cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potential Lignin-Derived Alternatives to Bisphenol A in Diamine-Hardened Epoxy Resins

This work details the synthesis and characterization of potentially lignin-derived bisguaiacols as alternatives to petroleum-derived bisphenol A (BPA) in diamine-cured epoxy resins. The variations in the number of methoxy groups of lignin facilitate the systematic chemical and thermomechanical manipulation of bisguaiacol-based thermosets to achieve desirable properties. Herein, ten bisguaiacols (including structural isomers), differing in the number of methoxy groups and regioisomer content, were synthesized from substituted bioderivable hydroxybenzyl alcohols and phenols by acid-catalyzed electrophilic aromatic substitution approaches and then functionalized with oxirane groups. These bisguaiacol diglycidyl ethers were subsequently cured with a model diamine. All cured bioderivable resins had glass transition temperatures (Tg’s) above 100 °C, 5 wt % loss temperatures above 300 °C, and room-temperature glassy storage moduli above 2.0 GPa, values that were comparable to bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE/...
The Social Dimension of Political Values

Worries about the instability of political attitudes and lack of ideological constraint among the public are often pacified by the assumption that individuals have stable political values. These political values are assumed to help individuals filter political information and thus both minimize outside influence and guide people through complex political environments. This perspective, though, assumes that political values are stable and consistent across contexts. This piece questions that assumption and argues that political values are socially reinforced—that is, that political values are not internal predispositions, but the result of social influence. I consider this idea with two empirical tests: an experimental test that recreates the transmission of political values and an observational analysis of the effect of politically homogeneous social contexts on political value endorsements. Results suggest that political values are socially reinforced. The broader implication of my findings is that the concepts scholars term “political values” may be reflections of individuals’ social contexts rather than values governing political behavior.
Sentient Narratives: Similes, Metaphors, and Dusmic Poetics Within the Senses

This chapter analyzes Alba Ambert’s A Perfect Silence in conjunction with spatial cognitive development studies of sensory perception to identify the importance of metaphor and simile as a method for sentient-flesh experiences to be conveyed as part of a healing project, with an emphasis on metaphor. The question that emerges, and as inquiry within trauma studies shows, healing from trauma can require a moment of psychic shattering. As such, and as Gloria Anzaldua shows, reaching conocimiento requires that how individuals and communities experience and acknowledge their previous traumas must be resituated. This novel’s construction of metaphors and similes that represent sensory perceptions of taste, sight, sound, feeling, and smell indicate the ways that sentient-flesh experiences violence. Further, these depictions transform the flesh into a site where—during the creation of consciousness—it can transform and be understood as not just the flesh, alone, but instead intricately linked to sentience as they work together to create a whole being.
Obesity, Second Stage Duration, and Labor Outcomes in Nulliparous Women.

Objective This study aimed to estimate second stage duration and its effects on labor outcomes in obese versus nonobese nulliparous women. Study Design This was a secondary analysis of a cohort of nulliparous women who presented for labor at term and reached complete cervical dilation. Adjusted relative risks (aRR) were used to estimate the association between obesity and second stage characteristics, composite neonatal morbidity, and composite maternal morbidity. Effect modification of prolonged second stage on the association between obesity and morbidity was assessed by including an interaction term in the regression model. Results Compared with nonobese, obese women were more likely to have a prolonged second stage (aRR: 1.48, 95% CI: 1.18–1.85 for ≥3 hours; aRR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.18–2.30 for ≥4 hours). Obesity was associated with a higher rate of second stage cesarean (aRR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.34–2.34) and cesarean delivery for fetal distress (aRR: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.18–3.58). Obesity was also associated with increased rates of neonatal (aRR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.05–1.80), but not maternal morbidity (aRR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.90–1.25). Neonatal morbidity risk was not modified by prolonged second stage. Conclusion Obesity is associated with increased risk of neonatal morbidity, which is not modified by prolonged second stage of labor.
Experimental Study of Body-Fin Interaction and Vortex Dynamics Generated by a Two Degree-Of-Freedom Fish Model

Oscillatory modes of swimming are used by a majority of aquatic swimmers to generate thrust. This work seeks to understand the phenomenological relationship between the body and caudal fin for fast and efficient thunniform swimming. Phase-averaged velocity data was collected and analyzed in order to understand the effects of body-fin kinematics on the wake behind a two degree-of-freedom fish model. The model is based on the yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) which is known to be both fast and efficient. Velocity data was obtained along the side of the tail and caudal fin region as well as in the wake downstream of the caudal fin. Body-generated vortices were found to be small and have an insignificant effect on the caudal fin wake. The evolution of leading edge vortices formed on the caudal fin varied depending on the body-fin kinematics. The circulation produced at the trailing edge during each half-cycle was found to be relatively insensitive to the freestream velocity, but also varied with body-fin kinematics. Overall, the generation of vorticity in the wake was found to dependent on the trailing edge motion profile and velocity. Even relatively minor deviations from the commonly used model of sinusoidal motion is shown to change the strength and organization of coherent structures in the wake, which have been shown in the literature to be related to performance metrics such as thrust and efficiency.
Minimally Invasive Techniques Applied to the Cranio-Vertebral Junction

Unlike modern cervical and thoracolumbar surgery, many spine surgeons are not familiar with minimally invasive (MIS) techniques at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ). Due to its unique and complex anatomic structure, the CVJ is a technically challenging location for performing instrumentation and fusion. MIS approaches for anterior odontoid fixation, anterior transarticular fixation, posterior atlantoaxial fixation, and anterior occiput-to-axis fixation have been developed to fix fracture or instability due to a variety of pathologic conditions. With limited evidence in the literature, the application of MIS techniques to the CVJ awaits further effort from experts in spine surgery.
Retrospective analysis of outcomes in patients with acute hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis treated without therapeutic plasma exchange.

Background Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is often used to decrease serum triglyceride levels in hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis (HTGP), although there is a lack of high-quality data directly attributing improved clinical outcomes to TPE. There are currently no large studies evaluating the treatment of HTGP without TPE. Study design and methods This study retrospectively analyzes clinical and laboratory outcomes of 115 encounters at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) wherein a HTGP patient was treated without TPE and compares these outcomes to those of HTGP patients in the literature treated with TPE. Results After management without TPE, the median reduction in serum triglycerides was 48% (IQR 29%-63%) on day one and 74% (IQR 60%-84%) on day two in 115 episodes of acute HTGP. The reductions were comparable to those reported in several large published case series after a course of TPE (65.8% to 81% reduction). In 25 episodes among 24 patients, treatment included admission to an intensive care unit. There was no significant difference in mortality or rates of local complication, mechanical ventilation, or use of vasoactive medication or renal replacement therapy between this ICU subset and published cohorts (all P > .05). Conclusions HTGP patients who do not receive TPE do not experience inferior outcomes compared to patients in the literature treated with TPE. The added value of TPE in HTGP, if any exists, needs to be demonstrated in controlled trials.
Hybrid PSO-TS Based Distribution System Expansion Planning for System Performance Improvement Considering Energy Management

Energy management (EM) has become very attractive in smart grid era for both industry and academia. EM in a power distribution system (PDS) can reduce the system losses, operational costs and emissions, and increases system’s reliability, voltage stability and efficiency. This article expands the PDS using different distributed energy resources (DERs) and observes their impacts on EM success, operational costs, system losses, and emissions. Moreover, the impacts of integrating reactive sources (RSs), energy storage systems (ESSs), and electric vehicles (EVs) on the system’s operational performance is investigated. An index is defined to measure the energy management success rate (EMSR) and several case studies are created for investigating variety of system expansion options individually and collectively. Furthermore, a new reliability index, namely reliability index success rate (RISR), is defined and sensitivity analysis are presented to investigate the DERs impacts on system’s voltage controllability and the defined reliability index. A new hybrid PSO-TS optimization algorithm is developed, and the well-known PG&E 69-bus distribution network is selected for the simulations. Several case studies presented in the paper provide a clear understanding of the impacts of integrating different resources on the EM as well as other operational aspects of a PDS. The results reveal that the system expansion using DERs with different capacities along with EM strategies could have significant impacts on PDS performance depending on the DERs types’ and capacities. Due to their availability and low operational costs, gas turbine further improves the performance indices comparing to the renewables that have uncertain availability and to diesel generators with their high operational costs.
Cortical thickness predicts remission of depression with antidepressants in patients with late-life depression and cognitive impairment.

Abstract Background Depression (DEP) and cognitive impairment (CI) share etiological risk factors, anatomical underpinnings, and interact to produce deleterious treatment outcomes. Both DEP and CI exhibit altered patterns of cortical thickness which may impact the course of antidepressant treatment, though inconsistencies in directionality and affected brain regions have been reported. In this study, we examined the relationship between cortical thickness and treatment outcome in older adults with comorbid DEP-CI. Methods 55 patients with DEP-CI received baseline MRI scans as part of a larger clinical trial at NYSPI/Columbia University Medical Center and Duke University Medical Center. Mood was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Patients received open antidepressant treatment for 8 weeks followed by another 8 weeks of the same medication or switch to another antidepressant for a total of 16 weeks. Cortical thickness was extracted using an automated brain segmentation program (FreeSurfer). Vertex-wise analyses evaluated the relationship between cortical thickness and treatment outcome. Results Remitters exhibited diffuse clusters of greater cortical thickness and reduced cortical thickness compared to non-remitters. Thicker baseline middle frontal gyrus most consistently predicted greater likelihood and faster rate of remission. White matter hyperintensities and hippocampal volume were not associated with antidepressant treatment outcome. Limitations MRI was conducted at baseline only and sample size was small. Discussion Cortical thickness predicts treatment remission and magnitude of early improvement. Results indicate that individuals with DEP-CI exhibit unique patterns of structural abnormalities compared to their depressed peers without CI that have consequences for their recovery with antidepressant treatment.
Real-Time Structure Search and Structure Classification for AlphaFold Protein Models

AlphaFold2 showed a substantial improvement in the accuracy of protein structure prediction. Following the release of the software, whole-proteome protein structure predictions by AlphaFold2 for 21 organisms were made publicly available. Here, we developed the infrastructure, 3D-AF-Surfer, to enable real-time structure-based search for the AlphaFold2 models by combining molecular surface representation with 3D Zernike descriptors and deep neural networks.
Spinal GABA mechanism in neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury

Abstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) often causes sensitization of spinal dorsal horn excitatory neurons via disruption of inhibitory output that results in exaggerated nociceptive transmission. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter and thought to be critical for spinal inhibitory synaptic transmission. However, SCI causes hypofunctional GABAergic inhibitory output via multiple mechanisms, including loss of GABAergic neurons, downregulation of GABA synthesis enzymes, decrease of primary afferent innervation into GABAergic neurons, and shifts of Cl− gradient in the spinal dorsal horn. These disruptions of GABAergic inhibitory output critically contribute to neuronal hyperexcitability in the spinal dorsal horn and chronic neuropathic pain states following SCI. In this book chapter, we focus on spinal GABAergic mechanisms of chronic neuropathic pain development following SCI in rodent animals.
The Structure of Mo/Ta Superlattices

We grew superlattices of Mo and Ta on sapphire substrates using magnetically enhanced de triode sputtering, where a rotating substrate table alternately passes over the targets to create multilayers. Microprocessor control of the sputtering process allowed us to keep layer thicknesses constant to ±0.3%. The wavelengths were modulated by an integer number, n, of atomic planes of Mo and Ta, where n ranged from a value of 153 (λ = 700 A) to the monolayer limit of 1 (λ = 4.57 A).
Religion and the Workplace: Pluralism, Spirituality, Leadership

How can company leaders and employees negotiate their different religious and spiritual commitments in the workplace? At a time of international debate over religious conflict and tolerance, workforces in various parts of the world are more diverse than ever before. Religion and spirituality are, for many employees, central to their identities. From the perspective of the employer, however, they can be distracting or divisive influences. This book analyzes the current interest in religion and spirituality in US companies. It offers conceptual distinctions and comparative examples (from the pluralistic contexts of India and Singapore) to trace the myriad ways that religion is present at work. It offers a model of respectful pluralism, asserting that the task of effective and ethical leadership in organizations is not to promote a single spiritual or religious framework but to create an environment in which managers and employees can respectfully express their own beliefs and practices.
Flow intermittency alters longitudinal patterns of invertebrate diversity and assemblage composition in an arid-land stream network

SUMMARY 1. Temporary streams comprise a large proportion of the total length of most stream networks, and the great majority of arid-land stream networks, so it is important to understand their contribution to biotic diversity at both local and landscape scales. 2. In late winter 2010, we sampled invertebrate assemblages in 12 reaches of a large arid-land stream network (including perennial and intermittent headwaters, intermittent middle reaches and perennial rivers) in south-east Arizona, U.S.A. Intermittent reaches had then been flowing for c. 60 days, following a dry period of more than 450 days. We sampled a subset of the perennial study reaches three more times between 2009 and 2011. Since intermittent reaches were dry during these additional sampling periods, we used assemblage data from two other intermittent streams in the study network (sampled in 2004–05 and 2010) to explore interannual variability in intermittent stream assemblage composition. 3. Invertebrate richness was lowest in intermittent reaches, despite their often being connected to species-rich perennial reaches. The assemblages of these intermittent reaches were not simply a subset of the species in perennial streams, but rather were dominated by a suite of stoneflies, blackflies and midges with adaptations to intermittency (e.g. egg and ⁄ or larval diapause). On average, 86% of individuals in these samples were specialists or exclusive to intermittent streams. Predators were 7–14 times more abundant in perennial than in intermittent reaches. 4. Despite being separated by long distances (12–25 km) and having very different physical characteristics, the assemblages of perennial headwaters and rivers were more similar to one another than to intervening intermittent reaches, emphasising the prime importance of local hydrology in this system. 5. The duration and recurrence intervals of dry periods, and the relative importance of dispersal from perennial refuges, probably influence the magnitude of biological differences between neighbouring perennial and temporary streams. Although perennial headwaters supported the highest diversity of invertebrates, intermittent reaches supported a number of unique or locally rare species and as such contribute to regional species diversity and should be included in conservation planning.
How Economists See the Environment

Economists and ecologists misunderstand each other about the environment. Improving interdisciplinary communication should enable natural scientists to take economic analysis and prescriptions more seriously.
The Impact of Geographic Proximity on What to Buy, How to Buy, and Where to Buy: Evidence from High-Tech Durable Goods Market*

Social contagion effects due to geographical proximity refer to the social effects wherein the behavior of an individual varies with the behavior of other individuals who are geographically close. Although the influence of such effects on consumer choices has been established in several contexts, much of the extant studies have focused on its effect on consumers’ decision of whether to buy a new product or adopt a new innovation. There has been no systematic examination of the influence of geographic proximity on other aspects of consumers’ product buying process such as what to buy (i.e., brand choice), how to buy (i.e., the channel), and where to buy (i.e., retailers). Such effects can matter significantly in high-technology and durable goods markets and therefore, it is critical to understand the scope of these on consumers’ choice of retailers and channel as well. Drawing on literatures from word of mouth effects, ecommerce, and consumers’ perception of risk in their purchase process, we develop a set of hypotheses on the effect of geographic proximity on consumers’ choices of what to buy, how to buy, and where to buy. Leveraging a microlevel dataset of purchases of personal computers, we develop brand-, retailer-, and channel-related measures of proximity effects at the individual consumer level and estimate a joint disaggregate model of the three choices that make up a product purchase process to test these hypotheses. Our results indicate a significant contagion effect on each of the three choices. Furthermore, we find evidence of a greater effect of geographic proximity on inexperienced consumers—those who are new to the product category. Our results thus help develop a holistic understanding of the influence of social contagion effects on consumers’ decision making.
Stool frequency of normal infants in the first week of life.

The stool frequency of 800 normal infants during the first week of life was studied statistically. The series was composed of 400 infants fed on a flexible regimen, of which 200 were breast-fed and 200 were bottle-fed; and 400 infants fed on the conventional four hour schedule, of which 200 were breast-fed and 200 were bottle-fed. Analyses were made from the points of view of number of stools and variability. The normal pattern was that of rise in both number of stools and variability up to the fifth day and a gradual fall. The peak for both number and variability occurred on days 3 through 6. The range of variation about the mean on each day was quite great and this fact seeemed to militate against a statistical diagnosis of diarrhea in this age group. The comparison among the various groups revealed fewer and smaller differences than the day-to-day comparisons. With regard to number of stools the bottle-fed babies had statistically greater numbers of stools than did the breast-fed babies regardless of feeding regimen, but only during those early days of life when it might be assumed that lactation had not begun. There were no differences between breast-fed babies on the two regimens studied. Bottle-fed babies on self-demand feeding had significantly greater numbers of stools than did those on scheduled feeding on two days. With regard to variability: bottle-fed babies on self-demand were most variable in number of stools per day. Breast-fed babies on self-demand were next most variable and bottle-fed babies on strict scheduling were least variable.
Satisficing Equilibria: A Non-Classical Theory of Games and Decisions

Satisficing, or being “good enough,” is the fundamental obligation of rational decision makers. We cannot rationally choose an option, even when we do not know of anything better, unless we know it is good enough. Unfortunately, we are not often in the position of knowing that there could be no better option, and hence that the option must be good enough. A complete search through all logical possibilities is often impractical, particularly in multi-agent contexts, due to excessive computational difficulty, modeling complexity, and uncertainty. It can be equally impractical, if it is even possible, to determine the cost of the additional required search to find an option that is good enough. In a departure from the traditional notion of satisficing as a species of bounded rationality, satisficing is here redefined in terms of a notion of intrinsic rationality. Epistemic utility theory serves as the philosophical foundation of a new praxeological decision-making paradigm of satisficing equilibria that is applicable to both single- and multiple-agent scenarios. All interagent relationships are modeled by an interdependence function that explicitly accommodates both self and group interest, from which multilateral and unilateral selectability and rejectability mass functions can be derived and compared via the praxeic likelihood ratio test.
Computational approaches to analyse and predict small molecule transport and distribution at cellular and subcellular levels

Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies and mechanistic mathematical modeling approaches have been independently employed for analysing and predicting the transport and distribution of small molecule chemical agents in living organisms. Both of these computational approaches have been useful for interpreting experiments measuring the transport properties of small molecule chemical agents, in vitro and in vivo. Nevertheless, mechanistic cell-based pharmacokinetic models have been especially useful to guide the design of experiments probing the molecular pathways underlying small molecule transport phenomena. Unlike QSAR models, mechanistic models can be integrated from microscopic to macroscopic levels, to analyse the spatiotemporal dynamics of small molecule chemical agents from intracellular organelles to whole organs, well beyond the experiments and training data sets upon which the models are based. Based on differential equations, mechanistic models can also be integrated with other differential equations-based systems biology models of biochemical networks or signaling pathways. Although the origin and evolution of mathematical modeling approaches aimed at predicting drug transport and distribution has occurred independently from systems biology, we propose that the incorporation of mechanistic cell-based computational models of drug transport and distribution into a systems biology modeling framework is a logical next step for the advancement of systems pharmacology research.
Evaluation of Prompt Dose Environment in the National Ignition Facility during D-D and THD Shots

Evaluation of the prompt dose environment expected in the National Ignition Facility (NIF) during Deuterium-Deuterium (D-D) and Tritium-Hydrogen-Deuterium (THD) shots have been completed. D-D shots...
A Review of “The Couple and Family Technology Framework: Intimate Partners in a Digital Age”

Katherine M. Hertline & Markie L. C. Blumer. (2014). The Couple and Family Technology Framework: Intimate Partners in a Digital Age. New York: Routledge, 234 pp., $116.55 (hardback), $35.41 (paperb...
The Surgeon’s Perspective: Image-Guided Therapy and Its Relationship to Conventional Surgical Management

The indications for surgical management of compressive syndromes such as herniated nucleus pulposus with radiculopathy and lumbar spinal stenosis with neuroclaudication are clear, and outcomes are predictable. For example, in the case of a herniated nucleus pulposus with unilateral radiculopathy, assuming strict concordance between the patient’s clinical presentation and imaging findings, the likelihood of successful outcome is 90-100% following laminotomy discectomy.1 Likewise, the addition of arthrodesis to treat degenerative spondylolisthesis in the setting of stenosis with neuroclaudication has been shown to be the treatment of choice, based on randomized prospective data.2 Outcome data for surgical treatment of low back pain (LBP) per se in the absence of neural compression and referred extremity pain is, however, less promising.3 , 4 Lumbar discography, for example, has been cited as a reasonable diagnostic technique to identify painful segments and treat them by arthrodesis.3 Not only have the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic technique been criticized,5 - 7 but the surgical treatment itself - arthrodesis - has been studied in only two randomized, prospective studies to date.8 , 9
The Schwinger Variational Principle: An Approach to Electron-Molecule Collisions

In this contribution we want to discuss several features and applications of the Schwinger variational principle to the study of collisions of low energy electrons with molecules and molecular ions. The Schwinger variational principle has long been known to be a potentially useful formulation of the collision problem but until recently there have been very few applications of this variational principle to electron collision problems.1
Liver myeloid-derived suppressor cells inhibit genetically modified T cells in an IDO-dependent manner. (IRC5P.464)

Introduction: The immunosuppressive environment in the liver limits the potency of immunotherapy for liver metastases (LM). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) expand in response to LM and mediate T cell suppression via indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). We hypothesized that IDO inhibition rescues genetically modified T cell (GMT) performance through blockade of MDSC-mediated suppression. Methods: Anti-CEA GMT were produced from activated murine splenocytes. C57BL/6 mice were injected via spleen with CEA+ MC38 tumor cells, and MDSC isolated by CD11b+ immunomagnetic beads. MDSC were evaluated by flow cytometry and ex vivo co-culture with CFSE-labeled GMT stimulated by CEA+ tumor, with and without IDO-blockade. Results: IDO expression was demonstrated in MDSC isolated from tumor-bearing (15.7-46.2%) and control livers (15.1%-37.7%). Increased IDO expression was dependent on STAT3 activity in the setting of LM, as blockade with cucurbitacin I (JSI-124) led to downregulated IDO expression on MDSC (48% vs. 21.5%, p=0.005). Liver MDSC suppressed GMT proliferation two-fold (p=0.004). IDO blockade with competitive inhibitor 1-methyltryptophan (1-MT) reversed GMT suppression, resulting in a five-fold increase in GMT division (p=0.016). Conclusions: Liver MDSC express IDO, and IDO represents a mechanism through which MDSC suppress anti-CEA GMT. Our results indicate that blockade of IDO activity may be a viable strategy for enhancing GMT targeted immunotherapy for liver metastases.
Single-kernel moisture determination in grain and nuts by RF impedance measurements

The moisture content of single corn and peanut kernels, single in-shell pecan nuts and pecan kernel halves was determined by measurement of the impedance of a small parallel-plate capacitor with the kernel or nut between and in contact with the plates at two frequencies between 1 and 5 MHz. Standard errors of performance ranged from 0.5 to 0.7 percent moisture, and the method appears useful for practical applications. >
Cultural adaptations in data collection: field experiences.

SUMMARY We assessed the data collection phase of a study that examines the substance using and other health behaviors of a cohort of 160 dyads of Latino mothers and daughters living in South Florida (N = 320), by conducting a focus group with the study's interviewers. The objective of the focus group was to assess the appropriateness of the questionnaire utilized in the Latino Women's Study, and identify potential barriers and challenges that may be encountered when conducting research with Latino women in the United States. The results from this focus provide useful insight into the practice of cultural adaptations in research studies, and illustrate the need for employing culturally-informed interviewers and for devising well-adapted questionnaires in studies with Latino women.
Between Springs: The Berber Dilemma

Although many in North Africa and the Middle East are dissatisfied with it, the phrase “Arab” Spring, used label to describe extraordinary popular uprisings of the past few years, seems to have staying power. What the name implies is an ethnically “Arab” uprising. The Middle East and North Africa, however, are far from ethnic monoliths. A substantial ethnic and linguistic minority, the Berbers, who form large portions of the populations of Algeria, Libya and Morocco, are left to wrestle between current, authoritarian regimes that have only recently recognized their identity, and the prospect of Islamist governance that threatens to reintroduce Arabization, Islamic nationalism and the reversal of hard-won gains. In this respect, the memory and continued relevance of the “Berber” Spring of 1980 seems to sit somewhat uneasily with the continuing consequences of the “Arab” Spring of 2011. In the end, however, it is relations with the nation-state that continue to dominate even in a post-Arab Spring world. Berbers in each of the nation states in North Africa have used very different strategies in their efforts to enhance recognition of their language and identity in light of recent events.
Silicide formation and silicide‐mediated crystallization of nickel‐implanted amorphous silicon thin films

The nucleation and growth of isolated nickel disilicide precipitates in Ni‐implanted amorphous Si thin films and the subsequent low‐temperature silicide‐mediated crystallization of Si was studied using in situ transmission electron microscopy. Analysis of the spatial distribution of the NiSi2 precipitates strongly suggested the occurrence of site saturation during nucleation. NiSi2 precipitates were observed in situ to migrate through the amorphous Si thin films leaving a trail of crystalline Si at temperatures as low as ∼484 °C. Initially, a thin region of epitaxial Si formed on {111} faces of the octahedral NiSi2 precipitates with a coherent interface which was shown by high‐resolution electron microscopy to be Type A. Migration of the NiSi2 precipitates led to the growth of needles of Si which were parallel to 〈111〉 directions. The growth rate of the crystalline Si was limited by diffusion through the NiSi2 precipitates, and an effective diffusivity was determined at 507 and 660 °C. A mechanism for the enhanced growth rate of crystalline Si is proposed.
From char to carbon: A study of the electron spin resonance

Abstract The ESR intensity and its temperature dependence were investigated for sugar and polivinylidene chloride (PVDC) chars, as well as for Texas. Kendall and Resin C raw cokes for heattreatments up to 1000°C. No evidence of any deviations from the Curie law could be found in the temperature range from 78 to 290°K for heattreatments below 800°C. At higher heattreatments after elimination of most organic components (except hydrogen) an ESR temperature independent part comes into being which seems to be due to conduction carriers. It is shown on the example of PVDC, that the primary polymerization-carbonization reactions occurring in the charred materials lead to a single maximum in ESR intensity (and corresponding single minimum in width) and that the secondary maximum observed in the past at higher heattreatments is caused by gases (evolved from the material or introduced from outside) reacting with the material of the char and forming so called A-centers. Problems involved in the interaction of various types of localized spin centers with hopping and conduction type carriers are discussed.
Translesional synthesis on DNA templates containing an estrogen quinone-derived adduct: N2-(2-hydroxyestron-6-yl)-2'-deoxyguanosine and N6-(2-hydroxyestron-6-yl)-2'-deoxyadenosine.

Miscoding properties induced by estrogen quinone-derived DNA adducts were analyzed using an in vitro experimental system to quantify base substitutions and deletions. Site-specifically modified oligodeoxynucleotides containing a single N2-(2-hydroxyestron-6-yl)-2‘-deoxyguanosine (2-OHE1-N2-dG) or N6-(2-hydroxyestron-6-yl)-2‘-deoxyadenosine (2-OHE1-N6-dA) were prepared postsynthetically and used as templates in primer extension reactions catalyzed by mammalian DNA polymerases (pol) α, β, and δ. The 2-OHE1-N2-dG adduct blocked primer extension reactions more strongly than 2-OHE1-N6-dA. Using pol α and δ, 2-OHE1-N2-dG promoted incorporation of dCMP (6.3 and 3.1%, respectively), the correct base, opposite the lesion: when pol δ was used, misincorporation of dTMP (0.52%) was detected. 2-OHE1-N6-dA also promoted incorporation of dTMP, the correct base, opposite the lesion, accompanied by misincorporation of dCTP (0.54% for pol α and 3.2% for pol δ) and one-base deletion (0.3−0.5%). Using pol β, no miscoding wa...
Current status of surgery for rheumatic carditis in children.

Abstract Background The incidence of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has increased recently in the western United States. We reviewed our 18-year surgical experience with RHD in children to examine current surgical techniques and results. Methods From 1985 until 2003, 596 children ( Results Mean age at operation was 13.5 ± 4 years. Three patients required operation during the acute phase of rheumatic fever ( Conclusions Children with RHD in the United States uncommonly require valve operation. Mitral repair with a technique that allows annular growth is possible in most children with good long-term functional results. Long-term surveillance of children with RHD is necessary because of the possible need for late valve operation.
Sensitization to the conditioned rewarding effects of morphine: pharmacology and temporal characteristics

An unbiased place preference conditioning procedure was used to determine whether the repeated administration of morphine results in sensitization to its conditioned rewarding effects. Rats received once daily injections of saline or morphine (5.0 mg/kg; i.p.) for 5 days in a room distinct from that where conditioning would occur. Place preference conditioning commenced 72 h later. A minimum of three drug conditioning sessions was necessary for the establishment of morphine-induced conditioned place preferences in saline-pretreated rats. The minimum dose producing this effect was 5.0 mg/kg. In animals pre-exposed to morphine, significant place preferences occurred after only two drug conditioning sessions and in response to doses of 3.0 mg/kg and greater. The augmented response to morphine was apparent when conditioning commenced 3, 10 or 21 days after the cessation of morphine pretreatment. It was not apparent when conditioning commenced 1 day after treatment cessation. An enhanced response to morphine was also observed in rats which had previously received either fentanyl (0.016 mg/kg/day) or nicotine (0.4 mg/kg/day) for 5 days. Animals which received morphine or fentanyl in combination with naloxone (0.5 mg/kg; s.c.) for 5 days failed to exhibit a conditioned response to morphine. When, however, naloxone was administered in combination with nicotine, significant morphine-induced place preferences were still seen. These data demonstrate that both sensitization and cross-sensitization develop to the conditioned rewarding effects of morphine. Furthermore, they indicate that the sensitization induced by morphine and fentanyl, but not nicotine, is opioid-receptor mediated.
Design and Control of a Process to Extract β-Carotene with Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

A strategy for locating optimal designs is applied to the extraction of β-carotene with supercritical C02. With the modified Peng-Robinson equation of state to estimate the phase equilibria, models are developed to simulate the three-phase (solid, liquid, and supercritical fluid) extraction and separation processes. The design optimization minimizes the annualized cost while producing β-carotene of the desired quality. The results demonstrate that despite high operating pressures, supercritical extraction can be competitive for the recovery of high-value products at low production rates. Furthermore, the increases in solubility with small amounts of cosolvent can have a substantial impact on the economics of the proposed design. An example is given in which the addition of 1 % ethanol to the C02 solvent transforms an unfavorable design into a competitive one. In addition, a dynamic model is proposed for the product separator, and its differential-algebraic equations are integrated with DASSL. Proportional (P) and proportional-integral (PI) control schemes are studied to maintain the pressure by manipulating the vapor flow rate. Although the set-point response of the PI controller is acceptable, disturbance rejection is poor. A disturbance in the feed flow rate causes lower quality β-carotene to be produced. The desired quality is maintained when the separator is overdesigned, but this raises the annualized cost.
Observability Analysis of Six-Degree-of-Freedom Configuration Determination Using Vector Observations

An observability analysis of the six-degree-of-freedom attitude and position determination problem using line-of-sight observations is shown. This analysis involves decompositions of the associated error covariance matrix, derived from maximum likelihood, for a number of cases ranging from one vector observation to three or more vector observations. The covariance matrix is shown to be singular when one or two vector observations are used, leading to an unobservable system. For the one-vector case, the observable quantities involve a combination of both attitude and position information that cannot be decoupled. For the two-vector case, the covariance matrix has rank four, but only one axis of attitude and one axis of position is fully observable, with the other two observable quantities involving coupled attitude/position information. When three or more vector observations are present, the covariance matrix has full rank, except for some special cases that are derived. This observability analysis is useful for the design and analysis of estimators using line-of-sight vector observations.
Acknowledging religious diversity: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract Because federal law protects an employee's right to religious accommodation, managers cannot ignore the issue of religious diversity. The matter is far broader than simple legal compliance, though. Certainly, managers need to better understand the laws protecting employees’ rights for accommodation and prohibiting disparate treatment, religious harassment, and retaliation. However, they also need to understand the various opportunities and challenges associated with acknowledging religious diversity. Concerning opportunities, research suggests that allowing employees to express aspects of their religion can enhance their work lives and, thus, the value they place on the organization. Furthermore, respect for religious diversity can encourage a useful mindset for communicating with other stakeholders in areas from advertising to the sports interests of salespeople. Since learning more about a range of faiths can lead to greater skills in working with diverse groups, we offer information on Prothero's God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World—and Why Their Differences Matter and on different religions’ practices associated with death-related issues. In conclusion, we provide insight regarding the benefits of acknowledging religious diversity while respecting those who identify with no religion, and we do so without opening the door to proselytizing.
Anxiogenic Patterns in Mother-Child Interactions

The current study examined psychosocial variables associated with the development of anxiety in children. While previous literature has established parental affectionless control as an important contributor to the development of anxiety in children, few have examined this construct within the dynamic context of parent-child interaction. In the current study, the affect and behavior of anxious mothers and their children (ages 6 to 12 years) were examined during two mildly stressful tasks, with a total of 64 mother-child dyads participating in the study. Analyses supported the hypothesis that maternal affectionless control mediates the relationship between child anxiety and child disengagement/withdrawal from difficult tasks. Results are discussed in terms of implications for psychosocial mechanisms of the familial transmission of anxiety.
Constructivism in the Statistics Classroom: From Theory to Practice

Summary This article discusses the theory and practice of constructivism and suggests a way to move from the theory into the practice of it.
Fuzzy cognitive maps for issue identification in a water resources conflict resolution system

In water management, conflicts of interests are inevitable due to the variety in quality demands and the number of stakeholders, which are affected in different ways by decisions concerning the use of the resources. Ignoring the differences among interests involved in water resources management and not resolving the emerging conflicts could lead to controversial strategies. In such cases, proposed solutions could generate strong opposition, making these solutions unfeasible. In our contribution, a Community Decision Support System is proposed. Such a system is able to support discussion and collaboration. The system helps participants to structure their problem, to help them learn about possible alternatives, their constraints and implications and to support the participants in the specification of their own preferences. More in detail, the proposed system helps each user in representing and communicating problem perspectives. To reach this aim, cognitive maps are used to capture parts of the stakeholders’ point of view and to enhance negotiation among individuals and organizations. The aim of the negotiation process is to define a shared cognitive map with regard to water management problems. Such a map can be called a water community cognitive map. The system performance has been tested by simulating a real conflict on water resources management that occurred some years ago in a river basin in the south of Italy.
Emergency Response for Electrical Safety Professionals

The knowledge of how the emergency response teams function within the incident management (or command) system aids in the planning and preparation stages for an electrical-related incident and, then, in an actual incident itself. The knowledge of how an industrial fire brigade or emergency response team operates is important for electrical safety professionals, as it greatly aids the electrical safety professional with interactions with these teams. A knowledgeable and involved electrical safety professional can greatly improve the effectiveness and preparedness of the response teams in responding to electrical-related incidents.
Functional Imaging of the Human Lateral Geniculate Nucleus and Pulvinar

In the human brain, little is known about the functional anatomy and response properties of subcortical nuclei containing visual maps such as the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) and the pulvinar. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at 3 tesla (T), collective responses of neural populations in the LGN were measured as a function of stimulus contrast and flicker reversal rate and compared with those obtained in visual cortex. Flickering checkerboard stimuli presented in alternation to the right and left hemifields reliably activated the LGN. The peak of the LGN activation was found to be on average within +/-2 mm of the anatomical location of the LGN, as identified on high-resolution structural images. In all visual areas except the middle temporal (MT), fMRI responses increased monotonically with stimulus contrast. In the LGN, the dynamic response range of the contrast function was larger and contrast gain was lower than in the cortex. Contrast sensitivity was lowest in the LGN and V1 and increased gradually in extrastriate cortex. In area MT, responses were saturated at 4% contrast. Response modulation by changes in flicker rate was similar in the LGN and V1 and occurred mainly in the frequency range between 0.5 and 7.5 Hz; in contrast, in extrastriate areas V4, V3A, and MT, responses were modulated mainly in the frequency range between 7.5 and 20 Hz. In the human pulvinar, no activations were obtained with the experimental designs used to probe response properties of the LGN. However, regions in the mediodorsal right and left pulvinar were found to be consistently activated by bilaterally presented flickering checkerboard stimuli, when subjects attended to the stimuli. Taken together, our results demonstrate that fMRI at 3 T can be used effectively to study thalamocortical circuits in the human brain.
Synovitis in secondary syphilis

Polyarthritis and tenosynovitis were seen as the presenting complaints in 7 patients with secondary syphilis. Synovial needle biopsy was obtained in 3 cases and showed mild synovitis with infiltration by lymphocytes, plasma cells, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes; vascular congestion; and slightly increased synovial lining cells. In addition, electron microscopy in these synovial membranes showed many necrotic polymorphonuclear leukocytes, much interstitial debris and fibrin, and in 2 patients, bodies suggestive of Treponema pallidum in the interstitium and in vessel lumens.
Nonimmune fetal hydrops caused by bilateral type III congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung at 17 weeks' gestation

Type III congenital cystic malformation of the lung with nonimmune hydrops and oligohydramnios was diagnosed at 17 weeks by ultrasonography. Massive fetal cardiac compression with probable associated left- and right-sided failure causing both the oligohydramnios and the ascites, respectively, was thought to be the underlying pathophysiologic mechanism of this unusual clinical presentation. Pathologic examination after termination of the pregnancy confirmed the prenatal diagnosis.