cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Self-Hydrating Pt/CeO2-Nafion Composite Membrane for Improved Durability and Performance

Ceria supported Platinum was prepared and added to Nafion to make Pt/CeO2-Nafion composite membrane. The Pt particles can catalyze the oxidation of crossover hydrogen with oxygen to generate water to humidify the membrane. CeO2 was added as free-radical scavengers to minimize the degradation of membrane. Gas crossover was monitored during the durability test, and the MEAs were examined by SEM and EDS. The results showed that adding CeO2 as free-radical scavengers greatly improved the chemical stability of the membrane according to the accelerated durability tests. Pt/CeO2-Nafion membrane showed improved performance under low humidity compared to the Nafion membrane.
Late Priming and Variability of Epitope-Specific CD8+ T Cell Responses during a Persistent Virus Infection

Control of persistently infecting viruses requires that antiviral CD8+ T cells sustain their numbers and effector function. In this study, we monitored epitope-specific CD8+ T cells during acute and persistent phases of infection by polyoma virus, a mouse pathogen that is capable of potent oncogenicity. We identified several novel polyoma-specific CD8+ T cell epitopes in C57BL/6 mice, a mouse strain highly resistant to polyoma virus-induced tumors. Each of these epitopes is derived from the viral T proteins, nonstructural proteins produced by both productively and nonproductively (and potentially transformed) infected cells. In contrast to CD8+ T cell responses described in other microbial infection mouse models, we found substantial variability between epitope-specific CD8+ T cell responses in their kinetics of expansion and contraction during acute infection, maintenance during persistent infection, as well as their expression of cytokine receptors and cytokine profiles. This epitope-dependent variability also extended to differences in maturation of functional avidity from acute to persistent infection, despite a narrowing in TCR repertoire across all three specificities. Using a novel minimal myeloablation-bone marrow chimera approach, we visualized priming of epitope-specific CD8+ T cells during persistent virus infection. Interestingly, epitope-specific CD8+ T cells differed in CD62L-selectin expression profiles when primed in acute or persistent phases of infection, indicating that the context of priming affects CD8+ T cell heterogeneity. In summary, persistent polyoma virus infection both quantitatively and qualitatively shapes the antiviral CD8+ T cell response.
Thermal Rate Constants of the NO2 Fission Reaction of Gas Phase α-HMX: A Direct ab Initio Dynamics Study

The NO2 fission reaction of gas phase α-HMX has been studied using a direct ab initio method within the framework of microcanonical variational transition state theory (μVT). The potential energy calculations were calculated using the hybrid nonlocal B3LYP density functional theory with the cc-pVDZ basis set. The calculated results show that the potential energy of breaking the axial NO2 groups is lower than that of breaking the equatorial NO2 groups. No traditional transition state was found along the reaction path. Microcanonical rate constants calculation shows the variational transition state varies from 2.0 to 3.5 A of the breaking N−N bond length as a function of the excess energy. The μVT method was used for thermal rate constants calculation over a temperature range from 250 to 2000 K. The fitted Arrhenius expression from the calculated data is k(T) = 1.66 × 1015 exp(−18748K/T) s-1, which is in good agreement with the experimental data at low temperatures.
Conversation pattern-based anticipation of teammates' information needs via overhearing

One research focus of human-centered teamwork is on advanced decision architectures that can help people make effective and timely decisions. This requires distributed team members to effectively establish shared situation awareness and to collaboratively develop explanations on how an unfamiliar situation might have been emerging. One key to achieve this goal is the ability to anticipate others' future information needs and to offer help proactively. In this paper we investigate a novel approach to anticipating teammates' information needs based on step-wise conversation pattern recognition, leveraging the idea of multi-party communication. This approach can be further extended to build a computational model for collaborative story building as needed in recognition-primed, naturalistic decision architectures.
Prenatal and early postnatal environments are significant predictors of total immunoglobulin E concentration in Filipino adolescents

Summary Background Recent evidence suggests that atopic disease may in part be mediated by fetal growth, as well as exposure to infectious disease early in life. Few studies have been able to evaluate these associations simultaneously, or to investigate prospectively the long-term effects of early environments while adequately controlling for potentially confounding variables. Objective To examine how prenatal growth and infectious disease in infancy are related to total IgE production in adolescence. Methods Ninety-nine adolescents (aged 14–15 years) were selected from a larger cohort study according to the following criteria: full-term birth, currently healthy, and small-for-gestational age (N 5 53) or appropriate-for-gestational age (N 5 46). Plasma total IgE was measured with ELISA, and analysed in relation to anthropometric, nutritional, and environmental quality data collected prospectively beginning in the third trimester prior to birth. Results Each episode of infectious morbidity recorded at bimonthly intervals in the first 6 months of life was associated with a 0.12 log IU/mL reduction in total IgE in adolescence (P 5 0.004). Prenatal undernutrition was associated with increased adolescent IgE, but only under conditions of an unsanitary household environment (P 5 0.002). Each additional kilogram gained per month in the first 6 months of life was associated with an increase in adolescent IgE of 0.74 log IU/mL (P 5 0.03). Each quartile increase in weekly household income at the time of blood sampling was associated with a 0.10 log IU/mL reduction in total IgE (P 5 0.02). Conclusion Infectious disease in infancy, as well as interactions between prenatal and postnatal environments, appear to have long-term effects on adolescent total IgE production. Future research should investigate the mechanisms behind these effects, and their implications for symptoms of atopic disease.
Lunate-tail swimming propulsion. Part 2. Performance analysis

The theory of an oscillating, high-aspect-ratio, lifting surface with a curved centreline (Cheng & Murillo 1984) is applied to a performance analysis of lunate-tail swimming propulsion. Thrust, power and propulsive efficiency are calculated for model lunate tails with various combinations of mode shapes and morphological features to ascertain the viability of the proportional-feathering concept, and to determine the influence of sweep and centreline curvature. One of the principal conclusions concerns the interchangeability of the heaving amplitude of the peduncle (identified with the major pitching axis) with the centreline sweep, and its effect on the propulsive efficiency, while maintaining the same thrust. Hydrodynamic reasons are also offered for the apparent preference for the crescent-moon fin shape over the V-shape at moderate sweep angles, and for the large sweep angles often found in V-shaped fins.
Optimality and duality theory for stochastic optimization problems with nonlinear dominance constraints

We consider a new class of optimization problems involving stochastic dominance constraints of second order. We develop a new splitting approach to these models, optimality conditions and duality theory. These results are used to construct special decomposition methods.
Optimal sensor placement for parametric identification of electrical networks using mixed phasor measurements

In this paper we present an algorithm for placing sensors optimally along the edges of a large network of electrical oscillators to identify a parametric model for the network using a linear combination of three fundamental electrical signals - namely, the magnitude, the phase angle and the frequency of the voltage phasor along each edge, corrupted with Gaussian noise. We pose the identification problem as estimation of four essential parameters for each edge, namely the real and imaginary components of the edge-weight (or, equivalently the resistance and reactance along the transmission line), and the inertias of the two machines connected by this edge. We then formulate the Cramer-Rao bounds for the estimates of these four unknown parameters, and show that the bounds are functions of the sensor locations and of the contribution of each variable in the combined output. We finally state the condition for finding the optimal sensor location and the optimal signal combination to achieve the tightest Cramer-Rao bound.
Analysis of Page Replacement Policies in the Fluid Limit

The performance of storage systems and database systems depends significantly on the page replacement policies. Although many page replacement policies have been discussed in the literature, their performances are not fully understood. We introduce analytical techniques for evaluating the performances of page replacement policies including two queue ( 2Q ), which manages two buffers to capture both the recency and frequency of requests. We derive an exact expression for the probability that a requested item is found (the hit probability) in a buffer managed by 2Q in the fluid limit, where the number of items is scaled by n, the size of items is scaled by 1/n, and n approaches infinity. The hit probability in the fluid limit approximates the hit probability in the original system, and we find that the relative error in the approximation is typically within 1%. Our analysis also illuminates several fundamental properties of 2Q useful for system designers.
Dimensions Of Competitive Priorities: Are They Clear, Communicated, And Consistent?

In spite of convincing theoretical arguments in the literature, very little attention is paid to empirically identifying the dimensions of competitive priorities. The present study identifies these dimensions and relates them to Porter’s cost-differentiation strategy framework. Although the majority of the manufacturing plants ranked quality as the most important competitive priority, it could not foster differentiation by itself. Subsequent analyses show that while plants pursuing differentiation strategy were proactive in two administrative activities (communication of manufacturing strategy and establishment of formal strategic planning), plants pursuing low-cost strategy were not, suggesting that the managers of these plants pay close attention to these administrative activities.
Modeling and Design Optimization of Adhesion Between Surfaces at the Microscale

This research applies design optimization techniques to structures in adhesive contact where the dominant adhesive mechanism is the van der Waals force. Interface finite elements are developed for domains discretized by beam elements, quadrilateral elements or triangular shell elements. Example analysis problems comparing finite element results to analytical solutions are presented. These examples are then optimized, where the objective is matching a force-displacement relationship and the optimization variables are the interface element energy of adhesion or the width of beam elements in the structure. Several parameter studies are conducted and discussed.
Integrated pervasive computing environments [From the Editor in Chief]

Welcome to the second issue of IEEE Pervasive Computing. The call for papers invited descriptions of efforts to create or use integrated pervasive computing environments. We welcomed both unifying overviews of projects and focused descriptions of specific aspects of those projects. The inaugural issue consisted entirely of invited papers, so this was our first call for external submissions. Despite short notice, we received 19 submissions?a clear indication of the level of interest in pervasive computing. Of these, we selected eight; another six will appear in future issues. The eight articles are evenly balanced between broad system descriptions and more focused discussions of supporting infrastructures for pervasive computing. Overall, the articles in the issue span a broad range of emerging technologies and expose many thought-provoking ideas.
The 2013 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology/The Obesity Society Guideline for the Management of Overweight and Obesity in Adults What Is New About Diet, Drugs, and Surgery for Obesity?

An obese, 55-year-old man with metabolic syndrome meeting all 5 of the Adult Treatment Plan III National Cholesterol Education Program criteria,1 including hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, atherogenic dyslipidemia with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, and abdominal obesity with a high waist circumference, is having trouble losing weight on his own through lifestyle intervention. He has hired a personal trainer and is working out 3 times a week but has lost no weight. He enjoys eating out with his wife or his business associates 3 to 4 times per week. This is where he reports consuming most of his excess calories in both food and alcohol. He takes 7 medications to control his obesity-related comorbidities. These include: Atenolol 50 mg once per day, valsartan 80 mg once per day, glipizide 5 mg twice per day, pioglitazone 30 mg once per day, metformin 500 mg twice per day, atorvastatin 40 mg once per day, and insulin glargine 20 U nightly. Anthropometrics and laboratory data include a weight of 264 lbs, height 5 feet 10 inches, body mass index (BMI) 38 kg/m2, waist circumference 47 inches, blood pressure 150/95 mm Hg, hemoglobin A1c 7.2%, fasting blood glucoses 150 to 175 mg/dL, total cholesterol 220 mg/dL, triglycerides 300 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol 130 mg/dL, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 40 mg/dL. The 2013 guidelines2 encourage the provider to help patients lose weight with lifestyle modification. Adding a low-calorie diet to his exercise routine would be an important first step to enhance lifestyle modification. Another important step for the provider would be to evaluate the medical regimen to determine if there are any medications that might exacerbate weight gain, and to consider alternatives. If diet, exercise, and antiobesity agents do not achieve weight loss and weight maintenance, he is a candidate …
Instability of Nonlocal Continuum and Strain Averaging

Nonlocal continuum, in which the (macroscopic smoothed‐out) stress at a point is a function of a weighted average of (macroscopic smoothed‐out) strains in the vicinity of the point, are of interest for modeling of heterogeneous materials, especially in finite element analysis. However, the choice of the weighting function is not entirely empirical but must satisfy two stability conditions for the elastic case: (1) No eigenstates of nonzero strain at zero stress, called unresisted deformation, may exist; and (2) the wave propagation speed must be real and positive if the material is elastic. It is shown that some weighting functions, including one used in the past, do not meet these conditions, and modifications to meet them are shown. Similar restrictions are deduced for discrete weighting functions for finite element analysis. For some cases, they are found to differ substantially from the restriction for the case of a continuum if the averaging extends only over a few finite elements.
The Lessons of Abu Ghraib

Shortly after September 11, 2001, journalists, scholars and others actively debated what seemed like a theoretical question: should the United States ever resort to torture to obtain information from captured al Qaeda and other terrorist suspects? I joined the discussion, opining that torture should never be engaged in because it was wrong, ineffective, and counterproductive. Moreover, I argued that there should not be a "ticking bomb exception" to this absolute prohibition, in part because torture would not likely be confined to this narrow, remote circumstance. Unfortunately, by 2004, this debate has stopped being theoretical. It had become abundantly clear that some United States military and civilian official were engaged in "aggressive" interrogation tactics that could well constitute torture. Finally, in May, 2004, the rumblings about American behavior had a face, and this time the pictures were truly worth a thousand words. Aired on Sixty Minutes II, the graphic display of photographs of abuse in Abu Ghraib prison shocked the world. As one observer noted, "it was Saddam's torture chamber, and now it's our." The tragic events in Abu Ghraib serve one useful function. They allow the debate on torture to be once again revisited, and provide real world proof for the argument that torture should never be sanctioned. Thus, this paper addresses the lessons of Abu Ghraib: what can we learn from the events there (and elsewhere)? There are five lessons that I would like to discuss. First, and most importantly, what happened at Abu Ghraib demonstrates that moral ambiguity towards torture leads to torture; anything short of an absolute, unequivocal condemnation of abusive interrogation methods inevitably invites the use of torture. The second lesson of Abu Ghraib is that attempting to limit the use of torture to extreme situations, like the "ticking bomb" scenario does not work. Third, Abu Ghraib reinforces the notion that torture is an ineffective tool for obtaining valuable information in the war on terror. The fourth lesson from Abu Ghraib is that any benefit derived from torture is more than outweighed by the harms such a practice engenders. And finally, the fifth lesson is that the future debate over torture must be about definition.
Rationality and Executive Motivation

Focuses on corporate management and the factors affecting employee motivation. Concept of leadership and responsibilities of executives; Assessment on interpersonal behavior and goals of an organiz...
Measurements of Dielectric Properties for Intense Heating Applications

Dielectric measurements for frequencies in the tens of gigahertz are discussed. Interpretation of measurements obtained for mixtures are presented based on some simple analytical models and finite-element analysis of the wave structure in the measurement apparatus.
Piracy of Nesting Materials from and by the Broad-Tailed Hummingbird

In the course of nesting microclimatic studies of the Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus), I observed three cases of intraor interspecific piracy of nesting materials. These observations were made in the vicinity of the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Gothic, Gunnison County, Colorado, at an elevation of 2920 m, where this is apparently the only breeding trochilid. On 17 and 18 June 1971, Broad-tailed females were observed building nests # 1 and 3 approximately 10 m above the ground in quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) approximately 40 m apart on a hillside. A storm with rain, hail, and gusty winds occurred the night of 18 June. The following day, nest 1 was apparently abandoned, while a female was removing nest material from nest 1 to nest 3. On 20 June, a Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) was removing large beakfuls of material from the walls of this same hummingbird nest 3. The damage was repaired on 21 June. On 18 July, after at least 6 days during which the female was observed feeding young, the nest walls were again suddenly diminished in height, far more extensively than occurs from normal spreading of the nest cavity as the young grow to fledging size. From 18 July until fledging, 31 July, there was no evidence of major addition to the nest walls, although the female did attempt some repair or adjustment of what remained. The young birds completed their development in a noticeably shallower nest than others under observation, but were on schedule with other Broad-tailed Hummingbirds that came from nests begun at the same time. On 20 July, a female hummingbird was removing fine material from the nest of the Western Wood
Thermal response of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) brushes probed by surface plasmon resonance

The thermally induced hydration transition of surface-grafted poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) brushes was probed by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) and contact angle measurements. Data are presented for a PNIPAAm brush film with a dry thickness of ∼50 nm that was synthesized by atom radical transfer polymerization on the surface of a self-assembled monolayer on gold. SPR measurements were taken as a function of temperature in two modes: the quasi-static mode, in which the sample was equilibrated at each temperature for ∼15 min prior to measurement, and the real-time mode, in which SPR reflectivity data were collected as the sample was heated and cooled at ∼4.5 °C/min. Both types of measurement indicate that the hydration transition for the PNIPAAm brush occurs over a broad range of temperatures (∼10−40 °C). This result is in accordance with theoretical predictions that have suggested that polymer brush structures on planar surfaces do not exhibit true critical solubility transitions. ...
Eye-tracking and Individual Differences in off-Normal Event Detection when Flying with a Synthetic Vision System Display:

Eye-tracking data were collected on eight pilots who flew a high fidelity flight simulator with a synthetic vision system (SVS) display, which included a tunnel-in-the-sky in half of the experimental conditions. In this paper, we examined the individual pilots' detection and response to two unexpected events, where the true information was inaccurately (or not) represented on the SVS display. The results indicate that the pilots who failed to detect these unexpected events spent most of their time scanning the SVS display, which included the tunnel, and rarely scanned the outside world. The pilot who detected the unexpected events showed scan patterns with a more even distribution of scans to the SVS, the outside world, and other displays even when the tunnel was present. This suggests that detection of unexpected in-the-world events depends on the individual pilot's vigilance in maintaining a regular scan pattern and resistance to “cognitively tunneling” into only one display.
Archaeological Survey in the Arizona Papaguería

Archaeological survey and test excavation on the Sells Papago Indian Reservation, Arizona, provide new information indicating that specialized techniques of data recovery and analysis are necessary for this desert area. The survey of road paving projects recorded information which supports statements made by Haury (1950) about the type and distribution of archaeological remains in the Papagueria. Haury's observations, and the previously undescribed archaeological patterns resulting from this survey both confirm the need for use of analytical and interpretational procedures which do not rely upon the presence of painted ceramics and architectural remains.
Epidemiological Analysis of STD / HIV in Qingyang of Gansu Province

Objective To analyze the epidemic data of STD / HIV in Qingyang city,and to provide scientific basis for formulating the thirteenth five year plan of STD prevention and control strategies. Methods Descriptive epidemiological analysis of 2010- 2014 for Qingyang city includes network report of five main kinds of STD and AIDS epidemic data. Results A total of 2 869 cases reported cases of STD in 5 years,the ratio of male and female was 0. 82∶ 1,the incidence of women( 14. 20 /10 million) was higher than that of men( 11. 66 /10 million),the difference was statistically significant( P 0. 01); The average annual incidence of STD was28. 56 /10 million in 2014,it was 2. 07 times than 2010 rate of 28. 56 /10 million. The epidemic trend was on the rise( P 0. 01),in addition to gonorrhea,syphilis,condyloma acuminate,the HIV / AIDS epidemic was increasing( P 0. 01); age 20 ~ 39 years of age accounted for 58. 73%,50 years-old of above cases constitute a rising trend; farmers as the main diseases accounted for 70. 93%; the top three venereal syphilis,gonorrhea,condyloma acuminate,constitute accounted for 56. 71%,18. 86%,17. 32%,and their incidence of the top three. Conclusion Qingyang city STD / AIDS epidemic overall upward trend,with syphilis,gonorrhea,genital warts primarily,HIV / AIDS epidemic is also in growing trend.
Consistency of the AD HOC Models

Analyses of the NCS data performed to date by the Bureau of the Census and the BJS have generally used a finite population model. The values of the items for the units are treated as fixed but unknown and inferences are based on the distribution which results from taking a probability sample of units in the population. In particular, the victimization profile is considered as fixed and the only source of variance is due to the fact that we do not sample all of the HUs in the population. It is this perspective that led to the BJS estimators of θ described in Chapter 2. Alternatively, we can consider the victimization profile itself to be a random variable with a certain distribution and thus we have two sources of variation: the variance of this random variable and the variance due to the sampling. This kind of modelling is generally referred to in the sampling literature as superpopulation modelling. In this chapter we adopt the superpopulation approach and examine several possibilities for the distribution of the victimization random variable.
Development of Internal Markets

China has achieved much in developing internal markets. This progress can be evaluated in various ways, in connection with narrowing provincial income inequalities, price behavior, interregional trade flows, mobility of productive resources, and evolution of the distribution system.
The Goss Progeny: An Empirical Analysis

Last year, upon the thirtieth anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Goss v. Lopez, the then-general counsel of the National School Boards Association decried the expansion of Goss from a "three minute give and take" to the "paralysis" of public school discipline. For example, she initially ascribed the following effect to the Goss Court: "By making student discipline a constitutional issue, by elevating it to a 'federal issue,' the court has left educators fumbling away through their daily disciplinary dealings with students wondering and working at their peril." This Article empirically examines Goss and its lower court progeny to determine whether they pose the major problem that is often ascribed to them.
How First Is First? Revisiting Language Maintenance and Shift and the Meaning of L1/L2 in Three Case Studies

ABSTRACTLooking at data from three siblings from a German/Polish family that immigrated to the United States in 1952, we discuss bilingual language development and the effect of teacher support in schools on language maintenance and shift. All three subjects report that they did not give up their heritage language but rather came back to it at different times. It is this tension between motivations to use/maintain the heritage language that we focus on to render a valuable retrospective account for questions of language choice through qualitative data and personal voices. Holding the family variable constant, we show how developments within each subject’s life matter for language choice and highlight a dynamic nature of the notions of first language (L1) and bilingualism during different stages of the subjects’ lives. Additionally, regarding schooling, we show that a presumably subtractive language learning environment may not always result in subtractive bilingualism.
Epitope Capsid-Incorporation: New Effective Approach for Vaccine Development for Chagas Disease.

Background: Previously we reported that a hexon-modified adenovirus (Ad) vector containing the invasive neutralizing epitope of Trypanosoma cruzi ( T. cruzi ) trypomastigote gp83 (Ad5-gp83) provided immunoprotection against T. cruzi infection. The purpose of this work was to design an improved vaccine for T. cruzi using a novel epitope capsid incorporation strategy. Thus, we evaluated the immunoprotection raised by co-immunization with Ad5-gp83 and an Ad vector containing an epitope (ASP-M) of the T. cruzi amastigote surface protein 2. Methods: Protein IX (pIX)-modified Ad vector (Ad5-pIX-ASP-M) was generated, characterized, and validated. C3H/He mice were immunized with Ad5-pIX-ASP-M and Ad5-gp83 and the cell-mediated responses were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay and intracellular staining. Immunized mice were challenged with T. cruzi to evaluate the vaccine efficacy. Results: Our findings indicate that Ad5-pIX-ASP-M was viable. Specific CD8+ T-cell mediated responses prior to the challenge show an increase in IFNγ and TNFα production. A single immunization with Ad5-pIX-ASP-M provided protection from T. cruzi infection, but co-immunizations with Ad5-pIX-ASP-M and Ad5-gp83 provided a higher immunoprotection and increased survival rate of mice. Conclusions: Overall, these results suggest that the combination of gp83 and ASP-M specific epitopes onto the capsid-incorporated adenoviruses would provide superior protection against Chagas disease as compared with Ad5-gp83 alone.
Deep Reads: Favorites from a Few Different Shelves.

One of my favorite traditions is giving books to students who graduate from my lab or complete the training program I run. This has come to encompass a wide range of titles to suit a variety of science interests. For this column, I selected some favorite genetics and genetics-related books from different shelves of my own collection that have not been covered by the excellent recommendations earlier in this series [1–3]. While some are out of print, used and library copies preserve all the same pleasures to read again (Fig 1).
Majority is Not Always Supreme: Less Can Be More When Voting with Compromised Nodes

We consider binary voting in a replica voting setup with a small number of redundant components. Seeking to understand the implications of corrupted components on voting schemes, we consider a simplified setup where one node is highly compromised and the remaining nodes are functionally homogenous. We show that if the homogenous nodes are slightly better than average at voting correctly and the highly compromised node is sufficiently bad, a random dictator leads to a better outcome than a majority vote.
Linguistic Context Versus Semantic Competition in Word Recognition by Younger and Older Adults With Cochlear Implants.

Objectives The increasing numbers of older adults now receiving cochlear implants raises the question of how the novel signal produced by cochlear implants may interact with cognitive aging in the recognition of words heard spoken within a linguistic context. The objective of this study was to pit the facilitative effects of a constraining linguistic context against a potential age-sensitive negative effect of response competition on effectiveness of word recognition. Design Younger (n = 8; mean age = 22.5 years) and older (n = 8; mean age = 67.5 years) adult implant recipients heard 20 target words as the final words in sentences that manipulated the target word's probability of occurrence within the sentence context. Data from published norms were also used to measure response entropy, calculated as the total number of different responses and the probability distribution of the responses suggested by the sentence context. Sentence-final words were presented to participants using a word-onset gating paradigm, in which a target word was presented with increasing amounts of its onset duration in 50 msec increments until the word was correctly identified. Results Results showed that for both younger and older adult implant users, the amount of word-onset information needed for correct recognition of sentence-final words was inversely proportional to their likelihood of occurrence within the sentence context, with older adults gaining differential advantage from the contextual constraints offered by a sentence context. On the negative side, older adults' word recognition was differentially hampered by high response entropy, with this effect being driven primarily by the number of competing responses that might also fit the sentence context. Conclusions Consistent with previous research with normal-hearing younger and older adults, the present results showed older adult implant users' recognition of spoken words to be highly sensitive to linguistic context. This sensitivity, however, also resulted in a greater degree of interference from other words that might also be activated by the context, with negative effects on ease of word recognition. These results are consistent with an age-related inhibition deficit extending to the domain of semantic constraints on word recognition.
The Influences of Described and Experienced Information on Adolescent Risky Decision Making

Adolescents are known to take more risks than adults, which can be harmful to their health and well-being. However, despite age differences in real-world risk taking, laboratory risk-taking paradigms often do not evince these developmental patterns. Recent findings in the literature suggest that this inconsistency may be due in part to differences between how adolescents process information about risk when it is described (e.g., in a description-based classroom intervention) versus when it is experienced (e.g., when a teenager experiences the outcome of a risky choice). The present review considers areas of research that can inform approaches to intervention by deepening our understanding of risk taking in described or experienced contexts. We examine the literature on the description-experience gap, which has generally been limited to studies of adult samples, but which highlights differential decision making when risk information is described versus experienced. Informed by this work, we then explore the developmental literature comparing adolescent to adult decision making, and consider whether inconsistencies in age-related findings might be explained by distinguishing between studies in which participants learn about decision outcomes through experience versus description. In light of evidence that studies using experience-based tasks more often show age differences in risk taking, we consider the implications of this pattern, and argue that experience-based tasks may be more ecologically valid measures of adolescent risky decision making, in part due to the heightened affective nature of these tasks. Finally, we propose a model to integrate our findings with theories of adolescent risk-taking, and discuss implications for risk-reduction messaging.
The Analect and the Arthaśāstrsa: Kongzi of Zhou China and Kauṭilya of Maurya India Compared

Kongzi/Kongfuzi or Confucius of “China” and Cānakya/Viṣṇugupta or Kauṭilya of “India” were statesmen as well as teachers, though never professional classroom instructors. They both dedicated themselves to advising royalty and the ruling class in the art of administration as well as in the secrets of success and survival in a world that was at once uncharitable and unprincipled. Nevertheless, both base their counsels on morality—Kongzi on ren [benevolence] and de [virtue] and Kauṭilya on dharma [duty] and daṇḍa [law]. Both seek to enhance the quality of human life in terms of material and moral riches, their only distinction being the Chinese Master’s teachings are primarily philosophical thus bearing the stamp of universality, whereas the Indian ācārya’s [preceptor’s] insights pertain to the interests of his particular state.
Política comercial es política local: intereses subnacionales y política comercial en Argentina

Although it is generally thought that larger industries have greater political influence, by directly measuring the subnational importance of industries, this article suggests that it is the importance of industries within political jurisdictions, not their absolute size, that determines their domestic political leverage. Through the evaluation of Argentina’s deviations from Mercosur’s common external tariff and from intra-regional free trade, this study evidences that subnational economic interests directly influence Argentina’s trade policies. For both large and small industries, their relative importance within the provinces that they inhabit provides the political clout necessary to gain preferential trade policy outcomes.
Factor Analysis of Critical Success Factors for Data Quality

Data quality issues impact an organization’s information system. Dirty data can damage every aspect of a business. In order to ensure data quality in information systems, it is important to understand the underlying factors that influence data quality. A research model was built based on the literature and previous case studies. In order to further develop and testing the research model for critical success factor for data quality in information systems, a large scaled survey was conducted and factor analysis were performed on the result of the survey. This paper provides a more scientific foundation for the research model of critical success factor for data quality. The study has theoretical and practical contributions to the field of data quality and information systems management.
Historical Development and Present State of Swarm Research

This book addresses several areas of research in the field of atomic physics that may be investigated by swarm techniques. Most of the chapters assume that the reader is conversant with the topic, and the emphasis is on the latest results. However, in order to establish a broader perspective and a suitable background, this introduction provides some definitions, sketches some of the historical developments, and gives some general references that may be of interest to the reader.
Autoimmunity, apoptosis defects and retroviruses.

Autoimmune disease in both mice and humans is associated with increased expression of endogenous retroviruses in the thymus and T cells, and loss of self-tolerance by T cells. The basic genetic defect underlying autoimmune disease has been identified as a mutation of the Fas apoptosis antigen in MRL-lpr/lpr mice or a mutation of the Fas ligand in C3H-gld/gld mice. In MRL-lpr/lpr mice, the lpr mutation results from a 5.3 kb insertion of the ETn retrotransposon in the second intron of the Fas gene. In contrast to normal mice, which express a 2.2 kb normal size Fas cDNA, MRL-lpr/lpr mice express multiple Fas RNA transcripts ranging from 2-10.5 kb. In addition, a 5.7 kb full-length ETn transcript is highly expressed in the thymus of younger MRL-lpr/lpr mice. To determine if high ETn expression was dependent on abnormal Fas expression, CD2-fas transgenic mice were produced using the full-length murine Fas cDNA under the regulation of the CD2 promoter and enhancer. This resulted in normalization of Fas expression and also elimination of expression of the ETn retrotransposon. The ETn regulatory sequence contains potential DNA binding sites found in the enhancers of many genes activated during early T cell development in the thymus including enhancer regions for the TCR, CD3 and IL-2 genes. Therefore we propose that ETn expression is increased during early T cell development in the thymus, or after T cell activation, and that the integration of ETn in the Fas apoptosis gene leads to abnormal T cell apoptosis or development.
Population Pressure, Resources, and the Environment: Industrialized World

A tangled web of two centuries of animated dispute dominates discussions about population, resources, and the environment. From 1750 to 1880, contention raged between optimists (utopians, Marxians) and pessimists (classical economists, Malthusians, neo-Malthusians). From around 1880 to 1940, the battle was joined and complicated by extreme claims as to the role of genetics vs. the social environment in human behavior and society. Such controversies are perhaps inevitable when one is dealing with the confluence of three domains, each of which is itself contentious. The article examines current perspectives by economists, demographers, and environmental researchers, and how future discussions might evolve. The conclusion is that while future debates may unproductively echo the narrow-minded excesses of the past, there is reason to hope that more ecumenical appraisals will come to prevail and result in more nuanced and balanced understanding.
Disquiet on the eastern front

Even in this more relaxed post-Cold War era, Russia`s leaders believe that nuclear weapons are vital to national security. Maintaining confidence in their safety, security, and reliability is therefore essential. But whether Russia can maintain the necessary level of confidence in the face of economic chaos is uncertain. The Russian nuclear weapons complex, managed by the Ministry of Atomic Energy (Minatom), has designed, produced, and maintained nuclear weapons for more than 50 years. But with massive stockpile reductions and the signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, its activities must now shift to stockpile management. The principal missions of the Russian nuclear complex are: producing tritium and tritium components, manufacturing replacement warheads, dismantling retired warheads, and monitoring the arsenal to insure the safety and reliability of the weapons that remain deployed. In response to similar changes in mission, the US Energy Department has initiated an elaborate and expensive stockpile stewardship and management program. The US program has come under close public scrutiny. In contrast, little is known about Russia`s plan for stockpile stewardship. Russia has the expertise-but not the money-to maintain its nuclear stockpile.
Clinical correlates and heritability of cardiac mechanics: The HyperGEN study

Abstract Background Indices of cardiac mechanics are sensitive markers of subclinical myocardial dysfunction. Improved understanding of the clinical correlates and heritability of cardiac mechanics could result in novel insight into the acquired and genetic risk factors for myocardial dysfunction. Therefore, we sought to determine the clinical correlates and heritability of indices of cardiac mechanics in whites and African Americans (AAs). Methods We examined 2058 participants stratified by race (1104 whites, 954 AA) in the Hypertension Genetic Epidemiology Network (HyperGEN), a population- and family-based study, and performed digitization of analog echocardiograms with subsequent speckle-tracking analysis. We used linear mixed effects models to determine the clinical correlates of indices of cardiac mechanics (longitudinal, circumferential, radial strain; early diastolic strain rate; and early diastolic tissue velocities). Heritability estimates for cardiac mechanics were calculated using maximum-likelihood variance component analyses in Sequential Oligogenic Linkage Analysis Routine (SOLAR), with adjustment for clinical and echocardiographic covariates. Results Several clinical characteristics and conventional echocardiographic parameters were found to be associated with speckle-tracking traits of cardiac mechanics. Male sex, blood pressure, and fasting glucose were associated with worse longitudinal strain (LS) (P Conclusions Indices of cardiac mechanics are heritable traits even after adjustment for clinical and conventional echocardiographic correlates. These findings provide the basis for future studies of genetic determinants of these traits that may elucidate race-based differences in heart failure development.
Is interposition arthroplasty a viable option for treatment of moderate to severe hallux rigidus? — A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Introduction When conservative therapy for hallux rigidus fails, surgical options such as arthrodesis and interposition arthroplasty can be considered. Although arthrodesis of MTP joint is the gold standard treatment. However patients desiring MTP joint movement may opt for either interposition arthroplasty or implant arthroplasty to avoid the movement restrictions of arthrodesis. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate clinical outcomes and complications following interposition arthroplasty for moderate to severe hallux rigidus, for patietns who would prefer to maintain range of motion in the MTP joint. Methods A systematic search on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane library database was performed during February 2018. Demographics, surgical techniques, clinical outcomes, radiological outcomes and complications were recorded from each included study. Pooled statistics performed for variables with homogenous data across the studies. A linear regression model used to compare the clinical outcomes between autogenous vs allogenous material interposition arthroplasty. Results Fifteen articles were included in the systematic review. Mean AOFAS scores improved from preoperative 41.35 to postoperative 83.17. Mean pain, function, and alignment score improved from preoperative values of 14.9, 24.9, and 10 to postoperative values of 33.3, 35.8, and 14.5. Mean dorsiflexion increased from 21.27° (5–30) to 42.03° (25–71). Mean ROM improved from 21.06° to 46.43°. Joint space increased from 0.8 mm to 2.5 mm. The most common postoperative complications included metatarsalgia (13.9%), loss of ground contact (9.7%), osteonecrosis (5.4%), great toe weakness (4.8%), hypoesthesia (4.2%), decreased push off power (4.2%), and callous formation (4.2%). Conclusion Interposition arthroplasty is an effective treatment option with acceptable clinical outcomes in patients with moderate-severe hallux rigidus who prefer to maintain range of motion and accept the risk of future complications. Level of Evidence: IV.
The Potential Contribution of Current Health Care Zeitgeists to the Success of Health and Wellness Coaches.

Chronic disease is challenging to treat because treatment often requires lifestyle behavior changes. In recent years the use of health and wellness coaches (HWC) has emerged as a way to support pat...
Reactivity studies and structural properties of Al on compound semiconductor surfaces

The authors studied the structural properties of Al on III-V semiconductors (InAs, GaAs, and InGaAs) with the aim of creating smooth and abrupt interfaces. Growth conditions, such as the residual As content and the presence of intermediate layers, affect the structural properties of the Al and the underlying semiconductor. The authors find that an ultrathin layer of AlAs on (001) InAs drastically reduces the interface reaction and improves the epitaxial growth of Al. No such layer is necessary for interface reaction mitigation for Al deposited onto InGaAs or GaAs. The crystal orientation of Al planes grown on (001) InAs is [110], but is [111] on InGaAs or GaAs. The authors discuss the significance of the results for realization of structures for proximity superconductivity.