cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reactivity of pyrites and dislocation density

Highly reactive coal pyrites and unstable museum specimens are easily distinguished from the stable pyrites by the growth of white crystals that cover samples exposed to room atmosphere for short periods of time. Continued exposure to the atmosphere will eventually cause the specimens to fall apart. The term rotten pyrite has been applied to museum specimens that fall apart in this way. SEM studies show that reactive (rotten) pyrites contain between 100 and 10,000 times more dislocations than stable pyrites. Shock-loading of a stable pyrite to 7.5 GPa and 17 GPa increased its reactivity by a factor of two, probably caused by an increase in the number of imperfections. However, shock-loading at 22 GPa decreased the reactivity of pyrite because the imperfections produced at the higher pressure were removed during annealing the sample received at the higher temperature. Although there was a factor of six difference between the most and least reactive shocked MCB (commercial pyrite) samples, shock-loading did not increase the reactivity of the MCB pyrite to that of the Queensland coal pyrite. The results in hand show that while shock-loading produces sufficient imperfections to increase the reactivity of pyrites, there is insufficient data to show that imperfections aremore » the main reason why some coal pyrites are highly reactive. 9 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.« less
Exploring usability and user-centered design through emergency management websites: advocating responsive web design

This study explores the usability of the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management's (DHSEM) website, applying theories of user experience design (UXD) to emphasize the importance of responsive web design in practice. By rhetorically analyzing the usability of their websites, such as FEMA and Ready at the national and local level, DHSEM becomes a model for the needs of future research and application of user centered design principles. Responsive web design within emergency management websites should be considered when first evaluating usability and user experience design because of the real-life implications of these interactions. By reviewing basic design principles on emergency management websites, this article further showcases the capabilities responsive web design, usability and user centered design in digital spaces.
Treatment Resistance in Bipolar Disorders

Bipolar disorder (BD) is among the most prevalent and incapacitating severe mental illnesses. Although the rates of resistance to treatment among bipolar patients are not known, literature findings suggest that partial or no response to conventional agents seems to be extremely common. The present chapter addresses the different issues involved in the phenomena of treatment resistance among bipolar patients. It begins with a discussion of the challenges surrounding the concept of resistant BD, followed by some discussion regarding the possible pathophysiological factors involved in the development of resistance. Next, possible therapeutic interventions aiming at the management of treatment-resistant patients are addressed, including the potential role of novel pharmacological agents, neurostimulation, and psychosocial interventions.
National variation in opioid prescribing after pediatric umbilical hernia repair

Background Pediatric umbilical hernia repair is a common procedure that requires minimal tissue disruption. We examined variation in opioid prescription fills after repair of uncomplicated umbilical hernias to characterize the types and doses of medication used and persistent postsurgical use. Methods Using the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan© Research Database for June 2012–September 2015, we identified pediatric patients undergoing umbilical hernia repair. We excluded patients with obstruction, gangrene, an earlier repair or a concurrent surgical procedure, and those without available pharmacy claim data. Analyses describe filled outpatient prescriptions by age, geographic region, drug type, quantity, and second prescriptions/refills. Results Of 4,407 procedures performed, 2,292 patients (52%) filled a prescription for postoperative opioids (age 0–1 years: 21.6%, age 2–3 years: 51.5%, age 4–5 years: 54.3%, 6 years or older: 57.9% [P 10 days (4%). A total of 6% of patients filled a second opioid prescription within 30 days. Conclusion Although many patients do not require opioids for umbilical hernia repair, most pediatric patients fill opioid prescriptions, including for prolonged courses and refills. Guidelines for appropriate prescribing of opioids after common, simple procedures, such as umbilical hernia repair, could improve the quality of care for children and impact the US epidemic of opioid abuse.
Cannabis in the capital: exploring the spatial association between medical marijuana dispensaries and crime

The legalization of medical marijuana remains a controversial policy. An important dimension of marijuana legalization is the siting of dispensaries and their influence on a surrounding community. ...
Heterobimetallic Single-Source Precursors: A Springboard to the Synthesis of Binary Intermetallics.

Intermetallics are atomically ordered crystalline compounds containing two or more main group and transition metals. In addition to their rich crystal chemistry, intermetallics display unique prope...
A Non-cognitive Behavioral Model for Interpreting Functional Neuroimaging Studies

The dominant model for interpreting brain imaging experiments, which we refer to as the Standard Cognitive Model (SCM), assumes that the brain is organized in support of mental processes that control behavior. However, functional neuroimaging experiments of cognitive tasks have not shown clear anatomic segregation between mental processes originally proposed by this model. This failing has been blamed on limitations in imaging technology and non-linearity in the brain's implementation of these processes. However, the validity of the underlying cognitive models used to describe the brain has rarely been questioned or directly tested against imaging results. We propose an alternative model of brain function, that we term the Non-cognitive Behavioral Model (NBM), which correlates observed human behavior directly with measured brain activity without making assumptions about intervening cognitive processes. Our model derives from behavioral psychology but is extended to include brain activity, in addition to behavior, as observables. A further extension is the role of neuroplasticity, as opposed to innate cognitive processes, in developing the brain's support of cognitive behavior. We present the theoretical basis with which the SCM maps cognitive processes onto functional magnetic resonance and positron emission tomography images and compare and contrast with the NBM. We also describe how the NBM can be used experimentally to study how the brain supports behavior. Two applications are presented that support the usefulness of the NBM. In one, the NBM use of the total functional imaging signal (not just the differences between states) provides a stronger correlation of neural activity with the behavioral state of consciousness than the SCM approach in both anesthesia and coma. The second example reviews studies of facial and object recognition that provide evidence for the NBM proposal that neuroplasticity and experience play key roles in the brain's support of recognition and other behaviors. The conclusions regarding neuroplasticity are then generalized to explain the incomplete functional segregation observed in the application of the SCM to neuroimaging.
ARMC 5 Variants and Risk of Hypertension in Blacks: MH- GRID Study.

Background We recently found that ARMC 5 variants may be associated with primary aldosteronism in blacks. We investigated a cohort from the MH - GRID (Minority Health Genomics and Translational Research Bio-Repository Database) and tested the association between ARMC 5 variants and blood pressure in black s. Methods and Results Whole exome sequencing data of 1377 black s were analyzed. Target single-variant and gene-based association analyses of hypertension were performed for ARMC 5, and replicated in a subset of 3015 individuals of African descent from the UK Biobank cohort. Sixteen rare variants were significantly associated with hypertension ( P=0.0402) in the gene-based (optimized sequenced kernel association test) analysis; the 16 and one other, rs116201073, together, showed a strong association ( P=0.0003) with blood pressure in this data set. The presence of the rs116201073 variant was associated with lower blood pressure. We then used human embryonic kidney 293 and adrenocortical H295R cells transfected with an ARMC 5 construct containing rs116201073 (c.*920T>C). The latter was common in both the discovery ( MH - GRID ) and replication ( UK Biobank) data and reached statistical significance ( P=0.044 [odds ratio, 0.7] and P=0.007 [odds ratio, 0.76], respectively). The allele carrying rs116201073 increased levels of ARMC5 mRNA , consistent with its protective effect in the epidemiological data. Conclusions ARMC 5 shows an association with hypertension in black s when rare variants within the gene are considered. We also identified a protective variant of the ARMC 5 gene with an effect on ARMC 5 expression confirmed in vitro. These results extend our previous report of ARMC 5's possible involvement in the determination of blood pressure in blacks.
Explicit Learning of Feature Orientation Estimation

While many learning-driven algorithms for local feature detection and description have submerged during recent years. One key component in the pipeline, namely orientation estimation, still remains underdeveloped. Among all sorts of difficulties, the impracticality and tedium of finding a "ground truth" feature orientation as a learning target is one big challenge. In this paper, we bypass this "thinking trap" and propose an unsupervised scheme that explicitly trains a simple convolutional neural network to predict orientations for feature points. Together with a carefully designed loss term, the network manages to provide accurate orientation estimations. We further evaluate the capability of this estimator in two experiments: orientation estimation and feature matching. Results showed the proposed method outperforms other compared methods on multiple benchmark datasets. The pretrained model is publicly available.1
14 – Compression Molding

Compression molding is among the oldest materials processing techniques. For plastics, it was one of the first industrial methods, and is also known as matched die molding. The basic process consists of heating a thermoset resin, under severe pressure, within a closed mold cavity until the resin cures through a chemical reaction of cross-linking polymeric chains. Under pressure, the resin liquefies and flows, taking the shape of the mold cavity, and then hardens into the desired product. Once sufficiently cooled and strong, the part is removed from the mold. The curing reaction continues while cooling to ambient (room) conditions. Common resins include phenolic (phenol-formaldehyde), urea-formaldehyde, melamine-formaldehyde, epoxy, polyester, vinyl ester, silicone, alkyds, diallyl phthalate (allyls), and various rubbers and elastomers. This process is suitable for a wide range of industrial, commercial, and consumer parts and products ranging from very small to large automobile body panels.
Invited) Morphological and Chemical Stability Issues at Interfaces in Solid State Batteries

Interfacial issues are believed to be a key issue challenging the long-time operation of solid-state batteries. In particular on the anode side, where the use of metallic lithium will be a requirement to achieve high energy density, understanding plating morphology and the ability for lithium to penetrate and grow into hard solid electrolytes has been challenging. Using modeling that integrates electrolyte transport with the mechanical behavior of the electrolyte and metallic lithium we show that the ability of lithium to grow through a solid conductor depends on just a few intrinsic materials parameters, which can be used to design more dendrite resistant electrolytes. We also delineate the particular conditions under which electronic conductivity can lead to lithium deposition in the conductor.On the cathode side the lack of high voltage stability of solid electrolytes and coating materials is the main driver for impedance growth. Using basic chemical principles, similar to those used to make high voltage cathodes, one can design coating materials that remain intact even for high voltage charging. We belief that the development of more quantitative guidelines for interfacial stability is important for advancing the solid-state battery field.
Financialization and the Individualization of Personal Welfare

Recent studies indicate that financial markets have taken on a more prominent role in the economic activities of U.S. organizations outside of the finance industry. While prior research has documented some of the associated macro-level implications, little work to date has directly examined what financialization has meant for individual workers. This paper proposes that one important yet understudied consequence of financialization is that it facilitates a shift of responsibility for personal welfare in society onto individuals’ shoulders by creating a power imbalance in the employment relationship. Random-effects models using individual-level data from the NLSY matched with industry data consistently reveal that people working in more financialized industries are more likely to have responsibility for their personal welfare shifted onto their shoulders, as indicated by a lower probability of receiving medical coverage, retirement savings, and paid sick leave. Financialization is more likely to individualize personal welfare among individuals who lack power to protect their share of organizational resources – the working poor, newcomers, and non-union members – and under a limited industry union presence and negative returns on stock holdings. In sum, the findings show that financialization is a driving force behind altering whom is tasked with promoting personal welfare in U.S. society.
Low-level acoustic emission (AE) in the long-term monitoring of concrete

Concrete is widely used in the construction of many infrastructure systems. The heterogeneous nature of concrete makes it susceptible to various degradation mechanisms, including material- and load-induced degradation. These may compromise the serviceability and safety of structures leading to economic losses and even catastrophic failure. This chapter summarizes recent efforts that utilize acoustic emission (AE) for nondestructive evaluation/structural monitoring of concrete structures. AE has the ability to detect the sudden release of energy associated with crack formation or growth. This chapter focuses on material degradation mechanisms and load levels that will generate low-level AE, with case studies from recent efforts presented. The results of these studies show that AE is suitable for early detection and classification of material damage (such as alkali–silica reaction and corrosion) as well as real-time evaluation of concrete structures during load tests.
A computational framework for evaluating the role of mobility on the propagation of epidemics on point processes.

This paper is focused on SIS epidemic dynamics (also known as the contact process) on stationary Poisson point processes of the Euclidean plane, when the infection rate of a susceptible point is proportional to the number of infected points in a ball around it. Two models are discussed, the first with a static point process, and the second where points are subject to some random motion. For both models, we use conservation equations for moment measures to analyze the stationary point processes of infected and susceptible points. A heuristic factorization of the third moment measure is then proposed to derive simple polynomial equations allowing one to derive closed form approximations for the fraction of infected nodes and the steady state. These polynomial equations also lead to a phase diagram which tentatively delineates the regions of the space of parameters (population density, infection radius, infection and recovery rate, and motion rate) where the epidemic survives and those where there is extinction. According to this phase diagram, the survival of the epidemic is not always an increasing function of the motion rate. These results are substantiated by simulations on large two dimensional tori. These simulations show that the polynomial equations accurately predict the fraction of infected nodes when the epidemic survives. The phase diagram is also partly substantiated by the simulation of the mean survival time of the epidemic on large tori. The phase diagram accurately predicts the parameter regions where the mean survival time increases or decreases with the motion rate.
Sleep Apnea and Atrial Fibrillation: Role of the Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System

Sleep apnea is highly associated with atrial fibrillation (AF), and both diseases are highly prevalent in the United States. The mechanistic underpinnings that contribute to their association remain uncertain, but numerous possible mechanisms have been proposed, including dysfunction of the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS). Studies have reported that apnea induces hyperactivity of the ANS, leading to increases in AF susceptibility. This review compiles the latest evidence on the role of the ANS in sleep-apnea-induced AF.
Rapid Reduction of the Diferric-Peroxyhemiacetal Intermediate in Aldehyde-Deformylating Oxygenase by a Cyanobacterial Ferredoxin: Evidence for a Free-Radical Mechanism.

Aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase (ADO) is a ferritin-like nonheme-diiron enzyme that catalyzes the last step in a pathway through which fatty acids are converted into hydrocarbons in cyanobacteria. ADO catalyzes conversion of a fatty aldehyde to the corresponding alk(a/e)ne and formate, consuming four electrons and one molecule of O2 per turnover and incorporating one atom from O2 into the formate coproduct. The source of the reducing equivalents in vivo has not been definitively established, but a cyanobacterial [2Fe-2S] ferredoxin (PetF), reduced by ferredoxin–NADP+ reductase (FNR) using NADPH, has been implicated. We show that both the diferric form of Nostoc punctiforme ADO and its (putative) diferric-peroxyhemiacetal intermediate are reduced much more rapidly by Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 PetF than by the previously employed chemical reductant, 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazinium methyl sulfate. The yield of formate and alkane per reduced PetF approaches its theoretical upper limit when reduction of the int...
Lessons from animal models for human autoimmune diseases.

A variety of different animal models are used to study autoimmune disease. What have we learned?
What Is Evolutionary Altruism

In this paper I want to clarify what biologists are talking about when they talk about the evolution of altruism. I’ll begin by saying something about the common sense concept. This familiar idea I’ll call ‘vernacular altruism.’ One point of doing this is to make it devastatingly obvious that the common sense concept is very different from the concept as it’s used in evolutionary theory. After that preliminary, I’ll describe some features of the evolutionary concept. Then I’ll conclude by briefly considering what explanatory relation might obtain between vernacular altruism and evolutionary altruism.Although the points I’ll make are rather elementary ones, their interest is not restricted to those who have never heard of the evolutionary problem. The reason for this is that there is some amount of confusion about evolutionary altruism among evolutionary biologists themselves.
Effects of CMP Process Conditions on Defect Generation in Low-k Materials An Atomic Force Microscopy Study

The effects of chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) process parameters and consumables on the polish rate and defects generated in various low-k materials with k values ranging from 2.2 to 3.0 were studied in detail. The process consumables and conditions evaluated include slurry material (alumina and silica), pad type (soft and hard), polish pressure, and polish time. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) images and roughness numbers were used to evaluate the post-CMP defect generation under various process conditions and revealed nano/microscratches, pits, voids, and film delamination. For a given material, the removal rate increased with increasing pressure. The dependence of defects on pressure appeared highly driven by the slurry material, pad type, and low-k material properties. Defects increased with increasing pad hardness and decreasing k values. The increasing defects with decreasing k value can be attributed to the lower elastic modulus observed with low-k materials. Removal rates exhibited both a decrease and an increase in conjunction with polish time, depending on the type of low-k material used. AFM analysis showed an improvement in global surface roughness with increasing polish time; however, an increase in localized defects such as pits was also observed. Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses showed no change in film chemistry under the conditions studied here.
Kaposi Sarcoma–Associated Herpesvirus G Protein–Coupled Receptor Enhances Endothelial Cell Survival in Part by Upregulation of Bcl-2

Background: Kaposi sarcoma–associated herpesvirus (KSHV) encoded G protein–coupled receptor (vGPCR) is a constitutively active lytic phase protein with significant homology to the human interleukin-8 receptor. vGPCR is necessary and sufficient to induce angiogenesis as well as the spindle cell proliferation characteristic of Kaposi sarcoma (KS) lesions. We previously demonstrated that Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic protein, is upregulated in KS lesions. The aim of this study was to determine if vGPCR enhances endothelial cell survival through upregulation of Bcl-2 expression and to elucidate the signaling pathways involved. Methods: Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells were transduced with a recombinant retrovirus expressing vGPCR and then subjected to serum starvation. Cell viability and apoptosis were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Bcl-2 expression was determined by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting. Specific pharmacological inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were employed to elucidate the signaling pathways involved. Bcl-2 expression was knocked down using small interfering RNA (siRNA). Results: Endothelial cells expressing vGPCR showed increased survival after serum starvation and upregulation of Bcl-2 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. The vGPCR-induced increases in both Bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels were dependent on PI3K signaling but not on mTOR. Moreover, siRNA inhibition of Bcl-2 resulted in significant abrogation of the observed vGPCR-mediated cell survival advantage. Conclusions: Taken together, the results demonstrate that Bcl2 is a mediator of vGPCR-induced endothelial cell survival and is a downstream effector of Akt in this process.
Reproductive inhibition and serum prolactin concentrations in laboratory populations of the prairie deermouse.

Radioimmunoassay (RIA) of prolactin in the prairie deermouse was established and validated. Serum samples were taken from reproductively inhibited animals grown in experimental populations and compared with reproductively capable control animals of both sexes. At the time of assay, serum prolactin concentration was unaffected by tbe length of time a control female was exposed to the olfactory stimulation of bedding soiled by her mate or the stage of the estrous cycle as indicated by vaginal cytology. The reproductively inhibited males and females bad significantly reduced reproductive organ weights, body weights, and serum prolactin concentrations compared with their respective controls. Also, the relative mean adenobypophysial weight was greater in the inhibited males. Several significant correlations between pro lactin and various gravimetric measures are reported for both males and females. Possible relationships between prolactin and other endocrine systems are discussed.
Swirling Hydrodynamic Jets in Viscous Accretion Flows

A study is made of axisymmetric, low sonic-Mach-number flows of a viscous fluid with angular momentum outside of a black-hole. The viscosity is an eddy viscosity due to turbulence in the sheared flows. Self-similar solutions arise naturally, reducing the Navier-Stokes equations to a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. These equations are solved analytically for flows of constant specific angular momentum and numerically for more general flows. For flows with non-constant specific angular momentum, the momentum flux density includes a planar discontinuity which is interpreted as an accretion disc. In general, two flow regions appear on each side of the disk, corresponding to accretion onto the disk and jet-like outflows along the ±z-axes. Physical interpretations of the solutions show that these flows arise in response to point sources of axial momentum at the origin directed in the ±z-directions. The power needed to maintain this momentum input is assumed to come from the mass accretion onto the black hole. The hydrodynamic flows are generalized to include a magnetic field. In the limit of infinite electrical conductivity, the possible types of flow patterns are the same as in hydrodynamic case. The magnetic field alters the relative amounts of reversible and irreversible momentum and angular momentum transport by the flow. For a flow with turbulent viscosity, the magnetic field acts to reduce the level of the turbulence and the effective value of the eddy viscosity.
Surgical Aspects of Pulmonary Blastomycosis With Report of Two Cases

Phoenixville,Pennsylvania With the advent of greater safety in thoracic surgery, an increasing number of thoracotomies is furnishing diagnOses in more obscure pathological processes and is giving us a better concept of the clinical course taken by many diseases affecting the lung. Such is the case with pulmonary blastomycosis. Prior to 1951, systemic and pulmonary blastomycosis was a formidable disease with a mortality rate of about 92 per cent.1 Treatment with surgery, x-ray, and other physical and chemical preparations had been unsatisfactory. With the report in 1951 by Schoenbach of the efficacy of stilbamidine therapy for systemic blastomycosis, a great advance was made.2 There still remains much room for improvement in therapy and knowledge of its clinical course. In 1954, White was able to collect only 13 previously reported cases of pulmonary blastomycosis which had been treated by resection ;3 to this he added four additional cases. Of the total series, only two had been diagnosed pre-operatively. The following two case reports are added to the increasing number which are being recognized in an effort to improve our knowledge of this disease.
Columns: General Topics

Recently, a new material has been showing up in the strangest places. In the news, this new material is reported as being used to “catch a comet by the tail” and it is being seen by the public in Discovery Centers around the country as the least dense material known to man. The material is “aerogel.” NASA is using aerogel to collect comet dust particles. When a particle, traveling up to 12 times the speed of a rifle bullet, hits the aerogel trap, it will bury itself in the material creating a carrot-shaped track about 200 times the particle length as it is slowed down with the catch causing a minimum of damage.
VEGFR-2 targeted cellular delivery of doxorubicin by gold nanoparticles for potential antiangiogenic therapy

We report a novel gold nanobioconjugate system that achieves targeted delivery of the small molecule drug doxorubicin to endothelial cells using anti-VEGFR-2 antibody conjugated gold nanoparticles (GNPs). The reported nanobioconjugate system combines the inherent ability of GNPs to undergo high levels of derivatization with the precision of antibody recognition of a cell surface antigen. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) confirmed intracellular presence of the GNPs. Using a VEGFR-2 expressing cell line and a cell line that is negative for the receptor, in combination with competition assay we established the cell specific targeted delivery of the nanobioconjugate. The nanobioconjugate system described here may have potential drug delivery applications for antiangiogenic cancer therapy.
Time-resolved spectroscopy and modeling of underwater laser ionization and filamentation for electrical discharge guiding

Laser guiding of underwater electrical discharges is being investigated at the Naval Research Laboratory. Guided underwater discharges would be useful for advanced micromachining and pulsed power switching1. Possible mechanisms for guiding underwater discharges include either the ionized optical filament column or a vapor column generated by optically heating a filament. Our group has demonstrated the generation of underwater optical filaments over 55 cm in length (corresponding to more than 35 Rayleigh lengths), using 532 nm, 6 ns pulses with up to 50 mJ2. Such meter-scale filaments could enable techniques for guiding meter-scale underwater discharges, useful for low-frequency, remote undersea acoustic generation. Spectroscopy revealed that a significant portion of laser energy during underwater filament generation and propagation is scattered in the laser focal volume by molecular Raman interaction, but not from the filament itself.
A preliminary study of acid volcanic rocks for stonemeal application

This study is related to the chemical and mineralogical characterizations and to the availability of mineral nutrients in four fresh samples of fine material generated in crushing mills of volcanic rocks of the Serra Geral Formation in northeastern state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil. The objective of the study is to estimate the agronomic potential of rocks, after pulverization, to its application as a fertilizer for the soil by means of the incorporation of rock, using a technique known as stonemeal. The analytical techniques were used: X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS), and leaching tests by extraction with citric acid solution diluted to 2%. The results indicated the potential of providing nutrients to the soil, corroborating the results of other studies based on the technique stonemeal. The following characteristics were identified in the samples: presence of calcium and magnesium as carbonates; high alkalinity; good availability of phosphorus; potassium average availability; and of the presence of micronutrients such as zinc, boron, copper, iron, and manganese.
Do market-concentrated airports propagate more delays than less concentrated ones? A case study of selected U.S. airports

Abstract Airport congestion and widespread passenger discontent with airlines' poor on-time performance have recently led the Federal government to reduce peak-time operations at large airports such as Chicago O'Hare and New York John F. Kennedy. This paper proposes a methodology to compute delay propagation based on the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) at a sample of ten U.S. airports in summer 2000, 2007 and 2008. The sampled airports are different in terms of size, location and index of concentration. In this research, a flight is considered to be late if it arrives more than fifteen minutes past its schedule. Delay propagation is defined as the hourly ratio of two amplitudes: the one of late arrivals at a sampled airport to that of late arrivals at the final destinations served from that same sampled airport. The purpose of this study is to determine whether delay propagation differs at market-concentrated airports from less concentrated ones. Based on nonparametric tests and proximity analysis, there is no clear evidence that market-concentrated airports are different from less concentrated ones in terms of propagated delays.
Photoreactivation of lethal damage and damage leading to chromatid deletions induced in G1 phase hamster x Xenopus hybrid cells by UV.

— A86 Xenopus cells, cloned from a Xenopus line that exhibited a high level ot photoreacti-vation of UV-induced lethal damage, and V79M1 hamster cells, cloned from a hamster line that did not exhibit efficient photoreactivation of such damage, were fused to produce the V79M1 A86 cell line - a hybrid line in which approximately 84% of the cells contained the entire V79M1 and A86 genomes. Ultraviolet and UV plus photoreactivation fluence-survival relations were then determined and compared for hybrid and parental Gl phase cells in a first attempt to elucidate interactions of the parental genetic potentials for photoreactivation in the hybrid. Specifically, it was anticipated that the combined V79M1 and A86 genomes in the hybrid would produce photoreactivating enzymes sufficient to efficiently photoreactivate UV-induced lethal damage in both A86 and V79M1 DNA and little difference would be observed in the levels of photoreactivation exhibited by V79M1 A86 and A86 Gl phase cells. To the contrary, the level of photoreactivation observed for the hybrid did not closely approach that observed for the A86 line. To assist in the interpretation of this somewhat unexpected observation, three additional studies were performed: (1) comparison of ‘optimal’ schemes for photoreactivation of UV-induced lethal damage in the hybrid and parental Gl phase cells, (2) comparison of the effects of some different types of growth medium on photoreactivation of UV-induced lethal damage in hybrid and parental Gl phase cells, and (3) comparison of the levels of photoreactivation of UV-induced chromatid deletions in the V79M1 and A86 chromosomes of Gl phase hybrid cells. The results suggested that the relatively low level of photoreactivation of UV-induced lethal damage manifested by the hybrid cells could be attributed, at least in part, to their inability to efficiently photoreactivate pyrimidine dimers induced in the DNA of their V79M1 chromosomes.
Ultrafast dynamics in nanostructured materials

Optical properties of silicon and indium phosphide nanoparticles with emission throughout the visible wavelength range are presented. The peak emission wavelength of these nanoparticles is controlled by the reaction time and by post-growth etching treatments. Ultrafast spectroscopy is used to determine the photoluminescence lifetime in order to correlate the spectral response with the structural and chemical characterization of these nanoparticles. The measured lifetimes are used to identify surfactant, surface, and core nanoparticle emission. The nanoparticles exhibit efficient emission that is quenched when embedded within particular polymeric matrices.
Changes in hepatic estrogen-receptor concentrations during the annual reproductive and ovarian cycles of a marine teleost, the spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus.

The concentrations of estrogen and vitellogenin in plasma, and hepatic estrogen receptor in cytosolic (ERc) and nuclear (ERn) extracts were elevated throughout the reproductive season in females from a wild population of spotted seatrout, Cynoscion nebulosus. There were significant correlations between plasma estradiol and ERc and between ERn and plasma vitellogenin during the period of ovarian recrudescence (January–May), but not during the remainder of the reproductive season (June–September). During ovarian recrudescence ERc concentrations increased fourfold from 0.78 ± 0.15 pmol/g liver (N = 26) in nonvitellogenic females to 3.23 ± 0.26 pmol/g liver (N = 77) in late vitellogenic females and ERn concentrations increased eightfold from 0.16 ± 0.07 pmol/g liver (N = 26) in nonvitellogenic females to 1.12 ± 0.45 pmol/g (N = 10) in mid vitellogenic females. However, following this period of ovarian recrudescence, estrogen-receptor concentrations and plasma vitellogenin titers did not fluctuate during the remaining stages of the ovulatory cycle (hydration, ovulation, and spawning). In addition, both hepatic ERc and ERn were elevated for the rest of the seasonal reproductive cycle, during which several ovulatory cycles may have occurred in this multiple-spawning species. The affinity of ERc for estradiol did not vary (Kd = 1.26 ± 0.06 nM, N = 68) regardless of the stage of ovarian development. Plasma estradiol titers declined in August, near the end of the reproductive season, prior to the decline in estrogen-receptor concentrations. The persistence of the estrogen receptor during the ovulatory cycle suggests that even if plasma estradiol titers declined between successive ovulatory periods, the hepatic responsiveness to estrogenic stimuli would not be diminished and thus vitellogenin synthesis, if interrupted at all, could be resumed soon after spawning.
Morinaga’s paradox and figure-ground organization

Morinaga's paradox of displacement is constructed by setting several copies of the two Mueller­ Lyer figures one above the other. The Mueller-Lyer illusion is that the wings pointing out seem farther apart than wings pointing in, and Morinaga's paradox is that when one looks down a column of wings pointing alternately one way and the other, they appear misaligned but in the opposite direction from the Mueller-Lyer illusion. The hypothesis of this paper is that the subject, under instructions to align the vertical array of wings, sets up a vertical figure-ground organization different from that used in judging the horizontal distance between wings, and that the two illusions are contingent upon the two organizations. The experiment showed that Morinaga's paradox occurs when only one column of wings is shown, in agreement with the figure-ground hypothesis, and also shows that Morinaga's paradox disappears when short line segments are introduced which disrupt the vertical figure-ground organization.
Robust periodic solutions and evolution from seeds in one-dimensional edge cellular automata

We study one-dimensional cellular automata (CA) with values 0 and 1. We assume that such CA are started from semi-infinite configurations (those that have 0's to the left of some site), and we focus on the identification of robust periodic solutions (RPS), which, when observed from the left edge of the light cone, advance into any environment with positive velocity. We then utilize RPS and related concepts to analyze CA dynamics from seeds, i.e., initial configurations with finitely many 1's.
Buoyancy effects on morphological instability during directional solidification

The onset of morphological instability during the directional solidification of a single-phase binary alloy at constant velocity vertically upwards is treated by a linear stability analysis. The case in which a heavier solute is rejected at the solidifying interface is considered, and the effect of natural convection on the critical concentration for the onset of instability is studied. For tin containing lead, a small destabilization of the system at low growth velocities, and a large increase in the wavelength of the instability at the onset are found. Calculations show that the destabilization is enhanced as the variation of density with solute concentration is reduced, and in the limit of neutrally-dense solute, there is a long wavelength instability for which the critical solute concentration is several orders of magnitude lower than that predicted by the Mullins and Sekerka (1964) analysis in the absence of convection. For the neutrally-dense solute, a simplified analysis indicates the roles played by the interface deformation and thermal convection in promoting the instability. In particular, the destabilization is very sensitive to the ratio of crystal and melt thermal conductivities.
Evolved-gas zeeman flame atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of arsenic compounds

Abstract An evolved-gas separation/flame Zeeman atomic absorption spectrometric approach is demonstrated for the speciation and determination of arsenic in oyster tissue. No digestion is needed and separation of inorganic arsenic compounds having similar boiling points is achieved. A stoichiometric or air-rich acetylene/air flame for atomic absorption spectrometry is not generally suitable for arsenic determination because of severe ultraviolet absorption interference at 193.7 nm and low sensitivity; polarized flame Zeeman atomic absorption spectrophotometry with a fuel-rich flame is suitable for the detection of traces of arsenic. The evolved-gas separation/Zeeman atomic absorption approach is simple, based on commercially available instrumentation, and useful for the selective determination of major arsenic compounds. Data are given to demonstrate optimal conditions and to show application to oyster tissue.
Evidence on Discrimination in Consumer Markets

Economists have contributed to the measurement of racial and ethnic discrimination in consumption and to the identification of its causes, especially in housing markets and car sales. To test the hypothesis that discrimination exists, economists have turned to regression analysis and to audits, a matched-pair survey technique. Economists also have developed audit-based measures of the incidence and severity of discrimination. Audit studies find continuing high levels of discrimination against minorities in the marketing of available housing and in car prices. Audit studies also find that discrimination can be caused both by economic agents' prejudice and by their search for profits.
Pediatric Obesity & Type 2 Diabetes

ABSTRACTThis article focuses on (a) identifying obesity and other risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, (b) differentiating between pediatric type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and (c) treating pediatric type 2 diabetes. Obesity has significant implications on a child's health, including an
Resonant Directed Diffusion in Nonadiabatically Driven Systems

We show that a high-frequency field may resonantly decrease the activation energy of escape from a potential well. For systems in spatially periodic potentials, the effect is different for the transitions in opposite directions, which gives rise to resonantly directed diffusion (DD). DD arises in both asymmetric and symmetric periodic potentials. It depends exponentially strongly on the field magnitude, and its direction can be controlled by varying the field spectrum.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Clinical Evaluation of Patellar Resurfacing With Press-Fit Osteochondral Autograft Plugs

Background:Autologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) has been successfully used in the femoral condyle and trochlea and is an attractive treatment option for full-thickness patellar cartilage lesions.Hypothesis:Patients treated with AOT for the repair of symptomatic, isolated patellar cartilage lesions will demonstrate improvement in functional outcomes and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging appearance.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Between 2002 and 2006, patients with focal patellar cartilage lesions treated with AOT were prospectively followed. The mean age at the time of surgery was 30 years. Clinical assessment was performed with the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), activities of daily living of the Knee Outcome Survey (ADL), and Short Form-36 (SF-36) at baseline and most recent follow-up. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the cartilage repair morphologic characteristics in 14 cases.Results:Twenty-two patients met the study criteria wi...
Velocity Calculation from Randomly Located Hydraulic Heads

This paper presents a systematic method for approximating hydraulic head gradients from randomly located hydraulic head values. The locations of these head values are connected by straight lines to form a network of triangles. Over each triangle, a plane surface is used to approximate the head values; the gradient of this plane is then taken as the hydraulic gradient. Given values of porosity and hydraulic conductivity, the fluid velocity can be calculated from Darcy's Law.
Worldwide Experience with Incremental Peritoneal Dialysis

Although much has been published about the adequacy of dialysis and the effect of dialysis dose on morbidity and mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients, much less is known about when dialysis should be initiated. There are several advantages of using peritoneal dialysis for “early start” dialysis compared to hemodialysis, including lifestyle, diet and cost benefits. Several small studies on incremental peritoneal dialysis are reviewed in this article, and they provide conflicting results with regard to patient morbidity and mortality. In addition, there are peritoneal dialysis-related risks to incremental dialysis, including peritonitis, hernias and catheter-related complications. Since none of these studies were performed using a randomized cohort, it is unclear how selection bias and study design may have influenced the results reported. A large randomized trial of “early start” versus “standard start” dialysis is needed to help determine the potential risks and benefits of incremental peritoneal dialysis. Such a study is presently underway in Australia and New Zealand, and results from this study should be available in 2008.
Transcription Inhibition Using Oligonucleotide-Modified Gold Nanoparticles

The capture of T7 RNA polymerase using double-stranded promoter DNA on the surface of gold nanoparticles has been demonstrated. The competitive binding and inhibition of T7 RNA polymerase due to specific interactions on the nanoparticle surface represents a transcription factor decoy approach in a model system. The efficiency of inhibition was determined for various nanoparticle sizes, surface coverage, and linker length for double-stranded promoter DNA on gold nanoparticles. The experiments provide a basis for determining the accessibility of binding sites on nanoparticle surfaces for applications involving cell targeting or the use of nanoparticles as binding agents in solution.
Bubble assemblage model for fluidized bed catalytic reactors

Abstract A new model for catalytic reaction in fluidized beds is developed. This model called the “Bubble Assemblage Model” is based on multiple bubbles of varying sizes with interchange of gas taking place between the bubble phase and the emulsion phase. Since the model needs no adjustable parameters, it is believed that the model is useful for study in scale-ups. The model proposed is also convenient for computer simulations. Experimental data from various investigators were used to test the validity of this model. It was found that the conversions predicted using this model agree reasonably well with the actual performance of the fluidized beds.
On the selection of rod-type eutectic morphologies: Geometrical constraint and array orientation

Abstract Rod eutectic growth in succinonitrile–( d )camphor is investigated experimentally using directional solidification with specimen thicknesses ranging from 20 to 200 μm. Measurements in the projected plane are reconciled with a model for array distortion under the constraint imparted by the geometry, and the influence of geometry is examined with respect to the two-dimensional (2D) array basis vectors. A transition from 3D to quasi-3D growth at very low velocity is observed, where specimen thickness becomes comparable to eutectic spacing. The principal finding is a velocity-dependent but thickness-independent transition in array orientation in the “bulk” regime. The transition is correlated with the dominant unstable mode in the initial succinonitrile front, and we assert that this instability controls the array spacing along the slide wall direction. It is concluded that this type of analysis is required for meaningful interpretation of experimental results regarding rod eutectic growth, even in the apparent thick-slab or “bulk” regime.