cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Explaining differences in crash and injury crash outcomes in red light camera studies

Evaluations of red light camera (RLC) traffic safety programs have produced mixed results. Some conclude RLCs were associated with significant increases in motor vehicle crashes and injury crashes, whereas other research reports safety benefits. To understand the difference in findings, the present analysis assessed whether standards required for internal validity in quasi-experimental public health program evaluations were adhered to in frequently cited RLC analyses. Four evaluation standards were identified and used to assess the RLC analyses: lack of bias in the selection of both (a) treated sites and (b) comparison sites, (c) integration of relevant control variables in the analysis, and (d) full disclosure of results of the statistical analysis. Six leading RLC studies were then critiqued. Only two of the six studies adhered to the four standards and both concluded RLCs were associated with significant increases in crashes and injury or possible injury crashes. A third study reported an increase in fatal/injury crashes but did not test for statistical significance. Three studies reported equivocal findings; however, each failed to adhere to most standards. Differences in findings were attributed to the evaluation methods used. If implementing an RLC program, communities should use sound public health evaluation methods to assess effectiveness.
Neurexin-1α Contributes to Insulin-containing Secretory Granule Docking

Neurexins are a family of transmembrane, synaptic adhesion molecules. In neurons, neurexins bind to both sub-plasma membrane and synaptic vesicle-associated constituents of the secretory machinery, play a key role in the organization and stabilization of the presynaptic active zone, and help mediate docking of synaptic vesicles. We have previously shown that neurexins, like many other protein constituents of the neurotransmitter exocytotic machinery, are expressed in pancreatic β cells. We hypothesized that the role of neurexins in β cells parallels their role in neurons, with β-cell neurexins helping to mediate insulin granule docking and secretion. Here we demonstrate that β cells express a more restricted pattern of neurexin transcripts than neurons, with a clear predominance of neurexin-1α expressed in isolated islets. Using INS-1E β cells, we found that neurexin-1α interacts with membrane-bound components of the secretory granule-docking machinery and with the granule-associated protein granuphilin. Decreased expression of neurexin-1α, like decreased expression of granuphilin, reduces granule docking at the β-cell membrane and improves insulin secretion. Perifusion of neurexin-1α KO mouse islets revealed a significant increase in second-phase insulin secretion with a trend toward increased first-phase secretion. Upon glucose stimulation, neurexin-1α protein levels decrease. This glucose-induced down-regulation may enhance glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. We conclude that neurexin-1α is a component of the β-cell secretory machinery and contributes to secretory granule docking, most likely through interactions with granuphilin. Neurexin-1α is the only transmembrane component of the docking machinery identified thus far. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of insulin granule docking and exocytosis.
The relationship of instrumentality and expressiveness to sexual behavior in males and females

In a study of the relationship between gender-relevant personality attributes and sexuality, 259 unmarried males and females completed the short form of the Bem Sex Role Inventory and a detailed survey of their sexual experiences. Multiple regression analyses showed that, for both men and women, instrumental personality attributes were associated with greater sexual experience, including the frequency of sexual intercourse and oral sex, the number of sexual partners, the age at which respondents first had sex, and more relaxed feelings about having sex. Further, interactions of instrumentality and expressiveness revealed that women who scored high in instrumentality but low in expressiveness were consistently more sexually active and experienced than other groups.
A monosynaptic pathway from an identified vasomotor centre in the medial prefrontal cortex to an autonomic area in the thoracic spinal cord

Chemical microstimulation (1 mM L-glutamate or 25 mM KCl) of the medial prefrontal cortex of anaesthetized rats produced falls in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of similar magnitude, without a change in heart rate. Application of the lectin Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin by iontophoresis from an adjacent barrel of the same micropipette revealed a direct projection to the central autonomic area of the thoracic spinal cord from this vasomotor area, which is equivalent to the region called prelimbic cortex by Krettek and Price [J. comp. Neurol. (1977) 171, 157-192] or Cg3 by Paxinos and Watson [The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates (1986)]. Labelled axons descended in the dorsal corticospinal tract in the cervical spinal cord, where they displayed a few varicosities. In the thoracic spinal cord, labelled fibres occurred bilaterally in the gray matter, predominantly in the central autonomic area, where they displayed many varicosities. Electron microscope studies revealed that the anterogradely labelled varicosities in the central autonomic area were vesicle-filled boutons that formed asymmetric synaptic contacts. The synaptic targets were small dendrites or dendritic protrusions that were characterized by a high incidence of multivesicular bodies and coated vesicles. We conclude that a monosynaptic pathway that originates from a physiologically-defined vasomotor area in the medial prefrontal cortex terminates on a characteristic type of neuron in the central autonomic area of the thoracic spinal cord.
Demography, credit and institutions: A global perspective ☆

Abstract This paper examines the role of age structure and its interaction with various capital market imperfections in driving international capital flows in an empirical framework. Using panel data covering the period 1970 to 2000 for up to 115 countries, results indicate the existence of a differentiated effect in the relationship between age structure and international capital flows. Good institutions allow for a differentiated impact of age structure on saving and investment, opening the scope for an impact of age structure in driving international capital flows. In contrast, bad institutions result in no effect of age structure on international capital flows. Despite increased credit availability contributing to reduced aggregate saving, this will nevertheless magnify the role of the population age structure in driving international capital flows. Over the past three decades, age structure changes are estimated to have contributed to improve the current account position by five per cent of GDP in more advanced aging countries. However, around the year 2020, population age structure changes are projected to deteriorate the current account position in the latter countries which will experience a drop in saving. In other regions, the faster the current aging process, the sharper the projected improvement in the current account position. This improvement is projected to reverse itself, at a later stage in time in regions with a slower aging process. Also, our results suggest that in order to take advantage of their younger population in the form of increased foreign capital inflows, countries that are less advanced in the demographic transition would need to improve the quality of their institutional arrangements before the “window of opportunity” closes.
Syntactic Distinctions in Child Language.

This paper presents a study of young children's understanding of a constraint on English word order, which is that pronouns and proper names cannot be modified by prenominal adjectives. For adults, this is a syntactic constraint: adjectives can only precede nouns, and pronouns and proper names are lexical Noun Phrases (NPs). In two analyses, the spontaneous speech of 14 one- and two-year-old children was studied. These analyses show that even in children's very first word combinations, they almost never say things like big Fred or big he. Some nonsyntactic theories of this phenomenon are discussed and found to have serious descriptive problems, supporting the claim that children understand knowledge of word order through rules that order abstract linguistic categories. A theory is proposed as to how children could use semantic information to draw the noun/NP distinction and to acquire this restriction on English word order.
Future Optical And Electro-Optical (EO) Instrumentation Requirements Of The Army Smoke Research Program

Abstract This paper describes current instrumentation employed in obscuration research and identifies instrumentation needs in areas where progress is impeded by lack of adequate optical or E -0 instrumentation. Discussions are given of the current state of instrumentation research being funded to inform the audience of the Army's needs in thisarea and stimulate future advances.Introduction The Smoke Research Program is organized to conduct research in support of the ArmySmoke Technology Program. It provides research in aerosol sciences and in the mechanisms oftarget obscuration in support of the Army's requirements for improved obscurant agents andfor understanding the inherent limitations of obscurants which may be exploited to enhanceoperations under limited visibility conditions. A coordinated family of research studies are conducted in Army and other government agency laboratories, and in contractorlaboratories, to develop knowledge in the following areas: (1) optical properties
Explosive basaltic volcanism from Cerro Negro volcano: Influence of volatiles on eruptive style

The 1992 and 1995 basaltic eruptions of Cerro Negro volcano, Nicaragua, had contrasting eruptive styles. Although they were nearly identical in composition, the 1992 eruption was explosive, producing a 7-kilometer-high sustained ash column, whereas the 1995 eruption was essentially effusive. The differences in water and carbon dioxide contents of melt inclusions from the two eruptions define minimum saturation pressures and show how decompression of initially similar magmas influences eruptive style. Before eruption, the explosive 1992 magma retained water and carbon dioxide while ascending to a moderate crustal level (about 6 kilometers), whereas the nonexplosive 1995 magma lost all carbon dioxide by degassing during ascent to shallow crustal levels (about 1 to 2 kilometers).
Comparative Studies Evaluating Mouse Models Used for Efficacy Testing of Experimental Drugs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Methodologies for preclinical animal model testing of drugs against Mycobacterium tuberculosis vary from laboratory to laboratory; however, it is unknown if these variations result in different outcomes. Thus, a series of head-to-head comparisons of drug regimens in three commonly used mouse models (intravenous, a low-dose aerosol, and a high-dose aerosol infection model) and in two strains of mice are reported here. Treatment with standard tuberculosis (TB) drugs resulted in similar efficacies in two mouse species after a low-dose aerosol infection. When comparing the three different infection models, the efficacies in mice of rifampin and pyrazinamide were similar when administered with either isoniazid or moxifloxacin. Relapse studies revealed that the standard drug regimen showed a significantly higher relapse rate than the moxifloxacin-containing regimen. In fact, 4 months of the moxifloxacin-containing combination regimen showed similar relapse rates as 6 months of the standard regimen. The intravenous model showed slower bactericidal killing kinetics with the combination regimens tested and a higher relapse of infection than either aerosol infection models. All three models showed similar outcomes for in vivo efficacy and relapse of infection for the drug combinations tested, regardless of the mouse infection model used. Efficacy data for the drug combinations used also showed similar results, regardless of the formulation used for rifampin or timing of the drugs administered in combination. In all three infection models, the dual combination of rifampin and pyrazinamide was less sterilizing than the standard three-drug regimen, and therefore the results do not support the previously reported antagonism between standard TB agents.
Stray signal source location in far-field antenna/RCS ranges

Various methods for mapping stray signal sources in far-field antenna/RCS test ranges are summarized. These methods use the quiet-zone field probe data at a single frequency or over a frequency band. Relative merits and drawbacks of the various methods are discussed. It is shown that relatively simple processing of the field-probe data can be used for complete mapping of the stray signal sources.
PHENOTYPE OF RECOVERING LYMPHOID CELL POPULATIONS AFTER MARROW TRANSPLANTATION

Four patients who received bone marrow transplants were studied sequentially during the posttransplant period to define the pattern of recovering lymphoid cell types. Three patients received T cell-depleted, HLA-matched marrow, and one received untreated marrow from an identical twin. Blood lymphoid cells were labeled with 25 different pairs of monoclonal antibodies. In each sample, one antibody was conjugated to fluorescein and one to phycoerythrin, thus allowing simultaneous assessment of the expression of the two markers using the fluorescence activated cell sorter. A total of 14 antibodies were used, routinely including HLE, Leu-M3, Leu-4, Leu-1, Leu-5, Leu-9, Leu-6, Leu-2, Leu-3, HLA-DR, Leu-7, Leu-11, Leu-15, and Leu-12. Other antibodies were used to further define some populations. This study has allowed us to define six distinct cell types that have appeared in all four patients by day 90 posttransplantation, and which account for 90-100% of all circulating lymphoid cells. These cell types are (a) T helper cells expressing Leu-1, Leu-4, Leu-9, Leu-5, Leu-3, and variable amounts of HLA-DR; (b) T suppressor cells expressing Leu-1, Leu-4, Leu-9, Leu-5, Leu-2, and variable amounts of HLA-DR; (c) B cells expressing Leu-12, B1, HLA-DR, IgD, and IgM, but none of the T cell antigens; (d) an unusual B cell phenotype (Leu-1 B) expressing all of the B cell markers, and also having low amounts of Leu-1, but none of the other T cell antigens; (e) natural killer (NK) cells expressing Leu-11, Leu-15, Leu-5 but none of the other T cell or B cell markers; (f) NK cells expressing Leu-11, Leu-15, Leu-5, and low levels of Leu-2. Both NK types also express Leu-7 on some, but not all cells. The relative frequencies of these cell types varied among the patients and with time, but the striking findings were the presence of relatively few mature T cells, large numbers of NK cells, and the preponderance of the unusual Leu-1 B cell over conventional B cells in all three patients who developed B cells. Sorting experiments confirmed the NK activity of the major NK cell phenotypes, and DNA analysis confirmed that all of the cells studied were of donor origin. In addition, analysis of Ig genes in one patient showed that the Leu-1 B cells were not clonally rearranged.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Influence of aging on tissue-specific noradrenergic activity at rest and during nonexertional heating in rats.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity to internal organs during nonexertional heat stress is exaggerated with advancing age. Norepineph...
The impact of integration strategies on food business firm value.

The objective of this study is to analyze whether a discount or premium exists for coordination strategies in food processing, wholesale grocery, retail supermarkets, and restaurants. Significant premiums are found for food processor and restaurant vertical integration or diversification strategies. Significant discounts are found for food wholesaler and retail supermarket integration or diversification strategies. Food processors are found to be integrating toward retail supermarkets during this time period.
Neuropsychological Effects of Central Nervous System Prophylactic Treatment in Childhood Leukemia: Methodological Considerations

Reviewed 53 studies on the effects of central nervous system prophylactic treatment (CNSPT) on cognition and neuropsychological functioning. CNSPT involves irradiation and/or chemotherapy directed to the brain, and is frequently administered to children who have leukemia. The effects of CNSPT on neuropsychological functioning in long-term cancer survivors remains controversial. A number of studies failed to identify any neuropsychological impact secondary to CNSPT, whereas others reported deficits that appear to be a function of CNSPT. Several methodological issues that make it difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from this research literature are identified and discussed. Specific recommendations are made for improvements in research on CNSPT in children.
Latino Participation, Partisanship, and Office Holding

University of Arizona Harry Pachon, Claremont Graduate School The Latino population in the United States is growing rapidly, and one possible consequence is increased political participation and empowerment. Another consequence may be that Latino communities, voters, and interests face increasing marginalization and discrimination. Whatever scenario one envisions, several realities are clear. Latino political mobilization is difficult because of
Alternative anticoagulation management strategies for the patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia undergoing cardiac surgery.

A n ONTROLLED ANTICOAGULATION is essential for the safe performance of cardiac surgery. Unfractionated heprin (UFH) is the standard anticoagulant used in patients unergoing both onand off-bypass cardiac procedures. Advanages of UFH include low cost, rapid onset of effect, ease of itration and monitoring, and rapid reversal with protamine. lthough UFH has a long record of safety in the cardiac urgical patient population, heparin can induce thrombocytoenia via immune and nonimmune mechanisms. Non–immuneediated thrombocytopenia (heparin-induced thrombocytopeia type I [HIT type I]) is caused by direct platelet activation by eparin. The reduction in platelet count with HIT type I is mild nd self-limiting and requires no treatment. Heparin-induced hrombocytopenia type II is an immune-mediated disorder that ccurs when antibodies (predominantly IgG) are produced gainst platelet factor 4 (PF4)-heparin complexes. The binding f heparin to PF4 results in the expression of several antigenic eoepitopes, which trigger the production of IgG.1 The macroolecular complex of heparin, PF4, and IgG results in platelet ctivation, platelet destruction, and the release of prothromotic microparticles from platelets.2 The paradoxic prothromotic state (low platelet count, arterial and venous thrombosis) bserved in patients with HIT type II is because of platelet ctivation and the generation of thrombin by the systemic elease of microparticles. Further discussion of HIT refers to IT type II. HIT is a clinicopathologic syndrome. Patients should only be iagnosed with HIT when thrombocytopenia (with or without hrombosis) occurs during or after heparin treatment and labratory tests confirm the presence of heparin-dependent antiodies.3 Most typically, HIT presents as an unexpected fall in he platelet count occurring within 5 to 10 days of heparin dministration (the time period required to generate HIT antiodies). On occasion, HIT may present as an abrupt fall in latelet count within hours of the administration of heparin if he patient had received heparin in the previous 100 days rapid-onset HIT, which is likely caused by the presence of esidual HIT antibodies induced by the previous heparin expoure).4 Typically, platelet counts drop by approximately 50% in he first 2 to 3 days after cardiac surgery because of hemodiution and platelet consumption during cardiopulmonary byass (CPB). This thrombocytopenia, occurring within 4 days of urgery, should not be attributed to HIT. Platelet counts begin o rise, often above baseline values, on postoperative day 3. A p
Isoelectric focusing of Campylobacter jejuni flagellin: microheterogeneity and restricted antigenicity of charged species with a monoclonal antibody

Isoelectric focusing analysis was performed on flagellins purified from serologically different isolates of Campylobacter jejuni. C. jejuni flagellin exhibits charge heterogeneity with 5 acidic bands demonstrated (pI 4.7–5.7). When immunoblotting was performed with polyclonal human sera, all charged species reacted. However, monoclonal antibody 10–44, specific for a common epitope of Campylobacter sp. flagellin, exhibited binding to predominantly 1 of the 6 bands.
Orientation of Nuclei Produced under Nonhydrostatic Stress

Recrystallization of a material involves two distinct processes: critical nuclei are produced; these then grow into much larger crystallites. The present theory predicts the distribution of nuclei in orientation and the effect of growth on this initial distribution. The results are in good qualitative agreement with experiments.
Role of X11 and ubiquilin as in vivo regulators of the amyloid precursor protein in Drosophila.

The Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) undergoes sequential proteolytic cleavages through the action of β- and γ-secretase, which result in the generation of toxic β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides and a C-terminal fragment consisting of the intracellular domain of APP (AICD). Mutations leading to increased APP levels or alterations in APP cleavage cause familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, identification of factors that regulate APP steady state levels and/or APP cleavage by γ-secretase is likely to provide insight into AD pathogenesis. Here, using transgenic flies that act as reporters for endogenous γ-secretase activity and/or APP levels (GAMAREP), and for the APP intracellular domain (AICDREP), we identified mutations in X11L and ubiquilin (ubqn) as genetic modifiers of APP. Human homologs of both X11L (X11/Mint) and Ubqn (UBQLN1) have been implicated in AD pathogenesis. In contrast to previous reports, we show that overexpression of X11L or human X11 does not alter γ-secretase cleavage of APP or Notch, another γ-secretase substrate. Instead, expression of either X11L or human X11 regulates APP at the level of the AICD, and this activity requires the phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain of X11. In contrast, Ubqn regulates the levels of APP: loss of ubqn function leads to a decrease in the steady state levels of APP, while increased ubqn expression results in an increase in APP levels. Ubqn physically binds to APP, an interaction that depends on its ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain, suggesting that direct physical interactions may underlie Ubqn-dependent regulation of APP. Together, our studies identify X11L and Ubqn as in vivo regulators of APP. Since increased expression of X11 attenuates Aβ production and/or secretion in APP transgenic mice, but does not act on γ-secretase directly, X11 may represent an attractive therapeutic target for AD.
Barriers to asymptomatic screening and other STD services for adolescents and young adults: focus group discussions

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are a major public health problem among young people and can lead to the spread of HIV. Previous studies have primarily addressed barriers to STD care for symptomatic patients. The purpose of our study was to identify perceptions about existing barriers to and ideal services for STDs, especially asymptomatic screening, among young people in a southeastern community. Eight focus group discussions including 53 White, African American, and Latino youth (age 14–24) were conducted. Perceived barriers to care included lack of knowledge of STDs and available services, cost, shame associated with seeking services, long clinic waiting times, discrimination, and urethral specimen collection methods. Perceived features of ideal STD services included locations close to familiar places, extended hours, and urine-based screening. Television was perceived as the most effective route of disseminating STD information. Further research is warranted to evaluate improving convenience, efficiency, and privacy of existing services; adding urine-based screening and new services closer to neighborhoods; and using mass media to disseminate STD information as strategies to increase STD screening.
Language level and nonverbal social-communicative behaviors in autistic and language-delayed children.

ABSTRACT Objective To explore the relationship of general expressive language delay to nonverbal social-communicative deficits and repetitive behaviors associated with autism in preschool children. Method Interviews of the parents of 51 autistic and 43 nonautistic 3- to 5-year-olds with language impairments were compared. Results Main effects of the children's language level occurred for the majority of social and nonverbal communication items but not for restricted, repetitive behaviors or showing and directing attention, socially directed gaze, or range of facial expression. Conclusions In addition to the specific impairments of autism, a broader conceptualization of communication handicap is urged for preschool children with developmental delays.
Adjuvant effect of Listeria cell wall fraction.

Components of Listeria monocytogenes have been known to have an adjuvant effect since 1950 when Stanley (24) isolated a monocytosis-producing lipid agent that enhanced the antibody response to Salmonella when injected with antigen into rabbits. More recently, inoculation of live (13) or heat-killed cells (10), and of Listeria culture filtrate (19) have been found to cause immunopotentiation in other systems. Components of gram negative bacteria such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are also known to have adjuvanticity.
Challenging Parties, Changing Parliaments: Women and Elected Office in Contemporary Western Europe. By Miki Caul Kittilson

Challenging Parties, Changing Parliaments: Women and Elected Office in Contemporary Western Europe. By Miki Caul Kittilson. Columbus: Ohio State University Press. 2006. 190 pp. 24.95 paper.This is an ambitious book that takes a comprehensive and multimethod approach to understanding the question of women's participation in parliaments. Miki Caul Kittilson proposes a gendered-institutions argument that focuses on political parties as the key mechanism for increases in women's parliamentary representation. She moves away from supply arguments that place the onus on women to run by instead focusing on how parties can be transformed to encourage women to run. She argues that women will be most effective in their efforts to gain a political foothold where they “recognize favorable conditions within the party and party system, and where they devise context-contingent strategies for inclusion” (p. 2).
Lactate concentrations in incisions indicate ischemic-like conditions may contribute to postoperative pain.

Abstract The substances in wounds that cause incisional pain and hyperalgesia after surgery are poorly understood. We have developed and characterized rat models for incision-induced pain behaviors and measured increased tissue hydrogen ion concentration. Because lactate may facilitate nociceptor responses to low pH and contribute to ischemic pain mechanisms, we measured tissue lactate after incision of the plantar region of the hindpaw, gastrocnemius muscle, and paraspinal region in halothane anesthetized rats using in vivo microdialysis. Incisions were performed at 1 site (plantar, gastrocnemius, or paraspinal incision) in each rat. The corresponding contralateral side was used as the control. In anesthetized rats, a microdialysis fiber was passed into the incision and the control side. L-Lactate was measured using the lactate oxidase method. Tissue concentration was determined from postoperative day 0 to postoperative day 14 using the no net flux method. Lactate was increased on the day of hindpaw incision to 3.6 ± 1.6 mmol/L compared with control (2.1 ± .6 mmol/L) and remained increased through 7 days. In the gastrocnemius muscle, lactate was increased the day after incision (4.2 ± 1.2 mmol/L vs 1.7 ± .5 mmol/L) until postoperative day 7. On the day of the paraspinal incision, lactate was 3.4 ± 1.1 mmol/L on the operated side and 2.2 ± .6 mmol/L in the control side. Lactate remained increased through postoperative day 8 at the paraspinal incision. These experiments demonstrate that incision of the plantar hindpaw, the gastrocnemius muscle, and the paraspinal region increased tissue lactate concentration. The wound environment contains increased lactate at the same time that pH is decreased; lactate could potentially facilitate nociceptor activation by low pH and contribute to pain after surgery. Perspective This study demonstrates that lactate is increased in wounds when pain behaviors and acid are increased. Lactate and low pH are present in incisions and indicate an ischemic pain mechanism that may contribute to postsurgical pain.
Integrally Cored Ceramic Mold Fabricated by Ceramic Stereolithography

Ceramic stereolithography (SLA) was used to fabricate a ceramic investment casting mold with the integral core within a ceramic mold shell, produced in a single patternless construction from refractory-grade fused silica. The SLA build material was a photopolymerizable suspension of 60vol% fused silica dispersed in a monomer solution based on 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate. The mold had 1047 layers, each 100mm thick. Green body dimensions before sintering were approximately 0.7% smaller than the design within the plane of the layers, and approximately 0.3% larger than the design perpendicular to the layers. The sintering shrinkage was 10.770.2% in both directions.
Implications of an emerging EHR monoculture for hospitals and healthcare systems

In many hospitals and health systems, a 'new' electronic health record means a shift to one vendor: Epic, a vendor that dominates in large and medium hospital markets and continues its success with smaller institutions and ambulatory practices. Our paper examines the implications of this emerging monoculture: its advantages and disadvantages for physicians and hospitals and its role in innovation, professional autonomy, implementation difficulties, workflow, flexibility, cost, data standards, interoperability, and interactions with other information technology (IT) systems.
Use of Seasonal Climate Forecasts in Rangeland-Based Livestock Operations in West Texas

Abstract The potential for west Texas ranchers to increase the profitability of their enterprises by becoming more proactive in their management practices by using seasonal climate forecasts is investigated using a focus group and ecological–economic modeling. The focus group felt forecasts could potentially be used in making decisions concerning stocking rates, brush control, and deer herd management. Further, the focus group raised concerns about the potential misuse of “value-added” forage forecasts. These concerns necessitate a revisiting of the value-added concept by the climate-forecasting community. Using only stocking-rate decisions, the potential value of seasonal forage forecasts is estimated. As expected, the economic results suggest the value of the forecasts depends on the restocking and destocking price along with other economic factors. More important, the economic results and focus-group reactions to these results suggest the need for multiyear modeling when examining the potential impact ...
Gas Sensing Based on Inelastic Electron Tunneling Spectroscopy

Odor detection with high reliability and selectivity is increasingly in demand in several fields, including defense, homeland security, clinical diagnosis, and air monitoring. Poor selectivity and reliability of existing gas sensor technology has been a major impediment in the development of a versatile odor detector. This work describes a new gas sensor technology based on inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy (IETS) that may be able to identify gas molecules based on chemical bonds. The IETS responses of metal-insulator-metal tunnel junctions were measured at 77 and 300 K and the results suggest the potential of gas detection with ppm sensitivity. Despite thermal broadening, IETS peaks can be analyzed for room temperature gas identification.
Layered mafic sill complex beneath the eastern Snake River Plain: Evidence from cyclic geochemical variations in basalt

The eastern Snake River Plain in southern Idaho, western United States, is characterized by 1–2 km of Pleistocene to late Pliocene basalt overlying rhyolite caldera complexes. Cyclic variations in the chemical composition of basalts from 1136 m of scientific drill core show that the parent magmas of these lavas evolved by crystal fractionation at shallow to intermediate crustal depths, punctuated by episodic recharge with more primitive compositions and assimilation of adjacent wall rock. We have identified 10 upward fractionation cycles and four reversed cycles; assimilation of sialic crust was limited and mainly affects the oldest basalts, which directly overlie rhyolites. We infer that the crystal fractionation and/or recharge cycles took place in a series of sill-like intrusions at intermediate crustal depths that now form a layered mafic intrusion that underlies the eastern Snake River Plain at depth. This layered sill complex is represented by the ∼10-km-thick “basaltic sill” that has been imaged seismically at ∼12–22 km depth. The association of this mid-crustal sill complex with geochemical fractionation cycles in basalt supports the concept that exposed layered mafic intrusions may be linked to overlying basalt provinces that have since been removed by erosion.
A review of combination therapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Abstract Background: Trials of monotherapy with α 1 -adrenergic-receptor antagonists (α 1 ARAs) and 5a-reductase inhibitors (5ARIs) have found that the former drug class is effective in managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)-related lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and improving the maximal urinary flow rate in shortand long-term treatment, regardless of prostate size, whereas the latter drug class is effective in reducing prostate size and preventing disease progression in longer-term treatment. The differing mechanisms of action and areas of efficacy of these 2 drug classes make them promising candidates for combination therapy. Objective: This article reviews key trials of monotherapy and combination α 1 ARV5ARI therapy in the treatment and prevention of BPH-related voiding dysfunction. Methods: MEDLINE (1976–2006) and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (1976–2006) were searched for relevant clinical trials and reviews using the terms benign prostatic byperplasia, lower urinary tract symptoms, LUTS, α-adrenergic-receptor antagonists, α-blockers, 5α-reductase inbibitors, combination therapy, MTOPS, SMART, PREDICT, adverse events, alfuzosin, doxazosin, tamsulosin, terazosin, dutasteride, and finasteride . Abstracts from selected professional conferences also were reviewed. Results: Three previous trials of α 1 ARA/5ARI therapy found no therapeutic benefit for combination therapy relative to monotherapy, but their conclusions were limited to some extent by their designs, particularly the duration of treatment. Data from the Medical Therapy of Prostatic Symptoms (MTOPS) study, however, indicated a potential role for long-term use of α 1 ARA/5ARI therapy, particularly in patients with greater symptom severity (mean score of 17 on the American Urological Association symptom index), larger prostate volume (mean, 32 g), and higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels (>1.5 ng/mL) at baseline. In the MTOPS study, combination therapy with the α 1 ARA doxazosin and the SARI finasteride was significantly more effective than either component alone in reducing BPH-related symptoms ( P = 0.006 vs doxazosin monotherapy; P P 1 ARA/5ARI therapy. Conclusions: The available data suggest that combination α 1 ARA/5ARI therapy is beneficial in the treatment of BPH and the associated symptoms. The greatest efficacy was evident in patients with an enlarged prostate, more severe symptoms, and higher PSA levels. There are limited data suggesting that the presence of prostatic inflammation may indicate a greater likelihood of treatment efficacy with combination therapy.
Greedy but Safe Replanning under Kinodynamic Constraints

We consider motion planning problems for a vehicle with kinodynamic constraints, where there is partial knowledge about the environment and replanning is required. We present a new tree-based planner that explicitly deals with kinodynamic constraints and addresses the safety issues when planning under finite computation times, meaning that the vehicle avoids collisions in its evolving configuration space. In order to achieve good performance we incrementally update a tree data-structure by retaining information from previous steps and we bias the search of the planner with a greedy, yet probabilistically complete state space exploration strategy. Moreover, the number of collision checks required to guarantee safety is kept to a minimum. We compare our technique with alternative approaches as a standalone planner and show that it achieves favorable performance when planning with dynamics. We have applied the planner to solve a challenging replanning problem involving the mapping of an unknown workspace with a nonholonomic platform
A Modeling Case Study of Interaction between Heavy Precipitation and a Low-Level Jet over Japan in the Baiu Season

Abstract This paper presents results of simulations for a case of heavy precipitation that occurred on 23 July 1982 over western Japan. Special emphasis is placed on synoptic- and subsynoptic-scale processes that led to heavy precipitation and also its linkage with the low-level jet (LLJ). The model result recaptures the major observed features of this event reasonably well. The sequence of events revealed by the model starts with the formation of a localized surface warm front caused by the deformation field that is associated with an eastward traveling, nondeepening meso-αscale low. It is followed by the initiation of both concentrated convective precipitation at the surface front and stratiform grid-scale precipitation along the sloping frontal surface. The simulations with different model physics reveal significant roles that diabatic heating processes play in the linkage between heavy precipitation and the LLJ. While condensation heating produces a cyclonic circulation with failing pressure manifeste...
Evaluation of the Impact of Process Modeling on Opportunity Loss/Gain in a Manufacturing Environment

Process modeling is a very common research area in the field of manufacturing engineering. Examples of process modeling in machining include cutting forces, tool wear, machine thermal growth. Very few research has been done to demonstrate the impact they could have to improve a competitive edge of a company. In this paper, a model based on Monto Carlo simulation has been developed to provide an assessment tool for the impact of a process modeling on the competitive edge in an industrial setting. The competiveness is assessed as an improvement in quality by decreasing the defect rate, or as an opportunity to reduce losses if the process model has been developed or used. Finally, a case study based on an error compensation schema to eliminate the cutting tool deflection errors when machining free form surfaces is used to demonstrate the use and the benefits of a proposed assessment model.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
The Southern Appalachian Ultradeep Scientific Drill Hole: Progress of Site Location Investigations and other Recent Developments

The southern Appalachian ultradeep core hole (ADCOH) is designed to test modern ideas about the formation of mountain chains along the edges of continents. The faulting, stratigraphy, lithology and out-crop patterns observed during detailed studies of the surface geology in this region have been interpreted in terms of a series of thrust sheets of diverse ages, which were transported northwestward (Fig. 1) over the Iapetan continental margin of North America (Hatcher 1978). Seismic reflection data and interpretations by Clark and others (1978), Cook and others (1979, 1983) and Harris and Bayer (1979) support this interpretation, and reveal a zone of high reflectivity which dips to the southeast beneath portions of the Blue Ridge and Piedmont physiographic provinces. This zone of reflections is correlative with a similar interval known in the sedimentary rocks of the Appalachian foreland some 150 km northwest of the ADCOH study area, and has been interpreted as a regional decollement, serving as the root zone for major thrust faults such as the Brevard.
Cytomegalovirus and other infectious issues related to face transplantation: specific considerations, lessons learned, and future recommendations.

Background:Composite tissue allotransplantation is fraught with complexities similar to those of solid organ transplantation, including donor-related cytomegalovirus transmission. With this in mind, the authors' objective was to (1) report their team's experience with infections and donor-related cy
ON WATER RESOURCE EFFICIENCY FOR STEEL INDUSTRY

The concept of resource efficiency is introduced.The water recycling rate μ and water resource efficiency γ for steel industry are defined,respectively.Taking 22 steel companies along the Yangtze River as examples,the relation between γ and μ is discussed.With this two indexes,i.e. water resource efficiency and process water consumption,the steel companies are assorted into A,B,C and D categories.Based on that,the major tasks and methods of water-saving for the above mentioned four types companies are discussed.
Medical evaluation of the patient before operation.

Evaluation of the patient about to undergo operation is a responsibility the surgeon often wishes to share with the internist. Careful and critical appraisal is of inestimable value in accomplishing the primary objective—a living patient who has been benefited by his operation. This paper reviews some of the problems, foreknowledge of which will help toward that objective.
Characterization and Quantification of Polyquaterniums via Single-Use Polymer Membrane-Based Polyion-Sensitive Electrodes

Two facile, robust, and universal methods by which various polymeric quaternary ammonium salts (polyquaterniums (PQs)) can be quantified and characterized using simple potentiometric polymeric membrane polyion-sensitive electrodes as detectors are described. The two methods are (a) direct detection with polycation sensitive membrane electrodes based on the sodium salt of dinonylnaphthalenesulfonate (NaDNNS), and (b) indirect detection using polyanion sensors based on tridodecylmethylammonium chloride (TDMAC) and dextran sulfate (DS) as a titrant to complex the various polyquaternary species (four different PQs: PQ-2, PQ-6, PQ-10, and poly(2-methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium) chloride (PMETAC)). Direct detection yields information regarding the charge density of the polycationic species. For the titration method, a series of polyanion sensors doped with TDMAC are used to follow a potentiometric titration of a PQ species using a syringe pump to deliver the titrant. This indirect detection method is more re...
An evaluation of landowners' conservation easements on their livelihoods and well-being

Abstract Private lands protected by conservation easements are crucial in aiding conservation efforts. While most research on measuring conservation efforts has historically been on ecological outcomes of protecting biodiversity, this study aims to measure the social outcomes of the impacts of conservation easements on private landowners' livelihoods and well-being in Colorado. We conducted 35 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with landowners who had completed conservation easements with The Nature Conservancy in Colorado. Using qualitative interview data, we analyzed what motivated landowners to complete conservation easements with TNC and how the conservation easements influenced their well-being. Five dominant themes emerged from the analyses: 1) conservation, 2) financial, 3) legal and process, 4) personal and family, and 5) social and community. Landowner motivations were to protect the ecosystem, prevent development, and financial gain through tax incentives or income. Negative neighbor reactions, time to complete or amend the easement, and tax audits were some challenges experienced. Landowners revealed that community involvement, connections, and networking were unexpected benefits and brought positive change to their life because of easements. The results from this case study can be used to inform conservation strategies that more purposefully incorporate private landowner experiences with conservation easements in planning to achieve biodiversity and conservation objectives. Coupling ecological conservation outcomes with conservation management practices and at the same time understanding the impact of conservation easements on landowners' livelihoods and well-being will further advance conservation efforts on private lands in the future.
The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) Working Group: 15 Years of Collaborative Focal Species Research and Management

Abstract. The American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) Working Group formed spontaneously in 2001 as coastal waterbird biologists recognized the potential for American Oystercatchers to serve as focal species for collaborative research and management. Accomplishments over the past 15 years include the establishment of rangewide surveys, color-banding protocols, mark-resight studies, a revision of the Birds of North America species account, and new mechanisms for sharing ideas and data. Collaborations among State, Federal, and private sector scientists, natural resource managers, and dedicated volunteers have provided insights into the biology and conservation of American Oystercatchers in the United States and abroad that would not have been possible without the relationships formed through the Working Group. These accomplishments illustrate how broad collaborative approaches and the engagement of the public are key elements of effective shorebird conservation programs.
Bounded budgeted parallel architecture versus control dominated architecture for hazard data-signal processor synthesis

Multimedia applications such as video and image processing are often characterized by a large number of data accesses (i.e. RAM accesses). In many digital signal-processing applications, the array access patterns are regular and periodic. In these cases, optimized Pipelined Memory Access Controllers can be generated. This technique is used to improve the pipeline access mode to RAM by creating specialized hardware components for generating addresses and packing and unpacking data items. In this paper we focus on the design, implementation and validation of memory interfacing modules that can be automatically generated from a behavioural synthesis tool and which can efficiently handle predictable address patterns as well as unpredictable ones (dynamic address computations) in a pipeline way. We also analyze the benefits of balancing dynamic address computations from datapath to specialized computation units placed in the memory controller, optimizing bitwise of operators and data locality i.e. reducing the power consumption.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.