cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Globalization and Labour in Developing Countries: India:

This article deals with labour under globalizing conditions in developing countries, particularly India.* It poses the question of how the convergence in global incomes and inequality has impacted ...
Automation of reflectarrays in HFSS using visual basic scripting

High gain, large radiating structures such as multi-element antenna arrays and reflectarrays are finding an increasing number of applications to fulfil the demands of higher capacity and better coverage. For large reflectarrays, number of elements may be more than a thousand. Before fabrication, we need to model of whole reflectarray assembly in simulation software to predict its performance. Problematic part is that dimension of each element may be different, and it becomes extremely cumbersome to draw all the elements manually. To circumvent the problem, we have laid out step by step procedure that how Visual Basic (VB) code can be effectively integrated with HFSS to automate the drawing procedure of reflectarrays. As per user need, this VB script can also be extended to carry out further iterations and modifications in the design for tuning and optimization.
The Three Fundamental e-Business Models

This paper distinguishes three fundamental business design patterns: control, cooperation and autonomy. Today, most e-Business designs are not balanced, because they over-prioritize control. Balance is achieved when one basic pattern is the top priority, while the other two patterns are not ignored. This paper explains how to use these patterns to create a balanced e-Business model: e-Commerce, e-Broker or e-Barter. Market forces are now occurring to incentivize companies to become more adaptable. This can take one of two forms: a better balanced e-Commerce design or a shift from e-Commerce to e-Broker. This paper presents adaptive design architectures for e-Commerce and e-Broker, and it concludes by giving several reasons why a balanced e-Barter design cannot be reliably conjectured at this time.
Insect Biochemistry/Hormones

Insects play an important role in agriculture, medicine, industry, and basic research in the following ways: (1) they are an integral component of agriculture, both as pollinators (honeybees) and as pests (grasshoppers, hornworms, and fruit flies); (2) they transmit a variety of diseases by serving as biological vectors of human pathogens (mosquitoes, ticks, and tsetse flies); (3) they produce organic products such as honey (honeybees), wax (honeybees and scale insects), and silk (silkworms); and (4) they are excellent genetic and neurological models of biological processes in complex organisms (fruit fly and tobacco hornworm). Recent applications of genomics, molecular genetics, and metabolomics have led to exciting new discoveries in insect biochemistry, especially with regard to metabolic regulation and hormone signaling.
Pigmentdispersion: Pro- und Contra YAG-Iridotomie

Ein 30-jahriger stark myoper (rechts -9.0 Dpt, links -8.0 Dpt) Mann wurde 1996 mit der Fragestellung einer YAG-Iridotomie bei Pigmentdispersionssyndrom zugewiesen. In der Anamnese besteht eine Migrane mit 4-6 Anfallen pro Jahr, sonst ist der Patient beschwerdefrei.
The Screening Visit

The screening visit is usually the longest and most complete of the subject visits. At the beginning of the visit, a complete demographic form should be collected. For future follow-up, all phone numbers, email addresses, names of four friends and family members, and names and contact information for physicians should be listed. A picture of the subject (which may be on a driver’s license) and a medical release form should be completed. The medical history form should contain information on medical illnesses, lifestyle, family history, psychosocial history, and review of systems, all of which should be reviewed with the subject. The medication bottles should be reviewed, and a list of all concomitant medications should be compiled. The chart template should also include sections for the phone correspondence, con meds, AE and SAE lists, study endpoints, protocol deviation log, study drug dispensing log, IVRS randomization contacts, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and patient consents.
Research on Analytic Method of Power System Frequency Response Characteristics under Large Power Disturbance

Frequency is one of the important indicators to measure the power quality of the power grid. Based on the characteristics of primary frequency regulation limit of the current universal electro-hydraulic governor, the output of the electro-hydraulic control system is simplified to a step response under the case of large frequency deviation. Considering the influence of the system inertia, the damping coefficient and the frequency regulation of load, an analytical model of single-system considering the governor limit of unit under large power disturbance is proposed. The analytical description of the frequency after the disturbance of large-power fault is deduced, and the influence of each key factor on the maximum frequency deviation is quantified. This analytical method enables rapid evaluation of the frequency response characteristics of the system under large power disturbances. And the validity of this analytical method is verified by the evaluation results of East China Grid after bipolar locking of Jin-Su DC transmission line.
Governing Metropolitan Areas: Growth and Change in a Networked Age

Interest and research on regionalism has soared in the last decade. Local governments in metropolitan areas and civic organizations are increasingly engaged in cooperative and collaborative public policy efforts to solve problems that stretch across urban centers and their surrounding suburbs. Yet there remains scant attention in textbooks to the issues that arise in trying to address metropolitan governance. Governing Metropolitan Areas describes and analyzes structure to understand the how and why of regionalism in our global age. The book covers governmental institutions and their evolution to governance, but with a continual focus on institutions. David Hamilton provides the necessary comprehensive, in-depth description and analysis of how metropolitan areas and governments within metropolitan areas developed, efforts to restructure and combine local governments, and governance within the polycentric urban region.This second edition is a major revision to update the scholarship and current thinking on regional governance. While the text still provides background on the historical development and growth of urban areas and governments' efforts to accommodate the growth of metropolitan areas, this edition also focuses on current efforts to provide governance through cooperative and collaborative solutions. There is also now extended treatment of how regional governance outside the United States has evolved and how other countries are approaching regional governance.
Aortic Surgery Outcomes of Marfan Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Patients at Teaching and Nonteaching Hospitals.

Background Despite improvements in prevention and management, aortic aneurysm repair remains a high-risk operation for patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). The goal of this study was to examine differences in characteristics and outcomes of patients with MFS or EDS undergoing aortic aneurysm repair at teaching versus nonteaching hospitals. Methods We used the National Inpatient Sample to study patients with MFS or EDS undergoing open or endovascular aortic aneurysm repair from 2000 to 2014. Results Of 3487 patients (MFS = 3375, EDS = 112), 2974 (85%) had repair at a teaching hospital. Patients who underwent repair at a teaching hospital were slightly younger than those who underwent repair at a nonteaching hospital (38 vs. 43 years, P Conclusions Patients with MFS and EDS who undergo aortic aneurysm repair have their operations predominantly at teaching hospitals, but those patients who undergo repair at nonteaching hospitals do not have worse mortality or morbidity despite a higher incidence of dissection.
Transactive Energy Applications of eIoT

The previous chapters have situated the development of eIoT within an ongoing transformation of the electric power grid. In response to several energy-management change drivers, the grid periphery will be activated with an eIoT composed of network-enabled physical devices, heterogeneous communication networks, and distributed control and decision-making algorithms that are organized by well-designed architectures and standards. When these factors are implemented together properly, they form an eIoT control loop that effectively manages the technical and economic performance of the grid. This control loop is most consonant with an emerging concept of transactive energy (TE).
Solving High-Resolution Forward Problems for Extra- and Intracranial Neurophysiological Recordings Using Boundary Element Fast Multipole Method

Abstract We present a general numerical approach for solving the forward problem in high-resolution. This approach can be employed in the analysis of noninvasive electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetoencephalography (MEG) as well as invasive electrocorticography (ECoG), stereoencephalography (sEEG), and local field potential (LFP) recordings. The underlying algorithm is our recently developed boundary element fast multipole method (BEM-FMM) that simulates anatomically realistic head models with unprecedented numerical accuracy and speed. This is achieved by utilizing the adjoint double layer formulation and zeroth-order basis functions in conjunction with the FMM acceleration. We present the mathematical formalism in detail and validate the method by applying it to the canonical multilayer sphere problem. The numerical error of BEM-FMM is 2-10 times lower while the computational speed is 1.5–20 times faster than those of the standard first-order FEM. We present four practical case studies: (i) evaluation of the effect of a detailed head model on the accuracy of EEG/MEG forward solution; (ii) demonstration of the ability to accurately calculate the electric potential and the magnetic field in the immediate vicinity of the sources and conductivity boundaries; (iii) computation of the field of a spatially extended cortical equivalent dipole layer; and (iv) taking into account the effect a fontanel for infant EEG source modeling and comparison of the results with a commercially available FEM. In all cases, BEM-FMM provided versatile, fast, and accurate high-resolution modeling of the electromagnetic field and has the potential of becoming a standard tool for modeling both extracranial and intracranial electrophysiological signals.
Dommages Moraux: L’Éveil Français au 19eme Siècle (Moral Damages: The French Awakening in the 19th Century)

French Abstract: Dans une adresse a La Societe de Legislation Comparee a Paris, l'auteur retrace l'histoire et l'evolution des dommages moraux en droit Francais. Dans l'attribution de dommages moraux France pourrait etre appele le premier regime liberal en Europe. Le « reveil » et la floraison de cette idee ont eu lieu au XIXeme siecle. L'evolution etait assez singulier, car il a ete en partie inspire par la pratique des Parlements de l'Ancien Regime, bien que son developpement moderne decoule d'une interpretation introspective du Code civil. La realisation notable a la fin de la matiere etait de placer les dommages moraux sur un plan d'egalite, a la fois dans le domaine de la responsabilite delictuelle et contractuelle.English Abstract: In an address to the Society of Comparative Legislation in Paris, the author outlines the history and evolution of moral damages in French law. In the awarding of moral damages France might be called the first liberal regime in Europe. The "awakening" and flowering of this novel idea took place in the nineteenth century. The evolution was quite singular, for it was in part inspired by the practice of the Parliaments of the Old Regime, though its modern development derives from an introspective interpretation of the Code Civil. The notable achievement at the end of the day placed material and moral damages on a plane of equality, both in the area of delictual and contractual responsibility.
Structural characterization of Class 2 OLD family nucleases supports a two-metal catalysis mechanism for cleavage.

Overcoming lysogenization defect (OLD) proteins constitute a family of uncharacterized nucleases present in bacteria, archaea, and some viruses. These enzymes contain an N-terminal ATPase domain and a C-terminal Toprim domain common amongst replication, recombination, and repair proteins. The in vivo activities of OLD proteins remain poorly understood and no definitive structural information exists. Here we identify and define two classes of OLD proteins based on differences in gene neighborhood and amino acid sequence conservation and present the crystal structures of the catalytic C-terminal regions from the Burkholderia pseudomallei and Xanthamonas campestris p.v. campestris Class 2 OLD proteins at 2.24 A and 1.86 A resolution respectively. The structures reveal a two-domain architecture containing a Toprim domain with altered architecture and a unique helical domain. Conserved side chains contributed by both domains coordinate two bound magnesium ions in the active site of B. pseudomallei OLD in a geometry that supports a two-metal catalysis mechanism for cleavage. The spatial organization of these domains additionally suggests a novel mode of DNA binding that is distinct from other Toprim containing proteins. Together, these findings define the fundamental structural properties of the OLD family catalytic core and the underlying mechanism controlling nuclease activity.
Faceted He-Filled “Pancakes” Confined within Nanoscale Metal Layers

Helium (He)-filled cavities in single-phase metals typically take on nearly equiaxed shapes, such as spherical bubbles or voids. However, in multiphase metal composites, the morphology of the constituent phases and the structure of the interfaces between them alter the shapes of such He-filled cavities. In this work, a He-implanted three-layer composite consisting of a 5-nm-thick Cu layer sandwiched between two V layers was reexamined. In addition to He-filled nanochannels, which have been reported in this material before, we discovered faceted He-filled “pancakes,” viz. high-aspect-ratio cavities spanning the thickness of the Cu layer and extending several tens of nanometers parallel to the Cu/V interfaces. We propose that such pancakes form nanochannels via a multistage coarsening process.
Compressed Sensing Based Non-Orthogonal Pilot Designs for Multi-Antenna Grant-Free Access Systems

Grant-free access is an attractive approach to enable spectrum-efficient low-latency access for systems with massive number of users. Pilot design plays a crucial role for grant-free access as it needs to provide a large number of access codes with fast collision detection capability and good channel estimation performance. Recently, pilot designs with fast collision detection capability have been proposed for compressed sensing (CS) based channel estimation. But the existing designs are not optimized for the estimation of highly sparse and block-sparse channels. In this paper, we present several propositions related to the performances of the CS based sparse and block-sparse channel estimation. Utilizing these propositions, we develop a novel non-orthogonal pilot design with fast collision detection capability for grant-free access in block-sparse channels. We also propose two methods to optimize the Peak-to-Average Power Ratio (PAPR) of the proposed non-orthogonal pilot codes. The simulation results illustrate that the proposed design provides similar or better channel estimation and collision detection performances with much better pilot resource efficiency when compared to the existing designs. Finally, we investigate the trade-offs among different design parameters and the channel estimation performances to facilitate better design choices.
Tapered fiber sensor usable for head and neck cancer screening

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a fatal disease with 650,000 newly diagnosed cases worldwide. Early detection of this cancer improves survival significantly. Salivary biomarker analysis demonstrates that screening of HNSCC is possible and potentially improves survival. Interleukin-8 (IL-8), a cytokine produced in abundance by the HNSCC stem cells, induces epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), enhances metastasis, and can be used as a salivary biomarker for HNSCC screening. A healthy individual has 300 – 500 picogram/ml (pg/ml) in saliva, while HNSCC patients have 1700 – 2500 pg/ml. We have developed a novel tapered optical fiber biosensing system for label-free detection of antigens by attaching a molecular recognition agent to a tapered fiber surface for augmenting sensitivity and specificity of the analyte. In a tapered fiber, the evanescent electromagnetic field, which extends outside the fiber, is able to detect minute changes of the refractive index caused by the environment. The evanescent field intensity exponentially decreases with distance away from the surface of the fiber on a length scale in the order of the wavelength of light. Light from a tunable fiber laser is introduced into the tapered fiber from one end and the transmitted intensity is detected by a photodetector. Received data is then analyzed using Fourier transformation to find phase changes related to the biomolecular coating of the fiber, which is directly related to the antigen concentration. Real-time measurement of antigen concentrations at the level of 10 pg/ml is shown to be possible by successful integration of hardware and software systems. This approach has the potential to develop a pointof-care device to be used in the clinics.
Asset Recycling for Social Infrastructure in the United States

Asset recycling (AR) has gained attention in the United States as a way of improving life cycle asset maintenance and realizing maximum value from existing public infrastructure. In an AR program, ...
The Problems with Economic Integration and Controlled Choice

Following a 2007 Supreme Court decision restricting the use of race for school assignments, school boards desiring greater diversity turned to economic integration, meaning equalizing the proportion of low-income students in each school in a district. Among other claimed benefits, most advocates believe economic integration will reduce the achievement gap between low- and high-income students. The integration is often accomplished using "controlled choice," a method of assigning students to schools by giving parents some degree of "choice" among the public schools in their district. In larger school districts, controlled-choice plans can generate controversy and middle-class flight among parents who prefer neighborhood schools, similar to the "white flight" observed in earlier decades when mandatory busing was used to attain racially balanced schools. A review of controlled-choice plans in six large districts in North Carolina, Kentucky, and Florida shows considerable and ongoing higher-income and white losses in these districts. While other demographic forces cannot be ruled out (e.g., urban to suburban movement for reasons unrelated to schools), neither can the unpopularity of controlled choice. More important, none of these districts has demonstrated significant closing of achievement gaps between higher- and lower-income students, one of the main justifications for these plans.
Efficacy of a Stress Management Intervention for Mothers of Children with Cancer.

OBJECTIVE Mothers of children with cancer confront life stress that can impact their psychological and physical health and, in turn, the health of the family. Recommendations advocate preemptive stress-management interventions; however, few studies have investigated their efficacy. Here, we report results of a parallel randomized pilot trial examining health benefits of a stress management intervention designed to teach coping skills. METHODS One hundred twenty mothers (age 36 ± 8 years) of children newly diagnosed with cancer were randomized to a 12-session stress management intervention (n = 60) or usual care (n = 60). Sessions took place in the inpatient or outpatient setting of a children's hospital. Primary outcome variables included psychological function and physical health assessed preintervention and postintervention and at 6-month follow-up (∼12 months postdiagnosis). RESULTS Enrollment, retention, and satisfaction data supported feasibility and acceptability. Latent change score models showed the intervention reduced perceived stress (d = -0.37, p = 0.03), anxiety symptoms (ds = -0.38 and -0.56, ps < .03) and, a nonsignificant effect for depressive symptoms (d = -0.29, p = .11) across the 6 months following diagnosis. Intervention participants also endorsed fewer depressive symptoms than controls ∼12 months after diagnosis. The intervention improved stress management skills, which associated with the psychological benefits of participation. There were no intervention-related changes in perceived health or markers of inflammation. CONCLUSION Intervention-related improvements in stress management skills may result in better psychological health in the face of caring for a child with cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02022449.
Empirical Bayes before-after evaluation of horizontal curve warning pavement markings on two-lane rural highways in Pennsylvania.

Abstract Roadway departure crashes contribute to a large proportion of fatal and injury crashes in the United States. These crash types are more likely to occur along horizontal curve sections of a roadway. Countermeasures that prevent vehicles from departing the roadway is one method to mitigate roadway departure crashes. Pennsylvania has deployed on-pavement horizontal curve warning markings in advance of horizontal curves on two-lane rural highways as a roadway departure crash reduction strategy. This study used an Empirical Bayes (EB) before-after study design to evaluate the safety effects of the horizontal curve warning pavement markings. A total of 263 treatment sites and more than 21,000 reference sites were included in the evaluation. Crash modification factors were developed for total, fatal plus injury, run-off-road, nighttime, nighttime run-off-road, and nighttime fatal plus injury crashes. The point estimates for each of these crashes ranged from 0.65 to 0.77 – the results were statistically significant for total and fatal plus injury crashes at the 95th-percentile confidence level.
Input from multiple stakeholder levels prioritizes targets for improving implementation of an exercise intervention for rural women cancer survivors.

Although evidence-based interventions for increasing exercise among cancer survivors (CSs) exist, little is known about factors (e.g., implementation facilitators) that increase effectiveness and reach of such interventions, especially in rural settings. Such factors can be used to design implementation strategies. Hence, our study purpose was to (1) obtain multilevel perspectives on improving participation in and implementation of a multicomponent exercise behavior change intervention for rural women CSs and (2) identify factors important for understanding the context using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) for comparison across three levels (CSs, potential interventionists, community/organizational stakeholders). We conducted three nominal group technique meetings with rural women CSs, three with community/organizational stakeholders, and one with potential interventionists. During each meeting, participants were asked to respond silently to one question asking what would make a multicomponent exercise intervention doable from intervention participation (CSs) or implementation (potential interventionists, stakeholders) perspectives. Responses were shared, discussed to clarify meaning, and prioritized by group vote. Data was deductively coded using CFIR. Mean age of CSs (n = 19) was 61.8 ± 11.1 years, community stakeholders (n = 16) was 45.9 ± 8.1 years, and potential interventionists (n = 7) was 41.7 ± 15.2 years. There was considerable consensus among CSs, potential interventionists, and stakeholders in terms of CFIR domains and constructs, e.g., “Design quality and packaging” (Innovation Characteristics), “Patients needs and resources” (Outer Setting), “Available resources” (Inner Setting), and “Engaging” (Process). However, participant-specific CFIR domains and constructs were also observed, e.g., CSs endorsed “Knowledge and beliefs about the intervention,” “Individual stage of change,” and “Self-efficacy” (Characteristics of Individuals); potential interventionists valued “Tension for change” (Inner Setting) and “Innovation participants” and “Key stakeholder” (Process); stakeholders emphasized “Goals and feedback” and “Network and communication” (Inner Setting), and “Planning” (Process). How the three participant levels conceptualized the CFIR constructs demonstrated both similarities and differences. Multilevel input yielded diversity in type, relative priority, and conceptualization of implementation facilitators suggesting foci for future implementation strategy development and testing. Findings also reinforced the importance of multilevel implementation strategies for increasing exercise in an underserved, at-risk population.
Level of Competence of MSRC Students During a Simulated Pre-Clinical Patient Encounter

Background: Simulated patient encounters are used in the training of health care professionals. A special set of interviewing and physical exam skills are required for RTs to become advanced practitioners. This simulated encounter required the respiratory therapy students (RTS) to perform a thorough patient interview, complete a physical exam of the chest, and document the findings of the medical history. This study aimed to evaluate the level of competence of the RTS during their first year of the Master of Science in Respiratory Care (MSRC) program during a pre-clinical simulation experience using standardized patients (SP). Methods: MSRC RTS and SPs were given a 9cough and shortness of breath9 scenario. The simulated patient encounter occurred in a mock examination room with two-way mirrors with headphones provided for the respiratory therapy faculty (RTF). Overall performance during the encounter was evaluated by using a previously validated 16-item rubric. (RTF) revised the notes transferred to a computer after the patient encounter and evaluated competence against the original script on a total of 36 items. Results: 34 students participated in this patient encounter. The mean overall performance scored by RTF during the interview process (appearance, introduction, type of questions, listening, order of interview) and the physical exam was 90.6% (± 6.3%). Evaluation of transcripts revealed that overall competence in documenting the interview was 68. 7% (+17.5%; range 32.4%-100%). The areas where RTS showed the best documentation (≥ 90%) were: onset of chief complaint, alleviating factors, family history, and tobacco use. The areas that showed least documentation. Conclusions: This study showed that, while overall performance during the patient encounter (interview process and physical exam) scored highly by RTF, overall documentation of the patient interview by RTS in the MSRC program was very low. The RTS should spend a reasonable amount of time to prepare for the patient encounter to improve documentation and the faculty should reinforce areas of the interview and documentation that could significantly impact quality of life on patients with respiratory symptoms.
An Analysis of Ambulance Transport and Out-of-Network Emergency Department Utilization in an Accountable Care Organization

For hospital-affiliated accountable care organizations (ACOs), emergency care represents a unique challenge for coordination of care and a major source of ACO leakage. The authors analyzed emergency department (ED) visits among ACO members to assess the potential impact of ambulance transport on the use of in-network versus out-of-network EDs. To better understand factors influencing the use of in-network versus out-of-network EDs, 2018 claims data from members of a regional subset of a large ACO in the greater Boston area were analyzed. Within this population, multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between ambulance transport as well as demographic factors, insurance type, and hospital distance on the use of in-network versus out-of-network EDs. Arrival to an ED via ambulance was found to be significantly associated with reduced odds of presenting to an in-network ED compared to arriving by private transportation (odds ratio 0.70, 95% confidence interval: 0.58-0.85). Age older than 65 years, commercial insurance (relative to Medicare), proximity to an in-network ED, and distance from an out-of-network ED also were significantly associated with use of in-network EDs relative to out-of-network EDs. Given the central role of the ED as a primary source of hospital admissions in the United States, emergency care represents a key potential target for interventions aimed at reducing patient leakage. Future efforts should aim to identify and evaluate new ways that emergency medical services can be leveraged to promote effective care coordination.
Study Heron Code

Heron is mainly coded in Java, C++, and Python. In this chapter, we will examine the source code with Bazel. We will also prepare the compiling environment and compile the code to generate bundled TARs, the installation script, and API packages. They will be used for writing topologies and managing the topology life cycle. We will also run unit tests and integration tests.
Radio frequency heating of PEDOT:PSS

Abstract Recent studies have demonstrated that a range of carbon nanomaterials can act as susceptors for radio frequency (RF) fields, allowing for rapid and targeted heating. However, the response of conductive polymers like poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) have not been explored. PEDOT:PSS is a promising material due to its intrinsic conductivity and ease of processing. For the first time, we demonstrate the rapid heating response of PEDOT:PSS under applied RF fields and demonstrate RF-induced actuation of PEDOT:PSS. The highest heating temperature is achieved in the case of thicker samples compared to thinner samples, lower loading of insulating polymer added to PEDOT:PSS, and dense film structures compared to porous structures. PEDOT:PSS, PEDOT:PSS/(3‐glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxysilane (GOPS), and PEDOT:PSS/GOPS/cellulose with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were used to fabricate actuators, where GOPS was used to increase the layer adhesion. When the RF field is applied to an actuator, the PEDOT:PSS layer rapidly heats, which in turn causes water desorption and actuation. To confirm that actuators bend due to water desorption, humidity response was also tested, and all sample compositions showed actuation in response to a step-change in humidity.
CRM Implementation: Effectiveness Issues and Insights

Conceptually, customer relationship management (CRM) has been widely embraced by businesses. In practice, however, examples of success contrast with anecdotes where the diffusion of CRM into organizations continues to be a slow process and/or where CRM implementation outcomes have fallen short of expectations. Successful implementation depends on a number of factors such as fit between of a firm’s CRM strategy and programs and its broader marketing strategy, and intraorganizational and interorganizational cooperation and coordination among entities involved in implementation. Building on the results of a survey of the CRM-implementation-related experiences of 101 U.S.-based firms, in this article the authors identify factors associated with successful CRM implementation and advance directions for future research.
Distribution of the Bandera Shale of the Marmaton Group, Middle Pennsylvanian of Southeastern Kansas

In southeastern Kansas, the Middle Pennsylvanian (Desmoinesian) Bandera Shale consists of sandstone, shale, limestone, and coal deposited between two carbonate formations, the underlying Pawnee Limestone and the overlying Altamont Limestone. Isopach maps and cross sections indicate that the Bandera Shale thickens southeastward towards the Oklahoma and Missouri borders. Analysis of gamma-ray-log signatures, augmented by neutron-log signatures, indicates that the Bandera Shale is rich in mudstone, with sandstones limited to intervals ranging from 10 ft to 30 ft (3-9.1 m) in thickness. Comparisons with previously studied cored and logged siliciclastic portions of overlying Missourian lithologies suggest that the Bandera Shale consists of various proportions of sandstone, siltstone, clay-rich shale, and calcite-cemented sandstone. Exposures of the Bandera Shale in Bourbon County, Kansas, consist of interbedded shale and calcite-cemented, fine-grained sandstone. Sandstone beds, ranging from 3 cm to 20 cm (1.2-7.9 in) in thickness, are, in places, rhythmically laminated with organic-rich and organic-poor lamina forming 2-mm (0.8-in)-thick couplets. Many sandstone bedding surfaces in the lower and middle portion of the Bandera Shale are bioturbated with horizontal feeding trails and some vertical burrows that suggest marine environments. Thicker sandstone units are either trough cross-bedded, with sets up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) thick, or amalgamated ripple cross-laminated and flaser-laminated. Outcrop observations coupled with subsurface analysis indicated that Bandera Shale in southeastern Kansas was deposited as a siliciclastic complex that prograded westward during a sea-level lowstand. Siliciclastic sediments may have been deposited in a clastic wedge or deltaic complex, but sedimentary characteristics observed in outcrops record marine influence at least along the margins of the complex. Rhythmic stratification within sandstone beds that are interbedded with shale resemble tidal features described elsewhere in the Pennsylvanian of North America and suggest that embayments were present where tidal cells were amplified along a morphologically irregular shoreline. Bioturbated sandstone units, interbedded with clay shale, record high-energy events that influenced sand distribution.
Attack Detection in Power Distribution Systems Using a Cyber-Physical Real-Time Reference Model

This paper develops a novel intrusion detection system for power distribution systems that utilizes a cyber-physical real-time reference model to accurately replicate the complex behavior of power distribution components for attack detection. The proposed intrusion detection system analyzes the consistency of the physical data from sensor readings and control commands in contrast with their digital counterpart obtained from the real-time reference model. Therefore, a residual-based online attack detection mechanism that utilizes the chi-square test is able to determine the presence of malicious data. The proposed mechanism is implemented on a hardware-in-the-loop simulation testbed on a test power distribution system with distributed energy resources and energy storage systems. The results show that the proposed solution is able to quickly detect multiple types of cyber attacks for different levels of accuracy of the real-time reference model. The simulations illustrate that the proposed approach outperforms conventional attack detection mechanisms such as one-class classifiers and residual-based approaches that utilize Kalman filters or neural networks.
Software-based Processing for Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging using Pulse-Inversion Spectral Deconvolution

A software-based processing approach for contrast-enhanced ultrasound (US) imaging is presented. Termed pulse-inversion spectral convolution (PISD), the main motivation here was to further evaluate the performance of this contrast-enhanced US imaging technique using a series of experimental studies. The PISD-based contrast-enhanced US approach is founded on a class of Gaussian derivative functions (GDFs). Two types of PISD pulses (one GDF and convolution of three GDF pulses) can be used to form two new inverted pulse sequences. These pulses are then used to filter backscattered US data for isolation of the nonlinear MB signal component. An US system (Vantage 256, Verasonics Inc) with a L11-4v linear array transducer was programmed and used for PISD-based contrast-enhanced US imaging. The receive data from all channels was shaped using a wide beamforming technique. In vitro US images were collected from a flow phantom perfused with a MB contrast agent using PISD and traditional pulse-inversion US (nonlinear, NL) for comparison. Further, role of the transmit aperture size ( $\text{TX}=32$ or 64) was also evaluated using a US pulse frequency of 6.25 MHz and a low mechanical index of 0.2. Contrast enhancement was measured using a contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Preliminary in vivo data was acquired from the hindlimb (femoral artery) of healthy rats after receiving a bolus injection of MBs. Overall, widebeam contrast-enhanced US imaging using the larger aperture size of 64 elements yielded improved CNR values. Using this widebeam US imaging approach, both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that the PISD-based contrast-enhanced US technique produced images with improved contrast compared to the more traditional B-mode and NL US imaging strategies.
A Formal Method for Developing Provably Correct Fault-Tolerant Systems Using Partial Refinement and Composition

It is widely agreed that building correct fault-tolerant systems is very difficult. To address this problem, this paper introduces a new model-based approach for developing masking fault-tolerant systems . As in component-based software development, two (or more) component specifications are developed, one implementing the required normal behavior and the other(s) the required fault-handling behavior. The specification of the required normal behavior is verified to satisfy system properties, whereas each specification of the required fault-handling behavior is shown to satisfy both system properties, typically weakened, and fault-tolerance properties, both of which can then be inferred of the composed fault-tolerant system. The paper presents the formal foundations of our approach, including a new notion of partial refinement and two compositional proof rules. To demonstrate and validate the approach, the paper applies it to a real-world avionics example.
Detailed modeling of recent severe storm tides in estuaries of the New York City region

[1] Detailed simulations, comparisons with observations, and model sensitivity experiments are presented for the August 2011 tropical cyclone Irene and a March 2010 nor'easter that affected the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area. These storms brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and the fourth and seventh highest gauged storm tides (total water level), respectively, at the Battery, NYC. To dissect the storm tides and examine the role of various physical processes in controlling total water level, a series of model experiments was performed where one process was omitted for each experiment, and results were studied for eight different tide stations. Neglecting remote meteorological forcing (beyond ∼250 km) led to typical reductions of 7–17% in peak storm tide, neglecting water density variations led to typical reductions of 1–13%, neglecting a parameterization that accounts for enhanced wind drag due to wave steepness led to typical reductions of 3–12%, and neglecting atmospheric pressure gradient forcing led to typical reductions of 3–11%. Neglecting freshwater inputs to the model domain led to reductions of 2% at the Battery and 9% at Piermont, 14 km up the Hudson River from NYC. Few storm surge modeling studies or operational forecasting systems incorporate the “estuary effects” of freshwater flows and water density variations, yet joint omission of these processes for Irene leads to a low-bias in storm tide for NYC sites like La Guardia and Newark Airports (9%) and the Battery (7%), as well as nearby vulnerable sites like the Indian Point nuclear plant (23%).
Role of LRP in TGFβ2‐mediated neuronal uptake of Aβ and effects on memory

There is increasing evidence that soluble amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) uptake into neurons is an early event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Identification of the early events leading to neuronal dysfunction is key to developing therapeutic strategies, but relative roles of receptors and factors modulating uptake are poorly understood. Studies have shown that transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta), particularly TGFbeta2, can influence the targeting of Abeta to cells in vitro. TGFbeta2 can target Abeta to neurons in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures (OHSC). We examine a specific mechanism for TGFbeta2-mediated targeting of Abeta to neurons. The receptor-associated protein (RAP), a low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) antagonist, can attenuate the cellular targeting of Abeta both in vitro and in vivo and prevent Abeta/TGFbeta2-induced memory retention deficits. Using both in vitro and in vivo methods, we identify LRP as playing a role in TGFbeta2-mediated Abeta uptake, neurodegeneration, and spatial memory impairment.
Using Crowdsourcing to Generate Surrogate Training Data for Robotic Grasp Prediction

As an alternative to the laborious process of collecting training data from physical robotic platforms for learning robotic grasp quality prediction, we explore the use of surrogate training data from crowd-sourced evaluations of images of robotic grasps. We show that in certain regions of the grasp feature space, grasp predictors trained with this surrogate data were almost as accurate as predictors built using data from physical testing with robots.
The Market for CEO Talent: Implications for CEO Compensation

We study the market for CEO talent in public U.S. firms during the years 1993-2005. CEO talent pools are not homogenous across firms and industries. About 68% of new CEOs are former employees of their own firms (â€œinsider CEOsâ€ ) and the rest come from outside the firm (â€œoutsider CEOsâ€ ). We find wide disparities in talent pool structure across industries, with some industries having almost no outsider CEOs and other industries having a majority of outsider CEOs. Our central conjecture in this study is that, to the extent that the exogenous (to the firm) costs of hiring CEOs from outside the firm limit the potential outside options of the CEO and the firm, the compensation to the CEO should depend more on the compensation distribution within the pool rather than outside the pool. Consistent with this conjecture, industry talent pool structure helps explain several compensation practices: CEO compensation is benchmarked against other firms only in industries that have high percentage of outsider CEOs and pay-forÂ¬luck is less prevalent when the industry has a low percentage of outsider CEOs. Finally, while CEO talent pools seem to explain cross-sectional variations in CEO compensation, they have little power in explaining the rise in CEO compensation in public U.S. firms in recent years.
Removing transportation barriers for persons with spinal cord injuries: An ongoing challenge to community reintegration

Affordable, reliable transportation options are critical to successful community reintegration for individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI). Lack of access to these options can significantly impact one’s capability to gain and maintain employment, access medical and other essential communitybased supports and services, and participate in social and recreational activities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as a variety of other federal, state and local legislation has systematically addressed the spectrum of accessibility issues regarding both public and private sector transportation. For the most part however, individuals with SCI and other disabilities continue to report limited transportation options as a primary barrier to full reintegration back into their homes, schools and communities. With this in mind, regional disability advocacy organizations, social service agencies, and vocational and employment service professionals have taken a more active role in designing and implementing innovative programs and creative options to assist individuals with SCI in overcoming the transportation-related barriers that interfere with community mobility. This article provides (1) an overview of the ADA as it pertains to transportation, (2) options available to assist individuals with SCI to overcome barriers to community mobility, (3) strategies of facilitating regional systems change, and (4) a list of national advocacy organizations and transportation resources.
Politics of Chinese Exclusion: Legislative-Executive Conflict 1876–1882

(1982). Politics of Chinese Exclusion: Legislative-Executive Conflict 1876–1882. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 5-27.
DNA Methylation and Epigenetic Inheritance in Plants and Filamentous Fungi

Plants and filamentous fungi share with mammals enzymes responsible for DNA methylation. In these organisms, DNA methylation is associated with gene silencing and transposon control. However, plants and fungi differ from mammals in the genomic distribution, sequence specificity, and heritability of methylation. We consider the role that transposons play in establishing methylation patterns and the epigenetic consequences of their perturbation.
Estimation of viral population structure from amplicon-based reads

Accurately estimating the structure of highly diverse viral populations is a challenging task. There are two main impediments to globally reconstructing a population. The first is the presence of sequencing errors in reads. Judiciously differentiating these errors from actual rare variants must be properly handled or the global structure may be ill-defined. Secondly, long conserved regions in the viral genome extend beyond what modern sequencers are capable of producing. As a result, the actual population diversity may be hidden in these targeted regions. We propose VirA, a tool for global reconstruction of a viral population that overcomes these obstacles by combining local error correction and a read-graph approach.
Ergonomics and U.S. public policy

Public policy increasingly plays a role in influencing the work that we do as HCI researchers, interaction designers, and practitioners. "Public policy" is a broad term that includes both government policy and policy within non-governmental organizations, such as standards bodies. The Interacting with Public Policy forum focuses on topics at the intersection of human-computer interaction and public policy. Jonathan Lazar, Editor
Bounds on particle masses in the Weinberg-Salam model

Various conditions necessary for the self-consistency of the Weinberg-Salam model are used to place constraints on fermion and Higgs Boson masses. We find that spontaneous symmetry breakdown cannot generate fermion masses in excess of about 300 GeV.
MR imaging in adenocarcinoma of the prostate: interobserver variation and efficacy for determining stage C disease.

Patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate confined to the gland (stage B) are candidates for a potentially curative surgical procedure (radical retropubic prostatectomy). However, patients with adenocarcinoma that penetrates the capsule or invades the seminal vesicles (stage C) are no longer considered good candidates for surgical cure of their disease. The purpose of this study was to compare the ability of four radiologists to detect stage C disease on MR images and to evaluate interobserver variability. One hundred consecutive MR studies of the prostate were reviewed independently by four radiologists to determine whether the cancer was stage C (capsule penetration or seminal vesicle invasion by tumor). A radical prostatectomy was performed in each case, and careful histologic assessment was made of the prostatic capsule and seminal vesicles for any evidence of stage C disease. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy (true-positive + true-negative/100 patients) in detecting stage C disease were c...