LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Influence of nanoporous aluminum oxide interlayer on the optical absorptance of black electroless nickel–phosphorus coating

Abstract This paper introduces a technique to make an ultra-black surface by employing nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide as a template and deposition of nickel–phosphorus nanowires by the electroless process. The optical properties were compared with two other processes; a conventional black Ni–P deposition and a nickel electro-coloring process, on aluminum substrate. Surface morphologies of the samples were examined by field emission scanning electron microscope and elemental analysis of the coatings was performed by the energy dispersive spectroscopy method. Optical properties of surfaces were determined by spectrophotometry and infrared spectroscopy techniques. In addition, optical characteristics of the coated surfaces were evaluated by calculation of absorption and emission coefficients of the surfaces. The results showed that ultra-black duplex coating possessed an absorption coefficient higher than 99%, while emission coefficient decreased about 6% compared with simple black electroless Ni–P. Calculation of ξ factor indicated that a value of 5.1 proved that optical properties in the duplex coated sample had a significant improvement.
Impact of Leadership Style on Organizational Performance: A Case Study of Nigerian Banks

The study examined the impact of leadership style on organizational performance in selected Banks, in Ibadan Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was adopted in selecting a total of sixty (60) respondents as sample for the study, while relevant data was gathered with the aid of a structured questionnaire. One hypothesis was formulated and inferential statistical tool was used to analyze the data specifically Pearson product moment correlation was used to examine the relationship between leadership style dimensions and organizational performance, while Regression analysis was used to examine the significant effect of leadership style dimensions on followers and performance. Findings showed positive and negative correlation between leadership style dimensions and organizational performance. It was also found that leadership style dimensions jointly predict organizational performance, which counted for 23% variance of performance. The study concluded that transformational and democratic leadership style should be employed by the Banks’ management in order to wax stronger in a global competitive environment.
Does Stock Return Momentum Explain the “Smart Money” Effect?

Does the “smart money” effect documented by Gruber (1996) and Zheng (1999) reflect fund selection ability of mutual fund investors? We examine the finding that investors are able to predict mutual fund performance and invest accordingly. We show that the smart money effect is explained by the stock return momentum phenomenon documented by Jegadeesh and Titman (1993). Further evidence suggests that investors do not select funds based on a momentum investing style, but rather simply chase funds that were recent winners. Our finding that a common factor in stock returns explains the smart money effect offers no affirmation of investor fund selection ability. Does Stock Return Momentum Explain the “Smart Money” Effect? Do investors make smart choices when selecting mutual funds? Studies by Gruber (1996) and Zheng (1999) suggest that investors have selection ability, a finding that has been dubbed the “smart money” effect. Using a sample of 227 stock mutual funds during the period 1985-1994, Gruber (1996) shows that the risk-adjusted return on new cash flows to funds is higher than the average return for all investors in the funds. Subsequent work by Zheng (1999) analyzes a sample of 1,826 stock mutual funds during the period 1970-1993 and also finds that the short-term performance of funds that experience positive new money flow is significantly better than those that experience negative new money flow. One possible explanation for the smart money effect is that investors base their investment decisions on fund-specific information, or in other words they have an ability to identify superior managers and invest accordingly. An important implication of such an interpretation is that it provides a rationale for investing in actively managed mutual funds, as argued by Gruber (1996). This is not, however, the only plausible explanation for the smart money effect. In particular, we note that in benchmarking fund performance neither Gruber nor Zheng accounts for the well-known Jegadeesh and Titman (1993) stock return momentum phenomenon. Carhart (1997) demonstrates that momentum is an important common factor in explaining stock returns. Furthermore, he shows that the previously documented evidence of persistence in mutual fund performance is not robust to the momentum factor. In light of Carhart’s findings, a natural question that arises is whether the smart money effect is really due to fund-specific information as suggested by Gruber (1996) and Zheng (1999), or whether it can be explained by exposure to momentum. Specifically, suppose that fund investors merely chase past performance. Then funds that happen to hold high concentrations of recent winner stocks would on average receive more investor cash while also benefiting more than other funds from the effects of return momentum. This, in turn, could lead to the finding of a smart money effect despite the absence of any ability on the part of investors to select superior fund managers.
Validation of the BARD scoring system in Polish patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

BACKGROUND
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a wide spectrum of liver diseases, ranging from pure steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and eventually to liver cirrhosis with its complications. Identifying advanced fibrosis in patients is crucial to evaluating prognosis and possible therapeutic intervention. A novel, simple, and highly accurate scoring system called BARD, which identifies patients with NAFLD and without significant fibrosis, has been recently introduced and validated in North America..The aim of this study is to validate the BARD scoring system in a Polish cohort with NAFLD.


METHODS
A group of 104 Caucasians with biopsy-proven NAFLD were included in this study. Fibrosis in liver biopsies was evaluated according to the Histological Scoring System for Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. The BARD scoring system was assessed according to Harrison et al.: BMI > or = 28 = 1 point, AST/ALT ratio (AAR) > or = 0.8 = 2 points, type 2 diabetes mellitus = 1 point.


RESULTS
Age over 50 and AAR over 0.8 showed, respectively, a moderate and strong association with advanced fibrosis. A BARD score of 2-4 points was associated with F3 or F4 stages of fibrosis with an odds ratio of 17.333 (95% Cl; 3,639 - 82.558) and negative predictive value of 97%.


CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate that the BARD scoring system has value in the non-invasive diagnosis of advanced fibrosis in NAFLD patients. The vast majority of patients with NAFLD would avoid liver biopsy if BARD was broadly introduced into the clinic.
Surviving historical Patagonian landscapes and climate: molecular insights from Galaxias maculatus

The dynamic geological and climatic histories of temperate South America have played important roles in shaping the contemporary distributions and genetic diversity of endemic freshwater species. We use mitochondria and nuclear sequence variation to investigate the consequences of mountain barriers and Quaternary glacial cycles for patterns of genetic diversity in the diadromous fish Galaxias maculatus in Patagonia (~300 individuals from 36 locations). Contemporary populations of G. maculatus, east and west of the Andes in Patagonia, represent a single monophyletic lineage comprising several well supported groups. Mantel tests using control region data revealed a strong positive relationship when geographic distance was modeled according to a scenario of marine dispersal. (r = 0.69, P = 0.055). By contrast, direct distance between regions was poorly correlated with genetic distance (r = -0.05, P = 0.463). Hierarchical AMOVAs using mtDNA revealed that pooling samples according to historical (pre-LGM) oceanic drainage (Pacific vs. Atlantic) explained approximately four times more variance than pooling them into present-day drainage (15.6% vs. 3.7%). Further post-hoc AMOVA tests revealed additional genetic structure between populations east and west of the Chilean Coastal Cordillera (coastal vs. interior). Overall female effective population size appears to have remained relatively constant until roughly 0.5 Ma when population size rapidly increased several orders of magnitude [100× (60×-190×)] to reach contemporary levels. Maximum likelihood analysis of nuclear alleles revealed a poorly supported gene tree which was paraphyletic with respect to mitochondrial-defined haplogroups. First diversifying in the central/north-west region of Patagonia, G. maculatus extended its range into Argentina via the southern coastal regions that join the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. More recent gene flow between northern populations involved the most ancient and most derived lineages, and was likely facilitated by drainage reversal(s) during one or more cooling events of the late Pleistocene. Overall female effective population size represents the end result of a widespread and several hundred-fold increase over approximately 0.5 Ma, spanning several climatic fluctuations of the Pleistocene. The minor influence of glacial cycles on the genetic structure and diversity of G. maculatus likely reflects the access to marine refugia during repeated bouts of global cooling. Evidence of genetic structure that was detected on a finer scale between lakes/rivers is most likely the result of both biological attributes (i.e., resident non-migratory behavior and/or landlocking and natal homing in diadromous populations), and the Coastal Cordillera as a dispersal barrier.
The Dynamics of Mergers and Acquisitions

This paper presents a dynamic model of takeovers based on the stock market valuations of merging firms. The model incorporates competition and imperfect information and determines the terms and timing of takeovers by solving option exercise games between bidding and target shareholders. The implications of the model for returns to stockholders are consistent with the available evidence. In addition, the model generates new predictions relating these returns to the drift, volatility and correlation coefficient of the bidder and the target stock returns and to the dispersion of beliefs regarding the benefits of the takeover. r 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. JEL classification: G13; G34
Specificity of genetic and environmental risk factors for symptoms of cannabis, cocaine, alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine dependence.

CONTEXT
Although genetic risk factors have been found to contribute to dependence on both licit and illicit psychoactive substances, we know little of how these risk factors interrelate.


OBJECTIVE
To clarify the structure of genetic and environmental risk factors for symptoms of dependence on cannabis, cocaine, alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine in males and females.


DESIGN
Lifetime history by structured clinical interview.


SETTING
General community.


PARTICIPANTS
Four thousand eight hundred sixty-five members of male-male and female-female pairs from the Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders. Main Outcome Measure Lifetime symptoms of abuse of and dependence on cannabis, cocaine, alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine.


RESULTS
Controlling for greater symptom prevalence in males, genetic and environmental parameters could be equated across sexes. Two models explained the data well. The best-fit exploratory model contained 2 genetic factors and 1 individual environmental factor contributing to all substances. The first genetic factor loaded strongly on cocaine and cannabis dependence; the second, on alcohol and nicotine dependence. Nicotine and caffeine had high substance-specific genetic effects. A confirmatory model, which also fit well, contained 1 illicit drug genetic factor--loading only on cannabis and cocaine--and 1 licit drug genetic factor loading on alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine. However, these factors were highly intercorrelated (r = + 0.82). Large substance-specific genetic effects remained for nicotine and caffeine.


CONCLUSIONS
The pattern of genetic and environmental risk factors for psychoactive substance dependence was similar in males and females. Genetic risk factors for dependence on common psychoactive substances cannot be explained by a single factor. Rather, 2 genetic factors-one predisposing largely to illicit drug dependence, the other primarily to licit drug dependence-are needed. Furthermore, a large proportion of the genetic influences on nicotine and particularly caffeine dependence appear to be specific to those substances.
6.2 133Mpixel 60fps CMOS image sensor with 32-column shared high-speed column-parallel SAR ADCs

To realize next-generation highly realistic sensation broadcasting systems, the research and development of 8K ultrahigh-definition television (UHDTV) systems have been promoted. To realize 8K video cameras, 33Mpixel sensors [1-2] and a full-resolution camera system that uses three 33Mpixel sensors [3] have been reported. However, the weight of the camera with three sensors is over 40kg because the camera requires a large-format color-separation prism. To reduce the size of the camera, single-chip imaging is a promising approach, and a compact single-chip 8K camera that weighs only 2kg has already been developed using a color 33Mpixel CMOS image sensor [4]. However, a conventional single-chip camera has a lower image quality than a full-resolution camera because the total pixel count of the single-sensor camera is only one-third of that of the three-sensor camera, and pixel interpolation is required to configure a full-resolution image. In this paper, a 133Mpixel sensor that can be operated at 60fps to realize a full-resolution 8K single-chip camera is described. To achieve both high speed and suitable ADC resolution, 32-column multiplexing analog readout circuitry and 14b high-speed redundant successive approximation register (SAR) ADCs [5] are adopted. As a result, a full-size image with a data rate of 128.71Gb/s at 60fps has been captured.
Residential Energy Management in Smart Grid: A Markov Decision Process-Based Approach

The deployment of advanced information and communication technologies has helped in the transformation of the traditional power grids into smart grids by introducing demand side management in residential area. The use of demand side management in the residential area can successfully reduce customer's energy consumption, and can also provide a well balanced energy demand throughout the day. Based on real-time pricing information, a customer can shift his/her energy demand to reduce the energy consumption cost. In this paper, we present a Markov Decision Process (MDP)-based scheduling mechanism for residential energy management (REM) in smart grid. The aim of the proposed work is to reduce the energy expenses of a customer. In this mechanism, the Home Energy Management Unit (HEMU) acts as one of the players, the Central Energy Management Unit (CEMU) acts as another player. The HEMU interacts with the CEMU to fulfill its energy request within its desired budget. The CEMU follows its own dynamic pricing mechanism to decide the price per unit energy for on-peak and off-peak hours. The proposed mechanism is able to reduce the energy expenses of the residential customers.
Development Research Group The World Bank World Bank Institute Survey Tools for Assessing Service Delivery

_____________________ Contributions and comments of Magnus Lindelöw and Aminur Rahman are gratefully acknowledged. 2 Contents 1. Introduction 1 2. Public spending, service delivery, and outcomes 2 3. Public sector agencies 2 4. Key Features of PETS and QSDS 5 A. Key features 5 B. Other survey-based tools 6 C. Uses and applications of PETS/QSDS 8 5. How to design and implement a PETS and QSDS 11 A. General 11 B. Fact-finding, consultations and purpose of the study 11 C. Linking PETS/QSDS with other surveys 17 L. Panel data 17 6. Sampling strategy and data availability 18 A. Unit of Study 18 B. Data availability 18 C. Private for-profit and not-for-profit 19 D. Sample frame, sample size, and stratification 19 E. Sampling issues involved in linking PETS and QSDS 20 F. Non-sampling error and field-testing 20 7. Findings from PETS 21 A. General 21 B. Leakage (capture) of public funds 21 C. Incentives to staff (moral hazard) 26 8. Findings from a QSDS 28 Findings and emerging issues 30 Bibliography 33
Outcomes of health care providers' recommendations for healthy lifestyle among U.S. adults with prediabetes.

BACKGROUND
Lifestyle modification (i.e., weight loss, active lifestyle, healthy diet) is a recommended strategy for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between receiving a health-care provider's recommendation and adherence to behavioral indicators of adaptation of a healthy lifestyle among adults with prediabetes.


METHODS
A secondary analysis was conducted using the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (N=2,853) that included self-reported efforts to improve diet, lose weight, and increase physical activity and objective measures of body mass index, blood tests for lipids, and actigraph data on physical activity.


RESULTS
When demographic variables, metabolic factors, and physical activity level were controlled, central obesity and elevated blood pressure were significantly associated with having prediabetes. Almost 40% of the respondents with prediabetes reported being told by their health-care provider during the previous year to control or lose weight, increase their physical activity, or decrease the fat and calories in their diet. Participants who were counseled to adopt a healthy lifestyle reported high adherence to weight control and diet modification. Selected objective measures supported that the health-care providers' recommendations contributed to improved lifestyle.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that self-reported health-care provider's recommendations for lifestyle modifications are associated with people actually engaging in healthier behavior. The results reinforce the importance of health-care provider's making recommendations to promote adherence to a healthier lifestyle.
ERRα-Regulated Lactate Metabolism Contributes to Resistance to Targeted Therapies in Breast Cancer.

Imaging studies in animals and in humans have indicated that the oxygenation and nutritional status of solid tumors is dynamic. Furthermore, the extremely low level of glucose within tumors, while reflecting its rapid uptake and metabolism, also suggests that cancer cells must rely on other energy sources in some circumstances. Here, we find that some breast cancer cells can switch to utilizing lactate as a primary source of energy, allowing them to survive glucose deprivation for extended periods, and that this activity confers resistance to PI3K/mTOR inhibitors. The nuclear receptor, estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRα), was shown to regulate the expression of genes required for lactate utilization, and isotopomer analysis revealed that genetic or pharmacological inhibition of ERRα activity compromised lactate oxidation. Importantly, ERRα antagonists increased the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of PI3K/mTOR inhibitors, highlighting the potential clinical utility of this drug combination.
Angiotensin II Receptor – Independent Antiinflammatory and Antiaggregatory Properties of Losartan Role of the Active Metabolite EXP 3179

Angiotensin II (Ang II) type 1 receptor (AT1) antagonists such as losartan (LOS) are widely used for the treatment of hypertension and elicit antiinflammatory and antiaggregatory in vitro and in patients, although the underlying mechanism are unclear. Following computer-based molecule similarity, we proposed that on cytochromeP450 degradation, the LOS metabolite EXP3179 is generated, which shows molecule homology to indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor with antiinflammatory and antiaggregatory properties. Subsequently, serum-levels of EXP3179 were determined for 8 hours in patients receiving a single oral dose of 100 mg LOS. High-performance liquid chromatography followed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) from serum samples revealed a maximum of 10 7 mol/L for EXP3179 peaking between 3 to 4 hours. The increase in serum-EXP3179 levels was associated with a significant reduction in platelet aggregation in vivo ( 35 4%, P 0.001 versus control). EXP3179 generation was investigated in a chemical reaction mimicking the liver cytochrome-P450–dependent LOS-degradation and human endothelial cells were exposed to Ang II or lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in the presence of EXP3179 (10 7 mol/L). LPSand Ang II–induced COX-2 transcription was abolished by EXP3179. Moreover, EXP3179 significantly reduced Ang II– and LPS-induced formation of prostaglandin F2 as determined by LC-MS. Thus, antiinflammatory properties of LOS are mediated via its EXP3179 metabolite by abolishing COX-2 mRNA upregulation and COX-dependent TXA2 and PGF2 generation. Serum levels of EXP3179 are detectable in patients in concentrations that exhibit antiinflammatory and antiaggregatory properties in vitro. (Circ Res. 2002;90:770-776.)
Decrease in serum level of matrix metalloproteinases is predictive of the disease-modifying effect of osteoarthritis drugs assessed by quantitative MRI in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES
To explore the impact of disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) treatment on biomarker levels and their correlation with cartilage volume loss and disease symptoms in a 2-year phase III clinical trial in patients with knee OA.


METHODS
161 patients with knee OA (according-to-protocol population) were selected from a 2-year DMOAD trial studying the effect of licofelone (200 mg twice daily) versus naproxen (500 mg twice daily). Clinical evaluation of patients was carried out using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) questionnaire. Biomarker measurements of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-3, interleukin (IL)-6, C reactive protein (CRP), cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and type I collagen C-terminal telopeptide (CTX-I) in serum, type II collagen C-terminal telopeptide (CTX-II) in urine, and knee MRI were performed at baseline and 2 years.


RESULTS
Over time an increase occurred in all biomarker levels with the exception of IL-6, CRP and CTX-II which decreased. The increase in MMP-1 and MMP-3 was significantly less (p = 0.05; p < 0.01, respectively) in the licofelone group. The baseline MMP-1 level was significantly but inversely predictive of cartilage volume loss for the medial compartment in both univariate (p = 0.04) and multivariate (p ≤ 0.04) regression analyses, and COMP, a predictor for the lateral compartment, in both univariate and multivariate models (p < 0.01). Baseline levels of IL-6 and CRP also showed a significant relationship with volume loss for the medial compartment (univariate analysis, p = 0.04 and p = 0.01, respectively; multivariate analysis, p = 0.03, p = 0.01). A significant association (univariate) was observed between the change in the levels of MMP-1 (p = 0.03) and MMP-3 (p = 0.02) and cartilage volume loss (lateral compartment) over 2 years. Baseline levels of CTX-I correlated (p = 0.02) with an increase in the size of the bone marrow lesion in the medial compartment. The baseline CRP levels correlated with worsening of symptoms: WOMAC total index (p < 0.01), pain (p < 0.01) and function (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSION
Higher baseline values of IL-6, CRP and COMP are predictive of greater risk of cartilage loss in OA. However, over time a reduction in MMP-1 and MMP-3 levels correlated best with reduction in cartilage volume loss and the effect of drug treatment. Baseline CRP was found to be a good predictor of the symptomatic response to treatment.