Near-Field Characterization of Methane Emission Variability from a Compressor Station Using a Model Aircraft.

A model aircraft equipped with a custom laser-based, open-path methane sensor was deployed around a natural gas compressor station to quantify the methane leak rate and its variability at a compressor station in the Barnett Shale. The open-path, laser-based sensor provides fast (10 Hz) and precise (0.1 ppmv) measurements of methane in a compact package while the remote control aircraft provides nimble and safe operation around a local source.

Ferromagnetism in the Mott insulator Ba2NaOsO6.

Results are presented of single crystal structural, thermodynamic, and reflectivity measurements of the double-perovskite Ba2NaOsO6. These characterize the material as a 5d1 ferromagnetic Mott insulator with an ordered moment of approximately 0.2microB per formula unit and TC=6.

Origin of charge density at LaAlO3 on SrTiO3 heterointerfaces: possibility of intrinsic doping.

As discovered by Ohtomo and Hwang, a large sheet charge density with high mobility exists at the interface between SrTiO3 and LaAlO3. Based on transport, spectroscopic, and oxygen-annealing experiments, we conclude that extrinsic defects in the form of oxygen vacancies introduced by the pulsed laser deposition process used by all researchers to date to make these samples is the source of the large carrier densities. Annealing experiments show a limiting carrier density.

Exposure survey of motorcyclists in New South Wales.

This paper reports the results of an exposure survey of 794 registered motorcycle riders, with an average of 18.1 years of riding experience, in the State of New South Wales, Australia. Respondents completed two postal surveys, separated by about 6 months, that included items relating to their crash history, riding patterns, characteristics of their motorcycle, and its odometer reading.

Investigation of the driving experience of a sample of Victorian learner drivers.

This paper presents the results of an investigation of the driving experience of a small sample of learner drivers in Victoria, Australia. Participants (n = 110) kept a continuous logbook of their driving experience over the 2 years of the learner-driver period, including information about the distance and time of each driving trip, their level of confidence, and monthly data concerning the number of crashes, near misses, and unpleasant emotional interactions with their supervising driver. The analysis of these data suggests that learner drivers accrue relatively little driving experience and that they tend to obtain this experience in daytime, fair-weather driving.

Bacterial transfer and cross-contamination potential associated with paper-towel dispensing.

Background: The role of hands in disease transmission is well established, and the importance of handwashing is recognized. However, the exits of paper-towel dispensers used in hand drying may be contaminated, and the functionality of handwashing equipment increasingly is being questioned.

Objectives: We sought to study the transfer and cross-contamination potential between hands, towels, and dispenser exits if one or more is contaminated using bacteria representative of the skin's flora.

Technique to determine contamination exposure routes and the economic efficiency of folded paper-towel dispensing.

Handwashing and hand drying are key elements of infection control. Paper towels are generally accepted as the most hygienic means of drying hands and are often distributed from generic dispensers. Effective dispensing of towels is of importance economically and may influence infection control objectives if hands become contaminated during hand drying.

Incidence of Campylobacter and Salmonella isolated from retail chicken and associated packaging in South Wales.

Aims: To investigate the incidence of Campylobacter and Salmonella contamination associated with supermarket and butchers' shop chicken and related packaging.

Method And Results: Three hundred raw samples (whole chicken, chicken breast with skin or chicken pieces) were purchased on a monthly basis for seven months. Packaging associated with the chicken was also sampled to provide isolation data for external and whole packaging.

Identification of neonatal hearing impairment: experimental protocol and database management.

Objective: The purposes of this article are to describe the overall protocol for the Identification of Neonatal Hearing Impairment (INHI) project and to describe the management of the data collected as part of this project. A well-defined protocol and database management techniques were needed to ensure that data were 1) collected accurately and in the same way across sites; 2) maintained in a database that could be used to provide feedback to individual sites regarding enrollment and the extent to which the protocol was complete on individual subjects; and 3) available to answer project questions. This article describes techniques that were used to meet these needs.

Growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica colonies under modified atmospheres at 4 and 8 degrees C using a model food system.

The growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Yersinia enterocolitica colonies was studied on solid media at 4 and 8 degrees C under modified atmospheres (MAs) of 5% O2: 10% CO2: 85% N2 (MA1), 30% CO2: 70% N2 (MA2) and air (control). Colony radius, determined using computer image analysis, allowed specific growth rates (mu) and the time taken to detect bacterial colonies to be estimated, after colonies became visible. At 4 degrees C both MAs decreased the growth rates of L.

Characteristics of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions in normal-hearing and hearing-impaired children.

Objective: Transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAEs) were measured in children with normal hearing and in children with hearing loss to investigate the characteristics of TEOAEs as they relate to overall amplitude and amplitude spectra of evoking stimuli, and to audiometric status.

Design: Three parameters of response measure (signal to noise ratio, amplitude and reproducibility) were assessed to determine accuracy of identification of varying degrees of hearing loss for broadband clicks, frequency-specific click bands and tone bursts. Forty-four children (66 ears) between 4 and 13 yr of age were evaluated for participation in the study.

The occupations of drink drivers: using occupational information to identify targetable characteristics of offenders.

Data collected by the Victoria Police at the time an alleged drink-driving offender undergoes an evidential breath test for the presence of alcohol were analyzed to investigate the possibility that occupational information could be used to define groups of drink-drivers with similar characteristics. Such groups could then be utilized in the development of targeted public education campaigns in the Victorian (Australia) context where there are already high levels of enforcement and mass-media publicity. It is argued that drink-drivers in this context are likely to share some characteristics which might reduce the impact of current programs.

Structure-activity and cross-resistance evaluations of a series of human immunodeficiency virus type-1-specific compounds related to oxathiin carboxanilide.

A series of compounds related to the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor (NNRTI) oxathiin carboxanilide (UC84) were evaluated for activity against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to determine structural requirements for anti-HIV activity. Twenty-seven compounds representative of the more than 400 Uniroyal Chemical Company (UC) compounds were evaluated for structure-activity relationships. Several of the compounds evaluated were highly active, with 50% effective concentrations in the nanomolar range and therapeutic indices of > 1,000.

Melatonin interactions with cultured murine B16 melanoma cells.

Both in vitro and in vivo observations have suggested that melatonin modulates malignant cell growth. The present studies aimed to characterize the interactions of melatonin with cultured murine B16 melanoma cells. Time- and temperature-dependent specific melatonin accumulation by B16 murine melanoma cells was observed.

Effects of contralateral acoustic stimulation on spontaneous otoacoustic emissions.

Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) were measured in the ear canal of adult humans prior to, during, and following presentation of tonal and broadband stimuli to the contralateral ear. Tones were presented at a fixed level at ten frequencies relative to the SOAE. Broadband noise was presented at eight levels, from 6 to 76 dB SPL.

Voluntary contraction of middle ear muscles: effects on input impedance, energy reflectance and spontaneous otoacoustic emissions.

Two types of measurements were performed on a subject able to voluntarily contract her middle ear muscles (MEM). First, wideband measurements (0-11 kHz) of middle ear input impedance and energy reflectance were obtained when the subject was relaxed and when she contracted her MEM. The changes in impedance observed with voluntary MEM contraction were similar to those reported in the literature for acoustically-elicited MEM contractions.