cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nationalizations and the Development of Transport Systems: Cross-Country Evidence from Railroad Networks, 1860–1912

Many states nationalized portions of their railroad network between 1860 and 1912. This article uses new cross-country data to examine which factors contributed to nationalizations and how nationalizations influenced network expansion. I find evidence that nationalizations were greater in countries with low constraints on the executive branch, with French and German civil law systems, and where neighboring countries had higher military capability. I also find evidence that nationalizations reduced mileage growth. The results suggest that external military threats increased the appeal of nationalizations, while legal and political institutions influenced their costs. They also suggest that nationalizations reduced investment incentives.
The electromagnetic fields radiated from a monolithic spiral coil acoustic transduction sensor

The monolithic spiral coil acoustic transduction (MSCAT) sensor platform is a novel bulk acoustic wave (BAW) device which is excited by a gold spiral coil antenna photolithographically deposited on one side of an AT-quartz wafer. The MSCAT platform can operate at very high frequencies by efficiently exciting high harmonic transverse shear modes (TSMs) with the application of a high frequency RF signal to the spiral coil. Since one surface of the MSCAT device is bare, this device can be used as a sensing platform upon which one deposits analyte selective chemical or biological films. The bare surface allows the detection of analyte induced mechanical (mass and viscoelasticity) and electrical (conductivity and dielectric constant) property changes in the film. Although previous work has shown that the MSCAT sensor is a highly sensitive sensor platform for chemical and biological analyte detection, the form of the electric field in the AT-quartz substrate is not well understood. In this work finite element analysis (FEA) was used to obtain the electromagnetic fields radiated by the spiral coil antenna deposited on AT-cut quartz. The theoretical results were compared to experimental measurements for specific spiral coil geometries. The spiral coil antenna was shown to produce electric fields that have components in both the lateral and thickness directions. These fields were responsible for exciting the TSM in the MSCAT sensor platform. Further, it was also shown that liquid properties on the sensor surface significantly alter the form of the radiated electric field. Also, the relative magnitude of the electric field in the AT-cut quartz vary significantly dependent on operating frequency and the spiral coil geometry.
Preventing and Treating Narcotic Addiction--Century of Federal Drug Control.

A century after the Harrison Narcotic Act took effect in the United States, its bias against maintenance therapy continues to hinder medical efforts to ameliorate the effects of our country's latest narcotic-addiction epidemic.
Activation of class IA PI3K stimulates DNA synthesis in human airway smooth muscle cells

The precise mechanisms that regulate increases in airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass in asthma are unknown. This study determined whether class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) is sufficient to...
An Unusual Luminescent Anionic Copper(I) System: Dicyanocuprate(I) Ion in Nano and Bulky States

Anionic dicyanocuprate(I) ions in nano and bulky crystals have been investigated. The doped nanosystems show unusual photophysical properties such as multiple emission bands, thermochromism, and optical memory. In contrast, NaCu(CN)2 and KCu(CN)2 have different polymeric structures and exhibit only a single emission peak. This was confirmed by infrared, Raman, and reflectance spectroscopy results. The emission peaks of these doped systems show tunability over a wide wavelength interval, indicating the existence of different {[Cu(CN)2]}n nanoclusters. The thermochromism and optical memory phenomena are due to the population changes of these different-sized nanoclusters. Ab initio DFT calculations for the impurity copper(I) ion in different alkali halides show that the {[Cu(CN)2]}n nanoclusters are examples of excimers and exciplexes. Atomistic modeling describes how the distribution of different nanoclusters varies with the alkali halide hosts.
Dissimilarity in physical attractiveness within romantic dyads and mate retention behaviors

The present study investigated the relations among physical attractiveness and inter- and intrasexual mate retention tactics used by individuals in romantic relationships. Seventy-three undergraduate romantic dyads were photographed and completed a questionnaire about their mate retention tactics. Independent judges rated the photographs for physical attractiveness. Actor–partner interdependence models indicated that (a) partner’s physical attractiveness was positively associated with the individual’s own use of mate retention behavior, (b) an individual’s own level of physical attractiveness was not related to the individual’s own use of mate retention behavior, however, (c) there was a dissimilarity effect for predicting mate retention behaviors. Specifically, participants who were less physically attractive and were in romantic relationships with physically attractive partners employed more intrasexual retention tactics.
The effect of health education on reducing the complications of diabetes in children

Objective: To investigate the effect of health education on children with diabetes to reduce acute and chronic complications.Methods: 64 children with diabetes about 6 to 14 years were divided into experimental and control groups,32 cases were in each group,control group received routine health education,experimental group received health education in forms of group,individual,blackboard newspaper,parent classes,symposium and other forms by full-time primary nurse.And the effect of health education for the two groups was compared.Results: Children and parents of experimental group have higher knowledge level about diabetes(P0.05).Conclusions: Targeted health education can help to children and his families learn more knowledge about diabetes,improve self-management capabilities,reduce acute and chronic complications of diabetes.
Filling in the GAPS: evaluating completeness and coverage of open-access biodiversity databases in the United States.

Primary biodiversity data constitute observations of particular species at given points in time and space. Open-access electronic databases provide unprecedented access to these data, but their usefulness in characterizing species distributions and patterns in biodiversity depend on how complete species inventories are at a given survey location and how uniformly distributed survey locations are along dimensions of time, space, and environment. Our aim was to compare completeness and coverage among three open-access databases representing ten taxonomic groups (amphibians, birds, freshwater bivalves, crayfish, freshwater fish, fungi, insects, mammals, plants, and reptiles) in the contiguous United States. We compiled occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), and federally administered fish surveys (FFS). In this study, we aggregated occurrence records by 0.1° × 0.1° grid cells and computed three completeness metrics to classify each grid cell as well-surveyed or not. Next, we compared frequency distributions of surveyed grid cells to background environmental conditions in a GIS and performed Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests to quantify coverage through time, along two spatial gradients, and along eight environmental gradients. The three databases contributed >13.6 million reliable occurrence records distributed among >190,000 grid cells. The percent of well-surveyed grid cellsmore » was substantially lower for GBIF (5.2%) than for systematic surveys (BBS and FFS; 82.5%). Still, the large number of GBIF occurrence records produced at least 250 well-surveyed grid cells for six of nine taxonomic groups. Coverages of systematic surveys were less biased across spatial and environmental dimensions but were more biased in temporal coverage compared to GBIF data. GBIF coverages also varied among taxonomic groups, consistent with commonly recognized geographic, environmental, and institutional sampling biases. Lastly, this comprehensive assessment of biodiversity data across the contiguous United States provides a prioritization scheme to fill in the gaps by contributing existing occurrence records to the public domain and planning future surveys.« less
Katrina and After

The focus of this chapter falls on the role of music and musicians in New Orleans’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina. In order to frame that subject, however, some discussion of context is required. Thus, the following section outlines how the authorities at all levels of government engineered this disaster and failed utterly to rescue its victims, leaving it to citizenry, musicians included, to step into the breach of suffering and death in order to save lives. Similarly, with respect to the long process of recovery, established authorities proved themselves dilatory, incompetent and predatory, first expelling the city’s residents and then hampering—and often de facto preventing—their return. Again, it appears to have been the sacrifices of the citizenry—and, perhaps, especially the city’s musicians—that restored life to the Crescent City
Economic Grounds for Current Practices of Water Management

This chapter highlights the ways in which societies sanction the discipline of economics as a way to reflect value. We use the word “sanction” here to denote permission or approval from governmental authority that validates a course of action, or in this case, use. Seen in this light, the sanction of the discipline of market economics influences or dictates the formation of choice. Before we address water management and non-monetary values, it is important to look at the indoctrinations from which attitudes about market economics emanate. With these in mind, we can better understand why choices about monetary uses of water use are sanctioned. A glance at Western political theory provides the basis for understanding the economic grounds that guide current practices in water management.
A myopic Monte Carlo strategy for the partially observable travelling salesman problem

In this paper, we present two greedy, myopic algorithms for solving the partially observable travelling salesman problem. Although not optimal from a decision-theoretic viewpoint, these strategies are shown to perform reasonably well under the uncertain conditions of the environment. The first algorithm is a strictly greedy algorithm and has no tunable parameters, whereas the second algorithm uses Monte Carlo sampling to determine likely configurations of the environment and applies value iteration to pick an action. We present both approaches with illustrative examples and empirically demonstrate their relative strengths and weaknesses.
Toward a Unified Modeling and Control for Sustainable and Resilient Electric Energy Systems

In this paper cyber role in social-ecological energy systems SEES is formalized by using the language of large-scale dynamical systems. The key notion of interaction variables is introduced in support of their modeling as multilayered dynamical systems. It is stressed that qualitatively different cyber designs are required for enabling performance of qualitatively different SEES architectures. In particular, it is proposed that composite control-based hierarchical control lends itself more naturally to supporting large-scale regulated monopolies, and that distributed multi-layered control with or without coordination is key to supporting SEES architectures comprising many decision makers. Today's hierarchical control is described as a particular case of hierarchical composite control. Having these formulations may help bridge R&D efforts across vastly multi-disciplinary communities working in the field of changing electric energy systems.
Evolutionary Analysis in Law: On Disclosure Regulation

This article, a contribution to a symposium celebrating the twentieth anniversary of the Society for Evolutionary Analysis in Law, applies evolutionary analysis to the study of disclosure regulation. I consider how an evolutionary perspective can improve our understanding of when and how to use disclosure requirements to regulate social activity.
Effects of Multicomponent Academic Vocabulary Instruction for English Learners With Learning Difficulties

We provided a multicomponent academic vocabulary intervention to six English learners with learning difficulties in a fifth-grade general education setting. A multiple probe design across word sets...
Generational Schism, Fannie Lou Hamer, and the Future of Protest

A couple of days after the 2016 election, poet Treasure Shields Redmond responded to a prompt asking about “the future of protest” by channeling a figure from protests past. In so doing she challen...
Cultural Norms and Son Preference in Intrahousehold Food Distribution: A Case Study of Two Asian Rural Economies

Based on the cost and content of individual calorie intake, I find evidence of son preference in food distribution in rural Bangladesh but not in the rural Philippines, which is consistent with the contrasting cultural norms of these two agrarian societies. Unlike in the Philippines, few females in Bangladesh, a male‐dominated patriarchal society with the strong presence of dowry and purdah systems, seem to participate in the labor market. Gender differences in wage rates appear to be prominent in Bangladesh as well, and the transfer at marriage from a bride's family seems to exceed that from a groom's family. In Bangladesh, the village wage rate of adult females is positively associated with a girl's allocation from the animal food group, while village wage rates of adult males are negatively associated. However, no such association is observed in the Philippines, which is characterized by egalitarian values between the sexes. In recent marriages in Bangladesh, a village's average value of transfers from grooms' families is also positively associated with a girl's allocation. While higher birth order children fare worse than lower birth order children in both economies, in Bangladesh a higher birth order girl does worse than a higher birth order boy, whereas this is not the case in the Philippines. The son preference does not seem to be associated with scarcity, as it is prominent in non‐poor Bangladeshi households but not in poor ones; the preference does not appear in either category in the Philippines. A Bangladeshi village's access to television, which I use as a proxy for liberal values, is positively associated with girls' calorie allocations.
Improvement During Inpatient Rehabilitation Among Older Adults With Guillain-Barré Syndrome, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson Disease, and Stroke.

ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to quantify the improvement in independence experienced by patients with the following diagnoses: Guillain-Barre syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, and stroke after inpatient rehabilitation.DesignSubjects who were admitted to inpatient rehabilitation h
Climate Change Mitigation: A Low-Hanging Fruit of Agroforestry

Agroforestry systems (AFS) have attracted special attention in climate change mitigation and adaptation (MA representative values (range) are reported for each. Based on this evaluation, the “strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats” of the role of agroforestry in climate change MA enabling policies and rigorous long-term research are essential for facilitating its timely and sustainable harvests.
Some Technical Notes on Monopolar and Bipolar Recordings

(1961). Some Technical Notes on Monopolar and Bipolar Recordings. American Journal of EEG Technology: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 31-41.
Lymphotoxins, a Multicomponent Family of Effector Molecules

Human lymphotoxins (LT) are a multicomponent family of related and distinct cell-lytic and growth inhibitory glycoproteins (Toth and Granger, 1979). They are inducible and can be released specifically when immune lymphoid cells are cocul-tured with the immunizing antigen or nonspecifically when nonimmune lymphoid cells are cocultured with lectins (Daynes and Granger, 1974; Granger and Williams, 1968; Granger et al., 1969). An exception to the inducible mode of release of these effector molecules is that certain continuous human lymphoblastoid cell lines con-stitutively release low levels of LT in vitro (Fair et al., 1979; Granger et al., 1970; Khan et al., 1982). There is now evidence that certain LT forms may have a role as lytic effectors in different classes of cell destructive reactions mediated by human lymphocytes in vitro (Weitzen et al., 1983a,b; Yamamoto et al., 1979, 1984b). However, the situation is complex for it is clear that different classes of effector lymphocytes (T cells, NK cells) can release different LT forms (Harris et al., 1981; Weitzen et al., 1983a,b; Wright and Bonavida, 1982; Yamamoto et al., 1984a). Moreover, in these reactions the different LT forms may assemble together to induce cell lysis as molecular complexes or alternatively may act as individual components on a target cell in a synergistic fashion.
Interview With Nicholas J. Horton

AR: Thanks very much, Nick, for agreeing to be interviewed for the Journal of Statistics Education. I’m anxious to hear your thoughts on statistics education in the present, but let’s start a few y...
Preoperative opioid use and postoperative pain associated with surgical readmissions.

Abstract Background The extent of preoperative opioid utilization and the relationship with pain-related readmissions are not well understood. Methods VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program data on general, vascular, and orthopedic surgeries (2007–2014) were merged with pharmacy data to evaluate preoperative opioid use and pain-related readmissions. Opioid use in the 6-month preoperative period was categorized as none, infrequent, frequent, and daily. Results In the six-month preoperative period, 65.7% had no opioid use, 16.7% had infrequent use, 6.3% frequent use, and 11.4% were daily opioid users. Adjusted odds of pain-related readmission were higher for opioid-exposed groups vs the opioid-naive group: infrequent (OR 1.17; 95% CI:1.04–1.31), frequent (OR 1.28; 95% CI:1.08–1.52), and daily (OR 1.49; 95% CI:1.27–1.74). Among preoperative opioid users, those with a pain-related readmission had higher daily preoperative oral morphine equivalents (mean 44.5 vs. 36.1, p Conclusions Patients using opioids preoperatively experienced higher rates of pain-related readmissions, which increased with frequency and dosage of opioid exposure.
Acoustic waveguide impedance matching via Helmholtz resonator mediated extraordinary acoustic transmission

We describe an acoustic impedance matching method that permits perfect sound transmission between waveguides of different impedances as set by their cross sectional areas. Impedance matching in this case is based on extraordinary acoustic transmission mediated via a Helmholtz resonator embedded at the junction between the dissimilar waveguides. Perfect transmission occurs at the Helmholtz resonance frequency. However, perfect transmission between different impedance waveguides requires that the two-neck Helmholtz resonator be asymmetric with different areas and lengths of the necks that couple to each waveguide.
What liberals should tolerate internationally

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on what liberal states should tolerate outside their borders. This requires definitions of `liberalism,´ `toleration,´ and `state.´ In the first section o...
Preparation of 1,2-Diaryl(heteroaryl)pyrroles and -3-methylpyrroles from N-Allylbenzotriazole

Numerous 1,2-diaryl(heteroaryl)pyrroles and -3-methylpyrroles were prepared in a two-step procedure from N-allylbenzotriazoles via intramolecular oxidative cyclization in the presence of Pd(II) catalyst.
Scratch behavior of model epoxy resins with different crosslinking densities

Abstract The scratch behavior of model epoxy resins with varying degrees of crosslink density was investigated according to the ASTM D7027/ISO 19252 scratch test methodology. Three model epoxy systems with low, medium, and high crosslinking densities were prepared to systematically investigate how the scratch behavior might be influenced. The effect of crosslinking density on the onset of groove, crack and plowing formation during scratching was investigated. Coefficient of friction measurements, uniaxial tensile and compressive stress-strain curves, and dynamic mechanical analyses were conducted to correlate the intrinsic material properties to the observed scratch-induced deformation of the model epoxy systems. The findings indicate that the scratch behavior of epoxy resins can be directly correlated to their material properties. It is found that both the tensile strength and compressive yield stress determine the resistance against damage formation during scratch. Additionally, a comparison between pencil hardness and scratch test is presented to assess the suitability of both methods for evaluating scratch performance of polymers with significantly different mechanical properties.
Building a physical activity intervention into clinical care for breast and colorectal cancer survivors in Wisconsin: a randomized controlled pilot trial

Cancer survivorship care plans (“care plans”) often recommend an active lifestyle yet are rarely accompanied by programs to help patients enact the prescribed behavior change. As a step towards bridging this gap, this trial tested the feasibility of augmenting care planning with a multi-level physical activity intervention. Breast and colorectal cancer survivors were enrolled alongside a self-selected support partner (e.g., spouse, friend). Survivors received a care plan alone (comparison group) versus one augmented with a 12-week physical activity module (intervention group). For the intervention group dyads, both members received a multi-component program including Fitbit trackers, with the survivor’s Fitbit linked to his/her electronic health record (EHR). Treating clinicians received periodic updates regarding the survivors’ physical activity. The primary outcome was ActiGraph-measured physical activity, analyzed using mixed models. Feedback questionnaires were administered to participants and clinicians at 12 weeks. Survivors (n = 50) were 54.4 ± 11.2 years of age and 2.0 ± 1.5 years post-diagnosis. Survivors in the intervention group increased moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) by 69 ± 84 min/week vs. a 20 ± 71 min/week decrease in the comparison group (p = .001). Likewise, daily steps increased by 1470 ± 1881 vs. a 398 ± 1751 decrease (P = .002). Among responding clinicians, 100% looked at survivors’ activity data within the EHR at least once and 80% said it provided insight into their patients’ lifestyles. Augmenting a standard care plan with a multi-level, technology-based intervention increased physical activity among cancer survivors. Technology-based approaches, including activity trackers, can be used by individuals to work towards an active lifestyle after cancer.
Cost-Effectiveness of Strategies to Personalize the Selection of P2Y 12 Inhibitors in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Perform a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing strategies for selecting P2Y12 inhibitors in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Six strategies for selection of P2Y12 inhibitors in ACS were compared from the US healthcare system perspective: (1) clopidogrel for all (universal clopidogrel); (2) ticagrelor guided by platelet reactivity assay (PRA; clopidogrel + phenotype); (3) ticagrelor use only in CYP2C19 poor metabolizers (genotype + conservative ticagrelor); (4) ticagrelor use in both CYP2C19 intermediate and poor metabolizers (genotype + liberal ticagrelor); (5) ticagrelor use only in patients with CYP2C19 polymorphisms and clopidogrel nonresponse by PRA (genotype + phenotype); and (6) ticagrelor for all (universal ticagrelor). A decision model was developed to model major adverse cardiovascular events and bleeding during 1 year of treatment with a P2Y12 inhibitor. Model inputs were identified from the literature. Lifetime costs were adjusted to 2017 US dollars; quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were projected using a Markov model. The primary endpoint was the incremental cost-effectiveness compared to the next best option along the cost-effectiveness continuum. Sensitivity analyses were performed on all model inputs to assess their influence on the incremental cost-effectiveness. In the base case analysis, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) for the clopidogrel + phenotype, genotype + liberal ticagrelor, and universal ticagrelor strategies were $12,119/QALY, $29,412/QALY, and $142,456/QALY, respectively. Genotype + conservative ticagrelor and genotype + phenotype were not cost-effective due to second-order dominance. Genotype + liberal ticagrelor compared to clopidogrel + phenotype demonstrated the highest acceptance (97%) at a willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of $100,000/QALY. Cost-effective strategies to personalize P2Y12 inhibition in ACS include clopidogrel +phenotype and genotype + liberal ticagrelor. Universal ticagrelor may be considered cost-effective at a higher WTP threshold ($150,000/QALY). Genotype + liberal ticagrelor exhibited the highest acceptability compared to clopidogrel + phenotype over the widest range of WTP thresholds and may be preferred.
Spray-wall interactions in direct-injection engines: An introductory overview:

Spray-wall interactions directly affect fuel-air mixture preparation and emissions formation. They are therefore among the most critical physical processes in engines today. This special issue of I...
High rates of sexual assault kit submission and the important role of place

•Ninety percent of sexual assault kits were submitted to the crime lab for analysis.•Victim, assault, and case factors played little role in predicting kit submission.•Submission rates varied significantly between different cities.•State and organizational culture, policy, and practice are critically important.
Characterizing relaxin receptor expression and exploring relaxin's effect on tissue remodeling/fibrosis in the human bladder.

Relaxin is an endogenous protein that has been shown to have antifibrotic properties in various organ systems. There has been no characterization of relaxin’s role in the human bladder. Our objective was to characterize relaxin receptor expression in the human bladder and assess relaxin’s effect on tissue remodeling/fibrosis pathways in bladder smooth muscle cells. Relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) and RXFP2 expression was assessed using quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) on primary bladder tissue. Primary human smooth muscle bladder cells were cultured and stimulated with various concentrations of relaxin. Western blot, qRTPCR, ELISA, and zymogram assays were used to analyze fibrosis/tissue remodeling pathway proteins. There was universal mRNA transcript detection and protein expression of relaxin receptors in primary bladder specimens. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated RXFP1 and RXFP2 localizing to both urothelial and smooth muscle cell layers of the bladder. 24 h of in vitro relaxin stimulation did not affect mRNA expression of selected proteins in human bladder smooth muscle cells. However, 48 h of in vitro relaxin stimulation resulted in upregulation of active (p = 0.004) and latent (p = 0.027) MMP-2 in cell lysate, and upregulation of active MMP-2 in supernatant (p = 0.04). There was a dose dependent relationship with increasing expression of MMP-2 with increasing relaxin concentration. Relaxin stimulation resulted in decreased levels of active and total TGF-β1 in supernatant and extracellular matrix (p < 0.005 with 100 ng/mL relaxin stimulation). In the human bladder, relaxin receptors are expressed at the dome and trigone and localize to the urothelium and smooth muscle cell layers. Stimulation of human bladder SMCs with relaxin in vitro affects expression of MMP-2 and TGF-β1.
An Integrated HOCl-Producing E-Scaffold Is Active against Monomicrobial and Polymicrobial Biofilms.

Oxidizing agents like hypochlorous acid (HOCl) have antimicrobial activity. We developed an integrated electrochemical scaffold, or e-scaffold, that delivers a continuous low dose of HOCl aimed at targeting microbial biofilms without exceeding concentrations toxic to humans as a prototype of a device being developed to treat wound infections in humans. In this work, we tested the device against 33 isolates of bacteria (including isolates with acquired antibiotic resistance) grown as in vitro biofilms alongside 12 combinations of dual-species in vitro biofilms. Biofilms were grown on the bottoms of 12-well plates for 24 h. An integrated e-scaffold was placed atop each biofilm and polarized at 1.5 V for 1, 2, or 4 h. HOCl was produced electrochemically by oxidizing chloride ions (Cl-) in solution to chlorine (Cl2); dissolved Cl2 spontaneously dissociates in water to produce HOCl. The cumulative concentration of HOCl produced at the working electrode in each well was estimated to be 7.89, 13.46, and 29.50 mM after 1, 2, and 4 h of polarization, respectively. Four hours of polarization caused an average reduction of 6.13 log10 CFU/cm2 (±1.99 log10 CFU/cm2) of viable cell counts of monospecies biofilms and 5.53 log10 CFU/cm2 (±2.31 log10 CFU/cm2) for the 12 dual-species biofilms studied. The described integrated e-scaffold reduces viable bacterial cell counts in biofilms formed by an array of antibiotic-susceptible and -resistant bacteria alone and in combination.
Affine Connections with Torsion in (Para-)complexified Structures

We investigate integrability conditions for an almost (para-)complex structure L, \(L^2 = \pm \text{ id }\), on manifolds that admit affine connections carrying torsion in general. The affine connections \(\nabla \) under consideration are not assumed to be (para-)complex \(\nabla L \ne 0\). Two kinds of torsion matching conditions leading to integrability of L are analyzed, which are generalizations of the first and second canonical connections along the Gauduchon line. We also discuss (para-)holomorphicity of \(\nabla \) encoded by the second condition.
الإدارة النقدية في اقتصاد إسلامي (Comments on Monetary Policy in an Islamic Economy)

Arabic Abstract: تهدف هذه الورقة إلى إبداء بعض التعليقات حول الإدارة النقدية في اقتصاد إسلامي English Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to make a scientific comments on Monetary Policy in an Islamic Economy.
Reflective inquiry in teacher education: interanimating authoritative and internally persuasive discourses

Teachers often find themselves in the midst of developing their own ideologies while facing authoritative demands on classroom instruction. Internally persuasive discourses shaping these ideologies...
Virtual Community Mental Health Support during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis: Balancing Accessibility with Online Security

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent quarantine orders led to a lot of uncertainty, fear, and mental health difficulty around the world. To be able to support the community during this time of crisis, especially when no in-person crisis services could be provided, an online mental health support and parenting group was offered to the community. While the primary goal of this group was to provide communitywide mental health support to as many parents as possible, the group was quickly compromised by people using the technology to disrupt the support program. The interference from disruptors to the security of the online program through so-called Zoombombing quickly created a dilemma as to how to safely provide quality care. This article provides a case report of a community-based parenting support program and explores the challenge of providing wide-scale online mental health care while also protecting the privacy and security of community members and the integrity of the program. In developing this project to support the community during the pandemic, several lessons were learned about use of virtual platforms, online security, and finding ways to care for the community through crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Children & Schools is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
An emerging role for immuno-nutrition in patients undergoing radical cystectomy.

Malnutrition is a potentially modifiable factor that is associated with considerable morbidity and is prevalent in patients with bladder cancer who are treated with radical cystectomy. Studies suggest a role for immuno-nutrition in optimizing patients’ nutritional status before undergoing this procedure, with the goal of improving patient outcomes.
Constrained Stochastic Language Models

Stochastic language models incorporating both n-grams and context-free grammars are proposed. A constrained context-free model specified by a stochastic context-free prior distribution with superimposed n-gram frequency constraints is derived and the resulting maximum-entropy distribution is shown to induce a Markov random field with neighborhood structure at the leaves determined by the relative n-gram frequencies. A computationally efficient version, the mixed tree/chain graph model, is derived with identical neighborhood structure. In this model, a word-tree derivation is given by a stochastic context-free prior on trees down to the preterminal (part-of-speech) level and word attachment is made by a nonstationary Markov chain. Using the Penn TreeBank, a comparison of the mixed tree/chain graph model to both the n-gram and context-free models is performed using entropy measures. The model entropy of the mixed tree/chain graph model is shown to reduce the entropy of both the bigram and context-free models.
Coating thickness gauges

Introduction Numerous devices are available for measuring the thickness of coatings. Unfortunately most prospective users are not instrument specialists and often experience difficulty in selecting the best device for the application. Due to lack of knowledge or time, moreover, he is often placed in the difficult position of being able to purchase only in order to eliminate an immediate problem and therefore is not able to fully assess future or continuing needs in parallel to this immediate and urgent problem.
Spontaneous formation of ordered structures in thin films of metals supported on an elastomeric polymer

Spontaneous generation of complex order in apparently simple systems is both arresting and potentially useful1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11. Here we describe the appearance of complex, ordered structures induced by the buckling of thin metal films owing to thermal contraction of an underlying substrate. We deposit the films from the vapour phase on a thermally expanded polymer (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS). Subsequent cooling of the polymer creates compressive stress in the metal film that is relieved by buckling with a uniform wavelength of 20–50 micrometres. The waves can be controlled and orientated by relief structures in the surface of the polymer, which can set up intricate, ordered patterns over large areas. We can account qualitatively for the size and form of the patterned features in terms of the non-uniform stresses developed in the film near steps on the polymer substrate. This patterning process may find applications in optical devices such as diffraction gratings and optical sensors, and as the basis for methods of strain analysis in materials.
Integrated circuit technologies for wireless communications

This paper provides an overview of present trends in the development of integrated circuit technology for applications in the wireless communications industry. Through advanced circuit, architectural and processing technologies, ICs have helped bring about the wireless revolution by enabling highly sophisticated, low cost and portable end user terminals. Two broad categories of circuits are highlighted. The first is RF integrated circuits and the second is digital baseband processing circuits. In both areas, the paper presents the circuit design challenges and options presented to the designer. It also highlights the manner in which these technologies have helped advance wireless communications.
Phosphatidylinositol-Phosphatidic Acid Exchange by Nir2 at ER-PM Contact Sites Maintains Phosphoinositide Signaling Competence

Summary Sustained agonist-induced production of the second messengers InsP 3 and diacylglycerol requires steady delivery of phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) from its site of synthesis in the ER to the plasma membrane (PM) to maintain PtdIns(4,5) P 2 levels. Similarly, phosphatidic acid (PtdOH), generated from diacylglycerol in the PM, has to reach the ER for PtdIns resynthesis. Here, we show that the Drosophila RdgB homolog, Nir2, a presumed PtdIns transfer protein, not only transfers PtdIns from the ER to the PM but also transfers PtdOH to the opposite direction at ER-PM contact sites. PtdOH delivery to the ER is impaired in Nir2-depleted cells, leading to limited PtdIns synthesis and ultimately to loss of signaling from phospholipase C-coupled receptors. These studies reveal a unique feature of Nir2, namely its ability to serve as a highly localized lipid exchanger that ensures that PtdIns synthesis is matched with PtdIns(4,5) P 2 utilization so that cells maintain their signaling competence.
Evaluating the productivity of social work scholars using the h-index

Objectives: This article reports the first estimated h-index values for social work faculty. Methods: Multiple raters blindly assessed two samples of faculty (1) tenure-track faculty at institutions listed in the U.S. News and World Report top 10 (n = 337) and (2) tenure-track editorial board members of 5 highly ranked social work journals (n = 215). Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients for h-index values among the multiple raters ranged from .83 to .92, indicating good reliability. For faculty at top 10 institutions, mean estimated h-index values were 3.97 (SD = 2.87) for assistant professors; 8.59 (SD = 3.72) for associate professors; and 16.14 (SD = 8.35) for full professors. Values for editorial board members were generally similar. Conclusions: These are the first such published data; further research is needed.
Multidimensional numerical simulation of reactive flow in internal combustion engines

Abstract A selective review is given of numerical methods for performing multidimensional simulations of the chemically reactive fluid flow in an internal combustion engine cylinder. Particular emphasis is placed on the major areas of numerical difficulty, their physical origins, and the methods that have been proposed for their amelioration. This discussion is conceptually divided into sections that deal with fluid dynamical effects, fuel sprays, chemical kinetics, and flame propagation. A survey is then made of the extent to which the various methods discussed have been incorporated into unified computer codes for engine cylinder calculations. Available computer codes and their capabilities are summarized, and an illustrative calculation is described.
Amiodarone fails to improve survival in amitriptyline-poisoned mice.

Objective. Amiodarone, a class III antidysrhythmic agent, blocks Na+, Ca2 +, and K+ channels as well as the β-adrenergic receptor. Despite increased use of amiodarone for wide-complex tachycardia, its efficacy in the treatment of dysrhythmias induced by tricyclic antidepressants has not been tested. We investigated the effect of amiodarone and amitriptyline in a mouse lethality model. Methods. The LD50 of amitriptyline obtained from reference sources was confirmed by giving 100 mg/kg to 40 mice by intraperitoneal (IP) injection. The safety of the treatment dose of amiodarone was confirmed by giving 50 mg/kg by IP injection to 10 mice. One hundred and nine mice were randomized to receive pretreatment with 50 mg/kg amiodarone (n = 55) or an equal volume of saline or water as a volume control (n = 54). Thirty minutes after pretreatment or control injection, the mice received amitriptyline, 100 mg/kg. Outcome was defined as death or survival 3 h after amitriptyline injection. Results. In our confirmation of t...
Constraints on dark energy from the Lyα forest baryon acoustic oscillations measurement of the redshift 2.3 Hubble parameter

Abstract We use the Busca et al. (2012) [11] measurement of the Hubble parameter at redshift z = 2.3 in conjunction with 21 lower z measurements, from Simon, Verde, and Jimenez (2005) [81] , Gaztanaga, Cabre, and Hui (2009) [33] , Stern et al. (2010) [85] , and Moresco et al. (2012) [52] , to place constraints on model parameters of constant and time-evolving dark energy cosmological models. The inclusion of the new Busca et al. (2012) [11] measurement results in H ( z ) constraints significantly more restrictive than those derived by Farooq, Mania, and Ratra (2013) [31] . These H ( z ) constraints are now more restrictive than those that follow from current Type Ia supernova (SNIa) apparent magnitude measurements Suzuki et al. (2012) [86] . The H ( z ) constraints by themselves require an accelerating cosmological expansion at about 2 σ confidence level, depending on cosmological model and Hubble constant prior used in the analysis. A joint analysis of H ( z ) , baryon acoustic oscillation peak length scale, and SNIa data favors a spatially-flat cosmological model currently dominated by a time-independent cosmological constant but does not exclude slowly-evolving dark energy density.
Nitrate and ammonium uptake by natural stream sediment microbial communities in response to nutrient enrichment.

Abstract Anthropogenic activities have increased nitrogen concentration in many ecosystems. Because microbes have higher metabolic rates relative to larger organisms, microbial activity may influence nitrogen movement and degradation significantly in ecosystems. Thus, the ability for microorganisms to adapt to increasing nitrogen concentrations is essential to ecosystem sustainability. We measured sediment microbial community nitrogen assimilation after sustained nitrogen enrichments using in vitro and isotopic techniques. Mixed-microbial communities were exposed to-enriched concentrations of NO 3 –N (1 mg l −1 ) and NH 4 –N (30 μg l −1 ) for four weeks. Each week, filtered water samples were collected from each mesocosm and sediment was removed to quantify rates of nitrogen assimilation by the sediment microbial community. During the fourth week, isotopic tracers 15 NO 3 and 15 NH 4 were added to mesocosms to directly measure nitrogen incorporation into microbial cells as organic 15 N. Initial microbial responses to nitrogen enrichment were distinctly different from the sustained microbial community responses. NH 4 –N uptake was initially stimulated with NH 4 –N enrichments but increased uptake rates were not sustained over time. Sustained responses to changing nitrogen availability equilibrated within 1–3 weeks (depending on nitrogen form), indicating that even though microbial communities can respond to increased availability, potential for increased assimilation is limited.
Engineered nanoparticles. How brain friendly is this new guest

In the last 30 years, the use of engineered nanoparticles (NPs) has progressively increased in many industrial and medical applications. In therapy, NPs may allow more effective cellular and subcellular targeting of drugs. In diagnostic applications, quantum dots are exploited for their optical characteristics, while superparamagnetic iron oxides NPs are used in magnetic resonance imaging. NPs are used in semiconductors, packaging, textiles, solar cells, batteries and plastic materials. Despite the great progress in nanotechnologies, comparatively little is known to date on the effects that exposure to NPs may have on the human body, in general and specifically on the brain. NPs can enter the human body through skin, digestive tract, airways and blood and they may cross the blood-brain barrier to reach the central nervous system. In addition to the paucity of studies describing NP effects on brain function, some of them also suffer of insufficient NPs characterization, inadequate standardization of conditions and lack of contaminant evaluation, so that results from different studies can hardly be compared. It has been shown in vitro and in vivo in rodents that NPs can impair dopaminergic and serotoninergic systems. Changes of neuronal morphology and neuronal death were reported in mice treated with NPs. NPs can also affect the respiratory chain of mitochondria and Bax protein levels, thereby causing apoptosis. Changes in expression of genes involved in redox pathways in mouse brain regions were described. NPs can induce autophagy, and accumulate in lysosomes impairing their degradation capacity. Cytoskeleton and vesicle trafficking may also be affected. NPs treated animals showed neuroinflammation with microglia activation, which could induce neurodegeneration. Considering the available data, it is important to design adequate models and experimental systems to evaluate in a reliable and controlled fashion the effects of NPs on the brain, and generate data representative of effects on the human brain, thereby useful for developing robust and valid nanosafety standards.
Tectonic controls of metamorphic field gradients

Abstract We investigate the effects of horizontal variations in tectonic factors (heat production and rate, amount, and duration of erosion) on the magnitudes and gradients of pressure (P), temperature (T), and cooling ages observed in mountain belts. Horizontal gradients of P, T, and cooling ages are largely controlled by two dimensionless parameters, (1) the horizontal length scale, λ′, over which erosion, erosion rate or erosion duration varies, and (2) the Peclet number, Pe, which describes the relative rates of advection and diffusion of heat. In contrast, the magnitudes of observed P and T depend strongly on the degree of thickening and original burial depth, as well as Pe, and, since horizontal heat conduction can usually be ignored, do not depend strongly on λ′. P and T gradients generally increase with decreasing λ′ and Pe. For calculations in which either, but not both, erosion rate or erosion duration is horizontally constant, P and T gradients are moderate in magnitude and increase in the direction of increasing total erosion. In contrast, calculations with horizontally constant total erosion (but varying erosion rate and erosion duration) show small temperature and pressure gradients; pressures and temperatures can increase in the same or in opposite directions, depending on the magnitude of λ′. Calculations with horizontally varying crustal heat production show small but non-zero temperature gradients and negligible pressure gradients. These results indicate that knowledge of temperature, pressure and cooling age gradients in individual mountain belts can constrain fundamental quantities such as magnitude and horizontal gradient of the exhumation rate and the average shear strain rate occurring during exhumation. On the basis of their metamorphic field gradients, most mountain belts can be divided into one of three groups. The first and largest group shows strongly positive P and T gradients. Precambrian orogenic areas comprise the second group and have small T gradients (