cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defending the West: Occidentalism and the Formation of NATO

EITHER the traditional realist explanation nor liberal and constructivist alternatives are adequate to explain NATO’s formation. Existing explanations of the formation of NATO in International Relations (IR) theory all begin from the position that explaining NATO is a matter of explaining the specific decisions made by individual state actors. It is self-evident to most IR scholars that interstate alliances are arrangements produced by what states do, and that “action” in world politics means “state action.” This reductionist explanatory position parallels a number of individualist stances in the wider sphere of social theory, drawing its intuitive plausibility from a posited equivalence between individuals in society and states in international society: states are, as it were, the “people” of international society. 1 But by adopting this reductionist stance, IR theorists also acquire the central explanatory weaknesses of an individualist approach, particularly inasmuch as they aim to combine an individualist focus with a desire for explanations of social outcomes based on necessity rather than contingency. This “necessity individualism” hampers existing accounts in their efforts to explain the existence of the Alliance. In particular, two explanatory weaknesses characterize necessity individualist accounts. First, such accounts are characterized by a tendency towards the teleological reconstruction of history, in that they tend to read the stable bipolar situation of later years backwards into the incredibly ambiguous period of the period immediately following the Second World War. Second, necessity individualist accounts do not contain an adequate notion of agency, and as such deny the creative aspects of social action. As is usual in social theory, the empirical weaknesses of existing accounts are generated by their underlying theoretical problems; therefore, these theoretical problems must be addressed in order to generate a more robust empirical account. As necessity individualism is the underlying problem, it must be replaced with different theoretical
Surface modification and laser pulse length effects on internal energy transfer in DIOS.

Benzyl-substituted benzylpyridinium (BP) chloride salts were used as a source of thermometer ions to probe the internal energy (IE) transfer in desorption/ionization on porous silicon (DIOS). To modify their wetting properties and the interaction energies with the thermometer ions, the DIOS surfaces were silylated to produce trimethylsilyl- (TMS), amine- (NH2), perfluoroalkyl- (PFA), and perfluorophenyl-derivatized (PFP) surfaces. Two laser sourcessa nitrogen laser with pulse length of 4 ns and a mode locked 3 ˆ Nd:YAG laser with a pulse length of 22 psswere utilized to induce desorption/ionization and fragmentation at various laser fluence levels. The corresponding survival yields were determined as indicators of the IE transfer and the IE distributions were extracted. In most cases, with increasing the laser fluence in a broad range ( 20 mJ/cm 2 ), no change in IE transfer was observed. For ns excitation, this was in remarkable contrast with MALDI, where increasing the laser fluence resulted in sharply (within 5 mJ/cm 2 ) declining survival yields. Derivatization of the porous silicon surface did not affect the survival yields significantly but had a discernible effect on the threshold fluence for ion production. The IE distributions determined for DIOS and MALDI from R-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid reveal that the mean IE value is always lower for the latter. Using the ps laser, the IE distribution is always narrower for DIOS, whereas for ns laser excitation the width depends on surface modification. Most of the differences between MALDI and DIOS described here are compatible with the different dimensionality of the plume expansion and the differences in the activation energy of desorption due to surface modifications.
Adapting to intermittent faults in multicore systems

Future multicore processors will be more susceptible to a variety of hardware failures. In particular, intermittent faults, caused in part by manufacturing, thermal, and voltage variations, can cause bursts of frequent faults that last from several cycles to several seconds or more. Due to practical limitations of circuit techniques, cost-effective reliability will likely require the ability to temporarily suspend execution on a core during periods of intermittent faults.We investigate three of the most obvious techniques for adapting to the dynamically changing resource availability caused by intermittent faults, and demonstrate their different system-level implications. We show that system software reconfiguration has very high overhead, that temporarily pausing execution on a faulty core can lead to cascading livelock, and that using spare cores has high fault-free cost. To remedy these and other drawbacks of the three baseline techniques, we propose using a thin hardware/firmware layer to manage an overcommitted system -- one where the OS is configured to use more virtual processors than the number of currently available physical cores. We show that this proposed technique can gracefully degrade performance during intermittent faults of various duration with low overhead, without involving system software, and without requiring spare cores.
Characteristics of school-age children who had colic as infants: mothers' views.

ISSUES AND PURPOSE. To describe the behavioral style and personality characteristics of young school-age children who were identified as colicky infants and the parents' perspective of any residual behaviors or effects. DESIGN AND METHODS. A qualitative descriptive design with mothers of 12 children identified with colic as infants and 8 mothers of children who did not have colic. RESULTS. Three themes of children who had colic: independence/self-reliance, activity, and emotional lability/intensity. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Children generally were perceived as normal and healthy. Residual feelings, parent-child interaction issues, and perceived or real persistent child characteristics may surface in families who experienced colic, especially during stressful periods.
The influence of gender, patient volume and time on clinical diagnostic decision making in psychiatric emergency services

Abstract Objective We investigated the effects of limited time and high patient pressures on the role of gender and other nonpsychiatric factors in diagnostic decision making in psychiatric emergency services (PES). Methods We reviewed the records of 1236 adult psychiatric patients treated by 75 clinicians (e.g., psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and psychologists) in an urban university and community PES in early 2000. Patient records were sampled according to each clinician's level of busyness and load, controlling for the average number of patients typically seen and the actual volume of patients seen by the particular clinician during that shift. Results Multinomial logistic regression analyses reveal that clinicians are more likely to make a bipolar diagnosis when under low patient load [odds ratio (OR)=1.738, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.186–2.546, P =.005] or when they have more time (OR=1.111, 95% CI=1.017–1.212, P P =.014). When clinicians are under high patient load, female patients are much more likely to receive a depressive disorder diagnosis (e.g., major depressive disorder and dysthymia) (OR=3.491, 95% CI=1.285–9.490, P =.014). Conclusions The results highlight the potential difficulty of clinicians to differentiate bipolar disorder from other mental disorders when evaluating female patients, especially under high patient load, when social stereotypes may be more influential. The results have important implications for the use of antidepressant medications with female patients.
C. Langman: Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation: Policies, Practices and Skills

The scope and practice of vocational rehabilitation (VR) is both broad and varied. According to Langman, the field constitutes almost any activity, either structured or unstructured, that supports the return-to-work process. Although VR services vary, the most fundamental elements include an assessment of the worker and his or her medical condition, occupation, and environment. Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation: Policies, Practices and Skills was published to address knowledge gaps pertaining to government policy and practitioner strategies as it relates to vocational rehabilitation. The book is organized into three parts. Part 1 defines VR, discusses VR policy in the United Kingdom (UK), reviews the development of pertinent national standards, and discusses other issues such as work disability. Part 2 evaluates various models of VR practice and standards in the UK. The author analyzes services in both the private and public sectors through the application of case studies. The case studies are well designed, enhancing the reader’s ability to synthesize and learn basic concepts, principles, and practices. The last section of the book, Part 3, focuses on the knowledge and skills required to provide VR services in a competitive environment. While Part 1 and Part 2 are specific to the UK, Part 3 provides critical information basic to VR practice per se. Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation: Policies, Practices and Skills is an interesting read. The book is evidence-based, logically organized, and comprehensive. Inclusion of numerous tables, figures, and case studies facilitate the reader’s ability to learn and understand challenging or complex subject matter. Although Introduction to Vocational Rehabilitation: Policies, Practices and Skills presents a state-of-the art review of VR, its value is limited due to the emphasis of policies and practices specific to the United Kingdom. Despite this limitation, students and practitioners from around the world will benefit greatly by reading Part 3.
Lumbar Spine Injections: An Evidence-Based Review

The judicious use of appropriately preformed injections can aid significantly in the ability to diagnose and treat patients with spine pathologies. Injections by definition are target specific and, to be useful from a diagnostic standpoint, must be done with imaging guidance. To be appropriately therapeutic they must also be judiciously used in appropriately selected patients while following appropriate technical guidelines. When done appropriately these image-guided injections have a large body of literature demonstrating their efficacy for certain disease conditions.
New insights into the application of the valence rules in Zintl phases—Crystal and electronic structures of Ba 7 Ga 4 P 9 , Ba 7 Ga 4 As 9 , Ba 7 Al 4 Sb 9 , Ba 6 CaAl 4 Sb 9 , and Ba 6 CaGa 4 Sb 9

Abstract Crystals of three new ternary pnictides—Ba7Al4Sb9, Ba7Ga4P9, and Ba7Ga4As9 have been prepared by reactions of the respective elements in molten Al or Pb fluxes. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that the three phases are isotypic, crystallizing in the orthorhombic Ba7Ga4Sb9-type structure (space group Pmmn, Pearson symbol oP40, Z=2), for which only the prototype is known. The structure is based on TrPn4 tetrahedra (Tr=Al, Ga; Pn=P, As, Sb), connected in an intricate scheme into 1D-ribbons. Long interchain Pn–Pn bonds (dP–P>3.0 A; dAs–As>3.1 A; dSb–Sb>3.3 A) account for the realization of 2D-layers, separated by Ba2+ cations. Applying the classic valance rules to rationalize the bonding apparently fails, and Ba7Ga4Sb9 has long been known as a metallic Zintl phase. Earlier theoretical calculations, both empirical and ab-initio, suggest that the possible metallic properties originate from filled anti-bonding Pn–Pn states, and the special roles of the “cations” in this crystal structure. To experimentally probe this hypothesis, we sought to synthesize the ordered quaternary phases Ba6CaTr4Sb9 (Tr=Al, Ga). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction work confirms Ba6.145(3)Ca0.855Al4Sb9 and Ba6.235(3)Ca0.765Ga4Sb9, with Ca atoms preferably substituting Ba on one of the three available sites. The nuances of the five crystal structures are discussed, and the chemical bonding in Ba7Ga4As9 is interrogated by tight-binding linear muffin-tin orbital calculations.
Proton states in /sup 247/Bk excited by /sup 246/Cm(. cap alpha. ,t) reaction and /sup 247/Cf(electron capture) and /sup 251/Es(. cap alpha. ) decays

Proton states in $^{247}\mathrm{Bk}$ have been investigated by measuring the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays and conversion electrons associated with the electron capture decay of the 3.11-h $^{247}\mathrm{Cf}$, $^{251}\mathrm{Es}$ $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ spectrum, and triton spectrum produced in the $^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$($\ensuremath{\alpha}$,$t$)$^{247}\mathrm{Bk}$ reaction. The $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectra were measured with a 25-${\mathrm{cm}}^{3}$ coaxial Ge(Li) diode and the electron spectrum was measured with a cooled Si(Li) spectrometer. Multipolarities of the intense transitions in $^{247}\mathrm{Bk}$ were deduced and the $log\mathrm{ft}$ values were derived from measured electron capture intensities. Triton spectra from the $^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$($\ensuremath{\alpha}$,$t$) reaction at bombarding energies of 28.0 and 29.0 MeV were momentum analyzed with an Enge split-pole magnetic spectrograph. Spectroscopic factors were derived from the measured cross sections and were found to be in good agreement with respective values calculated with single-particle wave functions. The $^{251}\mathrm{Es}$ $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ spectrum was measured with the Argonne double-focussing magnetic spectrometer; five $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ groups were observed. On the basis of the results of the present investigation the following proton orbitals were identified in $^{247}\mathrm{Bk}$: $\frac{3}{2}\ensuremath{-}[521]$, 0; $\frac{7}{2}+[633]$, 40.8; $\frac{5}{2}+[642]$, 334.9; $\frac{5}{2}\ensuremath{-}[523]$, 447.8; 1/2 + [400], 487; 1/2 - [521], 704; $I=\frac{9}{2},\frac{7}{2}\ensuremath{-}[514], 904$; and $I=\frac{13}{2},\frac{9}{2}+[624],1166$ keV.RADIOACTIVITY $^{247}\mathrm{Cf}$ [from $^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$ ($\ensuremath{\alpha}$, $3n$)]; measured ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, ${I}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$, ${E}_{\mathrm{ce}}$, ${I}_{\mathrm{ce}}$, $^{251}\mathrm{Es}$ [from $^{249}\mathrm{Cf}$ ($\ensuremath{\alpha}$,$2n$), $^{246}\mathrm{Fm}\stackrel{\mathrm{EC}}{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}^{251}\mathrm{Es}$]; measured ${E}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$, ${I}_{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$; deduced hindrance factors. NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$($\ensuremath{\alpha}$,$t$), $E=28.0, 29.0$ MeV; measured $E$ (excitation), $\ensuremath{\sigma}$. $^{247}\mathrm{Bk}$ deduced levels, $log\mathrm{ft}$ (EC), $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ multipolarity, $I$, $\ensuremath{\pi}$, eight single-particle states. Mass-separated $^{247}\mathrm{Cf}$, $^{251}\mathrm{Es}$, and $^{246}\mathrm{Cm}$.
Narrative, Myth and Morality in Corporate Legal Theory

This article, prepared for the Michigan State Law Review's "Business Law and Narrative" symposium, analyzes corporate legal theory's use of myth as a rhetorical device. Corporate legal theories offer competing stories about how and why corporations originate and how they operate. The leading theories do so by maintaining that the abstraction we call a corporation can be decomposed into constituent human individuals, who serve as characters in stories of corporate origins and ongoing corporate action. Narratives that justify the existence of social institutions serve a rhetorical purpose sometimes referred to as "myth". Corporate legal theories serve to justify the existence of corporations and certain approaches to the role of regulation, the role of markets, and the relative roles of managers, directors, shareholders, and other corporate stakeholders. Theories of the corporation perform this function by reference to fundamental moral preferences about the role of the state, the rights of the individual, and her relationship to society. The dominant corporate legal narratives in American law, then, have significant moral and ideological content. This analysis of legal theory as narrative myth shows that law does not simply impose ideology, but influences ideology through the use of rhetorical conventions. Law appeals to existing ideology, but also attempts to remake ideology, though it can only do so incrementally, in recursive fashion, by taking advantage of its relationship to existing beliefs.
Manipulation of cavity Q and critical coupling in a microring resonator through integration of a semiconductor optical amplifier

We report the control of quality factor and critical coupling in an InP/InGaAsP microring resonator by altering the internal loss in the ring using an integrated semiconductor optical amplifier.
Flow-SNE: A New Approach for Flow Cytometry Clustering and Visualization

Flow cytometry is a technology by which the expression of multiple cellular markers are measured simultaneously for each cell. Analysis of the extracted cytometry dataset is invaluable for biologists in many applications such as identification of various cell types with specific phenotypic properties. Specifically, identification of rare subpopulation in presence of infectious diseases can reveal the effects of that disease on immune system reflex. In this paper, we propose a new automatic clustering technique to extract meaningful cell subtypes from the flow cytometry datasets. In contrast with other methods, our approach is able to visualize the dataset in 2D. Also, it is designed to easily handle very large flow cytometry datasets. We compared our method against others using three famous publicly available flow cytometry datasets. The results indicate a much better performance and an effective visualization.
Getting Pathologists Onto Patient Floors: A Proposed, Proactive Quality Assurance Function for Pathologists

In accord with mandates of the College of American Pathologists and Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, we have developed a structured function that documents the quality assurance program of the Pathology Department. It is simple and easy to perform, promotes exposure of the department, serves as a database in patient care and laboratory administration, and has been well received by the clinical staff. The program is offered for consideration by other laboratories.
Antijesuitismo en Montevideo a comienzos del siglo XX: los folletos de la Asociación de Propaganda Liberal (1900-1905)

Resumen es: A comienzos del siglo XX, una nueva secularizacion ocurrio en Uruguay. Los jesuitas han representado un real apoyo para la Iglesia y un digno adversario ...
Research progress on the relationship between protein specific oxidation and diseases

It is notable that the specific protein oxidation products can serve as biomarker due to the fact that each protein comprises unique amino acid sequence and each disease may have specific oxidative reaction.For example,tyrosine can be oxidated to 3-nitrotyrosine or 3-chlorotyrosine,methionine oxidated to sulfoxide.The generation and increase of the specific protein oxidation products can reflect the condition of lots of diseases to a certain extent.Study of the connection between the specific protein oxidation products and pathological changes can provide the scientific basis for prevention and treatment of lots of diseases.
Integrated Research of QTLs for 1000-grain Weight in Rice Genome

DNA markers that were commonly used in the mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs)in rice were aligned based on the Gramene Annotated Nipponbare Sequence 2006. With linked DNA markers, 251 rice QTLs for 1000-grain weight were integrated into the map. It was indicated that QTLs for grain weight were distributed in all the 12 chromosomes of rice, but the majority were located on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 6 and 10 in which six intervals are likely to harbor major QTLs for grain weight.
Estimating Causal Effects of Local Air Pollution on Daily Deaths: Effect of Low Levels.

Background:Although many time-series studies have established associations of daily pollution variations with daily deaths, there are fewer at low concentrations, or focused on locally generated po...
Computerized fluoroscopy: New technique for the noninvasive evaluation of the aorta, coronary artery bypass grafts, and left ventricular function

A computerized fluoroscopy system has been developed on the basis of real-time digital processing of x-ray transmission data from traditional image-intensified fluoroscopy equipment. High-quality visualization of any part of the arterial system is obtained following intravenous injection of 0.5 to 0.75 ml/kg of iodinated contrast materials. This report describes the use of this technique to evaluate the aortic arch, left ventricular function, and coronary artery bypass graft patency. Fifty intravenous studies were performed in 25 patients. Among 20 patients with coronary artery bypass grafts, computerized fluoroscopy correctly identified 11 of 15 patent grafts and 11 of 11 occluded grafts as confirmed by standard coronary arteriography in 11 of these patients. Unlike computerized tomography, our technique gives a longitudinal view of the bypass graft much like direct coronary angiography. Aortic arch studies included demonstration of a right aortic arch with a small left subclavian artery, a coarctation, and a normal aortic arch in a trauma patient with a wide mediastinum. Segmental wall motion abnormalities were clearly identified by a modification of the technique which produces a negative outline on the ventriculogram in dyskinetic segments. Ejection fractions may be calculated by determining the amount of iodine in the ventricle in systole and diastole. This technique may also be used to evaluate carotid disease and peripheral vascular disease in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass procedures. Computerized fluoroscopy, therefore, allows evaluation of the entire cardiovascular system by the relatively noninvasive technique of intravenous angiography.
Performance of a fabricated trileaflet porcine bioprosthesis. Midterm follow-up of the Hancock modified-orifice valve.

The fabrication of the Hancock modified-orifice valve raised questions about its long-term durability. Since 1976, 315 patients (206 male, 109 female) with a mean age of 63 years underwent aortic valve replacement with 21 mm (n = 120), 23 mm (n = 153), 25 mm (n = 36), and 27 mm (n = 6) Hancock modified-orifice valves. There were five operative deaths (1.6% mortality). Two hundred sixty-two patients are alive 2 to 117 (mean 53) months postoperatively. Actuarial probability of survival at 96 months was 78% ± 3%. Two hundred twenty-two survivors are in Functional Class I or II. Forty-three patients have had valve-related complications: thromboembolism in 25 (1.9%/pt-yr), primary valve dysfunction in eight (0.6% /pt-yr), and endocarditis in 11 (0.8% /pt-yr). Twelve patients have required reoperation (0.8 % /pt-yr) for primary valve dysfunction (four patients), for endocarditis (five patients), and for perivalvular leak (three patients). At 96 months the actuarial probability of freedom from thromboembolism was 87% ± 3%, from primary valve dysfunction 97% ± 2%, and from endocarditis 92% ± 3%. The probability of freedom from all valve-related complications was 78% ± 4% and from reoperation 94% ± 2%. The performance of this prosthesis justifies its continued use for aortic valve replacement.
A Survey of Typical Antelope House Quids

ABSTRACTThis paper is a survey typology of typical Antelope House Quids (chewed and other modified vegetal objects) from 34 proveniences in 16 rooms. More than a thousand quids so far have been studied and compared with my own chewings of plant material. The quids show a consistent diversity of types. The most important plant taxa of quids are Yucca, Zea, and Phaseolus. Y. boccata is the common fiber in yucca leaf quids. Yucca leaf quids were chewed for nutriment, could supply short cordage, served as strainers, “tea bags”, or dye bundles, and were used as wash pads. Rootlets were chewed, but caudex seldom was chewed. Zea husk was chewed for nourishment. Additives to the husk created pastile quids sucked for recreation. Abrasive pads also were formed from husk. Phaseolus strings are found in clean wads, with bean paste, or as fecal drops. Some string quids were formed around a yucca rootlet.
Cloning in Nonhuman Primates

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the ongoing research efforts to derive genetically identical nonhuman primates. The genetic similarity between nonhuman primates and humans makes nonhuman primates, especially the rhesus monkey, a uniquely suited model for biomedical research. Because of these similarities, nonhuman primates are not only ideally suited for research of traditional human maladies but also offer a unique system for developing and testing new therapeutic approaches in human medicine. Therapeutic applications of gene therapy; cell, tissue, and organ transplantation; stem cell therapies; and vaccines and drugs for unique primate conditions can be reliably studied only in nonhuman primates. Conditions specific to primates include asthma, hepatitis, leishmaniasis, and parainfluenza. During the past few years, ultrasonography for the imaging of ovaries has been employed successfully, which has improved the evaluation of stimulation protocols. The size of the ovaries and the number and size of developing follicles are measured to evaluate the response, which has resulted not only in improved yields of good quality oocytes but also in a reduction of the number of animals undergoing surgical recovery attempts in the absence of a satisfactory ovarian stimulation. However, superovulation yields inconsistent and unpredictable numbers of good quality oocytes, where the average yield from a first-time superovulated animal ranges between 0 and 156, averaging between 15 and 20 per collection. The development of nonhuman primate models for human disease through nuclear transplantation or embryo splitting can greatly benefit ongoing research on drug testing, vaccine development, gene therapy, and many other areas of importance. Genetically identical animals would allow the use of a fewer numbers of animals in the research while dramatically increasing the accuracy and interpretation of results due to reduced or eliminated genetic variability between animals.
Strong consistency of the general rank estimator

ABSTRACTIn this article, we consider a general regression model. We are concerned with the study of the rank estimator of the regression coefficients. Strong consistency of the resulting estimator is established under mild conditions.
Living Arrangements and Health at Older Ages in Rural Malawi.

Sub-Saharan Africa's older population is projected to nearly double in size by 2030. At the same time, demographic changes have caused major shifts in the units primarily responsible for the care of older adults: the family and household. The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between household composition and health at older ages in rural Malawi. We use data from the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health, which contains detailed information on household and family structure, along with measures of mental and physical health (from the Short Form-12). We focus on several measures of living arrangements that are expected to be associated with health: overall household size, sex composition and kin structure (based on co-residence with offspring and grandchildren). Results show that: (a) older women who co-reside with offspring have better mental and physical health compared to those living only with grandchildren; (b) older men who live in larger households or in households with a higher proportion of females have better physical health.
Can health “halos” extend to food packaging? An investigation into food healthfulness perceptions and serving sizes on consumption decisions

Abstract The purpose of this research is to examine how perceived food healthfulness and package partitioning interact to impact intended and actual consumption. Across three studies, findings indicate that both intended consumption and actual consumption of the perceptually healthier food items increase when packaging is not partitioned. Further, partitioning does not change the intended or actual consumption of foods perceived as less healthy. Accordingly, perceptually healthy foods tend to be consumed more when servings are not partitioned, suggesting a positive health halo leading to a “healthy = eat more” consumption pattern. The role of affect regulation theory and, more specifically, guilt, in this process is examined. These findings have implications for marketers, food manufacturers, and public policymakers interested in reducing obesity.
Reaction of ethylene oxide with nicotinamide and nicotinic acid.

It has been shown that treatment of animal diets with ethylene oxide results in severe destruction of thiamine, niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, and folic acid (2, 3) and of the essential amino acids, histidine, methionine (4)) and lysine (5). Consequently, studies were undertaken to elucidate the nature of the reactions of ethylene oxide with the above nutrients. The realization that a tertiary nitrogen group was common to six of the labile nutrients prompted the investigation of the reaction of ethylene oxide with pyridine and the closely related nicotinamide and nicotinic acid. Lohmann (6), in 1939, reported that the addition of ethylene oxide to pyridine or quinolme results in the formation of highly colored methanol-water soluble products of undetermined structure. Eastham et al. (7-9) demonstrated that ethylene oxide reacts as readily with tertiary as with primary and secondary amines, and that the reaction with pyridine, in the presence of an acid, yields the Nl-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridinium salt. The rate of reaction in excess pyridine was shown to be second order, being proportional to the concentration of acid and epoxide. The present paper offers evidence that ethylene oxide reacts with nicotinamide under very mild conditions to yield, after acidification with HCl, the chloride of Nl-(2-hydroxyethyl)nicotinamide, and with nicotinic acid to produce the betaine of N1-(2-hydroxyethyl)nicotinic acid.
Time-Resolved Absorption Spectroscopy

This dissertation work emphasizes on the exciton energy shift that is induced by femtosecond light pulses. At equilibrium, the exciton energy level in monolayer TMDs sits in the visible regime, e.g., E 0 = 2 eV in monolayer WS2. In order to detect this energy shift, we need a broadband probe pulse that is centered in the visible spectrum. White light continuum generation is a nonlinear optical process capable of producing such broadband light pulse between 500 and 700 nm (ℏω = 1.8 − 2.4 eV). In this chapter, we will discuss about time-resolved absorption spectroscopy setup (or simply transient absorption) that utilizes white light continuum to probe the exciton energy shift in monolayer TMDs. In the first section, we will show the overview of the transient absorption setup. In later sections, we will discuss in more details about (1) laser amplifier, (2) optical parametric amplifier, and (3) white light continuum generation. Finally, we will discuss about the data analysis based on the optical physics of monolayer materials on a transparent substrate.
Performance comparison of plasmonic solar cell employing aluminum and silver nano particles

Thin film Silicon (Si) solar cells are less efficient compared to thick film solar cells, but cell absorption can be enhanced by the embodiment of metal nano particles into the cell structure. Plasmonic structures, such as metal nano particles, are promising and versatile optical engineering tools, which have the potential to enhance device efficiency and reduce the cost of harvested solar energy. Modeling of arrayed Silver and Aluminum nano spheres, over a 3μm thin film Silicon plate, showed improved optical absorption over the visible spectrum. The developed model investigates the effect of changing the radius of Aluminum (Al) and Silver (Ag) nano sphere located adjacent to the Si thin film, which brings about enhancement of light absorption.
Scents and Sensibility: Olfaction, Sense-Making, and Meaning Attribution:

How are smells invested with meaning and how do those meanings structure interactions and group relations? I use cultural theories of meaning-making to explore these questions, situating my inquiry in the world of commercially marketed perfumes. Using blind smell tests in focus groups, I examine how individuals make sense of certain fragrances absent direction from manufacturers or marketing materials. I find that most participants can correctly decode perfume manufacturers’ intended message, target users, and usage sites. I unpack the role of culture in these initial classifications of smells, and later, in how participants apply those evaluations to reify social boundaries and reproduce social relations—especially with reference to race and class. I also identify two cognitive mechanisms—embodied simulation and iterative reprocessing—illustrating how these mechanisms facilitate a dynamic interaction between practical and discursive modes of consciousness in deciphering smells. Finally, I elaborate the r...
Biodiversity is a chimera, and chimeras aren’t real

A recent article by Burch-Brown and Archer (Biol Philos, 2017) provides compelling arguments that biodiversity is either a natural kind or a pragmatically-valid scientific entity. I call into question three of these arguments. The first argument contends that biodiversity is a Homeostatic Property Cluster (HPC). I respond that there is no plausible homeostatic mechanism that would make biodiversity an HPC natural kind. The second argument proposes that biodiversity is a multiply-realizable functional kind. I respond that there is no shared function to ground this account. The final, and strongest, argument, is that biodiversity is an ineliminable explanans and explanandum in various subdisciplines of biology. I argue that once we look at the details of the relevant research, not only does biodiversity in a broad sense not function in explanatory roles, but we must eliminate biodiversity in favor of more specific concepts in order to make sense of the leading explanations in contemporary ecology and conservation science.
Membrane-Associated-Proteins: Self-Assembly, Interactions, and Biomolecular Materials

Membrane-associated-proteins are active components of biological membranes facilitating functions such as energy conversion, molecular transport, and molecular recognition. Two-dimensional (2D) self-assemblies of membrane-proteins such as bacteriorhodopsin and bacterial self-assemblies of proteins are studied (1) from the biological interest in the elucidation of their structure-function correlations, and (2) for the development of biomolecular materials. In these lectures we describe a first series of recent high resolution synchrotron x-ray scattering studies of the purple membrane comprised of the 2D self-assembly of the membrane-protein bacteriorhodopsin (bR). At high humidity, the 2D lattice undergoes a reversible melting transition. The ordered phase of this multi- component and highly complex self-assembly is found to exhibit scattering characteristic of a 2D solid with power-law decay of positional correlations. Two significant consequences are (1) the first measurements of a protein-lattice elastic rigidity which is directly derived from the protein-protein interactions, and (2) the realization of the theoretical limit on the achievable resolution in protein crystallography of such two- dimensional crystals which exhibit power-law correlations and lack true long-range order. In the low humidity regime, a remarkable exceedingly high temperature phase of bR has been discovered. Higher order self-assemblies of the stacked 2D membranes, achieved by water removal, result in the complete suppression of the melting transition, and the absence of protein denaturation up to 140 °C.
Physical Abuse and Adolescent Sexual Behaviors: Moderating Effects of Mental Health Disorders and Substance Use

The purpose of the current study was to examine the direct effects of child physical abuse on sexual behaviors and whether mental health problems and substance use moderated the associations between exposure to child physical abuse and sexual behavioral practices among adolescents who participated in the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). The data show statistically significant relationships between physical abuse and risky sexual behaviors for youth who met the clinical criteria for lifetime Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and reported marijuana use. Data from future studies can inform sexual health practice development with adolescents and emerging adults with a history of physical abuse, marijuana use/abuse and PTSD. These findings underscore the importance of exploring presence of symptoms associated with PTSD and marijuana use as part of a comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment for physically abused adolescents and emerging adults to determine if they are engaging in risky sexual behaviors.
Electronic Connections and Equal Opportunities: An Analysis of Telecommunications Distribution in Public Schools

AbstractData collected from the Advanced Telecommunications in U.S. Public Elementary and Secondary Schools, 1995 survey (National Center for Education Statistics, 1996) were used to examine differences in access to wide-area networks by ethnic or racial identity and socioeconomic status. The aim of this research is to provide a current picture of the equality of available educational opportunities as measured by access to technologies important to this age. This research also demonstrates the strength of the claim that access to educational resources and tools are dependent on race or class membership. In addition, abbreviated data from similar surveys conducted in 1996 and 1997 show that although progress has been made in public schools regardless of their economic or racial enrollments, the actual gaps between the “haves” and “have-nots” are either narrowing only slightly or in some cases widening to an alarming degree. This article is guided and informed by seminal work of the 1960s, therefore, the re...
Clinical utilization of shear wave elastography in the musculoskeletal system

Shear wave elastography (SWE) is an emerging technology that provides information about the inherent elasticity of tissues by producing an acoustic radiofrequency force impulse, sometimes called an "acoustic wind," which generates transversely-oriented shear waves that propagate through the surrounding tissue and provide biomechanical information about tissue quality. Although SWE has the potential to revolutionize bone and joint imaging, its clinical application has been hindered by technical and artifactual challenges. Many of the stumbling blocks encountered during musculoskeletal SWE imaging are readily recognizable and can be overcome, but progressive advances in technology and a better understanding of image acquisition are required before SWE can reliably be used in musculoskeletal imaging.
Bioinformatics for Predicting Allergenicity

The ability of a food or a food protein to cause allergic sensitization and to elicit an allergic reaction is the result of a complex set of interactions involving both the immune and digestive systems. It may be possible to infer potential allergenicity by comparing a protein of interest to known allergenic proteins. One major tool for conducting such a comparison is bioinformatic analysis. Bioinformatics can be used to compare primary sequences, secondary and tertiary structures, functional classifications, and evolutionary relationships for entire proteins or for domains within proteins. The utility of these comparisons depends on the availability of both appropriate data sources and analytical tools. Just as chemical or biological analyses should use characterized reagents and validated methods, bioinformatic analyses should be conducted using characterized databases and validated algorithms. Although a number of allergy-related databases are available, they are very different in design and content and in the degree to which information characterizing the content of the database is made available to users. A similar diversity exists among the available analytical resources for assessing potential allergenicity, and no standards or procedures have been developed for validating these resources. To illustrate the extent of the diversity among allergen-related bioinformatic resources, representative online allergen databases and analytical resources are described below. Based on the descriptive information available for each of these resources, principles of good database practice (GDP) can be developed that will maximize the utility of these resources.
Trump Executive Order Calls For More Aggressive Use Of The Buy American Act—An Order Likely To Have More Political Than Practical Effect

President Trump recently issued an executive order, EO 13881, 84 Fed. Reg. 34257 (July 15, 2019), calling for more aggressive application of the Buy American Act. The new order calls for the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to strengthen domestic preferences under the Act. The order was long predicted as another step in the Trump administration’s advancing protectionism. Indeed, most of the Trump administration’s protectionist initiatives have been foreseeable from the outset, for the Trump administration has consistently embraced those initiatives that provide maximum political benefit at minimum cost. But developments since Trump took office—including new data that show that the Buy American Act applies to a markedly small portion of federal procurement, and emerging electronic marketplaces that could swallow up much of that small market share—may mean the new executive order has far more impact politically (both in the U.S. and abroad) than it does practically.
Using a picture-embedded method to support acquisition of sight words

Abstract This study investigated whether an intervention using words embedded with pictures can be more effective in sight word instruction than one using words alone. Participants included sixty-nine children in junior kindergarten (ages 4–5) enrolled in school in Ontario, Canada. Children were split randomly into treatment and control groups; the treatment group was taught four words using picture-embedded words, and the control group was taught using text alone. Both groups also received phonics instruction to support sight word acquisition. Children in the picture-embedded word condition performed significantly higher than those in the word-alone condition on an immediate post-training test and later retention tests. This outcome, which contrasts with previous studies using picture-embedded words, may result from this method's use of a relevant linking phrase and action that help build an association between picture and word, as well as its incorporation of phonics instruction, with future work needed to test this hypothesis.
Heterotaxy Polysplenia Syndrome in Adulthood: Focused Review and a Case Report

Heterotaxy syndrome (Situs ambiguus) is a condition in which the internal organs are abnormally arranged in the chest and abdomen. Individuals with this condition have complex birth defects affecting the heart, lungs, liver, spleen, intestines, and other organs. Unlike situs inversus, it often causes serious health problems. This report describes a case of a 49-year-old Hispanic female with a significant medical history of situs ambiguous diagnosed at birth in Cuba. She has had little to no follow-up in adulthood due to being "healthy." She presented to the emergency room with intractable pain in the left lower quadrant and left flank for two days. Heterotaxy syndrome was found incidentally on CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis (plain). She was further evaluated with chest X-ray, magnetic resonance imaging of abdomen/pelvis without and with contrast, transvaginal ultrasonography, renal/bladder ultrasonography, left upper quadrant (LUQ) ultrasonography, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with biopsy, 2D echocardiogram, and pertinent laboratory tests. Certain unusual findings included azygos continuation of the inferior vena cava (IVC), numerous spleens, atrophic pancreas, dilatation of duodenal C sweep, pelvic mass (possibly arising from right ovary), multiple nabothian cysts, and cardiac dysfunctions (such as severe mitral regurgitation). This report further aims to identify anatomic variants, previously established or otherwise not, in heterotaxy syndrome. Also, there seems to be a lack of identifiable anomalies or associations in regard to female anatomy, particular to this case being the female pelvic anatomy. As previous reports and research have stated, identification of anomalies in this syndrome is key for adequate and optimal management.
Employability Standards: Inclusion in Family and Consumer Science Middle School Curriculum.

Since the inception of the middle school movement, educators have been interested in the dynamics of early adolescents (Lounsbury, 1996) which is evidenced by the literature (National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform, 2002,2005,2006;North Carolina State Board of Education, 2004;Southern Regional Education Board, 1999). Middle-level education is characterized as a time when children are transitioning into adolescence and are filled with vibrant energy and intellectual curiosity; they undergo more rapid and personal changes than any other time in their lives (National Middle School Association, 1995). The middle school years span the chronological age of 10 to 15 years. During this time, the early adolescent tend to focus on developing a sense of self, form cultural identities, enlarge their social sphere beyond the family, establish close friendships with others, form opinions about others, and develop a sense of fairness and justness (Clauss, 2006). Therefore, the curriculum in middle school is important; it cannot be a simplified version of secondary level education but should be specifically designed to meet the needs of the early adolescent (Jackman, 1996). A curriculum that focuses on human growth and development and the characteristics of individuals who are changing from childhood to adolescence is favored. According toLounsbury (1994), the success of the middle school curriculum is determined by its effectiveness in helping these students know who they are, helping them with their aspirations and standards, and viewing their responsibilities and relationships appropriately.
Death Ineligibility and Habeas Corpus

I examine the interaction between what I call 'death ineligibility' challenges and the habeas writ. A death ineligibility claim alleges that a criminally-confined capital prisoner belongs to a category of offenders for which the Eighth Amendment forbids execution. By contrast, a 'crime innocence' claim alleges that, colloquially speaking, a capital prisoner 'wasn’t there, and didn’t do it.' In the last eight years, the Supreme Court has identified several new ineligibility categories, including mentally retarded offenders. Configured primarily to address crime innocence and procedural challenges, however, modern habeas law is poorly equipped to accommodate ineligibility claims. Death Ineligibility traces the genesis of, and suggests an appropriate response to, the new variants of ineligibility - concluding that procedural obstacles should not bar relief for death ineligible claimants.
BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBOPTIMAL OUTCOMES FOLLOWING ACLR IN THE PEDIATRIC ATHLETE

Background:Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is associated with acute postoperative pain, decreased function, and psychological distress. Studies examining risk factors in pediatric ...