradrenaline, angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin were determined in a rat model of uraemia. 2. The slope of the regression line relating Δheart rate to Δblood pressure after phenylephrine administration was significantly less in the renal failure group than the normal control group, indicating a reduction of baroreflex sensitivity in the setting of uraemia. 3. The pressor response to noradrenaline and angiotensin II was significantly less in the renal failure group whereas there was no difference in Δblood pressure on administration of arginine vasopressin. 4. It is concluded that diminished baroreflex sensitivity does not contribute to the pathogenesis of hypertension in uraemia by the hypothesized mechanism of allowing the pressor effect of endogenous pressor substances to go unbuffered.
Challenge and Tradition

Part I argues the Obergefell decision should be celebrated as a human rights victory, not only because it justly ends exclusionary practices that had stigmatizing and costly consequences for gay and lesbian people, but more importantly because it recognizes that family liberty is a necessary aspect of the dignitary and civic status that was constitutionally guaranteed to the people of the United States in the aftermath of chattel slavery and civil war. Part II will then describe just some of the ways the institution of marriage is being reshaped as greater deference is given to the liberty interests of all people in their choices about intimacy and family formation. Part III speculates briefly about how this reshaping process might be enlightened now that our understanding of marriage officially includes both same- and different-sex unions. Finally, Part IV questions how traditional concepts of parenthood will adapt as same- and different-sex couples use adoption and reproductive technologies to welcome children into their homes.