An Experimental and Analytical Approach to Understanding the Dynamic Leaching from Municipal Solid Waste Combustion Residue

This paper describes an experimental technique involving the use of small columns for generating significant quantities of leachate data from municipal solid waste (MSW) solid residues within a relatively short amount of time. Data analysis using the discretized mass balance equations descriptive of the system results in best estimates of governing transport parameters that can, in turn, be used to predict the long-term release of leachable components (As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Zn, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl, SO4) from the solid matrix. Results indicate that both chemical solubility and physical transport are important factors affecting the flux of contaminants from the solid to the solution phase

T Cell Responses during Acute Respiratory Virus Infection

This article is made available for unrestricted research re-use and secondary analysis in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for the duration of the World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic.The T cell response is an integral and essential part of the host immune response to acute virus infection. Each viral pathogen has unique, frequently nuanced, aspects to its replication, which affects the host response and as a consequence the capacity of the virus to produce disease. There are, however, common features to the T cell response to viruses, which produce acute limited infection. This is true whether virus replication is restricted to a single site, for example, the respiratory tract (RT), CNS etc., or replication is in multiple sites throughout the body. In describing below the acute T cell response to virus infection, we employ acute virus infection of the RT as a convenient model to explore this process of virus infection and the host response. We divide the process into three phases: the induction (initiation) of the response, the expression of antiviral effector activity resulting in virus elimination, and the resolution of inflammation with restoration of tissue homeostasis

Variability of Temperature and Salinity in the Middle Atlantic Bight and Gulf of Maine

Monitoring of the waters of the Middle Atlantic Bight and Gulf of Maine has been conducted by the MARMAP Ships of Opportunity Program since the early 1970's. Presented in this atlas are portrayals of the temporal and spatial patterns of surface and bottom temperature and surface salinity for these areas during the period 1978-1990. These patterns are shown in the form of time-space diagrams for single-year and multiyear (base period) time frames. Each base period figure shows thirteen-year (1978-1990) mean conditions, sample variance in the form of standard deviations of the measured values, and data locations. Each single-year figure displays annual conditions, sampling locations, and departures of annual conditions from the thirteen-year means, expressed as algebraic anomalies and standardized anomalies. (PDF file contains 112 pages.

Method Effects and the Need for Cognition Scale

Individual differences in the need for cognition are typically assessed using the 18-item Need for cognition scale (NCS) developed by Cacioppo and Petty (1982). However, in contrast to the unidimensional model proposed by the scale developers, recent factor analyses have introduced two -and three- dimensional models of the scale. Confirmatory factor analyses were used in this study to evaluate different measurement models based on data provided by 590 (236 males, 354 females) young adult members of the general public. Although some alternative models showed promise, a single factor model with method effects associated with positively and negatively worded items provided best fit. Implications for the asses sment of need for cognition are considered

Algebraic properties of generalized Rijndael-like ciphers

We provide conditions under which the set of Rijndael functions considered as permutations of the state space and based on operations of the finite field \GF (p^k) ($p\geq 2$ a prime number) is not closed under functional composition. These conditions justify using a sequential multiple encryption to strengthen the AES (Rijndael block cipher with specific block sizes) in case AES became practically insecure. In Sparr and Wernsdorf (2008), R. Sparr and R. Wernsdorf provided conditions under which the group generated by the Rijndael-like round functions based on operations of the finite field \GF (2^k) is equal to the alternating group on the state space. In this paper we provide conditions under which the group generated by the Rijndael-like round functions based on operations of the finite field \GF (p^k) ($p\geq 2$) is equal to the symmetric group or the alternating group on the state space.Comment: 22 pages; Prelim0

Estimating the Economic Value of Specific Characteristics Associated with Angus Bulls Sold at Auction

The genetic traits of a purebred bull convey the reproductive and economic value to buyers. This study examines and compares the value of actual production weights (birth, weaning, and yearling weight), production expected progeny differences (EPDs) (birth, weaning, milk, and yearling), and ultrasound EPDs (carcass quality predictors) for purebred Angus bulls sold at auction. One EPD, birth weight, was valued by buyers more than its corresponding actual weight, though both actual weights and EPDs significantly impact price. Predictors of carcass quality were important in determining price. Finally, several individual animal factors and sale characteristics were significant in determining price.Angus bulls, carcass characteristics, EPDs, marketing factors, production factors, Agribusiness, Agricultural and Food Policy, Agricultural Finance, Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Livestock Production/Industries, Q10, Q12,

ESTIMATING THE ECONOMIC VALUES ASSOCIATED WITH EPDS FOR ANGUS BULLS AT AUCTION

The genetic traits that an Angus bull possesses convey the reproductive and economic value of the animal to potential buyers. This paper examines and draws comparisons between the value of actual production weights and production EPDs, while also establishing values for ultrasound EPDs. Results indicate that only one EPD, birth weight, was valued by buyers more than its corresponding actual weight, though actual weights and EPDs significantly impacted price. Ultrasound EPDs were also found to be significant, suggesting buyers of Angus bulls consider carcass information when purchasing bulls.Angus Bulls, Birth Weight, Carcass, EPDs, Hedonic Model, Livestock Production/Industries,

Non-singular Ekpyrotic/Cyclic model in Loop Quantum Cosmology

We study the role of non-perturbative quantum gravity effects in the Ekpyrotic/Cyclic model using the effective framework of loop quantum cosmology in the presence of anisotropies. We show that quantum geometric modifications to the dynamical equations near the Planck scale as understood in the quantization of Bianchi-I spacetime in loop quantum cosmology lead to the resolution of classical singularity and result in a non-singular transition of the universe from the contracting to the expanding branch. In the Planck regime, the universe undergoes multiple small bounces and the anisotropic shear remains bounded throughout the evolution. A novel feature, which is absent for isotropic models, is a natural turn around of the moduli field from the negative region of the potential leading to a cyclic phenomena as envisioned in the original paradigm. Our work suggests that incorporation of quantum gravitational effects in the Ekpyrotic/Cyclic model may lead to a viable scenario without any violation of the null energy condition.Comment: 24 pages, 11 figures. Additional numerical results discussed to show robustness of non-singular bounce of the scale factor and turn-around of the moduli field. References added. To appear in Physical Review

Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury: What the Allied Health Professional Needs to Know about this Life -Threatening Hazard of Blood Transfusion

Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury (TRALI) is a rare, life-threatening hazard of blood transfusion. In the intensive care unit, 37% to 44% of admitted patients are transfused with at least one blood component. The opportunity for health professionals and students from nursing, respiratory care, and clinical laboratory science to interact directly with patients receiving a blood transfusion is likely to present itself on a daily basis. It is imperative for those caring for critically ill patients to be fully aware of the clinical signs of TRALI and have knowledge in the prevention and treatment of this clinical syndrome. Common clinical signs of TRALI include cough, fever, and dyspnea. Treatment has been mostly supportive and aimed at reversing acute respiratory distress through oxygen therapy or mechanical ventilation. In 2004, a consensus panel and the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) working group characterized TRALI as new-onset acute lung injury (ALI) occurring within six hours of transfusion in patients without preexisting ALI. Although the condition is uncommon, knowledge of this clinical syndrome may help identify those patients at risk and may prevent lung injury and possible death due to this rarely encountered hazard of blood transfusion