cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Holding ground in the face of invasion: native fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus) do not alter their habitat use in response to introduced fire ants (Solenopsis invicta)

The introduction of non-native species is becoming increasingly common. Understanding the impact of invaders on native populations is critical for effective management. Red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta Buren, 1972) were introduced to the USA in the 1930s. They will attack, and can kill, native fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus (Bosc and Daudin in Sonnini and Latreille, 1801)), which co-occur with these ants across much of their invasive range. I determined whether fence lizards minimize encounters with S. invicta by altering their habitat use following invasion or avoiding cues of the presence of these fire ants. I recorded the habitat use of fence lizards and S. invicta mounds across four sites with different histories of invasion, and quantified lizard avoidance of S. invicta scent. I found that lizards do not alter their habitat use following S. invicta invasion, nor do they spatially avoid their mounds. Fence lizards do avoid S. invicta scent, but this was only evident in naive or recently...
D. G. near rings on certain groups

All the distributive near rings in which the index ofR′ inR is a prime have been determined. Certain d. g. near rings in whichR′ is the only normal subgroup ofR are also considered. It is also shown that if (R,+) is finite and not perfect then there is a distributive near ring in whichR2∈0.
Simulation of Damage-features in a Lug Joint using Guided Waves

A lug joint is one of the several `hotspots' in an aerospace structure which experiences fatigue damage. Several fatigue tests on lug joint samples prepared from 0.25 in plate of Aluminum (Al) 2024 T351 indicated a distinct failure pattern. All samples failed at the shoulders. Therefore, in the current study, different notch sizes are introduced at the shoulders and both experimental and modeled active health monitoring with piezoelectric transducers is performed. Simulations of the real time experiments are carried out using FE analysis. The crack geometry and piezoelectric transducer orientation in lug joint samples are kept same both in experiments and in simulation. Results presented illustrate the feasibility of guided waves in interrogating damage in lug joints. A comparison of sensor signals between experimental and simulated signals, in the time-frequency domain, show fairly good correlation. The frequency transform on the sensor signal data yield useful information for characterizing damage. Sens...
Wildfire-Produced Charcoal Directly Influences Nitrogen Cycling in Ponderosa Pine Forests

Fire is the primary form of disturbance in temperate and boreal forest ecosystems. However, our knowledge of the biochemical mechanisms by which fire stimulates forest N cycling is incomplete. Charcoal is a major byproduct of forest fires and is ubiquitous in soils of most forest ecosystems, yet the biological function of charcoal in soils of forest ecosystems has been greatly overlooked. We conducted a suite of laboratory experiments on soils from ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws) forests to determine the influence of charcoal on soil N dynamics and in particular, nitrification. The addition of NH4 1 to forest soils had absolutely no effect on nitrification demonstrating that this process is not substrate limited. The amendment of these soils with NH4 1 and field collected charcoal (1% w/w) significantly increased the nitrification potential, net nitrification, gross nitrification, and decreased the solution concentrations of plant secondary compounds (phenolics). Charcoal had no effect on nitrification in soils (from a grassland site) that had naturally high rates of nitrifier activity. The increase in gross nitrification in forest soils and lack of effect on grassland soils suggests that charcoal may alleviate factors that otherwise inhibit the activity of the nitrifying microbial community in forest soils. These results reveal the biological importance of charcoal and advance our mechanistic understanding of how fire drives nutrient cycling in temperate and boreal ecosystems.
Three psychological principles of resilience in natural disasters

– The purpose of this conceptual paper is to present a discussion of some of the core components of human resilience occurring in the face of natural or human‐made disasters. Resilience is often observed, but optimum responding is more than biological survival. Resilience implies the ability to bounce back and even to grow in the face of threats to survival. It is important to incorporate these key psychological principles into disaster planning., – Research from the social sciences suggests three core principles of resilience, the “3 Cs:” control, coherence, and connectedness. Research evidence supporting the importance of the three Cs to resilient responding is presented, followed by some elementary prescriptions for how they might be implemented., – An approach to disaster planning and management can meld these principles into already‐existing intervention techniques, creating a more comprehensive and a more integrated response, potentially resulting in improved intervention effectiveness., – Provides a psychological perspective on natural and human‐created disasters. Governmental and private sector responses to these tragedies have received a great deal of media attention, but there has been little systematic attention paid to the basic nature of human responding in such situations. Although it has been noted that humans are often resilient in such conditions, there has been virtually nothing written about what “resilience” is. This paper communicates the basic principles of resilience and how they would play out in future disaster planning and responding.
Resistance training induces supraspinal adaptations: Evidence from movement-related cortical potentials

Early effects of a resistance training program include neural adaptations at multiple levels of the neuraxis, but direct evidence of central changes is lacking. Plasticity exhibited by multiple supraspinal centers following training may alter slow negative electroencephalographic activity, referred to as movement-related cortical potentials (MRCP). The purpose of this study was to determine whether MRCPs are altered in response to resistance training. Eleven healthy participants (24.6 ± 3.5 years) performed 3 weeks of explosive unilateral leg extensor resistance training. MRCP were assessed during 60 self-paced leg extensions against a constant nominal load before and after training. Resistance training was effective (P < 0.001) in increasing leg extensor peak force (+22%), rate of force production (+32%) as well as muscle activity (iEMG; +47%, P < 0.05). These changes were accompanied by several MRCP effects. Following training, MRCP amplitude was attenuated at several scalp sites overlying motor-related cortical areas (P < 0.05), and the onset of MRCP at the vertex was 28% (561 ms) earlier. In conclusion, the 3-week training protocol in the present study elicited significant strength gains which were accompanied by neural adaptations at the level of the cortex. We interpret our findings of attenuated cortical demand for submaximal voluntary movement as evidence for enhanced neural economy as a result of resistance training.
Seed Germination Characteristics of Prairie Dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis)

ABSTRACT: Prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis [A. Gray] A. Gray) is a warm-season grass that is an important component of remnant tallgrass prairies of North America, but is rarely found in restorations. We conducted three experiments to determine germination rates of prairie dropseed under different conditions in an attempt to potentially increase its successful establishment under field conditions. In the first experiment, we evaluated the duration of cold-moist stratification on the germination of prairie dropseed. Seeds were cold-moist stratified for 0, 30, or 60-d at 4 °C and then placed in a dark growth chamber at 26 °C. The other two experiments consisted of seeds planted in three different soil media: 1:1:1 soil:peat:perlite mixture, non-compacted field soil, and compacted field soil. They were then exposed to full irradiance or 50% shade. Germination was highest for seeds cold-moist stratified for 30 or 60 d. Seeds planted in either non-compacted or compacted field soil had higher germinatio...
Brexpiprazole: A New Antipsychotic Following in the Footsteps of Aripiprazole.

doses were well tolerated and that daily doses of 2 mg and 4 mg, but not 0.5 mg, were effective. This study provides a comprehensivepictureofshort-termefficacyandtolerability in relation to placebo, but in the absence of an active comparator it is difficult to predict whether brexpiprazole has meaningful advantages or disadvantages compared with existing agents. Brexpiprazole arrives at a time when many of the existing second-generation agents, including aripiprazole, have become generic—this shift toward generic agents has had a significant impact on current and projected health care budgets (2). Brexpiprazole, like aripiprazole, is a partial agonist at dopamineD2receptors.ByactivatingD2receptorstoalesser degreethanendogenousdopamine,partialagonistslowerthe ceilingformaximalD2transmissionwhileincreasingactivity at hypoactive D2receptors. The intentis toachieve a balance such that D2 receptors are activated sufficiently to prevent neurologic side effects (extrapyramidal symptoms) and hyperprolactinemia while avoiding excessive D2 activity, which would compromise antipsychotic efficacy and might produce side effects associated with D2 agonism. An earlier unsuccessful D2 partial agonist, bifeprunox, had greater intrinsic activityat D2receptors than aripiprazole and was less effective than existing antipsychotics while producing nausea and vomiting attributable to D2 receptor activation (3). It might be expected that aripiprazole, as a partial agonist, alsowouldbelesseffectivethanotherantipsychoticsthatare D2antagonists;however,thelimitedavailabledatafromheadto-head comparisons suggests that aripiprazole resides in the middle of the pack of second-generation antipsychotics in terms of efficacy (4). Aripiprazole is essentially free of hyperprolactinemia and extrapyramidal symptoms, but nausea,insomnia,andrestlessness,whichmaybesymptomsofD2 agonism, can complicate early treatment in some patients. The relative intrinsic D2 activity of brexpiprazole was 43% compared with 61% for aripiprazole, 84% for bifeprunox, and 100% for dopamine as determined by the maximum inhibitory effect on forksolin-induced cAMP in human D2-expressing cells (5). This level of D2 activity places brexpiprazole between aripiprazole and D2 antagonist antipsychotics. All else being equal, one would predict that brexpiprazolewouldpossessanintermediatelevelofefficacy and risk for extrapyramidal symptoms and prolactin elevation. However, unlike aripiprazole, brexpiprazole also has a high affinity for serotonin 5-HT1a receptors, where it is a partial agonist, and for 5-HT2a and alpha 1b and 2c adrenoceptors, where it is a potent antagonist (5). This profile makesbrexpiprazolemoresimilartoothersecond-generation antipsychotics than is aripiprazole and might reduce risk for extrapyramidal symptomsand improve efficacy, although this remains to be established. The efficacy of 2- and 4-mg/day dosages of brexpiprazole in this study was robust despite a relatively large placebo
EXPERIMENTAL SYPHILIS IN THE RABBIT : IV. CUTANEOUS SYPHILIS. PART 1. AFFECTIONS OF THE SKIN AND APPENDAGES.

From the study of a large series of rabbits with outspoken manifestations of generalized syphilis, lesions of the skin and appendages were found to constitute one of the largest and most varied groups of such affections. The conditions noted consisted of alopecias, onychia and paronychia, and lesions of the skin proper. It was found to be a matter of some difficulty to make a positive diagnosis of syphilitic alopecia, but there were three and possibly four conditions which appeared to be attributable to such an infection. The first of these took the form of a general or local roughening of the coat with falling of the hair which produced the typical moth-eaten appearance associated with syphilitic alopecia in the human subject. A second form of alopecia was essentially an abnormal looseness of the hair which permitted large areas of the body to be completely denuded. The third type of alopecia was associated with definite skin changes, and the hair was readily removable together with an adherent mass of epithelial scales. Paronychia was comparatively rare but was readily recognized by a characteristic infiltration and exfoliation of the skin about the base of the nails. The incidence of onychia is uncertain. Late in the course of the investigation it was found that alterations in the nails which were not entirely characteristic in themselves might occur in consequence of a syphilitic involvement of the nail beds which could not be detected by ordinary methods of examination. The cases which were recognized as syphilitic were those which showed an associated paronychia. Lesions of the skin were found to be one of the most frequent manifestations of a generalized infection in the rabbit. These lesions were divided into three classes: first, granulomatous lesions, second, infiltrations, and third, erythemata. The granulomata were lesions of a fleshy character which tended to grow to a very large size and presented all the characteristics of circumscribed primary lesions of the scrotum. The conditions described as cutaneous infiltrations included two general types of lesions, one a flattened and rather diffuse process, the other an elevated and sharply circumscribed papule. As a class, these lesions were very prone to secondary alterations and in this way gave rise to a great variety of conditions which in general resembled the diffuse primary lesions of the scrotum and the papular lesions resulting from local dissemination. A third type of lesion resembling the macular erythemata of man was observed in a small number of animals, and while no definite proof of the specific origin of these lesions was obtained, the evidence available was strongly suggestive. In addition, several other cutaneous affections were noted which have not as yet been thoroughly investigated. It is suggested, however, that these processes may bear some relation to infection with Treponema pallidum.
Serving Workers in the Human Services: The Roles of Organizational Ownership, Chain Affiliation, and Professional Leadership in Frontline Job Benefits

A growing body of research has sought to understand forces shaping firms' approaches to employee compensation and the impacts of job benefits on both organizational performance and worker well-being. One such line of work has documented advantages from employers adopting generous compensation practices, as evidenced by more successful worker recruitment and retention. Little of this work, however, has attended to benefits provided within nonprofit and public human service settings or to low-level workers. Drawing on a sample of Wisconsin nursing homes, this study addresses this gap by examining the roles of ownership, chain affiliation, and professional leadership in compensation provided to nursing assistants. Results indicate that public and nonprofit ownership and chain membership are positively related to benefit levels. Workers fare unexpectedly less well with professional directors in for-profit and public settings but better within professionally led nonprofits.
Causes of restenosis after balloon valvuloplasty for valvular pulmonary stenosis.

Abstract Several short-term and a few intermediate-term results of balloon valvuloplasty for relief of valvular pulmonary stenosis (PS) have been reported.1–11 Recurrence of valve stenosis has been reported,2,3–6,8,10 but the reasons for the restenosis at intermediate-term follow-up have been studied only to a limited degree.2,3,5,6,12 The present study investigates the causes of recurrence of PS after balloon valvuloplasty.
Increasing Conservation Impact and Policy Relevance of Research through Embedded Experiences

Asresearchersinconservationscienceandthefieldofscience, technology, and society, we believe Rudd’s (2011) framework, described in “How Research-Prioritization Exercises Affect Conservation Policy,” for conceptualizing research has practical value. Rudd explores means to increase research impacts through techniques such as big-question exercises and exercises to determine best practices. As an additional means to increase the impact and policy relevance of conservation research, we suggest researchers embed themselves in the daily working environment of other communities, such as government offices, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) or disparate scientific fields, to learn about the constraints and opportunities that influence conservation work in these communities. In his thorough treatment of research impacts, Rudd presents the benefits and shortcomings of two frameworks for understanding and improving research impacts on policy in theory and in practice. Following Beyer (1997) and Amara et al. (2004), his first framework classifies research impacts as conceptual (policy makers are sensitized to new issues and change their beliefs), instrumental (policy decisions are affected directly by results of scientific research), and symbolic (results of scientific research are used to support established policy positions). In his second framework, which he bases on Shaxson (2009), Rudd classifies research issues into 4 domains according to the extent that scientific knowledge is fully developed and the policy issue is clearly articulated: domainofuncertainty(lowscientificknowledge,lowpolicy articulation), domain of evidence (low scientific knowledge, high policy articulation), domain of partisanship (high scientific knowledge, low policy articulation), and domain of best practices (high scientific knowledge, high
Screening Elders in the Emergency Department at Risk for Mistreatment: A Pilot Study

Impaired functional status is associated with risk of elder mistreatment. Screening for functional impairment in elderly patients admitted to emergency departments could be performed to identify patients at risk for elder mistreatment who might benefit from further evaluation. This study utilized a modified Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) screening tool to identify the proportion of elderly at risk for mistreatment due to functional difficulties presenting to two emergency departments in southeastern Virginia, one urban, the other rural. Of a 180-patient cohort (90 per site), 82 screened positive (46%), ISAR > 2 (range 0–6), indicating nearly half of all patients enrolled are at risk for mistreatment. Patients presenting to the urban emergency departments were potentially more at risk than their rural counterparts (p < 0.01). Health care professionals, particularly in urban settings, should consider screening seniors with a simple tool to identify patients at risk of elder mistreatment.
Data-Driven Variation Source Identification for Manufacturing Process Using the Eigenspace Comparison Method

Variation reduction of manufacturing processes is an essential objective of process quality improvement. It is highly desirable to develop a methodology of variation source identification that helps quickly identify the variation sources, hence leading to quality improvement and cost reduction in manufacturing systems. This paper presents a variation source identification method based on the analysis of the covariance matrix of process quality measurements. The identification procedure utilizes the fact that the eigenspace of the quality measurement covariance matrix can be decomposed into a subspace due to variation sources and a subspace purely due to system noise. The former subspaces for different samples will be the same if the same variation sources dominate. A testing procedure is presented, which can determine the closeness of the subspaces under sampling uncertainty. A case study is conducted to illustrate the effectiveness of this methodology. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics 53: 383-396, 2006.
OBLIGATION AND PERMISSION WHEN THERE IS A SECOND BEST AND WHEN THERE IS A SECOND WORST

A comparison is made between the criterion of choice of E-admissibility I proposed in Levi, 1974 and elaborated in Levi, 1980 and 1986, and the ideas about norms elaborated by Alchourron and Bulygin (1971 and 1981) with an emphasis on the fact that choice cannot always be evaluated in terms of binary comparisons as the distinction between second worst and not second worst illustrates.
A Theory of Stationary Long Waves. Part II: Resonant Rossby Waves in the Presence of Realistic Vertical Shears

Abstract In Part I a simple theory of resonant Rossby waves in a uniform zonal flow was developed. The present paper extends the previous results to the case of an atmosphere with winds varying with height. The wave responses to a large number of physically possible wind configurations are studied to help determine whether the observed wind fields in the winter atmosphere permit resonance of the large-scale waves and, in cases where resonance is possible, to search for the most favorable conditions for resonance. It is found that an increase in stratospheric jet strength and the descent of the stratospheric jet are both capable of exciting the resonant waves of zonal wavenumbers 1 and 2, with the latter (the descent of the stratospheric jet) being most effective in resonating the large-scale waves. The shorter waves (with zonal wavenumbers 3, 4 and up) are found to be insensitive to changes in wind conditions in the stratosphere as they are mostly trapped in the troposphere. These waves are easier to exci...
Improving Health Information Literacy of Early Adolescents Using a Lead Poisoning Curriculum

The purpose of this community outreach project was to improve health information literacy skills and lead poisoning knowledge in underserved early adolescents. An interactive curriculum focusing on one website (MedlinePlus) and one health issue (lead poisoning) was developed and used at an inner city school. Pre- and post-program surveys were used to assess the effectiveness of the curriculum. Results showed statistically significant improvements in both health information literacy skills and lead poisoning knowledge of 42 sixth graders. University-led community outreach collaborations to deliver an interactive curriculum in the school setting is a successful model for teaching health information literacy skills to early adolescents.
Accessing Social Support and Overcoming Judgment on Social Media among Parents of Children with Special Needs

Over 10 million children are diagnosed with a special need in the United States each year. For their parents, the economic and emotional costs can be overwhelming. Using a mixed methods approach, we show that parents of children with special needs rely primarily on Facebook pages, Facebook groups, and Yahoo! groups for accessing information and social support. Specifically, these groups offer geographic communities for local needs (e.g. school services) and case-based communities for specific conditions (e.g. autism). Promisingly, parents perceive less judgment online than offline when talking about their children’s special needs; however, these perceptions are nuanced. In particular, posts containing humor, achievement, or treatment suggestions are perceived to be more socially appropriate than posts containing judgment, violence, or social comparisons. However, results show that social media generally fails at connecting special needs families over time and across the life span. We discuss implications for social media site design and for supporting special needs families.
MR and CT evaluation of profound neonatal and infantile asphyxia.

PURPOSE To determine the CT and MR characteristics of the brains of infants who have suffered profound asphyxia and correlate those characteristics with pathophysiologic processes. METHODS MR and CT scans of 16 patients who suffered profound hypoxic-ischemic injury in the perinatal (12 patients) and postnatal (4 patients) periods were retrospectively reviewed in a search for characteristic imaging features. RESULTS Injury in the perinatal period: subacute MR showed short T1 and T2 in the ventral lateral thalami, posterolateral lentiform nuclei, posterior mesencephali, and hippocampi; MR 1 to 16 years after injury showed atrophy or T2 prolongation in the aforementioned regions, the lateral geniculate nuclei and perirolandic cerebral cortex. Asphyxia later in infancy: subacute MR showed T2 prolongation in the corpus striatum and most of the cerebral cortex (perirolandic sparing); MR weeks to months later showed atrophy of the aforementioned areas, the lateral geniculate nuclei and hippocampi. Acute CT in both groups showed basal ganglia hypodensity. CONCLUSIONS The injury patterns observed in neonates and infants with profound hypoxic-ischemic injury vary with the age of the patient at the time of the injury. The change in pattern of damage is suggested to be the result of structural and physiologic changes in the maturing brain. The patterns appear to be consistent and are well demonstrated by MR.
Use of mpMRI in active surveillance for localized prostate cancer

Abstract Introduction In an effort to limit prostate cancer (PCa) overdiagnosis and overtreatment, which have occurred in response to widespread prostate specific antigen testing, numerous strategies aimed at improved risk stratification of patients with PCa have evolved. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is being used in concert with prostate specific antigen testing and prostate biopsies to improve sensitivity and specificity of these tests. There are limited data on how multiparametric MRI can be incorporated into active surveillance (AS) protocols. Evidence acquisition A PubMed literature search of available English language publications on PCa, AS, and MRI was conducted. Appropriate articles were selected and included for review. Bibliographies were also used to expand our search. Evidence synthesis Data from 41 studies were reviewed. AS inclusion criteria and protocols varied among studies, as did indications for use of MRI. Technological improvements are briefly highlighted. Studies are broadly categorized and discussed according to the role of MRI in patient selection, disease staging, and monitoring in AS protocols. Conclusions Although improvements in MRI technology have been useful for biopsy guidance and in the diagnosis and staging of PCa, this literature search demonstrates that more prospective research is needed, specifically regarding how this promising technology can be incorporated into AS protocols.
RECURRENT LVAD DYSFUNCTION REQUIRING PUMP EXCHANGE TWICE IN A 24-HOUR SPAN

The use of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) in end-stage heart failure is increasing. LVAD dysfunction can occur due to primary and secondary causes. An example of a primary cause is driveline failure leading to pump stoppage. Secondary causes of LVAD dysfunction include device thrombosis.
Preventive health screening in adolescent patients.

This article describes an approach to health screening and promotion in adolescents. Key concepts in interviewing adolescents are presented along with practical suggestions for health education. Emphasis is given to psychosocial topics that contribute to morbidity in adolescents that is potentially preventable. Language: en
Uncertainty Analysis of Loss Measurement for Large-Scale Power Transformer

To guide the selection of measuring devices for loss measurement of large-scale power transformers and implement accurate loss measurement,the factors leading to the uncertainty during the loss measurement of large-scale power transformers are analyzed.Through quantitative calculation of uncertainties due to these factors,the uncertainties caused by single factors are synthesized to attain the measurement uncertainty of the whole measuring system.Based on uncertainty analysis of loss measurement,it is found that the phase measurement accuracy of the measuring system is the upmost factor affecting the measurement uncertainty.The uncertainties of loss measurements by different measuring systems are quantitatively analyzed and compared,and the results show that the measuring system composed of CT and PT with 0.01 accuracy grade and worked in with Fluke Norma 5000 power analyzer(or power analyzers with similar performances) is suitable to loss measurement for large-scale power transformers,and the uncertainty of loss measurement for large-scale power transformers can be controlled to be lower than 2%.
Don’t Cry While You’re Driving: Sad Driving Is as Bad as Angry Driving

ABSTRACTWhile driving research on affect has mostly focused on anger and road rage, there has been little empirical research on other affective states. Affect researchers widely acknowledge the “sadder but wiser” phenomenon, but there is little evidence if this tendency can be applied to the driving environment as well. The objective of the present study is to empirically test whether sadness enhances driving performance as the sadder but wiser notion might predict or sadness impairs driving performance as its negative valence or low arousal dimension might predict. The study consists of a simulated driving experiment with induced anger, sadness, and neutral affect to examine how anger and sadness influence driving-related risk perception, driving performance, and perceived workload. Sixty-one young drivers drove under three different road conditions with either induced anger, sadness, or neutral affect conditions. After affect induction, there was no difference in subjective risk perception across three ...
What is Optimum Variability

Guastello (2015a) opened the call for articles for this issue with Goldberger (1991) and colleagues' findings of chaotic variability in healthy heart rate, noting, 'the principle of healthy variability has extended to other biomedical and psychological phenomena.' He suggests a dialectical underpinning for optimal variability involving 'a combination of the minimum entropy or free energy principle that pushes in a downward direction, and Ashby's Law of Requisite Variety that pushes in an upward direction.' Each of the papers in this issue addresses optimal variability across a variety of health-related areas. The present article surveys these seven papers in relation to five conceptual questions about optimal variability: (a) Is variability a positive or a negative, and how are positive things related to health? (b) How shall we define and measure variability? (c) What constitutes an optimum, and how do we locate one? (d) What is the relationship between optimum variability and health? Finally, it touches on (e) What are underlying principles and phenomena behind healthy variability, and can they inform our vocabulary for health? The paper concludes by discussing practical approaches to dealing with optimization.
Neuroimaging of Stroke

This chapter describes the technique of neuroimaging for the diagnosis of stroke. Stroke refers to a neurologic deficit reflecting destruction of brain tissue secondary to cerebrovascular disease. The diagnosis of acute stroke is based on the clinical observation of neurologic deficits and the exclusion of similarly presenting processes such as seizures, toxins, or metabolic imbalance. Neuroimaging, with either magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography is often needed for accurate diagnosis. It is found that with a single intracranial major vessel occlusion, the imaging abnormalities closely follow known vascular anatomy. With more proximal lesions such as the internal carotid artery, the boundary zones among the distributions of adjacent major vessels are more profoundly involved. Magnetic resonance imaging is currently the most sensitive, accurate, and increasingly practical means of imaging acute infarction based upon the detection of spin density and T2 signal abnormality. Clinical magnetic resonance spectroscopy has demonstrated central areas of ischemia with decreased N -acetylaspartate corresponding to T2W signal increase.
Homogenization of Plastic Deformation in Heterogeneous Lamella Structures

ABSTRACTIt has been shown that unlike its constituent nanocrystalline (NC) phase, a heterogeneous lamella (HL) composite comprising NC and coarse-grain layers exhibits greatly improved ductility. To understand the origin of this enhancement, we present a 3D discrete dislocation, crystal plasticity finite element model to study the development of strains across this microstructure. Here we show that the HL structure homogenizes the plastic strains in the NC layer, weakening the effect of strain concentrations. These findings can provide valuable insight into the effects of material length scales on material instabilities, which is needed to design heterogeneous structures with superior properties.
Unsolved Problems of Crystallization and Melting of Flexible Macromolecules

The thermodynamics, kinetics, and computer simulations of crystallization and melting is discussed with special emphasis on the research directions taken in our laboratory. The thermodynamics is shown to be well understood, although for many specific crystals not enough details for full description are available. Experiments on the crystallization kinetics of poly(ethylene) and poly(oxyethylene) in the presence of crystal nuclei as a function of molecular mass revealed that with increasing mass, the crystallization behavior deviates increasingly from that of small, rigid molecules. Instead of showing a continuously changing, linear crystallization rate with temperature through the equilibrium melting temperature, T°m, these flexible macromolecules show a region of practically zero crystallization rate between T°m and about (T°m — 15) K, creating a temperature region of metastability in the melt that cannot be broken by nucleation with pregrown crystals. Molecular Nucleation was proposed as a cooperative process to be of overriding importance for the description of polymer crystallization, and to be at the center of segregation of molecules of lower molecular mass by growing crystal fronts. Initial efforts to model sufficiently large crystals using Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics methods are presented. Some of the short-time intermediates in the melting, crystallization, and annealing processes seem to have little similarity to commonly assumed models of crystallization and melting and are presented as discussion topics.
To Be Received or Not to Be Received

Modernity has given Africans a brooding feeling that they are refugees in the world—the feeling that they have to provide a justification for their existence. This state of existence is not to be confused with political or economic refugeeism. It is the kind of refugeeism that is tied to their sense of being in the world, to their identity as Africans. It is not simply a psychological state that can satisfactorily be diagnosed and addressed by psychologists, psychoanalysts, or psychotherapists. Democratization and economic development in Africa are not going to eradicate this type of refugeeism. This may postpone addressing the refugeeism that ultimately matters. The phenomenon of racism that bears so heavily on Africans is not perceived or understood in a way that gets to the root of this refugeeism. Even those who say that race matters do not have a radical grasp of what racism is.35 The brooding feeling that afflicts the African today is largely a product of European modernity. It has not been a major issue in the African world from time immemorial. It calls for a philosophical diagnosis of this modernity to see how it bears on the African and, in this way, bring into the open the possibility of overcoming it. Here is one of the unenviable tasks of African philosophy today: to illuminate the ills that European modernity has inflicted on Africans. This philosophy itself has not been spared from the plight of refugeeism. It is itself an element in the prevailing refugeeism. It must overcome itself to undertake its task. Overcoming itself presupposes an awareness of the need to do so.
Evaluation of the activPAL accelerometer for physical activity and energy expenditure estimation in a semi-structured setting

Abstract Objectives Evaluate accuracy of the activPAL and its proprietary software for prediction of time spent in physical activity (PA) intensities (sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous) and energy expenditure (EE) and compare its accuracy to that of a machine learning model (ANN) developed from raw activPAL data. Design Semi-structured accelerometer validation in a laboratory setting. Methods Participants (n = 41 [20 male]; age = 22.0 ± 4.2) completed a 90-min protocol performing 13 activities for 3–10 min each and choosing activity order, duration, and intensity. Participants wore an activPAL accelerometer (right thigh) and a portable metabolic analyzer. Criterion measures of time spent in sedentary, light, and moderate-to-vigorous PA were determined using measured MET values of ≤1.5, 1.6–2.9, and ≥3.0, respectively. Estimated times in each PA intensity from the activPAL software and ANN were compared with the criterion using repeated measures ANOVA. Window-by-window EE prediction was assessed using correlations and root mean square error. Results activPAL software-estimated sedentary time was not different from the criterion, but light PA was overestimated (6.2 min) and moderate- to vigorous PA was underestimated (4.3 min). ANN-estimated sedentary time and light PA were not different from the criterion, but moderate- to vigorous PA was overestimated (1.8 min). For EE estimation, the activPAL software had lower correlations (r = 0.76 vs. r = 0.89) and higher error (1.74 vs. 1.07 METs) than the ANN. Conclusions The ANN had higher accuracy for estimation of EE and PA than the activPAL software in this semi-structured laboratory setting, indicating potential for the ANN to be used in PA assessment.
Topiramate and Amitriptyline Not Effective for Migraine in Children.

Topiramate, amitriptyline, and placebo all led to a similar, substantial improvement in migraine frequency and disability. How to harness this strong placebo effect for our patients is an important, but unanswered, question.
An Investigation into the Relationship between Human Cranial and Pelvic Sexual Dimorphism

When faced with commingled remains, it might be assumed that a more “masculine” pelvis is associated with a more “masculine” cranium, but this relationship has not been specifically tested. This study uses geometric morphometric analyses of pelvic and cranial landmarks to assess whether there is an intra-individual relationship between the degrees of sexual expression in these two skeletal regions. Principal component and discriminant function scores were used to assess sexual dimorphism in 113 U.S. Black individuals. Correlation values and partial least squares regression (PLS) were used to evaluate intra-individual relationships. Results indicate that the os coxae is more sexually dimorphic than the cranium, with element shape being more sexually dimorphic than size. PLS and correlation results suggest no significant intra-individual relationship between pelvic and cranial sexual size or shape expression. Thus, in commingled situations, associations between these skeletal elements cannot be inferred based on degree of “masculinity.”
From desert to breadbasket…to desert again? A metabolic rift in the High Plains Aquifer

The High Plains region of the U.S. is one of the most important agricultural regions in the world. Much agricultural production in this semi-arid region, however, depends on the consumption of nonrenewable groundwater from the High Plains Aquifer. Although the problem has drawn significant attention from policymakers and citizens for over forty years, depletion of the Aquifer has worsened. Why does depletion persist despite widespread and ongoing concern? We explore this conundrum by placing the region into an historical, political-economic context. We focus specifically on the case of Western Kansas, and argue that the contemporary problem is rooted in the ways in which this region was articulated into broader circuits of capital and exchange. Private capital and the state incorporated the region as a source of primary raw materials, mainly agricultural products. Water-dependent agricultural resource extraction opened up a metabolic rift in the hydrological cycle that has only been exacerbated over time through unequal ecological exchange with more politically and economically central places. These structural dynamics associated with political-economic incorporation have impeded efforts to develop more sustainable uses of groundwater consumption in the region. Key words: groundwater management, metabolic rift, High Plains, Kansas
Global variations in pesticide regulations and health risk assessment of maximum concentration levels in drinking water.

Pesticides are used worldwide in agricultural, residential garden, and commercial applications. The control of pesticide exposure is a worldwide problem since pesticide can enter human body via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. For drinking water, many regulatory jurisdictions respond by specifying the maximum concentration level (MCL) of a pesticide that may occur. At least 145 regulatory jurisdictions in 103 nations have specified at least 5474 pesticide MCLs in drinking water. Unfortunately, regulatory agencies often disagree on the magnitude of MCLs. For individual pesticides, MCLs often vary five, six, or even seven orders of magnitude. An analysis of the drinking water MCL distributions of the 25 most commonly regulated pesticides (N > 100 MCLs each) is presented in this study. Health risk uncertainty models are applied to compute uncertainty bounds around realistic MCL values for each pesticide and to help examine whether these MCLs can protect human health or not. Results indicated that at least 162 MCLs for 23 of the 25 pesticides considered were found to exceed upper human health risk uncertainty bounds indicating that these MCLs may not be adequate to protect human health. Also, health risk characterization factors were computed based on the estimation of maximum legal exposures to quantify human health damage caused by drinking water pesticide MCLs, and results indicated that some pesticide MCLs could cause over 19,000 Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) per million population. These MCLs distributions are highly influenced by several value clusters dominated by U.S., World Health Organization, and European Union (EU) indicating that consensus MCLs may be emerging for these most commonly regulated pesticides.
Leveraging user perspectives for insight into cannabis concentrates.

ABSTRACTBackground: The US has seen an increase in the popularity of highly concentrated forms of cannabis (hereafter concentrates) and too little is known about the potential risks associated with their use.Objectives: The present study aims to better understand the patterns and outcomes of concentrates use through the perspectives of young adult users.Methods: Participants (N = 234, 27.9% female) aged 18–35 years were recruited using SurveyMonkey Audience® and had ingested concentrates at least once in the past 6 months. They were queried on concentrates use patterns (e.g., frequency, medical/recreational) and the effects experienced after using concentrates (e.g., physiological/psychological, strength/duration).Results: A total of 27.8% of participants reported frequent use of concentrates (≥10 days in past month). Those who used for medical purposes or lived in states where use is legal were more likely to use concentrates frequently. While most (64.2%) did not report experiencing potentially serious ...
Development of steady-state advanced tokamak research in the DIII-D tokamak

Research into the feasibility of steady-state operation of high-fusion-gain tokamak plasmas is one of the central elements of the DIII-D program. Realization of such discharges has progressed to the point of demonstrating well-aligned noninductive current profiles for a resistive time at 90% of the total current with plasma pressure and confinement consistent with fusion gain >5 in an ITER-sized tokamak. Full current drive discharges with poorer alignment have been obtained for shorter duration. The design methodology and the path to integrating the various elements necessary for full noninductive operation on DIII-D are discussed in detail.
Writer's Aid: using a planner in a collaborative interface

Writer’s Aid is a collaborative system that works simultaneously with an author editing a document providing assistance in identifying and inserting citation keys and autonomously finding and caching potentially relevant papers and associated bibliographic information from various on-line sources. At the core of Writer’s Aid is a domainindependent planning system. The use of a planner in Writer’s Aid enables an efficient division of labor between a human user and the computer system that autonomously creates and executes plans for getting the bibliographic information while the author concentrates on writing. The collaborative model of human-computer interaction implemented in Writer’s Aid places new requirements on the planner, which must posess the expressive power to formulate complex planning goals, efficiently represent and reason about an incompletely specified domain, interleave planning with execution of partial plans, and dynamically re-plan in case of execution failure while avoiding redundant information gathering, all in real time. In the demonstration the participants will be able to use the system and evaluate its unique design in which information integration occurs within a context of a writing task that is the source of the user’s information need.
The outlook for policy-making: An epistemological perspective

Improving the quality of public policy-making is a matter of great importance for nearly everyone. Significant improvements, however, require major (and unlikely?) changes in the epistemological foundations accepted by social inquirers—changes that make possible a conception of “policy” that can be used to achieve real world purposes reliably. A theory of knowledge adequate for that purpose is outlined, and some of its major implications for inquiry (and for policy-making) are explored very briefly.
MoodNetwork: An Innovative Approach to Patient-centered Research.

Introduction:Research has often been viewed as a passive process by which participants enroll in studies developed by researchers. It is becoming clearer that to understand the nuances of mood episodes and how to prevent them, we need to conduct large clinical trials that have the power to investiga