cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Freely Generated Vertex Algebras and Non–Linear Lie Conformal Algebras

We introduce the notion of a non–linear Lie conformal superalgebra and prove a PBW theorem for its universal enveloping vertex algebra. We also show that conversely any graded freely generated vertex algebra is the universal enveloping algebra of a unique, up to isomorphism, non–linear Lie conformal superalgebra. This correspondence will be applied in the subsequent work to the problem of classification of finitely generated simple graded vertex algebras.
Multiple-Load–Source Integration in a Multilevel Modular Capacitor-Clamped DC–DC Converter Featuring Fault Tolerant Capability

A multilevel modular capacitor-clamped DC-DC converter (MMCCC) will be presented in this paper with some of its advantageous features. By virtue of the modular nature of the converter, it is possible to integrate multiple loads and sources with the converter at the same time. The modular construction of the MMCCC topology provides autotransformer-like taps in the circuit, and depending on the conversion ratio of the converter, it becomes possible to connect several dc sources and loads at these taps. The modularity of the new converter is not limited to only this dc transformer (auto) like operation, but also provides redundancy and fault bypass capability in the circuit. Using the modularity feature, some redundant modules can be operated in bypass state, and during some faults, these redundant modules can be used to replace a faulty module to maintain an uninterrupted operation. Moreover, by obtaining a flexible conversion ratio, the MMCCC converter can transfer power in both directions. Thus, this MMCCC topology could be a solution to establish a power management system among multiple sources and loads having different operating voltages.
GENDER, MARRIAGE, AND ASSET ACCUMULATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Wealth accumulation has important implications for the relative well-being of households. This article describes how household wealth in the United States varies by gender and family type. Evidence is found of large differences in observed wealth between single-female-headed households and married couples. Although some of this gap reflects differences in observable characteristics correlated with gender and wealth ‐ such as position in the life cycle, education, and family earnings ‐ controlling for these characteristics reduces but does not eliminate the estimated wealth gap. The wealth holdings of single females in the US, controlling for these same characteristics, are also significantly lower than the wealth holdings of single males. In contrast, observed wealth gaps between genders in a sub-sample of young households disappear when controlling for observable characteristics, suggesting either that in the US these gaps are disappearing for younger households or that these gaps do not emerge until later in life.
Reactive ion etching for VLSI

Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) is a dry etching technique that is used to etch 1-µm and submicrometer patterns into films of silicon and silicon compounds. RIE is suitable for VLSI applications because etching is anisotropic and proceeds via chemical reactions with the substrate. Anisotropic etching allows faithful reproduction of resist patterns into the films that make up a device, and chemical etching allows development of selective etching by manipulating the composition of the plasma. The RIE reactor is described and examples of its use to fabricate 1-µm MOSFET's are given. Concerns arising from the presence of a voltage between the substrates and the plasma, radiation damage of SiO 2 and contamination of silicon, are discussed.
Online Stochastic Matching: Beating 1-1/e

We study the online stochastic bipartite matching problem, in a form motivated by display ad allocation on the Internet. In the online, but adversarial case, the celebrated result of Karp, Vazirani and Vazirani gives an approximation ratio of $1-{1\over e} \simeq 0.632$, a very familiar bound that holds for many online problems; further, the bound is tight in this case. In the online, stochastic case when nodes are drawn repeatedly from a known distribution, the greedy algorithm matches this approximation ratio, but still, no algorithm is known that beats the $1 - {1\over e}$ bound.Our main result is a $0.67$-approximation online algorithm for stochastic bipartite matching, breaking this $1 - {1\over e}$ barrier. Furthermore, we show that no online algorithm can produce a $1-\epsilon$ approximation for an arbitrarily small $\epsilon$ for this problem. Our algorithms are based on computing an optimal offline solution to the expected instance, and using this solution as a guideline in the process of online allocation. We employ a novel application of the idea of the power of two choices from load balancing: we compute two disjoint solutions to the expected instance, and use both of them in the online algorithm in a prescribed preference order. To identify these two disjoint solutions, we solve a max flow problem in a boosted flow graph, and then carefully decompose this maximum flow to two edge-disjoint (near-) matchings. In addition to guiding the online decision making, these two offline solutions are used to characterize an upper bound for the optimum in any scenario. This is done by identifying a cut whose value we can bound under the arrival distribution. At the end, we discuss extensions of our results to more general bipartite allocations that are important in a display ad application.
Durable-goods monopoly: Laboratory market and bargaining experiments

Results from single-period monopoly experiments (nondurable environment) are compared with results from multiperiod monopoly experiments that have features of a durable-goods environment. Average prices were below the static monopoly benchmark price in all settings. Observed initial prices were higher in multiperiod experiments than in single-period experiments, in contrast to equilibrium predictions. Prices in multiperiod experiments tended to fall over time; there was less price cutting in market experiments than in bargaining experiments. There was substantial demand withholding by buyers in multiperiod experiments. A version of bounded rationality is a promising candidate for explaining deviations from equilibrium predictions.
Interannual Climate Variation, Climate Prediction, and Agricultural Trade: the Costs of Surprise versus Variability

Agriculture remains sensitive to variation in rainfall and temperature. Fortunately, our ability to predict the lower frequency variation in the earth's atmosphere is increasing rapidly. While information cannot affect the underlying source of variability, it allows unexpected shocks to be anticipated and acted upon. This paper develops and analyzes an intertemporal Ricardian trade model with Bayesian beliefs. Results in this paper show that improved climate prediction reduces expected prices, but increases price variability. In addition, trade is crucial to realizing the potential benefits of climate prediction. The value of climate prediction is highest with both storage and trade, and falls by over 300% when a country is in autarky.
Providing rate guarantees to TCP over the ATM GFR service

The ATM guaranteed frame rate (GFR) service is intended for best effort traffic that can benefit from minimum throughput guarantees. Edge devices connecting LANs to an ATM network can use GFR to transport multiple TCP/IP connections over a single GFR VC. These devices would typically multiplex VCs into a single FIFO queue. It has been shown that in general, FIFO queuing is not sufficient to provide rate guarantees, and per-VC queuing with scheduling is needed. We show that under conditions of low buffer allocation, it is possible to control TCP rates with FIFO queuing and buffer management. We present analysis and simulation results on controlling TCP rates by buffer management. We present a buffer management policy that provides loose rate guarantees to SACK TCP sources when the total buffer allocation is low. We study the performance of this buffer management scheme by simulation.
Fair value accounting for financial instruments : some implications for bank regulation

I identify issues that bank regulators need to consider if fair value accounting is used for determining bank regulatory capital and when making regulatory decisions. In financial reporting, US and international accounting standard setters have issued several disclosure and measurement and recognition standards for financial instruments and all indications are that both standard setters will mandate recognition of all financial instruments at fair value. To help identify important issues for bank regulators, I briefly review capital market studies that examine the usefulness of fair value accounting to investors, and discuss marking-to-market implementation issues of determining financial instruments' fair values. In doing so, I identify several key issues. First, regulators need to consider how to let managers reveal private information in their fair value estimates while minimising strategic manipulation of model inputs to manage income and regulatory capital. Second, regulators need to consider how best to minimise measurement error in fair values to maximise their usefulness to investors and creditors when making investment decisions, and to ensure bank managers have incentives to select investments that maximise economic efficiency of the banking system. Third, cross-country institutional differences are likely to play an important role in determining the effectiveness of using mark-to-market accounting for financial reporting and bank regulation.
Synthesis and estrogen receptor binding affinities of 7-hydroxy-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-ones containing a basic side chain.

Two isoflavones containing a sulfur or oxygen hinge with an amine-bearing side chain have been designed and synthesized as potential selective estrogen receptor modulators. The target compounds exhibited low affinities for estrogen receptors (ERs), and binding affinity data indicate that oxygen hinge is more favorable than sulfur for binding. These compounds also displayed selectivity for ERα over ERβ.
Extremal H-Colorings of Graphs with Fixed Minimum Degree

For graphs G and H, a homomorphism from G to H, or H-coloring of G, is a map from the vertices of G to the vertices of H that preserves adjacency. When H is composed of an edge with one looped endvertex, an H-coloring of G corresponds to an independent set in G. Galvin showed that, for sufficiently large n, the complete bipartite graph Ki¾?,n-i¾? is the n-vertex graph with minimum degree i¾? that has the largest number of independent sets. In this article, we begin the project of generalizing this result to arbitrary H. Writing homG,H for the number of H-colorings of G, we show that for fixed H and i¾?=1 or i¾?=2,homG,Hi¾?max{homKi¾?+1,Hni¾?+1,homKi¾?,i¾?,Hn2i¾?,homKi¾?,n-i¾?,H}for any n-vertex G with minimum degree i¾? for sufficiently large n. We also provide examples of H for which the maximum is achieved by homKi¾?+1,Hni¾?+1 and other H for which the maximum is achieved by homKi¾?,i¾?,Hn2i¾?. For i¾?i¾?3 and sufficiently large n, we provide an infinite family of H for which homG,Hi¾?homKi¾?,n-i¾?,H for any n-vertex G with minimum degree i¾?. The results generalize to weighted H-colorings.
Strategic and Tactical Prediction of Forage Production in Northern Mixed-Grass Prairie

Predictions of forage production derived from site-specific environmental information (e.g., soil type, weather, plant community composition, and so on) could help land managers decide on appropriate stocking rates of livestock. This study assessed the applicability of the Great Plains Framework for Agricultural Resource Management (GPFARM) forage growth model for both strategic (long-term) and tactical (within-season) prediction of forage production in northern mixed-grass prairie. An improved version of the model was calibrated for conditions at the USDA‐ARS High Plains Grasslands Research Station in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Long-term (1983‐2001) simulations of peak standing crop (PSC) were compared to observations. Also, within-season (1983) forecasts of total aboveground biomass made for 1 March onward, 1 April onward, 1 May onward, and 1 June onward were compared to observations. The normal, driest, and wettest weather years on record (1915‐1981) were used to simulate expected values, lower bounds, and upper bounds of biomass production, respectively. The forage model explained 66% of the variability in PSC from 1983 to 2001. The cumulative distribution function (CDF) derived from long-term simulated PSC overestimates cumulative probabilities for PSC . 1 500 kg � ha � 1 . The generated CDF could be used strategically to estimate long-term forage production at various levels of probability, with errors in cumulative probability ranging from 0.0 to 0.16. Within-season forecasts explained 77%‐94% of biomass variability in 1983. It was shown that monthly updating of the forage forecast, with input of actual weather to date, improves accuracy. Further development and testing of the forage simulation model will focus on the interactions between forage growth, environmental perturbations (especially drought), and grazing.
Unintended environmental impacts of nighttime freight logistics activities

In recent years, the reduction of freight vehicle trips during peak hours has been a common policy goal. To this end, policies have been implemented to shift logistics operations to nighttime hours. The purpose of such policies has generally been to mitigate congestion and environmental impacts. However, the atmospheric boundary layer is generally more stable during the night than the day. Consequently, shifting logistics operations to the night may increase 24-h average concentrations of diesel exhaust pollutants in many locations. This paper presents realistic scenarios for two California cities, which provide diesel exhaust concentration and human intake estimates after temporal redistributions of daily logistics operations. Estimates are made for multiple redistribution patterns, including from 07:00-19:00 to 19:00-07:00, similar to daytime congestion charging polices, and from 03:00-18:00 to 18:00-03:00, corresponding to the PierPASS program at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Results for these two redistribution scenarios indicate that 24-h average exhaust concentrations would increase at most locations in California, and daily human intake is likely to worsen or be unimproved at best. These results are shown to be worse for inland than coastal settings, due to differences in meteorology. Traffic congestion effects are considered, using a new graphical method, which depicts how off-peak policies can be environmentally improving or damaging, depending on traffic speeds and meteorology.
Fiber Optic Rotation Sensor (FORS) Laboratory Performance Evaluation

A single axis rotation sensor, utilizing a 200 m single mode optical fiber in a 30 cm diameter coil has been constructed and tested in the laboratory. A HeNe laser is the light source for the Sagnac interferometer-mode sensor. The outputs of Si detectors viewing two complementary interference patterns are electronically differenced to obtain a rotation dependent signal. Linear response over a rotation rate range of about 10-4 to 10-1 rad s-1 was obtained.
Synthesis of 5-(pyridinyl and pyridiniumyl)-2'-deoxyuridine nucleosides: reversible electron traps for DNA.

The desire to produce reversible electron traps for direct, room temperature studies of excess electron transport in DNA duplexes and hairpins motivated our efforts first to link pyridines to 2′-deoxyuridine (pyridinyl-dU) and then to convert these new conjugates into pyridiniumyl-dU nucleosides. Base sensitivity studies presented here rule out general use of bipyridinediiumyl compounds, but show that pyridiniumyl compounds are suitable for use under the strand cleavage and base deprotection procedures required for automated solid-phase oligonucleotide synthesis. This paper presents the synthesis of four 5′-O-DMT-protected 5-(N-methylpyridiniumyl)-dU conjugates using either ethynyl or ethylenyl linkers to join the pyridiniumyl and dU subunits.
Correlation Trust Authentication Model for Peer-to-Peer Networks

A requester node requesting a service in a peer to peer network transmits a request to a service provider node. The request may include a communication history of the requester node identifying other nodes with which the requester node has previously communicated. The service provider node authenticates the requester node based on the communication history. The service provider node may ask other nodes with which the requester node has communicated for evaluation of the requester node. The other nodes may calculate a trust metric of the requester node and provide this metric to the service provider node. The service provider node may use this trust metric in combination with a similarity calculation of the requester node and the service provider node to make a determination whether the requester node is to be authenticated. The service provider node may evaluate the requester node and store the evaluation in its communication history.
Subprime governance: Agency costs in vertically integrated banks and the 2008 mortgage crisis

Research summary: This study uses the 2008 mortgage crisis to demonstrate how the relationship between vertical integration and performance crucially depends on corporate governance. Prior research has argued that the vertical integration of mortgage origination and securitization aligned divisional incentives and improved lending quality. We show that vertical integration improved loan performance only in those firms with strong corporate governance and that this performance-integration relationship strongly decreases and actually reverses as governance quality decreases. We interpret these findings as suggesting that the additional control afforded by vertical integration can, in the hands of poorly monitored managers, offset gains from aligned divisional incentives. These findings support the view that corporate governance influences the strategic outcomes of a firm, in our case, by influencing the effectiveness of boundary decisions. Managerial summary: One of the unanswered questions of the 2008 mortgage crisis is why some firms produced toxic mortgages and others did not. Many have argued that vertically integrated banks—banks that both originated and securitized mortgages—had incentives to monitor themselves and thereby avoid overaggressive lending and outright fraud. Yet many of the worst lenders, such as Washington Mutual and New Century Financial, were in fact integrated. This study shows that the behavior of these firms critically depended on their corporate governance. We find that poorly monitored executives used their additional control over the integrated businesses to issue low quality loans that supported short-term growth. Our results suggest that governance is a crucial prerequisite for financial services, particularly for firms whose managers control multiple, interrelated businesses. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Opening of Aryl-Substituted Epoxides to form Quaternary Stereogenic Centers: Synthesis of (−)-Mesembrine

[reaction: see text] Cycloalkanones are easily converted into aryl-substituted cyclic alkenes by the addition of an aryl Grignard reagent followed by dehydration. These alkenes are good substrates for asymmetric epoxidation. We have found that the addition of allylic and benzylic Grignard reagents can occur preferentially at the benzylic position of the derived epoxides to give the quaternary stereogenic center. This approach led to a short synthesis of the nanomolar serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (-)-mesembrine.
Pattern completion in symmetric threshold-linear networks

Threshold-linear networks are a common class of firing rate models that describe recurrent interactions among neurons. Unlike their linear counterparts, these networks generically possess multiple stable fixed points steady states, making them viable candidates for memory encoding and retrieval. In this work, we characterize stable fixed points of general threshold-linear networks with constant external drive and discover constraints on the coexistence of fixed points involving different subsets of active neurons. In the case of symmetric networks, we prove the following antichain property: if a set of neurons is the support of a stable fixed point, then no proper subset or superset of can support a stable fixed point. Symmetric threshold-linear networks thus appear to be well suited for pattern completion, since the dynamics are guaranteed not to get stuck in a subset or superset of a stored pattern. We also show that for any graph G, we can construct a network whose stable fixed points correspond precisely to the maximal cliques of G. As an application, we design network decoders for place field codes and demonstrate their efficacy for error correction and pattern completion. The proofs of our main results build on the theory of permitted sets in threshold-linear networks, including recently developed connections to classical distance geometry.
A meta-analytic synthesis of the question–behavior effect

Asking people a question about performing a target behavior influences future performance of that behavior. While contextually robust and methodologically simple, this “question–behavior effect” reveals theoretical complexity as evidenced by the large number of proposed explanations for the effect. Furthermore, considerable heterogeneity exists regarding the “question” used to elicit the effect and the variety of different types of target “behaviors” for which the effect has manifested. A meta-analytic synthesis of 104 question-behavior studies across 51 published and unpublished papers is presented. Grouping proposed theories for the effect into four overarching categories, we derive and test systematic predictions regarding potential moderators of conceptual and practical significance. Our findings provide varying degrees of support for four different theoretical mechanisms (attitudes, consistency, fluency and motivations) proposed to underlie the effect. Insights into these mechanisms are presented and outstanding gaps in our understanding are identified as opportunities for future research.
Let me, or let George? Motives of Competing Altruists

Abstract Simple game theoretic models suggest that when costly individual action can benefit an entire group, larger groups fare worse than smaller groups because of the free-rider problem arising from “diffusion of responsibility.” Nevertheless, there are conspicuous examples of large groups in which a minority of members voluntarily supply public goods that benefit the entire group. We propose that this happens because some people get pleasure from performing a good deed, even if others would be willing and able to do it. We call such behavior let-me-do-it altruism. We perform an experiment designed to identify the presence of let-me-do-it altruism in a population. Our approach is to create a context-rich environment in which subjects reveal their preferences over group outcomes by their actions. Treatment variations provide insights into how cost and recognition impact behavior.
Cyclopropenation of internal alkynylsilanes and diazoacetates catalyzed by copper(i) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

Copper(i) N-heterocyclic carbene (CuNHC) complexes are more catalytically active than traditional transition metal salts for the cyclopropenation of internal alkynylsilanes and diazoacetate compounds. A series of 1,2,3-trisubstituted and 1,2,3,3-tetrasubstituted cyclopropenylsilane compounds were isolated in good overall yields. An interesting regioselective and chemodivergent reaction pathway was also observed to furnish a tetra-substituted furan for an electron-rich donor/acceptor diazoacetate. Finally, a practical synthesis of a cyclopropenyl-containing starting material that is useful for bioorthogonal chemistry is also described.
Structural Stability of Intermetallic Compounds: A Computational Metallurgical Approach

The driving force behind the research reported here is the recognition that technological advances depend strongly on a thorough understanding of the thermodynamic, mechanical, and electronic properties of materials. These, in turn, depend on our predictive ability regarding these properties. Understanding the structure and stability of the phases of compounds and alloys is an area of vital importance to materials science and technology. Such an understanding is starting to emerge from our first steps into carrying out all-electron quantum mechanical investigations on materials of aerospace interest. Briefly put, our emphasis has been on obtaining an understanding of the effects of alloying on bonding, crystal structure and phase stability of structural materials and to use this information to help design new alloy systems — in close collaboration with experimental efforts at a number of laboratories. In this paper, a brief indication is given of the progress made in a number of illustrative areas.
Spiral inertial waves emitted from geophysical vortices

Abstract By numerically simulating an initially unstable geophysical vortex, we discover for the first time a special kind of inertial waves, which are emitted in a spiral manner from the vortices; we refer to these waves as spiral inertial waves (SIWs). SIWs appear at small Rossby numbers (0.01 ≤ Ro ≤ 1) according to our parameter sweep experiments; the amplitude, wavelength and frequency of SIWs are sensitive to Rossby numbers. We extend the Lighthill–Ford radiation into inertial waves, and propose an indicator for the emission of inertial waves; this indicator may be adopted into general circulation models to parameterize inertial waves. Additionally, in our tracer releasing experiments, SIWs organize tracers into spirals, and modify the tracer’s local rate of change by advecting tracers vertically. Further, the spirals of SIWs resembles some spiral features observed in the ocean and atmosphere, such as spiral ocean eddies and spiral hurricane rainbands; thus, SIWs may offer another mechanism to form spiral eddies and rainbands. Since no density anomaly is required to generate the spirals of SIWs, we infer that the density anomaly, hence the baroclinic or frontal instability, is unlikely to be the key factor in the formation of these spiral features.
Design, Synthesis, and Validation of an Effective, Reusable Silicon-Based Transfer Agent for Room-Temperature Pd-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions of Aryl and Heteroaryl Chlorides with Readily Available Aryl Lithium Reagents

A reusable silicon-based transfer agent (1) has been designed, synthesized, and validated for effective room-temperature palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions (CCRs) of aryl and heteroaryl chlorides with readily accessible aryl lithium reagents. The crystalline, bench-stable siloxane transfer agent (1) is easily prepared via a one-step protocol. Importantly, this “green” CCR protocol circumvents prefunctionalization, isolation of organometallic cross-coupling partners, and/or stoichiometric waste aside from LiCl. DFT calculations support a σ-bond metathesis mechanism during transmetalation and lead to insights on the importance of the CF3 groups.
THE USE OF STEMS IN REVISION: ROUTINELY, BUT NOT ALWAYS

For most revision total knee replacement there is associated soft tissue and bone loss. A constrained condylar implant can be useful in improving the stability of the knee after revision. Augmentation is commonly used to deal with bone loss on the femoral and tibial side of the joint. Stems are known to reduce the load at the interface of the femoral and tibial component and transfer the load into the medullary canals. There are problems with using stems in the revision setting however, which include: (1) increased cost, (2) difficulty with removal should further revision be necessary, (3) violation of the intramedullary canals if infection occurs, (4) increased operating time. For these reasons a CCK implant was developed without stems in 1998. The use of this device must be very selective and it is primarily used for severe valgus deformity in elderly patients. In a revision setting where there is good preservation of femoral and/or tibial bone but the need for increased constraint is present (e.g. unicompartmental, cruciate retaining knee) a CCK without stems can be used with good results. We retrospectively reviewed 36 primary constrained condylar knee implants without stem extensions from 1998 to 2000 in 31 patients with knees in 15 degrees valgus or greater. All patients were followed up for a minimum 10 years (range, 10 to 12 years). One patient had aseptic loosening and needed to be revised with stemmed components at 9 years post-surgery. Wear was found in two patients. One patient, with severe rheumatoid arthritis, had infection and required a two-stage re-implantation procedure. Patients who are very active or heavy body weight where stresses may be excessive at the implant bone interface should have stems utilised.
A Quantitative Analysis of Localized Robustness of MYCN in Neuroblastoma

The amplification of the gene MYCN (V-myc myelocytomatosis viral-valeted oncogene, neuroblastoma derived) has been a well-documented indicator for poor prognosis in neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. Unfortunately, there has been limited success in understanding MYCN functionality in the landscape of neuroblastoma and more importantly, given that MYCN has been deemed "undruggable," the need to potentially illuminate key opportunities that indirectly target MYCN is of great interest. To this end, this work employs an emerging quantitative technique from network science, namely network curvature, to quantify the biological robustness of MYCN and its surrounding neighborhood. In particular, when amplified in Stage IV cancer, MYCN exhibits higher curvature (more robust) than those samples with under expressed MYCN levels. When examining the surrounding neighborhood, the above argument still holds for network curvature, but is lost when only analyzing differential expression - a common technique amongst oncologists and computational/molecular biologists. This finding points to the problem (and possible solution) of drug targeting in the context of complexity and indirect cell signaling affects that have often been obfuscated through traditional techniques.
A systematic review of the role of periadventitial dissection of the superior mesenteric artery in affecting margin status after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background Resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma continues to carry a poor prognosis. Of the controllable clinical variables known to affect outcome, margin status is paramount. Though the importance of a R0 resection is generally accepted, not all margins are easily managed. The superior mesenteric artery [SMA] in particular is the most challenging to clear. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature with specific focus on the role of a SMA periadventitial dissection during PD and it's effect on margin status in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Insulin-Treated Patients with Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Emergency Abdominal Surgery Have Worse Outcomes than Patients Treated with Oral Agents

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a known risk factor for worse outcomes after emergency abdominal surgery (EAS). However, it is unclear if the type of diabetes treatment (insulin or oral agents) has any effect on outcomes after EAS. Matched cohort study utilizing the ACS NSQIP database. Patients with DM undergoing EAS were divided into insulin and oral agent treatment groups. A 1:1 cohort matching of insulin-treated and oral agent-treated patients was performed (matched for sex, age, ASA score, BMI category, operative procedure, and preoperative acute renal failure, pneumonia, SIRS, sepsis, septic shock, and corticosteroid use). Outcomes of matched insulin- and oral agent-treated patients were compared with univariable and multivariable regression analysis. A total of 7401 patients with DM underwent EAS, 3182 (43 %) of which were insulin treated and 4219 (57 %) were treated with oral agents. Matching resulted in 2280 matched cases, which formed the basis of this analysis. Insulin-treated patients were more likely to have postoperative complications (OR 1.279, CI 1.119–1.462), had a higher 30-day mortality rate in patients with sepsis at hospital admission (OR 3.421, CI 1.959–5.974), and a longer total hospital length of stay (RC 1.115, CI 1.065–1.168) and postoperative LOS (RC 1.082, CI 1.031–1.135). In patients with DM undergoing emergency abdominal surgery, insulin-treated patients have worse outcomes than oral agent-treated patients. Insulin-treated patients with DM therefore should be monitored and treated more intensively in anticipation of potential complications after emergency abdominal surgery.
Decapod Crustacea of the Californian and Oregonian Zoogeographic Provinces

Approximately 325 species of decapod crustaceans are reported from the Californian and Oregonian zoogeographicprovinces, a figure that includes all freshwater, estuarine, and marine (intertidal zone to 4000 m) decapods from the area.At least six of these species have not been reported from California since 1921, three species cannot be recognized fromtheir descriptions and lack type material and illustrations and another five species may have ben reported from mistakenlocalities or are the result of misidentification.The area is mostly inhabited by cold-temperate species. Genera endemic to the northeastern Pacific include theanomurans Janetogalathea (Galatheidae), Acantholithodes, Phyllolithodes, and Rhinolithodes (Lithodidae); and thebrachyurans Mimulus (Epialtidae), Loxorhynchus, and Scyra (Pisidae). Families that are particularly diverse in speciesinclude carideans of the families Thoridae, Pandalidae, and Crangonidae; anomurans of the families Hapalogasteridae,Lithodidae, and Paguridae and brachyurans of the families Epialtidae, Cancridae, and Pinnotheridae. Crayfishes of thegenus Pacifastacus (Astacidae) were endemic to the area prior to human introductions elsewhere. At least three estuarineand two freshwater decapods belonging to the families Palaemonidae, Cambaridae, Panopeidae and Varunidae have beenintroduced into the area and maintain reproducing populations.Keys are provided to all the families, genera, and species treated. A major synonymy, short description, andinformation on habitat, biogeography, type locality, and color in life are provided for each species. References areprovided to the original descriptions of all taxa mentioned. Additional remarks on taxonomy, symbiotic associations,characteristic behavior, and other information that may help in identification also are given.New generic designations for Hippolyte affinis Owen, 1839 and H. layi Owen, 1839 (Thoridae) are supported.Expanded diagnoses are given for Heptacarpus franciscanus (Schmitt, 1921) (Thoridae), Isocheles pilosus (Holmes, 1900), and Paguristes parvus Holmes, 1900 (Diogenidae).
Preparation and Applications of 4-Methoxybenzyl Esters in Organic Synthesis

The total synthesis of complex organic architectures is often complicated by the presence of several different functional groups in the target molecule. These groups often present significant synth...
Nonsplit Hecke algebras and perverse sheaves

Let H be a Hecke algebra arising as an endomorphism algebra of the representation of a Chevalley group G over \(F_{q}\) induced by a unipotent cuspidal representation of a Levi quotient L of a parabolic subgroup. We assume that L is not a torus. In this paper we outline a geometric interpretation of the coefficients of the canonical basis of H in terms of perverse sheaves. We illustrate this in detail in the case where the Weyl group of G is ot type \(B_{4}\) and that of L is of type \(B_{2}\).
Observation of Kosterlitz-Thouless Transition and Conductivity Fluctuation in Superconducting Ybco Thin Films

Kosterlitz-Thouless properties of laser deposited high Tc superconducting thin films of YBa2Cu3O7-x were examined. The exponent of the power law dependence of V on I showed a “universal jump” at Tc. ID like conductivity fluctuation was also found at temperatures slightly above the mean-field transition temperature Tco, which may be the result of imperfections of the sample.
Stability of thrombin in the presence of fibrinolysin.

SummaryIt has been shown that fibrinolysin does not affect the clotting activity of thrombin, and that the thrombin preparation increased the stability of fibrinolysin under the conditions of these experiments.
Quickening the Pulse: Fractal Tempos in Continental Arc Magmatism

The magmatic history of a continental arc can be characterized as punctuated equilibrium, whereby long periods of low-level activity are interrupted periodically by short bursts of high-volume magmatism (“flare-ups”). Geochronological records, most notably from zircon, reveal episodicity in volcanism, pluton formation, and detrital sedimentation in, and associated with, arc segments and volcano-plutonic suites. Distinct tempos can be recognized at all resolvable spatial and temporal scales and are broadly fractal, with each scale reflecting the timescale of processes occurring at different levels in the arc crust. The tempos of continental arc magmatism thus reflect modulation of the mantle-power input as it is progressively filtered through the continental crust.
Unusual Coordination for Plutonium(IV), Cerium(IV), and Zirconium(IV) in the Cationic Layered Materials [M2Te4O11]X2 (M = Pu, Ce, Zr; X = Cl, Br)

Four isotypic cationic layered materials, [Pu2Te4O11]Cl2, [Ce2Te4O11]Cl2, [Zr2Te4O11]Cl2, and [Zr2Te4O11]Br2, have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. Single crystal diffraction studies reveal that these materials possess cationic Pu/Ce/Zr tellurite layers with halides as interlamellar charge-balancing anions. The PuIV, CeIV, and ZrIV centers of the cationic layers exhibit a quite rare pentagonal bipyramid coordination environment.
Polymorphic graphene-like cuprous germanosulfides with a high Cu-to-Ge ratio and low band gap.

Metal chalcogenides based on heterometallic Ge–Cu–S offer dual attractive features of lattice stabilization by high-valent Ge4+ and band gap engineering into solar region by low-valent Cu+. Herein via cationic amine intercalation, we present three new copper-rich materials with the Cu-to-Ge ratio as high as 3. Two different patterns of Cu–Ge–S distribution could be achieved within each honeycomb sheet. The decoration of such honeycomb sheet by −Cu−S− chain or self-coupling between two honeycomb sheets leads to two layer configurations with different thickness and band gaps. The band gap of these new phases (2.06–2.30 eV), tuned by the layer thickness and the Cu/Ge ratio, represents a significant red shift over known Cu–Ge–S phases with lower Cu/Ge ratios.
A nested case-control study of midgestation vitamin D deficiency and risk of severe preeclampsia

Context: Vitamin D may be important in the pathogenesis of severe preeclampsia. Given the few effective preventive strategies for severe preeclampsia, studies establishing this link are needed so that effective interventions can be developed. Objective: Our objective was to assess whether midgestation vitamin D deficiency is associated with development of severe preeclampsia. Design and Setting: We conducted a nested case-control study of pregnant women who had previously given blood for routine genetic multiple marker screening and subsequently delivered at a tertiary hospital between January 2004 and November 2008. Patients: Participants included women with singleton pregnancies in the absence of any chronic medical illnesses. From an overall cohort of 3992 women, 51 cases of severe preeclampsia were matched by race/ethnicity with 204 women delivering at term with uncomplicated pregnancies. Banked maternal serum was used to measure maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Main Outcome Measure: The main outcome was severe preeclampsia. Results: Midgestation maternal 25(OH)D concentration was lower in women who subsequently developed severe preeclampsia compared with controls [median (interquartile range), 75 (47–107) nmol/liter vs. 98 (68–113) nmol/liter; P = 0.01]. Midgestation maternal 25(OH)D of less than 50 nmol/liter was associated with an almost 4-fold odds of severe preeclampsia (unadjusted odds ratio, 3.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.52–8.65) compared with midgestation levels of at least 75 nmol/liter. Adjustment for known confounders strengthened the observed association (adjusted odds ratio, 5.41; 95% confidence interval, 2.02–14.52). Conclusion: Maternal midgestation vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased risk of severe preeclampsia. Vitamin D deficiency may be a modifiable risk factor for severe preeclampsia.
A Model for the LHC Diboson Excess

The first run of the LHC showed hints of a new resonance with mass near 1.9 TeV decaying into electroweak gauge boson pairs as well as into dijets. While Run 2 has neither confirmed nor ruled out such a resonance, it has yielded new constraints on models attempting to explain these decays. Additionally in W′ models where this new resonance is a charged vector boson that is a weak isospin singlet there is the potential for conflict with the electroweak precision T parameter. We construct variants of a W′ resonance model that provide an excellent fit to both Run 1 and Run 2 data, as well as electroweak precision measurements. The model also predicts a neutral vector boson, a Z′, with mass close to 3 TeV. This Z′ is compatible with the intriguing Run 2 observation of a dielectron pair with invariant mass of 2.9 TeV at CMS.
Beyond relative autonomy: State managers as historical subjects∗

(1981). Beyond relative autonomy: State managers as historical subjects. New Political Science: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 33-49.
Econometrics Evaluation of China Agricultural Modernization

Using the method of synthesized multi index analysis,establishing evaluating model of China agricultural modernization,evaluating the development of agricultural modernization.General speaking,among 1980-2003,the developing trend of China agricultural modernization is up forwards,the regional development trends of agricultural modernization is that east is the most high development region,central is the second,west is the third.
The nature of employee engagement: rethinking the employee–organization relationship

AbstractResearch interest in the new concept of employee engagement has grown dramatically in recent years. Employee engagement represents a work-related state of mind characterized by feelings of vigor, fulfillment, enthusiasm, absorption and dedication. However, scholars are still ambivalent about its theoretical contribution to explaining the employee–organization relationship. The goal of the study is to strengthen the theoretical foundation of the employee engagement concept in light of this relationship. We first compared employee engagement to other close concepts such as psychological empowerment and psychological contract. We then examined its contribution to the explanation of work centrality over and above psychological empowerment and psychological contract. Our study is based on an interactive sample of 593 employees from both private and public organizations in Israel. Our findings demonstrate that employee engagement is distinct from psychological empowerment and psychological contract and ...
Using Crash Hoare Logic for Certifying the {FSCQ} File System

FSCQ is the first file system with a machine-checkable proof (using the Coq proof assistant) that its implementation meets its specification and whose specification includes crashes. FSCQ provably avoids bugs that have plagued previous file systems, such as performing disk writes without sufficient barriers or forgetting to zero out directory blocks. If a crash happens at an inopportune time, these bugs can lead to data loss. FSCQ's theorems prove that, under any sequence of crashes followed by reboots, FSCQ will recover the file system correctly without losing data.To state FSCQ's theorems, this paper introduces the Crash Hoare logic (CHL), which extends traditional Hoare logic with a crash condition, a recovery procedure, and logical address spaces for specifying disk states at different abstraction levels. CHL also reduces the proof effort for developers through proof automation. Using CHL, we developed, specified, and proved the correctness of the FSCQ file system. Although FSCQ's design is relatively simple, experiments with FSCQ running as a user-level file system show that it is sufficient to run Unix applications with usable performance. FSCQ's specifications and proofs required significantly more work than the implementation, but the work was manageable even for a small team of a few researchers.
Cross-over study of novice intubators performing endotracheal intubation in an upright versus supine position

There are a number of potential physical advantages to performing orotracheal intubation in an upright position. The objective of this study was to measure the success of intubation of a simulated patient in an upright versus supine position by novice intubators after brief training. This was a cross-over design study in which learners (medical students, physician assistant students, and paramedic students) intubated mannequins in both a supine (head of the bed at 0°) and upright (head of bed elevated at 45°) position. The primary outcome of interest was successful intubation of the trachea. Secondary outcomes included log time to intubation, Cormack–Lehane view obtained, Percent of Glottic Opening score, provider assessment of difficulty, and overall provider satisfaction with the position. There were a total of 126 participants: 34 medical students, 84 physician assistant students, and 8 paramedic students. Successful tracheal intubation was achieved in 114 supine attempts (90.5 %) and 123 upright attempts (97.6 %; P = 0.283). Upright positioning was associated with significantly faster log time to intubation, higher likelihood of achieving Grade I Cormack–Lehane view, higher Percent of Glottic Opening score, lower perceived difficulty, and higher provider satisfaction. A subset of 74 participants had no previous intubation training or experience. For these providers, there was a non-significant trend toward improved intubation success with upright positioning vs supine positioning (98.6 % vs. 87.8 %, P = 0.283). For all secondary outcomes in this group, upright positioning significantly outperformed supine positioning.
Free-Electron Lasers

In the last couple of years, dramatic improvements have been achieved in the power and efficiency of free-electron lasers. Nine devices have now been operated at wavelengths from the millimeter region to the visible part of the spectrum, and several more devices are close to operation. The maturity of the field is reflected in the fact that the first free-electron laser (at Stanford) has now been decommissioned, and relatively new free-electron laser (at UC-Santa Barbara) is now actively engaged in research in solid-state physics.
Modeling Protein-Micelle Systems in Implicit Water.

Several membrane proteins and numerous membrane-active peptides have been studied in detergent micelles by solution NMR. However, the detailed structure of these complexes remains unknown. We propose a modeling approach that treats the protein and detergent in atomistic detail and the solvent implicitly. The model is based on previous work on dodecylphosphocholine micelles, adapted for use with the CHARMM36 force field and extended to sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles. Solvation parameters were slightly adjusted to reproduce experimental data on aggregation numbers and critical micelle concentrations. To test the approach, several membrane-active peptides and three β-barrel membrane proteins were subjected to molecular dynamics simulations in the presence of a large number of detergent molecules. Their experimentally determined secondary structure was maintained and the RMSD values were less than 2 A. Deformations were commonly observed in the N or C termini. The atomistic view of the protein–micelle system...