cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A structured method to generate conformal FE mesh for realistic textile composite micro-geometry

Abstract A procedure is developed to generate a conformal finite element mesh of a textile composite unit cell with a complex micro-geometry with the aim of improving the accuracy of micro-mechanics analysis. A realistic micro-geometry of a textile composite unit cell is initially generated by using a fiber level dynamic relaxation approach. Yarn surfaces are then discretized into triangle elements. An algorithm is established to remove inter-yarn interferences and gaps induced by numerical errors. The unit cell is first divided into a uniform cuboid element mesh, which is later modified and converted to a conformal finite element (FE) mesh through of a process of node shifting and element splitting. In the conformal mesh, the element boundary perfectly matches the yarn-to-yarn interface. Compatibility between elements is ensured. The quality of each element is examined. The mesh can be input to commercial FEM softwares for composite stress analysis.
Standing on a glass cliff?: A case study of FIFA’s gender initiatives

Rationale/Purpose: The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has taken gender equality1 initiatives by inaugurating a female leadership development programme (FLDP)2 as well as a...
BCI-based sensorimotor rhythm training can affect individuated finger movements

Brain-computer interface (BCI) technology can restore communication and control to people who are severely paralyzed. BCI technology might also be able to enhance rehabilitation of motor function. ...
THE IMPACT OF FLOATING EXCHANGE RATE ON THE BEHAVIOR OF THE CONSUMERS FOR THE RED MEAT IN GHARBIA GOVERNORATE

The central bank of Egypt issued the decree of floating the exchange rate of the Egyptian pound in September 2016 which lead to raise the prices of agricultural inputs generally and especially the inputs of animal production which import from outside and so raised the prices of red meat. The most important results were: 1-The rising in exchange rate by 10% leads to rises of the prices of the red meat, poultry and fish by 9.3%, 8.8% and 8.1 respectively. 2-The rising in exchange rate by 10% leads to lowing in consumption of red meat by around 7.5%, 6% in rural and urban respectively for the first category of incomes and for the second and third categories of income were 2.9 %, 2.5% in ruler and urban and 1.4%, 0.9 % consequently.It clear that the low category of income was the lowest in consumption of the red meat after the floating exchange rate. 3-An increasing in the red meat price by 10% leads to increased in consuming poultry by 8.1%. 7.2 in rural and urban for the first category of income and by 2.9% . 3% for the second and the third by 1.7%, 2.4% respectively. That means the categories of the low income were the highest in changing the pattern of consumption poultry instead of red meat and substitute it. 4-An increasing in red meat price by 10% leads to increase in consuming the fish by 6.2%, 7.3% in rural and urban respectively for the first category of income and the second by 3.2%, 4.2% and the third by 1.5%, 2.2% in the rural and urban for the categories of income consequent recommendations:- 1-Establishing studies about the impact of the exchange rate before the appliance. 2-The intervention of the government as supplier of the principal commodities at low price and control the level market price. 3-Rationalize the consumers to use the alternative cheaper goods than the expensive and lowing the amount consumption
Tracing sources of stormflow and groundwater recharge in an urban, semi-arid watershed using stable isotopes

Abstract Study region In this study, we use stable isotopes of water to quantify the flow pathways delivering water to the tributaries, mainstem river and groundwater basin underlying urban San Diego. Information about sources of stormflow and recharge are necessary to maintain the health of waterways and aquifers, but studies of these processes are scarce in urban, semi-arid regions. Study focus Isotopic methods have been used in experimental or natural watersheds, but also have potential to quantify urban water cycling behaviour and water sources. We sampled baseflow, precipitation, and hourly stormflow from eight events with a range of antecedent conditions, and used end member mixing analysis to determine stormflow and groundwater sources. New hydrological insights for the region Our results show that hydrologic connectivity controls stormflow sources. After a dry summer, and early in storm events, connectivity of pre-event water with the channel is low, so only new precipitation reaches the river. In wetter conditions, connectivity is higher and pre-event surface water mixes with infiltration-origin groundwater. Deeper groundwater composition mimics stormflow, a mix of stagnated river water and infiltration-origin water. The close connection between streamflow and groundwater implies that improving groundwater quality requires improvements to surface water quality. Average uncertainty in source fractions was ±8.0 %, suggesting that despite complex water pathways in urban, semi-arid environments, isotopic sampling is valuable for quantifying water sources.
A dual high-energy radiography platform with 15 μm resolution at the National Ignition Facility.

To study matter at extreme densities and pressures, we need mega laser facilities such as the National Ignition Facility as well as creative methods to make observations during timescales of a billionth of a second. To facilitate this, we developed a platform and diagnostic to characterize a new point-projection radiography configuration using two micro-wires irradiated by a short pulse laser system that provides a large field of view with up to 3.6 ns separation between images. We used tungsten-carbide solid spheres as reference objects and inferred characteristics of the back-lighter source using a forward-fitting algorithm. The resolution of the system is inferred to be 15 μm (using 12.5 μm diameter wires). The bremsstrahlung temperature of the source is 70–300 keV, depending on laser energy and coupling efficiency. By adding the images recorded on multiple stacked image plates, the signal-to-noise of the system is nearly doubled. The imaging characterization technique described here can be adapted to most point-projection platforms where the resolution, spectral contrast, and signal-to-noise are important.
Reply to My Critics: (Re-)Defining Racism: A Philosophical Analysis

In (Re-)Defining Racism, I offer the first comprehensive examination of the philosophical literature on racism and argue for a new methodological approach that I call conventionalism. Framing my argument within this approach, I defend an oppression theory of racism. In this article, I will attempt to accomplish two goals: offer a reply to the thoughtful comments of my critics, and lay out the main argument and major themes of my book in an accessible manner. First, I will describe the philosophical problem of defining “racism” and explain why I think a new methodological approach is necessary to address this problem. Second, I will present the moralist presupposition of my project and extend my oppression theory of racism in response to the challenge of assigning responsibility for oppression. Finally, I will address several criticisms to my prescriptive approach, including: (1) my prescriptive approach unjustifiably privileges moralist explanation (explaining why racism is bad) over social explanation (explaining the causes of racism); (2) the tool of semantic clarification, which my conventionalist framework draws upon, is inadequate for resolving conceptual disagreement; (3) my call for scholars to negotiate the meaning of “racism” is unlikely to succeed and would be insufficient to inspire social change if it were to succeed; and, finally, (4) my conventionalist approach is wedded to a misguided intensionalist semantics, for an extensionalist semantics is more appropriate for the term “racist.”
Insights Into the Uptake of N2O5 by Aqueous Aerosol Using Chemically Accurate Many-Body Potentials

We study the uptake of N2O5 into pure water using molecular dynamics simulations performed with a recently developed, data driven MB-nrg model. Our model follows the same basis of the MB-pol water many body model and has coupled-cluster accuracy. We quantify the thermodynamics of solvation and adsorption using enhanced sampling techniques and free energy calculations. The free energy profile obtained highlights that N2O5 is selectively adsorbed to the liquid-vapor interface and weakly solvated. We further find that accommodation into the bulk solution occurs rather slowly, and competes with evaporation upon initial adsorption from the gas phase. The rates of each of these processes are evaluated using the free energy barriers and kinetically obtained fluxes. Leveraging the quantitative accuracy of the model, we parameterize and numerically solve a reaction-diffusion equation to determine a likely range of hydrolysis rates consistent with the experimentally observed reactive uptake coefficient in pure water. The physical and chemical parameters deduced here, including the solubility, accommodation coefficient, and hydrolysis rate, afford a foundation for which to consider the reactive loss of N2O5 in more complex solutions.
Sub-disciplining science in sociology: Bridges and barriers between environmental STS and environmental sociology

It is inarguable that the natural sciences, from chemistry to ecology, are indispensable if sociologists are to address environmental change. Nevertheless, it remains unclear how, exactly, sociolog...
Airway injury from transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach

Background The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a novel technique that eliminates a cervical scar. This procedure carries unique risks, and data on outcomes are needed as more cases are performed. Methods We describe two cases of airway injury during the TOETVA. A description of the procedure and management of the injuries is outlined. Results In one case, a 3-mm injury in the thyrohyoid membrane was identified. The TOETVA was converted to an open approach due to significant inflammation in the setting of Graves' and the repair was performed while open. In the second case, a fracture occurred from the thyroid notch to Broyle's ligament without avulsion. A primary repair was endoscopically performed. Conclusions Airway injury is a possible complication of both open thyroidectomy and TOETVA. For TOETVA, trauma is most likely to occur in the midline during Hegar dilation and trocar placement through the central incision.
Aggressiveness of care at end of life in patients with high-grade glioma.

BACKGROUND Patients with high-grade glioma (HGG) face unique challenges toward the end of life (EoL), given their aggressive trajectory and neurologic deterioration. Aggressiveness of medical care at EoL has been identified as an important quality metric for oncology patients. At this time, limited data exist around the nature of EoL care of patients with HGG. METHODS Patients with HGG and palliative care (PC) referral seen between 2010 and 2015 were identified (N = 80). Of these, N = 52 met inclusion criteria. Random selections of patients with (1) HGG not referred to PC (n = 80), and (2) non-CNS cancers with PC referral (n = 80) were identified for comparison. A composite score of aggressiveness of medical care at EoL was calculated for each patient from predetermined variables. A time of eligibility for PC was defined for each patient when predetermined criteria based on symptom burden, functional status, and prognosis were met. RESULTS Among the patients analyzed with HGG referred to PC, 59.6% (N = 31) were referred as inpatients, and 53.8% (N = 28) were referred within the last 12 weeks of life. Patients with HGG had similar aggressiveness of care at EoL regardless of PC referral, and HGG patients had less aggressive care at EoL than patients with non-CNS cancers (p = 0.007). Care was more aggressive at EoL in HGG patients who received late versus early PC referrals (p = 0.012). Motor weakness at time of eligibility (OR = 2.55, p = 0.002) and more disease progressions (OR = 1.25, p = 0.043) were associated with less aggressive care at EoL. CONCLUSIONS Early clinical- and disease-related features predict the aggressiveness of medical care at EoL in patients with HGG. Formal PC consultation is used infrequently and suboptimally in patients with HGG. Our data suggest that the role of PC in improving EoL outcomes in HGG warrants further evaluation.
Developing a Web-based Learning Site for U.S. Army Aviation Students: Lessons Learned

Research determined that there were no supplemental study materials provided via electronic delivery (i.e., CD-ROM, web-based training, computer-based training, web sites) for Initial Entry Rotary Wing (IERW) students in the Primary Division of the U.S. Army Flight School, Fort Rucker, Alabama. Informal surveys were conducted to gather information regarding implementation of electronic delivery. Survey results indicated a positive attitude and desire for electronic instructional media. Therefore, the main focus of this project was development of a web-based learning site that would directly support current instructional objectives of the Primary Division. This paper examines lessons learned during the developmental and implementation process.
There and Back, Now and Then: IIRIRA’s Retroactivity and the Normalization of Judicial Review in Immigration Law

The U.S. Supreme Court has a long tradition of treating immigration law as “exceptional,” deferring to Congress and executive agencies when determining the scope of various immigration laws. The Court’s refusal to subject immigration statutes to the ordinary level of judicial review has left immigrants even more susceptible to the effects of anti-immigrant legislation. When the Court decided Fernandez-Vargas v. Gonzales in 2006 it increased the scope of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA) by allowing portions of the statute to be applied to immigrants who had reentered the United States prior to its effective date. At first glance Fernandez-Vargas might appear to be just another example of the Court’s deference to the anti-immigrant policies of the legislature that created IIRIRA and the agencies that enforce it. However, a closer look at Fernandez-Vargas and the Court’s related decisions on IIRIRA’s scope reveals that the Court is using ordinary tools of statutory interpretation to determine the outer bounds of that statute’s reach, reflecting a broader trend of more normalized treatment of immigration law.
Crisis of professionalism in public services: Addressing challenges to librarianship from a public administration perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address dimensions of crisis as applied to the profession of librarianship from a public administration frame of reference. For librarians to retain professional status, the human element of librarianship must be promoted through an emphasis on their educational mission, inspired by public administration's professional code of ethics. Within this process, librarians must promote themselves as educators, embracing the concept of information literacy as their field of jurisdiction.Design/methodology/approach – Reflecting an interdisciplinary approach, literature from public administration and library science is used to support these points.Findings – A robust professional education and affiliation with professional associations reinforces the informational asymmetries of professionals through specialized instruction and knowledge sharing, which will lead to not only a strengthened profession, but also to opportunities for leadership.Practical implications – To reinf...
A novel cDNA extension procedure. Isolation of chicken fatty acid synthase cDNA clones.

Abstract We have developed a simple and versatile cDNA extension method using lambda-exonuclease-generated single-stranded DNA as a primer. This plasmid-based cDNA extension method can be used to synthesize unidirectional extensions of the existing cDNA clones or subcloned fragments of the untranslated and exon regions of genomic DNA clones. The method is simple to use and involves no addition of linkers or tailing. We have successfully used this method to isolate 4.6 kilobase pairs of chicken fatty acid synthase cDNA clones, starting from the fragment of a genomic clone coding for the untranslated region of the fatty acid synthase mRNA. About 2.8 kilobase pairs of the cDNA coding for the chicken fatty acid synthase has been sequenced. The sequence has an open reading frame coding for 945 amino acids of the fatty acid synthase. In the sequence, we have identified the enoyl reductase, NADPH binding region, a putative beta-ketoacyl reductase region, and the entire sequences of acyl carrier protein and the thioesterase domains. The arrangement of these partial activities in this sequence confirms the arrangement of these activities as determined through partial proteolytic mapping studies. The amino acid sequence of chicken fatty acid synthase deduced from cDNA sequences shows a high degree of homology with the rat fatty acid synthase sequence, suggesting that these multifunctional proteins are conserved evolutionarily.
The classical field limit ofP(ϕ)2 quantum field theory

It will be shown that, for a convex polynomialP, theP(ϕ)2 quantum field theory without cutoff has a classical field limit as Planck's constanth tends to zero. This extends work of Hepp [1], who considered theories with a space cutoff.
Composition gradient, structure, stress, roughness and magnetic properties of 5–500 nm thin NiFe films obtained by electrodeposition

Abstract The composition gradients of 5–500 nm thin NiFe films on Cu and NiP substrates obtained by electrodeposition in stirred plating solutions at pH 3.0 on 8 in wafers were studied. It was found that the average elemental composition of the NiFe changes during electrodeposition with steep downturns of Fe-content, from 58 to 50 wt% Fe, in composition gradient zone near the substrate interface in the thickness range 5–250 nm depending on the electrode substrate (Cu and NiP). The increase of Fe-content in the composition gradient zone is accompanied by the increase of coercivity, H c , magnetic flux saturation, B s , saturation magnetostriction, λ s , increase of dimensionless roughness, ρ rms , and change of stress, σ . The coercivity (easy and hard axis) follows the Neel's relation H c = ct − n ( t is thickness and c is a constant). The mechanisms related to the change of coercivity of the NiFe films deposited on different substrates (Cu and NiP) are discussed in terms of material properties of these films.
Empirical Analysis of Wind Power Potential at Multiple Heights for North Dakota Wind Observation Sites

Wind speed is the most critical factor that determines wind power potential and generation. In this paper, the wind speed data of multiple years from various observation sites in North Dakota, U.S. was analyzed to assess the wind power potential. The study first applied probability density functions (PDFs) to characterize the wind speed data and fit the distributions at various heights for each observation site. The fitted distributions were then used to estimate the wind power potential based on the theoretical cubic power relationship between energy potential and wind speed. Due to the complexity of functions, the numerical integration approach was employed. The following major findings were obtained from this empirical study: (1) Weibull distribution is not always the best function to fit wind speed data, while gamma and lognormal distributions produce better fitting in many occasions; (2) For different height levels at one observation site, the best performing distributions may be different; (3) The estimation accuracies of wind energy potential based on the fitted wind speed distributions range from -4% to 3.8%; (4) The rank of energy potential estimation accuracies is not always consistent with that of goodness-of-fit for wind speed distributions. In addition, a simplified approach that only relies on the hourly mean wind speed to estimate wind power potential is evaluated. Based on the theoretical cubic relationship for wind power estimation, it was found that the simplified approach may provide significantly lower estimates of wind power potential by 42-54%. As such, this approach will become more practical if this amount of difference is to be compensated. Key words: Wind speed; Distribution; Goodness-of-fit; Wind power potential; North Dakota
Apartment Rent, Concessions and Occupancy Rates

This paper examines the effects of rental concessions on apartment rent and occupancy rates. Using limited-information maximum likelihood estimation, equations for rent, occupancy and concessions s...
Surface compositional and topographical changes resulting from excimer laser impacting on YBa2Cu3O7 single phase superconductors

Superconducting pressed pellets of YBa2Cu3O7 (Tc=90 K), which were used as ablation targets for laser‐induced vapor deposition of high Tc(85 K) superconducting thin films, have been analyzed by secondary electron microscopy, scanning Auger microscopy, energy dispersive x‐ray analysis, and x‐ray diffractometry. The elemental distribution of Y, Ba, and Cu appears reasonably uniform at depths corresponding to that probed by energy dispersive x‐ray analysis (∼1 μm). However, scanning Auger microscopy analysis of the laser‐impacted area shows a significant depletion of Cu and spatial redistribution of Y, Ba, Cu, and O on the target surface. X‐ray diffractometry of the laser‐impacted area shows the appearance of a new broad peak at a diffraction angle 2θ=29.7°, characteristic of BaY2O4 and a poorly defined peak at 2θ=29.3°, that can be attributed to BaCuO2. A possible influence of the laser‐induced bulk superconductor compositional changes on the film composition is discussed in relation to recently reported ex...
An oncologist's approach to therapy for cutaneous T-cell lymphoma.

Abstract Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) includes a heterogeneous group of diseases manifested in many cases by a prolonged clinical course. Even patients with advanced clinical disease, including erythroderma, adenopathy, and cutaneous tumors, can respond to a number of conservative therapeutic modalities, including radiation, cutaneous and extracorporeal phototherapy, and interferon. More aggressive systemic therapies are generally reserved for patients with visceral involvement or effaced (LN4) lymph node disease or patients refractory to multiple conservative approaches. Since no survival benefit has been demonstrated for multiagent cytotoxic chemotherapy regimens, this therapy is generally reserved for patients whose disease demonstrates an aggressive clinical course requiring immediate palliation. Durable responses (5+ years) have been reported with purine analogues; however, prolonged immunosuppression and increased frequency of opportunistic infections have been demonstrated. Novel therapeutic agents, including interleukin-2, interleukin-12, the phosphorylase inhibitor peldesine (BCX-34), and bexarotene, have demonstrated activity. The interleukin-2 diphtheria toxin fusion protein, DAB 389 IL-2, has demonstrated a 30% response rate in advanced and refractory CTCL patients. The optimal role of targeted biological therapies in advanced patients will likely be in the minimal disease setting following either chemotherapy or radiation.
Caudal anesthesia with sedation for inguinal hernia repair in high risk neonates

Abstract Background/Purpose The use of caudal anesthesia with sedation (CAS) has theoretical benefits over general anesthesia (GA) in high risk neonates undergoing inguinal hernia repair. This benefit has not been established in clinical studies. We compare outcomes of these two approaches at a single institution. Methods A retrospective review was performed of all neonates and preterm infants undergoing inguinal hernia over an 8year period. Results Of 71 infants meeting inclusion criteria, 50 underwent repair with caudal block and systemic sedation, and 21 with general anesthesia. Minor incidents of respiratory depression requiring non invasive interventions were common in the first 24h post operatively (24% for CAS, 14% with GA), 4% of patients receiving CAS had a respiratory complication which prolonged their hospital stay beyond 24h post operation. Both required conversion to general anesthesia. Statistically significant differences between the two groups were lacking in terms of preoperative risk and post operative outcome. Conclusions CAS is a safe, effective anesthetic option for high risk neonates undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Patients requiring conversion to GA from CAS may be at increased risk for complications. Large, randomized trials are needed to determine any benefit over GA.
U.S. government publication collection development for non-depository libraries

Abstract An argument is made for greater attention to systematic collection development of U.S. government publications by non-depository libraries. Differences between depositories and non-depositories which have impact on collection development are identified and discussed. Elements of a collection development model, including a collection development policy for U.S. government publications are proposed. Factors affecting the identification and selection of U.S. public documents are noted and several bibliographic resources suitable for use in collection development by non-depository libraries are identified and described.
Conditioning-specific reflex modification of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) nictitating membrane response: US intensity effects.

Conditioning-specific reflex modification (CRM) of the rabbit’s nictitating membrane response (NMR) describes changes in responding to an unconditioned stimulus (US) when the rabbit is tested in the absence of the conditioned stimulus. Specifically, after at least 3 days of tone-electrical stimulation pairings, responses to the US increase in size, especially at intensities weaker than the training intensity. CRM is similar to classical conditioning in that it is a function of the strength of conditioning, it can be extinguished, and it can be generalized from one stimulus to another. To compare CRM and classical conditioning further, we conducted three experiments to examine the effects of US intensity (1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mA) on CRM. CRM was weak following conditioning with 1.0 mA and extremely strong following conditioning with 2.0 mA and 4.0 mA. The data suggest that CRM is a function of US intensity and have implications for posttraumatic stress disorder, a disorder potentially modeled by CRM.
Driving cessation: What older former drivers tell us

Older drivers have among the highest motor vehicle crash death rate per vehicle mile traveled. These elevated crash statistics among older drivers persist even though many older drivers stop driving voluntarily. This study was conducted to understand why active older drivers living in a community setting stop driving. A better understanding of the factors that influence older drivers to stop driving may help public health and medical practitioners advise those who need to stop driving or are considering it for safety reasons. The study showed that the relationship between medical conditions and driving is complex. While medical conditions were the most common reason given for driving cessation, those who stopped had fewer medical conditions than current drivers. This suggests that a broader measure of general health or functional ability may play a dominant role in decisions to stop driving.
Virtual Office Hours (VOH) in accounting coursework: Leveraging technology to enhance an integrative learning environment

Abstract For at least the past two decades, accounting educators have been faced with increasing demands to keep pace with imperatives from the profession and with changes in the practice environment. Rapid changes in information technology applications, both in accounting practice and in academe, have added to the complexity of accounting educator responsibilities. This paper reports on the development and use of a “Virtual Office Hours” (VOH) platform to enhance opportunities to engage students in their learning beyond the classroom environment. This approach has been developed as a result of instructor experience with adding technology applications in the accounting classroom to better reflect practice environment needs. VOH has been implemented in auditing and intermediate accounting courses to develop clear and assured lines of communication between the student and instructor, and to foster the use of information technologies as a normal and expected characteristic of the course learning environment. In so doing, the approach uses tools that students will likely apply in the practice setting to interact with clients and colleagues. This can be seen as an extension of the model conveyed by the AICPA in its Core Competency Framework to leverage technology for student skill building. Student feedback, insights from accounting course experiences with VOH, and suggestions on applicability to other accounting educators are considered in the paper.
Empirical Bayes Estimates for Large-Scale Prediction Problems.

Classical prediction methods, such as Fisher’s linear discriminant function, were designed for small-scale problems in which the number of predictors N is much smaller than the number of observations n. Modern scientific devices often reverse this situation. A microarray analysis, for example, might include n=100 subjects measured on N=10,000 genes, each of which is a potential predictor. This article proposes an empirical Bayes approach to large-scale prediction, where the optimum Bayes prediction rule is estimated employing the data from all of the predictors. Microarray examples are used to illustrate the method. The results demonstrate a close connection with the shrunken centroids algorithm of Tibshirani et al. (2002), a frequentist regularization approach to large-scale prediction, and also with false discovery rate theory.
Low concentrations of ethanol deplete type-2 astrocytes of intracellular free magnesium

The acute effects of low concentrations of ethanol on intracellular free magnesium ions ([Mg2+]i) in cultured type-2 astrocytes were studied by digital imaging microscopy using the Mg2+ fluorescent probe, mag-fura-2. In 0-mM ethanol, the basal level of [Mg+]i was 124.7+/-2.56 microM with a heterogeneous distribution within the cells. Treatment of the cells with 10 and 25 mM ethanol (10 min) resulted in rapid concentration-dependent reduction in [Mg2+]i; the greater the concentration of alcohol, the greater the depletion of [Mg2+]i. Exposure of cells to 10 and 25 mM resulted in approximately 27 and 50% reductions in [Mg2+]i, respectively. Reincubation in normal Mg2+-physiological buffer solution restored [Mg2+]i levels. These observations may suggest that acute "binge drinking" of ethanol, which often results in cerebral ischemia and stroke, may do so as a result of depletion of astrocytic [Mg2+]i, possibly producing disruption of the blood-brain barrier.
Iron chelating polypropylene films: Manipulating photoinitiated graft polymerization to tailor chelating activity

Transition metals, especially iron, enhance the oxidative degradation of lipids. Nonmigratory metal chelating active packaging can inhibit lipid oxidation and meet consumer demand for ‘cleaner' labels. Recently, the development of iron chelating films prepared by photoinitiated graft polymerization of acrylic acid on polypropylene (PP-g-PAA) was reported. The objective of this study was to tailor the chelating activity of PP-g-PAA by manipulating graft conditions. Carboxylic acids graft density and PAA graft thickness increased with graft time and acrylic acid concentration, with carboxylic acids density of up to 143 ± 32 nmol cm−2, PAA graft thickness of ∼6–18 μm, and ligand (carboxylic acid) to metal (Fe2+) binding ratio of ∼4–5. Reducing photoinitiator graft density decreased this ratio to ∼2–2.5, suggesting that graft chain density influences chelating activity. This work demonstrates the ability to tailor chelating activity of PP-g-PAA with potential applications in active packaging, chelation therapy, and water purification. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 39948.
Reply to Gehrke

This paper responds to Christian Gehrke's comment, and argues that the main conclusion of my earlier paper is sustained—that, contrary to Sraffa, Marx did not ‘adopt’ in any sense of the word the joint product method of treating fixed capital. It agrees with Gehrke that Torrens adopted a form of the joint product method, and that Malthus seems to have followed Torrens in this regard. However, it argues that Ricardo did not adopt the joint product method, not even in the one instance cited by Sraffa. Finally, it argues briefly that Marx's ‘transformation of value’ method of treating fixed capital and depreciation is superior to Sraffa's joint product method.
Adaptation to a "spatial-frequency doubled" stimulus.

The perceived spatial frequency of low-frequency sinusoidal gratings is elevated when the gratings are temporally modulated sufficiently rapidly. Although this phenomenon is usually called ‘spatial-frequency doubling’, the magnitude of this spatial-frequency elevation depends on the spatial and temporal parameters of the grating and may be less than or greater than doubling. Adaptation to such a pattern produces contrast-threshold elevation whose spatial-frequency tuning is centred upon the grating's real rather than perceived spatial frequency. These results suggest that spatial-frequency elevation occurs later in the visual system than adaptation or that these two processes are independent of one another, at least under the conditions of these experiments.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Management Strategy and the Environment

This special issue reflects the growing importance of the natural environment for practitioners and scholars of business management. A general solicitation of submissions was made, and all of the papers in this issue were part of the general journal submission process. In accordance with the journal’s general policy, the final selection of the papers was made by the journal’s editorial board based on the standard refereeing process, and I was asked to provide an introduction to this issue. Climate change, oil dependence, clean technology, and related challenges occupy increasing amounts of managerial time. They are also attracting growing scholarly interest, because their dynamic nature and their complexity raise questions that stretch the boundaries of research in economics and strategy. Rapidly evolving preferences, regulations, and technologies make myopic strategies extremely costly, and reward investments in flexibility. “Green” consumers, investors, and employees create new market opportunities. Pressures from environmental activists and regulatory threats raise the value of clever nonmarket strategies. Investments in new technology involve strategic commitments that link market and nonmarket strategies. Because management strategy with respect to the environment combines these factors in a variety of novel ways, it is a ripe area for research. Management scholars have been studying corporate environmental strategy for over a decade. Since the Organizations and the Natural Environment (ONE) group first held sessions at the Academy of Management in 1995, group membership has doubled and academic articles have proliferated. Furthermore, there have been numerous efforts to integrate environmental management and sustainability into business school curricula, including the Business, Environment, Learning and Leadership (BELL) program organized by the World Resources
Tick Salivary Proteins Offer the Lyme Disease Spirochetes an Easy Ride and Another Way to Hide

The ability of the Lyme disease spirochetes to establish an infection in mammals is dependent in part on proteins of tick origin. Schuijt et al. (2011) investigate the role of the tick-derived protein, TSLPI, in spirochete transmission and in the evasion of killing by the lectin complement pathway.
Depression in stroke rehabilitation

Despite recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology of poststroke depression, major questions remain. They include the relative importance of lesion location and size and the confounding effects of time since stroke, age, prior history of depression, and cerebral atrophy. To evaluate these issues, we systematically assessed depressive features, functional status, and brain structure with computer tomography scans in 91 men undergoing stroke rehabilitation. Forty percent met DSM-III criteria for major depressive disorder. Mood disturbance was more severe for patients with right than with left hemisphere lesions, correlated with functional disability and lesion size, and was associated with previous history of depression. Age, time since stroke, and atrophy did not correlate with mood. Depression is common in delayed stroke recovery, regardless of lesion location. Because there are no demographic or anatomic features that predict the absence of depression, depression screening should be part of the assessment of all patients undergoing stroke rehabilitation.
Situs Inversus Totalis and Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries {I,D,D} in Association with a Previously Unreported Vascular Ring

A 3-month-old girl with ``noisy breathing'' was found to have situs inversus totalis, corrected transposition of the great arteries {I,D,D}, and a vascular ring. The ring was composed of a left aortic arch with normal branching pattern and a right ligamentum arteriosum that extended from a diverticulum off the descending aorta and coursed retroesophageal and to the right to join the pulmonary artery. There was no circumflex component of the aorta or aberrant subclavian artery. The descending aorta was left sided. Compression of the esophagus and trachea was noted on contrast esophagram, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and at the time of surgery to divide the vascular ring. In association with her corrected transposition, the patient also was shown to have a mild Ebstein's deformity of the right-sided (systemic) atrioventricular valve and electrocardiographic evidence of Wolfe–Parkinson–White syndrome. The combination of situs inversus totalis, corrected transposition of the great arteries {I,D,D}, and an aortic arch anomaly has not been previously reported. In addition, the aortic arch anomaly suggested by MRI imaging and confirmed at surgery has previously only been postulated to exist but to our knowledge never reported.
GRAPHS WITH DISJOINT LINKS IN EVERY SPATIAL EMBEDDING

We exhibit a graph, G12, that in every spatial embedding has a pair of non-splittable 2 component links sharing no vertices or edges. Surprisingly, G12 does not contain two disjoint copies of graphs known to have non-splittable links in every embedding. We exhibit other graphs with this property that cannot be obtained from G12 by a finite sequence of Δ-Y and/or Y-Δ exchanges. We prove that G12 is minor minimal in the sense that every minor of it has a spatial embedding that does not contain a pair of non-splittable 2 component links sharing no vertices or edges.
A predictive model relating North American plant formations and climate

A discriminant model was produced that predicts North American plant formations with basic climatic variables (monthly mean temperatures, monthly precipitation, and latitude). The model is based on data from 176 weather stations. Climatic variables from 30 additional randomly-selected weather stations were used to test the model. The predicted formation and actual formation at each site were compared; four sites were classified into the wrong formations (87% accuracy). This predictive model indicates a strong correlation between climate and formations in North America. Vegetation-climate models produced by canonical discriminant analysis may be useful in detecting geographical localities where non-climatic factors are particularly influential.
Infrared Analysis of Rat Bone: Age Dependency of Amorphous and Crystalline Mineral Fractions

Quantitative infrared spectrophotometric analysis of whole femurs from male rats demonstrates that anorphous calcium phosphate is a major component of bone mineral. The amount of amorphous calcium phosphate in whole bone decreases while the crystalline bone apatite increases during early stages of bone formation. Mature rat bone contains constant levels of both amorphous and crystalline calcium phosphate.
Digital image enhancement for display of bone radiographs

We present a solution method for adaptively smoothing magnetic resonance (MR) images while preserving discontinuities. We assume that the spatial behavior of MR data can be captured by a first order polynomial defined at every pixel. The formulation itself is similar to Leclerc's work on piecewise-smooth image segmentation, but we use the graduated non- convexity (GNC) algorithm as an optimizing tool for obtaining the solution. This requires initial values for polynomial coefficients of order greater than zed all three images displayed on laser-printed film. Two radiologists made subjective quality judgments of each film individually and then ranked the trio in terms of quality. The results indicated that the observers preferred ASAHE-processed low-resolution films to both high- and low-resolution unprocessed films.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Collisions of DCl with pure and salty glycerol: enhancement of interfacial D --> H exchange by dissolved NaI.

The fate of DCl molecules striking pure glycerol and a 2.6 M NaI−glycerol solution is investigated using scattering, uptake, and residence time measurements. We find that dissolved Na+ and I- ions alter every gas−liquid pathway from the moment of contact of DCl with the surface to its eventual emergence as HCl. In particular, the salt enhances both trapping-desorption of DCl and interfacial DCl → HCl exchange at the expense of DCl entry into the bulk solution. The reduced entry and enhanced desorption of thermalized DCl molecules are interpreted by assuming that Na+ and I- ions bind to interfacial OH groups and tie up surface sites that would otherwise capture incoming DCl molecules. These ion−glycerol interactions may also be responsible for enhancing interfacial D → H exchange by disrupting the interfacial hydrogen bond network that carries the newly formed H+ ion away from its Cl- pair. This disruption may increase the fraction of interfacial Cl- and H+ that recombine and desorb immediately as HCl befo...
Chronic administration of an α2 adrenergic agonist desensitizes rats to the anesthetic effects of dexmedetomidine

alpha 2 adrenergic agonists are being administered perioperatively to facilitate the anesthetic management of the surgical patient. In some clinical settings, use of alpha 2 adrenergic agonists has been extended into the postoperative period to prolong the patients' sedative and stress-free state. We studied whether the administration of alpha 2 adrenergic agonists over an extended period of time would result in "desensitization" to the central actions of alpha 2 adrenergic agonists. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were administered dexmedetomidine, a highly selective alpha 2 adrenergic agonist, at rates varying between 1 and 10 micrograms.kg-1.h-1 via a chronically implanted SC osmotic pump. Spontaneous locomotor activity, tested in an open-field box, was significantly lower in both 3- and 10-micrograms.kg-1.h-1 treatment groups but returned to normal by the second or sixth day, respectively. The hypnotic response to dexmedetomidine IP was decreased in the 10-micrograms.kg-1.h-1 dose group from the second day, and by the fourth day in the 3-micrograms.kg-1.h-1 group. Recovery from the desensitized state was rapid and occurred on the third day after pump removal in the 3-micrograms.kg-1.h-1 group and by the fifth day after pump removal in the 10-micrograms.kg-1.h-1 dose group. By using a higher dose of dexmedetomidine IP (250 micrograms.kg in lieu of 100 micrograms/kg) at day 7 in "tolerant" rats, the hypnotic response could partially be "restored" towards normal. An attenuated hypnotic response could still be demonstrated even when dexmedetomidine was administered directly into the locus coeruleus (LC) in rats pretreated chronically with dexmedetomidine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Aspects of impulsivity are differentially associated with risky sexual behaviors

Risky sexual behavior (RSB) greatly increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, as well as a host of other negative outcomes. Recent advances in personality research have defined multiple and separate dispositions to engagement in impulsive behaviors, including RSB. Little is known concerning the ways in which aspects of impulsivity place individuals at risk for various types of RSB. The purpose of the current study, therefore, was to further clarify the unique ways in which aspects of impulsivity were differentially associated with various forms of RSB within a large, diverse sample of university students ages 18-to-24 years (N = 917). Results suggest low self-control confers a general risk while a tendency toward impulsive behavior in the context of intense emotion confers a more specific risk as for various types of RSB. The current study confirms the importance of focusing on both various pathways to impulsive behaviors as well as specific types of RSB.
Oxygen isotope studies of achondrites

Abstract Oxygen isotope abundances provide a powerful tool for recognizing genetic relationships among meteorites. Among the differentiated achondrites, three isotopic groups are recognized: (l ) SNC (Mars), (2) Earth and Moon, and (3) HED (howardites, eucrites, diogenites). The HED group also contains the mesosiderites, main-group pallasites, and silicates from IIIAB irons. The angrites may be marginally resolvable from the HED group. Within each of these groups, internal geologic processes give rise to isotopic variations along a slope- 1 2 fractionation line, as is well known for terrestrial materials. Variations of Δ17O from one planet to another are inherited from the inhomogeneities in the solar nebula, as illustrated by the isotopic compositions of chondrites and their constituents. Among the undifferentiated achondrites, five isotopic groups are found: (1) aubrites, (2) winonaites and IAB-IIICD irons, (3) brachinites, (4) acapulcoites and lodranites, and (5) ureilites. The isotopic compositions of aubrites coincide with the Earth and Moon, and also with the enstatite chondrites. These bodies apparently were derived from a. common reservoir, the isotopic composition of which was established at the chondrule scale by nebular processes. Isotopic similarities between chondrites and achondrites are seen only for the following instances: (1) enstatite chondrites and aubrites, (2) H chondrites and HE irons, and (3) L or LL chondrites and IVA irons. The isotopic data also support the following genetic associations: (1) winonaites and IAB-IIICD irons, (2) acapulcoites and lodranites, and (3) ureilites and dark inclusions of C3 chondrites. An attempt to reconcile the whole-planet isotopic compositions of Earth, Mars, and the eucrite parent body with mixing models of their chemical compositions failed. It is not possible to satisfy both the chemical and isotopic compositions of the terrestrial planets using known primitive Solar System components.