cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Judging research quality: from certainty to contingency

In this article, I hope to stimulate dialogue and reflection among sport and exercise scientists about how one might judge qualitative research. Over the last 40 or so years, much has changed in how we go about sorting out the good from the not‐so‐good social and educational qualitative research. We have left/are leaving behind the idea of method as a universal, ahistorical criterion for judging research. Instead, it has become increasingly clear that our judgments always have been, and only can be, contingent on historical time and social/cultural/political place. In this article, I discuss this transition from both a philosophical and personal perspective. I conclude that the recent philosophical changes and an understanding of oneself as a person as researcher rather than a researcher as person makes it clear that all social and educational research, including the supposedly ‘scientific’ research, is a matter of telling stories. And when it comes to judging stories, as we are all aware, there are no an...
Effect of bovine immunodeficiency-like virus infection on immune function in experimentally infected cattle.

Bovine immunodeficiency-like virus (BIV) is a bovine lentivirus that has antigenic and genetic homology with the human immunodeficiency virus. Little work has been reported on the effect of BIV infection on bovine immune function. This study was designed to evaluate lymphocyte blastogenesis, mononuclear cell subset numbers, neutrophil function, hematology, and clinical signs in three groups of cattle. These groups were evaluated at 0–2 months post inoculation (PI, Group 1), 4–5 months PI (Group 2), or 19–27 months PI (Group 3). BIV infected animals were inoculated with the R-29 isolate of BIV in tissue culture cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells from a R-29 infected calf, or a molecular clone of the R-29 isolate. Most inoculated animals seroconverted to BIV by Western immunoblot. BIV was reisolated from most of the animals inoculated. BIV infection was associated with an increase in the lymphocyte blastogenic response to the mitogen phytohemagglutinin in Groups 2 and 3. Neutrophil antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity and neutrophil iodination were decreased (P<0.05) in BIV infected cattle (Groups 2 and 3 and Group 3, respectively). All animals were clinically normal during the evaluation periods. Notable differences were not observed in the other assessments performed. Work with additional BIV isolates and over longer time frames is warranted.
Women's experience of abuse in childhood and their children's smoking and overweight.

BACKGROUND: Smoking and overweight are principal determinants of poor health for which individual-level interventions are at best modestly effective. This limited effectiveness may be partly because these risk factors are patterned by parents' experiences preceding the individual's birth. PURPOSE: To determine whether women's experience of abuse in childhood was associated with smoking and overweight in their children. METHODS: In 2012, data were linked from two large longitudinal cohorts of women (Nurses' Health Study II [NHSII], n=12,666) and their children (Growing Up Today [GUTS] Study, n=16,774), 1989-2010. ORs of children following higher-risk smoking trajectories and risk ratios (RRs) of children's overweight and obesity by their mother's childhood experience of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse were calculated. The extent to which mother's smoking and overweight, socioeconomic indicators, family characteristics, and child's abuse exposure accounted for possible associations was ascertained. RESULTS: Children of women who experienced severe childhood abuse had greater likelihood of higher-risk smoking trajectories (OR=1.40, 95% CI=1.21, 1.61), overweight (RR=1.21, 95% CI=1.11, 1.33), and obesity (RR=1.45, 95% CI=1.21, 1.74) across adolescence and early adulthood compared with children of women who reported no abuse. Mother's smoking and overweight and children's abuse exposure accounted for more than half of the elevated risk of following the highest-risk smoking trajectory and overweight in children of women abused. CONCLUSIONS: These findings raise the possibility that childhood abuse may not only adversely affect the health of the direct victim but may also affect health risk factors in her children decades after the original traumatic events. Language: en
Reduced-dimensionality quantum bound state treatment of hydrogen-bonded clusters: torsional vibrational manifold of the water trimer

Abstract A review of our reduced-dimensionality quantum dynamical treatments of the coupled low-frequency large-amplitude torsional vibrations of the water trimer is presented. It covers three-dimensional bound state calculations of the intermolecular torsional energy levels of (H 2 O) 3 , (D 2 O) 3 , and other isotopomers, and quantum (3+1)-dimensional torsional-stretching calculations of torsional-state dependent vibrationally averaged rotational constants of isotopically pure and mixed water trimers.
High-resolution Reverse VSP And Interwell Seismic Experiments At the Buckhorn Test Site In Illinois

Reverse Vertical Seismic Profiling VSP and interwell seismic experiments were conducted at the Western Kentucky Petroleum Buckhorn test site near Quincy, Illinois. The RVSP data were acquired using a 3-component pneumatic probe and the interwell seismic data were acquired using a 24-element hydrophone array. The experiments were conducted to analyze high resolution seismic waveforms and to perform travel time velocity inversion for mapping the Silurian Kankakee formation which is the more prolific oil producer in the Mt. Sterling area. Reverse VSP and interwell seismic measurements together with log data have yielded information on the anisotropic characteristic of the shale formation and in the compressional wave velocity distribution of the limestone formation. These results inferred that reverse VSP (using several 3-component detectors in shallow boreholes) and interwell seismic measurements integrated with log data and seismic modeling can delineate the hydrocarbon reservoir and geological structures at the Buckhorn test site.
Planning for urban sustainability: the geography of LEED®–Neighborhood Development™ (LEED®–ND™) projects in the United States

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design®–Neighborhood DevelopmentTM (LEED®–ND™) is the latest planning-related attempt to develop more sustainable urban environs in the United States. LEED®–ND™ builds upon the previous work of Smart Growth, New Urbanism and Green Building models to create a rating system for a variety of development types and sizes. The purpose of this article is to explore the spatial distribution and key development attributes of LEED®–ND™ projects within the United States. Through LEED®–ND™, sustainable urbanism may become a major tool in reducing suburban sprawl and help urban regeneration efforts in the United States.
Environmental factors can confound identification of a major gene effect: results from a segregation analysis of a simulated population of lung cancer families.

Proper control of environmental factors can be crucial to the identification of genes that influence susceptibility to a complex trait, especially for a trait such as lung cancer, for which the environmental factor (smoking) accounts for a significant etiologic fraction of the disease. An earlier segregation analysis of 337 Louisiana families, which incorporated direct measure of tobacco consumption, provided evidence for autosomal codominant inheritance of a major gene that influenced age at onset of lung cancer. Subsequent analyses were performed in which the families were stratified into two subsets based on birth cohort of the proband; results suggested the presence of heterogeneity that were postulated to reflect the influence of cohort trends in tobacco consumption. To evaluate this hypothesis further, we simulated a population of three-generation pedigrees in which an autosomal dominant mode of susceptibility to lung cancer was transmitted, but tobacco use varied across generations corresponding to published trends in smoking. A total of 200,000 individuals in families of various sizes, ages, and cigarette smoking habits were simulated from 1900 to 1980. From this population, 324 families (2,405 individuals) with 380 cases of lung cancer were ascertained through 328 lung cancer probands. Complex segregation analysis was performed using the REGTL program of S.A.G.E. in which pack-years of tobacco exposure were incorporated directly into the likelihood calculations. Although the no major gene, environmental, and Mendelian recessive hypotheses were rejected, both dominant and codominant transmission provided a good fit to the data. Thus in a population of simulated families with autosomal dominant susceptibility to lung cancer, intergenerational differences in tobacco consumption led to the detection of autosomal codominant transmission as an acceptable hypothesis. These results underscore the potential danger of segregation analysis of complex traits in which exposure to known environmental influences may differ across generations.
Strain energy release rate determination of prescribed cracks in adhesively-bonded single-lap composite joints with thick bondlines

An analytical model for determining the strain energy release rate due to a prescribed crack in an adhesively-bonded, single-lap composite joint with thick bondlines and subjected to axial tension is presented. An existing analytical model for determining the adhesive stresses within the joint is used as the foundation for the strain energy release rate calculation. In the stress model, the governing equations of displacements within the adherends are formulated using the first-order laminated plate theory. In order to simulate the thick bondlines, the field equations of the adhesive are formulated using the linear elastic theory to allow non-uniform stress distributions through the thickness. Based on the adhesive stress distributions, the equivalent crack tip forces are obtained and the strain energy release rate due to the crack extension is determined by using the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT). The specimen geometry of ASTM D3165 standard test is followed in the derivation. The system of second-order differential equations is solved to provide the adherend and adhesive stresses using the symbolic computational tool, Maple 7. Finite element analyses using J-integral as well as VCCT are performed to verify the developed analytical model. Finite element analyses are conducted using the commercial finite element analysis software ABAQUS™. The strain energy release rates determined using the analytical method correlate well with the results from the finite element analyses. It can be seen that the same prescribed crack has a higher strain energy release rate for the joints with thicker bondlines. This explains the reason that joints with thick bondlines tend to have a lower load carrying capacity.
Three-dimensional large-strain tensile deformation of neat and calcium carbonate-filled high-density polyethylene

The large-strain tensile deformation of high-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene filled with two volume fractions (f) of calcium carbonate particles is studied via an optical method. Digital image correlation is used to determine the local displacement gradients and full-field displacements during uniaxial tension tests on specimens of rectangular cross-section. A novel technique measures simultaneously, with a single camera, the deformation in all three dimensions. Full-field strain contours, macroscopic true stress-true strain behavior, and local volumetric strains are reduced from the raw test data. The true stress-true strain data shows an increase in modulus, but a decrease in yield stress and subsequent strain hardening, with increasing f. These results are strong evidence of particle debonding and are corroborated by an increase in volumetric strain with increasing f.
Comparison of density waves in the rings of Saturn and Uranus

The similarity of density waves in the rings of Saturn and Uranus are addressed. It is found that all ring systems are grossly similar in that they all encircle the primary in its equatorial plane and exhibit responses to resonant satellite perturbations. The dominant response of Saturn's rings is the clearing of gaps and generation of density and bending waves. The Uranian rings appear to be confined by the presence of shepherd satellites. Three possible density waves have been identified, two in the epsilon ring and one in the delta ring.
Mechanism Underlying Counterregulation of Autoimmune Diabetes by IL-4

Diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas. We have previously reported that transgenic expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) counterregulates the disease process, completely protecting NOD mice from insulitis and diabetes. Here we demonstrate the presence of autoreactivity but lack of pathogenicity of the IL-4-regulated lymphocytes. The importance of T cell diversity for the protective effect of IL-4 is demonstrated through breeding with transgenic BDC2.5 mice, which have an almost exclusively monoclonal T cell repertoire. Limitation of T cell diversity abrogated the protection by IL-4. We suggest that "immune deviation" in NOD-IL-4 mice is mediated by the pancreatic tissue itself, which causes activation of distinct, nonpathogenic T cell specificities.
A note on some possible implications of sequential world monetary and trade reform

Abstract Notwithstanding the separate and uncoordinated reform in the two areas, the rules governing international monetary affairs (especially exchange arrangements) and those relating to international trade have an important effect on each other (exchange regulations affect trade while barriers on trade influence the balance-of-payments adjustment process). In the present circumstances, fluctuating exchange rates may tend to diminish the importance of tariffs as a tool of commercial policy relative to non-tariff barriers while, for fluctuating rates to function efficiently, it is important to reduce these very non-tariff barriers. The results of the on-going trade negotiations and the future course of exchange rates will determine the practical importance of this apparent dilemma.
University of Washington Clinical Neutron Facility: Report on 26 Years of Operation

Particle radiotherapy facilities are highly capital intensive and must operate over decades to recoup the original investment. We describe the successful, long‐term operation of a neutron radiotherapy center at the University of Washington, which has been operating continuously since September 1984. To date, 2836 patients have received neutron radiotherapy. The mission of the facility has also evolved to include the production of unique radioisotopes that cannot be made with the low‐energy cyclotrons more commonly found in nuclear medicine departments. The facility is also used for neutron damage testing for industrial devices. In this paper, we describe the challenges of operating such a facility over an extended time period, including a planned maintenance and upgrade program serving diverse user groups, and summarize the major clinical results in terms of tumor control and normal tissue toxicity. Over time, the mix of patients being treated has shifted from common tumors such as prostate cancer, lung cancer, and squamous cell tumors of the head and neck to the rarer tumors such as salivary gland tumors and sarcomas due to the results of clinical trials. Current indications for neutron radiotherapy are described and neutron tolerance doses for a range of normal tissues presented.
In vivo imaging of neurotransmitter systems in neuropsychiatry

Abstract A wide variety of nuclear medical, radiological, ultrasound, electroencephalographic, and other neuroimaging techniques are available to assist clinicians in the characterization and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders by the visualization of the living human brain. In particular, radioligand neuroreceptor imaging can be accomplished by positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT), nuclear medical procedures involving the administration of radioisotopes to the subject. While currently primarily a research tool, several practical clinical applications of radioligand neuroreceptor imaging are available today. Radioligand neuroreceptor imaging permits the determination of optimal dosages of traditional and novel psychoactive agents to produce maximal beneficial effects but minimal adverse effects. Furthermore, radioligand neuroreceptor imaging allows the identification of dysfunction in the release and transport of neurochemicals, such as second messenger systems, in the brains of individuals afflicted with different biological subtypes of nervous and mental diseases to facilitate the application of effective interventions to correct the underlying abnormalities. Gene therapy is another application of imaging techniques that provides the means to correct abnormalities in victims of malignancies, such as brain cancers, and other diseases. Thus, the diagnosis and treatment of nervous and mental disorders is enhanced by the utilization of in vivo imaging of neurotransmitter systems.
Conversion of Muonium into Antimuonium

A detailed analysis is made of the possible conversion of muonium into antimuonium in various environments. An assumed - mu e- mu e weak interaction of the usual form and strength gives a probability of 2.5 x 10/sup -5/ in vacuum, even in the presence of reasonable external electric fields. In a solid the probability is less by at least 10, and probably 20, orders of magnitude. In an inert gas the probability is roughly to be divided by the numbers of collisions during a muon lifetime, and hence is quite small unless the pressure at room temperature is less than about 10/sup -4/ atm. Lowering the temperature does not help. A possible experiment is suggested. (auth)
A Single Pulse Transverse Phase Space Beam Analyser

A device is described with which one can measure total and partial horizontal or vertical emittances in shorter than 40 ?s.
The Purpose of Tractarian Nonsense

Face a l'enigme de la proposition de non-sens qui clot le «Tractacus logico-philosophicus», l'A. rejette les interpretations resolues du texte et defend l'idee selon laquelle Wittgenstein propose une theorie ethique de la signfication, du sens et du non sens.
Freezing light with cold atoms

The impact of disorder and localisation in electronic conduction was introduced more than half a century ago by Philip Anderson. In a much broader context of disorder-mediated wave dynamics it remains an important research area, and surprises abound. Meanwhile, research in ultracold atomic physics has led to phenomenally detailed elucidation of properties, including changes in phase, of quantum degenerate Bosonic and Fermionic gases. For example, beautiful experiments have recently demonstrated, in quasi one-dimensional systems, Anderson localisation of matter waves. In this brief essay, we describe and discuss research on wave localisation in the context of ultracold atomic physics, with a particular emphasis on light localisation in ultracold and high-density atomic gases. Essential ideas are reviewed, along with the current experimental status of the field, and promising avenues for future research are discussed.
Porous cobalt spheres for high temperature gradient magnetically assisted fluidized beds.

Porous metallic cobalt spheres have been prepared as high temperature capable media for employment in gradient magnetically assisted fluidization and filtration technologies. Cobalt impregnated alginate beads are first formed by extrusion of an aqueous suspension of Co3O4 into a Co(II) chloride solution. The organic polymer is thermally decomposed yielding cobalt oxide spheres, followed by reduction to the metallic state, and densification. Cobalt beads have been produced with porosities ranging between 10 and 50%, depending upon sintering conditions. The product media have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption porosimetry, and vibrating sample magnetometry.
Towards cracking the code: LIM protein complexes in the spinal cord

Combinatorial transcription codes are used widely in the developing nervous system to specify the development of many distinct cell types. Although this strategy maximizes the use of small numbers of proteins, the molecular basis for imposing specificity remains unclear. A recent study has addressed this question by demonstrating that the favoring of hexameric complexes of specific LIM homeodomain proteins over tetramers could dictate the choice between motor neuron versus interneuron fate.
Mechanochemical route to the conducting polymer polyaniline

A solvent-free mechanochemical route for the synthesis of polyaniline has been developed. Reactions between anilinium salts, such as anilinium chloride, anilinium sulfate, and anilinium camphorsulfonic acid and the oxidant, ammonium peroxydisulfate, result in polyaniline formation on ball-milling the reactants. Spectroscopic studies indicate that polyaniline is formed in its doped, conductive emeraldine oxidation state. By varying the aniline-to-oxidant ratio, a yield of up to 65% can be achieved. The polyaniline has a relatively high surface area of 69.7 m2/g using the Brunauer−Emmett−Teller method. A typical bimodal molecular weight distribution is observed for the polyaniline product. Resistance measurements indicate that 1 h is sufficient for the solid-state reactions to reach completion.
The influence of attitudes and current friends on drug use intentions.

Summary The relationship between (a) attitudes about the consequences of drug use and drug use patterns of current friends and (b) behavioral intentions for future drug use was investigated among a representative sample of all men in the general population who were between 20–30 years in 1974 (N = 2510). Assessed were the determinants of behavioral intentions for use of alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, opiates, psychedelics, sedatives, and stimulants. The results indicated a strong, significant positive relationship between (a) both attitudes and friends' use and (b) intentions to use various drugs. These two components were independent and significant predictors of behavioral intentions to use each drug. In addition, they remain relatively unchanged, substantively important, and statistically significant predictors of behavioral intentions when controlling for self-reported past drug behavior. Finally, however, they are not sufficient predictors as reported in earlier research. Instead the effect of ...
Ratchet riposte: more on gastropod burrowing sculpture

Recent warnings concerning paleobiological inferences based upon gastropod shell morphology (Houbrick 1991) merit serious consideration, although the dangers have been overstated. Ratchet sculpture, an asymmetrical sculpture that assists marine invertebrates in burrowing, is not qualitatively different from sculptures that apparently do not aid in burrowing. Therefore, the interpretation of such sculpture might be problematical. Nevertheless, the large body of empirical evidence demonstrating the function of ratchet sculpture in burrowing by bivalves, gastropods, carpoid echinoderms, brachiopods, and arthropods and the lack of evidence supporting alternative functions in the Gastropoda warrant the continued, although cautious, association of ratchet sculpture with burrowing in marine gastropods. □Functional morphology, Gastropoda, ratchet sculpture, burrowing.
Task switching in mild cognitive impairment: Switch and nonswitch costs

The ability to switch rapidly and fluidly between tasks is an important component of many everyday activities. In this study, we used a predictable, externally cued task-switching paradigm to investigate executive control processes in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participants were 26 individuals with amnestic MCI and 26 healthy older adult (OA) controls. In the mixed-task trials, participants switched between classifying whether a digit was odd/even or a letter was a consonant/vowel on every fourth trial. In the single-task trials, participants completed only the digit task or letter task throughout the entire block. Task switching costs were decomposed into nonswitch costs, which reflect the dual nature of the task, and switch costs, which reflect set-shifting abilities. The results revealed that the MCI group was not affected more than the healthy OAs by the requirement of keeping two tasks sets active in working memory (nonswitch costs). In contrast, the cost of switching between the two tasks was significantly greater for the MCI group compared with the OA controls (switch costs). Future research is needed to better understand the nature and implications for daily living of the greater switch costs found for individuals with MCI. (JINS, 2009, 15, 103–111.)
Techniques for efficient fragment detection in web pages

The existing approaches to fragment-based publishing, delivery and caching of web pages assume that the web pages are manually fragmented at their respective web sites. However manual fragmentation of web pages is expensive, error prone, and not scalable. This paper proposes a novel scheme to automatically detect and flag possible fragments in a web site. Our approach is based on an analysis of the web pages dynamically generated at given web sites with respect to their information sharing behavior, personalization characteristics and change patterns.
A kinetic study of the reactions of MgO with H2O, CO2 and O2: implications for magnesium chemistry in the mesosphere

The recombination reactions of MgO with H2O, CO2 and O2 were studied by the pulsed photodissociation at 193.3 nm of magnesium acetyl acetonate [Mg(C5H7O2)2] vapour in the presence of O3, producing MgO in an excess of the reactant and N2 bath gas. MgO was monitored by time-resolved non-resonant LIF by pumping the MgO((B1Σ+–X1Σ+), Δ = 0) transition at 499.4 nm and detecting MgO(B1Σ+–A1Σ+) emission at λ>600 nm. All three recombination reactions were found to be in the fall-off region over the experimental pressure range (2–60 Torr). The data were fitted by RRKM theory combined with ab initio quantum calculations on Mg(OH)2, MgCO3, OMgO2 and MgO3, yielding the following results (180–600 K, 10−6–103 Torr). For MgO + H2O: log10(krec,0/cm6 molecule−2 s−1) = − 32.75 + 7.894log10T − 2.127log102T, krec,∞ = 3.52 × 10−10exp(−334/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1, Fc = 0.28. For MgO + CO2: log10(krec,0/cm6 molecule−2 s−1) = − 33.70 + 5.827log10T − 1.494log102T, krec,∞ = 6.79 × 10−10exp(−310/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1, Fc = 0.37. For MgO + O2: log10(krec,0/cm6 molecule−2 s−1) = − 28.05 + 1.423log10T − 0.683log102T; krec,∞ = 1.16 × 10−10exp(−219/T) cm3 molecule−1 s−1, Fc = 0.34 (Fc is the broadening factor). The uncertainty in extrapolating to the mesospheric temperature range (120–250 K) was determined using a Monte Carlo procedure. Finally, the implications of these results for magnesium chemistry in the mesosphere are discussed.
Calculation of harmonic generation during the multiphoton ionization of the hydrogen atom

The response of a hydrogen atom to an intense nonresonant laser field is investigated by direct numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrodinger equation. This calculation is nonperturbative and does not involve the eigenstates of the field-free atom. An ionization rate for three-photon ionization is calculated and found to be in excellent agreement with previous values. The time-dependent electric dipole moment is calculated; its Fourier transform yields the spectrum of scattered light. Odd-order harmonic peaks through at least the 25th order are present in the spectrum.
PLC Communication using PROFINET: Experimental Results and Analysis

PROFINET is the industrial Ethernet standard devised by PROFIBUS International for "Ethernet on the plant floor". PROFINET allows to implement a comprehensive communications solution on Ethernet which includes peer-to-peer communication between controllers, distributed I/O, machine safety, motion control and data acquisition. In this paper an analysis is conducted on the peer-to-peer interlocking performance based on PROFINET specification. Tests were performed to determine the performance of the peer-to-peer communication mechanism, to evaluate the impact of switches on the system, and to measure the impact of data size on peer-to-peer communication performance. The paper summarizes the test results.
FPC: A High-Speed Compressor for Double-Precision Floating-Point Data

Many scientific programs exchange large quantities of double-precision data between processing nodes and with mass storage devices. Data compression can reduce the number of bytes that need to be transferred and stored. However, data compression is only likely to be employed in high-end computing environments if it does not impede the throughput. This paper describes and evaluates FPC, a fast lossless compression algorithm for linear streams of 64-bit floating-point data. FPC works well on hard-to-compress scientific data sets and meets the throughput demands of high-performance systems. A comparison with five lossless compression schemes, BZIP2, DFCM, FSD, GZIP, and PLMI, on 4 architectures and 13 data sets shows that FPC compresses and decompresses one to two orders of magnitude faster than the other algorithms at the same geometric-mean compression ratio. Moreover, FPC provides a guaranteed throughput as long as the prediction tables fit into the L1 data cache. For example, on a 1.6-GHz Itanium 2 server, the throughput is 670 Mbytes/s regardless of what data are being compressed.
Large-Diameter Sewer Rehabilitation Using a Fiber-Reinforced Cured-in-Place Pipe

AbstractDespite the use of trenchless methods in sewer rehabilitation for over 40 years, a lack of knowledge on the performance of emerging technologies is still a critical need in the sewer infrastructure industry. This has led to aging water infrastructure research organizations to develop rehabilitation technology demonstration programs. The results from these programs are intended to enhance the industry’s awareness of available technologies and their capabilities. One specific scenario of interest is the rehabilitation of large-diameter sewer mains. This paper describes the demonstration of an innovative fiber-reinforced composite cured-in-place pipe technology used to rehabilitate 5,243 m (17,200 ft) of 2,400-mm (96-in.) RC pipe in Irving, Texas. This technology met the utility owner’s requirements and mechanical testing showed that the liner exceeded the minimum design requirements. A key take away from the project was the importance of proper planning. Careful attention is required to ensure prope...
Modeling Time-Dependent Elements for SPICE Transient Analyses

A technique is presented which uses existing SPICE elements for simulating circuits containing time-dependent element values. An example of a SPICE transient analysis of a circuit having a time-dependent capacitance is presented. The modeling technique is extended to time-dependent resistors and inductors with SPICE subcircuit descriptions given for each element model.
Anisotropy and morphology of strained III-V heteroepitaxial films

Strained coherent heteroepitaxy of III-V semiconductor films such as ${\text{In}}_{x}{\text{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\text{As}/\text{GaAs}$ has potential for electronic and optoelectronic applications such as high density logic, quantum computing architectures, laser diodes, and other optoelectronic devices. Crystal symmetry can have a large effect on the morphology of these films and their spatial order. Often the formation of group IV strained heterostructures such as Ge deposited on Si is analyzed using analytic models based on the Asaro-Tiller-Grinfeld instability. However, the governing dynamics of III-V three-dimensional heterostructure formation has different symmetry and is more anisotropic. The additional anisotropy appears in both the surface energy and diffusivity. Here, the resulting anisotropic governing dynamics are studied to linear order. The resulting possible film morphologies are compared with experimentally observed ${\text{In}}_{x}{\text{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\text{As}/\text{GaAs}$ films. Notably it is found that surface-energy anisotropy plays a role at least as important as surface-diffusion anisotropy if not more so, in contrast to previous suppositions.
Distant origins of Arctic black carbon: A Goddard Institute for Space Studies ModelE experiment

[1] Black carbon (BC) particles, derived from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and biomass, may have a severe impact on the sensitive Arctic climate, possibly altering the temperature profile, cloud temperature and amount, the seasonal cycle, and the tropopause level and accelerating polar ice melting. We use the Goddard Institute for Space Studies general circulation model to investigate the origins of Arctic BC by isolating various source regions and types. The model suggests that the predominant sources of Arctic soot today are from south Asia (industrial and biofuel emissions) and from biomass burning. These are the primary global sources of BC (approximately 20% and 55%, respectively, of the global emissions), and BC aerosols in these regions are readily lofted to high altitudes where they may be transported poleward. According to the model the Arctic BC optical thickness is mostly from south Asia (30%) and from biomass (28%) (with slightly more than half of biomass coming from north of 40°N); North America, Russia, and Europe each contribute 10–15%. Russia, Europe, and south Asia each contribute about 20–25% of BC to the low-altitude springtime “Arctic haze.” In the Arctic upper troposphere/lower stratosphere during the springtime, south Asia (30–50%) and low-latitude biomass (20–30%) are dominant, with a significant aircraft contribution (10–20%). Industrial S emissions are estimated to be weighted relatively more toward Russia and less toward south Asia (compared with BC). As a result, Russia contributes the most to Arctic sulfate optical thickness (24%); however, the south Asian contribution is also substantial (17%). Uncertainties derive from source estimates, model vertical mixing, and aerosol removal processes. Nevertheless, our results suggest that distant sources contribute more to Arctic pollution than is generally assumed.
Influence of subclinical mastitis during early lactation on reproductive parameters.

Our objective was to determine the effects of mastitis during early lactation on the reproductive performance of Jersey cows. From 1986 to 1997, quarter foremilk samples were collected every 4 to 8 wk during lactation, at drying off, near calving, and when clinical mastitis was diagnosed and were evaluated microbiologically to identify causative bacteria. Services per conception, days open, and days to first service were obtained from DHIA records on 752 cows. Cows were separated by mastitis type (clinical, n = 186; subclinical, n = 240; control, uninfected or infected after confirmed pregnancy, n = 326). Cows were reclassified based on the time of clinical or subclinical mastitis as follows: period 1, before first service (n = 374); period 2, between first service and pregnancy (n = 52); and period 3, after confirmed pregnancy or uninfected (control; n = 326). Milk production did not differ for any group separations. Reproductive performance did not differ between gram-negative or gram-positive mastitis pathogens. Cows with clinical or subclinical mastitis before first service had increased days to first service (77.3 ± 2.7 and 74.8 ± 2.7 d), days open (110.0 ± 6.9 and 107.7 ± 6.9 d), and services per conception (2.1 ± 0.2 and 2.1 ± 0.2) compared with controls (67.8 ± 2.2 d, 85.4 ± 5.8 d, 1.6 ± 0.2; P < 0.05). Days to first service were not increased in cows with clinical or subclinical mastitis during period 2 (70.6 ± 3.3 and 61.2 ± 7.8 d). However, days open (143.6 ± 8.5 d) and services per conception (3.0 ± 0.2) were increased (P < 0.05) in cows with clinical mastitis during period 2, but not in cows with subclinical mastitis (90.9 ± 20.2 d and 2.1 ± 0.5). Cows initially diagnosed subclinical that became clinical during period 2 exhibited increased days to first service (93.9 ± 10.1 d), days open (196.0 ± 26.2 d), and services per conception (4.3 ± 0.7) compared with control animals (P < 0.05). In conclusion, subclinical mastitis reduced reproductive performance of lactating cows similar to clinical mastitis. Subclinical mastitis followed by clinical mastitis resulted in the most severe loss in reproductive performance.
A Principle for Unsupervised Hierarchical Decomposition of Visual Scenes

Structure in a visual scene can be described at many levels of granularity. At a coarse level, the scene is composed of objects; at a finer level, each object is made up of parts, and the parts of subparts. In this work, I propose a simple principle by which such hierarchical structure can be extracted from visual scenes: Regularity in the relations among different parts of an object is weaker than in the internal structure of a part. This principle can be applied recursively to define part-whole relationships among elements in a scene. The principle does not make use of object models, categories, or other sorts of higher-level knowledge; rather, part-whole relationships can be established based on the statistics of a set of sample visual scenes. I illustrate with a model that performs unsupervised decomposition of simple scenes. The model can account for the results from a human learning experiment on the ontogeny of part-whole relationships.
Physical Model Study of the Wind Turbine Array Boundary Layer

First results from an experimental investigation of the fully developed wind turbine array boundary layer are reported, using arrays of up to 100 model wind turbines with a diameter of 0.25 m. The wind turbine array was simulated by a combination of drag-matched porous disks, used in the upstream part of the array, and by a smaller array of realistically scaled 3-bladed wind turbines just upstream of the measurement location. The model array was placed in the 6.0 m × 2.7 m × 72.0 m test section of the UNH Flow Physics Facility. Power, rate of rotation and rotor thrust were measured for select turbines, and hot-wire anemometry was used for flow measurements. Development of a fully developed wind turbine array boundary layer was noted with increase in array size.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Design of C-testable DCVS binary array dividers

Clocked differential cascode voltage switch (DCVS) circuits are dynamic CMOS circuits that have the advantage of being protected against test-set invalidation due to circuit delays and timing skews. The problem of testing nonrestoring and restoring DCVS binary array dividers is discussed. It is shown that a DCVS nonrestoring array divider can be made C-testable with only four or five vectors. These vectors detect all the detectable single stuck-at, stuck-open, and stuck-on faults in the circuit. The additional hardware required to achieve C-testability for an n*n nonrestoring array divider only consists of n-1 two-input XOR gates and one control input. It is also shown that a restoring DCVS binary array divider can be made C-testable with only six vectors, which also detect all the detectable single stuck-at, stuck-open, and stuck-on faults in the circuit. The hardware overhead required for the C-testable design of the n*n restoring array divider consists of n two-input XOR gates and one control input. >
Entropy-based dual-portal-to-3-DCT registration incorporating pixel correlation

For patient setup verification in external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) of prostate cancer, we developed an information theoretic registration framework, called the minimax entropy registration framework, to simultaneously and iteratively segment portal images and register them to three-dimensional (3-D) computed tomography (CT) image data. The registration framework has two steps, the max step and the min step, and evaluates appropriate entropies to estimate segmentations of the portal images and to rind the transformation parameters. In the initial version of the algorithm (Bansal et al 1999), we assumed image pixels to be independently distributed, an assumption not true in general. Thus, to better segment the portal images and to improve the accuracy of the estimated registration parameters, in this initial formulation of the problem, the correlation among pixel intensities is modeled using a one-dimensional Markov random process. Line processes are incorporated into the model to improve the estimation of segmentation of the portal images. In the max step, the principle of maximum entropy is invoked to estimate the probability distribution on the segmentations. The estimated distribution is then incorporated into the min step to estimate the registration parameters. Performance of the proposed framework is evaluated and compared to that of a mutual information-based registration algorithm using both simulated and real patient data. In the proposed registration framework, registration of the 3-D CT image and the portal images is guided by an estimated segmentation of the pelvic bone. However, as the prostate can move with respect to the pelvic structure, further localization of the prostate using ultrasound image data is required, an issue to be further explored in future.
The Impact of Child Obesity on Active Parental Consent in School-Based Survey Research on Healthy Eating and Physical Activity

Previous studies have shown that active consent procedures result in sampling bias in surveys dealing with adolescent risk behaviors such as cigarette smoking and illicit drug use. To examine sampling bias from active consent procedures when the survey topic pertains to childhood obesity and associated health behaviors, the authors pair data obtained from both active and passive consent procedures. The authors find that parents of children who are overweight or at risk for being overweight are significantly less likely to give active consent. In addition, parents of children enrolled in lower grades are more reluctant to consent to participate.
mRNA surveillance in eukaryotes: Kinetic proofreading of proper translation termination as assessed by mRNP domain organization?

In the last few years it has become clear that a conserved mRNA degradation system, referred to as mRNA surveillance, exists in eukaryotic cells to degrade aberrant mRNAs. This process plays an important role in checking that mRNAs have been properly synthesized and functions, at least in part, to increase the fidelity of gene expression by degrading aberrant mRNAs that, if translated, would produce truncated proteins. A critical issue is how normal and aberrant mRNAs are distinguished and how that distinction leads to differences in mRNA stability. Recent results suggest a model with three main points. First, mRNPs have a domain organization that is, in part, a reflection of the completion of nuclear pre-mRNA processing events. Second, the critical aspect of distinguishing a normal from an aberrant mRNA is the environment of the translation termination codon as determined by the organization of the mRNP domains. Third, the cell distinguishes proper from improper termination through an internal clock that is the rate of ATP hydrolysis by Upf1p. If termination is completed before ATP hydrolysis, the mRNA is protected from mRNA degradation. Conversely, if termination is slow, then ATP hydrolysis and a structural rearrangement occurs before termination is completed, which affects the fate of the terminating ribosome in a manner that fails to stabilize the mRNA. This proposed system of distinguishing normal from aberrant transcripts is similar to, but distinct from other systems of kinetic proofreading that affect the accuracy of other biogenic processes such as translation accuracy and spliceosome assembly.
Repellent and Deterrent Effects of SS220, Picaridin, and Deet Suppress Human Blood Feeding by Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Phlebotomus papatasi

A series of behavioral tests with Aedes aegypti (L.), Anopheles stephensi Liston, mosquitoes, and the sand fly Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli in the presence of Deet, SS220, and Picaridin topically applied to the skin of human volunteers showed that the insects were deterred from feeding on and repelled from surfaces emanating the compounds. When offered a 12- or 24-cm2 area of skin, one-half treated with compound and one-half untreated, the insects fed almost exclusively on untreated skin. The sand flies and mosquitoes did not at any time physically contact chemically treated surfaces. When treated and untreated skin areas were covered with cloth, insects contacted, landed, and bit only through cloth covering untreated skin. These observations provided evidence that the compounds deterred feeding and repelled insects from treated surfaces primarily as a result of olfactory sensing. When cloth, one-half untreated and one-half treated with chemical, was placed over untreated skin, insects only touched and specifically bit through the untreated cloth. This showed that the activity of the chemicals does not involve a chemical × skin interaction. In the presence of any of the three chemicals, no matter how they were presented to the insects, overall population biting activity was reduced by about one-half relative to controls. This reduction showed a true repellent effect for the compounds. Results clearly showed that Deet, SS220, and Picaridin exert repellent and deterrent effects upon the behavior of mosquitoes and sand flies. Heretofore, the combined behavioral effects of these compounds upon mosquito and sand fly behavior were unknown. Moreover, protection afforded by Deet, SS220, and Picaridin against the feeding of these three disease vectors on humans is mechanistically a consequence of the two chemical effects.
What Do the SCIP Guidelines "SKIP"? Commentary on an article by Brent Ponce, MD, et al.: "Surgical Site Infection After Arthroplasty: Comparative Effectiveness of Prophylactic Antibiotics. Do Surgical Care Improvement Project Guidelines Need to Be Updated?"

Infection after joint replacement remains a potentially devastating complication. On a national scale, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have estimated an annual incidence of 500,000 surgical site infections (SSIs)1. The Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) is a collaborative effort of national organizations aligned by a common goal: the improvement in surgical care by the reduction of postoperative complications2. Implemented in 2005, the SCIP set a goal of reducing the incidence of surgical complications by 25% by 2010. Of a series of ten measures, three apply to the timing of antibiotic initiation (SCIP-inf-1), antibiotic selection (SCIP-inf-2), and antibiotic cessation (SCIP-inf-3). In summary, prophylactic antibiotics should be initiated within one hour of the surgical incision and discontinued within twenty-four hours of the cessation of surgery. Antibiotics should be selected on the basis of likely pathogens, and the recommendations for total hip and knee arthroplasty are for …
Effect of Inhalational Anesthetics and Positive-pressure Ventilation on Ultrasound Assessment of the Great Vessels: A Prospective Study at a Children's Hospital.

Background:Bedside ultrasound has emerged as a rapid, noninvasive tool for assessment and monitoring of fluid status in children. The inferior vena cava (IVC) varies in size with changes in blood volume and intrathoracic pressure, but the magnitude of change to the IVC with inhalational anesthetic a
Key Issues in Marketing Education

(2008). Key Issues in Marketing Education. Marketing Education Review: Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 4-4.