cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between landing error scoring system-real time and dorsiflexion range of motion in recreational athletes

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LANDING ERROR SCORING SYSTEMREAL TIME AND DORSIFLEXION RANGE OF MOTION IN RECREATIONAL ATHLETES Hannah Martha Twiddy Old Dominion University, 2016 Director: Dr. Johanna Hoch Participation in physical activity is important for overall health; however, lower extremity injuries are a major risk associated with physical activity. Injuries can lead to time away from physical activity and be associated with negative health consequences. The most common injuries are traumatic injuries to the knee and ankle; which may be related to poor landing mechanics and decreased range of motion. Previous research utilizing motion analysis systems have determined people with greater dorsiflexion range of motion (DROM) demonstrated smaller ground reaction forces and greater knee and hip flexion displacement while landing; indicating a softer landing strategy. The ability to screen for landing mechanics and range of motion deficiencies is an important step in the prevention of physical activity related injuries. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was to examine the relationship between jump landing biomechanics and DROM utilizing real-time, field-based assessments in recreational athletes. Thirty-six collegiate club soccer and basketball athletes participated in a single testing session. Jump-landing mechanics were assessed with the Landing Error Scoring System-Real Time (LESS-RT) and DROM was measured with the Weight Bearing Lunge Test (WBLT). Spearman’s rank correlations identified a weak, insignificant relationship between the WBLT summary and LESS-RT (r = 0.11, p = 0.52). Although a significant relationship was not identified, scores from individual items on the LESS-RT related to knee flexion, trunk flexion, and knee valgus were the primary contributors to poor landing mechanics and warrant further examination. Although these findings do not support previous laboratory studies, it appears the LESS-RT and WBLT may provide unique information to be considered when examining injury risk. We reject the hypothesis that there would be a relationship between LESS-RT and WBLT; however, measures of DROM and LESS-RT items in these recreational sport participants revealed areas of further examination for these lower extremity assessments.
The long term reliability of a switched-capacitor relative humidity sensor system

A switched-capacitor driving circuit for a solid-state relative humidity sensor has been demonstrated. This CMOS circuit has been characterized using a discrete implementation. The circuit has been layed out and simulated for integration on a single chip. In addition, the long-term reliability of the solid-state sensing device has been investigated. The capacitance-RH characteristics exhibits a drift of +5% after eight weeks of aging at 85 degrees C/85% RH. The linearity of the device decreases after 15 weeks of aging. The device drift is the greatest at low frequencies (12 Hz). The stability is best at higher frequencies. An operating frequency of 100 kHz for best device reliability is recommended. >
The Nonparametric Bootstrap

This chapter introduces Efron’s nonparametric bootstrap, with applications to linear statistics, and semi-linear regression due to Bickel and Freedman.
The Use of Comparison Standards in Customer Satisfaction Research and Management: A Review and Proposed Typology

This paper reviews the conceptualization, measurement, and empirical findings related to the use of alternative comparison standards in consumer satisfaction research. The evolution of this construct is analyzed with respect to: 1) the move from a single. standard to mUltiple standards, 2) the contingent factors which influence comparison standard choice, and 3) the effects of alternative comparison standards on satisfaction judgments. Evidence suggests that the type of comparison standard determines the nature of its relationship with satisfaction. A typology of comparison standards is developed, and implications for satisfaction research and managerial practice are provided.
Strategic control of a tracking system

We consider stochastic dynamic game problems where a trajectory controller takes an action to construct an information bearing signal, namely the control input, and subsequently a tracking system takes an action, i.e., constructs a tracking output, based on the control input. The trajectory controller has access to two Gaussian processes evolving according to first-order autoregressive models, e.g., desired and private states. Different from the design of a measurement or sensing scheme for a tracking system, here the trajectory controller and the tracker have different objectives. Particularly, the trajectory controller aims to drive the tracking system to a desired path, different from the tracker's actual intent, by constructing the measurement signal. For finite horizon problems involving two different quadratic cost functions, we show that the optimal control input policies are linear functions of the current states when the states evolve in parallel. We then extend this result for the general case when the trajectory controller has a myopic objective and show that the optimal control input policies are also linear functions of the current states. Finally, we restrict the policy space for the control input to the set of all linear mappings of the current states and convert the finite horizon stochastic game problem into a discrete time deterministic optimal control problem. We also include some illustrative numerical examples for different strategic control scenarios.
Automatic Optimization of Localized Kernel Density Estimation for Hotspot Policing

Kernel density estimation is a popular method for identifying crime hotspots for the purpose of data-driven policing. However, computing a kernel density estimate is computationally intensive for large crime datasets, and the quality of the resulting estimate depends heavily on parameters that are difficult to set manually. Inspired by methods from image processing, we propose a novel way for performing hotspot analysis using localized kernel density estimation optimized with an evolutionary algorithm. The proposed method uses local learning to address three challenges associated with traditional kernel density estimation: computational complexity, bandwidth selection, and kernel function selection. We evaluate our localized kernel model on 17 crime types from Chicago, Illinois, USA. Preliminary results indicate significant improvement in prediction performance over the traditional approach. We also examine the effect of data sparseness on the performance of both models.
1980 Semantic Communication

Animals have the flexibility to combine signals in patterns that carry specific meanings. Rearranging the signals changes the meaning, and regional dialects can form based on cultural traditions in signaling.
The age of air defense systems

This paper present a possible evolution of Air defense systems which can lead to an Air Defense Age. First the evolution of aerial threat is presented. After that the aerial threat are classified according with the rule of 4 seconds. Because is not possible to increase the projectile muzzle velocity more than 1500 m/s using chemical energy a way based on electromagnetic energy is investigated. After a short analysis of electromagnetic guns under development, a new design of electromagnetic gun is presented. According to simulation results this design is able to achieve great performance with less current. This new weapon can create a revolution which can lead us in a new era, Air Defense Age.
Prior opioid exposure influences parents' sharing of their children's CYP2D6 research results.

Aim To determine parents' use of their children's CYP2D6 research result. We hypothesized that perceived utility, likelihood of sharing and actual sharing of results would differ between parents with children previously exposed (cases) or unexposed (controls) to opioids. Methods We returned results by phone (baseline). We surveyed parents about perceived utility and likelihood of sharing their child's research result at baseline, and actual sharing at 3 and 12 months. Results Cases were more likely than controls to agree that they (p = 0.022) and the doctors (p = 0.041) could use the results to care for their child, to report higher likelihood of sharing (p = 0.042) and to actually share results with the child's doctor (p = 0.026). Conclusion Prior opioid exposure influenced perceived clinical utility and sharing behaviors.
CT evaluation of musculoskeletal trauma: initial experience with cinematic rendering

Multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) scanners that can quickly acquire volumetric datasets composed of isotropic voxels laid the groundwork for the widespread clinical implementation of 3D MDCT reconstructions, with maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volumetric rendering (VR) becoming important parts of the imaging evaluation of patients with a wide variety of pathologic conditions. Recently, a new 3D reconstruction technique known as cinematic rendering (CR) has become available and is now U.S. FDA approved. CR bears fundamental similarities to VR, but utilizes a more complex lighting model to bring about photorealistic reconstructions. While a tremendous amount of work remains to be done in order to understand the advantages and disadvantages of CR in comparison to traditional 3D reconstruction methods, the images themselves are strikingly detailed and can be interactively manipulated to highlight a variety of different tissue types and anatomic structures. In the following pictorial essay, we provide a number of clinical examples of the use of CR in musculoskeletal imaging, including the evaluation of complex fractures, the delineation of the relationship of fractures to adjacent vasculature and overlying soft tissues, and the visualization of vascular and soft tissue injuries.
Targeting Metabolism for Cancer Therapy

Metabolic reprogramming contributes to tumor development and introduces metabolic liabilities that can be exploited to treat cancer. Chemotherapies targeting metabolism have been effective cancer treatments for decades, and the success of these therapies demonstrates that a therapeutic window exists to target malignant metabolism. New insights into the differential metabolic dependencies of tumors have provided novel therapeutic strategies to exploit altered metabolism, some of which are being evaluated in preclinical models or clinical trials. Here, we review our current understanding of cancer metabolism and discuss how this might guide treatments targeting the metabolic requirements of tumor cells.
GOES-R ABI on-orbit performance

The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) is successfully operating on orbit, aboard the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite 16 (GOES-16). When GOES-16 becomes an operational satellite for NOAA later in 2017, it will begin a new era for the United States in the quality and quantity of geostationary weather observations. Not only does ABI provide more than three times the bands, four times the resolution (pixels), and five times the image collection speed, it provides unique operational flexibility. In addition to the operational benefits, this permits ABI's on-orbit performance to be measured more easily and completely than past geostationary weather imagers. This paper will provide the measured on-orbit performance of the ABI based on the results of the post-launch test campaign. Where relevant, comparisons to pre-launch performance expectations will also be provided.
Aversion to and Understanding of God Talk in the Public Sphere: A Survey Experiment

Author(s): Evans, JH | Abstract: “God talk” occurs when a member of the public gives religious reasons for a policy claim. The legitimacy of God talk is the subject of great debate among sociological and political theorists of the public sphere. There has never been an empirical study of the general public's views of the legitimacy of God talk itself. Using a vignette survey experiment, I find among the overall public that there is a statistically significant but extremely small degree of aversion to hearing God talk. Additionally, respondents claim to be able to understand God talk just as well as claims justified by science. Aversion to hearing and understanding God talk do differ by the religion of the respondent. I conclude with a discussion of how these results may influence theoretical debate about the public sphere.
Finger strength, individuation, and their interaction: Relationship to hand function and corticospinal tract injury after stroke.

Abstract Objective The goal of this study was to determine the relative contributions of finger weakness and reduced finger individuation to reduced hand function after stroke, and their association with corticospinal tract (CST) injury. Methods We measured individuated and synergistic maximum voluntary contractions (MVCs) of the index and middle fingers, in both flexion and extension, of 26 individuals with a chronic stroke using a robotic exoskeleton. We quantified finger strength and individuation, and defined a novel metric that combines them – “multifinger capacity”. We used stepwise linear regression to identify which measure best predicted hand function (Box and Blocks Test, Nine Hole Peg Test) and arm impairment (the Upper Extremity Fugl-Meyer Test). Results Compared to metrics of strength or individuation, capacity survived the stepwise regression as the strongest predictor of hand function and arm impairment. Capacity was also most strongly related to presence or absence of lesion overlap with the CST. Conclusions Reduced strength and individuation combine to shrink the space of achievable finger torques, and it is the resulting size of this space – the multifinger capacity – that is of elevated importance for predicting loss of hand function. Significance Multi-finger capacity may be an important target for rehabilitative hand training.
Analysis of chemotherapy selection for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck (SCCHN) in a commercially insured population in the United States.

6066Background: Multiple standard of care options exist for locally advanced SCCHN. We analyzed treatment plans submitted for commercially insured patients by practicing medical oncologists for pre...
Transition and Care

Genome editing, or gene surgery, demands a theological and ethical exploration, as the applied methods that rapidly change the genetic make-up of humans seem to be making deep interventions. This incites theological and ethical discussion since modifications of the germline, a very fundamental dimension of the bodily sphere, seem to somehow contradict what is considered, from a theological perspective, a good creation. The active transformation of gene sections, by inserting or extracting information, constitutes a new dimension of gene manipulation, as the term “genome editing” indicates. There has already been theological and ethical scrutiny of the arguments, addressing positive claims for such interventions and providing an alternative to the playing-God-argument that is always brought up in the face of new developments, especially in technology-based medical bioscience, and is concerned with all sorts of deep changes of the body. This contribution aims to add affirmative arguments, from a Christian theological understanding in dialogue with process theology, to the debate on genome editing and to the transition of the biological basis of human beings.
Averting Conflict by Promoting Commerce: The Case for a U.S.-China Investment Treaty

The problems besetting the U.S.-China economic relationship today predate Donald Trump. They originate as the frictions one should expect when an incumbent economic power is compelled to accommodate the emergence of a rising challenger. Of course, Trump’s caustic approach to commercial and diplomatic relations threatens to worsen bilateral ties, but it also could shake things up enough to yield solutions to some of the most pressing problems.
Evaluation of risk factors for pseudo-obstruction in systemic sclerosis.

Abstract Objective Although up to 90% of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients are affected by gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility, the clinical phenotype of patients with pseudo-obstruction is not well-defined. We sought to identify this phenotype by studying a large cohort of SSc patients with and without pseudo-obstruction. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients seen at the Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center between February 2003 and September 2017. All SSc patients had clinical data prospectively collected in a longitudinal database. Cross-sectional analyses were performed comparing autoantibody status and clinical and demographic features of patients with and without pseudo-obstruction. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify risk factors for pseudo-obstruction. Results 175 patients with SSc had a history of pseudo-obstruction, and 2,637 SSc patients did not. After adjusting for significant variables from the univariate analysis and potential confounders, the Cox proportional hazards multivariable analysis demonstrated that older age (HR 1.02; 95%CI 1.00–1.04), male sex (HR 1.75; 95%CI 1.42–2.43), diffuse cutaneous disease (HR 2.52; 95%CI 1.59–3.99), myopathy (HR 1.83, 95%CI 1.09–3.08), and opioid use (HR 2.38; 95%CI 1.50–3.78) were predictive of pseudo-obstruction. Autoantibodies to RNA polymerase-3 were negatively associated with pseudo-obstruction (HR 0.34; 95%CI 0.17–0.66). Conclusion We identified clinical features associated with pseudo-obstruction in a large US SSc cohort. This study identifies characteristics of patients with SSc who are at a higher risk of developing pseudo-obstruction and suggests that opioids may be a modifiable risk factor. These clinical features may allow for earlier diagnostic evaluation and/or therapeutic intervention for patients at risk for pseudo-obstruction.
Legal Regulation of Artificial Insemination and the New Reproductive Technologies

Concerns about the legal aspects of the new reproductive technologies—artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, and ovum and zygote transfer—are part of the continuing public and professional discussions about what our societal policy toward these technologies ought to be. The concerns are many and varied and include the desirability and availability of the technologies and the potential liability of those who use them. The desire for a clarification of legal responsibility is especially fueled by a heightened fear of liability, which has contributed to the pressure for straightforward legal answers and for a clear, comprehensive public policy dealing with these technologies. Lawyers know all too well the impatient cries of “Tell us the law, not philosophy.” With respect to one of the technologies, artificial insemination with donor sperm (AID), the search for legal answers during the past two decades has produced a substantial body of law. Yet, even in this area, many gaps remain. More important, there has not emerged a clear public-policy framework within which alternative forms of reproduction can be evaluated. Though this lack of a framework is frustrating to those who want clear legal answers, it is not unexpected and is not entirely bad.
Measuring the Building Envelope Penetration Factor for Ambient Nitrogen Oxides.

Much of human exposure to nitrogen oxides (NOx) of ambient origin occurs indoors. Reactions with materials inside building envelopes are expected to influence the amount of ambient NOx that infiltrates indoors. However, envelope penetration factors for ambient NOx constituents have never been measured. Here, we develop and apply methods to measure the penetration factor and indoor loss rates for ambient NOx constituents using time-resolved measurements in an unoccupied apartment unit. Multiple test methods and parameter estimation approaches were tested, including natural and artificial indoor NOx elevation with and without accounting for indoor oxidation reactions. Twelve of 16 tests yielded successful estimates of penetration factors and indoor loss rates. The penetration factor for NO was confirmed to be ∼1 and the mean (±s.d.) NO2 penetration factor was 0.72 ± 0.06 with a mean relative uncertainty of ∼15%. The mean (±s.d.) indoor NO2 loss rate was 0.27 ± 0.12 h-1, ranging 0.06-0.47 h-1, with strong correlations with indoor relative and absolute humidity. Indoor NO loss rates were strongly correlated with the estimated ozone concentration in infiltrating air. Results suggest that envelope penetration factors and loss rates for NOx constituents can be reasonably estimated across a wide range of conditions using these approaches.
Endovascular Thoracic Aortic Repair for Catheter Associated Aortic Injury During Thoracostomy Tube Placement

Background Aortic injuries during non-aortic related procedures are rare but potentially catastrophic. Endovascular aortic repair has been described as a viable option in similar circumstances. However, most reports involve aortic injury from orthopaedic hardware after spine surgery or trocar injury during abdominal surgery. Report This is a report of a thoracic aortic injury during thoracostomy tube placement and summary of the management paradigm. The patient was treated with a thoracic stent graft and was seen at four-month follow up, with imaging showing the endograft in stable position. Conclusion Endovascular stenting can increase the treatment scope for management of emergent thoracic aortic pathology.
A Novel Experiential Quality Improvement Training Program During Residency Improves Quality Improvement Confidence and Knowledge: a Prospective Cohort Study.

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) mandates resident quality improvement (QI) training to improve patient safety, cost control, and efficiency. Thus, understanding this topic is crucial for early career physicians. This manuscript describes an enhanced, experiential QI curriculum for psychiatry residents and its outcomes. Two cohorts of 12 third-year residents completed the curriculum, which included didactics, external resources, and expert guidance through small group project design, implementation, and analysis/presentation. A survey on resident confidence in QI principles and the quality improvement knowledge assessment tool-revised (QIKAT-R) was used before and after curriculum participation. Data were analyzed using parametric descriptive tests and repeated measures general linear models with Benjamini-Hochberg correction for multiple comparisons. Resident confidence in performing seven of the ten steps of QI and QIKAT-R scores significantly improved for both cohorts (p = .011). Eighty-nine percent of residents felt that the curriculum met their goals. The QI curriculum effectively improved resident QI confidence and knowledge. Residents reported that experiential engagement in the design, implementation, and analysis/presentation of their project was crucial to these achievements. This experiential QI curriculum with resident-generated QI projects addressed ACGME training requirements while integrating QI training directly into the residents’ clinical activities, making the QI efforts relevant and meaningful while also achieving ACGME goals.
Takeoff Simulation of Lift+Cruise Air Taxi by Using Navier─Stokes Equations

Takeoff trajectory computations are made for a typical lift+cruise small transport aircraft suitable for an urban air taxi. The selected wing–body model consists of lifting and pushing propellers. ...
Fact and Fiction about 1%: Next Generation Sequencing and the Detection of Minor Drug Resistant Variants in HIV-1 Populations with and without Unique Molecular Identifiers.

Next generation sequencing (NGS) platforms have the ability to generate almost limitless numbers of sequence reads starting with a PCR product. This gives the illusion that it is possible to analyze minor variants in a viral population. However, including a PCR step obscures the sampling depth of the viral population, the key parameter needed to understand the utility of the data set for finding minor variants. Also, these high throughput sequencing platforms are error prone at the level where minor variants are of interest, confounding the interpretation of detected minor variants. A simple strategy has been applied in multiple applications of NGS to solve these problems. Prior to PCR, individual molecules are “tagged” with a unique molecular identifier (UMI) that can be used to establish the actual sample size of viral genomes sequenced after PCR and sequencing. In addition, since PCR generates many copies of each sequence tagged to a specific UMI, a template consensus sequence (TCS) can be created from the many reads of each template, removing virtually all of the method error. From this perspective we examine our own use of a UMI, called Primer ID, in the detection of minor drug resistant variants in HIV-1 populations.
Origins of the suppression of fibril formation in grafted methylcellulose solutions

We utilize coarse-grained molecular-dynamics simulations to probe the influence of grafting on the conformation and aggregation of methylcellulose chains in water, inspired by the recent experiments on solutions of methylcellulose (MC) chains grafted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) that showed inhibition of methylcellulose fibril formation at high PEG-grafting densities [S. Morozova et al., Macromolecules (Washington, DC, U. S.) 51, 9413 (2018)]. These simulations reveal three features of the grafted system that should frustrate fibril assembly. First, multichain simulations indicate that the distance between the centers of mass of the chains increases at high grafting densities, suggesting that the ability to form collapsed structures is disrupted. Second, single-chain simulations using grafted MC show that the formation of the precursor toroidal structure responsible for fibril formation is hampered at high grafting densities. Third, the frequency spectrum of conformational fluctuations indicates that low-frequency modes dominate at higher grafting densities, suggesting a larger decorrelation time in conformational fluctuations. Together, these results provide a macromolecular basis for the suppression in fibril formation in grafted methylcellulose solutions for grafting densities exceeding approximately 10%.
Teaching NeuroImages: Tuberculous meningitis: Remembering the Rich focus.

Tuberculosis (TB) infection can seed in the meninges or cortex as silent caseous foci. TB meningitis occurs when one of these foci—the Rich focus1—ruptures and releases Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli into the subarachnoid space.2 This natural history has rarely been confirmed in vivo.
A Review of Non-Lane Road Marking Detection and Recognition

Environment perception is a critical function used by driving automation systems, or self-driving cars, for detecting objects such as obstacles, lane markings, and road signs. In order to replace human drivers, self-driving cars will need to safely operate in parking lots, private roads, underground, or any other environment with poor GPS signals or uncharted infrastructure. While much attention has been spent on recognizing lane markings, non-lane road markings have received considerably less attention. Current perception systems can recognize only a small subset of markings and often only under favorable weather conditions. This limitation is exacerbated by the current quality of scene segmentation data sets. Only a select few of existing data sets have annotations for non-lane road markings, and the ones that do only have them for a small number of marking types. Additionally most of the data sets were generated under one type of driving condition. Finally, it is difficult to determine if current recognition systems can satisfy real-time requirements. This paper investigates the current limitations and challenges for non-lane road marking detection and recognition including recognition capabilities, data set quality, and inference times.
Time-Based Node Deployment Policies for Reliable Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are commonly used to monitor a remote environment over an extended period of time. One important design consideration is the WSN's reliability of area coverage, as sensors fail over time and functionality of the network degrades. When the WSN no longer sufficiently covers the region, maintenance actions may consider repairing failed nodes or deploying new sensors to re-establish network capability. Toward identifying an optimal maintenance policy, specifically the deployment of new sensors, in this article, we present an optimization model formulated using the network destruction spectrum (D-spectrum), which seeks to determine a time-based deployment policy balancing cost and reliability. While the benefits of using the D-spectrum in reliability are widely researched, the application of the D-spectrum to enable the modeling and solving of an optimization problem is new. With the complexity already present in estimating reliability, the significance of this optimization model is that it decouples the complexity of estimating the D-spectrum from the estimation of network reliability in the presence of a given deployment policy. This key feature allows us to quickly evaluate a wide range of time-based deployment policies. Additionally, we present an efficient destruction algorithm that performs a vital subroutine in estimating the D-spectrum, allowing for a large number of replications to be performed in the Monte Carlo simulation, thereby reducing the variance of the resulting reliability estimate. Finally, the optimization model is illustrated through a numerical example.
Development and validation of the theory of Interferometric dynamic laser speckle imaging

Dynamic laser speckle imaging (DLSI) is an optical technique that directly measures the temporal speckle intensity fluctuations with sufficient temporal sampling to correctly model and predict the underlying blood flow changes. The speckle measurements are limited to superficial tissues and it lacks three-dimensional imaging of blood flow. To perform depth-resolved measurement, we developed Interferometric Dynamic Laser Speckle Imaging (iDLSI) capable of three-dimensional volumetric measurements of the dynamics. Here, we present the analytical expression for g2,iDLSI(τ) dependent on particle dynamics, coherence properties, sample, and reference intensity. The numerical validations are performed in a homogeneous and in spatially varying dynamic regions.
Carbon stoichiometry and mechanical properties of high entropy carbides

Abstract The search for new materials via compositional exploration has recently led to the discovery of entropy stabilized and high entropy ceramics. The chemical diversity in the cation sublattice of high entropy ceramics has led to many enhanced properties and applications such as reversible energy storage, low temperature water splitting, amorphous-like thermal transport in crystalline solids and enhanced mechanical properties. This work describes the synthesis and mechanical properties of high entropy (HfNbTaTiZr)Cx thin films as a function of carbon content. The nature of the bonding and microstructure evolves as the material transforms from metallic to ceramic to nanocomposite with variations in the quantity and types of carbon, yielding large variations in the film hardness. Through multiple characterization techniques and first principles investigations, we separate the roles of microstructure and bonding characteristics in the mechanical property development of (HfNbTaTiZr)Cx thin films. This study presents a strategy to establish the bonding, structure, and property relationships in chemically disordered high entropy ceramics, largely based on the relative populations of filled or empty antibonding states for which there are new abilities to do so in high configurational entropy systems that exhibit high solubility of diverse cations while retaining rocksalt structure.
Democracy’s challenge calls for communication’s response

Democracy is in trouble. We have been reminded of its fragility. The rise of antidemocratic sentiment and actions highlight the extent to which autocratization endangers the lives of citizens, now ...
The optimum conditions for methanol conversion to dimethyl ether over modified sulfated zirconia catalysts prepared by different methods

Abstract Sulfated zirconia (SZ) and two promoted 1%Mn/SZ catalysts which have been prepared via sol gel (Mn/SZ-S) and impregnation (Mn/SZ-I) methods were studied. The morphology of the catalysts was characterized by XRD, BET, NH3-TPD, ICP, SEM and FT-IR analysis. The conversion of methanol to dimethyl ether and hydrocarbons was carried out in the temperature range of 120–300°C. The Mn/SZ-S showed the highest activity due to the high surface area with suitable acidity. The optimum condition of Mn/SZ-S catalyst was investigated at 200°C and LHSV of 0.02 h−1 in a time range from 30 to 210 min. It was found that the total conversion decreased from 80.18% to 53.26% at 210 min. The reusability of this catalyst was studied at the optimum condition up till four cycles for 1 h. The characterization of the reused catalyst showed a significant change in the structure and surface acidity due to the blockage of the surface acid sited by carbonaceous materials.
Quantitative cell release from plant tissues for single-cell genomics

Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) can provide invaluable insight into cell development, cell type identification, and plant evolution. However, the resilience of the cell wall makes it difficult to dissociate plant tissues and release individual cells. Here, we show that plant tissues can be rapidly and quantitatively dissociated if the tissues are fixed prior to enzymatic digestion. Fixation enables digestion at high temperatures at which enzymatic activity is optimal and stabilizes the plant cell cytoplasm, rendering cells resistant to mechanical shear force. This protocol was applied to maize anthers and provided suitable single-cell expression data for the identification of the tapetum, endothecium, meiocytes, and epidermis, while providing putative marker genes and gene ontology information for the identification of unknown cell types. This approach also preserves morphology of the isolated cells, permitting many cell types to be identified without staining. Our fixation-based protocol can be applied to a range of plant species and tissues with minimal optimization.
Digital avionics: A cornerstone of aviation

Digital avionics is continually expanding its role in communication (HF and VHF, satellite, data links), navigation (ground-based systems, inertial and satellite-based systems), and flight-by-wire control. Examples of electronic flight control system architecture, pitch, roll, and yaw control are presented. Modeling of complex hardware systems, electromagnetic interference, and software are discussed.
Standardization of speech materials for use in underwater research: comparative intelligibility of monosyllabic word lists

Abstract: Two experiments are reported in which underwater intelligibility capability of three standard word lists were evaluated. As would be expected, closed-set word lists produced higher scores than did open-ended tests. Alternate forms of two tests were compared and the results indicated that lists which are “equated for difficulty” in normal environments also are reasonably equated underwater. A preliminary analysis of phoneme-type distortion was derived from one closed-set test. The results appeared to demonstrate that, for this type of experiment, the most common phoneme error made by divers was in place of production, and that fricatives were most affected.
Electrical activity and calcium influx regulate ion channel development in embryonic Xenopus skeletal muscle

The development of electrical excitability involves complex coordinated changes in ion channel activity. Part of this coordination appears to be due to the fact that the expression of some channels is dependent on electrical activity mediated by other channel types. For example, we have previously shown that normal potassium current development in embryonic skeletal muscle cells of the frog Xenopus laevis is dependent on sodium channel activity. To examine the interrelationships between the development of different ionic currents, we have made a detailed study of electrical development in cultured Xenopus myocytes using whole-cell patch-clamp recording. The initial expression of potassium, sodium, and calcium currents is followed by a brief period during which the densities of potassium currents decrease, while at the same time sodium and calcium current densities continue to increase, which may increase electrical excitability during this time. The normal developmental increase in both potassium and sodium currents is inhibited by the sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin, suggesting that electrical activity normally stimulates the expression of both these currents. These effects of electrical activity appear to be mediated via activation of voltage-gated calcium channels. We suggest that the developmental acquisition of sodium and calcium channels by these cells, possibly coupled with a transient decrease in potassium current density, lead to an increase in electrical excitability and calcium entry, and that this calcium entry provides a critical developmental cue controlling the subsequent development of mature electrical properties.
LYMPHOID HYPERPLASIA OF THE APPENDIX: Clinical Study

One hundred ninety-eight cases of lymphoid hyperplasia of the appendix, some of which had other associated pathology, have been analyzed. Comparison has been made with an analogous series of acute appendicitis in children. There is no precise differential diagnosis between acute appendicitis and lymphoid hyperplasia of the appendix. Each case has to be watched carefully, and any increase in local signs is an indication for surgery. Lymphoid hyperplasia is frequently the precursor of acute appendicitis.
Technology Advancements for Service Marketing and Quality Improvement

Abstract Many organizations are investing their resources to stake their claim that Web and automatic data capture (ADC) systems as an extension of their current business operations in order to improve existing quality assurance programs. Specific technology advancements and continuous quality improvement initiatives of four service industry departments in Pittsburgh, PA, USA were inspected and documented for this paper. The four companies and their associated departments analyzed were Mellon Global Securities' Services Advisor Services Group, Eckert, Seamans, Cherin, & Mellott, LLC's Records Management Department, Mellon Financial Corporation's Global Cash Management Check Collections and Disbursements Department, and Circuit City and their electronic service departments.
Abstract P204: Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Perceived Risk among Overweight and Obese Adults

Background: Obesity is a known risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) and plays a role in other CHD risk factors including dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. With nearly two-thirds of the adult US population being overweight and obese, it is important to know how these individuals perceive their CHD risk. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between self-reported CHD risk factors and perceived CHD risk among overweight and obese adults. Methods: Demographic data, CHD risk factors, and perceived lifetime CHD risk were collected via electronic surveys using REDCap, an Internet-based data capture tool, of overweight and obese adults enrolled in a Weight Loss Research Registry. CHD risk factors were assessed using an investigator-developed survey of self-reported diagnoses of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes, family history of CHD, and current smoking status. A risk factor ranking was assigned to each participant ranging from 0 to 5, with ...
Investment Banks and Their Affiliated Mutual Funds: International Evidence from IPO Allocations

We examine the way investment banks allocate IPOs to their affiliated mutual funds worldwide. An underwriter may allocate hot IPOs to its affiliated funds to improve fund performance and increase asset management fees. Alternatively, a bank may allocate to its affiliated mutual funds poorly-performing IPOs that would otherwise be undersubscribed, using affiliates as a “dumping ground” to preserve investment banking fees. We analyze IPO allocations to affiliates globally and find significant cross-country differences in the first-day returns of these IPOs. Although IPOs allocated to affiliated funds outside the U.S have significantly lower first-day returns, IPO allocations to all mutual funds — both affiliated and unaffiliated — in countries with strong investor protection tend to have higher first-day returns, benefiting fund investors. Furthermore, strong investor protection appears to discourage underwriters from allocating IPOs with negative first-day returns to their affiliates. Overall, the evidence suggests the presence of an economically significant conflict of interest within financial conglomerates for which prior literature has not found robust empirical support. Results also highlight the importance of effective investor protection in mitigating this conflict.
A diffusion tensor imaging study of the anterior limb of the internal capsule in schizophrenia

Frontal-subcortical cognitive and limbic feedback loops modulate higher cognitive functioning. The final step in these feedback loops is the thalamo-cortical projection through the anterior limb of the internal capsule (AL-IC). Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), we evaluated abnormalities in the AL-IC fiber tract in schizophrenia. Participants comprised 16 chronic schizophrenia patients and 19 male, normal controls, who were group matched for handedness, age, and parental socioeconomic status, and underwent DTI on a 1.5 Tesla GE system. We measured the diffusion indices, fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD), and manually segmented, based on FA maps, AL-IC volume, normalized for intracranial contents (ICC). The results showed a significant reduction in the ICC-corrected volume of the AL-IC in schizophrenia, but did not show diffusion measure group differences in the AL-IC in FA, MD, RD or AD. In addition, in the schizophrenia patients, AL-IC FA correlated positively with performance on measures of spatial and verbal declarative/episodic memory, and right AL-IC ICC-corrected volume correlated positively with more perseverative responses on the Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST). We found a reduction in AL-IC ICC-corrected volume in schizophrenia, without FA, MD, RD or AD group differences, implicating the presence of a structural abnormality in schizophrenia in this subcortical white matter region which contains important cognitive, and limbic feedback pathways that modulate prefrontal cortical function. Despite not demonstrating a group difference in FA, we found that AL-IC FA was a good predictor of spatial and verbal declarative/episodic memory performance in schizophrenia.
Two studies concerning the predictive validity of the personal report of communication apprehension in employment interviews

Two studies were conducted to provide evidence concerning the predictive validity of the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension in Employment Interviews (PRCAEI). The first study, conducted in a laboratory setting, indicated that those who scored relatively high on the PRCAEI were recommended to be hired less often than those with relatively low PRCAEI scores. High PRCAEIs were also seen as less trustworthy, less task oriented, and less socially attractive than low PRCAEIs. The second study, conducted in the field, found a negative relationship (‐.84) between candidates’ scores on the PRCAEI and the rank they were given by an interviewer. That is, the higher one's PRCAEI score, the lower interviewers ranked him or her relative to others interviewing for the position. These studies offer strong support for the predictive validity of the PRCAEI and suggest CA is an extremely important variable in job interviews.
Molecular Mechanisms of Hepatic Steatosis and Insulin Resistance in the AGPAT2-Deficient Mouse Model of Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy

Mutations in 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate-O-acyltransferase 2 (AGPAT2) cause congenital generalized lipodystrophy. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the metabolic complications associated with AGPAT2 deficiency, Agpat2 null mice were generated. Agpat2(-/-) mice develop severe lipodystrophy affecting both white and brown adipose tissue, extreme insulin resistance, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis. The expression of lipogenic genes and rates of de novo fatty acid biosynthesis were increased approximately 4-fold in Agpat2(-/-) mouse livers. The mRNA and protein levels of monoacylglycerol acyltransferase isoform 1 were markedly increased in the livers of Agpat2(-/-) mice, suggesting that the alternative monoacylglycerol pathway for triglyceride biosynthesis is activated in the absence of AGPAT2. Feeding a fat-free diet reduced liver triglycerides by approximately 50% in Agpat2(-/-) mice. These observations suggest that both dietary fat and hepatic triglyceride biosynthesis via a monoacylglycerol pathway may contribute to hepatic steatosis in Agpat2(-/-) mice.
Dna Content of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Spores

(1990). Dna Content of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Spores. Mycologia: Vol. 82, No. 2, pp. 263-267.
A Stark-Tuned CH 3 OH Laser For Use In High Frequency Modulated Interferometry

A Stark-tuned laser operating on the 119 micron line of CH3OH has delivered reasonably high power (several tens of milliwatts at 30 Watts of pump power) while simultaneously exhibiting a doublet splitting of about 10 MHz, which is an order of magnitude larger than the modulation frequencies currently being used in plasma interferometers. Because the resonator design has allowed the attainment of both high power and high doublet splitting, this type of laser would be usable in the type of multi-channel interferometers currently employed on the large-scale plasma devices being used in magnetic fusion research.© (1988) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Evaluation of hydrologic equilibrium in a mountainous watershed: incorporating forest canopy spatial adjustment to soil biogeochemical processes

Abstract Hydrologic equilibrium theory has been used to describe both short-term regulation of gas exchange and long-term adjustment of forest canopy density. However, by focusing on water and atmospheric conditions alone a hydrologic equilibrium may impose an oversimplification of the growth of forests adjusted to hydrology. In this study nitrogen is incorporated as a third regulation of catchment level forest dynamics and gas exchange. This was examined with an integrated distributed hydrology and forest growth model in a central Sierra Nevada watershed covered primarily by old-growth coniferous forest. Water and atmospheric conditions reasonably reproduced daily latent heat flux, and predicted the expected catenary trend of leaf area index (LAI). However, it was not until the model was provided a spatially detailed description of initial soil carbon and nitrogen pools that spatial patterns of LAI were generated. This latter problem was attributed to a lack of soil history or memory in the initialization of the simulations. Finally, by reducing stomatal sensitivity to vapor pressure deficit (VPD) the canopy density increased when water and nitrogen limitations were not present. The results support a three-control hydrologic equilibrium in the Sierra Nevada watershed. This has implications for modeling catchment level soil–vegetation–atmospheric interactions over interannual, decade, and century time-scales.