cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Syntroph diversity and abundance in anaerobic digestion revealed through a comparative core microbiome approach

Anaerobic digestion is an important biotechnology treatment process for conversion of waste to energy. In this study, a comparative core microbiome approach, i.e., determining taxa that are shared in functioning digesters but not shared in non-functioning digesters, was used to determine microbial taxa that could play key roles for effective anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digester functions were impaired by adding the broad-spectrum antimicrobial triclosan (TCS) or triclocarban (TCC) at different concentrations, and the core microbiomes in both functioning and non-functioning anaerobic digesters were compared. Digesters treated with high (2500 mg/kg) or medium (450 mg/kg) TCS and high (850 mg/kg) TCC concentrations lost their function, i.e., methane production decreased, effluent volatile fatty acid concentrations increased, and pH decreased. Changes in microbial community diversity and compositions were assessed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Microbial richness decreased significantly in non-functioning digesters (p < 0.001). Microbial community compositions in non-functioning digesters significantly differed from those in functioning digesters (p = 0.001, ANOSIM). Microbes identified as potentially key taxa included previously known fatty acid-degrading syntrophs and amino acid-degrading syntrophs. A diverse group of syntrophs detected in this study had low relative abundance in functioning digesters, suggesting the importance of rare microbes in anaerobic digester operation. The comparative microbiome approach used in this study can be applied to other microbial systems where a community-driven biological phenomena can be observed directly.
Vapor-phase photochemistry of dimethylpyridines

Irradiation of dimethylpyridine vapors (2−5 Torr) at 254 nm results in the formation of two sets of isomerization products. One set, formed in the larger yield, is substantially quenched when the irradiations are carried out in the presence of 15−21 Torr of nitrogen and is not formed when the irradiations are carried out with light of λ > 290 nm. In addition, a second set of reactions, which involve the interconversion of 2,3- and 2,5-dimethylpyridines, is enhanced by the addition of nitrogen, and these reactions are the only photoisomerization reactions observed when the irradiations are carried out with light of λ > 290 nm. In addition to the photoisomerizations, four of the dimethylpyridines also undergo demethylation to yield monomethylpyridines, and 2,6-dimethylpyridine undergoes methylation to yield a trimethylpyridine product. A variety of crossover experiments confirmed that the photoisomerizations are intramolecular. Based on the major phototransposition products, the six dimethylpyridines can be...
Stiffness and Membrane Anchor Density Modulate DNA-Nanospring-Induced Vesicle Tubulation.

DNA nanotechnology provides an avenue for the construction of rationally designed artificial assemblages with well-defined and tunable architectures. Shaped to mimic natural membrane-deforming prot...
Using machine learning to analyze air traffic management actions: Ground delay program case study

Abstract We model the impact of weather and arrival demand on ground delay program (GDP) incidence. We use Support Vector Machine (SVM) to analyze how regional convective weather affects GDP incidence and find the impact depends on both distance and direction of convective activity from the airport. We then train and compare the performance of logistic regression (LR) and random forest (RF) in predicting GDP incidence using an SVM-generated regional weather variable, local weather and arrival demand. Generally, RF outperforms LR. Convective weather is the most important factor in predicting GDP incidence at Atlanta International Airport (ATL), while arrival demand has greater impact for the other airports studied. We also examined model transferability across different airports. Lastly, we build GDP duration prediction models to enable a user to assess how long a GDP is likely to continue, if it is in effect in a given hour.
Cell division Rate Controls Cell Shape Remodeling in Epithelia

Abstract Epithelia have distinct cellular architectures, which are established in development, re-established after wounding, and maintained during tissue homeostasis despite cell turnover and mechanical perturbations. In turn, cell shape also controls tissue function as a regulator of cell differentiation, proliferation, and motility. Here we investigate cell shape changes in a model epithelial monolayer. After the onset of confluence, cells continue to divide and change shape over time, eventually leading to a final steady state characterized by arrested motion and more regular cell shapes. Such monolayer remodeling is robust, with qualitatively similar changes in cell shape and dynamics observed in a variety of conditions. However, quantitative differences in monolayer remodeling dynamics reveal underlying order parameters controlling epithelial architecture. For instance, for monolayers formed atop extracellular matrix with varied stiffness, the cell density varies significantly but the relationship between cell shape and motility remain similar. In contrast, pharmacological perturbations can alter the cell shape at which their motility is arrested. Remarkably, across all of these experimental conditions the final cell shape is well correlated to the cell division rate. Furthermore, inhibition of the cell cycle immediately arrests both cell motility and shape change, demonstrating that active stress from cell divisions contributes significantly to monolayer remodeling. Thus, the architecture and mechanics of epithelial tissue can arise from an interplay between cell mechanics and stresses arising from cell division.
Racial and ethnic differences in genetic counseling experiences and outcomes in the United States: A systematic review

As genetic counseling services expand and reach a wider catchment of the population, there is a critical need to better understand the impact of services on a greater diversity of patients. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate genetic counseling experiences and outcomes among racial and ethnic minorities. Six databases extracted articles published from 2005 to 2019 that assessed genetic counseling participation, knowledge and awareness, motivators, barriers, perceptions, and outcomes for racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. Genetic counseling outcomes were categorized using the Framework for Outcomes of Clinical commUnication Services. A total of 1,227 abstracts were identified, of which 23 papers met inclusion criteria. Results suggest the possibility of racial and ethnic differences in some genetic counseling experiences and outcomes but noted differences were not adequately replicated between studies. The few included studies differed greatly in aims, methods, and results, which made comparison across study designs challenging and effectively barred thematic analysis. Additional research is needed that includes more study populations and settings with patients of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, as well as more structured study designs that allow for elucidations of differences between White and non-White populations.
21 – Dynamic Analysis

Publisher Summary Dynamic analysis is another technique used to evaluate the capacity of a pile, although presently many engineers prefer to use static analysis. Dynamic analysis is based on pile-driving data. Many dynamic equations are available, but their accuracy has been debated. The most popular formulas are: Engineering News Formula, Danish Formula, and Hiley's Formula. Dynamic formulas are better suited for cohesion-less soils. In addition to neglecting the time-dependent aspect, pile dynamic formulas also ignore soil parameters and pile type.
Fragile Masculinity: Men, Gender, and Online Harassment

Harassment is a persistent problem in contemporary online environments, with women disproportionately experiencing its most severe forms. While critical scholars posit that online gender harassment may be linked to men's anxieties about fulfilling normative masculine gender roles, this relationship has not been examined by empirical research. We survey 264 young men between the ages of 18-24 about their masculinity anxieties and their perceptions of harassment directed at a woman on Twitter. We find that men who perceive themselves as less masculine than average men report higher endorsement of harassment. Further, we find that the relationship between masculinity anxieties and harassment endorsement is mediated by men's adherence to masculine norms and toxic disinhibition. We interpret these results through the lens of social media's specific affordances, and we discuss their implications for technology designers and other practitioners who wish to better detect, prevent, and remediate online harassment by accounting for the role of gender.
Characterization and rheology of platelet-rich plasma

Blood-derived products, particularly platelet-rich plasma (PRP), have received increased attention in the past several years due to their great potential as a therapy for osteoarthritis and tendon injuries. Therefore, characterizing the mechanical properties of PRP becomes important to better understand its therapeutic efficacy. This paper aims to investigate the rheological properties of PRP in order to provide further insight into its mechanism of action. The PRP samples in our study may have higher erythrocyte count than the average PRP reported in the literature. Flow-sweep, small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS), large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS), and thixotropy tests have been performed at room and physiological temperatures to characterize the non-Newtonian properties of PRP samples. Flow-sweep tests reveal shear-thinning behavior, with higher apparent viscosity observed at a lower temperature. Rheological models such as Carreau, Casson, power-law, and Herschel–Bulkley have been fitted to flow-sweep data with the latter showing the closest agreement. Over the acceptable narrow range of frequency in SAOS tests, the loss modulus appears to be slightly larger than the storage modulus with both moduli decreasing at higher temperature. The nonlinear viscoelastic properties are furthermore quantified through the static and dynamic LAOS analyses. For a given strain and angular frequency, the former identifies strain-softening and shear-thinning, while the latter discloses a range of other transient behavior within an oscillation cycle. Lastly, peak-hold tests have revealed consistent thixotropy in PRP solutions.
Mobile Sensor-Based Fall Detection Framework

Fall is a major concern among elderly population. Accidental fall if unattended for long time, may lead to severe injuries and disability. Prompt detection of fall is an important research problem, particularly in the homecare settings for elderly citizens, where not enough service providers are available to monitor their health and welfare daily. There are some available fall detection approaches, however, they are either expensive or the accuracy of fall detection is not satisfactory. In this paper, we develop a low cost fall detection framework using Android phone's built in sensors with the goal of detecting fall and notifying to emergency responders. We generate a dataset and train 3 popular machine learning algorithms to detect fall events: Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes and Neural Network. Our study shows the performance comparison of the learning algorithms. The evaluation results show that our approach can successfully detect fall and neural network-based technique can perform better than other learning techniques.
Safely Reopening K-12 Schools During the COVID-19 Pandemic

ABSTRACT Early school closures were a consistent, nationwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March due to the role that children play in spreading influenza. This left us with limited understanding of COVID-19 transmission in children until several states reopened schools for the 2020-2021 school year. While early school closures were likely beneficial in protecting children in the initial stages of the pandemic in the U.S., long-term closures pose significant cumulative effects in children who rely on schools for instruction and additional social services, and for parents who need to balance work and childcare obligations. Reopening schools safely is a high priority for many interested stakeholders. Proposed in-person school reopening plans include traditional, 100% school capacity, five days per week instruction, hybrid scenarios with reduced in-person instruction and virtual learning, and various reduced school capacity schedules with non-pharmaceutical interventions in place. To assess the potential impacts of different reopening plans, we created a modified SIR-type transmission model that captures multiple known pathways of COVID-19 transmission in a 100,000-person community. Our results show that plans that utilize consecutive days in school and divide students into separated smaller cohorts who attend school together, as well as plans that emphasize distance learning, are better able to suppress disease spread and reduce risk from an introduced infective into the community. Plans with more consecutive school days are protective for both the schoolchildren and surrounding community by acting to separate the larger intermixing population into smaller intermixing subpopulations. The “Five-Day Switch” plan, which separates students into two cohorts, each of whom attend in-person learning for five consecutive days followed by five days of distance learning, best captures these protective attributes. All modeled plans assumed initially disease-free communities and that children’s interactions with the community are greatly reduced during instructional days, both for in-person and distance learning.
“I Want to Reclaim Christianity”: Boundary Work among Inclusive Christians

Members of religious groups in the United States engage in boundary work to maintain distinct identities, but we know little about how inclusive Christians navigate the exclusionary aspects of boun...
Specificity of Molecular Fragments Binding to S100B versus S100A1 as Identified by NMR and Site Identification by Ligand Competitive Saturation (SILCS).

S100B, a biomarker of malignant melanoma, interacts with the p53 protein and diminishes its tumor suppressor function, which makes this S100 family member a promising therapeutic target for treating malignant melanoma. However, it is a challenge to design inhibitors that are specific for S100B in melanoma versus other S100-family members that are important for normal cellular activities. For example, S100A1 is most similar in sequence and structure to S100B, and this S100 protein is important for normal skeletal and cardiac muscle function. Therefore, a combination of NMR and computer aided drug design (CADD) was used to initiate the design of specific S100B inhibitors. Fragment-based screening by NMR, also termed “SAR by NMR,” is a well-established method, and was used to examine spectral perturbations in 2D [1H, 15N]-HSQC spectra of Ca2+-bound S100B and Ca2+-bound S100A1, side-by-side, and under identical conditions for comparison. Of the 1000 compounds screened, two were found to be specific for binding Ca2+-bound S100A1 and four were found to be specific for Ca2+-bound S100B, respectively. The NMR spectral perturbations observed in these six data sets were then used to model how each of these small molecule fragments showed specificity for one S100 versus the other using a CADD approach termed Site Identification by Ligand Competitive Saturation (SILCS). In summary, the combination of NMR and computational approaches provided insight into how S100A1 versus S100B bind small molecules specifically, which will enable improved drug design efforts to inhibit elevated S100B in melanoma. Such a fragment-based approach can be used generally to initiate the design of specific inhibitors for other highly homologous drug targets.
The role of scapholunate interosseous, dorsal intercarpal, and radiolunate ligaments in wrist biomechanics.

Abstract Rupture to wrist ligaments predisposes the joint to degenerative changes. Scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) rupture, especially when compounded by dorsal intercarpal ligament (DIC) and long radiolunate ligament (LRL) disruption, can cause carpal bone kinematic abnormalities. It is essential to delineate the role of these ligaments and their constraints on wrist range-of-motion (ROM) and center of rotation (COR). Wrist ROM and COR location were determined in 9 specimens using a six degree-of-freedom robotic musculoskeletal simulator in 24 directions of wrist motion for four experimental conditions: intact, and after sequential sectioning of the SLIL, DIC, and LRL. Sectioning the SLIL alone did not change wrist ROM in any direction (p > 0.10), while sectioning the SLIL and both the DIC and LRL caused significant increases in radial deviation, radial-extension, and ulnar-flexion ROM (p
Model of Deep Nonvolcanic Tremor Part I: Ambient and Triggered Tremor

There is evidence of triggering of tremor by seismic waves emanating from distant large earthquakes. The frequency content of triggered and ambient tremor are largely identical, suggesting that tremor does not depend directly on the nature of the source. We show here that the model of plate dynamics developed earlier by us is an appropriate tool for describing the onset of tremor. In the framework of this model, tremor is an internal response of a fault to failure triggered by external disturbances. The model predicts generation of radiation in a frequency range defined by the fault parameters. Other specific features predicted are: (1) the upper limit of the size of the emitting area is a few dozen kilometers; (2) tremor accompanies earthquakes and aseismic slip; (3) the frequency content of tremor depends on the type of failure. The model also explains why a tremor has no clear impulsive phase, in contrast to earthquakes. A comparatively small effective normal stress (hence a high fluid pressure) is required to make the model consistent with observed tremor parameters. Our model indicates that tremor is not necessarily a superposition of low‐frequency earthquakes, as commonly assumed, although the latter may trigger tremor. The approach developed complements the conventional viewpoint, which assumes that tremor reflects a frictional process with low‐rupture speed. Essentially our model adds the hypothesis that resonant‐type oscillations exist inside a fault. This addition may change our understanding of the nature of tremor in general and the methods of its identification and location in particular.
Learning to Infer Shape Programs Using Self Training.

Inferring programs which generate 2D and 3D shapes is important for reverse engineering, editing, and more. Training such inference models is challenging due to the lack of paired (shape, program) data in most domains. A popular approach is to pre-train a model on synthetic data and then fine-tune on real shapes using slow, unstable reinforcement learning. In this paper, we argue that self-training is a viable alternative for fine-tuning such models. Self-training is a semi-supervised learning paradigm where a model assigns pseudo-labels to unlabeled data, and then retrains with (data, pseudo-label) pairs as the new ground truth. We show that for constructive solid geometry and assembly-based modeling, self-training outperforms state-of-the-art reinforcement learning approaches. Additionally, shape program inference has a unique property that circumvents a potential downside of self-training (incorrect pseudo-label assignment): inferred programs are executable. For a given shape from our distribution of interest $\mathbf{x}^*$ and its predicted program $\mathbf{z}$, one can execute $\mathbf{z}$ to obtain a shape $\mathbf{x}$ and train on $(\mathbf{z}, \mathbf{x})$ pairs, rather than $(\mathbf{z}, \mathbf{x}^*)$ pairs. We term this procedure latent execution self training (LEST). We demonstrate that self training infers shape programs with higher shape reconstruction accuracy and converges significantly faster than reinforcement learning approaches, and in some domains, LEST can further improve this performance.
Fractal Intersections and Products via Algorithmic Dimension

Algorithmic fractal dimensions quantify the algorithmic information density of individual points and may be defined in terms of Kolmogorov complexity. This work uses these dimensions to bound the c...
Intravenous Morphine Is Not Associated with Adverse Outcomes in Acute Coronary Syndrome: a Retrospective Review

Traditional teaching has advocated for morphine in the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS); however, recent data has called this into question. Previous data, though, has been riddled with bias. We sought to compare exposure to morphine versus other opioids and its effect on mortality and adverse outcomes in patients with ACS. We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who presents to our emergency department for ACS and received a cardiac stent. Exposure of interest was receipt of narcotics and type, route, and dose of narcotics received prior to cardiac catheterization. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcome was a composite of in-hospital heart failure, hypotension, or dysrhythmia. We included 118 visits from 64 unique patients, of which 19 received morphine, 5 received fentanyl, 7 received oral opioids, and 88 received no opioids. There was no difference in mortality or adverse outcomes between patients receiving IV morphine (4.2%) or IV fentanyl (0%) but there was an increased mortality in patients receiving oral opioids (28.6%) compared to no opioids (4.5%) and an increase adverse outcome in patients receiving IV morphine (68.4%) versus no opioids (36.4%). Our limited-size study demonstrated that receipt of IV morphine is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes compared to not receiving opioids; however, there is no significant difference in adverse outcomes comparing morphine to other opioids. Our data adds evidence to the theory that prior reports of morphine-associated adverse outcomes are likely biased and not necessarily related to intrinsic properties of morphine.
Giving Patrons What They Want

Research indicates that more Americans search the Internet for health information online than visit a health professional on an average day. For those utilizing the Web, the need for detailed, spec...
Microeconomics for MBAs: The Economic Way of Thinking for Managers

Now in its third edition, this textbook develops the economic way of thinking through problems that MBA students will find relevant to their career goals. Theory and mathematics are kept as simple as possible and illustrated with real-life scenarios. The textbook package includes online video tutorials on key concepts and complex arguments, and topics likely to be assessed in exams. The distinguished author team has developed this textbook over twenty years of teaching microeconomics to MBA students. Chapters are clearly structured to support learning: Part I of each chapter develops key economic principles, whilst Part II draws on those principles to discuss organizational and incentive issues in management and focuses on solving the 'principal-agent' problem to maximize the profitability of the firm - lessons that can be applied to problems MBA students will face in the future. Economics and management are treated equally; this unique textbook presents economics as part of the everyday thinking of business people.
Peroxynitrite rapidly permeates phospholipid membranes

Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is a potent oxidant implicated in a number of pathophysiological processes. The activity of ONOO− is related to its accessibility to biological targets before its spontaneous decomposition (t1/2 ≈ 1 s at pH 7.4, 37°C). Using model phospholipid vesicular systems and manganese porphyrins as reporter molecules, we demonstrated that ONOO− freely crosses phospholipid membranes. The calculated permeability coefficient for ONOO− is ≈8.0 × 10−4 cm⋅s−1, which compares well with that of water and is ≈400 times greater than that of superoxide. We suggest that ONOO− is a significant biological effector molecule not only because of its reactivity but also because of its high diffusibility.
Getting into the action

Using policy sciences in the federal government to create better public programs requires the right climate for analysis plus a good set of tactics for analysts to follow. The ideal climate includes close association between analysts and highest authorities, strong support from the top, the existence of expanding budgets and “promising discontinuities”—unusual events when the opportunity becomes ripe for dynamic change. Effective tactics for the policy science practitioner include staying in the “real conversations” where decisions are made, spreading the credit for findings, acquiring allies to support positions, winning early battles to prove their worth, and inviting intensive internal reviews. Suggestions on staffing and on choosing likely subjects so analysis can reap benefits, along with a list of dangers to avoid, conclude the paper. The points are illustrated with actual examples in the federal agencies.
Turbulence Dissipation in a Free-Surface Jet of Water and Its Effect on Local Impingement Heat Transfer From a Heated Surface: Part 2—Local Heat Transfer

This paper presents local heat transfer data for a planar, free-surface jet of water impinging normal on a uniformly heated surface. The hydrodynamic conditions of the jet were altered through the use of different nozzle types (parallel-plate and converging) and flow manipulators (wire grid and screens) to investigate the relationship between jet turbulence and local impingement heat transfer. The flow structures for each of the various nozzle conditions are reported in a companion paper (Wolf et al., 1995), and results are used in this paper to interpret their effect on local heat transfer. In addition to qualitative interpretations, correlations are developed for both the onset of transition to turbulence and the dimensionless convection coefficient at the stagnation point. Higher levels of jet turbulence are shown to induce transition to a turbulent boundary layer at smaller streamwise distances from the stagnation point. The effect of stream-wise turbulence intensity on the convection coefficient is shown to scale approximately as the one-quarter power.
Uncertain times for oral anticoagulation therapy.

In October 2004, FDA declined to approve the new drug application for ximelagatran. Ximelagatran, which is reviewed in this issue,[1][1] had been shown to be as effective as warfarin for at least three indications and offers several distinct advantages. Barriers to warfarin use include interactions
Colon preparation and surgical site infection

Abstract Background Colon preparation for elective colon resection to reduce surgical site infection (SSI) remains controversial. Methods A review of the published literature was undertaken to define evidence-based practices for colon preparation for elective colon resection. Results Seventy years of surgical literature has documented that mechanical bowel preparation alone does not reduce SSI. A body of clinical trials has documented the benefits of oral antibiotic bowel preparation compared with a placebo in the reduction of SSI. Clinical trials show the addition of the oral antibiotic bowel preparation to appropriate systemic preoperative preventive antibiotics provide the lowest rates of SSI. Conclusions Mechanical bowel preparation alone does not reduce rates of SSI, but oral antibiotic preparation and systemic preoperative antibiotics are superior when compared with systemic antibiotics alone. Additional clinical trials are necessary to define the best combined overall mechanical and oral antibiotic regimen for elective colon surgery.
FGF19 as a Postprandial, Insulin-Independent Activator of Hepatic Protein and Glycogen Synthesis

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 19 is an enterokine synthesized and released when bile acids are taken up into the ileum. We show that FGF19 stimulates hepatic protein and glycogen synthesis but does not induce lipogenesis. The effects of FGF19 are independent of the activity of either insulin or the protein kinase Akt and, instead, are mediated through a mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway that activates components of the protein translation machinery and stimulates glycogen synthase activity. Mice lacking FGF15 (the mouse FGF19 ortholog) fail to properly maintain blood concentrations of glucose and normal postprandial amounts of liver glycogen. FGF19 treatment restored the loss of glycogen in diabetic animals lacking insulin. Thus, FGF19 activates a physiologically important, insulin-independent endocrine pathway that regulates hepatic protein and glycogen metabolism.
Abstract C60: The integrative genomics viewer

Rapid improvements in next generation sequencing and array‐based profiling methods have created a paradigm shift in how scientists approach the study of the cancer genome. Projects such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) are harnessing these advances to probe the cancer genome at unprecedented resolution, generating comprehensively catalogs of the genetic alterations of hundreds of tumors. Visualization plays an important role in assimilating the large, muti‐modal datasets produced by TCGA and similar projects. To be maximally effective tools must flexibly integrate genomic, functional, and phenotypic data from a variety of platforms, and efficiently handle large datasets. To address these critical challenges we developed the Integrative Genomics Viewer (IGV), a flexible, scalable, high‐performance tool for the concurrent visualization of multiple large scale datasets. The IGV supports integrated views of any data type that can be mapped to genomic coordinates, including, but not limited to, next generation sequence data, copy number, gene expression, RNAi, ChIP‐seq, RNA‐seq, and genome annotations. Data can be annotated, filtered, grouped, and sorted according to clinical and phenotypic attributes. A particular strength of IGV is its ability to handle very large datasets, for example deep coverage sequence data from whole genome scans, or highresolution copy number data from thousands of samples, on standard desktop computers. IGV permits the user to move seamlessly across these datasets at any level of detail, and quickly zoom out to whole genome or drill down to base pair resolution. The ability to dynamically and flexibly integrate multiple data modalities and view them at any scale allows the user to elucidate complex biological relationships that would not otherwise be apparent. The IGV is freely available without restriction. It is currently under active development and use in The Cancer Genome Atlas, 1000 Genomes Project, and other large genomic projects. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(23 Suppl):C60.
Periodic contact problem of thermoelasticity for bodies with rough surfaces in local regions

We study the thermoelastic interaction of two isotropic half planes with periodically located rough regions on the boundary of one of these planes. The influence of asperities on the heat exchange between the bodies is taken into account by the contact thermal resistance, which is inversely proportional to the contact pressure on the boundaries of the bodies. We reduce the contact problem to a nonlinear singular integrodifferential equation and propose an iterative algorithm for its solution. The influence of the density and direction of heat flow on the contact parameters of the analyzed structures is investigated.
Split abdominal wall muscle flap repair vs patch repair of large congenital diaphragmatic hernias

Abstract Purpose Large congenital diaphragmatic hernias are commonly repaired with a prosthetic patch. We hypothesized that a split abdominal wall muscle flap would reduce the risk of recurrence. Methods A retrospective review of neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia in whom primary repair was not possible was performed. Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards modeling were performed. Results Of 153 patients, 46 could not have repair with primary closure of the diaphragm. Thirty-three survived to discharge and were subjected to analysis for recurrence. Ten underwent repair with a patch, whereas 23 had a muscle flap (internal oblique and transversalis) patch. The groups were similar with regard to demographics, need for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, repair on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, and size of the defect. Fifty percent of patch repairs recurred with a median time of 0.5 years. Only one (4.3%) of the patients who had muscle flap patch developed a recurrence. This was significant on Kaplan-Meier analysis ( P = .0009) and had a hazard ratio of 14.3 on Cox regression ( P = .018). Median follow-up exceeded 4 years. No children required surgery for an abdominal wall hernia. Conclusions The split abdominal wall muscle flap allows for closure of large congenital diaphragmatic hernia defects with autologous tissue. This approach is associated with significantly fewer recurrences than patch repairs.
Development patterns in young conifer-hardwood forests of interior Alaska

. The age structure and growth patterns of 53 young conifer-hardwood stands on upland, south-facing sites of interior Alaska were analyzed to determine the length of time for stand establishment after disturbance, the composition of early-successional stands compared to existing stands, and the potential for late-successional stands dominated by conifers. Mixed stands of Picea glauca, Populus tremuloides and Betula papyrifera represented five plant community types and developed as single cohorts after stand-replacement fires. In the Populus tremuloides/Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and Populus tremuloides/Shepherdia canadensis community types, hardwoods established rapidly and Picea glauca established slowly. In contrast, stands in the Betula papyrifera-Populus tremuloides/Viburnum edule, Betula papyrifera-Populus tremuloides/Alnus crispa, and Picea glauca-Betula papyrifera/Hylocomium splendens community types generally developed as a result of rapid, concurrent establishment of conifers and hardwoods. These single-cohort, mixed species development patterns are not consistent with continual establishment of conifers and are likely the result of unique life-history traits and frequent stand-replacement fires.
Predicting Affective Responses to Unexpected Outcomes.

In decisions under uncertainty, decision makers confront two uncertainties: the uncertain linkage between actions and outcomes and the uncertain linkage between these outcomes and his or her affective responses to them. The two studies reported here examine affective responses to expected and unexpected outcomes in various settings. In Study 1, a scenario-based laboratory experiment (N = 149), we examined subjects' predicted responses to a range of outcomes, as a function of how surprising the outcome was. Study 2, a field study (N = 127), involved the expectations of bowlers about their scores in an upcoming game and about their responses to various outcomes at, above, and below expectations. We also measured actual affective reactions after the bowlers had completed their games. Findings suggest that subjects both expect and experience a loss-averse, expectation-based value function broadly of the Prospect Theory type. They also anticipate, and experience, an amplifying effect of outcome surprise, though they underestimate its size. We argue that such underestimation, together with overtight prediction ranges, may expose subjects to much larger affective variation with outcome variability than they anticipate.
Nucleophilic Substitution of Phosphorothionate Ester Pesticides with Bisulfide (HS-) and Polysulfides (Sn2-)

The reactions of five organophosphorus insecticides (OPs) (chlorpyrifos-methyl, parathion-methyl, fenchlorphos, chlorpyrifos, and parathion) with hydrogensulfide/ bisulfide (H2S/HS-) and polysulfides (S(n)2-) were examined in well-defined aqueous solutions over a pH range from 5 to 9. The rates are first-order in the concentration of the different reduced sulfur species. Experiments at 25 degrees C demonstrated that the reaction of the five OPs with the reduced sulfur species follows a SN2 mechanism. The activation parameters of the reaction of OPs with bisulfide were determined from the measured second-order rate constants over a temperature range of 5-60 degrees C. The determined second-order rate constants show that the reaction of an OP with polysulfides is from 15 to 50 times faster than the reaction of the same OP with bisulfide. The dominant transformation products are desalkyl OPs, which indicate that the nucleophilic substitution of reduced sulfur species occurs at the carbon atom of the alkoxy groups. And also the results show that these reduced sulfur species are much better nucleophiles, and thus degrade these pesticides faster than the well-studied base hydrolysis by OH-. When the determined second-order rate constants are multiplied with the concentration of HS- and S(n)2- reported in salt marshes and porewater of sediments, predicted half-lives show that abiotic degradation by sulfide species may be of comparable importance to microbially mediated degradation in anoxic environments.
Discrete approximations to spherically symmetric distributions

We consider the approximation of spherically symmetric distributions in ? d by linear combinations of Heaviside step functions or Dirac delta functions. The approximations are required to faithfully reproduce as many moments as possible. We discuss stable methods of computing such approximations, taking advantage of the close connection with Gauss-Christoffel quadrature. Numerical results are presented for the distributions of Maxwell, Bose-Einstein, and Fermi-Dirac.
DETECTING JOB DIFFERENCES: A MONTE CARLO STUDY

A monte carlo computer study was conducted where the statistical power of the univariate repeated measures ANOVA design proposed by Arvey and Mossholder (1977) to detect job differences was investigated. Also investigated was the relative value and usefulness of omega-squared estimates to indicate job similarities and differences. Job profile means and covariance structures were generated by using data from six relatively similar jobs and six dissimilar jobs based on Position Analysis Questionnaire (PAQ) data bank information. Different combinations of job differences (4 conditions), number of job raters (2 conditions), and violations of statistical assumptions (3 conditions) were generated (1000 sets for each of the 24 combinations) and each data set analyzed using the ANOVA design. Results indicate that testing for statistical significance is not as useful in determining job differences as examining the omega-squared estimates. Specifically, the omega-squared estimates for the interaction of the Jobs × Dimension effect is a relatively sensitive and stable indicator of job differences regardless of the number of raters and violations of the statistical assumptions.
The TeV physics of strongly interacting W's and Z's

Abstract There are two possibilities for electroweak symmetry breaking: either there is a scalar particle much lighter than 1 TeV or the longitudinal components of W and Z bosons interact strongly at center of mass energies of order 1 TeV or more. We study the general signatures of a strongly interacting W, Z system and conclude that these two possibilities can be unambiguously distinguished by a hadron collider facility capable of observing the enhanced production of WW, WZ and ZZ pairs that will occur if W's and Z's have strong interactions. Detection of the enhanced signal over background requires hadron collisions at a center of mass energy of order √ s = 40 TeV and an integrated luminosity of order 10 40 cm −2 . With these parameters we predict 3800 to 6000 gauge boson pairs satisfying cuts for which only 2600 pairs would be produced in the absence of strong interactions. As our results draw on the global chiral SU(2) symmetry of the scalar sector of the standard SU(2) × U(1) model, we give an extended proof, to all orders in the generalized renormalizable gauge, that high-energy amplitudes of longitudinal W's and Z's are well approximated by amplitudes of the corresponding unphysical scalars. The results are applicable to the broad class of strong interaction models that admit a global chiral SU(2) symmetry.
The allocation of computer resources—is pricing the answer?

The widespread use of complex third generation computing systems has led to a much broader concern about the means by which the resources of these systems are allocated among the user community. One means that is suggested more and more frequently is a pricing procedure. In this paper the manner in which one would like to allocate computing resources is considered, and then the extent to which a pricing mechanism fits this mold is discussed. Inasmuch as pricing must serve as a rationing mechanism at times, consideration is given to the means by which prices can be adjusted flexibly in order to make a dynamic allocation of resources. Consideration is also given to the means by which users can be insulated from the harmful effects of frequent price fluctuations.Although the subject of pricing has been given a lot of attention recently, a number of misconceptions persist about its purpose and its operation. An attempt is made to clarify some of these misunderstandings and to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of pricing. Two illustrative pricing systems are also discussed in order to demonstrate the applicability of pricing in quite different environments.
Presence of Large Deletions in Kindreds with Autism

Autism is caused, in part, by inheritance of multiple interacting susceptibility alleles. To identify these inherited factors, linkage analysis of multiplex families is being performed on a sample of 105 families with two or more affected sibs. Segregation patterns of short tandem repeat polymorphic markers from four chromosomes revealed null alleles at four marker sites in 12 families that were the result of deletions ranging in size from 5 to >260 kb. In one family, a deletion at marker D7S630 was complex, with two segments deleted (37 kb and 18 kb) and two retained (2,836 bp and 38 bp). Three families had deletions at D7S517, with each family having a different deletion (96 kb, 183 kb, and >69 kb). Another three families had deletions at D8S264, again with each family having a different deletion, ranging in size from 260 kb. At a fourth marker, D8S272, a 192-kb deletion was found in five families. Unrelated subjects and additional families without autism were screened for deletions at these four sites. Families screened included 40 families from Centre d'Etude du Polymorphisme Humaine and 28 families affected with learning disabilities. Unrelated samples were 299 elderly control subjects, 121 younger control subjects, and 248 subjects with Alzheimer disease. The deletion allele at D8S272 was found in all populations screened. For the other three sites, no additional deletions were identified in any of the groups without autism. Thus, these deletions appear to be specific to autism kindreds and are potential autism-susceptibility alleles. An alternative hypothesis is that autism-susceptibility alleles elsewhere cause the deletions detected here, possibly by inducing errors during meiosis.
Rolling Circle Enzymatic Replication of a Complex Multi-Crossover DNA Nanostructure

Nature has evolved replicable biological molecules, such as DNA, as genetic information carriers. The replication process is tightly controlled by complicated cellular machinery. It is interesting to ask if artificial DNA nano-objects with a complex secondary structure can be replicated in the same way as simple DNA double helices. Here we demonstrate that paranemic crossover DNA, a structurally complicated multi-crossover DNA molecule, can be replicated successfully using Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA). The amplification efficiency is moderate with high fidelity, confirmed by native PAGE, thermal transition study, and Ferguson analysis. The structural details of the DNA structure after the full replication circle are verified by hydroxyl radical autofootprinting. We conclude that RCA can serve as a reliable method to replicate complex DNA structures. We also discuss the possibility of using viruses and bacteria to clone artificial DNA nano-objects. The findings that single stranded paranemic crossover DNA molecules can be replicated by DNA polymerase will not only be useful in nanotechnology but also may have implications for the possible existence of such complicated DNA structures in nature.
A differential game model of labor-management negotiation druing a strike

A simple model is proposed for collective bargaining during a strike. It is assumed that the rates of change of offer and demand depend on their current difference, and that both labor and management desire to minimize strike duration, but that the former wishes to maximize the final demand whereas the latter wishes to minimize the final offer. The resultant nonzero game is discussed, both for a noncooperative and a cooperative situation.
Experience with high-resolution digital gray-scale display systems

High resolution gray scale displays are being evaluated for the display of 2K x 2K x 12 bit digital images. A comparison has been analyzed for conventional chest radiographs, digitized chest radiographs (2K x 2K x 12 bits) printed on laser film, and a high resolution (2K x 2K x 12 bits) gray scale display. An initial study has been conducted comparing computed radiography laser printed films and an interactive 1K x 1K x 12 bit display.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Development and evaluation of chemoresistive polymer sensors for low concentration detection of volatile organic compounds related to food safety applications

This study was aimed at the development and evaluation of regioregular poly (3-hexyl thiophene) (rr-P3HT) based chemoresistive sensors to detect the alcoholic volatile organic compounds (VOCs): 3-methyl-1-butanol and 1-hexanol, found to be present in spoiled and Salmonella typhimurium contaminated beef packages. The sensors were developed using two types of dip coating methods: (1) vertical dip (90°), and (2) inclined dip (10°). Five layers of rr-P3HT were deposited on tin interdigitated flame retardant FR4 substrates. The morphological studies revealed that the rr-P3HT sensors developed with the inclined dip coating method had formed relatively smooth thin-film of rr-P3HT than sensors developed using the vertical dip coating method. The sensitivities of the vertical dip and inclined dip coated sensors were found to be repeatable for the same concentration and were also reproducible among different sensors for same VOC. The sensors exhibited selective response to trace level concentrations of 3-methyl-1-butanol and 1-hexanol, with a lower detection limit of about 10 and 15 ppm, respectively.
Evaluation of Two Observational Assessment Systems for Children's Development and Learning

This study provided preliminary evidence for the reliability and validity of Teaching Strategies GOLD, a recently developed observational system for assessing young children's development and learning. The measurement properties of Teaching Strategies GOLD were compared with those of an older instrument, The Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos, using a sample of children from birth to age 2. Results showed that both instruments had adequate internal consistency reliability, although Teaching Strategies GOLD produced a slightly better level of internal consistency. Results demonstrated the expected relationship between age and child development. The Rasch analyses supported the construct validity of the instrument. The item hierarchy reflected typical patterns of development and learning for young children. The distribution of the Teaching Strategies GOLD items was improved over the items of The Creative Curriculum Developmental Continuum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos. R...