cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlling Surface Chemistry to Deconvolute Corrosion Benefits Derived from SMAT Processing

Grain refinement through surface plastic deformation processes such as surface mechanical attrition treatment has shown measureable benefits for mechanical properties, but the impact on corrosion behavior has been inconsistent. Many factors obfuscate the particular corrosion mechanisms at work, including grain size, but also texture, processing contamination, and surface roughness. Many studies attempting to link corrosion and grain size have not been able to decouple these effects. Here we introduce a preprocessing step to mitigate the surface contamination effects that have been a concern in previous corrosion studies on plastically deformed surfaces; this allows comparison of corrosion behavior across grain sizes while controlling for texture and surface roughness. Potentiodynamic polarization in aqueous NaCl solution suggests that different corrosion mechanisms are responsible for samples prepared with the preprocessing step.
Betrayed? That’s Me: Implicit and Explicit Betrayed Self-Concept in Young Adults Abused as Children

ABSTRACTAttenuated awareness of betrayal, or “betrayal blindness,” is a proposed survival mechanism in relationships where awareness of betrayal will mobilize confront-or-withdraw responses that jeopardize a needed relationship. Empirical tests of betrayal blindness and its effects are hampered by the methodological conundrum of how to measure an absence of awareness. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of a novel empirical method to measure implicit betrayed self-concept, the first step in a long-term research aim to operationalize “betrayal blindness.” Informed by betrayal trauma theory, we hypothesized that a history of betrayal within close childhood relationships (but not recent close relationships or “not-close” relationships) would predict implicit betrayed-self associations in young adulthood. An adaptation of the Implicit Association Test (IAT) and measured implicit and explicit betrayed-self associations and self-reported history of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse in...
TWENTY-TWO YEARS OF SURVEY RESEARCH AT THE RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE: 1959-1980

Research Triangle Institute is a not-for-profit organization performing research in many disciplines for government, industry and other clients throughout the United States and abroad. The paper describes the organization of the survey research centers at the Research Triangle Institute, survey research projects and selected characteristics of the staff that conduct survey research. In most projects, the survey research functions of developing the measurement instruments, data analysis and interpretation of the survey findings for policy implications, and final report writing are carried out by the professional staff of the Institute. The projects are assessed by tabulating the number of projects, percentage of projects, average cost per project (in dollars), total cost (in dollars), and the percentage of the total project cost for each category of each project characteristic. In recent years, large research projects included studies on drinking habits and patterns among U.S. teenagers, fire protection, and on drug abuse. The paper also discusses the design, findings and policy implications of two large national surveys, the Safe School Study and the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972.
Design and Comparison of Globally Stabilizing Controllers for an Uncertain Nonlinear System

We review various integrator backstepping design procedures for generating globally stabilizing controllers for uncertain nonlinear systems. By way of a case study of a simple planar system, we demonstrate how these procedures can be combined to produce new classes of stabilizing controllers. We present eight different backstepping controllers for the planar system and compare their structural properties and simulated performance.
Walmart de Mexico and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act:Stepping Over the Border and Stepping Over the Line

This case examines the allegations of bribery of government officials by Walmart’s Mexican subsidiary and the subsequent investigation carried out by the U.S. Department of Justice. The primary subject matter of the case is the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the potential lack of effective leadership. The case reviews the important components of the FCPA, looks into the specific acts of potentially illegal behavior in Mexico and the United States relative to the incident, and proposes the question of how Walmart could have handled the situation more effectively. The case provides a view into potential pitfalls MNCs encounter when conducting business in developing countries with differing ethical standards.
Full Polarization Vector and Phase Control of Femtosecond Structured Light

we present a laser architecture that synthesizes arbitrary 4D-structured femtosecond light with full polarization vector, transverse and longitudinal intensity, and wavefront control as a novel tool to probe and control matter.
Image Sprite and UML State Machine: A Game Breakout

It has been proven that the three-layer software structure for games can be a guide for developing video games based on the animation technique. We can simply copy the framework to be the basis of a new video game and then insert the required sprites and implement required special features. The development of the rudimental game Breakout is just based on this strategy. One of the new features of the game is to replace all of sprites with images. Besides that, it also introduces the UML state machine to analyze and synthesize game’s dynamic activities.
The Case of Jerome Ocean: A Student’s Classic Conundrum

Medical students are confronted by financial and time constraints, geographic peregrinations, and a prolonged identity as a student, all of which may challenge their transition to adulthood. They meet new academic demands and discover the reality of medical school in comparison to antecedent fantasies. The typical stress and anxiety of medical school may make it hard to determine who needs psychiatric treatment, and previously successful or healthy students can find it shaming and difficult to seek help. Newer or less traditional treatments such as mindfulness-based stress reduction and compassion-focused therapy may be less stigmatized and are supported by increasing theoretical, neuroscientific, and clinical evidence. Universal wellness programs offered by schools could help students not coming to psychiatric attention or lighten ordinary burdens. Finally, the relationship of a doctor and student-doctor provides a unique opportunity in evaluation and treatment.
The paradox of power: The relationship between self-esteem and gratitude.

In contrast to earlier research, the three studies reported here find that the most powerful individuals are also the most grateful, and that self-esteem plays a role in explaining this relationshi...
Charles Chesnutt and the case for hybrid editing

In the context of a specific hybrid project—a digital archive and a print edition of the complete works of American writer Charles W. Chesnutt (1858–1932)--we consider three issues: (1) the value of print editions, notwithstanding the flexibility, capaciousness, and accessibility of digital editions; (2) the distinct affordances of digital editing in general and in this case; and (3) the challenges of a hybrid approach, and the possiblility of supplementing the now standard digital approach to rendering paper manuscripts (high quality scans and TEI-compliant transcriptions) with approaches borrowed from print and print aesthetics.
Intramolecular electrostatic interactions contribute to phospholipase Cβ3 autoinhibition

Phospholipase Cβ (PLCβ) enzymes regulate second messenger production following the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Under basal conditions, these enzymes are maintained in an autoinhibited state by multiple elements, including an insertion within the catalytic domain known as the X-Y linker. Although the PLCβ X-Y linker is variable in sequence and length, its C-terminus is conserved and features an acidic stretch, followed by a short helix. This helix interacts with residues near the active site, acting as a lid to sterically prevent substrate binding. However, deletions that remove the acidic stretch of the X-Y linker increase basal activity to the same extent as deletion of the entire X-Y linker. Thus, the acidic stretch may be the linchpin in autoinhibition mediated by the X-Y linker. We used site-directed mutagenesis and biochemical assays to investigate the importance of this acidic charge in mediating PLCβ3 autoinhibition. Loss of the acidic charge in the X-Y linker increases basal activity and decreases stability, consistent with loss of autoinhibition. However, introduction of compensatory electrostatic mutations on the surface of the PLCβ3 catalytic domain restore activity to basal levels. Thus, intramolecular electrostatics modulate autoinhibition by the X-Y linker.
A classification scheme for vacant urban lands: integrating duration, land characteristics, and survival rates

This study develops a methodology to distinguish vacant land types and introduces a classification scheme using a citywide vacancy inventory. Using Minneapolis, MN as a study area, three land characteristics associated with vacant properties - parcel size, ownership, and land use - are examined. Kaplan-Meier survival rates are then estimated to evaluate and compare the durations of vacancy between 2005 and 2015. The results indicate that a vacant property, in general, has the lowest probability to remain vacant within its first two years after becoming vacant. Smaller-sized parcels tend to result in a longer-term vacancy; while publicly owned, industrial, institutional, and/or recreational vacancies show similar tendencies. From this analysis, this study then develops a six-category classification scheme that can be used as (1) a novel tool to inventory vacant urban lands, (2) a diagnostic tool to identify repurposing opportunities, and (3) reliable means of comparing vacant properties across localities.
High Dive Platform Jump Results in Perineal Injury to College Athlete

Background: Blunt perineal trauma from straddle injuries is more likely to occur in the pediatric population and may result in lacerations requiring surgical repair. The article presents a young ad...
Impact of Gastrointestinal Surgical Site Wound Complications on Long-term Healthcare Utilization

Wound complication following gastrointestinal surgery substantially impacts the quality and costs of surgical care. The impact of wound complication on subsequent long-term healthcare utilization has not been fully studied. We assessed the impact of surgical wound complication on inpatient and outpatient healthcare utilization in the 2 years after gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted on Veterans Affairs health system patients who underwent an inpatient GI surgical procedure, were assessed by the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program (VASQIP), and were discharged alive from Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2014. Population-based A total of 64,351 patients underwent a GI surgical procedure in the VA system between 2007 and 2014. The cohort was 93.5% male, with a median age of 63.0 years (interquartile range (IQR) 57.0–70.0). A total of 7880 patients (12.2%) had at least one reported wound complication, 5460 of which had their postoperative wound complication classified by a VASQIP nurse. VASQIP-assessed or ICD-9-coded wound complication in the 30 days after surgery Inpatient visits, total inpatient days, outpatient visits, and emergency department visits, and operative interventions up to 2 years after discharge from index admission Patients with a postoperative wound complication had greater inpatient healthcare utilization compared with no-wound complication for up to 2 years after surgery: inpatient admissions (mean number 3.5 vs. 2.8; P < .001), inpatient bed days (mean 41.0 vs. 25.0; P < .001). Patients with a postoperative wound complication also had greater 2-year outpatient utilization than the no-wound complication cohort: outpatient visits (mean number 92.7 vs. 75.9; P < .001) and emergency department visits (mean 3.5 vs. 2.7; P < .001). The same relationship held for wound-related parameters; inpatient admissions (2.2 vs. 0.4; P < .001); inpatient bed days (21.4 vs. 3.7; P < .001); and outpatient visits (56.2 vs. 9.7; P < .001). A greater proportion of patients in the wound complication cohort had an operative intervention for all time intervals examined (P < .001). Surgical wound complications impact healthcare utilization patterns for up to 2 years after the index procedure including hospital readmissions and operative interventions; efforts to reduce postoperative wound complications will have substantial effects on patient outcomes and healthcare expenditures well beyond the 30-day postoperative period.
Reflection-mode fiber-optic temperature sensing probe based on quantum dots filled micro-cavity

We report a prototype reflection-mode fiber optic probe based on quantum dots filled micro-cavity. The probe was fabricated by sealing quantum dots liquid or coating inside a glass capillary pigtailed with a multimode optical fiber. And the probe was tested for in situ measurement of temperature change. By analyzing the back-reflected fluorescence signals generated from the quantum dots, the localized temperature of the microcavity structure could be correlated. The sensitivities based on fluorescence peak wavelength and full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) were calculated for both sensors in the biologically meaningful temperature range of 33.0-42.0C. This proposed reflection-mode trumpet-shape micro-cavity probe is attractive for chemical and biological sensing because it is cost-effective, simple to fabricate, mechanically robust and miniaturized in size.
TurboLift: fast accuracy lifting for historical data recovery

Historical data are frequently involved in situations where the available reports on time series are temporally aggregated at different levels, e.g., the monthly counts of people infected with measles. In real databases, the time periods covered by different reports can have overlaps (i.e., time-ticks covered by more than one reports) or gaps (i.e., time-ticks not covered by any report). However, data analysis and machine learning models require reconstructing the historical events in a finer granularity, e.g., the weekly patient counts, for elaborate analysis and prediction. Thus, data disaggregation algorithms are becoming increasingly important in various domains. Time series disaggregation methods commonly utilize domain knowledge about the data, e.g., smoothness, periodicity, or sparsity, to improve the reconstruction accuracy. In this paper, we propose a novel approach, called TurboLift, which aims to improve the quality of the solutions provided by existing disaggregation methods. Starting from a solution produced by a specific method, TurboLift finds a new solution that reduces the disaggregation error and is close to the initial one. We derive a closed-form solution to the proposed formulation of TurboLift that enables us to obtain an accurate reconstruction analytically, without performing resource and time-consuming iterations. Experiments on real data from different domains showcase the effectiveness of TurboLift in terms of disaggregation error, and outlier and anomaly detection.
Quality Features of Wearable Technology Embedded Products Using the Kano Model

The purpose of this study was to identify the major quality features of wearable technology embedded products, interchangeably wearables, that have the greatest impact on consumer satisfaction.This study was guided by Kano model, an organized approach to specify consumer requirements and expectation through a preference classification technique. An online survey was conducted with a convenience sample of U.S. consumers aged 19 years old and over, and total 471 usable data were used for the data analysis. The results showed that performance level of the following six quality features – durability, long battery life, usability, product safety, comfortability, and reasonable price – have the greatest impact on consumer satisfaction of wearables. The findings of this study help designers, developers, and producers of wearables to prioritize the quality features during the product design, development, and manufacturing process. Limitations and implications of this study for both academia and industry are also discussed.
Effects of Varied Semi-Occluded Vocal Tract Exercises on Acoustic and Perceptual Measures of Music Theatre Singers: A Pilot Study

Recent investigations of semi-occluded vocal tract exercises (SOVTEs) have indicated possible benefits for voice therapy and for choral and classical singing. Few researchers have investigated SOVT...
Ideological basis in the formation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee and the Shiromani Akali Dal: exploring the concept of Guru-Panth

This article explores the ideological foundations in the formation of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). It begins with the examination of the process...
Solutions and Reachable Sets of Hybrid Dynamical Systems: Semicontinuous Dependence on Initial Conditions, Time, and Perturbations

The sequential compactness afforded hybrid systems under mild regularity constraints guarantee outer/upper semicontinuous dependence of solutions on initial conditions and perturbations. For reachable sets of hybrid systems, this property leads to upper semicontinuous dependence with respect to initial conditions, time, and perturbations. Motivated by these results, we define a counterpart to sequential compactness and show that it leads to lower semicontinuous dependence of solutions on initial conditions and perturbations. In the sequel, it is shown that under appropriate assumptions, reachable sets of systems possessing this novel property depend lower semicontinuously on initial conditions, time, and perturbations. When those assumptions fail, continuous approximations of reachable sets turn out to be still possible. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the introduced property are given by a combination of geometric constraints, regularity assumptions, and tangentiality conditions. Further applications to simulations and optimal control of hybrid systems are discussed.
Escaping the Long Arm of the Law? Racial Disparities in the Effect of Failure-to-Pay License Suspension

This paper studies the unintended consequences of failure-to-pay driver’s license suspensions, a common policy used to compel payment of outstanding court debts. Unlike other traffic enforcement papers which focus on the public benefit to increases in enforcement we focus on the private returns. Drawing on a unique administrative data set and institutional features that result in as-good-as random assignment of license suspension we estimate how suspension effects the probability a driver receives additional tickets in the future. We find a small, negative effect among White drivers but an increase of approximately nine percentage points among Black drivers. A series of supplemental analyses fail to detect differences in driving behavior across racial groups, leading us to conclude that our results are suggestive of differential treatment of black motorists by law enforcement.
Paleoethnobotanical evidence points to agricultural mutualism among early camelid pastoralists of the Andean central Altiplano

Through paleoethnobotanical analysis, we illustrate mutualism between herding and cultivating crops among early Andean mobile pastoralists who lived in the Iroco region of the Central Altiplano of Bolivia during the Formative period (1500 BCE - 500 CE). These pastoralists, known as the Wankarani culture, cultivated quinoa, kanawa, and tubers even though they were mobile pastoralists. Cultivating these crops improved food security for the Wankarani and enhanced the landscape for pastoral production. In turn, a pastoral lifestyle enhanced agricultural productivity. Based on the absence of non-local plant remains, such as maize, or other exotic materials, there is no evidence that the Wankarani were involved in the early interregional llama caravan trade networks that underpinned the development of cities and states in the region. These findings demonstrate that herding and crop cultivation interact in unique ways that lead to farming strategies, crop varieties, and opportunities that would not otherwise exist. Above all, this article brings attention to the role of Andean pastoralists in the development of early agricultural programs.
Differential response to child abuse and neglect in Illinois

In 2009, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) began a pilot program and evaluation of one of the latest approaches to serving lower-risk children referred into the child welfare system (differential response). This intervention approach connects low-risk households to community services, and is voluntary. This report provides an overview of the practice, its effectiveness, and future policy needs. Seventeen states are implementing differential response in full, and another 13 had a program that included at least some components. Illinois just ended a five-year pilot program. The full evaluation is expected in 2013. In Illinois and the nation, child protective services face a continual tension between keeping children safe and keeping families intact. Differential response represents the most recent shift in child welfare practice to help address this tension, recognizing that families differ in their level of risk and needed response. However, the impact of this program for not only families, but also state governments, is only partially understood.
Correlations between environmental salinity levels, blood biochemistry parameters, and steroid hormones in wild juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabit freshwater wetlands that are vulnerable to salinization caused by anthropogenic alterations to freshwater flow, in addition to storm surges, sea level rise, and droughts. Salinization of coastal freshwater habitats is a growing concern in a changing climate due to increased frequency and intensity of storm surges and drought conditions. This study opportunistically sampled juvenile male and female wild alligators in various salinities each month excluding November, December, and January for one year at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in coastal Louisiana. Blood plasma biochemistry parameters including electrolyte levels were subsequently measured. In addition, levels of various renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system hormones, glucocorticoids, androgens, estrogens, and progestogens were analyzed using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Only males were sampled in hyperosmotic environments (> 10‰) during dry conditions in late summer 2018. In juvenile males, plasma Na+, Cl-, and the progestogen 17α,20β-dihydroxypregnenone were significantly and positively correlated with environmental salinity. However, variation in glucocorticoids, androgens, and estrogens were not associated with hypersaline water while sex steroids showed significant seasonal variation. This study demonstrated significant correlation of environmental salinity with electrolyte levels and a sex steroid in wild juvenile alligators, and to our knowledge represents the first measurement of 17α,20β-dihydroxypregnenone in alligators.
Predicting the timing of marital dissolution for long-time married couples by dyadic variables

v INTRODUCTION 1 LITERATURE REVIEW 3 METHODS AND MEASUREMENTS 34 RESULTS 62 DISCUSSION 105 APPENDIX A: MEASURES USED IN THE STUDY 115 APPENDIX B: SAS OUTPUT FOR KAPLAN-MEIER ESTIMATES 117 REFERENCES 121
Property, Persona, and Preservation

The intellectual property system has fostered many debates including recent ones regarding how the system affects access to knowledge. Yet, before one can access, one must preserve. Two interconnected problems posed by the growth of online creation illustrate the problem. First, unlike analog creations, important digital creations such as emails and word processed documents are mediated and controlled by second parties. Thus although these creations are core intellectual property, they are not treated as such. Service providers and software makers terminate or deny access to people's digital property all the time. In addition, when one dies, some service providers refuse to grant heirs access to this property. The uneven and unclear management of these creations means that society will lose access to perhaps the greatest chronicling of human experience ever. Accordingly, this paper investigates and sets forth the theoretical foundations to explain why and how society should preserve this property. In so doing the Paper finds that a second problem, which can be understood as one of control, arises. This Paper is the first in a series of works aimed at investigating the nature and extent of control one may have and/or exert over a work. As such this Paper begins the project by examining the normative theories behind creators', heirs' and society's interests in the works. All three groups have interests in preservation, but the basis for the claims differs. In addition, an examination of the theoretical basis for these claims shows that the nature of the attention economy in conjunction with labor-based and persona-based property theories support the position that in life a creator has strong claims for control over her intangible creations. Yet, the paper finds that historical and literary theory combined with recent economic theory as advanced by Professors Brett Frischmann and Mark Lemley regarding spillovers and positive externalities generated by access to ideas and information reveal two points. First, these views support the need for better preservation of digital, intellectual property insofar as they are infrastructure and have the potential for spillover effects. Second, although the creator may be best placed to manage and exert control of the works at issue, once the creator dies literary, historical, and economic theory show that the claims for control diminish if not vanish. The explication and implications of this second point are explored elsewhere. This Paper lays the groundwork for seeing that creators may need and have powerful claims for access and control over their works but that these same claims are necessarily limited by an understanding of the nature of creation and creative systems. The dividing line falls between life and death. The life and death distinction that this Paper offers seeks to balance creators' interests in control over a work and society's interests in fostering later expressions and creations of new works. This Paper examines the life side of the line.
High Rise Building Column Design

The building column design procedure should take into account the effect of frame instability. This effect can be considered by use of the effective lengths of the columns or by application of P-Delta forces. For a selected class of frames and loadings, the effect of frame instability may be ignored. Use of the effective length of columns is a reliable procedure provided that satisfactory approximations of the effective lengths of the columns can be calculated. These calculations must consider any nonsymmetry of building properties and loads, material yielding, connection flexibility, and support conditions. Application of P-Delta forces is an approximate, direct, working stress design procedure applicable to both regular and irregular frames in combination with possible complimentary bracing systems. The approximation has been verfied for a limited class of structures and use of a conservative factor of safety is recommended. Selected frames and limitations for which instability effects can be ignored are summarized.
Role of endothelial connexin 43 during recovery from lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury in rats (LB784)

We showed endothelial Cx43 gap junctions mediate permeability in lung microvessels. However, whether Cx43 gap junctions modulate lung microvessel permeability during recovery from an inflammatory i...
Hormonal control of spermatogenesis in Hirudo medicinalis. II. Testicular response to brain removal during the phase of testicular maturity.

Abstract Brain removal from leeches during the phase of testicular maturity has three results: (1) A sharp decrease in intermediate stages (stages 2 and 3) of spermatogenesis; (2) a general decrease in total numbers of sperm clusters of all stages in the testes; and (3) an increase in the numbers of amoebocytes present in the testes. The first symptom is restored to normal by injections of brain macerates and is suggested to be a specific effect of lack of a brain gonadotropin. The second and third symptoms are only partially remedied by brain injections and are present in all operated control animals as well. Although they may be induced, in part, by the lack of a brain gonadotropin, it is suggested that they are mainly due to the loss of food reserves resulting from the operative procedures. The brain gonadotropin appears to exert its primary effect upon a single stage of spermatogenesis, having weaker effects upon earlier and later stages. Differential cluster counts, as well as quantitative protein, acid phosphatase, and succinic dehydrogenase assay procedures were carried out in arriving at the above conclusions.
Constructing Semantically Scalable Cognitive Spaces

This paper describes a technique for creating generalizable depictions of cognitive spaces from natural language documents, and presents a Web-based system that uses this procedure to visualize structure in geographic discourse. We implement a concept abstraction routine that leverages a lexical ontology to infer the semantics of discussion terms at increasing levels of generalization. A Web discussion medium that uses the Delphi method to guide geographic discourse serves as the framework from which concept structures are elicited. Delphi discussants explore these structures using two Web-enabled visualization schemes: Self-Organizing Maps and concept graphs. These visualization tools rely on a set of concept similarity measures tailored to conceptual information at multiple levels of abstraction. The cognitive spaces produced using this system can reveal key themes in a domain, and can help guide the creation of domain ontologies. We apply these tools to explore concept structures in the field of human-environment interaction.
Knowledge based data center capacity reduction using sensitivity analysis on causal Bayesian belief network

Studies on data center capacity planning, maintenance, and reorganization have been of interest to all its stakeholders since the data centers were first instituted. Recent study shows that data center costs contribute to nearly 25% of all information technology budgets in a company. Several methodologies have been adopted for strategic data center capacity reduction such as dynamic shutdown, virtualization, and logical partitions. The greatest challenge around data center capacity reduction is an approach that captures all data center variables and allows for strategic reduction in capacity while minimizing risks.This paper uses causal Bayesian Belief Network to represent data center capacity planning decision process. It encapsulates three areas that influence the data center demand. These areas include market conditions, development process, and internal business decisions. The approach uses sensitivity analysis to narrow down the factors that influence the decision process the most while providing an opportunity, if one exists, to also reduce unused data center capacity. An iterative approach was applied to develop a causal Bayesian Belief Network, to carry out decisions at each stage, and to collect sensitivity values. Training data was simulated using Geometric Brownian motion generated through Monte-Carlo simulation. The Bayesian belief network itself was designed using Netica.
Wave Functions in One-Dimensional Disordered Systems with Long-Range Hopping

The properties of the electronic states of disordered quantum systems are of considerable interest to solid state physicists. Most of the known exact results are for one-dimensional systems and in this case it has been established under quite general conditions that all eigenstates are localized. A review of this work has been given by Ishii.1 Most of the discussions of this problem consider particular solutions of the stationary Schrodinger equation, i.e., solutions for given energy with boundary conditions prescribed on one edge of the system, and show that the solution grows exponentially with probability unity. It is then argued2 that eigenstates for a long but finite system occur at those energies where an exponentially growing wave function on the left can be matched to an exponentially growing function from the right. In this way a localized state is constructed which decays exponentially away from some central region.
Thermo-Hydraulics of Nuclear Reactors

This book provides a concise and up-to-date summary of the essential thermo-hydraulic analyses and design principles of nuclear reactors for electricity generation. Beginning with the basic nuclear physics, it leads through technical and quantitative analyses to descriptions of both the normal operation of the various modern nuclear reactor designs and the analyses of the possible departures from normal operation. It then describes both the postulated accident scenarios and summaries of the causes for the three major nuclear power generation accidents, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima, as well as the major improvements to reactor safety that grew out of those analyses and accidents.
Neurons at the extremes of cell biology.

Neurons are the pedestals of human consciousness, yet from a cell biological view they are little more than specialized epithelia. Indeed, as highlighted in the “Neuronal Development and Degeneration” Minisymposium, neurons inhabit conventional cell biology at an extreme: in their diversity of cell types, the specificity of their cell–cell junctions and cell–cell signaling, their degree of asymmetric polarization, their rate and volume of membrane traffic, the size and stability of their cytoskeletal assemblies, and their metabolic activity and ion flux. This extreme lifestyle requires extreme upkeep and, although neurons can be extreme in their longevity, if any of the above processes are compromised then neurodegenerative diseases can ensue. This session highlighted what can be learned by studying cell biology at the extremes, beginning with neuronal development and ending in studies of neurodegenerative disease.
Quadratic risk domination of restricted least squares estimators via Stein-ruled auxiliary constraints

Abstract This paper develops an estimator that under the standard assumption of the General Linear Model, including normality of disturbances, can be designed to dominate the Restricted Least Squares estimator in quadratic risk under very general conditions. The domination is achieved for any choice of symmetric positive definite weighting matrix used in defining the quadratic risk function, regardless of the correctness of the constraints used to define the restricted least squares estimator. The general problem conditions under which the estimator exists, and the risk behavior of the estimator over the parameter space are identified.
SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS OF LOW‐FAT GROUND BEEF PATTIES FORMULATED WITH WAXY HULL‐LESS BARLEY

Texture characteristics and acceptability of 90/10 (percentage lean/percentage fat) ground beef patties formulated with 10% hydrated, cracked waxy hull-less barley were profiled by two types of sensory panels. A panel trained in ground beef texture analysis found beef-barley patties to be more juicy and soft, and less chewy and crumbly than 90/10 and 80/20 samples. An untrained consumer panel rated the beef barley samples as acceptable in appearance, flavor, and texture as an 80/20 formulation, and more acceptable in all three attributes than 90/10 ground beef patties.
Gadolinium-DTPA-dextran: a macromolecular MR blood pool contrast agent.

Rationale and objectives Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging blood pool agents offer numerous advantages for vascular and tumor imaging. The purpose of this study was to test gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate-dextran ([Gd]DTPA-dextran) as a new water soluble macromolecular blood pool agent for MR imaging. Materials and methods [Gd]DTPA-dextran (187 gadolinium atoms per dextran, molecular weight 165 kD, diameter 17.6 nm) was synthesized. Fifteen anesthetized New Zealand White rabbits with thigh VX2 tumors were scanned in a knee coil at 1.5T. Coronal 3D MR angiographic sequences were obtained before and at several time points up to 72 hours after the intravenous bolus injection of [Gd]DTPA-dextran providing gadolinium at either 0.05 (n = 4) or 0.1 mmol/kg (n = 8) or [Gd]DTPA-bismethylamide (BMA) providing gadolinium at 0.1 mmol/kg (n = 3). Time enhancement curves for aorta, cava, and tumor rim were compared by univariate General Linear Model. Results Contrast enhancement of cava and aorta relative to a water phantom were significantly greater at all time points after either dose of [Gd]DTPA-dextran than after [Gd]DTPA-BMA (P Conclusion [Gd]DTPA-dextran is a new macromolecular MR contrast agent that can be synthesized to carry a high density of gadolinium atoms without intra-molecular cross-linking. It provides significantly greater vascular residence time than a conventional gadolinium chelate and shows promise for MR blood pool imaging.
Synthesis of a cryptand with tetrahedral connectivity using multiple ring-closing olefin metathesis

By connecting six terminal olefins sequentially in one molecule under metathesis conditions, three macrocycles were formed efficiently in one pot yielding a novel cryptand with tetrahedral connectivity.
Stacking faults by low-temperature cold work in copper and alpha brass☆

Abstract In a f.c.c. metal, deformation stacking faults on the (111) planes produce peak shifts, and twin faults produce peak asymmetries. In addition, both kinds of faults contribute to the particle size broadening. Samples of o.f.h.c. copper were filed under liquid nitrogen and measured at −160°C. Under these conditions pure copper shows a probability for deformation faulting comparable to that of 80-20 brass filed at room temperature, and a probability for twin faulting. The faults anneal out rapidly at room temperature. Samples of a brass were filed under liquid nitrogen and measured at either −160°C or at room temperature. The probabilty of faulting increases with increasing Zn content and is appreciably greater if filed at liquid-nitrogen temperature than if filed at room temperature.
Simultaneous rapid estimation of sedimentation coefficient and molecular weight.

Data obtained from the early portion of sedimentation velocity experiments may be analyzed to simultaneously estimate both s and s/D. The C versus r data obtained are analyzed using a nonlinear least squares algorithm and an approximate solution to the Lamm equation. This procedure was tested both with simulated noisy data and with experimental data obtained using ribonuclease, ovalbumin, and somatostatin·dodecylsulfate. The procedure assumes that both s and D are independent of concentration. The results suggest that optimal estimation of both s and s/D is obtained at values of ϵ(= 2D/(s·ω2·ra2)) in the range of 0.002 to 0.01 and values of τ(= 2 sω2t) less than 0.04. Appropriate selection of rotor speed allows the estimation of both s and s/D for nearly globular macromolecules in the range of 104 to 106 daltons with data obtained during the first 3000–5000 seconds of a sedimentation velocity experiment.
Parenchymal imaging adds diagnostic utility in evaluating haematuria.

OBJECTIVE To compare the findings of renal ultrasonography (US) in the evaluation of patients with and with no haematuria. The increased use of cross-sectional imaging and US has led to a dramatic improvement in the diagnosis of renal masses, such that computed tomography and/or US have been integrated into the diagnostic evaluation of haematuria, and many more incidental renal lesions are now detected. Thus it is possible that the lesions identified during evaluation for haematuria are incidental, i.e. identified serendipitously, and unrelated to the haematuria. PATIENTS AND METHODS We retrospectively compared the US findings obtained from 301 patients referred for new-onset haematuria to those obtained from 600 patients being evaluated for other than urological reasons. All imaging and patient charts were reviewed to verify the clinical and radiological data. RESULTS Haematuria was associated with all renal abnormalities, with an odds ratio (OR, 95% confidence interval) of 4.7 (3.6-7.3). Importantly, haematuria was associated with a renal mass, with an OR of 6.7 (2.8-16.3). Subset analysis revealed that patients with macroscopic and microscopic haematuria had significantly more renal abnormalities (OR 4.7, 2.7-8.2, and 5.3, 3.2-8.8, respectively) and renal masses (OR 7.3, 2.7-20.3, and 6.5, 2.3-18.6, respectively) than controls. CONCLUSIONS Both macroscopic and microscopic haematuria are associated with a greater risk of identifying renal lesions. This supports the conclusion that the renal lesions identified with modern imaging techniques during the evaluation of both microscopic and macroscopic haematuria are not serendipitous.
Correlation of Plain Radiographic Indices of the Hip with Quantitative Bone Mineral Density

Radiographic parameters of the hip can be useful as an indication of bone mineral density at the femoral neck. Measurements available from routine hip radiographs were correlated with DXA values. Although radiographs are not a test for osteoporosis, measurements of cortical thickness provide information useful for referral for osteoporosis assessment. Plain hip radiographs are widely used for evaluation of hip pathology in osteoarthritis. A purpose of this study was to determine whether there are relationships between radiographic parameters of bone structure and bone mineral density T-scores, as assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Pre-operative radiographs of 32 postmenopausal, osteoarthritic women undergoing hip arthroplasty were evaluated. Radiographic parameters including the Singh index, Dorr classification, canal-to-calcar ratio, and cortical thickness indices (CTI) were measured and compared with T-score, serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D levels, body mass index (BMI), and body weight. The T-score at the femoral neck for type C bone was significantly lower than that of type A (p = 0.041). The CTIs were correlated positively with T-scores for anteroposterior radiographs (r = 0.5814, p = 0.0005), and for lateral radiographs (r = 0.571, p = 0.0006). A threshold for lateral CTI set at a value of ≤0.40 results in sensitivity of 0.85 and specificity of 0.79 to segregate the osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic patients. Femurs with small radiographic cortical thickness indices had lower T-scores. Finding a radiographic hip cortical thickness index (LAT) with a value of ≤0.40 should be an alert for referral for osteoporosis evaluation and bone mineral density testing.
Zero-Flux Plane Kinetics at Multicomponent Interfaces

Zero flux planes (ZFP's) are the locations in a diffusion couple where fluxes of individual components vanish. The conditions required for developing ZFP's between interdiffusing multicomponent alloys are now well understood through the works of Dayananda and Morral. In this paper we analyze the kinetics of multicomponent diffusion near ZFP's. In contrast to the usual mixing that occurs between end-member alloys in a diffusion couple, where the average component compositions are approached through “global” exchange of atoms, the presence of a stationary ZFP requires instead that mixing of the blocked component occurs through the release of a pair of coupled diffusion waves. In classical (thick) couples these waves spread symmetrically away from the Matano plane. The wave pair consists of a “depletion” wave that reduces the blocked component concentration in the component-rich alloy, and a conjugate “repletion” wave that increases the concentration in the adjacent component-poor alloy. Curiously, each of these waves establishes the average (equilibrium) concentration unilaterally on either side of the Matano plane. A stationary ZFP precludes net transport of one component across the Matano plane—a circumstance that has practical and theoretically interesting implications for the design of stable multicomponent films and coatings that must resist diffusive loss of a component.
Capsule Commentary on Radin, Pitfalls in Hemoglobin A1c Measurement: When Results May Be Misleading

The measurement of hemoglobin A1c (A1c) is the most common method used to determine glycemic control and is an important predictor of microvascular complications in patients with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.1,2 Additionally, in 2010, the measurement of A1c was added as a criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes (A1c levels ≥ 6.5 % indicate diabetes).3 Because of the importance of this laboratory test in both the diagnosis and management of patients with diabetes, it is essential that health care providers recognize the factors that can lead to inaccurate and misleading results. In this issue, Radin discusses in detail the potential pitfalls of A1c measurements and also provides guidance on how the clinician can use alternative tests to determine glycemic control.4 The level of A1c is dependent on both the concentration of plasma glucose and the duration of exposure of hemoglobin to glucose.5 Thus, one major artifact of A1c measurements is changes in the half-life of red blood cells (RBC). Disorders that lead to an increased percentage of older RBCs, such as iron deficiency anemia, B12 or folate deficiency, or asplenia, artifactually elevate A1c levels. Conversely, disorders that shorten RBC life span, such as hemolytic anemia, blood loss, and splenomegaly, artifactually lower A1c levels. Patients with end-stage renal disease typically have falsely low A1c levels, due to a decrease in RBC lifespan. Similarly, during pregnancy, RBC lifespan is decreased leading to decreased A1c levels. Finally, hemoglobin variants can result in artifactually increased or decreased A1c levels, depending on the specific variant and the method used to measure A1c levels. In the article by Radin, more complete information on the variety of factors that can alter A1c measurements is provided. It is important to recognize that there are other methods for determining glycemic control, including measuring fructosamine, glycated albumin, 1,5-anhydroglucitrol, and continuous glucose monitoring. In patients with disorders that affect A1c measurements, these alternative tests are useful for determining glycemic control. Additionally, these alternative tests are very helpfu when home blood glucose measurements and A1c levels are discordant.
Long-Term Stability of Individual Differences in the Emotional Responsiveness of Children with Autism

The results of two studies designed to investigate the short- and long-term stability of autistic children's responsiveness to displays of negative emotions in others are reported here. In the first study we measured the attention and behavioural responses of 22 autistic children to another's distress about a year and a half after initial assessments in a similar situation. In the second study, the children were re-assessed in two affective contexts over 5 years after initial testing. Individual differences in early responses to affect predicted affective responsiveness at each follow-up. Emotional responsiveness was positively associated with concurrent cognitive skills at each point of assessment. Furthermore, autistic children discriminated between affective and non-affective contexts when this discrimination was tested at the second follow-up.