Estimating the Impact of Highways on Average Travel Velocities and Market Size

In this paper we examine the link between additions to highway infrastructure and development of a market area. We do so by first relating highway travel speeds to added highway-mileage and then relating travel speed to the size of the market area. This approach bypasses issues in the public finance literature that derive from estimates of highway infrastructure spending. Also, rather than examining the effects of improved transportation efficiency on enhancements of productivity, this research examines their effect on enhancements in demand for local production. Our thought, which is borne out in the literature, is that industry-level productivity in a metropolitan area may be improved only marginally by lower delivered prices of inputs due to very localized improvements in the freight transportation system. On the other hand, the market for locally produced goods and services will expand somewhat uniformly across industries due to generally improved traffic movements in a metropolitan area. By applying this approach to data from the Texas Transportation Institute, we find a significant but small positive effect of highways and arterials (as opposed to other roadways) on changes in metropolitan urbanized area and metropolitan population change. This suggests that demand for local production may well be enhanced by expansions of highway and principal arterials infrastructure.

Poincaré Duality

This project is an expository study of the Poincaré duality theorem. Homology, cohomology groups of manifolds and other aglebraic and topological preliminaires are discussed

Exploring Relative Value Bias: Learned Outcomes or Choice Repetition?

People sometimes choose options yielding relatively better outcomes in past contexts, even when those options have lower absolute values. This study tested whether this effect is due to participants learning relative outcomes or simply repeating previous choices. Participants (n = 151) were randomly assigned to two conditions and completed a two-phase choice task. In the learning phase, participants either actively chose from (choice condition) or passively viewed (sampling condition) pairs of symbols and received reward feedback. In the subsequent transfer phase, participants were shown different combinations of the same symbols and were asked to choose the symbol with the higher value on each trial. Choice patterns in both conditions exhibited a bias towards lower-valued options yielding relatively greater outcomes in the learning phase. However, the effect was slightly stronger in the choice condition. Our findings suggest choice repetition plays a minor role, but cannot fully account for relative value choice biases.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2024/1129/thumbnail.jp

A neighbourhood theorem for submanifolds in generalized complex geometry

We study neighbourhoods of submanifolds in generalized complex geometry. Our first main result provides sufficient criteria for such a submanifold to admit a neighbourhood on which the generalized complex structure is B-field equivalent to a holomorphic Poisson structure. This is intimately tied with our second main result, which is a rigidity theorem for generalized complex deformations of holomorphic Poisson structures. Specifically, on a compact manifold with boundary we provide explicit conditions under which any generalized complex perturbation of a holomorphic Poisson structure is B-field equivalent to another holomorphic Poisson structure. The proofs of these results require two analytical tools: Hodge decompositions on almost complex manifolds with boundary, and the Nash-Moser algorithm. As a concrete application of these results, we show that on a four-dimensional generalized complex submanifold which is generically symplectic, a neighbourhood of the entire complex locus is B-field equivalent to a holomorphic Poisson structure. Furthermore, we use the neighbourhood theorem to develop the theory of blowing down submanifolds in generalized complex geometry.Comment: 36 pages, minor change

Attitudes of couples towards the destination of surplus embryos: results among couples with cryopreserved embryos in Switzerland

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate attitudes towards the donation of surplus embryos among couples with cryopreserved embryos/zygotes, and to identify correlates associated with attitudes toward the destinations of surplus embryos/zygotes. METHODS Eleven of 19 Swiss in vitro fertilization (IVF) centers in existence in 2004 participated in the survey. Questionnaires were sent to 888 eligible couples; 458 men (52%) and 468 women (53%) returned them. RESULTS Fifty-two percent of the participants supported the donation of surplus embryos to other couples, but divided opinions on the disclosure of biological parents' identities were identified. About 70% of participants indicated that donations of surplus embryos for medical research or therapy should be allowed, following strict regulations. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed couples' position on the moral status of an embryo as the strongest predictor of attitudes toward all destinations of surplus embryos. Having children due to IVF/Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) treatment was negatively associated with attitudes towards donations to other couples. Perceived importance of religion, age >40, being a resident of the French-speaking region and unsuccessful IVF/ICSI treatment experiences were predictive of supporting donations for medical research. CONCLUSIONS Swiss couples with cryopreserved embryos/zygotes are open to different options related to donating, rather than discarding, surplus embryo

Continuous gas processing without bubbles using thin liquid film bioreactors containing biocomposite biocatalysts

Continuous microbial gas processing without bubbles is possible with thin liquid film, plug flow bioreactors. We have demonstrated that power input can be minimized by using a falling liquid film operating under laminar wavy flow conditions (Re \u3c200) in contact with highly concentrated living, non-growing microbes stabilized in a porous biocomposite biocatalyst. This composite materials approach to continuous gas processing can dramatically increase mass transfer rates \u3e100 fold compared to bubble aeration, decrease process volume, significantly decrease gas-liquid mass transfer energy input, decrease water use, and increase secreted product concentration. We have shown that this approach can also increase microbial specific activity for some organisms compared to microbes suspended in liquid media. Paper-based biocomposite biocatalysts provide a rough hydrophilic surface resulting in uniform ~300 μm thick falling liquid films. Paper roughness enhances gas-liquid-microbe mass transfer. This mass transfer enhancement has been simulated using a finite element (FEM) CFD model. The paper structure also functions as a separation device - the secreted products are released into the falling liquid film and continuously removed from the reactor. We are investigating biocomposite biocatalyst design and stabilization using a 0.05 m2 prototype cylindrical paper falling film bioreactor (FFBR). This approach can be used for continuous gas processing with either non-photosynthetic or photosynthetic microorganisms. Current experimental model systems we are investigating include Clostridium ljungdahlii OTA1 for absorbing CO from syn-gas, Methylomycrobium alkaliphilum 20Z for absorbing CH4 in air, and Chlamydomonas renhardtii for CO2 emissions. Critical to biocomposite biocatalyst design are generation of nanoporous coating microstructure, microbe adhesion to paper during film formation (which may include engineering the surface of the microbes), surviving osmotic shock in coating formulations, as well as desiccation tolerance to drying and prolonged dry storage. Spatially correlated Raman microspectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging techniques have been developed as a non-destructive method to monitor the distribution of residual water surrounding and within the cells. The distribution of vitrified residual water may contribute to desiccation resistance. Other types of thin liquid film reactors, such as a spinning disk bioreactor (SDBR), that enhance mass transfer by reducing liquid film thickness to \u3c100 μm with wave induced turbulent flow using centrifugal force (1000 x g) can be used in the future to further intensify continuous gas processing rates using biocomposite biocatalysts

The constitution of physicians' power: A theoretical framework for comparative analysis

Drawing on literatures documenting the experience of physicians in both European and American societies, a new theoretical framework for explaining variations in the professional power of physicians is provided. Most studies of professions have used professional organization as the principal explanatory variable, with state policy and the organization of civil society as secondary mediating factors. Our approach instead treats strategies of state power and forms of civil society as central features shaping the ability of the profession to exert power. Such a three-dimensional approach not only allows us to make more powerful classifications explaining contemporary differences, but also allows us to trace historical shifts and anticipate alternative futures in professional power. For example, in those societies where the state's intervention is limited and civil society is pluralistic, professional power is potentially greatest. But increasing state power does not necessarily reduce professional power. Where the state is most powerful and organizes all groups in civil society, professionals and society can be united in common struggle against the state. In response to that, it is likely that such centralized states will opt for corporatist solutions to maximize the internal differentiation of society and pit those once allied against one another, and prelude the organization of powerful autonomous interest groups.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/29636/1/0000725.pd