cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preamputation pain and acute pain predict chronic pain after lower extremity amputation.

Abstract Although previous research suggests that preamputation pain is a risk factor for pain after amputation, little is known about the association between acute postsurgical pain and chronic amputation-related pain. The current prospective study examined the associations of preamputation pain and acute postamputation pain with chronic amputation-related pain. The sample consisted of patients with lower limb amputation (N = 57) who provided both preamputation and postamputation data during a 2-year study period. Preamputation pain intensity and duration were assessed before amputation; acute phantom limb pain (PLP) and residual limb pain (RLP) intensity were assessed on postsurgical days 4 and 5. Acute PLP intensity was the only significant independent predictor of chronic PLP intensity at 6 and 12 months after amputation, whereas preamputation pain intensity was the only significant predictor of chronic PLP intensity at 24 months. Similarly, acute RLP was found to be the best overall predictor of chronic RLP. Other variables (age, gender, level and etiology of amputation, amount of postsurgical pain medication, and duration of preamputation pain) were not associated with chronic pain. These results suggest that higher levels of pain either before or soon after amputation might help to identify individuals at greatest risk for chronic pain problems and most in need of early, intensive pain interventions. Perspective This study suggests that both preamputation pain and acute pain soon after amputation might be associated with bothersome chronic pain. The results support further research on acute pain mechanisms and the effectiveness of early interventions aimed at preventing or managing amputation-related pain.
Justice Lewis F. Powell: Swing Voter or Staunch Conservative?

Justice Lewis F. Powell, both before and after his retirement from the Supreme Court, has been highly praised as a moderate whose nonideological "swing" vote had ameliorated the conflict on an otherwise severely divided Court. This research develops a useful definition of "swing voting" and outlines a method for determining statistically its presence and operation. The results of this study indicate that Powell's voting record throughout his years on the Court was distinctly conservative and that there is no support for the myth that Powell controlled the deciding vote on the Court.
The reaction of gaseous N2O5 with solid NaCl at 298 K: Estimated lower limit to the reaction probability and its potential role in tropospheric and stratospheric chemistry

Gaseous N2O5/air mixtures were flowed over solid NaCl at 298 K and the gaseous product ClNO2 measured using FTIR. With excess NaCl, one ClNO2 was produced per N2O5 in the initial mixture, and from the contact time between N2O5 and the salt, a lower limit to the fraction of collisions leading to reaction was estimated to be 2.5 × 10−3. This reaction is sufficiently rapid that it may lead to the formation of ppb levels of ClNO2 overnight in polluted marine urban areas. The ClNO2 will photolyze at dawn to give chlorine atoms which initiate the photooxidation of organics in a manner analogous to OH. This reaction may also play a role in remote Arctic chemistry if the reaction is significantly faster than our lower limit. This supports the hypothesis of Michelangeli et al. (1990) that the N2O5(g) + NaCl(s) reaction may contribute significantly to stratospheric chemistry after the eruption of alkalic volcanoes such as El Chichon.
Parvovirus B19 Empty Capsids as Antigen Carriers for Presentation of Antigenic Determinants of Dengue 2 Virus

For the production of dengue-vaccine candidates, empty capsids, or virus-like particles (VLPs), of parvovirus B19 that carry dengue 2-specific epitopes were employed as antigen carriers. Two epitopes (comprising amino acids 352-368 and 386-397) of domain BIII of the envelope glycoprotein were chosen to produce recombinant B19 VLPs for immunization of BALB/c mice. Serum samples from immunized mice revealed that recombinant B19 VLPs elicited strong humoral immune responses. In summary, this B19 VLP-vaccine platform produced high (> or =2.0 x 10(5)) anti-dengue 2 titers and robust (< or =1 120) 50%-plaque-reduction neutralization test (PRNT(50)) titers, which effectively neutralized live dengue 2 virus in PRNT(50) assays.
Effect of converter packaging techniques on device electrical conduction

High power converters handling several thousands of amperes and employing solid state switches (silicon controlled rectifiers, or SCRs, for example), often have to use multiple devices in parallel. Additionally, if the converter operates across a high voltage bus, it may also require a series/parallel combination of SCRs. It is clear, therefore, that multiple conducting paths are created in any one leg of the converter. Because of mechanical requirements and practical considerations regarding the mounting of the SCRs and the routing of power to them, differential reactances are generated among the different paths, leading unavoidably to unequal current sharing among the various SCRs. This serious consequence may limit the effective current that can be switched or force the use of larger devices, if this is possible. It is very important, therefore, to be able to estimate the actual current distribution among the various power switches for a given realization of the converter. This paper discusses the problem as it was experienced in the actual implementation of a three-phase SCR bridge converter. The system geometry is described and the results of the electromagnetic finite-element analysis of one leg of the converter are given, highlighting the expected current distribution unbalance.
Results of airborne backscatter measurements during the Surface Wave Dynamics Experiment

Ocean backscatter data over a wide variety of oceanic and atmospheric conditions were obtained by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory NUSCAT K/sub u/-band scatterometer during the Surface Wave Dynamics Experiment (SWADE) off the coast of Virginia. A sea surface temperature front at the Gulf Stream boundary existed in the SWADE measurement area. Swells up to 6 m in significant wave height and a large range of wind speeds were encountered. Large differences in backscatter between cold and warm sides of the Gulf Stream were observed. Relations of backscatter with friction velocity are derived from the NUSCAT-SWADE data set. The increasing trend observed in the backscatter with younger wave age agrees with a rougher surface condition for a younger wave field. The results show that backscatter is more sensitive to friction velocity with smaller deviation factors compared to the backscatter functions of wave age. NUSCAT data indicate that the azimuth direction, at which the backscatter is maximum, is in between the wind direction and the dominant wave direction at light wind conditions. Excluding cases of large swells, there is no systematic trend between backscatter and significant wave height.
The genetics of phenotypic plasticity in a colonizing population of the ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis.

We investigated the degree to which families of a colonizing ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis, differed in their phenotypic responses to familiar vs. novel food types using a split-brood fullsib design. Development time, adult size, and two measures of colour were significantly affected by diet. All traits measured were under some degree of genetic control. Significant levels of genetic variation existed in phenotypic plasticity for development time and adult size, but not for two measures of colour. Genetic correlations were found between several traits within single environments but no significant cross-environment genetic correlations were detected. We concluded that: (1) plasticity in development time and adult size may evolve given appropriate selection pressure; (2) plasticity in the two measures of colour cannot evolve owing to a lack of genetic variation; and (3) colonization of H. axyridis is associated with plasticity, though it is not clear that colonization events actively select for change in levels of plasticity.
Review article: Low-wage work in high-income countries: Labor-market institutions and business strategy in the US and Europe:

This article provides an overview of low-wage occupations in five industries (nursing assistants and cleaners in hospitals, cashiers and stock/sales clerks in food and electronics retail trade, process operatives in meat processing and confectionary, housekeepers in hotels, and in-coming sales/service operators in call centers) in six countries (Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the United States), based on a large-scale, multi-year research project funded and coordinated by the Russell Sage Foundation in New York. Low-wage work varies substantially both across and within countries, with large increases in the 1980s and 1990s in the Netherlands and the UK and, since the mid-1990s, in Germany. The US has the highest incidence of low-wage work, with Germany close behind. Denmark and France have much less low-wage work. Institutions (and their deterioration) play a large role in explaining these and other differences.
Molecular epidemiology of trimethoprim resistance among coagulase-negative staphylococci.

A 42% (70 of 167 isolates) incidence of resistance to 20 micrograms of trimethoprim per ml was found among clinical isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci from two hospitals. A specific trimethoprim resistance gene probe from a conjugative Staphylococcus aereus plasmid was used to investigate the location of the trimethoprim resistance gene among 29 isolates. In 14 trimethoprim-resistant isolates, the probe hybridized with only chromosomal DNA, in 9 it hybridized with only plasmid DNA, and in 1 isolate both plasmid and chromosomal sequences showed hybridization. In five isolates there was no hybridization of the probe with either chromosomal or plasmid DNA. Four of these five nonhybridizing isolates were Staphylococcus haemolyticus. In contrast, all 22 Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates tested hybridized with the probe. The presence of the trimethoprim resistance gene in a chromosomal location was correlated with a lower MIC (median, 80 micrograms/ml) than when it was plasmid encoded (median, 1,250 micrograms/ml). Restriction endonuclease mapping as well as DNA hybridization of cloned plasmid and chromosomal DNA showed that there were 2.7 kilobases of common DNA in the two loci. This included the 500 base pairs of DNA mediating trimethoprim resistance and a total of 2.2 kilobases of 39- and 59-flanking sequences. The presence of the same gene and flanking sequences in chromosomal and plasmid locations suggests that the trimethoprim resistance determinant is translocated among different genetic loci. Images
Outcomes following non-valved autologous reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract in neonates and infants.

Objective: Controversy surrounds the optimal method of establishing right ventricle to pulmonary artery continuity in neonates and infants with congenital heart disease. We reviewed our experience with non-valved autologous reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract to determine mid-term outcome and risk factors for reintervention. Methods: Between 1998 and 2006, 34 consecutive patients underwent non-valved autologous right ventricular outflow tract reconstruction. The need for postoperative catheter-based intervention or reoperation was assessed using relevant patient and procedure-related variables. Results: Diagnoses included tetralogy of Fallot with anomalous coronary (n = 3), tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia (n = 10), truncusarteriosuscommunis (n = 15), and other (n = 6). Median age at surgery was 5 days (1-270 days). Twenty-six (76%) patients were neonates. Median weight was 3.1 kg (1.8-7.3 kg). At a median follow-up of 43 months (1-90 months), 15 (50%) patients underwent reoperation and 7 (23%) underwent catheter-based intervention, with a total of 16 (53%) undergoing either reoperation or catheter-based intervention. Kaplan-Meier freedom from reintervention at 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was 67%, 47%, 47%, and 35% for truncus arteriosus versus 87%, 82%, 68%, and 65% for diagnoses other than truncus arteriosus (p = 0.05). Conclusions: Mid-term outcome following non-valved autologous reconstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract is satisfactory and constitutes a sound alternative to the use of small-diameter conduits in neonates and infants. In our hands, this strategy favors certain anatomic subtypes. Non-truncus patients have significantly lower rates of reintervention. Technical details associated with the anatomical reconstruction of the posterior autologous pathway may play an important role in outcomes.
Psychiatric comorbidity and response to preventative therapy in the treatment of severe migraine trial

Introduction: Mood and anxiety disorders are comorbid with migraine and commonly assumed to portend a poor response to preventive migraine therapies. However, there is little evidence to support this assumption.Method: We examined impact of a mood and/or anxiety disorder diagnosis using American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria on response to the three preventative migraine therapies evaluated in the Treatment of Severe Migraine trial (n = 177): β-blocker, behavioral migraine management, or behavioral migraine management +β-blocker. Daily diaries assessed migraine activity for the 16 months of the trial. The Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire and Headache Disability Inventory assessed headache-related disability at regular intervals. Mixed models for repeated measures examined changes in these three outcomes with preventative migraine therapy in participants with and without a mood or anxiety disorder diagnosis.Results: Participants with a comorbid mood or an...
Confirmation Bias in Tax Information Search: A Comparison of Law Students and Accounting Students

Tax professionals frequently perform research to evaluate the strength of client favorable tax positions. Prior research suggests that when performing research, tax professionals tend to focus their attention on precedents with conclusions consistent with their client's preferred outcome and attend less to precedents with conclusions inconsistent with this outcome. This confirmation bias causes professionals to be overly optimistic about the strength of the authoritative support for clientpreferred positions. Despite the potential problems that may arise with confirmation bias, research has yet to consider factors that may mitigate this behavior. Using an experiment that compares the information search behaviors of law students and accounting students, this study provides evidence that the nature of academic training influences the extent to which tax researchers are subject to confirmation bias. Specifically, we find that when conducting research to resolve an ambiguous tax issue, law students are less p...
The social organization of a boardinghouse: Archaeological evidence from the Buffalo waterfront

A contextual analysis of three privies excavated on the Buffalo waterfront yielded information about the structure of daily life in a 19th-century urban environment. The study of these features included the analysis of their structure and artifact content, as well as extensive investigation of the documentary record. This research afforded the opportunity to examine the distinctions between boarders and families in a boardinghouse context. Privies associated with a saloon/boardinghouse were compared with evidence from a single family home. The archaeological evidence suggested the differential use of teawares by the boardinghouse family as a means of distinguishing the familial unit within the larger boardinghouse population. Analysis also indicated that the boardinghouse family enjoyed a somewhat higher standard of living than the neighboring single family household.
Gaseous and Quantum Electronics in Nuclear Engineering Education

The roles of gaseous and quantum electronics in nuclear engineering, and consequently in nuclear engineering education, are growing at a significant rate. The nuclear engineering program of the University of Illinois currently has 10 students, out of a total graduate student enrollment of 90, specializing in these areas. Course work follows an interdisciplinary approach to supplement the basic nuclear engineering core of courses. Research is primarily focused on radiation- induced plasmas. Both theoretical and experimental aspects are investigated; however, the major effort is devoted to the study of radiation coupling to laser plasmas. This coupling has been shown by the enhancement of electrical lasers and by the direct nuclear pumping of laser plasmas. A typical example of this research is a study of a gas mixture of He-Ne-O$sub 2$ irradiated by neutrons from the University of Illinois TRIGA reactor. Although conclusive proof of lasing has not been demonstrated, indications of gain and a population inversion have been achieved. (auth)
The Great American Makeover: The Sexing Up and Dumbing Down of Women's Work After Jespersen v. Harrah's Operating Company

This article is based on a lecture - The Jack Pemberton Lecture on Workplace Justice sponsored by the University of San Francisco Law School - which the author delivered in San Francisco in March, 2007. The article argues that the Ninth Circuit's 2006 en banc decision, Jespersen v. Harrah's Operating Co., presented a doctrinal framework for analyzing worker challenges to employers' sex-based dress, grooming, and appearance codes that has no statutory support in Title VII of 1964 and its amendments in the Civil Rights Act of 1991. Jespersen held that Harrah's policy of requiring all female bartenders to wear certain makeup on the job was not discriminatory on its face because there was no evidence that the policy was based on "sex stereotypes." In addition, the court ruled that, in the absence of evidence of the costs in time and money of buying and applying makeup, a mandatory makeup policy for women does not discriminate on the basis of sex by placing an "unequal burden" on female workers. The vision of gender equality underlying the court's analysis in the case reinforces the cultural devaluation of female workers' competence and intelligence by allowing employers to enforce gendered appearance norms. The article examines how the court's "sex stereotyping" and "unequal burdens" doctrines have strayed from the statutory language of federal antidiscrimination law, as well as relevant Supreme Court interpretation of that language. The resulting judge - made law in Jespersen rests on a crabbed vision of gender equality that undermines the past achievements of Title VII - which had expanded work opportunities for women in traditional male jobs like bartending - by making it very difficult for women to challenge sex-based grooming policies. In particular, the article suggests that the cost of collecting reliable evidence on the cost and time of an employer's grooming rules, as well as the narrow notion of the burdens of gendered grooming requirements, will discourage challenges to such policies under the "unequal burdens" doctrine. More promising (but still costly) might be Title VII challenges under the "sex stereotyping" doctrine that draw on the wealth of social science evidence about how sex stereotypes and sex roles can affect perceptions about the competence, intelligence, prestige, and status of female workers. The article concludes that the Jespersen decision is likely to contribute to the "dumbing down" and "sexing up" of women's work in America and that the harms flowing from the court's narrow vision of gender equality are likely to fall on vulnerable groups of workers such as adolescent females and older men and women who are not "old enough" to be protected by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
An entire function with irregular growth and more than one deficient value

A. A. Goldberg in "The Possible Magnitude of the Lower Order of an Entire Function with a Finite Deficient Value" [4] poses the question of existence of entire functions of infinite order, finite lower order, and having a finite deficient value. The answer to both questions is affirmative. We prove existence by constructing an explicit infinite product representation of an entire function with zero having positive deficiency to meet the requirements. Our methods include generalizing a result of B. Ja. Levin concerning particular entire functions with zeros evenly distributed on two rays. Next we exhibit a polynomial substitute for the exponential convergence factor which appears in the standard Weierstrass primary factor. Then we partition the complex plane into annular regions which are appropriate for our purposes of interpolating through a family of entire functions. Finally we take a comparison function by D. Drasin and generalize it to obtain a counting function for zeros which we use to construct our entire function.
Managing Stress Levels of Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities: A Meta-Analytic Review of Interventions

Parents of children diagnosed with disabilities often experience elevated levels of stress compared to those parenting children without disabilities (Baker-Ericzen, Brookman-Frazee, & Stahmer, 2005; Tomanik, Harris, & Hawkins, 2004). This increase in stress can have a negative impact on parent well-being (Trute & Hiebert-Murphy, 2002) resulting in a stress-induced dysregulation of the immune system. In their article in this issue, Gouin, da Estrela, Desmarais, and Baker found that increased levels of social support served as protection against this dysregulation. In the current study, we examined the nature and beneficial components of formal support services targeted at reducing the stress levels of parental caregivers of children with developmental disabilities. With this meta-analytic review we attempt to examine the efficacy of these interventions and potential moderators to their effects by reviewing comparison group studies conducted in North America with parent stress interventions and stress outcome measures. Six studies were identified that met this review's criteria, reporting an overall effect of d = 0.51. In sum, stress management interventions were found to effectively reduce the reported stress of parents caring for children with developmental disabilities. A significant issue identified was the limited number of comparison group studies that examined stress management interventions for this population. Implications of these findings and need for further exploration are discussed.
Iron-Catalyzed Olefin Epoxidation and cis-Dihydroxylation by Tetraalkylcyclam Complexes: the Importance of cis-Labile Sites

[Fe(Me2EBC)(OTf)2], the iron(II) complex of the tetraazamacrocyclic Me2EBC ligand (Me2EBC = 4,11-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo [6.6.2]hexadecane), has been investigated as a catalyst for olefin...
Biological Studies of a Histiogaster Mite (Acarina: Acaridae) Associated with Pine Reproduction Weevils

Of more than 40 species of wood-boring beetles checked, only the weevils Hylobius pales (Herbst) and Pachylobius picivorus (Germar) were found to have the mite Histiogaster anops Griffiths associated with them. The mite appears to be a normal inhabitant of the larval tunnels of the weevils, and apparently the adult weevils provide its only means of dispersal. The hypopus, the only stage found on the adult weevil, attaches to the weevil before it cuts through the bark to escape from its pupal chamber. The mites are easily reared with pine phloem or dry yeast as a food source. The feeding stages were consistently attracted more strongly to fresh as opposed to aged pine phloem, but were even more strongly attracted to fresh oak or catalpa phloems. Rearing experiments were successful only on oak and pine phloems. The mite requires an average of 9.6 ± 0.36 days from egg to adult when the hypopial stage does not occur. Average egg production was 101.5 eggs per female; one female produced 317 eggs in 17 egg-laying days. No parthenogenetic reproduction was observed.
Energy loss of correlated ions in dense plasma

The interaction between proton clusters and plasma gas is studied using the dielectric function by fried-conte formalism. The theoretical formula of the potential basis equation derived and the energy loss of incident proton (point-like, correlate and dicluster) with different parameters (velocity, distance, densities and temperatures) is calculated numerically. Two different equations were used to enhance the correlation stopping (ECS), it is clear that the present results are consistent with the dielectric calculation of energy loss at parameters ne = 1017cm−3 and T = (2 − 10) eV. The result showed a good correlation with the previous work.
Deep divergence and rapid evolutionary rates in gut-associated Acetobacteraceae of ants

Symbiotic associations between gut microbiota and their animal hosts shape the evolutionary trajectories of both partners. The genomic consequences of these relationships are significantly influenced by a variety of factors, including niche localization, interaction potential, and symbiont transmission mode. In eusocial insect hosts, socially transmitted gut microbiota may represent an intermediate point between free living or environmentally acquired bacteria and those with strict host association and maternal transmission. We characterized the bacterial communities associated with an abundant ant species, Camponotus chromaiodes. While many bacteria had sporadic distributions, some taxa were abundant and persistent within and across ant colonies. Specially, two Acetobacteraceae operational taxonomic units (OTUs; referred to as AAB1 and AAB2) were abundant and widespread across host samples. Dissection experiments confirmed that AAB1 and AAB2 occur in C. chromaiodes gut tracts. We explored the distribution and evolution of these Acetobacteraceae OTUs in more depth. We found that Camponotus hosts representing different species and geographical regions possess close relatives of the Acetobacteraceae OTUs detected in C. chromaiodes. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that AAB1 and AAB2 join other ant associates in a monophyletic clade. This clade consists of Acetobacteraceae from three ant tribes, including a third, basal lineage associated with Attine ants. This ant-specific AAB clade exhibits a significant acceleration of substitution rates at the 16S rDNA gene and elevated AT content. Substitutions along 16S rRNA in AAB1 and AAB2 result in ~10 % reduction in the predicted rRNA stability. Combined, these patterns in Camponotus-associated Acetobacteraceae resemble those found in cospeciating gut associates that are both socially and maternally transmitted. These associates may represent an intermediate point along an evolutionary trajectory manifest most extremely in symbionts with strict maternal transmission. Collectively, these results suggest that Acetobacteraceae may be a frequent and persistent gut associate in Camponotus species and perhaps other ant groups, and that its evolution is strongly impacted by this host association.
A Comparison of the Low-Temperature Adsorption of Nitrogen and Methane from Hydrogen Gas on Three Different Adsorbents

The purpose of this paper Is to present sufficient data, first to test an empirical adsorption correlation for the nitrogen-hydrogen and methane-hydrogen systems, and second, to allow a comparison of three different adsorbents in removing small amounts of nitrogen or methane from high-pressure hydrogen gas streams.
Informed Consent for Sex Between Health Professional and Patient or Client

(1995). Informed Consent for Sex Between Health Professional and Patient or Client. Journal of Sex Education and Therapy: Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 129-131.
Cas A and the Crab were not stellar binaries at death

The majority of massive stars are in binaries, which implies that many core collapse supernovae (ccSNe) should be binaries at the time of the explosion. Here we show that the three most recent, local (visual) SNe (the Crab, CasA and SN1987A) were not binaries, with limits on the initial mass ratios of q=M2/M1 0.1 binary fraction at death of fb<44%. In a passively evolving binary model (meaning no binary interactions), with a flat mass ratio distribution and a Salpeter IMF, the resulting 90% confidence upper limit on the initial binary fraction of F<63% is in considerable tension with observed massive binary statistics. Allowing a significant fraction fM~25% of stellar binaries to merge reduces the tension, with F<63/(1-fM)~81%, but allowing for the significant fraction in higher order systems (triples, etc.) reintroduces the tension. That CasA was not a stellar binary at death also shows that a massive binary companion is not necessary for producing a Type IIb SNe. Much larger surveys for binary companions to Galactic SNe will become feasible with the release of the full Gaia proper motion and parallax catalogs, providing a powerful probe of the statistics of such binaries and their role in massive star evolution, neutron star velocity distributions and runaway stars.
Organocatalyzed synthesis of fluorinated poly(aryl thioethers)

The preparation of high-performance fluorinated poly(aryl thioethers) has received little attention compared to the corresponding poly(aryl ethers), despite the excellent physical properties displayed by many polysulfides. Herein, we report a highly efficient route to fluorinated poly(aryl thioethers) via an organocatalyzed nucleophilic aromatic substitution of silyl-protected dithiols. This approach requires low catalyst loadings, proceeds rapidly at room temperature, and is effective for many different perfluorinated or highly activated aryl monomers. Computational investigations of the reaction mechanism reveal an unexpected, concerted SNAr mechanism, with the organocatalyst playing a critical, dual-activation role in facilitating the process. Not only does this remarkable reactivity enable rapid access to fluorinated poly(aryl thioethers), but also opens new avenues for the processing, fabrication, and functionalization of fluorinated materials with easy removal of the volatile catalyst and TMSF byproducts. Fluorinated poly(aryl thioethers), unlike their poly(aryl ethers) counterparts, have received little attention despite excellent physical properties displayed by many polysulfides. Here the authors show a highly efficient route to fluorinated poly(aryl thioethers) via an organocatalyzed nucleophilic aromatic substitution of silyl-protected dithiols.
Air and Moisture Transport Properties of Low-Oil DDGS

Distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) are widely used as feed for cattle, dairy, and swine because of their protein, fiber, amino acids, fat, and other vital nutrients. Corn ethanol plants in the United States recently have started extracting oil from DDGS to gain additional profit, thus producing low-oil DDGS. So far, there has been no comprehensive study reported with bulk handling and flowability properties of low-oil DDGS. We measured the air resistance, moisture diffusivity, and air permeability properties for low-oil DDGS at different temperature and relative humidity conditions, along with some important physical and chemical properties. Physical property comparisons between regular and low-oil DDGS showed differences in key properties such as particle size, color, density, porosity, and angle of repose. The modified Henderson model predicted the equilibrium moisture content (EMC)–equilibrium relative humidity (ERH) relationship of low-oil DDGS with a low standard error of regression value (...
Evaluation of revegetation techniques for roadside construction sites

Vegetation is often used to control erosion on right-of-way construction sites, but disturbed conditions provide challenges. This research evaluated the impact of common techniques for preparing seedbeds. The study assessed the use of topsoil, and the use of a hydraulic erosion-control product was compared to straw. Experimental seed mixtures were evaluated to understand how native and non-native seeds performed. The intent was to identify critical practices to use in general seeding and mulching specifications. A plot study was conducted comparing vegetation established during one growing season. Treatments included combinations of seed mixture, topsoil treatment, and mulch types. Three seed mixtures were considered: (1) currently used mixture, (2) a warm-season experimental mixture, and (3) a cool-season experimental mixture. Plots with topsoil and no topsoil were compared, and both straw and hydraulic erosion control products were considered. Ground cover, compaction, and biomass were evaluated. Results suggest that alternative seed mixtures that include native and low-threat-level species can provide adequate cover to meet permitting requirements in the first growing season. The warm-season seed mixture provided less cover than the other two mixtures after eight days, but no differences were determined in ground cover among the three seed mixtures at the end of the growing season. Initial germination was improved with hydraulic mulch, but long-term cover was equivalent between hydraulic and straw mulch. Topsoil application would not be recommended if the soil contains undesirable species, and the use of organic amendment products may be more desirable than topsoil alone; however, specifications need to allow the use of these products.
Fatigue Damage Assessment Leveraging Nondestructive Evaluation Data

Fatigue in materials depends on several microstructural parameters. The length and time scales involved in such processes have been investigated by characterization methods that target microstructural effects or that rely on specimen-level observations. Combinations of in situ and ex situ techniques are also used to correlate microstructural changes to bulk properties. We present herein an effort to directly link local changes with specimen-level fatigue damage assessment. To achieve this goal, grain-scale observations in an aluminum alloy are linked with deformation measurements made by digital image correlation and with acoustic emission monitoring obtained from inside the scanning electron microscope. Damage assessment is attempted using a data-processing framework that involves noise removal, data reduction, and classification. The results demonstrate that nondestructive evaluation combined with small-scale testing can provide a means for fatigue damage assessment applicable to a broad range of materials and testing conditions.
Potential Neuroprotective Strategies for Experimental Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex and devastating clinical condition that produces loss of motor and sensory functions below the injury site, often affecting young and healthy individuals throughout the world (Beattie et al., 2000). Functional recovery is very limited because injured axons within the brain and spinal cord are unable to regenerate spontaneously and therapeutic strategies to reestablish lost neuronal connections in spinal cord injury patients are currently unavailable (Schwab et al., 2006; Fouad and Pearson, 2004; Fouad and Tse, 2008). Several factors, including myelin-associated neurite growth inhibitors3, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), myelin-associated glycoprotein (Nogo), and oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein (OMgp), block the regeneration of injured neurons (McKerracher and Winton, 2002; Watkins and Barres, 2002; Filbin, 2003; Watkins and Barres, 2002).
Subcortical and Neocortical Guidance of Area-specific Thalamic Innervation

The specialized functions of neocortical areas depend on patterned innervation from the thalamus. Recent evidence suggests several key molecules for correct connections of thalamocortical axons (TCAs) between specific thalamic nuclei and cortical areas. First, the correct area map has to be generated in cortex, and thalamic nuclei need to be specified in correct patterns. Second, axon guidance molecules that are expressed in the TCA subcortical pathway need to be established. Finally, guidance within the cortex is needed for TCAs to navigate to their target area and prevent them from being misrouted. Here, we discuss thalamocortical axon guidance mechanisms, especially somatosensory axon guidance, during the development of the rodent brain.
Reducing photometry by computing atmospheric transmission

The transmission spectrum of the earth's atmosphere at every observatory can be computed if monitors are set up to determine the atmospheric structure and the abundance versus height of components that vary, such as water vapor and particulates. Photometric observations can be modelled and reduced using the measured instrumental bandpasses and the computed transmission. This method of reduction will greatly improve the quality of infrared photometry and may even be relevant in the visible where ozone, oxygen dimer, and water vapor affect photometric bandpasses. Here I describe the beginning of my work on this approach.
Zur Erkenntnislehre der ethischen Grundordnungsgebilde

Welche spezifische Erkenntnisweise erfordern die Strukturelemente und die Seinsart der ethischen Grundordnungsgebilde? Bei der Beantwortung dieser Frage seien vorangestellt als Beispiele fur das Pflichtsollen „Jedermann ist verpflichtet, seinem Gewissen zu folgen“, fur das ethische Grund-Nichtsollen „Man soll nicht seine Mitmenschen hassen“ und fur das Grund-Freidurfen „Man darf sich gegen Unrecht zur Wehr setzen“.
Identifying High-Status Nodes in Knowledge Networks

The status of a node in a social network plays an important part in determining evolution of the network around it. High-status nodes in knowledge networks are likely to attract more links and influence the use of knowledge by nodes connected directly or indirectly to them. In this study, we model knowledge flow within an innovative organization and contend that it exhibits unique characteristics not incorporated in most social network measures designed to determine node status. Based on the model, we propose the use of a new measure based on team identification and random walks to determine status in knowledge networks. Using data obtained on collaborative patent networks, we find that the new measure performs better than others in identifying high-status inventors.
The Psychology of Logic and the Logic of Psychology: Critique of the Psychology of Reasoning

The argument so far has been that Galileo’s Dialogue has classic significance for science, and important implications for the philosophy of science, for the historiography of science, and for the history and historiography of philosophy. It has also emerged that reasoning is the book’s central feature, both at the level of scientific practice, and at the level of philosophical reflection. It follows that reasoning, which of course is not to be confused with rationalism, is an essential feature of scientific rationality. However, though we have thereby exhibited the structure of scientific rationality, we have not yet examined the structure of this structure. That is, so far we have examined the macro-structure of scientific rationality, but not its micro-structure. In order to do the latter, we need to study the finer details of the reasoning in Galileo’s book. There is, however, an additional independent reason why it is desirable to undertake this study, namely that it provides materials for and examples of a concrete approach to the theory of reasoning, and to the foundations of a reformed science of logic. This I now proceed to show.
Developing a Local Acquisitions System Using the Joint Application Design (JAD) Process: The Indiana Experience

This article describes the joint application design process (JAD) within the context of a large academic research library system. It provides background infomation about this technique and discusse...
Brand Communication Through Inclusivity: The Perspective of First-Generation Americans

The purpose of this conceptual paper is to focus on first-generation Americans and their experiences as it relates to brand imagery and advertisements from fashion brands. Moreover, the study focuses on how fashion brands can create a more inclusive experience for first-generation Americans with a more in-depth study of culture as it pertains to brand images, social representations, advertisements, and how it effects their consumer behavior.
Application of the “ecological dose” concept to the impact of heavy metals on some microbe-mediated ecologic processes in soil

It is suggested that the inhibition of microbe-mediated ecologic processes by pollutants be used to quantitate the sensitivity of natural ecosystems to such toxicants. Such a quantification, expressed as an “ecological dose 50%” (EcD501; other percentages of inhibition could also be used), could be easily incorporated into the methodologies used to set the Water Quality Criteria and the national secondary ambient air quality standards and to establish criteria for terrestrial ecosystems. Furthermore, it would be useful in obtaining the “recommended” ecotoxicologic data required from manufacturers of new chemicals by the Toxic Substances Control Act. The applicability of the EcD50 concept was evaluated by studying the effects of cadmium and zinc on the mineralization of carbon in soil and by adapting published data of other investigators on the effects of different heavy metals on some microbe-mediated ecologic processes (i.e., respiration and nitrification) in soils that differ in physicochemical characteristics.
Significance of black hole quasinormal modes: A closer look

It is known that approximating the Regge-Wheeler potential with step functions significantly modifies the Schwarzschild black hole quasinormal mode spectrum. Surprisingly, this change in the spectrum has little impact on the ringdown waveform. We examine whether this issue is caused by the jump discontinuities and/or the piecewise constant nature of step functions. We show that replacing the step functions with a continuous piecewise linear function does not qualitatively change the results. However, in contrast to previously published results, we discover that the ringdown waveform can be approximated to arbitrary precision using either step functions or a piecewise linear function. Thus, this approximation process provides a new mathematical tool to calculate the ringdown waveform. In addition, similar to normal modes, the quasinormal modes of the approximate potentials seem to form a complete set that describes the entire time evolution of the ringdown waveform. We also examine smoother approximations to the Regge-Wheeler potential, where the quasinormal modes can be computed exactly, to better understand how different portions of the potential impact various regions of the quasinormal mode spectrum.
Management of brain tumors presenting in pregnancy: a case series and systematic review.

Patients who present with brain tumors during pregnancy require unique imaging and neurosurgical, obstetrical, and anesthetic considerations. Here, we review the literature and discuss the management of patients who present with brain tumors during pregnancy. Between 2009 and 2019, 9 patients were diagnosed at our institution with brain tumors during pregnancy. Clinical information was extracted from the electronic medical records. The median age at presentation was 29 years (range, 25–38 years). The most common symptoms at presentation included headache (n=5), visual changes (n=4), hemiparesis (n=3), and seizures (n=3). The median gestational age at presentation was 20.5 weeks (range, 11–37 weeks). Of note, 8 patients (89%) delivered healthy newborns, and 1 patient terminated her pregnancy. In addition, 5 patients (56%) required neurosurgical procedures during pregnancy (gestational ages, 14–37 weeks) because of disease progression (n=2) or neurologic instability (n=3). There was 1 episode of postneurosurgery morbidity (pulmonary embolism [PE]) and no surgical maternal mortality. The median length of follow-up was 15 months (range, 6–45 months). In cases demonstrating unstable or progressive neurosurgical status past the point of fetal viability, neurosurgical intervention should be considered. The physiological and pharmacodynamic changes of pregnancy substantially affect anesthetic management. Pregnancy termination should be discussed and offered to the patient when aggressive disease necessitates immediate treatment and the fetal gestational age remains previable, although neurologically stable patients may be able to continue the pregnancy to term. Ultimately, pregnant patients with brain tumors require an individualized approach to their care under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team.
Polarization treatments of electrospun PVDF fiber mats

Abstract Nanostructured materials such as electrospun fibers are used as filters in many applications. Functionalization techniques can affect the filter performance characteristics such as fiber diameter, pore size, thickness and surface charge. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is well known for its piezoelectric properties and its α, β, γ, δ, and e crystalline phases. The β crystalline phase exhibits the most polar phase and has higher dipole moment upon mechanically stretching of the polymer. This paper uses a custom-made heat-stretch-poling method to polarize electrospun PVDF fibers. Effects of various polarization -treatments such as stretching, heating and electrical poling on filter characteristics as well as on β-phase were studied individually and as a combination of treatments. As-spun and polarized samples were characterized for pore size distribution, charge, and mat thickness respectively. It was observed that most of the treatments had a significant impact on filter performance but little to no impact on β-phase content as electro-spinning alone resulted in relatively high 83% β-phase content.
Single‐Step Sulfur Insertions into Iron Carbide Carbonyl Clusters: Unlocking the Synthetic Door to FeMoco Analogues

The one-step syntheses, X-ray structures, and spectroscopic characterization of synthetic iron clusters, bearing either inorganic sulfides or thiolate with interstitial carbide motifs, are reported. Treatment of iron carbide carbonyl clusters [Fen (μn -C)(CO)m ]x (n=5,6; m=15,16; x=0,-2) with electrophilic sulfur sources (S2 Cl2 , S8 ) results in the formation of several μ4 -S dimers of clusters, and moreover, iron-sulfide-(sulfocarbide) clusters. The core sulfocarbide unit {C-S}4- serves as a structural model for a proposed intermediate in the radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine biogenesis of the M-cluster. Furthermore, the electrophilic sulfur strategy has been extended to provide the first ever thiolato-iron-carbide complex: an analogous reaction with toluylsulfenyl chloride affords the cluster [Fe5 (μ5 -C)(SC7 H7 )(CO)13 ]- . The strategy described herein provides a breakthrough towards developing syntheses of biomimetic iron-sulfur-carbide clusters like FeMoco.
Comparison of Surgical Outcomes of Microdiskectomy Procedures by Patient Admission Status.

Objective We sought to compare the cost and in-hospital outcomes following lumbar microdiskectomy procedures by admission type. Methods Patients undergoing lumbar microdiskectomy at a single institution from 2008 to 2016 following an elective admission (EL) were compared against those who were admitted from the emergency department (ED) or from elsewhere within or outside the hospital system (TR) for their perioperative outcomes and cost. Multivariable modeling controlled for age, sex, self-reported race, Elixhauser comorbidity score, payer type, number of segments, and procedure length. Results Of the 1249 patients included in this study, 1116 (89.4%) were admitted electively while 123 (9.8%) were admitted from the ED and 10 (0.8%) were transferred from other hospitals. EL patients had significantly lower comorbidity burdens (P Conclusions Patients admitted as transfers and from the ED had significantly increased hospitalization lengths of stay and direct costs compared with electively admitted patients.
Financial Sustainability of Colleges as Complex Service Systems

This article analyzes the long-term financial sustainability of small tuition-based colleges in the context of rapid and accelerating transformation caused by demographic changes in the undergraduate student market.