cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Roadway Construction Sustainability Impacts: Review of Life-Cycle Assessments

Each year the United States places about $100 billion of roadway construction. This level of activity suggests possibly significant sustainability implications in the construction activities for this work. One means to quantify some of these impacts is through life-cycle assessment (LCA). A review of 14 roadway construction LCA papers reveals some common ideas about the ecological impacts of roadway construction. Some key observations are that (a) the energy expended during roadway construction is roughly equivalent to that used by traffic operating on the facility for 1 or 2 years, (b) total energy use during roadway construction varies but is typically on the order of 3 to 7 TJ/lane mile, (c) total CO2 emissions during roadway construction vary but are typically 200 to 600 Mg/lane mile, (d) materials production makes up 60% to 80% of energy use and 60% to 90% of CO2 emissions associated with construction, (e) construction activities at the jobsite make up less than 5% of energy use and CO2 emissions, an...
Are there predictors of Remicade treatment success or failure

Infliximab (Remicade®) is an antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy effective in both induction and maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease. Identifying predictors of response or relapse to infliximab is important given the potential toxicities and cost of this therapy. Currently available data suggest that concurrent immunosuppressant therapy, certain clinical characteristics, biological and immunological markers, and gene polymorphism may correlate with response to infliximab. However, no single variable has been consistently shown or definitely proven in studies to be a predictor of response to infliximab to be of practical value in current clinical practice. Data from the literature in these areas are reviewed in this article, pointing to the need for additional research in this topic.
Clinical and radiological evaluation of Vertebrace extrication collars.

Abstract An aid for prehospital cervical immobilization was studied radiographically. We applied the Vertebrace Extrication Collar to ten volunteers and measured cervical movement in the sagittal plane. Results of mean degrees of flexion-extension and mean percentage of restricted motion at each level compared favorably with results of earlier studies using rigid orthoses (the four-poster brace, Cervicothoracic, Somi Brace, and Yale collar). A second method of analysis, measuring relative motion of vertebral segments by level, found no flexion displacement in 70% and no extension displacement in 60% at C5–C6. The Vertebrace Collar proved to be effective in restricting movement of the cervical vertebrae most often injured following serious trauma.
Theory and Application of Thermally Stimulated Currents in Photoconductors

The theory of thermally stimulated currents is investigated in the limits of slow and fast retrapping. A method of obtaining the ionization energy $E$ of the relevant traps is discussed. This method depends on the shift of the conductivity maxima with heating rate and does not involve prior knowledge of the trapping cross sections or of the heating rate.
Sequential design of discrete linear quadratic regulators via optimal root-locus techniques

A sequential method employing classical root-locus techniques has been developed in order to determine the quadratic weighting matrices and discrete linear quadratic regulators of multivariable control systems. At each recursive step, an intermediate unity rank state-weighting matrix that contains some invariant eigenvectors of that open-loop matrix is assigned, and an intermediate characteristic equation of the closed-loop system containing the invariant eigenvalues is created.
Scoring discrepancies between the WISC‐R manual and two scoring guides

A comparison of the WISC-R manual with that of (a) the Jastak and Jastak scoring guide for WISC Vocabulary responses and (b) the Scottish Council for Research in Education supplementary scoring guide for WISC Vocabulary and Similarities responses indicates 11 discrepancies between the two guides and the WISC-R manual in scores assigned to identical (or almost identica) responses for items in common. In each case, the two scoring guides give more credit to the responses than is given in the WISC-R manual. Such discrepancies are likely to contribute to examiner unreliability in the scoring of responses.
EXISTENCE OF SOLUTIONS OF CROSSING-SYMMETRIC N/D EQUATIONS.

A fixed‐point theorem is applied to the N/D equations of ππ scattering, for which crossing is satisfied exactly by the absorptive part of the amplitude, up to a finite, but arbitrary cut off. It is found that ghost‐free solutions exist, if the subtraction constants are not too large, but that these solutions are not unique, since the Castillejo‐Dalitz‐Dyson ambiguity is not resolved by the requirement of crossing symmetry.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a risk factor for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a proposed risk factor for developing laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers. No controlled study has examined this association. METHODS: A case-control study was performed using the computerized hospitalization and outpatient databases of the US Department of Veterans Affairs. All patients, who were veterans, had been identified as being hospitalized with laryngeal or pharyngeal during 1991 to 1997. In addition, all persons diagnosed with laryngeal or pharyngeal cancer in 1999 in the outpatient files were identified. From the same patient populations, four nonmatched control subjects were randomly assigned for each case. The medical history for cases and controls was retrospectively searched for GERD diagnoses, tobacco use, and alcohol dependence. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the risk factors for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers. RESULTS: A total of 8,228 hospitalized patients with laryngeal cancers and 1,912 with pharyngeal cancers were compared to 32,912 and 7,648 hospitalized controls, while 9,292 outpatients with laryngeal cancer and 2,769 outpatients with pharyngeal cancer were compared with 37,168 and 11,076 outpatient controls without cancer. Among hospitalized persons, the prevalence of GERD was higher among patients with laryngeal cancer (8.9 vs 4.0%, p CONCLUSIONS: Among US veterans, the risk for laryngeal or pharyngeal cancers is modestly increased in the presence of GERD. This effect seems to be independent of age, gender, smoking, and alcohol intake.
Chediak-Higashi–like granules within leukemic promyelocytes.

![Figure][1] A 59-year-old woman with disseminated intravascular coagulation was transferred after a dose of growth factor for “leukopenia.” Laboratory studies showed elevated d-dimer (201 934 ng/mL), with a white blood cell count of 41 000/mm3 (blasts, 19%; promyelocytes, 37%) and
The characterization of the kerogen of chattanooga oil shale. Part I— The oxidation of Chattanooga Shale with boiling perchloric acid

Abstract Oxidative degradation of the kerogen of Chattanooga oil shale was effected by using boiling perchloric acid. A kerogen concentrate was prepared from a raw Chattanooga oil shale sample. The kerogen concentrate and raw shale were oxidized in a stepwise-fashion by varying the boiling point, and the subsequent concentration and oxidizing strength, of perchloric acid. The progress of the reaction was followed by monitoring the amount of undissolved material, the color of the aqueous phase, and the conversion of carbon to carbon dioxide. The percentage of undissolved material indicated that the dissolution of pyrite occurred between 140–155°C and the dissolution of the kerogen occurred between 160–180°C. The color intensity of the aqueous layer rose to a maximum between 155°C and 180°C, then faded to colorless at 203°C. The percentage of carbon converted to carbon dioxide increased steadily in a linear fashion above 150°C. Soluble lower molecular weight oxidation products have been obtained for future analysis.
Estimating anesthesia and surgical procedure times from medicare anesthesia claims.

Background:Procedure times are important variables that often are included in studies of quality and efficiency. However, due to the need for costly chart review, most studies are limited to single-institution analyses. In this article, the authors describe how well the anesthesia claim from Medicar
Tribological evaluation of aluminum and magnesium sheet forming at high temperatures

The tribological mechanisms during interaction of aluminum and magnesium sheets with ferrous metal tools at high temperature are very complex and involve friction, wear, transfer of material, and deformation simultaneously. The tribological behaviour of both AA5083 aluminum and AZ31B magnesium alloy sheets sliding against tool steel were found to impact the quality of components manufactured with elevated temperature metal forming processes such as Quick Plastic Forming (QPF) and Superplastic Forming (SPF), or warm forming. The adhesion of aluminum to forming tools is of concern since it directly influences the quality of the formed part, while the choice of the tooling material and its surface influence tool cost, required maintenance, and durability. A flat-on-flat test method has been developed which allows measurement of wear and friction coefficients as well as determination of the onset of adhesion. The test allows the screening of tool surface material coatings and lubricants during interaction of aluminum or magnesium with tool surfaces at high temperature.
Conflict and Migration: The Case of Somali Refugees in Northeastern Kenya

The Dadaab refugee camp was established in 1991 to accommodate Somali refugees fleeing the ongoing violence, environmental and social problems caused by civil war, famine, and drought. The camp is located in Garissa County in the Northeastern region of Kenya. Recent data indicate that the current population of Dadaab camp (463, 422) is more than five times the camp’s recommended initial capacity of 90,000 people. This influx of refugees into Northeastern Kenya has stressed local resources within the region and requires careful negotiation between the host community residents and refugees. This study analyses this challenging situation through a human security lens, which seeks to encompass the social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental conditions necessary to support sustainable human well-being. The study also identifies the human security challenges facing the refugees and examines the factors influencing conflict between the host community residents and the refugees. Programmatic suggestions for sustainable solutions that empower both the host community residents and the refugees are discussed.
Population growth impacts of zero net international migration.

In a country such as the United States the contribution of net international migration to overall population change overshadows the contribution of natural increase....Some analysts have assumed that if the same number of people leave and enter the country each year then the effect of net international migration will be zero. This article examines that assumption and shows that it is fallacious. Examining the direct indirect total and negative demographic impacts of zero net international migration through simulations with demographic data we demonstrate that zero net international migration is not the same and therefore does not have the same demographic results and implications as zero international migration. We conclude that zero net international migration should not be confused with zero international migration. (EXCERPT)
Decreased Nocturnal Awakenings in Young Adults Performing Bikram Yoga: A Low-Constraint Home Sleep Monitoring Study

This pilot study evaluated the impact of Bikram Yoga on subjective and objective sleep parameters. We compared subjective (diary) and objective (headband sleep monitor) sleep measures on yoga versus nonyoga days during a 14-day period. Subjects (n = 13) were not constrained regarding yoga-practice days, other exercise, caffeine, alcohol, or naps. These activities did not segregate by choice of yoga days. Standard sleep metrics were unaffected by yoga, including sleep latency, total sleep time, and percentage of time spent in rapid eye movement (REM), light non-REM, deep non-REM, or wake after sleep onset (WASO). Consistent with prior work, transition probability analysis was a more sensitive index of sleep architecture changes than standard metrics. Specifically, Bikram Yoga was associated with significantly faster return to sleep after nocturnal awakenings. We conclude that objective home sleep monitoring is feasible in a low-constraint, real-world study design. Further studies on patients with insomnia will determine whether the results generalize or not.
Public acquisition versus private stewardship for wetland protection: an evaluation of the St Lawrence valley national wildlife refuge, USA

Abstract Private stewardship can be an efficacious strategy for wetland protection in areas not subject to development pressure, provided landowners are environmentally conscious and a safety net of regulations has been enacted. Public acquisition is better directed toward areas undergoing rapid land‐use change. The St Lawrence Valley National Wildlife Refuge proposed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service was ill‐advised, because wetlands are not being converted to other uses, landowners are engaging practices that promote and enhance wildlife, and wetlands are protected from serious losses by state regulations. A less costly and less contentious role for governmental agencies in such situations is to initiate and support activities of private landowners.
Comparison of Two Otter Trawls of Different Sizes for Sampling Black Crappies

Abstract Young black crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus are often difficult to collect, which hampers fishery managers' ability to detect weak year-classes and study early life history. Trawls have proven effective for sampling adult crappies in Florida lakes; however, this gear has received little attention as a tool to collect juvenile fish in freshwater systems. I compared two otter trawls of different sizes in two Florida lakes and found that a large (31.8-mm knotted stretch mesh) trawl was less effective than a smaller trawl of similar design (6.8-mm knotless stretch mesh) for collecting juvenile black crappies. Therefore, where it is possible to use trawl samples, the smaller mesh trawl is recommended for collection of juvenile black crappies and as a tool to assess year-class strength in systems.
Correlation approaches to detection

Criticisms leveled at the use of pattern correlation methods in climate-change detection studies are addressed. We first explain how spatial autocorrelation effects are accounted for. We then show why it is important to consider both pattern similarity and spatial-mean results in detection studies, and evaluate a mean-square-error statistic in this context. We also show that the use of changes in climate, as opposed to absolute climate states, does not lead to spurious trends in the pattern correlation statistic R(t). In doing this, we explain how previous pattern correlation studies account for “time arrow” effects in considering changes relative to an arbitrary reference year. We conclude that criticisms of the pattern correlation method are without substance.
Influence of the Early-Feathering Gene upon a Chick’s Growth Rate

Abstract There is considerable interest at present in the improvement of heavy breeds of poultry by introducing into their genetic make-up the sex-linked early feathering gene. The chief argument favoring this procedure has been the avoidance of the troublesome “bare-back” male broilers. It has also been suggested that an early feathering chick is much less subject to cannibalistic tendencies of its pen mates than is one carrying pulpy pin feathers to a late age. The data presented in this paper provide an additional reason for making strains of heavy breeds homozygous for the early feathering gene. The data presented in the accompanying table were taken from an experiment designed primarily to study the influence of various diets upon broiler growth. Since all of the four rations fed were relatively adequate, their constitution is of no particular interest here. The chicks used were all from one New Hampshire flock which carried the . . .
Decentralized Voltage Control to Minimize Distribution Power Loss of Microgrids

Microgrids that integrate renewable power sources are suitable for rural communities or certain military applications such as forward operation bases. For microgrids that are not connected to the large electric grid, new control strategies must be designed to maintain proper grid voltage and frequency. In addition, microgrids with distributed power sources and load nodes may have frequent reconfiguration in grid architecture. Therefore, the control strategies ideally should be “plug-and-play”, i.e., they should not require significant communication or architecture information, and they should work reliably as long as the supply/demand powers are reasonably balanced. Another unique issue of microgrids is the high resistance loss in distribution lines due to the low operating voltage. To reduce power losses, appropriate voltage control at distributed nodes is required which again must work in a plug-and-play fashion. In this paper, we propose a decentralized voltage control algorithm that minimizes power losses for microgrids. Its optimality and plug-and-play nature are demonstrated through comprehensive simulations.
Breast carcinoma detection in women age 35 years and younger: mammography and diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

BACKGROUND Delays in breast carcinoma diagnosis may occur in young women due to a low index of suspicion. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is an ideal method for evaluating breast lesions in younger women. Mammographic and FNA findings, including nuclear grade, were studied to determine both the utility of FNA and the presence of unique cytologic features in women age < or = 35 years with breast carcinoma. METHODS The cytopathology files were searched from 1984 to 1996 for FNA in women age < or = 35 years with breast carcinoma. The cytologic, mammographic, and clinical findings were reviewed in the 68 FNAs identified. A nuclear grade was assigned to each FNA. RESULTS Thirteen patients were age < 30 years and 55 were age 31-35 years (range, 22-35 years; average, 31 years). The clinical and mammographic findings were carcinoma in 45 patients (66%) and fibroadenoma/benign in 23 patients (34%). FNA diagnoses were malignant/suspicious (86%), atypical (12%), and negative (1.4%). In 23 patients with unsuspected carcinoma, the FNA diagnosed or suggested malignancy in 22 of 23 patients (96%). The cytologic findings on review were variable. Many FNAs were cellular, with enlarged nuclei and prominent nucleoli. The FNAs predominantly were nuclear Grade 2 (47%) and 3 (47%); only 4 tumors were nuclear Grade 1 (6%). CONCLUSIONS By detecting breast carcinoma in 23 patients with unsuspected carcinoma, this study demonstrates how breast FNA in young women can help avoid delays in diagnosis. The cytologic findings are striking for an increased incidence of high grade tumors.
Focus on lymphomas

363 Epidemiology Lymphomas comprise the fifth most common cancer type in the United States, with approximately 55,000 cases of nonHodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and 7,400 cases of Hodgkin’s lymphoma (HL) each year. An unexplained finding is the 80% rise in NHL between 1973 and 1997 (http://www.seer.cancer.gov). The strongest known risk factors are genetic and acquired immunodeficiencies (Knowles, 1999). Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an important cofactor in the development of B cell lymphoma among immunosuppressed patients, but also plays a role in immunocompetent patients with Burkitt’s lymphoma and HL. Human herpes virus 8 and human T-lymphotropic virus-1 are associated with primary effusion lymphoma and peripheral T cell lymphoma, respectively. Chronic immune stimulation by H. pylori is an etiologic factor in gastric MALT lymphoma (Wotherspoon et al., 1993). Autoimmune conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome are associated with an excess risk of mar
Detection and elimination of mechanism defects in the selective precision synthesis of planar mechanisms

Abstract Possible mechanism defects and errors that may be encountered during the selective precision synthesis of planar mechanisms are discussed in detail and suitable remedial measures recommended. These defects include dyadic assembly error, locking defect, branching defect and the sequential mismatch defect. By solving these problems, the selective precision synthesis method can easily be adapted to solving numerous planar kinematic synthesis problems.
Multiple and Inseparable: Conceptualizing the Development of Independence and Interdependence.

Based on the position that cultural ideologies shape child development, many developmental analyses have focused on analyzing cultural conceptions of independence and interdependence. Less attention h
Chip-Scale All-Optical Group Delay

Recent results on ultra-compact optical delay lines based on SOI photonic wires and photonic crystals are reviewed. On-chip group delays exceeding 4 bits have been successfully demonstrated for bandwidth of 10Gbps within footprint of 0.1mm^2.
Dimensions of machine learning in design

Many of the design systems developed in recent years incorporate some machine learning. The number of such systems already available, and the multitude of design learning opportunities that are slowly being revealed, suggest that the time is ripe to attempt to put these developments into a systematic framework. Consequently, in this paper we present a set of dimensions for machine learning in design research. We hope that it can be used as a guide for comparing existing work, and that it may suggest new directions for future exploration in this area.
Advances in Noninvasive Imaging in Pediatric Cardiology

Transthoracic echocardiography is the first-line noninvasive diagnostic imaging modality in pediatric congenital and acquired heart disease, with cardiac MRI and CT representing important adjuncts. Noninvasive imaging is increasingly supplanting the need for invasive diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Major congenital heart disease can be identified prenatally by fetal echocardiography, allowing for appropriate pregnancy and perinatal planning. Cardiac MRI/MRA is excellent for noninvasive assessment of anatomy and hemodynamics; it should be obtained only by those with expertise in CHD. Recent advances in noninvasive imaging include three-dimensional echocardiography, myocardial strain imaging, exercise stress echocardiography, ICE, cardiac MRI, and CT. Evidence-based indications for echocardiography exist from fetal life through adulthood and should be familiar to practitioners ordering echocardiographic studies.
Simplicity in effective topology

The recursion-theoretic study of mathematical structures other than ω is now a field of much activity. Analysis and algebra are two such structures which have been studied for their effective contents. Studies in analysis began with the work of Specker on nonconstructive proofs in analysis [16] and in Lacombe's inspiring notes on relevant notions of recursive analysis [8]. Studies in algebra originated in the work of Frolich and Shepherdson on effective extensions of explicit fields [1] and in Rabin's study of computable fields [15]. Equipped with the richness of modern techniques in recursion theory, Metakides and Nerode [11]–[13] began investigating the effective content of vector spaces and fields; these studies have been extended by Kalantari, Remmel, Retzlaff, Shore and others. Kalantari and Retzlaff [5] began a foundational inquiry into effectiveness in topological spaces. They consider a topological space X with a countable basis ⊿ for the topology. The space is fully effective , that is, the basis elements are coded into ω and the operation of intersection of basis elements and the relation of inclusion among them are both computable. Similar to , the lattice of recursively enumerable (r.e.) subsets of ω , the collection of r.e. open subsets of X forms a lattice ℒ(X) under the usual operations of union and intersection.
High-flux photodegradation of solar materials: Stainless steel

Abstract The high-flux (≳ 1 MW/m 2 ), elevated temperature (≳ 400 °C) stability of types 304 and 410 stainless steel has been investigated by the application of surface-sensitive probes. Significant photo-enhancement of the oxidation of the stainless steel has been observed with measured oxide thicknesses up to 1000% greater for high-flux irradiated samples than (i.r.) oven-heated samples. Photo-induced reduction of the protective Cr 2 O 3 surface oxide is believed to be a significant cause of the photo-enhanced oxidation.
Blackouts and cascading failures.

The editorial presents the author's thoughts regarding the process of cascading failure behind the 2008-2009 global economic crisis. The need to apply lessons learned from the cascading nature of the economic crisis to other systemic threats, such as those presented by the crises of water shortage, energy shortage, and poverty, is also discussed.
The coexistence problem for Heun's differential equation

For certain parameter sets all solutions of Heun's equation are analytic in ℰ \ [0, 1], where ℰ is a (small) neighborhood of [0, 1]. These parameters sets are investigated. The results generalize those on coexistence of periodic solutions of the Lame and Ince equations due to Ince, Magnus and Winkler. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Gender Differences in Drug Use, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Risky Sexual Behavior Among Arrested Youths

Data were collected on arrested youths processed at a centralized intake facility, including youths released back to the community and those placed in secure detention. This paper reports the results of a test of a structural model involving newly arrested male and female youths' sexually transmitted diseases (STD) test results, urine analysis results for recent cocaine and marijuana use, and self-reported engaging in risky sexual behavior. The across gender, multiple group model involved: (1) a confirmatory factor analysis of these variables, reflecting a latent variable labeled Risk, (2) a regression of Risk on the youths' age, and (3) an examination of the covariance between Risk and the youths' race and seriousness of arrest charge. Results indicate the youths' STD status, drug use, and reported risky sexual behavior are interrelated phenomena, similarly experienced across gender. Age was the only correlate of Risk status that demonstrated a significant gender group difference. The youths' race and seriousness of arrest charges did not significantly affect Risk, regardless of gender. Research and policy implications of the findings are discussed.
THE STATES AND PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE

Abstract In recent years, a number of states have acted to expand the passenger rail services provided to their citizens by subsidizing Amtrak. Subsidizing states tend to be relatively metropolitan, with large tourist industries, large populations, relatively liberal electorates (for 1980 subsidy decisions), and a history of efforts to protect the environment. Multivariate analysis indicates that population, electoral liberalism, and environmental concern play key roles in shaping subsidy decisions, although electoral liberalism has little influence on 1985 subsidies.
Effect of moisture on the surface free energy and acid-base properties of mineral oxides

Surface energetic properties of mineral oxides are important in many applications. Since oxide surfaces in practice have generally come in contact with water molecules, it is important to know how water coverage affects the surface properties. In this work, five oxide samples, namely MgO, Al2O3, TiO2, SnO2 and SiO2 are heat-treated to various extents, to produce different degrees of hydration, and characterized thereafter by inverse gas chromatography. Water contents of the treated samples are determined independently by Karl Fischer titration, and specific surface areas are measured by the BET method. The results show that in general as water coverage decreases, the Lifshitz-van der Waals component of the specific surface free energy (sigma(S)LW) increases, but the acid-base interaction potential (-deltaG(AB)) decreases. These attributes are more sensitive to changes in water coverage at lower coverages, where the surface is presumed to consist of patches of molecular water and unhydrated hydroxyl groups.
Thermooptic Coefficients of Soda–Lime–Silica Glasses

The thermooptic coefficients, dn/dT, of two series of soda–lime–silica glasses, 25Na2O·xCaO·(75 –x)SiO2 and (25 –y)Na2O·yCaO·75SiO2, have been measured. When CaO is substituted for SiO2, the magnitude of dn/dT passes through a maximum negative value. When CaO is substituted for Na2O, there is a monotonic change from negative to positive dn/dT. These effects are accounted for by the changes in relative values of the coefficient of thermal expansion and the temperature coefficient of electronic polarizability, Θ. The effect of composition on Θ is explained by the changes in density of various nonbridging and bridging oxygens in the glass.
Polymorphonuclear leukocyte adherence and chemotaxis in stressed and healthy neonates.

ABSTRACT. Defects in polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) adherence and chemotaxis in neonates are thought to be an important cause of their increased susceptibility to overwhelming bacterial infection. Few studies of these functions have been carried out in stressed neonates who are at even greater risk of infection. PMN adherence and chemotaxis were examined in 33 stressed neonates with acute lower respiratory illness, 13 healthy neonates, and 43 healthy adults using whole blood PMN adherence and chemotaxis assays. PMN chemotaxis was significantly decreased in stressed neonates (locomotion index of 38.4 ± 9.7 µm) compared with that of healthy neonates (48.9 ± 12.8 µm, p<0.01) or adults (61.6 ± 11.9 µm, p<0.001). PMN chemotaxis was studied during illness and recovery in 13 of the 33 stressed neonates and showed significant improvement during recovery (41.6 ± 9.9 and 53.2 ± 11.9 µm, respectively, p = 0.012). PMN adherence was decreased in stressed neonates (1.4 ± 1.6%) compared with that of adults (12.3 ± 11.4%, p<0.01) but was similar to that of healthy neonates (1.1 ± 1.4%). These findings suggest that further impairment of PMN chemotaxis in stressed neonates helps account for their increased susceptibility to overwhelming bacterial infection.
Synchrotron X-ray scattering studies at mineral-water interfaces

Synchrotron X-ray scattering techniques provide a powerful tool for the in situ study of atomic scale processes occurring at solid-liquid interfaces. We have applied these techniques to characterize and study reactions at mineral-water interfaces. Here we present two examples. The first is the characterization of the calcite (CaCO{sub 3}) (10{bar 1}4) cleavage surface, in equilibrium with deionized water, by crystal truncation rod measurements. The second is the in situ study of the heteroepitaxial growth of otavite (CdCO{sub 3}) on the calcite (10{bar 1}4) cleavage surface. The results of such studies will lead to significant progress in understanding mineral-water interface geochemistry.
Molecular Determinants Underlying the Formation of Stable Intracellular G Protein-coupled Receptor-β-Arrestin Complexes after Receptor Endocytosis*

β-Arrestins bind agonist-activated G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and mediate their desensitization and internalization. Although β-arrestins dissociate from some receptors at the plasma membrane, such as the β2 adrenergic receptor, they remain associated with other GPCRs and internalize with them into endocytic vesicles. Formation of stable receptor-β-arrestin complexes that persist inside the cell impedes receptor resensitization, and the aberrant formation of these complexes may play a role in GPCR-based diseases (Barak, L. S., Oakley, R. H., Laporte, S. A., and Caron, M. G. (2001) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 98, 93–98). Here, we investigate the molecular determinants responsible for sustained receptor/β-arrestin interactions. We show in real time and in live human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells that a β-arrestin-2-green fluorescent protein conjugate internalizes into endocytic vesicles with agonist-activated neurotensin-1 receptor, oxytocin receptor, angiotensin II type 1A receptor, and substance P receptor. Using receptor mutagenesis, we demonstrate that the ability of β-arrestin to remain associated with these receptors is mediated by specific clusters of serine and threonine residues located in the receptor carboxyl-terminal tail. These clusters are remarkably conserved in their position within the carboxyl-terminal domain and serve as primary sites of agonist-dependent receptor phosphorylation. In addition, we identify a β-arrestin mutant with enhanced affinity for the agonist-activated β2-adrenergic receptor that traffics into endocytic vesicles with receptors that lack serine/threonine clusters and normally dissociate from wild-type β-arrestin at the plasma membrane. By identifying receptor and β-arrestin residues critical for the formation of stable receptor-β-arrestin complexes, these studies provide novel targets for regulating GPCR responsiveness and treating diseases resulting from abnormal GPCR/β-arrestin interactions.
Potential Hazards in the Operating Room

The operating room (OR) unit is one of the most sensitive units of a hospital. Unfortunately, only limited efforts have been made so far to optimize the OR towards being an ergonomic work place. Due to a lack of ergonomics, awkward postures and adaptation to sub-optimal conditions, potential hazards for the OR staff as well as for the patients are a normal course of life within operating rooms and OR units.Based on the evaluation of various OR units and surveys among surgeons and OR nurses, various reasons for these hazards can be discovered: medical technical devices were found to be lacking in usability as a result of unclear symbols, hindrances and insufficient ease in handling. In addition, the positioning of devices in the OR demonstrates ergonomic deficiencies which force the employees into awkward and often painful working postures. Cables and tubes often create snares for stumbling, hinder the OR team in their work or cannot be clearly assigned to the correct device.Combining the findings from the...
From retention to satisfaction: New outcomes for assessing the freshman experience

To meet higher education's challenge of accountability from a customer-satisfaction perspective, one urban institution has developed an integrated approach to studying the freshman-year experience in order to develop comprehensive outcome measures for assessing freshman success. Multiple sources of data (freshman satisfaction survey data, enrollment data, and academic performance data) are integrated into a database that provides the institution with a comprehensive set of outcome indicators and a model of the freshman experience. This institution used the integrated data set to develop models of freshman retention. In order to focus more clearly on customer satisfaction, models of student satisfaction were developed to determine critical components in freshman satisfaction.
A friction model of the prime

Abstract This paper presents and estimates the parameters of a model whose basis is the rigidity of the prime rate, a friction model of the prime. Unlike traditional methods employed to analyze the prime, the estimator used here is asymptotically consistent and unbiased.
Theorems on partitions from a page in Ramanujan's lost notebook

On page 189 in his lost notebook, Ramanujan recorded five assertions about partitions. Two are famous identities of Ramanujan immediately yielding the congruences p(5n+4) ≡ 0 (mod 5) and p(7n+5) ≡ 0 (mod 7) for the partition function p(n). Two of the identities, also originally due to Ramanujan, were rediscovered by M. Newman, who used the theory of modular forms to prove them. The fifth claim is false, but Ramanujan corrected it in his unpublished manuscript on the partition and τ-functions. The purpose, of this paper is to give completely elementary proofs of all four claims. In particular, although Ramanujan's elementary proof for his identity implying the congruence p(7n + 5) ≡ 0 (mod 7) is sketched in his unpublished manuscript on the partition and τ-functions, it has never been given in detail. This proof depends on some elementary identities mostly found in his notebooks; new proofs of these identities are given here.
The GEON service-oriented architecture for Earth Science applications

Abstract The Geosciences Network (GEON) project has been developing cyberinfrastructure for data sharing in the Earth Science community based on a service-oriented architecture. The layered architecture consists of Core, Middleware, and Applications services. Core services provide system-level functions (e.g. user authentication), Middleware services provide generic capabilities (e.g. catalog search), and Application services provide functions that users directly interact with, including applications that are specific to Earth Sciences. The GEON ‘service stack’ includes a standardized set of these services and the corresponding software modules. The GEON Portal provides Web-based access to these services via a set of portlets. This service-oriented approach has enabled GEON to expand to new partner sites and leverage GEON services for other projects. To facilitate interoperation in a distributed geoinformatics environment, GEON is focusing on standards for distributed search across federated catalogs.
Retelling Tales of the Field: In Search of Organizational Ethnography 20 Years On

The special issue arose from the 2008 Qualitative Research in Management and Organization Conference, held at the University of New Mexico, to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of John Van Maanen’s (1988) book Tales of the Field. The theme of the conference, Telling Tales, reflected two of the core issues in the book—the need to think about the ways in which we carry out (our methods) and write up ethnographic work. This introductory paper sets the scene for the four papers to follow by giving an overview of ethnography: what ethnographic work entails, a brief history, issues to consider when doing ethnography, and offers a range of references for potential ethnographers. In addition, it introduces the four authors and situates their ‘‘tales’’ within the broader ethnographic context.
High-Throughput Measurement of Ionic Conductivity in Composition-Spread Thin Films

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of high-throughput investigation of ionic conductivity in oxygen-ion conductors. Yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composition-spread thin films with nanometer-size grains were prepared by 90° off-axis reactive RF cosputtering. We compare results for two electrode configurations, namely, out-of-plane (parallel plate) and in-plane (planar interdigitated electrode) and find that the contribution from the intragrain conductivity in YSZ thin films (150 nm) is more explicit in the latter configuration because it greatly diminishes electrode effects. The intragrain oxygen ion conductivity of thin film YSZ was systematically measured as a function of yttria concentration over the range 2 mol % to 12 mol %. The results show that the measured conductivity of the YSZ thin films is close to that of corresponding bulk materials with a peak value around 3 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 440 °C at the optimum Y₂O₃ concentration of 8 mol %. Validation of this technique means that it can be applied to novel chemical systems for which systematic bulk measurements have not been attempted.
GLIRICIDIA MACULATA—A REVIEW

SUMMARY Gliricidia maculata (syn G. sepium) is a fast growing, leguminous, medium sized, thornless tree which can substitute for Leucaena leucocephala as a source of fodder, fuelwood and green manure, in hedges and living fences, and as a shade tree in tea, coffee, and cocoa plantations. It grows in lowland areas of the tropics having mean annual temperatures of 22–30°C. and rainfall of 800–1700mm, and is much easier to establish than leucaena. The foliage has a crude protein content of 20–30 per cent, and recent research reviewed in this paper confirms the value of gliricidia as a feed supplement for sheep and cattle. Feeding gliricidia to ewes in Sri Lanka as 25 per cent of total feed led to increased voluntary feed intake, weight changes before lambing, percentage lambing, and survival of ewes and lambs, compared with a diet consisting only of grass. Lamb growth rates were almost doubled. No further benefits were obtained by increasing gliricidia to more than 25 per cent of total feed. No detrimental s...
A phase shift controlled current-fed Quasi-Switched-Capacitor isolated dc/dc converter with GaN HEMTs for photovoltaic applications

This paper proposes a phase shift controlled isolated dc/dc converter for photovoltaic applications, which is composed of a current-fed half bridge and a Quasi-Switched-Capacitor (QSC) cell. The proposed converter employs phase shift control to realize a wide voltage regulation range, and features zero-voltage-switching on all the switches. Compared to traditional H-bridge and half bridge, the secondary side QSC circuit exhibits a higher boost ratio and reduced voltage stress on devices and transformer. The circuit structure, operation principles and soft-switching analysis of the converter are presented. A 1-kW gallium nitride device based circuit prototype is used to verify the circuit analysis. Both simulation and experimental results are presented.
A Rare Red Cell Phenotype in a 36-Year-Old Woman

1. What is this patient’s red blood cell (RBC) antigen phenotype? 2. What is unusual about this patient’s RBC antigen phenotype? 3. What antibody is present in this patient’s serum, and what is its significance? 4. Is this patient an immunologic “non-responder,” since she never made an anti-k antibody despite 5 pregnancies and deliveries? 5. Should this patient receive k-negative blood even though she has not thus far made anti-k?
Managing asthma with mobile phones: a feasibility study.

Asthma is a chronic disease and a growing health problem worldwide. The objective of this pilot study was to test the feasibility and utilization of tracking asthma symptoms through an innovative m...
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Carbonic Anhydrase 9, and Angiogenin as Urinary Biomarkers for Bladder Cancer Detection

Objective To investigate whether elevated urinary levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), and angiogenin are associated with bladder cancer (BCa). Methods This was a case-control study in which voided urine samples from 127 patients (63 control subjects and 64 patients with BCa) were analyzed. The urinary concentrations of VEGF, CA9, angiogenin, and bladder tumor antigen (BTA) were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. We used the area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic curves to determine the ability of VEGF, CA9, and angiogenin to detect BCa in voided urine samples. Data were also compared with the findings from a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based BCa detection assay (BTA-Trak). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Results The urinary concentrations of VEGF, CA9, angiogenin, and BTA were significantly elevated in those with BCa. VEGF was the most accurate urinary biomarker (area under the curve 0.886, 95% confidence interval 0.8301-0.9418). Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis highlighted VEGF (odds ratio 5.90, 95% confidence interval 2.60-13.40, P Conclusion VEGF could be a valuable addition to voided urine sample analysis for the detection of BCa. Larger, prospective studies are needed to determine the clinical utility of urinary VEGF and angiogenin as biomarkers in the noninvasive evaluation of patients with BCa.
Effect of Overheating on the Nutritional Quality of Cottonseed Meal

The effect of overheating on the nutritive value of cottonseed meal (CSM) for chicks and protein solubility in .2% KOH was evaluated. One-week-old male chicks were assigned to seven diets consisting primarily of corn and unautoclaved commercial CSM (expander-solvent extracted) or CSM that had been autoclaved for 20, 40, 60, 90, or 120 min at 121 C and 105 kPa. The protein level of the diets was either 21 or 22%, and FeSO4.7H2O was added to bind any free gossypol in the CSM. A control corn-soybean meal diet was included for comparison. A sample of full-fat cotton seeds extracted with a mixture of water-acetone-hexane without heating (DFCS) was also evaluated. The true digestibility of amino acids in cecectomized cockerels was determined for DFCS, three samples of unautoclaved commercial CSM, and the commercial CSM that had been autoclaved for 60 or 120 min. Growth performance of chicks was depressed (P < .05) by feeding CSM autoclaved for 40 to 60 min or more. Growth performance of chicks fed CSM diets was inferior (P < .05) to that obtained from the corn-soybean meal diet. Protein solubility for the unautoclaved commercial CSM was less than for DFCS (70 vs 60%) and did not decrease until 90 min of autoclaving. Average amino acid digestibility was higher for DFCS than in CSM (85 vs 74%). The mean true digestibilities of lysine, methionine, and cystine in the three unautoclaved commercial CSM were 64, 72, and 72%, respectively. Digestibilities of amino acids in CSM were reduced by 60 and 120 min of autoclaving.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Temporal Emotion Work of Motherhood Homeschoolers’ Strategies for Managing Time Shortage

Drawing on fieldwork and in-depth interviews with homeschooling mothers in the Pacific Northwest, the author reveals several ways the temporal experience of motherhood was emotionally problematic. The intensive demands of homeschooling left them stressed and dissatisfied with the amount of time they had to pursue their own interests. Mothers tried to allocate their time differently to manage these feelings, yet their efforts were unsuccessful, which led them to become frustrated and resentful. To resolve these troublesome feelings, mothers resorted to manipulating their subjective experiences of time through a process the author calls “temporal emotion work.” In the conclusion, the author examines the theoretical confluence of emotions and temporality, suggesting that the dominant form of motherhood is culturally defined as a “time-sensitive identity” and that “temporal emotions” are unique tools in managing the emotional difficulties inherent in the trajectories of some identities.
Impact of Tire Compliance Behavior to Vehicle Longitudinal Dynamics and Control

Empirical tire models, generally obtained through lab tests, are commonly used in vehicle dynamics and control analysis. Most of the empirical tire models describe the linear (or nonlinear) static tire behavior and overlook the tire compliance with one exception: the relaxation length tire (RLT) model inserts first order tire dynamics. However, the RLT model creates an undamped oscillation when describing the low-speed tire dynamics. This paper presents an improved longitudinal tire model that describes the tire compliance without exhibiting the undamped vibrations. By incorporating this improved tire model into a vehicle longitudinal model, the dominant flexible modes of the vehicle can be easily captured. The predictions from the improved vehicle model show that the often-ignored tire compliance can impact longitudinal ride comfort and vehicle control designs. Experiments were conducted on a passenger car as an example and the experimental data verified the model predictions.