cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical characterization of micro-cracks in polyurethane resin films deposited on metallic surfaces

Resin films based on polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) have recently gained substantial interest as surface protective coatings. However, defects in the resin films such as micro-cracks may induce high permeability to moisture, thereby compromising the coatings’ performance. In this contribution, we report on a simple electrochemical method for characterization of the micro-cracks in a resin film deposited on a copper surface. Electrochemical measurements are facilitated in a two-electrode cell where the resin-coated copper electrode serves as the anode. The ionic current flow due to electrolyte penetration within the micro-cracks of the resin film is measured and quantified. The ionic current (I) exhibits an inverse exponential dependence on the film thickness (x): I ∝ e−x . The physical basis for this dependence is discussed using a mathematical model that incorporates the surface fraction of micro-cracks in a layered resin film. While the analysis presented herein is for the specific case of PUD resins, the overall methodology is applicable to the characterization of many metallic and non-metallic surface coatings used in corrosion protection and surface functionalization applications.
A Practicability of Utilizing 3D Systems for Virtual Fitting Process in the Apparel Industry

A “fitting” is an inevitable process for apparel manufacturers to make a decision for finalizing mass production orders. For the fitting process, 3D CAD systems are being introduced to the apparel industry. Several researchers (Sayem, Kennon, & Clarke, 2010) found that 3D CAD systems aided in visualization of the entire process from 2D pattern creation to the end product. However, according to Easters (2011), 3D human interaction technology is observed to be evolving slowly with limited success in the apparel industry. Apparel companies are reluctant to invest in new systems as they are unsure of the reliability, accuracy, and connectivity among vendors. Because of the uncertainty, this study aims to investigate the feasibility for implementing a virtual fitting process in the apparel company, providing a perspective view from the angle of technical users.
5 Years Experience With Drug Eluting and Bare Metal Stents as Primary Intervention in Transplant Renal Artery Stenosis.

BackgroundTransplant renal artery stenosis (TRAS) is a common vascular complication after kidney transplantation and is associated with refractory hypertension, volume overload, and graft injury or loss. This article describes 5-year outcomes of endovascular intervention for TRAS with bare metal and
Business Ethics in Eastern and Southern Africa

There is a scanty pieces of information regarding business activities amongst people in Eastern and Southern Africa. The official records show that there is still a limited business activities undertaken by people in the region. The wind of change in the late 1980s necessitated the national states, institutions and people to seek for a closer co-operation in business and other activities. Ethical issues have been on top of the agenda of every nation because of the perceived development and improvement of business enterprises. Every national government in the region tries to accept such a challenge and device some measures to enhance regional and national ethics compatibility in business. Many institutions and various stakeholders in Eastern and Southern Africa are encouraged to participate and co-operate for the betterment of the region.
Parent Peri-Trauma Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Appraisals, and Coaching of Avoidant Coping: A Multi-Method Approach

Parent’s cognitions and behaviors may play an important role in children’s psychological adjustment after a potentially traumatizing event. Few studies have examined specific parent factors and processes that may play a role in the development of child PTSS after a pediatric injury. The present study investigated the relationships among parent posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), appraisals, and parent coaching of avoidant coping in the peri-trauma period following pediatric injury. Participants included 96 children aged 8–13 years old, who were hospitalized for an injury and one parent per child. Parents’ appraisals and parent coaching of avoidant coping were measured via self-report measures and a new observational assessment (Trauma Ambiguous Situations Task; TAST). Regression analyses were used to examine the influence of parent PTSS and parent appraisals on parent coaching of avoidant coping. Results indicated that parent PTSS was associated with greater (self-reported) promotion of avoidant coping, but not with the likelihood of promoting avoidant coping during the TAST. Self-reported parent threat appraisals did not significantly predict coaching of avoidant coping. Variation in findings across assessment methods suggests the importance of a multi-method approach. Findings suggest that early post-trauma interventions that target parent-child interactions may want to include a focus on parent PTSS and coping assistance strategies.
Socioeconomic status, gender, and burn injury: A retrospective review.

Burn injury rates appear to be influenced by socioeconomic status (SES) and gender globally, but the impact of poverty and gender on burn injury has not been studied in a developed country. This study was a retrospective chart review conducted at a regional burn center in the Southwest US that included 340 patients with TBSA burns >15%. SES was determined using zip code and US census data. The distribution of mechanism of injury was significantly different by gender (χ2(6) = 36.14, p < 0001), but not significantly different by SES (χ2(12) = 19.68, p = 0.073). Burn rates in women was found to have a significant and linear increase (χ2 = 13.8513, p = 0.001) with increasing poverty. Women had higher frequencies of being burned at home, and men had higher frequencies of being burned at work. While poverty did not appear to increase the risk of burn injury overall in a mixed population, it was associated with a significant increase in the risk of burn injury in women. Thus, strategies for decreasing risk factors should be targeted toward low SES females and the working male.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter Detection after Cryptogenic Ischemic Stroke.

Introduction Long-term cardiac monitoring with implantable loop recorders (ILRs) has revealed occult paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and flutter (PAF) in a substantial minority of cryptogenic ischemic stroke (CIS) patients. Herein, we aim to define the prevalence, clinical relevance, and risk factors for PAF detection following early poststroke ILR implantation. Materials and methods A retrospective study of CIS patients (n = 100, mean age 65.8 years; 52.5% female) who underwent ILR insertion during, or soon after, index stroke admission. Patients were prospectively followed by the study cardiac electrophysiologist who confirmed the PAF diagnosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses compared clinical, laboratory, cardiac, and imaging variables between PAF patients and non-PAF patients. Results PAF was detected in 31 of 100 (31%) CIS patients, and anticoagulation was initiated in almost all (30 of 31, 96.8%). Factors associated with PAF detection include older age (mean [year] 72.9 versus 62.9; P = .003), white race (odds ratio [OR], 4.5; confidence interval [CI], 1.8-10.8; P = .001), prolonged PR interval (PR > 175 ms; OR, 3.3; CI, 1.2-9.4; P = .022), larger left atrial (LA) diameter (mean [cm] 3.7 versus 3.5; P = .044) and LA volume index (mean [cc/m 2 ]; 30.6 versus 24.2; P = .014), and lower hemoglobin (Hb)A1c (mean [%] 6.0 versus 6.4; P = .036). Controlling for age, obesity (body mass index > 30 kg/m 2 ; OR, 1.2; CI, 1.1-1.4; P = .033) was independently associated with PAF detection. Discussion PAF was detected with high prevalence following early postcryptogenic stroke ILR implantation and resulted in significant management changes. Older age, increased PR interval, LA enlargement, and lower HbA1c are significantly associated with PAF detection. Controlling for age, obesity is an independent risk factor. A larger prospective study is warranted to confirm these findings.
The angry implications of work-to-family conflict: Examining effects of leadership on an emotion-based model of deviance

Abstract Drawing upon Affective Events Theory (AET), we propose a model of work interfering with family (WIF, a form of work-family conflict), work-to-family resentment, and organizational deviance with consideration of the leader's use of transformational and transactional leadership styles as a contextual moderator of an employee's emotional and behavioral responses. Owner and employee data were collected from 221 employees at 55 small businesses in a large southern U.S. metropolitan area. Multi-level modeling results revealed that work-family resentment fully mediated the relation between WIF and deviance, but this mediated relationship was independent of leadership style. Unexpectedly, we found a direct effect of the three-way interaction on deviance, such that the direct WIF-deviance linkage was strongest when leaders reported being low in transformational leadership and high in transactional leadership. These results suggest that employees who work for leaders who exhibit higher levels of transactional leadership in combination with lower levels of transformational leadership may not necessarily experience higher levels of work-to-family resentment (contrary to our expectations), but may be more likely to retaliate by committing acts of deviance directed toward their organization. We discuss the theoretical and managerial implications of the empirical linkage between WIF and deviance through work-to-family resentment, and the ways leaders might mitigate detrimental effects.
Optimal Control Applications in Economic Systems

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on optimal control applications in economic systems. Modern control theory is fundamental to the problem of overall economic policy determination for macroeconomic systems. The chapter presents the natural framework for attacking the problem. Such an approach to the problem reveals areas that have a major impact on the choice of optimal economic policies. The model of the macroeconomic systems is a dynamic set of difference equations, which exhibit those economic characteristics that are generally thought to be important by economists as causing the economy's overall performance. The optimization problem is formulated through a quadratic social welfare functional, which includes a penalty function on control variable activity. The optimal control policies are obtained by dynamic programming techniques. Control system engineers should investigate the applicability of sensitivity control theory to minimize the sensitivity of the optimal control policy to the most significant parameters of the system. To reasonably design any control system, a mathematical model of the stochastic characteristics of the variables is required.
Patterns of plankton species, pH and associated water chemistry in Nova Scotia lakes

In order to assess the patterns of distribution of plankton species in relation to acidity, water chemistry, and physical characteristics, twenty lakes in Nova Scotia were selected for examination, with pH ranging from 3.5 to 7.6. Correlation and multiple regression analyses revealed associations between plankton and chemical variables. Patterns of plankton abundance and diversity were noted with respect to both pH and nutrient status, with occasionally conflicting effects of these two factors. Phytoplankton abundance was most closely associated with nutrient status, while zooplankton abundance was related to measures of primary production. pH tended to affect plankton diversity more than abundance or standing crop. Several lakes were outliers from overall patterns, with several possible explanations. Cluster and factor analyses were used to identify associations of plankton species, and to relate these associations to lake characteristics. Certain species were noted with relatively wide distribution, but which never occurred at low pH (<4.6). These were Chroococcus limneticus, Asterionella formosa, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Pinnularia braunii, and Surirella robusta for phytoplankton, and Polyphemus pediculus, Diaptomus oregonensis, and Tropocyclops prasinus for zooplankton.
Virtual modeling of urban environments

Researchers at UCLA's Departments of Architecture and Urban Planning are using state-of-the-art visual simulation technology to build virtual worlds that can be used by planners, designers, and community groups to visualize and evaluate proposed changes and new developments in the urban environment. This paper focuses on the modeling methodology that has evolved for efficiently creating three-dimensional 3D virtual urban worlds. It is illustrated with reference to actual projects that have recently been completed or are currently under development.
A one-pot chemoenzymatic synthesis of (2S, 4R)-4-methylproline enables the first total synthesis of antiviral lipopeptide cavinafungin B

Abstract We report an efficient ten-step (longest linear sequence) synthesis of antiviral natural product cavinafungin B in 37% overall yield. By leveraging a one-pot chemoenzymatic synthesis of (2S,4R)-4-methylproline and oxazolidine-tethered (AT (Boc)G-Rink resin) SPPS methodology, the assembly of our molecular target could be conducted in an efficient manner. This general strategy could prove amenable to the construction of other natural and unnatural linear lipopeptides. The value of incorporating biocatalytic steps in complex molecule synthesis is highlighted by this work.
“The Might of My Own Hand Has Gotten Me This Wealth”: Reflections on Wealth and Poverty in the Hebrew Bible and Today:

The growing gap between the wealthiest and poorest members of society is a pressing social concern regularly invoked in discussions surrounding taxation, the minimum wage, and the social safety net...
Occidentalist Perceptions of European Architecture in Nineteenth-Century Persian Travel Diaries: Travels in Farangi Space

Reports of the US‒Mexico border wall and the design of migrant detention centers conjure images of infrastructures of separation. Such spaces illustrate too well architecture’s burden (and its comp...
30-Day Emergency Department Revisit Rates among Older Adults with Documented Dementia

OBJECTIVES Published literature on national emergency department (ED) revisit rates among older adults with dementia is sparse, despite anecdotal evidence of higher ED utilization. Thus we evaluated the odds ratio (OR) of 30-day ED revisits among older adults with dementia using a nationally representative sample. DESIGN We assessed the frequency of claims associated with a 30-day ED revisit among Medicare beneficiaries with and without a dementia diagnosis before or at index ED visit. We used a logistic regression model controlling for dementia, age, sex, race, region, Medicaid status, transfer to a skilled nursing facility after ED, primary care physician use 12 months before index, and comorbidity. SETTING A nationally representative sample of claims data for Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older who maintained continuous fee-for-service enrollment during 2015 and 2016. Only outpatient claims associated with an ED visit between January 2016 and November 2016 were included as a qualifying index encounter. PARTICIPANTS We identified 240 249 patients without dementia and 54 622 patients for whom a dementia code was recorded in the year before the index encounter in 2016. RESULTS Our results indicate a significant difference in unadjusted 30-day ED revisit rates among those with an ED dementia diagnoses (22.0%) compared with those without (13.9%). Our adjusted results indicated that dementia is a significant predictor of 30-day ED revisits (P < .0001). Those with a dementia diagnosis at or before the index ED visit were more likely to have experienced an ED revisit within 30 days (OR = 1.27; 95% confidence interval = 1.24-1.31). CONCLUSION Dementia diagnoses were a significant predictor of 30-day ED revisits. Further research should assess potential reasons why dementia is associated with markedly higher revisit rates, as well as opportunities to manage and transition dementia patients from the ED back to the community more effectively. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:2254-2259, 2019.
Tracking Metabolic Rewiring of Cancer Metabolism in Humans Using Isotope-Resolved NMR

Altered metabolism is considered one of the hallmarks of cancer. The findings that malignant brain tumors and brain metastases utilize acetate as an alternative nutrient are relatively recent and offer new avenues for investigation of altered metabolism in human cancers. Here, we describe comprehensively the details of the 13C NMR-based isotopomer methodology to measure in vivo acetate utilization in brain tumor patients, including the contribution from acetate metabolism of peripheral tissues. Methods described in this chapter can be readily extended to other cancer types.
Phytosociology and biodiversity patterns of annual wetland communities of Pyriatynskyi National Nature Park (Poltava Oblast, Ukraine)

The results of a comparative structural analysis of the annual wetland herb vegetation syntaxa (class Isoeto-Nano-Juncetea) of Pyriatynskyi National Nature Park (Poltava Oblast, Ukraine) are presented. The systematic, biomorphological, ecological and geographical structures of syntaxa were studied using cluster, discriminant and factor analysis. The principal conformity of the floristic similarity dendrogram and the previously developed classification scheme were analysed. It was revealed that the leading factor of coenosis development is the soil moisture, while most parameters of these ecotopes are constant. The critical differentiation of Nano-Cyperion and Eleocharition ovatae alliances and the legitimacy of the recognition of the Radiolion linoidis alliance and Polygono recti-Juncetum juzepczukii association as separate syntaxa of the main ranks are emphasized.
The response of BHK21 cells to infection with type 12 adenovirus

Transformation of a clonal line of BHK21 cells by type 12 adenovirus (Ad 12) is described. A transformation rate of approximately 2 × 10−5 per initially infected cell was observed after high multiplicity infection. A study of the fate of the abortively infected cells revealed, however, that only a small fraction survived the infection and initiated growth of a colony. Of these rare surviving colonies, nearly half contained transformed cells. Of three BHK21 sublines tested, one yielded transformed cells only from colonies growing in soft agar suspension, a second yielded transformants only as foci in monolayers, while the third did not yield detectable transformants by either method. The adenovirus-transformed cells were distinguished from the parental BHK21 cells by the following characteristics: The latter property is most likely due to blockage of a step late in the adenovirus replicative cycle, since 88% of the cells, which synthesized Ad2-specific structural antigens did not yield infectious virus. A similar shift from a productive to a largely abortive response to Ad 2 was seen in BHK21 cells simultaneously infected with Ad 12 and Ad2. This finding supports the view that the restriction of Ad2 replication in Ad 12-transformed cells, like the other characteristics mentioned, is associated with continued activity of at least part of the Ad12 genome.
Image artifacts caused by incorrect bowtie filters in cone-beam CT image-guided radiotherapy

Certain models of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) systems require manually placing the appropriate bowtie filter according to the relevant imaging protocol. Inadvertently using a wrong bowtie filter or no bowtie filter could cause unexpected image artifacts. In this work, CBCT image artifact patterns caused by different bowtie filter placement were evaluated. CBCT images of CT phantoms, that is, a Body Norm phantom, a Catphan® phantom and an anthropomorphic RANDO® phantom, were acquired at a Varian Trilogy® unit with an On-Board Imager® (OBI) system. Three image acquisition protocols were evaluated. For Standard Head protocol, half-fan bowtie and no bowtie filter were studied for comparison with the correct full-fan bowtie acquisition. For Pelvis and Low-Dose Thorax protocols, full-fan bowtie and no bowtie were studied for comparison with the correct half-fan bowtie acquisition. In addition, the possibility of reversed direction half-fan bowtie was also discussed. All possible scenarios of bowtie filter misplacement caused distinct artifacts regardless of protocols. These artifact patterns are different from the characteristic crescent artifact when correct bowtie filter was placed. Based on the artifact patterns described in this study we recommend reviewing image artifacts at time of image acquisition. If unexpected artifacts appear in the CBCT images, one should verify the correct placement of the bowtie filter and retake the image if necessary. However, it should also be stressed that using a wrong bowtie filter or forgetting to place the bowtie filter can cause increased patient dose. It is always a good practice to verify the bowtie filter placement before acquiring CBCT images for image-guided radiotherapy.
Polygenic Risk of Psychiatric Disorders Exhibits Cross-trait Associations in Electronic Health Record Data From European Ancestry Individuals.

Abstract Background Prediction of disease risk is a key component of precision medicine. Common traits such as psychiatric disorders have a complex polygenic architecture, making the identification of a single risk predictor difficult. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) denoting the sum of an individual’s genetic liability for a disorder are a promising biomarker for psychiatric disorders, but they require evaluation in a clinical setting. Methods We developed PRSs for 6 psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, cross disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and anorexia nervosa) and 17 nonpsychiatric traits in more than 10,000 individuals from the Penn Medicine Biobank with accompanying electronic health records. We performed phenome-wide association analyses to test their association across disease categories. Results Four of the 6 psychiatric PRSs were associated with their primary phenotypes (odds ratios from 1.2 to 1.6). Cross-trait associations were identified both within the psychiatric domain and across trait domains. PRSs for coronary artery disease and years of education were significantly associated with psychiatric disorders, largely driven by an association with tobacco use disorder. Conclusions We demonstrated that the genetic architecture of electronic health record–derived psychiatric diagnoses is similar to ascertained research cohorts from large consortia. Psychiatric PRSs are moderately associated with psychiatric diagnoses but are not yet clinically predictive in naive patients. Cross-trait associations for these PRSs suggest a broader effect of genetic liability beyond traditional diagnostic boundaries. As identification of genetic markers increases, including PRSs alongside other clinical risk factors may enhance prediction of psychiatric disorders and associated conditions in clinical registries.
Abstract TP466: Apolipoprotein L1 Gene Risk Variants Are Not Associated With Increased Volume of Brain Lesions

Background: There are conflicting data regarding the association between apolipoprotein L1 gene (APOL1) risk variants and cardiovascular disease. Some data suggest a protective effect of APOL1 vari...
Formation of Complex Nuclei in Graphite Nodules of Cast Iron

Abstract The complex nature of nodular graphite nuclei was studied in a partially solidified and quenched spheroidal graphite iron (SGI) that contained small graphite nodules. The reduced graphite to nuclei diameter ratio obtained by the accelerated solidification process increased the probability of nuclei exposure during metallographic cross sectioning. Ten thousand graphite nodules were analyzed to identify nucleation sites using an automated scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) system and the resultant ternary plot presents a chemistry of oxides, sulfides and nitrides located inside the graphite nodules. Focused ion beam milling was used to extract thin foil specimens and extensive high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of several representative nuclei was conducted. The nucleus of a graphite nodule was composed of a Mg–O core with Mg–Ca–S and Mg–Al–Si–N compounds attached on its sides. The crystallographic orientation relationships between different nucleating compounds and between graphite and nucleating compounds were analyzed using selected area diffraction patterns. For the first time, the direct observation of the nuclei interfaces revealed the presence of nano-structured boundary layers. The formation of a complex nodular graphite nucleus was thermodynamically simulated and the nucleation behavior of the complex compound was linked to the novel experimental results.
Interpretable Deep Attention Model for Multivariate Time Series Prediction in Building Energy Systems

Multivariate time series prediction has important applications in the domain of energy-efficient building technology. With the buildings consuming large amounts of electrical energy, it is critical to reducing energy consumption and economic costs while ensuring a better quality of urban living standards. As sensor-actuator rich, smart buildings are becoming complex dynamic data-driven applications systems (DDDAS), accurate and interpretable data-driven decision-making tools can have immense value. In this context, we develop a novel deep learning model that can explicitly capture the temporal correlations through LSTM layers. The model can isolate the important timesteps in the input time series for prediction. Also, it is critical to identify the contributions of different variables in the multivariate input. Our proposed model based on attention mechanisms can simultaneously learn important timesteps and variables. We demonstrate the results using a public multivariate time series dataset collected from an air handling unit in a building heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. The model with enhanced interpretability does not compromise with the prediction accuracy. The interpretations are validated from a domain knowledge perspective.
Preventing tick-bites among children in Indiana, USA: An analysis of factors associated with parental protective behaviors

Despite evidence to the effect that there is low parental adoption of tick-bite personal protective behavior (PPB) for their children - a population at high risk for tick exposure, very limited information is available on factors associated with parental adoption of PPB. The objective of this study was to identify the most significant factors associated with parental adoption of tick-bite PPB on behalf of a child or children at risk of tick encounters. A cross-section of parents in Indiana, USA whose child had spent time outdoors in tick habitat during the summer were recruited from representative online panels maintained by Qualtrics. Binary logistic regression was used to model determinants of five tick-bite PPBs. Our results revealed that the application of tick repellent (89 %, n = 718) followed by conducting a tick check of the child's body soon after returning from the outdoors (84 %, n = 676) were the PPBs most frequently adopted by parents. Conversely, tucking one's shirt into pants and pants into socks was the least frequently adopted PPB (48 %, n = 386). Compared to other factors evaluated in logistic regression models, parents who reported implementing one or more residential tick control practices were significantly more likely to adopt nearly all five tick-bite PPBs for their children. Additionally, parents who were more worried about their health due to ticks and reported being more likely to avoid the outdoors because of ticks were more likely to adopt at least three PPBs on behalf of their children. To ensure children can most safely engage in outdoor activity, identifying the factors associated with parental adoption of tick-bite preventive behaviors represents an important mechanism in the prevention of tick-borne diseases.
EDITORIAL - Power Modulators and Repetitive Pulsed Power

Plasma breakdown at dielectric windows in the output of high power microwave systems has become an important challenge with the advent of GW power level sources. The modeling and simulations have played a crucial role in understanding the physics of plasma breakdown. In this work, we report a number of recent advances which have significantly improved understanding of the physics of vacuum multipactors, gaseous discharges driven by microwaves, and the transition from one regime to the other by varying the gas pressure.
Analysis of fatalities from acute narcotism in a major urban area

The incidence of acute, fatal narcotism in San Francisco was determined to be 3.2% of all deaths (10 882) subject to medical examiner's inquiry in a five-year period. Heroin was responsible for the greatest number of these cases, usually accompanied by alcohol or other abused drugs. The median concentration of the heroin metabolite, morphine, in the blood in fatal cases was 20 microgram/dL. Death from propoxyphene, the second most frequently encountered narcotic, was generally determined to be suicidal, while death from heroin was judged to be accidental. The highest rate occurred in black males between the ages of 21 and 30 years. The three most consistent findings were positive identification of the drug in the body (100% of the cases), pulmonary edema (90.4% of the cases), and microscopic liver changes (71.1% of the cases). Language: en
Simulations of CP(N−1) Models for Large N

We discuss simulations of CP ( N − 1 ) models via dimensional reduction of discrete SU(N) quantum spin models. These models can be simulated with an efficient loop cluster algorithm in continuous euclidean time, effective even for very large N. In particular we discuss efforts to compute the mass gap of the CP ( N − 1 ) model.
Fate and transport of metals in H2S-rich waters at a treatment wetland

The aqueous geochemistry of Zn, Cu, Cd, Fe, Mn and As is discussed within the context of an anaerobic treatment wetland in Butte, Montana. The water being treated had a circum-neutral pH with high concentrations of trace metals and sulfate. Reducing conditions in the wetland substrate promoted bacterial sulfate reduction (BSR) and precipitation of dissolved metal as sulfide minerals. ZnS was the most common sulfide phase found, and consisted of framboidal clusters of individual spheres with diameters in the submicron range. Some of the ZnS particles passed through the subsurface flow, anaerobic cells in suspended form. The concentration of "dissolved" trace metals (passing through a 0.45 μm filter) was monitored as a function of H2S concentration, and compared to predicted solubilities based on experimental studies of aqueous metal complexation with dissolved sulfide. Whereas the theoretical predictions produce "U-shaped" solubility curves as a function of H2S, the field data show a flat dependence of metal concentration on H2S. Observed metal concentrations for Zn, Cu and Cd were greater than the predicted values, particularly at low H2S concentration, whereas Mn and As were undersaturated with their respective metal sulfides. Results from this study show that water treatment facilities employing BSR have the potential to mobilize arsenic out of mineral substrates at levels that may exceed regulatory criteria. Dissolved iron was close to equilibrium saturation with amorphous FeS at the higher range of sulfide concentrations observed (>0.1 mmol H2S), but was more likely constrained by goethite at lower H2S levels. Inconsistencies between our field results and theoretical predictions may be due to several problems, including: (i) a lack of understanding of the form, valence, and thermodynamic stability of poorly crystalline metal sulfide precipitates; (ii) the possible influence of metal sulfide colloids imparting an erroneously high "dissolved" metal concentration; (iii) inaccurate or incomplete thermodynamic data for aqueous metal complexes at the conditions of the treatment facility; and (iv) difficulties in accurately measuring low concentrations of dissolved sulfide in the field.
NLP tools as editorial aids

This poster introduces the novel idea of using Natural Language Processing (NLP) tools on unpublished articles, thereby alerting writers and editors to the potential problems that these articles may pose to NLP tools, post-publication, and offering them the option to nip such problems in the bud. To demonstrate the feasibility of this approach, the poster takes on the NLP tool Wikify! and uses it in the aforementioned manner, introduces an automated feature that might be deployed alongside it using WordNet and analyzes the results thus generated.
Drone wars: transforming conflict, law, and policy

Drone Wars is a rich collection that offers the latest in the growing scholarship on drone warfare. Edited by Peter L. Bergen and Daniel Rothenberg, Drone Wars is a 22-chapter volume arranged into ...
Controlling effective interactions and spatial dispersion of nanoparticles in multiblock copolymer melts

The microscopic Polymer Reference Interaction Site Model theory is employed to study, for the first time, the effective interactions, spatial organization, and miscibility of dilute spherical nanoparticles in non-microphase separating, chemically heterogeneous, compositionally symmetric AB multiblock copolymer melts of varying monomer sequence or architecture. The dependence of nanoparticle wettability on copolymer sequence and chemistry results in interparticle potentials-of-mean force that are qualitatively different from homopolymers. An important prediction is the ability to improve nanoparticle dispersion via judicious choice of block length and monomer adsorption-strengths which control both local surface segregation and chain connectivity induced packing constraints and frustration. The degree of dispersion also depends strongly on nanoparticle diameter relative to the block contour length. Small particles in copolymers with longer block lengths experience a more homopolymer-like environment which renders them relatively insensitive to copolymer chemical heterogeneity and hinders dispersion. Larger particles (sufficiently larger than the monomer diameter) in copolymers of relatively short block lengths provide better dispersion than either a homopolymer or random copolymer. The theory also predicts a novel widening of the miscibility window for large particles upon increasing the overall molecular weight of copolymers composed of relatively long blocks. The influence of a positive chi-parameter in the pure copolymer melt is briefly studied. Quantitative application to fullerenes in specific copolymers of experimental interest is performed, and miscibility predictions are made. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2015, 53, 1098–1111
Age Cohort, Ancestry, and Immigrant Generation Influences in Family Relations and Psychological Well-Being among Black Caribbean Family Members

Immigration is contributing to the U.S. population becoming increasingly ethnically diverse. This article examines the role of family relations and well-being among different generations of Black Caribbean immigrants. Family disruptions, such as migration, can have complex effects on the support networks and emotional well-being of family members. Data from a recently completed national study of American Blacks in the United States, however, reveal significant similarities across ancestry and immigrant status in family contact, solidarity and well-being. It is concluded that intrafamilial relations may serve to overcome barriers of geographical distance in providing comparable levels of contact, solidarity, and well-being for both U.S.-born and immigrant Black Caribbean family members of different generations. Because of the increasing numbers of immigrant elders, these sources of family support will become increasingly more important in bridging the gaps between government resources and needed assistance in an aging society. The dramatic increase in life expectancy has contributed to people living in more complex family structures, having greater geographical mobility, new ∗ Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to James S. Jackson, Room 5010,
Multimedia perspectives for next generation PAC systems

The design of a multimedia medical information system implies an extension of the issues previously described for PAC (picture archiving and communications) systems. Database structures must be defined to describe the physical features and the clinical contents of each kind of multimedia clinical data. Mass storage requirements dramatically increase to archive audio and/or video sequences. As for PACS, high-speed networking is necessary. Moreover, the transfer of multimedia information implies further requirements for the network subsystem, e.g. the capability to support isochronous traffic. In order to achieve a richer interaction of the radiologist with the system, the user workstation must be properly equipped to allow access and presentation of multimedia data. At a higher level, the hypertext model can be exploited for effective consultation of clinical data. All these issues have been considered in the design of a multimedia system under development at IBM Rome Scientific Center. The system addresses multimedia information management and can provide the basis of an advanced PAC system. >
Five surprisingly simple complexities

Abstract We describe five fairly formidable looking expressions that turn out to be rather simple. They are furthermore connected by a chain of implications.
Total Absorptance of the NO Fundamental Band

Spectra of the 5.3-μ band of NO have been obtained using a double-beam prism spectrometer. The total absorptance of the band was determined for NO concentrations of 0.004-atm cm to 5.4-atm cm pressure broadened by N2 up to 2100 mm Hg. Three cells were used with lengths of 1.55 cm, 2.54 cm, and 6.35 cm. The average broadening coefficient of NO relative to N2 was determined to be 1.00 ± 0.05. The band intensity was estimated to be 115 atm−1cm−2 STP ± 10%.
Information as a Human Right.

Information lies at the core of freedom of expression since it empowers citizens to understand the functions of media and other information providers, to access and critically evaluate their content, and to make informed decisions as users and producer of information and media content. Information and related technologies have become increasingly essential to education, employment, social interaction, and civic participation. Resultantly, greater focus has been placed on the idea that information is a necessary human right. While physical access to technology is now imperative to survive and contribute in today's Information Society, intellectual access is also required, particularly with the Internet's interactive socially collaborative mode. In addition, organizations need to provide the infrastructure and other preconditions to insure equitable access and use of information.
Inhibition of 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-Acetate and Other Skin Tumor-Promoter-Caused Induction of Epidermal Interleukin-1α mRNA and Protein Expression in SENCAR Mice by Green Tea Polyphenols

Recent studies have shown that topical application of the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13- acetate (TPA) to murine skin results in increased expression of the highly inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1α in the epidermis. This has led to the suggestion that IL-1α directly or indirectly mediates the inflammatory and hyperplastic responses elicited by TPA and possibly by other skin tumor promoters. In the current study, we investigated the effect of skin application of a polyphenolic fraction isolated from green tea (GTP) to SENCAR mice on skin tumor- promoter-caused induction of cutaneous edema and hyperplasia, and IL-1α mRNA expression. Pretreatment of the skin with GTP 30 mm before that of anthralin, benzoyl peroxide, mezerein, and TPA resulted in a significant (p
A polymer-based Fabry-Perot filter integrated with 3-D MEMS structures

Polymers have been considered as one of the most versatile materials in making optical devices for communication and sensor applications. They provide good optical transparency to form filters, lenses and many optical components with ease of fabrication. They are scalable and compatible in dimensions with requirements in optics and can be fabricated on inorganic substrates, such as silicon and quartz. Recent polymer synthesis also made great progresses on conductive and nonlinear polymers, opening opportunities for new applications. In this paper, we discussed hybrid-material integration of polymers on silicon-based microelectromechanical system (MEMS) devices. The motivation is to combine the advantages of demonstrated silicon-based MEMS actuators and excellent optical performance of polymers. We demonstrated the idea with a polymer-based out-of-plane Fabry-Perot filter that can be self-assembled by scratch drive actuators. We utilized a fabrication foundry service, MUMPS (Multi-User MEMS Process), to demonstrate the feasibility and flexibility of integration. The polysilicon, used as the structural material for construction of 3-D framework and actuators, has high absorption in the visible and near infrared ranges. Therefore, previous efforts using a polysilicon layer as optical interfaces suffer from high losses. We applied the organic compound materials on the silicon-based framework within the optical signal propagation path to form the optical interfaces. In this paper, we have shown low losses in the optical signal processing and feasibility of building a thin-film Fabry-Perot filter. We discussed the optical filter designs, mechanical design, actuation mechanism, fabrication issues, optical measurements, and results.
Insect venoms: identification of dopamine and noradrenaline in wasp and bee stings.

Die Anwesenheit von Dopamin und Noradrenalin im Bienen- und Wespengift wurde durch Fluoreszenzmikroskopie, Dunnschichtchromatographie und Spectrophotofluorimetrie nachgewiesen. Der Dopamin-Gehalt eines Stiches genugt, um die Herztatigkeit eines Insekts zu beschleunigen, was auch die Verteilung der giftigen Bestandteile zu den Wirkungsstellen beeinflussen kann.
TIME‐INTENSITY SCALING WITH JUDGES TRAINED TO USE A CALIBRATED SCALE: ADAPTATION, SALTY AND UMAMI TASTES

. The Time-Intensity scaling technique was modified for measurements of taste intensity. Instead of using the traditional procedure where intensities were estimated on the judges’ own internalized scales, judges were trained to estimate concentrations directly in millimolar concentration. Such training was seen to increase precision, although the general shapes of the Time-Intensity plots remained the same. The technique was applied to measurement of taste intensity change over time when NaCl or MSG stimuli were held in the mouth. Using this technique, it was possible to measure the relative effects, on taste intensity loss, of stimulus dilution by saliva and sensory adaptation; the latter had the greater effect. Accordingly, the disruption of adaptation was found to be more important than increased salivation when chewing movements were made.
Behaviorally conditioned enhancement of delayed-type hypersensitivity in the mouse.

Abstract Cyclophosphamide (CY), previously used to condition suppression of a number of different immune responses, was used to condition an enhancement of a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response in mice. Three weeks before sensitization with sheep red blood cells (SRBC), mice were conditioned by pairing their consumption of a saccharin solution (SAC) with injection of CY. Two, three, and four days after sensitization (Day 0), animals were reexposed to SAC and. on Day + 3, they were injected with a low dose of CY. This dose suppressed the DTH response to a challenge with SRBC on Day + 4 in both conditioned and control animals. Following rechallenge with SRBC on Days + 11 and + 18, however, DTH responses were enhanced. Conditioned mice that had been reexposed to SAC showed a significantly greater enhancement than either nonconditioned animals or conditioned mice that were not reexposed to SAC. Thus, enhancement as well as suppression of immune responses can be conditioned with CY.
Bile peritonitis in the newborn.

Presentation de 3 nouveaux cas d'ascite biliaire secondaire a la rupture spontanee des voies biliaires
Cadmium adipate coordination polymers prepared with isomeric pyridylamide precursors: pH-dependent in situ reaction chemistry and divergent dimensionalities

Hydrothermal reaction of cadmium nitrate, adipic acid (H2adp), and a pyridylnicotinamide precursor has afforded four new crystalline coordination polymer solids. The 1-D ribbon coordination polymer {[Cd2(adp)(nic)2(H2O)3(3-ampyr)]·5H2O}n (1, nic = nicotinate, 3-ampyr = 3-aminopyridine) resulted from in situ hydrolysis of the 3-pyridylnicotinamide (3-pna) precursor under basic conditions. Incipient voids within the crystal lattice of 1 contain T5(2)5(2)A(0) water molecule chains. Eschewing addition of extra base to the reaction mixture resulted in the isolation of the 3-D coordination polymer {[Cd2(adp)(nic)2(3-pna)2]·6H2O}n (2), in which some of the 3-pna starting material remains intact. The underlying 5-connected 4664bnn 3-D network of 2 arises from the linkage of similar ribbon motifs to those observed in 1. Use of either 3-pyridylisonicotinamide (3-pina) or 4-pyridylnicotinamide (4-pna) precursors avoids any amide hydrolysis, affording the decorated (4,4) grid 2-D coordination polymer {[Cd(adp)(3-pina)]·H2O}n (3) or the 1-D chain compound {[Cd(adp)(4-pna)2(H2O)2]·2H2O}n (4), respectively. Luminescent and thermal properties of these materials are also presented.
Fiber on a chip: Nonlinear optics in silicon photonic wires

We provide a design and use of Si photonic-wire waveguides for on chip-nonlinear-waveguide pulse control functionality.
Impact of Elementary Particle Physics on Storage Rings

The status of elementary particle physics is described, the contribution of machines to the study is discussed and implications for future storage rings are considered. Some comments are offered as to the limits to growth and the prospects for actually producing colored objects other than quarks. (GHT)
Brain estrogen signaling effects acute modulation of acoustic communication behaviors: A working hypothesis

Although estrogens are widely considered circulating ‘sex steroid hormones’ typically associated with female reproduction, recent evidence suggests that estrogens can act as local modulators of brain circuits in both males and females. Functional implications of this newly-characterized estrogen signaling system have begun to emerge. This essay summarizes evidence in support of the hypothesis that the rapid production of estrogens in brain circuits can drive acute changes in both the production and perception of acoustic communication behaviors. These studies reveal two fundamental neurobiological concepts: 1) estrogens can be produced locally in brain circuits independent of levels in nearby circuits and in the circulation, and 2) estrogens can have very rapid effects within these brain circuits to modulate social vocalizations, acoustic processing, and sensorimotor integration. This research relies on a vertebrate-wide span of investigations, including vocalizing fishes, amphibians and birds, emphasizing the importance of comparative model systems in understanding principles of neurobiology.