cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Confirmation and discovery of maternal grandsires and great-grandsires in dairy cattle.

Abstract Selection, mating, and improvement of dairy animals have required accurate pedigrees. Genomic tools allow paternal ancestors to be easily confirmed or discovered because most sires are genotyped for many markers, but maternal ancestors are more difficult to discover because most female ancestors are not genotyped. Three methods to discover maternal grandsires (MGS) were developed and compared. Conflicts were counted one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at a time between genotypes of the animal and potential MGS (duo method) or also using the sire's genotype (trio method). Alternatively, haplotypes of a potential MGS were matched to the animal's maternal haplotype, obtained by using linkage across loci (HAP method). The duo and trio methods can be performed as soon as a genotype is received because no imputation is required. The HAP method improved accuracy because genotypes with 2,683 (3K) SNP were imputed to the 45,187 (50K) SNP used for genomic evaluation. The HAP method was tested using modified pedigrees with 5% of true MGS replaced by a random genotyped bull from the same birth year and 5% of MGS set to missing for 4,134 Holsteins, 552 Jerseys, and 142 Brown Swiss that had confirmed, genotyped sires. Those same animals were used to test the duo and trio methods, except that some animals had multiple genotypes and imputed dams were excluded. Accuracy measured how often the correct MGS was selected from among 12,152 genotyped Holstein, 2,265 Jersey, and 1,605 Brown Swiss potential MGS. Accuracies were 61, 60, and 65%, respectively, with the duo method; 95, 91, and 94% with the trio method; and 97, 95, and 97% with the HAP method. Accuracy of the duo method was poor (only 52% for animals genotyped with 3K and 65% with 50K) because additional information from the paternal genotype is not used. Accuracy of the trio method was 97% with 50K but only 78% with 3K because the missing SNP were not imputed. Accuracy of the HAP method was 94% with 3K genotypes, 98% with 50K, and 92% with nongenotyped, imputed dams. When the HAP method was extended to great-grandsires, the accuracy of maternal great-grandsire discovery was 92% for 652 Holsteins, 95% for 33 Jerseys, and 85% for 20 Brown Swiss. Accuracy was even higher using simulated genotypes. Because most dairy bulls over several generations have been genotyped, percentages of haplotypes shared with candidate males can accurately confirm, correct, or discover the sires, MGS, and even more distant ancestors of most animals.
Sources and sinks of dissolved phytochelatin in natural seawater

We modeled dissolved phytochelatin concentrations by studying its exudation from phytoplankton and its removal from seawater. Exudation rates were obtained from experiments in which a marine diatom, Thalassiosira pseudonana, was grown in Cd-containing medium. Dissolved phytochelatin in the culture medium was measured as a function of time, and a first-order model was fit to the data to derive exudation rate constants. A synthetic phytochelatin standard was used to study phytochelatin removal from natural seawater. The addition of Cd or Cu, as well as decreasing temperature, significantly decreased phytochelatin removal rates. An acclimation period followed by rapid removal was observed; subsequent incubations showed no acclimation. Using rate constants derived from these experiments and some assumptions regarding the particulate phytochelatin pool, we used a model to calculate the steady state concentration of dissolved phytochelatin in the field and obtained values that are close to field measurements of dissolved phytochelatin in the Elizabeth River estuary, Norfolk, Virginia, where metal concentrations are high.
Describing the Diverse Geometries of Gold from Nanoclusters to Bulk—A First-Principles-Based Hybrid Bond-Order Potential

Molecular dynamics simulations using empirical force fields (EFFs) are crucial for gaining fundamental insights into atomic structure and long time scale dynamics of Au nanoclusters with far-reaching applications in energy and devices. This approach is thwarted by the failure of currently available EFFs in describing the size-dependent dimensionality and diverse geometries exhibited by Au clusters (e.g., planar structures, hollow cages, tubes, pyramids, space-filled structures). Here, we mitigate this issue by introducing a new hybrid bond-order potential (HyBOP), which accounts for (a) short-range interactions via Tersoff-type BOP terms that accurately treat bond directionality and (b) long-range dispersion effects by a scaled Lennard–Jones term whose contribution depends on the local atomic density. We optimized the independent parameters for our HyBOP using a global optimization scheme driven by genetic algorithms. Moreover, to ensure good transferability of these parameters across different length sca...
Income Variation and Selection of Enterprises

quantities of time and effort in the analysis of farm enterprise combinations that maximize expected or average profits. Indeed, since the advent of electronic computers at nominal cost, linear programming has provided a vast amount of useful information on the relationship between income and enterprise mix, product and input prices, and resource availabilities. On the other hand, the variance of expected income, perhaps equally important, has been seriously neglected in farm management research. Although income variability has long been recognized as an important component of farmers' decision-making process, the first attempt I have found in the farm management literature at more than a cursory analysis of the income variance problem was made by Heady in 1952 [4]. Heady laid out the logical relationship between total income variance and diversification in resource allocation and gave some empirical examples of how variance changes when one product is substituted for a second. Since that time, a few studies [1, 3, 5, 8] have extended Heady's analysis and derived empirical estimates of income variance for various farm enterprises. Despite these valuable contributions (as well as others not cited), there is little evidence of a general interest among production economists in applying these concepts to farm planning analysis. The purpose of this paper is to revive research interest in income variability by showing some implications of the effects of enterprise selection on total income variance and to suggest a method for using income variance in farm planning. The suggested method, utilizing quadratic programming, is adapted from techniques used to select investment portfolios so as to minimize the variance of expected returns [2, 6, 7]. The Total Variance Function
Feeling Good! Doing Good! An Exploratory Look at the Impulsive Purchase of the Social Good

Existing theory predicts that personal norms mediate the relationship between social norms and prosocial behavior. We extend this theory to consider impulsive prosocial behaviors such as spontaneously giving to individuals or charitable organizations. We also consider two consequences of impulsive prosocial behavior: the warm glow of giving and guilt from impulsive acts. A structural equation model supports existing theory and all but one of our hypotheses. The results suggest that social and personal norms are important antecedents of impulsive prosocial behaviors, which produce both a warm glow of giving and guilt.
Photoinduced phase separation in Bi 0.4 Ca 0.6 Mn O 3 thin films

In this paper, we report a study of photoinduced and current-induced resistivity changes in ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{0.4}{\mathrm{Ca}}_{0.6}\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ thin films. The photoinduced effects were investigated using both far-field and near-field optical techniques. It was found that substrate-induced strain affects the stability of the charge ordering. The magnitude of the energy barrier separating the metastable conducting phase and the charge-ordered insulating phase estimated from the temperature dependence of the lifetime of the photoinduced conducting phase was found to be large, of the order of the charge-ordering temperature.
A synopsis of the genera of beetle mites with special reference to the North American fauna

The beetle mites constitute, it is believed, a natural group of the order Acarina which, because of its close affinities with some of the other groups of mites, is rather hard to limit or define properly. As considered here, the group includes only those mites which possess, in addition to a hard, chitinous exoskeleton, a pair of modified setae on the posterior dorsal aspect of the cephalothorax, known to specialists as the pseudostigmatic organs. Thus limited, the beetle mites have been recognized by some workers only as a family, by others as a superfamily, and by several of our foremost authorities as a sub-order. Michael in his treatise on the group1 considered it as a family, the Oribatidae , which he divided into seven subfamilies. Banks has considered the group as a superfamily, Oribatoidea , which formerly he divided into two families, Hoplodermidae and Oribatidae . Recently he has included the family Labidostommatidae2 also in the superfamily, but this family would not be included in the group as just defined by the writer. Oudemans regards3 the group as one of the twelve of his subdivisions of the whole order, and gives to it the name of Octostigmata . The present writer in 1913, gave a classification of the Acarina4 in which the tarsonemid mites were included with the beetle mites in a suborder called Heterotracheata . The beetle mites were divided into two sections under this suborder, Ginglymosoma and Scleroderma . The former section included the family Hoplodermidae and the latter the families Hypochthonidae, Nothridae , and Oribatidae . Berlese has in the last few years described some interesting new species, which show both the characters of the family Hoplodermidae and also those of the families Hypochthonidae and Oribatidae . These should, I believe, be regarded as the direct descendents of the “connecting links” between these families, and their discovery must necessarily cause us to regard the Hoplodermidae as being more closely bound to the other families than was formerly believed.
NOMENCLATURAL NOTES. I. MISUSE OF NEOTYPES FOR VENTURIA AND PHAEOSPHAERELLA

A scientific worker who attempts to follow the International Code and wishes to place a valid name on a specimen of the common apple scab organism or one of its allies is rapidly made aware that he is entangled in the meshes of a thoroughly confusing nomenclatural (and even taxonomic) problem. He can find good authority for placing the fungus involved in any one of three genera: Venturia, Endostigme, or Spilosticta. If he is truly persistent, he will find that the valid generic name for his organism is Phaeosphaerella, which no authority seems to use!
Child Neglect/Abandonment

Child neglect is the most prevalent form of child maltreatment; it is unique as neglect is an act of omission rather than an act of commission. Scholars have developed several categories of neglect including physical, medical, educational, and emotional. Parents who neglect their children have distinct characteristics that are risk factors contributing to their lack of care or endangerment of their children. Children of neglect present with a variety of negative effects including attachment issues and school difficulties and are at risk of continuing the cycle of the neglectful family pattern. Keywords: children; parenting; risk
Detection of HBs Ag Weakly Positive Specimens in Infants with ELISA

Objective To explore the applicability of ELISA for HBs Ag detection in infants. Methods The HBs Ag weakly positive pooled serums were used to evaluate the precision of ELISA. The serial dilutions of pooled serum were detected and valued by CMIA to analysis the LOD of ELISA in measuring HBs Ag. The 350μmol / L bilirubin or 5g / L hemoglobin were added into serum to perform interference test. The serum samples from infant( 1 year) that were HBs Ag positive tested with CMIA were detected with ELISA to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity,specificity of ELISA. Results As to 1 ng / m L HBs Ag weakly positive level sample,the coefficient of variation of ELISA was 18. 91% and the LOD was 0. 125 ng / m L. The addition of 350μmol / L bilirubin or 5g / L hemoglobin had no significant effect on the accuracy of test results. As to less than 0. 25 ng / m L HBs Ag weakly positive level sample,the consistency of detection results by ELISA and CMIA was 30. 3%,whereas on the level above 0. 5 ng / m L,the consistency reached 95. 6%. The diagnostic sensitivity of ELISA was 87. 14%,and the negative predictive value was 79. 07%. Conclusion Despite the sensitivity of the ELISA method is worse than that of CMIA,however,on weakly positive level,the analytical performance of ELISA still acceptable.ELISA is a good screening method.
On the Feasibility of DC De-icing Installation Without Converter Transformer

For the movable DC de-icing installation,it is a question whether there is any effect of it being without converter transformer on its characteristics and the stability of the system connected with it.The possible effects on the stability of the system as well as the AC filter,insulation coordination,and de-icing capability of the installation are studied in this paper with a 25 MW 6 pulse-circuit DC de-icing installation that has the typical structure and parameters of the movable DC de-icing installation.It is concluded that such small capacity DC de-icing installation is able to work well without converter transformer.
Mentoring the modern surgeon.

The relationship between a mentor and a mentee is one of the most well-established means of professional development. The original Halstedian system of surgical training relied on this principle. Surgeons trained under the Halstedian system learned directly under the professional and technical guidance of their mentors. In William S. Halsted’s own words, this system was intended to “produce not only surgeons, but surgeons of the highest type, men who will stimulate the first youths of our country to study surgery and to devote their energies and their lives to raising the standard of surgical science.”1 Producing surgeons of the highest type requires more than teaching and instruction; it requires strong mentorship. A mentor helps you to perceive your own weaknesses and confront them with courage. The bond between mentor and protege enables us to stay true to our chosen path until the very end. —Daisaku Ikeda, Buddhist leader and writer
Economic Base Models

Regional models cover a wide range of sizes and employ a variety of techniques in their calibration and estimation. They can be divided into two groups. The first group is composed of nonstructural models. Their use includes predictions based on past trends, analysis of regional changes based on national industry changes, and shifts in the local share of these national industries. This group also may employ statistical methods, which search for past regularities in regional data. The second group of models are called structural models, because these models include the cause-and-effect relationships in a regional economy. The relationships that explain how participants in the economy respond to changes that affect them, such as the change in consumption that would occur if income changes, are called behavioral relationships. Other types of relationships in a structural model would include definitional and technical relationships.
Advanced Materials from Enzymatic Polymerization of Substituted Phenols in Ordered Templates

Enzyme-catalyzed polymerization of p-substituted phenols and aromatic amines is described. The polymers were prepared as thin films at the air-water interface of a Langmuir trough, as spherical particles at the oil-water interface of reversed micelles or as amorphous material in bulk organic solvents. Horseradish peroxidase or laccase was used to catalyze the reactions. Molecular weight and size distribution of polyphenols formed with reversed micelles or in bulk solvents could be modulated by controlling solvent properties. For example, oligomers with fairly uniform size distribution could be prepared by varying the solvent polarity, p-Alkoxyphenols with long alkyl chains could be ordered into a monolayer on a Langmuir trough, and could be subsequently polymerized using enzymes. The polymers were analyzed for their thermal, mechanical, electrical and optical properties. The application potential of the polymers in electronics/photonics is discussed.
The evaluation and management of erectile dysfunction

Significant progress has been realized in the evaluation and treatment of erectile disorders during the past 15 years. The establishment of interdisciplinary teams and evolution of treatment centers have led to comprehensive, state-of-the-art evaluation and multiple innovative treatment options. Limitations in our knowledge, however, remain because age-related standards for diagnostic tests are not available. In some cases, we remain humble and uncertain about the validity of our diagnostic methods and our ability to offer proper treatments. The field is not standing still, however, and we expect that further refinements in evaluation techniques based on new findings in physiology and fresh psychological and medical approaches will make erectile dysfunction more efficiently and effectively treatable.
Learning approach for classification of GENEActiv accelerometer data for unique activity identification

Recent popular emphasis on exercise for personal wellbeing has created a demand for techniques which monitor and classify human activities. Previous studies have shown promising results in applying various classification and feature extraction methods for identifying unique physical activities on various datasets. We apply learning techniques to GENEactiv accelerometer recordings to identify and monitor a wide range of daily activities. The dataset is composed of 92 participants, of ages 20–65, performing 25 unique activities, both ambulatory and non-ambulatory. The algorithm identified 130 different time and frequency domain features and selected the most efficient features with the sequential forward selection algorithm. With classification in two stages with both Gaussian mixture model (GMM) and hidden Markov model (HMM) we have combined the activities with similar features. We have also shown a comparative study between the two classifiers. We achieved an accuracy of 95.5% while classifying 10 unique activities with HMM and 89.7% while classifying 9. The most efficient result is obtained using HMM in 2-D feature space, where it is able to classify 15 unique activities at an accuracy of 90.12%.
Fuel cell for buildings program

Fuel cells offer a unique technology that will revolutionize the way building electric and thermal loads are met. No other system can generate electricity, provide heat and hot water, has fuel flexibility, is modular, has quiet operation, is a nonpolluter and has an overall conversion efficiency potential of 80% or better. The Office of Building Equipment in the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is doing research and development on major components for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells to help ease the environmental effects of global warming and to reduce energy consumption. The objective of the fuel cell for buildings program is to have a 'First Generation' PEM fuel cell ready for operation in a building by the year 2004. The 'First Generation' PEM fuel cell will operate on reformed methane, have an electric generating efficiency of 40% or better, and a life of 5000, or more, hours. The projected cost target is $1500/kW-$2000/kW. The stated characteristics will be unique to buildings and will lead to advanced systems for co-generation applications, providing a coupling between the fuel cell and the building. Close cooperation with the automotive fuel cell program will be maintained and those technologies being developed in either program will be adapted where applicable.
Raptor´s “Right Hunger” Characterization to Develop Sustainable Exclusion Areas for wildlife at Civil & Military Airports

The bird strike damage on aircrafts is a widely studied matter [1] with a high economic impact on stakeholders finances. Some authors estimate it in about USD1.2 Billion for nowadays commercial worldwide activity [2], and more than USD937 million in direct and other monetary losses per year just for the United States, as an example of civil aviation industry [3]. The present techniques to face this problem have been previously analyzed in order to decrease the wild life hazards at the airport facilities [4] however nowadays there is a new point of view to prevent this risk at airports that requires an interesting approach in relationship with industrial process improvement examples, such approach lies on preserving the natural life at the airport facilities by developing raptor micro-habitats than change into exclusion areas when the risk of being hunted is recognized by the existing wildlife. Therefore, the main goal of this paper is to share several experiences developed at the Spanish dual airport (military & civilian) of San Javier (Spain), as a case of study in where the mathematics and nonlinear sciences provides the foundations of the ontological knowledge for falconry performance as a Wildlife Control Technique for airport facilities.
AT-RvD1 combined with DEX is highly effective in treating TNF-α-mediated disruption of the salivary gland epithelium

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by chronic inflammation and destruction of salivary and lacrimal glands leading to dry mouth and dry eyes, respectively. Currently, the etiology of SS is unknown and the current therapies have no permanent benefit; therefore, new approaches are necessary to effectively treat this condition. Resolvins are highly potent endogenous lipid mediators that are synthesized during the resolution of inflammation to restore tissue homeostasis. Previous studies indicate that the resolvin family member, RvD1, binds to the ALX/FPR2 receptor to block inflammatory signals caused by tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐ α ) in the salivary epithelium. More recently, the corticosteroid, dexamethasone (DEX), was shown to be effective in reducing salivary gland inflammation. However, DEX, as with other corticosteroids, elicits adverse secondary effects that could be ameliorated when used in smaller doses. Therefore, we investigated whether the more stable aspirin‐triggered (AT) epimer, AT‐RvD1, combined with reduced doses of DEX is effective in treating TNF‐ α ‐mediated disruption of polarized rat parotid gland (Par‐C10) epithelial cell clusters. Our results indicate that AT‐RvD1 and DEX individually reduced TNF‐ α ‐mediated alteration in the salivary epithelium ( i.e ., maintained cell cluster formation, increased lumen size, reduced apoptosis, and preserved cell survival signaling responses) as compared to untreated cells. Furthermore, AT‐RvD1 combined with a reduced dose of DEX produced stronger responses ( i.e., robust salivary cell cluster formation, larger lumen sizes, further reduced apoptosis, and sustained survival signaling responses) as compared to those observed with individual treatments. These studies demonstrate that AT‐RvD1 combined with DEX is highly effective in treating TNF‐ α ‐mediated disruption of salivary gland epithelium.
Evaluating Student Learning from Collaborative Group Tests in Introductory Computing

Collaborative group exams, including two-stage exams, have received increased attention in other disciplines after studies have shown their value for student learning. In computer science, prior work has shown students may value two-stage exams, but their impact on student learning in computing is unknown. In this randomized, crossover study, student learning on four topics during two-stage midterm exams is examined. Specifically, students are randomly selected to answer questions on a topic either working in groups or individually during the exam. On a quiz two weeks later, those who worked in groups statistically significantly outperform those who worked individually. The metric of performance comparison is normalized learning gain. These are short term gains, however, as the benefit is no longer apparent by the final exam. This is the first study to use controlled experiments to examine the value of the group stage of two-stage exams in computing.
Regression in primary cutaneous melanoma: etiopathogenesis and clinical significance

Though not required currently for staging, regression is a histopathologic parameter typically reported upon diagnosis of an invasive primary cutaneous melanoma. The studies examining the prognostic significance of regression in patient outcome have yielded controversial findings; likely because the definition and assessment of regression have not been consistent, in addition to subjectivity of pathologists' interpretation. Regression is histologically characterized by variable decrease in the number of melanoma cells accompanied by the presence of a host response consisting of dermal fibrosis, inflammatory infiltrate, melanophages, ectatic blood vessels, epidermal attenuation, and/or apoptosis of keratinocytes or melanocytes; the relative extent of these features depends on the stage of the regression. However, the magnitudes to which these individual changes must be present to meet the threshold of histologic regression have not been well defined or agreed upon, and thus, the definition and classification of histologic regression in melanoma varies considerably among institutions and even among individual pathologists. In order to determine the clinical significance of histologic analysis of regression, there is a compelling need for a universal scheme to objectively define and assess histologic regression in primary cutaneous melanoma, so that the biologic and prognostic significance of this process may be completely understood.Laboratory Investigation advance online publication, 27 February 2017; doi:10.1038/labinvest.2017.8.
Compatibility of dimmers and alternative technology lamps for commercial broiler houses

Abstract The use of artificial lighting has become an integral component of the commercial broiler industry, as chickens possess visual acuity superior to that of humans. A variety of new light emitting diode (LED) lamps have become available specifically for use in poultry houses to reduce energy costs, causing many broiler growers to consider implementing LED technology. Lamp dimmers help maximize bird performance by reducing light intensity and often have multiple settings (profiles) used to accommodate different lamps. Because of the investment required to replace lamps in a broiler house, growers have requested information to assist in selecting an appropriate lamp-profile combination. This study evaluated the impact of 8 different commercial dimmers with 21 profiles total on the performance of 15 different LED lamps, one incandescent (INC), and one cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). Approximately 350 lamp-profile combinations were individually tested for multiple criteria as the lamps were dimmed. A scoring metric was developed that considered linearity, re-fire, luminous output, and efficacy. Dimmer and profile selection impacted lamp luminous output and efficiencies. No one lamp worked effectively with all dimmers and profiles, and no one dimmer or profile worked effectively with all lamps. There were statistically significant differences in scores based on technology, lamp, dimmer, and profile, suggesting that a multifaceted approach is necessary when evaluating the performance of lamps, dimmers, and profiles. A publically available selection tool website allows access to the combination scores. Growers can use this website to make informed decisions, promoting energy savings and agricultural sustainability.
Handbook of Scientology, edited by James R. Lewis and Kjersti Hellsøy, Leiden, Brill, 2017, xxvii + 592 pp., €199.00 (hardback), ISBN 978 9 0043 2871 6

The Church of Scientology is perhaps one of the most interesting and controversial new religious movements (NRMs) to have developed in the United States in the 20th century. Despite this, it has ta...
Prenatal Experience with the Maternal Voice

Research studies over the past 40 years have established that the maternal voice is a prominent feature of the prenatal environment, that the fetus responds to it, and that prenatal learning carries over into early postnatal life. The primary aim of the chapter is to describe what is known through research about prenatal exposure to the mother’s voice, especially through audition. A second aim is to present a consideration of nonauditory experience such as the vestibular and, possibly, cutaneous sensations that are uniquely linked to auditory stimulation by the maternal voice. A third aim is to raise a question about the necessity of prenatal experience with the acoustic aspects of the maternal voice, given emerging data from deaf infants who receive cochlear implants many months after birth. The chapter concludes by considering implications for the care of hospitalized preterm infants who experience atypical experience with the mother’s voice and other sounds. Chapter conclusions are (1) fetal auditory experience with the mother’s voice begins around 24 weeks after conception, (2) the maternal voice is potentially a rich source of multimodal stimulation and information, and (3) for favorable postnatal development, the role that is played by very early exposure to the maternal voice is not yet understood.
Molecular Genetics of Frontotemporal Dementia Elucidated by Drosophila Models-Defects in Endosomal⁻Lysosomal Pathway.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common senile neurodegenerative disease. FTD is a heterogeneous disease that can be classified into several subtypes. A mutation in CHMP2B locus (CHMP2Bintron5), which encodes a component of endosomal sorting complex required for transport-III (ESCRT-III), is associated with a rare hereditary subtype of FTD linked to chromosome 3 (FTD-3). ESCRT is involved in critical cellular processes such as multivesicular body (MVB) formation during endosomal⁻lysosomal pathway and autophagy. ESCRT mutants causes diverse physiological defects primarily due to accumulation of endosomes and defective MVBs resulting in misregulation of signaling pathways. Charged multivesicular body protein 2B (CHMP2B) is important for neuronal physiology which especially rely on precise regulation of protein homeostasis due to their post-mitotic status. Drosophila has proven to be an excellent model for charaterization of mechanistic underpinning of neurodegenerative disorders including FTD. In this review, current understanding of various FTD-related mutations is discussed with a focus on Drosophila models of CHMP2Bintron5-associated FTD.
Environmental Performance: The Impact of R&D Intensity on Firms’ Environmental Concerns

This study investigates the relationship between R&D intensity and firms’ environmental concerns conceptualized as negative environmental externalities resulting from manufacturing activities. The study uses a large sample of U.S. firms in manufacturing industries over the period of 1991–2009. Our finding, robust to a number of sensitivity analyses, is that environmental concerns tend to decrease with R&D intensity expenditures at the firm level. This finding supports previous research and fills a gap in that research linking R&D intensity to corporate environmental performance. The result strengthens the discussion about environmental performance—namely, the reduction of negative environmental externalities—and economic performance.
The Effect of Microstructure on the Fatigue Behavior of NI Base Superalloys

The fatigue crack propagation (FCP) and low cycle fatigue (LCF) behavior of Ni base systems is reviewed. It is seen that for typical Ni base alloys such as Waspaloy, Rene 95, In 718 and Astroloy the FCP rate decreases with increasing slip planarity, in agreement with previous theoretical suggestions.
The Development of Music Perception and Cognition

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the development of music perception and cognition. An adult listening attentively to a piece of music and understanding it performs an enormous amount of information processing very rapidly. Most of this processing is carried out automatically below the level of conscious analysis, because there is no time for reflective thought on each detail as the piece steadily progresses. This process is closely parallel to what happens when a native speaker of a language listens to and understands a sentence. A point to be emphasized is the ease and rapidity with which adults perform complex cognitive tasks in domains of speech and music familiar to them, and the degree to which that facility depends on prior experience. The implicit knowledge of adults is built on elements present even in infancy and the importance of melodic and rhythmic contours, the use of discrete, steady pitch levels, the organization of rhythmic patterns into a steady beat and an overlay of more complicated rhythms, and octave equivalence. These elements provide the groundwork for perceptual learning and acculturation throughout life to build upon.
Principles of Gas–Solid Flows: Pneumatic Conveying of Solids

Introduction In solids processing systems, it is commonly required to transport solids from one location to another. Solids can be transported via various means, including (1) pneumatic conveying, in which solids are transported in a pipe or channel by gas flow through blowing or suction; (2) gravity chutes, where solids transport downward by gravitational force; (3) air slides, where solids, partially suspended in a channel by the upward flow of air through a porous wall, flow at a small angle to the horizontal; (4) belt conveyors, where solids are conveyed horizontally, or at small angles to the horizontal, on a continuous moving belt; (5) screw conveyors, in which solids are transported in a pipe or channel by a rotating helical impeller; (6) bucket elevators, in which solids are carried upward in buckets attached to a continuously moving vertical belt; and (7) vibratory conveyors, where solids flow is activated by jigging action provided by angled spring supports. This chapter focuses on pneumatic conveying as the means for solids transport. Examples of solid materials that are commonly transported via pneumatic conveying are flour, granular chemicals, lime, soda ash, plastic chips, coal, gunpowder pellets, ores, and grains [Stoess, 1983; Williams, 1983; Konrad, 1986; Soo, 1990; Marcus et al. , 1990]. Materials to be conveyed are usually dry and readily free-flowing. Some sluggish and damp materials can also be free-flowing with proper aeration. The advantages of pneumatic conveying include extreme flexibility in routing and spacing, safe working conditions, and low maintenance cost.
A novel specific prophylaxis for menstrual-associated migraine

Objectives Few migraine prophylactic therapies have demonstrated a 50% reduction in headaches. Even when successful, the economic burden of prophylaxis can discourage widespread usage. This article presents a pilot study of a novel, effective, specific, and inexpensive prophylactic strategy for menstrual-associated migraine. Materials and methods Eleven women with menstrual-associated migraine and fewer than 14 days of headache per month were identified from prospective enrollment at a gynecology practice and retrospective chart review at a headache center. Exclusion criteria included current use of prophylactic therapy for migraine. Methods Patients received open-label therapy with an oral contraceptive containing 20 microg ethinyl estradiol on days 1 to 21, supplemented with 0.9 mg conjugated equine estrogens on days 22 to 28. Headache intensity and bleeding were recorded in diaries that plotted headache days by oral contraceptive pill days. Results All of the patients achieved at least a 50% reduction in number of headache days per cycle (mean 77.9% reduction); 10 of the 11 women achieved at least a 50% reduction in weighted headache score (mean 76.3% reduction). Conclusions All currently available estrogen-containing oral contraceptives produce a premenstrual fall in ethinyl estradiol concentration equal to or greater than 20 microg. Estrogen supplementation during the placebo week can reduce the magnitude of this fall to less than 20 microg. When the decline is limited to the equivalent of 10 microg ethinyl estradiol, menstrual-associated migraine is prevented. At an average cost of six dollars per headache-day prevented, this represents an effective and inexpensive strategy for a common migraine trigger.
A novel prostate cancer immunotherapy using prostate-specific antigen peptides and Candida skin test reagent as an adjuvant.

Objectives:Our group developed the use of the Candida skin test reagent as an adjuvant of cell-mediated immunity in designing a human papillomavirus therapeutic vaccine. Here, this technology is be...
Challenges with prediction of battery electrolyte electrochemical stability window and guiding the electrode – electrolyte stabilization

Abstact Progress in development of novel battery chemistries critically depends on the stabilization of electrode – electrolyte interfaces. Battery electrolytes are commonly selected to either be electrochemically stable at the electrode, current collector, and conductive additive surfaces or to decompose at these interfaces electrochemically and form a kinetically protective ionically-conducting but electronically-insulating passivation film. Increasing energy density of electrical double layer (EDL) capacitors, or supercapacitors, also requires electrolytes with an extended electrochemical stability window. Quantum chemistry (QC) calculations of the representative electrolyte clusters or electrolyte components reacting with the electrode surfaces provide molecular scale understanding of the key electrolyte decomposition pathways under reductive or oxidative conditions. Moreover, QC calculations show that the electrolyte reduction and oxidation stability depends on the solvent and salt partitioning within EDL near electrolytes and the number of lithium cations complexing anions or solvents. Thus, an electrolyte electrochemical stability could be controlled by adjusting salt concentration, salt aggregation and preferential solvent or anion partitioning within EDL, opening new opportunities for enabling aggressive battery chemistries and EDL capacitors with improved energy densities.
Development and validation of a risk score to predict mortality during TB treatment in patients with TB-diabetes comorbidity.

Making an accurate prognosis for mortality during tuberculosis (TB) treatment in TB-diabetes (TB-DM) comorbid patients remains a challenge for health professionals, especially in low TB prevalent populations, due to the lack of a standardized prognostic model. Using de-identified data from TB-DM patients from Texas, who received TB treatment had a treatment outcome of completed treatment or died before completion, reported to the National TB Surveillance System from January 2010–December 2016, we developed and internally validated a mortality scoring system, based on the regression coefficients. Of 1227 included TB-DM patients, 112 (9.1%) died during treatment. The score used nine characteristics routinely collected by most TB programs. Patients were divided into three groups based on their score: low-risk (< 12 points), medium-risk (12–21 points) and high-risk (≥22 points). The model had good performance (with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.83 in development and 0.82 in validation), and good calibration. A practical mobile calculator app was also created ( https://oaa.app.link/Isqia5rN6K ). Using demographic and clinical characteristics which are available from most TB programs at the patient’s initial visits, our simple scoring system had good performance and may be a practical clinical tool for TB health professionals in identifying TB-DM comorbid patients with a high mortality risk.
Gold Sulfonium Benzylide Complexes Undergo Efficient Benzylidene Transfer to Alkenes

The gold sulfonium benzylide complexes [(P1)AuCHPh(SR1 R2 )]+ {B[3,5-CF3 C6 H3 ]4 }- [P1=P(tBu)2 o-biphenyl; R1 , R2 =-(CH2 )4 - (1 a); R1 =Et, R2 =Ph (1 b); R1 =R2 =Ph (1 c)] were synthesized by reaction of the gold α-chloro benzyl complex (P1)AuCHClPh with sodium tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate and excess sulfide. Complexes 1 undergo efficient benzylidene transfer to alkenes and DMSO under mild conditions without external activation. Kinetic analysis of the reaction of 1 c with styrene was consistent with the intermediacy of the cationic gold benzylidene complex [(P1)AuCHPh]+ (I).
Development and clinical success of novel soft drugs

Retrometabolic drug design combines the structure-activity and structure-metabolism relationships, allowing the effective separation of drug action and side effects. This combination results in significant improvement of the therapeutic index. The main aim is not only to study the metabolism but to build into the drug molecule the desired metabolic route, in addition to the therapeutic activity. There are two basically different approaches to achieve this aim. Both use designed-in metabolism. The 1. chemical drug-targeting systems (CDS) and 2. soft drug, both control the drug targeting and action by strategically designed metabolism. In the case of the soft drugs, we want to rely on hydrolytic enzymes, avoiding the oxidative processes. In the present work, we focus on the clinical successes of the soft drugs designed in our laboratories. In order to show the difference, we briefly present a brain-targeted delivery system, where the originally inactive molecular construct undergoes sequential metabolism to allow specific concentration of the active drug in the brain. Among the soft drugs first we present the highly successful soft corticosteroids. Loteprednol etabonate has been used worldwide for over twenty years, and its use is constantly growing. In addition to the dramatically improved therapeutic index, the specific, serious ophthalmic side effects (elevation of intraocular pressure; glaucoma and cataract formation) were completely eliminated. Similarly designed second generation of soft corticosteroids are also presented, where the soft pharmacophore is structurally unexpected. The most recent soft drug design involves anticholinergics. Sofpironium bromide, a highly effective molecule but without the typical anticholinergic side effects, was first developed to treat hyperhidrosis, an unmet need. Phase III clinical studies were successfully completed and its marketing approval is pending. Since the soft drug design principles, methods and rules are general and specific in nature, a computerized expert system was also developed. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(10): 363-373.
Improving Age of Information in Wireless Networks With Perfect Channel State Information

Age of information (AoI), defined as the time that elapsed since the last received update was generated, is a newly proposed metric to measure the timeliness of information updates in a network. We consider AoI minimization problem for a network with general interference constraints, and time varying channels. We propose two policies, namely, virtual-queue based policy and age-based policy when the channel state is available to the network scheduler at each time step. We prove that the virtual-queue based policy is nearly optimal, up to a constant additive factor, and the age-based policy is at-most a factor of 4 away from optimality. Comparison with previous work, which derived age optimal policies when channel state information is not available to the scheduler, demonstrates significant improvement in age due to the availability of channel state information. Our analysis relies on the age conservation law and age-square conservation law developed in this paper, which hold more generally and may be of independent interest.
Explaining Victimization Experienced by Latinas: A Test of Target Congruence Theory:

A small but growing number of studies have begun testing the core propositions of target congruence theory. While these studies have provided modest support, no study to date has applied it to vict...
What We Say And What We Do: Why US Investments In Children’s Health Are Falling Short

This article explores the gap between what Americans say we believe with respect to spending on child health and what we actually do, which falls short of norms in other developed countries. Three possible reasons are identified: a lack of information about the effectiveness of government programs affecting child health, the idea that "investments" in child health should pay for themselves, and ideological preferences that prioritize other goals and that may themselves be rooted in this country's racial history. These factors are not mutually exclusive, and all may be at play simultaneously.
The role of the International Institute of Teachers College in the founding history of American comparative education

Comparative and international education intersects with international relations, international development and modernization, and domestic political, cultural, and economic concerns. Therefore, the...
Measuring Invasive Breast Carcinoma on Core Biopsy: Is it Necessary?: An Analysis of Ultrasound, Mammotome, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Guided Core Biopsies

Context.— Pathologic tumor size is significant in the treatment of breast carcinoma and is routinely measured on excision. Objective.— To analyze the need for measuring size of invasive mammary carcinoma on biopsy. Design.— Nine hundred twenty-two cases of invasive carcinoma whose size was measured (greatest linear measurement) on biopsy and excision was correlated, including imaging when available (110 cases). Results.— Patient mean age was 62 years. Most (90%; 830 of 922) carcinomas were ductal and sampled by ultrasound and graded as follows: well, 13% (113 of 922); moderately, 58% (532 of 922), and poorly differentiated, 28% (258 of 922); 19 microinvasive not graded. Tumor mean size was 7.5 mm on biopsy and 14.4 mm on excision. Biopsy modality was as follows: ultrasound, 7.8 mm (92%, 844 of 922); mammotome, 3.3 mm (7%, 65 of 922); and magnetic resonance imaging, 5.9 mm (1%, 13 of 922). Size comparison on biopsy versus excision was biopsy > excision: 8% (72 of 922), biopsy = excision: 10% (95 of 922), and biopsy excision tumors were less than 5 mm, 96% (726 of 755) of biopsy Conclusions.— While most carcinomas are larger on excision, 18% (167 of 922) are larger or equal on biopsy. Factors predictive of biopsy > excision tumors include stage 1 tumors (P