cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical performance of heat treated SnO2–SnCu@C-Felt anode materials for lithium ion batteries

Abstract Standalone, self-supported SnO2–Cu6Sn5@C-Cloth/C-Felt anodes have been successfully synthesized through electroless metallization of the surface of C-Felt by Cu and Sn and subsequent heating at respective temperatures of 200 °C and 400 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron miscroscopy (SEM), and the nitrogen (N2) adsorption/desorption isotherms were used to obtain the composition, structure and morphology of the electrode. The electrochemical characteristics were assessed using a two-electrode cell arrangement versus lithium metal. Results presented show that SnO2–Cu6Sn5 nanoparticles or thin film uniformly coated the C-Felt tubular network (matrix) establishing a binder-free anode. Galvanostatic charge/discharge cycling of the SnO2–Cu6Sn5@C-Cloth/C-Felt anode exhibited a reversible discharge capacity of 641 mAh/g and 681 mAh/g after 140 cycles at the current density of 150 mA/g, for the samples heated at the respective temperatures of 200 °C and 400 °C. We attributed the high capacity performances of the synthesized 400 °C anode to the higher content of SnO2, smaller particle sizes, higher Li ion diffusion coefficient and higher surface area. The outstanding cycle and rate capacity performances indicated that the heat-treated electrodes might be potentially applicable in lithium ion batteries.
Domestic Violence Exposure and Peer Relationships: Exploring the Role of Coercive Control Exposure

Coercive control—a relational dynamic rooted in one romantic partner’s intentional domination and control over their partner’s daily life using physical violence and nonphysical abuse tactics—has been well-documented in the adult domestic violence (DV) literature for decades. Yet, only recently has coercive control been assessed in the context of DV exposure and few studies have examined exposure to coercive control from the perspective of young adult children. It has been theorized that the inclusion of coercive control may explain inconsistent findings regarding the impact of DV exposure on adjustment domains, particularly peer relationships. Thus, the present study, using an exploratory and formative perspective, examined the relationship between DV exposure and peer relationship experiences (e.g., bullying victimization and perpetration, friendship quality) among a sample of DV-exposed young adults. Data for this study comes from phase two of the Young Adult Live and Learn (Y’ALL) Project. The sample (72.1% female; 74.1% European American) included young adults who were exposed to DV (n = 99) and young adults who were not exposed to DV (n = 48). Exposure to coercive control, controlling for physical violence exposure, was associated with higher levels of bullying victimization and better friendship quality, whereas exposure to more frequent physical violence was associated with higher levels of bullying perpetration. Findings from the present study add to the growing body of literature demonstrating the salience of measuring coercive control when studying youth DV exposure, as coercive control may better explain outcomes, such as peer relationship experiences, above and beyond assessments of physical violence exposure alone.
Impact of torsional micropulse on phacoemulsification efficiency and chatter.

Abstract Objective Evaluate the effect of increasing ultrasound (US) power on chatter events and efficiency under both continuous and micropulse torsional US to reduce total cataract extraction times. Design In vitro laboratory study. Methods Porcine lens nuclei were incubated in formalin for 2 hours and then cut into 2-mm cubes. Phacoemulsification was performed using the Centurion Vision System and Infiniti OZil handpiece with the balanced tip. Both US modalities were studied at 60%, 80%, and 100% power. Micropulse rate was 83 pulses per second with 50% on time. Each combination comprised 20 runs. Efficiency was considered as the total time for a cube to be emulsified; chatter was the number of times the lens fragment bounced off the tip. Results There was significant decrease in efficiency when power was increased from 60% to 100% (1.33–1.97 s; p Conclusions Increasing power above 60% decreased efficiency under torsional micropulse US. We believe that this was due to the chatter increase observed with increasing US power. Torsional continuous US was significantly more efficient than micropulse US at 100% power.
An empirical model for calculating uniaxial compressive strength of oil well cements from ultrasonic pulse transit time measurements

Abstract Thirty-five cement samples were tested in an Ultrasonic Cement Analyzer (UCA) at varying curing conditions and for varying curing times, and then uniaxially compressed to failure in a hydraulic press. An attempt was made, using the ultrasonic transit time data measured with a UCA and the uniaxial compressive strength data measured using a hydraulic press, to derive an empirical model capable of accurately predicting uniaxial compressive strength from the ultrasonic transit time. Using the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, the experimental data was fit to two models. In addition to the transit time dependence, the first model presented incorporates a term that accounts for the curing time while the second model contains terms that account for both the curing time and cement composition. The results obtained illustrate the complexity of deriving a correlation with general applicability to all well cements. The best performing model based on both curve fit error and prediction performance for the samples tested was the model that accounted only for the curing time dependency of the cement strength development rate in addition to the measured transit time, indicating that the transit time measurement history is sufficient as a tool for characterizing well cement strength development.
Eine Forschungsheuristik zur Untersuchung organisationaler Institutionalisierungsprozesse

Um zu analysieren, wie sich Onlinekommunikation als soziale Praktik institutionalisiert, braucht es eine Operationalisierung des Institutionalisierungsprozesses. In diesem Kapitel wird deshalb eine vierdimensionale Forschungsheuristik entwickelt, anhand derer der Weg nachgezeichnet werden kann, entlang dessen institutionelle Ordnungen aus der Organisationsumwelt Eingang in organisationale Strukturen und organisationales Handeln finden. Dieses Vorgehen unterscheidet sich in entscheidenden Punkten von Herangehensweisen, in denen nach dem Vorkommen einer (Online-) Medienlogik oder anderen, gut abgrenzbaren Elementen, zum Beispiel Organisationsmodellen, gefragt wird.
Impact of Physical and Functional Limitations on Health Care Utilization in Older Cancer Survivors: A Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey:

Objective: This study examines effects of physical and functional limitations on health care utilization among older cancer survivors, compared with those without cancer and without physical and fu...
Understanding the impact of non-synchronous wind and solar generation on grid stability and identifying mitigation pathways

Abstract High penetrations of non-synchronous renewable energy generation can decrease overall grid stability because these units do not provide rotational inertia in the same way as traditional synchronously-connected generators. Many recent studies have investigated 100% renewable energy generation scenarios, but few have explored the trade-offs associated with an electricity grid dominated by non-synchronous generation (i.e. wind and solar). Fast frequency response from grid-forming inverters—along with other technology changes—could help mitigate low system inertia levels, but the impact of this response is unknown. An inertia-constrained unit commitment and dispatch model was used to study the stability of future grid scenarios with high penetrations of non-synchronous renewable energy generation under a variety of technology scenarios. The Texas grid (the Electric Reliability Council of Texas – ERCOT) was used as a test case and instances when the system inertia fell below 100 GW · s (the grid’s current minimum level) were recorded. When the modeled critical inertia limit was reduced to 80 GW · s to represent changes in grid operation, no critical inertia hours occurred for renewable energy penetrations up to 93% of annual energy. The critical inertia limit could drop to 60 GW · s if the largest generators in ERCOT (two co-located nuclear plants) were retired, but emissions increased by ~ 25% in these scenarios. If the critical inertia limit was kept the same (100 GW · s), adding 525 MW of fast frequency response from wind, solar, and energy storage could reduce the number of critical inertia hours by up to 95%. These results show that changes to grid operating practices and generator retirements reduced critical inertia hours more than fast frequency response from inverter-connected resources. Each of these mitigation pathways has associated trade-offs, so the transition to a grid dominated by non-synchronous energy generation should be handled with care, but high renewable energy penetrations (i.e. >80%) might be feasible in Texas.
Photoacoustic Imaging of Tattoo Inks: Phantom and Clinical Evaluation

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a novel hybrid imaging modality that provides excellent optical contrast with the spatial resolution of ultrasound in vivo. The method is widely being investigated in the clinical setting for diagnostic applications in dermatology. In this report, we illustrate the utility of PAI as a non-invasive tool for imaging tattoos. Ten different samples of commercially available tattoo inks were examined for their optoacoustic properties in vitro. In vivo PAI of an intradermal tattoo on the wrist was performed in a healthy human volunteer. Black/gray, green, violet and blue colored pigments provided higher levels of PA signal compared to white, orange, red and yellow pigments in vitro. PAI provided excellent contrast and enabled accurate delineation of the extent of the tattoo in the dermis. Our results reveal the photoacoustic properties of tattoo inks and demonstrate the potential clinical utility of PAI for intradermal imaging of tattoos. PAI may be useful as a clinical adjunct for objective preoperative evaluation of tattoos and potentially to guide/monitor laser-based tattoo removal procedures.
7.08 – Biomarkers of Acute Kidney Injury

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common condition associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Drug-induced nephrotoxicity plays an important role in the high incidence and prevalence of kidney injury in both hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients, which in many circumstances can be prevented or at least minimized by effective predictive toxicity screening in preclinical drug development studies. The absence of sensitive, specific, reliable, and reproducible renal injury biomarkers affects the evaluation of response to therapy and individual patient safety, especially dose monitoring decisions for important life-saving drugs with potential inherent kidney toxicity risk. For the past 100 years, there have been no accepted kidney injury biomarkers. The standard metrics such as serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen are very insensitive and nonspecific functional biomarkers. The urine has yielded the most promising markers for the early detection of AKI and further characterization is anticipated, which will qualify these markers as useful tools for the earlier diagnosis, identification of mechanism of injury, and assessment of site and severity of injury. Hopefully, one or more of these biomarkers, either alone or in combination, will prove to be useful in facilitating early diagnosis, guiding targeted intervention and monitoring disease progression and resolution.
Simplistic solution of the Graetz problem in the upstream sub-region x → 0 using nonlinear interpolation of the three-term, mean bulk temperature series for the downstream sub-region x → ∞: A historical perspective

Abstract The present paper addresses an approximate, analytical solution of the Graetz problem confined to the upstream sub − region x → 0, which is known to belong to the Leveque solution. Inspired in the defective three − term Graetz series due to Nusselt as the motivation, the computational procedure focuses on a peculiar nonlinear interpolation of three data points. The three data points are: 1) the mean bulk temperature at the entrance x = 0, 2) the mean bulk temperature at a given downstream location extracted from the three − term Graetz series and 3) the mean bulk temperature derivative at the same downstream location. Relying on the accurate mean bulk temperature distribution suited for the downstream sub − region x → ∞, it is demonstrated that the relative errors of the the mean bulk temperatures supplied by the nonlinear interpolation are smaller than those provided by the Leveque solution.
Low-cost biomonitoring and high-resolution, scalable models of urban metal pollution.

As the global toll on human lives and ecosystems exacted by urban pollution grows, planning tools still lack the resolution to identify priority sites where toxic pollution can be most efficiently averted at a spatial scale that matches funding and management. Here we tackle this gap by demonstrating novel scalable methods to monitor and predict urban metal pollution at high resolution ( 100 trees based on new rapid and low-cost protocols introduced in this study. Our model predictions, showing that 50% of the total Cu and Zn pollution across the Puget Sound watershed is deposited over only 3.3% of the land area, will allow cities to effectively and efficiently target toxic hotspots.
Children use artifacts to infer others' shared interests

Author(s): Pesowski, Madison L; Kelemen, Deborah; Schachner, Adena | Abstract: Artifacts – the objects we own, make, and choose – provide a source of rich social information. Adults use people’s artifacts to judge others’ traits, interests, and social affiliations. Here we show that 4-year-old children (N=32) infer others’ shared interests from their artifacts. When asked who had the same interests as a target character, children chose the character with a conceptually similar object to the target’s – an object used for the same activity – over a character with a perceptually similar object. When asked which person had the same arbitrary property (bedtime, birthday, or middle name), children did not systematically select either character, and most often reported that they did not know. Adults (N=32) made similar inferences, but differed in their tendency to use artifacts to infer friendships. Overall, by age 4, children show a sophisticated ability to make selective, warranted inferences about others’ interests based solely on their artifacts.
Indoor Object Sensing Using Radio-Frequency Identification with Inverse Methods

Indoor device-free object sensing can be utilized in many applications such as occupant-centered control of building utilities and assisted living. To satisfy the mathematical requirement of many observation points for arbitrary indoor layout and furnishing, radio-frequency identification (RFID) offers a low-cost solution with a plethora of maintenance-free passive tags. Both the received signal strength indicator and carrier phase from tag backscattering can be assembled to generate the voxel reflectivity distribution by the inverse method. We adopt the regularized truncated pseudo-inverse method, and devise the strategies for optimal selection of the critical parameters. Compared with conventional matched filtering, our method is more robust against random noises in the collected data. An experimental prototype was established to evaluate the system robustness and performance, and the dipole antennas were used to replace patch antennas to enhance the system signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The regularized truncated pseudo-inverse method together with the improved system SNR has successfully shown higher locating accuracy and lower computational cost.
Application of Robotics to Domestic and Environmental Cleanup Tasks

Robots are often used to perform repetitive, dangerous, and undesirable tasks for humans. In this paper, we discuss the current potential of robots for assisting humans with a variety of mundane but important tasks. Robotics technology has reached the point where relatively inexpensive robotic solutions can be created for many commonly encountered effort-intensive tasks humans perform across the globe. Specifically, we discuss the application of robotics to supporting the handling of laundry, as well as conducting cleanup activities, both indoors and outdoors. The discussion is supported and detailed by case studies. The robot prototypes proposed in this research can be used as a reference for the development and application of domestic and environmental cleanup robots.
Evaluation of the Early Conception Factor (ECF™) Test in Cows 3-7 Days Post-Breeding

Accurate assessment of the pregnancy status of cattle 3-7 days following conception, in conjunction with prostaglandin administration, could significantly decrease the average days open. The Early Conception Factor (ECF™) test kit (Concepto Diagnostics, Knoxville, Tenn) reportedly detects the open status of a cow 3-15 days post-breeding through the detection of a protein designated Early Conception Factor in the serum of pregnant cows. A protein of this type has been discussed by Threlfall.1 In order to determine the accuracy of the ECF™ test, sera from 150 dairy cows 3-7 days post-breeding were tested, using the ECF™ test kits. These cattle were then examined for pregnancy by rectal palpation by veterinarians 41-59 days post- breeding.
Socioeconomic factors associated with limb salvage versus amputation for adult extremity bone sarcomas in patients with insurance coverage.

Abstract Background Limb salvage (LS) has become the preferred treatment for adult patients with bone sarcoma of the extremities. The decision to perform LS versus an amputation is often dictated by tumor characteristics, however there may be socioeconomic factors associated with LS. Previously this has been linked to insurance status, however currently there is a paucity of data examining socioeconomic factors in patients with medical insurance at the time of sarcoma diagnosis. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine socioeconomic factors which could be associated with the decision to perform LS versus amputation for adult bone sarcoma patients. Methods Data from Optum Labs Data Warehouse, a national administrative claims database, was analyzed to identify patients with extremity bone sarcomas from 2006 to 2017. Bivariate regression was used to identify factors associated with LS versus amputation. Results Of 1,390 (743 males, 647 female) patients, 252 (18%) under amputation while 1,138 (82%) underwent LS. Lower extremity tumors (OR 4.72, p Conclusion In adult patients with medical insurance at the time of diagnosis, socioeconomic and hospital factors were associated with an amputation for bone sarcoma, with poorer patients, and those treated at smaller, and public hospitals more likely to undergo amputation.
Fuzzy-barrier sliding mode control of electric-hydrogen hybrid energy storage system in DC microgrid: Modelling, management and experimental investigation

Abstract In this study, a novel model and nonlinear barrier function-based first order sliding mode control (NBF-FOSMC) of a hybrid hydrogen-electric energy storage system in DC microgrid has been presented. The photo-voltaic array works at its maximum power point while the fuel cell consumes hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer along with the battery and superconducting magnetic energy storage to provide fast and uninterruptible power. Fuzzy logic based power management system has been adopted for the optimal load-generation balance. Moreover, the work has been divided into two levels in which the power references generated from master level control are fed to the slave level control. NBF-FOSMC has been implemented as an underlying controller which shows insensitivity to the disturbances bounded with an unknown upper bound and prevents the system from overestimation of the gains. Global asymptotic stability of the controller has been verified using Lyapunov stability analysis. The proposed controllers have been simulated using MATLAB/Simulink® (2019a) which illustrates the tracking of desired powers and DC bus voltage regulation with minimal tracking errors. Lastly, a comparison between NBF-FOSMC and Lyapunov redesign control has been presented along with controller hardware-in-the loop experiments to validate the real-time implementation of the designed framework.
The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-regulation

This book compiles, for the first time, Stephen W. Porges's decades of research. A leading expert in developmental psychophysiology and developmental behavioral neuroscience, Porges is the mind behind the groundbreaking Polyvagal Theory, which has startling implications for the treatment of anxiety, depression, trauma, and autism. Adopted by clinicians around the world, the Polyvagal Theory has provided exciting new insights into the way our autonomic nervous system unconsciously mediates social engagement, trust, and intimacy.
Local Labor Market Conditions: Effects on Labor Demand and Wage Labor Supply Decisions of Farm and Rural Nonfarm Couples, 1978-82

The objective of ,this .paper is to examine the effects of geographical differences in local economic conditionsâ€”[both anticipated (permanent) and unanticipated (-transitory).â€”on wage labor demand and labor force participation decisions of-U.S. farm and rural nonfarm couples. Farm and rural nonfarm households in some regions of the U.S., e.g., the upper midwest, were adversely affected by changes in local economic conditions that occurred during 1978-.tp 1982, (U.S.v, Dept. Agr. 1987). Households in the southwest faired better. Part of.-these effects seems to be driven by changes in local labor market conditions.
Driving Creativity: Extending Knowledge Management into the Multinational Corporation

A major issue facing the multinational corporation (MNC) knowledge management (KM) function is grappling with how information and communications technology (ICT) can best assist in promoting innovation and creativity, shepherding ideas from concept through reality. This paper presents a model in which to examine this development that is designed to promote continued competitiveness in an increasingly interlinked and interdependent global marketplace. The model distinguishes between a tacit knowledge zone (TKZ), a non-binding refinement zone (NRZ), and an explicit knowledge zone (EKZ) and suggests areas for research within the context of this model.
Geometric Properties of Central Catadioptric Projections

In this paper we consider all imaging systems that consist of reflective and refractive components –called catadioptric– and possessing a unique effective viewpoint. Conventional cameras are a special case of such systems if we imagine a planar mirror in front of them. We show that all unique viewpoint catadioptric systems can be modeled with a two-step projection: a central projection to the sphere followed by a projection from the sphere to an image plane. Special cases of this equivalence are parabolic projection, for which the second map is a stereographic projection, and perspective projection, for which the second map is central projection. Certain pairs of catadioptric projections are dual by the mapping which takes conics in the image plane to their foci. The foci of line images are points of another, dual, catadioptric projection; and vice versa, points in the image are foci of line images in the dual projection. The proved unifying model for all central catadioptric projections gives us further insight to practical advantages of catadioptric systems.
Optical power and energy radiated by natural lightning

[1] Calibrated measurements of the visible and near-infrared radiation produced by both negative and positive cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning strokes have been made at distances of 5 to 32 km in southern Arizona (AZ) and the central Great Plains using a photodiode sensor with a flat spectral response between 0.4 and 1.0 µm. Time-correlated video images (60 fps) of the channel development provided information about the types of strokes that were detected and reports from the U.S. National Lightning Detection Network indicated their locations, polarities, and estimates of their peak current. In our sample of negative strokes that were suitable for analysis, there were 23 first (or only) strokes (FS), 19 subsequent strokes that created new ground contacts (NGC), and 101 subsequent strokes that re-illuminated a preexisting channel (PEC). We also analyzed 10 positive strokes (in nine flashes), and 73 of the larger impulses that were radiated by intracloud discharges (CPs). Assuming that these events can be approximated as isotropic sources and that the effects of atmospheric extinction are negligible, the peak optical power (Po), total optical energy (Eo), and characteristic widths of the sources (tcw = Eo/Po) have been computed. Median values of Po for negative FS, NGC, and PEC strokes were 1.8 × 1010 W, 1.1 × 1010 W, and 4.4 × 109 W, respectively. Median values of Eo were 3.6 × 106 J, 3.5 × 106 J, and 1.2 × 106 J, respectively. The median characteristic widths of negative FS, NGC, and PEC strokes were 229 µs, 244 µs, and 283 µs, respectively. Positive CG strokes produced a median Po, Eo, and tcw of 1.9 × 1010 W, 9.3 × 106 J, and 497 µs, respectively. Estimates of the space-and-time-average power per unit length (lo) in the lower portion of negative FS, NGC, and PEC channels had medians of 2.8 × 106 W/m, 3.2 × 106 W/m, and 1.4 × 106 W/m, respectively, and the median lo for four positive strokes was 8.8 × 106 W/m. Median values for the estimated peak electromagnetic power (PEM) radiated at early times in the strokes are 2.0 × 109 W, 2.5 × 109 W, 1.0 × 109 W, and 9.1 × 109 W for FS, NGC, PEC and positive strokes, respectively. CP events produced a median Po, Eo, and tcw of 2.0 × 109 W, 0.7 × 106 J, and 311 µs, respectively, and are in good agreement with aircraft and satellite measurements. The values of Po, Eo, and lo for negative CG strokes in AZ are significantly larger than prior measurements in Florida, likely because there is less atmospheric extinction in our dataset, and due to extinction, all the above values of Po, Eo, and lo are lower limits at the source.
Abstract 76: Genome Wide Association Study of Early Neurological Deterioration after Acute Ischemic Stroke Defines the Interferon-Stimulated Gene IFIT1 as a Neuroprotective Factor

Introduction: In the first hours after ischemic stroke, neurological deficits can be highly unstable. These early neurological changes are important due to their influence on long-term outcome. We performed a GWAS on ΔNIHSS 24h (NIHSS change from baseline to 24 hours after stroke onset) in acute ischemic stroke patients. Methods: DNA from 191 stroke patients presenting within 4.5 hours of stroke onset was genotyped using an Affymetrix Exome-chip. Single variant analysis was performed using PLINK, including age, baseline NIHSS and principal component factors as covariates. European- and African-Americans were analyzed separately, with p-values combined by meta-analysis. Gene-based analysis was performed using SKAT-O, including only non-synonymous variants. Pathway analysis was performed using ALIGATOR to identify pathways with SNPs with significant associations. IFIT1 -/- and IFIT1 +/+ mice underwent one-hour MCA occlusion (tMCAO) followed by 24-hour reperfusion. Brains were removed, TTC-stained, and infarcts measured. Results: Single variant analysis did not reveal genome-wide significant associations. One gene, IFIT1 (interferon-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats), passed the gene-based genome-wide multiple test correction (A). All three polymorphic variants in IFIT1 associated with neurologic deterioration with an average ΔNIHSS 24h 9.5 points lower in carriers versus non-carriers (B). Pathway analysis, including 21 interferon-related genes but excluding IFIT1 , showed a highly significant association (p=2.30х10 -3 ) with ΔNIHSS 24h. Infarct volumes in IFIT1 -/- mice were twice the size of IFIT1 +/+ mice after tMCAO (C, 110.6 mm 3 vs 52.8 mm 3 ). Conclusion: These data suggest that IFIT1 and other interferon-related genes may function in endogenous neuroprotective responses during acute ischemic stroke.
Stripe order and vibrational properties of La 2 Ni O 4 + δ for δ = 2 ∕ 15 : Measurements and ab initio calculations

The optical properties of the static charge- and stripe-ordered material ${\mathrm{La}}_{2}\mathrm{Ni}{\mathrm{O}}_{4+\ensuremath{\delta}}$ for $\ensuremath{\delta}=\frac{2}{15}$ have been measured over a wide frequency and temperature range for light polarized within the $a\text{\ensuremath{-}}b$ planes and along the $c$ axis. Below the charge-ordering temperature, ${T}_{\mathrm{co}}\ensuremath{\simeq}319\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, a charge gap opens and the electronic background, upon which four strong infrared-active phonons are superimposed, drops towards zero. As the temperature decreases, many new spectral features are observed in response to the ordering of interstitial oxygen as well as the formation of a superlattice due to the charge order in the $\mathrm{Ni}{\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ planes. In particular, the prominent mode at $354\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ splits into three components; while the frequencies do not shift below the magnetic-ordering transition at ${T}_{\mathrm{m}}=110\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, there is a transfer of oscillator strength in response to the change in registry of the charge stripes with respect to the underlying lattice. Ab initio calculations have been performed using density-functional theory, and the phonon dispersion curves were obtained using the direct method. Likely assignments of the new modes activated by stripe order are discussed. In some crystals, two antiresonances are observed in the conductivity for $T\ensuremath{\simeq}{T}_{\mathrm{co}}$, which change to a resonant character for $T\ensuremath{\lesssim}{T}_{\mathrm{m}}$; these modes are shown to be due to longitudinal optic $c$-axis modes which appear as a result of surface misorientation.
Are Performance Measures Other Than Price Important to CEO Incentives

We examine whether publicly available performance measures other than stock price are economically significant in explaining changes in CEOs' firm-specific wealth. Similar to Antle and Smith [1986], we measure a CEO's firm-specific wealth changes as the sum of total annual pay and changes in the value of the CEO's portfolio of stock and option holdings. We examine the determinants of the variance of CEOs' wealth changes to infer the magnitude of their incentives. We decompose the variance of the wealth change into price-based and non-price-based components, and examine whether there is substantial variation in CEO wealth changes that is unexplained by price. Our results indicate that for most CEOs, stock return is the dominant component of their incentives. We find that for 65% of the CEOs in our sample, the variation in wealth changes that is explained by stock returns is at least 10 times greater than the variation that is unexplained by stock returns. This latter percentage is substantially larger when the CEOs are aggregated by industry to mitigate measurement error problems associated with computing by-CEO variances over a short time-series. Although there are some CEOs for which the non-price-based variation in annual total pay is significant, nearly all of this variation comes from non-cash pay, such as stock option and restricted stock grants. The variation in annual cash pay that is unexplained by price is greater than 1% of the total variation in CEO wealth changes for only 25% of the CEOs.
α1β2δ, a silent GABAA receptor: recruitment by tracazolate and neurosteroids

Background and purpose: This study investigated the α1β2δ isoform of the GABAA receptor that is presumably expressed in the forebrain. The functional and pharmacological properties of this receptor combination are largely unknown. Experimental approach: We expressed α1β2δ GABAA receptors in Xenopus laevis oocytes. GABA-activated currents, in the presence and absence of modulators, were recorded using the two-electrode voltage clamp technique. Key results: The α1β2δ isoform of the GABAA receptor exhibited an extremely small GABA-mediated current. Tracazolate increased the current amplitude evoked by a half-maximal concentration (EC50) of GABA by 59-fold. The maximum current was increased 23-fold in the presence of a saturating GABA concentration. Concomitant with the increase in the maximum, was a 4-fold decrease in the EC50. Finally, a mutation in the second transmembrane domain of the δ subunit that increases receptor efficacy (L286S), eliminated the increase in the maximum GABA-activated current. The endogenous neurosteroid, tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (THDOC), also decreased the EC50 and increased the maximum current amplitude, although to a lesser degree than that of tracazolate. Conclusions and implications: Taken all together, these findings indicate that the small GABA-mediated currents in the absence of the modulator are due to a low efficacy for activation. In the absence of modulators, α1β2δ GABA receptors would be effectively silent and therefore contribute little to inhibition in the CNS. In the presence of tracazolate or endogenous neurosteroids however, this particular receptor isoform could exert a profound inhibitory influence on neuronal activity. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 153, 1062–1071; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707665; published online 21 January 2008
Pay-for-Performance and Firm Diversification

We find that CEO compensation is less sensitive to stock-price performance the greater the extent of firm diversification. Our empirical evidence is consistent with a theory of managerial entrenchment as well as with a theory of optimal contracting between shareholders and managers. To distinguish between the theories we examine the association between firm value and the structure of the compensation contract along with the use of alternative governance mechanisms in diversified firms. We find only a weak relation between the sensitivity of compensation to stock-price performance and the size of the value loss from diversification. Moreover, we find that the use of alternative governance mechanisms is not suppressed in diversified firms. Our results appear to be more consistent with optimal contracting, and suggest that the existence and magnitude of the diversification discount cannot be attributed to agency problems between managers and shareholders.
Global stability for a class of dynamical neural networks

Studies the global properties of a class of asymmetrical Hopfield-type neural circuits. The authors first present a result for the existence and uniqueness of an equilibrium point; this result does not assume smoothness of the neural activation functions. Then the authors give some testable sufficient conditions for the global stability of such neural circuits. These results generalize a few previous known results and remove some restrictions on the neural circuits.
Prostaglandin E1 for maintaining ductal patency in neonates with ductal-dependent cardiac lesions.

Background Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is used to keep the ductus arteriosus patent and can be life-saving in neonates with ductal-dependent cardiac lesions. PGE1 is used to promote mixing of pulmonary and systemic blood flow or improve pulmonary or systemic circulations, prior to balloon atrial septostomy or surgery. PGE1 therapy may cause several short-term and long-term adverse effects. The efficacy and safety of PGE1 in neonates with ductal-dependent cardiac lesions has not been systematically reviewed. Objectives To determine the efficacy and safety of both short-term (< 120 hours) and long-term (≥120 hours) PGE1 therapy in maintaining patency of the ductus arteriosus and decreasing mortality in ductal-dependent cardiac lesions. Search methods We searched the literature in October 2017, using the search strategy recommended by Cochrane Neonatal. We searched electronic databases (CENTRAL (in the Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase); abstracts of the Pediatric Academic Societies; websites for registered trials at www.clinicaltrials.gov and www.controlled-trials.com; and in the reference list of identified articles. Selection criteria Randomized or quasi-randomized trials using PGE1 at any dose or duration to maintain ductal patency in term or late preterm (≥ 34 weeks' gestation) infants with ductal-dependent cardiac lesions and which reported effectiveness and safety in the short term or long term. Data collection and analysis We followed the standard Cochrane methods for conducting a systematic review. Two review authors (SA and MP) independently assessed the titles and abstracts of studies identified by the search strategy to determine eligibility for inclusion. We obtained the full-text version if eligibility could not be done reliably by title and abstract. We resolved any differences by discussion. We designed electronic forms for trial inclusion/exclusion, data extraction, and for requesting additional published information from authors of the original reports. Main results Our search did not identify any completed or ongoing trials that met our inclusion criteria. Authors' conclusions There is insufficient evidence from randomized controlled trials to determine the safety and efficacy of PGE1 in neonates with ductal-dependent cardiac lesions. Evidence from observational trials have informed clinical practice on the use of PGE, which is now considered the standard of care for ductal-dependent cardiac lesions. It is unlikely that randomized controlled studies will be performed for this indication but comparative efficacy of newer formulations of PGE1, different doses of PGE1 and studies comparing PGE with PDA stents or other measures to keep the ductus open may be ethical and necessary.
Posterior lumbar interbody fusion with the keystone graft: Technique and results

The technique of posterior lumbar interbody fusion reported here consists of the following steps: The confluence of the spinous process and lamina removed en bloc during the exposure is contoured into three keystone plugs; the anterior third of the disc space is packed with bone fragments; the keystone plugs are tapped in posterior to the bone fragments and locked into place; and excess bone fragments are laid over the facets bilaterally and over the transverse processes if necessary to fuse the facet joints and create a posterior fusion. This fusion technique precludes the need for banked bone or for the harvest of autogenous iliac bone, and provides posterior stability with the facet fusion despite the removal of the posterior elements. This technique has been used in 172 patients, with excellent or good results in 129 patients (75%); included in that number were 82 patients expecting compensation and 25 patients with failed-back syndrome.
Performance evaluation of the IEEE 802.11a and b WLAN physical layer on the Martian surface

The performance of IEEE 802.11a and b WLAN standards on the Martian surface is studied. The Gusev crater region and the Meridiani Planum (Hematite) region are chosen as example sites based on the mission science and mission success criteria. The radio frequency (RF) multipath environment is obtained using digital elevation maps (DEMs) from the Mars global surveyor mission, taking into account the atmosphere and other factors on the Martian surface. It is observed that IEEE 802.11a performs well in terms of packet error rates at distances up to a few hundred meters from the transmit antenna when the transmit power is 1 W and the antennas are located 1.5 in above the ground. Although the performance of IEEE 802.11b is found to be more adversely affected, its performance too can be improved significantly using a RAKE receiver. It is observed that the lower data rate modes of 802.11a show much better results in terms of bit error rates. However, both 802.11a and b appear to provide effective communications within a few hundred meters of the transmitter in the selected sites considered
Induced ICER Iγ down-regulates cyclin A expression and cell proliferation in insulin-producing β cells

Abstract We have previously found that cyclin A expression is markedly reduced in pancreatic β-cells by cell-specific overexpression of repressor inducible cyclic AMP early repressor (ICER Iγ) in transgenic mice. Here we further examined regulatory effects of ICER Iγ on cyclin A gene expression using Min6 cells, an insulin-producing cell line. The cyclin A promoter luciferase assay showed that ICER Iγ directly repressed cyclin A gene transcription. In addition, upon ICER Iγ overexpression, cyclin A mRNA levels markedly decreased, thereby confirming an inhibitory effect of ICER Iγ on cyclin A expression. Suppression of cyclin A results in inhibition of BrdU incorporation. Under normal culture conditions endogenous cyclin A is abundant in these cells, whereas ICER is hardly detectable. However, serum starvation of Min6 cells induces ICER Iγ expression with a concomitant very low expression level of cyclin A. Cyclin A protein is not expressed unless the cells are in active DNA replication. These results indicate a potentially important anti-proliferative effect of ICER Iγ in pancreatic β cells. Since ICER Iγ is greatly increased in diabetes as well as in FFA- or high glucose-treated islets, this effect may in part exacerbate diabetes by limiting β-cell proliferation.
On the Approximate Calculation of Eigenvalues with Special Reference to the Helium Atom

A method is developed for treating the error in the energy of a variation function as a perturbation, the variation function serving to describe the ``unperturbed state.'' An effective potential is defined from the variation function, and comparison of this with the correct potential for the helium atom gives useful information about the behavior of the variation functions as the electronic separation approaches zero. In the second section, iterative methods of improving a variational wave function without increasing the number of parameters are discussed and the conditions under which they will be applicable are examined.
Class of promotor sites for Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase.

Some promoters for E. coli RNA polymerase contain either of two nucleotide sequences recognised by Hind endonucleases, GTCGAC or GTTAAC. Such promoters are found not only in the DNA of bacteriophages (λ and T7) but also in that of mammalian viruses, including the simian virus 40 and the human adenovirus 2.
Self-consistent field theory for polymer adsorption: Molecular volume effects

Abstract In this work, we develop a self-consistent field model for homopolymer adsorption as a special case of a general theoretical formulation reported previously (H. J. Ploehn, Macromolecules, 27 (1994) 1617). The model treats polymer molecules as chains of continuously-distributed, idealized segments, thereby avoiding the artificiality of lattice discretization. The continuum formulation properly accounts for polymer stiffness by allowing polymer segments and solvent molecules to have differing molar volumes. We find that the polymer molecular weight, solvent quality, and surface adsorption energy influence the polymer density distribution and adsorbed amount in ways that are consistent with experimental observations. Varying the ratio of solvent and polymer molar volumes alters the polymer adsorbed amount by changing the balance of local mixing enthalpy and entropy. Using no adjustable parameters, the predicted variation of adsorbed amount with polymer molecular weight agrees well with some published experimental results. We observe unsatisfactory agreement when both the polymer molecular weight and its solution concentration are high.
Cerebrospinal fluid homovanillic acid in Huntington's chorea.

Abstract The cerebrospinal fluid level of homovanillic acid was normal in 6 individuals with untreated Huntington's chorea. This is felt to be a reflection of normal dopamine metabolism in these individuals. Since the action of dopamine as a neurotransmitter has been associated with the production of chorea, the finding of normal cerebrospinal fluid homovanillic acid levels supports the hypothesis that dopamine receptor site hypersensitivity is the primary defect in the initiation of dopamine-induced chorea.
Activation of RIG-I-like receptor signal transduction.

Mammalian cells have the ability to recognize virus infection and mount a powerful antiviral response. Pattern recognition receptor proteins detect molecular signatures of virus infection and activate antiviral signaling cascades. The RIG-I-like receptors are cytoplasmic DExD/H box proteins that can specifically recognize virus-derived RNA species as a molecular feature discriminating the pathogen from the host. The RIG-I-like receptor family is composed of three homologous proteins, RIG-I, MDA5, and LGP2. All of these proteins can bind double-stranded RNA species with varying affinities via their conserved DExD/H box RNA helicase domains and C-terminal regulatory domains. The recognition of foreign RNA by the RLRs activates enzymatic functions and initiates signal transduction pathways resulting in the production of antiviral cytokines and the establishment of a broadly effective cellular antiviral state that protects neighboring cells from infection and triggers innate and adaptive immune systems. The p...
Implementing a fuzzy relational database using community defined membership values

Most conventional databases in use today are based on the relational model. Values in a relation are taken from a finite set of strictly typed domain values. Each relation in the database represents a proposition and each record in a relation is a statement such that it evaluates to 'true' for that proposition (e.g., [3], [5]). It could be argued, however, that this required precision actually gives an insufficient representation of the world. The model is grounded in binary black-and-white but much of reality actually exists in shades of gray. As such, the conventional relational database model has limited usefulness.
Nuzzling in the gray short-tailed opossum I: Delivery of odors to vomeronasal organ

Abstract Nuzzling in the gray short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) is exhibited in response to conspecific odor deposits and is involved in chemosensory recognition. Nuzzling consists of bouts of repeated forward rubbing motions (with intermittent tapping) with the ventral aspect of the snout over the odor source, while moistening it with naso-oral secretions. The role of nuzzling in odorant delivery to the vomeronasal organ (VNO) was investigated. Five opossums were allowed to nuzzle conspecific odor deposits mixed with 3H-proline. Histological sections of the snouts processed for autoradiography revealed very strong labeling of the VNOs, primarily the nonsensory epithelium. No labeling was observed in the olfactory epithelium. Unilateral closure of the oral opening to the nasopalatine canal resulted in labeling of the contralateral VNO only, implicating oral access to the VNO. Several distinctive structures appear to be associated with chemical access. An experiment in which 16 males and 16 females were given a preference test of dried nuzzling secretion versus dried distilled water established that the naso-oral secretions deposited during nuzzling do not have properties of scent marks.